bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MALTESQUE 2019 Workshop Summary
Authors: Fontana Francesca Arcelli , Perrouin Gilles , Ampatzoglou Apostolos , Archer Mathieu , Walter Bartosz , Cordy Maxime , Palomba Fabio , Devroey Xavier
Published: January 2020

Welcome to the third edition of the workshop on Machine Learn- ing Techniques for Software Quality Evaluation (MaLTeSQuE 2019), held in Tallinn, Estonia, August 27th, 2019, co-located with ESEC / FSE 2019. This year MALTESQUE merged with the MASES (Machine Learning and Software Engineering in Symbiosis) work- shop, co-located with the ASE 2018 conference. Ten papers from all over the world were submitted, seven of them were accepted. The program also featured a keynote by Lionel Briand on the use of machine learning to improve software testing.
High-Performance Sodium Secondary Batteries Using Synergistic Effect of Amorphous SiP2/C Anode and Ionic Liquid Electrolyte
Authors: Xinyue Zhang , Kaushik Shubham , Matsumoto Kazuhiko , Hagiwara Rika
Published: January 2020

A silicon diphosphide-carbon composite (SiP2/C) was investigated as a negative electrode material for sodium secondary batteries with the Na[FSA]–[C3C1pyrr][FSA] (FSA− = bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide anion and C3C1pyrr+ = N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium cation) ionic liquid electrolyte. Two amorphous silicon diphosphide materials, SiP2/C (80:20) and SiP2/C (70:30) (80:20 and 70:30 refer to the SiP2:C weight ratio), were prepared by a facile two-step high energy ball-milling process. SiP2/C (80:20) and SiP2/C (70:30) delivered high discharge capacities of 883 and 791 mAh g−1, respectively, at 100 mA g−1 in the first cycle at 90 °C, with the latter showing better cyclability. Comparison of the performance of SiP2/C (70:30) in the ionic liquid and organic electrolytes at 25 °C indicated the advantage of the ionic liquid electrolyte in terms of higher discharge capacity and improved cyclability. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that the interfacial resistance decreased with cycling in the ionic liquid electrolyte at 25 °C but significantly increased at 90 °C. Ex situ X-ray diffraction revealed that the product remains amorphous even after charging and discharging in SiP2/C (70:30). This study demonstrated the importance of ionic liquids and phosphide based materials as high performance enablers for sodium secondary batteries.
Influence of Furil Dioxime on Cobalt Electrochemical Nucleation and Growth
Authors: Hu Y. , Lyons T. , Huang Q.
Published: January 2020

The nucleation and growth of cobalt (Co) on blanket Si with extremely thin Co seed was studied in the presence of furil dioxime (FD). Cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry, and galvanostatic nucleation studies were conducted to understand the effects of FD on Co nucleation process. A potential dependent suppression effect was observed at low potential with a breakdown of the suppression at high potential, resulting in a hysteresis in CV. The potentiostatic current transient experiments showed that side reactions and adsorption process both greatly affected Co nucleation. A well-established model, which deconvolutes the individual contributions to the total current transient, was applied to fit the experimental curves. Progressive and instantaneous Co nucleation were observed across different FD concentrations and applied potentials. Galvanostatic studies further proved the suppression effect of FD and the effects on film morphology were studied at different conditions.
Spinal AMP kinase activity differentially regulates phrenic motor plasticity
Authors: Perim Raphael Rodrigues , Fields Daryl P. , Mitchell Gordon S.
Published: January 2020

Acute intermittent hypoxia (AIH) elicits phrenic motor plasticity via multiple distinct cellular mechanisms. With moderate AIH, phrenic motor facilitation (pMF) requires Gq protein-coupled serotonin type 2 receptor activation, ERK MAP kinase activity, and new synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. In contrast, severe AIH elicits pMF by an adenosine-dependent mechanism that requires exchange protein activated by cAMP, Akt, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity, followed by new tyrosine receptor kinase B protein synthesis; this same pathway is also initiated by Gs protein-coupled serotonin 7 receptors (5-HT7). Because the metabolic sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibits mTOR-dependent protein synthesis, and mTOR signaling is necessary for 5-HT7 but not 5-HT2 receptor-induced pMF, we hypothesized that spinal AMPK activity differentially regulates pMF elicited by these distinct receptor subtypes. Serotonin type 2A receptor [5-HT2A; (±)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine hydrochloride] or 5-HT7 (AS-19) receptor agonists were administered intrathecally at C4 (3 injections, 5-min intervals) while recording integrated phrenic nerve activity in anesthetized, vagotomized, paralyzed, and ventilated rats. Consistent with our hypothesis, spinal AMPK activation with 2-deoxyglucose or metformin blocked 5-HT7, but not 5-HT2A receptor-induced pMF; in both cases, pMF inhibition was reversed by spinal administration of the AMPK inhibitor compound C. Thus, AMPK differentially regulates cellular mechanisms of serotonin-induced phrenic motor plasticity.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Spinal AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) overactivity, induced by local 2-deoxyglucose or metformin administration, constrains serotonin 7 (5-HT7) receptor-induced (but not serotonin type 2A receptor-induced) respiratory motor facilitation, indicating that metabolic challenges might regulate specific forms of respiratory motor plasticity. Pharmacological blockade of spinal AMPK activity restores 5-HT7 receptor-induced respiratory motor facilitation in the presence of either 2-deoxyglucose or metformin, showing that AMPK is an important regulator of 5-HT7 receptor-induced respiratory motor plasticity.
Brief asphyxial state following immediate cord clamping accelerates onset of left-to-right shunting across the ductus arteriosus after birth in preterm lambs
Authors: Smolich Joseph J. , Kenna Kelly R. , Cheung Michael M. H. , Mynard Jonathan P.
Published: January 2020

