bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ATLAS Level-1 topological processor: Experience and upgrade plans
Authors: Martínez Carlos Moreno
Published: December 2020

During Run 2 (2015–2018) the Large Hadron Collider has provided, at the World’s highest energy frontier, proton–proton collisions to the ATLAS experiment with high instantaneous luminosity (up to [Formula: see text]), placing stringent operational and physics requirements on the ATLAS trigger system in order to reduce the 40 MHz collision rate to a manageable event storage rate of 1 kHz, while not rejecting interesting collisions. The Level-1 trigger is the first rate-reducing step in the ATLAS trigger system with an output rate of up to 100 kHz and decision latency of less than 2.5 [Formula: see text]s. In Run 2, an important role was played by the Level-1 Topological Processor (L1Topo). This innovative system consists of two blades designed in AdvancedTCA form factor, mounting four individual state-of-the-art processors, and providing high input bandwidth and low latency data processing. Up to 128 topological trigger algorithms can be implemented to select interesting events by applying kinematic and angular requirements on electromagnetic clusters, hadronic jets, muons and total energy reconstructed in the ATLAS apparatus. This resulted in a significantly improved background rejection and enhanced acceptance of physics signal events, despite the increasing luminosity. The L1Topo system has become more and more important for physics analyses making use of low energy objects, commonly present in the Heavy Flavor or Higgs physics events, for example. An overview of the L1Topo architecture, simulation and performance results during Run 2 is presented alongside with upgrade plans for the L1Topo system to be installed for the future Run 3 data taking period.
Toroid spectrometer for electron-ion collider
Authors: Koop Ivan
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we present two options of the toroid magnetic spectrometer dedicated to measure the energy and the polar and the azimuthal angles of the scattered from the ion’s nuclear electrons in the future electron-ion collider DERICA at JINR. These options differ by the opposite sign of the magnetic field. In one of the options, the toroid magnetic field bends electrons towards the collision line, while in the option with the inverted field a bent is done outwards from the beam axis. We show that the last case provides much larger useful fraction of a solid angle for detection of the scattered electrons. The momentum resolution of such a spectrometer is estimated.
New computations of the superbridge index
Authors: Shonkwiler Clayton
Published: December 2020

The knots [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] all have superbridge index equal to 4. This follows from new upper bounds on superbridge index not coming from the stick number and increases the number of knots from the Rolfsen table for which superbridge index is known from 29 to 49. Appendix A gives the current state of knowledge of superbridge index for prime knots through 10 crossings.
Localization operators associated with the q-Bessel wavelet transform and applications
Authors: Mejjaoli Hatem , Sraieb Nadia
Published: December 2020

This paper deals with the study of the localization operators associated with the [Formula: see text]-Bessel wavelet transform. First, we develop the notion of two [Formula: see text]-Bessel wavelets. Second, motivated by Wong’s approach, we present in our setting, the general theory on the Schatten–von Neumann class, including the boundedness and compactness and Schatten class properties. Next, we prove under suitable conditions on the symbols and two [Formula: see text]-Bessel wavelets, the boundedness and compactness of these localization operators on [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. We culminate our study by formulating typical examples of localization operators.
The geodetic hop domination number of complementary prisms
Authors: Anusha D. , John J. , Joseph Robin S.
Published: December 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be a graph and [Formula: see text] be the complement of [Formula: see text]. The complementary prism [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is the graph formed from the disjoint union of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] by adding the edges of a perfect matching between the corresponding vertices of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. A subset [Formula: see text] of vertices in a connected graph [Formula: see text] is called a geodetic hop dominating set of [Formula: see text] if [Formula: see text] is both a geodetic set and a hop dominating set of [Formula: see text]. The minimum cardinality of a geodetic hop dominating set of [Formula: see text] is its geodetic hop domination number and is denoted by [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we study the geodetic hop domination number of complementary prisms.
Middle domination and 2-independence in trees
Authors: Kim Kijung
Published: December 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be a finite simple graph. The middle graph [Formula: see text] of a graph [Formula: see text] is the graph obtained by subdividing each edge of [Formula: see text] exactly once and joining all these newly introduced vertices of adjacent edges of [Formula: see text]. The middle domination number [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is defined by the domination number [Formula: see text] of the middle graph [Formula: see text]. A subset [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is a 2-independent set of [Formula: see text] if every vertex of [Formula: see text] has at most one neighbor in [Formula: see text]. The maximum cardinality of a 2-independent set of [Formula: see text] is the 2-independence number [Formula: see text]. These parameters are incomparable in general. However, we show that [Formula: see text] for any tree [Formula: see text]. We also characterize all trees attaining the equality.
Application Limits of Conservative Source Interpolation Methods Using a Low Mach Number Hybrid Aeroacoustic Workflow
Authors: Schoder Stefan , Wurzinger Andreas , Junger Clemens , Weitz Michael , Freidhager Clemens , Roppert Klaus , Kaltenbacher Manfred
Published: December 2020

