bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relaxation methods for hyperbolic PDE mixed‐integer optimal control problems
Authors: Hante Falk M. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryThe convergence analysis for methods solving partial differential equations constrained optimal control problems containing both discrete and continuous control decisions based on relaxation and rounding strategies is extended to the class of first order semilinear hyperbolic systems in one space dimension. The results are obtained by novel a priori estimates for the size of the relaxation gap based on the characteristic flow, fixed‐point arguments, and particular regularity theory for such mixed‐integer control problems. Motivated by traffic flow problems, a relaxation model for optimal flux switching control in conservation laws is considered as an application.
Delay of gratification in middle childhood: Extending the utility and sensitivity of the standard task
Authors: Wilson Jennifer , Andrews Glenda , Shum David H. K. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe ability to delay gratification is an important aspect of the development of self‐regulation and executive functioning. Standard tasks to assess delay of gratification are typically only useful up to age 5 years. A modified task was developed and administered to a sample of 126 (59 males and 67 females) typically developing Australian children aged 5–12 years. Results showed that 7‐year‐olds were significantly more likely to delay than 5‐year‐olds. A ceiling effect was observed from age 7 onwards. Performance on the modified task correlated significantly with other executive functioning tasks, demonstrating the convergent validity of the task. This study was successful in extending the usefulness of the standard delay of gratification task to age 7. Suggestions for further development of this task are discussed.
An automatic and accurate registration method for electro‐anatomical map and CT surface
Authors: Shu Lixia , Wang Jin , Long Deyong , Lin Changyan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundElectro‐anatomical maps (EAM) and CT surface registration are widely used for catheter navigation in atrial fibrillation ablations. However, few studies have investigated the registration algorithm. Moreover, some of them are semiautomatic, so that physicians must be proficient; some are inaccurate for catheter navigation. A both automatic and accurate registration method is needed.MethodA Hausdorff distance based approach (HD) was proposed for EAM/CT registration. First, using principal axes based registration, EAM/CT pairs were coarsely aligned. Then, using Hausdorff distance as the fine objective function, EAM/CT pairs were finely aligned.ResultsSix real EAM/CT pairs were collected from five patients and 38 simulated pairs were generated. Each pair was aligned using Carto‐Merge, a stochastic approach (SA) and HD. Considering the balance of operability, accuracy and robustness, HD obtained the best EAM/CT registration results among the three approaches.ConclusionExperiments validate that the proposed method registers EAM and CT surface both automatically and accurately.
Outcomes in patients undergoing robotic reconstructive uterovaginal anastomosis of congenital cervical and vaginal atresia
Authors: Zhang Ying , Chen Yisong , Hua Keqin 
Published: March 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo introduce our experience of robotic surgery of reconstructive uterovaginal anastomosis and operative outcomes in congenital cervical and vaginal atresia patients.MethodsClinical observation and follow‐up of four patients with congenital cervical and vaginal atresia who underwent robotic reconstruction of cervix and vagina by SIS (small intestinal submucosa, SIS) graft.ResultsAverage patient age was 13.8 ± 2.2. Patients complained of severe periodic abdominal pain. Diagnosis was made according to clinical characteristics, physical examination, MRI and classified by ESHRE/ESGE system. All patients underwent reconstruction of cervix and vagina by uterovaginal anastomosis by SIS graft. Average operation time was 232.5 ± 89.2 min, average blood loss was 225.0 ± 95.7 mL. After surgery, all patients have regular menstruation without pain. Average follow up was 12 months, average vagina length was 8.9 ± 0.3 cm, average vagina width was 2.9 ± 0.1 cm.ConclusionRobotic assisted reconstruction of cervix and vagina is feasible from our experience, enlarged cases and additional studies are required.
Data‐driven identification and control of nonlinear systems using multiple NARMA‐L2 models
Authors: Yang Yue , Xiang Cheng , Gao Shuhua , Lee Tong Heng 
Published: March 2017

