bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abstract 277: MicroRNA-125a-5p Protects the Mouse Heart From Ischemic Injury by Repressing Pro-apoptotic Bak1 and Klf13 in Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Moukette Bruno , Aonuma Tatsuya , Kim Il-man
Published: October 2020

Background:
Cardiac injury is accompanied by dynamic changes in the expression of microRNAs (miRs), which are small noncoding RNAs to downregulate target genes. MiR-125a-5p (miR-125a) is downregulated in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). We reported that miR-125a is upregulated by the β-blocker carvedilol (Carv) acting through β-arrestin1-biased β1-adrenergic receptor (β1AR; receptor found mainly in cardiomyocytes [CMs]) cardioprotective signaling (Figure A). We also showed that pro-apoptotic genes
bak1
and
klf13
are downregulated by Carv and are upregulated after MI. Here, we hypothesize that miR-125a in CMs favorably regulates cardiac functional and structural remodeling after MI by repressing bak1 and klf13.

Methods and Results:
Fractionation of cardiac cell types from heart tissues reveals that the expression of miR-125a is higher in CMs than other myocardial cells. Using cultured CM and
in vivo
approaches, we show that miR-125a is an ischemic stress-responsive protector against CM apoptosis. CMs lacking miR-125a exhibit an increased sensitivity to apoptosis, while CMs overexpressing miR-125a have increased phospho-AKT pro-survival signaling. Moreover, we show that miR-125a is downregulated in post-MI mouse hearts and miR-125a overexpression protects mouse hearts against MI. We also show that global genetic deletion of miR-125a in mice worsens maladaptive post-MI remodeling. Mechanistically, the cardioprotective role of miR-125a during MI is in part attributed to direct repression of the pro-apoptotic genes
bak1
and
klf13
in CMs (Figure B).

Conclusions:
These findings reveal a pivotal role for miR-125a in regulating CM survival during MI.
Abstract 342: Cortical Bone Stem Cell Therapy Alters Macrophage Phenotype and Reduces Cardiac Cell Death After Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Hoachlandr-Hobby Alexander R , Berretta Remus M , Yang Yijun , Feldsott Eric , Kubo Hajime , Mohsin Sadia , Houser Steven R
Published: October 2020

Acute injuries to the heart, like myocardial infarction (MI), contribute to the development and pathology of heart failure (HF). Reperfusion of the ischemic heart greatly increases survival but results in reperfusion injury that can account for up to 50% of the final infarct size. The inflammatory response to MI-induced myocardial injury is thought to be responsible for the propagation of reperfusion injury into the infarct border zone, expanding myocardial damage. We have previously shown in a swine model of MI that intramyocardial injections of cortical bone-derived stem cells (CBSCs) into the infarct border zone has no acute cardioprotective effect but reduces scar size by half and prevents the decline of ejection fraction and LV dilation 3 months after MI. Our new preliminary data show that CBSCs have potent immunoregulatory capabilities. Therefore, we hypothesize that CBSC treatment has an effect on the immune response to MI that improves the wound healing response to myocardial injury and mitigates LV remodeling and infarct size 3 months later. To test this hypothesis, we characterized the effects of CBSC paracrine factors on macrophages
in vitro
and found that CBSC-treated macrophages express higher levels of CD206, produce more IL-1RA and IL-10, and phagocytose apoptotic myocytes more efficiently. In addition, macrophages were increased in CBSC-treated swine hearts 7 days after MI compared to controls with a corresponding increase in IL-1RA and TIMP-2. Apoptosis was decreased overall and in macrophages specifically in CBSC-treated animals. From these data we conclude CBSCs may exert an acute pro-reparative effect on the immune response after MI, reducing reperfusion injury and adverse remodeling resulting in improved functional outcomes at later time points.
Abstract 450: The Role of CD38 as a Therapeutic Target for Protection Against Doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity Through Nad+ Boosting
Authors: Peclat Thais R , Agorrody Guillermo , Gomez Lilian S , Chini Eduardo N
Published: October 2020

Background:
Doxorubicin is a chemotherapy medication used to treat several types of cancer. Its major adverse effect is cardiotoxicity, which may limit its use. Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC), once developed, carries a poor prognosis. Therefore strategies to prevent or treat DIC are of paramount importance but have not yet been fully developed. Being NAD
+
a critical nucleotide which is involved in oxy-reduction reactions and CD38 the main NAD
+
-consuming enzyme responsible for NAD levels regulation and homeostasis, we aim to investigate the link of CD38 and NAD
+
metabolism in DIC and its potential role as a therapeutic target.

Methods:
We compared Wild-type (WT) control mice with WT mice treated with a single dose injection of 15 mg/kg of doxorubicin who received vehicle or an antibody that blocksCD38 ecto-enzymatic activity. We also compared genetically CD38 catalytic inactive (CI) mice treated or not with the same single dose injection.

