bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gene of the month:GLIS1-3
Authors: Pinto Karen , Chetty Runjan
Published: July 2020

TheGLIS 1–3genes belong to a family of transcription factors, the Krüppel-like zinc finger proteins. The GLIS proteins function primarily as activators of transcription (GLIS 1 and 3), while GLIS 2 functions as a repressor. Collectively, the GLIS proteins are involved in a variety of diseases in several organs ranging from Alzheimer’s disease, facial dysmorphism, neonatal diabetes mellitus, breast and colon cancers and leukaemia. In particular, loss-of-function mutations inGLIS2are responsible for an autosomal recessive cystic kidney disease called nephronophthisis, which is characterised by tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis and corticomedullary cysts.

Of diagnostic value in current practice are the presence ofGLIS 3and1fusions withPAX8in almost 100% of hyalinising trabecular tumours of the thyroid gland. This enables its separation from papillary thyroid cancer.
Changing effect of the numerator–denominator bias in unlinked data on mortality differentials by education: evidence from Estonia, 2000–2015
Authors: Jasilionis Domantas , Leinsalu Mall
Published: July 2020

Background

This study highlights changing disagreement between census and death record information in the reporting of the education of the deceased and shows how these reporting differences influence a range of mortality inequality estimates.

Methods

This study uses a census-linked mortality data set for Estonia for the periods 2000–2003 and 2012–2015. The information on the education of the deceased was drawn from both the censuses and death records. Range-type, Gini-type and regression-based measures were applied to measure absolute and relative mortality inequality according to the two types of data on the education of the deceased.

Results

The study found a small effect of the numerator–denominator bias on unlinked mortality estimates for the period 2000–2003. The effect of this bias became sizeable in the period 2012–2015: in high education group, mortality was overestimated by 23–28%, whereas the middle education group showed notable underestimation of mortality. The same effect was small for the lowest education group. These biases led to substantial distortions in range-type inequality measures, whereas unlinked and linked Gini-type measures showed somewhat closer agreement.

Conclusions

The changing distortions in the unlinked estimates reported in this study warn that this type of evidence cannot be readily used for monitoring changes in mortality inequalities.
Thermal effect on transverse vibrations of a nonhomogeneous rectangular thin plate subjected to a known temperature distribution
Authors: Allam Mohamed N.M. , Tayel Ismail M.
Published: July 2020

In this work, a model of thermoelasticity based upon the Kirchhoff–Love plate theory is constructed for studying the thermoelastic vibration of an arbitrary functionally graded rectangular thin plate subjected to a temperature distribution. The problem is solved in the context of the theory of dual-phase-lag of thermoelasticity. The plate is taken to be clamped on two opposite edges; one of those edges is subjected to a given temperature distribution, while the other is thermally insulated. The normal mode analysis is employed to find exact expressions for temperature, deflection, thermal stresses, and bending moments. As an illustrative example, the results were presented graphically for a plate made of a silicon material to show the consistency of the results.
A Neural Network for Image Anomaly Detection with Deep Pyramidal Representations and Dynamic Routing
Authors: Mishra Pankaj , Piciarelli Claudio , Foresti Gian Luca
Published: July 2020

Image anomaly detection is an application-driven problem where the aim is to identify novel samples, which differ significantly from the normal ones. We here propose Pyramidal Image Anomaly DEtector (PIADE), a deep reconstruction-based pyramidal approach, in which image features are extracted at different scale levels to better catch the peculiarities that could help to discriminate between normal and anomalous data. The features are dynamically routed to a reconstruction layer and anomalies can be identified by comparing the input image with its reconstruction. Unlike similar approaches, the comparison is done by using structural similarity and perceptual loss rather than trivial pixel-by-pixel comparison. The proposed method performed at par or better than the state-of-the-art methods when tested on publicly available datasets such as CIFAR10, COIL-100 and MVTec.
Recent results on B → μ+μ− decays with the CMS experiment
Authors: Langenegger Urs
Published: July 2020

Results on [Formula: see text] decays with the CMS experiment are reported, using 61 fb[Formula: see text] of data recorded during LHC Run 1 and 2016. With an improved muon identification algorithm and refined unbinned maximum likelihood fitting methods, the decay [Formula: see text] is observed with a significance of 5.6 standard deviations. Its branching fraction is measured to be [Formula: see text], where the first error is the combined statistical and systematic uncertainty and the second error quantifies the uncertainty of the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] fragmentation probability ratio. The [Formula: see text] effective lifetime is [Formula: see text]. No evidence for the decay [Formula: see text] is found and an upper limit of [Formula: see text] (at 95% confidence level) is determined. All results are consistent with the standard model of particle physics.
Interactions in the dark sector within the scope of Bianchi type-V model
Authors: Muharlyamov Ruslan K. , Pankratyeva Tatiana N.
Published: July 2020

