bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Almost a Principal: Coaching and Training Assistant Principals for the Next Level of Leadership
Authors: Hayes Sonya D. , Burkett Jerry R.
Published: March 2020

Through this study, we examined a university–district sponsored leadership academy to explore the perceptions of assistant principals, who participated in a yearlong professional development and coaching program, on how the program supported them in improving their leadership capacity and advancing their career. Using a single qualitative case study design, we explored the perceptions of 26 experienced assistant principals in a single school district in Texas. These participants were identified by the district as strong and viable candidates for future principal openings within the district. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, focus groups, and observations of class sessions. We used a leadership development and succession planning conceptual framework to guide our data analysis, focusing on identifying leadership talent, assigning developmental activities, and developing pervasive mentoring relationships. The findings illustrate increased confidence in the participants’ leadership abilities, promising practices in leadership development programming, and the importance of the university–district partnership in supporting experienced assistant principals. Although these findings are not necessarily innovative practices in the field of principal preparation, they are significant for understanding how to create meaningful professional development for mid-career assistant principals who have not transitioned to the role of the principal and for recognizing the critical role university–district partnerships have on leadership development.
Economic sanctions against North Korea: The pivotal role of US–China cooperation
Authors: Min Woo-Jun , Han Sukhee
Published: March 2020

At the beginning of 2018, North Korea halted its long-range nuclear- and ballistic-missile development programs and announced that it was willing to denuclearize. Soon afterwards, it reached out to countries including the US, China and South Korea. This sudden change in behavior marked the end of six years of extreme isolation under Kim Jong-un’s leadership. To explain why North Korea decided to reach out when it did, the present study examines the 2006–2018 economic sanctions levied on North Korea under the US maximum-pressure policy, carried out partly in cooperation with China. The findings suggest that economic sanctions were ineffective between 2006 and 2016 for two reasons: the lack of cooperation between the US and China, and China’s policy of assisting North Korea. In 2006–2016, China and North Korea had shared values and high volumes of trade; there were no clear signs of cooperation between the US and China. However, as trade between China and North Korea began to decrease in late 2017 and early 2018, there were signs of cooperation between the US and China, and changes in North Korean behavior. North Korea came to the negotiating table largely to lift the economic sanctions, which were strengthened by cooperation between the US and China. Increased economic pressure compelled North Korea to normalize its relations with the US, China and South Korea.
Heterogeneous impact of cytomegalovirus reactivation on nonrelapse mortality in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Kaito Satoshi , Nakajima Yujiro , Hara Konan , Toya Takashi , Nishida Tetsuya , Uchida Naoyuki , Mukae Junichi , Fukuda Takahiro , Ozawa Yukiyasu , Tanaka Masatsugu , Ikegame Kazuhiro , Katayama Yuta , Kuriyama Takuro , Kanda Junya , Atsuta Yoshiko , Ogata Masao , Taguchi Ayumi , Ohashi Kazuteru
Published: March 2020

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a major complication in allogeneic stem cell transplantation. The utility of CMV prophylaxis with letermovir has been reported; however, the specific applications remain unclear. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed large-scale registry data (N = 10 480) to clarify the risk factors for nonrelapse mortality (NRM) in connection with CMV reactivation. First, we identified risk factors for CMV reactivation using multivariate analysis and developed a scoring model. Although the model effectively stratified reactivation risk into 3 groups (43.7% vs 60.9% vs 71.5%; P < .001), the 3-year NRM was significantly higher in patients with CMV reactivation, even in the low (20.9% vs 13.0%, P < .001), intermediate (21.4% vs 15.6%; P < .001), and high (29.3% vs 18.0%; P < .001) reactivation risk groups. Next, survival analysis considering competing risks, time-dependent covariates, and interaction terms for exploring the heterogeneous impact of CMV reactivation on NRM in the training cohort revealed that chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) (hazard ratio [HR], 1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-2.96; P = .033), good performance status (PS) (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.04-1.94; P = .028), HLA-matched donor (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.06-1.70; P = .013), and standard-risk disease (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.04-1.58; P = .022) were associated with increased NRM. In the test cohort, CMV reactivation was significantly associated with increased 3-year NRM among patients with 2 to 4 factors (22.1% vs 13.1%; P < .001) but was comparable among patients with 0 or 1 factor (23.2% vs 20.4%; P = .62). We propose that CMV prophylaxis should be determined based on reactivation risk, as well as these other factors.
The EGFL7-ITGB3-KLF2 axis enhances survival of multiple myeloma in preclinical models
Authors: Salama Yousef , Heida Andries Hendrik , Yokoyama Kazuaki , Takahashi Satoshi , Hattori Koichi , Heissig Beate
Published: March 2020

