bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The gravitational rainbow beyond Einstein gravity
Authors: de Rham Claudia
Published: January 2019

The recent direct detection of gravitational waves have been successfully used to examine the basic properties of the gravitational degrees of freedom. They set an upper bound on their mass and constrain their speed of propagation with unprecedented accuracy. Within the current realm of observational and theoretical constraints, we explore the possibility for gravity to depart from general relativity (GR) in the infrared and derive the implications on our observable Universe. We also investigate whether these types of models could ever enjoy a standard analytic UV completion.
Dark energy and modified gravity in degenerate higher-order scalar–tensor (DHOST) theories: A review
Authors: Langlois David
Published: January 2019

This paper reviews scalar–tensor theories characterized by a Lagrangian that, despite the presence of second-order derivatives, contains a single scalar degree of freedom. These theories, known as Degenerate Higher-Order Scalar–Tensor (DHOST) theories, include Horndeski and Beyond Horndeski theories. They propagate a single scalar mode as a consequence of the degeneracy of their Lagrangian and, therefore, are not plagued by an Ostrogradsky instability. They have been fully classified up to cubic order in second-order derivatives. The study of their phenomenological consequences restricts the subclass of DHOST theories that are compatible with observations. In cosmology, these theories can be described in the language of the unified effective approach to dark energy and modified gravity. Compact objects in the context of DHOST theories are also discussed.
Multi-fluid theory and cosmology: A convective variational approach to interacting dark-sector
Authors: Osano Bob , Oreta Timothy
Published: January 2019

The interaction of dark energy and dark matter has been studied widely using various formalisms in an effort to understand the physics of such gravitational interactions. Such studies are motivated by the idea that they might hold the key to resolving some of the outstanding problems in cosmology. We will consider the relativistic convective variational formalism in our study of dark matter (hereafter DM)-dark energy (hereafter DE) interaction. In particular, we go beyond the gravitational interaction and consider the potential entrainment phenomena involving the two dark-sector constituents. Ours is a formalism paper and focuses on the theoretical considerations that inform the modeling of such interactions.
SAMPLING OF ONE-DIMENSIONAL PROBABILITY MEASURES IN THE CONVEX ORDER AND COMPUTATION OF ROBUST OPTION PRICE BOUNDS
Authors: ALFONSI AURÉLIEN , CORBETTA JACOPO , JOURDAIN BENJAMIN
Published: January 2019

For [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] two probability measures on the real line such that [Formula: see text] is smaller than [Formula: see text] in the convex order, this property is in general not preserved at the level of the empirical measures [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] (resp., [Formula: see text]) are independent and identically distributed according to [Formula: see text] (resp., [Formula: see text]). We investigate modifications of [Formula: see text] (resp., [Formula: see text]) smaller than [Formula: see text] (resp., greater than [Formula: see text]) in the convex order and weakly converging to [Formula: see text] (resp., [Formula: see text]) as [Formula: see text]. According to  Kertz & Rösler(1992) , the set of probability measures on the real line with a finite first order moment is a complete lattice for the increasing and the decreasing convex orders. For [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in this set, this enables us to define a probability measure [Formula: see text] (resp., [Formula: see text]) greater than [Formula: see text] (resp., smaller than [Formula: see text]) in the convex order. We give efficient algorithms permitting to compute [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] (and therefore [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) when [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] have finite supports. Last, we illustrate by numerical experiments the resulting sampling methods that preserve the convex order and their application to approximate martingale optimal transport problems and in particular to calculate robust option price bounds.
Discontinuity adaptive SAR image despeckling using curvelet-based BM3D technique
Authors: Devapal D. , Kumar S. S. , Sethunadh R.
Published: January 2019

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is an all-weather, day and night satellite imaging technology where the radar is mounted on aircraft and successive pulses of radio waves are transmitted to illuminate the target scene. The signal processing of the recorded backscattered echoes produce SAR images. SAR images contain inherent multiplicative speckle noise which is formed due to the constructive and destructive interference of transmitted signals with the returning signals. Speckle noise appears as granular patterns and makes the image interpretation difficult. Non-local means approaches like Block Matching and 3D filtering (BM3D) are effective scheme for removing speckle noise from SAR images. This method gives good performance for additive noise but is not adaptive to curved edges and discontinuities that occur in SAR images affected by multiplicative noise. This paper proposes a three-step refined algorithm to adapt BM3D for despeckling multiplicative speckle noise. In the proposed scheme curvelet is used to find the transform coefficients and this modification in the transform domain improves the despeckling accuracy of BM3D. Also Wiener filtering is replaced with Importance Sampling Unscented Kalman Filtering (ISUKF) for better adapting to discontinuities in the real SAR image. An improved method of grouping is proposed here based on Manhattan distance which better adapts to constantly changing multiplicative noise statistics. A detailed comparative study is carried out on each step using various well-known performance measures. From the results, it is found that the proposed Curvelet-ISUKF-Manhattan BM3D (CIM-BM3D) method of despeckling has better values for all the performance measure and the results are also visually verified.
Implicit Cognition and Psychopathology: Looking Back and Looking Forward
Authors: Teachman Bethany A. , Clerkin Elise M. , Cunningham William A. , Dreyer-Oren Sarah , Werntz Alexandra
Published: January 2019

