bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does blame shifting work?
Authors: Lazarek Lukas , King Alexis , Sundar Samanvitha , Findler Robert Bruce , Dimoulas Christos
Published: December 2019

Contract systems, especially of the higher-order flavor, go hand in hand with blame. The pragmatic purpose of blame is to narrow down the code that a programmer needs to examine to locate the bug when the contract system discovers a contract violation. Or so the literature on higher-order contracts claims.

In reality, however, there is neither empirical nor theoretical evidence that connects blame with the location of bugs. The reputation of blame as a tool for weeding out bugs rests on anecdotes about how programmers use contracts to shift blame and their attention from one part of a program to another until they discover the source of the problem.

This paper aims to fill the apparent gap and shed light to the relation between blame and bugs. To that end, we introduce an empirical methodology for investigating whether, for a given contract system, it is possible to translate blame information to the location of bugs in a systematic manner. Our methodology is inspired by how programmers attempt to increase the precision of the contracts of a blamed component in order to shift blame to another component, which becomes the next candidate for containing the bug. In particular, we construct a framework that enables us to ask for a contract system whether (i) the process of blame shifting causes blame to eventually settle to the component that contains the bug; and (ii) every shift moves blame ``closer'' to the faulty component.

Our methodology offers a rigorous means for evaluating the pragmatics of contract systems, and we employ it to analyze Racket's contract system. Along the way, we uncover subtle points about the pragmatic meaning of contracts and blame in Racket: (i) the expressiveness of Racket's off-the-shelf contract language is not sufficient to narrow down the blamed portion of the code to the faulty component in all cases; and (ii) contracts that trigger state changes (even unexpectedly, perhaps in the runtime system's data structures or caches) interfere with program evaluation in subtle ways and thus blame shifting can lead programmers on a detour when searching for a bug. These points highlight how evaluations such as ours suggest fixes to language design.
Decidable subtyping for path dependent types
Authors: Mackay Julian , Potanin Alex , Aldrich Jonathan , Groves Lindsay
Published: December 2019

Path dependent types have long served as an expressive component of the Scala programming language. They allow for the modelling of both bounded polymorphism and a degree of nominal subtyping. Nominality in turn provides the ability to capture first class modules. Thus a single language feature gives rise to a rich array of expressiveness. Recent work has proven path dependent types sound in the presence of both intersection and recursive types, but unfortunately typing remains undecidable, posing problems for programmers who rely on the results of type checkers. The Wyvern programming language is an object oriented language with path dependent types, recursive types and first class modules. In this paper we define two variants of Wyvern that feature decidable typing, along with machine checked proofs of decidability. Despite the restrictions, our approaches retain the ability to encode the parameteric polymorphism of Java generics along with many idioms of the Scala module system.
In search of the shortest possible schedule
Authors: Meyer Bertrand
Published: December 2019

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Communications
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Bertrand Meyer considers how to speed up software engineering.
How the internet spans the globe
Authors: Kugler Logan
Published: December 2019

The modern Internet is made possible by hundreds of thousands of miles of undersea cables.
Evidence that computer science grades are not bimodal
Authors: Patitsas Elizabeth , Berlin Jesse , Craig Michelle , Easterbrook Steve
Published: December 2019

Although it has never been rigorously demonstrated, there is a common belief that grades in computer science courses are bimodal. We statistically analyzed 778 distributions of final course grades from a large research university and found that only 5.8% of the distributions passed tests of multimodality. We then devised a psychology experiment to understand why CS educators believe their grades to be bimodal. We showed 53 CS professors a series of histograms displaying ambiguous distributions that we asked them to categorize. A random half of participants were primed to think about the fact that CS grades are commonly thought to be bimodal; these participants were more likely to label ambiguous distributions as "bimodal." Participants were also more likely to label distributions as bimodal if they believed that some students are innately predisposed to do better at CS. These results suggest that bimodal grades are instructional folklore in CS, caused by confirmation bias and instructor beliefs about their students.
The SIGMOD 2019 Research Track Reviewing System
Authors: Ailamaki Anastasia , Chrysogelos Periklis , Deshpande Amol , Kraska Tim
Published: December 2019

While organizing the submission evaluation process for the SIGMOD 2019 research track, we aim at maximizing the value of the reviews while minimizing the probability of misunderstandings due to factual errors, thereby valorizing impactful ideas. The objective is an educating and rewarding experience for both the authors and the reviewers. The actionable goals are: 1. Maximize review depth and breadth. For depth, optimizing the assignment of papers to reviewers is of key importance; "low confidence" reviews should be few to none, in order for reviewers to provide extensive and useful comments to the authors. To cover the breadth and to address controversial issues, recruit as many reviewers as needed to converge to a unanimous set of comments. 2. Ensure that all submissions are treated equally fairly by experts in the respective domains. 3. Obtain as much input from the authors as possible during the process. Enabling author feedback is the key step in the process. 4. Allow re-evaluation of papers with non-critical flaws through revisions.
Evaluation of an Implementation of Cross-Row Constraints Using Materialized Views
Authors: Cavero Barca José María , Sánchez Belén Vela , García de Marina Paloma Cáceres
Published: December 2019

