bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonic Assisted Turning of Al alloys: Influence of Material Processing to Improve Surface Roughness
Authors: Puga Hélder , Grilo José , Carneiro Vitor H.
Published: April 2019

Ultrasonic machining has been used over a decade to enhance the surface finishing and overall processing characteristics of conventional technologies. The benefits that are usually associated to this approach generate an increasing interest in both academic and industrial fields, especially in the turning operation due to its simple application. In this study, ultrasonic assisted turning is used to study the effect of intermittent tool contact on the surface quality of cast and wrought aluminium alloys. The resulting surface roughness and topography plots were evaluated through a three-dimensional (3D) optical profilometer. Additionally, stereo microscopy and detailed by scanning electron microscopy analyzed chip shape and morphology. The experimental results show that the appropriate use of an ultrasonic intermittent tool can improve the superficial quality up to 82% and reduce the maximum peak height by 59 % for a 0.045 mm/rev feed rate. When the feed rate is increased to 0.18 mm/rev, the surface roughness may be enhanced by 60% and the maximum peak height reduced by 76%. Furthermore, due to the introduction of a distinct cutting mechanism, the traditional chip shape is modified when the ultrasonic tool excitation is applied. A model is suggested to explain the chip growth and the fracture behaviour.
Eigenvalue Based Approach for Assessment of Global Robustness of Nonlinear Dynamical Systems
Authors: Vrabel Robert
Published: April 2019

In this paper we have established the sufficient conditions for asymptotic convergence of all solutions of nonlinear dynamical system (with potentially unknown and unbounded external disturbances) to zero with time t → ∞ . We showed here that the symmetric part of linear part of nonlinear nominal system, or, to be more precise, its time-dependent eigenvalues, play important role in assessment of the robustness of systems.
The Symmetry in the Noise-Perturbed Mandelbrot Set
Authors: Sun Tianwen , Wang Da
Published: April 2019

This paper investigates the destruction of the symmetrical structure of the noise-perturbed Mandelbrot set (M-set). By applying the “symmetry criterion” method, we quantitatively compare the damages to the symmetry of the noise-perturbed Mandelbrot set resulting from additive and multiplicative noises. Because of the uneven distribution between the core positions and the edge positions of the noise-perturbed Mandelbrot set, the comparison results reveal a paradox between the visual sense and quantified result. Thus, we propose a new “visual symmetry criterion” method that is more suitable for the measurement of visual asymmetry.
A Scalable and Hybrid Intrusion Detection System Based on the Convolutional-LSTM Network
Authors: Khan Muhammad , Karim Md. , Kim Yangwoo
Published: April 2019

With the rapid advancements of ubiquitous information and communication technologies, a large number of trustworthy online systems and services have been deployed. However, cybersecurity threats are still mounting. An intrusion detection (ID) system can play a significant role in detecting such security threats. Thus, developing an intelligent and accurate ID system is a non-trivial research problem. Existing ID systems that are typically used in traditional network intrusion detection system often fail and cannot detect many known and new security threats, largely because those approaches are based on classical machine learning methods that provide less focus on accurate feature selection and classification. Consequently, many known signatures from the attack traffic remain unidentifiable and become latent. Furthermore, since a massive network infrastructure can produce large-scale data, these approaches often fail to handle them flexibly, hence are not scalable. To address these issues and improve the accuracy and scalability, we propose a scalable and hybrid IDS, which is based on Spark ML and the convolutional-LSTM (Conv-LSTM) network. This IDS is a two-stage ID system: the first stage employs the anomaly detection module, which is based on Spark ML. The second stage acts as a misuse detection module, which is based on the Conv-LSTM network, such that both global and local latent threat signatures can be addressed. Evaluations of several baseline models in the ISCX-UNB dataset show that our hybrid IDS can identify network misuses accurately in 97.29% of cases and outperforms state-of-the-art approaches during 10-fold cross-validation tests.
Serologic Tools and Strategies to Support Intervention Trials to Combat Zika Virus Infection and Disease
Authors: Collins Matthew H.
Published: April 2019

Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus that recently caused a large epidemic in Latin America characterized by novel disease phenotypes, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, sexual transmission, and congenital anomalies, such as microcephaly. This epidemic, which was declared an international public health emergency by the World Health Organization, has highlighted shortcomings in our current understanding of, and preparation for, emerging infectious diseases in general, as well as challenges that are specific to Zika virus infection. Vaccine development for Zika virus has been a high priority of the public health response, and several candidates have shown promise in pre-clinical and early phase clinical trials. The optimal selection and implementation of imperfect serologic assays are among the crucial issues that must be addressed in order to advance Zika vaccine development. Here, I review key considerations for how best to incorporate into Zika vaccine trials the existing serologic tools, as well as those on the horizon. Beyond that, this discussion is relevant to other intervention strategies to combat Zika and likely other emerging infectious diseases.
Human Bartonellosis: An Underappreciated Public Health Problem?
Authors: Cheslock Mercedes A. , Embers Monica E.
Published: April 2019

