bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
1,4,7-Triazacyclononane Restores the Activity of β-Lactam Antibiotics against Metallo-β-Lactamase-ProducingEnterobacteriaceae: Exploration of Potential Metallo-β-Lactamase Inhibitors
Authors: Somboro Anou M. , Amoako Daniel G. , Osei Sekyere John , Kumalo Hezekiel M. , Khan René , Bester Linda A. , Essack Sabiha Y.
Published: November 2018

Carbapenem-resistantEnterobacteriaceae(CRE)-mediated infections remain a significant public health concern and have been reported to be critical in the World Health Organization’s priority pathogens list for the research and development of new antibiotics. CRE produce enzymes, such as metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs), which inactivate β-lactam antibiotics. Combination therapies involving a β-lactam antibiotic and a β-lactamase inhibitor remain a major treatment option for infections caused by β-lactamase-producing organisms. Currently, no MBL inhibitor–β-lactam combination therapy is clinically available for MBL-positive bacterial infections. Hence, developing efficient molecules capable of inhibiting these enzymes could be a promising way to overcome this phenomenon. TACN played a significant role in the inhibitory activity of the tested molecules against CREs by potentiating the activity of carbapenem. This study demonstrates that TACN inhibits MBLs efficiently and holds promises as a potential MBL inhibitor to help curb the global health threat posed by MBL-producing CREs.
pahE
, a Functional Marker Gene for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacteria
Authors: Liang Chengyue , Huang Yong , Wang Hui
Published: November 2018

PAH contamination has become a worldwide environmental issue because of the potential toxic effects on natural ecosystems and human health. Biotransformation and biodegradation are considered the main natural elimination forms of PAHs from contaminated sites. Therefore, the knowledge of the degradation potential of the microbial community in contaminated sites is crucial for PAH pollution bioremediation. However, the nonspecificity of
pahAc
as a functional marker of PAH-degrading bacteria has resulted neither in a reliable prediction of PAH degradation potential nor an accurate assessment of degradation. Here, we introduced
pahE
encoding the PAH hydratase-aldolase as a new and better functional marker gene of PAH-degrading bacteria. This study provides a powerful molecular tool to more effectively explore the ecological role and degradation potential of PAH-degrading bacteria in ecosystems, which is significant to the bioremediation of PAH pollution.
SfnR2 Regulates Dimethyl Sulfide-Related Utilization in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1
Authors: Lundgren Benjamin R. , Sarwar Zaara , Feldman Kyle S. , Shoytush Joseph M. , Nomura Christopher T.
Published: November 2018

Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) is an important environmental source of sulfur, carbon, and/or energy for microorganisms. For various bacteria, including
Pseudomonas
,
Xanthomonas
, and
Azotobacter
, DMS utilization is thought to be controlled by the transcriptional regulator SfnR. Adding more complexity, some bacteria, such as
Acinetobacter baumannii
,
Enterobacter cloacae
, and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, possess two, nonidentical SfnR proteins. In this study, we demonstrate that SfnR2 and not SfnR1 is the principal regulator of DMS metabolism in
P. aeruginosa
PAO1. Results suggest that SfnR1 has a supportive but nonessential role in the positive regulation of genes required for DMS utilization. This study not only enhances our understanding of SfnR regulation but, importantly, also provides a framework for addressing gene regulation through dual SfnR proteins in other bacteria.
Missing Cases of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection of the Central Nervous System When the Reller Criteria Are Applied for HSV PCR Testing: a Multicenter Study
Authors: Albert Eliseo , Alberola Juan , Bosque Monserrat , Camarena Juan José , Clari María Ángeles , Domínguez Márquez María Victoria , Gil-Fortuño María , Gimeno Adelina , Nogueira José Miguel , Ocete María Dolores , Orta Nieves , Prat Josep , Rodríguez Juan Carlos , Valero Isabel , Gimeno Cardona Concepción , Navarro David
Published: November 2018

Previous studies suggested that herpes simplex virus (HSV) PCR testing can be safely deferred in patients with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell (WBC) counts and protein levels as long as they are older than 2 years of age and are not immunocompromised, the so-called Reller criteria. In this multicenter study, we retrospectively assessed the validity of these screening criteria in our setting.
Improving Our Understanding of
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Paratyphi B through the Engineering and Testing of a Live Attenuated Vaccine Strain
Authors: Higginson Ellen E. , Ramachandran Girish , Hazen Tracy H. , Kania Dane A. , Rasko David A. , Pasetti Marcela F. , Levine Myron M. , Tennant Sharon M.
Published: November 2018

We developed a live attenuated
Salmonella enterica
serovar Paratyphi B vaccine that conferred protection in mice against challenge with
S
. Paratyphi B
sensu stricto
and
S
. Paratyphi B Java, which are the causes of enteric fever and gastroenteritis, respectively. Currently, the incidence of invasive
S.
Paratyphi B
sensu stricto
infections is low; however, the development of new conjugate vaccines against other enteric fever serovars could lead to the emergence of
S.
Paratyphi B to fill the niche left by these other pathogens. As such, an effective
S.
Paratyphi B vaccine would be a useful tool in the armamentarium against
Salmonella
infections. Comparative genomics confirmed the serovar-specific groupings of these isolates and revealed that there are a limited number of genetic differences between the
sensu stricto
and Java strains, which are mostly hypothetical and phage-encoded proteins. The observed level of genomic similarity likely explains why we observe some cross-protection.
Regulation of Epstein-Barr Virus Life Cycle and Cell Proliferation by Histone H3K27 Methyltransferase EZH2 in Akata Cells
Authors: Ichikawa Takaya , Okuno Yusuke , Sato Yoshitaka , Goshima Fumi , Yoshiyama Hironori , Kanda Teru , Kimura Hiroshi , Murata Takayuki
Published: November 2018

