bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring significant edges of public transport network under targeted attacks
Authors: Zhang Hui , Wang Jiangfeng , Shi Baiying , Lu Xiaolin , Jia Jianmin
Published: March 2019

Edges of public transport network (PTN) play important roles in transporting passengers of cities, especially in metropolises. Understanding the significant edges of PTN can provide insights for managers to increase the efficiency of networks. In this work, we construct a new measure called community bridge (CB), which is based on the number of nodes in communities. We propose an edge removal process to test network efficiency (NE), average transfer times (ATT) and correlation coefficient (CC). For comparison, edge measures of degree product (DP), edge betweenness (EB), edge overlap (EO), closeness centrality index (CCI) are introduced for the process. The results show that there are only 12.6% edges are CBs in the network. Removing edges according to CBs can decrease NE more effectively compared with other indicators. However, it cannot increase the ATTs effectively. It is found that removing edges according to CCI is the most effective way to increase ATT under the outranked 15% edges removed. In addition, the results indicate the CC has very different changes according to the introduced removal strategies.
A Steganography Embedding Method Based on Hamming Coding and Histogram-Preserving
Authors: Li Ya-Feng , Yang Ren-Er , Cheng Jie , Dai Hong-Zhu
Published: March 2019

This paper proposes an information hiding algorithm using matrix embedding with Hamming codes and histogram preservation in order to keep the histogram of the image unchanged before and after hiding information in digital media. First, the algorithm uses matrix embedding with Hamming codes to determine the rewriting bits of the original image, rewrite and flip them, and successfully embed the secret information. Then, according to the idea of a break-even point, a balanced pixel frequency adaptive algorithm is proposed and each embedded bit of secret information is detected and compensated by the adjacent bit of histogram data, so that the histogram change of the image before and after information hiding is minimized. At present, most of the histogram distortion values after steganography are generally over 1000 or even higher. As a contrast, the method proposed in this paper can keep the histogram distortion values to be less than 1000. The feasibility and effectiveness of the algorithm are verified by relative entropy analysis as well. The experimental results also show that the algorithm performs well in steganographic analyses of images.
A Hybrid Model Based on Logistic Regression Algorithm and Extraction Algorithm Using Reward Extremum to Real-Time Detect Blade Icing Alarm
Authors: Li Tingshun , Tan Wen , Liu Zesan
Published: March 2019

Generally, the blades of wind turbine installed in cold regions often encounter the situation of icing on their surface in winter, which affects the performance of wind turbine greatly and reduces power generation. Blade icing of wind turbine is a typical alarm related to multivariates, such as environment temperature, humidity, blade rotation and so on. To successfully achieve a supervised classification, it is necessary to extract the correlated features with blade icing. This paper proposes an extraction algorithm using reward extremum which can extract a group of variables correlated to blade icing from many monitoring variables of wind turbine, and they affect each other. This algorithm, using reward function which can measure the reward or value of alarm problem, can effectively distinguish the variables correlated to blade icing from the uncorrelated ones without knowing the mean of variables and the relations between them. Whether the blade of wind turbine is iced or not is a binary logic, so logistic regression algorithm is better choice to detect blade icing. Hence, this paper proposes a hybrid model using logistic regression algorithm and extraction algorithm using reward extremum, which can be built by machine learning with historic monitoring data. This model can real-time detect blade icing by real-time monitoring data. A correlation variable set can be obtained by the application of extraction algorithm using reward extremum on the historic monitoring data; and then the weights of the correlation variables in the set can be gained from the historic data by using logistic regression algorithm, so a blade icing detection pattern can be found using logistic regression algorithm; finally, whether the blade of wind turbine is iced in delay time or not can be real-time detected with the help of the hybrid model by real-time monitoring data. It is proved by wind turbine data that this hybrid model can work well not only to get correlation variable set but also to improve the generalization performance of logistic regression and achieve better prediction results. The performance of the model on blade icing alarm of wind turbine provides a new way to find out multivariate correlation to alarm from the mass historic monitoring data.
Automatic Segmentation of Liver from CT Scans with CCP–TSPM Algorithm
Authors: Zhou Lifang , Wang Lu , Li Weisheng , Liang Shan , Zhang Qi
Published: March 2019

With the increase in the morbidity of liver cancer and its high mortality rate, liver segmentation in abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan images has received extensive attention. Segmentation results play an important role in computer-assisted diagnosis and therapy. However, it remains a challenging task because of the complexity of the liver’s anatomy, low contrast between the liver and its adjacent organs, and presence of lesions. This study presents an automatic method for liver segmentation from CT scan images based on the convex–concave point for tree structured part model (CCP–TSPM). First, TSPM is utilized as a coarse segmentation tool for capturing the topological shape variation. Then, the proposed CCP is implemented to adjust the position between adjacent points dynamically. As a result, the CCP–TSPM can locate the liver boundary adaptively. Furthermore, color space data provide abundant feature information, which can further improve the method’s effectiveness and efficiency. Finally, the curve is evolved by an iteration level set function to obtain the fine segmentation results. The experimental results show that the proposed method can extract the liver boundary successfully. Furthermore, a comparison of the results with those of the state-of-the-art methods demonstrates the superior performance of the proposed method.
A Tracking Window Adaptive Compressive Tracking Algorithm
Authors: Wang Wenhao , Jiang Mingxin , Chen Xiaobing , Hua Li , Gao Shangbing
Published: March 2019

