bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of an Air Curtain on the Temperature Distribution in Refrigerated Vehicles Under a Hot Climate Condition
Authors: Cong Lin , Yu Qinghua , Qiao Geng , Li Yongliang , Ding Yulong
Published: April 2019

Refrigerated vehicle plays an essential role in the cold-chain applications. It directly affects the quality and shelf life of specialized perishable goods. However, the cold energy dissipation caused by natural convection through an open door during partial unloading breaks the isothermal cold environment and notably elevates the air temperature inside the refrigerated container. This temperature rise is harmful to the remaining food. In this study, an air curtain was introduced near the container doorway to attempt to reduce the cold energy dissipation caused by partial unloading. A numerical model was established to explore the effects of the key parameters of the air curtain such as the airflow rate, nozzle width, and jet angle on the air flow and temperature evolution inside the refrigerated container after the door is opened. The numerical results show that the key parameters need to be tailored to form a stable and effective air curtain for preventing the internal cold energy loss or external hot air invasion. An effective and stable air curtain was formed to make the inner air temperature increase only by about 3 °C from the initial temperature of 5 °C after the door was opened, when the jet velocity was set to 2 m/s, the nozzle width was set as 7.5 cm, and the jet angle was set between 0 deg and 15 deg. This work can offer significant guidance for the introduction of an effective air curtain in a refrigerated vehicle to avoid the failure of cold-chain transportation.
Heat Transfer in a Rotating Two-Pass Rectangular Channel Featuring a Converging Tip Turn With Various 45 deg Rib Coverage Designs
Authors: Chen Andrew F , Shiau Chao-Cheng , Han Je-Chin , Krewinkel Robert
Published: April 2019

Varying aspect ratio (AR) channels are found in modern gas turbine airfoils for internal cooling purposes. Corresponding experimental data are needed in understanding and assisting the design of advanced cooling systems. The present study features a two-pass rectangular channel with an AR = 4:1 in the first pass with the radial outward flow and an AR = 2:1 in the second pass with the radial inward flow after a 180 deg tip turn. Effects of rib coverage near the tip region are investigated using profiled 45 deg ribs (P/e = 10, e/Dh ≈ 0.11, parallel and in-line) with three different configurations: less coverage, medium coverage, and full coverage. The Reynolds number (Re) ranges from 10,000 to 70,000 in the first passage. The highest rotation number achieved was Ro = 0.39 in the first passage and 0.16 in the second passage. Heat transfer coefficients on the internal surfaces were obtained by the regionally averaged copper plate method. The results showed that the rotation effects on both heat transfer and pressure loss coefficient are reduced with an increased rib coverage in the tip turn region. Different rib coverage upstream of the tip turn significantly changes the heat transfer in the turn portion. Heat transfer reduction (up to −27%) on the tip wall was seen at lower Ro. Dependence on the Reynolds number can be seen for this particular design. The combined geometric, rib coverage, and rotation effects should be taken into consideration in the internal cooling design.
Two new species of Amblyseiinae Muma (Acari: Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) from southwest China
Authors: Fang Xiaoduan , Wu Yuchun , Wu Weinan
Published: April 2019

Amblyseiinae is the largest subfamily of Phytoseiidae with 196 recorded species from China. Two new species, Amblyseius basaensis sp. nov. and Transeius guangheensis sp. nov., were found by examining the specimens collected from two southwest provinces in China, both near to Vietnam border. Herein, they are described and illustrated based on the female specimens.
Principles of genome folding into topologically associating domains
Authors: Szabo Quentin , Bantignies Frédéric , Cavalli Giacomo
Published: April 2019

This review discusses the features of TADs across species, and their role in chromosome organization, genome function, and evolution.
Protected area targets post-2020
Authors: Visconti Piero , Butchart Stuart H. M. , Brooks Thomas M. , Langhammer Penny F. , Marnewick Daniel , Vergara Sheila , Yanosky Alberto , Watson James E. M.
Published: April 2019

Outcome-based targets are needed to achieve biodiversity goals
Architecture and subunit arrangement of native AMPA receptors elucidated by cryo-EM
Authors: Zhao Yan , Chen Shanshuang , Swensen Adam C. , Qian Wei-Jun , Gouaux Eric
Published: April 2019

Diversity in ion channel complexes

AMPA receptors are glutamate activated ion channels that mediate fast synaptic transmission in the nervous system and play a key role in learning and memory. The receptors are tetramers built from various combinations of four subunits, with functional diversity coming from the range of subunit compositions. Zhao
et al.
purified native receptors from rat brains and determined the structures of 10 different complexes by cryo–electron microscopy. Certain arrangements of the four subunits are preferred. The structure of a key gating element—a linker between the transmembrane and ligand binding domains—reveals how this receptor may function.