Results:
Doxorubicin caused a decrease in Ejection Fraction (EF) in WT mice. We also observed that CD38 CI mice treated with doxorubicin did not have changes in EF compared to their control. When compared to WT receiving just doxorubicin, WT mice treated also with the antibody had a trend to improve EF. As for exercise performance, our results show a decrease in exercise capacity induced by doxorubicin that was reversed in the antibody group and did not happen in the CD38 CI mice treated with doxorubicin. Doxorubicin caused a decrease in heart rate variability (HRV) which was improved in the antibody treated group. Moreover, our results show a survival rate that is similar to what has been previously shown, with 50% mortality associated with doxorubicin. Blockage of CD38 activity with antibody reduced mortality in this model to approximately 20%. Mechanistically, we did not observe decreases in NAD+ levels induced by Doxorubicin. However, boost of NAD induced by blocking CD38 was related to protection against DIC.

Conclusion:
Our results indicate that the damage mechanism of DIC may not be related directly with NAD decrease, but NAD boosting induced by CD38 blockage seems to have a positive effect in protection against cardiac dysfunction related to this chemotherapeutic treatment.
Abstract 460: Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitor A1 Identified as a Potential Risk Locus for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Gyftopoulos Alex , Chen Yi-Ju , Wang Libin , Williams Charles H , Chun Young Wook , Perry James A , Hong Charles C
Published: October 2020

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by heterogeneous phenotypic expression, natural history, and genetic profile with numerous causative mutations. The relationship between genotype and phenotype in HCM is incompletely understood. Identifying genetic modifiers may expand understanding of the signaling pathways that are responsible for phenotypic expression. UK Biobank comprises clinical and genetic data for greater than 500,000 individuals. We compared control individuals to those with a diagnosis of HCM (identified via ICD-10 code I42.1) in a 20-to-1 fashion to identify genetic differences. Data were compared using Mixed Model Analysis for Pedigrees/Populations (MMAP) mixed-model regression. Variants were assessed using bioinformatics tools including linkage disequilibrium and Eigen scoring. Results were then compared to previously published genome-wide association datasets. Mixed-model regression identified 5 variants of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (
CDKN1A
) as statistically significant with one intronic variant (rs3176326) likely affecting a gene promoter region with an Eigen-PC score of 7.779. This variant was found to have a p-value of 5.08x10
-8
when contrasted to controls with a minor allele frequency of 0.199 in the affected individuals. The 4 other variants were in linkage disequilibrium (r
2
0.90-0.99) with rs3176326. The odds ratio of HCM with rs3176326 is 1.81.To our knowledge,
CDKN1A
has not previously been associated with HCM. By utilizing bioinformatic tools we were able to identify 5 variants that may be associated with the risk for HCM. One locus affects a promotor region and resulted in a notably high Eigan-PC score suggestive that it has an impact on HCM. When comparing these findings with previous genome-wide association studies utilizing the UK Biobank, we find that
CDKN1A
has a possible association with HCM, though those results were not statistically significant.
CDKN1A
has been previously associated with the p53 DNA repair and cell senescence pathway. Animal and human studies have implicated it in the development of fibrosis. A recent genome-wide association metanalysis identified it as a risk locus for heart failure. These findings support our conclusion that
CDKN1A
is a risk locus for HCM.
Abstract 473: Induced Cardiomyocyte Cell Cycle After Myocardial Infarction Restarts the Neonatal Cardio-protective Signaling and Improves Wound Healing
Authors: Alam Perwez , Ivey Malina J , Jones Shannon , Wang Yi-gang , Sadayappan Sakthivel , Kanisicak Onur
Published: October 2020

Background:
Myocardial infarction leads to a massive loss of cardiomyocytes (CM) and cardiac remodeling, which results in reduced cardiac function and, ultimately, heart failure. Adult mammalian CMs cannot spontenously proliferate, and thus repair the cardiac injury, however in our previous study we showed that simultaneous knock down of
Rb1
and
Meis2
induced CM cell cycle activation that resulted in improved cardiac function. Moreover, most significant cardioprotective effects were due to CM mediated paracrine mechanisms including angiogenesis and CM cell survival. Thus, this study aims to identify these indirect cardioprotective pathways dependent on CM cell cycle.

Methods and Results:
We utilized genetically modified FUCCI mice, which allows identifying the cycling
vs.
non-cycling CM for transcriptome analysis. Adult mouse CM was isolated through the Langendorff heart perfusion method, using our modified isolation protocol, and cultured in the modified DMEM media. Adult CMs were transfected with equimolar (50uM each) combination of siRb1 and siMeis2 (siRNA-cocktail), cel-miR-67 served as control. CMs were harvested, and RNA isolation was performed on day seven after transfection.
Rb1
and
Meis2
knock-down were validated through CM proliferation analysis and RT-PCR based expression profiling for selected markers of proliferation, angiogenesis, cell survival, and structural genes. Our analysis showed a significant down-regulation of
Rb1
and
Meis2
after siRNA treatment.Further, we observed an up-regulation of pro-angiogenic and pro-survival genes without any significant alteration in the structural genes. After validating our samples, we performed a whole-genome transcriptome analysis using a high-throughput Illumina NextSeq platform. Our RNAseq analysis revealed the activation of pathways, which may induce the CM rejuvenation. The identified potential targets will be further validated through in vivo experiments.

