bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cluster analysis reveals patterns of age‐related change in anterior chamber depth for gender and ethnicity: clinical implications
Authors: Phu Jack , Tong Janelle , Zangerl Barbara , Le Janet Ly , Kalloniatis Michael
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To identify patterns of age‐, gender‐ and refractive‐ related changes in Scheimpflug‐based anterior chamber depth across the central 8 mm of chamber width, to derive normative models, potentially useful for angle closure disease diagnosis.

Methods

This was a retrospective, cross‐sectional study. Scheimpflug photography was used to obtain anterior chamber depth measurements at 57 points across the central 8 mm of the chamber width from one eye of each healthy subject (male Caucasians (n = 189), female Caucasians (n = 186), male Asians (n = 165) and female Asians (n = 181)). Sliding window and nonlinear regression analysis was used to identify the age‐related changes in chamber depth. Hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify test locations with statistically identical age‐related shifts, which were used to perform age‐correction for all subjects, resulting in normative distributions of chamber depth across the chamber width. The model was examined with and without the contribution of spherical equivalent refractive error.

Results

Distinct clusters, demonstrating statistically indistinguishable age‐related changes of chamber depth over time, were identified. These age‐related changes followed a nonlinear regression (fifth or sixth order polynomial). Females tended to have a greater rate of chamber depth shallowing. Incorporating refractive error into the model produced minimal changes to the fit relative to the ground truth. Comparisons with cut‐offs for angle closure from the literature showed that ageing alone was insufficient for identifying angle closure disease.

Conclusions

Age‐, ethnicity‐ and gender‐related differences need to be acknowledged in order to utilise anterior chamber depth data for angle closure disease diagnosis correctly. Ageing alone does not adequately account for the angle closure disease process.
Nonaqueous fractionation and overexpression of fluorescent‐tagged enzymes reveals the subcellular sites of L‐theanine biosynthesis in tea
Authors: Fu Xiumin , Liao Yinyin , Cheng Sihua , Xu Xinlan , Grierson Don , Yang Ziyin
Published: July 2020

l‐Theanine is a specialized metabolite in the tea (Camellia sinensis) plant which can constitute over 50% of the total amino acids. This makes an important contribution to tea functionality and quality, but the subcellular location and mechanism of biosynthesis of l‐theanine are unclear. Here, we identified five distinct genes potentially capable of synthesizing l‐theanine in tea. Using a nonaqueous fractionation method, we determined the subcellular distribution of l‐theanine in tea shoots and roots and used transient expression in Nicotiana or Arabidopsis to investigate in vivo functions of l‐theanine synthetase and also to determine the subcellular localization of fluorescent‐tagged proteins by confocal laser scanning microscopy. In tea root tissue, the cytosol was the main site of l‐theanine biosynthesis, and cytosol‐located CsTSI was the key l‐theanine synthase. In tea shoot tissue, l‐theanine biosynthesis occurred mainly in the cytosol and chloroplasts and CsGS1.1 and CsGS2 were most likely the key l‐theanine synthases. In addition, l‐theanine content and distribution were affected by light in leaf tissue. These results enhance our knowledge of biochemistry and molecular biology of the biosynthesis of functional tea compounds.
Viscosity solutions to a Cauchy problem of a phase‐field model for solid‐solid phase transitions
Authors: Zheng Junzhi
Published: July 2020

We investigate a partial differential equation which models solid‐solid phase transitions. This model is for martensitic phase transitions driven by configurational force and its counterpart is for interface motion by mean curvature. Mathematically, this equation is a second‐order nonlinear degenerate parabolic equation. And in multidimensional case, its principal part cannot be written into divergence form . We prove the existence and uniqueness of viscosity solution to a Cauchy problem for this model.
U.K. megatrial outshines other drug studies
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: July 2020

Efficient recruitment and simple design are key to Recovery trial's success
New security law rattles Hong Kong universities
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: July 2020

Researchers worry about academic freedom and city's ability to attract foreign talent
Structure and selectivity engineering of the M
1
muscarinic receptor toxin complex
Authors: Maeda Shoji , Xu Jun , N. Kadji Francois Marie , Clark Mary J. , Zhao Jiawei , Tsutsumi Naotaka , Aoki Junken , Sunahara Roger K. , Inoue Asuka , Garcia K. Christopher , Kobilka Brian K.
Published: July 2020

Engineering a toxin

Developing drugs that target a specific subtype in a G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) family is a major challenge. Maeda
et al.
examined the basis of specificity of a snake venom toxin binding to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (MAChRs), which mediate many functions of the central and parasympathetic nervous systems. They determined a structure that shows why the mamba venom toxin MT7 is specific for one receptor, M
1
AChR, and also explains how it inhibits downstream signaling. Based on this structure, they engineered MT7 to be selective for another receptor, M
2
AChR, instead of M
1
ChR. The toxin may present a promising scaffold for developing specific GPCR modulators.

