bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FPD
etect
Authors: Das Arnab , Krishnamoorthy Sriram , Briggs Ian , Gopalakrishnan Ganesh , Tipireddy Ramakrishna
Published: August 2020

We present FPD
etect
, a low-overhead approach for detecting logical errors and soft errors affecting stencil computations without generating false positives. We develop an offline analysis that tightly estimates the number of floating-point bits preserved across stencil applications. This estimate rigorously bounds the values expected in the data space of the computation. Violations of this bound can be attributed with certainty to errors. FPD
etect
helps synthesize error detectors customized for user-specified levels of accuracy and coverage. FPD
etect
also enables overhead reduction techniques based on deploying these detectors coarsely in space and time. Experimental evaluations demonstrate the practicality of our approach.
Cooperative Software-hardware Acceleration of K-means on a Tightly Coupled CPU-FPGA System
Authors: Abdelrahman Tarek S.
Published: August 2020

We consider software-hardware acceleration of K-means clustering on the Intel Xeon+FPGA platform. We design a pipelined accelerator for K-means and combine it with CPU threads to assess performance benefits of (1) acceleration when data are only accessed from system memory and (2) cooperative CPU-FPGA acceleration. Our evaluation shows that the accelerator is up to 12.7×/2.4× faster than a single CPU thread for the assignment/update step of K-means. The cooperative use of threads and FPGA is roughly 1.9× faster than CPU threads alone or the FPGA by itself. Our approach delivers 4×–5× higher throughput compared to existing offload processing approaches.
Physical and Electrolytic Properties of Dialkoxyethanes
Authors: Nambu Noritoshi
Published: August 2020

Dialkoxyethanes show high relative permittivities and low viscosities as compared to the corresponding linear carbonates. I describe the physical and electrolytic properties of 1,2-diethoxyethane (DEE) and its derivatives: monofluorinated, trifluorinated, and tetrafluorinated DEEs (EFEE, ETFEE, and FETFEE, respectively). The relative permittivity and viscosity of EFEE and FETFEE were higher than those of DEE. The kinematic viscosity of ETFEE was as low as that of DEE above 323 K. The conductivities of 1 mol dm−3 LiPF6 solutions in EFEE and FETFEE were higher than that in ETFEE.
Finite-Time Adaptive Tracking Control for a Class of Pure-Feedback Nonlinear Systems with Disturbances via Decoupling Technique
Authors: Zhu Qiangqiang , Niu Ben , Li Shengtao , Duan Peiyong , Yang Dong
Published: August 2020

This paper addresses the finite-time adaptive tracking control problem for a class of pure feedback nonlinear systems whose nonaffine functions may not be differentiable. By properly modeling the nonaffine function, the design difficulty of the pure feedback structure is overcome without using the median value theorem. In our design procedure, an finite-time adaptive controller is elaborately developed using the decoupling technology, which eliminates the limitation assumption on the partial derivatives of nonaffine functions. Furthermore, the constructed controller can stabilize the system within a finite-time so that all signals in the closed-loop system are semiglobally uniformly finite-time bounded (SGUFB), while ensuring the tracking performance. Finally, the simulation results prove the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Polymorphonuclear Cell Chemotaxis and Suicidal NETosis: Simultaneous Observation Using fMLP, PMA, H7, and Live Cell Imaging
Authors: Pai Delou , Gruber Michael , Pfaehler Sophie-Marie , Bredthauer Andre , Lehle Karla , Trabold Benedikt
Published: August 2020

Chemotaxis and the formation of suicidal neutrophil extracellular traps (suicidal NETosis) are key functions of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). Neutrophil extracellular traps in particular are known to be significantly involved in the severity of inflammatory and immunological disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease. Therefore, detailed knowledge of PMNs is essential for analyzing the mechanisms involved in, and developing new therapies for, such diseases. To date, no standard method to analyze these cell activities has been established. This study used in vitro live cell imaging to simultaneously observe and analyze PMN functions. To demonstrate this, the effects of phorbol-12-myristat-13-acetat (PMA, 0.1-10 nM), N-formylmethionine-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP, 10 nM), and protein kinase C inhibitor 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7) on PMN chemotaxis and suicidal NETosis were studied. PMA (1 nM-10 nM) resulted in significant concentration-dependent behavior in chemotaxis and an earlier onset of maximum oxidative burst and NET formation of up to 44%. When adding H7, PMA-triggered PMN functions were reduced, demonstrating that all three functions rely mostly on protein kinase C (PKC) activity, while PKC is not essential for fMLP-induced PMN activity. Thus, the method here described can be used to objectively quantify PMN functions and, especially through the regulation of the PKC pathway, could be useful in further clinical studies of immunological disorders.
Development and Validation of a Seven‐Gene Signature for Predicting the Prognosis of Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Yingqing , Zhang Xiaoping , Lv Xiaodong , Zhang Ming , Gao Xixi , Liu Jialiang , Xu Yufen , Fang Zhixian , Chen Wenyu
Published: August 2020

