bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Same‐day discharge in selected patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors: Bartoletti Stefano , Mann Mandeep , Gupta Akanksha , Khan Abdul Muhaymin , Sahni Ankita , El‐Kadri Moutaz , Modi Simon , Waktare Johan , Mahida Saagar , Hall Mark , Snowdon Richard , Todd Derick , Gupta Dhiraj
Published: September 2019

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is a complex procedure, generally requiring at least one overnight hospital stay. We investigated the safety and feasibility of early mobilization and same‐day discharge following streamlined peri‐ablation management for AF.

Methods

From 2014, we offered same‐day discharge to selected patients who underwent uncomplicated AF ablation on the morning lists, with ultrasound‐guided femoral access, uninterrupted warfarin or minimal interruption in novel oral anticoagulants, and reversal of intraprocedural heparin with protamine. Patients were discharged 6‐8 h postprocedure and offered access to a dedicated nurse helpline.

Results

Of 1599 AF ablation cases performed from April 2014 to March 2017, 811 (50.7%) were performed on the morning lists and 169/811 (20.8%) were discharged on the same day. Excluding 26 research cases, 1/143 (0.7%) had transient right phrenic nerve palsy and five (3.5%) cases experienced minor problems that did not preclude same‐day discharge; three (2.1%) needed rehospitalization postdischarge: one for pericarditic chest pain and two for nausea/vomiting. Compared to 642 overnight cases, day‐case procedures were shorter, more likely to be redos, to be performed under sedation rather than general anesthesia, and less likely to involve linear lesions and electrical cardioversion. There were no significant differences in patient age, gender, body mass index, CHA2DS2‐VASc, in preprocedural anticoagulation regimen (warfarin vs novel anticoagulants vs no anticoagulation) and in choice of ablation method (cryoballoon vs radiofrequency).

Conclusions

Selective same‐day discharge after AF ablation is safe and feasible using a streamlined peri‐procedural care protocol. Wider adoption can potentially reduce health‐care costs while improving patient experience.
On the Non‐Equivalence of Trade‐ins and Upgrades in the Presence of Framing Effect: Experimental Evidence and Implications for Theory
Authors: Mahmoudzadeh Mahdi
Published: September 2019

Manufacturers of durable goods often buy back older versions of their products from customers to encourage them to switch to improved versions and to create control over product return streams in their closed‐loop systems. Classical models and conventional wisdom have long ignored that the framing of these buyback schemes, whether through trade‐ins or upgrades, can matter for theory. Using the reference‐point shift mechanism, we provide experimental evidence that the alternative frames are not equivalent and that the framing effect induces customers to change which prices they anchor to as their reference points for the price for their current version. We then use the experimental findings to extend a reference‐dependence version of the classical model of trade‐ins and upgrades and show how the behavioral extension modifies key predictions of the classical model and provides predictions more in line with today's durable goods markets.
Thermoelastic Interactions in a Slim Strip Due to a Moving Heat Source Under Dual-Phase-Lag Heat Transfer
Authors: Sarkar Nantu , Mondal Sudip
Published: September 2019

Following the link of work of He and Cao (2009, Math. Comput. Modell., 49(7–8), 1719–1720), we employ the theory of generalized thermoelasticity with dual-phase-lag (DPL) to study the transient phenomena in a thin slim strip due to a moving heat source. Both ends of the strip are assumed to be fixed and thermally insulated. Using Laplace transform as a tool, the problem has been transformed into the space-domain and solved analytically. Finally, solutions in the real-time domain are obtained by applying the inverse Laplace transform. Numerical calculation for stress, displacement, and temperature within the strip are carried out and presented graphically. The effect of moving heat source speed on temperature, stress, and displacement is studied. The temperature, displacement, and stress in the strip are found to be decreasing at large source speed.
Protective Headgear Attenuates Forces on the Inner Table and Pressure in the Brain Parenchyma During Blast and Impact: An Experimental Study Using a Simulant-Based Surrogate Model of the Human Head
Authors: Azar Austin , Bhagavathula Kapil Bharadwaj , Hogan James , Ouellet Simon , Satapathy Sikhanda , Dennison Christopher R.
Published: September 2019

Military personnel sustain head and brain injuries as a result of ballistic, blast, and blunt impact threats. Combat helmets are meant to protect the heads of these personnel during injury events. Studies show peak kinematics and kinetics are attenuated using protective headgear during impacts; however, there is limited experimental biomechanical literature that examines whether or not helmets mitigate peak mechanics delivered to the head and brain during blast. While the mechanical links between blast and brain injury are not universally agreed upon, one hypothesis is that blast energy can be transmitted through the head and into the brain. These transmissions can lead to rapid skull flexure and elevated pressures in the cranial vault, and, therefore, may be relevant in determining injury likelihood. Therefore, it could be argued that assessing a helmet for the ability to mitigate mechanics may be an appropriate paradigm for assessing the potential protective benefits of helmets against blast. In this work, we use a surrogate model of the head and brain to assess whether or not helmets and eye protection can alter mechanical measures during both head-level face-on blast and high forehead blunt impact events. Measurements near the forehead suggest head protection can attenuate brain parenchyma pressures by as much as 49% during blast and 52% during impact, and forces on the inner table of the skull by as much as 80% during blast and 84% during impact, relative to an unprotected head.
Highlights from this issue
Authors: Brown Nick
Published: September 2019

