bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing Human Performance—A Brief History of Macro and Micro Perspectives
Authors: Dyreson Mark S.
Published: February 2020

Since the origins ofHomo sapiens300,000 years ago, the quest to optimize human performance has shaped historical development. A macrohistorical perspective reveals that for 290,000 years the necessities of survival pushed hunter-forager cultures toward mass improvement of endurance capabilities and weapons skills. The agricultural revolution that began about 10,000 years ago changed those dynamics, focusing on enhancement for elite warriors while simultaneously diminishing the necessity of mass optimization. The multiple revolutions of modernity that began 500 years ago reanimated mass optimization while paradoxically removing physical enhancement from the realm of necessity through the increasing power of human-made motors rather than human locomotion. Microhistorical perspectives reveal that beyond the general patterns that shaped human cultures across time and place, the historical particularities vastly complicated optimization strategies. Employing macro- and microhistorical perspectives can enhance scientific understandings of optimal performance.
Immune system development varies according to age, location, and anemia in African children
Authors: Hill Danika L. , Carr Edward J. , Rutishauser Tobias , Moncunill Gemma , Campo Joseph J. , Innocentin Silvia , Mpina Maxmillian , Nhabomba Augusto , Tumbo Anneth , Jairoce Chenjerai , Moll Henriëtte A. , van Zelm Menno C. , Dobaño Carlota , Daubenberger Claudia , Linterman Michelle A.
Published: February 2020

The composition and function of the immune system in African children is linked to age, location, and anemia.
For the Greater (Bacterial) Good: Heterogeneous Expression of Energetically Costly Virulence Factors
Authors: Davis Kimberly M.
Published: February 2020

Bacterial populations are phenotypically heterogeneous, which allows subsets of cells to survive and thrive following changes in environmental conditions. For bacterial pathogens, changes within the host environment occur over the course of the immune response to infection and can result in exposure to host-derived, secreted antimicrobials or force direct interactions with immune cells. Many recent studies have shown host cell interactions promote virulence factor expression, forcing subsets of bacterial cells to battle the host response, while other bacteria reap the benefits of this pacification.
A Mutualistic Poxvirus Exhibits Convergent Evolution with Other Heritable Viruses in Parasitoid Wasps
Authors: Coffman Kelsey A. , Harrell Taylor C. , Burke Gaelen R.
Published: February 2020

Viruses are generally considered to be disease-causing agents, but several instances of beneficial viral elements have been identified in insects called parasitoid wasps. These virus-derived entities are passed on through wasp generations and enhance the success of the wasps’ parasitic life cycle. Many parasitoid-virus partnerships studied to date exhibit common features among independent cases of this phenomenon, including a mother-to-offspring route of virus transmission, a restricted time and location for virus replication, and a positive effect of virus activity on wasp survival. Our characterization of Diachasmimorpha longicaudata entomopoxvirus (DlEPV), a poxvirus found in
Diachasmimorpha longicaudata
parasitoid wasps, represents a novel example of beneficial virus evolution. Here, we show that DlEPV exhibits functional similarities to known parasitoid viral elements that support its comparable role during parasitism. Our results also demonstrate unique differences that suggest DlEPV is more autonomous than other long-term viral associations described in parasitoid wasps.
Success of 4CMenB in preventing meningococcal disease: evidence from real-world experience
Authors: Isitt Catherine , Cosgrove Catherine A , Ramsay Mary Elizabeth , Ladhani Shamez N
Published: February 2020

Meningococcal disease remains one of the most feared infectious diseases worldwide because of its sudden onset, rapid progression and high case fatality rates, while survivors are often left with severe long-term sequelae. Young children have the highest incidence of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), and nearly all cases in the UK, as in most of Europe and many other industrialised countries, are due to group B meningococci (MenB). The licensure of a broad-coverage, recombinant protein-based MenB vaccine (4CMenB) in 2013 was, therefore, heralded a major breakthrough in the fight against IMD. This vaccine was, however, licensed on immunogenicity and reactogenicity studies only, raising uncertainties about field effectiveness, long-term safety and antibody persistence. In 2015, the UK became the first country to implement 4CMenB into the national infant immunisation schedule and, since then, several countries have followed suit. Seven years after licensure, a wealth of real-world data has emerged to confirm 4CMenB effectiveness, along with large-scale safety data, duration of protection in different age groups, successful strategies to reduce vaccine reactogenicity, impact on carriage in adolescents and the potential for 4CMenB to protect against other meningococcal serogroups and against gonorrhoea. A number of questions, however, remain unanswered, including the investigation and management of vaccine-associated fever in infants, as well as disease severity and assessment of breakthrough cases in immunised children. Increasing use of 4CMenB will provide answers in due course. We now have vaccines against all the major serogroups causing IMD worldwide. Next-generation and combination vaccines against multiple serogroups look very promising.
Statin-induced necrotising autoimmune myopathy and autoimmune hepatitis presenting with dysphagia
Authors: Qasim Agha Osama , Kaur Sukhdeep , Vijayavel Nirmal
Published: February 2020