In low Mach number aeroacoustics, the well-known disparity of scales allows applying hybrid simulation models using different meshes for flow and acoustics, which leads to a fast computational procedure. The hybrid workflow of the perturbed convective wave equation involves three steps: (1) perform unsteady incompressible flow computations on a subdomain; (2) compute the acoustic sources and (3) simulate the acoustic field, using a mesh specifically suited. These aeroacoustic methods seek for a robust, conservative and computational efficient mesh-to-mesh transformation of the aeroacoustic sources. In this paper, the accuracy and the application limitations of a cell-centroid-based conservative interpolation scheme is compared to the computationally advanced cut-volume cell approach in 2D and 3D. Based on a previously validated axial fan model where spurious artifacts have been visualized, the results are evaluated systematically using a grid convergence study. To conclude, the monotonic convergence of both conservative interpolation schemes is demonstrated. Regarding arbitrary mesh deformation (for example, the motion of the vocal folds in human phonation), the study reveals that the computationally simpler cell-centroid-based conservative interpolation can be the method of choice.
Characterizing the Water Wire in the Gramicidin Channel Found by Monte Carlo Sampling Using Continuum Electrostatics and in Molecular Dynamics Trajectories with Conventional or Polarizable Force Fields
Authors: Zhang Yingying , Haider Kamran , Kaur Divya , Ngo Van A. , Cai Xiuhong , Mao Junjun , Khaniya Umesh , Zhu Xuyu , Noskov Sergei , Lazaridis Themis , Gunner M. R.
Published: December 2020

Water molecules play a key role in all biochemical processes. They help define the shape of proteins, and they are reactant or product in many reactions and are released as ligands are bound. They facilitate the transfer of protons through transmembrane proton channel, pump and transporter proteins. Continuum electrostatics (CE) force fields used by program Multiconformation CE (MCCE) capture electrostatic interactions in biomolecules with an implicit solvent, which captures the averaged solvent water equilibrium properties. Hybrid CE methods can use explicit water molecules within the protein surrounded by implicit solvent. These hybrid methods permit the study of explicit hydrogen bond networks within the protein and allow analysis of processes such as proton transfer reactions. Yet hybrid CE methods have not been rigorously tested. Here, we present an explicit treatment of water molecules in the Gramicidin A (gA) channel using MCCE and compare the resulting distributions of water molecules and key hydration features against those obtained with explicit solvent Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations with the nonpolarizable CHARMM36 and polarizable Drude force fields. CHARMM36 leads to an aligned water wire in the channel characterized by a large absolute net water dipole moment; the MCCE and Drude analysis lead to a small net dipole moment as the water molecules change orientation within the channel. The correct orientation is not as yet known, so these calculations identify an open question.
Quantum-Chemical ab initio Study of Side Chain pKa of Linear and Cyclic Lysine Dipeptides
Authors: Sargolzaei Mohsen , Nikoofard Hossein , Jorabchi Majid Namayandeh
Published: December 2020

Cyclic dipeptides show interesting biological activities such as antitumor, antiviral and so on. In biological systems, the bioavailability of drugs is determined by several parameters such as pKa values. In this study, we used DFT and thermodynamics cycle to determine pKa value of side chain of lysine in linear and cyclic dipeptides. All considered dipeptides were optimized using B3LYP and RMSD tool was used to compare the optimized structures. The calculated pKa values were compared with the available experimental data. Our results show that pKa of side chain of lysine increases for cyclic dipeptides compared to the linear ones. To justify the reason of increasing of pKa of cyclic dipeptides, we used NBO and AIM analyses. The analyses showed that a hydrogen bond in cyclic lysine dipeptides is responsible for increasing of pKa.
Expansion and Additional Validation of PKA17: A Fast Real-Time and Web-Based pKa Predictor
Authors: Cvitkovic John P. , Pauplis Connor D. , Carney Phoebe C. , Kaminski George A.
Published: December 2020

We have further improved and validated PKA17, our fast software for predicting p[Formula: see text] values of protein residues. The methodology employs coarse-grained lattice-based model of proteins. It was previously demonstrated to perform ca. an order of magnitude faster than such successful and widely used frameworks as PROPKA without losing accuracy of the calculations. In this paper, we report the following improvements: (i) We have expanded our training and testing sets of protein residues by 128%, from 442 to 1009 cases; (ii) we have added and parameterized PKA17’s capability to predict acidity constants of cysteine residues that are important in many biomedical applications, including but not limited to binding of such transition metal ions as copper(I) and platinum(II); (iii) we have carried out the comparison of accuracy of predicted Asp and Glu p[Formula: see text] values not only between PKA17 and PROPKA, but also with DelPhiPKa and H[Formula: see text]. The computational speed of PKA17 remains the highest of all the methods used in our studies, and the accuracy of PKA17 is somewhat inferior only to those of such more sophisticated methods as Multi-Conformation Continuum Electrostatic (MCCE) ones. For instance, the average unsigned deviations of predicted p[Formula: see text] values from the experiment for 416 Glu residues were found to be 0.706, 0.766, 0.867, and 0.520[Formula: see text]pH units when obtained with PROPKA, DelPhiPKa, H[Formula: see text], and PKA17, respectively (0.487[Formula: see text]pH units with PKA17 after refitting). The average unsigned errors for cysteine p[Formula: see text] values calculated with PROPKA, DelPhiPKa, H[Formula: see text], and PKA17 were 3.50, 2.06, 3.17, and 1.26[Formula: see text]pH units. PKA17 has also performed well in assessing the cysteine acidity constants of the CXXC motif of CopZ protein involved in binding of copper(I) metal ions. Our results demonstrate that the PKA17 methodology and current parameters are accurate and robust, and its computational speed makes it possible to be employed in large-scale p[Formula: see text] screening calculations and in constant-pH protein dynamics simulations. The resulting PKA17 software has been deployed online at http://kaminski.wpi.edu/PKA17/pka_calc.html .
Use of field-portable XRF in exploration of PGE-enriched zones in the Pilanesberg PGE deposit, Bushveld Complex, South Africa
Authors: Somarin A. K. , Steinhage Ingo
Published: December 2020

