bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
123 Gemcitabine-related radiation recall as a cause of focal myositis and muscle necrosis
Authors: Byrnes Sean
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Radiation recall is a phenomenon in which chemotherapy triggers an inflammatory response in tissue previously subjected to radiation therapy. A wide variety of agents have been implicated. Cutaneous tissue is most frequently affected but other tissue can be involved; myositis has been associated with administration of gemcitabine in particular. Incidence has been estimated at less than 6% and the pathophysiology is not understood. We present a case report from Gosford Hospital, with the additional feature of positive SRP antibodies.

Case

A 74 year old female presented with a one day history of left hip pain and inability to weight bear. She had been diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the lung five months earlier and underwent palliative radiotherapy to a left acetabular metastasis. 12 days prior to presentation she completed her second cycle of chemotherapy with carboplatin and gemcitabine. Pre- and post-contrast CT and MRI demonstrated necrosis in left sartorius, with foci of myositis in other muscles of the thigh, and surrounding soft tissue oedema. Symptoms improved after chemotherapy was ceased. Myositis antibody studies subsequently revealed low level positive Ku and SRP antibodies.

Conclusion

Radiation recall should be considered in the differential diagnosis of myositis in oncology patients. The serum of our patient contained SRP antibodies, which are associated with immune mediated necrotising myopathy. A previous case study reported gemcitabine-induced radiation recall muscle necrosis associated with dermatomyositis. These findings hint that radiation recall myositis may occur in the setting of a predisposition to immune mediated myopathy.
002 Therapeutic lag in relapsing multiple sclerosis
Authors: Roos Izanne , Frascoli Federico , Lechner-Scott Jeannette , McCombe Pamela , Macdonell Richard , Butzkueven Helmut , Malpas Charles , Kalincik Tomas
Published: July 2019

Introduction

In multiple sclerosis (MS), treatment start or switch is prompted disease activity, often represented by relapses. Immunomodulatory therapies have potent effects on relapse rates but the time required to attain maximal effect is unclear. We aim to develop a method that allows identification of the time to full clinically manifest effect of treatment on relapses.

Methods

Data from MSBase, a multinational MS registry, were used. Inclusion criteria consisted of patients with remitting relapsing MS or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), minimum 3-year pre-treatment follow up, 1-year treatment persistence, yearly review and availability of the minimum dataset. Stratified by therapy, density curves representing relapses occurrence were created. The first local minimum of the first derivative after treatment start was identified, representing stabilisation of treatment effect. Similar method was utilised to calculate the last pre-treatment point of stabilisation. Annualised relapse rates (ARR) were compared in the pre-treatment pre stabilisation and post-treatment post stabilisation periods.

Results

4979 eligible patients with 6218 treatment epochs were identified for analysis. Time, in years, to treatment effect was shortest for interferon beta-1a sc (0.22, 0.19–0.22), interferon beta-1b (0.24, 0.21–0.24) and fingolimod (0.26, 0.23–0.26) and longest for dimethyl fumarate (0.54, 0.51–0.54) and glatiramer acetate (0.62, 0.60–0.62). Significant differences in pre vs post treatment ARR were present for patients on natalizumab, fingolimod and dimethyl fumarate. A sequential analysis confirmed outcome stability after approximately 1000 recorded number of events.

Conclusions

We have developed a method to objectively quantify time from commencing therapy to its full effect. Time to full effect varies among therapies.
023 Genetic carrier screening for duchenne muscular dystrophy: the outcome of over twenty years of genetic counselling on disease epidemiology in a single-centre cohort study in new south wales (NSW), australia
Authors: Kariyawasam Didu Sanduni , Samapio Hugo , Mowat David , Farrar Michelle
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), an X-linked recessive genetic disorder is maternally inherited in approximately two-thirds of affected boys. Female relatives have carrier risk. This study proposes that proactive genetic screening and counselling for patients’ relatives, contributes to reductions in preventable cases and ultimately disease incidence.

Methods

A retrospective study of cases born in NSW from 1991–2013 was completed, using an electronic database of live male and prenatally diagnosed patients with DMD, referred to our tertiary service. Proband genotype/phenotype, pedigree, carrier-risk and extent of cascade screening were reviewed. Variance analysis (two-way ANOVA) was used to analyse changing trends in preventable cases.

Results

77 cases were identified. Mean age at presentation fell by 14-months over time. Probands were defined as ‘theoretically preventable’ when disease was identified in previous generations, or in males aged over 6 years, within the same generation. Fifteen (19%) cases were preventable, with a statistically significant decline in such cases over time.

Cascade screening and prenatal testing of subsequent pregnancies was offered to all carrier mothers and female relatives in the mother’s generation. Fifteen women underwent prenatal testing. Three affected male foetuses were identified, with one live affected male being born, after parents proceeded with the pregnancy.

