bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Regions of Interest Voxel‐Based Morphometry Study of the Human Brain During High‐Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation in Patients With Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Authors: De Groote Sander , Goudman Lisa , Linderoth Bengt , Buyck Félix , Rigoard Philippe , De Jaeger Mats , Van Schuerbeek Peter , Peeters Ronald , Sunaert Stefan , Moens Maarten
Published: May 2020

Introduction

The effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) as pain‐relieving treatment for failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) has already been demonstrated. However, potential structural and functional brain alterations resulting from subsensory SCS are less clear. The aim of this study was to test structural volumetric changes in a priori chosen regions of interest related to chronic pain after 1 month and 3 months of high‐frequency SCS in patients with FBSS.

Methods

Eleven patients with FBSS who were scheduled for SCS device implantation were included in this study. All patients underwent a magnetic resonance imaging protocol before SCS device implantation 1 and 3 months after high‐frequency SCS. Pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, and sleep quality were also measured. Regions‐of‐interest voxel‐based morphometry was used to explore grey matter volumetric changes over time. Additionally, volumetric changes were correlated with changes in pain intensity, catastrophizing, and sleep quality.

Results

Significant decreases were found in volume in the left and right hippocampus over time. More specifically, a significant difference was revealed between volumes before SCS implantation and after 3 months of SCS. Repeated‐measures correlations revealed a significant positive correlation between volumetric changes in the left hippocampus and changes in back pain score over time and between volumetric changes in the right hippocampus and changes in back pain score over time.

Conclusion

In patients with FBSS, high‐frequency SCS influences structural brain regions over time. The volume of the hippocampus was decreased bilaterally after 3 months of high‐frequency SCS with a positive correlation with back pain intensity.
Juvenile xanthogranulomas: Examining single, multiple, and extracutaneous presentations
Authors: So Naomi , Liu Regina , Hogeling Marcia
Published: May 2020

Background

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a non‐Langerhans cell histiocytosis characterized by yellowish papules in the skin. JXGs most often occur in infancy or early childhood and are typically solitary and asymptomatic, often regressing after several years. While JXGs predominantly occur on the skin, extracutaneous JXGs also exist.

Aims

In this paper, we review the literature on single, multiple, and visceral JXGs and provide recommendations on monitoring and work‐up.

Materials & Methods

A literature review was conducted with the PubMed database using selective search terms for single, multiple, ocular, and visceral lesions as well as NF1/JMML.

Results / Discussion

JXG is typically a self‐limited disorder if lesions are cutaneous and singular. While rare, JXGs may manifest as multiple and extracutaneous lesions. Further screening and referral to specialists may be warranted in these cases based on age and extent of involvement.

Conclusion

Our review demonstrates common presentations of single, multiple, and extracutaneous lesions in addition to those that occur with NF1 and JMML. We suggest patients be evaluated on a case‐by‐case basis by a dermatologist and referred to specialists as appropriate.
Market stewardship of quasi‐markets by street level bureaucrats: The role of local area coordinators in the Australian personalisation system
Authors: Malbon Eleanor , Carey Gemma
Published: May 2020

With the rise in popularity of market‐based responses to social policy challenges, the stewardship of quasi‐markets or public service markets, is a key concern for governments worldwide. Debates about how to manage quasi‐markets have focussed on high‐level decision‐making processes. However local actors, in particular street level bureaucrats, are a key part of the complex work of managing quasi‐markets. We examine how street level bureaucrats act as local market stewards in a new quasi‐market for disability care, the Australian National Disability Insurance scheme. We find that the street level bureaucrats, known as local area coordinators, act as shapers of local markets but that their contributions are informal and often restricted by formal structures and processes. For example, we found evidence that the use of key performance indicators can disrupt effective local stewardship efforts towards a procedural approach. We conclude that introducing principles of the polycentric governance approach can improve connections between local market knowledge holders and central decision‐making agencies, thereby improving market stewardship and outcomes.
Self-assessment and Assessment of Professional Competencies of Trainee Teachers During the Block Teaching Practice
Authors: Novotová Jitka , Nišponská Magda
Published: May 2020

The empirical study presents a question of how to assess professional training of trainee teachers and introduces the approach based on competency model. Based on the modification of the Teacher competencies framework (Rámec profesních kvalit učitele, Tomková et al., 2012) used in the lifelong training of the teachers an evaluation tool was created that contained 5 multi-dimensional competencies elaborated into 34 sub-items. This tool was used in the research of self-assessment of the development of professional competencies of trainee teachers and their assessment by supervising teachers during the block teaching practice. The research sample consisted of 74 students of lower secondary and secondary school teaching programmes and also 74 supervising teachers were involved. The results revealed that the assessment of the students by the supervising teachers is significantly more positive compared to the self-assessment of the students. Further, it was found out that the best and the worst evaluated sub-competencies by the students and teachers correspond. The best evaluated were competencies related to reflexion and creation of teaching environment, the worst evaluated were competencies related to the evaluation of the pupils’ work. Authors discuss what do these results imply for the frame of undergraduate teacher training and they indicate possibilities how to comprehensively implement the evaluation tool and competency model in the teacher training.
An exceptional Siegel–Weil formula and poles of the Spin L-function of
Authors: Gan Wee Teck , Savin Gordan
Published: May 2020