SummaryThe multiple model approach provides a powerful tool for identification and control of nonlinear systems. Among different multiple model structures, the piecewise affine (PWA) models have drawn most of the attention in the past two decades. However, there are two major issues for the PWA model‐based identification and control: the curse of dimensionality and the computational complexity. To resolve these two issues, we propose a novel multiple model approach in this paper. Different from PWA models in which all dimensions of the regressor space are engaged in the partitioning, the key idea of the proposed multiple model architecture is to partition only the range of the control input u(k) at time k (the instant of interest in the control problem) into several intervals and identify a local model that is linear in u(k) within each interval. On the basis of Taylor's theorem, a theoretical upper bound for the approximation error of the model structure can also be obtained. With the proposed multiple model architecture, a switching control algorithm is derived to control nonlinear systems on the basis of the weighted one‐step‐ahead predictive control method and constrained optimization techniques. In addition, the upper bound for the tracking error using this switching control strategy is also analyzed rigorously under certain assumptions. Finally, both simulation studies and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed multiple model architecture and switching control algorithm. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Probabilistic analysis of power assignments
Authors: de Graaf Maurits , Manthey Bodo 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA fundamental problem for wireless ad hoc networks is the assignment of suitable transmission powers to the wireless devices such that the resulting communication graph is connected. The goal is to minimize the total transmit power in order to maximize the life‐time of the network. Our aim is a probabilistic analysis of this power assignment problem. We prove complete convergence for arbitrary combinations of the dimension d and the distance‐power gradient p. Furthermore, we prove that the expected approximation ratio of the simple spanning tree heuristic is strictly less than its worst‐case ratio of 2.Our main technical novelties are two‐fold: First, we find a way to deal with the unbounded degree that the communication network induced by the optimal power assignment can have. Minimum spanning trees and traveling salesman tours, for which strong concentration results are known in Euclidean space, have bounded degree, which is heavily exploited in their analysis. Second, we apply a recent generalization of Azuma‐Hoeffding's inequality to prove complete convergence for the case for both power assignments and minimum spanning trees (MSTs). As far as we are aware, complete convergence for p > d has not been proved yet for any Euclidean functional. © 2017 The Authors Random Structures & Algorithms Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc., 51, 483–505, 2017
Effort estimation in agile software development: Case study and improvement framework
Authors: Tanveer Binish , Guzmán Liliana , Engel Ulf Martin 
Published: March 2017

AbstractEffort estimation is more challenging in an agile context, as instead of exerting strict control over changes in requirements, dynamism is embraced. Current practice relies on expert judgment, where the accuracy of estimates is sensitive to the expertise of practitioners and prone to bias. To improve the effectiveness of the effort estimation process, the goal of this research is to investigate and understand the estimation process with respect to its accuracy in the context of agile software development from the perspective of agile development teams. Using case study research, 2 observations and eleven interviews were conducted with 3 agile development teams at SAP SE, a German multinational software corporation. The results reveal that factors such as the developer's knowledge, experience, and the complexity and impact of changes on the underlying system affect the magnitude as well as estimation accuracy. Furthermore, there is a need for a tool that incorporates expert knowledge, enables explicit consideration of cost drivers by experts and visualizes this information to improve the effectiveness of the effort estimation. On the basis of the findings of the case study, a framework, inspired by the quality improvement paradigm is proposed to improve effort estimation in agile development.
Milk Fermented by Lactic Acid Bacteria Enhances the Absorption of Dietary Sphingomyelin in Rats
Authors: Morifuji Masashi , Kitade Masami , Oba Chisato , Fukasawa Tomoyuki , Kawahata Keiko , Yamaji Taketo , Manabe Yuki , Sugawara Tatsuya 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSupplementation with sphingomyelin has been reported to prevent disease and maintain good health. However, intact sphingomyelin and ceramides are poorly absorbed compared with glycerolipids. Therefore, if the bioavailability of dietary sphingomyelin can be increased, supplementation would be more effective at lower doses. The aim of this study in rats was to evaluate the effect of fermented milk on the bioavailability of dietary sphingomyelin in rats. After the rats had fasted for 15 h, test solutions were administrated orally. Blood samples were collected from the tail vein before and 90, 180, 270, and 360 min after administration. Compared with sphingomyelin/milk phospholipids concentrate (MPL) alone, co‐ingestion of sphingomyelin/MPL with fermented milk caused an approximate twofold significant increase in serum ceramides containing d16:1 sphingosine with 16:0, 22:0, 23:0 and 24:0 fatty acids, which was derived from the ingested sphingomyelin. While nonfat milk also increased the serum levels of these ceramides, fermented milk was more effective. Co‐ingestion of the upper layer of fermented milk or exopolysaccharide concentrate prepared from fermented milk significantly increased serum ceramide levels. X‐ray diffraction analysis also showed addition of fermented milk or EPS concentrate to sphingomyelin eliminated the characteristic peak of sphingomyelin. This study demonstrated for the first time that co‐ingestion of dietary sphingomyelin and fermented milk, compared with ingestion of dietary sphingomyelin alone, caused a significant increase in the absorption of sphingomyelin. Our results indicate exopolysaccharides in fermented milk may contribute to inhibition of sphingomyelin crystallization, resulting in enhanced absorption of dietary sphingomyelin in rats.
A Meta-Analysis Detailing Overall Sexual Function and Orgasmic Function in Women Undergoing Midurethral Sling Surgery for Stress Incontinence
Authors: Szell Nicole , Komisaruk Barry , Goldstein Sue W. , Qu Xianggui (Harvey) , Shaw Michael , Goldstein Irwin 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

