bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ATR Kinase Activity Limits Mutagenesis and Promotes the Clonogenic Survival of Quiescent Human Keratinocytes Exposed to UVB Radiation
Authors: Shaj Kavya , Hutcherson Rebekah J. , Kemp Michael G.
Published: September 2019

The ATR protein kinase has well‐described roles in maintaining genomic integrity during the DNA synthesis phase of the cell cycle. However, ATR function in cells that are not actively replicating DNA remains largely unexplored. Using HaCaT and telomerase‐immortalized human keratinocytes maintained in a confluent, nonreplicating state in vitro, ATR was found to be robustly activated in response to UVB radiation in a manner dependent on the nucleotide excision repair factor and DNA translocase XPB. Inhibition of ATR kinase activity under these conditions negatively impacted acute cell survival and cytotoxicity and severely inhibited the ability of UVB‐irradiated HaCaT keratinocytes to proliferate upon stimulation with growth factors. Furthermore, ATR kinase inhibition in quiescent HaCaT keratinocytes potentiated UVB mutagenesis at the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase locus. Though ATR inhibition did not impact the rate of removal of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers from genomic DNA, elevated levels of PCNA mono‐ubiquitination and chromatin‐associated PCNA and RPA indicate that excision gap‐filling synthesis was altered in the absence of ATR signaling. These results indicate that the ATR kinase plays important roles in preventing mutagenesis and in promoting the proliferative potential of quiescent keratinocytes exposed to UVB radiation.
Impairment of the autophagy system in repetitively UVA‐irradiated fibroblasts
Authors: Endo Karin , Katsuyama Yushi , Taira Norihisa , Yoshioka Masato , Okano Yuri , Masaki Hitoshi
Published: September 2019

Background

Autophagy is known as an intracellular cleanup system necessary to maintain homeostasis of the skin. Many studies have pointed out the relationship between aging and the inactivation of autophagy function, which suggests that the inactivation of autophagy occurs in aged skin. However, the aging process of the skin is complicated compared with other organs, because the skin is localized at the border between the inside of the body and the environment. Thus, skin aging is strongly affected by environmental factors, and it is well recognized that ultraviolet (UV) radiation is an important environmental factor that promotes skin aging. Therefore, characterizing the autophagic phenotypes induced by environmental factors is important to understand the process of skin aging.

Methods

In order to demonstrate the status of autophagy during environment‐induced aging of the skin, we investigated the autophagy profiles of normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) treated with repetitive UVA irradiation as model fibroblasts in photoaged skin.

Results

Repetitively UVA‐irradiated NHDFs showed increased numbers of autophagosomes, which coincided with the accumulation of p62 and increased levels of LAMP‐1 and lysosomes. The behavior of repetitively UVA‐irradiated NHDFs on autophagy was similar to that of NHDFs treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), which is an inhibitor of lysosomal proteinase.

Conclusion

In summary, these results demonstrate that repetitively UVA‐irradiated fibroblasts have reduced autophagy function due to the dysfunction of lysosomes.
Poacic acid suppresses dollar spot and snow mould in amenity turfgrass
Authors: Kabbage M. , Piotrowski J. S. , Thill E. , Westrick N. M. , Ralph J. , Hockemeyer K. , Koch P. L.
Published: September 2019

Plant‐based antifungal agents offer an alternative to synthetic fungicides in amenity turfgrass disease management. Poacic acid is a by‐product of the biofuel production process that has exhibited antifungal activity, and the objective of this research was to determine its ability to serve as an effective management tool for economically important turfgrass diseases such as dollar spot and snow moulds. In vitro and field tests were conducted in Wisconsin and Michigan, USA from 2015 to 2017 to determine the efficacy of poacic acid in suppressing the economically important turfgrass pathogens Clarireedia jacksonii and Microdochium nivale. Poacic acid demonstrated strong antifungal activity against both pathogens in vitro, inhibiting growth of C. jacksonii and M. nivale by 93% and 74% relative to nonamended media, respectively. Poacic acid reduced dollar spot in the field in one of two years, but failed to suppress snow mould when applied alone. Poacic acid was an effective mix partner for snow mould control when combined with a synthetic fungicide, an important attribute because no single fungicide currently on the market provides acceptable snow mould control under heavy disease pressure. Future research should focus on improving poacic acid field efficacy so that it can be incorporated into plant‐based disease management strategies for amenity turfgrass.
Construction of solutions of the defocusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation with asymptotically time‐periodic boundary values
Authors: Fromm Samuel
Published: September 2019

We study the defocusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation in the quarter plane with asymptotically periodic boundary values. We use the unified transform method, also known as the Fokas method, and the Deift‐Zhou nonlinear steepest descent method to construct solutions in a sector close to the boundary whose leading behavior is described by a single exponential plane wave. Furthermore, we compute the subleading terms in the long‐time asymptotics of the constructed solutions.
Sabiduría poética y poética en Giambattista Vico
Authors: Brigante Rovida Anna Maria
Published: September 2019

