bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embryonic neural activity wires the brain
Authors: Tiriac Alexandre , Feller Marla B.
Published: June 2019

Disruption of spontaneous activity prevents formation of cortical whisker maps
Phage Therapy of Pneumonia Is Not Associated with an Overstimulation of the Inflammatory Response Compared to Antibiotic Treatment in Mice
Authors: Dufour Nicolas , Delattre Raphaëlle , Chevallereau Anne , Ricard Jean-Damien , Debarbieux Laurent
Published: June 2019

Supported by years of clinical use in some countries and more recently by literature on experimental models, as well as its compassionate use in Europe and in the United States, bacteriophage (phage) therapy is providing a solution for difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. However, studies of the impact of such treatments on the host remain scarce.
In Vitro
Activity of APX001A (Manogepix) and Comparator Agents against 1,706 Fungal Isolates Collected during an International Surveillance Program in 2017
Authors: Pfaller M. A. , Huband M. D. , Flamm R. K. , Bien P. A. , Castanheira M.
Published: June 2019

Current antifungal agents cover a majority of opportunistic fungal pathogens; however, breakthrough invasive fungal infections continue to occur and increasingly involve relatively uncommon yeasts and molds, which often exhibit decreased susceptibility. APX001A (manogepix) is a first-in-class small-molecule inhibitor of the conserved fungal Gwt1 protein. This enzyme is required for acylation of inositol during glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor biosynthesis.
Calibration and Evaluation of Quantitative Antibody Titers for Varicella-Zoster Virus by Use of the BioPlex 2200
Authors: McLachlan Elizabeth , Scholz Heidi , Bolotin Shelly , Crowcroft Natasha S. , Hatchette Todd F. , Jackson Colleen , Severini Alberto
Published: June 2019

Most commercially available enzyme immunoassay-based methods have limited sensitivity to detect antibody responses to varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in vaccinated individuals, who produce lower antibody levels than those with natural infection. However, more sensitive methods are either not commercially available or less amenable to high-throughput testing.
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Modulates CD94
+
(KLRD1
+
) NK Cells in Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Ram Daniel R. , Lucar Olivier , Hueber Brady , Reeves R. Keith
Published: June 2019

Nonhuman primates play a crucial role in approximating human biology and many diseases that are difficult, if not impossible, to achieve in other animal models, notably HIV. Current advances in adaptive NK cell research positions us to address fundamental deficiencies in our fight against infection and disease at the earliest moments after infection or substantially earlier in disease progression. We show here that we can identify specific NK cell subpopulations that are modulated following chronic, but not acute, SIV infection. The ability to identify these subsets more precisely will inform therapeutic and vaccine strategies targeting an optimized NK cell response.
Draft Genome Sequence of Streptomyces sp. Strain RFCAC02, Isolated from the Gut Microflora of the Pacific Chub Mackerel Scomber japonicus peruanus
Authors: Serrano Wilbert , Olaechea Raul M. , Wink Joachim , Friedrich Michael W.
Published: June 2019

A new strain of
Streptomyces
sp., strain RFCAC02, was isolated from the gut of the Pacific chub mackerel
Scomber japonicus peruanus
. This strain produces a variety of secondary metabolites.
Platform-wide shift to microbial carbonate production during the late Aptian
Authors: Schmitt K. , Heimhofer U. , Frijia G. , Huck S.
Published: June 2019

In the aftermath of major Phanerozoic biocrises, diverse metazoan-dominated reef ecosystems were commonly replaced by microbial carbonate-producing communities. Apart from the loss of metazoan competitors, the factors causing pervasive microbial carbonate production in shallow-water platform settings are not completely understood. Amongst others, outstanding warm temperatures coupled with low-oxygen waters were proposed as possible triggers. This study focuses on late Aptian shallow marine carbonates deposited on the Apennine carbonate platform (ACP) in the central Tethys. By establishing an integrated high-resolution chemostratigraphic framework for two sections of the ACP, the coeval onset of pervasive bacinelloid growth is discovered, indicating a platform-wide shift from a metazoan-dominated ecosystem to microbial carbonate production. The initial phase of microbial proliferation coincides with the final stage of the so-called late Aptian “cold snap” and the subsequent temperature increase, which was paralleled by a significant sea-level rise. Our results contrast with observations from the early Aptian Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a, where a similar shift toward microbial “bacinelloid” carbonate production has been linked to exceptionally warm conditions and hypoxia.
Discovery of biomarkers for the presence and progression of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and HEart faiLure with Preserved ejection Fraction in patients at risk for cardiovascular disease: rationale and design of the HELPFul case-cohort study in a Dutch cardiology outpatient clinic
Authors: Valstar Gideon B , Bots Sophie H , Groepenhoff Floor , Gohar Aisha , Rutten Frans H , Leiner Tim , Cramer Maarten Jan Maria , Teske Arco J , Suciadi Leonardo P , Menken Roxana , Pasterkamp Gerard , Asselbergs Folkert W , Hofstra Leonard , Bots Michael L , den Ruijter Hester M
Published: June 2019

Introduction

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is a common condition in both sexes that may deteriorate into heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (pEF), although this seems to happen more often in women than in men. Both LVDD and HFpEF often go unrecognised, necessitating the discovery of biomarkers that aid both the identification of individuals with LVDD at risk of developing HF and identification of individuals most likely to benefit from treatment.

