bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One-leg inactivity induces a reduction in mitochondrial oxidative capacity, intramyocellular lipid accumulation and reduced insulin signalling upon lipid infusion: a human study with unilateral limb suspension
Authors: Bilet Lena , Phielix Esther , van de Weijer Tineke , Gemmink Anne , Bosma Madeleen , Moonen-Kornips Esther , Jorgensen Johanna A. , Schaart Gert , Zhang Dongyan , Meijer Kenneth , Hopman Maria , Hesselink Matthijs K. C. , Ouwens D. Margriet , Shulman Gerald I. , Schrauwen-Hinderling Vera B. , Schrauwen Patrick
Published: March 2020

Aims/hypothesis

Physical inactivity, low mitochondrial function, increased intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) deposition and reduced insulin sensitivity are common denominators of chronic metabolic disorders, like obesity and type 2 diabetes. Yet, whether low mitochondrial function predisposes to insulin resistance in humans is still unknown.

Methods

Here we investigated, in an intervention study, whether muscle with low mitochondrial oxidative capacity, induced by one-legged physical inactivity, would feature stronger signs of lipid-induced insulin resistance. To this end, ten male participants (age 22.4 ± 4.2 years, BMI 21.3 ± 2.0 kg/m2) underwent a 12 day unilateral lower-limb suspension with the contralateral leg serving as an active internal control.

Results

In vivo, mitochondrial oxidative capacity, assessed by phosphocreatine (PCr)-recovery half-time, was lower in the inactive vs active leg. Ex vivo, palmitate oxidation to 14CO2 was lower in the suspended leg vs the active leg; however, this did not result in significantly higher [14C]palmitate incorporation into triacylglycerol. The reduced mitochondrial function in the suspended leg was, however, paralleled by augmented IMCL content in both musculus tibialis anterior and musculus vastus lateralis, and by increased membrane bound protein kinase C (PKC) θ. Finally, upon lipid infusion, insulin signalling was lower in the suspended vs active leg.

Conclusions/interpretation

Together, these results demonstrate, in a unique human in vivo model, that a low mitochondrial oxidative capacity due to physical inactivity directly impacts IMCL accumulation and PKCθ translocation, resulting in impaired insulin signalling upon lipid infusion. This demonstrates the importance of mitochondrial oxidative capacity and muscle fat accumulation in the development of insulin resistance in humans.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrial.gov NCT01576250.

Funding

PS was supported by a ‘VICI’ Research Grant for innovative research from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (Grant 918.96.618).
GATA4-targeted compound exhibits cardioprotective actions against doxorubicin-induced toxicity in vitro and in vivo: establishment of a chronic cardiotoxicity model using human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes
Authors: Karhu S. Tuuli , Kinnunen Sini M. , Tölli Marja , Välimäki Mika J. , Szabó Zoltán , Talman Virpi , Ruskoaho Heikki
Published: March 2020

Doxorubicin is a widely used anticancer drug that causes dose-related cardiotoxicity. The exact mechanisms of doxorubicin toxicity are still unclear, partly because most in vitro studies have evaluated the effects of short-term high-dose doxorubicin treatments. Here, we developed an in vitro model of long-term low-dose administration of doxorubicin utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). Moreover, given that current strategies for prevention and management of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity fail to prevent cancer patients developing heart failure, we also investigated whether the GATA4-targeted compound 3i-1000 has cardioprotective potential against doxorubicin toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. The final doxorubicin concentration used in the chronic toxicity model in vitro was chosen based on cell viability data evaluation. Exposure to doxorubicin at the concentrations of 1–3 µM markedly reduced (60%) hiPSC-CM viability already within 48 h, while a 14-day treatment with 100 nM doxorubicin concentration induced only a modest 26% reduction in hiPCS-CM viability. Doxorubicin treatment also decreased DNA content in hiPSC-CMs. Interestingly, the compound 3i-1000 attenuated doxorubicin-induced increase in pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP) expression and caspase-3/7 activation in hiPSC-CMs. Moreover, treatment with 3i-1000 for 2 weeks (30 mg/kg/day, i.p.) inhibited doxorubicin cardiotoxicity by restoring left ventricular ejection fraction and fractional shortening in chronic in vivo rat model. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that long-term exposure of hiPSC-CMs can be utilized as an in vitro model of delayed doxorubicin-induced toxicity and provide in vitro and in vivo evidence that targeting GATA4 may be an effective strategy to counteract doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.
Severe symptoms and very low quality-of-life among outpatients newly diagnosed with advanced cancer: data from a multicenter cohort study
Authors: Siemens Waldemar , Schönsteiner Stefan S. , Orellana-Rios Claudia Lorena , Schaekel Ulrike , Kessler Jens , Eschbach Corinna , Viehrig Marén , Mayer-Steinacker Regine , Becker Gerhild , Gaertner Jan
Published: March 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to identify symptoms of severe intensity or very low scores for quality of life (QoL) domains in newly diagnosed outpatients with advanced cancer.

