bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utility of proactive infliximab levels in paediatric Crohn’s disease
Authors: Burgess Christopher J , Reilly Claire , Steward-Harrison Lana , Balouch Fariha , Lewindon Peter J
Published: June 2018

Objective

Infliximab (IFX) has an established role in Crohn’s disease (CD), with serum trough levels of IFX (TLI) increasingly used to optimise dosing. We report the utility of routine, proactive TLI in children on combination therapy with immunosuppression (IS) from a single paediatric centre.

Methods

This is a retrospective chart review of all children with CD receiving IFX therapy conducted betweenJanuary 2014–May 2017. Clinical phenotype, duration of therapy, TLI (µg/mL), drug antibodies, type of IS, biomarkers and changes in management were recorded.

Results

60 children (8–17 years; median 14.1 years) had 206 TLIs recorded. 56/60 (93%) were on IS, with 5/60 (8%) developing antidrug antibodies (ADAs). 63/206 TLIs were recorded duringan episode of relapse (median 3.0 µg/mL) vs 143/206 TLIs recorded in remission (median 5.2 µg/mL). For children with TLI <3 µg/mL, 31/63 (49%) were in relapse vs 30/143 (21%) in remission. For children with TLI >7 µg/mL, 7/63 (11%) were in relapse vs 46/143 (32%) in remission. Change in management resulted from 43/206 (21%) TLIs in 31/60 (52%) children: 21 dose escalations, 12 de-escalations and 10 changed to adalimumab. Of 31 postinduction TLIs, 15/17 (88%) children with TLI >7 µg/mL achieved clinical and biochemical remission for the duration of therapy (median 14 months), while 4/5 (80%) children with TLI <3 µg/mL required early dose escalation. Combination therapy with thiopurines (TP) (median TLI 4.9 µg/mL) versus methotrexate (MTX) (median TLI 5.2 µg/mL) achieved comparable levels with no difference in relapse frequency.

Conclusions

Routine, proactive TLIs guide optimal management in children with CD. Postinduction and during maintenance, levels <3 µg/mL were associated with relapse and levels >7 µg/mL with sustained remission. Combination IS with TP and MTX appears to offer comparable TLI and ADA rates.
Policies supporting informal caregivers across Canada: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Khayatzadeh-Mahani Akram , Leslie Myles
Published: June 2018

Introduction

As the population ages, governments worldwide have begun seeking ways to support informal caregiving. In this light, Canada is no exception, but despite the centrality of the informal care strategy in elder care, we know little about the intertwining and overlapping policies that have been implemented to support informal caregivers providing assistance to the elderly, and to fellow citizens with disabilities. This review aims to identify the diversity of Canadian national, provincial and territorial policies supporting informal caregivers. It seeks, from its generalist focus on all informal care, to draw out specific observations and lessons for the elder care policy environment.

Methods and analysis

Given the vast and multidisciplinary nature of the literature on informal care policy, as well as the paucity of existing knowledge syntheses, we will adopt a scoping review methodology. We will follow the framework developed by Arksey and O’Malley that entails six stages, including: (1) identifying the research question(s); (2) searching for relevant studies; (3) selecting studies; (4) charting the data; (5) collating, summarising and reporting the results; (6) and conducting consultation exercises. We will conduct these stages iteratively and reflexively, making adjustments and repetitions when appropriate to ensure we have covered the literature as comprehensively as possible. We will pursue an iterative integrated knowledge translation (iKT) strategy engaging our knowledge users through all stages of the review.

Ethics and dissemination

By adopting an iKT strategy we will ensure our knowledge users directly contribute to the project’s policy relevant publications. Upon completion of the review, we will present the findings at academic conferences, publishing a research report, along with an academic peer-reviewed article. Our intent is to develop an online, free-access evidence repository that catalogues the full range of Canada’s English language informal care support policies. Finally, the completed review will allow us to publish a series of policy briefs in collaboration with knowledge users illustrating how to promote and better implement informal care support policies. Our study has received ethics approval from the University of Calgary Conjoint Ethics Board.
Implementing infection prevention practices across European hospitals: an in-depth qualitative assessment
Authors: Clack Lauren , Zingg Walter , Saint Sanjay , Casillas Alejandra , Touveneau Sylvie , da Liberdade Jantarada Fabricio , Willi Ursina , van der Kooi Tjallie , Damschroder Laura J , Forman Jane H , Harrod Molly , Krein Sarah , Pittet Didier , Sax Hugo
Published: June 2018

Objective

The Prevention of Hospital Infections by Intervention and Training (PROHIBIT) project included a cluster-randomised, stepped wedge, controlled study to evaluate multiple strategies to prevent catheter-related bloodstream infection. We report an in-depth investigation of the main barriers, facilitators and contextual factors relevant to successfully implementing these strategies in European acute care hospitals.

Methods

Qualitative comparative case study in 6 of the 14 European PROHIBIT hospitals. Data were collected through interviews with key stakeholders and ethnographic observations conducted during 2-day site visits, before and 1 year into the PROHIBIT intervention. Qualitative measures of implementation success included intervention fidelity, adaptation to local context and satisfaction with the intervention programme.

