bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can Melatonin Improve the Osteopenia of Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women? A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Bao Tingting , Zeng Liuting , Yang Kailin , Li Yuehua , Ren Fengying , Zhang Yulong , Gao Ziren
Published: April 2019

Objective. To assess the effectiveness and safety of melatonin for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with osteopenia. Methods. In this meta-analysis, data from randomized controlled trials were obtained to assess the effects of melatonin versus placebo or western medicine in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with osteopenia. The study’s registration number is CRD42018086238. The primary outcomes included bone mineral density (BMD) and T-score. Result. From 551 articles retrieved, three trials involving 121 patients were included. Due to the high-to-substantial heterogeneity (BMD: I2=96.9%, P=0.000; T-score: I2=74.9%, and P=0.019), the statistical analysis of BMD and T-score was abandoned. A systematic review was undergone for the two outcomes. Compared with the control group, melatonin may increase osteocalcin (WMD 4.97; 95% CI 3.14, 6.79; P<0.00001). Conclusion. Based on current evidence, melatonin might be used as a safe nutritional supplement to improve bone density in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, but its efficacy needs to be further affirmed.
Late Onset of Antiretroviral Therapy in Adults Living with HIV in an Urban Area in Brazil: Prevalence and Risk Factors
Authors: Pacheco Priscila Ribeiro Guimarães , Zara Ana Laura Sene Amâncio , Silva e Souza Luiz Carlos , Turchi Marília Dalva
Published: April 2019

Introduction. Highly active antiretroviral therapy has been available since 1996. Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) leads to improved therapeutic response and reduced HIV transmission. However, a significant number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) still start treatment late. Objective. This study aimed to analyze characteristics and factors associated with late initiation of ART among HIV-infected treatment-naïve patients. Methods. This cross-sectional study included PLHIV older than 17 years who initiated ART at two public health facilities from 2009 to 2012, in a city located in Midwestern Brazil. Pregnant women were excluded. Data were collected from medical records, antiviral dispensing forms, and the Logistics Control of Medications System (SICLOM) of the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Late initiation of ART was defined as CD4+ cell count < 200 cells/mm3 or presence of AIDS-defining illness. Uni- and multivariate analysis were performed to evaluate associated factors for late ARV using SPSS®, version 21. The significance level was set at p<0.05. Results. 1,141 individuals were included, with a median age of 41 years, and 69.1% were male. The prevalence of late initiation of ART was 55.8% (95%CI: 52.9-58.7). The more common opportunistic infections at ART initiation were pneumocystosis, cerebral toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, and histoplasmosis. Overall, 38.8% of patients had HIV viral load equal to or greater than 100,000 copies/mL. Late onset of ART was associated with higher mortality. After logistic regression, factors shown to be associated with late initiation of ARV were low education level, sexual orientation, high baseline viral load, place of residence outside metropolitan area, and concomitant infection with hepatitis B virus. Conclusion. These results revealed the need to increase early treatment of HIV infection, focusing especially on groups of people who are more socially vulnerable or have lower self-perceived risk.
The Expression Patterns and Associated Clinical Parameters of Human Endogenous Retrovirus-H Long Terminal Repeat-Associating Protein 2 and Transmembrane and Immunoglobulin Domain Containing 2 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Xiao Yao , Li Hao , Yang Lei-Lei , Mao Liang , Wu Cong-Cong , Zhang Wen-Feng , Sun Zhi-Jun
Published: April 2019

Human endogenous retrovirus-H long terminal repeat-associating protein 2 (HHLA2) and transmembrane and immunoglobulin domain containing 2 (TMIGD2) are new immune checkpoint molecules of the B7:CD28 family; however, little research has been performed on these immune checkpoint molecules. In this study, we used oral squamous cells carcinoma (OSCC) tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry methods to investigate the expression patterns of HHLA2 and TMIGD2 in OSCC. After comparing the HHLA2 and TMIGD2 expression levels in OSCC, dysplasia, and mucosa, we found increased HHLA2 expression in OSCC and dysplasia, while the TMIGD2 expression was decreased in OSCC and dysplasia. Using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test, we found that higher HHLA2 or TMIGD2 expression levels in OSCC indicate poor prognosis. Furthermore, two-tailed Pearson’s statistical analysis revealed that the HHLA2 expression levels in OSCC, dysplasia, and mucosa were positively correlated with the T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing-3 (TIM3), lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG3), B7 homolog 3 protein (B7-H3), B7 homolog 4 protein (B7H4), and V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA) levels, while the TMIGD2 expression levels in OSCC, dysplasia, and mucosa were inversely correlated with the TIM3, LAG3, and B7H3 levels. Our current study demonstrates that HHLA2 may serve as an immune target for OSCC therapy and that the TMIGD2 expression level in OSCC could forecast patient prognosis.
A Grey CES Production Function Model and Its Application in Calculating the Contribution Rate of Economic Growth Factors
Authors: Cheng Maolin
Published: April 2019