Methods

This multicenter cohort study from a state-wide palliative care network included adult outpatients with advanced cancer diagnosed within the preceding 8 weeks from four comprehensive cancer centers (DRKS00006162, registered on 19 May 2014). We used the Palliative Outcome Scale (POS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Questionnaire-C30. For each questionnaire, cut-off scores defined symptoms and QoL domains that were considered “severe” or “very low.”

Results

Of 3155 patients screened, 481/592 (81.3%) were analyzed (mean age 62.4; women n = 245, 50.9%). We identified 324/481 (67.4%) patients experiencing at least one severe symptom or a very low QoL domain (median 2; range 0 to 16). Role functioning (n = 180, 37.4%), fatigue (n = 162, 33.7%), and social functioning (n = 126, 26.2%) were most commonly affected. QoL was very low in 89 patients (18.5%). Women experienced more anxiety symptoms, fatigue, and had lower POS scores. Patients often mentioned physical symptoms and fears of adverse events resulting from disease-modifying therapies (e.g., chemotherapy) as most relevant problems.

Conclusions

Already within the first 8 weeks after diagnosis, the majority of patients reported at least one severe symptom or a very low QoL domain. Gender differences were evident. The findings illustrate the value of early routine assessment of patient burden and the development of multi-professional and interdisciplinary palliative care.
On defending against label flipping attacks on malware detection systems
Authors: Taheri Rahim , Javidan Reza , Shojafar Mohammad , Pooranian Zahra , Miri Ali , Conti Mauro
Published: March 2020

Label manipulation attacks are a subclass of data poisoning attacks in adversarial machine learning used against different applications, such as malware detection. These types of attacks represent a serious threat to detection systems in environments having high noise rate or uncertainty, such as complex networks and Internet of Thing (IoT). Recent work in the literature has suggested using the K-nearest neighboring algorithm to defend against such attacks. However, such an approach can suffer from low to miss-classification rate accuracy. In this paper, we design an architecture to tackle the Android malware detection problem in IoT systems. We develop an attack mechanism based on silhouette clustering method, modified for mobile Android platforms. We proposed two convolutional neural network-type deep learning algorithms against this Silhouette Clustering-based Label Flipping Attack. We show the effectiveness of these two defense algorithms—label-based semi-supervised defense and clustering-based semi-supervised defense—in correcting labels being attacked. We evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithms by varying the various machine learning parameters on three Android datasets: Drebin, Contagio, and Genome and three types of features: API, intent, and permission. Our evaluation shows that using random forest feature selection and varying ratios of features can result in an improvement of up to 19% accuracy when compared with the state-of-the-art method in the literature.
Cloud customers service selection scheme based on improved conventional cat swarm optimization
Authors: Gabi Danlami , Ismail Abdul Samad , Zainal Anazida , Zakaria Zalmiyah , Abraham Ajith , Dankolo Nasiru Muhammed
Published: March 2020

With growing demand on resources situated at the cloud datacenters, the need for customers’ resource selection techniques becomes paramount in dealing with the concerns of resource inefficiency. Techniques such as metaheuristics are promising than the heuristics, most especially when handling large scheduling request. However, addressing certain limitations attributed to the metaheuristic such as slow convergence speed and imbalance between its local and global search could enable it become even more promising for customers service selection. In this work, we propose a cloud customers service selection scheme called Dynamic Multi-Objective Orthogonal Taguchi-Cat (DMOOTC). In the proposed scheme, avoidance of local entrapment is achieved by not only increasing its convergence speed, but balancing between its local and global search through the incorporation of Taguchi orthogonal approach. To enable the scheme to meet customers’ expectations, Pareto dominant strategy is incorporated providing better options for customers in selecting their service preferences. The implementation of our proposed scheme with that of the benchmarked schemes is carried out on CloudSim simulator tool. With two scheduling scenarios under consideration, simulation results show for the first scenario, our proposed DMOOTC scheme provides better service choices with minimum total execution time and cost (with up to 42.87%, 35.47%, 25.49% and 38.62%, 35.32%, 25.56% reduction) and achieves 21.64%, 18.97% and 13.19% improvement for the second scenario in terms of execution time compared to that of the benchmarked schemes. Similarly, statistical results based on 95% confidence interval for the whole scheduling scheme also show that our proposed scheme can be much more reliable than the benchmarked scheme. This is an indication that the proposed DMOOTC can meet customers’ expectations while providing guaranteed performance of the whole cloud computing environment.
A Validated Method for Pit Lake Water Sampling Using Aerial Drones and Sampling Devices
Authors: Castendyk Devin , Voorhis Jimmy , Kucera Bradley
Published: March 2020