Angiogenic factors play a key role in multiple myeloma (MM) growth, relapse, and drug resistance. Here we show that malignant plasma cells (cell lines and patient-derived MM cells) express angiocrine factor EGF like-7 (EGFL7) mRNA and protein. MM cells both produced EGFL7 and expressed the functional EGFL7 receptor integrin β 3 (ITGB3), resulting in ITGB3 phosphorylation and focal adhesion kinase activation. Overexpression of ITGB3 or EGFL7 enhanced MM cell adhesion and proliferation. Intriguingly, ITGB3 overexpression upregulated the transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2), which further enhanced EGFL7 transcription in MM cells, thereby establishing an EGFL7-ITGB3-KLF2-EGFL7 amplification loop that supports MM cell survival and proliferation. EGFL7 expression was found in certain plasma cells of patients with refractory MM and of patients at primary diagnosis. NOD.CB17-Prkdc/J mice transplanted with MM cells showed elevated human plasma EGFL7 levels. EGFL7 knockdown in patient-derived MM cells and treatment with neutralizing antibodies against EGFL7 inhibited MM cell growth in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrate that the standard-of-care MM drug bortezomib upregulates EGFL7, ITGB3, and KLF2 expression in MM cells. Inhibition of EGFL7 signaling in synergy with BTZ may provide a novel strategy for inhibiting MM cell proliferation.
Genomic profiles and clinical outcomes of de novo blastoid/pleomorphic MCL are distinct from those of transformed MCL
Authors: Jain Preetesh , Zhang Shaojun , Kanagal-Shamanna Rashmi , Ok Chi Young , Nomie Krystle , Gonzalez Graciela Nogueras , Gonzalez-Pagan Omarya , Hill Holly A. , Lee Hun Ju , Fayad Luis , Westin Jason , Nastoupil Loretta , Hagemeister Frederick , Chen Wendy , Oriabure Onyeka , Badillo Maria , Jiang Changying , Yixin Yao , Li Shaoying , Tang Guilin , Yin C. Cameron , Patel Keyur P. , Medeiros Leonard Jeffrey , Nair Ranjit , Ahmed Sairah , Iyer Swaminathan P. , Thirumurthi Selvi , Champlin Richard , Xu Guofan , Tinsu Pan , Santos David , Wang Ruiping , Han Guangchun , Zhang Jianhua , Song Xingzhi , Neelapu Sattva , Romaguera Jorge , Futreal Andy , Flowers Christopher , Fowler Nathan , Wang Linghua , Wang Michael L.
Published: March 2020

Blastoid and pleomorphic mantle cell lymphomas (MCLs) are variants of aggressive histology MCL (AH-MCL). AH-MCL can arise de novo (AH-DN) or transform from prior classic variant MCL (AH-t). This study is the first integrated analysis of clinical and genomic characteristics of AH-MCL. Patient characteristics were collected from diagnosis (AH-DN) and at transformation (AH-t). Survival after initial diagnosis (AH-DN) and after transformation (AH-t) was calculated. Regression tree analysis was performed to evaluate prognostic variables and in univariate and multivariate analyses for survival. Whole-exome sequencing was performed in evaluable biopsy specimens. We identified 183 patients with AH-MCL (108 were AH-DN, and 75 were AH-t; 152 were blastoid, and 31 were pleomorphic). Median survival was 33 months (48 and 14 months for AH-DN and AH-t, respectively; P = .001). Factors associated with inferior survival were age (≥72 years), AH-t category, Ki-67 ≥50% and poor performance status. AH-t had a significantly higher degree of aneuploidy compared with AH-DN. Transformed MCL patients exhibited KMT2B mutations. AH-MCL patients with Ki-67 ≥50% had exclusive mutations in CCND1, NOTCH1, TP53, SPEN, SMARCA4, RANBP2, KMT2C, NOTCH2, NOTCH3, and NSD2 compared with low Ki-67 (<50%). AH-t patients have poor outcomes and distinct genomic profile. This is the first study to report that AH-MCL patients with high Ki-67 (≥50%) exhibit a distinct mutation profile and very poor survival.
Correction to: Computational assembly of a human Cytomegalovirus vaccine upon experimental epitope legacy
Authors: Quinzo Monica J. , Lafuente Esther M. , Zuluaga Pilar , Flower Darren R. , Reche Pedro A.
Published: March 2020

After publication of the original article [1], we were notified that legends of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 have been swapped.
Diagnosis of bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation unveils primary gastric adenocarcinoma: a case report
Authors: Luo Mingyue , Chen Zhe , Luo Yaping , Zhao Lin , Dai Rongping , Zhong Yong
Published: March 2020

Background

Bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation (BDUMP) is an extremely rare paraneoplastic syndrome, with most cases reported as secondary to female urogenital and male lung malignancies. We reported this case of BDUMP patient whose primary malignancy was gastric adenocarcinoma verified with gastroscopy and subsequent pathological test.

Case presentation

A patient complaining blurred vision was suspected of bilateral diffuse uveal melanocytic proliferation (BDUMP), due to bilateral round oval patches at the posterior pole and cardinal signs in retinal angiography. Malignancy screening was suggested, and pathological report from gastroscopy confirmed the primary lesion as gastric adenocarcinoma. The patient chose palliative care due to late stage and unresectable nature of the malignancy.

