bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inter‐individual variation in response to resistance training in cardiometabolic health indicators
Authors: Ahtiainen Juha P. , Sallinen Janne , Häkkinen Keijo , Sillanpää Elina
Published: March 2020

Resistance training (RT) may improve metabolic health; however, the extent of its effectiveness is constantly evaluated to assess improvements in the group means, thus obscuring the heterogeneous individual effects. This study investigated inter‐individual variation in response to RT as reflected in metabolic health indicators and how age, sex, nutrition, and pre‐training phenotypes are associated with such variabilities.

Methods

Previously collected data of men and women (39‐73 years, 135 trained, 73 non‐trained controls) were pooled for analysis. Measurements were taken twice before training to estimate individual day‐to‐day variations and measurement errors (n = 208). The individual responsiveness to the 21‐week RT in cardiometabolic health indicators (ie, systolic blood pressure, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), cholesterol and triglycerides) was determined. Body composition was estimated by bioimpedance and dietary intake according to 4‐day food diaries.

Results

Metabolic responses to RT seemed to be highly individual, and both beneficial and unfavorable changes were observed. Large inter‐individual variations in training response were not explained by a subject's age, sex, body composition, or nutritional status, with the exception of improvements in HDL‐C, which were associated with simultaneous decreases in body fat in older women. The incidence of metabolic syndrome diminished following RT.

Conclusion

This study showed that RT could improve some specific metabolic health indicators beyond normal day‐to‐day variations, especially in blood lipid profile. Further studies are needed to elucidate genetic and other mechanisms underlining the heterogeneity of RT responses. This knowledge may be useful in providing individually tailored exercise prescriptions as part of personalized preventative health care.
Impact of Parenting Styles on Physical Activity of Children
Authors: Sekot Aleš
Published: March 2020

The study is based on the broader context of the phenomenon of physical movement and sportive activities in contemporary sedentary society. The issue of parenting styles targeted towards the active lifestyle, with regular physical activity as its integral part, becomes more and more relevant. Different parenting styles are being revised; at the level of authoritative, authoritarian, permissive and neglectful style, marking the motivation for physical activity for children and adolescents. This includes the simultaneous process of agents of socialization reviving sociological context of a relationship of young people and sports mainly in the frame of motivation for physical activity even outside the family, in the organized sports environment. Therefore, a newly-formed socially and culturally conditioned relationship sporting child – parents – trainer appears, which, in the climate of consumer society and elite sportsperson adoration, brings possible conflicts of motivations, experiences and direction of the different actors of this triangle. This focuses our attention both on the parents‘ responsibility and the growing educational and socializing role of the trainer. In the synergic process, therefore, questions related to the importance of age and motivation in the targeted direction of a child towards physical activity, when the influence of parents is in this aspect crucial and irreplaceable and becomes even stronger in the situations when the parents appeal at their children by regular sporting together. In the text, this is also supported by empirical knowledge of parenting approach to physical activity of children and adolescents.
“Hombre y mujer los creó Dios” Reflexiones desde el pensamiento de Edith Stein
Authors: Reyes Gacitúa Eva
Published: March 2020

El artículo analiza el complejo escenario sobre la cuestión de la mujer. Para ello esboza el trayecto del movimiento femenino de los últimos años señalando en su especificidad un valor que le es propio. El estudio de las reflexiones de Edith Stein será relevante para comprender los fundamentos bíblicos y antropológicos que sostiene sobre la “diferenciación” y “unidad” entre ambos sexos. En este sentido, la presente investigación indaga sobre el peculiar modo de ser varón y mujer, y la “vocación común” atribuida al ser humano. La lectura complexiva de la obra steiniana, principalmente las Conferencias sobre la mujer, permitirá clarificar en qué consiste esta natural vocación femenina y masculina, y si estas pertenecen al orden originario.
Molecular simulation of nanocolloid rheology: Viscosity, viscoelasticity, and time-concentration superposition
Authors: Sundaravadivelu Devarajan Dinesh , Nourian Pouria , McKenna Gregory B. , Khare Rajesh
Published: March 2020

A particulate molecular model in which the solvent particles are considered explicitly is developed for studying the linear viscoelasticity of nanocolloidal suspensions using molecular dynamics simulations. Nanocolloidal systems of volume fractions ranging from 0.10 to 0.49 are studied. The hydrodynamics in these model systems are governed by interparticle interactions. The volume fraction dependence of the relative zero shear viscosity exhibited by this molecular model is consistent with that reported in the literature experiments and simulations. Over the range of frequencies studied, the relative dynamic viscosity values follow the same qualitative trend as that seen in the literature experiments. The time-concentration superposition (TCS) principle is successfully applied to construct the viscoelastic master curves that span nine decades of frequency in the case of the elastic modulus and more than four decades of frequency in the case of the loss modulus. The TCS principle was observed to fail at high volume fractions that are near the glass transition concentration; this finding is consistent with the literature experimental and simulation observations. The volume fraction dependence of the shift factors used in the construction of the viscoelastic master curves is in good quantitative agreement with that of the viscosity of the nanocolloidal systems. Our results demonstrate that molecular simulations in conjunction with an explicit solvent model can be used to quantitatively represent the viscosity and the viscoelastic properties of nanocolloidal suspensions. Such particulate models will be useful for studying the rheology of systems whose properties are governed by specific chemical interactions.
Updated National Estimates of Disparities in Physical Activity and Sports Participation Experienced by Children and Adolescents With Disabilities: NSCH 2016–2017
Authors: Ross Samantha M. , Smit Ellen , Yun Joonkoo , Bogart Kathleen , Hatfield Bridget , Logan Samuel W.
Published: March 2020

