bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘Management of a spoiled identity’: systematic review of interventions to address self-stigma among people living with and affected by HIV
Authors: Pantelic Marija , Steinert Janina I , Park Jay , Mellors Shaun , Murau Fungai
Published: March 2019

Background

Self-stigma, also known as internalised stigma, is a global public health threat because it keeps people from accessing HIV and other health services. By hampering HIV testing, treatment and prevention, self-stigma can compromise the sustainability of health interventions and have serious epidemiological consequences. This review synthesised existing evidence of interventions aiming to reduce self-stigma experienced by people living with HIV and key populations affected by HIV in low-income and middle-income countries.

Methods

Studies were identified through bibliographic databases, grey literature sites, study registries, back referencing and contacts with researchers, and synthesised following Cochrane guidelines.

Results

Of 5880 potentially relevant titles, 20 studies were included in the review. Represented in these studies were 9536 people (65% women) from Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Nepal, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda and Vietnam. Seventeen of the studies recruited people living with HIV (of which five focused specifically on pregnant women). The remaining three studies focused on young men who have sex with men, female sex workers and men who inject drugs. Studies were clustered into four categories based on the socioecological level of risk or resilience that they targeted: (1) individual level only, (2) individual and relational levels, (3) individual and structural levels and (4) structural level only. Thirteen studies targeting structural risks (with or without individual components) consistently produced significant reductions in self-stigma. The remaining seven studies that did not include a component to address structural risks produced mixed effects.

Conclusion

Structural interventions such as scale-up of antiretroviral treatment, prevention of medication stockouts, social empowerment and economic strengthening may help substantially reduce self-stigma among individuals. More research is urgently needed to understand how to reduce self-stigma among young people and key populations, as well as how to tackle intersectional self-stigma.
The impact of New Labour’s English health inequalities strategy on geographical inequalities in infant mortality: a time-trend analysis
Authors: Robinson Tomos , Brown Heather , Norman Paul D , Fraser Lorna K , Barr Ben , Bambra Clare
Published: March 2019

Background

The English health inequalities strategy (1999–2010) aimed to reduce health inequalities between the most deprived local authorities and the rest of England. The multifaceted strategy included increased investment in healthcare, the early years, education and neighbourhood renewal. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the strategy was associated with a reduction in geographical inequalities in the infant mortality rate (IMR).

Methods

We used segmented regression analysis to measure inequalities in the IMR between the most deprived local authorities and the rest of England before, during and after the health inequalities strategy period.

Results

Before the strategy was implemented (1983–1998), absolute inequalities in the IMR increased between the most deprived local authorities and the rest of England at a rate of 0.034 annually (95% CI 0.001 to 0.067). Once the strategy had been implemented (1999–2010), absolute inequalities decreased at a rate of −0.116 annually (95% CI −0.178 to −0.053). After the strategy period ended (2011–2017), absolute inequalities increased at a rate of 0.042 annually (95% CI −0.042 to 0.125). Relative inequalities also marginally decreased during the strategy period.

Conclusion

The English health inequalities strategy period was associated with a decline in geographical inequalities in the IMR. This research adds to the evidence base suggesting that the English health inequalities strategy was at least partially effective in reducing health inequalities, and that current austerity policies may undermine these gains.
Outcomes of cardiac resynchronisation therapy in patients with heart failure with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Mustafa Usman , Atkins Jessica , Mina George , Dawson Desiree , Vanchiere Catherine , Duddyala Narendra , Jones Ryan , Reddy Pratap , Dominic Paari
Published: March 2019

Background

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is beneficial in selected patients with heart failure (HF) in normal sinus rhythm (NSR). We sought to evaluate the impact of CRT with or without atrioventricular junction (AVJ) ablation in patients with HF with concomitant atrial fibrillation (AF)

Methods and results

Literature was searched (inception through 30 August 2017) for observational studies that reported outcomes in patients with HF with CRT and AF that reported all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Thirty-one studies with 83, 571 patients were included. CRT did not decrease mortality compared with internal cardioverter defibrillator or medical therapy alone in patients with HF and AF with indications for CRT (OR: 0.851, 95% CI 0.616 to 1.176, p=0.328, I2=86.954). CRT-AF patients had significantly higher all-cause and cardiovascular mortality than CRT-NSR patients ([OR: 1.472, 95% CI 1.301 to 1.664, p=0.000] and [OR: 1.857, 95% CI 1.350 to 2.554, p=0.000] respectively). Change in left ventricular ejection fraction was not different between CRT patients with and without AF (p=0.705). AVJ ablation, however, improved all-cause mortality in CRT-AF patients when compared with CRT-AF patients without AVJ ablation (OR: 0.485, 95% CI 0.247 to 0.952, p=0.035). With AVJ ablation, there was no difference in all-cause mortality in CRT-AF patients compared with CRT-NSR patients (OR: 1.245, 95% CI 0.914 to 1.696, p=0.165).

