bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BENCHMARKING OF “SINGLE CHECKER” PATIENT GROUP DIRECTIONS (PGDS) DURING INITIAL NURSE ASSESSMENT WITHIN PERUKI EDS
Authors: Bird C , Hartshorn S
Published: November 2015

Objectives & Background

New ways to optimise ED patient flow, without sacrificing quality of care, are at a premium.1 Doubt has been cast on the efficacy of double checking in all but high risk medications,2 and a study in Geelong, Australia, showed no difference in error rates between double-checked and single-checked medications.3 We aimed to benchmark single-checked PGD medications at triage within PERUKI EDs (Paediatric Emergency Research in the UK and Ireland).

A PGD is a legal instruction that allows the supply/administration of a select group of licensed medicines by a select group of healthcare professions, approved beforehand by a doctor, to groups of patients who might not be identified individually prior to presentation.

Methods

Online survey distributed to the research representative at each PERUKI site. The survey was open for 5 weeks (March–April 2015) and was completed by any appropriate clinician within the site.

Results

The response rate was 84% (36 out of 43 EDs). From these, 22 out of 36 EDs (61%) were using single-checker PGDs. The commonest single-checker medications in use were paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain(Figure 1).

22% of EDs reported drug errors related to standard (double-checked) PGDs, while 14% of those with single-checked PGDs reported drug errors. The commonest errors reported were: duplicated dose, incorrect weight, incorrect volume drawn up, contraindication missed.

Barriers to single-checked medications in the 11 EDs that did not use them included lack of training courses, lack of staffing in pharmacy for policy preparation and variation in practice from other paediatric areas.

Conclusion

Single checker PGDs are currently in use in nearly two thirds of PERUKI sites, with no evidence for increased medication errors with their use. Barriers to the introduction of this practice, together with solutions, have been shared amongst all PERUKI sites.

Figure 1
HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS (WITH COMMISSIONERS) AND INFLUENCE ADMISSION RATES—OPENING A PAEDIATRIC OBERVATION UNIT IN THE CHILDREN'S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
Authors: Robinson G , Surridge J , Lewins I , Mott J
Published: November 2015

Objectives & Background

Continuing building pressure on Emergency departments across the country are well documented in the media. Annual increases in activity (currently 7% locally) are also being seen in the Children's Emergency departments, within a system that has not seen Paediatric inpatient bed numbers increase. There is a commissioning drive to reduce inpatient admission rates, targeting those with a ‘zero length of stay'. Staffing in paediatric emergency departments has an emphasis on a senior decision maker but this continuity if lost when patients are subsequently admitted to an inpatient area.

We opened a paediatric observation unit in April 2014 with the aim of managing patients beyond the UK Government set 4 hour target with a maximum length of stay of 8 hours and hypothesised by restricting admission to a number of simple conditions we could safely reduce hospital inpatient admission.

Methods

Retrospective observational study reviewing the impact on the children's hospital of patients admitted to a newly built paediatric observation unit

Results

In year 1 we have reduced hospital inpatient admission by 27% with no increase in reattendance rates. Triage times have improved significantly. Breaches remain the same. The main conditions admitted to the observation unit were children with respiratory problems, gastroenteritis, and children awaiting blood results. Average length of stay on the observation unit is 3:07 hrs with a total average stay (ie including time spent for the CED attendance) is 6:52 hrs. High patient satisfaction is also seen, particularly with regards to improved continuity of care: – ‘Having the observation unit I found much better than being sent up to the ward as my daughter was able to see the same doctor throughout her stay. She was also able to be moved from A and E to the observation ward sooner, and I did not have to explain to several people what had brought us into hospital. I also found the discharge process was completed faster.

Conclusion

Opening a paediatric observation unit within an existing Children's Emergency department significantly reduces inpatient admission to general paediatric wards. It allows for greater turnover of patients than traditional ward round systems, improved continuity of care, supports commissioning agendas and most importantly leads high patient satisfaction.
WHAT DO YOUNG PEOPLE WANT FROM THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT?
Authors: Browning J , Bryans A , Camilleri-Brennan J , Patel N , Price R
Published: November 2015

Objectives & Background

Adolescents' opinions regarding health care is under-represented. The Royal Hospital for Sick Children Edinburgh is due to relocate to a new site in 2017 when it will also increase its age limit to <16 years (currently <13 yrs). This study investigates adolescents' opinions on the Emergency Department (ED) and determines what is important to them to ensure that we get it right.

Methods

An extensive literature search was performed which identified four key topics which formed the design of the questionnaire. Inclusion criteria were individuals aged between 12–16 years, presenting to the Royal Infirmary ED where adolescents are currently seen. The questionnaire was distributed to the ED for a month. Qualitative interviews were also conducted throughout the month using a template based on the questionnaire.

Results

In total, 140 responses were received. The most important factor in an ED, according to adolescents was cleanliness (average importance rating of 4.69). The least important factor was entertainment which was given an importance rating of 2.46. However, when prompted to select one factor, being treated quickly was the most important (figure 1). Only 21% of respondents knew of the proposed move of the ED department, and overall this was deemed a positive idea (78%).

