Generic Group Research Articles

A mapping study about the standard ISO/IEC29110

ContextThe ISO/IEC29110 has been studied since its release in 2011, and its impact and evaluation over the recent years have been quite diverse. This standard is structured in five parts describing the business terms, the main Very Small Entities (VSE) profile concepts, process assessment guidelines, specification of all the generic profile group, and implementation management and engineering guide for entry and basic profiles. ObjectiveThe main purpose of this work is to provide an analysis of the research carried out about the ISO/IEC 29110 during the last ten years, and the literature that has developed around it. Literature is analyzed by using the traditional mapping study of the ISO/IEC29110 and its parts. All these studies are categorized in a set of topics where authors have been contributing. This work helps us on the identification of the main research topics within the primary studies. MethodThe mapping study is conducted as a traditional systematic mapping with a categorization of the primary studies. The main search is enhanced with additional searches for each member of the ISO/IEC 29110 series. ResultsA search strategy is defined to conduct this mapping study. 184 papers were retrieved from the literature and selected as primary studies. Our study identifies the reference studies in this area, it characterizes them, and identifies which aspects have been treated. ConclusionThe results of this mapping reveal that ISO/IEC 29110 has been used in a broad range of small contexts, and the main contributions are basically from research experiences during the recent last ten years. The literature around this standard is classified based on a well-known classification schema, the activity around this standard, and what types of studies have been carried out. Research topics are diverse, and we have identified the research methods used by the primary studies. As conclusion, more research and experimental outcomes are needed in order to observe how VSEs behave under specific circumstances.

Single-centre retrospective observational study comparing trough blood concentration and safety of teicoplanin formulations

Teicoplanin formulations are marketed as antibiotic mixtures with several compounds that share the same core structure. Recent studies conducted in vitro have reported differences in the composition ratio of different teicoplanin products. In this retrospective study, we examined the trough blood concentration of the originator brand and a generic teicoplanin product. Target patients were retrospectively assigned to the originator (Targocid) or generic group. The groups were matched 1:1 using propensity scores. The initial trough blood concentration analysis identified 44 matches. In both groups, the median dosing day for the first measurements was 4, respectively. The initial trough blood concentration of the originator group was significantly higher (mean ± SD, 16.3 ± 4.5 mg/L) than that of the generic group (12.8 ± 4.7 mg/L; 95% CI, −5.4 to −1.6). A significant difference was observed in the frequency of serum creatinine elevation in the study of the frequency of adverse events using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (originator group, 41.9% vs generic group, 20.9%). In cases where discontinuation was necessary due to side effects, there were three patients in the originator group and one patient in the generic group. This study found that trough blood concentration differed between formulations. Therefore, correction might be necessary while monitoring drug concentration in the blood. Trough blood concentrations are used as surrogate markers for efficacy and safety, so further studies on differences in efficacy and safety between formulations are required.

A retrospective analysis of the efficacy and safety of imatinib in children with chronic myeloid leukemia during chronic phase

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of imatinib in the treatment of newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia during chronic phase (CML-CP) in children and to analyze the difference of the efficacy and safety between imported original imatinib (Gleevec) and domestic generic imatinib (Xinwei). Methods: Clinical data of 35 children with newly diagnosed CML-CP in Beijing Children's Hospital from January 2014 to January 2018 were collected, among which 15 cases were treated with the imported original imatinib (original drug group) and 20 cases were treated with the domestic generic imatinib (generic drug group). The hematological, cytogenetic and molecular reactions and safety of the treatments were monitored at months 3, 6 and 12. Chi square test or rank sum test was used for the comparison between two groups. Results: A total of 35 cases were treated for over 3 months, 31 cases were treated for over 6 months and 25 cases were treated for over 12 months. At 3 months, main cytogenetic response was obtained in 15 (100%) cases in the original drug group and 16 (80%) cases in the generic drug group respectively (χ(2)=3.387, P=0.119). At 6 months, complete cytogenetic response was obtained in 12 (80%) cases in the original drug group and 10 (63%) cases in the generic drug group (χ(2)=1.435, P=0.390). At 12 months, BCR-ABL(IS) ≤ 0.1% was obtained in 11 (92%) cases in the original drug group and 10 (77%) cases in the generic drug group (χ(2)=1.009, P=0.593). There was no significant difference at all stages (all P>0.05). Hematologic toxicity occurred in 7(20%) cases. The non-hematologic adverse reactions include nausea in 8 (23%) cases, pain in 8 (23%) cases, edema in 6 (17%) cases, emesis in 2 (6%) cases, fever in 2 (6%) cases, weakness in 1 (3%) case, rash in 1 (3%) case. The adverse reactions were easy to control and no drug toxicity related deaths occurred. There was no significant difference in the adverse reactions between original drug group and generic drug group (P>0.05). Conclusions: Imatinib had a good efficacy and safety in the early treatment of newly diagnosed CML-CP in children. The efficacy and safety of generic imatinib is similar to that of imported imatinib.