We show a Siegel–Weil formula in the setting of exceptional theta correspondence. Using this, together with a new Rankin–Selberg integral for the Spin L-function of$\text{PGSp}_{6}$discovered by Pollack, we prove that a cuspidal representation of$\text{PGSp}_{6}$is a (weak) functorial lift from the exceptional group$G_{2}$if its (partial) Spin L-function has a pole at$s=1$.
Hodgkin–Huxley–Katz Prize Lecture: Genetic and pharmacological control of glutamate receptor channel through a highly conserved gating motif
Authors: Perszyk Riley E. , Myers Scott J. , Yuan Hongjie , Gibb Alasdair J. , Furukawa Hiro , Sobolevsky Alexander I. , Traynelis Stephen F.
Published: May 2020

Glutamate receptors are essential ligand‐gated ion channels in the central nervous system that mediate excitatory synaptic transmission in response to the release of glutamate from presynaptic terminals. The structural and biophysical basis underlying the function of these receptors has been studied for decades by a wide range of approaches. However recent structural, pharmacological and genetic studies have provided new insight into the regions of this protein that are critical determinants of receptor function. Lack of variation in specific areas of the protein amino acid sequences in the human population has defined three regions in each receptor subunit that are under selective pressure, which has focused research efforts and driven new hypotheses. In addition, these three closely positioned elements reside near a cavity that is shown by multiple studies to be a likely site of action for allosteric modulators, one of which is currently in use as an FDA‐approved anticonvulsant. These structural elements are capable of controlling gating of the pore, and appear to permit some modulators bound within the cavity to also alter permeation properties. This creates a new precedent whereby features of the channel pore can be modulated by exogenous drugs that bind outside the pore. The convergence of structural, genetic, biophysical and pharmacological approaches is a powerful means to gain insight into the complex biological processes defined by neurotransmitter receptor function.

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Evidências da relação entre participação orçamentária, ambiguidade de papéis e o desempenho gerencial
Authors: Acássia Guidini Andréia , Costa da Silva Zonatto Vinícius , Degenhart Larissa , Schlup Daiani
Published: May 2020

Esta investigación analiza los efectos de la ambigüedad de roles en la relación entre la participación presupuestal y el desempeño gerencial. La muestra fue compuesta por 150 gerentes con responsabilidades presupuestarias de las mayores empresas brasileñas exportadoras. Se utilizó la técnica de análisis de trayectorias. Los resultados indicaron que los gerentes con responsabilidades presupuestarias de empresas brasileñas perciben la ambigüedad de roles cuando desempeñan sus tareas en el contexto presupuestal. Además, la participación de los gerentes en la definición de metas y objetivos presupuestales y su intervención en la asignación del presupuesto de sus unidades hizo posible minimizar la ambigüedad de roles de los gerentes encuestados y, en consecuencia, mejoró su desempeño gerencial en lo que se refiere a un mayor éxito en la realización de las actividades presupuestales. Se concluye que la participación presupuestal es un constructo importante que debe ser considerado en las organizaciones, ya que auxilia en el constante intercambio de informaciones sobre los deberes a ser cumplidos, las responsabilidades del cargo de los gerentes e incluso el comportamiento esperado frente al desempeño de las tareas, funciones en el contexto presupuestal.
Gestión de costos en el sector de áridos a través del método de costeo basado en actividades
Authors: Gallegos Muñoz Cecilia Del Pilar , Rodríguez Quezada Estela Irene
Published: May 2020

El presente estudio tiene como objetivo identificar oportunidades de mejora y reducción de costos en una empresa productora de áridos, a través de la metodología de Costo Basado en Actividades (ABC). El estudio de caso se realiza con visitas a terreno; entrevistas al dueño, gerentes y encargados de los procesos; y revisión de informes financieros y contables. Los resultados muestran como el ABC permite conocer el costo y rentabilidad de cada uno de los productos de la empresa, medido en metros cúbicos. Además, está metodología permite identificar las actividades que significan un mayor costo y aquellas que no agregan valor a la compañía. De este modo, es posible prever oportunidades de mejora de procesos que puedan conducir a una reducción de costos en el futuro.
Método costeo ABC con simulación de Monte Carlo en la logística en la cadena de suministro en la industria 4.0
Authors: Gómez Montoya Rodrigo Andrés , Cano Arenas José Alejandro , Montoya Bernal Estefanía
Published: May 2020

Este artículo analiza la metodología del costeo ABC típica en las etapas de identificación de actividades y recursos, así como en las etapas de definición de inductores primarios y secundarios. La revisión de la literatura en el periodo 2010-2020 no detecta la aplicación del ABC en la logística de la cadena de suministros. Por tanto, se realiza un estudio de caso para validar la aplicación del ABC en dicha área. Fue implementado el ABC con un modelo de simulación de Monte Carlo en el proceso de transporte y distribución de una empresa comercializadora de cemento ubicada en la ciudad de Medellín, la cual atiende a tres mercados: Bogotá, Cali y Barranquilla. El estudio muestra que la ejecución del modelo permite mejorar el soporte de la toma decisiones, así como su efectividad al integrar la incertidumbre en el costeo.
Mites (Arachnida: Acari) associated with plants of family Myrtaceae from the Caatinga Domain, Brazil

