bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Idylla MSI test as a new tool for microsatellite instability detection in sebaceous tumours and keratoacanthomas
Authors: Favre Loëtitia , Chen Ruiqian , Bellahsen-Harrar Yaëlle , Ortonne Nicolas , Pujals Anaïs
Published: June 2021

Aim

Sebaceous tumours and keratoacanthomas can be associated with mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency and thus microsatellite instability (MSI). In such tumours, MSI phenotype could be an argument to search for an underlying Muir-Torre syndrome (MTS). MTS has been recognised as a variant of Lynch syndrome, characterised by a deficiency of the MMR proteins. In Lynch syndrome, the sensitivity and specificity of the techniques used to detect MSI is well described, which is not the case for skin tumours. In our hands, immunohistochemistry is a sensitive and specific method to detect MMR deficiency in those tumours. Contrasting with tumours of Lynch spectrum, sensitivity and specificity of molecular methods has not been extensively studied. This study aimed at evaluating two molecular methods to detect MSI phenotype in MTS associated tumours: a commonly used pentaplex PCR using Bethesda markers and the fully automated method using the Idylla MSI assay.

Methods

A comparison between PCR, and Idylla was performed on 39 DNA extracted from cutaneous tumours. Immunohistochemistry was used as the gold standard to calculate sensitivity and specificity of both molecular techniques.

Results

Concordant results were found in 32 cases (82%) with pentaplex PCR and in 36 cases (92%) with Idylla. The sensitivity of pentaplex PCR to detect MSI phenotype was 76% whereas Idylla sensitivity was 90%.

Conclusion

Idylla is more performant than PCR, for the detection of MSI in MTS-associated tumours and is a reliable additional technique to help detecting MTS in these tumours.
The exact solution of magnetic susceptibility for finite Ising ring with a magnetic impurity
Authors: Ma Dacheng , Qi Yan , Du An
Published: June 2021

We connected the two ends of a finite spin-1/2 antiferromagnetic Ising chain with a magnetic impurity at one end to form a closed ring, and studied its magnetic susceptibility exactly by using the transfer matrix method. We calculated the magnetic susceptibility in the whole temperature range and gave the phase diagram at ground state of the system about the anisotropy of the impurity and strength of the connection exchange interaction for spin-1 and -3/2 impurities. We also gave the ground state entropy of the system and derived the asymptotic expression of the magnetic susceptibility multiplied by temperature at the zero-temperature limit and the high-temperature limit. It was found that a degenerate phase may exist in some parameter region at zero temperature for the odd spin number system, and the ground state entropy is ln(2) in the nondegenerate phase and is dependent on the spin number in the degenerate phase. The magnetic susceptibility of the system at low temperature exhibits ferromagnetic behavior, and the Curie constant is related to the spin configuration at ground state. When the ground state is nondegenerate, the Curie constant is equal to the square of the net spin, regardless of the parity of the number of the spin. When the spin number is odd and the ground state is degenerate, the Curie constant may be related to the total spin number. At the high-temperature limit, the magnetic susceptibility multiplied by temperature is related to the spin quantum number of the impurity and the spin number in the ring.
Extended GUP corrected thermodynamics, shadow radius and quasinormal modes of charged AdS black holes in Gauss–Bonnet gravity
Authors: Chaudhary Shahid , Jawad Abdul , Jusufi Kimet , Yasir Muhammad
Published: June 2021

This paper explores the influence of special type of higher order generalized uncertainty principle on the thermodynamics of five-dimensional black hole in Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet gravity coupled to nonlinear electrodynamics. We examine the corrected thermodynamical properties of the black hole with some interesting limiting cases [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and compared our results with usual thermodynamical relations. We observe that the influence of GUP correction stabilizes the BH and BH solution remains physical throughout the region of horizon radius. In this framework, we also uncover the relationship of shadow radius and quasinormal modes of the mentioned black hole. We conclude that shadow radius of our considered black hole is a perfect circle and it decreases with increasing values of charge and Gauss–Bonnet parameter. We also verify the inverse relation between the quasinormal modes frequencies and shadow radius, i.e. quasinormal modes should increase with increasing values of Gauss–Bonnet parameter and electric charge.
Studying novel 1D potential via the AIM
Authors: Sous A. J.
Published: June 2021

In this work, we would like to apply the asymptotic iteration method (AIM) to a newly proposed Morse-like deformed potential introduced recently by Assi, Alhaidari and Bahlouli.[Formula: see text] This interesting potential can support bound states and/or resonances. However, in this work, we are only interested in bound states. We considered several choices of the potential parameters and obtained the associated spectrum. Finally, we study the small deformation limit at which this finite spectrum system will transition to infinite spectrum size.
Symmetric polynomials of algebras related with 2 × 2 generic traceless matrices
Authors: Fındık Şehmus , Kelekci̇ Osman
Published: June 2021

Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be two generic traceless matrices of size [Formula: see text] with entries from a commutative associative polynomial algebra over a field [Formula: see text] of characteristic zero. Consider the associative unitary algebra [Formula: see text], and its Lie subalgebra [Formula: see text] generated by [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] over the field [Formula: see text]. It is well known that the center [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is the polynomial algebra generated by the algebraically independent commuting elements [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. We call a polynomial [Formula: see text] symmetric, if [Formula: see text]. The set of symmetric polynomials is equal to the algebra [Formula: see text] of invariants of symmetric group [Formula: see text]. Similarly, we define the Lie algebra [Formula: see text] of symmetric polynomials in the Lie algebra [Formula: see text]. We give the description of the algebras [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and we provide finite sets of free generators for [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] as [Formula: see text]-modules.
A new nonlinear electrodynamics and electrically charged regular black holes
Authors: Jahani Poshteh Mohammad Bagher , Riazi Nematollah
Published: June 2021

A regular static, spherically symmetric electrically charged black hole solution of general relativity coupled to a new theory for nonlinear electrodynamics is presented. This theory has the interesting feature that, at far distances from the black hole, in the weak field limit, the theory reduces to Maxwell Lagrangian with Heisenberg–Euler correction term of quantum electrodynamics. The singular center of the black hole is replaced by flat, de Sitter, or anti de Sitter space, if the spacetime in which the black hole is embedded is asymptotically flat, de Sitter, or anti de Sitter, respectively. Requiring the correspondence to Heisenberg–Euler Lagrangian at large distances, in the weak field limit, we find that (i) a minimum mass is required for the formation of an event horizon for the regular static, spherically symmetric solution of the theory, and, (ii) the mass of the solution must be quantized. We also study the basic thermodynamic properties of the black hole solution and show that they are qualitatively similar to those of Reissner–Nordström black hole.
A Hybrid Validity Index to Determine K Parameter Value of k-Means Algorithm for Time Series Clustering
Authors: Ozkok Fatma Ozge , Celik Mete
Published: June 2021

Time series is a set of sequential data point in time order. The sizes and dimensions of the time series datasets are increasing day by day. Clustering is an unsupervised data mining technique that groups objects based on their similarities. It is used to analyze various datasets, such as finance, climate, and bioinformatics datasets. [Formula: see text]-means is one of the most used clustering algorithms. However, it is challenging to determine the value of [Formula: see text] parameter, which is the number of clusters. One of the most used methods to determine the number of clusters (such as [Formula: see text]) is cluster validity indexes. Several internal and external validity indexes are used to find suitable cluster numbers based on characteristics of datasets. In this study, we propose a hybrid validity index to determine the value of [Formula: see text] parameter of [Formula: see text]-means algorithm. The proposed hybrid validity index comprises four internal validity indexes, such as Dunn, Silhouette, C index, and Davies–Bouldin indexes. The proposed method was applied to nine real-life finance and benchmarks time series datasets. The financial dataset was obtained from Yahoo Finance, consisting of daily closing data of stocks. The other eight benchmark datasets were obtained from UCR time series classification archive. Experimental results showed that the proposed hybrid validity index is promising for finding the suitable number of clusters with respect to the other indexes for clustering time-series datasets.
Leading Indicators for Detecting Change of Technology Trends: Comparison of Patents, Papers and Newspaper Articles in Japan and US
Authors: Maeno Takeshi , Iwasawa Yusuke , Matsuo Yutaka
Published: June 2021

Continual development necessitates innovation. One must discover seeds of innovation and then concentrate resources on these seeds. To do so, one must recognize technology trends and then adopt and execute appropriate innovation strategies. This study used advanced change point detection method to investigate leading indicators that represent changes in technology trends. We examine patents, papers, and newspaper articles in Japan and US for 55 technologies. Results suggest that patents can be more appropriate as leading indicators than either papers or newspapers. This result can contribute to appropriate innovation strategies for planning and updating, and can provide tools that are useful to decision-makers.
THE PERSONALITY AND MOTIVATION OF “QUANTS”: THE MATH GENIUSES OF WALL STREET
Authors: FURNHAM ADRIAN , IMPELLIZZERI SYLVIA
Published: June 2021

A relatively small sample of experts ([Formula: see text]) working within the quantitative financial area completed two questionnaires measuring their personality and values. This study set out to determine how personality and motivation/work values predict subjective work success and organizational fit using the High Potential Traits Inventory (HPTI) and the Work Value Questionnaire (WVQ). Compared to the population norms, the “Quants” were higher on Curiosity and Conscientiousness but lower on Tolerance of Ambiguity and Risk-Taking Approach. The “Quants” scored higher than population norms on one facet of intrinsic motivation and all three of the extrinsic motivation. The results demonstrated that Conscientiousness and Intrinsic Motivation were both significant predictors of subjective work success. The results are discussed in terms of how to select, manage and promote “Quants”. Implications and limitations are discussed.
Torsional Stiffness Correction of the Split‐Type Triple‐Box Steel Box Girder Based on Refined Simulation
Authors: Tang Yu , Xu Min , Yue Jie , Zheng Shixiong
Published: June 2021

