bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomic Dissection of an Icelandic Epidemic of Respiratory Disease in Horses and Associated Zoonotic Cases
Authors: Björnsdóttir Sigríður , Harris Simon R. , Svansson Vilhjálmur , Gunnarsson Eggert , Sigurðardóttir Ólöf G. , Gammeljord Kristina , Steward Karen F. , Newton J. Richard , Robinson Carl , Charbonneau Amelia R. L. , Parkhill Julian , Holden Matthew T. G. , Waller Andrew S.
Published: August 2017

Iceland is free of the major infectious diseases of horses. However, in 2010 an epidemic of respiratory disease of unknown cause spread through the country’s native horse population of 77,000. Microbiological investigations ruled out known viral agents but identified the opportunistic pathogen
Streptococcus equi
subsp.
zooepidemicus
(
S. zooepidemicus
) in diseased animals. We sequenced the genomes of 257 isolates of
S. zooepidemicus
to differentiate epidemic from endemic strains. We found that although multiple endemic clones of
S. zooepidemicus
were present, one particular clone, sequence type 209 (ST209), was likely to have been responsible for the epidemic. Concurrent with the epidemic, ST209 was also recovered from a human case of septicemia, highlighting the pathogenic potential of this strain. Epidemiological investigation revealed that the incursion of this strain into one training yard during February 2010 provided a nidus for the infection of multiple horses that then transmitted the strain to farms throughout Iceland. This study represents the first time that whole-genome sequencing has been used to investigate an epidemic on a national scale to identify the likely causative agent and the link to an associated zoonotic infection. Our data highlight the importance of national biosecurity to protect vulnerable populations of animals and also demonstrate the potential impact of
S. zooepidemicus
transmission to other animals, including humans.

IMPORTANCE
An epidemic of respiratory disease affected almost the entire native Icelandic horse population of 77,000 animals in 2010, resulting in a self-imposed ban on the export of horses and significant economic costs to associated industries. Although the speed of transmission suggested that a viral pathogen was responsible, only the presence of the opportunistic pathogen
Streptococcus zooepidemicus
was consistent with the observed clinical signs. We applied genomic sequencing to differentiate epidemic from endemic strains and to shed light on the rapid transmission of the epidemic strain throughout Iceland. We further highlight the ability of epidemic and endemic strains of
S. zooepidemicus
to infect other animals, including humans. This study represents the first time that whole-genome sequencing has been used to elucidate an outbreak on a national scale and identify the likely causative agent.
Signal Peptide Hydrophobicity Modulates Interaction with the Twin-Arginine Translocase
Authors: Huang Qi , Palmer Tracy
Published: August 2017

The general secretory pathway (Sec) and twin-arginine translocase (Tat) operate in parallel to export proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane of prokaryotes and the thylakoid membrane of plant chloroplasts. Substrates are targeted to their respective machineries by N-terminal signal peptides that share a tripartite organization; however, Tat signal peptides harbor a conserved and almost invariant arginine pair that is critical for efficient targeting to the Tat machinery. Tat signal peptides interact with a membrane-bound receptor complex comprised of TatB and TatC components, with TatC containing the twin-arginine recognition site. Here, we isolated suppressors in the signal peptide of the Tat substrate, SufI, that restored Tat transport in the presence of inactivating substitutions in the TatC twin-arginine binding site. These suppressors increased signal peptide hydrophobicity, and copurification experiments indicated that they restored binding to the variant TatBC complex. The hydrophobic suppressors could also act in
cis
to suppress substitutions at the signal peptide twin-arginine motif that normally prevent targeting to the Tat pathway. Highly hydrophobic variants of the SufI signal peptide containing four leucine substitutions retained the ability to interact with the Tat system. The hydrophobic signal peptides of two Sec substrates, DsbA and OmpA, containing twin lysine residues, were shown to mediate export by the Tat pathway and to copurify with TatBC. These findings indicate that there is unprecedented overlap between Sec and Tat signal peptides and that neither the signal peptide twin-arginine motif nor the TatC twin-arginine recognition site is an essential mechanistic feature for operation of the Tat pathway.

IMPORTANCE
Protein export is an essential process in all prokaryotes. The Sec and Tat export pathways operate in parallel, with the Sec machinery transporting unstructured precursors and the Tat pathway transporting folded proteins. Proteins are targeted to the Tat pathway by N-terminal signal peptides that contain an almost invariant twin-arginine motif. Here, we make the surprising discovery that the twin arginines are not essential for recognition of substrates by the Tat machinery and that this requirement can be bypassed by increasing the signal peptide hydrophobicity. We further show that signal peptides of bona fide Sec substrates can also mediate transport by the Tat pathway. Our findings suggest that key features of the Tat targeting mechanism have evolved to prevent mistargeting of substrates to the Sec pathway rather than being a critical requirement for function of the Tat pathway.
Role of Fatty Acid Kinase in Cellular Lipid Homeostasis and SaeRS-Dependent Virulence Factor Expression in
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Ericson Megan E. , Subramanian Chitra , Frank Matthew W. , Rock Charles O.
Published: August 2017