SQL assertions are a powerful means used to specify cross-row constraints, and have been available in the SQL standard since 1992. Unfortunately, assertions are not supported in commercial database management systems. Although triggers and application programs can be efficiently used to constrain database content, they are more complex to write and more error-prone. The objective of this paper is to analyze whether the use of materialized views could be a viable solution as regards the automatic implementation of SQL assertions. Materialized views are views that physically store the result of a query and are periodically updated. The method consists of defining a materialized view which contains the number of tuples that violate the condition expressed in the assertion. The materialized view will contain a CHECK constraint that guarantees that the number of tuples that violate the assertion is equal to zero. The proposed method is an easy and automatic means of implementing the integrity constraints described using assertions. We have carried out a series of tests, and although triggers perform better than materialized views in most situations, there are some in which materialized views would be an efficient option. They are easily automatable and less error prone than triggers.
Essential Ingredients and Innovations in the Design and Analysis of Group-Randomized Trials
Authors: Murray David M. , Taljaard Monica , Turner Elizabeth L. , George Stephanie M.
Published: December 2019

This article reviews the essential ingredients and innovations in the design and analysis of group-randomized trials. The methods literature for these trials has grown steadily since they were introduced to the biomedical research community in the late 1970s, and we summarize those developments. We review, in addition to the group-randomized trial, methods for two closely related designs, the individually randomized group treatment trial and the stepped-wedge group-randomized trial. After describing the essential ingredients for these designs, we review the most important developments in the evolution of their methods using a new bibliometric tool developed at the National Institutes of Health. We then discuss the questions to be considered when selecting from among these designs or selecting the traditional randomized controlled trial. We close with a review of current methods for the analysis of data from these designs, a case study to illustrate each design, and a brief summary.
Physiology and Pathophysiology of Itch
Authors: Cevikbas Ferda , Lerner Ethan A.
Published: December 2019

Itch is a topic to which everyone can relate. The physiological roles of itch are increasingly understood and appreciated. The pathophysiological consequences of itch impact quality of life as much as pain. These dynamics have led to increasingly deep dives into the mechanisms that underlie and contribute to the sensation of itch. When the prior review on the physiology of itching was published in this journal in 1941, itch was a black box of interest to a small number of neuroscientists and dermatologists. Itch is now appreciated as a complex and colorful Rubik’s cube. Acute and chronic itch are being carefully scratched apart and reassembled by puzzle solvers across the biomedical spectrum. New mediators are being identified. Mechanisms blur boundaries of the circuitry that blend neuroscience and immunology. Measures involve psychophysics and behavioral psychology. The efforts associated with these approaches are positively impacting the care of itchy patients. There is now the potential to markedly alleviate chronic itch, a condition that does not end life, but often ruins it. We review the itch field and provide a current understanding of the pathophysiology of itch. Itch is a disease, not only a symptom of disease.
Day-to-Day Evolution of Traffic Flow with Dynamic Rerouting in Degradable Transport Network
Authors: Li Manman , Lu Jian , Sun Jiahui , Tu Qiang
Published: December 2019

Random events like accidents and vehicle breakdown, degrade link capacities and lead to uncertain travel environment. And whether travelers adjust route or not depends on the utility difference (dynamic rerouting behavior) rather than a constant. Considering travelers’ risk-taking behavior in uncertain environment and dynamic rerouting behavior, a new day-to-day traffic assignment model is established. In the proposed model, an exponential-smoothing filter is adopted to describe travelers’ learning for uncertain travel time. The cumulative prospect theory is used to reflect route utility and its reference point is adaptive and set to be the minimal travel time under a certain on-time arrival probability. Rerouting probability is determined by the difference between expected utility and perceived utility of previously chosen route. Rerouting travelers choose new routes in a logit model while travelers who do not choose to reroute travel on their previous routes again. The proposed model’s several mathematical properties, including fixed point existence, uniqueness, and stability condition, are investigated through theoretical analyses. Numerical experiments are also conducted to validate the proposed heuristic stability condition, show the effects of four main parameters on dynamic natures of the system, and investigate the differences of the system based on expected utility theory and cumulative prospect theory and with static rerouting behavior and dynamic rerouting behavior.
Microscopic Texture of Polypropylene Fiber‐Reinforced Concrete with X‐Ray Computed Tomography
Authors: Qin Yu , Wu Hua , Zheng Yong , Wang Weina , Yi Zhijian
Published: December 2019

Polypropylene fiber‐reinforced concrete (PFRC) is a cement‐based composite material with short‐cut fibers which has been utilized to provide multidimensional reinforcement and enhance toughness of concrete. However, this improvement is closely related to the microstructural morphology of the concrete. A nondestructive technique using X‐ray computed tomography (CT) was therefore used to grasp the microscopic texture of PFRC samples. The results showed that the orientation of microcracks, which appear in the interfacial transition zone, are along the surface of the coarse aggregate. The range of distribution of fibers is proportional to fiber volume fraction. The coarse aggregate influence distribution and orientation of polypropylene fibers whose shape are mainly fold line and curve. The dispersion of pores with small volume is uniform, and the distance between the pores with larger volume is short. The proportion of pores with the diameter in the range 0∼199 μm exceeds 70%, of which the sum of volume exceeds a half of total volume with the amount being about 1% of total amount.
Optimal Decision-Making Approach for Cyber Security Defense Using Game Theory and Intelligent Learning
Authors: Zhang Yuchen , Liu Jing
Published: December 2019