Click here to listen to the Podcast
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy triggered by wasabi consumption: can sushi break your heart?
Authors: Finkel-Oron Alona , Olchowski Judith , Jotkowitz Alan , Barski Leonid
Published: September 2019

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a left ventricular dysfunction that typically occurs after sudden intense emotional or physical stress and mimics myocardial infarction. We describe a case of a 60-year-old woman that presented to the emergency department with chest pain after she attended a wedding and ate a large amount of wasabi, assuming it to be an avocado. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of takotsubo cardiomyopathy triggered by wasabi consumption.
Preventing catastrophic injury and death in collegiate athletes: interassociation recommendations endorsed by 13 medical and sports medicine organisations
Authors: Parsons John T , Anderson Scott A , Casa Douglas J , Hainline Brian
Published: September 2019

The following organisations endorsed this document: American Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine, College Athletic Trainers’ Society, Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, Korey Stringer Institute, National Athletic Trainers’ Association, National Strength and Conditioning Association, National Operating Committee for Standards on Athletic Equipment, Sports Neuropsychology Society. The following organisation has affirmed the value of this document: American Academy of Neurology.

The Second Safety in College Football Summit resulted in interassociation consensus recommendations for three paramount safety issues in collegiate athletics: (1) independent medical care for collegiate athletes; (2) diagnosis and management of sport-related concussion; and (3) year-round football practice contact for collegiate athletes. This document, the fourth arising from the 2016 event, addresses the prevention of catastrophic injury, including traumatic and non-traumatic death, in collegiate athletes. The final recommendations in this document are the result of presentations and discussions on key items that occurred at the summit. After those presentations and discussions, endorsing organisation representatives agreed on 18 foundational statements that became the basis for this consensus paper that has been subsequently reviewed by relevant stakeholders and endorsing organisations. This is the final endorsed document for preventing catastrophic injury and death in collegiate athletes. This document is divided into the following components. (1) Background—this section provides an overview of catastrophic injury and death in collegiate athletes. (2) Interassociation recommendations: preventing catastrophic injury and death in collegiate athletes—this section provides the final recommendations of the medical organisations for preventing catastrophic injuries in collegiate athletes. (3) Interassociation recommendations: checklist—this section provides a checklist for each member school. The checklist statements stem from foundational statements voted on by representatives of medical organisations during the summit, and they serve as the primary vehicle for each member school to implement the prevention recommendations. (4) References—this section provides the relevant references for this document. (5) Appendices—this section lists the foundational statements, agenda, summit attendees and medical organisations that endorsed this document.
Endoscopic ultrasound in the assessment of advanced duodenal adenomatosis in familial adenomatous polyposis
Authors: Labib Peter L , Goodchild George , Turbett James P , Skipworth James , Shankar Arjun , Johnson Gavin , Clark Sue , Latchford Andrew , Pereira Stephen P
Published: September 2019

Objective

Current surveillance strategies for duodenal adenomatosis in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) miss malignancies and underestimate cancer risk in ampullary disease. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the assessment of FAP patients with duodenal and/or ampullary polyposis referred for surgical intervention.

Design

A retrospective analysis of FAP patients undergoing index EUS between December 2006 and May 2015 was performed. Follow-up was completed in January 2018, including review of all EUS procedures and surgical interventions (median follow-up 6 years).

Results

Fifty-five patients underwent 188 EUS procedures. Six patients (11%) developed malignancy (three duodenal, three ampullary). Ampullary cancer risk was underestimated by Spigelman stage and overestimated by Kashiwagi classification. Ultrasound findings were poor predictors of malignancy, with common bile duct dilatation being the only finding present in one EUS prior to a diagnosis of ampullary cancer. The best predictors of ampullary malignancy were an ampullary polyp size >3 cm and an increase >1 cm in ampullary polyp size. Ampullary polyp size >3 cm provided the best predictive value, correctly identifying two of the three cases of ampullary cancer and both patients with high-grade dysplasia. EUS biopsy failed to detect malignancy later confirmed by surgical histology in two patients.

Conclusion

EUS surveillance confers little additional benefit to standard endoscopic surveillance in FAP patients. The best predictor of ampullary malignancy is an ampullary polyp >3 cm; this could be regarded as a relative indication for surgery.
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator drugs reduce mechanical allodynia in a mouse model of low back pain
Authors: Das Vaskar , Kroin Jeffrey S , Moric Mario , McCarthy Robert J , Buvanendran Asokumar
Published: September 2019

Background and objectives

Intervertebral disc herniation is one of the common causes of low back pain. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator drugs have been shown to reduce pain in several animal models. The present study examines if early treatment with the drug metformin, an indirect AMPK activator, and/or O304, a new direct AMPK activator, can reduce the mechanical hypersensitivity that develops after lumbar disc puncture in mice.