Implicit cognitive processing is theorized to have a central role in many forms of psychopathology. In the current review, we focus on implicit associations, by which we mean evaluative representations in memory that are difficult to control and do not require conscious reflection to influence affect, cognition, or behavior. We consider definitional and measurement challenges before examining recent empirical evidence for these associations in anxiety, obsessive–compulsive, posttraumatic stress, depressive, and alcohol use disorders. This examination is framed by a brief review of the ways that prominent models of psychopathology represent biased implicit processing of disorder-relevant information. We consider to what extent models reflect more traditional automatic/implicit versus strategic/explicit dual-process perspectives or reflect more recent dynamical systems perspectives in which mental representations are iteratively reprocessed, evolving continuously. Finally, we consider the future research needed to better understand the interactive and temporal dynamics of implicit cognition in psychopathology.
Blueberry IPM: Past Successes and Future Challenges
Authors: Rodriguez-Saona Cesar , Vincent Charles , Isaacs Rufus
Published: January 2019

Blueberry is a crop native to North America with expanding production and consumption worldwide. In the historical regions of production, integrated pest management (IPM) programs have been developed and provided effective control of key insect pests. These have integrated monitoring programs with physical, cultural, biological, behavioral, and chemical controls to meet the intense demands of consumers and modern food systems. Globalization of the blueberry industry has resulted in new pest-crop associations and the introduction of invasive pests into existing and new blueberry-growing areas. Invasive pests—in particular spotted wing drosophila—have been highly disruptive to traditional IPM programs, resulting in increased use of insecticides and the potential to disrupt beneficial insects. Moreover, regulatory agencies have reduced the number of broad-spectrum insecticides available to growers while facilitating registration and adoption of reduced-risk insecticides that have a narrower spectrum of activity. Despite these new tools, increasing international trade has constrained insecticide use because of maximum residue limits, which are often not standardized across countries. Great potential remains for biological, behavioral, cultural, and physical methods to contribute to blueberry IPM, and with more regions investing in blueberry research, we expect regionally relevant IPM programs to develop in the new production regions.
Global Environmental Change and Noncommunicable Disease Risks
Authors: Frumkin Howard , Haines Andy
Published: January 2019

Multiple global environmental changes (GECs) now under way, including climate change, biodiversity loss, freshwater depletion, tropical deforestation, overexploitation of fisheries, ocean acidification, and soil degradation, have substantial, but still imperfectly understood, implications for human health. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) make a major contribution to the global burden of disease. Many of the driving forces responsible for GEC also influence NCD risk through a range of mechanisms. This article provides an overview of pathways linking GEC and NCDs, focusing on five pathways: ( a) energy, air pollution, and climate change; ( b) urbanization; ( c) food, nutrition, and agriculture; ( d) the deposition of persistent chemicals in the environment; and ( e) biodiversity loss.
A Fuzzy Logic System for Vertical Handover and Maximizing Battery Lifetime in Heterogeneous Wireless Multimedia Networks
Authors: Coqueiro Thiago , Jailton José , Carvalho Tássio , Francês Renato
Published: January 2019

Bandwidth and power hungry applications are proliferating in mobile networks at a rapid pace. However, mobile devices have been suffering from a lack of sufficient battery capacity for the intensive/continuous use of these applications. In addition, the mobile ecosystem is currently heterogeneous and comprises a plethora of networks with different technologies such as LTE, Wi-Fi, and WiMaX. Hence, an issue must be addressed to ensure that quality of experience (QoE) is provided for the users in this scenario: an energy-efficient strategy that is designed to extend the battery lifetime of mobile devices. This paper proposes an architecture which provides an intelligent decision-making support system based on Fuzzy Logic for saving the energy of mobile devices within an integrated LTE and Wi-Fi network. The simulated experiments show the benefits of the solution this architecture can provide by using QoE metrics.
Selection of Optimal Threshold of Generalised Rock Quality Designation Based on Modified Blockiness Index
Authors: Chen Qingfa , Yin Tingchang , Jia Hangyu
Published: January 2019

Rock quality designation (RQD) is a critical index for quantifying the degree of rock mass jointing; it is widely used for evaluating the qualities and stabilities of engineering rock masses. However, the use of traditional RQD may yield inaccurate assessments because only core pieces longer than 100 mm are counted. To enhance the utility of RQD, generalised RQD was introduced. Based on the modified blockiness index (MBi), the determination of the optimal threshold of generalised RQD was performed. In this work, 35 types of hypothetical three‐dimensional joint network models were constructed, and their generalised RQD values (with different thresholds) and MBi values were measured. The correlation between the standard ratings of MBi and RQD was assessed; based on this correlation, the theoretical RQD values of the 35 models were derived. The reasonable thresholds of the generalised RQD were determined according to the theoretical RQD values, and the optimal threshold of generalised RQD was obtained using the variation coefficient and anisotropy index of the jointing degree. The discrepancy between the results produced using traditional and generalised RQDs was discussed. Finally, an actual case study was conducted, and the results indicate that the generalised RQD associated with the optimal threshold determined in this study can properly quantify the degree of jointing of a given rock mass.
Intraoperative Complications of Cataract Surgery Using Intracameral Illumination in the Elderly over 75 Years
Authors: Kim Yu Jeong , Park Su Jin , Lee Jong Yeon , Lee Dae Yeong , Nam Dong Heun
Published: January 2019

