bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forecasting European economic policy uncertainty
Authors: Degiannakis Stavros , Filis George
Published: January 2019

Forecasting the economic policy uncertainty in Europe is of paramount importance given the ongoing sovereign debt crisis. This paper evaluates monthly economic policy uncertainty index forecasts and examines whether ultra‐high frequency information from asset market volatilities and global economic uncertainty can improve the forecasts relatively to the no‐change forecast. The results show that the global economic policy uncertainty provides the highest predictive gains, followed by the European and US stock market realized volatilities. In addition, the European stock market implied volatility index is shown to be an important predictor of the economic policy uncertainty.
Volatility persistence and asymmetry under the microscope: the role of information demand for gold and oil
Authors: Bampinas Georgios , Panagiotidis Theodore , Rouska Christina
Published: January 2019

This study explores the relationship between Google search activity and the conditional volatility of oil and gold spot market returns. By aggregating the volume of queries related to the two commodity markets in the spirit of Da et al. (), we construct a weekly Searching Volume Index (SVI) for each market as proxy of households and investors information demand. We employ a rolling EGARCH framework to reveal how the significance of information demand has evolved through time. We find that higher information demand increases conditional volatility in gold and oil spot market returns. Information flows from Google SVI's reduce the proportion of the significant volatility asymmetry produced by negative shocks in both commodity markets. The latter is more profound in the gold market.
Investigation of Teachers’ Violence Sensitivity Levels Towards Children According to Different Variables
Authors: Gülbahçe Arzu
Published: January 2019

The study aims to reveal relationship between the secondary school teachers’ violence sensitivity levels towards children according to different variables. The study sample consists of 563 teachers working in Erzurum, Turkey in the academic year of 2017-2018. In this study, “Violence Sensitivity towards Children” scale, which was developed by Arzu Özyürek (2017), was used. SPSS 21 package program was used to analyze the data. In the analysis of the data, frequency distribution was used to determine the demographic characteristics, the Independent Samples T test was used to examine the differentiation status between two independent variables and the violence sensitivity level towards children, and the One Way Anova analysis tests were conducted to examine the differentiation status between more than two variables and the violence sensitivity level towards children. All these tests were analyzed in SPSS 21 package program and the significance was evaluated at p<0.05 level.Findings of the study showed that there was a significant difference between the teachers’ violence sensitivity levels towards children and gender, age, status of having a child, place of childhood, administrative duty status and tenure of office. However, no significant difference was found between variables of family structure and employment status.Measures should be taken to prevent children’s exposure to violence by identifying violence sensitivity levels of teachers towards children, who play an active role in the teaching and the development of the children, and by examining the variables that differ in their sensitivity levels. In addition, the study suggests further researches on different groups and more comprehensive studies for better understanding of and awareness about the subject of violence and children.
The Relationship Between Reaction Time and 60 m Performance in Elite Athletes
Authors: Gürses Veli Volkan , Kamiş Okan
Published: January 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between 60m sprint results and reaction times in athletes who took part in the World Indoor Athletics Championships. The reaction times and 60m sprint results were compiled for 483 sprinters (253 male, 230 female) who performed 60m sprint event. Corresponding data were obtained from archives of the official website of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF). The relationship between reaction time and 60m sprint results were calculated using Pearson correlation coefficient. Additionally, the Independent Samples T-Test was used to compare athletes’ reaction times and 60m sprint results. Positive moderate correlation was found between mean values of all 60m sprint results and reaction times, which were analyzed together in all categories (r=.436, p<0.01). Moreover, significant differences were also found between male and female finalists based on the 60m sprint times and reaction times respectively (t=-27.98, p<0.01; t=-3.26, p<0.01). As a result, it can be concluded that reaction time has great importance on 60 m performance. The best reaction time is related to the higher performance of 60m sprint in both male and female athletes. Moreover, this is also similar for round 1, semifinal and final categories. Coaches and athletes may consider improving reaction time to achieve better 60m performance.
Neuromuscular and Torque Kinetic Changes After 10 Months of Explosive Sport Training in Prepubertal Gymnasts
Authors: Kochanowicz Andrzej , Niespodziński Bartłomiej , Mieszkowski Jan , Sawczyn Stanisław , Cięszczyk Paweł , Kochanowicz Kazimierz
Published: January 2019

Purpose: To determine neuromuscular and torque kinetic changes after 10 months of explosive sport training in the elbow of prepubertal gymnasts compared with untrained age-matched controls. Methods: In 15 young gymnasts (9.02 [0.41] y) and 15 age-matched untrained males (8.76 [0.51] y), the rate of torque development (RTD) using the Biodex System 4 and the coactivation index were evaluated using electromyography. Explosive strength variables were normalized to the peak torque. Measures were determined twice: before and after a 10-month period of gymnastic training. Covariation analysis was used to account for differences in baseline values between gymnasts and controls. Results: After 10 months of training, gymnasts demonstrated a significantly (P < .05) greater increase in normalized peak RTD values in elbow flexion compared with controls (7.76% vs 0.65%). Covariation analysis also revealed a significantly (P < .05) greater reduction in the coactivation index of elbow extension in the gymnasts (−7.81% [5.44%] points) compared with controls (−1.23% [6.32%] points). Conclusions: Compared with physical development alone, 10 months of explosive-strength training of young gymnasts is sufficient to increase torque-normalized RTD in the elbow joint of prepubertal boys. The RTD changes the authors observed in antagonistic elbow functions vary among gymnasts due to the specific demands of gymnastic training.
The world debates open-access mandates
Authors: Rabesandratana Tania
Published: January 2019