Pit lakes present significant safety risks for boat-based water sampling crews. The Matrice-HydraSleeve method improves the safety of water sampling in pit lakes by eliminating the need for a boat-based sampling crew. The method connects an off-the-shelf unmanned aircraft system, or drone (DJI, Matrice 600) to an off-the-shelf water sampling device (GeoInsight, HydraSleeve). It is capable of collecting 1.75 L water samples from up to 122 m deep and is simpler than previous drone water sampling methods. To validate the method, water samples were collected from similar depths in Dillon Reservoir, Colorado, USA using the Matrice-HydraSleeve method and traditional boat sampling methods using a Van Dorn water sample bottle. Concentrations of Ca, Na, K, HCO3, SO4, Cl, and Zn showed less than 20% relative percent difference, and concentrations of Cd were within ± the detection limit, meaning variability between samples met the data quality objective for duplicate samples. The method was also used on two occasions to collect eight water samples from the 101 m deep pit lake at the Thompson Creek mine in Idaho, USA including a sample from 92 m deep. Calcium and sodium concentration profiles were nearly identical, indicating little change in water chemistry and providing confidence in the method. In situ profiles of temperature and electrical conductivity collected with a conductivity-temperature-depth probe (YSI, CastAway) suspended below the drone indicated the lake was meromictic during both sampling events. To date, the Matrice-HydraSleeve method has been used at 10 pit lakes in the USA to collect 81 samples. Use of this method at other pit lakes has the potential to improve safety while lowering sampling costs and increasing data acquisition, leading to better pit lake management.
Automated Generation of Three-Dimensional Complex Muscle Geometries for Use in Personalised Musculoskeletal Models
Authors: Modenese Luca , Kohout Josef
Published: March 2020

The geometrical representation of muscles in computational models of the musculoskeletal system typically consists of a series of line segments. These muscle anatomies are based on measurements from a limited number of cadaveric studies that recently have been used as atlases for creating subject-specific models from medical images, so potentially restricting the options for personalisation and assessment of muscle geometrical models. To overcome this methodological limitation, we propose a novel, completely automated technique that, from a surface geometry of a skeletal muscle and its attachment areas, can generate an arbitrary number of lines of action (fibres) composed by a user-defined number of straight-line segments. These fibres can be included in standard musculoskeletal models and used in biomechanical simulations. This methodology was applied to the surfaces of four muscles surrounding the hip joint (iliacus, psoas, gluteus maximus and gluteus medius), segmented on magnetic resonance imaging scans from a cadaveric dataset, for which highly discretised muscle representations were created and used to simulate functional tasks. The fibres’ moment arms were validated against measurements and models of the same muscles from the literature with promising outcomes. The proposed approach is expected to improve the anatomical representation of skeletal muscles in personalised biomechanical models and finite element applications.
Non-thermal plasma-assisted catalytic CO2 conversion over Zn-TCPP 2D catalyst
Authors: Wiśniewski Marek , Terzyk Artur P.
Published: March 2020

There is still a growing interest in CO2 conversion into useful compounds. Plasma technology is a highly promising alternative due to its non-equilibrium nature, crucial for CO2 dissociation processes. In this study we present, the non-thermal plasma-assisted catalytic CO2 reduction to CO on 2D Zn-containing paddle wheel structures based on TCPP. The catalytic efficiency of this MOF material is shown to be high. The experimental data from HRTEM, adsorption and FTIR analyses lead to the simplified model mechanism of this process.
Effects of Sodium–Glucose Co-transporter 2 Inhibition with Empaglifozin on Renal Structure and Function in Non-diabetic Rats with Left Ventricular Dysfunction After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Yurista Salva R. , Silljé Herman H. W. , van Goor Harry , Hillebrands Jan-Luuk , Heerspink Hiddo J. L. , de Menezes Montenegro Luiz , Oberdorf-Maass Silke U. , de Boer Rudolf A. , Westenbrink B. Daan
Published: March 2020

Background

The use of sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) is currently expanding to cardiovascular risk reduction in non-diabetic subjects, but renal (side-)effects are less well studied in this setting.

Methods

Male non-diabetic Sprague Dawley rats underwent permanent coronary artery ligation to induce MI, or sham surgery. Rats received chow containing empagliflozin (EMPA) (30 mg/kg/day) or control chow. Renal function and electrolyte balance were measured in metabolic cages. Histological and molecular markers of kidney injury, parameters of phosphate homeostasis and bone resorption were also assessed.

Results

EMPA resulted in a twofold increase in diuresis, without evidence for plasma volume contraction or impediments in renal function in both sham and MI animals. EMPA increased plasma magnesium levels, while the levels of glucose and other major electrolytes were comparable among the groups. Urinary protein excretion was similar in all treatment groups and no histomorphological alterations were identified in the kidney. Accordingly, molecular markers for cellular injury, fibrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress in renal tissue were comparable between groups. EMPA resulted in a slight increase in circulating phosphate and PTH levels without activating FGF23–Klotho axis in the kidney and bone mineral resorption, measured with CTX-1, was not increased.