Bartonella spp. bacteria can be found around the globe and are the causative agents of multiple human diseases. The most well-known infection is called cat-scratch disease, which causes mild lymphadenopathy and fever. As our knowledge of these bacteria grows, new presentations of the disease have been recognized, with serious manifestations. Not only has more severe disease been associated with these bacteria but also Bartonella species have been discovered in a wide range of mammals, and the pathogens’ DNA can be found in multiple vectors. This review will focus on some common mammalian reservoirs as well as the suspected vectors in relation to the disease transmission and prevalence. Understanding the complex interactions between these bacteria, their vectors, and their reservoirs, as well as the breadth of infection by Bartonella around the world will help to assess the impact of Bartonellosis on public health.
Quantum Complexity and Chaos in Young Black Holes
Authors: Yosifov Alexander Y. , Filipov Lachezar G.
Published: April 2019

We argue that the problem of calculating retention time scales in young black holes is a problem of relative state complexity. In particular, we suggest that Alice’s ability to estimate the time scale for a perturbed black hole to release the extra n qubits comes down to her decoding the Hilbert space of the Hawking radiation. We then demonstrate the decoding task Alice faces is very difficult, and in order to calculate the relative state complexity she would either need to act with an exponentially complex unitary operator or apply an extremely fine-tuned future precursor operator to the perturbed state in S U ( 2 K ) .
(Re)emphasizing Urban Infrastructure Resilience via Scoping Review and Content Analysis
Authors: Shaker Richard R. , Rybarczyk Greg , Brown Craig , Papp Victoria , Alkins Shenley
Published: April 2019

Although the importance of urban infrastructure resilience can be inferred, its terminology remains convoluted within the literature due to a lack of systematic review from a sustainable development planning perspective. This review paper was designed to elucidate connected research themes, scientific popularity, and conceptual boundaries of the term infrastructure resilience in an urban context. Three guiding research questions were asked: What does urban infrastructure resilience really mean? What are the most common research topics connected to urban infrastructure resilience? How can humanity further improve urban infrastructure resilience from a sustainable development planning perspective? To answer these research questions, a two-step literature analysis was adopted consisting of: (i) a scoping review to select relevant publications based on a specific search query; and (ii) a content analysis to reduce and synthesize the scoping review findings further based on the three most applicable publishing outlets. The scoping review reduced articles to 535, while content analysis further condensed it to 84 across three key journals. With North America and Europe leading, the findings corroborated that eight connected subject areas establish the conceptual boundaries of urban infrastructure resilience. The eight related research topics in decreasing abundance were: (1) climate change, (2) floods, (3) disasters, (4) environmental policy, (5) ecosystems, (6) risk assessment, (7) emergency preparedness, and (8) adaptation. In conclusion, these research topics should be pursued when creating urban infrastructure resilience strategies for moving towards sustainability.
A Methodological Approach for Evaluating Brownfield Redevelopment Projects
Authors: Cappai Francesco , Forgues Daniel , Glaus Mathias
Published: April 2019

In recent decades, municipalities around the world have been developing community policies and seeking to apply them in their cities. They use methods for exchanging information and opinions on decisions, policies, plans and strategies and involve and consult with the community and stakeholders in all aspects of the decision-making process. The application of methods for thoughtful planning has become the goal of policy makers to improve the lives of citizens and stop the expansion of the city into the countryside. The aim of this article is to integrate the notion of sustainability into a methodological approach, taking into account the actors involved in the decision-making phases, the objectives, and the local indicators in an urban redevelopment project (brownfield). Our approach is based on an analysis of 21 articles and on a transversal and cross-cutting view of the interdisciplinary themes of sustainable development by inserting the main actors into decision-making in urban projects and by selecting local indicators. We put in place a methodological approach for the evaluation of urban projects that takes into account local expectations. The goal is to identify and classify the elements that are needed for decision making, including the indicators related to environmental and socio-economic components, in order to develop an effective evaluation tool. This research contributes to the knowledge of project evaluation tools in the specific context of a city.
Identification of a Novel Gammaherpesvirus in Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis)
Authors: Hendrikse Liam D. , Kambli Ankita , Kayko Caroline , Canuti Marta , Rodrigues Bruce , Stevens Brian , Vashon Jennifer , Lang Andrew S. , Needle David B. , Troyer Ryan M.
Published: April 2019

Gammaherpesviruses (GHVs) infect many animal species and are associated with lymphoproliferative disorders in some. Previously, we identified several novel GHVs in North American felids; however, a GHV had never been identified in Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis). We, therefore, hypothesized the existence of an unidentified GHV in lynx. Using degenerate nested and subsequently virus-specific PCR, we amplified and sequenced 3.4 kb of DNA from a novel GHV in lynx, which we named Lynx canadensis gammaherpesvirus 1 (LcaGHV1). Phylogenetic analysis determined that LcaGHV1 is a distinct GHV species belonging to the genus Percavirus. We then estimated the prevalence of LcaGHV1 in lynx by developing a PCR-based assay and detected LcaGHV1 DNA in 36% (95% CI: 22–53%) of lynx spleen DNA samples from Maine, USA and 17% (95% CI: 8–31%) from Newfoundland, Canada. The LcaGHV1 DNA sequences from Maine and Newfoundland lynx were nearly identical to each other (two nucleotide substitutions in 3.4 kb), suggesting that the unique lynx subspecies present on the island of Newfoundland (Lynx canadensis subsolanus) is infected with virus that very closely resembles virus found in mainland lynx. The potential ecologic and pathologic consequences of this novel virus for Canada lynx populations warrant further study.
Evaluation of Phage Therapy in the Context of Enterococcus faecalis and Its Associated Diseases
Authors: Bolocan Andrei S. , Upadrasta Aditya , de Almeida Bettio Pedro H. , Clooney Adam G. , Draper Lorraine A. , Ross R. Paul , Hill Colin
Published: April 2019

