bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estrogen receptor‐α signaling increases allergen‐induced IL‐33 release and airway inflammation
Authors: Cephus Jacqueline‐Yvonne , Gandhi Vivek D. , Shah Ruchi , Brooke Davis Jordan , Fuseini Hubaida , Yung Jeffrey A. , Zhang Jian , Kita Hirohito , Polosukhin Vasiliy V. , Zhou Weisong , Newcomb Dawn C.
Published: July 2020

Background

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) are stimulated by IL‐33 to increase IL‐5 and IL‐13 production and airway inflammation. While sex hormones regulate airway inflammation, it remained unclear whether estrogen signaling through estrogen receptor‐α (ER‐α, Esr1) or ER‐β (Esr2) increased ILC2‐mediated airway inflammation. We hypothesize that estrogen signaling increases allergen‐induced IL‐33 release, ILC2 cytokine production, and airway inflammation.

Methods

Female Esr1‐/‐, Esr2‐/‐, wild‐type (WT), and IL33fl/fleGFP mice were challenged with Alternaria extract (Alt Ext) or vehicle for 4 days. In select experiments, mice were administered tamoxifen or vehicle pellets for 21 days prior to challenge. Lung ILC2, IL‐5 and IL‐13 production, and BAL inflammatory cells were measured on day 5 of Alt Ext challenge model. Bone marrow from WT and Esr1‐/‐ female mice was transferred (1:1 ratio) into WT female recipients for 6 weeks followed by Alt Ext challenge. hBE33 cells and normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE) were pretreated with 17β‐estradiol (E2), propyl‐pyrazole‐triol (PPT, ER‐α agonist), or diarylpropionitrile (DPN, ER‐β agonist) before allergen challenge to determine IL‐33 gene expression and release, extracellular ATP release, DUOX‐1 production, and necrosis.

Results

Alt Ext challenged Esr1‐/‐, but not Esr2‐/‐, mice had decreased IL‐5 and IL‐13 production, BAL eosinophils, and IL‐33 release compared to WT mice. Tamoxifen decreased IL‐5 and IL‐13 production and BAL eosinophils. IL‐33eGFP + epithelial cells were decreased in Alt Ext challenged Esr1‐/‐ mice compared to WT mice. 17β‐E2 or PPT, but not DPN, increased IL‐33 gene expression, release, and DUOX‐1 production in hBE33 or NHBE cells.

Conclusion

Estrogen receptor ‐α signaling increased IL‐33 release and ILC2‐mediated airway inflammation.
Early‐term elective Caesarean sections did not increase the risk of behavioural problems at six to eight years of age
Authors: Nielsen Trine Muhs , Glavind Julie , Milidou Ioanna , Henriksen Tine Brink
Published: July 2020

Aim

Our aim was to explore the under‐researched associations between an elective Caesarean section (C‐section) at early‐term or full‐term gestation and behaviour at 6‐8 years of age.

Methods

We identified 1220 eligible children born by elective C‐sections at Danish hospital from 2009 to 2011. Their mothers were randomised to elective C‐sections at either 38+3 (early‐term) or 39+3 (full‐term) weeks of gestation. From December 2017 to August 2018, the parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The results were adjusted for maternal education, parity and the child's sex.

Results

Of the 574 (45%) children followed up, 288 were delivered early‐term and 286 were delivered full‐term. The groups had similar baseline characteristics. There were no differences in the total difficulties score, subscale scores or the risk of being classified as having a possible or probable psychiatric disorder. Early‐term boys had a lower risk of being classified as having a possible or probable psychiatric disorder and early‐term girls had higher risk, but the results were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

We found no difference in behaviour at 6–8 years of age between children born by elective C‐section at early‐ versus full‐term gestation.
Association between the body weight of growing pigs and the functional capacity of their gut microbiota
Authors: Oh Ju Kyoung , Chae Jong Pyo , Pajarillo Edward Alain B. , Kim Sung Hun , Kwak Min‐Jin , Eun Jong‐Su , Chee Seok Woo , Whang Kwang‐Youn , Kim Sae‐Hun , Kang Dae‐Kyung
Published: July 2020

Gastrointestinal microbiota impact host's biological activities, including digestion of indigestible feed components, energy harvest, and immunity. In this study, fecal microbiota of high body weight (HW) and low body weight (LW) growing pigs at 103 days of age were compared. Principal coordinates analysis separated the HW and LW groups into two clusters, indicating their potential differences between microbial community composition. Although the abundances of two major phyla, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, did not significantly differ between the HW and LW groups, some genera showed significant differences. Among them, Peptococcus and Eubacterium exhibited strong positive correlations with body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) (Rho > 0.40), whereas Treponema, Desulfovibrio, Parabacteroides, and Ruminococcaceae_unclassified exhibited strong negative correlations with BW and ADG (Rho < −0.40). Based on these results, the structure of intestinal microbiota may affect growth traits in pigs through host–microbe interactions. Further in‐depth studies will provide insights into how best to reshape host–microbe interactions in pigs and other animals as well.
Prospective evaluation of blue‐light flexible cystoscopy with hexaminolevulinate in non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Lotan Yair , Chaplin Iftach , Ahmadi Hamed , Meng Xiaosong , Roberts Sidney , Ladi‐Seyedian Sanam , Bagrodia Aditya , Margulis Vitaly , Woldu Solomon , Daneshmand Siamak
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the utility of blue‐light flexible cystoscopy (BLFC) for surveillance of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).