In analyses of economic growth factors, people generally use the CES (Constant Elasticity of Substitution) production function model to calculate the contribution rates of the factors that influence economic growth. However, the traditional CES function model that is built directly from economic data often shows apparent errors in parameter estimation due to data fluctuations. Such a model also may cause a negative calculation of the contribution rates of economic growth factors, or it may create abnormal fluctuations for some periods, and thus it fails to meet economic growth laws. In this paper, we propose a grey CES production function that can eliminate the random fluctuations of data and make the estimated parameters more reasonable, and this model can reflect the relationship between inputs and outputs more accurately. With regard to model application, the paper puts forward a scientific calculation method to avoid the calculation deviations caused by the substitution of difference equation for a differential equation with Solow’s formula. With the grey two‐level nested CES production function model and the calculation method proposed, the paper makes an empirical analysis of the contribution rates of factors that influence China’s economic growth.
Existence of Fixed Points of Four Maps for a New Generalized F-Contraction and an Application
Authors: Nazam Muhammad , Aydi Hassen , Noorani Mohd Salmi , Qawaqneh Haitham
Published: April 2019

We initiate the concept of a new generalized F-contraction satisfying some contractive conditions involving four maps on a partial metric space. We set up an example to elucidate our main result. An application is derived where a system of elliptic boundary value equations has a common solution.
Nonsingular Continuous Finite-Time Convergent Guidance Law with Impact Angle Constraints
Authors: Zang Luyao , Lin Defu , Ji Yi
Published: April 2019

This paper documents a novel nonsingular continuous guidance which can drive the line-of-sight (LOS) angular rate to converge to zero in finite time in the presence of impact angle constraints. More specifically, based on the second-order sliding mode control (SMC) theory, a second-order observer (2-OB) is presented to estimate the unknown target maneuvers, while a super twisting algorithm- (STA-) based guidance law is presented to restrict the LOS angle and angular rate. Compared with other terminal sliding mode guidance laws, the proposed guidance law absorbs the merits of the conventional linear sliding mode (LSM) and terminal sliding mode (TSM) and uses switching technique to avoid singularity. In order to verify the stability of the proposed guidance law, a finite-time bounded (FTB) function is invited to prove the boundedness of the proposed observer-controller system and a Lyapunov approach is presented to prove the finite-time convergence (FTC) of the proposed sliding system. Rigorous theoretical analysis and numerical simulations demonstrate the mentioned properties.
Multiclass Classification Procedure for Detecting Attacks on MQTT‐IoT Protocol
Authors: Alaiz-Moreton Hector , Aveleira-Mata Jose , Ondicol-Garcia Jorge , Muñoz-Castañeda Angel Luis , García Isaías , Benavides Carmen
Published: April 2019

The large number of sensors and actuators that make up the Internet of Things obliges these systems to use diverse technologies and protocols. This means that IoT networks are more heterogeneous than traditional networks. This gives rise to new challenges in cybersecurity to protect these systems and devices which are characterized by being connected continuously to the Internet. Intrusion detection systems (IDS) are used to protect IoT systems from the various anomalies and attacks at the network level. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) can be improved through machine learning techniques. Our work focuses on creating classification models that can feed an IDS using a dataset containing frames under attacks of an IoT system that uses the MQTT protocol. We have addressed two types of method for classifying the attacks, ensemble methods and deep learning models, more specifically recurrent networks with very satisfactory results.
Sex Differences in Age-Associated Type 2 Diabetes in Rats—Role of Estrogens and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Díaz Ana , López-Grueso Raúl , Gambini Juan , Monleón Daniel , Mas-Bargues Cristina , Abdelaziz Kheira M. , Viña José , Borrás Consuelo
Published: April 2019

Females live longer than males, and the estrogens are one of the reasons for this difference. We reported some years ago that estrogens are able to protect rats against oxidative stress, by inducing antioxidant genes. Type 2 diabetes is an age-associated disease in which oxidative stress is involved, and moreover, some studies show that the prevalence is higher in men than in women, and therefore there are sex-associated differences. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of estrogens in protecting against oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic males and females. For this purpose, we used Goto-Kakizaki rats, which develop type 2 diabetes with age. We found that female diabetic rats showed lower glycaemia levels with age than did diabetic males and that estrogens enhanced insulin sensitivity in diabetic females. Moreover, glucose uptake, measured by positron emission tomography, was higher in the female brain, cerebellum, and heart than in those from male diabetic rats. There were also sex-associated differences in the plasma metabolic profile as determined by metabolomics. The metabolic profile was similar between estrogen-replaced and control diabetic rats and different from ovariectomized diabetic rats. Oxidative stress is involved in these differences. We showed that hepatic mitochondria from females produced less hydrogen peroxide levels and exhibited lower xanthine oxidase activity. We also found that hepatic mitochondrial glutathione oxidation and lipid oxidation levels were lower in diabetic females when compared with diabetic males. Ovariectomy induced oxidative stress, and estrogen replacement therapy prevented it. These findings provide evidence for estrogen beneficial effects in type 2 diabetes and should be considered when prescribing estrogen replacement therapy to menopausal women.
Motion Transmissibility for Load Identification Based on Optimum Sensor Placement
Authors: Alqam Hana’a M. , Dhingra Anoop K.
Published: April 2019

