bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
L2 Arabic Teachers’ Attitude toward the Communicative Language Teaching at King Abdulaziz University
Authors: Aljadani Anwar S
Published: June 2020

Second language acquisition (SLA) researchers, language teachers and teacher trainers aim to develop an approach through which languages are effectively taught in the classroom. This paper provides an overview of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) including its definition, advantages and disadvantages as well as some criticisms made against it. It aims to investigate L2 Arabic teachers’ attitude towards CLT at King Abdulaziz University. The current data were assembled via teachers’ questionnaire. It was found out that in spite of revealing the agreements in the majority of the statements which infers a positive attitude towards CLT, the participants stated that CLT is not suitable and preferable. Several explanations were provided to justify this statement. The provided explanations led to assume that the unsuitability and the dispreference of CLT are built on practical constraints which could be overcome.
Knee Valgus Versus Knee Abduction Angle: Comparative Analysis of Medial Knee Collapse Definitions in Female Athletes
Authors: Oldfather Taylor , Zabala Michael , Goodlett Michael , Murrah William (Hank)
Published: June 2020

The knee valgus angle (KVA) is heavily researched as it has been shown to correlate to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries when measured during jumping activities. Many different methods of KVA calculation are often treated as equivalent. The purpose of this study is to elucidate differences between these commonly used angles within and across activities to determine if they can indeed properly be treated as equivalent. The kinematics of 23 female athletes, D1 soccer, D1 basketball, and club soccer (height = 171.2 ± 88.9 cm, weight = 66.3 ± 8.6 kg, age = 19.8 ± 1.9 years), was analyzed using a motion capture system during activities related to their sport and daily living. The abduction KVA, measured using body fixed axes, only correlated to the two-dimensional (2D) global reference frame angle (KVA 2G) in three of the six activities (walking, squatting, and walking down stairs), and one out of six in the three-dimensional (3D) measurements (jogging). This suggests that the abduction KVA does not always relate to other versions of KVA. The KVA with reference to the pelvis coordinate system (KVA 2P) correlated to the KVA 2G in six out of six activities (r = 0.734  ±  0.037, P << 0.001) suggesting the pelvis can be utilized as a reference plane during rotating tasks, such as run-to-cut, when a fixed global system is less meaningful. Not all measures of KVA are equivalent and should be considered individually. A thorough understanding of the equivalence or nonequivalence of various measures of KVA is essential in understanding ACL injury risk.
Analysis of the Effect of Vessel Failure and Melt Release on Risk of Containment Failure Due to Ex-Vessel Steam Explosion in Nordic Boiling Water Reactor Using ROAAM+ Framework
Authors: Galushin Sergey , Grishchenko Dmitry , Kudinov Pavel
Published: June 2020

Nordic boiling water reactor (BWR) design employs ex-vessel debris coolability in a deep pool of water as a severe accident management (SAM) strategy. Depending on melt release conditions from the vessel and core–melt coolant interactions, containment integrity can be threatened by: (i) formation of noncoolable debris bed or (ii) energetic steam explosion. Melt is released from the vessel affect ex-vessel phenomena and is recognized as the major source of uncertainty. The risk-oriented accident analysis methodology (ROAAM+) is used for quantification of the risk of containment failure in Nordic BWR where melt ejection mode surrogate model (MEM SM) provides initial conditions for the analysis of debris agglomeration and ex-vessel steam explosion which determine the respective loads on the containment. Melt ejection SM is based on the system analysis code methods for estimation of leakages and consequences of releases (computer code) (MELCOR). Modeling of vessel failure and melt release from the vessel in MELCOR is based on parametric models, allowing a user to select different assumptions that effectively control lower head (LH) behavior and melt release. The work addresses the effect of epistemic uncertain parameters and modeling assumptions in MEM SM on the containment loads due to ex-vessel steam explosion in Nordic BWR. Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis performed to identify the most influential parameters and uncertainty in the risk of containment failure due to ex-vessel steam explosion. The results of the analysis provide valuable insights regarding the effect of MELCOR models, modeling parameters, and sensitivity coefficients on melt release conditions and predictions of ex-vessel steam explosion loads on the containment structures.
Evaluating the predictive strength of underwater noise exposure criteria for marine mammals
Authors: Lucke Klaus , Bruce Martin S. , Racca Roberto
Published: June 2020

The aim of underwater noise exposure criteria in a regulatory context is to identify at what received levels noise-induced effects are predicted to occur, so that those effects may be appropriately considered in an evaluation or mitigation context under the respective regulatory regime. Special emphasis has been given to hearing related impairment of marine mammals due to their high sensitivity to and reliance on underwater sound. Existing regulations of underwater noise show substantial qualitative and quantitative discrepancies. A dataset acquired during an experiment that induced temporary threshold shift (TTS) in a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) from Lucke, Siebert, Lepper, and Blanchet [(2009). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 125, 4060–4070] was reanalyzed to see if various exposure criteria predicted TTS differently for high-frequency cetaceans. This provided an unambiguous quantitative comparison of predicted TTS levels for the existing noise exposure criteria used by regulatory bodies in several countries. The comparative evaluation of the existing noise exposure criteria shows substantial disagreement in the predicted levels for onset for auditory effects. While frequency-weighting functions evolved to provide a better representation of sensitivity to noise exposure when compared to measured results at the criteria's onset, thresholds remain the most important parameter determining a match between criteria and measured results.
Keeping pace with climate change in global terrestrial protected areas
Authors: Elsen Paul R. , Monahan William B. , Dougherty Eric R. , Merenlender Adina M.
Published: June 2020