Brand versus Generic Rosuvastatin in Egyptian Patients with Hyperlipidemia; Cost-Minimization Analysis

Background: Serum level of cholesterol is one of the most vital risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Statins are highly effective drugs for reducing serum cholesterol; hence, preventing coronary heart disease (CHD). Rosuvastatin (Crestor) is one of the most potent and widely prescribed statins. Even though generic statins have been approved based on their bioequivalence with brand-name drugs, there remains considerable concern as regards their effectiveness and safety. Most clinicians and patients welcome the generic drug decreased costs; however, it is indispensable for them that effectiveness and safety are not compromised. Thus, the rationale intended for this study is to compare brand rosuvastatin and generic rosuvastatin as regard their economic impact using a cost-minimization analysis. Methods: This cost-minimization model estimates potential impact of rosuvastatin brand versus generic on the healthcare resource utilization for one-year frame from the payer perspective. The model conforms to real practice of management of hyperlipidemia in Egypt and was validated by experts. Results: The drug costs in the rosuvastatin brand group were 3,155,250 EGP while in the generic group were 2,299,030 EGP. The costs of CVD events in the rosuvastatin brand group were 5,863,558 EGP, while in the generic group were 6,810,180 EGP. The total costs in the rosuvastatin brand group were 9,018,808 EGP, while in the generic group were 9,109,210 EGP with a difference of −100,047 EGP. Conclusions: In conclusion, the real cost of generic treatment is more than that of the brand statin when taking into consideration the cardiovascular events.

Combining morphological and molecular data resolves the phylogeny of Squilloidea (Crustacea : Malacostraca)

The mantis shrimp superfamily Squilloidea, with over 185 described species, is the largest superfamily in the crustacean order Stomatopoda. To date, phylogenetic relationships within this superfamily have been comprehensively analysed using morphological data, with six major generic groupings being recovered. Here, we infer the phylogeny of Squilloidea using a combined dataset comprising 75 somatic morphological characters and four molecular markers. Nodal support is low when the morphological and molecular datasets are analysed separately but improves substantially when combined in a total-evidence phylogenetic analysis. We obtain a well resolved and strongly supported phylogeny that is largely congruent with previous estimates except that the Anchisquilloides-group, rather than the Meiosquilla-group, is the earliest-branching lineage in Squilloidea. The splits among the Anchisquilloides- and Meiosquilla-groups are followed by those of the Clorida-, Harpiosquilla-, Squilla- and Oratosquilla-groups. Most of the generic groups are recovered as monophyletic, with the exception of the Squilla- and Oratosquilla-groups. However, many genera within the Oratosquilla-group are not recovered as monophyletic. Further exploration with more extensive molecular sampling will be needed to resolve relationships within the Oratosquilla-group and to investigate the adaptive radiation of squilloids. Overall, our results demonstrate the merit of combining morphological and molecular datasets for resolving phylogenetic relationships.

