bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of
agr
Groups of
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
Isolates from Dogs in Texas
Authors: Little Sara V. , Bryan Laura K. , Hillhouse Andrew E. , Cohen Noah D. , Lawhon Sara D.
Published: March 2019

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
is an important disease-causing bacterium in dogs and is recognized as a growing threat to human health. Due to increasing multidrug resistance, discovery of alternative methods for treatment of these infections is vital. Interference with one target for alternative treatment, the quorum sensing system
agr
, has demonstrated clinical improvement of infections in
S. aureus
animal models. In this study, we sequenced and characterized 160 clinical
S. pseudintermedius
isolates and their
agr
systems in order to increase understanding of the epidemiology of the
agr
group and clarify its associations with types of infection and antimicrobial resistance. We found that isolates with
agr
type II were significantly less common than other
agr
types in diseased dogs. This provides valuable information to veterinary clinical microbiologists and clinicians, especially as less research has been performed on infection associations of
agr
and its therapeutic potential in
S. pseudintermedius
than in
S. aureus
.
Characterization of Sex Differences in Ocular Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Infection and Herpes Stromal Keratitis Pathogenesis of Wild-Type and Herpesvirus Entry Mediator Knockout Mice
Authors: Riccio Rachel E. , Park Seo J. , Longnecker Richard , Kopp Sarah J.
Published: March 2019

Sex hormones have come to be considered an important factor for the development of certain diseases only recently and as such should continue to be considered a biological variable. Ocular HSV-1, and the resulting HSK, is the leading cause of infectious blindness worldwide. We compared levels of ocular HSV-1 infection and pathogenesis in the two sexes and found no significance differences between male and female WT mice or HVEM KO mice.
Distinct Antibody Signatures Associated with Different Malaria Transmission Intensities in Zambia and Zimbabwe
Authors: Kobayashi Tamaki , Jain Aarti , Liang Li , Obiero Joshua M. , Hamapumbu Harry , Stevenson Jennifer C. , Thuma Philip E. , Lupiya James , Chaponda Mike , Mulenga Modest , Mamini Edmore , Mharakurwa Sungano , Gwanzura Lovemore , Munyati Shungu , Mutambu Susan , Felgner Philip , Davies D. Huw , Moss William J.
Published: March 2019

As malaria approaches elimination in many areas of the world, monitoring the effect of control measures becomes more important but challenging. Low-level infections may go undetected by conventional tests that depend on parasitemia, particularly in immune individuals, who typically show no symptoms of malaria. In contrast, antibodies persist after parasitemia and may provide a more accurate picture of recent exposure. Only a few parasite antigens—mainly vaccine candidates—have been evaluated in seroepidemiological studies. We examined antibody responses to 500 different malaria proteins in blood samples collected through community-based surveillance from areas with low, medium, and high malaria transmission intensities. The breadth of the antibody responses in adults was broad in all three settings and was a poor correlate of recent exposure. In contrast, children represented a better sentinel population for monitoring recent malaria transmission. These data will help inform the use of multiplex serology for malaria surveillance.
Acute liver injury induced by red yeast rice supplement
Authors: Loubser Lize , Weider Kirstin I , Drake Sean M
Published: March 2019

A 64-year-old woman previously taking no medications presented with acute hepatitis 6 weeks after starting a red yeast rice supplement to decrease her cholesterol. Red yeast rice is commonly used for hyperlipidaemia as an alternative to statins as it contains monacolin K, the same active chemical in lovastatin. Infectious, toxic and autoimmune causes for injury were ruled out, and liver biopsy was consistent with drug induced liver injury. Red yeast rice appeared to be the cause of her hepatotoxicity. After stopping the supplement and initiating treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone, liver enzymes decreased towards baseline.
Flash glucose monitoring improves glycemia in higher risk patients: a longitudinal, observational study under real-life settings
Authors: Jangam Sujit , Dunn Timothy , Xu Yongjin , Hayter Gary , Ajjan Ramzi A
Published: March 2019

Objective

To assess the role of flash glucose monitoring in early and late changes in glycemic markers under real-life conditions.

Research design and methods

Deidentified glucose results from 6802 flash glucose monitors were analyzed after dividing into high, medium and low-risk groups based on tertiles of time spent in hypoglycemia (min/day <70 mg/dL) or hyperglycemia (hours/day >240 mg/dL). Groups were further subdivided into tertiles of glucose scanning frequency and glycemic measures analyzed in the first 14 days and over 6 months.

Results

Improvement in dysglycemia mainly occurred in the first month of device use. Comparing first and last 14 study days, high-hyperglycemic-risk individuals showed reduced time >240 mg/dL (mean±SEM) from 6.07±0.06 to 5.73±0.09 hours/day (p<0.0001). High-frequency scanners showed 0.82 hours/day reduction in hyperglycemia (p<0.0001) whereas low-frequency scanners failed to demonstrate a benefit. High-hypoglycemic-risk individuals showed reduction in time ≤54 mg/dL from 90±1 to 69±2 min/day (p<0.0001) comparing first and last 14 study days. This reduction was evident in both low and high-frequency scanners but with reduced hyperglycemic exposure in the latter group.

