bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IOC consensus statement: dietary supplements and the high-performance athlete
Authors: Maughan Ronald J , Burke Louise M , Dvorak Jiri , Larson-Meyer D Enette , Peeling Peter , Phillips Stuart M , Rawson Eric S , Walsh Neil P , Garthe Ina , Geyer Hans , Meeusen Romain , van Loon Lucas J C , Shirreffs Susan M , Spriet Lawrence L , Stuart Mark , Vernec Alan , Currell Kevin , Ali Vidya M , Budgett Richard GM , Ljungqvist Arne , Mountjoy Margo , Pitsiladis Yannis P , Soligard Torbjørn , Erdener Uğur , Engebretsen Lars
Published: March 2018

Nutrition usually makes a small but potentially valuable contribution to successful performance in elite athletes, and dietary supplements can make a minor contribution to this nutrition programme. Nonetheless, supplement use is widespread at all levels of sport. Products described as supplements target different issues, including (1) the management of micronutrient deficiencies, (2) supply of convenient forms of energy and macronutrients, and (3) provision of direct benefits to performance or (4) indirect benefits such as supporting intense training regimens. The appropriate use of some supplements can benefit the athlete, but others may harm the athlete’s health, performance, and/or livelihood and reputation (if an antidoping rule violation results). A complete nutritional assessment should be undertaken before decisions regarding supplement use are made. Supplements claiming to directly or indirectly enhance performance are typically the largest group of products marketed to athletes, but only a few (including caffeine, creatine, specific buffering agents and nitrate) have good evidence of benefits. However, responses are affected by the scenario of use and may vary widely between individuals because of factors that include genetics, the microbiome and habitual diet. Supplements intended to enhance performance should be thoroughly trialled in training or simulated competition before being used in competition. Inadvertent ingestion of substances prohibited under the antidoping codes that govern elite sport is a known risk of taking some supplements. Protection of the athlete’s health and awareness of the potential for harm must be paramount; expert professional opinion and assistance is strongly advised before an athlete embarks on supplement use.
New episodes of musculoskeletal conditions among employed people in Norway, sickness certification and return to work: a multiregister-based cohort study from primary care
Authors: Gjesdal Sturla , Holmaas Tor Helge , Monstad Karin , Hetlevik Øystein
Published: March 2018

Objectives

To identify new cases of musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders among employed people presenting in Norwegian primary care in 2012, frequency of sickness certification and length of sick leave. To identify patient-, diagnosis- and GP-related predictors of sickness certification, prolonged sick leave and return to work (RTW).

Methods

An observational multiregister-based cohort study covering all employed persons in Norway(1 176 681 women and 1 330 082 men) based on claims data from all regular GPs merged with individual sociodemographic data from public registers was performed. Participants were employed patients without any GP consultation during the previous 3 months who consulted a GP with a diagnosis of a MSK condition. Those not on sick leave and with a known GP affiliation were included in the analyses. Outcomes were incidence, proportion sickness certified and proportion on sick leave after 16 days, according to the diagnosis, ORs with 95% CIs for sickness certified and for sick leave exceeding 16 days and HRs with 95% CIs for RTW.

Results

One-year incidence of MSK episodes was 159/1000 among employed women and 156/1000 among employed men. 27.1% of the women and 28.2% of the men were sickness certified in the initial consultation. After 16 days, 10.5% of women and 9.9% of men were still on sick leave. Upper limb problems were most frequent. After adjustments, medium/high education predicted a lower risk of absence from work due to sickness and rapid RTW after 16 days. Back pain, fractures and female gender carried a higher risk of sickness certification but faster RTW. Older age was associated with less initial certification, more sick leave exceeding 16 days and slower RTW. Male patients with male GPs had a lower risk of sickness absence, which was similar to patients with GPs born in Norway and GPs with many patients. After 16 days, GP variables had no effect on RTW.

Conclusion

Upper limb problems and GPs as stakeholders in ‘the inclusive workplace’ strategy need more attention.
Pesticides and public health: an analysis of the regulatory approach to assessing the carcinogenicity of glyphosate in the European Union
Authors: Clausing Peter , Robinson Claire , Burtscher-Schaden Helmut
Published: March 2018

The present paper scrutinises the European authorities’ assessment of the carcinogenic hazard posed by glyphosate based on Regulation (EC) 1272/2008. We use the authorities’ own criteria as a benchmark to analyse their weight of evidence (WoE) approach. Therefore, our analysis goes beyond the comparison of the assessments made by the European Food Safety Authority and the International Agency for Research on Cancer published by others. We show that not classifying glyphosate as a carcinogen by the European authorities, including the European Chemicals Agency, appears to be not consistent with, and in some instances, a direct violation of the applicable guidance and guideline documents. In particular, we criticise an arbitrary attenuation by the authorities of the power of statistical analyses; their disregard of existing dose–response relationships; their unjustified claim that the doses used in the mouse carcinogenicity studies were too high and their contention that the carcinogenic effects were not reproducible by focusing on quantitative and neglecting qualitative reproducibility. Further aspects incorrectly used were historical control data, multisite responses and progression of lesions to malignancy. Contrary to the authorities’ evaluations, proper application of statistical methods and WoE criteria inevitably leads to the conclusion that glyphosate is ‘probably carcinogenic’ (corresponding to category 1B in the European Union).
Science organisations and Coca-Cola’s ‘war’ with the public health community: insights from an internal industry document
Authors: Barlow Pepita , Serôdio Paulo , Ruskin Gary , McKee Martin , Stuckler David
Published: March 2018