Science
, this issue p.
161
RETRACTED: Proton transport enabled by a field-induced metallic state in a semiconductor heterostructure
Authors: Wu Y. , Zhu B. , Huang M. , Liu L. , Shi Q. , Akbar M. , Chen C. , Wei J. , Li J. F. , Zheng L. R. , Kim J. S. , Song H. B.
Published: July 2020

A metallic route for protons

The operating temperatures of solid oxide fuel cells are usually much higher than needed to drive the uncatalyzed electrochemical reaction to transport oxygen anions or protons through ceramic electrolytes. Wu
et al.
report that the interface between two semiconductors, Na
x
CoO
2
and CeO
2
, forms a metallic state that enables proton transport at temperatures below 600°C (see the Perspective by Ni and Shao). The authors constructed a hydrogen fuel cell with this material that delivered 1 watt per centimeter.

Science
, this issue p.
184
; see also p.
138
Architecture of a catalytically active homotrimeric plant cellulose synthase complex
Authors: Purushotham Pallinti , Ho Ruoya , Zimmer Jochen
Published: July 2020

Plant cell wall construction crew

Plants produce a complex cell wall in which cellulose, a glucose polymer, is a major component. Cellulose fibers are formed from close-packed single chains of cellulose that have been proposed to be formed by multimeric complexes (18 or more subunits) of the enzyme cellulose synthase, which exists in several isoforms. Purushotham
et al.
determined a cryo–electron microscopy structure of a trimer of a single isoform of cellulose synthase. A large channel forms a path for cellulose chains through the membrane-embedded complex. The structure also reveals oligomeric interfaces and provides a framework for modeling the larger complexes seen in plant membranes. The close arrangement of exit sites for nascent glycan chains is consistent with the enzyme complex playing a role in directing cellulose microfibril formation.

Science
, this issue p.
1089
Strain Background, Species Frequency, and Environmental Conditions Are Important in Determining Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus Population Dynamics and Species Coexistence
Authors: Niggli Selina , Kümmerli Rolf
Published: July 2020

Bacterial infections are frequently caused by more than one species, and such polymicrobial infections are often considered more virulent and more difficult to treat than the respective monospecies infections.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and
Staphylococcus aureus
are among the most important pathogens in polymicrobial infections, and their cooccurrence is linked to worse disease outcome. There is great interest in understanding how these two species interact and what the consequences for the host are. While previous studies have mainly looked at molecular mechanisms implicated in interactions between
P. aeruginosa
and
S. aureus
, here we show that ecological factors, such as strain background, species frequency, and environmental conditions, are important elements determining population dynamics and species coexistence patterns. We propose that the uncovered principles also play major roles in infections and, therefore, proclaim that an integrative approach combining molecular and ecological aspects is required to fully understand polymicrobial infections.
Association of plasma biomarkers of fruit and vegetable intake with incident type 2 diabetes: EPIC-InterAct case-cohort study in eight European countries
Authors: Zheng Ju-Sheng , Sharp Stephen J , Imamura Fumiaki , Chowdhury Rajiv , Gundersen Thomas E , Steur Marinka , Sluijs Ivonne , van der Schouw Yvonne T , Agudo Antonio , Aune Dagfinn , Barricarte Aurelio , Boeing Heiner , Chirlaque María-Dolores , Dorronsoro Miren , Freisling Heinz , El-Fatouhi Douae , Franks Paul W , Fagherazzi Guy , Grioni Sara , Gunter Marc J , Kyrø Cecilie , Katzke Verena , Kühn Tilman , Khaw Kay-Tee , Laouali Nasser , Masala Giovanna , Nilsson Peter M , Overvad Kim , Panico Salvatore , Papier Keren , Quirós J Ramón , Rolandsson Olov , Redondo-Sánchez Daniel , Ricceri Fulvio , Schulze Matthias B , Spijkerman Annemieke M W , Tjønneland Anne , Tong Tammy Y N , Tumino Rosario , Weiderpass Elisabete , Danesh John , Butterworth Adam S , Riboli Elio , Forouhi Nita G , Wareham Nicholas J
Published: July 2020

Objective

To investigate the association of plasma vitamin C and carotenoids, as indicators of fruit and vegetable intake, with the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Design

Prospective case-cohort study.

Setting

Populations from eight European countries.

Participants

9754 participants with incident type 2 diabetes, and a subcohort of 13 662 individuals from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort of 340 234 participants: EPIC-InterAct case-cohort study.

Main outcome measure

Incident type 2 diabetes.

Results

In a multivariable adjusted model, higher plasma vitamin C was associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (hazard ratio per standard deviation 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.76 to 0.89). A similar inverse association was shown for total carotenoids (hazard ratio per standard deviation 0.75, 0.68 to 0.82). A composite biomarker score (split into five equal groups), comprising vitamin C and individual carotenoids, was inversely associated with type 2 diabetes with hazard ratios 0.77, 0.66, 0.59, and 0.50 for groups 2-5 compared with group 1 (the lowest group). Self-reported median fruit and vegetable intake was 274 g/day, 396 g/day, and 508 g/day for participants in categories defined by groups 1, 3, and 5 of the composite biomarker score, respectively. One standard deviation difference in the composite biomarker score, equivalent to a 66 (95% confidence interval 61 to 71) g/day difference in total fruit and vegetable intake, was associated with a hazard ratio of 0.75 (0.67 to 0.83). This would be equivalent to an absolute risk reduction of 0.95 per 1000 person years of follow up if achieved across an entire population with the characteristics of the eight European countries included in this analysis.