Purpose. To evaluate intraoperative complications and utilization of adjunctive devices between microscope and intracameral illuminations during cataract surgery in the elderly over 75 years. Design. A retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series Participants. Two hundred eighty-six eyes of 184 patients older than 75 years who underwent cataract surgery using microscope and intracameral illuminations. Methods. A chart review was performed on an advanced cataract surgery group of 141 consecutive cases in which the intracameral illumination was used and on a standard cataract surgery group of 145 consecutive cases in which the intracameral illumination was not used. Main Outcome Measures. Intraoperative complications (posterior capsule rupture, radial tear of the anterior capsule, dropped nucleus, or sulcus-implanted/sclera-fixated IOL) and utilization of adjunctive devices (pupil expansion device or anterior capsule staining). Results. The frequency of use of the pupil expansion device was lower in the advanced cataract surgery group than that in the standard cataract surgery group (0.7% vs 6.9%; p=0.007). Furthermore, the rates of a posterior capsule rupture and at least one intraoperative complication were lower in the advanced cataract surgery group than those in the standard cataract surgery group (0.7% vs 4.8%; p=0.067) (0.7% vs 7.6%; p=0.004). Conclusions. In the current cohort of patients over 75 years, the rate of intraoperative complications was lower when using the intracameral illumination than that when using the conventional method. Cataract surgery using intracameral illumination would be good option for elderly people.
Abnormal Outer Choroidal Vasculature in Amblyopia
Authors: Terada Noriko , Miyata Manabu , Muraoka Yuki , Hata Masayuki , Fujimoto Masahiro , Yokota Satoshi , Nakanishi Hideo , Suda Kenji , Yoshikawa Munemitsu , Ooto Sotaro , Ohtsuki Hiroshi , Tsujikawa Akitaka
Published: January 2019

Purpose. Several studies have indicated morphological changes in the choroid in amblyopia cases. This study investigates whether choroidal vasculature was different among amblyopic and fellow eyes in unilateral amblyopia patients and healthy eyes, using en face images acquired via swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Design. Prospective, observational case-control study. Methods. This study included 14 consecutive patients with unilateral amblyopia and 22 age- and axial length-matched healthy eyes. Using SS-OCT, we obtained en face images of choroidal vasculature midway through the subfoveal inner and total choroid, corresponding to the vasculature of the choriocapillaris and Sattler’s layer (inner choroid) and Haller’s layer (outer choroid), respectively. We analyzed the en face images of the inner and outer choroidal vascular areas in 3 × 3 mm squares adjusted from 6 × 6 mm squares, using Littmann’s magnification correction, after binarization of the images as a portion of the whole area. Results. The outer choroidal vascular areas were larger in both amblyopic and fellow eyes than in healthy eyes (both P<0.001), although there were no significant differences in inner (56.35 ± 2.46% and 56.27 ± 3.75%, respectively) or outer (61.49 ± 4.95% and 61.48 ± 3.73%, respectively) choroidal vascular area between amblyopic and fellow eyes (P=0.98  and  0.91, respectively). An outer choroidal vascular area of 59% was set as an appropriate cutoff value for distinguishing patients from controls. Conclusions. The outer choroidal vascular area was larger in both amblyopic eyes and fellow eyes compared to healthy eyes. Our findings may help clarify the etiology of amblyopia.
Cardiac Manifestations in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Clinical Correlates of Subclinical Echocardiographic Features
Authors: Mohamed Alaa A. A. , Hammam Nevin , EL Zohri Mona H. , Gheita Tamer A.
Published: January 2019