Existing approaches of cyber attack-defense analysis based on stochastic game adopts the assumption of complete rationality, but in the actual cyber attack-defense, it is difficult for both sides of attacker and defender to meet the high requirement of complete rationality. For this aim, the influence of bounded rationality on attack-defense stochastic game is analyzed. We construct a stochastic game model. Aiming at the problem of state explosion when the number of network nodes increases, we design the attack-defense graph to compress the state space and extract network states and defense strategies. On this basis, the intelligent learning algorithm WoLF-PHC is introduced to carry out strategy learning and improvement. Then, the defense decision-making algorithm with online learning ability is designed, which helps to select the optimal defense strategy with the maximum payoff from the candidate strategy set. The obtained strategy is superior to previous evolutionary equilibrium strategy because it does not rely on prior data. By introducing eligibility trace to improve WoLF-PHC, the learning speed is further improved and the defense timeliness is significantly promoted.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Umbilical Cord Ulcer: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Katsura Daisuke , Moritani Suzuko , Tsuji Shunichiro , Hayashi Kaori , Yamada Kazutaka , Tokoro Shinsuke , Suzuki Kounosuke , Kimura Fuminori , Murakami Takashi
Published: December 2019

Umbilical cord ulcer is related to fetal intestinal atresia or meconium; perforation of the ulcer causes fetal deterioration leading to fetal and neonatal death owing to fetal hemorrhage. However, to the best of our knowledge, a method to diagnose umbilical cord ulcer prenatally is not available. No reports exist about the prenatal findings before perforation of umbilical cord ulcer using ultrasonography. We encountered two cases of umbilical cord ulcer showing ultrasonographic finding of a linear echo around the umbilical cord. Umbilical cord ulcers with an exposed umbilical cord artery in the first case and with perforation of the artery in the second case were diagnosed postnatally. When we encounter such ultrasonographic finding, especially with polyhydramnios and high amniotic bile acid concentration in cases of fetal intestinal atresia, risk of perforation of the umbilical cord ulcer should be included in the differential diagnosis.
Five-Year Recall after Treatment of External Cervical Resorption
Authors: Aljarbou Fahd A.
Published: December 2019

The management of external cervical resorption can be challenging. This study described a two-step procedure for the treatment of external cervical resorption. It involved nonsurgical root canal treatment and a dental amalgam core buildup, followed by a surgical approach to restore the root structure using resin-modified glass ionomer (Geristore®). The patient was recalled for a period of five years, and the overall outcome was successful.
Uterine Rupture with Evisceration of Intestines through the Vagina during Labour
Authors: Akpan Ubong , Akpanika Chinyere , Nwagbara Victor , Asibong Udeme , Etuk Saturday
Published: December 2019

Uterine rupture is a life threatening obstetric emergency and is associated with high maternal and perinatal mortality. There are some risk factors associated with uterine rupture which may include: prolonged obstructed labour, previous scarred uterus, grand-multiparity, macrosomic baby, abnormal lie, instrumental delivery, induction of labour, oxytocin stimulation and excessive uterine manipulation. Its modes of presentation have been widely reported. Here, we present a case with an unusual mode of presentation where about two-third of the small intestines protruded through the vagina following some manipulations by an unskilled birth attendant. This highlights the fact that when uterine rupture is suspected, the cord-like structure protruding per vaginum may not always be umbilical cord.
Twenty-First Century Projected Changes in Extreme Temperature over Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa)
Authors: Yapo Assi L. M. , Diawara Adama , Yoroba Fidèle , Kouassi Benjamin K. , Sylla Mouhamadou B. , Kouadio Kouakou , Odoulami Romaric C. , Tiémoko Dro Touré
Published: December 2019

The projection of the future climate changes is of paramount importance inasmuch as it contributes to provide useful information for adaptation planning worldwide to local scales. This study investigated the future changes using four temperature related indices based on an ensemble of 14 CORDEX-Africa simulations at 0.44° × 0.44° of resolution under the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. These indices indicate moderate extremes over Côte d’Ivoire. The results show an increase in the warm extreme indices such as the warm spell days index (HWFI), very warm days frequency index (TX90P), and the warm nights frequency index (TN90P) over the entire country under both emission scenarios. The increase in these indices was higher under RCP8.5 and reached 85, 72, and 90% for HWFI, TX90P, and TN90P respectively. In addition, the magnitude of the changes is relevant along the coastal areas in the 2031–2060 and 2071–2100 periods. Moreover, the intra period extreme temperature range (ETR) shows future decrease following a south-north gradient with values in the range [−0.5; 1.5°C] over the country during January–March (JFM) and October–December (OND) seasons whereas an increase (~0.5°C) is projected for April–June (AMJ) and July–September (JAS) seasons, particularly in the central and northern parts. The minimum temperature increases faster than the maximum, except in AMJ and JAS in the central and northern regions. On the other hand, the changes in the indices based on the mean values of the reference period (1976–2005) are in concordance to the expected warming at the end of the twenty-first century with important trends. The projected changes are, however, subject to uncertainties, which are higher under RCP8.5 than under RCP4.5 scenarios. Overall, these changes are meaningful as all the 14 CORDEX-Africa simulations agree to an increase of warm extreme temperature.
A Challenging Case of Mammary Analogue Secretory Carcinoma: Case Study with Ultrastructural and Cytogenetic Correlation
Authors: Mathew Joseph , Carvalho Michael , Chorneyko Katherine , Salama Samih
Published: December 2019