Background. Prognosis is a main factor affecting the survival of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), yet no robust prognostic model of high effectiveness has been developed. This study is aimed at constructing a stable and practicable gene signature‐based model via bioinformatics methods for predicting the prognosis of LUAD sufferers. Methods. The mRNA expression data were accessed from the TCGA‐LUAD dataset, and paired clinical information was collected from the GDC website. R package “edgeR” was employed to select the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were then used for the construction of a gene signature‐based model via univariate COX, Lasso, and multivariate COX regression analyses. Kaplan‐Meier and ROC survival analyses were conducted to comprehensively evaluate the performance of the model in predicting LUAD prognosis, and an independent dataset GSE26939 was accessed for further validation. Results. Totally, 1,655 DEGs were obtained, and a 7‐gene signature‐based risk score was developed and formulated as risk_score = 0.000245∗NTSR1 + (7.13E − 05)∗RHOV + 0.000505∗KLK8 + (7.01E − 05)∗TNS4 + 0.000288∗C1QTNF6 + 0.00044∗IVL + 0.000161∗B4GALNT2. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves revealed that the survival rate of patients in the high‐risk group was lower in both the TCGA‐LUAD dataset and GSE26939 relative to that of patients in the low‐risk group. The relationship between the risk score and clinical characteristics was further investigated, finding that the model was effective in prognosis prediction in the patients with different age (age > 65, age < 65) and TNM stage (N0&N1, T1&T2, and tumor stage I/II). In sum, our study provides a robust predictive model for LUAD prognosis, which boosts the clinical research on LUAD and helps to explore the mechanism underlying the occurrence and progression of LUAD.
Identification of New Targets and the Virtual Screening of Lignans against Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: dos Santos Maia Mayara , Rodrigues Gabriela Cristina Soares , de Sousa Natália Ferreira , Scotti Marcus Tullius , Scotti Luciana , Mendonça-Junior Francisco Jaime B.
Published: August 2020

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the progressive disturbance in cognition and affects approximately 36 million people, worldwide. However, the drugs used to treat this disease are only moderately effective and do not alter the course of the neurodegenerative process. This is because the pathogenesis of AD is mainly associated with oxidative stress, and current drugs only target two enzymes involved in neurotransmission. Therefore, the present study sought to identify potential multitarget compounds for enzymes that are directly or indirectly involved in the oxidative pathway, with minimal side effects, for AD treatment. A set of 159 lignans were submitted to studies of QSAR and molecular docking. A combined analysis was performed, based on ligand and structure, followed by the prediction of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties. The results showed that the combined analysis was able to select 139 potentially active and multitarget lignans targeting two or more enzymes, among them are c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK-3), protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 1 (NOX1), NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), cycloxygenase 2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The authors conclude that compounds (06) austrobailignan 6, (11) anolignan c, (19) 7-epi-virolin, (64) 6-[(2R,3R,4R,5R)-3,4-dimethyl-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)oxolan-2-yl]-4-methoxy-1,3-benzodioxole, (116) ococymosin, and (135) mappiodoinin b have probabilities that confer neuroprotection and antioxidant activity and represent potential alternative AD treatment drugs or prototypes for the development of new drugs with anti-AD properties.
Fabrication and Study on Thermal Conductivity, Electrical Properties, and Mechanical Properties of the Lightweight Carbon/Carbon Fiber Composite
Authors: Tang Bo , Wang Ying , Yu Jinhong , Yang Ke , Lu Yonggen , Wu Xinfeng , Sun Kai , Li Xiaofeng , Fan Runhua , Shi Danda , Shao Wei
Published: August 2020

In this paper, lightweight carbon/carbon fiber composite thermal field insulation materials were fabricated by the process method of long carbon fiber airflow netting-needle punching forming felt-resin impregnation-molding curing-high-temperature carbonization and graphitization. The microscopic morphology, conductivity, bending strength, and thermal conductivity of carbon/carbon fiber composites were measured by using the scanning electron microscope (SEM), four probes, electronic universal testing machine, and thermal analyzer. The results show that the long carbon fiber in the carbon/carbon fiber composite forms a three-dimensional structure of X-Y-Z with a density of 0.16 ± 0.02 g/cm3, which makes the composite material have excellent thermal insulation performance at high temperature, and the conductivity is 1452.4 S/m (plane direction) and 182.8 S/m (perpendicular to the plane direction), the compressive strength is 0.2 MPa (plane direction) and 1.31 MPa (perpendicular to the plane direction), the bending strength is 0.24 MPa (plane direction) and 1.1 MPa (perpendicular to the plane direction), and the thermal conductivity is 0.076 W/(mK) (25°C) and 0.17 W/(mK) (1200°C), respectively. The above process methods and test results will provide the application of the carbon/carbon fiber composite in the solar polysilicon furnace, single crystal silicon furnace, semiconductor furnace, sapphire furnace, fiber drawing furnace, and high-end metallurgical heat treatment furnaces, as well as applications in other high-temperature insulation environments, and also provide some suggestions in these insulation applications.
Micheliolide Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation by Modulating the mROS/NF-κB/NLRP3 Axis in Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells
Authors: Lei Xianghong , Li Shuting , Luo Congwei , Wang Yuxian , Liu Yanxia , Xu Zhaozhong , Huang Qianyin , Zou Fangqin , Chen Yihua , Peng Fenfen , Long Haibo
Published: August 2020