Bacteriophages (phages) or bacterial viruses have been proposed as natural antimicrobial agents to fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria associated with human infections. Enterococcus faecalis is a gut commensal, which is occasionally found in the mouth and vaginal tract, and does not usually cause clinical problems. However, it can spread to other areas of the body and cause life-threatening infections, such as septicemia, endocarditis, or meningitis, in immunocompromised hosts. Although E. faecalis phage cocktails are not commercially available within the EU or USA, there is an accumulated evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies that have shown phage efficacy, which supports the idea of applying phage therapy to overcome infections associated with E. faecalis. In this review, we discuss the potency of bacteriophages in controlling E. faecalis, in both in vitro and in vivo scenarios. E. faecalis associated bacteriophages were compared at the genome level and an attempt was made to categorize phages with respect to their suitability for therapeutic application, using orthocluster analysis. In addition, E. faecalis phages have been examined for the presence of antibiotic-resistant genes, to ensure their safe use in clinical conditions. Finally, the domain architecture of E. faecalis phage-encoded endolysins are discussed.
EV Range Extender in a Two-Battery HEECS Chopper-Based Powertrain
Authors: Tamura Ayataro , Ishibashi Takayuki , Kawamura Atsuo
Published: April 2019

This paper first presents a new powertrain based on a two-battery High-Efficiency Energy Conversion System (HEECS) chopper that is suitable for electric vehicles (EVs). The HEECS chopper is based on the principle of a partial power conversion circuit, and the overall efficiency is over 99% in a wide load range. The efficiency of this powertrain was measured in the steady state by two types of powertrains, a non-chopper powertrain and an HEECS chopper-based powertrain, using a motor test bench. On the basis of these data, several driving tests, such as the Worldwide-harmonized Light vehicles Test Cycle (WLTC), were simulated, and four driving cycle patterns were included. A 6.4% reduction in energy consumption was observed in WLTC low mode compared with the energy consumed by the non-chopper powertrain in the experiments. Thus, the HEECS chopper-based powertrain is more suitable for low-speed driving ranges than high-speed ranges.
Özkıyım Girişimi Nedeni ile Çocuk Acil Servise Başvuran 18 Yaş Altı Hastaların Değerlendirilmesi
Authors: ELMAS Bahri , ULUĞ Nujin
Published: April 2019

Amaç: Bu çalışmada öz kıyım girişimi nedeniyle çocuk acil servise başvuran olguların sosyodemografik özellikleri, öz kıyım girişim yöntemleri ve risk etkenlerinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır.Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmamızda Ekim 2014-Nisan 2017 tarihleri arasında Sakarya Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi Çocuk Acil Servisi bölümüne intihar girişimi nedeniyle başvuran ve “İntihar Girişimleri Kayıt Formu” doldurulan 18 yaş altı 383 olgunun kayıtları cinsiyet, yaş, yerleşim bölgesi, eğitim durumu, intihar girişimi için kullanılan yöntem ve tetikleyici faktörler, girişim sayısı, psikiyatrik tanı, takip ve tedavi öyküleri açısından retrospektif olarak değerlendirilmiştir.Bulgular: Çalışmaya alınan 383 vakadan 330(%86.2)’u kız ve vakaların yaş ortancası 15(12-18) yıl bulundu. Vakaların çoğunluğu lise öğrencisi idi (%56.9). Vakaların tamamının ilaç-toksik madde ile öz kıyım girişiminde bulunduğu görüldü. Vakalardan 326(%85.1)’sının ilk defa, 57(%14.9)’sinin ise birden çok öz kıyım girişiminde bulunduğu izlendi.  Öz kıyım nedenlerinin en sık ailesel sorunlar(%60.6),  ardından gelişim dönemi sorunları (%18.5) olduğu gözlendi.  27(%7) vakanın daha önce psikiyatrik bir hastalık tanısı bulunurken, 356(%93) vakanın psikiyatrik bir tanısının olmadığı görüldü. Vakaların çoğunluğunun şehir merkezinde yaşadığı görüldü (%92.4) . Öz kıyım girişimlerinin en sık (%30.5) ilkbahar mevsiminde olduğu gözlendi. Başvuru saatlerine göre hastaların en sık 20.00-24.00 arasında başvurduğu tespit edildi.Sonuç: Sonuç olarak, hayatı tehdit eden bir problem olan suisid girişimi ile ilgili risk faktörleri bir bütün olarak ele alınarak, çocuklara uygun koruyucu, destekleyici ve tedavi edici yaklaşımlar açısından değerlendirilmelidir.
Microfluidic Electrospray Niacin Metal-Organic Frameworks Encapsulated Microcapsules for Wound Healing
Authors: Chen Guopu , Yu Yunru , Wu Xiuwen , Wang Gefei , Gu Guosheng , Wang Feng , Ren Jianan , Zhang Huidan , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: April 2019

