bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Daily grandchild care and grandparents' employment: a comparison of four European child-care policy regimes
Authors: Floridi Ginevra
Published: July 2020

Having grandchildren is known to reduce individuals’ labour supply. However, it is unclear whether there is a negative association between grandchild care provision and employment among grandparents. Moreover, we do not know how the magnitude of any association between the two activities may vary across countries characterised by different child-care policy regimes. Using data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, this paper investigates the association between daily grandchild care provision and two employment outcomes for grandmothers and grandfathers aged 50–69: the probability of being employed and the average weekly working hours. Recursive bivariate models are used to account for the potential selection of grandparents with different unobserved traits into work and family care. Estimates are compared across four country groups characterised by different child-care policy orientations: optional de-familisation, service de-familisation, supported familism and familism by default. On average, across 20 European countries, grandparents looking after grandchildren daily are no less likely to work than grandparents who do not; however, employed grandfathers work eight hours less per week if providing daily child care. Evidence of a negative association between daily grandchild care and employment is strongest in countries with familistic approaches to child care, with no association in countries characterised by optional de-familisation. This suggests that public support to child care may help retain grandparents in the labour force.
Measuring norms using social survey data
Authors: de Wit Juliette R. , Lisciandra Chiara
Published: July 2020

This paper proposes a novel measure of civic norm compliance. We combine the literature on norm compliance from institutional economics and social philosophy. Institutional economics draws on survey data to measure civic norms, whereas social philosophy offers a theoretical framework that proves fruitful when used to operationalize civic norms. This paper shows that significantly different results emerge when the operationalization of civic norms in institutional economics draws on the theoretical framework that social philosophy offers. Furthermore, this study is relevant for social philosophy too, as it shows the potential of survey data as a test-bed for philosophical theories of norm compliance.
Age of cow milk introduction and growth among 3–5-year-old children
Authors: Soczynska Izabela , Dai David , O’Connor Deborah L , Birken Catherine S , Maguire Jonathon L
Published: July 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the association between the age of cow milk introduction and childhood growth.

Design:

A secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study.

Setting:

Toronto, Canada.

Participants:

Healthy children <5 years of age enrolled in the TARGet Kids! practice-based research network. The primary exposure was the age of cow milk introduction. The primary outcome was height-for-age z-score. Secondary outcomes were volume of cow milk consumed (cups/d) and BMI z-score. Outcomes were measured at the last visit before 5 years of age. Multiple linear regression was used to examine these relationships.

Results:

Among 1981 children, introduction of cow milk at a younger age was associated with greater height by 3–5 years of age (P < 0·001). Each month earlier that cow milk was introduced was associated with 0·03 higher height-for-age z-score unit (95 % CI –0·05, –0·02) or 0·1 cm (95 % CI –0·15, –0·12 cm). At 4 years of age, the height difference between a child introduced to cow milk at 9 v. 12 months was 0·4 cm (95 % CI –0·45, –0·35 cm). There was no association between the timing of cow milk introduction and volume of cow milk consumed per day or BMI z-score.

Conclusions:

Earlier introduction of cow milk was associated with greater height but not with weight status in children aged 3–5 years. Further research is needed to understand the casual relationship between earlier cow milk consumption and childhood height. These findings may be important for paediatricians and parents when considering when to introduce cow milk.
A Very Young Age for True Polar Wander on Europa From Related Fracturing
Authors: Schenk Paul , Matsuyama Isamu , Nimmo Francis
Published: July 2020

En echelon fissures 100–300 km long on Europa are found to be concentric and external to arcuate troughs previously attributed to true polar wander (TPW) of Europa's ice shell, strengthening the case for TPW. Fissures are composed of parallel faults distributed over 10‐to‐20‐km‐wide zones, with deformation focused in a main fissure 1–2 km wide and up to 200 m deep. Fissures crosscut all known terrains, including (apparently) ejecta of bright ray crater Manannan, establishing that fissures and by inference TPW are among the most recent geologic events on Europa. Very late ~70° of TPW shell rotation requires that most observed structures on Europa are not in their original configuration with respect to other stress regimes, requiring complete reanalysis of Europa's strain history. If reorientation happened recently, we predict that any crater distribution asymmetries and shell thickness variations measured by Europa Clipper will be offset from expected equilibrium patterns.
Summer PM2.5 Pollution Extremes Caused by Wildfires Over the Western United States During 2017–2018
Authors: Xie Yuanyu , Lin Meiyun , Horowitz Larry W.
Published: July 2020

Using observations and model simulations (ESM4.1) during 1988–2018, we show large year‐to‐year variability in western U.S. PM2.5 pollution caused by regional and distant fires. Widespread wildfires, combined with stagnation, caused summer PM2.5 pollution in 2017 and 2018 to exceed 2 standard deviations over long‐term averages. ESM4.1 with a fire emission inventory constrained by satellite‐derived fire radiative energy and aerosol optical depth captures the observed surface PM2.5 means and extremes above the 35 μg/m3 U.S. air quality standard. However, aerosol emissions from the widely used Global Fire Emissions Database (GFED) must be increased by 5 times for ESM4.1 to match observations. On days when observed PM2.5 reached 35–175 μg/m3, wildfire emissions can explain 90% of total PM2.5, with smoke transported from Canada contributing 25–50% in northern states, according to model sensitivity simulations. Fire emission uncertainties pose challenges to accurately assessing the impacts of fire smoke on air quality, radiation, and climate.
Functional characterization of SOX2 as an anticancer target
Authors: Zhang Shizhen , Xiong Xiufang , Sun Yi
Published: July 2020