Critics have long accused food and beverage companies of trying to exonerate their products from blame for obesity by funding organisations that highlight alternative causes. Yet, conclusions about the intentions of food and beverage companies in funding scientific organisations have been prevented by limited access to industry’s internal documents. Here we allow the words of Coca-Cola employees to speak about how the corporation intended to advance its interests by funding the Global Energy Balance Network (GEBN). The documents reveal that Coca-Cola funded and supported the GEBN because it would serve as a ‘weapon’ to ‘change the conversation’ about obesity amidst a ‘growing war between the public health community and private industry’. Despite its close links to the Coca-Cola company, the GEBN was to be portrayed as an ‘honest broker’ in this ‘war’. The GEBN’s message was to be promoted via an extensive advocacy campaign linking researchers, policy-makers, health professionals, journalists and the general public. Ultimately, these activities were intended to advance Coca-Cola’s corporate interests: as they note, their purpose was to ‘promote practices that are effective in terms of both policy and profit’. Coca-Cola’s proposal for establishing the GEBN corroborates concerns about food and beverage corporations’ involvement in scientific organisations and their similarities with Big Tobacco.
Mainstreamed genetic testing for women with ovarian cancer: first-year experience
Authors: Rahman Belinda , Lanceley Anne , Kristeleit Rebecca S , Ledermann Jonathan A , Lockley Michelle , McCormack Mary , Mould Tim , Side Lucy
Published: March 2018

Background

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer death for women in the UK. Up to 18% of cases can be attributed to germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2genes. Identifying patients who carry a BRCA mutation provides important information about potential response to treatment and eligibility for therapies such as poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. Implementation of systematic genetic testing of patients with ovarian cancer via oncology clinics (mainstreamed genetic testing, MGT) is increasing.

Methods and results

This service evaluation reports on the first year of MGT at a tertiary oncology centre in London, UK. In total, 122 patients with high-grade non-mucinous ovarian cancer underwent BRCA germline testing via MGT. Eighteen patients (14.8%) were found to carry a deleterious BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation. Four BRCA carriers did not meet previous criteria for genetic testing and would have been missed. Six BRCA carriers accessed PARP inhibitors post-MGT. Only 22% of patients with a variant of unknown significance (VUS) were referred to clinical genetics services.

Conclusions

MGT appears to be a feasible way of providing BRCA testing to patients with ovarian cancer. Greater clarity of how oncologists use VUS results is needed, as well as further research on psychosocial implications of MGT for patients with ovarian cancer, which may include somatic testing in the future.
Reporting suspected abuse or neglect in research involving children
Authors: Resnik David B , Randall Duncan C
Published: March 2018

In this article, we explore the ethical issues related to the reporting of suspected abuse or neglect in research involving children. Ethical dilemmas related to reporting child maltreatment are often complex because the rights of children and their adult caregivers may conflict and determinations of abuse or neglect are socially constructed judgments that depend on particular circumstances. We argue that when reporting is legally mandated, investigators must follow the law and report their suspicions to Child Protective Services. When reporting is not legally mandated, investigators still have an ethical obligation to report to help prevent additional maltreatment and allow children to obtain access to services needed to recover from abuse or neglect. We also argue that investigators should include plans and procedures in the research protocol for making reports and training research staff in recognising evidence of child abuse or neglect. Although investigators should report evidence of abuse or neglect that is discovered incidentally, they have no mandate to actively search for such evidence when it is not related to the study’s objectives. Investigators should also inform parents and children about their obligations to report suspected abuse or neglect.
Introduction of clerking pro forma for surgical spinal patients at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust (London): an audit cycle
Authors: Pace Valerio , Farooqi Omar , Kennedy James , Park Chang , Cowan Joseph
Published: March 2018

As a tertiary referral centre of spinal surgery, the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) handles hundreds of spinal cases a year, often with complex pathology and complex care needs. Despite this, issues were raised at the RNOH following lack of sufficient documentation of preoperative and postoperative clinical findings in spinal patients undergoing major surgery. This is not in keeping with guidelines provided by the Royal College of Surgeons. The authors believe that a standardised clerking pro forma for surgical spinal patients admitted to RNOH would improve the quality of care provided. Therefore, the use of a standard clerking pro forma for all surgical spinal patients could be a useful tool enabling improvements in patients care and safety in keeping with General Medical Council/National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines. An audit (with closure of loop) looking into the quality of the preoperative and postoperative clinical documentation for surgical spinal patients was carried out at the RNOH in 2016 (retrospective case note audit comparing preintervention and postintervention documentation standards). Our standardised pro forma allows clinicians to best utilise their time and standardises examination to be compared in a temporal manner during the patients admission and care. It is the authors understanding that this work is a unique study looking at the quality of the admission clerking for surgical spinal patients. Evidently, there remains work to be done for the widespread utilisation of the pro forma. Early results suggest that such a pro forma can significantly improve the documentation in admission clerking with improvements in the quality of care for patients.
Frequency, comprehension and attitudes of physicians towards abbreviations in the medical record
Authors: Hamiel Uri , Hecht Idan , Nemet Achia , Pe’er Liron , Man Vitaly , Hilely Assaf , Achiron Asaf
Published: March 2018

Aims

Abbreviations are common in the medical record. Their inappropriate use may ultimately lead to patient harm, yet little is known regarding the extent of their use and their comprehension. Our aim was to assess the extent of their use, their comprehension and physicians’ attitudes towards them, using ophthalmology consults in a tertiary hospital as a model.

