bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data-driven precondition inference with learned features
Authors: Padhi Saswat , Sharma Rahul , Millstein Todd
Published: August 2016

We extend the data-driven approach to inferring preconditions for code from a set of test executions. Prior work requires a fixed set of features, atomic predicates that define the search space of possible preconditions, to be specified in advance. In contrast, we introduce a technique for on-demand feature learning, which automatically expands the search space of candidate preconditions in a targeted manner as necessary. We have instantiated our approach in a tool called PIE. In addition to making precondition inference more expressive, we show how to apply our feature-learning technique to the setting of data-driven loop invariant inference. We evaluate our approach by using PIE to infer rich preconditions for black-box OCaml library functions and using our loop-invariant inference algorithm as part of an automatic program verifier for C++ programs.
End-to-end verification of information-flow security for C and assembly programs
Authors: Costanzo David , Shao Zhong , Gu Ronghui
Published: August 2016

Protecting the confidentiality of information manipulated by a computing system is one of the most important challenges facing today's cybersecurity community. A promising step toward conquering this challenge is to formally verify that the end-to-end behavior of the computing system really satisfies various information-flow policies. Unfortunately, because today's system software still consists of both C and assembly programs, the end-to-end verification necessarily requires that we not only prove the security properties of individual components, but also carefully preserve these properties through compilation and cross-language linking. In this paper, we present a novel methodology for formally verifying end-to-end security of a software system that consists of both C and assembly programs. We introduce a general definition of observation function that unifies the concepts of policy specification, state indistinguishability, and whole-execution behaviors. We show how to use different observation functions for different levels of abstraction, and how to link different security proofs across abstraction levels using a special kind of simulation that is guaranteed to preserve state indistinguishability. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our new methodology, we have successfully constructed an end-to-end security proof, fully formalized in the Coq proof assistant, of a nontrivial operating system kernel (running on an extended CompCert x86 assembly machine model). Some parts of the kernel are written in C and some are written in assembly; we verify all of the code, regardless of language.
Latte: a language, compiler, and runtime for elegant and efficient deep neural networks
Authors: Truong Leonard , Barik Rajkishore , Totoni Ehsan , Liu Hai , Markley Chick , Fox Armando , Shpeisman Tatiana
Published: August 2016

Deep neural networks (DNNs) have undergone a surge in popularity with consistent advances in the state of the art for tasks including image recognition, natural language processing, and speech recognition. The computationally expensive nature of these networks has led to the proliferation of implementations that sacrifice abstraction for high performance. In this paper, we present Latte, a domain-specific language for DNNs that provides a natural abstraction for specifying new layers without sacrificing performance. Users of Latte express DNNs as ensembles of neurons with connections between them. The Latte compiler synthesizes a program based on the user specification, applies a suite of domain-specific and general optimizations, and emits efficient machine code for heterogeneous architectures. Latte also includes a communication runtime for distributed memory data-parallelism. Using networks described using Latte, we demonstrate 3-6x speedup over Caffe (C++/MKL) on the three state-of-the-art ImageNet models executing on an Intel Xeon E5-2699 v3 x86 CPU.
Polymorphic type inference for machine code
Authors: Noonan Matt , Loginov Alexey , Cok David
Published: August 2016

For many compiled languages, source-level types are erased very early in the compilation process. As a result, further compiler passes may convert type-safe source into type-unsafe machine code. Type-unsafe idioms in the original source and type-unsafe optimizations mean that type information in a stripped binary is essentially nonexistent. The problem of recovering high-level types by performing type inference over stripped machine code is called type reconstruction, and offers a useful capability in support of reverse engineering and decompilation. In this paper, we motivate and develop a novel type system and algorithm for machine-code type inference. The features of this type system were developed by surveying a wide collection of common source- and machine-code idioms, building a catalog of challenging cases for type reconstruction. We found that these idioms place a sophisticated set of requirements on the type system, inducing features such as recursively-constrained polymorphic types. Many of the features we identify are often seen only in expressive and powerful type systems used by high-level functional languages. Using these type-system features as a guideline, we have developed Retypd: a novel static type-inference algorithm for machine code that supports recursive types, polymorphism, and subtyping. Retypd yields more accurate inferred types than existing algorithms, while also enabling new capabilities such as reconstruction of pointer const annotations with 98% recall. Retypd can operate on weaker program representations than the current state of the art, removing the need for high-quality points-to information that may be impractical to compute.
Effective padding of multidimensional arrays to avoid cache conflict misses
Authors: Hong Changwan , Bao Wenlei , Cohen Albert , Krishnamoorthy Sriram , Pouchet Louis-Noël , Rastello Fabrice , Ramanujam J. , Sadayappan P.
Published: August 2016