Spurred by European funders behind Plan S, many countries consider similar moves.
Computers turn neural signals into speech
Authors: Servick Kelly
Published: January 2019

Fed data from invasive brain recordings, algorithms reconstruct heard and spoken sounds.
Really cool neutral plasmas
Authors: Bergeson Scott
Published: January 2019

Properties of laser-cooled neutral plasmas can be used to model high–energy-density plasmas
The sound of a tropical forest
Authors: Burivalova Zuzana , Game Edward T. , Butler Rhett A.
Published: January 2019

Recording of forest soundscapes can help monitor animal biodiversity for conservation
Flowing crowds
Authors: Ouellette Nicholas T.
Published: January 2019

Modeling human crowds as a fluid allows prediction of group behavior
Starvation-induced diplopia and weakness: a case of beriberi and Wernicke’s encephalopathy
Authors: Tan Timothy Xin Zhong , Lim Kheng Choon , Chan Chung Charles , Aung Than
Published: January 2019

A 56-year-old teetotaller man with hypertension and gout presented with a week duration of painless worsening diplopia on a background of loss of weight and appetite, generalised lethargy and weakness for 1 year. On examination, he was noted to be hypothermic and tachycardic with generalised muscle wasting. Proximal myopathy, lower limb fasciculations and areflexia, restricted bilateral eye abduction and nystagmus were observed. Blood investigations demonstrated compensated lactic acidosis, acute kidney injury and leucocytosis. A nerve conduction study showed severe length-dependent axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy. This was a diagnostic dilemma until an MRI brain revealed symmetrical signal abnormality and enhancement in the periaqueductal area indicative of Wernicke’s encephalopathy, caused by thiamine deficiency from poor nutrition. Beriberi, also caused by thiamine deficiency, accounted for his tachycardia, polyneuropathy, areflexia, hypothermia and biochemical abnormalities. Both beriberi and Wernicke’s encephalopathy are medical emergencies, which were treated with intravenous thiamine to good effect.
Isolated Schneiderian papilloma of the middle ear cleft
Authors: Adams Mark , Smith Catherine , Hampton Susanne
Published: January 2019

A 60-year-old woman presented with pulsatile tinnitus in the left ear. MRI and CT imaging suggested a soft-tissue mass in the middle ear. Exploratory tympanotomy and biopsy confirmed Schneiderian (inverted) papilloma. Endoscopic and radiological assessment showed no evidence of sinonasal lesions. The patient proceeded to mastoid surgery with removal of the ossicles for disease clearance. The small number of cases published to date of isolated middle ear inverted papilloma suggest a high recurrence and malignant transformation rate and aggressive management is therefore warranted.
Infrared thermography study as a complementary method of screening and prevention of muscle injuries: pilot study
Authors: Côrte Ana Carolina , Pedrinelli André , Marttos Antonio , Souza Ivan Furlan Grava , Grava Joaquim , José Hernandez Arnaldo
Published: January 2019

Objective

To evaluate thermography application as a complementary method in preventing muscle injury in professional soccer players. 

Methods﻿

A longitudinal prospective study with 28 professional soccer players that composed a first division of Brazilian’s soccer team between 2015 and 2016. In both seasons (2015 and 2016), muscle injuries were documented and classified in grade of severity, by ultrasound. During the following season (2016), infrared medical thermography was applied twice a week (48 hours after game) and if a difference of temperature was detected higher than 0.4°C, a prevention protocol was initiated. Muscle injuries in 2016 were documented.

Results

In 2015, the total number of muscle injuries was 11. In 2016, the total number of muscle injuries was 4 (p=0.04). It represents an incidence/player of 78% in 2015 and 28% in 2016, corresponding to a decrease of 64% in 2016. Seven players played in the first team in both seasons. Among these seven players, muscle injuries were reduced from 8 (in 2015) to 3 (in 2016)—a decrease of 63% in the season we used thermographic monitoring (p=0.06).

Conclusion

The pilot data provide a promising catalyst for a rigorous RCT that could examine whether thermography can contribute to a muscle injury prevention programme.
Outcomes of Multimodality In situ Recanalization in Hybrid Operating Room (MIRHOR) for symptomatic chronic internal carotid artery occlusions
Authors: Jiang Wei-jian , Liu Ao-Fei , Yu Wengui , Qiu Han-Cheng , Zhang Yi-Qun , Liu Fang , Li Chen , Wang Rong , Zhao Yuan-Li , Lv Jin , Li Tian-Xiao , Liu Ce , Zhou Ji , Zhao Ji-Zong
Published: January 2019

Background

An in situ recanalization procedure of endovascular therapy (ET) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been attempted in patients with symptomatic chronic internal carotid artery occlusions (ICAOs), though the recanalization rates of both are low.