Patients and Methods

Prospective cohort of consecutive patients who underwent office‐based BLFC for NMIBC. Clinical information was collected including cystoscopic findings and pathological data.

Results

A total of 322 cases were performed on 190 patients. The mean age was 71 years and 83% were men. The highest stage prior to BLFC was Ta, carcinoma in situ (CIS), T1, and T2 in 45.3%, 18.4%, 30% and 2%, respectively. Prior to BLFC, 16.8%, 60.5%, and 16.8% were low grade (LG), high grade (HG), and CIS, respectively. Intravesical bacille Calmette–Guérin and intravesical chemotherapy were used in 54.2% and 18.4%, respectively. White‐light cystoscopy (WLC) and BLFC were both normal in 173 (53.7%) of cases. WLC was normal and BLFC was abnormal in 26 (8%) cases. Of these, 15 had office‐based biopsy and cancer was detected in 13 (87%; six CIS, four HG Ta, three LG Ta). Both WLC and BLFC were positive in 83 (25.8%) cases and 33% had additional tumours found. Cancer was found in 27 (75%) of WLC+/BLFC+ who underwent office‐based biopsy including 19 LG Ta, six HG Ta, and two CIS.

Conclusions

Incorporation of BLFC in clinical practice has potential advantages of finding cancer in cases with normal WLC. BLFC detected additional cancers in 33% of patients with positive WLC and BLFC, which can improve surveillance and performance of office‐based biopsy. Further research is needed to determine cost‐effectiveness and impact on recurrence rates.
The meaning of words – closing the gap in understanding between doctors and patients in 21st century consent
Authors: Parkinson Richard , Eardley Ian , Reynard John
Published: July 2020

‘When I use a word’ Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less’. ‘The question is’ said Alice ‘whether you can make words mean so many different things’. Through the Looking‐Glass, Lewis Carroll, 1872.
Reevaluating the Chávez Regime: Participatory Democracy or Rentier Populism?
Authors: Posner Paul W
Published: July 2020

This analysis evaluates the Chávez regime by its own standard for democracy and citizenship, what it referred to as protagonistic, participatory democracy. Rather than committing itself to the realisation of this project, and the expanded notion of citizenship that it entailed, the Chávez regime employed the rhetoric of participatory democracy in the service of populist rule. As a result, it failed to promote the participatory form of democracy and citizenship promised in Twenty‐first Century Socialism. Accordingly, this analysis demonstrates how the concentration of top‐down, executive power characteristic of rentier populism impedes the egalitarian and solidaristic mission of participatory democracy.
Temporary foreign workers and firms: Theory and Canadian evidence
Authors: Brochu Pierre , Gross Till , Worswick Christopher
Published: July 2020

Temporary foreign worker (TFW) programs have grown considerably in size when uncapped. We develop a simple efficiency‐wage model to explain this phenomenon and examine the empirical evidence for it. We also use the model to evaluate the implications of TFW programs for domestic workers. In our framework, firms that have been unable to find domestic workers may hire TFWs at the wage previously advertised to domestic workers. Due to the lower outside option for TFWs than domestic workers, TFWs will exert more effort for the same wage. Firms would thus prefer to hire otherwise identical TFWs rather than domestic workers. Our model identifies an unintended consequence of a TFW program: since the repercussions of a failed domestic job search are less severe if a TFW may be hired instead, firms have an incentive to lower their wage offers made to domestic workers. Using Canadian data, we find that, relative to domestic workers, TFWs work longer hours, have lower rates of absenteeism and are less likely to be laid off, consistent with higher effort in our model. Moreover, for TFWs from home countries with a relatively high outside option, effort is lower than for TFWs from other countries.

Travailleurs étrangers temporaires et entreprises: théorie et exemple canadien. En l’absence de plafonnement, les programmes de travailleurs étrangers temporaires (PTET) se sont considérablement développés. Afin d’expliquer ce phénomène et d’en examiner les preuves empiriques, nous avons développé un modèle simple de salaire d’efficience. Nous avons également utilisé ce modèle pour évaluer l’incidence des PTET sur les travailleurs domestiques. Dans notre cadre d’étude, les entreprises peinant à trouver une main d’œuvre locale peuvent embaucher des travailleurs étrangers temporaires au salaire préalablement proposé aux travailleurs domestiques. Compte tenu d’options extérieures plus faibles, les travailleurs étrangers temporaires déploieront davantage d’efforts pour le même salaire. Les entreprises préféreront donc embaucher des travailleurs étrangers par ailleurs identiques plutôt que des travailleurs domestiques. Notre modèle identifie une conséquence inattendue aux PTET: étant donné que les conséquences d’une recherche d’employés domestiques infructueuse sont atténuées par l’embauche de travailleurs étrangers temporaires, les entreprises sont incitées à diminuer les offres salariales proposées aux travailleurs locaux. En exploitant les données propres au Canada, nous avons découvert que les travailleurs étrangers temporaires travaillaient plus d’heures, avaient des taux d’absentéisme inférieurs et étaient moins susceptibles de se faire congédier que les travailleurs domestiques, conformément au concept d’effort accru développé dans notre modèle. En outre, pour les travailleurs étrangers temporaires originaires de pays à options extérieures relativement élevées, l’effort sera moindre que pour ceux provenant d’autres pays.
Accuracy of prehospital point‐of‐care lactate in early in‐hospital mortality
Authors: Martín‐Rodríguez Francisco , López‐Izquierdo Raúl , Medina‐Lozano Elena , Ortega Rabbione Guillermo , del Pozo Vegas Carlos , Carbajosa Rodríguez Virginia , Castro Villamor Miguel Ángel , Sánchez‐Soberon Irene , Sanz‐García Ancor
Published: July 2020

