bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determining influential factors for an air spring fatigue life
Authors: Bešter T. , Oman S. , Nagode M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis paper presents an analysis of factors essential to air spring and undercarriage design to determine their influence on air spring fatigue life. Two sets of factors were chosen for the investigation: those relating to the design of the air spring itself (cord angle, diameter difference) and those relating to the design of the undercarriage (lever length, eccentricity, lever eccentricity, inclination). A full factorial experiment, whereby interactions between all the factors are investigated, would demand 729 experiments. Using Taguchi methods, the number of experiments required is dramatically reduced, using only 27 experiments to determine the influence of 6 factors and 3 interactions. Taguchi analysis shows here that factors inherent to air spring design have a much greater influence on fatigue life than those factors inherent to undercarriage design. Interaction between these factors has also revealed that there is no optimal cord angle for all air springs.
Isotropic‐kinematic hardening framework to assess ratcheting response of steel samples undergoing asymmetric loading cycles
Authors: Karvan P. , Varvani‐Farahani A. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe present study intends to characterize ratcheting response of several steel alloys subject to asymmetric loading cycles through coupling the Ahmadzadeh‐Varvani kinematic hardening rule with isotropic hardening rules of Lee and Zavrel, Chaboche, and Kang. The Ahmadzadeh‐Varvani kinematic hardening rule was developed to address ratcheting progress over asymmetric stress cycles with relatively a simple framework and less number of coefficients. Inclusion of isotropic hardening rules to the framework improved ratcheting response of materials mainly over the first stage of ratcheting. Lee and Zavrel model (ISO‐I) developed an exponential function to account for accumulated plastic strain as yield surface is expanded over stage I and early stage II of ratcheting. Isotropic models by Chaboche (ISO‐II) and Kang (ISO‐III) encountered yield surface evolution in the framework by introducing an internal variable that takes into account the prior maximum plastic strain range. The choice of isotropic hardening model coupled to the kinematic hardening model is highly influenced by material softening/hardening response.
Structural reliability analysis and uncertainties‐based collaborative design and optimization of turbine blades using surrogate model
Authors: Meng Debiao , Yang Shunqi , Zhang Yu , Zhu Shun‐Peng 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn power and energy systems, both the aerodynamic performance and the structure reliability of turbine equipment are affected by utilized blades. In general, the design process of blade is high dimensional and nonlinear. Different coupled disciplines are also involved during this process. Moreover, unavoidable uncertainties are transported and accumulated between these coupled disciplines, which may cause turbine equipment to be unsafe. In this study, a saddlepoint approximation reliability analysis method is introduced and combined with collaborative optimization method to address the above challenge. During the above reliability analysis and design optimization process, surrogate models are utilized to alleviate the computational burden for uncertainties‐based multidisciplinary design and optimization problems. Smooth response surfaces of the performance of turbine blades are constructed instead of expensively time‐consuming simulations. A turbine blade design problem is solved here to validate the effectiveness and show the utilization of the given approach.