Objectives. This study aims to correlate subclinical echocardiographic features with the clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic profiles of the patients to characterize risks for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) cardiac diseases. Methods. The study included 59 SLE patients. Demographic data, disease characteristics, and current therapies were recorded, and the anthropometric measurements and routine laboratory tests were performed. The disease activity by the SLE Disease Activity Index-2K (SLEDAI2K) and the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) were assessed. Two-dimensional echocardiography was performed. Results. The mean age of the patients was 31.3 ± 10.5 years, and the disease duration was 5.18 ± 4.1 years. 86.4% of the patients were females. Cardiac presentations by echocardiography were mainly mitral regurgitation (33.9%), tricuspid regurgitation (32.2%), mitral thickening (18.6%), aortic thickening (13.6%), pericardial effusion (13.6%), and pulmonary hypertension (8.5%) in order of frequency. The frequency of different echocardiographic findings with respect to other clinical phenotypes showed peaks with renal disease, MetS, and leukopenia. Components of MetS (triglycerides, high systolic blood pressure) and avascular necrosis were significant predictors for pericardial diseases (OR=1.011 CI 95% 1-1.022, p=0.046, OR=1.157 CI 95% 1.025-1.307, p=0.018, and OR=74.78 CI 95% 2.52-2215.76, p=0.013, respectively), and it is likely that hydroxychloroquine was protective against them. Age of the patients was a significant predictor for tricuspid regurgitation (OR=1.063 CI 95% 1.004-1.126, p=0.036). Mucosal ulcers were negative predictors for mitral thickening and regurgitation (OR=0.2 CI 95% 0.059-0.673, p=0.009). The use of corticosteroids appeared to protect against a number of valve lesions especially tricuspid regurgitation (OR=0.299 CI 95% 0.088-1.019, p=0.054). Conclusion. This study highlighted different echocardiographic features and identified clinical predictors of different cardiac pathologies aiming to determine patients at risk and improve the prognosis of SLE cardiac diseases.
Numerical Simulation of Parameters Optimization for Goaf Gas Boreholes
Authors: Liu Jiajia , Gao Jianliang , Yang Ming , Wang Dan , Wang Liang
Published: January 2019

In view of the ground drilling of the N2206 working face in Shanxi Wangzhuang Coal Mine, the gas concentration is low and the extraction effect is not good. Fluent computational fluid dynamics software was used to simulate the ground extraction drilling position of the N2206 working face in the goaf (the distance from the top of the coal seam and the distance from the return to the wind). The numerical simulation results show that when the final hole of the ground extraction hole in the goaf is 16 m from the roof of the coal seam and the distance from the return air is 45 m, the extraction effect is optimal. The average extraction gas volume is 9.78 m3/min, and the average extraction gas concentration is 43.95%, the best extraction effect is obtained. After optimizing the ground drilling position in the goaf and combining with the site implementation, the maximum gas scouring amount of the extraction is 12.59 m3/min, which is 3.42 m3/min higher than the original. The maximum gas concentration of extraction was 63.54%, which was 28.82% higher than the original. After optimization, the gas concentration of the extraction is more than 30%, and the extraction effect is very good. Field application results further validate the reliability of theoretical analysis and numerical simulation results.
Optimizing Pinned Nodes to Maximize the Convergence Rate of Multiagent Systems with Digraph Topologies
Authors: Han Yujuan , Lu Wenlian , Chen Tianping , Sun Changkai
Published: January 2019

This paper investigates how to choose pinned node set to maximize the convergence rate of multiagent systems under digraph topologies in cases of sufficiently small and large pinning strength. In the case of sufficiently small pinning strength, perturbation methods are employed to derive formulas in terms of asymptotics that indicate that the left eigenvector corresponding to eigenvalue zero of the Laplacian measures the importance of node in pinning control multiagent systems if the underlying network has a spanning tree, whereas for the network with no spanning trees, the left eigenvectors of the Laplacian matrix corresponding to eigenvalue zero can be used to select the optimal pinned node set. In the case of sufficiently large pinning strength, by the similar method, a metric based on the smallest real part of eigenvalues of the Laplacian submatrix corresponding to the unpinned nodes is used to measure the stabilizability of the pinned node set. Different algorithms that are applicable for different scenarios are develped. Several numerical simulations are given to verify theoretical results.
Fully Integrated Memristor and Its Application on the Scroll‐Controllable Hyperchaotic System
Authors: Jin Jie , Cui Li
Published: January 2019

In this paper, a fully integrated memristor emulator using operational amplifiers (OAs) and analog multipliers is simulated. Based on the fully integrated memristor, a scroll‐controllable hyperchaotic system is presented. By controlling the nonlinear function with programmable switches, the memristor‐based hyperchaotic system achieves controllable scroll numbers. Moreover, the memristor‐based hyperchaotic system is fully integrated in one single chip, and it achieves lower supply voltage, lower power dissipation, and smaller chip area. The fully integrated memristor and memristor‐based hyperchaotic system are verified with the GlobalFoundries’ 0.18 μm CMOS process using Cadence IC Design Tools. The postlayout simulation results demonstrate that the memristor‐based fully integrated hyperchaotic system consumes 90.5 mW from ±2.5 V supply voltage and it takes a compact chip area of 1.8 mm2.
Reconstructing Mesoscale Network Structures
Authors: van Lidth de Jeude Jeroen , Di Clemente Riccardo , Caldarelli Guido , Saracco Fabio , Squartini Tiziano
Published: January 2019

When facing the problem of reconstructing complex mesoscale network structures, it is generally believed that models encoding the nodes organization into modules must be employed. The present paper focuses on two block structures that characterize the empirical mesoscale organization of many real‐world networks, i.e., the bow-tie and the core-periphery ones, with the aim of quantifying the minimal amount of topological information that needs to be enforced in order to reproduce the topological details of the former. Our analysis shows that constraining the network degree sequences is often enough to reproduce such structures, as confirmed by model selection criteria as AIC or BIC. As a byproduct, our paper enriches the toolbox for the analysis of bipartite networks, still far from being complete: both the bow‐tie and the core‐periphery structure, in fact, partition the networks into asymmetric blocks characterized by binary, directed connections, thus calling for the extension of a recently proposed method to randomize undirected, bipartite networks to the directed case.
Task Placement on Fog Computing Made Efficient for IoT Application Provision
Authors: Tran Minh-Quang , Nguyen Duy Tai , Le Van An , Nguyen Duc Hai , Pham Tran Vu
Published: January 2019

