bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acquired Pelger-Huët anomaly in a patient treated with valganciclovir
Authors: Nieto-Borrajo Elva , Bermejo-Rodriguez Alfredo
Published: October 2019

A follow-up blood count was performed on a 74-year-old woman diagnosed with colitis due to cytomegalovirus and under treatment with valganciclovir. The automated complete blood count revealed an abnormal white blood cells (WBC) scattergram together with WBC alert flags. The peripheral blood smear showed neutrophils with markedly hyposegmented nuclei or bilobed nuclei and very condensed chromatin or clumping chromatin all consistent with Pelger-Huët anomaly (PHA). We checked previous blood counts, ruling out an inherited PHA. We assessed the haematological, infectious and iatrogenic aetiologies for an acquired PHA. Once the valganciclovir treatment was completed and the drug was withdrawn, without changing the rest of the treatment, the morphological abnormalities of neutrophils were completely resolved. We conclude therefore that the acquired PHA presented by our patient is probably related to valganciclovir treatment.
Localisation of PGK1 determines metabolic phenotype to balance metastasis and proliferation in patients with SMAD4-negative pancreatic cancer
Authors: Liang Chen , Shi Si , Qin Yi , Meng Qingcai , Hua Jie , Hu Qiangshen , Ji Shunrong , Zhang Bo , Xu Jin , Yu Xian-Jun
Published: October 2019

Objective

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most aggressive type of GI tumour, and it possesses deregulated cellular energetics. Although recent advances in PDAC biology have led to the discovery of recurrent genetic mutations inKras,TP53andSMAD4, which are related to this disease, clinical application of the molecular phenotype of PDAC remains challenging.

Design

We combined molecular imaging technology (positron emission tomography/CT) and immunohistochemistry to evaluate the correlation between the maximum standardised uptake value and SMAD4 expression and examined the effect of SMAD4 on glycolysis through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Furthermore, we identified the effect of SMAD4 on metabolic reprogramming by metabolomics and glucose metabolism gene expression analyses. Dual luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation were performed to identify whether SMAD4 functioned as a transcription factor for phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) in PDAC cells. Proliferative and metastatic assays were performed to examine the effect of PGK1 on the malignant behaviour of PDAC.

Results

We provide compelling evidence that the glycolytic enzyme PGK1 is repressed by transforming growth factor-β/SMAD4. Loss of SMAD4 induces PGK1 upregulation in PDAC, which enhances glycolysis and aggressive tumour behaviour. Notably, in SMAD4-negative PDAC, nuclear PGK1 preferentially drives cell metastasis via mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation induction, whereas cytoplasmic PGK1 preferentially supports proliferation by functioning as a glycolytic enzyme. The PDAC progression pattern and distinct PGK1 localisation combine to predict overall survival and disease-free survival.

Conclusion

PGK1 is a decisive oncogene in patients with SMAD4-negative PDAC and can be a target for the development of a therapeutic strategy for SMAD4-negative PDAC.
Fluid-based assays and precision medicine of cardiovascular diseases: the ‘hope’ for Pandora’s box?
Authors: Benincasa Giuditta , Mansueto Gelsomina , Napoli Claudio
Published: October 2019

Progresses in liquid-based assays may provide novel useful non-invasive indicators of cardiovascular (CV) diseases. By analysing circulating cells or their products in blood, saliva and urine samples, we can investigate molecular changes present at specific time points in each patient allowing sequential monitoring of disease evolution. For example, an increased number of circulating endothelial cells may be a diagnostic biomarker for diabetic nephropathy and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. The assessment of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) levels may be useful to predict severity of acute myocardial infarction, as well as diagnose heart graft rejection. Remarkably, circulating epigenetic biomarkers, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs are key pathogenic determinants of CV diseases representing putative useful biomarkers and drug targets. For example, the unmethylatedFAM101Agene may specifically trace cfDNA derived from cardiomyocyte death providing a powerful diagnostic biomarker of apoptosis during ischaemia. Moreover, changes in plasma levels of circulating miR-92 may predict acute coronary syndrome onset in patients with diabetes. Now, network medicine provides a framework to analyse a huge amount of big data by describing a CV disease as a result of a chain of molecular perturbations rather than a single defect (reductionism). We outline advantages and challenges of liquid biopsy with respect to traditional tissue biopsy and summarise the main completed and ongoing clinical trials in CV diseases. Furthermore, we discuss the importance of combining fluid-based assays, big data and network medicine to improve precision medicine and personalised therapy in this field.
Acellular mucin in pseudomyxoma peritonei of appendiceal origin: what is adequate sampling for histopathology?
Authors: Al-Azzawi Marwa , Misdraji Joseph , van Velthuysen Marie-Louise F , Shia Jinru , Taggart Melissa W , Yantiss Rhonda K , Svrcek Magali , Carr Norman
Published: October 2019

Introduction

Acellular intra-abdominal mucin is associated with a favourable prognosis in pseudomyxoma peritonei. There are no current guidelines on how many blocks are needed to classify the mucin as acellular with confidence.