SOX2 is a well-characterized pluripotent factor that is essential for stem cell self-renewal, reprogramming, and homeostasis. The cellular levels of SOX2 are precisely regulated by a complicated network at the levels of transcription, post-transcription, and post-translation. In many types of human cancer, SOX2 is dysregulated due to gene amplification and protein overexpression. SOX2 overexpression is associated with poor survival of cancer patients. Mechanistically, SOX2 promotes proliferation, survival, invasion/metastasis, cancer stemness, and drug resistance. SOX2 is, therefore, an attractive anticancer target. However, little progress has been made in the efforts to discover SOX2 inhibitors, largely due to undruggable nature of SOX2 as a transcription factor. In this review, we first briefly introduced SOX2 as a transcription factor, its domain structure, normal physiological functions, and its involvement in human cancers. We next discussed its role in embryonic development and stem cell-renewal. We then mainly focused on three aspects of SOX2: (a) the regulatory mechanisms of SOX2, including how SOX2 level is regulated, and how SOX2 cross-talks with multiple signaling pathways to control growth and survival; (b) the role of SOX2 in tumorigenesis and drug resistance; and (c) current drug discovery efforts on targeting SOX2, and the future perspectives to discover specific SOX2 inhibitors for effective cancer therapy.
Ab initio modeling of the energy landscape for screw dislocations in body-centered cubic high-entropy alloys
Authors: Yin Sheng , Ding Jun , Asta Mark , Ritchie Robert O.
Published: July 2020

In traditional body-centered cubic (bcc) metals, the core properties of screw dislocations play a critical role in plastic deformation at low temperatures. Recently, much attention has been focused on refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs), which also possess bcc crystal structures. However, unlike face-centered cubic high-entropy alloys (HEAs), there have been far fewer investigations into bcc HEAs, specifically on the possible effects of chemical short-range order (SRO) in these multiple principal element alloys on dislocation mobility. Here, using density functional theory, we investigate the distribution of dislocation core properties in MoNbTaW RHEAs alloys, and how they are influenced by SRO. The average values of the core energies in the RHEA are found to be larger than those in the corresponding pure constituent bcc metals, and are relatively insensitive to the degree of SRO. However, the presence of SRO is shown to have a large effect on narrowing the distribution of dislocation core energies and decreasing the spatial heterogeneity of dislocation core energies in the RHEA. It is argued that the consequences of the mechanical behavior of HEAs is a change in the energy landscape of the dislocations, which would likely heterogeneously inhibit their motion.
Bioactive glass granules S53P4 in osteotomy Le Fort I
Authors: de Souza Cruz Eduardo Luis , de Souza Fernando Jordão , de Menezes Lucas Machado , Tuji Fabrício Mesquita , Carneiro José Thiers
Published: July 2020

We evaluated bioactive glass graft (S53P4) in patients undergoing Le Fort I osteotomy, with non-grafted patients as controls. Computed tomography facial scans of the 25 patients submitted for Le Fort I were divided into two groups: Group 1—S53P4 group and Group 2—without grafting. CT scans were analyzed in the immediate postoperative period (T1) and 6 months later (T2), for linear bone gap measurements, tomographic radiodensity and behavior of the maxillary sinus. A Kruskal–Wallis test on bone gap data adopted α significance levels (p ≤ 0.05). The Friedman test (p ≤ 0.05) was used to evaluate sinus reaction cores. For gap measurements, we observed a decrease in median data between T1 and T2 in both groups, with statistical significances observed between groups in T0; G1 presented statistical difference in its two studied times (p ≤ 0.0001). For bone density, the studied data behaved inversely. G1′s bone density decreased from T1 to T2, whereas in G2 there was an increase from T1 to T2. S53P4 did not elicit increased reactions and/or sinus infections in the G1 group (p ≥ 1.00). S53P4 did not impact on Le Fort I osteotomies as a coadjuvant and a favorable factor in bone formation, and appeared innocuous in the maxillary sinus.
Unveiling functional heterogeneity in breast cancer multicellular tumor spheroids through single-cell RNA-seq
Authors: Muciño-Olmos Erick Andrés , Vázquez-Jiménez Aarón , Avila-Ponce de León Ugo , Matadamas-Guzman Meztli , Maldonado Vilma , López-Santaella Tayde , Hernández-Hernández Abrahan , Resendis-Antonio Osbaldo
Published: July 2020

Heterogeneity is an intrinsic characteristic of cancer. Even in isogenic tumors, cell populations exhibit differential cellular programs that overall supply malignancy and decrease treatment efficiency. In this study, we investigated the functional relationship among cell subtypes and how this interdependency can promote tumor development in a cancer cell line. To do so, we performed single-cell RNA-seq of MCF7 Multicellular Tumor Spheroids as a tumor model. Analysis of single-cell transcriptomes at two-time points of the spheroid growth, allowed us to dissect their functional relationship. As a result, three major robust cellular clusters, with a non-redundant complementary composition, were found. Meanwhile, one cluster promotes proliferation, others mainly activate mechanisms to invade other tissues and serve as a reservoir population conserved over time. Our results provide evidence to see cancer as a systemic unit that has cell populations with task stratification with the ultimate goal of preserving the hallmarks in tumors.
The performance of anthropometric tools to determine obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sommer Isolde , Teufer Birgit , Szelag Monika , Nussbaumer-Streit Barbara , Titscher Viktoria , Klerings Irma , Gartlehner Gerald
Published: July 2020