Niacin metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) encapsulated microcapsules with alginate shells and copper-/zinc-niacin framework cores werein situsynthesized by using a microfluidic electrospray approach for wound healing. As the alginate shells were bacteria-responsively degradable, the niacin MOFs encapsulated microcapsules could intelligently, controllably, and programmably release calcium, copper, and zinc ions, depending on the degree of infections. The released ions could not only kill microbes by destroying their membrane and inducing the outflow of nutrient substance, but also activate copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) to eliminate oxygen free radicals and rescue the cells from oxidative stress injury. Furthermore, the simultaneously released niacin could promote hemangiectasis and absorption of functional metal ions. Thus, the niacin MOFs encapsulated microcapsules were imparted with outstanding antibacterial, antioxidant, and angiogenesis properties. Based on an in vivo study, we have also demonstrated that the chronic wound healing process of an infected full-thickness skin defect model could be significantly enhanced by using the niacin MOFs encapsulated microcapsules as therapeutic agent. Therefore, the microfluidic electrospray niacin MOFs encapsulated microcapsules are potential for clinical applications.
Moving beyond the illusion of participation in the governance of Yangambi Biosphere Reserve (Tshopo Province, Democratic Republic of Congo)
Authors: Koy Justin Kyale , Ngonga Alphonse Maindo Monga , Wardell D. Andrew
Published: April 2019

The participation of local communities in the governance of protected areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo is challenged by several external and local factors. This article aims to understand the representation of local communities and factors that influence their participation in the governance of the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve. Three principal sources of information (archival records, focus group and semi-structured interviews) were used to collect data. The results indicate a top-down participatory approach. The cumulative failure of several projects in the context of local development has led to different perceptions by local communities of their role in the participative governance of Yangambi Biosphere Reserve. Initiatives in participatory management and local development only function during the lifetime of externally-funded projects when initiators are present in the intervention area. The results call into question formal claims made by both conservation projects and the Congolese government regarding the actual participation of local communities in the governance of Biosphere Reserves. Furthermore, although Biosphere Reserves in DRC are recognized as part of the national network of protected areas since 2002, their management is still not aligned to either the Seville Strategy or the statutory framework of the world network of Biosphere Reserves. To achieve this, local development initiatives need to focus on poverty alleviation (through the diversification of income sources, entrepreneurship, farmer training and the creation of employment opportunities) and a better understanding of local practices and cultures in the design of such projects.
Les cueillettes commerciales au Québec : capter la diversité socio-environnementale
Authors: Doyon Sabrina
Published: April 2019

La cueillette commerciale d’espèces sauvages est une activité dont la popularité est en croissance au Québec. Si les produits cueillis sont de mieux en mieux connus, on ne peut en dire autant de l’activité elle-même et des cueilleurs. Qui sont-ils ? Comment accèdent-ils aux ressources ? Quels défis rencontrent-ils ? Cet article aborde ces questions par le truchement de la diversité des pratiques déployées. Les notions « d’accumulation par captation » et « d’espaces péricapitalistes », permettant d’explorer les différentes configurations socio-environnementales et économiques des activités de cueillette, guident l’exploration. Pour ce faire, l’article brossera un portrait du développement des activités de cueillette au Québec et présentera des caractéristiques des cueilleurs, de leurs savoirs, de leurs pratiques, des territoires qu’ils explorent et de l’organisation de leur travail.
« Faire la ferraille » en banlieue parisienne : glaner, bricoler et transgresser
Authors: Florin Bénédicte , Garret Pascal
Published: April 2019

Les « ferraillous » sont des hommes, et parfois des femmes, qui collectent dans les rues les métaux abandonnés ou les « encombrants » qui, triés et bricolés, seront revendus aux grossistes. De la sorte, cette économie grise alimente les filières mondialisées et lucratives de la métallurgie. Boulot de la débrouille, glaner la ferraille est le fait de personnes en situation de marginalité sociale et économique qui réalisent leurs activités dans des marges urbaines, autant d'espaces ressources pour ces cueilleurs contemporains. Les entretiens réalisés dans les banlieues de Paris témoignent que, par leurs pratiques et savoir-faire, les ferraillous s'affranchissent des obstacles que leur situation personnelle et leur activité, plus ou moins tolérée, leur imposent. S’y révèle aussi une hiérarchie en leur sein ainsi que la place spécifique attribuée à la figure du Rom.
Wild medicinal plant collection in transitional societies: A case Analysis from French Guiana
Authors: Tareau Marc-Alexandre , Dejouhanet Lucie , Odonne Guillaume , Palisse Marianne , Ansoe Clarisse
Published: April 2019

The gathering of medicinal plants in French Guiana is a relatively unknown practice, underestimated and often perceived as an anecdotic or insignificant one. However, everyday people can be seen harvesting plants on the road sides, for their own needs or in small proportions, for selling. This paper aims to characterise these medicinal plants’ collection practices, their diversity and their relevance for questioning the functioning of societies, which are subjected to rapid transformations and are therefore designed here as “transitional”. Through two case studies, one on urban collection in Cayenne city and one in the rural area along the lower Maroni River, this paper analyses the connection between societies, nature and urban dynamics. By observing the socio-cultural specificities influencing collection modes, we propose a conceptualization scheme of collection practices, through the explanatory concepts of heterogeneity and purpose.
Power Line Interference Elimination in ECG Signals
Authors: Ladrova Martina , Martinek Radek , Jaros René
Published: April 2019

