bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of lack of oxygen on optical and electrical properties of RF magnetron sputtering deposited CuFeO2−x thin films
Authors: Li Yiqi , Chen Lian , Deng Quanrong , Shen Yonglong , Wang Geming , Wang Shenggao
Published: October 2018

Delafossite CuFeO[Formula: see text] thin films were fabricated on quartz substrate using radio-frequency sputtering deposition under low O2 flow ratios from 9% to 0% at room temperature. The as-deposited films were in amorphous phase and crystallized into rhombohedral 3R (R3m) delafossite structure after post annealing at 900[Formula: see text]C for 2 h in flowing N2 atmosphere. SEM images showed that the films were composed of nano-sized crystallized grains, thin film composed of smoother surface and higher oxygen content was obtained under higher oxygen percentage in sputtering gas. The optical transmission spectra of these films were studied in the wavelength range 200–1500 nm and the results revealed a narrowing trend of direct bandgap from 3.09 eV to 2.98 eV with the decrease of oxygen flow ratio during deposition. All of the post-annealed CuFeO[Formula: see text] thin films exhibited p-type conductivity and linear ohmic contact feature with Cu electrodes. The carrier concentration of thin films increased from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] whereas the carrier mobility decreased from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] as the oxygen flow ratio reduced from 9% to 0%. The ability of controlling compound composition enables tuning of carrier concentration and mobility in CuFeO[Formula: see text] and offering essential technical basis in engineering photoelectronic devices.
A Framework for Solving Explicit Arithmetic Word Problems and Proving Plane Geometry Theorems
Authors: Yu Xinguo , Wang Mingshu , Gan Wenbin , He Bin , Ye Nan
Published: October 2018

This paper presents a framework for solving math problems stated in a natural language (NL) and applies the framework to develop algorithms for solving explicit arithmetic word problems and proving plane geometry theorems. We focus on problem understanding, that is, the transformation of a NL description of a math problem to a formal representation. We view this as a relation extraction problem, and adopt a greedy algorithm to extract the mathematical relations using a syntax-semantics model, which is a set of patterns describing how a syntactic pattern is mapped to its formal semantics. Our method yields a human readable solution that shows how the mathematical relations are extracted one at a time. We apply our framework to solve arithmetic word problems and prove plane geometry theorems. For arithmetic word problems, the extracted relations are transformed into a system of equations, and the equations are then solved to produce the solution. For plane geometry theorems, these extracted relations are input to an inference system to generate the proof. We evaluate our approach on a set of arithmetic word problems stated in Chinese, and two sets of plane geometry theorems stated in Chinese and English. Our algorithms achieve high accuracies on these datasets and they also show some desirable properties such as brevity of algorithm description and legibility of algorithm actions.
Enhancing Blurred Low-Resolution Images via Exploring the Potentials of Learning-Based Super-Resolution
Authors: Shao Wen-Ze , Bao Bing-Kun , Li Hai-Bo
Published: October 2018

This paper aims to propose a candidate solution to the challenging task of single-image blind super-resolution (SR), via extensively exploring the potentials of learning-based SR schemes in the literature. The task is formulated into an energy functional to be minimized with respect to both an intermediate super-resolved image and a nonparametric blur-kernel. The functional includes a so-called convolutional consistency term which incorporates a nonblind learning-based SR result to better guide the kernel estimation process, and a bi-[Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]-norm regularization imposed on both the super-resolved sharp image and the nonparametric blur-kernel. A numerical algorithm is deduced via coupling the splitting augmented Lagrangian (SAL) and the conjugate gradient (CG) method. With the estimated blur-kernel, the final SR image is reconstructed using a simple TV-based nonblind SR method. The proposed blind SR approach is demonstrated to achieve better performance than [T. Michaeli and M. Irani, Nonparametric Blind Super-resolution, in Proc. IEEE Conf. Comput. Vision (IEEE Press, Washington, 2013), pp. 945–952.] in terms of both blur-kernel estimation accuracy and image ehancement quality. In the meanwhile, the experimental results demonstrate surprisingly that the local linear regression-based SR method, anchored neighbor regression (ANR) serves the proposed functional more appropriately than those harnessing the deep convolutional neural networks.
Morphogenetic Updating Algorithm and its Application in Updating Probabilistic Risk
Authors: Tian Jing , Resconi Germano
Published: October 2018

The problem of risk update is one of the core problems of dynamic risk analysis. As for updating widely used probabilistic risk, it’s a kind of special problem of pattern recognition which means to transfer from old pattern to new pattern with new information. Aiming at updating probabilistic risk only with the new observations and without the original observations, this paper proposes the morphogenetic updating algorithm to update the probabilistic risk with only new observations and old risk values by reproducing the morphogenesis of new observations and old risk values based on morphogenetic estimation. The form rules hidden in the risk values and new observations are discovered by internal source in Write operation, and the projection of the input and the cosine similarity measure as the basis for defining the weight of updating are computed in Read operation. Based on Resconi theorem, the input is reproduced by its projection on the context which provides the same mathematical space for updating and stores the structural information hidden in the risk. By applying the algorithm to updating the probabilistic risk of typhoon rainstorms occurred in Guangdong Province, it proves that morphogenetic updating algorithm provides us a method to updating probabilistic risk fast and satisfactorily and it’s a sustainable updating method which can be used for dynamic risk analysis.
EEG Signal Processing Based on Genetic Algorithm for Extracting Mixed Features
Authors: Li Yanping , Wu Linyan , Wang Tao , Gao Nuo , Wang Qi
Published: October 2018