The life cycle of EBV is regulated by epigenetic modifications, such as CpG methylation and histone modifications. Here, we found that the expression of EZH2, which encodes a histone H3K27 methyltransferase, was induced by EBV infection; therefore, we generated EZH2-KO cells to investigate the role of EZH2 in EBV-infected Akata B cells. Disruption of EZH2 resulted in increased expression of EBV genes during the lytic phase and, therefore, efficient viral replication and progeny production. Our results shed light on the mechanisms underlying reactivation from an epigenetic point of view and further suggest a role for EZH2 as a form of innate immunity that restricts viral replication in infected cells.
The potential impact of taxing sugar drinks on health inequality in Indonesia
Authors: Bourke Emily Jane , Veerman J Lennert
Published: November 2018

Background

Evidence suggests reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is important to reducing weight gain and chronic disease risk. Indonesia’s large population is a growing market for sugar-sweetened beverages. Taxation to reduce consumption is of interest, but considered fiscally regressive. Little is known about differential effects between income groups in low-income countries.

Methods

This modelling study uses a proportional multistate life table to model reduced daily energy intake following a $0.30 per litre tax on sugar-sweetened beverages and subsequent shifts in Body Mass Index (BMI) distribution for income groups in Indonesia. Energy balance equations calculate reduced BMI. Reduced incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, ischaemic heart disease and stroke is determined from the relative risk of the BMI shift and subsequent health-adjusted life years gained calculated.

Results

The tax’s effect was greater for higher income quintiles than lower. Energy intake reduced most in higher income quintiles. Cases of overweight and obesity for women decreased by approximately 15 000 in the lowest income quintile, but 417 000 for the highest. For men, this was 12 000 and 415 000. Over 25 years, 63 000 cases of diabetes were averted in the lowest quintile and 1 487 000 in the highest. Similar magnitudes were observed for stroke and ischaemic heart disease. Tax paid over 25 years was $0.5 billion for the lowest income quintile and $15.1 billion for the highest.

Conclusion

Sugar-sweetened beverage taxation can help to reduce the number of overweight and obese, and prevent over a million cases of diabetes in Indonesia. Higher income groups would benefit more than lower income groups. The tax would raise $920 million in the first year and $27.3 billion over 25 years.
Reducing acute kidney injury incidence and progression in a large teaching hospital
Authors: Sykes Lynne , Sinha Smeeta , Hegarty Janet , Flanagan Emma , Doyle Liam , Hoolickin Chedia , Edwards Lewis , Ferris Paul , Lamerton Elizabeth , Poulikakos Dimitrios , Green Darren , Nipah Robert
Published: November 2018

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common syndrome that is associated with significant mortality and cost. The Quality Improvement AKI Collaborative at Salford Royal Foundation Trust was established to review and improve both the recognition and management of AKI. This was a whole-system intervention to tackle AKI implemented as an alternative to employing separate AKI nurses. Our aims were to reduce the overall incidence of AKI by 10%, to reduce hospital-acquired AKI by 25% and to reduce the progression of AKI from stage 1 to stage 2 or 3 by 50%.

From 2014 to 2016, several multifaceted changes were introduced. These included system changes, such as inserting an e-alert for AKI into the electronic patient record, an online educational package and face-to-face teaching for AKI, and AKI addition to daily safety huddles. On 10 Collaborative wards, development of an AKI care bundle via multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan, do, study, act testing occurred.

Results showed a 15.6% reduction in hospital-wide-acquired AKI, with a 22.3% reduction on the collaborative wards. Trust-wide rates of progression of AKI 1 to AKI 2 or 3 showed normal variation, whereas there was a 48.5% reduction in AKI progression on the Collaborative wards. This implies that e-alerts were ineffective in isolation. The Collaborative wards’ results were a product of the educational support, bundle and heightened awareness of AKI.

A number of acute hospitals have demonstrated impactful successes in AKI reduction centred on a dedicated AKI nurse model plus e-alerting with supporting changes. This project adds value by highlighting another approach that does not require a new post with attendant rolling costs and risks. We believe that our approach increased our efficacy in acute care in our front-line teams by concentrating on embedding improved recognition and actions across the MDT.
Consent and recruitment: the reporting of paediatric trials published in 2012
Authors: Gates Allison , Caldwell Patrina , Curtis Sarah , Dans Leonila , Fernandes Ricardo M , Hartling Lisa , Kelly Lauren E , Williams Katrina , Woolfall Kerry , Dyson Michele P
Published: November 2018

Objectives

We evaluated 300 paediatric trials to determine: the consent and recruitment strategies used, who trial information was targeted to, how incentives were used and if they achieved their recruitment targets.

Methods

For this cross-sectional evaluation, we searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for paediatric trials published in 2012 and randomly selected 300 that reported on outcomes for participants aged ≤21 years. We collected data on consent and recruitment procedures for each trial and undertook descriptive analyses in SPSS statistics V.23.