Conclusions

These findings indicate an inverse association between plasma vitamin C, carotenoids, and their composite biomarker score, and incident type 2 diabetes in different European countries. These biomarkers are objective indicators of fruit and vegetable consumption, and suggest that diets rich in even modestly higher fruit and vegetable consumption could help to prevent development of type 2 diabetes.
COVID-19 stressors on migrant workers in Kuwait: cumulative risk considerations
Authors: Alahmad Barrak , Kurdi Hussam , Colonna Kyle , Gasana Janvier , Agnew Jacqueline , Fox Mary A
Published: July 2020

As a marginalised subpopulation, migrant workers often fall short from protection by public policies, they take precarious jobs with unsafe working and living conditions and they grapple with cultural and linguistic barriers. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, migrant workers are now exposed to additional stressors of the virus and related responses. We applied a comprehensive qualitative cumulative risk assessment framework for migrant workers living in Kuwait. This pandemic could be one of the few examples where the stressors overlap all domains of migrant workers’ lives. No single intervention can solve all the problems; there must be a set of interventions to address all domains. Local authorities and employers must act quickly to stop the spread, ensure easy access to testing and treatment, provide adequate housing and clear communication, encourage wide social support, safeguard financial protection and mental well-being and continuously re-evaluate the situation as more data are collected.
Measuring ‘Need for Recovery’ as an indicator of staff well-being in the emergency department: a survey study
Authors: Graham Blair , Cottey Laura , Smith Jason E , Mills Mark , Latour Jos M
Published: July 2020

Background

The Need for Recovery (NFR) Scale is an 11-item questionnaire that assesses how work affects intershift recovery. Items are summated to form a score with a maximum value of 100. Previously reported scores range from 38 in nurses to 55 in miners. This study aimed to determine the NFR Score among ED staff and to identify whether the NFR Score was associated with characteristics potentially implicated with recovery from work.

Methods

Staff in a single ED in the South West of England (annual attendances of 93 000) were asked to complete an electronic questionnaire incorporating the NFR Scale plus additional items relating to demographic, work-related and well-being characteristics, in their own time during January 2018. Descriptive statistics are presented, including median NFR Scores and associations with additional characteristics. Thematic analysis of free-text comments from an open-ended question was undertaken.

Results

One hundred and sixty-eight responses were obtained (80.3% capture). Median NFR Score across all staff groups was 81.8 out of 100.0 (95% CI 72.7 to 81.8). Shift duration exceeding 12 hours, dissatisfaction with work–life balance and self-reported perceptions of burnout were associated with significantly elevated NFR Scores. Themes resulting from the open-ended question were ‘barriers to intershift recovery’ and ‘coping with work’.

Conclusion

The NFR Scores in this study exceeded scores reported elsewhere and were associated with some demographic, occupational and well-being characteristics. The NFR Scale has utility to measure the need for intershift recovery among ED staff. A larger study is warranted to identify specific determinants of recovery and to provide recommendations.
Use of whole slide imaging (WSI) for distance teaching
Authors: Evans Andrew John , Depeiza Nadia , Allen Shara-Gaye , Fraser Kimone , Shirley Suzanne , Chetty Runjan
Published: July 2020

Background

Time, travel and financial constraints have meant that traditional visiting teaching engagements are more difficult to accomplish. This has been exacerbated with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of digital pathology and whole slide imaging (WSI) as an educational tool for distance teaching is underutilised and not fully exploited. This paper highlights the utility and feedback on the use of WSI for distance education/teaching.

Materials and methods

Building on an existing relationship with the University of the West Indies (UWI), pathologists at University Health Network, Toronto, provided distance education using WSI, a digitised slide image hosting repository and videoconferencing facilities to provide case-based teaching to 15 UWI pathology trainees. Feedback was obtained from residents via a questionnaire and from teachers via a discussion.

Results

There was uniform support from teachers who felt that teaching was not hampered by the ‘virtual’ engagement. Comfort levels grew with each engagement and technical issues with sound diminished with the use of a portable speaker. The residents were very supportive and enthusiastic in embracing this mode of teaching. While technical glitches marred initial sessions, the process evened out especially when the slide hosting facility, teleconferencing and sound issues were changed.

Conclusions

There was unanimous endorsement that use of WSI was the future, especially for distance teaching. However, it was not meant to supplant the use of glass slides in their current routine, daily practice.
Chinese Stroke Association guidelines for clinical management of cerebrovascular disorders: executive summary and 2019 update on organizational stroke management
Authors: Lou Min , Ding Jing , Hu Bo , Zhang Yusheng , Li Hao , Tan ZeFeng , Wan Yan , Xu An-Ding
Published: July 2020

Aim

Stroke is characterised by high morbidity, mortality and disability, which seriously affects the health and safety of the people. Stroke has become a serious public health problem in China. Organisational stroke management can significantly reduce the mortality and disability rates of patients with stroke. We provide this evidence-based guideline to present current and comprehensive recommendations for organisational stroke management.