The SaeRS two-component system is a master activator of virulence factor transcription in
Staphylococcus aureus
, but the cellular factors that control its activity are unknown. Fatty acid (FA) kinase is a two-component enzyme system required for extracellular FA uptake and SaeRS activity. Here, we demonstrate the existence of an intracellular nonesterified FA pool in
S. aureus
that is elevated in strains lacking FA kinase activity. SaeRS-mediated transcription is restored in FA kinase-negative strains when the intracellular FA pool is reduced either by growth with FA-depleted bovine serum albumin to extract the FA into the medium or by the heterologous expression of
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
acyl-acyl carrier protein synthetase to activate FA for phospholipid synthesis. These data show that FAs act as negative regulators of SaeRS signaling, and FA kinase activates SaeRS-dependent virulence factor production by lowering inhibitory FA levels. Thus, FA kinase plays a role in cellular lipid homeostasis by activating FA for incorporation into phospholipid, and it indirectly regulates SaeRS signaling by maintaining a low intracellular FA pool.

IMPORTANCE
The SaeRS two-component system is a master transcriptional activator of virulence factor production in response to the host environment in
S. aureus
, and strains lacking FA kinase have severely attenuated SaeRS-dependent virulence factor transcription. FA kinase is required for the activation of exogenous FAs, and it plays a role in cellular lipid homeostasis by recycling cellular FAs into the phospholipid biosynthetic pathway. Activation of the sensor kinase, SaeS, is mediated by its membrane anchor domain, and the FAs which accumulate in FA kinase knockout strains are potent inhibitors of SaeS-dependent signaling. This work identifies FAs as physiological effectors for the SaeRS system and reveals a connection between cellular lipid homeostasis and the regulation of virulence factor transcription. FA kinase is widely distributed in Gram-positive bacteria, suggesting similar roles for FA kinase in these organisms.
Diagnosis of acrodermatitis enteropathica in resource limited settings
Authors: Dev Tanvi , Sethuraman Gomathy
Published: August 2017

Acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) is a rare inherited zinc deficiency that usually manifests in infancy within days in cases of bottlefed infants and days to weeks after weaning in breastfed infants. It is characterised by diarrhoea, dermatitis, alopecia and systemic symptoms. We report a case of acquired nutritional AE in a 6-month-old female infant who had diarrhoeal episodes and the characteristic dermatitis lesions in the acral and anogenital regions. She responded dramatically to oral zinc supplementation.
Percutaneous valve in valve in the tricuspid position in a patient with Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Challa Abhinay , Markham Ryan , Walters Darren
Published: August 2017

Here, we describe a case of a successful percutaneous insertion of a transcatheter 29 mm Edwards Sapien XT valve into a tricuspid valve in a patient with repaired tetralogy of fallot.

Similar procedures have been performed with the Edwards Sapien valve and Melody valves; however, this is the first case described in the literature of an Edwards Sapien valve used in a patient with Tetralogy of Fallot.

With procedural safety being demonstrated, this case illustrates an important alternative treatment option for patients with congenital heart disease. Although long-term data is required to compare its efficacy with surgically replaced valves, percutaneous procedures can serve as a delay to surgical valve replacement which over a patients’ lifetime with congenital heart disease, can minimise the amount of invasive surgeries and potential complications.
Comparing optical coherence tomography findings in different aetiologies of infectious necrotising retinitis
Authors: Invernizzi Alessandro , Agarwal Aniruddha Kishandutt , Ravera Vittoria , Mapelli Chiara , Riva Agostino , Staurenghi Giovanni , McCluskey Peter J , Viola Francesco
Published: August 2017

Aims

To compare optical coherence tomography (OCT) features of active necrotising infectious retinitis (NIR) due to toxoplasmosis or herpesviruses and to determine distinctive OCT signs for these two causes of infectious retinitis.

Methods

OCT scans from eyes with active NIR due to varicella zoster virus (VZV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and toxoplasmosis (TOXO) were reviewed. All images were evaluated for the presence of previously described OCT findings in TOXO-NIR and compared with the viral group. New OCT findings were recorded and compared. Retinal and choroidal thickness were measured at the site of NIR and compared.

Results

10 eyes diagnosed with TOXO-NIR and 13 eyes affected by viral-NIR (9 CMV and 4 VZV) were analysed. All eyes showed full thickness hyper-reflectivity, disruption of the retina and a variable degree of vitritis. Among previously described OCT signs, hyper-reflective oval deposits and hypo-reflectivity of the choroid had a higher prevalence in TOXO (p=0.018 and p<0.0001, respectively). Among the new signs, hyper-reflective round deposits along the posterior hyaloid, retrohyaloid hyper-reflective spots and a disruption of the choroidal architecture were more frequent in TOXO eyes (all p<0.01). Intra-retinal oedema and hyper-reflective vertical strips within the outer nuclear layer were suggestive of a viral aetiology (p=0.045). Retinal thickness at the site of NIR did not differ between the two groups. Choroidal thickness was significantly higher in TOXO eyes (p=0.01).