Conclusions

Under real-world conditions, flash monitoring is associated with rapid and sustained reduction in dysglycemia with high-frequency scanners demonstrating more significant reduction in hyperglycemia.
Exposure to work stress and use of psychotropic medications: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Milner Allison , Scovelle Anna J , King Tania L , Madsen Ida
Published: March 2019

Background

There is good evidence that job stressors are prospectively related to mental health problems, particularly depressive symptoms. This review aimed to examine whether job stressors were also related to use of psychotropic medications.

Methods

Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses approach, we examined seven electronic databases that indexed literature from a wide range of disciplines. Inclusion criteria were (1) the study included a job stressor or psychosocial working condition as an exposure, and (2) psychotropic medication was an outcome. All effect-size estimates were considered but needed to present either a SE or 95% CIs to be included in meta-analyses. Data were pooled between studies using the relative risk (RR) or odds ratio (OR) and 95% CIs.

Results

There were 18 unique studies with non-overlapping exposures eligible for inclusion in the quantitative meta-analysis. High job demands were associated with a statistically significant increased risk of psychotropic medication use (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.31). There was also an elevated RR in relation to work–family conflict (RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.48). In studies reporting OR, high job demands were associated with an OR of 1.39 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.71).

Conclusions

The findings of this review highlight the need for policy and programme attention to reduce harmful exposure to psychosocial job stressors. Health-service use measures should be considered as outcomes and may represent more severe mental health conditions.
How lipid content and temperature affect American shad (Alosa sapidissima) attempt rate and sprint swimming: implications for overcoming migration barriers
Authors: Bayse Shannon M. , McCormick Stephen D. , Castro-Santos Theodore
Published: March 2019

How seasonal effects such as temperature increases and reduced lipid content affect the ability of anadromous fishes to traverse high-velocity barriers and sprint swimming is poorly understood. We evaluated American shad (Alosa sapidissima) swimming performance in a flume against high flow velocities (2.5–3.7 m·s−1) during the upstream migration period (April–May; temperatures 11.1–21.4 °C) to determine how their willingness to enter a velocity barrier (attempt rate) and their swimming endurance changed during migration. American shad did not make attempts at low temperatures, and attempt rate gradually increased throughout the migration as temperatures warmed. American shad displayed two distinct, nonsustained swimming modes (prolonged and sprint swimming), and endurance was different between sexes. At warmer temperatures, females swam at prolonged speeds more often and longer females displayed a lower endurance. Males primarily swam at sprint speeds and were affected by swimming speed, fork length, and lipid content. Our results indicate that American shad motivation and swimming endurance change over the course of the migration as conditions change, potentially limiting their ability to pass barriers.
A variable coefficient nonlinear Schrödinger equation: localized waves on the plane wave background and their dynamics
Authors: Wang Xiu-Bin , Han Bo
Published: March 2019

In this work, a variable coefficient nonlinear Schrödinger (vc-NLS) equation is under investigation, which can describe the amplification or absorption of pulses propagating in an optical fiber with distributed dispersion and nonlinearity. By means of similarity reductions, a similar transformation helps us to relate certain class of solutions of the standard NLS equation to the solutions of integrable vc-NLS equation. Furthermore, we analytically consider nonautonomous breather wave, rogue wave solutions and their interactions in the vc-NLS equation, which possess complicated wave propagation in time and differ from the usual breather waves and rogue waves. Finally, the main characteristics of the rational solutions are graphically discussed. The parameters in the solutions can be used to control the shape, amplitude and scale of the rogue waves.
A Digital On-Line Monitor for Detecting Intermittent Resistance Faults at Board Level
Authors: Ebrahimi Hassan , Kerkhoff Hans G.
Published: March 2019

The reliability of board-level data communications intensively depends on the reliability of interconnections on a board. One of the most challenging interconnections reliability threats is intermittent resistive faults (IRFs). Detecting such faults is a major challenge. The main reason is the random behavior of these faults. They may occur randomly in time, duration and amplitude. The occurrence rate can vary from a few nanoseconds to months. This paper investigates IRF detection at the board level by introducing a new digital in situ IRF monitor. Hardware-based fault injection has been used to validate the proposed IRF monitor. As case studies, two widely used on-board transmission protocols namely the Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART) and the Serial Peripheral Interface bus (SPI), have been used. In addition, one fault management framework, based on the IJTAG standard, has been implemented to collect and characterize information from the monitors. The experimental results show that the proposed monitor is effective in detecting IRFs at the board level.
Should the Advanced Measurement Approach for Operational Risk be Discarded? Evidence from the Chinese Banking Industry
Authors: Zhu Xiaoqian , Li Jianping , Wu Dengsheng
Published: March 2019