Authors: Rodrigues Jennifer K. , Furtado Imeuda P. , Lofego Antônio C.
Published: May 2020

The objective of the present study was to determine the mite fauna associated with Myrtaceae from Cariri, a microregion with peculiar climatic conditions in the center of the Caatinga Domain in northeastern Brazil. Samples were collected in eight municipalities in Cariri region. In each municipality, five collection sites equidistant at approximately 10 km were established. The sampling was carried out in two periods, rainy season (March to April 2013) and dry season (September to October 2013). A total of 3.831 mites distributed in 14 families, 39 genera and 46 species were recorded. The Phytoseiidae was the dominant predatory mite family with 11 species. The most common phytoseiid species was Euseius concordis (Chant), followed by Euseius citrifolius Demark & Muma and Euseius alatus De Leon. Among the phytophagous mites, two families were the most abundant: Tenuipalpidae and Tetranychidae. Our results indicated that Myrtaceae in Caatinga Domains hosts a considerable diversity of potentially important predatory mites for the control of phytophagous species.
The maintenance of clear speech in naturalistic conversations
Authors: Lee Dae-Yong , Baese-Berk Melissa M.
Published: May 2020

Clear speech is a style that speakers adopt when talking with listeners whom these speakers anticipate may have a problem understanding speech. This study examines whether native English speakers use clear speech in conversations with non-native English speakers when native speakers are not explicitly asked to use clear speech (i.e., clear speech elicited with naturalistic methods). The results of the study suggest that native English speakers use clear speech in conversations with non-native English speakers even when native speakers are not explicitly asked to. Native English speakers' speech is more intelligible in the early portions of the conversations than in the late portions of each conversation. Further, the speakers “reset” to clearer speech at the start of each Diapix picture. Additionally, acoustic properties of the speech are examined to complement the intelligibility results. These findings suggest the instigation of clear speech may be listener-driven but the maintenance of clear speech is likely more speaker-driven.
Training Program With Outdoor Fitness Equipment in Parks Offers No Substantial Benefits for Functional Fitness in Active Seniors: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Liu Ya-Chen , Yang Wen-Wen , Fang I-Yao , Pan Hope Li-Ling , Chen Wei-Han , Liu Chiang
Published: May 2020

Outdoor fitness equipment (OFE) is installed in parks to promote health, particularly among seniors. However, no quantitative study has investigated its effectiveness. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effectiveness of 12 weeks of OFE training on functional fitness in seniors. Forty-two active seniors were recruited and randomly assigned into OFE and control groups. The OFE group underwent 12 weeks of training using popular OFE for cardiorespiratory function, flexibility, and strength, whereas participants in the control group were asked to maintain their previous lifestyles. The senior fitness test was assessed before and after the 12-week period. Unexpectedly, the results showed no significant improvement within or between the groups after the 12-week training in all parameters (p > .05). In conclusion, the 12-week OFE training failed to enhance functional fitness among active seniors. Potential reasons for the limited training effects might be lack of resistance components and diversity of the OFE design and installation.
Reconstructing the time since death using noninvasive thermometry and numerical analysis
Authors: Wilk Leah S. , Hoveling Richelle J. M. , Edelman Gerda J. , Hardy Huub J. J. , van Schouwen Sebastiaan , van Venrooij Harry , Aalders Maurice C. G.
Published: May 2020

Numerical modeling of postmortem body temperature allows reconstruction of the time since death for criminal investigations.
Connecting heterogeneous quantum networks by hybrid entanglement swapping
Authors: Guccione Giovanni , Darras Tom , Le Jeannic Hanna , Verma Varun B. , Nam Sae Woo , Cavaillès Adrien , Laurat Julien
Published: May 2020

A hybrid entanglement swapping protocol enables the connection of quantum nodes with different optical encodings.
Cross-plane transport in a single-molecule two-dimensional van der Waals heterojunction
Authors: Zhao Shiqiang , Wu Qingqing , Pi Jiuchan , Liu Junyang , Zheng Jueting , Hou Songjun , Wei Junying , Li Ruihao , Sadeghi Hatef , Yang Yang , Shi Jia , Chen Zhaobin , Xiao Zongyuan , Lambert Colin , Hong Wenjing
Published: May 2020

The cross-plane charge transport is demonstrated in single-molecule two-dimensional van der Waals heterojunctions.
Prevalence of Cefotaxime-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates from Healthy Cattle and Sheep in Northern Spain: Phenotypic and Genome-Based Characterization of Antimicrobial Susceptibility
Authors: Tello Maitane , Ocejo Medelin , Oporto Beatriz , Hurtado Ana
Published: May 2020

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)- and AmpC β-lactamase (AmpC)-producing
E. coli
isolates have emerged in recent years as some of the fastest spreading antimicrobial resistance determinants in humans and food-producing animals, becoming a concern for animal and public health. This study provided insight into the prevalence of cefotaxime-resistant
E. coli
in cattle and sheep in the Basque Country and the associated genetic determinants of antimicrobial resistance. These constituted an important contribution to the limited repository of such data for cattle in the region and for sheep worldwide. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing by phenotypic and molecular methods is key in surveillance programs to enhance early detection of resistance development, monitor resistance trends, and provide guidance to clinicians in selecting the adequate therapy.
Microbial Degradation of Pyridine: a Complete Pathway inArthrobactersp. Strain 68b Deciphered
Authors: Časaitė Vida , Stanislauskienė Rūta , Vaitekūnas Justas , Tauraitė Daiva , Rutkienė Rasa , Gasparavičiūtė Renata , Meškys Rolandas
Published: May 2020