Climatic representation in protected areas—and not just the amount—is critical to safeguarding biodiversity under climate change.
Probing the low-temperature limit of the quantum anomalous Hall effect
Authors: Pan Lei , Liu Xiaoyang , He Qing Lin , Stern Alexander , Yin Gen , Che Xiaoyu , Shao Qiming , Zhang Peng , Deng Peng , Yang Chao-Yao , Casas Brian , Choi Eun Sang , Xia Jing , Kou Xufeng , Wang Kang L.
Published: June 2020

The low occurring temperature of quantum anomalous Hall effect is a result of weak ferromagnetism and trivial band involvement.
Microneedle-mediated gene delivery for the treatment of ischemic myocardial disease
Authors: Shi Hongpeng , Xue Tong , Yang Yang , Jiang Chenyu , Huang Shixing , Yang Qi , Lei Dong , You Zhengwei , Jin Tuo , Wu Fei , Zhao Qiang , Ye Xiaofeng
Published: June 2020

Phase transition microneedles provide an optimal administration method for cardiac gene therapy.
Guide-free Cas9 from pathogenic
Campylobacter jejuni
bacteria causes severe damage to DNA
Authors: Saha Chinmoy , Mohanraju Prarthana , Stubbs Andrew , Dugar Gaurav , Hoogstrate Youri , Kremers Gert-Jan , van Cappellen Wiggert A. , Horst-Kreft Deborah , Laffeber Charlie , Lebbink Joyce H.G. , Bruens Serena , Gaskin Duncan , Beerens Dior , Klunder Maarten , Joosten Rob , Demmers Jeroen A. A. , van Gent Dik , Mouton Johan W. , van der Spek Peter J. , van der Oost John , van Baarlen Peter , Louwen Rogier
Published: June 2020

CjeCas9 causes DNA damage in human cells.
LiQD Cornea: Pro-regeneration collagen mimetics as patches and alternatives to corneal transplantation
Authors: McTiernan Christopher D. , Simpson Fiona C. , Haagdorens Michel , Samarawickrama Chameen , Hunter Damien , Buznyk Oleksiy , Fagerholm Per , Ljunggren Monika K. , Lewis Philip , Pintelon Isabel , Olsen David , Edin Elle , Groleau Marc , Allan Bruce D. , Griffith May
Published: June 2020

LiQD Cornea is a liquid in situ gelling, pro-regeneration hydrogel for treating corneal blindness and repairing perforations.
High-loading single Pt atom sites [Pt-O(OH)

x

] catalyze the CO PROX reaction with high activity and selectivity at mild conditions
Authors: Cao Sufeng , Zhao Yanyan , Lee Sungsik , Yang Shize , Liu Jilei , Giannakakis Georgios , Li Mengwei , Ouyang Mengyao , Wang Dunwei , Sykes E. Charles H. , Flytzani-Stephanopoulos Maria
Published: June 2020

Pt atoms stabilized by alkaline ions efficiently and selectively catalyze CO oxidation under H
2
rich conditions (PROX).
Suppression of adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editome by death associated protein 3 (DAP3) promotes cancer progression
Authors: Han Jian , An Omer , Hong HuiQi , Chan Tim Hon Man , Song Yangyang , Shen Haoqing , Tang Sze Jing , Lin Jaymie Siqi , Ng Vanessa Hui En , Tay Daryl Jin Tai , Molias Fernando Bellido , Pitcheshwar Priyankaa , Tan Hui Qing , Yang Henry , Chen Leilei
Published: June 2020

DAP3 represses adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing in cancer cells and promotes cancer progression.
3D printed deformable sensors
Authors: Zhu Zhijie , Park Hyun Soo , McAlpine Michael C.
Published: June 2020

A 3D printer can print a soft sensor on a deformable surface such as a breathing lung for spatiotemporal mapping of deformation.
Repurposing factories with robotics in the face of COVID-19
Authors: Malik Ali Ahmad , Masood Tariq , Kousar Rehana
Published: June 2020

Can collaborative robots ramp up the production of medical ventilators?
Diagnosing skin diseases using an AI-based dermatology consult
Authors: Ankrum James
Published: June 2020

Deep learning outperforms general practitioners in diagnosing 26 common skin conditions.
Antifungal Susceptibility of Clinical Yeast Isolates from a Large Canadian Reference Laboratory and Application of Whole-Genome Sequence Analysis To Elucidate Mechanisms of Acquired Resistance
Authors: McTaggart Lisa R. , Cabrera Ana , Cronin Kirby , Kus Julianne V.
Published: June 2020

To understand the epidemiology and susceptibility patterns of yeast infections in Ontario, Canada, we examined 4,715 clinical yeast isolates submitted to our laboratory for antifungal susceptibility testing from 2014 to 2018.
Candida albicans
was the most frequently submitted species (43.0%), followed by
C. glabrata
(21.1%),
C. parapsilosis
(15.0%), and
C. tropicalis
(6.2%). Twenty-three other
Candida
spp.
In Vitro
Activities of Ravuconazole and Isavuconazole against Dematiaceous Fungi
Authors: Zheng Hailin , Song Nana , Mei Huan , Dong Jiacheng , Li Dongmei , Li Xiaofang , Liu Weida
Published: June 2020

