bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compared performance of Spot and SW800 photoscreeners on Chinese children
Authors: Qian Xuehan , Li Ying , Ding Gang , Li Jing , Lv Hongyu , Hua Ning , Wei Nan , He Li , Wei Lirong , Li Xue , Wang Jiaxing
Published: July 2018

Purpose

To evaluate the effectiveness of Spot photoscreener and SW800 vision screener in detecting amblyopia risk factors in Chinese children between 4 and 6 years of age.

Methods

One hundred and thirteen children (226 eyes) underwent complete ophthalmologic examination, cycloplegic retinoscopy refraction, prism cover tests and photoscreen using both Spot (v2.1.4) and SW800 (v1.0.1.0) photoscreeners. The agreement of results obtained from photoscreener and retinoscopy was evaluated by paired t-test as well as Pearson correlation test. The sensitivity and specificity of detecting amblyopia risk factors were calculated based on the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus 2013 guidelines. The overall effectiveness of detecting amblyopia risk factors by using either photoscreener was analysed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Results

A strong linear agreement was observed between Spot and retinoscopy (p<0.01) in aspects of spherical equivalent (SE, Pearson’s r=0.95), dioptre sphere (DS, r=0.97), dioptre cylinder (DC, r=0.84) and horizontal deviation (Hdev, r=0.91), with overall −0.17 D myopic shift of SE. Significant correlation was also shown between SW800 and retinoscopy (p<0.01) in aspects of SE (r=0.90), DS (r=0.93), DC (r=0.82) and Hdev (r=0.80), with overall −0.12 D myopic shift of SE. The overall sensitivity and specificity in detecting amblyopia risk factors were 94.0% and 80.0% for Spot and 88.8% and 81.1% for SW800.

Conclusion

The measurements of Spot and SW800 photoscreener showed a strong agreement with cycloplegic retinoscopy refraction and prism cover tests. The performance of both screeners in detecting individual amblyopia risk factors is satisfactory. ROC analysis indicates that the Spot and SW800 performed very similarly in detecting amblyopia risk factors.
Increased risk of hospital-acquired foot ulcers in people with diabetes: large prospective study and implications for practice
Authors: Wensley Frances , Kerry Christopher , Rayman Gerry
Published: July 2018

Aims

Diabetes increases the risk of costly and potentially preventable hospital-acquired pressure ulceration. Given that peripheral arterial disease and neuropathy, important risk factors for foot ulceration, are more common in people with diabetes, their risk of hospital-acquired foot ulceration (HAFU) in particular may be even greater. This study aims to determine this risk.

Methods

Using data collected over 2 years from all admissions to the Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, we conducted a prospective multilevel regression analysis of the risk of HAFU in 5043 admissions of people with diabetes versus 23 599 without diabetes. Patients over 50 years who developed HAFU at least 48 hours after admission were included in analyses. Progressive adjustment for important risk factors and subgroup analyses were conducted to compare patients with and without diabetes.

Results

There were significant differences between patients with and without diabetes among a range of covariates including sex, Comorbidity Score, and length of stay (p value <0.001). After progressive adjustment for age, sex, and other risk factors, there persisted a significant increase risk of HAFU in people with diabetes (OR 2.24; 95% CI 1.80 to 2.69). There were no substantial differences between clinically relevant subgroups.

Conclusions

These analyses demonstrate at least a twofold increase in the risk of HAFU in patients with diabetes and suggest further work should focus on specific processes to detect those inpatients with diabetes at increased risk, in whom preventative measures may reduce the prevalence of this costly complication.
Impacts of recolonizing gray wolves (Canis lupus) on survival and mortality in two sympatric ungulates
Authors: Dellinger J.A. , Shores C.R. , Marsh M. , Heithaus M.R. , Ripple W.J. , Wirsing A.J.
Published: July 2018

There is growing recognition that humans may mediate the strength and nature of the ecological effects of large predators. We took advantage of ongoing gray wolf (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758) recolonization in Washington, USA, to contrast adult survival rates and sources of mortality for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus (Rafinesque, 1817)) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780)) in areas with and without wolf packs in a managed landscape dominated by multiple human uses. We tested the hypothesis that the addition of wolves to the existing predator guild would augment predator-induced mortality rates for both ungulates. Source of mortality data from adult mule deer and white-tailed deer, respectively, revealed that wolf-related mortality was low compared with that inflicted by other predators or humans. Predator-caused mortality was largely confined to winter. There was little effect of wolf presence on adult deer mortality rates, and there was no difference in mortality between the two deer species relative to wolf-free or wolf-occupied sites. Although this study occurred early in wolf recovery in Washington, our results differ from those demonstrated for gray wolves in protected areas. Thus, we encourage further investigation of effects of direct predation by recolonizing large carnivores on prey in human-dominated landscapes.
Qualitative behavior of cosmological models combining various matter fields
Authors: Shah Parth , samanta Gauranga C. , Capozziello Salvatore
Published: July 2018