The field-portable X-ray fluorescence (FPXRF) spectrometer has evolved significantly in the last decade and has become one of the most innovative tools for field geologists. Portability and ease of use of FPXRF systems have opened up new and unique applications for even novice technicians. Application of FPXRF in precious metals exploration and mining appears to be challenging due to their low concentrations (lower than detection limit by FPXRF) in nature and even in most ore deposits. This case study shows the success of FPXRF in identifying anomalous zones of platinum group elements (PGE) and Au (target elements) using pathfinder elements in the Pilanesberg PGE deposit, Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Sixty-three core samples were analysed using both FPXRF and laboratory methods. In these samples, Pt <8 ppm, Pd <5 ppm and Au <1 ppm, which were not detected by FPXRF; however, Ni and Cu are up to 6540 and 3560 ppm, respectively, which were easily detected by the same method. These elements show positive correlation with the precious metals indicating that they can be used as pathfinders. Both direct shot analyses of core samples and their pulverized specimen assays show correlation with lab assay data suggesting that both methods can be used in the field; however, the accuracy of direct shot data is lower due to the heterogeneity of samples.
Coprophilous fungal spores: non-pollen palynomorphs for the study of past megaherbivores
Authors: van Asperen Eline N. , Perrotti Angelina , Baker Ambroise
Published: December 2020

Spores from coprophilous fungi are some of the most widely used non-pollen palynomorphs. Over the last decades, these spores have become increasingly important as a proxy to study the Pleistocene and Holocene megafauna. Although the number of types used in palaeoecology is relatively small, there is a wide range of coprophilous fungal taxa whose utility in palaeoenvironmental reconstruction remains under-researched. However, environmental and taphonomic factors influencing preservation and recovery of these spores are still poorly understood. Furthermore, our understanding of whether and how spores are transported across the landscape is limited.

Dung fungal spore presence appears to correlate well with megaherbivore presence. However, depending on the site, some limitations can remain to quantitative reconstructions of megaherbivore abundance from dung fungal spore records. The presence of dung fungal spores is often more significant than their absence and variation in abundance with time should be interpreted with caution. Correlation with other proxies may provide a promising way forward.

The majority of studies using dung fungal spores as an indicator for large herbivore abundance are of records of Late Pleistocene and Holocene age, with a focus on Late Quaternary megafaunal extinction. However, more research could potentially extend records further back in time.
On Representation Learning for Road Networks
Authors: Wang Meng-Xiang , Lee Wang-Chien , Fu Tao-Yang , Yu Ge
Published: December 2020

Informative representation of road networks is essential to a wide variety of applications on intelligent transportation systems. In this article, we design a new learning framework, called Representation Learning for Road Networks (RLRN), which explores various intrinsic properties of road networks to learn embeddings of intersections and road segments in road networks. To implement the RLRN framework, we propose a new neural network model, namely Road Network to Vector (RN2Vec), to learn embeddings of intersections and road segments jointly by exploring geo-locality and homogeneity of them, topological structure of the road networks, and moving behaviors of road users. In addition to model design, issues involving data preparation for model training are examined. We evaluate the learned embeddings via extensive experiments on several real-world datasets using different downstream test cases, including node/edge classification and travel time estimation. Experimental results show that the proposed RN2Vec robustly outperforms existing methods, including (i)
Feature-based methods
: raw features and principal components analysis (PCA); (ii)
Network embedding methods
: DeepWalk, LINE, and Node2vec; and (iii)
Features + Network structure-based methods
: network embeddings and PCA, graph convolutional networks, and graph attention networks. RN2Vec significantly outperforms all of them in terms of F1-score in classifying traffic signals (11.96% to 16.86%) and crossings (11.36% to 16.67%) on intersections and in classifying avenue (10.56% to 15.43%) and street (11.54% to 16.07%) on road segments, as well as in terms of Mean Absolute Error in travel time estimation (17.01% to 23.58%).
Prediabetes and What It Means: The Epidemiological Evidence
Authors: Echouffo-Tcheugui Justin B. , Selvin Elizabeth
Published: December 2020