Split‐type steel box girders are widely used in long‐span bridges because of their good wind‐resistance performance. In the design stage, a simple finite element model is usually established based on the beam element for wind‐resistance design. However, since the irregular cross‐beams and diaphragms in the split steel box girder cannot be virtually established, the stiffness of the girder will be underestimated. To improve the accuracy in simulating stiffness of the split‐type triple‐box steel box girder (STSBG) with the beam element model (BEM), a correction is made to the initial beam element model (IBEM) based on the result of a more refined finite element model. ANSYS is adopted to make a refined model (RM) of a bridge with STSBG as its girder and to calculate its aerostatic responses and dynamic characteristics in 3 typical construction states and 1 finished state. With the reference value, an objective function of the overall residual sum of squares is constructed for the torsion angle of the girder and the frequency of the bridge. Then, the beam element is used for conventional modelling of the bridge, and artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm is adopted for the optimization and correction of structure parameters of the BEM of the girder. Finally, static and dynamic characteristics of the IBEM and the corrected beam element model (CBEM) are compared with values of the corresponding RM to evaluate the validity of the correction of the model. The results show that the aerostatic responses and dynamic characteristics of the CBEM are close to calculated values of the RM. In more detail, the relative error between the torsion angle of the girder in the middle span of the BEM and the corresponding reference value in the finished state is decreased from +61.71% to +4.94%, and the relative error of torsional fundamental frequency is decreased from −17.43% to +3.66%. According to the calculated value of the RM, ABC algorithm would satisfactorily improve the accuracy in simulating torsional stiffness of the STSBG with the IBEM. This research is expected to provide reference for beam element modelling, which is conducive to accurately simulating torsional stiffness of the STSBG.
[Retracted] Using an Optimized Learning Vector Quantization‐ (LVQ‐) Based Neural Network in Accounting Fraud Recognition
Authors: Zheng Yuan , Ye Xiaolan , Wu Ting
Published: June 2021

With the continuous development and wide application of artificial intelligence technology, artificial neural network technology has begun to be used in the field of fraud identification. Among them, learning vector quantization (LVQ) neural network is the most widely used in the field of fraud identification, and the fraud identification rate is relatively high. In this context, this paper explores this neural network technology in depth, uses the same fraud sample to test the fraud recognition rate of these two models, and proposes an optimized LVQ‐based combined neural network fraud risk recognition model on this basis. This paper selects 550 listed companies that have committed fraud from 2015 to 2019 as the fraud samples, determines 550 nonfraud matching sample companies in accordance with the Beasley principle one‐to‐one, and uses this as the research sample. The fraud risk identification indicators with better identification effects combed out according to the literature were used as the initial indicator system. After the collinearity problem was eliminated through the paired sample T test and principal component analysis, the five indicators with the best identification effects were finally selected. Finally, based on the above theoretical analysis and empirical research summarizing the full text, it analyzes the shortcomings of this research and puts forward prospects for the future development of fraud risk identification models.
POU2F1 Promotes Cell Viability and Tumor Growth in Gastric Cancer through Transcriptional Activation of lncRNA TTC3-AS1
Authors: Wang Jixu , Xiao Ke , Hou Futao , Tang Lusheng , Luo Dan , Liu Gu , Wang Zhiqiang
Published: June 2021

POU domain, class 2, transcription factor 1 (POU2F1) is involved in the development of gastric cancer (GC). However, the molecular mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Here, we identified a novel lncRNA named TTC3-AS1 that was potentially regulated by POU2F1 and investigated their roles in GC progression. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that high expression of POU2F1 predicted poor prognosis in patients with GC. We further screened out an lncRNA TTC3-AS1 that may be transcriptionally activated by POU2F1 according to the JASPAR database, and POU2F1 and TTC3-AS1 were highly expressed in GC cells and tissues compared with normal controls (NCs). Function analysis revealed that both POU2F1 and TTC3-AS1 played oncogenic roles by promoting cell viability, migration, and invasion in GC. qRT-PCR analysis showed that POU2F1 improved the expression of TTC3-AS1 in GC cells, while TTC3-AS1 knockdown or overexpression had no effect on POU2F1 expression. The results of chromatin immunoprecipitation and DNA-affinity precipitation assays indicated that POU2F1 directly bound to the promoter region of TTC3-AS1 and activated its transcription. TTC3-AS1 knockdown neutralized the protumor effects of POU2F1 overexpression in GC cell lines as well as mouse models of GC, which suggested that TTC3-AS1 mediates the oncogenic function of POU2F1. In summary, POU2F1 promoted GC progression by transcriptionally activating TTC3-AS1; thus, this study provided a new perspective for the mechanism of GC progression.
Some Smooth and Nonsmooth Traveling Wave Solutions for KP-MEW(2, 2) Equation
Authors: He Liping , Lin Yuanhua , Zhu Hongying
Published: June 2021

In this paper, we consider the KP-MEW(2, 2) equation by the theory of bifurcations of planar dynamical systems when integral constant is considered. The periodic peakon solution and peakon and smooth periodic solutions are given.
Bioinorganic Synthesis of Polyrhodanine Stabilized Fe3O4/Graphene Oxide in Microbial Supernatant Media for Anticancer and Antibacterial Applications
Authors: Mousavi Seyyed Mojtaba , Hashemi Seyyed Alireza , Gholami Ahmad , Omidifar Navid , Zarei Maryam , Bahrani Sonia , Yousefi Khadije , Chiang Wei-Hung , Babapoor Aziz
Published: June 2021

