bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FlowPut
Authors: Riemann Jan , Schmitz Martin , Hendrich Alexander , Mühlhäuser Max
Published: March 2018

Tangible interaction has shown to be beneficial in a wide variety of scenarios since it provides more direct manipulation and haptic feedback. Further, inherently three-dimensional information is represented more naturally by a 3D object than by a flat picture on a screen. Yet, today's tangibles have often pre-defined form factors and limited input and output facilities. To overcome this issue, the combination of projection and depth cameras is used as a fast and flexible way of non-intrusively adding input and output to tangibles. However, tangibles are often quite small and hence the space for output and interaction on their surface is limited. Therefore, we propose FlowPut: an environment-aware framework that utilizes the space available on and around a tangible object for projected visual output. By means of an optimization-based layout approach, FlowPut considers the environment of the objects to avoid interference between projection and real-world objects. Moreover, we contribute an occlusion resilient object recognition and tracking for tangible objects based on their 3D model and a point-cloud based multi-touch detection, that allows sensing touches also on the side of a tangible. Flowput is validated through a series of technical experiments, a user study, and two example applications.
RuleSelector
Authors: Srinivasan Vijay , Koehler Christian , Jin Hongxia
Published: March 2018

Modern smartphones and ubiquitous computing systems collect a wealth of context data from users. Conditional action rules, as popularized by the IFTTT (If-This-Then-That) platform, are a popular way for users to automate frequently repeated tasks or receive smart reminders, due to the intelligibility and control that rules provide to users. A key drawback of IFTTT systems is that they place the burden of manually specifying action rules on the user. While multiple rule mining algorithms have been proposed in existing work to automatically discover action rules, they generate hundreds of action rules, and the problem of how to present a small subset of rules to smartphone users and allow them to interactively select action rules remains unsolved. In this work, we take the first step towards solving this problem by designing and implementing RuleSelector, the first interactive rule selection tool to allow smartphone users to browse, modify, and select action rules from a small set of summarized rules presented to the user. We propose novel rule selection metrics to address the needs of smartphone users, and analyze the performance of RuleSelector using data from 200 users. We also perform a qualitative user study in order to evaluate how users use the RuleSelector tool and perceive the selected rules, and present the insights gained and design recommendations for future rule selection systems. Our users rated the selected rules from useful to very useful, and an important finding of our study is that users prefer an interactive rule selection system such as RuleSelector that automatically suggests rules, but allows users to select and modify the suggested rules. Finally, we examine the promise of RuleSelector in other ubiquitous computing systems such as smart homes and smart TVs by applying our tool to public context datasets from these domains.
Gesture Recognition Using Ambient Light
Authors: Venkatnarayan Raghav H. , Shahzad Muhammad
Published: March 2018

There is a growing interest in the scientific community to develop techniques for humans to communicate with the computing that is embedding into our environments. Researchers are already exploring ubiquitous modalities, such as radio frequency signals, to develop gesture recognition systems. In this paper, we explore another such modality, namely ambient light, and develop LiGest, an ambient light based gesture recognition system. The key property of LiGest is that it is agnostic to lighting conditions, position and orientation of user, and who performs the gestures. The general idea behind LiGest is that when a user performs different gestures, the shadows of the user move in unique patterns. LiGest first learns these patterns using training samples and then recognizes unknown samples by matching them with the learnt patterns. To capture these patterns, LiGest uses a grid of light sensors deployed on floor. While the general idea behind LiGest seems straightforward, it is actually very challenging to put it into practice because the intensity, size, and number of shadows of a user are not fixed and depend highly on the position and orientation of a user as well as on the intensity, position, and number of light sources. We developed a prototype of LiGest using commercially available light sensors and extensively evaluated it with the help of 20 volunteers. Our results show that LiGest achieves an average accuracy of 96.36% across all volunteers.
BRAVO
Authors: Wang Shuai , He Tian , Zhang Desheng , Shu Yuanchao , Liu Yunhuai , Gu Yu , Liu Cong , Lee Haengju , Son Sang H.
Published: March 2018

Bike sharing systems, which provide a convenient commute choice for short trips, have emerged rapidly in many cities. While bike sharing has greatly facilitated people's commutes, those systems are facing a costly maintenance issue -- rebalancing bikes among stations. We observe that existing systems frequently suffer situations such as no-bike-to-borrow (empty) or no-dock-to-return (full) due to existing ad hoc rebalancing practice. To address this issue, we provide systematic analysis on user trip data, station status data, rebalancing data, and meteorology data, and propose BRAVO - the first practical data-driven bike rebalancing app for operators to improve bike sharing service while reducing the maintenance cost. Specifically, leveraging experiences from two-round round-the-clock field studies and comprehensive information from four data sets, a data-driven model is proposed to capture and predict the safe rebalancing range for each station. Based on this safe rebalancing range, BRAVO computes the optimal rebalancing amounts for the full and empty stations to minimize the rebalancing cost. BRAVO is evaluated with 24-month data from Capital, Hangzhou and NiceRide bikeshare systems. The experiment results show that given the same user demand, BRAVO reduces 28% of the station visits and 37% of the rebalancing amounts.
Lightweight Display-to-device Communication Using Electromagnetic Radiation and FM Radio
Authors: Yang Zhice , Zhang Jiansong , Wang Zeyu , Zhang Qian
Published: March 2018