The recordings of electrocardiogram (ECG), as an important biological signal which provides a valuable basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment, are often corrupted by the wide range of artifacts. One important of them is power line interference (PLI). The overlapping interference affects the quality of ECG waveform, leading to the false detection and recognition of wave groups, and thus causing faulty treatment or diagnosis. The study deals with some of the signal processing approaches frequently used for elimination of PLI in ECG signal and compares the accuracy of methods by evaluation of the power of the remaining noise and comparing a filtered ECG signal with an original. The results are compared for three levels of interference and each tested method: Butterworth filter (BF), notch filter, moving average filter (MA), adaptive noise canceller (ANC), wavelet transform (WT) and empirical mode decomposition (EMD).
A Comparison of Friction Measurements of Intact Articular Cartilage in Contact with Cartilage, Glass, and Metal
Authors: Hayden Lyndsey R. , Escaro Sarah , Wilhite Dewey R. , Hanson R. Reid , Jackson Robert L.
Published: April 2019

The goal of this study was to develop a method of friction testing utilizing cartilage counter surfaces with a complete subchondral bone plate and compare the results to the cartilage on glass and metal (steel) counter surfaces. Articular cartilage surfaces with the underlying subchondral bone intact were not isolated through plug removal. Friction testing was completed using a tribometer (n=16). The coefficient of friction (COF) was measured between the proximal articular surfaces of the second carpal bone when brought into contact with the articular surface of the distal radial facet. The COF of the distal radial facet was obtained with glass and metal counter surfaces. Cartilage-cartilage interfaces yielded the lowest COF when a normal force of 5N and 10N was applied. No statistically significant increase in COF was noted for any combination when an increased normal force was applied (10N), although an increase was observed when glass and metal was in contact with cartilage. COF significantly increased when comparing the cartilage counter surface to metal under an applied load of 5N (p=0.0002). When a 10N load was applied, a significant increase in the COF was observed when comparing the cartilage counter surface to both the glass and metal counter surfaces (p=0.0123 and p < 0.0001 respectively). Results have shown that the described methodology was accurate, repeatable, and emulates physiologic conditions when determining the friction coefficient. The determined COF of cartilage against cartilage is significantly lower than cartilage against metal or glass.
The Results of Endolymphatic Antibacterial Therapy in the Postoperative Period of Chronic Odontogenic Osteomyelitis of the Mandible
Authors: Komskyi M.P. , Romanenko Y.G.
Published: April 2019

Surgery for severe chronic or atypical ongoing purulent-inflammatory diseases of the face and neck is performed alongside antibacterial therapy. We proposed the treatment of severe forms of the chronic stage of odontogenic osteomyelitis of the mandible using the method of direct intra-arterial lymphotropic therapy through the superficial temporal artery on the side of the lesion. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentration of antibiotic in the blood serum, flowing from the patient's mandible from the localization of the focus of pathology when the traditional (intravenous) and intra-arterial routes of administration are used during postoperative period of chronic odontogenic osteomyelitis of the mandible.
Artefacts Removal to Detect Visual Evoked Potentials in Brain Computer Interface Systems
Authors: Abbaspour Hamidreza , Mehrshad Nasser , Razavi Seyyed Mohammad , Mesin Luca
Published: April 2019

The interference of artefacts with evoked scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) responses is a problem in event related brain computer interface (BCI) system that reduces signal quality and interpretability of user's intentions. Many strategies have been proposed to reduce the effects of non-neural artefacts, while the activity of neural sources that do not reflect the considered stimulation has been neglected. However discerning such activities from those to be retained is important, but subtle and difficult as most of their features are the same. We propose an automated method based on a combination of a genetic algorithm (GA) and a support vector machine (SVM) to select only the sources of interest. Temporal, spectral, wavelet, autoregressive and spatial properties of independent components (ICs) of EEG are inspected. The method selects the most distinguishing subset of features among this comprehensive fused set of information and identifies the components to be preserved. EEG data were recorded from 12 healthy subjects in a visual evoked potential (VEP) based BCI paradigm and the corresponding ICs were classified by experts to train and test the algorithm. They were contaminated with different sources of artefacts, including electromyogram (EMG), electrode connection problems, blinks and electrocardiogram (ECG), together with neural contributions not related to VEPs. The accuracy of ICs classification was about 88.5% and the energetic residual error in recovering the clean signals was 3%. These performances indicate that this automated method can effectively identify and remove main artefacts derived from either neural or non-neural sources while preserving VEPs. This could have important potential applications, contributing to speed and remove subjectivity of the cleaning procedure by experts. Moreover, it could be included in a real time BCI as a pre-processing step before the identification of the user’s intention.
Tetraspanin CD82 Organizes Dectin-1 into Signaling Domains to Mediate Cellular Responses to Candida albicans
Authors: Tam Jenny M. , Reedy Jennifer L. , Lukason Daniel P. , Kuna Sunnie G. , Acharya Mridu , Khan Nida S. , Negoro Paige E. , Xu Shuying , Ward Rebecca A. , Feldman Michael B. , Dutko Richard A. , Jeffery Jane B. , Sokolovska Anna , Wivagg Carl N. , Lassen Kara G. , Le Naour François , Matzaraki Vasiliki , Garner Ethan C. , Xavier Ramnik J. , Kumar Vinod , van de Veerdonk Frank L. , Netea Mihai G. , Miranti Cindy K. , Mansour Michael K. , Vyas Jatin M.
Published: April 2019