Conclusions:
Our results suggest the activation of CM rejuvenation after knocking-down
Rb1
and
Meis2
to improve the cardioprotection after injury.
Abstract 478: Connexin-43 Reduction Rescues Cardiac and Skeletal Muscle Pathology in a Novel Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Symptomatic Carriers
Authors: Nouet Julie , Himelman Eric , Fraidenraich Diego
Published: October 2020

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and its associated cardiomyopathy manifest in 8-10% of all female carriers however research remains male-centric. Although underrepresented, symptomatic females face the risk of cardiac, respiratory, and skeletal muscle problems. Basic research and clinical trials exclude female carriers therefore developments in treatment expose females to unknown safety and efficacy issues. The bottleneck is largely due to the absence of a faithful mouse model. To generate a mouse model, we injected
mdx
embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into wild-type (WT) blastocysts (
mdx
/WT chimera). The cardiac and skeletal muscle phenotype recapitulates the same generated as a consequence of x-inactivation in human manifesting female patients. In the heart,
mdx
/WT chimeras develop fibrotic cardiomyopathy. In the skeletal muscle, we found evidence of fibrosis, inflammation and muscle weakness. We found that Connexin-43 (Cx43), the primary gap junctional protein in the heart, was pathologically enhanced and remodeled in
mdx
/WT chimeras. Cx43 was also enhanced in the dystrophic skeletal muscle. Genetic reduction of Cx43-copy number protected
mdx
/WT chimeras from cardiac and skeletal muscle fiber damage. The latter result was unexpected because Cx43 is not expressed in mature muscle fibers. Upon further investigation, Cx43 was localized to the mononuclear cells invading the interstitial space between dystrophic skeletal muscle fibers. Pathologically enhanced activity of Cx43 in
mdx
FACS-macrophages was observed via ethidium bromide uptake and the Cx43 hemichannel peptide mimetic, Gap19, inhibited Cx43 function in a dose-dependent manner. Because an excess of Cx43 has been associated with cell death, we believe that Cx43 reduction in invading
mdx
macrophages benefits the skeletal muscle of understudied DMD carriers, perhaps by a paracrine mechanism involving macrophage-skeletal muscle fiber communication.
Abstract 488: Investigation of the Impact of Germ Line Variation in the K Channel Kcnj5 on the Renin-angiotensin Axis and Aldosterone Release in Human Subjects (linked)
Authors: Burli Spoorthy , Goodman James , Kostapanos Michalis , O'Shaughnessy Kevin M ,   NIHR BioResource Consortium
Published: October 2020

Introduction:
Somatic mutations in the KCNJ5 potassium channel are found in significant number of patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). In a previous study, a rare non-synonymous E>Q (E282Q) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs7102584 in the KCNJ5 channel was identified and an in vitro study confirmed its functionality. This study tested the hypothesis that this germline SNP would affect release of aldosterone and raise blood pressure (BP) under salt-loaded conditions.

Methods:
Healthy volunteers (30 Group A = SNP heterozygous carriers and 30 Group B = homozygous wild type, mean age: 59±11) were recruited through the UK BioResource, with equal gender distribution in the two groups (40% males, 60% females). Investigators were blinded to the genotype of each recruit. Volunteers were on a low salt diet (≤6 g/d) for a week, and then exposed to high oral salt intake (>9 g/d) for a week. Clinic BP, 24hour ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM), 24hour urine electrolytes, renal biochemistry, renin, aldosterone and renin aldosterone ratio (ARR), were measured before and after high salt exposure. Data were analysed using repeated measures ANOVA and adjusted for age.

Results:
Following salt loading, the mean day average systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) rise on ABPM was 2.5 ± 1 mm Hg and 0.7± 0.7 mm Hg. Similarly, night-time average SBP and DBP rise was 2.2 ±1.2 mm Hg and 1.6 ± 0.9 mm Hg respectively. The ARR fell by a mean of 5.0 ±1.7 pmol/mU. There were no significant differences between carriers of the E/Q KCNJ5 variant and wild-type subjects in BP values and biochemical parameters at baseline or under salt-loading.

Conclusions:
This is the first study we are aware of, that has attempted in vivo translation of this KCNJ5 germline variant. The germline variation does not seem to drive hyperaldosteronism in vivo, although we cannot exclude this in the rare subjects who are homozygous for the variation (mean allele frequency approximately <1 in 1000).
Abstract MP112: Optogenetic Manipulation of Macrophage Electrical Excitability Modulates Cardiac Rhythm in Developing Zebrafish
Authors: Martin Shannon E , Plavicki Jessica
Published: October 2020