The aim of this systematic review was to assess the performance of anthropometric tools to determine obesity in the general population (CRD42018086888). Our review included 32 studies. To detect obesity with body mass index (BMI), the meta-analyses rendered a sensitivity of 51.4% (95% CI 38.5–64.2%) and a specificity of 95.4% (95% CI 90.7–97.8%) in women, and 49.6% (95% CI 34.8–64.5%) and 97.3% (95% CI 92.1–99.1%), respectively, in men. For waist circumference (WC), the summary estimates for the sensitivity were 62.4% (95% CI 49.2–73.9%) and 88.1% for the specificity (95% CI 77.0–94.2%) in men, and 57.0% (95% CI 32.2–79.0%) and 94.8% (95% CI 85.8–98.2%), respectively, in women. The data were insufficient to pool the results for waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) but were similar to BMI and WC. In conclusion, BMI and WC have serious limitations for use as obesity screening tools in clinical practice despite their widespread use. No evidence supports that WHR and WHtR are more suitable than BMI or WC to assess body fat. However, due to the lack of more accurate and feasible alternatives, BMI and WC might still have a role as initial tools for assessing individuals for excess adiposity until new evidence emerges.
Sovateltide (IRL-1620) activates neuronal differentiation and prevents mitochondrial dysfunction in adult mammalian brains following stroke
Authors: Ranjan Amaresh K. , Briyal Seema , Gulati Anil
Published: July 2020

The development of effective drugs for stroke is urgently required as it is the 2nd largest killer in the world and its incidence is likely to increase in the future. We have demonstrated cerebral endothelin B receptors (ETBR) as a potential target to treat acute cerebral ischemic stroke. However, the mechanism of ETBR mediated neural regeneration and repair remains elusive. In this study, a permanent middle cerebral artery occluded (MCAO) rat model was used. Sovateltide (an ETBR agonist) injected intravenously showed better survival and neurological and motor function improvement than control. Higher neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) differentiation along with better mitochondrial morphology and biogenesis in the brain of sovateltide rats were noted. Exposure of cultured NPCs to hypoxia and sovateltide also showed higher NPC differentiation and maturation. This study shows a novel role of ETBR in NPCs and mitochondrial fate determination in cerebral ischemia, and in improving neurological deficit after stroke.
Efficacy of combined orthokeratology and 0.01% atropine solution for slowing axial elongation in children with myopia: a 2-year randomised trial
Authors: Kinoshita Nozomi , Konno Yasuhiro , Hamada Naoki , Kanda Yoshinobu , Shimmura-Tomita Machiko , Kaburaki Toshikatsu , Kakehashi Akihiro
Published: July 2020

Eighty Japanese children, aged 8–12 years, with a spherical equivalent refraction (SER) of − 1.00 to − 6.00 dioptres (D) were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either a combination of orthokeratology (OK) and 0.01% atropine solution (combination group) or monotherapy with OK (monotherapy group). Seventy-three subjects completed the 2-year study. Over the 2 years, axial length increased by 0.29 ± 0.20 mm (n = 38) and 0.40 ± 0.23 mm (n = 35) in the combination and monotherapy groups, respectively (P = 0.03). Interactions between combination treatment and age or SER did not reach significance level (age,P = 0.18; SER,P = 0.06). In the subgroup of subjects with an initial SER of − 1.00 to − 3.00 D, axial length increased by 0.30 ± 0.22 mm (n = 27) and 0.48 ± 0.22 mm (n = 23) in the combination and monotherapy groups, respectively (P = 0.005). In the − 3.01 to − 6.00 D subgroup, axial length increased by 0.27 ± 0.15 mm (n = 11) and 0.25 ± 0.17 mm (n = 12) in the combination and monotherapy groups, respectively (P = 0.74). The combination therapy may be effective for slowing axial elongation, especially in children with low initial myopia.
Species diversity of Pleosporalean taxa associated with Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze in Taiwan
Authors: Ariyawansa Hiran A. , Tsai Ichen , Thambugala Kasun M. , Chuang Wei-Yu , Lin Shiou-Ruei , Hozzein Wael N. , Cheewangkoon Ratchadawan
Published: July 2020

Pleosporales species are important plant pathogens, saprobes, and endophytes on a wide range of economically important plant hosts. The classification of Pleosporales has undergone various modifications in recent years due to the addition of many families described from multiple habitats with a high level of morphological deviation. Numerous asexual genera have been described in Pleosporales that can be either hyphomyceteous or coelomycetous. Phoma- or coniothyrium-like species are common and have been revealed as polyphyletic in the order Pleosporales and linked with several sexual genera. A total of 31 pleosporalean strains were isolated in different regions of Taiwan between 2017 and 2018 from the leaves of Camellia sinensis plants with symptoms of leaf spot disease. These strains were evaluated morphologically and genotypically using multi-locus sequence analyses of the ITS, LSU, SSU, rpb2, tef1 and tub2 genes. The results demonstrated the affiliation of these strains with the various families in Pleosporales and revealed the presence of one new genus (Neoshiraia) and eight new species (Alloconiothyrium camelliae, Amorocoelophoma camelliae, Leucaenicola camelliae, L. taiwanensis, Neoshiraia camelliae, N. taiwanensis, Paraconiothyrium camelliae and Paraphaeosphaeria camelliae). Furthermore, to the best of our understanding, Didymella segeticola, Ectophoma pomi and Roussoella mexican were reported for the first time from C. sinensis in Taiwan.
Multilayer optical thin film design with deep Q learning
Authors: Jiang Anqing , Osamu Yoshie , Chen Liangyao
Published: July 2020