The
in vitro
activities of 11 antifungals against 84 dematiaceous fungi were tested. For most tested fungal species, the MIC values of ravuconazole and isavuconazole were lower than those obtained with itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole. Ravuconazole and isavuconazole appear to be more efficient against most dematiaceous fungal infections than the other triazoles. However, some pigmented fungi, such as
Bipolaris spicifera
and
Veronaea botryosa
, remain more susceptible to other triazoles or to echinocandins.
Effectiveness of Vancomycin Dosing Guided by Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Adult Patients Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
Authors: Marella Prashanti , Roberts Jason , Hay Karen , Shekar Kiran
Published: June 2020

The clinical situation for patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is complex, and drug dosing is complicated by significant pharmacokinetic alterations. We sought to describe the frequency of achievement of therapeutic vancomycin concentrations in critically ill patients receiving ECMO with therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). In this retrospective observational study, we included all critically ill patients receiving TDM for vancomycin while on ECMO. The primary outcome was the proportion of plasma vancomycin concentrations in the therapeutic range (15 to 20 mg/liter).
Programmed Proteolysis of Chemotaxis Proteins in Sinorhizobium meliloti: Features in the C-Terminal Region Control McpU Degradation
Authors: Arapov Timofey D. , Kim Jiwoo , Cronin Rachel M. , Pahima Maya , Scharf Birgit E.
Published: June 2020

The symbiotic bacterium
Sinorhizobium meliloti
contributes greatly to growth of the agriculturally valuable host plant alfalfa by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Chemotaxis of
S. meliloti
cells toward alfalfa roots mediates this symbiosis. The present study establishes programmed proteolysis as a factor in the maintenance of the
S. meliloti
chemotaxis system. Knowledge about cell cycle-dependent, targeted, and selective proteolysis in
S. meliloti
is important to understand the molecular mechanisms of maintaining a suitable chemotaxis response. While the role of regulated protein turnover in the cell cycle progression of
Caulobacter crescentus
is well understood, these pathways are just beginning to be characterized in
S. meliloti
. In addition, our study should alert about the cautionary use of epitope tags for protein quantification.
Trehalose Inhibits Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection in Primary Human Macrophages and CD4
+
T Lymphocytes through Two Distinct Mechanisms
Authors: Rawat Pratima , Hon Simson , Teodorof-Diedrich Carmen , Spector Stephen A.
Published: June 2020

Induction of autophagy through inhibition of MTOR has been shown to inhibit HIV replication. However, inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR) has cellular effects that may alter HIV infection through other mechanisms. Here, we examined the HIV-inhibitory effects of the MTOR-independent inducer of autophagy, trehalose. Of note, we identified that in addition to the inhibition of the intracellular replication of HIV by autophagy, trehalose decreased viral entry in human primary macrophages and CD4
+
T cells through the downregulation of C-C motif chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) in T cells and CD4 in both T cells and macrophages. Thus, we showed that trehalose uniquely inhibits HIV replication through inhibition of viral entry and intracellular degradation in the two most important target cells for HIV infection.
Closed Genome Sequences and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Eight Wild Bird
Salmonella
Isolates Obtained with MinION and Illumina MiSeq Sequencing
Authors: Naushad Sohail , Duceppe Marc-Olivier , Dupras Andrée Ann , Gao Ruimin , Ogunremi Dele
Published: June 2020

Complete genome sequences of eight isolates of
Salmonella enterica
subsp.
enterica
from Canadian wild birds were determined by MinION and Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Assembled chromosomes had an average size of 4,833,662 bp.
Salmonella enterica
serovar Worthington obtained from partridge and quail carried 267-kb plasmids, which contained multiple antimicrobial resistance genes.
Draft Genome Sequences of Micrococcus luteus MFP06 and MFP07, Isolated from the Skin of Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Souak Djouhar , Boukerb Amine M. , Barreau Magalie , Duclairoir-Poc Cecile , Feuilloley Marc G. J.
Published: June 2020

We report the draft genome sequences of two
Micrococcus luteus
strains, MFP06 and MFP07, isolated from human skin. The genome assemblies consist of 2,480 and 2,417 kbp with 2,337 and 2,240 coding sequences, respectively. The genomes contain genes potentially involved in osmotic stress tolerance, DNA repair, monoacylglycerol hydrolysis, and beta-lactone synthesis.
Methylome and Complete Genome Sequence of Parageobacillus toebii DSM 14590
T
, a Thermophilic Bacterium
Authors: Hatmaker E. Anne , O’Dell Kaela B. , Riley Lauren A. , Payne Irenee C. , Guss Adam M.
Published: June 2020

Here, we present the first complete genome assembly of the thermophilic bacterium
Parageobacillus toebii
DSM 14590
T
. The
P. toebii
DSM 14590
T
genome consists of a 3,270,071-bp circular chromosome and a 52,989-bp native plasmid.
Outcomes of the Boston type 1 and the Aurolab keratoprosthesis in eyes with
limbal stem cell deficiency
Authors: Shanbhag Swapna S , Senthil Sirisha , Mohamed Ashik , Basu Sayan
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To analyse the outcomes of keratoprosthesis in eyes with limbal stem cell
deficiency (LSCD) and to compare the outcomes in two different keratoprosthesis
devices.

