bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retinal Area Segmentation using Adaptive Superpixalation and its Classification using RBFN
Authors: Singh Nimisha , Gill Rana 
Published: March 2017

<p class="Abstract">Retinal disease is the very important issue in medical field. To diagnose the disease, it needs to detect the true retinal area. Artefacts like eyelids and eyelashes are come along with retinal part so removal of artefacts is the big task for better diagnosis of disease into the retinal part. In this paper, we have proposed the segmentation and use machine learning approaches to detect the true retinal part. Preprocessing is done on the original image using Gamma Normalization which helps to enhance the image that can gives detail information about the image. Then the segmentation is performed on the Gamma Normalized image by Superpixel method. Superpixel is the group of pixel into different regions which is based on compactness and regional size. Superpixel is used to reduce the complexity of image processing task and provide suitable primitive image pattern. Then feature generation must be done and machine learning approach helps to extract true retinal area. The experimental evaluation gives the better result with accuracy of 96%.</p>
Protection Coordination and Anti Islanding Protection Solution for Biomass Power Plant Connected on Distribution Network
Authors: Nikolovski Srete N , Vukobratović Marko , Majdandzic Ljubomir 
Published: March 2017

<p>Protection coordination as well as anti-island protection play significant role in the process of biomass power plant connection on the distribution network. Distribution generation island operation in Croatia is unacceptable according to the existing National grid code Paper presents a protection coordination of all passive protections used in the real biomass power plant and connected distriubution network feeder. Short-circuits three phase, two phase and single line to ground faults and generator islanding simulations have been performed and simulated in the time domain at the different network locations using DIgSILENT Power Factory software. The time-current plots coordination of protective devices are made using Smart PDC module in Easy Power Protector software tool.</p>
ISAR Image Classification with Wavelet and Watershed Transforms
Authors: Mamatha B. , Valli Kumar V. 
Published: March 2017

<p>Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar images are playing a significant role in classification of sea and air targets. First we acquire the ISAR images of targets using a sensor like radar and extract the characteristics of targets from the ISAR images in the form of feature vectors. The computed feature vectors are used for classification of targets. In this work, widely used and efficient segmentation tool Watershed transform and the multi resolution technique wavelet transform are explored to derive the target features. An artificial neural network based classifier is used for classification. The Wavelet analysis divides the information of an image into approximation and detail sub signals. The approximate and three detail sub signal values are taken as feature vectors and given as input to the classifier for ship ISAR image classification. The widely used segmentation technique, Watershed transform is applied to the ISAR images. The wavelet coefficients are computed for the segmented ISAR images and used as feature vectors for classification of the ISAR images. Also, the statistical moments mean and standard deviation are computed for the color ISAR images itself, taken in RGB format. These statistical color moments are used as feature vector. The classification accuracy is compared for the feature vectors.</p>
Response Based Comparative Analysis of Two Inverter Fed Six Phase PMSM Drive by Using PI and Fuzzy Logic Controller
Authors: Tomer Anurag Singh , Dubey Saty Prakash 
Published: March 2017