Results

Three meta-themes emerged related to implementation success: ‘implementation agendas’, ‘resources’ and ‘boundary-spanning’. Hospitals established unique implementation agendas that, while not always aligned with the project goals, shaped subsequent actions. Successful implementation required having sufficient human and material resources and dedicated change agents who helped make the intervention an institutional priority. The salary provided for a dedicated study nurse was a key facilitator. Personal commitment of influential individuals and boundary spanners helped overcome resource restrictions and intrainstitutional segregation.

Conclusion

This qualitative study revealed patterns across cases that were associated with successful implementation. Consideration of the intervention–context relation was indispensable to understanding the observed outcomes.
Impact of characteristics of organ failure and infected necrosis on mortality in necrotising pancreatitis
Authors: Schepers Nicolien J , Bakker Olaf J , Besselink Marc G , Ahmed Ali Usama , Bollen Thomas L , Gooszen Hein G , van Santvoort Hjalmar C , Bruno Marco J
Published: June 2018

Objective

In patients with pancreatitis, early persisting organ failure is believed to be the most important cause of mortality. This study investigates the relation between the timing (onset and duration) of organ failure and mortality and its association with infected pancreatic necrosis in patients with necrotising pancreatitis.

Design

We performed a post hoc analysis of a prospective database of 639 patients with necrotising pancreatitis from 21 hospitals. We evaluated the onset, duration and type of organ failure (ie, respiratory, cardiovascular and renal failure) and its association with mortality and infected pancreatic necrosis.

Results

In total, 240 of 639 (38%) patients with necrotising pancreatitis developed organ failure. Persistent organ failure (ie, any type or combination) started in the first week in 51% of patients with 42% mortality, in 13% during the second week with 46% mortality and in 36% after the second week with 29% mortality. Mortality in patients with persistent multiple organ failure lasting <1 week, 1–2 weeks, 2–3 weeks or longer than 3 weeks was 43%, 38%, 46% and 52%, respectively (p=0.68). Mortality was higher in patients with organ failure alone than in patients with organ failure and infected pancreatic necrosis (44% vs 29%, p=0.04). However, when excluding patients with very early mortality (within 10 days of admission), patients with organ failure with or without infected pancreatic necrosis had similar mortality rates (28% vs 34%, p=0.33).

Conclusion

In patients with necrotising pancreatitis, early persistent organ failure is not associated with increased mortality when compared with persistent organ failure which develops further on during the disease course. Furthermore, no association was found between the duration of organ failure and mortality.
Risk factors of suicidal ideation in a population of UK military veterans seeking support for mental health difficulties
Authors: Harden Larissa , Murphy D
Published: June 2018

Background

Little has been reported regarding the risk factors of suicidal ideation in individuals once they have left the military in the UK. The aim of this paper was to explore the risk factors associated with suicidal ideation in a sample of treatment-seeking veterans.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional design, participants included veterans (n=144) seeking treatment from a national mental health charity in the UK. Individuals completed questionnaires regarding their military experiences, pre-enlistment factors and health. Data were then linked to risk assessments extracted from clinical records.

Results

After controlling for relevant variables, suicidal ideation was significantly higher in veterans who were unemployed (OR 8.01; 95% CI 1.79 to 35.80), were early service leavers (OR 8.46; 95% CI 2.21 to 32.35) and those with a history of childhood adversity (OR 6.92; 95% CI 2.10 to 22.82). In addition, taking longer than 5 years to seek help was associated with a reduced risk of suicidal ideation (OR 0.10; 95% CI 0.06 to 0.87). There was no association between health outcomes and suicidal ideation.

Conclusions

Risk factors associated with suicidal ideation in this sample of veterans included: being unemployed, an early service leaver, taking less than 5 years to seek help and experiencing preservice adversity.
Lung cancer stage-shift following a symptom awareness campaign
Authors: Kennedy Martyn P T , Cheyne Leanne , Darby Michael , Plant Paul , Milton Richard , Robson Jonathan M , Gill Alison , Malhotra Puneet , Ashford-Turner Victoria , Rodger Kirsty , Paramasivam Elankumaran , Johnstone Annette , Bhartia Bobby , Karthik Shishir , Foster Catherine , Lovatt Veronica , Hewitt Francesca , Cresswell Louise , Coupland Victoria H , Lüchtenborg Margreet , Jack Ruth H , Moller Henrik , Callister Matthew E J
Published: June 2018

Background

Lung cancer outcomes in the UK are worse than in many other developed nations. Symptom awareness campaigns aim to diagnose patients at an earlier stage to improve cancer outcomes.

Methods

An early diagnosis campaign for lung cancer commenced in Leeds, UK in 2011 comprising public and primary-care facing components. Rates of community referral for chest X-ray and lung cancer stage (TNM seventh edition) at presentation were collected from 2008 to 2015. Linear trends were assessed by χ2 test for trend in proportions. Headline figures are presented for the 3 years pre-campaign (2008–2010) and the three most recent years for which data are available during the campaign (2013–2015).