Statin-induced necrotising autoimmune myopathy (SINAM) is a rare disease characterised by proximal muscle weakness and elevated creatine kinase levels that is usually in the thousands. Anti-3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl co-enzyme A reductase (HMGCR) antibodies are associated with SINAM. Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an inflammatory disease of the liver that is usually of unknown aetiology but can also be associated with concurrent extrahepatic autoimmune disorders. We are reporting a case of biopsy proven AIH associated with SINAM in a patient presenting with oropharyngeal dysphagia. The patient had elevated anti-HMGCR antibodies and anti-smooth muscle antibodies. SINAM and AIH were confirmed by muscle biopsy and liver biopsy, respectively. The patient had complete resolution of his symptoms and complete normalisation of his liver function tests after 6 months of the treatment.
Is haemoglobin below 7.0 g/dL an optimal trigger for allogenic red blood cell transfusion in patients admitted to intensive care units? A meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Yao Ren-qi , Ren Chao , Zhang Zi-cheng , Zhu Yi-bing , Xia Zhao-fan , Yao Yong-ming
Published: February 2020

Objectives

We employed a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to assess benefits and risks of a threshold of haemoglobin level below 7 g/dL versus liberal transfusion strategy among critically ill patients, and even patients with septic shock.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

We performed systematical searches for relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the Cochrane Library, EMBASE and PubMed databases up to 1 September 2019.

Eligibility criteria

RCTs among adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients comparing 7 g/dL as restrictive strategy with liberal transfusion were incorporated.

Data extraction and synthesis

The clinical outcomes, including short-term mortality, length of hospital stay, length of ICU stay, myocardial infarction (MI) and ischaemic events, were screened and analysed after data collection. We applied odds ratios (ORs) to analyse dichotomous outcomes and standardised mean differences (SMDs) to analyse continuous outcomes with fixed or random effects models based on heterogeneity evaluation for each outcome.

Results

Eight RCTs with 3415 patients were included. Compared with a more liberal threshold, a red blood cell (RBC) transfusion threshold <7 g/dL haemoglobin showed no significant difference in short-term mortality (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.67 to 1.21, p=0.48, I2=53%), length of hospital stay (SMD: −0.11, 95% CI: −0.30 to 0.07, p=0.24, I2=71%), length of ICU stay (SMD: −0.03, 95% CI: −0.14 to 0.08, p=0.54, I2=0%) or ischaemic events (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.43 to 1.48, p=0.48, I2=51%). However, we found that the incidence of MI (OR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.98, p=0.04, I2=0%) was lower in the group with the threshold <7 g/dL than that with the more liberal threshold.

Conclusions

An RBC transfusion threshold <7 g/dL haemoglobin is incapable of decreasing short-term mortality in ICU patients according to currently published evidences, while it might have potential role in reducing MI incidence.
Perceived barriers to multiprofessional team briefings in operating theatres: a qualitative study
Authors: Fruhen Laura , Carpini Joseph Alexandre , Parker Sharon K , Leung Yee , Flemming Adrian F S
Published: February 2020

Objectives

This study investigates perceived barriers towards the implementation of multiprofessional team briefings (MPTB) in operating theatres, as well as ways to overcome these perceived barriers. Previous research shows that MPTB can enhance teamwork and communication, but are underused in operating theatres. By adopting a multilevel systems perspective, this study examines perceived barriers and solutions for MPTB implementation.

Design

Participants completed open-ended survey questions. Responses were coded via qualitative content analysis. The analysis focused on themes in the responses and the systems level at which each barrier and solution operates.

Setting

Four tertiary hospitals in Australia.

Participants

103 operating theatre staff, including nurses, surgeons, anaesthetists, technicians and administrators.

Results

Participants identified barriers and solutions at the organisational (15.81% of barriers; 74.10% of solutions), work group (61.39% of barriers; 25.09% of solutions) and individual level (22.33% of barriers; 0% of solutions). Of all the perceived barriers to MPTB occurrence, a key one is getting everyone into the room at the same time . Matching of perceived barriers and solutions shows that higher systems-level solutions can address lower level barriers, thereby showing the relevance of implementing such wider reaching solutions to MPTB occurrence (including work practices at occupational level and above) as well as addressing more local issues.