In order to improve the classification of motor imagery EEG accuracy, this paper proposes a method based on Genetic Algorithm (GA) EEG signal classification method to extract mixed characteristics. This method uses wavelet analysis and Hilbert–Huang Transform (HHT) to analyze EEG signals and optimizes the characteristics through Common Spatial Patterns (CSP). Finally, the 14 sub features are optimized by GA, and the weights and data credibility of different sub features are obtained. The experiment was tested with 2003BCI competition data and the EEG signal collected by the laboratory. The accuracy rate of competition data was increased from about 75% before weighting to more than 80% after weighting, and the laboratory data increased from about 65% before weighting to about 75% after weighting. Experimental results show that this method can effectively improve the classification accuracy of EEG signals, and the most useful EEG signals can be extracted from large amounts of data for feature extraction and classification. Finally, the online test is carried out to further verify the feasibility of the method.
Model of multiple Dirac eikonal scattering of protons by nuclei
Authors: Pilipenko V. V. , Kuprikov V. I.
Published: October 2018

The model of multiple Dirac eikonal scattering (MDES) of incident proton by target-nucleus nucleons is developed, in which new expressions for the elastic [Formula: see text]-scattering amplitudes are obtained from the multiple scattering Watson series with employing the eikonal approximation for the Dirac propagators of the free proton motion between successive scattering acts on nucleons. Based on this model, calculations for the complete set of observables of the elastic [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]Pb at 800[Formula: see text]MeV have been performed, using proton–nucleon amplitudes determined from the phase analysis and the nucleon densities obtained from describing the target-nucleus structure in the relativistic mean-field approximation. A comparison has been made of the results of these calculations with analogous calculations on the basis of the Glauber multiple diffraction theory.
Dynamic Analysis of Sandwich Plates with Isotropic Skins and Viscoelastic Core
Authors: Ojha R. K. , Dwivedy S. K.
Published: October 2018

The free and forced vibration characteristics of three-layered sandwich plates with thin isotropic faces and Leptadenia pyrotechnica rheological elastomer (LPRE) core are studied in this investigation. The LPRE core is fabricated and experimented to determine its shear storage modulus and loss modulus. It is observed that the stiffness and damping characteristics of the LPRE core is significantly higher than those of the room-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber elastomer (RTVE) core. The governing equation of motion for the sandwich plate is derived by the Lagrange principle and given in finite element form. The natural frequencies and loss factors of the three-layered sandwich plate are studied by varying the thicknesses of the core and the constraining isotropic layer, and material of the constraining layer with different boundary conditions. The results are compared with those of similar structures with different core materials and boundary conditions. In addition, a LPRE-based sandwich plate is fabricated and its fundamental frequency is determined experimentally and compared with the finite element result. The forced vibration response of the three-layered sandwich plate is also explored under a harmonic excitation force. This study provides supports for the application of the LPRE-based sandwich plates potentially to the passive vibration suppression of structures.
Some algebraic hyperstructures related to zero forcing sets and forcing digraphs
Authors: Golmohamadian M. , Zahedi M. M. , Soltankhah N.
Published: October 2018

A zero forcing set is a new concept in Graph Theory which was introduced in recent years. In this paper, we investigate the relationship between zero forcing sets and algebraic hyperstructures. To this end, we present some new definitions by considering a zero forcing process on a graph [Formula: see text]. These definitions help us analyze the zero forcing process better and construct various hypergroups and join spaces on the vertex set of graph [Formula: see text]. Finally, we give some examples to clarify these hyperstructures.
Some simplifications of the intersection condition of chiral form for polytopes
Authors: Zhang Wei-Juan
Published: October 2018

To determine if a poset of type [Formula: see text] is a directly regular or chiral polytope, it is necessary to test whether or not its rotation group (as a quotient of the orientation-preserving subgroup of the Coxeter group [Formula: see text]) satisfies the so-called intersection condition of chiral form. However, due to the fact that many cases need to be checked, this process is often very tedious and takes much time. In this paper, under certain circumstances, we give some simplifications for checking the intersection condition, which leads to certain constructions for directly regular or chiral polytopes.
The q-linked complex Minkowski space, its real forms and deformed isometry groups
Authors: Fioresi R. , Latini E. , Marrani A.
Published: October 2018

We establish duality between real forms of the quantum deformation of the four-dimensional orthogonal group studied by Fioresi et al. [Quantum Klein space and superspace, preprint (2017), arXiv:1705.01755] and the classification work made by Borowiec et al. [Basic quantizations of [Formula: see text] Euclidean, Lorentz, Kleinian and quaternionic [Formula: see text] symmetries, J. High Energy Phys. 1711 (2017) 187]. Classically, these real forms are the isometry groups of [Formula: see text] equipped with Euclidean, Kleinian or Lorentzian metric. A general deformation, named [Formula: see text]-linked, of each of these spaces is then constructed, together with the coaction of the corresponding isometry group.
A Simple Approach for Estimating the Fundamental Mode Shape of Layered Soil Profiles
Authors: Zhang Haizhong , Zhao Yan-Gang
Published: October 2018