Background: Children and adolescents with disabilities often report low levels of physical activity (PA). Estimating the magnitude of PA disparities has been previously challenged by underreporting and variability in subsampling of disability. Using the National Survey of Children’s Health, this study estimated the population-level PA disparities experienced and the association between disability status and PA engagement. Methods: Weighted prevalence of PA engagement (National Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans (2nd edition) and sports participation) was compared across disability groups for children (n = 20,867, 6–11 y) and adolescents (n = 28,651, 12–17 y) and found to be 12%. Age-stratified multivariable logistic regressions estimated the likelihood of PA engagement as a function of disability status and type, after adjusting for child and household factors. Results: Children, but not adolescents, with disabilities had significantly lower odds of being sufficiently active compared with peers without disabilities (adjusted odds ratio = 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.60–0.94). Across age groups, the lowest prevalence rates were observed among those experiencing function and mobility disabilities. Children and adolescents were significantly less likely to participate in sports compared with peers. Conclusion: Children with function and mobility disabilities were identified as priority subpopulations least likely to be sufficiently active. The disparity in sports participation highlights a critical intervention point for increasing PA among children with disabilities.
Maternal Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies Can Select for Neutralization-Resistant, Infant-Transmitted/Founder HIV Variants
Authors: Martinez David R. , Tu Joshua J. , Kumar Amit , Mangold Jesse F. , Mangan Riley J. , Goswami Ria , Giorgi Elena E. , Chen Juilin , Mengual Michael , Douglas Ayooluwa O. , Heimsath Holly , Saunders Kevin O. , Nicely Nathan I. , Eudailey Joshua , Hernandez Giovanna , Morgan-Asiedu Papa Kwadwo , Wiehe Kevin , Haynes Barton F. , Moody M. Anthony , LaBranche Celia , Montefiori David C. , Gao Feng , Permar Sallie R.
Published: March 2020

Efforts to eliminate MTCT of HIV with antiretroviral therapy (ART) have met little success, with >180,000 infant infections each year worldwide. It is therefore likely that additional immunologic strategies that can synergize with ART will be required to eliminate MTCT of HIV. To this end, understanding the role of maternal HIV Env-specific IgG antibodies in the setting of MTCT is crucial. In this study, we found that maternal-plasma broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) responses can select for T/F viruses that initiate infection in infants. We propose that clinical trials testing the efficacy of single bNAb specificities should not include HIV-infected pregnant women, as a single bNAb might select for neutralization-resistant infant-T/F viruses.
A Shift in Central Metabolism Accompanies Virulence Activation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Perinbam Kumar , Chacko Jenu V. , Kannan Anerudh , Digman Michelle A. , Siryaporn Albert
Published: March 2020

The rise of antibiotic resistance requires the development of new strategies to combat bacterial infection and pathogenesis. A major direction has been the development of drugs that broadly target virulence. However, few targets have been identified due to the species-specific nature of many virulence regulators. The lack of a virulence regulator that is conserved across species has presented a further challenge to the development of therapeutics. Here, we identify that NADH activity has an important role in the induction of virulence in the pathogen
P. aeruginosa
. This finding, coupled with the ubiquity of NADH in bacterial pathogens, opens up the possibility of targeting enzymes that process NADH as a potential broad antivirulence approach.
Translation Inhibition by Rocaglates Activates a Species-Specific Cell Death Program in the Emerging Fungal Pathogen Candida auris
Authors: Iyer Kali R. , Whitesell Luke , Porco John A. , Henkel Thomas , Brown Lauren E. , Robbins Nicole , Cowen Leah E.
Published: March 2020

Emergence of the fungal pathogen
Candida auris
has ignited intrigue and alarm within the medical community and the public at large. This pathogen is unusually resistant to antifungals, threatening to overwhelm current management options. By screening a library of structurally diverse molecules, we found that
C. auris
is surprisingly sensitive to translation inhibition by a class of compounds known as rocaglates (also known as flavaglines). Despite the high level of conservation across fungi in their protein synthesis machinery, these compounds inhibited translation initiation and activated a cell death program in
C. auris
but not in its relative
Candida albicans
. Our findings highlight a surprising divergence across the cell death programs operating in
Candida
species and underscore the need to understand the specific biology of a pathogen in attempting to develop more-effective treatments against it.
Umbilical cord milking in preterm infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Balasubramanian Haribalakrishna , Ananthan Anitha , Jain Vaibhav , Rao Shripada C , Kabra Nandkishor
Published: March 2020

Objective

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of umbilical cord milking in preterm infants.

