bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of ventilation system optimization based on the Taguchi method
Authors: Su Chia-Hsiang , Wu Cheng-Wei , Chu Li-Ming
Published: April 2019

This research revolves around the ventilation system of range hoods and discusses the optimization of the flow field from the perspectives of reverse engineering (RE), the Taguchi method (TM), and computer aided engineering (CAE). These were integrated to develop an impeller system with an optimized air discharge volume. Analyses show that the arc length of the blades and the deflection angle of the impellers are the most prominent factors affecting the volume of the air discharge. A maximum air discharge volume was achieved during the experiment with 54 blades and a deflection angle of [Formula: see text], which is an enhancement of 17.5% in comparison with that of the original design. In an environment with shortened product life cycles, the results from this research are expected to improve the air discharge efficiency of impellers and effectively reduce the time needed for the development of ventilation systems.
Device and Circuit Models of Monolithic InAlN/GaN NAND and NOR Logic Cells Comprising D- and E-Mode HEMTs
Authors: Chvála Aleš , Nagy Lukáš , Marek Juraj , Priesol Juraj , Donoval Daniel , Šatka Alexander , Blaho Michal , Gregušová Dagmar , Kuzmík Ján
Published: April 2019

This paper presents monolithic integrated InAlN/GaN NAND and NOR logic cells comprising depletion-mode, enhancement-mode and dual-gate enhancement-mode high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). The designed NAND and NOR logic cells consist of the depletion-mode and enhancement-mode HEMT transistors integrated onto a single die. InAlN/GaN-based NAND and NOR logic cells with good static and dynamic performance are demonstrated for the first time. Calibrated static and dynamic electrophysical models are proposed for 2D device simulations in Sentaurus Device environment. Sentaurus Device mixed-mode setup interconnects the transistors to NAND and NOR logic circuits which allows analysis and characterization of the devices as a complex system. Circuit models of depletion-mode, enhancement-mode and dual-gate HEMTs are designed and calibrated by experimental results and 2D device simulations. The proposed models exhibit highly accurate results.
Preparation of Graphene–Polypyrrole Hollow Sphere by Pickering Emulsion Method and Their Electrochemical Performances as Supercapacitor Electrode
Authors: Wu Sai , Tian Jie , Yin Xianglu , Wu Wei
Published: April 2019

Graphene–polypyrrole hollow sphere composite was synthesized for the first time via Pickering emulsion polymerization using graphene oxide as Pickering stabilizer. It was found that polypyrrole and graphene were well hybrid and all graphene–polypyrrole composites had a uniform hollow sphere structure, whose diameters gradually decreased as the pyrrole content decreased. The electrochemical properties of the composites as supercapacitor electrode were investigated. The test results displayed that the specific capacitance of the optimal ratio of composite could reach 238[Formula: see text]F/g at a current density of 1[Formula: see text]A/g, and a 90.7% capacitance retention could be achieved after 1500 cycles, which was a significant improvement compared with the 62.2% retention of pure polypyrrole.
Influence of Ni substitution on structural, morphological, dielectric, magnetic and optical properties of Cu–Zn ferrite by double sintering sol–gel technique
Authors: Hossain Mohammad Sajjad , Akter Yeasmin , Shahjahan Mohammad , Bashar Muhammad Shahriar , Begum Most. Hosney Ara , Hossain Md. Moazzem , Islam Suravi , Khatun Nazia , Al-Mamun Md.
Published: April 2019

Polycrystalline NiCuZn ferrite (NixCu[Formula: see text]Zn[Formula: see text]Fe2O4; [Formula: see text], 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5) were prepared through sol–gel auto combustion method applying double sintering technique. Structural, morphological, elemental analyses (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Direct Current (DC) electrical resistivity, dielectric, magnetic and optical properties of prepared samples were analyzed. XRD profiles reveal the formation of simple cubic spinel structure without any traceable impurity. The average crystallite size lies within the range of 22–29[Formula: see text]nm. Lattice parameter decreases with increasing Ni concentration. Room temperature DC resistivity was recorded from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm. Both dielectric constant ([Formula: see text]) and loss factor (tan[Formula: see text]) were decreased with increase of frequency while AC conductivity increases. FTIR absorption peak occurred at three different frequency ranges at 570–577[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text], 1635–1662[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] and 3439–3448[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]. Magnetic properties were investigated by using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Decreasing trends were observed for saturation magnetization ([Formula: see text]), magnetic coercivity ([Formula: see text]) and remanant magnetization ([Formula: see text]) with the increase of Ni content. Optical band gap ([Formula: see text]2.70–2.79[Formula: see text]eV) were calculated from diffuse reflectance data by using Kubelka–Munk function.
Combining a robust PCA of logratio transformed data and geostatistical sequential Gaussian simulation approach for geochemical characterization of orogenic gold deposits: a case study from the Alut area, NW of Iran
Authors: Sharifi Fereydoun , Arab-Amiri Ali Reza , Kamkar-Rouhani Abolghasem , Alipour-Asll Masood
Published: April 2019

Robust principal component analysis (PCA) has been proved to be an efficient multivariate statistical method for extraction of a multivariate structure of geochemical data containing outlier values. Furthermore, because of the compositional characteristics of geochemical data, logratio transformation approaches also have to be implemented to transform the data from the simplex space into real space. In order to model the extracted principal component of transformed data, we used sequential Gaussian simulation (SGS) to overcome the drawbacks associated with the traditional kriging method, e.g. bias conditionally relevant to underestimation and overestimation, the smoothing effect and so on.

