bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Place des anticorps thérapeutiques dans les maladies cardiovasculaires et métaboliques aujourd’hui
Authors: Angoulvant Denis , Pathak Atul
Published: January 2020

La place des anticorps thérapeutiques dans les maladies cardiovasculaires et métaboliques est encore modeste en 2019 en comparaison à leur incroyable développement dans d’autres champs pathologiques. Cependant, l’arrivée récente des anticorps anti-PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin de type 9) dans l’arsenal thérapeutique va probablement changer la donne. Ces anticorps permettent non seulement d’améliorer la prise en charge des patients porteurs d’hypercholestérolémie familiale mais également de réduire le risque de complications cliniques de l’athérosclérose en prévention secondaire après un infarctus du myocarde, une artériopathie périphérique ou un accident vasculaire cérébral ischémique. D’autres stratégies thérapeutiques sont en cours d’investigation, ciblant notamment des cellules et cytokines impliquées dans les réponses immuno-inflammatoires avec pour objectif de prévenir les complications de l’athérosclérose ou les lésions du myocarde au décours d’un infarctus.
L’immunothérapie, une révolution en oncologie
Authors: Dubois Manon , Ardin Camille , André Fanny , Scherpereel Arnaud , Mortier Laurent
Published: January 2020

L’immunothérapie anti-tumorale représente un changement de paradigme majeur où le traitement ne cible plus directement les cellules tumorales mais le patient lui-même, afin de restaurer une immunité anti-tumorale efficace. Parmi les différentes immunothérapies, les inhibiteurs de points de contrôle immunitaire occupent une place centrale dans les options thérapeutiques disponibles de deux cancers au pronostic particulièrement péjoratif: le mélanome malin et le cancer pulmonaire non à petites cellules métastatique. De nombreux essais sont en cours, évaluant la pertinence de ces molécules à des stades plus précoces de la maladie (stratégies adjuvantes ou d’induction) et leur place dans des stratégies combinatoires (associés à de la chimiothérapie, des thérapies ciblées, d’autres types d’immunothérapies, etc.).
Quelles chaînes lourdes d’immunoglobulines pour quels anticorps d’immunostimulation ?
Authors: Dumet Christophe , Watier Hervé
Published: January 2020

En cancérologie, les anticorps conduisant à une immunostimulation, ou anticorps d’immunostimulation, relèvent de différents mécanismes d’action: simple blocage de récepteurs agissant comme points de contrôle de l’immunité, élimination des lymphocytes T régulateurs infiltrant les tumeurs, action agoniste sur des récepteurs activateurs des lymphocytes, etc. Dans la mesure où ces propriétés font parfois intervenir la région Fc et la région charnière, le choix du bon isotype de chaîne lourde ou de variants de cette chaîne lourde obtenus par ingénierie peut s’avérer déterminant pour l’efficacité thérapeutique. Cette brève revue tente de tirer les premières leçons de l’expérience clinique.
Abbott ARCHITECT Syphilis TP Chemiluminescent Immunoassay Accurately Diagnoses Past or Current Syphilis in Pregnancy
Authors: Adhikari Emily H. , Frame Ithiel J. , Hill Emilie , Fatabhoy Rizwana , Strickland Amanda L. , Cavuoti Dominick , McIntire Donald D. , Hollaway Rita M.
Published: January 2020

Objective We evaluate diagnostic accuracy of the ARCHITECT chemiluminescent immunoassay (CIA) screening test in pregnancy, and evaluate pregnancy outcomes among screen-positive women.

Study Design Samples from routine prenatal rapid plasma reagin (RPR) tests were collected between June 22 and August 18, 2017 and frozen. Samples were batch-tested with the Abbott ARCHITECT syphilis TP immunoassay (CIA, index test). We calculated sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, and false positivity. We compared pregnancy and neonatal outcomes among screen-positive women.

Results Of 1,602 specimens, 35 (2.2%) were RPR + ; of those, 24 (69%) were CIA +/Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay (TPPA)+ and 11 (31%) were CIA-/TPPA-. Of 1,567 RPR- specimens, 14 (0.9%) were CIA + ; of those, 13 (93%) were TPPA + , and one (7%) had a false positive CIA test. Sensitivity of the CIA (95% CI) was 100% (90.5–100%), specificity 99.9% (99.6–100%), positive predictive value 97.4% (86.2–99.9%), and false positive rate 0.06% (0.002–0.4%) for current or past syphilis. Among 37 CIA +/TPPA+ women, seven (19%) had RPR-negative status (Group 1), 11 (30%) had previously treated syphilis (Group 2), and 19 (51%) had active infection (Group 3). One stillbirth occurred in a woman with early, active syphilis identified at delivery; no adverse perinatal outcomes occurred among women in Groups 1 or 2.

