bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Argumentation‐Based Analysis of the Simonshaven Case
Authors: Prakken Henry
Published: March 2019

In an argumentation approach, legal evidential reasoning is modeled as the construction and attack of “trees of inference” from evidence to conclusions by applying generalizations to evidence or intermediate conclusions. In this paper, an argumentation‐based analysis of the Simonshaven case is given in terms of a logical formalism for argumentation. The formalism combines abstract argumentation frameworks with accounts of the structure of arguments, of the ways they can be attacked and of ways to evaluate conflicting arguments. The purpose of this paper is not to demonstrate or argue that the argumentation approach to modeling legal evidential reasoning is feasible or even preferable but to have a fully worked‐out example that can be used in the comparison with alternative Bayesian or scenario‐based analyses.
Gender, cholinesterase, platelet count and red cell count are main predictors of peripheral blood stem cell mobilization in healthy donors
Authors: Fürst Daniel , Hauber David , Reinhardt Peter , Schauwecker Peter , Bunjes Donald , Schulz Ansgar , Mytilineos Joannis , Wiesneth Markus , Schrezenmeier Hubert , Körper Sixten
Published: March 2019

Background and objectives

Mobilization of CD34+ cells by stimulation with G‐CSF shows considerable variation across stem cell donors. Upfront prediction of CD34+ cell counts in peripheral blood based on easily available steady‐state parameters would be helpful for the planning of apheresis and stem cell transplantation. Commonly accepted steady‐state predictors for the mobilization are gender, body mass index and platelet count. The aim of the study was the identification of novel predictors that might influence mobilization efficacy and to create a model for the prediction of stem cell mobilization.

Methods

A total of 333 healthy stem cell donors who donated peripheral stem cells in our institution were retrospectively analysed. All available data before stem cell mobilization with G‐CSF were included in the database. Primary end‐point was CD34+ cell count before the first apheresis.

Results

In this cohort cholinesterase, differential blood cell counts including platelets, gender and body mass index were significantly correlated with CD34+ cell count. G‐CSF dose per lean body weight showed a significant correlation with mobilization efficacy in women but not in men. A multivariate analysis identified gender, cholinesterase and platelet and red cell count as main predictors of mobilization. Red cell count showed a strong gender dependence, with higher predictive value in females.

Conclusion

The counts of eosinophils, platelets, red cells, cholinesterase and gender are the most important predictors of CD34+ cell mobilization in our deduced models. The red cell count as a predictor for mobilization showed a differential gender dependence.
Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory pharmaceutical wastewater treatment using a two‐chambered microbial fuel cell
Authors: Amari Samar , Boshrouyeh Ghandashtani Mohammad
Published: March 2019

The two‐chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC) was designed and used for studying the efficiency of the real wastewater treatment from a non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory pharmaceutical plant as well as from synthetic wastewater containing diclofenac sodium (DS). The removal of the contaminants was expressed regarding chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, as measured by spectrophotometry experiments. Moreover, the effect of two different types of the cathode on current characteristics and COD removal was investigated. This research showed that the Pt‐coated Ti cathode could lead to higher efficiency of both power density and COD removal. In this case, the results indicated that the maximum power density (Pmax) was 20.5 and 6.5 W/m3 and the maximum COD removal was 93 and 78% for MFCs using real and synthetic wastewater, respectively.
The Effect of Quantum Learning Model on Science Teacher Candidates’ Self-Efficacy and Communication Skills
Authors: Afacan Özlem , Gürel İpek
Published: March 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of quantum learning model on science teacher candidates’ self-efficacy and communication skills. One group pre-test post-test experimental design was performed in the study. The research was carried out with 20 teacher candidates having education in third grade of Division of Science Education in Ahi Evran University. A total of 16 hours’ seminar was given to the teacher candidates in the research group about “Quantum Learning Model” and the techniques used in quantum learning model. The application of the research was performed in 8 weeks and in a total of 32 hours with laboratory experiments arranged in accordance with the “Quantum Learning Model” in the course of Science Teaching Laboratory Practices-II. Before and after the experimental studies, “Science Teaching Self-Efficacy Belief Questionnaire” and “Self-Awareness Inventory” were performed on teacher candidates. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS package program. According to the results of the research, there was no significant difference between the science teacher candidates’ science teaching self-efficacy pre-test and post-test mean scores. Between the mean scores of science teacher candidates in science teaching self-efficacy pre-test and post-test, there was a significant difference in favor of post-test.
Physical Education and Sports Lesson from Science High School Students' Perspective: Mixed Research Approach
Authors: Yilmaz Aynur
Published: March 2019