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) states that in addition to the fact that it lacks simplicity, the Advanced Measurement Approach (AMA) must be discarded because the flexibility of AMAs does not narrow as envisioned prior. This paper discusses whether this judgment of the BCBS holds for the Chinese banking industry. We first review the development of operational risk data collection and AMAs in China over the past decade. Then, capital requirement results for Chinese banks based on these datasets and approaches are summarized and analyzed. It is shown that along with the accumulation of operational risk data and the refinement of AMAs, operational risk results for the Chinese banking industry have shown a clear trend of convergence that is exactly opposed to judgments of the BCBS. Therefore, the removal of the AMA from regulatory frameworks may not be reasonable.
Dielectric Properties of Epoxy Resin Composites Based on Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Meisak D. , Macutkevic J. , Banys J. , Bychanok D. , Kuzhir P.
Published: March 2019

Dielectric properties of composite materials made of epoxy resin filled with different concentrations of goethite (Fe2O[Formula: see text] H2O) nanorods and manganese ferrite (MnFe2O4) are presented in a wide frequency range. The electrical percolation threshold in these composites is close to 30[Formula: see text]vol.%. Electrical conductivity in the composites occurs both below and above the percolation threshold due to the finite conductivity of the epoxy resin under high temperatures.
Deviations of High Frequency Conductivity of Disordered Granular Systems from Universality
Authors: Ormont M. A. , Zvyagin I. P.
Published: March 2019

The real part of high frequency phononless conductivity was calculated in the pair approximation for a disordered array of densely packed spherical nanogranules. The generalization of the theory of phononless conductivity for systems with hydrogenic impurities to the systems with finite size localization centers reveals that the high frequency conductivity depends on the distribution function [Formula: see text] of the distances between the surfaces of granules. This can lead to deviations from the linear frequency dependence of the real part of conductivity [Formula: see text]. In the vicinity of the frequency [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] is the pre-exponential factor of the resonance integral) for disordered granular systems, one should expect deviations of [Formula: see text] from universality ([Formula: see text]), associated with weakening of the frequency dependence of [Formula: see text], and its nonmonotonicity. With an increase in the size of the granules, nonmonotonicity of [Formula: see text] is expected at lower frequencies. This stems from a decrease in the pre-exponential factor [Formula: see text] of the resonance integral with an increase in the granule size.
One small step for cytochrome P450 in its catalytic cycle, one giant leap for enzymology
Authors: Erdogan Huriye
Published: March 2019

The intermediates operating in the cytochrome P450 catalytic cycle have been investigated for more than half a century, fascinating many enzymologists. Each intermediate has its unique role to carry out diverse oxidations. Natural time course of the catalytic cycle is quite fast, hence, not all of the reactive intermediates could be isolated during physiological catalysis. Different high-valent iron intermediates have been proposed as primary oxidants: the candidates are compound 0 (Cpd 0, [FeOOH][Formula: see text]P450) and compound I (Cpd I, Fe(IV)[Formula: see text]O por[Formula: see text]P450). Among them, the role of Cpd I in hydroxylation is fairly well understood due the discovery of the peroxide shunt. This review endeavors to put the outstanding research efforts conducted to isolate and characterize the intermediates together. In addition to spectral features of each intermediate in the catalytic cycle, the oxidizing powers of Cpd 0 and Cpd I will be discussed along with most recent scientific findings.
Evaluating Monetary-Based Benefit-Sharing as a Mechanism to Improve Local Human Development and its Importance for Impact Assessment of Hydropower Plants in Brazil
Authors: Pulice Sérgio Mantovani Paiva , Branco Evandro Albiach , Gallardo Amarilis Lucia Casteli Figueiredo , Roquetti Daniel Rondinelli , Moretto Evandro Mateus
Published: March 2019

Although hydropower companies and governments have promoted monetary-based Benefit-Sharing Mechanisms alone as a vector of local development for flooded municipalities, it is not possible to identify this evidence in the scientific literature. The present work investigates the quantitative influence of Financial Compensation on Human Development Indexes (HDI) in flooded municipalities over 2000–2010. The econometric analysis shows that there are no statistically significant results related to the quantities of Financial Compensation and the development variables. The findings reinforce that Financial Compensation itself could not be considered the only input to improve development processes. Management frameworks should be considered since they can provide a broader view of the affected areas, including elements such as participatory processes, adaptation management, formal and legal guidelines and stakeholder engagement. Specially in the Brazilian case, the Impact Assessment procedures and their products could provide detailed data and criteria to municipalities to manage the inflow resources.
Leveraging Fog Analytics for Context-Aware Sensing in Cooperative Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Bhargava Kriti , Ivanov Stepan , McSweeney Diarmuid , Donnelly William
Published: March 2019

