A hybrid of fuzzy theory and quadratic function for estimating and refining transmission map

© TÜBİTAK In photographs captured in outdoor environments, particles in the air cause light attenuation and degrade image quality. This effect is especially obvious in hazy environments. In this study, a fuzzy theory is proposed to estimate the transmission map of a single image. To overcome the problem of oversaturation in dehazed images, a quadratic-function-based method is proposed to refine the transmission map. In addition, the color vector of the atmospheric light is estimated using the top 1% of the brightest light area. Finally, the dehazed image is reconstructed using the transmission map and the estimated atmospheric light. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid method performs better than the other existing methods in terms of color oversaturation, visibility, and quantitative evaluation

Using AdaBoost-based Multiple Functional Neural Fuzzy Classifiers Fusion for Classification Applications

© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2018. In this study, two intelligent classifiers, the AdaBoost-based incremental functional neural fuzzy classifier (AIFNFC) and the AdaBoost-based fixed functional neural fuzzy classifier (AFFNFC), are proposed for solving the classification problems. The AIFNFC approach will increase the amount of functional neural fuzzy classifiers based on the corresponding error during the training phase; while the AFNFC approach is equipped with a fixed amount of functional neural fuzzy classifiers. Then, the weights of AdaBoost procedure are assigned for classifiers. The proposed methods are applied to different classification benchmarks. Results of this study demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed AIFNFC and AFFNFC methods

Tofacitinib in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis and Metabolic Syndrome: A Post hoc Analysis of Phase 3 Studies

Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of concurrent risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. This post hoc analysis explored key efficacy and safety endpoints in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and MetS treated with tofacitinib. Methods: Tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg twice daily and placebo data were pooled from two Phase 3 studies (OPAL Broaden [12 months; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01877668]; OPAL Beyond [6 months; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01882439]); patients received one background conventional synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug. Patients were stratified by baseline presence/absence of MetS. Efficacy and safety were reported to month 3 (tofacitinib and placebo) and 6 (tofacitinib only). Efficacy outcomes included: American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20/50/70, Health Assessment Questionnaire‐Disability Index (HAQ‐DI) response, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI)75 response, and enthesitis/dactylitis resolution rates; and changes from baseline (Δ) in C‐reactive protein, HAQ‐DI, Patient’s/Physician’s Global Assessment of Arthritis, and patient‐reported outcomes. Safety outcomes included treatment‐emergent all‐causality adverse events (AEs), Δ in lipid/hepatic values, and liver parameter increases. Results: Of 710 patients, 41.4% (n = 294) had baseline MetS. All efficacy outcomes improved with both tofacitinib doses versus placebo, to month 3; tofacitinib efficacy was consistent to month 6, regardless of MetS status. MetS did not appear to affect the incidence of AEs or Δ in lipid/hepatic values with tofacitinib up to month 3 or 6. Arterial thromboembolism and myocardial infarction (adjudicated major adverse cardiovascular events) were each reported once in tofacitinib‐treated patients with MetS. Conclusion: Regardless of baseline MetS status, tofacitinib showed greater efficacy versus placebo in patients with active PsA. The tofacitinib safety profile appeared similar in patients with versus without MetS

The mathematics of ethylene oligomerisation and polymerisation

Linear α-olefins or LAOs are produced by the catalytic oligomerisation of ethylene on a multimillion ton scale annually. A range of LAOs is typically obtained with varying chain lengths which follow a distribution. Depending on the catalyst, various types of distributions have been identified, such as Schulz–Flory, Poisson, alternating and selective oligomerisations such as ethylene trimerisation to 1-hexene and tetramerisation to 1-octene. A comprehensive mathematical analysis for all oligomer distributions is presented, showing the relations between the various distributions and with ethylene polymerisation, as well as providing mechanistic insight into the underlying chemical processes. Linear α-olefins or LAOs are produced by the catalytic oligomerisation of ethylene on a multimillion ton scale annually. A range of LAOs is typically obtained with varying chain lengths which follow a distribution. Depending on the catalyst, various types of distributions have been identified, such as Schulz–Flory, Poisson, alternating and selective oligomerisations such as ethylene trimerisation to 1-hexene and tetramerisation to 1-octene. A comprehensive mathematical analysis for all oligomer distributions is presented, showing the relations between the various distributions and with ethylene polymerisation, as well as providing mechanistic insight into the underlying chemical processes

