bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Staphylococcal Cell Wall
Authors: Sobral Rita , Tomasz Alexander
Published: July 2019

Dating back to the 1960s, initial studies on the staphylococcal cell wall were driven by the need to clarify the mode of action of the first antibiotics and the resistance mechanisms developed by the bacteria. During the following decades, the elucidation of the biosynthetic path and primary composition of staphylococcal cell walls was propelled by advances in microbial cell biology, specifically, the introduction of high-resolution analytical techniques and molecular genetic approaches. The field of staphylococcal cell wall gradually gained its own significance as the complexity of its chemical structure and involvement in numerous cellular processes became evident, namely its versatile role in host interactions, coordination of cell division and environmental stress signaling.

This chapter includes an updated description of the anatomy of staphylococcal cell walls, paying particular attention to information from the last decade, under four headings: high-resolution analysis of the
Staphylococcus aureus
peptidoglycan; variations in peptidoglycan composition; genetic determinants and enzymes in cell wall synthesis; and complex functions of cell walls. The latest contributions to a more precise picture of the staphylococcal cell envelope were possible due to recently developed state-of-the-art microscopy and spectroscopy techniques and to a wide combination of -omics approaches, that are allowing to obtain a more integrative view of this highly dynamic structure.
Poor prognosis of child and adolescent musculoskeletal pain: a systematic literature review
Authors: Pourbordbari Negar , Riis Allan , Jensen Martin Bach , Olesen Jens Lykkegaard , Rathleff Michael Skovdal
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To identify baseline patient characteristics that are (1) associated with a poor outcome on follow-up regardless of which treatment was provided (prognosis) or (2) associated with a successful outcome to a specific treatment (treatment effect modifiers).

Design

Systematic literature review according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines.

Data sources

Medline, Embase, Cinahl, Web of Science, Cochrane, SportDiscus, OT Seeker and PsychInfo were searched for prospective cohort studies up to February 2019 without limitation in publication date.

Eligibility criteria

Prospective cohort studies reporting either prognostic factors or treatment effect modifiers on persistent musculoskeletal pain in 0-year-old to 19-year-old children and adolescents. Pain caused by tumours, fractures, infections, systemic and neurological conditions were excluded.

Outcome measures

Our primary outcome was musculoskeletal pain at follow-up and identification of any baseline characteristics that were associated with this outcome (prognostic factors). No secondary outcomes were declared.

Method

Two reviewers independently screened abstracts and titles. We included prospective cohort studies investigating the prognosis or treatment effect modifiers of 0-year-old to 19-year-old children and adolescents with self-reported musculoskeletal pain. Risk of bias assessment was conducted with the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool.

Results

Twenty-six studies yielding a total of 111 unique prognostic factors were included. Female sex and psychological symptoms were the most frequent investigated prognostic factors. Increasing age, generalised pain, longer pain duration and smoking were other identified prognostic factors. No treatment effect modifiers were identified.

Conclusion

Several prognostic factors are associated with a poor prognosis in children and adolescents with musculoskeletal pain. These prognostic factors may help guide clinical practice and shared decision-making. None of the included studies was conducted within a general practice setting which highlights an area in need of research.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42016041378.
Association between osteosarcopenic obesity and hypertension among four minority populations in China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Xingcai , Kong Cunqing , Yu Hongrong , Gong Jiangu , Lan Ling , Zhou Lining , Gong Jichun , Liu Peng , Xu Lin , Deng Qiongying
Published: July 2019

Objective

Osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO) may be associated with an increased prevalence of hypertension. The aim of this study was to examine the difference in the prevalence of OSO and hypertension among four minority populations in China and explore the relationship between OSO and hypertension by sex.

Design

This study adopted a cross-sectional design.

Participants

In total, 1939 participants aged ≥50 years, including 459 Jing, 514 Maonan, 535 Hmong and 431 Yao participants from Guangxi Province, China, were included using stratified cluster random sampling.

Main outcome measures

The body composition, bone mineral density and blood pressure were measured by an MC-180 body composition analyser, Achilles Express ultrasound bone densitometer and OMRON HEM-1000 electronic sphygmomanometer, respectively.

Results

The results showed that 65.77% of Hmong men, 58.79% of Hmong women, 54.82% of Maonan men, 50.00% of Maonan women, 41.92% of Jing men, 45.21% of Jing women, 53.66% of Yao men and 42.32% of Yao women suffered from hypertension. Compared with those among the normal group, the adjusted OR and 95% CI of age among the women with OSO was 3.15 (1.13 to 8.78). After adjusting for age, ethnicity, smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity and menopausal status, the women with OSO also had a higher OR (OR=3.18, 95% CI 1.14 to 8.88) for hypertension than those in the normal group. However, the ORs (95% CI) for hypertension in men with one or more components were not significant after adjusting for age and ethnicity.