Knowledge on loads acting on a structure is important for analysis and design. There are many applications in which it is difficult to measure directly the dynamic loads acting on a component. In such situations, it may be possible to estimate the imposed loads through a measurement of the system output response. Load identification through output response measurement is an inverse problem that is not only ill‐conditioned but, in general, leads to multiple solutions. Therefore, additional information such as the number and locations of the imposed loads must be provided ahead of time in order to allow for a unique solution. This paper focuses on cases where such information is not readily available and uses the concept of motion transmissibility for the identification of loads applied to a structure. The identification of loads through measurement of structural response at a finite number of optimally selected sensor locations is investigated. Optimum sensor locations are identified using the D‐optimal design algorithm to provide the most precise load estimates based on acceleration measurements using accelerometers. Simulation results for multi‐degree‐of‐freedom (MDOF) discrete and continuous systems are presented to illustrate the proposed technique. It is seen that the proposed approach is effective in determining not only the number of applied loads as well as their locations but also the magnitude of applied loads.
Efficacy and Safety of Botulinum Toxin Type A for Limb Spasticity after Stroke: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Sun Li-Chun , Chen Rong , Fu Chuan , Chen Ying , Wu Qianli , Chen RuiPeng , Lin XueJuan , Luo Sha
Published: April 2019

Background. Inconsistent data have been reported for the effectiveness of intramuscular botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) in patients with limb spasticity after stroke. This meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of BTXA in adult patients with upper and lower limb spasticity after stroke. Methods. An electronic search was performed to select eligible RCTs in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library through December 2018. Summary standard mean differences (SMDs) and relative risk (RR) values with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed to assess effectiveness and safety outcomes, respectively. Results. Twenty-seven RCTs involving a total of 2,793 patients met the inclusion criteria, including 16 and 9 trials assessing upper and lower limb spasticity cases, respectively. For upper limb spasticity, BTXA therapy significantly improved the levels of muscle tone (SMD=-0.76; 95% CI -0.97 to -0.55; P<0.001), physician global assessment (SMD=0.51; 95% CI 0.35-0.67; P<0.001), and disability assessment scale (SMD=-0.30; 95% CI -0.40 to -0.20; P<0.001), with no significant effects on active upper limb function (SMD=0.49; 95% CI -0.08 to 1.07; P=0.093) and adverse events (RR=1.18; 95% CI 0.72-1.93; P=0.509). For lower limb spasticity, BTXA therapy was associated with higher Fugl-Meyer score (SMD=5.09; 95%CI 2.16-8.01; P=0.001), but had no significant effects on muscle tone (SMD=-0.12; 95% CI -0.83 to 0.59; P=0.736), gait speed (SMD=0.06; 95% CI -0.02 to 0.15; P=0.116), and adverse events (RR=1.01; 95% CI 0.71-1.45; P=0.949). Conclusions. BTXA improves muscle tone, physician global assessment, and disability assessment scale in upper limb spasticity and increases the Fugl-Meyer score in lower limb spasticity.
Neuregulin-1 Fosters Supportive Interactions between Microglia and Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells
Authors: Shahriary Ghazaleh M. , Kataria Hardeep , Karimi-Abdolrezaee Soheila
Published: April 2019

Microglia play diverse roles in homeostasis and pathology of the central nervous system (CNS). Their response to injury or insult is critical for initiating neuroinflammation and tissue damage as well as resolution of inflammation and wound healing. Changes to the microenvironment of microglia appear to be a key determinant of their phenotype and their role in the endogenous repair process in the injured or diseased CNS. Our recent findings have identified a positive role for neuregulin-1 (Nrg-1) in regulating immune response in spinal cord injury and focal demyelinating lesions. We show that increasing the tissue availability of Nrg-1 after injury can promote endogenous repair by modulating neuroinflammation. In the present study, we sought to elucidate the specific role of Nrg-1 in regulating microglial activity and more importantly their influence on the behavior of neural stem/progenitor cells (NPCs). Using injury-relevantin vitrosystems, we demonstrate that Nrg-1 attenuates the expression of proinflammatory mediators in activated microglia. Moreover, we provide novel evidence that availability of Nrg-1 can restore the otherwise suppressed phagocytic ability of proinflammatory microglia. Interestingly, the presence of Nrg-1 in the microenvironment of proinflammatory microglia mitigates their inhibitory effects on NPC proliferation. Nrg-1 treated proinflammatory microglia also augment mobilization of NPCs, while they had no influence on their suppressive effects on NPC differentiation. Mechanistically, we show that Nrg-1 enhances the interactions of proinflammatory microglia and NPCs, at least in part, through reduction of TNF-αexpression in microglia. These findings provide new insights into the endogenous regulation of microglia-NPC interactions and identify new potential targets for optimizing this important crosstalk during the regenerative process after CNS injury and neuroinflammatory conditions.
Mobile Phone-Based Intervention in Hypertension Management
Authors: Andre Nobian , Wibawanti Retno , Siswanto Bambang Budi
Published: April 2019