The fundamental mode shape of layered soil profiles is a key site response parameter, it has been adopted into the Japanese seismic code to represent the shape of the soil displacement response along the vertical direction. In this study, a simple approach for estimating the fundamental mode shape of layered soil profiles is developed. The proposed approach can directly model the fundamental mode shape and can be conveniently implemented using arithmetic operations, thus making it suitable to be used by the engineers. The assessments of the proposed approach using a series of layered soil profiles demonstrate that it can produce results in close agreement with the actual results.
Black phosphorus: A novel nanoplatform with potential in the field of bio-photonic nanomedicine
Authors: Fan Taojian , Zhou Yansheng , Qiu Meng , Zhang Han
Published: October 2018

Single- or few-layer black phosphorus (FLBP) has attracted great attentions in scientific community with its excellent properties, including biodegradability, unique puckered lattice configuration, attractive electrical properties and direct and tunable band gap. In recent years, FLBP has been widely studied in bio-photonic fields such as photothermal and photodynamic therapy, drug delivery, bioimaging and biosensor, showing attractive clinical potential. Because of the marked advantages of FLBP nanomaterials in bio-photonic fields, this review article reviews the latest advances of biomaterials based on FLBP in biomedical applications, ranging from biocompatibility, medical diagnosis to treatment.
Skill discovery in virtual assistants
Authors: White Ryen W.
Published: October 2018

Skill recommendations must be provided when users need them most, without being obtrusive or distracting.
Research for practice
Authors: Ratner Alex , Ré Chris , Bailis Peter
Published: October 2018

Three critical design points: Joint learning, weak supervision, and new representations.
Child-computer interaction, ubiquitous technologies, and big data
Authors: Hourcade Juan Pablo , Antle Alissa N. , Anthony Lisa , Fails Jerry Alan , Iversen Ole Sejer , Rubegni Elisa , Skov Mikael , Slovak Petr , Walsh Greg , Zeising Anja
Published: October 2018

In this forum we celebrate research that helps to successfully bring the benefits of computing technologies to children, older adults, people with disabilities, and other populations that are often ignored in the design of mass-marketed products.
--- Juan Pablo Hourcade, Editor
Prenatal hypoxia impairs cardiac mitochondrial and ventricular function in guinea pig offspring in a sex-related manner
Authors: Thompson Loren P. , Chen Ling , Polster Brian M. , Pinkas Gerard , Song Hong
Published: October 2018

Adverse intrauterine conditions cause fetal growth restriction and increase the risk of adult cardiovascular disease. We hypothesize that intrauterine hypoxia impairs fetal heart function, is sustained after birth, and manifests as both cardiac and mitochondrial dysfunction in offspring guinea pigs (GPs). Pregnant GPs were exposed to 10.5% O2 (HPX) at 50 days of gestation (full term = 65 days) or normoxia (NMX) for the duration of the pregnancy. Pups were allowed to deliver vaginally and raised in a NMX environment. At 90 days of age, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured in anesthetized GPs. NMX and prenatally HPX offspring underwent echocardiographic imaging for in vivo measurement of left ventricular cardiac morphology and function, and O2 consumption rates and complex IV enzyme activity were measured from isolated cardiomyocytes and mitochondria, respectively. Prenatal HPX increased ( P < 0.01) MAP (52.3 ± 1.3 and 58.4 ± 1.1 mmHg in NMX and HPX, respectively) and decreased ( P < 0.05) stroke volume (439.8 ± 54.5 and 289.4 ± 15.8 μl in NMX and HPX, respectively), cardiac output (94.4 ± 11.2 and 67.3 ± 3.8 ml/min in NMX and HPX, respectively), ejection fraction, and fractional shortening in male, but not female, GPs. HPX had no effect on left ventricular wall thickness or end-diastolic volume in either sex. HPX reduced mitochondrial maximal respiration and respiratory reserve capacity and complex IV activity rates in hearts of male, but not female, GPs. Prenatal HPX is a programming stimulus that increases MAP and decreases cardiac and mitochondrial function in male offspring. Sex-related differences in the contractile and mitochondrial responses suggest that female GPs are protected from cardiovascular programming of prenatal HPX.
Fever of Unknown Origin as a Sole Presentation of Subacute Thyroiditis in an Elderly Patient: A Case Report with Literature Review
Authors: Raj Rishi , Yada Srujana , Jacob Aasems , Unnikrishnan Dileep , Ghali Wael
Published: October 2018