Leakage-Resilient Certificate-Based Signature Resistant to Side-Channel Attacks

Certificate-based cryptography is an attractive public-key setting, and it not only simplifies certificate management in the traditional public-key cryptography but also eliminates the key escrow problem inherent in the identity-based cryptography. Recently, leakage-resilient cryptography resistant to side-channel attacks has received significant attention from cryptographic researchers. By side-channel attacks, adversaries could obtain partial information of secret and private keys involved in cryptographic algorithms by perceiving execution time or energy consumptions of each algorithm invocation. The certificate-based signature (CBS) is a class of important public-key signature. Up to date, there exists no leakage-resilient CBS (LR-CBS) scheme resistant to side-channel attacks. In this paper, the first LR-CBS scheme is proposed and it possesses overall unbounded leakage property, namely, it permits adversaries to continuously obtain partial information of secret or private keys involved in the associated algorithm invocations. The security analysis is given to prove that the proposed LR-CBS scheme is existential unforgeability against adaptive chosen-message attacks for adversaries in the generic bilinear group model.

Marketing Approval for Medical Devices in European Union

The demand of medical devices has risen globally, especially in Europe. The devices regulated in Europe must ensure the safety and effectiveness of these products. There are various principles to approve the medical devices in the European market. The biggest companies are in Germany (27%), UK (11%), Italy, Switzerland, Spain and France (16%). The Europe has very good gobal impact in medical device marketing. The classification is based upon risk management, the medium and high risk requires the conformity assessment (CE marking) done by Notified bodies. There are four levels of classification of devices. Various EU directives that has impact on medical devices. International medical device regulatory forum (IMDRF), is followed by regulatory department of countries like Austrila, Brazil, Canada, China, EU, Japan, the United States, and WHO. The approved medical devices in European market must ensure the best protection of patient health. The development timelines for Noval drug and chemical entity take much longer time compared to medical devices. There are about 500, 000 life supporting machines in which 20, 000 are of generic group. Various rules on clinical evaluation and clinical investigation help in strengthening the regulatory system in Europe. To explore in marketing level premarket testing and postmarked vigilance is required.

Dyonic zero-energy modes

One-dimensional systems with topological order are intimately related to the appearance of zero-energy modes localized on their boundaries. The most common example is the Kitaev chain, which displays Majorana zero-energy modes and it is characterized by a two-fold ground state degeneracy related to the global $\mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry associated with fermionic parity. By extending the symmetry to the $\mathbb{Z}_N$ group, it is possible to engineer systems hosting topological parafermionic modes. In this work, we address one-dimensional systems with a generic discrete symmetry group $G$. We define a ladder model of gauge fluxes that generalizes the Ising and Potts models and displays a symmetry broken phase. Through a non-Abelian Jordan-Wigner transformation, we map this flux ladder into a model of dyonic operators, defined by the group elements and irreducible representations of $G$. We show that the so-obtained dyonic model has topological order, with zero-energy modes localized at its boundary. These dyonic zero-energy modes are in general weak topological modes, but strong dyonic zero modes appear when suitable position-dependent couplings are considered.

Automated Analysis of Cryptographic Assumptions in Generic Group Models

We initiate the study of principled, automated, methods for analyzing hardness assumptions in generic group models, following the approach of symbolic cryptography. We start by defining a broad class of generic and symbolic group models for different settings—symmetric or asymmetric (leveled) k-linear groups—and by proving “computational soundness” theorems for the symbolic models. Based on this result, we formulate a very general master theorem that formally relates the hardness of a (possibly interactive) assumption in these models to solving problems in polynomial algebra. Then, we systematically analyze these problems. We identify different classes of assumptions and obtain decidability and undecidability results. Then, we develop and implement automated procedures for verifying the conditions of master theorems, and thus the validity of hardness assumptions in generic group models. The concrete outcome of this work is an automated tool which takes as input the statement of an assumption, and outputs either a proof of its generic hardness or shows an algebraic attack against the assumption.