Methods

The L4/L5 and L5/L6 discs in male and female mice were exposed via a retroperitoneal approach and a single puncture was made at the midline of each disc. Mice were randomized into four drug treatment groups: (1) vehicle; (2) metformin 200 mg/kg; (3) O304 200 mg/kg; (4) metformin 100 mg/kg plus O304 100 mg/kg; plus one untreated sham surgery group. Drugs were administered by oral gavage starting 7 days after disc puncture and repeated for six more days. Mechanical allodynia in the plantar hindpaw was measured presurgery and up to day 28.

Results

7 days after disc puncture, female mice had lower von Frey thresholds than male mice, difference −0.46 g, 95% CI −0.34 to −0.60, p<0.001. Gender adjusted von Frey area under the curve’s (AUC’s) between days 7 and 28 for metformin and/or O304 were greater (reduced allodynia) compared with vehicle-treated mice. The difference of mean AUC’s was: metformin, 41.1 g*d, 95% CI of the difference 26.4 to 54.5, O304, 44.7 g*d, 95% CI of the difference 31.0 to 57.4, drug combination: 33.4 g*d; 95% CI of the difference 18.1 to 46.9. No gender by treatment interactions were observed.

Conclusions

Lumbar disc puncture in mice produces consistent mechanical hypersensitivity, and postinjury treatment with AMPK activator drugs (indirect and direct) reduces the mechanical hypersensitivity.
Modelling landscape genetic connectivity of the mountain pine beetle in western Canada
Authors: Wittische Julian , Janes Jasmine K. , James Patrick M.A.
Published: September 2019

The current mountain pine beetle (MPB; Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins, 1902) outbreak has reached more than 25 million hectares of forests in North America, affecting pine species throughout the region and substantially changing landscapes. However, landscape features that enhance or limit dispersal during the geographic expansion associated with the outbreak are poorly understood. One of the obstacles in evaluating the effects of landscape features on dispersal is the parameterization of resistance surfaces, which are often constructed based on biased expert opinion or by making assumptions in the calculation of ecological distances. In this study, we assessed the impact of four environmental variables on MPB genetic connectivity across western Canada. We optimized resistance surfaces using genetic algorithms and models of maximum likelihood population effects, based on pairwise genetic distances and ecological distances calculated using random-walk commute-time distances. Unlike other methods for the development of resistance surfaces, this approach does not make a priori assumptions about the direction or shape of the relationships between environmental features and their cost to movement. We found highest support for a composite resistance surface including elevation and climate. These results further the understanding of MPB movement during an outbreak. Additionally, we demonstrated how to use our results for management purposes.
Sugar maple autumn-shed leaf extract: a potential antibacterial agent for the management of lettuce bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians) and varnish spot (Pseudomonas cichorii)
Authors: Delisle-Houde M. , Tweddell R.J.
Published: September 2019

Different extracts prepared from wastes (barks, branches, needles, or leaves) of different trees (grey alder, balsam fir, American larch, red maple, sugar maple, white spruce, black spruce, jack pine, white pine, quaking aspen, sweet cherry, and northern red oak) were investigated for their potential use as antibacterial agents for the management of lettuce varnish spot and bacterial leaf spot caused by Pseudomonas cichorii (Swingle) Stapp and Xanthomonas campestris pv. vitians (Brown) Dye, respectively. Extracts were first screened for their antibacterial activities against P. cichorii and X. campestris pv. vitians using the in vitro disk diffusion assay. Based on the diameter of the inhibition zone, ethanol (95%) extract prepared from sugar maple autumn-shed leaves (SMASL) and aqueous ethanol (50%, v/v) extracts prepared from SMASL and from sugar maple green leaves showed the strongest antibacterial activities. Ethanol (95%) SMASL extract was further investigated for its efficacy to manage bacterial diseases when applied on lettuce plants grown in the greenhouse. Foliar application of ethanol (95%) SMASL extract at a concentration of 3.2 g L−1 was shown to significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduce bacterial leaf spot severity compared with the control without causing phytotoxicity symptoms that could prevent the commercial marketing of the lettuce. Ethanol (95%) SMASL extract (1.6 and 3.2 g L−1) was also shown to significantly reduce varnish spot severity in one experiment out of two. This study identifies for the first time the possibility of exploiting SMASL to manage bacterial diseases affecting horticultural crops.
Extension of the standard model of electroweak interaction and Dark Matter in the tangent bundle geometry
Authors: Herrmann Joachim
Published: September 2019

A generalized theory of electroweak interaction is developed based on the underlying geometrical structure of the tangent bundle with symmetries arising from transformations of tangent vectors along the fiber axis at a fixed spacetime point given by the SO(3,1) group. Electroweak interaction beyond the standard model (SM) is described by the little groups$$ SU(2)\otimes E^{c}(2)$$SU(2)⊗Ec(2)($$E^{c}(2)$$Ec(2)is the central extended Euclidian group) which includes the group$$SU(2)\otimes U(1)$$SU(2)⊗U(1)as a limit case. In addition to isospin and hypercharge, two additional quantum numbers arise which explain the existence of families in the SM. The connection coefficients yield the SM gauge potentials but also hypothetical gauge bosons and other hypothetical particles as a Higgs family as well as candidate Dark Matter particles are predicted. Several important consequences for the interaction between dark fermions, dark scalars or dark vector gauge bosons with each other and with SM Higgs and Z-bosons are described.
One-dimensional soliton system of gauged kink and Q-ball
Authors: Loginov A. Yu. , Gauzshtein V. V.
Published: September 2019