Polyrhodanines have been broadly utilized in diverse fields due to their attractive features. The effect of polyrhodanine- (PR-) based materials on human cells can be considered a controversial matter, while many contradictions exist. In this study, we focused on the synthesis of polyrhodanine/Fe3O4 modified by graphene oxide and the effect of kombucha (Ko) supernatant on results. The general structure of synthetic compounds was determined in detail through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Also, obtained compounds were morphologically, magnetically, and chemically characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The antibacterial effects of all synthesized nanomaterials were done according to CLSI against four infamous pathogens. Also, the cytotoxic effects of the synthesized compounds on the human liver cancer cell line (Hep-G2) were assessed by MTT assay. Our results showed that Go/Fe has the highest average inhibitory effect against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and this compound possesses the least antimicrobial effect on Staphylococcus aureus. Considering the viability percent of cells in the PR/GO/Fe3O4 compound and comparing it with GO/Fe3O4, it can be understood that the toxic effects of polyrhodanine can diminish the metabolic activity of cells at higher concentrations (mostly more than 50 µg/mL), and PR/Fe3O4/Ko exhibited some promotive effects on cell growth, which enhanced the viability percent to more than 100%. Similarly, the cell viability percent of PR/GO/Fe3O4/KO compared to PR/GO/Fe3O4 is much higher, which can be attributed to the presence of kombucha in the compound. Consequently, based on the results, it can be concluded that this novel polyrhodanine-based nanocompound can act as drug carriers due to their low toxic effects and may open a new window on the antibacterial agents.
Children with COVID-19 Who Manifest Febrile Seizure
Authors: Dewiyanti Lilia , Sumarni Neni , Lie Joseph Deni , Hidajati Zuhriah , Kahayana Harancang Pandih , Lukmasari Adriana , Pramana Cipta
Published: June 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge for all medical personnel in the world. Various studies have been conducted to gain more knowledge about SARS-CoV-2, but studies in the pediatric population are still very limited. We report a case of a boy aged two years and seven months who came to the hospital with an atypical generalized seizure for less than 5 minutes and immediately regained consciousness after the seizure. Other symptoms included fever, productive cough, rhinorrhea, and shortness of breath. The X-ray showed a well-defined homogeneous consolidation in the upper right lobe and a small spot in both lungs which consistently showed top right lobar pneumonia and bronchopneumonia. From the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test, positive results were obtained on the third day of hospitalization. The patient received antiseizure therapy, antibiotics, and other supportive therapies by Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) guidelines. During treatment, the patient responded well to the treatment given, with no other seizure episodes. A negative result on the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test was obtained after twelve days of hospitalization as well as improvements of the lungs as seen from the X-ray.
Pilot Phase II Trial of Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy in Locoregionally Advanced, Resectable Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
Authors: Ferrarotto Renata , Amit Moran , Nagarajan Priyadharsini , Rubin M. Laura , Yuan Ying , Bell Diana , El-Naggar Adel K. , Johnson Jason M. , Morrison William H. , Rosenthal David I. , Glisson Bonnie S. , Johnson Faye M. , Lu Charles , Mott Frank E. , Esmaeli Bita , Diaz Eduardo M. , Gidley Paul W. , Goepfert Ryan P. , Lewis Carol M. , Weber Randal S. , Wargo Jennifer A. , Basu Sreyashi , Duan Fei , Yadav Shalini S. , Sharma Padmanee , Allison James P. , Myers Jeffrey N. , Gross Neil D.
Published: June 2021

Purpose:

In locoregionally advanced, resectable cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (CSCC-HN), surgery followed by radiotherapy is standard but can be cosmetically and functionally devastating, and many patients will have recurrence.

Patients and Methods:

Newly diagnosed or recurrent stage III–IVA CSCC-HN patients amenable to curative-intent surgery received two cycles of neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibition. The primary endpoint was ORR per RECIST 1.1. Secondary endpoints included pathologic response [pathologic complete response (pCR) or major pathologic response (MPR; ≤10% viable tumor)], safety, DSS, DFS, and OS. Exploratory endpoints included immune biomarkers of response.

Results:

Of 20 patients enrolled, 7 had recurrent disease. While only 6 patients [30%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 11.9–54.3] had partial responses by RECIST, 14 patients (70%; 95% CI, 45.7–88.1) had a pCR (n = 11) or MPR (n = 3). No SAEs ocurred during or after the neoadjuvant treatment. At a median follow-up of 22.6 months (95% CI, 21.7–26.1), one patient progressed and died, one died without disease, and two developed recurrence. The 12-month DSS, DFS, and OS rates were 95% (95% CI, 85.9–100), 89.5% (95% CI, 76.7–100), and 95% (95% CI, 85.9–100), respectively. Gene expression studies revealed an inflamed tumor microenvironment in patients with pCR or MPR, and CyTOF analyses demonstrated a memory CD8+ T-cell cluster enriched in patients with pCR.

