bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Greater aortic inflammation and calcification in abdominal aortic aneurysmal disease than atherosclerosis: a prospective matched cohort study
Authors: Joshi Nikhil V , Elkhawad Maysoon , Forsythe Rachael O , McBride Olivia M B , Rajani Nikil K , Tarkin Jason M , Chowdhury Mohammed M , Donoghue Emma , Robson Jennifer M J , Boyle Jonathan R , Fryer Tim D , Huang Yuan , Teng Zhongzhao , Dweck Marc R , Tawakol Ahmed A , Gillard Jonathan H , Coughlin Patrick A , Wilkinson Ian B , Newby David E , Rudd James H F
Published: March 2020

Objective

Using combined positron emission tomography and CT (PET-CT), we measured aortic inflammation and calcification in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), and compared them with matched controls with atherosclerosis.

Methods

We prospectively recruited 63 patients (mean age 76.1±6.8 years) with asymptomatic aneurysm disease (mean size 4.33±0.73 cm) and 19 age-and-sex-matched patients with confirmed atherosclerosis but no aneurysm. Inflammation and calcification were assessed using combined 18F-FDG PET-CT and quantified using tissue-to-background ratios (TBRs) and Agatston scores.

Results

In patients with AAA, 18F-FDG uptake was higher within the aneurysm than in other regions of the aorta (mean TBRmax2.23±0.46 vs 2.12±0.46, p=0.02). Compared with atherosclerotic control subjects, both aneurysmal and non-aneurysmal aortae showed higher 18F-FDG accumulation (total aorta mean TBRmax2.16±0.51 vs 1.70±0.22, p=0.001; AAA mean TBRmax2.23±0.45 vs 1.68±0.21, p<0.0001). Aneurysms containing intraluminal thrombus demonstrated lower 18F-FDG uptake within their walls than those without (mean TBRmax2.14±0.43 vs 2.43±0.45, p=0.018), with thrombus itself showing low tracer uptake (mean TBRmaxthrombus 1.30±0.48 vs aneurysm wall 2.23±0.46, p<0.0001). Calcification in the aneurysmal segment was higher than both non-aneurysmal segments in patients with aneurysm (Agatston 4918 (2901–8008) vs 1017 (139–2226), p<0.0001) and equivalent regions in control patients (442 (304-920) vs 166 (80-374) Agatston units per cm, p=0.0042).

Conclusions

The entire aorta is more inflamed in patients with aneurysm than in those with atherosclerosis, perhaps suggesting a generalised inflammatory aortopathy in patients with aneurysm. Calcification was prominent within the aneurysmal sac, with the remainder of the aorta being relatively spared. The presence of intraluminal thrombus, itself metabolically relatively inert, was associated with lower levels of inflammation in the adjacent aneurysmal wall.
A Score to differentiate Takotsubo syndrome from non-ST-elevation myocardial nfarction in women at the bedside
Authors: Looi Jen-Li , Poppe Katrina , Lee Mildred , Gilmore Jill , Webster Mark , To Andrew , Kerr Andrew J
Published: March 2020

Objective

A score to distinguish Takotsubo syndrome (TS) from acute coronary syndrome would be useful to facilitate appropriate patient investigation and management. This study sought to derive and validate a simple score using demographic, clinical and ECG data to distinguish women with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) from NSTE-TS.

Methods

The derivation cohort consisted of women with NSTE-TS (n=100) and NSTEMI (n=100). Logistic regression was used to derive the score using ECG values available on the postacute ward round on day 1 post-hospital admission. The score was then temporally validated in subsequent consecutive patients with NSTE-TS (n=40) and NSTEMI (n=70).

Results

The five variables in the score and their relative weights were: T-wave inversion in ≥6 leads (+3), recent stress (+2), diabetes (−1), prior cardiovascular disease (−2) and ST-depression in any lead (−3). When calculated using ECG values obtained at admission, discrimination between conditions was very good (area under the curve (AUC) 0.87 95% CI 0.83 to 0.92). The optimal score cut-point of ≥1 to predict NSTE-TS had 73% sensitivity and 90% specificity. When applied to the validation cohort at admission, AUC was 0.82 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.90) and positive and negative predictive values were 78% and 81%, respectively. On day 1 post-admission, AUC was 0.92 (95% CI 0.87 to 0.97), with positive and negative predictive values of 77% and 91%, respectively.

Conclusion

This NSTE-TS score is easy to use and may prove useful in clinical practice to distinguish women with NSTE-TS from NSTEMI. Further validation in external cohorts is needed.
Behavioral phenotype does not predict habitat occupancy or angling capture of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
Authors: Keiling T.D. , Louison M.J. , Suski C.D.
Published: March 2020

Fish behavior types can predict angling vulnerability, providing insights about how recreational fishing may lead to artificial trait selection. Most vulnerability studies have focused on species with active foraging strategies, and the impact of environmental conditions on vulnerability has not been quantified. The objective of this study was to determine the influences of behavior types and habitat on angling vulnerability of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède, 1802)) — a sit-and-wait predator. Behavior assays quantified individual activity and boldness, then experimental angling took place in ponds with two habitat treatments: (1) structured habitat with artificial structures present and (2) open habitat with no structures added. Two anglers determined which individual largemouth bass were vulnerable to capture across the two contexts. In contrast with previous studies involving active foragers, behavior types of largemouth bass did not influence capture, regardless of habitat type. The number of captures also did not differ between structured and open habitat. However, anglers captured fish with different behavioral phenotypes, revealing additional complexity for factors that may affect behavioral selection. Findings suggest that angling may not be selecting for specific activity or boldness phenotypes of largemouth bass, even across habitat types, but that anglers may influence selection.
Note on the mass–radius relations for spherical compact objects in general relativity with semi-classical corrections
Authors: Nussupbekov Ayan , Malafarina Daniele
Published: March 2020