Four main areas were considered when evaluating the results of our study. As age increased, the proportion of individuals preferring to be treated with adults increased. However, greater satisfaction was achieved when treated in child or adolescent-specific wards which suggests the use of age specific areas. Privacy was a concern expressed by adolescents potentially giving scope for improvement. The majority of respondents felt safe within an ED setting, however a small proportion did not. Our study suggested the feeling of safety is created by healthcare workers and familiarity with staff and the environment. Waiting times were consistently deemed important and reduced this would increase patient satisfaction.

Conclusion

Literature specifically focusing on adolescents in this topic is limited. Our study attempts to fill in some of these gaps. Being seen quickly, cleanliness and clear explanations of treatments and procedures are the most important factors throughout the sample. The implications derived from our results suggest that the new ED adopt some changes including improving safety and waiting times to ensure we achieve high patient satisfaction.

Figure 1
SWEET ON THE OUTSIDE BUT NOT ON THE INSIDE -LIQUITAB INJURIES IN A TERTIARY PAEDIATRIC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (PED)
Authors: Mullen S , Maney J , Casey C
Published: November 2015

Objectives & Background

Following the near fatal aspiration of a liquitab in RBHSC, a review of the department's management of this increasingly common issue was undertaken.

The aims of the audit were:

1) Identify the frequency of liquitab injuries

2) Assess the range of injuries caused by liquitabs

Methods

The electronic system uses to register and track patients (Symphony) was used to collect the data. Data was reviewed for the years 2012/2013. Cases were included only if the injury was due to a liquitab.

Results

275 cases were identified from the preliminary search. 40 of these were documented liquitab injuries (15% of non-medicinal ingestions). 　

Type of injury:

Ingestion – 28/40 (70%) and eye injury – 12/40 (30%). No children had inhalation or skin injury noted.

Ingestion

–17/28 (60%) of these patients presented with vomiting. Treatment was supportive in all cases.

Eye injury　

– Eye irrigation was carried out 100%

– pH was tested 11/12 cases

– Corneal abrasion was seen in 2 cases

– Ophthalmology were involved in 7 cases (58%) 　

Outcome

–95% (38/40) of children were discharged after observation

–2.5% admitted (1/40) under ophthalmology

–2.5% (1/40) of discharged from triage; described as low risk　

–12.5% (5/40) had follow up appointments with ophthalmology the following day

Explanation of injury:Unsupervised play in 37.5% (15/40) with the remainder not documented.275 cases were identified from the preliminary search. 40 of these were documented liquitab injuries (15% of non-medicinal ingestions).

Conclusion

The results highlight the difficulties that children can encounter from liquitab injuries. The colourful nature, “sweet-like” appearance and soft texture of liquitab detergents make them appealing to young children. A key issue was to improve parental awareness. We have achieved this via a national press release through Rospa,(Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents), BBC news interviews and national press articles.
Quality assessment and preservation of RNA from biobank tissue specimens: a systematic review
Authors: Caixeiro Nicole Joaquim , Lai Ken , Lee Cheok Soon
Published: November 2015

It is well recognised that genomic, proteomic and biomarker studies require properly annotated and well-characterised biospecimens. Consequently, this necessitates biobanks to collect, store and distribute biospecimens under stringent quality control and assurance measures. However, despite this realisation, there remains a lack of standardisation in quality management among biobanks and consensus as to which quality indicators provide the optimal molecular diagnostic performance tools and information for biospecimens. In an attempt to identify key factors that predict tissue specimen integrity and quality, this systematic review investigated the measures reported in the literature, which characterised the collection, processing and storage of high-quality tissue specimens. Our findings demonstrated RNA integrity, alone, may not be an effective measure of tissue quality. Furthermore, the frequently reported parameters related to biospecimen integrity, such as storage time, temperature, time to cryopreservation and tissue morphology were also not effective indicators of quality control and assurance. These findings suggest that it is unlikely that a single marker will provide the optimal diagnostic and performance information for biospecimens, but rather, a panel of markers assessing the molecular integrity of the lifespan of the biospecimen is required. Further work is needed to identify which factors predict specimen integrity and quality in biobanked tissue specimens.
Molecular mechanisms in multiple myeloma drug resistance
Authors: Nikesitch Nicholas , Ling Silvia C W
Published: November 2015

Multiple myeloma (MM) is predominantly an incurable malignancy despite high-dose chemotherapy, autologous stem cell transplant and novel agents. MM is a genetically heterogeneous disease and the complexity increases as the disease progresses to a more aggressive stage. MM arises from a plasma cell, which produces and secretes non-functioning immunoglobulins. Most MM cells are sensitive to proteasome inhibitors (PIs), which have become the main drug in the treatment of newly diagnosed and relapsed MM. However, not all MM is sensitive to PIs. This review summarises the literature regarding molecular biology of MM with a focus on the unfolded protein response and explores how this could affect drug sensitivity and progression of disease.
Phosphate excretion is decreased in older cardiac patients with normal kidney function: an emerging dietary risk factor?
Authors: Jozefacki Alexis , White Christine A. , Shobeiri Navid S. , Hopman Wilma M. , Johri Amer M. , Adams Michael A. , Holden Rachel M.
Published: November 2015