An 80-year-old Caucasian male presented with fever of 3-week duration. Outpatient workup for infectious etiologies was negative and due to persistent fever, he was hospitalized for further evaluation of fever of unknown origin (FUO). Physical examination and laboratory studies remained unremarkable; however a follow-up CT scan of chest, abdomen, and pelvis with contrast done to rule out malignancy as an underlying cause of FUO revealed heterogeneous thyroid gland with surrounding hazy changes suggestive of thyroiditis. Thyroid function tests confirmed the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis. The patient was started on prednisone with good response in his symptoms and was eventually discharged to home. The importance of our case lies in the fact that diagnosing subacute thyroiditis in the absence of classical symptoms of neck pain can be challenging and a physician should have a very high index of suspicion especially in an elderly patient where FUO can be the sole presentation.
Polygenic Determinants for Subsequent Breast Cancer Risk in Survivors of Childhood Cancer: The St Jude Lifetime Cohort Study (SJLIFE)
Authors: Wang Zhaoming , Liu Qi , Wilson Carmen L. , Easton John , Mulder Heather , Chang Ti-Cheng , Rusch Michael C. , Edmonson Michael N. , Rice Stephen V. , Ehrhardt Matthew J. , Howell Rebecca M. , Kesserwan Chimene A. , Wu Gang , Nichols Kim E. , Downing James R. , Hudson Melissa M. , Zhang Jinghui , Yasui Yutaka , Robison Leslie L.
Published: October 2018

Purpose:

The risk of subsequent breast cancer among female childhood cancer survivors is markedly elevated. We aimed to determine genetic contributions to this risk, focusing on polygenic determinants implicated in breast cancer susceptibility in the general population.

Experimental Design:

Whole-genome sequencing (30×) was performed on survivors in the St Jude Lifetime Cohort, and germline mutations in breast cancer predisposition genes were classified for pathogenicity. A polygenic risk score (PRS) was constructed for each survivor using 170 established common risk variants. Relative rate (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of subsequent breast cancer incidence were estimated using multivariable piecewise exponential regression.

Results:

The analysis included 1,133 female survivors of European ancestry (median age at last follow-up = 35.4 years; range, 8.4–67.4), of whom 47 were diagnosed with one or more subsequent breast cancers (median age at subsequent breast cancer = 40.3 years; range, 24.5–53.0). Adjusting for attained age, age at primary diagnosis, chest irradiation, doses of alkylating agents and anthracyclines, and genotype eigenvectors, RRs for survivors with PRS in the highest versus lowest quintiles were 2.7 (95% CI, 1.0–7.3), 3.0 (95% CI, 1.1–8.1), and 2.4 (95% CI, 0.1–81.1) for all survivors and survivors with and without chest irradiation, respectively. Similar associations were observed after excluding carriers of pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutations in breast cancer predisposition genes. Notably, the PRS was associated with the subsequent breast cancer rate under the age of 45 years (RR = 3.2; 95% CI, 1.2–8.3).

Conclusions:

Genetic profiles comprised of small-effect common variants and large-effect predisposing mutations can inform personalized breast cancer risk and surveillance/intervention in female childhood cancer survivors.
Randomized Phase II Study of Consecutive-Day versus Alternate-Day Treatment with S-1 as Second-Line Chemotherapy in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Ishikawa Takuya , Kawashima Hiroki , Ohno Eizaburo , Matsubara Hiroshi , Sasaki Yoji , Achiwa Koichi , Kanamori Akira , Sumi Hajime , Hirai Takanori , Nonogaki Koji , Tsuzuki Tomoyuki , Kuroiwa Masanori , Hattori Masashi , Maruta Shinya , Hiramatsu Takeshi , Ando Masahiko , Hashimoto Senju , Hirooka Yoshiki
Published: October 2018

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of alternate-day administration of S-1 as second-line chemotherapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer in a multicenter, randomized, phase II study. Methods: Patients with histologically proven, unresectable pancreatic cancer treated with chemotherapy not including S-1 as first-line therapy were randomly assigned to receive either daily or alternate-day treatment with S-1. The primary end point was overall survival (OS), and the secondary end points were progression-free survival (PFS), time to treatment failure (TTF), response rate, and adverse events. Results: A total of 77 patients were enrolled, of which 75 were included in the final analysis. The median OS was 4.5 months in the daily group and 4.4 months in the alternate-day group (HR 1.178; 95% CI 0.741–1.875), with no significance in PFS and TTF. The response rate was 2.8% in the daily group and 0% in the alternate-day group. Grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred with significantly higher incidence in the daily group (47.2 vs. 25.6%, p = 0.044). Conclusion: As a second-line chemotherapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer, although the efficacy in both groups was comparable and we can expect fewer toxicities with alternate-day administration of S-1, the noninferiority of alternate-day treatment to daily treatment with S-1 was not verified.
Impact of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation on Clinical Outcomes of Nintedanib Plus Docetaxel in Patients with Previously Treated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer from the Korean Named Patient Program
Authors: Hong Sook-Hee , An Ho jung , Kim Kihyun , Lee Seung Sei , Lee Yun-Gyoo , Yuh Young-Jin , Park I Cheon , Chae Yee Soo , Jang Tae-Won , Kang Jin-Hyoung
Published: October 2018