The results of implementing robust PCA on both untransformed and logratio transformed data, which have been acquired from an orogenic gold deposit, indicate that robust PCA analysis of untransformed data is not capable of certifying element association of gold occurrences. However, in robust PCA analysis of transformed data, both varieties of gold mineralization, associated with pyrite mineral and quartz veins, have been revealed. The first variety of gold occurrence is detected in an integrated PC obtained from PC1, PC2 and PC3, which are associated with Pb, As, Hg, Mo, S and Sb elements in quartz–sulphide veins. The second one, PC4, could be correlated with quartz veins. Furthermore, the results of the geostatistical SGS approach are compatible with the detected anomaly in the Alut gold deposit.
Oxygen dependence of glucose sensing: role in glucose homeostasis and related pathology
Authors: Wilson David F. , Matschinsky Franz M.
Published: April 2019

In glucose homeostasis, glucose concentration is sensed by its metabolism through glucokinase (GCK) and oxidative phosphorylation. Because oxidative phosphorylation is an integral part of the sensory system, glucose sensing is necessarily dependent on oxygen pressure. Much of the dependence on oxygen is suppressed by location of glucose sensing cells in tissues with well-regulated blood flow. In healthy individuals the oxygen dependence is primarily observed in response to transient global hypoxia events such as during birth or transition to high altitude. The GCK sensing system is, however, used to control release of both insulin and glucagon, the preeminant hormonal regulators of blood glucose, as well as glucose sensitive neuronal activity. Suppression of oxygen delivery to glucose-sensing cells or interference with regulation of tissue blood flow by either local or systemic causes, stresses the glucose regulatory system. This is true whether the stress is imposed locally, such as by altered oxygen delivery to the pancreas, or globally, as in pulmonary insufficiency or exposure to high altitude. It may be expected that chronic application of this stress predisposes individuals to developing diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a broad class of diseases characterized by disturbance of glucose homeostasis, i.e., having either hyperglycemia and/or decreased sensitivity to insulin. Given the role of oxidative phosphorylation in glucose sensing, tissue oxygen deprivation may predispose individuals to developing diabetes as well as contributing to the disease itself. This is particularly true in age-related diabetes because the incidence of vascular insufficiency increases markedly with increasing age.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Glucose sensing requires glucose metabolism through glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Dependence of the latter on oxygen concentration imposes an oxygen dependence on glucose sensing. We have used a validated computational model to quantify that dependence. Evidence is presented that tissue oxygenation plays an important role in predisposition of individuals to developing type 2 diabetes and in progression of the disease.
The alcohol breath test in practice: effects of exhaled volume
Authors: Anderson Joseph C. , Hlastala Michael P.
Published: April 2019

Alcohol breath test (ABT) measurements are sensitive to the volume of the exhaled breath. Although a minimum breath volume is required for a legally acceptable sample, any additional increase in the volume of exhaled air increases the measurement of breath alcohol concentration (BrAC). Using a sample of 115 ABTs collected by police agencies for evidentiary purposes, we studied the influence of exhaled air volume on the measurement of BrAC. The 115 ABTs were performed on 30 different Alcotest 9510s. Each of the tests included paired, time series measurements of exhaled breath flow rates and breath alcohol content. The exhalation flow rates and exhalation times were used to create exhalation volume-BrAC plots. On average, exhaled air volumes were ~50% of the subjects’ age-, height-, race-, and sex-predicted vital capacities (VC). More than 80% of the samples had exhaled air volumes ranging between 30 and 70% of the subject’s predicted VC. Breath volumes for duplicate breath samples were similar. For all breath samples, BrAC increased with exhalation volume, an expected behavior for any very high blood solubility compound such as alcohol. Beyond the legally accepted minimum expiratory volume, BrAC increased, on average, at a rate of 9.2 ± 2.8%/liter air exhaled. As a result, a person who exhales just beyond the minimum volume will have a lower BrAC compared with a person who exhales a full VC. Exhaled volume materially impacts the measurement of an ABT.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Subjects who provide breath samples for evidentiary alcohol breath tests exhale, on average, about half of their predicted vital capacity. Because breath alcohol concentration increases with greater exhaled air volume, subjects who exhale more than average volume will have a greater breath alcohol concentration, whereas subjects who exhale less than average volume will have a lesser breath alcohol concentration. A quantification of air volume impact on breath alcohol concentration is provided.
Interleukin-12p35 Deficiency Reverses the Th1/Th2 Imbalance, Aggravates the Th17/Treg Imbalance, and Ameliorates Atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- Mice
Authors: Huang Ying , Hu Haiying , Liu Ling , Ye Jing , Wang Zhen , Que Bin , Liu Wenjing , Shi Ying , Zeng Tao , Shi Lei , Ji Qingwei , Chang Chao , Lin Yingzhong
Published: April 2019