Este artículo se propone dar cuenta de dos usos diferentes del término poética en Giambattista Vico: por un lado, como adjetivo de la palabra sabiduría (sabiduría poética) y, por otro, como sustantivo, poética en sentido lato. Esto con el fin de comprender el desarrollo temático e histórico de lo poético y dar cuenta de la intención del autor por recuperar, en tiempos de una racionalidad abstracta y reductiva, una racionalidad poética que sea capaz de permear los dominios de lo práctico y de restaurar la unidad perdida entre teoría y praxis, entre poética y praxis. No se trata, entonces, de volver a los tiempos de la sabiduría poética, sino de recuperar una dimensión poética de la existencia.
Interior near-field acoustic holography based on finite elements
Authors: Ungnad Steffen , Sachau Delf
Published: September 2019

This paper deals with the mathematical framework of near-field acoustic holography based on finite elements in application to the acoustic response of a fluid within a closed cavity to the enclosure boundary conditions. The finite element method is an effective implementation of the modal approach for arbitrary geometries and provides advantages for certain wavenumber intervals in rooms. An inverse implementation of the direct problem can benefit from using generalized coordinates with modally reduced system matrices. A solution can be obtained via singular value decomposition together with Tikhonov regularization. This paper investigates acoustic mode spectrums of acoustic transfer functions, which has a major effect on the reconstruction of particle velocities from given sound pressures in a simple cavity model. It is found that the largest considered modal wavenumber in the acoustic transfer matrix should be twice the maximum excitation wavenumber. Furthermore, the relation between reconstruction errors and the detectability of evanescent waves depending on the wavenumber of excitation is considered. The proposed method is validated experimentally by reconstructing particle velocities on the inner boundaries of an Airbus A400M fuselage based on measurements of the inner pressure field. Results are compared with structural velocities measured with a laser Doppler vibrometer.
On the limitations of sound localization with hearing devices
Authors: Denk Florian , Ewert Stephan D. , Kollmeier Birger
Published: September 2019

Limited abilities to localize sound sources and other reduced spatial hearing capabilities remain a largely unsolved issue in hearing devices like hearing aids or hear-through headphones. Hence, the impact of the microphone location, signal bandwidth, different equalization approaches, as well as processing delays in superposition with direct sound leaking through a vent was addressed in this study. A localization experiment was performed with normal-hearing subjects using individual binaural synthesis to separately assess the above-mentioned potential limiting issues for localization in the horizontal and vertical plane with linear hearing devices. To this end, listening through hearing devices was simulated utilizing transfer functions for six different microphone locations, measured both individually and on a dummy head. Results show that the microphone location is the governing factor for localization abilities with linear hearing devices, and non-optimal microphone locations have a disruptive influence on localization in the vertical domain, and an effect on lateral sound localization. Processing delays cause additional detrimental effects for lateral sound localization; and diffuse-field equalization to the open-ear response leads to better localization performance than free-field equalization. Stimuli derived from dummy head measurements are unsuited for evaluating individual localization abilities with a hearing device.
Parent Perceptions on a Walking School Bus Program Among Low-Income Families: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Teller Katie , Abbey-Lambertz Mark , Sharma Nasira , Waite Alan , Ickes Scott , Mendoza Jason A.
Published: September 2019

Background: The walking school bus (WSB) is a promising intervention to increase walking to school and physical activity in school-age children. The aim of this qualitative study was to assess parent perceptions of a WSB program that was part of a randomized controlled trial to inform future programs. Methods: The authors interviewed 45 parents whose children had participated in a WSB program in the Seattle area, in which third- and fifth-grade students walked to/from school with adult chaperones along a set route. The authors performed a qualitative analysis of the interview transcripts and coded interview segments into 4 broad categories as follows: facilitators, barriers, general positive sentiments, and proposals. Results: Most parents spoke of the benefits of the WSB program; in particular, parents frequently applauded exercise/physical health benefits. Of the barriers, the most frequently cited was time, with work schedule and commute changes leading some families to walk less frequently. Conclusions: Most parents voiced support for the WSB program as a means to improve child health, to learn pedestrian safety, and to interact with positive adult role models. Parents made several suggestions to improve the program, including better recruitment methods, logistical improvements, and a platform for communicating with other parents.
Comparison of Regional Hamstrings Activation During Resistance Exercises in Females With Prior Athletic Experience
Authors: McCurdy Kevin , Walker John
Published: September 2019