The biodegradation pathway of pyridine, a notorious toxicant, is relatively unexplored, as no genetic data related to this process have ever been presented. In this paper, we describe the plasmid-bornepyrgene cluster, which includes the complete set of genes responsible for the degradation of pyridine. A key enzyme, the monooxygenase PyrA, which is responsible for the first step of the catabolic pathway, performs an oxidative cleavage of the pyridine ring without typical activation steps such as reduction or hydroxylation of the heterocycle. This work provides new insights into the metabolism ofN-heterocyclic compounds in nature.
Simply InGEN(E)ious! How Creative DNA Modeling Can Enrich Classic Hands-On Experimentation
Authors: Mierdel Julia , Bogner Franz X.
Published: May 2020

Innovative 21st-century methods for teaching biology should provide both content knowledge and diverse scientific competencies. The Curriculum Guidelines of the American Society for Microbiology highlight the importance of developing scientific thinking skills, which include the abilities to formulate hypotheses, to communicate fundamental concepts effectively, and to analyze and interpret experimental results. Additionally, contemporary science education should enhance creativity and collaboration as key student assets in its bid to overcome negative perceptions and learning difficulties. In recent years, the expanding movement for so-called “STEAM” approaches (science, technology, engineering,
arts
, and math) has increased in STEM curricula. The movement seeks to integrate the arts into science classes to transfer enthusiasm, support individual self-sufficiency, and encourage creative solutions. To meet all these demands, we developed an inquiry-based approach that actively engages students in hands- and minds-on activities on the topic of “decoding the DNA structure” in an outreach laboratory. Since teaching abstract molecular phenomena is a challenge in biology classes, we combine classical experimental tasks (DNA isolation, gel electrophoresis) with creative modeling. The experiments are linked by the modeling phase: immersed in the story of the discovery of the DNA structure, our participants independently construct a DNA model from a box filled with inexpensive craft supplies (e.g., glue, straws, pipe cleaners, beads). After initial pilot testing, the implementation of our approach clearly produced short- and mid-term learning effects among the students, providing a successful example of a STEAM-based approach in a laboratory setting.
Biologically mediated silicification of marine cyanobacteria and implications for the Proterozoic fossil record
Authors: Moore Kelsey R. , Pajusalu Mihkel , Gong Jian , Sojo Victor , Matreux Thomas , Braun Dieter , Bosak Tanja
Published: May 2020

Silicification was a major mode of fossilization in Proterozoic peritidal environments, but marine silica concentrations and the chemical and biological mechanisms that drove microbial silicification and formation of early diagenetic chert in these environments remain poorly constrained. Here, we use taphonomy experiments to demonstrate that photosynthetically active cyanobacteria that are morphologically analogous to the oldest cyanobacterial fossil, Eoentophysalis, mediate the formation of magnesium-rich amorphous silica in seawater that is undersaturated with respect to silica. These results show that microbes in Proterozoic tidal environments may have mediated their own silicification at lower silica concentrations than previously assumed.
Tectonic stress controls saucer-shaped sill geometry and emplacement mechanism
Authors: Walker R.J. , Gill S.P.A.
Published: May 2020

Saucer-shaped sills are common in sedimentary basins worldwide. The saucer shape relates to asymmetric sill-tip stress distributions during intrusion caused by bending of the overburden. Most saucer-shaped sill models are constructed using a magma-analogue excess source pressure (Po) to drive host-rock failure, but without tectonic stress. Here we present axisymmetric finite-element simulations of radially propagating sills for a range of tectonic stress (σr) conditions, from horizontal tension (σr < 0) to horizontal compression (0 < σr). Response to σr falls into four regimes, based on sill geometry and failure mode of the host rock. The regimes are considered in terms of the ratio of tectonic stress versus magma source pressure R = σr/Po: (I) initially seeded sills transition to a dike during horizontal extension (R < 0); (II) with R increasing from 0 towards 1 (compressive σr), sill base length increases and sill incline decreases; (III) where 1 < R < 2, sill base length relatively decreases and sill incline increases; and (IV) where R > 2, sills grow as inclined sheets. Sills in regimes I–III grow dominantly by tensile failure of the host rock, whereas sills in regime IV grow by shear failure of the host rock. Varying σr achieves a range of sill geometries that match natural sill profiles. Tectonic stress therefore represents a primary control on saucer-shaped sill geometry and emplacement mechanism.
A 23 m.y. record of low atmospheric CO2
Authors: Cui Ying , Schubert Brian A. , Jahren A. Hope
Published: May 2020