Results

All but one trial (99.7%) used a standard recruitment strategy. Most (92%) trials reported that consent was obtained but only 13% reported who obtained consent. Two-thirds (65%) of trials included school-aged participants, and of these 68% reported obtaining assent. Half (50%) of the trials reported who the trial information was targeted to. Most trials (75%) of school-aged participants targeted information towards children or children and their parents. Fourteen per cent of trials reported using incentives, half (50%) of which were in the form of compensation. Only 48% of trials reported sufficient data to determine if their recruitment targets were achieved. Of these, 70% achieved their targets.

Conclusions

Notable reporting shortcomings included: how families were recruited into the trial, who obtained consent and/or assent and how, who trial information was directed to, whether incentives were used and sufficient data to determine if the recruitment target was achieved. Forthcoming paediatric-specific reporting standards may improve reporting in this priority area. Our data provide a baseline for ongoing monitoring of the state of the research.
Microscopic colitis: diagnosis and management
Authors: Townsend Tristan , Campbell Fiona , O’Toole Paul , Probert Chris
Published: November 2018

Microscopic colitis (MC) is a common cause of chronic, non-bloody, watery diarrhoea in older patients. The diagnosis depends on characteristic histological findings. Bile acid malabsorption and autoimmune conditions, including coeliac disease, are more frequently found in patients with MC, but colorectal neoplasia and mortality are not increased. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, proton-pump inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and smoking tobacco confer an increased risk of developing MC. Although a so-called benign disease, which rarely causes serious complications, it does have an impact on the quality of life. Several treatment options exist, but budesonide is the only treatment proven in randomised-controlled trials to be effective and safe for induction and maintenance of remission. This article provides a practical overview for the gastroenterologist looking after patients with MC.
Left atrial pressure is associated with iatrogenic atrial septal defect after mitral valve clip
Authors: Ikenaga Hiroki , Hayashi Atsushi , Nagaura Takafumi , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Yoshida Jun , Rader Florian , Siegel Robert J , Kar Saibal , Shiota Takahiro
Published: November 2018

Objectives

Mitral valve (MV) clip procedure requires interatrial trans-septal puncture to access the left atrium (LA). Iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) is not uncommon and may remain for a while. However, haemodynamic and echocardiographic determinants of persistent iASD are not well investigated. We sought to find haemodynamic and echocardiographic determinants of iASD after MV clip.

Methods

A total of 131 patients with grades 3 to 4+ mitral regurgitation who underwent MitraClip and completed invasive haemodynamic measurement, baseline, 1 month and approximately 12 months of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) follow-up were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

TTE at 1 month showed persistent iASD in 57% (1M-iASD). Mean LA pressure after clip was significantly higher in patients with 1M-iASD than patients without 1M-iASD (17±6 mm Hg vs 15±5 mm Hg, p=0.01). Among patients with 1M-iASD, 24 patients (35%) had persistent iASD at 12 months (12M-iASD). Mean LA pressure after clip was significantly higher in patients with 12M-iASD than patients without 12M-iASD (19±6 mm Hg vs 16±6 mm Hg, p=0.04). Patients with 12M-iASD did not significantly differ from patients without 12M-iASD in terms of right heart enlargement, estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure, New York Heart Association functional class and brain natriuretic peptide at 12 months. Logistic regression analysis, however, showed that mean LA pressure after clip was significantly associated with persistent iASD at 12 months in patients with 1M-iASD even after adjustment for cardiac index after clip and the prevalence of mitral regurgitation ≥3+ at 12 months (OR 1.10 per 1 mm Hg, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.21, p=0.04).

Conclusions

Elevated LA pressure after MV clip was associated with persistent iASD.
Challenging perceptions of disciplinary divide: an ethnographer’s experience of collegiality, collaboration and crisis
Authors: van der Wiel Renée
Published: November 2018

Warned by social scientists about ‘the disciplinary divide’ and the hostility of medical professionals to qualitative research, I was pleasantly surprised by the collegiality I experienced while conducting fieldwork among clinician-researchers in South Africa. This commentary is a challenge to common discourse, historically dominant in a global (north) anthropology, that biomedical practitioners are necessarily antagonistic to the humanities. Drawing on my field experiences, I propose an optimistic outlook for collaboration and inclusivity in developing medical and health humanities in Africa. While conducting anthropological fieldwork among doctors producing medical research, I gained access to elite professional spaces, even presenting anthropological work in medical research forums. I established relationships with leading figures in various clinical departments and research institutes. There were, unsurprisingly, times when I had to rigorously defend my methodology. I had to revise my methodological knowledge including on quantitative methods to explain varying epistemologies to both sympathetic and doubtful medical colleagues. But, I was often treated as a fellow researcher, a colleague. Some clinician-researchers accepted me as having different, valuable expertise to analyse human complexity and proposed opportunities for possible collaboration. I argue that these clinicians appreciated this expertise because of their pervasive perceptions of crisis in healthcare and an awareness of the complexities of biomedicine in an African context of social heterogeneity, medical pluralism and legacies of social injustice. These concerns around crisis and complexity may be points of leverage for expanding interdisciplinary collaboration and facilitating access to research sites and research forums.
Intranasal dermoid cyst without external sinus tract or swelling in an adult cocker spaniel
Authors: Ellis Jenny , Nelissen Pieter
Published: November 2018

