bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementing IoT Lottery on Data Encryption Standard
Authors:   Senior Member of ACM, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Alani Mohammed M. , Alrammal Muath , Naveed Munir
Published: December 2020

As the number of IoT devices grow rapidly, and soon to exceed 40 billion, security challenges grow rapidly as well. One challenge proven to wreak havoc in the past few years is the use of IoT devices as attacking tools. This paper presents the results of implementing a brute-force attack on Data Encryption Standard using clusters of IoT devices. The implementation presented was successful. Results have shown that a cluster size of 200 IoT devices was able on average to find the key within 350 seconds. Another experiment of a cluster of 2000 IoT devices succeeded in finding the key within 0.015 seconds.
A Methodology to Select Topology Generators for Ad Hoc Mesh Network Simulations
Authors:   Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom, O’Sullivan Michael , Aniello Leonardo , Sassone Vladimiro
Published: December 2020

Many academic and industrial research working on Wireless Communications and Networking rely on simulations, at least in the first stages, to obtain preliminary results to be subsequently validated in real settings. Topology generators (TG) are commonly used to generate the initial placement of nodes in artificial Ad Hoc Mesh Network topologies, where those simulations take place. The significance of these experiments heavily depends on the representativeness of artificial topologies. Indeed, if they were not drawn fairly, obtained results would apply only to a subset of possible configurations, hence they would lack of the appropriate generality required to port them to the real world. Although using many TGs could mitigate this issue by generating topologies in several different ways, that would entail a significant additional effort. Hence, the problem arises of what TGs to choose, among a number of available generators, to maximise the representativeness of generated topologies and reduce the number of TGs to use. In this paper, we address that problem by investigating the presence of bias in the initial placement of nodes in artificial Ad Hoc Mesh Network topologies produced by different TGs. We propose a methodology to assess such bias and introduce a metric to quantify the diversity of the topologies generated by a TG with respect to all the available TGs, which can be used to select what TGs to use. We carry out experiments on three well-known TGs, namely BRITE, NPART and GT-ITM. Obtained results show that using the artificial networks produced by a single TG can introduce bias.
A New Method for Designing Post-Quantum Signature Schemes
Authors:   Institute of Cryptographic Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam, Hieu Minh Nguyen , Andreevich Moldovyan Alexander , Andreevich Moldovyan Nikolay , Ngoc Canh Hoang
Published: December 2020

The current standards of the digital signature algorithms are based on computational difficulty of the discrete logarithm and factorization problems. Expected appearance in near future of the quantum computer that is able to solve in polynomial time each of the said computational puts forward the actual task of the development of the post-quantum signature algorithms that resist the attacks using the quantum computers. Recently, the signature schemes based on the hidden discrete logarithm problem set in finite non-commutative associative algebras had been proposed. The paper is devoted to a further development of this approach and introduces a new practical post-quantum signature scheme possessing small size of public key and signature. The main contribution of the paper is the developed new method for defining the hidden discrete logarithm problem that allows applying the finite commutative groups as algebraic support of the post-quantum digital signature schemes. The method uses idea of applying multipliers that mask the periodicity connected with the value of discrete logarithm of periodic functions set on the base of the public parameters of the signature scheme. The finite 4-dimensional commutative associative algebra the multiplicative group of which possesses 4-dimensional cyclicity is used as algebraic support of the developed signature scheme.
Transmission Power Based Intelligent Model in VANET
Authors:   Hyderabad Institute of Technology and Management, Hyderabad-501401, India, Sarao Pushpender
Published: December 2020

Vehicular ad-hoc networks is very popular research domain in which research work is going on at various aspects like routing the data without loss end-to-end. Routing in such networks is very tedious task due to frequently changing the position of vehicles location-wise. In this paper an intelligent model has been developed on the basis of adaptive neuro fuzzy system for OLSR routing protocol in VANET. The proposed model is designed based on input parameters average goodput and mac/phy-overhead. Based on these parameters, transmission power can be predicted. Triangular and Gaussian membership functions have been applied for designing the decision model. A comparison work also has been carried out for Gaussian, triangular functions and NS-3 based results. At the same time, the model is investigated by simulation work carried out on network simulator-3 (NS-3) platform.
Energy Savings by Using Traffic Estimation for Dynamic Capacity Adaptation in Communication Network Operations
Authors:   Hochschule Wismar: University of Applied Sciences: Technology, Business and Design, 23966 Wismar, Germany, Ahrens Andreas , Lange Christoph , Zaščerinska Jelena
Published: December 2020

Energy efficiency of telecommunication networks plays an essential role in the context of sustainability and climate change – as those networks are large power-consuming distributed infrastructures. Furthermore, also an economical network operation calls for low energy demand. A challenging and crucial task for energy-ef ficient and sustainable network operation is the load-adaptive operation of network elements such as routers, switches and access multiplexers. Since the traffic is temporally fluctuating, load-adaptive control of the network requires a robust traffic demand estimation. This is also of overwhelming importance, as a stable network operation is a central task of network operators – since it is expected by their customers as the service they pay for. Here, Wiener filtering has been identified as a robust solution for reliable traffic demand forecasting on relevant time scales. The results presented in this paper show that the capacity dimensioning based on the proposed Wiener filtering traffic forecasting leads to reliable outcomes in terms of predicted traffic enabling sustainable and efficient network operation.
Irregular Geometry Based Sectored FFR Scheme for ICI Mitigation in Multicellular Networks
Authors:   Department of Electrical Engineering, FUUAST, Islamabad 4400, Pakistan, Ullah Rahat , Ullah Hanif , Khalid Zubair , Safdar Hashim
Published: December 2020

