bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Semantic Hyperlapse: a Sparse Coding-based and Multi-Importance Approach for First-Person Videos
Authors: Silva Michel M. , Campos Mario F. M. , Nascimento Erickson R.
Published: October 2019

The availability of low-cost, high-quality personal wearable cameras combined with the unlimited storage capacity of video-sharing websites has evoked a growing interest in First-Person Videos (FPVs). Such videos are usually composed of long-running unedited streams captured by a device attached to the user body, which makes them tedious and visually unpleasant to watch. Consequently, there is a rise in the need to provide quick access to the information therein. To address this need, efforts have been applied to the development of techniques such as Hyperlapse and Semantic Hyperlapse, which aims to create visually pleasant shorter videos and emphasize semantic portions of the video, respectively. The state-of-the-art Semantic Hyperlapse method SSFF, negligees the level of importance of the relevant information, by only evaluating if it is significant or not. Other limitations of SSFF are the number of input parameters, the scalability in the number of visual features to describe the frames, and the abrupt change in the speed-up rate of consecutive video segments. In this dissertation, we propose a parameter-free Sparse Coding based methodology to adaptively fast-forward First-Person Videos, that emphasize the semantic portions applying a multi-importance approach. Experimental evaluations show that the proposed method creates shorter version video retaining more semantic information, with fewer abrupt transitions of speed-up rates, and more stable final videos than the output of SSFF. Visual results and graphical explanation of the methodology can be visualized through the link: https://youtu.be/8uStih8P5-Y.
Object segmentation by Oriented Image Foresting Transform with connectivity constraints
Authors: Mansilla Lucy A. C. , Miranda Paulo A. V.
Published: October 2019

Global properties, such as connectivity, shape constraints and boundary polarity, are useful high-level priors for image segmentation, allowing its customization for a given target object. In this work, we introduce a new method called Connected Oriented Image Foresting Transform (COIFT), which provides global optimum solutions according to a graph-cut measure, subject to the connectivity constraint in Oriented Image Foresting Transform (OIFT), ensuring the generation of connected objects, as well as allowing the simultaneous control of the boundary polarity. While the use of connectivity constraints in other frameworks, such as in the min-cut/max-flow algorithm, leads to an NP-Hard problem, COIFT conserves the low complexity of the OIFT algorithm. Experiments show that COIFT can considerably improve the segmentation of objects with thin and elongated parts, for the same number of seeds in segmentation based on markers.
Matching People Across Surveillance Cameras
Authors: Prates Raphael , Schwartz William Robson
Published: October 2019

This work addresses the person re-identification problem, which consists on matching images of individuals captured by multiple and non-overlapping surveillance cameras. Works from literature tackle this problem proposing robust feature descriptors and matching functions, where the latter is responsible to assign the correct identity for individuals and is the focus of this work. Specifically, we propose two matching methods: the Kernel MBPLS and the Kernel X-CRC. The Kernel MBPLS is a nonlinear regression model that is scalable with respect to the number of cameras and allows the inclusion of additional labelled information (e.g., attributes). Differently, the Kernel X-CRC is a nonlinear and multitask matching function that can be used jointly with subspace learning approaches to boost the matching rates. We present an extensive experimental evaluation of both approaches in four datasets (VIPeR, PRID450S, WARD and Market-1501). Experimental results demonstrate that the Kernel MBPLS and the Kernel X-CRC outperforms approaches from literature. Furthermore, we show that the Kernel X-CRC can be successfuly applied in large-scale and multiple cameras datasets.
Evaluation of machine learning applied to the realignment of hierarchies for image segmentation
Authors: Adão Milena Menezes , Guimarães Silvio Jamil F. , Patrocínio Jr. Zenilton K. G.
Published: October 2019

A hierarchical image segmentation is a set of image segmentations at different detail levels. However, objects can be located at different scales due to their size differences or to their distinct distances from the camera. In literature, many works have been developed to improve hierarchical image segmentation results. One possible solution is to realign the hierarchy such that every region containing an object (or its parts) is at the same level. In this work, we have explored the use of random forest and artificial neural network as regressors models to predict score values for regions belonging to a hierarchy of partitions, which are used to realign it. We have also proposed a new score calculation witch considering all user-defined segmentations that exist in the ground-truth. Experimental results are presented for two different hierarchical segmentation methods. Moreover, an analysis of the adoption of different combination of mid-level features to describe regions and different architectures from random forest and artificial neural network to train regressors models. Experimental results have point out that the use of new proposed score was able to improve final segmentation results.
Loving the Automobile to Death? Injuries, Mortality, Fear, and Automobility in West Germany and the United States, 1950–1980/Autoliebe und Verkehrstod. Verletzungen, Angst und Automobilismus in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland und den USA 1950–1980
Authors: Zeller Thomas
Published: October 2019