Findings

Community-ordered chest X-ray rates per year increased from 18 909 in 2008–2010 to 34 194 in 2013–2015 (80.8% increase). A significant stage shift towards earlier stage lung cancer was seen (χ2(1)=32.2, p<0.0001). There was an 8.8 percentage point increase in the proportion of patients diagnosed with stage I/II lung cancer (26.5% pre-campaign vs 35.3% during campaign) and a 9.3% reduction in the absolute number of patients diagnosed with stage III/IV disease (1254 pre-campaign vs 1137 during campaign).

Interpretation

This is the largest described lung cancer stage-shift in association with a symptom awareness campaign. A causal link between the campaign and stage-shift cannot be proven but appears plausible. Limitations of the analysis include a lack of contemporary control population.
Early gold-bearing quartz veins within the Rivière-Héva fault zone, Abitibi subprovince, Quebec, Canada
Authors: Guay Francis , Pilote Pierre , Daigneault Réal , McNicoll Vicki
Published: June 2018

The Malartic Lakeshore showing is a gold-bearing quartz vein system located within the major Rivière-Héva fault zone (RHFZ) of the southern Abitibi greenstone belt. This fault separates the 2702–2700 Ma felsic Héva Formation from the 2708 Ma mafic-ultramafic Dubuisson Formation. A swarm of thin diorite dykes with lamprophyric facies and gold-bearing quartz veins are present only on the Dubuisson side of the fault. The 30–70 cm thick gold quartz veins are boudinaged and folded. Veins are banded and associated with pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, barite, and gold. The study area is characterized by a high degree of ductile deformation associated with the RHFZ and manifested by the southeast-trending “principal schistosity” (Sp). Stretching lineations plunge moderately to shallowly toward the southeast as a result of shortening followed by late directional shearing during a transpressive deformation. A sample from the Héva Formation yielded a zircon U–Pb age of 2698.2 ± 0.8 Ma, and a diorite dyke produced an age of 2694.3 ± 2.5 Ma. Quartz veins are crosscut by dykes, and both are affected by the Sp fabric, indicating an early emplacement with respect to the deformation. This situation contrasts with the orogenic gold veins found in association with major fault zones. A near-synvolcanic magmatic hydrothermal origin is proposed for this gold vein system. Because all subvertical units in the area are south facing, the presence of the older Dubuisson Formation over the younger Héva Formation is attributed to the RHFZ acting as a significant reverse or thrust fault.
Karstic spring wetlands of the Persepolis Basin, southwest Iran: unique sediment archives of Holocene environmental change and human impacts
Authors: Djamali Morteza , Gondet Sébastien , Ashjari Javad , Aubert Cyril , Brisset Elodie , Longerey Julien , Marriner Nick , Mashkour Marjan , Miller Naomi F. , Naderi-Beni Abdolmajid , Pourkerman Majid , Rashidian Elnaz , Rigot Jean-Baptiste , Shidrang Sonia , Thiéry Alain , Gandouin Emmanuel
Published: June 2018

Palustrine carbonates are frequently found with active and dried karstic springs in the foothills of the mountains bordering the Persepolis Basin, southwest Iran. A combination of geological conditions favours their formation, including (i) the presence of karstic limestone aquifers in the limbs of anticlines cut through by fault systems; (ii) very gentle slopes from the spring resurgence point towards the centre of the alluvial plain, creating a flat waterlogged area; and (iii) a semiarid climate with marked precipitation seasonality or significant fluctuations in water discharge and wetland water table. We suggest the term “anastomosing wetlands” or “anastomosing palustrine environments” to denote the studied karstic spring–fed carbonate wetlands, because of similarities with anastomosing river systems in aerial view. The common presence of extended anastomosing wetland carbonates in the Persepolis Basin and adjacent basins in the central and southern Zagros suggests that they can play an important role in the geological records of collision-related basin-and-range settings dominated by karstic limestones. Karstic spring wetlands are a main source of fresh water hosting a rich biodiversity, which attracts human communities, whose impact is visible in the archaeological material imbedded in the wetland stratigraphy. Fresh water availability, through these spring wetlands, partly explains why the semiarid Persepolis region was selected by successive civilizations, from Elamites to Persians until early Islamic entities, to establish regional centres throughout the period from the third millennium B.C. to the first millennium A.D. Only a few of these ecosystems have survived the intensive human activities of recent decades.
Each rotation phase can affect soil carbon balance differently over decades
Authors: Maillard Émilie , McConkey Brian G. , Angers Denis A.
Published: June 2018

Researchers may consider the soil effects for one phase representative for the entire long-term rotation. We showed that soil carbon can differ between rotation phases. We recommend sampling all phases for determining the tillage effect across the rotation and, otherwise, to interpret considering potential impacts of sampling one rotation phase.
Reliability modeling for competing failure systems with instant-shift hard failure threshold
Authors: Liu Jingyi , Zhang Yugang , Song Bifeng
Published: June 2018