Context: Within each hamstring muscle, there are segments with separate nerve innervation. However, a better understanding of activation levels within these regions during resistance exercise could lead to region-specific training for improved performance and injury prevention. Objective: To compare muscle activation levels within regions of the hamstrings during various resistance exercises. Design: Within-subjects repeated measures. Setting: Biomechanics laboratory. Participants: Eighteen young adult females with previous competitive sport participation and resistance training experience. Intervention: One set of 3 repetitions with an 8RM load on the bilateral squat, modified single-leg squat, stiff-legged dead lift, and leg curl (LC). Main Outcome Measures: Normalized surface electromyography of 4 hamstring regions (proximal-medial, proximal-lateral, distal-medial, and distal-lateral). Results: For LC only, electromyography measures for the proximal-lateral location were significantly lower than for the distal-lateral, t18 = 5.6, P < .001, and proximal-medial, t18 = 2.4, P = .01 locations for concentric contractions. Similar results were observed for eccentric contractions. No other exercises revealed regional activation differences. When comparing the pooled proximal (medial and lateral) region across exercises, the LC demonstrated significantly greater activation than the modified single-leg squat, t18 = 5.20, P < .001, stiff-legged dead lift, t18 = 7.311, P < .001, and bilateral squat, F3,54 = 49.8, P < .001. Similar significantly greater levels were also found during the LC for the pooled distal, medial, and lateral regions. In addition, the modified single-leg squat electromyography was significantly greater at all regions in comparison with the stiff-legged dead lift and bilateral squat. Conclusions: The data did not reveal consistent regional differences within the different exercises included in this study. However, the data indicate that the LC produces the highest hamstring activation in all regions across exercises. Inclusion of single-joint knee-flexion exercises would appear to be most beneficial for hamstrings development in a resistance-training program.
Effect of Quiet Eye and Quiet Mind Training on Motor Learning Among Novice Dart Players
Authors: Norouzi Ebrahim , Hosseini Fatemeh Sadat , Vaezmosavi Mohammad , Gerber Markus , Pühse Uwe , Brand Serge
Published: September 2019

In sport such as darts, athletes are particularly challenged by demands for concentration, skills underpinned by implicit learning, and fine motor skill control. Several techniques have been proposed to improve the implicit learning of such skills, including quiet eye training (QET) and quiet mind training (QMT). Here, the authors tested whether and to what extent QET or QMT, compared with a control condition, might improve skills among novice dart players. In total, 30 novice dart players were randomly assigned either to the QET, QMT, or a control condition. Dart playing skills were assessed four times: at the baseline, 7 days later, under stress conditions, and at the study’s end. Over time, errors reduced, but more so in the QET and QMT conditions than in the control condition. The pattern of the results indicates that, among novice dart players and compared with a control condition, both QET and QMT provide significant improvements in implicit learning.
Interleukin-11 is a therapeutic target in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Ng Benjamin , Dong Jinrui , D’Agostino Giuseppe , Viswanathan Sivakumar , Widjaja Anissa A. , Lim Wei-Wen , Ko Nicole S. J. , Tan Jessie , Chothani Sonia P. , Huang Benjamin , Xie Chen , Pua Chee Jian , Chacko Ann-Marie , Guimarães-Camboa Nuno , Evans Sylvia M. , Byrne Adam J. , Maher Toby M. , Liang Jiurong , Jiang Dianhua , Noble Paul W. , Schafer Sebastian , Cook Stuart A.
Published: September 2019

Interleukin-11 is important for lung fibroblast activation in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and its signaling represents a therapeutic target.
Whole-Genome Sequence of Rickettsia parkeri Strain Atlantic Rainforest, Isolated from a Colombian Tick
Authors: Londoño Andrés F. , Mendell Nicole L. , Valbuena Gustavo A. , Routh Andrew L. , Wood Thomas G. , Widen Steven G. , Rodas Juan D. , Walker David H. , Bouyer Donald H.
Published: September 2019

Rickettsia parkeri
is classified as a member of the alphaproteobacterial microorganisms, genus
Rickettsia
. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
Rickettsia parkeri
strain Atlantic Rainforest, which was isolated from an
Amblyomma ovale
tick collected in the municipality of Necoclí, Colombia.
Complete Genome Sequence of Klebsiella pneumoniae Phage Sweeny
Authors: Martinez Nicholas , Williams Eric , Newkirk Heather , Liu Mei , Gill Jason J. , Ramsey Jolene
Published: September 2019

Klebsiella pneumoniae
is a multidrug-resistant bacterium causing many severe hospital-acquired infections. Here, we describe siphophage Sweeny that infects
K. pneumoniae
. Of its 78 predicted protein-encoding genes, a functional assignment was given to 36 of them. Sweeny is most closely related to T1-like phages at the protein level.
Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia coli Siphophage Schulenberg
Authors: Rivera Madeline , Newkirk Heather , Moreland Russell , Liu Mei , Ramsey Jolene
Published: September 2019

Escherichia coli
bacteria and their infecting bacteriophage exist within the gut. Here, we present the complete genome of Schulenberg, an
E. coli
siphophage similar to phages of the subfamily
Guernseyvirinae
. Schulenberg encodes 85 proteins, 33 of which have predicted functions.
The Landau Hamiltonian with δ-potentials supported on curves
Authors: Behrndt Jussi , Exner Pavel , Holzmann Markus , Lotoreichik Vladimir
Published: September 2019

The spectral properties of the singularly perturbed self-adjoint Landau Hamiltonian [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] with a [Formula: see text]-potential supported on a finite [Formula: see text]-smooth curve [Formula: see text] are studied. Here [Formula: see text] is the vector potential, [Formula: see text] is the strength of the homogeneous magnetic field, and [Formula: see text] is a position-dependent real coefficient modeling the strength of the singular interaction on the curve [Formula: see text]. After a general discussion of the qualitative spectral properties of [Formula: see text] and its resolvent, one of the main objectives in the present paper is a local spectral analysis of [Formula: see text] near the Landau levels [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. Under various conditions on [Formula: see text], it is shown that the perturbation smears the Landau levels into eigenvalue clusters, and the accumulation rate of the eigenvalues within these clusters is determined in terms of the capacity of the support of [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, the use of Landau Hamiltonians with [Formula: see text]-perturbations as model operators for more realistic quantum systems is justified by showing that [Formula: see text] can be approximated in the norm resolvent sense by a family of Landau Hamiltonians with suitably scaled regular potentials.
Influence of contribution-based resource allocation mechanism on individual resource sharing cooperation in social networks
Authors: Cui Guanghai , Wang Zhen , Dong Ling , Cao Xiaoli , Liu Yue , Zhang Zhiwang
Published: September 2019

