bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Ehrlichia canis in a hospital canine population
Authors: Chochlios Tryfon A. , Angelidou Elisavet , Kritsepi‐Konstantinou Maria , Koutinas Christos K. , Mylonakis Mathios E.
Published: June 2019

Background

Ehrlichia canis (E canis) infection has been documented in a few small canine case series in Greece. However, there is limited information on the prevalence of exposure to, or the potential risk factors associated with E canis seroreactivity in a large native canine population.

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to evaluate E canis seroprevalence in dogs admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital, and to investigate the potential association between seropositivity and signalment, health status, the serologic assays used, and selected clinical and clinicopathologic abnormalities.

Methods

The medical records of 850 client‐owned dogs, tested using three in‐office serologic assays, were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

The E canis seroprevalence was significantly higher in sick (54.9%) compared with healthy (33.9%) dogs. Seropositivity differed significantly between the serologic assays used in this study (ImmunoComb vs SNAP 3Dx/SNAP 4Dx). Dogs presenting with bleeding tendencies, anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, and hyperproteinemia were more likely to be E canis seropositive, and the median hematocrit (HCT), white blood cell (WBC), neutrophil, and platelet values were significantly lower in seropositive compared with seronegative dogs.

Conclusions

A high E canis seroprevalence was documented in a canine population living in an endemic area. Selected clinicopathologic variables might be useful indicators of E canis exposure and could allow the prioritization of serologic testing in the clinical setting.
A Preliminary Study on Learning Challenges in Machine Learning-based Flight Delay Prediction
Authors: Mustapha Ismail Babajide , Shamsuddin Siti Mariyam , Hasan Shafaatunnur
Published: June 2019

Machine learning based flight delay prediction is one of the numerous real-life application domains where the problem of imbalance in class distribution is reported to affect the performance of learning algorithms. However, the fact that learning algorithms have been reported to perform well on some class imbalance problems posits the possibility of other contributing factors. In this study, we visually explore air traffic data after dimensionality reduction with t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbour Embedding. Our initial findings suggest a high degree of overlapping between the delayed and on-time class instances which can be a greater problem for learning algorithms than class imbalance.
The Impact of Different Exercise Intensities on Vasodilation and Shear Rate Patterns in Children
Authors: McManus Ali M. , Sletten Nathan R. , Green Daniel J.
Published: June 2019

Purpose: The effect of exercise intensity on vasodilator function is poorly understood in children. The authors compared the acute effect of high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) with moderate-intensity steady-state exercise (MISS) on postexercise vasodilation and shear patterns in 7- to 12- year-old children. Methods: Superficial femoral artery diameter, shear rates, and flow-mediated dilation were measured pre, immediately following (post), and 1 hour after (post60) HIIE (six 1-min sprints at 90% peak power [Wmax], with 1-min recovery) and MISS (15 min at 44% Wmax). Results: Baseline superficial femoral artery diameter increased similarly following both HIIE (pre 4.23 [0.41] mm, post 4.73 [0.56] mm) and MISS (pre 4.28 [0.56] mm, post 4.59 [0.64] mm), returning to preexercise values post60. Blood flow and antegrade shear rate were increased post HIIE and MISS, but to a greater extent, post HIIE (P < .05). Retrograde shear rate was attenuated post both exercise conditions and remained post60 (P < .001). There was a decline in flow-mediated dilation postexercise (HIIE Δ −2.9%; MISS Δ −2.4%), which was no longer apparent when corrected for baseline diameter. Conclusion: Acute bouts of external work-matched HIIE or MISS exert a similar impact on shear-mediated conduit artery vasodilation and flow-mediated dilation in children, and this is reversed 1 hour after exercise.
Disassembly of the TRIM23-TBK1 Complex by the Us11 Protein of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Impairs Autophagy
Authors: Liu Xing , Matrenec Rachel , Gack Michaela U. , He Bin
Published: June 2019

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process that restricts certain intracellular pathogens, including HSV-1. Although HSV-1 is well known to inhibit autophagy, little is known about the precise molecular mechanisms of autophagy inhibition. We demonstrate that the Us11 protein of HSV-1 spatially disrupts the TRIM23-TBK1 complex, which subsequently suppresses autophagy and autophagy-mediated virus restriction. Thus, expression of the Us11 protein facilitates HSV-1 replication. These data unveil new insight into viral escape from autophagy-mediated host restriction mechanisms.
Genetic and Genomic Analyses Reveal Boundaries between Species Closely Related to
Cryptococcus
Pathogens
Authors: Passer Andrew Ryan , Coelho Marco A. , Billmyre Robert Blake , Nowrousian Minou , Mittelbach Moritz , Yurkov Andrey M. , Averette Anna Floyd , Cuomo Christina A. , Sun Sheng , Heitman Joseph
Published: June 2019