Design

Randomised controlled trials comparing umbilical cord milking with delayed cord clamping/immediate cord clamping in preterm infants were identified by searching databases, clinical trial registries and reference list of relevant studies in November 2019. Fixed effects model was used to pool the data on various clinically relevant outcomes.

Main outcome measures

Mortality and morbidities in preterm neonates.

Results

Nineteen studies (2014 preterm infants) were included. Five studies (n=922) compared cord milking with delayed cord clamping, whereas 14 studies (n=1092) compared milking with immediate cord clamping. Cord milking, as opposed to delayed cord clamping, significantly increased the risk of intraventricular haemorrhage (grade III or more) (risk ratio (RR): 1.95 (95% CI 1.01 to 3.76), p=0.05). When compared with immediate cord clamping, cord milking reduced the need for packed RBC transfusions (RR:0.56 (95% CI 0.43 to 0.73), p<0.001). There was limited information on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. The grade of evidence was moderate or low for the various outcomes analysed.

Conclusion

Umbilical cord milking, when compared with delayed cord clamping, significantly increased the risk of severe intraventricular haemorrhage in preterm infants, especially at lower gestational ages. Cord milking, when compared with immediate cord clamping, reduced the need for packed RBC transfusions but did not improve clinical outcomes. Hence, cord milking cannot be considered as placental transfusion strategy in preterm infants based on the currently available evidence.
Retinal cavitations in macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel): longitudinal structure–function correlations
Authors: Cai Cindy X , Choong John , Farsiu Sina , Chiu Stephanie J , Chew Emily Y , Jaffe Glenn J
Published: March 2020

Background/aims

To quantify retinal cavitation size over time in macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel) and to correlate changes with visual acuity and area of ellipsoid zone loss.

Methods

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) macula volume scans from sham eyes included in a prospective, phase II clinical trial of human ciliary neutrophic factor for MacTel at baseline, 1 year and 2 years of follow-up were analysed. Cavitations were segmented by two independent readers. Total cavitation volume was compared with area of ellipsoid zone loss and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Results

Fifty-one eyes from 51 unique patients (mean age 62 years, range 45–79 years) were included. Intraclass correlation between readers for cavitation volume was excellent (>0.99). Average cavitation volume was 0.0109 mm3, 0.0113 mm3and 0.0124 mm3at baseline, 1 year and 2 years, respectively. The average rate of cavitation volume change was +0.0039 mm3/year. 10 eyes (20%) had a significant change in cavitation volume during the study (3 decreased, 7 increased). Eyes with increased cavitation volume had worse BCVA compared with eyes with no change/decreased cavitation volume (71.5 vs 76.1 ETDRS letters, respectively). Cavitation volume was negatively correlated to BCVA (r=−0.37) but not to area of ellipsoid zone loss. Cavitation volume was negatively predictive of BCVA in both univariate and multivariate mixed-effects modelling with ellipsoid zone loss.

Conclusions

Retinal cavitations and their rate of change in MacTel can be reliably quantified using OCT. Cavitations are negatively correlated with visual acuity and may be a useful OCT-based biomarker for disease progression and visual function in MacTel.
Severe dysfunctional tear syndrome patients and resolution of central corneal staining: retrospective cohort study
Authors: Teo Zhen Ling , Chu Clarisse , Tong Louis
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Severe dry eye is widely prevalent yet difficult to treat. This study aims to evaluate for improvement in epithelial status and the risk factors for lack of improvement in a cohort of patients in Singapore with severe dry eye.

Methods

We retrospectively identified 1712 patients with severe dry eye (≥grade 3 Delphi) in at least one eye, referred to a tertiary centre dry eye clinic from 2006 to 2017. We included patients with central corneal staining grade of ≥2 at referral and minimum follow-up duration of 6 months (n=407). An epithelial staining grade of <2 at the last visit was considered a significantly improved outcome.

Results

The mean follow-up duration was 4.0±2.4 years, with 88.0% (358/407) of patients achieving significant improvement. Various treatment modalities including topical corticosteroids (32.4%), cyclosporine (52.8%) and punctal plugs (24.1%) were used. Risk factors for non-improvement of staining grade include autoimmune disease (OR 3.2, 95% CI: 1.7 to 6.1), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (OR 3.4 (1.8 to 6.6)), graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (OR 3.4 (1.0 to 11.7)), reduced baseline Schirmer’s test (OR 2.1 (1.2 to 3.9)) and reduced tear break up time (OR 2.0 (1.0 to 3.8)). On multivariate analyses, RA and GVHD were still significant risk factors. Gender, age and meibum viscosity were not significantly associated with epithelial staining grade improvement.