Methods and analysis

HELPFul is an ongoing case-cohort study at a Dutch cardiology outpatient clinic enrolling patients aged 45 years and older without history of cardiovascular disease, who were referred by the general practitioner for cardiac evaluation. We included a random sample of patients and enriched the cohort with cases (defined as an E/e’ ≥8 measured with echocardiography). Information about medical history, cardiovascular risk factors, electrocardiography, echocardiography, exercise test performance, common carotid intima-media thickness measurement and standard cardiovascular biomarkers was obtained from the routine care data collected by the cardiology outpatient clinic. Study procedure consists of extensive venous blood collection for biobanking and additional standardised questionnaires. Follow-up will consist of standardised questionnaires by mail and linkage to regional and national registries. We will perform cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and coronary CT angiography in a subgroup of patients to investigate the extent of macrovascular and microvascular coronary disease.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University Medical Center Utrecht. Results will be disseminated through national and international conferences and in peer-reviewed journals in cardiovascular disease.

Trial registration

NTR6016;Pre-results.
Early identification of severe community-acquired pneumonia: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Grudzinska Frances S , Aldridge Kerrie , Hughes Sian , Nightingale Peter , Parekh Dhruv , Bangash Mansoor , Dancer Rachel , Patel Jaimin , Sapey Elizabeth , Thickett David R , Dosanjh Davinder P
Published: June 2019

Background

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of sepsis worldwide. Prompt identification of those at high risk of adverse outcomes improves survival by enabling early escalation of care. There are multiple severity assessment tools recommended for risk stratification; however, there is no consensus as to which tool should be used for those with CAP. We sought to assess whether pneumonia-specific, generic sepsis or early warning scores were most accurate at predicting adverse outcomes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of all cases of CAP admitted to a large, adult tertiary hospital in the UK between October 2014 and January 2016. All cases of CAP were eligible for inclusion and were reviewed by a senior respiratory physician to confirm the diagnosis. The association between the CURB65, Lac-CURB-65, quick Sequential (Sepsis-related) Organ Failure Assessment tool (qSOFA) score and National Early Warning Score (NEWS) at the time of admission and outcome measures including intensive care admission, length of hospital stay, in-hospital, 30-day, 90-day and 365-day all-cause mortality was assessed.

Results

1545 cases were included with 30-day mortality of 19%. Increasing score was significantly associated with increased risk of poor outcomes for all four tools. Overall accuracy assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was significantly greater for the CURB65 and Lac-CURB-65 scores than qSOFA. At admission, a CURB65 ≥2, Lac-CURB-65 ≥moderate, qSOFA ≥2 and NEWS ≥medium identified 85.0%, 96.4%, 40.3% and 79.0% of those who died within 30 days, respectively. A Lac-CURB-65 ≥moderate had the highest negative predictive value: 95.6%.

Conclusion

All four scoring systems can stratify according to increasing risk in CAP; however, when a confident diagnosis of pneumonia can be made, these data support the use of pneumonia-specific tools rather than generic sepsis or early warning scores.
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) mediates hepatic stellate cell activation via ALK5/Smad signalling
Authors: Tao Le , Ma Wenting , Wu Liu , Xu Mingyi , Yang Yanqin , Zhang Wei , Sha Wenjun , Li Hongshan , Xu Jianrong , Feng Rilu , Xue Dongying , Zhang Jie , Dooley Steven , Seki Ekihiro , Liu Ping , Liu Cheng
Published: June 2019

Objective

Although glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, its function in liver fibrosis has rarely been studied. Here, we investigated the role of GDNF in hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and liver fibrosis in humans and mice.

Design

GDNF expression was examined in liver biopsies and sera from patients with liver fibrosis. The functional role of GDNF in liver fibrosis was examined in mice with adenoviral delivery of the GDNF gene, GDNF sgRNA CRISPR/Cas9 and the administration of GDNF-blocking antibodies. GDNF was examined on HSC activation using human and mouse primary HSCs. The binding of activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5) to GDNF was determined using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), molecular docking, mutagenesis and co-immunoprecipitation.

Results

GDNF mRNA and protein levels are significantly upregulated in patients with stage F4 fibrosis. Serum GDNF content correlates positively with α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Col1A1 mRNA in human fibrotic livers. Mice with overexpressed GDNF display aggravated liver fibrosis, while mice with silenced GDNF expression or signalling inhibition by GDNF-blocking antibodies have reduced fibrosis and HSC activation. GDNF is confined mainly to HSCs and contributes to HSC activation through ALK5 at His39and Asp76and through downstream signalling via Smad2/3, but not through GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRα1). GDNF, ALK5 and α-SMA colocalise in human and mouse HSCs, as demonstrated by confocal microscopy.