Automobility, as it has been understood by historians, has been the historical locus of joy and excitement for millions of drivers and their passengers. Si- multaneously, the growth of the automotive sector has resulted in the deaths and injuries of millions of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. This paper aims to analyze debates and technological solutions surrounding these crashes and their differing perceptions in the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States during the post-World War II period. West Germany’s response to this lethal crisis was a focus on infrastructures and a call for abolishing speed limits on the part of many drivers and their advocates. In the United States, however, automobiles and their design received more attention. Fears and solutions offered to counter fear shaped technological artifacts; in turn, these artifacts themselves were the objects of emotional debates.
Nachdenken über Demokratie
Authors: Wirth Sandra
Published: October 2019

The political scientist and historian Peter Graf Kielmannsegg has dedicated his academic career to analysing the liberal constitutional state, its roots and the manifold challenges it poses. By examining his writings in both a biographical and contemporary context, this study is the first to address an exceptional representative of the third generation of political scientists. Based on the question ‘What is his academic work rooted in and what reception has it received?’, this biography of Kielmannsegg’s work from the beginning of his career in the 1960s to the present provides an overview of the subject areas it covers, including its trends and changes of direction, and of his understanding of an appropriate form of political science. Kielmannsegg’s advocatory thinking revolves around a representative form of democracy and its fascinating identity and stability. Basing his approach on the history of ideas and aligning it with democratic theory, he addresses current debates and, as the ‘thinking teacher of democracy’, explains complex interrelationships.
Gütesiegel in der Markt-, Medien- und Sozialforschung
Authors: Speck Franziska
Published: October 2019

The objective of this study is to examine the effect of data protection-specific quality seals on trust, willingness to participate and voluntary submission of data in web surveys. In this regard, it makes their commercial benefit transparent in the context of German market, media and social research. As in this market there are primarily small and medium-sized research organisations, the study gives special consideration to their economic concerns. Overall, it addresses a new field of research due to the sector’s special connection to German market, media and social research. Against this background, it considers the subject’s conceptual and theoretical foundations, which exist for the use of quality seals in e-commerce, in a new light. In this regard, this work’s special feature is that it deals with the voluntary submission of personal data based on intrinsically motivated factors.
Understanding Hylomorphic Dualism
Authors: Stango Marco ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: October 2019

In this paper I will claim that the standard interpretation of Aquinas’s philosophy of mind is not satisfactory. A better reading is possible, which I will call strong hylomorphic dualism. Thus, I intend to do three things: first, I introduce strong hylomorphic dualism by highlighting the shortcomings of the standard reading, to which I will refer as weak hylomorphic dualism; second, I reconstruct two arguments provided by Aquinas to prove that his position is in fact best understood as strong hylomorphic dualism. Finally, I suggest that Aquinas thinks of the relationship between intellect and phantasms in terms of what could be called diagrammatic causality, as exemplified by his theory of abstraction and attention to the phantasms.
L’ideal ethique selon d’Aristote, ou la ≪belle vie≫
Authors: Rodrigue Louise ,   Editua Polirom
Published: October 2019

This study aims at providing a global explanation of the good life or happiness according to Aristotle. By applying the method used in ethics by Aristotle, the specific content of happiness is determined, of which meditation is the essence, together with the practice of moral virtues. The article rests on a relatively new perspective, neither ‘exclusive’ nor ‘inclusive’, considering the results of each type of traditional interpretation, and shedding light upon the richness of all happiness’ dimensions.
Le plaisir animal selon Aristote
Authors: Pellegrin Pierre ,   Editua Polirom
Published: October 2019

In an evolutionist theory like that of Darwin, animal pleasure has a properly vital function in directing animals toward pleasant behaviors which also happen to be advantageous. The best example of this is probably sexual pleasure which contributes to the survival of species. Aristotelian fixism does not need such an analysis since Nature has provided living beings with an innate tendency to reproduce and pleasure cannot have an adaptative function, because adaptation is given to animals once and for all and cannot improve. The idea that pleasure induces an animal to adopt some useful behavior by trials and errors is unacceptable to Aristotle. Animals, on the other hand, being deprived of the perception of the good and the beautiful because they do not partake in reason, do not get pleasure from things in the world but in a coincidental way : the odor of the hare is pleasant to the dog because it is associated, in the dog’s perception, to the fact that dogs do eat hares. Far from being pleasant by itself, the odor of the hare is not attractive at all for a fed up dog. It remains for pleasure to be the sign of the good functioning of the organism, that is an hymn to the perfection of Nature.
Foreword
Authors: Zigmunde Alīda
Published: October 2019

This is the third volume of the scientific journal of RTU Research Centre for Engineering History (RCEH). The articles in the journal mainly are reports from the 59th International Scientific Conference held on 10 October 2018. The authors of articles are Latvian and Lithuanian scientists, historians of science and pedagogues. The articles review the lives of graduates, lecturers and employees of Riga Polytechnicum (RP) / Riga Polytechnic Institute (RPI), as well as identify Latvians who lived outside the present territory of Latvia and studied in RPI until the foundation of the Republic of Latvia. The volume contains eight articles.
In Memoriam
Authors: Zigmunde Alīda
Published: October 2019