The aim of this study is to investigation the opinions of science high school students about physical education and sports lesson. The research is designed with an exploratory sequential pattern from mixed research approaches. The research was carried out in two Science High Schools in Kırıkkale province during the fall semester of 2017-2018 academic years. The study was conducted on three groups [first study group: 245 (141 females; 104 males); second study group: 24 (14 females; 10 males); third study group: 8 (7 female; 1 male)]. Quantitative data were obtained through the "Personal Information Form" prepared by the researcher and the "Physical Education Attitude Scale for Secondary School Students" developed by Güllü and Güçlü (2009). Qualitative data were collected by using the drawing-writing form and semi-structured interview form. Descriptive statistics, independent group t-test, one-way analysis of variance and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze the quantitative data. In the analysis of qualitative data, content analysis was utilized. According to the findings, it was found that the attitudes of science high school students towards physical education lesson were at a moderate level and male students had a more positive attitude than female students. There was no difference between academic achievement and class level.
The Attitudes of Primary School Teachers towards Leisure
Authors: Öztürk Özden Tepeköylü , Soytürk Mümine , Doğan Yeliz Ilgar
Published: March 2019

This study aims to analyze the attitudes of primary school teachers towards leisure. It also aims to determine whether the attitudes of primary school teachers vary according to their gender and leisure activities they attend. A total of 355 primary school teachers ( age= 45.08±7.91), including 188 females and 167 males, volunteered to participate in this study. “Leisure Attitude Scale" developed by Beard and Ragheb (1982) and adapted into Turkish by Akgül and Gürbüz (2010) and “General Information Form” were utilized to collect data. The findings of this study indicates that the leisure attitudes levels of teachers were quite high ( mean= 4.28±.33). Also according to gender of the participants, a significant difference was found in favor of the female teachers in regards to the attitude of leisure in the cognitive sub-dimension and in total points but not in the affective and behavioral sub-dimensions. In terms of the most preferred leisure activity, there was a significant difference in the behavioral sub-dimension of the leisure attitude scale of teachers, whereas there was no statistically significant difference in the cognitive, affective sub-dimensions and total scores. Accordingly, teachers who preferred physical activities in leisure had higher points than the ones who preferred other activities with regards to the behavioral sub-dimensional. In addition, no significant relationship was found between the ages of the teachers, the years of professional service, the leisure attitude scale sub-dimensions and total score.
Analysis of Powder Airborne Release Fractions for Vessel Ruptures
Authors: Laurinat James E. , Hensel Steve J.
Published: March 2019

The Department of Energy (DOE) handbook for airborne releases from nonreactor nuclear facilities bases its bounding airborne release fraction (ARF) for pressurized powders on tests conducted at Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL). An analysis is presented that correlates the ARF from these tests. The amount of powder that becomes airborne is correlated in terms of an adjusted airborne release fraction (AARF) equal to the product of the powder entrainment from the powder bed and the ratio of the total vessel volume to the volume occupied by the powder bed. Powder entrainments and release fractions at low pressures are correlated using a fluidized bed analogy. The analysis shows that the entrainment is enhanced by a sonic shock if the pressure prior to the rupture exceeds approximately 0.329 MPa (33 psig). A secondary, three-dimensional shock is predicted to occur at an initial pressure of approximately 2.39 MPa (332 psig). A correlation based on this analysis is used to predict the ARF for ruptures of vessels containing plutonium oxide. It is assumed that the oxide is pressurized by hydrogen that is radiolytically generated from adsorbed moisture.
A Comparative Study of Different Objectives Functions for the Minimal Fuel Drive Cycle Optimization in Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Prakash Niket , Kim Youngki , Stefaopoulou Anna G.
Published: March 2019

With the advent of self-driving autonomous vehicles, vehicle controllers are free to drive their own velocities. This feature can be exploited to drive an optimal velocity trajectory that minimizes fuel consumption. Two typical approaches to drive cycle optimization are velocity smoothing and tractive energy minimization. The former reduces accelerations and decelerations, and hence, it does not require information of vehicle parameters and resistance forces. On the other hand, the latter reduces tractive energy demand at the wheels of a vehicle. In this work, utilizing an experimentally validated full vehicle simulation software, we show that for conventional gasoline vehicles the lower energy velocity trajectory can consume as much fuel as the velocity smoothing case. This implies that the easily implementable, vehicle agnostic velocity smoothing optimization can be used for velocity optimization rather than the nonlinear tractive energy minimization, which results in a pulse-and-glide trajectory.
Experimental Demonstration of Safety During Extended Station Blackout in an Integral Test Loop of a Natural Circulation Boiling Water Reactor
Authors: Nayak A. K. , Kumar Mukesh , Vishnoi A. K. , Jain Vikas , Chandraker D. K.
Published: March 2019

Decay heat removal for prolonged period of station blackout (SBO) is a safety concern of the nuclear reactors. Aftermath of Fukushima, safety evaluation (performance under severe conditions: stress test) of the reactors was carried out worldwide. It includes establishment of grace period of the reactors. Similar exercises for advanced heavy water reactor (AHWR) were also performed and the design of AHWR was established for its robustness against such events. Decay heat removal during extended SBO is such a condition to be qualified. In this regard, experiments in the integral test loop (ITL), a full scale test facility of AHWR, were conducted for continuous 7 days of extended SBO. Experiment was started with 6.8 MPa as the initial reactor pressure and decay heat removal was demonstrated for 7 days of SBO by passive means. It is observed that the pressure falls down to 1 MPa in 3 h. The design of AHWR was evaluated from safety critical aspects during such an event experimentally. During this event, the clad surface temperature was found to be well within safe limits of operations. As a result of this experiment, it can be concluded that the design of AHWR is capable to remove decay heat for 7 days of SBO with sufficient safety margins.
Preliminary Experiments While Designing a Cold Crucible for Metal Melting
Authors: Rot David , Jiřinec Jakub
Published: March 2019