Conclusions

GDNF promotes HSC activation and liver fibrosis through ALK5/Smad signalling. Inhibition of GDNF could be a novel therapeutic strategy to combat liver fibrosis.
Reconsidering the relationship between fast-food outlets, area-level deprivation, diet quality and body mass index: an exploratory structural equation modelling approach
Authors: Hobbs Matthew , Green Mark , Roberts Kath , Griffiths Claire , McKenna Jim
Published: June 2019

Background

Internationally, the prevalence of adults with obesity is a major public health concern. Few studies investigate the explanatory pathways between fast-food outlets and body mass index (BMI). We use structural equation modelling to explore an alternative hypothesis to existing research using area-level deprivation as the predictor of BMI and fast-food outlets and diet quality as mediators.

Methods

Adults (n=7544) from wave II of the Yorkshire Health Study provided self-reported diet, height and weight (used to calculate BMI). Diet quality was based on sugary drinks, wholemeal (wholegrain) bread and portions of fruit and vegetables. Fast-food outlets were mapped using the Ordnance Survey Points of Interest within 2 km radial buffers around home postcode which were summed to indicate availability. Age (years), gender (female/male) and long-standing health conditions (yes/no) were included as covariates.

Results

There was little evidence linking fast-food outlets to diet or BMI. An independent association between fast-food outlet availability and BMI operated counterintuitively and was small in effect. There was also little evidence of mediation between fast-food outlet availability and BMI. However, there was more evidence that area-level deprivation was associated with increased BMI, both as an independent effect and through poorer diet quality.

Conclusion

This exploratory study offers a first step for considering complexity and pathways linking fast-food outlets, area-level deprivation, diet quality and BMI. Research should respond to and build on the hypothesised pathways and our simple framework presented within our study.
Sex differences in antihypertensive drug use and blood pressure control
Authors: Wang Junwen , Jiang Weihong , Sharma Manju , Wu Yuyan , Li Jiayin , You Nana , Ding Zewen , Zhao Xiexiong , Chen Huilin , Tang Huiting , Zhou Xiaoyu , Li Xiaogang
Published: June 2019

Background

Hypertension is the most important modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Epidemiological studies have shown the benefits of lowering blood pressure (BP), but BP control is a major challenge. Furthermore, there are significant sex differences in antihypertensive drug use and BP control. This study examined sex differences in antihypertensive drug use and BP control, with the aim of reducing the complications of hypertension and improving quality of life.

Methods

The study was performed in our outpatient hypertension clinic, and included 1529 patients without secondary hypertension or comorbidities. The study, investigated BP control rates and patterns of antihypertensive drug use in male and female. All data were collected using structured questionnaires and patient measurements.

Results

The study included 713 males and 816 females in this study. Fewer females had hypertension in the younger age group (16.2% vs 11.6%; p>0.05), but this difference disappeared in middle-aged (47.8% vs 49.9 %; p<0.05) and elderly age groups (36.0% vs 38.5%; p<0.05). BP control rates differed between males and females (35.6% in male, 31.9% in female, p<0.01). There was an overall difference in BP control rates between males and females (35.6% in males, 31.9% in females, p<0.01). In this aged 18–44 years, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) showed the best control rate in males, while calcium channel blockers (CCBs) were least effective (61.5% with ACEIs, 28.6% with CCBs; p<0.05). In this aged 45–64 years, diuretics (DUs) showed the best control rate in females, while CCBs were least effective (47.5% with DUs, 28.3% with CCBs; p<0.05).

Conclusions

Sex plays an important role in BP control. In those aged 18–44 years, males using ACEIs showed best control rates. In those aged 45–64 years, females using DUs showed best control rates. Our study provides a basis with the selection of antihypertensive drugs according to sex and age.
Potential HIV transmission risk among spouses: marriage intention and expected extramarital male-to-male sex among single men who have sex with men in Hunan, China
Authors: Wu Weizi , Yan Xiaochen , Zhang Xiaoxia , Goldsamt Lloyd , Chi Yuanyuan , Huang Daoping , Li Xianhong
Published: June 2019

Objective

The HIV epidemic in China is shifting from the high-risk groups of men who have sex with men (MSM), injection drug users and sex workers to the general population, and sexual contact among spouses is assumed to be one route of transmission. Our objective was to determine the intention to marry and the expected extramarital male-to-male sex among single Chinese MSM, in order to estimate the potential HIV transmission risk among MSM living with HIV and their female spouses.

Methods

We conducted a web-based, cross-sectional survey between May 2016 and May 2017. A questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviours, HIV-related and homosexuality-related stigma, marriage intention, and expected extramarital sexual behaviours was completed by 556 single MSM in Hunan, China. Descriptive statistics, χ2test, two-sample t-test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed.

Results

Currently 48.9% of the participants intended to marry a woman in their lifetime, and 91% of them reported that they would continue to have sex with men after getting married. Those who were living with parents (OR=2.26), self-identified as bisexual (OR=2.57), had at least one heterosexual partner in the previous 6 months (OR=0.33) and perceived a higher level of self-homosexual stigma (OR=1.78) had greater intention to marry a woman.