Multilayer optical film plays a significant role in broad fields of optical application. Due to the nonlinear relationship between the dispersion characteristics of optical materials and the actual performance parameters of optical thin films, it is challenging to optimize optical thin film structure with the traditional models. In this paper, we present an implementation of Deep Q-learning, which suited for the most part for optical thin film. As a set of concrete demonstrations, we optimize solar absorber. The optimal program could optimal this solar absorber in 500 epoch (about 200 steps per-epoch) without any human intervention. Search results perform better than researchers’ manual searches.
Clathrin mediated endocytosis is involved in the uptake of exogenous double-stranded RNA in the white mold phytopathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum
Authors: Wytinck Nick , Sullivan Daniel S. , Biggar Kirsten T. , Crisostomo Leandro , Pelka Peter , Belmonte Mark F. , Whyard Steve
Published: July 2020

RNA interference (RNAi) technologies have recently been developed to control a growing number of agronomically significant fungal phytopathogens, including the white mold pathogen,Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Exposure of this fungus to exogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) results in potent RNAi-mediated knockdown of target genes’ transcripts, but it is unclear how the dsRNA can enter the fungal cells. In nematodes, specialized dsRNA transport proteins such as SID-1 facilitate dsRNA uptake, but for many other eukaryotes in which the dsRNA uptake mechanisms have been examined, endocytosis appears to mediate the uptake process. In this study, using live cell imaging, transgenic fungal cultures and endocytic inhibitors, we determined that the uptake mechanism inS. sclerotiorumoccurs through clathrin-mediated endocytosis. RNAi-mediated knockdown of several clathrin-mediated endocytic genes’ transcripts confirmed the involvement of this cellular uptake process in facilitating RNAi in this fungus. Understanding the mode of dsRNA entry into the fungus will prove useful in designing and optimizing future dsRNA-based control methods and in anticipating possible mechanisms by which phytopathogens may develop resistance to this novel category of fungicides.
Rational design of ERα targeting hypoxia turn-on fluorescent probes with antiproliferative activity for breast cancer
Authors: Meng Qiuyu , Xie Baohua , Ma Xiaoyu , Hu Zhiye , Zhou Fuling , Zhou Hai-Bing , Dong Chune
Published: July 2020

Several ERα targeting hypoxia turn-on fluorescent probes have been developed. The probes 3 and 5 displayed favorable hypoxia turn-on response and good antiproliferative activity in MCF-7 cells, and showed low cytotoxicity to normal cells.
Thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione-based conjugated polymers for organic solar cells
Authors: Zhao Chaowei , Yang Fan , Xia Dongdong , Zhang Zhou , Zhang Yuefeng , Yan Nanfu , You Shengyong , Li Weiwei
Published: July 2020

Thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione (TPD) based conjugated polymers as an electron donor, acceptor and single-component for application in organic solar cells in the past ten years have been intensively reviewed in this Feature Article.
Study of the exciton dynamics in perylene bisimide (PBI) aggregates with symmetrical quasiclassical dynamics based on the Meyer–Miller mapping Hamiltonian
Authors: Zheng Jie , Peng Jiawei , Xie Yu , Long Yunze , Ning Xin , Lan Zhenggang
Published: July 2020

The exciton dynamics in one-dimensional stacked PBI (Perylene Bisimide) aggregates was studied with SQC-MM dynamics (Symmetrical Quasiclassical Dynamics based on the Meyer–Miller mapping Hamiltonian).
Thermal transport and spin-dependent Seebeck effect in parallel step-like zigzag graphene nanoribbon junctions
Authors: Tan Xingyi , Liu Lili , Du Gui-Fang , Fu Hua-Hua
Published: July 2020

By using nonequilibrium molecular dynamic and density functional theory combined with nonequilibrium Green's function method, thermal transport and spin-dependent transport through a series of parallel step-like graphene nanoribbon (GNR) junctions are investigated.
Waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics-derived activated carbon for CO2 capture: a route to a closed carbon loop
Authors: Wang Junyao , Yuan Xiangzhou , Deng Shuai , Zeng Xuelan , Yu Zhi , Li Shuangjun , Li Kaixiang
Published: July 2020

This study assessed waste PET-derived activated carbon coupled with temperature swing CO2 adsorption to provide a comprehensive investigation on the potential life cycle environmental impacts.
Enantioselective copper-catalysed defluorosilylation of trifluoro-methylated alkenes with silylboronates
Authors: Gao Pan , Gao Liuzhou , Xi Longlong , Zhang Zedong , Li Shuhua , Shi Zhuangzhi
Published: July 2020