RTU Datorzinātnes un informācijas tehnoloģijas fakultātes (DITF) profesors habilitētais matemātikas zinātņu doktors Jevgeņijs Carkovs.Zinātņu vēsturnieks un ķīmiķis Ilgars Grosvalds.Inženierzinātņu doktors (Dr. sc. ing.) Helmuts Guļevsks.Latvijas Zinātņu akadēmijas (LZA) akadēmiķis, RTU emeritētais profesors Dr. habil. sc. ing. Ivars Knēts.RTU Padomnieku konventa loceklis, RTU Valsts eksaminācijas komisijas priekšsēdētājs, mācībspēks, izcils enerģētiķis, AS «Augstsprieguma tīkls» padomes priekšsēdētājs, ilggadīgs Latvijas Elektroenerģētiķu un energobūvnieku asociācijas valdes priekšsēdētājs Dr. sc. ing. Vilnis Krēsliņš.RTU Enerģētikas un elektrotehnikas fakultātes Industriālās elektronikas un elektrotehnoloģiju institūta profesors inženierzinātņu doktors Anatolijs Ļevčenkovs.RTU Goda doktors, Kauņas Tehnoloģiju universitātes (KTU) emeritētais profesors Vītauts Milašs.RTU Goda darbiniece, valsts emeritētā zinātniece Inta Strakova.
Antibacterial immune functions of subadults and adults in a semelparous spider
Authors: Rádai Zoltán , Kiss Péter , Nagy Dávid , Barta Zoltán
Published: October 2019

Although capacity to mount an efficient immune response plays a critical role in individuals’ survival, its dynamics across ontogenetic stages is still largely unexplored. Life stage-dependent variation in the encountered diversity and prevalence of parasites were proposed to contribute to stage-dependent changes in immunity, but differences in life history objectives between developmental stages may also lead to stage-specific changes in efficiency of given immune mechanisms. The reason for this is that juveniles and subadults are unable to reproduce, therefore they invest resources mainly into survival, while adults have to partition their resources between survival and reproduction. The general trade-off between somatic maintenance and reproductive effort is expected to impair immune function. Especially so in semelparous organisms that only reproduce once throughout their lifetime, hence they do not face the trade-off between current and future reproduction. We hypothesised that in a semelparous species individuals would be characterised by decreased investment into somatic maintenance after maturation, in order to maximise their reproductive output. Accordingly, we predicted that (1) elements of somatic maintenance, such as immunity, should be relatively weaker in adults in comparison to subadults, and (2) increased reproductive investment in adults should be associated with lower immune efficiency. We quantified two markers of immunity in subadult and adult individuals of the semelparous wolf spiderPardosa agrestis(Westring, 1861), namely bacterial growth inhibition power and bacterial cell wall lytic activity. We found that subadults showed significantly higher cell wall lytic activity than adults, but the two life stages did not differ in their capacity to inhibit bacterial growth. Also, we found weaker immune measures in mated females compared to virgins. Furthermore, in mated females bacterial growth inhibition power was negatively associated with fecundity.
Influence of temperature on intraspecific, unbalanced dyadic contests between crabs
Authors: Souza Allan T. , Ribas Felipe O. , Moura João F. , Moreira Claudia , Campos Joana , Ilarri Martina I.
Published: October 2019

Intraspecific agonistic interactions are widespread across the animal kingdom, with many individual morphological and physiological characteristics playing important roles in the fate of disputes. Additionally, changes to environmental conditions can influence the outcomes of animal contests. The shore crab (Carcinus maenas) is a globally distributed species, present in numerous coastal and estuarine temperate systems around the world. Although shore crabs are highly tolerant to changes in temperature, this parameter has important physiological effects on the species’ ecology, while its effects on behavior are not fully understood. Our study aims to investigate how different individual characteristics (such as sex, color morphotype, carapace and chela morphology) and temperature conditions affect the dyadic interactions between shore crabs when disputing food resources. In general, the differences in carapace width between opponents, their sexes, color morphotypes and the temperature conditions interacted and were important predictors of the contest fate. We found that the body size and color morphotype of C. maenas determined the fate of dyadic disputes. However, the higher temperatures disrupted the well-established dominance of the larger red color morphotype individuals. Overall, the agonistic contest results suggest higher plasticity than previously acknowledged.
Analysis of Fresh Catfish Marketing among Natural Fishpond Users in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Okeke M. N. , Nwoye I. I.
Published: October 2019