We consider the effects that modifications to general relativity (GR) at high densities may have on the structure of spherical compact objects. Such effects can be modeled via semi-classical corrections that are manifest in an additional effective (i.e. non-physical) term in the energy momentum tensor. In particular, we consider two kinds of effective corrections that are quadratic in the density: one inspired by loop quantum gravity (LQG) and one inspired by Einstein–Cartan Theory (ECT). For both corrections, we consider two standard toy models of compact objects, one with polytropic equation of state and the other described by the MIT-bag model. We show that the LQG-inspired corrections can produce objects with greater radius and total mass, while the ECT-inspired corrections produce objects that are smaller and less massive than their counterparts in GR.
17 MeV Atomki anomaly from short-distance structure of spacetime
Authors: Nam Cao H.
Published: March 2020

An anomaly observed recently in the $$^8 \hbox {Be}$$8Be nuclear transition by the Atomki collaboration hints at a weakly-coupled, light new gauge boson with a mass of about 17 MeV. In this paper, we propose that this new gauge boson comes from a short-distance structure of the spacetime, rather than from an extension of the Standard Model through adding an extra $$\mathrm {U}(1)$$U(1) gauge symmetry. The dominant contribution to the relevant matrix element of the $$^8 \hbox {Be}$$8Be nuclear transition is given by the axial couplings. In order to account for the $$^8 \hbox {Be}$$8Be anomaly and satisfy the current experimental constraints, the coupling constant of the new gauge boson should be about $${\mathcal {O}}(10^{-4}{-}10^{-5})$$O(10-4-10-5). Our theoretical model allows understanding the origin of the smallness of the coupling constant, which is still missing or being incompletely understood in the models at which the new gauge boson has the axial couplings.
Contracting in Ocean Shipping Market Under Asymmetric Information
Authors: Yu Mingzhu , Yang Ruina , Yi Zelong , Cong Xuwen
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we not only develop a Stackelberg game to capture the unique characteristics of the ocean freight transportation, but also employ a screening model to address the contracting issue between one carrier and one freight forwarder under asymmetric information. The freight forwarder faces random demand from multiple shippers. In our framework, the spot price is positively correlated with the shippers’ demand. We first derive the forwarder’s optimal strategy, and then formulate the carrier’s contract design problem under symmetric and asymmetric information. Subsequently, we fully characterize the equilibrium parameters for a two-part tariff contract. The numerical experiments conducted thereafter reveal that (i) under a higher correlation between the shippers’ demand and the spot price, the carrier prefers a lower purchase price and the forwarder orders more through a contract in the peak seasons; (ii) when the market demand is extremely volatile, the carrier should raise the purchase price and the forwarder should order more through a contract; and (iii) with a higher degree of information asymmetry, the carrier prefers a higher purchase price while the forwarder relies more on the spot market than the contract market.
Algorithmic Identification of the Best WLAN Protocol and Network Architecture for Internet-Based Applications
Authors: Ali Ali Mohd , Dhimish Mahmoud , Alsmadi Malek M. , Mather Peter
Published: March 2020

This research developed a novel algorithm to evaluate internet-based services such as VoIP, Video Conferencing, HTTP and FTP, of different IEEE 802.11 technologies in order to identify the optimum network architecture among Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS) and the Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). The proposed algorithm will yield the rank order of different IEEE 802.11 technologies. By selecting the optimum network architecture and technology, the best overall network performance that provides good voice, video and data quality is guaranteed. Furthermore, it meets the acceptance threshold values for the VoIP, Video Conferencing, HTTP and FTP quality metrics. This algorithm was applied to various room sizes ranging from [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m to [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m and the number of nodes ranged from 1 to 65. The spatial distributions considered were circular, uniform and random. The Quality of Service (QoS) metrics used were delay, jitter, throughput and packet loss.
Classification and Association Rule Mining Technique for Predicting Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Alaiad Ahmad , Najadat Hassan , Mohsen Belal , Balhaf Khaled
Published: March 2020

Background and objective: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the deadly diseases that can affect a lot of vital organs in the human body such as heart, liver, and lungs. Many individuals might be at early stage of kidney disease and not have any signs, which might lead to a sudden death. Previous research showed that early prediction of CKD is very important in the medical field for physicians’ decision-making and patients’ health and life. To this end, constructing an efficient prediction system for CKD, which is the goal of this paper, often reduces medical errors and overall healthcare cost. Methods: Classification and association rule mining techniques were integrated and utilised to construct an efficient system for predicting and diagnosing CKD and its causes using weka and SPSS as platform environments. In particular, five classification algorithms, namely, naive Bayes, decision tree, support vector machine, K-nearest neighbour, and JRip were used to achieve the research goal. In addition, Apriori algorithm was used to discover strong relationship rules between attributes. The experiments were conducted on real medical dataset collected from hospitals and patient monitoring systems. Results: The experiments achieved high accuracy of 98.50% for K-nearest neighbour (KNN) classifier and achieved 96.00% when using classier based on association rule (JRip). Conclusions: We conclude by showing that applying integrative approach by combining classification algorithms and association rule mining can significantly improve the classification accuracy and be more useful for CKD prediction. This research has also several theoretical and practical implications for the medical field and healthcare industry.
Jealousy in Cooperation — A Comparison of Two Game-Based Approaches
Authors: Barachini F. , Bornemann M.
Published: March 2020