Conclusions

Successful MPTB implementation requires changes at various systems levels. Practitioners can strategically prepare and plan for systems-based strategies to overcome barriers to MPTB implementation. Future research can build on this study’s findings by directly examining higher systems-level barriers and solutions via detailed case analyses.
Retrospective qualitative study evaluating the application of IG4 curriculum: an adaptable concept for holistic surgical education
Authors: Theodoulou Iakovos , Sideris Michail , Lawal Kola , Nicolaides Marios , Dedeilia Aikaterini , Emin Elif Iliria , Tsoulfas Georgios , Papalois Vassilios , Velmahos George , Papalois Apostolos
Published: February 2020

Objectives

Faced with a costly and demanding learning curve of surgical skills acquisition, the growing necessity for improved surgical curricula has now become irrefutable. We took this opportunity to formulate a teaching framework with the capacity to provide holistic surgical education at the undergraduate level.

Setting

Data collection was conducted in all the relevant healthcare centres the participants worked in. Where this was not possible, interviews were held in quiet public places.

Participants

We performed an in-depth retrospective evaluation of a proposed curriculum, through semi-structured interviews with 10 participants. A targeted sampling technique was employed in order to identify senior academics with specialist knowledge in surgical education. Recruitment was ceased on reaching data saturation after which thematic data analysis was performed using NVivo 11.

Results

Thematic analysis yielded a total of 4 main themes and 29 daughter nodes. Majority of study participants agreed that the current landscape of basic surgical education is deficient at multiple levels. While simulation cannot replace surgical skills acquisition taking place in operating rooms, it can be catalytic in the transition of students to postgraduate training. Our study concluded that a standardised format of surgical teaching is essential, and that the Integrated Generation 4 (IG4) framework provides an excellent starting point.

Conclusions

Through expert opinion, IG4 has been validated for its capacity to effectively accommodate learning in a safer and more efficacious environment. Moreover, we support that through dissemination of IG4, we can instil a sense of motivation to students as well as develop robust data sets, which will be amenable to data analysis through the application of more sophisticated methodologies.
Availability and Quality of Assessment Instruments on Patient-Centredness in the Multimorbid Elderly (AQuA-PCE): a study protocol of a systematic review
Authors: Glattacker Manuela , Kanat Manuela , Schaefer Jonas , Motschall Edith , Kivelitz Laura , Voigt-Radloff Sebastian , Dirmaier Joerg
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Elderly, multimorbid patients are a primary target group for patient-centred care, and fostering patient-centredness (PC) in this group has been associated with different healthcare aims such as safety and quality of healthcare. However, evidence on effects of patient-centred interventions is still limited and mixed. In part, the lack of consistent evidence has its roots in a conceptual uncertainty of the term ‘PC’, which also hampers the development of assessment tools for PC. Consequently, reviews on assessment instruments of PC reveal problems regarding the quality of identified assessment instruments and regarding their comparability. Some of these reviews focus on the elderly. However, while the concept of multimorbidity is partly inherent, this focus is not explicit in any of the reviews.

The aim of this systematic review is to identify assessment instruments of PC in the multimorbid elderly, using a subgroup-specific definition of PC (‘subgroup-specific integrative model of PC’) as the conceptual underpinning, and to provide a critical quality appraisal of their psychometric properties.

Methods and analysis

A comprehensive systematic literature search for assessment tools on PC will be conducted in the MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science and PSYNDEX electronic databases. The search strategy will be informed by the subgroup-specific integrative model of PC. The electronic literature search will be complemented by a hand-search combining citation tracking, search in project databases, and contacting authors from relevant studies/reviews. The literature search (systematic and hand-search) will cover the period from November, 2018 to December 2019.

The retrieval of relevant studies will be conducted via title screening, abstract screening, and full-text eligibility assessment applying defined inclusion criteria. Full texts will be independently assessed by two team members. Data from the included articles will be extracted using a standardised extraction form and evaluated based on the COSMIN methodology for systematic reviews of patient-reported outcome measures, which focuses on the methodological quality of included studies as well as on the measurement properties of the assessment instruments. Data extraction and quality assessment will be conducted by two independent reviewers.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has received approval from the Ethics Committee of the University of Freiburg (reference number 587/17). The results of the project will be disseminated via scientific oral presentations at national and international conferences and will be published in scientific journals.

Trial registration numbers

CRD42018084057; DRKS00013309.
Ultrasound-guided superficial cervical plexus block for analgesia in patients undergoing craniotomy via suboccipital retrosigmoid approach: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Peng Kun , Zeng Min , Dong Jia , Yan Xiang , Wang Dexiang , Li Shu , Peng Yuming
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Scalp nerve block has been proven to be an alternative choice to opioids in multimodal analgesia. However, for the infratentorial space-occupying craniotomy, especially the suboccipital retrosigmoid craniotomy, scalp nerve block is insufficient.