Future Cellular Systems are aiming aggressive frequency reuse in response to the exponential increase in the data traffic demand. The system capacity boosted accordingly, however, at the expense of increased Inter Cell Interference (ICI). Fractional Frequency Reuse (FFR) is an effective ICI mitigation approach, however, mostly analyzed with regular geometry model in literature. In this paper, Irregular Geometry based Sectored-FFR (IGS-FFR) scheme is proposed for ICI mitigation in the realistic irregular geometry cellular networks. The proposed scheme realize full frequency utilization by dynamic spectrum partition while considering heterogeneous traffic demand. Moreover, the performance of high order sectoring in the cell edge region is investigated. It is shown that the proposed IGS-FFR scheme outperform the existing approaches in terms of achievable throughput, average sum rate and user satisfaction while considering full traffic load.
Low-complexity Detectors for Cyclic Structured Space-time Block Coded Spatial Modulation over a Slow Rayleigh Fading Channel
Authors:   Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria, Egbune Dickson O. , Adejumobi Babatunde S. , Omeiza Isaac O. A. , Ibikunle Frank A. , Olayanju Adeniyi , Oluwole Ayodele S. , Shongwe Thokozani
Published: December 2020

This paper presents low-complexity detectors for space-time block coded spatial modulation with cyclic structured (STBC-CSM) codeword over a quasi-static frequency-flat Rayleigh fading channel. Two low-complexity detectors are proposed, which reduce the computational complexity of the STBC-CSM maximum-likelihood (ML) detector and demonstrate near-ML error performance of STBC-CSM. Furthermore, Monte-Carlo simulation results for the proposed schemes are presented to validate the theoretical Average Bit Error Probability (ABEP) of STBC-CSM. The proposed low-complexity detectors can achieve a 99% reduction in computational complexity, when high order M-ary (M > 64) amplitude and/or phase modulation symbols are employed for STBC-CSM.
MOSFET Based Absorber for Reflected Signal in 5G Massive MIMO Base Station - A Circuit Perspective
Authors:   Department of Electronic Engineering, Howard College, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban-4041, South Africa, Omoru Elliot O. , Srivastava Viranjay M.
Published: December 2020

A lossy transmission has negative effect on the overall performance and efficiency of base station subsystems. One key feature of 5G technologies is improved efficiency compared to 4G technology. The 5G massive-MIMO base station structure may suffer from these losses, which affect the inclusive performance and efficiency of the base substation. Furthermore, in the 5G technology, loss is anticipated due to the reflection of signals from the receiver (Rx) branch connected to the circulators in the 5G MIMO base station. This reflection loss is due to the mismatched load impedance of the Rx branch with the source impedance of transmitter (Tx) branch. The main objective of this research is to use MOSFET to absorb the reflected signal resulting from impedance mismatching between the Tx and Rx. After that, two comparisons have been made between source current and drain current of the MOSFET mathematically, whenever there is a reflection from the Rx branch of the base station. In addition, the proposed circuit model has been presented by connecting the Tx branch, antenna, Rx branch, and the MOSFET to each of the ports of a four-port circulator. A reflected RF power of 13 dBm at 1.4 V peak is rectified to its equivalent DC value 1.004 V. However, these values of current and voltage are pulsating and filtered at the output end of the rectifier with the use of an LC Filter.
Enhanced Channels Access Methods in HetBands for Single and Multi-RAT Femtocell Networks
Authors:   Department of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia, Mousa Saif Hikmat , Ismail Mahamod , Nordin Rosdiadee , Abdullah Nor Fadzilah
Published: December 2020

To handle the huge traffic in cellular networks and increase the offered bandwidth for User Equipment (UE), we proposed two enhanced methods to simultaneously access the channels in Heterogeneous Bands (HetBands). The Enhanced Dual Band Femtocell (EDBF) is utilized in single Radio Access Technology (RAT) that comprises Long Term Evolution (LTE) only, while Enhanced Integrated Femto Wi-Fi (EIFW) cell can be used for multi-RAT network (LTE and Wi-Fi). Using the unlicensed band as a supplementary band that usually occupied by Wi-Fi devices (wDevices), a fair sharing can be achieved, and however it may result in reduced network throughput. This work proposes a novel framework to enhance the overall Base Station (BS) performance of both methods in unlicensed band, thus attaining optimal throughput and fair sharing. Firstly, we proposed a channel access scheme for each enhanced method adopts our new procedure that effectively use the scheme parameters (Tattempt, Ttrans, and Tsense) to enhance the BS performance. Secondly, two new approaches are proposed in our analytic model to obtain the channel and manage coexistence in unlicensed band based on the channel states and scheme's parameters. Thirdly, a new formulation is proposed in our dynamic algorithm to obtain the optimal fraction of channel time in unlicensed band (tf*), using the optimal power in licensed band (Pf*(s)). We validated our analysis in terms of fair sharing using simulation. Results show that our proposed framework substantially enhance the overall performance of both enhanced methods in terms of throughput, fraction of channel sharing time, and traffic balancing, which make EDBF and EIFW attractive small cells to be used (one type or both) in the deployments of current and future cellular networks.
Filosofía de la pandemia: una revisión crítica.
Authors: Durán Guerra Luis
Published: December 2020