Conclusions

Identifying BDUMP warrants further investigation of a primary malignancy. Our case provided evidence for the link between gastric adenocarcinoma and BDUMP.
A simultaneous bilateral quadriceps and patellar tendons rupture in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing long-term hemodialysis: a case report
Authors: Tao Zhengbo , Liu Wenbo , Ma Weifeng , Luo Peng , Zhi Shengpeng , Zhou Renyi
Published: March 2020

Background

The incidence of rupture of the quadriceps or patellar tendon s is low, especially that of bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture, and it is generally considered a complication secondary to chronic systemic disorders. We report two rare cases of simultaneous bilateral tendon rupture affecting the extensor function of the knee in patients with chronic kidney disease who have been treated with long-term haemodialysis.

Case presentation

Two young males with a history of chronic kidney disease who were being treated with long-term haemodialysis presented to our hospital with clinical signs of disruption of the extensor mechanism of the knee. One patient was diagnosed with bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture, and the other patient had bilateral patellar tendon rupture. They underwent surgical repair of the tendons, and their knees were actively mobilized during physiotherapy.

Conclusion

Bilateral quadriceps or patellar tendons rupture is a rare occurrence in patients with chronic kidney disease who are being treated with long-term haemodialysis. Timely surgical treatment and scientific physiotherapy can lead to good recovery of knee joint function.
Exploring optimal examination to detect occult anastomotic leakage after rectal resection in patients with diverting stoma
Authors: Kitaguchi Daichi , Enomoto Tsuyoshi , Ohara Yusuke , Owada Yohei , Hisakura Katsuji , Akashi Yoshimasa , Takahashi Kazuhiro , Ogawa Koichi , Shimomura Osamu , Oda Tatsuya
Published: March 2020

Background

When considering “early stoma closure”, both standardized inclusion/exclusion criteria and standardized methods to assess anastomosis are necessary to reduce the risk of occult anastomotic leakage (AL). However, in the immediate postoperative period, neither have the incidence and risk factors of occult AL in patients with diverting stoma (DS) been clarified nor have methods to assess anastomosis been standardized. The aim of this study was to elucidate the incidence and risk factors of occult AL in patients who had undergone rectal resection with DS and to evaluate the significance of computed tomography (CT) following water-soluble contrast enema (CE) to detect occult anastomotic leakage.

Methods

This was a single institutional prospective observational study of patients who had undergone rectal resection with the selective use of DS between May and October 2019. Fifteen patients had undergone CE and CT to assess for AL on postoperative day (POD) 7, and CT was performed just after CE. Univariate analysis was performed to assess the relationship between preoperative variables and the incidence of occult AL on POD 7.

Results

The incidence of occult AL on postoperative day 7 was 6 of 15 (40%). Hand-sewn anastomosis, compared with stapled anastomosis, was a significant risk factor. Five more cases with occult AL that could not be detected with CE could be detected on CT following CE; CE alone had a 33% false-negative radiological result rate.

Conclusions

Hand-sewn anastomosis appeared to be a risk factor for occult AL, and CE alone had a high false-negative radiological result rate. When considering the introduction of early stoma closure, stapled anastomosis and CT following CE could be an appropriate inclusion criterion and preoperative examination, respectively.
Detection of adeABC efllux pump encoding genes and antimicrobial effect of Mentha longifolia and Menthol on MICs of imipenem and ciprofloxacin in clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Mahmoudi Hassan , Shokoohizadeh Leili , Zare Fahim Nayreh , Mohamadi Bardebari Ali , Moradkhani Shirin , Alikhani Mohammad Yousef
Published: March 2020

Background

Acinetobacter baumanniiis an opportunistic pathogen that causes nosocomial infections especially in patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Accordingly, the aim of our study was to detectionof adeABCefllux pump encoding genes and antimicrobial effect of the essential oil ofMentha longifoliaandMentholon the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of imipenem and ciprofloxacin in clinical isolates ofA. baumannii.

Methods

A total of 75 clinical isolates ofA. baumanniiwere collected. The presence of efflux pump genes was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the essential oil ofMentha longifoliaand Menthol and their combined effect with antibiotics were measured by microbroth dilution method and fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index.

Results

The frequency ofadeA,adeB, andadeCgenes in clinical isolates ofA. baumanniiwere 86.7, 90.7, and 92%, respectively. When the essential oil ofMentha longifoliawas combined with ciprofloxacin and imipenem, MICs decreased 4- and 8-fold, respectively. In the combination of menthol with imipenem, the resistance to imipenem was reduced from 0- to 16-fold in 90% (63/70) of the isolates.

Conclusion

The presence of efflux pump genes in more than 90% ofA. baumanniiisolates indicates its potential role in inducing imipenem- and ciprofloxacin-resistance in this bacterium. Menthol has an antimicrobial effect as an active ingredient inMentha longifolia. In the future, the combination of medicinal plants with antibiotics can be used as a complement in treating diseases caused by drug-resistant bacteria such asA. baumanniiinfections.
Preventing major adverse cardiovascular events by SGLT-2 inhibition in patients with type 2 diabetes: the role of kidney
Authors: Giugliano Dario , De Nicola Luca , Maiorino Maria Ida , Bellastella Giuseppe , Garofalo Carlo , Chiodini Paolo , Ceriello Antonio , Esposito Katherine
Published: March 2020

Cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) have demonstrated a significant reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated by SGLT-2 inhibitors. This holds true in the presence of background therapy with statins in most patients. Noteworthy, this SGLT-2 inhibitors effect is unique because, at variance with other components of cardiorenal protection, MACE prevention does not appear to be a class effect. Here, we present meta-analysis of the four key CVOTs indicating a major role of renal function in determining the extent of MACE prevention, with the benefit increasing in more severe kidney disease, that is, a high-risk condition where effectiveness of the traditional approach with statins is reduced.
Anti-HSV-1 activity of Aspergillipeptide D, a cyclic pentapeptide isolated from fungus Aspergillus sp. SCSIO 41501
Authors: Wang Zhaoyang , Jia Jiaoyan , Wang Lu , Li Feng , Wang Yiliang , Jiang Yuzhou , Song Xiaowei , Qin Shurong , Zheng Kai , Ye Ju , Ren Zhe , Wang Yifei , Qi Shuhua
Published: March 2020

Background

Herpes simplex virus 1, an enveloped DNA virus belonging to the Herpesviridae family, spreads to neurons and causes pathological changes in the central nervous system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potency and mechanism of antiviral activity of Aspergillipeptide D, a cyclic pentapeptide isolated from a culture broth of marine gorgonian-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. SCSIO 41501, At present, there are many studies on the anti-tumor, anti-clotting, anti-oxidant and immunoinflammatory effects of Aspergillipeptide D, but little research has been done on the anti-HSV-1 activity of Aspergillipeptide D.

Methods

The anti-HSV-1 activity of Aspergillipeptide D was evaluated by plaque reduction assay. The mechanism of action against HSV-1 was determined from the effective stage. Then we assayed the viral DNA replication, viral RNA synthesis and protein expression, respectively. We also identified the proteins that interact with gB by mass spectrometry, and assayed the effect of Aspergillipeptide D on the interaction between the virus gB protein and cell proteins.

Results

Plaque reduction experiments showed that Aspergillipeptide D did not affect HSV-1 early infection events, including viral inactivation, attachment and penetration. Interestingly, Aspergillipeptide D dramatically reduced both the gene and protein levels of viral late protein gB, and suppressed its location in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. In contrast, overexpression of gB restored viral production. Finally, proteomic analysis revealed that the numbers of cellular proteins that interacted with gB protein was largely decreased by Aspergillipeptide D. These results suggested that Aspergillipeptide D inhibited gB function to affect HSV-1 intercellular spread.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that Aspergillipeptide D might be a potential candidate for HSV-1 therapy, especially for ACV-resistant strains.
Correction to: Family Integrated Care (FICare) in Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Units: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors:   Alberta FICare Level II NICU Study Team, Benzies Karen M. , Shah Vibhuti , Aziz Khalid , Isaranuwatchai Wanrudee , Palacio-Derflingher Luz , Scotland Jeanne , Larocque Jill , Mrklas Kelly , Suter Esther , Naugler Christopher , Stelfox Henry T. , Chari Radha , Lodha Abhay
Published: March 2020

After publication of our article [1], the authors have reported mathematical errors made in the sample size calculation for this cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT) (Benzies et al. 2017).
Influence on [18F]FDG uptake by cancer cells after anti-PD-1 therapy in an enforced-immune activated mouse tumor
Authors: Tomita Mayu , Suzuki Motofumi , Kono Yusuke , Nakajima Kohei , Matsuda Takuma , Kuge Yuji , Ogawa Mikako
Published: March 2020

Background

Anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) antibody is an immune checkpoint inhibitor, and anti-PD-1 therapy improves the anti-tumor functions of T cells and affects tumor microenvironment. We previously reported that anti-PD-1 treatment affected tumor glycolysis by using 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose ([18F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). That study showed that anti-PD-1 therapy in a mouse B16F10 melanoma model increased glucose metabolism in cancer cells at the point where anti-PD-1 therapy did not cause a significant inhibition of tumor growth. However, the B16F10 melanoma model is poorly immunogenic, so it is not clear how anti-PD-1 treatment affects glucose metabolism in highly immunogenic cancer models. In this study, we used a cyclic dinucleotide GMP-AMP (cGAMP)-injected B16F10 melanoma model to investigate the effect of anti-PD-1 therapy on [18F]FDG uptake in a highly immune activated tumor in mice.

Results

To compare the cGAMP-injected B16F10 model with the B16F10 model, experiments were performed as described in our previous manuscript. [18F]FDG-PET was measured before treatment and 7 days after the start of treatment. In this study, [18F]FDG uptake in tumors in the cGAMP/anti-PD-1 combination group was lower than that in the anti-PD-1 treatment group tumors on day 7, as shown by PET and ex vivo validation. Flow-cytometry was performed to assess immune cell populations and glucose metabolism. Anti-PD-1 and/or cGAMP treatment increased the infiltration level of immune cells into tumors. The cGAMP/anti-PD-1 combination group had significantly lower levels of GLUT1high cells/hexokinase IIhigh cells in CD45− cancer cells compared with tumors in the anti-PD-1 treated group. These results suggested that if immune responses in tumors are higher than a certain level, glucose uptake in cancer cells is reduced depending on that level. Such a change of glucose uptake might be caused by the difference in infiltration or activation level of immune cells between the anti-PD-1 treated group and the cGAMP/anti-PD-1 combination group.