Background

Emergency medical services (EMS) routinely face complex scenarios where decisions should be taken with limited clinical information. The development of fast, reliable and easy to perform warning biomarkers could help in such decision‐making processes. The present study aims at characterizing the validity of point‐of‐care lactate (pLA) during prehospital tasks for predicting in‐hospital mortality within two days after the EMS assistance.

Materials and methods

Prospective, multicentric, ambulance‐based and controlled observational study without intervention, including six advanced life support and five hospitals. The pLA levels were recorded during EMS assistance of adult patients. The validity of pLA to determine the in‐hospital mortality was assessed by the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating curve (ROC).

Results

A total of 2997 patients were considered in the study, with a median of 69 years (IQR 54‐81) and 41.4% of women. The median pLA value was 2.7 mmol/L (1.9‐3.8) in survivors and 5.7 mmol/L (4.4‐7.6) in nonsurvivors. The global discrimination level of pLA reached an AUC of 0.867, being 1.9 mmol/L and 4 mmol/L the cut‐off point for low and high mortality. The discrimination value of pLA was not affected by sex, age or pathology.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the clinical importance of prehospital pLA to determine the in‐hospital risk of mortality. The incorporation of pLA into the EMS protocols could improve the early identification of risky patients, leading to a better care of such patients.
Assessing influence in biofuel production and ecosystem services when environmental changes affect plant–pest relationships
Authors: De Simone Walter , Iannella Mattia , D’Alessandro Paola , Biondi Maurizio
Published: July 2020

Climate change is currently affecting both biodiversity and human activities; land use change and greenhouse gas emissions are the main drivers. Many agricultural services are affected by the change, which in turn reflects on the basic provisioning services, which supply food, fibre and biofuels. Biofuels are getting increasing interest because of their sustainability potential. Jatropha curcas gained popularity as a biodiesel crop, due to its ease of cultivation even in harsh environmental conditions. Notwithstanding its high economic importance, few studies are available about its co‐occurrence with pests of the genus Aphthona in sub‐Saharan Africa, where these insects feed on J. curcas, leading to relevant economic losses. Using ecological niche modelling and GIS post‐modelling analyses, we infer the current and future suitable territories for both these taxa, delineating areas where J. curcas cultivations may occur without suffering the presence of Aphthona, in the context of future climate and land use changing. We introduce an area‐normalized index, the ‘Potential‐Actual Cultivation Index’, to better depict the ratio between the suitable areas shared both by the crop and its pest, and the number of actual cultivations, in a target country. Moreover, we find high economic losses (~−50%) both in terms of carbon sequestration and in biodiesel production when J. curcas co‐occur with the Aphthona cookei species group.
The overexpression of RBM3 alleviates TBI‐induced behaviour impairment and AD‐like tauopathy in mice
Authors: Liu Bingjin , Cao Yun , Shi Fangxiao , Wang Lin , Li Na , Cheng Xiangshu , Du Jin , Tian Qing , Zhou Xinwen
Published: July 2020

The therapeutic hypothermia is an effective tool for TBI‐associated brain impairment, but its side effects limit in clinical routine use. Hypothermia up‐regulates RNA‐binding motif protein 3 (RBM3), which is verified to protect synaptic plasticity. Here, we found that cognitive and LTP deficits, loss of spines, AD‐like tau pathologies are displayed one month after TBI in mice. In contrast, the deficits of LTP and cognitive, loss of spines and tau abnormal phosphorylation at several sites are obviously reversed in TBI mice combined with hypothermia pre‐treatment (HT). But, the neuroprotective role of HT disappears in TBI mouse models under condition of blocking RBM3 expression with RBM3 shRNA. In other hand, overexpressing RBM3 by AAV‐RBM3 plasmid can mimic HT‐like neuroprotection against TBI‐induced chronic brain injuries, such as improving LTP and cognitive, loss of spines and tau hyperphosphorylation in TBI mouse models. Taken together, hypothermia pre‐treatment reverses TBI‐induced chronic AD‐like pathology and behaviour deficits in RBM3 expression dependent manner, RBM3 may be a potential target for neurodegeneration diseases including Alzheimer disease.
In vivo SPF from multifunctional sunscreen systems developed with natural compounds—A review
Authors: Morocho‐Jácome Ana Lucía , Freire Thamires Batello , de Oliveira Andressa Costa , de Almeida Tânia Santos , Rosado Catarina , Velasco Maria Valéria Robles , Baby André Rolim
Published: July 2020

Background

The use of sunscreens is mandatory, especially in countries with high ultraviolet (UV) incidence. In consequence, there has been a growing interest in using compounds from natural sources to develop new multifunctional products that protect human skin from the consequences of UV exposition. Even though there are in vitro methods to determine anti‐UV efficacy, it is still required to test photoprotection activity on human skin to validate product performance.