Conclusion

Nearly half of Chinese MSM intend to marry women, which has significantly dropped from the estimated percentage more than 10 years ago for Chinese MSM. However, the expectation of extramarital homosexual behaviours was common in these men. Sexual and gender minority stresses especially from family members, homosexual identity assertiveness and related stigma were the main factors for marriage intention, which should be addressed in future studies and practices.
Chemsex-related drug use and its association with health outcomes in men who have sex with men: a cross-sectional analysis of Antidote clinic service data
Authors: Stevens Oliver , Moncrieff Monty , Gafos Mitzy
Published: June 2019

Purpose

Chemsex-related drug use (CDU) is an escalating public health issue among men who have sex with men (MSM), associated with significant physical, biomedical and psychosocial harm. Few interventions exist to help MSM engaging in chemsex and little data exist on which to build. This cross-sectional analysis, using data from Antidote, the UK’s only lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender specialist drug service, aims to remedy this paucity of data.

Methods

Modified Poisson regression was used to assess associations between CDU and a range of health outcomes; CDU+ subanalysis disaggregated MSM by primary chemsex drug of concern; and HIV+ subanalysis investigated whether CDU was associated with self-reported treatment adherence, HIV seroconversion and other HIV-specific issues.

Findings

Compared with CDU− MSM, MSM presenting for CDU were more likely to be HIV+, current or previous injectors, to have used postexposure prophylaxis in the last year, and have had ≥6 sexual partners in the last 90 days, though less likely to be hazardous alcohol consumers or to have experienced previous suicidal ideation (all p<0.0005). CDU+ subanalysis revealed health outcome differences—those selecting mephedrone were less likely to be hepatitis C+, HIV+, current or previous injectors, or to have experienced previous suicidal ideation (all p<0.0005), whereas those selecting methamphetamine were more likely (all p<0.0005, except suicidal ideation p=0.009).

Implications

This analysis shows MSM presenting for CDU are a heterogeneous high-risk population with unmet health needs. There is a need for standardised chemsex surveillance and for improved intersectorial working between sexual health and drug treatment services. Future research should investigate typological differences between MSM presenting for CDU.

Originality/value

To date, this is the world’s largest analysis of MSM seeking treatment for CDU. Further, the publication of ‘real-world’ service data is a valuable addition to the literature alongside surveys and recruited studies.
Vehicular traffic, crowds, and swarms: From kinetic theory and multiscale methods to applications and research perspectives
Authors: Albi G. , Bellomo N. , Fermo L. , Ha S.-Y. , Kim J. , Pareschi L. , Poyato D. , Soler J.
Published: June 2019

This paper presents a review and critical analysis on the modeling of the dynamics of vehicular traffic, human crowds and swarms seen as living and, hence, complex systems. It contains a survey of the kinetic models developed in the last 10 years on the aforementioned topics so that overlapping with previous reviews can be avoided. Although the main focus of this paper lies on the mesoscopic models for collective dynamics, we provide a brief overview on the corresponding micro and macroscopic models, and discuss intermediate role of mesoscopic model between them. Moreover, we provide a number of selected challenging research perspectives for readers’ attention.
A hybrid model description of 13C(p,γ)14N capture reaction
Authors: Chakraborty Suprita , Mukherjee Avijit , Roy Subinit
Published: June 2019

The radiative capture reaction [Formula: see text] is analyzed using a hybrid model approach where the non-resonant component has been constructed employing the potential model with a folded M3Y potential. The one-level Breit–Wigner formula has been used to estimate the cross-sections of the resonant decays of dominant ([Formula: see text]) state of [Formula: see text]N at 8.06[Formula: see text]MeV. The contribution of the broad resonance at 8.77[Formula: see text]MeV ([Formula: see text]) has been dealt with differently. While Breit–Wigner formula has been used where the excitation function data exist, the [Formula: see text]-matrix prediction for the cross-section of decay to a bound state of [Formula: see text]N from the broad resonance has been used where excitation function data are not available. The single particle spectroscopic factors for ground and six excited states of [Formula: see text]N have been obtained from the fits. The resulting astrophysical [Formula: see text]-factor at zero relative energy is [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]keV b. The value is in good agreement with the previously reported [Formula: see text]-matrix result and also consistent within error bars with the published values.
The desktop study – an essential element of geoforensic search: homicide and environmental cases (west Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK)
Authors: Ruffell Alastair , Barry Lorraine
Published: June 2019