Methods

We first mapped the frequency with which English abbreviations were used in the departments’ computerised databases. We then used the most frequently used abbreviations as part of a cross-sectional survey designed to assess the attitudes of non-ophthalmologist physicians towards the abbreviations and their comprehension of them. Finally, we tested whether an online lecture would improve comprehension.

Results

4375 records were screened, and 235 physicians responded to the survey. Only 42.5% knew at least 10% of the abbreviations, and no one knew them all. Ninety-two per cent of respondents admitted to searching online for the meanings of abbreviations, and 59.1% believe abbreviations should be prohibited in medical records. A short online lecture improved the number of respondents answering correctly at least 50% of the time from 1.2% to 42% (P<0.001).

Conclusions

Abbreviations are common in medical records and are frequently misinterpreted. Online teaching is a valuable tool for physician education. The majority of respondents believed that misinterpreting abbreviations could negatively impact patient care, and that the use of abbreviations should be prohibited in medical records. Due to low rates of comprehension and negative attitudes towards abbreviations in medical communications, we believe their use should be discouraged.
Measuring illicit cigarette trade in Colombia
Authors: Maldonado Norman , Llorente Blanca Amalia , Iglesias Roberto Magno , Escobar Diego
Published: March 2018

Background

By 2016, tobacco industry provided the only illicit trade estimates in Colombia and used these to discourage tax increases since the 1990s. To establish the viability of a threefold hike in the excise tax, policy makers needed unbiased estimates of the illicit cigarette.

Objective

To estimate the size of illicit cigarette trade in five Colombian cities (63% of the market), analyse characteristics of smokers of illicit cigarettes and compare market share results with one industry-funded survey.

Methods

Street cross-sectional survey with smokers’ self-report on consumption pattern, last purchase information and direct observation of smoker’s packs. Sampling frame: smokers, men and women, 12 years old or older, all income levels, resident in five Colombian cities (Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Cartagena and Cúcuta) with 1 733 316 smokers in 2013. Sample size 1697, simple random sample by city, sampling weights based on age groups and cities. Confidence level 95%, margin of error 3.5% for Bogotá and Medellín and 5% for the other three cities. Data collection period: 24 August–14 September 2016.

Results

Illicit cigarettes represent 3.5% of consumption in the five cities, a much lower estimate than the industry data. There are significant differences across cities, with Bogotá at the bottom (1.5%) and Cúcuta at the top (22.8%).

Conclusion

The low overall penetration of illicit cigarettes in Colombia indicates that the industry’s warnings against tax increases are not justified. The limited importance of tax levels as determinant of consumption of illicit cigarettes is also suggested by the differences across cities, all of them with the same tax regime.
TRACEABILITY INFORMATION AND WILLINGNESS TO PAY: THE CASE OF PORK
Authors: LU JIAO , WANG HONGSHA , WU LINHAI , CHEN XIUJUAN
Published: March 2018

Willingness to pay (WTP) for pork with different traceability information was investigated in 143 consumers in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China, using experimental auctions combined with real choice experiments based on incentive compatibility and external validity of non-hypothetical elicitation. The results indicated that participants had the highest WTP for government certification information, attached the greatest importance to farming information and comprehensive traceability information on the whole. Therefore, emphasis of Chinese government should be placed on prevention and regulation of potential safety risks in pig farming. Also, effective transfer of traceability information should be guaranteed through government certification.
Stabilization in a higher-dimensional attraction–repulsion chemotaxis system if repulsion dominates over attraction
Authors: Lin Ke , Mu Chunlai , Zhou Deqin
Published: March 2018

The long-time behavior of solutions to an attraction–repulsion chemotaxis system is considered in this paper in a bounded domain under zero-flux boundary conditions if repulsion dominates over attraction. It is known that under the assumption that repulsion balances/overbalances attraction in two or higher dimensions, for any suitably regular initial data all solutions of this system will be global and bounded. The present work further shows that if the degradation rate of a repulsive signal is smaller than the attractive one or the repulsion is suitably strong, this global solutions converge to the steady state for arbitrarily large initial data. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first results on the large time of large-data solutions in a higher-dimensional attraction–repulsion chemotaxis system.
Virtual element methods on meshes with small edges or faces
Authors: Brenner Susanne C. , Sung Li-Yeng
Published: March 2018