Hypertension is known as the major risk factor for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Antihypertensive agents are directed to prevent many of the harmful effects of elevated blood pressure, yet medication nonadherence hinders the effectiveness of these therapies. Nowadays the use of mobile phone has vastly spread among communities. The rapid adoption of smartphone technology creates a promising and interesting platform to overcome medication nonadherence. This review aimed to critically appraise whether mobile phone-based interventions are effective in increasing adherence in hypertensive patients. Literature searching was done in 3 databases: PubMed, Cochrane, and ProQuest. Findings were narrowed down using selection criteria. Relevant studies were to be critically appraised based on the guideline from Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, Oxford University. We found that the reduction of blood pressure in participants who were given reminder through mobile phones was greater in comparison to control: systolic (94.4% vs 41.2%, p 0.003), diastolic (94.4% vs 76.5%, p0.04). Patients who were nonadherent at baseline benefit more from mobile phone-based intervention in comparison to adherent patients at baseline: RR 2.3 (95% CI: 1.4-4.4, p<0.001) vs RR 1.3 (95% CI: 1.0-1.6, p<0.05). In conclusion, mobile phone-based interventions were effective in increasing medication adherence in hypertensive patients. Clinical practice guidelines should consider this nonpharmacological method for a better blood pressure regulation.
Verifying the Safety of Aviation Software Based on Extended Colored Petri Net
Authors: Zhou Hang , Zhang Canheng , Li Yue , Gu Yang , Zhou Shikang
Published: April 2019

At present, various functions of aircraft have become more and more dependent on airborne software system, and the structure of modern airborne software is extremely complex. Engineers need to eliminate the situation in which the safety performance of the entirety reduces caused by mutual influence among components. This paper presents a comprehensive method with high efficiency for safety verification of airborne software system, in order to ensure the system meet safety requirement of airworthiness standard at the design stage. Safety Verification Colored Petri Net (SVCPN) for software safety verification is firstly proposed, and then the mapping transformation rules from Block Definition Diagram (BDD) of System Modeling Language (SysML) to SVCPN are proposed to achieve the accurately formal description of software system. Traversing all delivery paths of safety level transfer based on the Reachable Tree Diagram, to detect the components that do not meet the safety requirement of airworthiness standard. Based on the disambiguation algorithm, the fundamental components that cause safety problem are found out through the establishment of antinet to achieve the safety level reassign, ensuring the safety performance of the whole system. Finally, the case study and the comparison and analysis are applied to show the feasibility and superiority of our method.
Study of a Space‐Time Monitoring of High‐Speed Railway Underline Structure Using Distributed Optical Vibration Sensing Technology
Authors: Diouf Baye Mbaye , Che Ailan , Feng Shaokong
Published: April 2019

The phenomenon of vibration is quite frequent in various engineering works. Vibration analysis and monitoring occupy a significant place in scientific measurements and engineering applications. The quality of the underline structure actively influences the response of high‐speed railway track plate and trackside. Due to years of service and under the action of train loads, bond failure between supporting track plate and cement asphalt mortar layer will imminently occur. And this will significantly influence the vertical dynamic response of a track slab and severely affect the safe operation of the entire railway system which can subsequently lead to a risk of derailment. Firstly, the purpose of the present study is to develop a practical 2D dynamic interaction model of vehicle‐track subgrade based on a two‐step simulation capable of analyzing the dynamic response of a track slab under different fault distribution in the CA mortar layer by using the commercial software Abaqus. Secondly, the distributed optical vibration sensing (DOVS) technology is discussed and applied on a section of high‐speed railway near the Hongqiao station which has been in operation after a long period of degradation for real‐time vibration monitoring. Overall, the numerical simulation results show that, in the elastic field, the track plate defects have a significant amplification effect on the vibration, and the magnification can be more than 2 to 3 times. The vibration monitoring results reveal two elements of the fault effects on the track slab dynamic response: the amplification of the dynamic response when the train is arriving and leaving the monitoring section and also causing extreme resonance when the train is passing increasing the vibration signal largely.
Integrating Frequency Setting, Timetabling, and Route Assignment to Synchronize Transit Lines
Authors: Ibarra-Rojas Omar J. , Muñoz Juan C. , Giesen Ricardo , Knapp Paul
Published: April 2019

Synchronization of different transit lines is an important activity to increase the level of service in transportation systems. In particular, for passengers, transferring from one line to another, there may be low-frequency periods and transfer zones where walking is needed, or passengers are exposed to adverse weather conditions and uncomfortable infrastructure. In this study, we define the Bus Lines Synchronization Problem that determines the frequency for each line (regarding the even headway), the timetable (including holding times for buses at transfer stops), and passenger-route assignments to minimize the sum of passenger and operational costs. We propose a nonlinear mixed integer formulation with time-indexed variables which allow representing the route choice for passengers and different types of costs. We implement an iterative heuristic algorithm based on fixing variables and solving a simplified formulation with a commercial solver. We implement our proposed heuristic on the transit network in Santiago, Chile. Numerical results indicate that our approach is capable of reducing operating costs and increasing the level of service for large scenarios.
Endogenous CSE/Hydrogen Sulfide System Regulates the Effects of Glucocorticoids and Insulin on Muscle Protein Synthesis
Authors: Wang Ruxia , Li Kelin , Wang Hui , Jiao Hongchao , Wang Xiaojuan , Zhao Jingpeng , Lin Hai
Published: April 2019