This paper presents Shadow, a novel display-to-device communication system working in radio frequency. It leverages Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) signals emanating from displays to transmit information. Specifically, Shadow modulates the high-frequency electric signals flowing in the display interface and makes the leaked EMR signals fall into the FM band. In this way, nearby mobile devices can receive information from the display through FM receivers. Compared with other display-to-device communication approaches, Shadow does not rely on cameras, and is thus more lightweight and requires fewer user actions. Furthermore, Shadow's transmissions do not incur any degradation in the display quality, as they only take place in the Blanking Interval, which will not be shown on the display panel. Shadow requires no modification to existing hardware. The prototype is implemented with commodity display systems and mobile devices. Results show that it can achieve 1.5 kbps at distances of up to 20 cm from the display panel.
Finite Element Analysis of Residual Stress in the Diffusion Zone of Mg/Al Alloys
Authors: Ding Yunlong , Ju Dongying
Published: March 2018

In this study, the finite element method was applied for analyzing the effect of annealing temperatures on residual stress in the diffusion zone of AZ31 Mg and 6061 Al alloys. The microstructure and mechanical behavior of the diffusion zone were also investigated. Simulations on the annealing of the welded specimens at 200°C, 250°C, and 300°C were conducted. Moreover, experiments such as diffusion bonding and annealing, analysis of residual stress by X‐ray diffraction, elemental analysis using an electron probe microanalyzer, and microstructure investigation via scanning electron microscopy were performed for further investigation of the diffusion layers. According to the results of the simulations and experiments, the diffusion layers widen with increasing annealing temperatures, and the results of the simulations are in good agreement with those of the experiments. The microstructure and elemental distribution were the most uniform and the residual stress was the least for samples annealed at 250°C. Thus, 250°C was found to be the most appropriate annealing temperature.
Aquaporin Membrane Channels in Oxidative Stress, Cell Signaling, and Aging: Recent Advances and Research Trends
Authors: Tamma Grazia , Valenti Giovanna , Grossini Elena , Donnini Sandra , Marino Angela , Marinelli Raul A. , Calamita Giuseppe
Published: March 2018

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced as a result of aerobic metabolism and as by‐products through numerous physiological and biochemical processes. While ROS‐dependent modifications are fundamental in transducing intracellular signals controlling pleiotropic functions, imbalanced ROS can cause oxidative damage, eventually leading to many chronic diseases. Moreover, increased ROS and reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability are main key factors in dysfunctions underlying aging, frailty, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Extensive investigation aims to elucidate the beneficial effects of ROS and NO, providing novel insights into the current medical treatment of oxidative stress‐related diseases of high epidemiological impact. This review focuses on emerging topics encompassing the functional involvement of aquaporin channel proteins (AQPs) and membrane transport systems, also allowing permeation of NO and hydrogen peroxide, a major ROS, in oxidative stress physiology and pathophysiology. The most recent advances regarding the modulation exerted by food phytocompounds with antioxidant action on AQPs are also reviewed.
Career Choices and Career Progression of Junior Doctors in Dermatology: Surveys of UK Medical Graduates
Authors: Barat Atena , Goldacre Michael J. , Lambert Trevor W.
Published: March 2018

Objective. To report UK-trained doctors’ career choices for dermatology, career destinations, and factors influencing career pathways. Methods. Multicohort multipurpose longitudinal surveys of UK-trained doctors who graduated between 1974 and 2015. Results. In all, 40,412 doctors (58% of graduates) responded in year 1, 31,466 (64%) in year 3, and 24,970 (67%) in year 5. One year after graduation, 1.7% of women and 0.6% of men made dermatology their first choice but by five years after graduation the respective figures were 1.0% and 0.7%. Compared to their predecessors, its popularity fell more substantially from years 1 to 5 among recent graduates (2005–15), particularly for women (from 2.1% in year 1 to 0.8% in year 5) compared with a fall from 0.8% to 0.5% among men. The most important factor influencing dermatology choice was “hours/working conditions”: in year one, 69% regarded this as important compared with 31% of those choosing other hospital physician specialties. Only 18% of respondents who chose dermatology at year 1 eventually worked in it; however, almost all practising dermatologists (94%), 10 years after qualifying, had made their future career decision by year 5. Conclusion. Dermatology is popular among female UK graduates. Most dermatologists made their career decision late but decisively.
Integration of Earth Observation Data and Spatial Approach to Delineate and Manage Aeolian Sand-Affected Wasteland in Highly Productive Lands of Haryana, India
Authors: Rawat Kishan Singh , Mishra Shashi Vind , Singh Sudhir Kumar
Published: March 2018