Methods

This was a single-centre retrospective comparative case series which
included 81 eyes of patients with severe bilateral corneal blindness secondary
to LSCD. The patients underwent either Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (Boston
Kpro, n=44) or Aurolab keratoprosthesis (AuroKpro, n=37) implantation. The
primary outcome measures of anatomical retention and functional recovery of
20/200 or better visual acuity at yearly time points until 5 years of follow-up
were compared between the two groups.

Results

The most common indication overall was chemical injury (64.2%). Anatomical
retention rates were similar in the Boston Kpro (30/44, 68.2%) and AuroKpro
(23/37, 62.2%) groups (p=0.89). Kaplan-Meier survival rates at 5 years of
follow-up were greater for the Boston Kpro group with respect to both
anatomical retention (58.51%±9% vs 43.8±12%; p=0.23) as well as functional
recovery (42.61%±8% vs 35.03±10%; p=0.9); these differences were not
statistically significant. Overall, the most common complication was new-onset
glaucoma (59%; 48/81). The difference in incidence rate of this complication
was not statistically significant among the two groups (p=0.09).

Conclusion

Keratoprosthesis is an effective treatment option for patients with
corneal blindness secondary to LSCD. In a setting where LSCD is a common cause
of corneal blindness, the AuroKpro, when available can be considered an
alternative to the Boston Kpro to achieve anatomical and functional success in
patients who otherwise would not have access to this device.
Hospital diagnosed pneumonia before age 20 years and multiple sclerosis risk
Authors: Smith Kelsi A , Hiyoshi Ayako , Burkill Sarah , Bahmanyar Shahram , Öckinger Johan , Alfredsson Lars , Olsson Tomas , Montgomery Scott
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Respiratory inflammation has been proposed as a risk factor for MS. This study aims to determine if hospital-diagnosed pneumonia in adolescence (before age 20 years) is associated with subsequent multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

This case-control study included incident MS cases after age 20 years identified using the Swedish national registers. Cases were matched with 10 general population controls by age, sex and region. Pneumonia diagnoses were identified between 0–5, 6–10, 11–15 and 16–20 years of age. Conditional logistic regression models adjusted for infectious mononucleosis (IM) and education calculated ORs with 95% CIs. Urinary tract infections (UTIs), a common complication of MS, before age 20 years were included as a control diagnosis for reverse causation.

Results

There were 6109 cases and 49 479 controls included. Pneumonia diagnosed between age 11–15 years was associated with subsequent MS (adj OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.27). Although not statistically significant, sensitivity analyses showed similar magnitude associations of pneumonia between age 11–15 years and MS. No statistically significant associations with MS for pneumonia at other age groups were observed. Adjustment for IM had no notable effect on associations, but was statistically significantly associated with MS. UTIs were not associated with MS.

Conclusion

Pneumonia at 11–15 years of age was associated with MS, suggesting a possible role for inflammation of the respiratory system in the aetiology of MS during a period of susceptibility in adolescence. Further research on respiratory infections prior to MS onset should be conducted to replicate this finding and determine explanatory causal mechanisms.
Appropriateness, effectiveness and safety of care delivered in Canadian hospitals: a longitudinal assessment on the utility of publicly reported performance trend data between 2012–2013 and 2016–2017
Authors: Fekri Omid , Manukyan Edgar , Klazinga Niek
Published: June 2020

Objectives

To assess the utility of publicly reported performance trend results of Canadian hospitals (by hospital size/type and jurisdiction).

Design

Longitudinal observational study.

Setting

489 hospitals in Canada between fiscal years 2012–2013 and 2016–2017.

Participants

Analysis focused on indicator results of individual Canadian hospitals.

Primary and secondary outcomes

Eight outcome indicators of hospital performance: in-hospital mortality (2), readmissions (4) and adverse events (2). Performance trend outcomes of improving, weakening or no change over time. Comparators in performance by hospital size/type of above, below or same as average.

Results

At the national level, between 2012–2013 and 2016–2017, Canadian hospitals largely reduced in-hospital mortality: hospital deaths (hospital standardised mortality ratio) −9%; hospital deaths following major surgery −11.1%. Conversely, readmission to hospital increased nationwide: medical 1.5%; obstetric 5%; patients aged 19 years and younger 4.6% and surgical 3%. In-hospital sepsis declined −7.1%. Approximately 10% of the 489 hospitals in this study had a trend of improving performance over time (n=49) in one or more indicators, and a similar number showed a weakening performance over time (n=52). Roughly half of the hospitals in this study (n=224) had no change in performance over time for at least four out of the eight indicators. No single hospital had an improving or weakening trend in more than two indicators. Teaching and larger-sized hospitals showed a higher ratio of improving performance compared with smaller-sized hospitals.