Chronic kidney disease is a common disease closely related to renal tubular inflammation and oxidative stress, and no effective treatment is available. Activation of the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is an important factor in renal inflammation, but the mechanism remains unclear. Micheliolide (MCL), which is derived from parthenolide, is a new compound with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects and has multiple roles in tumors and inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of MCL on lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced inflammation in renal tubular cells and the related mechanism. We found that MCL significantly suppressed the LPS-induced NF-κB signaling and inflammatory expression of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in a rat renal proximal tubular cell line (NRK-52E). MCL also prevented LPS- and adenosine triphosphate-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vitro, as evidenced by the inhibition of NLRP3 expression, caspase-1 cleavage, and interleukin-1β and interleukin-18 maturation and secretion. Additionally, MCL inhibited the reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential and decreases the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, MCL can prevent NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by rotenone, a well-known mitochondrial ROS (mROS) agonist, indicating that the mechanism of MCL’s anti-inflammatory effect may be closely related to the mROS. In conclusion, our study indicates that MCL can inhibit LPS-induced renal inflammation through suppressing the mROS/NF-κB/NLRP3 axis in tubular epithelial cells.
Dynamics Analysis of a Stochastic Hybrid Logistic Model with Delay and Two-Pulse Perturbations
Authors: Qi Haokun , Guo Hua
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we propose and discuss a stochastic logistic model with delay, Markovian switching, Lévy jump, and two-pulse perturbations. First, sufficient criteria for extinction, nonpersistence in the mean, weak persistence, persistence in the mean, and stochastic permanence of the solution are gained. Then, we investigate the lower (upper) growth rate of the solutions. At last, we make use of Matlab to illustrate the main results and give an explanation of biological implications: the large stochastic disturbances are disadvantageous for the persistence of the population; excessive impulsive harvesting or toxin input can lead to extinction of the population.
Phthisis Bulbi in a Retinitis Pigmentosa Patient after Argus II Implantation
Authors: Woude Logan Vander , Roohipour Ramak , Khurshid Gibran Syed
Published: August 2020

Purpose. To report a previously unreported complication of phthisis after Argus II prosthesis implantation in a retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patient. Case. A 61-year-old male with advanced RP presented to the retina clinic. The patient had a history of vitrectomy in both eyes (OU) in Cuba in 1996. Pre-op visual acuity (VA) was no light perception (NLP) in the right eye and light perception (LP) in the left eye. The patient met the criteria for Argus II implantation and elected to proceed with surgery in his left eye in December 2017. The surgical implantation of the Argus II was successful without any complications. On postoperative day 1, his VA was stable at LP. He was satisfied with his ambulatory vision after the electrodes were turned on. Four months after surgery, the patient was complaining of aching pain; he was found to have preseptal cellulitis and was started on antibiotics. This swelling improved over two weeks, but when the patient returned, he had a two mm hyphema associated with mild ocular inflammation without an inciting event or reason on exam. The hyphema was treated and resolved after two weeks. However, one month after the hyphema resolved, at postoperative month six, the patient’s vision in his left eye became NLP and began to demonstrate phthisical changes, including hypotony, Descemet membrane folds, and a vascular posterior capsular membrane. Discussion. The theoretical causes of phthisis bulbi after Argus II implantation include fibrous downgrowth, ciliary shut down due to immune reaction, inflammation, or trauma. While the cause of phthisis in this Argus patient is not certain and possibly multifactorial, it is important to note that phthisis is a possible complication of an Argus II implant, as this patient had no other obvious insult or reason for the phthisical change.
A Review on Pyroprocessing Techniques for Selected Wastes Used for Blended Cement Production Applications
Authors: Nalobile Protus , Wachira Jackson Muthengia , Thiong’o Joseph Karanja , Marangu Joseph Mwiti
Published: August 2020

Pyroprocessing is an important stage in cement manufacturing. In this process, materials are subjected to high temperatures so as to cause a chemical or physical change. Its control improves efficiency in energy utilization and hence enhances production for good quality assurance. Kilns used in cement manufacturing are complex in nature. They have longer time constants, and raw materials used have variable properties. They are therefore difficult to control. Additionally, the inclusion of various alternative fuels in burning makes the process more complex as the fuel characteristics remain inconsistent throughout the kiln operation. Fuel intensity standards for kilns using fuel oil are very high, ranging from 2.9 GJ to 7.5 GJ/ton of clinker produced. Grinding of clinker consumes power in the range of 2.5 kWh/ton of clinker produced. These and other pyroprocessing parameters make cement production costly. The pyroprocessing process in kilns and the grinding technologies therefore have to be optimized for best processing. This paper discusses the cement manufacturing and grinding processes. The traditional kiln technologies and the current and emerging technologies together with general fuel and energy requirements of cement manufacturing have been discussed. From the discussion, it has been established that the cement manufacturing and grinding technologies are capital‐intensive investments. The kiln processes are advanced and use both electricity and natural fuels which are expensive and limited factors of production. The raw materials used in cement manufacturing are also limited and sometimes rare. The calcination of the raw materials requires external energy input which has contributed to the high cost of cement especially to low‐income population in the developing countries. Self‐calcining materials, in which the pozzolanic materials burn on their own, are potential pozzolanic materials with great potential to lower the cost of cement production. Such materials, as shown from the previous research study, are rice husks, broken bricks, spent bleaching earth, and lime sludge. There is a need, therefore, for research to look into ways of making cement using kiln processes that would use this property. This will be cost‐effective if successful. It can be done at micro‐ and small‐scale enterprise.
Associated Credit Risk Contagion with Incubatory Period: A Network-Based Perspective
Authors: Xu Kai , Mo Jianming , Qian Qian , Zhang Fengying , Xie Xiaofeng , Zhou Zongfang
Published: August 2020