Introduction
More than 200,000 midurethral slings are placed yearly for stress urinary incontinence. Approximately 14% to 20% of women experience worsening sexual function overall after these procedures. We postulated that sling placement injures neural pathways regulating “female prostate” tissue within the anterior vaginal wall.

Aim
To perform a meta-analysis for overall sexual function and orgasm using validated questionnaires for transvaginal tape, transobturator tape, and their variants.

Methods
Effect sizes of preoperative and postoperative questionnaire scores for overall sexual function and orgasm were calculated. Random-effects models were selected for meta-analyses. Statistical analysis involved determination of the ratio of total heterogeneity to total variability.

Main Outcome Measures
Differences of overall sexual and orgasm functions were calculated by subtracting postoperative sling scores from preoperative sling scores. Forest plots of effect sizes were performed.

Results
Sixty-seven percent of midurethral sling procedures analyzed showed no change or improvement in overall sexual function postoperatively, whereas 33% of studies analyzed for orgasm function showed improvement after the procedure. For transvaginal tape, mean total sexual function and orgasm postoperative scores were significantly higher than preoperative scores. For transobturator tape, mean total postoperative score was significantly higher than the preoperative score; however, the mean orgasm postoperative score was not significantly higher than the preoperative score, possibly because of variability in transobturator tape data.