In the present paper, we consider a $$(1 + 1)$$(1+1)-dimensional gauge model consisting of two complex scalar fields interacting with each other through an Abelian gauge field. When the model’s gauge coupling constants are set to zero, the model possesses non-gauged Q-ball and kink solutions that do not interact with each other. It is shown here that for nonzero gauge coupling constants, the model has a soliton solution describing the system that consists of interacting Q-ball and kink components. These two components of the kink-Q-ball system have opposite electric charges, meaning that the total electric charge of the system vanishes. The properties of the kink-Q-ball system are studied both analytically and numerically. In particular, it was found that the system possesses a nonzero electric field and is unstable with respect to small perturbations in the fields.
MHD Blasius flow of radiative Williamson nanofluid over a vertical plate
Authors: Hamid Aamir , Hashim  , Khan Masood , Alghamdi Metib
Published: September 2019

The flow characteristics of Williamson nanofluids flow caused by a permeable vertical plate are investigated in this research. Influence of magnetic field on mixed convection flow in the presence of thermal radiation and heat source/sink is further studied. To develop the mathematical model of Williamson nanofluids, we employ the Brownian motion and thermophoresis impacts. By using Sparrow–Quack–Boerner local nonsimilarity method, the governing equations are transformed into a set of ordinary differential equations. Additionally, the obtained equations are numerically tackled by employing an efficient Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method with MATLAB. The effect of emerging parameters on dimensionless velocity, temperature and concentration as well as the skin friction coefficient, the local Nusselt number and a local Sherwood number are explored with the help of graphs. The results indicate that as the value of buoyancy parameter increases, the nanofluid temperature and concentration decrease, whereas the velocity distribution increases. Further, the skin friction coefficient is increased with the higher buoyancy parameter. On the other hand, the rate of heat transfer is decreased by Brownian motion parameter. A comparison with the previous data in the literature shows good agreement with the obtained results.
Thermodynamic functions of a relativistic electron gas on a tube in a magnetic field
Authors: Gleizer N. V. , Ermolaev A. M. , Rashba G. I.
Published: September 2019

On the basis of the one-particle Dirac equation, an exact solution for the problem of the energy spectrum of a relativistic electron on the surface of a tube in a magnetic field is obtained. The spectra of a relativistic rotator and a relativistic electron in a two-dimensional electron gas are obtained in limiting cases. The density of electron states and the main thermodynamic functions of a relativistic electron gas on a tube in a magnetic field are calculated. These values experience Aharonov–Bohm oscillations and oscillations of the de Haas–van Alphen type with a change of the magnetic field and parameters of the problem. The asymptotics of thermodynamic functions at low- and high-temperatures are obtained. The results can be used in studies of nanotubes of a two-dimensional electron gas and in astrophysics.
Finite-time boundedness for time-delay neural networks with external disturbances via weight learning approaches
Authors: Yan Zhilian , Zhou Youmei , Huang Xia , Zhou Jianping
Published: September 2019

This paper addresses the issue of finite-time boundedness for time-delay neural networks with external disturbances via weight learning. With the help of a group of inequalities and combining with the Lyapunov theory, weight learning rules are devised to ensure the neural networks to be finite-time bounded for the fixed connection weight matrix case and the fixed delayed connection weight matrix case, respectively. Sufficient conditions on the existence of the desired learning rules are presented in the form of linear matrix inequalities, which are easily verified by MATLAB software. It is shown that the proposed learning rules also guarantee the finite-time stability of the time-delay neural networks. Finally, a numerical example is employed to show the applicability of the devised weight learning rules.
An Introductory Study on an Architecture-Based Software Product Line Test Generation Method
Authors: Lee Jihyun
Published: September 2019

Architecture-based testing allows test engineers to focus on the structure of complicated software and the interactions between software components that constitute the architecture of a software product. By observing and controlling the connections and interactions between components of complex or large systems during software testing, architecture-based testing can detect and localize such faults at those locations. The complexity of software product line testing is high because an implementation under test contains variability given the different binding times and is used by multiple products. This paper introduces how architecture-based testing is applied to test generation for a software product line and examines the strengths of the proposed method against existing software product line testing methods. The paper also illustrates the use of product line architecture and architectural artifacts to generate product line interaction tests. It was found that architecture-based testing can be applied to software product line test generation by tailoring it to deal with variability and product-line specific processes. The results of a comparison with existing methods show that architecture-based software product line test generation provides better capabilities in terms of variability in the testing stage, the explicit formation and application of binding, test coverage, and architectural awareness.
Algorithms for Euclidean Degree Bounded Spanning Tree Problems
Authors: Andersen Patrick J. , Ras Charl J.
Published: September 2019