Prediabetes is an intermediate stage between normal glycemia and diabetes and is highly prevalent, especially in older age groups and obese individuals. Five different definitions of prediabetes are used in current practice, which are based on different cut points of HbA1C, fasting glucose, and 2-h glucose. A major challenge for the field is a lack of guidance on when one definition might be preferred over another. Risks of major complications in persons with prediabetes, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and death, also vary depending on the prediabetes definition used. Randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that lifestyle and pharmacologic interventions can be cost-effective, prevent diabetes, and improve cardiovascular risk factors in adults with prediabetes. However, the practical implementation of lifestyle modification or the use of metformin for treating prediabetes is inadequate and complicated by a lack of agreement on how to define the condition. Establishing consensus definitions for prediabetes should be a priority and will help inform expansion of insurance coverage for lifestyle modification and improve current screening and diagnostic practices.
Optimization of In0.2Cd0.8 s-based Photocatalyst Arrays and Characterization of the Potential Photocatalysts
Authors: Weng Yu-Ching , Chen Kuan-Wen , Li Yi-Hui
Published: December 2020

In this study, a series of M-In0.2Cd0.8 s (M = La, Y, Ga, Bi, Pr, Nd and Gd) photocatalyst arrays was effectively screened with an optical fiber under UV–visible light illumination in 0.1 M Na2SO4/Na2SO3 solution by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The spot corresponding to the Ga0.3(In0.2Cd0.8)0.7 s photocatalyst displayed the highest photocatalytic activity among the photocatalyst arrays. The Ga0.3(In0.2Cd0.8)0.7 s photoelectrode possessed a hexagonal wurzite structure with a bandgap of 2.49 eV. The addition of 30% of Ga could greatly reduce the charge transfer resistance on the surface of the In0.2Cd0.8)0.7 s photocatalyst. The Ga0.3(In0.2Cd0.8)0.7 s photoelectrode exhibited a flat band position of −0.497 V vs Ag/AgCl and charge carrier density of 1.68 ± 0.15 × 1022 m−3. The maximum incident photo to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) value for the Ga0.3(In0.2Cd0.8)0.7 s photoelectrode was found to be 74% at 400 nm. The enhanced photocatalytic efficiency of the Ga0.3(In0.2Cd0.8)0.7 s photoelectrode was resulted from improvement the level of visible light energy utilization and decreased charge transfer resistance for photocatalytic reactions under optimum composition.
Response preparation involves a release of intracortical inhibition in task-irrelevant muscles
Authors: Gomez Isaac N. , Ormiston Kara , Greenhouse Ian
Published: December 2020

In this study, we observed the first evidence of a release of intracortical inhibition in task-irrelevant muscle representations during response preparation. We applied transcranial magnetic stimulation to elicit cortical silent periods in task-irrelevant muscles during response preparation, and observed a consistent decrease in the silent period duration relative to a resting baseline. These findings address the question of whether cortical mechanisms underlie widespread modulation in motor excitability during response preparation.
Trajectory Analysis of Glycemic Control in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus at Dammam Medical Complex, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alsada Sherifa A. , Ba-Essa Ebtesam M. , Alsaffar Alya A.
Published: December 2020

Background. Saudi Arabia is reported to have the highest number of children and adolescents with T1DM. However, data concerning glycemic control during adolescence are lacking. Objectives. To determine glycemic control at transition stage from pediatric to adult clinics, determine HBA1c patterns during follow-up, and identify any clinical or demographic variables that may predict a distinctive glycemic pattern. Design. Observational retrospective study. Setting. Dammam Medical Complex, secondary care hospital. Patients and Method. Adolescents aged ≥12 years, with HbA1c recorded at least once a year over 4 years of follow-up, were eligible for inclusion. A trajectory analysis from 2008 to 2019 was conducted, using latent class growth modelling (LCGM), and two-sample t-tests and Fisher’s exact tests were conducted to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference in demographic and clinical variables. Sample Size. 44 patients. Results. 61.36% were referred from pediatric clinics, and 84% were on multiple insulin daily injections. For the trajectory prediction, two groups were identified. Group 1 comprised 71.7%, had high HbA1c values at age 13 (HbA1c, 11.28%), and had a significant and stable decrease in HbA1c values with age (−0.32,

p
<
0.00

). Group 2 comprised 28.2%, showed poor HbA1c values at age 13 (HbA1c, 13.28%), and showed increase in HbA1c values slightly by age 15, which then steadily decreased with age (−0.27). Results indicated that the initial HBA1c value was a significant predictor for group trajectory

p
=
0.01

, while the remaining variables did not have any significance. Conclusion. Our study identified two groups with poorly controlled diabetes; however, the first group performed relatively better than the second group. Both groups almost doubled their targets, with a trend towards HbA1c reduction by the age of 19 in both groups. Limitations. Retrospective study with convenient, small sample size.
Interaction of Agaric Acid with the Adenine Nucleotide Translocase Induces Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress
Authors: Chávez Edmundo , Buelna-Chontal Mabel , Macías-López Arturo , Hernández-Esquivel Luz , Correa Francisco , Pavón Natalia
Published: December 2020