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) is a rare salivary gland tumor analogous to secretory carcinoma of the breast. The diagnosis of MASC can be challenging due to substantial morphologic and immunohistochemical similarities with other salivary gland tumors. The differential diagnosis of MASC is broad and includes intraductal carcinoma, acinic cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified. Although molecular testing for ETV6 gene rearrangement is characteristic of MASC and has not been shown in any other salivary gland tumor, a particular challenge arises when such testing is unavailable, or when molecular testing for ETV6 gene rearrangement is negative in a suspected case of MASC. Our study presents the diagnostic workup of a challenging case of MASC with immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and cytogenetic studies performed to resolve the diagnosis.
Millimetre-Wave Planar Phased Patch Array with Sidelobe Suppression for High Data-Rate Transmission
Authors: Chen Hung-Chen , Chiu Tsenchieh , Hsu Ching-Luh
Published: December 2019

A design of 38 GHz planar phased patch array with sidelobe suppression for data-rate enhancement is proposed in the paper. The proposed array is formed of three 24-element subarrays of patches. Each patch has its own transmit/receive modules (TRM) consisting of a digitally controlled attenuator and phase shifter. In order to achieve high data-rate communications, the noise, especially due to the undesired signals received from the sidelobes, should be reduced with high sidelobe suppression of subarray. The sidelobe suppression of the proposed subarray is first improved to 17.92 dB with a diamond-shaped aperture and then better than 35 dB with a tapered radiation power distribution. The excellent sidelobe suppression of the antenna array is essential for the beam-division multiplexing applications when the signal sources are close to each other. The proposed design is validated experimentally, including the data-rate measurements showing that the 7 Gbps data transmission can be achieved with sufficient sidelobe suppression of the proposed design.
Finite Element Modelling of Single Cell Based on Atomic Force Microscope Indentation Method
Authors: Wang Lili , Wang Li , Xu Limeng , Chen Weiyi
Published: December 2019

The stiffness of cells, especially cancer cells, is a key mechanical property that is closely associated with their biomechanical functions, such as the mechanotransduction and the metastasis mechanisms of cancer cells. In light of the low survival rate of single cells and measurement uncertainty, the finite element method (FEM) was used to quantify the deformations and predict the stiffness of single cells. To study the effect of the cell components on overall stiffness, two new FEM models were proposed based on the atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation method. The geometric sizes of the FEM models were determined by AFM topography images, and the validity of the FEM models was verified by comparison with experimental data. The effect of the intermediate filaments (IFs) and material properties of the cellular continuum components on the overall stiffness were investigated. The experimental results showed that the stiffness of cancer cells has apparent positional differences. The FEM simulation results show that IFs contribute only slightly to the overall stiffness within 10% strain, although they can transfer forces directly from the membrane to the nucleus. The cytoskeleton (CSK) is the major mechanical component of a cell. Furthermore, parameter studies revealed that the material properties (thickness and elasticity) of the continuum have a significant influence on the overall cellular stiffness while Poisson’s ratio has less of an influence on the overall cellular stiffness. The proposed FEM models can determine the contribution of the major components of the cells to the overall cellular stiffness and provide insights for understanding the response of cells to the external mechanical stimuli and studying the corresponding mechanical mechanisms and cell biomechanics.
Thermal Performances of UHMWPE/BN Composites Obtained from Different Blending Methods
Authors: Guo Yiyou , Cao Changlin , Cheng Huibin , Chen Qinghua , Huang Baoquan , Luo Fubin , Qian Qingrong
Published: December 2019

UHMWPE/BN composites were prepared by solvent mixing (SM) in this work, then were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Raman mapping, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and thermal conductivity meter to study the morphology, filler distribution, segregated structure, and thermal stability as well as thermal conductivity. Compared to the traditional melt mixing (MM), SM followed by molding contributes to the construction of segregated structures in UHMWPE composite. This segregated structure can greatly improve the thermal conductivity of the composites. The segregated structure of composites prepared by MM is destroyed by shearing. Moreover, the thermal stability of composites by SM is improved with the increment of BN content, which is better than that of samples by MM, probably resulting from the barrier function of the segregated structure.
Self-efficacy and Physical Activity in Overweight and Obese Adults Participating in a Worksite Weight Loss Intervention: Multistate Modeling of Wearable Device Data
Authors: Robertson Michael C. , Green Charles E. , Liao Yue , Durand Casey P. , Basen-Engquist Karen M.
Published: December 2019

Background:

Physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of numerous types of cancer and plays an important role in maintaining a healthy weight. Wearable physical activity trackers may supplement behavioral intervention and enable researchers to study how determinants like self-efficacy predict physical activity patterns over time.