Conclusions

EMPA exerts profound diuretic effects without compromising renal structure and function or causing significant electrolyte imbalance in a non-diabetic setting. The slight increase in circulating phosphate and PTH after EMPA treatment was not associated with evidence for increased bone mineral resorption suggesting that EMPA does not affect bone health.
Using a mark-recapture model to estimate beaching probability of seabirds killed in nearshore waters during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill
Authors: Himes Boor Gina K. , Ford R. Glenn
Published: March 2020

During a marine oil spill, injured birds often die on the water, some eventually washing ashore, but others becoming waterlogged and sinking or being scavenged before reaching the shoreline. Birds that disappear before they can be deposited on the shoreline are difficult to enumerate, but they commonly represent a large fraction of total oil spill–related mortality. As part of the process of quantifying the overall impact to seabirds resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, it was necessary to estimate the number of dead birds lost at sea. We conducted a study to estimate the beaching probability of birds that died at sea in the Gulf of Mexico in the areas most heavily used by seabirds and impacted by the spill. Using a mark-recapture analysis to derive the beaching probability from our field study data, we estimated that dead birds afloat at sea had about a 0.1414 probability of beaching in areas searched during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Sensitivity analyses of our model and requisite assumptions suggested that if our assumptions were violated, the “true” beaching probability could be anywhere between 0.11 and 0.16. These estimates are much lower than beaching probabilities estimated for seabirds killed during the Exxon Valdez oil spill in the waters of Alaska, for example, likely reflect higher rates of decomposition and scavenging in the warmer waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Our estimate suggests that bird carcasses that washed onshore during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill represented only 14% of those killed at sea during the spill.
Evaluation of the fate of carcasses and dummies deployed in the nearshore and offshore waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Martin Nadia , Varela Veronica W. , Dwyer F. James , Tuttle Peter , Ford R. Glenn , Casey Janet
Published: March 2020

In response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, federal and state agencies conducted field studies to develop inputs for a shoreline deposition model used to estimate nearshore avian mortality resulting from the spill. A 2011 carcass drift study was designed to generate data on the likelihood that birds that died on the water would deposit along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast (rather than becoming lost at sea). In the case of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, carcass losses at sea accounted for a significant portion of nearshore avian mortality. We evaluate the data collected during the Deepwater Horizon carcass drift study and compare the results obtained from the use of avian carcasses versus dummy carcasses (dummies) and the differences between those deployed nearshore versus further offshore. We conclude that, although the use of dummies provided valuable confirmation on the drift patterns of dead birds, dummies drifted greater distances, for longer periods of time, and were more likely to be observed beached compared to avian carcasses, with 64.6% of dummies beaching compared to 17.2% of carcasses. In response to future spills, researchers should account for these potential biases when incorporating dummy drift data into estimates of avian carcass loss. Further, none of the avian carcasses and dummies released more than 40 km from the shoreline made it to shore. In the northern Gulf of Mexico, carcasses that die on the waters farther offshore are unlikely to make it to shore to be captured in a deposition model; therefore, it may be appropriate to utilize a separate methodology to estimate offshore mortality. The applicability of these results to other spill events should be evaluated in the context of the specific spill characteristics.
Detection probabilities of bird carcasses along sandy beaches and marsh edges in the northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Zimmerman Guthrie S. , Varela Veronica W. , Yee Julie L.
Published: March 2020

We estimated detection probabilities of bird carcasses along sandy beaches and in marsh edge habitats in the northern Gulf of Mexico to help inform models of bird mortality associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. We also explored factors that may influence detection probability, such as carcass size, amount of scavenging, location on the beach, habitat type, and distance into the marsh. Detection probability for medium-sized carcasses (200–500 g) ranged from 0.82 (SE = 0.09) to 0.93 (SE = 0.04) along sandy beaches. Within sandy beaches, we found that intact/slightly scavenged carcasses were easier to detect than heavily scavenged ones and did not find strong effects of location on the beach on detection probability. We estimated detection rate for each combination of scavenging state, carcass size, and position along sandy beaches. In marsh edge habitats, detection ranged from 0.04 (SE = 0.04) to 0.86 (SE = 0.10), with detection rates rapidly increasing from small (< 200 g) to medium carcass sizes and leveling off between medium and extra-large (> 1000 g) carcasses regardless of vegetation type (Spartina or Phragmites). Carcasses of all sizes were generally harder to locate in Spartina-dominated marshes than in Phragmites-dominated ones. A subset of the data for which we could adequately assess the effect of distance into the marsh indicated that detection rates generally declined the farther a carcass was into marsh vegetation. Based on power analyses, our ability to identify predictors that influence detection rates would be higher with larger numbers of carcasses, greater numbers of search trials per carcass, or more balanced sampling distributions across predictor values.
Oiling of American white pelicans, common loons, and northern gannets in the winter following the Deepwater Horizon (MC252) oil spill
Authors: Paruk J. D. , Stenhouse I. J. , Sigel B. J. , Adams E. M. , Montevecchi W. A. , Evers D. C. , Gilbert A. T. , Duron M. , Long D. , Hemming J. , Tuttle P.
Published: March 2020

The Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration Trustees for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill assessed the external oiling of migratory bird species dependent on open water in the Gulf of Mexico following the aforementioned spill. The assessment was designed to evaluate birds that use open water during the winter within 40 km of the Gulf shoreline. We focused on the American white pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos), common loon (Gavia immer), and northern gannet (Morus bassanus). Point counts (pelican, loon) or strip transects (gannet) were used and each target species was assessed for oiling (unoiled, trace, light, moderate, or heavy amounts) and photographed. Due to distance at sighting and/or poor visibility, not all visible birds were assessed. The percentage of birds oiled varied by species, with the common loon being the highest (23.6%), followed by American white pelican (16.9%), and northern gannet (6.9%). Most of the American white pelicans and common loons had trace (83% and 72%, respectively) or light levels (11% and 24%, respectively) of oiling. The northern gannet had just trace levels of oiling. Some pelicans (6%) and loons (4%) had moderate amounts of oiling. Based on expert derived-mortality estimates and our estimates of oil exposure, we used Monte Carlo simulations to predict expected decreases of 2.5%, 4%, and 11% in the observed population for the northern gannet, American white pelican, and common loon, respectively. While these values are underestimates of the true values given the long time lag (10–12 months) between the oil spill and the assessment, these data represent some of the few estimates of exposure for these species and describe minimum risk estimates to these species.
Metrology part 1: definition of quality criteria
Authors: Squara Pierre , Scheeren Thomas W. L. , Aya Hollmann D. , Bakker Jan , Cecconi Maurizio , Einav Sharon , Malbrain Manu L. N. G. , Monnet Xavier , Reuter Daniel A. , van der Horst Iwan C. C. , Saugel Bernd
Published: March 2020

Any measurement is always afflicted with some degree of uncertainty. A correct understanding of the different types of uncertainty, their naming, and their definition is of crucial importance for an appropriate use of measuring instruments. However, in perioperative and intensive care medicine, the metrological requirements for measuring instruments are poorly defined and often used spuriously. The correct use of metrological terms is also of crucial importance in validation studies. The European Union published a new directive on medical devices, mentioning that in the case of devices with a measuring function, the notified body is involved in all aspects relating to the conformity of the device with the metrological requirements. It is therefore the task of the scientific societies to establish the standards in their area of expertise. Adopting the same understandings and definitions among clinicians and scientists is obviously the first step. In this metrologic review (part 1), we list and explain the most important terms defined by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures regarding quantities and units, properties of measurements, devices for measurement, properties of measuring devices, and measurement standards, with specific examples from perioperative and intensive care medicine.
Financial Literacy and Gambling Behavior: Evidence from Japan
Authors: Watanapongvanich Somtip , Binnagan Punjapol , Putthinun Pongpat , Khan Mostafa Saidur Rahim , Kadoya Yoshihiko
Published: March 2020

According to a survey by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare in 2017, 3.6% of Japanese adults—equivalent to about 3.2 million people—have suffered from problem gambling at some point in their lifetime. This study examines the relationship between financial literacy, financial education, and gambling behavior (measured as gambling frequency) among the Japanese population. We hypothesize that financially literate and financially educated people who use their knowledge to make sound financial decisions are less likely to gamble. The data used in this study are from a nationwide survey in Japan from the Preference Parameters Study of Osaka University in 2010 (n = 3687). To control for endogeneity bias between financial literacy and gambling behavior, we use the education of respondents’ fathers as an instrumental variable. The results from the probit-instrumental variable model show that financial literacy has a significantly negative relationship with gambling frequency, while financial education has no significant relationship with gambling frequency. Our findings suggest that problem gambling may be mitigated by promoting financial literacy, but no such conclusion can be drawn for financial education.
Necessary Second-Order Conditions for a Strong Local Minimum in a Problem with Endpoint and Control Constraints
Authors: Osmolovskii Nikolai Pavlovich
Published: March 2020

The method of sliding modes (relaxation) was originally invented in optimal control in order to give a transparent proof of the maximum principle (a first-order necessary condition for a strong local minimum) using the local maximum principle (a first-order necessary condition for a weak local minimum). In the present work, we use this method to derive second-order necessary conditions for a strong local minimum on the base of such conditions for a weak local minimum. For simplicity, we confine ourselves to the consideration of the Mayer problem with endpoint equality and inequality constraints and control inequality constraints given by a finite number of twice smooth functions. Assuming that the gradients of active control constraints are linearly independent, we provide a rather short proof of second-order necessary conditions for a strong local minimum.
Entre la voz y el silencio: autoridad femenina en La Sigea de Carolina Coronado
Authors: Aboal López María
Published: March 2020

In the novelLa Sigea(1854) Carolina Coronado portrays a 16th-century humanist, Luisa Sigea de Velasco, revendicating her criticism of the situation of the creative woman. In this work, Coronado illustrates both the Renaissance reality of the scholarly courtesan, and her own nineteenth-century author-identity, by sharing the disappointment and frustration they suffered as women of letters in contexts of male hegemony. In the following pages we investigate the vindication of female authorship as a creative authority.
Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia in children and adolescents: Recent advances in understanding of pathophysiology and management
Authors: Gϋemes Maria , Rahman Sofia Asim , Kapoor Ritika R. , Flanagan Sarah , Houghton Jayne A. L. , Misra Shivani , Oliver Nick , Dattani Mehul Tulsidas , Shah Pratik
Published: March 2020

Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (HH) is characterized by unregulated insulin release, leading to persistently low blood glucose concentrations with lack of alternative fuels, which increases the risk of neurological damage in these patients. It is the most common cause of persistent and recurrent hypoglycemia in the neonatal period. HH may be primary, Congenital HH (CHH), when it is associated with variants in a number of genes implicated in pancreatic development and function. Alterations in fifteen genes have been recognized to date, being some of the most recently identified mutations in genes HK1, PGM1, PMM2, CACNA1D, FOXA2 and EIF2S3. Alternatively, HH can be secondary when associated with syndromes, intra-uterine growth restriction, maternal diabetes, birth asphyxia, following gastrointestinal surgery, amongst other causes. CHH can be histologically characterized into three groups: diffuse, focal or atypical. Diffuse and focal forms can be determined by scanning using fluorine-18 dihydroxyphenylalanine-positron emission tomography. Newer and improved isotopes are currently in development to provide increased diagnostic accuracy in identifying lesions and performing successful surgical resection with the ultimate aim of curing the condition. Rapid diagnostics and innovative methods of management, including a wider range of treatment options, have resulted in a reduction in co-morbidities associated with HH with improved quality of life and long-term outcomes. Potential future developments in the management of this condition as well as pathways to transition of the care of these highly vulnerable children into adulthood will also be discussed.
The Median Versus Inequality-Adjusted GNI as Core Indicator of ‘Ordinary’ Household Living Standards in Rich Countries
Authors: Nolan Brian
Published: March 2020

This paper first highlights the extent to which national income per head will be unreliable as an indicator of household income change over time around the middle for rich countries, in the short or long run, and will mislead as to the relative performance of countries in achieving broadly-based improvements in prosperity. It then demonstrates that ‘inequality-adjusting’ national income will not suffice to bridge the gap. The divergence between the trajectory of median household income and GDP/GNI per capita is due to a variety of factors that themselves vary in significance across countries and over time, with the distribution of the gains from growth being only one. Median income thus needs to be accorded a central role alongside GDP per capita in both official monitoring of living standards and research on inclusive growth. Growth in median incomes will not be a reliable measure of what is happening to the incomes of the poor, though, so low incomes and poverty certainly need to be separately monitored and analysed: one cannot assume that growth that transmits to the middle is also going towards the bottom.
Pooling Modalities and Pointwise Intersection: Axiomatization and Decidability
Authors: Van De Putte Frederik , Klein Dominik
Published: March 2020

We establish completeness and the finite model property for logics featuring the pooling modalities that were introduced in Van De Putte and Klein (Pooling modalities and pointwise intersection: semantics, expressivity, and applications). The definition of our canonical models combines standard techniques with a so-called “puzzle piece construction”, which we first illustrate informally. After that, we apply it to the weakest classical logics with pooling modalities and investigate the technique’s potential for the axiomatization of stronger logics, obtained by imposing well-known frame conditions on the models.
Fear of Robots and Life Satisfaction
Authors: Hinks Tim
Published: March 2020

The use of robots and in particular next-generation robots in the production of goods and services is increasing. What impact robots are having on people’s quality of life, including workers, is as yet under-explored. This paper provides initial findings examining whether fear of robots is correlated with one aspect of quality of life: life satisfaction. After controlling for individual effects and country effects and using both standard ordinary least squares and a linear multilevel regression model, we find fear of robots correlates with lower reported life satisfaction. There are differences in the fear of robots and life satisfaction by age group, by how long countries have been members of the European Union and by whether we control for attitudes towards other things. We call for more research into attitudes towards technology and new technologies in particular, how these impact on current life satisfaction and other aspects of quality of life and to think more about how technological change and people’s attitudes towards these can be more aligned.
Microtechnological Tools to Achieve Sustainable Food Processes, Products, and Ingredients
Authors: Schroën Karin , de Ruiter Jolet , Berton-Carabin Claire C.
Published: March 2020

One of the major challenges we face as humankind is supplying a growing world population with sufficient and healthy foods. Although from a worldwide perspective sufficient food is produced, locally, the situation can be dire. Furthermore, the production needs to be increased in a sustainable manner for future generations, which also implies prevention of food waste, and making better use of the available resources. How to contribute to this as food technologists is an ultimate question, especially since the tools that can investigate processes at relevant time scales, and dimensions, are lacking. Here we propose the use of microtechnology and show examples of how this has led to new insights in the fields of ingredient isolation (filtration), and emulsion/foam formation, which will ultimately lead to better-defined products. Furthermore, microfluidic tools have been applied for testing ingredient functionality, and for this, various examples are discussed that will expectedly contribute to making better use of more sustainably sourced starting materials (e.g., novel protein sources). This review will wrap up with a section in which we discuss future developments. We expect that it will be possible to link food properties to the effects that foods create in vivo. We thus expand the scope of this review that is technical in nature, toward physiological functionality, and ultimately to rational food design that is targeted to improve human health.
Cognitive Template-Clustering Improved LineMod for Efficient Multi-object Pose Estimation
Authors: Zhang Tielin , Yang Yang , Zeng Yi , Zhao Yuxuan
Published: March 2020