Este trabajo se divide en siete secciones. En las primeras seis se expone la posición sobre la Covid-19 de las principales celebridades del panorama filosófico internacional. El criterio seguido ha sido agrupar a los autores por nacionalidades o áreas culturales renunciando a toda crítica para intentar exponer objetivamente el punto de vista de cada filósofo. Por último, en la séptima sección, se lleva a cabo una revisión crítica de lo que los filósofos citados en la primera parte han escrito sobre la crisis del coronavirus. Desde este punto de vista, junto a mis propios comentarios críticos sobre el tema, se vuelven a retomar conjuntamente las tesis sostenidas en la primera parte de este trabajo con la intención de esbozar sus afinidades y contrastes.
La réflection seconde a través de la duplex cognitio. Bases tomistas del pensamien- to de Gabriel Marcel.
Authors: Arce Ruiz Óscar
Published: December 2020

La distinción entre misterio y problema en la filosofía de Gabriel Marcel implica una doble manera de acceder a esas dos regiones del Ser: reflexiones primera y segunda. Esta doble vía de acceso al Ser comparte caracteres esenciales con la teoría de la duplex cognitio de anima de Tomás de Aquino. La intención del artículo es mostrar esas coincidencias a partir de la lectura del artículo de Jaume Bofill Para una metafísica del sentimiento.
Interdyscyplinarność i przekład – kilka możliwych odpowiedzi
Authors: Bednarczyk Anna
Published: December 2020

Interdisciplinarity and Rranslation – A Few Possible Answers

The article attempts to answer some of the questions regarding problems of translation in context of interdisciplinarity of the text and the science of translation. A certain „terminological chaos” accompanying both the discussion about the translation and translatology has been indicated. The author believes that the translator needs to have knowledge of various disciplines (depending on the type of the text), which she proves by quoting examples from translation practice. She also thinks that in case of science of translation, the research reality allows us to speak about a homogeneous, though using other disciplines, research-oriented scientific discipline.
Obraz–tekst
Authors: Palion-Musioł Agnieszka
Published: December 2020

Picture-Text. Intersemiotic Relations in Audio Description The concept of intersemioticity introduced by R. Jakobson [1959] was a milestone in the development of translation studies. Contemporary research on audio description (and new media in the broader perspective), especially in case of translation requires involving not only the semiotic aspect which co-creates the audio-medial text but also using intersemiotic transposition in new forms such as translation of words into music, dance, film or painting. Co-occurrence of picture and text in audiovisual productions requires from the translator-audio describer a modified approach, which postulates a transfer of original semiotic combination into target semiotic combination, which in case of audio description recreates the source relation of picture and text. If this relation is disrupted, the text will remain unintelligible or unclear. Therefore, the text presents the examples the relation of substitution, complementarity, interpretation, parallelism, and contradiction, which involve picture and text as well as their influence on the audio-medial message.
Female Genital Mutilation Protection Orders
Authors: Mulongo Peggy , McAndrew Sue
Published: December 2020

Peggy Mulongo and Sue McAndrew respond to a review of the law surrounding protection orders, published in the July issue of the British Journal of Midwifery, and call for a national commissioner
Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis viewed as a postpartum complication
Authors: Koziołek Wojciech , Zaborowska Łucja , Urban Aleksandra
Published: December 2020

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare type of stroke caused by a clot forming in one of the cerebral sinuses and subsequent blockage in blood drainage. The clinical presentation of this disease can be atypical and diagnosis might be challenging. The patient in this case study was a 33-year-old woman admitted to the perinatology clinic at 39+5 weeks of gestation to perform a planned caesarean section, who had previously been discharged home in good condition. The patient was readmitted to the hospital because of a headache, tingling sensation, and elevated D-dimers. A performed Computed Tomography scan revealed low contrast signal in the left cerebral sinuses and the left internal jugular vein. The diagnosis was CVST, with blood clots present in all mentioned vessels. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging revealed hemorrhagic venous infarctions in the left cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres. The patient was successfully treated with painkillers and heparin. No additional coagulation defect was detected.
Breadth and depth
Authors: Hart Karen
Published: December 2020

Karen Hart talks to Daniel Brett, assistant principal at Bishop Burton College, in East Riding about uptake of the new T Level in Childcare and its potential to boost recruitment and professionalism in the sector.
Pretty things
Authors: Hart Karen
Published: December 2020

Explore decoupage as an alternative to collage and inspire children to use it to make a truly unique gift for Mother's Day.
Comparison of Agathis philippinensis resin tapping and collection practices in three selected sites in the Philippines
Authors: Daracan Vivian , Mendoza Rosalie , Torres Alfie , Jara Aileen , Manalo Ronniel , Batallones Chelle Hennessy , Razal Ramon
Published: December 2020