Aim and Methods

In this review, we summarized all reported clinical studies about sun protection factor (SPF) measurements of sunscreens with natural compounds. We also discussed the probable action mechanism of those actives.

Results

Herein, we provided an overview on recent studies concerning photoprotection activity of compounds from natural sources, for example, rutin, ferulic acid, caffeine, shea butter, and plant extracts, mainly presented in sunscreen systems with efficacy clinically established by SPF.

Conclusion

Our review suggested that even when the in vivo SPF evaluation has inherent difficulties, it is essential to assure the real efficacy of sunscreens. Furthermore, the incorporation of natural compounds could enhance the in vivo SPF values of such sunscreens by different mechanisms. Finally, some compounds derived from natural resources with skin benefits could be used as "green"/natural UV filters that provide broad‐spectrum sunscreens with further upgrading of the multifunctional dermocosmetic formulation to enhance aesthetics and even skin health.
The Forced Safety Effect: How Higher Capital Requirements Can Increase Bank Lending
Authors: BAHAJ SALEEM , MALHERBE FREDERIC
Published: July 2020

Government guarantees generate an implicit subsidy for banks. A capital requirement reduces this subsidy, through a simple liability composition effect. However, the guarantees also make a bank undervalue loans that generates surplus in states of the world in which it defaults. Raising the capital requirement makes the bank safer, which alleviates this problem. We refer to this mechanism, which we argue is empirically relevant, as the forced safety effect.
Discourse and Strategic Use of the Military in France and Europe in the COVID‐19 Crisis
Authors: Opillard Florian , Palle Angélique , Michelis Léa
Published: July 2020

In March 2020, the French President called to war against the COVID‐19 which was followed by the launch of a military operation called Operation Resilience. This use of martial rhetoric initiated an effective mobilisation consisting in logistical assistance to the health sector. While armies are increasingly used to deal with environmental disasters, aside from their traditional role, this paper postulates that the geography of the French and international military engagement can be used to analyse both the institutional strategy of crisis management and the message governments send to their population. Military involvement differs in terms of missions given and of the amount of troops mobilised. It first questions the use of the military in the name of national resilience in the political discourse and the way it displays a symbolic message to the population, before analysing the role of armies in the crisis through the spatiality of their interventions.
Parameter Identification of a Strongly Nonlinear Rotor-Bearing System Based on Reconstructed Constant Response Tests
Authors: Zhang Genbei , Zang Chaoping , Friswell Michael I.
Published: July 2020

A strongly nonlinear rotor-bearing system often has multiple solutions under harmonic excitations and jump phenomena. For example, a hardening nonlinearity may include a jump-down in the acceleration process and jump-up in the deceleration process. It is challenging to measure all of these multiple responses and establish an accurate dynamic model from experimental data to predict these phenomena. This paper used a fixed frequency test method to measure all of these multiple responses under harmonic excitations and developed a novel strategy to characterize and identify nonlinearities in a strongly nonlinear rotor-bearing system based on reconstructing constant response tests from fixed frequency test data. The fixed frequency tests are achieved by monotonically increasing the voltage applied to the exciter at a fixed frequency and using the force drop-out phenomenon through the resonance to control the force applied to the structure. This test method could measure multivalued response curves of a strongly nonlinear rotor-bearing system in a nonrotating state. The constant response tests could be reconstructed from these multivalued response curves. The relationship of equivalent stiffness versus displacement can be established, and hence, the nonlinear stiffness is characterized and identified from constant response tests. A rotor-bearing system with a strongly nonlinear support is used to demonstrate the method, and the nonlinear support stiffness parameters are identified and validated in a nonrotating state. The identified nonlinear rotor-bearing model also could predict the jump phenomena in the acceleration or deceleration process. The results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the approach, and also show the potential for practical applications in engineering.
Aspergillus fumigatus Cyp51A and Cyp51B Proteins Are Compensatory in Function and Localize Differentially in Response to Antifungals and Cell Wall Inhibitors
Authors: Roundtree Mark T. , Juvvadi Praveen R. , Shwab E. Keats , Cole D. Christopher , Steinbach William J.
Published: July 2020

Triazole antifungals are the primary therapeutic option against invasive aspergillosis. However, resistance to azoles has increased dramatically over the last decade. Azole resistance is known to primarily occur due to point mutations in the azole target protein Cyp51A, one of two paralogous 14-α sterol demethylases found in
Aspergillus fumigatus
. Despite the importance of Cyp51A, little is known about the function of its paralog, Cyp51B, and the behavior of these proteins within the cell or their functional interrelationship.
Identification of flow states around three staggered square cylinders at two symmetrical arrangements by a numerical investigation
Authors: Fezai Salwa , Oueslati Fakher , Ben-Beya Brahim
Published: July 2020