Associated credit risk is a kind of credit risk among the associated credit entities formed by credit-related entities. Focusing on this hot topic of associated credit risk and the relevant contagion and considering the latent entities and their incubatory period, this paper builds an infectious dynamic model to describe the associated credit risk contagion of associated credit entities based on the mean-field theory of complex networks. Firstly, this paper analyzes the stable state of the associated credit risk contagion in the associated entity network, considering the latent entities and their incubatory period. Secondly, from the perspective of complex network and considering the incubatory period, a SHIS model is built to reveal how the incubatory period influences associated credit risk contagion. Finally, the sensitivity of some parameters is analyzed in the Barabási–Albert (BA) scale-free network. The results show the following: (i) the contagion threshold of associated credit risk is related to the incubatory period of latent entities, the recovery rate and infectivity of infected entities, and the newborn rate of credit entities; (ii) the infectious rate of infected entities, the mortality rate of credit entities, and the important factors stated in (i) are all significantly correlated with the density of infected entities.
Data-Driven Model for Rockburst Prediction
Authors: Zhao Hongbo , Chen Bingrui
Published: August 2020

Rockburst is an extremely complex dynamic instability phenomenon for rock engineering. Due to the complex and unclear mechanism of rockburst, it is difficult to predict precisely and evaluate reasonably the potential of rockburst. With the development of data science and increasing of case history from rock engineering, the data-driven method provides a good way to mine the complex phenomenon of rockburst and then was used to predict the potential of rockburst. In this study, deep learning was adopted to build the data-driven model of rockburst prediction based on the rockburst datasets collected from the literature. The data-driven model was built based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) and compared with the traditional neural network. The results show that the data-driven model can effectively mine the complex phenomenon and mechanism of rockburst. And the proposed method not only can predict the rank of rockburst but also can compute the probability of rockburst for each corresponding rank. It provides a promising and reasonable approach to predict or evaluate the rockburst.
Conceptual Design and Finite Element Fatigue Life Analysis of a Poppet Valve Spring Compressor
Authors: Simons Anthony , Quartey Gideon , Frimpong Asante Nathaniel
Published: August 2020

In the overhauling of the internal combustion engine, a lot of tools are used and among them is the poppet valve spring compressor. In Ghana, auto mechanics at the “way-side” garages make use of improvised tools, such as pipes, pliers, and push rods, for compressing valve springs. However, there are some challenges associated with the usage of these tools which include misplacement of cotters, injuries, and sometimes valve bends. In this work, a review of some of the existing designs of the improvised tools was considered. Also, a survey was conducted to seek the opinion of users (auto technicians and/or mechanics) of the tools. A design was made for spring compression by incorporating a magnet with a pull force of 679.78 N to take care of the removal of cotters during valve assembly dismantling. In this research, an efficient and user-friendly poppet valve spring compression tool with a total mass of 0.88 kg was designed. Finite element analysis (FEA) was performed on the upper and lower parts of the tool to examine its response due to the loads that act on it during operation. It was discovered from the analysis that the upper frame of the valve spring compressor experienced the highest von Mises stress of 59.77 MPa at the neck region, whilst the corresponding fatigue analysis showed a maximum fatigue life of 8.355 × 109 cycles.
Ship Target Detection Based on Improved YOLO Network
Authors: Huang Hong , Sun Dechao , Wang Renfang , Zhu Chun , Liu Bangquan
Published: August 2020

Ship target detection is an important guarantee for the safe passage of ships on the river. However, the ship image in the river is difficult to recognize due to the factors such as clouds, buildings on the bank, and small volume. In order to improve the accuracy of ship target detection and the robustness of the system, we improve YOLOv3 network and present a new method, called Ship-YOLOv3. Firstly, we preprocess the inputting image through guided filtering and gray enhancement. Secondly, we use k-means++ clustering on the dimensions of bounding boxes to get good priors for our model. Then, we change the YOLOv3 network structure by reducing part of convolution operation and adding the jump join mechanism to decrease feature redundancy. Finally, we load the weight of PASCAL VOC dataset into the model and train it on the ship dataset. The experiment shows that the proposed method can accelerate the convergence speed of the network, compared with the existing YOLO algorithm. On the premise of ensuring real-time performance, the precision of ship identification is improved by 12.5%, and the recall rate is increased by 11.5%.
Internalized Stigma and Associated Factors among Patients with Major Depressive Disorder at the Outpatient Department of Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2019: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Alemayehu Yadeta , Demilew Demeke , Asfaw Getachew , Asfaw Henock , Alemnew Nigus , Tadesse Agitu
Published: August 2020