Reversal of shunting across the ductus arteriosus from right-to-left to left-to-right is a characteristic feature of the birth transition. Given that immediate cord clamping (ICC) followed by an asphyxial cord clamp-to-ventilation (CC-V) interval may augment left ventricular (LV) output and central blood flows after birth, we tested the hypothesis that an asphyxial CC-V interval accelerates the onset of postnatal left-to-right ductal shunting. High-fidelity central blood flow signals were obtained in anesthetized preterm lambs (gestation 128 ± 2 days) after ICC followed by a nonasphyxial (∼40 s, n = 9) or asphyxial (∼90 s, n = 9) CC-V interval before mechanical ventilation for 30 min after birth. Left-to-right ductal flow segments were related to aortic isthmus and descending aortic flow profiles to quantify sources of ductal shunting. In the nonasphyxial group, phasic left-to-right ductal shunting was initially minor after birth, but then rose progressively to 437 ± 164 ml/min by 15 min ( P < 0.001). However, in the asphyxial group, this shunting increased from 24 ± 21 to 199 ± 93 ml/min by 15 s after birth ( P < 0.001) and rose further to 471 ± 190 ml/min by 2 min ( P < 0.001). This earlier onset of left-to-right ductal shunting was supported by larger contributions ( P < 0.001) from direct systolic LV flow and retrograde diastolic discharge from an arterial reservoir/windkessel located in the descending aorta and its major branches, and associated with increased pulmonary arterial blood flow having a larger ductal component. These findings suggest that the duration of the CC-V interval after ICC is an important modulator of left-to-right ductal shunting, LV output and pulmonary perfusion at birth.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This birth transition study in preterm lambs demonstrated that a brief (∼90 s) asphyxial interval between umbilical cord clamping and ventilation onset resulted in earlier and greater left-to-right shunting across the ductus arteriosus after birth. This greater shunting 1) resulted from an increased left ventricular output associated with a higher systolic left-to-right ductal flow and increased retrograde diastolic discharge from a lower body arterial reservoir/windkessel, and 2) was accompanied by greater lung perfusion after birth.
Skeletal muscle V̇o2kinetics by the NIRS repeated occlusions method during the recovery from cycle ergometer exercise
Authors: Zuccarelli Lucrezia , do Nascimento Salvador Paulo Cesar , Del Torto Alessio , Fiorentino Riccardo , Grassi Bruno
Published: January 2020

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been utilized as a noninvasive method to evaluate skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in humans, by calculating muscle V̇o2(V̇o2m) recovery (off-) kinetics following short light-intensity plantar flexion exercise. The aim of the present study was to determine V̇o2m off- kinetics following standard cycle ergometer exercise of different intensities. Fifteen young physically active healthy men performed an incremental exercise (INCR) up to exhaustion and two repetitions of constant work-rate (CWR) exercises at 80% of gas exchange threshold (GET; MODERATE) and at 40% of the difference between GET and peak pulmonary V̇o2(V̇o2p; HEAVY). V̇o2p and vastus lateralis muscle fractional O2extraction by NIRS (Δ[deoxy(Hb+Mb)]) were recorded continuously. Transient arterial occlusions were carried out at rest and during the recovery for V̇o2m calculation. All subjects tolerated the repeated occlusions protocol without problems. The quality of the monoexponential fitting for V̇o2m off-kinetics analysis was excellent (0.93≤ r2≤0.99). According to interclass correlation coefficient, the test-retest reliability was moderate to good. V̇o2m values at the onset of recovery were ~27, ~38, and ~35 times higher (in MODERATE, HEAVY, and INCR, respectively) than at rest. The time constants (τ) of V̇o2m off-kinetics were lower ( P < 0.001) following MODERATE (29.1 ± 6.8 s) vs. HEAVY (40.8 ± 10.9) or INCR (42.9 ± 10.9), suggesting an exercise intensity dependency of V̇o2m off-kinetics. Only following MODERATE the V̇o2m off-kinetics were faster than the V̇o2p off-kinetics. V̇o2m off-kinetics, determined noninvasively by the NIRS repeated occlusions technique, can be utilized as a functional evaluation tool of skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism also following conventional cycle ergometer exercise.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study in which muscle V̇o2recovery kinetics, determined noninvasively by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) by utilizing the repeated occlusions method, was applied following standard cycle ergometer exercise of different intensities. The results demonstrate that muscle V̇o2recovery kinetics, determined noninvasively by the NIRS repeated occlusions technique, can be utilized as a functional evaluation tool of skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism also following conventional cycle ergometer exercise, overcoming significant limitations associated with the traditionally proposed protocol.
Effects of repeated local heat therapy on skeletal muscle structure and function in humans
Authors: Kim Kyoungrae , Reid Blake A. , Casey Caitlin A. , Bender Brooke E. , Ro Bohyun , Song Qifan , Trewin Adam J. , Petersen Aaron C. , Kuang Shihuan , Gavin Timothy P. , Roseguini Bruno T.
Published: January 2020