The fluid flow over three staggered square cylinders at two symmetrical arrangements has been numerically investigated in this study. The numerical calculations are carried out for several values of the Reynolds number (Re) ranging from 1 to 180. The results are presented in the form of vorticity contours and temporal histories of drag and lift coefficients. Furthermore, the physical parameters, namely, the average drag and lift coefficients and Strouhal number are presented as a function of Re. Two different states of flow are found in this work by systematically varying Re: steady and unsteady states. The transition to unsteady state regime is exhibited via Hopf bifurcation first in the second configuration followed consequently by the first one with critical Reynolds number of Re[Formula: see text] and Re[Formula: see text], respectively. It is observed that the bifurcation point of the steady regime to the unsteady one is very much influenced by the change in the geometry of the obstacle. The unsteady periodic wake is characterized by the Strouhal number, which varies with the Reynolds number and the obstacle geometry. Hence, the values of vortex shedding frequencies are estimated for both the considered configurations. Computations obtained also reveal that the spacing in the wake leads to reducing the pressure and enhancing the fluid flow velocity for both arrangements by monotonically strengthening the Reynolds number value. Furthermore, the drag and lift coefficients are determined, which allowed determining; the best configuration in terms of both lift and drag. It is observed that the drag force is dependent on the obstacle geometry and strengthens while lowering the Reynolds number. On the other hand, an opposite trend of the lift drag evolutions is observed for both configurations and considerably affected by the arrangements shape.
On the Use of m-Probability-Estimation and Imprecise Probabilities in the Naïve Bayes Classifier
Authors: Castellano Javier G. , Moral-García Serafín , Mantas Carlos J. , Abellán Joaquín
Published: July 2020

Within the field of supervised classification, the naïve Bayes (NB) classifier is a very simple and fast classification method that obtains good results, being even comparable with much more complex models. It has been proved that the NB model is strongly dependent on the estimation of conditional probabilities. In the literature, it had been shown that the classical and Laplace estimations of probabilities have some drawbacks and it was proposed a NB model that takes into account the a priori probabilities in order to estimate the conditional probabilities, which was called m-probability-estimation. With a very scarce experimentation, this approximation based on m-probability-estimation demonstrated to provide better results than NB with classical and Laplace estimations of probabilities. In this research, a new naïve Bayes variation is proposed, which is based on the m-probability-estimation version and takes into account imprecise probabilities in order to calculate the a priori probabilities. An exhaustive experimental research is carried out, with a large number of data sets and different levels of class noise. From this experimentation, we can conclude that the proposed NB model and the m-probability-estimation approach provide better results than NB with classical and Laplace estimation of probabilities. It will be also shown that the proposed NB implies an improvement over the m-probability-estimation model, especially when there is some class noise.
Structural profile matrices for predicting structural properties of proteins
Authors: Azginoglu Nuh , Aydin Zafer , Celik Mete
Published: July 2020

Predicting structural properties of proteins plays a key role in predicting the 3D structure of proteins. In this study, new structural profile matrices (SPM) are developed for protein secondary structure, solvent accessibility and torsion angle class predictions, which could be used as input to 3D prediction algorithms. The structural templates employed in computing SPMs are detected by eight alignment methods in LOMETS server, gap affine alignment method, ScanProsite, PfamScan, and HHblits. The contribution of each template is weighted by its similarity to target, which is assessed by several sequence alignment scores. For comparison, the SPMs are also computed using Homolpro, which uses BLAST for target template alignments and does not assign weights to templates. Incorporating the SPMs into DSPRED classifier, the prediction accuracy improves significantly as demonstrated by cross-validation experiments on two difficult benchmarks. The most accurate predictions are obtained using the SPMs derived by threading methods in LOMETS server. On the other hand, the computational cost of computing these SPMs was the highest.
Efficient Abortable-locking Protocol for Multi-level NUMA Systems
Authors: Chabbi Milind , Amer Abdelhalim , Liu Xu
Published: July 2020

The popularity of Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA) architectures has led to numerous locality-preserving hierarchical lock designs, such as HCLH, HMCS, and cohort locks. Locality-preserving locks trade fairness for higher throughput. Hence, some instances of acquisitions can incur long latencies, which can be intolerable for certain applications. Few locks allow a waiting thread to abort on a timeout. State-of-the-art abortable locks are not fully locality aware, introduce high overheads, and are unsuitable for frequent aborts. Enhancing locality-aware locks with lightweight timeout capability is critical for their adoption. In this article, we describe the design and implementation of the HMCS-T lock, a Hierarchical MCS (HMCS) lock variant that admits timeout. HMCS-T maintains the locality benefits of HMCS while ensuring aborts are lightweight. HMCS-T offers the progress guarantee missing in most abortable queuing locks. The resulting locking algorithm is complex and stateful. Proving the correctness of a complex, stateful synchronization algorithm is challenging. We prove the correctness of HMCS-T by first decomposing the problem via a novel technique that uses non-deterministic finite acceptors (NFAs). The decomposed problems become small enough to be mechanically model checked without a state-space explosion. Then, we generalize the correctness proof of any arbitrary lock configuration using a construction argument.
Using Open Big Data to Build and Analyze Urban Bus Network Models within and across Administrations
Authors: Wei Sheng , Wang Lei , Fu Xiongwu , Jia Tao
Published: July 2020