We are building a cosmological model that has small anisotropy and curvature. For this purpose, the Bianchi type-V (BV) model with dark matter (DM) and anisotropic dark energy (DE) is considered. Assuming a law for deviation from the equation of state (Eos) of DE is linear, we study the transition from decelerated to late accelerated expansion of the Universe. In the proposed model, the linear interaction of the two components alleviates the coincidence problem of the present Universe. Examples of model parameter values compatible with observational data are given.
Computation-Effective Structural Performance Assessment Using Gaussian Process-Based Finite Element Model Updating and Reliability Analysis
Authors: Moravej Hans , Chan Tommy H. T. , Jesus Andre , Nguyen Khac-Duy
Published: July 2020

Structural health monitoring data has been widely acknowledged as a significant source for evaluating the performance and health conditions of structures. However, a holistic framework that efficiently incorporates monitored data into structural identification and, in turn, provides a realistic life-cycle performance assessment of structures is yet to be established. There are different sources of uncertainty, such as structural parameters, computer model bias and measurement errors. Neglecting to account for these factors results in unreliable structural identifications, consequent financial losses, and a threat to the safety of structures and human lives. This paper proposes a new framework for structural performance assessment that integrates a comprehensive probabilistic finite element model updating approach, which deals with various structural identification uncertainties and structural reliability analysis. In this framework, Gaussian process surrogate models are replaced with a finite element model and its associate discrepancy function to provide a computationally efficient and all-round uncertainty quantification. Herein, the structural parameters that are most sensitive to measured structural dynamic characteristics are investigated and used to update the numerical model. Sequentially, the updated model is applied to compute the structural capacity with respect to loading demand to evaluate its as-is performance. The proposed framework’s feasibility is investigated and validated on a large lab-scale box girder bridge in two different health states, undamaged and damaged, with the latter state representing changes in structural parameters resulted from overloading actions. The results from the box girder bridge indicate a reduced structural performance evidenced by a significant drop in the structural reliability index and an increased probability of failure in the damaged state. The results also demonstrate that the proposed methodology contributes to more reliable judgment about structural safety, which in turn enables more informed maintenance decisions to be made.
Automorphism group of the one-divisor graph over the semigroup of upper triangular matrices
Authors: Wang Xinlei , Wong Dein , Tian Fenglei
Published: July 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be a finite field with [Formula: see text] elements, [Formula: see text] a positive integer, [Formula: see text] the semigroup of all [Formula: see text] upper triangular matrices over [Formula: see text] under matrix multiplication, [Formula: see text] the group of all invertible matrices in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] the quotient group of [Formula: see text] by its center.

The one-divisor graph of [Formula: see text], written as [Formula: see text], is defined to be a directed graph with [Formula: see text] as vertex set, and there is a directed edge from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] if and only if [Formula: see text], i.e. [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are, respectively, a left divisor and a right divisor of a rank one matrix in [Formula: see text]. The definition of [Formula: see text] is motivated by the definition of zero-divisor graph [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], which has vertex set of all nonzero zero-divisors in [Formula: see text] and there is a directed edge from a vertex [Formula: see text] to a vertex [Formula: see text] if and only if [Formula: see text], i.e. [Formula: see text].

The automorphism group of zero-divisor graph [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] was recently determined by Wang [A note on automorphisms of the zero-divisor graph of upper triangular matrices, Lin. Alg. Appl. 465 (2015) 214–220.]. In this paper, we characterize the automorphism group of one-divisor graph [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], proving that [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the automorphism group of field [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is a direct product of some symmetric groups. Besides, an application of automorphisms of [Formula: see text] is given in this paper.
New characterizations of p-nilpotency of finite groups
Authors: Kong Qingjun
Published: July 2020

Suppose that [Formula: see text] is a finite group and [Formula: see text] is a subgroup of [Formula: see text]. [Formula: see text] is said to be an [Formula: see text]-quasinormal subgroup of [Formula: see text] if there is a subgroup [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] permutes with every Sylow subgroup of [Formula: see text]. In this note, we fix in every non-cyclic Sylow subgroup [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] some subgroup [Formula: see text] satisfying [Formula: see text] and study the [Formula: see text]-nilpotency of [Formula: see text] under the assumption that every subgroup [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]-quasinormal in [Formula: see text]. The Frobenius theorem is generalized.
Amplitude spaces of mono-components from Blaschke products and an intrinsic multiresolution analysis
Authors: Chen Qiuhui , Li Luoqing , Wu Weibin
Published: July 2020

A mono-component is a real-variable and complex-valued analytic signal with nonnegative frequency components. The amplitude of an analytic signal is determined by its phase in a canonical amplitude-phase modulation. This paper investigates the amplitude spaces of analytic signals in terms of the Blaschke products with zeros in [Formula: see text]. It is proved that these amplitude spaces are invariant under the Hilbert transform and form a multiresolution analysis in the Hilbert space of signals with finite energy.
Evaluating the project completion time when activity networks follow beta distribution
Authors: Abdelkader Y. H. , Barakat H. M. , Taher T. S.
Published: July 2020