Methods

Specimens from cytoreductive surgery for mucinous appendiceal neoplasia, in which acellular mucin was found on initial histopathological examination, were prospectively identified. Additional tissue blocks were then taken to include either all residual visible intra-abdominal mucin or a maximum of 30 blocks. We also sent a questionnaire to pathologists in other centres.

Results

Twelve patients were identified. In two cases, neoplastic epithelial cells were found on taking additional blocks. The questionnaire results suggested considerable variation in block-taking practice.

Conclusion

Taking additional tissue identified neoplastic cells in 2 of 12 cases. We recommend that sampling additional material should be considered when only acellular mucin is found on initial histology. Further work to determine the optimum sampling protocol is indicated.
Parental occupational exposure to diesel engine exhaust in relation to childhood leukaemia and central nervous system cancers: a register-based nested case-control study in Denmark 1968–2016
Authors: Volk Julie , Heck Julia E , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Hansen Johnni
Published: October 2019

Objectives

Using nationwide register data, we investigated the association between maternal and paternal perinatal employment in industries with exposure to diesel engine exhaust and risk of leukaemia and central nervous system (CNS) cancers, including certain subtypes.

Methods

Children aged≤19 years and diagnosed with childhood cancer from 1968 to 2016 were identified in the Danish Cancer Registry and 25 randomly selected cancer-free controls per case were matched by age and sex. Parents were identified in the Danish Civil Registration System and employment histories were retrieved from a nationwide mandatory pension fund. The probability of exposure to diesel engine exhaust was assessed using a validated job exposure matrix. Conditional logistic regression was used for estimation of ORs, including their 95% CIs.

Results

Maternal employment in industries with diesel engine exhaust exposure was associated with an increased risk of CNS cancers (OR 1.31, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.74) and of astrocytoma (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.14) in offspring. The highest OR for these cancers were seen for mothers with highest probability of exposure to diesel engine exhaust. For fathers, ORs for cancers under study were close to one. No increased risks of leukaemias were found for either mothers or fathers employed in diesel industries.

Conclusions

Risks were increased for CNS and astrocytoma for maternal employment in industries with diesel engine exhaust.
Prevalence of workplace violence against healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Jianxin , Gan Yong , Jiang Heng , Li Liqing , Dwyer Robyn , Lu Kai , Yan Shijiao , Sampson Opoku , Xu Hongbin , Wang Chao , Zhu Yi , Chang Yuanyuan , Yang Yudi , Yang Tingting , Chen Yawen , Song Fujian , Lu Zuxun
Published: October 2019

We aim to quantitatively synthesise available epidemiological evidence on the prevalence rates of workplace violence (WPV) by patients and visitors against healthcare workers. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and Web of Science from their inception to October 2018, as well as the reference lists of all included studies. Two authors independently assessed studies for inclusion. Data were double-extracted and discrepancies were resolved by discussion. The overall percentage of healthcare worker encounters resulting in the experience of WPV was estimated using random-effects meta-analysis. The heterogeneity was assessed using theI2statistic. Differences by study-level characteristics were estimated using subgroup analysis and meta-regression. We included 253 eligible studies (with a total of 331 544 participants). Of these participants, 61.9% (95% CI 56.1% to 67.6%) reported exposure to any form of WPV, 42.5% (95% CI 38.9% to 46.0%) reported exposure to non-physical violence, and 24.4% (95% CI 22.4% to 26.4%) reported experiencing physical violence in the past year. Verbal abuse (57.6%; 95% CI 51.8% to 63.4%) was the most common form of non-physical violence, followed by threats (33.2%; 95% CI 27.5% to 38.9%) and sexual harassment (12.4%; 95% CI 10.6% to 14.2%). The proportion of WPV exposure differed greatly across countries, study location, practice settings, work schedules and occupation. In this systematic review, the prevalence of WPV against healthcare workers is high, especially in Asian and North American countries, psychiatric and emergency department settings, and among nurses and physicians. There is a need for governments, policymakers and health institutions to take actions to address WPV towards healthcare professionals globally.
Low serum IgA and airway injury in World Trade Center-exposed firefighters: a 17-year longitudinal study
Authors: Putman Barbara , Lahousse Lies , Zeig-Owens Rachel , Singh Ankura , Hall Charles B , Liu Yang , Schwartz Theresa , Goldfarb David , Webber Mayris P , Prezant David J , Weiden Michael D
Published: October 2019