Conclusion

The results of our meta-analysis suggest that AF was associated with decreased CRT benefits in patients with HF. CRT, however, benefits patients with AF with AVJ ablation.
AAC Cranford cranberry dry bean
Authors: Balasubramanian Parthiba , Chatterton Syama , Conner Robert L.
Published: March 2019

AAC Cranford is an early-maturing cranberry dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivar with high yield, an upright determinate bush (Type I) growth habit, and large seed size. Currently, dry bean cultivars in the cranberry bean market class are only commercially grown in Manitoba and Ontario, primarily due to their late maturity. Therefore, AAC Cranford, with its early maturity and high yield potential, will enable growers to commercially produce cranberry bean in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
One Core Task of Interpretability in Machine Learning — Expansion of Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Fei Nina , Yang Youlong , Bai Xuying
Published: March 2019

Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a system of two kinds of equations: a linear latent structural model (SM) and a linear measurement model (MM). The latent structure model is a causal model from the latent parent node to the latent child node. Meanwhile, MM’s link is from latent variable parent node to observed variable child node. However, researchers should determine the initial causal order between variables based on experience when applying SEM. The main reason is that SEM does not fully construct causal models between observed variables (OVs) from big data. When the artificial causal order is contrary to the fact, the causal inference from SEM is doubtful, and the implicit causal information between the OVs cannot be extracted and utilized. This study first objectively identifies the causal order of variables using the DirectLiNGAM method widely accepted in recent years. Then traditional SEM is converted to expanded SEM (ESEM) consisting of SM, MM and observation model (OM). Finally, through model testing and debugging, ESEM with good fit with data is obtained.
Active Learning Using Fuzzy-Rough Nearest Neighbor Classifier for Cancer Prediction from Microarray Gene Expression Data
Authors: Kumar Ansuman , Halder Anindya
Published: March 2019

Cancer prediction from gene expression data is a very challenging area of research in the field of computational biology and bioinformatics. Conventional classifiers are often unable to achieve desired accuracy due to the lack of ‘sufficient’ training patterns in terms of clinically labeled samples. Active learning technique, in this respect, can be useful as it automatically finds only few most informative (or confusing) samples to get their class labels from the experts and those are added to the training set, which can improve the accuracy of the prediction consequently. A novel active learning technique using fuzzy-rough nearest neighbor classifier (ALFRNN) is proposed in this paper for cancer classification from microarray gene expression data. The proposed ALFRNN method is capable of dealing with the uncertainty, overlapping and indiscernibility often present in cancer subtypes (classes) of the gene expression data. The performance of the proposed method is tested using different real-life microarray gene expression cancer datasets and its performance is compared with five other state-of-the-art techniques (out of which three are active learning-based and two are traditional classification methods) in terms of percentage accuracy, precision, recall, [Formula: see text]-measures and kappa. Superiority of the proposed method over the other counterpart algorithms is established from experimental results for cancer prediction and results of the paired [Formula: see text]-test confirm statistical significance of the results in favor of the proposed method for almost all the datasets.
Isolated factorizations and their applications in simplicial affine semigroups
Authors: García-Sánchez Pedro A. , Herrera-Poyatos Andrés
Published: March 2019

We introduce the concept of isolated factorizations of an element of a commutative monoid and study its properties. We give several bounds for the number of isolated factorizations of simplicial affine semigroups and numerical semigroups. We also generalize [Formula: see text]-rectangular numerical semigroups to the context of simplicial affine semigroups and study their isolated factorizations. As a consequence of our results, we characterize those complete intersection simplicial affine semigroups with only one Betti minimal element in several ways. Moreover, we define Betti sorted and Betti divisible simplicial affine semigroups and characterize them in terms of gluings and their minimal presentations. Finally, we determine all the Betti divisible numerical semigroups, which turn out to be those numerical semigroups that are free for any arrangement of their minimal generators.
Digraph from power mapping on noncommutative groups
Authors: Zhao Jinxing , Deng Guixin
Published: March 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be a group and [Formula: see text] be a positive integer. The [Formula: see text]-power digraph [Formula: see text] is consisting of vertex set [Formula: see text] and there is a directed edge from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] if and only if [Formula: see text]. We study the [Formula: see text]-power digraph on the semiproduct of cyclic groups. In particular, we obtain the distribution of indegree and cycles, and determine the structure of trees attached with vertices of power digraph. Finally, we establish a necessary and sufficient condition for isomorphism of digraphs [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
Automorphisms of a generalized extraspecial ℚ-group and its extension
Authors: Wang Yulei , Liu Heguo
Published: March 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be a set of primes and [Formula: see text] be a ring consisting of all rational numbers as [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are coprime, [Formula: see text] is a [Formula: see text]-number. The additive group of [Formula: see text] is denoted by [Formula: see text]. Suppose that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are two sets of primes and [Formula: see text] is a nonzero integer. Let [Formula: see text] be a generalized extraspecial [Formula: see text]-group as follows: [Formula: see text] Suppose that [Formula: see text] is a direct product of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] copies of [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] be the normal subgroup of [Formula: see text] consisting of all elements of [Formula: see text] which act trivially on the derived subgroup [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] be the normal subgroup of [Formula: see text] consisting of all central automorphisms of [Formula: see text] which also act trivially on the center [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]. Then,

(i) The extension [Formula: see text] is split; (ii) [Formula: see text]; (iii) If [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text];