Conclusions

The diagnosis of NIR is largely based on clinical and laboratory findings. OCT changes may be useful in differentiating different causes of NIR.
Changes in multiple cytokine concentrations in the aqueous humour of neovascular age-related macular degeneration after 2 months of ranibizumab therapy
Authors: Sakamoto Shinichi , Takahashi Hidenori , Tan Xue , Inoue Yuji , Nomura Yoko , Arai Yusuke , Fujino Yujiro , Kawashima Hidetoshi , Yanagi Yasuo
Published: August 2017

Purpose

To determine changes in multiple cytokine concentrations in the anterior chamber during the induction phase of ranibizumab treatment in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods

This prospective study included 48 treatment-naïve neovascular AMD eyes of 48 patients who received three consecutive monthly injections of ranibizumab at the Japan Community Health Care Organization Tokyo Shinjuku Medical Center between November 2010 and August 2012. We collected ~0.2 mL aqueous humour before the first and third (2 months later) injections. Controls were 80 eyes with cataracts without retinal disease. The cytokines C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), interferon-γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), CCL11, C-C motif chemokine ligand 11 (CCL11), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were analysed using multiplex cytokine assays.

Results

Mean ages of the patients with AMD and controls were 73 and 75 years, respectively, and 31 (65%) and 37 (46%) subjects were men, respectively. Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy was found in 27 eyes (56%). Mean concentrations of cytokines in aqueous humour in patients with neovascular AMD before the first and third ranibizumab injections were as follows (in pg/mL): CXCL1, 8.4 and 3.3; IP-10, 110 and 55; CXCL12, 480 and 240; CXCL13, 9.2 and 2.6; MCP-1, 620 and 220; CCL11, 7.1 and 2.8; IL-6, 5.9 and 1.6; IL-10, 0.15 and 0.015 (all p<0.0001), and MMP-9, 0.92 and 1.5 (p=0.0216), respectively. Concentrations of all cytokines decreased significantly after two consecutive ranibizumab injections, except for MMP-9, which increased significantly.

Conclusions

After two monthly consecutive antivascular endothelial growth factor injections, inflammatory cytokine levels in the aqueous humour of the eyes with AMD were strongly suppressed, while MMP-9 levels increased.
The association between ocular surface measurements with visual field reliability indices and gaze tracking results in preperimetric glaucoma
Authors: Arai Takahiro , Murata Hiroshi , Matsuura Masato , Usui Tomohiko , Asaoka Ryo
Published: August 2017

Background/aims

To investigate the relationship between gaze tracking (GT) results and ocular surface condition in glaucoma.

Method

The Humphrey 24–2 visual field (VF) was measured in 34 eyes of 30 patients with open-angle glaucoma without VF damage. Tear break-up time, Schirmer’s test, tear meniscus volume (TMV) and presence of superficial punctate keratopathy (SPK) were also measured in order to describe the condition of the ocular surface. Various GT parameters were calculated: the average frequency of eye movements per stimulus between 1° and 2° (move1-2), the average frequency of eye movements per stimulus between 3° and 5° (move3-5), the average frequency of eye movements per stimulus more than 6° (move≥6), the average tracking failure frequency per stimulus (TFF) and the average blinking frequency. The relationship between GT parameters, reliability indices and ocular surface measurements was investigated using linear mixed modelling.

Results

SPK was positively associated with high rates of move3-5 (coefficient=0.12 for SPK+, p=0.003) and move≥6 (coefficient=0.052 for SPK+, p=0.023). High TMV was significantly related to TFF (coefficient=0.37, p=0.023). Fixation losses, false-positives and false-negatives were not significantly associated with any GT parameters or ocular surface measurements.

Conclusion

SPK is associated with increased frequency of eye movements (move3-5 and move≥6). In addition, large TMV is associated with increased rate of TFF. Careful attention should be paid when interpreting GT parameters in patients with SPK or a large TMV.
Reliability of Cyclotorsion measurements using Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy imaging in healthy subjects: the CySLO study
Authors: Lengwiler Fabian , Rappoport Daniel , Jaggi Gregor P , Landau Klara , Traber Ghislaine L
Published: August 2017

Background/aims

To evaluate inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of objective cyclotorsion measurements obtained in healthy subjects using the Heidelberg Spectralis spectral domain—optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) device.

Methods

In this prospective methodological study, 32 healthy subjects (14 men, 18 women; aged 21–64 years) were enrolled, 31 right eyes were examined and their foveo-papillary angles (FPAs) were measured. The retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) programme by Heidelberg Spectralis (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) was used to measure cyclotorsion based on the in-built algorithm for the measurement of the FPA on the scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO) image. Repeated scans of the fixating and non-fixating right eye without and with eye tracker each were obtained by three different examiners.

Results

The mean FPA measured overall by all three examiners was 6.6°±2.8°. The inter-rater reliability of the measured FPAs using the linear mixed effects model is estimated as rhointer=0.8803. The intra-rater reliability is estimated as rhointra=0.9589.

Conclusions

Repeatability of objective cyclotorsion measurements within and between observers using the Heidelberg Spectralis OCT is very high. SD-OCT/SLO imaging is a reliable imaging technique to measure and study cyclotorsion.