Objectives: Anti-angiogenic agents are reported to exert clinical activity on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant non-small-cell lung cancers. We evaluated the clinical outcomes of nintedanib and docetaxel in refractory NSCLC according to EGFR mutation status during the Korean nintedanib named patient program. Methods: Docetaxel was administered either 75 or 37.5 mg/m2 on D1, D8 q every 3 weeks for 4–6 cycles plus nintedanib 200 mg orally twice daily until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results: Sixty-two patients were enrolled for study. Twenty-eight patients with activating EGFR mutations progressed after EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) therapy and 25 out of 28 patients showing progression after platinum doublet chemotherapy were enrolled. The objective response rate was 29% and median PFS and OS were 3.9 months and 11.7 months. Based on the EGFR mutation status, the objective response rate was 39.3 vs. 21.9% (EGFR mut(+) vs. EGFR mut(–), p = 0.142) and median PFS was 6.5 vs. 3.3 months (EGFR mut(+) vs. EGFR mut(–), p = 0.009). No treatment-related deaths were reported. The most frequent drug-related adverse events (AE) were neutropenia (53.2%) and diarrhea (37.1%). Treatment in 12 patients (19.3%) was permanently discontinued due to AEs without disease progression. Conclusions: Our data indicated that nintedanib-docetaxel combination could be considered to be effective treatment in EGFR TKI-resistant EGFR mutant NSCLC.
STING SNP R293Q Is Associated with a Decreased Risk of Aging-Related Diseases
Authors: Hamann Lutz , Ruiz-Moreno Juan S. , Szwed Malgorzata , Mossakowska Malgorzata , Lundvall Linn , Schumann Ralf R. , Opitz Bastian , Puzianowska-Kuznicka Monika
Published: October 2018

Background: Aging is a multifactorial process driven by several conditions. Among them, inflamm-aging is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation driving aging-related diseases. The aged immune system is characterized by the senescence-associated secretory phenotype, resulting in the release of proinflammatory cytokines contributing to inflamm-aging. Another possible mechanism resulting in inflamm-aging could be the increased release of danger- associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) by increased cell death in the elderly, leading to a chronic low-grade inflammatory response. Several pattern recognition receptors of the innate immune system are involved in recognition of DAMPs. The DNA-sensing cGAS-STING pathway plays a pivotal role in combating viral and bacterial infections and recognizes DNA released by cell death during the process of aging, which in turn may result in increased inflamm-aging. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether a variation within the STING gene with known impaired function may be associated with protection from aging-related diseases by decreasing the process of inflamm-aging. Methods: STING (Tmem173) R293Q was genotyped in a cohort of 3,397 aged subjects (65–103 years). The distribution of the variant allele in healthy subjects and subjects suffering from aging-associated diseases was compared by logistic regression analysis. Results: We show here that STING 293Q allele carriers were protected from aging-associated diseases (OR = 0.823, p = 0.038). This effect was much stronger in the subgroup of subjects suffering from chronic lung diseases (OR = 0.730, p = 0.009). Conclusion: Our results indicate that decreased sensitivity of the innate immune receptors is associated with healthy aging, most likely due to a decreased process of inflamm-aging.
Mountains and Chasms: Surveying the Oncogenomic Publication Landscape
Authors: Carrio-Cordo Paula , Baudis Michael
Published: October 2018

Cancers arise from the accumulation of somatic genome mutations, with varying contributions of intrinsic (i.e., genetic predisposition) and extrinsic (i.e., environmental) factors. For the understanding of malignant clones, precise information about their genomic composition has to be correlated with morphological, clinical, and individual features in the context of the available medical knowledge. Rapid improvements in molecular profiling techniques, the accumulation of a large amount of data in genomic alterations in human malignancies, and the expansion of bioinformatic tools and methodologies have facilitated the understanding of the molecular changes during oncogenesis, and their correlation with clinicopathological phenotypes. Far beyond a limited set of “driver” genes, oncogenomic profiling has identified a large variety of somatic mutations, and whole-genome sequencing studies of healthy individuals have improved the knowledge of heritable genome variation. Nevertheless, the main challenges arise from the skewed representation of individuals from varying population backgrounds in biomedical studies, and also through the limited extent in which some cancer entities are represented in the scientific literature. Content analyses of oncogenomic publications could provide guidance for the planning and support of future studies aiming at filling prominent knowledge gaps.
Standardized Photographic Documentation of Hidradenitis Suppurativa/Acne Inversa
Authors: Zouboulis Christos C. , Nogueira da Costa André
Published: October 2018

Background: Despite existing guidelines and methods for standardized clinical photography in dermatology and plastic surgery, human skin exhibits exquisite site-specific morphologies and functions, and each body region can exhibit an individual pathologic phenotype. The aim of this work was to develop a standardized, representative and reproducible documentation of the multilocular hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS) lesions, a disease mostly occurring in skin folds. Method: Optimal body positions for medical photography of candidate areas for HS involvement were evaluated. Pictures of volunteers were taken, and indicative scientific graphics were designed. Results: Due to the variability of HS lesions and the fact of their localization in skin folds, a standardized, reproducible photographic documentation of HS candidate skin areas (50 cm from the skin surface) is proposed. The photographic series includes: (1) right armpit, (2) left armpit, (3) right groin, (4) left groin, (5) genital area, (6) anal area and anal fold, (7) right buttock, (8) left buttock, (9) chest area, (10) mons pubis, (11) right submammary area (females), (12) left submammary area (females). The protocol is accompanied with indicative scientific graphics for photography-proper positioning of the relevant body parts for documentation of potentially flat skin areas. In addition, former proposals for technical standardization of photography in dermatology, regarding instrumentation, environmental lighting and background colour, have to be respected. Conclusion: Standardized photography of candidate skin areas for HS involvement will allow longitudinal intraindividual and interindividual evaluation of the disease course as well as prospective and retrospective comparative studies.
Elevation of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio before First-Line Chemotherapy Predicts a Poor Prognosis for Second-Line Chemotherapy in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Inoue Dai , Sekiguchi Shuhei , Yamagata Wataru , Maeda Gen , Yamada Daiki , Fujiwara Shun , Itou Shiori , Kurihara Masamichi , Hijioka Yuko , Shimoji Kohei , Fujiki Junko , Nakazono Ayano , Horike Hideyuki , Yoshioka Atsushi , Ogura Yuki , Hatao Fumihiko , Imamura Kazuhiro , Namiki Shin
Published: October 2018