Despite the unremitting research surrounding heart development and disease, congenitalheart defects (CHD) remain the most common birth defect worldwide. Arrhythmias are aleading cause of morbidity and mortality in CHD patients, though the etiologies ofarrhythmia are not well understood. Notably, there have been considerable advances inour understanding of cardiac macrophage biology in both regulating developmentalprocesses and modulating adult cardiac conduction. However, it is not known 1) whenmacrophage-derived signals influence heart electrical function, nor 2) if macrophages areintegral to the development and function of the embryonic or juvenile conduction system.Using transparent zebrafish, a genetically tractable and well-established developmentalmodel, we employ advanced microscopy techniques to visualize cardiac macrophages inreal-time and
in vivo
throughout heart development. We demonstrate here that embryoniccardiac macrophages display synchronous calcium activity in-time with heartbeat. Usingoptogenetics to stimulate macrophage electrical activity via light-gated ion channels, weshow that macrophage-specific expression of channelrhodopsin, a cation channel, orhalorhodopsin, a chloride channel, can directly influence heartrate. Thus, embryonicmacrophages can functionally manipulate cardiac rhythm in developing zebrafish.Further, loss of embryonic macrophages, either through drug-inducible ablation orembryonic macrophage genetic mutation, disrupts organization of both the embryonic andadult ventricular myocardium. We therefore hypothesize cardiac macrophages arefunctionally important in embryonic conduction and fetal heart development, such thatembryonic macrophage loss negatively impacts long-term cardiac health. This work willprovide novel insight into potential contributing factors of cardiac developmentaldysregulation and macrophages as targets of intervention for arrhythmia.
Abstract MP151: Cardiomyocyte HIPK2 is a Critical Regulator of Purinergic Signaling Regulated Myocardial Inflammation
Authors: Sultan Tousif , Singh Anand P , Umbarkar Prachi , Zhang QinKun , Lal Hind
Published: October 2020

Objective:
Heart failure (HF) is a major and growing public health problem worldwide. Recently our lab has identified HIPK2 as an essential kinase to maintain basal cardiac function. However, the role of cardiomyocytes specific HIPK2 (CM-HIPK2) in myocardial inflammation is unknown.

Methods:
α-MHC promoter-driven, Cre mice were crossed with HIPK2
fl/fl
mice to generate CM-HIPK2 KO. Echocardiography was performed to assess cardiac function. Immunoblotting assays were performed to determine the expression of HIPK2, CD39, CD73, and other signaling pathway . Flow cytometry and ELISA were performed to study the dynamics of inflammation.

Results:
Consistent with our previous report
,
echocardiography confirmed an impaired cardiac function in 3 months old CM-HIPK2 KO as compared to their littermate controls. Importantly, cardiac function in the KOs starts to deteriorate at ~2.5 months of age, thus, at two months of age, the cardiac function of KO and littermate control was comparable. Comprehensive immune profiling of CM-HIPK2 KO and littermate control hearts were performed at two months of age. We observed an increased frequency of infiltrated CD45
+
leukocytes, CCR2
+
pro-inflammatory macrophages, Th17
+
, Th9
+
, CD45
+
TNFα
+
, CD45
+
IL1β
+
, CD45
+
Ki67
+
cells but diminished frequency of Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), TCRαβ
+
CTLA-4
+
and TCRαβ
+
PD-1
+
in the CM-HIPK2 KO hearts. Mechanistically, we observed a significantly reduced expression of CD39 and CD73 over HIPK2 deleted cardiomyocytes. Indeed, CD39 and CD73 are the key players of purinergic signaling regulated inflammation response.
In-vitro
studies with neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (NRVMs) corroborated the
in-vivo
findings. Specifically, adenovirus-mediated overexpression of HIPK2 significantly increased CD39 expression. Consistently, Ad-shRNA-HIPK2 expression suppressed the CD39 expression. Taken together, our findings suggest a critical role of CM-HIPK2 in purinergic signaling mediated myocardial inflammation.

Conclusions:
CM-HIPK2 maintains basal cardiac function by controlling purinergic signaling regulated myocardial inflammation. Future work will explore the underlying mechanism of HIPK2 mediated regulation of CD39 and CD73.
Ambiguus Tiles: Origami Rhombic Pyramid Tiles for Creating Dual-View Tile Mosaics
Authors: Kim Hyunjung , Kim Myeongseong , Lee Yujin
Published: October 2020

This statement presents a novel expressive medium that the authors call Ambiguus tiles, which construct dual-view tile mosaics. While similar to wall and surface mosaics made with conventional tiles, Ambiguus tiles can be assembled and rearranged to create dual-view tile mosaics in any size and form. Fact vs. Fiction, a letter sculpture composed of 115 Ambiguus tiles, is presented here as an example of the creative possibilities for using Ambiguus tiles as a ready-to-use design material. As seen in Fact vs. Fiction, Ambiguus tiles are particularly effective in communicating social messages.
‘Caste’ and ‘Descent’: A Curious Case of an International Legal Interpretation
Authors: M Bhimraj
Published: October 2020

The reconceptualisation of caste discrimination as racial discrimination through the term ‘descent’ in Article 1 of icerd enabled the international community to take cognisance of caste discrimination, which it had ignored for a long time. However, the government of India, opposing such reconceptualisation, maintains that ‘descent’ in icerd refers only to race and not caste, contrary to the position of UN human rights bodies. Hence, whether ‘descent’ includes ‘caste’ is an important hermeneutical question addressed in this article. Based on the distinction between interpretation and application of a treaty, this article argues that India has accepted the application of icerd to caste discrimination through its conduct and it cannot deny it now according to the principle of estoppel. This article then demonstrates the dynamic interpretation of ‘descent’, justifying it through the consensus analysis methodology of the ECtHR. Moreover, it is found that ‘descent’ was associated with ‘caste’ in British India.
Islamic Communities in Post-Yugoslav Countries
Authors: Larise Dunja
Published: October 2020