Interleukin- (IL-) 35, a novel functional cytokine of regulatory T cells (Treg) comprised of the IL-12p35 subunit and the other subunit Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 (EBI3), regulates the activity of CD4+ T cells and macrophages, thereby playing a critical role in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Previous studies demonstrated that both recombinant mice and human IL-35 attenuated atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice. Additionally, EBI3 deficiency enhanced the activation of macrophages and increased atherosclerotic lesions in LDLR-/- mice. This study generated double-deficient mice for ApoE and IL-12p35 (ApoE-/- IL-12p35-/- mice) and investigated the effect of IL-12p35 deficiency on atherosclerosis. IL-12p35 deficiency alleviated Th1/Th2 imbalance, aggravated Th17/Treg imbalance, and attenuated atherosclerotic plaque formation in ApoE-/- mice. Additionally, exogenous rIL-35 treatment reversed the imbalance of Th17/Treg and attenuated atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice. These findings suggest that IL-12p35 deficiency ameliorates atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice, partially, via attenuating the Th1/Th2 imbalance, although IL-12p35 deficiency aggravates the Th17/Treg imbalance.
Investigation on Surface Wave Characteristic of Water Jet
Authors: Jie He , Jingjing Wang , Xiumei Liu , Beibei Li , Wei Li , Ming Gu , Yongwei Xie , Zonghang Cai , Jichao Ma
Published: April 2019

Water jet surface stability is important to enhance fighting efficiency of fire water monitor. In this paper, a visualization experimental method is designed to capture the surface waves of water jet out from fire water monitor, and the wavelength and the amplitudes are captured and measured from the obtained water jet images. The Sobel horizontal gradient direction template and Burg method are selected to obtain wavelength characteristic of water jet. Based on surface morphology, the relationship between wave characteristic of water jet and Weber number is also discussed. The structure of the surface wave changes from cosmic turbulence to stochastic small‐scale waves with increasing Weber number and becomes fully chaotic finally. The average wavelength of water jet out from fire water monitor decreases with increasing Weber number. The growth rate in the presence of wavelength with the lower Weg is less than that of the higher Weg. Furthermore, the amplitudes of the water jet increase continuously with increasing flow distance and Weg. In other words, the larger the Weber number is, the faster the velocity of surface waves on water jet is. The main objective of the present work is to give the basis for better understanding the microstructure of water jet, which in turn improves the performance of fire water monitor.
Optimizing Computer Worm Detection Using Ensembles
Authors: Ochieng Nelson , Mwangi Waweru , Ateya Ismail
Published: April 2019

The scope of this research is computer worm detection. Computer worm has been defined as a process that can cause a possibly evolved copy of it to execute on a remote computer. It does not require human intervention to propagate neither does it attach itself to an existing computer file. It spreads very rapidly. Modern computer worm authors obfuscate the code to make it difficult to detect the computer worm. This research proposes to use machine learning methodology for the detection of computer worms. More specifically, ensembles are used. The research deviates from existing detection approaches by using dark space network traffic attributed to an actual worm attack to train and validate the machine learning algorithms. It is also obtained that the various ensembles perform comparatively well. Each of them is therefore a candidate for the final model. The algorithms also perform just as well as similar studies reported in the literature.
Comparative Genomic Analysis ofLactobacillus plantarum: An Overview
Authors: Evanovich Eliane , de Souza Mendonça Mattos Patricia Jeanne , Guerreiro João Farias
Published: April 2019

Background.Lactobacillus plantarumis widely used in the manufacture of dairy products, fermented foods, and bacteriocins. The genomes of the strains contain multiple genes which may have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer. Many of these genes are important for the regulation, metabolism, and transport of various sugars; however, other genes may carry and spread virulence and antibiotic resistance determinants. In this way, monitoring these genomes is essential to the manufacture of food. In this study, we aim to provide an overview of the genomic properties ofL. plantarumbased on approaches of comparative genomics.Results. The finding of the current study indicates that the core genome ofL. plantarumpresents 1425 protein-coding genes and is mostly related to the metabolic process. The accessory genome has on average 1320 genes that encodes protein involved in processes as the formation of bacteriocins, degradation of halogen, arsenic detoxification, and nisin resistance. Most of the strains show an ancestral synteny, similar to the one described in the genomes ofL. pentosusKCA1 andL. plantarumWCFS1. The lifestyle island analyses did not show a pattern of arrangement or gene content according to habitat.Conclusions. Our results suggest that there is a high rate of transfer of genetic material between the strains. We did not identify any virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes on the genomes. Thus, the strains may be useful for the biotechnology, bioremediation, and production of bacteriocins. The potential applications are, however, restricted to particular strains.
Optimization for Postearthquake Resilient Power System Capacity Restoration Based on the Degree of Discreteness Method
Authors: Wang Lihua , Ma Donghui , Han Xu , Wang Wei
Published: April 2019

The occurrence of a natural disaster such as a strong earthquake affects not only the capacity of a city’s power supply system but also the normal operation of other lifeline systems. An urban emergency power supply system is used to manage the power supply restoration with the consumers divided into three types based on their impact and importance during a power failure. In this study, a power supply system equipped to meet the requirements of different restoration level facilities and enable the restoration of power after the occurrence of an earthquake was developed. A three‐stage power restoration curve was formulated based on the postearthquake recovery process. The relative importance factors of consumers can be calculated with a normalization model based on membership degree. These relative importance factors were then combined with the postearthquake recovery capabilities of each consumer to calculate the overall recovery capability and equilibrium degree of the urban power system. Using the two foregoing indicators, the power supply recovery level of the power system after an earthquake was quantitatively analyzed, and the power supply scheme of the consumers with different power supply guarantee types was rationally optimized.
Analyses of Dynamic Behavior of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine in Transient Regime
Authors: Zghal Bacem , Bel Mabrouk Imen , Walha Lassâad , Abboudi Kamel , Haddar Mohamed
Published: April 2019