Serum IgA ≤70 mg/dL (low IgA) is associated with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The association of low IgA with longitudinal lung function is poorly defined. This study included 917 World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed firefighters with longitudinal spirometry measured between September 2001 and September 2018 and IgA measured between October 2001 and March 2002. Low IgA, compared with IgA >70 mg/dL, was associated with lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % predicted in the year following 11 September 2001 (94.1% vs 98.6%, p<0.001), increased risk of FEV1/FVC <0.70 (HR 3.8, 95% CI 1.6 to 8.8) and increased antibiotic treatment (22.5/100 vs 11.6/100 person-years, p=0.002). Following WTC exposure, early IgA ≤70 mg/dL was associated with worse lung function and increased antibiotic treatment.
Development of a tobacco 21 policy assessment tool and state-level analysis in the USA, 2015–2019
Authors: D Dobbs Page , Chadwick Ginny , W Ungar Katherine , M Dunlap Chris , White Katherine A , Kelly Michael CT , K Cheney Marshall
Published: October 2019

Objective

Policies raising the minimum legal sales age (MLSA) of tobacco products to 21 are commonly referred to as tobacco 21. This study sought to identify components of tobacco 21 policies and develop an instrument to examine policy language within 16 state laws adopted by July 2019.

Methods

The multistage tool development process began with a review of established literature and existing tobacco 21 policies. In a series of meetings, tobacco control experts identified key policy components used to develop an initial tool. After testing and revisions, the instrument was used to code the existing tobacco 21 state-level policies. Inter-rater reliability (κ=0.70) was measured and discrepancies were discussed until consensus was met. Policy component frequencies were reported by state.

Results

While all 16 states raised the MLSA to 21, the laws varied widely. Two laws omitted purchaser identification requirements. Fifteen laws mentioned enforcement would include inspections, but only three provided justification for conducting inspections. All 16 states provided a penalty structure for retailer/clerk violations, but penalties ranged considerably. Fourteen states required a tobacco retail licence, nine renewed annually. Six laws contained a military exemption, five were phased-in and 10 contained purchase, use or possession laws, which penalised youth. Four states introduced or expanded pre-emption of local tobacco control.

Conclusions

The instrument developed is the first to examine policy components within state-level tobacco 21 laws. Policies that include negative components or omit positive components may not effectively prevent retailers from selling to youth, which could result in less effective laws.
Air pollution is not ‘the new smoking’: comparing the disease burden of air pollution and smoking across the globe, 1990–2017
Authors: Gao Wayne , Sanna Mattia , Hefler Marita , Wen Chi Pang
Published: October 2019

Air pollution has been labelled the ‘new smoking’, with news articles bearing titles such as ‘If You Live in a Big City You Already Smoke Every Day’ and ‘The Air Is So Bad in These Cities, You May As Well Be Smoking’. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, highlighted this attention-catching comparison, saying, ‘The world has turned the corner on tobacco. Now it must do the same for the ‘new tobacco’ – the toxic air that billions breathe every day’ and ‘Globally, with smoking on the decline, air pollution now causes more deaths annually than tobacco’ at the First Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in 2018. The suggestion that the world has turned the corner on tobacco control and the reference to air pollution as the ‘new smoking’ raise a number of concerns. We generate outputs from GBD Compare (the online data visualisation tool of the Global Burden of Diseases and Injuries (GBD) Study) to demonstrate historical disease burden trends in terms of disability-adjusted life years and age-standardised mortality attributable to air pollution and tobacco use from 1990 to 2017 across the globe. We find that the disease burden caused by ambient air pollution declined significantly faster than the burden caused by tobacco use. We conclude that the world is still far from turning the corner on the tobacco endemic. Further, the suggestion that air pollution is as bad as actual smoking is not only inaccurate but also potentially dangerous to public health.
‘No‐one knows where you are’: veterinary perceptions regarding safety and risk when alone and on‐call
Authors: Irwin Amy , Vikman Janika , Ellis Hannah
Published: October 2019

Background

Veterinary work is considered high risk and involves working with a range of hazards, including large animals, high workload and long hours. A key potential hazard is making home visits and providing out‐of‐hours emergency care, where vets often work alone, without support and must travel long distances. The current study aimed to examine UK veterinary perceptions of safety culture, lone working and on‐call tasks to gain a deeper understanding of the risk and hazards involved.

Methods

An online mixed‐methods survey was used to gather quantitative data relevant to practice safety culture and qualitative data regarding veterinary perception of lone working and on‐call work. A sample of 76 UK veterinarians were recruited.

Results

The quantitative results suggest that there may be practice safety culture issues around a lack of communication and discussion pertaining to safety, particularly in terms of maintaining personal safety. Key themes within the qualitative data included the pressure to treat patients, potentially at personal risk, and feeling unsafe when meeting clients alone and in remote locations.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that personal safety requires more attention and discussion within veterinary practices, and that safety protocols and requirements should be shared with clients.
Properties of minimal charts and their applications V: Charts of type (3,2,2)
Authors: Nagase Teruo , Shima Akiko
Published: October 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be a chart, and we denote by [Formula: see text] the union of all the edges of label [Formula: see text]. A chart [Formula: see text] is of type [Formula: see text] if there exists a label [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the number of white vertices in [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we prove that there is no minimal chart of type [Formula: see text].
SURFACE PASSIVE FILM CHARACTERISTIC OF Q235 CARBON STEEL IN PURE MOLYBDATE SOLUTION
Authors: ZHANG PEI , CHEN YIJIANG , HUANG HUIJU , ZHOU YONG , YAN FUAN , NIE GUOCHAO
Published: October 2019