Aims. Insulin and glucocorticoids play crucial roles in skeletal muscle protein turnover. Fast-twitch glycolytic fibres are more susceptible to atrophy than slow-twitch oxidative fibres. Based on accumulating evidence, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a physiological mediator of this process. The regulatory effect of H2S on protein synthesis in fast-twitch fibres was evaluated.Results. A NaHS (sodium hydrosulfide) injection simultaneously increased the diameter ofM. pectoralis major(i.e., fast-twitch glycolytic fibres) and activated the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR)/p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) pathway. Dexamethasone (DEX) inhibited protein synthesis, downregulated mTOR and p70S6K phosphorylation, and suppressed the expression of the cystathionineγ-lyase (CSE) protein in myoblasts. The precursor of H2S, L-cysteine, completely abolished the inhibitory effects of DEX. The CSE inhibitor DL-propargylglycine (PAG) completely abrogated the effects of RU486 on blocking the suppressive effects of DEX. The H2S donor NaHS increased the H2S concentrations and abrogated the inhibitory effects of DEX on protein synthesis. Insulin increased protein synthesis and upregulated CSE expression. However, PAG abrogated the stimulatory effects of insulin on protein synthesis and the activity of the mTOR/p70S6K pathway.Innovation. These results demonstrated that CSE/H2S regulated protein synthesis in fast-twitch muscle fibres, and glucocorticoids and insulin regulated protein synthesis in an endogenous CSE/H2S system-dependent manner.Conclusions. The results from the present study suggest that the endogenous CSE/H2S system regulates fast-twitch glycolytic muscle degeneration and regeneration.
Mitochondrial Dynamics: Biogenesis, Fission, Fusion, and Mitophagy in the Regulation of Stem Cell Behaviors
Authors: Fu Wenyan , Liu Yang , Yin Hang
Published: April 2019

Stem cells have the unique capacity to differentiate into many cell types during embryonic development and postnatal growth. Through coordinated cellular behaviors (self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation), stem cells are also pivotal to the homeostasis, repair, and regeneration of many adult tissues/organs and thus of great importance in regenerative medicine. Emerging evidence indicates that mitochondria are actively involved in the regulation of stem cell behaviors. Mitochondria undergo specific dynamics (biogenesis, fission, fusion, and mitophagy) during stem cell self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation. The alteration of mitochondrial dynamics, fine-tuned by stem cell niche factors and stress signaling, has considerable impacts on stem cell behaviors. Here, we summarize the recent research progress on (1) how mitochondrial dynamics controls stem cell behaviors, (2) intrinsic and extrinsic factors that regulate mitochondrial dynamics, and (3) pharmacological regulators of mitochondrial dynamics and their therapeutic potential. This review emphasizes the metabolic control of stemness and differentiation and may shed light on potential new applications in stem cell-based therapy.
Location‐Aware Web Service Composition Based on the Mixture Rank of Web Services and Web Service Requests
Authors: Lu Junwen , Liu Guanfeng , Wu Keshou , Qin Wenjiang
Published: April 2019

Web service composition is widely used to extend the function of web services. Different users have different requirements of QoSs (Quality of Services) making them face many problems. The requirement of a special QoS may be a hard requirement or a soft requirement. The hard requirement refers to the QoS which must be satisfied to the user, and the soft one means that the requirement is flexible. This paper tries to solve the service composition problem when there are two kinds of requirements of QoSs. To satisfy various kinds of requirement of the QoS, we propose a composition method based on our proposed framework. We give an analysis from composition models of services and from related QoE (Quality of Experience) of web services. Then, we rank the service candidates and the service requests together. Based on the ranking, a heuristics is proposed for service selection and composition‐GLLB (global largest number of service requests first, local best fit service candidate first), which uses “lost value” in the scheduling to denote the QoE. Comparisons are used to evaluate our method. Comparisons show that GLLB reduces the value of NUR (Number of Unfinished service Requests), FV (Failure Value), and AFV (Average Failure Value).
Loneliness and Neighborhood Characteristics: A Multi-Informant, Nationally Representative Study of Young Adults
Authors: Matthews Timothy , Odgers Candice L. , Danese Andrea , Fisher Helen L. , Newbury Joanne B. , Caspi Avshalom , Moffitt Terrie E. , Arseneault Louise
Published: April 2019

In this study, we investigated associations between the characteristics of the neighborhoods in which young adults live and their feelings of loneliness, using data from different sources. Participants were drawn from the Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study. Loneliness was measured via self-reports at ages 12 and 18 years and also by interviewer ratings at age 18. Neighborhood characteristics were assessed between the ages of 12 and 18 via government data, systematic social observations, a resident survey, and participants’ self-reports. Greater loneliness was associated with perceptions of lower collective efficacy and greater neighborhood disorder but not with more objective measures of neighborhood characteristics. Lonelier individuals perceived the collective efficacy of their neighborhoods to be lower than did their less lonely siblings who lived at the same address. These findings suggest that feelings of loneliness are associated with negatively biased perceptions of neighborhood characteristics, which may have implications for lonely individuals’ likelihood of escaping loneliness.
A non‐randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effect of fingolimod on expanded disability status scale score and number of relapses in relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis patients
Authors: Mazdeh Mehrdokht , Kargar Monhaser Shahriar , Taheri Mohammad , Ghafouri‐Fard Soudeh
Published: April 2019

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease characterized by demyelination, glial activation and axonal degeneration in the central nervous system. At the present, there is no certain remedy for this disease. However, available therapies often attenuate disease progress.