In social networks, resource sharing behaviors always take place in groups of individuals and rely on voluntary cooperation. In this work, first, a multi-player donor recipient game in which strategies describe individuals’ varying degrees of willingness to share resources is formulated, instead of using the limited binary decisions (e.g. share or not share) in a classical donor-recipient game. Second, the evolutionary dynamics of individual strategies are explored under the influence of two contribution-based resource allocation mechanisms: the total contribution-based allocation mechanism (TCAM) and the direct contribution-based allocation mechanism (DCAM). The results indicate that the network is dominated by the full-cooperation strategy when the cost-to-benefit ratio of resources is not too large and the DCAM is more effective than TCAM. Furthermore, the underlying reason why some strategies with higher sharing willingness can coexist in specific situations, is also explained in detail by leveraging macroscopic and microscopic perspective analysis. Finally, the influences of slandering and whitewashing behaviors conducted by a few malicious individuals on the allocation mechanisms are also studied. Current research will offer new insights into understanding the influence and optimizing the resource allocation policies in social networks.
New quantum phase of the Universe before inflation and its cosmological and dark energy implications
Authors: Sanchez Norma G.
Published: September 2019

The physical history of the Universe is completed by including the quantum Planckian and trans-Planckian phase before inflation in the Standard Model of the Universe in agreement with observations. In the absence of a complete quantum theory of gravity, we start from quantum physics and its foundational milestone. The universal classical-quantum (or wave-particle) duality, which we extend to gravity and the Planck domain. As a consequence, classical, quantum Planckian and super-Planckian regimes are covered, and the usual quantum domain as well. A new quantum precursor phase of the Universe appears beyond the Planck scale [Formula: see text]: [Formula: see text]; the known classical/semiclassical Universe being in the range: [Formula: see text]. We extend in this way the de Sitter Universe to the quantum domain: classical-quantum de Sitter duality. As a result: (i) The classical and quantum dual de Sitter temperatures and entropies are naturally included, and the different (classical, semiclassical, quantum Planckian and trans-Planckian) de Sitter regimes characterized in a precise and unifying way. (ii) We apply it to relevant cosmological examples as the CMB, inflation and dark energy. This allows us to find in a simple and consistent way. (iii) Full quantum inflationary spectra and their CMB observables, including in particular the classical known inflation spectra and the quantum corrections to them. (iv) A whole unifying picture for the Universe epochs and their quantum precursors emerges with the cosmological constant as the vacuum energy, entropy and temperature of the Universe, clarifying the so-called cosmological constant problem which once more in its rich history needed to be revised.
An economic and concise method to solve nozzle clogging issue during electro hydrodynamic printing
Authors: Yang Xue , Jiang Xinyan , Yin Zhifu , Chen Kai , Cheng E. , Zou Helin , Wang Dong F.
Published: September 2019

Electro hydrodynamic (EHD) printing is a promising technique for alternative fabrication of high resolution micro- and nano-structures without employment of any molds or photo-masks. However, a major problem, nozzle clogging, often occurs when the viscosity of the inks or the size of ink particles is raised. We proposed in this work an economic and concise method to solve the nozzle clogging issue. A PDMS-glass disassembled nozzle was designed and fabricated, which can be bonded under pressure and separated after pressure release. The influence of substrate material, bonding pressure, aspect ratio and channel-size on the dimension loss of PDMS micro-channel was investigated by an established simulation method. It is expected that the proposed method has great potential for fabrication of reusable nozzle without the clogging problem.
Human Behavior Recognition Based on Motion Data Analysis
Authors: Huang Zhenzhen , Niu Qiang , Xiao Shuo
Published: September 2019

The development of sensor technologies and smart devices has made it possible to realize real-time data acquisition of human beings. Human behavior monitoring is the process of obtaining activity information with wearables and computer technology. In this paper, we design a data preprocessing method based on the data collected by a single three-axis accelerometer. We first use Butterworth filter as low-pass filtering to remove the noise. Then, we propose a KGA algorithm to remove abnormal data and smooth them at the same time. This method uses genetic algorithm to optimize the parameters of Kalman filter. After that, we use a threshold-based method to identify falls that are harmful to the elderly. The key point of this method is to distinguish falls from people’s daily activities. According to the characteristics of human falls, we extract eigenvalues that can effectively distinguish daily activities from falls. In addition, we use cross-validation to determine the threshold of the method. The results show that in the analysis of 11 kinds of human daily activities and 15 types of falls, our method can distinguish 15 types of falls. The recognition recall rate in our method reaches 99.1%.
On the structure of limiting flocks in hydrodynamic Euler Alignment models
Authors: Leslie Trevor M. , Shvydkoy Roman
Published: September 2019