Conclusions:

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy in locoregionally advanced, resectable CSCC-HN is safe and induces a high pathologic response rate. Pathologic responses were associated with an inflamed tumor microenvironment.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Diagnosis by New Consensus in Clinical Practice: The Additional Value of Mean Basal Impedance
Authors: Gomes Ana Catarina , Sousa Mafalda , Lopes Rita , Afecto Edgar , Correia João , Freitas Teresa , Carvalho João
Published: June 2021

Background: Recently, Lyon consensus and ROME IV were published as there was a need to create a more objective evaluation for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in order to better predict treatment outcomes. However, with classical pH-impedance measures, some patients would still have diagnostic uncertainty, and new metrics, such as mean nocturnal basal impedance (MNBI), have emerged to corroborate with GERD diagnosis. The aim of the present study was to describe the prevalence of GERD, functional heartburn (FH), reflux hypersensitivity (RH), and undetermined diagnosis using current consensuses and to evaluate if MNBI could be considered a supportive measure for the diagnosis of GERD. Methods: Patients who underwent pH-multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII-pH) for suspected GERD between 2013 and 2018 were included. Subjects with previous diagnosis of GERD (e.g., esophagitis grade C or D according to Los Angeles classification, Barrett’s esophagus, or peptic stricture), atypical symptoms, major esophageal motor disorder, eosinophilic esophagitis, or under proton pump inhibitor were excluded from the analysis. Results: We included 75 patients. The prevalence of GERD, FH, RH and undetermined diagnosis was 44%, 14.7%, 12%, and 29.3%, respectively. MNBI was lower in patients with GERD (GERD: 1,307.5 ± 817.9 Ω vs. FH: 3,039.6 ± 1,040.8 Ω, RH: 2,617.1 ± 1,342.2 Ω, undetermined: 2,351.9 ± 1,018.2, p < 0.001), although it was similar between patients with FH and RH (p = 0.44) or between undetermined diagnosis and FH/RH (p = 0.15). More patients with a GERD diagnosis had a MNBI under 2,292 Ω (GERD: 93.9% vs. non-GERD: 31.7%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: In our study, using MII-pH criteria, less than half of the patients had a GERD diagnosis. MNBI showed additional value as another metric for the diagnosis of GERD.
Advances in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Öcal Osman , Rössler Daniel , Ricke Jens , Seidensticker Max
Published: June 2021

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, and radiological imaging and locoregional therapies are essential for the management of patients with HCC. Summary: In cirrhotic patients, a characteristic imaging pattern establishes the noninvasive diagnosis of HCC with acceptable sensitivity and high specificity. In addition to diagnosis, imaging is used in the staging of patients and treatment allocation. Multiparametric MRI with hepatospecific contrast agents improves lesion detection, characterization, and treatment allocation; recently described imaging criteria allow identification of precursor lesions. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) have been established in the treatment of patients with HCC at the early and intermediate stages, respectively. Microwave ablation has been described as an alternative to RFA in selected cases. Imaging-guided brachytherapy, a catheter-based radiotherapy technique, offers advantages to overcome some limitations of the aforementioned therapies, including the tumor location and size. Currently, no adjuvant therapy is recommended after RFA or TACE, but several new drugs are under evaluation. Furthermore, although the exact role of selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) in HCC still needs to be defined, it is an alternative to systemic agents in patients with intolerance, and additional benefit has been shown in selected subgroups. Additionally, SIRT offers an alternate to TACE with higher objective response rates in patients who needs bridging before transplantation. Key Messages: New imaging criteria improved lesion detection in patients at a risk for HCC, and advances in interventional therapies expanded the range of patients eligible for locoregional treatments.
Geometria: soluções detalhadas para 20 problemas de Olimpíadas Internacionais de Matemática
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Linares Juan López
Published: June 2021

Este é o quarto e-book do autor dedicado à resolução de problemas relativos a olimpíadas internacionais de Matemática. Nesta oportunidade são apresentadas outras vinte questões de Geometria Plana. O texto conta com 54 figuras que facilitam o acompanhamento das soluções, e muitos dos exercícios têm, como complementos, gráficos interativos no site do “Geogebra” e vídeos no “YouTube”. A obra discute assuntos como quadriláteros inscritíveis e circunscritíveis, potência de um ponto relativo a uma circunferência, eixo e centro radical, teoremas de Pitot e Napoleão, retas de Euler e Simson-Wallace, relação de Stewart, máximos e mínimos usando as desigualdades de Cauchy-Schwarz, triangular e das médias, incírculos e exincírculos, homotetia, trigonometria, pontos e quadriláteros notáveis, base média, semelhança e congruência de triângulos. Em comparação com outras soluções disponíveis, as apresentadas nos livros valem-se de argumentos menos rebuscados e um número menor de transições a serem preenchidas pelo leitor.
Evolutionary dynamics shape two passive defensive mechanisms in Neotropical snake radiations
Authors: Tozetti Alexandro Marques , Morato Sergio Augusto Abrahão , Bérnils Renato Silveira , Loebmann Daniel , Toledo Luís Felipe , Gray Russell , Entiauspe-Neto Omar M.
Published: June 2021

We mapped the distribution of two defensive behaviors (balling and head hiding) of Neotropical snakes to evaluate its distribution in distinct phylogenetic groups. Balling behavior was observed in 58 out of the 167 examined species across seven families. Head hiding was observed in a total of 100 species across nine families. From the high prevalence of balling behavior in basal groups of snakes, such as Anomalepididae, Boidae, Leptotyphlopidae, Tropidophiidae, and Typhlopidae, and the low prevalence among species of recent diversification radiations, such as Elapidae and Viperidae, we suggest that this behavior evolved in basal groups and persisted in some derived taxa. Balling was not observed in association with other defensive strategies, while head hiding can occur in combination with caudal elevation, caudal vibration, and body flattening. Therefore, head hiding, in contrast to balling behavior, presents itself as putatively more flexible, as it should allow for an escalated degree of defensive displays.
Diet, reproductive biology, and ecological interactions of Fritziana goeldii (Anura: Hemiphractidae)
Authors: Guarabyra Bruna , Bezerra Andressa M. , Antunes André Fonseca , Carvalho-e-Silva Sergio P.
Published: June 2021