We consider a model Poisson problem in [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) and establish error estimates for virtual element methods on polygonal or polyhedral meshes that can contain small edges ([Formula: see text]) or small faces ([Formula: see text]). Our results extend the ones in [L. Beirão da Veiga, C. Lovadina and A. Russo, Stability analysis for the virtual element method, Math. Models Methods Appl. Sci. 27 (2017) 2557–2594] for the original two-dimensional virtual element method from [L. Beirão da Veiga, F. Brezzi, A. Cangiani, G. Manzini, L. D. Marini and A. Russo, Basic principles of virtual element methods, Math. Models Methods Appl. Sci. 23 (2013) 199–214] to the version of the virtual element method in [B. Ahmad, A. Alsaedi, F. Brezzi, L. D. Marini and A. Russo, Equivalent projectors for virtual element methods, Comput. Math. Appl. 66 (2013) 376–391] that can also be applied to problems in three dimensions.
Integrating Spatial Analytics in Global Sourcing Decisions
Authors: Goldberg David M. , Deane Jason K. , Ragsdale Cliff T.
Published: March 2018

The ability or inability to develop an effective, reliable supplier network can often play a major role in determining an organization’s competitive position. Especially in today’s era of a complex global economy, disruptions to an organization’s supply chain can drastically undermine its ability to compete. We analyze the interaction between density risk, or risk related to the proximal relationships between suppliers, and environmental risk, or risk arising from conditions affecting a supplier’s local business environment. We provide a powerful supply base risk mitigation strategy incorporating spatial analytics to enhance our analyses. We develop a multi-objective program to manage these factors and recommend minimal risk supply bases. We detail the interaction between objectives in an example and discuss the ramifications for managers. This work will assist managers in their efforts to build a supply base that meets the cost and efficiency demands of their organization.
Study of Quality Function Deployment Model Based on Artificial Neural Network with Optimization Techniques
Authors: Patil Chandrashekhar K. , Husain M. , Halegowda N. V.
Published: March 2018

In perceptible world the advanced technique is to progress the model of quality function deployment (QFD) procedure with the consumer consummation level in the industry with the help of artificial neural network (ANN) with inspired optimization methods. QFD is a productive instrument for refining customer serenity in the new product planning (NPP) procedure. QFD precedes the voice of the consumer from the commencement of artifact growth and organizes it through the firm. The QFD procedure forecasts the number of percentages (%) in the dissimilar voices of the consumers. In our projected work, consumer level, learning rate, momentum rate, and correlation value are utilized to assess the customer consummation rate in QFD. On the basis of these parameters, the ANN model is used in this hidden layer, and neuron differs for each feature for training procedure-changed algorithms like particle swarm optimization (PSO), harmony search (HS) optimization, and genetic algorithm (GA) are utilized. In this procedure, HS algorithm is used to optimize the hidden layer and neuron, though it achieved better performance when compared with the other methods. The optimization is transpired and the artificial network structure has intended the model of QFD.
Research and Implementation of the Roll Position Automatic Adjustment System on the One-Time Forming of Cold-Formed Steel Unit
Authors: Gao Qiang , Liu Wenjie , Li Dong , Wang Yalin , Gao Hongquan , Xue Tao
Published: March 2018

In order to solve the existing problems of inefficiency, instability, inaccuracy and low degree of automation, the roll position automatic adjustment system is designed for the one-time forming of cold-formed steel unit. The automatic control technology, sensor technology, communication technology and human–machine interface (HMI) configuration technology are applied to this system and the high-performance PLC controller is used as control core. Triple-phase asynchronous motors are controlled by PLC (S7-1500) to drive the gear connected with reducer and coupling so as to drive the rolls connected with the upper and lower horizontal axes to move. The osiswitch is used to calibrate zero position and the closed-loop control system is constructed by analyzing and feedbacking the signal of the sensor. In this way the system can improve the roll position adjustment accuracy. The practical applications show that the whole system is simple, stable and efficient and the maximum detection error of roller displacement is only [Formula: see text]2[Formula: see text]mm. The system can automatically call the corresponding roll position data according to the specification of the steel pipe. The system not only improves the adjustment speed and accuracy, but also avoids the waste of manpower so that the enterprise production efficiency can be greatly improved. Meanwhile, in order to carry out efficient management of the unit, the unit’s health management system was used to analyze and monitor the status of the unit in real-time.
Analysis of Spur Gear with Tooth Circular Discontinuity for Weight Reduction
Authors: Ravichandran R. , Neelakrishnan S.
Published: March 2018

The design of gears and gear drives are becoming challenging in automobile applications in which low contact ratio gears are required to transmit higher loads and be lighter in weight. There are various methods available for optimizing the design. Some researches have been taken place in the areas of gear tooth profile modifications for providing internal stress relief and weight reduction. In most cases, the maximum loads are assumed to be acting on the tip of the tooth. In this study, investigations are carried out on the effect of circular discontinuity on the weight reduction without affecting the root stress. The maximum tangential load is applied on the highest point of single tooth contact. The results show that with the modified gear tooth having a combination of two circular discontinuities of size 0.4 times the module not only provides weight reduction but also gives stress relief at the root.
A quadratic finite element wavelet Riesz basis
Authors: Rekatsinas Nikolaos , Stevenson Rob
Published: March 2018

