bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fever as a predictor of positive lymphocyte transformation test
Authors: Ogawa Eiki , Shoji Kensuke , Miyairi Isao
Published: July 2019

Background

Few studies have characterized the clinical manifestations of delayed antibiotic hypersensitivity (AH) diagnosed using objective methods. The lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) is a reproducible method to diagnose type IV hypersensitivity. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the characteristics of delayed AH diagnosed on LTT in children.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who were evaluated for AH using LTT at National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, from 2002 to 2014. We extracted patient demographics, type and duration of antibiotics, and clinical characteristics from the medical records. Clinical manifestations were compared between LTT‐positive and LTT‐negative cases.

Results

Seventy‐five cases for which 101 drugs were tested were included in this study. LTT was positive against 34 drugs in 26 cases. Median age was 5 years (IQR, 1–9 years), and 49% of patients had underlying disease. LTT was performed at a median of 18 days (IQR, 4–59 days) after the suspected episode. The median number of days from the initiation of therapy to the onset of symptoms was 4. Rash was the most common manifestation (89%). Fever (>38°C) was observed in 20 cases (27%). Onset of fever preceded the rash in nine cases (45%), appeared simultaneously in five (25%), appeared afterwards in four (20%), and was unknown in two (10%). Fever was an independent factor associated with AH when comparing LTT‐positive and LTT‐negative cases (OR, 3.61; 95%CI: 1.03–12.64).

Conclusions

Fever was a common presenting symptom of delayed AH in children aged ≤18 years.
Evolution of P2A and P5A ATPases: ancient gene duplications and the red algal connection to green plants revisited
Authors: Palmgren Michael , Sørensen Danny Mollerup , Hallström Björn M. , Säll Torbjörn , Broberg Karin
Published: July 2019

In a search for slowly evolving nuclear genes that may cast light on the deep evolution of plants, we carried out phylogenetic analyses of two well‐characterized subfamilies of P‐type pumps (P2A and P5A ATPases) from representative branches of the eukaryotic tree of life. Both P‐type ATPase genes were duplicated very early in eukaryotic evolution and before the divergence of the present eukaryotic supergroups. Synapomorphies identified in the sequences provide evidence that green plants and red algae are more distantly related than are green plants and eukaryotic supergroups in which secondary or tertiary plastids are common, such as several groups belonging to the clade that includes Stramenopiles, Alveolata, Rhizaria, Cryptophyta and Haptophyta (SAR). We propose that red algae branched off soon after the first photosynthesizing eukaryote had acquired a primary plastid, while in another lineage that led to SAR, the primary plastid was lost but, in some cases, regained as a secondary or tertiary plastid.
Bar Kokhba and leadership as seen through the revolt
Authors: Sheinfeld Shayna
Published: July 2019

Most of what we know about Bar Kokhba derives from rabbinic and patristic literature, which portrays him as a failed messiah figure. However, the letters and coins found from the revolt itself suggest that Bar Kokhba did not claim to be a messiah figure, but instead was an authoritarian ruler who attempted to control the religious, economic, and military matters of his followers.
Constructional apraxia screening and oral health among hospitalized older adults: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Bevilacqua Lorenzo , Severin Angelica , Russi Erika , Angerame Daniele , Ceschia Giuliano , Bartoli Giulio , Omiciuolo Cinzia
Published: July 2019

Aims

Apraxia may hinder oral self‐care and is associated with poor oral hygiene. Intersecting Pentagons Test (IPT) is a simple screening tool for constructional apraxia (CA) that tests the ability to copy a bidimensional figure. In this study we investigated whether IPT is useful to identify subjects that need interventions to support oral health in a cohort of geriatric inpatients.

Methods and results

We assessed oral health through the decayed, missing or filled teeth index, plaque index, and periodontal screening and recording tool. We inquired about autonomy in oral hygiene activities through a standardized questionnaire. Among subjects with CA (273 out of 478 hospitalized subjects aged > 65 years) we found a higher prevalence of edentulism (P = 0.04), periodontal disease (PD) (P = 0.03), and dependence in oral hygiene activities (P < 0.001). Only 34.8% of nonautonomous apraxic patients had a caregiver that supplied oral care. In an age and sex‐adjusted generalized linear model, IPT proved to be an independent predictor of dependence in oral care, reaching 61.5% sensitivity in identifying dependent patients.

Conclusion

Among elderly inpatients, there is a significant association between IPT results, poor oral health status, and dependence in oral hygiene activities. Positivity to IPT should prompt proper device counseling and caregiver education.
Anti‐centrosome antibodies: Prevalence and disease association in Chinese population
Authors: Wang Shengjie , Meng Yanming , Huang Zhuochun , Hu Jing , Niu Qian , Zhang Junlong , Yan Bing , Wu Yongkang
Published: July 2019