Conclusions

Analysis of Canadian hospital performance through eight indicators shows improvement of in-hospital mortality and in-hospital sepsis, but rising rates of readmissions. Subdividing the analysis by hospital size/type shows greater instances of improvement in teaching and larger-sized hospitals. There is no clear pattern of a particular province/territory with a significant number of hospitals with improving or weakening trends. The overall assessment of trends of improving and weakening as presented in this study can be used more systematically in monitoring progress.
Longer term stroke risk in intracerebral haemorrhage survivors
Authors: Banerjee Gargi , Wilson Duncan , Ambler Gareth , Hostettler Isabel Charlotte , Shakeshaft Clare , Cohen Hannah , Yousry Tarek , Al-Shahi Salman Rustam , Lip Gregory Y H , Houlden Henry , Muir Keith W , Brown Martin M , Jäger Hans Rolf , Werring David J
Published: June 2020

Objective

To evaluate the influence of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) location on stroke outcomes.

Methods

We included patients recruited to a UK hospital-based, multicentre observational study of adults with imaging confirmed spontaneous ICH. The outcomes of interest were occurrence of a cerebral ischaemic event (either stroke or transient ischaemic attack) or a further ICH following study entry. Haematoma location was classified as lobar or non-lobar.

Results

All 1094 patients recruited to the CROMIS-2 (Clinical Relevance of Microbleeds in Stroke) ICH study were included (mean age 73.3 years; 57.4% male). There were 45 recurrent ICH events (absolute event rate (AER) 1.88 per 100 patient-years); 35 in patients presenting with lobar ICH (n=447, AER 3.77 per 100 patient-years); and 9 in patients presenting with non-lobar ICH (n=580, AER 0.69 per 100 patient-years). Multivariable Cox regression found that lobar ICH was associated with ICH recurrence (HR 8.96, 95% CI 3.36 to 23.87, p<0.0001); similar results were found in multivariable completing risk analyses. There were 70 cerebral ischaemic events (AER 2.93 per 100 patient-years); 29 in patients presenting with lobar ICH (AER 3.12 per 100 patient-years); and 39 in patients with non-lobar ICH (AER 2.97 per 100 patient-years). Multivariable Cox regression found no association with ICH location (HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.92, p=0.659). Similar results were seen in completing risk analyses.

Conclusions

In ICH survivors, lobar ICH location was associated with a higher risk of recurrent ICH events than non-lobar ICH; ICH location did not influence risk of subsequent ischaemic events.

Trial registration number

NCT02513316.
Clinicopathological case: headache and systemic inflammatory illness—Occam vs Hickam
Authors: Bridson James D , Newman Edward J , Harris Helen E , Smith Derek AJ , Davenport Richard J
Published: June 2020

A 63-year-old woman presented with a sudden headache, which persisted and subsequently changed in character. Over time, constitutional features developed, leading to an unexpected diagnosis. This report documents the clinicopathological conference at the Association of British Neurologists Annual Meeting 2019.
"Green-gional" anesthesia: the non-polluting benefits of regional anesthesia to decrease greenhouse gases and attenuate climate change
Authors: Kuvadia Mausam , Cummis Cynthia Eden , Liguori Gregory , Wu Christopher L
Published: June 2020

Volatile halogenated gases and nitrous oxide used as part of a balanced general anesthetic may contribute to global warming. By avoiding volatile inhalational agent use, regional anesthesia may reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help prevent global warming. We present a theoretical calculation of the potential benefits and a real-life example of how much regional anesthesia may reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Clinical and imaging features of suspected pituitary apoplexy in a domestic rat
Authors: Everest Stephen James , Schwarz Tobias , Walker David , Eatwell Kevin , Marioni‐Henry Katia
Published: June 2020

A two‐year‐ten‐month‐old entire female fancy rat was evaluated for acute‐onset neurological signs following a two‐month history of lethargy and behavioural changes. Physical examination revealed generalised muscle atrophy. Neurological examination localised the lesion likely to the right thalamus based on suspected left unilateral hemineglect. The patient was euthanased over quality‐of‐life concerns, and postmortem MRI of the brain was performed, followed by postmortem examination. This showed a lesion in the region of the pituitary which was T1 hyperintense to the brain, T2 isointense to the white matter and hypointense on gradient echo sequences, suggesting subacute haemorrhage. The authors described the clinical presentation and imaging features (MRI) of suspected pituitary apoplexia secondary to a pituitary macroadenoma in an aged female rat. Of particular interest are the findings of unilateral hemineglect and blooming artefact on MRI gradient echo sequences that lead to suspicion of pituitary apoplexia confirmed on postmortem examination.
Bilateral laryngeal paralysis following a ventral slot surgery in a dog
Authors: Rodriguez Alfonso , Beltran Elsa , Sanchis‐Mora Sandra , Palacios Carolina
Published: June 2020

An English springer spaniel developed laryngeal paralysis immediately after a ventral slot decompression surgery to treat an intervertebral disc extrusion that was causing a C1–T2 myelopathy with cervical hyperaesthesia. Postsurgical stabilisation in the intensive care unit is described. This included mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy tube placement and care, and laryngeal tie‐back surgery aftercare. Common complications after ventral slot decompression include pain, severe haemorrhage and deterioration in the neurological status. Laryngeal paralysis has not yet been reported in dogs after a ventral slot.
CSR maturity model for smart city assessment
Authors: Suliman Alaeldin , Rankin Jeff , Robak Anna
Published: June 2020

