bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and youth justice: a prevalence study among young people sentenced to detention in Western Australia
Authors: Bower Carol , Watkins Rochelle E , Mutch Raewyn C , Marriott Rhonda , Freeman Jacinta , Kippin Natalie R , Safe Bernadette , Pestell Carmela , Cheung Candy S C , Shield Helen , Tarratt Lodewicka , Springall Alex , Taylor Jasmine , Walker Noni , Argiro Emma , Leitão Suze , Hamilton Sharynne , Condon Carmen , Passmore Hayley M , Giglia Roslyn
Published: February 2018

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) among young people in youth detention in Australia. Neurodevelopmental impairments due to FASD can predispose young people to engagement with the law. Canadian studies identified FASD in 11%–23% of young people in corrective services, but there are no data for Australia.

Design

Multidisciplinary assessment of all young people aged 10–17 years 11 months and sentenced to detention in the only youth detention centre in Western Australia, from May 2015 to December 2016. FASD was diagnosed according to the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD.

Participants

99 young people completed a full assessment (88% of those consented; 60% of the 166 approached to participate); 93% were male and 74% were Aboriginal.

Findings

88 young people (89%) had at least one domain of severe neurodevelopmental impairment, and 36 were diagnosed with FASD, a prevalence of 36% (95% CI 27% to 46%).

Conclusions

This study, in a representative sample of young people in detention in Western Australia, has documented a high prevalence of FASD and severe neurodevelopmental impairment, the majority of which had not been previously identified. These findings highlight the vulnerability of young people, particularly Aboriginal youth, within the justice system and their significant need for improved diagnosis to identify their strengths and difficulties, and to guide and improve their rehabilitation.
Using big data to improve cardiovascular care and outcomes in China: a protocol for the CHinese Electronic health Records Research in Yinzhou (CHERRY) Study
Authors: Lin Hongbo , Tang Xun , Shen Peng , Zhang Dudan , Wu Jinguo , Zhang Jingyi , Lu Ping , Si Yaqin , Gao Pei
Published: February 2018

Introduction

Data based on electronic health records (EHRs) are rich with individual-level longitudinal measurement information and are becoming an increasingly common data source for clinical risk prediction worldwide. However, few EHR-based cohort studies are available in China. Harnessing EHRs for research requires a full understanding of data linkages, management, and data quality in large data sets, which presents unique analytical opportunities and challenges. The purpose of this study is to provide a framework to establish a uniquely integrated EHR database in China for scientific research.

Methods and analysis

The CHinese Electronic health Records Research in Yinzhou (CHERRY) Study will extract individual participant data within the regional health information system of an eastern coastal area of China to establish a longitudinal population-based ambispective cohort study for cardiovascular care and outcomes research. A total of 1 053 565 Chinese adults aged over 18 years were registered in the health information system in 2009, and there were 23 394 deaths from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2015. The study will include information from multiple epidemiological surveys; EHRs for chronic disease management; and health administrative, clinical, laboratory, drug and electronic medical record (EMR) databases. Follow-up of fatal and non-fatal clinical events is achieved through records linkage to the regional system of disease surveillance, chronic disease management and EMRs (based on diagnostic codes from the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision). The CHERRY Study will provide a unique platform and serve as a valuable big data resource for cardiovascular risk prediction and population management, for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in China.

Ethics and dissemination

The CHERRY Study was approved by the Peking University Institutional Review Board (IRB00001052-16011) in April 2016. Results of the study will be disseminated through published journal articles, conferences and seminar presentations, and on the study website (http://www.cherry-study.org).
MicroRNA 8059 as a marker for the presence and extent of coronary artery calcification
Authors: Howlett Philippa , Cleal Jane K , Wu Huihai , Shah Nikunj , Horton Alex , Curzen Nick , Mahmoudi Michael
Published: February 2018

Objective

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may serve as potential biomarkers in a variety of pathologies. The aim of this study was to determine whether miRNAs could serve as blood-based markers of isolated coronary artery calcification (CAC) defined as CAC in the absence of an underlying metabolic abnormality.

Methods

24 age-matched and sex-matched patients who had been referred for elective CT coronary calcium score and angiography as part of investigation for cardiac chest pain were recruited. Peripheral venesection was performed and an Agatston calcium score was derived from the CT coronary angiogram using default software. RNA was extracted using the LeukoLOCK Total RNA Isolation System for Toray’s microarray analysis and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR).

Results

The patients were well matched for age, sex and conventional risk factors for coronary artery disease. Microarray analysis identified lower expression of miRNA-138-2-3p, miRNA-1181, miRNA-6816-3p and miRNA-8059 in patients with coronary artery calcium score (CACS)=0 vs CACS>100. qRT-PCR confirmed significant downregulation of miRNA-8059 in patients with CACS>100 (CACS=0 vs CACS>100; P=0.03).

Conclusion

miRNA-8059 may serve as a peripheral blood-based biomarker for the presence of CAC, as well as provide a platform for studying the pathophysiological basis of isolated CAC.