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of repeated exposure to local heat therapy (HT) on skeletal muscle function, myofiber morphology, capillarization, and mitochondrial content in humans. Twelve young adults (23.6 ± 4.8 yr, body mass index 24.9 ± 3.0 kg/m2) had one randomly selected thigh treated with HT (garment perfused with water at ~52°C) for 8 consecutive weeks (90 min, 5 days/wk) while the opposite thigh served as a control. Biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle before and after 4 and 8 wk of treatment. Knee extensor strength and fatigue resistance were also assessed using isokinetic dynamometry. The changes in peak isokinetic torque were higher ( P = 0.007) in the thigh exposed to HT than in the control thigh at weeks 4 (control 4.2 ± 13.1 Nm vs. HT 9.1 ± 16.1 Nm) and 8 (control 1.8 ± 9.7 Nm vs. HT 7.8 ± 10.2 Nm). Exposure to HT averted a temporal decline in capillarization around type II fibers ( P < 0.05), but had no effect on capillarization indexes in type I fibers. The content of endothelial nitric oxide synthase was ~18% and 35% higher in the thigh exposed to HT at 4 and 8 wk, respectively ( P = 0.003). Similarly, HT increased the content of small heat shock proteins HSPB5 ( P = 0.007) and HSPB1 ( P = 0.009). There were no differences between thighs for the changes in fiber cross-sectional area and mitochondrial content. These results indicate that exposure to local HT for 8 wk promotes a proangiogenic environment and enhances muscle strength but does not affect mitochondrial content in humans.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate that repeated application of heat therapy to the thigh with a garment perfused with warm water enhances the strength of knee extensors and influences muscle capillarization in parallel with increases in the content of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and small heat shock proteins. This practical method of passive heat stress may be a feasible tool to treat conditions associated with capillary rarefaction and muscle weakness.
The Micro-Immunotherapy Medicine 2LARTH® Reduces Inflammation and Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis In Vivo
Authors: Floris Ilaria , García-González Víctor , Palomares Belen , Appel Kurt , Lejeune Beatrice
Published: January 2020

Background. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory joint disease, which can cause cartilage and bone damages as well as pain and disability. In order to prevent disease progression, reduce pain, and major symptoms of RA, one good strategy consists in targeting proinflammatory cytokines that have the key role in the vicious circle of synovial inflammation and pain. The micro-immunotherapy medicine (MIM) 2LARTH® targets cytokines involved in inflammation. Aim. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of the MIM compared to vehicle in an in vivo model of RA, induced in mice after immunization with articular bovine type II collagen. Methods. Vehicle and MIM were dissolved in pure water (1 capsule in 100 ml) and 100 µl was given by gavage daily for 14 days. To evaluate the severity of arthritis, wrist and ankle thickness was determined, paw edema was measured, and a clinical score from 0 to 4 was established. Furthermore, histological analysis was performed. To evaluate systemic inflammation, circulating levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were measured by ELISA. Results. Ankle thickness was found to be significantly reduced in MIM-treated mice compared to vehicle-treated mice (P<0.05) and compared to untreated me (P<0.01). Paw edema was reduced, as well as clinical score attributed to MIM-treated mice in comparison with vehicle-treated mice and untreated CIA mice (P<0.01). In line with these results, histological analysis confirmed that MIM reduced inflammation and joint destruction in comparison to controls. No significant changes were found in plasmatic IL-1β levels between CIA and controls, while the levels of TNF-α significantly increased in the CIA group, and were lowered in MIM-treated mice (P<0.05 vs. vehicle and vs. CIA). Conclusion. The results indicate that the tested medicine reduces inflammation, histological, and clinical signs of RA in a CIA model.
Goiter in a Patient with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Treated with Epoprostenol
Authors: Abughazaleh Shaadi , Safdar Zeenat
Published: January 2020

A 35-year-old female with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) who presented with complaints of progressively worsening dysphagia, facial swelling, and shortness of breath, was found to have a large goiter. In patients treated with epoprostenol for long periods of time, thyroid disease is common. Most cases of thyroid disease describe thyrotoxicosis and hyperthyroid statues, but our case was a patient on long term IV epoprostenol presenting with a superior vena cava-syndrome (SVC) like appearance and airway compromise found to have a goiter incidentally during workup.
Bacteriospermia and Sperm Quality of Cryopreserved Bull Semen Used in Artificial Insemination of Cows in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Reda Abadi Amare , Almaw Gizat , Abreha Solomon , Tadeg Wedajo , Tadesse Belege
Published: January 2020

