bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal tracking control for non‐zero‐sum games of linear discrete‐time systems via off‐policy reinforcement learning
Authors: Wen Yinlei , Zhang Huaguang , Su Hanguang , Ren He 
Published: April 2020

SummaryIn this article, a model‐free off‐policy reinforcement learning algorithm is applied to address the optimal tracking problem based on multiplayer non‐zero‐sum games for discrete‐time linear systems. In contrast to the traditional method and the policy iteration method for solving the optimal tracking problems, the proposed algorithm operates with the system data rather than the knowledge of the system dynamics. For performing the proposed algorithm, an auxiliary augmented system is constructed via assembling the original system and the reference trajectory while a discount factor is introduced into the performance indexes. It is analyzed that the solutions of the proposed algorithm converge to the Nash equilibrium and the result is not influenced by the probing noise. Two simulations are presented to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Assessing strength of evidence for regulatory decision making in licensing: What proof do we need for observational studies of effectiveness?
Authors: Slattery Jim , Kurz Xavier 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBefore a medicine can be recommended for a marketing authorization research must be provided to regulators that convincingly supports the benefit‐risk of the product in the claimed indication. The established criteria for such research are usually expressed in terms of evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCT). If studies in real‐world data (RWD) are to be accepted as all or part of the package of evidence, it is necessary to understand the relationship between information from studies of RWD and that from RCTs. The aim of this review is to consider how the strength of such evidence can be quantified in a manner that relates to the decision‐making process, what research is currently available to further this understanding and what additional information will be required.
Experimental Study on Electrical Ignition Characteristics of Ammonium Dinitramide based Propellant under Different Environmental Pressures
Authors: Li Lei , Li GuoXiu , Li HongMeng , Yao ZhaoPu 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAmmonium dinitramide (ADN)‐based thrusters have been successfully used in‐orbit, but they possess some problems such as catalyst deactivation at high combustion temperatures and the inability to cold start the engine during thruster operation. Thus, a new thermal ignition method using resistance ignition has been developed for ADN‐based liquid propellant. Experimental results showed that ADN‐based liquid monopropellant droplets could be ignited by resistance ignition at different pressures. Voltage only slightly affected the ignition delay time, combustion duration, and total reaction time at 150 kPa and 200 kPa. In contrast, increasing the environmental pressure effectively reduced the ignition delay time, combustion duration, and total reaction time. When passed through droplets, the current presented a three‐stage rapid decline, entered a stable stage, and finally declined again during droplet ignition and combustion. Furthermore, increasing the environmental pressure could reduce the required ignition energy.
Retrospective assessment of acute poisoning incidents by pharmaceutical agents in Jordan: Data from Pharmacy One™ Poison Call Center, 2014 to 2018—Part II
Authors: Yehya Alaa , Albals Dima , Issa Reem , Fawadleh Aida 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPoison control centers provide surveillance data that can be used to estimate the magnitude of poisoning cases and the level of public awareness and to evaluate control measures. The aim of this study is to describe the drug‐related poisoning queries received by the Pharmacy One™ Poisoning Call Center (P1PCC) in Jordan. This is a retrospective descriptive study of the acute drug‐related poisoning incidents in the Jordanian population recorded by the P1PCC during the 2014‐2018 period. The inquiries received were recorded on a predesigned form. The demographic data, including the age and the sex of the patient, the route of and reason for exposure and the drug therapeutic groups, in addition to medical outcomes, were extracted utilizing computerized Oracle and Excel spreadsheets. During the period of evaluation, 900 drug‐related poisoning incidents were reported to the P1PCC. The majority of calls (48.5%) were received via 911, followed by the public (48.56%) and healthcare professionals (27.1%). More than half of the poisoning incidents were recorded among males (52.5%). Adults were the most affected group (40.5%), followed by children (34.0%). Unintentional exposure was the most common cause of poisoning (58.6%), followed by suicide attempts (25.3%). Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and paracetamol caused the majority of the reported cases. Poisoning incidents were mainly classified as mild to moderate (56.1%), while only 16.6% were severe. The P1PCC has demonstrated an important and vital role in improving patient safety and providing education on rational drug use. Reflections on these data can be used to increase public awareness in promoting the rational use of medications among Jordanian citizens.