The desktop study of geology, past land use and recent surveys is essential in planning the search for buried items, as it provides information on ground conditions and may explain anomalies. In the first case study, a geophysical search of waste ground in west Belfast (Northern Ireland) identified two anomalies that on excavation were recovered as human skeletal remains. A desktop study, which included Ordnance Survey maps and memoirs, showed the location to have been next to a Jewish cemetery (1901–20), providing a reason for the human remains to be present. In the second case study, legal action was undertaken because a football ground suffered continual flooding. A desktop study preceded a geophysical survey that showed how the area was a former industrial works, infilled with sand but poorly drained, creating a ‘bowl’ into which urban drainage flowed, causing the flooding. The context of land-use change is an example of how useful such combined geological and historical studies can be (using spatial digital data in a GIS), regardless of the age of an object/area of potential forensic interest. A full desktop study should be carried out prior to any field survey to limit the chances of deploying incorrect search assets and misinterpreting discoveries.
Using Eye Tracking and Heart-Rate Activity to Examine Crossmodal Correspondences QoE in Mulsemedia
Authors: Mesfin Gebremariam , Hussain Nadia , Covaci Alexandra , Ghinea Gheorghita
Published: June 2019

Different senses provide us with information of various levels of precision and enable us to construct a more precise representation of the world. Rich multisensory simulations are thus beneficial for comprehension, memory reinforcement, or retention of information. Crossmodal mappings refer to the systematic associations often made between different sensory modalities (e.g., high pitch is matched with angular shapes) and govern multisensory processing. A great deal of research effort has been put into exploring cross-modal correspondences in the field of cognitive science. However, the possibilities they open in the digital world have been relatively unexplored. Multiple sensorial media (mulsemedia) provides a highly immersive experience to the users and enhances their Quality of Experience (QoE) in the digital world. Thus, we consider that studying the plasticity and the effects of cross-modal correspondences in a mulsemedia setup can bring interesting insights about improving the human computer dialogue and experience. In our experiments, we exposed users to videos with certain visual dimensions (brightness, color, and shape), and we investigated whether the pairing with a cross-modal matching sound (high and low pitch) and the corresponding auto-generated vibrotactile effects (produced by a haptic vest) lead to an enhanced QoE. For this, we captured the eye gaze and the heart rate of users while experiencing mulsemedia, and we asked them to fill in a set of questions targeting their enjoyment and perception at the end of the experiment. Results showed differences in eye-gaze patterns and heart rate between the experimental and the control group, indicating changes in participants’ engagement when videos were accompanied by matching cross-modal sounds (this effect was the strongest for the video displaying angular shapes and high-pitch audio) and transitively generated cross-modal vibrotactile effects.
Design, Large-Scale Usage Testing, and Important Metrics for Augmented Reality Gaming Applications
Authors: Roberto Pierdicca , Emanuele Frontoni , Primo Zingaretti , Adriano Mancini , Jelena Loncarski , Marina Paolanti
Published: June 2019

Augmented Reality (AR) offers the possibility to enrich the real world with digital mediated content, increasing in this way the quality of many everyday experiences. While in some research areas such as cultural heritage, tourism, or medicine there is a strong technological investment, AR for game purposes struggles to become a widespread commercial application. In this article, a novel framework for AR kid games is proposed, already developed by the authors for other AR applications such as Cultural Heritage and Arts. In particular, the framework includes different layers such as the development of a series of AR kid puzzle games in an intermediate structure which can be used as a standard for different applications development, the development of a smart configuration tool, together with general guidelines and long-life usage tests and metrics. The proposed application is designed for augmenting the puzzle experience, but can be easily extended to other AR gaming applications. Once the user has assembled the real puzzle, AR functionality within the mobile application can be unlocked, bringing to life puzzle characters, creating a seamless game that merges AR interactions with the puzzle reality. The main goals and benefits of this framework can be seen in the development of a novel set of AR tests and metrics in the pre-release phase (in order to help the commercial launch and developers), and in the release phase by introducing the measures for long-life app optimization, usage tests and hint on final users together with a
measure to design
policy, providing a method for automatic testing of quality and popularity improvements. Moreover, smart configuration tools, as part of the general framework, enabling multi-app and eventually also multi-user development, have been proposed, facilitating the serialization of the applications. Results were obtained from a large-scale user test with about 4 million users on a set of eight gaming applications, providing the scientific community a workflow for implicit quantitative analysis in AR gaming. Different data analytics developed on the data collected by the framework prove that the proposed approach is affordable and reliable for long-life testing and optimization.
Low-Complexity Scalable Extension of the High-Efficiency Video Coding (SHVC) Encoding System
Authors: Shen Liquan , An Ping , Feng Guorui
Published: June 2019

