bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of the Structure, Synthesis, and Properties of Insensitive Energetic Compounds
Authors: Pagoria Philip 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe continued interest in improving the safety of munitions towards unintentional insults has led to a significant amount of research in the synthesis of new insensitive energetic compounds. This paper discusses various approaches to the synthesis of insensitive energetic compounds, theoretical modeling and correlations of structural properties that contribute to reducing the sensitivity of energetic compounds, and how synthetic chemists integrate theoretical predictions into the design and synthesis of new insensitive energetic compounds.
The elastic properties of hexagonal auxetics under pressure
Authors: Goldstein Robert V. , Gorodtsov Valentin A. , Lisovenko Dmitry S. 
Published: May 2016

Elastic properties of the hexagonal crystals under pressure were analyzed. Seven crystals with negative Poisson's ratio (auxetics) were revealed at zero pressure. These are crystals of MoS2, Zn, Be, BeCu (alloy with 2.4 at.% Cu), TiB2, C7H12, and MnAs. Analytical expressions of extreme values of Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus were obtained. For these materials, the variability of Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus was analyzed at pressure change. It was shown that all seven hexagonal auxetics may become completely auxetic under certain pressure values. The variability of the elastic properties of graphite and SiC, being non‐auxetics at zero pressure, was considered. These crystals become partially auxetic at negative pressure (−15 GPa for graphite and −56 GPa for silicon carbide) and completely auxetic at −114 and −122 GPa, respectively.The surface of auxeticity ν(θ, ψ; p) = 0 for hexagonal auxetic MoS2.
Response of cracked simply supported concrete beam with moving vehicle load
Authors: Zhou Linyun , Liu Huangin 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe dynamic response of a cracked beam subjected to moving loads has been studied extensively in the past decades. However, very little is known about the dynamic impact factors and crack propagation when vehicles move along the cracked beam. It can be reasonably postulated that a crack extension may occur when the vehicle loads cross the cracked bridge at a high speed. As a result, the dynamic response will be enlarged significantly due to the flexural rigidity reduction induced by cracks, which may result in a dangerous effect on structures. To address this problem, a three‐dimensional vehicle‐bridge model was developed to investigate the dynamic response of cracked bridges with crack breathing. Crack breathing is simulated at the crack surface using contact elements. The modified crack closure method is adopted to calculate the stress intensity factors. The results showed that the impact factors for the damaged bridge under a moving load could be notably larger than those for the intact bridge, and could exceed the value specified in the AASHTO bridge design code. Meanwhile, crack propagation may occur when the vehicles move along the cracked bridge at a high speed. So, it is very necessary to limit the velocity and transverse position of the vehicles to avoid further damage to the cracked bridge.
Mechanical properties of lightweight concrete after fire exposure
Authors: Torić Neno , Boko Ivica , Juradin Sandra , Baloević Goran 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe paper presents an experimental research project that focused on analysing the short‐term residual mechanical properties of lightweight concrete after exposure to temperatures of up to 600 °C and the effects of the short‐term residual mechanical properties on the post‐fire loadbearing capacity of different concrete sections. The experimental programme was conducted on four different concrete mixes by determining the mechanical properties immediately after cooling and up to 96 h after cooling. The following properties were investigated: compressive strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity and stress‐strain curves. The results show that the compressive strength undergoes an additional reduction in comparison to the initial residual strength (0 h property) of up to 20 % in the reference time period. A numerical study is presented at the end of the paper in order to quantify the effects of the short‐term strength reduction on the axial loadbearing capacity of slender and stocky concrete columns.
Long‐term aging effects on tensile characterization of steel fibre reinforced concrete
Authors: Teixeira Buttignol Thomaz Eduardo , Colombo Matteo , di Prisco Marco 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe paper discusses the effect of aging on steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) after 10 years. The aim is to observe the change in mechanical properties, especially of the residual post‐cracking tensile strength, due to long‐term aging. For this purpose, a comparison between the results of four‐point bending tests (4PB) at the age of 1 year and 10 years was carried out and it indicates that aging affects the serviceability post‐cracking residual strength, increasing fibre interfacial bond strength. Material classification is performed according to fib Model Code 2010 for 1‐year old and 10‐year old specimens. The objective is to estimate possible changes in the material class through the years. Three‐ and four‐point bending test results on 10‐year old specimens are described, together with a comparison between those tests. Both tests showed very similar results; slightly higher values were obtained with the three‐point bending (3PB) test. The tensile constitutive law is obtained according to fib Model Code 2010 and is compared with results of direct tensile tests on cylindrical specimens and Double Edge Wedge Splitting tests on prismatic specimens. A plane section (PS) approach adopting the tensile constitutive law is applied to predict the bending behaviour in terms of nominal stress against crack mouth opening displacement and it is compared with the bending test results.