Trial registration number

NCT01992848; Results.
The (2,1)-cable Γ-polynomials of knots up to ten crossings
Authors: Takioka Hideo
Published: February 2018

For coprime integers [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the [Formula: see text]-cable [Formula: see text]-polynomial of a knot is the [Formula: see text]-polynomial of the [Formula: see text]-cable knot of the knot, where the [Formula: see text]-polynomial is the common zeroth coefficient polynomial of the HOMFLYPT and Kauffman polynomials. Since it is known that the [Formula: see text]-polynomial is computable in polynomial time, the [Formula: see text]-cable [Formula: see text]-polynomial is also computable in polynomial time. In this paper, we show that the [Formula: see text]-cable [Formula: see text]-polynomial completely classifies the unoriented knots up to ten crossings including the chirality information.
Shimura curves in the Prym locus
Authors: Colombo Elisabetta , Frediani Paola , Ghigi Alessandro , Penegini Matteo
Published: February 2018

We study Shimura curves of PEL type in [Formula: see text] generically contained in the Prym locus. We study both the unramified Prym locus, obtained using étale double covers, and the ramified Prym locus, corresponding to double covers ramified at two points. In both cases, we consider the family of all double covers compatible with a fixed group action on the base curve. We restrict to the case where the family is one-dimensional and the quotient of the base curve by the group is [Formula: see text]. We give a simple criterion for the image of these families under the Prym map to be a Shimura curve. Using computer algebra we check all the examples obtained in this way up to genus 28. We obtain 43 Shimura curves contained in the unramified Prym locus and 9 families contained in the ramified Prym locus. Most of these curves are not generically contained in the Jacobian locus.
Normal bundles of rational curves on complete intersections
Authors: Coskun Izzet , Riedl Eric
Published: February 2018

Let [Formula: see text] be a general Fano complete intersection of type [Formula: see text]. If at least one [Formula: see text] is greater than [Formula: see text], we show that [Formula: see text] contains rational curves of degree [Formula: see text] with balanced normal bundle. If all [Formula: see text] are [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], we show that [Formula: see text] contains rational curves of degree [Formula: see text] with balanced normal bundle. As an application, we prove a stronger version of the theorem of Tian [27], Chen and Zhu [4] that [Formula: see text] is separably rationally connected by exhibiting very free rational curves in [Formula: see text] of optimal degrees.
On the Gaudin model of type G2
Authors: Lu Kang , Mukhin Evgeny
Published: February 2018

We derive a number of results related to the Gaudin model associated to the simple Lie algebra of type G2.

We compute explicit formulas for solutions of the Bethe ansatz equations associated to the tensor product of an arbitrary finite-dimensional irreducible module and the vector representation. We use this result to show that the Bethe ansatz is complete in any tensor product where all but one factor are vector representations and the evaluation parameters are generic.

We show that the points of the spectrum of the Gaudin model in type G2 are in a bijective correspondence with self-self-dual spaces of polynomials. We study the set of all self-self-dual spaces — the self-self-dual Grassmannian. We establish a stratification of the self-self-dual Grassmannian with the strata labeled by unordered sets of dominant integral weights and unordered sets of nonnegative integers, satisfying certain explicit conditions. We describe closures of the strata in terms of representation theory.
Gluing formulas for the L2-Alexander torsions
Authors: Aribi Fathi Ben
Published: February 2018

We prove a Torres-like formula for the [Formula: see text]-Alexander torsions of links, as well as formulas for connected sums and cablings of links. Along the way we compute explicitly the [Formula: see text]-Alexander torsions of torus links inside the three-sphere, the solid torus and the thickened torus.
Double centralizing theorem with respect to q-commutativity relation
Authors: Dolinar Gregor , Guterman Alexander , Kuzma Bojan , Markova Olga
Published: February 2018

Linear algebraic version of celebrated Double Centralizing Theorem states that the set of matrices commuting with all matrices from a centralizer of a given matrix [Formula: see text] coincides with the set of polynomials in [Formula: see text]. We examine the existence of an analogue of this classical result once commutativity is substituted by commutativity up to a factor, which is an important relation in quantum physics.
Decision systems in rough set theory: A set operatorial perspective
Authors: Chiaselotti G. , Gentile T. , Infusino F.
Published: February 2018

In rough set theory (RST), the notion of decision table plays a fundamental role. In this paper, we develop a purely mathematical investigation of this notion to show that several basic aspects of RST can be of interest also for mathematicians who work with algebraic and discrete methods.

In this abstract perspective, we call decision system a sextuple [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] are non-empty sets whose elements are called, respectively, objects, condition attributes, values, [Formula: see text] is a (possibly empty) set whose elements are called decision attributes, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a map.

The basic tool of our analysis is the equivalence relation [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text], depending on the choice of a condition attribute subset [Formula: see text] and defined as follows: [Formula: see text] We denote by [Formula: see text] the equivalence class of [Formula: see text] with respect to [Formula: see text]. We interpret the classical RST notions of consistency and inconsistency for a decision table in an abstract algebraic set operatorial perspective and, in such a context, we introduce and investigate a kind of local consistency in any decision system [Formula: see text]. More specifically, we fix [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and try to determine in what cases all objects [Formula: see text] satisfy the condition [Formula: see text]. Then, we build a formal general framework whose basic tools are two local consistency set operators and a global closure operator, the condition attribute set [Formula: see text]. This paper provides a detailed study of these set operators, of the induced set systems and of the most relevant links between them.
Fault Injection in Production
Authors: Allspaw John
Published: February 2018