Conclusion

These results suggest that OSO is a risk factor for hypertension, especially in women. Furthermore, the prevalence of OSO and hypertension in the present study displayed sex-specific and ethnic-specific differences among the four minority populations.
Trends in the Epidemiology of Pediatric Acute and Chronic Cholecystitis-Related Admissions in the USA: A Nationwide Emergency Department and Inpatient Sample Study
Authors: Chandra Suvrat , Friesen Craig , Attard Thomas Mario
Published: July 2019

Acute and chronic cholecystitis can be related to gallstone disease, although in childhood acalculous cholecystitis may be the most frequent form. Chronic acalculous cholecystitis is a subtype of pediatric chronic abdominal pain. The overall incidence of cholecystitis in children appears to be increasing. Studies suggest a widely variable but predominant female, Caucasian and late adolescent preponderance to the affected population. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), a national emergency department, pediatric and adult inpatient admission coding-based database was accessed for the population-weighted demographic characteristics related to documented principal diagnoses (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification) of acute and chronic cholecystitis; pediatric and adult age range 2006–2012 (emergency department), 1997–2012 (inpatient service). ED-derived data show pediatric admissions at the smallest age category (1%), averaging 3.7/100 000 persons; discharges were highest in the 15–17 age range. Inpatient admission was more likely in older (93% >10 years), female (F:M 3.7:1) children, and patients from lower median household income residences. Over the study period, there was a significant relative increase in males. Mean length of inpatient stay was 3.2 days, tended to be shorter in female and older patients; this pattern was reflected in the overall hospital charges which rose threefold over the study period (1997–2012). Our study establishes the gender distribution of cholecystitis-related diagnoses and as yet poorly understood admission discrepancies based on gender and socioeconomic status. Length of admission has overall decreased but costs have risen threefold over the study period.
Medical civil–military interactions on United Nations missions: lessons from South Sudan
Authors: Horne Simon , Burns D S
Published: July 2019

This paper outlines the United Nations’ integrated response to complex humanitarian emergencies and the different types of interactions that may occur between militaries and civilian organisations involved in them. It uses a recent UK deployment to South Sudan as an example, drawing on the experience to highlight areas of particular interest to healthcare workers. It identifies several domains that should usefully be developed for both civilians and military personnel in these environments—including sharing our expertise in major incident management, proof-of-concept testing for novel diagnostic and treatment solutions and offering to engage in joint continuing medical education. These gaps in organisational policy should be addressed and appropriate training pathways designed to maximise the contribution of the Defence Medical Services in similar contexts in the future.
The entanglement dynamics of superposition of fermionic coherent states in Heisenberg spin chains
Authors: Chamgordani Mohammad Alimoradi , Naderi Negar , Koppelaar Henk , Bordbar Mahmoud
Published: July 2019

Employing the I-concurrence (Ic) measure, entanglement dynamics of superposition of isospin fermionic coherent states (SFCS) in Heisenberg spin chains of Ising, XX, XXX and XXZ models in the presence of Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya (DM) interaction and magnetic field is studied. For the above-mentioned models, the entanglement dynamics of SFCSs is independent of magnetic field effect and the DM interaction effect introduces the quantum fluctuations in the entanglement dynamics of the system. It is shown that depending on the choice of the models in the absence of DM interaction, entanglement dynamics alter by applying and increasing the magnetic field to the first (second) part of the system. We showed that by increasing the spin of the fermionic coherent states (j) and, consequently, increasing their dimension d = 2j + 1, the entanglement dynamics of the SFCS states sharply increases and fluctuates at a higher level. Our results indicate no entanglement sudden death phenomenon under the examined conditions.
Potential Mechanisms Underlying Therapeutic Benefits of Stem Cell for Heart Failure
Authors: Xiong Xin , Savira Feby , Huang Kevin W , Yu Zuoren , Wang Bing Hui
Published: July 2019

Stem cell therapy has been tested for cardiac disease therapy for decades. Initially, researchers only considered stem cells’ differentiative ability to repair damaged cardiac tissue. However, studies have now uncovered novel mechanisms contributing to stem cell healing properties to repair injured cardiac tissue, including via paracrine signaling and exosome secretions, leading to amelioration of cardiac remodeling and enhancement of proliferation, regeneration and survival of stem cell-derived cardiac cells. Understanding these underlying mechanisms could help researchers utilize stem cells as a therapeutic strategy for cardiac disease effectively and address the current limitations, mainly surrounding its survival and differentiative ability in the cardiac milieu. This review will discuss the known potential mechanisms underlying the role of stem cells in contributing to and for the treatment of heart diseases.
Spatiotemporal-Textual Co-Attention Network for Video Question Answering
Authors: Zha Zheng-Jun , Liu Jiawei , Yang Tianhao , Zhang Yongdong
Published: July 2019

