bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal power consumption for demand response of thermostatically controlled loads
Authors: Halder Abhishek , Geng Xinbo , Fontes Fernando A.C.C. , Kumar P.R. , Xie Le 
Published: September 2018

SummaryWe consider the problem of determining the optimal aggregate power consumption of a population of thermostatically controlled loads such as air conditioners. This is motivated by the need to synthesize the demand response for a load serving entity (LSE) catering a population of such customers. We show how the LSE can opportunistically design the aggregate reference consumption to minimize its energy procurement cost, given day‐ahead price, load forecast, and ambient temperature forecast, while respecting each individual load's comfort range constraints. The resulting synthesis problem is intractable when posed as a direct optimization problem after Euler discretization of the dynamics, since it results in a mixed‐integer linear programming problem with number of variables typically of the order of millions. In contrast, in this paper, we show that the problem is amenable to continuous‐time optimal control techniques. Numerical simulations elucidate how the LSE can use the optimal aggregate power consumption trajectory thus computed, for the purpose of demand response.
Hydrophobic and Melt Processable Starch‐Laurate Esters: Synthesis, Structure–Property Correlations
Authors: Ojogbo Ewomazino , Blanchard Rachel , Mekonnen Tizazu 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTA controlled esterification of starch to replace the OH moieties with bio‐derived medium chain fatty acids, and the changes in the polymer structure and properties for material applications is investigated in this research. The esterification is conducted via a homogeneous esterification process using an activated lauric acid (C12) in the presence of a base catalyst. The degree of esterification through the replacement of hydroxyl groups of starch was estimated using elemental analysis (EA) and proton NMR. The effect of the modification on the structural and material properties of the modified starch polymer is elucidated by evaluating the changes in morphology, network thermal stability, hydrophobicity, solubility profile, and thermal transition events. Scanning electron microscopy imaging reveals structural changes ranging from surface roughness to complete disruption depending on the degree of substitution. This is confirmed by XRD. Because of the esterification of starch, the resulting polymers become melt processable thermoplastic that forms a transparent film with an elastic storage modulus of up to 226 MPa at room temperature. This shows that the starch–fatty acid polymer can be used for various industrial and advanced material applications without any other plasticizers or modifiers. The final material is completely bio‐based, and is expected to be biodegradable in the environment. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 2611–2622
Inhaler screw‐up: A real world cystic fibrosis (CF) case
Authors: Arooj Parniya , Plant Robert , Doddakula Kishore , Plant Barry J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA 40‐year‐old male with Cystic Fibrosis developed a sudden onset choking, cough, dyspnea and hemoptysis after using his inhaler. He presented to A&E. CT scan located a foreign body in his right bronchus intermedius (RBI). Rigid bronchoscopy was performed and removed a plastic rawl plug with screw from his RBI. He made a rapid recovery. On questioning he mentioned he had stored his inhaler uncapped in the same pocket he had this screw which he found at work. Small objects can lodge in inhalers due to their design/mouthpiece uncapping. This can result in endobronchial foreign body aspiration. This case highlights the importance of replacing inhaler cap when not in use.
A subgroup analysis to compare patients with acute low back pain classified as per treatment‐based classification
Authors: Ganesh G. Shankar , Sahu Pradeep Kumar , Das Sakti Prasad , Mishra Chittaranjan , Dhiman Sapna 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectivesThe evidence for the effectiveness of interventions targeting acute low back pain (LBP) is suboptimal. It is difficult to identify those patients who are more likely to develop chronic pain and disability after an acute episode of LBP. These shortcomings may be attributed to considering LBP as one homogenous condition.MethodsIn this quasi‐experimental study, we examined and analysed a prospective cohort of 267 patients with first‐onset LBP and classified them into one of the groups based on treatment‐based classification: direction‐specified exercises (Group 2), manipulation (Group 3), stabilization exercises (Group 4), traction (Group 5), and a physician care group (Group 1). Disability and pain were assessed at baseline, after treatment, and at 6 months using the Oswestry Disability Index and the Numerical Rating Scale, respectively. Comparisons were made between the groups, and we predicted measures of disability and pain intensity at 6 months with age, gender, fear avoidance behaviour, centralization phenomenon (CP), expectations about recovery, CP, group classification, baseline pain, and disability.ResultsAnalysis showed that all the heterogeneous groups of LBP improved their outcomes with the respective treatment provided. However, when the entire sample was considered as one homogenous group of LBP, the results showed improvement with time (p < 0.05) only and no difference was found between groups (p > 0.05). None of the studied factors, except baseline pain (R = 0.227,R2 = 0.051,p < 0.05), were able to accurately predict the development of chronic pain in our study sample.ConclusionThough our results showed no differences between the subgroups in the reduction of pain and disability, we conclude that classifying and treating patients with LBP into subgroups based on signs and symptoms produce better outcomes. Baseline pain alone may predict a small percentage of people who may develop chronic pain.