Population and urban growth are challenging traditional approaches to solving city-related problems. To meet these challenges, the concept of smart city/community (SC) has been introduced as a strategic solution. This research seeks to identify the key smartness dimensions of a city, build a corresponding novel smartness concept, and develop a full assessment model. The contribution of this research includes identifying three key dimensions for SCs: connectivity (C), sustainability (S), and resiliency (R); and developing a corresponding maturity model (MM) for SC assessment referred to as CSR-MM. The model’s applicability is validated by examining its conformance to MM design principles, available in the literature, and practically demonstrated via a case study (Fredericton Public Transit, New Brunswick). The assessment outcomes were compared against an international SC assessment tool ( ISO37120 2018 ). Municipalities will benefit from this CSR-MM in identifying maturity gaps, setting prioritized goals, and focusing on continuously improving citizens’ well-being.
Possibilistic Networks: Computational Analysis of MAP and MPE Inference
Authors: Levray Amélie , Benferhat Salem , Tabia Karim
Published: June 2020

Possibilistic graphical models are powerful modeling and reasoning tools for uncertain information based on possibility theory. In this paper, we provide an analysis of computational complexity of MAP and MPE queries for possibilistic networks. MAP queries stand for maximum a posteriori explanation while MPE ones stand for most plausible explanation. We show that the decision problems of answering MAP and MPE queries in both min-based and product-based possibilistic networks is NP-complete. Definitely, such results represent an advantage of possibilistic graphical models over probabilistic ones since MAP queries are NPPP -complete in Bayesian networks. Our proofs for querying min-based possibilistic networks make use of reductions from the 3SAT problem to querying possibilistic networks decision problem. Moreover, the provided reductions may be useful for the implementation of MAP and MPE inference engines based on the satisfiability problem solvers. As for product-based networks, the provided proofs are incremental and make use of reductions from SAT and its weighted variant WMAXSAT.
ITE: A Lightweight Implementation of Stratified Reasoning for Constructive Logical Operators
Authors: Gotlieb Arnaud , Marijan Dusica , Spieker Helge
Published: June 2020

Constraint Programming (CP) is a powerful declarative programming paradigm where inference and search are interleaved to find feasible and optimal solutions to various type of constraint systems. However, handling logical connectors with constructive information in CP is notoriously difficult. This paper presents If Then Else (ITE), a lightweight implementation of stratified constructive reasoning for logical connectives. Stratification is introduced to cope with the risk of combinatorial explosion of constructing information from nested and combined logical operators. ITE is an open-source library built on top of SICStus Prolog clpfd, which proposes various operators, including constructive disjunction and negation, constructive implication and conditional. These operators can be used to express global constraints and to benefit from constructive reasoning for more domain pruning during constraint filtering. Even though ITE is not competitive with specialized filtering algorithms available in some global constraints implementations, its expressiveness allows users to easily define well-tuned constraints with powerful deduction capabilities. Our extended experimental results show that ITE is more efficient than available generic approaches that handle logical constraint systems over finite domains.
Assigning and Scheduling Service Visits in a Mixed Urban/Rural Setting
Authors: Antunes Mark , Armant Vincent , Brown Kenneth N. , Desmond Daniel , Escamocher Guillaume , George Anne-Marie , Grimes Diarmuid , O’Keeffe Mike , Lin Yiqing , O’Sullivan Barry , Ozturk Cemalettin , Quesada Luis , Siala Mohamed , Simonis Helmut , Wilson Nic
Published: June 2020

This papera describes a maintenance scheduling application, which was developed together with an industrial partner. This is a highly combinatorial decision process, to plan and schedule the work of a group of travelling repair technicians, which perform preventive and corrective maintenance tasks at customer locations. Customers are located both in urban areas, where many customers are in close proximity, and in sparsely populated rural areas, where the travel time between customer sites is significant. To balance the workload for the agents, we must consider both the productive working time, as well as the travel between locations. As the monolithic problem formulation is unmanageable, we introduce a problem decomposition into multiple sequential steps, that is compatible with current management practice. We present and compare different models for the solution steps, and discuss results on datasets provided by the industrial partner.
Heterogeneous Island Models and Their Application to Recommender Systems and Electric Vehicle Charging
Authors: Balcar Štěpán , Pilát Martin
Published: June 2020

In this paper we describe a general framework for parallel optimization based on the island model of evolutionary algorithms. The framework runs a number of optimization methods in parallel with periodic communication. In this way, it essentially creates a parallel ensemble of optimization methods. At the same time, the system contains a planner that decides which of the available optimization methods should be used to solve the given optimization problem and changes the distribution of such methods during the run of the optimization. Thus, the system effectively solves the problem of online parallel portfolio selection.

The proposed system is evaluated in a number of common benchmarks with various problem encodings as well as in two real-life problems — the optimization in recommender systems and the training of neural networks for the control of electric vehicle charging.
Acoustic Diversity Classification Using Machine Learning Techniques: Towards Automated Marine Big Data Analysis
Authors: Hachicha Belghith Emna , Rioult François , Bouzidi Medjber
Published: June 2020