Determining baseline toxicity of ozone against an insecticide‐susceptible strain of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. under laboratory conditions
Authors: Feston James , Gaire Sudip , Fardisi Mahsa , Mason Linda J , Gondhalekar Ameya D 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDOzone gas is commercially used for deodorization and microbial control. Its efficacy against stored product insect pests is well documented. In the midst of the common bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) outbreak, claims were made that ozone gas was effective for their control. This study was conducted to determine baseline ozone concentrations and exposure times required for the control of an insecticide‐susceptible C. lectularius strain under laboratory conditions. Dichlorvos (DDVP), an organophosphate class fumigant insecticide was used as a positive control.RESULTSNymphs and adults were more susceptible to ozone than eggs. Complete (100%) nymph and adult mortality was achieved at an ozone concentration (C) of 1500 ppm and exposure time (T) of 180 min, or concentration × time product (CT) of 270 000 ppm‐min, whereas eggs required an eightfold higher CT (2 040 000 ppm‐min). DDVP vapor was 2070‐, 2542‐ and 450‐fold more potent than ozone, against nymphs, adults and eggs, respectively.CONCLUSIONSBaseline ozone toxicity data provide insights on the practicality of using this gas for the management of common bed bugs. High ozone CT products required for C. lectularius control, particularly eggs, suggest that its use for treating infested human dwellings is not feasible due to logistic, safety and monetary concerns. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Implementation and performance evaluation of a drilling assistive device for distal locking of intramedullary nails
Authors: Hsu Wei‐En , Yu Ching‐Hsiao , Chang Chih‐Ju , Wu Dian‐Shiue , Yu Tsong‐Han , Tseng Ching‐Shiow 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIntramedullary nailing is a common treatment for long bone fractures. The nail might deform during implantation because of the shape of medullary cavity. Thus, surgeons take many X‐ray images to position distal locking holes and check the drilling process. In this study, we developed a positioning algorithm with a passive or active (robot arm) assistive device for promptly positioning of distal locking holes and stably drilling guidance and support. Using the passive device, the surgeon could manually align the positioning probe with locking hole within 60 seconds based on 20 test cases. In 36 test cases, the active device aligned the positioning probe with locking hole automatically with average errors of 2.2 mm in position and 3.19° in direction. The passive device provides a reliable and low‐cost solution for distal locking of intramedullary nails, while the active device is easy and friendly to use.
Robotic sphincter saving rectal cancer surgery: A learning curve analysis
Authors: Aghayeva Afag , Baca Bilgi 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundLonger operation time is one of the major obstacles in front of the proposed benefits of robotic rectal surgery. We intended to evaluate the learning process for robotic surgery in sphincter saving rectal cancer surgery.MethodsThe learning curve was evaluated using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) method. The variable evaluated for learning curve calculation was the operative time.ResultsThe learning curve was divided into two phases: initial 52 operations comprised phase 1 and the following 44 operations represented phase 2. Interphase comparisons showed that phase 2 patients had shorter operation times (323.3 ± 102.8 vs. 379.9 ± 108.7 min, p = 0.011), less blood loss (37.2 ± 51.0 vs. 87.7 ± 124.8 mL, p = 0.009), longer distal resection margins (4.5 ± 4.3 vs. 2.5 ± 1.7 cm, p = 0.008), and higher rates of grade 3 mesorectal completeness (p = 0.001).ConclusionIn this study, we saw that the cut‐off level in the learning curve of a laparoscopically experienced surgeon could be beyond the numbers reported in the literature.
Epstein‐Barr virus related post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder prevention strategies in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Lindsay Julian , Yong Michelle K. , Greenwood Matthew , Kong David C. M. , Chen Sharon C. A. , Rawlinson William , Slavin Monica 
Published: April 2020