Urban bus networks play an important role, when the capacity of urban public services is evaluated. With recent advancements in Internet and Communication Technologies, there is an emerging interest in building an urban bus network model through open big data. This has rarely been investigated and exposes several challenges in the provision of transportation services in urban planning. On the one hand, it is necessary to combine bus stations based on spatial distance constraints due to their ambiguous definition in open big data; on the other hand, it is difficult and time-consuming to relocate and build new stations, but the optimization of bus lines is relatively easy to implement. This study aimed to develop an explicit methodological framework for building and analyzing two different types of urban bus network model using open big data. Thereafter, the framework was applied in two case studies in China, within a county-level administration and in a region including three county-level administrations. The key result shows that there was a shortage of urban bus services across these different administrations. This paper contributes to the body of research methodologies into public transport networks and to understanding the sharing of urban public services across administrations, improving the management of urban bus networks, and highlighting the importance of examining the characteristics of urban bus network in county-level administrations rather than just in large cities in China.
DTFA-Net: Dynamic and Texture Features Fusion Attention Network for Face Antispoofing
Authors: Cheng Xin , Wang Hongfei , Zhou Jingmei , Chang Hui , Zhao Xiangmo , Jia Yilin
Published: July 2020

For face recognition systems, liveness detection can effectively avoid illegal fraud and improve the safety of face recognition systems. Common face attacks include photo printing and video replay attacks. This paper studied the differences between photos, videos, and real faces in static texture and motion information and proposed a living detection structure based on feature fusion and attention mechanism, Dynamic and Texture Fusion Attention Network (DTFA-Net). We proposed a dynamic information fusion structure of an interchannel attention block to fuse the magnitude and direction of optical flow to extract facial motion features. In addition, for the face detection failure of HOG algorithm under complex illumination, we proposed an improved Gamma image preprocessing algorithm, which effectively improved the face detection ability. We conducted experiments on the CASIA-MFSD and Replay Attack Databases. According to experiments, the DTFA-Net proposed in this paper achieved 6.9% EER on CASIA and 2.2% HTER on Replay Attack that was comparable to other methods.
Adult Spinal Deformities: Can Patient-Specific Rods Change the Preoperative Planning into Clinical Reality? Feasibility Study and Preliminary Results about 77 Cases
Authors: Prost S. , Pesenti S. , Farah K. , Tropiano P. , Fuentes S. , Blondel B.
Published: July 2020

Surgical management of adult spinal deformities remains challenging, and one of the major goals is to restore sagittal alignment. Spinal rods used for posterior fixation are usually delivered straight and bended manually during surgery. This manual bending can be responsible for undercorrection of the deformity. In the last years, prebended patient-specific rods have been developed and might be a valuable tool in order to optimize surgical results. The objective is therefore to use the time between surgical decision and operative room in order to realize a precise surgical planning and obtain patient-specific rods. We describe here the planning process and our preliminary experience with patient-specific rods in the management of adult deformity about 77 cases. On the 77 cases, PSR were used without further modifications of the shape. Based on 3-month postoperative evaluation, a significant decrease of sagittal vertical axis (−41%, p<0.0001) and pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis (−62%, p<0.0001) was reported. Pelvic tilt was not significantly corrected, except in patients with Parkinson’s disease. In this subgroup of patients, measurements revealed a significant correction of SVA and PI-LL (−53%, p=0.005, and −81%, p<0.0001, respectively) but also of PT (−23%, p<0.001). The use of PSR, in our experience, was feasible and provided satisfactory short-term results. It can be a valuable tool in the management of adult spinal deformities. Further studies will be needed in order to confirm these preliminary results.
Photovoltaic Module with Uniform Water Flow on Top Surface
Authors: Govardhanan M. S. , Kumaraguruparan G. , Kameswari M. , Saravanan R. , Vivar M. , Srithar K.
Published: July 2020

Though the solar photovoltaic (PV) module is used for power production, it usually works at high temperatures, decreasing its efficiency and therefore its output. So if an effective cooling method is to be implemented, it would reduce the heat from the solar PV module and increase its power production. Significant research in water cooling on both top and bottom surfaces of the PV module widen the scope for uniform cooling with constant module temperature throughout at any instant. In this work, uniform flow is maintained by means of overflow water from a tank fitted on the top of the PV module. Experiments were carried out with and without cooling. Performance parameters in terms of power output and efficiency have been presented for the PV module without cooling and cooling with three different mass flow rates. The results show that there is a significant rise in efficiency of the PV module by reducing its temperature. An accelerated output power of 23 W has been observed for a higher mass flow rate of 5.3 kg/min which is 15% higher than the photovoltaic module operating without cooling. Results were compared with previous researchers’ work and found to be a good enhancement. Theoretical results agree well with experiments.
An optimized rubber sheet model for normalization phase of IRIS recognition
Authors: S. Selvamuthukumaran , T. Ramkumar , Shantharajah Shantharajah
Published: July 2020

Iris recognition is a promising biometric authentication approach and it is a very active topic in both research and realistic applications because the pattern of the human iris differs from person to person, even between twins. In this paper, an optimized iris normalization method for the conversion of segmented image into normalized form has been proposed. The existing methods are converting the Cartesian coordinates of the segmented image into polar coordinates. To get more accuracy, the proposed method is using an optimized rubber sheet model which converts the polar coordinates into spherical coordinates followed by localized histogram equalization. The experimental result shows the proposed method scores an encouraging performance with respect to accuracy.
АЛГОРИТМ ОЦІНКИ СІМЕЙНОГО СТАТУСУ РОДИНИ З ОНКОЛОГІЧНИМ ПАЦІЄНТОМ
Authors: Mukharovska I. R. , Markova M. V. , Krivonis T. G. , Zhulkevych I. V.
Published: July 2020

Мета: визначити критерії оцінки та розробити алгоритм аналізу психологічного статусу сім’ї з онкологічним пацієнтом у взаємозв’язку з перебігом та лікуванням захворювання і його впливом на сімейне функціонування.