Science
, this issue p.
355
Improved Draft Genome Sequence of
Bacillus
sp. Strain YF23, Which Has Plant Growth-Promoting Activity
Authors: Xia Ye , DeBolt Seth , Ma Qin , McDermaid Adam , Wang Cankun , Shapiro Nicole , Woyke Tanja , Kyrpides Nikos C.
Published: April 2019

We report here the improved draft genome sequence of
Bacillus
sp. strain YF23, a bacterium originally isolated from switchgrass (
Panicum virgatum
) plants and shown to exhibit plant growth-promoting activity. The genome comprised 5.82 Mbp, containing 5,933 genes, with 193 as RNA genes, and a GC content of 35.10%.
omu, a Metabolomics Count Data Analysis Tool for Intuitive Figures and Convenient Metadata Collection
Authors: Tiffany Connor R. , Bäumler Andreas J.
Published: April 2019

Metabolomics is a powerful tool for measuring the functional output of the microbiota. Currently, there are few established workflows for analysis downstream of metabolite identification.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Staphylococcus warneri Clinical Isolates, Strains SMA0023-04 (UGA3) and SMA0670-05 (UGA28), from Siaya County Referral Hospital, Siaya, Kenya
Authors: Xie Gary , Cheng Qiuying , Daligault Hajnalka , Davenport Karen , Gleasner Cheryl , Jacobs Lindsey , Kubicek-Sutherland Jessica , LeCuyer Tessa , Otieno Vincent , Raballah Evans , Doggett Norman , Mukundan Harshini , Perkins Douglas J. , McMahon Benjamin
Published: April 2019

We report the complete draft genome sequences of two
Staphylococcus warneri
clinical isolates, strains SMA0023-04 (UGA3) and SMA0670-05 (UGA28), each of which contains one chromosome and at least one plasmid. Isolate SMA0023-04 (UGA3) contains tetracycline efflux major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporter (
tetK
), macrolide resistance (
msrC
and
mphC
), and beta-lactamase (
blaZ
) genes on its plasmids.
Genome Sequence of a California Isolate of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.
lycopersici
Race 3, a Fungus Causing Wilt Disease on Tomato
Authors: Henry Peter M. , Stueven Michelle , Li Sampson , Miyao Eugene M. , Gordon Thomas R. , Davis R. Michael , Doan Hung K.
Published: April 2019

Fusarium wilt of tomato, caused by the soilborne fungus
Fusarium oxysporum
f. sp.
lycopersici
, is an increasingly important disease of tomato. This paper reports the high-quality draft genome assembly of
F. oxysporum
f. sp.
lycopersici
isolate D11 (race 3), which consists of 39 scaffolds with 57,281,978 bp (GC content, 47.5%), an
N
50
of 4,408,267 bp, a mean read coverage of 99.8×, and 17,682 predicted genes.
Eustachian valve infective endocarditis
Authors: Hammad Basma , Saleh Yehia , Almaghraby Abdallah , Abdel-hay Mohamed Ayman
Published: April 2019

A 40-year-old woman presented with postoperative fever. Echocardiography revealed a large pedunculated cauliflower right atrial mass of heterogeneous echogenicity attached to the eustachian valve measuring about 2×3 cm. She underwent surgical excision, gross and microscopical examination were consistent with eustachian valve infective endocarditis.
Hybrid ameloblastoma: a mystified histopathological entity
Authors: Singh Ravinder , Gupta Monika , Chatterjee Shailja , Arora Karandeep Singh
Published: April 2019

Ameloblastoma a benign neoplasm of the maxillofacial region has been divided into various histopathological types by WHO. A more complex and confusing type includes hybrid type, which as the name suggest include more than two variants mostly histopathological. Various authors have reported cases of this type but the exact histopathological features are still unclear and each case that is being reported add to the literature, which further strengthens its histopathological feature. Also, this is a lesion whose clinical and radiographical features are similar to all the variants and a definitive diagnosis is achieved by histopathology only. Here, we present a case of hybrid ameloblastoma with striking and unique histopathological features.
The profile of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy in patients attending a specialist eye clinic in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Sapkota Raju , Chen Zhiqing , Zheng Dingchang , Pardhan Shahina
Published: April 2019

Background/aims

To examine the profile of diabetic retinopathy, awareness and self-help in patients attending a specialist eye clinic in Hangzhou, China.

Methods

A total of 199 consecutive patients with diabetes (mean age = 57 years, SD = 11) attending eye clinic at the School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou were examined in a cross-sectional study. Clinical/demographic data were obtained from patients’ records. Fundus photographs obtained from each patient were graded using Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) criteria; severe non-proliferative, proliferative retinopathy and/or macular oedema (hard exudates/thickening around fovea) were classified as sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR). Optical coherence tomography was used to confirm the diagnosis of macular oedema. Data on knowledge/awareness about diabetes and self-help/lifestyle were collected using a structured questionnaire.

Results

STDR was found in 80% patients of whom 18% had visual acuity of ≤counting fingers in at least one eye. Male gender, longer diabetic duration and use of insulin were significantly associated with STDR (p ≤ 0.05). Of the total, 41% patients reported that they were attending for the first time. Of all the first-time attendees, 67% had STDR. Also of all the first-time attendees, 14% were unclear whether diabetes affected their eyes. Fifty-one per cent of patients who thought their diabetes was well controlled had fasting blood sugar ≥6.5 mmol/L (p < 0.001). Of the total, 65% patients reported not doing ≥4 hours/week of physical exercise.