The study analyzed fresh catfish marketing among natural fishpond users in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a sample size of 120 respondents and analyzed using mean score, frequency, percentage and enterprise budgeting. The result indicated that 49.2% of the respondents fell between the age of 25 and 40 years, 65.0% were females while more than half (63.3%) of the respondents were married. The mean household size of the respondents was 6.15 persons while 57.5% of them had household size of between 6 and 10 persons. Majority (67.5%) of the respondents had secondary school education while the majority (50.8%) of the marketers had 11–20 years of marketing experience. More so, majority (75.8%) of the marketers financed their business with their personal savings. On the costs and return analysis, the total revenue realized by the marketers was ₦3,998, 200 while net return on investment was 1.3. Majority (75.8%) of the marketers identified that the major distribution channel for fresh catfish in the area was from the suppliers to the retailers and then to the consumers. The marketers identified inadequate credit facility (x̄=3.00), inadequate fishpond (x̄=2.86), high cost of fish due to high cost of feed (x̄=2.81), unorganized market (x̄=2.75) and price instability (x̄=2.69) as the major constraints. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the government should make provisions for agricultural incentives such as short and long-term loans, with a single digit interest rate for the marketers.
Regulation of Integrin β3 Protein Secretion on Implantation Embryo of Mouse (Mus musculus L.) Induced by Oil Atsiri of Purple Nutsedge Tubers (Cyperus rotundus L.)
Authors: Busman Hendri , . Sutyarso , Farisi Salman , . Yulianty
Published: October 2019

Aims: This study aims to determine the regulation of β3 integrin protein in the period of embryo implantation after being induced by oil atsiri of purple nutsedge tubers.

Study Design: The study employed a completely randomised design using four concentration levels repeated six times.

Place and Duration of Study: Organic Chemistry Laboratory and Zoology Laboratory of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences University of Lampung, between June 2015 and April 2016.

Methodology: This study used mouse as experimental animals with 24 female mouse, then mated with male mouse with a ratio (1 female: 1 male). After the vaginal plug was found in female mouse, then the essential oil of purple nutsedge tubers was induced orally (force-fed) according to the treatment dose. Each 6 female mice were grouped as a control group, and 3 treatment groups, consisting of controls (C) = 0.4 ml aquabides, treatment 1 (T1) = 4.5 mg/40g body weight, treatment 2 (T2) = 45 mg/40g body weight, and treatment 3 (T3) = 135 mg/40g body weight. After the one way Anova test, Ho is rejected, meaning there are significant differences and the analysis is continued with multiple comparison tests, in this case the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test is used.

Results: The results shown that the induction of essential oils of purple nutsedge tubers can reduce the level of β3 integrin protein in uterus mouse significantly.

Conclusion: It is suggested essential oil of purple nutsedge tubers has potential decrease and can reduce the level of β3 integrin protein in uterus mouse during the period of embryo implantation.
Consumption of Traditional Leafy Vegetables (Amaranthus hybridus) and Risk of its Microbial Contamination in Daloa Town (Côte d’Ivoire)
Authors: Clément Kouassi Kouassi , Yao Paul Attien , Bakary Coulibaly , Siriki Diomandé , Koffi Donatien Benie Comoé , Ibrahim Konate , Rose Koffi-Nevry
Published: October 2019

Aim: It consisted to identify the different species of traditional leafy vegetables consumed, to follow the technical process of production and to specifically evaluate the risk of microbial contamination of Amaranth from urban production in Daloa.

Study Design:  This study focuses on the consumption of traditional leafy vegetables.

Place and Duration of Study: University of Jean Lorougnon Guédé of Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UFR Agroforestry, BP 150 Daloa, between November 2018 and April 2019.

Methodology: On the study site, three planks of amaranth leave constituted a study block (sample). A total of 18 samples were analyzed. Then, mature Amaranth, ready for sale and then consumed, were subjected to microbiological characterization according to the standards.

Results: There are seven main species of leafy vegetables consumed by Daloa populations and Amaranth is one of the most widely consumed leaves. The monitoring of production of these vegetables revealed that many of the actors were adults (> 30 years old), dominated by the female gender (63 %) and illiterate (70 %). The inputs were poultry manure, a mixture of dung and beef purse. In addition, the technical production routes were empirical. Microbiological analyzes of Amaranth leaf from selected areas showed a high level of bacterial contamination. Including indicator of general pollution like mesophilic aerobic germs, yeasts and molds, enterobacteria and indicator of fecal origin were isolated. It has been noticed the presence of pathogenic species such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp in all productions.

Conclusion: Amaranth leaves produced in this area aren’t suitable for human consumption and could create some sanitary risk.
Analysis of Reported Critical Values and Their Associated Clinical Conditions in a Clinical Chemistry Laboratory of a Tertiary Health Institution in Nigeria
Authors: Olusanya T. O. , Ladipo O. A. , Okonkwo N. E. , Ngozi J. N. , Joseph V. O. , Nnadozie N. S. , Okafor U. P.
Published: October 2019

Studies involving critical values in recent time have mainly dwelt on compliance to timely reporting as well as the volumes of the individual reported critical analytes. There is paucity of data however, especially in this environment, on the relationships that exist between reported critical biochemical analytes and the presenting clinical conditions of the patients as at the time of the laboratory investigation. This study therefore sought to investigate such relationships.

This study is a retrospective study of data obtained in the year 2018 from the critical value register of the Department of Chemical Pathology, Babcock University Teaching Hospital Ilisan-Remo, Ogun state, Nigeria. Data obtained was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Relationship between variables was determined using Chi-square Test.