The goal of this paper is to study limiting behavior of a self-organized continuous flock evolving according to the 1D hydrodynamic Euler Alignment model. We provide a series of quantitative estimates that show how far the density of the limiting flock is from a uniform distribution. The key quantity that controls density distortion is the entropy [Formula: see text], and the measure of deviation from uniformity is given by a well-known conserved quantity [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is velocity and [Formula: see text] is the communication operator with kernel [Formula: see text]. The cases of Lipschitz, singular geometric, and topological kernels are covered in the study.
Aspects of subregion holographic complexity
Authors: Momeni Davood , Majd Nayereh , Al Ajmi Mudhahir
Published: September 2019

This is a mini-review about the rapidly growing subject of dual holographic complexity (HC) for subsystems in conformal field theory (CFT) using a subregion volume enclosed by the entangled area in the dual bulk theory. This proposal is named as HC = volume. We use this proposal to compute the HC for different geometries in bulk theory. Because this HC quantity diverges as a result of the existence of the UV cutoff in the CFT, we proposed a suitable regularization scheme by subtracting the contribution of the background (pure) AdS spacetime from the deformation of the AdS geometry. Furthermore, the time-dependent geometries are investigated using the AdS/CFT proposal and hence, we proposed a time-dependent copy for HC in such nonstatic geometries. As an attempt to make a relation between HC and holographic entanglement entropy (HEE), inspired from the pure geometrical origins, we showed that HC and HEE which are duals to different volumes/areas in the bulk theory would be connected in a universal form for a general deformation AdS geometry (called holographic Cavalieri principle). As a pioneering idea we build a holographic model for [Formula: see text] critically in black holes via regularized HC as the dual thermodynamic volume. The second-order phase transitions in two-dimensional holographic superconductors is explained by using the regularized HC as an order parameter. All the results presented in this mini-review are collected from the list of published works of the first author of this paper. In several cases, we gave further explanation and clarification to make the ideas more understandable to the community. Other proposals for complexity like complexity as on shell action are not included in this review paper.
Computational Geometry Column 69
Authors: Dumitrescu Adrian , Jiang Minghui
Published: September 2019

We revisit the following problem called Maximum Empty Box: Given a set S of n points inside an axis-parallel box U in Rd, nd a maximum-volume axis-parallel box that is contained in U but contains no points of S in its interior.
Mass Probation from Micro to Macro: Tracing the Expansion and Consequences of Community Supervision
Authors: Phelps Michelle S.
Published: September 2019

Between 1980 and 2007, probation rates in the United States skyrocketed alongside imprisonment rates; since 2007, both forms of criminal justice control have declined in use. Although a large literature in criminology and related fields has explored the causes and consequences of mass incarceration, very little research has explored the parallel rise of mass probation. This review takes stock of our knowledge of probation in the United States. In the first section, I trace the expansion of probation historically, across states, and for specific demographic groups. I then summarize the characteristics of adults on probation today and what we know about probation revocation. Lastly, I review the nascent literature on the causal effects of probation for individuals, families, neighborhoods, and society. I end by discussing a plan for research and the growing movement to blunt the harms of mass supervision.
Concepts and Compositionality: In Search of the Brain's Language of Thought
Authors: Frankland Steven M. , Greene Joshua D.
Published: September 2019

Imagine Genghis Khan, Aretha Franklin, and the Cleveland Cavaliers performing an opera on Maui. This silly sentence makes a serious point: As humans, we can flexibly generate and comprehend an unbounded number of complex ideas. Little is known, however, about how our brains accomplish this. Here we assemble clues from disparate areas of cognitive neuroscience, integrating recent research on language, memory, episodic simulation, and computational models of high-level cognition. Our review is framed by Fodor's classic language of thought hypothesis, according to which our minds employ an amodal, language-like system for combining and recombining simple concepts to form more complex thoughts. Here, we highlight emerging work on combinatorial processes in the brain and consider this work's relation to the language of thought. We review evidence for distinct, but complementary, contributions of map-like representations in subregions of the default mode network and sentence-like representations of conceptual relations in regions of the temporal and prefrontal cortex.
Microsleep is associated with brain activity patterns unperturbed by auditory inputs
Authors: Yong Zixin , Tan Joo Huang , Hsieh Po-Jang
Published: September 2019

Microsleeps are brief episodes of arousal level decrease manifested through behavioral signs. Brain activity during microsleep in the presence of external stimulus remains poorly understood. In this study, we sought to understand neural responses to auditory stimulation during microsleep. We gave participants the simple task of listening to audios of different pitches and amplitude modulation frequencies during early afternoon functional MRI scans. We found the following: 1) microsleep was associated with cortical activations in broad motor and sensory regions and deactivations in thalamus, irrespective of auditory stimulation; 2) high and low pitch audios elicited different activity patterns in the auditory cortex during awake but not microsleep state; and 3) during microsleep, spatial activity patterns in broad brain regions were similar regardless of the presence or types of auditory stimulus (i.e., stimulus invariant). These findings show that the brain is highly active during microsleep but the activity patterns across broad regions are unperturbed by auditory inputs.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY During deep drowsy states, auditory inputs could induce activations in the auditory cortex, but the activation patterns lose differentiation to high/low pitch stimuli. Instead of random activations, activity patterns across the brain during microsleep appear to be structured and may reflect underlying neurophysiological processes that remain unclear.
A Preliminary Study of Biliary Microbiota in Patients with Bile Duct Stones or Distal Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Chen Bingrong , Fu Seng Wang , Lu Lungen , Zhao Hang
Published: September 2019