The late time accelerated expansion of the universe can be realized using scalar fields with the given self-interacting potentials. Here, we consider a straightforward approach where a three cosmic fluid mixture is assumed. The fluids are standard matter perfect fluid, dark matter, and a scalar field with the role of dark energy. A dynamical system analysis is developed in this context. A central role is played by the equation of state [Formula: see text] which determines the acceleration phase of the models. Determining the domination of a particular fluid at certain stages of the universe history by stability analysis allows, in principle, to establish the succession of the various cosmological eras.
Aging-related increase in store-operated Ca2+ influx in human ventricular fibroblasts
Authors: Mohis Momin , Edwards Stacie , Ryan Sean , Rizvi Farhan , Tajik A. Jamil , Jahangir Arshad , Ross Gracious R.
Published: July 2018

Senescence-related fibrosis contributes to cardiac dysfunction. Profibrotic processes are Ca2+ dependent. The effect of aging on the Ca2+ mobilization processes of human ventricular fibroblasts (hVFs) is unclear. Therefore, we tested whether aging altered intracellular Ca2+ release and store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Disease-free hVFs from 2- to 63-yr-old trauma victims were assessed for cytosolic Ca2+ dynamics with fluo 3/confocal imaging. Angiotensin II or thapsigargin was used to release endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ in Ca2+-free solution; CaCl2 (2 mM) was then added to assess SOCE, which was normalized to ionomycin-induced maximal Ca2+. The angiotensin II experiments were repeated after phosphoenolpyruvate pretreatment to determine the role of energy status. The expression of genes encoding SOCE-related ion channel subunits was assessed by quantitative PCR, and protein expression was assessed by immunoblot analysis. Age groups of <50 and ≥50 yr were compared using unpaired t-test or regression analysis. Ca2+ release by angiotensin II or thapsigargin was not different between the groups, but SOCE was significantly elevated in the ≥50-yr group. Regression analysis showed an age-dependent phosphoenolpyruvate-sensitive increase in SOCE of hVFs. Aging did not alter the mRNA expression of SOCE-related genes. The profibrotic phenotype of hVFs was evident by sprouty1 downregulation with age. Thus, an age-associated increase in angiotensin II- and thapsigargin-induced SOCE occurs in hVFs, independent of receptor mechanisms or alterations of mRNA expression level of SOCE-related ion channel subunits but related to the cellular bioenergetics status. Elucidation of mechanisms underlying enhanced hVF SOCE with aging may refine SOCE targets to limit aging-related progression of Ca2+-dependent cardiac fibrosis.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Human ventricular fibroblasts exhibit an age-related increase in store-operated Ca2+ influx induced by angiotensin II, an endogenous vasoactive hormone, or thapsigargin, an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, independent of receptor mechanisms or genes encoding store-operated Ca2+ entry-related ion channel subunits. Selective inhibition of this augmented store-operated Ca2+ entry could therapeutically limit aging-related cardiac fibrosis.
Correlations between the Visual Apparatus and Dental Occlusion: A Literature Review
Authors: Baldini Alberto , Nota Alessandro , Caruso Silvia , Tecco Simona
Published: July 2018

Background. The development of visual functions takes place in the first months of postnatal life and is completed around the one year of age. In this period, the maturation of the retina and the visual pathways occur, and binocular bonds are established at the level of the visual cortex. During this phase and then for a few years, a certain plasticity of the visual functions remains, which seem therefore susceptible to change both in a pejorative sense (by pathogens) and in an improving sense (for example, by therapeutic measures). This plasticity involves also the oculomotor system. Due to this plasticity, many researchers believe that there are some functional correlations between the visual and the stomatognathic apparatus. But the scientific evidence of this statement has not been clarified yet. Aim. The purpose of this review is therefore to analyze the clinical data in this field and finally to establish their level of evidence. Studies have been collected from the main databases, based on keywords. Results. The results showed a middle level of evidence since most of the data derive from case-control studies and cross-sectional studies. Conclusions. The level of evidence allows establishing that there is a correlation between ocular disorders (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, exophoria, and an unphysiological gait due to ocular convergence defects) and dental occlusion, but it is not possible to establish the cause-effect relationship. Future studies should be aimed at establishing higher levels of evidence (prospective, controlled, and randomized studies).
A Copula‐Based and Monte Carlo Sampling Approach for Structural Dynamics Model Updating with Interval Uncertainty
Authors: Chen Xueqian , Shen Zhanpeng , Liu Xin’en
Published: July 2018

As the uncertainty is widely existent in the engineering structure, it is necessary to study the finite element (FE) modeling and updating in consideration of the uncertainty. A FE model updating approach in structural dynamics with interval uncertain parameters is proposed in this work. Firstly, the mathematical relationship between the updating parameters and the output interesting qualities is created based on the copula approach and the vast samples of inputs and outputs are obtained by the Monte Carlo (MC) sampling technology according to the copula model. Secondly, the samples of updating parameters are rechosen by combining the copula model and the experiment intervals of the interesting qualities. Next, 95% confidence intervals of updating parameters are calculated by the nonparameter kernel density estimation (KDE) approach, which is regarded as the intervals of updating parameters. Lastly, the proposed approach is validated in a two degree‐of‐freedom mass‐spring system, simple plates, and the transport mirror system. The updating results evidently demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of this approach.
PCG Classification Using Multidomain Features and SVM Classifier
Authors: Tang Hong , Dai Ziyin , Jiang Yuanlin , Li Ting , Liu Chengyu
Published: July 2018