In pure Na2MoO4solutions with different concentrations of MoO[Formula: see text] (0.01, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10 mmol/L), a passive film was formed on the surface of Q235 carbon steel spontaneously, and the influences of MoO[Formula: see text] concentrations on the passive film characteristics were investigated. The electrochemical and microstructural techniques of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Mott–Schottky plot (MSP), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS) were applied to characterize the passive film characteristics, including resistance, defect, microstructure and composition. The resistance and defect of passive film respectively increased and decreased with increased MoO[Formula: see text] concentration up to 0.08[Formula: see text]mmol/L, which was the critical MoO[Formula: see text] concentration of complete passivation for the Q235 surface. The passive film formed in the 0.08[Formula: see text]mmol/L Na2MoO4solution showed a dense microstructure and was composed of Fe2(MoO[Formula: see text] mainly. Further, in this work, the relation between characteristic and anti-corrosion of passive film was also discussed.
SIN-KNO: A method of gene regulatory network inference using single-cell transcription and gene knockout data
Authors: Wang Huiqing , Lian Yuanyuan , Li Chun , Ma Yue , Yan Zhiliang , Dong Chunlin
Published: October 2019

As a tool of interpreting and analyzing genetic data, gene regulatory network (GRN) could reveal regulatory relationships between genes, proteins, and small molecules, as well as understand physiological activities and functions within biological cells, interact in pathways, and how to make changes in the organism. Traditional GRN research focuses on the analysis of the regulatory relationships through the average of cellular gene expressions. These methods are difficult to identify the cell heterogeneity of gene expression. Existing methods for inferring GRN using single-cell transcriptional data lack expression information when genes reach steady state, and the high dimensionality of single-cell data leads to high temporal and spatial complexity of the algorithm. In order to solve the problem in traditional GRN inference methods, including the lack of cellular heterogeneity information, single-cell data complexity and lack of steady-state information, we propose a method for GRN inference using single-cell transcription and gene knockout data, called SINgle-cell transcription data-KNOckout data (SIN-KNO), which focuses on combining dynamic and steady-state information of regulatory relationship contained in gene expression. Capturing cell heterogeneity information could help understand the gene expression difference in different cells. So, we could observe gene expression changes more accurately. Gene knockout data could observe the gene expression levels at steady-state of all other genes when one gene is knockout. Classifying the genes before analyzing the single-cell data could determine a large number of non-existent regulation, greatly reducing the number of regulation required for inference. In order to show the efficiency, the proposed method has been compared with several typical methods in this area including GENIE3, JUMP3, and SINCERITIES. The results of the evaluation indicate that the proposed method can analyze the diversified information contained in the two types of data, establish a more accurate gene regulation network, and improve the computational efficiency. The method provides a new thinking for dealing with large datasets and high computational complexity of single-cell data in the GRN inference.
Modeling of Waterjet Abrasion in Mining Processes Based on the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) Method
Authors: Feng Long , Dong Xiangwei , Li Zengliang , Liu Guirong , Sun Zhaocheng
Published: October 2019

Abrasive waterjet is widely used for mass-cutting during coal mining or other mining process. Such a cutting process involves complex fluid–solid coupling, which require an effective method capable of simulating the large deformation and spalling of materials. This paper uses method of smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) to establish a model to simulate the cutting process of coal seams by abrasive waterjets. In our SPH model, both fluid and solid are discretized with SPH particles. These particles are different in physical properties representing waterjet, abrasive particles and target materials. The waterjet is treated as viscous fluid and the coal (as a target material) is modeled as a brittle solid material. All these SPH particles of various medium are governed by the Navier–Stokes (NS) equations. Our established SPH model is then applied to study the efficiency of coal cutting using different waterjet formations. The results show that the cutting efficiency of the abrasive waterjet is higher than that of the standard waterjet. Our SPH model is capable of reveal the detailed interactions of the micro waterjet abrasive particles with the particles on the surface of coal. It enables the study on the mechanisms of coal seam breaking and cutting processes. It provides an effective computational tool for improving the efficiency of coal mining and of the development of new techniques for coal mining.
Fast Computations for the Lagrangian-averaged Vorticity Deviation Based on the Eulerian Formulations
Authors: You Guoqiao , Shan Yuan , Xu Yuhua
Published: October 2019