Enhanced Recovery Pathway for Right and Left Colectomy: Comparison of Functional Recovery
Authors: Kummer Anne , Slieker Juliette , Grass Fabian , Hahnloser Dieter , Demartines Nicolas , Hübner Martin 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundEnhanced recovery (ERAS) guidelines do not differentiate between left‐ and right‐sided colectomies, but differences in recovery have been reported for the two procedure types. We aimed to compare compliance with the ERAS protocol and outcomes after right versus left colectomy.MethodsBetween June 2011 and September 2014, all patients undergoing elective colonic resection were treated according to a standardized ERAS protocol and entered a prospective database. This retrospective analysis compared right and left colectomy regarding application of the ERAS pathway, bowel recovery, complications, and hospital stay.ResultsEighty‐five patients with right colectomy matched well with 138 left‐sided resections for baseline demographics. Overall compliance with the ERAS protocol was 76 % for right versus 77 % for left colectomy patients (p = 0.492). First flatus occurred at postoperative day 2 in both groups (p = 0.057); first stool was observed after a median of 3 (right) and 2 days (left), respectively (p = 0.189). Twenty patients (24 %) needed postoperative nasogastric tube after right colectomy compared to 11 patients (8 %) after left colectomy (p = 0.002). Overall complication rates were 49 and 37 % for right and left colectomy, respectively (p = 0.071). Median postoperative length of stay was 6 days (IQR 4–9) after right and 5 days (IQR 4–7.5) after left colectomy (p = 0.020).ConclusionOverall compliance with the protocol was equally high in both groups showing that ERAS protocol was applicable for right and left colectomy. Functional recovery however, tended to be slower after right colectomy, and postoperative ileus rate was significantly higher. More cautious early feeding after right colectomy should be considered.
Deer herbivory affects the functional diversity of forest floor plants via changes in competition‐mediated assembly rules
Authors: Nishizawa Keita , Tatsumi Shinichi , Kitagawa Ryo , Mori Akira S. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDistorted plant diversity patterns due to ungulate herbivory could be explained by changes in community assembly processes, but the effects of ungulate herbivory on plant community assembly remain unclear. Here, we examined the role of deer herbivory in the regulation of the assembly processes of a forest floor plant community by assessing species and functional diversity in over‐ and no‐grazing plots (control and exclosure plots, respectively) in Shiretoko National Park in Japan. Compared with the exclosure plot, vegetation coverage was considerably lower, and species richness and diversity were higher in the control plot. Functional traits associated with competitive ability (leaf area and chlorophyll content) were significantly higher in the exclosure plot. The pattern of functional diversity changed from overdispersion to clustering with an increase in local crowdedness. This trait clustering indicates that the local communities that were free from ungulate disturbance gradually became dominated by some competitively superior plant species, which led to low species diversity and biotic homogenization. In contrast, the reduction in vegetation due to overgrazing by deer resulted in an increase in the relative importance of stochastic assembly processes, which enabled the coexistence of various species, including less competitive ones. Our results emphasize that although deer overabundance is of concern, their complete exclusion has a negative consequence from an ecological perspective. Because deer herbivory is an inherent process that affects the biodiversity of plants on the forest floor, the establishment of fences requires careful consideration to ensure the conservation of ecological processes and their associated biodiversity.
Comparison of Cox Model Methods in a Low-Dimensional Setting with Few Events
Authors: Ojeda Francisco M. , Müller Christian , Börnigen Daniela , Trégouët David-Alexandre , Schillert Arne , Heinig Matthias , Zeller Tanja , Schnabel Renate B. 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
Prognostic models based on survival data frequently make use of the Cox proportional hazards model. Developing reliable Cox models with few events relative to the number of predictors can be challenging, even in low-dimensional datasets, with a much larger number of observations than variables. In such a setting we examined the performance of methods used to estimate a Cox model, including (i) full model using all available predictors and estimated by standard techniques, (ii) backward elimination (BE), (iii) ridge regression, (iv) least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (lasso), and (v) elastic net. Based on a prospective cohort of patients with manifest coronary artery disease (CAD), we performed a simulation study to compare the predictive accuracy, calibration, and discrimination of these approaches. Candidate predictors for incident cardiovascular events we used included clinical variables, biomarkers, and a selection of genetic variants associated with CAD. The penalized methods, i.e., ridge, lasso, and elastic net, showed a comparable performance, in terms of predictive accuracy, calibration, and discrimination, and outperformed BE and the full model. Excessive shrinkage was observed in some cases for the penalized methods, mostly on the simulation scenarios having the lowest ratio of a number of events to the number of variables. We conclude that in similar settings, these three penalized methods can be used interchangeably. The full model and backward elimination are not recommended in rare event scenarios.
Combinatorial particle swarm optimization for solving blocking flowshop scheduling problem
Authors: Eddaly Mansour , Jarboui Bassem , Siarry Patrick 
Published: May 2016