If [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
The genus of graphs associated with vector spaces
Authors: Tamizh Chelvam T. , Prabha Ananthi K.
Published: March 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be a k-dimensional vector space over a finite field [Formula: see text] with a basis [Formula: see text]. The nonzero component graph of [Formula: see text], denoted by [Formula: see text], is a simple undirected graph with vertex set as nonzero vectors of [Formula: see text] such that there is an edge between two distinct vertices [Formula: see text] if and only if there exists at least one [Formula: see text] along which both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] have nonzero scalars. In this paper, we find the vertex connectivity and girth of [Formula: see text]. We also characterize all vector spaces [Formula: see text] for which [Formula: see text] has genus either 0 or 1 or 2.
An Investigation of Hydrological Effects on the Thermal Performance of Standing Column Well Using the in-situ Thermal Response Test
Authors: Chang Keun Sun , Kim Young Jae , Kim Min Jun
Published: March 2019

The standing column well (SCW) for ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems is a highly promising technology with its high heat capacity and efficiency. In this study, a large-scale thermal response tester has been built, which is capable of imposing a wide range of heat on the SCW ground heat exchangers and measuring time responses of their thermal parameters. Two standing column wells in one site but with different well hydrological and geological conditions are tested to study their effects on the thermal performances. Borehole thermal resistance ([Formula: see text]) and the effective thermal conductivity ([Formula: see text]) are derived from data obtained from the thermal response test (TRT) by using a line source method. Results show that the influence of groundwater movement on the thermal conductivity of the SCW is not very significant (3.6% difference between two different geological conditions). This indicates that results of one TRT measurement can be applied to other SCWs in the same site, with which considerable time and cost are saved. The increase of circulation flow rate enhances the ground thermal conductivity moderately (4.5% increase with flow rate increase of 45%), but the borehole thermal resistance is substantially lowered (about 25.9%).
Conditional Protein Function via N-Degron Pathway–Mediated Proteostasis in Stress Physiology
Authors: Dissmeyer Nico
Published: March 2019

The N-degron pathway, formerly the N-end rule pathway, regulates functions of regulatory proteins. It impacts protein half-life and therefore directs the actual presence of target proteins in the cell. The current concept holds that the N-degron pathway depends on the identity of the amino (N)-terminal amino acid and many other factors, such as the follow-up sequence at the N terminus, conformation, flexibility, and protein localization. It is evolutionarily conserved throughout the kingdoms. One possible entry point for substrates of the N-degron pathway is oxidation of N-terminal Cys residues. Oxidation of N-terminal Cys is decisive for further enzymatic modification of various neo–N termini by arginylation that generates potentially neofunctionalized or instable proteoforms. Here, I focus on the posttranslational modifications that are encompassed by protein degradation via the Cys/Arg branch of the N-degron pathway—part of the PROTEOLYSIS 6 (PRT6)/N-degron pathway—as well as the underlying physiological principles of this branch and its biological significance in stress response.
Clinical Resolution of Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome following Overcorrection of Severe Hyponatremia
Authors: Yuridullah Ruhin , Kumar Vinod , Nanavati Sushant , Singhal Monisha , Chandran Chandra
Published: March 2019

Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome (ODS) occurs after rapid overcorrection of severe chronic hyponatremia usually in those with a predisposition such as chronic alcoholism, malnutrition, or liver disease. Rarely, do patients make a full recovery. We report a case of ODS secondary to overcorrection of severe hyponatremia with pathognomonic clinical and radiologic signs making a complete neurological recovery. A detailed course of events, review of literature, and optimal and aggressive management strategies are discussed. There is some controversy in the literature regarding the prognosis of these patients. Our aim here is to show that, with aggressive therapy and long-term care, recovery is possible in these patients.
Edwardsiella tardaInfection Triggering Acute Relapse in Pediatric Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Li A. K. , Barton M. , Delport J. A. , Ashok D.
Published: March 2019

Crohn’s disease exacerbations can often be associated with bacterial infections causing gastroenteritis. We report a child who experienced exacerbation of his Crohn’s disease associated with a positive stool culture forEdwardsiella tarda (E. tarda). Endoscopy showed features of moderate inflammation similar to exacerbation of Crohn’s disease. The patient was treated simultaneously with intravenous steroids and antibiotics, and his symptoms resolved. This case report highlights the importance of clinicians being able to promptly recognize and treat concurrent bacterial infections in Crohn’s disease exacerbations.
Electricity Consumption Prediction for Xinjiang Electric Energy Replacement
Authors: Song Xinfu , Liang Gang , Li Changzu , Chen Weiwei
Published: March 2019