Methods

This study aims at identification of the effect of fingolimod on expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score and number of relapses in relapsing‐remitting MS (RRMS) patients in comparison with IFNβ. In the present 12‐month non‐randomized clinical trial, 55 RRMS patients aged between 18 and 45 with EDSS scores between 0 and 5.5 were divided into two groups. Twenty‐five patients received 0.5 mg oral fingolimod once a day for 12 months and 30 patients were under treatment with IFNβ. EDSS scores and number of relapses were recorded for all study participants monthly.

Results

No significant difference was found in age and sex of patients recruited in two study groups. EDSS score was significantly lower in treatment group in month 10, 11 and 12 after treatment compared with control group (p values of 0.004, 0.006 and 0.007 respectively).

Conclusion

Treated patients experienced no relapse during the study period. Fingolimod is effective in reduction of EDSS score and number of relapses in Iranian MS patients.
Estimating uncertainty in predicted folding free energy changes of RNA secondary structures
Authors: Zuber Jeffrey , Mathews David H.
Published: April 2019

Nearest neighbor parameters for estimating the folding stability of RNA are commonly used in secondary structure prediction, for generating folding ensembles of structures, and for analyzing RNA function. Previously, we demonstrated that we could quantify the uncertainties in each nearest neighbor parameter by perturbing the underlying optical melting data within experimental error and rederiving the parameters, which accounts for the substantial correlations that exist between the parameters. In this contribution, we describe a method to estimate uncertainty in the estimated folding stabilities of RNA structures, accounting for correlations in the nearest neighbor parameters. This method is incorporated in the RNA structure software package.
Una literatura cómplice. Convención y poética narco en "Comandante Paraíso" de Gustavo Álvarez Gardeazábal
Authors: Jastrzębska Adriana Sara
Published: April 2019

El artículo presenta el subgénero o modalidad novelesca de la narconovela en la que el narcotráfico y sus secuelas han repercutido en la configuración estética y axiológica del mundo representado. Tomando como ejemplo la novela Comandante Paraíso (2002) de Gustavo Álvarez Gardeazábal, se indican los elementos claves de la convención literaria narco y los rasgos particulares de su poética: 1) el mundo representado está basado en contrastes y dicotomías, 2) distorsión antirrealista del protagonista y su entorno a través de la hiperbolización o un grado variable de mitificación, 3) «participación directa», expresada con más frecuencia mediante la primera persona gramatical 4) incorporación de la oralidad 5) variedad de registros y estilos que permite interpretar la narconovela como un enfrentamiento dinámico de paradigmas culturales distintos.
Stability of black grass jelly (Mesona chinensis) probioticated by encapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum Mar8 with agar and gum Arabic
Authors: WULANDARI NILAM FADMAULIDHA , YULINERY TITIN , SUHARNA NANDANG , NURHIDAYAT NOVIK
Published: April 2019

Abstract. Wulandari NF, Yulinery T, Suharna N, Nurhidayat N. 2019. Stability of black grass jelly (Mesona chinensis) probioticated by encapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum Mar8 with agar and gum Arabic. Nusantara Bioscience 11: 84-88. Black grass jelly [Mesona chinensis (Benth)] is one of the traditional food ingredients that can be used as the encapsulation material. However, syneresis easily occurs so that becomes a problem during storage. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of type of stabilizers (agar and gum Arabic) and storage temperature (cold/4oC and ambient temperature/37oC) on black grass jelly stability and the viability of encapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum Mar8 in probiotication. The concentrations of stabilizers were 0.5%; 1.0%; 1.5% and 2.0% (w/v). The result showed that the syneresis rate was stable up to 2% of agar concentration at low storage temperature, while gum Arabic in the concentration of >1% resulted in increasing syneresis rate. Ambient temperature storage increased the syneresis rate. This study showed that agar or gum Arabic was supporting the probiotication as good encapsulant. Moreover, it was suitable for stabilizing or gelling agent at 0.5%-1% concentration to produce black grass jelly as RTD.
Author Meets Critics: The Language of Branding: Theory, Strategies, and Tactics
Authors: Lerman Dawn , Morais Robert J. , Prota Joe , Puntoni Stefano , Timke Edward
Published: April 2019

Abstract: This Author Meets Critics conversation centers on Dawn Lerman, Robert J. Morais, and David Luna's book The Language of Branding: Theory, Strategies, and Tactics (Routledge, 2018). Lerman and Morais meet with two advertising scholars and a brand manager to discuss the following topics: the book's goals, how the book came together, language's place in branding, how to develop a language brief, risks of overcommunication, opportunities and risks in using emojis, teaching about language in advertising and marketing classes, the impact of language changes on brands, language sensitivity, authenticity, important implications in using pronouns, and practical advice for students and practitioners about language in branding.
»Der Tanz war sehr frenetisch...« - Kuratorische Praxis, Kunstvermittlung und Vermittlungskunst auf der dOCUMENTA (13)
Authors: Pickartz Tim
Published: April 2019