In the year under review, a total of 270 critical values from various biochemical analytes were obtained; out of which 34.0% was potassium, representing the highest occurrence. Calcium had the highest proportion of its tests from the year having critical outcomes (2.2%) compared to other biochemical parameters. Kidney disease was the most frequently reported clinical condition (25.1%) with critical values of biochemical analytes. This study also showed a strong statistical association (p = 0.000) between diabetic ketoacidosis and critical levels of hyperkalemia, critical outcomes of hypocalcaemia and infection/sepsis as well as critical level of azotemia and pregnancy related complications.

This study has shown potassium as the most reported critical biochemical analyte which occurred mostly as cases of critical hyperkalemia. This was associated with a high burden of kidney diseases among the study population. The study has also drawn attention to the need for immediate and constant check of blood calcium and urea levels in patients that have sepsis and pregnancy related complications respectively.
Comparative Study of Two Different Rapid Diagnostic Tests with Microscopy Method for Malaria Parasite Detection
Authors: Ken-Ezihuo Stella U. , S. Itatat Sigmund , S. Bartimaeus Ebirien-Agana
Published: October 2019

Introduction: Accurate rapid diagnosis is one of the most important steps in the effort to reduce morbidity and mortality of malaria. Blood-specific malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are currently in use but reports on their sensitivity and specificity and comparison with the established blood film microscopy methods are dearth. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance characteristics of Nova and SD bioline RTDs and compare with microscopic method as a reference standard to detect the presence of malaria parasites in the blood.

Methods: A total of 100 subjects were conveniently selected from consented subjects attending out-patient Department of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, and the samples were analyzed using blood film examined with Giemsa staining technique and Nova and SD bioline kits.

Results: Of the 100 samples examined, 57(57%) were positive for malaria parasite by light microscopy, 37(37%) were positive by Nova and 22 (22%) were positive by SD bioline. The sensitivity of the two RDTs used were found to be 54% for Nova and 30% for SD bioline, the specificity were 86% for Nova and 88% for SD bioline, the PPV for Nova was 83% and 77% for SD bioline while the NPV for Nova was 59% and 49% for SD bioline. Percentage positivity of 50.9% and 49.1% for males and females respectively means that both sexes are equally susceptible to malaria parasites. There was a slight increase in parasitaemia in females (1931±2801) than males (1139±2415) but these results were not statistically significant (P >.27).

Conclusion: The SD bioline showed a very poor sensitivity in contrast to Nova and light microscopy. Inspite of the relative advantages of RDTs, microscopy remains the best method of detecting malaria parasite and Nova should be preferred to other RDTs.
1 to 5 Instructional Grouping Influences on Students’ Capacity Building
Authors: Toma Shamana Tizazu , Girmma Azimach Ginjo
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study is to examine the influence of one to five group formations on students’ capacity building. One hundred eighty students from Arba Minch University, College of Natural Science were selected as samples for this study. The data were collected by observation and from the questionnaire filled by the respondent.  Empirical and theoretical findings obtained from this study will contribute to evaluating 1 to 5 grouping influence on statistics student’s capacity building in the University. The findings will help in the formulation of national and local teaching methods which is appropriate for the statistics course. A randomized complete block design model was used to compare students’ performance in classroom activities by using different study methods including 1 to 5 grouping. It was observed from experience that all the participants indicated they prefer to remain silent than to give a wrong answer when they do individually, and students’ participation was to a large extent influenced by the kind of feedback they get from their classmate when they answer a question. The findings revealed that, in 1 to 5 grouping, students had the willingness to answer questions in class. The results also show that 1 to 5 grouping was helpful in promoting a good classroom environment which is free from intimidation and fear of participation to see mistakes as part of the learning process and lead to the creation of new knowledge. Finally results indicated that students perform better regarding grade point activity/GPA when they study in 1 to 5 grouping.
Current Susceptibility Trend of Antibiotics in a Tertiary Care Hospital - Need to Emphasize on Alternate Therapeutic Agents
Authors: Khandait Manisha , Bansal Tapesh , Mandale Pankaj
Published: October 2019

Introduction: In the light of changing anti-microbial resistance pattern, the understanding of the local antibiogram is essential in the antibiotic selection procedures and preparation of hospital antibiotic policy.

Aim: This retrospective study was aimed to analyze the antibacterial susceptibility pattern of major isolates from ICU and IPD.

Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done for a total of 565 Gram-negative isolates including E. coli, K. pnuemoniae, A. baumannnii and P. aeruginosa from ICU and IPD patients enrolled between July 2016 to December 2016.