In recent years, the phenomenon of wind and solar energy abandoned in Xinjiang’s new energy has become severe, the contradiction between the supply and demand of the power grid is obvious, and the proportion of power in the energy consumption structure is relatively low, thus hindering the development of Xinjiang’s green power. In this context, the focus of Xinjiang’s power has shifted to promote the development of electric energy replacement. Therefore, using the Xinjiang region as an example, we first select the important indicators such as the terminal energy substitution in Xinjiang, added value of the secondary industry, population, terminal power consumption intensity, and per capita disposable income. Subsequently, eight combined forecasting models based on the grey model (GM), multiple linear regression (MLR), and error back propagation neural network (BP) are constructed to predict and analyse the electricity consumption of the whole society in Xinjiang. The results indicate the optimal weighted combination forecasting model, GM‐MLR‐BP of the induced ordered weighted harmonic averaging operator (IOWHA operator), exhibits better prediction accuracy, and the effectiveness of the proposed method is proven.
Understanding Aesthetics and Fitness Measures in Evolutionary Art Systems
Authors: Johnson Colin G. , McCormack Jon , Santos Iria , Romero Juan
Published: March 2019

One of the general aims of evolutionary art research is to build a computer system capable of creating interesting, beautiful, or creative results, including images, videos, animations, text, and performances. In this context, it is crucial to understand how fitness is conceived and implemented to explore the “interestingness,” beauty, or creativity that the system is capable of. In this paper, we survey the recent research on fitness for evolutionary art related to aesthetics. We also cover research in the psychology of aesthetics, including relation between complexity and aesthetics, measures of complexity, and complexity predictors. We try to establish connections between human perception and understanding of aesthetics with current evolutionary techniques.
Ophthalmic Surgery in Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices
Authors: Dumas George A. , Bryant Ayesha S. , Boyd Gwendolyn L.
Published: March 2019

The newer generation of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are commonly used as destination therapy; these devices have demonstrated improved outcomes and increased survival. Given the longer lifespan, it is not surprising that patients with LVADS are increasingly presenting with noncardiac, chronic diseases and interventions for their treatment. This includes ophthalmic procedures in patients with LVAD. There is a paucity of literature about the experiences and outcomes in this cohort of patients presenting for ophthalmologic surgery. Here we present a case series consisting of 7 patients with LVAD that underwent 10 ophthalmic surgeries. No adverse events including intraoperative hemodynamic instability or respiratory compromise occurred. All patients had an on-time discharge with no 30-day recidivism. Most patients underwent a phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation and received a topical with intracameral anesthetic. We attribute these successful outcomes to a standardized clinical workflow consisting of careful preoperative screening, communication and presence of VAD coordinator, continuation of antithrombotics, monitoring based on presence of pulsatile flow, and a plan for rapid transfer if needed.
Real-World Evidence of Safety and Efficacy of Carboplatin plus Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel in Patients with Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Preexisting Interstitial Lung Disease: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Araya Tomoyuki , Kita Toshiyuki , Ueda Tsukasa , Terada Nanao , Sakai Tamami , Yamamura Kenta , Kurokawa Koji , Uchida Yuka , Sone Takashi , Kimura Hideharu , Kasahara Kazuo
Published: March 2019

Background. Standard chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with preexisting interstitial lung disease (ILD) has not yet been established. Although a combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel is most frequently used for patients with advanced NSCLC and ILD, the safety and efficacy of carboplatin plus nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) are yet to be elucidated. Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel for advanced NSCLC with ILD. Methods. This retrospective study included nine patients with advanced NSCLC and ILD who received carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel as first-line chemotherapy at the National Hospital Organization Kanazawa Medical Center between April 2013 and December 2017. The ILD-GAP index was used to evaluate mortality risk of baseline ILD. Results. A usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern of ILD was observed in five (55.6%) patients on their baseline high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans. The median ILD-GAP index was 4 (range, 1–5), and six (66.7%) patients had ILD-GAP index ≥4. We observed no ILD exacerbations or chemotherapy-related deaths. The overall response and disease control rates were 77.8% (95% CI, 40.0–97.2) and 88.9% (95% CI, 51.8–97.2), respectively. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 5.8 months (95% CI, 2.1–7.7) and 8.0 months (95% CI, 2.6–16.8), respectively. Conclusions. Carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel showed favorable safety and efficacy in patients who had advanced NSCLC and ILD with a high risk of mortality. Prospective studies are required to further confirm these results.
Association between Irisin, hs-CRP, and Metabolic Status in Children and Adolescents with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Elizondo-Montemayor Leticia , Gonzalez-Gil Adrian M. , Tamez-Rivera Oscar , Toledo-Salinas Carla , Peschard-Franco Mariana , Rodríguez-Gutiérrez Nora A. , Silva-Platas Christian , Garcia-Rivas Gerardo
Published: March 2019