Fog computing is one of the promising technologies for realizing global-scale Internet of Things (IoT) applications as it allows moving compute and storage resources closer to IoT devices, where data is generated, in order to solve the limitations in cloud-based technologies such as communication delay, network load, energy consumption, and operational cost. However, this technology is still in its infancy stage containing essential research challenges. For instance, what is a suitable fog computing scheme where effective service provision models can be deployed is still an open question. This paper proposes a novel multitier fog computing architecture that supports IoT service provisioning. Concretely, a solid service placement mechanism that optimizes service decentralization on fog landscape leveraging context-aware information such as location, response time, and resource consumption of services has been devised. The proposed approach optimally utilizes virtual resources available on the network edges to improve the performance of IoT services in terms of response time, energy, and cost reduction. The experimental results from both simulated data and use cases from service deployments in real-world applications, namely, the intelligent transportation system (ITS) in Ho Chi Minh City, show the effectiveness of the proposed solution in terms of maximizing fog device utilization while reducing latency, energy consumption, network load, and operational cost. The results confirm the robustness of the proposed scheme revealing its capability to maximize the IoT potential.
Chemokines and Growth Factors Produced by Lymphocytes in the Incompetent Great Saphenous Vein
Authors: Grudzińska Ewa , Grzegorczyn Sławomir , Czuba Zenon P.
Published: January 2019

The role of cytokines in the pathogenesis of chronic venous disease (CVD) remains obscure. It has been postulated that oscillatory flow present in incompetent veins causes proinflammatory changes. Our earlier study confirmed this hypothesis. This study is aimed at assessing chemokines and growth factors (GFs) released by lymphocytes in patients with great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence. In 34 patients exhibiting reflux in GSV, blood was derived from the cubital vein and from the incompetent saphenofemoral junction. In 12 healthy controls, blood was derived from the cubital vein. Lymphocyte culture with and without stimulation by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was performed. Eotaxin, interleukin 8 (IL-8), macrophage inflammatory protein 1 A and 1B (MIP-1A and MIP-1B), interferon gamma-induced protein (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin 5 (IL-5), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed in culture supernatants by a Bio-Plex assay. Higher concentrations of eotaxin and G-CSF were revealed in the incompetent GSV, compared with the concentrations in the patients’ upper limbs. The concentrations of MIP-1A and MIP-1B were higher in the CVD group while the concentration of VEGF was lower. In the stimulated cultures, the concentration of G-CSF proved higher in the incompetent GSV, as compared with the patients’ upper limbs. Between the groups, the concentration of eotaxin was higher in the CVD group, while the IL-5 and MCP-1 concentrations were lower. IL-8, IP-10, FGF, GM-CSF, and PDGF-BB did not reveal any significant differences in concentrations between the samples. These observations suggest that the concentrations of chemokines and GFs are different in the blood of CVD patients. The oscillatory flow present in incompetent veins may play a role in these changes. However, the role of cytokines in CVD requires further study.
The New Odd Log-Logistic Generalized Inverse Gaussian Regression Model
Authors: Souza Vasconcelos Julio Cezar , Cordeiro Gauss M. , Ortega Edwin M. M. , Araújo Elton G.
Published: January 2019

We define a new four-parameter model called the odd log-logistic generalized inverse Gaussian distribution which extends the generalized inverse Gaussian and inverse Gaussian distributions. We obtain some structural properties of the new distribution. We construct an extended regression model based on this distribution with two systematic structures, which can provide more realistic fits to real data than other special regression models. We adopt the method of maximum likelihood to estimate the model parameters. In addition, various simulations are performed for different parameter settings and sample sizes to check the accuracy of the maximum likelihood estimators. We provide a diagnostics analysis based on case-deletion and quantile residuals. Finally, the potentiality of the new regression model to predict price of urban property is illustrated by means of real data.
Blind Fuzzy Adaptation Step Control for a Concurrent Neural Network Equalizer
Authors: Mayer Kayol S. , Oliveira Matheus S. De , Müller Candice , Castro Fernando C. C. De , Castro Maria C. F. De
Published: January 2019