Results: The majority of the isolates were reported from urine samples (52%) in IPD and sputum (59%) in ICU. The susceptibility to BL/BLI was 50-75% in IPD patients and Carbapenem susceptibility was reported in more than 75% except P. aeruginosa. In ICU patients, the beta-lactam/beta-lactam inhibitor (BL/BLI) susceptibility ranged between 20-60% and the carbapenem susceptibility was around 40%-75%. The susceptibility of CSE-1034 (Ceftriaxone + Sulbactam + EDTA) was almost similar to minocycline and amikacin ranging from 50-90% against different species. Compared to carbapenems, the CSE-1034 performed overall better than carbapenems against P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii and was comparable to carbapenems against Enterobacteriaceae. The susceptibility of colistin ranged from 92-97% in both IPD and ICU isolates.

Conclusion: Considering the value of carbapenems and colistin as the last option for multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections, irrational prescription of these drugs should be stopped. The use of ampicillin-sulbactam, cefepime and gentamicin from 1st line antibiotics in ICU patients can help to reduce the load on 2nd line antibiotics. Among 2nd line drugs, CSE-1034 along with amikacin should be an empirical choice of treatment for bacterial infections where the 1st line drugs are suspected to fail and the need of carbapenems arises.
MiR‐375‐mediated suppression of engineered coxsackievirus B3 in pancreatic cells
Authors: Pryshliak Markian , Hazini Ahmet , Knoch Klaus , Dieringer Babette , Tolksdorf Beatrice , Solimena Michele , Kurreck Jens , Pinkert Sandra , Fechner Henry
Published: October 2019

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) has potential as a new oncolytic agent for the treatment of cancer but can induce severe pancreatitis. Here, we inserted target sequences of the microRNA miR‐375 (miR‐375TS) into the 5′ terminus of the polyprotein encoding sequence or into the 3′UTR of the CVB3 strain rCVB3.1 to prevent viral replication in the pancreas. In pancreatic EndoC‐βH1 cells expressing miR‐375 endogenously, replication of the 5′‐miR‐375TS virus and that of the 3′‐miR‐375TS virus was reduced by 4 × 103‐fold and 3.9 × 104‐fold, respectively, compared to the parental rCVB3.1. In colorectal carcinoma cells, replication and cytotoxicity of both viruses were slightly reduced compared to rCVB3.1, but less pronounced for the 3′‐miR‐375TS virus. Thus, CVB3 with miR‐375TS in the 3′UTR of the viral genome may be suitable to avoid pancreatic toxicity.
Cancer‐associated mutations in human pyruvate kinase M2 impair enzyme activity
Authors: Liu Vivian M. , Howell Andrea J. , Hosios Aaron M. , Li Zhaoqi , Israelsen William J. , Vander Heiden Matthew G.
Published: October 2019

Mammalian pyruvate kinase catalyzes the final step of glycolysis, and its M2 isoform (PKM2) is widely expressed in proliferative tissues. Mutations in PKM2 are found in some human cancers; however, the effects of these mutations on enzyme activity and regulation are unknown. Here, we characterized five cancer‐associated PKM2 mutations, occurring at various locations on the enzyme, with respect to substrate kinetics and activation by the allosteric activator fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphate (FBP). The mutants exhibit reduced maximal velocity, reduced substrate affinity, and/or altered activation by FBP. The kinetic parameters of five additional PKM2 mutants that have been used to study enzyme function or regulation also demonstrate the deleterious effects of mutations on PKM2 function. Our findings indicate that PKM2 is sensitive to many amino acid changes and support the hypothesis that decreased PKM2 activity is selected for in rapidly proliferating cells.
Gas atomization of γ‐TiAl Alloy Powder for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Martín Arturo , Cepeda-Jiménez Carmen María , Pérez-Prado María Teresa
Published: October 2019

The aim is, first, to optimize gas atomization of a γ‐TiAl alloy at the laboratory scale (atomized mass < 150 g) and, second, to investigate the microstructure of the produced powders. Gas atomization variables, such as the gas pressure and the melt temperature, are adjusted to produce the highest yield of particles with sizes smaller than 150 μm. The morphology and microstructure of these powders is characterized by scanning electron microscopy, as well as electron backscattered diffraction. The fine particles of interest are found to be single α2 polycrystals with spherical shape and negligible porosity. Overall, these particles meet the morphological requirements of raw powders for additive manufacturing powder‐based methods, provided the small loss of Al that takes place during melting is compensated by increasing the amount of this component in the starting alloy.
Understanding Friction and Wear Behavior at the Nanoscale of Aluminum Matrix Composites Produced by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
Authors: Lorusso Massimo , Aversa Alberta , Marchese Giulio , Calignano Flaviana , Manfredi Diego , Pavese Matteo
Published: October 2019