Proinflammatory cytokines and the novel myokine irisin, a cleavage product of FNDC5, have been found to play a role in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Irisin has been shown to increase browning of adipose tissue, thermogenesis, energy expenditure, and insulin sensitivity, yet its association with inflammatory markers is still limited. Circulating irisin has been found to be increased in obesity, while in adult subjects with T2DM decreased levels have been found. However, data establishing the association of circulating irisin in children and adolescents with T2DM has not been described in the literature. The objective of this study was to determine irisin plasma concentration and its association with metabolic and adiposity markers and with hs-CRP, a surrogate marker of inflammation used in clinical practice, in a pediatric population with T2DM. A cross-sample of 40 Mexican children and adolescents aged 7-17 were recruited, 20 diagnosed with T2DM and 20 healthy controls. Plasma irisin levels were found to be lower in the T2DM group compared with controls, which could be attributed to a reduced PGC-1α activity in muscle tissue with a consequent decrease in FNDC5 and irisin expression. Irisin concentration was found to be positively correlated with HDL-c, LDL-c, and total cholesterol, while negatively correlated with BMI, waist circumference, and triglycerides. However, after multiple regression analysis, only HDL-c correlation remained significant. hs-CRP was higher in the T2DM group and positively associated with adiposity markers, unfavorable lipid profile, insulin levels, and HOMA-IR, but no association with irisin was found. Given the favorable metabolic effects attributed to irisin, the low plasma levels found in children and adolescents with T2DM could exacerbate the inflammatory and metabolic imbalances and the intrinsic cardiovascular risk of this disease. We propose an “irisin-proinflammatory/anti-inflammatory axis” to explain the role of irisin as a metabolic regulator in obesity and T2DM.
Association of Genetic Variants of RANK, RANKL, and OPG with Ankylosing Spondylitis Clinical Features in Taiwanese
Authors: Wang Chin-Man , Tsai Shu-Chun , Lin Jing-Chi , Wu Yeong-Jian Jan , Wu Jianming , Chen Ji-Yih
Published: March 2019

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to spinal ankylosis. The receptor activator of the nuclear factor-kappa (RANK), RANK ligand, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) (RANK/RANKL/OPG) pathway plays critical roles in bone metabolism and the immune system. The current study was aimed at investigating whether six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the RANK, RANKL, and OPG genes essential for bone homeostasis are associated with AS. Genotype distributions, allele and haplotype frequencies, were compared between 1120 AS patients and 1435 healthy controls and among AS patients with stratification by syndesmophyte formation, onset age, and HLA-B27 positivity. We found that RANKL SNPs were associated with AS syndesmophyte formation. Notably, the RANKL SNP haplotype rs7984870C/rs9533155G/rs9525641C was negatively associated with AS susceptibility and appeared to protect against syndesmophyte formation in AS. Functionally, RANKL promoter SNPs (rs9525641 C/T and rs9533155 G/C) affected DNA-protein complex formation and promoter activity in promoter reporter analyses. The OPG SNP haplotype rs2073618G/rs3102735T was significantly associated with HLA-B27 negativity in AS patients. Furthermore, AS patients with syndesmophyte formation had significantly lower levels of soluble RANKL levels than those without syndesmophyte formation. Our data suggested a role for RANKL in AS susceptibility and severity.
Finite‐Time Robust Stability of Uncertain Genetic Regulatory Networks with Time‐Varying Delays and Reaction‐Diffusion Terms
Authors: Wang Wenqin , Dong Yali , Zhong Shouming , Liu Feng
Published: March 2019

This study seeks to address the finite‐time robust stability of delayed genetic regulatory networks (GRNs) with uncertain parameters and reaction‐diffusion terms. We employ an appropriate Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional to derive some less conservative stability criteria for GRNs under Dirichlet boundary conditions, which are delay‐dependent, delay‐derivative‐dependent, and reaction‐diffusion‐dependent. The time‐varying delays and their derivatives are both bounded with lower and upper bounds, where the lower bound of them can be zero or non‐zero. In addition, we define some new variables to deal with uncertain parameters. Moreover, Jensen’s integral inequality, Wirtinger‐type integral inequality, reciprocally convex combination inequality, Gronwall inequality, and Green formula are employed to handle integral terms. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the obtained stability criteria.
Improving the Privacy of IoT with Decentralised Identifiers (DIDs)
Authors: Kortesniemi Yki , Lagutin Dmitrij , Elo Tommi , Fotiou Nikos
Published: March 2019

When IoT devices operate not only with the owner of the device but also with third parties, identifying the device using a permanent identifier, e.g., a hardware identifier, can present privacy problems due to the identifier facilitating tracking and correlation attacks. A changeable identifier can be used to reduce the risk on privacy. This paper looks at using decentralised identifiers (DIDs), an upcoming standard of self-sovereign identifiers with multiple competing implementations, with IoT devices. The paper analyses the resource requirements of running DIDs on the IoT devices and finds that even quite small devices can successfully deploy DIDs and proposes that the most constrained devices could rely on a proxy approach. Finally, the privacy benefits and limitations of using DIDs are analysed, with the conclusion that DIDs significantly improve the users’ privacy when utilised properly.
Enhancement of Tissue Factor Expression in Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells by Pentraxin 3 and Its Modulation by C1 Esterase Inhibitor
Authors: Kasuda Shogo , Sakurai Yoshihiko , Tatsumi Kohei , Takeda Tomohiro , Kudo Risa , Yuui Katsuya , Hatake Katsuhiko
Published: March 2019