Conclusion

Rigorous and expansive approaches to cascade-screening/counselling may account for decreases in preventable cases. Age of diagnosis has fallen, providing potential for more timely intervention, aided by newer diagnostic techniques that allow more accurate proband genotyping. Prenatal testing identified small numbers of affected males, facilitating parental decision-making in these select cases.
064 Parkinson’s disease and the gastrointestinal microbiome: clinicopathological correlations and controversies
Authors: Lubomski Michal , Tan Ai Huey , Lim Shen-Yang , Holmes Andrew , Davis Ryan L , Sue Carolyn M
Published: July 2019

Introduction

There has been a recent surge in interest around the gastrointestinal microbiome (GM) and its association with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The GM mediates interactions between the brain and the gut via the ‘microbiota-gut-brain-axis’. Compelling studies suggest that a shift in GM composition may play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of PD.

Methods

We conducted a literature review exploring the pathological association between the GM, α-synuclein spread and intestinal inflammation in PD. We also summarised patterns and correlations of gut microflora seen in clinical studies of the GM in PD.

Results

To date 14 mainly cross-sectional studies from 7 countries have reported GM alterations in PD. All studies described significant alterations between PD and healthy control groups across multiple bacterial families, genera and species. Several studies suggested that putative ‘pro-inflammatory’ bacteria were significantly more abundant, while putative beneficial bacteria were less abundant in PD. Various complex microbiota-gut-brain-axis interactions have been proposed due to alterations in the GM, inferred by changes in gut mucosal integrity and permeability, short-chain-fatty-acid metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammation.

Conclusions

Across the recent GM studies in PD, alterations in bacterial taxa have been repeatedly associated with various clinicopathological features, endorsing a plausible biological link between the GM and PD. Mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of PD due to GM changes are complex and require ongoing study.
074 Early australian experience with erenumab for chronic migraine
Authors: Cheng Shuli , Jenkins Bronwyn , Hutton Elspeth
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Erenumab is available in Australia since October 2018. We review the effectiveness and safety in 2 Australian headache centres.

Methods

Erenumab (70 mg or 140 mg) was prescribed. We monitored headache days, migraine days, analgesic use, adverse reactions, Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT6) score and Migraine Disability Assessment (MiDAS) score, at baseline and at 3 months. Primary outcomes were reduction in headache and migraine days, and adverse effects. Secondary outcomes were improvement in functional scores and analgesic use.

Results

65 patients (ages 18–73; mean 44 years) commencing Erenumab were assessed before and after 3 monthly treatments. The duration of chronic migraine (CM) ranged from 1 to 40 years, with 3 to 16 previous failed prophylactic treatments.

There was a >50% response in overall headache days and migraine days in 29% (19/65) and 46% (27/59), respectively. There was a modest (10–49%) response in overall headache days and migraine days in 29% (19/65) and 27% (18/59), respectively. There was no improvement in headache days and migraines in 42% (27/65) and 27% (14/59), respectively.

At onset, the mean HIT-6 and MiDAS scores were 66 and 65, decreasing after 3 treatments to 59 and 32, respectively. The mean monthly days taking triptan and codeine medications reduced from 9 and 6 days, to 5 and 3 days, respectively.

There were few reported side effects.

Conclusion

This Australian cohort in tertiary referral refractory migraine patients achieved a significant rate of reduced headache and migraine days with good safety and tolerability.
096 Assessment of the efficacy of erenumab during the open-label treatment (13–24 weeks) of subjects with episodic migraine who failed 2–4 prior preventive treatments: results of the LIBERTY study
Authors: Giles Lauren , Reuter Uwe , Goadsby Peter , Lanteri-Minet Michel , Hours-Zesiger Peggy , Fernandes Chrystel , Ferrari Michel , Klatt Jan
Published: July 2019

Introduction

To assess efficacy of erenumab in the first three months of the open-label extension phase (OLEP; 13–24 weeks) of the LIBERTY study.

Methods

In the double-blind treatment phase (DBTP), 246 patients were randomized to placebo and erenumab 140 mg for 12 weeks, following which, patients completing that phase (N=240) were enrolled in OLEP, to receive monthly erenumab 140 mg. Outcomes measured monthly throughout to week 24 were achievement of at least 50%/75%/100% reduction in monthly migraine days (MMD), change from DBTP baseline in MMD, monthly acute migraine-specific medication days (MSMD), Headache Impact Test (HIT-6TM) total score, everyday activities (EA) and physical impairment (PI) as measured by the Migraine Physical Function Impact Diary (MPFID).

Results

Overall, 228/240(95.0%) patients completed the 24 week visit of the OLEP. In the overall population at Week 24, 39.2%, 15.9% and 7.0% patients achieved ≥50%/≥75%/100% reduction in MMD. The mean (standard deviation) change from DBTP baseline in MMD was −2.7(4.4) and −1.4(3.0) in MSMD; and −7.6(8.0), −2.5(9.2) and −4.0(9.0) in HIT-6TM, MPFID-PI and MPFID-EA scores respectively. Patients with continuous use of erenumab showed sustained efficacy in all outcomes assessed. Patients who switched from placebo to erenumab in the OLEP showed improvement from the first measurement at Week 16 on all outcomes assessed.

Conclusions

Efficacy of erenumab was sustained throughout 24 weeks in a hard to treat patient population with multiple prior preventive treatment failures. Overall, efficacy data over 24 weeks (assessed over weeks 13–16,17–20 and 21–24) was generally in line with prior erenumab trials.
100 Recent trends in stroke reperfusion in new zealand
Authors: Leighs Andrew , Ranta Anna
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Stroke reperfusion therapy improves patient outcomes. Here we describe recent trends in the stroke reperfusion intervention rates, treatment delays, and complications across New Zealand.