This paper proposes a method using multidomain features and support vector machine (SVM) for classifying normal and abnormal heart sound recordings. The database was provided by the PhysioNet/CinC Challenge 2016. A total of 515 features are extracted from nine feature domains, i.e., time interval, frequency spectrum of states, state amplitude, energy, frequency spectrum of records, cepstrum, cyclostationarity, high-order statistics, and entropy. Correlation analysis is conducted to quantify the feature discrimination abilities, and the results show that “frequency spectrum of state”, “energy”, and “entropy” are top domains to contribute effective features. A SVM with radial basis kernel function was trained for signal quality estimation and classification. The SVM classifier is independently trained and tested by many groups of top features. It shows the average of sensitivity, specificity, and overall score are high up to 0.88, 0.87, and 0.88, respectively, when top 400 features are used. This score is competitive to the best previous scores. The classifier has very good performance with even small number of top features for training and it has stable output regardless of randomly selected features for training. These simulations demonstrate that the proposed features and SVM classifier are jointly powerful for classifying heart sound recordings.
A Compact Dual-Band Rectenna for GSM900 and GSM1800 Energy Harvesting
Authors: Zeng Miaowang , Li Zihong , Andrenko Andrey S. , Zeng Yanhan , Tan Hong-Zhou
Published: July 2018

This paper presents a compact dual-band rectenna for GSM900 and GSM1800 energy harvesting. The monopole antenna consists of a longer bent Koch fractal element for GSM900 band and a shorter radiation element for GSM1800. The rectifier is composed of a multisection dual-band matching network, two rectifying branches, and filter networks. Measured peak efficiency of the proposed rectenna is 62% at 0.88 GHz 15.9 μW/cm2 and 50% at 1.85 GHz 19.1 μW/cm2, respectively. When the rectenna is 25 m away from a cellular base station, measurement result shows that the harvested power is able to power a batteryless LCD watch and achieve 1.275 V output voltage. The proposed rectenna is compact, efficient, low cost, and easy to fabricate, and it is suitable for RF energy harvesting and various wireless communication scenarios.
Iatrogenic Obturator Hip Dislocation with Intrapelvic Migration
Authors: Kenan Shachar , Stein Spencer , Trasolini Robert , Kiridly Daniel , Seideman Bruce A.
Published: July 2018

Obturator hip dislocations are rare, typically resulting from high-energy trauma in native hips. These types of dislocations are treated with closed reduction under sedation. Open reduction and internal fixation may be performed in the presence of associated fractures. Still rarer are obturator hip dislocations that penetrate through the obturator foramen itself. These types of dislocations have only been reported three other times in the literature, all within native hips. To date, there have been no reports of foraminal obturator dislocations after total hip arthroplasty. We report of the first periprosthetic foraminal obturator hip dislocation, which was caused iatrogenically during attempts at closed reduction of a posterior hip dislocation in the setting of a chronic greater trochanter fracture. Altered joint biomechanics stemming from a weak hip abductor mechanism rendered the patient vulnerable to this specific dislocation subtype, which ultimately required open surgical intervention. An early assessment and identification of this dislocation prevented excessive closed reduction maneuvers, which otherwise could have had detrimental consequences including damage to vital intrapelvic structures. This case report raises awareness to this very rare, yet potential complication after total hip arthroplasty.
Clinical, Socioeconomic, and Psychosocial Factors Associated with Blood Pressure Control and Adherence: Results from a Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular National Program Providing Universal Coverage in a Developing Country
Authors: Sandoval Daniela , Nazzal Carolina , Romero Tomás
Published: July 2018

Background. Limited information exists on blood pressure (BP) control factors and adherence to antihypertensive drug therapy (Rx) in developing countries. Methods. Cross-sectional study in randomly selected 992 hypertensive patients under a Chilean national comprehensive Cardiovascular Health Program (CVHP). Association of education, income, diabetes, obesity, physical activity, psychosocial characteristics, smoking, and alcohol abuse with BP control and adherence were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression. Results. BP control (<140/90 mmHg) was achieved in 63.1% of patients, with 38.4% adherent to Rx. Uncontrolled BP significantly associated with male sex (OR: 1.73 [95% CI 1.35-2.22]), low family income, high emotional-stress-depression score, body mass index, no adherence (OR: 1.83 [95% CI 1.44 - 2.32]), multiple Rx, baseline systolic BP value, and sedentary life style. Males (OR: 1.54 [95% CI 1.23 - 1.93]), low family income, high emotional stress-depression score (OR: 2.15 [95% CI 1.68 - 2.76]), low social support, and uncontrolled BP (OR: 1.52 [95% CI 1.22-1.90]) associated with no adherence. Conclusions. Comparable BP control (63.1%) to higher-income societies was observed. Uncontrolled BP associated significantly to no adherence and both to male sex, socioeconomic, and psychosocial factors. Global low adherence (38.4%) and improved BP control and adherence in diabetics were noted.
Design of a Massage-Inspired Haptic Device for Interpersonal Connection in Long-Distance Communication
Authors: Haritaipan Lalita , Hayashi Masahiro , Mougenot Céline
Published: July 2018