<p>This Paper gives a complete modeling and simulation of a two inverter fed six phase permanent magnet synchronous motor drive system, Then response based comparative analysis is done on starting torque ,settling time, Steady state current at various speed levels and torque levels by changing proportional- integral (PI) controller to Fuzzy logic controller. The PI controller has some disadvantages like, more settling time, sluggish response due to sudden change in load torque etc. So an intelligent controller, based on fuzzy logic is introduced which replaces the PI-controller and its drawbacks. The performance of both the controller has been investigated and studied by comparing the different plots obtained by setting various speed level both incremented and decremented speed , at different load conditions like No-load, fix load and dynamic load through Matlab/Simulink environment. Finally it is concluded from the result that fuzzy logic based controller is robust, reliable gives quick response with high starting torque and more effective than the conventional PI controller. It is also observed that both the proposed model can also run above rated speed significantally.</p>
Contributions of Surface Heat Fluxes and Oceanic Processes to Tropical SST Changes: Seasonal and Regional Dependence
Authors: He Zhuoqi , Wu Renguang , Wang Weiqiang , Wen Zhiping , Wang Dongxiao 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
The present study employs six surface heat flux datasets and three ocean assimilation products to assess the relative contributions of surface heat fluxes and oceanic processes to the sea surface temperature (SST) change in the tropical oceans. Large differences are identified in the major terms of the heat budget equation. The largest discrepancies among different datasets appear in the contribution of vertical advection. The heat budget is nearly balanced in the shortwave-radiation- and horizontal-advection-dominant cases but not balanced in some of the latent-heat-flux- and vertical-advection-dominant cases. The contributions of surface heat fluxes and ocean advections to the SST tendency display remarkable seasonal and regional dependence. The contribution of surface heat fluxes covers a large geographical area. The oceanic processes dominate the SST tendency in the near-equatorial regions with large values but small spatial scales. In the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the SST tendency is governed by the dynamic and thermodynamic processes, respectively, while a wide variety of processes contribute to the SST tendency in the Indian Ocean. Several regions have been selected to illustrate the dominant contributions of individual terms to the SST tendency in different seasons. The seasonality and regionality of the interannual air–sea relationship indicate a physical connection with the mean state.
Intermodel Spread around the Kuroshio–Oyashio Extension Region in Coupled GCMs Caused by Meridional Variation of the Westerly Jet from Atmospheric GCMs
Authors: Zhou Wenyu , Xie Shang-Ping 
Published: March 2017

The Kuroshio–Oyashio Extension (KOE) is a region of energetic oceanic mesoscale eddies and vigorous air–sea interaction that can influence climate variability over the northwest Pacific and East Asia. General circulation models (GCMs) exhibit considerable differences in their simulated climatology around the KOE region. Specifically, there are substantial intermodel spreads in both sea surface temperature (SST) and the upper-level westerly jet. In this study, the cause for such large spreads is studied by analyzing 21 pairs of coupled and atmospheric GCMs from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). It is found that the intermodel spread of the climatological westerly jet among coupled GCMs is largely inherited from their atmospheric models rather than being due to their SST difference as previously thought. An anomalous equatorward shift in the simulated westerly jet can give rise to a cold SST bias around the KOE region as follows. The equatorward jet shift induces cyclonic surface wind anomalies over the North Pacific, which not only enhance the turbulent heat fluxes out of the ocean south of the KOE but also drive an anomalous cyclonic ocean circulation that brings colder (warmer) water into the north (south) of the KOE. The KOE region is consequently cooled due to both the atmospheric and oceanic effects. Such processes are demonstrated through idealized perturbation experiments using an ocean model. The results herein point to reducing atmospheric model errors in the westerly jet as the way forward to improve the coupled simulations around the KOE region.
Potential Vorticity Dynamics of Coastal Outflows
Authors: Southwick O. R. , Johnson E. R. , McDonald N. R. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA simple quasigeostrophic model is used to examine the outflow from a river, estuary, or strait into a coastal ocean. As shown by Johnson et al., these quasigeostrophic outflows are accurately described by analytical long-wave solutions. This paper first uses these solutions and contour dynamics simulations to discuss the behavior of coastal outflows. Second, it extends the model and the long-wave theory to consider the effects of ambient currents, tides, winds, or a variable source flux. Third, consideration of the momentum flux at the source is used to understand the turning of the current, showing that steady solutions conserve momentum, hence resolving the momentum imbalance paradox of Pichevin and Nof. Finally, a new numerical scheme to compute steady outflow boundaries is developed. The model focuses on the key dynamics driven by the source velocity and the generation of vorticity as the buoyant fluid adjusts. The simplicity of the model, and insight given by the long-wave solutions, enables a full understanding of the dynamics. The outflows display a range of behaviors, including indefinitely growing near-source bulges, steady boundary profiles with varying offshore width, bidirectional currents, and rarefying or eddy-like leading heads, all of which can be understood with the long-wave theory. Despite the simplicity of the model, the results show good agreement in comparison with observations, experiments, and numerical models.
Shear-wave ultrasound elastography of the liver in normal-weight and obese children
Authors: Bailey Smita Sane , Youssfi Mostafa , Patel Mittun , Hu Houchun H , Shaibi Gabriel Q , Towbin Richard B 
Published: March 2017