Background. Internalized stigma has been found to be widespread among patients with major depressive disorder. When internalized stigma exists in patients with depression at a high level, it worsens the treatment outcome and quality of life. So the aim of the study is to assess the magnitude of internalized stigma and associated factors among outpatients with major depressive disorder at Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods and Materials. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 415 respondents from May 6 to June 13, 2019. Internalized stigma was assessed by using the internalized stigma of mental illness scale. Data was entered to Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic analysis was done, and p values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant with 95% CI. Results. The prevalence of high internalized stigma among patients with major depressive disorder was 33.5% (95% CI: 29.2, 38.3). Being single (AOR=2.54, 95% CI: 1.30, 4.95), having an illness greater than or equal to 2 years of duration (AOR=3.21, 95% CI: 1.66, 6.19), history of suicidal attempt (AOR=2.33, 95% CI: 1.35, 3.99), nonadherence to treatment (AOR=2.93, 95% CI: 1.62, 5.29), poor social support (AOR=4.72, 95% CI: 2.09, 10.64), and poor quality of life (AOR=3.16, 95% CI: 1.82, 5.49) were significantly associated with high internalized stigma at p value < 0.05. Conclusion. The magnitude of internalized stigma was high among patients with major depressive disorder. Reduction of internalized stigma through antistigma campaigns and supports given to patients at the earliest possible time is important to improve treatment outcome and quality of life and minimize suicidal behavior in patients with major depressive disorder.
The Effect of Boattail Angles on the Near-Wake Structure of Axisymmetric Afterbody Models at Low-Speed Condition
Authors: Tran The Hung
Published: August 2020

The effect of a boattail angle on the structure of the wake of an axisymmetric model was investigated at low-speed condition. Four conical boattail models with angles of 0° (blunt-based body), 10°, 16°, and 22° were selected for this study. The Reynolds number based on the diameter of the model was around 1.97×104. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) was used to measure the velocity of the wake flow. The time-averaged flow characteristics including the length of recirculation of the afterbody, turbulent intensity, and Reynolds shear stress were analyzed and compared among those boattail models. The experimental results showed that the length of recirculation decreases with increasing boattail angle to 16°. At a boattail angle above 16°, the flow was fully separated near the shoulder and near-wake structure was highly changed. The turbulent intensity at a boattail angle of 22° showed a similar level to that in the case of the blunt-based body. Flow behavior on boattail surface should be accounted as an important parameter affecting the wake width and drag of the model. Power spectral density and proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) analyses showed that a Strouhal number of StD=0.2 dominated for the boattail model up to 16°. The fully separated flow was dominated by a Strouhal number of StD=0.03−0.06, which was firstly presented in this study.
MTGPLP Approach for Traffic Signal Intelligent Control
Authors: Li Ya , Liu Renhuai , Zou Yuanyang , Ma Yingshuang , Wang Guoxin
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we state a combining programming approach to optimize traffic signal control problem. The objective of the model is to minimize the total queue length with weight factors at the end of each phase. Then, modified Twin Gaussian Process (MTGP) is employed to predict the arrival rates for the traffic signal control problem. For achieving automatic control of the traffic signal, an intelligent control method of the traffic signal is proposed in view of the combining method, that is to say, the combining method of MTGP and LP, called MTGPLP, is embraced in the intelligent control system. Furthermore, some numerical experiments are proposed to test the validity of the model and the MTGPLP approach. In particular, the results of numerical experiments show that the model is effective with different arrival rates, departure rates, and weight factors and the combining method is successful.
Transition Threshold of Granite Mechanical Characteristics at High Temperature
Authors: Guo Hongjun , Ji Ming , Liu Dapeng
Published: August 2020

No unified criterion exists for the transition threshold of rock mechanical characteristics. We combine rock stress‐strain curves to propose an increment ratio of axial pressure based on uniaxial compression tests on granite at high temperature. The behavior of the increment ratio of strain, elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and energy with axial pressure is analyzed, and the following conclusions are drawn. (1) High temperatures aggravate rock deterioration, reduce failure strength, and enhance ductility characteristics. (2) Under loading, the compression‐to‐elasticity and elasticity‐to‐plasticity transition thresholds for rock occur, respectively, at 20%–35% and 75%–80% stress levels at temperatures of 25–800°C. (3) The source data for calculating rock deformation parameters or unloading points for unloading tests can be selected over the stress level range of 35%–75%.
Intratumoral IL12 mRNA Therapy Promotes TH1 Transformation of the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Hewitt Susannah L. , Bailey Dyane , Zielinski John , Apte Ameya , Musenge Faith , Karp Russell , Burke Shannon , Garcon Fabien , Mishra Ankita , Gurumurthy Sushma , Watkins Amanda , Arnold Kristen , Moynihan James , Clancy-Thompson Eleanor , Mulgrew Kathy , Adjei Grace , Deschler Katharina , Potz Darren , Moody Gordon , Leinster David A. , Novick Steve , Sulikowski Michal , Bagnall Chris , Martin Philip , Lapointe Jean-Martin , Si Han , Morehouse Chris , Sedic Maja , Wilkinson Robert W. , Herbst Ronald , Frederick Joshua P. , Luheshi Nadia
Published: August 2020

Purpose:

While immune checkpoint inhibitors such as anti–PD-L1 are rapidly becoming the standard of care in the treatment of many cancers, only a subset of treated patients have long-term responses. IL12 promotes antitumor immunity in mouse models; however, systemic recombinant IL12 had significant toxicity and limited efficacy in early clinical trials.

Experimental Design:

We therefore designed a novel intratumoral IL12 mRNA therapy to promote local IL12 tumor production while mitigating systemic effects.