In this article, we present a fog computing technique for real-time activity recognition and localization on-board wearable Internet of Things(IoT) devices. Our technique makes joint use of two light-weight analytic methods—Iterative Edge Mining(IEM) and Cooperative Activity Sequence-based Map Matching(CASMM). IEM is a decision-tree classifier that uses acceleration data to estimate the activity state. The sequence of activities generated by IEM is analyzed by the CASMM method for identifying the location. The CASMM method uses cooperation between devices to improve accuracy of classification and then performs map matching to identify the location. We evaluate the performance of our approach for activity recognition and localization of animals. The evaluation is performed using real-world acceleration data of cows collected during a pilot study at a Dairygold-sponsored farm in Kilworth, Ireland. The analysis shows that our approach can achieve a localization accuracy of up to 99%. In addition, we exploit the location-awareness of devices and present an event-driven communication approach to transmit data from the IoT devices to the cloud. The delay-tolerant communication facilitates context-aware sensing and significantly improves energy profile of the devices. Furthermore, an array-based implementation of IEM is discussed, and resource assessment is performed to verify its suitability for device-based implementation.
Low-Cost and Robust Geographic Opportunistic Routing in a Strip Topology Wireless Network
Authors: Liu Chen , Fang Dingyi , Liu Xinyan , Xu Dan , Chen Xiaojiang , Liang Chieh-Jan Mike , Liu Baoying , Tang Zhanyong
Published: March 2019

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been used for many long-term monitoring applications with the strip topology that is ubiquitous in the real-world deployment, such as pipeline monitoring, water quality monitoring, vehicle monitoring, and Great Wall monitoring. The efficiency of routing strategy has been playing a key role in serving such monitoring applications. In this article, we first present a robust geographic opportunistic routing (GOR) approach—LIght Propagation Selection (LIPS)—that can provide a short path with low energy consumption, communication overhead, and packet loss. To overcome the complication caused by the multi-turning point structure, we propose the virtual Plane mirror (VPM) algorithm, inspired by the light propagation, which is to map the strip topology into the straight one logically. We then select partial neighbors as the candidates to avoid blindly involving all next-hop neighbors and ensure the data transmission along the correct direction. Two implementation problems of VPM—transmission spread angle and the communication range—are thoroughly analyzed based on the percolation theory. Based on the preceding candidate selection algorithms, we propose a GOR algorithm in the strip topology network. By theoretical analysis and extensive simulation, we illustrate the validity and higher transmission performance of LIPS in strip WSNs. In addition, we have proved that the length of the path in LIPS is two times the length of the shortest path via geometrical analysis. Simulation results show that the transmission success rate of our approach is 26.37% higher than the state-of-the-art approach, and the communication overhead and energy consumption rate are 33.11% and 40.23% lower, respectively.
Reachability Analysis of Low‐Order Discrete State Reaction Networks Obeying Conservation Laws
Authors: Szlobodnyik Gergely , Szederkényi Gábor
Published: March 2019

In this paper we study the reachability problem of sub‐ and superconservative discrete state chemical reaction networks (d‐CRNs). It is known that a subconservative network has bounded reachable state space, while that of a superconservative one is unbounded. The reachability problem of superconservative reaction networks is traced back to the reachability of subconservative ones. We consider network structures composed of reactions having at most one input and one output species beyond the possible catalyzers. We give a proof that, assuming all the reactions are charged in the initial and target states, the reachability problems of sub‐ and superconservative reaction networks are equivalent to the existence of nonnegative integer solution of the corresponding d‐CRN state equations. Using this result, the reachability problem is reformulated as an Integer Linear Programming (ILP) feasibility problem. Therefore, the number of feasible trajectories satisfying the reachability relation can be counted in polynomial time in the number of species and in the distance of initial and target states, assuming fixed number of reactions in the system.
The Preventive Effects and the Mechanisms of Action of Navel Orange Peel Hydroethanolic Extract, Naringin, and Naringenin in N-Acetyl-p-aminophenol-Induced Liver Injury in Wistar Rats
Authors: Ahmed Osama M. , Fahim Hanaa I. , Ahmed Heba Y. , Al-Muzafar Hessah Mohammed , Ahmed Rasha R. , Amin Kamal Adel , El-Nahass El-Shaymaa , Abdelazeem Walaa H.
Published: March 2019