Background The identification and subsequent management of liver diseases in children is challenging due to the lack of non-invasive imaging biomarkers. Ultrasound shear-wave elastography (US-SWE) is an emerging imaging technique which can quantitatively assess liver stiffness and may be useful as a tool in the management of liver disease in overweight and obese children. Purpose To evaluate US-SWE velocities of the liver in normal-weight and obese children, to correlate US-SWE findings with age and body-mass-index (BMI), and to compare US-SWE values with qualitative assessment (i.e. normal versus abnormal echogenicity) of the liver by conventional US. Material and Methods A cohort of 300 children (mean age, 9.9 ± 5.3 years; age range, 0.06–18.9 years) were studied, comprising 176 normal-weight and 124 obese participants. In each patient, both US-SWE and conventional US of the liver were obtained. Three pediatric radiologists individually and in consensus determined whether liver parenchyma was of normal or abnormal echogenicity. Results US-SWE velocities differed between normal-weight and obese children (1.08 ± 0.14 versus 1.44 ± 0.39 m/s; P < 0.001), but not by gender. Multivariate linear regression demonstrated US-SWE velocity to be primarily associated with age in normal-weight children ( P < 0.05) and with BMI in obese children ( P < 0.001). In the obese group, mean US-SWE velocity was statistically higher in participants with abnormal echogenic livers than in those with normal-appearing livers (1.53 ± 0.38 vs. 1.17 ± 0.27). The difference was not significant in the normal-weight group. Conclusion US-SWE provides a useful quantitative imaging biomarker for evaluating liver stiffness in children.
Differentiation of prostate cancer and stromal hyperplasia in the transition zone with histogram analysis of the apparent diffusion coefficient
Authors: Xiaohang Liu , Bingni Zhou , Liangping Zhou , Weijun Peng , Xiaoqun Yang , Yong Zhang 
Published: March 2017

Background Prostate cancer and stromal hyperplasia (SH) in the transition zone (TZ) are difficult to discriminate by conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Purpose To investigate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of prostate cancer and SH in the TZ with histogram analysis and the ability of ADC metrics to differentiate between these two tissues. Material and Methods Thirty-three cancer and 29 SH lesions in the TZ of 54 patients undergoing preoperative DWI (b-value 0, 1000 s/mm2) were analyzed. All the lesions on the MR images were localized based on histopathologic correlations. The 10th, 25th, and 50th percentiles, and the mean ADC values were calculated for the two tissues and compared. The efficiencies of the 10th, 25th, and 50th ADC percentiles in differentiating the two tissues were compared with that of the mean ADC with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results The 10th, 25th, and 50th percentiles and mean ADC values (×10−3 mm2/s) were 0.86 ± 0.15, 0.89 ± 0.16, 0.94 ± 0.16, and 1.03 ± 0.17 in SH and 0.64 ± 0.12, 0.69 ± 0.12, 0.72 ± 0.16, and 0.83 ± 0.15 in TZ cancer, respectively. The parameters were all significantly lower in cancer than SH. The 10th ADC percentile yielded an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.87 for the differentiation of carcinomas from SH, which was higher than the mean ADC (0.80) ( P < 0.05), and the AUCs of the 25th (0.82) and 50th (0.83) percentiles exhibited no differences from those of the mean ADC ( P > 0.05). Conclusion Histogram analysis of ADC values may potentially improve the differentiation of prostate cancer from SH in the TZ.
Headache in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis revisited: Exploring the role of vascular congestion and cortical vein thrombosis
Authors: Singh Ravinder-Jeet , Saini Jitender , Varadharajan Shriram , Kulkarni Girish Baburao , Veerendrakumar Mustare 
Published: March 2017