Tetraspanins are a family of proteins possessing four transmembrane domains that help in lateral organization of plasma membrane proteins. These proteins interact with each other as well as other receptors and signaling proteins, resulting in functional complexes called “tetraspanin microdomains.” Tetraspanins, including CD82, play an essential role in the pathogenesis of fungal infections. Dectin-1, a receptor for the fungal cell wall carbohydrate β-1,3-glucan, is vital to host defense against fungal infections. The current study identifies a novel association between tetraspanin CD82 and Dectin-1 on the plasma membrane of Candida albicans–containing phagosomes independent of phagocytic ability. Deletion of CD82 in mice resulted in diminished fungicidal activity, increased C. albicans viability within macrophages, and decreased cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-1β) at both mRNA and protein level in macrophages. Additionally, CD82 organized Dectin-1 clustering in the phagocytic cup. Deletion of CD82 modulates Dectin-1 signaling, resulting in a reduction of Src and Syk phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species production. CD82 knockout mice were more susceptible to C. albicans as compared with wild-type mice. Furthermore, patient C. albicans–induced cytokine production was influenced by two human CD82 single nucleotide polymorphisms, whereas an additional CD82 single nucleotide polymorphism increased the risk for candidemia independent of cytokine production. Together, these data demonstrate that CD82 organizes the proper assembly of Dectin-1 signaling machinery in response to C. albicans.
Measuring Thymic Clonal Deletion at the Population Level
Authors: Breed Elise R. , Watanabe Masashi , Hogquist Kristin A.
Published: April 2019

Clonal deletion of T cells specific for self-antigens in the thymus has been widely studied, primarily by approaches that focus on a single receptor (using TCR transgenes) or a single specificity (using peptide-MHC tetramers). However, less is known about clonal deletion at the population level. In this article, we report an assay that measures cleaved caspase 3 to define clonal deletion at the population level. This assay distinguishes clonal deletion from apoptotic events caused by neglect and approximates the anatomic site of deletion using CCR7. This approach showed that 78% of clonal deletion events occur in the cortex in mice. Medullary deletion events were detected at both the semimature and mature stages, although mature events were associated with failed regulatory T cell induction. Using this assay, we showed that bone marrow–derived APC drive approximately half of deletion events at both stages. We also found that both cortical and medullary deletion rely heavily on CD28 costimulation. These findings demonstrate a useful strategy for studying clonal deletion within the polyclonal repertoire.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Risk in Sport: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Injury Incidence by Sex and Sport Classification
Authors: Montalvo Alicia M. , Schneider Daniel K. , Webster Kate E. , Yut Laura , Galloway Marc T. , Heidt Robert S. , Kaeding Christopher C. , Kremcheck Timothy E. , Magnussen Robert A. , Parikh Shital N. , Stanfield Denver T , Wall Eric J. , Myer Gregory D.
Published: April 2019

Objective

To evaluate sex differences in incidence rates (IRs) of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury by sport type (collision, contact, limited contact, and noncontact).

Data Sources

A systematic review was performed using the electronic databases PubMed (1969–January 20, 2017) and EBSCOhost (CINAHL, SPORTDiscus; 1969–January 20, 2017) and the search terms anterior cruciate ligament AND injury AND (incidence OR prevalence OR epidemiology).

Study Selection

Studies were included if they provided the number of ACL injuries and the number of athlete-exposures (AEs) by sex or enough information to allow the number of ACL injuries by sex to be calculated. Studies were excluded if they were analyses of previously reported data or were not written in English.

Data Extraction

Data on sport classification, number of ACL injuries by sex, person-time in AEs for each sex, year of publication, sport, sport type, and level of play were extracted for analysis.

Data Synthesis

We conducted IR and IR ratio (IRR) meta-analyses, weighted for study size and calculated. Female and male athletes had similar ACL injury IRs for the following sport types: collision (2.10/10 000 versus 1.12/10 000 AEs, IRR = 1.14, P = .63), limited contact (0.71/10 000 versus 0.29/10 000 AEs, IRR = 1.21, P = .77), and noncontact (0.36/10 000 versus 0.21/10 000 AEs, IRR = 1.49, P = .22) sports. For contact sports, female athletes had a greater risk of injury than male athletes did (1.88/10 000 versus 0.87/10 000 AEs, IRR = 3.00, P < .001). Gymnastics and obstacle-course races were outliers with respect to IR, so we created a sport category of fixed-object, high-impact rotational landing (HIRL). For this sport type, female athletes had a greater risk of ACL injury than male athletes did (4.80/10 000 versus 1.75/10 000 AEs, IRR = 5.51, P < .001), and the overall IRs of ACL injury were greater than all IRs in all other sport categories.