Background and Objective. The distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA) is associated with many factors: genes, environment, infection, etc. The current changes in biliary flora are thought to be involved in the formation of many gastrointestinal tract (GIT) diseases, like colon adenocarcinoma. Therefore we want to investigate whether the dCCA has a certain correlation with biliary microecology, and to detect specific strains. Methods. A total of 68 adults were enrolled, of whom 8 with dCCA, 16 with recurrent choledocholithiasis, and 44 with the onset of common bile duct stones. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancretography (ERCP) was utilized to collect bile samples for DNA extraction and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, followed by analysis of bile microbiota composition. Results. First, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria are the most dominant phyla in the bile of patients with dCCA and the onset of common bile duct stoes. Secondly, compared with the onset of common bile duct stones patients, we got a significant increase in the phylum Gemmatimonadetes, Nitrospirae, Chloroflexi, Latescibacteria, and Planctomycetes in dCCA patients. Finally, at the genus level, we obtained sequencing results of 252 bacterial genera from patients with dCCA, recurrent choledocholithiasis, and the new onset of common bile duct stones, revealing heterogeneity among individuals. Conclusion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of the dysbiosis of bile flora in patients with dCCA. This micro-ecological disorder may be a decisive factor in the formation of dCCA. At the same time, for the first time, this study provides a test chart of biliary microbial populations that may be associated with recurrent choledocholithiasis. The compositional changes of the core microbial group of the biliary tract have potentially important biological and medical significance for the microbiological biliary disorders of dCCA.
CAD Model Segmentation Algorithm Using the Fusion of PERT and Spectral Technology
Authors: Hao Li , Mo Rong , Wei Binbin
Published: September 2019

For complex CAD models, model segmentation technology is an important support for model retrieval and reuse. In this article, we first propose a novel CAD model segmentation method that uses the fusion of the program/project evaluation and review technique (PERT) and the Laplacian spectrum theory. By means of PERT, spectral theory, and the CAD models’ geometrical and topological information, we transform the b‐rep model faces into two‐dimensional coordinate points corresponding to the nodes of the attributed adjacent graph (AAG). The k‐means approach with the Silhouette coefficient was employed to conduct unsupervised learning of the coordinate points. The experimental results demonstrate that (1) the proposed approach can effectively transform the b‐rep model into a two‐dimensional coordinate point set; (2) the k‐means algorithm can efficiently cluster points to achieve segmentation; and (3) in view of human cognition, the segmentation results are more reasonable. It can effectively divide the point set into several groups to achieve the model segmentation.
Intraoperative Near-Infrared Autofluorescence and Indocyanine Green Imaging to Identify Parathyroid Glands: A Comparison
Authors: Lerchenberger Max , Al Arabi Norah , Gallwas Julia K. S. , Stepp Herbert , Hallfeldt Klaus K. J. , Ladurner Roland
Published: September 2019

Objective. To investigate the feasibility of near-infrared autofluorescence (AF) and indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence to identify parathyroid glands intraoperatively.Methods. Fluorescence imaging was carried out during open parathyroid and thyroid surgery. After visual identification, parathyroid glands were exposed to near-infrared (NIR) light with a wavelength between 690 and 770 nm. The camera of the Storz® NIR/ICG endoscopic system used detects NIR light as a blue signal. Therefore, parathyroid AF was expected to be displayed in the blue color channel in contrast to the surrounding tissue. Following AF imaging, a bolus of 5 mg ICG was applied intravenously. ICG fluorescence was detected using the same NIR/ICG imaging system. Well-vascularized parathyroid glands were expected to show a strong fluorescence in contrast to surrounding lymphatic and adipose tissue.Results. We investigated 78 parathyroid glands from 50 patients. 64 parathyroid glands (82%) displayed AF showing the typical bluish violet color. 63 parathyroid glands (81%) showed a strong and persistent fluorescence after application of ICG. The sensitivity of identifying a parathyroid gland by AF was 82% (64 true positive and 14 false negative results), while ICG imaging showed a sensitivity of 81% (63 true positive and 15 false negative results). The Fisher exact test revealed no significant difference between both groups atp<0.05. Neither lymph nodes nor adipose tissue revealed substantial AF or ICG fluorescence.Conclusion. AF and ICG fluorescence reveal a high degree of sensitivity in identifying parathyroid glands. Further, ICG imaging facilitates the assessment of parathyroid perfusion. However, in the current setting both techniques are not suitable as screening tools to identify parathyroid glands at an early stage of the operation.
Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm due to Brucella melitensis
Authors: Alsheef Mohammed , Alsaleh Saud , Alanezi Nahar , Bakhsh Nizar , AlDosary Rana , AlSharif Lina , Mian Arshad , Ahsan Azeem , AlFayyad Isamme
Published: September 2019