The use of tactile senses in mediated communication has generated considerable research interest in past decades. Since massage is a common practice in Asian cultures, we propose to introduce massage-based interactions in mediated communication between people in a close relationship. We designed a device for distant interactive massage to be used during online conversation and we assessed its effect on interpersonal connection with eight pairs of Chinese participants in romantic relationships. All pairs were asked to engage in a conversation, either through a video call or through a massage-assisted video call. The findings showed that the use of the massage device significantly increased the perceived emotional and physical connection between the users. The results also showed a significant increase in the engagement in the massage activity, e.g., total massage time and average force per finger, from positive conversation to negative conversation, demonstrating an evidence of the interplay between audio-visual and haptic communication. Post hoc interviews showed the potential of the massage device for long-distance communication in romantic relationships as well as in parents-children relationships.
Total Parathyroidectomy with Subcutaneous Parathyroid Forearm Autotransplantation in the Treatment of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Casella Claudio , Galani Alessandro , Totaro Luigi , Ministrini Silvia , Lai Silvia , Dimko Mira , Portolani Nazario
Published: July 2018

Introduction. Secondary hyperparathyroidism is common in chronic kidney disease. Parathyroidectomy is indicated in refractory hyperparathyroidism when medical treatments and so the parathyroid hormone levels cannot be lowered to acceptable values without causing significant hyperphosphatemia or hypercalcemia. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of total parathyroidectomy with subcutaneous forearm autotransplantation with total parathyroidectomy with intramuscular forearm autotransplantation. Materials and Methods. A single-center retrospective cohort study of total parathyroidectomy with forearm autotransplantation from January 2002 to February 2013 was performed. According to the surgical technique, patients were divided into an intramuscular group (Group 1) and a subcutaneous group (Group 2). 38 patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism were enrolled; 23 patients were subjected to total parathyroidectomy with parathyroid tissue replanting in the subcutaneous forearm of the upper nondominant limb, while 15 patients were subjected to replanting in the intramuscular seat. Results. A total of 38 patients (56 ± 13 years) were enrolled. In both groups, the preoperative iPTH value was markedly high, 1750 ± 619 pg/ml in the intramuscular autotransplantation group and 1527 ± 451 pg/ml in the subcutaneous autotransplantation group (p=0.079). Transient hypoparathyroidism was shown in 7 patients, and 1 patient showed persistent hypoparathyroidism (p=0.387). 2 patients showed persistent hyperparathyroidism (p=0.816), and in 2 others was found recurrent hyperparathyroidism (p=0.816); 3 of them underwent autograftectomy. The anterior compartment of the forearm nondominant limb was sacrificed in 1 case of intramuscular autotransplantation with functional arm deficit. Conclusions. The efficacy and safety of parathyroid tissue autotransplantation in the subcutaneous forearm of the upper nondominant limb is confirmed with a good rate of tissue engraftment and with a comparable number of postsurgical transient and persistent hypoparathyroidism and hyperparathyroidism incidence in both techniques. Furthermore, this technique preserves arm functionality in the case of autograftectomy. Consequently, it is our opinion that total parathyroidectomy with subcutaneous forearm autotransplantation is currently the best choice.
Contribution of Imaging in Diagnosis of Primitive Cyst Hydatid in Unusual Localization: Pleura—A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Mrabet Fatima Zahra , Achrane Jihane , Sabri Yassir , El Hassani Fatima Ezzahra , Hammi Sanaa , Bourkadi Jamal Eddine
Published: July 2018

Hydatic disease has always been the most common in countries where large amount of sheep and cattle is raised, but increased travel and immigration have made this condition a serious worldwide public problem. Cyst hydatid may affect all parts of the human body like the heart, the bone marrow, the eye, the brain, the kidney, and the spermatic cord. Humans can become infested by accidentally ingesting the eggs that are passed in the feces from definitive hosts (usually a canid, such as a wolf, fox, or dog). Even in endemic countries, the primitive pleural hydatid cyst is exceptional, and it is very difficult to distinguish from other pleural and parietal cystic masses especially that in majority of cases the immunologic tests are negative. We report two cases of pleural hydatid cyst discovered in two young patients, with a nonspecific clinical presentation. The interest of this paper is to raise the primordial role of imaging in the positive diagnosis of primary pleural hydatid cyst.
Umbilical Artery Thrombosis with Associated Acute and Severe Fetal Growth Restriction and Transient Severe Protein S Deficiency: Report of a Case with Prenatal Ultrasound Diagnosis Allowing for Timely Intervention and Good Outcome
Authors: Alhousseini Ali , Jaiman Sunil , Hernandez-Andrade Edgar , Zeineddine Salam , Qureshi Faisal , Jacques Suzanne M.
Published: July 2018