Results:

A single intratumoral dose of mouse (m)IL12 mRNA induced IFNγ and CD8+ T-cell–dependent tumor regression in multiple syngeneic mouse models, and animals with a complete response demonstrated immunity to rechallenge. Antitumor activity of mIL12 mRNA did not require NK and NKT cells. mIL12 mRNA antitumor activity correlated with TH1 tumor microenvironment (TME) transformation. In a PD-L1 blockade monotherapy-resistant model, antitumor immunity induced by mIL12 mRNA was enhanced by anti–PD-L1. mIL12 mRNA also drove regression of uninjected distal lesions, and anti–PD-L1 potentiated this response. Importantly, intratumoral delivery of mRNA encoding membrane-tethered mIL12 also drove rejection of uninjected lesions with very limited circulating IL12p70, supporting the hypothesis that local IL12 could induce a systemic antitumor immune response against distal lesions. Furthermore, in ex vivo patient tumor slice cultures, human IL12 mRNA (MEDI1191) induced dose-dependent IL12 production, downstream IFNγ expression and TH1 gene expression.

Conclusions:

These data demonstrate the potential for intratumorally delivered IL12 mRNA to promote TH1 TME transformation and robust antitumor immunity.

See related commentary by Cirella et al., p. 6080
Tragédia, destino dos ossos
Authors: Souza Luiz Paulo Pimentel de
Published: August 2020

Dialogando com a perspectiva histórica adotada por Raymond Williams em sua análise sobre a experiência trágica, este artigo perspectiva investigar conexões entre o tempo presente e a tragédia. Com base em disputas políticas operadas a partir do par memória-esquecimento, focalizamos a prática da exumação como plataforma para pensarmos a possibilidade de tragédia no contemporâneo. Tal prática é aqui entendida como um procedimento que, ao instaurar ruptura e violência em relação à memória e aos vestígios dos mortos, permite a abertura de um espaço agonístico de tensão política. Dessa maneira, trazemos à tona episódios do período da abertura democrática brasileira (1975-1985) que sublinham o diálogo entre o Estado, a cultura e a produção de narrativas sobre o país. Por fim, aproximando este período do projeto governamental respaldado pela eleição de 2018, avizinhamos os sentidos da experiência trágica contemporânea à estruturação de uma arquitetura política que desprezaria o gesto da exumação em prol da defesa do esquecimento histórico e da irreversibilidade das cinzas.
Não precisa morrer pra ver Deus
Authors: Matsunaga Priscila Saemi
Published: August 2020

O texto apresenta uma leitura da tragédia Medeia, de Eurípides, em especial a fala do Mensageiro com a qual relata a morte de Gláucia e Creonte. Como hipótese de leitura, a fala apresenta questões relacionadas ao que convencionamos chamar de “fetichismo”. Para encaminhar a discussão, este texto faz considerações sobre a “teoria do valor” em Marx.
A delimitação do erro grosseiro na jurisprudência do Tribunal de Contas da União
Authors: Andrade Ingrid Caroline Santos , Santos Aline Sueli De Salles
Published: August 2020

A presente pesquisa trata da delimitação do erro grosseiro dentro da jurisprudência do Tribunal de Contas da União. A Lei 13.655/2018 inclui na Lei de Introdução às Normas do Direito Brasileiro (Decreto-Lei 4.657/1942) dispositivos acerca da eficiência na criação e aplicação do direito público e disposições sobre segurança jurídica, entre as suas alterações, inclui-se o artigo 28 que trouxe novas definições relativas à responsabilização do agente público. Através de método indutivo com análise da doutrina e jurisprudência do Tribunal de contas, esta pesquisa busca abordar os aspectos relativos ao controle e apuração da responsabilidade perante esse tribunal, as recentes mudanças na LINDB com enfoque no artigo 28 e a aplicação dessas alterações na jurisprudência do Tribunal de Contas da União.
Atrial Fibrillation and Dementia
Authors: Bunch T. Jared
Published: August 2020

Atrial fibrillation is associated with multiple adverse comorbidities, including the development of dementia in patients with and without a history of stroke. Mechanistic models have been proposed to explain the association of AF and dementia. Alterations of brain perfusion from embolic events, bleeding, and rhythm-related hypoperfusion underlie many of these models. Multiple mediators such as oxidative injury, inflammatory and autoimmune mechanisms, and genetic predisposition also interplay in the disease association. There are potential therapeutic opportunities to reduce dementia risk, including early and effective use of anticoagulation and strategies to improve brain perfusion through rhythm and rate control approaches. Prospective trials are needed to evaluate these therapeutic opportunities that carefully measure cognitive function and dementia incidence.
Time Trends in Pulmonary Embolism Mortality Rates in the United States, 1999 to 2018
Authors: Martin Karlyn A. , Molsberry Rebecca , Cuttica Michael J. , Desai Kush R. , Schimmel Daniel R. , Khan Sadiya S.
Published: August 2020

Background

Although historical trends before 1998 demonstrated improvements in mortality caused by pulmonary embolism (PE), contemporary estimates of mortality trends are unknown. Therefore, our objective is to describe trends in death rates caused by PE in the United States, overall and by sex‐race, regional, and age subgroups.

Methods and Results

We used nationwide death certificate data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide‐Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research to calculate age‐adjusted mortality rates for PE as underlying cause of death from 1999 to 2018. We used the Joinpoint regression program to examine statistical trends and average annual percent change. Trends in PE mortality rates reversed after an inflection point in 2008, with an average annual percent change before 2008 of −4.4% (−5.7, −3.0,
P
<0.001), indicating reduction in age‐adjusted mortality rates of 4.4% per year between 1999 and 2008, versus average annual percent change after 2008 of +0.6% (0.2, 0.9,
P
<0.001). Black men and women had approximately 2‐fold higher age‐adjusted mortality rates compared with White men and women, respectively, before and after the inflection point. Similar trends were seen in geographical regions. Age‐adjusted mortality rates for younger adults (25–64 years) increased during the study period (average annual percent change 2.1% [1.6, 2.6]) and remained stable for older adults (>65 years).