Caches are used to significantly improve performance. Even with high degrees of set associativity, the number of accessed data elements mapping to the same set in a cache can easily exceed the degree of associativity. This can cause conflict misses and lower performance, even if the working set is much smaller than cache capacity. Array padding (increasing the size of array dimensions) is a well-known optimization technique that can reduce conflict misses. In this paper, we develop the first algorithms for optimal padding of arrays aimed at a set-associative cache for arbitrary tile sizes. In addition, we develop the first solution to padding for nested tiles and multi-level caches. Experimental results with multiple benchmarks demonstrate a significant performance improvement from padding.
Urbanism and Anthropogenic Landscapes
Authors: Chase Arlen F. , Chase Diane Z.
Published: August 2016

Humans consistently modify their environments—both directly and indirectly. However, the linkage between human activity and anthropogenic landscapes intensifies in urban situations. The artificial landscapes and dense concentrations of human populations encountered in urban environments create a centripetal pull for resources that results in continual and distant landscape changes, thus inextricably linking urbanism and anthropogenic landscapes. Examining past and present patterns of urban settlement and environmental impact provides context for this symbiotic relationship. Archaeological data, methodology, and technology offer insight into the similarities and variations in urban anthropogenic landscapes across time and space, suggesting that ancient practices can be compared with contemporary ones and that ancient models may have applicability for future-focused urban planning.
Out of Asia: Anthropoid Origins and the Colonization of Africa
Authors: Beard K. Christopher
Published: August 2016

Anthropoid primates other than humans show a conspicuously disjunct geographic distribution today, inhabiting mostly tropical and subtropical parts of Asia, Africa, and Central and South America. During the latter part of the Eocene, early anthropoids showed a similarly disjunct distribution, although South America and Africa were both island continents then. Attempts to explain the historical biogeography of anthropoids as resulting from vicariance caused by tectonic rifting between South America and Africa conflict with both the chronology and the topology of anthropoid evolution. The only viable hypotheses that remain entail sweepstakes dispersal across marine barriers by early monkeys on natural rafts. Early anthropoids and certain Asian rodent clades seem to have been especially adept at accomplishing sweepstakes dispersal, particularly during the Eocene, although this process has classically been envisioned as highly random and extremely rare. This article identifies and discusses biological and geological factors that make sweepstakes dispersal by certain taxa at given times far less random than previously conceived.
Masses, Radii, and the Equation of State of Neutron Stars
Authors: Özel Feryal , Freire Paulo
Published: August 2016

We summarize our current knowledge of neutron-star masses and radii. Recent instrumentation and computational advances have resulted in a rapid increase in the discovery rate and precise timing of radio pulsars in binaries in the past few years, leading to a large number of mass measurements. These discoveries show that the neutron-star mass distribution is much wider than previously thought, with three known pulsars now firmly in the 1.9–2.0-M⊙ mass range. For radii, large, high-quality data sets from X-ray satellites as well as significant progress in theoretical modeling led to considerable progress in the measurements, placing them in the 10–11.5-km range and shrinking their uncertainties, owing to a better understanding of the sources of systematic errors. The combination of the massive-neutron-star discoveries, the tighter radius measurements, and improved laboratory constraints of the properties of dense matter has already made a substantial impact on our understanding of the composition and bulk properties of cold nuclear matter at densities higher than that of the atomic nucleus, a major unsolved problem in modern physics.
Global Oceans Governance: New and Emerging Issues
Authors: Campbell Lisa M. , Gray Noella J. , Fairbanks Luke , Silver Jennifer J. , Gruby Rebecca L. , Dubik Bradford A. , Basurto Xavier
Published: August 2016

Increased interest in oceans is leading to new and renewed global governance efforts directed toward ocean issues in areas of food production, biodiversity conservation, industrialization, global environmental change, and pollution. Global oceans governance efforts face challenges and opportunities related to the nature of oceans and to actors involved in, the scale of, and knowledge informing their governance. We review these topics generally and in relation to nine new and emerging issues: small-scale fisheries (SSFs), aquaculture, biodiversity conservation on the high seas, large marine protected areas (LMPAs), tuna fisheries, deep-sea mining, ocean acidification (OA), blue carbon (BC), and plastics pollution.
Valuing Cultural Ecosystem Services
Authors: Hirons Mark , Comberti Claudia , Dunford Robert
Published: August 2016

The ecosystem services (ES) framework was developed to articulate and measure the benefits humans receive from ecosystems. Cultural ecosystem services (CES), usually defined as the intangible and nonmaterial benefits ecosystems provide, have been relatively neglected by researchers and policy-makers compared to provisioning, supporting, and regulating services. Although valuing CES poses several conceptual and methodological difficulties, it is of huge interest and importance because of the linkages between cultural values, valuation methods, and the individual and collective decision-making that influence ecosystems and human wellbeing. This review is not a how-to guide, but rather examines key conceptual issues and maps critical areas of debate. There is a range of potential approaches to assessing CES; however, choices regarding valuation methods and their role in decision-making are shaped by cultural and political dynamics. CES are at a crossroads. They can potentially act as a fruitful conceptual container for a broad range of interdisciplinary research into human-environment relations and transform how decisions regarding the environment are made, but they can also be used to legitimize and entrench modes of decision-making that marginalize and undermine the very values they are intended to protect.
The Politics of Sustainability and Development
Authors: Scoones Ian
Published: August 2016