Rate and appropriateness of polypharmacy in older patients with hemophilia compared with age‐matched controls
Authors: Mannucci Pier Mannuccio , Nobili Alessandro , Marchesini Emanuela , Oliovecchio Emily , Cortesi Laura , Coppola Antonio , Santagostino Elena , Radossi Paolo , Castaman Giancarlo , Valdrè Lelia , Santoro Cristina , Tagliaferri Annarita , Ettorre Cosimo , Zanon Ezio , Barillari Giovanni , Cantori Isabella , Caimi Teresa Maria , Sottilotta Gianluca , Peyvandi Flora , Iorio Alfonso 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundIn older people, multiple chronic ailments lead to the intake of multiple medications (polypharmacy) that carry a number of negative consequences (adverse events, prescription and intake errors, poor adherence, higher mortality). Because ageing patients with haemophilia (PWHs) may be particularly at risk due to their pre‐existing multiple comorbidities (arthropathy, liver disease), we chose to analyse the pattern of chronic drug intake in a cohort of PWHs aged 60 years or more.Patients and methodsS + PHERA is a multicentre observational study, with the broad goal to evaluate prospectively the health status and medication intake in 102 older patients with severe haemophilia A or B compared with 204 age‐ and residence‐matched controls chosen randomly from the same general practices of PWHs. The rate of potential drug‐drug interactions (PDDI) was evaluated as a proxy of prescription appropriateness.ResultsAfter excluding replacement therapies and antiviral drugs, PWHs took in average less daily drugs than controls (2.4 ± 2.5 vs 3.0 ± 2.4) and had a lower rate of polypharmacy. Moreover, their prevalence of PDDI was lower (16.7% vs 27%).ConclusionsThe rate of polypharmacy and the appropriateness of medications other than those for haemophilia and related comorbidities are acceptable in Italian PWHs, and better than those in their age peers without haemophilia, perhaps owing to drug tailoring and deprescribing by the specialized haemophilia centres at the time of regular visits. However, the PWHs investigated herewith were relatively young and the rate of polypharmacy and related PDDIs may become more prominent and crucial when older ages are reached, suggesting the need of continuous surveillance on prescribed drugs and the risk of drug‐drug interactions.
Pain assessment and management in haemophilia: A survey among Italian patients and specialist physicians
Authors: Tagliaferri Annarita , Franchini Massimo , Rivolta Gianna F. , Farace Stefania , Quintavalle Gabriele , Coppola Antonio ,   the ad hoc Study Group
Published: August 2018

IntroductionPersons with haemophilia (PWH) experience recurrent joint bleeding which leads from early synovitis to irreversible joint damage. Pain strongly affects patients’ quality of life, as PWH suffer from acute pain associated with haemarthroses and chronic pain due to arthritic and degenerative complications.AimTo investigate pain issues among PWH and their treaters in Italy.MethodsPersons with haemophilia and specialist physicians responded to a survey focused on pain characteristics, assessment, and management by phone call and online, respectively.ResultsOne hundred and nineteen patients (76% severe haemophilia, 61% ≥18 years) and 44 physicians were involved. Pain was reported by 61% of PWH; among those who did not experience pain, 70% were children on prophylaxis. Patients described pain as chronic (71%), acute (69%) or postoperative (8%), and rated it as severe in 65% of cases. Clinicians reported lower percentages of patients with pain (46%), classified as chronic (58%), acute (33%) or postoperative (21%), half using specific scales. Pain was systematically investigated by treaters according to 36% of patients. Paracetamol was largely the most prescribed first‐line pain therapy (89%), as well the most employed analgesic by PWH (51%), who also used non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (24%), cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 inhibitors (21%) or opioids (26%). To manage pain, 61% of clinicians stated to collaborate with other specialists. Physiotherapy was often suggested but less frequently used by PWH.ConclusionsPain is under‐recognized and unsatisfactorily addressed by haemophilia treatment centre (HTC) clinicians, with discrepant management compared to PWH responses. Education in systematic pain assessment and multidisciplinary treatment and development of management guidelines are highly needed.
MUC4 expression in meningiomas: under‐recognized immunophenotype particularly in meningothelial and angiomatous subtypes
Authors: Matsuyama Atsuji , Jotatsu Mao , Uchihashi Kazuyoshi , Tsuda Yojiro , Shiba Eisuke , Haratake Joji , Hisaoka Masanori 
Published: August 2018

AimsMUC4 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a role in cell growth signalling and is expressed in various epithelial tissues. Gene expression profiling and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that MUC4 is also constantly and specifically expressed in low‐grade fibromyxoid sarcomas and sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcomas among the mesenchymal tumours, and immunohistochemical detection of MUC4 is extremely useful for their diagnoses. In our routine pathological practice, we noticed that meningiomas are also often positive for MUC4, which has not yet been reported previously, despite the extensive scrutiny of its expression in soft tissue tumours.Methods and resultsWe examined immunohistochemically the expression of MUC4, progesterone receptor (PgR) and somatostatin receptor 2A (SSTR2A) in 140 meningiomas of various histological subtypes and 123 other mesenchymal tumours, including intracranial or sinonasal tumours and peripheral nerve sheath tumours. MUC4 was expressed in 130 meningiomas (92.9%). MUC4 expression was constant and almost diffuse in meningothelial and angiomatous subtypes, whereas it was limited in 5% or fewer tumour cells or absent in 26 of 28 fibrous meningiomas. All other mesenchymal tumours examined were negative for MUC4. PgR and SSTR2A were expressed in 94 (67.1%) and 134 (95.7%) meningiomas, respectively. Five of six SSTR2A‐negative meningiomas focally expressed MUC4.ConclusionsMUC4 is expressed variably but almost consistently in meningiomas, particularly in meningothelial or angiomatous subtypes. Its immunohistochemical detection is useful to distinguish meningiomas from other intracranial or head and neck mesenchymal tumours, particularly those with epithelioid features. Our study could expand a variety of MUC4‐positive mesenchymal tumours.