Brucellosis is an endemic infection mainly in the Middle East and the Mediterranean region that can involve any system. However, cardiovascular involvement commonly seen as endocarditis is a rare occurrence, but it is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity. Brucella mycotic aneurysms are extremely rare and carry a higher morbidity and mortality. Here, we present a case of Brucella mycotic aneurysms in the descending aorta complicated by an aortoesophageal fistula in a 52-year-old diabetic man. The diagnosis was made by thoracic CT angiogram showing a saccular aneurysm arising from the descending aorta and two positive cultures of Brucella melitensis. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms ruled out infective endocarditis. Aortoesophageal fistula complicating a Brucella mycotic aneurysm in the absence of evidence of endocarditis has not yet been reported in the literature.
Comparison of a Low-Cost Miniature Inertial Sensor Module and a Fiber-Optic Gyroscope for Clinical Balance and Gait Assessments
Authors: Roetenberg Daniel , Höller Claudia , Mattmüller Kevin , Degen Markus , Allum John H.
Published: September 2019

Objective. To investigate whether a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) inertial sensor module is as accurate as fiber-optic gyroscopes when classifying subjects as normal for clinical stance and gait balance tasks. Methods. Data of ten healthy subjects were recorded simultaneously with a fiber-optic gyroscope (FOG) system of SwayStar™ and a MEMS sensor system incorporated in the Valedo® system. Data from a sequence of clinical balance tasks with different angle and angular velocity ranges were assessed. Paired t-tests were performed to determine significant differences between measurement systems. Cohen’s kappa test was used to determine the classification of normal balance control between the two sensor systems when comparing the results to a reference database recorded with the FOG system. Potential cross-talk errors in roll and pitch angles when neglecting yaw axis rotations were evaluated by comparing 2D FOG and 3D MEMS recordings. Results. Statistically significant (α=0.05) differences were found in some balance tasks, for example, “walking eight tandem steps” and various angular measures (p<0.03). However, these differences were within a few percent (<2.7%) of the reference values. Tasks with high dynamic velocity ranges showed significant differences (p=0.002) between 2D FOG and 3D MEMS roll angles but no difference between 2D FOG and 2D MEMS roll angles. An almost perfect agreement could be obtained for both 2D FOG and 2D MEMS (κ=0.97) and 2D FOG and 3D MEMS measures (κ=0.87) when comparing measurements of all subjects and tasks. Conclusion. MEMS motion sensors can be used for assessing balance during clinical stance and gait tasks. MEMS provides measurements comparable to values obtained with a highly accurate FOG. When assessing pitch and roll trunk sway measures without accounting for the effect of yaw, it is recommended to use angle and angular velocity measures for stance, and only angular velocity measures for gait because roll and pitch velocity measurements are not influenced by yaw rotations, and angle errors are low for stance.
Correlations among Congenital Hepatic Shunt, Absent Ductus Venosus, and Umbilical Vein Shunt Revealed by Prenatal Ultrasound
Authors: Wu Yun , Zhou Liuying , Chen Lin
Published: September 2019

Objectives: Congenital disruptions of the hepatic vasculature such as hepatic vascular shunt and absence of ductus venosus (ADV) are rare and often asymptomatic. Moreover, hepatic vasculature abnormality, ADV, and umbilical shunt are easily missed during ultrasound screening due to insufficient scope of examination. In our study, we analyzed the associations among congenital hepatic shunt, ADV, and umbilical vein (UV) shunt by prenatal ultrasound screening. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 9 cases of congenital hepatic vascular shunt and 14 cases of isolated ADV identified by prenatal ultrasound screening at Chengdu Women and Children’s Center Hospital from 2014 to 2018. The review parameters included ultrasound findings of the fetal hepatic vessels, fetal heart, UV, other malformations, complications, and fetal prognosis. Results: The 9 cases of hepatic shunt included 6 cases of isolated portosystemic shunt, 2 mixed cases of vascular shunt with portosystemic shunt, and 1 case of intrahepatic arteriovenous fistula. Among the 8 total cases of portosystemic shunt, 5 were accompanied by ADV (62.5%). Of the 5 cases of congenital hepatic shunt with ADV, 3 were accompanied by umbilical shunt (60%). Among the 9 cases of hepatic vascular shunt, 6 were accompanied by dilated inferior vena cava and cardiomegaly (66.7%). Of the 19 total ADV cases identified, there were 14 cases without hepatic shunt, 5 with hepatic shunt, and 17 with umbilical shunt (89.4%). Among the 14 ADV cases without hepatic shunt, there were 5 cases with congenital heart defect (35.7%) and 4 with cardiomegaly (28.6%). Conclusions: Portosystemic shunt, ADV, and umbilical shunt are closely associated. Appreciation of these associations can improve prenatal ultrasound screening for a timely prognosis and initiation of appropriate treatment.
Plasma Levels, Temporal Trends and Clinical Associations between Biomarkers of Inflammation and Vascular Homeostasis after Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Lele Abhijit V. , Alunpipatthanachai Bhunyawee , Qiu Qian , Clark-Bell Crystalyn , Watanitanon Arraya , Moore Anne , Chesnut Randall M. , Armstead William , Vavilala Monica S.
Published: September 2019