In this paper, the dynamic behavior of a one-stage bevel gear used in vertical axis wind turbine in transient regime is investigated. Linear dynamic model is simulated by fourteen degrees of freedom. Gear excitation is induced by external and internal sources which are, respectively, the aerodynamic torque caused by the fluctuation of input wind speed in transient regime and the variation of gear mesh stiffness. In this study, the differential equations governing the system motion are solved using an implicit Newmark algorithm. In fact, there are some design parameters, which influence the performance of vertical axis wind turbine. In order to get the appropriate aerodynamic torque, the effect of each parameter is studied in this work. It was found that the rotational speed of the rotor shaft has a significant effect on the aerodynamic torque performance.
A Fast Algorithm for Electromagnetic Scattering from One-Dimensional Rough Surface
Authors: Wang Jing Jing , Wang An Qi , Huang Zhi Xiang , Jiang Tie Zhen
Published: April 2019

In this paper, the Adaptive Modified Characteristic Basis Function Method (AMCBFM) is proposed for quickly simulating electromagnetic scattering from a one-dimensional perfectly electric conductor (PEC) rough surface. Similar to the traditional characteristic basis function method (CBFM), Foldy-Lax multiple scattering equations are applied in order to construct the characteristic basis functions (CBFs). However, the CBFs of the AMCBFM are different from those of the CBFM. In the AMCBFM, the coefficients of the CBFs are first defined. Then, the coefficients and the CBFs are used to structure the total current, which is used to represent the induced current along the rough surface. Moreover, a current criterion is defined to adaptively halt the order of the CBFs. The validity and efficiency of the AMCBFM are assessed by comparing the numerical results of the AMCBFM with the method of moments (MoM). The AMCBFM can effectively reduce the size of the matrix, and it costs less than half the CPU time used by the MoM. Moreover, by comparing it with the traditional CBFM, the AMCBFM can guarantee the accuracy, reduce the number of iterations, and achieve better convergence performance than the CBFM does. The second order of the CBFs is set in the CBFM. Additionally, the first order of the CBFs of the AMCBFM alone is sufficient for this result.
Thirteen-Week Oral Toxicity Study of HVC1 in Rats
Authors: Lee Kyungjin , Choi Ho-Young
Published: April 2019

Studies on the safety of herbal medicine are essential for the development of new drugs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) of HVC1 (Gamisamhwangsasim-tang, a 30% ethanol extract of a mixture of Pruni Cortex, Scutellariae Radix, Coptidis Rhizoma, and Rhei Rhizoma) and identify its target organs after oral administration to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats repeatedly for 13 weeks. Three test groups were treated with HVC1 at a dose of either 500 (low-dose), 1,000 (middle-dose), or 2,000 (high-dose) mg/kg/day. Another group received high-dose HVC1 and was observed for 4 weeks following treatment to examine recovery from the effects of the extract. All treatment groups were compared to a vehicle control group. During the study, mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, food consumption, abnormal lesions in the eye, urinary parameters, hematological parameters, blood coagulation time, blood biochemical parameters, changes in organ weight, gross findings, and histopathological changes were examined. No systemic toxicity related to HVC1 was observed in any group, and it was concluded that the NOAEL of HVC1 was 2,000 mg/kg/day. No target organ was identified.
The Relationship between Simple Snoring and Metabolic Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Zou Juanjuan , Song Fan , Xu Huajun , Fu Yiqun , Xia Yunyan , Qian Yingjun , Zou Jianyin , Liu Suru , Fang Fang , Meng Lili , Yi Hongliang , Guan Jian , Zhu Huaming , Chen Bin , Yin Shankai
Published: April 2019

Purpose. This cross-sectional study was performed to assess the relationship between simple snoring and metabolic syndrome (MetS).Methods. A total of 5635 participants including 300 healthy volunteers without snoring allegedly were initially included from 2007 to 2016. Polysomnographic variables, anthropometric measurements, and biochemical indicators were collected. The polynomial linear trend test was used to assess the linear trend across snoring intensity for metabolic score, and logistic regression was used to evaluate the odds ratios (ORs) for MetS after controlling for age, sex, obesity, smoking status, and alcohol consumption.Results. The final study population consisted of 866 participants. Simple snorers showed more severe metabolic disorders and higher prevalence of MetS than nonsnorers. A significant linear trend was observed between snoring intensity and metabolic score. Simple snoring was significantly associated with increased odds for MetS among all participants (OR=2.328, 95% CI: 1.340–4.045) and female participants (OR=2.382, 95% CI: 1.136–4.994) after multivariable adjustment. With regard to MetS components, simple snoring was significantly associated with increased odds for hypertension (OR=1.730, 95% CI: 1.130–2.650), abdominal obesity (OR=1.810, 95% CI: 1.063–3.083), and hyper-triglycerides (TG) (OR=1.814, 95% CI: 1.097–2.998) among all participants, with hypertension (OR=3.493, 95% CI: 1.748–6.979) among males and with abdominal obesity (OR=2.306, 95% CI: 1.245–4.270) and hyper-TG (OR=2.803, 95% CI: 1.146–6.856) among females after multivariable adjustment.Conclusions. After excluding the influence of repeated apnea and hypoxia, simple snoring was still significantly associated with MetS, especially in women. Furthermore, the associations were more obvious for hypertension among males and for abdominal obesity and hyper-TG among females. In addition to OSA, simple snoring also should be valued.
Graphene-Reinforced Biodegradable Resin Composites for Stereolithographic 3D Printing of Bone Structure Scaffolds
Authors: Feng Zuying , Li Yan , Hao Liang , Yang Yihu , Tang Tian , Tang Danna , Xiong Wei
Published: April 2019