The scalable extension of the high-efficiency video coding (SHVC) system adopts a hierarchical quadtree-based coding unit (CU) that is suitable for various texture and motion properties of videos. Currently, the test model of SHVC identifies the optimal CU size by performing an exhaustive quadtree depth-level search, which achieves a high compression efficiency at a heavy cost in terms of the computational complexity. However, many interactive multimedia applications, such as remote monitoring and video surveillance, which are sensitive to time delays, have insufficient computational power for coding high-definition (HD) and ultra-high-definition (UHD) videos. Therefore, it is important, yet challenging, to optimize the SHVC coding procedure and accelerate video coding. In this article, we propose a fast CU quadtree depth-level decision algorithm for inter-frames on enhancement layers that is based on an analysis of inter-layer, spatial, and temporal correlations. When motion/texture properties of coding regions can be identified early, a fast algorithm can be designed for adapting CU depth-level decision procedures to video contents and avoiding unnecessary computations during CU depth-level traversal. The proposed algorithm determines the motion activity level at the treeblock size of the hierarchical quadtree by utilizing motion vectors from its corresponding blocks at the base layer. Based on the motion activity level, neighboring encoded CUs that have larger correlations are preferentially selected to predict the optimal depth level of the current treeblock. Finally, two parameters, namely, the motion activity level and the predicted CU depth level, are used to identify a subset of candidate CU depth levels and adaptively optimize CU depth-level decision processes. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed scheme can run approximately three times faster than the most recent SHVC reference software, with a negligible loss of compression efficiency. The proposed scheme is efficient for all types of scalable video sequences under various coding conditions and outperforms state-of-the-art fast SHVC and HEVC algorithms. Our scheme is a suitable candidate for interactive HD/UHD video applications that are expected to operate in real-time and power-constrained scenarios.
A Survey of Asynchronous Programming Using Coroutines in the Internet of Things and Embedded Systems
Authors: Belson Bruce , Holdsworth Jason , Xiang Wei , Philippa Bronson
Published: June 2019

Many Internet of Things and embedded projects are event driven, and therefore require asynchronous and concurrent programming. Current proposals for C++20 suggest that coroutines will have native language support. It is timely to survey the current use of coroutines in embedded systems development. This article investigates existing research which uses or describes coroutines on resource-constrained platforms. The existing research is analysed with regard to: software platform, hardware platform, and capacity; use cases and intended benefits; and the application programming interface design used for coroutines. A systematic mapping study was performed, to select studies published between 2007 and 2018 which contained original research into the application of coroutines on resource-constrained platforms. An initial set of 566 candidate papers, collated from on-line databases, were reduced to only 35 after filters were applied, revealing the following taxonomy. The C 8 C++ programming languages were used by 22 studies out of 35. As regards hardware, 16 studies used 8- or 16-bit processors while 13 used 32-bit processors. The four most common use cases were concurrency (17 papers), network communication (15), sensor readings (9), and data flow (7). The leading intended benefits were code style and simplicity (12 papers), scheduling (9), and efficiency (8). A wide variety of techniques have been used to implement coroutines, including native macros, additional tool chain steps, new language features, and non-portable assembly language. We conclude that there is widespread demand for coroutines on resource-constrained devices. Our findings suggest that there is significant demand for a formalised, stable, well-supported implementation of coroutines in C++, designed with consideration of the special needs of resource-constrained devices, and further that such an implementation would bring benefits specific to such devices.
A Unified Framework for Frequent Sequence Mining with Subsequence Constraints
Authors: Beedkar Kaustubh , Gemulla Rainer , Martens Wim
Published: June 2019

Frequent sequence mining methods often make use of constraints to control which subsequences should be mined. A variety of such subsequence constraints has been studied in the literature, including length, gap, span, regular-expression, and hierarchy constraints. In this article, we show that many subsequence constraints—including and beyond those considered in the literature—can be unified in a single framework. A unified treatment allows researchers to study jointly many types of subsequence constraints (instead of each one individually) and helps to improve usability of pattern mining systems for practitioners. In more detail, we propose a set of simple and intuitive “pattern expressions” to describe subsequence constraints and explore algorithms for efficiently mining frequent subsequences under such general constraints. Our algorithms translate pattern expressions to succinct finite-state transducers, which we use as computational model, and simulate these transducers in a way suitable for frequent sequence mining. Our experimental study on real-world datasets indicates that our algorithms—although more general—are efficient and, when used for sequence mining with prior constraints studied in literature, competitive to (and in some cases superior to) state-of-the-art specialized methods.
Appearance-consistent Video Object Segmentation Based on a Multinomial Event Model
Authors: Chen Yadang , Hao Chuanyan , Liu Alex X. , Wu Enhua
Published: June 2019

In this study, we propose an effective and efficient algorithm for unconstrained video object segmentation, which is achieved in a Markov random field (MRF). In the MRF graph, each node is modeled as a superpixel and labeled as either foreground or background during the segmentation process. The unary potential is computed for each node by learning a transductive SVM classifier under supervision by a few labeled frames. The pairwise potential is used for the spatial-temporal smoothness. In addition, a high-order potential based on the multinomial event model is employed to enhance the appearance consistency throughout the frames. To minimize this intractable feature, we also introduce a more efficient technique that simply extends the original MRF structure. The proposed approach was evaluated in experiments with different measures and the results based on a benchmark demonstrated its effectiveness compared with other state-of-the-art algorithms.
The Salesman’s Improved Paths through Forests
Authors: Sebő András , Zuylen Anke Van
Published: June 2019

We give a new, strongly polynomial-time algorithm and improved analysis for the metric
s
-
t
path Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP). It finds a tour of cost less than 1.53 times the optimum of the subtour elimination linear program (LP), while known examples show that 1.5 is a lower bound for the integrality gap.