The objectives of this trial were to estimate prevalence of bacteriospermia, to determine the bacterial load, and to isolate the types of bacteria as well as to assess the association between bacterial load and sperm quality traits in cryopreserved bull semen in field conditions in the South Wollo Zone. A total of 309 cryopreserved straws of semen from the Holstein Friesian (HF)-cross bull (n = 180 straws) and pure Jersey bull (n = 129 straws) were investigated. Bacteriological assessments of the presence of aerobic bacteria, estimation of bacterial count and bacterial isolation, as well as semen quality were performed. Aerobic bacterial contamination was prevalent in 38.8% of the semen straws. No significant difference in the prevalence of bacteriospermia was observed among bulls although the HF-cross bull had a higher prevalence (40.0%). But, significant difference in prevalence of bacteriospermia was found among semen ejaculates of the same bull. The risk of bacteriospermia in the HF-cross bull was higher (Odds ratio = 1.86, 95% CI = 0.168–20.26) compared to Jersey although not significant. Overall average bacterial load of 50.38 ± 16.29 colony-forming units (CFU)/ml (from nil to 1318.20 CFU/ml) was found. No significant difference in bacterial count among bulls and their ejaculates was observed. Moreover, correlation analysis revealed that the proportions of motility, live, and normal morphology were negatively influenced by an increase in the bacterial contamination of semen. In this study, three isolates of coagualse-negative Staphylococcus species and one isolate of Corynebacterium species were found. Average percentages of sperm motility (48.35 ± 1.23), live (66.08 ± 1.0), and normal morphology (80.62 ± 1.24) were observed. It was concluded that cryopreservation does not guarantee the quality of semen from bacterial contamination. Hence, meticulous care should be adopted to prevent contamination of semen by bacteria during collection, transportation, processing, and storage times.
Sequence of Routes to Chaos in a Lorenz-Type System
Authors: Yang Fangyan , Cao Yongming , Chen Lijuan , Li Qingdu
Published: January 2020

This paper reports a new bifurcation pattern observed in a Lorenz-type system. The pattern is composed of a main bifurcation route to chaos (n=1) and a sequence of sub-bifurcation routes with n=3,4,5,…,14 isolated sub-branches to chaos. When n is odd, the n isolated sub-branches are from a period-n limit cycle, followed by twin period-n limit cycles via a pitchfork bifurcation, twin chaotic attractors via period-doubling bifurcations, and a symmetric chaotic attractor via boundary crisis. When n is even, the n isolated sub-branches are from twin period-n/2 limit cycles, which become twin chaotic attractors via period-doubling bifurcations. The paper also shows that the main route and the sub-routes can coexist peacefully by studying basins of attraction.
Development and Validation of a 34‐Gene Inherited Cancer Predisposition Panel Using Next‐Generation Sequencing
Authors: Rosenthal Sun Hee , Sun Weimin , Zhang Ke , Liu Yan , Nguyen Quoclinh , Gerasimova Anna , Nery Camille , Cheng Linda , Castonguay Carolyn , Hiller Elaine , Li James , Elzinga Christopher , Wolfson David , Smolgovsky Alla , Chen Rebecca , Buller-Burckle Arlene , Catanese Joseph , Grupe Andrew , Lacbawan Felicitas , Owen Renius
Published: January 2020

The use of genetic testing to identify individuals with hereditary cancer syndromes has been widely adopted by clinicians for management of inherited cancer risk. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a 34‐gene inherited cancer predisposition panel using targeted capture‐based next‐generation sequencing (NGS). The panel incorporates genes underlying well‐characterized cancer syndromes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2), along with more recently discovered genes associated with increased cancer risk. We performed a validation study on 133 unique specimens, including 33 with known variant status; known variants included single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small insertions and deletions (Indels), as well as copy‐number variants (CNVs). The analytical validation study achieved 100% sensitivity and specificity for SNVs and small Indels, with 100% sensitivity and 98.0% specificity for CNVs using in‐house developed CNV flagging algorithm. We employed a microarray comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) method for all specimens that the algorithm flags as CNV‐positive for confirmation. In combination with aCGH confirmation, CNV detection specificity improved to 100%. We additionally report results of the first 500 consecutive specimens submitted for clinical testing with the 34‐gene panel, identifying 53 deleterious variants in 13 genes in 49 individuals. Half of the detected pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants were found in BRCA1 (23%), BRCA2 (23%), or the Lynch syndrome‐associated genes PMS2 (4%) and MLH1 (2%). The other half were detected in 9 other genes: MUTYH (17%), CHEK2 (15%), ATM (4%), PALB2 (4%), BARD1 (2%), CDH1 (2%), CDKN2A (2%), RAD51C (2%), and RET (2%). Our validation studies and initial clinical data demonstrate that a 34‐gene inherited cancer predisposition panel can provide clinically significant information for cancer risk assessment.
Fish Detection Using Deep Learning
Authors: Cui Suxia , Zhou Yu , Wang Yonghui , Zhai Lujun
Published: January 2020

Recently, human being’s curiosity has been expanded from the land to the sky and the sea. Besides sending people to explore the ocean and outer space, robots are designed for some tasks dangerous for living creatures. Take the ocean exploration for an example. There are many projects or competitions on the design of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) which attracted many interests. Authors of this article have learned the necessity of platform upgrade from a previous AUV design project, and would like to share the experience of one task extension in the area of fish detection. Because most of the embedded systems have been improved by fast growing computing and sensing technologies, which makes them possible to incorporate more and more complicated algorithms. In an AUV, after acquiring surrounding information from sensors, how to perceive and analyse corresponding information for better judgement is one of the challenges. The processing procedure can mimic human being’s learning routines. An advanced system with more computing power can facilitate deep learning feature, which exploit many neural network algorithms to simulate human brains. In this paper, a convolutional neural network (CNN) based fish detection method was proposed. The training data set was collected from the Gulf of Mexico by a digital camera. To fit into this unique need, three optimization approaches were applied to the CNN: data augmentation, network simplification, and training process speed up. Data augmentation transformation provided more learning samples; the network was simplified to accommodate the artificial neural network; the training process speed up is introduced to make the training process more time efficient. Experimental results showed that the proposed model is promising, and has the potential to be extended to other underwear objects.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine Fufang Shatai Heji (STHJ) Enhances Immune Function in Cyclophosphamide‐Treated Mice
Authors: Fan Kai-Jian , Li Yun-Wu , Wu Jing , Li Jun , Zhang Jun , Wang Qi-Shan , Xu Bing-Xin , Cai Qing , Wang Ting-Yu
Published: January 2020