Conclusions

[18F]FDG uptake in cancer cells after anti-PD-1 treatment might be affected by the tumor immune microenvironment including immune cell infiltration, composition, and activation status.
Nonlocal-derivative NLS equations and group-invariant soliton solutions
Authors: Yao Yuqin , Huang Yehui
Published: March 2020

A coupled Chen–Lee–Liu (CLL) system is proposed and its linear Lax pair is given. Many kinds of nonlocal-derivative NLS (DNLS) equations arise from the group symmetry reductions of the coupled CLL system. $\hat{P}\hat{T}\hat{C}$PˆTˆCˆ-symmetry invariant one-soliton solution and periodic two-soliton solution of a two-place DNLS (TDNLS) system are obtained. A group symmetry invariant two-soliton solution of a four-place DNLS (FDNLS) system is worked out. New characteristics of the two-soliton interactions for the TDNLS system and FDNLS system are analyzed.
Altered secretory and neuroprotective function of the choroid plexus in progressive multiple sclerosis
Authors: Rodríguez-Lorenzo Sabela , Ferreira Francisco David Miguel , Vos Ricardo , van het Hof Bert , Rijnsburger Merel , Schroten Horst , Ishikawa Hiroshi , Beaino Wissam , Bruggmann Rémy , Kooij Gijs , de Vries Helga E.
Published: March 2020

The choroid plexus (CP) is a key regulator of the central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis through its secretory, immunological and barrier properties. Accumulating evidence suggests that the CP plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), but the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. To get a comprehensive view on the role of the CP in MS, we studied transcriptomic alterations of the human CP in progressive MS and non-neurological disease controls using RNA sequencing. We identified 17 genes with significantly higher expression in progressive MS patients relative to that in controls. Among them is the newly described long non-coding RNA HIF1A-AS3. Next to that, we uncovered disease-affected pathways related to hypoxia, secretion and neuroprotection, while only subtle immunological and no barrier alterations were observed. In an ex vivo CP explant model, a subset of the upregulated genes responded in a similar way to hypoxic conditions. Our results suggest a deregulation of the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF)-1 pathway in progressive MS CP. Importantly, cerebrospinal fluid levels of the hypoxia-responsive secreted peptide PAI-1 were higher in MS patients with high disability relative to those with low disability. These findings provide for the first time a complete overview of the CP transcriptome in health and disease, and suggest that the CP environment becomes hypoxic in progressive MS patients, highlighting the altered secretory and neuroprotective properties of the CP under neuropathological conditions. Together, these findings provide novel insights to target the CP and promote the secretion of neuroprotective factors into the CNS of progressive MS patients.
Laboratory tests simulating corrosion in geothermal power plants: influence of service conditions
Authors: Vallejo Vitaller Ana , Angst Ueli M. , Elsener Bernhard
Published: March 2020

One of the main challenges associated with the operation and maintenance of binary geothermal power plants is the degradation of construction materials. In this sense, it is crucial to apply appropriate preventive maintenance in critical components (such as the wellheads, heat exchangers, or pipes), while reducing shutdown times. Based on electrochemical measurements performed in an autoclave corrosion testing setup, we studied the corrosion mechanism of API L80 steel grade as a function of operational and/or maintenance procedures. We used a test fluid representative for a site in Switzerland, but the main observations made may be applicable in a wider context. We found that changes in the fluid temperature (from 200 to 100 °C) or temporary oxygen ingress significantly influenced the corrosion behavior of this carbon steel and increased its corrosion rate (from approx. 20 µm/year to > 120 µm/year). After a few days, the corrosion rate was found to decrease and stabilize around values of 50–70 µm/year, as a result of a porous corrosion product layer formed on the metal surface (approx. 250 µm thick). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicated an increase in capacitance of the double layer over time, most likely due to an increase in the effective surface area of the steel sample, as a consequence of surface roughening due to corrosion. The results from this study may be implemented in the design and operation of future power plants in Switzerland and elsewhere to ensure reliable and cost-effective energy production from geothermal resources.
Chromatographic method for estimation of vitamin E from dried blood spot sample
Authors: Navale Archana Mohit , Patel Vichika R. , Tandel Falguni B.
Published: March 2020

Background

We developed a selective bioanalytical RP-HPLC method for estimation of vitamin E from dried blood spot (DBS) sample, a potential technique which can be used for population-based epidemiological studies. Vitamin E was extracted from DBS by using liquid-liquid extraction technique with methanol (100% v/v) as reconstituting solvent for the residue. Alpha tocopheryl acetate was used as internal standard. Samples were analyzed directly on HPLC with C18 (250 × 4.6 mm × 5 μm) Phenomenex column. The mobile phase used was methanol to water (99:1% v/v) at a flow rate of 1.4 mL/min. The detector wavelength used was 292 nm.