On the generic triangle group and the free metabelian group of rank 2

We introduce the concept of a generic Euclidean triangle $\tau$ and study the group $G_\tau$ generated by the reflection across the edges of $\tau$. In particular, we prove that the subgroup $T_\tau$ of all translations in $G_\tau$ is free abelian of infinite rank, while the index 2 subgroup $H_\tau$ of all orientation preserving transformations in $G_\tau$ is free metabelian of rank 2, with $T_\tau$ as the commutator subgroup. As a consequence, the group $G_\tau$ cannot be finitely presented and we provide explicit minimal infinite presentations of both $H_\tau$ and $G_\tau$. This answers in the affirmative the problem of the existence of a minimal presentation for the free metabelian group of rank 2. Moreover, we discuss some examples of non-trivial relations in $T_\tau$ holding for given non-generic triangles $\tau$.

Efficacy and Safety of Generic Imatinib Compared to Glivec in Chronic Phase - Chronic Myeloid Leukemia - a Multicenter, Observational Study

Glivec was the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) approved for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment and its efficacy has been demonstrated in a large number of trials. Generic formulations have been used recently as a more cost effective treatment, but there are few studies that have prospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of these drugs.Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of generic imatinib in CP-CML in first line therapy. Methods: This is a multicenter, observational, cohort-type study. The prospective cohort consisted of patients who initiated treatment with generic imatinib between January 2015 and September 2017; whereas the retrospective cohort was treated with Glivec between January 2010 and December 2011. All patients started imatinib in CP, less than six months from diagnosis. Patients were managed according to European Leukemia Net (ELN) 2009 and 2013 recommendations. The definition of the responses followed the ELN 2013 criteria. Adverse events were assessed based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 4.0.3, 2010. Event-free survival (EFS) was measured from starting date of treatment until loss of complete hematologic response, loss of major cytogenetic response, progression to accelerated (AP) or blast crisis (BC) or death from any cause at any time during initial therapy or discontinuation of imatinib by any cause. Patients that switched from Glivec to generic where censored. Overall survival (OS) was measured from starting date of imatinib until to the date of death from any cause while on therapy or last seen. Progression-free survival (PFS) was measured from starting date of imatinib to transformation to AP or BC or deaths while on therapy. Survival curves were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Cox regression was used with Backward Wald Method. SPSS version 21.0 was used applying the chi-square and t-test, when adequate. All analysis considered p-value <0.05 as significant.Results:A total of 445 patients were analyzed (Glivec=285; Generic=160). The median age was 54 years (18-87) in Glivec and 50 (18-89) in the Generic group (P=0.027). Sokal score stratification in Glivec and generic groups, was respectively: low risk 14.4%/25.7%; intermediate risk 42.3%/38.2% and high risk 43.3%/36.1% (P=0.02). B3a2 frequency was 51.5% vs. 37.7% in Glivec and Generic group, respectively, and b2a2 41.4% vs. 53.8% (P=0.017). There was no significant difference in gender, Hasford, EUTOS scores and ECOG. The median follow-up was 25 months (0-71) and 11 months (0-31) for Glivec and Generic groups, respectively (P<0.0001). The median time between diagnosis and imatinib starting was 18 days (0-119) in Glivec and 27 days (0-168) in the Generic group (P= 0.015). The rate of treatment failure at 3 months according to the ELN 2013 criteria was 6.6% and 14.7% in Glivec vs. Generic (P=0.04); whereas at 6 months there were no significant differences (12.3% vs. 18.9%; P=0.09). There was no significant difference in grade 3 and 4 hematological and non-hematological toxicity during the follow-up. There were 5 and 3 cases of progression in the Glivec and Generic group, respectively. In the Cox regression multivariate analysis, the independent factors for EFS were age at diagnosis (HR=1.03; CI95% 1.00-1.07; P=0.039) and toxicity grade 3-4 (HR 3.37; CI95% 1.08-10.4; P=0.036). The initial therapy was discontinued for the following reasons, in Glivec and generic group respectively: resistance (19.7% vs. 47.5%), intolerance (15.3% vs. 23.7%), non-adherence (4.4% vs. 3.4%), death (2.0% vs. 6.8%), clinical trial (0.5% vs. 10.2%), progression (2.0% vs. 5.0%), pregnancy (0 vs. 3.4%), switch from Glivec to generic (56.1%). OS, PFS and EFS at 24 months were higher in Glivec group in comparison to Generic (99% vs. 96%, P=0.016), (98% vs. 95%, P= 0.026) and (73% vs. 58%; P<0.0001 respectively.Conclusion: The group treated with generic imatinib presented higher rate of failure at 3 months and lower OS, PFS and EFS at 24 months. Differences between the groups included a longer time to initiate treatment in the Generic group, a higher proportion of patients with b2a2 transcripts, which were related to an inferior rate of molecular responses and survival in other studies. There was no difference in the safety profile. The long-term impact in prognosis will be evaluated after a longer follow-up. DisclosuresPagnano:Shire: Other: Lecture; Abbvie: Consultancy; EMS: Other: Financial support for participation in congress; Novartis: Consultancy. Magalhaes:Novartis: Consultancy, Other: Lecture. Clementino:EMS: Other: Financial support for congress. Gaidano:AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead: Consultancy, Honoraria; Morphosys: Honoraria; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria. Centrone:EMS: Other: Financial support for congress, Speakers Bureau; Bristol Meiers-Squibb: Other: Financial support for congress, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Other: Financial support for congress, Speakers Bureau; Astra Zeneca: Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Other: Financial support for congress, Speakers Bureau. Fogliatto:Novartis: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Honoraria, Research Funding. Giai:Pfizer: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. Bortolheiro:Abbvie: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Sanoffi: Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau.