Conclusion The ARCHITECT syphilis TP immunoassay accurately diagnoses current or past syphilis in pregnancy. Clinical history and staging remain essential using a reverse algorithm.
Theoretical investigation of quantum confinement on the Rashba effect in ZnO semiconductor nanocrystals
Authors: Kasper Joseph M. , Gamelin Daniel R. , Li Xiaosong
Published: January 2020

Semiconducting nanocrystals have been the subject of intense research due to the ability to modulate the electronic and magnetic properties by controlling the size of the crystal, introducing dopants, and surface modification. While relatively simple models such as a particle in a sphere can work well to describe moderately sized quantum dots, this approximation becomes less accurate for very small nanocrystals that are strongly confined. In this work, we report all-electron, relativistic ab initio electronic structure calculations for a series of ZnO quantum dots in order to study the modulation of the Rashba effect. The impact and magnitude of spin-orbit coupling and crystalline anisotropy on the fine structure of the band-edge excitonic manifold are discussed.
Characteristic investigation of highly oriented Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 thin-film resistive memory devices
Authors: Yan Xiaobing , Xiao Zuoao , Lu Chao
Published: January 2020

In this work, characteristics of highly oriented Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 (HZO) thin-film resistive memory devices are investigated. The x-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the (−111) plane is the preferred orientation of HZO films, which is consistent with the prediction of two-dimensional crystal nucleus theory. Compared with semirandom HZO thin-film devices, the highly oriented (−111) HZO film exhibits excellent resistive switching behavior and superior retention time of up to 105 s with negligible performance degradation. Besides, highly oriented (−111) HZO films show a lower threshold of switching voltage, faster response time, and multilevel storage capability. Furthermore, the highly oriented (−111) HZO films can achieve better biosynaptic functions and plasticity. This study reveals that controlling the orientation of HZO thin films can promote and facilitate high-quality resistive memory devices.
Force Measurement of Living Professional Phagocytes of the Immune System
Authors: Mularski Anna , Niedergang Florence
Published: January 2020

In higher organisms, the professional phagocytes of the immune system (dendritic cells, neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages) are responsible for pathogen clearance, the development of immune responses via cytokine secretion and presentation of antigens derived from internalized material, and the normal turnover and remodelling of tissues and disposal of dead cells. These functions rely on the ability of phagocytes to migrate and adhere to sites of infection, dynamically probe their environments to make contact with phagocytic targets, and perform phagocytosis, a mechanism of internalization of large particles, microorganisms, and cellular debris for intracellular degradation. The cell-generated forces that are necessary for the professional phagocytes to act in their roles as ‘first responders’ of the immune system have been the subject of mechanical studies in recent years. Methods of force measurement such as atomic force microscopy, traction force microscopy, micropipette aspiration, magnetic and optical tweezers, and exciting new variants of these have accompanied classical biological methods to perform mechanical investigations of these highly dynamic immune cells.
Climbing aboard
Authors: Eisner David A.
Published: January 2020

Welcome from new Editor-in-Chief
Motion reconstruction for optical tomography of trapped objects
Authors: Elbau Peter , Ritsch-Marte Monika , Scherzer Otmar , Schmutz Denise
Published: January 2020

Optical and acoustical trapping has been established as a tool for holding and moving microscopic particles suspended in a liquid in a contact-free and non-invasive manner. Opposed to standard microscopic imaging, where the probe is fixated, this technique allows imaging in a more natural environment. This paper provides a method for estimating the movement of a transparent particle which is maneuvered by tweezers (assuming that the inner structure of the probe is not subject to local movements) by making use of the assumption of a smooth movement in time. The mathematical formulation of the motion estimation leads to an infinitesimal version of the common line technique used in cryogenic electron microscopy single particle imaging to estimate the orientations of the particles in the probe.
Determination of the primary energy using an ultrathin calorimeter
Authors: Dmitrieva Elena , Fedosimova Anastasiya , Lebedev Igor , Temiraliev Abzal , Abishev Medeu , Kozhamkulov Tolegen , Mayorov Andrey , Spitaleri Claudio
Published: January 2020

An approach for measuring energy of cosmic-ray particles with energies E > 1012 eV using an ultrathin calorimeter is presented. The method is based on the analysis of the correlation dependence of the cascade size on the rate of development of the cascade process. In order to determine the primary energy, measurements are made based on the number of secondary particles in the cascade, N

e
, at two observation levels Z
1 and Z
2, separated by an absorber layer. Based on the obtained measurements, a correlation analysis of the dependence of logN

e
(Z
1) on th
e
difference d
N = logN

e
(Z
1) − logN

e
(Z
2) is carried out. The correlation curves (logN

e
from d
N) in the negative part of the dN axis are almost parallel to each other and practically do not depend on the depth of the cascade development. It makes it possible to determine the primary energy using an ultrathin calorimeter. The best option for applying the method is a calorimeter, which has a unit with a heavy target, leading to the rapid development of the cascade, and a homogeneous measuring and absorption block.
Mixed alkali effect on borosilicate glass structure with vanadyl ion as spin probe
Authors: Nagamani B , Srinivasu Ch
Published: January 2020

Mixed alkali borosilicate glasses doped with 2% vanadium oxide were synthesized by conventional melt-quench method. The Micro structure of the materials was analysed using XRD, SEM and EDX spectrum. Optical nature of glasses was studied by computing optical bandgaps with absorption spectral data. Covalent nature of glasses was estimated correlating optical bandgap energy with EPR spectral data. The metallization criterion of glasses was evaluated from the physical parameters. FTIR and Raman spectral techniques were used to identify the structural groups of the borates and silicates that are formed with addition of modifiers. Emission spectra were recorded at excitation wavelength of 350 nm and their thermal nature was also studied using TGA/DTA techniques.
Hermitian curvature flow on unimodular Lie groups and static invariant metrics
Authors: Lafuente Ramiro , Pujia Mattia , Vezzoni Luigi
Published: January 2020