Fufang Shatai Heji (STHJ) is a mixture of traditional Chinese medicines, such as Radix Adenophorae, Radix Pseudostellariae, and Radix Astragali. STHJ is commonly used to treat diseases caused by low immune function, for example, Sjögren’s syndrome (SS). The primary objective of this study was to assess the immunopotentiating effect of STHJ using an immunosuppressive mouse model receiving cyclophosphamide (CTX). Following CTX treatment, STHJ was administered by oral gavage for 30 consecutive days. The percentage of specific lymphocyte subpopulations in the spleen was measured by flow cytometry. Levels of inflammatory factors in serum were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The administration of STHJ significantly elevated thymus and spleen indices, increased B cell and natural killer (NK) cell activities, and decreased CD8+ T, CD8+CD122+ T, NKT, and γδT cell activities in the CTX‐treated mice. In addition, STHJ upregulated the expression of interleukin‐ (IL‐) 2, IL‐6, and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and downregulated IL‐10 expression in CTX‐treated mice. In conclusion, STHJ effectively remitted CTX‐induced immunosuppression by modulating the balance of lymphocyte subsets and cytokines. Our results suggest STHJ treatment could be used as an effective therapeutic approach to improve immune function in patients with low immunity.
Determination of Sorbic Acid in Cheese Samples by Rapid HPLC-DAD Method
Authors: Özdemir Ayşe , Şanlı Senem , Sardoğan Barış , Sardoğan Seyfi
Published: January 2020

The sorbic acid and its salts have been widely used in the food industries for many years as important food preservatives in order to inhibit the growth of various bacteria, yeasts, and fungi in acidic media. The health effects have led to limitation on the concentrations that can be used in food. Because of that, the analytical determination of these preservatives is important for consumer interest and protection. The purpose of this study is to determine the concentration of sorbic acid in cheese samples by using HPLC. For HPLC analysis, an X-Terra RP-18 (150 × 4.60 mm i.d. × 5 μm) column was selected as the stationary phase at 25°C. Analysis time is about 3 minutes. The developed method was applied to 10 different cheese samples collected from the Turkish market. The levels of sorbic acid in the analyzed samples were between 21.3 mg/kg and 511.3 mg/kg.
Residual Symmetries and Bäcklund Transformations of (2 + 1)-Dimensional Strongly Coupled Burgers System
Authors: Wang Haifeng , Zhang Yufeng
Published: January 2020

In this article, we mainly apply the nonlocal residual symmetry analysis to a (2 + 1)-dimensional strongly coupled Burgers system, which is defined by us through taking values in a commutative subalgebra. On the basis of the general theory of Painlevé analysis, we get a residual symmetry of the strongly coupled Burgers system. Then, we introduce a suitable enlarged system to localize the nonlocal residual symmetry. In addition, a Bäcklund transformation is derived by Lie’s first theorem. Further, the linear superposition of the multiple residual symmetries is localized to a Lie point symmetry, and an N-th Bäcklund transformation is also obtained.
Neuroprotective Effect of the Inhibitor Salubrinal after Cardiac Arrest in a Rodent Model
Authors: Zhang Jincheng , Wang Yang , Ju Minjie , Song Jieqiong , Zheng Yijuan , Lin Shilong , Zhu Duming , Wen Lu , Zhong Ming , Pan Shuming , Yang Guangtian
Published: January 2020

Cardiac arrest (CA) yields poor neurological outcomes. Salubrinal (Sal), an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inhibitor, has been shown to have neuroprotective effects in both in vivo and in vitro brain injury models. This study investigated the neuroprotective mechanisms of Sal in postresuscitation brain damage in a rodent model of CA. In the present study, rats were subjected to 6 min of CA and then successfully resuscitated. Either Sal (1 mg/kg) or vehicle (DMSO) was injected blindly 30 min before the induction of CA. Neurological status was assessed 24 h after CA, and the cortex was collected for analysis. As a result, we observed that, compared with the vehicle-treated animals, the rats pretreated with Sal exhibited markedly improved neurological performance and cortical mitochondrial morphology 24 h after CA. Moreover, Sal pretreatment was associated with the following: (1) upregulation of superoxide dismutase activity and a reduction in maleic dialdehyde content; (2) preserved mitochondrial membrane potential; (3) amelioration of the abnormal distribution of cytochrome C; and (4) an increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio, decreased cleaved caspase 3 upregulation, and enhanced HIF-1α expression. Our findings suggested that Sal treatment improved neurological dysfunction 24 h after CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), possibly through mitochondrial preservation and stabilizing the structure of HIF-1α.
Combined Influence of Noncondensable Gas Mass Fraction and Mathematical Model on Cavitation Performance of Bearing
Authors: Wang Lili , Liu Zengkai , Yuan Guoteng , Wei Yuliang
Published: January 2020