Conclusions

Fixed-object HIRL sports had the highest IRs of ACL injury for both sexes. Female athletes were at greater risk of ACL injury than male athletes in contact and fixed-object HIRL sports.
Deficits in Quadriceps Force Control After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: Potential Central Mechanisms
Authors: Ward Sarah H. , Perraton Luke , Bennell Kim , Pietrosimone Brian , Bryant Adam L.
Published: April 2019

Context

Poor quadriceps force control has been observed after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction but has not been examined after ACL injury. Whether adaptations within the central nervous system are contributing to these impairments is unknown.

Objective

To examine quadriceps force control in individuals who had sustained a recent ACL injury and determine the associations between cortical excitability and quadriceps force control in these individuals.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Research laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants

Eighteen individuals with a recent unilateral ACL injury (6 women, 12 men; age = 29.6 ± 8.4 years, height = 1.74 ± 0.07 m, mass = 76.0 ± 10.4 kg, time postinjury = 69.5 ± 42.5 days) and 18 uninjured individuals (6 women, 12 men; age = 29.2 ± 6.8 years, height = 1.79 ± 0.07 m, mass = 79.0 ± 8.4 kg) serving as controls participated.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Quadriceps force control was quantified as the root mean square error between the quadriceps force and target force during a cyclical force-matching task. Cortical excitability was measured as the active motor threshold and cortical silent period. Outcome measures were determined bilaterally in a single testing session. Group and limb differences in quadriceps force control were assessed using mixed analyses of variance (2 × 2). Pearson product moment correlations were performed between quadriceps force control and cortical excitability in individuals with an ACL injury.

Results

Individuals with an ACL injury exhibited greater total force-matching error with their involved (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.8) and uninvolved (SMD = 0.9) limbs than did controls (F1,27 = 11.347, P = .03). During the period of descending force, individuals with an ACL injury demonstrated greater error using their involved (SMD = 0.8) and uninvolved (SMD = 0.8) limbs than uninjured individuals (F1,27 = 4.941, P = .04). Greater force-matching error was not associated with any cortical excitability measures (P > .05).

Conclusions

Quadriceps force control was impaired bilaterally after recent ACL injury but was not associated with selected measures of cortical excitability. The findings highlight a need to incorporate submaximal-force control tasks into rehabilitation and “prehabilitation,” as the deficits were present before surgery.
Role of anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA+IgG antibodies in detection of potential celiac disease in patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Kaur Navchetan , Minz Ranjana W. , Bhadada Sanjay K. , Saikia Biman , Dayal Devi , Anand Shashi , Joshi Neha , Singh Jagdeep , Thapa Babu R. , Kochhar Rakesh K. , Vaiphei Kim
Published: April 2019

Background & objectives:

Celiac disease (CD) can exist in various forms in type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients and can remain undetected, leading to severe complications. This study was aimed to evaluate five commercially available anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG) ELISA kits with distinct formats for the detection of CD and potential CD in T1D patients. Clinical and demographic profiles of the patients with different disease subsets were also studied.

Methods:

Fifty T1D patients with classical and non-classical symptoms of CD and 100 T1D patients without any symptoms of CD were included in this study. Anti-tTG autoantibody levels were estimated by five ELISA kits followed by histological examination of duodenal biopsy. HLA DQ2-DQ8 and DRB1-DQB1 typing was done, and serum levels for transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 were also estimated.

Results:

Assay format detecting anti-tTG IgA antibodies against recombinant antigens along with neopeptides of gliadin was most efficient in the detection of CD in symptomatic patients, and assay format detecting IgA+IgG helped in the detection of potential CD in asymptomatic T1D patients. These findings were supported by histological examination and human leucocyte antigen analysis. Patients with potential CD were found to have markedly deranged glycaemic control parameters and also had significantly raised serum levels of TGF-β1, (P<0.05) compared to T1D patients.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Potential CD can be frequently seen in T1D patients. This can be attributed to the dietary patterns prevalent in the subcontinent and the genetic basis of the disease. Anti-tTG IgA+IgG antibodies can be useful in the detection of these potential CD cases in T1D patients. Early intervention with gluten-free diet can be considered in these patients for better disease management.
Antidiabetic effect of free amino acids supplementation in human visceral adipocytes through adiponectin-dependent mechanism
Authors: Srinivasan Vidhya , Radhakrishnan Selvi , Angayarkanni Narayanasamy , Sulochana K.N.
Published: April 2019

Background & objectives:

Amino acids are general nutrients having anti-diabetic property. The present study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism of anti-diabetic effects of amino acids in human visceral adipocyte cells in high glucose environment.

Methods:

Experiments were carried out in human visceral adipocytes. Adiponectin (APN) siRNAs were designed using Ambion tools. APN mRNA expression was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction, and protein level was studied using ELISA. AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) activity was measured and glucose uptake by 2-deoxyglucose uptake method.

Results:

Amino acids (proline and phenylalanine) exposure to adipocytes significantly (P<0.01) increased APN mRNA by 1.5-folds when compared to control whereas proline increased APN secretion by 10.6-folds (P<0.01), phenylalanine by 12.7-folds (P<0.001) and alanine by 6.3-folds (P<0.01). Free amino acid-induced AMPK activity and glucose uptake were decreased with the transient knockdown of APN.