Given a set of points in the Euclidean plane, the Euclidean [Formula: see text]-minimum spanning tree ([Formula: see text]-MST) problem is the problem of finding a spanning tree with maximum degree no more than [Formula: see text] for the set of points such the sum of the total length of its edges is minimum. Similarly, the Euclidean [Formula: see text]-minimum bottleneck spanning tree ([Formula: see text]-MBST) problem, is the problem of finding a degree-bounded spanning tree for a set of points in the plane such that the length of the longest edge is minimum. When [Formula: see text], these two problems may yield disjoint sets of optimal solutions for the same set of points. In this paper, we perform computational experiments to compare the accuracies of a variety of heuristic and approximation algorithms for both these problems. We develop heuristics for these problems and compare them with existing algorithms. We also describe a new type of edge swap algorithm for these problems that outperforms all the algorithms we tested.
A plausible solution to the problem of initial conditions for inflation
Authors: Das Suratna , Rangarajan Raghavan
Published: September 2019

We propose yet another solution to the initial condition problem of inflation associated with homogeneity beyond the horizon at the onset of inflation, in cases where inflation is preceded by a radiation era. One may argue that causality will allow for smoothness over the causal horizon scale [Formula: see text], but for thermal inflationary scenarios, the background inflaton field will only be correlated over the thermal correlation length [Formula: see text] which is much smaller than [Formula: see text]. We argue, with examples, that if the number of relativistic degrees of freedom in the preinflationary era is very large [Formula: see text] then the thermal correlation length can be of the order of the causal horizon size alleviating the initial conditions problem of inflation.
STUDYING THE INTERNAL STRESS HETEROGENEITY OF THE GROWING BIOFILM BY THE MICROPILLAR DEFORMATION OF THE GROWING SUBSTRATE
Authors: WANG XIAOLING , WANG ZHAOCAN , SHEN XING , KONG YUHAO , ZHAO HUI , YAN XIAOQIANG
Published: September 2019

The bacterial biofilm is a microbial community in which bacteria are embedded in the extracellular matrix and can also be used as a solid composite. It was found that internal stresses are generated during pellicle growth, which exists between the air and the liquid. But we do not know if there is the internal stress in the biofilm, which exists between the air and the solid, and how does the internal stress evolve and distribute in the growing biofilm. So, in this paper, we make the growing substrate into the micropillar array to grow biofilms, each micropillar has the deformation due to the growing heterogeneity of the biofilm around the micropillar, and we can get the internal stress by measuring each micropillar’s deformation. First, we find that the direction of the internal stress is approximately along the biofilm expansion at the early time, colonies are formed in the biofilm at the later time, which cause the internal stress locally along the expansion of the colony. Second, the internal stress is proportional to the biofilm thickness. Finally, we find that the matrix producing cells contribute more the internal stress, and the internal stress evolving is closely related to the secretion of the extracellular matrix. Form our work, we obtain the distribution of the internal stress direction, we also can use the biofilm thickness, which is easy to measure, express the internal stress approximately, by doing so, we can further study other phenomena of biofilms, such as self-healing and mechanical resistance.
Groundwater chemical characteristics and circulation mode in the Suixiao coal-mining district
Authors: Liu Yanxian , Chen Luwang , He Yudi , Wang Lanting , Zhang Jie , Chen Yifei
Published: September 2019

Groundwater recharge and runoff conditions are ascertained in the Suixiao coal-mining district using the hydrogen and oxygen isotopes and the trace elements in the unconsolidated pore aquifer of the Cenozoic group, the fissured sandstone aquifer of the Permian system, and the karst fissured limestone aquifer of the Carboniferous Taiyuan Formation and the Ordovician system, which are the main recharge aquifers during coal mining. The main water–rock interactions are pyrite oxidation, cation exchange and adsorption, and carbonate acidification, which are educed by principal component analysis of conventional ions. These results combined with geological conditions prove that hydraulic connection exists generally between the main recharge aquifers, and the groundwater circulation is controlled by faults in the sandstone and limestone aquifers. The water–rock interaction is very weak in the east of the district, which is proved to be a recharge area by Fisher discriminant analysis. This study provides the theoretical basis for the hydrochemistry exploration and the establishment of a water-inrush warning system in a concealed coalfield.
Dominating Sets Construction in RF-based Battery-free Sensor Networks with Full Coverage Guarantee
Authors: Shi Tuo , Cheng Siyao , Li Jianzhong , Gao Hong , Cai Zhipeng
Published: September 2019