Objective

To investigate the outcomes of Multimodality In situ Recanalization for ICAOs in a Hybrid Operating Room (MIRHOR) at the same session.

Methods

Symptomatic chronic ICAOs were classified into type A or B (short occlusion with or without a tapered residual root [TRR]), and C or D (long occlusion with or without TRR), and managed in a hybrid operating room with ET, CEA, or both, as needed. Primary efficacy outcome was technical success of recanalization with Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 3. Secondary efficacy outcome was any stroke or death within 30 days (primary safety outcome) plus an ipsilateral ischemic stroke after 30 days.

Results

Technical success was finally achieved in 35 (83.3%) of 42 consecutively enrolled patients with ICAO, which was significantly higher than 35.7% (15/42, p<0.001) from the initial ET or CEA alone. Furthermore, the success rate was in descending order: 100% (18/18) for type A and B occlusions, 75% (6/8) for type C occlusions, and 69% (11/16) for type D occlusions (p=0.017). Two secondary efficacy outcome events (5.1%) without mortality, including one (2.4%) primary safety outcome, were observed during a mean follow-up of 10.5 months.

Conclusion

The MIRHOR for symptomatic chronic ICAOs at the same session significantly improves technical success, with low periprocedural complications and favorable clinical outcomes. The ICAO classification appears valuable in predicting technical success.
Effect of routing paradigm on patient centered outcomes in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Zhou Minerva H , Kansagra Akash P
Published: January 2019

Background

To compare performance of routing paradigms for patients with acute ischemic stroke using clinical outcomes.

Methods

We simulated different routing paradigms in a system comprising one primary stroke center (PSC) and one comprehensive stroke center (CSC), separated by distances representative of urban, suburban, and rural environments. In the nearest center paradigm, patients are initially sent to the nearest center, while in CSC first, patients are sent to the CSC. In the Rhode Island and distributive paradigms, patients with a FAST-ED (Facial palsy,Arm weakness,Speech changes,Time,Eye deviation, andDenial/neglect) score ≥4 are sent to the CSC, while others are sent to the nearest center or PSC, respectively. Performance and efficiency were compared using rates of good clinical outcome, determined by type and timing of treatment using clinical trial data, and number needed to bypass (NNB).

Results

Good clinical outcome was achieved in 43.76% of patients in nearest center, 44.48% in CSC first, and 44.44% in Rhode Island and distributive in an urban setting; 43.38% in nearest center, 44.19% in CSC first, and 44.17% in Rhode Island in a suburban setting; and 41.10% in nearest center, 43.20% in CSC first, and 42.73% in Rhode Island in a rural setting. In all settings, NNB was generally higher for CSC first compared with Rhode Island or distributive.

Conclusion

Routing paradigms that allow bypass of nearer hospitals for thrombectomy capable centers improve population level patient outcomes. Differences are more pronounced with increasing distance between hospitals; therefore, paradigm choice may be most impactful in rural settings. Selective bypass, as implemented in the Rhode Island and distributive paradigms, improves system efficiency with minimal impact on outcomes.
Comparison of different approaches for determining the residual post-cracking strength index of fiber reinforced concrete for bridges
Authors: Ghazy A. , Bassuoni M.T. , Shehata E. , Burmey D.
Published: January 2019

In Canada, there are different approaches to evaluate the performance of fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) for bridges based on the residual post-cracking strength index (Ri). They involve different combinations of test methods ASTM C78, ASTM C1399, and ASTM C1609. The aims of this study were to assess all possible (existing and new) methods to determine the Rivalues, and capture the major differences between the current Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC S6-14) and the City of Winnipeg specification’s approaches, as a case study. Flexural tests (ASTM C78, ASTM C1399, and ASTM C1609) were performed on 60 FRC beams (100 mm × 100 mm × 350 mm) prepared from concrete provided by four ready-mix concrete suppliers according to City of Winnipeg’s bridge deck specifications for a project built in Winnipeg. The results showed that all the methods implemented herein for calculating the Riof FRC gave comparable results. However, by using Method V, all required parameters (first peak load and residual loads at specified deflections) could be directly extracted from one load–deflection curve obtained from ASTM C1609. In addition, when using this method, the Rican be calculated for each specimen, which enables quantifying the magnitude of variation from average values. Since this approach also requires fewer number of specimens, reducing time and cost of testing, it has been adopted by the City of Winnipeg in bridge specifications for FRC.
Large Nf quantum field theory
Authors: Gracey J. A.
Published: January 2019

We review the development of the large [Formula: see text] method, where [Formula: see text] indicates the number of flavours, used to study perturbative and nonperturbative properties of quantum field theories. The relevant historical background is summarized as a prelude to the introduction of the large [Formula: see text] critical point formalism. This is used to compute large [Formula: see text] corrections to [Formula: see text]-dimensional critical exponents of the universal quantum field theory present at the Wilson–Fisher fixed point. While pedagogical in part the application to gauge theories is also covered and the use of the large [Formula: see text] method to complement explicit high order perturbative computations in gauge theories is also highlighted. The usefulness of the technique in relation to other methods currently used to study quantum field theories in [Formula: see text]-dimensions is also summarized.
Effect of solid state phase transformation on the residual stress in multi-pass weld plates of S355J2W steel
Authors: Zhu Z. , Chen B. , Gou G. , Zhang Z. , Ma C. , Gao W.
Published: January 2019