Between 1880 and 1912 Austrian Empire issued several legal Acts regarding the terms by which the Muslims of the newly adjunct territories in Bosnia and Herzegovina were to settle their religious and community-related affairs within the framework of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. These Acts laid fundaments for the establishment of the first autonomous Islamic religious institutions in the Austrian Empire. The present article argues that institutions established during that time remained the most conspicuous legacy of the Austrian juristic regulation of Islamic affairs, not only in Bosnia and Herzegovina but in all successor states of the former Yugoslavia as well as in present time Austria itself.
The Politics of Congregational Prayer
Authors: Ahmed Imran
Published: October 2020

Religious authorities in many Muslim-majority countries have argued that the suspension of communal prayers during an epidemic does not contravene Islamic law. In Pakistan, such measures have proven difficult to enforce, in part because many religious leaders in the country have opposed the closure of places of worship and the limits placed on public religious gatherings. The question is why? This paper suggests that the distrust of the state in matters of religion in Pakistan can be traced back to the colonial era, and that the political developments following independence have amplified frustration and mistrust between political and religious authorities in the country. Significant sources of contention in matters of religion and state remain unresolved under the prime ministership of Imran Khan. At the same time, the pandemic has thrust earlier conflicts into the spotlight and exposed contests over opinion, expertise, and authority in matters of religion and public health.
Vietnamella chebalingensis, a new species of the family Vietnamellidae (Ephemeroptera) from China based on morphological and molecular data
Authors: LUO YANPING , JIANG JIAN , WANG LILI , SHU ZUFEI , TONG XIAOLI
Published: October 2020

Vietnamella chebalingensis Tong, sp. nov. is described based on larval stage from China. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: body purple black with mottled white markings; length of inner pairs of cephalic projection approximately half of the outer pairs; posterior margin of abdominal tergites I–VI and VIII–X each with a pair of pointed projections, but tergite VII bearing only a single projection. The morphological evidence and molecular data (COI, Kimura 2-parameter) support that this new species represents the sixth species of the genus Vietnamella. An identification key to known larvae of the genus Vietnamella is provided.
The genus Parascepsis Dognin, 1923 (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Ctenuchina) in Peru, with the description of three new species, a new combination and their geographical distributions
Authors: GRADOS JUAN , MANTILLA KARLA , MANTILLA KARLA , RAMÍREZ JUAN JOSÉ
Published: October 2020

Presently, the Neotropical genus Parascepsis Dognin, 1923 is considered monotypic within the Ctenuchina. There are no reviews of a large part of the genera in this subtribe or an approximation to its phylogeny. The material worked with is deposited at the Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (MUSM), and was compared with the original descriptions and the type species of the genus: Parascepsis solox Dognin, 1923. The status of Episcepsis ockendeni Rothschild was revised. We propose the current state of Parascepsis to be made up of five species, three of which are new to science, P. lantingi sp. nov., P. ignobilis sp. nov. and P. ingenium sp. nov., proposing also a new combination, P. ockendeni (Rothschild) comb. nov. Redescriptions of Parascepsis solox Dognin and P. ockendeni (Rothschild) are presented, as well as the description of the three new species. Illustrations of adults and genital structures, and distribution maps for Peru are provided for all.
Two new species of Camptopteroides (Camptopteroides) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) from the Oriental region with a key to Old World species
Authors: SANKARARAMAN HARIHARAKRISHNAN , MANICKAVASAGAM SAGADAI , TRIAPITSYN SERGUEI V. , HUBER JOHN T. , KHARBISNOP BANKERDONBOR
Published: October 2020

An overview of the Oriental species of the nominate subgenus of Camptopteroides Viggiani (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) is given. Two new species, C. (Camptopteroides) formosa Manickavasagam & Sankararaman sp. n. from India and C. (Camptopteroides) reducta Triapitsyn sp. n. from Thailand and Malaysia, are described, and C. formosa additionally compared to two unnamed species. The holotype male of the type species of this genus, C. armata Viggiani from Sri Lanka, is diagnosed and illustrated. A key to Old World species of Camptopteroides is provided.
Siamitoides gen. n., a new Oriental ant-like stone beetle genus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae)
Authors: JAŁOSZYŃSKI PAWEŁ
Published: October 2020

Siamitoides carinatus gen. & sp. n. is described, based on a male specimen collected on Sumatra. The new genus superficially resembles the Oriental Siamites in the shape of head, which in lateral view is subtriangular, with the highest site above the antennal fossae and the flat vertex gradually declining posterad up to the neck region. Among world Stenichnini, this peculiar shape of the head capsule can be found also in the Oriental Elacatophora, Nearctic Lophioderus, and the extinct Cretaceous Cenomaniola of Myanmar amber deposits. Morphological structures of the new genus are illustrated in detail, and an updated key to the Oriental genera of Stenichnini (excluding subtropical Chinese and Japanese taxa) is given.
Thysanoptera host-plant associations, with an account of species living on Tamarix, and a new species of Lissothrips (Phlaeothripidae)
Authors: MINAEI KAMBIZ , MOUND LAURENCE
Published: October 2020