Methods

A formal literature search of MEDLINE (1 January 1997 through 30 September 2019) was performed. Data were synthesised with the use of evidence tables. Writing group members met by teleconference to discuss data-derived recommendations. The Chinese Stroke Association’s Levels of Evidence grading algorithm was used to grade each recommendation.

Results

Evidence-based guidelines are presented for the organisational management of patients presenting with stroke. The focus of the guideline was subdivided into prehospital first aid system of stroke, rapid diagnosis and treatment of emergency in stroke centre, organisational management of stroke unit and stroke clinic, construction of regional collaborative network among stroke centres and evaluation and continuous improvement of stroke medical quality.

Conclusions

The guidelines offer an organisational stroke management model for patients with stroke which might help dramatically.
Investigation of interaction among factors underlying construction hazard identification
Authors: Zhang Qingwen , Zhang Dan , Liao Pin-Chao , Hu Yinan
Published: July 2020

Although previous studies explored the effect of relationships between some factors on hazard identification performance, there is still a need to better understand the interactive mechanisms among factors in the hazard recognition process. This study explored the interactions among factors in the search and decision phases on hazard identification performance. A safety inspection experiment was conducted in a civil engineering laboratory, during which the eye movements of the participants were recorded. The experimental data were entered into a three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) model to examine the factors’ interactions. The results revealed that experience and risk tolerance interactively affect hazard identification performance, and visual clutter and time to first fixation respectively have main effects on hazard identification performance. The findings theoretically supplement knowledge about the interactive mechanisms of factors during the hazard recognition process and will play a critical role in providing practical guidance for safety training.
Analytical solution for quantum quartic oscillator in phase space
Authors: Martins A. X. , Filho T. M. R. , Amorim R. G. G. , Paiva R. A. S. , Petronilo G. , Ulhoa S. C.
Published: July 2020

In this work, we address the quartic quantum oscillator in phase space using two approaches: computational and algebraic methods. In order to achieve such an aim, we built simplistic unitary representations for Galilei group, as a consequence the Schrödinger equation is derived in the phase space. In this context, the amplitudes of quasi-probability are associated with the Wigner function. In a computational way, we apply the techniques of Lie methods. As a result, we determine the solution of the quantum oscillator in the phase space and calculate the corresponding Wigner function. We also calculated the negativity parameter of the analyzed system.
Bioleft
Authors: Cremaschi Almendra , van Zwanenberg Patrick , Marin Anabel , Basch Marcela , Lowenstein Vanesa
Published: July 2020

How can the ideals of the open source movement be applied to living, self-replicating organisms? Bioleft explores how to pursue a fair system for conserving, developing, and trading seeds working with public sector breeders and farmers hand in hand.
Never again an internet without us
Authors: Alcázar Carmen
Published: July 2020

Wikipedia in its content, and as a community, remains highly masculine. Many women worldwide are working to reduce the gender gap. This article narrates one of the strategies that women of Latin America and Spain have been applying during the past five years to make this a reality.
Online Primal-Dual Mirror Descent under Stochastic Constraints
Authors: Wei Xiaohan , Yu Hao , Neely Michael J.
Published: July 2020

We consider online convex optimization with stochastic constraints where the objective functions are arbitrarily time-varying and the constraint functions are independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) over time. Both the objective and constraint functions are revealed after the decision is made at each time slot. The best known expected regret for solving such a problem is O( √ T ), with a coefficient that is polynomial in the dimension of the decision variable and relies on the Slater condition (i.e. the existence of interior point assumption), which is restrictive and in particular precludes treating equality constraints. In this paper, we show that such Slater condition is in fact not needed. We propose a new primal-dual mirror descent algorithm and show that one can attain O( √ T ) regret and constraint violation under a much weaker Lagrange multiplier assumption, allowing general equality constraints and significantly relaxing the previous Slater conditions. Along the way, for the case where decisions are contained in a probability simplex, we reduce the coefficient to have only a logarithmic dependence on the decision variable dimension. Such a dependence has long been known in the literature on mirror descent but seems new in this new constrained online learning scenario. Simulation experiments on a data center server provision problem with real electricity price traces further demonstrate the performance of our proposed algorithm.
Fundamental Limits on the Regret of Online Network-Caching
Authors: Bhattacharjee Rajarshi , Banerjee Subhankar , Sinha Abhishek
Published: July 2020