Visual Question Answering (VQA) is to provide a natural language answer for a pair of an image or video and a natural language question. Despite recent progress on VQA, existing works primarily focus on image question answering and are suboptimal for video question answering. This article presents a novel Spatiotemporal-Textual Co-Attention Network (STCA-Net) for video question answering. The STCA-Net jointly learns spatially and temporally visual attention on videos as well as textual attention on questions. It concentrates on the essential cues in both visual and textual spaces for answering question, leading to effective question-video representation. In particular, a question-guided attention network is designed to learn question-aware video representation with a spatial-temporal attention module. It concentrates the network on regions of interest within the frames of interest across the entire video. A video-guided attention network is proposed to learn video-aware question representation with a textual attention module, leading to fine-grained understanding of question. The learned video and question representations are used by an answer predictor to generate answers. Extensive experiments on two challenging datasets of video question answering, i.e., MSVD-QA and MSRVTT-QA, have shown the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Optimization and Implementation of Wavelet-based Algorithms for Detecting High-voltage Spindles in Neuron Signals
Authors: Chen Yu-Chieh , Chang Ching-Chih , Perumal Ramesh , Yeh Shih-Rung , Chang Yen-Chung , Chen Hsin
Published: July 2019

This article presents a microcontroller unit (MCU) based simplified discrete wavelet transform (Sim-DWT) algorithm that can detect high-voltage spindles (HVSs) in local field potential (LFP) signals. The Sim-DWT algorithm operates in an 8-bit MCU, 8MHz operating clock and 16 sample points of buffers to detect HVSs with a frequency range of 5−15Hz. The requirement of only sixteen 8-bit sample points as the window length for calculation and no need for a multiplier render the Sim-DWT easy to implement in an MCU with limited hardware resources. The Sim-DWT is applied in an 8-bit MCU with 6mW power consumption (including IO ports) and was tested for detecting LFP signals in vivo. The design methods and the accuracy of three typical types of mother wavelet functions (Haar, DB4, Morlet) in the Sim-DWT were also tested and compared with those of a PC-based system. The experimental results showed that with appropriately designed cMW functions in the Sim-DWT, HVSs could be detected more accurately than they could be in PC-based software. The present study indicates that the optimized HVS detector (Sim-DWT) can be implemented in an 8-bit MCU with limited hardware resources and is suitable to serve as the digital core in a closed-loop deep brain stimulator microsystem in the future.
Memory-access-aware Safety and Profitability Analysis for Transformation of Accelerator-bound OpenMP Loops
Authors: Chikin Artem , Lloyd Taylor , Amaral José Nelson , Tiotto Ettore , Usman Muhammad
Published: July 2019

Iteration Point Difference Analysis is a new static analysis framework that can be used to determine the memory coalescing characteristics of parallel loops that target GPU offloading and to ascertain safety and profitability of loop transformations with the goal of improving their memory access characteristics. This analysis can propagate definitions through control flow, works for non-affine expressions, and is capable of analyzing expressions that reference conditionally defined values. This analysis framework enables safe and profitable loop transformations. Experimental results demonstrate potential for dramatic performance improvements. GPU kernel execution time across the Polybench suite is improved by up to 25.5× on an Nvidia P100 with benchmark overall improvement of up to 3.2×. An opportunity detected in a SPEC ACCEL benchmark yields kernel speedup of 86.5× with a benchmark improvement of 3.3×. This work also demonstrates how architecture-aware compilers improve code portability and reduce programmer effort.
From Theory to Practice
Authors: Spiteri Kevin , Sitaraman Ramesh , Sparacio Daniel
Published: July 2019

Modern video streaming uses adaptive bitrate (ABR) algorithms that run inside video players and continually adjust the quality (i.e., bitrate) of the video segments that are downloaded and rendered to the user. To maximize the quality-of-experience (QoE) of the user, ABR algorithms must stream at a high bitrate with low rebuffering and low bitrate oscillations. Further, a good ABR algorithm is responsive to user and network events and can be used in demanding scenarios such as low-latency live streaming. Recent research papers provide an abundance of ABR algorithms but fall short on many of the above real-world requirements.

We develop Sabre, an open-source publicly available simulation tool that enables fast and accurate simulation of adaptive streaming environments. We empirically validated Sabre to show that it accurately simulates real-world environments. We used Sabre to design and evaluate BOLA-E and DYNAMIC, two novel ABR algorithms. We also developed a FAST SWITCHING algorithm that can replace segments that have already been downloaded with higher-bitrate (thus, higher-quality) segments. The new algorithms provide higher QoE to the user in terms of higher bitrate, fewer rebuffers, and lesser bitrate oscillations. In addition, these algorithms react faster to user events such as startup and seek, and they respond more quickly to network events such as improvements in throughput. Further, they perform very well for live streams that require low latency, a challenging scenario for ABR algorithms. Overall, our algorithms offer superior video QoE and responsiveness for real-life adaptive video streaming, in comparison to the state-of-the-art.
Importantly, all three algorithms presented in this article are now part of the official DASH reference player
dash.js
and are being used by video providers in production environments.
While our evaluation and implementation are focused on the DASH environment, our algorithms are equally applicable to other adaptive streaming formats such as Apple HLS.
Earning and Utility Limits in Fisher Markets
Authors: Bei Xiaohui , Garg Jugal , Hoefer Martin , Mehlhorn Kurt
Published: July 2019

Earning limits and utility limits are novel aspects in the classic Fisher market model. Sellers with earning limits have bounds on their income and lower the supply they bring to the market if income exceeds the limit. Buyers with utility limits have an upper bound on the amount of utility that they want to derive and lower the budget they bring to the market if utility exceeds the limit. Markets with these properties can have multiple equilibria with different characteristics.