Conclusions

The majority of patients with diabetes presented to this eye clinic suffered with late-stage retinopathy. Our results advocate the need to improve diabetic diagnosis, management and awareness and to set up eye screening for diabetics in Hangzhou, China.
Macroeconomic trends and practice models impacting acute care surgery
Authors: Bernard Andrew , Staudenmayer Kristan , Minei Joseph P , Doucet Jay , Haider Adil , Scherer Tres , Davis Kimberly A
Published: April 2019

Acute care surgery (ACS) diagnoses are responsible for approximately a quarter of the costs of inpatient care in the US government, and individuals will be responsible for a larger share of the costs of this healthcare as the population ages. ACS as a specialty thus has the opportunity to meet a significant healthcare need, and by optimizing care delivery models do so in a way that improves both quality and value. ACS practice models that have maintained or added emergency general surgery (EGS) and even elective surgery have realized more operative case volume and surgeon satisfaction. However, vulnerabilities exist in the ACS model. Payer mix in a practice varies by geography and distribution of EGS, trauma, critical care, and elective surgery. Critical care codes constitute approximately 25% of all billing by acute care surgeons, so even small changes in reimbursement in critical care can have significant impact on professional revenue. Staffing an ACS practice can be challenging depending on reimbursement and due to uneven geographic distribution of available surgeons. Empowered by an understanding of economics, using team-oriented leadership inherent to trauma surgeons, and in partnership with healthcare organizations and regulatory bodies, ACS surgeons are positioned to significantly influence the future of healthcare in the USA.
Neurological deficits after confirmed adder bite in a cat
Authors: Robinson Rebecca , Bates Nicola , Bolton Fiona , Robinson Nicola
Published: April 2019

A domestic shorthair cat presenting with pyrexia and tachycardia was given an antibiotic for suspected infection but returned 48 hours later with inability to defecate or urinate and with tail paralysis. There was swelling and bruising at the tail base but no radiographic evidence of a tail pull injury. Laboratory parameters and urinary and faecal cultures were normal. Five days later the owner reported an adder in the garden, and due to no response to supportive care, antivenom was given. Within two hours clinical signs improved, and by 12 hours the tachycardia and pyrexia had resolved. Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of adder venom in a blood sample. Urination and defecation were normal at five months with regained function in the cranial third of the tail. It is thought clinical signs were due to direct venom‐induced necrosis of nerve tissue rather than venom neurotoxins.
Urinary incontinence in a young British blue cat with suspected dilatation of the ventricle terminalis, spina bifida cystica and failure of fusion of the sacral vertebrae
Authors: Swallow Adam , Freeman Paul , Alves Lisa
Published: April 2019

A seven‐month‐old, male neutered British blue cat presented for investigation of lifelong urinary incontinence. Clinical examination documented a flaccid tail which was deep pain‐negative, and the urinary bladder was easily expressed. Voluntary urination was possible. An abnormal hair whorl was noted over the tail base. Pelvic radiography noted absent dorsal lamina to the caudal sacral and proximal caudal vertebrae. The cranial S1/S2 vertebrae were incompletely fused. Haematology, biochemistry and urinalysis were unremarkable. Ultrasonographic examination of the urinary tract was unremarkable, as was an intravenous urogram. MRI documented a large, fluid‐filled cavity at the level of the conus medullaris compatible with dilatation of the ventricle terminalis or syrinx. Spina bifida cystica was also present at Cd5/Cd6. The incontinence was noted to improve with time and skeletal maturity before acutely exacerbating. The owners subsequently elected for tail amputation, resulting in a marked improvement in urinary incontinence.
Incomplete reporting of experimental studies and items associated with risk of bias in veterinary research
Authors: Rufiange Maxime , Rousseau‐Blass Frédérik , Pang Daniel S J
Published: April 2019

In in vivo research, the reporting of core items of study design is persistently poor, limiting assessment of study quality and study reproducibility. This observational cohort study evaluated reporting levels in the veterinary literature across a range of species, journals and research fields. Four items (randomisation, sample size estimation, blinding and data exclusion) were assessed as well as availability of study data in publicly accessible repositories. From five general and five subject‐specific journals, 120 consecutively published papers (12 per journal) describing in vivo experimental studies were selected. Item reporting was scored using a published scale (items ranked as fully, partially or not reported) according to completeness of reporting. Papers in subject‐specific journals had higher median reporting levels (50.0 per cent vs 33.3 per cent, P=0.007). In subject‐specific journals, randomisation (75.0 per cent vs 41.7 per cent, P=0.0002) and sample size estimation (35.0 per cent vs 16.7 per cent, P=0.025) reporting was approximately double that of general journals. Blinding (general 48.3 per cent, subject‐specific 50.0 per cent, P=0.86) and data exclusion (general 53.3 per cent, subject‐specific 63.3 per cent, P=0.27) were similarly reported. A single paper made study data readily accessible. Incomplete reporting remains prevalent in the veterinary literature irrespective of journal type, research subject or species. This impedes evaluation of study quality and reproducibility, raising concerns regarding wasted financial and animal resources.
A mid-Cretaceous alkaline volcano in the Davis Strait
Authors: Knudsen C. , Gregersen U. , Kokfelt T.F. , Olivarius M. , Thomsen T.B.
Published: April 2019