SELLING A LEMON UNDER DEMAND UNCERTAINTY
Authors: Kim Kyungmin , Kim Sun Hyung 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe consider a seller who has private information about the quality of her good but is uncertain about buyer arrivals. Assuming that the high‐quality seller insists on a price, we show that the low‐quality seller's surplus and pricing strategy crucially depend on buyers' knowledge about the demand state. If they are also uncertain about demand, then demand uncertainty increases the low‐quality seller's expected payoff, and her optimal strategy is to lower the price after some time. If buyers know the demand state, then demand uncertainty does not affect the low‐quality seller's payoff, but she must employ a sophisticated pricing strategy.
Easy discrimination of hematogones from lymphoblasts in B‐cell progenitor acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients using CD81/CD58 expression ratio
Authors: Nagant Carole , Casula Daniele , Janssens Anne , Nguyen Vo Thanh Phuong , Cantinieaux Brigitte 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe discrimination of leukemia lymphoblasts (LB) in diagnosis and follow‐up of B‐cell progenitor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP‐ALL) by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) may be difficult due to the presence of hematogones (HG). The aim of this study was to compare lymphoblasts of BCP‐ALL and HG for the expression of the most discriminating antigens.MethodsA total of 82 bone marrow samples (39 BCP‐ALL and 43 patients with HG) were analyzed using MFC. Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) was measured for ten markers commonly used in hematology laboratories: CD45, CD19, CD10, CD34, CD38, CD20, CD22, CD58, CD81, and CD123. Statistical comparison of the MFI between LB and HG was performed. The presence on LB of aberrant expression of myeloid and/or T‐cell markers was also investigated.ResultsQualitative pattern expression of antigens showed overexpression on LB of CD58, CD22, CD34, CD10 and underexpression of CD81, CD45, CD38 when compared to HG. Expression of CD123 was positive in 34% of BCP‐ALL LB and always absent on HG. Aberrant antigen expression (myeloid and/or T‐cell marker) including CD123 was observed in 58% of BCP‐ALL patients. The use of a MFI antigen ratio of the most discriminating markers (CD81/CD58) (analysis of variance, P < 0.005) increased the distinction of LB versus HG with a high specificity and sensitivity as demonstrated by the use of ROC curve analysis (AUC of CD81/CD58: 0.995).ConclusionWe demonstrate in this study that routine use of the MFI antigen ratio (CD81/CD58) in addition to the MFC evaluation using WHO classical criteria appears to be an efficient approach to discriminate LB from HG.
A model‐based heuristic to the vehicle routing and loading problem
Authors: Moura Ana 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this paper a model‐based heuristic approach for a typical distribution problem is presented. In order to be cost‐effective, the distribution process for many customers, each of them with orders of considerable volume, should be dealt with like a combination of two well‐known problems: the vehicle routing problem (VRP) and the container loading problem (CLP). This paper studies a particular integration of these two problems called the vehicle routing and loading problem (VRLP). The VRLP is an operational problem that must be solved daily by many production and distribution companies. Like the two original problems (VRP and 3D‐CLP), the VRLP is NP‐hard. In this work, regardless of the complexity of this problem, a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model that characterizes the VRLP with time windows is presented and it is also used to solve the problem optimally. Then, a model‐based heuristic that improves the computational time, when bigger instances need to be solved, is also presented. In order to prove the viability of the approach and the developed MILP model, tests with the benchmark instances of the VRLP were made and the results compared with other published works. Despite the long computational time needed to solve bigger instances, the VRLP model could be used to compute optimal solutions or at least good lower bounds, in order to have a base of comparison when nonexact methods are applied to the VRLP.