Abstract. Daracan VC, Mendoza RC, Torres AM, Jara AA, Manalo RD, Batallones CHR, Razal RA. 2020. Comparison of Agathis philippinensis resin tapping and collection practices in three selected sites in the Philippines. Biodiversitas 21: 5595-5604. This study documented and compared almaciga (Agathis philippinensis Warb.) resin tapping and collection practices in three sites namely Mt. Hamiguitan, Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental; Mt. Mantalingahan, Brooke’s Point, southern Palawan; and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Marufinas, central Palawan. Resin tappers, mostly male belonging to a local organization, were interviewed, and tapping sites were visited. Tapping and collecting A. philippinensis resin is one of the supplemental income sources of the respondents from the three sites. Market influences, and how tappers learned the trade could partly explain the similarities and differences in tapping practices. Discrepancies in selecting trees to be tapped, tools used, type of incisions made on the bark, and how resin was harvested were noted. Differences in resin appearance across sites were observed, and the existence of uncollected and wasted resins clinging to trees or sprawling at its base was found in all sites. Removing dirt from the portion of the stem to be tapped, covering the bark incision with plastic for protection, and contriving handmade resin baskets from plant parts available in the site were some practices found to be worth replicating. On the other hand, there were damaged or dying trees due to the intensity of tapping, the lack of tapping skills, and limited attention given to the health of trees. There is a need for strengthening tappers’ organizations for increased bargaining power to secure better resin price and policy support to prioritize indigenous peoples in tapping into their ancestral domain. Tappers can benefit from cross-visits and other learning opportunities for sharing lessons and experiences to improve tapping practices for better resin quality and higher prices.
Selection of local swamp rice cultivars from Kalimantan (Indonesia) tolerant to iron stress during vegetative stage
Authors: Vina Novianti  , Indradewa Didik , MARYANI Maryani , Rachmawati Diah
Published: December 2020

Abstract. Novianti V, Indradewa D, Maryani, Rachmawati D. 2020. Selection of local swamp rice cultivars from Kalimantan (Indonesia) tolerant to iron stress during vegetative stage. Biodiversitas 21: 5595-5606. Kalimantan with the large swamp area is a potential region in Indonesia to develop local rice cultivars with high tolerance to iron toxicity in tidal lowlands. This research was conducted to select iron toxicity-tolerant in local Kalimantan-rice cultivars, namely: Amas (AMS), Pandan Ungu (PDU), Kambang (KMB), Suatek Merah (SM), Siam Unus Mayang (SUM), Siam Unus Kuning (SUK), and Siam 11 Panjang (S11P). As control, two rice cultivars: Ciherang (iron toxicity-susceptible) and Inpara 5 (iron toxicity-tolerant) were also used. The seeds were grown hydroponically for 35 DAP (days after planting) in Yoshida nutrient solution containing 0 ppm (control), 100 ppm (low), and 400 ppm (high) FeS2 as pyrite treatments. Morphological analysis (plant height, leaf length and width, and leaves number) showed that PDU and KMB cultivars have better characters for tolerating iron toxicity. The highest level of chlorophyll and carotenoid contents during iron toxicity treatment was observed in KMB cultivar. AMS cultivar had the highest proline level under high iron stress. Antioxidant enzyme analysis showed that AMS, PDU, and KMB cultivars had a high percentage increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzymes when exposed to high pyrite conditions. Based on morphophysiological characteristics, biochemical component, and enzymatic antioxidant activity, it can be concluded that AMS, PDU, and KMB cultivars are potential candidates as iron toxicity-tolerant rice.
Evaluation of yield and pest and disease resistance of cocoa clones in Kolaka District, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Rubiyo Rubiyo , Dewi Yovita anggita , INDRAWANTO CHANDRA , IMRAN IMRAN , SALIM AGUS , BAHARUDIN BAHARUDIN , RATULE M.T.
Published: December 2020

Abstract. Rubiyo, Dewi YA, Imran, Salim A, Baharudin, Indrawanto C, Ratule MT. 2020. Evaluation of yield and pest and disease resistance of cocoa clones in Kolaka District, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 5698-5607. Cocoa is one of the main plantation commodities in Indonesia. It is an important source of foreign exchange and employment. Currently, Indonesian cocoa production and productivity, including in Southeast Sulawesi, are declining due to pests and diseases. In addition, there is a lack of high-quality and high-yielding clones. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of cocoa clones and resistance to cocoa pod borer (CPB) and cocoa pod rot (CPR) disease caused by the fungus Phytophthora palmivora. The study tested 12 cocoa clones, which included four high-yielding clones. The research location was in Lambandia Subdistrict, Kolaka District, Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Clonal planting material was propagated by grafting in 2010. The study used a randomized block design and the treatments consisted of 20 plants of each cocoa clone with three replications. The clones were evaluated from 2018 to 2019. The observed variables included resistance to CPB and CPR. The results of the study based on the quality component showed that the clones MT, M04, and M01 had the highest average weight per one dry bean of 1.55 g, 1.64 g, and 1.24 g, respectively. Beans produced by clones MT, M01, and M04 had an average fat content of 53.36%, 52.72%, and 50.76%, respectively. Observations of the average number of pods with CPR showed that the lowest rate of attack (about 6%) was in BAL 209 and PT. Ladongi clones, with attack intensities of 20% and 18%, respectively; therefore, these clones were classified as resistant to CPR. Evaluation of the level of resistance to attack by CPB pests found two resistant clones, PT. Ladongi and Sulawesi 2, with light levels of attack on beans.
Biomass yield and growth allometry of some crops growing under weed stress
Authors: Qadir Saira , Khan Afsheen , SALAM IRAM US
Published: December 2020