The AT2-1 well in the Davis Strait between Canada and Greenland penetrated an approximately 1.2 km thick sequence of alkaline volcanic rocks with some intercalated sediments at depths between 3690 to 4850 m. These volcanic rocks can be mapped on 2D seismic data and constitute a cone-shaped 5 km × 10 km wide and >1.2 km high structural high named the Atammik Volcano. This sequence comprises two distinct parts, an upper part of phono-tephrite to basaltic trachy-andesite and a lower part of tephriphonolite and phonolite. Rock textures and structures testify to a volcanic origin, with the uppermost units showing textural evidence of being subaerially extruded. Zircon crystals found in a sample of phonolite from 4453 m were dated by in situ laser ablation ICP–MS technique to yield ages between 98 and 93 Ma, indicating a maximum age of the formation of the phonolitic volcano of 93 Ma (Turonian). Further, detrital zircons from the clastic material have been dated yielding Archean ages. The gamma ray log indicates three internal cycles within the phonolites, each cycle displaying a stratigraphically upwards decrease in potassium content, suggesting the existence of a longer-lived system undergoing repeated magmatic differentiation and eruption events. The upper volcanic sequence is less evolved and less alkaline than the lower, suggesting a change in primary magma compositions towards progressively higher degrees of melting of the underlying mantle. This fits into a scheme of progressively higher degrees of melting with time, which in a regional context probably corresponds to a rifting event.
A regular perfect fluid model for dense stars
Authors: Estevez-Delgado Gabino , Estevez-Delgado Joaquin , Paulin-Fuentes Jorge Mauricio , Garcia Nadiezhda Montelongo , Duran Modesto Pineda
Published: April 2019

We present an exact regular solution of Einstein equations for a static and spherically symmetric spacetime with a matter distribution of isotropic perfect fluid. The construction of the solution is realized assigning a regular potential [Formula: see text] and integrating the isotropic perfect fluid condition for the pressure. The resulting solution is physically acceptable, i.e. the geometry is regular and the hydrostatic variable pressure and density are positive regular monotonic decreasing functions, the speed of the sound is positive and smaller than the speed of the light. An important element of this solution is that its compactness value [Formula: see text] is in the characteristic range of compact stars, which makes a remarkable difference with other models with isotropic perfect fluid, this is [Formula: see text] so that we could represent compact stellar objects as neutron stars. In particular, for the maximum compactness of a star with a mass of [Formula: see text] the radius is [Formula: see text] and their central density [Formula: see text] is characteristic of compact stars.
Combustion performance of the premixed and diffusion burners with used lubricating oil and used cooking oil as fuel
Authors: Masjudin  , Chang Wei-Chin
Published: April 2019

This work investigated combustion performance of the premixed and diffusion burners by measuring flame temperature and gas emissions with used lubricating oil (ULO) and used cooking oil (UCO). Air–fuel ratio (AFR) is an important parameter to investigate combustion performance. Flame temperatures and gas emissions of the burners were examined to know the combustion behavior. The results found were that the flame temperatures in the premixed burner were higher than the diffusion burner at all the AFRs. The maximum flame temperature was obtained at AFR = 16 at all types of burners and fuel blending ratios. The highest flame temperature was [Formula: see text], which occurred when using 100% ULO with premixed burner at AFR = 16. By adding UCO into ULO, the flame temperatures can be decreased. The premixed burner produced 86.67% and 71.23% less CO and HC emissions, respectively, than the diffusion burner, in contrast, the premixed burner formed 26.31% and 54.7% higher [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] emissions, respectively, than the diffusion burner.
Ensemble Method of Feature Selection and Reverse Construction of Gene Logical Network Based on Information Entropy
Authors: Zhao Qingfeng , Zhang Yulin
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we propose a novel ensemble gene selection method to obtain a gene subset. Then we provide a reverse construction method of gene network derived from expression profile data of the gene subset. The uncertainty coefficient based on information entropy are used to define the existence of logical relations among these genes. If the uncertainty coefficient between some genes exceeds predefined thresholds, the gene nodes will be connected by directed edges. Thus, a gene network is generated, which we define as gene logical network. This method is applied to the breast cancer data including control group and experimental group, with comparisons of the 2nd-order logic type distribution, average degree as well as average path length of the networks. It is found that these structures with different networks are quite distinct. By the comparison of the degree difference between control group and experimental group, the key genes are picked up. By defining the dynamics evolution rules of state transition based on the logical regulation among the key genes in the network, the dynamic behaviors for normal breast cells and cells with cancer of different stages are simulated numerically. Some of them are highly related to the development of breast cancer through literature inquiry. The study may provide a useful revelation to the biological mechanism in the formation and development of cancer.
Fault Tolerant Control for Wind Turbine System Based on Model Reference Adaptive Control and Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Fadili Yassine , Boumhidi Ismail
Published: April 2019