The evolutionary drivers of speciation are critical to our understanding of how new pathogens arise from nonpathogenic lineages and adapt to new environments. Here we focus on the
Cryptococcus amylolentus
species complex, a nonpathogenic fungal lineage closely related to the human-pathogenic
Cryptococcus neoformans
/
Cryptococcus gattii
complex. Using genetic and genomic analyses, we reexamined the species boundaries of four available isolates within the
C. amylolentus
complex and revealed three genetically isolated species. Their genomes are ∼6% divergent and exhibit chromosome rearrangements, including translocations and small-scale inversions. Although two of the species (
C. amylolentus
and newly described
C. floricola
) were still able to interbreed, the resulting hybrid progeny were usually inviable or sterile, indicating that barriers to reproduction had already been established. These results advance our understanding of speciation in fungi and highlight the power of genomics in assisting our ability to correctly identify and discriminate fungal species.
Genomic Identification of the TOR Signaling Pathway as a Target of the Plant Alkaloid Antofine in the Phytopathogen Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Mogg Christopher , Bonner Christopher , Wang Li , Schernthaner Johann , Smith Myron , Desveaux Darrell , Subramaniam Rajagopal
Published: June 2019

Fusarium
head blight caused by the fungal pathogen
Fusarium graminearum
is a devastating disease of cereal crops worldwide, with limited effective chemical treatments available. Here we show that the natural alkaloid compound antofine can inhibit fusarium head blight in wheat. Using yeast genomic screening, we identified the TOR pathway component RRD2 as a target of antofine that is also required for
F. graminearum
pathogenicity.
Extensive Epitranscriptomic Methylation of A and C Residues on Murine Leukemia Virus Transcripts Enhances Viral Gene Expression
Authors: Courtney David G. , Chalem Andrea , Bogerd Hal P. , Law Brittany A. , Kennedy Edward M. , Holley Christopher L. , Cullen Bryan R.
Published: June 2019

The data presented in the present study demonstrate that MLV RNAs bear an exceptionally high level of the epitranscriptomic modifications m
6
A, m
5
C, and Nm, suggesting that these each facilitate some aspect of the viral replication cycle. Consistent with this hypothesis, we demonstrate that mutational removal of a subset of these m
6
A or m
5
C modifications from MLV transcripts inhibits MLV replication in
cis
, and a similar result was also observed upon manipulation of the level of expression of key cellular epitranscriptomic cofactors in
trans
. Together, these results argue that the addition of several different epitranscriptomic modifications to viral transcripts stimulates viral gene expression and suggest that MLV has therefore evolved to maximize the level of these modifications that are added to viral RNAs.
Does enhanced physical rehabilitation following intensive care unit discharge improve outcomes in patients who received mechanical ventilation? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Taito Shunsuke , Yamauchi Kota , Tsujimoto Yasushi , Banno Masahiro , Tsujimoto Hiraku , Kataoka Yuki
Published: June 2019

Objective

We aimed to determine whether enhanced physical rehabilitation following intensive care unit (ICU) discharge improves activities-of-daily-living function, quality of life (QOL) and mortality among patients who received mechanical ventilation in the ICU.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Data sources

MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, PEDro and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform searched through January 2019.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

We included randomised controlled trials assessing the effect of post-ICU rehabilitation designed to either commence earlier and/or be more intensive than the protocol employed in the control group. Only adults who received mechanical ventilation for >24 hours were included.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Standard mean differences (SMDs) with 95% CIs were calculated for QOL, and pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% CIs are provided for mortality. We assessed heterogeneity based on I² and the certainty of evidence based on the GRADE approach.

Results

Ten trials (enrolling 1110 patients) compared physical rehabilitation with usual care or no intervention after ICU discharge. Regarding QOL, the SMD (95% CI) between the intervention and control groups for the physical and mental component summary scores was 0.06 (–0.12 to 0.24) and −0.04 (−0.20 to 0.11), respectively. Rehabilitation did not significantly decrease long-term mortality (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.66). The analysed trials did not report activities-of-daily-living data. The certainty of the evidence for QOL and mortality was moderate.

Conclusions

Enhanced physical rehabilitation following ICU discharge may make little or no difference to QOL or mortality among patients who received mechanical ventilation in the ICU. Given the wide CIs, further studies are needed to confirm the efficacy of intensive post-ICU rehabilitation in selected populations.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42017080532.
Adding proactive and reactive case detection into the integrated community case management system to optimise diagnosis and treatment of malaria in a high transmission setting of Cameroon: an observational quality improvement study
Authors: Bekolo Cavin Epie , Williams Thomas D’Arcy
Published: June 2019

Objective

Integrated community case management (iCCM) of childhood illness is a powerful intervention to reduce mortality. Yet, only 29% and 59% of children with fever in sub-Saharan Africa had access to malaria testing and treatment between 2015 and 2017. We report how iCCM+ based on incorporating active case detection of malaria into iCCM could help improve testing and treatment.

Design

A community-led observational quality improvement study.

Setting

The rural community of Bare-Bakem in Cameroon.

Participants

Children and adults with fever between April and June 2018.

Intervention

A modified iCCM programme (iCCM+) comprising a proactive screening of febrile children <5 years old for malaria using rapid diagnostic testing to identify index cases and a reactive screening triggered by these index cases to detect secondary cases in the community.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The proportion of additional malaria cases detected by iCCM+ over iCCM.