We are interested in the question of how jealousy influences the dynamics of populations. In a previous paper, we investigated the impact of power and jealousy on cooperation. By using intelligent agents, a stochastic updating process has been used, so that artificial agent populations could be modelled. In this paper, we investigate update procedures based on deterministic dynamics for populations arranged in a lattice. Compared to stochastic processes, our findings show that populations behave and react far more dynamically, in certain parameter regions, when spatial cooperation is applied.
Review of Problems with a Point
Authors: MacCormick John
Published: March 2020

Many readers will be familiar with the Computational Complexity blog, started in 2003 by Lance Fortnow and, since 2007, co-blogged by Bill Gasarch. Professor Gasarch is also the first author of Problems with a Point, which is based on 24 of Gasarch's Computational Complexity blog posts, most of them significantly expanded or reworked with contributions from co-author Clyde Kruskal. The book presents us with 24 stories, problems, or theorems ?with a point." Indeed, most chapters have an opening subsection with the pleasingly succinct title ?Point," in which the point of the chapter is summarized, implicitly justifying the selection of the corresponding blog post for inclusion in the book. The Computational Complexity blog is known for the surprisingly wide ambit of its topics (officially ?fun stuff in math and computer science"). This breadth is reflected in the book, which features chapters on a variety of topics, including: the usage of mathematical terms in mainstream publications; what makes a good math competition problem?; what makes a math problem interesting?; what constitutes an elegant proof?; discussion of natural (?sane") reductions; and some healthy lessons about when and how to apply mathematical skepticism and intuition. The accessibility of the selection is admirable: most chapters can be appreciated by a strong high school mathematician, while a few require elementary knowledge of complexity or computability theory.
Technical Report Column
Authors: Kelley Dean
Published: March 2020

Welcome to the Technical Reports Column. If your institution publishes technical reports that you'd like to have included here, please contact me at the email address above.
SIGACT News Complexity Theory Column 104
Authors: Hemaspaandra Lane A.
Published: March 2020

My deepest thanks to Sabine Broda, Antonio Machiavelo, Nelma Moreira, and Rogerio Reis for welcoming the year 2020 with their exciting tutorial, \Analytic Combinatorics and Descriptional Complexity of Regular Languages on Average."
Distributed Computing Column 77 Consensus Dynamics
Authors: Alistarh Dan
Published: March 2020

Overview. In this edition of the column, we have an exciting contribution from Luca Becchetti, Andrea Clementi, and Emanuele Natale, who provide an in-depth algorithmic perspective on emergent complexity. Roughly, this area aims to characterize non-trivial emergent properties of complex systems, composed of large numbers of relatively simple agents, which can cooperate to express complex global behaviours. Interestingly, over the past two decades, fundamental processes such as consensus or opinion-formation dynamics have been studied independently by different research communities: for instance, in the Distributed Computing community, these dynamics have been studied in the context of population protocols via discrete-time analysis, whereas, in the Control and Optimization community, similar (or even identical) dynamics have been analyzed via continuous-time processes. One very useful feature in this column's contribution is the fact that it provides a unified view of these results, along with the mathematical background to understand and differentiate the underlying results.
Effect of a neck compression collar on cardiorespiratory and cerebrovascular function in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
Authors: Nardone Massimo , Guzman Juan , Harvey Paula J. , Floras John S. , Edgell Heather
Published: March 2020

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is accompanied by reduced brain blood flow, autonomic dysfunction, and orthostatic intolerance. We hypothesized that wearing a neck compression collar would attenuate orthostatic symptoms, increase brain blood flow, and influence autonomic reflexes. Ten participants with POTS (9 women, age: 36 ± 10) underwent two trials of supine rest, paced deep breathing (6 breaths/min), Valsalva maneuver (40 mmHg for 15 s), and 70° upright tilt. For one trial, participants wore a neck compression device (Q30 Innovations). Blood pressure, heart rate (HR), brain blood flow velocity, stroke volume, respiratory rate, and end-tidal gases were continuously measured. The Vanderbilt Orthostatic Symptom Score was compiled at the end of tilt. The use of the collar reduced the orthostatic symptom score of participants with POTS during upright tilt (26.9 ± 12.5 to 18.7 ± 13.1, P = 0.04). Collar compression in the supine condition reduced the low-frequency domain of HR variability (60 ± 18 to 51 ± 23 normalized units, P = 0.04) and increased the change in HR (15 ± 5 to 17 ± 6 bpm, P = 0.02) and E:I ratio (1.2 ± 0.1 to 1.3 ± 0.1, P = 0.01) during paced deep breathing. Throughout tilt, wearing the collar reduced respiratory rate (baseline: 13 ± 3 to 12 ± 4 breath/min; tilt: 18 ± 5 to 15 ± 5 breath/min; main effect of collar P = 0.048), end-tidal oxygen (baseline: 115 ± 5 to 112 ± 5 mmHg; tilt: 122 ± 10 to 118 ± 11 mmHg; main effect of collar P = 0.026). In participants with POTS, wearing the Q-collar reduced orthostatic symptoms, increased the HR response to deep breathing, and decreased resting ventilation.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We found that using a neck compression collar alleviated orthostatic symptoms in upright posture in participants with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). This could be due to compression of the baroreceptors and subsequent changes in autonomic function. Indeed, we observed increased heart rate responsiveness to paced deep breathing and reductions of respiratory rate and end-tidal O2 (suggesting reduced ventilation). Further, wearing the collar reduced mean blood velocity in the brain during Valsalva perhaps due to higher brain blood volume.
The supine position improves but does not normalize the blunted pulmonary capillary blood volume response to exercise in mild COPD
Authors: Ross Bryan A. , Brotto Andrew R. , Fuhr Desi P. , Phillips Devin B. , van Diepen Sean , Bryan Tracey L. , Stickland Michael K.
Published: March 2020

Patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) demonstrate resting pulmonary vascular dysfunction as well as a blunted pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO) and pulmonary capillary blood volume (VC) response to exercise. The transition from the upright to supine position increases central blood volume and perfusion pressure, which may overcome microvascular dysfunction in an otherwise intact alveolar-capillary interface. The present study examined whether the supine position normalized DLCO and VC responses to exercise in mild COPD. Sixteen mild COPD participants and 13 age-, gender-, and height-matched controls completed DLCO maneuvers at rest and during exercise in the upright and supine position. The multiple [Formula: see text]-DLCO method was used to determine DLCO, VC, and membrane diffusion capacity (DM). All three variables were adjusted for alveolar volume (DLCOAdj, VCAdj, and DMAdj). The supine position reduced alveolar volume similarly in both groups, but oxygen consumption and cardiac output were unaffected. DLCOAdj, DMAdj, and VCAdj were all lower in COPD. These same variables all increased with upright and supine exercise in both groups. DLCOAdj was unaffected by the supine position. VCAdj increased in the supine position similarly in both groups. DMAdj was reduced in the supine position in both groups. While the supine position increased exercise VCAdj in COPD, the increase was of similar magnitude to healthy controls; therefore, exercise VC remained blunted in COPD. The persistent reduction in exercise DLCO and VC when supine suggests that pulmonary vascular destruction is a contributing factor to the blunted DLCO and VC response to exercise in mild COPD.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease demonstrate a combination of reversible pulmonary microvascular dysfunction and irreversible pulmonary microvascular destruction.
Ion Channels Controlling Circadian Rhythms in Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Excitability
Authors: Harvey Jenna R. M. , Plante Amber E. , Meredith Andrea L.
Published: March 2020

Animals synchronize to the environmental day-night cycle by means of an internal circadian clock in the brain. In mammals, this timekeeping mechanism is housed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus and is entrained by light input from the retina. One output of the SCN is a neural code for circadian time, which arises from the collective activity of neurons within the SCN circuit and comprises two fundamental components: 1) periodic alterations in the spontaneous excitability of individual neurons that result in higher firing rates during the day and lower firing rates at night, and 2) synchronization of these cellular oscillations throughout the SCN. In this review, we summarize current evidence for the identity of ion channels in SCN neurons and the mechanisms by which they set the rhythmic parameters of the time code. During the day, voltage-dependent and independent Na+ and Ca2+ currents, as well as several K+ currents, contribute to increased membrane excitability and therefore higher firing frequency. At night, an increase in different K+ currents, including Ca2+-activated BK currents, contribute to membrane hyperpolarization and decreased firing. Layered on top of these intrinsically regulated changes in membrane excitability, more than a dozen neuromodulators influence action potential activity and rhythmicity in SCN neurons, facilitating both synchronization and plasticity of the neural code.
Brachybacterium paraconglomeratum Endophthalmitis Postcataract Operation
Authors: Murata Kazuhiro , Ozawa Kenji , Kawakami Hideaki , Mochizuki Kiyofumi , Ohkusu Kiyofumi
Published: March 2020

Purpose. To present our findings in a case of delayed-onset postoperative endophthalmitis caused by Brachybacterium paraconglomeratum, a rare organism. Observations. A 57-year-old man presented with epiphora and photophobia 17 weeks after a routine cataract extraction with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. Because endophthalmitis was suspected to be caused by a low-grade pathogen or fungus, an anterior chamber tap was performed. However, both multiplex PCR and culturing were negative. The patient was treated with topical cefmenoxime, oral minocycline, and subconjunctival injection of vancomycin and ceftazidime, but the intraocular inflammation increased. Then, the anterior chamber was tapped again, and the second PCR amplification and direct sequencing which targeted Actinomycetes detected Brachybacterium paraconglomeratum. This pathogen is uncommon for human infections. He was treated with oral amoxicillin, and his intraocular condition slowly improved. Conclusion. This is the first reported case of an ocular disorder caused by B. paraconglomeratum. We recommend that B. paraconglomeratum be considered in cases of delayed-onset postcataract endophthalmitis.
Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes in Endogenous Cushing’s Syndrome: A 15-Year Experience from Thailand
Authors: Parksook Wasita Warachit , Laichuthai Nitchakarn , Sunthornyothin Sarat
Published: March 2020