This review examines the relationships between politics, sustainability, and development. Following an overview of sustainability thinking across different traditions, the politics of resources and the influence of scarcity narratives on research, policy and practice are explored. This highlights the politics of transformations and the way these play out under combinations of technology-led, market-led, state-led, and citizen-led processes. In particular, this review points to the politics of alliance building and collective action for sustainability and development. Transformations cannot be managed or controlled, but must draw on an unruly politics, involving diverse knowledges and multiple actors. This review highlights how politics are articulated through regimes of truth, rule, and accumulation, and how understanding such political processes has implications for institutional and governance responses. The conclusion reflects on future research priorities and the methodological stance required for an effective response to the political challenges of sustainability and development.
Biological Diversity and Molecular Plasticity of FIC Domain Proteins
Authors: Harms Alexander , Stanger Frédéric V. , Dehio Christoph
Published: August 2016

The ubiquitous proteins with FIC (filamentation induced by cyclic AMP) domains use a conserved enzymatic machinery to modulate the activity of various target proteins by posttranslational modification, typically AMPylation. Following intensive study of the general properties of FIC domain catalysis, diverse molecular activities and biological functions of these remarkably versatile proteins are now being revealed. Here, we review the biological diversity of FIC domain proteins and summarize the underlying structure-function relationships. The original and most abundant genuine bacterial FIC domain proteins are toxins that use diverse molecular activities to interfere with bacterial physiology in various, yet ill-defined, biological contexts. Host-targeted virulence factors have evolved repeatedly out of this pool by exaptation of the enzymatic FIC domain machinery for the manipulation of host cell signaling in favor of bacterial pathogens. The single human FIC domain protein HypE (FICD) has a specific function in the regulation of protein stress responses.
Neutrino Physics from the Cosmic Microwave Background and Large-Scale Structure
Authors: Abazajian Kevork N. , Kaplinghat Manoj
Published: August 2016

Cosmology and neutrino physics have converged into a recent discovery era. The success of the standard model of cosmology in explaining the cosmic microwave background and cosmological large-scale structure data allows for the possibility of measuring the absolute neutrino mass and providing exquisite constraints on the number of light degrees of freedom, including neutrinos. This sensitivity to neutrino physics requires the validity of some of the assumptions, including general relativity, inflationary cosmology, and standard thermal history, many of which can be tested with cosmological data. This sensitivity is also predicated on the robust handling of systematic uncertainties associated with different cosmological observables. We review several past, current, and future measurements of the cosmic microwave background and cosmological large-scale structure that allow us to do fundamental neutrino physics with cosmology.
Positrons and Antiprotons in Galactic Cosmic Rays
Authors: Cowsik R.
Published: August 2016

I consider the impact of recent measurements of positron and antiproton spectra in cosmic rays on our understanding of the origins and propagation of cosmic rays, as well as on the annihilation and decay characteristics of particles of Galactic dark matter, from the perspective of current models postulating energy-dependent leakage of cosmic rays from the Galaxy and of the nested leaky-box model, in which the leakage from the Galaxy is independent of energy. The nested leaky-box model provides a straightforward and consistent explanation of the observed spectral intensities, and finds no compelling need for a contribution from the annihilation or decay of Galactic dark matter. Improved observations and modeling efforts are needed to probe the properties of dark matter deeply enough to be significant to particle physics and cosmology.
Well-Being Dynamics and Poverty Traps
Authors: Barrett Christopher B. , Garg Teevrat , McBride Linden
Published: August 2016

A sound understanding of poverty traps—defined as poverty that is self-reinforcing due to the poor's equilibrium behaviors—and their underlying mechanisms is fundamentally important to the development of policies and interventions targeted to assist the poor. We review the theoretical and empirical evidence on single equilibrium and multiple equilibria poverty traps at the macro-, meso-, and, especially, microlevels. In addition we review the literature exploring the various mechanisms that have been posited to perpetuate poverty. We find sufficient evidence to support the poverty traps hypothesis, suggesting that policies designed to interrupt those self-perpetuating mechanisms merit serious attention.
Contract Farming in Developed and Developing Countries
Authors: Otsuka Keijiro , Nakano Yuko , Takahashi Kazushi
Published: August 2016

Contract farming (CF) has long been practiced but is becoming increasingly common in both developed and developing countries with the heightened interest of consumers in food safety and quality. Under CF, farmers and buyers make advance agreements on volume, quality, time of delivery, use of inputs, and price or pricing formula. This article critically reviews the literature on CF to assess how it contributes to improving production efficiency and income of farmers in general and of small-scale farmers in particular. Although our review focuses on literature in developing countries because of its predominance, we refer to literature in developed countries (primarily the United States) to gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of CF. We find that although CF contributes to the improvement of farmers' income by introducing new crops and production methods, there is room for strengthening its effects on poverty reduction through policy.
Single-Cell Studies of Phage λ: Hidden Treasures Under Occam's Rug
Authors: Golding Ido
Published: August 2016