Methods:

We used multistate models to evaluate how self-efficacy predicted physical activity states among overweight and obese individuals participating in a 26-week weight loss program (N = 96). We specified five states to capture physical activity patterns: (i) active (i.e., meeting recommendations for 2 weeks), (ii) insufficiently active, (iii) nonvalid wear, (iv) favorable transition (i.e., improvement in physical activity over 2 weeks), and (v) unfavorable transition. We calculated HRs of transition probabilities by self-efficacy, body mass index, age, and time.

Results:

The average prevalence of individuals in the active, insufficiently active, and nonvalid wear states was 13%, 44%, and 16%, respectively. Low self-efficacy negatively predicted entering an active state [HR, 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.29–0.88]. Obesity negatively predicted making a favorable transition out of an insufficiently active state (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40–0.91). Older participants were less likely to transition to the nonvalid wear state (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.30–0.93). Device nonwear increased in the second half of the intervention (HR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.07–2.81).

Conclusions:

Self-efficacy is an important predictor for clinically relevant physical activity change in overweight and obese individuals. Multistate modeling is useful for analyzing longitudinal physical activity data.

Impact:

Multistate modeling can be used for statistical inference of covariates and allow for explicit modeling of nonvalid wear.

See all articles in this CEBP Focus section, “Modernizing Population Science.”
Toxicology and Pharmacokinetic Studies in Mice and Nonhuman Primates of the Nontoxic, Efficient, Targeted Hexameric FasL: CTLA4-FasL
Authors: Makdasi Efi , Amsili Shira , Aronin Alexandra , Prigozhina Tatyana B. , Tzdaka Kobi , Gozlan Yosi Meir , Ben Gigi–Tamir Liat , Sagiv Jitka Yehudith , Shkedy Fanny , Shani Noam , Tykocinski Mark L. , Dranitzki Elhalel Michal
Published: December 2019

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4)-FasL, a homo-hexameric signal converter protein, is capable of inducing robust apoptosis in malignant cells of the B-cell lineage expressing its cognate B7 and Fas targets, while sparing nonmalignant ones. This fusion protein's striking proapoptotic efficacy stems from its complementary abilities to coordinately activate apoptotic signals and abrogate antiapoptotic ones. A limiting factor in translating FasL or Fas receptor agonists into the clinic has been lethal hepatotoxicity. Here, we establish CTLA4-FasL's in vivo efficacy in multiple murine and xenograft models, for both systemic and subcutaneous tumors. Significantly, good laboratory practice (GLP) toxicology studies in mice indicate that CTLA4-FasL given repeatedly at doses up to five times the effective dose was well-tolerated and resulted in no significant adverse events. An equivalent single dose of CTLA4-FasL administered to nonhuman primates was also well-tolerated, albeit with a moderate dose-dependent leukopenia that was completely reversible. Interestingly, monkey peripheral blood mononuclear cells were more sensitive to CTLA4-FasL–induced apoptosis when tested in vitro. In both species, there was short-term elevation in serum levels of IL6, IL2, and IFNγ, although this was not associated with clinical signs of proinflammatory cytokine release, and further, this cytokine elevation could be completely prevented by dexamethasone premedication. Liver toxicity was not observed in either species, as confirmed by serum liver enzyme levels and histopathologic assessment. In conclusion, CTLA4-FasL emerges from animal model studies as an effective and safe agent for targeted FasL-mediated treatment of B7-expressing aggressive B-cell lymphomas.
Increased Myocardial Stiffness in Patients With High-Risk Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
Authors: Hieda Michinari , Sarma Satyam , Hearon Christopher M. , Dias Katrin A. , Martinez Jose , Samels Mitchel , Everding Braden , Palmer Dean , Livingston Sheryl , Morris Margot , Howden Erin , Levine Benjamin D.
Published: December 2019

Background:

Individuals with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and elevated cardiac biomarkers in middle age are at high risk for the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). However, it is unknown what the pathophysiological underpinnings of this high-risk state may be. We tested the hypothesis that patients with LVH and elevated cardiac biomarkers would demonstrate elevated left ventricular (LV) myocardial stiffness in comparison with healthy controls as a key marker for future HFpEF.

Methods:

Forty-six patients with LVH (LV septum >11 mm) and elevated cardiac biomarkers (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [>40 pg/mL] or troponin T [>0.6 pg/mL]) were recruited, along with 61 age- and sex-matched (by cohort) healthy controls. To define LV pressure-volume relationships, right heart catheterization and 3-dimensional echocardiography were performed while preload was manipulated using lower body negative pressure and rapid saline infusion.