Methods and analysis

The study is a prospective, single-centre, randomised, paralleled-group controlled trial. Patients scheduled to receive elective suboccipital retrosigmoid craniotomy will be randomly assigned to the superficial cervical plexus block group or the control group. After anaesthesia induction, superficial cervical plexus nerve block will be performed under the guidance of ultrasound. The primary outcome is the cumulative consumption of sufentanil by the patient-controlled intravenous analgesia pump within 24 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes include the cumulative consumption of sufentanil at other four time points and numerical rating scale pain severity score.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol (version number: 2.0, 10 April 2019) has been approved by the Ethics Review Committee of China Registered Clinical Trials (Ethics Review No. ChiECRCT-20190047). The findings of this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT04036812
Differences in medication beliefs between pregnant women using medication, or not, for chronic diseases: a cross-sectional, multinational, web-based study
Authors: Roldan Munoz Sonia , Lupattelli Angela , de Vries Sieta T , Mol Peter G M , Nordeng Hedvig
Published: February 2020

Objectives

To assess whether medication beliefs differ between women who use or not use medication for their somatic chronic diseases during pregnancy and whether this association varies across diseases.

Design

Cross-sectional web-based survey.

Setting

Multinational study in Europe.

Participants

Pregnant women or women with children less than 1 year old from European countries and with asthma, allergy, cardiovascular, rheumatic diseases, diabetes, epilepsy and/or inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

Primary and secondary outcome measure

Differences in scores of theBeliefs about Medicines Questionnaire(BMQ).

Results

In total, 1219 women were included (ranging from 736 for allergy to 49 for IBD). Women using medication for their chronic disease (n=770; 63%) had higher scores on the BMQ subscalesnecessity(16.6 vs 12.1, p<0.001) andbenefits(16.2 vs 15.4, p<0.001), and lower values on the subscalesoveruse(12.5 vs 13.1; p=0.005) andharm(9.8 vs 10.7, p<0.001) than women not using medication. No significant differences were shown for theconcernssubscale (12.5 vs 12.3, p=0.484). Beliefs varied somewhat across diseases but in general more positive beliefs among women using medication were shown. Epilepsy was the disease where less differences were observed between women using and not using medication.

Conclusion

Women’s beliefs were associated with medication use during pregnancy with only small differences across the diseases. Knowing pregnant women’s beliefs could help identify women who are reluctant to use medication and could guide counselling to support making well-informed treatment decisions.
‘Function First—Be Active, Stay Independent’—promoting physical activity and physical function in people with long-term conditions by primary care: a protocol for a realist synthesis with embedded co-production and co-design
Authors: Law Rebecca-Jane , Williams Lynne , Langley Joseph , Burton Christopher , Hall Beth , Hiscock Julia , Morrison Val , Lemmey Andrew , Partridge Rebecca , Lovell-Smith Candida , Gallanders John , Williams Nefyn
Published: February 2020

Introduction

People with long-term conditions typically have reduced physical functioning, are less physically active and therefore become less able to live independently and do the things they enjoy. However, assessment and promotion of physical function and physical activity is not part of routine management in primary care. This project aims to develop evidence-based recommendations about how primary care can best help people to become more physically active in order to maintain and improve their physical function, thus promoting independence.

Methods and analysis

This study takes a realist synthesis approach, following RAMESES guidance, with embedded co-production and co-design. Stage 1 will develop initial programme theories about physical activity and physical function for people with long-term conditions, based on a review of the scientific and grey literature, and two multisector stakeholder workshops using LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®. Stage 2 will involve focused literature searching, data extraction and synthesis to provide evidence to support or refute the initial programme theories. Searches for evidence will focus on physical activity interventions involving the assessment of physical function which are relevant to primary care. We will describe ‘what works’, ‘for whom’ and ‘in what circumstances’ and develop conjectured programme theories using context, mechanism and outcome configurations. Stage 3 will test and refine these theories through individual stakeholder interviews. The resulting theory-driven recommendations will feed into Stage 4 which will involve three sequential co-design stakeholder workshops in which practical ideas for service innovation in primary care will be developed.

Ethics and dissemination

Healthcare and Medical Sciences Academic Ethics Committee (Reference 2018-16308) and NHS Wales Research Ethics Committee 5 approval (References 256 729 and 262726) have been obtained. A knowledge mobilisation event will address issues relevant to wider implementation of the intervention and study findings. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal publications, conference presentations and formal and informal reports.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018103027.
PMI’s heated tobacco products marketing claims of reduced risk and reduced exposure may entice youth to try and continue using these products
Authors: McKelvey Karma , Baiocchi Michael , Halpern-Felsher Bonnie
Published: February 2020

Importance

Philip Morris International (PMI) is seeking Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorisation to market IQOS as a modified risk tobacco product and to make marketing claims of reduced risk and reduced exposure. Such claims may be misunderstood by youth, thereby increasing their risk for tobacco initiation.

Objective

To assess youth (mean age 19.3, SD=1.7) understanding and perceptions of PMI’s proposed consumer marketing claims of reduced risk and reduced exposure, we embedded a randomised controlled experiment into a survey of 450 California youth (April to August 2018). Participants were randomised to see ‘reduced exposure’, ‘reduced risk’ or neither claim. Perceptions of IQOS-related health risks and general harm and understanding of the term ‘switching completely’ as used in PMI’s proposed claims were compared.