Background. Thrombosis of one of the umbilical arteries can be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as stillbirth and severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Case. A 21-year-old gravida 1 patient, with a history of 3-vessel cord at 20 weeks, presented at 29 weeks with a single umbilical artery. The estimated fetal weight measurements at 26 weeks, 29 weeks, and 31 weeks were at the 27th percentile, the 26th percentile, and less than the 5th percentile, respectively. At 33 weeks, amniotic fluid index became abnormal at 2.3 cm and fetal heart tracing revealed spontaneous prolonged decelerations, and a cesarean delivery was performed. Placental pathology showed thrombosis of one of the umbilical arteries. At birth, a transient protein S deficiency was detected (activity 13%) and resolved at two months of age (activity 66%). The baby had an uneventful clinical course since birth. Conclusion. The recognition of reduction of umbilical arteries from two to one allowed for timely intervention with good outcome in this case. Thrombosis of umbilical vessels may be associated with a deficiency in coagulation proteins such as protein S.
Innovations in Body Force Modeling of Transonic Compressor Blade Rows
Authors: Hill David J. , Defoe Jeffrey J.
Published: July 2018

Aeroengine fans and compressors increasingly operate subject to inlet distortion in the transonic flow regime. In this paper, innovations to low-order numerical modeling of fans and compressors via volumetric source terms (body forces) are presented. The approach builds upon past work to accommodate any axial fan/compressor geometry and ensures accurate work input and efficiency prediction across a range of flow coefficients. In particular, the efficiency drop-off near choke is captured. The model for a particular blade row is calibrated using data from single-passage bladed computations. Compared to full-wheel unsteady computations which include the fan/compressor blades, the source term model approach can reduce computational cost by at least two orders of magnitude through a combination of reducing grid resolution and, critically, eliminating the need for a time-resolved approach. The approach is applied to NASA stage 67. For uniform flow, at 90% corrected speed and peak-efficiency, the body force model is able to predict the total-to-total pressure rise coefficient of the stage to within 1.43% and the isentropic efficiency to within 0.03%. With a 120∘ sector of reduced inlet total pressure, distortion transfer through the machine is well-captured and the associated efficiency penalty predicted with less than 2.7% error.
Adaptive Finite-Time Mixed Interlayer Synchronization of Two-Layer Complex Networks with Time-Varying Coupling Delay
Authors: Tang Xiaoyun , Yang Zhanying , Zhang Jie
Published: July 2018

This paper is concerned with two-layer complex networks with unidirectional interlayer couplings, where the drive and response layer have time-varying coupling delay and different topological structures. An adaptive control scheme is proposed to investigate finite-time mixed interlayer synchronization (FMIS) of two-layer networks. Based on the Lyapunov stability theory, a criterion for realizing FMIS is derived. In addition, several sufficient conditions for realizing mixed interlayer synchronization are given. Finally, some numerical simulations are presented to verify the correctness and effectiveness of theoretical results. Meanwhile, the proposed adaptive control strategy is demonstrated to be nonfragile with the noise perturbation.
Statistical Physics of the Inflaton Decaying in an Inhomogeneous Random Environment
Authors: Haba Z.
Published: July 2018

We derive a stochastic wave equation for an inflaton in an environment of an infinite number of fields. We study solutions of the linearized stochastic evolution equation in an expanding universe. The Fokker-Planck equation for the inflaton probability distribution is derived. The relative entropy (free energy) of the stochastic wave is defined. The second law of thermodynamics for the diffusive system is obtained. Gaussian probability distributions are studied in detail.
An Overlapping Cell Image Synthesis Method for Imbalance Data
Authors: Xie Yi Ning , Yu Lian , Guan Guo Hui , He Yong Jun
Published: July 2018

DNA ploidy analysis of cells is an automation technique applied in pathological diagnosis. It is important for this technique to classify various nuclei images accurately. However, the lack of overlapping nuclei images in training data (imbalanced training data) results in low recognition rates of overlapping nuclei images. To solve this problem, a new method which synthesizes overlapping nuclei images with single-nuclei images is proposed. Firstly, sample selection is employed to make the synthesized samples representative. Secondly, random functions are used to control the rotation angles of the nucleus and the distance between the centroids of the nucleus, increasing the sample diversity. Then, the Lambert-Beer law is applied to reassign the pixels of overlapping parts, thus making the synthesized samples quite close to the real ones. Finally, all synthesized samples are added to the training sets for classifier training. The experimental results show that images synthesized by this method can solve the data set imbalance problem and improve the recognition rate of DNA ploidy analysis systems.
Stochastic Optimal Control of Investment and Dividend Payment Model under Debt Control with Time-Inconsistency
Authors: Zhu Dan , Yin Chuancun
Published: July 2018

This paper considers the optimal debt ratio, investment, and dividend payment policies for insurers with time-inconsistency. The surplus process of an insurance company is determined by the change of asset value and the change of liabilities. The asset can be invested in financial market which contains a risky asset and a risk-free asset, and when the insurer incurs a liability, he/she earns some premium. The objective is to maximize the expected nonconstant discounted utility of dividend payment until a determinate time. This is a time-inconsistent control problem. We obtain the modified HJB equation and the closed-form expressions for the optimal debt ratio, investment, and dividend payment policies under logarithmic utility.
Authenticity Detection of Black Rice by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Support Vector Data Description
Authors: Chen Hui , Tan Chao , Lin Zan
Published: July 2018