Background and purpose Headache constitutes the most common symptom of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), but its pathophysiology is unclear. We sought to investigate the potential mechanism for headache genesis in patients with CVST based on its imaging correlates. Methods A subgroup of CVST patients having headache as the predominant symptom without significant parenchymal lesion were retrospectively analysed for imaging features of vascular congestion (VC), in addition to cortical venous (CVT) and dural sinus thrombosis (DST) on magnetic resonance imaging. Headache and imaging patterns were classified into lateralized and nonlateralized phenotypes and their correlation was sought. Results Among 41 patients included, 28 had lateralized headache (LH group; 15 males; mean age 32.25 ± 9.19 years) while 13 had nonlateralized headache (non-LH group; six males; mean age 27.15 ± 8.65 years). Headache characteristics in both the groups were quite similar. Imaging showed VC in 39 of 41 and CVT among 35 of 41 patients, which were lateralized in 23 of 39 and 18 of 35 patients, respectively. Nearly all lateralized imaging patterns (21 of 23 for VC and 17 of 18 for CVT) occurred in the LH group and ipsilateral to (concordant) headache, while the non-LH group showed lateralized VC and CVT in only two and one patient respectively. Sinus thrombosis was lateralized in both groups irrespective of headache laterality. Whole cohort headache-imaging laterality (including patients with nonlateralized headache and nonlateralized imaging) concordance was 31 of 39, 24 of 35 and 18 of 41 for vascular congestion, cortical vein thrombosis and dural sinus thrombosis respectively. Conclusion Co-localization of VC and CVT with overlying headache might provide a possible explanation of headache and its laterality in patients with CVST.
The Feasibility and Impact of Prospective Medication Review in the Emergency Department
Authors: Sin Billy , Lau Kwong , Tong Richard , Ruiz Josel , Sarosky Kimberly , DiGregorio Robert , Butel Shalom , de Souza Sylvie 
Published: March 2017

Objective: We evaluated the feasibility and impact of prospective medication review (PMR) in the emergency department (ED). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of all nonadmitted ED patients who were prescribed medication orders by ED clinicians from September 2014 to September 2015 to determine the time intervals utilized during each step of the medication use process and quantify the number of interventions conducted by the pharmacist and cost avoidance accrued from the interventions. Results: A total of 834 medication orders were included for evaluation. The median time for order verification, order verification to dispense, and dispense to administration were 3 minutes (interquartile range [IQR] = 1-7 minutes), 20 minutes (IQR = 7-45 minutes), and 10 minutes (IQR = 6-16 minutes). The median time interval for order verification was longer during the overnight pharmacy shift (median = 5 minutes, IQR = 2-9 minutes) compared to the day and evening shifts (median = 3 minutes, IQR = 1-6 minutes). A total of 563 interventions were recommended by the pharmacists and accepted by ED clinicians. These interventions equated to US$47 585 worth of cost avoidance. Conclusion: The PMR is a feasible process that resulted in safe and effective use of medications without causing delays to patient care.
Disease evolution in late-onset and early-onset systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Aljohani R , Gladman D D , Su J , Urowitz M B 
Published: March 2017