The western part of the country India is surrounded by Thar desert. Due to climate change, many regions in the world are facing different challenges. The objective of the study was to quantify the aeolian sand-affected land through integrated approach. The LANDSAT-ETM+ satellite image of 2009 has been used to distinguish recently affected areas by aeolian sand. A combined approach of digital classification backed with visual interpretation and ground verification was adopted. In addition to classification accuracy assessment was performed using field observations. Evidence based results of aeolian sand-affected areas have suggested that wasteland area has increased up to 4,427.55 ha (6.79%) of total geographical area. Two types of aeolian sands areas have been detected, namely, moderately affected (3,881.77 ha) and severely affected (545.79 ha). Moderately and severely affected aeolian soil lands have been more accurately mapped with reasonably good accuracy whereas smaller aeolian affected areas within croplands are mapped with low accuracy. The present study provides easy methodology for delineation, classification, and characterization of aeolian affected sands.
A Triangular Personalized Recommendation Algorithm for Improving Diversity
Authors: Cai Biao , Yang Xiaowang , Huang Yusheng , Li Hongjun , Sang Qiang
Published: March 2018

Recommendation systems are used when searching online databases. As such they are very important tools because they provide users with predictions of the outcomes of different potential choices and help users to avoid information overload. They can be used on e-commerce websites and have attracted considerable attention in the scientific community. To date, many personalized recommendation algorithms have aimed to improve recommendation accuracy from the perspective of vertex similarities, such as collaborative filtering and mass diffusion. However, diversity is also an important evaluation index in the recommendation algorithm. In order to study both the accuracy and diversity of a recommendation algorithm at the same time, this study introduced a “third dimension” to the commonly used user/product two-dimensional recommendation, and a recommendation algorithm is proposed that is based on a triangular area (TR algorithm). The proposed algorithm combines the Markov chain and collaborative filtering method to make recommendations for users by building a triangle model, making use of the triangulated area. Additionally, recommendation algorithms based on a triangulated area are parameter-free and are more suitable for applications in real environments. Furthermore, the experimental results showed that the TR algorithm had better performance on diversity and novelty for real datasets of MovieLens-100K and MovieLens-1M than did the other benchmark methods.
Epidemiology, Characteristics, and Outcomes of ICU-Managed Homeless Patients: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Oud Lavi
Published: March 2018

Background. The population-level demand for critical care services among the homeless (H) remains unknown, with only sparse data on the characteristics and outcomes of those managed in the ICU. Methods. The Texas Inpatient Public Use Data File and annual federal reports were used to identify H hospitalizations and annual estimates of the H population between 2007 and 2014. The incidence of ICU admissions in the H population, the characteristics of ICU-managed H, and factors associated with their short-term mortality were examined. Results. Among 52,206 H hospitalizations 15,553 (29.8%) were admitted to ICU. The incidence of ICU admission among state H population rose between 2007 and 2014 from 28.0 to 96.6/1,000 (p<0.0001), respectively. Adults aged ≥ 45 years and minorities accounted for 70.2% and 57.6%, respectively, of the growth in volume of ICU admissions. Short-term mortality was 3.2%, with odds of death increased with age, comorbidity burden, and number of failing organs. Conclusions. The demand for critical care services was increasingly high among the H and was contrasted by low short-term mortality among ICU admissions. These findings, coupled with the persistent health disparities among minority H, underscore the need to effectively address homelessness and reduce barriers to longitudinal appropriate prehospital care among the H.
Review of Calibration Methods for Scheimpflug Camera
Authors: Sun Cong , Liu Haibo , Jia Mengna , Chen Shengyi
Published: March 2018

The Scheimpflug camera offers a wide range of applications in the field of typical close-range photogrammetry, particle image velocity, and digital image correlation due to the fact that the depth-of-view of Scheimpflug camera can be greatly extended according to the Scheimpflug condition. Yet, the conventional calibration methods are not applicable in this case because the assumptions used by classical calibration methodologies are not valid anymore for cameras undergoing Scheimpflug condition. Therefore, various methods have been investigated to solve the problem over the last few years. However, no comprehensive review exists that provides an insight into recent calibration methods of Scheimpflug cameras. This paper presents a survey of recent calibration methods of Scheimpflug cameras with perspective lens, including the general nonparametric imaging model, and analyzes in detail the advantages and drawbacks of the mainstream calibration models with respect to each other. Real data experiments including calibrations, reconstructions, and measurements are performed to assess the performance of the models. The results reveal that the accuracies of the RMM, PLVM, PCIM, and GNIM are basically equal, while the accuracy of GNIM is slightly lower compared with the other three parametric models. Moreover, the experimental results reveal that the parameters of the tangential distortion are likely coupled with the tilt angle of the sensor in Scheimpflug calibration models. The work of this paper lays the foundation of further research of Scheimpflug cameras.
Physiological Aldosterone Concentrations Are Associated with Alterations of Lipid Metabolism: Observations from the General Population
Authors: Hannich M. , Wallaschofski H. , Nauck M. , Reincke M. , Adolf C. , Völzke H. , Rettig R. , Hannemann A.
Published: March 2018