Method

All 20 DHBs enter acute stroke reperfusion treatment information into a compulsory, centralized, Ministry of Health (MoH) approved and funded Stroke Register. The data from 1/1/2018 through 30/9/18 was cleaned and analysed to explore trends in intervention rates, time delays, and complication rates.

Results

In the nine-month study period there were a total of 544 (320 males, mean (SD) age 70.6 (14.5) years) patients thrombolysed and 193 patients underwent thrombectomy. For the January-June period, for which MoH stroke denominator rates were available, there was a thrombolysis rate of 10.4%. The overall median time (interquartile range, IQR) for onset-to-door was 76 minutes (48–118), door-to-computed tomography (CT) scan was 23 (15–36) minutes and CT-to-needle was 33 (20–51) minutes. The overall median (IQR) time delay from hospital arrival to thrombolysis was 59 (40–85) minutes and onset-to-needle median (IQR) time was 145 (110–196). There were a total of 26 (4.8%) symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhages (sICH) for the nine-month period. This compares with a thrombolysis rate of 9.85% and door-to-needle time median of 64 minutes in 2017.

Conclusion

Thrombolysis rates in New Zealand continue to rise and now surpass the more recent 10% Ministry of Health target. The continued reduction in door-to-needle time is also an indication of continued service improvement resulting in better patient outcome. However, there are still to be opportunities for improvement.
Double stent assisted coiling of intracranial bifurcation aneurysms in Y and X configurations with the Neuroform ATLAS stent: immediate and mid term angiographic and clinical follow-up
Authors: Ciccio Gabriele , Robert Thomas , Smajda Stanislas , Fahed Robert , Desilles Jean Philippe , Redjem Hocine , Escalard Simon , Mazighi Mikael , Blanc Raphael , Piotin Michel
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Self-expandable stents have broadened the spectrum of endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. However, procedures involving double stenting in Y/X configurations carry a relatively high risk of procedural complications. The Neuroform ATLAS, the evolution of Neuroform EZ, is a nitinol self-expanding hybrid/open cell stent which can be delivered through a low profile 0.017 inch catheter. We present our experience in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms with this stent in Y and X configurations.

Materials and methods

We prospectively maintained a database from consecutive patients who underwent double stent assisted coiling with the Neuroform ATLAS, from July 2015 to February 2019. Clinical and angiographic results were analyzed.

Results

55 patients harboring 55 bifurcation aneurysms were treated with double stenting: 52 ‘Y’ configurations, 3 ‘X’ configurations. Deployment was successful in all cases. Post-treatment control angiography showed complete occlusion in 33 cases (60%), neck remnant in 8 cases (14.5%), and incomplete occlusion in 14 cases (25.4%). The overall symptomatic periprocedural complication rate was 12.7%. 38 aneurysms underwent follow-up (69%, mean duration 16 months): 33 aneurysms (87%) were completely occluded, 3 aneurysms (8%) had a neck remnant, and 2 aneurysms (5%) were incompletely occluded.

Conclusion

The Neuroform ATLAS is an effective device for treatment of bifurcation aneurysms, allowing good conformability, a high level of navigability, and easy mesh crossing to perform Y/X stenting procedures. The rate of procedural complications remains non-negligible, and an indication for a double stenting procedure should be carefully discussed in a multidisciplinary meeting.
Speech and language therapy approaches to managing primary progressive aphasia
Authors: Volkmer Anna , Rogalski Emily , Henry Maya , Taylor-Rubin Cathleen , Ruggero Leanne , Khayum Rebecca , Kindell Jackie , Gorno-Tempini Maria Luisa , Warren Jason D , Rohrer Jonathan D
Published: July 2019

The term primary progressive aphasia (PPA) describes a group of neurodegenerative disorders with predominant speech and language dysfunction as their main feature. There are three main variants – the semantic variant, the nonfluent or agrammatic variant and the logopenic variant – each with specific linguistic deficits and different neuroanatomical involvement. There are currently no curative treatments or symptomatic pharmacological therapies. However, speech and language therapists have developed several impairment-based interventions and compensatory strategies for use in the clinic. Unfortunately, multiple barriers still need to be overcome to improve access to care for people with PPA, including increasing awareness among referring clinicians, improving training of speech and language therapists and developing evidence-based guidelines for therapeutic interventions. This review highlights this inequity and the reasons why neurologists should refer people with PPA to speech and language therapists.
Low rates of remission with methotrexate monotherapy in rheumatoid arthritis: review of randomised controlled trials could point towards a paradigm shift
Authors: Chatzidionysiou Katerina , Sfikakis Petros P
Published: July 2019