The coupling model of temperature-phase transformation-mechanics is constructed in this paper. The effect of solid state phase transformation and different hardening models on the residual stress distribution of S355J2W welded joints have been studied with finite element method (FEM) simulation. The microstructure, micro hardness and residual stress of welded joints are also studied. It has been shown that the microstructure of weld seam is composed of bainite structure with little martensite, while the base metal is ferrites and pearlites. The simulation results by FEM were in good accordance with the X-ray results. The maximum tensile residual stress is 463 MPa in the weld. The tensile residual stress was decreased with the larger distance to the weld.
A short-wave X-ray diffraction method to evaluate the residual stress of welding joint for 7N01 Al alloy
Authors: Zhang Zhiyi , Xu Xiaojun , Sun Zhiqing , Tang Qibin , Wang Ren , Gou Guoqing , Chen Hui
Published: January 2019

The residual stress with different degree is inevitable to be introduced during the welding process for high strength 7N01 Al alloys, which will deteriorate the mechanical properties in service. Therefore, a proper characterization method is of vital importance to obtain the detailed residual stress distribution. The conventional X-ray diffraction method can only measure the residual stress of near surface but cannot determine the internal bulk stress with nondestructive way. In the present work, a new Short-Wave X-Ray Diffraction (SWXRD) test methodology was utilized, which can evaluate not only the surface but also the internal residual stress of a crystalline material by applying the monochromatic short-wave X-ray of high-energy. The results show that there is a “M” shaped distribution of residual stress of longitudinal direction (LD) in different affected zone. Furthermore, the characterization of residual stress along weld depth direction demonstrates that the middle part of weld joint is subjected to tensile stress while the rest is subjected to compressive stress.
Design of an Artificial Neural Network battery for an optimal recognition of patterns in financial time series
Authors: Fioribello Simone , Giribone Pier Giuseppe
Published: January 2019

The increasingly massive use of advanced Machine Learning methodologies in the financial field sector has led credit institutions to quickly move to new FinTech technologies. This paper deals with how a battery of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), dedicated to the automatic recognition of financial patterns of potential interest to traders, can be designed and validated. The battery of neural networks that have been designed is composed of a shallow ANN, a deep ANN with ReLu, a deep ANN with Dropout and a convolutional network (ConvNet). Depending on the type of classification problem, the ANN battery dynamically recognizes the best classifier and makes use of it for pattern recognition. The first part of the paper describes how these technologies work, the second one performs a validation of the code and the third one suggests a technical analysis application on financial time series.
Credit risk assessment using purchase order information
Authors: Yamanaka Suguru
Published: January 2019

This paper proposes advanced credit risk assessment and lending operations using purchase order information from borrower firms. Purchase order information from a borrower firm is useful for financial institutions to evaluate the actual business conditions of the firm. This paper shows the application of purchase order information to lending operations and credit risk assessment, and reveals its effectiveness. First, we propose a “purchase order based” credit risk model for real-time credit risk monitoring of firms. Financial institutions can monitor the actual business conditions of borrower firms by evaluating the firm’s asset value using purchase order information. A combination of traditional firm monitoring using financial statements and high-frequency monitoring using purchase order information enables financial institutions to assess the business conditions of borrower firms more precisely and efficiently. Then, with high-frequency data, financial institutions can give borrower firms appropriate support if necessary on a timely basis. Second, we illustrate purchase order financing, which is the lending method backed by purchase order information from borrowers. With purchase order financing, firms that consistently receive purchase orders from credit-worthy firms can borrow money under more favorable lending terms than the usual lending terms based on the financial statements of the borrower firm.
The Effect of Software Warranties on Cybersecurity
Authors: van der Linden Dirk , Rashid Awais
Published: January 2019

This workshop focused on bringing software developers and legal professionals together to understand the shared challenges they face in promoting the development of secure software on the one hand, and software at all, on the other hand. This report summarizes current scientific research on the topics and challenges discussed in the workshop breakout sessions. The insights from the workshop highlight a number of interesting directions for further research on the interplay between software warranties and cybersecurity.
Summary of the 1st IEEE Workshop on the Next Level of Test Automation (NEXTA 2018)
Authors: Borg Markus , Causevic Adnan , Demeyer Serge , Eldh Sigrid
Published: January 2019

NEXTA is a new workshop on test automation that provides a meeting point for academic researchers and industry practitioners. While test automation already is an established practice in industry, the concept needs to evolve to go beyond its current state to support the ever faster release cycles of tomorrow's software engineering. NEXTA implications for research and practice will include test case generation, automated test result analysis, test suite assessment and maintenance, and infrastructure for the future of test automation. The first instance of NEXTA was co-located with the 11th IEEE Conference on Software Testing, Verification and Validation (ICST 2018) in Vasterfias, Sweden on April 9, 2018. NEXTA 2018 offered an interactive setting with a keynote and paper presentations, stimulated by two novel awards to incentivize interaction and dissemination: a Best Questions Award and a Most Viral Tweet Award. The workshop attracted 15 paper submissions and about 50 participants. Based on the positive feedback, we plan to organize the workshop again next year.
Software Engineering for Smart Cyber-Physical Systems
Authors: Bures Tomas , Weyns Danny , Schmerl Bradley , Fitzgerald John
Published: January 2019