Conclusions

Overall, a high rate of corneal epithelial improvement was achieved. Nevertheless, there is an unmet need for more effective measures to reduce epitheliopathy in severe dry eye, especially in patients with systemic immune-mediated disease.
Views and experiences of nurses in providing end-of-life care to patients in an ED context: a qualitative systematic review
Authors: Mughal Amber , Evans Catrin
Published: March 2020

Introduction

With an increase in the population living with terminal illness, many patients are accessing EDs during the last days of their life. Yet EDs are often not well prepared to provide end-of-life (EOL) care. The aim of this review was to identify and synthesise studies that describe the views and experiences of emergency nurses in providing EOL care so as to understand the barriers and challenges that they face while caring for these patients and to identify factors that can support appropriate care delivery.

Method

A qualitative meta-synthesis was undertaken using a thematic approach. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument tool. Five databases were searched in June 2016.

Results

Eleven qualitative studies met the inclusion criteria and were assessed as having high quality. Sixty-nine findings were identified, combined into 11 descriptive themes and then synthesised into 3 analytical themes: (1) Incongruent ED environment and EOL care. (2) Lack of resources, systems and capacity. (3) EOL care as a rewarding act or an emotional burden.

Conclusion

The review identified a need for: (1) Additional training for nurses. (2) The development of clear guidelines in the form of pathways and protocols. (3) Having a separate space for the dying. (4) Providing a supportive environment for staff dealing with high emotional burden and challenging workloads. In order to improve EOL care, organisations must work on the barriers that hinder care provision.
Evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of maximal aortic diameter, length and volume for prediction of aortic dissection
Authors: Heuts Samuel , Adriaans Bouke P , Rylski Bartosz , Mihl Casper , Bekkers Sebastiaan C A M , Olsthoorn Jules R , Natour Ehsan , Bouman Heleen , Berezowski Mikolaj , Kosiorowska Kinga , Crijns Harry J G M , Maessen Jos G , Wildberger Joachim , Schalla Simon , Sardari Nia Peyman
Published: March 2020

Objective

Management of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) comprises regular diameter follow-up until the indication criterion for prophylactic surgery is reached. However, this approach is unable to predict the majority of acute type A aortic dissections (ATAADs). The current study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ascending aortic diameter, length and volume for occurrence of ATAAD.

Methods

This two-centre observational cohort study retrospectively screened 477 consecutive patients who presented with ATAAD between 2009 and 2018. Of those, 25 (5.2%) underwent CT angiography (CTA) within 2 years before dissection onset. Aortic diameter, length and volume of these patients (‘pre-ATAAD’) were compared with those of TAA controls (n=75). Receiver operating curve analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the three different measurements.

Results

96% of patients with pre-ATAAD did not meet the surgical diameter threshold of 55 mm before dissection onset. Maximal aortic diameters (45 (40–49) mm vs 46 (44–49) mm, p=0.075) and volume (126 (95–157) cm3vs 124 (102–136) cm3, p=0.909) were comparable between patients with pre-ATAAD and TAA controls. Conversely, ascending aortic length (84±9 mm vs 90±16 mm, p=0.031) was significantly larger in patients with pre-ATAAD. All three parameters had an area under the curve of >0.800. At the 55 mm cut-off point, the maximal diameter yielded a positive predictive value (PPV) of 20%. While maintaining same specificity levels, measurements of aortic volume and length showed superior diagnostic accuracy (PPV 55% and 70%, respectively).

Conclusion

Measurements of aortic volume and length have superior diagnostic accuracy compared with the maximal diameter and could improve the timely identification of patients at risk for ATAAD.
Why the endothelium? The endothelium as a target to reduce diabetes-associated vascular disease
Authors: Triggle Chris R. , Ding Hong , Marei Isra , Anderson Todd J. , Hollenberg Morley D.
Published: March 2020

Over the past 66 years, our knowledge of the role of the endothelium in the regulation of cardiovascular function and dysfunction has advanced from the assumption that it is a single layer of cells that serves as a barrier between the blood stream and vascular smooth muscle to an understanding of its role as an essential endocrine-like organ. In terms of historical contributions, we pay particular credit to (1) the Canadian scientist Dr. Rudolf Altschul who, based on pathological changes in the appearance of the endothelium, advanced the argument in 1954 that “one is only as old as one’s endothelium” and (2) the American scientist Dr. Robert Furchgott, a 1998 Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine, who identified the importance of the endothelium in the regulation of blood flow. This review provides a brief history of how our knowledge of endothelial function has advanced and now recognize that the endothelium produces a plethora of signaling molecules possessing paracrine, autocrine, and, arguably, systemic hormone functions. In addition, the endothelium is a therapeutic target for the anti-diabetic drugs metformin, glucagon-like peptide I (GLP-1) receptor agonists, and inhibitors of the sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) that offset the vascular disease associated with diabetes.
Thermodynamic properties of higher-dimensional dS black holes in dRGT massive gravity
Authors: Ma Yubo , Zhang Yang , Zhang Lichun , Wu Liang , Huang Yumei , Pan Yu
Published: March 2020