SummaryEpstein‐Barr virus associated post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (EBV PTLD) are recognized as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). The number of patients at risk of developing EBV PTLD is increasing, partly as a result of highly immunosuppressive regimens, including the use of anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG). Importantly, there is heterogeneity in PTLD management strategies between alloHSCT centers worldwide. This review summarizes the different EBV PTLD prevention strategies being utilized including the alloHSCT and T‐cell depletion regimes and the risk they confer; monitoring programs, including the timing and analytes used for EBV virus detection, as well as pre‐emptive thresholds and therapy with rituximab. In the absence of an institution‐specific policy, it is suggested that the optimal pre‐emptive strategy in HSCT recipients with T‐cell depleting treatments, acute graft vs host disease (GVHD) and a mismatched donor for PTLD prevention is (a) monitoring of EBV DNA post‐transplant weekly using plasma or WB as analyte and (b) pre‐emptively reducing immune suppression (if possible) at an EBV DNA threshold of >1000 copies/mL (plasma or WB), and treating with rituximab at a threshold of >1000 copies/mL (plasma) or >5000 copies/mL (WB). There is emerging evidence for prophylactic rituximab as a feasible and safe strategy for PTLD, particularly if pre‐emptive monitoring is problematic. Future management strategies such as prophylactic EBV specific CTLs have shown promising results and as this procedure becomes less expensive and more accessible, it may become the strategy of choice for EBV PTLD prevention.
Assembling Defined DNA Nanostructure with Nitrogen‐Enriched Carbon Dots for Theranostic Cancer Applications
Authors: Wu Di , Li Bang Lin , Zhao Qianwen , Liu Qian , Wang Dong , He Binfeng , Wei Zhenghua , Leong David Tai , Wang Guansong , Qian Hang 
Published: April 2020

AbstractDNA nanostructures as scaffolds for drug delivery, biosensing, and bioimaging are hindered by its vulnerability in physiological settings, less favorable of incorporating arbitrary guest molecules and other desirable functionalities. Noncanonical self‐assembly of DNA nanostructures with small molecules in an alternative system is an attractive strategy to expand their applications in multidisciplinary fields and is rarely explored. This work reports a nitrogen‐enriched carbon dots (NCDs)‐mediated DNA nanostructure self‐assembly strategy. Given the excellent photoluminescence and photodynamic properties of NCDs, the obtained DNA/NCDs nanocomplex holds great potential for bioimaging and anticancer therapy. NCDs can mediate DNA nanoprism (NPNCD) self‐assembly isothermally at a large temperature and pH range in a magnesium‐free manner. To explore the suitability of NPNCD in potential biomedical applications, the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake efficiency of NPNCD are evaluated. NPNCD with KRAS siRNA (NPNCDK) is further conjugated for KRAS‐mutated nonsmall cell lung cancer therapy. The NPNCDK shows excellent gene knockdown efficiency and anticancer effect in vitro. The current study suggests that conjugating NCDs with programmable DNA nanostructures is a powerful strategy to endow DNA nanostructures with new functionalities, and NPNCD may be a potential theranostic platform with further fine‐tuned properties of CDs such as near‐red fluorescence or photothermal activities.
Studying chloride ions and corrosion properties of reinforced concrete with a green inhibitor and plasticizers
Authors: Abdulsada Shaymaa A. , Török Tamás I. 
Published: April 2020

ABSTRACTThe breakthrough and diffusion of chloride ions into reinforced concrete structures is the major contributing factor for inducing corrosion of the steel reinforcement. This work presents a study of the total chloride contents in concrete and the corrosion process by testing electrical resistivity and half‐cell potential of concrete samples. The novelty of this work in the use of a green inhibitor—orange peel extract. The analysis was based on an experimental investigation of the samples with time of immersion in 3.5 wt% NaCl aqueous solutions at room temperature according to European Standards. For this study, different mixtures of concrete were prepared by adding two types of superplastisizers and green inhibitors in different concentrations. The results of the Cl− ions test showed that all the samples (except sample C2) after an immersion testing period of 6 months contained Cl− ions in high concentrations, indicating a greater risk of corrosion. Sample C2 (with green inhibitor and Oxydtron superplasticizer) showed the highest resistance against the chloride ion ingress measured by following the Cl− concentration changes up to the end of the 6 months testing period. This samples' good resistance to corrosion in the tested environment was also proved by the results of several sets of measurements of the electrical resistivity and half‐cell potentials carried on the concrete test samples.
Citral inhibits N‐nitrosodiethylamine‐induced hepatocellular carcinoma via modulation of antioxidants and xenobiotic‐metabolizing enzymes
Authors: Krishnan Palanisamy , Sundaram Jagan , Salam Sharmila , Subramaniam Nirmala , Mari Ashok , Balaraman Gopalakrishnan , Thiruvengadam Devaki 
Published: April 2020