Studies over more than half a century have resulted in what some consider a complete narrative for the life cycle of bacteriophage λ. However, this narrative is only complete within the limited resolution offered by the traditional genetic and biochemical approaches that were used to create it. A recent series of studies performed at the single-cell and single-phage levels has revealed a wealth of previously unknown features. By pointing to many open questions, these new studies highlight the limitations of our current understanding of λ, but they also initiate the process of forming a more detailed and quantitative narrative for the system.
Low Vision and Plasticity: Implications for Rehabilitation
Authors: Legge Gordon E. , Chung Susana T.L.
Published: August 2016

Low vision is any type of visual impairment that affects activities of daily living. In the context of low vision, we define plasticity as changes in brain or perceptual behavior that follow the onset of visual impairment and that are not directly due to the underlying pathology. An important goal of low-vision research is to determine how plasticity affects visual performance of everyday activities. In this review, we consider the levels of the visual system at which plasticity occurs, the impact of age and visual experience on plasticity, and whether plastic changes are spontaneous or require explicit training. We also discuss how plasticity may affect low-vision rehabilitation. Developments in retinal imaging, noninvasive brain imaging, and eye tracking have supplemented traditional clinical and psychophysical methods for assessing how the visual system adapts to visual impairment. Findings from contemporary research are providing tools to guide people with low vision in adopting appropriate rehabilitation strategies.
Retinoids and Retinal Diseases
Authors: Kiser Philip D. , Palczewski Krzysztof
Published: August 2016

Recent progress in molecular understanding of the retinoid cycle in mammalian retina stems from painstaking biochemical reconstitution studies supported by natural or engineered animal models with known genetic lesions and studies of humans with specific genetic blinding diseases. Structural and membrane biology have been used to detect critical retinal enzymes and proteins and their substrates and ligands, placing them in a cellular context. These studies have been supplemented by analytical chemistry methods that have identified small molecules by their spectral characteristics, often in conjunction with the evaluation of models of animal retinal disease. It is from this background that rational therapeutic interventions to correct genetic defects or environmental insults are identified. Thus, most presently accepted modulators of the retinoid cycle already have demonstrated promising results in animal models of retinal degeneration. These encouraging signs indicate that some human blinding diseases can be alleviated by pharmacological interventions.
Simple Motion Pursuit and Evasion Differential Games with Many Pursuers on Manifolds with Euclidean Metric
Authors: Kuchkarov Atamurat , Ibragimov Gafurjan , Ferrara Massimiliano
Published: August 2016

We consider pursuit and evasion differential games of a group ofmpursuers and one evader on manifolds with Euclidean metric. The motions of all players are simple, and maximal speeds of all players are equal. If the state of a pursuer coincides with that of the evader at some time, we say that pursuit is completed. We establish that each of the differential games (pursuit or evasion) is equivalent to a differential game ofmgroups of countably many pursuers and one group of countably many evaders in Euclidean space. All the players in any of these groups are controlled by one controlled parameter. We find a condition under which pursuit can be completed, and if this condition is not satisfied, then evasion is possible. We construct strategies for the pursuers in pursuit game which ensure completion the game for a finite time and give a formula for this time. In the case of evasion game, we construct a strategy for the evader.
Steady Glide Dynamic Modeling and Trajectory Optimization for High Lift-to-Drag Ratio Reentry Vehicle
Authors: Yang Liang , Chen Wanchun , Liu Xiaoming , Zhou Hao
Published: August 2016

Steady glide trajectory optimization for high lift-to-drag ratio reentry vehicle is a challenge because of weakly damped trajectory oscillation. This paper aims at providing a steady glide trajectory using numerical optimal method. A new steady glide dynamic modeling is formulated via extending a trajectory-oscillation suppressing scheme into the three-dimensional reentry dynamics with a spherical and rotating Earth. This scheme comprehensively considers all factors acting on the flight path angle and suppresses the trajectory oscillation by regulating the vertical acceleration in negative feedback form and keeping the lateral acceleration invariant. Then, a study on steady glide trajectory optimization is carried out based on this modeling and pseudospectral method. Two examples with and without bank reversal are taken to evaluate the performance and applicability of the new method. A comparison with the traditional method is also provided to demonstrate its superior performance. Finally, the feasibility of the pseudospectral solution is verified by comparing the optimal trajectory with integral trajectory. The results show that this method not only is capable of addressing the case which the traditional method cannot solve but also significantly improves the computational efficiency. More importantly, it provides more stable and safe optimal steady glide trajectory with high precision.
Impact of Rosuvastatin Treatment on HDL-Induced PKC-βII and eNOS Phosphorylation in Endothelial Cells and Its Relation to Flow-Mediated Dilatation in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Winzer Ephraim B. , Gaida Pauline , Höllriegel Robert , Fischer Tina , Linke Axel , Schuler Gerhard , Adams Volker , Erbs Sandra
Published: August 2016