On the basis of the state parameter of de Sitter space-time satisfying the first law of thermodynamics, we can derive some effective thermodynamic quantities. When the temperature of the black hole horizon is equal to that of the cosmological horizon, we think that the effective temperature of the space-time should have the same value. Using this condition, we obtain a differential equation of the entropy of the de Sitter black hole in the higher-dimensional de Rham, Gabadadze and Tolley (dRGT) massive gravity. Solving the differential equation, we obtain the corrected entropy and effective thermodynamic quantities of the de Sitter black hole. The results show that for multi-parameter black holes, the entropy satisfied differential equation is invariable with different independent state parameters. Therefore, the entropy of higher-dimensional dS black holes in dRGT massive gravity is only a function of the position of the black hole horizon, and is independent of other state parameters. It is consistent with the corresponding entropy of the black hole horizon and the cosmological horizon. The thermodynamic quantities of self-consistent de Sitter space-time are given theoretically, and the equivalent thermodynamic quantities have the second-order phase transformation similar to AdS black hole, but unlike AdS black hole, the equivalent temperature of de Sitter space-time has a maximum value. By satisfying the requirement of thermodynamic equilibrium and stability of space-time, the conditions for the existence of dS black holes in the universe are obtained.
Security of Auditing Protocols Against Subversion Attacks
Authors: Lv Jiaxian , Wang Yi , Su Jinshu , Chen Rongmao , Wu Wenjun
Published: March 2020

In 2013, the revelation of Edward Snowden rekindled cryptographic researchers’ interest in subversion attacks. Since then, many works have been carried out to explore the power of subversion attacks and feasible effective countermeasures as well. In this work, we investigate the study of subversion attacks against cloud auditing protocol, which has been well-known as useful primitive for secure cloud storage. We demonstrate that subverted auditing protocol enables the cloud server to recover secret information stored on the data owner side. Particularly, we first define an asymmetric subversion attack model for auditing protocol. This model serves as the principle for analyzing the undetectability and key recovery of subversion attacks against auditing protocols. We then show a general framework of asymmetric subversion attacks against auditing protocols with index-coefficient challenge. To illustrate the feasibility of our paradigm, several concrete auditing protocols are provided. As a feasible countermeasure, we propose a subversion-resilient auditing protocol with index-coefficient challenge.
A Unified Method for Private Exponent Attacks on RSA Using Lattices
Authors: Bahig Hatem M. , Nassr Dieaa I. , Bhery Ashraf , Nitaj Abderrahmane
Published: March 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be an RSA public key with private exponent [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are large primes of the same bit size. At Eurocrypt 96, Coppersmith presented a polynomial-time algorithm for finding small roots of univariate modular equations based on lattice reduction and then succussed to factorize the RSA modulus. Since then, a series of attacks on the key equation [Formula: see text] of RSA have been presented. In this paper, we show that many of such attacks can be unified in a single attack using a new notion called Coppersmith’s interval. We determine a Coppersmith’s interval for a given RSA public key [Formula: see text] The interval is valid for any variant of RSA, such as Multi-Prime RSA, that uses the key equation. Then we show that RSA is insecure if [Formula: see text] provided that we have approximation [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] The attack is an extension of Coppersmith’s result.
Improved Hardness of Maximum Common Subgraph Problems on Labeled Graphs of Bounded Treewidth and Bounded Degree
Authors: Akutsu Tatsuya , Melkman Avraham A. , Tamura Takeyuki
Published: March 2020

We consider the maximum common connected edge subgraph problem and the maximum common connected induced subgraph problem for simple graphs with labeled vertices (or labeled edges). The former is to find a connected graph with the maximum number of edges that is isomorphic to a subgraph of each of the two input graphs. The latter is to find a common connected induced subgraph with the maximum number of vertices. We prove that both problems are NP-hard for 3-outerplanar labeled graphs even if the maximum vertex degree is bounded by 4. Since the reductions used in the proofs construct graphs with treewidth at most 4, both problems are NP-hard also for such graphs, which significantly improves the previous hardness results for graphs with treewidth 11. We also present improved exponential-time algorithms for both problems on labeled graphs of bounded treewidth and bounded vertex degree.
Ozsváth-Szabó d-invariants of almost simple linear graphs
Authors: Karakurt Çağrı , Şavk Oğuz
Published: March 2020

We describe an effective method for simultaneously computing [Formula: see text]-invariants of infinite families of Brieskorn spheres [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text].
Strongly hollow elements of commutative rings
Authors: Rostami Esmaeil
Published: March 2020