Smart Cyber-Physical Systems (sCPS) are a novel kind of Cyber- Physical Systems engineered to take advantage of large-scale cooperation between devices, users and environment to achieve added value in face of uncertainty and various situations in their environment. Examples of sCPS include modern traffic systems, Industry 4.0 systems, systems for smart-buildings, smart energy grids, etc. The uniting aspect of all these systems is that to achieve their high-level of intelligence, adaptivity and ability to optimize and learn, they heavily rely on software. This makes them software-intensive systems, where software becomes their most complex part. Engineering sCPS thus becomes a recognized software engineering discipline, which however, due to specifics of sCPS, can only partially rely on the existing body of knowledge in software engineering. In fact, it turns out that many of the traditional approaches to architecture modeling and software development fail to cope with the high dynamicity and uncertainty of sCPS. This calls for innovative approaches that jointly reflect and address the specifics of such systems. This paper maps the discussions and results of the Third International Workshop on Software Engineering for Smart Cyber-Physical Systems (SEsCPS 2017), which specifically focuses on challenges and promising solutions in the area of software engineering for sCPS.
SCAV'18
Authors: Gleirscher Mario , Kugele Stefan , Linker Sven
Published: January 2019

This report summarizes the discussions, open issues, take-away messages, and conclusions of the 2nd SCAV workshop.
Type-guided worst-case input generation
Authors: Wang Di , Hoffmann Jan
Published: January 2019

This paper presents a novel technique for type-guided worst-case input generation for functional programs. The technique builds on automatic amortized resource analysis (AARA), a type-based technique for deriving symbolic bounds on the resource usage of functions. Worst-case input generation is performed by an algorithm that takes as input a function, its resource-annotated type derivation in AARA, and a skeleton that describes the shape and size of the input that is to be generated. If successful, the algorithm fills in integers, booleans, and data structures to produce a value of the shape given by the skeleton. The soundness theorem states that the generated value exhibits the highest cost among all arguments of the functions that have the shape of the skeleton. This cost corresponds exactly to the worst-case bound that is established by the type derivation. In this way, a successful completion of the algorithm proves that the bound is tight for inputs of the given shape. Correspondingly, a relative completeness theorem is proved to show that the algorithm succeeds if and only if the derived worst-case bound is tight. The theorem is relative because it depends on a decision procedure for constraint solving. The technical development is presented for a simple first-order language with linear resource bounds. However, the technique scales to and has been implemented for Resource Aware ML, an implementation of AARA for a fragment of OCaml with higher-order functions, user-defined data types, and types for polynomial bounds. Experiments demonstrate that the technique works effectively and can derive worst-case inputs with hundreds of integers for sorting algorithms, operations on search trees, and insertions into hash tables.
Diagrammatic algebra: from linear to concurrent systems
Authors: Bonchi Filippo , Holland Joshua , Piedeleu Robin , Sobociński Paweł , Zanasi Fabio
Published: January 2019

We introduce the resource calculus, a string diagrammatic language for concurrent systems. Significantly, it uses the same syntax and operational semantics as the signal flow calculus --- an algebraic formalism for signal flow graphs, which is a combinatorial model of computation of interest in control theory. Indeed, our approach stems from the simple but fruitful observation that, by replacing real numbers (modelling signals) with natural numbers (modelling resources) in the operational semantics, concurrent behaviour patterns emerge.

The resource calculus is canonical: we equip it and its stateful extension with equational theories that characterise the underlying space of definable behaviours---a convex algebraic universe of additive relations---via isomorphisms of categories. Finally, we demonstrate that our calculus is sufficiently expressive to capture behaviour definable by classical Petri nets.
A true positives theorem for a static race detector
Authors: Gorogiannis Nikos , O'Hearn Peter W. , Sergey Ilya
Published: January 2019

RacerD is a static race detector that has been proven to be effective in engineering practice: it has seen thousands of data races fixed by developers before reaching production, and has supported the migration of Facebook's Android app rendering infrastructure from a single-threaded to a multi-threaded architecture. We prove a True Positives Theorem stating that, under certain assumptions, an idealized theoretical version of the analysis never reports a false positive. We also provide an empirical evaluation of an implementation of this analysis, versus the original RacerD.

The theorem was motivated in the first case by the desire to understand the observation from production that RacerD was providing remarkably accurate signal to developers, and then the theorem guided further analyzer design decisions. Technically, our result can be seen as saying that the analysis computes an under-approximation of an over-approximation, which is the reverse of the more usual (over of under) situation in static analysis. Until now, static analyzers that are effective in practice but unsound have often been regarded as ad hoc; in contrast, we suggest that, in the future, theorems of this variety might be generally useful in understanding, justifying and designing effective static analyses for bug catching.
Decoupling lock-free data structures from memory reclamation for static analysis
Authors: Meyer Roland , Wolff Sebastian
Published: January 2019

Verification of concurrent data structures is one of the most challenging tasks in software verification. The topic has received considerable attention over the course of the last decade. Nevertheless, human-driven techniques remain cumbersome and notoriously difficult while automated approaches suffer from limited applicability. The main obstacle for automation is the complexity of concurrent data structures. This is particularly true in the absence of garbage collection. The intricacy of lock-free memory management paired with the complexity of concurrent data structures makes automated verification prohibitive.