In this paper, continuous piecewise quadratic finite element wavelets are constructed on general polygons in [Formula: see text]. The wavelets are stable in [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] and have two vanishing moments. Each wavelet is a linear combination of 11 or 13 nodal basis functions. Numerically computed condition numbers for [Formula: see text] are provided for the unit square.
Fuzzy p-Absolutely Summable Difference Sequences
Authors: Dutta Hemen , Kilicman Adem , Esi Ayhan
Published: March 2018

In this work, we introduce the notion of [Formula: see text]-absolutely summability of difference sequences of fuzzy numbers and then reduce the concept of [Formula: see text]-absolutely summable sequences of fuzzy numbers. We discuss the sets of such sequences of fuzzy numbers under different fuzzy metrics. We also establish the completeness under suitable metric. Examples along with suitable explanation are incorporated to make the theory of this paper interesting and useful. Finally, the concepts of fuzzy solidity and fuzzy symmetricity are defined and the classes for these two properties are examined as well.
Sophisticated Strategic Choice
Authors: Lahiri Somdeb
Published: March 2018

We consider two-stage strategic choice problems in which a decision maker first chooses a strategy and subsequently an alternative from a nonempty subset of feasible alternatives that may depend on the strategy chosen in the first period. The preferences over alternatives that the decision maker starts out with may change after a strategy is chosen and the new preferences may depend on the chosen strategy. We consider sophisticated trajectories and provide conditions under which such trajectories exist. Then we consider problems with a finite number of strategies and alternatives. We define the sophisticated choice function and provide characterizations for its rationalizability.
A physics-based approach to motion capture data processing for virtual plant modeling and simulation
Authors: Xiao Boxiang , Wu Sheng , Guo Xinyu
Published: March 2018

Dynamic virtual plant simulation is an attractive research issue in both botany and computer graphics. Data-driven method is an efficient way for motion analysis and animation synthesis. As a widely used tool, motion capture has been used in plant motion data acquisition and analysis. The most prominent and important problem in motion capture for plants is primary data processing such as missing markers reconstruction. This paper presents a novel physics-based approach to motion capture data processing of plants. Firstly, a physics-based mechanics model is found by Lagrangian mechanics for a motion captured plant organ such as a leaf, and then its dynamic mechanical properties are analyzed and relevant model parameters are evaluated. Further, by using the physical model with evaluated parameters, we can calculate the next positions of a maker to reconstruct the missing makers in motion capture sequence. We take an example of a maize leaf and pachira leaf to examine the proposed approach, and the results show that the physics-based method is feasible and effective for plant motion data processing.
Philosophical thinking of Chinese Traditional Medicine
Authors: Dong Jingcheng , Lu Linwei , Le Jingjing , Yan Chen , Zhang Hongying , Li Lulu
Published: March 2018

Traditional medicine is often an integration of ancient philosophy, clinical experiences, primitive knowledge of medicine, regional cultures and religious beliefs. Chinese Traditional Medicine (CTM) is the general appellation of all the traditional medicines of different ethnicities in China, which share great similarities of basic concept and philosophical basis, and conform to the development of empirical medicine, among which the medicine of Han ethnicity (Han medicine) is the most mature. The development of CTM is totally different from that of modern medicine, always revolving around the center of disease diagnosis and treatment, establishing the core theoretical system of Yin and Yang, Five Elements, Zang and Fu and Humoralism with the theoretical foundation of ancient Chinese philosophy, which represents the highest achievement of worldwide empirical medicine and philosophy form at that time. In general, the basic structure of CTM mainly consists of three parts as follows: the part that has already reached consensus with modern medicine, the part that is unconsciously ahead of modern medicine, and the part that needs to be reconsidered or abandoned.
Coin Flipping of
Any
Constant Bias Implies One-Way Functions
Authors: Berman Itay , Haitner Iftach , Tentes Aris
Published: March 2018

We show that the existence of a coin-flipping protocol safe against
any
nontrivial constant bias (e.g., .499) implies the existence of one-way functions. This improves upon a result of Haitner and Omri (FOCS’11), who proved this implication for protocols with bias √ 2−1/2 −
o
(1) ≈ .207. Unlike the result of Haitner and Omri, our result also holds for
weak
coin-flipping protocols.
Fast Hamiltonicity Checking Via Bases of Perfect Matchings
Authors: Cygan Marek , Kratsch Stefan , Nederlof Jesper
Published: March 2018

For an even integer
t
≥ 2, the Matching Connectivity matrix
H

t

is a matrix that has rows and columns both labeled by all perfect matchings of the complete graph on
t
vertices; an entry
H

t

[
M
1
,
M
2
] is 1 if
M
1
and
M
2
form a Hamiltonian cycle and 0 otherwise. Motivated by applications for the Hamiltonicity problem, we show that
H

t

has rank exactly 2

t
/2−1

over GF(2). The upper bound is established by an explicit factorization of
H

t

as the product of two submatrices; the matchings labeling columns and rows, respectively, of the submatrices therefore form a basis
X

t

of
H

t

. The lower bound follows because the 2

t
/2−1

× 2

t
/2−1

submatrix with rows and columns labeled by
X

t

can be seen to have full rank.