An adult female cocker spaniel presented with acute‐onset sneezing. Advanced imaging of the nasal cavity revealed a mass lesion with erosion of the normal bony structures. Cytology and histopathology revealed intralesional keratin and marked inflammation. This was suggestive of a nasal dermoid cyst despite the lack of external swelling over the nose and absence of a draining sinus tract. The cyst was successfully removed surgically via rhinotomy. Some crusting was seen at the nostril postoperatively, which was considered secondary to reduced lacrimal secretion. No other signs persisted and the dog made an excellent clinical recovery. This is the first report of an intranasal dermoid cyst in a dog with no external signs of swelling or sinus tract.
Microstructure and optical properties of Na-doped ZnO system, synthesized by the sol–gel method
Authors: Tong Fan , Zhao Ye , Wang Mao-Hua
Published: November 2018

Pure and Na-doped ZnO (2 at.%, 5 at.%, and 10 at.%) films are synthesized by sol–gel method and annealed at 500 °C for 4 h. The as-synthesized nanoparticles are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The samples exhibited hexagonal ZnO lattice structure and another Na2O2 phase was detected in the 5 at.% Na-doped ZnO sample. The calculated average crystalline size increases from 42.0 nm to 43.5 nm when Na content increased from 0 to 10 at.%. FESEM and TEM analysis identifies that the average size of the Na-doped ZnO nanoparticles lies in between 50 nm and they appear in spheroid-like or rod-like shaped particles. The transmittance of the sample was above 80% and the results of photocatalytic activity show that Na-doped ZnO nanoparticles exhibit higher photodegradation activity (about 91%) than pure ZnO nanoparticles under UV irradiation.
Comparative cytogenetics of four species of Thrichomys (Rodentia: Echimyidae)
Authors: Araújo Naiara Pereira , Bonvicino Cibele , Svartman Marta
Published: November 2018

Thrichomys Trouessart, 1880 is a genus of echimyid rodents endemic to South America, distributed from northeastern Brazil to Paraguay and Bolivia. Although all the recognized species of this genus have already been karyotyped, detailed comparative cytogenetic analyses have not been performed yet. We karyologically analyzed four species of Thrichomys from different Brazilian states. Our analyses included GTG- and CBG-banding, silver-staining of the nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs), and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with telomeric and 45S rDNA probes. Comparative GTG-banding suggested that the interspecific variation may result from Robertsonian rearrangements, pericentric and paracentric inversions, centromere repositioning, and heterochromatin variation. FISH with a telomeric probe showed interspecies variation in interstitial telomeric sequences (ITs) distribution. Our results represent the most complete data on the cytogenetics of Thrichomys reported to date and give an insight into the chromosome evolution of this genus.
Estimation of control rod worth, xenon effect on reactivity and power defect of BAEC TRIGA Mark-II research reactor
Authors: Hassan Md. Mehedi , Rumi K. M. Jalal Uddin , Khan Md. Nazrul Islam , Goswami Rajib
Published: November 2018

In this work, control rod worth, xenon (Xe) effect on reactivity and power defect have been measured by doing experiments in the BAEC TRIGA Mark-II research reactor (BTRR) and through established theoretical analysis. Firstly, to study the xenon-135 effect on reactivity, reactor is critical at 2.4 MW for several hours. Next, experiments have been performed at very low power (50 W) to avoid temperature effects. Moreover, for the power defect experiment, different increasing power level has been tested by withdrawing the control rods. Finally, it is concluded that the total control rods worth of the BAEC TRIGA Mark-II research reactor, as determined through this study, is enough to run the reactor at full power (3 MW) considering the xenon-135 and fuel temperature effects.
Homothetic congruences in general relativity
Authors: Fathi Mohsen
Published: November 2018

The kinematical characteristics of distinct infalling homothetic fields are discussed by specifying the transverse subspace of their generated congruences to the energy–momentum deposit of the chosen gravitational system. This is pursued through the inclusion of the base manifold’s cotangent bundle in a generalized Raychaudhuri equation and its kinematical expressions. Exploiting an electromagnetic energy–momentum tensor as the source of non-gravitational effects, I investigate the evolution of the mentioned homothetic congruences, as they fall onto a Reissner–Nordström black hole. The results show remarkable differences to the common expectations from infalling congruences of massive particles.
Two parallel magmatic belts with contrasting isotopic characteristics from southern Tibet to Myanmar: zircon U–Pb and Hf isotopic constraints
Authors: Lin Te-Hsien , Mitchell A. H. G. , Chung Sun-Lin , Tan Xi-Bin , Tang Jui-Ting , Oo Thura , Wu Fu-Yuan
Published: November 2018

Before the India–Asia collision, Neotethyan subduction gave rise to an Andean-type convergent margin on the southern margin of Asia. To investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of the subduction-related magmatism, we undertook a combined determination of zircon U–Pb ages and Hf isotopes of Mesozoic to Paleogene intrusive and volcanic rocks from southern Tibet to Myanmar to characterize the two parallel magmatic belts that have previously been considered separately. One belt extends from the Gangdese Batholith in the Southern Lhasa sub-terrane to the Lohit Batholith, the Sodon Pluton and the Popa–Loimye Arc in the West Burma Block, and the other from the Central Lhasa Plutonic Belt to the Bomi–Chayu Batholith, the Dianxi Batholith and the Shan Scarps Batholith in central Myanmar. The Gangdese belt, as the main arc component, consists typically of I-type granitoids that contain magmatic zircons showing positive ε
Hf
(
t
) values. In contrast, the Central Lhasa Plutonic Belt belt is dominated by S-type granites in which most zircons show negative ε
Hf
(
t
) values suggesting the involvement of older continental crust in their petrogenesis. The distinct geochemical characteristics indicate not only distinct tectonic settings of their genesis but also the diverse nature of the crust forming the exotic continental ribbons amalgamated to Asia.