Expression of inflammatory (interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and vascular homeostatic (angiopoietin-2 [AP-2], endothelin-1 [ET-1], endocan-2 [EC-2]) biomarkers in pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) was examined in this prospective, observational cohort study of 28 children hospitalized with mild, moderate, and severe TBI by clinical measures (age, sex, Glasgow Coma Scale score [GCS], Injury Severity Score [ISS], and cerebral autoregulation status). Biomarker patterns suggest an inverse relationship between GCS and AP-2, GCS and IL-6, ISS and ET-1, but a direct relationship between GCS and ET-1 and ISS and AP-2. Biomarker patterns suggest an inverse relationship between AP-2 and ET-1, AP-2 and EC-2, but a direct relationship between AP-2 and IL-6, IL-6 and EC-2, and IL-6 and ET-1. Plasma concentrations of inflammatory and vascular homeostatic biomarkers suggest a role for inflammation and disruption of vascular homeostasis during the first 10 days across the severity spectrum of pediatric TBI. Although not statistically significant, without impact on cerebral autoregulation, biomarker patterns suggest a relationship between inflammation and alterations in vascular homeostasis. The large variation in biomarker levels within TBI severity and age groups, and by sex suggests other contributory factors to biomarker expression.
Elevated Serum Uric Acid and Self-Reported Heart Failure in US Adults: 2007–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Stone Michelle L. , Richardson Michael R. , Guevara Larry , Rand Bethany G. , Churilla James R.
Published: September 2019

Introduction: There is limited evidence examining the relationship between elevated serum uric acid (sUA) concentration and heart failure (HF) in United States (US) adults. The aim of the present study was to examine the association(s) between elevated sUA and HF using a nationally representative sample of US adults. Methods: The final sample with complete data for this analysis (n = 17,349) included men and women aged ≥40 years who participated in the 2007–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Self-reported diagnosis of HF was assessed via interview. Elevated sUA was defined as values >6.0 mg/dL for women and >7.2 mg/dL for men. Multivariable gender-stratified logistic regression was utilized to examine the odds of self-reported HF. Results: The estimated prevalence of HF was 3.9 and 3.4% among men and women, respectively. Age-adjusted analysis revealed significantly increased odds of HF in men (OR 2.79; 95% CI 2.15–3.84, p < 0.01) and women (OR 3.24; 95% CI 2.37–4.44, p < 0.01) with elevated sUA. This relationship remained statistically significant following adjustment for age, race, education, income, alcohol consumption, smoking status, blood pressure, diabetes, physical activity level, cholesterol, creatinine level, and body mass index in men (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.13–2.57 p < 0.05) and women (OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.18–2.58, p < 0.05). Conclusions: In a representative sample of US adults, having an elevated sUA concentration was associated with significantly increased odds of HF when compared to adults with normal sUA.
Amygdala Resting State Connectivity Differences between Bipolar II and Borderline Personality Disorders
Authors: Reich D. Bradford , Belleau Emily L. , Temes Christina M. , Gonenc Atilla , Pizzagalli Diego A. , Gruber Staci A.
Published: September 2019

Background: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and bipolar II disorder (BD II) have significant clinical overlap, leaving the potential for diagnostic inaccuracies and inadequate treatment recommendations. However, few studies have probed for clinical and neurobiological differences between the two disorders. Clinically, some prior studies have linked BPD with greater impulsivity and more frequent negative affective shifts than BD II, whereas previous neuroimaging studies have highlighted both similar and distinct neural abnormalities in BPD and BD II. Notably, no prior study has specifically targeted cortico-limbic neural differences, which have been hypothesized to underlie these core clinical differences. Methods: Individuals with BPD (n = 14) and BD II (n = 15) completed various clinical measures and a resting state functional imaging scan at 3T. Whole-brain amygdala resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) was compared between the two groups. Results: Relative to the BD II group, BPD participants reported significantly higher levels of impulsivity, trait anxiety, more frequent negative affective shifts, greater interpersonally reactive affective instability, lower overall functioning, and were characterized by lower amygdala-middle frontal gyrus RSFC. Lower amygdala-middle frontal gyrus RSFC was associated with greater impulsivity, trait anxiety, affective shifts, interpersonal affective reactivity, and functional impairment. Limitations: The current study consisted of small sample sizes and lacked a control group. Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that amygdala-frontal RSFC may distinguish BPD from BD II. These results may guide future work aimed at identifying neural markers that can help disentangle these two disorders, leading to greater diagnostic accuracy and appropriate treatment implementation.
Performance Status Assessment by Using ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) Score for Cancer Patients by Oncology Healthcare Professionals
Authors: Azam Faisal , Latif Muhammad Farooq , Farooq Ayesha , Tirmazy Syed Hammad , AlShahrani Saad , Bashir Shahid , Bukhari Nedal
Published: September 2019

Medical literature does not have clear consensus on inter-rater reliability of PS assessment by different oncology health care professionals (HCPs) although it plays an important role in treatment decision and prognosis for oncology patients. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) and Karnofsky performance status (KPS) scores are commonly used for this purpose by oncology HCPs around the world. This study was conducted to find variability or similarities in assessment of PS among the different oncology HCPs. A survey based on four hypothetical clinical scenarios was devised and sent to 50 oncology HCPs to assess the PS using ECOG PS tool. No significant variations in PS assessment by oncology HCPs was noted in our study sample.