Abstract. Qadir S, Khan A, Salam IU. 2020. Biomass yield and growth allometry of some crops growing under weed stress. Biodiversitas 21: 5621-5629. The conventional approach in crop science generally focuses on nutritional yield of crops. Crop yield is basically ranked by its photosynthetic efficiency. Hence the higher reserves of photosynthetic products are achieved in the form of biomass. Current study explains the gain and loss in biomass of five different crops viz, Zea mays L. (maize), Hordeum vulgare L. (barley), Cicer arietinum L. (chickpea), Pisum sativum L. (pea) and Phaseolus vulgaris L. (French beans) treated by weed manure of Portulaca oleracea L., Euphorbia hirta L. and Amaranthus viridis L. at 5%, 10% and 15% concentration. The inhibitory effects of the given weeds persist with significant (p < 0.5) differences in the biomass of tested crops. Absolute growth rate (AGR), relative growth rate (RGR) and carbon content are highest (29.43 mg day-1, 2.43 mg gm-1day-1 and 15.25% respectively) in Chickpea plants induced by 5% P. oleracea extract. The highest inhibition recorded in Pea plants induced by 15% of A. viridis extract with 8.33 mg day-1, 1.42 mg gm-1day-1 and 4.67% of AGR, RGR and carbon yield respectively. Inhibition rate of weeds on leaf growth indices also exists in the same order i.e., the highest in A. viridis and the lowest in P. oleracea. Therefore, it is concluded that A. viridis has produced the highest level of inhibition among the three weeds while Pea species is the most sensitive crop species among the five tested crops.
Simple dual-layer emitter for daytime radiative cooling
Authors: Zhu Yeqing , Ye Yonghong , Wang Dong , Cao Yurong
Published: December 2020

This work experimentally demonstrates a simple dual-layer emitter, which is easy to prepare and can be applied to effective daytime radiative cooling. The emitter consists of a 200-µm-thick polydimethylsiloxane film on top of a 120-nm-thick Ag film, which is coated on a fused silica wafer or a plastic substrate. Due to the high reflectivity from the visible to the near-infrared and near-black emittance in the mid-infrared, the experimental results show that both structures have similar daytime radiative cooling performance. During the testing period, the typical ambient air temperature is 14-26 °C, the local wind speed is 1.6-2.6 m/s, and the relative humidity is 45-73%. We experimentally demonstrate that the emitter can achieve an average temperature reduction of about 3.3 °C from the ambient air temperature under direct sunlight. And the potential cooling power density is about 72.7 W/m2. In the presence of non-ideal atmospheric conditions and significant non-radiative heat exchange, theoretical simulations are in good agreement with the measurements. This work indicates that the dual-layer emitter may be a key element in the realization of energy-efficient radiative cooling devices.
Differential effects of novel kappa opioid receptor antagonists on dopamine neurons using acute brain slice electrophysiology
Authors: Margolis Elyssa B. , Wallace Tanya L. , Van Orden Lori Jean , Martin William J.
Published: December 2020

Activation of the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) contributes to the aversive properties of stress, and modulates key neuronal circuits underlying many neurobehavioral disorders. KOR agonists directly inhibit ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic neurons, contributing to aversive responses (Margolis et al. 2003, 2006); therefore, selective KOR antagonists represent a novel therapeutic approach to restore circuit function. We used whole cell electrophysiology in acute rat midbrain slices to evaluate pharmacological properties of four novel KOR antagonists: BTRX-335140, BTRX-395750, PF-04455242, and JNJ-67953964. Each compound concentration-dependently reduced the outward current induced by the KOR selective agonist U-69,593. BTRX-335140 and BTRX-395750 fully blocked U-69,593 currents (IC50 = 1.2 ± 0.9 and 1.2 ± 1.3 nM, respectively). JNJ-67953964 showed an IC50 of 3.0 ± 4.6 nM. PF-04455242 exhibited partial antagonist activity asymptoting at 55% blockade (IC50 = 6.7 ± 15.1 nM). In 3/8 of neurons, 1 μM PF-04455242 generated an outward current independent of KOR activation. BTRX-335140 (10 nM) did not affect responses to saturating concentrations of the mu opioid receptor (MOR) agonist DAMGO or the delta opioid receptor (DOR) agonist DPDPE, while JNJ-67953964 (10 nM) partially blocked DAMGO and DPDPE responses. Importantly, BTRX-335140 (10 nM) rapidly washed out with complete recovery of U-69,593 responses within 10 min. Collectively, we show electrophysiological evidence of key differences amongst KOR antagonists that could impact their therapeutic potential and have not been observed using recombinant systems. The results of this study demonstrate the value of characterizing compounds in native neuronal tissue and within circuits implicated in the neurobehavioral disorders of interest.
Cryolipolysis-induced abdominal fat change: Split-body trials
Authors: Hwang In Cheol , Kim Kyoung Kon , Lee Kyu Rae
Published: December 2020