The presence of cavitation in the oil film seriously affects the bearing lubrication performance and bearing capacity. Now the research of this phenomenon mostly focuses on the model of Reynolds equation (R-E equation) or Navier-Stokes equation (N-S), the influence of the two computation models is less analyzed, and the effect of noncondensable gas (NCG) mass fraction on the bearing performance is seldom studied. In the manuscript, the cavitation mechanism is studied using the mixed model of three-dimensional N-S equation and Jakobsson-Floberg-Olsson (JFO) condition of two dimensional Reynolds equation, and the influence of rotational speed and NCG mass fraction on the cavitationoil film pressure, and bearing capacity was studied. The results show that the change trend of cavitation with the rotational speed is basically consistent for N-S equation and R-E equation. The bearing capacity calculated by N-S equation is greater than that calculated by R-E equation. The peak pressure and bearing capacity of film can be improved by increasing the NCG mass fraction of lubricant and rotational speed.
Comparative Study of Protective Effect of Cimetidine and Verapamil on Paracetamol-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice
Authors: Danish Lubna , Siddiq Riffat , Jahan Sarwat , Taneez Mehwish , Khan Manzoor , Sandhu Marva
Published: January 2020

Paracetamol, chemically known as acetaminophen, if taken in higher doses has hepatotoxic potential. Cimetidine by inhibiting the cytochromal enzymes and reducing the production of the toxic metabolite can reduce the hepatotoxic potential while Verapamil can act as a hepatoprotective by maintaining calcium homeostasis. The present study was conducted to study the hepatoprotective activity of Cimetidine and Verapamil against the toxicity induced by paracetamol. In addition to the group receiving only distilled water or 300 mg/kg paracetamol additional groups were added treated with 150 mg/kg Cimetidine and Verapamil alone or both. The Liver function tests and histopathology revealed hepatotoxicity in the group receiving paracetamol (PCM) while normal parameters were observed in the groups receiving Cimetidine and Verapamil. Our results strongly suggested that Cimetidine and Verapamil possess hepatoprotective potential against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity.
Functional Group Distribution of the Carrier Surface Influences Adhesion of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus
Authors: Umetsu Masaki , Sunouchi Takaaki , Fukuda Yasuhiro , Takahashi Hideyuki , Tada Chika
Published: January 2020

Various support carriers are used for high-density retention of methanogenic archaea in anaerobic wastewater treatment systems. Although the physicochemical properties of carrier materials and microorganisms influence the adhesion of methanogenic archaea, details about the underlying mechanism remain poorly characterized. We applied seven types of chemical surface modifications to carbon felts to clarify the adhesion properties of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus, a representative thermophilic hydrogenotrophic methanogen. The relationship between carrier surface properties and methanogen adhesion was evaluated. M. thermautotrophicus adhesion was significantly increased up to 2.6 times in comparison with control on carbon felts treated with NaOH, HCl, H2SO4, or Na2HPO4. Treated carbon felts showed a lower water contact angle, but no correlation between the carrier surface contact angle and methanogen adhesion was observed. On the other hand, at the surface of the carrier that showed improved adhesion of methanogens, the ratio of -COOH : -OH was 1 : 0.65. Such a ratio was not observed with treated carriers for which methanogen adhesion was not improved. Therefore, in the adhesion of M. thermautotrophicus, the functional group abundance was important as well as physical surface properties such as the hydrophobicity. Hydrogenotrophic methanogens are involved in active methanation during the startup of anaerobic digestion. Additionally, these methanogenic archaea function as methanogenic cathode catalysts. Therefore, anaerobic digestion performance will greatly improve by controlling the adhesion of hydrogenotrophic methanogens such as M. thermautotrophicus.
Macrophage Syk–PI3Kγ Inhibits Antitumor Immunity: SRX3207, a Novel Dual Syk–PI3K Inhibitory Chemotype Relieves Tumor Immunosuppression
Authors: Joshi Shweta , Liu Kevin X. , Zulcic Muamera , Singh Alok R. , Skola Dylan , Glass Christopher K. , Sanders P. Dominick , Sharabi Andrew B. , Pham Timothy V. , Tamayo Pablo , Shiang Daniel , Dinh Huy Q. , Hedrick Catherine C. , Morales Guillermo A. , Garlich Joseph R. , Durden Donald L.
Published: January 2020

Macrophages (MΦ) play a critical role in tumor growth, immunosuppression, and inhibition of adaptive immune responses in cancer. Hence, targeting signaling pathways in MΦs that promote tumor immunosuppression will provide therapeutic benefit. PI3Kγ has been recently established by our group and others as a novel immuno-oncology target. Herein, we report that an MΦ Syk–PI3K axis drives polarization of immunosuppressive MΦs that establish an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in in vivo syngeneic tumor models. Genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of Syk and/or PI3Kγ in MΦs promotes a proinflammatory MΦ phenotype, restores CD8+ T-cell activity, destabilizes HIF under hypoxia, and stimulates an antitumor immune response. Assay for transposase-accessible Chromatin using Sequencing (ATAC-seq) analyses on the bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDM) show that inhibition of Syk kinase promotes activation and binding of NF-κB motif in SykMC-KO BMDMs, thus stimulating immunostimulatory transcriptional programming in MΦs to suppress tumor growth. Finally, we have developed in silico the “first-in-class” dual Syk/PI3K inhibitor, SRX3207, for the combinatorial inhibition of Syk and PI3K in one small molecule. This chemotype demonstrates efficacy in multiple tumor models and represents a novel combinatorial approach to activate antitumor immunity.
Black Raspberry Inhibits Oral Tumors in Mice Treated with the Tobacco Smoke Constituent Dibenzo(def,p)chrysene Via Genetic and Epigenetic Alterations
Authors: Chen Kun-Ming , Sun Yuan-Wan , Kawasawa Yuka Imamura , Salzberg Anna C. , Zhu Junjia , Gowda Krishne , Aliaga Cesar , Amin Shantu , Atkins Hannah , El-Bayoumy Karam
Published: January 2020