A new network architecture, named as RF-based battery-free sensor network, was proposed in recent years to overcome the lifetime limitation of traditional wireless sensor networks. In an RF-based battery-free sensor network, the battery-free nodes equip no battery and can be recharged by RF-signals. The Dominating Set (DS) is a key method to maintain the coverage of traditional WSNs, and it can be also adopted in the RF-based battery-free sensor networks. However, considering the specific features of RF-based battery-free sensor networks, the DS construction is totally different from that in traditional WSNs. Thus, the problem of constructing DS in a battery-free sensor network is deeply investigated in this article. The NP-Hardness of such problem is proved. Four approximation algorithms are proposed to deal with the snapshot and continuous DS construction requirements, respectively. The approximation ratios of these four algorithms have been analyzed, and the theoretical results show that all these four algorithms are effective. Furthermore, the electromagnetic interference problem in the RF-based battery-free sensor network is considered and defined. An approximated algorithm is proposed to solve such problem. Finally, extensive simulations are carried out. The experimental results verify that the proposed algorithms have high performance in terms of accuracy and efficiency.
Retooling a Blood-Based Biomarker: Phase I Assessment of the High-Affinity CA19-9 Antibody HuMab-5B1 for Immuno-PET Imaging of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Lohrmann Christian , O'Reilly Eileen M. , O'Donoghue Joseph A. , Pandit-Taskar Neeta , Carrasquillo Jorge A. , Lyashchenko Serge K. , Ruan Shutian , Teng Rebecca , Scholz Wolfgang , Maffuid Paul W. , Lewis Jason S. , Weber Wolfgang A.
Published: September 2019

Purpose:

In patients with cancer who have an abnormal biomarker finding, the source of the biomarker in the bloodstream must be located for confirmation of diagnosis, staging, and therapy planning. We evaluated if immuno-PET with the radiolabeled high-affinity antibody HuMab-5B1 (MVT-2163), binding to the cancer antigen CA19-9, can identify the source of elevated biomarkers in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Patients and Methods:

In this phase I dose-escalating study, 12 patients with CA19-9–positive metastatic malignancies were injected with MVT-2163. Within 7 days, all patients underwent a total of four whole-body PET/CT scans. A diagnostic CT scan was performed prior to injection of MVT-2163 to correlate findings on MVT-2163 PET/CT.

Results:

Immuno-PET with MVT-2163 was safe and visualized known primary tumors and metastases with high contrast. In addition, radiotracer uptake was not only observed in metastases known from conventional CT, but also seen in subcentimeter lymph nodes located in typical metastatic sites of pancreatic cancer, which were not abnormal on routine clinical imaging studies. A significant fraction of the patients demonstrated very high and, over time, increased uptake of MVT-2163 in tumor tissue, suggesting that HuMab-5B1 labeled with beta-emitting radioisotopes may have the potential to deliver therapeutic doses of radiation to cancer cells.

Conclusions:

Our study shows that the tumor antigen CA19-9 secreted to the circulation can be used for sensitive detection of primary tumors and metastatic disease by immuno-PET. This significantly broadens the number of molecular targets that can be used for PET imaging and offers new opportunities for noninvasive characterization of tumors in patients.
Cigarette Smoking and the Risk of Cutaneous Melanoma: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Sondermeijer Liesbeth , Lamboo Lieke G.E. , de Waal Anne C. , Galesloot Tessel E. , Kiemeney Lambertus A.L.M. , van Rossum Michelle , Aben Katja H.
Published: September 2019

Objective: Previous studies regarding cigarette smoking causing a lower risk of melanoma are inconclusive. Here, we re-examined melanoma risk in relation to cigarette smoking in a large, case-control study. Methods: In total 1,157 patients with melanoma diagnosed between 2003 and 2011 in the Netherlands and 5,595 controls from the Nijmegen Biomedical Study were included. Information concerning smoking habits and known risk factors for melanoma were obtained through self-administered questionnaires. Logistic regression analyses stratified by gender were performed to study the risk of cigarette smoking on melanoma risk, adjusted for age, marital status, highest level of education, skin type, sun vacation, use of solarium, time spent outdoors, and sun protective measures. Results: Among men, current and former smokers did not have a higher risk of melanoma compared to never smokers: adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.56 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40–0.79) and adjusted OR = 0.50 (95% CI: 0.39–0.64), respectively. With an increasing number of years smoked the risk of melanoma decreased: <20 years: OR = 0.61 (95% CI: 0.46–0.80); 21–40 years: OR = 0.50 (95% CI: 0.37–0.68); >40 years: OR = 0.26 (95% CI: 0.15–0.44). No clear trend was found for the number of cigarettes smoked. Results for females were less clear and not statistically significant (current smoker: adjusted OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.74–1.26, former smoker: adjusted OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.73–1.08). Conclusion: This study shows a strong inverse association between cigarette smoking and melanoma risk in men. Fundamental laboratory research is necessary to investigate the biological relation between smoking cigarettes and melanoma.
Evaluation of Novel Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis of Acute Kidney Injury in Asphyxiated Full-Term Newborns: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zhang Bili , Wang Dan , Shi Wujuan , Zheng Anjie
Published: September 2019