Aspects of the diet, reproduction, and interactions with other taxa are reported for the egg-brooding tree frog, Fritziana goeldii, an endemic phytotelma-dwelling species from southeastern Brazil. A total of 56 frogs (48 males; 8 females) was collected between December 2018 and November 2019. A total of 218 dietary items, representing at least 28 taxa was recovered. Hymenoptera and Coleoptera were the most abundant, mainly early in the year (January–April), with Formicidae being the most represented group. Parasitic interactions with ostracods and helminths were observed in 12 and 13 frogs, respectively, with most of these organisms being found in the intestines of F. goeldii. Fritziana goeldii is sexually dimorphic, with females (mean 36.0 mm) being larger than males (mean 28.3 mm). All females collected had oocytes, and two also had eggs attached to the dorsum. No relation was found between the female’s size and size and number of oocytes. The reproduction of F. goeldii seems to be prolonged, with males calling throughout the year.
Feeding habits of Lithobates megapoda (Anura: Ranidae), a threatened leopard frog used for human consumption, in Lake Chapala, Mexico
Authors: Barragán-Ramírez José Luis , Hernández Benjamín , Velarde-Aguilar María Guadalupe , Pérez-Flores Oscar , Navarrete-Heredia José Luis , Pineda Eduardo
Published: June 2021

The Big-footed Leopard Frog (Lithobates megapoda) is a threatened and endemic species from western Mexico. This species has aquatic habits and it is distinguished by its large size, particularly by the length of its legs, reason for which it is captured for human consumption. Also, knowledge about its natural history is scarce and incomplete. In this study, we analyzed the composition of the diet of L. megapoda on the shore of Lake Chapala, the largest lake in Mexico. A total of 69 adult individuals were collected lifeless in fishing nets, during the rainy season (June-October), of which 48 had stomach contents. A total of 96 prey items were identified, which correspond to 13 prey categories. Fish constituted the most dominant prey category in the diet in terms of number, volume, frequency of occurrence, and relative importance. No significant differences were found in the consumption by prey type (aquatic or terrestrial). However, the aquatic preys had a greater relative importance and were more voluminous than the terrestrial ones. The diversity of prey categories, in terms of prey volume, indicates males may have a higher dietary diversity than females, but we not evaluated possible bias. In addition, a significant effect was found in the interaction of size (SVL) of frogs with the average of prey volume. Females (that are larger than males) consumed prey within a wide volume range and, the larger they are, more voluminous are prey. In this way it is possible that intraspecific competition for trophic resources in the environment is reduced. This study helps us understand the trophic ecology of L. megapoda, a frog species that plays an important role in the food web where it lives, as a predator feeding on aquatic and terrestrial organisms.
From Structure to Atoms: From Compression/Tension Systems to a Molecular Tensegrity
Authors: Van Horn J. David , Wang Dayu
Published: June 2021

The authors reconsider macroscopic structures, including tensegrity structures, as ensembles of compression and tension forces and fit these structures to a triangular spectrum. They then present a derivative structural analogy to the three classes of molecular bonding as a bridge to microscopic structure. The construction of tensegrity sculptures of particle interactions and covalent molecules using tension and compression components follows. The authors derive and utilize two properties in this analysis: (1) a “simplest tensegrity” subunit structure and (2) interpenetrating, discontinuous compressive components—the tension components may also be discontinuous in a structure. This approach provides new artistic models for molecules and materials and may inform future artistic, architectural, engineering and scientific endeavors.
Prosaic Diction: Finding Patterns in the Words of Spenser’s View
Authors: Berry Craig A.
Published: June 2021

Scholars have long noted the eccentric vocabulary of Spenser’s A View of the Present State of Ireland, primarily with an eye toward glossing words unfamiliar outside of a contemporary Irish context. This essay steps back from consideration of individual words to ponder what can be learned from word frequencies, primarily focusing on what the tools of corpus linguistics can tell us about the View and especially the View in relation to Spenser’s poetry. What words are most common in the View? What words in the View are most likely (or least likely) to occur in Spenser’s poetry? Is the vocabulary of Eudoxus similar to or notably different from the vocabulary of Irenius? What parts of Spenser’s poetic corpus have the greatest (or least) affinity, vocabulary-wise, with the View? This essay answers those questions and argues that linguistic analysis must go hand-in-hand with traditional close reading in order to draw conclusions from those answers.
Plantation, Contagion, and Containment in Spenser and Bryskett
Authors: Zurcher Andrew
Published: June 2021