The most common subtype of endogenous Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is Cushing’s disease (CD), with higher proportions of adrenal CS reported from Asia, compared to other continents. However, little was known about CS in this territory. This study was to investigate the distribution, clinical characteristics, and treatment outcomes of CS in a single tertiary hospital in Thailand. We performed a retrospective evaluation of 82 patients with endogenous CS during 2001–2015. The most common subtype was CD, followed by adrenal CS and ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS), respectively. Weight gain was the most common presentation. Normal body mass index (BMI), Asian cutoff, was observed in 33% of patients. Specific features of CS (plethora, muscle weakness, bruising, and/or wide purplish striae) were documented in less than half of patients. The median age, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and urinary free cortisol (UFC) concentrations were significantly different among 3 subtypes of CS and were highest among patients with EAS. An initial remission rate after transsphenoidal surgeries in CD was 62%, with higher rates in pituitary microadenomas compared to macroadenomas. All patients with unilateral adrenal disease achieved CS remission after adrenal surgeries. Patients with EAS achieved CS remission mostly from bilateral adrenalectomy. The highest mortality rate was observed in the EAS group. These findings were consistent with previous studies in Asia, with more proportions ACTH-independent CS.
Set-Based Differential Evolution Algorithm Based on Guided Local Exploration for Automated Process Discovery
Authors: Jing Si-Yuan
Published: March 2020

Evolutionary algorithm is an effective way to solve process discovery problem which aims to mine process models from event logs which are consistent with the real business processes. However, current evolutionary algorithms, such as GeneticMiner, ETM, and ProDiGen, converge slowly and in difficultly because all of them employ genetic crossover and mutation which have strong randomness. This paper proposes a hybrid evolutionary algorithm for automated process discovery, which consists of a set-based differential evolution algorithm and guided local exploration. There are three major innovations in this work. First of all, a hybrid evolutionary strategy is proposed, in which a differential evolution algorithm is employed to search the solution space and rapidly approximate the optimal solution firstly, and then a specific local exploration method joins to help the algorithm skip out the local optimum. Secondly, two novel set-based differential evolution operators are proposed, which can efficiently perform differential mutation and crossover on the causal matrix. Thirdly, a fine-grained evaluation technique is designed to assign score to each node in a process model, which is employed to guide the local exploration and improve the efficiency of the algorithm. Experiments were performed on 68 different event logs, including 22 artificial event logs, 44 noisy event logs, and two real event logs. Moreover, the proposed algorithm was compared with three popular algorithms of process discovery. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve good performance and its converge speed is fast.
The Property of Hamiltonian Connectedness in Toeplitz Graphs
Authors: Shabbir Ayesha , Nadeem Muhammad Faisal , Zamfirescu Tudor
Published: March 2020

A spanning path in a graph G is called a Hamiltonian path. To determine which graphs possess such paths is an NP-complete problem. A graph G is called Hamiltonian-connected if any two vertices of G are connected by a Hamiltonian path. We consider here the family of Toeplitz graphs. About them, it is known only for n=3 that Tnp,q is Hamiltonian-connected, while some particular cases of Tnp,q,r for p=1 and q=2,3,4 have also been investigated regarding Hamiltonian connectedness. Here, we prove that the nonbipartite Toeplitz graph Tn1,q,r is Hamiltonian-connected for all 1<q<r<n and n≥5r−2.
Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Viscoelasticity on Drop Retraction and the Evaluation of Interfacial Tension between Polymer Melts
Authors: Deng Lin , Zhang Yun , Jiang Shaofei , Li Jiquan , Zhou Huamin
Published: March 2020

The purpose of this paper is twofold. The first is to numerically investigate and reveal the effect of polymer viscoelasticity on the retraction of a deformed drop using the lattice Boltzmann (LB) method and polymer kinetic theory. More importantly, the second is to propose a novel method to evaluate the interfacial tension between polymer melts based on the numerical study. Compared with the conventional deformed drop retraction method (DDRM), the present method is designed to greatly reduce the impact of polymer viscoelasticity on measuring interfacial tension. To verify, the interfacial tension between molten PP and POE is evaluated using the proposed method and obviously closer result to the true value is shown.
Uncoupling Sensation and Perception in Human Time Processing
Authors: Binetti Nicola , Tomassini Alessandro , Friston Karl , Bestmann Sven
Published: March 2020