By using a recursive method, we determine the project completion time when the activity times are distributed according to a beta distribution. The [Formula: see text]th moment of the maximum of non-identical independent random variables following this distribution-type is evaluated. Applicability and appropriateness of the beta model are illustrated by some examples, which show that the suggested estimate program evaluted and review technique of the project completion time is located between the lower bound estimate (PERT) and the upper estimate that was obtained by Kambarowski An upper bound on the expected completion time of PERT networks, Eur. J. Oper. Res. 21(2) (1985b) 206–212. Moreover, this estimate gives less values of the approximation errors than most of the other known estimates.
Henstock–Orlicz space and its dense space
Authors: Hazarika Bipan , Kalita Hemanta
Published: July 2020

The motivation of this paper is to introduce Henstock–Orlicz space with non-absolute integrable functions. We prove that [Formula: see text] is dense in the Henstock–Orlicz space, which is not dense in the classical Orlicz space.
Examining undergraduate computer science participation in North Carolina
Authors: Payton Fay Cobb , Busch Alexa
Published: July 2020

Data on CS graduation rates among six academic institutions in NC traces the demographics of those participating (or not) in the discipline.
E-Commerce Product Categorization via Machine Translation
Authors: Tan Liling , Li Maggie Yundi , Kok Stanley
Published: July 2020

E-commerce platforms categorize their products into a multi-level taxonomy tree with thousands of leaf categories. Conventional methods for product categorization are typically based on machine learning
classification
algorithms. These algorithms take product information as input (e.g., titles and descriptions) to classify a product into a leaf category. In this article, we propose a new paradigm based on
machine translation
. In our approach, we translate a product’s natural language description into a sequence of tokens representing a root-to-leaf path in a product taxonomy. In our experiments on two large real-world datasets, we show that our approach achieves better predictive accuracy than a state-of-the-art classification system for product categorization. In addition, we demonstrate that our machine translation models can propose meaningful new paths between previously unconnected nodes in a taxonomy tree, thereby transforming the taxonomy into a directed acyclic graph. We discuss how the resultant taxonomy directed acyclic graph promotes user-friendly navigation, and how it is more adaptable to new products.
Why computing belongs within the social sciences
Authors: Connolly Randy
Published: July 2020

Fully appreciating the overarching scope of CS requires weaving more than ethics into the reigning curricula.
Predicting User Posting Activities in Online Health Communities with Deep Learning
Authors: Wang Xiangyu , Zhao Kang , Zhou Xun , Street Nick
Published: July 2020

Online health communities (OHCs) represent a great source of social support for patients and their caregivers. Better predictions of user activities in OHCs can help improve user engagement and retention, which are important to manage and sustain a successful OHC. This article proposes a general framework to predict OHC user posting activities. Deep learning methods are adopted to learn from users’ temporal trajectories in both the volumes and content of posts published over time. Experiments based on data from a popular OHC for cancer survivors demonstrate that the proposed approach can improve the performance of user activity predictions. In addition, several topics of users’ posts are found to have strong impact on predicting users’ activities in the OHC.
Neuromorphic chips take shape
Authors: Greengard Samuel
Published: July 2020

Chips designed specifically to model the neurons and synapses in the human brain are poised to change computing in profound ways.
The July 2020 issue
Authors: Uhlig Steve
Published: July 2020

This July 2020 issue contains four technical papers, the second paper of our education series, as well as two editorial notes.
Tracking the deployment of TLS 1.3 on the web
Authors: Holz Ralph , Hiller Jens , Amann Johanna , Razaghpanah Abbas , Jost Thomas , Vallina-Rodriguez Narseo , Hohlfeld Oliver
Published: July 2020

Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.3 is a redesign of the Web's most important security protocol. It was standardized in August 2018 after a four year-long, unprecedented design process involving many cryptographers and industry stakeholders. We use the rare opportunity to track deployment, uptake, and use of a new mission-critical security protocol from the early design phase until well over a year after standardization. For a profound view, we combine and analyze data from active domain scans, passive monitoring of large networks, and a crowd-sourcing effort on Android devices. In contrast to TLS 1.2, where adoption took more than five years and was prompted by severe attacks on previous versions, TLS 1.3 is deployed surprisingly speedily and without security concerns calling for it. Just 15 months after standardization, it is used in about 20% of connections we observe. Deployment on popular domains is at 30% and at about 10% across the
com/net/org
top-level domains (TLDs). We show that the development and fast deployment of TLS 1.3 is best understood as a story of experimentation and centralization. Very few giant, global actors drive the development. We show that Cloudflare alone brings deployment to sizable numbers and describe how actors like Facebook and Google use their control over both client and server endpoints to experiment with the protocol and ultimately deploy it at scale. This story cannot be captured by a single dataset alone, highlighting the need for multi-perspective studies on Internet evolution.
Tunable Etching of CVD Graphene for Transfer Printing of Nanoparticles Driven by Desorption of Contaminants with Low Temperature Annealing
Authors: Hui L. S. , Munir M. , Whiteway E. , Vuong An. , Hilke M. , Wong V. , Fanchini G. , Turak A.
Published: July 2020