Early modern Ireland was notoriously, or reputedly, a place of disease: the plague, the ague, the country fever, the looseness, the bloody flux, and an assortment of coughs, chills, sweats, and other illnesses—Ireland’s endemii morbi or “reigning diseases”—regularly figure in surviving letters and historical accounts from the period. This essay explores not only the reports of disease issuing from Ireland at this time, but the way in which the experience and rhetoric of contagion help to shape ideas about space, security, and civility in the colonial theory of the period. In Spenser’s View of the present state of Ireland (c. 1596) and Bryskett’s A Discourse of Ciuill Life (1606), illness and its metaphors seem to correlate with, and perhaps to occasion, complex responses to the alleged disorder and promiscuity of the Irish—energies evident, too, in the military and political strategies of deputies Sir Henry Sidney, Arthur Lord Grey, and Sir Arthur Chichester. This essay sees Spenser’s View and Bryskett’s Discourse as polemical attempts – at key moments before the planting of Munster and Ulster – to push New English colonial policy away from the morbid failures of Pale government and violent military suppression toward the corpus sanum of plantation.
Improving the Freedom of Repairing Telecommunication Submarine Cables in Southeast Asia
Authors: Vu Hai Dang
Published: June 2021

In October 2019, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (asean) Telecommuni cation and Information Technology Ministers adopted the asean Guidelines for Strengthening Resilience and Repair of Submarine Cables. This is the first instrument relating specifically to telecommunication submarine cables under asean. This represents an important increase of awareness by asean about a swift process for submarine cables repairing. However, the Guidelines recognise that coastal States can grant permits over the repair of submarine cables in waters where they have sovereign rights and jurisdiction, an approach also adopted by many asean Member States. This article argues for an improvement of the freedom of repairing submarine cables in the region in order to expedite the repair of submarine cables in Southeast Asia. It does so by identifying what can be improved in the process of granting permits for repairing submarine cables in asean Member States and suggesting next steps to be taken by asean.
An illustrated step-by-step protocol for investigating liverwort chromosomes
Authors: SOUSA ARETUZA , RENNER SUSANNE S.
Published: June 2021

Cytogenetic studies in bryophytes have been limited by the difficulty of obtaining sufficient dividing nuclei and by the absence of modern protocols. The technical difficulties stem from the plants’ small size and lack of roots and pollen mother cells, the main sources of cells in division in vascular plants. In bryophytes instead, tiny sporophytes, antheridia, or phyllid meristems must be used to obtain meiotic or mitotic chromosome spreads. We here describe the preparation of such spreads from phyllids, antheridia, and sporophytes in several species of liverworts and compare available protocols with or without prefixation treatments. We also provide illustrated step-by-step instructions. The three prefixation agents (including colchicine) that we tested failed to improve synchronization of cell divisions. Young sporophytes were the best source of diploid synchronized cells, while antheridia were the best source of haploid cells. For meiotic nuclei, a short fixation of capsule tissue at the right developmental stage with 45% acetic acid sufficed to conserve the DNA for cytological investigations, while for mitotic nuclei, fixation in 3:1 ethanol/glacial acetic acid for a longer period (4–24 h) worked well.
Evidence for interspecific hybridization in bryophytes during pre-molecular and molecular eras
Authors: SAWANGPROH WEERACHON , CRONBERG NILS
Published: June 2021

Interspecific hybridization had been long recognized as a widespread evolutionary process in vascular plants. In the present review, we summarize knowledge concerning studies of interspecific hybridization in bryophytes before and after the advent of molecular methods. The available data indicate that hybridization is an important evolutionary phenomenon among bryophytes. Evidence for hybridization events before the molecular era is mainly based on studies of intermediacy of parental morphology. The recent molecular marker technology has revolutionized studies of hybridization, generating new insights into the genetic and evolutionary consequences of homoploid and allopolyploid speciation. The current molecular approaches support the prevalence of allopolyploidy in bryophytes. However, we anticipate that homoploid hybridization is under-reported. Finally, we suggest some directions for future studies of hybrid speciation among bryophytes.
Typification of the names Santolina ericoides and S. villosa (Asteraceae) revisited
Authors: FERRER-GALLEGO PEDRO PABLO , SÁEZ LLORENÇ , WAJER JACEK , GIACÒ ANTONIO , PERUZZI LORENZO
Published: June 2021

The typification of the species names Santolina ericoides and S. villosa (Asteraceae) are revisited. The name Santolina ericoides has been applied to plants distributed in the Iberian Peninsula and S France, and the name S. villosa has been applied to a taxon endemic to Spain. These species names have recently been neotypified from specimens kept at the herbarium of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle de Paris at P, and at the herbarium PAL (PAL-Gr), respectively. These two type designations are briefly discussed and superseded here because these neotypifications were unnecessary being contrary to Art. 9.8 of the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (Shenzhen Code). In this work, all relevant sources, specimens, illustrations, and references cited in the protologues are carefully evaluated for the purpose to fix the application of the names. We have chosen and designated the best admissible lectotype for these two names from the original material.
Neotropical Fanniidae (Insecta, Diptera): new species of Fannia from Colombia
Authors: GRISALES DIANA , WOLFF MARTA , DE CARVALHO CLAUDIO J. B.
Published: June 2021