Clinical trial number

NCT02631369, Results.
Cost-utility and budget impact analyses of the use of NEPA for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting prophylaxis in Italy
Authors: Restelli Umberto , Saibene Gabriella , Nardulli Patrizia , Di Turi Roberta , Bonizzoni Erminio , Scolari Francesca , Perrone Tania , Croce Davide , Celio Luigi
Published: August 2017

Objective

To evaluate the efficiency of resources allocation and sustainability of the use of netupitant+palonosetron (NEPA) for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) prophylaxis assuming the Italian National Health Service (NHS) perspective. A published Markov model was adapted to assess the incremental cost-utility ratio of NEPA compared with aprepitant (APR) + palonosetron (PALO), fosaprepitant (fAPR) + PALO, APR + ondansetron (ONDA), fAPR + ONDA in patients receiving a highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) and with APR + PALO and fAPR + PALO in patients receiving a moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC).

Setting

Oncology hospital department in Italy.

Methods

A Markov model was used to determine the impact of NEPA on the budget of the Italian NHS on a 5-day time horizon, corresponding to the acute and delayed CINV prophylaxis phases. Direct medical costs considered were related to antiemetic drugs, adverse events management, CINV episodes management. Clinical and quality of life data referred to previously published works. The budget impact analysis considered the aforementioned therapies plus PALO alone (for HEC and MEC) on a 5-year time horizon, comparing two scenarios: one considering the use of NEPA and one not considering its use.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Incremental cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) and differential economic impact for the Italian NHS between the two scenarios considered.

Results

NEPA is more effective and less expensive (dominant) compared with APR + PALO (for HEC and MEC), fAPR + PALO (for HEC and MEC), APR + ONDA (for HEC), fAPR + ONDA (for HEC). The use of NEPA would lead to a 5-year cost decrease of €63.7 million (€42.7 million for HEC and €20.9 million for MEC).

Conclusions

NEPA allows an efficient allocation of resources for the Italian NHS and it is sustainable, leading to a cost decrease compared with a scenario which does not consider its use.
Does early return to theatre add value to rates of revision at 3 years in assessing surgeon performance for elective hip and knee arthroplasty? National observational study
Authors: Bottle Alex , Chase Helen E , Aylin Paul P , Loeffler Mark
Published: August 2017

Background

Joint replacement revision is the most widely used long-term outcome measure in elective hip and knee surgery. Return to theatre (RTT) has been proposed as an additional outcome measure, but how it compares with revision in its statistical performance is unknown.

Methods

National hospital administrative data for England were used to compare RTT at 90 days (RTT90) with revision rates within 3 years by surgeon. Standard power calculations were run for different scenarios. Funnel plots were used to count the number of surgeons with unusually high or low rates.

Results

From 2006 to 2011, there were 297 650 hip replacements (HRs) among 2952 surgeons and 341 226 knee replacements (KRs) among 2343 surgeons. RTT90 rates were 2.1% for HR and 1.5% for KR; 3-year revision rates were 2.1% for HR and 2.2% for KR. Statistical power to detect surgeons with poor performance on either metric was particularly low for surgeons performing 50 cases per year for the 5 years. The correlation between the risk-adjusted surgeon-level rates for the two outcomes was +0.51 for HR and +0.20 for KR, both p<0.001. There was little agreement between the measures regarding which surgeons had significantly high or low rates.

Conclusion

RTT90 appears to provide useful and complementary information on surgeon performance and should be considered alongside revision rates, but low case loads considerably reduce the power to detect unusual performance on either metric.
The level of provision of specialist palliative care services in Scotland: an international benchmarking study
Authors: Inbadas Hamilton , Carrasco José Miguel , Gillies Michelle , Clark David
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Comparative benchmarking of specialist palliative care (SPC) services across jurisdictions can be used to assess the adequacy of provision. Published in 2016, theScottish Atlas of Palliative Careunlocks the possibility of benchmarking Scotland’s provision against other European Union (EU) countries. Our objectives were to describe the provision of SPC services in Scotland and compare this with other EU countries, assessing coverage against European norms.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of data collected as part for theScottish Atlasby structured telephone (n=33) or online (n=3) survey with informants from 14 territorial health boards and 15 hospices who provided information about SPC services in their locality. National-level Scottish data were compared with data from other EU countries allowing ranking for each service type and service coverage as calculated against European Association for Palliative Care norms.

Results

Scotland had a total of 23 SPC inpatient units containing 349 beds, 27 SPC hospital support teams and 38 SPC home care teams. Relative to other EU countries, Scotland ranked seventh for provision of SPC inpatient units and hospital support teams, and fifth for home care teams. Coverage for these services was 85%, 100% and 72%, respectively.

Conclusion

Scotland is positioned among the top 10 EU countries for the level of provision of SPC services. National policy in Scotland has focused on the delivery of palliative care at home or in a homely setting. These data support a focus on developing services in community settings to meet Scotland’s policy ambitions.
Mucosal microbiome dysbiosis in gastric carcinogenesis
Authors: Coker Olabisi Oluwabukola , Dai Zhenwei , Nie Yongzhan , Zhao Guijun , Cao Lei , Nakatsu Geicho , Wu William KK , Wong Sunny Hei , Chen Zigui , Sung Joseph J Y , Yu Jun
Published: August 2017

Objectives

We aimed to characterise the microbial changes associated with histological stages of gastric tumourigenesis.