We investigate the Hermitian curvature flow (HCF) of leftinvariant metrics on complex unimodular Lie groups. We show that in this setting the flow is governed by the Ricci-flow type equation

∂
t

g

t

=
−

R
i
c

1
,
1

(

g
t

)

\partial _tg_{t}=-{\mathrm { Ric}}^{1,1}(g_t)

. The solution

g
t

g_t

always exists for all positive times, and

(
1
+
t

)

−
1

g
t

(1 + t)^{-1}g_t

converges as

t
→
∞

t\to \infty

in Cheeger–Gromov sense to a nonflat left-invariant soliton

(

G
¯

,

g
¯

)

(\bar G, \bar g)

. Moreover, up to homotheties on each of these groups there exists at most one left-invariant soliton solution, which is a static Hermitian metric if and only if the group is semisimple. In particular, compact quotients of complex semisimple Lie groups yield examples of compact non-Kähler manifolds with static Hermitian metrics. We also investigate the existence of static metrics on nilpotent Lie groups and we generalize a result of Enrietti, Fino, and the third author [J. Symplectic Geom. 10 (2012), no. 2, 203–223] for the pluriclosed flow. In the last part of the paper we study the HCF on Lie groups with abelian complex structures.
The basis problem revisited
Authors: Martin Kimball
Published: January 2020

Eichler investigated when there is a basis of a space of modular forms consisting of theta series attached to quaternion algebras, and treated squarefree level. Hijikata, Pizer, and Shemanske completed the solution to Eichler’s basis problem for elliptic modular forms of arbitrary level by tour-de-force trace calculations. We revisit the basis problem using the representation-theoretic perspective of the Jacquet–Langlands correspondence.

Our results include: (i) a simpler proof of the solution to the basis problem for elliptic modular forms, which also allows for more flexibility in the choice of quaternion algebra; (ii) a solution to the basis problem for Hilbert modular forms; (iii) a theory of (local and global) new and old forms for quaternion algebras; and (iv) an explicit version of the Jacquet–Langlands correspondence at the level of modular forms, which is a refinement of the Hijikata–Pizer–Shemanske solution to the basis problem. Both (i) and (ii) have practical applications to computing elliptic and Hilbert modular forms. Moreover, (iii) and (iv) are desired for arithmetic applications—to illustrate, we give a simple application to Eisenstein congruences in level

p
3

p^3

.
Implementing Low-Cost, High Accuracy DNA Barcoding From Single Molecule Sequencing to Screen Larval Tephritid Fruit Flies Intercepted at Ports of Entry
Authors: Garzón-Orduña Ivonne J , Geib Scott M , Ledezma Lisa , Bremer Forest T , Barr Norman B
Published: January 2020

Exotic fruit flies in the family Tephritidae pose a threat to U.S. agriculture and natural resources. As part of ongoing fruit fly detection and exclusion programs, invasive fruit fly adults are periodically trapped in and introduced populations are eradicated from two major fruit producing states: California and Florida. Although the pathways used by flies to enter these states are not clear, one possible introduction pathway is hand-carrying fruits and vegetables infested with eggs or larvae through ports of entry during border crossings or international air travel. These collections represent an important resource for determining what species are most commonly associated with particular ports of entry, their host plants, and source country, making the identification of the intercepted larvae fundamental. Here, we examine cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences obtained with Sanger DNA sequencing and Single Molecule Real-time sequencing (SMRT) technologies on a collection of hundreds of intercepted larvae and pupae that are suspected to be fruit pests found in the subfamily Dacinae, in addition to a collection of field-caught flies. Utilizing Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) Circular Consensus Sequencing, we sequenced thousands of independent amplicons in a single SMRT cell. We present our implementation of PacBio’s method by describing wet-lab procedures as well as analytical protocols to automate the process. Finally, for the intercepted material, we compared the generated SMRT data to sequences produced with Sanger and evaluate their quality as a means to identify flies. Using intercepted material, we obtained a sequencing success of over 88% with PacBio’s SMRT sequencing. As the spread of invasive insects grow, so will the size of collections of intercepted material; we found technologies such as SMRT sequencing to be excellent resources to simplify the generation of large amounts of molecular data and to reduce or eliminate all together the manipulation of the sequences.
How Good Is the Phoneme Elision Test in Assessing Reading, Spelling and Arithmetic-Related Abilities?
Authors: Barbosa-Pereira Drielle , Martins Pedro S R , Guimarães Amanda P L , Silva Emanuelle de O , Batista Luana T , Haase Vitor G , Lopes-Silva Júlia B
Published: January 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy of phoneme elision task (PET).

Method

We assessed cross-sectionally 470 Brazilian children (54.3% girls) aged between 7 and 11 years (mean age = 8.83, sd = 0.85), from the 2nd to 4th grades. Children were assessed in their phonemic awareness ability, as well as intelligence, general school achievement, both verbal and visuospatial working memory, single-word reading, and nonsymbolic magnitude comparison. Beyond the psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy of PET, we also provided reference values.

Results

Our data suggest that PET is composed mainly of one single construct, with high item reliability and precision (KR-20 above 0.90). In general, items have acceptable discriminability, considering item-total correlations. Overall PET is generally a good screening tool for reading and spelling difficulties (SD), as well as to identify children with learning difficulties in the early grades. However, it is not a reliable measure for screening math learning difficulties. Finally, PET shows good convergent and divergent validity.