We analyze earning limits and utility limits in markets with linear and spending-constraint utilities. For markets with earning limits and spending-constraint utilities, we show that equilibrium price vectors form a lattice and the spending of buyers is unique in non-degenerate markets. We provide a scaling-based algorithm to compute an equilibrium in time
O
(
n
3
ℓ log (ℓ +
nU
)), where
n
is the number of agents, ℓ ≥
n
a bound on the segments in the utility functions, and
U
the largest integer in the market representation. We show how to refine any equilibrium in polynomial time to one with minimal prices or one with maximal prices (if it exists). Moreover, our algorithm can be used to obtain in polynomial time a 2-approximation for maximizing Nash social welfare in multi-unit markets with indivisible items that come in multiple copies.

For markets with utility limits and linear utilities, we show similar results—lattice structure of price vectors, uniqueness of allocation in non-degenerate markets, and polynomial-time refinement procedures to obtain equilibria with minimal and maximal prices. We complement these positive results with hardness results for related computational questions. We prove that it is NP-hard to compute a market equilibrium that maximizes social welfare, and it is PPAD-hard to find any market equilibrium with utility functions with separate satiation points for each buyer and each good.
When Exceptions Are the Norm
Authors: Sarathy Vasanth , Arnold Thomas , Scheutz Matthias
Published: July 2019

HRI researchers have made major strides in developing robotic architectures that are capable of reading a limited set of social cues and producing behaviors that enhance their likeability and feeling of comfort amongst humans. However, the cues in these models are fairly direct and the interactions largely dyadic. To capture the normative qualities of interaction more robustly, we propose “consent” as a distinct, critical area for HRI research. Convening important insights in existing HRI work around topics like touch, proxemics, gaze, and moral norms, the notion of consent reveals key expectations that can shape how a robot acts in social spaces. Consent need not be limited to just an explicit permission given in ethically charged or normatively risky scenarios. Instead, it is a richer notion, one that covers even implicit acquiescence in scenarios that otherwise seem normatively neutral. By sorting various kinds of consent through social and legal doctrine, we delineate empirical and technical questions to meet consent challenges faced in major application domains and robotic roles. Attention to consent could show, for example, how extraordinary, norm-violating actions can be justified by agents and accepted by those around them. We argue that operationalizing ideas from legal scholarship can better guide how robotic systems might cultivate and sustain proper forms of consent.
Mechanistic inferences on metabolic dysfunction in posttraumatic stress disorder from an integrated model and multiomic analysis: role of glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity
Authors: Somvanshi Pramod R. , Mellon Synthia H. , Flory Janine D. , Abu-Amara Duna ,   PTSD Systems Biology Consortium;, Wolkowitz Owen M. , Yehuda Rachel , Jett Marti , Hood Leroy , Marmar Charles , Doyle Francis J.
Published: July 2019

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with neuroendocrine alterations and metabolic abnormalities; however, how metabolism is affected by neuroendocrine disturbances is unclear. The data from combat-exposed veterans with PTSD show increased glycolysis to lactate flux, reduced TCA cycle flux, impaired amino acid and lipid metabolism, insulin resistance, inflammation, and hypersensitive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. To analyze whether the co-occurrence of multiple metabolic abnormalities is independent or arises from an underlying regulatory defect, we employed a systems biological approach using an integrated mathematical model and multiomic analysis. The models for hepatic metabolism, HPA axis, inflammation, and regulatory signaling were integrated to perform metabolic control analysis (MCA) with respect to the observations from our clinical data. We combined the metabolomics, neuroendocrine, clinical laboratory, and cytokine data from combat-exposed veterans with and without PTSD to characterize the differences in regulatory effects. MCA revealed mechanistic association of the HPA axis and inflammation with metabolic dysfunction consistent with PTSD. This was supported by the data using correlational and causal analysis that revealed significant associations between cortisol suppression, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, γ-glutamyltransferase, hypoxanthine, and several metabolites. Causal mediation analysis indicates that the effects of enhanced glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity (GRS) on glycolytic pathway, gluconeogenic and branched-chain amino acids, triglycerides, and hepatic function are jointly mediated by inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and energy deficit. Our analysis suggests that the interventions to normalize GRS and inflammation may help to manage features of metabolic dysfunction in PTSD.
Effects of multiple cycles of weight loss and regain on the body weight regulatory system in rats
Authors: Rosenbaum Jennifer L. , Frayo R. Scott , Melhorn Susan J. , Cummings David E. , Schur Ellen A.
Published: July 2019