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has improved substantially during the last decades, mainly due to the development and introduction in everyday practice of new, highly efficacious, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), more optimal usage of them, earlier diagnosis and tighter control of disease activity targeting at remission. Methotrexate is still today the anchor drug and the first-line treatment after diagnosis. However, numerous studies comparing methotrexate and biologic DMARDs, as well as new targeted synthetic DMARDs, both in early as in more established disease, have shown consistently better efficacy of the latter compared with methotrexate, with methotrexate yielding remission to maximum half of patients. This could suggest a new paradigm shift with earlier start of a biologic or a targeted synthetic DMARD, with the possibility of subsequent discontinuation in case of achievement of stable remission. Several strategy trials, however, have shown that there might be a clinical and structural benefit of initial, aggressive therapy, possibly even associated with higher chance of remaining in remission, after cessation of the biologic DMARD and continuing with methotrexate alone, but they have failed to show a clear advantage of such an aggressive treatment strategy. This might become a valuable option for the future treatment algorithm of RA, especially for a subgroup of patients with RA, but further confirmation from future research is needed. The crucial role of glucocorticoid use as part of the combination strategy should be acknowledged, and strategy trials should include this combination as an active comparator.
Management of a linear foreign body gastrointestinal obstruction in a miniature pig
Authors: Ehrle Anna , Gillespie Amy , Rubio‐Martinez Luis M
Published: July 2019

A four‐year‐old miniature pot‐bellied pig was presented for treatment of suspected foreign body ingestion. Exploratory laparotomy identified a linear foreign body obstructing the pylorus, duodenum and proximal jejunum. In order to avoid small intestinal resection, combined gastrotomy and enterotomy of the proximal jejunum was performed to evacuate the foreign body. Necrotic areas at the enteromesenteric junction were oversewn. The foreign material was found to be part of a duvet the owners had provided as bedding for the pig. The pig made an uneventful recovery and was discharged from hospital care four days after surgery.
Primary oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a cat with bradycardia and ionised hypercalcaemia
Authors: Denoeux Pauline , Hugonnard Marine , Krafft Emilie
Published: July 2019

An adult male domestic shorthair cat was presented for vomiting and anorexia, with a three‐month history of weight loss. Bradycardia was documented during physical examination and was diagnosed as sinusal by electrocardiography. Blood electrolytes analysis revealed a marked ionised hypercalcaemia. Thoracic radiographs revealed a large soft tissue opacity at the level of the distal oesophagus. Subsequent thoracic ultrasonography and oesophagoscopy confirmed the presence of a tissue mass infiltrating distal oesophagus, oesophagogastric junction and neighbouring tissues. After biopsy and histopathological analysis, a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was diagnosed. Sinus bradycardia was assumed to be related to an increased vagal tone due to the close proximity of the vagal nerve with the infiltrative lesion or, less likely, severe hypercalcaemia. This case describes an atypical clinical presentation of an SCC in an uncommon location. Furthermore, to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of hypercalcaemia associated with oesophageal SCC in a cat.
Altered mitochondrial network morphology and regulatory proteins in mitochondrial quality control in myotubes from severely obese humans with or without type 2 diabetes
Authors: Gundersen Anders E. , Kugler Benjamin A. , McDonald Paul M. , Veraksa Alexey , Houmard Joseph A. , Zou Kai
Published: July 2019

Healthy mitochondrial networks are maintained via balanced integration of mitochondrial quality control processes (biogenesis, fusion, fission, and mitophagy). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of severe obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) on mitochondrial network morphology and expression of proteins regulating mitochondrial quality control processes in cultured human myotubes. Primary human skeletal muscle cells were isolated from biopsies from lean, severely obese nondiabetic individuals and severely obese type 2 diabetic individuals (n = 8–9/group) and were differentiated to myotubes. Mitochondrial network morphology was determined in live cells via confocal microscopy and protein markers of mitochondrial quality control were measured by immunoblotting. Myotubes from severely obese nondiabetic and type 2 diabetic humans exhibited fragmented mitochondrial networks (P < 0.05). Mitochondrial fission protein Drp1 (Ser616) phosphorylation was higher in myotubes from severely obese nondiabetic humans when compared with the lean controls (P < 0.05), while mitophagy protein Parkin expression was lower in myotubes from severely obese individuals with T2D in comparison to the other groups (P < 0.05). These data suggest that regulatory proteins in mitochondrial quality control processes, specifically mitochondrial fission protein Drp1 (Ser616) phosphorylation and mitophagy protein Parkin, are intrinsically dysregulated at cellular level in skeletal muscle from severely obese nondiabetic and type 2 diabetic humans, respectively. These differentially expressed mitochondrial quality control proteins may play a role in mitochondrial fragmentation evident in skeletal muscle from severely obese and type 2 diabetic humans.