Mobile communications, not infrequently, are disrupted by multipath propagation in the wireless channel. In this context, this paper proposes a new blind concurrent equalization approach that combines a Phase Transmittance Radial Basis Function Neural Network (PTRBFNN) and the classic Constant Modulus Algorithm (CMA) in a concurrent architecture, with a Fuzzy Controller (FC) responsible for adapting the PTRBFNN and CMA step sizes. Differently from the Neural Network (NN) based equalizers present in literature, the proposed Fuzzy Controller Concurrent Neural Network Equalizer (FC-CNNE) is a completely self-taught concurrent architecture that does not need any training. The Fuzzy Controller inputs are based on the estimated mean squared error of the equalization process and on its variation in time. The proposed solution has been evaluated over standard multipath VHF/UHF channels defined by the International Telecommunication Union. Results show that the FC-CNNE is able to achieve lower residual steady-state MSE value and/or faster convergence rate and consequently lower Bit Error Rate (BER) when compared to Constant Modulus Algorithm-Phase Transmittance Radial Basis Function Neural Network (CMA-PTRBFNN) equalizer.
Application of Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARSplines) for Predicting Hansen Solubility Parameters Based on 1D and 2D Molecular Descriptors Computed from SMILES String
Authors: Przybyłek Maciej , Jeliński Tomasz , Cysewski Piotr
Published: January 2019

A new method of Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs) prediction was developed by combining the multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARSplines) methodology with a simple multivariable regression involving 1D and 2D PaDEL molecular descriptors. In order to adopt the MARSplines approach to QSPR/QSAR problems, several optimization procedures were proposed and tested. The effectiveness of the obtained models was checked via standard QSPR/QSAR internal validation procedures provided by the QSARINS software and by predicting the solubility classification of polymers and drug-like solid solutes in collections of solvents. By utilizing information derived only from SMILES strings, the obtained models allow for computing all of the three Hansen solubility parameters including dispersion, polarization, and hydrogen bonding. Although several descriptors are required for proper parameters estimation, the proposed procedure is simple and straightforward and does not require a molecular geometry optimization. The obtained HSP values are highly correlated with experimental data, and their application for solving solubility problems leads to essentially the same quality as for the original parameters. Based on provided models, it is possible to characterize any solvent and liquid solute for which HSP data are unavailable.
Mapping Physical Tumor Microenvironment and Drug Delivery
Authors: Nia Hadi T. , Munn Lance L. , Jain Rakesh K.
Published: January 2019

The physical microenvironment of pancreatic tumors is highly abnormal, and this causes significant challenges for drug delivery through multiple mechanisms. Measurements of tissue elasticity could be used as a physical biomarker to assess aberrant drug delivery, and potentially guide stroma-targeting treatment strategies and patient stratification.

See related article by Wang et al., p. 2136
Development of the Central Africa Daily Functioning Interference Scale for Dementia Diagnosis in Older Adults: The EPIDEMCA Study
Authors: Edjolo Arlette , Pérès Karine , Guerchet Maëlenn , Pilleron Sophie , Ndamba-Bandzouzi Bébène , Mbelesso Pascal , Clément Jean-Pierre , Dartigues Jean-François , Preux Pierre-Marie ,   for the EPIDEMCA group
Published: January 2019

Background: There are a few validated tools capable of assessing the dimensions essential for the diagnosis of dementia and cognitive disorders in sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives: Our aim was to develop an adapted tool, the Central African – Daily Functioning Interference (DFI) scale. Methods: An initial 16-item scale of activity limitations and participation restrictions was completed by 301 participants with low cognitive performances to assess their level of DFI. A psychometric evaluation was performed using Item Response Theory. Results: A unidimensional 10-item scale emerged with a reasonable coverage of DFI (thresholds range: –1.067 to 1.587) with good item discrimination properties (1.397–4.076) and a high reliability (Cronbach’s al pha = 0.92). The cutoff for detecting 96% of those with dementia was with a latent score ≥0.035 that corresponds to the LAUNDRY limitation. Conclusions: These results provide valuable support for the reliability and internal validity of an operational 10-item scale for DFI assessment used in Central Africa for the diagnosis of dementia in the elderly.
Clinical Course of Chronic Pancreatitis in Elderly Patients
Authors: Hirth Michael , Härtel Nicolai , Weiss Christel , Hardt Philip , Gubergrits Natalia , Ebert Matthias P. , Schneider Alexander
Published: January 2019

Background: Several guidelines recommend the risk-adapted monitoring of patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP). However, dedicated risk stratification is widely missing in CP. Elderly-CP (disease onset with 60 or more years of age) may represent a subgroup of CP subjects with a distinct course of disease. Aims: We aimed to investigate the clinical presentation of elderly-CP, and if elderly-CP requires an adapted monitoring. Methods: Seven hundred forty one patients with CP were analyzed in a multicenter (Mannheim/Germany, n = 537; Gießen/Germany, n = 100; Donetsk/Ukraine, n = 104), cross-sectional, retrospective study and classified according to the M-ANNHEIM classification. Results: The frequency of elderly-CP was 20% (148/741). In comparison with non-elderly-CP, elderly-CP was less frequently caused by alcohol and nicotine dependency or genetic mutations. In contrast, the frequency of efferent duct abnormalities (p = 0.009, chi-square test) and idiopathic CP (p < 0.0001, chi-square test) increased significantly. The presence of multiple risk factors was found less frequently in elderly-CP than in non-elderly patients (p < 0.0001; chi-square test). Furthermore, elderly-CP was associated with increased rates of pseudocysts (p = 0.0002; chi-square test), endocrine insufficiency (p = 0.001; chi-square test), and the absence of pain (p = 0.04; chi-square test) in the first year of the disease. Conclusion: In elderly-CP, the course of disease significantly differs from non-elderly-CP. Therefore, individualized monitoring strategies for elderly-CP might be necessary.
Dermatophagoides farinae Upregulates the Effector Functions of Eosinophils through αMβ2-Integrin and Protease-Activated Receptor-2
Authors: Ueda Yutaka , Nakagome Kazuyuki , Kobayashi Takehito , Noguchi Toru , Soma Tomoyuki , Ohashi-Doi Katsuyo , Tokuyama Kenichi , Nagata Makoto
Published: January 2019