We studied the effects of multiple cycles of weight loss and regain on the defended body weight in rats. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into three weight-matched groups: weight cyclers ( n = 18), ad libitum-fed controls ( n = 9), and maturity controls ( n = 9). Cyclers underwent four rounds of 20% weight loss from 50% caloric restriction, each cycle followed by recovery to stable plateau weight on ad libitum feeding. Controls ate ad libitum. Maturity controls ate ad libitum and then weight cycled the final two rounds to evaluate the effect of age in later cycles. Cyclers’ postdiet plateau weight became progressively lower than that of controls. With each weight loss, ghrelin increased, while insulin and leptin decreased; the magnitude of these changes did not differ across cycles. After four rounds, cyclers’ weight (504 ± 7 vs. 540 ± 22 g; P < 0.05) and percent body fat (11.7 vs. 15.2%; P < 0.05) were lower than in controls. After a 4-mo follow-up period of ad libitum feeding, cyclers maintained a lower total fat-pad mass versus controls (8.6 ± 0.5 vs. 15.9 ± 3.6 g; P < 0.01) and a lower glucose area-under-the-curve on oral glucose tolerance tests ( P < 0.05). Repeated weight-loss cycles exerted positive effects, durably lowering defended levels of body adiposity and improving glucose tolerance.
Can improvement in hormonal and energy balance reverse cardiovascular risk factors in athletes with amenorrhea?
Authors: Grosman-Rimon Liza , Wright Evan , Freedman Danit , Kachel Erez , Hui Sarah , Epstein Iris , Gutterman David , Eilat-Adar Sigal
Published: July 2019

Female athletes display a high prevalence of hypothalamic amenorrhea as a result of energy imbalance. In these athletes with amenorrhea, decreased luteinizing hormone/follicule-stimulating hormone secretion leads to deficiency in endogenous estrogen. The severe estrogen deficiency in these athletes may increase cardiovascular risk similar to that in postmenopausal women. This review discusses the potential cardiovascular risk factors in athletes with amenorrhea as a result of hypoestrogenism, which include endothelial dysfunction and unfavorable lipid profiles. We also consider the potential to reverse the cardiovascular risk by restoring energy or hormonal imbalance along the reproductive axis in athletes with amenorrhea.
Effect of the Tryptophan Hydroxylase Inhibitor Telotristat on Growth and Serotonin Secretion in 2D and 3D Cultured Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Cells
Authors: Herrera-Martínez Aura D. , Feelders Richard A. , Van den Dungen Rosanna , Dogan-Oruc Fadime , van Koetsveld Peter M. , Castaño Justo P. , de Herder Wouter W. , Hofland Leo J.
Published: July 2019

Serotonin, a biologically active amine, is related to carcinoid syndrome in functioning neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). Telotristat ethyl is a novel inhibitor of the tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), a key enzyme in the production of serotonin. While its use in patients with carcinoid syndrome and uncontrolled diarrhea under somatostatin analogs (SSAs) has been recently approved, in vitro data evaluating its effectiveness are lacking. For this reason, we aimed to evaluate the effect of telotristat as monotherapy, and in combination with SSAs, on proliferation and secretion in a NET cell line model. The human pancreatic NET cell lines BON-1/QGP-1 were used as 2D and 3D cultured models; somatostatin receptor and TPH mRNA expression, as well as the potential autocrine effect of serotonin on tumor cell proliferation using a 3D culture system were evaluated. Telotristat decreased serotonin production in a dose-dependent manner at a clinically feasible concentration, without affecting cell proliferation. Its combination with pasireotide, but not with octreotide, had an additive inhibitory effect on serotonin secretion. The effect of telotristat was slightly less potent, when BON-1 cells were co-treated with octreotide. Octreotide and pasireotide had no effect on the expression of TPH. Telotristat did not have an effect on mRNA expression of somatostatin receptor subtypes. Finally, we showed that serotonin did not have an autocrine effect on NET cell proliferation on the 3D cell model. These results suggest that telotristat is an effective drug for serotonin inhibition, but the effectiveness of its combination with SST2 (somatostatin receptor subtype 2)-preferring SSA should be evaluated in more detail.
Deep-Learning Approach to Automatic Identification of Facial Anomalies in Endocrine Disorders
Authors: Wei Ren , Jiang Chendan , Gao Jun , Xu Ping , Zhang Debing , Sun Zhicheng , Liu Xiaohai , Deng Kan , Bao Xinjie , Sun Guoqiang , Yao Yong , Lu Lin , Zhu Huijuan , Wang Renzhi , Feng Ming
Published: July 2019