Novelty Mitochondrial network morphology and mitochondrial quality control proteins are intrinsically dysregulated in skeletal muscle cells from severely obese humans with or without T2D.
Changes detected in the genome sequences ofEscherichia coli,Listeria monocytogenes,Vibrio parahaemolyticus, andSalmonella entericaafter serial subculturing
Authors: Petronella Nicholas , Kundra Palni , Auclair Olivia , Hébert Karine , Rao Mary , Kingsley Kyle , De Bruyne Katrien , Banerjee Swapan , Gill Alexander , Pagotto Franco , Tamber Sandeep , Ronholm Jennifer
Published: July 2019

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is rapidly replacing other molecular techniques for identifying and subtyping bacterial isolates. The resolution or discrimination offered by WGS is significantly higher than that offered by other molecular techniques, and WGS readily allows infrequent differences that occur between 2 closely related strains to be found. In this investigation, WGS was used to identify the changes that occurred in the genomes of 13 strains of bacterial foodborne pathogens after 100 serial subcultures. Pure cultures of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were subcultured daily for 100 successive days. The 1st and 100th subcultures were whole-genome sequenced using short-read sequencing. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified between the 1st and final culture using 2 different approaches, and multilocus sequence typing of the whole genome was also performed to detect any changes at the allelic level. The number of observed genomic changes varied by strain, species, and the SNP caller used. This study provides insight into the genomic variation that can be detected using next-generation sequencing and analysis methods after repeated subculturing of 4 important bacterial pathogens.
Does prey availability affect the reproductive performance of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) breeding in Ontario, Canada?
Authors: McClenaghan Beverly , Kerr Kevin C.R. , Nol Erica
Published: July 2019

Animal populations are often limited by food availability, particularly during the breeding season. In birds, food limitation can impact several components of the reproductive cycle, including the timing of reproduction and reproductive output. Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica Linnaeus, 1758) have experienced a population decline over the past 40 years in North America that is thought to be related to changes in prey availability. We monitored Barn Swallow reproductive behaviour and prey availability throughout two breeding seasons at 10 sites in Ontario, Canada, to test the hypothesis that limited prey availability during the breeding season affected reproductive behaviour. We found no relationship between food availability and number of eggs laid or number of young fledged. Neither did we observe higher rates of second brooding or more pairs nesting at breeding sites with higher food availability. Barn Swallows did not time their reproductive effort to maximize prey availability during the nesting period, but any mismatch in phenology of prey and bird reproduction at a breeding site was not associated with lower reproductive success. The results of this study did not support our hypothesis and suggest that Barn Swallow reproductive behaviour was not negatively affected by limited prey availability on the breeding grounds.
Branched Hamiltonians and time translation symmetry breaking in equations of the Liénard type
Authors: Choudhury A. Ghose , Guha Partha
Published: July 2019

Shapere and Wilczek [Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 160402 and 200402 (2012)] have recently described certain singular Lagrangian systems which display spontaneous breaking of time translation symmetry. We begin by considering the standard Liénard equation for which a Lagrangian is constructed by using the method of Jacobi Last Multiplier. The velocity dependence of the Lagrangian is such that the momentum may exhibit multi-valuedness, thereby leading to the so-called branched Hamiltonian. Next, with a quadratic velocity dependence in the Liénard equation, one can construct a Hamiltonian description involving a position-dependent mass. We compute the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian of this system and show that the canonical Hamiltonian is single valued. However, we find that up to a constant shift, the square of this Hamiltonian describes systems giving rise to spontaneous time translation symmetry breaking provided the potential function is negative.
No Spillover Eigenvalues Assignment of Second-Order Systems with Dense Force Actuators Matrices Using Brauer’s Theorem
Authors: Araújo José Mário , Santos Tito Luís Maia
Published: July 2019

This paper presents an approach for eigenvalue assignment in second-order linear systems with no spillover property. Second-order differential equations arise from dynamical modeling of vibrating structures by finite element or lumped parameter first principles approach in several practical problems. Certain structures can face practical issues when subjected to external perturbation forces, as resonance or flutter type vibrations. The control of excessive vibrations can be attempted by techniques of active vibration control using linear feedback. To change only a few eigenvalues and eigenvectors that cause excessive vibrations, the requirement of no spillover property is a somewhat attractive issue. Furthermore, only the part of the eigenstructure whose eigenvalues must be reassigned is necessary to be known for an efficient parametrization of the feedback matrices. Brauer’s theorem, a milestone result of linear algebra, as well as some recent related results, is applied here to achieve partial eigenvalue assignment using dense force actuator (influence) matrices. The proposal can be applied to general systems with no restriction on the mass, damping, and stiffness with symmetry or definiteness. The procedures to implement the proposal are synthesized in a step-by-step form, and some numerical examples are given to illustrate its application.
Induced quotient group gradings of epsilon-strongly graded rings
Authors: Lännström Daniel
Published: July 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be a group and let [Formula: see text] be a [Formula: see text]-graded ring. Given a normal subgroup [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], there is a naturally induced [Formula: see text]-grading of [Formula: see text]. It is well known that if [Formula: see text] is strongly [Formula: see text]-graded, then the induced [Formula: see text]-grading is strong for any [Formula: see text]. The class of epsilon-strongly graded rings was recently introduced by Nystedt et al. as a generalization of unital strongly graded rings. We give an example of an epsilon-strongly graded partial skew group ring such that the induced quotient group grading is not epsilon-strong. Moreover, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for the induced [Formula: see text]-grading of an epsilon-strongly [Formula: see text]-graded ring to be epsilon-strong. Our method involves relating different types of rings equipped with local units ([Formula: see text]-unital rings, rings with sets of local units, rings with enough idempotents) with generalized epsilon-strongly graded rings.
"Deep reinforcement learning for search, recommendation, and online advertising: a survey" by Xiangyu Zhao, Long Xia, Jiliang Tang, and Dawei Yin with Martin Vesely as coordinator
Authors: Zhao Xiangyu , Xia Long , Tang Jiliang , Yin Dawei
Published: July 2019