Many researchers have modeled systems under multiple dependent competing failure processes (MDCFP) in recent years. Typically, those failure processes consist of degradation (soft failure) and random shock (hard failure). In previous papers the threshold of hard failure has been a fixed value, which does not reflect engineering practices. Threshold refers to the ability to resist external random shocks, which shifts with time as the system is used. Thus, this paper establishes a model for MDCFP with instant-shift hard threshold. The hard failure threshold changes with time instantaneously, and it is also influenced by external shocks. This paper also presents a system reliability model. The effectiveness of the presented model is demonstrated by a reliability analysis of the micro-engine at Sandia National Laboratories. In addition, a sensitivity analysis is performed for specific parameters.
Fractional Dp-branes with transverse and tangential dynamics in the presence of background fluxes
Authors: Heidarian Shiva , Kamani Davoud
Published: June 2018

We shall construct two boundary states which are corresponding to a dynamical fractional D[Formula: see text]-brane in the presence of the fluxes of the Kalb–Ramond field and a [Formula: see text] gauge potential in the partially orbifold space–time [Formula: see text]. These states accurately describe the D[Formula: see text]-brane in the twisted and untwisted sectors under the orbifold projection. We use them to compute the interaction of two parallel fractional D[Formula: see text]-branes with the transverse velocities, tangential rotations and tangential linear motions. Various properties of the interaction, such as its long-range force, will be discussed.
Comparative study of 9R and 12R hexagonal diamond by first-principles calculations
Authors: Wang Qian , Zhang Quan
Published: June 2018

The structural and mechanical properties of 9R diamond and 12R diamond have been investigated by using the first-principles calculations. The elastic constants, bulk modulus and Young’s modulus at various pressures have been investigated. The elastic anisotropy under pressure from 0 to 100 GPa has been studied. From our calculations, we found that 9R diamond and 12R diamond have similar high elastic constants and elastic modulus as lonsdaleite and diamond. The detailed ideal strength calculations show that 9R diamond and 12R diamond are intrinsic superhard materials.
Personalized Trajectory Privacy Protection Method Based on User-Requirement
Authors: Hu Zhaowei , Yang Jing , Zhang Jianpei
Published: June 2018

Trajectory data often provides useful information that can be utilized in real-life applications, such as traffic planning and location-based advertising. Because people’s trajectory information can result in serious personal privacy leakage, trajectory privacy protection methods are employed. However, existing methods assume and use the same privacy requirements for all trajectories, which affect privacy protection efficiency and data utilization. This paper proposes a trajectory privacy protection method based on user requirement. By dividing different time intervals, it sets different privacy protection parameters for different trajectories to provide more detailed privacy protection. The proposed method utilizes the divided time intervals and privacy protection requirements to form a privacy requirement matrix, to construct an anonymous trajectory equivalence class and undirected graph. Then, trajectories are processed to form anonymous sets. Euclidean distance is also replaced with Manhattan distance in calculating the distance of the trajectories, which would improve the privacy protection and data utility and narrow the gap between the theoretical privacy protection and the actual protective effects. Comparative experiments demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms other similar methods in regards to both privacy protection and data utilization.
Maximum value of conflict-free vertex-connection number of graphs
Authors: Li Zhenzhen , Wu Baoyindureng
Published: June 2018

A path in a vertex-colored graph is called conflict-free if there is a color used on exactly one of its vertices. A vertex-colored graph is said to be conflict-free vertex-connected if any two vertices of the graph are connected by a conflict-free path. The conflict-free vertex-connection number, denoted by [Formula: see text], is defined as the smallest number of colors required to make [Formula: see text] conflict-free vertex-connected. Li et al. [Conflict-free vertex-connections of graphs, preprint (2017), arXiv:1705.07270v1[math.CO]] conjectured that for a connected graph [Formula: see text] of order [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. We confirm that the conjecture is true and poses two relevant conjectures.
China’s Reactive and Proactive Taiwan Policies
Authors: QI Dongtao
Published: June 2018

China’s 19th Party Congress has made significant changes to its Taiwan policy, from promoting reunification through political negotiations to opposing independence with the strongest determination and via all necessary means. While China’s Taiwan policy in the economic and social fields may be proactive and has achieved significant progress, it has been frustrated in the political field by external and internal factors, such as Taiwan’s rejection of China’s proposal for reunification, US’ obstruction and China’s unfavourable internal situation.
Graph Summarization Methods and Applications
Authors: Liu Yike , Safavi Tara , Dighe Abhilash , Koutra Danai
Published: June 2018

While advances in computing resources have made processing enormous amounts of data possible, human ability to identify patterns in such data has not scaled accordingly. Efficient computational methods for condensing and simplifying data are thus becoming vital for extracting actionable insights. In particular, while data summarization techniques have been studied extensively, only recently has summarizing interconnected data, orgraphs, become popular. This survey is a structured, comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art methods for summarizing graph data. We first broach the motivation behind and the challenges of graph summarization. We then categorize summarization approaches by the type of graphs taken as input and further organize each category by core methodology. Finally, we discuss applications of summarization on real-world graphs and conclude by describing some open problems in the field.
Employing Semantic Context for Sparse Information Extraction Assessment
Authors: Li Peipei , Wang Haixun , Li Hongsong , Wu Xindong
Published: June 2018