Background: Even in subjects who are not sensitized to house dust mite (HDM), allergic symptoms can be aggravated by exposure to dust, suggesting that innate immune responses may be involved in these processes. Since eosinophils express pattern recognition receptors, HDM may directly upregulate eosinophil functions through these re ceptors. The objective of this study was to examine whether Dermatophagoides farinae (Df), a representative HDM, or Der f 1, a major allergen of Df, modifies the effector functions of eosinophils. Methods: Eosinophils isolated from the blood of healthy donors or allergic patients were stimulated with Df extract or Der f 1, and their adhesion to recombinant human intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 was measured using eosinophil peroxidase assays. Generation of the eosinophil superoxide anion (O2–) was examined based on the superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of cytochrome C. Eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) concentrations in cell media were measured by ELISA as a marker of degranulation. Results: Df extract or Der f 1 directly induced eosinophil adhesion to ICAM-1, O2– generation, and EDN release. Anti-αM- or anti-β2-integrin antibodies or protease-activated receptor (PAR)-2 antagonists suppressed the eosinophil adhesion, O2– generation, and EDN release induced by Df extract or Der f 1. Eosinophils from allergic patients showed higher adhesion to ICAM-1 than those from healthy donors. Conclusions: These findings suggested that Df extract and Der f 1 directly activate eosinophil functions through αMβ2-integrin and PAR-2. Eosinophil activation by HDM may play roles in the aggravation of allergic symptoms, not only in HDM-sensitized patients, but also in nonsensitized patients.
Prenatal Oral Health Care and Early Childhood Caries Prevention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Xiao Jin , Alkhers Naemah , Kopycka-Kedzierawski Dorota T. , Billings Ronald J. , Wu Tong Tong , Castillo Daniel A. , Rasubala Linda , Malmstrom Hans , Ren Yanfang , Eliav Eli
Published: January 2019

Despite the advancement of early childhood caries (ECC) prediction and treatment, ECC remains a significant public health burden in need of more effective preventive strategies. Pregnancy is an ideal period to promote ECC prevention given the profound influence of maternal oral health and behaviors on children’s oral health. However, studies have shown debatable results with respect to the effectiveness of ECC prevention by means of prenatal intervention. Therefore, this study systematically reviewed the scientific evidence relating to the association between prenatal oral health care, ECC incidence, and Streptococcus mutans carriage in children. Five studies (3 randomized control trials, 1 prospective cohort study, and 1 nested case-control study) were included for qualitative assessment. Tested prenatal oral health care included providing fluoride supplements, oral examinations/cleanings, oral health education, dental treatment referrals, and xylitol gum chewing. Four studies that assessed ECC incidence reduction were included in meta-analysis using an unconditional generalized linear mixed effects model with random study effects and age as a covariate. The estimated odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals suggested a protective effect of prenatal oral health care against ECC onset before 4 years of age: 0.12 (0.02, 0.77) at 1 year of age, 0.18 (0.05, 0.63) at 2 years of age, 0.25 (0.09, 0.64) at 3 years of age, and 0.35 (0.12, 1.00) at 4 years of age. Children’s S. mutans carriage was also significantly reduced in the intervention group. Future studies should consider testing strategies that restore an expectant mother’s oral health to a disease-free state during pregnancy.
Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota on the Inflammatory Background due to Lack of Suppressor of Cytokine Signalling-1 in Mice
Authors: Gendo Yoshiko , Matsumoto Takashi , Kamiyama Naganori , Saechue Benjawan , Fukuda Ciaki , Dewayani Astri , Hidano Shinya , Noguchi Kaori , Sonoda Akira , Ozaki Takashi  , Sachi Nozomi , Hirose Haruna , Ozaka Sotaro , Eshita Yuki , Mizukami Kazuhiro , Okimoto Tadayoshi , Kodama Masaaki , Yoshimatsu Tomoko , Nishida Haruto , Daa Tsutomu , Yamaoka Yoshio , Murakami Kazunari , Kobayashi Takashi
Published: January 2019