Background: We have previously shown that human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) may participate in immune system-mediated hypercoagulable state through enhanced tissue factor (TF) expression and that the complement system may be involved in this process. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the role of pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and the complement system in enhanced TF expression in moDCs. Methods: moDCs were generated from isolated human monocytes. PTX3 levels in whole human blood supplemented with moDCs were determined after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. PTX3 release by the generated moDCs upon LPS stimulation was also assessed. The effect of PTX3 on whole blood coagulation was investigated using thromboelastometric analysis. TF expression in stationary moDCs treated with LPS and/or PTX3 was determined by measuring TF activity. The effect of complement inhibitors on TF activity in moDCs treated with LPS and/or PTX3 under low-shear conditions was evaluated. Results: PTX3 levels were higher in whole blood supplemented with moDCs than in the presence of monocytes and were further elevated by LPS stimulation. PTX3 release from generated moDCs was also increased by LPS stimulation. PTX3 reduced whole blood coagulation time in a dose-dependent manner. However, PTX3 did not increase TF expression in stationary moDCs. Under low-shear conditions, PTX3 increased TF expression in moDCs. C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-inh) suppressed this effect. Conclusions: PTX3 might have a thrombophilic activity and enhance TF expression in moDCs under low-shear conditions. Furthermore, suppression of moDC-associated hypercoagulability by C1-inh might be partly ascribed to its inhibitory effect on PTX3.
Ramucirumab and Paclitaxel Administered Every 2 Weeks (mRAINBOW Regimen) in Advanced Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Rogers Jane E. , Xiao Lianchun , Amlashi Fatemeh G. , Elimova Elena , Blum Murphy Mariela A. , Sanders Elizabeth , Shanbhag Namita , Thomas Irene , Ajani Jaffer A.
Published: March 2019

Background: The RAINBOW trial established ramucirumab combined with paclitaxel as a second-line option in metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. Ramucirumab was given on days 1 and 15 with paclitaxel on days 1, 8, and 15 of a 28-day cycle. The median overall survival (OS) was significantly longer with ramuciru­mab plus paclitaxel (p = 0.017), and it led to 41% grade 3 or higher neutropenia. We review our experience with both ramucirumab plus paclitaxel given biweekly (mRAINBOW) to assess efficacy and safety. Objectives: The primary objective was to assess OS. Secondary end points were progression-free survival (PFS), overall response, and safety. Methods: We identified 129 patients retrospectively from our database between November 2014 and May 2017. Patients were included if they were followed up at our institution. Results: Median doses given were ramucirumab 8 mg/kg i.v. plus paclitaxel 110 mg/m2 i.v. given once every 2 weeks. The median performance status was 1, and ∼60% had poorly differentiated histology; 55.8% had progression in < 6 months on first-line therapy, and the majority had measurable cancer. Median overall OS and PFS for the entire cohort was 9.4 months (95% CI: 8.05–10.74) and 3.68 months (95% CI: 2.73–4.5), respectively. Median OS was 9.46 months (95% CI: 8.05–14.95) and median PFS was 4.14 months (95% CI: 2.96–5.29) in those patients that received ramucirumab plus paclitaxel in the second-line setting. Conclusion: Biweekly administration of ramucirumab plus paclitaxel did not compromise efficacy. Delays, adjustments, or doses held were similar to the RAINBOW trial, with 31% requiring a dose or schedule modification.
Comparison between Operative and Non-Operative Treatment of the Medial Collateral Ligament: Histological and Ultrastructural Findings during Early Healing in the Epiligament Tissue in a Rat Knee Model
Authors: Georgiev Georgi P. , Kotov Georgi , Iliev Alexandar , Kinov Plamen , Angelova Jordanka , Landzhov Boycho
Published: March 2019

The medial collateral ligament of the knee joint is one of the most commonly injured ligaments of the knee. Recent data have shown that the thin layer of connective tissue covering the ligament, known as the epiligament, is essential for its nutrition and normal function, as well as its healing after injury. The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare the changes in the epiligament of the medial collateral ligament which occurred during operative and non-operative treatment throughout the first month after injury. We used 27 male Wistar rats randomly allocated to three groups. In the 9 rats belonging to the first group, the medial collateral ligament was fully transected and left to heal spontaneously without suture. In the 9 rats belonging to the second group, the transected ends were marked with a 9–0 nylon monofilament suture. The 9 rats in the third group were used as normal controls. Three animals from each group were sacrificed on days 8, 16, and 30 after injury. Light microscopic analysis was performed on semi-thin sections stained with 1% methylene blue, azure II, and basic fuchsin. Transmission electron microscopy was used to study and compare the ultrastructural changes in the epiligament. The statistical analysis of the obtained data was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis H test and Mood’s median test. The normal structure of the epiligament of the medial collateral ligament was presented by fibroblasts, fibrocytes, adipose cells, mast cells, collagen fibers, and neuro-vascular bundles. On days 8 and 16 postinjury, the epiligament appeared hypercellular and returned to its normal appearance on the thirtieth day postinjury. The electron microscopic study revealed the presence of different types of fibroblasts with the typical ultrastructural features of collagen-synthetizing cells. The comparative statistical analysis on the respective day showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the number of cells between spontaneously healing animals and animals recovering with suture application. These data further prove that spontaneous healing of the medial collateral ligament yields similar results to surgical treatment and may be used as a basis for the development of treatment regimens with improved patient outcome.
Golgipathies in Neurodevelopment: A New View of Old Defects
Authors: Rasika Sowmyalakshmi , Passemard Sandrine , Verloes Alain , Gressens Pierre , El Ghouzzi Vincent
Published: March 2019