We obtain several algorithmic results based on the rank of
H

t

and the particular structure of the matchings in
X

t

. First, we present a 1.888

n

n

O
(1)

time Monte Carlo algorithm that solves the Hamiltonicity problem in directed bipartite graphs. Second, we give a Monte Carlo algorithm that solves the problem in (2 + √ 2)
pw
n

O
(1)

time when provided with a path decomposition of width pw for the input graph. Moreover, we show that this algorithm is best possible under the Strong Exponential Time Hypothesis, in the sense that an algorithm with running time (2 + √2 − ϵ)
pw
n

O
(1)

, for any ϵ > 0, would imply the breakthrough result of a (2 − ϵ
′
)

n

-time algorithm for CNF-Sat for some ϵ
′
> 0.
CO
2
Authors: Guo Long , Zhang Dongxiang , Wang Yuan , Wu Huayu , Cui Bin , Tan Kian-Lee
Published: March 2018

User-generated trajectories (UGTs), such as travel records from bus companies, capture rich information of human mobility in the offline world. However, some interesting applications of these raw footprints have not been exploited well due to the lack of textual information to infer the subject’s personal interests. Although there is rich semantic information contained in the spatial- and temporal-aware user-generated contents (STUGC) published in the online world, such as Twitter, less effort has been made to utilize this information to facilitate the interest discovery process. In this article, we design an effective probabilistic framework named CO
2
to connect the offline world with the online world in order to discover users’ interests directly from their raw footprints in UGT. CO
2
first infers trip intentions by utilizing the semantic information in STUGC and then discovers user interests by aggregating the intentions. To evaluate the effectiveness of CO
2
, we use two large-scale real-world datasets as a case study and further conduct a questionnaire survey to show the superior performance of CO
2
.
The Origin and Evolutionary Biology of Pinnipeds: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses
Authors: Berta Annalisa , Churchill Morgan , Boessenecker Robert W.
Published: March 2018

The oldest definitive pinniped fossils date from approximately 30.6–23 million years ago (Ma) in the North Pacific. Pinniped monophyly is consistently supported; the group shares a common ancestry with arctoid carnivorans, either ursids or musteloids. Crown pinnipeds comprise the Otariidae (fur seals and sea lions), Odobenidae (walruses), and Phocidae (seals), with paraphyletic “enaliarctines” falling outside the crown group. The position of extinct Desmatophocidae is debated; they are considered to be closely related to both otariids and odobenids or, alternatively, to phocids. Both otariids and odobenids are known from the North Pacific, diverging approximately 19 Ma, with phocids originating in the North Atlantic or Paratethys region 19–14 Ma. Our understanding of pinniped paleobiology has been enriched by studies that incorporate anatomical and behavioral data into a phylogenetic framework. There is now evidence for sexual dimorphism in the earliest pinnipeds, heralding polygynous breeding systems, followed by increased body sizes, diving capabilities, and diverse feeding strategies in later-diverging phocid and otarioid lineages.
A zebrafish model of infection-associated acute kidney injury
Authors: Wen Xiaoyan , Cui Liyan , Morrisroe Seth , Maberry Donald , Emlet David , Watkins Simon , Hukriede Neil A. , Kellum John A.
Published: March 2018

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (S-AKI) independently predicts mortality among critically ill patients. The role of innate immunity in this process is unclear, and there is an unmet need for S-AKI models to delineate the pathophysiological response. Mammals and zebrafish ( Danio rerio) share a conserved nephron structure and homologous innate immune systems, making the latter suitable for S-AKI research. We introduced Edwardsiella tarda to the zebrafish. Systemic E. tarda bacteremia resulted in sustained bacterial infection and dose-dependent mortality. A systemic immune reaction was characterized by increased mRNA expressions of il1b, tnfa, tgfb1a, and cxcl8-l1 ( P < 0.0001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.01, respectively). Increase of host stress response genes ccnd1 and tp53 was observed at 24 h postinjection ( P < 0.0001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Moderate E. tarda infection induced zebrafish mortality of over 50% in larvae and 20% in adults, accompanied by pericardial edema in larvae and renal dysfunction in both larval and adult zebrafish. Expression of AKI markers insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-7 (IGFBP7), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP-2), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) was found to be significantly increased in the septic animals at the transcription level ( P < 0.01, P < 0.05, and P < 0.05) and in nephric tubules compared with noninfected animals. In conclusion, we established a zebrafish model of S-AKI induced by E. tarda injection, with both larval and adult zebrafish showing nephron injury in the setting of infection.
Casein kinase 1ε and 1α as novel players in polycystic kidney disease and mechanistic targets for (R)-roscovitine and (S)-CR8
Authors: Billot Katy , Coquil Charlène , Villiers Benoit , Josselin-Foll Béatrice , Desban Nathalie , Delehouzé Claire , Oumata Nassima , Le Meur Yannick , Boletta Alessandra , Weimbs Thomas , Grosch Melanie , Witzgall Ralph , Saunier Sophie , Fischer Evelyne , Pontoglio Marco , Fautrel Alain , Mrug Michal , Wallace Darren , Tran Pamela V. , Trudel Marie , Bukanov Nikolay , Ibraghimov-Beskrovnaya Oxana , Meijer Laurent
Published: March 2018