Background. Endothelial function is impaired in chronic heart failure (CHF). Statins upregulate endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and improve endothelial function. Recent studies demonstrated that HDL stimulates NO production due to eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177, dephosphorylation at Thr495, and diminished phosphorylation of PKC-βII at Ser660. The aim of this study was to elucidate the impact of rosuvastatin on HDL mediated eNOS and PKC-βII phosphorylation and its relation to endothelial function.Methods. 18 CHF patients were randomized to 12 weeks of rosuvastatin or placebo. At baseline, 12 weeks, and 4 weeks after treatment cessation we determined lipid levels and isolated HDL. Human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) were incubated with isolated HDL and phosphorylation of eNOS and PKC-βII was evaluated. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was measured at the radial artery.Results. Rosuvastatin improved FMD significantly. This effect was blunted after treatment cessation. LDL plasma levels were reduced after rosuvastatin treatment whereas drug withdrawal resulted in significant increase. HDL levels remained unaffected. Incubation of HAEC with HDL had no impact on phosphorylation of eNOS or PKC-βII.Conclusion. HDL mediated eNOS and PKC-βII phosphorylation levels in endothelial cells do not change with rosuvastatin in CHF patients and do not mediate the marked improvement in endothelial function.
Effects of Asphalt Mix Design Properties on Pavement Performance: A Mechanistic Approach
Authors: Abu Abdo Ahmad M. , Jung S. J.
Published: August 2016

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of hot mix asphalt material properties on the performance of flexible pavements via mechanistic approach. 3D Move Analysis software was utilized to determine rutting and cracking distresses in an asphalt concrete (AC) layer. Fourteen different Superpave mixes were evaluated by utilizing results of the Dynamic Modulus (|E⁎|) Test and the Dynamic Shear Modulus (|G⁎|) Test. Results showed that with the increase of binder content, the tendency of rutting in AC layer increased. However, with the increase of binder content, the cracking of AC layer lessened. Furthermore, when different binder grades were evaluated, results showed that with the increase of the upper binder grade number, rutting decreased, and with the increase of the lower binder grade number, rutting increased. Furthermore, analysis showed that with the increase of the lower binder grade number, higher percent of bottom up cracks would result. As a result of the analysis, binder grade should not be solely considered for cracking in AC layer; binder content and aggregate structure play a big role. Finally, results illustrated that the mechanistic approach is a better tool to determine the performance of asphalt pavement than commonly used methods.
Genomic Amplifications Cause False Positives in CRISPR Screens
Authors: Sheel Ankur , Xue Wen
Published: August 2016

Summary: In CRISPR-based screens for essential genes, Munoz and colleagues and Aguirre and colleagues show that gene-independent targeting of genomic amplifications in human cancer cell lines reduces proliferation or survival. The correlation between CRISPR target site copy number and lethality demonstrates the need for scrutiny and complementary approaches to rule out off-target effects and false positives in CRISPR screens. Cancer Discov; 6(8); 824–6. ©2016 AACR.

See related article by Munoz et al., p. 900.

See related article by Aguirre et al., p. 914.
Errors and Nonadherence in Pediatric Oral Chemotherapy Use
Authors: Walsh Kathleen , Ryan Jamie , Daraiseh Nancy , Pai Ahna
Published: August 2016

Background: Nonadherence and medication error both limit the effectiveness of oral chemotherapy. The overlap between nonadherence and medication error is not well studied in children, and interventions strategies differ for each. Our objective was to describe nonadherence and errors in children with cancer to inform future interventions. Methods: Nonadherence was measured using two self-report tools. Medication error was measured using medication review and observation of administration at home. Two clinicians made judgments about whether each error also represented an episode of nonadherence. Results: Of 72 errors detected in 92 home visits, 27 were also instances of nonadherence. For example, parents gave a child 1 tablet of mercaptopurine every day rather than the prescribed 1 tablet 5 days a week and ½ tablet on weekends. Clinician reviewers judged that family interventions and health system interventions would be most effective in preventing the errors and nonadherence identified in this population of children with cancer. Discussion: The relationship between medication errors and nonadherence is not well described in the literature. Our data indicate that medication error and nonadherence coexist in the same population and in the same patient. Interventions should address both to most effectively support self-management.
A Rare Variant in CACNA1D Segregates with 7 Bipolar I Disorder Cases in a Large Pedigree
Authors: Ross Jessica , Gedvilaite Erika , Badner Judith A. , Erdman Carolyn , Baird Lisa , Matsunami Nori , Leppert Mark , Xing Jinchuan , Byerley William
Published: August 2016

Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 3 bipolar I disorder (BPI) cases from a multiplex pedigree of European ancestry with 7 BPI cases. Within CACNA1D, a gene implicated by genome-wide association studies, a G to C nucleotide transversion at 53,835,340 base pairs (bps) was found predicting the substitution of proline for alanine at amino acid position 1751 (A1751P). Using Sanger sequencing, the DNA variant was shown to co-segregate with the remaining 4 BPI cases within the pedigree. A high-resolution DNA denaturing curve method was then used to screen for the presence of the A1751P change in 4,150 BPI cases from the NIMH Genetics Initiative. The A1751P variant was found in 4 BPI cases. A second variant within exon 43, a C to T nucleotide transition, was found in 1 case at 53,835,355 bps, predicting the substitution of tryptophan for arginine at amino acid position 1771 (R1771W). In the NHLBI Exome Sequencing Project database, the heterozygous A1751P variant was present in 3 of 4,300 subjects of European ancestry, and the R1771W change was not present in any subject. Given the rarity of these variants, large-scale case/control rare variant sequencing studies will be required for definitive conclusions.
Metformin and Angiogenesis in Cancer - Revisited
Authors: Kannarkatt Joseph , Alkharabsheh Omar , Tokala Hemasri , Dimitrov Nikolay V.
Published: August 2016