Sintering and rounding kinetics of irregular glass particles
Authors: Reis Raphael M. C. V. , Barbosa Anne J. , Ghussn Luciana , Ferreira Eduardo B. , Prado Miguel O. , Zanotto Edgar D. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractCompacts of irregular glass particles sinter up to five times faster than spherical‐particle compacts of the same composition. This effect has been attributed to the sharp edges of irregular particles. In this article, we propose and test a phenomenological model for the sintering kinetics of jagged glass particles considering their rounding during sintering. We assume that the small radii of curvature of the particle edges increase as the particles round off and control the sintering rate. We tested the model by measuring the sintering shrinkage of spherical and irregular particle compacts of a diopside (MgO·CaO·2SiO2) glass and using literature sintering data for particles of different shapes of a soda‐lime‐silica glass. The sintering rate of irregular‐particle compacts is initially much higher but tends to reach that of their spherical counterparts as they round off. Our model describes the experimental shrinkage of both glasses and explains the shrinkage anisotropy of irregular‐particle compacts in the initial stages of sintering, providing a significant step toward the understanding and description of the sintering kinetics of jagged glass particles.
Characterization of multiferroic PbFe0.5Nb0.5O3 and PbFe0.5Ta0.5O3 ceramics derived from citrate polymeric precursors
Authors: Gruszka Irena , Kania Antoni , Talik Ewa , Szubka Magdalena , Miga Seweryn , Klimontko Joanna , Suchanicz Jan 
Published: August 2018

AbstractCeramics of the perovskite multiferroics PbFe0.5Nb0.5O3 (PFN) and PbFe0.5Ta0.5O3 (PFT) were synthesized from new citrate polymeric precursors. X‐ray tests pointed to trace amounts of the pyrochlore phase. SEM studies revealed the heterogeneous grain size distribution for PFN and the homogeneous one for PFT. Dielectric studies pointed to one diffuse T‐C phase transition at 378 K for PFN and two diffuse M‐T and T‐C phase transitions, at 200 and 235 K, for PFT, respectively. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies of PFN reveal that all ions exist in one valence state, however, with two chemical shifts for Pb2+. Two valence states for the majority of ions of PFT seem to be connected with a higher volume fraction of the amorphous grain‐boundary phase. The electronic energy band gap for both compounds is approximately 2.8 eV. Two magnetic transitions, ie, from the paramagnetic to the antiferromagnetic phase and then to the spin‐glass phase, were observed at 156 and 10 K for PFN, and at 145 and 15 K for PFT, respectively.
Causal language intensity in performance commentary and financial analyst behaviour
Authors: Zhang Shuyu , Aerts Walter , Pan Huifeng 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWe use automated techniques to measure causal reasoning on earnings‐related financial outcomes of a large sample of MD&A sections of US firms and examine the intensity of causal language in that context against extent of analyst following and against properties of analysts’ earnings forecasts. We find a positive and significant association between a firm's causal reasoning intensity and analyst following and analyst earnings forecast accuracy respectively. Correspondingly, analysts’ earnings forecast dispersion is negatively and significantly associated with causal reasoning intensity. These results suggest that causal reasoning intensity provides incremental information about the relationship between financial performance outcomes and its causes, thereby reducing financial analysts’ information processing and interpreting costs and lowering overall analyst information uncertainty. Additionally, we find that decreases in analyst following are followed by more causal reasoning on performance disclosure. We also find that firms with a considerable increase of causal disclosure especially attract new analysts who already cover many firms. Overall, our evidence of the relationship between causal reasoning intensity and properties of analyst behaviour is consistent with the proposition that causal reasoning is a generic narrative disclosure quality characteristic, able to provide incremental information to analysts and guide analysts' behaviour.