Anti‐centrosome antibodies are rare findings with undefined clinical significance in clinical research. We aimed at investigating the prevalence and clinical significance of anti‐centrosome antibodies in Chinese population. Testing results of total of 281,230 ANA‐positive sera were retrospectively obtained from West China Hospital Sichuan University in China between 2008 and 2017. We retrospectively collected and analysed the clinical and laboratory data of the patients with positive anti‐centrosome antibody. Of the 356 453 patients tested, 281 230 patients had positive antinuclear antibodies (ANAs, 78.9%), but only 78 patients with positive anti‐centrosome antibodies (0.022%), of which 74.4% are females. Diagnoses were established in 69 of 78 patients: 37 cases were autoimmune diseases, mainly including undifferentiated connective tissue diseases (UCTD, 9/37), rheumatoid arthritis (RA, 6/37), Sjögren's syndrome (SS, 5/37) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC, 5/37), and the remaining were other autoimmune conditions. The most frequent clinical symptoms of the anti–centrosome‐positive patients were arthralgia and eyes and mouth drying. Additionally, 86.7% of anti‐centrosome antibodies were not associated with other ANA profiles; however, when associated, the most frequent ANA was anti‐U1RNP. Anti‐centrosome antibodies are featured by a low prevalence and female gender predominance. They are correlated with some specific diseases, both autoimmune diseases, especially UCTD, RA, SS and PBC, and non‐autoimmune diseases, such as infection and cancer, which suggests that they might be potential supporting serological markers of these diseases.
Poverty in the news media: Continuities, ruptures, and change in the reporting socioeconomic inequality
Authors: Lugo‐Ocando Jairo
Published: July 2019

This work attempts to offer a reflexive account of the key ideas and scholarly contributions developed over the years that provide elements for a theoretical explanatory framework regarding news media and poverty. In so doing, the article presents a general assessment of some of the key works in this area, while assessing the main notions, concepts, and contributions in this regard. The author points out at the fact that there is broad agreement among most scholars in relation to these issues while suggesting, nevertheless, that there are still some important pieces of the puzzle missing in our understanding about how the media engages with poverty and inequality.
Pathogen reduced plasma products: a clinical practice scientific review from the AABB
Authors: Cushing Melissa M. , Pagano Monica B. , Jacobson Jessica , Schwartz Joseph , Grossman Brenda J. , Kleinman Steven , Han Mi Ah , Cohn Claudia S. ,   on behalf of the AABB Clinical Transfusion Medicine Committee
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUND

A small body of literature assessing the efficacy and safety of pathogen reduced (PR) plasma has been published.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

An AABB committee systematically reviewed the literature and graded the clinical trial evidence with the assistance of a GRADE expert.

RESULTS

Most studies identified were low quality and had a small sample size; in addition, efficacy and safety were monitored in many different ways making it difficult to quantify therapeutic benefit and risk. The data analyzed in this systematic review showed that pathogen inactivation did not adversely affect the efficacy of S/D or amotosalen plasma transfusions in any patient population studied. In addition, there were no significant safety issues for these patient populations, other than the specific contraindications noted in their respective package inserts.

CONCLUSION

Larger, well‐designed trials are needed to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of all of the PR plasma products.
Conceptos bioéticos para tener en cuenta en el servicio de urgencias
Authors: Carrillo Atilio Moreno , Aguilar Rodas María Paola
Published: July 2019

En el campo de la medicina, y más aún en el servicio de urgencias, el médico se encuentra constantemente expuesto a dilemas éticos, los cuales, sin una base conceptual firme, son difíciles de solucionar. Aunque existen normativas y principios éticos establecidos, como la beneficencia, no maleficencia, autonomía y justicia, además de ciertos códigos, por ejemplo, el Código de Ética del Colegio Americano de Emergenciólogos, no existe una estandarización en esta práctica, porque las situaciones pueden ser tan variadas como los pacientes. El presente artículo pretende analizar las circunstancias más frecuentes y dar algunas bases bioéticas para seguir en estos casos.
Inequalities between Women and Men Aged Over and Under Seventy Years. SABE Colombia – Survey on Health, Well-being and Aging 2015
Authors: Chavarro-Carvajal Diego Andrés , De Santacruz Cecilia , Cano-Gutierrez Carlos Alberto , Venegas-Sanabria Luis Carlos , Gama Ana Carolina
Published: July 2019

Introduction: The differential approach by generation and gender, known inequalities and inequities to identify in older adults help in the evaluation of conditions and the design of interventions, research and teaching. Objective: Identify the peculiarities and inequalities related to generation and gender in the Colombian population of older adults. Methodology: Observational, descriptive and analytical study that performed a secondary analysis of the population survey SABE-Colombia 2015. Results and Discussion: Results are presented according to inequality by gender and by generation; of monetary poverty and Mobility, violence and displacement. Economic income Situation during childhood. Access to public services. Familiar surroundings. Healthy conditions. Conclusion: Disparities are related to representations and practices related to gender and age, less evident in the economic. Actions must be reinforced to improve the living conditions of all and the conceptions and imaginaries that naturalize the differences, and to avoid new disadvantages due to the achievements of aging.
Robust Localization and Classification of Barely Visible Indentations in Composite Structures by Fusion of Ultrasonic Damage Indices
Authors: Fakih Mohammad Ali , Mustapha Samir , Abdul-Aziz Ali
Published: July 2019