Several clinical studies demonstrated that diabetic patients treated with metformin were less likely to develop vascular complications, independent of glycemic control. It was also demonstrated that the large variety of metformin's vascular actions can be seen in nondiabetic conditions. Metformin has an interesting potential to treat vascular dysfunction and tumor angiogenesis in conditions beyond diabetes. Since metformin's use in cancer as a single antiangiogenic agent appears to be a therapeutic disappointment, the use of the drug as part of combination anticancer modality represents a therapeutic challenge. The normalization of vascular dysfunction as a new therapeutic strategy may provide better delivery of conventional anticancer agents to the tumor and disrupted tumor environment. In this review, we will outline the available information from the literature regarding metformin and tumor angiogenesis and suggest eventual experimental and clinical approaches.
Responsible pet ownership perception in elementary schools after an educational program in Southern Brazil
Authors: Cunha Graziela Ribeiro da , Martins Camila Marinelli , Pellizzaro Maysa , Barros Cristiane Conceição de , Pampuch Raquel Santos , Wouk Antônio Felipe Paulino de Figueiredo , Ferreira Fernando , Garcia Rita Cássia Maria , Biondo Alexander Welker
Published: August 2016

O impacto de programas de guarda responsável que objetivam promover a saúde pública precisa ser plenamente estabelecido no Brasil. Este estudo objetivou avaliar a percepção sobre guarda responsável de animais de estudantes do ensino fundamental e professores após um programa com quatro anos de duração na cidade de Pinhais. Questionários foram distribuídos para alunos da quarta série e professores de todas as escolas públicas de ensino fundamental da cidade. No total, 1022/1332 estudantes (76,7%) participaram do programa. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos que participaram e não participaram, em relação aos conceitos de guarda responsável (p = 0,88), zoonoses (p = 0,09) e bem-estar animal (p = 0,94). Entretanto, a frequência de acertos dos conceitos de guarda responsável e zoonoses foi significativamente maior (p < 0,01) entre os estudantes do grupo que participou 1 ou 2 vezes (779/830; 93,8% e 506/813; 62,2%, respectivamente) com relação ao grupo que participou > 2 vezes (144/165; 87,3% e 64/151; 42,4%, respectivamente). E também foi significativamente maior (p < 0,01) entre o grupo ≤ 10 anos (991/1058; 93.7%) com relação ao grupo > 10 anos (158/180; 87,8%) no primeiro conceito. Apesar da maioria dos professores aprovarem a continuidade do programa (128/137; 93,4%), eles reportaram baixas taxas de participação no treinamento (41/137; 29,9%) e utilização dos materiais didáticos disponíveis (78/137; 26,9%). O estudo mostrou que a percepção sobre guarda responsável de animais em programas de educação continuada pode ser mais facilmente absorvida por crianças de até 10 anos de idade e com até duas participações.
Cardiovascular risk factors and body fat distribution in brazilians aged 80 years or over
Authors: Gomes Igor C. , Santos Vanessa R. dos , Christofaro Diego G.D. , Fernandes Rômulo A. , Bueno Denise R. , Freitas Júnior Ismael F
Published: August 2016

Study design: Cross-sectional study. Objective: To analyze the presence of cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) according to the pattern of body fat distribution, in Brazilians aged 80 years or over. Methods: The sample consisted of 113 subjects, of 83.4 years, of both sexes. The percentages of total and abdominal body fat, hypertension and lipid profile were used for characterization of CRFs. The chisquare test was used to assess proportions of CRFs and the Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the results of adiposity. Results: Eutrophic subjects presented lower triglycerides (p=0.017), total cholesterol (p=0.001) and prevalence of both hypertension (p=0.003) and hypertriglyceridemia (p=0.007). Subjects with higher abdominal adiposity presented higher total cholesterol (p=0.026) and prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia (p=0.011) and hypercholesterolemia (p=0.026) than those with no excess abdominal adiposity. Those with excess fat (total, abdominal or both), with the exception of glucose (p=0.877), presented a high prevalence of CRFs. Those with both types of excess fat presented differences, with a higher prevalence level when compared to those with only one or neither of the excesses. Conclusion: Obesity, whether abdominal or total, is similarly associated with CRFs in subjects aged 80 years and over
Pancreatitis in adult with acute lymphoblastic leukemia using L-asparaginase and simvastatin: case report and systematic review
Authors: Rodrigues Renne , Gavarrete Diogo D. , Bernardi Érika A. T. , Munhoz Eduardo C.
Published: August 2016