Sampled‐data leader‐following consensus of second‐order nonlinear multiagent systems without velocity measurements
Authors: Zou Wencheng , Guo Jian , Xiang Zhengrong 
Published: September 2018

SummaryIn this paper, the practical leader‐following consensus via the sampled‐data protocol is investigated for second‐order nonlinear multiagent systems with external disturbances, where the velocity information of all agents are assumed to be unmeasurable. The consensus problem of the multiagent system is first transformed to a stabilization problem of the constructed error system. Because of the unknown of the agents' velocities, an observer is then proposed for the constructed error system to estimate the velocity errors. By the backstepping approach, a new protocol is designed with only position measurements and sampled‐data information. Furthermore, the upper bound of the sampling period is given. It is proved that the practical leader‐following consensus can be achieved by the proposed sampled‐data protocol with a proper sampling period. The result is then extended to the multiagent systems with multiple leaders. Finally, two numerical examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the designed protocols.
Highly Selective and Sensitive Luminescent Turn‐On Probe for Pyrophosphate Detection in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Zhang Shi‐Ting , Li Panpan , Kou Xingming , Xiao Dan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIn this work, a luminescent probe (RuE, the abbreviation of Ru(bpy)2(E)Cl2, where bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, E=N,N′‐5,6‐(1,10‐phenanthroline)‐bis(2‐hydroxy benzaldehyde)diamine) based on the ruthenium(II) bipyridyl complex conjugated with functionalized Schiff bases, which revealed a highly selective luminescence quenching by Cu2+ in aqueous solution was prepared. Because of the quenching effect of copper ions, the luminescence of RuE−Cu(II) solution was weak. However, in the presence of pyrophosphate (P 2O4‐ 7, PPi), the strong binding ability of PPi to Cu2+ can promote the break up of RuE−Cu(II) complex and then recover the luminescence. Most of other potential interfering anions, including strong interfering substance, like phosphate, ATP, ADP and AMP can not enhance the luminescence apparently. Therefore, the RuE−Cu(II) ensemble can act as an excellently selective and sensitive turn‐on probe for the sequential determination of PPi in aqueous solution. The detection limit of the probe for PPi was 0.58 nM and the linear concentration range was 0−16 μM. In addition, the potential applicability of this probe has been demonstrated by the successful detection of PPi in human urine samples.
Anatomical criteria to measure the adult right liver lobe by ultrasound
Authors: Riestra‐Candelaria Bárbara L. , Rodriguez‐Mojica Wilma , Jorge Juan Carlos 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIntroductionThis study aims to establish objective anatomical criteria to obtain accurate and reliable measurements of the right liver lobe (RLL) length by ultrasound while considering sex and anthropometry of the patient.MethodsThirty‐three (n = 33) adult participants underwent two‐dimensional (2D) and panoramic (PAN) ultrasound imaging of the RLL in the anterior axillary region. Each measurement was performed in the standard oblique plane and in a tested craniocaudal (CC) plane by two independent observers. Pearson analysis was conducted to evaluate correlation between measurements and intraclass correlation coefficient for inter‐rater reliability. Two‐tail paired t test was used to compare groups. Statistical significance was attained at p < 0.05.ResultsThe proposed CC 2D RLL length was 13.0 ± 1.5 cm for women and 14.1 ± 1.3 cm for men whereas PAN RLL size was 13.7 ± 1.8 cm for women and 15.0 ± 1.1 cm for men. A strong correlation between the proposed 2D CC measurement of the RLL length with PAN CC measurements was found (r = 0.87). Inter‐rater reliability for 2D CC measurements showed high reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.96).DiscussionCraniocaudal measurement of RLL by ultrasound in anterior axillary region is a precise and reliable measurement that may allow for the routine monitoring of RLL length across time.