Results

Mean expectancies to experience specific health risks did not differ by claim exposure. The reduced exposure group’s perceptions of general harm did not differ from those of controls nor from the reduced risk group. The reduced risk group had the largest proportion who perceived IQOS as moderately/less harmful (n=78, 52%); controls the largest proportion perceiving IQOS as quite/extremely harmful (n=91, 63%). While 71% of the sample understood the term ‘switch completely’ correctly as used in the reduced risk (n=194, 71%) and reduced exposure (n=206, 72%) claims, more than 1 in 4 did not.

Conclusions

FDA and other regulators must use caution when considering allowing claims of reduced risk or reduced exposure to appear on retail tobacco packaging. Youth misunderstand such claims, and misperceptions of harm are known to lead to tobacco-use initiation.
Transition energy measurements of the X-ray lines of neon-like europium
Authors: Beiersdorfer P. , Hell N. , Panchenko D. , Brown G.V. , Träbert E. , Kelley R.L. , Kilbourne C.A. , Porter F.S.
Published: February 2020

We report the measurements of the n = 3 → n = 2 L-shell X-ray transitions of neon-like Eu53+. These include all seven allowed electric dipole (E1) transitions, five electric quadrupole (E2) transitions, and one magnetic quadrupole (M2) transition. The measurements were carried out at the EBIT-I electron beam ion trap facility at Livermore using an X-ray calorimeter. The measured values agree with many-body perturbation theory calculations within the experimental uncertainties. This includes the transitions that involve a 2s electron and that are, therefore, strongly affected by quantum electrodynamical effects.
Higher derivatives driven symmetry breaking in holographic superconductors
Authors: Li Hai-Li , Fu Guoyang , Liu Yan , Wu Jian-Pin , Zhang Xin
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we construct a novel holographic superconductor from higher derivative (HD) gravity involving a coupling between the complex scalar field and the Weyl tensor. This HD coupling term provides a near horizon effective mass squared, which can violates IR Breitenlohner–Freedman (BF) bound by tuning the HD coupling and induces the instability of black brane such that the superconducting phase transition happens. We also study the properties of the condensation and the conductivity in the probe limit. We find that a wider extension of the superconducting energy gap ranging from 4.6 to 10.5 may provide a novel platform to model and interpret the phenomena in the real materials of high temperature superconductor.
Modeling and Response Optimization of Traveling Wire Electro-Chemical Spark Machining of Borosilicate Glass Using Hybrid Approach
Authors: Bhuyan Basanta Kumar , Bhuyan Pravabati , Mishra Satish
Published: February 2020

Traveling Wire Electro-Chemical Spark Machining (TW-ECSM) process is a new innovative thermal erosion-based machining process suitable for cutting electrically nonconductive materials using tool electrode in the form of wire. This article attempts experimental modeling of TW-ECSM process using a hybrid methodology comprising Taguchi methodology (TM) and response surface methodology (RSM). The experiments were carried out on borosilicate glass using L[Formula: see text] orthogonal array (OA) considering the input parameters like applied voltage, pulse on-time, pulse off-time, electrolyte concentration and wire feed velocity along with process performances such as material removal rate (MRR), surface roughness (R[Formula: see text] and kerf width (K[Formula: see text]. The interaction influence of input parameters on process performances was also discussed. Further, multi-objective optimization (MOO) of response performances of TW-ECSM process is executed using a coupled approach of grey relational analysis (GRA) and principal component analysis (PCA). The optimal process parameter setting illustrates the improvement of MRR by 171%, diminution of Ra and K[Formula: see text] by 27% and 8% against the initial parameter settings. Moreover, irregular cutting of kerf width and surface characteristics were also scrutinized using scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Computer-Aided Design of Bezier Horns Using Finite Element Analysis for Rotary Ultrasonic Machine
Authors: Rai Praveen Kumar , Yadava Vinod , Patel Rabindra Kumar
Published: February 2020

In this paper, a finite element analysis (FEA) has been used for the design of horn with different Bezier profiles for rotary ultrasonic machine (RUM). First, for validation, the results are compared with available literature. FEA-based MATLAB code is developed for finding the stress components, axial amplitude, and resonance frequency over the domain of horn with different Bezier profiles. In domain of horn with different Bezier profiles, the component of stresses is studied and found that the stress generated is within the endurance strength of the selected material. The amplification of the proposed horns is 24%, and 18% higher than the traditional linear Bezier horn with same length and diameters of surface end. For RUM, effect of inertia (self-weight or gravity of horn) on domain has been studied for horn with different Bezier profiles using FEA. The effect of tool shape and size on the stress distribution for horn have also been studied.
Scalable Deep Learning on Distributed Infrastructures
Authors: Mayer Ruben , Jacobsen Hans-Arno
Published: February 2020