Dynamic walking features and improved walking performance in multiple sclerosis patients treated with fampridine (4-aminopyridine)

Background: Impaired walking capacity is a frequent confinement in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Patients are affected by limitations in coordination, walking speed and the distance they may cover. Also abnormal dynamic walking patterns have been reported, involving continuous deceleration over time. Fampridine (4-aminopyridine), a potassium channel blocker, may improve walking in MS. The objective of the current study was to comprehensively examine dynamic walking characteristics and improved walking capacity in MS patients treated with fampridine. Methods: A sample of N = 35 MS patients (EDSS median: 4) underwent an electronic walking examination prior to (Time 1), and during treatment with fampridine (Time 2). Patients walked back and forth a distance of 25 ft for a maximum period of 6 min (6-minute 25-foot-walk). Besides the total distance covered, average speed on the 25-foot distance and on turns was determined separately for each test minute, at Time 1 and Time 2. Results: Prior to fampridine administration, 27/35 patients (77 %) were able to complete the entire 6 min of walking, while following the administration, 34/35 patients (97 %) managed to walk for 6 min. In this context, walking distance considerably increased and treatment was associated with faster walking and turning across all six test minutes (range of effect sizes: partial eta squared = .34-.72). Importantly, previously reported deceleration across test minutes was consistently observable at Time 1 and Time 2. Discussion: Fampridine administration is associated with improved walking speed and endurance. Regardless of a treatment effect of fampridine, the previously identified, abnormal dynamic walking feature, i.e. the linear decline in walking speed, may represent a robust feature. Conclusions: The dynamic walking feature might hence be considered as a candidate for a new outcome measure in clinical studies involving interventions other than symptomatic treatment, such as immune-modulating medication. Trial registration: DRKS00009228 (German Clinical Trials Register). Date obtained: 25.08.2015

Electronic transport in polycrystalline graphene

Most materials in available macroscopic quantities are polycrystalline. Graphene, a recently discovered two-dimensional form of carbon with strong potential for replacing silicon in future electronics, is no exception. There is growing evidence of the polycrystalline nature of graphene samples obtained using various techniques. Grain boundaries, intrinsic topological defects of polycrystalline materials, are expected to dramatically alter the electronic transport in graphene. Here, we develop a theory of charge carrier transmission through grain boundaries composed of a periodic array of dislocations in graphene based on the momentum conservation principle. Depending on the grain boundary structure we find two distinct transport behaviours - either high transparency, or perfect reflection of charge carriers over remarkably large energy ranges. First-principles quantum transport calculations are used to verify and further investigate this striking behaviour. Our study sheds light on the transport properties of large-area graphene samples. Furthermore, purposeful engineering of periodic grain boundaries with tunable transport gaps would allow for controlling charge currents without the need of introducing bulk band gaps in otherwise semimetallic graphene. The proposed approach can be regarded as a means towards building practical graphene electronics.Comment: accepted in Nature Material

Assessing metabolism and function of normothermically perfused ex vivo livers by multinuclear MR imaging and spectroscopy

Synopsis Liver transplantation is the only cure for end-stage liver disease. Unfortunately, 20% of patients die waiting for a donor. New techniques for preserving transplant livers, such as normothermic machine perfusion (NMP), provide an opportunity to utilise ‘marginal’ (currently discarded) donated livers if their viability can be assessed accurately. We present initial results from a CE-marked NMP system that we adapted for use in an MRI scanner. We demonstrate the power of NMP-MRI to assess structure and metabolism in a freshly donated pig liver, dynamically over a 10-hour period. Our protocol includes H imaging, P spectroscopy, and hyperpolarised C spectroscopy.This work was funded by a Sir Henry Dale Fellowship from the Wellcome Trust and the Royal Society (Grant No. 098436/Z/12/Z) and by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre (BRC)