This study aims to detect, localize, and assess the severity of barely visible indentation damage in a composite sandwich structure using ultrasonic guided waves. A quasistatic loading was gradually applied on a specimen of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resulting in dents on the surface. Lamb-wave measurements, from a sensor network mounted on the panel's surface, were taken for the intact condition and three damage cases (0.2, 0.5, and 2.7-mm dents). Three approaches were adopted to define the damage indices (DIs) toward anomaly detection, namely, amplitude variation, symbolic dynamics, and root mean square deviation. Data fusion was performed between measurements from multiple excitation frequencies for single and multiple DIs, where the anomaly combination between all the frequencies and the DIs was called a total anomaly. An imaging algorithm was implemented for damage localization in conjunction with single and combined DIs. It was shown that combining the effects of different frequencies and/or different DIs increases the robustness and consistency of the damage detection and localization process. Moreover, a distance-based classification technique was applied using features from single DIs and the combined anomaly measure. Accuracies higher than 91% were attained for the majority of the cases tested.
Effect of Load-Dependent Friction on the Estimation of Rack Force in Electric Power-Assisted Steering System
Authors: Li Yijun , Shim Taehyun , Wang Dexin , Offerle Timothy
Published: July 2019

The rack force is valuable information for a vehicle dynamics control system, as it relates closely to the road conditions and steering feel. Since there is no direct measurement of rack force in current steering systems, various rack force estimation methods have been proposed to obtain the rack force information. In order to get an accurate rack force estimate, it is important to have knowledge of the steering system friction. However, it is hard to have an accurate value of friction, as it is subject to variation due to operation conditions and material wear. Especially for the widely used column-assisted electric power steering (C-EPAS) system, the load-dependent characteristic of its worm gear friction has a significant effect on rack force estimation. In this paper, a rack force estimation method using a Kalman filter and a load-dependent friction estimation algorithm is introduced, and the effect of C-EPAS friction on rack force estimator performance is investigated. Unlike other rack force estimation methods, which assume that friction is known a priori, the proposed system uses a load-dependent friction estimation algorithm to determine accurate friction information in the steering system, and then a rack force is estimated using the relationship between steering torque and angle. The effectiveness of this proposed method is verified by carsim/simulink cosimulation.
The monaural spectral cues identified by a reverse correlation analysis of free-field auditory localization data
Authors: Balachandar Kapilesh , Carlile Simon
Published: July 2019

The outer-ear's location-dependent pattern of spectral filtering generates cues used to determine a sound source's elevation as well as front−back location. The authors aim to identify these features using a reverse correlation analysis (RCA), combining free-field localization behaviour with the associated head-related transfer functions' (HRTFs) magnitude spectrum from a sample of 73 participants. Localization responses were collected before and immediately after introducing a pair of outer-ear inserts which modified the listener's HRTFs to varying extent. The RCA identified several different features responsible for eliciting localization responses. The efficacy of these was examined using two models of monaural localization. In general, the predicted performance was closely aligned with the free-field localization error for the bare-ear condition; however, both models tended to grossly over-estimate the localization error based on HRTFs modified by the outer-ear inserts. The RCA's feature selection notably had the effect of better aligning the predicted performance of both models to the actual localization performance. This suggests that the RCA revealed sufficient detail for both models to correctly predict localization performance and also limited the influence of filtered-out elements in the distorted HRTFs that contributed to the degraded accuracy of both models.
Parameterization of the binaural room transfer function using modal decomposition
Authors: Zhang Wen , Samarasinghe Prasanga N. , Abhayapala Thushara D.
Published: July 2019

Binaural room responses are normally measured on a listening subject in a room. The measurements, however, rapidly change with the source and receiver position. In addition, the measurements taken in a room can only be used to simulate scenes of that environment. In this work, an efficient parameterization of the binaural room transfer function is proposed, which has separable representations for the direct-path component and the reverberation component, thus providing a flexible way to generate binaural room responses for different environments and listeners. In addition, this parameterization uses wave equation solutions as basis functions and is continuous in space.
A dynamic continental moisture gradient drove Amazonian bird diversification
Authors: Silva Sofia Marques , Peterson A. Townsend , Carneiro Lincoln , Burlamaqui Tibério César Tortola , Ribas Camila C. , Sousa-Neves Tiago , Miranda Leonardo S. , Fernandes Alexandre M. , d'Horta Fernando M. , Araújo-Silva Lucas Eduardo , Batista Romina , Bandeira Cinthia H. M. M. , Dantas Sidnei M. , Ferreira Mateus , Martins Denise M. , Oliveira Joiciane , Rocha Tainá C. , Sardelli Carla H. , Thom Gregory , Rêgo Péricles Sena , Santos Marcos Pérsio , Sequeira Fernando , Vallinoto Marcelo , Aleixo Alexandre
Published: July 2019

Diversification of Amazon birds led by climate stability: lineages originated in the wetter west and dispersed into the drier east.
Global restoration opportunities in tropical rainforest landscapes
Authors: Brancalion Pedro H. S. , Niamir Aidin , Broadbent Eben , Crouzeilles Renato , Barros Felipe S. M. , Almeyda Zambrano Angelica M. , Baccini Alessandro , Aronson James , Goetz Scott , Reid J. Leighton , Strassburg Bernardo B. N. , Wilson Sarah , Chazdon Robin L.
Published: July 2019