This paper tackles the problem of Fault Tolerant Control (FTC) for Wind Turbine System. Motivated by the Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) and the Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm (PSOA), the main contribution of this work is to provide online tuning for the wind turbine controller. In order to achieve the required system performances, even during components and/or system faults, our proposed strategy takes care of an adaptive controller in which the desired performance is expressed in terms of a reference model. The controller parameter adjustments are made using the stability theory that involves the gradient function and the Lyapunov function. Moreover, the minimization of the fitness function of PSOA allows convergence of the proposed MRAC to an optimal point, owing to redistribution of the control signals when a failure or noise occurs. The simulation results have shown good performance than some existing approaches in the literature.
New presentations of a link and virtual link
Authors: Wan Liangxia
Published: April 2019

An embedding presentation of a diagram is introduced, which has proved to be a unique presentation of a diagram. Let [Formula: see text] be a set of all diagrams, called also links in this paper. An algebraic system [Formula: see text] is constructed. In fact, a link in [Formula: see text] (or [Formula: see text]) is the equivalent class [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is one of its embedding presentations. Based on [Formula: see text], Reduction Crossing Algorithm is proposed which is used to reduce the number of crossings in an embedding presentation by introducing a main tool called a pass replacement. For an infinite set of unknots [Formula: see text], each [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] can be transformed into the trivial unknot in at most [Formula: see text] by applying the algorithm where [Formula: see text] is a constant, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. As special consequences, three unknots are unknotted, which are Goeritz’s unknot, Thistlethwaite’s unknot and Haken’s unknot (image courtesy of Cameron Gordon). Moreover, an infinite family of unknots [Formula: see text] are unknotted in [Formula: see text] time. In addition, unique presentations of a virtual link, an oriented link and oriented virtual link are introduced, respectively.
Unstabilized ∂-stabilization of a fat Heegaard splitting
Authors: Wang Junhua , Zou Yanqing
Published: April 2019

We prove that the [Formula: see text]-stabilization of a distance at least 3, fat Heegaard splitting is unstabilized.
Role of Δs in determining the properties of neutron stars in parameterized hydrostatic equilibrium
Authors: Sen Debashree
Published: April 2019

The possible existence of [Formula: see text] resonances is inspected in the cold dense matter of neutron star (NS) core in the presence of hyperons. The diverse effects of variation in [Formula: see text] mass on their formation and the equation of state (EoS) are studied in this work with an effective chiral model and the resultant NS properties are calculated with the help of parameterized Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff (PTOV) equations to bring out the two important features of pressure in the context of massive NSs. The [Formula: see text] puzzle is re-explored and resolved taking into account the concept of modified/parametrized inertial pressure and self-gravity in case of massive pulsars like PSR J1614−2230 and PSR J0348-0432. It is seen that although the presence of exotic matter like the hyperons and [Formula: see text] softens the EoS considerably, their presence in massive NSs can be successfully explained with the theory of parametrized hydrostatic equilibrium conditions. The results of this work also satisfy the constraints on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] from the gravitational wave (GW170817) detection of binary NS merger. The constraint on baryonic mass from PSR J0737-3039 is also satisfied with the solutions of the PTOV equations for all the [Formula: see text] masses considered.
Bhargava rings that are Prüfer v-multiplication domains
Authors: Park Mi Hee , Tartarone Francesca
Published: April 2019

We study the P[Formula: see text]MD property of Bhargava rings [Formula: see text]. In particular, we explore the cases in which [Formula: see text] is a valuation domain, a Krull-type domain, or an almost Dedekind domain.
Inference of genetic networks using random forests: Assigning different weights for gene expression data
Authors: Kimura Shuhei , Tokuhisa Masato , Okada Mariko
Published: April 2019

In using gene expression levels for genetic network inference, we believe that two measurements that are similar to each other are less informative than two measurements that differ from each other. Given, for example, that gene expression levels measured at two adjacent time points in a time-series experiment are often similar to each other, we assume that each measurement in the time-series experiment will be less informative than each measurement in a steady-state experiment. Based on this idea, we propose a new inference method that relies heavily on informative gene expression data. Through numerical experiments, we prove that the quality of an inferred genetic network is slightly improved by heavily weighting informative gene expression data. In this study, we develop a new method by modifying the existing random-forest-based inference method to take advantage of its ability to analyze both time-series and static gene expression data. The idea we propose can be similarly applied to many of the other existing inference methods, as well.
PyPredT6: A python-based prediction tool for identification of Type VI effector proteins
Authors: Sen Rishika , Nayak Losiana , De Rajat K.
Published: April 2019

Prediction of effector proteins is of paramount importance due to their crucial role as first-line invaders while establishing a pathogen-host interaction, often leading to infection of the host. Prediction of T6 effector proteins is a new challenge since the discovery of T6 Secretion System and the unique nature of the particular secretion system. In this paper, we have first designed a Python-based standalone tool, called PyPredT6, to predict T6 effector proteins. A total of 873 unique features has been extracted from the peptide and nucleotide sequences of the experimentally verified effector proteins. Based on these features and using machine learning algorithms, we have performed in silico prediction of T6 effector proteins in Vibrio cholerae and Yersinia pestis to establish the applicability of PyPredT6. PyPredT6 is available at http://projectphd.droppages.com/PyPredT6.html .
Kummer theory for number fields and the reductions of algebraic numbers
Authors: Perucca Antonella , Sgobba Pietro
Published: April 2019