Search, recommendation, and online advertising are the three most important information-providing mechanisms on the web. These information seeking techniques, satisfying users' information needs by suggesting users personalized objects (information or services) at the appropriate time and place, play a crucial role in mitigating the information overload problem. With recent great advances in deep reinforcement learning (DRL), there have been increasing interests in developing DRL based information seeking techniques. These DRL based techniques have two key advantages - (1) they are able to continuously update information seeking strategies according to users' real-time feedback, and (2) they can maximize the expected cumulative long-term reward from users where reward has different definitions according to information seeking applications such as click-through rate, revenue, user satisfaction and engagement. In this paper, we give an overview of deep reinforcement learning for search, recommendation, and online advertising from methodologies to applications, review representative algorithms, and discuss some appealing research directions.
6K and 8K Effective Resolution with 4K HEVC Decoding Capability for 360 Video Streaming
Authors: Zare Alireza , Homayouni Maryam , Aminlou Alireza , Hannuksela Miska M. , Gabbouj Moncef
Published: July 2019

The recent Omnidirectional MediA Format (OMAF) standard, which specifies the delivery of 360° video content, supports only equirectangular projection (ERP) and cubemap projection and their region-wise packing with a limitation on video decoding capability to the maximum resolution of 4K (e.g., 4,096 × 2,048). Streaming of 4K ERP content allows only a limited viewport resolution, which is lower than the resolution of many current head-mounted displays (HMDs). Therefore, to take full advantage of high-resolution HMDs, delivery of 360° video content beyond 4K resolution needs to be enabled. In this regard, we propose two specific mixed-resolution packing schemes of 6K (e.g., 6,144 × 3,072) and 8K (e.g., 8,192 × 4,096) ERP content and their realization in tile-based streaming, while complying with the 4K decoding constraint and the High Efficiency Video Coding standard. The proposed packing schemes offer 6K and 8K effective resolution at the viewport. Using our proposed test methodology, experimental results indicate that the proposed layouts significantly decrease streaming bitrates when compared to mixed-quality viewport-adaptive streaming of 4K ERP. Our results further indicate that 8K-effective packing outperforms 6K-effective packing especially in high-quality videos.
Closure conversion is safe for space
Authors: Paraskevopoulou Zoe , Appel Andrew W.
Published: July 2019

We formally prove that closure conversion with flat environments for CPS lambda calculus is correct (preserves semantics) and safe for time and space, meaning that produced code preserves the time and space required for the execution of the source program.

We give a cost model to pre- and post-closure-conversion code by formalizing profiling semantics that keep track of the time and space resources needed for the execution of a program, taking garbage collection into account. To show preservation of time and space we set up a general, "garbage-collection compatible", binary logical relation that establishes invariants on resource consumption of the related programs, along with functional correctness. Using this framework, we show semantics preservation and space and time safety for terminating source programs, and divergence preservation and space safety for diverging source programs.

We formally prove that closure conversion with flat environments for CPS lambda calculus is correct (preserves semantics) and safe for time and space, meaning that produced code preserves the time and space required for the execution of the source program.

We give a cost model to pre- and post-closure-conversion code by formalizing profiling semantics that keep track of the time and space resources needed for the execution of a program, taking garbage collection into account. To show preservation of time and space we set up a general, "garbage-collection compatible", binary logical relation that establishes invariants on resource consumption of the related programs, along with functional correctness. Using this framework, we show semantics preservation and space and time safety for terminating source programs, and divergence preservation and space safety for diverging source programs.

This is the first formal proof of space-safety of a closure-conversion transformation. The transformation and the proof are parts of the CertiCoq compiler pipeline from Coq (Gallina) through CompCert Clight to assembly language. Our results are mechanized in the Coq proof assistant.
Simple noninterference from parametricity
Authors: Algehed Maximilian , Bernardy Jean-Philippe
Published: July 2019

In this paper we revisit the connection between parametricity and noninterference. Our primary contribution is a proof of noninterference for a polyvariant variation of the Dependency Core Calculus of in the Calculus of Constructions. The proof is modular: it leverages parametricity for the Calculus of Constructions and the encoding of data abstraction using existential types. This perspective gives rise to simple and understandable proofs of noninterference from parametricity. All our contributions have been mechanised in the Agda proof assistant.
Efficient differentiable programming in a functional array-processing language
Authors: Shaikhha Amir , Fitzgibbon Andrew , Vytiniotis Dimitrios , Peyton Jones Simon
Published: July 2019

We present a system for the automatic differentiation (AD) of a higher-order functional array-processing language. The core functional language underlying this system simultaneously supports both source-to-source forward-mode AD and global optimisations such as loop transformations. In combination, gradient computation with forward-mode AD can be as efficient as reverse mode, and that the Jacobian matrices required for numerical algorithms such as Gauss-Newton and Levenberg-Marquardt can be efficiently computed.
Dijkstra monads for all
Authors: Maillard Kenji , Ahman Danel , Atkey Robert , Martínez Guido , Hriţcu Cătălin , Rivas Exequiel , Tanter Éric
Published: July 2019