A biodegradable UV-cured resin has been fabricated via stereolithography apparatus (SLA). The formulation consists of a commercial polyurethane resin as an oligomer, trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TEGDMA) as a reactive diluent and phenylbis (2, 4, 6-trimethylbenzoyl)-phosphine oxide (Irgacure 819) as a photoinitiator. The tensile strength of the three-dimensional (3D) printed specimens is 68 MPa, 62% higher than that of the reference specimens (produced by direct casting). The flexural strength and modulus can reach 115 MPa and 5.8 GPa, respectively. A solvent-free method is applied to fabricate graphene-reinforced nanocomposite. Porous bone structures (a jawbone with a square architecture and a sternum with a round architecture) and gyroid scaffold of graphene-reinforced nanocomposite for bone tissue engineering have been 3D printed via SLA. The UV-crosslinkable graphene-reinforced biodegradable nanocomposite using SLA 3D printing technology can potentially remove important cost barriers for personalized biological tissue engineering as compared to the traditional mould-based multistep methods.
A Direct Podocalyxin–Dynamin-2 Interaction Regulates Cytoskeletal Dynamics to Promote Migration and Metastasis in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Wong Bin Sheng , Shea Daniel J. , Mistriotis Panagiotis , Tuntithavornwat Soontorn , Law Robert A. , Bieber Jake M. , Zheng Lei , Konstantopoulos Konstantinos
Published: April 2019

The sialoglycoprotein podocalyxin is absent in normal pancreas but is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer and is associated with poor clinical outcome. Here, we investigate the role of podocalyxin in migration and metastasis of pancreatic adenocarcinomas using SW1990 and Pa03c as cell models. Although ezrin is regarded as a cytoplasmic binding partner of podocalyxin that regulates actin polymerization via Rac1 or RhoA, we did not detect podocalyxin–ezrin association in pancreatic cancer cells. Moreover, depletion of podocalyxin did not alter actin dynamics or modulate Rac1 and RhoA activities in pancreatic cancer cells. Using mass spectrometry, bioinformatics analysis, coimmunoprecipitation, and pull-down assays, we discovered a novel, direct binding interaction between the cytoplasmic tail of podocalyxin and the large GTPase dynamin-2 at its GTPase, middle, and pleckstrin homology domains. This podocalyxin–dynamin-2 interaction regulated microtubule growth rate, which in turn modulated focal adhesion dynamics and ultimately promoted efficient pancreatic cancer cell migration via microtubule- and Src-dependent pathways. Depletion of podocalyxin in a hemispleen mouse model of pancreatic cancer diminished liver metastasis without altering primary tumor size. Collectively, these findings reveal a novel mechanism by which podocalyxin facilitates pancreatic cancer cell migration and metastasis.

Significance:

These findings reveal that a novel interaction between podocalyxin and dynamin-2 promotes migration and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells by regulating microtubule and focal adhesion dynamics.
Prognostic Value of Deep Learning PET/CT-Based Radiomics: Potential Role for Future Individual Induction Chemotherapy in Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Peng Hao , Dong Di , Fang Meng-Jie , Li Lu , Tang Ling-Long , Chen Lei , Li Wen-Fei , Mao Yan-Ping , Fan Wei , Liu Li-Zhi , Tian Li , Lin Ai-Hua , Sun Ying , Tian Jie , Ma Jun
Published: April 2019

Purpose:

We aimed to evaluate the value of deep learning on positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT)–based radiomics for individual induction chemotherapy (IC) in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Experimental Design:

We constructed radiomics signatures and nomogram for predicting disease-free survival (DFS) based on the extracted features from PET and CT images in a training set (n = 470), and then validated it on a test set (n = 237). Harrell's concordance indices (C-index) and time-independent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were applied to evaluate the discriminatory ability of radiomics nomogram, and compare radiomics signatures with plasma Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA.

Results:

A total of 18 features were selected to construct CT-based and PET-based signatures, which were significantly associated with DFS (P < 0.001). Using these signatures, we proposed a radiomics nomogram with a C-index of 0.754 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.709–0.800] in the training set and 0.722 (95% CI, 0.652–0.792) in the test set. Consequently, 206 (29.1%) patients were stratified as high-risk group and the other 501 (70.9%) as low-risk group by the radiomics nomogram, and the corresponding 5-year DFS rates were 50.1% and 87.6%, respectively (P < 0.0001). High-risk patients could benefit from IC while the low-risk could not. Moreover, radiomics nomogram performed significantly better than the EBV DNA-based model (C-index: 0.754 vs. 0.675 in the training set and 0.722 vs. 0.671 in the test set) in risk stratification and guiding IC.