For all number fields the failure of maximality for the Kummer extensions is bounded in a very strong sense. We give a direct proof (without relying on the Bashmakov–Ribet method) of the fact that if [Formula: see text] is a finitely generated and torsion-free multiplicative subgroup of a number field [Formula: see text] having rank [Formula: see text], then the ratio between [Formula: see text] and the Kummer degree [Formula: see text] is bounded independently of [Formula: see text]. We then apply this result to generalize to higher rank a theorem of Ziegler from 2006 about the multiplicative order of the reductions of algebraic integers (the multiplicative order must be in a given arithmetic progression, and an additional Frobenius condition may be considered).
A generalization of the infinitary divisibility relation: Algebraic and analytic properties
Authors: Burnett Joseph Vade , Osterman Otto Vaughn
Published: April 2019

We consider a generalized type of unique factorization of the positive integers with restrictions on the exponents and view them as a family of arithmetic convolutions and divisibility relations, similar to the convolutions defined by Narkewicz [On a class of arithmetical convolutions, Colloq. Math. 10 (1963) 81–94]. We introduce special types of multiplicativity corresponding to these convolutions, and discuss algebraic properties of the associated arithmetic convolutions and analogs of the Möbius functions. We also prove asymptotics for analogs of the totient function, totient summatory function, and divisor summatory function.
HOW DO YOU DISCLOSE? SOME EVIDENCE ON IT GOVERNANCE AND PERFORMANCE IN EUROPEAN BANKING SYSTEM
Authors: PANETTA IDA CLAUDIA , LEO SABRINA , SANTOBONI FABRIZIO , VENTO GIANFRANCO
Published: April 2019

This paper examines the evolution of the attention paid by a sample of EU banks on IT governance. We propose an analysis based on IT public disclosure to contribute to the less explored strand of literature on IT governance transparency.

We explore if the attention paid by banks to this topic has grown after the crises and if the greater importance ascribed to IT governance is due to the Supervisors’ pressure or the value-driven decisions. In particular, we test if, as for other corporate governance mechanisms, there is a verifiable linkage between IT governance (disclosure) and banks’ performance.
Mitigating Load Imbalance in Distributed Data Serving with Rack-Scale Memory Pooling
Authors: Novakovic Stanko , Daglis Alexandros , Ustiugov Dmitrii , Bugnion Edouard , Falsafi Babak , Grot Boris
Published: April 2019

To provide low-latency and high-throughput guarantees, most large key-value stores keep the data in the memory of many servers. Despite the natural parallelism across lookups, the load imbalance, introduced by heavy skew in the popularity distribution of keys, limits performance. To avoid violating tail latency service-level objectives, systems tend to keep server utilization low and organize the data in micro-shards, which provides units of migration and replication for the purpose of load balancing. These techniques reduce the skew but incur additional monitoring, data replication, and consistency maintenance overheads.

In this work, we introduce RackOut, a memory pooling technique that leverages the one-sided remote read primitive of emerging rack-scale systems to mitigate load imbalance while respecting service-level objectives. In RackOut, the data are aggregated at rack-scale granularity, with all of the participating servers in the rack jointly servicing all of the rack’s micro-shards. We develop a queuing model to evaluate the impact of RackOut at the datacenter scale. In addition, we implement a RackOut proof-of-concept key-value store, evaluate it on two experimental platforms based on RDMA and Scale-Out NUMA, and use these results to validate the model. We devise two distinct approaches to load balancing within a RackOut unit, one based on random selection of nodes—RackOut_static—and another one based on an adaptive load balancing mechanism—RackOut_adaptive. Our results show that RackOut_static increases throughput by up to 6× for RDMA and 8.6× for Scale-Out NUMA compared to a scale-out deployment, while respecting tight tail latency service-level objectives. RackOut_adaptive improves the throughput by 30% for workloads with 20% of writes over RackOut_static.
The future of pedestrian-automated vehicle interactions
Authors: Robert Lionel P.
Published: April 2019

While the increasing popularity of autonomous vehicles has garnered critical media attention, less has been written about the field of pedestrian-automated vehicle interactions and its challenges. Current research trends are discussed as well as several areas receiving much less attention, but are still vital to the field.
Facial recognition is the plutonium of AI
Authors: Stark Luke
Published: April 2019

It's dangerous, racializing, and has few legitimate uses; facial recognition needs regulation and control on par with nuclear waste.
Micro(RNA)-managing muscle wasting
Authors: Sannicandro Anthony J. , Soriano-Arroquia Ana , Goljanek-Whysall Katarzyna
Published: April 2019