Optimal caching of files in a content distribution network (CDN) is a problem of fundamental and growing commercial interest. Although many different caching algorithms are in use today, the fundamental performance limits of the network caching algorithms from an online learning point-of-view remain poorly understood to date. In this paper, we resolve this question in the following two settings: (1) a single user connected to a single cache, and (2) a set of users and a set of caches interconnected through a bipartite network. Recently, an online gradient-based coded caching policy was shown to enjoy sub-linear regret. However, due to the lack of known regret lower bounds, the question of the optimality of the proposed policy was left open. In this paper, we settle this question by deriving tight non-asymptotic regret lower bounds in the above settings. In addition to that, we propose a new Follow-the- Perturbed-Leader-based uncoded caching policy with near-optimal regret. Technically, the lower-bounds are obtained by relating the online caching problem to the classic probabilistic paradigm of balls-into-bins. Our proofs make extensive use of a new result on the expected load in the most populated half of the bins, which might also be of independent interest.We evaluate the performance of the caching policies by experimenting with the popular Movie- Lens dataset and conclude the paper with design recommendations and a list of open problems.
Characterizing Policies with Optimal Response Time Tails under Heavy-Tailed Job Sizes
Authors: Scully Ziv , van Kreveld Lucas , Boxma Onno , Dorsman Jan-Pieter , Wierman Adam
Published: July 2020

We consider the tail behavior of the response time distribution in anM/G/1 queue with heavy-tailed job sizes, specifically those with intermediately regularly varying tails. In this setting, the response time tail of many individual policies has been characterized, and it is known that policies such as Shortest Remaining Processing Time (SRPT) and Foreground-Background (FB) have response time tails of the same order as the job size tail, and thus such policies are tail-optimal. Our goal in this work is to move beyond individual policies and characterize the set of policies that are tail-optimal. Toward that end, we use the recently introduced SOAP framework to derive sufficient conditions on the form of prioritization used by a scheduling policy that ensure the policy is tail-optimal. These conditions are general and lead to new results for important policies that have previously resisted analysis, including the Gittins policy, which minimizes mean response time among policies that do not have access to job size information. As a by-product of our analysis, we derive a general upper bound for fractional moments of M/G/1 busy periods, which is of independent interest.
On the Complexity of Traffic Traces and Implications
Authors: Avin Chen , Ghobadi Manya , Griner Chen , Schmid Stefan
Published: July 2020

This paper presents a systematic approach to identify and quantify the types of structures featured by packet traces in communication networks. Our approach leverages an information-theoretic methodology, based on iterative randomization and compression of the packet trace, which allows us to systematically remove and measure dimensions of structure in the trace. In particular, we introduce the notion of trace complexity which approximates the entropy rate of a packet trace. Considering several real-world traces, we show that trace complexity can provide unique insights into the characteristics of various applications. Based on our approach, we also propose a traffic generator model able to produce a synthetic trace that matches the complexity levels of its corresponding realworld trace. Using a case study in the context of datacenters, we show that insights into the structure of packet traces can lead to improved demand-aware network designs: datacenter topologies that are optimized for specific traffic patterns.
On the Analysis of a Multipartite Entanglement Distribution Switch
Authors: Nain Philippe , Vardoyan Gayane , Guha Saikat , Towsley Don
Published: July 2020

We study a quantum switch that distributes maximally entangled multipartite states to sets of users. The entanglement switching process requires two steps: first, each user attempts to generate bipartite entanglement between itself and the switch; and second, the switch performs local operations and a measurement to create multipartite entanglement for a set of users. In this work, we study a simple variant of this system, wherein the switch has infinite memory and the links that connect the users to the switch are identical. Further, we assume that all quantum states, if generated successfully, have perfect fidelity and that decoherence is negligible. This problem formulation is of interest to several distributed quantum applications, while the technical aspects of this work result in new contributions within queueing theory. Via extensive use of Lyapunov functions, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for the stability of the system and closed-form expressions for the switch capacity and the expected number of qubits in memory.
Your Noise, My Signal
Authors: Shao Zhihui , Islam Mohammad A. , Ren Shaolei
Published: July 2020

Attacks based on power analysis have been long existing and studied, with some recentworks focused on data exfiltration from victim systems without using conventional communications (e.g., WiFi). Nonetheless, prior works typically rely on intrusive direct power measurement, either by implanting meters in the power outlet or tapping into the power cable, thus jeopardizing the stealthiness of attacks. In this paper, we propose NoDE (Noise for Data Exfiltration), a new system for stealthy data exfiltration from enterprise desktop computers. Specifically, NoDE achieves data exfiltration over a building's power network by exploiting high-frequency voltage ripples (i.e., switching noises) generated by power factor correction circuits built into today's computers. Located at a distance and even from a different room, the receiver can non-intrusively measure the voltage of a power outlet to capture the high-frequency switching noises for online information decoding without supervised training/learning. To evaluate NoDE, we run experiments on seven different computers from top vendors and using top-brand power supply units. Our results show that for a single transmitter, NoDE achieves a rate of up to 28.48 bits/second with a distance of 90 feet (27.4 meters) without the line of sight, demonstrating a practically stealthy threat. Based on the orthogonality of switching noise frequencies of different computers, we also demonstrate simultaneous data exfiltration from four computers using only one receiver. Finally, we present a few possible defenses, such as installing noise filters, and discuss their limitations.
User-level Threading
Authors: Karsten Martin , Barghi Saman
Published: July 2020