Der Tanz war sehr frenetisch, rege rasselnd, klingend, rollend, verdreht und dauerte eine lange Zeit - so lautete der Titel der dOCUMENTA (13). Diese documenta habe kein Konzept, sei keine Ausstellung, sondern ein Geisteszustand, behauptete die Künstlerische Leiterin Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev. Sie artikuliere sich hingegen als verwirrende, unharmonische Choreografie, die über akademische Textproduktion hinausweise. Wie können Kunstwissenschaft, Vermittlung und einzelne Besucherinnen und Besucher mit dieser Herausforderung umgehen? Tim Pickartz legt bei seiner aus umfangreicher Feldforschung hervorgegangenen Dichten Beschreibung Wert auf die Gleichwertigkeit der kuratorischen, vermittlerischen und künstlerischen Diskurse und vermeidet eine Reduktion der komplexen Struktur auf wenige Schlagworte. Die Studie bietet so auch Ansätze für den Umgang mit Ausstellungen im Allgemeinen.
The trouble with teacher turnover: How teacher attrition affects students and schools
Authors: Carver-Thomas Desiree , Darling-Hammond Linda
Published: April 2019

Addressing teacher turnover is critical to stemming the country's continuing teacher shortages. It is also important for school effectiveness, as the academic and financial costs of teacher turnover to student learning and district budgets are significant. Using the most recent nationally representative data from the National Center for Education Statistics' Schools and Staffing Surveys, the authors detail which teachers are leaving, why, and which students are most impacted. The study finds higher turnover rates in the South; among mathematics, science, special education, English language development, and world languages teachers; in schools serving students of color and from low-income families; and among teachers of color. The study also finds that several factors are associated with higher turnover rates, including lack of administrative support, teacher salaries, and alternative certification. The paper reviews policy strategies that can address teacher turnover.
Strategies for attracting and retaining educators: What does the evidence say?
Authors: Podolsky Anne , Kini Tara , Darling-Hammond Linda , Bishop Joseph
Published: April 2019

A highly competent teacher workforce is a necessary foundation for improving children’s educational outcomes, especially for those who rely most on schools for their success. Yet in the United States, shortages in the teaching force have been growing across the country, reaching crisis proportions in some teaching fields— such as mathematics, science, and special education—and in locations where wages and working conditions are least attractive. We analyzed recent research and representative survey data to identify the drivers of teacher recruitment and retention. We also reviewed the policy literature to identify district, state, and federal policy strategies that have been effective at addressing the factors influencing teachers’ professional decisions. These policies include increasing their compensation and improving their preparation, professional support, and working conditions, as well as improving district and school management practices that otherwise create obstacles to recruitment and retention.
The effects of individual internal versus external reference prices on consumer decisions for pay-what-you-want payments
Authors: Kukla-Gryz Anna , Zagórska Katarzyna
Published: April 2019

We empirically investigate the interaction between internal and external reference prices on stated payments in a Pay-What-You-Want (PWYW) scheme. Using results of a vignette experiment with e-books, we show that when an external reference price provided is lower than respondents’ internal reference prices, the average of PWYW payments significantly decreases compared with a situation in which the external reference price is not provided.The relationship is the opposite when the external reference price provided to respondents is higher than their internal reference prices. In such a case, upward pressure is created, thus the average of PWYW payments increases. These results remain true when we control for expected quality of e-books. Additionally, we find that when the external reference price is not provided, the size of PWYW payments depends positively on individual factors such as risk-taking propensity and perceived costs of e-book production.
Investment Activity of Local Administrative Units and the Level of Entrepreneurship Development in the Rzeszów Functional Area
Authors: Ślusarz Grzegorz , Cierpiał-Wolan Marek
Published: April 2019

The article presents preliminary results of research on the effectiveness of cohesion policy in relation to functional areas that benefit from integrated territorial investments. Assuming that all local government units in their strategies assume economic development based on the development of entrepreneurship, an attempt was made to assess the impact of investments on their development. At this stage of the research, the investments of local governments in terms of value were taken into account without considering their types and structure as well as sources of financing. Initially, the purpose was to examine whether the scale of these investments translates into the economic sphere: into the development of entrepreneurship. To assess the differences in the level of entrepreneurship in 2012 and 2016, the analysis of quantitative changes in business entities, the dynamics of their number and the synthetic indicators were used. The basis for the calculation of synthetic indicators were the methods of taxonomic analysis, that is, a simple aggregate measure, the Hellwig taxonomic development pattern method and the positional method using the Weber median. The Theil standardised index was used to examine the level and structure of spatial inequalities of gmina investment expenditures and enterprises’ investments. The research indicated the specificity of the Rzeszów Functional Area (ROF) both in comparison with the voivodeship and similar functional areas in eastern Poland. However, these are still insufficient means to increase the cohesion of the entire area and fully activate its endogenous potential.