Conclusions

We provide evidence about the psychometric properties and diagnostic accuracy of a PET. Results contribute to the assessment of phonemic awareness in Brazilian children, in both clinical and research contexts. The PET can be used as a screening tool for reading and SD, which could lead to early interventions.
Estimating disease onset from change points of markers measured with error
Authors: Lee Unkyung , Carroll Raymond J , Marder Karen , Wang Yuanjia , Garcia Tanya P
Published: January 2020

Huntington disease is an autosomal dominant, neurodegenerative disease without clearly identified biomarkers for when motor-onset occurs. Current standards to determine motor-onset rely on a clinician’s subjective judgment that a patient’s extrapyramidal signs are unequivocally associated with Huntington disease. This subjectivity can lead to error which could be overcome using an objective, data-driven metric that determines motor-onset. Recent studies of motor-sign decline—the longitudinal degeneration of motor-ability in patients—have revealed that motor-onset is closely related to an inflection point in its longitudinal trajectory. We propose a nonlinear location-shift marker model that captures this motor-sign decline and assesses how its inflection point is linked to other markers of Huntington disease progression. We propose two estimating procedures to estimate this model and its inflection point: one is a parametric method using nonlinear mixed effects model and the other one is a multi-stage nonparametric approach, which we developed. In an empirical study, the parametric approach was sensitive to correct specification of the mean structure of the longitudinal data. In contrast, our multi-stage nonparametric procedure consistently produced unbiased estimates regardless of the true mean structure. Applying our multi-stage nonparametric estimator to Neurobiological Predictors of Huntington Disease, a large observational study of Huntington disease, leads to earlier prediction of motor-onset compared to the clinician’s subjective judgment.
Thalamic-Medial Temporal Lobe Connectivity Underpins Familiarity Memory
Authors: Kafkas Alex , Mayes Andrew R , Montaldi Daniela
Published: January 2020

The neural basis of memory is highly distributed, but the thalamus is known to play a particularly critical role. However, exactly how the different thalamic nuclei contribute to different kinds of memory is unclear. Moreover, whether thalamic connectivity with the medial temporal lobe (MTL), arguably the most fundamental memory structure, is critical for memory remains unknown. We explore these questions using an fMRI recognition memory paradigm that taps familiarity and recollection (i.e., the two types of memory that support recognition) for objects, faces, and scenes. We show that the mediodorsal thalamus (MDt) plays a material-general role in familiarity, while the anterior thalamus plays a material-general role in recollection. Material-specific regions were found for scene familiarity (ventral posteromedial and pulvinar thalamic nuclei) and face familiarity (left ventrolateral thalamus). Critically, increased functional connectivity between the MDt and the parahippocampal (PHC) and perirhinal cortices (PRC) of the MTL underpinned increases in reported familiarity confidence. These findings suggest that familiarity signals are generated through the dynamic interaction of functionally connected MTL-thalamic structures.
Bacterial Infections Associated With Substance Use Disorders, Large Cohort of United States Hospitals, 2012–2017
Authors: McCarthy Natalie L , Baggs James , See Isaac , Reddy Sujan C , Jernigan John A , Gokhale Runa H , Fiore Anthony E
Published: January 2020

Background

Rises in the incidence of bacterial infections, such as infective endocarditis (IE), have been reported in conjunction with the opioid crisis. However, recent trends for IE and other serious infections among persons with substance use disorders (SUDs) are unknown.

Methods

Using the Premier Healthcare Database, we identified hospitalizations from 2012 through 2017 among adults with primary discharge diagnoses of bacterial infections and secondary SUD diagnoses, using International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification Ninth and Tenth Revision codes. We calculated annual rates of infections with SUD diagnoses and evaluated temporal trends. Blood and cardiac tissue specimens were identified from IE hospitalizations to describe the microbiology distribution and temporal trends among hospitalizations with and without SUDs.

Results

Among 72 481 weighted IE admissions recorded, SUD diagnoses increased from 19.9% in 2012 to 39.4% in 2017 (P < .0001). Hospitalizations with SUDs increased from 1.1 to 2.1 per 100 000 persons for IE, 1.4 to 2.4 per 100 000 persons for osteomyelitis, 0.5 to 0.9 per 100 000 persons for central nervous system abscesses, and 24.4 to 32.9 per 100 000 persons for skin and soft tissue infections. For adults aged 18–44 years, IE-SUD hospitalizations more than doubled, from 1.6 in 2012 to 3.6 in 2017 per 100 000 persons. Among all IE-SUD hospitalizations, 50.3% had a Staphylococcus aureus infection, compared with 19.4% of IE hospitalizations without SUDs.

Conclusions

Rates of hospitalization for serious infections among persons with SUDs are increasing, driven primarily by younger age groups. The differences in the microbiology of IE hospitalizations suggest that SUDs are changing the epidemiology of these infections.
Clinical Exome Studies Have Inconsistent Coverage
Authors: Gotway Garrett , Crossley Eric , Kozlitina Julia , Xing Chao , Fan Judy , Hornbuckle Callie , Thies Jenny , Michel Donnice , Quinn Christine , Scheuerle Angela E , Umana Luis A , Uhles Crescenda L , Park Jason Y
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Exome sequencing has become a commonly used clinical diagnostic test. Multiple studies have examined the diagnostic utility and individual laboratory performance of exome testing; however, no previous study has surveyed and compared the data quality from multiple clinical laboratories.