N-Acetyl-p-aminophenol (APAP) or acetaminophen is the most common drug ingredient worldwide. It is found in more than 600 different over-the-counter and prescription medicines. Its long-term and overdose use is highly toxic and may result in liver injury. Thus, this study was designed to assess the preventive effects and to suggest the mechanisms of action of the navel orange peel hydroethanolic extract, naringin, and naringenin in APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats. APAP was administered to male Wistar rats at a dose level of 0.5 g/kg body weight (b.w.) by oral gavage every other day for 4 weeks. APAP-administered rats were treated with the navel orange peel hydroethanolic extract (50 mg/kg b.w.), naringin (20 mg/kg b.w.), and naringenin (20 mg/kg b.w.) by oral gavage every other day during the same period of APAP administration. The treatments of APAP-administered rats with the peel extract, naringin, and naringenin produced a significant decrease in the elevated serum AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, and GGT activities as well as total bilirubin and TNF-αlevels while they induced a significant increase in the lowered serum albumin and IL-4 levels. The treatments also resulted in a significant decrease in the elevated liver lipid peroxidation and enhanced the liver GSH content and SOD, GST, and GPx activities as compared with APAP-administered control; the peel extract was the most potent in improving the liver LPO, GSH content, and GPx activity. In addition, the three treatments significantly downregulated the elevated hepatic proapoptotic mediators p53, Bax, and caspase-3 and significantly upregulated the suppressed antiapoptotic protein, Bcl-2, in APAP-administered rats. In association, the treatments markedly amended the APAP-induced liver histopathological deteriorations that include hepatocyte steatosis, cytoplasmic vacuolization, hydropic degeneration, and necrosis together with mononuclear leucocytic and fibroblastic inflammatory cells’ infiltration. In conclusion, the navel orange peel hydroethanolic extract, naringin, and naringenin may exert their hepatopreventive effects in APAP-administered ratsviaenhancement of the antioxidant defense system and suppression of inflammation and apoptosis.
Recurrent Coronary Thrombus in a Patient with Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia with Treatment Using Eltrombopag
Authors: Satoh Terumori , Saotome Masao , Suwa Kenichiro , Ohtani Hayato , Nagata Yasuyuki , Ono Takaaki , Maekawa Yuichiro
Published: March 2019

Background. Eltrombopag, a nonpeptide thrombopoietin receptor agonist (TPO-RA), has been reported to be an effective therapy for chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). However, a higher incidence of arterial and venous thromboembolic events was reported after using eltrombopag.Case Presentation. A 67-year-old man, treated with eltrombopag due to chronic ITP, was admitted due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Although coronary angiography revealed no occlusion, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging suggested a myocardial infarction in the territory of the left circumflex coronary artery. Three months after the ACS event, the obtuse marginal branches exhibited significant stenosis; hence, a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed to implant a zotarolimus-eluting stent under the treatment of a dual antiplatelet therapy. However, stent thrombosis occurred 3 hours after PCI and required three other PCIs during the eltrombopag treatment.Conclusion. We present a case of an ITP patient, who experienced repeated coronary and stent thrombosis during the treatment with eltrombopag. We propose that the risk of ACS and consequent coronary stent thrombosis should be considered before the introduction of eltrombopag.
Performance Sensitivity of a Wind Farm Power Curve Model to Different Signals of the Input Layer of ANNs: Case Studies in the Canary Islands
Authors: Velázquez Medina Sergio , Carta José A. , Portero Ajenjo Ulises
Published: March 2019

Improving the estimation of the power output of a wind farm enables greater integration of this type of energy source in electrical systems. The development of accurate models that represent the real operation of a wind farm is one way to attain this objective. A wind farm power curve model is proposed in this paper which is developed using artificial neural networks, and a study is undertaken of the influence on model performance when parameters such as the meteorological conditions (wind speed and direction) of areas other than the wind farm location are added as signals of the input layer of the neural network. Using such information could be of interest, either to study possible improvements that could be obtained in the performance of the original model, which uses exclusively the meteorological conditions of the area where the wind farm is located, or simply because no reliable meteorological data for the area of the wind farm are available. In the study developed it is deduced that the incorporation of meteorological data from an additional weather station other than that of the wind farm site can improve by up to 17.6% the performance of the original model.
Hybridizing Evolutionary Computation and Deep Neural Networks: An Approach to Handwriting Recognition Using Committees and Transfer Learning
Authors: Baldominos Alejandro , Saez Yago , Isasi Pedro
Published: March 2019

Neuroevolution is the field of study that uses evolutionary computation in order to optimize certain aspect of the design of neural networks, most often its topology and hyperparameters. The field was introduced in the late‐1980s, but only in the latest years the field has become mature enough to enable the optimization of deep learning models, such as convolutional neural networks. In this paper, we rely on previous work to apply neuroevolution in order to optimize the topology of deep neural networks that can be used to solve the problem of handwritten character recognition. Moreover, we take advantage of the fact that evolutionary algorithms optimize a population of candidate solutions, by combining a set of the best evolved models resulting in a committee of convolutional neural networks. This process is enhanced by using specific mechanisms to preserve the diversity of the population. Additionally, in this paper, we address one of the disadvantages of neuroevolution: the process is very expensive in terms of computational time. To lessen this issue, we explore the performance of topology transfer learning: whether the best topology obtained using neuroevolution for a certain domain can be successfully applied to a different domain. By doing so, the expensive process of neuroevolution can be reused to tackle different problems, turning it into a more appealing approach for optimizing the design of neural networks topologies. After evaluating our proposal, results show that both the use of neuroevolved committees and the application of topology transfer learning are successful: committees of convolutional neural networks are able to improve classification results when compared to single models, and topologies learned for one problem can be reused for a different problem and data with a good performance. Additionally, both approaches can be combined by building committees of transferred topologies, and this combination attains results that combine the best of both approaches.
Evolving Stencils for Typefaces: Combining Machine Learning, User’s Preferences and Novelty
Authors: Martins Tiago , Correia João , Costa Ernesto , Machado Penousal
Published: March 2019