Mitochondrial permeability transition is characterized by the opening of a transmembranal pore that switches membrane permeability from specific to nonspecific. This structure allows the free traffic of ions, metabolites, and water across the mitochondrial inner membrane. The opening of the permeability transition pore is triggered by oxidative stress along with calcium overload. In this work, we explored if oxidative stress is a consequence, rather than an effector of the pore opening, by evaluating the interaction of agaric acid with the adenine nucleotide translocase, a structural component of the permeability transition pore. We found that agaric acid induces transition pore opening, increases the generation of oxygen-derived reactive species, augments the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in the membrane, and promotes the detachment of cytochrome c from the inner membrane. The effect of agaric acid was inhibited by the antioxidant tamoxifen in association with decreased binding of the thiol reagent eosin-3 maleimide to the adenine nucleotide translocase. We conclude that agaric acid promotes the opening of the pore, increasing ROS production that exerts oxidative modification of critical thiols in the adenine nucleotide translocase.
Numerical Simulation of Conical Pick Cutting Arc Rock Plate Fracture Based on ANSYS/LS‐DYNA
Authors: Wang Zhiwen , Zeng Qingliang , Lu Zhenguo , Wan Lirong , Zhang Xin , Gao Guanshun
Published: December 2020

The new method of rock breaking based on the combination of circular sawblade and conical pick was proposed to improve the effectiveness of hard rock breaking. The numerical simulation method was applied to research the conical pick cutting arc rock plate by ANSYS/LS‐DYNA. The conical pick cutting arc rock plate numerical simulation model was established to research the influence of arc rock plate structural parameters and cutting parameters on cracks formation and propagation of the arc rock plate and the cutting force in the process of conical pick cutting arc rock plate. The amount of cracks is positively correlated with arc rock plate thickness, the cutting speed, and distance of cutting point to arc rock plate central axis and negatively correlated with the cutting angle. The mean peak cutting force is positively correlated with the thickness of arc rock plate and the distance of cutting point to arc rock plate central axis; however, it is negatively correlated with the arc rock plate height and width and cutting angle of conical pick. The simulation results can be used to predict the conical pick work performance with various cutting parameters and structural parameters.
Real‐Time Evaluation of Compaction Quality by Using Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Cao Weidong , Liu Shutang , Gao Xuechi , Ren Fei , Liu Peng , Wu Qilun
Published: December 2020

The primary goal of this study is to find an easy and convenient way to estimate the degree of compaction in real time for compaction quality control. In this paper, an artificial neural network classifier is developed to identify the different characteristic patterns of drum vibration and classify them according to the different compaction levels. At first, a field compaction experiment is designed and performed in a construction site, and the degree of compaction and the vibration are measured. Then, the vibration signals collected from the experiment are processed to extract the features of vibration patterns and labeled with the compaction level to train the artificial neural network model. At last, the performance of the artificial neural network classifier is verified against the degree of compaction measured by using a nuclear density gauge. It can be found that artificial neural networks show good performance and huge potential for the problem of compaction quality control.
Intelligent Digital Currency and Dynamic Coding Service System Based on Internet of Things Technology
Authors: Li Shanshen , Jing Xin
Published: December 2020

The amazing rise of digital currency is not only favored by investors but also attractive to lawbreakers for its anonymity and decentralization. This paper mainly discusses the intelligent digital currency and dynamic coding service system based on Internet of Things technology. In this paper, the RDCAR algorithm is used to realize the routing discovery process of the wireless network. When the intermediate node receives the RREQ message, first of all, to avoid the loop, it checks whether the same RREQ message has been introduced. If it has received it, it will discard it. Otherwise, it will cache the message and attach its own neighbor node list to the signal-to-noise ratio of the channel link, update the RREQ message, and broadcast it. The payment cipher is managed by the bank. When the user opens an account, the bank registers and sends it to the user. The key is generated by the algorithm chip, and the public key is kept in the bank background server. When the bill is delivered to the bank, the bank inputs all the elements on the bill on the counter terminal and transmits it to the verification machine for verification through the bank network. If the verification is correct, it indicates that the bill is indeed issued by the customer, and all bill elements are correct, and payment can be made. The node operation protocol of public chain and alliance chain maintains the operation of the Internet of Things system. The nodes of alliance chain generate new blocks according to the interval of 30 s. When the node fails to complete the block generation within 30 s, it will rotate to the next node. The mkfile command is used to generate 16b, 1 KB, 1 MB, and 1 GB files as input. The peak speed of the encoding service system is about 370 mb/s. The results show that the system designed in this study is robust and suitable for complex trading environment.
Rubber Stiffness Optimization for Floor Vibration Attenuation of a Light Bus Based on Matrix Inversion TPA
Authors: Shi Hui , Shi Wenku , Yang Changhai , Liu Guozheng , Fan Zhaomeng , Chen Zhiyong
Published: December 2020