Assessment of socioenvironmental benefits and feasibility identifies priority areas for restoring global tropical rainforests.
Hippocampal theta phases organize the reactivation of large-scale electrophysiological representations during goal-directed navigation
Authors: Kunz Lukas , Wang Liang , Lachner-Piza Daniel , Zhang Hui , Brandt Armin , Dümpelmann Matthias , Reinacher Peter C. , Coenen Volker A. , Chen Dong , Wang Wen-Xu , Zhou Wenjing , Liang Shuli , Grewe Philip , Bien Christian G. , Bierbrauer Anne , Navarro Schröder Tobias , Schulze-Bonhage Andreas , Axmacher Nikolai
Published: July 2019

Hippocampal theta cycles provide a means to maintain and segregate different goal representations during human wayfinding.
Relativistic electrons generated at Earth’s quasi-parallel bow shock
Authors: Liu Terry Z. , Angelopoulos Vassilis , Lu San
Published: July 2019

Nonlinear structures can increase electron acceleration efficiency at quasi-parallel shocks by an order of magnitude.
Osteoblastic lysosome plays a central role in mineralization
Authors: Iwayama Tomoaki , Okada Tomoko , Ueda Tsugumi , Tomita Kiwako , Matsumoto Shuji , Takedachi Masahide , Wakisaka Satoshi , Noda Takeshi , Ogura Taku , Okano Tomomichi , Fratzl Peter , Ogura Toshihiko , Murakami Shinya
Published: July 2019

Lysosome transports mineralizing nanovesicle in osteoblasts.
Missed opportunities: incomplete and inaccurate recording of paediatric early warning scores
Authors: Chapman Susan M , Oulton Kate , Peters Mark John , Wray Jo
Published: July 2019

Background

Paediatric early warning scores (PEWS) are widely used as an adjunct to support staff in recognising deterioration in hospitalised children. Relatively little is known about how staff use these systems.

Objective

To examine the completeness and accuracy of PEWS recording in hospitalised children in a tertiary specialist children’s hospital.

Design

This is a secondary analysis of retrospective, case-controlled study data. Case patients suffering from a critical deterioration event were matched with controls present on the same ward at the same time and matched for age. Data were extracted from the PEWS chart for the 48 hours before the critical deterioration event for case patients and the corresponding 48 hours period for the control. Observation sets were assessed for completeness and accuracy of PEWS scoring.

Results

In total 297 case events in 224 patients were available for analysis. Overall 13 816 observations sets were performed, 8543 on cases and 5273 on controls. Only 4958 (35.9%) of observation sets contained a complete set of vital sign parameters and a concurrent PEWS. Errors were more prevalent in the observation sets of case patients versus controls (19.5% vs 14.1%). More errors resulted in the PEWS value being underscored rather than overscored for all observation sets (p<0.0001). 9.1% of inaccuracies for case patients were clinically significant, as the accurately calculated PEWS would have prompted a different escalation from the documented value.

Conclusion

Failure to record complete and accurate PEWS may jeopardise recognition of children who are deteriorating. Technology may offer an effective solution.
High-dimensional cytometric analysis of colorectal cancer reveals novel mediators of antitumour immunity
Authors: de Vries Natasja L , van Unen Vincent , Ijsselsteijn Marieke E , Abdelaal Tamim , van der Breggen Ruud , Farina Sarasqueta Arantza , Mahfouz Ahmed , Peeters Koen C M J , Höllt Thomas , Lelieveldt Boudewijn P F , Koning Frits , de Miranda Noel F C C
Published: July 2019

Objective

A comprehensive understanding of anticancer immune responses is paramount for the optimal application and development of cancer immunotherapies. We unravelled local and systemic immune profiles in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) by high-dimensional analysis to provide an unbiased characterisation of the immune contexture of CRC.

Design

Thirty-six immune cell markers were simultaneously assessed at the single-cell level by mass cytometry in 35 CRC tissues, 26 tumour-associated lymph nodes, 17 colorectal healthy mucosa and 19 peripheral blood samples from 31 patients with CRC. Additionally, functional, transcriptional and spatial analyses of tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes were performed by flow cytometry, single-cell RNA-sequencing and multispectral immunofluorescence.

Results

We discovered that a previously unappreciated innate lymphocyte population (Lin–CD7+CD127–CD56+CD45RO+) was enriched in CRC tissues and displayed cytotoxic activity. This subset demonstrated a tissue-resident (CD103+CD69+) phenotype and was most abundant in immunogenic mismatch repair (MMR)-deficient CRCs. Their presence in tumours was correlated with the infiltration of tumour-resident cytotoxic, helper and γδ T cells with highly similar activated (HLA-DR+CD38+PD-1+) phenotypes. Remarkably, activated γδ T cells were almost exclusively found in MMR-deficient cancers. Non-activated counterparts of tumour-resident cytotoxic and γδ T cells were present in CRC and healthy mucosa tissues, but not in lymph nodes, with the exception of tumour-positive lymph nodes.