Antibiotic resistant zoonotic bacteria in Irrawaddy squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus).

Irrawaddy squirrel (Callosciurus pygerythrus) may play an important role in the transmission of zoonotic bacteria, but little is known about the carriage of zoonotic bacteria in this common frugivorous rodent in Bangladesh. We aimed to investigate the presence of common zoonotic bacterial pathogens in Irrawaddy squirrel in the southeast part of Bangladesh. A total of 27 rectal and 27 oro‐nasal swabs were collected from 27 healthy wild Irrawaddy squirrels. Four common zoonotic bacteria were isolated following routine laboratory procedures, and were identified based on colony morphology, and biochemical and staining properties. The pathogenic potential of the identified bacteria was confirmed by detection of virulence genes by PCR. All isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test against seven antibiotics from six generic groups which are commonly used in human and veterinary medicine in Bangladesh. The prevalence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Yersinia spp. and Staphylococcus spp. was 44.4% (95% CI, 32.0–57.6), 13% (95% CI, 6.1–24.7), 44.4% (95% CI, 32.0–57.6), and 72.2% (95% CI, 59.0–82.5), respectively. We identified potential zoonotic virulence genes in all of these four bacterial species. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed the presence of several multidrug resistant bacterial strains in squirrels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in Bangladesh of the detection of antibiotic resistant zoonotic bacteria in Irrawaddy squirrels. The findings underpin the role of Irrawaddy squirrel as a source of pathogenic antibiotic resistant bacteria, consequently, fruit rejected because of squirrel consumption and squirrel‐bites deserve more concern than previously.

What’s in a Name? Effects of Alternative Forms of Addressing Households on Response Rates and Data Quality in an Address-based Mail Survey

Best practices in mail survey design advise personalizing correspondence, but most research predates the use of address-based sampling (ABS) in which a householder’s name either cannot be matched to an address or may be matched incorrectly. Further, recent evidence casts doubt on the effectiveness of personalization. The current study examines the impact of using a personalized versus a generic salutation on response rates and data quality in an ABS mail survey of the general population. A sample of 2,000 household addresses in Wisconsin was randomly selected from the U.S. Postal Service Delivery Sequence File. For households in the personalized salutation group, all materials used the surname of the household; cases in the generic salutation group referred to the state conducting the survey. While personalization was not related to response rates, it was associated with higher levels of item nonresponse. Findings support current recommendations not to use names in ABS mail surveys.

Singing for health: Do members of a generic singing for health group experience similar effects on health and well-being as those in condition-specific groups?