We previously reported that the environmental pollutant and tobacco smoke constituent dibenzo[def,p]chrysene (DBP) induced DNA damage, altered DNA methylation and induced oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in mice. In the present study, we showed that 5% dietary black raspberry (BRB) significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the levels of DBP-DNA adducts in the mouse oral cavity with comparable effect to those of its constitutes. Thus, only BRB was selected to examine if aberrant DNA methylation induced by DBP can be altered by BRB. Using comparative genome-wide DNA methylation analysis, we identified 479 hypermethylated and 481 hypomethylated sites (q < 0.01, methylation difference >25%) between the oral tissues of mice treated with DBP and fed control diet or diet containing BRB. Among the 30 differential methylated sites (DMS) induced by DBP, we found DMS mapped to Fgf3, Qrich2, Rmdn2, and Cbarp were hypermethylated by BRB whereas hypomethylated by DBP at either the exact position or proximal sites; DMS mapped to Vamp3, Ppp1rB1, Pkm, and Zfp316 were hypomethylated by BRB but hypermethylated by DBP at proximal sites. In addition to Fgf3, 2 DMS mapped to Fgf4 and Fgf13 were hypermethylated by BRB; these fibroblast growth factors are involved in regulation of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway as identified by IPA. Moreover, BRB significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the tumor incidence from 70% to 46.7%. Taken together, the inhibitory effects of BRB on DNA damage combined with its effects on epigenetic alterations may account for BRB inhibition of oral tumorigenesis induced by DBP.

Significance:

We provided mechanistic insights that can account for the inhibition of oral tumors by BRB, which could serve as the framework for future chemopreventive trials for addicted smokers as well as non- or former smokers who are exposed to environmental carcinogens.
Efficacy of Peak Hounsfield Units of the Visceral Fat Area in Predicting Postoperative Complications after Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Hikita Kosuke , Chiba Naokazu , Nakagawa Masashi , Koganezawa Itsuki , Yokozuka Kei , Kobayashi Toshimichi , Sano Toru , Tomita Koichi , Tsutsui Rina , Hirano Hiroshi , Kawachi Shigeyuki
Published: January 2020

Background: Morbidity following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has been reported to remain high. This study sought to measure the peak Hounsfield units (HUs) of visceral attenuation in patients undergoing PD and to assess the quality of adipocytes by comparing these measurements with perioperative factors. Methods: Patients undergoing PD were retrospectively identified (n = 108). Abdominal perimeter, subcutaneous fat area (SFA), visceral fat area (VFA), and peak HU of the VFA were measured. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) or complications. Histopathological examination was performed for qualitative diagnosis of the stromal tissue. Results: The overall rate of POPF was 16%, and severe complications occurred in 23% of the cases. A criterion for peak HU of the VFA only independently predicted POPF (p = 0.007) in the multivariate analysis. A criterion for peak HU of the VFA (p = 0.015) was associated with an increased rate of postoperative severe complications in the univariate analysis. The peak HU of the VFA was significantly correlated with abdominal perimeter (p < 0.001) and VFA (p < 0.001). The peak HU of the VFA was significantly correlated with adipocyte diameter (p < 0.001) and the ratio of stromal connective tissue area around the adipocytes (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The peak HU of the VFA was an independent factor contributing to severe complications, including POPF after PD. It reflects the amount of stromal connective tissue around the adipocytes.
Web of Science as a data source for research on scientific and scholarly activity
Authors: Birkle Caroline , Pendlebury David A. , Schnell Joshua , Adams Jonathan
Published: January 2020

Web of Science (WoS) is the world’s oldest, most widely used and authoritative database of research publications and citations. Based on the Science Citation Index, founded by Eugene Garfield in 1964, it has expanded its selective, balanced, and complete coverage of the world’s leading research to cover around 34,000 journals today. A wide range of use cases are supported by WoS from daily search and discovery by researchers worldwide through to the supply of analytical data sets and the provision of specialized access to raw data for bibliometric partners. A long- and well-established network of such partners enables the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) to continue to work closely with bibliometric groups around the world to the benefit of both the community and the services that the company provides to researchers and analysts.
Microsoft Academic Graph: When experts are not enough
Authors: Wang Kuansan , Shen Zhihong , Huang Chiyuan , Wu Chieh-Han , Dong Yuxiao , Kanakia Anshul
Published: January 2020

An ongoing project explores the extent to which artificial intelligence (AI), specifically in the areas of natural language processing and semantic reasoning, can be exploited to facilitate the studies of science by deploying software agents equipped with natural language understanding capabilities to read scholarly publications on the web. The knowledge extracted by these AI agents is organized into a heterogeneous graph, called Microsoft Academic Graph (MAG), where the nodes and the edges represent the entities engaging in scholarly communications and the relationships among them, respectively. The frequently updated data set and a few software tools central to the underlying AI components are distributed under an open data license for research and commercial applications. This paper describes the design, schema, and technical and business motivations behind MAG and elaborates how MAG can be used in analytics, search, and recommendation scenarios. How AI plays an important role in avoiding various biases and human induced errors in other data sets and how the technologies can be further improved in the future are also discussed.
Phonotactic Complexity and Its Trade-offs
Authors: Pimentel Tiago , Roark Brian , Cotterell Ryan
Published: January 2020