Conclusions

Our study findings demonstrate that PE mortality has increased over the past decade and racial and geographic disparities persist. Identifying the underlying drivers of these changing mortality trends and persistently observed disparities is necessary to mitigate the burden of PE‐related mortality, particularly premature preventable PE deaths among younger adults (<65 years).
Open access at the national level: A comprehensive analysis of publications by Finnish researchers
Authors: Pölönen Janne , Laakso Mikael , Guns Raf , Kulczycki Emanuel , Sivertsen Gunnar
Published: August 2020

Open access (OA) has mostly been studied by relying on publication data from selective international databases, notably Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus. The aim of our study is to show that it is possible to achieve a national estimate of the number and share of OA based on institutional publication data providing a comprehensive coverage of the peer-reviewed outputs across fields, publication types, and languages. Our data consists of 48,177 journal, conference, and book publications from 14 Finnish universities in 2016–2017, including information about OA status, as self-reported by researchers and validated by data-collection personnel through their Current Research Information System (CRIS). We investigate the WoS, Scopus, and DOI coverage, as well as the share of OA outputs between different fields, publication types, languages, OA mechanisms (gold, hybrid, and green), and OA information sources (DOAJ, Bielefeld list, and Sherpa/Romeo). We also estimate the role of the largest international commercial publishers compared to the not-for-profit Finnish national publishers of journals and books. We conclude that institutional data, integrated at national and international level, provides one of the building blocks of a large-scale data infrastructure needed for comprehensive assessment and monitoring of OA across countries, for example at the European level.
Clinical utility of anti-DFS70 for identifying antinuclear antibody-positive patients without systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease
Authors: Tan TC , Ng CYL , Leong KP
Published: August 2020

INTRODUCTION The antinuclear antibody (ANA) test is a screening test for systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD). We hypothesised that the presence of anti-DFS70 in ANA-positive samples was associated with a false-positive ANA test and negatively associated with SARD. METHODS A retrospective analysis of patient samples received for ANA testing from 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016 was performed. Patient samples underwent ANA testing via indirect immunofluorescence method and anti-DFS70 testing using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Among a total of 645 ANA-positive samples, the majority (41.7%) were positive at a titre of 1:80. The commonest nuclear staining pattern (65.5%) was speckled. Only 9.5% of ANA-positive patients were diagnosed with SARD. Anti-DFS70 was found to be present in 10.0% of ANA-positive patients. The majority (51/59, 86.4%) of patients did not have SARD. Seven patients had positive ANA titre > 1:640, the presence of anti-double stranded DNA and/or anti-Ro60. The presence of anti-DFS70 in ANA-positive patients was not associated with the absence of SARD (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.245). CONCLUSION The presence of anti-DFS70 was associated with a false-positive ANA test in 8.6% of our patients. Anti-DFS70 was not associated with the absence of SARD.
Nupela eremica sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta, Naviculaceae) from a páramo lake in the Colombian Andes

Authors: BLANCO SAÚL , MUÑOZ-LÓPEZ CLAUDIA L. , RIVERA-RONDÓN CARLOS A.
Published: August 2020

A new species, Nupela eremica sp. nov. is described from a high mountain lake located in the Eastern Range of Colombian Andes. The new taxon was studied from sediment and epiphyton samples and under light and scanning electron microscope. Comparison with morphologically similar taxa is showed. N. giluwensis, N. carolina, N. gomphosphenioides, N. encyonopsis, N. incerta, N. neglecta, N. tenuicephala, and N. exilissima show morphometric values overlapping those of Nupela eremica sp. nov. The combination of valve size and outline is unique and justifies the erection of this new species.
A revision of the genus Bubastes Laporte & Gory, 1836 (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)
Authors: BÍLÝ SVATOPLUK , HANLON MARK
Published: August 2020