A key new idea is the deletion of some edges of the spanning trees used in the best-of-many Christofides-Serdyukov-algorithm, which is then accompanied by novel arguments of the analysis: edge-deletion disconnects the trees, and the arising forests are then partly reconnected by “parity correction.” We show that the arising “connectivity correction” can be achieved for a minor extra cost.

On the one hand, this algorithm and analysis extend previous tools such as the best-of-many Christofides-Serdyukov-algorithm. On the other hand, powerful new tools are solicited, such as a flow problem for analyzing the reconnection cost, and the construction of a set of more and more restrictive spanning trees, each of which can still be found by the greedy algorithm. We show that these trees, which are easy to compute, can replace the spanning trees of the best-of-many Christofides-Serdyukov-algorithm.

These new methods lead to improving the integrality ratio and approximation guarantee below 1.53, as was shown in the preliminary, shortened version of this article that appeared in FOCS 2016. The algorithm and analysis have been significantly simplified in the current article, while details and explanations have been added.
Improving Test and Diagnosis Efficiency through Ensemble Reduction and Learning
Authors: Wang Hongfei , He Kun
Published: June 2019

Machine learning is a powerful lever for developing, improving, and optimizing test methodologies to cope with the demand from the advanced nodes. Ensemble methods are a particular learning paradigm that uses multiple models to boost performance. In this work, ensemble reduction and learning is explored for integrated circuit test and diagnosis. For testing, the proposed method is able to reduce the number of system-level tests without incurring substantial increase in defect escapes or yield losses. Significant cost from test execution and set-up preparation can thereby be saved. Experiments are performed on two designs of commercially fabricated chips, for an overall population of >264,000 chips. The results demonstrate that our method is able to reduce 29.27% and 21.74% of the number of tests for the two chips, respectively, at the cost of very low defect escapes. For failure diagnosis, the framework is able to predict an adequate amount of test data necessary for accurate failure diagnosis. Experiments performed on five standard benchmarks demonstrate that our method outperforms a state-of-the-art work in terms of data-volume reduction. The proposed ensemble-based methodology creates opportunities for improving test and diagnosis efficiency.
Regional pulmonary perfusion patterns in humans are not significantly altered by inspiratory hypercapnia
Authors: Asadi Amran K. , Sá Rui Carlos , Arai Tatsuya J. , Theilmann Rebecca J. , Hopkins Susan R. , Buxton Richard B. , Prisk G. Kim
Published: June 2019

Pulmonary vascular tone is known to be sensitive to both local alveolar Po2 and Pco2. Although the effects of hypoxia are well studied, the hypercapnic response is relatively less understood. We assessed changes in regional pulmonary blood flow in humans in response to hypercapnia using previously developed MRI techniques. Dynamic measures of blood flow were made in a single slice of the right lung of seven healthy volunteers following a block-stimulus paradigm (baseline, challenge, recovery), with CO2 added to inspired gas during the challenge block to effect a 7-Torr increase in end-tidal CO2. Effects of hypercapnia on blood flow were evaluated based on changes in spatiotemporal variability (fluctuation dispersion, FD) and in regional perfusion patterns in comparison to hypoxic effects previously studied. Hypercapnia increased FD 2.5% from baseline (relative to control), which was not statistically significant ( P = 0.07). Regional perfusion patterns were not significantly changed as a result of increased [Formula: see text] ( P = 0.90). Reanalysis of previously collected data using a similar protocol but with the physiological challenge replaced by decreased [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] = 0.125) showed marked flow redistribution ( P = 0.01) with the suggestion of a gravitational pattern, demonstrating hypoxia has the ability to affect regional change with a global stimulus. Taken together, these data indicate that hypercapnia of this magnitude does not lead to appreciable changes in the distribution of pulmonary perfusion, and that this may represent an interesting distinction between the hypoxic and hypercapnic regulatory response.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Although it is well known that the pulmonary circulation responds to local alveolar hypoxia, and that this mechanism may facilitate ventilation-perfusion matching, the relative role of CO2 is not well appreciated. This study demonstrates that an inspiratory hypercapnic stimulus is significantly less effective at inducing changes in pulmonary perfusion patterns than inspiratory hypoxia, suggesting that in these circumstances hypercapnia is not sufficient to induce substantial integrated feedback control of ventilation-perfusion mismatch across the lung.
The Tumor Metabolic Microenvironment: Lessons from Lactate
Authors: García-Cañaveras Juan C. , Chen Li , Rabinowitz Joshua D.
Published: June 2019