Background: Deep learning has the potential to assist the medical diagnostic process. We aimed to identify facial anomalies associated with endocrinal disorders using a deep-learning approach to facilitate the process of diagnosis and follow-up. Methods: We collected facial images of patients with hypercortisolism and acromegaly, and we augmented these images with additional negative samples from public databases. A model with a pretrained deep-learning network was constructed to automatically identify these hypersecretion statuses based on characteristic facial changes. We compared its performance to that of endocrine experts and further investigated key factors upon which the best performing model focused. Findings: The model achieved areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.9647 (Cushing’s syndrome) and 0.9556 (acromegaly), accuracies of 0.9593 (Cushing’s syndrome) and 0.9479 (acromegaly), and recalls of 0.7593 (Cushing’s syndrome) and 0.8089 (acromegaly). It performed better than any level of our endocrine experts. Furthermore, the regions of interest on the part of the machine were primarily the same as those upon which the humans focused. Interpretation: Our findings suggest that the deep-learning model learned the facial characters based merely on labeled data without learning prerequisite medical knowledge, and its performance was comparable with professional medical practitioners. The model has the potential to assist in the diagnosis and follow-up of these hypersecretion statuses.
Assessing the effects of water extract of Narcissus tazetta bulb on hatching, mortality, chemotaxis and reproduction of the soybean cyst nematode, Heterodera glycines
Authors: Hu Yanfeng , You Jia , Li Chunjie , Pan Fengjuan , Wang Congli
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of water extracts of Narcissus tazetta bulb on hatching, behaviour and mortality of second-stage juveniles (J2) and reproduction of the soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines) in laboratory and glasshouse assays. Results demonstrated that N. tazetta bulb extracts did not affect hatching but significantly reduced J2 motility and nematode attraction to the soybean root tip, and resulted in considerable nematode mortality relative to the control. J2 exposure to different concentrations of bulb extracts caused 59-93% reduction in nematode reproduction on soybean roots. Compared with the monoculture control, soybean-N. tazetta intercropping in a pot trial reduced SCN reproduction by 37%. In addition, N. tazetta bulb powder as a soil amendment is effective in controlling SCN reproduction. Thus, the results suggest that N. tazetta bulb extract or derived active compounds may be considered as potential natural nematicides against SCN.
Pathological Calcification and Ossification in Relation to Leriche and Policard's Theory
Authors: Jones Watson , Roberts R. E.
Published: July 2019

Pathology of calcification and ossification.—The Leriche-Policard theories. Hyperæmia of bone causes decalcification. Reduced blood supply causes sclerosis. Diminution of vascularity of fibrous tissue causes calcification. Excess of calcium, adequate blood supply and fibroblasts give rise to bone anywhere. Subperiosteal ossification. “Myositis ossificans.” Radiological significance of density of bone shadows.—Decalcification of disuse, of infections, of neoplasms. Traumatic and infective scquestra. Evidence that a fragment of bone is avascular. Hyperæmic decalcification of bone.—Delayed and non-union of fractures. Kummel's disease. Spontaneous hyperæmic dislocation of the atlas. Hyperæmic decalcification and nephrolithiasis. Anæmic sclerosis of bone.—Syphilitic bone disease. Malignant bone disease. Fragility of sclerosed bone—Paget's, Kienboch's, Kohler's and Panner's, Albers-Schönberg's diseases. Pathological calcification.—Calcification of supraspinatus tendon. Calcification of tumours—angioma, hæmatoma, and thrombosed vessels, lipoma, cysts, etc. Calcification of semilunar cartilages and intervertebral discs. Pathological ossification.—Ossification of tendons. Ossification of semilunar cartilages.
Bacteriæmia in Pneumonia
Authors: Langley G. J.
Published: July 2019

Tables are shown which record the course of bacteriæmia investigated by frequent blood-cultures in a series of cases of pneumonia. The proportion of cases having a bacteriæmia in the course of the disease agrees fairly closely with other findings both in this country and in America. Attention is drawn to the frequency with which the organisms disappear from the blood in the absence of any specific treatment, and to the frequency of recovery of bacteriæmic cases. It is therefore submitted that it is unsafe to regard the disappearance of a bacteriæmia as the direct result of specific serum treatment, and that this cannot be used as evidence of successful serum therapy.
Solid waste management practice in a tourism destination – The status and challenges: A case study in Hoi An City, Vietnam
Authors: Pham Phu Song Toan , Fujiwara Takeshi , Hoang Minh Giang , Pham Van Dinh
Published: July 2019

This study aims to present waste characterisation, solid waste management practice and analyse the challenges in the solid waste management system in the tourism destination of Hoi An City, Vietnam. The sampling and questionnaire surveys were conducted for measuring characterisation and management practice of solid waste. A material flow analysis method was used for analysing the waste flow. The results show that the tourism destination generated daily around 15080 kg t of waste, in which the significant proportions come from restaurants (46%), hotels (22%) and households (13%). The feature of the waste composition is high rates of kitchen waste (46.8%), tissue (11.54%) and recyclable materials (12.58%), which result in high moisture (46.79%) and a low heating value (16,866 kJ kg-1) of waste. Also, solid waste management practices were evasively implemented by stakeholders with low rates and efficiency. Furthermore, a substantial gap of the solid waste management system is the confusion in waste collection activities, which is shown by the overload of waste in street bins and the financial loss for the solid waste management system owing to the non-compliance with collection regulation of stakeholders. Also, the mixing of waste by collection crews after separation at sources, the in-appropriation of collection time and manner are the dark points of the solid waste management system that may be causes of the non-cooperation of stakeholders. These gaps and confusion in the solid waste management system are the significant challenges in the improvement of the solid waste management system in the tourism destination toward sustainability.
Shifting From Wellness at Work to Wellness in Work: Interrogating the Link Between Stress and Organization While Theorizing a Move Toward Wellness-in-Practice
Authors: Harrison Millie A. , Stephens Keri K.
Published: July 2019