The NVH characteristics of light buses are a very important performance for market competitiveness. To solve the serious floor vibration of a light bus at speed of 60 km/h and 90 km/h, we first derive the matrix inversion TPA (MITPA) method, and then transfer path contribution is analyzed by applying matrix inversion TPA with TPA model establishment, operational vibration test, and FRF measurement. Next, the energy decoupling rate of the powertrain mount system (PMS) is optimized by rubber stiffness optimization based on the path contribution analysis taking both amplitude and phase into consideration. The optimized natural frequencies and energy decoupling rate indicate that energy decoupling rate (EDR) of each DoF of the powertrain mount system is improved. Finally, to verify the optimization effect, this paper implements an operational vibration test with optimized mount installed. The results indicate that floor vibration of postoptimization is improved significantly compared with that of preoptimization. This paper offers a method for engineers to improve vibration problem of vehicle by combining experimental TPA for identification of dominant paths with optimization procedure.
Effect of Porosity on Soil-Water Retention Curves: Theoretical and Experimental Aspects
Authors: Liu Chang , Tong Fuguo , Yan Long , Zhou Hongbo , Hao Shuang
Published: December 2020

Porosity change is a common characteristic of natural soils in fluid-solid interaction problems, which can lead to an obvious change of the soil-water retention curve (SWRC). The influence of porosity on soil water retention phenomena is investigated by a theoretical model and an experimental test in this study. A model expressing the change in suction with porosity and effective saturation is put forward theoretically. The model is based on an idealization of three-phase porous materials, the pore structures of which are homogeneous and isotropic. It accounts for the porosity effect on soil water retention, using four parameters with clear physical meanings. The presented model can obtain the SWRC at any porosity, which will reduce the test number required in characterizing the hydraulic behavior of soil. A laboratory experiment for loamy sand with different porosities is performed. The test results show that suction has a significant variation with changes in porosity and decreases with the increase of porosity. The formulation is verified by both the test data and the literature data for FEBEX bentonite and Boom clay. The very good agreements between measured and predicted results show that the SWRC model is reliable and feasible for various soils.
A Knowledge-Fusion Ranking System with an Attention Network for Making Assignment Recommendations
Authors: Jin Canghong , Zhou Yuli , Ying Shengyu , Zhang Chi , Wang Weisong , Wu Minghui
Published: December 2020

In recent decades, more teachers are using question generators to provide students with online homework. Learning-to-rank (LTR) methods can partially rank questions to address the needs of individual students and reduce their study burden. Unfortunately, ranking questions for students is not trivial because of three main challenges: (1) discovering students’ latent knowledge and cognitive level is difficult, (2) the content of quizzes can be totally different but the knowledge points of these quizzes may be inherently related, and (3) ranking models based on supervised, semisupervised, or reinforcement learning focus on the current assignment without considering past performance. In this work, we propose KFRank, a knowledge-fusion ranking model based on reinforcement learning, which considers both a student’s assignment history and the relevance of quizzes with their knowledge points. First, we load students’ assignment history, reorganize it using knowledge points, and calculate the effective features for ranking in terms of the relation between a student’s knowledge cognitive and the question. Then, a similarity estimator is built to choose historical questions, and an attention neural network is used to calculate the attention value and update the current study state with knowledge fusion. Finally, a rank algorithm based on a Markov decision process is used to optimize the parameters. Extensive experiments were conducted on a real-life dataset spanning a year and we compared our model with the state-of-the-art ranking models (e.g., ListNET and LambdaMART) and reinforcement-learning methods (such as MDPRank). Based on top-knDCG values, our model outperforms other methods for groups of average and weak students, whose study abilities are relatively poor and thus their behaviors are more difficult to predict.
LHPP Inhibits the Proliferation and Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Xiaoting , Kang Huaning , Xiao Jing , Shi Benyan , Li Xiaofeng , Chen Guihong
Published: December 2020

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the ten most common cancers in the globe. Despite the diagnosis and treatment of renal cell carcinoma that have made great improvements, the morbidity and mortality rates of renal cell carcinoma remain unchanged remarkably. LHPP is a kind of histidine phosphatases, acting as a tumor suppressor in the progression of various cancers. In this study, we found that LHPP was significantly downregulated in RCC tissues and cell lines. Decreased expression of LHPP was closely correlated with tumor size and postoperative metastasis of RCC patients. In addition, overexpression of LHPP inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of RCC. However, suppression of LHPP promoted the proliferation and metastasis of RCC. In conclusion, our results presented the important role of LHPP in the development and progression of RCC.
Bilateral Ureteral Stenosis with Hydronephrosis as First Manifestation of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Wegener’s Granulomatosis): A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Suillot Joelle , Bollmann Jürg , Rotman Samuel , Descombes Eric
Published: December 2020