Supplementary material:
Details of sample locations and analytical results are available at:
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4311485
Inverted HVAC
Authors: Abbas Samar , Bakar Abu , Chandio Yasra , Hafeez Khadija , Ali Ayesha , Jadoon Tariq M. , Alizai Muhammad Hamad
Published: November 2018

Emerging countries predominantly rely on room-level air conditioning units (window ACs, space heaters, ceiling fans) for thermal comfort. These distributed units have manual, decentralized control leading to suboptimal energy usage for two reasons: excessive setpoints by individuals and inability to interleave different conditioning units for energy savings. We propose a novel
inverted
HVAC approach: cheaply retrofitting these distributed units with “on-off” control and providing centralized control augmented with room and environmental sensors. Our binary control approach exploits an understanding of device consumption characteristics and factors this into the control algorithms to reduce consumption. We implement this approach as H
awadaar
in a prototype 180ft
2
room to evaluate its efficacy over a 7-month period experiencing both hot and cold climates. Through a post analysis, we show that our on-off algorithms are not far from a theoretically optimal approach based on
a priori
information that precisely knows the optimal control points to minimize consumption. We collect enough evidence to plausibly scale our empirical evaluation, demonstrating countrywide benefits: with just 20% market penetration, H
awadaar
can save up to 6% of electricity per capita in residential and commercial sectors—resulting in a substantial countrywide impact.
sTube+
Authors: Hu Chuang , Bao Wei , Wang Dan , Qian Yi , Zheng Muqiao , Wang Shi
Published: November 2018

Nowadays, manufacturers want to send the data of their products to the cloud so that they can conduct analysis and improve their operation, maintenance, and services. Manufacturers are looking for a self-contained solution. This is because their products are deployed in a large number of different buildings, and it is neither feasible for a vendor to negotiate with each building to use the building’s network (e.g., WiFi) nor practical to establish its own network infrastructure. The vendor can rent a dedicated channel from an ISP to act as a thing-to-cloud communication (TCC) link for each of its IoT devices. The readily available choices, e.g., 3G, is over costly for most IoT devices. ISPs are developing cheaper choices for TCC links, yet we expect that the number of choices for TCC links will be small as compared to hundreds or thousands of requirements on different costs and data rates from IoT applications.

We address this issue by proposing a
communication sharing
architecture
sTube+, sharing tube
. The objective of sTube+ is to organize a greater number of IoT devices, with heterogeneous data communication and cost requirements, to efficiently share fewer choices of TCC links and transmit their data to the cloud. We take a design of centralized price optimization and distributed network control. More specifically, we architect a layered architecture for data delivery, develop algorithms to optimize the overall monetary cost, and prototype a fully functioning system of sTube+. We evaluate sTube+ by both experiments and simulations. In addition, we develop a case study on smart maintenance of chillers and pumps, using sTube+ as the underlying network architecture.
Decentralized Collective Learning for Self-managed Sharing Economies
Authors: Pournaras Evangelos , Pilgerstorfer Peter , Asikis Thomas
Published: November 2018

The Internet of Things equips citizens with a phenomenal new means for online participation in sharing economies. When agents self-determine options from which they choose, for instance, their resource consumption and production, while these choices have a collective systemwide impact, optimal decision-making turns into a combinatorial optimization problem known as NP-hard. In such challenging computational problems, centrally managed (deep) learning systems often require personal data with implications on privacy and citizens’ autonomy. This article envisions an alternative unsupervised and decentralized collective learning approach that preserves privacy, autonomy, and participation of multi-agent systems self-organized into a hierarchical tree structure. Remote interactions orchestrate a highly efficient process for
decentralized collective learning
. This disruptive concept is realized by I-EPOS, the
Iterative Economic Planning and Optimized Selections
, accompanied by a paradigmatic software artifact. Strikingly, I-EPOS outperforms related algorithms that involve non-local brute-force operations or exchange full information. This article contributes new experimental findings about the influence of network topology and planning on learning efficiency as well as findings on techno-socio-economic tradeoffs and global optimality. Experimental evaluation with real-world data from energy and bike sharing pilots demonstrates the grand potential of collective learning to design ethically and socially responsible participatory sharing economies.
SDN Flow Entry Management Using Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Mu Ting-Yu , Al-Fuqaha Ala , Shuaib Khaled , Sallabi Farag M. , Qadir Junaid
Published: November 2018