Due to its exceptional mechanical properties, graphene can be an ideal support for nanotransfer printing. However, in its as-received state, it is incompatible with some processes for preparing 2D arrays of colloidal nanoparticles from reverse micelle templating. By treating CVD graphene with low temperature annealing, we have created a universal carrier to transfer such nanoparticles onto organic surfaces, taking advantage of the activation of the graphene surface via oxygen plasma etching. Desorption of hydrocarbon contaminant species by low temperature annealing is essential to ensure that exposure of the CVD graphene to the plasma oxidizes the film rather than etching it, as confirmed by Raman, Attenuated Total Reflectance- Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. Upon transfer printing to an organic surface, the nanoparticles are sandwiched between the reduced graphene oxide-like layer and the organic surface as shown by scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM), making them ideal as an interlayer in organic devices. The combination of exposure to plasma and annealing gives two vectors for controlling the oxygen doping profile in the activated graphene on Cu, and suggests new avenues for patterning nanostructures in devices with processing sensitive active layers.
Communication—Detection of Salivary Cortisol Using Zinc Oxide and Copper Porphyrin Composite Using Electrodeposition and Plasma-Assisted Deposition
Authors: Sonawane Apurva , Nasim Sana , Shah Pratik , Ramaswamy Sharan , Urizar Guido , Manickam Pandiaraj , Mujawar Mubarak , Bhansali Shekhar
Published: July 2020

The reliability of two novel cortisol sensors was evaluated by detecting variations in salivary cortisol levels of college students. The diurnal salivary cortisol fluctuations in 50 college students were monitored, and the sensor results were compared with commercial immunoassays. The chemical sensors were prepared using two different methodologies; electrodeposition and cold atmospheric plasma deposition. The comparison between these two methods shows the potential of proposed methods over conventional cortisol assays. The sensitivity of plasma deposited cortisol sensor increased from 0.918 to 3.04 μA/(μg dl−1). Sensors fabricated using the plasma technique showed repeatability and provided a direct readout with a faster response.
Using online decision trees to support students’ self-efficacy in the laboratory
Authors: McLean Sarah , Meadows Ken N. , Heffernan Austin , Campbell Nicole
Published: July 2020

Failed experiments are a common occurrence in research, yet many undergraduate science laboratories rely on established protocols to ensure students are able to obtain results. While it is logistically challenging to facilitate students’ conducting their own experiments in the laboratory, allowing students to “fail” in a safe environment could help with the development of problem-solving skills. To allow students a safe place to fail and encourage them to think through a laboratory protocol, online decision trees were created to lead students through protocols and give them timely feedback. The online decision trees present students with a scenario, then students execute a protocol by selecting options that will lead them down different paths and result in various realistic results from their experiments. They receive feedback and instructional tutorials throughout the simulation that are dependent on their choices. The significance of this new resource for student learning is that it allows students to practice their problem-solving skills and gain theoretical knowledge about the purpose of various experimental steps. The purpose of this research study was to evaluate whether online decision trees affected students’ self-efficacy, metacognition, and motivation for completing a wet laboratory. A mixed-methods approach was used; three surveys were administered throughout the academic term. For survey 1, students completed the decision tree and survey before the wet laboratory. For survey 2, students completed the survey before the wet laboratory but completed the decision tree after the wet laboratory. Students’ reported self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation were increased with the administration of the online decision trees before the wet laboratory, but their extrinsic motivation and metacognitive scores were unchanged. For survey 3, students provided written feedback about the impact of the online decision trees, and their responses highlighted the importance of the visual components of the approach.
Is there an association between the level of ambient air pollution and COVID-19?
Authors: Wang Baoming , Chen Hui , Chan Yik Lung , Oliver Brian G.
Published: July 2020

Epidemiological studies suggest that environmental factors (e.g., air pollution) can influence the spread and infectivity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, very few papers have investigated or discussed the mechanism behind the phenomenon. Given the fact that pollution will increase as social distancing rules are relaxed, we summarized the current understanding of how air pollution may affect COVID-19 transmission and discussed several possible mechanisms. Air pollution exposure can dysregulate the human immune response and make people more susceptible to infections, and affect infectivity. For example, in response to exposure to air pollution, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 will increase, which is the receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This may increase the efficiency of viral infection. It is also possible that air pollution can facilitate SARS-CoV-2 spread by increasing the transmission, and potentially, SARS-CoV-2 can also survive longer when attached to a pollutant.
Impact of age and sex on neural cardiovascular responsiveness to cold pressor test in humans
Authors: Keller-Ross M. L. , Cunningham H. A. , Carter J. R.
Published: July 2020