Background: Both environmental and genetic factors have been implicated in the induction of autoimmune disease. Therefore, it is important to understand the pathophysiological significance of the gut microbiota and host genetic background that contribute to an autoimmune disease such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We have previously reported that mice deficient for suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 (SOCS1), in which SOCS1 expression was restored in T and B cells on an SOCS1–/– background (SOCS1–/–Tg mice), developed systemic autoimmune diseases accompanied by spontaneous colitis. Methods: To investigate whether the proinflammatory genetic background affects the gut microbiota, we used SOCS1–/–Tg mice as a model of spontaneous chronic colitis. Fecal samples were collected from SOCS1–/–Tg mice and SOCS1+/+Tg (control) mice at 1 and 6 months of age, and the fecal bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA genes were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Results: Gut microbial diversity was significantly reduced and the intestinal bacterial community composition changed in SOCS1–/–Tg mice in comparison with the control mice. Interestingly, the population of Prevotella species, which is known to be elevated in ulcerative colitis and colorectal cancer patients, was significantly increased in SOCS1–/–Tg mice regardless of age. Conclusion: Taken together, these results suggest that the proinflammatory genetic background owing to SOCS1 deficiency causes dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, which in turn generates a procolitogenic environment.
Metachronous Sigmoid Carcinoma and Mantle Cell Lymphoma in Intestines
Authors: Yu Qiao , Liu Qiu-Yan , Wei Dan-Ming  , Luo Dian-Zhong
Published: January 2019

It is rare that colon carcinoma and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) occur one after another in intestines. We found two malignancies of sigmoid carcinoma and MCL in a single patient, who had initially been diagnosed with sigmoid carcinoma and treated with radical resection in our hospital. Good postoperative recovery was reported without recurrence signs, which lasted for 7 years and 5 months until polyps of sigmoid colon were found by colonoscopy. Biopsy and immunohistochemistry revealed MCL, but the patient refused treatment. One year later, MCL was diagnosed again in the transverse colon. The patient is currently under observation and has not received treatment for MCL.
Insights into Emydid Turtle Cytogenetics: The European Pond Turtle as a Model Species
Authors: Iannucci Alessio , Svartman Marta , Bellavita Massimo , Chelazzi Guido , Stanyon Roscoe , Ciofi Claudio
Published: January 2019

Our knowledge of Testudines evolution is limited by the lack of modern cytogenetic data. Compared to other reptiles, there is little information even on chromosome banding, let alone molecular cytogenetic data. Here, we provide detailed information on the karyotype of the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis, a model Emydidae, employing both chromosome banding and molecular cytogenetics. We provide a high-resolution G-banded karyotype and a map of rDNA genes and telomeric sequences using fluorescence in situ hybridization. We test hypotheses of sex-determining mechanisms in Emys by comparative genomic hybridization to determine if Emys has a cryptic sex-specific region. Our results provide valuable data to guide future efforts on genome sequencing and anchoring in Emydidae and for understanding karyotype evolution in Testudines.
Cardiac MRI-Proven Myocarditis Mimicking ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction after a Cobra Bite
Authors: Waitayangkoon Palapun , Suteparuk Suchai , Chattranukulchai Pairoj , Ariyachaipanich Aekarach
Published: January 2019

Cardiac complications following snake envenomation occur infrequently. Myocarditis, as a consequence of the toxic effect of the snake venom, is rare, and only a few cases have been reported. We present a case of an 84-year-old man who was envenomed by a cobra. In addition to respiratory failure due to neurotoxicity of the venom, cardiac abnormalities including elevated cardiac markers and abnormal electrocardiogram were found. The findings on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of acute myocarditis. The patient spontaneously recovered without any momentous events. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of myocarditis associated with cobra envenomation. Physicians should be familiar with potential life-threatening cardiac effects of these toxins.
Impaired Retinal Circulation during Axitinib Treatment for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Kimura Masashi , Kusuhara Sentaro , Tagami Mizuki , Nakamura Makoto
Published: January 2019

Purpose: Axitinib, an orally administered vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1, 2, and 3 inhibitor, is widely used as the second-line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. We present a case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma who developed a novel ocular adverse event, impaired retinal circulation, during axitinib therapy. Methods: This is an observational case report. Results: A 57-year-old male who had been treated with axitinib for metastatic renal cell carcinoma for 2 years presented in August 2015. He complained of sudden-onset abnormal visual field in his right eye. His right eye exhibited multiple soft exudates on fundus photography and a significant fluorescein filling delay of the retinal vessels on fluorescein angiography. His best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/20 in the right eye, and a cecocentral scotoma was detected by Goldmann perimeter. As axitinib could have been responsible for impaired retinal circulation, axitinib was terminated and switched to temsirolimus. The soft exudates gradually subsided and the patients’ symptoms got better, but his right BCVA dropped to 20/63 3 months after the end of axitinib treatment with worsening of his general condition. Conclusion: Clinicians should be aware of retinal circulatory disorder that can occur in patients under axitinib treatment.
SOSYAL MEDYANIN KAMU KURUMLARI TARAFINDAN KAMUSAL PAZARLAMA ARACI OLARAK KULLANILMASI: 81 İL VALİLİĞİ ÜZERİNDE BİR ARAŞTIRMA
Authors: GÜMÜŞ Niyazi
Published: January 2019

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