METHODS

We examined sequencing data from 36 clinical exome tests from 3 clinical laboratories. Exome data were compared in terms of overall characteristics and coverage of specific genes and nucleotide positions. The sets of genes examined included genes in Consensus Coding Sequence (CCDS) (n = 17723), a subset of genes clinically relevant to epilepsy (n = 108), and genes that are recommended for reporting of secondary findings (n = 57; excludes X-linked genes).

RESULTS

The average exome nucleotide coverage (≥20×) of each laboratory varied at 96.49% (CV = 3%), 96.54% (CV = 1%), and 91.68% (CV = 4%), for laboratories A, B, and C, respectively. For CCDS genes, the average number of completely covered genes varied at 12184 (CV = 29%), 11687 (CV = 13%), and 5989 (CV = 37%), for laboratories A, B, and C, respectively. With smaller subsets of genes related to epilepsy and secondary findings, the CV revealed low consistency, with a maximum CV seen in laboratory C for both epilepsy genes (CV = 60%) and secondary findings genes (CV = 71%).

CONCLUSIONS

Poor consistency in complete gene coverage was seen in the clinical exome laboratories surveyed. The degree of consistency varied widely between the laboratories.
Analytical and Clinical Performance of Amyloid-Beta Peptides Measurements in CSF of ADNIGO/2 Participants by an LC–MS/MS Reference Method
Authors: Korecka Magdalena , Figurski Michal J , Landau Susan M , Brylska Magdalena , Alexander Jacob , Blennow Kaj , Zetterberg Henrik , Jagust William J , Trojanowski John Q , Shaw Leslie M ,   for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: January 2020

Background

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid-β1-42 (Aβ42) reliably detects brain amyloidosis based on its high concordance with plaque burden at autopsy and with amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) ligand retention observed in several studies. Low CSF Aβ42 concentrations in normal aging and dementia are associated with the presence of fibrillary Aβ across brain regions detected by amyloid PET imaging.

Methods

An LC–MS/MS reference method for Aβ42, modified by adding Aβ40 and Aβ38 peptides to calibrators, was used to analyze 1445 CSF samples from ADNIGO/2 participants. Seventy runs were completed using 2 different lots of calibrators. For preparation of Aβ42 calibrators and controls spiking solution, reference Aβ42 standard with certified concentration was obtained from EC-JRC-IRMM (Belgium). Aβ40 and Aβ38 standards were purchased from rPeptide. Aβ42 calibrators’ accuracy was established using CSF-based Aβ42 Certified Reference Materials (CRM).

Results

CRM-adjusted Aβ42 calibrator concentrations were calculated using the regression equation Y (CRM-adjusted) = 0.89X (calibrators) + 32.6. Control samples and CSF pools yielded imprecision ranging from 6.5 to 10.2% (Aβ42) and 2.2 to 7.0% (Aβ40). None of the CSF pools showed statistically significant differences in Aβ42 concentrations across 2 different calibrator lots. Comparison of Aβ42 with Aβ42/Aβ40 showed that the ratio improved concordance with concurrent [18F]-florbetapir PET as a measure of fibrillar Aβ (n = 766) from 81 to 88%.

Conclusions

Long-term performance assessment substantiates our modified LC–MS/MS reference method for 3 Aβ peptides. The improved diagnostic performance of the CSF ratio Aβ42/Aβ40 suggests that Aβ42 and Aβ40 should be measured together and supports the need for an Aβ40 CRM.
A Guess-And-Determine Attack On SNOW-V Stream Cipher
Authors: Jiao Lin , Li Yongqiang , Hao Yonglin
Published: January 2020

The 5G mobile communication system is coming with a main objective, known also as IMT-2020, that intends to increase the current data rates up to several gigabits per second. To meet an accompanying demand of the super high-speed encryption, EIA and EEA algorithms face some challenges. The 3GPP standardization organization expects to increase the security level to 256-bit key length, and the international cryptographic field responds actively in cipher designs and standard applications. SNOW-V is such a proposal offered by the SNOW family design team, with a revision of the SNOW 3G architecture in terms of linear feedback shift register (LFSR) and finite state machine (FSM), where the LFSR part is new and operates eight times the speed of the FSM, consisting of two shift registers and each feeding into the other, and the FSM increases to three 128-bit registers and employs two instances of full AES encryption round function for update. It takes a 128-bit IV, employs 896-bit internal state and produces 128-bit keystream blocks. The result is competitive in pure software environment, making use of both AES-NI and AVX acceleration instructions. Thus, the security evaluation of SNOW-V is essential and urgent, since there is scarcely any definite security bound for it. In this paper, we propose a byte-based guess-and-determine attack on SNOW-V with complexity $2^{406}$ using only seven keystream blocks. We first improve the heuristic guessing-path auto-searching algorithm based on dynamic programming by adding initial guessing set, which is iteratively modified by sieving out the unnecessary guessing variables, in order to correct the guessing path according to the cipher structure and finally launch smaller guessing basis. For the specific design, we split all the computing units into bytes and rewrite all the internal operations correspondingly. We establish a backward-clock linear equation system according to the circular construction of the LFSR part. Then we further simplify the equations to adapt to the input requirements of the heuristic guessing-path auto-searching algorithm. Finally, the derived guessing path needs modification for the pre-simplification and post-reduction. This is the first complete guess-and-determine attack on SNOW-V as well as the first specific security evaluation to the full cipher.
Integrating Context to Preferences and Goals for Goal-oriented Adaptability of Software Systems
Authors: Botangen Khavee Agustus , Yu Jian , Yeap Wai Kiang , Sheng Quan Z
Published: January 2020