Cryolipolysis has been considered as a noninvasive alternative to surgical procedures for reducing subcutaneous fat without affecting the surrounding tissues. However, no clinical trial has investigated changes in the abdominal fat tissue by 12 weeks after cryolipolysis. Therefore, in this split-body trial, we explored whether a single session of unilateral cryolipolysis could change visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue over a period of 12 weeks. We compared the cross-sectional areas of the abdominal adipose tissue of 15 subjects (9 women; 38.3 [10.8] years) by computed tomography before and at 12 weeks after a single treatment of cryolipolysis to the left abdomen and used the right abdomen as untreated control. In addition, we measured participants’ waist circumference, percentage of body fat (by bioelectrical impedance analysis) at baseline and at 6- and 12-weeks post-treatment. Single unilateral cryolipolysis tended to reduce the cross-sectional areas of visceral adipose tissue, by 8.4 cm2 (9.9%), the waist circumferences, and the percent body fat, by 2.8 cm2 (0.6%), overall. The cross-sectional area of visceral adipose tissues on the treated side significantly decreased, by 6.8 cm2 (15.6%; P = 0.003), and that of the untreated side tended to decrease by 1.2 cm2 (3.6%). Thus, a single unilateral session of noninvasive selective cryolipolysis can be considered as a safe and effective treatment for reduction of visceral adipose tissue over a period of 12 weeks, which should result in metabolic improvement.
Impact of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus on natural language in patients with Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Ehlen Felicitas , Al-Fatly Bassam , Kühn Andrea A. , Klostermann Fabian
Published: December 2020

Background

In addition to the typical motor symptoms, a majority of patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease experience language impairments. Deep Brain Stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus robustly reduces motor dysfunction, but its impact on language skills remains ambiguous.

Method

To elucidate the impact of subthalamic deep brain stimulation on natural language production, we systematically analyzed language samples from fourteen individuals (three female / eleven male, average age 66.43 ± 7.53 years) with Parkinson’s disease in the active (ON) versus inactive (OFF) stimulation condition. Significant ON-OFF differences were considered as stimulation effects. To localize their neuroanatomical origin within the subthalamic nucleus, they were correlated with the volume of tissue activated by therapeutic stimulation.

Results

Word and clause production speed increased significantly under active stimulation. These enhancements correlated with the volume of tissue activated within the associative part of the subthalamic nucleus, but not with that within the dorsolateral motor part, which again correlated with motor improvement. Language error rates were lower in the ON vs. OFF condition, but did not correlate with electrode localization. No significant changes in further semantic or syntactic language features were detected in the current study.

Conclusion

The findings point towards a facilitation of executive language functions occurring rather independently from motor improvement. Given the presumed origin of this stimulation effect within the associative part of the subthalamic nucleus, this could be due to co-stimulation of the prefrontal-subthalamic circuit.
The effects of the sex chromosomes on the inheritance of species-specific traits of the copulatory organ shape in Drosophila virilis and Drosophila lummei
Authors: Kulikov Alex M. , Sorokina Svetlana Yu. , Melnikov Anton I. , Gornostaev Nick G. , Seleznev Dmitriy G. , Lazebny Oleg E.
Published: December 2020

The shape of the male genitalia in many taxa is the most rapidly evolving morphological structure, often driving reproductive isolation, and is therefore widely used in systematics as a key character to distinguish between sibling species. However, only a few studies have used the genital arch of the male copulatory organ as a model to study the genetic basis of species-specific differences in theDrosophilacopulatory system. Moreover, almost nothing is known about the effects of the sex chromosomes on the shape of the male mating organ. In our study, we used a set of crosses betweenD.virilisandD.lummeiand applied the methods of quantitative genetics to assess the variability of the shape of the male copulatory organ and the effects of the sex chromosomes and autosomes on its variance. Our results showed that the male genital shape depends on the species composition of the sex chromosomes and autosomes. Epistatic interactions of the sex chromosomes with autosomes and the species origin of the Y-chromosome in a male in interspecific crosses also influenced the expression of species-specific traits in the shape of the male copulatory system. Overall, the effects of sex chromosomes were comparable to the effects of autosomes despite the great differences in gene numbers between them. It may be reasonably considered that sexual selection for specific genes associated with the shape of the male mating organ prevents the demasculinization of the X chromosome.
Malaria prevention and care seeking among gold miners in Guyana
Authors: Olapeju Bolanle , Adams Camille , Hunter Gabrielle , Wilson Sean , Simpson Joann , Mitchum Lyndsey , Davis TrishAnn , Orkis Jennifer , Cox Horace , Trotman Neil , Imhoff Helen , Storey Douglas
Published: December 2020