Black rice is an important rice species in Southeast Asia. It is a common phenomenon to pass low-priced black rice off as high-priced ones for economic benefit, especially in some remote towns. There is increasing need for the development of fast, easy-to-use, and low-cost analytical methods for authenticity detection. The feasibility to utilize near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and support vector data description (SVDD) for such a goal is explored. Principal component analysis (PCA) is used for exploratory analysis and feature extraction. Another two data description methods, i.e., k-nearest neighbor data description (KNNDD) and GAUSS method, are used as the reference. A total of 142 samples from three brands were collected for spectral analysis. Each time, the samples of a brand serve as the target class whereas other samples serve as the outlier class. Based on both the first two principal components (PCs) and original variables, three types of data descriptions were constructed. On average, the optimized SVDD model achieves acceptable performance, i.e., a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 94.2% on the independent test set with tight boundary. It indicates that SVDD combined with NIR is feasible and effective for authenticity detection of black rice.
Coxiella burnetiiDetected in Tick Samples from Pastoral Communities in Kenya
Authors: Koka Hellen , Sang Rosemary , Kutima Helen Lydia , Musila Lillian
Published: July 2018

Ticks are important disease vectors in Kenya with documented evidence of carriage of zoonotic pathogens.Coxiella burnetiiis an important tick-borne pathogen that is underreported in Kenya and yet this infection likely contributes to undiagnosed febrile disease in pastoral communities. Archived human blood (278) and tick pool samples (380) collected from five pastoral communities in Kenya were screened forC. burnetiiby PCR using primers targeting the transposon-like IS1111 region. All the human blood samples were negative forC. burnetiiDNA. However,C. burnetiiwas detected in 5.53% (21/380) of the tick pools tested. Four of the twenty-one PCR positive samples were sequenced. The findings indicate thatCoxiella burnetiiwas not present in the human blood samples tested. However,C. burnetiiwas detected in ticks from Mai Mahiu, Marigat, Ijara, Isiolo, and Garissa indicating a natural infection present in the tick vector that poses a risk to livestock and humans in these communities.
Design and Analysis of Push Notification-Based Malware on Android
Authors: Hyun Sangwon , Cho Junsung , Cho Geumhwan , Kim Hyoungshick
Published: July 2018

Establishing secret command and control (C&C) channels from attackers is important in malware design. This paper presents design and analysis of malware architecture exploiting push notification services as C&C channels. The key feature of the push notification-based malware design is remote triggering, which allows attackers to trigger and execute their malware by push notifications. The use of push notification services as covert channels makes it difficult to distinguish this type of malware from other normal applications also using the same services. We implemented a backdoor prototype on Android devices as a proof-of-concept of the push notification-based malware and evaluated its stealthiness and feasibility. Our malware implementation effectively evaded the existing malware analysis tools such as 55 antimalware scanners from VirusTotal and SandDroid. In addition, our backdoor implementation successfully cracked about 98% of all the tested unlock secrets (either PINs or unlock patterns) in 5 seconds with only a fraction (less than 0.01%) of the total power consumption of the device. Finally, we proposed several defense strategies to mitigate push notification-based malware by carefully analyzing its attack process. Our defense strategies include filtering subscription requests for push notifications from suspicious applications, providing centralized management and access control of registration tokens of applications, detecting malicious push messages by analyzing message contents and characteristic patterns demonstrated by malicious push messages, and detecting malware by analyzing the behaviors of applications after receiving push messages.
Carbon Nanotubes Modified Carbon Cloth Cathode Electrode for Self-Pumping Enzymatic Biofuel Cell
Authors: Duong Ngoc Bich , You Sheng L. , Huang Li Z. , Yang Hsiharng
Published: July 2018

A self-pumping enzymatic biofuel cell (self-pumping EBC) with a new cathodic catalyst which was modified by coating the mixture of carbon nanotubes/caffeic acid (CNTs/CA) on a carbon cloth (CC) to form a CNTs/CA/CC cathode electrode was fabricated. By using UV spectrophotometer, the absorbance of CA, CNTs, and the CNTs/CA composite was observed. To evaluate how the CNTs/CA/CC cathodic electrode improves the electrochemical performance of the self-pumping EBC, the measurement of the redox reaction current peak by cyclic voltammetry (CV) was implemented. In accordance with CV measurement, the utilization of the modified CNTs/CA/CC cathodic electrode exhibited a higher oxygen reduction current peak at 319.1μA under the saturated oxygen. The anode and cathode flow rates were 0.416μls−1and 0.844μls−1which contribute to obtaining the capillary driven liquid efficiency as 30% for the former and 59% for the latter. Moreover, the self-pumping EBC performance tests showed that the maximum power density (MPD) of the self-pumping EBC with the modified cathodic electrode achieved 0.592 mWcm−2which improved 10% in the performance compared with the bare CC electrode, 0.534 mWcm−2.
Study on Influence of Diversified Parameters of Vehicle and Track on Wheel Hollow Wear
Authors: Lu Yongjie , Gao Zongyu , Wang Jianxi
Published: July 2018