Modern information technology services largely depend on cloud infrastructures to provide their services. These cloud infrastructures are built on top of Datacenter Networks (DCNs) constructed with high-speed links, fast switching gear, and redundancy to offer better flexibility and resiliency. In this environment, network traffic includes long-lived (elephant) and short-lived (mice) flows with partitioned/aggregated traffic patterns. Although SDN-based approaches can efficiently allocate networking resources for such flows, the overhead due to network reconfiguration can be significant. With limited capacity of Ternary Content-Addressable Memory (TCAM) deployed in an OpenFlow enabled switch, it is crucial to determine which forwarding rules should remain in the flow table and which rules should be processed by the SDN controller in case of a table-miss on the SDN switch. This is needed in order to obtain the flow entries that satisfy the goal of reducing the long-term control plane overhead introduced between the controller and the switches. To achieve this goal, we propose a machine learning technique that utilizes two variations of Reinforcement Learning (RL) algorithms—the first of which is a traditional RL-based algorithm, while the other is deep reinforcement learning-based. Emulation results using the RL algorithm show around 60% improvement in reducing the long-term control plane overhead and around 14% improvement in the table-hit ratio compared to the Multiple Bloom Filters (MBF) method, given a fixed size flow table of 4KB.
An interview with Bushra Anjum
Authors: Denning Peter
Published: November 2018

Dr. Bushra Anjum is a senior editor for ACM's web-based magazine Ubiquity. Her research background is in performance evaluation and queuing theory. She is also a trained data scientist, having worked extensively with predictive analytics. Anjum, a Fulbright Scholar, has previously held academic positions in the U.S. and Pakistan, and is a keen enthusiast of promoting diversity in the STEM fields. She is a mentor at Rewriting the Code, GlobalTechWomen, ReigningIt, Empowering Leadership Alliance, LeanIn.org, Computing Beyond the Double Bind's mentoring network, and others. Dr. Anjum can be contacted via Twitter @DrBushraAnjum.
Acute Myelomonocytic Leukemia Presenting as Perianal Pain
Authors: Iqbal Syma , Walcott James , Chan Stephen
Published: November 2018

Extramedullary involvement of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a rare entity as most patients present with lymphoreticular organ involvement. Its detection and diagnosis can be extremely challenging, as these patients would present with unusual clinical symptoms. We diagnosed and managed a patient with leukemic infiltration of GIT who presented with perianal pain. Prompt use of MRI played an important role in detecting underlying pathology, and effective tissue sampling confirmed the diagnosis. This resulted in overall successful management of the patient.
Physical and Biological Properties of a High-Plasticity Tricalcium Silicate Cement
Authors: Galarça Arthur Dias , Da Rosa Wellington Luiz de Oliveira , Da Silva Tiago Machado , da Silveira Lima Giana , Carreño Neftalí Lenin Villarreal , Pereira Thiago Machado , Aguirre Guedes Orlando , Borges Alvaro Henrique , da Silva Adriana Fernandes , Piva Evandro
Published: November 2018

Introduction. Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) is a tricalcium-based silicate, dicalcium silicate matrix. Despite its good biologic properties, some clinicians still claim to have difficulties in handling MTA after its preparation due to its sandy consistency. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties and cytotoxicity of MTA Repair HP (Angelus, Londrina, PR, Brazil) compared with MTA Angelus (Angelus, Londrina, PR, Brazil). Materials and Method. The properties assessed were particle size, setting time, flow, film thickness, radiopacity, water solubility, compressive strength, and cytotoxicity. Statistical analysis was performed considering p < 0.05 as statistically significant. Results. For radiopacity, water absorption and solubility MTA Repair HP were statistically similar to MTA Angelus. The MTA Angelus had statistically different film thickness values, higher than MTA Repair HP (p < 0.05). Besides, MTA Angelus showed a lower and statistically different compressive strength after 28 days than MTA Repair HP (p<0.05). Additionally, MTA Repair HP set more slowly (p < 0.05). Relative to cell viability, MTA Repair HP was statistically similar to MTA Angelus after 24 and 48 h in cell viability. Conclusions. The MTA Repair HP presented similar cell viability, lower film thickness, higher flow, setting time, and compressive strength values after 28 days than MTA Angelus. In general, the MTA Repair HP presented physicochemical and biological properties similar to the MTA Angelus.
Associations between Aquaglyceroporin Gene Polymorphisms and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Wang Yijun , Chen Gang , Tu Qingyun , Wu Junxia , Qin Yu , Zhu Zheng , Shen Yi , Yan Li , Han Aohan , Xiang Quanyong , Wang Chun
Published: November 2018

Objectives. AQP7 and AQP9 represent glycerol channel in adipose tissue and liver and have been associated with metabolic diseases. We aimed to investigate the associations between genetic variants in AQP7 and AQP9 genes and the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in Chinese population. Methods. Blood samples were drawn from 400 T2DM patients and 400 age- and gender-matched controls. Genomic DNA was extracted by proteinase K digestion and phenol–chloroform extraction. Genotyping of 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in AQP7 (rs2989924, rs3758269, and rs62542743) and AQP9 (rs57139208, rs16939881) was performed by the polymerase chain reaction assay with TaqMan probes. Results. The subjects with rs2989924 GA+AA genotypes had 1.47-fold increased risk of T2DM (odds ratio [OR] 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-2.04), compared to those with GG genotype, and this association remained significant after adjustment for covariates (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.07-2.57). When compared with rs3758269 CC genotype, the subjects with CT+TT genotypes had 45% decreased T2DM risk after multivariate adjustment (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.35-0.85). The associations were evident in elder and overweight subjects and those with central obesity. No association was observed between AQP9 SNPs and T2DM risk. Conclusions. AQP7 SNP rs2989924 and rs3758269 were associated with T2DM risk in Chinese Han population.
Use of a Single CAR T Cell and Several Bispecific Adapters Facilitates Eradication of Multiple Antigenically Different Solid Tumors
Authors: Lee Yong Gu , Marks Isaac , Srinivasarao Madduri , Kanduluru Ananda Kumar , Mahalingam Sakkarapalayam M. , Liu Xin , Chu Haiyan , Low Philip S.
Published: November 2018