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks the sixth position among various cancers worldwide. Recent research shows that natural and dietary compounds possess many therapeutic effects. Citral is a monoterpene aldehyde that contains geranial and neral. The present study was considered to study the role of citral against N‐nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)‐induced HCC via modulation of antioxidants and xenobiotic‐metabolizing enzymes in vivo. NDEA‐alone‐administered group II animals profoundly showed increased tumor incidence, reactive oxygen species, liver marker enzyme levels, serum bilirubin levels, tumor markers of carcinoembryonic antigen, α‐fetoprotein, proliferative markers of argyrophilic nucleolar organizing regions, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expressions, phase I xenobiotic‐metabolic enzymes and simultaneously decreased antioxidants, and phase II enzymes levels. Citral (100 mg/kg b.w.) treatment significantly reverted the levels in group III cancer‐bearing animals when compared to group II cancer‐bearing animals. In group IV animals, citral‐alone administration did not produce any adverse effect during the experimental condition. Based on the results, citral significantly inhibits the hepatocellular carcinogenesis through restoring the antioxidants and phase II xenobiotic‐enzyme levels; thereby, it strongly proves as an antiproliferative agent against rat HCC.
The Cognitive‐Functional Composite is sensitive to clinical progression in early dementia: Longitudinal findings from the Catch‐Cog study cohort
Authors: Jutten Roos J. , Harrison John E. , Brunner A.J. , Vreeswijk R. , van Deelen R.A.J. , de Jong Frank Jan , Opmeer Esther M. , Ritchie Craig W. , Aleman André , Scheltens Philip , Sikkes Sietske A.M. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIntroductionIn an attempt to capture clinically meaningful cognitive decline in early dementia, we developed the Cognitive‐Functional Composite (CFC). We investigated the CFC's sensitivity to decline in comparison to traditional clinical endpoints.MethodsThis longitudinal construct validation study included 148 participants with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, or mild dementia. The CFC and traditional tests were administered at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Sensitivity to change was investigated using linear mixed models and r2 effect sizes.ResultsCFC scores declined over time (β = −.16, P < .001), with steepest decline observed in mild Alzheimer's dementia (β = −.25, P < .001). The CFC showed medium‐to‐large effect sizes at succeeding follow‐up points (r2 = .08‐.42), exhibiting greater change than the Clinical Dementia Rating scale (r2 = .02‐.12). Moreover, change on the CFC was significantly associated with informant reports of cognitive decline (β = .38, P < .001).DiscussionBy showing sensitivity to decline, the CFC could enhance the monitoring of disease progression in dementia research and clinical practice.
Canine parvovirus and pseudorabies virus coinfection as a cause of death in a wolf (Canis lupus) from southern Italy
Authors: Amoroso Maria Grazia , Di Concilio Denise , D’Alessio Nicola , Veneziano Vincenzo , Galiero Giorgio , Fusco Giovanna 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPseudorabies virus (PRV) or suid herpesvirus 1 (SHV‐1) is the causative agent of Aujeszky's disease, a highly contagious viral infection which causes neurological fatal illness in mammals other than suids. Here we report a case of a young wolf (Canis lupus) of around 2 years found dead by a hunter in the province of Avellino, Campania Region. Necropsy showed pathological findings consistent with encephalitis and gastroenteritis. Organs were analysed by microbiological and molecular investigations following standard procedures to ascertain the possible cause of death. Real‐time PCR revealed the presence of PRV in the brain and of canine parvovirus 2b in organs like intestine, liver, brain, kidney and pancreas. Death probably occurred very shortly after SHV‐1 infection in an animal already weakened by parvovirosis.
Runners in Action
Authors: Ahman Danel , Bauer Andrej 
Published: April 2020