Abstract
This paper addresses to the flowshop scheduling problem with blocking constraints. The objective is to minimize the makespan criterion. We propose a hybrid combinatorial particle swarm optimization algorithm (HCPSO) as a resolution technique for solving this problem. At the initialization, different priority rules are exploited. Experimental study and statistical analysis were performed to select the most adapted one for this problem. Then, the swarm behavior is tested for solving a combinatorial optimization problem such as a sequencing problem under constraints. Finally, an iterated local search algorithm based on probabilistic perturbation is sequentially introduced to the particle swarm optimization algorithm for improving the quality of solution. The computational results show that our approach is able to improve several best known solutions of the literature. In fact, 76 solutions among 120 were improved. Moreover, HCPSO outperforms the compared methods in terms of quality of solutions in short time requirements. Also, the performance of the proposed approach is evaluated according to a real-world industrial problem.
Highlights The blocking flowshop scheduling problem is very attractive problem in engineering. A particle swarm optimization approach is proposed. Extensive experiments are conducted to choose the initialization way. Improvement procedure is introduced based on iterated local search algorithm. A real-world case is solved by the proposed algorithm.
A Qualitative Study on Experiences After Vulvar Surgery in Women with Lichen Sclerosus and Sexual Pain
Authors: Brauer Marieke , van Lunsen Rik H.W. , Laan Ellen T.M. , Burger Matthé P.M. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Lichen sclerosus (LS) of the vulva can profoundly affect sexual interaction because of painful fissures and narrowing of the vaginal introitus. Successful surgical treatment is usually defined as restoration of (pain-free) penetrative sexual activity.

Aims
To evaluate the impact of surgery on (dyadic) sexual functioning and pleasure and psychological well-being.

Methods
Nineteen women with anogenital LS participated in audiotaped, qualitative, individual interviews after surgery to re-enable sexual intercourse.

Main Outcome Measures
Physical, sexual, and psychological experiences were analyzed using the constant comparative method.