Serum phosphate independently predicts cardiovascular events and mortality. Sixteen healthy adults and 9 adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) ingested 500 mg of sodium phosphate after an over-night fast. In control subjects, the urine phosphate/creatinine ratio was significantly higher at 2 h (3.12 ± 1.02) than at baseline (1.98 ± 0.58, p < 0.001) but no change was observed in CVD patients. Decreased postprandial urinary excretion of phosphate could accelerate vascular calcification and may be an under-recognized risk factor for CVD.
Role of Vibrio cholerae exochitinase ChiA2 in horizontal gene transfer
Authors: Mondal Moumita , Chatterjee Nabendu Sekhar
Published: November 2015

Vibrio cholerae exochitinase ChiA2 plays a key role in acquisition of nutrients by chitin hydrolysis in the natural environment as well as in pathogenesis in the intestinal milieu. In this study we demonstrate the importance of ChiA2 in horizontal gene transfer in the natural environment. We found that the expression of ChiA2 and TfoX, the central regulator of V. cholerae horizontal gene transfer, varied with changes in environmental conditions. The activity of ChiA2 was also dependent on these conditions. In 3 different environmental conditions tested here, we observed that the supporting environmental condition for maximum expression and activity of ChiA2 was 20 °C, pH 5.5, and 100 mmol/L salinity in the presence of chitin. The same condition also induced TfoX expression and was favorable for horizontal gene transfer in V. cholerae. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that ChiA2 released a significant amount of (GlcNAc)2 from chitin hydrolysis under the favorable condition. We hypothesized that under the favorable environmental condition, ChiA2 was upregulated and maximally active to produce a significant amount of (GlcNAc)2 from chitin. The same environmental condition also induced tfoX expression, followed by its translational activation by the (GlcNAc)2 produced, leading to efficient horizontal gene transfer.
Rapid detection of Cronobacter sakazakii by real-time PCR based on the cgcA gene and TaqMan probe with internal amplification control
Authors: Hu Shuangfang , Yu Yigang , Li Rong , Wu Xinwei , Xiao Xinglong , Wu Hui
Published: November 2015

Cronobacter sakazakii is a severe virulent strain that is frequently detected in powdered infant formula (PIF). Therefore, it is necessary to develop a fast and specific detection method. The specificity of our newly developed quantitative real-time PCR (qRT–PCR) was validated with DNA from 46 strains. Among them, 12 C. sakazakii strains were correctly amplified, whereas no positive florescent signal was observed from 34 nontarget controls. The detection limit of C. sakazakii was about 110 CFU/mL in broth and 1100 CFU/g in PIF. After enrichment in buffered peptone water for 6 h, our developed qRT–PCR assay could reliably detect C. sakazakii when the inoculation level was as low as 2 CFU/25 g (0.08 CFU/g) in PIF. The growth of C. sakazakii could be inhibited by the presence of Lactobacillus pentosus and Bacillus cereus, which used a longer enrichment period before the isolation was accomplished. However, at 5 and 50 CFU/25 g inoculation levels of C. sakazakii in the presence of 4 × 106 CFU L. pentosus/25 g or of 2 × 104 CFU B. cereus/25 g, the qRT–PCR assay could detect the presence of Cronobacter even though these artificially spiked samples were negative in culture. Therefore, our results indicated that the qRT–PCR assay could detect samples containing inhibitors and could avoid false negatives by using an internal amplification control.
Mechanisms of acid–base regulation in seawater-acclimated green crabs (Carcinus maenas)
Authors: Fehsenfeld S. , Weihrauch D.
Published: November 2015

The present study investigated acid–base regulatory mechanisms in seawater-acclimated green crabs (Carcinus maenas (L., 1758)). In full-strength seawater, green crabs are osmoconformers so that the majority of the observed responses were attributed to ion fluxes based on acid–base compensatory responses alone. Similar to observations in brackish-water-acclimated C. maenas, seawater-acclimated green crabs exposed to hypercapnia rapidly accumulated HCO3−in their hemolymph, compensating for the respiratory acidosis caused by excess hemolymph pCO2. A full recovery from the decreased hemolymph pH after 48 h, however, was not observed. Gill perfusion experiments on anterior gill No. 5 indicated the involvement of all investigated genes (i.e., bicarbonate transporters, V-(H+)-ATPase, Na+/K+-ATPase, K+-channels, Na+/H+-exchanger, and carbonic anhydrase) in the excretion of acid–base equivalents. The most significant effects were observed when targeting a potentially cytoplasmic and (or) basolaterally localized V-(H+)-ATPase, as well as potentially basolaterally localized bicarbonate transporter (likely a Na+/HCO3−-cotransporter). In both cases, H+accumulated in the hemolymph and CO2excretion across the gill epithelium was significantly reduced or even reversed when blocking bicarbonate transporters. Based on the findings in this study, a working model for acid–base regulatory mechanisms and their link to ammonia excretion in the gill epithelium of C. maenas has been developed.
Net energy gained by northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) is impacted more by diet quality than by diet diversity
Authors: Diaz Gomez Mariana , Rosen David A.S. , Trites Andrew W.
Published: November 2015