Results

The retention time observed for vitamin E and internal standard was 10.225 ± 0.00075 min and 13.580 ± 0.00075 min respectively. The vitamin E calibration curve was found to be linear over the range of 0.625 to 60 μg/mL. The limit of quantification for vitamin E was found to be 0.1 μg/mL. Accuracy of the developed method was found to be 103.179%, 101.625%, and 100.174% with percentage of coefficient of variation of 0.0161, 0.0215, and 0.2790 for HQC, MQC, and LQC samples respectively which were within USFDA acceptance limit of ± 15 to ± 20%.The intraday and interday precision expressed as coefficient of variation were 0.0191–0.0841% and 0.0074–0.0252% respectively.

Conclusions

The method represents a simple, rapid, specific, accurate, and precise method for estimation of vitamin E in human blood using DBS technique. The developed method can be further evaluated with respect to effect of matrix variability before it can be used in clinical setting.
Stripping induced polarization effects from airborne electromagnetics to improve 3D conductivity inversion of a narrow palaeovalley
Authors: Macnae James , Ren Xiuyan , Munday Tim
Published: March 2020

The electrical conductivity distribution within wide palaeochannels is usually well-mapped from airborne electromagnetic data using stitched 1D algorithms. Such stitched 1D solutions are, however, inappropriate for narrow valleys. An alternative option is to consider 2D or 3D models to allow for finite lateral extent of conductors. In airborne electromagnetic data within the Musgrave block near the well-studied Valen conductor, strong induced polarization (IP) and superparamagnetic (SPM) effects make physical property and structure estimation even more uncertain for deep channel clays, particularly those whose channel widths are comparable to their depth of burial. We developed a recursive data fitting algorithm based on dispersive thin sheet responses. The separate IP and SPM components of the fit provide near-surface chargeability and SPM distributions, and the associated electromagnetic (EM) fit provides stripped data with monotonic decays compatible with a simple nondispersive conductivity model. The validity of this stripped data prediction was tested through a comparison of 1D conductivity-depth imaging and 3D inversion applied to the original data and the stripped data. Due to the forked geometry of the deep conductivity structure in the region we investigated, we successfully used 3D rather than 2D inversion to predict the conductivity distribution related to the EM data. We recovered from the stripped data a continuous conductivity structure consistent with a branching, clay-filled palaeovalley under cover.
Regularization to Stein unbiased risk estimation denoising and threshold for first-break picking to low signal-to-noise ratio of surface microseismic monitoring — Case of gas shale fracturing
Authors: Xie Qingming , Xu Hong , Chen Lichuan , Liu Hong , Chen Bolin , He Fei , Liang Dan , Su Degui
Published: March 2020

With monitoring of the acoustic emission phenomenon caused by rock deformation and failure, microseismic monitoring has been widely used in the development of unconventional oil and gas fields. Due to the complex environment and diversity types of the noise, the signal energy of surface microseismic monitoring is weak and the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of raw data is very low. In the process of data processing, many human resources are needed to discriminate the first-break picking because of the low S/N, and this directly affects the error of microseismic event location. We have adopted the regularization to Stein unbiased risk estimation (R-SURE) algorithm based on the continuous wavelet transform to separate the signal from the noise in different decomposition levels. The regularization factor is the adaptive change of the different geology and fracturing engineering, which is related to shale brittleness, fracturing pressure, and displacement. As a result, the threshold from the R-SURE algorithm is multiresolution in different levels, and the S/N could be improved effectively. In addition, we established the threshold discriminant for picking up the first-break wave of low-S/N data combined with the Akaike information criterion and characteristic function, which compared the maximum absolute value in the time window. The method has good robustness and low computational complexity. The first arrival is automatically and accurately judged, which improves the accuracy of the event location. We successfully applied these methods to the surface microseismic monitoring of shale gas fracturing in several wells in southwest China. The S/N of the raw data has been improved, the effective stimulated reservoir volume and the performance of the gas production are predicted with the results, which provides important technical support for shale gas development in the area.
The one and the many: a case highlighting comorbidity and complexity in psychiatry
Authors: Williams Jonathan , Cain Ruth , Arnone Danilo , Kyratsous Michalis
Published: March 2020

Diagnostic categorisation is a typical stage of the medical model. Nevertheless, it is important to consider what is helpful to both the clinician and the patient when symptoms, experiences and perceptions are categorised. In this case report, we address the problem of comorbidity and complexity in psychiatry. Research and clinical experience point to significant overlap between personality disorders, mood disorders, and developmental disorders such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. In the face of such complexity, we discuss ways of addressing and managing multiple diagnoses in clinical practice. We synthesise the perspectives and views of a general practice trainee, two consultant psychiatrists and a person with lived experience.
Un-nationalisms of the Federated Archipelago
Authors: Seligmann Katerina Gonzalez
Published: March 2020

The West Indies Federation, like the Confederación Antillana from the nineteenth century, was structured by a tension between the dream of a future Pan-Caribbean nation and the prospect of a sovereign archipelagic political body that would exceed the scope of the nation-state. Because of this tension, even if the vocabulary of “Caribbean nationalism” appears to determine debates about the drive to anticolonial sovereignty embedded in the project of federation, veritably “un-national” forms also abound in discourses around both federation projects. This essay highlights discursive forms pertaining to the West Indies Federation that often “pass” for nationalism while exceeding its bounds, arguing that these forms, ranging between an attachment to empire and the critique of empire, resist assimilation into nationalist frameworks.
Schomburg, Futurity, and the Precarious Archives of Self
Authors: Mirabal Nancy Raquel
Published: March 2020