Objective. Aldosterone and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are involved in many pathophysiological processes that contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases. Previously, associations between the concentrations of aldosterone and certain components of the lipid metabolism in the peripheral circulation were suggested, but data from the general population is sparse. We therefore aimed to assess the associations between aldosterone and HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol, triglycerides, or non-HDL-C in the general adult population. Methods. Data from 793 men and 938 women aged 25–85 years who participated in the first follow-up of the Study of Health in Pomerania were obtained. The associations of aldosterone with serum lipid concentrations were assessed in multivariable linear regression models adjusted for sex, age, body mass index (BMI), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and HbA1c. Results. The linear regression models showed statistically significant positive associations of aldosterone with LDL-C (β-coefficient = 0.022, standard error = 0.010, p=0.03) and non-HDL-C (β-coefficient = 0.023, standard error = 0.009, p=0.01) as well as an inverse association of aldosterone with HDL-C (β-coefficient = −0.022, standard error = 0.011, p=0.04). Conclusions. The present data show that plasma aldosterone is positively associated with LDL-C and non-HDL-C and inversely associated with HDL-C in the general population. Our data thus suggests that aldosterone concentrations within the physiological range may be related to alterations of lipid metabolism.
Quality Utilization Aware Based Data Gathering for Vehicular Communication Networks
Authors: Ren Yingying , Liu Anfeng , Zhao Ming , Huang Changqin , Wang Tian
Published: March 2018

The vehicular communication networks, which can employ mobile, intelligent sensing devices with participatory sensing to gather data, could be an efficient and economical way to build various applications based on big data. However, high quality data gathering for vehicular communication networks which is urgently needed faces a lot of challenges. So, in this paper, a fine‐grained data collection framework is proposed to cope with these new challenges. Different from classical data gathering which concentrates on how to collect enough data to satisfy the requirements of applications, a Quality Utilization Aware Data Gathering (QUADG) scheme is proposed for vehicular communication networks to collect the most appropriate data and to best satisfy the multidimensional requirements (mainly including data gathering quantity, quality, and cost) of application. In QUADG scheme, the data sensing is fine‐grained in which the data gathering time and data gathering area are divided into very fine granularity. A metric named “Quality Utilization” (QU) is to quantify the ratio of quality of the collected sensing data to the cost of the system. Three data collection algorithms are proposed. The first algorithm is to ensure that the application which has obtained the specified quantity of sensing data can minimize the cost and maximize data quality by maximizing QU. The second algorithm is to ensure that the application which has obtained two requests of application (the quantity and quality of data collection, or the quantity and cost of data collection) could maximize the QU. The third algorithm is to ensure that the application which aims to satisfy the requirements of quantity, quality, and cost of collected data simultaneously could maximize the QU. Finally, we compare our proposed scheme with the existing schemes via extensive simulations which well justify the effectiveness of our scheme.
New 1,2,3-Triazole Containing PolyestersviaClick Step-Growth Polymerization and Nanoparticles Made of Them
Authors: Kantaria Tengiz , Kantaria Temur , Titvinidze Giorgi , Otinashvili Giuli , Kupatadze Nino , Zavradashvili Nino , Tugushi David , Katsarava Ramaz
Published: March 2018

High-molecular-weight AA-BB-type aliphatic polyesters were synthesizedviaCu(I)-catalyzed click step-growth polymerization (SGP) following a new synthetic strategy. The synthesis was performed between diyne and diazide monomers in an organic solvent as one pot process using three components and two stages. The dipropargyl esters of dicarboxylic acids (component 1) were used as diyne monomers, di-(bromoacetic acid)-alkylene diesters (component 2) were used as precursors of diazide monomers, and sodium azide (component 3) was used for generating diazide monomers. The SGP was carried out in two steps: at Step  1 dibromoacetates interacted with two moles of sodium azide resulting in diazide monomers which interacted in situ with diyne monomers at Step  2 in the presence of Cu(I) catalyst. A systematic study was done for optimizing the multiparameter click SGP in terms of the solvent, duration of both Step  1 and Step  2, solution concentration, catalyst concentration, catalyst and catalyst activator (ligand) nature, catalyst/ligand mole ratio, and temperature of both steps of the click SGP. As a result, high-molecular-weight (MWup to 74 kDa) elastic film-forming click polyesters were obtained. The new polymers were found suitable for fabricating biodegradable nanoparticles, which are promising as drug delivery containers in nanotherapy.
Protumor Steering of Cancer Inflammation by p50 NF-κB Enhances Colorectal Cancer Progression
Authors: Porta Chiara , Ippolito Alessandro , Consonni Francesca Maria , Carraro Lorenzo , Celesti Giuseppe , Correale Carmen , Grizzi Fabio , Pasqualini Fabio , Tartari Silvia , Rinaldi Maurizio , Bianchi Paolo , Balzac Fiorella , Vetrano Stefania , Turco Emilia , Hirsch Emilio , Laghi Luigi , Sica Antonio
Published: March 2018