Prior longitudinal work suggests that blood pressure (BP) reactivity to the cold pressor test (CPT) helps predict hypertension; yet the impact of age and sex on hemodynamic and neural responsiveness to CPT remains equivocal. Forty-three young (21 ± 1yr, means ± SE) men (YM, n = 20) and women (YW, n = 23) and 16 older (60 ± 1yr) men (OM, n = 9) and women (OW, n = 7) participated in an experimental visit where continuous BP (finger plethysmography) and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA; microneurography) were recorded during a 3- to 5-min baseline and 2-min CPT. Baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP) was greater in OM than in YM (92 ± 4 vs. 77 ± 1 mmHg, P < 0.01), but similar in women ( P = 0.12). Baseline MSNA incidence was greater in OM [69 ± 6 bursts/100 heartbeats (hb)] than in OW (44 ± 7 bursts/100 hb, P = 0.02) and lower in young adults (YM: 17 ± 3 vs. YW: 16 ± 2 bursts/100 hb, P < 0.01), but similar across the sexes ( P = 0.83). However, when exposed to the CPT, MSNA increased more rapidly in OW (Δ43 ± 6 bursts/100 hb; group × time, P = 0.01) compared with OM (Δ15 ± 3 bursts/100 hb) but was not different between YW (Δ30 ± 3 bursts/100 hb) and YM (Δ33 ± 4 bursts/100 hb, P = 1.0). There were no differences in MAP with CPT between groups (group × time, P = 0.33). These findings suggest that OW demonstrate a more rapid initial rise in MSNA responsiveness to a CPT compared with OM. This greater sympathetic reactivity in OW may be a contributing mechanism to the increased hypertension risk in postmenopausal women.
The role of TASK-2 channels in CO2sensing in zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Koudrina N. , Perry S. F. , Gilmour K. M.
Published: July 2020

Peripheral chemosensitivity in fishes is thought to be mediated by serotonin-enriched neuroepithelial cells (NECs) that are localized to the gills of adults and the integument of larvae. In adult zebrafish ( Danio rerio), branchial NECs are presumed to mediate the cardiorespiratory reflexes associated with hypoxia or hypercapnia, whereas in larvae, there is indirect evidence linking cutaneous NECs to hypoxic hyperventilation and hypercapnic tachycardia. No study yet has examined the ventilatory response of larval zebrafish to hypercapnia, and regardless of developmental stage, the signaling pathways involved in CO2sensing remain unclear. In the mouse, a background potassium channel (TASK-2) contributes to the sensitivity of chemoreceptor cells to CO2. Zebrafish possess two TASK-2 channel paralogs, TASK-2 and TASK-2b, encoded by kcnk5a and kcnk5b, respectively. The present study aimed to determine whether TASK-2 channels are expressed in NECs of larval zebrafish and whether they are involved in CO2sensing. Using immunohistochemical approaches, TASK-2 protein was observed on the surface of NECs in larvae. Exposure of larvae to hypercapnia caused cardiac and breathing frequencies to increase, and these responses were blunted in fish experiencing TASK-2 and/or TASK-2b knockdown. The results of these experiments suggest that TASK-2 channels are involved in CO2sensing by NECs and contribute to the initiation of reflex cardiorespiratory responses during exposure of larvae to hypercapnia.
Gq DREADD activation of CaMKIIa MnPO neurons stimulates nitric oxide activity
Authors: Marciante Alexandria B. , Farmer George E. , Cunningham J. Thomas
Published: July 2020

Rats were injected in the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) with either an adeno-associated virus (AAV) and excitatory (Gq) designer receptor exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) construct or a control AAV. In the Gq DREADD-injected rats only, clozapine- N-oxide (CNO) increased Fos staining in the MnPO and its targets and increased neuron action potential frequency. In electrophysiology experiments with slices with DREADD cells, unlabeled cells were activated and this was likely due to nitric oxide release by the DREADD cells.
Hyperoside Alleviates High Glucose-Induced Proliferation of Mesangial Cells through the Inhibition of the ERK/CREB/miRNA-34a Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Le , Dai Qian , Hu Lanlan , Yu Hua , Qiu Jing , Zhou Jiyin , Long Min , Zhou Shiwen , Zhang Kebin
Published: July 2020

Purpose. Hyperoside, a flavonoid isolated from conventional medicinal herbs, has been demonstrated to exert a significant protective effect in diabetic nephropathy. This study aimed to determine the underlying mechanisms, by which hyperoside inhibits high glucose-(HG-) induced proliferation in mouse renal mesangial cells. Methods. Mouse glomerular mesangial cells line (SV40-MES13) was used to study the inhibitory effect of hyperoside on cell proliferation induced by 30 mM glucose, which was used to simulate a diabetic condition. Viable cell count was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 and by the 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine incorporation assay. The underlying mechanism involving miRNA-34a was further investigated by quantitative RT-PCR and transfection with miRNA-34a agomir. The phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) were measured by Western blotting. The binding region and the critical binding sites of CREB in the miRNA-34a promoter were investigated by the chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and luciferase reporter assay, respectively. Results. We found that hyperoside could significantly decrease HG-induced proliferation of SV40-MES13 cells in a dose-dependent manner, without causing obvious cell death. In addition, hyperoside inhibited the activation of ERK pathway and phosphorylation of its downstream transcriptional factor CREB, as well as the miRNA-34a expression. We further confirmed that CREB-mediated regulation of miRNA-34a is dependent on the direct binding to specific sites in the promoter region of miRNA-34a. Conclusion. Our cumulative results suggested that hyperoside inhibits the proliferation of SV40-MES13 cells through the suppression of the ERK/CREB/miRNA-34a signaling pathway, which provides new insight to the current investigation on therapeutic strategies for diabetic nephropathy.
Cutaneous-Pericardial Fistula: Rare Complication of Transapical Aortic Valve Replacement—Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Tarus Andrei , Enache Mihail , Nedelciuc Igor , Rotaru Iulian , Bacusca Alberto Emanuel , Tinica Grigore
Published: July 2020