Results
Vulvar surgery resulted in a decrease of sexual pain in 13 of 19 patients (68%). Of these 13 patients, 4 were completely free of pain and the other 9 patients expressed a shift from preoperative sexual pain to postoperative sexual discomfort. These women reported improved sexual functioning, increased sexual activity and intimacy with the partner, and reinstated feelings of being an adequate woman and sexual partner. In 1 of the 19 patients (5%), surgery did not result in decreased sexual pain, yet she continued to have intercourse. Five of the 19 patients (26%) stopped having intercourse because of pain; one woman had secondary vaginismus and another woman, in retrospect, had premorbid generalized unprovoked vulvodynia. Four of these women were unable to communicate with their partner about sexual matters and to change their sexual repertoire (satisfactorily) once they had ceased intercourse (attempts). Eighteen women (95%) reported a decrease of LS symptoms in daily life.

Conclusion
Vulvar surgery seems an effective treatment for most women with LS who experience sexual pain owing to anatomic or epithelial changes and who wish to resume intercourse. To assess whether women might benefit from such surgery and/or whether (additional) sexual counseling is indicated, preoperative sexological couple-based consultation is needed. This consultation should exclude comorbid vaginismus and generalized unprovoked vulvodynia and index the couple's pre-existing sex life, including sexual communication skills, and the ability to incorporate non-coital pain-free sexual activities.
Hyperuricemia Is an Independent Risk Factor for Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Long Hao , Jiang Jun , Xia Jiyi , Jiang Rui , He Yanzheng , Lin Haocheng , Fan Zhongcai , Zeng Tiebing 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Hyperuricemia may be related to the development of endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases. However, the association between hyperuricemia and erectile dysfunction (ED) is not currently clear.

Aim
The goal of this study is to investigate the effect of hyperuricemia on erectile function and possible mechanisms.

Methods
Twenty-four 8-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group A (control): Rats received normal saline and served as controls. Group B (hyperuricemia): rats were given oxonic acid 250 mg/kg bw/day through gastric gavage for 4 weeks. Group C (febuxostat): normal rats were treated with 5 mg/kg febuxostat through gastric gavage for 4 weeks. Group D (hyperuricemia + Febuxostat): normal rats were treated with 250 mg/kg bw/day oxonic acid and 5 mg/kg bw/day febuxostat with 1 hour interval for 4 weeks.

Measurements
The level of serum uric acid, the maximum intracavernosal pressure (ICPmax), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phospho-eNOS, neuronal NOS, Rho-associated protein kinaise (ROCK)1 and ROCK2 and the level of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cavernous tissue were determined.

Results
The level of serum uric acid and ROS in hyperuricemic rats was significantly higher than that in the other 3 groups (P &lt; .05). After electrostimulation with 3 and 5 voltage, the ratio of ICPmax/MAP in hyperuricemic rats was significantly less than that in other 3 groups (P &lt; .05), respectively. eNOS, p-eNOS, and nNOS expression in hyperuricemic rats were significantly decreased compared to the other 3 groups (P &lt; .05), respectively.

Conclusion
Erectile function is impaired by hyperuricemia. The decrease of eNOS, p-eNOS, and nNOS protein expression and increase of ROS in cavernous tissue may be one of the key mechanisms of ED caused by hyperuricemia.
Female Partners of Men with Peyronie's Disease Have Impaired Sexual Function, Satisfaction, and Mood, While Degree of Sexual Interference Is Associated with Worse Outcomes
Authors: Davis Seth N.P. , Ferrar Saskia , Sadikaj Gentiana , Gerard Marina , Binik Yitzchak M. , Carrier Serge 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Peyronie's disease (PD) causes penile deformity and can result in sexual dysfunction and psychological distress. Currently, nothing is known about the psychosexual impact on the partners of men with PD. Research carried out on the partners of men with other chronic illnesses suggests that the partners of men with PD might have increased rates of sexual dysfunction and decreased sexual satisfaction.

Aims
To examine (i) sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, negative affect, and relationship satisfaction of men with PD and their female partners and (ii) the effect of male-perceived sexual interference on partners' outcomes.

Methods
Forty-four men diagnosed with PD and their female partners completed a questionnaire package.

Main Outcome Measures
Each partner filled out the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Scale, the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction, and the Female Sexual Function Index (women) or the International Index of Erectile Function (men).