Despite being a priority population in malaria elimination, there is scant literature on malaria-related behavior among gold miners. This study explores the prevalence and factors influencing malaria prevention, care seeking and treatment behaviors in Guyana gold mining camps. A cross sectional survey was conducted among adult gold miners living in mining camps in the hinterland Regions 1 (Barima-Waini), 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and 8 (Potaro-Siparuni). Multivariable logistic regressions explored factors associated with miners’ self-report of mosquito net use, prompt care-seeking; self-medication; and testing for malaria. A third of miners used a mosquito net the night preceding the survey and net use was higher among those who believed that net use was the norm in their camp (aOR: 3.11; 95% CI:1.65, 5.88). Less than half (45%) of miners had a fever in the past 12 months, among whom 36% sought care promptly, 48% tested positive for malaria while 54% self-medicated before seeking care. Prompt care-seeking was higher among miners with high malaria knowledge (aOR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.05). Similarly, testing rates increased with secondary education (aOR: 1.71; 95% CI: (1.16, 2.51), high malaria knowledge (aOR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.05), positive beliefs regarding malaria transmission, threat, self-diagnosis, testing and treatment, and, trust in government services (aOR: 1.59; 95% CI (1.12, 2.27) and experience of a prior malaria episode (aOR: 2.62; 95% CI: 1.71, 4.00). Self-medication was lower among male miners (aOR: 0. 52; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.86). Malaria prevention and care seeking behaviors among miners are somewhat low and influenced by mosquito net usage, perceived norms, malaria knowledge and prior episode of confirmed malaria. Study findings have implications for malaria interventions in the hinterland regions of Guyana such as the mass and continuous distribution of insecticide treated nets as well as community case management initiatives using trained malaria testing and treatment volunteers to curb malaria transmission among remote gold mining populations. These include efforts to identify and address gaps in distributing mosquito nets to miners and address miners’ barriers to prompt care seeking, malaria testing and treatment adherence. Targeted social and behavior change messaging is needed on net acquisition, use and care, prompt care-seeking, malaria testing and treatment adherence. Additional efforts to ensure the overall sustainability of the community case management initiative include increased publicity of the community case management initiative among miners, use of incentives to promote retention rates among the community case management volunteer testers and public private partnerships between the Guyana Ministry of Health and relevant mining organizations.
Assessment of fishery resources using environmental DNA: Small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) in East China Sea
Authors: Wang Xiaoyan , Lu Guoqing , Zhao Linlin , Yang Qiao , Gao Tianxiang
Published: December 2020

Species distribution monitoring and biomass assessment are crucial for fishery management and resource conservation. However, traditional methods such as motor trawling are costly and less effective than the novel environmental DNA (eDNA) approach. This study employs eDNA approach to investigate horizontal and vertical distributions of small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis), an economically important species, in the East China Sea. The analysis of 171 eDNA samples collected from 44 stations using the species-specific primers and Taqman probe suggests a presence of small yellow croaker at 28 sampling layers in 44 stations. Significant differences in croaker eDNA concentrations were revealed among sampling stations and layers, consistent with previous findings through motor-trawl capture offshore and nearshore ichthyoplakton surveys, indicating small yellow croaker exhibits strong regional distribution and layer preference. In addition, we found a high eDNA concentration of small yellow croaker in the surface waters beyond the motor-trawl prohibition line, which confirms spawning grounds have been expanded from nearshore to offshore areas. Such expansion of spawning grounds could be a response by small yellow croaker to stressors such as overfishing, climate change, and nearshore environment contamination. To identify environmental variables potentially associated with small yellow croaker presence and absence, we conducted a correlation analysis between eDNA concentration and environmental variables, and the results provide a guideline for further investigation of fishery resources in the future. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the power of the eDNA approach in monitoring small yellow croaker at extensive geographic scales. The developed protocols and the findings are expected to assist in long-term monitoring and protection programs and benefit sustainable fishery in small yellow croaker.
Impacts on knowledge and testing on HIV in waves of Mozambique surveys with Bayes estimates
Authors: Chen Ziwei , Dornelles Adriana , Fang Di , Wilson Jeffrey R.
Published: December 2020

Background

It is well known that it is more reliable to investigate the effects of several covariates simultaneously rather than one at time. Similarly, it is more informative to model responses simultaneously, as more often than not, the multiple responses from the same subject are correlated. This is particularly true in the analysis of Mozambique survey data from 2009 and 2018.

Method

A multiple response predictive model for testing positive for HIV and having sufficient HIV knowledge is modeled to 2009 and 2018 survey data with the use of Bayes estimates. These data are obtained through a hierarchical data structure. The model allows one to address the change in the response to HIV, as it relates to morbidity and to HIV knowledge in Mozambique in the fight against the disease in the last decade.

Results

A more affluent resident is more likely to test positive, more likely to be more knowledgeable about the disease. Whereas, individuals practicing the Islam faith are less likely to test positive but also less likely to be knowledgeable about the disease. Education, while still a factor, has declined in its impact on testing positive for HIV or being knowledgeable about HIV. Females are more likely to test positive but more likely to be knowledgeable about the disease than men. The rate of impact of affluence on knowledge has increased in the past decade. Marital status (cohabitating or married) showed no impact on the knowledge of the disease. Age had no impact on knowledge suggesting that the message is getting to resident.