Abstract Throughout time, and within differing cultures, music has been understood to have a beneficial impact on health. Group singing, in particular, may have specific benefits for health compared to alternative forms of music making and listening, and there exists a growing body of research examining the impact of singing on health. This mixed-methods study explored the benefits to health and well-being reported by people attending a generic singing for health group. A comparison of findings was made against existing data on the benefits reported by people attending condition-specific groups. Results indicated a similarity in reported benefits and a preference for a generic group, which may have implications for the future commissioning of singing for health groups.

The [formula omitted]-theoretic bulk-boundary principle for dynamically patterned resonators

Starting from a dynamical system (Ω,G), with G a generic topological group, we devise algorithms that generate families of patterns in the Euclidean space, which densely embed G and on which G acts continuously by rigid shifts. We refer to such patterns as being dynamically generated. For G=Zd, we adopt Bellissard’s C∗-algebraic formalism to analyze the dynamics of coupled resonators arranged in dynamically generated point patterns. We then use the standard connecting maps of K-theory to derive precise conditions that assure the existence of topological boundary modes when a sample is halved. We supply four examples for which the calculations can be carried explicitly. The predictions are supported by many numerical experiments.

Exploring Controls on Rainfall‐Runoff Events: 2. Regional Patterns and Spatial Controls of Event Characteristics in Germany

AbstractThis study unveils regional patterns of rainfall‐runoff event characteristics in Germany and identifies their spatial controls. Characteristics describing mean value, variability, and seasonality of event runoff coefficient, time scale, rise time, and of the occurrence of multiple‐peak events are derived for a set of 196,073 rainfall‐runoff events observed in 401 mesoscale German catchments. Multiobjective performances of various variable selection methods are used to identify hydrologically relevant variables from a comprehensive set of 115 descriptors of climate, topography, geomorphology, soil, land use, hydrogeology, and geology for every catchment. Results show that although event characteristics have relatively clear regional patterns due to the dominance of climatic controls at regional scale, subsurface properties (i.e., catchment storage) play a considerable role for the prediction of event runoff response. Compared to other tested variable selection methods, the application of a backward elimination procedure allows for the most accurate prediction of spatial patterns and regionalized values of event characteristics identifying soil depth, hydraulic permeability and frequency, size, and seasonality of wet spells as hydrologically relevant catchment descriptors. Climatic and hydrogeological descriptors outperform other generic groups of catchment descriptors. The hydrological interpretation of the emergent regional pattern of event characteristics, their variability, and seasonality provides insight on archetypical catchment behaviors and their controls.

Relationships of the Sphaeromatidae genera (Peracarida: Isopoda) inferred from 18S rDNA and 16S rDNA genes

The Sphaeromatidae has 100 genera and close to 700 species with a worldwide distribution. Most are abundant primarily in shallow (&lt; 200 m) marine communities, but extend to 1.400 m, and are occasionally present in permanent freshwater habitats. They playan important role as prey for epibenthic fishes and are commensals and scavengers. Sphaeromatids’ impressive exploitation of diverse habitats, in combination with diversity in female life history strategies and elaborate male combat structures, has resulted in extraordinary levels of homoplasy. We sequenced specimens from 39 genera for nuclear 18S rDNA and mitochondrial 16S rDNA genes, comprehensively reviewed the effects of alignments on tree topology, and performed Garli and MrBayes analyses. These data consistently retrieved clades (genus groups), Sphaeroma, Exosphaeroma, Cymodoce, Ischyromene, Cerceis, and Dynamenella and the monogeneric clade of Gnorimosphaeroma. We define the major clades using morphological characters, attribute sampled taxa to consistently and strongly supported ones and suggest placement of unsampled genera based on their morphological characteristics. Within each clade, we also highlight unresolved and poorly sampled genera. We point out taxonomic problems in hopes of encouraging further phylogenetic exploration. Although we identify clades containing consistent generic groups and are confident that some groups will prove stable and reliable, we feel our sampling is insufficient to propose nomenclatural changes at this time.