The extracellular milieu of tumors is generally assumed to be immunosuppressive due in part to metabolic factors. Here, we review methods for probing the tumor metabolic microenvironment. In parallel, we consider the resulting available evidence, with a focus on lactate, which is the most strongly increased metabolite in bulk tumors. Limited microenvironment concentration measurements suggest depletion of glucose and modest accumulation of lactate (less than 2-fold). Isotope tracer measurements show rapid lactate exchange between the tumor and circulation. Such exchange is catalyzed by MCT transporters, which cotransport lactate and protons (H+). Rapid lactate exchange seems at odds with tumor lactate accumulation. We propose a potential resolution to this paradox. Because of the high pH of tumor cells relative to the microenvironment, H+-coupled transport by MCTs tends to drive lactate from the interstitium into tumor cells. Accordingly, lactate may accumulate preferentially in tumor cells, not the microenvironment. Thus, although they are likely subject to other immunosuppressive metabolic factors, tumor immune cells may not experience a high lactate environment. The lack of clarity regarding microenvironmental lactate highlights the general need for careful metabolite measurements in the tumor extracellular milieu.
How Exercise Can Influence Oxidative Stress and Glucose Levels after Pancreatic Resection: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Katsourakis Anastasios , Vrabas Ioannis , Dimitriadis Charalambos , Apostolidis Stylianos , Aggelopoulos Stamatis , Chatzis Iosif , Noussios George
Published: June 2019

Background: One of the most challenging operations is the resection of the pancreas, which is associated with high morbidity. Metabolic control during the perioperative period remains an issue that is sometimes difficult to manage. Objectives: Exercise has a positive effect on glycaemic control. The objective of this trial was determining whether exercise has any benefit for oxidative stress and glucose levels. Method: The study was an open-label, randomised clinical trial. It has been registered in the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial registry. The patients were selected according to the Consolidated Standard of Reporting Trials criteria. Results: In total, 56 patients were assessed for eligibility. There was no statistical difference between the 2 groups (the exercise and the control one) regarding the disease characteristics, morbidity or influence of exercise on oxidative stress; however, the control of glucose was superior in the exercise group. Conclusions: Exercise has a positive effect on glycaemic control in patients after pancreatic resection.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Heart Failure: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association and the Heart Failure Society of America: This statement does not represent an update of the 2017 ACC/AHA/HFSA heart failure guideline update
Authors: Dunlay Shannon M. , Givertz Michael M. , Aguilar David , Allen Larry A. , Chan Michael , Desai Akshay S. , Deswal Anita , Dickson Victoria Vaughan , Kosiborod Mikhail N. , Lekavich Carolyn L. , McCoy Rozalina G. , Mentz Robert J. , Piña Ileana L. ,   On behalf of the American Heart Association Heart Failure and Transplantation Committee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; and the Heart Failure Society of America
Published: June 2019

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for incident heart failure and increases the risk of morbidity and mortality in patients with established disease. Secular trends in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and heart failure forecast a growing burden of disease and underscore the need for effective therapeutic strategies. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the shared pathophysiology between diabetes mellitus and heart failure, the synergistic effect of managing both conditions, and the potential for diabetes mellitus therapies to modulate the risk of heart failure outcomes. This scientific statement on diabetes mellitus and heart failure summarizes the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and impact of diabetes mellitus and its control on outcomes in heart failure; reviews the approach to pharmacological therapy and lifestyle modification in patients with diabetes mellitus and heart failure; highlights the value of multidisciplinary interventions to improve clinical outcomes in this population; and outlines priorities for future research.
Alternative Percutaneous Access for Large Bore Devices
Authors: Cheney Amy E. , McCabe James M.
Published: June 2019

Common femoral artery access is the default strategy for large-bore interventional procedures, including temporary mechanical circulatory support implantation and structural heart therapies, based on superior outcomes and operator ease. However, the size and caliber of the iliofemoral arterial system are influenced by patient size, sex, and comorbidities. Small vessel caliber, significant calcification or atheroma, and severe tortuosity may place patients at prohibitively high risk or render common femoral access impossible. Given the rapid growth of large-bore transcatheter procedures, bleeding avoidance strategies are essential, and thus, novel mechanisms for large-bore access have evolved. This article will discuss the advantages, limitations, and methods of the 2 most common percutaneous large-bore alternative access strategies: transaxillary and transcaval access.
Comparison of the Impact Factors of the Most-Cited Cardiovascular Journals
Authors: Opthof Tobias
Published: June 2019

In this article, I show that the distribution of citations to papers published by the top 30 journals in the category Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems of the Web of Science is extremely skewed. This skewness is to the right, which means that there is a long tail of papers that are cited much more frequently than the other papers of the same journal. The consequence is that there is a large difference between the mean and the median of the citation of the papers published by the journals. I further found that there are no differences between the citation distributions of the top 4 journals
European Heart Journal
,
Circulation
,
Journal of the American College of Cardiology
, and
Circulation Research
. Despite the fact that the journal impact factor (IF) varied between 23.425 for
Eur Heart J
and 15.211 for
Circ Res
with the other 2 journals in between, the median citation of their articles plus reviews (IF Median) was 10 for all 4 journals. Given the fact that their citation distributions were similar, it is obvious that an indicator (IF Median) that reflects this similarity must be superior to the classical journal impact factor, which may indicate a nonexisting difference. It is underscored that the IF Median is substantially lower than the journal impact factor for all 30 journals under consideration in this article. Finally, the IF Median has the additional advantage that there is no artificial ranking of 128 journals in the category but rather an attribution of journals to a limited number of classes with comparable impact.