Taxonomic revision of the genus Bubastes Laporte & Gory, 1836. Thirteen new species are described: Bubastes barkeri sp. nov. (New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria), B. deserta sp. nov. (South Australia), B. dichroa sp. nov. (Western Australia), B. flavocaerulea sp. nov. (New South Wales, Queensland), B. hasenpuschi sp. nov. (Queensland), B. iridiventris sp. nov. (Western Australia), B. iris sp. nov. (Western Australia), B. macmillani sp. nov. (Western Australia), B. magnifica sp. nov. (Queensland, New South Wales), B. michaelpowelli sp. nov. (Western Australia), B. pilbarensis sp. nov. (Western Australia), B. remota sp. nov. (Northern Territory) and B. viridiaurea sp. nov. (Western Australia). The following seventeen new synonyms are proposed: Bubastes thomsoni Obenberger, 1928, syn. nov. = B. australasiae Obenberger, 1922, B. olivina Obenberger, 1920, syn. nov. = Neraldus bostrychoides Théry 1910, B. boisduvali Obenberger, 1941, syn. nov. = B. erbeni Obenberger, 1941, B. borealis Obenberger, 1941, syn. nov. = B. globicollis Thomson, 1879, B. laticollis Blackburn, 1888, syn. nov. = B. globicollis Thomson, 1879, B. simillima Obenberger, 1922, syn. nov. = B. globicollis Thomson, 1879, B. obscura Obenberger, 1922, syn. nov. = B. inconsistans Thomson, 1879, B. septentrionalis Obenberger, 1941, syn. nov. = B. inconsistans Thomson, 1879, B. viridicupraea Obenberger, 1922, syn. nov. = B. inconsistans Thomson, 1879, B. blackburni Obenberger, 1941, syn. nov. = B. kirbyi Obenberger, 1928, B. chapmani Obenberger, 1941, syn. nov. = B. kirbyi Obenberger, 1928, B. aenea Obenberger, 1922, syn. nov. = B. niveiventris Obenberger, 1922, B. saundersi Obenberger, 1928, syn. nov. = B. odewahni Obenberger, 1928, B. occidentalis Blackburn, 1891, syn. nov. = B. sphaenoida Laporte & Gory, 1836, B. persplendens Obenberger, 1920, syn. nov. = B. sphaenoida Laporte & Gory, 1836, B. splendens Blackburn, 1891, syn. nov. = B. sphaenoida Laporte & Gory, 1836 and B. strandi Obenberger, 1920, syn. nov. = B. suturalis Carter, 1915. Neotype is designated and redescribed for Bubastes cylindrica W. J. Macleay, 1888 and lectotypes are designated for Bubastes thomsoni Obenberger, 1928 and B. leai Carter, 1924. Morphological characters of the genus are presented and all species are illustrated (incl. historical types) and a key is provided for all species of the genus.
The clearwing moths (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae) of Australia, New Guinea and the Pacific Islands
Authors: KALLIES AXEL
Published: August 2020

In this study, the clearwing moths (Sesiidae) of Australia, New Guinea and the Pacific Islands are reviewed. A total of 58 species belonging to 18 genera are recognized as native to this region. This includes the following new species and genera: Lophocnema mackeyi spec. nov. (Australia), Oligophlebia insurgia spec. nov. (New Guinea), Micrecia capillaria spec. nov. (New Guinea), Micrecia kuukuyau spec. nov. (Australia), Micrecia hawkei spec. nov. (Australia), Lamellisphecia sanguinea spec. nov. (New Guinea), Specodoptera hiltoni spec. nov. (New Guinea), Specodoptera hiltoni hibernia spec. nov., ssp. nov. (New Guinea), Aegerosphecia rufea spec. nov. (New Guinea), Melittia flanneryi spec. nov. (New Guinea), Melittia pyroptella spec. nov. (Australia), Archaeosesia milleri gen. nov. et spec. nov. (New Guinea), Nokona kungkay spec. nov. (Australia), Nokona bipora spec. nov. (New Guinea), Pseudosesia muyuae spec. nov. (New Guinea), Pseudosesia sumoensis spec. nov. (New Guinea), Pseudosesia sepikensis spec. nov. (New Guinea), Paranthrenella terminalia spec. nov. (New Guinea), Paranthrenella brandti spec. nov. (New Guinea), Paranthrenella lelatensis sp. nov. (New Guinea). Furthermore, 35 new combinations and each four new generic and species synonyms are introduced, while two genera and three species are resurrected from synonymy. Each 4 taxa at the species and genus levels are considered new synonyms. Six species are listed that originally derive from Africa, Europe, Northern Africa or Central America and were introduced into Australia or some of the Pacific Islands accidentally or deliberately.
Thermal Signatures of Peri-Urban Landscapes
Authors: Gough William A.
Published: August 2020

A new thermal metric is examined that is based on the ratio of day-to-day warm and cold surface temperature transitions. Urban and rural sites in Canada are examined using this new metric for the minimum temperature, maximum temperature, and mean temperature of the day. A distinctive signature emerges for “peri-urban” landscapes—landscapes at the urban–rural interface—and thus may provide a useful and relatively easy way to detect such environments using the current and historical climate records. A climatological basis for the presence of these distinct thermal signatures in peri-urban landscapes is proposed.
Microphysical Insights into Ice Pellet Formation Revealed by Fully Polarimetric Ka-Band Doppler Radar
Authors: Kumjian Matthew R. , Tobin Dana M. , Oue Mariko , Kollias Pavlos
Published: August 2020

Fully polarimetric scanning and vertically pointing Doppler spectral data from the state-of-the-art Stony Brook University Ka-band Scanning Polarimetric Radar (KASPR) are analyzed for a long-duration case of ice pellets over central Long Island in New York from 12 February 2019. Throughout the period of ice pellets, a classic refreezing signature was present, consisting of a secondary enhancement of differential reflectivity ZDR beneath the melting layer within a region of decreasing reflectivity factor at horizontal polarization ZH and reduced copolar correlation coefficient ρhv. The KASPR radar data allow for evaluation of previously proposed hypotheses to explain the refreezing signature. It is found that, upon entering a layer of locally generated columnar ice crystals and undergoing contact nucleation, smaller raindrops preferentially refreeze into ice pellets prior to the complete freezing of larger drops. Refreezing particles exhibit deformations in shape during freezing, leading to reduced ρhv, reduced co-to-cross-polar correlation coefficient ρxh, and enhanced linear depolarization ratio, but these shape changes do not explain the ZDR signature. The presence of columnar ice crystals, though apparently crucial for instigating the refreezing process, does not contribute enough backscattered power to affect the ZDR signature, either.