Design

We performed 16S rRNA gene analysis of gastric mucosal samples from 81 cases including superficial gastritis (SG), atrophic gastritis (AG), intestinal metaplasia (IM) and gastric cancer (GC) from Xi’an, China, to determine mucosal microbiome dysbiosis across stages of GC. We validated the results in mucosal samples of 126 cases from Inner Mongolia, China.

Results

We observed significant mucosa microbial dysbiosis in IM and GC subjects, with significant enrichment of 21 and depletion of 10 bacterial taxa in GC compared with SG (q<0.05). Microbial network analysis showed increasing correlation strengths among them with disease progression (p<0.001). Five GC-enriched bacterial taxa whose species identifications correspond to Peptostreptococcus stomatis, Streptococcus anginosus, Parvimonas micra, Slackia exigua and Dialister pneumosintes had significant centralities in the GC ecological network (p<0.05) and classified GC from SG with an area under the receiver-operating curve (AUC) of 0.82. Moreover, stronger interactions among gastric microbes were observed in Helicobacter pylori-negative samples compared with H. pylori-positive samples in SG and IM. The fold changes of selected bacteria, and strengths of their interactions were successfully validated in the Inner Mongolian cohort, in which the five bacterial markers distinguished GC from SG with an AUC of 0.81.

Conclusions

In addition to microbial compositional changes, we identified differences in bacterial interactions across stages of gastric carcinogenesis. The significant enrichments and network centralities suggest potentially important roles of P. stomatis, D. pneumosintes, S. exigua, P. micra and S. anginosus in GC progression.
Recanalisation therapy in patients with acute ischaemic stroke caused by large artery occlusion: choice of therapeutic strategy according to underlying aetiological mechanism?
Authors: Tian Chenglin , Cao Xiangyu , Wang Jun
Published: August 2017

Various mechanisms underlie causative large artery occlusion (LAO) in patients with acute ischaemic stroke. Cardioembolic and atherosclerotic occlusions are the two most common types. The pathophysiological changes and responses to mechanical thrombectomy (MT) and antithrombotic treatments including thrombolysis, antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy may vary among patients with different aetiological mechanisms of occlusion. Atherosclerotic occlusion is inclined to have relatively abundant collaterals and larger area of penumbra, hence a relatively wider time window for reperfusion therapy, while poor response to medical thrombolysis and MT. Severe residual stenosis and reocclusion occurred frequently after MT in atherosclerotic LAO. Angioplasty and stenting as rescue or the first-line therapy and more intensified antiplatelet therapy beyond related recommendations in the current guidelines are sometimes used in managing acute causative LAO because of poor recanalisation after recommended standard thrombolysis or MT therapy, which are usually based on individual experience. Standard protocol to establish emergent aetiological diagnosis of causative LAO and individualised aetiology-specific treatment strategy is needed.
Tire Defects Classification with Multi-Contrast Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Cui Xuehong , Liu Yun , Zhang Yan , Wang Chuanxu
Published: August 2017

The objective of this study is to improve the accuracy in tire defect classification with limited training samples under varying illuminations. We investigate an algorithm based on deep learning to achieve high accuracy with limited samples. First, image contrast normalizations and data augmentation were used to avoid overfitting problems of the network with a large number of parameters. Furthermore, multi-column CNN is proposed by combining several CNNs trained on differently preprocessed data into a multi-column CNN (MC-CNN), and then their predictions are averaged as the output of the proposed network. An average accuracy of 98.47% is achieved with the proposed CNN-based method. Experimental results show that our scheme receives satisfactory classification accuracy and outperforms state-of-the-art methods on the same tire defect dataset.
Ω-Result for the index of composition of an integer
Authors: Sui Yankun , Zhai Wenguang , Zhang Deyu
Published: August 2017

For each integer [Formula: see text], let [Formula: see text] be the index of composition of [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text]. The index of composition of an integer measures the multiplicity of its prime factors. In this paper, we obtain an [Formula: see text]-result for the error term of the sum [Formula: see text]
A note on a theorem of Cadoret and Tamagawa
Authors: Türkelli Seyfi
Published: August 2017

We prove Cadoret and Tamagawa’s open image theorem for curves defined over number fields using their arguments and the machinery of Ellenberg–Hall–Kowalski employed in their paper on expander graphs.
On the divisibility of sums involving powers of multi-variable Schmidt polynomials
Authors: Chen Qi-Fei , Guo Victor J. W.
Published: August 2017

The multi-variable Schmidt polynomials are defined by [Formula: see text] We prove that, for any positive integers [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], all the coefficients in the polynomial [Formula: see text] are multiples of [Formula: see text]. This generalizes a recent result of Pan on the divisibility of sums of Apéry polynomials.
Improved Temporal Calibration of Tracked Ultrasound: An Open-Source Solution
Authors: Moult Eric M. , Lasso Andras , Ungi Tamas , Pinter Csaba , Welch Mattea , Fichtinger Gabor
Published: August 2017

In tracked ultrasound systems, temporal misalignment between image and tracker data results in incorrect image pose. We present a fully automatic temporal calibration. We image a flat plate in water with a tracked probe undergoing periodic uniaxial freehand translation. Using robust line detection scheme, we compute temporal misalignment as difference between probe and corresponding image position. From 240 sequences, standard deviation was under 5 ms for standard imaging parameters. Source code is available in Public Library for Ultrasound Research, PLUS ( www.plustoolkit.org ).
Scalability and Performance of Random Forest based Learning-to-Rank for Information Retrieval
Authors: Ibrahim Muhammad
Published: August 2017