Results

We screened 501 febrile patients of whomPlasmodiuminfection was confirmed in 425 (84.8%) cases. Of these cases, 102 (24.0%) were index cases identified in the community during routine iCCM activity and 36 (8.5%) cases detected passively in health facilities; 38 (8.9%) were index cases identified proactively in schools and 249 (58.6%) were additional cases detected by reactive case detection—computing to a total of 287 (67.5%) additional cases found by iCCM+ over iCCM. The likelihood of finding additional cases increased with increasing family size (adjusted odd ratio (aOR)=1.2, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.3) and with increasing age (aOR=1.7, 95% CI: 1.5 to 1.9).

Conclusion

Most symptomatic cases of malaria remain undetected in the community despite the introduction of CCM of malaria. iCCM+ can be adopted to diagnose and treat more of these undiagnosed cases especially when targeted to schools, older children and larger households.
Effectiveness assessment of riluzole in the prevention of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy: RILUZOX-01: protocol of a randomised, parallel, controlled, double-blind and multicentre study by the UNICANCER-AFSOS Supportive Care intergroup
Authors: Kerckhove Nicolas , Busserolles Jérome , Stanbury Trevor , Pereira Bruno , Plence Valérie , Bonnetain Franck , Krakowski Ivan , Eschalier Alain , Pezet Denis , Balayssac David
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Most patients (>70%) experience acute neuropathic symptoms shortly after oxaliplatin infusions. These symptoms are not always resolved between infusions. Overall, 30%–50% of patients suffer from chronic oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN). This cumulative and dose-dependent sensory neuropathy limits compliance or results in oxaliplatin-based chemotherapies to be substituted with less neurotoxic agents. These treatment changes impair clinical outcomes, and may be associated with comorbidities, such as distress, depression and anxiety. Currently, no drug used to prevent or treat OIPN is sufficiently effective to be used routinely in clinical practice. There is, thus, an unmet therapeutic need to reduce the intensity of and/or prevent OIPN. We hypothesised that riluzole would be an excellent candidate to address this public health issue. Riluzole is approved for treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In animals, there is a beneficial effect on sensorimotor and pain disorders, as well as related comorbidities, after repeated administration of oxaliplatin. In humans, riluzole has shown neuroprotective, anxiolytic and antidepressive effects.

Methods and analysis

RILUZOX-01 trial was designed as a randomised, controlled, double-blind study to evaluate the efficacy of riluzole to prevent OIPN. Patients with colorectal cancer and initiating adjuvant oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy are eligible. Patients (n=210) will be randomly assigned to either riluzole or placebo, concomitantly with chemotherapy. The primary endpoint is the change in OIPN intensity, assessed by the sensory scale of the QLQ-CIPN20, after six 2-week cycles of chemotherapy. Secondary endpoints include incidence and severity of neuropathy, grade of sensory neuropathy, intensity and features of neuropathic pain, health-related quality of life, disease-free survival, overall survival and safety.

Ethics and dessimination

The study was approved by a French ethics committee (ref:39/18_1, ‘Comité de Protection des Personnes’ Ouest-IV, France) and plans to start enroling patients in September 2019. The trial is registered in EudraCT and clinicaltrials.gov.

Trial registration number

N°2017-002320-25;NCT03722680
Efficacy of the bile leak test using contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonic cholangiography in liver resection: a study protocol for a non-randomised, prospective, off-label, single-arm trial
Authors: Tanaka Motofumi , Kido Masahiro , Kuramitsu Kaori , Komatsu Shohei , Awazu Masahide , Gon Hidetoshi , Tsugawa Daisuke , Mukubo Hideyo , Toyama Hirochika , Fukumoto Takumi
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Bile leak is still a major complication after liver resection to be improved. To intraoperatively detect this adverse complication, leak test is commonly performed after hepatic resection. However, by the conventional leak test, it is often difficult to know whether the test reagent reaches to intrahepatic bile duct near cut surface of liver with adequate volume and pressure to identify the existence of bile leak. Thus, in order to perform leak test more accurately, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the leak test using contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonic cholangiography (CE-IOUSC), which was reported by our group as a procedure for detection of bile duct.

Methods and analysis

The current study is a non-randomised, prospective, off-label, single-arm clinical trial for patients who undergo liver resection. A total of 100 patients will be enrolled. After completion of liver resection, the leak test is performed with CE-IOUSC using Sonazoid as a contrast agent to visualise dye injection into the intrahepatic bile duct. The primary endpoint is the success of the leak test, defined as clear visualisation of intrahepatic bile duct around cut surface by ultrasonography that indicates enough volume of dye injection. Secondary endpoints are postoperative bile leak and all adverse events related to CE-IOUSC. The findings obtained through this study will establish this procedure to assist surgeons for adequately performing the leak test, precisely detecting intraoperative biliary leak strictly and reducing postoperative bile leak.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol is approved by Institutional Review Boards of Kobe University Hospital (No.290069). Our findings will be widely disseminated through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

Trial registration number

UMIN000031236 and jRCTs051180027.
Processes and contexts influencing health inequalities among women who are mothers
Authors: Trujillo-Alemán Sara , Perez Gloria , Reynolds Jillian , Rueda Silvia , Borrell Carme
Published: June 2019