Conclusion

This work provides a blueprint for the understanding of the heterogeneous and intricate immune landscape of CRC, including the identification of previously unappreciated immune cell subsets. The concomitant presence of tumour-resident innate and adaptive immune cell populations suggests a multitargeted exploitation of their antitumour properties in a therapeutic setting.
Evolution of the mud patch in the north Yellow Sea and its response to climate change in the past 160 years
Authors: Liu Xiaohang , Hu Lisha , Wu Xiao , Wang Yueming , Xu Jingping
Published: July 2019

As the most important sediment source to the north Yellow Sea (NYS), the sediment discharge from the Yellow River has substantially decreased for at least half a century. The response of the existing mud patches to this decline is not well understood. Here, we present high-resolution grain-size parameters and geochemical composition of one gravity core (B23) collected in the NYS mud patch to investigate the behavior of the mud patch variation in correspondence to the Yellow River’s sediment discharge reduction. The B23 age model is derived by 210Pb dating method, and the average sedimentation rate is estimated to be 0.49 cm/year. Results of a geochemical discrimination analysis suggest that the sediments of B23 were mainly transported from the Yellow River by the strong coastal current along the Shandong Peninsula, whereas the contributions of sediments from Yangtze and Yalu rivers are also measurable. In around 1980, the ratio of sediments from the Yellow River underwent an apparent decrease in the NYS mud. Simultaneous changes include coarsening of grain size and disaccord between East Asia Winter Monsoon intensity and content of sensitive grain size. These are all directly or indirectly due to the decline of the Yellow River’s sediment discharge.
Wind drag in oil spilled ocean surface and its impact on wind-driven circulation
Authors: Shen Hui , Perrie William , Wu Yongsheng
Published: July 2019

The drag coefficient is a key parameter to quantify the wind stress over the ocean surface, which depends on the ocean surface roughness. During oil spill events, oil slicks cover the ocean surface and thus change the surface roughness by suppressing multi-scale ocean surface waves, and the drag coefficient is changed. This change has not been included in the current ocean circulation models. In this study, such change in sea surface roughness is studied by satellite remote sensing via synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data to quantify the changes in the wind effect over the oil-covered ocean surface. The concept of effective wind speed is introduced to quantify the wind work on the ocean. We investigate its influence on the wind-driven Ekman current at the ocean surface. Using observations from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (2010) as an example, we find that the presence of oil can result in an effective wind speed of 50%~100% less than the conventional wind speed, causing overestimates by 75%~100% in the wind driven Ekman current. The effect of such bias on oil trajectory predictions is also discussed. Our results suggest that it is important to consider the effect of changes in the drag coefficient over oil-contaminated areas, especially for large-scale oil spill situations.
Use of consumer monitors for estimating energy expenditure in youth
Authors: LaMunion Samuel R. , Blythe Andrew L. , Hibbing Paul R. , Kaplan Andrew S. , Clendenin Brandon J. , Crouter Scott E.
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this study was to compare energy expenditure (EE) estimates from 5 consumer physical activity monitors (PAMs) to indirect calorimetry in a sample of youth. Eighty-nine youth (mean (SD); age, 12.3 (3.4) years; 50% female) performed 16 semi-structured activities. Activities were performed in duplicate across 2 visits. Participants wore a Cosmed K4b2(criterion for EE), an Apple Watch 2 (left wrist), Mymo Tracker (right hip), and Misfit Shine 2 devices (right hip; right shoe). Participants were randomized to wear a Samsung Gear Fit 2 or a Fitbit Charge 2 on the right wrist. Oxygen consumption was converted to EE by subtracting estimated basal EE (Schofield’s equation) from the measured gross EE. EE from each visit was summed across the 2 visit days for comparison with the total EE recorded from the PAMs. All consumer PAMs estimated gross EE, except for the Apple Watch 2 (net Active EE). Paired t tests were used to assess differences between estimated (PAM) and measured (K4b2) EE. Mean absolute percent error (MAPE) was used to assess individual-level error. The Mymo Tracker was not significantly different from measured EE and was within 15.9 kcal of measured kilocalories (p = 0.764). Mean percent errors ranged from 3.5% (Mymo Tracker) to 48.2% (Apple Watch 2). MAPE ranged from 16.8% (Misfit Shine 2 – right hip) to 49.9% (Mymo Tracker).

Novelty Only the Mymo Tracker was not significantly different from measured EE but had the greatest individual error. The Misfit Shine 2 – right hip had the lowest individual error. Caution is warranted when using consumer PAMs in youth for tracking EE.
On the Anonymity of Multi-Receiver Identity-Based Encryption Based on Fujisaki–Okamoto Transformation
Authors: Tseng Yi-Fan , Fan Chun-I , Sung Cheng-Wei
Published: July 2019

In 2010, Fan et al. first introduced the concept of anonymous multi-receiver identity-based encryption (AMRIBE). They used the concept of Fujisaki–Okamoto transformation (F.O. transformation) to support their proof in random oracle models. Recently, many works on this topic have been proposed. Most of them adopted Fujisaki–Okamoto transformation to achieve the indistinguishability of encryptions under multi-ID, chosen-ciphertext attacks (IND-MID-CCA) security. However, we find out that these schemes do not gain anonymity against insider attacks. In this manuscript, we use a sequence of games to prove that any AMRIBE scheme will fail to gain anonymity under chosen-ciphertext attacks and chosen-plaintext attacks if the IND-MID-CCA security is proven using Fujisaki–Okamoto transformation.
Provably Secure (Broadcast) Homomorphic Signcryption
Authors: Rezaeibagha Fatemeh , Mu Yi , Zhang Shiwei , Wang Xiaofen
Published: July 2019