An efficient method for the construction of gem-difluoroallylsilanes with high enantiomeric excess via a copper-catalysed defluorosilylation of trifluoromethylated alkenes with silylboronates is described.
Eco-energetic management of activated sludge derived from slaughterhouse wastewater treatment: pre-treatments for enhancing biogas production under anaerobic conditions
Authors: Caballero Pablo , Ágabo-García Cristina , Solera Rosario , Parrado Juan , Pérez Montserrat
Published: July 2020

In this paper different pre-treatments (involving temperature, pressure and enzymatic processes) were applied to activated sludge from slaughterhouse wastewater treatment with the aim of improving biogas production in anaerobic processes.
A two-component charge transfer hydrogel with excellent sensitivity towards the microenvironment: a responsive platform for biogenic thiols
Authors: Biswakarma Dipen , Dey Nilanjan , Bhattacharya Santanu
Published: July 2020

A two-component charge-transfer hydrogel derived from a hetero-supramolecular assembly of a pyrene based amino acid donor with an acceptor dye, presents an opportunity, where the hydrogel could discriminate biogenic thiols chemo-dosimetrically.
A long side chain imidazolium-based graft-type anion-exchange membrane: novel electrolyte and alkaline-durable properties and structural elucidation using SANS contrast variation
Authors: Zhao Yue , Yoshimura Kimio , Mahmoud Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed , Yu Hwan-Chul , Okushima Shun , Hiroki Akihiro , Kishiyama Yoshihiro , Shishitani Hideyuki , Yamaguchi Susumu , Tanaka Hirohisa , Noda Yohei , Koizumi Satoshi , Radulescu Aurel , Maekawa Yasunari
Published: July 2020

Structure–property relationships of newly developed AEMs were studied. Hydrazine-hydrate fuel cell tests show good performance and the best durability thus far.
Synergistic role of nucleotides and lipids for the self-assembly of Shs1 septin oligomers
Authors: Taveneau Cyntia , Blanc Rémi , Péhau-Arnaudet Gérard , Di Cicco Aurélie , Bertin Aurélie
Published: July 2020

Budding yeast septins are essential for cell division and polarity. Septins assemble as palindromic linear octameric complexes. The function and ultra-structural organization of septins are finely governed by their molecular polymorphism. In particular, in budding yeast, the end subunit can stand either as Shs1 or Cdc11. We have dissected, here, for the first time, the behavior of the Shs1 protomer bound to membranes at nanometer resolution, in complex with the other septins. Using electron microscopy, we have shown that on membranes, Shs1 protomers self-assemble into rings, bundles, filaments or two-dimensional gauzes. Using a set of specific mutants we have demonstrated a synergistic role of both nucleotides and lipids for the organization and oligomerization of budding yeast septins. Besides, cryo-electron tomography assays show that vesicles are deformed by the interaction between Shs1 oligomers and lipids. The Shs1–Shs1 interface is stabilized by the presence of phosphoinositides, allowing the visualization of micrometric long filaments formed by Shs1 protomers. In addition, molecular modeling experiments have revealed a potential molecular mechanism regarding the selectivity of septin subunits for phosphoinositide lipids.
Current understanding of plant Polycomb group proteins and the repressive histone H3 Lysine 27 trimethylation
Authors: Jiao Huijun , Xie Yuanyuan , Li Zicong
Published: July 2020

Polycomb group (PcG) proteins are highly conserved chromatin-modifying complexes that implement gene silencing in higher eukaryotes. Thousands of genes and multiple developmental processes are regulated by PcG proteins. As the first chromatin modifier been identified in model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the methyltransferase CURLY LEAF (CLF) and its catalyzed histone H3 Lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) have already become well-established paradigm in plant epigenetic study. Like in animals, PcG proteins mediate plant development and repress homeotic gene expression by antagonizing with trithorax group proteins. Recent researches have advanced our understanding on plant PcG proteins, including the plant-specific components of these well-conserved protein complexes, the close association with transcription factors and noncoding RNA for the spatial and temporal specificity, the dynamic regulation of the repressive mark H3K27me3 and the PcG-mediated chromatin conformation alterations in gene expression. In this review, we will summarize the molecular mechanisms of PcG-implemented gene repression and the relationship between H3K27me3 and another repressive mark histone H2A Lysine 121 mono-ubiquitination (H2A121ub) will also be discussed.
PMU and DVR based Power System Monitoring, Controlling and Voltage sag Compensation
Authors: Chalwadi Abhishek , M Kiruthika , S Bindu
Published: July 2020

The power system network is becoming dense and much more complex. Dynamic and continuous monitoring of the power system network is required to avoid power outages. Phasor Measurement Unit (PMU) is one such device that provides state estimation parameters of dynamic power system networks that are used for designing relays and controlling the system network. Power Quality problems such as voltage sags and swells can damage the sensitive load and cause abnormal voltage, current, and frequency conditions in a power system network. Fast and major developments in power electronics technology have made it possible to mitigate the power quality problems. Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) is a voltage sag compensation device that compensates the difference in voltage avoiding interruptions and restores the voltage to the pre-fault value. This paper discusses a technique used for monitoring, protecting, and controlling the system under fault condition using PMU and compensate voltage sag for a sensitive load using DVR based on the data collected by placing PMU in an optimal location. The outcome of the above analysis is recorded which shows that effective monitoring, controlling, and voltage sag compensation can be done with less number of PMU’s placed optimally in conjunction with DVR.
Lossless and Reversible Data Hiding using Public Key Cryptography
Authors: Shetye Pooja , Varekar Srushti , Zajam Manali , Pawar Monika , Kadam Sujata
Published: July 2020