Results
Overall, partners of men with PD were found to have decreased sexual function, sexual satisfaction, and mood compared with population-based norms. Men and their partners showed non-distressed levels of relationship satisfaction. The degree to which PD interfered with sexual activity was an important correlate of outcomes. Increased sexual interference was associated with lower sexual function and satisfaction for the person experiencing interference. Sexual interference also was associated with negative affect and relationship satisfaction in partners and the person experiencing interference.

Conclusion
PD is associated with negative psychosexual and psychosocial effects on those with the disease and their partners. As a result, assessment and intervention should include the two members of the couple.
Corticospinal Excitability and Inhibition of the Soleus in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability
Authors: Terada Masafumi , Bowker Samantha , Thomas Abbey C. , Pietrosimone Brian , Hiller Claire E. , Gribble Phillip A. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundUnderstanding the mechanisms of neurophysiological alterations with chronic ankle instability (CAI) may be essential in the development of the most‐effective intervention programs to treat neuromuscular dysfunction in patients with CAI. Specifically, the presence of CAI may be associated with an altered supraspinal mechanism within the central nervous system to inhibit neural drive to the undamaged soleus surrounding the injured ankle joint.ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of CAI on corticospinal excitability and inhibition of the soleus.DesignA single‐blinded, case‐control study.SettingResearch laboratory.ParticipantsSixteen participants with self‐reported CAI and 17 healthy control participants volunteered.MethodsTranscranial magnetic stimulation was used to assess corticospinal excitability and inhibition of the soleus muscle. Active motor threshold (AMT), defined as the lowest stimulator intensity required to elicit a peak‐to‐peak motor‐evoked potential (MEP) amplitude ≥100 μV in at least four of 8 trials, was found to assess corticospinal excitability of the soleus. Eight stimuli were delivered at 120% of AMT, and peak‐to‐peak MEP amplitudes were recorded for each trial. The amplitude of 8 MEPs at 120% of AMP were averaged and normalized to the maximum M‐response. Cortical silent period (CSP) was measured as the distance from the end of the MEP to a return of the mean electromyographic signal plus 2 times the standard deviation of the baseline (prestimulus) electromyographic signal. The ratio of the CSP to the MEP at 120% AMT (CSP:MEP120) were calculated to assess corticospinal inhibition.ResultsThe CAI group had a greater CSP:MEP120 ratio compared with the control group (P = .02). No significant differences between groups were observed for AMT (P = .67) and normalized MEP at 120% of AMT (P = .42).ConclusionsThe greater CSP:MEP120 ratio in participants with CAI suggests an altered balance in corticospinal inhibition and excitability to the soleus of the CAI cohort. Future research is needed to determine the role of corticospinal inhibition in physical and self‐reported function in patients with CAI.Level of EvidenceIV
Fuzzy-PID side-stick force control for flight simulation
Authors: Fellah K. , Guiatni M. , Ournid A.K. , Boulahlib M.A. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we present a new force-feedback side-stick which has been developed and integrated into a research flight simulator. The developed 2 Degrees of Freedom (DOF) force-feedback joystick, as a kind of haptic device, provides two-way communication in both position and force, and allows users to interact with the simulation system. It has been designed by considering the main factors in designing a general use force-feedback device. Thus, the design must allow the restitution of aerodynamic forces onto the hand of the pilot. This is an important feature, which gives the pilot the ‘natural feel’ of traditional mechanical aircraft control. In order to provide the force feedback to enhance the realism of the simulation, we added the necessary software using Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) solutions (Microsoft Flight Simulator Software (MSFS)) and built-in data structure and methods. Thus, the main contribution of this paper concerns the design and implementation of an automatic controller based on fuzzy logic systems. It is not simply designing a force-feedback stick for flight simulation: we proposed a novel control principles and more importantly completely new approach to compute in real-time force feedback on the stick based on pilot knowledge that avoids the use of complex aerodynamics equations with unknown parameters. To our best knowledge, this work is the first to propose the integration of fuzzy logic force controller in flight simulation for creating force feedback. Results using the overall simulation are presented and evaluated and interesting sensations have been recorded.