Patient-Specific 3-Dimensional Modeling and Its Use for Preoperative Counseling of Patients Undergoing Hip Arthroscopy

Background:Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) represents complex alterations in the bony morphology of the proximal femur and acetabulum. Imaging studies have become crucial in diagnosis and treatment planning for symptomatic FAI but also have limited patient understanding and satisfaction. Exploration of alternative patient counseling modalities holds promise for improved patient understanding, satisfaction, and ultimately for outcomes.Purpose:To compare perceived understanding of functional anatomy and FAI pathomorphology among patients counseled with routine computed tomography (CT), generic hip models, and a 3-dimensional (3D) model printed in accordance with a patient’s specific anatomy.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:A prospective randomized analysis of patients presenting with radiographically confirmed FAI was conducted between November 2015 and April 2017. Patients were randomized into groups that received preoperative counseling with CT imaging alone, a generic human hip model, or a haptic 3D model of their hip. All groups were subjected to a novel questionnaire examining patient satisfaction and understanding on a variety of topics related to FAI. Data were compared with bivariate and multivariate analyses. Statistical significance was determined as P < .05.Results:Thirty-one patients were included in this study (25 men, 6 women). Ten patients were randomized to the CT-only group, 11 to the generic hip model group, and 10 to receive custom 3D-printed models of their hips. Patients preoperatively counseled with isolated CT imaging or a generic hip model reported greater understanding of their pathophysiology and the role of surgical intervention when compared with those counseled with haptic 3D models (P = .03). At final follow-up, patients counseled with the use of isolated CT imaging or haptic 3D models reported greater increases and retention of understanding as compared with those counseled with generic hip models alone (P = .03).Conclusion:Preoperative counseling with haptic 3D hip models does not appear to favorably affect patient-reported understanding or satisfaction with regard to FAI when compared with the use of CT imaging alone. Continued research into alternative counseling means may serve to further improve patient understanding and satisfaction on this complex anatomic phenomenon.

Symmetry-adapted representation learning

In this paper, we propose the use of data symmetries, in the sense of equivalences under signal transformations, as priors for learning symmetry-adapted data representations, i.e., representations that are equivariant to these transformations. We rely on a group-theoretic definition of equivariance and provide conditions for enforcing a learned representation, for example the weights in a neural network layer or the atoms in a dictionary, to have the structure of a group and specifically the group structure in the distribution of the input. By reducing the analysis of generic group symmetries to permutation symmetries, we devise a regularization scheme for representation learning algorithm, using an unlabeled training set. The proposed regularization is aimed to be a conceptual, theoretical and computational proof of concept for symmetry-adapted representation learning, where the learned data representations are equivariant or invariant to transformations, without explicit knowledge of the underlying symmetries in the data.

A new feather mite genus of the family Proctophyllodidae (Acariformes: Analgoidea) from the Olivaceus flatbill Rhynchocyclus olivaceus (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae) in Panama

A new feather mite genus Armophyllodes gen. n. (Proctophyllodidae: Proctophyllodinae) is established based on two new species, Armophyllodes gracilis sp. n. (type species) and A. robustus sp. n., described from the Olivaceous flatbill, Rhynchocyclus olivaceus (Temminck) (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae), in Panama. The new genus is related to the Nycteridocaulus generic group and clearly differs from other genera in having the strongly sclerotized lateral parts of coxal fields II in both sexes, the epigynum fused with the inner tips of epimerites IIIa in females, and vestigial terminal lamellae in males. The fusion of the epigynum with epimerites is an extremely rare character state in the subfamily Proctophyllodinae; among other known members of this subfamily, it was previously known only in females of Anisophyllodes pipromorphae Atyeo, 1967. In contrast to the subfamily Pterodectinae, in all representatives of which the fusion of the epigynum with epimerites is complete and these sclerites constitute a uniformly sclerotized arch-like structure, in the two species of the genus Armophyllodes and in An. pipromorphae, the traces of fusion between these sclerites are clearly distinct. This gives evidence that the fusion of the epigynum with epimerites in pterodectines and proctophyllodines originated independently.