We propose an efficient Eulerian approach to compute the Lagrangian-averaged vorticity deviation (LAVD) of given flow fields. Traditional approaches need to solve [Formula: see text] ordinary differential equations (ODEs) for a [Formula: see text]-dimensional flow. Furthermore, if the velocity data are discrete, interpolation is required to obtain the velocity and vorticity data along the particle trace of any sampling point, which could be quite time-consuming and even affect the accuracy of the solutions. In contrast, our proposed Eulerian approach only needs to solve one single partial differential equation (PDE) in order to obtain the LAVD field and no interpolation is required. Based on the doubling technique, we also propose an efficient iterative Eulerian-type algorithm to compute the long-time LAVD for periodic flows. After that, relation between the long-time LAVD and the coherent ergodic partition is briefly discussed. Numerical examples will show the accuracy, efficiency and effectiveness of our proposed Eulerian approaches.
A MICRO-ENTREPRENEUR IN THE GIG ECONOMY: CASE STUDY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
Authors: EVELAND THOMAS , MACLENNAN HELEN
Published: October 2019

Through the methodology of auto-ethnographical case study, this research includes a review of the entrepreneurial nature of the current U.S. workforce and explores the experiences and insights of a micro-entrepreneur to identify challenges faced by many freelance, gig workers, and other micro-entrepreneurs in the current economy. The study consolidates the challenges faced by the micro-entrepreneur into four key areas: formulating and executing strategy, constructing a value web, utilizing mentors and negotiating ambiguity in business. These unique challenges center on the start-up, development and operation of a small business, and are used to provide curricular and pedagogical recommendations for higher education to better serve this burgeoning sector of the workforce.
The Effect of Steel Reinforcement on Seismic Damage to Concrete Gravity Dams Based on Distributed-Steel Model
Authors: Guo Shengshan , Liang Hui , Deng Yunrui , Wu Nan , Li Deyu , Chen Houqun , Zhang Aijing
Published: October 2019

Tensile cracking at the position where geometry changes is a typical failure mode of gravity dams under strong earthquakes. Steel reinforcement has been proposed to reduce the degree of dam cracking. In this paper, a nonlinear model is presented to consider the interaction effect between the steel reinforcement and the dam concrete in a combined concrete damage model and distributed-steel model. In the model, a composite constitutive model of a steel reinforcement-concrete element is proposed. The approach can model the process of gradual degradation of the concrete loading capacity and load transfer to the steel reinforcement by establishing the concrete and steel models separately. Taking a typical gravity dam with positions where geometry changes upstream and downstream as a case study, the influence of steel reinforcement on seismic damage of the gravity dam is investigated. The analytical results show that the steel reinforcement strengthening prevents cracks thoroughly around the elevation of the downstream slope change. However, the cracking around the elevation of the upstream slope change extends to the downstream direction. This reflects the transfer of fracture energy release during the cracking process.
The upper restrained Steiner number of a graph
Authors: John J. , Malchijah Raj M. S.
Published: October 2019

A Steiner set [Formula: see text] of a connected graph [Formula: see text] of order [Formula: see text] is a restrained Steiner set if either [Formula: see text] or the subgraph [Formula: see text] has no isolated vertices. The minimum cardinality of a restrained Steiner set of [Formula: see text] is the restrained Steiner number of [Formula: see text], and is denoted by [Formula: see text]. A restrained Steiner set [Formula: see text] in a connected graph [Formula: see text] is called a minimal restrained Steiner set if no proper subset of [Formula: see text] is a restrained Steiner set of [Formula: see text]. The upper restrained Steiner number [Formula: see text] is the maximum cardinality of a minimal restrained Steiner set of [Formula: see text]. The upper restrained Steiner number of certain classes of graphs are determined. Connected graphs of order [Formula: see text] with upper restrained Steiner number [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] are characterized. It is shown that for every pair of integers [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], with [Formula: see text], there exists a connected graph [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Also, it is shown that for every pair of integers [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] there exists a connected graph [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the upper restrained geodetic number of the graph [Formula: see text].
Automated Planning for Robotics
Authors: Karpas Erez , Magazzeni Daniele
Published: October 2019

Modern robots are increasingly capable of performing “basic” activities such as localization, navigation, and motion planning. However, for a robot to be considered intelligent, we would like it to be able to automatically combine these capabilities in order to achieve a high-level goal. The field of automated planning (sometimes called AI planning) deals with automatically synthesizing plans that combine basic actions to achieve a high-level goal. In this article, we focus on the intersection of automated planning and robotics and discuss some of the challenges and tools available to employ automated planning in controlling robots. We review different types of planning formalisms and discuss their advantages and limitations, especially in the context of planning robot actions. We conclude with a brief guide aimed at helping roboticists choose the right planning model to endow a robot with planning capabilities.
Resistance to the Fumigant Phosphine and Its Management in Insect Pests of Stored Products: A Global Perspective
Authors: Nayak Manoj K. , Daglish Gregory J. , Phillips Thomas W. , Ebert Paul R.
Published: October 2019