An important class of computer software, such as network servers, exhibits concurrency through many loosely coupled and potentially long-running communication sessions. For these applications, a long-standing open question is whether thread-per-session programming can deliver comparable performance to event-driven programming. This paper clearly demonstrates, for the first time, that it is possible to employ user-level threading for building threadper- session applications without compromising functionality, efficiency, performance, or scalability. We present the design and implementation of a general-purpose, yet nimble, user-level M:N threading runtime that is built from scratch to accomplish these objectives. Its key components are efficient and effective load balancing and user-level I/O blocking. While no other runtime exists with comparable characteristics, an important fundamental finding of this work is that building this runtime does not require particularly intricate data structures or algorithms. The runtime is thus a straightforward existence proof for user-level threading without performance compromises and can serve as a reference platform for future research. It is evaluated in comparison to event-driven software, system-level threading, and several other user-level threading runtimes. An experimental evaluation is conducted using benchmark programs, as well as the popular Memcached application. We demonstrate that our user-level runtime outperforms other threading runtimes and enables thread-per-session programming at high levels of concurrency and hardware parallelism without sacrificing performance.
Fiedler Vector Approximation via Interacting RandomWalks
Authors: Doshi Vishwaraj , Young Eun Do
Published: July 2020

The Fiedler vector of a graph, namely the eigenvector corresponding to the second smallest eigenvalue of a graph Laplacian matrix, plays an important role in spectral graph theory with applications in problems such as graph bi-partitioning and envelope reduction. Algorithms designed to estimate this quantity usually rely on a priori knowledge of the entire graph, and employ techniques such as graph sparsification and power iterations, which have obvious shortcomings in cases where the graph is unknown, or changing dynamically. In this paper, we develop a framework in which we construct a stochastic process based on a set of interacting random walks on a graph and show that a suitably scaled version of our stochastic process converges to the Fiedler vector for a sufficiently large number of walks.

We also provide numerical results to confirm our theoretical findings on different graphs, and show that our algorithm performs well over a wide range of parameters and the number of random walks. Simulations results over time varying dynamic graphs are also provided to show the efficacy of our random walk based technique in such settings. As an important contribution, we extend our results and show that our framework is applicable for approximating not just the Fiedler vector of graph Laplacians, but also the second eigenvector of any time reversible Markov Chain kernel via interacting random walks. To the best of our knowledge, our attempt to approximate the second eigenvector of any time reversible Markov Chain using random walks is the first of its kind, opening up possibilities to achieving approximations of higher level eigenvectors using random walks on graphs.
Optimal Bidding Strategies for Online Ad Auctions with Overlapping Targeting Criteria
Authors: Tillberg Erik , Marbach Peter , Mazumdar Ravi
Published: July 2020

We analyze the problem of how to optimally bid for ad spaces in online ad auctions. For this we consider the general case of multiple ad campaigns with overlapping targeting criteria. In our analysis we first characterize the structure of an optimal bidding strategy. In particular, we show that an optimal bidding strategies decomposes the problem into disjoint sets of campaigns and targeting groups. In addition, we show that pure bidding strategies that use only a single bid value for each campaign are not optimal when the supply curves are not continuous. For this case, we derive a lower-bound on the optimal cost of any bidding strategy, as well as mixed bidding strategies that either achieve the lower-bound, or can get arbitrarily close to it.
Antibiotic Susceptibility, Clonality, and Molecular Characterization of Carbapenem-Resistant Clinical Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii from Washington DC
Authors: Bansal Garima , Allen-McFarlane Rachelle , Eribo Broderick
Published: July 2020

The occurrence of carbapenem-resistant (CR) strains of Acinetobacter baumannii is reported to contribute to the severity of several nosocomial infections, especially in critically ill patients in intensive care units. The present study aims to determine the antibiotic susceptibility, clonality, and genetic mechanism of carbapenem resistance in twenty-eight Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from four hospitals in Washington DC. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was determined by VITEK 2 analyses, while PCR was used to examine the presence of antibiotic-resistant genes and mobile genetic elements. Trilocus multiplex-PCR was used along with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for strain typing and for accessing clonal relationships among the isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing indicated that 46% of the isolates were carbapenem-resistant and possessed MDR and XDR phenotypes. PFGE clustered the 28 isolates into seven clonal (C1–C7) complexes based on >75% similarity cut-off. Thirty-six percent of the isolates belonged to international clone II, while 29% were assigned to Group 4 by trilocus multiplex-PCR. Although the blaOXA-51-like gene was found in all the isolates, only 36% were positive for the blaOXA-23-like gene. PCR analysis also found a metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) gene (blaVIM) in 71% of the isolates. Of the 13 CR isolates, 8 were PCR positive for both blaVIM and blaOXA-23-like genes, while 5 harbored only blaVIM gene. This study revealed the emergence of VIM carbapenemase-producing A. baumannii isolates, which has not been previously reported in the United States.
The Correlation between Using Social Networks and the General Health of Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Authors: Basirat Atefeh , Raeisi Shahraki Hadi , Farpour Hamid reza , Habibi Leila
Published: July 2020