Understanding whether northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus (L., 1758)) are negatively affected by changes in prey quality or diversity could provide insights into their on-going population decline in the central Bering Sea. We investigated how six captive female fur seals assimilated energy from eight different diets consisting of four prey species (walleye pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus Pallas, 1814, formerly Theragra chalcogrammus (Pallas, 1814)), Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii Valenciennes in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1847), capelin (Mallotus villosus (Müller, 1776)), and magister armhook squid (Berryteuthis magister (Berry, 1913))) fed alone or in combination. Net energy was quantified by measuring fecal energy loss, urinary energy loss, and heat increment of feeding. Digestible energy (95.9%–96.7%) was high (reflecting low fecal energy loss) and was negatively affected by ingested mass and dietary protein content. Urinary energy loss (9.3%–26.7%) increased significantly for high-protein diets. Heat increment of feeding (4.3%–12.4%) was significantly lower for high-lipid diets. Overall, net energy gain (57.9%–83.0%) was affected by lipid content and varied significantly across diets. Mixed-species diets did not provide any energetic benefit over single-species diets. Our study demonstrates that diet quality was more important in terms of energy gain than diet diversity. These findings suggest that fur seals consuming low-quality prey in the Bering Sea would be more challenged to obtain sufficient energy to satisfy energetic and metabolic demands, independent of high prey abundance.
Compensating for a bad start: compensatory growth across life stages in an organism with a complex life cycle
Authors: Hyeun-Ji Lee , Johansson Frank
Published: November 2015

Organisms with a complex life cycle are characterized by a life-history shift through metamorphosis and include organisms such as insects and amphibians. They must optimize their use of resources and behaviour across different life stages to maximize their fitness. An interesting question with regard to such life-history shifts is whether growth in the juvenile stage can be compensated for in the adult stage. Here we ask whether emerald damselflies (Lestes sponsa (Hansemann, 1823)) are able to compensate for depressed growth during the juvenile aquatic stage in their terrestrial adult stage. Lestes sponsa emerge at a fixed adult body size, but feed during the adult stage and are thus able to gain mass as adults. We performed a mark–recapture study to answer whether individuals that emerge from metamorphosis with a low mass are able to compensate by subsequent mass gain during the adult stage. Results showed that compensatory mass gain occurred in the adult stage such that small individuals gained more mass than large individuals. We also found that females gained more mass than males. However, individuals that emerged at a low mass still had lower mass as mature adults than individuals that emerged at a high mass, suggesting that compensation was not complete. This suggests that larval ecology and adult fitness are tightly linked and future research should focus more on elucidating the nature of this relationship.
A rigidity result for crossed products of actions of Baumslag–Solitar groups
Authors: Meesschaert Niels
Published: November 2015

Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be two ergodic essentially free probability measure preserving actions of nonamenable Baumslag–Solitar groups whose canonical almost normal abelian subgroups act aperiodically. We prove that an isomorphism between the corresponding crossed product II1factors forces [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text]. This improves an orbit equivalence rigidity result obtained by Houdayer and Raum in [Baumslag–Solitar groups, relative profinite completions and measure equivalence rigidity, J. Topol. 8 (2015) 295–313].
Fourier expansion of Arakawa lifting II: Relation with central L-values
Authors: Murase Atsushi , Narita Hiro-aki
Published: November 2015

This is a continuation of our previous paper [Fourier expansion of Arakawa lifting I: An explicit formula and examples of non-vanishing lifts, Israel J. Math. 187 (2012) 317–369]. The aim of the paper here is to study the Fourier coefficients of Arakawa lifts in relation with central values of automorphic [Formula: see text]-functions. In the previous paper we provide an explicit formula for the Fourier coefficients in terms of toral integrals of automorphic forms on multiplicative groups of quaternion algebras. In this paper, after studying explicit relations between the toral integrals and the central [Formula: see text]-values, we explicitly determine the constant of proportionality relating the square norm of a Fourier coefficient of an Arakawa lift with the central [Formula: see text]-value. We can relate the square norm with the central value of some [Formula: see text]-function of convolution type attached to the lift and a Hecke character. We also discuss the existence of strictly positive central values of the [Formula: see text]-functions in our concern.
Modulus of continuity of solutions to complex Hessian equations
Authors: Charabati Mohamad
Published: November 2015

We give a sharp estimate of the modulus of continuity of the solution to the Dirichlet problem for the complex Hessian equation of order [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], with a continuous right-hand side and a continuous boundary data in a bounded strongly [Formula: see text]-pseudoconvex domain [Formula: see text]. Moreover, when the right-hand side is in [Formula: see text] for some [Formula: see text], and the boundary value function is [Formula: see text]-smooth we prove that the solution is Hölder continuous.
Noise and disorder: Phase transitions and universality in a model of opinion formation
Authors: Crokidakis Nuno
Published: November 2015