The Golgi apparatus (GA) is involved in a whole spectrum of activities, from lipid biosynthesis and membrane secretion to the posttranslational processing and trafficking of most proteins, the control of mitosis, cell polarity, migration and morphogenesis, and diverse processes such as apoptosis, autophagy, and the stress response. In keeping with its versatility, mutations in GA proteins lead to a number of different disorders, including syndromes with multisystem involvement. Intriguingly, however, > 40% of the GA-related genes known to be associated with disease affect the central or peripheral nervous system, highlighting the critical importance of the GA for neural function. We have previously proposed the term “Golgipathies” in relation to a group of disorders in which mutations in GA proteins or their molecular partners lead to consequences for brain development, in particular postnatal-onset microcephaly (POM), white-matter defects, and intellectual disability (ID). Here, taking into account the broader role of the GA in the nervous system, we refine and enlarge this emerging concept to include other disorders whose symptoms may be indicative of altered neurodevelopmental processes, from neurogenesis to neuronal migration and the secretory function critical for the maturation of postmitotic neurons and myelination.
Psychological Profile and Quality of Life of Patients with Alopecia Areata
Authors: Vélez-Muñiz Rosalía del Carmen  , Peralta-Pedrero María Luisa , Jurado-Santa Cruz Fermín , Morales-Sánchez Martha Alejandra
Published: March 2019

Alopecia areata (AA) is a nonscarring alopecia with an autoimmune etiology, unpredictable course, multiple presentations, and variable psychological distress. We conducted a cross-sectional study which included 126 patients with AA. A complete medical history was documented using the Severity Alopecia Tool (SALT) to assess the severity of the disease, and the following questionnaires were applied to the participants: the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Plutchik Suicide Risk Scale, and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) for adults. The Child Dermatology Life Quality Index (cDLQI) and the Birleson Depression Self-Rating Scale questionnaires were applied for children. Quality of life (QoL) disturbance was detected in 77.6% of adult participants, 65.9% of them had signs of depression or anxiety, and 12.8% were at risk of committing suicide. The PSS-14 average score for adults was 24.5. QoL disturbance was detected in 76.7% of children participants, and 6.3% of them showed signs of depression with the Birleson Depression Self-Rating Scale. We conclude that patients with AA could experience changes in their QoL and signs of depression, anxiety, and suicide risk, mainly in the adult population, during the course of the disease.
Oral Health Status of Kuwaiti Children with a History of Chronic Liver Disease
Authors: Alanzi Abrar , Alkheder Mariam , Qudeimat Muawia
Published: March 2019

Objective: To investigate the oral health status and dental manifestations of children with a history of chronic liver disease (CLD) compared to healthy children.Subjects and Methods: Twenty children (15 boys and 5 girls) with a history of CLD were compared to 20 healthy controls matched for age and gender. The clinical examination was carried out by the same dentist. Caries prevalence, using the decayed, missing, and filled primary and permanent teeth indices (dmft/DMFT), was recorded. Developmental enamel defects, plaque scores, and gingival overgrowth were also investigated. Results: No statistically significant differences were found in mean dmft scores for children with a history of CLD (4.9 ± 5.4) and for healthy individuals (3.9 ± 4.5). However, the mean DMFT score was significantly higher (p =0.025) in children with CLD (4.2 ± 4.6) compared to controls (1.7 ± 1.6). The mean decayed teeth parameter (DT) was also significantly higher in children with CLD (p =0.004). All patients with CLD exhibited enamel defects compared to only 33% in the control group (p< 0.05). A higher mean plaque index was observed in children with a history of CLD (p< 0.001). Also, a positive correlation for gingival overgrowth was noted in patients with a history of CLD (p< 0.05). Green staining was evident only in the permanent dentition of 1 child with CLD. Conclusion: Children with a history of CLD exhibited a high caries prevalence, high plaque scores, and more enamel defects compared to healthy subjects. Gingival overgrowth is less prevalent among pediatric liver transplant patients on tacrolimus therapy.
Da Libra ao Real
Authors: Puntoni Pedro
Published: March 2019

A proposta deste texto é estudar a formação do sistema monetário em Portugal, entre 1185 e 1580, no processo de sua contínua transformação e manipulação. Atividade de incessante engenharia e fabricação da moeda, a criação de um sistema monetário está diretamente articulada com a própria emergência do poder exclusivo, do seu monopólio pelos interesses cristalizados em um centro do poder, isto é, a monarquia. Neste sentido, o fio narrativo deste artigo será a produção deste sistema hierárquico e consistente de símbolos de conta, instrumentos de troca e de pagamento, pela ação continuada da manipulação da moeda: sua mutação, ajuste, fábrica e refábrica... pelo seu principal protagonista, que é a monarquia, mas também por seus sócios interessados como a nobreza, o comerciante, enfim, os donos de todos e senhores da riqueza.
Patriotismo de Frei Bartolomeu dos Mártires?
Authors: Pereira Juliana Torres Rodrigues
Published: March 2019