Synthetic analysis of the level of entrepreneurship indicates that in 2012–2016, a significant improvement in the indicators characterising economic entities operating in ROF occurred, compared to the voivodeship and the country. On the basis of a comprehensive assessment of the dependence of investment expenses of gminas (LAU 2) and enterprises, the difference in the distribution of types of investment behaviour between Podkarpackie Voivodeship and the Rzeszów Functional Area is clearly visible. The phenomenon of synergy of activities of self-government and entities occurs in 31% of gminas in ROF and only in 12% of gminas in the entire voivodeship. Thus, the types of investment behaviour of gminas and enterprises as well as the spatial distribution of economic activity indicate that the socio-economic potential of the city of Rzeszów and the benefits of the agglomeration resulting from it are more important than the implemented investments by individual gminas.
Minimal Energy Tree with 4 Branched Vertices
Authors: Hameed Saira , Ahmad Uzma
Published: April 2019

The energy of a graph is defined as the sum of absolute values of the eigenvalues of its adjacency matrix. Let Ω(n,4) be the class of all trees of order n and having 4 branched vertices. In this paper, the minimal energy tree in the class Ω(n,4) is found.
Langerhans cell-like dendritic cells treated with ginsenoside Rh2 regulate the differentiation of Th1 and Th2 cells in vivo
Authors: Liu Ying , Wu Qian , Li Peng , Liu Weijie , Jin Yongri , Li Xuwen , Shi Xiaolei
Published: April 2019

Ginsenoside Rh2 is one of the rare ginsenosides extracted from Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. The anti-allergic activity of ginsenoside Rh2 has been documented in some literature. In this work, an anti-allergic mechanism of ginsenoside Rh2 was investigated by focusing on the differentiation of T cells through Langerhans cells (LCs). Langerhans cell-like dendritic cells (LDCs) were generated in vitro and were used as substitute for LCs.In vivo the mRNA expression for IFN-γ and CXCR3 of T cells was increased after being injected with ginsenoside Rh2-treated LDCs thereby increasing the concentration of IFN-γ in the culture supernatants of CD3+/CD28+ T lymphocytes. However,in vitro, the expression of mRNA for CD40 and CD80 on ginsenoside Rh2-treated LDCs was up-regulated significantly and the endocytic activity of LDCs was down-regulated slightly. These findings indicate that T cells differentiation could be regulated by ginsenoside Rh2 through LDCs in vivo by altering the antigen presenting capacity, maturation and phagocytosis of LDCs.
Segmental absence of intestinal musculature in an extremely low birthweight preterm infant
Authors: Matias Joana , Cabral Maria , Carmona Luísa , Cabral Margarida , Franco João
Published: April 2019

Background

The segmental absence of intestinal musculature is a rare clinical entity, usually manifested in the neonatal period. It is more frequent in preterm infants, particularly in very low birthweight infants. Typically, there are intestinal perforation or intestinal obstruction symptoms.

Case presentation

The authors report a case of a 30-week-gestational age extremely low birthweight newborn who presented, on the fourth day of life, with a progressively acute abdomen and radiological findings suggestive of intestinal perforation. An emergency laparotomy with segmental ileal resection was performed; intestinal perforation was not confirmed. The histopathological examination of the resected distended bowel revealed an area of severe hypoplastic muscularis propria (with remaining layers intact).

Conclusion

Preoperative diagnosis of segmental absence of intestinal musculature is extremely difficult; its definitive diagnosis relies solely on the histopathological examination. The clinicians and pathologists should be aware of this rare condition, the treatment and prognosis of which differs from the more common necrotising enterocolitis.
Damping estimates for oscillatory integral operators with real-analytic phases and its applications
Authors: Shi Zuoshunhua , Xu Shaozhen , Yan Dunyan
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we investigate sharp damping estimates for a class of one-dimensional oscillatory integral operators with real-analytic phases.
By establishing endpoint estimates for suitably damped oscillatory integral operators, we are able to give a new proof of the sharp

L
p

{L^{p}}

estimates, which have been proved by Xiao in
[Endpoint estimates for one-dimensional oscillatory integral operators,
Adv. Math. 316 2017, 255–291].
The damping estimates obtained in this paper are of independent interest.
Dihedral ∞-simplicial modules and dihedral homology of involutive homotopy unital A
∞-algebras
Authors: Lapin Sergey V.
Published: April 2019

The notion of a dihedral

∞

{\infty}

-simplicial module is introduced.
The homotopy invariance of the structure of a dihedral

∞

{\infty}

-simplicial module is proved.
The concept of the dihedral homology of a dihedral

∞

{\infty}

-simplicial module is developed.
The notion of an involutive homotopy unital

A
∞

{A_{\infty}}

-algebra is introduced.
The dihedral

∞

{\infty}

-simplicial module is constructed using an involutive homotopy unital

A
∞

{A_{\infty}}

-algebra.
The concept of the dihedral homology of an involutive homotopy unital

A
∞

{A_{\infty}}

-algebra is developed.
For the dihedral homology of involutive homotopy unital

A
∞

{A_{\infty}}

-algebras, the analogue of the Krasauskas–Lapin–Solov’ev exact sequence is obtained.
Pseudo Maurer–Cartan perturbation algebra and pseudo perturbation lemma
Authors: Huebschmann Johannes
Published: April 2019

We introduce the pseudo Maurer–Cartan perturbation algebra, establish a structural result and explore the structure of this algebra.
That structural result entails, as a consequence, what we refer to as the pseudo perturbation lemma.
This lemma, in turn, implies the ordinary perturbation lemma.