In this paper, the notion of completely strongly hollow ideals (respectively, strongly hollow elements) of a commutative ring as a generalization of strongly hollow ideals (respectively, local idempotents) is introduced and some related properties are investigated. Also, some characteristics of completely strongly hollow ideals and strongly hollow elements of some special classes of commutative rings are given. Then, we consider the decomposition of nonzero ideals of a ring into a product (respectively, (finite) sum) of completely strongly hollow ideals. Some other results are obtained too.
Finite unitary ring with minimal non-nilpotent group of units
Authors: Amiri Mohsen , Amini Mostafa
Published: March 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be a finite unitary ring such that [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the prime ring and [Formula: see text] is not a nilpotent group. We show that if all proper subgroups of [Formula: see text] are nilpotent groups, then the cardinality of [Formula: see text] is a power of 2. In addition, if [Formula: see text] is not a [Formula: see text]-group, then either [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the ring of [Formula: see text] matrices over the finite field [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a direct sum of copies of the finite field [Formula: see text].
Predicting mucin-type O-glycosylation using enhancement value products from derived protein features
Authors: Mohl Jonathon E. , Gerken Thomas , Leung Ming-Ying
Published: March 2020

Mucin-type O-glycosylation is one of the most common post-translational modifications of proteins. This glycosylation is initiated in the Golgi by the addition of the sugar N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) onto protein Ser and Thr residues by a family of polypeptide GalNAc transferases. In humans, there are 20 isoforms that are differentially expressed across tissues that serve multiple important biological roles. Using random peptide substrates, isoform specific amino acid preferences have been obtained in the form of enhancement values (EV). These EVs alone have previously been used to predict O-glycosylation sites via the web based ISOGlyP (Isoform Specific O-Glycosylation Prediction) tool. Here, we explore additional protein features to determine whether these can complement the random peptide derived enhancement values and increase the predictive power of ISOGlyP. The inclusion of additional protein substrate features (such as secondary structure and surface accessibility) was found to increase sensitivity with minimal loss of specificity, when tested with three different published in vivo O-glycoproteomics data sets, thus increasing the overall accuracy of the ISOGlyP predictions.
Software Prefetching for Unstructured Mesh Applications
Authors: Hadade Ioan , Jones Timothy M. , Wang Feng , Mare Luca di
Published: March 2020

This article demonstrates the utility and implementation of software prefetching in an unstructured finite volume computational fluid dynamics code of representative size and complexity to an industrial application and across a number of modern processors. We present the benefits of auto-tuning for finding the optimal prefetch distance values across different computational kernels and architectures and demonstrate the importance of choosing the right prefetch destination across the available cache levels for best performance. We discuss the impact of the data layout on the number of prefetch instructions required in kernels with indirect addressing patterns and show how to best implement them in an existing large-scale computational fluid dynamics application. Through this, we show significant full application speed-ups on a range of processors and realistic test cases in both single core/tile and full socket configurations, such as 1.14× on the Intel Xeon Sandy Bridge, 1.09× on the Intel Xeon Broadwell, 1.29× on the Intel Xeon Skylake, 1.99× on the in-order Intel Xeon Phi Knights Corner coprocessor, and 1.51× on the out-of-order Intel Xeon Phi Knights Landing many-core processor.
Holant Clones and the Approximability of Conservative Holant Problems
Authors: Backens Miriam , Goldberg Leslie Ann
Published: March 2020

We construct a theory of holant clones to capture the notion of expressibility in the holant framework. Their role is analogous to the role played by functional clones in the study of weighted counting Constraint Satisfaction Problems. We explore the landscape of conservative holant clones and determine the situations in which a set
F
of functions is “universal in the conservative case,” which means that all functions are contained in the holant clone generated by
F
together with all unary functions. When
F
is not universal in the conservative case, we give concise generating sets for the clone. We demonstrate the usefulness of the holant clone theory by using it to give a complete complexity-theory classification for the problem of approximating the solution to conservative holant problems. We show that approximation is intractable exactly when
F
is universal in the conservative case.
Regulatory T Cells in Cancer
Authors: Plitas George , Rudensky Alexander Y.
Published: March 2020

The immune system has evolved complex effector mechanisms to protect the host against a diversity of pathogenic organisms and regulatory adaptations that can curtail pathological sequelae of inflammatory events, prevent autoimmunity, and assist in tissue repair. Cancers, by virtue of their local manifestations of tissue dysfunction and destruction, inflammation, and genomic instability, can evoke these protective mechanisms, which support the progression of tumors and prevent their immune eradication. Central to these processes is a subset of CD4+T cells, known as regulatory T (Treg) cells, that express the X chromosome–linked transcription factor FOXP3. In addition to their critical role in controlling autoimmunity and suppressing inflammatory responses in diverse biological settings, Treg cells are ubiquitously present in the tumor microenvironment where they promote tumor development and progression by dampening antitumor immune responses. Furthermore, Treg cells can directly support the survival of transformed cells through the elaboration of growth factors and interacting with accessory cells in tumors such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Current insights into the biology of tumor-associated Treg cells have opened up opportunities for their selective targeting in cancer, with the goal of alleviating their suppression of antitumor immune responses while maintaining overall immune homeostasis.
4-(Trimethylsilyl) Morpholine as a Multifunctional Electrolyte Additive in High Voltage Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Yang Jianzhong , Shkrob Ilya , Liu Kewei , Connell Justin , Dietz Rago Nancy L. , Zhang Zhengcheng , Liao Chen
Published: March 2020