This article deals with issues arising during the design and production of a cold crucible (CC) for melting metals and alloys using electromagnetic induction. The article deals particularly with the results from tests and numerical simulations for designing the CC. The heat fluxes from different metals and their alloys to two different CCs and one calorimeter were measured during the tests. The required magnetohydrodynamic effects on the melted load were verified, and related (independent) electrical and thermal quantities were measured. The dependent electric parameters (R, L, Z) were measured on the inductor and on the primary side of the high frequency transformer. The experiments were numerically simulated first, and the experimental and simulated results were then compared. The final part of the article contains the final design of the CC. The final CC was tested for the transfer of energy from the inductor into a load placed inside the CC and the required magnetohydrodynamic effects on the melted load inside the CC were partly verified too.
Multiple Target Exploration Approach for Design Exploration Using a Swarm Intelligence and Clustering
Authors: Han Hyeongmin , Chang Sehyun , Kim Harrison
Published: March 2019

In engineering design problems, performance functions evaluate the quality of designs. Among the designs, some of them are classified as good designs if responses from performance functions satisfy a target point or range. An infinite set of good designs in the design space is defined as a solution space of the design problem. In practice, since the performance functions are analytical models or black-box simulations which are computationally expensive, it is difficult to obtain a complete solution space. In this paper, a method that finds a finite set of good designs, which is included in a solution space, is proposed. The method formulates the problem as optimization problems and utilizes gray wolf optimizer (GWO) in the way of design exploration. Target points of the exploration process are defined by clustering intermediate solutions for every iteration. The method is tested with a simple two-dimensional problem and an automotive vehicle design problem to validate and check the quality of solution points.
Adaptive Dimensionality Reduction for Fast Sequential Optimization With Gaussian Processes
Authors: Ghoreishi Seyede Fatemeh , Friedman Samuel , Allaire Douglas L.
Published: March 2019

Available computational models for many engineering design applications are both expensive and and of a black-box nature. This renders traditional optimization techniques difficult to apply, including gradient-based optimization and expensive heuristic approaches. For such situations, Bayesian global optimization approaches, that both explore and exploit a true function while building a metamodel of it, are applied. These methods often rely on a set of alternative candidate designs over which a querying policy is designed to search. For even modestly high-dimensional problems, such an alternative set approach can be computationally intractable, due to the reliance on excessive exploration of the design space. To overcome this, we have developed a framework for the optimization of expensive black-box models, which is based on active subspace exploitation and a two-step knowledge gradient policy. We demonstrate our approach on three benchmark problems and a practical aerostructural wing design problem, where our method performs well against traditional direct application of Bayesian global optimization techniques.
“FabSearch”: A 3D CAD Model-Based Search Engine for Sourcing Manufacturing Services
Authors: Angrish Atin , Craver Benjamin , Starly Binil
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we present “FabSearch,” a prototype search engine for sourcing manufacturing service providers, by making use of the product manufacturing information (PMI) contained within a 3D digital file of a part product. FabSearch is designed to take in a query 3D model, such as the .STEP file of a part model which then produces a ranked list of job shop service providers who are best suited to fabricate the part. Service providers may have potentially built hundreds to thousands of parts with associated part 3D models over time. FabSearch assumes that these service providers have shared shape signatures of the part models built previously to enable the algorithm to most effectively rank the service providers who have the most experience to build the query part model. FabSearch has two important features that helps it produce relevant results. First, it makes use of the shape characteristics of the 3D part by calculating the Spherical Harmonics signature of the part to calculate the most similar shapes built previously be job shop service providers. Second, FabSearch utilizes metadata about each part, such as material specification, tolerance requirements to help improve the search results based on the specific query model requirements. The algorithm is tested against a repository containing more than 2000 models distributed across various job shop service providers. For the first time, we show the potential for utilizing the rich information contained within a 3D part model to automate the sourcing and eventual selection of manufacturing service providers.
Epidemiology of traumatic injuries presenting to an ED in Central Haiti: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Rouhani Shada A , Eliacin Henry Claude , Edmond Marie Cassandre , Checkett Keegan A , Rimpel Linda , Marsh Regan H
Published: March 2019

Background

In Haiti, like many low-income countries, traumatic injuries are leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Yet, little is known about the epidemiology of traumatic injuries in Haitian EDs. Improved understanding of injury patterns is necessary to strengthen emergency services and improve emergency provider education.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of trauma patients at an academic hospital in central Haiti over 6 months. Visits were identified from the electronic medical record, and paper charts were manually reviewed. Data, including demographics, timing of presentation, injuries sustained, treatments received and ED disposition were extracted using a standardised form and later analysed in SAS V.9.3.