Deep Learning (DL) has had an immense success in the recent past, leading to state-of-the-art results in various domains, such as image recognition and natural language processing. One of the reasons for this success is the increasing size of DL models and the proliferation of vast amounts of training data being available. To keep on improving the performance of DL, increasing the scalability of DL systems is necessary. In this survey, we perform a broad and thorough investigation on challenges, techniques and tools for scalable DL on distributed infrastructures. This incorporates infrastructures for DL, methods for parallel DL training, multi-tenant resource scheduling, and the management of training and model data. Further, we analyze and compare 11 current open-source DL frameworks and tools and investigate which of the techniques are commonly implemented in practice. Finally, we highlight future research trends in DL systems that deserve further research.
A Survey of Compiler Testing
Authors: Chen Junjie , Patra Jibesh , Pradel Michael , Xiong Yingfei , Zhang Hongyu , Hao Dan , Zhang Lu
Published: February 2020

Virtually any software running on a computer has been processed by a compiler or a compiler-like tool. Because compilers are such a crucial piece of infrastructure for building software, their correctness is of paramount importance. To validate and increase the correctness of compilers, significant research efforts have been devoted to testing compilers. This survey article provides a comprehensive summary of the current state-of-the-art of research on compiler testing. The survey covers different aspects of the compiler testing problem, including how to construct test programs, what test oracles to use for determining whether a compiler behaves correctly, how to execute compiler tests efficiently, and how to help compiler developers take action on bugs discovered by compiler testing. Moreover, we survey work that empirically studies the strengths and weaknesses of current compiler testing research and practice. Based on the discussion of existing work, we outline several open challenges that remain to be addressed in future work.
Deep Learning-Based Video Coding
Authors: Liu Dong , Li Yue , Lin Jianping , Li Houqiang , Wu Feng
Published: February 2020

The past decade has witnessed the great success of deep learning in many disciplines, especially in computer vision and image processing. However, deep learning-based video coding remains in its infancy. We review the representative works about using deep learning for image/video coding, an actively developing research area since 2015. We divide the related works into two categories: new coding schemes that are built primarily upon deep networks, and deep network-based coding tools that shall be used within traditional coding schemes. For deep schemes, pixel probability modeling and auto-encoder are the two approaches, that can be viewed as predictive coding and transform coding, respectively. For deep tools, there have been several techniques using deep learning to perform intra-picture prediction, inter-picture prediction, cross-channel prediction, probability distribution prediction, transform, post- or in-loop filtering, down- and up-sampling, as well as encoding optimizations. In the hope of advocating the research of deep learning-based video coding, we present a case study of our developed prototype video codec, Deep Learning Video Coding (DLVC). DLVC features two deep tools that are both based on convolutional neural network (CNN), namely CNN-based in-loop filter and CNN-based block adaptive resolution coding. The source code of DLVC has been released for future research.
Frameworks for Collective Intelligence
Authors: Suran Shweta , Pattanaik Vishwajeet , Draheim Dirk
Published: February 2020

Over the last few years, Collective Intelligence (CI) platforms have become a vital resource for learning, problem solving, decision-making, and predictions. This rising interest in the topic has to led to the development of several models and frameworks available in published literature. Unfortunately, most of these models are built around domain-specific requirements, i.e., they are often based on the intuitions of their domain experts and developers. This has created a gap in our knowledge in the theoretical foundations of CI systems and models, in general. In this article, we attempt to fill this gap by conducting a systematic review of CI models and frameworks, identified from a collection of 9,418 scholarly articles published since 2000. Eventually, we contribute by aggregating the available knowledge from 12 CI models into one novel framework and present a generic model that describes CI systems irrespective of their domains. We add to the previously available CI models by providing a more granular view of how different components of CI systems interact. We evaluate the proposed model by examining it with respect to six popular, ongoing CI initiatives available on the Web.
A Survey of Cache Simulators
Authors: Brais Hadi , Kalayappan Rajshekar , Panda Preeti Ranjan
Published: February 2020

Computer architecture simulation tools are essential for implementing and evaluating new ideas in the domain and can be useful for understanding the behavior of programs and finding microarchitectural bottlenecks. One particularly important part of almost any processor is the cache hierarchy. While some simulators support simulating a whole processor, including the cache hierarchy, cores, and on-chip interconnect, others may only support simulating the cache hierarchy. This survey provides a detailed discussion on 28 CPU cache simulators, including popular or recent simulators. We compare between all of these simulators in four different ways: major design characteristics, support for specific cache design features, support for specific cache-related metrics, and validation methods and efforts. The strengths and shortcomings of each simulator and major issues that are common to all simulators are highlighted. The information presented in this survey was collected from many different sources, including research papers, documentations, source code bases, and others. This survey is potentially useful for both users and developers of cache simulators. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive survey on cache simulation tools.
A Methodology for Comparing the Reliability of GPU-Based and CPU-Based HPCs
Authors: Cini Nevin , Yalcin Gulay
Published: February 2020