Conclusions:

Deep learning PET/CT-based radiomics could serve as a reliable and powerful tool for prognosis prediction and may act as a potential indicator for individual IC in advanced NPC.
Farnesoid X Receptor Constructs an Immunosuppressive Microenvironment and Sensitizes FXRhighPD-L1low NSCLC to Anti–PD-1 Immunotherapy
Authors: You Wenjie , Li Lijun , Sun Deqiao , Liu Xueqing , Xia Zongjun , Xue Shan , Chen Bi , Qin Hui , Ai Jing , Jiang Handong
Published: April 2019

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) regulates inflammation and immune responses in a subset of immune-mediated diseases. We previously reported that FXR expression promotes tumor cell proliferation in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here we study the relevance of FXR to the immune microenvironment of NSCLC. We found an inverse correlation between FXR and PD-L1 expression in a cohort of 408 NSCLC specimens; from this, we identified a subgroup of FXRhighPD-L1low patients. We showed that FXR downregulates PD-L1 via transrepression and other mechanisms in NSCLC. Cocultured with FXRhighPD-L1low NSCLC cell lines, effector function and proliferation of CD8+ T cell in vitro are repressed. We also detected downregulation of PD-L1 in FXR-overexpressing Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) mouse syngeneic models, indicating an FXRhighPD-L1low subtype in which FXR suppresses tumor-infiltrating immune cells. Anti–PD-1 therapy was effective against FXRhighPD-L1low mouse LLC tumors. Altogether, our findings demonstrate an immunosuppressive role for FXR in the FXRhighPD-L1low NSCLC subtype and provide translational insights into therapeutic response in PD-L1low NSCLC patients treated with anti–PD-1. We recommend FXRhighPD-L1low as a biomarker to predict responsiveness to anti–PD-1 immunotherapy.
Genetic Association of Finger Photoplethysmography-Derived Arterial Stiffness Index With Blood Pressure and Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Zekavat Seyedeh M. , Aragam Krishna , Emdin Connor , Khera Amit V. , Klarin Derek , Zhao Hongyu , Natarajan Pradeep
Published: April 2019

Objective—

Arterial stiffness index (ASI) is independently associated with blood pressure (BP) and coronary artery disease (CAD) epidemiologically. However, it is unknown whether these associations represent causal relationships. Here, we assess whether genetic predisposition to increased ASI is associated with elevated BP and CAD risk.

Approach and Results—

We first performed a large-scale epidemiological association of finger photoplethysmography-derived ASI in the UK Biobank, finding significant associations with systolic BP (β=0.55 mm Hg; [95% CI, 0.45–0.65];
P
=5.77×10
−24
; N=137 858), diastolic BP (β=1.05 mm Hg; [95% CI, 0.99–1.11];
P
=7.27×10
−272
; N=137 862), and incident CAD (hazard ratio, 1.08; [95% CI, 1.04–1.11];
P
=1.5×10
−6
; N=3692 cases, 126 615 controls) in multivariable models. We then performed an ASI genome-wide association study analysis in 131 686 participants from the UK Biobank. Across participants not in the ASI genome-wide association study, a 6-variant ASI polygenic risk score was calculated. Each SD increase in genetic ASI was associated with systolic BP (β=4.63 mm Hg; [95% CI, 2.1–7.2];
P
=3.37×10
−4
; N=208 897), and diastolic BP (β=2.61 mm Hg; [95% CI, 1.2–4.0];
P
=2.85×10
−4
; N=208 897); however, no association was observed with incident CAD (hazard ratio, 1.12; [95% CI, 0.55–2.3];
P
=0.75; N=223 061; 7534 cases). The lack of CAD association observed was replicated among 184 305 participants (60 810 cases) from the CARDIOGRAMplusC4D (Coronary Artery Disease Genetics Consortium; odds ratio, 0.56; [95% CI, 0.26–1.24];
P
=0.15).

Conclusions—

Our data support the conclusion that finger photoplethysmography-derived ASI is an independent, genetically causal risk factor for BP, but do not support the notion that ASI is a suitable surrogate for CAD risk.
Gut Microbial Associations to Plasma Metabolites Linked to Cardiovascular Phenotypes and Risk
Authors: Kurilshikov Alexander , van den Munckhof Inge C.L. , Chen Lianmin , Bonder Marc J. , Schraa Kiki , Rutten Joost H.W. , Riksen Niels P. , de Graaf Jacqueline , Oosting Marije , Sanna Serena , Joosten Leo A.B. , van der Graaf Marinette , Brand Tessa , Koonen Debby P.Y. , van Faassen Martijn ,   LifeLines DEEP Cohort Study, BBMRI Metabolomics Consortium, Slagboom P. Eline , Xavier Ramnik J. , Kuipers Folkert , Hofker Marten H. , Wijmenga Cisca , Netea Mihai G. , Zhernakova Alexandra , Fu Jingyuan
Published: April 2019

Rationale:

Altered gut microbial composition has been linked to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but its functional links to host metabolism and immunity in relation to CVD development remain unclear.

Objectives:

To systematically assess functional links between the microbiome and the plasma metabolome, cardiometabolic phenotypes, and CVD risk and to identify diet-microbe-metabolism-immune interactions in well-documented cohorts.

Methods and Results:

We assessed metagenomics-based microbial associations between 231 plasma metabolites and microbial species and pathways in the population-based LLD (Lifelines DEEP) cohort (n=978) and a clinical obesity cohort (n=297). After correcting for age, sex, and body mass index, the gut microbiome could explain ≤11.1% and 16.4% of the variation in plasma metabolites in the population-based and obesity cohorts, respectively. Obese-specific microbial associations were found for lipid compositions in the VLDL, IDL, and LDL lipoprotein subclasses. Bacterial L-methionine biosynthesis and a
Ruminococcus
species were associated to cardiovascular phenotypes in obese individuals, namely atherosclerosis and liver fat content, respectively. Integration of microbiome-diet-inflammation analysis in relation to metabolic risk score of CVD in the population cohort revealed 48 microbial pathways associated to CVD risk that were largely independent of diet and inflammation. Our data also showed that plasma levels rather than fecal levels of short-chain fatty acids were relevant to inflammation and CVD risk.