For a query submitted by a user, the goal of an information retrieval system is to return a list of documents which are highly relevant with respect to that query. Traditionally different scoring methods, ranging from simple heuristic models to probabilistic models, have been used for this task. Recently researchers have started to use supervised machine learning techniques for solving this problem which is then called the learning-to-rank (LtR) problem. Many supervised learning methods have been tested so far with empirical success over conventional methods [4]

The random forest is a relatively simple but effective and efficient learning algorithm which aggregates the predictions of a large number of independent and variant base learners, namely decision trees. Its major benefits over other state-of-the-art methods include inherent parallelizability, ease of tuning and competitive performance. These benefits attract researchers across various disciplines where a random forest is a very popular choice. However, for LtR task, the random forest has not been thoroughly investigated. In this research, we investigate the random forest based LtR algorithms. We aim at improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and understanding of these algorithms. With respect to the first goal, we employ undersampling techniques and leverage the inherent structure of a random forest to achieve better scalability, especially for highly imbalanced datasets [2]. We also reduce the correlation among the trees to reduce learning time and to improve performance [3]. With respect to the second goal, we investigate various objective functions ranging from completely randomized splitting criterion to so-called listwise splitting [1]. We also conduct a thorough study on random forest based pointwise algorithms. With respect to the third goal, we develop methods for estimating the bias and variance of rank-learning algorithms, and examine their empirical behavior against parameters of the learning algorithm
Inference Networks for Document Retrieval
Authors: Turtle Howard , Croft W. Bruce
Published: August 2017

The use of inference networks to support document retrieval is introduced. A network-basead retrieval model is described and compared to conventional probabilistic and Boolean models.
Probabilistic Latent Semantic Indexing
Authors: Hofmann Thomas
Published: August 2017

Probabilistic Latent Semantic Indexing is a novel approach to automated document indexing which is based on a statistical latent class model for factor analysis of count data. Fitted from a training corpus of text documents by a generalization of the Expectation Maximization algorithm, the utilized model is able to deal with domain{specific synonymy as well as with polysemous words. In contrast to standard Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) by Singular Value Decomposition, the probabilistic variant has a solid statistical foundation and defines a proper generative data model. Retrieval experiments on a number of test collections indicate substantial performance gains over direct term matching methods as well as over LSI. In particular, the combination of models with different dimensionalities has proven to be advantageous.
Review of IS Security Policy Compliance
Authors: Balozian Puzant , Leidner Dorothy
Published: August 2017

An understanding of insider threats in information systems (IS) is important to help address one of the dangers lurking within organizations. This article provides a review of the literature on insider compliance (and failure of compliance) with information systems' policies in order to understand the status of IS research regarding negligent and malicious insiders. We begin by defining the terms, developing a new taxonomy of insiders, and then providing a comprehensive review of articles on IS policy compliance for the past 26 years. Grounding the analysis in the literature, we inductively identify four themes to foster Information Security policy compliance among employees. The themes are: 1) IS management philosophy, 2) procedural countermeasures, 3) technical countermeasures, and 4) environmental countermeasures. We propose that future research can draw upon these themes and use them as the building blocks of an indigenous IS security theory.
Stimulation of diuresis and natriuresis by renomedullary infusion of a dual inhibitor of fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase
Authors: Ahmad Ashfaq , Daneva Zdravka , Li Guangbi , Dempsey Sara K. , Li Ningjun , Poklis Justin L. , Lichtman Aron , Li Pin-Lan , Ritter Joseph K.
Published: August 2017

The renal medulla, considered critical for the regulation of salt and water balance and long-term blood pressure control, is enriched in anandamide and two of its major metabolizing enzymes, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). Infusion of anandamide (15, 30, and 60 nmol·min−1·kg−1) into the renal medulla of C57BL/6J mice stimulated diuresis and salt excretion in a COX-2- but not COX-1-dependent manner. To determine whether endogenous endocannabinoids in the renal medulla can elicit similar effects, the effects of intramedullary isopropyl dodecyl fluorophosphate (IDFP), which inhibits the two major endocannabinoid hydrolases, were studied. IDFP treatment increased the urine formation rate and sodium excretion in a COX-2- but not COX-1-dependent manner. Neither anandamide nor IDFP affected the glomerular filtration rate. Neither systemic (0.625 mg·kg−1·30 min−1 iv) nor intramedullary (15 nmol·min−1·kg−1·30 min−1) IDFP pretreatment before intramedullary anandamide (15–30 nmol·min−1·kg−1) strictly blocked effects of anandamide, suggesting that hydrolysis of anandamide was not necessary for its diuretic effect. Intramedullary IDFP had no effect on renal blood flow but stimulated renal medullary blood flow. The effects of IDFP on urine flow rate and medullary blood flow were FAAH-dependent as demonstrated using FAAH knockout mice. Analysis of mouse urinary PGE2 concentrations by HPLC-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry showed that IDFP treatment decreased urinary PGE2. These data are consistent with a role of FAAH and endogenous anandamide acting through a COX-2-dependent metabolite to regulate diuresis and salt excretion in the mouse kidney.
Mechanisms for shaping receptive field in monkey area TE
Authors: Obara Keitaro , O’Hashi Kazunori , Tanifuji Manabu
Published: August 2017