Objectives: To investigate the changes of serum cystatin C (Cys-C), beta 2-microglobulin (β2-MG), urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and alpha 1-microglobulin (α1-MG) in asphyxiated neonates, and to evaluate the value of combined detection of multiple biomarkers in the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in asphyxiated neonates. Methods: A total of 110 full-term asphyxiated and 30 healthy neonates were included. The asphyxia neonates were divided into AKI and non-AKI groups. Serum Cys-C, β2-MG, urine NGAL, and α1-MG were measured 24 h after birth. The diagnostic value of the biomarkers was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: There was no significant difference in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen among the control group, moderate asphyxia group, and severe asphyxia group at 24 h after birth. Significant differences were noticed in terms of serum Cys-C, β2-MG, urinary NGAL, and α1-MG among the 3 groups. Moreover, with the aggravation of asphyxia, the above indicators gradually increased. There were significant differences in the 4 indicators between the AKI and non-AKI groups (p < 0.05). The area under the ROC curve of the above indicators was 0.670, 0.689, 0.865, and 0.617, respectively (p < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of the combined diagnosis of asphyxia neonatorum AKI with the 4 indicators were 0.974 and 0.506, respectively. Conclusions: Serum Cys-C, β2-MG, urine NGAL, and α1-MG are early specific indicators for the diagnosis of renal injury after neonatal asphyxia. Combined detection of these parameters could aid clinical evaluation of renal injury in asphyxiated neonates.
NfL (Neurofilament Light Chain) Levels as a Predictive Marker for Long-Term Outcome After Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Uphaus Timo , Bittner Stefan , Gröschel Sonja , Steffen Falk , Muthuraman Muthuraman , Wasser Katrin , Weber-Krüger Mark , Zipp Frauke , Wachter Rolf , Gröschel Klaus
Published: September 2019

Background and Purpose—

Ischemic stroke causes major disability as a consequence of neuronal loss and recurrent ischemic events. Biomarkers predicting tissue damage or stroke recurrence might be useful to guide an individualized stroke therapy. NfL (neurofilament light chain) is a promising biomarker that might be used for this purpose.

Methods—

We used individual data of patients with an acute ischemic stroke and clinical long term follow-up. Serum NfL (sNfL) was quantified within 24 hours after admission and after 1 year and compared with other biomarkers (GDF15 [growth differentiation factor 15], S100, NT-proBNP [N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide], ANP [atrial natriuretic peptide], and FABP [fatty acid–binding protein]). The primary end point was functional outcome after 90 days and cerebrovascular events and death (combined cardiovascular end point) within 36 months of follow-up.

Results—

Two hundred eleven patients (mean age, 68.7 years; SD, ±12.6; 41.2% women) with median clinical severity on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 3 (interquartile range, 1–5) and long-term follow-up with a median of 41.8 months (interquartile range, 40.0–44.5) were prospectively included. We observed a significant correlation between sNfL and NIHSS at hospital admission (r=0.234;
P
<0.001). sNfL levels increased with the grade of age-related white matter changes (
P
<0.001) and were able to predict unfavorable clinical outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, ≥2) 90 days after stroke (odds ratio [OR], 1.562; 95% CI, 1.003–2.433;
P
=0.048) together with NIHSS (OR, 1.303; 95% CI, 1.164–1.458;
P
<0.001) and age-related white matter change rating (severe; OR, 3.326; 95% CI, 1.186–9.326;
P
=0.022). Similarly, sNfL was valuable for the prediction of the combined cardiovascular end point (OR, 2.002; 95% CI, 1.213–3.302;
P
=0.007), besides NIHSS (OR, 1.110; 95% CI, 1.000–1.232;
P
=0.049), diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.942; 95% CI, 1.306–6.630;
P
=0.005), and age-related white matter change rating (severe; OR, 4.816; 95% CI, 1.206–19.229;
P
=0.026) after multivariate regression analysis. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significantly more combined cardiovascular end points (18 [14.1%] versus 38 [45.8%], log-rank test
P
<0.001) during long-term follow-up in patients with elevated sNfL levels.

Conclusions—

sNFL is a valuable biomarker for functional independence 90 days after ischemic stroke and predicts cardiovascular long-term outcome.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.isrctn.com
. Unique identifier: ISRCTN 46104198.
Sounding Dispersal as a Route to Empathy with the Changing Arctic
Authors: Austen Kat
Published: September 2019

This article elaborates on the new media musical project The Matter of the Soul: its background, theoretical approach, methods and realization. The Matter of the Soul is a musical, sculptural and performance work. It aims to engender empathy in humans with the process of dispersal and transformation in the Arctic amid the climate crisis. The work draws an analogy between human migration, the movement of water from ice to ocean in the Arctic and changing identity online.
Reducing the Effect of Imperfect Microphone and Speaker in Audio Feedback Systems
Authors: Atassi Lilac
Published: September 2019

An audio feedback system that iteratively uses a room as a sound filter can be an artistic medium generating fascinating sounds. In this system, the room is not the only component acting as a filter. The sound system component, i.e. the speaker and microphone, also can have a sizeable impact on the sound in each iteration. To make sure the relative influence of the room on the sound is revealed and not masked by the audio system, the author proposes using a common calibration method at the end of each iteration. The mathematical model of the system is used to explain the reasoning behind the use of this method. Following this procedure, the author conducted an experiment that shows sound interaction with the room over time being captured in the artwork.
3D Notations and the Immersive Score
Authors: Kim-Boyle David
Published: September 2019