Conclusions

A joint Bayes modeling of correlated binary (testing positive and knowledge about the disease) responses, while accounting for the hierarchy of the data collection, presents an opportunity to extract the extra variation before allocating the variation on the responses as the due of the covariates. The fight against HIV in Mozambique seems to be succeeding. Some knowledge is common among all ages, and Islam religion has a positive effect. While education still shows an influence on the binary responses, it has declined over the last decade.
Genotype and transcriptome effects on somatic embryogenesis in Cryptomeria japonica
Authors: Izuno Ayako , Maruyama Tsuyoshi E. , Ueno Saneyoshi , Ujino-Ihara Tokuko , Moriguchi Yoshinari
Published: December 2020

Somatic embryogenesis (SE), which isin vitroregeneration of plant bodies from somatic cells, represents a useful means of clonal propagation and genetic engineering of forest trees. While protocols to obtain calluses and induce regeneration in somatic embryos have been reported for many tree species, the knowledge of molecular mechanisms of SE development is still insufficient to achieve an efficient supply of somatic embryos required for the industrial application.Cryptomeria japonica, a conifer species widely used for plantation forestry in Japan, is one of the tree species waiting for a secure SE protocol; the probability of normal embryo development appears to depend on genotype. To discriminate the embryogenic potential of embryonal masses (EMs) and efficiently obtain normal somatic embryos ofC.japonica, we investigated the effects of genotype and transcriptome on the variation in embryogenic potential. Using an induction experiment with 12 EMs each from six genotypes, we showed that embryogenic potential differs between/within genotypes. Comparisons of gene expression profiles among EMs with different embryogenic potentials revealed that 742 differently expressed genes were mainly associated with pattern forming and metabolism. Thus, we suggest that not only genotype but also gene expression profiles can determine success in SE development. Consistent with previous findings for other conifer species, genes encoding leafy cotyledon, wuschel, germin-like proteins, and glutathione-S-transferases are likely to be involved in SE development inC.japonicaand indeed highly expressed in EMs with high-embryogenic potential; therefore, these proteins represent candidate markers for distinguishing embryogenic potential.
Discovery of potent and specific inhibitors targeting the active site of MMP-9 from the engineered SPINK2 library
Authors: Yano Hidenori , Nishimiya Daisuke , Kawaguchi Yoshirou , Tamura Masakazu , Hashimoto Ryuji
Published: December 2020

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to many physiological and pathological phenomena via the proteolysis of extracellular matrix components. Specific blocking of the active site of each MMP sheds light on its particular role. However, it remains difficult to acquire an active-site inhibitor with high specificity for only the target MMP due to the highly conserved structure around the active site of MMPs. Recently, we reported that potent and specific inhibitors of serine proteases were obtained from our proprietary engineered serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 2 (SPINK2) library. In this research, using this library, we succeeded in obtaining potent and specific MMP-9 inhibitors. The obtained inhibitors bound to the active site of MMP-9 and inhibited MMP-9 with low nanomolarKivalues. The inhibitors did not cross-react with other MMPs that we tested. Further analysis using MMP-9 mutants demonstrated that the inhibitors recognize not only the residues around the conserved active site of MMP-9 but also different and unique residues in exosites that are distant from each other. This unique recognition manner, which can be achieved by the large interface provided by engineered SPINK2, may contribute to the generation of specific active-site inhibitors of MMPs.
Correlation of the gamma passing rates with the differences in the dose-volumetric parameters between the original VMAT plans and actual deliveries of the VMAT plans
Authors: Park Jong Min , Choi Chang Heon , Wu Hong-Gyun , Kim Jung-in
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations of the gamma passing rates (GPR) with the dose-volumetric parameter changes between the original volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans and the actual deliveries of the VMAT plans (DV errors). We compared the correlations of the TrueBeam STx system to those of a C-series linac.

Methods

A total of 20 patients with head and neck (H&N) cancer were retrospectively selected for this study. For each patient, two VMAT plans with the TrueBeam STx and Trilogy (C-series linac) systems were generated under similar modulation degrees. Both the global and local GPRs with various gamma criteria (3%/3 mm, 2%/2 mm, 2%/1 mm, 1%/2 mm, and 1%/1 mm) were acquired with the 2D dose distributions measured using the MapCHECK2 detector array. During VMAT deliveries, the linac log files of the multi-leaf collimator positions, gantry angles, and delivered monitor units were acquired. The DV errors were calculated with the 3D dose distributions reconstructed using the log files. Subsequently, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients (rs) and the corresponding p values were calculated between the GPRs and the DV errors.

Results

For the Trilogy system, the rs values with p < 0.05 showed weak correlations between the GPRs and the DV errors (rs<0.4) whereas for the TrueBeam STx system, moderate or strong correlations were observed (rs≥0.4). The DV errors in the V20Gy of the left parotid gland and those in the mean dose of the right parotid gland showed strong correlations (always with rs > 0.6) with the GPRs with gamma criteria except 3%/3 mm. As the GPRs increased, the DV errors decreased.

Conclusion

The GPRs showed strong correlations with some of the DV errors for the VMAT plans for H&N cancer with the TrueBeam STx system.