bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A systematic literature review of the use of formal methods in medical software systems
Authors: Bonfanti Silvia , Gargantini Angelo , Mashkoor Atif 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe use of formal methods is often recommended to guarantee the provision of necessary services and to assess the correctness of critical properties, such as functional safety, cybersecurity, and reliability, in medical and health care devices. In the past, several formal and rigorous methods have been proposed and consequently applied for trustworthy development of medical software and systems. In this paper, we perform a systematic literature review on the available state of the art in this domain. We collect the relevant literature on the use of formal methods for modeling, design, development, verification, and validation of software‐intensive medical systems. We apply standard systematic literature review techniques and run several queries in well‐known repositories to obtain information that can be useful for people who are either already working in this field or planning to start. Our study covers both quantitative and qualitative aspects of the subject.
Combating Human Trafficking at the Local Level: Better Informing (Inter)national Action Plans
Authors: Winterdyk John 
Published: February 2018

AbstractDespite increasing awareness of human trafficking in Canada (and internationally), there is limited knowledge about how local communities are responding to the experiences of trafficked persons. By focusing on the case of counter-trafficking responses in a major city in western Canada, this project represents the first Canadian attempt to document how a major urban centre is addressing human trafficking. The exploratory project surveyed 53 respondents representing agencies involved in the counter-trafficking response, which in various capacities serve individuals victimized by trafficking. Building on the survey findings, five focus group discussions were also conducted. The article suggests that, while a criminal justice framework is important for addressing human trafficking, local strategies will benefit from an emphasis on cross-sector collaboration that emphasizes the rights of the trafficked persons above the needs of law enforcement. Implications for (inter)national responses are also presented.
BUDDHIST LAW IN EARLY TIBET: THE EMERGENCE OF AN IDEOLOGY
Authors: Pirie Fernanda 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTibet is distinct within the Buddhist regions of Asia for its claims to have developed religious laws. The rulers of its early empire civilized their people by creating laws on the basis of Buddhist principles—or so it is claimed by the writers of Tibetan historical narratives. In fact, the earliest Tibetan laws were not linked in any significant way with Buddhist principles, even after the religion had been firmly established in the region. In this article I explore why and how the idea of Buddhist law first emerged, examining its development through a number of texts from the empire (sixth to ninth centuries) and the immediate postimperial period (tenth to twelfth centuries). It turns out that more ideological accounts of Buddhist law were developed only as the structures of the empire were collapsing. Nevertheless, they do seem to have resonated with at least one, tenth-century ruler. These narratives set the scene for a long series of historical accounts in which the idea that Tibetan law was based on Buddhist principles took hold—an idea that was maintained well into the twentieth century.
Suboptimality in perceptual decision making
Authors: Rahnev Dobromir , Denison Rachel N. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHuman perceptual decisions are often described as optimal. Critics of this view have argued that claims of optimality are overly flexible and lack explanatory power. Meanwhile, advocates for optimality have countered that such criticisms single out a few selected papers. To elucidate the issue of optimality in perceptual decision making, we review the extensive literature on suboptimal performance in perceptual tasks. We discuss eight different classes of suboptimal perceptual decisions, including improper placement, maintenance, and adjustment of perceptual criteria; inadequate tradeoff between speed and accuracy; inappropriate confidence ratings; misweightings in cue combination; and findings related to various perceptual illusions and biases. In addition, we discuss conceptual shortcomings of a focus on optimality, such as definitional difficulties and the limited value of optimality claims in and of themselves. We therefore advocate that the field drop its emphasis on whether observed behavior is optimal and instead concentrate on building and testing detailed observer models that explain behavior across a wide range of tasks. To facilitate this transition, we compile the proposed hypotheses regarding the origins of suboptimal perceptual decisions reviewed here. We argue that verifying, rejecting, and expanding these explanations for suboptimal behavior – rather than assessing optimality per se – should be among the major goals of the science of perceptual decision making.