Signcryption has drawn a lot of attention due to its useful applications in many areas, in particular for applications where the computation and communication resources are constrained, for example, for lightweight devices. The traditional signcryption scheme does not support the homomorphic property. Recent work by Rezaeibagha et al. (Provsec 2017) offered a provably secure homomorphic signcryption scheme, in which for the first time, provided a scheme provably secure under some restriction. In this paper, we show that the homomorphic signcryption can be extended to provably secure broadcast signcryption scheme. We allow the broadcasted signcrypted data items to be aggregated without requiring decryption that is a desirable feature in distributed environments.
Algebraic Attacks Against Several Weak Variants of GVW’13 ABE
Authors: Hu Yupu , Lian Zhizhu , Chen Jiangshan , Wang Baocang , Zhang Shanshan
Published: July 2019

Attribute-based encryption (ABE) is an active research area in the public-key cryptography. Among large amount of ABE schemes, the scheme GVW’13 (STOC13) is an well-known candidate for realizing ABE via lattice mechanism, whose security relies on learning with errors (LWE). This ABE scheme has very exquisite structure, and its crucial component lies in using that two-to-one recoding (TOR) algorithm. However, the main shortcoming of GVW’13 is the use of the huge key-size. Therefore, it encourages people to find out some more simplified variants of GVW’13.

In this paper, we first propose three variants of GVW’13 for reducing the size of secret key, which would be the feasible strategies to improve GVW’13 with great possibility. Unfortunately, we can still present three related attacks against these three proposals under the same collusion scenario, respectively.
WITH SURGICAL REMOVAL OR ADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY INCREASE THE TWO-YEAR SURVIVAL AND ASSOCIATED CLINICOPATHOLOGIC FACTORS IN CATS WITH MAMMARY CARCINOMAS
Authors: Lo Ti-Yun , Feng Yu-Ching , Yang Yi-Ping , Liao Jiunn-Wang , Chang Shih-Chieh
Published: July 2019

Due to the aggressive biological behavior, a large number of studies attempt to identify the prognostic indicators for feline mammary carcinoma (FMC). In this study, we retrospectively identified the prognostic indicators and evaluated the effect of surgery with or without adjuvant chemotherapy on 47 cats with FMCs. Over a two-year follow-up period, surgical removal was significantly associated with greater overall survival time (OST). In cats that underwent surgical treatment, median OST was longer in cats that underwent surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy (540 days) than cats that underwent surgery without chemotherapy (398 days). In addition, cats with FMCs in early stage (I or II) had longer OST than cats in advanced stages. Further, through multivariate analyses, the histological grade was found to be significantly associated with a survival of two years. Cats with FMCs at high grade were most likely to have a mean or median OST of less than one year. In summary, stage, grade and the size of tumor were all prognostic factors, in which histological grade was found to be the only significant factor in cats with mammary carcinomas through multivariate analysis.
Wind turbine construction in and around Carsington Pasture in Derbyshire; overcoming the challenges posed by difficult ground conditions
Authors: Czerewko M. A. , Bastekin A. , Tunnicliffe J. , O'Rourke R.
Published: July 2019

During construction of four 2.05 MW wind turbines at Carsington Pasture the ground conditions revealed a complex and highly variable geology much worse than had been anticipated. Preliminary investigations and ground assessment carried out at the conceptual planning stage for the development by other parties had identified the nature and discussed the likely extent of the complexities. These preliminary findings had concluded that the site was located in an area of known karst weathering, with extensive ancient mine workings for lead, and abandoned silica sand pits. The preliminary studies and investigations had confirmed shallow head deposits overlying dolomitic bedrock with a variably pinnacoidal interface, and presence of occasional large pocket deposits consisting of unconsolidated sediments. These finding concluded by optimizing the siting locations for each structure. During development, the ground conditions revealed at each location differed significantly and it was realized early on that no single ground remedial solution would be possible to adequately reinforce and suitably improve the bedrock foundation base for the envisaged design life. The challenging ground conditions necessitated extensive non-intrusive ground investigation followed by shallow and deep intrusive investigation to better define the ground conditions. The paper describes the unexpected and unusual combination of ground conditions that were encountered and their implications for foundation development, and examines the development of the bespoke engineered ground solutions developed for each of the four turbines. The experience at Carsington Pasture provided direction for the successful development of a further two wind turbines in an adjacent site located at Ryder Point situated over equally complex ground conditions. The paper concludes with discussion of how the experience of the combination of difficult ground conditions encountered at Carsington Pasture and their management served to guide the investigation, foundation development and successful construction of wind turbines in the adjacent area, and demonstrates the wider value of project examples and experience afforded by case studies.
Indoor Localization Improved by Spatial Context—A Survey
Authors: Gu Fuqiang , Hu Xuke , Ramezani Milad , Acharya Debaditya , Khoshelham Kourosh , Valaee Shahrokh , Shang Jianga
Published: July 2019

Indoor localization is essential for healthcare, security, augmented reality gaming, and many other location-based services. There is currently a wealth of relevant literature on indoor localization. This article focuses on recent advances in indoor localization methods that use spatial context to improve the location estimation. Spatial context in the form of maps and spatial models have been used to improve the localization by constraining location estimates in the navigable parts of indoor environments. Landmarks such as doors and corners, which are also one form of spatial context, have proved useful in assisting indoor localization by correcting the localization error. This survey gives a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art indoor localization methods and localization improvement methods using maps, spatial models, and landmarks.
The novel cyclophilin-D-interacting protein FASTKD1 protects cells against oxidative stress-induced cell death
Authors: Marshall Kurt D. , Klutho Paula J. , Song Lihui , Krenz Maike , Baines Christopher P.
Published: July 2019

Opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore leads to necrotic cell death. Excluding cyclophilin D (CypD), the makeup of the MPT pore remains conjecture. The purpose of these experiments was to identify novel MPT modulators by analyzing proteins that associate with CypD. We identified Fas-activated serine/threonine phosphoprotein kinase domain-containing protein 1 (FASTKD1) as a novel CypD interactor. Overexpression of FASTKD1 protected mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) against oxidative stress-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell death, whereas depletion of FASTKD1 sensitized them. However, manipulation of FASTKD1 levels had no effect on MPT responsiveness, Ca2+-induced cell death, or antioxidant capacity. Moreover, elevated FASTKD1 levels still protected against oxidative stress in CypD-deficient MEFs. FASTKD1 overexpression decreased Complex-I-dependent respiration and ΔΨm in MEFs, effects that were abrogated in CypD-null cells. Additionally, overexpression of FASTKD1 in MEFs induced mitochondrial fragmentation independent of CypD, activation of Drp1, and inhibition of autophagy/mitophagy, whereas knockdown of FASTKD1 had the opposite effect. Manipulation of FASTKD1 expression also modified oxidative stress-induced caspase-3 cleavage yet did not alter apoptotic death. Finally, the effects of FASTKD1 overexpression on oxidative stress-induced cell death and mitochondrial morphology were recapitulated in cultured cardiac myocytes. Together, these data indicate that FASTKD1 supports mitochondrial homeostasis and plays a critical protective role against oxidant-induced death.
microRNA and mRNA profiles in the amygdala are relevant to fear memory induced by physical or psychological stress
Authors: Sun Yan , Lu Wei , Du Kaixin , Wang Jin-Hui
Published: July 2019

Anxiety is presumably driven by fear memory. Molecular profiles in the amygdala of mice with fear memory induced by psychological and physical stresses remain to be elucidated. Fear memory in mice was induced by a paradigm of social defeat. Physical and psychological stresses (PPS) to an intruder were given by attacks from an aggressive resident. Psychological stress (PS) to an observer was given by the witnessing of aggressor attacks. Amygdala tissues from these mice showing fear memory and anxiety vs. tissues from control mice were harvested to analyze mRNA and microRNA profiles by high-throughput sequencing. In the amygdala of intruders and observers with fear memory, the genes encoding 5-HTR1b, 5-HTR2a, DAR2, AChRM3, and IP3R1 are upregulated, whereas genes encoding GPγ11, GPγ13, GPγT2, RasC3, and P450 are downregulated, indicating that these molecules are involved in fear memory induced by physical/psychological stresses. In the comparison of intruders with observers, the upregulation of genes encoding 5-HTR6, GPγ8, P2R7, NFκ2, CREB3/1, and Itgα9 as well as the downregulation of genes encoding DAR5, 5-HTR1a, and HSP1a are involved in fear memory induced by physical stress. The upregulation of genes encoding DAR1, 5-HTR5a and SSR2/3 as well as the downregulation of AdRα1, CREB3/1, GPγ13 and GPγ8 are involved in fear memory induced by psychological stress. Results obtained by sequencing mRNA and microRNA profiles are consistent with results of quantitative RT-PCR analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assays performed for validation. In conclusion, fear memories and anxiety induced by PPS vs. PS are caused by the imbalanced regulation of different synapses and signaling pathways in the amygdala.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The current study identifies the molecular mechanism underlying fear memory and anxiety induced by psychological stress vs. physical stress, in which the imbalanced expression of microRNA-regulated mRNAs relevant to dopaminergic, adrenergic, and serotonergic synapses in the amygdala plays an important role. This result reveals different molecular profiles for psychological and physical stresses.
Acute slice preparation for electrophysiology increases spine numbers equivalently in the male and female juvenile hippocampus: a DiI labeling study
Authors: Trivino-Paredes J. S. , Nahirney P. C. , Pinar C. , Grandes P. , Christie B. R.
Published: July 2019

Hippocampal slices are widely used for in vitro electrophysiological experiments to study underlying mechanisms for synaptic transmission and plasticity, and there is a growing appreciation for sex differences in synaptic plasticity. To date, several studies have shown that the process of making slices from male animals can induce synaptogenesis in cornu ammonis area 1 (CA1) pyramidal cells, but there is a paucity of data for females and other brain regions. In the current study we use microcrystals of the lipophilic carbocyanine dye DiI (1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate) to stain individual neurons in the CA1 and dentate gyrus (DG) hippocampal subfields of postnatal day 21 male and female rats. We show that the preparation of sections for electrophysiology produces significant increases in spines in sections obtained from females, similar to that observed in males. We also show that the procedures used for in vitro electrophysiology also result in significant spine increases in the DG and CA1 subfields. These results demonstrate the utility of this refined DiI procedure for staining neuronal dendrites and spines. They also show, for the first time, that in vitro electrophysiology slice preparations enhance spine numbers on hippocampal cells equivalently in both juvenile females and males.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study introduces a new DiI technique that elucidates differences in spine numbers in juvenile female and male hippocampus, and shows that slice preparations for hippocampal electrophysiology in vitro may mask these differences.
Mistletoe-Based Drugs Work in Synergy with Radio-Chemotherapy in the Treatment of GliomaIn VitroandIn Vivoin Glioblastoma Bearing Mice
Authors: Schötterl Sonja , Miemietz Jennifer T. , Ilina Elena I. , Wirsik Naita M. , Ehrlich Ingrid , Gall Andrea , Huber Stephan M. , Lentzen Hans , Mittelbronn Michel , Naumann Ulrike
Published: July 2019