In this work, we study a three-state opinion formation model considering two distinct mechanisms, namely independence and conviction. Independence is introduced in the model as a noise by means of a probability of occurrence q. On the other hand, conviction acts as a disorder in the system, and it is introduced by two discrete probability distributions. We analyze the effects of such two mechanisms on the phase transitions of the model, and we found that the critical exponents are universal over the order–disorder frontier, presenting the same universality class of the mean-field Ising model. In addition, for one of the probability distributions, the transition may be eliminated for a wide range of the parameters.
Mechanism behind phase transitions in airplane boarding process
Authors: Qiang ShengJie , Jia Bin , Huang QingXia , Gao ZiYou
Published: November 2015

A simple airplane boarding model is built much like an asymmetric exclusion process (ASEP). The dynamics of the model is constrained by local interference between passengers and global seat assignments for individuals. We perform extensive Monte Carlo simulations by using a parallel update rule to determine quantities like boarding time and sequence correlation. Our results clarify the scaling behavior in boarding process and identify a critical value of arrival time interval for boarding time threshold. Three different phases (steady, intermediate and linear) with respect to the boarding time are distinguished and the mechanism behind phase transition is further discussed.
Condensate-enclosed chiral-bag model of the proton and pp elastic scattering at LHC 13 TeV
Authors: Islam M. M. , Luddy R. J.
Published: November 2015

Our investigation of high energy [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] elastic scattering over the last ten years has led us to consider that the proton has three regions: (i) an outer region consisting of a quark–antiquark [Formula: see text] condensate ground state (also described as quark–antiquark outer cloud), (ii) an inner shell of topological (geometrical) baryonic charge of size [Formula: see text] 0.44 fm, and (iii) a core of size [Formula: see text] 0.2 fm, where the three valence quarks of a proton with baryonic charges are confined. The proton structure that has emerged leads to four main elastic scattering processes in [Formula: see text] scattering. The first process (which gives rise to diffraction scattering) is described by a profile function. The second process involves multiple [Formula: see text]-exchanges. The third process in [Formula: see text] scattering is quark–quark scattering via gluon–gluon interaction. The fourth process — which appears for the first time in our investigation of [Formula: see text] scattering — is a glancing collision at the boundary of a proton with that of the other proton. To describe quantitatively the four processes, their parameters have to be determined. For this purpose, we investigate: (i) [Formula: see text] 7 TeV [Formula: see text] measured by the TOTEM Collaboration and (ii) [Formula: see text] 1.96 TeV [Formula: see text] measured by the D0 Collaboration.

Once the parameters are satisfactorily obtained, we calculate [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] at 7 TeV and compare with the TOTEM data. We also calculate [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] at 1.96 TeV and compare with the D0 data. We then predict [Formula: see text] elastic [Formula: see text] at 13 TeV which will soon be measured at LHC by the TOTEM Collaboration. This measurement will establish how well we have predicted the 13 TeV [Formula: see text] and determined the structure of the proton.
New Deadline-Aware Energy-Consumption Optimization Model and Genetic Algorithm Under Cloud Computing
Authors: Zhu Hai , Wang Hongfeng
Published: November 2015

With large-scale data centers widely deployed around the world, their huge energy consumption becomes a primary concern. Effective resource allocation and scheduling is one of the key to solve this problem. However, existing studies on this topic are relatively rare. In this paper, a new deadline-aware energy-consumption optimization model is designed, which optimizes both the idle and execution energy consumption of servers. To save the idle energy consumption, we propose a new virtual machine deployment algorithm for mapping virtual machines to a constrained packing problem with multidimensional variables. In the proposed genetic algorithm, in order to improve the diversity of the population, we select some of the individuals which do not satisfy time constraints but have low energy consumption into the next generation. To save the execution energy consumption, we adopt the technique of dynamic voltage and frequency scaling. Finally, experimental results show that compared with the existing algorithms, the proposed one greatly reduces the total energy consumption of data centers under the time constraints of tasks.
Generating solutions to the Einstein field equations
Authors: Contopoulos I. G. , Esposito F. P. , Kleidis K. , Papadopoulos D. B. , Witten L.
Published: November 2015

Exact solutions to the Einstein field equations may be generated from already existing ones (seed solutions), that admit at least one Killing vector. In this framework, a space of potentials is introduced. By the use of symmetries in this space, the set of potentials associated to a known solution is transformed into a new set, either by continuous transformations or by discrete transformations. In view of this method, and upon consideration of continuous transformations, we arrive at some exact, stationary axisymmetric solutions to the Einstein field equations in vacuum, that may be of geometrical or/and physical interest.
On Warranty Cost Analysis Using Alternating Phase Type Quasi-Renewal Processes
Authors: Sarada Y. , Shenbagam R.
Published: November 2015

This study investigates two warranty models: fixed and extended warranty models with inspections, for a repairable deteriorating system. An alternating phase type quasi-renewal process is employed to model the operating and repair times. Failures occur at random instants of time. The condition of the system after repair is not as good as new. While the fixed warranty model is examined using the expected cost rate and a bi-criterion cost, an explicit expression for the long-run average cost rate is obtained for the extended warranty model by adopting a [Formula: see text]-policy. In addition, the extended warranty model is examined to include the downtime cost in the analysis while avoiding inspections. Numerical illustrations provided therein conform to the observations made in the study.
CHARACTERIZING LOCALIZED STRAIN OF IN0.83Al0.17As/In0.83Ga0.17As DETECTOR USING LOW FREQUENCY ATOMIC FORCE ACOUSTIC MICROSCOPE
Authors: SU WEITAO , DOU HONGLEI , HUO DEXUAN , YU GUOLIN , DAI NING
Published: November 2015