Typefaces have become an essential resource used by graphic designs to communicate. Some designers opt to create their own typefaces or custom lettering that better suits each design project. This increases the demand for novelty in type design, and consequently the need for good technological means to explore new thinking and approaches in the design of typefaces. In this work, we continue our research on the automatic evolution of glyphs (letterforms or designs of characters). We present an evolutionary framework for the automatic generation of type stencils based on fitness functions designed by the user. The proposed framework comprises two modules: the evolutionary system, and the fitness function design interface. The first module, the evolutionary system, operates a Genetic Algorithm, with a novelty search mechanism, and the fitness assignment scheme. The second module, the fitness function design interface, enables the users to create fitness functions through a responsive graphical interface, by indicating the desired values and weights of a set of behavioural features, based on machine learning approaches, and morphological features. The experimental results reveal the wide variety of type stencils and glyphs that can be evolved with the presented framework and show how the design of fitness functions influences the outcomes, which are able to convey the preferences expressed by the user. The creative possibilities created with the outcomes of the presented framework are explored by using one evolved stencil in a design project. This research demonstrates how Evolutionary Computation and Machine Learning may address challenges in type design and expand the tools for the creation of typefaces.
Two Cases of Subvesical Bile Duct Injury Detected and Repaired Simultaneously during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Kohga Atsushi , Suzuki Kenji , Okumura Takuya , Yajima Kiyoshige , Yamashita Kimihiro , Isogaki Jun , Kawabe Akihiro
Published: March 2019

Introduction. Subvesical bile duct (SVBD) injury is a secondary major cause of minor bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). However, this injury is usually not recognized intraoperatively, but postoperatively. Case Report. Case 1: the patient was an 84-year-old female, preoperatively diagnosed with acute cholecystitis. During LC, a tiny hole in the gallbladder fossa from which bile juice oozing was confirmed. Suturing was performed laparoscopically. Case 2: the patient was an 81-year-old male, preoperatively diagnosed with cholelithiasis. Because of a previous history of gastrectomy, laparoscopic adhesiolysis around the gallbladder was performed. During dissection, a small amount of bile was oozing from the surface of the liver adjacent to the gallbladder fossa. Suturing was performed laparoscopically. Conclusion. If a small amount of bile juice was detected, meticulous observation not only around the cystic duct stump but also the gallbladder fossa should be performed. Simultaneous laparoscopic suturing was feasible, and an ideal procedure against SVBD injury developed during LC.
The Roles of Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Proteins 5, 6, and 8 in Cancer: A Review
Authors: Roslan Zulaika , Muhamad Mudiana , Selvaratnam Lakshmi , Ab-Rahim Sharaniza
Published: March 2019

Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) has been an object of research since the 1970s because of its role in various cell functions. The LDLR family members include LRP5, LRP6, and LRP8. Even though LRP5, 6, and 8 are in the same family, intriguingly, these three proteins have various roles in physiological events, as well as in regulating different mechanisms in various kinds of cancers. LRP5, LRP6, and LRP8 have been shown to play important roles in a broad panel of cancers. LRP5 is highly expressed in many tissues and is involved in the modulation of glucose-induced insulin secretion, bone development, and cholesterol metabolism, as well as cancer progression. Recently, LRP5 has also been shown to play a role in chondroblastic subtype of osteosarcoma (OS) and prostate cancer and also in noncancer case such as osteoporosis. LRP6, which has been previously discovered to share the same structures as LRP5, has also been associated with many cancer progressions such as human triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCL), lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition to its role in cancer progression, LRP8 (apolipoprotein E receptor 2 [APOER2]) has also been demonstrated to regulate canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway whereby this pathway plays a role in cell migration and development. Therefore, this review aimed to elucidate the role of LRP 5, 6, and 8 in regulating the cancer progression.
Parameter Optimization on FNN/PID Compound Controller for a Three-Axis Inertially Stabilized Platform for Aerial Remote Sensing Applications
Authors: Zhou Xiangyang , Gao Hao , Jia Yuan , Li Lingling , Zhao Libo , Yu Ruifang
Published: March 2019