Following the discovery of (R)-roscovitine’s beneficial effects in three polycystic kidney disease (PKD) mouse models, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) inhibitors have been investigated as potential treatments. We have used various affinity chromatography approaches to identify the molecular targets of roscovitine and its more potent analog (S)-CR8 in human and murine polycystic kidneys. These methods revealed casein kinases 1 (CK1) as additional targets of the two drugs. CK1ε expression at the mRNA and protein levels is enhanced in polycystic kidneys of 11 different PKD mouse models as well as in human polycystic kidneys. A shift in the pattern of CK1α isoforms is observed in all PKD mouse models. Furthermore, the catalytic activities of both CK1ε and CK1α are increased in mouse polycystic kidneys. Inhibition of CK1ε and CK1α may thus contribute to the long-lasting attenuating effects of roscovitine and (S)-CR8 on cyst development. CDKs and CK1s may constitute a dual therapeutic target to develop kinase inhibitory PKD drug candidates.
Frequency-Reconfigurable Dipole Antenna Using Liquid-Metal Pixels
Authors: Sarabia Kent J. , Yamada Sasha S. , Moorefield Matthew R. , Combs Anthony W. , Ohta Aaron T. , Shiroma Wayne A.
Published: March 2018

A frequency-tunable half-wavelength dipole antenna is realized using an array of electrically actuated liquid-metal pixels. The liquid-metal pixelated dipole antenna demonstrates frequency reconfigurability by switching between resonances at 2.51 GHz, 2.12 GHz, 1.85 GHz, and 1.68 GHz.
De Novo Atypical Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome after Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Devresse Arnaud , de Meyer Martine , Aydin Selda , Dahan Karin , Kanaan Nada
Published: March 2018

De novo thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) can occur after kidney transplantation. An abnormality of the alternative pathway of complement must be suspected and searched for, even in presence of a secondary cause. We report the case of a 23-year-old female patient who was transplanted with a kidney from her mother for end-stage renal disease secondary to Hinman syndrome. Early after transplantation, she presented with 2 episodes of severe pyelonephritis, associated with acute kidney dysfunction and biological and histological features of TMA. Investigations of the alternative pathway of the complement system revealed atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome secondary to complement factor I mutation, associated with mutations in CD46 and complement factor H related protein genes. Plasma exchanges followed by eculizumab injections allowed improvement of kidney function without, however, normalization of creatinine.
A Mathematical Model of Treatment and Vaccination Interventions of Pneumococcal Pneumonia Infection Dynamics
Authors: Kizito Mohammed , Tumwiine Julius
Published: March 2018

Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the leading causes of serious morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in young children and the elderly. In this study, a model of the spread and control of bacterial pneumonia under public health interventions that involve treatment and vaccination is formulated. It is found out that the model exhibits the disease-free and endemic equilibria. The disease-free equilibrium is stable if and only if the basic reproduction number R0<1 and the disease will be wiped out of the population. For R0≥1, the endemic equilibrium is globally stable and the disease persists. We infer the effect of these interventions on the dynamics of the pneumonia through sensitivity analysis on the effective reproduction number Re, from which it is revealed that treatment and vaccination interventions combined can eradicate pneumonia infection. Numerical simulation to illustrate the analytical results and establish the long term behavior of the disease is done. The impact of pneumonia infection control strategies is investigated. It is revealed that, with treatment and vaccination interventions combined, pneumonia can be wiped out. However, with treatment intervention alone, pneumonia persists in the population.
Understanding Keystroke Dynamics for Smartphone Users Authentication and Keystroke Dynamics on Smartphones Built-In Motion Sensors
Authors: Lee Hyungu , Hwang Jung Yeon , Kim Dong In , Lee Shincheol , Lee Sung-Hoon , Shin Ji Sun
Published: March 2018

Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and pattern drawing have been used as common authentication methods especially on smartphones. Such methods, however, are very vulnerable to the shoulder surfing attack. Thus, keystroke dynamics that authenticate legitimate users based on their typing manner have been studied for years. However, many of the studies have focused on PC keyboard keystrokes. More studies on mobile and smartphones keystroke dynamics are warranted; as smartphones make progress in both hardware and software, features from smartphones have been diversified. In this paper, using various features including keystroke data such as time interval and motion data such as accelerometers and rotation values, we evaluate features with motion data and without motion data. We also compare 5 formulas for motion data, respectively. We also demonstrate that opposite gender match between a legitimate user and impostors has influence on authenticating by our experiment results.
Massive Ovarian Edema in a Girl with Hemoglobin SC Disease
Authors: Johannesen Eric , Nguyen Van
Published: March 2018