Objectives: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has been proposed as an indicator of cancer-related inflammation. The aim of our study was to examine the prognostic value of the NLR for patients with advanced gastric cancer receiving second-line chemotherapy. Methods: The association of overall survival (OS) in second-line chemotherapy and the clinicopathological findings including NLR were analyzed retrospectively. The selection criteria were patients who received second-line chemotherapy between January 2010 and June 2015, had histologically confirmed gastric adenocarcinoma, and were followed up until death or for 180 days or longer. Results: Eighty-six patients met the selection criteria. Multivariate analysis revealed that performance status 2, hemoglobin < 10 g/dL, and NLR before first-line chemotherapy ≥3 were adverse predictive markers. NLR before second-line chemotherapy was not associated with OS. A prognostic model was constructed dividing patients into three groups according to the number of adverse predictive factors: good (no factor), intermediate (one factor), and poor (more than two factors). The median OS for the good, intermediate, and poor groups was 14.3, 7.2, and 4.4 months, respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with advanced gastric cancer with performance status 2, hemoglobin < 10 g/dL, and NLR before first-line chemotherapy ≥3 are not likely to benefit from second-line chemotherapy.
Adolescent-Onset Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Disease Features
Authors: Molina-Leyva Alejandro , Cuenca-Barrales Carlos
Published: October 2018

Background/Aims: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory and destructive skin disorder. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to stop its progression. Data concerning adolescent-onset HS are scarce. The aims of this study are to describe the prevalence of adolescent-onset HS and to explore potential risk factors and the disease features of these patients. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study including 134 patients was performed. Results: Adolescent-onset HS occurred in 51.5% (69/134) of patients. Adolescent-onset HS was associated with female sex, positive family history, presence of pilonidal sinus, acne conglobata, longer disease duration and a worse perception of disease severity. Conclusion: Adolescent-onset HS might be more frequent than previously reported. Female sex, positive family history and the presence of elements of the follicular occlusion tetrad identify individuals with a higher risk of early onset. These patients experience a longer disease duration and perceive their disease as severer.
Pro and Contra of Cleansing Conditioners
Authors: Gavazzoni Dias Maria Fernanda Reis
Published: October 2018

The main function of a shampoo is to clean the hair and the scalp. However, overcleansed frizzy hair is not cosmetically acceptable. Alternative methods of cleansing the hair have become popular among the sensitive hair population. “Co-washing” or “conditioner washing” is a method of cleansing the hair with a conditioner without silicones, petrolatum, or mineral oils. Co-washing is gentle to the hair but may lead to buildup due to residues under the cuticle scales. We discuss the pros and contras of the co-washing method in a medical perspective.
A winter roost count of the Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus (Aves: Strigiformes: Strigidae) at Porbandar, Gujarat, India
Authors: Vargiya Dhavalkumar , Chakraborty Anita
Published: October 2018

The Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus is a common to uncommon winter visitor to Gujarat.  The species roosted in bushes of Prosopis juliflora in the grassland of Shiroda area, Odadar Village of Porbandar District.  Communal roosts were identified by foot surveys between 9–17 November 2016.  A total of 20 individuals co-existed with grazing cattle in the grassland of ca. 1km2.  At present due to their restricted nesting habits and nomadic nature, the species is vulnerable to habitat loss at their feeding and roosting grounds.  Conversion of open habitats to agriculture, grazing, recreation, housing and tourism development are the current threats to the species in the wetland complex.  The IUCN conservation status further confirms that though they are assessed as Least Concern, in spite of the species population constantly declining with global population estimated at 3,000,000 individuals which equates to 2,000,000 mature individuals.  The present study is the first systematic attempt to count a roost in Gujarat.
Cultivation of the Himalayan seasoning Allium in a remote village of Uttarakhand, India
Authors: Kuniyal Chandra Prakash , Negi Bir Singh
Published: October 2018

Strachey’s Chive Allium stracheyi is popularly known as Himalayan Seasoning Allium.  This species generally grows in cold deserts and higher temperate & alpine zones in the western Himalaya.  Dried aerial parts (foliage/flowers) of Chive are used as a spice, culinary herb, and medicine.  A. stracheyi is categorized as a Vulnerable Himalayan medicinal and aromatic plant.  Wild collection and cultivation of Chive in mountain environments are common.  The traditional cultivation and trade of A. stracheyi in Tolma, a small mountain village in Chamoli District in Uttarakhand, India, however, is remarkable.  In addition to subsistence farming, optional cultivation of Chive in this village contributes to economic benefits to the villagers.  In this communication, an attempt is made to present the status of A. stracheyi’s cultivation and prospects for technical and scientific improvement in this commercially sustainable and traditionally important conservation practice.
The herpetofauna of Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park in central Bhutan: status, distribution and new records
Authors: Tshewang Sangay , Letro Letro
Published: October 2018