Eight unrelated Thysanoptera species are known to be associated with the arid zone plant genus Tamarix [Tamaricaceae]. One new species, Lissothrips hemingi sp.n., is described from Iran based on specimens collected on branches of Tamarix. Liothrips jazykovi Moulton, described from specimens taken on Tamarix, is considered a new synonym of Liothrips reuteri (Bagnall), a widespread species on the foliage of this plant.
A Flexible Humidity Sensor Based on Co3O4 Nanoneedles with High Sensitivity and Quick Response
Authors: Qi Qi , Wang Qi , Liu Nanliu , Zheng Xiaoping , Ding Xiongjie , Liang Zhiwen , Wang Qing , Zhang Guoyi
Published: October 2020

A flexible humidity sensor has been realized based on Co3O4 nanoneedles via a deposition technique. High humidity sensing and excellent flexible properties are observed in the tests. The impedance of the as-prepared sensor decreases by nearly three orders of magnitude
with increasing relative humidity (RH) from 11% to 95% on a semilogarithmic scale. The response and recovery times are about 3 and 6 s respectively. The maximum hysteresis is less than 4% under 80% RH. No obvious changes for the sensing performance can be obtained after 100 bending/extending
cycles and bending tests. These performances make the current sensor a good candidate for flexible humidity detection.
Investigation of Parameters for Schottky Barrier (SB) Height for Schottky Barrier Based Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistor Device
Authors: Bhardwaj Anil Kumar , Gupta Sumeet , Raj Balwinder
Published: October 2020

The design and development of Schottky Barrier Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistor (SB CNTFET) is still in the primitive research phase for its utilization in digital design. There is an immediate requirement for the analysis of parametric relations with structural factors to benefit
the researchers working in this field. This work helps in the improvement of SB based CNTFET devices to be used in the development of various circuit applications. In this work, investigation of Schottky Barrier height on the performance of SB CNTFET for various geometrical and physical design
parameters at the device level has been reported. The analysis of various device parameters of carbon nanotube, i. e., chirality, diameter, band gap, oxide thickness and dielectric constant has been carried out viz. subthreshold conduction, and ION/IOFF
ratio. The paper also reports the effect of high dielectric constant material in SB CNTFET with oxide thickness along with Schottky Barrier Height Variation. The performance of SB CNTFET with variation in Schottky Barrier height and temperature variation is also reported. The results obtained
indicate that performance of SB based CNTFET can be modified by the proper choice of chirality, dielectrics, oxide thickness and operating temperature. The SB parameter can be optimized by proper choice of metal contact in case of CNTFET.
Tracking System and Its Application in Unmanned Automobile Navigation Based on Sparse Photoelectric Sensor Network
Authors: Xue Yuanfei
Published: October 2020

Sensor tracking technology has broad prospects of application in the fields of smart home and environmental protection. The passive motion tracking method of sensor networks can realize the perception of location, temperature and other information without carrying sensor nodes. A sparse
network tracking system based on infrared sensor nodes is proposed in this study, which can control the running automobiles with unmanned navigation. On the basis of the theory of diffraction, the way of spreading for wireless received signal strength (RSS) can be divided into "scattered waves"
and "diffracted waves," which can be regarded as two components of infrared sensing wireless signals so as to further propose the RSS indicators of "long-term testing value" and "short-term test value." Based on these indicators, a measurement model based on diffraction effects and scattering
effects is proposed, and an improved particle filter algorithm is used to update the motion tracking. The hardware design of each module in an unmanned vehicle includes the main controller, tracking circuit, serial port circuit, motor control circuit and infrared sensor control circuit of
the car. In the experiment, the measurement accuracy of the tracking system based on the sparse infrared photoelectric sensor was first tested. In the simulation experiment, the long-term test value, the short-term test value and the actual measurement value were compared respectively. The
test results show that the theoretical RSS value and the actual test result can be matched. Moreover, the infrared photoelectric tracking system is used to design the navigation control system of unmanned cars, helping the car to drive automatically through obstacle avoidance test and tracking
obstacle avoidance test.
Application of Plastic Optical Fiber Fatigue Sensor in Real-Time Monitoring of Fatigue Cracks in Steel Structures
Authors: Liu Ying
Published: October 2020

Plastic optical fiber (POF) is a new type of sensing material. Compared with traditional quartz optical fiber, it has the advantages of good tenacity, low cost, easy processing, and high sensitivity. A new type of POF-Fatigue sensor (nPOF-Fs) is designed by using POF, which is based
on the changes the luminous flux. The change in the relative displacement of the two ends of the fiber is obtained through the change in the luminous flux in the POF, which is later converted into an electrical signal by the photoelectric conversion device. By collecting and analyzing the
signals, accurate measurement of the dynamic response of the workpiece is achieved. Combined with the signal processing algorithm that can detect and monitor the crack expansion of steel structures under cyclic loading based on the RMS envelope and Hilbert transform filters, the fatigue crack
can be monitored in real-time. The results obtained by nPOF-Fs are fundamentally coincide with the results acquired by the COD sensor. In view of the higher cost of monitoring with the COD sensor, the use of a POF sensor combined with a signal processing algorithm in monitoring the occurrence
and expansion of fatigue cracks has great potential in the field of structural monitoring.
Construction of Distributed Optoelectronic Switching Network and OpenFlow Anycast Mechanism of Network on Cloud Computing
Authors: Jin Xinxin , Jin Xinxue
Published: October 2020