In the original compression tracking algorithm, the size of the tracking box is fixed. There should be better tracking results for scale-invariant objects, but worse tracking results for scale-variant objects. To overcome this defect, a scale-adaptive compressive tracking (CT) algorithm is proposed. First of all, the imbalance of the gray and texture features in the original CT algorithm is balanced by the multi-feature method, which makes the algorithm more robust. Then, searching different candidate regions by using the method of multi-scale search along with feature normalization makes the features extracted from different scales comparable. Finally, the candidate region with the maximum discriminate degree is selected as the object region. Thus, the tracking-box size is adaptive. The experimental results show that when the object scale changes, the improving CT algorithm has higher accuracy and robustness than the original CT algorithm.
A Convolutional Neural Network for Aspect-Level Sentiment Classification
Authors: Xing Yongping , Xiao Chuangbai , Wu Yifei , Ding Ziming
Published: March 2019

Sentiment analysis, including aspect-level sentiment classification, is an important basic natural language processing (NLP) task. Aspect-level sentiment can provide complete and in-depth results. Words with different contexts variably influence the aspect-level sentiment polarity of sentences, and polarity varies based on different aspects of a sentence. Recurrent neural networks (RNNs) are regarded as effective models for handling NLP and have performed well in aspect-level sentiment classification. Extensive literature exists on sentiment classification that utilizes convolutional neural networks (CNNs); however, no literature on aspect-level sentiment classification that uses CNNs is available. In the present study, we develop a CNN model for handling aspect-level sentiment classification. In our model, attention-based input layers are incorporated into CNN to introduce aspect information. In our experiment, in which a benchmark dataset from Twitter is compared with other models, incorporating aspect information into CNN improves aspect-level sentiment classification performance without using syntactic parser or other language features.
Knotting probability of equilateral hexagons
Authors: Hake Kathleen
Published: March 2019

For a positive integer [Formula: see text], the collection of [Formula: see text]-sided polygons embedded in [Formula: see text]-space defines the space of geometric knots. We will consider the subspace of equilateral knots, consisting of embedded [Formula: see text]-sided polygons with unit length edges. Paths in this space determine isotopies of polygons, so path-components correspond to equilateral knot types. When [Formula: see text], the space of equilateral knots is connected. Therefore, we examine the space of equilateral hexagons. Using techniques from symplectic geometry, we can parametrize the space of equilateral hexagons with a set of measure preserving action-angle coordinates. With this coordinate system, we provide new bounds on the knotting probability of equilateral hexagons.
Fundamental and Technical Trading in the Emerging Market of an Oil-Based Economy
Authors: Al-Jassar Sulaiman
Published: March 2019

This paper investigates the roles played by technicians and fundamentalists in the emerging stock market of Kuwait. The impact on stock prices of traders whose actions are founded on technical analysis is differentiated from the impact of traders whose actions are based on fundamental analysis. This differentiation is performed by formulating, estimating and testing a model relating changes in stock prices to the actions of fundamentalists, technicians and the government. Both technicians and fundamentalists are found to contribute to stock price determination, with the former contribution appearing more significant, even when accounting for governmental intervention. Some explanations for these findings are presented.
Vibration Analysis of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Steel–Concrete Composite Beams Considering Shear-Slip Effects
Authors: Wang Jing , Ren Jiageng , Zhang Yunlong
Published: March 2019

This paper presents an accurate analysis of the natural frequency and mode shape of carbon fiber-reinforced steel–concrete composite beam with double-slip surfaces. To study the flexural vibration of the composite beam, a governing differential equation considering the shear-slip effects of two interfaces is formulated. Based on this formulation, the natural frequency and mode shape of carbon fiber-reinforced composite beams are calculated. For comparison purpose, numerical simulations of the composite beams are conducted using the ANSYS in order to verify the present results. High consistency in the two calculation values is revealed. In addition, carbon fiber-reinforced composite beams are fabricated and tested. It is found that the experimental values agreed well with the theoretical results. The findings from this study may provide the benchmark reference for engineering analysis and design of carbon fiber-reinforced steel–concrete composite beams.
p-semisimple modules and type submodules
Authors: Mozaffarikhah A. , Momtahan E. , Olfati A. R. , Safaeeyan S.
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we introduce the concept of [Formula: see text]-semisimple modules. We prove that a multiplication reduced module is [Formula: see text]-semisimple if and only if it is a Baer module. We show that a large family of abelian groups are [Formula: see text]-semisimple. Furthermore, we give a topological characterizations of type submodules (ideals) of multiplication reduced modules ([Formula: see text]-semisimple rings). Moreover, we observe that there is a one-to-one correspondence between type ideals of some algebraic structures on one hand and regular closed subsets of some related topological spaces on the other hand. This also characterizes the form of closed ideals in [Formula: see text].
Color-mapped contour gait image for cross-view gait recognition using deep convolutional neural network
Authors: Linda G. Merlin , Themozhi G. , Bandi Sudheer Reddy
Published: March 2019