Localized strain accumulation and related defects strongly affect the performance of optoelectronic detectors. However, characterizing distribution of the localized strain and defects still challenges usability and spatial resolution of many measurements. In current study, the defects and surface strain accumulation of In[Formula: see text]Al[Formula: see text]As/In[Formula: see text]Ga[Formula: see text]As multilayer detectors are investigated using low-frequency atomic force acoustic microscope (AFAM) and Raman spectroscopy. With AFAM, the strain accumulation and defects can be easily identified and measured with spatial resolution as good as that of atomic force microscope (AFM).
Entropy approximation versus uniqueness of equilibrium for a dense affine space of continuous functions
Authors: Comman Henri
Published: November 2015

We show that for a [Formula: see text]-action (or [Formula: see text]-action) on a non-empty compact metrizable space [Formula: see text], the existence of a affine space dense in the set of continuous functions on [Formula: see text] constituted by elements admitting a unique equilibrium state implies that each invariant measure can be approximated weakly[Formula: see text] and in entropy by a sequence of measures which are unique equilibrium states.
Analogues of quantum Schubert cell algebras in PBW-deformations of quantum groups
Authors: Xu Yongjun , Wang Dingguo , Chen Jialei
Published: November 2015

We focus on a class of filtered quantum algebras [Formula: see text] which are both coideal subalgebras of quantum groups and Poincaré–Birkhoff–Witt (PBW)-deformations of their negative parts. In [Y. Xu and S. Yang, PBW-deformations of quantum groups, J. Algebra 408 (2014) 222–249], Xu and Yang proved that braid group actions on [Formula: see text] introduced by Kolb and Pellegrini can be used to define root vectors and construct PBW bases for [Formula: see text]. In this present paper, for each element [Formula: see text] in the Weyl group of [Formula: see text] we first introduce a subspace [Formula: see text] and a subalgebra [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] can be considered as an analogue of quantum Schubert cell algebra. Then a sufficient and necessary condition on [Formula: see text] is given for [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we prove that [Formula: see text] if and only if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] can be generated by the same simple reflections. Finally, we characterize the algebra [Formula: see text] which can be obtained via an iterated Ore extension. Our results show that quantum groups and their PBW-deformations really have some different properties.
A characterization of nilpotent Moufang loops of odd order
Authors: Csörgő Piroska
Published: November 2015

Glauberman and Wright in [G. G. Glauberman and C. R. B. Wright, Nilpotence of finite Moufang 2-loops, J. Algebra 8 (1968) 415–417] proved that a nilpotent Moufang loop is the direct product of [Formula: see text]-loops for some primes [Formula: see text], consequently the elements of coprime order commute in a nilpotent Moufang loop. In this paper, we prove that in Moufang loops of odd order this condition is equivalent to the central nilpotence.
Multi-Attribute Decision Making in a Bidding Game with Imperfect Information and Uncertainty
Authors: Kang Ziho , Morin Thomas
Published: November 2015

Human preferences or attitudes towards risk should play a vital role in a decision making task with imperfect information and uncertain outcomes. We introduce a method to characterize human preferences and how they are integrated into the decision making process of a complex probability-based card bidding game. When assessing the preferences, a utility-to-preference (UP) function is devised for easier mapping between preferences and how much a player is willing to bid. Using the developed approach, we can better identify how different human preferences and their interaction affect the game outcomes. We focus on a highly addictive poker game that has become a multi-billion dollar internet business. The method was evaluated through data obtained from two decision makers (DMs) with different expertise. The integrated decision making process was designed and automated through Monte Carlo simulation. The results show that different preferences to the multi-attributes can lead to different profit outcomes. The results can further serve as a basis to identify vulnerable populations1 for the socio-technical online bidding game.
A hybrid model of cell cycle in mammals
Authors: Behaegel Jonathan , Comet Jean-Paul , Bernot Gilles , Cornillon Emilien , Delaunay Franck
Published: November 2015

Time plays an essential role in many biological systems, especially in cell cycle. Many models of biological systems rely on differential equations, but parameter identification is an obstacle to use differential frameworks. In this paper, we present a new hybrid modeling framework that extends René Thomas’ discrete modeling. The core idea is to associate with each qualitative state “celerities” allowing us to compute the time spent in each state. This hybrid framework is illustrated by building a 5-variable model of the mammalian cell cycle. Its parameters are determined by applying formal methods on the underlying discrete model and by constraining parameters using timing observations on the cell cycle. This first hybrid model presents the most important known behaviors of the cell cycle, including quiescent phase and endoreplication.
Bicrossed products induced by Poisson vector fields and their integrability
Authors: Djiba Samson Apourewagne , Wade Aïssa
Published: November 2015