Current atmospheric CO2 concentration is known to be higher than it has been during the past ∼800 k.y. of Earth history, based on direct measurement of CO2 within ice cores. A comparison to the more ancient past is complicated by a deficit of CO2 proxies that may be applied across very long spans of geologic time. Here, we present a new CO2 record across the past 23 m.y. of Earth history based on the δ13C value of terrestrial C3 plant remains, using a method applicable to the entire ∼400 m.y. history of C3 photosynthesis on land. Across the past 23 m.y., CO2 likely ranged between ∼230 ppmv and 350 ppmv (68% confidence interval: ∼170–540 ppm). CO2 was found to be highest during the early and middle Miocene and likely below present-day levels during the middle Pliocene (84th percentile: ∼400 ppmv). These data suggest present-day CO2 (412 ppmv) exceeds the highest levels that Earth experienced at least since the Miocene, further highlighting the present-day disruption of long-established CO2 trends within Earth’s atmosphere.
Disparities in baseline neurocognitive testing for student concussion management in Massachusetts high schools
Authors: Campbell Julia , Howland Jonathan , Hess Courtney , Nelson Kerrie , Stern Robert A , Torres Alcy , Olshaker Jonathan
Published: May 2020

Purpose

There is evidence of socioeconomic disparities with respect to the implementation of student-sports concussion laws nationally. The purpose of this study was to examine school sociodemographic characteristics associated with the provision of computerised baseline neurocognitive testing (BNT) in Massachusetts (MA) high schools, and to assess whether the scope of testing is associated with the economic status of student populations in MA.

Methods

A cross-sectional secondary analysis of surveys conducted with MA athletic directors (n=270) was employed to investigate school characteristics associated with the provision of BNT. Correlation and regression analyses were used to assess whether the scope of testing is associated with the economic status of student populations in MA.

Results

The scope of BNT was independently associated with the economic disadvantage rate (EDR) of the student population (β=−0.02, p=0.01); whether or not the school employs an athletic trainer (AT) (β=0.43, p=0.03); and school size (β=−0.54, p=0.03). In a multivariable regression model, EDR was significantly associated with the scope of baseline testing, while controlling for AT and size (β=−0.01, p=0.03, adj-R2=0.1135).

Conclusion

Among public high schools in MA, disparities in the provision of BNT for students are associated with the economic characteristics of the student body. Schools that have a greater proportion of low-income students are less likely to provide comprehensive BNT. The clinical implications of not receiving BNT prior to concussion may include diminished quality of postconcussive care, which can have short-term and long-term social, health-related and educational impacts.
Computed tomographic myocardial mass compared with invasive myocardial perfusion measurement
Authors: Keulards Daniëlle C J , Fournier Stephane , van 't Veer Marcel , Colaiori Iginio , Zelis Jo M , El Farissi Mohamed , Zimmermann Frederik M , Collet Carlos , De Bruyne Bernard , Pijls Nico H J
Published: May 2020

Objective

The prognostic importance of a coronary stenosis depends on its functional severity and its depending myocardial mass. Functional severity can be assessed by fractional flow reserve (FFR), estimated non-invasively by a specific validated CT algorithm (FFRCT). Calculation of myocardial mass at risk by that same set of CT data (CTmass), however, has not been prospectively validated so far. The aim of the present study was to compare relative territorial-based CTmass assessment with relative flow distribution, which is closely linked to true myocardial mass.

Methods

In this exploratory study, 35 patients with (near) normal coronary arteries underwent CT scanning for computed flow-based CTmass assessment and underwent invasive myocardial perfusion measurement in all 3 major coronary arteries by continuous thermodilution. Next, the mass and flows were calculated as relative percentages of total mass and perfusion.

Results

The mean difference between CTmass per territory and invasively measured myocardial perfusion, both expressed as percentage of total mass and perfusion, was 5.3±6.2% for the left anterior descending territory, −2.0±7.4% for the left circumflex territory and −3.2±3.4% for the right coronary artery territory. The intraclass correlation between the two techniques was 0.90.

Conclusions

Our study shows a close relationship between the relative mass of the perfusion territory calculated by the specific CT algorithm and invasively measured myocardial perfusion. As such, these data support the use of CTmass to estimate territorial myocardium-at-risk in proximal coronary arteries.
Endocarditis risk with bioprosthetic and mechanical valves: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Anantha-Narayanan Mahesh , Reddy Yogesh N V , Sundaram Varun , Murad Mohammad Hassan , Erwin Patricia J , Baddour Larry M , Schaff Hartzell V , Nishimura Rick A
Published: May 2020

Objective

Bioprosthetic valves are being used with increased frequency for valve replacement, with controversy regarding risk:benefit ratio compared with mechanical valves in younger patients. However, prior studies have been too small to provide comparative estimates of less common but serious adverse events such as infective endocarditis. We aimed to compare the incidence of infective endocarditis between bioprosthetic valves and mechanical valves.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, Scopus and Web of Science from inception to April 2018 for studies comparing left-sided aortic and mitral bioprosthetic to mechanical valves for randomised trials or observational studies with propensity matching. We used random-effects model for our meta-analysis. Our primary outcome of interest was the rate of infective endocarditis at follow-up.