This paper presents a composite parameter optimization method based on the chaos particle swarm optimization and the back propagation algorithms for a fuzzy neural network/proportion integration differentiation compound controller, which is applied for an aerial inertially stabilized platform for aerial remote sensing applications. Firstly, a compound controller combining both the adaptive fuzzy neural network and traditional PID control methods is developed to deal with the contradiction between the control precision and robustness due to disturbances. Then, on the basis of both the chaos particle swarm optimization and the back propagation compound algorithms, the parameters of the fuzzy neural network/PID compound controller are optimized offline and fine-tuned online, respectively. In this way, the compound controller can achieve good adaptive convergence so as to get high stabilization precision under the multisource dynamic disturbance environment. To verify the method, the simulations are carried out. The results show that the composite parameter optimization method can effectively enhance the convergence of the controller, by which the stabilization precision and disturbance rejection capability of the proposed fuzzy neural network/PID compound controller are improved obviously.
Subgame Perfect Equilibrium in the Rubinstein Bargaining Game with Loss Aversion
Authors: Feng Zhongwei , Tan Chunqiao
Published: March 2019

Rubinstein bargaining game is extended to incorporate loss aversion, where the initial reference points are not zero. Under the assumption that the highest rejected proposal of the opponent last periods is regarded as the associated reference point, we investigate the effect of loss aversion and initial reference points on subgame perfect equilibrium. Firstly, a subgame perfect equilibrium is constructed. And its uniqueness is shown. Furthermore, we analyze this equilibrium with respect to initial reference points, loss aversion coefficients, and discount factor. It is shown that one benefits from his opponent’s loss aversion coefficient and his own initial reference point and is hurt by loss aversion coefficient of himself and the opponent’s initial reference point. Moreover, it is found that, for a player who has a higher level of loss aversion than the other, although this player has a higher initial reference point than the opponent, this player can(not) obtain a high share of the pie if the level of loss aversion of this player is sufficiently low (high). Finally, a relation with asymmetric Nash bargaining is established, where player’s bargaining power is negatively related to his own loss aversion and the initial reference point of the other and positively related to loss aversion of the opponent and his own initial reference point.
Factors Associated with Poor Eye Drop Administration Technique and the Role of Patient Education among Hong Kong Elderly Population
Authors: Choy Bonnie Nga Kwan , Zhu Ming Ming , Pang Jason Chun Sum , Chan Jonathan Cheuk Hung , Ng Alex Lap Ki , Fan Michelle Ching Yim , Iu Lawrence Pui Leung , Kwan Joseph Shiu Kwong , Lai Jimmy Shiu Ming , Chiu Patrick Ka Chun
Published: March 2019

Objectives. To identify the risk factors for poor eye drop application technique in treatment-naïve subjects and to assess if patient education can benefit these subjects. Methods. Chinese subjects above 60 years were recruited. Questionnaires, including Barthel index; Lawton’s instrumental activities of daily living (ADL); Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illnesses, and Loss of Weight (FRAIL) scale; and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), were used to correlate with eye drop application technique (before and after patient education) using Spearman correlation analysis. A multiple linear regression was conducted to determine the predictors of successful administration technique and the improvement of technique after education. Results. The data from 26 subjects (mean age 72) were analyzed. Eye drop instillation technique score improved from 5.42 at baseline to 7.33 after clear instructions. FRAIL score was an independent predictor of baseline score (p=0.003), as well as the improvement after patient education (p=0.012). Age, sex, education level, visual acuity, Barthel index, MoCA, and ADL score were not correlated with eye drop instillation technique, before nor after patient education. Discussion. In patients with poor functional status as reflected by FRAIL score, eye drop application is prone to be ineffective. Education with step-by-step instructions could effectively improve the success of eye drop application.
Association between Neutrophil-Lymphocyte and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratios and Coronary Artery Calcification Score among Asymptomatic Patients: Data from a Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Serrano Carlos V. , de Mattos Fernando R. , Pitta Fábio G. , Nomura Cesar H. , de Lemos James , Ramires José Antonio F. , Kalil-Filho Roberto
Published: March 2019