This paper proposes a general semantic framework for verifying programs with arbitrary monadic side-effects using Dijkstra monads, which we define as monad-like structures indexed by a specification monad. We prove that any monad morphism between a computational monad and a specification monad gives rise to a Dijkstra monad, which provides great flexibility for obtaining Dijkstra monads tailored to the verification task at hand. We moreover show that a large variety of specification monads can be obtained by applying monad transformers to various base specification monads, including predicate transformers and Hoare-style pre- and postconditions. For defining correct monad transformers, we propose a language inspired by Moggi's monadic metalanguage that is parameterized by a dependent type theory. We also develop a notion of algebraic operations for Dijkstra monads, and start to investigate two ways of also accommodating effect handlers. We implement our framework in both Coq and F*, and illustrate that it supports a wide variety of verification styles for effects such as exceptions, nondeterminism, state, input-output, and general recursion.
From the chair
Authors: Hollingsworth Jeff
Published: July 2019

This is my final column as your SIGHPC Chair. As I write the column, the SIGHPC election is underway. I first wanted to thank the other elected SIG officers: Vice Chair John West, Treasurer Rajeev Thakur, and At- Large Members Torsten Hoefler and Michela Taufer. Thanks also go to appointed members of the EC: Verónica Vergara (Meetings), Melyssa Fratkin (Communications), Rich Vuduc (Newsletter), Barbara Horner-Miller (Student Programs), Christine Harvey (Membership), and Suzanne McIntosh (Website). Finally, we have two ex-offico members of the EC: Cherri Pancake (Past Chair) and Bernd Mohr (SC Steering Liaison). Thanks for your hard work on making SIGHPC a success.
An Evolution Analysis of Collaborative Innovation Network considering Government Subsidies and Supervision
Authors: Xu Yingying , Qi Liangqun , Lyu Xichen , Zang Xinyu
Published: July 2019

Collaborative innovation networks have the basic attributes of complex networks. The interaction of innovation network members has promoted the development of collaborative innovation networks. Using the game‐based theory in the B‐A scale‐free network context, this paper builds an evolutionary game model of network members and explores the emergence mechanism from collaborative innovation behavior to the macroevolution of networks. The results show that revenue distribution, compensation of the betrayer, government subsidies, and supervision have positively contributed to the continued stability of collaborative innovation networks. However, the effect mechanisms are dissimilar for networks of different scales. In small networks, the rationality of the revenue distribution among members that have similar strengths should receive more attention, and the government should implement medium‐intensity supervision measures. In large networks, however, compensation of the betrayer should be attached greater importance to, and financial support from the government can promote stable evolution more effectively.
Impact of Different Extraction Solvents on Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Potential of Pinus densiflora Bark Extract
Authors: Venkatesan Thamizhiniyan , Choi Young-Woong , Kim Young-Kyoon
Published: July 2019

It is well established that various extraction factors, including the method, temperature, time, and solvent system, significantly influence the antioxidant quality of plant-derived products. Previously, we observed that extraction of Pinus densiflora bark (PDB) by the most common traditional Soxhlet method using water at two different temperature conditions 60°C and 100°C for 6-15 h noticeably altered their antioxidant quality. In this study, we examined the impact of different extraction solvents such as ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, acetonitrile, and acetone at a different percentage with water (vol/vol) on antioxidant efficiency as well as the total phenolic content (TPC) of PDB extracts. Among the fourteen different PDB extracts, the extracts obtained from 20% ethanol (E20), 40% ethanol (E40), and 20% acetonitrile (ACN20) showed more significant antioxidant potential, as well as high total phenol content (TPC). Extracts from other aqueous mixtures of organic solvents such as isopropanol, acetone, and methanol, as well as water, showed lesser antioxidant capacity and also had less TPC compared to these three most active extracts, E20, E40, and ACN20. Moreover, using ethanol at 100% for extraction significantly decreased the TPC and antioxidant capacity of PDB extracts. Data are implicating that an increased phenolic content in PDB extracts proportionally increases their antioxidant efficiency.
A Practical Approach to Protect IoT Devices against Attacks and Compile Security Incident Datasets
Authors: Cruz Bruno , Gómez-Meire Silvana , Ruano-Ordás David , Janicke Helge , Yevseyeva Iryna , Méndez Jose R.
Published: July 2019

The Internet of Things (IoT) introduced the opportunity of remotely manipulating home appliances (such as heating systems, ovens, blinds, etc.) using computers and mobile devices. This idea fascinated people and originated a boom of IoT devices together with an increasing demand that was difficult to support. Many manufacturers quickly created hundreds of devices implementing functionalities but neglected some critical issues pertaining to device security. This oversight gave rise to the current situation where thousands of devices remain unpatched having many security issues that manufacturers cannot address after the devices have been produced and deployed. This article presents our novel research protecting IOT devices using Berkeley Packet Filters (BPFs) and evaluates our findings with the aid of our Filter.tlk tool, which is able to facilitate the development of BPF expressions that can be executed by GNU/Linux systems with a low impact on network packet throughput.
Rapid and Efficient Purification of Functional Collectin-12 and Its Opsonic Activity against Fungal Pathogens
Authors: Zhang Jie , Li Anna , Yang Chang-qing , Garred Peter , Ma Ying Jie
Published: July 2019