In recent decades, gait recognition has garnered a lot of attention from the researchers in the IT era. Gait recognition signifies verifying or identifying the individuals by their walking style. Gait supports in surveillance system by identifying people when they are at a distance from the camera and can be used in numerous computer vision and surveillance applications. This paper proposes a stupendous Color-mapped Contour Gait Image (CCGI) for varying factors of Cross-View Gait Recognition (CVGR). The first contour in each gait image sequence is extracted using a Combination of Receptive Fields (CORF) contour tracing algorithm which extracts the contour image using Difference of Gaussians (DoG) and hysteresis thresholding. Moreover, hysteresis thresholding detects the weak edges from the total pixel information and provides more well-balanced smooth features compared to an absolute one. Second CCGI encodes the spatial and temporal information via color mapping to attain the regularized contour images with fewer outliers. Based on the front view of a human walking pattern, the appearance of cross-view variations would reduce drastically with respect to a change of view angles. This proposed work evaluates the performance analysis of CVGR using Deep Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) framework. CCGI is considered a gait feature for comparing and evaluating the robustness of our proposed model. Experiments conducted on CASIA-B database show the comparisons of previous methods with the proposed method and achieved 94.65% accuracy with a better recognition rate.
A family of system Hamiltonian in quantum adiabatic search type problem
Authors: Sun Jie , Lu Songfeng
Published: March 2019

In this paper [J. Sun, S. Lu and F. Liu, Open Syst. Info. Dyn.23(3) (2016) 1650016], we have studied a general class of adiabatic evolutions in quantum adiabatic search type problem, and found another limitation on it, besides those reported in our early work. In this paper, we extend this study by considering adding an extra driving scheme to the system Hamiltonian of this type of quantum adiabatic evolution. It will be shown that, like the previous study in [J. Sun, S. Lu and F. Liu, Open Syst. Info. Dyn.23(3) (2016) 1650016], the limitation above can also possibly penetrate into the search type quantum-adiabatic computation even by this more general family of system Hamiltonian, which may shed light on what we should have in mind when solving practical problems by means of quantum adiabatic evolution.
Simulation of Plasma Microscopy Properties and Ion Beam–Plasma Interaction Processes in Plasmas by Using MIXKIP/RAPCAL/STOPP CODE
Authors: Gil J. M. , Rodríguez R. , Espinosa G. , Beltrán P. R.
Published: March 2019

In this work, a versatile computational package, named MIXKIP/RAPCAL/STOPP, developed to simulate and calculate the microscopy properties of plasmas as well as the characteristic parameters of the ion beam–plasma interaction processes is presented. The physical and numerical model implemented combines a set of theoretical and numerical approximations which still compare well with more elaborated codes and experimental data. In order to show the capabilities of the computational package, simulations of the spectrally resolved radiative properties of xenon plasmas doped with helium under the conditions of radiative shocks generated at the PALS laser as well as energy loss calculations of carbon ion beams in partially aluminum plasmas are presented.
Harmonic evolutes of B-scrolls with constant mean curvature in Lorentz–Minkowski space
Authors: López Rafael , Šipuš Željka Milin , Gajčić Ljiljana Primorac , Protrka Ivana
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we study harmonic evolutes of [Formula: see text]-scrolls, that is, of ruled surfaces in Lorentz–Minkowski space having no Euclidean counterparts. Contrary to Euclidean space where harmonic evolutes of surfaces are surfaces again, harmonic evolutes of [Formula: see text]-scrolls turn out to be curves. In particular, we show that the harmonic evolute of a [Formula: see text]-scroll of constant mean curvature together with its base curve forms a null Bertrand pair. This allows us to characterize [Formula: see text]-scrolls of constant mean curvature and reconstruct them from a given null curve which is their harmonic evolute.
Collaborative Role of Metropolitan Municipalities in Local Climate Protection Governance Strategies: The Case of Turkish Metropolitan Cities
Authors: Yildirim Korkmaz , Onder Murat
Published: March 2019

The impacts of global warming, environmental pollution and corrective protective policies for climate change have been discussed by scholars for more than half a century. This study elaborates enabling factors for municipalities that have an active role in emission reduction and adaptation in metropolitan cities in Turkey. Annual Action Reports and Strategic Plans of corresponding Turkish metropolitan municipalities in the second period of Kyoto Protocol were examined with document analysis to capture their local climate protection capacities. Secondary data were also gathered mainly from public institutions inventory and reports to determine major external factors on municipal climate initiatives. Ordinary Least Square regression method was used to analyse the extent of enabling factors including socio-economic, emission and vulnerability conditions that have an impact on local climate governance initiatives in metropolitan cities. The findings of the study indicate that emission level and socio-economics capacity of the metropolitan cities in Turkey have a high aspiration for greenhouse gases reduction actions, while vulnerability level of the climate change has no significant effect on municipal decision-makers and practitioners on local climate protection governance.
Global stability for an SEI model of infectious diseases with immigration and age structure in susceptibility
Authors: Huang Gang , Nie Chenguang , Dong Yueping
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we propose an SEI age-structured model for infectious diseases where the susceptibility depends on the age and with immigration of new individuals into the susceptible, exposed and infectious classes. The existence of a global attractor and the asymptotic smoothness of the solution semi-flow generated by the model are addressed. Using a Lyapunov functional, we show that the unique endemic equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable.
The Odd Log-Logistic Geometric Normal Regression Model with Applications
Authors: Prataviera Fábio , Cordeiro Gauss M. , Ortega Edwin M. M. , Suzuki Adriano K.
Published: March 2019