Development of resistance in major grain insect pest species to the key fumigant phosphine (hydrogen phosphide) across the globe has put the viability and sustainability of phosphine in jeopardy. The resistance problem has been aggravated over the past two decades, due mostly to the lack of suitable alternatives matching the major attributes of phosphine, including its low price, ease of application, proven effectiveness against a broad pest spectrum, compatibility with most storage conditions, and international acceptance as a residue-free treatment. In this review, we critically analyze the published literature in the area of phosphine resistance with special emphasis on the methods available for detection of resistance, the genetic basis of resistance development, key management strategies, and research gaps that need to be addressed.
Insect Declines in the Anthropocene
Authors: Wagner David L.
Published: October 2019

Insect declines are being reported worldwide for flying, ground, and aquatic lineages. Most reports come from western and northern Europe, where the insect fauna is well-studied and there are considerable demographic data for many taxonomically disparate lineages. Additional cases of faunal losses have been noted from Asia, North America, the Arctic, the Neotropics, and elsewhere. While this review addresses both species loss and population declines, its emphasis is on the latter. Declines of abundant species can be especially worrisome, given that they anchor trophic interactions and shoulder many of the essential ecosystem services of their respective communities. A review of the factors believed to be responsible for observed collapses and those perceived to be especially threatening to insects form the core of this treatment. In addition to widely recognized threats to insect biodiversity, e.g., habitat destruction, agricultural intensification (including pesticide use), climate change, and invasive species, this assessment highlights a few less commonly considered factors such as atmospheric nitrification from the burning of fossil fuels and the effects of droughts and changing precipitation patterns. Because the geographic extent and magnitude of insect declines are largely unknown, there is an urgent need for monitoring efforts, especially across ecological gradients, which will help to identify important causal factors in declines. This review also considers the status of vertebrate insectivores, reporting bias, challenges inherent in collecting and interpreting insect demographic data, and cases of increasing insect abundance.
Germ-line genetic variation in the immunoglobulin heavy chain creates stroke susceptibility in the spontaneously hypertensive rat
Authors: Dhande Isha S. , Kneedler Sterling C. , Joshi Aniket S. , Zhu Yaming , Hicks M. John , Wenderfer Scott E. , Braun Michael C. , Doris Peter A.
Published: October 2019

The risk of cerebrovascular disease in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-A3/SHRSP) arises from naturally occurring genetic variation. In the present study we show the involvement of SHR genetic variation that affects antibody formation and function in the pathogenesis of stroke. We have tested the involvement in susceptibility to stroke of genetic variation in IgH, the gene encoding the immunoglobulin heavy chain by congenic substitution. This gene contains functional natural variation in SHR-A3 that diverges from stroke-resistant SHR-B2. We created a SHR-A3 congenic line in which the IgH gene was substituted with the corresponding haplotype from SHR-B2. Compared with SHR-A3 rats, congenic substitution of the IgH locus [SHR-A3( IgH-B2)] markedly reduced cerebrovascular disease. Given the role in antibody formation of the IgH gene, we investigated the presence of IgG and IgM autoantibodies and their targets using a high-density protein array containing ~20,000 recombinant proteins. High titers of autoantibodies to key cerebrovascular stress proteins were detected, including FABP4, HSP70, and Wnt signaling proteins. Serum levels of these autoantibodies were reduced in the SHR-A3( IgH-B2) congenic line.
Measurement and Analysis of Gait Pattern during Stair Walk for Improvement of Robotic Locomotion Rehabilitation System
Authors: Park Sang-Eun , Ho Ye-Ji , Chun Min Ho , Choi Jaesoon , Moon Youngjin
Published: October 2019

Background. Robotic locomotion rehabilitation systems have been used for gait training in patients who have had a stroke. Most commercialized systems allow patients to perform simple exercises such as balancing or level walking, but an additional function such as stair-walk training is required to provide a wide range of recovery cycle rehabilitation. In this study, we analyzed stair-gait patterns and applied the result to a robotic rehabilitation system that can provide a vertical motion of footplates. Methods. To obtain applicable data for the robotic system with vertically movable footplates, stair-walk action was measured using an optical marker-based motion capture system. The spatial position data of joints during stair walking was obtained from six healthy adults who participated in the experiment. The measured marker data were converted into joint kinematic data by using an algorithm that included resampling and normalization. The spatial position data are represented as angular trajectories and the relative displacement of each joint on the anatomical sagittal plane and movements of hip joints on the anatomical transverse plane. Results. The average range of motion (ROM) of each joint was estimated as (−6.75°,48.69°) at the hip, 8.20°,93.78° at the knee, and −17.78°,11.75° at the ankle during ascent and as 6.41°,31.67° at the hip, 7.38°,91.93° at the knee, and −24.89°,24.18° at the ankle during descent. Additionally, we attempted to create a more natural stair-gait pattern by analyzing the movement of the hip on the anatomical transverse plane. The hip movements were estimated to within ±1.57 cm and ±2.00 cm for hip translation and to within ±2.52° and ±2.70° for hip rotation during stair ascent and stair descent, respectively. Conclusions. Based on the results, standard patterns of stair ascent and stair descent were derived and applied to a lower-limb rehabilitation robot with vertically movable footplates. The relative trajectory from the experiment ascertained that the function of stair walking in the robotic system properly worked within a normal ROM.
Pedestrian Re‐Recognition Algorithm Based on Optimization Deep Learning‐Sequence Memory Model
Authors: An Feng-Ping
Published: October 2019