Modern software systems are continuously seeking for adaptability realizations, to generate better fit behaviours in response to domain changes. Requirements variability motivates adaptability; hence, understanding the influence of the domain changes, i.e. context variability, to requirements variability is necessary. In this paper, we propose an approach for context-based requirements variability analysis in the goal-oriented requirements modelling. We define contextual goals and contextual preferences to specify the relationships of contexts with requirements and preferences, respectively. Given a requirements problem represented through a goal model, we use the contextual goals to derive applicable solutions at a given situation. Then, from those applicable solutions, we use the contextual preferences as criteria for evaluating and selecting the ones that would best satisfy stakeholder priorities. To support our variability analysis, we develop a tool to automate the derivation and evaluation of the solutions. We further demonstrate the use of our approach in detecting modelling errors and validating the impact of prioritizations, leading to improvements in the requirements specifications. Our approach broadens the scope of requirements variability by weaving context variability with both stakeholder goals and preferences, in order to sufficiently represent the adaptability needs of software systems where contextual changes are commonplace.
The relevance of depressive symptoms for the outcome of patients receiving vitamin K antagonists: results from the thrombEVAL cohort study
Authors: Michal Matthias , Eggebrecht Lisa , Göbel Sebastian , Panova-Noeva Marina , Nagler Markus , Arnold Natalie , Lauterbach Michael , Bickel Christoph , Wiltink Jörg , Beutel Manfred E , Münzel Thomas , Wild Philipp S , Prochaska Jürgen H
Published: January 2020

Aims

Although depressive symptoms are highly prevalent in patients receiving oral anticoagulation (OAC), the relevance of depression for the outcome of anticoagulated individuals is unknown.

Methods and results

We analysed data from the multicentre cohort study thrombEVAL (NCT01809015) investigating the efficacy of OAC with vitamin K antagonists. There was an independent study monitoring, and an independent review panel assessed the endpoints. Out of n = 1558 participants, information about depressive symptoms, as measured by the two-item screener of the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-2), was available in n = 1405 individuals. The mean follow-up period was 28.04 months, with a standard deviation of 11.52 months. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, baseline PHQ-2 sum score was a strong and robust predictor of clinically relevant bleeding [hazard ratio (HR) 1.13, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.24; P = 0.011] and all-cause mortality (HR 1.18, 1.08–1.28; P = 0.001) independent of age, sex, high school graduation, partnership, clinical profile, intake of serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and quality of OAC therapy. Individuals with clinically significant depressive symptoms (PHQ-2 ≥ 3) had a 57% increased risk for clinically relevant bleeding (fully adjusted HR 1.57, 1.08–2.28) and 54% greater risk for death (fully adjusted HR 1.54, 1.09–2.17). There was no association of depressive symptoms with thromboembolic events. For hospitalization, individuals with depressive symptoms (PHQ-2 ≥ 3) did not experience an elevated risk in the fully adjusted model (HR 1.08, 0.86–1.35; P = 0.52).

Conclusion

Assessment of depression by the PHQ-2 provided independent long-term prognostic information beyond common biomedical risk factors. These findings highlight the need for targeting depressive symptoms in the management of patients receiving OAC therapy.
Geometry of the pulmonary arteries before the Fontan operation: can we influence it during the Norwood procedure?
Authors: Januszewska Katarzyna , Nawrocki Pawel , Lehner Anja , Stegger Julia , Kleinerueschkamp Felix , Malec Edward
Published: January 2020

OBJECTIVES

The right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) shunt provides stable haemodynamics after the Norwood procedure but can influence development of the central pulmonary arteries (PAs). The goal of this study was to analyse the geometry of the central PAs in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome before the Fontan operation with respect to the RV-PA shunt site and the type of the second-stage operation.

METHODS

A total of 161 children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, median age 2.7 (range 1.3–9.8) years and median weight 12.7 (range 7.6–26.1) kg, underwent the Fontan operation after having had the Norwood procedure with an RV-PA shunt. The patients were divided into 2 groups: left-sided RV-PA (L-RV-PA) (n = 129) with the shunt on the left and right-sided RV-PA (n = 32) with the shunt on the right side of the neoaorta. Angiographic data obtained before the Fontan and all cardiac catheterization interventions were analysed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Between the second and third stages, as well as directly before the Fontan operation, the L-RV-PA group required more PA catheter interventions (P = 0.001 and P = 0.03). In this group, the minimal left PA diameter was smaller than that in the R-RV-PA group (P = 0.021). Leaving the shunt open until the Fontan operation increased the rate of PA interventions in the L-RV-PA group (P = 0.001), but there is no evidence of the impact on the development of the left PAs (P = 0.075). There is also no evidence that the type of the second-stage procedure influences the intervention rate before the Fontan procedure (P = 0.14).