Cutaneous-pericardial fistula is a rare complication of transapical aortic valve replacement; only a few cases are reported in the literature. It is part of a wide range of surgical site infection manifestations that could emerge after surgery. Due to its proximity to the heart, the risk of infectious lesions of adjacent structures and inoculation of pathogens on the prosthetic valve can lead to life-threatening complications. We report here a case of successful surgical treatment through reduced ribs and soft tissue operative trauma.
Combined Effect of Compaction Methods and Loading Conditions on the Deformation Behaviour of Unbound Granular Material
Authors: Ren Jiaolong , Li Di , Wang Siyuan
Published: July 2020

Unbound granular material is an important construction material that is used for flexible pavement. As one of the most important indices used for describing the properties of unbound granular material, the deformation characteristic is significantly influenced by the compaction method used. However, the effects of the compaction method on the deformation behaviour are neglected in the existing studies. Hence, we investigate the deformation characteristics of unbound granular material produced by the vertical vibration compaction method (VVCM) and the modified Proctor compaction method (MPCM) via repeated triaxial load tests and reveal the effect of loading conditions and aggregate gradations. The results show that (a) the deformation of unbound granular material decreases as the stress level and confining pressure are increased; (b) the deformation resistance of unbound granular material produced by the VVCM is superior to that produced by the MPCM; (c) the difference of deformation resistance arising between using the VVCM and MPCM decreases as confining pressure increases and is not significant with changes in the stress level; (d) the extent of various factors on deformation characteristics from greatest to least is as follows: stress level > aggregate gradation > compaction method > confining pressure; and (e) increasing the content of coarse aggregates is conducive to enhancing the deformation resistance of unbound granular material, particularly for the VVCM. Finally, a simple approach for modelling and predicting deformation is established.
Simultaneity of Synchronization and Antisynchronization in a Class of Chaotic Systems
Authors: Liu Zhi , Guo Rongwei , Qi Yi , Jiang Cuimei
Published: July 2020

In this paper, a new synchronization phenomenon, that is, the simultaneity of synchronization and antisynchronization, is investigated for a class of chaotic systems. First, for a given chaotic system, necessary and sufficient conditions for the simultaneity of synchronization and antisynchronization are proved. Then, based on these conditions, all solutions of such synchronization phenomenon for a given chaotic system are derived. After that, physical controllers that are not only simple but also implementable are designed to realize the simultaneity of synchronization and antisynchronization in the above system. Finally, illustrative examples based on numerical simulations are used to verify the validity and effectiveness of the above theoretical results.
Coronary Microcirculation in Aortic Stenosis: Pathophysiology, Invasive Assessment, and Future Directions
Authors: Zelis Jo M. , Tonino Pim A. L. , Pijls Nico H. J. , De Bruyne Bernard , Kirkeeide Richard L. , Gould K. Lance , Johnson Nils P.
Published: July 2020

With the increasing prevalence of aortic stenosis (AS) due to a growing elderly population, a proper understanding of its physiology is paramount to guide therapy and define severity. A better understanding of the microvasculature in AS could improve clinical care by predicting left ventricular remodeling or anticipate the interplay between epicardial stenosis and myocardial dysfunction. In this review, we combine five decades of literature regarding microvascular, coronary, and aortic valve physiology with emerging insights from newly developed invasive tools for quantifying microcirculatory function. Furthermore, we describe the coupling between microcirculation and epicardial stenosis, which is currently under investigation in several randomized trials enrolling subjects with concomitant AS and coronary disease. To clarify the physiology explained previously, we present two instructive cases with invasive pressure measurements quantifying coexisting valve and coronary stenoses. Finally, we pose open clinical and research questions whose answers would further expand our knowledge of microvascular dysfunction in AS. These trials were registered with NCT03042104, NCT03094143, and NCT02436655.
The Trabecular Bone Score as a Predictor for Thalassemia-Induced Vertebral Fractures in Northeastern Thailand
Authors: Teawtrakul Nattiya , Chukanhom Sukanya , Charoensri Suranut , Somboonporn Charoonsak , Pongchaiyakul Chatlert
Published: July 2020

Introduction. Thalassemia bone disease is one of the disease-related complications in patients with thalassemia. Prevalence of fractures and the role of a trabecular bone score (TBS) as a predictive factor for fractures were evaluated in patients with thalassemia.Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with thalassemia aged ≥18 years at Srinagarind Hospital, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. A lateral thoracolumbar radiograph and bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine and hip, as well as the TBS measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), were evaluated in all patients.Results. Among 86 patients, 14 patients were found to have radiographic vertebral fracture yielding a prevalence of 16.3%. All patients who had fractures wereβ-thalassemia/Hb E. Combined low BMD and TBS at lumbar spines and a presence of endocrinopathies were significantly associated with vertebral fractures.Conclusions. The prevalence of vertebral fractures in patients with thalassemia was not uncommon. A combined low BMD and TBS and a presence of endocrinopathies were associated with vertebral fractures. These findings suggested that BMD testing and TBS measurement have a clinical implication as a screening tool for evaluating the risk of vertebral fractures in thalassemic patients, particularly inβ-thalassemia/HbEwho have endocrinopathies.
Effect of Curing on Mechanical Properties of Cement‐Stabilized Coral Sand in Marine Environment
Authors: Chen Mingyuan , Geng Jiuguang , Xiong Haocheng , Shang Tao , Xue Cheng , Abbas Montasir
Published: July 2020

The use of coral sand prepared from cement‐stabilized materials can significantly reduce the cost, construction period, and damage to the environment caused by stone mining. The choice of water in mixing and curing the cement‐stabilized materials on islands should be considered. Cement‐stabilized coral sand was tested in three different preparation and maintenance systems in the marine environment. The compressive strength, weight change, and chloride ion concentration change in cement‐stabilized coral sand with different cement content were measured after 7 d, 28 d, 60 d, and 90 d, respectively. The microstructure of specimens was observed by XRD and SEM. Results show that the compressive strength of specimens in the seawater mixing and seawater curing system developed 0.9 MPa faster than that in the fresh water mixing and curing system at an early stage. But the compressive strength of specimens in seawater mixing and seawater curing shrank later, being 0.5 MPa lower than that in fresh water mixing and curing. The cement content was positively correlated with the free chloride ion reaction and mass growth rate. For road construction on islands, the mixing and curing of cement‐stabilized coral sand with seawater should be given priority in the early stage.
Effect of Preoperative Vitamin D Deficiency on Hypocalcemia in Patients with Acute Hypoparathyroidism after Thyroidectomy
Authors: Vibhatavata Peeradon , Pisarnturakit Pongthep , Boonsripitayanon Mongkol , Pithuksurachai Paveena , Plengvidhya Nattachet , Sirinvaravong Sirinart
Published: July 2020

Postoperative hypoparathyroidism is a common complication of total or completion thyroidectomy. The association between preoperative vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and the development of more severe postoperative hypocalcemia is still unclear. Objectives. To evaluate the effect of preoperative VDD on severity of hypocalcemia in patients with hypoparathyroidism following thyroidectomy. Methods. Patients who developed acute hypoparathyroidism after total or completion thyroidectomy, defined as postoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) level <15 pg/mL and albumin-adjusted calcium level <8.6 mg/dL, were prospectively recruited. Patients were divided into two groups according to their preoperative vitamin D status (VDD group: 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level <20 ng/mL; non-VDD group: 25(OH) level ≥20 ng/mL). The primary outcome was severity of hypocalcemia in postoperative hypoparathyroidism. Significant hypocalcemia was defined as calcium level ≤7.5 mg/dL. Results. Forty-three patients (21 VDD, 22 non-VDD) were enrolled. Serum total albumin-adjusted calcium level was significantly lower in the VDD group (7.71 ± 0.5 vs. 8.16 ± 0.4 mg/dL, p<0.01), and the incidence of symptomatic hypocalcemia was significantly higher in the VDD group (43% vs. 9%, p=0.01). The median maximal daily supplementary dose of elemental calcium was significantly higher in the VDD group (2,400 vs. 1,500 mg/day, p=0.02). Length of hospital stay was nonsignificantly longer in the VDD group (p=0.06). Preoperative vitamin D level <19.6 ng/mL could predict significant and symptomatic hypocalcemia in postoperative hypoparathyroidism with sensitivity of 90% and 82% and specificity of 70% and 69%, respectively. Conclusion. VDD is an independent risk factor for both significant and symptomatic hypocalcemia in hypoparathyroidism patients after thyroid surgery.
Research on Evaluating Algorithms for the Service Quality of Wireless Sensor Networks Based on Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy EDAS and CRITIC Methods
Authors: Li Shihui , Wang Bo
Published: July 2020

Wireless sensor networks play an important role in economic production and social life. However, in recent years, the number of wireless sensor network vulnerabilities has been increasing rapidly, which makes wireless sensor networks face more and more severe challenges. It is of great significance to realize the quantitative evaluation of wireless sensor networks in order to maintain the service quality of wireless sensor networks more effectively. The evaluating problem of the service quality of wireless sensor networks is a kind of multiple attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) problem. In this paper, depending on the classical EDAS method, the EDAS method will be extended to interval-valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IVIFSs) to address some MAGDM issues. At first, some essential concepts of IVIFSs are briefly reviewed. Subsequently, relying on the CRITIC method, the attributes’ weights are decided. Furthermore, integrating the EDAS method with IVIFSs, IVIF-EDAS method is established, and all calculating procedures are depicted. Finally, an empirical application for evaluating the service quality of wireless sensor networks is given to demonstrate this novel algorithm, and some comparative analyses are made to confirm the merits of the designed method.
Disclosure of Intimate Partner Violence and Associated Factors among Victimized Women, Ethiopia, 2018: A Community-Based Study
Authors: Agenagnew Liyew , Tebeje Bosena , Tilahun Ruth
Published: July 2020