In several applications, the distribution of the data is frequently unimodal, asymmetric or bimodal. The regression models commonly used for applications to data with real support are the normal, skew normal, beta normal and gamma normal, among others. We define a new regression model based on the odd log-logistic geometric normal distribution for modeling asymmetric or bimodal data with support in [Formula: see text], which generalizes some known regression models including the widely known heteroscedastic linear regression. We adopt the maximum likelihood method for estimating the model parameters and define diagnostic measures to detect influential observations. For some parameter settings, sample sizes and different systematic structures, various simulations are performed to verify the adequacy of the estimators of the model parameters. The empirical distribution of the quantile residuals is investigated and compared with the standard normal distribution. We prove empirically the usefulness of the proposed models by means of three applications to real data.
Context-Free Session Type Inference
Authors: Padovani Luca
Published: March 2019

Some interesting communication protocols can be precisely described only by context-free session types, an extension of conventional session types supporting a general form of sequential composition. The complex metatheory of context-free session types, however, hinders the definition of corresponding checking and inference algorithms. In this work, we study a new syntax-directed type system for context-free session types that is easy to embed into a host programming language. We also detail 2 OCaml embeddings that allow us to piggyback on OCaml’s type system to check and infer context-free session types.
Enhancing Potentiometric Response of Electrochemical Sensor Using Modified Ion-Sensitive Transistor
Authors: Abhinav Vishnuram , Patkar Rajul , Vinchurkar Madhuri , Naik Tejas R. , Baghini Maryam Shojaei
Published: March 2019

In this work, we present a novel combination of solid-state ion-selective electrode and field effect transistor (FET) integrated on same platform. Thus, creating an extended gate field effect transistor (EGFET). We have built an electrochemical sensing unit comprised of all solid-state electrodes, an Ag/AgCl reference electrode and ionophore coated gold electrode. Unlike any of the earlier reports, all the electrodes are integrated with a FET in a single plane of the printed circuit board (PCB), hence mitigating the issues of separate wire bonding or external connection between the sensing element and the transducer by using PCB traces. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time, the use of ion sensitive electrode (ISE) in EGFET configuration without degrading the linearity and sensitivity due to the external voltage bias. Potentiometric measurement on our K + ISE shows near Nernstian limit sensitivity (49 mV/decade), low concentration for the limit of detection (10 −6 M), and linearity over a large range of detection(10 −4 M to 1 M).
Comparative evaluation of corrosion effects between nanocrystalline silver alloy and tradition gold stacks using spring probe contacts
Authors: Budhraja Vinay , Stirn Jarvis , Hallstrom Eric , Lutz Brian , Brennan Michael
Published: March 2019

Although silver is evaluated as an alternative of gold, it is more prone to tarnishing, oxidization and corrosion. Recent advancements in nano materials research resulted in a nanocrystalline silver alloy which has several advantages like high hardness, thermal stability, non-coarsen with age, hence a viable solution for connector applications. In this work, the performance of nanocrystalline silver alloy against corrosion was studied. Two different set of spring probes were electroplated on inner and outer regions and tested using force deflection resistance (FDR), life cycle test (LCT), SEM, EDS and X-Ray CT scan. First set of spring probes were electroplated with nanocrystalline silver alloy, nanocrystalline Ni-W, Ni sulfamate and Ni strike with thicknesses of 2.4 µm, 1.8 µm, 2.0 µm and 0.5 µm respectively. Second set of spring probes were electroplated with Gold, Ni sulfamate and Ni strike with thicknesses of 0.9 µm 1.9 µm and 0.5 µm respectively. The body of spring probes was made up of copper alloy. This work reports the changes in electrical, mechanical and material properties of nanocrystalline silver alloy and gold stacks after reliability operations like humidity test for 24 hours and 96 hours, porosity test for 60 mins and salt-fog test for 24 hours.
Zebrafish model of amyloid light chain cardiotoxicity: regeneration versus degeneration
Authors: Mishra Shikha , Joshi Shaurya , Ward Jennifer E. , Buys Eva P. , Mishra Deepak , Mishra Deepa , Morgado Isabel , Fisch Sudeshna , Lavatelli Francesca , Merlini Giampaolo , Dorbala Sharmila , MacRae Calum A. , Liao Ronglih
Published: March 2019