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture is the premier center of African American and Afro-diasporic studies. Yet, as the literary scholar Vanessa Valdés argues, we know little of the center’s namesake and his drive to collect and establish a renowned archive that emphasized the history, experience, and culture of African descended peoples and communities. Employing Valdés’s Diasporic Blackness: The Life and Times of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, this essay explores the politics of Afro-diasporic collection, archive, visibility, and futurity.
Schomburg’s Blackness of a Different Matter: A Historiography of Refusal
Authors: Fusté José I.
Published: March 2020

This essay uses Vanessa Valdés’s Diasporic Blackness: The Life and Times of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg (2017) to reflect on the different stakes surrounding debates about Schomburg as a historical figure and also as a heuristic for grasping the complex vicissitudes of Afro-Latinx life. It challenges historicizations that presume Afro-Latinidad to be a stable and additive political ontology and that possibly foreclose black Latinx strategies of disidentification or refusal that transcend racial or ethnic nationalisms. It also provokes readers to think of what it would be like to write about Schomburg outside of frameworks that cast him as a heroic rescuer of memory and therefore as an avatar of idealized masculine respectability. Lastly, this essay asks that we consider not just the historical actors and cultural producers that Schomburg devoted himself to illuminating but also how his posthumous heroization cast a shadow over nonanglophone black activist-intellectuals who did not conform to normative early twentieth century US black nationalisms.
Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, the Quintessential Maroon: Toward an African Diasporic Epistemology
Authors: Laurent-Perrault Evelyne
Published: March 2020

This essay engages Vanessa K. Valdés’s Diasporic Blackness: The Life and Times of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg. It traces Valdés’s main contributions and notes that her work invites readers to expand their views of Schomburg’s Afro-Caribbean/Latinx/Latin American identity and his complex personality, as well as his relentless but gentle commitment to advancing black liberation. Following Saidiya Hartman’s strategy of “critical fabulation” to highlight previously silenced Afro-Epistemes, the author dwells on Schomburg’s childhood, life commitment, and legacies. Part of the essay’s purpose is to sketch the transnational community of formerly enslaved and free men and women from whom Schomburg inherited what the author calls his Maroon political consciousness. The essay also emphasizes how Valdés invites African diaspora scholars, activists, educators, artists, and so on to reflect on and trouble preconceived ideas about Maroon subjectivity, marronage, and Africa. It concludes by imagining ways Schomburg would engage our present.
The Afterlives of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg
Authors: Valdés Vanessa K.
Published: March 2020

This response essay is a reflection on the composition of Diasporic Blackness: The Life and Times of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg (2017) by its author and a sustained conversation with three of her peers, each of whom illuminate distinct aspects of Schomburg’s life and the scholarship surrounding him and his contemporaries. The exchange includes ruminations about marronage and Maroon subjectivity; the futurity of the archive, including its omissions; and a redefining of blackness as a force that ruptures and disrupts facile categorization.
DFT Study on Conformation of 1-Alkyl-3-methylimidazolium with Ethyl, Propyl, Butyl, Pentyl, and Hexyl Group
Authors: Endo Takatsugu , Higuchi Tomoki , Kimura Yoshifumi
Published: March 2020

Comprehensive conformational analyses of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations ([Cnmim]+ where n = 2–6) were performed by DFT calculations with dispersion correction in the gas phase. The energy difference (ΔE) of each conformer from the non-planar and all-trans (t) form was calculated. The planar forms have 2–3 kJ mol−1 higher energy than the corresponding non-planar form. A significant difference between these two forms is that unlike the non-planar form, the planar form cannot take gauche (g) or gauche′ (g′) in the second dihedral angle of the alkyl group. The conformational behavior for the alkyl group somewhat resembles that of alkane while interactions between the alkyl group and the imidazolium ring play an important role for [Cnmim]+ in both attractive and repulsive ways. For example, when the conformers contain g/g′ in the inner dihedral position, they tend to provide low ΔE due to the attractive interaction. Meanwhile, the strong repulsive interactions coming from steric hindrance do not allow some non-planar forms to stably exist. Instead, such a conformer takes the planar form that experiences less steric hindrance. The calculated results were compared with those from the Cambridge Structural Database, and Raman bands of the calculated cations were displayed and discussed.
Research advances in plant–insect molecular interaction
Authors: Chen Chun-Yu , Mao Ying-Bo
Published: March 2020

Acute and precise signal perception and transduction are essential for plant defense against insects. Insect elicitors—that is, the biologically active molecules from insects’ oral secretion (which contains regurgitant and saliva), frass, ovipositional fluids, and the endosymbionts—are recognized by plants and subsequently induce a local or systematic defense response. On the other hand, insects secrete various types of effectors to interfere with plant defense at multiple levels for better adaptation. Jasmonate is a main regulator involved in plant defense against insects and integrates with multiple pathways to make up the intricate defense network. Jasmonate signaling is strictly regulated in plants to avoid the hypersensitive defense response and seems to be vulnerable to assault by insect effectors at the same time. Here, we summarize recently identified elicitors, effectors, and their target proteins in plants and discuss their underlying molecular mechanisms.
Recent advances in mast cell activation and regulation
Authors: Kim Hwan Soo , Kawakami Yu , Kasakura Kazumi , Kawakami Toshiaki
Published: March 2020