An Early-Killed Rye (Secale cereale) Cover Crop Has Potential for Weed Management in Edamame (Glycine max)
Authors: Crawford Laura E. , Williams Martin M. , Wortman Sam E. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe potential role of fall-seeded cover crops for weed management in edamame [soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is unknown. Field experiments were conducted over three edamame growing seasons to (1) determine the extent to which cover crop–residue management systems influence edamame emergence while selectively suppressing weed density and biomass, and (2) determine whether cultivars differed in emergence in cover crop–residue management systems. Cover crop treatments included a winter-killed oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus L.), two canola (Brassica napus L.) treatments (early-killed and late-killed), two cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) treatments (early-killed and late-killed), and a bare-soil control. Two spring timings of a cover crop burndown application created the early-killed and late-killed treatments for canola and cereal rye. Twelve soybean cultivars were tested, including 11 edamame cultivars differing in seed size and a grain-type soybean control. Spring residue biomass in cover crop treatments ranged from 438 kg ha−1 for winter-killed radish to 9,003 kg ha−1 for late-killed cereal rye. Cultivars responded similarly to cover crop treatments, and with the exception of late-killed cereal rye, cover crop treatments resulted in similar crop emergence as the bare-soil control. While all cover crop treatments reduced weed biomass 6 wk after planting compared with the bare soil, winter-killed radish and both canola treatments increased weed density. Early-killed cereal rye has potential for weed management in edamame, as evidenced by the fact that the treatment did not interfere with planting or crop establishment, yet reduced weed density 20% and suppressed early-season weed growth 85%.
Src-mediated regulation of the PI3K pathway in advanced papillary and anaplastic thyroid cancer
Authors: Beadnell Thomas C. , Nassar Kelsey W. , Rose Madison M. , Clark Erin G. , Danysh Brian P. , Hofmann Marie-Claude , Pozdeyev Nikita , Schweppe Rebecca E. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAdvanced stages of papillary and anaplastic thyroid cancer continue to be plagued by a dismal prognosis, which is a result of limited effective therapies for these cancers. Due to the high proportion of thyroid cancers harboring mutations in the MAPK pathway, the MAPK pathway has become a focal point for therapeutic intervention in thyroid cancer. Unfortunately, unlike melanoma, a similar responsiveness to MAPK pathway inhibition has yet to be observed in thyroid cancer patients. To address this issue, we have focused on targeting the non-receptor tyrosine kinase, Src, and we and others have demonstrated that targeting Src results in inhibition of growth, invasion, and migration both in vitro and in vivo, which can be enhanced through the combined inhibition of Src and the MAPK pathway. Therefore, we examined the efficacy of the combination therapy across a panel of thyroid cancer cell lines representing common oncogenic drivers (BRAF, RAS, and PIK3CA). Interestingly, combined inhibition of Src and the MAPK pathway overcomes intrinsic dasatinib resistance in cell lines where both the MAPK and PI3K pathways are inhibited, which we show is likely due to the regulation of the PI3K pathway by Src in these responsive cells. Interestingly, we have mapped downstream phosphorylation of rpS6 as a key biomarker of response, and cells that maintain rpS6 phosphorylation likely represent drug tolerant persisters. Altogether, the combined inhibition of Src and the MAPK pathway holds great promise for improving the overall survival of advanced thyroid cancer patients with BRAF and RAS mutations, and activation of the PI3K pathway and rpS6 phosphorylation represent important biomarkers of response for patients treated with this therapy.
Direct conversion of injury-site myeloid cells to fibroblast-like cells of granulation tissue
Authors: Sinha Mithun , Sen Chandan K. , Singh Kanhaiya , Das Amitava , Ghatak Subhadip , Rhea Brian , Blackstone Britani , Powell Heather M. , Khanna Savita , Roy Sashwati 
Published: February 2018

AbstractInflammation, following injury, induces cellular plasticity as an inherent component of physiological tissue repair. The dominant fate of wound macrophages is unclear and debated. Here we show that two-thirds of all granulation tissue fibroblasts, otherwise known to be of mesenchymal origin, are derived from myeloid cells which are likely to be wound macrophages. Conversion of myeloid to fibroblast-like cells is impaired in diabetic wounds. In cross-talk between keratinocytes and myeloid cells, miR-21 packaged in extracellular vesicles (EV) is required for cell conversion. EV from wound fluid of healing chronic wound patients is rich in miR-21 and causes cell conversion more effectively compared to that by fluid from non-healing patients. Impaired conversion in diabetic wound tissue is rescued by targeted nanoparticle-based delivery of miR-21 to macrophages. This work introduces a paradigm wherein myeloid cells are recognized as a major source of fibroblast-like cells in the granulation tissue.