Fannia Robineau-Desvoidy is distributed in all biogeographic regions and has about 300 species. Only seven species of Fannia are recorded from Colombia. A total of 13 new species are herein described: F. chibcha sp. nov. (Cundinamarca, Mosquera), F. chingaza sp. nov. (Cundinamarca, Parque Nacional Natural- P.N.N. Chingaza), F. dorsomaculata sp. nov. (Antioquia, Amalfi), F. embera sp. nov. (Chocó, Jobí), F. iguaque sp. nov. (Cundinamarca, P.N.N. Chingaza), F. katios sp. nov. (Chocó, P.N.N. Los Katíos), F. lamosca sp. nov. (Antioquia, San Vicente), F. magdalena sp. nov. (Antioquia, Puerto Berrio), F. pijao sp. nov. (Caldas, Manizales), F. porce sp. nov. (Antioquia, Amalfi), F. quimbaya sp. nov. (Risaralda, Santuario de Flora y Fauna—S.F.F. Otún-Quimbaya), F. sumapaz sp. nov. (Cundinamarca, P.N.N. Sumapaz) and F. sutagao sp. nov. (Meta, P.N.N. Sumapaz). The majority of these species are from preserved ecosystems: forests and high mountains. The new species possibly belong to species groups of Fannia new for Colombia such as hirticeps, benjamini, grandis and anthracina. Three new records of species for Colombia, F. grandis Malloch, F. pusio (Wiedemann) and F. trimaculata (Stein), are given. An identification key to males and diagnoses and descriptions of the genus Fannia and of the species are also provided. In the addendum, photographs and illustrations of the male and female terminalia are presented.
Taxonomic Review of the Subtribe Athouina Candèze, 1859 (Coleoptera, Elateridae, Dendrometrinae, Dendrometrini) in Korea
Authors: HAN TAEMAN , PARK HAECHUL , LEE YOUNGBO , KIM NAMJEONG , ÔHIRA HITOO , PLATIA GIUSEPPE , LEE SEUNGHWAN
Published: June 2021

In this revision of the subtribe Athouina of Dendrometrini, we recognized three species including Cidnopus nigronitidus sp. nov., Limonius scutellaris (Dolin, 2003) comb. nov., all new to Korea, and Limoniscus kraatzi (Candèze, 1879) is recognized as the most abundant species in the Korean Peninsula. Previous records of Athousius humeralis (Miwa, 1927) and Limoniscus rufipennis (Lewis, 1894) have been confirmed to be misidentifications of Ampedus basalis (Mannerheim, 1852) and Corymbitodes sp., respectively and the records of Limonius eximius (Lewis, 1874) and Limoniscus vittatus (Candèze, 1873) are also questionable because no specimens are known from the Korean Peninsula.
The genus Scatopsciara Edwards (Diptera, Sciaridae) in New Caledonia, with the description of four new species
Authors: VILKAMAA PEKKA , HIPPA HEIKKI , MOHRIG WERNER
Published: June 2021

The following species of the genus Scatopsciara Edwards, 1927 are recognized from New Caledonia, all newly described: Scatopsciara (Xenopygina) exigua sp. n., Scatopsciara (s.str.) spiculata sp. n., S. (s. str.) tenuistylata sp. n. and S. (s. str.) vicina sp. n. A key to the species is given.
Cervinotaptera guilberti n.gen., n. sp. a conspicuous apterous Mezirinae from Madagascar (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Aradidae)
Authors: HEISS ERNST , MARCHAL LORÈNE
Published: June 2021

Nine genera and 19 species of apterous Mezirinae are recorded to date from Madagascar (Heiss 2012), all of them endemic. Cervinotaptera guilberti n. gen., n. sp. differs from all of them by the presence of two distinct thoracic evaporation structures and the horn of a stag-like process on pronotum.
Catalogue of living crinoids (Echinodermata: Crinoidea) from Brazil
Authors: GONDIM ANNE ISABELLEY , DE MOURA RAFAEL BENDAYAN , CHRISTOFFERSEN MARTIN LINDSEY
Published: June 2021

Knowledge of living crinoids from Brazil is chiefly restricted to the contributions of Dr Luis Roberto Tommasi between the decades of 1950 and 1970. Herein we present an updated catalogue of the crinoids occurring along the Brazilian coast, including data on synonyms, type localities, type material, geographical distribution, bathymetric ranges, and occurrences of species along the coast. The data is based on an extensive revision of the literature and on a survey of several databases. A total of 20 species were catalogued, of which two are endemic (Phrixometra longipinna var. brasiliensis and Thaumatometra minutissima). According to information from the literature, P. longipinna var. brasiliensis represents an undescribed taxon. Although Brazil supports the greatest number of crinoid species in the Southwestern Atlantic, its crinoid fauna remains understudied and likely underestimated. Research on crinoids remains a subject of great potential, not only for taxonomy but also for other areas of knowledge.
An evaluation of the nomina for death adders (Acanthophis Daudin, 1803) proposed by Wells & Wellington (1985), and confirmation of A. cryptamydros Maddock et al., 2015 as the valid name for the Kimberley death adder
Authors: ELLIS RYAN J. , KAISER HINRICH , MADDOCK SIMON T. , DOUGHTY PAUL , WÜSTER WOLFGANG
Published: June 2021

We assess the availability of four names proposed by Wells & Wellington (1985) for Australian death adders (Acanthophis). In agreement with previous literature, A. hawkei is an available name, whereas A. armstrongi, A. lancasteri, and A. schistos are not described in conformity with the requirements of Articles 13.1.1 or 13.1.2 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature and are therefore considered nomina nuda. Consequently, A. cryptamydros Maddock et al., 2015, is confirmed as the valid name for the Kimberley death adder of Western Australia. We comment on the need for greater clarity in the Code, and emphasise that the responsibility for establishing the availability of new nomina rests with their authors, not subsequent researchers.