Various types of theoretical algorithms have been proposed for 6D pose estimation, e.g., the point pair method, template matching method, Hough forest method, and deep learning method. However, they are still far from the performance of our natural biological systems, which can undertake 6D pose estimation of multi-objects efficiently, especially with severe occlusion. With the inspiration of the Müller-Lyer illusion in the biological visual system, in this paper, we propose a cognitive template-clustering improved LineMod (CT-LineMod) model. The model uses a 7D cognitive feature vector to replace standard 3D spatial points in the clustering procedure of Patch-LineMod, in which the cognitive distance of different 3D spatial points will be further influenced by the additional 4D information related with direction and magnitude of features in the Müller-Lyer illusion. The 7D vector will be dimensionally reduced into the 3D vector by the gradient-descent method, and then further clustered by K-means to aggregately match templates and automatically eliminate superfluous clusters, which makes the template matching possible on both holistic and part-based scales. The model has been verified on the standard Doumanoglou dataset and demonstrates a state-of-the-art performance, which shows the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed model on cognitive feature distance measurement and template selection on multiple pose estimation under severe occlusion. The powerful feature representation in the biological visual system also includes characteristics of the Müller-Lyer illusion, which, to some extent, will provide guidance towards a biologically plausible algorithm for efficient 6D pose estimation under severe occlusion.
Early Palaeogene Climate Variability Based on n-alkane and Stable Carbon Isotopic Composition Evidenced from the Barsingsar Lignite-bearing Sequence of Rajasthan
Authors: Mathews Runcie P. , Chetia Rimpy , Agrawal Shailesh , Singh Bhagwan D. , Singh Prakash K. , Singh Vikram P. , Singh Alpana
Published: March 2020

The assessment of variations and the reconstruction of palaeoclimate, based on the distribution of n-alkanes and stable carbon isotope data, during early Palaeogene have been made on the Barsingsar lignite-bearing sequence associated with Palana Formation (Bikaner-Nagaur basin). The distribution pattern of various n-alkanes and the derived indices/ratios have widely been used as palaeoclimate indicators in several depositional realms. The distribution of n-alkanes in the studied sequence varies from C13 to C34. The values of calculated n-alkane parameters range from 26.20-28.39 (aliphatic chain length (ACL) index); 0.32-7.21 (low-to-higher molecular weight (L/H) ratio); 0.42-0.85 (Proxy wax (Pwax)); 0.20-0.67 (Proxy aqueous (Paq)); 0.28-5.22 (terrigenous/aquatic ratio (TAR)); 0.16-0.79 (C23/C29 ratio); 1.14-6.31 (C27/C31 ratio) and 1.47-7.02 (C29/C31 ratio). The δ13C varies from −24.8 to −26.1‰ and the TOC varies from 9.6 to 69.5 wt.%. All these variations indicate the changes in palaeo-climate from dry and warm to cool and wet conditions during the deposition of this lignite-bearing sequence. Further, it is also suggested that the climatic condition was cooler than that of the Palaeocene-Eocene thermal maximum (PETM) event.
Radon Concentration Level in Ground and Drinking Water around Kabini River Basin, Karnataka
Authors: Yashaswini T. , Ningappa C. , Niranjan R. S. , Sannappa J.
Published: March 2020

Concentration of radon in ground and drinking water samples are collected from 36 locations around Kabini River basin, Karnataka State, India was measured using Emanometry Technique and it varied from 1.1 to 38.9 Bq.L-1 with geometrical mean of 8.5 Bq.L-1. The higher radon values are found at western side of the river, this is due to the local geology of the area and the upstream water consists of higher activity concentration of radon than that of downstream of the river. The total annual effective dose received by inhalation and ingestion of radon varied from 7.58 to 106.26 μSv.y-1 with geometrical mean of 25.37 μSv.y-1. The annual effective doses were within the safe limit of 0.1 μSv.y-1 as prescribed by World Health Organization (WHO). Out of the total population in the study area, nearly 70% use underground water, 20% use river water and others use surface water (river and lakes) for drinking.
Hydrocarbon Uncertainty Based on Facies Analysis: Middle Jurassic Sequence (Jaisalmer Formation), Jaisalmer Basin, Rajasthan
Authors: Pandey Rajesh , Maurya A. S.
Published: March 2020

The middle Jurassic transgressive limestone with intermitted fresh water clastic facies of Jaisalmer Formation contains reservoirseal assemblage with fair source rock potential, provide a target for exploration. Till date, very few exploration ventures have been made to explore this formation. The frontier exploration team need to address this sequence with possible accumulation pattern and migration pathways.