We present methods for calculating a measure of phonotactic complexity—bits per phoneme— that permits a straightforward cross-linguistic comparison. When given a word, represented as a sequence of phonemic segments such as symbols in the international phonetic alphabet, and a statistical model trained on a sample of word types from the language, we can approximately measure bits per phoneme using the negative log-probability of that word under the model. This simple measure allows us to compare the entropy across languages, giving insight into how complex a language’s phonotactics is. Using a collection of 1016 basic concept words across 106 languages, we demonstrate a very strong negative correlation of − 0.74 between bits per phoneme and the average length of words.
Redescription of the final stadium larva of Megalestes heros Needham from Fujian, China, with discussion of the characters of genus Megalestes Selys (Odonata: Zygoptera: Synlestidae)
Authors: XU QI-HAN
Published: January 2020

The final stadium larva of Megalestes heros Needham, 1930 is redescribed and illustrated in detail. It is characterized by having a long and cylindrical body, a very long prementum with two end hooks of unequal size on lateral lobe, parallel wing sheaths, long and slender legs, female ovipositor short reaching the basal third of S10, and based on a distinct abdominal color pattern. The major diagnostic characters of the larvae of the genus Megalestes are as follows: (1) body smooth and slender, with long abdomen and leaf-shaped caudal gills; (2) antenna filiform, seven-segmented,third segment longest; (3) median cleft present in median lobe of prementum; lateral lobe with two end hooks of unequal size, the inner one being longer and larger than the outer, movable hook without setae; (4) wing sheaths parallel to each other.
The taxonomic status of Aphodius insperatus Petrovitz, A. longipennis Rakovič and A. inylchekensis Frolov (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae)
Authors: FROLOV ANDREY V. , AKHMETOVA LILIA A. , KRÁL DAVID
Published: January 2020

The subgenus Bodilus Mulsant & Rey, 1870 of the genus Aphodius Helwig, 1798 sensu lato comprises 30 species in the Palearctic fauna (Frolov 2001, 2002, Dellacasa et al. 2016 [treated as genus Bodilus]). Frolov (2001) reviewed the species of this subgenus from Russia and adjacent countries and suggested that the monotypic subgenus Paramelinopterus Rakovič, 1984 shares the main diagnostic characters of Bodilus. Frolov (2001) was unable, however, to examine the type species of Paramelinopterus, A. longipennis Rakovič, 1984, at that time. Král (2016) suggested that A. (Bodilus) inylchekensis Frolov, 2001 is a junior synonym of A. longipennis. Recently we have re-examined all the types as well as the additional material accumulated in the museums and can confirm that A. inylchekensis is a distinct species, but A. insperatus Petrovitz, 1967 and A. longipennis cannot be reliably separated by the morphological characters. In the present contribution we illustrate the major diagnostic characters of the species based on the type specimens and also provide a distribution map of the known localities of the species.
Study on Cell Behavior on Surfaces with Various Nanostructured Modifications
Authors: Lin Hung-Ta , Cheng Han-Yi
Published: January 2020

Several researchers have developed finite element analysis (FEA) models on dental implants; however, few have used it to investigate the effects of nanosurface treatment on the cell-implant interface. For cell proliferation and differentiation are believed related to the physical stimulations
of modification surfaces. In the present study, the cell adhesion affected by mechanical stimulation from substrate was evaluated by culturing the MG-63 osteoblast-like cells on Ti materials with different chemical composition using computer-aided programs. Three types of surfaces were made
by mechanically abraded, anodized and anodized following with hydrothermal treatment on Ti substrates. The cell adhesion behavior was promoted because the physical stimulation of specific surface topography provided cells mechanical external forces. The finite element analysis (FEA) was used
to investigate the deformations stresses which cells were suffered on these 3 different modifications surfaces. Results indicated that cells in the HTT group were received larger stimulation of deformations and stresses than the control group (P > 0.01). This confirmed that the superior
cell proliferation and differentiation resulted from the specific roughly surfaces of HYT surface for implants.
Outcomes of Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture in Patients With Osteoporosis Without Neurologic Symptoms: Analysis of Three Different Surgical Approaches
Authors: Li Tao , Zheng Yonghong , Xu Zhengwei , Hao Dingjun , Qian Lixiong
Published: January 2020

This study aimed to compare the outcomes of thoracolumbar burst fractures in patients with osteoporosis without neurologic symptoms according to the surgical approach. The patients in group A underwent percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty, those in group B underwent minimally invasive percutaneous
reduction and internal fixation, and those in group C underwent open reduction with bone graft fusion and internal fixation. Fracture reduction was assessed by X-ray. The operative time in group A was shorter than that in groups B and C, with less intraoperative blood loss and shorter hospital
stay. The intraoperative blood loss was less in group B than in group C, with shorter hospital stay. The postoperative visual analog scale scores were lower than the preoperative scores in each group. Cobb's angle of the injured vertebra in the last follow-up was larger in group A than in
groups B and C. Regarding complications, in group A, nine patients developed postoperative bone cement leakage that required no specific treatment. In group B, one patient developed subcutaneous hematoma that healed well after treatment. The screw channel was loosened in two patients without
symptoms; the screws were removed 1 year later. In group C, delayed incision healing was found in five patients. All three surgical approaches safely and effectively relieved the lower back pain in patients with thoracolumbar burst fracture with osteoporosis but without neurologic symptoms.