This paper presents a conceptual framework that aims to conceptualise the different processes and contexts influencing health inequalities among women who are mothers. On the one hand, four processes are shown: (1) social stratification; (2) route into motherhood; (3) exposure and vulnerability to risk factors; and (4) generation of health inequalities. On the other hand, the role of the socioeconomic and political context, the labour market context, and the social, community and family context, as well as their inter-relationships, are presented. In addition, different family policy models, social values and cultural imperatives are considered.
Considerable distance to reach 90-90-90 targets among female sex workers, men who have sex with men and transgender women in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea: findings from a cross-sectional respondent-driven sampling survey
Authors: Hakim Avi J , Badman Steven G , Weikum Damian , Amos Angelyne , Willie Barne , Narokobi Rebecca , Gabuzzi Josephine , Pekon Simon , Kupul Martha , Hou Parker , Aeno Herick , Neo Boli Ruthy , Nembari Joshua , Ase Sophie , Kaldor John M , Vallely Andrew J , Kelly-Hanku Angela
Published: June 2019

Objective

To characterise the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 90-90-90 cascade among female sex workers (FSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM)/transgender women (TGW) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Methods

We conducted respondent-driven sampling surveys among FSW and MSM/TGW in Port Moresby, PNG from June to October 2016. All participants spoke English or Tok Pisin and were aged >12 years. FSW had to be born female and sell/exchange sex with a male in the past 6 months. MSM/TGW had to be born male and have oral/anal sex with another male-born person in the past 6 months. Participants were interviewed and offered rapid HIV diagnostic and viral load testing. HIV viral suppression (VS) was defined as <1000 copies/mL.

Results

We recruited 674 FSW and 400 MSM/TGW; HIV prevalence was 15.2% (95% CI 11.7 to 18.8) and 8.5% (95% CI 5.0 to 11.9), respectively. Among FSW living with HIV, 39.0% (95% CI 26.6 to 51.4) self-reported having been diagnosed; of them 79.6% (95% CI 62.7 to 96.5) self-reported being on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 54.1% (95% CI 31.8 to 76.4) achieved VS. Among MSM/TGW living with HIV, 24.4% (95% CI 4.7 to 44.1) self-reported having been diagnosed; of them 43.9% (95% CI 33.6 to 54.8) self-reported being on ART, and 86.1% (95% CI 71.1 to 93.9) achieved VS.

Conclusions

ART use among those aware of their HIV status is encouraging. However, the generally low awareness of infection status among FSW and MSM/TGW with HIV and the low VS among FSW on ART indicate an urgent need for innovative strategies to increase testing uptake and ART adherence among these populations. Monitoring drug resistance may be warranted.
A new species of penzigioid Xylaria (Xylariaceae) from the cloud forest in eastern Mexico revealed through morphological and phylogenetic analyses
Authors: Chacón Santiago , González Dolores
Published: June 2019

Xylaria subtropicalis, a species new to science, was collected from a montane cloud forest in eastern Mexico. It is described and illustrated, based on detailed macro- and microscopic morphological characteristics, habitat, and DNA sequence data. The distinctive morphological differences between X. subtropicalis and other Xylaria species include: the stromata being significantly erumpent, the size of the ascospores being 23–28 μm × 13–15 μm, and a straight germ slit as long as the spore. To determine whether this was a novel species, ITS sequences were generated and compared with 2478 sequences available for the genus from GenBank, using the software USEARCH. Additionally, a phylogenetic reconstruction was performed with Parsimony Ratchet, Maximum Likelihood, and Bayesian Inference, using 122 concatenated ITS sequences, and segments from the 28S rDNA and RPB2. Sequences of this novel species form a strongly supported lineage, clearly separated from other species of Xylaria. Phylogenetic relationships indicate that there have been numerous morphological transformations within the genus.
THE MACROECONOMIC EFFECTS OF ENHANCED REFORMS IN CHINA
Authors: JIAN ZHIHONG , YANG YEQING
Published: June 2019

Motivated by the idea that substantive reforms in China always happen intermittently and randomly, this paper constructs an RBC model, augmented with a shock that reflects the role of reforms and its randomly occurring character, to investigate the macroeconomic effects of enhancing the reform intensity. An increase in the average intensity of reforms leads to a higher economic growth rate permanently and provides sustainable support for economy when the potential growth rate declines. But it decreases the ergodic steady state of the detrended output, and this could have an adverse effect on economic growth in the short run.
Applications of extended modified auxiliary equation mapping method for high-order dispersive extended nonlinear Schrödinger equation in nonlinear optics
Authors: Seadawy Aly R. , Cheemaa Nadia
Published: June 2019

In this paper, we discussed analytically higher order dispersive extended nonlinear Schrödinger equation with the aid of newly developed technique named as extended modified auxiliary equation mapping method. As a result, we have found a variety of new families of exact traveling wave solutions including bright, dark, half-bright, half-dark, combined, periodic, doubly periodic, with the help of three parameters, which is the key importance of this method. For physical description of our newly obtained solutions, we have expressed them graphically using Mathematica 10.4 to explain more efficiently the behavior of different shapes of solutions.
An effective characterization of complete monomial ideals in two variables
Authors: Binh Hông Ngoc
Published: June 2019