Conclusion
There is a discrepancy between postoperative sexual satisfaction and orgasmic function after midurethral sling surgery. Although overall sexual function remained the same or improved for most women, orgasmic function in only one third of cases improved overall, with most women experiencing no change or deterioration in orgasmic function. Dissection for, and placement of, the midurethral sling can compromise the neural integrity of the anterior vaginal wall, thereby detrimentally affecting the periurethral prostate tissue that is essential to the orgasmic response. We propose that this surgical procedure can compromise orgasmic function in some women.
Szell N, Komisaruk B, Goldstein SW, et al. A Meta-Analysis Detailing Overall Sexual Function and Orgasmic Function in Women Undergoing Midurethral Sling Surgery for Stress Incontinence. Sex Med 2017;5:e84–e93.
Differences in clinical and cognitive variables in seasonal affective disorder compared to depressive-related disorders: Evidence from a population-based study in Finland
Authors: Morales-Muñoz I. , Koskinen S. , Partonen T. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackground:Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression with seasonal pattern. Although it involves some idiosyncratic symptoms, it can overlap with other depressive disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD) or dysthymia. We aimed to characterize the differences in specific cognitive and clinical symptoms between SAD and depressive-related disorders.Methods:In total, 4554 Finnish subjects from the population-based Health 2011 Survey were interviewed with the Munich version of Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI) and filled in the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). From this sample for our analysis, we included those participants who fulfilled the criteria for SAD (n= 171), MDD (n= 153) or dysthymia (n= 84) and their 816 psychologically healthy controls matched by age and gender. In addition to M-CIDI and SPAQ, the Beck Depression Inventory, the General Health Questionnaire, an abbreviated version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, the category verbal fluency test, and the CERAD 10-word list were used.Results:Subjects with dysthymia showed major deficits in both clinical and cognitive domains compared to MDD, SAD and healthy controls. Although clinical comorbidity was mild in SAD, these participants showed similar cognitive deficits to dysthymic subjects and greater impairments than MDD.Conclusions:SAD subjects show a differential clinical and cognitive profile compared to other depressive-related disorders. Although less severe clinical symptoms are found in these individuals, some cognitive impairment already appears in subjects with SAD recruited from a population-based study.
Population‐based stroke and dementia incidence trends: Age and sex variations
Authors: Cerasuolo Joshua O. , Cipriano Lauren E. , Sposato Luciano A. , Kapral Moira K. , Fang Jiming , Gill Sudeep S. , Hackam Daniel G. , Hachinski Vladimir 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIntroductionWe discovered a concomitant decline in stroke and dementia incidence rates at a whole population level in Ontario, Canada. This study explores these trends within demographic subgroups.MethodsWe analyzed administrative data sources using validated algorithms to calculate stroke and dementia incidence rates from 2002 to 2013.ResultsFor more than 12 years, stroke incidence remained unchanged among those aged 20 to 49 years and decreased for those aged 50 to 64, 65 to 79, and 80+ years by 22.7%, 36.9%, and 37.9%, respectively. Dementia incidence increased by 17.3% and 23.5% in those aged 20 to 49 and 50 to 64 years, respectively, remained unchanged in those aged 65 to 79 years, and decreased by 15.4% in those aged 80+ years.DiscussionThe concomitant decline in stroke and dementia incidence rates may depict how successful stroke prevention has targeted shared risk factors of both conditions, especially at advanced ages where such risk factors are highly prevalent. We lend support for the development of an integrated system of stroke and dementia prevention.
Static Analysis of the Free-Free Trusses by Using a Self-Regularization Approach
Authors: Chen J. T. , Chang Y. L. , Leu S. Y. , Lee J. W. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractFollowing the success of static analysis of free-free 2-D plane trusses by using a self-regularization approach uniquely, we further extend the technique to deal with 3-D problems of space trusses. The inherent singular stiffness of a free-free structure is expanded to a bordered matrix by addingrsingular vectors corresponding to zero singular values, whereris the nullity of the singular stiffness matrix. Besides,rconstraints are accompanied to result in a nonsingular matrix. Only the pure particular solution with nontrivial strain is then obtained but without the homogeneous solution of no deformation. To link with the Fredholm alternative theorem, the slack variables with zero values indicate the infinite solutions while those with nonzero values imply the case of no solutions. A simple space truss is used to demonstrate the validity of the proposed model. An alternative way of reasonable support system to result in a nonsingular stiffness matrix is also addressed. In addition, the finite-element commercial code ABAQUS is also implemented to check the results.
Wildlife species preferences differ among children in continental and island locations
Authors: SHAPIRO HANNAH G. , PETERSON M. NILS , STEVENSON KATHRYN T. , FREW KRISTIN N. , LANGERHANS R. BRIAN 
Published: March 2017