Background. Multiple sclerosis (MS) threatens the patients’ independency and ability to effectively participate in the society. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between using social networks on the general health of multiple sclerosis patients. Methods. This study was performed on 80 MS patients referring to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Chamran, and Imam Reza Hospital in 2017, whose condition had improved and were treated by a specialist physician. Tools for data collection were general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) and social networks use questionnaires. Results. Amongst the 80 individuals with MS, 65 (81.3%) were female and 15 (18.8%) were male. Our results suggest that patients with higher levels of education had higher levels of health (P=0.01). Telegram and WhatsApp, respectively, had a positive correlation with general health (P=0.007, P=0.007), anxiety (P=0.003, P=0.028), and social dysfunction (P=0.007, P=0.007). WhatsApp with 33.64% was the most popular application among MS patients. The correlation between general health and duration of using social networks was not statistically significant (r=0.22, P=0.06). Also, no significant correlation was found between the duration of using social networks and the general health (P=0.62). Conclusion. Our findings suggest that social networks, especially Telegram and WhatsApp, had a positive correlation with general health, anxiety, and social dysfunction of patients. Therefore, the use of social networks can be considered as a suitable option in reducing the aforementioned concerns among patients with MS. On the other hand, general health and mood status might as well influence the use of social network in MS patients.
Regulator-Based Risk Statistics for Portfolios
Authors: Deng Xiaochuan , Sun Fei
Published: July 2020

Risk statistic is a critical factor not only for risk analysis but also for financial application. However, the traditional risk statistics may fail to describe the characteristics of regulator-based risk. In this paper, we consider the regulator-based risk statistics for portfolios. By further developing the properties related to regulator-based risk statistics, we are able to derive dual representation for such risk.
The Increased Ratio of Blood CD56bright NK to CD56dim NK Is a Distinguishing Feature of Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome
Authors: Ming Bingxia , Wu Tong , Cai Shaozhe , Hu Peng , Tang Jungen , Zheng Fang , Ye Cong , Dong Lingli
Published: July 2020

Objective. The aim of this study was to characterize the subsets of circulating CD56+ NK cells in pSS patients and their potential value in the diagnosis and/or prediction of prognosis in patients with pSS. Methods. We included 52 pSS patients fulfilling the 2002 AECG criteria or 2012 ACR criteria and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers. The frequency and absolute number of NK cells and CD56 NK cell subsets in peripheral blood samples were detected by flow cytometry. Other laboratory parameters such as the IgG level and complement protein levels were extracted from the clinical system. Results. Both the frequency and the absolute number of peripheral blood NK cells were reduced in pSS patients compared to healthy controls. The proportion of CD56bright NK cell subset was increased, and the proportion of CD56dim NK cell subset was decreased among NK cells, resulting in the ratio of CD56bright NK to CD56dim NK which was significantly elevated in pSS patients. ROC analysis indicated that the AUC of CD56bright NK/CD56dim NK ratio was 0.838, and the best diagnostic cut-off point was 0.0487 for pSS patients. Furthermore, this CD56bright NK/CD56dim NK ratio was positively correlated with the IgG level and negatively correlated with the complement protein C3 and C4 levels. More importantly, the CD56bright/CD56dim NK ratio was either slightly increased or not changed in other autoimmune diseases such as SLE and IgG4-related disease. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that the ratio of blood CD56bright NK to CD56dim NK might have a diagnostic value relatively specific for pSS.
Peri-Infarct Hot-Zones Have Higher Susceptibility to Optogenetic Functional Activation-Induced Spreading Depolarizations
Authors: Sugimoto Kazutaka , Chung David Y. , Böhm Maximilian , Fischer Paul , Takizawa Tsubasa , Aslihan Aykan Sanem , Qin Tao , Yanagisawa Takeshi , Harriott Andrea , Oka Fumiaki , Yaseen Mohammad A. , Sakadžić Sava , Ayata Cenk
Published: July 2020

Background and Purpose:

Spreading depolarizations (SDs) are recurrent and ostensibly spontaneous depolarization waves that may contribute to infarct progression after stroke. Somatosensory activation of the metastable peri-infarct tissue triggers peri-infarct SDs at a high rate.

Methods:

We directly measured the functional activation threshold to trigger SDs in peri-infarct hot zones using optogenetic stimulation after distal middle cerebral artery occlusion in Thy1-ChR2-YFP mice.

Results:

Optogenetic activation of peri-infarct tissue triggered SDs at a strikingly high rate (64%) compared with contralateral homotopic cortex (8%;
P
=0.004). Laser speckle perfusion imaging identified a residual blood flow of 31±2% of baseline marking the metastable tissue with a propensity to develop SDs.