Mast cells are innate immune cells that intersect with the adaptive immunity and play a crucial role in the initiation of allergic reactions and the host defense against certain parasites and venoms. When activated in an allergen- and immunoglobulin E (IgE)-dependent manner, these cells secrete a large variety of allergenic mediators that are pre-stored in secretory granules orde novo–synthesized. Traditionally, studies have predominantly focused on understanding this mechanism of mast cell activation and regulation. Along this line of study, recent studies have shed light on what structural features are required for allergens and how IgE, particularly anaphylactic IgE, is produced. However, the last few years have seen a flurry of new studies on IgE-independent mast cell activation, particularly via Mrgprb2 (mouse) and MRGPRX2 (human). These studies have greatly advanced our understanding of how mast cells exert non-histaminergic itch, pain, and drug-induced pseudoallergy by interacting with sensory neurons. Recent studies have also characterized mast cell activation and regulation by interleukin-33 (IL-33) and other cytokines and by non-coding RNAs. These newly identified mechanisms for mast cell activation and regulation will further stimulate the allergy/immunology community to develop novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of allergic and non-allergic diseases.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Role of Scalable Computing and Data Analytics in Evolution of Internet of Things
Authors: JN Swaminathan , Ram Gopi , Lanka Sureka
Published: March 2020

The evolution of Internet of Things has given way to a Smart World where there is an improved integration of devices, systems and processes in humans through all pervasive connectivity. Anytime, anywhere connection and transaction is the motto of the Internet of things which brings comfort to the users and sweeps the problem of physical boundary out of the way. Once it has come into the purview of developers, new areas have been identified and new applications have been introduced. Small wearables which can track your health to big automated vehicles which can move from one place to another self navigating without human intervention are the order of the day. This has also brought into existence a new technology called cloud, since with IoT comes a large number of devices connected to the internet continuously pumping data into the cloud for storage and processing. Another area benefited from the evolution of IoT is the wireless and wired connectivity through a wide range of connectivity standards.

As with any technology, it has also created a lot of concerns regarding the security, privacy and ethics.

 

Data protection issues created by new technologies are a threat which has been recognized by developers, public and also the governing body long back. The complexity of the system arises because of the various sensors and technologies which clearly tell the pattern of the activities of the individual as well an organization making us threat prone. Moreover, the volume of the data in the cloud makes it too difficult to recognize the privacy requirement of the data or to segregate open data from private data. Data analytics is another technology which supposedly increases the opportunity of increasing business by studying this private data collected from IoT and exploring ways to monetize them. It also helps the individual by recognizing their priorities and narrowing their search. But the data collected are real world data and aggregation of this data in the cloud is an open invitation to the hackers to study about the behaviors of the individuals.

 

The special issues of Scalable Computing has attract related to the Role of Scalable Computing and Data Analytics in Evolution of Internet of Things has attracted 28 submissions from which were selected 12.
A Study to Analyze Enhancement Techniques on Sound Quality for Bone Conduction and Air Conduction Speech Processing
Authors: Subbaiah Putta Venkata , Deepthi Hima
Published: March 2020

In recent years, enhancing speech signal for communications become more complex due to the environmental noises for military and navel applications. Many researchers analyzed and developed complex algorithms and expressed ways to enhance speech signal for both Bone Conducted Speech (BCS) and Air Conducted Speech (ACS) processing techniques. BCS signal is vigorous for outer environmental noises and with low quality signal. ACS signal is sensitive for environmental noises nut rigid in amplitude and high frequencies. Here we have reviewed and investigated various articles to explore their ideas in speech processing for enhancing intelligibility of sound quality.
A Hybrid Intrusion Detection System for Mobile Adhoc Networks using FBID Protocol
Authors: Rajalakshmi D , Meena K
Published: March 2020

The security in a mobile ad hoc networks is more vulnerable and susceptible to the environment, because in this network no centralized environment for monitoring individual nodes activity during communication. The intruders are hacked the networks either locally and globally. Now a day’s mobile ad hoc network is an emerging area of research due to its unique characteristics. It’s more vulnerable to detect malicious activities, and error prone in nature due to their dynamic topology configuration. Based on their difficulties of intrusion detection system, in this paper proposed a novel approach for mobile ad hoc network is Fuzzy Based Intrusion Detection (FBID) protocol, to identify, analyze and detect a malicious node in different circumstances. This protocol it improves the efficiency of the system and does not degrade the system performance in real time.This FBID system is more efficient and the performance is compared with AODV, Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping with the following performance metrics: Throughput, Packet Delivery Ratio, Packets Dropped, Routing overhead, Propagation delay and shortest path for delivering packets from one node to another node. The System is robust. It produces the crisp output to the benefit of end users. It provides an integrated solution capable of detecting the majority of security attacks occurring in MANETs.