During the last years, big data has become the new emerging trend that increasingly attracting the attention of the R&D community in several fields (e.g., image processing, database engineering, data mining, artificial intelligence). Marine data is part of these fields which accommodates this growth, hence the appearance of marine big data paradigm that monitoring advocates the assessment of human impact on marine data. Nonetheless, supporting acoustic sounds classification is missing in such environment, with taking into account the diversity of such data (i.e., sounds of living undersea species, sounds of human activities, and sounds of environmental effects). To overcome this issue, we propose in this paper an approach that efficiently allowing acoustic diversity classification using machine learning techniques. The aim is to reach an automated support of marine big data analysis. We have conducted a set of experiments, using a real marine dataset, in order to validate our approach and show its effectiveness and efficiency. To do so, three machine learning techniques are employed: (i) classic machine learning models (i.e., k-nearest neighbor and support vector machine), (ii) deep learning based on convolutional neural networks, and (iii) transfer learning based on the reuse of pretrained models.
Enhanced Unsatisfiable Cores for QBF: Weakening Universal to Existential Quantifiers
Authors: Schuppan Viktor
Published: June 2020

We introduce an enhanced notion of unsatisfiable cores for QBF in prenex CNF that allows to weaken universal quantifiers to existential quantifiers in addition to the traditional removal of clauses. The resulting unsatisfiable cores can be different from those of the traditional notion in terms of syntax, standard semantics, and proof-based semantics. This not only gives rise to explanations of unsatisfiability but, via duality, also leads to diagnoses and repairs of unsatisfiability that are not obtained with traditional unsatisfiable cores. We use a source-to-source transformation on QBF in PCNF such that the weakening of universal quantifiers to existential quantifiers in the original formula corresponds to the removal of clauses in the transformed formula. This makes any tool or method for the computation of unsatisfiable cores of the traditional notion available for the computation of unsatisfiable cores of our enhanced notion. We implement our approach as an extension to the QBF solver DepQBF, and we perform an extensive experimental evaluation on a subset of QBFLIB. We illustrate with several case studies that helpful information can be provided by unsatisfiable cores of our enhanced notion.
Stochastic Response of SDOF Self-Centering System
Authors: Hu Huiying , Chen Lincong
Published: June 2020

As a new type of seismic resisting device, the self-centering system is attractive due to its excellent re-centering capability, but research on such a system under random seismic loadings is quite limited. In this paper, the stochastic response of a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) self-centering system driven by a white noise process is investigated. For this purpose, the original self-centering system is first approximated by an auxiliary nonlinear system, in which the equivalent damping and stiffness coefficients related to the amplitude envelope of the response are determined by a harmonic balance procedure. Subsequently, by the method of stochastic averaging, the amplitude envelope of the response of the equivalent nonlinear stochastic system is approximated by a Markovian process. The associated Fokker–Plank–Kolmogorov (FPK) equation is used to derive the stationary probability density function (PDF) of the amplitude envelope in a closed form. The effects of energy dissipation coefficient and yield displacement on the response of system are examined using the stationary PDF solution. Moreover, Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) are used for ascertaining the accuracy of the analytical solutions.
CLINICAL GAIT ANALYSIS OF SUBJECTS WITH TRANS-FEMORAL AMPUTATION USING POLYCENTRIC FOUR-BAR LINKAGE PROSTHETIC KNEE JOINT
Authors: MOHANTY RAJESH KUMAR , BISWAL STHIRPRANJYAN , SAHOO PABITRA KUMAR , DAS SAKTI PRASAD , MOHANTY R. C. , SABUT SUKANTA KUMAR
Published: June 2020

Background: Adequate research is not reported so far to underline the influence of commonly used polycentric knee joints on gait performance of subjects with trans-femoral amputation. Objective: The intent of this investigation is to analyze prosthetic gait of unilateral traumatic trans-femoral amputees with polycentric four-bar linkage knee and compare it with normal subjects for evaluating any asymmetry in gait performance. Methods: Objective three-dimensional gait analysis of 15 subjects [mean (age): 36.4 (10.7) years] were performed in gait lab through force plate and optoelectronic devices to measure temporal-spatial parameters, kinematic and kinetic performances. Gait patterns of amputees were compared with those of 15 individuals with normal gait to analyze distinct functionalities of existing polycentric knee. Results: Asymmetry in gait was observed between amputees and normal subjects for all variables concerned ([Formula: see text]). Amputee gait was with significantly lesser velocity, cadence with shorter step and stride length. There was significantly less hip, knee and pelvic motions, however, pelvic obliquity and rotation did not show significant difference from the normal subjects. The vertical component of the ground reaction force differed significantly between prosthetic and intact limb [49.7 (8.5)% and 90.4 (7.4)% body weight] and also from normal subjects [107.5 (2.4)% body weight] during stance ([Formula: see text]). Interpretation and Conclusion: This difference may be attributed to nonproportionate loading of limbs and mechanical adaptations for counteracting deficiencies of prosthetic side. This study will help to explain gait asymmetry in trans-femoral amputees and to identify underlying mechanisms to enhance the quality of the existing design of prosthetic knee through optimizing design parameters and utilizing appropriate materials.
Wireframe-based UI Design Search through Image Autoencoder
Authors: Chen Jieshan , Chen Chunyang , Xing Zhenchang , Xia Xin , Zhu Liming , Grundy John , Wang Jinshui
Published: June 2020