Progressive skeletal muscle wasting is a natural consequence of aging and is common in chronic and acute diseases. Loss of skeletal muscle mass and function (strength) often leads to frailty, decreased independence, and increased risk of hospitalization. Despite progress made in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying muscle wasting, there is still no treatment available, with exercise training and dietary supplementation improving, but not restoring, muscle mass and/or function. There has been slow progress in developing novel therapies for muscle wasting, either during aging or disease, partially due to the complex nature of processes underlying muscle loss. The mechanisms of muscle wasting are multifactorial, with a combination of factors underlying age- and disease-related functional muscle decline. These factors include well-characterized changes in muscle such as changes in protein turnover and more recently described mechanisms such as autophagy or satellite cell senescence. Advances in transcriptomics and other high-throughput approaches have highlighted significant deregulation of skeletal muscle gene and protein levels during aging and disease. These changes are regulated at different levels, including posttranscriptional gene expression regulation by microRNAs. microRNAs, potent regulators of gene expression, modulate many processes in muscle, and microRNA-based interventions have been recently suggested as a promising new therapeutic strategy against alterations in muscle homeostasis. Here, we review recent developments in understanding the aging-associated mechanisms of muscle wasting and explore potential microRNA-based therapeutic avenues.
Extracellular Vesicles: Exosomes and Microvesicles, Integrators of Homeostasis
Authors: Stahl Philip D. , Raposo Graca
Published: April 2019

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), cell-derived membrane structures, are secreted after fusion of endosomes with the plasma membrane (exosomes) or shed from the plasma membrane (microvesicles). EVs play a key role both in physiological balance and homeostasis and in disease processes by their ability to participate in intercellular signaling and communication.
New Results on Stability Analysis of Uncertain Neutral‐Type Lur’e Systems Derived from a Modified Lyapunov‐Krasovskii Functional
Authors: Duan Wenyong , Li Yan , Chen Jian , Jiang Lin
Published: April 2019

This paper is concerned with the problem of the absolute and robustly absolute stability for the uncertain neutral‐type Lur’e system with time‐varying delays. By introducing a modified Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional (LKF) related to a delay‐product‐type function and two delay‐dependent matrices, some new delay‐dependent robustly absolute stability criteria are proposed, which can be expressed as convex linear matrix inequality (LMI) framework. The criteria proposed in this paper are less conservative than some recent previous ones. Finally, some numerical examples are presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Melatonin Increases Bone Mass around the Prostheses of OVX Rats by Ameliorating Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress via the SIRT3/SOD2 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhou Wei , Liu Yu , Shen Jining , Yu Binqing , Bai Jiaxiang , Lin Jiayi , Guo Xiaobin , Sun Houyi , Chen Zhanghuan , Yang Huilin , Xu Yaozeng , Geng Dechun
Published: April 2019

Bone mass loss around prostheses is a major cause of implant failure, especially in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients. In osteoporosis, excess oxidative stress largely contributed abnormal bone remodeling. Melatonin, which is synthesized from the pineal gland, promotes osteoblast differentiation and bone formation and has effectively been used to combat oxidative stress. Thus, we determined if melatonin can inhibit oxidative stress to promote osteogenesis and improve bone mass around prostheses in osteoporosis. In this study, we observed that received melatonin at 50 mg/kg body weight significantly increased periprosthetic bone mass as well as implant fixation intensity in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Meanwhile, it decreased the expression of oxidative stress markers (NAPDH oxidase 2 and cytochrome c) and enhanced expressing level of the formation markers of bones (alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and osterix) around prostheses compared to that in the control group. Additionally, melatonin decreased hydrogen peroxide- (H2O2-) induced oxidative stress and restored the osteogenesis potential of MC3T3-E1 cells. Mechanistically, melatonin clearly increased mitochondrial sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) expression and decreased the ratio of acetylated superoxide dismutase 2 (AC-SOD2)/SOD2 compared to the H2O2group. SIRT3 inhibition counteracted the protective effects of melatonin on oxidative stress and bone formation. Together, the results showed that melatonin ameliorated oxidative stress in mitochondrial via the SIRT3/SOD2 signaling pathway, thereby promoting osteogenesis, improving bone mass around the prostheses, and increasing initial stability. Thus, melatonin might be a suitable candidate to decrease the rate of implant failure and lengthen the lifespan of prostheses after total joint arthroplasty.
The Impact of Bisphenol A on Fertility, Reproductive System, and Development: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Matuszczak Ewa , Komarowska Marta Diana , Debek Wojciech , Hermanowicz Adam
Published: April 2019

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been used since the 1950s, in food packaging, industrial materials, dental sealants, and personal hygiene products. Everyone is exposed to BPA through skin, inhalation, and digestive system. BPA disrupts endocrine pathways, because it has weak estrogenic, antiandrogenic, and antithyroid activities. Despite the rapid metabolism, BPA can accumulate in different tissues. Many researchers proved the impact of BPA on human development, metabolism, and finally reproductive system. There is increasing evidence that BPA has impact on human fertility and is responsible for the reproductive pathologies, e.g., testicular dysgenesis syndrome, cryptorchidism, cancers, and decreased fertility in male and follicle loss in female.
Predicting Quality of Service via Leveraging Location Information
Authors: Chen Liang , Xie Fenfang , Zheng Zibin , Wu Yaoming
Published: April 2019