In today’s world, the internet is a platform, where large amount of data can be obtained and transferred. Different technologies and internet access are used to transfer the data which can be accessed by authorized and unauthorized users.The major drawback of these technologies are that any unauthorized person can access it.Hence encryption and decryption is perform on Message/Data .In encryption the plain text/image is converted into cipher text/image.The technique of data hiding is used to hide the data that has to be transferred from the source to the destination.The process involves insertion of secret message in the cover image which is encrypted with the help of AES algorithm. This algorithm generates public/private key. All this process can be performed in lossless and reversible manner.
Performance analysis of Strain sensor based on Fiber Bragg Grating
Authors: More Aniket Shivram , Lad Pritam sanjay , Krishnan Shivram Ramnarayanan , Bhosale Savita R.
Published: July 2020

A fiber Bragg grating can be worked as reflector, it is constructed in a short section of optical fiber that reflects light of specific wavelength and allow to pass remaining wavelengths. This is possible by creating a periodic change in refractive index within the fiber core. The change in the modal index of fiber caused due to strain results in a Bragg wavelength. This work describes performance of Fiber Bragg Gratings as a strain sensor at 1550nm wavelength is considered for simulation, corresponding dynamic strain and wavelength shifts are analysed. This performance analysis is useful especially for intrusion detection system where environments are harsh. This sensor is compatible with data communication system and can be used for remote sensing.
Epileptic Seizure Detection Using Artifact Reduction and HOS Features of WPD
Authors: Vijay Kakade Meenal , Gaikwad Chandrakant J. , Dahake Vijay R.
Published: July 2020

The use of computer aided diagnosis systems for disease identifiscation, based on signal processing, image processing and video processing terminologies is common due to emerging technologies in medical field. The detection of epilepsy seizures using EEG recordings is done by different signal processing techniques. To reduce the disability caused by the uncertainty of the occurrence of seizures, a recording system which shall result accurate and early detection of seizure with quick warning is greatly desired. To optimize the performance of EEG based epilepsy seizures detection, in this work we are presenting a method based on two key algorithms. Here, we propose unique algorithm based on SWT (Stationary Wavelet Transform), for easier seizure analysis process, along with improved performance of the application of seizure detection algorithms. Then, we propose the algorithm for feature extraction that makes use of Higher Order Statistics of the coefficients that are calculated using Wavelet Packet Decomposition (WPD).This helps in improving the epilepsy seizures detection performance. The proposed methods helps to improve the overall efficiency and robustness of EEG based epilepsy seizures detection system.
Blockchain technology based e-voting system
Authors: Lahane Anita A. , Patel Junaid , Pathan Talif , Potdar Prathmesh
Published: July 2020

Election could be a important event during a trendy democracy however massive sections of society round the world don’t trust their election system that is major concern for the democracy. Even the world’s largest democracies like Republic of India, us, and Japan still suffer from a blemished legal system. Vote rigging, hacking of the EVM (Electronic vote machine), election manipulation, and booth capturing square measure the key problems within the current electoral system. during this system, we tend to square measure work the problems|the problems within the election vote systems and attempting to propose the E-voting model which might resolve these issues. The system can highlight a number of the popular blockchain frameworks that provide blockchain as a service and associated electronic E-voting system that is predicated on blockchain that addresses all limitations severally, it additionally preserve participant’s obscurity whereas still being hospitable public examination.

Building Associate in Nursing electronic electoral system that satisfies the legal necessities of legislators has been a challenge for an extended time. Distributed ledger technologies is Associate in Nursing exciting technological advancement within the info technology world. Blockchain technologies supply Associate in Nursing infinite vary of applications cashing in on sharing economies.

Blockchain could be a unquiet technology of current era and guarantees to enhance the resilience of e-voting systems. this technique presents a shot to leverage edges of blockchain like cryptological foundations and transparency to attain an efficient theme for e-voting. The projected theme conforms to the elemental necessities for e-voting schemes and achieves end-to-end verifiability. The system presents in-depth analysis of the theme that with success demonstrates its effectiveness to attain Associate in Nursing end-to-end verifiable e-voting theme.
Phishing-Inspector: Detection & Prevention of Phishing Websites
Authors: Doke Tanmay , Khismatrao Pranav , Jambhale Vaibhav , Marathe Nilesh
Published: July 2020

With a tremendous boost in technologies & available learning material developing any website has become very easy. Due to this the number of websites are exponentially growing day by day. The traditional approach of comparing websites with Blacklist and whitelist is not so efficient. As attackers have become more intelligent regarding hiding and redirecting of the URL and thereby tricking the user into phishing attack without been getting detected. So there’s a need to have a novel approaches based on Machine learning (ML) which would expose this phishing websites. In this paper, the proposed system is an extension to web browser which made use of ML algorithm to extract various features and thereby helping the user to distinguish between Legitimate website and Phishing website.
The Implementation of Covert Channel in IPV6 using Linux Kernel
Authors: Munot Simran D , Yevale Mitali J , Raut Nikhil M , Dakhane Dhananjay M
Published: July 2020