Visual object information is conveyed from V1 to area TE along the ventral visual pathway with increasing receptive field (RF) sizes. The RFs of TE neurons are known to be large, but it is largely unknown how large RFs are shaped along the ventral visual pathway. In this study, we addressed this question in two aspects, static and dynamic mechanisms, by recording neural responses from macaque area TE and V4 to object stimuli presented at various locations in the visual field. As a component related to static mechanisms, we found that in area TE, but not in V4, response latency to objects presented at fovea were different from objects in periphery. As a component of the dynamic mechanisms, we examined effects of spatial attention on the RFs of TE neurons. Spatial attention did not affect response latency but modulated response magnitudes depending on attended location, shifting of the longitudinal axis of RFs toward the attended locations. In standard models of large RF formation, downstream neurons pool information from nearby RFs, and this process is repeated across the visual field and at each step along the ventral visual pathway. The present study revealed that this mechanism is not that simple: 1) different circuit mechanisms for foveal and peripheral visual fields may be situated between V4 and area TE, and 2) spatial attention dynamically changes the shape of RFs.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Receptive fields (RFs) of neurons are progressively increased along the ventral visual pathway so that an RF at the final stage, area TE, covers a large area of the visual field. We explored the mechanism and suggested involvement of parallel circuit mechanisms between V4 and TE for foveal and peripheral parts of visual field. We also found a dynamic component of RF shape formation through attentional modulation of responses in a location-dependent manner.
Natriuretic Peptide System Activation in Acute Heart Failure Patients with Diabetes
Authors: Cunha Filipe M. , Pereira Joana , Marques Pedro , Moreira Helena , Rodrigues Pedro , Pinto Maria João , Lourenço Patrícia , Bettencourt Paulo
Published: August 2017

Background. Elevated B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a hallmark in heart failure (HF). Diabetic patients with chronic HF seem to have higher BNP than nondiabetics. We studied, in acute HF, if BNP levels are different between diabetics and nondiabetics. Methods. From a prospectively recruited population of acute HF patients, we selected a convenience sample. In pair-matched analysis, each diabetic patient was matched with a nondiabetic of the same age (±1 year), gender, and according to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Diabetics and nondiabetics were compared. Cox-regression analysis was used to analyse the prognostic impact of diabetes. Results. We studied 328 patients, mean age: 78 years, 44.5% male. Diabetics were more often hypertensive and had ischemic HF; they had higher body mass index, lower haemoglobin, and worse renal function. Diabetics were more often discharged on ACE inhibitors/ARB, antiplatelet therapy, and statins. Neither admission nor discharge BNP values differed between diabetics and pair-matched nondiabetics. One-year mortality was also nondifferent between pairs of diabetics and nondiabetics: 44 (26.8%) and 46 (28.0%), respectively. HR for 1-year mortality in diabetics was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.82–1.24) compared with nondiabetics. Conclusions. HF patients with diabetes have similar neurohumoral activation when compared with nondiabetics. One-year mortality is also nondifferent after matching for age, gender, and systolic function.
Experimental Autonomous Road Vehicle with Logical Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Shadrin Sergey Sergeevich , Varlamov Oleg Olegovich , Ivanov Andrey Mikhailovich
Published: August 2017

This article describes some technical issues regarding the adaptation of a production car to a platform for the development and testing of autonomous driving technologies. A universal approach to performing the reverse engineering of electric power steering (EPS) for the purpose of external control is also presented. The primary objective of the related study was to solve the problem associated with the precise prediction of the dynamic trajectory of an autonomous vehicle. This was accomplished by deriving a new equation for determining the lateral tire forces and adjusting some of the vehicle parameters under road test conductions. A Mivar expert system was also integrated into the control system of the experimental autonomous vehicle. The expert system was made more flexible and effective for the present application by the introduction of hybrid artificial intelligence with logical reasoning. The innovation offers a solution to the major problem of liability in the event of an autonomous transport vehicle being involved in a collision.
Adaptive Geometry Images for Remeshing
Authors: Shi Lina , Kong Dehui , Wang Shaofan , Yin Baocai
Published: August 2017

Geometry images are a kind of completely regular remeshing methods for mesh representation. Traditional geometry images have difficulties in achieving optimal reconstruction errors and preserving manually selected geometric details, due to the limitations of parametrization methods. To solve two issues, we propose two adaptive geometry images for remeshing triangular meshes. The first scheme produces geometry images with the minimum Hausdorff error by finding the optimization direction for sampling points based on the Hausdorff distance between the original mesh and the reconstructed mesh. The second scheme produces geometry images with higher reconstruction precision over the manually selected region-of-interest of the input mesh, by increasing the number of sampling points over the region-of-interest. Experimental results show that both schemes give promising results compared with traditional parametrization-based geometry images.
Ameliorative Effect of Daidzein on Cisplatin‐Induced Nephrotoxicity in Mice via Modulation of Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Cell Death
Authors: Meng Hongzhou , Fu Guanghou , Shen Jie , Shen Kezhen , Xu Zhijie , Wang Yiming , Jin Baiye , Pan Hao
Published: August 2017