CONCLUSIONS

Children who have the L-RV-PA shunt require more PA catheter interventions. The right-sided RV-PA shunt and the subsequent Glenn anastomosis in the place of the shunt are associated with distortion-free and more symmetrical development of the central PAs.
Comparative Plastid Genomics of Cryptomonas Species Reveals Fine-Scale Genomic Responses to Loss of Photosynthesis
Authors: Tanifuji Goro , Kamikawa Ryoma , Moore Christa E , Mills Tyler , Onodera Naoko T , Kashiyama Yuichiro , Archibald John M , Inagaki Yuji , Hashimoto Tetsuo
Published: January 2020

Loss of photosynthesis is a recurring theme in eukaryotic evolution. In organisms that have lost the ability to photosynthesize, nonphotosynthetic plastids are retained because they play essential roles in processes other than photosynthesis. The unicellular algal genus Cryptomonas contains both photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic members, the latter having lost the ability to photosynthesize on at least three separate occasions. To elucidate the evolutionary processes underlying the loss of photosynthesis, we sequenced the plastid genomes of two nonphotosynthetic strains, Cryptomonas sp. CCAC1634B and SAG977-2f, as well as the genome of the phototroph Cryptomonas curvata CCAP979/52. These three genome sequences were compared with the previously sequenced plastid genome of the nonphotosynthetic species Cryptomonas paramecium CCAP977/2a as well as photosynthetic members of the Cryptomonadales, including C. curvata FBCC300012D. Intraspecies comparison between the two C. curvata strains showed that although their genome structures are stable, the substitution rates of their genes are relatively high. Although most photosynthesis-related genes, such as the psa and psb gene families, were found to have disappeared from the nonphotosynthetic strains, at least ten pseudogenes are retained in SAG977-2f. Although gene order is roughly shared among the plastid genomes of photosynthetic Cryptomonadales, genome rearrangements are seen more frequently in the smaller genomes of the nonphotosynthetic strains. Intriguingly, the light-independent protochlorophyllide reductase comprising chlB, L, and N is retained in nonphotosynthetic SAG977-2f and CCAC1634B. On the other hand, whereas CCAP977/2a retains ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase-related genes, including rbcL, rbcS, and cbbX, the plastid genomes of the other two nonphotosynthetic strains have lost the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase protein-coding genes.
Almost Sure Local Well-Posedness for a Derivative Nonlinear Wave Equation
Authors: Bringmann Bjoern
Published: January 2020

We study the derivative nonlinear wave equation $- \partial _{tt} u + \Delta u = |\nabla u|^2$ on $\mathbb{R}^{1 +3}$. The deterministic theory is determined by the Lorentz-critical regularity $s_L = 2$, and both local well-posedness above $s_L$ as well as ill-posedness below $s_L$ are known. In this paper, we show the local existence of solutions for randomized initial data at the super-critical regularities $s\geqslant 1.984$. In comparison to the previous literature in random dispersive equations, the main difficulty is the absence of a (probabilistic) nonlinear smoothing effect. To overcome this, we introduce an adaptive and iterative decomposition of approximate solutions into rough and smooth components. In addition, our argument relies on refined Strichartz estimates, a paraproduct decomposition, and the truncation method of de Bouard and Debussche.
A Lack of Legal Protection and Limited Ways Out: How Asylum Seekers Cope with Liminality on Greek Islands: Lesbos and Chios
Authors: Tunaboylu Muzaffer Sevda , van Liempt Ilse
Published: January 2020

This article focuses on the experiences and coping strategies of those who have sought asylum on the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios after the EU–Turkey deal of March 2016. Based on semi-structured interviews with asylum seekers and participatory observations on the two islands between July and August 2017, we explore the impact of the EU–Turkey deal on asylum seekers and how they cope with it. Although the implementation of the deal has an effect on their ability to cross irregularly to Europe, our findings show that many asylum seekers still come to the islands, aspiring to move on and, in some cases, succeeding. A combination of factors facilitates or hinders a secondary movement from the islands despite the structural constraints. We saw that, often, those with a genuine asylum claim choose to move on despite the risk of losing their legal status. In this way, our research challenges the discursive categorization of those who wait through containment as ‘deserving refugees’ and those who move on as ‘undeserving migrants’ and provides a critical analysis of current European migration policies.
What Happened to Children Who Returned from the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda?
Authors: Allen Tim , Atingo Jackline , Atim Dorothy , Ocitti James , Brown Charlotte , Torre Costanza , Fergus Cristin A , Parker Melissa
Published: January 2020

In northern Uganda, more than 50,000 people were recruited by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) between the late 1980s and 2004, mostly by force. Around half of those taken were children (under 18 years old). A large number were never seen by their families again, but more than 20,000 returned through aid-financed reception centres. Endeavours were made to reunite them with their relatives, who were mostly living in insecure displacement camps. Relatively few were subsequently visited, even after the fighting ended in 2006. Thousands of vulnerable children were largely left to their own devices. This article draws on research carried out in 2004–06 and from 2012 to 2018, and compares findings with other publications on reintegration in the region. It argues that implementing best-practice guidelines for relocating displaced children with their immediate relatives had negative consequences. The majority of children who passed through a reception centre are now settled as young adults on ancestral land, where they are commonly abused because of their LRA past. With few exceptions, it is only those who spent a long period with the LRA and who are not living on ancestral land who have managed to avoid such experiences.
Thermography methods to assess stomatal behaviour in a dynamic environment
Authors: Vialet-Chabrand Silvere , Lawson Tracy
Published: January 2020