Context: Acute pancreatitis is a inflammatory process of the pancreas. It can be caused by gallstones, metabolic disorders, associated or not with alcohol abuse, or medication. Case Report: A 38-year-old man was admitted to the hospital because of worsening of nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness and white stool. Patient was diagnosed with severe acute pancreatitis. After six days of hospitalization, patient progressed into hypotension and severe bradycardia, and died. The patient used simvastatin chronically, and was in treat with L-asparaginase, both drugs related to the occurence of acute pancreatitis separately. Naranjo´s probability scale of adverse drug reaction established the causality between these medications and acute pancreatitis as probable. However, due to the absence of reports of causality, the acute pancreatitis is associated with to the use of L-asparaginase with possible drug interactions with simvastatin. Conclusion: It is very important to monitor patients treated with L-asparaginase, through careful observation of clinical signs and laboratory follow-up, as well as verification of other medications in use. The AP may have different levels of severity, being indispensable the quick diagnosis and early treatment
Factors associated with the mortality of patients with enterobacteriaceae carbapenem-resistant
Authors: Souza Sara C. S. , Silva Danilo F. da , Belei Renata A. , Carrilho Cláudia M. D. de M.
Published: August 2016

record of 591 patients that presented positive culture for CRE admitted from January 2012 to July 2013. Other factors associated with mortality of patients with CRE were: sex, age, microorganism isolation site, unit and length of stay, and clinical feature (infection and colonization). Data normality was tested by Shapiro-Wilk. Quantitative data was presented as median (interquartile range). The associations were made through 2x2 and tendency Chi-square test. Significance level was set at P<0.05. The increase of age was associated with a high frequency of not survivors. The isolation site: lower respiratory tract and blood were more frequent in not survivor’s patients. ICU inpatients also were associated with CRE not survivors, as well as longer length of stay and the clinical feature of infection. On the other hand, sex was not a factor associated with the mortality of patients. In conclusion, the present study noted an association between age, microorganism isolation site, patient unit, length of stay and clinical feature with the mortality of CRE patients. It is suggested that future studies investigate the rate of prevalence changes of cases of colonization or infection for CRE in university hospitals and establish prevention and control strategies
DINÂMICA GEOMORFOLÓGICA QUATERNÁRIA DA CIMEIRA ESTRUTURAL PERNAMBUCO-ALAGOAS, PLANALTO DA BORBOREMA
Authors: Lima Évio Marcos , Corrêa Antonio Carlos De Barros , Fonsêca Drielly Naamma
Published: August 2016

De muitas formas, o período quaternário é substancialmente singular, as oscilações climáticas registradas neste intervalo deixaram mais registros na paisagem geomorfológica que qualquer outro período geológico. O presente trabalho, teve por objetivo principal compreender como evoluiu a dinâmica geomorfológica quaternária em uma região elevada do Planalto da Borborema, Nordeste do Brasil, na área de trabalho escolhida, situa-se o município de Garanhuns. Para tanto, se lançou mão de técnicas de granulometria e morfoscopia, para identificação dos processos de transporte dos grãos e acomodação dos pacotes sedimentares, aliadas à datação por Luminescência Opticamente Estimulada – LOE – para obtenção das idades desses depósitos e realização de coerente alinhamento temporal. Os resultados obtidos, refletiram transições ambientais para períodos secos na faixa dos 30 mil anos, enquanto o momento de entrada no Holoceno acena para um período de maior umidade nos processos morfodinâmicos. Foi ainda possível perceber que o cruzamento entre a circulação climática local e a constituição topográfica da área facilitam a formação de microambientes de exceção ao contexto regional, além de fomentar o avanço de processos químicos, intercalando processos erosivos. Podendo-se concluir que os métodos aplicados foram eficazes no seu propósito.
Consistent Reduction in Periprocedural Myocardial Infarction With Cangrelor as Assessed by Multiple Definitions
Authors: Cavender Matthew A. , Bhatt Deepak L. , Stone Gregg W. , White Harvey D. , Steg Ph. Gabriel , Gibson C. Michael , Hamm Christian W. , Price Matthew J. , Leonardi Sergio , Prats Jayne , Deliargyris Efthymios N. , Mahaffey Kenneth W. , Harrington Robert A.
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND:

Cangrelor is an intravenous P2Y
12
inhibitor approved to reduce periprocedural ischemic events in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention not pretreated with a P2Y
12
inhibitor.

METHODS:

A total of 11 145 patients were randomized to cangrelor or clopidogrel in the CHAMPION PHOENIX trial (Cangrelor versus Standard Therapy to Achieve Optimal Management of Platelet Inhibition). We explored the effects of cangrelor on myocardial infarction (MI) using different definitions and performed sensitivity analyses on the primary end point of the trial.