Although tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) display a M2-skewed tumor-promoting phenotype in most cancers, in colorectal cancer, both TAM polarization and its impact remain controversial. We investigated the role of the M2-polarizing p50 NF-κB subunit in orchestrating TAM phenotype, tumor microenvironment composition, and colorectal cancer progression. We first demonstrated, by parallel studies in colitis-associated cancer (CAC) and in genetically driven ApcMin mouse models, that the p50-dependent inhibition of M1-polarized gut inflammation supported colorectal cancer development. In accordance with these studies, p50–/– mice displayed exacerbated CAC with fewer and smaller tumors, along with enhanced levels of M1/Th1 cytokines/chemokines, including IL12 and CXCL10, whose administration restrained CAC development in vivo. The inflammatory profile supporting tumor resistance in colons from p50–/– tumor bearers correlated inversely with TAM load and positively with both recruitment of NK, NKT, CD8+ T cells and number of apoptotic tumor cells. In agreement, myeloid-specific ablation of p50 promoted tumor resistance in mice, whereas in colorectal cancer patients, a high number of p50+ TAMs at the invasive margin was associated with decreased IL12A and TBX21 expression and worse postsurgical outcome. Our findings point to p50 involvement in colorectal cancer development, through its engagement in the protumor activation of macrophages, and identify a candidate for prognostic and target therapeutic intervention. Cancer Immunol Res; 6(5); 578–93. ©2018 AACR.
Old and New Gut Hormone, Gastrin and Acid Suppressive Therapy
Authors: Haruma Ken , Kamada Tomoari , Manabe Noriaki , Suehiro Mitsuhiko  , Kawamoto Hirofumi  , Shiotani Akiko
Published: March 2018

Gastrin acts physiologically as a gut hormone to stimulate acid secretion after meal and as a cell-growth factor of oxyntic mucosa. Increase in serum gastrin level happens under various conditions including Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, antral G cell hyperplasia, autoimmune gastritis, atrophic gastritis, renal failure, vagotomy, Helicobacter pylori infection and acid suppressive therapy. As acid suppressive therapy causes hypergastrinemia, the association between acid suppressive therapy and gastric neuroendocrine cell tumor (NET) has been discussed during the past 30 years. In this review article, the definition of hypergastrinemia and the related disorders including acid suppressive therapy and gastric NET are discussed.
Can a Non-Native Primate Be a Potential Seed Disperser? A Case Study on Saimiri sciureus in Pernambuco State, Brazil
Authors: Oliveira-Silva Liany Regina B. , Campêlo Anielise C. , Lima Ingrid Mirella S. , Araújo Ana Caroline L. , Bezerra Bruna M. , Souza-Alves João Pedro
Published: March 2018

The interaction between native fleshy-fruit plants and introduced fruit consumers contributes to the dynamics of highly fragmented environments. Such interactions can occur through pollination and seed dispersal. Here, we investigated the potential of seed dispersing by a non-native primate, the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus), in an urban Atlantic forest fragment in north-eastern Brazil. Fleshy fruits from non-native plants were preferentially exploited by the squirrel monkeys. We measured 147 seeds (width and length) from 20 of 106 faecal samples. The dispersed seeds were from five plant species (four families). We found a positive correlation between the size of seeds found in faecal samples with their availability in the habitat. Only one seed was found visually damaged after passage through the squirrel monkeys’ guts. The defecated seeds were uniformly distributed (variance to mean ratio index) in the home range of squirrel monkeys, and there was a lack of specific latrines (i.e., habitat preference for defecation). Our data provide evidence that non-native S. sciureus may in be (i) acting as a potential seed disperser of native plants in the Atlantic forest fragment, (ii) contributing to the ecological role of native frugivores, and (iii) potentially contributing to the regeneration process of the highly degraded study site.
Early and One-Year Outcomes of Acute Stroke in the Industrial Region of Poland During the Decade 2006–2015: The Silesian Stroke Registry
Authors: Gierlotka Marek , Labuz-Roszak Beata , Wojtyniak Bogdan , Lasek-Bal Anetta , Zdrojewski Tomasz , Adamczyk-Sowa Monika , Chwojnicki Kamil , Skrzypek Michal , Ciesla Daniel , Gasior Mariusz
Published: March 2018