Implicit STEM ability beliefs predict secondary school students' STEM self‐efficacy beliefs and their intention to opt for a STEM field career
Authors: van Aalderen‐Smeets Sandra I. , Walma van der Molen Juliette H. , Xenidou‐Dervou Iro 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDespite the widely accepted view that low self‐efficacy beliefs negatively influence students' intention to opt for a STEM field oriented study or career path, it remains unclear how to effectively stimulate these beliefs in students who do seem to have the ability and motivation to opt for a STEM career. A suggestion from previous literature is that students' implicit beliefs about the malleability of their learning ability can have a major impact on their self‐efficacy beliefs, and, importantly, that these implicit beliefs are malleable themselves. Even though this relation between implicit beliefs, self‐efficacy, and STEM field aspirations has been suggested multiple times, there is no empirical evidence to support this claim. The goal of the current study was to examine whether implicit beliefs about the malleability of STEM ability are associated with secondary school students' intention to opt for a STEM field bachelor's degree, using a Structural Equation Modelling approach. Furthermore, we examined the mediating role of STEM‐oriented self‐efficacy beliefs on the relationship between implicit ability beliefs and STEM intention. We used a Likert‐type questionnaire, consisting of subscales to measure ability beliefs, self‐efficacy, and intention to opt for a STEM degree of secondary school students in their fifth grade (n = 483). Results showed that there is a positive relation between implicit STEM ability beliefs and the intention to opt for a STEM field bachelor degree, and that this relation is partly mediated by self‐efficacy beliefs. Incremental STEM ability beliefs predicted positive self‐efficacy beliefs and increased STEM intention. These findings provide a foundation for a novel approach to stimulate and motivate students for the STEM field, namely by stimulating incremental beliefs about their STEM ability.
Two non‐elliptical decagonal quasicrystalline inclusions with internal uniform hydrostatic phonon stresses
Authors: Wang Xu , Schiavone Peter 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWe use complex variable techniques to prove that the phonon stresses inside two non‐elliptical decagonal quasicrystalline inclusions can be uniform and hydrostatic provided four specific conditions are met. The first condition is a restriction on the phonon elastic constants of the two inclusions, whilst the remaining three conditions can be considered as constraints on the remote phonon and phason stresses for given material and geometric parameters. Once these conditions are satisfied, the hoop phonon stress in the matrix is found to be uniformly distributed along the two inclusion‐matrix interfaces. Moreover, the two inclusions are found to satisfy the harmonic field condition.
QCD domain walls, Chern-Simons theories and holography
Authors: Argurio Riccardo , Bertolini Matteo , Bigazzi Francesco , Cotrone Aldo L. , Niro Pierluigi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMassive QCD atθ=πbreaks CP spontaneously and admits domain walls whose dynamics and phases depend on the number of flavors and their masses. We discuss these issues within the Witten-Sakai-Sugimoto model of holographic QCD. Besides showing that this model reproduces all QCD expectations, we address two interesting claims in the literature. The first is about the possibility that the QCD domain-wall theory is fully captured by three-dimensional physics, only. The second regards the existence of quantum phases in certain Chern-Simons theories coupled to fundamental matter. Both claims are supported by the string theory construction.