First we show that, associated to any Poisson vector field [Formula: see text] on a Poisson manifold [Formula: see text], there is a canonical Lie algebroid structure on the first jet bundle [Formula: see text] which, depends only on the cohomology class of [Formula: see text]. We then introduce the notion of a cosymplectic groupoid and we discuss the integrability of the first jet bundle into a cosymplectic groupoid. Finally, we give applications to Atiyah classes and [Formula: see text]-algebras.
Sophisticated and Spontaneous Template-Free Organization of Silica Nanoparticles During Storage
Authors: Bogdanchikova Nina , Martynyuk Oxana , Vazquez-Gomez Roberto L. , Ruiz Francisco , Huerta-Saquero Alejandro , Zepeda Trino A. , Pestryakov Alexey , Mota-Morales Josué D.
Published: November 2015

Hierarchical self-assembling of materials represents one of the most appealing subjects in nanoscience, since bottom-up strategies allow for tailor-made synthesis of functional structures in commodities as well as in living systems. Herein we show that nanorings of ca. 10[Formula: see text]nm silica nanoparticles without any inorganic metal oxide or organic participant are able to spontaneously self-assemble presenting sophisticated forms and hierarchy. It was observed that after synthesis, silica nanoparticles are chaotically distributed but during storage at ambient conditions they spontaneously form self-assembled aggregates with multiplicity of morphologies when a small amount of water is added in the environment. Detailed description of the morphology of such structures by high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) is presented together with a discussion about the role of water during their spontaneous formation.
Semi-quantitative analysis on the content of berberine hydrochloride in compound berberine tablets with the fluorescence spectral imaging method
Authors: Liang Lan , Sun Jinyan , He Qing , Chen Zhenqiang , Zhu Siqi , Lin Lin
Published: November 2015

The content of berberine hydrochloride (BH) in compound berberine tablets (CBTs) is subject to strict requirements. Its content is usually measured based on chemical analysis. In this paper, the fluorescence spectral imaging method was used to study the relative content of BH from a physics perspective. By comparing the relative fluorescence intensity of self-made CBTs with different mass percentages of BH, a linear positive relationship was observed between the BH content and the relative fluorescence intensity, and accordingly the quality of CBTs of different brands was evaluated. The results indicate that the fluorescence spectral imaging method can be a simple, fast and nondestructive semi-quantitative analysis method to determine the content of BH in CBTs, and this method has great potential in the quality control of CBTs.
An enhanced PSO-DEFS based feature selection with biometric authentication for identification of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Balakrishnan Umarani , Venkatachalapathy Krishnamurthi , Marimuthu Girirajkumar S.
Published: November 2015

Recently, automatic diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) from the retinal image is the most significant research topic in the medical applications. Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the major reason for the loss of vision in patients suffering from DR. Early identification of the DR enables to prevent the vision loss and encourage diabetic control activities. Many techniques are developed to diagnose the DR. The major drawbacks of the existing techniques are low accuracy and high time complexity. To overcome these issues, this paper proposes an enhanced particle swarm optimization-differential evolution feature selection (PSO-DEFS) based feature selection approach with biometric authentication for the identification of DR. Initially, a hybrid median filter (HMF) is used for pre-processing the input images. Then, the pre-processed images are embedded with each other by using least significant bit (LSB) for authentication purpose. Simultaneously, the image features are extracted using convoluted local tetra pattern (CLTrP) and Tamura features. Feature selection is performed using PSO-DEFS and PSO-gravitational search algorithm (PSO-GSA) to reduce time complexity. Based on some performance metrics, the PSO-DEFS is chosen as a better choice for feature selection. The feature selection is performed based on the fitness value. A multi-relevance vector machine (M-RVM) is introduced to classify the 13 normal and 62 abnormal images among 75 images from 60 patients. Finally, the DR patients are further classified by M-RVM. The experimental results exhibit that the proposed approach achieves better accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity than the existing techniques.
Deterministic and non-deterministic hypersubstitutions for algebraic systems
Authors: Joomwong Jintana , Phusanga Dara
Published: November 2015

Hypersubstitutions for algebraic systems are mappings which send operation symbols to terms and relational symbols to formulas preserving arities (see [D. Phusanga, Derived Algebraic Systems, Ph.D. thesis, Potsdam (2013)]). In the non-deterministic case, i.e. if one operation symbol is sent to several terms of the same arity and also one relational symbol is sent to several quantifier free formulas of the same arity, we can consider a mapping from the set of operation symbols into the power set of the set of all terms and from the set of relational symbols into the power set of the set of all quantifier free formulas of the considered type. These mappings are called non-deterministic hypersubstitutions for algebraic systems. We consider sets of algebraic systems which are invariant under non-deterministic hypersubstitutions and apply the result to [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-solid classes of algebraic systems. In this paper, we consider an extension of non-deterministic hypersubstitutions which is based on deterministic ones.
Thermoelectric properties of Ni-doped BaSi2
Authors: Xu Yidong , Wu Yixuan , Chen Zhiwei , Shen Wenjia , Jian Zhengzhong , Lin Siqi , Li Juan , Li Wen , Pei Yanzhong
Published: November 2015