In situ atomic-scale observation of oxidation and decomposition processes in nanocrystalline alloys
Authors: Guo Jinming , Haberfehlner Georg , Rosalie Julian , Li Lei , Duarte María Jazmin , Kothleitner Gerald , Dehm Gerhard , He Yunbin , Pippan Reinhard , Zhang Zaoli 
Published: February 2018

AbstractOxygen contamination is a problem which inevitably occurs during severe plastic deformation of metallic powders by exposure to air. Although this contamination can change the morphology and properties of the consolidated materials, there is a lack of detailed information about the behavior of oxygen in nanocrystalline alloys. In this study, aberration-corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and associated techniques are used to investigate the behavior of oxygen during in situ heating of highly strained Cu–Fe alloys. Contrary to expectations, oxide formation occurs prior to the decomposition of the metastable Cu–Fe solid solution. This oxide formation commences at relatively low temperatures, generating nanosized clusters of firstly CuO and later Fe2O3. The orientation relationship between these clusters and the matrix differs from that observed in conventional steels. These findings provide a direct observation of oxide formation in single-phase Cu–Fe composites and offer a pathway for the design of nanocrystalline materials strengthened by oxide dispersions.
Life times of metastable states guide regulatory signaling in transcriptional riboswitches
Authors: Helmling Christina , Klötzner Dean-Paulos , Sochor Florian , Mooney Rachel Anne , Wacker Anna , Landick Robert , Fürtig Boris , Heckel Alexander , Schwalbe Harald 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTranscriptional riboswitches modulate downstream gene expression by a tight coupling of ligand-dependent RNA folding kinetics with the rate of transcription. RNA folding pathways leading to functional ON and OFF regulation involve the formation of metastable states within well-defined sequence intervals during transcription. The kinetic requirements for the formation and preservation of these metastable states in the context of transcription remain unresolved. Here, we reversibly trap the previously defined regulatory relevant metastable intermediate of the Mesoplasma florum 2′-deoxyguanosine (2′dG)-sensing riboswitch using a photocaging-ligation approach, and monitor folding to its native state by real-time NMR in both presence and absence of ligand. We further determine transcription rates for two different bacterial RNA polymerases. Our results reveal that the riboswitch functions only at transcription rates typical for bacterial polymerases (10–50 nt s−1) and that gene expression is modulated by 40–50% only, while subtle differences in folding rates guide population ratios within the structural ensemble to a specific regulatory outcome.
Experimental observation of photonic nodal line degeneracies in metacrystals
Authors: Gao Wenlong , Yang Biao , Tremain Ben , Liu Hongchao , Guo Qinghua , Xia Lingbo , Hibbins Alastair P. , Zhang Shuang 
Published: February 2018

AbstractNodal line semimetals (NLS) are three-dimensional (3D) crystals that support band crossings in the form of one-dimensional rings in the Brillouin zone. In the presence of spin–orbit coupling or lowered crystal symmetry, NLS may transform into Dirac semimetals, Weyl semimetals, or 3D topological insulators. In the photonics context, despite the realization of topological phases, such as Chern insulators, topological insulators, Weyl, and Dirac degeneracies, no experimental demonstration of photonic nodal lines (NLs) has been reported so far. Here, we experimentally demonstrate NL degeneracies in microwave cut-wire metacrystals with engineered negative bulk plasma dispersion. Both the bulk and surface states of the NL metamaterial are observed through spatial Fourier transformations of the scanned near-field distributions. Furthermore, we theoretically show that the NL degeneracy can transform into two Weyl points when gyroelectric materials are incorporated into the metacrystal design. Our findings may inspire further advances in topological photonics.