Cardiac dysfunction is the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis caused by a clonal immunoglobulin light chain (LC). Previously published transgenic animal models of AL amyloidosis have not recapitulated the key phenotype of cardiac dysfunction seen in AL amyloidosis, which has limited our understanding of the disease mechanisms in vivo, as well as the development of targeted AL therapeutics. We have developed a transgenic zebrafish model in which a λ LC derived from a patient with AL amyloidosis is conditionally expressed in the liver under the control of the Gal4 upstream activation sequence enhancer system. Circulating LC levels of 125 µg/ml in these transgenic zebrafish are comparable to median pathological serum LC levels. Functional analysis links abnormal contractile function with evidence of cellular and molecular proteotoxicity in the heart, including increased cell death and autophagy. However, despite pathological and functional phenotypes analogous to human AL, the lifespan of the transgenic fish is comparable to control fish without the expressed AL-LC transgene. Nuclear labeling experiments suggest increased cardiac proliferation in the transgenic fish, which can be counteracted by treatment with a small molecule proliferation inhibitor leading to increased zebrafish mortality because of cardiac apoptosis and functional deterioration. This transgenic zebrafish model provides a platform to study underlying AL disease mechanisms in vivo further.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Heart failure is a major cause of mortality in amyloid light (AL) amyloidosis, yet it has been difficult to model in animals. We report the generation of a transgenic zebrafish model for AL amyloidosis with pathological concentration of circulating human light chain protein that results in cardiac dysfunction. The light chain toxicity triggers regeneration in the zebrafish heart resulting in functional compensation early in life, but with age develops into cardiac dysfunction.
Streamlining Detection of Fusion Genes in Colorectal Cancer: Having “Faith” in Precision Oncology in the (Tissue) “Agnostic” Era
Authors: Valeri Nicola
Published: March 2019

The FDA recently granted tissue-agnostic approval for the first-in-class TRK inhibitor larotrectinib for patients whose tumors harbor fusions in neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinases. These fusion genes have a frequency of less than 1% in unselected patients with colorectal cancer. Using a multiomics approach and a clinically annotated cohort of patients with colorectal cancer, Cocco and colleagues showed that patients with sporadic, RAS/BRAF wild-type, mismatch repair–deficient colorectal cancer tumors with MLH1 promoter methylation present fusions in kinase genes in 42% of cases and suggested a diagnostic framework to improve the selection of patients eligible for gene fusion testing.

See related article by Cocco et al., p. 1047
Professionals’ Practices and Views regarding Neonatal Postmortem: Can We Improve Consent Rates by Improving Training?
Authors: Spierson Hannah , Kamupira Susan , Storey Claire , Heazell Alexander E.P.
Published: March 2019

Background: In the UK, rates of neonatal postmortem (PM) are low. Consent for PM is required, and all parents should have the opportunity to discuss whether to have a post-mortem examination of their baby. Objectives: We aimed to explore neonatal healthcare professionals’ experiences, knowledge, and views regarding the consent process for post-mortem examination after neonatal death. Method: An online survey of neonatal healthcare providers in the UK was conducted. Responses from 103 healthcare professionals were analysed, 84 of whom were doctors. The response rate of the British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM) members was 11.7%. Results: Perceived barriers to PM included cultural and religious practices of parents as well as a lack of rapport between parents and professionals. Of the respondents, 69.4% had observed a PM; these professionals had improved satisfaction with their training and confidence in counselling (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001) but not knowledge of the procedure (p = 0.77). Healthcare professionals reported conservative estimates of the likelihood that a PM would identify significant information regarding the cause of death. Conclusions: Confidence of neonatal staff in counselling could be improved by observing a PM. Training for staff in developing a rapport with parents and addressing emotional distress may also overcome significant barriers to consent for PM.
Rationale for Raising Current Clinical Practice Guideline Target for Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Strugnell Stephen A. , Sprague Stuart M. , Ashfaq Akhtar , Petkovich Martin , Bishop Charles W.
Published: March 2019

Background: Vitamin D repletion is recommended for secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) and associated vitamin D insufficiency (VDI) in chronic kidney disease (CKD), but optimal levels of serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D remain undefined. Clinical practice guidelines target sufficiency, whereas recent data indicate that higher levels are required to control the elevation of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) as CKD advances. This secondary analysis of 2 randomized controlled trials seeks to identify the minimum level of mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D required to control SHPT arising from VDI in stage 3 or 4 CKD. Methods: Adult subjects (n = 429) with SHPT, VDI, and stage 3 or 4 CKD were stratified by stage and treated daily with either extended-release calcifediol (ERC) or placebo in 2 identical, parallel, randomized, double-blind studies. After treatment for 26 weeks, all subjects were ranked by the level of serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D and divided into quintiles in order to examine the relationships between the degree of vitamin D repletion and the associated changes in plasma iPTH, serum bone turnover markers, calcium, phosphorus, intact fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and vitamin D metabolites, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and urine calcium:creatinine (Ca:Cr) ratio. Results: Progressive increases in serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and reductions in plasma iPTH and serum bone turnover markers were observed as mean posttreatment serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D rose from 13.9 ng/mL (in Quintile 1) to 92.5 ng/mL (in Quintile 5), irrespective of CKD stage. Mean serum calcium, phosphorus and FGF23, eGFR, and urine Ca:Cr ratio (collectively “safety parameters”) did not significantly change from Quintile 1. Suppression of iPTH and bone turnover markers was not observed until serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D rose to at least 50.8 ng/mL (Quintile 3). Conclusion: ERC therapy produced exposure-dependent reductions in plasma iPTH and bone turnover markers only when mean serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D reached at least 50.8 ng/mL, indicating that current targets for vitamin D repletion therapy in CKD are too low. Gradual elevation of mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 92.5 ng/mL was not associated with significant adverse changes in safety parameters.
Doxorubicin Exposure Causes Subacute Cardiac Atrophy Dependent on the Striated Muscle–Specific Ubiquitin Ligase MuRF1
Authors: Willis Monte S. , Parry Traci L. , Brown David I. , Mota Roberto I. , Huang Wei , Beak Ju Youn , Sola Michael , Zhou Cynthia , Hicks Sean T , Caughey Melissa C. , D’Agostino Ralph B. , Jordan Jennifer , Hundley W. Gregory , Jensen Brian C.
Published: March 2019