In this study we characterize 4-(trimethylsilyl) morpholine (TMSML) as a multifunctional electrolyte additive in Li1.03(Ni0.5Mn0.3Co0.2)0.97O2 (NMC532)//Graphite cells operating at 3–4.4 V. This additive completely prevents the hydrolysis of LiPF6 caused by traces of water in a carbonate electrolyte, both ex and in situ. It also inhibits oxidative decomposition of electrolyte on the energized cathode, impedes the formation of electrically insulating deposits on the cathode surface, decreases transition metal loss from the cathode in aged cells, improves the discharge capacity retention, and decreases the rise of cell resistance during aging. We trace these beneficial functions to the ease of nucleophilic substitution and the N–Si bond dissociation in the TMSML. Our results suggest that TMSML could be a promising electrolyte additive in the high voltage lithium ion batteries.
Elucidating the Role of Ionomer in the Performance of Platinum Group Metal-free Catalyst Layer via in situ Electrochemical Diagnostics
Authors: Wang Guanxiong , Osmieri Luigi , Star Andrew G. , Pfeilsticker Jason , Neyerlin K. C.
Published: March 2020

The ionomer content in platinum group metal (PGM)-free polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) cathode catalyst layer (CCL) plays an important role in the electrode gas transport properties, proton conductivity, and hence, membrane electrode assembly (MEA) performance. In this work, the ionomer content in the CCL is varied, influencing electrode microstructure by altering porosity, tortuosity, as well as ionomer distribution and coverage of the catalyst particles. A novel technique consisting of a H2 pump, combined with a Pt black sensor layer, is used to measure the bulk mass transport resistance of a series of PGM-free CCL prepared with different ionomer contents. The values for bulk electrode mass transport resistance are contrasted with electrode proton transport resistance in the cathode catalyst layer, establishing a clearly defined trade-off between two key performance limiting phenomena and identifying a need for novel PGM-free electrode fabrication strategies.
Polydopamine and Its Composite Film as an Adhesion Layer for Cu Electroless Deposition on SiO2
Authors: Chou Shih-Cheng , Chung Wei-An , Fan Tzu-Ling , Dordi Yezdi , Koike Junichi , Wu Pu-Wei
Published: March 2020

We explore dopamine (DA) and its mixtures with polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polyethylenimine (PEI) as an adhesion layer for bonding between Cu and SiO2. The DA is oxidized to form polydopamine (PDA) which deposits as aggregates on SiO2 surface with notable surface roughness. After mixing with PEG or PEI, the morphology of PDA aggregates is altered considerably. Electroless Cu deposition in a mild alkaline bath is employed to deposit Cu atop the adhesion layer. The Cu films reveal an fcc lattice with (111) preferred orientation and their thickness was around 650 nm. From measurements of four-point probe, breaking strength, and tape-peeling tests, the PDA/PEG mixture reveals impressive performance serving as a strong adhesive for robust Cu bonding. We attribute the unique adhesive ability of PDA/PEG to the hydrogen bonds established between the catechol and amine groups of DA with PEG that renders desirable film formation on the SiO2 surface for optimized interaction between Cu and SiO2.
Pattern Recognition of the Vertical Hydraulic Fracture Shapes in Coalbed Methane Reservoirs Based on Hierarchical Bi-LSTM Network
Authors: Yang Zhaozhong , Yang Chenxi , Li Xiaogang , Min Chao
Published: March 2020

Pattern recognition of the hydraulic fracture shapes is very important and complex for the refracturing design of coalbed methane (CBM) wells. In this paper, we explore a new idea by regarding the pattern recognition process as understanding what a CBM reservoir “says” during hydraulic fracturing. Then we present a hierarchical Bidirectional LSTM (Bi-LSTM) network to recognize the pattern of hydraulic fracture geometry in CBM reservoirs. Inputting the wavelet denoised sequences of data to the presented network, we can extract the implicit features of the hydraulic sand fracturing operation curves and automatically combine them to make the classification of the fracture shapes. With this method, we can cope with the problems happened in early stage of the CBM field development such as the lack of monitoring wells and the information of rock mechanics. Moreover, the experiences of the engineers and the measured data are combinationally used, which can efficiently reduce the subjectivity and assist the engineers to make the refracturing design. The validity of this method is verified by the testing data and comparing with the simulated results of Fracpro PT software.
Five-Axis Tool Path Generation of Injection Mold Represented by T-Spline Surface
Authors: Shang Ce , Shen Hongyao , Fu Jianzhong , Sun Yangfan , Yue Shuhua , Zhang Jianfeng
Published: March 2020