Inhibitory effects of superoxide dismutase 3 on Propionibacterium acnes-induced skin inflammation
Authors: Nguyen Cuong Thach , Sah Shyam Kishor , Zouboulis Christos C. , Kim Tae-Yoon 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPropionibacterium acnes is a well-known commensal bacterium that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acne and chronic inflammatory skin disease. In this study, we investigated the effect of superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) on P. acnes- or peptidoglycan (PGN)-induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo. Our data demonstrated that SOD3 suppressed toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2) expression in P. acnes- or PGN-treated keratinocytes and sebocytes. Moreover, we found that SOD3 suppressed the expressions of phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and p38 in P. acnes- or PGN-treated cells. SOD3 also exhibited an anti-inflammatory role by reducing the expression of inflammasome-related proteins (NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1) and inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8. In addition, SOD3 reduced lipid accumulation and expression of lipogenic regulators in P. acnes-treated sebocytes. Recombinant SOD3-treated wild-type mice and SOD3 transgenic mice, which were subcutaneously infected with P. acnes, showed tolerance to inflammation through reducing inflammatory cell infiltration in skin, ear thickness, and expression of inflammatory mediators. Our result showed that SOD3 could suppress the inflammation through inhibition of TLR2/p38/NF-κB axis and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Therefore, SOD3 could be a promising candidate for treatment of P. acnes-mediated skin inflammation.
Neutrophil extracellular trap-microparticle complexes enhance thrombin generation via the intrinsic pathway of coagulation in mice
Authors: Wang Yongzhi , Luo Lingtao , Braun Oscar Ö , Westman Johannes , Madhi Raed , Herwald Heiko , Mörgelin Matthias , Thorlacius Henrik 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAbdominal sepsis is associated with dysfunctional hemostasis. Thrombin generation (TG) is a rate-limiting step in systemic coagulation. Neutrophils can expell neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and/or microparticles (MPs) although their role in pathological coagulation remains elusive. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced TGin vivowas reflected by a reduced capacity of plasma from septic animals to generate thrombin. Depletion of neutrophils increased TG in plasma from CLP mice. Sepsis was associated with increased histone 3 citrullination in neutrophils and plasma levels of cell-free DNA and DNA-histone complexes and administration of DNAse not only eliminated NET formation but also elevated TG in sepsis. Isolated NETs increased TG and co-incubation with DNAse abolished NET-induced formation of thrombin. TG triggered by NETs was inhibited by blocking factor XII and abolished in factor XII-deficient plasma but intact in factor VII-deficient plasma. Activation of neutrophils simultaneously generated large amount of neutrophil-derived MPs, which were found to bind to NETs via histone-phosphatidylserine interactions. These findings show for the first time that NETs and MPs physically interact, and that NETs might constitute a functional assembly platform for MPs. We conclude that NET-MP complexes induce TG via the intrinsic pathway of coagulation and that neutrophil-derived MPs play a key role in NET-dependent coagulation.
Comprehensive renoprotective effects of ipragliflozin on early diabetic nephropathy in mice
Authors: Kamezaki Michitsugu , Kusaba Tetsuro , Komaki Kazumi , Fushimura Yohei , Watanabe Noriko , Ikeda Kisho , Kitani Takashi , Yamashita Noriyuki , Uehara Masahiro , Kirita Yuhei , Shiotsu Yayoi , Sakai Ryosuke , Fukuda Takuya , Yamazaki Masahiro , Fukui Michiaki , Matoba Satoaki , Tamagaki Keiichi 
Published: February 2018

AbstractClinical and experimental studies have shown that sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) contribute to the prevention of diabetic kidney disease progression. In order to clarify its pharmacological effects on the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of diabetic kidney disease, we administered different doses of the SGLT2i, ipragliflozin, to type 2 diabetic mice. A high-dose ipragliflozin treatment for 8 weeks lowered blood glucose levels and reduced urinary albumin excretion. High- and low-dose ipragliflozin both inhibited renal and glomerular hypertrophy, and reduced NADPH oxidase 4 expression and subsequent oxidative stress. Analysis of glomerular phenotypes using glomeruli isolation demonstrated that ipragliflozin preserved podocyte integrity and reduced oxidative stress. Regarding renal tissue hypoxia, a short-term ipragliflozin treatment improved oxygen tension in the kidney cortex, in which SGLT2 is predominantly expressed. We then administered ipragliflozin to type 1 diabetic mice and found that high- and low-dose ipragliflozin both reduced urinary albumin excretion. In conclusion, we confirmed dose-dependent differences in the effects of ipragliflozin on early diabetic nephropathy in vivo. Even low-dose ipragliflozin reduced renal cortical hypoxia and abnormal hemodynamics in early diabetic nephropathy. In addition to these effects, high-dose ipragliflozin exerted renoprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress in tubular epithelia and glomerular podocytes.