Background

Anthracycline chemotherapeutics, such as doxorubicin, are used widely in the treatment of numerous malignancies. The primary dose-limiting adverse effect of anthracyclines is cardiotoxicity that often presents as heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy years after anthracycline exposure. Recent data from animal studies indicate that anthracyclines cause cardiac atrophy. The timing of onset and underlying mechanisms are not well defined, and the relevance of these findings to human disease is unclear.

Methods and Results

Wild-type mice were sacrificed 1 week after intraperitoneal administration of doxorubicin (1–25 mg/kg), revealing a dose-dependent decrease in cardiac mass (
R
2
=0.64;
P
<0.0001) and a significant decrease in cardiomyocyte cross-sectional area (336±29 versus 188±14 µm
2
;
P
<0.0001). Myocardial tissue analysis identified a dose-dependent upregulation of the ubiquitin ligase, MuRF1 (muscle ring finger-1; R
2
=0.91;
P
=0.003) and a molecular profile of muscle atrophy. To investigate the determinants of doxorubicin-induced cardiac atrophy, we administered doxorubicin 20 mg/kg to mice lacking MuRF1 (MuRF1
−/−
) and wild-type littermates. MuRF1
−/−
mice were protected from cardiac atrophy and exhibited no reduction in contractile function. To explore the clinical relevance of these findings, we analyzed cardiac magnetic resonance imaging data from 70 patients in the DETECT-1 cohort and found that anthracycline exposure was associated with decreased cardiac mass evident within 1 month and persisting to 6 months after initiation.

Conclusions

Doxorubicin causes a subacute decrease in cardiac mass in both mice and humans. In mice, doxorubicin-induced cardiac atrophy is dependent on MuRF1. These findings suggest that therapies directed at preventing or reversing cardiac atrophy might preserve the cardiac function of cancer patients receiving anthracyclines.
Pathogenic
RBM20
-Variants Are Associated With a Severe Disease Expression in Male Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Hey Thomas Morris , Rasmussen Torsten B. , Madsen Trine , Aagaard Mads Malik , Harbo Maria , Mølgaard Henning , Møller Jacob E. , Eiskjær Hans , Mogensen Jens
Published: March 2019

Background

As pathogenic variants in the gene for
RBM20
appear with a frequency of 6% among Danish patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), it was the aim to investigate the associated disease expression in affected families.

Methods and Results

Clinical investigations were routinely performed in DCM index-patients and their relatives. In addition, ≥76 recognized and likely DCM-genes were investigated. DNA-sequence-variants within
RBM20
were considered suitable for genetic testing when they fulfilled the criteria of (1) being pathogenic according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics-classification, (2) appeared with an allele frequency of <1:10.000, and (3) segregated with DCM in ≥7 affected individuals. A total of 80 individuals from 15 families carried 5 different pathogenic
RBM20
-variants considered suitable for genetic testing. The penetrance was 66% (53/80) and age-dependent. Males were both significantly younger and had lower ejection fraction at diagnosis than females (age, 29±11 versus 48±12 years;
P
<0.01; ejection fraction, 29±13% versus 38±9%;
P
<0.01). Furthermore, 11 of 31 affected males needed a cardiac transplant while none of 22 affected females required this treatment (
P
<0.001). Thirty percent of
RBM20
-carriers with DCM died suddenly or experienced severe ventricular arrhythmias although no adverse events were identified among healthy
RBM20
-carriers with a normal cardiac investigation. The event-free survival of male
RBM20
-carriers was significantly shorter compared with female carriers (
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

The disease expression associated with pathogenic
RBM20
-variants was severe especially in males. The findings of the current study suggested that close clinical follow-up of
RBM20
-carriers is important which may ensure early detection of disease development and thereby improve management.
Periprocedural Outcomes According to Timing of Clopidogrel Loading Dose in Patients Who Did Not Receive P2Y
12
Inhibitor Pretreatment
Authors: Abtan Jeremie , Ducrocq Gregory , Steg Philippe Gabriel , Stone Gregg W. , Mahaffey Kenneth W. , Gibson C. Michael , Hamm Christian W. , Price Matthew J. , Prats Jayne , Deliargyris Efthymios N. , White Harvey D. , Harrington Robert A. , Bhatt Deepak L. ,   on behalf of the CHAMPION PHOENIX Investigators
Published: March 2019

Background:

In patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), who did not receive P2Y
12
inhibitor pretreatment, the optimal timing of P2Y
12
inhibitor loading dose remains debated. We sought to examine whether the choice of administration of the clopidogrel loading dose before or after the start of PCI had an impact on periprocedural complications, including bleeding.