When we build Web infrastructures at Etsy, we aim to make them resilient. This means designing them carefully so that they can sustain their (increasingly critical) operations in the face of failure. Thankfully, there have been a couple of decades and reams of paper spent on researching how fault tolerance and graceful degradation can be brought to computer systems. That helps the cause.
Learning to Infer Competitive Relationships in Heterogeneous Networks
Authors: Yang Yang , Tang Jie , Li Juanzi
Published: February 2018

Detecting and monitoring competitors is fundamental to a company to stay ahead in the global market. Existing studies mainly focus on mining competitive relationships within a single data source, while competing information is usually distributed in multiple networks. How to discover the underlying patterns and utilize the heterogeneous knowledge to avoid biased aspects in this issue is a challenging problem. In this article, we study the problem of mining competitive relationships by learning across heterogeneous networks. We use Twitter and patent records as our data sources and statistically study the patterns behind the competitive relationships. We find that the two networks exhibit different but complementary patterns of competitions. Overall, we find that similar entities tend to be competitors, with a probability of 4 times higher than chance. On the other hand, in social network, we also find a 10 minutes phenomenon: when two entities are mentioned by the same user within 10 minutes, the likelihood of them being competitors is 25 times higher than chance. Based on the discovered patterns, we propose a novel Topical Factor Graph Model. Generally, our model defines a latent topic layer to bridge the Twitter network and patent network. It then employs a semi-supervised learning algorithm to classify the relationships between entities (e.g., companies or products). We test the proposed model on two real data sets and the experimental results validate the effectiveness of our model, with an average of +46% improvement over alternative methods. Besides, we further demonstrate the competitive relationships inferred by our proposed model can be applied in the job-hopping prediction problem by achieving an average of +10.7% improvement.
A Session-Based Approach to Fast-But-Approximate Interactive Data Cube Exploration
Authors: Kamat Niranjan , Nandi Arnab
Published: February 2018

With the proliferation of large datasets, sampling has become pervasive in data analysis. Sampling has numerous benefits—from reducing the computation time and cost to increasing the scope of interactive analysis. A popular task in data science, well-suited toward sampling, is the computation of fast-but-approximate aggregations over sampled data. Aggregation is a foundational block of data analysis, with data cube being its primary construct. We observe that such aggregation queries are typically issued in an ad-hoc, interactive setting. In contrast to one-off queries, a typical query session consists of a series of quick queries, interspersed with the user inspecting the results and formulating the next query. The similarity between session queries opens up opportunities for reusing computation of not just query results, but also error estimates. Error estimates need to be provided alongside sampled results for the results to be meaningful. We propose
Sesame
, a rewrite and caching framework that accelerates the entire interactive session of aggregation queries over sampled data. We focus on two unique and computationally expensive aspects of this use case: query speculation in the presence of sampling, and error computation, and provide novel strategies for result and error reuse. We demonstrate that our approach outperforms conventional sampled aggregation techniques by at least an order of magnitude, without modifying the underlying database.
Reducing the Attack Surface
Authors: Neville-Neil George
Published: February 2018

The best way to reduce the attack surface of a piece of software is to remove any unnecessary code. Since you now have two teams demanding that you leave in the code, it’s probably time to think about making two different versions of your binary. The application sounds like it’s an embedded system, so I’ll guess that it’s written in C and take it from there.
Bitcoin’s Underlying Incentives
Authors: Sompolinsky Yonatan , Zohar Aviv
Published: February 2018

Incentives are crucial for the Bitcoin protocol’s security and effectively drive its daily operation. Miners go to extreme lengths to maximize their revenue and often find creative ways to do so that are sometimes at odds with the protocol. Cryptocurrency protocols should be placed on stronger foundations of incentives. There are many areas left to improve, ranging from the very basics of mining rewards and how they interact with the consensus mechanism, through the rewards in mining pools, and all the way to the transaction fee market itself.
Operational Excellence in April Fools’ Pranks
Authors: Limoncelli Thomas A.
Published: February 2018

Successful pranks require care and planning. Write a design proposal and a project plan. Involve operations early. If this is a technical change to your website, perform load testing, preferably including a "dark launch" or hidden launch test. Hide the prank behind a feature flag rather than requiring a new software release. Perform a retrospective and publish the results widely. Remember that some of the best pranks require little or no technical changes at all. For example, one could simply summarize the best practices for launching any new feature but write it under the guise of how to launch an April Fools’ prank. That would be hilarious.
The Work of Titin Protein Folding as a Major Driver in Muscle Contraction
Authors: Eckels Edward C. , Tapia-Rojo Rafael , Rivas-Pardo Jamie Andrés , Fernández Julio M.
Published: February 2018