Background. Disclosure is a vital step in the process of finding a lasting solution and breaking the abuse chain in a victim woman by the intimate partner. Objectives. This study is aimed at assessing the disclosure of intimate partner violence and associated factors among victim women in Dilla town, Gedeo Zone, South Ethiopia, 2018. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study design triangulated with the qualitative method was employed. Data were collected from 280 women victims of intimate partner violence using pretested, structured, and interviewer-administered questionnaires. SPSS version 20.0 software was used for analysis. Binary logistic regression and a multivariate logistic regression model were fitted to assess the association between the independent and dependent variables. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews and categorized into themes and triangulated with the quantitative result. Results. Half of the respondents (51%) disclosed intimate partner violence. Partner alcohol use (AOR=1.99; 95% CI:1.18, 3.34), women experiencing a single type of intimate partner violence (AOR=0.38, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.79), women having strong social support (AOR=2.52; 95% CI:1.44, 4.41), and women whose partners’ having primary (AOR=2.04; 95% CI:1.07, 3.9) and secondary education (AOR=2.16; 95% CI: 1.07, 4.33) were significantly associated with the disclosure of intimate partner violence as the qualitative result shows most of the women prefer their family to disclose and those who kept silent were due to economic dependency, societal norms towards wife beating, arranged marriage, and not getting the chance especially those who went to the hospital. Conclusion. Nearly 50% of victims of intimate partner violence women disclose intimate partner violence to others. Thus, it is needed for stakeholders to use their efforts to further increase the disclosure of violence and respect women’s rights and equality.
Gaps and Doubts in Search to Recognize Glioblastoma Cellular Origin and Tumor Initiating Cells
Authors: Wlodarczyk Aneta , Grot Dagmara , Stoczynska-Fidelus Ewelina , Rieske Piotr
Published: July 2020

Cellular origin of glioblastoma (GB) is constantly discussed and remains a controversial subject. Unfortunately, neurobiologists are not consistent in defining neural stem cells (NSC) complicating this issue even further. Nevertheless, some suggestions referring to GB origin can be proposed based on comparing GB to central nervous system (CNS) cells. Firstly, GB cells showin vitrodifferentiation pattern similar to GFAP positive neural cells, rather than classical (GFAP negative) NSC. GB cells in primary cultures become senescentin vitro, similar to GFAP positive neural progenitors, whereas classical NSC proliferatein vitroinfinitely. Classical NSC apoptosis triggered by introduction of IDH1R132H undermines hypothesis stating that IDH-mutant (secondary) GB origins from these NSC. Analysis of biological role of typical IDH-wildtype (primary) GB oncogene such as EGFRvIII also favors GFAP positive cells rather than classical NSC as source of GB. Single-cell NGS and single-cell transcriptomics also suggest that GFAP positive cells are GB origin. Considering the above-mentioned and other discussed in articles data, we suggest that GFAP positive cells (astrocytes, radial glia, or GFAP positive neural progenitors) are more likely to be source of GB than classical GFAP negative NSC, and furtherin vitroassays should be focused on these cells. It is highly possible that several populations of tumor initiating cells (TIC) exist within GB, adjusting their phenotype and even genotype to various environmental conditions including applied therapy and periodically going through different TIC states as well as non-TIC state. This adjustment is driven by changes in number and types of amplicons. The existence of various populations of TIC would enable creating neoplastic foci in different environments and increase tumor aggressiveness.
Integrated Pricing and Distribution Planning for Community Group Purchase of Fresh Agricultural Products
Authors: Shui Wenbing , Li Mengxia
Published: July 2020

As a new social e-commerce model, community group purchase of fresh agricultural products has been gradually welcomed by the public. However, its development and operation still face homogeneous competition problems. In order to enhance competitive advantages of operators, this paper proposes a collaborative optimization mechanism, including a new pricing model and a new cold chain vehicle route planning model. It aims to ensure the quality of fresh products, reduce logistics costs, and improve enterprise profitability. The model takes into account not only the quality of fresh products and their impact on price and demand but also the impact of quality changes on total distribution costs. A two-layer programming method is applied to realize the collaborative optimization mechanism, and then the upper and lower models are solved by mathematical derivation, proof methods, and optimization procedures, respectively. Finally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the model are verified by combining with specific examples, and the following conclusions are obtained: price, delivery quality, and total profit increase with the increase of potential market demand rate. The lower the refrigeration temperature of the vehicle we choose within a certain range, the higher the quality can be obtained. In order to obtain the highest profit, community group purchase operators can choose a higher distribution temperature on the premise that they can guarantee that the quality of fresh agricultural products can be at an appropriate level.