Ureteral stenosis is a rare manifestation of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly known as Wegener’s granulomatosis). We report the case of a 76-year-old woman with progressive renal failure in which bilateral hydronephrosis due to ureteral stenosis was the first manifestation of the disease. Our patient also had renal involvement with pauci-immune crescentic glomerulonephritis associated with high titers of anti-proteinase 3 c-ANCAs, but no involvement of the upper or lower respiratory tract. The hydronephrosis and renal function rapidly improved under immunosuppressive therapy with high-dose corticosteroids and intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide. We reviewed the literature and found only ten other reported cases of granulomatosis with polyangiitis/Wegener’s granulomatosis and intrinsic ureteral stenosis: in two cases, the presenting clinical manifestation was unilateral hydronephrosis and in only two others was the hydronephrosis bilateral, but this complication developed during a relapse of the disease. This case emphasizes the importance of including ANCA-related vasculitis in the differential diagnosis of unusual cases of unilateral or bilateral ureteral stenosis.
Effect of Strain-Dependent Hydraulic Conductivity of Coal Rock on Groundwater Inrush in Mining
Authors: Lu Haifeng , Shan Nan , Zhang You-Kuan , Liang Xiuyu
Published: December 2020

Hydraulic conductivity is an important parameter for predicting groundwater inrush in coal mining worksites. Hydraulic conductivity varies with deformation and failure of rocks induced by mining. Understanding the evolution pattern of hydraulic conductivity during mining is important for accurately predicting groundwater inrush. In this study, variations of hydraulic conductivity of rock samples during rock deformation and failure were measured using the triaxial servo rock mechanic test in a laboratory. The exponential formula of hydraulic conductivity-volume strain was proposed based on the experimental data. The finite-difference numerical model FLAC3D was modified by replacing constant hydraulic conductivity with the strain-dependent hydraulic conductivity. The coupled water flow and rock deformation and failure were simulated using the modified model. The results indicate that in the early time, the rocks undergo elastic compression with increasing rock strain, resulting in a decrease in hydraulic conductivity; then, the microcracks and fissures appear in the rock after it yields results in a sudden jump in hydraulic conductivity; in the later time, the hydraulic conductivity decreases gradually again owing to the microcracks and fissures that were compacted. The conductivity exponentially decreases with the volumetric strain during the periods of both elastic compression and postyielding. The simulated stress-strain curves using the modified model agree with the triaxial tests. The modified model was applied to the groundwater inrush of a coal mining worksite in China. The simulated water inflow agrees well with the observed data. The original model significantly underestimates the water inflow owing to it to neglect the variations of the hydraulic conductivity induced by mining.
Delivering Evidence-Based Online Concussion Education to Medical and Healthcare Professionals: The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT)
Authors: Babul Shelina , Turcotte Kate , Lambert Maude , Hadly Gabrielle , Sadler Karen
Published: December 2020

Background. Medical and healthcare professionals report an important gap in their training and knowledge on concussion diagnosis and management. The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) for medical professionals provides evidenced-based training and resources, representing an important effort to fill this gap. The goal of the current article was to summarize and describe the general uptake of the 2018 relaunch of the CATT for medical professionals and to present results of a quality assurance/quality improvement (QA/QI) assessment including qualitative feedback from medical and healthcare professionals. Methodology. Tracking completions via certificates and Google Analytics were used to measure uptake over the first two years following the 2018 relaunch and promotion of CATT for medical professionals. Medical and healthcare professionals who had completed the CATT from the time of the relaunch on June 11, 2018, to July 31, 2019, were invited via e-mail to participate in the survey-based QA/QI assessment. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Results. Year 1 saw 8,072 pageviews for the CATT for medical professionals landing page, increasing to 9,382 in Year 2. Eighty-nine medical and healthcare professionals who had completed the CATT for medical professionals participated in the QA/QI assessment. Results showed that 85% of respondents reported learning new information about concussion; 73% reported changing the way they diagnose, treat, or manage concussion; and 71% reported recommending the CATT to colleagues. Qualitative data also indicated highly favourable opinions and experiences. Conclusions. The CATT for medical professionals has demonstrated promise as a tool to promote knowledge translation practice and help fill the gap in concussion training and knowledge reported by medical and healthcare professionals.
Ulmus parvifolia Jacq. Exhibits Antiobesity Properties and Potentially Induces Browning of White Adipose Tissue
Authors: Lee Yuan Yee , Kim Minki , Irfan Muhammad , Yuk Heung Joo , Kim Dong-Seon , Lee Seung Eun , Kim Seung-Hyung , Kim Suk , Kim Sung-Dae , Rhee Man Hee
Published: December 2020