BaSi2 has been known as a wide gap semiconductor with an intrinsic low lattice thermal conductivity, therefore may be a promising environmental friendly thermoelectric (TE) material with abundant constituent elements. In this work, NixBa[Formula: see text]Si2 compounds with 0[Formula: see text] are synthesized by arc melting. The resistivity, thermal conductivity and Seebeck coefficient are measured in the temperature range of 300–850[Formula: see text]K. The resistivity of the undoped BaSi2 is as high as 480[Formula: see text]mOhm[Formula: see text]cm at room temperature. Through Ni-doping, both resistivity and the Seebeck coefficient decrease dramatically. Meanwhile, the total thermal conductivity has no apparent difference due to Ni-doping. The lattice thermal conductivity decreases with increasing temperature monotonously to be lower than 1[Formula: see text]W/m[Formula: see text]K at high temperatures.
The English Chalk and London Clay: two remarkable British bony fish
Lagerstätten
Authors: Friedman Matt , Beckett Hermione T. , Close Roger A. , Johanson Zerina
Published: November 2015

The Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian–Maastrichtian) Chalk Group and Eocene (Ypresian) London Clay Formation are two British marine deposits that yield globally significant assemblages of fossil actinopterygian (ray-finned) fishes. Materials from these units, especially the Chalk, featured prominently in the work of Arthur Smith Woodward. Here we summarize the history of study of actinopterygian fossils from the Chalk and London Clay, review their geological and palaeoenvironmental context and provide updated faunal lists. The Chalk and London Clay are remarkable for preserving fossil fishes in three dimensions rather than as the flattened individuals familiar from many other famous
Lagerstätten
, as well as capturing detailed ‘snapshots’ of marine fish faunas that bracket the major taxonomic shift that took place near the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary.
Propositions as types
Authors: Wadler Philip
Published: November 2015

Connecting mathematical logic and computation, it ensures that some aspects of programming are absolute.
Personalizing maps
Authors: Ballatore Andrea , Bertolotto Michela
Published: November 2015

Digital maps can be engineered to adapt to a person's unique interests and experience in geographic space.
I can't let you do that, Dave
Authors: Doctorow Cory
Published: November 2015

Computers should not treat their owners as adversaries.
How to de-identify your data
Authors: Angiuli Olivia , Blitzstein Joe , Waldo Jim
Published: November 2015

Balancing statistical accuracy and subject privacy in large social-science datasets.
Why our theories of innovation fail us
Authors: Denning Peter J. , Dew Nicholas
Published: November 2015

Until we moderate our fascination with creating ideas, we will not achieve the rate of innovations we seek.
Increasing the participation of individuals with disabilities in computing
Authors: Ladner Richard E. , Burgstahler Sheryl
Published: November 2015

Lessons learned from a decade of practice.
Research Difference of Strain Distribution and Microstructure Evolution between Rolling Direction and Transverse Direction of AM50 Mg Alloy Plate by Digital Image Correlation
Authors: Li Qiang , Hua Fuan , Li Jianping , Wang Hao
Published: November 2015

The rolling direction (RD) and transverse direction (TD) of AM50 Mg alloy plate were drawn by tensile test while Digital Image Correlation (DIC) was applied to record local strain distribution and evolution. Then, the microstructure in the maximum strain position was observed so as to find the reason causing the difference between RD and TD specimen. Finally, the fracture surface morphology of the broken specimen was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) to determine the crack types. Through the analysis, it is found that the critical failure equivalent strains in the RD specimen and TD specimen are 0.1675 and 0.118, respectively, and the maximum equivalent strain position is the crack source; more twinning is generated in the RD specimen than that of the TD specimen, which indicates that twinning plays an important role in affecting its plasticity. The fracture surface morphology indicates that the RD specimen fracture is quasi-cleavage fracture while the TD specimen shows character of cleavage fracture.
Recurrence Quantification Analysis of F-Waves and the Evaluation of Neuropathies
Authors: Fisher Morris A. , Patil Vijaya K. , Webber Charles L.
Published: November 2015

Electrodiagnostic (EDX) patterns of neuropathic dysfunction have been based on axonal/demyelinating criteria requiring prior assumptions. This has not produced classifications of desired sensitivity or specificity. Furthermore, standard nerve conduction studies have limited reproducibility. New methodologies in EDX seem important. Recurrent Quantification Analysis (RQA) is a nonlinear method for examining patterns of recurrence. RQA might provide a unique method for the EDX evaluation of neuropathies. RQA was used to analyze F-wave recordings from the abductor hallucis muscle in 61 patients with neuropathies. Twenty-nine of these patients had diabetes as the sole cause of their neuropathies. In the other 32 patients, the etiologies of the neuropathies were diverse. Commonly used EDX variables were also recorded. RQA data could separate the 29 patients with diabetic neuropathies from the other 32 patients (P<0.009). Statistically significant differences in two EDX variables were also present: compound muscle action potential amplitudes (P<0.007) and F-wave persistence (P<0.001). RQA analysis of F-waves seemed able to distinguish diabetic neuropathies from the other neuropathies studied, and this separation was associated with specific physiological abnormalities. This study would therefore support the idea that RQA of F-waves can distinguish between types of neuropathic dysfunction based on EDX data alone without prior assumptions.