The author discusses his use of generative three-dimensional notations for representing musical forms. Several key works, programmed in the Max/OpenGL platform, are described in detail, and the author discusses current development with Microsoft’s HoloLens. The author argues that such immersive technology promotes a physical engagement with the score in which the work is an emergent property of an open-ended play.
A Computational System for Violin: Synthesis and Dissolution in Windowless
Authors: Thorn Seth Dominicus
Published: September 2019

This article provides an overview of a real-time, hybrid computational system for the violin, Windowless. The system uses a custom sensor glove, the alto.glove, to track the violinist’s movements and drive a panoply of unique digital sound processing effects. The author describes the operations of the system in terms of a broad notion of synthesis, consis-tency, microintervallic motions and molecular operations. A threefold approach combining dense sonic physics, “loose” computational procedures and high system responsiveness creates a rich and thick performative medium with a vapor-like, particulate level of textural and bitwise computational detail.
Approaches to Composition in Visual Music: An Artist’s Reflection on Three Original Pieces
Authors: Payling Dave
Published: September 2019

This article discusses the author’s visual music compositional practice in the context of similar work in this field. It specifically examines three pieces created between 2015 and 2017 that fused digital animation techniques with electronic sound. This approach contrasted with the author’s earlier compositions, which featured electroacoustic music and video concrète.
Enacting Sonic-Cyborg Performance through the Hybrid Body in Teka-Mori and Why Should Our Bodies End at the Skin?
Authors: Hsu Aurie , Kemper Steven
Published: September 2019

In “A Cyborg Manifesto,” Donna Haraway explores implications of the increasing hybridization of humans and machines. While society has long been concerned with the encroachment of technology onto human activity, Haraway challenges this concern, suggesting instead a kinship between organism and machine, a hybrid body. A sonic-cyborg performance realizes this understanding of the human-machine hybrid through movement and sound, incorporating a “kinesonic” approach to composition and an exploration of “mechatronic” expression. In this article, the authors describe their approach to enacting sonic-cyborg performance by outlining the creative framework and associated technologies involved in two collaborative pieces that explore questions of fluidity between organism and machine: Teka-Mori and Why Should Our Bodies End at the Skin?
Sound Appropriation and Musical Borrowing as a Compositional Tool in New Electroacoustic Music
Authors: Vasquez Juan Carlos
Published: September 2019

This text presents a compact historical survey of musical borrowing and sound appropriation from medieval chant through the latest digital experiments outside popular music involving extensive use of sampling. It then describes two artistic research projects consisting of a series of pieces that digitally reimagine selected works from the classical music repertoire, including thoughts about the contemporary relevance of giving new life to classical music through the perspective of new media.
Nam June Paik’s Unpublished Korean Article and His Interactive Musique Concrète Projects
Authors: Ha Byeongwon
Published: September 2019

Nam June Paik was a pioneering creator of interactive sound art before he became a cult figure in the field of video art. While Paik gradually developed interactive sound art in West Germany, he wrote several articles about contemporary music in Europe. Specifically, a musique concrète article for Korean readers is significant as a seed of his interactive projects. This study examines the content of the music article and articulates the relationship between musique concrète and Paik’s interactive sound projects: Record Shashlik (1963) and Random Access (1963).
Turning Water into Wine
Authors: Orozco-Giraldo Consuelo , Harris Paul L.
Published: September 2019

Young children judge that violations of ordinary, causal constraints are impossible. Yet children’s religious beliefs typically include the assumption that such violations can occur via divine agency in the form of miracles. We conducted two studies to examine this potential conflict. In Study 1, we invited 5- and 6-year-old Colombian children attending either a secular or a religious school to judge what is and is not possible. Children made their judgments either following a minimal prompt or following a reminder of God’s extraordinary powers. Irrespective of their education, and whether or not they had been reminded of God’s extraordinary powers, children systematically judged violations of ordinary, causal constraints to be impossible. In Study 2, we asked if more extensive reminders of God’s special powers would prompt religious children to say that the impossible can happen. Five- and 6-year-old Colombian children attending either a secular or a religious school were presented with narratives in which the protagonist desired an ordinarily impossible outcome. In half the stories, the protagonist prayed to God for the desired outcome. Irrespective of education and of whether the protagonist prayed, children systematically concluded that the desired outcome would not occur and justified that conclusion by reference to ordinary causal constraints. Nevertheless, in a minority of their replies children did assert that violations of ordinary causality are possible. Overall, irrespective of their religious education, young children judge that events rarely deviate from their natural course; only occasionally do they acknowledge exceptions.
Levirate Marriage in Beta Israel
Authors: Ziv Yosi
Published: September 2019

The halakhah observed by the Beta Israel community is decisive and extremely detailed. This halakhic system, which was preserved and transmitted from one generation to the next as an oral tradition, can shed light on previously hidden aspects of the early halakhah. This article the examines Beta Israel practice regarding the levirate marriage (yibum), including its rationale and sources. Beta Israel refrained from performing levirate marriage. This abstention is surprising, since Beta Israel possessed the written Torah, and the Beta Israel halakhah generally follows the simple meaning of Scripture. Why, then, did this community not observe levirate marriage as set forth in the Torah? The article provides a detailed explanation of the reasons and seeks intimations in Jewish literature throughout the generations of the Beta Israel practice.