In this work we present a method for verifying concurrent data structures and their memory management separately. We suggest two simpler verification tasks that imply the correctness of the data structure. The first task establishes an over-approximation of the reclamation behavior of the memory management. The second task exploits this over-approximation to verify the data structure without the need to consider the implementation of the memory management itself. To make the resulting verification tasks tractable for automated techniques, we establish a second result. We show that a verification tool needs to consider only executions where a single memory location is reused. We implemented our approach and were able to verify linearizability of Michael&Scott's queue and the DGLM queue for both hazard pointers and epoch-based reclamation. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to verify such implementations fully automatically.
A verified, efficient embedding of a verifiable assembly language
Authors: Fromherz Aymeric , Giannarakis Nick , Hawblitzel Chris , Parno Bryan , Rastogi Aseem , Swamy Nikhil
Published: January 2019

High-performance cryptographic libraries often mix code written in a high-level language with code written in assembly. To support formally verifying the correctness and security of such hybrid programs, this paper presents an embedding of a subset of x64 assembly language in F* that allows efficient verification of both assembly and its interoperation with C code generated from F*. The key idea is to use the computational power of a dependent type system's type checker to run a verified verification-condition generator during type checking. This allows the embedding to customize the verification condition sent by the type checker to an SMT solver. By combining our proof-by-reflection style with SMT solving, we demonstrate improved automation for proving the correctness of assembly-language code. This approach has allowed us to complete the first-ever proof of correctness of an optimized implementation of AES-GCM, a cryptographic routine used by 90% of secure Internet traffic.
A separation logic for concurrent randomized programs
Authors: Tassarotti Joseph , Harper Robert
Published: January 2019

We present Polaris, a concurrent separation logic with support for probabilistic reasoning. As part of our logic, we extend the idea of coupling, which underlies recent work on probabilistic relational logics, to the setting of programs with both probabilistic and non-deterministic choice. To demonstrate Polaris, we verify a variant of a randomized concurrent counter algorithm and a two-level concurrent skip list. All of our results have been mechanized in Coq.
Human-Competitive awards 2018
Authors: Langdon W. B.
Published: January 2019

The GECCO 2018 conference in Kyoto, Japan hosted the 15th annual "Humies" Awards.

The first annual "Humies" competition was held at the 2004 Genetic and Evolutionary Computation Conference (GECCO-2004) in Seattle (USA). With its generous prize money (provided by John Koza) it has become a staple of the Genetic and Evolutioary Computing calendar. The Humies offer the opportunity to the EC community to showcase its best work, work, which by definition, is better than human.
The Global Overturning Circulation
Authors: Cessi Paola
Published: January 2019

In this article, I use the Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean version 4 (ECCO4) reanalysis to estimate the residual meridional overturning circulation, zonally averaged, over the separate Atlantic and Indo-Pacific sectors. The abyssal component of this estimate differs quantitatively from previously published estimates that use comparable observations, indicating that this component is still undersampled. I also review recent conceptual models of the oceanic meridional overturning circulation and of the mid-depth and abyssal stratification. These theories show that dynamics in the Antarctic circumpolar region are essential in determining the deep and abyssal stratification. In addition, they show that a mid-depth cell consistent with observational estimates is powered by the wind stress in the Antarctic circumpolar region, while the abyssal cell relies on interior diapycnal mixing, which is bottom intensified.
Membrane-Anchored Serine Proteases and Protease-Activated Receptor-2–Mediated Signaling: Co-Conspirators in Cancer Progression
Authors: Pawar Nisha R. , Buzza Marguerite S. , Antalis Toni M.
Published: January 2019

Pericellular proteolysis provides a significant advantage to developing tumors through the ability to remodel the extracellular matrix, promote cell invasion and migration, and facilitate angiogenesis. Recent advances demonstrate that pericellular proteases can also communicate directly to cells by activation of a unique group of transmembrane G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCR) known as protease-activated receptors (PAR). In this review, we discuss the specific roles of one of four mammalian PARs, namely PAR-2, which is overexpressed in advanced stage tumors and is activated by trypsin-like serine proteases that are highly expressed or otherwise dysregulated in many cancers. We highlight recent insights into the ability of different protease agonists to bias PAR-2 signaling and the newly emerging evidence for an interplay between PAR-2 and membrane-anchored serine proteases, which may co-conspire to promote tumor progression and metastasis. Interfering with these pathways might provide unique opportunities for the development of new mechanism-based strategies for the treatment of advanced and metastatic cancers.
CKAP4, a DKK1 Receptor, Is a Biomarker in Exosomes Derived from Pancreatic Cancer and a Molecular Target for Therapy
Authors: Kimura Hirokazu , Yamamoto Hideki , Harada Takeshi , Fumoto Katsumi , Osugi Yoshihito , Sada Ryota , Maehara Natsumi , Hikita Hayato , Mori Soichiro , Eguchi Hidetoshi , Ikawa Masahito , Takehara Tetsuo , Kikuchi Akira
Published: January 2019

Purpose:

The survival rate of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is poor; thus, novel molecularly targeted therapy and companion diagnostics are required. We asked whether cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 (CKAP4), a novel Dickkopf1 (DKK1) receptor, is a candidate for PDAC diagnosis and therapy.