Background. Extracts fromViscum album L.(VE) are used in the complementary cancer therapy in Europe for decades. VE contain several compounds like the mistletoe lectins (MLs) 1-3 and viscotoxins and also several minor ingredients. Since mistletoe lectin 1 (ML-1) has been described as the main component of VE harboring antitumor activity, purified native or recombinant ML-1 has been recently used in clinical trials. MLs stimulate the immune system, induce cytotoxicity, are able to modify the expression of cancer-associated genes, and influence the proliferation and motility of tumor cells.Objective. In this study our goal was to determine anticancer effects of the VE ISCADOR Qu, of recombinant ML-1 (Aviscumine), and of native ML-1 in the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM), the most common and highly malignant brain tumor in adults. Additionally we were interested whether these drugs, used in combination with a temozolomide-(TMZ)-based radio-chemotherapy, provide synergistic effects.Methods. Cell culture assays,ex vivomurine hippocampal brain slice cultures, human GBM cryosections, and a xenograft orthotopic glioblastoma mouse model were used.Results. In cells, the expression of the ML receptor CD75s, which is also expressed in GBM specimen, but not in normal brain, correlates with the drug-induced cytotoxicity. In GBM cells, the drugs induce cell death in a concentration-dependent manner and reduce cell growth by inducing cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. The cell cycle arrest was paralleled by modifications in the expression of cell cycle regulating genes. ML containing drugs, if combined with glioma standard therapy, provide synergistic and additive anticancer effects. Despite not reaching statistical significance, a single intratumoral application of Aviscumine prolonged the median survival of GBM mice longer than tumor irradiation. Moreover, intratumorally applied Aviscumine prolonged the survival of GBM-bearing mice if used in combination with irradiation and TMZ for further 6.5 days compared to the radio-chemotherapy.Conclusion. Our results suggest that an adjuvant treatment of glioma patients with ML-containing drugs might be beneficial.
Effect of Gestational Weight Gain on Perinatal Outcomes in Low Risk Pregnancies with Normal Prepregnancy Body Mass Index
Authors: Eraslan Sahin Mefkure , Col Madendag Ilknur
Published: July 2019

Objective. This study aimed to clarify the effect of gestational weight gain (GWG) on perinatal outcomes in low risk pregnancies with normal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI). Study Design. A total of 572 low-risk pregnant women with a normal prepregnancy BMI were included. GWG and inadequate or excessive weight gain were defined according to the United States Institute of Medicine updated guidelines. Adverse perinatal outcomes were compared among inadequate, normal, and excessive weight gain groups. Results. Of the 572 pregnant women enrolled, 62 belonged to inadequate GWG group, 80 to excessive GWG group, and 430 to normal GWG group. Maternal age, prepregnancy BMI, gravity, parity, and previous cesarean delivery rates were similar among groups. Adverse perinatal outcomes were not statistically significant among groups. Fetal weight was significantly lower in inadequate weight gain group compared to normal weight gain group (p<0.001) and fetal weight was significantly lower in normal weight gain group compared to excessive weight gain group (p<0.001). Additionally, low birth weight <2.5kgs, birth weight > 4.0kgs, and SGA and LGA rates were similar among groups (P = 0.765, P = 0. 711, P = 0. 702, and P = 0.414, respectively). Although gestational age at delivery was term in normal percentile it was significantly lower in the inadequate weight gain group compared to others (P=0.010). Conclusions. This study showed that an inadequate or excessive weight gain in low-risk pregnancies with a normal prepregnancy BMI did not increase the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes.
Recent Advancements in Intrusion Detection Systems for the Internet of Things
Authors: Khan Zeeshan Ali , Herrmann Peter
Published: July 2019

Many Internet of Things (IoT) systems run on tiny connected devices that have to deal with severe processor and energy restrictions. Often, the limited processing resources do not allow the use of standard security mechanisms on the nodes, making IoT applications quite vulnerable to different types of attacks. This holds particularly for intrusion detection systems (IDS) that are usually too resource-heavy to be handled by small IoT devices. Thus, many IoT systems are not sufficiently protected against typical network attacks like Denial-of-Service (DoS) and routing attacks. On the other side, IDSs have already been successfully used in adjacent network types like Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANET), Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) which, in part, face limitations similar to those of IoT applications. Moreover, there is research work ongoing that promises IDSs that may better fit to the limitations of IoT devices. In this article, we will give an overview about IDSs suited for IoT networks. Besides looking on approaches developed particularly for IoT, we introduce also work for the three similar network types mentioned above and discuss if they are also suitable for IoT systems. In addition, we present some suggestions for future research work that could be useful to make IoT networks more secure.