We give a criterion for a monomial ideal in two variables to be complete (i.e. integrally closed) in terms of the exponents of the generators. This gives a positive answer to a question raised recently by P. Gimenez, A. Simis, W. Vasconcelos and R. Villarreal, On complete monomial ideals, J. Commut. Algebra, to appear, arXiv:1310.7793.
SIMULATION MODEL OF THE GROWTH KINETICS OF Fe2B LAYERS WITH CONSIDERATION OF THE BORIDE INCUBATION TIME EFFECT
Authors: MEBAREK BENDAOUD , KEDDAM MOURAD , BOUSSEBHA HAMZA
Published: June 2019

In this work, a mathematical model for simulating the thermochemical boronizing process is presented. The diffusion model used in this paper is based on Fick’s laws by solving the mass balance equation of the (FeB/Fe2B) interface. In this developed model, the effect of boride incubation times during the formation of Fe2B layers on Armco iron was considered. To demonstrate the validity of our calculations, the simulation results are compared with experimentally obtained data on borided Armco iron, which allowed us to verify the validity of the model. Therefore, a good concordance was observed when comparing the experimental parabolic growth constants taken from the literature with our simulated values of the parabolic growth constants from the present diffusion model. From this study, it has been found that the incubation time has a very important influence on the evolution of the kinetics of the boride layers.
A flow chemiluminescence paper-based microfluidic device for detection of chromium (III) in water
Authors: Shang Qiuping , Zhang Peng , Li Huijie , Liu Rui , Zhang Chunsun
Published: June 2019

In this work, a solely gravity and capillary force-driven flow chemiluminescence (GCF-CL) paper-based microfluidic device has been proved for the first time as a new platform for inexpensive, usable, minimally-instrumented dynamic chemiluminescence (CL) detection of chromium (III) [Cr(III)], where an appropriate angle of inclination between the loading and detection zones on the paper produces a rapid flow of CL prompt solution through the paper channel. For this study, we use a cost-effective paper device that is manufactured by a simple wax screen-printing method, while the signal generated from the Cr(III)-catalyzed oxidation of luminol by H2O2 is recorded by a low-cost and luggable CCD camera. A series of GCF-CL affecting factors have been evaluated carefully. At optimal conditions, two linear relationships between GCF-CL intensities and the logarithms of Cr(III) concentrations are obtained in the concentration ranges of 0.025–35[Formula: see text]mg/L and 50–500[Formula: see text]mg/L separately, with the detection limit of 0.0245[Formula: see text]mg/L for a less than 30[Formula: see text]s assay, and relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 3.8%, 4.5% and 2.3% for 0.75, 5 and 50[Formula: see text]mg/L of Cr(III) ([Formula: see text]). The above results indicate that the GCF-CL paper-based microfluidic device possesses a receivable sensitivity, dynamic range, storage stability and reproducibility. Finally, the developed GCF-CL is utilized for Cr(III) detection in real water samples.
Fully Polynomial FPT Algorithms for Some Classes of Bounded Clique-width Graphs
Authors: Coudert David , Ducoffe Guillaume , Popa Alexandru
Published: June 2019

Recently, hardness results for problems in P were achieved using reasonable complexity-theoretic assumptions such as the Strong Exponential Time Hypothesis. According to these assumptions, many graph-theoretic problems do not admit truly subquadratic algorithms. A central technique used to tackle the difficulty of the above-mentioned problems is fixed-parameter algorithms with
polynomial dependency
in the fixed parameter (P-FPT). Applying this technique to
clique-width
, an important graph parameter, remained to be done.

In this article, we study several graph-theoretic problems for which hardness results exist such as
cycle problems
,
distance problems
, and
maximum matching
. We give hardness results and P-FPT algorithms, using clique-width and some of its upper bounds as parameters. We believe that our most important result is an algorithm in
O
(
k
4
⋅
n
+
m
)-time for computing a maximum matching, where
k
is either the modular-width of the graph or the
P
4
-sparseness. The latter generalizes many algorithms that have been introduced so far for specific subclasses such as cographs. Our algorithms are based on preprocessing methods using modular decomposition and split decomposition. Thus they can also be generalized to some graph classes with unbounded clique-width.
Ascending-Price Algorithms for Unknown Markets
Authors: Bei Xiaohui , Garg Jugal , Hoefer Martin
Published: June 2019

We design a simple ascending-price algorithm to compute a (1 + ε)-approximate equilibrium in Arrow-Debreu markets with weak gross substitute property. It applies to an unknown market setting without exact knowledge about the number of agents, their individual utilities, and endowments. Instead, our algorithm only uses price queries to a global demand oracle. This is the first polynomial-time algorithm for most of the known tractable classes of Arrow-Debreu markets, which computes such an equilibrium with a number of calls to the demand oracle that is polynomial in log 1/ε and avoids heavy machinery such as the ellipsoid method.