Most solid tumors are comprised of multiple clones that express orthogonal antigens, suggesting that novel strategies must be developed in order to adapt chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies to treat heterogeneous solid tumors. Here, we utilized a cocktail of low-molecular-weight bispecific adapters, each comprised of fluorescein linked to a different tumor-specific ligand, to bridge between an antifluorescein CAR on the engineered T cell and a unique antigen on the cancer cell. This formation of an immunologic synapse between the CAR T cell and cancer cell enabled use of a single antifluorescein CAR T cell to eradicate a diversity of antigenically different solid tumors implanted concurrently in NSG mice. Based on these data, we suggest that a carefully designed cocktail of bispecific adapters in combination with antifluorescein CAR T cells can overcome tumor antigen escape mechanisms that lead to disease recurrence following many CAR T-cell therapies.

Significance:

A cocktail of tumor-targeted bispecific adapters greatly augments CAR T-cell therapies against heterogeneous tumors, highlighting its potential for broader applicability against cancers where standard CAR T-cell therapy has failed.
Symptoms and Vocal Risk Factors in Individuals with High and Low Anxiety
Authors: Gomes Vanessa Evellin Fernandes Isidro , Batista Denise da Costa , Lopes Leonardo Wanderley , Aquino Raynero , Almeida Anna Alice
Published: November 2018

Aims: To assess the frequency of vocal symptoms and risk factors in individuals with high and low anxiety and to investigate the relationships among vocal symptoms, risk factors, and anxiety levels. Patients and Methods: A total of 201 patients of both sexes with a mean age of 42.88 years (SD = 15.78) served as participants. The patients were divided into two groups according to the level of trait anxiety: a low-anxiety group (n = 108) and a high-anxiety group (HAG, n = 93). Data were collected using three self-assessment instruments: the Vocal Screening Protocol, the Voice Symptom Scale (VoiSS), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: The HAG presented higher scores in all VoiSS domains. There were positive correlations between the total and emotional scores on the VoiSS and the STAI Trait subscale. There were significant associations between 13 vocal risk factors and anxiety levels. Conclusion: Individuals with high anxiety present a higher frequency of vocal symptoms related to either vocal limitation, physical aspects, or the emotional impact of dysphonia. The higher the trait anxiety, the greater the total and emotional scores on the VoiSS. Anxiety levels are associated with certain vocal risk factors.
Minimally Invasive Surgery of Pancreatic Cancer: Feasibility and Rationale
Authors: Bausch Dirk , Keck Tobias
Published: November 2018

Minimally invasive pancreatic procedures, in particular minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy, are amongst the most technically challenging procedures in general surgery. Accordingly, a high number of cases is required to master the procedures. Minimally invasive pancreatic surgery is well established for benign and premalignant lesions of the pancreas. Borderline resectable tumors with infiltration of the portal vein are also resected minimally invasively in specialized centers with appropriate expertise. Retrospective and registry studies demonstrate an equivalent long-term survival compared to conventional surgery. Perioperative morbidity and mortality are also equivalent, whereas minimally invasive surgery significantly reduces hospital stay. We expect more widespread use of minimally invasive pancreatic procedures in large centers.
Pro-Angiogenic Activity of Monocytic-Type Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells from Balb/C Mice Infected with Echinococcus Granulosus and the Regulatory Role of miRNAs
Authors: Yin Jian-hai , Liu Cong-shan , Yu Ai-ping , Yao Jia-qing , Shen Yu-juan , Cao Jian-ping 
Published: November 2018

Background/Aims: This study aims to predict the pro-angiogenic functions of monocytic-type myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) derived from mice infected with Echinococcus granulosus. Methods: M-MDSCs were collected from Balb/c mice infected with E. granulosus and normal mice (control) and cultured in vitro. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated with the cell supernatant, and angiogenesis was investigated and analysed by the Angiogenesis module of the software NIH Image J. RNA was extracted from fresh isolated M-MDSCs and analysed with miRNA microarray; differentially expressed miRNAs and their potential functions were analysed through several bioinformatics tools. Finally, quantitative PCR was used to confirm the results of microarray analysis. Results: M-MDSCs from mice infected with E. granulosus could promote the formation of tubes from HUVECs in vitro. Moreover, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) showed significantly high expression, whereas soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) showed low expression at the transcriptional level in M-MDSCs from mice infected with E. granulosus. Microarray analysis of miRNAs showed that 28 miRNAs were differentially expressed in M-MDSCs from the two experimental mice groups, and 272 target genes were predicted using the microRNA databases TargetScan, PITA and microRNAorg. These target genes were mainly involved in the biological processes of intracellular protein transport, protein targeting to the lysosome and protein transport, and mainly located in the cytoplasm, neuronal cell body and membrane. Moreover, they were mainly involved in the molecular functions of protein binding, metal ion binding and SH3 domain binding. Further, the differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly enriched in the endocytosis, Wnt and axon guidance pathways, as well as the MAPK, focal adhesion, PI3K-Akt, cAMP, mTOR and TGF-β signalling pathways, which are linked to immunoregulation and angiogenesis based on the results of bioinformatics analysis with DIANA-miRPath 3.0. In addition, the expression of eight miRNAs was randomly verified by quantitative PCR independently in three mice infected with E. granulosus and three normal mice. Conclusion: M-MDSCs have a potential angiogenic role during E. granulosus infection, and miRNAs may play a role in the immune response and angiogenesis functions of M-MDSCs through regulation of the identified signalling pathways.
Individual identification of Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider, 1799) (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae) based on dorsal wart patterns
Authors: Bindhani Uddalak Tathagato , Das Abhijit
Published: November 2018