Nowadays indirect communication is used as a mechanism to bypass the direct communication network channel. Such indirect communication channels prove as a threat to information-sensitive systems that don’t allow leakage of information like Military communication. Developing a covert channel in the network requires some carriers like TCP Headers or Protocols. The only challenge is that it possesses strict semantics. If it is manipulated by even a single bit, the entire semantics will change. The packet will be considered as a forged packet and will get rejected automatically by a firewall. To avoid this, we have proposed a unique way of covert commumcation - TCP and IPv6 Referencing Model. In our proposed referencing model, instead of embedding any bit and destroying the semantics of the header, we are going to use the referencing method to send the covert bit from sender to receiver end. Thus the packet will appear a part of normal distribution and gets transmitted securely within the channel. Here we are using the TCP Sequence Number (SQN) to make this possible.
Web Traffic Time Series Forecasting using ARIMA and LSTM RNN
Authors: Shelatkar Tejas , Tondale Stephen , Yadav Swaraj , Ahir Sheetal
Published: July 2020

Nowadays, web traffic forecasting is a major problem as this can cause setbacks to the workings of major websites. Time-series forecasting has been a hot topic for research. Predicting future time series values is one of the most difficult problems in the industry. The time series field encompasses many different issues, ranging from inference and analysis to forecasting and classification. Forecasting the network traffic and displaying it in a dashboard that updates in real-time would be the most efficient way to convey the information. Creating a Dashboard would help in monitoring and analyzing real-time data. In this day and age, we are too dependent on Google server but if we want to host a server for large users we could have predicted the number of users from previous years to avoid server breakdown. Time Series forecasting is crucial to multiple domains. ARIMA; LSTM RNN; web traffic; prediction;time series;
Implementation of an educational model leveraging the power of incentive reward theory with Blockchain
Authors: Gulati Rishi , Jethi Akash , Ghosh Arnab , Shimpi Abhishek , Naik Ashwini
Published: July 2020

Recent studies conducted to investigate the reasons for an alarming decline in the performance of undergraduate students have thrown up a few compelling facts. These necessitate our immediate attention. Demographic shuffling along with lack of intrinsic motivation stand out as the cardinal reasons among other miscellaneous ones. There is a need to introduce programs that perk up one’s persistence level and provide the missing tangible incentive for a purposeful engagement with our education system. The paper endeavours to fulfil this requirement through the use of Blockchain (cryptocurrency) guided by the principles of extrinsic motivation theory.
Automated Non-invasive Diagnosis of Melanoma Skin Cancer using Dermo-scopic Images
Authors: Khan Huda , Yadav Anushka , Santiago Reha , Chaudhari Sangita
Published: July 2020

Melanoma skin cancer is one of the deadliest cancers today, the rate of which is rising exponentially. If not detected and treated early, it will most likely spread to other parts of the body. To properly detect melanoma, a skin biopsy is required. This is an invasive technique which is why the need for a diagnosis system that can eradicate the skin biopsy method arises. It is observed that the proposed method is successfully detecting and correctly classifying the malignant and non-malignant skin cancer. Finally, a neural network is used to classify benign and malignant images from the extracted features. Keywords: Melanoma, non-invasive, skin lesion, neural network.
Underwater Image Processing using Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
Authors: Ottapura Sayooj , Mistry Rahul , Keni Jatin , Jage Chaitanya
Published: July 2020

Image processing is a method used for enhancement of an image or to extract some useful information from the image. It is a type of signal processing in which input is an image and output may be an image or any characteristics/features associated with that image. In this paper we will be focusing on a specific type of Image Processing i.e. Underwater Image Processing. Underwater Image Processing has always faced the problem of imbalance in colour distribution and this problem can be tackled by the simplest algorithm for colour balancing. We will be proceeding with the assumption that the highest values of R, G, B observed in the image corresponds to white and the lowest values corresponds to darkness. The underwater images are majorly saturated by blue colour because of its short wavelength and in this paper, we aim to enhance the image. We proposed a colour balancing algorithm for normalizing the image. The entire process will first be carried out on a CPU followed by a GPU. We will then compare the speedup obtained. Speedup is an important parameter in the field on image processing since a better speedup can help reduce the computation time significantly while maintaining a higher efficiency.
Seasonal performance estimation of thin film photovoltaic technology
Authors: Nichinte Akshay , Vyawahare Vishwesh , Magare Dhiraj
Published: July 2020

The performance of photovoltaic (PV) module in the environment can be improved by considering the seasonal effects. In this paper, the effect of seasonal variations of Amorphous-Silicon/thin film photovoltaic technology in different seasons has been presented for National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Gurgaon site in India. It has been observed that, the estimation efficiency and output power of a-Si technology using module temperature is well match to measured efficiency and output power. This study is mainly very important in India because of the each season’s variation effect on different PV technology will be useful for large scale project assessment.
Sicher zwischen Leitlinie und Leitplanke: Umfrage zur Praxis des perioperativen Managements der radikalen Zystektomie in Deutschland
Authors: Dressler Franz F. , Dogan Serkan , Hennig Martin , Frank Tanja , Struck Julian , Cebulla Angelika , Salem Johannes , Borgmann Hendrik , Klatte Tobias , Kramer Mario W. , Hofbauer Sebastian
Published: July 2020

Hintergrund und Zielsetzung Die radikale Zystektomie (RCX) ist die kurative Standardbehandlung für muskelinvasive Harnblasenkarzinome. Aufgrund des operativen Ausmaßes und der damit verbundenen komplexen stationären Betreuung ist die RCX mit hoher Morbidität und Mortalität verbunden. Ziel war es, Daten aus dem klinischen Alltag zur gegenwärtigen Praxis des perioperativen Managements zu erfassen.