Conclusions:

This study presents the largest metagenome-based association study on plasma metabolism and microbiome relevance to diet, inflammation, CVD risk, and cardiometabolic phenotypes in both population-based and clinical obesity cohorts. Our findings identified novel bacterial species and pathways that associated to specific lipoprotein subclasses and revealed functional links between the gut microbiome and host health that provide a basis for developing microbiome-targeted therapy for disease prevention and treatment.
Symptomatic Carotid Plaques Demonstrate Less Leaky Plaque Microvasculature Compared With the Contralateral Side: A Dynamic Contrast‐Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study
Authors: Crombag Geneviève A. J. C. , van Hoof Raf H. M. , Holtackers Robert J. , Schreuder Floris H. B. M. , Truijman Martine T. B. , Schreuder Tobien A. H. C. M. L. , van Orshoven Narender P. , Mess Werner H. , Hofman Paul A. M. , van Oostenbrugge Robert J. , Wildberger Joachim E. , Kooi M. Eline
Published: April 2019

Background

Rupture of a vulnerable carotid atherosclerotic plaque is an important underlying cause of ischemic stroke. Increased leaky plaque microvasculature may contribute to plaque vulnerability. These immature microvessels may facilitate entrance of inflammatory cells into the plaque. The objective of the present study is to investigate whether there is a difference in plaque microvasculature (the volume transfer coefficient
K
trans
) between the ipsilateral symptomatic and contralateral asymptomatic carotid plaque using noninvasive dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods and Results

Eighty‐eight patients with recent transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke and ipsilateral >2 mm carotid plaque underwent 3 T
magnetic resonance imaging
to identify plaque components and to determine characteristics of plaque microvasculature. The volume transfer coefficient
K
trans
, indicative for microvascular density, flow, and permeability, was calculated for the ipsilateral and asymptomatic plaque, using a pharmacokinetic model (Patlak). Presence of a lipid‐rich necrotic core, intraplaque hemorrhage, and a thin and/or ruptured fibrous cap was assessed on multisequence
magnetic resonance imaging
. We found significantly lower
K
trans
in the symptomatic carotid plaque compared with the asymptomatic side (0.057±0.002 min
−1
versus 0.062±0.002 min
−1
;
P
=0.033). There was an increased number of slices with
intraplaque hemorrhage
(0.9±1.6 versus 0.3±0.8,
P
=0.002) and
lipid‐rich necrotic core
(1.4±1.9 versus 0.8±1.4,
P
=0.016) and a higher prevalence of plaques with a
thin and/or ruptured fibrous cap
(32% versus 17%,
P
=0.023) at the symptomatic side.

Conclusions

K
trans
was significantly lower in symptomatic carotid plaques, indicative for a decrease of plaque microvasculature in symptomatic plaques. This could be related to a larger amount of necrotic tissue in symptomatic plaques.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL
:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov.uk
. Unique identifier:
NCT
01208025.
“Made in Yugoslavia”: Struggles with Self-Management in the New Art Practice, 1965–71
Authors: Ilić Marko
Published: April 2019

In September 1978, Zagreb's Gallery of Contemporary Art staged the first survey exhibition of conceptual and performance art in Yugoslavia: The New Art Practice, 1966–78. Forty years on, the phenomenon continues to attract a substantial amount of scholarly and curatorial attention, largely because of its globally-renowned affiliates, such as Marina Abramović, Sanja Iveković and Mladen Stilinović, among others. But academic work has been hesitant to address the deeper political, economic and institutional factors that underpinned the New Art's emergence and secured its prolific development. This article proposes that the New Art both came out of, and responded to, a complex and contradictory moment in Yugoslavia's history, when the country began to integrate itself deeper into the Western capitalist world system. It follows the emergence of the OHO group in Ljubljana and two particular episodes in the youth centers of Zagreb and Novi Sad alongside a brief, but decisive, period of liberalization, which began with a massive economic reform in 1965 and was briefly interrupted by a crisis in federal politics in 1971/2. To this end, it examines how artists addressed the impact of these developments on Yugoslav “self-managing” socialism, and its promises of grassroots participation and a more experimental political culture. While stressing the absolute importance of situating the New Art Practice in its precise historical context, the article seeks to provide a new model for a transnational study with a Pan-Yugoslav focus – by mapping how artistic ideas circulated in the Yugoslav cultural space, it provides a glimpse into the tightly woven networks of exchange that enabled the New Art scenes to thrive.
Instructive, Dramatic, and Corrective Collectivity: Socialist Realism in the Mirror of Collegial Debates. A Case Study of Documents of the Artists' Union of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic, 1944–55
Authors: Traumane Māra
Published: April 2019

Based on the study of protocols of the Latvian Artists' Union and the Organizational Committee of the Artists' Union of the USSR, the article surveys three stages of the introduction of Socialist Realism in Latvia and different forms and functions of the enforced collegial collectivity facilitating this process. The article examines the transformation of artistic life in Latvia during the period of Stalinism, which not only meant stylistic transition towards Socialist Realism but also involved the imposition of a range of practices of collective supervision of artistic production and censorship, including collective debates, collective advice, collective learning and collective critique. Ultimately ideological and stylistic demands of the normative collectivity came into conflict with the key presumptions artistic autonomy adhered to by the local artists. Taking into account the center-periphery dynamics of Soviet cultural policy during the Stalinist period the article examines three stages in these discursive practices that are identified as manifestations of instructive, dramatic, and corrective collectivity.
Labor Power Plant
Authors: Schmalisch Romana , Schlicht Robert
Published: April 2019