Today, GPUs are widely used as coprocessors/accelerators in High-Performance Heterogeneous Computing due to their many advantages. However, many researches emphasize that GPUs are not as reliable as desired yet. Despite the fact that GPUs are more vulnerable to hardware errors than CPUs, the use of GPUs in HPCs is increasing more and more. Moreover, due to native reliability problems of GPUs, combining a great number of GPUs with CPUs can significantly increase HPCs’ failure rates. For this reason, analyzing the reliability characteristics of GPU-based HPCs has become a very important issue. Therefore, in this study we evaluate the reliability of GPU-based HPCs. For this purpose, we first examined field data analysis studies for GPU-based and CPU-based HPCs and identified factors that could increase systems failure/error rates. We then compared GPU-based HPCs with CPU-based HPCs in terms of reliability with the help of these factors in order to point out reliability challenges of GPU-based HPCs. Our primary goal is to present a study that can guide the researchers in this field by indicating the current state of GPU-based heterogeneous HPCs and requirements for the future, in terms of reliability. Our second goal is to offer a methodology to compare the reliability of GPU-based HPCs and CPU-based HPCs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first survey study to compare the reliability of GPU-based and CPU-based HPCs in a systematic manner.
Python Battery Mathematical Modelling (PyBaMM)
Authors: Sulzer Valentin , Marquis Scott G. , Timms Robert , Robinson Martin , Chapman S. Jon
Published: February 2020

As the UK battery modelling community grows, there is a clear need for software that uses modern software engineering techniques to facilitate cross-institutional collaboration and democratise research progress. The Python package PyBaMM aims to provide a flexible platform for implementation and comparison of new models and numerical methods. This is achieved by implementing models as expression trees and processing them in a modular fashion through a pipeline. Comprehensive testing provides robustness to changes and hence eases the implementation of model extensions. PyBaMM is open source and available on GitHub at https://github.com/pybamm-team/PyBaMM.
Bilateral differences in hamstring coordination in previously injured elite athletes
Authors: Avrillon Simon , Hug François , Guilhem Gaël
Published: February 2020

Hamstring strain injuries (HSIs) involve tissue disruption and pain, which can trigger long-term adaptations of muscle coordination. However, little is known about the effect of previous HSIs on muscle coordination and in particular, after the completion of rehabilitation and in the absence of symptoms. This study aimed to determine if elite athletes with a prior unilateral HSI have bilateral differences in coordination between the hamstring muscle heads after returning to sport. Seventeen athletes with a unilateral history of biceps femoris (BF) injury participated in the experiment. Surface electromyography was recorded from three hamstring muscles [BF, semimembranosus (SM), and semitendinosus] during submaximal isometric torque-matched tasks at 20% and 50% of maximal voluntary contraction. The product of normalized electromyographic amplitude with functional physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) and moment arm was considered as an index of individual muscle torque. The contribution of the injured muscle to total knee flexion torque was lower in the injured than the uninjured limb (−5.6 ± 10.2%, P = 0.038). This reduced contribution of BF was compensated by a higher contribution of the SM muscle in the injured limb (+5.6 ± 7.5%, P = 0.007). These changes resulted from a lower contribution of PCSA from the injured muscle (BF) and a larger contribution of activation from an uninjured synergist muscle (SM). In conclusion, bilateral differences in coordination were observed in previously injured athletes despite the completion of rehabilitation. Whether these bilateral differences in hamstring coordination could constitute an intrinsic risk factor that contributes to the high rate of hamstring injury recurrence remains to be investigated.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We used an experimental approach, combining the assessment of muscle activation, physiological cross-sectional area, and moment arm to estimate force-sharing strategies among hamstring muscles during isometric knee flexions. We tested athletes with a history of hamstring injury. We observed a lower contribution of the injured biceps femoris to the total knee flexor torque in the injured limb than in the contralateral limb. This decreased contribution was mainly due to selective atrophy of the injured biceps femoris muscle and was compensated by an increased activation of the semimembranosus muscle.
The Fruit Malus prunifolia (Malus micromalus Mak.): A Minireview of Current Knowledge of Fruit Composition and Health Benefits
Authors: Ji Xiaolong , Hou Chunyan , Guo Xudan
Published: February 2020