Traditional electrical switching network faces the problems of limited bandwidth and large energy consumption. The optoelectronic hybrid data network fully combines the advantages of optical switching and electrical switching, and dynamically adjusts the topology and bandwidth in accordance
to the demand, thereby effectively improving network performance and reducing power consumption. A high-performance distributed optoelectronic switching network architecture called DOIN_W was proposed in the study, aiming to solve the problems of the scalability of the optoelectronic switching
network architecture and the insufficient flexibility of network resource allocation. The architecture was connected topologically according to the method of 2DTorus, thereby effectively improving the network scale of the photoelectric switching network and supporting the dynamic adjustment
of the network scale. The optical switching of DOIN_W adopted the "broadcastselect" method to support different forms of broadcasting communication. A multi-dimensional optical signal switch was designed, and the optical signal broadcast of the switch can reach any of the optical switches
in DOIN_W, thereby supporting the direct connection between optical switches. Considering the problems that the multi-broadcast service of DOIN_W was unable to access freely, stateful optical signal communication was hard to maintain and the single path weight resulted in lack priority of
communication, the OpenFlow network protocol of the cloud computing network was introduced in the DOIN_W architecture. The anycast mechanism of DOIN_W was optimized based on this protocol. Based on the stream-level network simulator for network performance simulation analysis, the DOIN_W architecture
can meet the requirements of network scalability and flexibility. Compared with the OVS architecture and Jellyfish architecture, the DOIN_W architecture can effectively reduce the average flow completion time by more than 30% and reduce average energy consumption by over 25%.
Optimization and Performance Evaluation of an Environmentally Friendly Fluorine-Free Foam Extinguishing Agent
Authors: Xiao Guoqing , Lei Lei , Chen Chunyan , Li Yuanyuan , Hu Wenquan
Published: October 2020

Fluorine-free foam fire extinguishing agents are environmentally friendly compared with aqueous film-forming foam fire extinguishing agents (AFFF). Design-Expert 11.0 software and the Box-Behnken design principle were used to optimize the foaming agent formulation which is the core
of fluorine-free foam extinguishing agents and regression models of the expansion ratio (α), 50% drainage time (t50%) and surface tension (γ) were established. Furthermore, the optimal combination of foaming agent various factors (the mass fraction of APG0810,
silicone surfactant, SDS and BS-12) were predicted by the regression models. The prediction results showed that when the mass fraction of APG0810, silicone surfactant, SDS and BS-12 were 2.0%, 0.242%, 0.116% and 0.349%, respectively, the comprehensive foaming agent performance was highest.
The α, t50% and γ of the optimized foaming agent were 8.0, 376 s, and 24.1 mN/m, respectively. The fluorinefree foam fire extinguishing agent was prepared by compounding the optimized foaming agent with foam stabilizers and other additives, resulting in a surface
tension of 24.3 mN/m and a spreading factor greater than zero. The, α, t50% and sealing time of the fluorine-free foam fire extinguishing agent were 7.6, 541 s, and 895 s, respectively, which were 8.6%, 16.1%, and 14% higher than commercial 6% AFFF.
A Novel Indoor Air Sensor Apply in Detecting Formaldehyde
Authors: Zhu Huaiqiu , Wang Kaifang , Zhang Fan , Chen Wenbin , Wang Ze , Zhu Xuedan , Yin Jun , Li Dongyuan , Zhu Ruijuan , Li Keying
Published: October 2020

As an indoor air toxic gas, formaldehyde is the main pollutant in interior decoration. In current work, we reported a novel formaldehyde gas sensing material and its gas sensing properties were investigated. We found that such novel two dimensional structure show excellent gas sensing
performance towards formaldehyde and holding the potential of apply in detection of indoor air. Higher sensor response and faster response and recovery speed are primarily responsible for the unique morphology, leading to sufficient sensing reaction on the surface as well as abundant gas diffusion.
Recent History of Upgrades to the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network
Authors: Murphy Martin J. , Cramer John A. , Said Ryan K.
Published: October 2020

The U.S. National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) underwent a complete sensor upgrade in 2013 followed by a central processor upgrade in 2015. These upgrades produced about a factor-of-5 improvement in the detection efficiency of cloud lightning flashes and about one additional cloud pulse geolocated per flash. However, they also reaggravated a historical problem with the tendency to misclassify a population of low-current positive discharges as cloud-to-ground strokes when, in fact, most are probably cloud pulses. Furthermore, less than 0.1% of events were poorly geolocated because the contributing sensor data were either improperly associated or simply underutilized by the geolocation algorithm. To address these issues, Vaisala developed additional improvements to the central processing system, which became operational on 7 November 2018. This paper describes updates to the NLDN between 2013 and 2018 and then focuses on the effects of classification algorithm changes and a simple means to normalize classification across upgrades.
Near-Ground Wind Profiles of Tornadic and Nontornadic Environments in the United States and Europe from ERA5 Reanalyses
Authors: Coffer Brice E. , Taszarek Mateusz , Parker Matthew D.
Published: October 2020