Conclusions:

Our data reveal a spatially distinct increase in SD susceptibility in peri-infarct tissue where physiological levels of functional activation are capable of triggering SDs. Given the potentially deleterious effects of peri-infarct SDs, the effect of sensory overstimulation in hyperacute stroke should be examined more carefully.
Constructing Spirituality in the Cognitive Science of Religion
Authors: Stoddard Brad
Published: July 2020

Seven researchers in the growing field of the cognitive science of religion recently claimed to have documented the unique neural correlates of spirituality separate from and independent of religion. They claimed that spirituality is therefore a natural part of human cognition and suggested that they proved definitively that spirituality is substantively different than religion. Using insights developed by scholars associated with the critical religion approach to the academic study of religion, this article identifies a series of methodological errors that undermine the researchers’ project and that potentially impacts the larger academic study of the cognitive science of religion.
Comparison Considered: Some Methodological Responses
Authors: Freiberger Oliver
Published: July 2020

The present issue’s review symposium on comparison comprises six thoughtful and stimulating essays in which the authors, in conversation with Bruce Lincoln’s Apples and Oranges (2018) and my Considering Comparison (2019), reflect on the comparative method and on how it relates to their work. Their reflections are explorative, productive, thought-provoking, and they also criticize and challenge aspects of our books in constructive ways, each from the perspective of their own field of expertise. In this response I discuss the methodological questions that each essay raised for me and, at times, propose a potential way forward. The symposium shows that exploring the comparative method can be useful and rewarding not only for explicit cross-cultural research, but also for research projects that do not seem comparative at first glance. I argue that since studying religion—a highly comparative category—is inherently comparative, the methodology of comparison deserves proper attention.
Civil Disobedience, Epistocracy, and the Question of whether Superior Political Judgment Defeats Majority Authority
Authors: Madsen Tine Hindkjaer
Published: July 2020

I outline a new approach to the question of when civil disobedience is legitimate by drawing on insights from the epistocracy literature. I argue that civil disobedience and epistocracy are similar in the sense that they both involve the idea that superior political judgment defeats majority authority, because this can lead to correct, i.e. just, prudent or morally right, political decisions. By reflecting on the question of when superior political judgment defeats majority authority in the epistocracy case, I identify considerations that also apply to the disobedience context. I conclude that disobedience in protest of law X performed by agents who know that X is wrong is legitimate when: 1) it is not reasonably disputable that the civil dissenter knows that X is wrong 2) the adoption of X is a high-stakes political decision and 3) no destabilizing effects ensue.
A new earthworm species of the genus Rhinodrilus (Rhinodrilidae, Clitellata) and new records of earthworms species from the Amazon-Cerrado-Caatinga transition in the State of Maranhão, Brazil
Authors: SOUSA SANDRIEL COSTA , DE SOUSA ANNY MYKAELLY , HERNÁNDEZ-GARCÍA LUIS MANUEL , GUALTER REGIA MARIA REIS , ROUSSEAU GUILLAUME XAVIER
Published: July 2020

We describe a new species of the genus Rhinodrilus from the transition between the Amazon, Cerrado and Caatinga biomes in the State of Maranhão, Brazil. The region is currently being converted to large-scale agriculture, which may cause severe losses in the local fauna and flora diversity yet very poorly studied. Rhinodrilus antonioi sp. nov. has irregular setae in the posterior region of the body, spermathecae without diverticula, tubercula pubertatis in the form of band extended in the line BC in XXI–XXV and clitellum from XIV–XXVII. Five new records are reported for the region, Dichogaster bolaui, Liodrilus mendesi, Pontoscolex (Pontoscolex) corethrurus, Urobenus brasiliensis and Urobenus petrerei.
Descriptions of neurocranium morphology in 34 species of moray eels (Muraenidae) found in Taiwan
Authors: RAMOS-CASTRO MARITES , CHEN HONG-MING , MAO BO-SYUN
Published: July 2020

Taiwan is one of the richest in the world in terms of eel fauna. In this study, we examined the osteological and morphological characteristics of eels in the family Muraenidae. Furthermore, we focused on the neurocranium of 34 muraenid species in the genera Echidna (2), Enchelycore (3), Gymnomuraena (1), Gymnothorax (25), Scuticaria (1), Strophidon (1), and Uropterygius (1), which are caught in Taiwanese waters. This paper shows the results of a comparative study on osteological characters of the neurocranium including the ratio of nine length characters and 20 diagnostic characters for 34 eel species in the family Muraenidae. The subfamily Uropterygiinae is distinguished from the subfamily Muraeninae in having the lowest value on the depth of mid pre-orbit due to the termination of the ethmoidal crest toward premaxilla. Moreover, aside from Gymnomuraena zebra, the species of subfamily Uropterygiinae have the lowest orbit length. These results in neurocranial comparative morphology between the species are consistent with their previous classification based on molecular results. These morphological and osteological characters may be valuable for taxonomic purposes and might be used as the basis for further studies on the status of genera in Muraenidae.
First record of the genus Porcellanola László, Ronkay & Witt, 2006 (Lepidoptera, Nolidae, Nolinae) from India with description of a new species
Authors: JOSHI RAHUL , SINGH NAVNEET , LÁSZLÓ GYULA M. , KUNI NIKHIL
Published: July 2020

Genus Porcellanola is reported for the first time from India with description of a new species, Porcellanola sikkima Joshi, Singh & László sp. nov., (Sikkim) along with the morphotaxonomy of two more species, P. sukhothai László, Ronkay & Witt, 2006 and P. langtangi László, Ronkay & Witt, 2006. In addition, first description of the female genitalia of P. sukhothai is provided.