Results

Of 1401 patients, 66% were male, and the average age was 26.8 years. Most visits were due to road traffic injuries (RTIs; 48%) followed by falls (22%). Trauma mechanism varied significantly by age (p<0.001): falls predominated in children under 5 years (56%) versus RTIs for adults (59%). Only 14% of patients injured on motorcycles used helmets and 30% of those injured in motor vehicles used seatbelts. Only 18% of patients arrived within 1 hour of the trauma. Skin or soft tissue injuries were the most common (58%), followed by extremity or pelvic fractures or dislocations (23%). Most patients (81%) were discharged, 14% were admitted or stayed over 24 hours in the ED and 0.8% died in the ED. Of the admitted patients, 61% had surgery, 79% of which were orthopaedic. Patients using helmets or seatbelts were more likely to be discharged than those not using protective equipment (p=0.008).

Conclusions

In this trauma population, RTIs and falls were the most common trauma mechanisms, safety feature use was rare, and most injuries were musculoskeletal. Presentation was delayed and mortality was low, but many patients required surgery. These findings have significant clinical, public health, operational and training implications.
Clinical characteristics of patients with colorectal cancer with double somatic mismatch repair mutations compared with Lynch syndrome
Authors: Pearlman Rachel , Haraldsdottir Sigurdis , de la Chapelle Albert , Jonasson Jon G , Liyanarachchi Sandya , Frankel Wendy L , Rafnar Thorunn , Stefansson Kari , Pritchard Colin C , Hampel Heather
Published: March 2019

Background

Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) tumours without MLH1 methylation or germline MMR pathogenic variants (PV) were previously thought to have Lynch syndrome (LS). It is now appreciated that they can have double somatic (DS) MMR PVs. We explored the clinical characteristics between patients with DS tumours and LS in two population-based cohorts.

Methods

We included patients with CRC from Ohio 2013–2016 and Iceland 2000–2009. All had microsatellite instability testing and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC) of MMR proteins, and MLH1 methylation testing when indicated. Germline next-generation sequencing was performed for all with dMMR tumours; tumour sequencing followed for patients with unexplained dMMR. Clinical characteristics of DS patients and patients with LS were compared.

Results

Of the 232 and 51 patients with non-methylated dMMR tumours in the Ohio and Iceland cohorts, respectively, 57.8% (n=134) and 45.1% (n=23) had LS, 32.8% (n=76) and 31.4% (n=16) had DS PVs, 6% (n=14) and 9.8% (n=5) were unexplained and 4.3% (n=10) and 13.7% (n=7) had incorrect IHC. Age of diagnosis for DS patients was older than patients with LS (p=3.73×10−4) in the two cohorts. Patients with LS were more likely to meet Amsterdam II criteria (OR=15.81, p=8.47×10−6) and have multiple LS-associated tumours (OR=6.67, p=3.31×10−5). Absence of MLH1/PMS2 was predictive of DS PVs; isolated MSH6 and PMS2 absence was predictive of LS in both cohorts.

Conclusions

Individuals with LS are 15× more likely to meet Amsterdam II criteria and >5× more likely to have multiple cancers as compared with those with DS tumours. Furthermore, isolated loss of MSH6 or PMS2 protein predicts LS.
Mutations in NLRP2 and NLRP5 cause female infertility characterised by early embryonic arrest
Authors: Mu Jian , Wang Wenjing , Chen Biaobang , Wu Ling , Li Bin , Mao Xiaoyan , Zhang Zhihua , Fu Jing , Kuang Yanping , Sun Xiaoxi , Li Qiaoli , Jin Li , He Lin , Sang Qing , Wang Lei
Published: March 2019

Background

Successful human reproduction requires normal spermatogenesis, oogenesis, fertilisation and early embryonic development, and abnormalities in any of these processes will result in infertility. Early embryonic arrest is commonly observed in infertile patients with recurrent failure of assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, the genetic basis for early embryonic arrest is largely unknown.

Objective

We aim to identify genetic causes of infertile patients characterised by early embryonic arrest.

Methods

We pursued exome sequencing in a proband with embryonic arrest from the consanguineous family. We further screened candidate genes in a cohort of 496 individuals diagnosed with early embryonic arrest by Sanger sequencing. Effects of mutations were investigated in HeLa cells, oocytes and embryos.

Results

We identified five independent individuals carrying biallelic mutations in NLRP2. We also found three individuals from two families carrying biallelic mutations in NLRP5. These mutations in NLRP2 and NLRP5 caused decreased protein expression in vitro and in oocytes and embryos.