Single-molecule atomic force microscopy and magnetic tweezers experiments have demonstrated that titin immunoglobulin (Ig) domains are capable of folding against a pulling force, generating mechanical work that exceeds that produced by a myosin motor. We hypothesize that upon muscle activation, formation of actomyosin cross bridges reduces the force on titin, causing entropic recoil of the titin polymer and triggering the folding of the titin Ig domains. In the physiological force range of 4–15 pN under which titin operates in muscle, the folding contraction of a single Ig domain can generate 200% of the work of entropic recoil and occurs at forces that exceed the maximum stalling force of single myosin motors. Thus, titin operates like a mechanical battery, storing elastic energy efficiently by unfolding Ig domains and delivering the charge back by folding when the motors are activated during a contraction. We advance the hypothesis that titin folding and myosin activation act as inextricable partners during muscle contraction.
Zone of Polarizing Activity Regulatory Sequence Mutations/Duplications with Preaxial Polydactyly and Longitudinal Preaxial Ray Deficiency in the Phenotype: A Review of Human Cases, Animal Models, and Insights Regarding the Pathogenesis
Authors: Al-Qattan Mohammad M.
Published: February 2018

Clinicians and scientists interested in developmental biology have viewed preaxial polydactyly (PPD) and longitudinal preaxial ray deficiency (LPAD) as two different entities. Point mutations and duplications in the zone of polarizing activity regulatory sequence (ZRS) are associated with anterior ectopic expression of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) in the limb bud and usually result in a PPD phenotype. However, some of these mutations/duplications also have LPAD in the phenotype. This unusual PPD-LPAD association in ZRS mutations/duplications has not been specifically reviewed in the literature. The author reviews this unusual entity and gives insights regarding its pathogenesis.
The Application of Barnes Filter to Positioning the Center of Landed Tropical Cyclone in Numerical Models
Authors: Zou Haibo , Wu Shanshan , Yi Xueting , Wu Nan
Published: February 2018

After a tropical cyclone (TC) making landfall, the numerical model output sea level pressure (SLP) presents many small-scale perturbations which significantly influence the positioning of the TC center. To fix the problem, Barnes filter with weighting parameters C=2500 and G=0.35 is used to remove these perturbations. A case study of TC Fung-Wong which landed China in 2008 shows that Barnes filter not only cleanly removes these perturbations, but also well preserves the TC signals. Meanwhile, the centers (track) obtained from SLP processed with Barnes filter are much closer to the observations than that from SLP without Barnes filter. Based on the distance difference (DD) between the TC center determined by SLP with/without Barnes filter and observation, statistics analysis of 12 TCs which landed China during 2005–2015 shows that in most cases (about 85%) the DDs are small (between −30 km and 30 km), while in a few cases (about 15%) the DDs are large (greater than 30 km even 70 km). This further verifies that the TC centers identified from SLP with Barnes filter are more accurate compared to that directly obtained from model output SLP. Moreover, the TC track identified with Barnes filter is much smoother than that without Barnes filter.
Urban Vulnerability Assessment Using AHP
Authors: Rezaei Alireza , Tahsili Sadra
Published: February 2018

Purpose. Physical expansion of urban areas and cities is of great importance nowadays. Irreparable damages will thus be caused by lack of proper planning against natural disasters. Crisis management will therefore guide through prevention, preparedness, disaster relief, and recovery by planning an appropriate program. Methodology. Principal processes of crisis management against earthquake in Iran were evaluated and discussed. Multicriteria earthquake crisis management was then proposed by means of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Vulnerability of 19 urban areas in Qazvin city was studied and analyzed as a case study. Three main criteria were considered as “physical dimensions and physical vulnerability texture,” “the amount of urban texture responsibility to aid after crisis,” and “possibility of city reversibility after the crisis.” These criteria were divided into 20 subcriteria which were prioritized by a questionnaire survey. Findings. “High population density,” “urban texture of old and repairable buildings,” “lack of relief and medical services,” “a few organic texture areas,” “sidewalks with less than 6 meters width in the region,” and “lack of open spaces in the area” were concluded to be the most important reasons causing high vulnerability of urban texture in Qazvin city.
FluoroGold‐Labeled Organotypic Retinal Explant Culture for Neurotoxicity Screening Studies
Authors: Smedowski Adrian , Pietrucha-Dutczak Marita , Maniar Ruchi , Ajeleti Michael , Matuszek Iwona , Lewin-Kowalik Joanna
Published: February 2018

Preclinical toxicity screening of the new retinal compounds is an absolute requirement in the pathway of further drug development. Since retinal neuron cultivation and in vivo studies are relatively expensive and time consuming, we aimed to create a fast and reproducible ex vivo system for retinal toxicity screening. For this purpose, we used rat retinal explant culture that was retrogradely labeled with the FluoroGold before the isolation. Explants were exposed to a toxic concentration of gentamicin and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), a known neuroprotective agent. The measured outcomes showed the cell density in retinal ganglion cell layer (GCL) and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the culture medium. Gentamicin‐induced oxidative stress resulted in retinal cell damage and rapid LDH release to the culture medium (p < 0.05). Additional CNTF supplementation minimized the cell damage, and the increase of LDH release was insignificant when compared to LDH levels before gentamicin insult (p > 0.05). As well as this, the LDH activity was directly correlated with the cell count in GCL (R = −0.84, p < 0.00001), making a sensitive marker of retinal neuron damage. The FLOREC protocol could be considered as a fast, reproducible, and sensitive method to detect neurotoxicity in the screening studies of the retinal drugs.
In Vitro Fertilization Using Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone Injections Resulted in Healthy Triplets without Increased Attack Rates in a Hereditary Angioedema Case
Authors: Tunakan Dalgıç Ceyda , Düşünür Günsen Fatma , Bulut Gökten , Mete Gökmen Emine Nihal , Sin Aytül Zerrin
Published: February 2018

Hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency (C1-INH-HAE) is a rare, autosomal dominant disorder. The management of pregnant patients with C1-INH-HAE is a challenge for the physician. Intravenous plasma-derived nanofiltered C1-INH (pdC1INH) is the only recommended option throughout pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding period. In order to increase pregnancy rates, physicians use fertilization therapies increasing endogen levels of estrogens. Therefore, these techniques can provoke an increase in the number and severity of edema attacks in C1-INH-HAE. Our patient is a 32-year-old female, diagnosed with C1-INH-HAE type 1 since 2004. She had been taking danazol 50–200 mg/day for 9 years. Due to her pregnancy plans in 2013, danazol was discontinued. PdC1INH was prescribed regularly for prophylactic purpose. Triplet pregnancy occurred by in vitro fertilization using luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) injections. In our patient, LHRH injections were done four times without causing any severe attack during in vitro fertilization. Angioedema did not worsen during pregnancy and delivery due to the prophylactic use of intravenous pdC1INH in our patient. According to the attack frequency and severity, there was no difference between the three pregnancy trimesters. To our knowledge, this is the first published case of C1-INH-HAE receiving in vitro fertilization therapies without any angioedema attacks during pregnancy and delivery and eventually having healthy triplets with the prophylactic use of intravenous pdC1INH.
Urethral Caruncle Presented as Premature Menarche in a 4-Year-Old Girl
Authors: Gamage Manori , Beneragama D.
Published: February 2018

Urethral caruncle (UC) is a benign fleshy outgrowth at the urethral meatus. It was first described by Samuel Sharp in 1750 and occurs mainly at the posterior lip of the urethra, and the exact aetiology is still uncertain. More often it was seen in the postmenopausal women, and only few cases are reported in young girls. Patients may be asymptomatic and could find this as an incidental finding or they may present with symptoms such as dysuria, bleeding per vagina, haematuria, a mass protruding through vagina, and acute retention of urine. Here, we report the case history of a 4-year-old girl presented with vaginal bleeding which was taken as she has attended menarche and found to have urethral caruncle which was the cause for bleeding. Histology confirmed the diagnosis, and girl was completely cured following surgical excision.
Perception-Based Tactile Soft Keyboard for the Touchscreen of Tablets
Authors: Kim Kwangtaek
Published: February 2018

Most mobile devices equipped with touchscreens provide on-screen soft keyboard as an input method. However, many users are experiencing discomfort due to lack of physical feedback that causes slow typing speed and error-prone typing, as compared to the physical keyboard. To solve the problem, a platform-independent haptic soft keyboard suitable for tablet-sized touchscreens was proposed and developed. The platform-independent haptic soft keyboard was verified on both Android and Windows. In addition, a psychophysical experiment has been conducted to find an optimal strength of key click feedback on touchscreens, and the perception result was applied for making uniform tactile forces on touchscreens. The developed haptic soft keyboard can be easily integrated with existing tablets by putting the least amount of effort. The evaluation results confirm platform independency, fast tactile key click feedback, and uniform tactile force distribution on touchscreen with using only two piezoelectric actuators. The proposed system was developed on a commercial tablet (Mu Pad) that has dual platforms (Android and Windows).
Eliminating the Effect of Rating Bias on Reputation Systems
Authors: Wu Leilei , Ren Zhuoming , Ren Xiao-Long , Zhang Jianlin , Lü Linyuan
Published: February 2018

The ongoing rapid development of the e‐commercial and interest‐base websites makes it more pressing to evaluate objects’ accurate quality before recommendation. The objects’ quality is often calculated based on their historical information, such as selected records or rating scores. Usually high quality products obtain higher average ratings than low quality products regardless of rating biases or errors. However, many empirical cases demonstrate that consumers may be misled by rating scores added by unreliable users or deliberate tampering. In this case, users’ reputation, that is, the ability to rate trustily and precisely, makes a big difference during the evaluation process. Thus, one of the main challenges in designing reputation systems is eliminating the effects of users’ rating bias. To give an objective evaluation of each user’s reputation and uncover an object’s intrinsic quality, we propose an iterative balance (IB) method to correct users’ rating biases. Experiments on two datasets show that the IB method is a highly self‐consistent and robust algorithm and it can accurately quantify movies’ actual quality and users’ stability of rating. Compared with existing methods, the IB method has higher ability to find the “dark horses,” that is, not so popular yet good movies, in the Academy Awards.
Nanocomposite Coatings: Preparation, Characterization, Properties, and Applications
Authors: Nguyen-Tri Phuong , Nguyen Tuan Anh , Carriere Pascal , Ngo Xuan Cuong
Published: February 2018