A kinetic study for the Fenton and photo-Fenton paracetamol degradation in an annular photoreactor
Authors: Audino Francesca , Conte Leandro Oscar , Schenone Agustina Violeta , Pérez-Moya Montserrat , Graells Moisès , Alfano Orlando Mario 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA kinetic model describing Fenton and photo-Fenton degradation of paracetamol (PCT) and consumption of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was proposed. A set of Fenton and photo-Fenton experiments (18 runs in total) was performed by fixing the initial concentration of PCT to 40 mg L−1and varying the initial concentrations of H2O2and ferrous ion, Fe2+. The experimental set-up was a well-stirred annular photoreactor equipped with an actinic BL TL-DK 36 W/10 1SL lamp. Experimental results highlighted that PCT is no more detected by HPLC analysis within a minimum reaction time of 2.5 and a maximum reaction time of 15.0 min. Besides, a maximum conversion of total organic carbon (TOC) of 68.5% was observed after 75 min of reaction in case of using UV radiation and the highest concentrations of the Fenton reagents. The experimental data were used to fit the kinetic model. The radiation field inside the reactor was taken into account through the local volumetric rate of photon absorption, evaluated by assuming a line source model with spherical and isotropic emission. The kinetic parameters were estimated by using a non-linear least-squares regression procedure and root mean square errors (RMSE) were calculated in order to validate the feasibility of the proposed model. A good agreement between experimental and predicted data was observed and the lowest values of RMSE resulted in 5.84 and 9.59% for PCT and H2O2normalized concentrations, respectively.
An Analysis of Consumer Protection for Gamblers Across Different Online Gambling Operators in Ireland: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Cooney Caoimhe , Columb David , Costa Joao , Griffiths Mark D. , O’ Gara Colin 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the responsible gambling tools which are available to online gamblers at Irish online gambling websites. The present study used a similar methodology to a recent study carried out on the world’s most popular websites (Bonello and Griffiths Gaming Law Review and Economics, 21, 278–285, 2017), where 50 of the most advertised online gambling websites were evaluated in relation to their responsible gambling (RG) practices. The present study evaluated 39 gambling websites with either a “.ie” or “.com/ie” domain. Each website was evaluated by checking for a number of RG practices, including presence of a dedicated RG page; age verification; access to gambling account history; the availability of RG tools, such as limit setting facilities and exclusion settings; and links to limit-setting options on the deposit page. Descriptive statistics were then performed on the results from each website. Of the 39 online gambling operators identified, 22 redirected gamblers to a “.com” domain, while 17 operators remained as a “.ie” domain. Thirty-five websites (89.7%) visited had a dedicated RG page. Responsible gambling features were evaluated and demonstrated to be available in an inconsistent manner across online gambling websites. Irish websites were shown to perform poorly in comparison with non-Irish counterparts in the provision of RG tools. The researchers of the present study are not aware of any similar studies conducted to date in Ireland.
Bacteroides fragilis meningitis in a Saudi infant
Authors: Farah Sara , Alshehri Mohammed A. , Alfawaz Tariq S. , Ahmad Maqsood , Alshahrani Dayel A. 
Published: September 2018

Background:
Anaerobic meningitis is mainly caused by Bacteroides fragilis and it is rarely detected in children. Few cases have been reported and there is usually an underlying cause. The timing of early recognition is crucial because any delay in the diagnosis and initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy has a devastating outcome. Only 14 cases have been reported in 50 years. To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first to be reported in Saudi Arabia with no underlying etiology.

Case presentation:
We describe a 35-day-old male infant with culture-negative pyogenic meningitis who did not show satisfactory response to the empirical antibiotics, consequently, he developed severe subdural/epidural empyema and ventriculitis. When the drained empyema was cultured anaerobically, B. fragilis was detected and the patient improved after treatment with metronidazole combined with adjuvant surgical drainage of the empyema, and he finally had hydrocephalus. No underlying etiology was found to explain his infection.

Conclusion:

B. fragilis is an uncommon cause of meningitis that requires a high index of clinical suspicion. Any pyogenic cerebrospinal fluid with negative culture should draw the attention of physicians to an unusual organisms such as anaerobes because early identification and initiation of appropriate antimicrobials can prevent long-term morbidity and mortality.