Pedestrian re‐recognition is an important research because it affects applications such as intelligent monitoring, content‐based video retrieval, and human‐computer interaction. It can help relay tracking and criminal suspect detection in large‐scale video surveillance systems. Although the existing traditional pedestrian re‐recognition methods have been widely applied to address practical problems, they have deficiencies such as low recognition accuracy, inefficient computation, and difficulty to adapt to specific applications. In recent years, the pedestrian re‐recognition algorithms based on deep learning have been widely used in the pedestrian re‐recognition field because of their strong adaptive ability and high recognition accuracy. The deep learning models provide a technical approach for pedestrian re‐recognition tasks with their powerful learning ability. However, the pedestrian re‐recognition method based on deep learning also has the following problems: First, the existing deep learning pedestrian re‐recognition methods lack memory and prediction mechanisms, and the deep learning methods offer only limited improvement to pedestrian re‐recognition accuracy. Second, they exhibit overfitting problems. Finally, initializing the existing LSTM parameters is problematic. In view of this, this paper introduces a revertive connection into the pedestrian re‐recognition detector, making it more similar to the human cognitive process by converting a single image into an image sequence; then, the memory image sequence pattern reidentifies the pedestrian image. This approach endows deep learning‐based pedestrian re‐recognition algorithms with the ability to memorize image sequence patterns and allows them to reidentify pedestrians in images. At the same time, this paper proposes a selective dropout method for shallow learning. Selective dropout uses the classifier obtained through shallow learning to modify the probability that a node weight in the hidden layer is set to 0, thereby eliminating the overfitting phenomenon of the deep learning model. Therefore, this paper also proposes a greedy layer‐by‐layer pretraining algorithm for initializing LSTM and obtains better generalization performance. Based on the above explanation, this paper proposes a pedestrian re‐recognition algorithm based on an optimized LSTM deep learning‐sequence memory learning model. Experiments show that the pedestrian re‐recognition method proposed in this paper not only has strong self‐adaptive ability but also identifies the average accuracy. The proposed method also demonstrates a significant improvement compared with other mainstream methods because it can better memorize and learn the continuous motion of pedestrians and effectively avoid overfitting and parameter initialization in the deep learning model. This proposal provides a technical method and approach for adaptive pedestrian re‐recognition algorithms.
A New Pathway Emerges to Interpret Lung Cancer Genomic Alterations
Authors: Blakely Collin M.
Published: October 2019

The clinical utility of performing tumor genetic testing to assess for alterations beyond the known targetable oncogenes in lung adenocarcinoma is unclear. Analyzing cancer pathway alterations beyond single oncogenic driver mutations in addition to markers of tumor mutation burden and genomic instability may provide additional predictive and prognostic information.

See related article by Zhou et al., p. 7475
Sleeve Gastrectomy in the Elderly
Authors: Nevo Nadav , Eldar Shai Meron , Lessing Yonatan , Sabo Edmond , Nachmany Ido , Hazzan David
Published: October 2019

Background: Even though risks are higher and long-term results may be less favorable, the elderly obese can still benefit from bariatric surgery. Whether the higher surgical risk is worth the benefits is yet to be determined. Materials and Methods: We reviewed our database and identified all patients aged 65 or older who underwent sleeve gastrectomy between May 2010 and November 2015. We documented patient demographics, obesity-related comorbidities, body mass index (BMI) before and after the procedure, percent excess weight loss, comorbidity improvement or resolution, length of follow-up, postoperative complications, re-operations, and length of hospital stay. We compared our study group to a control group of sleeve gastrectomy patients under the age of 65. Results: Sixty-six patients (mean age 67.6 ± 2.6 years) underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Patients achieved an average of 53.5% excess BMI loss (EBMIL) after 21 months of follow-up. EBMIL was inferior to that achieved by the control group (EBMIL 77.3%, p < 0.0001). Elderly patients showed significant improvement or resolution in all obesity-related comorbidities. Complication and re-operation rates were similar between the 2 groups. Conclusion: In an elderly population, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is safe and effective, yet weight loss outcomes are more modest when compared to a younger surgical population. Carefully selected elderly patients can benefit from bariatric surgery.
Are There Disparities in Surgical Treatment for Breast Cancer Patients with Prior Physical Disability A Path Analysis
Authors: Ansmann Lena , Schabmann Alfred , Gross Sophie Elisabeth , Gross-Kunkel Anke , Albert Ute-Susann , Osipov Igor
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Cancer care for patients with prior physical disability has hardly been researched in clinical research, health services research, or special education. This article aims to compare the severity of disease and the surgical treatment of diagnosed breast cancer patients with and without prior physical disability. Methods: A total of 4,194 patients with primary breast cancer who underwent surgery in a breast cancer center in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, participated in an annual postoperative postal survey, which was complemented by clinical data. Latent class analysis and logit path models were applied to study (1) differences in terms of UICC staging and local cancer treatment between patients with and without prior physical disability and (2) respective differences by disability severity. Results: Patients with physical disability (n = 780; 18.7%) had a higher chance of receiving mastectomy compared to breast-conserving therapy, even after controlling for socioeconomic status and UICC staging. Disability severity is directly and indirectly associated with receiving a mastectomy. Conclusion: In light of the research gap on disability and cancer, this work indicates disparities in care for breast cancer patients with prior physical disability. Inequalities might be attributable to (1) unequal access to care, (2) individual preferences and difficulties, or (3) medical difficulties.
Pharmacoinvasive Strategy Versus Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Clinical Practice
Authors: Bainey Kevin R. , Armstrong Paul W. , Zheng Yinggan , Brass Neil , Tyrrell Benjamin D. , Leung Raymond , Westerhout Cynthia M. , Welsh Robert C.
Published: October 2019