Incorporation of nanofillers into the organic coatings might enhance their barrier performance, by decreasing the porosity and zigzagging the diffusion path for deleterious species. Thus, the coatings containing nanofillers are expected to have significant barrier properties for corrosion protection and reduce the trend for the coating to blister or delaminate. On the other hand, high hardness could be obtained for metallic coatings by producing the hard nanocrystalline phases within a metallic matrix. This article presents a review on recent development of nanocomposite coatings, providing an overview of nanocomposite coatings in various aspects dealing with the classification, preparative method, the nanocomposite coating properties, and characterization methods. It covers potential applications in areas such as the anticorrosion, antiwear, superhydrophobic area, self-cleaning, antifouling/antibacterial area, and electronics. Finally, conclusion and future trends will be also reported.
Identification of Hollow Viscus Injury with FAST Examination in Kurdistan, Iraq
Authors: Al-Sindy Ruj , Alaqrawy Heleen , Hafdullah Mahmood Sh. , Butts Christine
Published: February 2018

Point-of-care ultrasound has become indispensable in the evaluation of trauma, particularly in low resource areas, where it may be the only rapidly available imaging modality. The FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma) in particular can be lifesaving, by rapidly detecting signs of intra-abdominal hemorrhage. However, the FAST is primarily designed to identify free fluid associated with solid organ injury and is thought to have less sensitivity and power in identifying evidence of hollow viscus injury. We present a case of an unidentified man that presented to a hospital in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, a region of low resources, surrounded by war. The FAST exam proved to be the key to identifying this patient’s injuries.
Effect of Different Carbon Sources on Biosurfactants’ Production by Three Strains ofLactobacillusspp.
Authors: Mouafo Tene Hippolyte , Mbawala Augustin , Ndjouenkeu Robert
Published: February 2018

The potential of three indigenous bacterial strains (Lactobacillus delbrueckiiN2,Lactobacillus cellobiosusTM1, andLactobacillus plantarumG88) for the production of biosurfactants using sugar cane molasses or glycerol as substrates was investigated through emulsifying, surface tension, and antimicrobial activities. The different biosurfactants produced with molasses as substrate exhibited high surface tension reduction from 72 mN/m to values ranged from 47.50 ± 1.78 to 41.90 ± 0.79 mN/m and high emulsification index ranging from 49.89 ± 5.28 to 81.00 ± 1.14%. Whatever theLactobacillusstrain or the substrate used, the biosurfactants produced showed antimicrobial activities againstCandida albicansLV1, some pathogenic and/or spoilage Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The yields of biosurfactants with molasses (2.43 ± 0.09 to 3.03 ± 0.09 g/L) or glycerol (2.32 ± 0.19 to 2.82 ± 0.05 g/L) were significantly (p<0.05) high compared to those obtained with MRS broth as substrate (0.30 ± 0.02 to 0.51 ± 0.09 g/L). Preliminary characterization of crude biosurfactants reveals that they are mainly glycoproteins and glycolipids with molasses and glycerol as substrate, respectively. Therefore, sugar cane molasses or glycerol can effectively be used byLactobacillusstrains as low-cost substrates to increase their biosurfactants production.
Prosopagnosia as a Type of Conversion Disorder
Authors: Power Clodagh , Hannigan Oisin , Coen Robert , Bruce Irene , Gibb Matthew , McCarthy Marie , Robinson David , Lawlor Brian A.
Published: February 2018

Background. Conversion disorder is a common and debilitating condition that remains poorly understood. We present a previously undescribed form of conversion disorder to highlight the complexity of the condition and consider the interplay of factors that produce conversion symptoms. Case. A 50-year-old male presented with acquired prosopagnosia and language impairment. Neuropsychological testing indicated right temporal lobe dysfunction. Extensive work-up outruled an organic aetiology. Reactivation of childhood trauma coincided with the onset of his symptoms. Childhood trauma is known to have adverse effects on the developing brain which may affect an individual’s emotional behaviour and coping style. Functional neuroimaging techniques suggest that conversion symptoms may be linked to the disruption of higher order neural circuitry involved in the integration of emotional processing and cortical functioning. Conclusions. We propose that our patient’s adverse childhood experiences led to the development of a particular personality and coping style that “primed” him for a later abnormal emotional and behavioural response when confronted with reminders of his traumatic background. Further interdisciplinary studies are required to further elucidate the neurobiological basis for this condition.
Convergent Power Series of sech⁡(x) and Solutions to Nonlinear Differential Equations
Authors: Al Khawaja U. , Al-Mdallal Qasem M.
Published: February 2018

It is known that power series expansion of certain functions such as sech⁡(x) diverges beyond a finite radius of convergence. We present here an iterative power series expansion (IPS) to obtain a power series representation of sech⁡(x) that is convergent for all x. The convergent series is a sum of the Taylor series of sech⁡(x) and a complementary series that cancels the divergence of the Taylor series for x≥π/2. The method is general and can be applied to other functions known to have finite radius of convergence, such as 1/(1+x2). A straightforward application of this method is to solve analytically nonlinear differential equations, which we also illustrate here. The method provides also a robust and very efficient numerical algorithm for solving nonlinear differential equations numerically. A detailed comparison with the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method and extensive analysis of the behavior of the error and CPU time are performed.
Harsh Working Conditions and Poor Eating Habits: Health-Related Concerns of Female Head Porters (Kayayei) in the Mallam Atta Market, Accra, Ghana
Authors: Nyarko Samuel Harrenson , Tahiru Abdul Majeed
Published: February 2018