A huge amount of texts available on the World Wide Web presents an unprecedented opportunity for information extraction (IE). One important assumption in IE is that frequent extractions are more likely to be correct. Sparse IE is hence a challenging task because no matter how big a corpus is, there are extractions supported by only a small amount of evidence in the corpus. However, there is limited research on sparse IE, especially in the assessment of the validity of sparse IEs. Motivated by this, we introduce a lightweight, explicit semantic approach for assessing sparse IE.
1
We first use a large semantic network consisting of millions of concepts, entities, and attributes to explicitly model the context of any semantic relationship. Second, we learn from three semantic contexts using different base classifiers to select an optimal classification model for assessing sparse extractions. Finally, experiments show that as compared with several state-of-the-art approaches, our approach can significantly improve the
F
-score in the assessment of sparse extractions while maintaining the efficiency.
The ABCs of effectiveness in the digital society
Authors: Porto Bellini Carlo Gabriel
Published: June 2018

Digital effectiveness is not the same as mastering the ICTs, rather it is the art of using them in a purposeful, healthy way.
C is not a low-level language
Authors: Chisnall David
Published: June 2018

Your computer is not a fast PDP-11.
Discovering Mobile Application Usage Patterns from a Large-Scale Dataset
Authors: Silva Fabrício A. , Domingues Augusto C. S. A. , Silva Thais R. M. Braga
Published: June 2018

The discovering of patterns regarding how, when, and where users interact with mobile applications reveals important insights for mobile service providers. In this work, we exploit for the first time a real and large-scale dataset representing the records of mobile application usage of 5,342 users during 2014. The data was collected by a software agent, installed at the users’ smartphones, which monitors detailed usage of applications. First, we look for general patterns of how users access some of the most popular mobile applications in terms of frequency, duration, diversity, and data traffic. Next, we mine the dataset looking for temporal patterns in terms of when and how often accesses occur. Finally, we exploit the location of each access to detect users’ points of interest and location-based communities. Based on the results, we derive a model to generate synthetic datasets of mobile application usage and evaluate solutions to predict the next application to be launched. We also discuss a series of implications of the findings regarding telecommunication services, mobile advertisements, and smart cities. This is the first time this dataset is used, and we also make it publicly available for other researchers.
STADS
Authors: Böhme Marcel
Published: June 2018

A fundamental challenge of software testing is the statistically well-grounded
extrapolation
from program behaviors observed during testing. For instance, a security researcher who has run the fuzzer for a week has currently
no
means (1) to estimate the total number of
feasible
program branches, given that only a fraction has been covered so far; (2) to estimate the additional time required to cover 10% more branches (or to estimate the coverage achieved in one more day, respectively); or (3) to assess the residual risk that a vulnerability exists when no vulnerability has been discovered. Failing to discover a vulnerability does not mean that none exists—even if the fuzzer was run for a week (or a year). Hence, testing provides
no formal correctness guarantees
.

In this article, I establish an unexpected connection with the otherwise unrelated scientific field of
ecology
and introduce a statistical framework that models Software Testing and Analysis as Discovery of Species (STADS). For instance, in order to study the species diversity of arthropods in a tropical rain forest, ecologists would first sample a large number of individuals from that forest, determine their species, and extrapolate from the properties observed in the sample to properties of the whole forest. The estimations (1) of the total number of species, (2) of the additional sampling effort required to discover 10% more species, or (3) of the probability to discover a new species are classical problems in ecology. The STADS framework draws from over three decades of research in ecological biostatistics to address the fundamental extrapolation challenge for automated test generation. Our preliminary empirical study demonstrates a good estimator performance even for a fuzzer with adaptive sampling bias—AFL, a state-of-the-art vulnerability detection tool. The STADS framework provides
statistical correctness guarantees
with quantifiable accuracy.
The case for disappearing cyber security
Authors: Dykstra Josiah , Spafford Eugene H.
Published: June 2018

A proposal for keeping cyber security both out of sight and out of mind for end users.
You've got mail!
Authors: Anthes Gary
Published: June 2018

And that's not all. Email is not what it used to be.
Meanings and Functions of Money in Different Cultural Milieus
Authors: Cohen Dov , Shin Faith , Liu Xi
Published: June 2018

We explore the psychological meanings of money that parallel its economic functions. We explore money's ability to ascribe value, give autonomy, and provide security for the future, and we show how each of these functions may play out differently in different cultural milieus. In particular, we explore the meanings and uses of money across ethnic groups and at different positions on the socioeconomic ladder, highlighting changes over the last 50 years. We examine the dynamics of redistribution between the individual, the family, and the state in different cultures, and we analyze the gendering of money in the world of high finance and in contexts of economic need. The field of behavioral economics has illustrated how human psychology complicates the process of moving from normative to descriptive models of human behavior; such complexity increases as we incorporate the great diversity within human psychology.
TRIM Proteins and Their Roles in Antiviral Host Defenses
Authors: van Gent Michiel , Sparrer Konstantin M.J. , Gack Michaela U.
Published: June 2018