UI design is an integral part of software development. For many developers who do not have much UI design experience, exposing them to a large database of real-application UI designs can help them quickly build up a realistic understanding of the design space for a software feature and get design inspirations from existing applications. However, existing keyword-based, image-similarity-based, and component-matching-based methods cannot reliably find relevant high-fidelity UI designs in a large database alike to the UI wireframe that the developers sketch, in face of the great variations in UI designs. In this article, we propose a deep-learning-based UI design search engine to fill in the gap. The key innovation of our search engine is to train a wireframe image autoencoder using a large database of real-application UI designs, without the need for labeling relevant UI designs. We implement our approach for Android UI design search, and conduct extensive experiments with artificially created relevant UI designs and human evaluation of UI design search results. Our experiments confirm the superior performance of our search engine over existing image-similarity or component-matching-based methods and demonstrate the usefulness of our search engine in real-world UI design tasks.
Susceptibility to high-altitude pulmonary edema is associated with circulating miRNA levels under hypobaric hypoxia conditions
Authors: Alam Perwez , Agarwal Garima , Kumar Rahul , Mishra Aastha , Saini Neeru , Mohammad Ghulam , Pasha M. A. Qadar
Published: June 2020

Hypobaric hypoxia poses stress to sojourners traveling to high-altitude. A cascade of physiological changes occurs to cope with or adapt to hypobaric hypoxia. However, an insufficient physiological response to the hypoxic condition resulting from imbalanced vascular homeostasis pathways results in high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). The present study aims to identify the implication of miRNAs associating with HAPE and adaptation. We analyzed the expression of 1,113 miRNAs in HAPE-patients (HAPE-p), HAPE-free controls (HAPE-f), and highland natives (HLs). Based on miRNA profiling and in silico analyses, miR-124-3p emerged relevantly. We observed a significant overexpression of miR-124-3p in HAPE-p. In silico analyses revealed a direct interaction of miR-124-3p with vascular homeostasis and hypoxia-associated genes NOS3 (endothelial nitric oxide synthase), Apelin, and ETS1 (V-Ets avian erythroblastosis virus E2 oncogene homolog 1). Moreover, the transcript and biolevel expression of these genes were significantly decreased in HAPE-p when compared with HAPE-f or HLs. Our in vitro analysis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells demonstrated a significant knockdown of these genes both at transcript and protein levels following miR-124-3p overexpression. Conclusively, our results showed that miR-124-3p might play a plausible role in HAPE pathophysiology by inhibiting the expression of NOS3, Apelin, and ETS1.
Novel insights on the pulmonary vascular consequences of COVID-19
Authors: Potus François , Mai Vicky , Lebret Marius , Malenfant Simon , Breton-Gagnon Emilie , Lajoie Annie C. , Boucherat Olivier , Bonnet Sébastien , Provencher Steeve
Published: June 2020

In the last few months, the number of cases of a new coronavirus-related disease (COVID-19) rose exponentially, reaching the status of a pandemic. Interestingly, early imaging studies documented that pulmonary vascular thickening was specifically associated with COVID-19 pneumonia, implying a potential tropism of the virus for the pulmonary vasculature. Moreover, SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with inflammation, hypoxia, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, and lung coagulopathy promoting endothelial dysfunction and microthrombosis. These features are strikingly similar to what is seen in pulmonary vascular diseases. Although the consequences of COVID-19 on the pulmonary circulation remain to be explored, several viruses have been previously thought to be involved in the development of pulmonary vascular diseases. Patients with preexisting pulmonary vascular diseases also appear at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. The present article reviews the molecular factors shared by coronavirus infection and pulmonary vasculature defects, and the clinical relevance of pulmonary vascular alterations in the context of COVID-19.
Lower-limb venous distension reflex and orthostatic tolerance in young healthy humans
Authors: Cui Jian , Blaha Cheryl , Herr Michael D. , Sinoway Lawrence I.
Published: June 2020

Earlier reports suggest that limb venous distension evokes reflex increases in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and blood pressure (BP) (i.e., venous distension reflex). Our recent report also shows that suction of arterially occluded limb evokes venous distension reflex. We postulate that the venous distension reflex contributes to autonomic responses to orthostatic stress. In this study, we hypothesized that orthostatic tolerance would be linked to the MSNA response seen with lower limb suction. Fifteen healthy subjects were tested in the supine position. Negative pressure (−100 mmHg) was applied on an arterially occluded lower limb for 2 min. MSNA from the peroneal nerve in the limb not exposed to suction, ECG, and BP (Finometer) was recorded throughout the study. Limb occlusion without suction was used as a control trial. In a separate visit, the individual’s orthostatic tolerance was assessed using a graded lower body negative pressure (LBNP) tolerance test. Mean arterial BP and MSNA (18.6 ± 1.9 to 23.6 ± 2.0 bursts/min) significantly (both P < 0.05) increased during limb suction. Orthostatic tolerance index positively correlated ( R = 0.636, P = 0.011) with the MSNA response seen with suction during occlusion. Since the venous distension reflex strength correlates with the level of orthostatic tolerance, we speculate that lower-limb venous distension reflex engagement increases the sympathetic responses during orthostatic challenge and serves to maintain BP with postural stress.
Magnitude, time course, and specificity of rapid adaptation across mouse visual areas
Authors: Jin Miaomiao , Glickfeld Lindsey L.
Published: June 2020

Rapid adaptation dynamically alters sensory signals to account for recent experience. To understand how adaptation affects sensory processing and perception, we must determine how it impacts the diverse set of cortical and subcortical areas along the hierarchy of the mouse visual system. We find that rapid adaptation strongly impacts neurons in primary visual cortex, the higher visual areas, and the colliculus, consistent with its profound effects on behavior.