The objective of current study is to focus on the prospectivity of Jaisalmer Formation that has been established from minor discovery of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon. In the present study, an attempt has been made to establish the facies model that includes litho-micro-facies, bio-facies, source rock facies and depositional facies. This formation has been tested for hydrocarbon in several wells and in some of the well gas/oil has been flown with water. With exploration background in mind, a detailed examination of Jaisalmer Formation has been attempted in terms of its contribution to the exploration efforts in the basin.
Karstification of Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in Huanghua depression and its control factors
Authors: Zhang Jinning , Zhou Jiansheng , Fu Lixin , Li Hongjun , Lou Da
Published: March 2020

With extensive ancient karsts and abundant oil and gas resources, the Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in the Huanghua depression have broad prospects of exploration and development. The types, characteristics, distribution and controlling factors of karsts were investigated by means of the analysis of cores, thin slices, logging, seismic, and geochemical data in this study. The study reveals that the Ordovician carbonate reservoirs in the Huanghua depression falls into three main categories, pore type, pore-vug-fracture type and fracture type, of which, pore-vug-fracture reservoirs account for 62%. The epigenetic uniform karst mainly developed in the Late Ordovician to Early Carboniferous, while the differential karst developed in the Mesozoic. The uniform karstification mainly include chemical dissolution of the original carbonate rock, while the differential karstification not only include chemical dissolution but also hydraulic erosion and biochemical dissolution by organic acid. The burial karstification mainly involved the dissolution of the Ordovician reservoir by large amount of acidic fluids generated by the overlying Upper Paleozoic coal measure source rock while generating hydrocarbon. The dissolution caused by upwelling magmatic-tectonic hydrothermal fluids along faults also contributed to the formation of burial karst reservoirs. The sedimentation-diagenesis and paleogeomorphology-tectonic movement have certain control effects on the karstification of the Ordovician reservoirs in the Huanghua depression, determining the reservoir quality.
Variations in the atmospheric pollutant immission (2009–2015) field near a large lignite-fired power plant (in Europe/Poland)
Authors: Cichowicz R. , Wielgosiński G. , Depta A.
Published: March 2020

Emissions from the energy sector are one of the causes of poor air quality. The status of air pollution caused by the operation of large-size lignite-fired power plants was analyzed (in the years 2009–2015). Emission and immission data from a monitoring station located near a power plant were analyzed (in Europe/Poland in eastern Wielkopolska). The monitoring station conducts continuous measurements of immission concentrations of the following pollutants: PM10, sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides NOx (separately and as the sum of NO and NO2), and ozone (O3) recording at the same time with meteorological parameters such as air temperature, relative air humidity, wind speed, and direction. The dependence of concentrations of selected pollutants on temperature at monitoring point was analyzed. The recorded concentrations were compared with values calculated as a result of modeling of pollutants dispersion in the atmosphere.
Knowledge on and use of the FORTA (“Fit fOR The Aged”)-list and the FORTA App by general practitioners in Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Authors: Meyer Liesbeth , Wehling Martin
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Drug treatment of older people is complicated as multimorbidity and polypharmacy are highly prevalent. To increase the drug appropriateness in older people, the FORTA (“Fit fOR The Aged”)-list was developed. A survey was designed to describe knowledge and use of the FORTA list and the related FORTA App in a German state.

Methods

Survey conducted among 872 general practitioners (GP) from districts (n = 694; 79.6%) or from district-free cities (n = 178; 20.4%) in Baden-Württemberg, Germany who were contacted by e-mail and/or phone.

Results

The response rate was 9.4%. 48% of GP claim to know the FORTA list, 54.5% the FORTA App. 32.5% use one of them regularly, 27% at least once a week.

Conclusions

Responding GP expose knowledge and use of the FORTA list and/or the App exceeding expectations given the limited time since the wider appearance of either tool. These results, though limited by a low response rate, tentatively indicate their successful dissemination underlining utility, implementability and teachability.
Challenge of biometric security for banks
Authors: Dobbie Stuart
Published: March 2020

Biometric authentication has become widely used for payment authorisation and identity verification across a range of banking activities. Fingerprint authentication is already well-established, while a growing number of leading retail banks – including Barclays, HSBC and Santander – also now give customers the option of using voice ID rather than having to remember a series of letters and numbers to access their banking services, both online or over the phone. New banks, including Monzo and Starling, are even pioneering the use of video selfies as a way of proving your identity when signing up for an account.
Editorial
Authors: Mansfield-Devine Steve
Published: March 2020

The struggle between government authorities and tech companies over encryption continues unabated. Facebook, for example, is planning to roll out end-to-end encryption to more of its products to protect users' privacy (as ironic as that may seem).
Power of the eyes: deterring sexual harassment in Tokyo subways using images of watchful eyes
Authors: CHU KIKI K.
Published: March 2020

Sex crime in subways poses an ever-present threat to Japanese commuters. This paper proposes a simple and viable adjunct to the current tactics by harnessing the potential of the watching eyes effect to deter sexual harassment. It attempts to observe the human biological sensitivity to gaze and to explore its application to the specific Japanese context where powerful informal control exists. The paper also identifies the possible advantages and limitations of such measure, with the goal of stimulating more discussion over evidence-based behavioural interventions in deterring crimes. A tentative proposal is composed to summarize and demonstrate a number of behaviourally informed suggestions regarding the practical implementation and configuration of the proposed measure.