Results

13 comparison groups with 43 941 patients were included. Mean age was 59±7 years with a mean follow-up of 10.4±5.0 years. Patients with bioprosthetic valves had a higher risk of infective endocarditis compared with patients receiving mechanical valves (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.35 to 1.88, p<0.001) with an absolute risk reduction of 9 per 1000 (95% CI 6 to 14). Heterogeneity within the included studies was low (I2=0%). Exclusion of the study with maximum weight did not change the results of the analysis (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.17, p=0.006). A meta-regression of follow-up time on incidence of infective endocarditis was not statistically significant (p=0.788) indicating difference in follow-up times did not alter the pooled risk of infective endocarditis.

Conclusions

Bioprosthetic valves may be associated with a higher risk of infective endocarditis. These data should help guide the discussion when deciding between bioprosthetic and mechanical valves in individual patients.
Fully automated intracranial aneurysm detection and segmentation from digital subtraction angiography series using an end-to-end spatiotemporal deep neural network
Authors: Jin Hailan , Geng Jiewen , Yin Yin , Hu Minghui , Yang Guangming , Xiang Sishi , Zhai Xiaodong , Ji Zhe , Fan Xinxin , Hu Peng , He Chuan , Qin Lan , Zhang Hongqi
Published: May 2020

Background

Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are common in the population and may cause death.

Objective

To develop a new fully automated detection and segmentation deep neural network based framework to assist neurologists in evaluating and contouring intracranial aneurysms from 2D+time digital subtraction angiography (DSA) sequences during diagnosis.

Methods

The network structure is based on a general U-shaped design for medical image segmentation and detection. The network includes a fully convolutional technique to detect aneurysms in high-resolution DSA frames. In addition, a bidirectional convolutional long short-term memory module is introduced at each level of the network to capture the change in contrast medium flow across the 2D DSA frames. The resulting network incorporates both spatial and temporal information from DSA sequences and can be trained end-to-end. Furthermore, deep supervision was implemented to help the network converge. The proposed network structure was trained with 2269 DSA sequences from 347 patients with IAs. After that, the system was evaluated on a blind test set with 947 DSA sequences from 146 patients.

Results

Of the 354 aneurysms, 316 (89.3%) were successfully detected, corresponding to a patient level sensitivity of 97.7% at an average false positive number of 3.77 per sequence. The system runs for less than one second per sequence with an average dice coefficient score of 0.533.

Conclusions

This deep neural network assists in successfully detecting and segmenting aneurysms from 2D DSA sequences, and can be used in clinical practice.
Intervertebral disc disease and aortic thromboembolism are the most common causes of acute paralysis in dogs and cats presenting to an emergency clinic
Authors: Rossi Graham , Stachel Alexandra , Lynch Alex M , Olby Natasha J
Published: May 2020

Background

Acute paralysis is a common presentation in small animal emergency clinics, but the aetiological prevalence has not been reported. Knowledge of diagnosis frequency aids prioritisation of differential diagnoses, facilitates resource planning and clinical trial design.

Methods

Medical records from NC State Veterinary Hospital Emergency Room were searched over a five‐year period to identify cases presenting with acute non‐ambulatory paraparesis or paralysis. Signalment and diagnosis category were extracted.

Results

Acute paralysis was the presenting problem in 845 of 21,535 (3.9 per cent) dogs and 66 of 4589 (1.4 per cent) cats admitted over this period. Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) was the most common cause (608 of 845; 72 per cent) in dogs, followed by vascular disease (34 of 845; 4.0 per cent). Other diagnostic categories accounted for the remaining 20 per cent. Dachshunds were the most common breed (263 of 845; 31.1 per cent), then Labrador retrievers (57 of 845; 6.7 per cent). In cats, aortic thromboembolism (ATE) was the most common diagnosis, occurring in 40 of 66 (60.6 per cent), followed by IVDD (7 of 66; 10.6 per cent). Other diagnostic categories accounted for 30.3 per cent. Six of 845 (0.7 per cent) dogs and two of 66 (3 per cent) cats were categorised as pseudoparalysis with a non‐neurological diagnosis.

Conclusions

IVDD and ATE are the overwhelming causes of acute paralysis in dogs and cats, respectively, with approximately 28 per cent of dogs and 40 per cent of cats having a different diagnosis.
Electrically evoked force loss of the knee extensors is equivalent for young and old females and males
Authors: Yacyshyn Alexandra F. , McNeil Chris J.
Published: May 2020

Data are scant on sex-related differences for electrically evoked contractions, which assess intrinsic contractile properties while limiting spinal and supraspinal adaptations to mitigate fatigue. Furthermore, the few studies that exist use stimulus frequencies considerably higher than the natural motor unit discharge rate for the target force. The purpose of this study was to compare force loss to electrically evoked contractions at a physiological stimulus frequency among young females (n = 12), young males (n = 12), old females (n = 11), and old males (n = 11). The quadriceps of the dominant leg were fatigued by 3 min of intermittent transcutaneous muscle belly stimulation (15 Hz stimulus train to initially evoke 25% of maximal voluntary force). Impairment of tetanic contractile impulse (area under the curve) did not differ between sexes for young or old adults or between age groups, with a pooled value of 55.2% ± 12.4% control at the end of fatigue. These data contrast with previous findings at 30 Hz, when the quadriceps of females had greater fatigue resistance than males for young and old adults. The present results highlight the impact stimulus frequency has on intrinsic fatigability of muscle; the findings have implications for future fatigue paradigms and treatment approaches when utilizing electrical stimulation for rehabilitation.