Background. The kaya business is known to pose significant health-related risks to female migrants. This study sought to explore the health-related concerns of female head porters in the Mallam Atta market, Accra, Ghana. Methods. A qualitative study was conducted in which twenty female head porters at the Mallam Atta market in Accra were interviewed. A thematic analysis was performed and the emerging themes were presented and supported with quotations from the respondents. Results. Poor accommodation and eating habits, harsh working conditions, and lack of knowledge about health conditions exposed the respondents to several health-related concerns like neck pains, skin rashes, malaria, cholera, and stomach ache among other infections. The popular means of seeking health care was through purchasing drugs from pharmacies or drug peddlers instead of health facilities. Financial constraints, lack of faith in the National Health Insurance Scheme, and long waiting periods at the health facilities militated against seeking appropriate health care at the hospitals and clinics. Conclusion. Political willpower needs to be strengthened for poverty reduction strategies such as training of hairdressing, dress and soap making, and shea butter processing for women from the Northern regions in order to ameliorate their livelihoods and/or reduce migration to the south.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Oriented PLGA/ACECM Composite Scaffolds Enhance Structure-Specific Regeneration of Hyaline Cartilage in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Guo Weimin , Zheng Xifu , Zhang Weiguo , Chen Mingxue , Wang Zhenyong , Hao Chunxiang , Huang Jingxiang , Yuan Zhiguo , Zhang Yu , Wang Mingjie , Peng Jiang , Wang Aiyuan , Wang Yu , Sui Xiang , Xu Wenjing , Liu Shuyun , Lu Shibi , Guo Quanyi
Published: February 2018

Articular cartilage lacks a blood supply and nerves. Hence, articular cartilage regeneration remains a major challenge in orthopedics. Decellularized extracellular matrix- (ECM-) based strategies have recently received particular attention. The structure of native cartilage exhibits complex zonal heterogeneity. Specifically, the development of a tissue-engineered scaffold mimicking the aligned structure of native cartilage would be of great utility in terms of cartilage regeneration. Previously, we fabricated oriented PLGA/ACECM (natural, nanofibrous, articular cartilage ECM) composite scaffolds. In vitro, we found that the scaffolds not only guided seeded cells to proliferate in an aligned manner but also exhibited high biomechanical strength. To detect whether oriented cartilage regeneration was possible in vivo, we used mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)/scaffold constructs to repair cartilage defects. The results showed that cartilage defects could be completely regenerated. Histologically, these became filled with hyaline cartilage and subchondral bone. Moreover, the aligned structure of cartilage was regenerated and was similar to that of native tissue. In conclusion, the MSC/scaffold constructs enhanced the structure-specific regeneration of hyaline cartilage in a rabbit model and may be a promising treatment strategy for the repair of human cartilage defects.
NRAS-Mutated Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells Are Vulnerable to Mitochondrial Apoptosis Induced by Coinhibition of MEK and PI3Kα
Authors: Dolgikh Nadezda , Hugle Manuela , Vogler Meike , Fulda Simone
Published: February 2018

Sequencing studies have revealed recurrent mutations in the RAS pathway in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). However, RAS effector pathways in RMS are poorly defined. Here, we report that coinhibition of NRAS or MEK plus PI3Kα triggers widespread apoptosis in NRAS-mutated RMS cells. Subtoxic concentrations of the MEK inhibitor MEK162 and the PI3Kα-specific inhibitor BYL719 synergized to trigger apoptosis in NRAS-mutated RMS cells in vitro and in vivo. NRAS- or HRAS-mutated cell lines were more vulnerable to MEK162/BYL719 cotreatment than RAS wild-type cell lines, and MEK162/BYL719 cotreatment was more effective to trigger apoptosis in NRAS-mutated than RAS wild-type RMS tumors in vivo. We identified BCL-2–modifying factor (BMF) as an inhibitory target of oncogenic NRAS, with either NRAS silencing or MEK inhibition upregulating BMF mRNA and protein levels, which BYL719 further increased. BMF silencing ablated MEK162/BYL719-induced apoptosis. Mechanistic investigations implicated a proapoptotic rebalancing of BCL-2 family members and suppression of cap-dependent translation in apoptotic sensitivity upon MEK162/BYL719 cotreatment. Our results offer a rationale for combining MEK- and PI3Kα-specific inhibitors in clinical treatment of RAS-mutated RMS.

Significance: These findings offer a mechanistic rationale for combining MEK- and PI3Kα-specific inhibitors in the clinical treatment of RAS-mutated forms of often untreatable rhabdomyosarcomas. Cancer Res; 78(8); 2000–13. ©2018 AACR.
Nuclear Receptor LRH-1 Functions to Promote Castration-Resistant Growth of Prostate Cancer via Its Promotion of Intratumoral Androgen Biosynthesis
Authors: Xiao Lijia , Wang Yuliang , Xu Kexin , Hu Hao , Xu Zhenyu , Wu Dinglan , Wang Zhu , You Wenxing , Ng Chi-Fai , Yu Shan , Chan Franky Leung
Published: February 2018

Targeting of steroidogenic enzymes (e.g., abiraterone acetate targeting CYP17A1) has been developed as a novel therapeutic strategy against metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, resistance to steroidal inhibitors inevitably develops in patients, the mechanisms of which remain largely unknown. Liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1, NR5A2) is a nuclear receptor, originally characterized as an important regulator of some liver-specific metabolic genes. Here, we report that LRH-1, which exhibited an increased expression pattern in high-grade prostate cancer and CRPC xenograft models, functions to promote de novo androgen biosynthesis via its direct transactivation of several key steroidogenic enzyme genes, elevating intratumoral androgen levels and reactivating AR signaling in CRPC xenografts as well as abiraterone-treated CRPC tumors. Pharmacologic inhibition of LRH-1 activity attenuated LRH-1–mediated androgen deprivation and anti-androgen resistance of prostate cancer cells. Our findings not only demonstrate the significant role of LRH-1 in the promotion of intratumoral androgen biosynthesis in CRPC via its direct transcriptional control of steroidogenesis, but also suggest targeting LRH-1 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for CRPC management.