The dorsal surface of Duttaphrynus melanostictus is covered with keratinized warts of various sizes and shapes.  Using combinations and patterns of cranial and mid dorsal warts, we attempted to identify individual toads from a natural population as a non-invasive alternative to existing marking techniques based on toe clipping, pit tagging, and subcutaneous elastomer injections to facilitate population estimates.  An accuracy of 100% identification was achieved via this method, making it a potent tool for population studies in this species that is faster, cheaper and less disruptive than standard marking techniques.
Possible range decline of Ganges River Dolphin Platanista gangetica (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Platanistidae) in Indian Sundarban
Authors: Mitra Sangita , Chowdhury Mahua Roy
Published: November 2018

Recent survey reports and observations from rivers in southern West Bengal (India) indicate the extirpation of Ganges River Dolphin (GRD) from the Indian Sundarbans. The present study undertaken during 2011–16 reviews the possible factors accountable for the disappearance of this obligatory freshwater cetacean from the major waterways of the Sundarbans, India and conclude that it is due to reasons of anthropogenic and geo-climatic origin.  Sundarbans, the largest contiguous mangrove forest on earth encompassing almost 10,000km2 of India and Bangladesh is located at the head of the Bay of Bengal within 21.533–22.666 0N and 88.083–89.850 0E, of which 62% lies within Bangladesh and 38% in India (Spalding et al. 2010).  The landscape is a network of mudflats and islands at the deltaic mouth of the rivers Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna created by accumulated sediments carried by the snow-fed Himalayan rivers and their tributaries along with anastomosing tidal water channels.  Historic reports reveal the occurrence of GRD in the Sundarbans waters of both India and Bangladesh (Anderson 1879).   Current  data, however, confirms the disappearance of Platanista gangetica but there is continued occurrence of Orcaella brevirostris in the Indian part of the estuary.  Analysis of causative factors in light of existing evidence validates the potential extirpation of Platanista from the majority of the Sundarbans in India, except for its persistence in only the westernmost segment in the lower reaches of river Hooghly as confirmed by this study.  The present study also records the habitat preferences and limiting factors affecting GRD distribution, and maps the decline of its range.
An old collection reveals an additional distribution record of the Greater Long-tongued Fruit Bat Macroglossus sobrinus K. Anderson, 1911 (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae) from southern West Bengal, India
Authors: Dar Tauseef Hamid , Kamalakannan M. , Venkatraman C. , Chandra Kailash
Published: November 2018

Greater Long-tongued Fruit Bat Macroglossus sobrinus K Anderson, 1911 is one of the small fruit bat found in South and Southeast Asia. In India, this species has only been reported from northern West Bengal, Sikkim and Northeast India. Upon detailed examination of the external morphology, skull and dentition of a single bat specimen, which was collected from Narendrapur, South 24- Parganas district in West Bengal (southern West Bengal) during the year 1995 and deposited in the National Zoological Collections of Zoological Survey of India, was identified as Macroglossus sobrinus. It is the first report on the occurrence of the species from southern West Bengal, extended distribution by more than 600 km southward from the known localities in Darjeeling in northern West Bengal.
DNA barcoding and morphological characterization of moth Antoculeora ornatissima (Walker, 1858) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a new range record from western Himalayan region of India
Authors: Sinha Twinkle , Shashank P.R. , Chattopadhyay Pratima Chaudhuri
Published: November 2018

DNA barcoding of Antoculeora ornatissima (Walker, 1858) was done for the first time from India.  Redescriptions of genitalia and diagnoses of genus and species are presented with images and illustrations.
A record after 92 years, and a first report of the moth Mecodina metagrapta Hampson, 1926 (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Aganainae) from the Western Ghats’ part of Maharashtra, India
Authors: Kalawate Aparna Sureshchandra
Published: November 2018

The present study reports the moth species  Mecodina metagrapta Hampson 1926 after a gap of 92 years from India. Also, this is the first record of this genus and species from Maharashtra.
Annette Michelson, 1922–2018
Authors: Krauss Rosalind E. , Turvey Malcolm
Published: November 2018

Rosalind E. Krauss and Malcolm Turvey honor critic and film historian Annette Michelson, co-founder of October, who died in September 2018 at the age of ninety-five. They detail Michelson's contributions to the journal in essays, translations, and the editing of special issues, and announce a forthcoming issue dedicated to her scholarship.