Novelty Fatigue was not different between sexes with a stimulation frequency comparable to discharge rates during voluntary contractions. These results highlight that stimulus frequency not only influences fatigue development but also between-group differences.
Effect of water and air injection on reduction of bend scour
Authors: Tamoradi Zeinab , Ahadiyan Javad
Published: May 2020

In the proposed method, air and water were injected into the 180° bend flow from both sides of a perforated tube to overcome curvature-induced secondary flows by creating a non-rigid barrier. The experimental results showed that the secondary flows were deviated from the outer bend causing a reduction in the maximum scour depth along the bend. The navigable width may also be increased by shifting the maximum scour depth from the outer wall to the centerline. On the other hand, the maximum scour depth was reduced by decreasing the distance between the perforated tube and the outer wall. For example, the maximum scour depth in the water and air injection main experiments at 130° section of the bend and two tube distances of 2.5 cm and 5 cm decreased by 88%, 91%, 63%, and 45%, respectively. With the increase in the Froude numbers, the maximum scour depth has increased.
Confronting experimental data with heavy-ion models: Rivet for heavy ions
Authors: Bierlich Christian , Buckley Andy , Christensen Christian Holm , Christiansen Peter Harald Lindenov , Duncan Cody B. , Grosse-Oetringhaus Jan Fiete , Karczmarczyk Przemyslaw , Kirchgaeßer Patrick , Klein Jochen , Lönnblad Leif , Preghenella Roberto , Rasmussen Christine O. , Stefaniak Maria , Vislavicius Vytautas
Published: May 2020

The Rivet  library is an important toolkit in particle physics, and serves as a repository for analysis data and code. It allows for comparisons between data and theoretical calculations of the final state of collision events. This paper outlines several recent additions and improvements to the framework to include support for analysis of heavy ion collision simulated data. The paper also presents examples of these recent developments and their applicability in implementing concrete physics analyses.
The soft-gluon limit and the infrared enhancement of the quark-gluon vertex
Authors: Oliveira Orlando , Frederico Tobias , de Paula Wayne
Published: May 2020

The Schwinger–Dyson quark equation (SDE) combined with results from lattice simulation for the propagators are used to obtain information on the quark-gluon vertex, taking into account the recent full QCD lattice results for the soft-gluon limit. Its inclusion leads to a clear enhancement of the infrared quark-gluon vertex. We also find that the relative contribution of the quark-ghost kernel to the quark-gluon vertex in the infrared region does not follow the rules from the perturbative analysis of the ultraviolet region. This shows that for QCD the intuition based on perturbation theory does not apply to the full momentum range. The framework developed in the current work provides analytical expressions for all the longitudinal components of vertex taken into account.
3D-Convolutional Neural Network with Generative Adversarial Network and Autoencoder for Robust Anomaly Detection in Video Surveillance
Authors: Shin Wonsup , Bu Seok-Jun , Cho Sung-Bae
Published: May 2020

As the surveillance devices proliferate, various machine learning approaches for video anomaly detection have been attempted. We propose a hybrid deep learning model composed of a video feature extractor trained by generative adversarial network with deficient anomaly data and an anomaly detector boosted by transferring the extractor. Experiments with UCSD pedestrian dataset show that it achieves 94.4% recall and 86.4% precision, which is the competitive performance in video anomaly detection.
Breakdown of the Einstein’s Equivalence Principle for a quantum body
Authors: Lebed Andrei G.
Published: May 2020

We review our recent theoretical results about inequivalence between passive gravitational mass and energy for a composite quantum body at a macroscopic level. In particular, we consider macroscopic ensembles of the simplest composite quantum bodies — hydrogen atoms. Our results are as follows. For the most ensembles, the Einstein’s Equivalence Principle is valid. On the other hand, we discuss that for some special quantum ensembles — ensembles of the coherent superpositions of the stationary quantum states in the hydrogen atoms (which we call Gravitational demons) — the Equivalence Principle between passive gravitational mass and energy is broken. We show that, for such superpositions, the expectation values of passive gravitational masses are not related to the expectation values of energies by the famous Einstein’s equation, i.e. [Formula: see text]. Possible experiments at the Earth’s laboratories are briefly discussed, in contrast to the numerous attempts and projects to discover the possible breakdown of the Einstein’s Equivalence Principle during the space missions.
Radiative correction to the Casimir energy for Lorentz-violating scalar field in d + 1 dimensions
Authors: Valuyan M. A.
Published: May 2020

The renormalization program in every renormalized theory should run consistently with the type of boundary condition imposed on quantum fields. To maintain this consistency, the counterterms usually appear in the position-dependent form. In this study, using such counterterms, we calculated the radiative correction to the Casimir energy for massive and massless Lorentz-violating scalar field constrained with Dirichlet boundary condition between two parallel plates in [Formula: see text] spatial dimensions. In the calculation procedure, to remove infinities appearing in the vacuum energies, the box subtraction scheme (BSS) supplemented by the cutoff regularization technique and analytic continuation technique was employed. Normally, in the BSS, two similar configurations are defined and their vacuum energies are subtracted from each other in the appropriate limits. Our final results regarding all spatial dimensions were convergent and consistent with the expected physical basis. We further plotted the Casimir energy density for the time-like and space-like Lorentz-violating systems in a number of odd and even dimensions; multiple aspects of the obtained results were ultimately discussed.
Bound state in a model of electromagnetic field interacting with a material plan
Authors: Pismak Yu. M. , Shukhobodskaia D.
Published: May 2020