Background: Poland, classified as a high-income country, is still considered to have a high cardiovascular risk population. During the last decade, the standards of care in acute stroke (AS) had markedly improved; thus, we aimed to assess whether and how it translated into early and late outcomes. Methods: Silesian Stroke Registry was created from the administrative database of the public, obligatory, health ­insurer in Poland. The AS cases were selected based on primary diagnosis coded in ICD-10 as I60-I64 for years 2006–2015 (n = 120,844). Index hospitalization together with data on re-hospitalizations, procedures, ambulatory visits, rehabilitation and all-cause deaths in a 1-year follow-up were analyzed. Results: The rates of admissions per 100,000 adult population varied between 41–47 for haemorrhagic and 257–275 for ischaemic stroke with substantial decrease in almost all age groups except for the oldest patients. In ischaemic stroke, thrombolytic therapy raised from 0 to 8.8% in 2015, along with significant trends of decreasing 30-day (from 20 to 16%) and 12-month (from 35 to 31%) case fatality. In haemorrhagic stroke, case fatality had not changed. After ischaemic stroke, 12-month readmissions due to AS declined from 11–12% in 2006–2009 to 9% in 2010–2014. The percentage of patients benefiting from rehabilitation increased from 24 to 32%. Conclusions: In a large population of industrial province, we showed recent, positive trends in AS admissions, treatment and 1-year outcomes. Development of stroke unit networks and increase in thrombolytic treatment were at least in part responsible for survival improvement and reduction of recurrence of AS. However, case-fatality and stroke recurrence remain high compared to those of other developed countries.
Efficacy of Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology in the Diagnosis of Tuberculous Cervical Lymphadenitis
Authors: Rammeh Soumaya , Romdhane Emna , Arfaoui Toumi Amira , Houcine Yoldez , Lahiani Rym , Sassi Asma , Mardassi Helmi , Ben Salah Mamia , Ferjaoui Mohamed
Published: March 2018

Objective: This study assesses the role of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis (TL) in comparison with histology and bacteriology findings. Study Design: We undertook a descriptive retrospective study of 937 FNAC specimens from 851 patients with cervical lymph nodes. The FNAC findings were then compared to histopathology and bacteriology. Results: Of the 937 aspirates, the cytopathological diagnoses consisted of 426 (55.9%) TL, 185 (24.3%) reactive lymphoid hyperplasia, 18 (2.3%) suppurative inflammation, 78 (10.2%) malignant metastatic tumor, and 54 (7%) lymphoma. Of the 426 TL cases, 171 were diagnosed by FNAC combined with bacteriological examination. In this group, 22 cases were found to be positive on Ziehl-Neelsen stain and 16 by culture. A histopathology report was available for 62 cases. Compared to histopathology, the overall diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of FNAC in the diagnosis of cervical TL were, respectively, 96.77, 100, 100, and 96.67%. When comparing bacteriology to histopathology, these values were 97.44, 100, 100, and 91.67%. Conclusion: Our study shows that FNAC is a sensitive and specific tool for the diagnosis of cervical TL.
Whole-Genome Linkage Analysis with Whole-Exome Sequencing Identifies a Novel Frameshift Variant in NEFH in a Chinese Family with Charcot-Marie-Tooth 2: A Novel Variant in NEFH for Charcot-Marie-Tooth 2
Authors: Bian Xianli , Lin Pengfei , Li Jiangxia , Long Feng , Duan Ruonan , Yuan Qianqian , Li Yan , Gao Fei , Gao Shang , Wei Shijun , Li Xi , Sun Wenjie , Gong Yaoqin , Yan Chuanzhu , Liu Qiji
Published: March 2018

Background: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder of the peripheral nervous system. More than 50 genes/loci were found associated with the disease. We found a family with autosomal-dominant CMT2. Objective: To reveal the pathogenic gene of the family and further investigate the function of the variant. Methods: DNA underwent whole-genome linkage analysis for all family members and whole-exome sequencing for 2 affected members. Neurofilament light polypeptide and wild-type or mutant neurofilament heavy polypeptide (NEFH) were co-transfected into SW13 (vim–) cells. The nefh-knockdown zebrafish model was produced by using morpholino antisense oligonucleotides. Results: We identified a novel insertion variant (c.3057insG) in NEFH in the family. The variant led to the loss of a stop codon and an extended 41 amino acids in the protein. Immunofluorescence results revealed that mutant NEFH disrupted the neurofilament network and induced aggregation of NEFH protein. Knockdown of nefh in zebrafish caused a slightly or severely curled tail. The motor ability of nefh-knockdown embryos was impaired or even absent, and the embryos showed developmental defects of axons in motor neurons. The abnormal phenotype and axonal developmental defects could be rescued by injection of human wild-type but not human mutant NEFH mRNA. Conclusions: We identified a novel stop loss variant in NEFH that is likely pathogenic for CMT2, and the results provide further evidence for the role of an aberrant assembly of neurofilament in CMT.
A Case of Ceftriaxone-Induced Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis/Generalized Pustular Psoriasis Overlap
Authors: Zheng Jianfeng , Gao Yunlu , Yi Xuemei , Ding Yangfeng
Published: March 2018

Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, characterized by subcorneal or superficial intraepidermal pustules, is induced by drugs in more than 90% of cases. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease triggered by different conditions in genetically susceptible people. Generalized pustular psoriasis is an acute and severe clinical form of psoriasis, which usually occurs in patients with psoriasis undergoing aggravating factors. In this report the authors have reported a 40-year-old male patient with primary syphilis who developed generalized pustular dermatosis after the use of ceftriaxone. On the third day after ceftriaxone treatment, complete regression of the syphilis lesions was reached. While on the sixth day, erythematous pustular lesions accompanied with fever were observed on the whole body. A personal history of psoriasis and histopathological findings with psoriasiform changes and subcorneal pustule favored the diagnosis. After discontinuation of ceftriaxone, the patient’s condition slowly improved until he had plaque-type psoriasis 3 weeks later. A heterozygous c.115 + 6T>C missense substitution of IL36RN related to the pathogenesis of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis/generalized pustular psoriasis was identified.
Multimodalidade na escrita de artigos científicos: aspectos teórico-analíticos e contribuições para o ensino
Authors: Elias Vanda Maria Da Silva , Silva Sandro Luis
Published: March 2018

Neste trabalho, temos como objetivo geral contribuir para o ensino da produção escrita na universidade, particularmente no que diz respeito à escrita do gênero artigo científico, e como objetivo específico discutir aspectos multimodais na produção de artigos científicos. Para alcançarmos esses objetivos, selecionamos um corpus constituído por artigos da área de Letras extraídos de revistas científicas on-line e ancoramos a reflexão em estudos do texto que vêm incorporando ou apontando para a necessidade de considerar aspectos multimodais no encaminhamento teórico-analítico. As questões que norteiam a discussão estão assim configuradas: 1. O que é multimodalidade e como a noção vem sendo incorporada aos estudos do texto na atualidade? 2. Quais aspectos multimodais se destacam na produção de artigos científicos e que funções assumem? 3. Quais contribuições esses recursos multimodais oferecem ao ensino da produção escrita na universidade? Organizamos o trabalho em três seções, cada uma delas correspondente às questões que orientam nossa reflexão e os objetivos elencados.
Rainbow trout personality: individual behavioural variation in juvenile Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Elias Ashley , Thrower Frank , Nichols Krista M.
Published: March 2018

We evaluated the variation in dispersal, exploration, and aggression across time in juvenile progeny produced from wild caught rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) at a critical developmental shift associated with the highest mortality in fish. By testing multiple ecologically relevant behaviours repeatedly in the same individuals, we simultaneously tested multiple hypotheses regarding personality, plasticity, and behavioural syndromes to better understand the innate behavioural variation in a population containing both migratory and resident life histories. There were consistent behavioural differences, or personality, between individuals across time, for dispersal, aggression, and exploration, unrelated to size or sex. The significant repeatabilities (0.10–0.46) indicate that these traits are potentially heritable. Also, we found both habituation in all behaviours and significant differences between individuals in the rate of that habituation, despite no evidence of a behavioural syndrome. The identification of this individual level variation is a step towards understanding which heritable traits selection could influence.
Age and growth of the common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768)
Authors: Eroğlu Ali İhsan , Bülbül Ufuk , Kurnaz Muammer , Odabaş Yasemin
Published: March 2018

The present study was designed to compare the life history traits of two Podarcis muralis populations located at sites of different elevation. The age at maturity was similar in both populations, whereas longevity was found to be lower in the lowland one (Dereköy). The males and females of both populations had a similar snout-vent length (SVL) and mean age. Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) was weak in the highland population, males being slightly larger than females, whereas a strong male-biased SSD was observed in the lowland one. The growth coefficient (k) and growth rates were similar in both populations. This study indicates that the age at maturation (2-3 years) and growth rates (2.37 mm/year) are similar in two populations of P. muralis exposed to different climatic and environmental conditions. Longevity was slightly higher in the highland population (16 years) compared to the lowland one (14 years).
Desire for Self-healing
Authors: Lau Ngar-sze
Published: March 2018

This practice report describes how Chinese meditators understand the “four foundations of mindfulness” (satipaṭṭhāna, sinianzhu 四念住) as a remedy for both mental and physical suffering. In the tradition of Theravāda Buddhism, satipaṭṭhāna is particularly recognized as the core knowledge for understanding the relationship between mind and body, and the core practice leading to liberation from suffering. Based on interviews with Chinese meditation practitioners, this study develops three main themes concerning how they have alleviated afflictions through the practice of satipaṭṭhāna. The first theme highlights how practitioners learn to overcome meditation difficulties with “right attitude.” The second theme is about practicing awareness with “six sense doors” open in order to facilitate the balance of the “five faculties.” The third theme explores how practitioners cultivate daily life practice through an understanding of the nature of mind and body as impermanent and as not-self. This paper details how these themes and embodied practices of satipaṭṭhāna constitute ways of self-healing for urban educated Buddhists in the contemporary Chinese context.
Interdecadal Variability of the Warm Arctic and Cold Eurasia Pattern and Its North Atlantic Origin
Authors: Sung Mi-Kyung , Kim Seon-Hwa , Kim Baek-Min , Choi Yong-Sang
Published: March 2018