QoS (Quality of Service) (our approach can be applied to a wide variety of services; in this paper, we focus on Web services) performance is intensively relevant to locations due to the network distance and the Internet connection between users and services. Thus, considering the location information of services and users is necessary. However, the location information has been ignored by most previous work. In this paper, we take both services’ and users’ location information into account. Specifically, we propose a location‐aware QoS prediction approach, called LANFM, by exploiting neural network techniques and factorization machine to improve user‐perceived experience. First of all, the information (e.g., id and location) of services and users is expressed as embedding vectors by leveraging neural network techniques. Then, the inner product of various embedding vectors, along with the weighted sum of feature vectors, is used to predict the QoS values. It should be noted that the inner product operation could capture the interactions between services and users, which is helpful to predict QoS values of services that have not been invoked by users. A collection of extensive experiments have been carried out on a real‐world dataset to validate the effectiveness of the LANFM model.
Dynamic Characteristics of Metro Tunnel Closely Parallel to a Ground Fissure
Authors: Liu Nina , Lu Quanzhong , Feng Xiaoyang , Fan Wen , Peng Jianbing , Liu Weiliang , Kang Xin
Published: April 2019

Shaking table model test and numerical simulation model were conducted on scaled tunnel model to investigate the mechanism and effect of seismic loadings on metro tunnel which is closely parallel to an active ground fissure. Key technical details of the experimental test were set up; for example, similarity relations, boundary conditions, sensors layout, and modelling methods were presented. Synthetic wave, El Centro wave, and Kobe wave were adopted as the input earthquake waves. Results measured from shaking table model and numerical model were compared and analyzed. It is found that the fissure increased the dynamic response features as accelerations and strains of the tunnel, especially in the part close to the fissure. Average incremental percentage of acceleration amplifying coefficient was 8.33% from the wall close to fissure than the symmetrical one. The short distance to fissure led to serious circumferential dynamic strain, while the distance to fissure influenced the axial dynamic strain less. The numerical analysis results have a good correspondence with those of the shaking table model test. The waves at the top of tunnel have more scattering and emission effect. The fissure increases the dynamic response of the tunnel close to it.
Effect of Short-Course Oral Ciprofloxacin on Isoflavone Pharmacokinetics following Soy Milk Ingestion in Healthy Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Temyingyong Nathathai , Koonrungsesomboon Nut , Hanprasertpong Nutthiya , Na Takuathung Mingkwan , Teekachunhatean Supanimit
Published: April 2019

Soy isoflavones have several potential benefits related to postmenopausal health. Isoflavone glycosides, found predominantly in nonfermented soy products, e.g., soy milk, require conversion by gut microbiota to their respective bioavailable aglycones prior to absorption into portal circulation. Use of short-course oral ciprofloxacin for the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis, the incidence of which is increasing among postmenopausal women, might adversely affect gut microbiota. The objective of this one-group pre-post treatment study was to determine the effect of short-course oral ciprofloxacin on isoflavone pharmacokinetics in healthy postmenopausal women. Eleven postmenopausal subjects were assigned to consume a single oral dose of 375 mL UHT soy milk (SOY phase). Blood samples were collected immediately before soy milk ingestion and at specific times for 32 hours after soy milk ingestion. Following a washout period of at least seven days, subjects were assigned to take 250 mg oral ciprofloxacin after breakfast and dinner for three days, followed by a single oral dose of 375 mL UHT soy milk the next day (CIPRO/SOY phase). Blood samples were collected at the same time points as in the SOY phase. Plasma samples were treated withβ-glucuronidase/sulfatase and plasma concentrations of aglycones (genistein and daidzein) were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography.Cmax,AUC0-t, andAUC0-∞of both aglycones andTmaxof genistein obtained from the CIPRO/SOY phase were significantly lower than those obtained from the SOY phase, whileTmaxof daidzein and t1/2of both aglycones in the two phases were not significantly different.
Short-Term and Medium-Term Impact of Retirement on Sport Activity, Self-Reported Health, and Social Activity of Women and Men in Poland
Authors: Biernat Elżbieta , Skrok Łukasz , Krzepota Justyna
Published: April 2019

Background. The aim of this study was to assess how retirement affects the short-term (up to 2 years after retirement) and medium-term (2-4 years) sport/exercise activity (S/EA) of Poles. To gain a broader context for interpretation, the effect of retirement on self-rated health status, attitudes, social activity, and sexual life was analysed. Methods. A quasiexperiment utilizing data from the longitudinal study Social Diagnosis and radius-matching method was conducted. Retiring men and women were matched with similar, nonretiring ones to make comparisons of differences in S/EA and other outcomes interpretable in terms of causality. Results. Retirement does not have a significant effect in the short term on S/EA of men (p=.440) and women (p=.340). The satisfaction of men with their health status in this period was improved (p=.007), although they more often declared health problems that impaired their everyday functioning (p=.045). Women rarely reported serious health problems (p=.024). In the medium perspective, retirement had the effect on reducing S/EA in men (p=.012) and various dimensions of their social life. Although men tend to worry more often about their health (p<0.001), they are less likely to suffer from problems with moving (p=.001) and fatigue (p=.013). Despite the fact that women are more often satisfied with their health (p=.027), they also more often complain about heart or chest pain (p=.010), body pain (p=.009), and fatigue (p=.007). Conclusion. It is necessary to prepare employees for retirement much earlier than in the preretirement age. In addition to raising awareness of the effect of S/EA functions, it is necessary to monitor the physical activity of employees and to use appropriate programmes for (1) maintaining motivation among employees who are physically active before they retire and (2) raising awareness and encouraging physical activity in employees who are physically passive.