In the model with Chern-Simons potential describing the coupling of electromagnetic field with a two-dimensional material, the possibility of the appearance of bound field states, vanishing at sufficiently large distances from interacting with its macro-objects, is considered. As an example of such two-dimensional material object we consider a homogeneous isotropic plane. Its interaction with electromagnetic field is described by a modified Maxwell equation with singular potential. The analysis of their solution shows that the bound state of field cannot arise without external charges and currents. In the model with currents and charges the Chern-Simons potential in the modified Maxwell equations creates bound state in the form of the electromagnetic wave propagating along the material plane with exponentially decreasing amplitude in the orthogonal to its direction.
A Low-Cost Image Encryption Method to Prevent Model Stealing of Deep Neural Network
Authors: Jiang Wei , Gong Zicheng , Zhan Jinyu , He Zhiyuan , Pan Weijia
Published: May 2020

Model stealing attack may happen by stealing useful data transmitted from embedded end to server end for an artificial intelligent systems. In this paper, we are interested in preventing model stealing of neural network for resource-constrained systems. We propose an Image Encryption based on Class Activation Map (IECAM) to encrypt information before transmitting in embedded end. According to class activation map, IECAM chooses certain key areas of the image to be encrypted with the purpose of reducing the model stealing risk of neural network. With partly encrypted information, IECAM can greatly reduce the time overheads of encryption/decryption in both embedded and server ends, especially for big size images. The experimental results demonstrate that our method can significantly reduce time overheads of encryption/decryption and the risk of model stealing compared with traditional methods.
Quantum limit of genuine tripartite correlations by bipartite extremality
Authors: Ozeki Hiroyuki , Ishizaka Satoshi
Published: May 2020

The characterization of the extremal points of the set of quantum correlations has attracted wide interest. In the simplest bipartite Bell scenario, a necessary and sufficient criterion for identifying extremal correlations has recently been conjectured, but extremality of tripartite correlations is not well known. In this study, we analyze tripartite extremal correlations in terms of the conjectured bipartite extremal criterion, and we demonstrate that the bipartite part of some extremal correlations satisfies the bipartite criterion, even though they violate Svetlichny’s inequality, and therefore are considered (stronger) genuine tripartite nonlocal correlations. This phenomenon arises from the fact that the conjectured extremal criterion is automatically satisfied when the violation of the Clauser–Horne–Shimony–Holt (CHSH) inequality exceeds a certain threshold, the value of which is given by the maximum CHSH violation at the edges of the probability space. This also suggests the possibility that the extremality of bipartite correlations can be certified by verifying whether the CHSH violation exceeds the threshold.
Oscillatory behavior of p53-Mdm2 system driven by transcriptional and translational time delays
Authors: Gao Chunyan , Liu Haihong , Liu Zengrong , Zhang Yuan , Yan Fang
Published: May 2020

Biological experiments clarify that p53-Mdm2 module is the core of tumor network and p53 oscillation plays an important role in determining the tumor cell fate. In this paper, we investigate the effect of time delay on the oscillatory behavior induced by Hopf bifurcation in p53-Mdm2 system. First, the stability of the unique positive equilibrium point and the existence of Hopf bifurcation are investigated by using the time delay as the bifurcation parameter and by applying the bifurcation theory. Second, the explicit criteria determining the direction of Hopf bifurcation and the stability of bifurcating periodic solutions are developed based on the normal form theory and the center manifold theorem. In addition, the combination of numerical simulation results and theoretical calculation results indicates that time delays in p53-Mdm2 system are critical for p53 oscillations. The results may help us to better understand the biological functions of p53 pathway and provide clues for treatment of cancer.
An SI integrated pest management model with pesticide resistance to susceptible pests
Authors: Li Jinyang , Huang Qingdao , Liu Bing
Published: May 2020

In this paper, epidemic diseases among pests are assumed to occur, so pests are divided into susceptible pests and infected pests, and only susceptible pests are harmful to crops. Considering spraying pesticides and releasing of natural enemies and infected pests to control pests, as well as the long-term application of the same pesticide to induce resistance, an integrated pest management with pesticide resistance is established. The pollution emission model is introduced to model the action process of pesticides, which well reflects its residual and delay effects. By using comparison theorem of impulsive differential equation and analysis method, the threshold condition for eradication of susceptible pests is obtained. Then we analyze the frequency of spraying pesticide on the success of pests control. It shows that it is not that the more frequently pesticides are applied, the better the result of the susceptible pests control is. From the sensitivity analysis, the key factors on the threshold are obtained. Finally, the strategies to control susceptible pests are given, including switching pesticides and releasing infected pests and natural enemies elastically.
Additive mappings on MA-semirings
Authors: Ahmed Yaqoub , Dudek Wieslaw A. , Aslam Muhammad
Published: May 2020

We found conditions under which additive mappings defined on additively inverse semirings and satisfying the [Formula: see text]th power property are derivations.