Tripartite motif (TRIM) proteins are a versatile family of ubiquitin E3 ligases involved in a multitude of cellular processes. Studies in recent years have demonstrated that many TRIM proteins play central roles in the host defense against viral infection. While some TRIM proteins directly antagonize distinct steps in the viral life cycle, others regulate signal transduction pathways induced by innate immune sensors, thereby modulating antiviral cytokine responses. Furthermore, TRIM proteins have been implicated in virus-induced autophagy and autophagy-mediated viral clearance. Given the important role of TRIM proteins in antiviral restriction, it is not surprising that several viruses have evolved effective maneuvers to neutralize the antiviral action of specific TRIM proteins. Here, we describe the major antiviral mechanisms of TRIM proteins as well as viral strategies to escape TRIM-mediated host immunity.
Choroid plexus glutathione peroxidases are instrumental in protecting the brain fluid environment from hydroperoxides during postnatal development
Authors: Saudrais Elodie , Strazielle Nathalie , Ghersi-Egea Jean-François
Published: June 2018

Hydrogen peroxide, released at low physiological concentration, is involved in different cell signaling pathways during brain development. When released at supraphysiological concentrations in brain fluids following an inflammatory, hypoxic, or toxic stress, it can initiate lipid peroxidation, protein, and nucleic acid damage and contribute to long-term neurological impairment associated with perinatal diseases. We found high glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase enzymatic activities in both lateral and fourth ventricle choroid plexus tissue isolated from developing rats, in comparison to the cerebral cortex and liver. Consistent with these, a high protein expression of glutathione peroxidases 1 and 4 was observed in choroid plexus epithelial cells, which form the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. Live choroid plexuses isolated from newborn rats were highly efficient in detoxifying H2O2 from mock cerebrospinal fluid, illustrating the capacity of the choroid plexuses to control H2O2 concentration in the ventricular system of the brain. We used a differentiated cellular model of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier coupled to kinetic and inhibition analyses to show that glutathione peroxidases are more potent than catalase to detoxify extracellular H2O2 at concentrations up to 250 µM. The choroidal cells also formed an enzymatic barrier preventing blood-borne hydroperoxides to reach the cerebrospinal fluid. These data point out the choroid plexuses as key structures in the control of hydroperoxide levels in the cerebral fluid environment during development, at a time when the protective glial cell network is still immature. Glutathione peroxidases are the main effectors of this choroidal hydroperoxide inactivation.
A Review of the Self-Adaptive Traffic Signal Control System Based on Future Traffic Environment
Authors: Wang Yizhe , Yang Xiaoguang , Liang Hailun , Liu Yangdong
Published: June 2018

The self-adaptive traffic signal control system serves as an effective measure for relieving urban traffic congestion. The system is capable of adjusting the signal timing parameters in real time according to the seasonal changes and short-term fluctuation of traffic demand, resulting in improvement of the efficiency of traffic operation on urban road networks. The development of information technologies on computing science, autonomous driving, vehicle-to-vehicle, and mobile Internet has created a sufficient abundance of acquisition means for traffic data. Great improvements for data acquisition include the increase of available amount of holographic data, available data types, and accuracy. The article investigates the development of commonly used self-adaptive signal control systems in the world, their technical characteristics, the current research status of self-adaptive control methods, and the signal control methods for heterogeneous traffic flow composed of connected vehicles and autonomous vehicles. Finally, the article concluded that signal control based on multiagent reinforcement learning is a kind of closed-loop feedback adaptive control method, which outperforms many counterparts in terms of real-time characteristic, accuracy, and self-learning and therefore will be an important research focus of control method in future due to the property of “model-free” and “self-learning” that well accommodates the abundance of traffic information data. Besides, it will also provide an entry point and technical support for the development of Vehicle-to-X systems, Internet of vehicles, and autonomous driving industries. Therefore, the related achievements of the adaptive control system for the future traffic environment have extremely broad application prospects.
Intracellular and Intercellular Signalling Mechanisms following DNA Damage Are Modulated By PINK1
Authors: Temelie Mihaela , Savu Diana Iulia , Moisoi Nicoleta
Published: June 2018

Impaired mitochondrial function and accumulation of DNA damage have been recognized as hallmarks of age‐related diseases. Mitochondrial dysfunction initiates protective signalling mechanisms coordinated at nuclear level particularly by modulating transcription of stress signalling factors. In turn, cellular response to DNA lesions comprises a series of interconnected complex protective pathways, which require the energetic and metabolic support of the mitochondria. These are involved in intracellular as well as in extracellular signalling of damage. Here, we have initiated a study that addresses how mitochondria‐nucleus communication may occur in conditions of combined mitochondrial dysfunction and genotoxic stress and what are the consequences of this interaction on the cell system. In this work, we used cells deficient for PINK1, a mitochondrial kinase involved in mitochondrial quality control whose loss of function leads to the accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria, challenged with inducers of DNA damage, namely, ionizing radiation and the radiomimetic bleomycin. Combined stress at the level of mitochondria and the nucleus impairs both mitochondrial and nuclear functions. Our findings revealed exacerbated sensibility to genotoxic stress in PINK1‐deficient cells. The same cells showed an impaired induction of bystander phenomena following stress insults. However, these cells responded adaptively when a challenge dose was applied subsequently to a low‐dose treatment to the cells. The data demonstrates that PINK1 modulates intracellular and intercellular signalling pathways, particularly adaptive responses and transmission of bystander signalling, two facets of the cell‐protective mechanisms against detrimental agents.
Mild Hyperthermia‐Induced Myogenic Differentiation in Skeletal Muscle Cells: Implications for Local Hyperthermic Therapy for Skeletal Muscle Injury
Authors: Lee Hojun , Choi Seung-Jun
Published: June 2018