A checklist of herpetofauna in Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park in central Bhutan based on field surveys and photographic records is presented.  Twelve families, 30 genera, and 42 species of herpetofauna were recorded; 33 species from 24 genera and eight families were reptiles and nine species belonging to six genera and four families were amphibians.  Two ophidians, Bungarus caerulus and B. lividus, and one anuran, Amolops formosus, are new records for Bhutan.  The compiled record also includes three threatened species.  We recommend enhanced monitoring and herpetofauna-oriented conservation and research for Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park.
New nymphalid butterfly records from Jammu & Kashmir, India
Authors: Sharma Shakha , Sharma Neeraj
Published: October 2018

The present communication deals with the new nymphalid butterfly records from the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The sightings are based on the butterfly surveys conducted in different ecosystems of Jammu region in a span of two years. The paper calls for more organized and intensive butterfly surveys to understand their status, distribution and population dynamics in and around Jammu.
Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator in Patients With Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy/Dysplasia: A Transatlantic Experience
Authors: Orgeron Gabriela M. , Bhonsale Aditya , Migliore Federico , James Cynthia A. , Tichnell Crystal , Murray Brittney , Bertaglia Emanuele , Cadrin‐Tourigny Julia , De Franceschi Pietro , Crosson Jane , Tandri Harikrishna , Corrado Domenico , Calkins Hugh
Published: October 2018

Background

Despite growing use of the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (S‐
ICD
), its clinical role in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (
ARVC
/D) patients remains undefined. We aim to elucidate the cardiac phenotype, implant characteristics, and long‐term efficacy regarding appropriate therapy and complications in
ARVC
/D patients with an S‐
ICD
implant.

Methods and Results

A transatlantic cohort of
ARVC
/D patients who underwent S‐
ICD
implantation was analyzed for clinical characteristics, S‐
ICD
therapy, and long‐term outcome including device‐related complications. The cohort included 29 patients (52% male, 76% probands, 59% with
ARVC
/D‐associated mutation, 59% primary prevention [no prior sustained ventricular arrhythmias], and 45% first‐generation S‐
ICD
devices). At implant, all inducible patients (27/29) had conversion of induced ventricular fibrillation. Two patients (7%) had superficial infections of the incision site that were treated conservatively. Over a median follow‐up of 3.16 years (interquartile range: 2.21–4.51 years), all episodes (6 patients, 4% per year) of sustained ventricular arrhythmias were appropriately detected and treated. Six patients (21%) experienced 39 inappropriate shocks, with 3 requiring device explantation. Oversensing of noncardiac signal (n=4; especially myopotentials) and cardiac signal (n=4) was the most frequent etiology. No lead or device dislodgement, infection, skin erosion, or explantation related to need for antitachycardia pacing was noted.

Conclusions

S‐
ICD
can effectively treat both induced and spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias in patients with
ARVC
/D. The rate of inappropriate shocks, although considerable, is comparable to that in
ARVC
/D patients treated with transvenous
ICD
s. When they occurred, inappropriate shocks were primarily due to cardiac and, uniquely, noncardiac oversensing. We suggest potential strategies for minimizing inappropriate therapy.
Automated Algorithm Selection on Continuous Black-Box Problems by Combining Exploratory Landscape Analysis and Machine Learning
Authors: Kerschke Pascal , Trautmann Heike
Published: October 2018

In this article, we build upon previous work on designing informative and efficient Exploratory Landscape Analysis features for characterizing problems' landscapes and show their effectiveness in automatically constructing algorithm selection models in continuous black-box optimization problems. Focusing on algorithm performance results of the COCO platform of several years, we construct a representative set of high-performing complementary solvers and present an algorithm selection model that, compared to the portfolio's single best solver, on average requires less than half of the resources for solving a given problem. Therefore, there is a huge gain in efficiency compared to classical ensemble methods combined with an increased insight into problem characteristics and algorithm properties by using informative features. The model acts on the assumption that the function set of the Black-Box Optimization Benchmark is representative enough for practical applications. The model allows for selecting the best suited optimization algorithm within the considered set for unseen problems prior to the optimization itself based on a small sample of function evaluations. Note that such a sample can even be reused for the initial population of an evolutionary (optimization) algorithm so that even the feature costs become negligible.
The Theory of Natural Consequence
Authors: Martin Christopher J.
Published: October 2018

The history of thinking about consequences in the Middle Ages divides into three periods. During the first of these, from the eleventh to the middle of the twelfth century, and the second, from then until the beginning of the fourteenth century, the notion of natural consequence played a crucial role in logic, metaphysics, and theology. The first part of this paper traces the development of the theory of natural consequence in Abaelard’s work as the conditional of a connexive logic with an equivalent connexive disjunction and the crisis precipitated by the discovery of inconsistency in this system. The second part considers the accounts of natural consequence given in the thirteenth century as a special case of the standard modal definition of consequence, one for which the principle ex impossibili quidlibet does not hold, in logics in which disjunction is understood extensionally.
Formal and Material Consequences in Ockham and Buridan
Authors: Crimi Milo
Published: October 2018