Conclusions

NLRP2 and NLRP5 are novel mutant genes responsible for human early embryonic arrest. This finding provides additional potential diagnostic markers for patients with recurrent failure of ART and helps us to better understand the genetic basis of female infertility characterised by early embryonic arrest.
Experimental investigation of pozzolanic concrete containing wheat straw ash
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Riaz , Sharif Muhammad Burhan , Ali Hafiz Asad , Hussain Munawar , Chen Bing
Published: March 2019

This study investigated the detailed optimization of wheat straw ash (WSA) as a pozzolanic material. Characterization of WSA as pozzolanic materials was carried out according to ASTM C618 and results indicated that WSA calcined at 700 °C for 2 h fulfilled ASTM C618 requirement and results were also confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of WSA samples. Effect of WSA on setting time, mechanical properties, alkali–silica reaction (ASR), hydration process, and microstructure of cement paste (CP) and concrete was studied. Compressive and flexural strength of concrete mixture containing 14% WSA was 7.5% and 19.5% more as compared to control mixture at 28 days respectively. ASR expansion of mortar prisms and hydration temperature was reduced due to WSA incorporation. XRD and scanning electron microscopy investigations of CP indicated that WSA improved the microstructure of CP and was effective in imparting the pozzolanic characteristics during hydration reaction at 7 and 28 days.
Telomere length and age-dependent telomere attrition: the blood-and-muscle model
Authors: Chahine Mirna N. , Toupance Simon , El-Hakim Sandy , Labat Carlos , Gautier Sylvie , Moussallem Toufic , Yared Pierre , Asmar Roland , Benetos Athanase
Published: March 2019

Short telomere length (TL) is associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) and other age-related diseases. It is unclear whether these associations originate from having inherently short TL or a faster TL attrition before or during disease development. We proposed the blood-and-muscle model to assess TL dynamics throughout life course. Our objective was to measure TL in leukocytes (LTL) and in skeletal muscle (MTL), which served as a proxy of TL at birth. The delta (MTL–LTL) represented life-long telomere attrition. Blood draws and skeletal muscle biopsies were performed on 35 Lebanese individuals undergoing surgery. Following DNA extraction, LTL and MTL were measured by Southern blot. In every individual aged between 30 and 85 years, MTL was longer than LTL. With age, MTL and LTL decreased, but the delta (MTL–LTL) increased by 14 bp/year. We validated the blood-and-muscle model that allowed us to identify TL, TL at birth, and lifelong TL attrition in a cross-sectional study. This model can be used in larger cross-sectional studies to evaluate the association of telomere dynamics with age-related diseases onset and progression.
WAGE DISCRIMINATION IN INDIA’S FORMAL AND INFORMAL LABOR MARKETS
Authors: NEOG BHASKAR JYOTI , SAHOO BIMAL KISHORE
Published: March 2019

The study examines the extent of gender- and caste-based discrimination among the formally and informally employed in India using the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) Employment-Unemployment Survey (EUS) data for the four major rounds from 1999–00 to 2011–12. Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition results corrected for self-selection show wage discrimination to be significantly higher in informal employment compared to the formally employed. Similarly, caste-based discrimination is found to be lower compared to gender-based discrimination. The quantile decomposition results show discrimination to vary across the quantiles. Our results highlight the need for better regulation of the informal labor market in India.
OPTIMAL EMISSIONS TAXATION AND INTERNALIZATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE WHEN EMISSIONS OCCUR DURING USE OR AT DISPOSAL
Authors: SAGASTA AMAGOIA , USATEGUI JOSÉ M.
Published: March 2019

In a durable-goods oligopoly in which emissions may occur during use or at the disposal of the good, the comparison between the optimal emission tax in a period and marginal environmental damage in that period may not be relevant for environmental policy, as producers’ decisions depend on the expected total emission tax per unit produced in each period and the units of the good produced in one period may cause emissions and environmental damage in future periods. In this paper, through the study of optimal emission taxes, the total expected optimal emission tax per unit produced in a period is compared with the expected overall marginal environmental damage from the last unit produced in that period when the regulator can commit to future emission taxes and also when the regulator cannot commit to such taxes.
Atomic motion and dipole–dipole effects on the stability of atom–atom entanglement in Markovian/non-Markovian reservoir
Authors: Golkar S. , Tavassoly M. K.
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we consider the entanglement dynamics of two identical qubits (two-level atoms) accompanied by dipole–dipole interaction within a common reservoir in the strong and weak coupling regimes. We suppose that the qubits move in the reservoir which is at zero temperature. Using the time-dependent Schrödinger equation, the state vector of the qubits-reservoir system is obtained by which we can evaluate the concurrence as a suitable measure of entanglement between the two qubits. The results show that by choosing special initial conditions for the qubits, a different dynamical behavior of entanglement is visible in such a way that entanglement protection occurs. Also, we find that the qubit motion in the absence of dipole–dipole interaction leads to preservation or at least more slowly decay of entanglement. However, in the presence of dipole–dipole interaction with the movement of qubits, different results can be observed which depend on the initial states of the qubits, i.e. entanglement may or may not be protected.
Quark and glue spectroscopy of scalars and pseudoscalars in SU(3) flavor limit
Authors: Fariborz Amir H. , Jora Renata , Lyukova Maria
Published: March 2019