The bark of Ulmus parvifolia Jacq. (UP) was traditionally used as a diuretic and to treat intestinal inflammation. With modern evidence of the correlation of diuretics, gut inflammation, and obesity, our study has shown the antiobesity effects of the bark of UP. UP treatment reduced lipid production and adipogenic genes in vitro. In vivo studies revealed that UP 100 mg/kg and UP 300 mg/kg treatment significantly reduced mouse weight without reducing food intake, indicating increased energy expenditure. UP significantly reduced the weight of epididymal and subcutaneous adipose tissue and decreased liver weight. Histological analysis revealed improvement in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and epididymal white adipose tissue hypertrophy induced by a HFD. Real‐Time PCR of epididymal adipose tissue revealed significant increases of uncoupling protein‐1 (UCP‐1) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma coactivator 1‐alpha (PGC‐1α) expression after UP 300 mg/kg treatments. Phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein α (AMPKα) was increased, while phosphorylation of Acetyl‐CoA Carboxylase (ACC) was reduced. Our findings reveal the ability of UP to reduce the occurrence of obesity through increased browning of white adipose tissue via increased AMPKα, PPARγ, PGC‐1α, and UCP‐1 expression.
A Positive Feedback Loop of AKR1C3-Mediated Activation of NF-κB and STAT3 Facilitates Proliferation and Metastasis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Qingqing , Tian Wei , Jiang Zhiyuan , Huang Tingting , Ge Chao , Liu Tengfei , Zhao Fangyu , Chen Taoyang , Cui Ying , Li Hong , Yao Ming , Li Jinjun , Tian Hua
Published: December 2020

AKR1C3 is an enzyme belonging to the aldo-ketoreductase family, the members of which catalyze redox transformations involved in biosynthesis, intermediary metabolism, and detoxification. AKR1C3 plays an important role in tumor progression and metastasis, however, little is known about the function and the molecular mechanism underlying the role of AKR1C3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we report that AKR1C3 is significantly upregulated in HCC and that increased AKR1C3 is associated with poor survival. AKR1C3 positively regulated HCC cell proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. AKR1C3 promoted tumor proliferation and metastasis by activating NF-κB signaling. Furthermore, AKR1C3 regulated NF-κB activity by modulating TRAF6 and inducing its autoubiquitination in HCC cells. Activation of NF-κB released proinflammatory factors that facilitated the phosphorylation of STAT3 and increased tumor cell proliferation and invasion. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments showed that AKR1C3 promoted tumor proliferation and invasion via the IL6/STAT3 pathway. STAT3 also directly bound the AKR1C3 promoter and increased transcription of AKR1C3, thereby establishing a positive regulatory feedback loop. Treatment with the AKR1C3 inhibitors indocin and medroxyprogesterone acetate inhibited tumor growth and invasion and promoted apoptosis in HCC cells. Collectively, these results indicate that a AKR1C3/NF-κB/STAT3 signaling loop results in HCC cell proliferation and metastasis and could be a promising therapeutic target in HCC.

Significance:

These findings elucidate a novel AKR1C3-driven signaling loop that regulates proliferation and metastasis in HCC, providing potential prognostic and therapeutic targets in this disease.
Unraveling the Mysteries of PAX8 in Reproductive Tract Cancers
Authors: Chaves-Moreira Daniele , Morin Patrice J. , Drapkin Ronny
Published: December 2020

Paired Box 8 (PAX8) is a lineage-specific transcription factor that has essential roles during embryogenesis and tumorigenesis. The importance of PAX8 in the development of the reproductive system is highlighted by abnormalities observed upon the loss or mutation of this PAX family member. In cancer, PAX8 expression is deregulated in a key set of neoplasms, including those arising from the Müllerian ducts. The roles of PAX8 in oncogenesis are diverse and include epigenetic remodeling, stimulation of proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, and regulation of angiogenesis. PAX8 can interact with different protein partners during cancer progression and may exhibit significant function-altering alternative splicing. Moreover, expression of PAX8 in cancer can also serve as a biomarker for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. In this review, we focus on the roles of PAX8 in cancers of the reproductive system. Understanding the diverse mechanisms of action of PAX8 in development and oncogenesis may identify new vulnerabilities in malignancies that currently lack effective therapies.
Immunotherapy with Immunocytokines and PD-1 Blockade Enhances the Anticancer Activity of Small Molecule-Drug Conjugates Targeting Carbonic Anhydrase IX
Authors: Millul Jacopo , Krudewig Christiane , Zana Aureliano , Dakhel Plaza Sheila , Puca Emanuele , Villa Alessandra , Neri Dario , Cazzamalli Samuele
Published: December 2020

Small molecule–drug conjugates (SMDCs) represent an alternative to conventional antitumor chemotherapeutic agents, with the potential to improve the therapeutic window of cytotoxic payloads through active delivery at the site of the disease. In this article, we describe novel combination therapies consisting of anti-carbonic anhydrase IX SMDCs combined with different immunomodulatory products. The therapeutic effect of the SMDCs was potentiated by combination with PD-1 blockade and with tumor-homing antibody–cytokine fusions in mouse models of renal cell carcinoma and colorectal cancer. The combination with L19-IL12, a fusion protein specific to the alternatively spliced EDB domain of fibronectin containing the murine IL12 moiety, was also active against large established tumors. Analysis of the microscopic structures of healthy organs performed 3 months after tumor eradication confirmed absence of pathologic abnormalities in the healthy kidney, liver, lung, stomach, and intestine. Our findings may be of clinical significance as they provide motivation for the development of combinations based on SMDCs and immunotherapy for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma and hypoxic tumors.