Thermal Expansion in Layered Na
x
MO2
Authors: Kobayashi Wataru , Yanagita Ayumu , Akaba Takahiro , Shimono Takahiro , Tanabe Daiki , Moritomo Yutaka 
Published: February 2018

AbstractLayered oxide Na
x
MO2 (M: transition metal) is a promising cathode material for sodium-ion secondary battery. Crystal structure of O3- and P2-type Na
x
MO2 with various M against temperature (T) was systematically investigated by synchrotron x-ray diffraction mainly focusing on the T-dependences of a- and c-axis lattice constants (a and c) and z coordinate (z) of oxygen. Using a hard-sphere model with minimum Madelung energy, we confirmed that c/a and z values in O3-type Na
x
MO2 were reproduced. We further evaluated the thermal expansion coefficients (α
a
and α
c
) along a- and c-axis at 300 K. The anisotropy of the thermal expansion was quantitatively reproduced without adjustable parameters for O3-type Na
x
MO2. Deviations of z from the model for P2-type Na
x
MO2 are ascribed to Na vacancies characteristic to the structure.
The earliest evidence for a supraorbital salt gland in dinosaurs in new Early Cretaceous ornithurines
Authors: Wang Xia , Huang Jiandong , Hu Yuanchao , Liu Xiaoyu , Peteya Jennifer , Clarke Julia A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractSupraorbital fossae occur when salt glands are well developed, a condition most pronounced in marine and desert-dwelling taxa in which salt regulation is key. Here, we report the first specimens from lacustrine environments of the Jehol Biota that preserve a distinct fossa above the orbit, where the salt gland fossa is positioned in living birds. The Early Cretaceous ornithurine bird specimens reported here are about 40 million years older than previously reported Late Cretaceous marine birds and represent the earliest described occurrence of the fossa. We find no evidence of avian salt gland fossae in phylogenetically earlier stem birds or non-avialan dinosaurs, even in those argued to be predominantly marine or desert dwelling. The apparent absence of this feature in more basal dinosaurs may indicate that it is only after miniaturization close to the origin of flight that excretory mechanisms were favored over exclusively renal mechanisms of salt regulation resulting in an increase in gland size leaving a bony trace. The ecology of ornithurine birds is more diverse than in other stem birds and may have included seasonal shifts in foraging range, or, the environments of some of the Jehol lakes may have included more pronounced periods of high salinity.
Single-plane retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy: a new operative procedure for benign adrenal disease
Authors: Li Songchao , Wang Jun , Zhang Erwei , Gao Wansheng , Yang Jinjian , Jia Zhankui 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTo evaluate the therapeutic effect of single-plane retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy. From February 2014 to March 2017, 251 patients underwent single-plane retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy, and their operative outcomes were compared with those of 98 patients who underwent anatomical three-plane retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy. Among 35 patients with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2, their operative outcomes were compared between two operative procedures. The demographic data and perioperative outcomes of the patients were statistically analysed. The single-plane and three-plane groups were comparable in terms of estimated blood loss, time to oral intake, hospital stay, and incidence of complications among patients with similar baseline demographics. The single-plane group had a significantly shorter operation time (46.9 ± 5.8 vs 54.8 ± 7.0 mins, P < 0.0001) and lower analgesia requirement (56/251 vs 33/98, p = 0.03). For obese patients with a BMI of ≥30 kg/m2, single-plane adrenalectomy was also associated with a significantly shorter operation time(48.1 ± 6.2 vs 64.1 ± 5.1 mins, p < 0.0001). Single-plane retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy is feasible, safe, and effective in the treatment of adrenal masses <5 cm in size and provides a shorter operation time and better pain control than anatomical retroperitoneal adrenalectomy, especially in obese patients.