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is an additive manufacturing (AM) technique for the fabrication of components with a complex design, and it is particularly appropriate for structural applications in automotive and air‐space industries. Aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) are promising materials for these uses because they are ductile, light weight, and have an excellent strength‐to‐weight ratio. Herein, a study on microstructure, hardness, and the nanoscale tribological properties of the AlSi10Mg alloy with and without ceramic particles is presented. AMCs are realized with different compositions: 10 wt% of microsize TiB2, 1 wt% of nanosize TiB2, 0.5 wt% of nanosize SiO2, and 0.5 wt% of nanosize MgAl2O4. It is found that the nanocomposites show a lower coefficient of friction (COF), whereas in the case of microsize TiB2 reinforcement, the COF is higher than with either nanosize reinforcements or AlSi10Mg alloy without reinforcement. Results indicate that the interfacial bond between the matrix and the particles of the ceramic reinforcement has a crucial role in wear processes.
Lipid Vesicle Preparation Using W/O/W Multiple Emulsions Via Solvent Evaporation: The Effect of Emulsifiers on the Entrapment Yield of Hydrophilic Materials
Authors: Ossai Emmanuel Chekwube , Kuroiwa Takashi , Horikoshi Kaname , Otsuka Yuya , Terasawa Junki , Kanazawa Akihiko , Sato Seigo , Ichikawa Sosaku
Published: October 2019

We studied the effects of emulsifiers on the entrapment yields of a hydrophilic material, calcein, in lipid vesicles formed using the multiple emulsion method. The primary emulsion (W1/O) was prepared via sonication while the secondary emulsification that produced the W1/O/W2 multiple emulsions was achieved using the microchannel (MC) emulsification technique. The emulsifiers used in the continuous (W2) phase were Tween® 80, Pluronic® F68, and bovine serum albumin (BSA). Lipid vesicles formed via solvent evaporation of the multiple emulsion droplets had an average diameter of about 180 nm, similar to the size of the water droplets in the primary W1/O emulsions. The entrapment yields of calcein increased with decreasing concentrations of Tween® 80 but decreased with decreasing concentrations of Pluronic® F68 and BSA. The effects of type and concentration of emulsifier were considered in relation to three possible mechanisms: (i) destabilization/solubilization of lipid bilayers by emulsifiers, (ii) reversed‐micellar transport of W1 contents from internal to external water phases through the O phase, and (iii) release of inner water (W1) contents into the continuous (W2) phase via the instability of W1/O/W2 and leakage of W1 contents. Using the food grade emulsifier Tween® 80 at a low concentration of about 0.1 or 0.05 wt%, calcein as a model hydrophilic material could be efficiently entrapped (ca. 80%) in homogenously dispersed lipid vesicles.
Assessment of overall migration and specific migration of 1,4‐butanediol from a thermoplastic polyurethane film developed for fresh produce packaging
Authors: Turan Deniz , Gunes Gurbuz
Published: October 2019

A thermoplastic polyurethane (PU) polymer was synthesized, casted into films, and specific and overall migration (OM) tests were applied. A new method with gas chromatography–flame ionization detector was proposed to measure specific migration (SM) of 1,4‐butanediol from the PU film. OM values in the four established simulants were under the legal limits. Determination of 1,4‐butanediol migrating from PU film to the three established simulants showed maximum SM result as 1.5 mg/kg which was far below the legal limits. Therefore, the PU film has a good potential as a safe food contact material. Moreover, the analytical method used for determination of SM of 1,4‐butanediol resulted in good analytical characteristics and detection limits at ppm level. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48638.
Geometric morphometric methods as complementary tools to investigate variability in common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) using museum specimens
Authors: Nicolosi Paola , Loy Anna
Published: October 2019

The common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) has a worldwide distribution, from tropical to temperate seas and oceans. Because of the high degree of geographic variation, the taxonomy of the species is still uncertain.

Skulls from 195 museum specimens from nine marine areas were examined using two‐ and three‐dimensional geometric morphometrics. Size and shape variations were analysed using univariate and multivariate statistics among and within areas.

Sexual dimorphism and ontogenetic allometry were explored in the largest sample from the south‐eastern Pacific Ocean, and significant differences in size between males and females, and effects on shape from sex and marine area interactions were detected, showing that the extreme traits of larger males were a consequence of continuous growth along a common allometric trajectory.

A first multivariate ordination of three‐dimensional data allowed the detection of highly derived long‐beaked morphotypes that were identified as D. delphis tropicalis.

An analysis of large‐scale shape variation on two‐dimensional data in the remaining 142 short‐beaked specimens highlighted significant differences between southern and northern stocks, mainly in terms of the relative proportion of the rostrum and the braincase, suggesting an adaptive convergence irrespective of ocean of origin. The results also revealed a clear distinction in the skull shape of the north‐eastern Pacific Ocean stock and a large shape variation in the Mediterranean stock.