Results:

There were significant differences in body size, blood pressure, and baseline pulmonary capillary wedge pressure between groups (eg, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure: LVH, 13.4±2.7 versus control, 11.7±1.7 mm Hg,
P
<0.0001). The LV was less distensible in LVH than in controls (smaller volume for the same filling pressure). When preload was expressed as transmural filling pressure (pulmonary capillary wedge pressure – right atrial pressure), LV myocardial stiffness was nearly 30% greater in LVH than in controls (LVH stiffness constant, 0.053±0.027 versus controls, 0.042±0.020,
P
=0.028).

Conclusions:

LV myocardial stiffness in patients with LVH and elevated biomarkers (stage-B HFpEF) is greater than in age- and sex-matched controls and thus appears to represent a transitional state from a normal healthy heart to HFpEF. Although the LV myocardial stiffness of patients with LVH is greater than that of healthy controls at this early stage, further studies are required to clarify whether interventions such as exercise training to improve LV compliance may prevent the full manifestation of the HFpEF syndrome in these high-risk individuals.

Clinical Trial Registration:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifiers: NCT03476785 and NCT02039154.
Impact of Changes to National Hypertension Guidelines on Hypertension Management and Outcomes in the United Kingdom
Authors: Lay-Flurrie Sarah L. , Sheppard James P. , Stevens Richard J. , Mallen Christian , Heneghan Carl , Hobbs F.D. Richard , Williams Bryan , Mant Jonathan , McManus Richard J.
Published: December 2019

In recent years, national and international guidelines have recommended the use of out-of-office blood pressure monitoring for diagnosing hypertension. Despite evidence of cost-effectiveness, critics expressed concerns this would increase cardiovascular morbidity. We assessed the impact of these changes on the incidence of hypertension, out-of-office monitoring and cardiovascular morbidity using routine clinical data from English general practices, linked to inpatient hospital, mortality, and socio-economic status data. We studied 3 937 191 adults with median follow-up of 4.2 years (49% men, mean age=39.7 years) between April 1, 2006 and March 31, 2017. Interrupted time series analysis was used to examine the impact of changes to English hypertension guidelines in 2011 on incidence of hypertension (primary outcome). Secondary outcomes included rate of out-of-office monitoring and cardiovascular events. Across the study period, incidence of hypertension fell from 2.1 to 1.4 per 100 person-years. The change in guidance in 2011 was not associated with an immediate change in incidence (change in rate=0.01 [95% CI, −0.18–0.20]) but did result in a leveling out of the downward trend (change in yearly trend =0.09 [95% CI, 0.04–0.15]). Ambulatory monitoring increased significantly in 2011/2012 (change in rate =0.52 [95% CI, 0.43–0.60]). The rate of cardiovascular events remained unchanged (change in rate =−0.02 [95% CI, −0.05–0.02]). In summary, changes to hypertension guidelines in 2011 were associated with a stabilisation in incidence and no increase in cardiovascular events. Guidelines should continue to recommend out-of-office monitoring for diagnosis of hypertension.
Cortical Microinfarcts Detected by 3-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Ishikawa Hidehiro , Ii Yuichiro , Shindo Akihiro , Tabei Ken-ichi , Umino Maki , Ito Ai Ogawa , Matsuura Keita , Taniguchi Akira , Matsuyama Hirofumi , Niwa Atsushi , Ogura Toru , Yoshimaru Kimiko , Satoh Masayuki , Maeda Masayuki , Tomimoto Hidekazu
Published: December 2019

Background and Purpose—

Cortical microinfarcts (CMIs) are small ischemic lesions found in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and embolic stroke. This study aimed to differentiate CMIs caused by CAA from those caused by microembolisms, using 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods—

We retrospectively investigated 70 patients with at least 1 cortical infarct <10 mm on 3-dimensional double inversion recovery imaging. Of the 70 patients, 43 had an embolic stroke history (Emboli-G) while 27 had CAA-group. We compared the size, number, location, and distribution of CMIs between groups and designed a radiological score for differentiation based on the comparisons.

Results—

CAA-group showed significantly more lesions <5 mm, which were restricted to the cortex (
P
<0.01). Cortical lesion number was significantly higher in Emboli-G than in CAA-group (4 versus 2;
P
<0.01). Lesions in CAA-group and Emboli-G were disproportionately located in the occipital lobe (
P
<0.01) and frontal or parietal lobe (
P
=0.04), respectively. In radiological scoring, ≥3 points strongly predicted microembolism (sensitivity, 63%; specificity, 92%) or CAA (sensitivity, 63%; specificity, 91%). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.85 and 0.87 for microembolism and CAA, respectively.