This study investigates the origin of the interdecadal variability in the warm Arctic and cold Eurasia (WACE) pattern, which is defined as the second empirical orthogonal function of surface air temperature (SAT) variability over the Eurasian continent in Northern Hemisphere winter, by analyzing the Twentieth Century Reanalysis dataset. While previous studies highlight recent enhancement of the WACE pattern, ascribing it to anthropogenic warming, the authors found that the WACE pattern has experienced a seemingly periodic interdecadal variation over the twentieth century. This long-term variation in the Eurasian SAT is attributable to the altered coupling between the Siberian high (SH) and intraseasonal Rossby wave emanating from the North Atlantic, as the local wave branch interacts with the SH and consequentially enhances the continental temperature perturbation. It is further identified that these atmospheric circulation changes in Eurasia are largely controlled by the decadal amplitude modulation of the climatological stationary waves over the North Atlantic region. The altered decadal mean condition of stationary wave components brings changes in local baroclinicity and storm track activity over the North Atlantic, which jointly change the intraseasonal Rossby wave generation and propagation characteristics as well. With simple stationary wave model experiments, the authors confirm how the altered mean flow condition in the North Atlantic acts as a source for the growth of the Rossby wave that leads to the change in the downstream WACE pattern.
Axial compressive behavior of lightweight aggregate concrete columns confined with transverse steel reinforcement
Authors: Wu Tao , Wei Hui , Zhang Yu , Liu Xi
Published: March 2018

This study presents an experimental investigation into the behavior of lightweight aggregate concrete columns confined with transverse steel reinforcement. Twelve reinforced specimens were tested under monotonically increasing axial compressive load. Test variables considered in the study include the amount of transverse steel and the tie configuration. The results indicated that the crack pattern of confined lightweight aggregate concrete columns exhibited significant differences with the normal weight concrete specimens expressing that the failure planes passed through the coarse aggregates or occurred at the interface between the coarse aggregate and cement paste. In addition, the brittle behavior of lightweight aggregate concrete can be significantly improved by reasonably selecting the tie configuration and adding the amount of lateral steel resulting in an excellent ductile behavior. Columns confined by rectangular hoops with cross ties provide sufficient axial load–carrying capacity and ductile behavior when compared with those of specimens confined by other tie configurations during the test. An analytical model that considers the confinement effectiveness factor ( λt) and coefficient k was proposed to predict the peak stress and the corresponding strain of the specimen. The model demonstrates good predictive capability when it is compared with selected models.
Effect of dowel joints on dynamic behavior of train–discrete floating slab track system
Authors: Wei Gang , Wang Yong-An , Jiang Ji-Qing , Zhang Ru , Ding Zhi
Published: March 2018

Dowel joints are installed at the end of floating slabs and can effectively reduce the discontinuity of deformation between adjacent floating slabs. The shear spring model had been proposed for modeling the dowel joints of the floating slab track, while the constraint effect of dowel joints on the bending/rotation has not been considered. For a more comprehensive investigation of dowel joints, two idealized dowel models are introduced here, that is, the shear spring–dashpot model and the bending spring–dashpot model, respectively. The effects of these two models on the vibration of train–floating slab track system are analyzed by numerical examples. It is concluded that both shear dowel model and bending dowel model can reduce the dynamic responses of the train–floating slab track system. In detail, the shear dowel model can effectively reduce the displacement difference between adjacent floating slabs but can hardly decrease the displacement amplitudes of the rail and slabs, while the bending dowel model can effectively decrease the displacement amplitudes but has little influence on reducing the displacement difference. In addition, the spring stiffness of these two dowel models has significant influence on the vibration performance of the train–floating slab track system, while the effect of damping coefficients can almost be neglected.
Ambient air pollution and cardiovascular diseases: From bench to bedside
Authors: Vidale Simone , Campana Carlo
Published: March 2018

Air pollution has a great impact on health, representing one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Previous experimental and epidemiological studies suggested the role of pollutants as risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. For this reason, international guidelines included specific statements regarding the contribution of particulate matter exposure to increase the risk of these events. In this review, we summarise the main evidence concerning the mechanisms involved in the processes linking air pollutants to the development of cardiovascular diseases.
Tolerogenic properties of the Fc portion of IgG and its relevance to the treatment and management of hemophilia
Authors: Blumberg Richard S. , Lillicrap David ,   the IgG Fc Immune Tolerance Group
Published: March 2018

Hemophilia, or inherited genetic deficiencies in coagulation factors, results in uncontrolled bleeding requiring replacement therapy with recombinant proteins given preventively or on demand. However, a major problem with these approaches is the potential for development of immune responses to the administered proteins due to the underlying genetic deficiency of the factor(s) throughout life. As such, there is great interest in developing strategies that avoid immunogenicity and induce immune tolerance. Recently, recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) and rFIX fused to the crystallizable fragment (Fc) domain of immunoglobulin G (IgG) have been developed as therapeutic agents for hemophilia A and B, respectively. Although it is well known that the possession of an Fc domain confers IgG’s longer-lasting circulating half-life, it is not generally appreciated that the Fc domain also confers immunoregulatory properties that are associated with the induction of tolerance. Here, we review some of the latest advances in our understanding of the tolerogenic abilities of IgG Fc and the impact of Fc-fusion proteins of rFVIII on the treatment of hemophilia.