Within the framework of the generalized linear sigma model with glueballs recently proposed,[Formula: see text] we study the schematic spectroscopy of scalar and pseudoscalar mesons in the SU(3) flavor limit and explore their quark and glue contents. In this framework, for both scalars and pseudoscalars, the two octet physical states are admixtures of quark–antiquark and four-quark components, and the three singlet states contain quark–antiquark, four-quark and glue components. We identify the two scalar octets with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and the two pseudoscalar octets with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. We show that, as expected, the light pseudoscalar octet is made dominantly of quark–antiquarks whereas the light scalar octet has a reversed substructure with a dominant four-quark component. The case of singlets is more complex due to surplus of states up to around 2 GeV. We consider all 35 permutations for identifying the three pseudoscalar singlets of our model with three of the seven experimental candidates. Our numerical simulation unambiguously identifies the lightest and the heaviest pseudoscalar singlets with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively, and favors the identification of the middle singlet with either [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] (or, to a lesser extent, with [Formula: see text]) and thereby allows a probe of their substructures. We then estimate the quark and glue components and find that the three pseudoscalar singlets (from lightest to heaviest) are mainly of quark–antiquark, four-quark and glue substructure, while the corresponding three scalar singlets (from lightest to heaviest) are of four-quark, quark–antiquark and glue contents. The masses of pure pseudoscalar and scalar glueballs are estimated around 2.0 and 1.6 GeV, respectively.
An Empirical Formulation for the Damping Ratio of Shape Memory Alloy for Base-Isolated Structures
Authors: Ghodke Sharad , Jangid R. S.
Published: March 2019

Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs) are now widely used as a damping element into the isolation systems. The pre-stressed SMAs exhibit hysteretic damping through a nonlinear flag-shaped hysteresis loop. Many nonlinear models of the SMA are available to depict such behavior. The nonlinear models require a lot of effort and computational time for the analysis of base-isolated structures. Therefore, the codes recommend that a nonlinear model can be replaced by an equivalent linear model in the analysis. Linearization is a method to convert the nonlinearity of a system into a system with analogues linear parameters. This paper proposes an empirical equation for a damping ratio to get a linear damping coefficient of the SMAs which can be used in the seismic analysis of base-isolated structures.

The evaluation of any damping ratio using the traditional system identification method does not give precise solutions due to variation in hysteretic parameters and the unpredictable nature of an earthquake. The empirical equation is proposed using a set of optimal statistical data obtained from the seismic analysis of a base isolated structure. Moreover, analysis of the base isolated structure using the newly modified equivalent elastic-viscous SMA model gives comparable and conservative results with a nonlinear SMA model as compared to the existing elastic-viscous SMA model. Since the hysteresis parameters are used to derive the empirical equation for the damping ratio, this equation is also applicable for any type of structure.
A Comparative Study on the Beam and Continuum Finite Element Models for the Rail–Wheel Vibration
Authors: Xie Q. , Zhou Y. X. , Zhan Y. , Sze K. Y. , Han W. S.
Published: March 2019

The rail–wheel interaction can induce train and track vibrations and consequently lead to noise impact, passengers’ discomfort, high maintenance cost, etc. Due to the complexity of the rail–wheel interaction and the high cost of field tests, as well as the difficulties in data collection, numerical analyses have been widely resorted to for predicting the train and track vibrations, for which numerous numerical models have been developed. According to track modeling approaches, numerical models can be generally divided into two categories, i.e. beam models and continuum finite element (FE) models. In this paper, these two models are systematically compared and discussed. First, a typical beam model of Wu and Thompson [T. X. Wu and D. Thompson, On the parametric excitation of the wheel/track system, J. Sound Vib. 278(4) (2004) 725–747.] is introduced, based on which a modified model is then established. Secondly, a plane continuum FE model with high mesh quality is established, in which the transition mesh generation, contact treatment and element size determination are presented. Numerical tests are conducted to validate the proposed plane FE model. Finally, both the beam and the plane continuum FE models are examined through typical rail–wheel interaction examples, in which the linear response of the track as well as the rail–wheel vibrations under both a single rolling wheel and two rolling wheels are analyzed. The results show that most of the vibration trends obtained from the two models agree well with each other. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that the continuum FE model has superiorities, especially for analyzing vibrations at higher frequencies. The present study can be of considerable help for designers and engineers in the railway industry to achieve the trade-off between the simulation demands and the computational cost.
Conversion Uplift in E-Commerce: A Systematic Benchmark of Modeling Strategies
Authors: Gubela Robin , Bequé Artem , Lessmann Stefan , Gebert Fabian
Published: March 2019