Geometric morphometrics of the skull provided a highly accurate method to investigate the geographic variability in common dolphins, confirming previous genetic findings and highlighting new patterns of likely adaptive variations deserving further study, at both large and small geographic scales.
Cyber vulnerability maintenance policies that address the incomplete nature of inspection
Authors: Liu Enhao , Allen Theodore T. , Roychowdhury Sayak
Published: October 2019

In cybersecurity, incomplete inspection, resulting mainly from computers being turned off during the scan, leads to a challenge for scheduling maintenance actions. This article proposes the application of partially observable decision processes to derive cost‐effective cyber maintenance actions that minimize total costs. We consider several types of hosts having vulnerabilities at various levels of severity. The maintenance cost structure in our proposed model consists of the direct costs of maintenance actions in addition to potential incident costs associated with different security states. To assess the benefits of optimal policies obtained from partially observable Markov decision processes, we use real‐world data from a major university. Compared with alternative policies using simulations, the optimal control policies can significantly reduce expected maintenance expenditures per host and relatively quickly mitigate the most important vulnerabilities.
Generosity and livelihoods: Dictator game evidence on the multidimensional nature of sharing among the Kenyan Maasai
Authors: Archambault Caroline , Kalenscher Tobias , de Laat Joost
Published: October 2019

This paper investigates whether sharing behavior is multidimensional and embedded in social organization and modes of economic production. It uses a modified dictator game varying social distance to the recipient and varying the resource (money vs. six in‐kind resources) being shared among the pastoral Maasai of Kenya. Results show that both social distance and the nature of the resource matter for sharing as well as their combination. The discussion argues that these findings are consistent with the nature and role of these resources in the pastoral livelihood among the Maasai.
Adeno‐Associated Viral Vectors for Homology‐Directed Generation of CAR‐T Cells
Authors: Moço Pablo D. , Aharony Noga , Kamen Amine
Published: October 2019

Immunotherapy with T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) is an emerging and promising treatment against refractory cancers. However, the currently adopted methods of modification of T cells pose a risk of insertional oncogenesis because lentiviral and retroviral vectors integrate the CAR transgene in a semi‐random fashion. In addition, this therapy is only available using autologous cells, which create problems in production and limit the access for patients who have their T cells depleted. One modification method that shows the ability to overcome both drawbacks is the knock‐in of the CAR simultaneously knocking‐out genes that prevent allogeneic therapy, such as the endogenous T cell receptor. In this mini‐review, the authors present recent efforts to develop safer universal CAR‐T cells. More specifically, the combined application of target‐directed nucleases, which create a double‐strand break at a specific genome locus, and the delivery of CAR DNA via adeno‐associated viral vectors for subsequent integration via homologous recombination and silencing of the targeted gene is focused on.
Gene expression changes induced by valproate in the process of rat hippocampal neural stem cells differentiation
Authors: He Hui , Li Wen , Shen Beilei , Zhao Heyan , Liu Juan , Qin Jianbing , Shi Jinhong , Yi Xin , Peng Min , Huo Ran , Jin Guohua
Published: October 2019

Valproate (VPA), an effective clinical approved anti‐epileptic drug and mood stabilizer, has been believed to induce neuronal differentiation at the expense of inhibiting astrocytic and oligodendrocytic differentiation. Nevertheless, the involving mechanisms of it remain unclear yet. In the present study, we explored the global gene expression changes of fetus rat hippocampal neural stem cells following VPA treatment by high‐throughput microarray. We obtained 874 significantly upregulated genes and 258 obviously downregulated genes (fold change > 2 and P < 0.05). Then, we performed gene ontology and pathway analyses of these differentially expressed genes and chose several genes associated with nervous system according to gene ontology analysis to conduct expression analysis to validate the reliability of the array results as well as reveal possible mechanisms of VPA. To get a better comprehension of the differentially regulated genes by VPA, we conducted protein–protein association analysis of these genes, which offered a source for further studies. In addition, we made the overlap between the VPA‐downregulated genes and the predicted target genes of VPA‐upregulated microRNAs (miRNAs), which were previously demonstrated. These overlapped genes may provide a source to find functional VPA/miRNA/mRNA axes during neuronal differentiation. This study first constructed a comprehensive potential downstream gene map of VPA in the process of neuronal differentiation.
SUMO‐modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promoted the repair of articular cartilage in rats
Authors: Liu Ying , Li Meng , Yin Zhanhai , Zhou Shuangli , Qiu Yusheng
Published: October 2019

Articular cartilage damage can lead to joint deformity, pain, and severe dysfunction. However, due to the lack of blood vessels and nerves in articular cartilage, the self‐healing capacity of damaged cartilage is limited. In this study, we overexpressed small ubiquitin‐like modifier (SUMO)1, SUMO2/3, and SUMO1/2/3 in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Then, these cells were inoculated on surfaces of different hardness, and their differentiation into chondrocytes, hypoxic tolerance ability, and inflammatory response was detected. Finally, BMSCs were transplanted into the injured knee joint cavity of the rats, and the repair was evaluated. We found that BMSCs overexpressing SUMO1 were more likely to differentiate into articular cartilage along with the hardness of the surface, while BMSCs overexpressing SUMO2/3 could reduce inflammation response and improve the damaged cartilage microenvironment. In the rat model, BMSCs overexpressing SUMO1/2/3 transplanted on injured articular cartilage surface showed better survival, less inflammatory response, and improved tissue repair capability. In conclusion, BMSCs overexpressing SUMO are more tolerant to hypoxia conditions, and have stronger repair ability for damaged chondrocytes in vitro and for articular cartilage injury model in rats, and are excellent seed cells for repairing articular cartilage.