SUMMARYEfforts to prioritize wildlife for conservation benefit from an understanding of public preferences for particular species, yet no studies have integrated species preferences with key attributes of the conservation landscape such as whether species occur on islands (where invasive exotics are the primary extinction threat) or continents (where land use change is the primary extinction threat). In this paper, we compare wildlife species preferences among children from a continental location (North Carolina, USA,n= 433) and an island location (Andros Island, The Bahamas,n= 197). Children on the island preferred feral domesticated species and different types of taxa than mainland children, perhaps due to the strongly divergent species richness between the regions (e.g. island children showed greater preferences for invertebrates, lizards and aquatic species). Boys preferred fish, birds and lizards more than girls, whereas girls preferred mammals. The fact that island children showed strong preferences for invasive species suggests challenges for conservation efforts on islands, where controlling invasive exotic species is often of paramount importance, but can conflict with cultural preferences for these same species.
Generations, lifespans, and the zeitgeist
Authors: Fruehwald Josef 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis paper is equal parts methodological recommendation and an empirical investigation of the time dimensions of linguistic change. It is increasingly common in the sociolinguistic literature for researchers to utilize speech data that was collected over the course of many decades. These kinds of datasets contain three different time dimensions that researchers can utilize to investigate language change: (i) the speakers’ dates of birth, (ii) the speakers’ ages at the time of the recording, and (iii) the date of the recording. Proper investigation of all three time dimensions is crucial for a theoretical understanding of the dynamics of language change. I recommend utilizing two-dimensional tensor product smooths, fit over speakers’ date of birth and the year of the recording, to analyze the contribution of these three time dimensions to linguistic changes. I apply this method to five language changes, based on data drawn from the Philadelphia Neighborhood Corpus. I find relatively weak evidence for lifespan effects in these changes, robust generational effects, and in one case, evidence of a zeitgeist effect.
Stability and Turán Numbers of a Class of Hypergraphs via Lagrangians
Authors: BRANDT AXEL , IRWIN DAVID , JIANG TAO 
Published: March 2017

Given a family ofr-uniform hypergraphs${\cal F}$(orr-graphs for brevity), the Turán number ex(n,${\cal F})$of${\cal F}$is the maximum number of edges in anr-graph onnvertices that does not contain any member of${\cal F}$. A pair {u,v} iscoveredin a hypergraphGif some edge ofGcontains {u, v}. Given anr-graphFand a positive integerp⩾n(F), wheren(F) denotes the number of vertices inF, letHFpdenote ther-graph obtained as follows. Label the vertices ofFasv1,. . .,vn(F). Add new verticesvn(F)+1,. . .,vp. For each pair of verticesvi, vjnot covered inF, add a setBi,jofr− 2 new vertices and the edge {vi, vj} ∪Bi,j, where theBi,jare pairwise disjoint over all such pairs {i, j}. We callHFpthe expanded p-clique with an embedded F. For a relatively large family ofF, we show that for all sufficiently largen, ex(n,HFp) = |Tr(n, p− 1)|, whereTr(n, p− 1) is the balanced complete (p− 1)-partiter-graph onnvertices. We also establish structural stability of near-extremal graphs. Our results generalize or strengthen several earlier results and provide a class of hypergraphs for which the Turán number is exactly determined (for largen).
An All-vanadium Continuous-flow Photoelectrochemical Cell for Extending State-of-charge in Solar Energy Storage
Authors: Wei Zi , Shen Yi , Liu Dong , Liu Fuqiang 
Published: March 2017

AbstractGreater levels of solar energy storage provide an effective solution to the inherent nature of intermittency, and can substantially improve reliability, availability, and quality of the renewable energy source. Here we demonstrated an all-vanadium (all-V) continuous-flow photoelectrochemical storage cell (PESC) to achieve efficient and high-capacity storage of solar energy, through improving both photocurrent and photocharging depth. It was discovered that forced convective flow of electrolytes greatly enhanced the photocurrent by 5 times comparing to that with stagnant electrolytes. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) study revealed a great reduction of charge transfer resistance with forced convective flow of electrolytes as a result of better mass transport at U-turns of the tortuous serpentine flow channel of the cell. Taking advantage of the improved photocurrent and diminished charge transfer resistance, the all-V continuous-flow PESC was capable of producing ~20% gain in state of charge (SOC) under AM1.5 illumination for ca. 1.7 hours without any external bias. This gain of SOC was surprisingly three times more than that with stagnant electrolytes during a 25-hour period of photocharge.