Massive ovarian edema is a benign tumor like lesion of the ovary. The widely accepted mechanism is disruption of vascular drainage resulting in accumulation of fluid within the stroma and enlargement of the ovary. We report a case of massive ovarian edema in a teenage girl with hemoglobin SC disease. A 16-year-old female with hemoglobin SC disease was admitted with right lower quadrant pain. An ultrasound and CT scan showed a large, heterogeneous solid, and cystic pelvic mass. Due to the size and the possibility of malignancy, the patient underwent a salpingo-oophorectomy. The mass was an 8.3 cm hemorrhagic cyst with some solid areas. Histologic exam showed diffuse edema with scattered entrapped follicles and a narrow rim of normal appearing ovarian stroma. Dilated and occluded capillaries were seen along with hemorrhage and sickled red blood cells but no necrosis was identified. These histologic features were consistent with massive ovarian edema. Massive ovarian edema is thought to be caused by disturbance of the vascular outflow resulting in fluid buildup in the stroma. It is most often attributed to intermittent ovarian torsion that disrupts capillary and venous flow, but arterial flow is maintained. Rare cases of massive ovarian edema caused by tumor emboli or external compression by tumors have been reported, but this is the first case of a patient with hemoglobin SC disease developing vasoocclusions resulting in this lesion.
Joint Cell Muting and User Scheduling in Multicell Networks with Temporal Fairness
Authors: Shahsavari Shahram , Akar Nail , Khalaj Babak Hossein
Published: March 2018

A semicentralized joint cell muting and user scheduling scheme for interference coordination in a multicell network is proposed under two different temporal fairness criteria. In the proposed scheme, at a decision instant, each base station (BS) in the multicell network employs a cell‐level scheduler to nominate one user for each of its inner and outer sections and their available transmission rates to a network‐level scheduler which then computes the potential overall transmission rate for each muting pattern. Subsequently, the network‐level scheduler selects one pattern to unmute, out of all the available patterns. This decision is shared with all cell‐level schedulers which then forward data to one of the two nominated users provided the pattern they reside in was chosen for transmission. Both user and pattern selection decisions are made on a temporal fair basis. Although some pattern sets are easily obtainable from static frequency reuse systems, we propose a general pattern set construction algorithm in this paper. As for the first fairness criterion, all cells are assigned to receive the same temporal share with the ratio between the temporal share of a cell center section and that of the cell edge section being set to a fixed desired value for all cells. The second fairness criterion is based on max-min temporal fairness for which the temporal share of the network‐wide worst case user is maximized. Extensive numerical results are provided to validate the effectiveness of the proposed schemes and to study the impact of choice of the pattern set.
Fracture Resistance Enhancement in Hard Mo-B-C Coatings Tailored by Composition and Microstructure
Authors: Soucek Pavel , Zabransky Lukas , Bursikova Vilma , Bursik Jiri , Debnarova Stanislava , Svoboda Milan , Perina Vratislav , Vasina Petr
Published: March 2018

State-of-the-art protective coatings often suffer from brittleness. Therefore, the coatings are intensively sought which would simultaneously exhibit high hardness and stiffness with moderate ductility and fracture resistance. In this paper, we report on the nanostructure designing of coatings containing metal, boron, and carbon enabling the simultaneous presence of stiff boridic and carbidic bonds together with weaker metallic bonds to provide coatings with these desirable properties. Three designs are presented with different relative amounts of nanocrystalline and amorphous phases, ranging from near-amorphous to prevalently crystalline microstructure. All presented coatings exhibit an unusual combination of high fracture resistance and high hardness that cannot be achieved with state-of-the-art protective coatings. Indentation tests at high loads revealed that no cracks are present at the surface of the investigated coatings while state-of-the-art ceramic protective coatings already exhibit significant cracking. Cracks in the bulk of the presented coating are detected only when the deformation is so severe that the substrate itself fails.
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: One More Angiographic Evidence of Microvascular Dysfunction
Authors: Loffi Marco , Santangelo Andrea , Kozel Martin , Kocka Viktor , Budesinsky Tomas , Lisa Libor , Tousek Petr
Published: March 2018

Background. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) aetiology has not been completely understood yet. One proposed pathogenic mechanism was coronary microvascular dysfunction (MVD). This study compared coronary flow and myocardial perfusion in patients with TC, microvascular angina (MVA), and a control group (CG). Methods. Out of 42 consecutive patients presented to our centre with TC from 2013 to 2017; we retrospectively selected 27 patients. We compared them with a sex- and age-matched group of 27 MVA cases and 27 patients with normal coronary arteries (CG). The flow was evaluated in the three coronary arteries as TIMI flow and TIMI frame count (TFC). Myocardial perfusion was studied with Blush-Score and Quantitative Blush Evaluator (QuBE). Results. TFC, in TC, revealed flow impairment in the three arteries compared to the CG (left anterior descending artery (LAD): 22±8, 15±4; p=0.001) (right coronary artery: 12±4, 10±3; p=0,025) (left circumflex: 14±4, CG 11±3; p=0,006). QuBE showed myocardial perfusion impairment in the LAD territory in TC comparing with both the CG (8,9 (7,2–11,5) versus 11,4 (10–15,7); p=0,008) and the MVA group (8,9 (7,2–11,5) versus 13,5 (10–16); p=0,006). Conclusions. Our study confirmed that coronary flow is impaired in TC, reflecting a MVD. Myocardial perfusion defect was detected only in the LAD area.