Guided by the theoretical underpinnings of the whole-person approach to wellness, we critique and adapt this framework to explain the combined complexities of organizational stress and wellness communication processes in a pediatric residency program. Using a qualitative, thematic analysis, we explore the link between employee stressors and participation in wellness resources found in a workplace wellness program (WWP). We find that despite good intentions, the organizational resources reproduced institutional norms, work, and stress, not wellness. Our findings suggest having a WWP that meets the four whole-person dimensions is not enough to ensure employee well-being and program success. Rather, WWPs must be connected to employees’ daily experiences and address the structural constraints of work. We conclude by proffering wellness-in-practice, a practice-theory extension to the whole-person approach, which weaves wellness into the everyday fabric of organizational life and promotes meaningful connections between work, stress, and WWPs.
Investigation on multi-body dynamics based approach to the toolpath generation for ultraprecision machining of freeform surfaces
Authors: Khaghani Ali , Cheng Kai
Published: July 2019

This article presents an innovative approach to toolpath generation for ultraprecision machining of freeform optic surfaces based on the principle of Automatic Dynamics Analysis of Mechanical Systems. As components with freeform surfaces often have non-rotational symmetry, there are potential challenges facing their ultraprecision machining through single-point diamond turning, such as the projected points in complex large sag surfaces, which likely find it difficult to communicate with the control system and, thus, do not perform successfully. In ultraprecision machining, to achieve the highest performance in freeform surface resolution, the factors of dynamics, material and mechanical stiffness, frictions, tooling and accuracy of the servo component should be considered. The investigation is focused on an integrated approach and the associated scientific understanding of precision engineering design, ultraprecision machining and metrology of freeform surfaces as well as their application perspective. In this approach, the toolpath for very complex freeform surfaces can be generated using the Newton–Raphson method to solve the kinematics and dynamics equations of motion. The effect of friction and contact force are also investigated for accurate toolpath curve generation. Moreover, the Gear stiff (GSTIFF)/ Wielenga stiff (WSTIFF) integrator for solving the non-linear equations of motion is employed, and the result shows the time step size, playing a critical role in generating toolpath curves with a higher accuracy and resolution.
Development of adaptive gear shifting strategies of automatic transmission for plug-in hybrid electric commuting vehicle based on optimal energy economy
Authors: Shen Peihong , Zhao Zhiguo , Li Jingwei , Guo Qiuyi
Published: July 2019

Gear shifting strategy of automatic transmission has an important impact on the fuel economy of vehicles. For plug-in hybrid electric commuting vehicles, to develop the driving cycle and working mode adaptive gear shifting strategy of automatic transmission is of great significance to improve the vehicle energy economy. Three main efforts have been made to distinguish our work from exiting research. First, based on the fixity and repeatability of the driving cycle for plug-in hybrid electric commuting vehicles, the typical driving cycle of plug-in hybrid electric commuting vehicle is constructed by the self-organized mapping and K-means clustering methods. Second, in the typical plug-in hybrid electric commuting vehicle driving cycle constructed herein, the working points with the best energy economy are calculated by improved dynamic programming for each working mode of the plug-in hybrid electric commuting vehicle, considering the working efficiency of the power components and transmission. On this basis, the optimal gear shifting strategy of automatic transmission for the plug-in hybrid electric commuting vehicle in each working mode is extracted. Third, the simulation tests are conducted which compare the formulated adaptive gear shifting strategies with the traditional engine fuel economy-based gear shifting strategy. The simulation results illustrate that the adaptive gear shifting strategies increase the energy economy by 3.32%. The proposed gear shifting strategy development method can provide a reference for further optimization of automatic transmission gear shifting strategies of plug-in hybrid electric commuting vehicle for real applications.
A critical review on the three-dimensional finite element modelling of the compression therapy for chronic venous insufficiency
Authors: Lu Yongtao , Yang Zhuoyue , Wang Yongxuan
Published: July 2019