Introduction. Atherosclerosis is a low-grade inflammatory disease. Among markers of inflammation, importance has been given to the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). The objective of this study was to examine the association between these hematological indices of inflammation and coronary atherosclerotic calcification in clinically asymptomatic patients. Methods. This study had clinical and laboratorial data collected from consecutive asymptomatic patients that underwent computed tomography coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring. Risk factors, NLR, and PLR were evaluated at different categories of CAC scoring. Statistical tests included chi-square, linear regression, and logistic regression. Patients (N=247; age 60.4±8.0 years and 60.7% men) were allocated into four categories according to the CAC score. Results. Respective age, sex (male), NLR, and PLR distribution within groups were as follows: CAC=0 (n=98; 52.5±13.6 years, 55%, 2.0±1.0, and 121.5±41.5), CAC 1-100 (N=64; 61.3±11.0 years, 60%, 2.2±1.2, and 125.6 ± 45.6), CAC 101-400 (N=37; 64.2±11.6 years, 67%,2.6±1.3, and 125.4±55.9), and CAC>400 (N=48; 69.3±11.1 years, 66%, 3.3±2.0, and 430.1±1787.4). The association between risk factors and CAC score was assessed. Hypertension status and smoking status were similar within groups, while the presence of diabetes (P=0.02) and older age (P≤0.001) was more prevalent in the CAC>400 group. LDL cholesterol was greater in the higher CAC score groups (P=0.002). Multivariate logistic regression of the quartile analysis showed that age and NLR were independently associated with CAC>100 (OR (CI), P value): 2.06 (1.55-2.73, P=0.00001) and 1.82 (1.33-2.49, P=0.0002), respectively. Conclusion. Within asymptomatic patients, NLR provides additional risk stratification, as an independent association between NLR extent and CAD extent was identified. Moreover, PLR was not an inflammation marker for CAD severity.
Neurophysics Assessment of the Muscle Bioenergy Generated by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Authors: Leon-Sarmiento Fidias E. , Gonzalez-Castaño Alexander , Rizzo-Sierra Carlos V. , Aceros Juan , Leon-Ariza Daniel S. , Leon-Ariza Juan S. , Prada Diddier G. , Bara-Jimenez William , Wang Zeng Y.
Published: March 2019

The content of the rectified motor evoked potential (MEP) induced by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has ambiguously been assessed without the precision that energy calculation deserves. This fact has misled data interpretation and misguided biomedical interventions. To definitively fill the gap that exits in the neurophysics processing of these signals, we computed, inWalls (W^),thebioenergywithin the rectified MEP recorded from the human first digitorum index (FDI) muscle at rest and under isometric contraction. We also gauged thebioworkexerted by this muscle. Here we show that bioenergy and biowork can accurately and successfully be assessed, validated, and determined inW^from MEP signals induced by TMS, regardless of knowing the mathematical expression of the function of the signal. Our novel neurophysics approach represents a dramatic paradigm shift in analysis and interpretation of the content of the MEP and will give a true meaning to the content of rectified signals. Importantly, this innovative approach allowed unveiling that women exerted more bioenergy than men at the magnetic stimulations used in this study. Revisitation of conclusions drawn from studies published elsewhere assessing rectified EMG signals that have used ambiguous units is strongly recommended.
Partial Differential Equation‐Based Enhancement and Crack Detection
Authors: Nnolim Uche A.
Published: March 2019

This paper presents an effective partial differential equation‐ (PDE‐) based preprocessing algorithm for automated image‐based crack detection. The proposed formulation combines various relevant and multiple processes such as contrast and selective edge enhancement in addition to edge‐preserving smoothing to enhance the image prior to detection. The approach is adaptive and controlled by reliable image metrics to determine the stopping time of the PDE ensuring optimum results for various images. Additionally, a simplified thresholding algorithm based on local global maximum gradient matching is used to extract the crack features from the image. The proposed scheme does not require arbitrary or manually tuned parameters nor a large dataset for training to obtain good results. Experiments indicate that the proposed approach performs better when compared to several other algorithms in the literature.
pSPARQL: A Querying Language for Probabilistic RDF Data
Authors: Fang Hong
Published: March 2019

More and more linked data (taken as knowledge) can be automatically generated from nonstructured data such as text and image via learning, which are often uncertain in practice. On the other hand, most of the existing approaches to processing linked data are mainly designed for certain data. It becomes more and more important to process uncertain linked data in theoretical aspect. In this paper, we present a querying language framework for probabilistic RDF data (an important uncertain linked data), where each triple has a probability, called pSRARQL, built on SPARQL, recommended by W3C as a querying language for RDF databases. pSPARQL can support the full SPARQL and satisfies some important properties such as well‐definedness, uniqueness, and some equivalences. Finally, we illustrate that pSPARQL is feasible in expressing practical queries in a real world.
Global Nonexistence for a Nonlinear Viscoelastic Equation with Nonlinear Damping and Velocity-Dependent Material Density
Authors: Dang Jian , Hu Qingying , Zhang Hongwei
Published: March 2019

We consider the initial boundary value problem of a nonlinear viscoelastic equation of Kirchhoff-type with nonlinear damping and velocity-dependent material density. We establish a nonexistence result of global solutions with positive initial energy and negative initial energy, respectively.
Numerical Analysis of the Influence of Electrode Inclination on Temperature Distribution during GMAW Overlaying
Authors: Winczek Jerzy , Gucwa Marek , Mičian Miloš , Makles Krzysztof
Published: March 2019

In the work, an analysis of the influence of electrode inclination on the distribution of temperature in the weld overlaying has been conducted. In the analytical description of the temperature field, a volumetric heat source model with an inclined axis with respect to the direction of surfacing was adopted. In the numerical simulation, the own theoretical model of heat source, algorithm, and program performed in the Borland Delphi environment were used. In the calculation examples, different electrode inclination angles were adopted in relation to the welded plate, in the direction of surfacing, opposite to the direction of welding, and perpendicular to the weld bead.