Collectin-12 (collectin placenta 1, CL-P1, or CL-12) is a newly identified pattern recognition molecule of the innate immune system. Recent evidences show that CL-12 plays important roles not only in innate immune protection against certain clinically important pathogens but also in scavenging of host molecules, leukocyte recruitment, and cancer metastasis. Furthermore, CL-12 has been shown to be associated with the pathogenesis of human diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis lesion development. Therefore, the functional consequence of CL-12 remains intriguing and awaits further elucidation. However, available protocols for the purification of recombinant CL-12 with high purity are laborious and inefficient and hamper further functional studies. Here, we report a simple, rapid, and efficient solution to obtain biologically active CL-12 with high purity. We established stable transfected Flp-In™-CHO cells expressing the recombinant CL-12 extracellular domain in high amounts. Recombinant CL-12 was purified from cell culture supernatants using a 3-step rapid purification procedure utilizing disposable affinity and ion exchange minicolumns. Purified recombinant CL-12 adopted an oligomeric structure with monomers, dimers, and trimers and retained its binding capacity towards the A. fumigatus strain that has been described before. Furthermore, we demonstrated the opsonic properties towards eight clinical isolates of A. fumigatus strains and diverse clinically important fungal pathogens. Purified recombinant CL-12 revealed a differential binding capacity towards selected fungal pathogens in vitro. In conclusion, we demonstrate a rapid and efficient purification solution for further biochemical and functional characterization of CL-12 and reveal opsonic properties of CL-12 towards diverse fungal pathogens.
Altered Platelet Fatty Acids in Dengue Cases by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis
Authors: Samadanam Daisy Mariya , Muthuraman Krishna Raja , Mariappan Vignesh , Kadhiravan Tamilarasu , Parameswaran Narayanan , Balakrishna Pillai Agiesh Kumar , Rajendiran Soundravally
Published: July 2019

Background: The role of dengue virus in altering the functional properties of platelets remains poorly understood. Few studies have observed that changes in fatty acids are found to have an effect on platelet activation and aggregation. Also, platelet fatty acids have not been extensively studied in dengue so far. So, we aimed to study the fatty acids of platelet membranes in patients with dengue. Methods: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was used to analyze fatty acids in the lipid extracts of platelets isolated from the study participants. Results: GC-MS analysis of platelet lipids identified and quantified nearly 23 unique lipid molecules on platelet membrane. We observed significant alterations with some of the fatty acids in patients with dengue compared to controls. Within dengue cases, increase in unsaturated fatty acids in severe dengue was observed compared to non-severe dengue. From baseline to defervescence, no difference in fatty acids was observed in dengue platelets. This indicates that in dengue, platelet physiology remains altered even after the febrile phase. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study characterizing the differential expression of platelet fatty acids in dengue infection. However, further studies are warranted to expound the underlying cause for thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction in dengue.
Maternal Cardiovascular Dysregulation During Early Pregnancy After In Vitro Fertilization Cycles in the Absence of a Corpus Luteum
Authors: Conrad Kirk P. , Petersen John W. , Chi Yueh-Yun , Zhai Xiaoman , Li Minjie , Chiu Kuei-Hsun , Liu Jing , Lingis Melissa D. , Williams R. Stan , Rhoton-Vlasak Alice , Larocca Joseph J. , Nichols Wilmer W. , Segal Mark S.
Published: July 2019

Commonly used in vitro fertilization protocols produce pregnancies without a corpus luteum (CL), a major source of reproductive hormones. In vitro fertilization pregnancies without a CL showed deficient gestational increases of central (aortic) arterial compliance during the first trimester and were at increased risk for developing preeclampsia. Here, we investigated whether there was generalized impairment of cardiovascular adaptation in in vitro fertilization pregnancies without a CL compared with pregnancies conceived spontaneously or through ovarian stimulation, which lead to 1 and >1 CL, respectively (n=19–26 participants per cohort). Prototypical maternal cardiovascular adaptations of gestation were serially evaluated noninvasively, initially during the follicular phase before conception, 6× in pregnancy, and then, on average, 1.6 years post-partum. The expected increases of cardiac output, left atrial dimension, peak left ventricular filling velocity in early diastole (E wave velocity), peripheral/central arterial pulse pressure ratio, and global AC, as well as decrease in augmentation index were significantly attenuated or absent during the first trimester in women who conceived without a CL, when compared with the 1 and >1 CL cohorts, which were comparable. Thereafter, these cardiovascular measures showed recovery in the 0 CL group except for E wave velocity, which remained depressed. These results provided strong support for a critical role of CL factor(s) in the transformation of the maternal cardiovascular system in early gestation. Regimens that lead to the development of a CL or replacement of missing CL factor(s) may be indicated to improve cardiovascular function and reduce preeclampsia risk in in vitro fertilization pregnancies.