In those societies in which the capitalist mode of production prevails, labour power is tradable as a commodity and, as such, not a natural good or human capacity, but rather a socially mediated and constituted relation. The project “Labour Power Plant” operates on the fictitious assumption that the everyday, all-pervasive, seemingly natural and therefore invisible micro-politics present in society do in fact not exist. In other words, that society is by itself unable to provide for the human capital on which it depends. Instead, the production of abstract workers is outsourced into a dedicated “labour power plant” – an institution that equips people with the general capacities that make them fit for the demands of the labour market. Labour Power Plant – a success story of the past, the present and the future describes the story of the institution from industrialization to today, its reaction to the labour movement, and new trends in corporate governance.
Dioscorea longipedicellata (Dioscoreaceae), a new species from the Indian subcontinent
Authors: HOQUE AKRAMUL , LAKSHMINARASIMHAN PAKSHIRAJAN , MAITY DEBABRATA
Published: April 2019

A new species of Dioscorea, viz., D. longipedicellata is described and illustrated based on collections from northeast India and northwest Bangladesh. The new species is closely allied to D. kamoonensis and D. pentaphylla. D. longipedicellata can be diagnosed by its glabrous stem, glabrous membranous lamina, pedicellate male flowers, funnel-shaped, fleshy prominent pedicels, glabrous bract situated at the base of pedicel directly on rachis and membranous, glabrous tepals.
Heterospathe fernandoi, a new palm (Areceae, Arecoideae, Arecaceae) from the Philippines
Authors: ADORADOR JIRO T.
Published: April 2019

A new slender clustering palm, Heterospathe fernandoi, from forests on ultramafic soils in Samar, Dinagat, Bucas Grande, and northeastern Mindanao in the Philippines is described and illustrated. It is similar to H. scitula in its general vegetative and reproductive characters but differs in its somewhat persistent leaf sheaths, relatively wider median unicostulate leaflets, and interfoliar inflorescences in which both the axes and perianth are typically coloured light purple to deep maroon during anthesis. Its morphology, habitat, ecology, and conservation status are also discussed.
Colanthelia longipetiolata (Poaceae: Bambusoideae), a new species of woody bamboo from the Brazilian Atlantic forest
Authors: DE JESUS-COSTA CRISTIELLE , VIANA PEDRO L. , CLARK LYNN G. , SANTOS-GONÇALVES ANA PAULA
Published: April 2019

Colanthelia is a woody bamboo genus belonging to the Arthrostylidiinae and currently includes nine species. It can be recognized by a suite of morphological characters including hollow and thick-walled culms, branch complement with a promontory in the base and a dominant divergent branch bearing few to many secondary small branchlets from its base, culm leaves with a relatively well developed girdle and a crest or skirt at the juncture of the sheath and girdle, racemose or weakly paniculate synflorescences, and relatively long and narrow spikelets with visible rachilla internodes. During recent fieldwork in Minas Gerais state, a new species, Colanthelia longipetiolata, from the Brazilian Atlantic forest was collected, which is here described and illustrated. So far as we know, the species is endemic to the Caparaó National Park, in Minas Gerais state. Comments on its habitat, distribution and conservation status, a morphological comparison between C. longipetiolata and C. sparsiflora, and a revised identification key to all species of the genus are provided.
Four new species of Lysianassidae Dana, 1849 (Crustacea: Amphipoda) From Northeastern Brazilian coast
Authors: SORRENTINO RAYANE , MORAES ELIENAI E.B. , SENNA ANDRÉ R.
Published: April 2019

Material collected from three different states of the northeastern region of Brazil (Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte and Bahia) is analyzed. Four new lysianassid species of the genera Aruga and Shoemakerella are described. This paper includes the first record of Aruga in Brazilian waters and an identification key to world species of Aruga and Shoemakerella.
Validation of Discolopeus Stiller, 2019 and corrections to figures
Authors: STILLER MICHAEL
Published: April 2019

Stiller (2019) described a new leafhopper genus, Discolopeus, with nine new species, but the original publication did not satisfy the criteria for availability for the proposed new taxa because repositories were not indicated for primary types as required by Article 16.4.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 1999). The previously published (Stiller 2019) names are validated below and additional errors and omissions in the original figures are corrected.
Five new species of Rohrthrips (Thysanoptera: Rohrthripidae) from Burmese amber, and the evolution of Tubulifera wings
Authors: ULITZKA MANFRED R.
Published: April 2019

Rohrthripidae is a family of fossil thrips in the thysanopteran suborder Tubulifera. It includes a single genus, Rohrthrips, of which two species are previously known. Despite typical tubuliferan features, these thrips also show some terebrantian character states, particularly in the wings and antennae, and these are here interpreted as plesiomorphic. Five new species of these ancestral thrips are described from Burmese Cenomanian amber: Rohrthrips breviceps sp. n., Rohrthrips jiewenae sp. n., Rohrthrips maryae sp. n., Rohrthrips patrickmuelleri sp. n. and Rohrthrips schizovenatus sp. n.. Structures on the wings support the conclusion that the wings of Tubulifera are homologous with those of Terebrantia. Syninclusions in the amber fragments provide evidence of the diet and habitats of these ancestral thrips.