Demands can be real-valued functions of prices, but the oracles only return demand values of bounded precision. Due to this more realistic assumption, precision and representation of prices and demands become a major technical challenge, and we develop new tools and insights that may be of independent interest. Furthermore, we give the first polynomial-time algorithm to compute an exact equilibrium for markets with spending constraint utilities. This resolves an open problem posed by Duan and Mehlhorn.
Tensorizing Restricted Boltzmann Machine
Authors: Ju Fujiao , Sun Yanfeng , Gao Junbin , Antolovich Michael , Dong Junliang , Yin Baocai
Published: June 2019

Restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM) is a famous model for feature extraction and can be used as an initializer for neural networks. When applying the classic RBM to multidimensional data such as 2D/3D tensors, one needs to vectorize such as high-order data. Vectorizing will result in dimensional disaster and valuable spatial information loss. As RBM is a model with fully connected layers, it requires a large amount of memory. Therefore, it is difficult to use RBM with high-order data on low-end devices. In this article, to utilize classic RBM on tensorial data directly, we propose a new tensorial RBM model parameterized by the tensor train format (TTRBM). In this model, both visible and hidden variables are in tensorial form, which are connected by a parameter matrix in tensor train format. The biggest advantage of the proposed model is that TTRBM can obtain comparable performance compared with the classic RBM with much fewer model parameters and faster training process. To demonstrate the advantages of TTRBM, we conduct three real-world applications, face reconstruction, handwritten digit recognition, and image super-resolution in the experiments.
Parallel-Correctness and Containment for Conjunctive Queries with Union and Negation
Authors: Geck Gaetano , Ketsman Bas , Neven Frank , Schwentick Thomas
Published: June 2019

Single-round multiway join algorithms first reshuffle data over many servers and then evaluate the query at hand in a parallel and communication-free way. A key question is whether a given distribution policy for the reshuffle is adequate for computing a given query, also referred to as parallel-correctness. This article extends the study of the complexity of parallel-correctness and its constituents, parallel-soundness and parallel-completeness, to unions of conjunctive queries with negation. As a by-product, it is shown that the containment problem for conjunctive queries with negation is coNEXPTIME-complete.
Food: Location, Location, Location
Authors: Beriss David
Published: June 2019

This article examines the question of why local food has become, for many activists and scholars, a core concept for understanding food systems and globalization and for challenging systems of injustice and inequality. I begin with the French concept of terroir, which is often translated as the “taste of place,” and examine why this term, part of France's cultural common sense, is difficult to implement in other places. I then consider efforts to use local foods to grapple with the forces of globalization and efforts to use ideas about local food to moralize capitalism and humanize food distribution systems. I examine the relationship between movements for food sovereignty and food justice with local foods. Finally, I explore the uses of local foods as part of efforts to develop, assert, and sometimes market local, regional, or national identities.
From Food Chains to Food Webs: Regulating Capitalist Production and Consumption in the Food System
Authors: Parker Christine , Johnson Hope
Published: June 2019

This review addresses food as a topic of sociolegal studies. We show that the divide between production and consumption in law and social science is increasingly untenable in the context of contemporary globalizing, industrializing food chains underpinned by a productivist ideology and supported by a consumptogenic cultural economy. Sociolegal studies of food are well-suited to grappling with the complexity of production–consumption dynamics through regulatory governance studies of hybridized (public and private) supply chain standards. Yet we argue for an expanded focus on the embeddedness of food chains in social, political, and, importantly, ecological food webs. We suggest that sociolegal studies into ecologically based regulation, countermovements, and an expansive version of the human right to food (that includes nature and animals) can particularly contribute to an understanding of the possibilities for regulating capitalism by seeking to constrain globalizing, industrialized food chains.
Responses of Microorganisms to Osmotic Stress
Authors: Bremer Erhard , Krämer Reinhard
Published: June 2019

The cytoplasm of bacterial cells is a highly crowded cellular compartment that possesses considerable osmotic potential. As a result, and owing to the semipermeable nature of the cytoplasmic membrane and the semielastic properties of the cell wall, osmotically driven water influx will generate turgor, a hydrostatic pressure considered critical for growth and viability. Both increases and decreases in the external osmolarity inevitably trigger water fluxes across the cytoplasmic membrane, thus impinging on the degree of cellular hydration, molecular crowding, magnitude of turgor, and cellular integrity. Here, we assess mechanisms that permit the perception of osmotic stress by bacterial cells and provide an overview of the systems that allow them to genetically and physiologically cope with this ubiquitous environmental cue. We highlight recent developments implicating the secondary messenger c-di-AMP in cellular adjustment to osmotic stress and the role of osmotic forces in the life of bacteria-assembled in biofilms.
235th ECS Meeting: Linear stability analysis of time-dependent electrodeposition in charged porous media
Authors: Khoo Edwin , Zhao Hongbo , Bazant Martin Z.
Published: June 2019