Uplift modeling combines machine learning and experimental strategies to estimate the differential effect of a treatment on individuals’ behavior. The paper considers uplift models in the scope of marketing campaign targeting. Literature on uplift modeling strategies is fragmented across academic disciplines and lacks an overarching empirical comparison. Using data from online retailers, we fill this gap and contribute to literature through consolidating prior work on uplift modeling and systematically comparing the predictive performance and utility of available uplift modeling strategies. Our empirical study includes three experiments in which we examine the interaction between an uplift modeling strategy and the underlying machine learning algorithm to implement the strategy, quantify model performance in terms of business value and demonstrate the advantages of uplift models over response models, which are widely used in marketing. The results facilitate making specific recommendations how to deploy uplift models in e-commerce applications.
Research on error-correction algorithm of high-speed QKD system based on FPGA
Authors: Tang Shi-Biao , Cheng Jie
Published: March 2019

In the process of quantum key distribution (QKD), error correction algorithm is used to correct the error bits of the key at both ends. The existing applied QKD system has a low key rate and is generally Kbps of magnitude. Therefore, the performance requirement of data processing such as error correction is not high. In order to cope with the development demand of high-speed QKD system in the future, this paper introduces the Winnow algorithm to realize high-speed parity and hamming error correction based on Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), and explores the performance limit of this algorithm. FPGA hardware implementation can achieve the scale of Mbps bandwidth, with choosing different group length of sifted key by different error rate, and can achieve higher error correction efficiency by reducing the information leakage in the process of error correction, and improves the QKD system’s secure key rate, thus helping the future high-speed QKD system.
Identification of Parameters in Li-Ion Battery Model by Least Squares Method with Variable Forgetting Factor
Authors: Wei Xiong , Yimin Mo , Feng Zhang
Published: March 2019

The inaccuracy of the battery model of an electric vehicle will seriously affect the safe operation of the electric vehicle. This paper aims to design a better identification method for Li-ion battery model parameters to improve the accuracy of the model. A least squares method was developed with variable forgetting factor (VFF) to identify the parameters of a second-order resistor-recapacitor (RC) model of Li-ion battery. After using the identified parameters, the battery model can reliably and accurately track the variability of the actual working state of the energy storage system. Results at different values of the forgetting factor were analyzed to determine the principle for selecting the value of the forgetting factor, and disclose the impacts of the factor values on model accuracy. Finally, the proposed identification algorithm was tested through comparison between results of the model simulation and experimental data. This method provides an important basis for subsequent development of accurate state-of-charge (SOC) and state-of-health (SOH) estimation algorithms.
Synchronization in Strategic Planning: A Roadmapping Framework
Authors: Vinayavekhin Sukrit , Phaal Robert
Published: March 2019

The research question is “How can firms approach synchronization in strategic planning?”, aiming to investigate opportunities for improved synchronization within strategic planning. The focus is on roadmapping, as a relatively simple, flexible and widely used method that includes time as an explicit dimension. The adopted methodology is a process approach, consisting of literature review, exploratory interviews, practitioner interviews, and case studies with large multinational firms based in the UK that are familiar with roadmapping. As a result, four types of synchronization have been identified and discussed, including generic forms of each type, illustrated with industrial examples from the case studies.
A new incomplete Ricci-flat metric
Authors: Malkovich E. G.
Published: March 2019

Classical metrics (Eguchi–Hanson, Taub–NUT, Fubini–Study) satisfy a certain system of ODE that we introduced. By studying this system we found new Ricci-flat incomplete Riemannian metric in explicit formula and described its behavior at infinity and in the singular point.
How an Innovative Sugarcane Biofuel System can Prevent a Clash between Food and Energy in Brazil
Authors: de Paula Nilson , Pereira Wellington , Parmentier Mary Jane
Published: March 2019

Food commodities have been used worldwide for both human consumption and energy, amid concerns of environmental degradation and damaging effects on local food systems. Presently, strategies of rural development have encompassed the use of green resources to produce biofuels and an agenda of food security. We argue that by the strengthening of a Sectorial System of Production and Innovation involving farming activity, industrial transformation and institutional support, production for food and for energy can be balanced. Our discussion contributes to the resolution of the potential conflict between agro-energy and food production and the role of public policies in stimulating second-generation ethanol based on remaining biomass. Based on the current literature and empirical evidences, the prospects for sugarcane ethanol in Brazil are examined, bearing in mind the development of a system able to produce second-generation ethanol, as a strategy able to mitigate negative effects on food security.
Customer Churn Prediction with Feature Embedded Convolutional Neural Network: An Empirical Study in the Internet Funds Industry
Authors: Wang Chongren , Han Dongmei , Fan Weiguo , Liu Qigang
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we investigated the customer churn prediction problem in the Internet funds industry. We designed a novel feature embedded convolutional neural networks (FE-CNN) method that can automatically learn features from both the dynamic customer behavioral data and static customer demographic data and can utilize the advantage of convolutional neural networks to automatically learn features that capture the structured information. Our results show that our FE-CNN model outperforms the other traditional machine learning models with hand-crafted features, such as logistic regression (LR), support vector machines (SVM), random forests (RF) and neural networks (NN) in terms of accuracy, area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) and top-decile lift. Furthermore, we found that after adding the demographic data feature to the basic CNN model, the performance of the FE-CNN model improved. Overall, we found that the FE-CNN is the most powerful way to solve the problem of customer churn prediction in the Internet funds industry. Our FE-CNN method can also be applied to other fields that have both dynamic data and static data.
On the Internal Resonances of Size-Dependent Clamped–Hinged Microbeams: Continuum Modeling and Numerical Simulations
Authors: Li Zhenkun , He Yuming , Zhang Bo , Lei Jian , Guo Song , Liu Dabiao
Published: March 2019