Experimental Design: Whether CKAP4 can be secreted with small extracellular vesicles (SEV) from PDAC cells was examined. It was also investigated whether CKAP4 can be detected in sera from patients with PDAC by ELISA using newly generated anti-CKAP4 mAbs and whether anti-CKAP4 mAbs can show antitumor activity in vivo.

Results:

CKAP4 was secreted with SEVs from PDAC cells, and the SEVs exhibited the characteristics of exosomes. The secretion of CKAP4-containing exosomes was mediated by DKK1-dependent endocytosis routes and required exosome biogenesis molecules. Two ELISAs capable of detecting tumor-secreted CKAP4 were developed. The serum CKAP4 levels were higher in patients with PDAC than healthy control individuals. CKAP4 was highly detected in the sera of pancreatic tumor-bearing xenografted mice and patients with PDAC, whereas CKAP4 was barely detectable in sera from normal mice and postoperative patients. Anti-CKAP4 mAbs with different epitopes demonstrated the inhibitory activities for the binding of DKK1 and CKAP4, AKT activity, and proliferation and migration of PDAC cells. Anti-CKAP4 mAbs also suppressed xenograft tumor formation in immunodeficient mice and extended the survival of mice receiving intraperitoneal or orthotopic injection of PDAC cells.

Conclusions:

CKAP4 secreted in exosomes may represent a biomarker for PDAC. Anti-CKAP4 mAbs can contribute to the development of novel diagnostic methods and therapeutics.
Elevated Periostin Concentrations in the Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of Patients with Eosinophilic Pneumonia
Authors: Nakagome Kazuyuki , Nakamura Yutaka , Kobayashi Takehito , Ohta Shoichiro , Ono Junya  , Kobayashi Kiyoko , Ikebuchi Kenji , Noguchi Toru , Soma Tomoyuki , Yamauchi Kohei , Izuhara Kenji , Nagata Makoto
Published: January 2019

Background: Eosinophilic pneumonia (EP) is characterized by massive pulmonary infiltration by eosinophils. Although serum periostin is a novel marker for eosinophil-dominant asthma, the upregulation of periostin in the airway of asthmatics is controversial. In this study, we examined whether periostin concentrations are elevated in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with EP. Methods: BAL was performed in healthy volunteers and in patients with acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP), chronic eosinophilic pneumonia (CEP), and sarcoidosis. The periostin concentrations in the BALF were measured. Results: The periostin concentration in the BALF increased significantly with pulmonary eosinophil ia and was higher in AEP and CEP patients than in healthy volunteers and sarcoidosis patients, even after adjusting the albumin concentration. In pulmonary eosinophilia, the periostin concentration correlated with the eosinophil and lymphocyte counts, the concentration of albumin, and the concentration of cytokines such as IL-5, IL-13, and transforming growth factor β1. Conclusions: Although some blood leakage may be involved in the elevation of periostin in the BALF of EP, periostin can be induced locally, at least in part. Therefore, periostin may play a role in the development of EP.
Intracardiac Extension of Wilms Tumor: A Case of a 2.5-Year-Old Girl Presenting with Upper Venous Congestion Caused by Tumor Growth into the Right Cardiac Ventricle
Authors: Imle Roland , Tosev Georgi , Behnisch Wolfgang , Schenk Jens-Peter , Rauch Helmut , Mueller Andreas , Gorenflo Matthias , Loukanov Tsvetomir , Kulozik Andreas , Nyarangi-Dix Joanne
Published: January 2019

While Wilms tumors (WT) typically present solely with an abdominally palpable mass, rare cases exhibiting vascular tumor growth can also present with circulatory problems. Here, we report the case of a 2.5-year-old girl presenting with upper venous congestion and arterial hypertension as the primary symptoms of intraventricular tumor growth exhibiting remarkable tubular and perfused morphology. Clinical situation stabilized after initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with actinomycin D and vincristine, followed by surgical resection via laparotomy and sternotomy supported by cardiopulmonary bypass and deep hypothermia. Our results highlight the previously reported feasibility of this approach, even in primarily unstable patients.
Incidence, Mortality, and Outcome-Predictors of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Complicating Myocardial Infarction Prior to Hospital Admission
Authors: Karam Nicole , Bataille Sophie , Marijon Eloi , Tafflet Muriel , Benamer Hakim , Caussin Christophe , Garot Philippe , Juliard Jean-Michel , Pires Virginie , Boche Thévy , Dupas François , Le Bail Gaelle , Lamhaut Lionel , Simon Benoît , Allonneau Alexandre , Mapouata Mireille , Loyeau Aurélie , Empana Jean-Philippe , Lapostolle Frederic , Spaulding Christian , Jouven Xavier , Lambert Yves ,   for the e-MUST Study Investigators
Published: January 2019

Background:

Mortality of ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) decreased drastically, mainly through reduction in inhospital mortality. Prehospital sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) became one of the most feared complications. We assessed the incidence, outcome, and prognosis’ predictors of prehospital SCA occurring after emergency medical services (EMS) arrival.