The percutaneous application of controlled temperature on damaged muscle is regarded as a prevalent remedy. However, specific mechanisms are not completely understood. Therefore, cellular behaviors of myoblasts were investigated under a physiological hyperthermic temperature. The myoblasts were cultured under no treatment (NT, 37°C, 24 h/day), intermittent heat treatment (IHT, 39°C, 2 h/day), and continuous heat treatment (CHT, 39°C, 24 h/day) during proliferation, migration, or myogenic differentiation. Although the effects of mild heat on migration were not observed, the proliferation was promoted by both IHT and CHT. The myogenic differentiation was also enhanced in a treatment time‐dependent manner, as evidenced by an increase in myotube size and fusion index. The gene expressions of mitochondrial biogenesis (Pgc‐1α, Nrf1, and Tfam), a subset of mitochondrial dynamics (Mfn1 and Drp1), and a myogenic regulatory factor (myogenin) were increased in a heat treatment time‐dependent manner. Interestingly, the mild heat‐induced myogenic differentiation and myogenin expression were retarded significantly in PGC‐1α‐targeted siRNA‐transfected cells, suggesting that mild hyperthermia promotes myogenic differentiation via the modulation of PGC‐1α. This study provides cellular evidence supporting that local hyperthermic treatment at 39°C is regarded as an effective therapeutic strategy to promote satellite cell activities in regenerating myofibers.
Forecasting of Short-Term Metro Ridership with Support Vector Machine Online Model
Authors: Wang Xuemei , Zhang Ning , Zhang Yunlong , Shi Zhuangbin
Published: June 2018

Forecasting for short-term ridership is the foundation of metro operation and management. A prediction model is necessary to seize the weekly periodicity and nonlinearity characteristics of short-term ridership in real-time. First, this research captures the inherent periodicity of ridership via seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model (SARIMA) and proposes a support vector machine overall online model (SVMOOL) which insets the weekly periodic characteristics and trains the updated data day by day. Then, this research captures the nonlinear characteristics of the ridership via successive ridership value inputs and proposes a support vector machine partial online model (SVMPOL) which insets the nonlinear characteristics and trains the updated data of the predicted day by time interval (such as 5-min). Afterwards, to avoid the drawbacks and to take advantages of the strengths of the two individual online models, this research takes the average predicted values of two models as the final predicted values, which are called support vector machine combined online model (SVMCOL). Finally, this research uses the 5-min ridership at Zhujianglu and Sanshanjie Stations of Nanjing Metro to compare the SVMCOL model with three well-known prediction models including SARIMA, back-propagation neural network (BPNN), and SVM models. The resultant performance comparisons suggest that SARIMA is superior for the stable weekday ridership to other models. Yet the SVMCOL model is the best performer for the unstable weekend ridership and holiday ridership. It shows that for metro operation manager that gear toward timely response to real-world unstable and abnormal situations, the SVMCOL may be a better tool than the three well-known models.
Spatial Pattern and Evolution of Urban System Based on Gravity Model and Whole Network Analysis in the Huaihe River Basin of China
Authors: Fan Yong , Zhang Shengdi , He Zongyi , He Biao , Yu Haicong , Ye Xiaoxiao , Yang Hao , Zhang Xiangmin , Chi Zhifeng
Published: June 2018

The spatial pattern and evolution of urban system have been hot research issues in the field of urban research. In this paper, the network analysis method based on the gravity model and the related measurements were used to reveal the properties of the spatial pattern and evolution of the urban system in the HRB (Huaihe River Basin) of China. The findings of this study are as follows: During the period from 2006 to 2014, the economic contact between the HRB cities has been strengthened, but the differences between cities have been expanding. In general, the HRB cities have not yet formed a close network structure, and a trend of economic integration has not been found. This paper expresses the spatial pattern and evolution of urban system in an intuitive way and helps to explain the evolution mechanism of urban system. The method was confirmed by empirical research. Because of the operational and visual expression, this method has broad application prospects in the urban system research.
Innovative Bike-Sharing in China: Solving Faulty Bike-Sharing Recycling Problem
Authors: Chang Shan , Song Rui , He Shiwei , Qiu Guo
Published: June 2018