Матеріали і методи. Дослідження проводили на базі Медико-психологічного центру Вінницького національного медичного університету імені М. І. Пирогова та Вінницького обласного клінічного онкологічного диспансеру про­тягом 2015–2019 рр. з дотриманням етичних та деонтологічних стандартів. На основі інформаційного пошуку сучасної фахової літератури з питань психологічного стану членів сім᾽ї онкологічних пацієнтів визначено критерії оцінки та алгоритм аналізу психологічного статусу родин за участю 288 сімей з онкологічним пацієнтом, жінками та чоловіками, які дали згоду на участь у дослідженні.

Результати. На основі визначення основних критеріїв, що описують психологічний статус сімʼї з онкологічним пацієнтом, до яких віднесено психологічні проблеми та потреби, особливості психоемоційного стану, моделі поведінки родини, тип взаємодії у лікувальному процесі, розроблено поетапний алгоритм оцінки психологічного статусу родини з онкохворим, який дозволив диференційовано застосовувати медико-психологічні заходи.

Висновки. Базовими напрямками психологічної допомоги для родини з онкохворим є стабілізація психоемоційного стану членів сімʼї, наближення ірраціональних уявлень щодо захворювання до більш реалістичних, робота з екзистенційними переживаннями, посилення підтримувального компонента у відносинах, навчання комунікації на тему хвороби, приведення до балансу підтримки пацієнта та збереження його автономії, вираження своїх переживань та сприяння формуванню адаптивної стратегії подолання хвороби.
Variegated mud-loving beetles (Heteroceridae) of Russia and adjacent countries: Additions and corrections to the Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera, Volume 3 (2016)
Authors: SAZHNEV ALEXEY S.
Published: July 2020

An analysis of all available information on the variegated mud-loving beetles (Heteroceridae) of Russia and adjacent countries published in the 2nd edition of the third volume of the Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera is presented. An annotated list based on collections and literature is given of new records and new taxonomic data on 31 species of variegated mud-loving beetles.
Blockade of D3 receptor prevents changes in DAT and D3R expression in the mesolimbic dopaminergic circuit produced by social stress- and cocaine prime-induced reinstatement of cocaine-CPP
Authors: Guerrero-Bautista Rocío , Franco-García Aurelio , Hidalgo Juana M , Fernández-Gómez Francisco , Milanés M Victoria , Núñez Cristina
Published: July 2020

Background:

Cocaine may cause persistent changes in the brain, which are more apparent in DA transporter (DAT) and DA receptor availability within the nucleus accumbens (NAc). On the other hand, the DA D3 receptor (D3R) has emerged as a promising pharmacotherapeutic target for substance use disorders.

Aims:

This study aims to assess the impact of selective D3R antagonism on DAT and D3R after reinstatement of cocaine preference (CPP) induced by an acute session of social defeat stress (SDS) and a cocaine prime in mice after a period of abstinence.

Methods:

Male mice were conditioned with 25 mg/kg of cocaine for 4 days. After 60 days of extinction training mice were pretreated with the selective D3R antagonist SB-277011A before the re-exposure to a priming dose of cocaine or to a single SDS session. CPP scores were determined and levels of DAT, D3R, phospho Akt (pAkt) and phospho mTOR (pmTOR) were assessed in the NAc shell.

Results:

An increase in DAT and D3R expression was seen in the NAc after both a cocaine prime- and SDS-induced reinstatement of CPP. Pretreatment with SB-277011A blocked elevated DAT and D3R expression as well as SDS-induced reinstatement. By contrast, the blockade of D3R did not modified the cocaine prime-induced CPP. Changes in DAT and D3R expression do not seem to occur via the canonic pathway involving Akt/mTOR.

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that the selective D3R antagonist ability to inhibit DAT and D3R up-regulation could represent a possible mechanism for its behavioral effects in cocaine-memories reinstatement induced by social stress.
Media Manipulation Against Social Justice Researchers: Second-Order Sexual Harassment
Authors: Madrid Antonio , Joanpere Mar , de Botton Lena , Campdepadrós Roger
Published: July 2020

According to scientific studies, manipulation, which is a key concept in critical discourse analyses, is used to gain control of power against those who act to promote transformations oriented toward social justice. In the case of the struggle against sexual harassment, attacks against people supporting the victims constitute second-order sexual harassment. In this article, we analyze a specific case of media manipulation aiming to silence the brave people who dared speak about gender violence at Spanish universities and acted toward eliminating violence at these universities. Most individuals who had assumed a position against gender violence have been professionally and personally attacked and destroyed by structural powers. In this article, we focus on two aspects. First, we analyze how the group that broke the silence in Spain managed to overcome the attacks by the yellow press. Second, we observe how this group achieved increasing social impact by transforming the universities and gaining the support of their family members, social movements, and most journalists. We performed this analysis using communicative methodology, including interviews with the relatives of the brave people who suffered second-order sexual harassment by certain media and compromised journalists. According to their relatives, by contributing to social justice, their families also improved their lives and family relationships.
A randomised trial comparing two rehabilitation approaches following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty
Authors: Edwards Peter K , Ebert Jay R , Joss Brendan , Ackland Timothy , Wang Allan
Published: July 2020

Background

Rehabilitation contributes to post-operative success following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty; however, randomised trials comparing the effectiveness of rehabilitation following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty are lacking. This study sought to determine if early, active mobilisation targeting the deltoid and the external rotator muscles, would exhibit greater improvements in post-operative outcomes compared to a delayed and deltoid-focused mobilisation programme.