Conclusions—

Characteristics of CMIs on 3T-magnetic resonance imaging may differentiate CMIs due to CAA from those due to microembolisms.
Doing Things with Arabic in the Seventeenth-Century Escorial
Authors: Hershenzon Daniel
Published: December 2019

This article takes part in the recent project of reevaluating the place, role, and importance of different forms of engagement with Arabic and Arabic manuscripts in seventeenth-century Spain, and more broadly in Europe, by focusing on a single institution—the royal library of San Lorenzo of the Escorial. I examine if, and how, the Escorial fits within the new narrative of the history of Arabic in seventeenth- century Spain. Did the presence of an exceptionally sizeable collection of Arabic texts facilitate, hinder, or have no effect on the new Orientalism of the seventeenth century? More specifically, the article explores four questions: (1) What did Spanish and European scholars think about the collection of Arabic manuscripts in the Escorial? (2) What did the Hieronymites, the friars in charge of the library, do with its Arabic manuscripts? (3) What did the Hieronymites think about the study of Arabic? and (4) What access to the collection, if any, did Spanish and European scholars have? The answers to these questions suggest that the Escorial became a shrine of Arabic knowledge, to which scholarly pilgrims sought access, and that during seventeenth century Spain preserved its reputation among European orientalists as an important site for the study of Arabic.
Reassignments to the Genus Marmorofusus Snyder & Lyons, 2014 (Neogastropoda: Fasciolariidae: Fusininae) of species from the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and southwestern Australia
Authors: LYONS WILLIAM G. , SNYDER MARTIN AVERY
Published: December 2019

Twelve species from the Bay of Bengal, the Red Sea, the western Indian Ocean, and southwestern Australia are reclassified in Marmorofusus. These include: Murex undulatus Gmelin, 1791, a senior synonym of Murex variegatus Perry, 1811 and Fusus laticostatus Deshayes, 1831, formerly regarded as a junior synonym of Marmorofusus nicobaricus (Röding, 1798); Murex verrucosus Gmelin, 1791 (synonyms Fusus tuberculatus Anton, 1839 non Lamarck, 1822, F. marmoratus Philippi, 1846 and F. rudicostatus G.B. Sowerby II, 1880); F. polygonoides Lamarck, 1822 (synonym F. biangulatus Deshayes, 1833); F. tuberculatus (Lamarck, 1822) (synonyms Fusus indicus Anton, 1839, F. maculiferus Tapparone Canefri, 1875, Fusinus t. priscai Bozzetti, 2013 and F. t. fuscobandatus Bozzetti, 2017); Fusus philippii Jonas in Philippi, 1846, an earlier name for Fusus tessellatus G.B. Sowerby II, 1880 (other probable synonyms Fusus exilis Menke, 1843, non Conrad, 1832 and Fusinus dampieri Finlay, 1930, replacement name for F. exilis Menke); Fusus oblitus (Reeve, 1847) (synonym Fusus turrispictus Hedley, 1918); F. leptorhynchus Tapparone Canefri, 1875 (synonym F. subquadratus G.B. Sowerby II, 1880), Fusinus vercoi Snyder, 2004; F. wellsi Snyder, 2004; F. brianoi Bozzetti, 2006; F. verbinneni Snyder, 2006; and F. bishopi Petuch & Berschauer, 2017. Fusus toreuma Deshayes, 1843, sometimes misidentified as M. tuberculatus, is a member of the Fusinus colus (Linnaeus, 1758) species group.
Catalogue of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) from the Malay Archipelago
Authors: CORPUZ-RAROS LEONILA , ERMILOV SERGEY G.
Published: December 2019

This paper presents a Catalogue of oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) recorded from the Malay Archipelago covering 113 years from 1905 to the end of 2018. The Malay Archipelago comprises countries located in the maritime area of Southeast Asia between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, viz., Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, East Timor and the Philippines. Information compiled for each species includes references to the original description, subsequent re-combinations of specific name with other genera, and junior synonyms, if any, as well as the type locality, type habitat, later recorded habitats, and geographic distribution within and outside the Malay Archipelago. A historical review of explorations and taxonomic studies on oribatids in the various countries is also provided.                A total of 1,030 valid species including subspecies and 6 doubtful species have been recorded from the Malay Archipelago from 1905 to 2018. The valid species belong to 323 genera, 98 families and 34 superfamilies in all of the five infraorders and two hyporders of the Suborder Oribatida. Among the component countries, the Philippines has the highest number of records at 513, followed by Indonesia including Kalimantan and excluding the Moluccas and Irian Barat on New Guinea Island (402), Malaysia including Sabah and Sarawak (250), Brunei (64), and Singapore (28), while not a single species is currently known from East Timor. Most of the species known from Malaysia come from its two provinces (Sabah and Sarawak) in Borneo Island with 190, or more than twice that on Peninsular or West Malaysia with 77 species. On the whole, Borneo Island which is home for three countries has 235 recorded species with Sabah and Sarawak having 190, Brunei 64, and Kalimantan only 18 species. Aside from Borneo, the better explored islands, in descending order of records, are Luzon (346), Java (261), Samar (182), Mindanao (178), Leyte (112), Polillo (105), Bali (99), and Sumatra (82), and the peninsular part of Malaysia (78), while the relatively large island of Sulawesi has only 13 species records.                Endemism to the individual countries ranges from 36.1–60.7%, the highest of which are Singapore (60.7%) and Brunei (57.8%). The relatively better known and bigger countries have lower rates of endemism—47.4% for the Philippines, 46.8% for Malaysia, whereas Indonesia, with the largest land area and earliest records, has the lowest rate of 36.1%. Overall, 608 species or 59.0% of the total fauna of the Malay Archipelago are known so far only from this region.
Improving Meteorological Seasonal Forecasts for Hydrological Modeling in European Winter
Authors: Stringer Nicky , Knight Jeff , Thornton Hazel
Published: December 2019