Wheel hollow wear of high‐speed train is one of the main damage types for the wheel. By optimizing the vehicle and track parameters and matching the wheel‐rail profile, the hollow wear of wheel can be reduced. In order to study the sensitivity of vehicle and track parameters to the wheel hollow wear, the sensitivity of suspension parameters and the track parameters of the CRH2Ctype high‐speed train wheel on the hollow wear of the wheel was studied by the parameter sensitivity analysis method. The concept of the cumulative wear power dissipation was put forward. The distribution characteristics of the wheel hollow wear under the different wheel/rail treads matching were forecasted. The results show that the damping of antihunting motion damper of the vehicle is the most sensitive to the maximum cumulative wear power dissipation of the wheel, followed by the longitudinal stiffness of tumbler journal box node, lateral stiffness of air‐spring suspension, vertical damping of primary suspension, vertical stiffness of track, and vertical damping of track. According to the analysis from the combination of sensitive parameters, the cumulative wear power dissipation is unevenly distributed in the lateral direction of the wheel tread and has the obvious peak area, which is basically the same as the actual wear distribution location in the field. The matching of the LMA wheel tread and the CN60N rail tread is a good choice to slow down the hollow wear and reduce the wheel wear rate. And the wheel reprofiling should be timely carried out, otherwise the wear rate would increase and the hollow wear would become more serious.
Payment Reforms for Prehospital Care Services in a Middle Income Country: Assessing Implementation and Patient Outcomes Using a Mixed-Methods Approach
Authors: Suriyawongpaisal Paibul , Srithamrongsawad Samrit , Atiksawedparit Pongsakorn , Phooseemungkun Khanisthar , Bunchaiyai Krongkan , Thongtan Thanita
Published: July 2018

Introduction. Financing health systems constitutes a key element of well-functioning healthcare system. Prior to 2015, two new financial arrangements (direct-pay and E-claim systems) were introduced on a voluntary basis which aimed to pool more financial resources and improve cash flow of prehospital care systems. The aims of this study were to (1) assess the effects of direct-pay system in terms of (a) timeliness of reimbursement to EMS agencies, (b) changes in clinical care processes, and (c) the outcomes of patient care as compared to previous system; (2) identify the reasons for or against EMS agencies to participate in direct-pay system mechanisms; (3) identify the emerging issues with potential to significantly further the advancement of EMS systems. Using a mixed-methods approach, retrospective datasets of 3,769,399 individual records of call responses from 2015 to 2017 were analyzed which compared EMS units with the direct-pay system against those without in terms of time flow of claim data and patient outcomes. For qualitative data, in-depth interviews were conducted. Results. EMS units participating in both systems had the highest percentages of financial claim being made in time as compared to those not participating in any (p=0.012). However, there were not any practically meaningful differences between EMS units participating and not participating in either of the payment systems in terms of patient care such as appropriateness of response time, airway management, and outcome of treatment. Analysis of data from focus-group and individual interviews ended up with a causal loop diagram demonstrating potential explanatory mechanisms for those findings. Conclusion. It is evident that progress has been made in terms of mobilising more financial inputs and improving financial information flow. However, there is no evidence of any changes in patient outcomes and quality of care. Furthermore, whether the progress is meaningful in filling the gaps of financial demands of the prehospital care systems is still questionable. Room for future improvement of prehospital care systems was discussed with implications for other countries.
Groundwater-Mixing Mechanism in a Multiaquifer System Based on Isotopic Tracing Theory: A Case Study in a Coal Mine District, China
Authors: Huang Pinghua , Wang Xinyi
Published: July 2018

Water inrush of mixed groundwater is the primary threat against safe production in coal mines. To study the mixing mechanism of a multiaquifer groundwater system, groundwater samples were collected from different strata in a typical North China-type coalfield (Chaochuan Coal Mine) and were then tested using environmental isotopes (18O, 2H, 3H, 13C, and 14C) and hydrochemical ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3−, SO42−, and Cl−) as tracer agents. Results demonstrate that HCO3− and Cl− exhibit a linear relationship with the mixing ratio, whereas Na+, Ca2+, and SO42− show certain degrees of curvature. This condition indicates that groundwater mixing involves major chemical actions. The δD–δ18O plot reveals that karst water and groundwater from Quaternary and sandstone aquifers are mainly mixtures of local rainfall, evaporated groundwater, and “palaeo-groundwater.” The 3H < 0.5 TU and 14C content in the groundwater sample number 27 is 13.6 pmc, which suggests that this groundwater sample is the last rainfall recharge in the ice stage. Palaeo-groundwater in a sandstone aquifer accounts for more than 60%, and that in the Cambrian limestone aquifer is lower than 20%. Groundwater from the Quaternary aquifer is supplied by “modern” rainfall. The δ13C of groundwater from a sandstone aquifer decreases with the increase in CO32− + HCO3−, and this condition reflects that organic matters exhibit biological degradation reaction. However, δ13C increases with the rise in CO32− + HCO3− in the Cambrian limestone groundwater, and this condition indicates that organic matters produce methane due to methanogens.
Association between Glycemic Control and Clinic Attendance in Emerging Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: A Tertiary Center Experience
Authors: Fisher Eldad , Lazar Liora , Shalitin Shlomit , Yackobovitch-Gavan Michal , de Vries Liat , Oron Tal , Tenenbaum Ariel , Phillip Moshe , Lebenthal Yael
Published: July 2018