Although thermography allows rapid, non-invasive measurements of large numbers of plants, it has not been used extensively due to the difficulty in deriving biologically relevant information such as leaf transpiration (E) and stomatal conductance (gsw) from thermograms. Methods normalizing leaf temperature using temperatures from reference materials (e.g. with and without evaporative flux) to generate stress indices are generally preferred due to their ease of use to assess plant water status. Here, a simplified method to solve dynamic energy balance equations is presented, which enables the calculation of ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ leaf temperatures in order to derive stress indices, whilst providing accurate estimates of E and gsw. Comparing stress indices and gas exchange parameters highlights the limitation of stress indices in a dynamic environment and how this problem can be overcome using artificial leaf references with known conductance. Additionally, applying the equations for each pixel of a thermogram to derive the rapidity of stomatal response over the leaf lamina in wheat revealed the spatial heterogeneity of stomatal behaviour. Rapidity of stomatal movements is an important determinant of water use efficiency, and our results showed ‘patchy’ responses that were linked to both the spatial and temporal response of gsw.
Probabilistic justification logic
Authors: Kokkinis Ioannis , Ognjanović Zoran , Studer Thomas
Published: January 2020

We present a probabilistic justification logic, $\mathsf{PPJ}$, as a framework for uncertain reasoning about rational belief, degrees of belief and justifications. We establish soundness and strong completeness for $\mathsf{PPJ}$ with respect to the class of so-called measurable Kripke-like models and show that the satisfiability problem is decidable. We discuss how $\mathsf{PPJ}$ provides insight into the well-known lottery paradox.
The complexity of disjunction in intuitionistic logic
Authors: Ramanujam R , Sundararajan Vaishnavi , Suresh S P
Published: January 2020

We study procedures for the derivability problem of fragments of intuitionistic logic. Intuitionistic logic is known to be PSPACE-complete, with implication being one of the main contributors to this complexity. In fact, with just implication alone, we still have a PSPACE-complete logic. We study fragments of intuitionistic logic with restricted implication and develop algorithms for these fragments which are based on the proof rules. We identify a core fragment whose derivability is solvable in linear time. Adding disjunction elimination to this core gives a logic which is solvable in co-NP. These sub-procedures are applicable to a wide variety of logics with rules of a similar flavour. We also show that we cannot do better than co-NP whenever disjunction elimination interacts with other rules.
Secondary-electron radiation accompanying hadronic GeV–TeV gamma-rays from supernova remnants
Authors: Huang Yan , Li Zhuo , Wang Wei , Zhao Xiaohong
Published: January 2020

The synchrotron radiation from secondary electrons and positrons (SEPs) generated by hadronic interactions in the shock of supernova remnant (SNR) could be a distinct evidence of cosmic ray (CR) production in SNR shocks. Here, we provide a method where the observed gamma-ray flux from SNRs, created by pion decays, is directly used to derive the SEP distribution and hence the synchrotron spectrum. We apply the method to three gamma-ray bright SNRs. In the young SNR RX J1713.7−3946, if the observed GeV−TeV gamma-rays are of hadronic origin and the magnetic field in the SNR shock is B ≳ 0.5 mG, the SEPs may produce a spectral bump at 10−5–10−2 eV, exceeding the predicted synchrotron component of the leptonic model, and a soft spectral tail at ≳100 keV, distinct from the hard spectral slope in the leptonic model. In the middle-aged SNRs IC443 and W44, if the observed gamma-rays are of hadronic origin, the SEP synchrotron radiation with B ∼ 400–500 μG can well account for the observed radio flux and spectral slopes, supporting the hadronic origin of gamma-rays. Future microwave to far-infrared and hard X-ray (>100keV) observations are encouraged to constraining the SEP radiation and the gamma-ray origin in SNRs.
A hydrodynamical study of outflows in starburst galaxies with different driving mechanisms
Authors: Yu B P Brian , Owen Ellis R , Wu Kinwah , Ferreras Ignacio
Published: January 2020

Outflows from starburst galaxies can be driven by thermal pressure, radiation, and cosmic rays. We present an analytic phenomenological model that accounts for these contributions simultaneously to investigate their effects on the hydrodynamical properties of outflows. We assess the impact of energy injection, wind opacity, magnetic field strength, and the mass of the host galaxy on flow velocity, temperature, density, and pressure profiles. For an M82-like wind, a thermally dominated driving mechanism is found to deliver the fastest and hottest wind. Radiation-driven winds in typical starburst-galaxy configurations are unable to attain the higher flow velocities and temperatures associated with thermal and cosmic ray-driven systems, leading to higher wind densities which would be more susceptible to cooling and fragmentation at lower altitudes. High opacity winds are more sensitive to radiative driving, but terminal flow velocities are still lower than those achieved by other driving mechanisms at realistic opacities. We demonstrate that variations in the outflow magnetic field can influence its coupling with cosmic rays, where stronger fields enable greater streaming but less driving near the base of the flow, instead with cosmic rays redirecting their driving impact to higher altitudes. The gravitational potential is less important in M82-like wind configurations, and substantial variations in the flow profiles only emerge at high altitude in massive haloes. This model offers a more generalized approach to examine the large-scale hydrodynamical properties for a wide variety of starburst galaxies.