Oxidative stress and inflammation are part and parcel of cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity. The purpose of this work is to study the role of soy isoflavone constituent, daidzein, in cisplatin‐induced renal damage. Cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity was evident by the histological damage in proximal tubular cells and by the increase in serum neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin (NGAL), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and urinary kidney injury molecule‐1 (KIM‐1). Cisplatin‐induced cell death was shown by TUNEL staining and caspase‐3/7 activity. Daidzin treatment reduced all kidney injury markers (NGAL, BUN, creatinine, and KIM‐1) and attenuated cell death (apoptotic markers). In cisplatin‐induced kidney injury, renal oxidative/nitrative stress was manifested by the increase in lipid peroxidation and protein nitration. Cisplatin induced the reactive oxygen species‐generating enzyme NOX‐2 and impaired antioxidant defense enzyme activities such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Cisplatin‐induced oxidative/nitrative stress was attenuated by daidzein treatment. Cisplatin induced CD11b‐positive macrophages in kidneys and daidzein attenuated CD11b‐positive cells. Daidzein attenuated cisplatin‐induced inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin 10 (IL‐10), interleukin 18 (IL‐18), and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1). Daidzein attenuated cell death in vitro. Our data suggested that daidzein attenuated cisplatin‐induced kidney injury through the downregulation of oxidative/nitrative stress, immune cells, inflammatory cytokines, and apoptotic cell death, thus improving kidney regeneration.
Changes in Ocular Surface Characteristics after Switching from Benzalkonium Chloride-Preserved Latanoprost to Preservative-Free Tafluprost or Benzalkonium Chloride-Preserved Tafluprost
Authors: Tokuda Naoto , Kitaoka Yasushi , Matsuzawa Akiko , Tsukamoto Ayaka , Sase Kana , Sakae Shinsuke , Takagi Hitoshi
Published: August 2017

Purpose. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of switching from Latanoprost ophthalmic solution containing a preservative to preservative-free Tafluprost ophthalmic solution or Tafluprost containing a preservative on ocular surfaces.Materials and Methods. Forty patients (40 eyes) with glaucoma (mean age: 62.0 ± 10.9 years) using Latanoprost with preservative for six months or longer were assigned either to a Tafluprost-containing-preservative group (20 eyes) or preservative-free-Tafluprost group (20 eyes). The intraocular pressure, corneal epithelial barrier function (fluorescein uptake concentration with fluorophotometer FL-500), superficial punctate keratopathy (AD classification), and tear film breakup time (TBUT) were assessed before switching and at 12 weeks after switching.Results. No significant differences in intraocular pressure were noted after switching in either group. Corneal epithelial barrier function was improved significantly after switching in both the Tafluprost-containing-preservative and the preservative-free-Tafluprost groups. There were no significant differences in AD scores after switching in the Tafluprost-containing-preservative group, but significant improvements were noted in the preservative-free-Tafluprost group. No significant differences in TBUT were noted in the Tafluprost-containing-preservative or preservative-free-Tafluprost groups after switching.Conclusion. After switching from preservative Latanoprost to Tafluprost containing-preservative or preservative-free Tafluprost, corneal epithelial barrier function was improved while the intraocular pressure reduction was retained.
Tensile Behavior and Cracking Pattern of an Ultra-High Performance Mortar Reinforced by Polyethylene Fiber
Authors: Choi Jeong-Il , Jang Seung Yup , Kwon Seung-Jun , Lee Bang Yeon
Published: August 2017

This paper presents an experimental study of the compressive strength, tensile behavior (including the tensile strength, tensile strain capacity, and toughness), and cracking patterns of an ultra-high performance mortar (UHPM) reinforced by polyethylene (PE) fiber as well as a discussion of the different tensile behaviors of the UHPM according to the types and contents of fibers used. The UHPM reinforced by microsteel fiber of 1.5 vol% and the UHPM reinforced by PE fibers with three different fiber contents were designed and prepared. A series of experiments was undertaken to assess the effect of PE fiber on the properties of the UHPM. The results found a lower strength level, higher tensile strain capacity and toughness, and a larger crack width in the PE fiber-reinforced UHPM compared to microsteel fiber-reinforced UHPM. It was also demonstrated that tensile strain capacity and toughness of 4.05% and 0.454 MPa m/m, respectively, can be attained when using the proposed polyethylene-fiber-reinforced UHPM.
An Update on Statistical Boosting in Biomedicine
Authors: Mayr Andreas , Hofner Benjamin , Waldmann Elisabeth , Hepp Tobias , Meyer Sebastian , Gefeller Olaf
Published: August 2017

Statistical boosting algorithms have triggered a lot of research during the last decade. They combine a powerful machine learning approach with classical statistical modelling, offering various practical advantages like automated variable selection and implicit regularization of effect estimates. They are extremely flexible, as the underlying base-learners (regression functions defining the type of effect for the explanatory variables) can be combined with any kind of loss function (target function to be optimized, defining the type of regression setting). In this review article, we highlight the most recent methodological developments on statistical boosting regarding variable selection, functional regression, and advanced time-to-event modelling. Additionally, we provide a short overview on relevant applications of statistical boosting in biomedicine.