Aims. The transition of emerging adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) from pediatric diabetes clinics to adult clinics between 18 and 21 years of age could result in decreased clinic attendance and thus worsen glycemic control. Our institutional policy offering surveillance till age 30 enabled us to evaluate clinic attendance without the confounding effect of transition. Our aim was to determine the association between glycemic control (HbA1c) and attendance rate. Methods. The medical records of 261 (54% males) young adult T1D patients (median age 22.9 years) were reviewed. Patients were stratified according to the attainment/nonattainment of glycemic targets (HbA1c ≤ 7% versus HbA1c > 7% (53 mmol/mol)). The attendance rate was calculated as the number of clinic visits/number of scheduled appointments. Results. Median annual number of scheduled visits was 3 (3, 4); attendance rate was 75% (53.6%, 100%). Seventy-four (28.4%) patients attained glycemic targets (median HbA1c 6.5% (48 mmol/mol) (6.3%, 6.8% (45.51 mmol/mol)); 187 (71.6%) patients had a median HbA1c of 7.8% (62 mmol/mol) (7.4%, 8.4% (57.68 mmol/mol)). The attainment of the treatment target was more prevalent in older patients (P=0.006), in male patients (P=0.007), and in patients with higher education (P=0.017). Higher attendance rate (β (2.483), P<0.001) and male gender (β (0.746), P=0.015) were associated with better metabolic control. Conclusions. In emerging adults with T1D during the ongoing stable phase of diabetes management, higher attendance rate, rather than absolute number of clinic visits, was associated with the attainment of glycemic targets.
Theoretical Study of Synchronous Behavior in a Dual‐Pendulum‐Rotor System
Authors: Pan Fang , Yongjun Hou , Liming Dai , Mingjun Du
Published: July 2018

A dual‐pendulum‐rotor system widely appears in aero‐power plant, mining screening machines, parallel robots, and the like of the other rotation equipment. Unfortunately, the synchronous behavior related to the dual‐pendulum‐rotor system is less reported. Based on the special backgrounds, a simplified mechanical model of the dual‐pendulum‐rotor system is proposed in the paper, and the intrinsic mechanisms of synchronous phenomenon in the system are further revealed with employing the Poincaré method. The research results show that the spring stiffness, the installation angular of the motor, and rotation direction of the rotors have a large influence on the existence and stability of the synchronization state in the coupling system, and the mass ratios of the system are irrelevant to the synchronous state of the system. It should be noted that to ensure the implementation of the synchronization of the system, the values of the parameters of the system should be far away to the two “critical points”.
Effects of Gabapentinoids Premedication on Shoulder Pain and Rehabilitation Quality after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Pregabalin versus Gabapentin
Authors: Nakhli Mohamed Said , Kahloul Mohamed , Jebali Chawki , Frigui Walid , Naija Walid
Published: July 2018

Introduction. Gabapentinoids are increasingly used in preoperative premedication despite controversial results. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of preemptive use of gabapentin or pregabalin on postoperative shoulder pain and rehabilitation quality after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods. This is a clinical trial comparing the effects of a preoperative premedication with 600 mg of gabapentin or 150 mg of pregabalin versus placebo on postoperative pain and recovery quality after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Premedication was taken 2 hours before the surgery beginning. Ninety patients were included and randomized into 3 groups (gabapentin, pregabalin, and placebo). The anesthetic protocol was the same for all patients. Primary endpoint was the shoulder pain intensity at the 48th postoperative hour. Secondary endpoints were postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), sleep quality during the first night, and the onset time for the first standing position. Results. During the first 48 postoperative hours, the gabapentin and pregabalin groups had significantly lower shoulder pain than the placebo group (p<0.05). In gabapentinoids groups, the incidence of PONV was lower and the sleep quality during the first postoperative night was better with significant results. Mean Spiegel scores were 22.43 ± 1.45, 22.30 ± 1.44, and 17.17 ± 1.66, respectively, in pregabalin, gabapentin, and placebo groups (p<0.05). The delay for the first standing position was 14.9 ± 4.9 hours in the pregabalin group, 9.7 ± 3.6 hours in the gabapentin group, and 21.6 ± 2.1 hours in the placebo group. No superiority was found between gabapentin and pregabalin. Conclusion. Preemptive premedication with gabapentinoids can enhance postoperative rehabilitation quality after laparoscopic cholecystectomy by reducing postoperative shoulder pain, decreasing PONV incidence, and improving sleep quality during the first postoperative night. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT03241875).