The near-ground wind profile exhibits significant control over the organization, intensity, and steadiness of low-level updrafts and mesocyclones in severe thunderstorms, and thus their probability of being associated with tornadogenesis. The present work builds upon recent improvements in supercell tornado forecasting by examining the possibility that storm-relative helicity (SRH) integrated over progressively shallower layers has increased skill in differentiating between significantly tornadic and nontornadic severe thunderstorms. For a population of severe thunderstorms in the United States and Europe, sounding-derived parameters are computed from the ERA5 reanalysis, which has significantly enhanced vertical resolution compared to prior analyses. The ERA5 is shown to represent U.S. convective environments similarly to the Storm Prediction Center’s mesoscale surface objective analysis, but its greater number of vertical levels in the lower troposphere permits calculations to be performed over shallower layers. In the ERA5, progressively shallower layers of SRH provide greater discrimination between nontornadic and significantly tornadic thunderstorms in both the United States and Europe. In the United States, the 0–100 m AGL layer has the highest forecast skill of any SRH layer tested, although gains are comparatively modest for layers shallower than 0–500 m AGL. In Europe, the benefit from using shallower layers of SRH is even greater; the lower-tropospheric SRH is by far the most skillful ingredient there, far exceeding related composite parameters like the significant tornado parameter (which has negligible skill in Europe).
Assessing Aircraft Performance in a Warming Climate
Authors: McRae Mary , Lee Ross A. , Steinschneider Scott , Galgano Frank
Published: October 2020

Increases in maximum and minimum air temperatures resulting from anthropogenic climate change will present challenges to aircraft performance. Elevated density altitude (DA) reduces aircraft and engine performance and has a direct impact on operational capabilities. The frequency of higher DA will increase with the combination of higher air temperatures and higher dewpoint temperatures. The inclusion of dewpoint temperature in DA projections will become increasingly critical as minimum air temperatures rise. High DA impacts aircraft performance in the following ways: reduction in power because the engine takes in less air; reduction in thrust because a propeller is less efficient in less dense air; reduction in lift because less dense air exerts less force on the airfoils. For fixed-wing aircraft, the performance impacts include decreased maximum takeoff weight and increased true airspeed, which results in longer takeoff and landing distance. For rotary-wing aircraft, the performance impacts include reduced power margin, reduced maximum gross weight, reduced hover ceiling, and reduced rate of climb. In this research, downscaled and bias-corrected maximum and minimum air temperatures for future time periods are collected and analyzed for a selected site: Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. Impacts corresponding to DA thresholds are identified and integrated into risk probability matrices enabling quantifiable comparisons. As the magnitude and frequency of high DA occurrences are projected to increase as a result of climate change, it is imperative for military mission planners and acquisition officers to comprehend and utilize these projections in their decision-making processes.
A Look Back: Envisioning good schools in Kappan
Authors: Preston Teresa
Published: October 2020

How educators and policy makers define good schools drives their decisions about how to organize their schools and assess their success. In this monthly column, Teresa Preston explores Kappan authors’ different visions of what good schools look like and how to measure school success. Authors have considered how best to educate students with different needs and abilities, the varying priorities of stakeholders, and the desire to hold schools accountable.
Rethinking what we mean by intelligence
Authors: Sternberg Robert J.
Published: October 2020

Society largely has accepted a conception of general intelligence that is ill-fitted to the world we live in today. Our standardized tests are based on this conception, as is much of our instruction. The problem is that the kinds of problems we test for and teach to are unlike the complex problems we face in real life. In this article, Robert Sternberg introduces a conception of adaptive intelligence as the kind of intelligence we need to cope adequately with the problems the world is currently throwing at us. He discusses adaptive intelligence and how it differs from general intelligence and gives examples of the kinds of problems schools can use to teach and assess for such intelligence.
Math coaches, specialists, and student achievement: Learning from the data
Authors: Harbour Kristin E. , Saclarides Evthokia Stephanie
Published: October 2020

To support continuous professional development model in the teaching and learning of mathematics, many districts and schools have begun hiring elementary mathematics coaches and/or specialists (MCSs). However, limited large-scale empirical research exists that determines how the use of MCSs affect student learning and achievement. Kristin E. Harbour and Evthokia Stephanie Saclarides begin to fill in this gap by using data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress to explore the relationship between the presence and responsibilities of elementary MCSs and 4th-grade student achievement in mathematics. Based on their findings, they share practical implications for districts and administrators to consider.
Peripheral inflammatory biomarkers as predictors of recurrence in surgically-treated anogenital condylomata acuminata patients
Authors: Basim P , Yuksel M
Published: October 2020

The aim of this study was to examine the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients with anogenital condylomata acuminata (CA) and their association with recurrence and squamous intraepithelial neoplasia development. We conducted a descriptive study in 95 patients that had undergone surgical treatment for CA. The descriptive data, disease characteristics, and pre-treatment peripheral inflammatory biomarkers (PIBs) were recorded retrospectively. All parameters were compared in those with recurrent and non-recurrent CA. All PIBs were significantly higher in patients with the greatest genital wart size of >2 cm in the squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) group. Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16, 18, 31 and 33, known to carry high risk for anogenital cancer, were significantly related to higher SII. Greater wart size, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), and higher PLR and SII values were highly associated with recurrent disease (p = 0.003, 0.006, 0.005 and 0.000, respectively). Of all recurrences, 34.1% were explained by HSIL and increased PLR and SII values. The prediction of CA recurrence is important to determine those patients at high risk. PLR and SII can be used for risk analysis in selected patient groups.