The nonlinear forced vibrations of size-dependent clamped–hinged microbeams to fundamental excitations of respectively the first mode and second mode in the presence of three-to-one internal resonance are investigated both analytically and numerically for the first time. Equation of motion incorporating large deflection, along with the symmetric part of couple stress is derived by virtue of Hamilton’s principle. Utilizing Galerkin discretization with the first two modes, the discretized ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are then handled analytically with multi-dimensional Lindstedt–Poincaré (MDLP) method. The frequency–response relationships in the fundamental resonance for the first mode and the second mode are presented as well as compared with the classical solution. Results reveal that the size-dependent internal resonances are significantly different from the classical situation whenever it is of the first mode or the second mode. Furthermore, the influences of material length scale parameter, excitation force and damping on the performance of nonlinear system are discussed for fundamental excitation of the first order. The frequency–response relationships are illustrated for the first two modes in each case. Moreover, numerical modelings are conducted to compare to the analytical solutions. The numerical results fully support the analytical predictions. Also, simulations indicate the appearance of chaos under relatively large excitation force whether it is the vibration of the first mode or the second mode.
Epimedium flavonoids mitigate proteotoxicity and extend healthspan via DAF-16 inC. elegans
Authors: Cai Waijiao , Wu Junzhen , Wang Xinliumei , Huang Jianhua , Shen Ziyin , Chen Xiqun
Published: March 2019

Objective: Epimedium flavonoids (EF), the raw extract of medicinal herb Epimedium, have been shown to have broad beneficial effects in the elderly including those with neurodegeneration. The goal of this study is to investigate whether EF is protective against proteotoxicity and whether it extends healthspan in C. elegans.

Methods: Animals were treated with EF supplemented in the growth medium. Two C. elegans models of human proteotoxic disease, CL4176 expressing an aggregated amyloid-[Formula: see text] (1–42) peptide (A[Formula: see text]1–42) and AM140 expressing a polyglutamine (polyQ) protein, were exploited to test the anti-proteotoxicity of EF. Proteotoxicity-induced paralysis in CL4176 and AM140 was evaluated. Lifespan, stress resistance, and locomotion were tested in wild-type N2 C. elegans. Lifespan assays were also performed in CF1038, a daf-16 null mutant strain. DAF-16 nuclear translocation was analyzed in TJ356, a strain expressing a functional DAF-16::GFP fusion protein. The mRNA levels of downstream targets of DAF-16 were measured by qPCR.

Results: EF significantly reduced A[Formula: see text]1–42- and polyQ-induced paralysis in CL4176 and AM140, indicating the anti-proteotoxic potency of EF. EF significantly extended the lifespan and promoted stress resistance and locomotion in N2, demonstrating a healthspan extension effect of EF. DAF-16 nuclear localization and its downstream targets, sod-3 and hsp-16.2 mRNA levels, were significantly elevated with EF. EF did not increase the lifespan of daf-16 null mutant CF1038, revealing a DAF-16-dependent mechanism of EF effect on lifespan.

Conclusion: We found that EF, a natural extract from a widely used medicinal herb Epimedium, protects against proteotoxicity and extends the healthspan via DAF-16 in C. elegans. Our work may provide molecular insights into the clinical benefits of EF and Epimedium.
Inferring Insertion Times and Optimizing Error Penalties in Time-decaying Bloom Filters
Authors: Dautrich Jonathan L. , Ravishankar Chinya V.
Published: March 2019

Current Bloom Filters tend to ignore Bayesian priors as well as a great deal of useful information they hold, compromising the accuracy of their responses. Incorrect responses cause users to incur penalties that are both application- and item-specific, but current Bloom Filters are typically tuned only for static penalties. Such shortcomings are problematic for all Bloom Filter variants, but especially so for Time-decaying Bloom Filters, in which the memory of older items decays over time, causing both false positives and false negatives.

We address these issues by introducing
inferential
filters, which integrate Bayesian priors and information latent in filters to make penalty-optimal, query-specific decisions. We also show how to properly infer insertion times in such filters. Our methods are general, but here we illustrate their application to
inferential time-decaying filters
to support novel query types and sliding window queries with dynamic error penalties.

We present inferential versions of the Timing Bloom Filter and Generalized Bloom Filter. Our experiments on real and synthetic datasets show that our methods reduce penalties for incorrect responses to sliding-window queries in these filters by up to 70% when penalties are dynamic.