We study the linear stability analysis of time-dependent electrodeposition in a charged random porous medium, whose pore surface charges can generally be of any sign, that is flanked by a pair of planar metal electrodes. Discretization of the linear stability problem results in a generalized eigenvalue problem for the dispersion relation that is solved numerically, which agrees well with the analytical approximation obtained from a boundary layer analysis valid at high wavenumbers. Under galvanostatic conditions in which an overlimiting current is applied, in the classical case of zero pore surface charges, the voltage and electric field at the cathode diverge when the bulk electrolyte concentration there vanishes at Sand's time. The same phenomenon happens for positive surface charges but at a time earlier than Sand's time. In contrast, negative surface charges allow the electrochemical system to sustain an overlimiting current via surface conduction past Sand's time, keeping the voltage and electric field bounded. Therefore, at Sand's time, negative surface charges greatly reduce the electrode surface instabilities while zero and positive surface charges magnify them. We compare theoretical predictions for overall electrode surface stabilization from the linear stability analysis with published experimental data for copper electrodeposition in cellulose nitrate membranes and demonstrate good agreement between theory and experiment. We also use the linear stability analysis as a tool to analyze how the crystal grain size changes with duty cycle during pulse electroplating.
Design of Negative Pressure Spiral Feeding Device for Tangential and Longitudinal Axial Intersection of Combine Harvester
Authors: Tang Zhong , Li Xiyao , Chen Xinda , Chen Yang
Published: June 2019

A difficult problem occurred with straw clogging at the tangential and longitudinal axial intersection of rice combine harvesters, which seriously affected the efficiency and reliability of the threshing cylinder. The primary objective of this paper was to design a negative pressure spiral feeding device by CFD (computational fluid dynamics). The negative pressure spiral feeding combined structure of the tangential threshing cylinder and longitudinal axial threshing cylinder was established by Pro/E software. Then, the flow path model of the negative pressure spiral feeding device was analyzed by CFD. The airflow velocity distribution of the spiral feed head semicircular cross section and power consumption of the longitudinal axial spiral feeding head were used to verify the effectiveness and rationality of the negative pressure spiral feeding device. The results showed that the two-blade spiral structure and 30 mm pitch shroud structure were more suitable to ensure the smooth flow of straw at the tangential and longitudinal axial intersection. The resistance of the feeding head would cause the power consumption curve fluctuation. The power consumption curve of the improved shroud spiral feed structure was a stable regular fold line without upward trend. When the power consumption curve has an always upward trend, it means that congestion is about to happen. The characteristics of the power consumption curve indicated that the shroud negative pressure spiral feed device designed in this paper was reasonable and effective.
Monitoring the Early Response of Fulvestrant Plus Tanshinone IIA Combination Therapy to Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer by Longitudinal 18F-FES PET/CT
Authors: He SiMin , Wang MingWei , Zhang YongPing , Luo JianMin , Zhang YingJian
Published: June 2019

Endocrine monotherapy of breast cancers is generally hampered by the primary/acquired resistance and adverse sides in clinical settings. Herein, advantaging the multitargeting antitumor effects and normal organ-protecting roles of Chinese herbal medicine, the aim of this study was to investigate the enhanced synergistic efficacy of fulvestrant plus Tan IIA combination therapy in ER-positive breast cancers and to monitor the early response by longitudinal 18F-FES PET/CT imaging. The experimental results showed FUL + Tan IIA combination therapy significantly inhibited tumor growth of ER-positive ZR-75-1 tumor xenografts and exhibited distinct antitumor effects at an earlier time point after treatment than did the monotherapy of FUL or Tan IIA. Moreover, 18F-FES PET/CT imaging competently monitored the early response of FUL + Tan IIA combination therapy. The quantitative 18F-FES %ID/gmax in vivo was further confirmed by and correlated well with ERα expression ex vivo. In conclusion, the synergic effect of FUL + Tan IIA combination therapy to ER-positive breast cancers was verified in the preclinical tumor models and the early treatment response could be monitored by 18F-FES PET/CT.
A Case of Sudden Death: Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Pheochromocytoma, Berry Aneurysm
Authors: Arevalo Ana B. , Moran Jacxelyn , Zink Stephen , Khandakar Binny
Published: June 2019

Subarachnoid hemorrhage is a medical emergency. Berry aneurysm rupture is the second most common cause following trauma. Diagnosis is often challenging. Neurogenic heart syndrome often complicates subarachnoid hemorrhage. A concomitant pheochromocytoma can be deadly causing sudden cardiac arrhythmia. Here, we describe a case of subarachnoid hemorrhage with concomitant incidental pheochromocytoma in a relatively young female who died suddenly, diagnosed during autopsy. A 57-year-old Hispanic woman with past medical history of asthma, prediabetes, and uncontrolled hypertension collapsed unexpectedly. She initially had ventricular tachycardia, followed by pulseless electrical activity and finally asystole without response to resuscitation. In the emergency department she was on epinephrine, calcium, naloxone, and tPA with suspected thrombotic stroke. Despite measures, she was pronounced dead. Autopsy revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage due to a ruptured berry aneurysm. Additionally, pheochromocytoma was detected in the right adrenal gland. Subarachnoid hemorrhage has a grave prognosis by itself. This case describes the uncommon detection of pheochromocytoma in the setting of subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Reevaluating the Role of Corticosteroids in Septic Shock: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Lian X.-J. , Huang D.-Z. , Cao Y.-S. , Wei Y.-X. , Lian Z.-Z. , Qin T.-H. , He P.-C. , Liu Y.-H. , Wang S.-H.
Published: June 2019