William of Ockham and John Buridan provide different accounts of the distinction between formal and material consequences. Some consequences – in particular, enthymemes – that Ockham would classify as formal would be classified as material by Buridan. This paper explains this taxonomical discrepancy. It identifies the root of the discrepancy not in a difference between Ockham’s and Buridan’s notions of propositional hylomorphism but rather in Ockham’s endorsement of relational characterizations of consequences.
Effects of algae, yeast and photosynthetic bacteria diets on survival and growth performance in the fairy shrimp, Streptocephalus sirindhornae (Branchiopoda, Anostraca)
Authors: Saejung Chewapat , Chaiyarat Anuwat , Sanoamuang La-Orsri
Published: October 2018

This study investigated the effects on survival, growth performance and water quality of algae, yeast and photosynthetic bacteria as diets for larval and immature/matureStreptocephalus sirindhornae. Survival of the larvae fed with the algaChlorella vulgarisand the photosynthetic bacteriumRhodopseudomonas faecalisfor 5 days was higher than 80%, while those fed with the yeastSaccharomyces cerevisiaewas 4.4%. After feeding the 6-day-old fairy shrimp until they reached 30 days of age, those fed with bacteria showed the highest survival and growth rate. Ammonia, nitrate and nitrite concentrations in the water treated withR. faecaliswere the lowest. The highest ammonia concentration, the lowest dissolved oxygen, and excessive turbidity were found in the yeast treatment. Frequent water replacement could not overcome this, which resulted in the low survival rate. Utilization of photosynthetic bacteria in fairy shrimp culture is for the first time reported herein, and the disadvantages of using yeast inS. sirindhornaecultivation are discussed.
A new species of Ituglanis Costa & Bockmann, 1993 (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from Rio Ribeira de Iguape and upper Rio Tietê basins, southeastern Brazil
Authors: MENDONÇA MARINA BARREIRA , OYAKAWA OSVALDO TAKESHI , WOSIACKI WOLMAR BENJAMIN
Published: October 2018

Ituglanis amphipotamus, new species, is distinguished from all congeners by the combination of the following characters: anterior cranial fontanel present, i,5 pectoral-fin rays, nasal canal and antorbital segment of infraorbital canal absent, five or six pairs of ribs, 39 post-Weberian vertebrae. It can be further distinguished from the sympatric I. proops by the size of the interopercular patch of odontodes. The new species is described from the Rio Ribeira de Iguape and the upper Rio Tietê basins in the southeastern region of Brazil. Comments on the biogeography of the new taxa and putative relationships with its congeners are presented. [Zoobank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:AC2F3365-92C0-4444-AC89-9546365158EC]
A new species of Hisonotus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Aripuanã river, Amazon basin, Brazil
Authors: DIAS ANGELICA C. , SILVA GABRIEL S. C. , OLIVEIRA CLAUDIO , ROXO FÁBIO F.
Published: October 2018

A new species of Hisonotus from rio Juma, located at the right margin of the lower rio Aripuanã, rio Madeira basin is described. The new species is distinguished from its congeners mainly by a reddish-tipped premaxillary and dentary teeth, a V-shaped spinelet, three lateral plates in abdominal series, the coloration pattern of caudal fin with three transversal dark bars, and by morphometric characters.
Predicting Tidal Currents Using 25-h Observations through a Complete Tidal Species Modulation with Tidal Current Constant Corrections Method
Authors: Byun Do-Seong , Hart Deirdre E.
Published: October 2018

A new approach enabling the prediction of tidal currents, for observation sites with as little as ≥25 h of data, has been developed as a practical way of utilizing very short tidal current records. We name this technique the complete tidal species modulation with tidal current constant corrections (CTSM+TCCC) method. In addition to a short-term tidal current record from the “observation site,” this technique also requires (i) ideally half a year (specifically, ≥183 days from any time) and (ii) concurrent (≥25 h) sea level observation records from a nearby “reference site.” The reliability of the CTSM+TCCC method is tested for three different tidal current regimes (almost rectilinear, elliptical, and near circular) in Geyonggi Bay, South Korea, using daily slices (25 h long) of 29-day tidal current records from each observation station, plus sea level records from the nearby Incheon reference station. RMSE analysis of the resulting prediction time series demonstrates that the CTSM+TCCC method produces reasonably accurate predictions based on observation station records derived from spring, but not neap, tide periods. We conclude that our method can be successfully employed to make tidal current predictions using 25-h observation station records obtained from spring tide periods, ideally gathered during periods of relatively calm weather. As well as testing the sensitivity of CTSM+TCCC predictions to observation record timing, the effect of reference station location was investigated using records from 20 stations spread along the South Korean coasts. Results revealed that tidal records from nearby tidal current observation and sea level reference stations produce reasonable current predictions, since proximal locations share similar tidal species’ modulated tidal and tidal current behaviors.