AbstractRunners of algebraic effects, also known as comodels, provide a mathematical model of resource management. We show that they also give rise to a programming concept that models top-level external resources, as well as allows programmers to modularly define their own intermediate “virtual machines”. We capture the core ideas of programming with runners in an equational calculus $$\lambda _{\mathsf {coop}}$$

λ
coop

, which we equip with a sound and coherent denotational semantics that guarantees the linear use of resources and execution of finalisation code. We accompany $$\lambda _{\mathsf {coop}}$$

λ
coop

with examples of runners in action, provide a prototype language implementation in OCaml, as well as a Haskell library based on $$\lambda _{\mathsf {coop}}$$

λ
coop

.
Optimal and Perfectly Parallel Algorithms for On-demand Data-Flow Analysis
Authors: Chatterjee Krishnendu , Goharshady Amir Kafshdar , Ibsen-Jensen Rasmus , Pavlogiannis Andreas 
Published: April 2020

AbstractInterprocedural data-flow analyses form an expressive and useful paradigm of numerous static analysis applications, such as live variables analysis, alias analysis and null pointers analysis. The most widely-used framework for interprocedural data-flow analysis is IFDS, which encompasses distributive data-flow functions over a finite domain. On-demand data-flow analyses restrict the focus of the analysis on specific program locations and data facts. This setting provides a natural split between (i) an offline (or preprocessing) phase, where the program is partially analyzed and analysis summaries are created, and (ii) an online (or query) phase, where analysis queries arrive on demand and the summaries are used to speed up answering queries.In this work, we consider on-demand IFDS analyses where the queries concern program locations of the same procedure (aka same-context queries). We exploit the fact that flow graphs of programs have low treewidth to develop faster algorithms that are space and time optimal for many common data-flow analyses, in both the preprocessing and the query phase. We also use treewidth to develop query solutions that are embarrassingly parallelizable, i.e. the total work for answering each query is split to a number of threads such that each thread performs only a constant amount of work. Finally, we implement a static analyzer based on our algorithms, and perform a series of on-demand analysis experiments on standard benchmarks. Our experimental results show a drastic speed-up of the queries after only a lightweight preprocessing phase, which significantly outperforms existing techniques.
General Supervised Learning as Change Propagation with Delta Lenses
Authors: Diskin Zinovy 
Published: April 2020

AbstractDelta lenses are an established mathematical framework for modelling and designing bidirectional model transformations (Bx). Following the recent observations by Fong et al, the paper extends the delta lens framework with a a new ingredient: learning over a parameterized space of model transformations seen as functors. We will define a notion of an asymmetric learning delta lens with amendment (ala-lens), and show how ala-lenses can be organized into a symmetric monoidal (sm) category. We also show that sequential and parallel composition of well-behaved (wb) ala-lenses are also wb so that wb ala-lenses constitute a full sm-subcategory of ala-lenses.
Minimal Coverability Tree Construction Made Complete and Efficient
Authors: Finkel Alain , Haddad Serge , Khmelnitsky Igor 
Published: April 2020

AbstractDownward closures of Petri net reachability sets can be finitely represented by their set of maximal elements called the minimal coverability set or Clover. Many properties (coverability, boundedness, ...) can be decided using Clover, in a time proportional to the size of Clover. So it is crucial to design algorithms that compute it efficiently. We present a simple modification of the original but incomplete Minimal Coverability Tree algorithm (MCT), computing Clover, which makes it complete: it memorizes accelerations and fires them as ordinary transitions. Contrary to the other alternative algorithms for which no bound on the size of the required additional memory is known, we establish that the additional space of our algorithm is at most doubly exponential. Furthermore we have implemented a prototype which is already very competitive: on benchmarks it uses less space than all the other tools and its execution time is close to the one of the fastest tool.