Background:

Recent clinical trial data support a pharmacoinvasive strategy as an alternative to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. We evaluated whether this is true in a real-world prehospital ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction network using ECG assessment of reperfusion coupled with clinical outcomes within 1 year.

Methods:

Of the 5583 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients in the Alberta Vital Heart Response Program (Cohort 1 [2006–2011]: n=3593; Cohort 2 [2013–2016]: n=1990), we studied 3287 patients who received a pharmacoinvasive strategy with tenecteplase (April 2013: half-dose tenecteplase was employed in prehospital patients ≥75 years) or pPCI. ECGs were analyzed within a core laboratory; sum ST-segment deviation resolution ≥50% was defined as successful reperfusion. The primary composite was all-cause death, congestive heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and recurrent myocardial infarction within 1 year.

Results:

The pharmacoinvasive approach was administered in 1805 patients (54.9%), (493 [27.3%] underwent rescue/urgent percutaneous coronary intervention and 1312 [72.7%] had scheduled angiography); pPCI was performed in 1482 patients (45.1%). There was greater ST-segment resolution post-catheterization/percutaneous coronary intervention with a pharmacoinvasive strategy versus pPCI (75.8% versus 64.3%, IP-weighted odds ratio, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.33–1.90;
P
<0.001). The primary composite was significantly lower with a pharmacoinvasive approach (16.3% versus 23.1%, IP-weighted hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.72–0.99;
P
=0.033). Major bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage were similar between a pharmacoinvasive strategy and pPCI (7.6% versus 7.5%,
P
=0.867; 0.6% versus 0.6%;
P
=0.841, respectively). In the 82 patients ≥75 years with a prehospital pharmacoinvasive strategy, similar ST-segment resolution and rescue rates were observed with full-dose versus half-dose tenecteplase (75.8% versus 88.9%,
P
=0.259; 31.0% versus 29.2%,
P
=0.867) with no difference in the primary composite (31.0% versus 25.0%,
P
=0.585).

Conclusions:

In this large Canadian ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction registry, a pharmacoinvasive strategy was associated with improved ST-segment resolution and enhanced outcomes within 1 year compared with pPCI. Our findings support the application of a selective pharmacoinvasive reperfusion strategy when delay to pPCI exists.
Wave Disturbances and Their Role in the Maintenance, Structure, and Evolution of a Mesoscale Convection System
Authors: Zhang Shushi , Parsons David B. , Wang Yuan
Published: October 2019

This study investigates a nocturnal mesoscale convective system (MCS) observed during the Plains Elevated Convection At Night (PECAN) field campaign. A series of wavelike features were observed ahead of this MCS with extensive convective initiation (CI) taking place in the wake of one of these disturbances. Simulations with the WRF-ARW Model were utilized to understand the dynamics of these disturbances and their impact on the MCS. In these simulations, an “elevated bore” formed within an inversion layer aloft in response to the layer being lifted by air flowing up and over the cold pool. As the bore propagated ahead of the MCS, the lifting created an environment more conducive to deep convection allowing the MCS to discretely propagate due to CI in the bore’s wake. The Scorer parameter was somewhat favorable for trapping of this wave energy, although aspects of the environment evolved to be consistent with the expectations for an n = 2 mode deep tropospheric gravity wave. A bore within an inversion layer aloft is reminiscent of disturbances predicted by two-layer hydraulic theory, contrasting with recent studies that suggest bores are frequently initiated by the interaction between the flow within stable nocturnal boundary layer and convectively generated cold pools. Idealized simulations that expand upon this two-layer approach with orography and a well-mixed layer below the inversion suggest that elevated bores provide a possible mechanism for daytime squall lines to remove the capping inversion often found over the Great Plains, particularly in synoptically disturbed environments where vertical shear could create a favorable trapping of wave energy.