Clinical procedures, designs, and survival rates of all‐ceramic resin‐bonded fixed dental prostheses in the anterior region: A systematic review
Authors: Tezulas Emre , Yildiz Coskun , Evren Buket , Ozkan Yasemin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study is to systematically review all the clinical articles about all‐ceramic resin‐bonded fixed dental prosthesis (RBFDP) in the anterior region and assess their designs, clinical procedures, and survival rates. A systematic review was conducted after searching electronic databases PubMed/Medline and EBSCOhost Research Databases for articles published in English between 1987 and July 2017.Materials and MethodsThe inclusion criteria were selected as all clinical studies, original design clinical reports, and clinical reports (follow‐up time more than 1 year) as all clinical information in the literature are desired to be included in the present review.ResultsThe initial electronic search generated 472 articles from PubMed/Medline and 464 articles from EBSCOhost Research Databases. After selection of the articles as per the inclusion criteria, a final sample of 29 original studies is decided as: 1 randomized controlled clinical trial, 4 clinical controlled trials, 4 prospective cohort studies, 2 retrospective cohort studies, 6 original design clinical reports, and 12 clinical reports. After evaluation of the selected articles, it is likely that cantilever design all‐ceramic RBFDPs are more successful than two retainer design in the anterior region; however, there is limited evidence for this result in the literature.ConclusionWell‐designed randomized controlled clinical trials with large sample size are still needed to achieve more accurate results about the clinical success rate of different RBFDPs designs in the anterior region.Clinical significanceIndications, designs, abutment teeth preparation, provisionalization, try‐in, surface treatment options, and cementation of the all‐ceramic resin‐bonded fixed dental prostheses are described in this article. Clinical survival rates are also given in detail, so that clinicians can easily compare the current studies and give their own decision about all‐ceramic resin‐bonded fixed dental prostheses in the anterior region.
Assessment of marginal adaptation and fracture resistance of endocrown restorations utilizing different machinable blocks subjected to thermomechanical aging
Authors: Taha Doaa , Spintzyk Sebastian , Sabet Ahmed , Wahsh Marwa , Salah Tarek 
Published: August 2018

AbstractObjectiveThis in vitro study was conducted to assess the marginal adaptation and fracture resistance of computer aided design/computer aided manufacturer (CAD‐CAM) fabricated endocrowns restoring endodontically treated molars using different machinable blocks with thermomechanical loading protocols.Materials and MethodsDevitalized mandibular molars were prepared in a standardized way and divided into 4 groups (n = 10) to receive CAD/CAM fabricated endocrowns using four materials (Lithium disilicate ceramics, polymer infiltrated ceramics, zirconia‐reinforced lithium silicate ceramics and resin nanoceramics. Marginal gaps (µm) were measured using stereomicroscope before cementation and after cementation. After thermomechanical aging, marginal gap measurements were repeated, and then fracture resistance test was performed. Two‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey HSD multiple comparisons were used to assess the effect of material on the marginal gap before, after cementation, and after thermomechanical aging. One Way ANOVA was used to assess the effect of material on the fracture resistance.ResultsThe difference between marginal gaps values of the tested materials was statistically insignificant but with significant increase after cementation and after thermomechanical aging. Cerasmart endocrowns showed the highest mean fracture load value (1508.5 ± 421.7N) with statistically significant difference than Vita Enamic endocrowns and Celtra Duo.ConclusionThe tested materials showed marginal vertical gap readings within the limits of clinically acceptable standards. Resin nanoceramics and lithium disilicate showed the highest values of fracture resistance followed by polymer infiltrated ceramics favoring their use for endocrown restorations.Clinical SignificanceThe mechanical behavior of ceramic materials varies with the variation of their structure and mechanical properties. Accordingly, further investigation is always needed to explore the biomechanical behavior of recent materials when used as endocrowns before clinical trials.