Timing emerges from a hierarchy of computations ranging from early encoding of physical duration (time sensation) to abstract time representations (time perception) suitable for storage and decisional processes. However, the neural basis of the perceptual experience of time remains elusive. To address this, we dissociate brain activity uniquely related to lower-level sensory and higher-order perceptual timing operations, using event-related fMRI. Participants compared subsecond (500 msec) sinusoidal gratings drifting with constant velocity (standard) against two probe stimuli: (1) control gratings drifting at constant velocity or (2) accelerating gratings, which induced illusory shortening of time. We tested two probe intervals: a 500-msec duration (Short) and a longer duration required for an accelerating probe to be perceived as long as the standard (Long—individually determined). On each trial, participants classified the probe as shorter or longer than the standard. This allowed for comparison of trials with an “Objective” (physical) or “Subjective” (perceived) difference in duration, based on participant classifications. Objective duration revealed responses in bilateral early extrastriate areas, extending to higher visual areas in the fusiform gyrus (at more lenient thresholds). By contrast, Subjective duration was reflected by distributed responses in a cortical/subcortical areas. This comprised the left superior frontal gyrus and the left cerebellum, and a wider set of common timing areas including the BG, parietal cortex, and posterior cingulate cortex. These results suggest two functionally independent timing stages: early extraction of duration information in sensory cortices and Subjective experience of duration in a higher-order cortical–subcortical timing areas.
A new species of the genus Thrips (Thysanoptera, Thripidae) from the Malagasy Region
Authors: GOLDARAZENA ARTURO , DIANZINGA NIRY T. , FRAGO ENRIC , MICHEL BRUNO , REYNAUD PHILIPPE
Published: March 2020

The genus Thrips comprises 296 species (ThripsWiki 2019) and is the largest of all Terebrantian genera. The only other Thysanopteran genera comparable in size are the phlaeothripids Haplothrips and Liothrips. Species of Thrips can be found in flowers and on leaves of a wide variety of plants from grasses to trees. Most of them are beneficial pollinators (Garcia-Fayos & Goldarazena 2008; Eliyahu et al. 2015), while others are pests and cause significant economic damage (Mound & Marullo 1996). Some of them are polyphagous and widespread, while others are rarely seen and restricted to one species of plant (Palmer 1992).
An update of Micromyinae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) taxonomy, with descriptions of a new genus and 13 new species from Northern Europe
Authors: JASCHHOF MATHIAS , JASCHHOF CATRIN
Published: March 2020

While about 100 new species of Micromyinae have been described from Sweden in the past ten years, ongoing research into the country’s fauna continues to unveil previously unknown taxa. This paper provides scientific descriptions of another 13 new species from various parts of Sweden, belonging to six different genera, including a new genus. The new taxa, all to be attributed to both authors, are named as follows: Antennardia suorkensis sp. nov., Aprionus mossbergi sp. nov., Apr. oljonsbynensis sp. nov., Ladopyris baltica gen. et sp. nov. (found also in Estonia), Monardia (M.) lapponica sp. nov., Monardia (Xylopriona) abbreviata sp. nov., Mon. (Xyl.) obscura sp. nov., Neurolyga simillima sp. nov., N. taigensis sp. nov. (found also in the Republic of Karelia, Russian Federation), Peromyia elongatula sp. nov., P. lindstroemi sp. nov. and P. sofielundensis sp. nov. Two new junior synonyms of Aprionus Kieffer, 1894 were identified: Azygotricha Plakidas, 2017 syn. nov. and Ampullomyia Plakidas, 2018 syn. nov., both introduced for Nearctic species. The generic rank of Antennardia Mamaev, previously treated as a subgenus of Monardia Kieffer, is restored. Aprionus internuntius Jaschhof, 2003, previously regarded as synonymous with A. stylifer Mamaev, 1998, is restituted as a valid species. Peromyia assimilis nom. nov. is established as the new substitute name for P. despecta Jaschhof, 2017, found to be a junior homonym of P. despecta Jaschhof, 2010. Micromyinae discovered in Sweden for the first time are Antennardia saxonica Jaschhof, Aprionus heothinos Jaschhof, Apr. internuntius, Monardia (M.) lignivora (Felt), Monardia (Trichopteromyia) relicta Jaschhof, Neurolyga venusta (Mamaev & Rozhnova), Peromyia abdita Jaschhof, and P. brandenburgensis Jaschhof.
A new species of the genus Myolepta Newman (Diptera: Syrphidae), with short description and key to all species of the M. vara subgroup
Authors: VAN STEENIS JEROEN
Published: March 2020

The genus Myolepta Newman comprises medium-sized black hoverflies, with yellowish orange abdominal markings in some species. The genus can be divided into several subgroups of which the Myolepta vara (Panzer, 1798) subgroup will be defined here and its species revised. One new species, M. angustifacia sp. n., is described from eastern Siberia. A key to the species of this subgroup is given. Short descriptions and extensive illustrations are provided for all species.
The first damselfly (Odonata, Lestidae) from the upper Eocene of Monteils (Gard, France)
Authors: JATTIOT ROMAIN , LATUTRIE BENJAMIN , NEL ANDRÉ
Published: March 2020

The discovery of the first damselfly Lestes regina Théobald, 1937 from Monteils (Gard, France) supports the identity of late Eocene age of this outcrop with the historical outcrop of Célas, type locality for the type series of this species. Lestes regina is also documented from the late Eocene Isle of Wight basin, confirming the presence of significant contacts between this southern area and the anglo-Parisian lacustrine basin at that time. Nearly all the Eocene and Oligocene fossil Lestes from Western Europe have a particular character, viz. the presence of a supplementary row of cells between the veins MP and CuA. This character is much less frequent in extant Lestes and is still unknown among Neogene representatives of the genus.
New species of Microdispidae (Acari: Heterostigmata) from alpine New Zealand
Authors: KHAUSTOV ALEXANDER A. , MINOR MARIA A.
Published: March 2020