Recent advances in the skill of seasonal forecasts in the extratropics during winter mean they could offer improvements to seasonal hydrological forecasts. However, the signal-to-noise paradox, whereby the variability in the ensemble mean signal is lower than would be expected given its correlation skill, prevents their use to force hydrological models directly. We describe a postprocessing method to adjust for this problem, increasing the size of the predicted signal in the large-scale circulation. This reduces the ratio of predictable components in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) from 3 to 1. We then derive a large ensemble of daily sequences of spatially gridded rainfall that are consistent with the seasonal mean NAO prediction by selecting historical observations conditioned on the adjusted NAO forecasts. Over northern and southwestern Europe, where the NAO is strongly correlated with winter mean rainfall, the variability of the predicted signal in the adjusted rainfall forecasts is consistent with the correlation skill (they have a ratio of predictable components of ~1) and are as skillful as the unadjusted forecasts. The adjusted forecasts show larger predicted deviations from climatology and can be used to better assess the risk of extreme seasonal mean precipitation as well as to force hydrological models.
Psychotropic Drug Prescribing in a General Hospital Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Authors: Brayley John , Rafalowicz Elias , Yellowlees Peter
Published: December 2019

The drugs prescribed to 241 general hospital psychiatric unit inpatients were surveyed at the time of admission and discharge. Sixty-three per cent of patients were prescribed psychotropic drugs on admission, compared to 68% on discharge. There was a significant reduction in patients prescribed minor tranquillisers from 23% to 8%, and an increase in those prescribed tricyclic antidepressants from 26% to 42%. Compared to previous surveys of psychiatric hospital populations, fewer general hospital psychiatric patients were prescribed medications overall, less neuroleptics and less anti-parkinsonian agents were used, but more patients were treated with antidepressant medication. This reflects a different patient population. An analysis such as this allows prescriptions of psychotropic drugs to be compared with the recommended regimes suggested in the literature, as well as comparisons of drug usage between different units and hospitals.
Standards of Care for Area Mental Health Services
Authors: Rosen Alan , Miller Vivienne , Parker Gordon
Published: December 2019

A provisional set of standards of care was derived from a quality assurance strand of a wider research project, which reported the development of evaluation strategies for area integrated mental health services (AIMHS). In contrast to most published standards, they apply to all facets of care in a comprehensive catchment area mental health service, whether clinical or functional, community or hospital based, urban or rural, or managed by the public, private or voluntary sectors. We review briefly existing sets of standards of mental health services and report the process of development of standards of care, each with sub-sets of performance indicators and examples. While the AIMHS standards and a companion quality assurance manual are still undergoing refinement, they offer a guide for mental health professionals to the provision of services, and a checklist to service-users of services that should be available to them at every stage of care in a mental health system.
Mitigating Teen Driver Distraction: In-Vehicle Feedback Based on Peer Social Norms
Authors: Donmez Birsen , Merrikhpour Maryam , Nooshabadi Mehdi Hoseinzadeh
Published: December 2019

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of in-vehicle feedback based on peer social norms in mitigating teen driver distraction.

Background

Distraction is a significant problem among teen drivers. Research into the use of in-vehicle technologies to mitigate this issue has been limited. In particular, there is a need to study whether social norms interventions provided through in-vehicle feedback can be effective. Peers are important social referents for teens; thus, normative intervention based on this group is promising. Socially proximal referents have a greater influence on behavior; thus, tailoring peer norm feedback based on gender may provide additional benefits.

Method

In this study, 57 teens completed a driving simulator experiment while performing a secondary task in three between-subject conditions: (a) postdrive feedback incorporating same-gender peer norms, (b) postdrive feedback incorporating opposite-gender peer norms, and (c) no feedback. Feedback involved information based on descriptive norms (what others do).

Results

Teens’ self-reported frequency of distraction engagement was positively correlated with their perceptions of their peers’ engagement in and approval of distractions. Feedback based on peer norms was effective in reducing distraction engagement and improving driving performance, with no difference between same- and opposite-gender feedback.

Conclusion/Application

Feedback based on peer norms can help mitigate driver distraction among teens. Tailoring social norms feedback to teen gender appears to not provide any additional benefits. Longer-term effectiveness in real-world settings should be investigated.
Climate Change Grounded on Empirical Evidence as Compared with the Perceptions of Smallholder Farmers in Vhembe District, South Africa
Authors: Kom Zongho , Nethengwe Nthaduleni S. , Mpandeli Sylvester , Chikoore Hector
Published: December 2019

In South Africa, the smallholding-farming system is a dominant economic activity in rural communities. This study examines smallholder-farmers’ perceptions in regards to climate changes, in comparison with evidence from meteorological data from 1980–2015, across Vhembe District; data from a questionnaire and recorded meteorological were used. The results reveal that, farmers’ perceptions of climatic conditions are consistent with meteorological details on climatic change. In other words, the study, showed that, farmers’ perceptions using climate indicators, mirror meteorological data. It was concluded that it is imperative for farmers to understand issues such as, temperature and rainfall patterns in order to identify adaptive strategies to the negative impacts of climate.