Methods and Results:

The CHAMPION PHOENIX (A Clinical Trial Comparing Cangrelor to Clopidogrel Standard Therapy in Subjects Who Require Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) double-blind randomized trial compared cangrelor with clopidogrel loading dose at the time of PCI. Pretreatment with clopidogrel before randomization was not permitted per protocol. In the clopidogrel-only group (n=5438), a loading dose was given before (early load [EL]) or after the start of PCI (late load [LL]) according to physician choice. Overall, 3442 (63.3%) patients had EL and 1997 LL (36.7%). Median times were 5 minutes before and 20 minutes after the start of PCI, respectively. EL was more frequently used among patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (84.4%) and non–ST-segment–elevation acute coronary syndromes (71.5%) than in stable patients (53.7%). At 48 hours, rates of the primary outcome of death, myocardial infarction, ischemia-driven revascularization, or stent thrombosis were similar (6.0% versus 5.4%) for EL versus LL, respectively (odds ratio [OR], 1.11 [95% CI, 0.87–1.41];
P
=0.41), and remained so after adjustment for potential confounders, including clinical presentation (OR [95% CI], 1.39 [0.90–2.15];
P
=0.14). Compared with clopidogrel, cangrelor consistently reduced the primary outcome in both EL (4.8% versus 6.0%; OR [95% CI], 0.80 [0.64–0.98]) and LL (4.3% versus 5.4%; OR [95% CI], 0.79 [0.59–1.06]; interaction
P
=0.99). Global Use of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries severe/moderate bleeding rates were similar between treatment arms for both EL (OR [95% CI], 1.24 [0.58–2.66]) and LL (OR [95% CI], 2.53 [0.98–6.54]; interaction
P
=0.25).

Conclusions:

In a nonrandomized comparison of patients with clopidogrel loading before or after the start of PCI, the rates of periprocedural PCI complications, including bleeding, were similar, as were the benefits of cangrelor, regardless of the timing.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01156571.
Risk-Benefit Profile of Longer-Than-1-Year Dual-Antiplatelet Therapy Duration After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation in Relation to Clinical Presentation
Authors: Palmerini Tullio , Bruno Antonio G. , Gilard Martine , Morice Marie-Claude , Valgimigli Marco , Montalescot Gilles , Collet Jean-Philippe , Della Riva Diego , Bacchi-Reggiani Maria Letizia , Steg Philippe Gabriel , Diallo Abdourahmane , Vicaut Eric , Helft Gerard , Nakamura Masato , Généreux Philippe , Vahl Torsten P. , Stone Gregg W.
Published: March 2019

Background:

We sought to determine whether the risks and benefits of prolonging dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) beyond 1 year after drug-eluting stent implantation depend on clinical presentation in a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Methods and Results:

Randomized controlled trials comparing ≤1- versus >1-year DAPT after drug-eluting stent placement were searched through MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, and proceedings of international meetings. The primary efficacy end point was myocardial infarction, whereas the primary safety end point was major bleeding. Net clinical benefit was defined as the composite of myocardial infarction or major bleeding. Outcomes were analyzed according to patient presentation with stable ischemic heart disease versus acute coronary syndromes. The meta-analysis included 6 trials with a total of 21 457 patients, including 14 132 with stable ischemic heart disease and 7325 with acute coronary syndrome. After a median follow-up of 19.5 months, ≤1-year DAPT was associated with higher rates of myocardial infarction compared with >1-year DAPT (hazard ratio [HR], 1.63; 95% CI, 1.37–1.95), with no interaction apparent between treatment effect and clinical presentation. Shorter DAPT was associated with reduced rates of major bleeding compared with longer DAPT (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.42–0.99) with no significant interaction between treatment effect and clinical presentation. However, a net clinical benefit of >1-year DAPT was present in patients with acute coronary syndrome (HR of shorter versus longer DAPT, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.24–2.02) but not in those with stable ischemic heart disease (HR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.89–1.51;
P
interaction
=0.04). Shorter DAPT was also associated with lower rates of noncardiac mortality compared with longer DAPT (HR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.52–0.96), with no significant interaction between treatment effect and clinical presentation (
P
interaction
=0.12).

Conclusions:

Compared with ≤1-year DAPT, >1-year DAPT reduces the risk of myocardial infarction but increases the risk of major bleeding and noncardiac mortality. A net clinical benefit of extended DAPT was apparent for patients with acute coronary syndrome but not for those with stable ischemic heart disease.
RETHINKING THE PRISONER’S DILEMMA GAME WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE PREBISCH-SINGER HYPOTHESIS
Authors: ÖZEKİN Ayça
Published: March 2019