Significance: These findings not only demonstrate the significant role of the nuclear receptor LRH-1 in the promotion of intratumoral androgen biosynthesis in CRPC via its direct transcriptional control of steroidogenesis, but also suggest targeting LRH-1 could be a potential therapeutic strategy for CRPC management. Cancer Res; 78(9); 2205–18. ©2018 AACR.
SPON2 Promotes M1-like Macrophage Recruitment and Inhibits Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis by Distinct Integrin–Rho GTPase–Hippo Pathways
Authors: Zhang Yan-Li , Li Qing , Yang Xiao-Mei , Fang Fang , Li Jun , Wang Ya-Hui , Yang Qin , Zhu Lei , Nie Hui-Zhen , Zhang Xue-Li , Feng Ming-Xuan , Jiang Shu-Heng , Tian Guang-Ang , Hu Li-Peng , Lee Ho-Young , Lee Su-Jae , Xia Qiang , Zhang Zhi-Gang
Published: February 2018

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) represent key regulators of the complex interplay between cancer and the immune microenvironment. Matricellular protein SPON2 is essential for recruiting lymphocytes and initiating immune responses. Recent studies have shown that SPON2 has complicated roles in cell migration and tumor progression. Here we report that, in the tumor microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), SPON2 not only promotes infiltration of M1-like macrophages but also inhibits tumor metastasis. SPON2-α4β1 integrin signaling activated RhoA and Rac1, increased F-actin reorganization, and promoted M1-like macrophage recruitment. F-Actin accumulation also activated the Hippo pathway by suppressing LATS1 phosphorylation, promoting YAP nuclear translocation, and initiating downstream gene expression. However, SPON2-α5β1 integrin signaling inactivated RhoA and prevented F-actin assembly, thereby inhibiting HCC cell migration; the Hippo pathway was not noticeably involved in SPON2-mediated HCC cell migration. In HCC patients, SPON2 levels correlated positively with prognosis. Overall, our findings provide evidence that SPON2 is a critical factor in mediating the immune response against tumor cell growth and migration in HCC.

Significance: Matricellular protein SPON2 acts as an HCC suppressor and utilizes distinct signaling events to perform dual functions in HCC microenvironment.

Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/78/9/2305/F1.large.jpg. Cancer Res; 78(9); 2305–17. ©2018 AACR.
Induction Chemotherapy plus Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Endemic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Individual Patient Data Pooled Analysis of Four Randomized Trials
Authors: Chen Yu-Pei , Tang Ling-Long , Yang Qi , Poh Sharon-Shuxian , Hui Edwin P. , Chan Anthony T.C. , Ong Whee-Sze , Tan Terence , Wee Joseph , Li Wen-Fei , Chen Lei , Ma Brigette B.Y. , Tong Macy , Tan Sze-Huey , Cheah Shie-Lee , Fong Kam-Weng , Sommat Kiattisa , Soong Yoke Lim , Guo Ying , Lin Ai-Hua , Sun Ying , Hong Ming-Huang , Cao Su-Mei , Chen Ming-Yuan , Ma Jun
Published: February 2018

Purpose: Because of the uneven geographic distribution and small number of randomized trials available, the value of additional induction chemotherapy (IC) to concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains controversial. This study performed an individual patient data (IPD) pooled analysis to better assess the precise role of IC + CCRT in locoregionally advanced NPC.

Experimental Design: Four randomized trials in endemic areas were identified, representing 1,193 patients; updated IPD were obtained. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were the primary and secondary endpoints, respectively.

Results: Median follow-up was 5.0 years. The HR for PFS was 0.70 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.56–0.86; P = 0.0009; 9.3% absolute benefit at 5 years] in favor of IC + CCRT versus CCRT alone. IC + CCRT also improved OS (HR = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.57–0.99; P = 0.04) and reduced distant failure (HR = 0.68; 95% CI, 0.51–0.90; P = 0.008). IC + CCRT had a tendency to improve locoregional control compared with CCRT alone (HR = 0.70; 95% CI, 0.48–1.01; P = 0.06). There was no heterogeneity between trials in any analysis. No interactions between patient characteristics and treatment effects on PFS or OS were found. After adding two supplementary trials to provide a more comprehensive overview, the conclusions remained valid and were strengthened. In a supplementary Bayesian network analysis, no statistically significant differences in survival between different IC regimens were detected.

Conclusions: This IPD pooled analysis demonstrates the superiority of additional IC over CCRT alone in locoregionally advanced NPC, with the survival benefit mainly associated with improved distant control. Clin Cancer Res; 24(8); 1824–33. ©2018 AACR.