Objective The objective of this study was to compare clinical features, disease activity, and outcome in late-onset versus early-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) over 5 years of follow up Method Patients with SLE since 1970 were followed prospectively according to standard protocol and tracked on a computerized database. Patients entering the cohort within one year of diagnosis constitute the inception cohort. Patients with late-onset (age at diagnosis ≥50) disease were identified and matched 1:2 based on gender and first clinic visit (±5) years with patients with early-onset disease (age at diagnosis 18–40 years). Results A total of 86 patients with late-onset disease (84.9% female, 81.4% Caucasian, mean age at SLE diagnosis ± SD 58.05 ± 7.30) and 169 patients with early-onset disease (86.4% female, 71% Caucasian, mean age at SLE diagnosis ± SD 27.80 ± 5.90) were identified. At enrollment, late-onset SLE patients had a lower total number of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, with less renal and neurologic manifestations. Mean SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) scores were lower in late-onset SLE, especially renal features and anti-dsDNA positivity. Over 5 years, mean SLEDAI-2K scores decreased in both groups, while mean Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/ACR Damage Index (SDI) scores increased more significantly in the late-onset group; they developed more cardiovascular, renal, and ocular damage, and had higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusion Although the late-onset SLE group had a milder presentation and less active disease, with the evolution of disease, they developed more organ damage likely as a consequence of cardiovascular risk factors and aging.
Body size and physical exercise, and the risk of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Cortese Marianna , Riise Trond , Bjørnevik Kjetil , Myhr Kjell-Morten ,   The Multiple Sclerosis Conscript Service Database Study Group
Published: March 2017

Background: Whether large body size increases multiple sclerosis (MS) risk in men is not well understood. Concurrently, physical exercise could be an independent protective factor. Objective: To prospectively investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and aerobic fitness, indicators of body size and exercise, and MS risk in men. Methods: We performed a population-based nested case-control study within the historical cohort of all Norwegian men, born in 1950–1975, undergoing mandatory conscription at the age of 19 years. 1016 cases were identified through linkage to the Norwegian MS registry, while 19,230 controls were randomly selected from the cohort. We estimated the effect of BMI and fitness at conscription on MS risk using Cox regression. Results: Higher BMI (≥25 vs 18.5–<25 kg/m2) was significantly associated with increased MS risk (adjusted relative risk (RRadj) = 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05–1.76). We also found a significant inverse association between aerobic fitness (high vs low) and MS risk independent of BMI (RRadj = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.55–0.88, p-trend = 0.003), remaining similar when men with MS onset within 10 years from conscription were excluded ( p-trend = 0.03). Conclusion: These findings add weight to evidence linking being overweight to an increased MS risk in men. Furthermore, they suggest that exercise may be an additional modifiable protective factor for MS.
Withdrawal of long‐term epoprostenol therapy in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
Authors: Calcaianu George , Calcaianu Mihaela , Canuet Matthieu , Enache Irina , Kessler Romain 
Published: March 2017

Once initiated for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), epoprostenol treatment usually needs to be delivered for an indefinite duration. It is possible that some participants could be transitioned from epoprostenol to oral therapies. We retrospectively evaluated eight PAH participants transitioned from epoprostenol to PAH oral drugs. The criteria for epoprostenol withdrawal were: (1) persistent improvement of clinic and hemodynamic status; (2) stable dose of epoprostenol for the last three months; and (3) the participant’s preference for oral therapy after evaluation of risk‐benefit. We evaluated the clinical, functional, and hemodynamic status at baseline, at withdrawal, and after the transition to oral PAH therapy. The transition was completed in all eight participants. Four participants had a complete successful transition (CT) with a stable clinical and hemodynamic course and four participants had a partial successful transition (PT) remaining stable clinically, with a mild hemodynamic worsening, but without need to re‐initiate epoprostenol therapy. The four CT participants were treated with epoprostenol for a shorter period of time (CT group: 35 ± 30 versus PT group: 79 ± 49 months, P = 0.08). Mean epoprostenol dosage was lower in the CT group (CT group: 15 ± 1.5 ng/kg/min versus PT group: 24 ± 11 ng/kg/min, P = 0.09). Safe withdrawal of epoprostenol treatment and transition to oral PAH therapy was possible in a small and highly selected group of participants. The majority of these participants had a porto‐pulmonary PAH or PAH associated to HIV infection.