Injection molding is widely used in industries to produce polymeric products. At present, compound NURBS surfaces are commonly used to represent freeform surfaces in mold models. This work uses T-spline surface with extraordinary control points instead of NURBS to represent freeform surfaces in mold models. Compared with NURBS, T-splines’ higher-order continuity facilitates the mold quality control especially at the patch boundary. And, its patch layout information can be utilized for tool path planning. We propose an algorithm to determine the patch processing order and generate nonretraction tool path for T-spline surface models. The tool paths are generated patch by patch using isoparametric strategy. Actual machining and injection molding experiments have been conducted. The result shows the feasibility of the proposed method, and the final product is in good quality.
Discriminant Analysis of Traditional Chinese Medicinal Properties Based on Holistic Chemical Profiling by 1H‐NMR Spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Jie , Guo Wenna , Li Qiao , Sun Faxin , Xu Xiaomeng , Xu Hui
Published: March 2020

Medicinal property, which is closely related to drug chemical profiling, is the essence of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory and has always been the focus of modern Chinese medicine. Based on dozens of classic and commonly used TCM herbs with recognized medicinal properties, the present study just aimed to investigate the feasibility and reliability of medicinal property discriminant by using 1H‐NMR spectrometry, which provided a mass of spectral data showing holistic chemical profile for multivariate analysis and data mining, including principal component analysis (PCA), Fisher linear discriminant analysis (FLDA), and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA). By using FLDA for two‐class recognition, a large majority of test herbs (59/61) were properly discriminated as cold or hot group, and the only two exceptions were Chuanbeimu (Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus) and Rougui (Cinnamomi Cortex), suggesting that medicinal properties interrelate with flavor and body tropism, and all these factors together bring up medicinal property and efficacy. While by performing CDA, 98.4% of the original grouped herbs and 77.0% of the leave‐one‐out cross‐validated grouped cases were correctly classified. The findings demonstrated that discriminant analysis based on holistic chemical profiling data by 1H‐NMR spectrometry may provide a powerful alternative to have a deeper understanding of TCM medicinal property.
Changes in Physiological and Pathological Behaviours Produced by Deep Microelectrode Implantation Surgery in Rats: A Temporal Analysis
Authors: Chiprés-Tinajero Gustavo A. , Núñez-Ochoa Miguel A. , Medina-Ceja Laura
Published: March 2020

Physiological behaviours such as the sleep-wake cycle and exploratory behaviours are important parameters in intact and sham-operated animals and are usually thought to be unaffected by experimental protocols in which neurosurgery is performed. However, there is insufficient evidence in the literature on the behavioural and cognitive effects observed after deep microelectrode implantation surgery in animal models of neurological diseases. Similarly, in studies that utilize animal models of neurological diseases, the impact of surgery on the pathological phenomena being studied is often minimized. Based on these considerations, we performed a temporal analysis of the effects of deep microelectrode implantation surgery in the hippocampus of rats on quiet wakefulness, sleep, and exploratory activity and the pathological behaviours such as convulsive seizures according to the Racine scale. Male Wistar rats (210-300 g) were used and grouped in sham and epileptic animals. Single doses of pilocarpine hydrochloride (2.4 mg/2 μl; i.c.v.) were administered to the animals to generate spontaneous and recurrent seizures. Deep microelectrode implantation surgeries in both groups and analysis of Fast ripples were performed. Physiological and pathological behaviours were recorded through direct video monitoring of animals (24/7). Our principal findings showed that in epileptic animals, one of the main behaviours affected by surgery is sleep; as a consequence of this behavioural change, a decrease in exploratory activity was also found as well as the mean time spent daily in seizures of scale 4 and the number of seizure events of scales 4 and 5 was increased after surgery. No significant correlations between the occurrence of FR and seizure events of scale 4 (rho 0.63, p value 0.25) or 5 (rho -0.7, p value 0.18) were observed. In conclusion, microelectrode implantation surgeries modified some physiological and pathological behaviours; therefore, it is important to consider this fact when it is working with animal models.
Effects of Different Processed Products of Polygonum multiflorum on the Liver
Authors: Li Ruo-Lan , Gao Feng , Yan Shu-Ting , Ou Li , Li Ming , Chen Lin , Wei Pei-Feng , Gao Zong-Qiang
Published: March 2020

Objective. Based on in vitro and in vivo experimental studies, the changes of the main components of Polygonum multiflorum and different processed products and their effects on hepatotoxicity were investigated. Methods. The components of different processed products of Polygonum multiflorum were determined by HPLC. The effects of processed products of different processing time periods on HepG2 cells were detected by using cell count kit‐8 and the apoptosis method; the effects of different processed products on the mouse liver were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Results. With the extension of processing time, the contents of various chemical components in Polygonum multiflorum increased, while the content of stilbene glucoside decreased. The serum of Polygonum multiflorum group and different steaming time groups had obvious inhibitory effect on HepG2 cells. For normal mice, the toxicity of raw Polygonum multiflorum and processed products at different processing time periods had certain toxicity to liver and gradually decreased with the prolongation of processing time. For mice in the liver injury group, the therapeutic effect of raw Polygonum multiflorum and processed products at different processing time periods was not obvious, but there is a trend of treatment. Conclusion. The content of the main components in Radix Polygonum multiflorum can be affected by processing time; stilbene glycoside may be the main component leading to liver injury. The degree of liver injury caused by Radix Polygonum multiflorum is negatively correlated with processing time.