Low-velocity impact response of sandwich cylindrical panels with nanotube-reinforced and metal face sheet in thermal environment
Authors: Bayat M. R. , Mosavi Mashhadi M. , Rahmani O. 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTEmploying an analytical method, non-linear low-velocity impact response of carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced sandwich cylindrical panels in thermal environments is analysed. Two types of core (i.e. homogenous and functionally graded) are considered for sandwich panels. The face sheets of sandwich panels are multi-layer which consist of CNT-reinforced composite (CNTRC) and metal layers. Micromechanical models are used to estimate the material properties of CNTRCs. A higher-order shear deformation theory with a von Kármán-type of kinematic non-linearity provides the equations of motion. Temperature-dependent material properties are used to include the thermal effects. The equations of motion are solved using a two-step perturbation technique. Existing numerical results in the literature are used to validate the present method. The effect of nanotube volume fraction, material property gradient, impactor initial velocity, geometrical parameters of cylindrical panel, temperature change and edge boundary condition on the impact response of cylindrical panel structures is discussed. The quantitative results and analytical formulations can be helpful in better designing of CNTRC structures subjected to low-velocity impact in thermal environments.
On the Subject of Negative Auxiliary Inversion
Authors: Blanchette Frances , Collins Chris 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis article presents a novel analysis ofNegative Auxiliary Inversion(NAI) constructions such asdidn't many people eat, in which a negated auxiliary appears in pre-subject position. NAI, found in varieties including Appalachian, African American, and West Texas English, has a word order identical to a yes/no question, but is pronounced and interpreted as a declarative. We propose that NAI subjects are negative DPs, and that the negation raises from the subject DP to adjoin to Fin (a functional head in the left periphery). Three properties of NAI motivate this analysis: (i) scope freezing effects, (ii) the various possible and impossible NAI subject types, and (iii) the incompatibility of NAI constructions with true Double-Negation interpretations. Implications for theories of Negative Concord, Negative Polarity Items, and the representation of negation are discussed.
Prolonged antimicrobial prophylaxis following cardiac device procedures increases preventable harm: insights from the VA CART program
Authors: Asundi Archana , Stanislawski Maggie , Mehta Payal , Barón Anna E. , Gold Howard , Mull Hillary , Ho P. Michael , Gupta Kalpana , Branch-Elliman Westyn 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe rate of cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) infection is increasing coincident with an increase in the number of device procedures. Preprocedural antimicrobial prophylaxis reduces CIED infections; however, there is no evidence that prolonged postprocedural antimicrobials additionally reduce risk. Thus, we sought to quantify the harms associated with this approach.ObjectiveTo measure the association betweenClostridium difficileinfection (CDI), acute kidney injury (AKI) and receipt of prolonged postprocedural antimicrobials.MethodsCIED procedures entered into the VA Clinical Assessment Reporting and Tracking Electrophysiology (CART-EP) database during fiscal years 2008–2016 were included. The primary outcome was 90-day incidence of CDI and the secondary outcome was the 7-day incidence of AKI. The primary exposure measure was duration of postprocedural antimicrobial therapy. Associations were measured using Cox-proportional hazards and binomial regression.ResultsProlonged postprocedural antimicrobial therapy was identified following 3,331 of 6,497 CIED procedures (51.3%), and the median duration of prophylaxis was 5 days. Prolonged postprocedural antimicrobial use was associated with increased risk of CDI (hazard ratio [HR], 2.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.54–5.46). Of the 27 patients who developed CDI, 11 subsequently died. Postprocedural antimicrobial use with ≥2 antimicrobials was associated with an increased risk of AKI (OR, 4.16; 95% CI, 2.50–6.90). The impact was particularly significant when one of the dual agents prescribed was vancomycin (adjusted OR, 8.41; 95% CI, 5.53–12.79).ConclusionsProlonged antimicrobial prophylaxis following CIED procedures increases preventable harm; this practice should be discouraged in procedural settings such as the cardiac electrophysiology laboratory.