The fruit Malus prunifolia (Malus micromalus Mak.), which belongs to the Rosaceae family, grows mostly in the upper-middle reaches of the Yellow River area. It has long been popular as a fruit commodity and as a natural remedy. Its main biologically active components include vitamin C, phenolics, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and triterpenic acids. Recent phytochemical studies on the fruit have shed some light on its biological activities, such as anticancer, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, immunostimulating, hepatoprotective, and gastrointestinal protective activities. A stronger focus on clinical studies and phytochemical characterization of the fruit will be essential for future research efforts. This minireview could be useful for predicting its other medicinal uses and its potential drug or food interactions, and it could be beneficial for people living in areas where the fruit is endemic and where healthcare resources are scarce.
Daily Performance of Adolescents with Executive Function Deficits: An Empirical Study Using a Complex-Cooking Task
Authors: Fogel Yael , Rosenblum Sara , Hirsh Renana , Chevignard Mathilde , Josman Naomi
Published: February 2020

Purpose. To characterize and analyze the performance of adolescents with executive function deficits through the Children’s Cooking Task (CCT) as a performance-based complex ecological assessment. Methods. Participants were 41 adolescents (aged 10–14 years) with normal intellectual function and executive function deficit profiles based on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) parent reports and self-reports (BRIEF-SR) and the WebNeuro and 40 controls with typical development matched by age and gender. Participants in both groups performed the CCT, an ecological standardized complex task. Results. Significant group differences were found for all CCT outcome measures (total number of errors, task duration, and all qualitative rating variables). Significant correlations were found among children with executive function deficit profiles between the CCT performance duration and total number of errors and the BRIEF-SR subscale score. Two separate discriminant function analyses described primarily by the CCT correctly classified the study groups. Conclusion. The poor performance of adolescents with executive function deficit profiles exhibited through the standardized complex task, as well as the relationships with their executive functions, supplies better insight about their daily confrontations. Identifying how they perform may lead to development of focused interventions to improve these adolescents’ daily performance, participation, and wellbeing.
Bilateral Stress Fractures of the Femoral Neck after Total Knee Arthroplasty: Importance of Early Diagnosis
Authors: Morinaga Sei , Ueshima Kenichi , Maruhashi Yoshinobu , Hashimoto Noriyuki , Watanabe Shoji , Nakamura Takuya
Published: February 2020

Unilateral stress fracture of the femoral neck following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a rare complication; only 21 cases are described in English literature so far. Bilateral stress fractures of the femoral neck occurring simultaneously following a bilateral TKA have been seen in only 2 cases till now. We report a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis of both knees, who was treated with bilateral TKA. She developed spontaneous fractures of the femoral neck on both sides 12 months following the TKA. She was treated with bilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA). Stress fracture of the femoral neck should be suspected in patients complaining of hip pain who have undergone TKA.
Process Evaluation of Skilled Delivery Service in Hadiya Zone in Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region, Ethiopia
Authors: Sedoro Tagesse , Ejajo Tekle , Abute Lonsako , Kedir Tirulo , Erchafo Belay
Published: February 2020

Pregnancy-related death is a cause for maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity as well as an obstacle for economic growth. Three-quarters of mothers’ lives can be saved if women have access to a skilled health worker at delivery and emergency obstetric care. This evaluation was conducted to assess skilled delivery service implementation level by using three dimensions (availability, compliance, and acceptability) and identify major contributing issues for underutilization of the service. The evaluation design is cross-sectional. The study included 846 mothers who gave birth in Hadiya zone within one year prior to study period, using one year delivery records. Epi Info 3.5.3 and SPSS version 16 were employed for data analysis. Based on selected indicators, resource availability was inadequate for health facilities, human resource medical equipment, and rooms. On the compliance dimension, skilled delivery service coverage (34.8%), active management of third stage labor (32.7%), and health information at discharge and in postnatal care (PNC) visit (7.1%) critically complied with or poorly agreed to the guidelines and targets. Regarding skilled delivery service acceptability, welcoming, privacy keeping, reassurance during labor pain, follow-up, baby care, comfortability (rooms, beds, and clothing), cost of service, and episiotomy (without local anesthesia) were not acceptable.
Conducting Polymer-Based Composite Materials for Therapeutic Implantations: From Advanced Drug Delivery System to Minimally Invasive Electronics
Authors: Liu Yang , Yin Pengfei , Chen Jiareng , Cui Bin , Zhang Chao , Wu Feng
Published: February 2020

Conducting polymer-based composites have recently becoming popular in both academic research and industrial practices due to their high conductivity, ease of process, and tunable electrical properties. The multifunctional conducting polymer-based composites demonstrated great application potential for in vivo therapeutics and implantable electronics, including drug delivery, neural interfacing, and minimally invasive electronics. In this review article, the state-of-the-art conducting polymer-based composites in the mentioned biological fields are discussed and summarized. The recent progress on the synthesis, structure, properties, and application of the conducting polymer-based composites is presented, aimed at revealing the structure-property relationship and the corresponding functional applications of the conducting polymer-based composites. Furthermore, key issues and challenges regarding the implantation performance of these composites are highlighted in this paper.