Interpretation & conclusions:

Antidiabetic effect of the tested amino acids was exhibited by increased glucose uptake through the AMPK pathway by an APN-dependent mechanism in human visceral adipocytes. This should be tested and confirmed in in vivo system. Newer treatment modalities with amino acids which can enhance glucose uptake and APN secretion can be developed as drug for treating both diabetes and obesity.
Isolated Parachute Mitral Valve Detected by Two-Dimensional Echocardiography and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Asymptomatic Healthy Adult
Authors: Jotkar Sushama Krishnat , Harshe Gayatri G.
Published: April 2019

A 55 year old female patient presented for preoperative evaluation for vaginal hysterectomy. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiography revealed mitral valve (MV) abnormality, with only one papillary muscle having parachute appearance. Her cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with contrast confirmed the MV abnormality. Since she was hemodynamically stable, she underwent hysterectomy uneventfully.
The Lesser Known Lobe
Authors: Mahtani Arun Umesh , Baliga Vivek , Govind Satish , Reddy Punith
Published: April 2019

The azygos lobe was first discovered by an anatomist Dr. Heinrich August Wrisberg in the year 1877. It is a rare normal variant of the lung usually present over the right lobe. The azygos lobe has been reported in various case reports where it has been mistaken to be a neoplasm, a bulla, or a paratracheal mass. It has implications in the field of surgery as well when this anatomic variant was discovered during sympathectomy and the approach had to be slightly altered. We present a rare case of an incidental finding of an azygos lobe impinging over the superior vena cava and causing axial alteration of the heart.
Rare Coronary Circulation Anomaly Causing Chest Pain: Superdominant Right Coronary Artery with Absent Left Circumflex Artery
Authors: Nathani Sanjay , Mehta Pooja , Singh Kapisoor , Golcha Sandeep
Published: April 2019

Coronary circulation anomalies are the uncommon cause of chest pain when hemodynamically significant. Multidetector computed tomography (CT) of coronary arteries is rapidly replacing conventional angiography, nowadays, as the first line of investigation for the imaging of coronary artery disease due to its noninvasive nature. CT coronary angiography in addition to diagnosing anomalies of coronary arteries is especially good in the delineation of ostial origin and proximal course. Superdominant right coronary artery (RCA) with absent left circumflex artery (LCx) is such a rare congenital coronary artery anomaly which can mimic atherosclerotic disease clinically with very few case reports in the literature which can be diagnosed and evaluated with accuracy by CT angiography.
Trans-esophageal Echocardiography During Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Patil T. A. , Ambli Santosh Kumar , Badge Vaishali S.
Published: April 2019

Off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) is fast becoming widely adopted technique for surgical revascularization of the heart. However, OPCABG presents with unique technical and hemodynamic challenges which require additions to conventional monitoring techniques. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provides reliable and real-time information to monitor these challenges during OPCABG. TEE is an invaluable diagnostic tool for real-time imaging during OPCABG. It is beneficial not only in the intraoperative period but also in the postoperative care units for better patient outcomes.
One-Level Density of Low-lying Zeros of Quadratic and Quartic Hecke -functions
Authors: Gao Peng , Zhao Liangyi
Published: April 2019

In this paper we prove some one-level density results for the low-lying zeros of families of quadratic and quartic Hecke $L$-functions of the Gaussian field. As corollaries, we deduce that at least 94.27% and 5%, respectively, of the members of the quadratic family and the quartic family do not vanish at the central point.
The Action of a Plane Singular Holomorphic Flow on a Non-invariant Branch
Authors: Fortuny Ayuso P. , Ribón J.
Published: April 2019

We study the dynamics of a singular holomorphic vector field at $(\mathbb{C}^{2},0)$. Using the associated flow and its pullback to the blow-up manifold, we provide invariants relating the vector field, a non-invariant analytic branch of curve, and the deformation of this branch by the flow. This leads us to study the conjugacy classes of singular branches under the action of holomorphic flows. In particular, we show that there exists an analytic class that is not complete, meaning that there are two elements of the class that are not analytically conjugated by a local biholomorphism embedded in a one-parameter flow. Our techniques are new and offer an approach dual to the one used classically to study singularities of holomorphic vector fields.
О верхних функциях для аномальных диффузий, моделируемых процессом Орнштейна-Уленбека с переменными коэффициентами
Authors: Palamarchuk Ekaterina S
Published: April 2019

В работе находятся верхние функции, с вероятностью $1$ асимптотически мажорирующие процесс перемещения, задаваемый в виде интегрированного процесса Орнштейна-Уленбека с переменными коэффициентами. Вид верхних функций зависит от характеристик (темпа устойчивости и коэффициента диффузии) линейного стохастического дифференциального уравнения. Вводится понятие аномальной диффузии с точки зрения динамики верхних функций и проводится сравнение соответствующих результатов классификации типов диффузий (нормальная диффузия, субдиффузия и супердиффузия) с результатами, получаемыми на основе среднеквадратичных перемещений.
An extended continuous mapping theorem for outer almost sure weak convergence
Authors: Varron Davit
Published: April 2019

Мы доказываем обобщение теоремы о непрерывном отображении для слабой сходимости почти наверное по внешней вероятности в метрическом пространстве, понятие, которое используется в теории бутстрепа эмпирических процессов. Пользуясь этими результатами, мы устанавливаем состоятельность нескольких процедур бутстрепа в теории эмпирического правдоподобия для функциональных параметров.