Four new species of the mite family Microdispidae, Phyllodispus tenuisetus sp. nov., Promicrodispus bisetus sp. nov., Premicrodispus (Premicrodispus) novaezealandicus sp. nov., and Premicrodispus (Premicrodispulus) secundus sp. nov., are described from soil in alpine New Zealand. The genus Promicrodispus and subgenus Premicrodispus (Premicrodispulus) are recorded from New Zealand for the first time.
Review of the genus Paradonus Stibick, 1971 (Elateridae: Negastriinae), with three new North American species
Authors: ETZLER FRANK E.
Published: March 2020

Three new North American species of Paradonus Stibick are described: Paradonus gallatinensis new species, Paradonus gustafsoni new species and Paradonus stibicki new species is described for specimens formerly called Paradonus pectoralis sensu Stibick, 1991. The type species of the genus, Paradonus pectoralis Say, 1839 is redefined, and the Holotype of Paradonus olivereae Stibick, 1991 is designated as the Neotype of P. pectoralis, a common, widespread species. The genus is redescribed, a checklist of species is included, and notes on the described species north of Mexico are given. Hypnoidus guatemalensis Champion, 1895 is removed from the genus and placed in Zorochros Thompson, 1858 as Zorochros guatemalensis (Champion, 1895) new combination. A key to all described species north of Mexico is provided, along with illustrations of characters used in identifying species.
Daytime Cloudless Sky Radiance Quantification with Ground-Based Aerosol and Meteorological Observations in the Shortwave Infrared
Authors: Thomas Grant , Cobb Richard , Fiorino Steven , Hawks Michael
Published: March 2020

Daytime spectral sky radiance, or sky brightness, is deceptively complex to predict accurately. The Laser Environmental Effects Definition and Reference (LEEDR) first-principles atmospheric model propagates the spectral radiance of the sun to a sensor by modeling the scattering, absorption, and transmission of the radiated light through representative atmospheric layers. For this application, LEEDR was used to ingest numerical weather prediction (NWP) models, and scale the boundary layer and incorporate aerosol loading with ground-based measurements. This study compares LEEDR-derived spectral sky radiance simulations that include measured climatological, measured meteorological, and aerosol loading data to direct sky radiance measurements. Direct measurements of the daytime sky are accomplished with a 1-m-aperture telescope and simultaneous I-band and J-band camera observations (~0.8 and ~1.2 μm, respectively). LEEDR models of the daytime sky are compared to I-band and J-band radiances at multiple azimuths, elevations, and observation times. Residual error analysis is used to determine the accuracy of models including numerical weather prediction data, historical climatology, scaled aerosol loading via in situ particle count measurements, and meteorological updates. Key findings motivate the inclusion of real-time particle count measurements into future daytime sky radiance models for increased scattering accuracy via realistic atmospheric aerosol loading.
Conjugality, Colonialism and the ‘Criminal Tribes’ in North India
Authors: Hinchy Jessica
Published: March 2020

The Criminal Tribes Act (CTA) of 1871 was a project to geographically redistribute and immobilize criminalized populations on the basis of family units. Family ties were a key site of contestation between criminalized people and the colonial state, as well as cooperation, or at least, situationally coinciding interests. This article’s focus on the family goes against the grain of existing literature, which has primarily debated the historical causes of the CTA and the colonial construction of the ‘criminal tribe’. This article explores a particular type of family tie—marriage—to provide a new vantage point on the minutiae of everyday life under the CTA, while also shedding light on the history of conjugality in modern South Asia. In 1891, the colonial government in north India launched a matchmaking campaign in which district Magistrates became marriage brokers. Colonial governments showed an uneven concern with marriage practices, which varied between criminalized communities and over time. In the case of ‘nomadic’ criminalized groups, colonial governments were more concerned with conjugality, since they attempted more significant transformations in the relationships between individuals, families, social groupings and space. Moreover, criminalized peoples’ strategies and demands propelled colonial involvement into marital matters. Yet the colonial government could not sustain a highly interventionist management of intimate relationships.
The Potential of Videodisc Technology for the Hearing Impaired
Authors: Nugent Gwen C. , Stepp Robert E.
Published: March 2020

The videodisc is a recently developed technology that combines the interactive, individualized qualities of the computer with the visual qualities of television, film, and filmstrips. The videodisc, available publicly since 1978, has great potential for improving the quality of instruction for the deaf. It exhibits tremendous flexibility in the presentation of instructional materials. It can present all other media forms—films, filmstrips, books, etc.—and provide multi-media learning experiences in which each medium is used to its best advantage. Since it can present television or film materials, it offers a high degree of visual stimulation, critically important in the education of the deaf.
Acute Cerebellitis or Postinfectious Cerebellar Ataxia? Clinical and Imaging Features in Acute Cerebellitis
Authors: Yildirim Mirac , Gocmen Rahsan , Konuskan Bahadir , Parlak Safak , Yalnizoglu Dilek , Anlar Banu
Published: March 2020