RESULTS:

A total of 462 patients (4.2%) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention had an MI as defined by the second universal definition. The majority of these MIs (n=433, 93.7%) were type 4a. Treatment with cangrelor reduced the incidence of MI at 48 hours (3.8% versus 4.7%; odds ratio [OR], 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.67–0.97;
P
=0.02). When the Society of Coronary Angiography and Intervention definition of periprocedural MI was applied to potential ischemic events, there were fewer total MIs (n=134); however, the effects of cangrelor on MI remained significant (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.46–0.92;
P
=0.01). Similar effects were seen in the evaluation of the effects of cangrelor on MIs with peak creatinine kinase-MB ≥10 times the upper limit of normal (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.45–0.91) and those with peak creatinine kinase-MB ≥10 times the upper limit of normal, ischemic symptoms, or ECG changes (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.48–0.84). MIs defined by any of these definitions were associated with increased risk of death at 30 days. Treatment with cangrelor reduced the composite end point of death, MI (Society of Coronary Angiography and Intervention definition), ischemia-driven revascularization, or Academic Research Consortium definite stent thrombosis (1.4% versus 2.1%; OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.51–0.92).

CONCLUSIONS:

MI in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, regardless of definition, remains associated with increased risk of death in the current era. Cangrelor compared with clopidogrel significantly reduces MI regardless of the definition.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:

URL:
http://clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01156571.
A New Cost Function for Evolution of S-Boxes
Authors: Picek Stjepan , Cupic Marko , Rotim Leon
Published: August 2016

Substitution Boxes (S-Boxes) play an important role in many modern-day cryptographic algorithms, more commonly known as ciphers. Without carefully chosen S-Boxes, such ciphers would be easier to break. Therefore, it is not surprising that the design of suitable S-Boxes attracts a lot of attention in the cryptography community. The evolutionary computation (EC) community also had several attempts using evolutionary paradigms to evolve S-Boxes with good cryptographic properties. This article focuses on a fitness function one should use when evolving highly nonlinear S-Boxes. After an extensive experimental analysis of the current state-of-the-art fitness functions, we present a new one that offers higher speed and better results when compared with the aforementioned fitness functions.
A systematic appraisal of the types of ten species of Otostigmus (Parotostigmus) (Scolopendromorpha, Scolopendridae, Otostigminae)
Authors: CHAGAS-JR AMAZONAS
Published: August 2016

The type material of O. brunneus Chamberlin, 1921, O. casus Chamberlin, 1914, O. clavifer Chamberlin, 1921, O. cooperi Chamberlin, 1942, O. occidentalis Meinert, 1886, O. rex Chamberlin, 1914, O. samacus Chamberlin, 1944, O. scabricauda (Humbert & Saussure, 1870), O. suitius Chamberlin, 1914, and O. therezopolis Chamberlin, 1944, are revised. The types of O. casus, O. cooperi, O. occidentalis, O. rex, O. samacus, O. scabricauda, and O. therezopolis are illustrated for the first time. Among the species examined, O. clavifer, O. occidentalis, O. scabricauda, O. suitius, O. caudatus Brölemann, 1902 and O. pococki Kraepelin, 1903 are still valid. Otostigmus casus, O. rex, and O. samacus are considered junior synonyms of O. suitius; O. brunneus is a junior synonym of O. clavifer; O. therezopolis is a junior synonym of O. caudatus and O. cooperi is a junior synonym of O. pococki. Diagnoses for the valid species are given.
On the taxonomy and phylogeny of the skinks Lipinia sekayuensis Grismer, Ismail, Awang, Rizal, & Ahmad and Lipinia surda Boulenger from Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: GRISMER L. LEE , WOOD PERRY L. JR. , SYAFIQ MUHAMMAD F. , BADLI-SHAM BAIZUL H. , RIZAL SYED A. , AHMAD AMIRRUDIN B. , QUAH EVAN S. H.
Published: August 2016

An integrative taxonomic analysis based on additional specimens and color photographs of Lipinia sekayuensis and additional color photographs of L. surda from Pulau Tioman and the Gunung Panti Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia confirm the previous hypotheses that L. sekayuensis is a valid species and is the sister species of L. surda. The two species share a 12.8% sequence divergence between them.
Three new Sisyphus species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) from shaded vegetation in southern Africa
Authors: DANIEL GIMO M. , DAVIS ADRIAN LV. , SCHOLTZ CLARKE H.
Published: August 2016

Descriptions are provided for three new shade-associated species in the dung beetle genus, Sisyphus Latreille, 1807: Sisyphus umbraphilus sp. nov., Sisyphus oralensis sp. nov., and Sisyphus neobornemisszanus sp. nov. All three species are illustrated by photographs of habitus, diagnostic features, and male aedeagi. A map is provided showing their geographical distributions.
Enoplognatha bryjai new species, a bizzare cobweb spider of the Pannonian swamps (Araneae, Theridiidae)
Authors: ŘEZÁČ MILAN , ŘEZÁČOVÁ VERONIKA , HENEBERG PETR
Published: August 2016

During faunistic research of reed beds associated with lakes in the Pannonian region of Czechia we found an Enoplognatha species with spectacular morphology of the male chelicerae. Despite this species being found in an arachnologically well researched area, and that the European species of the genus Enoplognatha have been recently revised (Bosmans & Van Keer 1999), it appears to be a new species.