In recent years, the increasing criticism of the
assumptions of Orthodox economic theories has increased the interest in studies
that produce heterodox economics theories. In this context, by criticizing the
assumptions of orthodox economics, heterodox economics has produced new studies
in areas such as international economic theories in which these assumptions are
essential. These theories within heterodox economics are appropriate to be
analyzed with computable methods such as network models and agent-based
modeling because of their features of being adaptable to flexible assumptions
and not including certainty. At this point, game theory is one of the methods
that can be used alone or as an aid to the analysis methods mentioned. This
study aims to contribute to the development of empirical analysis methods in a
flexible structure in which the flexible assumptions of heterodox economics can
be adapted. For this purpose, the game theory, which is purified from the
assumptions of orthodox economics theories with the development of new
Heterodox economics schools, such as the evolutionary game theory and
behavioral game theory, will be used as a tool. 
In the context of this study, "the prisoner's dilemma game gain matrix,"
which is used for the expression of international trade in the practice to be
performed, will be rearranged according to the claim of the Prebisch-Singer
hypothesis. By this means, it will also be
shown how to utilize game theory more broadly as a behavioral rule for
computational methods in newly developed empirical analyses for heterodox
economics theories.
TÜRKİYE ULUSAL VARLIK FONUNA İLİŞKİN BİR DEĞERLENDİRME
Authors: BEKEN Hikmet Gülçin , BALTACI Nuri
Published: March 2019

Dünyadaki örnekleri daha öncelerde kurulmuş olsa da, Ulusal Varlık Fonu(UVF) Türkiye için oldukça yeni bir oluşum olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Pek çok farklı amacı benimseyerek oluşturulan UVF’ler hem kurucu ülkeler hem de ev sahibi ülkeler üzerinden küresel sistemin işleyişini önemli ölçüde etkilemektedir. Politik iktisat içerisinde yeni bir aktör olarak kendine yer bulan UVF’ler; devlet, piyasa ve güç ilişkilerinde yaşanan değişim ve dönüşümde belirleyici olmaktadır.  Mevcut UVF’ler ve Türkiye Ulusal Varlık Fonu üzerinden sağladıkları fayda ve ortaya çıkardıkları maliyetlere bu çalışmada yer verilecektir.
Ontology and Meteorology in Hippocrates’ On Regimen
Authors: Enache Cătălin
Published: March 2019

The paper discusses the ontology and the meteorology of Hippocrates’ On Regimen. The first part presents the elemental theory of fire and water which is based on the elemental powers movement and nutrition, and on the elemental properties warm, cold, wet, and dry. The main claim in this part is that the dualist theory of elements was meant by the Hippocratic author as a comprehensive explanation of the world. The second part presents the metaphysical foundations of meteorology. In On Regimen, natural environment has a considerable impact on human health; the theoretical basis of this interaction is given by the power of nature to transfer its elemental properties to living beings and man.
Lucretius on the Divine
Authors: Eckerman Chris
Published: March 2019

I provide a new interpretation of DRN 3.17-30 and 6.68-79, reading 3.17-30 in relation to Epicurus’ teachings on the mental construction of gods and 6.68-79 in relation to popular religion. I also review 5.1161-1193, discussing the evidence that the passage provides for the idealist and realist theses.
(Big) Society and (Market) Discipline: Social Investment and the Financialisation of Social Reproduction
Authors: Harvie David
Published: March 2019

The United Kingdom is at the forefront of a global movement to establish a social-investment market. At the heart of social investment we find finance – and financialisation. Specifically, we find: a financial market (the social-investment market); a series of financial institutions (Big Society Capital, for example); a financial instrument (the social-impact bond); and a financial practice (social investing). Focusing on the UK, given its pioneering role, this paper first provides a brief history of social investment, tracing its development from the politics of the ‘Third Way’ to the social-impact bond. It then maps the terrain of the social-investment market, explaining the main institutions and actors, and the social-impact bond. Finally, it proposes a framework for analysing the disciplinary logics of finance, which it uses to understand the promise or threat (depending on one’s perspective) of social investment and the social-investment market.
The Great Armenian Flight: Migration and Cultural Change in the Seventeenth-Century Ottoman Empire
Authors: Shapiro Henry R.
Published: March 2019

The seventeenth century was a turning-point in the cultural and demographic history of the Ottoman Empire. Beginning in the late sixteenth century, Ottoman-Armenian subjects began to flee en masse from the Celali Revolts, war with Persia, and famine in Eastern Anatolia to more secure territories in Western Anatolia, Istanbul, and Thrace. This article documents the arrival of Armenian refugees in Thrace using Ottoman Turkish court records from the coastal town of Rodosto (Tekirdağ). After describing the micro-history of an Armenian refugee crisis, this article suggests that these migrations played a catalyzing role in the rise of a distinct “Western Armenian” culture and society, which developed for the first time in the seventeenth-century Ottoman Empire. The rise of this new society was an event of great importance in Ottoman history, as the Armenians would become a critical part of Ottoman economic and cultural life in the empire’s coastal trade cities.
Transcultural Fights: Fortification in Southeast Asian Seas during the Eighteenth Century
Authors: Luengo Pedro
Published: March 2019

Defensive architecture in Southeast Asian port cities during the eighteenth century is a topic never addressed from a transnational perspective. This paper aims to analyze it as a phenomenon of scientific transfer, considering fortifications as a remarkable example of “open air science.” First, it shows the complex situation among antagonistic powers in the Malay and South China seas. From here, it aims to identify the connections between Dutch and Spanish proposals in the area. One model focused on protecting sea routes, while the other was more concerned about maintaining territorial integrity. Later, it considers how local kingdoms from China or Siam to the southern sultanates addressed the problem. Here, a variety of answers have been found, ranging from a complete rejection of European solutions to qualified adaptations and wholesale adoption of them. From all these examples, it is possible to evaluate the nature of technical transfer in a transnational perspective.