Acute cerebellitis is a rare condition often considered within the group of acute postinfectious cerebellar ataxia despite its distinctive clinical and imaging features. We retrieved clinical, laboratory, and follow-up data of 15 children diagnosed with acute cerebellitis in our department between 2011 and 2019. There were 10 boys and 5 girls aged 3-15 years, median 9.5 years. The most common first symptoms were ataxia, vomiting, and headache. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) generally showed bilateral symmetrical T2 hyperintense changes with moderate swelling in the cerebellar cortex. Tonsillar herniation was present in 73.3% and obstructive hydrocephalus in 26.6%. Etiologic workup for infectious pathogens revealed Mycoplasma pneumoniae, influenza A virus, cytomegalovirus, and varicella zoster virus in 1 case each. Fourteen of 15 patients were treated with intravenous and/or oral steroids and 8 cases with intravenous immunoglobulin. No patient required surgical decompression. Neurologic examination median 12 months later revealed ataxia and dysmetria in 4 cases (27%), accompanied by memory difficulties, dysarthria or tremor. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; n = 12) showed diffuse cerebellar cortical T2-hyperintense signal changes in 11 cases and cerebellar atrophy in 9. The diagnosis of acute cerebellitis rather than acute postinfectious cerebellar ataxia should be considered when headache and vomiting accompany ataxia in a child. Acute cerebellitis heals with sequelae in about one-third of cases. The absence of fatalities in our series suggests early diagnosis, and steroid treatment can increase the chance of recovery. MRI results were not found to be predictive of outcome.
Development of a Tailored Behavioral Weight Loss Program for Veterans With PTSD (MOVE!+UP): A Mixed-Methods Uncontrolled Iterative Pilot Study
Authors: Hoerster Katherine D. , Tanksley Lamont , Simpson Tracy , Saelens Brian E. , Unützer Jürgen , Black Marissa , Greene Preston , Sulayman Nadiyah , Reiber Gayle , Nelson Karin
Published: March 2020

Purpose:

Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) lose less weight in the Veterans Affairs (VA) weight management program (MOVE!), so we developed MOVE!+UP.

Design:

Single-arm pre–post pilot to iteratively develop MOVE!+UP (2015-2018).

Setting:

Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Participants:

Overweight Veterans with PTSD (5 cohorts of n = 5-11 [N = 44]; n = 39 received ≥1 MOVE+UP session, with cohorts 1-4 [n = 31] = “Development” and cohort 5 [n = 8] = “Final” MOVE!+UP).

Intervention:

MOVE!+UP weight management for Veterans with PTSD modified after each cohort. Final MOVE!+UP was coled by a licensed clinical psychologist and Veteran peer counselor in 16 two-hour in-person group sessions and 2 individual dietician visits. Sessions included general weight loss support (eg, behavioral monitoring with facilitator feedback, weekly weighing), cognitive-behavioral skills to address PTSD-specific barriers, and a 30-minute walk to a nearby park.

Measures:

To inform post-cohort modifications, we assessed weight, PTSD, and treatment targets (eg, physical activity, diet), and conducted qualitative interviews.

Analysis:

Baseline to 16-week paired t tests and template analysis.

Results:

Development cohorts suggested improvements (eg, additional sessions and weight loss information, professional involvement) and did not lose weight (mean [ M] = 1.8 lbs (standard deviation [SD] = 8.2); P = .29. Conversely, the final cohort reported high satisfaction and showed meaningful weight ( M = −14 pounds [SD = 3.7] and 71% lost ≥5% baseline weight) and PTSD ( M = −17.9 [SD = 12.2]) improvements, P < .05.

Conclusions:

The comprehensive, 16-week, in-person, cofacilitated Final MOVE!+UP was acceptable and may improve the health of people with PTSD. Iterative development likely produced a patient-centered intervention, needing further testing.
Development and Validation of a Risk Score for Prediction of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Lung Cancer
Authors: Li Zilun , Zhang Guolong , Zhang Mengping , Mei Jie , Weng Huiwen , Peng Zhenwei
Published: March 2020

This study aimed to develop and validate a risk score for early prediction of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with lung cancer. A total of 827 patients with lung cancer from February 2013 to February 2018 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and clinicopathological variables independently correlated to VTE were applied to develop the risk score in the development group while examined in the validation group. The regression coefficients of multivariable logistic regression test were applied to assign a risk score system. The incidence of VTE was 12.3%, 12.7%, and 11.8% in all patients, in the development and validation groups, respectively. The 496 patients in the development group were classified into 3 groups: low risk (scores ≤3), moderate risk (scores 4-5), and high risk (scores ≥6). The risk of VTE was significantly and positively related to the risk scores in both development and validation groups. The risk score system aided proper stratification of patients with either high or low risk of VTE in the development and validation groups ( c statistic = 0.819 and 0.827, respectively). This risk score system based on the factors with most significant correlation showed good predictive ability and is potentially useful for predicting VTE in patients with lung cancer. However, it was developed and validated by a retrospective analysis and has significant limitations, and a prospective validation with all the classic variables assessing the thrombotic risk is needed for a solid conclusion.
Post-Publication Gatekeeping: The Interplay of Publics, Platforms, Paraphernalia, and Practices in the Circulation of News
Authors: Hermida Alfred
Published: March 2020

The factors that shape the news that citizens are exposed to and act upon are a growing area of research. This article advances a framework to examine how issues and topics rise to prominence and gain attention following publication in a digital hybrid media ecosystem. The four elements (publics, platforms, paraphernalia, and practices) extend previous work by accounting for the actions of individuals in aggregate as publics, the impact of platforms as institutionalized spaces for news, the objects of media consumption and exposure, and the temporal and spatial contexts for practices of news circulation and consumption.