In China, based on the mobile Internet technology and global positioning system (GPS), innovative bike-sharing is different from traditional bike-sharing system with docking station, for its flexibility and convenience. However, innovative bike-sharing system faces operational challenges, especially in faulty bike-sharing recycling (FBSR) problem. In this paper, a framework is designed based on the optimization method to solve the FBSR problem so that it can minimize the total recycling costs by taking the route optimization and loading capacity ratio as constraints. The FBSR method combines the K-means method for clustering faulty bike-sharing with planning recycling route for operational decisions. Moreover, CPLEX solver is used to obtain the desired result of the FBSR model. Finally, a case study based on a certain area in Beijing, China, is used to verify the validity and applicability of the model. The results show that the value of loading capacity ratio and the number of clustering points greatly affect the results of FBSR problem. Four vehicles are designated to execute FBSR tasks required by different clustering points. This study is of considerable significance for the bike-sharing promotion in the last-mile situation to the real problems arising in the initial period.
Resonance Effect Decrease and Accuracy Increase of Piezoelectric Accelerometer Measurement by Appropriate Choice of Frequency Range
Authors: Ghemari Zine , Salah Saad , Bourenane Rabah
Published: June 2018

A suitable piezoelectric accelerometer mathematical model is proposed to extract a relationship of motion relative frequency as a function of natural frequency. This relationship helps to select appropriate accelerometer frequency range that minimizes measurement error and improves accuracy. It also allows deducing a formula relating the damping rate and the measurement error of the accelerometer. To protect the accelerometer from failure, the resonance phenomenon effect must be minimized. In order to achieve this objective, physical principle is modeled to find a precise relationship which can determine the accelerometer appropriate frequency range. The developed model was simulated and the obtained results have showed that the selection of the frequency range has minimized the measurement error, increased the accelerometer accuracy, and reduced the resonance effect. Finally a comparative study was conducted to show the importance of the obtained results compared to recent literatures.
Alcoholic Beverage and Meal Choices for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases: A Randomized Nutrigenomic Trial
Authors: Di Renzo Laura , Cioccoloni Giorgia , Sinibaldi Salimei Paola , Ceravolo Ida , De Lorenzo Antonino , Gratteri Santo
Published: June 2018

Background. Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the first cause of death worldwide. Mediterranean diet may play a crucial role in the prevention of NCDs, and the presence of wine in this diet could play a positive role on health. Methods. 54 healthy volunteers consumed one of the following beverages: red (RW) or white wine (WW), vodka (VDK), and/or Mediterranean meal (MeDM) and high‐fat meal (HFM). Results. OxLDL‐C changed significantly between baseline versus HFM, MeDM versus HFM, and HFM versus HFM + RW (p < 0.05). Significant upregulation of catalase (CAT) was observed only after RW. Conversely, WW, VDK, RW + MeDM, HF + WW, and HF + VDK determined a significant downregulation of CAT gene. Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) gene expression was upregulated in WW, MeDM + VDK, and RW. Contrariwise, HFM + VDK determined a downregulation of its expression. RW, RW + MeDM, and RW + HFM caused the upregulation of glutathione peroxidase‐1 (GPX1). Conclusions. Our results suggest that the association of low/moderate intake of alcohol beverages, with nutraceutical‐proven effectiveness, and ethanol, in association with a Mediterranean diet, could determine a reduction of atherosclerosis risk onset through a positive modulation of antioxidant gene expression helping in the prevention of inflammatory and oxidative damages.
Optimal Attitude Determination from Vector Sensors Using Fast Analytical Singular Value Decomposition
Authors: Liu Zhuohua , Liu Wei , Gong Xiangyang , Wu Jin
Published: June 2018

A novel algorithm is proposed in this paper to solve the optimal attitude determination formulation from vector observation pairs, that is, the Wahba problem. We propose here a fast analytic singular value decomposition (SVD) approach to obtain the optimal attitude matrix. The derivations and mandatory proofs are presented to clarify the theory and support its feasibility. Through simulation experiments, the proposed algorithm is validated. The results show that it maintains the same attitude determination accuracy and robustness with conventional methodologies but significantly reduces the computation time.
Proteostasis and Mitochondrial Role on Psychiatric and Neurodegenerative Disorders: Current Perspectives
Authors: Olivero Pablo , Lozano Carlo , Sotomayor-Zárate Ramón , Meza-Concha Nicolás , Arancibia Marcelo , Córdova Claudio , González-Arriagada Wilfredo , Ramírez-Barrantes Ricardo , Marchant Ivanny
Published: June 2018

Proteostasis involves processes that are fundamental for neural viability. Thus, protein misfolding and the formation of toxic aggregates at neural level, secondary to dysregulation of the conservative mechanisms of proteostasis, are associated with several neuropsychiatric conditions. It has been observed that impaired mitochondrial function due to a dysregulated proteostasis control system, that is, ubiquitin-proteasome system and chaperones, could also have effects on neurodegenerative disorders. We aimed to critically analyze the available findings regarding the neurobiological implications of proteostasis on the development of neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases, considering the mitochondrial role. Proteostasis alterations in the prefrontal cortex implicate proteome instability and accumulation of misfolded proteins. Altered mitochondrial dynamics, especially in proteostasis processes, could impede the normal compensatory mechanisms against cell damage. Thereby, altered mitochondrial functions on regulatory modulation of dendritic development, neuroinflammation, and respiratory function may underlie the development of some psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia, being influenced by a genetic background. It is expected that with the increasing evidence about proteostasis in neuropsychiatric disorders, new therapeutic alternatives will emerge.