What Is Known and Objective. To reevaluate the benefits and risks of corticosteroid treatment in adult patients with septic shock. Methods. This study was performed based on PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of corticosteroids versus placebo were retrieved from PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Central RCTs, and ClinicalTrials.gov from January 1980 to April 2018. We also conducted a trial sequential analysis to indicate the possibility of type I or II errors and calculate the information size. Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach (GRADE) was applying to assess the certainty of evidence at the primary outcome level. Results. Twenty-one RCTs were identified and analyzed. Patients treated with corticosteroid had a 7% reduction in relative risk in 28-day all-cause mortality compared to controls (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88 to 0.99). However, there were no significant differences for the intensive care unit (ICU) mortality (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.09) or in-hospital mortality (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.11). Corticosteroids shortened the length of ICU stay by 1.04 days (RR -1.04, 95% CI -1.72 to -0.36) and the length of hospital stay by 2.49 days (RR -2.49, 95% CI -4.96 to -0.02). Corticosteroids increased the risk of hyperglycemia (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.16) but not gastroduodenal bleeding (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.37) or superinfection (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.15). However, some date on secondary outcomes were unavailable because they were not measured or not reported in the included studies which may cause a lack of power or selective outcome reporting. The information size was calculated at 10044 patients. Trial sequential analysis showed that the meta-analysis was conclusive and the risk of type 2 error was minimal. What Is New and Conclusion. Corticosteroids are likely to be effective in reducing 28-day mortality and attenuating septic shock without increasing the rate of life-threatening complications. TSA showed that the risk of type II error in this meta-analysis was minimal and the result was conclusive.
Glu-mGluR2/3-ERK Signaling Regulates Apoptosis of Hippocampal Neurons in Diabetic-Depression Model Rats
Authors: Liu Zhuo , Han Yuanshan , Zhao Hongqing , Luo Weixu , Jia Ling , Wang Yuhong
Published: June 2019

Objectives. Diabetes mellitus is frequently accompanied by depression (diabetes−depression, DD), and DD patients are at higher risk of diabetes-related disability and mortality than diabetes patients without depression. Hippocampal degeneration is a major pathological feature of DD. Here, we investigated the contribution of the Glu−mGluR2/3−ERK signaling pathway to apoptosis of hippocampal neurons in DD model rats. Methods. The DD model was established by high-fat diet (HFD) feeding and streptozotocin (STZ) injection followed by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Other groups were subjected to HFD + STZ only (diabetes alone) or CUMS only (depression alone). Deficits in hippocampus-dependent memory were assessed in the Morris water maze (MWM), motor activity in the open field test (OFT), and depression-like behavior in the forced swim test (FST). Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was used to estimate the rate of hippocampal neuron apoptosis. Hippocampal glutamate (Glu) content was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Hippocampal expression levels of mGluR2/3, ERK, and the apoptosis effector caspase-3 were estimated by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results. DD model rats demonstrated more severe depression-like behavior in the FST, greater spatial learning and memory deficits in the MWM, and reduced horizontal and vertical activity in the OFT compared to control, depression alone, and diabetes alone groups. All of these abnormalities were reversed by treatment with the mGluR2/3 antagonist LY341495. The DD group also exhibited greater numbers of TUNEL-positive hippocampal neurons than all other groups, and this increased apoptosis rate was reversed by LY341495. In addition, hippocampal expression levels of caspase-3 and mGluR2/3 were significantly higher, ERK expression was lower, and Glu was elevated in the DD group. The mGluR2//3 antagonist significantly altered all these features of DD. Conclusions. Comorbid diabetes and depression are associated with enhanced hippocampal neuronal apoptosis and concomitantly greater hippocampal dysfunction. These pathogenic effects are regulated by the Glu−mGluR2/3−ERK signaling pathway.
Simultaneous Presentation of a Right Littre’s Hernia and a Left Amyand’s Hernia in a School-Aged Patient
Authors: Velásquez-Bueso Andrés Eduardo , Sánchez-Sierra Luis Enrique , Villeda-Rodríguez Sergio David , Martínez-Quiroz Roberto Antonio
Published: June 2019

Introduction. Inguinal hernia is the most common condition in both male and female subjects. Amyand’s hernia is characterized by the presence of the cecal appendix, swollen or not, inside the inguinal hernia sac. It is a rare condition and represents 1% of all the inguinal hernia pathology. Littre’s hernia (LH) is a condition defined by the presence of a Meckel diverticulum (MD) inside a hernial sac. It is an extremely rare condition, with less than 50 cases reported in the last three hundred years, present in only 1% of all diagnosed MD. Case Presentation. A six-year-old male patient presented with a history of two bilateral protruding masses in the inguinal-scrotal region that have continued to grow since birth. No gastrointestinal symptoms were reported. Physical examination showed a bilateral inguinoscrotal mass which increased in size during the Valsalva maneuver. Surgical intervention was carried out with a bilateral hernia repair being performed under an anterior method, the surgical invagination of the MD within the small intestine and the appendix within the caecum. Conclusion. Both entities should be considered as a differential diagnosis when it comes to a pediatric patient with unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernias with an uncertain etiology, allowing an early diagnosis and prompt treatment. We present here the first recorded case of both Amyand’s hernia and Littre’s hernia presenting simultaneously in a pediatric patient.