Methoden Mitglieder der DGU und der German Society of Residents in Urology beantworteten anonym einen 24 Fragen umfassenden Online-Fragebogen. Gegenstand waren sowohl klinisch relevante Aspekte der gegenwärtigen EAU/DGU-Leitlinien als auch kontrovers diskutierte klinische Fragen.

Ergebnisse Durch die Teilnehmer konnten mindestens 19 % aller infrage kommenden deutschen Zentren erfasst werden. Mehrheitlich wird das präoperative Staging mittels CT-Urografie und CT-Thorax durchgeführt. Die meistgenutzte Antibiotikaprophylaxe umfasst ein Drittgenerations-Cephalosporin plus Metronidazol (46 %), welche im Median für 5 Tage verabreicht werden. Harnleiterschienen (HS) werden im Mittel beim Ileumconduit am 11. und bei der Neoblase am 12. Tag nach RCX entfernt. Gemessen an Surrogatparametern wie oraler Darmvorbereitung, Beginn des Kostaufbaus und Einsatz einer Magensonde sind aktuelle Fast-Track-Konzepte noch nicht allgemein verbreitet (< 50 %).

Schlussfolgerungen Die meisten Aspekte des perioperativen Managements werden leitliniengerecht durchgeführt, so z. B. Staging-Untersuchungen, Einsatz von Antibiotika und Entfernung der HS. Andere klinische Fragestellungen wie Durchführung einer Bildgebung vor Entfernung der HS und Fast-Track-Konzepte werden unterschiedlich gehandhabt, obwohl zunehmende Evidenz in diesen Bereichen existiert. Leitlinienadhärenz war nicht mit Zentrumsgröße oder Anzahl der Eingriffe assoziiert.
Operationsindikationen bei der chronischen Pankreatitis
Authors: Müller-Debus Charlotte Friederieke , Wellner Ulrich Friedrich , Bösch Florian , Belyaev Orlin , Brunner Maximilian , Radulova-Mauersberger Olga , Grützmann Robert , Uhl Waldemar , Witzigmann Helmut , Werner Jens , Keck Tobias
Published: July 2020

Die chronische Pankreatitis stellt eine über die Jahre rezidivierende Erkrankung mit wiederkehrenden Entzündungsschüben der Bauchspeicheldrüse und gürtelförmigen Oberbauchschmerzen dar. Unbehandelt führt die chronische Pankreatitis zu rezidivierenden Schmerzen, die letztendlich häufig eine Therapie mit Opiaten erfordern. Die chronische Pankreatitis führt zu rezidivierenden Krankenhausaufenthalten der Betroffenen sowie zu sozioökonomischen Nachteilen für die Patienten. Im Verlauf kann es zu lokalen Folgen der chronischen Pankreatitis kommen wie Pseudozystenbildung, Gallengangstenose, Duodenalobstruktion oder portaler Hypertension. Ziel dieses Artikels ist die Darstellung der Indikationen zur chirurgischen Therapie für die chronische Pankreatitis. Zugrunde liegend ist eine systematische Literaturrecherche und Bewertung, die Erstellung von Schlüsselfragen nach dem PICO-Prinzip und die Evaluation der Indikationen in einem 3-stufigen Delphi-Verfahren unter den Mitgliedern der Arbeitsgruppe Pankreas und der Arbeitsgruppe Indikationsqualität der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie. Die chirurgische Resektion des entzündlichen Pankreaskopftumors nach einem primär konservativen Therapieversuch stellt eine hocheffiziente Therapie zur Kontrolle der Schmerzen und zur Vermeidung von Komplikationen bei der chronischen Pankreatitis dar. Hierfür stehen gut evaluierte duodenumerhaltende (Operationen nach Frey, Bern, Beger) und duodenumresezierende Verfahren (pyloruserhaltende Pankreaskopfresektion, Whipple-Operation) sowie Drainageoperationen zur Verfügung. Protrahierung der chirurgischen Therapie bei Versagen eines initialen konservativen Therapieversuchs kann zur Chronifizierung von Schmerzen, Kachexie und Malnutrition des Patienten und zur Erhöhung der Komplikationen bei der chirurgischen Therapie führen.
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Martí Joan Daniel , McWilliams David , Gimeno-Santos Elena
Published: July 2020

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition that affects a person's ability to exercise and undertake normal physical function due to breathlessness, poor physical fitness, and muscle fatigue. Patients with COPD often experience exacerbations due to pulmonary infections, which result in worsening of their symptoms, more loss of function, and often require hospital treatment or in severe cases admission to intensive care units. Recovery from such exacerbations is often slow, and some patients never fully return to their previous level of activity. This can lead to permanent disability and premature death.

Physical therapists play a key role in the respiratory management and rehabilitation of patients admitted to intensive care following acute exacerbation of COPD. This article discusses the key considerations for respiratory management of patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation, providing an evidence-based summary of commonly used interventions. It will also explore the evidence to support the introduction of early and structured programs of rehabilitation to support recovery in both the short and the long term, as well as active mobilization, which includes strategies to minimize or prevent physical loss through early retraining of both peripheral and respiratory muscles.