Methods

Patients scheduled for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty were randomly assigned to either an early active or delayed active rehabilitation group. Patient-reported outcomes for pain and function were assessed pre-surgery and at 3, 6 and 12 months post-surgery. Objective measures (Constant Score, range of motion, isometric strength) were assessed at 3, 6 and 12 months post-surgery.

Results

Sixty-one patients (63 shoulders) underwent reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. There were no significant interaction effects or between-group differences for any patient-reported outcomes or objective measures at 3, 6 or 12 months post-surgery. However, significantly better ( p = 0.019) active arm flexion was observed in the early active group at three months post-surgery. Significantly more patients in the early active group reported improvement in patient-reported function that reached minimal clinically important difference from three to six months post-surgery ( p = 0.016).

Conclusion

Early, active rehabilitation after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is safe and effective, and may have early clinical benefits over a conservative, delayed mobilisation programme.

Level of evidence

Therapy, level 1b. Trial registered 15 June 2016 at www.anzctr.org.au (ACTRN12616000779471).
T-Cell Large Granular Lymphocyte Leukemia in a Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Naji Rad Sara , Rafiee Behnam , Raju Gagan , Solhjoo Mahdis , Anand Prachi
Published: July 2020

Large granular lymphocyte leukemia (LGL) is a clonal, lymphoproliferative disorder with an indolent disease course. T-cell LGL (T-LGL) is the most common type of LGL driven from T-cell lineage (85%). The coexistence of T-LGL with several types of autoimmune disorders, mostly rheumatoid arthritis (RA), has been reported. Felty’s syndrome (FS) is defined by splenomegaly, low neutrophil count, and destructive arthritis and is usually seen in <1% of patients with RA. About 30% to 40% of patients with FS have been reported to have an expansion of large granulated lymphocytes in the circulation. FS and T-LGL are similar in terms of clinical manifestations, response to immunosuppressive therapy, their smoldering course, and immunogenetic findings, proposing FS and T-LGL with RA might be different aspects of a single disease spectrum. In this article, we present a case with long-standing RA who had never been on DMARD (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) treatment found to have constitutional symptoms, neutropenia, and splenomegaly, and the patient was diagnosed with T-LGL.
FDG-PET Versus PSMA-PET: A Patient With Prostate Cancer
Authors: Kichloo Asim , Amir Rawan , Aljadah Michael , Wani Farah , Solanki Shantanu , Singh Jagmeet , Chugh Savneek Singh
Published: July 2020

A 64-year old male presented to the hospital with a 1-week history of stools with bright red blood. Subsequent colonoscopy with a biopsy revealed a low-lying, moderately differentiated, rectal adenocarcinoma. A pelvic magnetic resonance imaging done afterwards showed a possible T3N1 rectal cancer with intact muscularis mucosa and a singular presacral lymph node enlargement. Furthermore, a suspicious peripheral prostatic enlargement and a possible left iliac crest sclerotic bone lesion were incidentally identified. 18F-FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose) PET (positron emission tomography) scan confirmed a primary FDG avid rectal tumor and a presacral lymph node; however, there was no prostate or iliac crest uptake. A serum prostate-specific antigen performed in the hospital returned with a value of 37 ng/mL, which prompted a prostate biopsy, eventually returning as positive for adenocarcinoma. Consequently, a 68Ga-PSMA PET scan to rule out possible metastatic prostate disease revealed increased PSMA expression in the prostate only. After consultation with the radiologist and nuclear medicine physician who concluded the iliac crest lesion is likely not cancerous, the final diagnosis of T3N1 rectal cancer with simultaneous high-grade prostate adenocarcinoma was declared. This case highlights the low sensitivity of 18F-FDG PET scans for prostate cancer, the need for routine serum prostate-specific antigen screening, and the progression of 68Ga-PSMA PET as a diagnostic tool for prostate cancer.
(No) Exit from liberalism?
Authors: Cooley Alexander , Nexon Daniel H
Published: July 2020

Post-Cold War expansion of liberal order rested on three legs: the implosion of major alternative ordering projects, the enjoyment by liberal democracies of a “patronage monopoly,” and the dominance of liberalizing transitional activist networks and movements. By 2019, all three of those legs have been turned upside down. China and Russia, among others, offer new ordering projects, countries enjoy “exit options” in the form of alternative patronage, and illiberal activist networks are in the ascendant. A closer look at the “why” and “how” makes clear that illiberal forces have appropriated and repurposed the toolkit used to expand liberal order, which suggests an apparent paradox. While some forms of liberal order—primarily on the political side—are in retreat, other forms of liberal order—especially in terms of institutional and multilateral arrangements—are being reinforced. We are, therefore, looking not at the end of liberal order, but at a third great transformation in it.