Methods and Results:

Data were taken between 2006 and 2014 from the e-MUST study (Evaluation en Médecine d’Urgence des Strategies Thérapeutiques des infarctus du myocarde) that enrolls all STEMI managed by EMS in the Greater Paris Area, including those dead before hospital admission. Among 13 253 STEMI patients analyzed, 749 (5.6%) presented EMS-witnessed prehospital SCA. Younger age, absence of cardiovascular risk factors, symptoms of heart failure, extensive STEMI, and short pain onset-to-call and call-to-EMS arrival delays were independently associated with increased SCA risk. Mortality rate at hospital discharge was 4.0% in the nonSCA group versus 37.7% in the SCA group (
P
<0.001); 26.8% of deaths occurred before hospital admission. Factors associated with increased mortality after SCA were age, heart failure, and extensive STEMI, while male sex and cardiovascular risk factors were associated with decreased mortality. Among patients admitted alive, PCI was the most important mortality-reduction predictor (odds ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.25–0.63;
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions:

More than 1 of 20 STEMI presents prehospital SCA after EMS arrival. SCA occurrence is associated with a 10-fold higher mortality at hospital discharge compared with STEMI without SCA. PCI is the strongest survival predictor, leading to a twice-lower mortality. This highlights the persistently dramatic impact of SCA on STEMI and the major importance of PCI in this setting.
Impact of Participation in a Telestroke Network on Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Zhang Donglan , Shi Lu , Ido Moges S. , Green Dale E. , Li Yan , Su Dejun , Hess David C.
Published: January 2019

Background:

A telestroke program, known as the Remote Evaluation for Acute Ischemic Stroke program, has been implemented in Georgia since 2003. This study examined whether a hospital’s participation in a telestroke network was associated with improvement in clinical outcomes and quality indicators.

Methods and Results:

An observational study was conducted using data from the Georgia Coverdell Acute Stroke Registry between September 2005 and September 2016 for patients aged ≥18 years with ischemic stroke. We use a difference-in-differences approach to compare the following clinical outcomes and quality indicators among those admitted at hospitals within and outside of the Remote Evaluation for Acute Ischemic Stroke network: tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) use, complications related to tPA use, door-to-needle time, ambulation at discharge, discharge status, and destination. Logistic regression models and a propensity score weighting approach were performed to adjust for patients’ age, sex, race, insurance coverage, arrival mode, ambulatory status before the current stroke, stroke severity, medical history, admission time, and hospital bed size. A total of 25 494 patients with ischemic stroke admitted at 15 nonteaching hospitals located outside of the Atlanta metropolitan area were included in the analysis. After propensity score weighting, hospitals participated in a telestroke network was not associated with a significant increase in the rate of tPA use, while it was significantly associated with a modest decline in the rate of complications related to tPA (−5.9%; 95% CI, −9.2% to −2.6%). Telestroke participation showed no significant difference in other clinical outcomes and quality measures except for a marginally significant decrease in in-hospital mortality (−1.1%; 95% CI, −2.2% to −0.1%).

Conclusions:

Although a slight decrease in tPA complication was observed among hospitals participating in the telestroke network, overall the impact of telestroke participation on a hospital’s stroke care quality was not statistically significant based on our observational study.
The genus Colura section Gamolepis (Lejeuneaceae, Marchantiophyta) in Malesian region, with the description of Colura sigmoidea
Authors: SANGRATTANAPRASERT JIROAT , CHANTANAORRAPINT SAHUT , ZHU RUI-LIANG
Published: January 2019

The taxonomic account of the genus Colura sect. Gamolepis in the Malesian region is presented based on fresh materials from field surveys and herbarium specimens. Five species are recognised including: C. cristata, C. meijeri, C. valida, C. verdoornii, and one new species, C. sigmoidea, described and illustrated. The new species is similar to C. cristata, but differs in having dioicous sexuality, ovate to lanceolate lobule sac ending with a small apical crest (consisting of 3–5 cells), small valve consisting of 30–40 cells and basal median cells of valve adnate with hinge cells forming a sigmoid curve in outline. A key to species, taxonomic descriptions and illustrations are provided; ecology and geographical distribution of the species are noted.
Four new species of Lophilema Aurivillius, 1910 from East Africa (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini)
Authors: VOLYNKIN ANTON V.
Published: January 2019

Four new species of the genus Lophilema, Lophilema mbulu Volynkin, sp. nov. (Tanzania, Mbulu Mts.), Lophilema bilobata Volynkin, sp. nov. (Kenya, Aberdare Range), Lophilema nguru Volynkin, sp. nov. (Tanzania, Nguru Mts.), and Lophilema curva Volynkin, sp. nov. (Tanzania, Nguru Mts.) are described. Adults, male and female genitalia of new and related species are illustrated.