O arcebispo de Braga, d. frei Bartolomeu dos Mártires, um dos mais importantes clérigos do Reino, foi uma personagem relevante na estratégia diplomática para a anexação de Portugal à monarquia hispânica. Sua adesão a Felipe II foi muito debatida por séculos, primeiro sob a ótica católica e hagiográfica do arquétipo episcopal tridentino e, depois, sob a ótica do nacionalismo português que o acusou de falta de patriotismo e traição. Questão controversa em sua biografia, especialmente considerando as tentativas da Ordem dos Pregadores de canonizá-lo, a opção do arcebispo de aderir aos Habsburgo, no entanto, deve considerar outros fatores.
What Do Language Representations Really Represent?
Authors: Bjerva Johannes , Östling Robert , Veiga Maria Han , Tiedemann Jörg , Augenstein Isabelle
Published: March 2019

A neural language model trained on a text corpus can be used to induce distributed representations of words, such that similar words end up with similar representations. If the corpus is multilingual, the same model can be used to learn distributed representations of languages, such that similar languages end up with similar representations. We show that this holds even when the multilingual corpus has been translated into English, by picking up the faint signal left by the source languages. However, just as it is a thorny problem to separate semantic from syntactic similarity in word representations, it is not obvious what type of similarity is captured by language representations. We investigate correlations and causal relationships between language representations learned from translations on one hand, and genetic, geographical, and several levels of structural similarity between languages on the other. Of these, structural similarity is found to correlate most strongly with language representation similarity, whereas genetic relationships—a convenient benchmark used for evaluation in previous work—appears to be a confounding factor. Apart from implications about translation effects, we see this more generally as a case where NLP and linguistic typology can interact and benefit one another.
Revision of the subgenus Metaeuops Legalov of Euops Schoenherr (Coleoptera, Curculionoidea, Attelabidae) from the Papuan region
Authors: RIEDEL ALEXANDER
Published: March 2019

The subgenus Metaeuops Legalov (stat.n.) of Euops Schoenherr is revised. The group is restricted to New Guinea and some small neighboring islands. It contains four previously described species: E. coelestinus Pascoe, E. ruficornis Voss, E. tibialis Voss, and E. violaceus Pascoe, and 14 new species: Euops arfakensis sp. n., E. biru sp. n., E. coeruleus sp. n., E. curvipes sp. n., E. illegalovi sp. n., E. judithae sp. n., E. oops sp. n., E. paratibialis sp. n., E. piceus sp. n., E. dintelmanni sp. n., E. ratcliffei sp. n., E. swartensis sp. n., E. tenuiflagellaris sp. n. and Euops torricelliensis sp. n.. Euops ruficornis Voss, formerly a subspecies of E. femoralis Voss, is recognized as a distinct species without any close relationship to E. femoralis Voss. Lectotypes are designated for E. coelestinus Pascoe, E. ruficornis Voss, E. tibialis Voss, and E. violaceus Pascoe. All species are described, and the characters relevant for their identification, especially the male genitalia, are illustrated. A key to the species is provided. A cladistic analysis is performed that confirms the monophyly of Metaeuops. The most important apomorphy of the group is a pair of sclerites in the mid portion of the male endophallus. Two additional characters imply secondary reduction in a few species: the subtriangular mesotibia of the males and a siphon-like extension of the female spermatheca. The original description of Metaeuops by Legalov contained contradictions between the diagnostic characters proposed and the characters present in the type species. Therefore, the concept of the genus is here modified.
Pelagic ctenophores from the São Sebastião Channel, southeastern Brazil
Authors: OLIVEIRA OTTO M.P. , MIGOTTO ALVARO E.
Published: March 2019

The ctenophore fauna of Brazilian coast is poorly known. Only one planktonic species, Mnemiopsis leidyi, was previously recorded for the southeastern coast. The present study describes and gives some biological notes of this and four other species (Beroe ovata, Bolinopsis vitrea, Leucothea multicornis, and Ocyropsis crystallina) that occur in the area, two of which (B. vitrea and L. multicornis) are new records for the subtropical southwestern Atlantic.
Leslibetaeus coibita, n. gen., n. sp., a new alpheid shrimp from the Pacific coast of Panama (Crustacea: Decapoda)
Authors: ANKER ARTHUR , PODDOUBTCHENKO DENIS , WEHRTMANN INGO S.
Published: March 2019

A new alpheid shrimp, Leslibetaeus coibita, n. gen., n. sp., is described on the basis of two specimens extracted from crevices in a shale rock on the rocky intertidal shore in the Isla Coiba National Park, Pacific coast of Panama. Leslibetaeus is characterized by absence of rostrum and orbital teeth; eyes being only partially covered by carapace; sixth abdominal somite without articulated plate; first segment of the antennular peduncle without tooth on ventromesial carina; short scaphocerite; tip of third maxilliped with stout spines; and strap-like epipods present on third maxilliped and first to fifth pereiopod; stout symmetrical chelipeds, with carpus distally strongly lobed and bearing two rows of setae mesially, and chela without snapping mechanism; carpus of second pereiopod five-segmented, with second segment distinctly longer than first; ischium and merus of third pereiopod unarmed. The new genus appears to be relatively basal and not closely related to any of the currently described alpheid genera. The finding of this new taxon in a relatively accessible habitat indicates a yet unexplored biological potential of the Isla Coiba National Park.