Compression therapy is an adjuvant physical intervention providing the benefits of calibrated compression and controlled stretch and consequently is increasingly applied for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. However, the mechanism of the compression therapy for chronic venous insufficiency is still unclear. To elaborate the mechanism of compression therapy, in recent years, the computational modelling technique, especially the finite element modelling method, has been widely used. However, there are still many unclear issues regarding the finite element modelling of compression therapy, for example, the selection of appropriate material models, the validation of the finite element predictions, the post-processing of the results. To shed light on these unclear issues, this study provides a state-of-the-art review on the application of finite element modelling technique in the compression therapy for chronic venous insufficiency. The aims of the present study are as follows: (1) to provide guidance on the application of the finite element technique in healthcare and relevant fields, (2) to enhance the understanding of the mechanism of compression therapy and (3) to foster the collaborations among different disciplines. To achieve these aims, the following parts are reviewed: (1) the background on chronic venous insufficiency and the computational modelling approach, (2) the acquisition of medical images and the procedure for generating the finite element model, (3) the definition of material models in the finite element model, (4) the methods for validating the finite element predictions, (5) the post-processing of the finite element results and (6) future challenges in the finite element modelling of compression therapy.
An Ethical Foundation for Social Good: Virtue Theory and Solidarity
Authors: Garlington Sarah B. , Collins Mary Elizabeth , Bossaller Margaret R. Durham
Published: July 2019

Purpose:

Virtue theorists debate qualities of society leading to human flourishing. Thus, aspects of scholarship on virtue theory may refine conceptualization of social good. We focus on the virtue of solidarity and its contributions to the ethical foundations of social good, providing a core connection to macro-level social work interventions and settings.

Methods:

We first identify a theoretical gap in the conceptual framework of social good, then use virtue theory and the example of solidarity to connect the concept of social good to social work professional values and macro practice.

Results:

Our primary critique of the concept of social good is the lack of a sufficient ethical frame that addresses social justice, value foundations, or power analysis.

Discussion:

Without this, the discussion of social good lacks tools needed to critically assess relevant systems of change and innovative technologies. Consequently, the work of social good risks reinforcing existing status quo and oppressive systems.
Does Intra-articular Injection of the Ankle With Corticosteroids Increase the Risk of Subsequent Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI) Following Total Ankle Arthroplasty (TAA)? If So, How Long After a Prior Intra-articular Injection Can TAA Be Safely Performed?
Authors: Uçkay Ilker , Hirose Christopher B. , Assal Mathieu
Published: July 2019

Recommendation:

Every intra-articular injection of the ankle is an invasive procedure associated with potential healthcare-associated infections, including periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). Based on the limited current literature, the ideal timing for elective TAA after corticosteroid injection for the symptomatic native ankle joint is unknown. The consensus workgroup recommends that at least 3 months pass after corticosteroid injection and prior to performing TAA.

Level of Evidence:

Limited.

Delegate Vote:

Agree: 92%, Disagree: 8%, Abstain: 0% (Super Majority, Strong Consensus)
Should Culture Samples Be Taken During All Revision Total Ankle Arthroplasty (TAA)?
Authors: Fuchs Daniel
Published: July 2019

Recommendation:

We recommend that intraoperative cultures be taken during revision total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). The result of intraoperative cultures should be interpreted together with clinical suspicion for infection and the results of the laboratory and imaging investigations. We also recommend that multiple tissue specimens be collected. Given a lack of evidence for routine intraoperative cultures for revision TAA literature, this recommendation is based on analogous evidence in the total hip and knee replacement literature.

Level of Evidence:

Consensus.

Delegate Vote:

Agree: 100%, Disagree: 0%, Abstain: 0% (Unanimous, Strongest Consensus)
Science With and for Society Through Qualitative Inquiry
Authors: Gómez González Aitor
Published: July 2019

This article is based on the keynote speech addressed by the author for the 15th International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry that took place in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign on May 16, 2019. It is presented as a part of the research work carried out first by my father who came to this Conference the first year and by my research center CREA (Community of Research on Excellence for All) in the last 25 years. I directly connect our way of doing research, with and for society, with three stories of personal transformation, resistance, and improvement of very special people. These stories show the social impact of our research when we work with and for the people, changing the world.
A New Method of Diagnosing Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Male Patients by Quantitative EEG Analysis
Authors: Chang Ming-Yuh , Ouyang Chen-Sen , Chiang Ching-Tai , Yang Rei-Cheng , Wu Rong-Ching , Wu Hui-Chuan , Lin Lung-Chang
Published: July 2019

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders of childhood. Diagnosis of ADHD is based on core symptoms and checklists. However, these are both subjective, which can lead to the problems of overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis. Elevated theta/beta ratio (TBR) of EEG band has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a tool to assist in the diagnosis of ADHD. However, several recent studies have demonstrated that there are no significant differences in TBR between people with and without ADHD. In this study, we attempted to develop a new method for differentiating between male with and without ADHD by analyzing EEG features. Thirty boys with ADHD combined type (aged 8 years 5 months ± 1 year 11 months) and 30 age-matched controls (aged 8 years 5 months ± 1 year 8 months) were enrolled in this study. A classification analysis-based approach comprising training and classification phases was developed for classifying each subject’s EEG features as ADHD or non-ADHD. Eight crucial feature descriptors were selected and ranked based on the t test. Compared with TBR in our study, the developed method had a higher area under the curve (87.78%), sensitivity (80.0%), and specificity (80.0%). Our method is more precise than using TBR in the diagnosis of ADHD. This newly developed method is a useful tool in identifying patients with ADHD and might reduce the possibility of overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis.