bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
(Dis)embodied encounters between art and academic writing amid a pandemic
Authors: Mandalaki Emmanouela , Daou Ely
Published: June 2020

The current account recounts the authors’ artistic virtual interactions during the COVID‐19 period of quarantine to discuss how connections between art, writing, humans’ embodied struggles and technologies can enable forms of feminist writing, as a cyborg practice, which have the political potential to meaningfully voice embodied experiences of inter‐sectionality and vulnerability that remain increasingly under‐expressed, in a neoliberal world of pandemic. Presented in a creative prose, whereby theory interweaves with artistic performances, poetry and extracts of the authors’ virtual exchanges, this account reflects how hybrid, non‐conventional, cyborg writing explorations can connect different bodies in an academic text even when these bodies are physically kept apart. By invoking hybridity that counters the masculine conventions of academic writing, this text aspires to produce academic knowledge that writes and speaks of embodied experiences of othering that urgently seek expression under the COVID‐19 pandemic. The current account builds on the burgeoning stream of organizational literature on writing differently and especially feminist forms of writing integrating genre‐blurring prose, poetry and art‐based research.
Population density, microhabitat use, and size characteristics of Pseudothelphusa dugesi, a threatened species of freshwater crab from Mexico (Brachyura: Pseudothelphusidae)
Authors: Paniagua Domínguez Emmanuel Carlos , Arce Uribe Elsah , Viveros‐Guardado Diego Alfonso
Published: June 2020

The brachyuran crab Pseudothelphusa dugesi, or cangrejito barranqueño, is an endangered species endemic to Cuernavaca, Morelos, in central Mexico. Individuals of P. dugesi inhabit freshwater springs, which are affected by human actions through wastewater drainage, eutrophication, exploitation, and invasive predators such as rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In this study, we evaluated the population density, microhabitat use, and size characteristics of P. dugesi. Sampling was conducted in May, July, and December of 2018 and March of 2019, during the dry and rainy seasons in a natural protected area, the Barranca de Chapultepec. Population density was 0.082 crabs/m2, female density was 0.052 crabs/m2, and male density was 0.112 crabs/m2; ovigerous females were not observed. Males were more abundant than females; the female: male ratio was 1:2.14. Males and females had similar carapace widths and lengths, left and right chelae lengths, and mass. Individuals of P. dugesi were found mostly under or between rocks and under leaf litter. Individuals were more active at night. An understanding of the biology and population characteristics of P. dugesi will help conservationists to develop protective measures and a conservation strategy for this endangered Mexican freshwater crab species.
A CGRP receptor antagonist peptide formulated for nasal administration to treat migraine
Authors: von Mentzer Bengt , Russo Andrew F , Zhang Zhongming , Kuburas Adisa , Killoran Patrick M , D’Aloisio Vera , Nizic Laura , Capel Vicky , Kendall David A , Coxon Christopher R , Hutcheon Gillian A
Published: June 2020

Objectives

To investigate the formulation of the peptide-based antagonist (34Pro,35Phe)CGRP27–37, of the human calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor as a potential nasally delivered migraine treatment.

Methods

Peptide sequences were prepared using automated methods and purified by preparative HPLC. Their structure and stability were determined by LC-MS. Antagonist potency was assessed by measuring CGRP-stimulated cAMP accumulation in SK-N-MC, cells and in CHO cells overexpressing the human CGRP receptor. In vivo activity was tested in plasma protein extravasation (PPE) studies using Evans blue dye accumulation. Peptide-containing chitosan microparticles were prepared by spray drying.

Key findings

(34Pro,35Phe)CGRP27–37 exhibited a 10-fold increased affinity compared to αCGRP27–37. Administration of (34Pro,35Phe)CGRP27–37 to mice led to a significant decrease in CGRP-induced PPE confirming antagonistic properties in vivo. There was no degradation of (34Pro,35Phe)CGRP27–37 and no loss of antagonist potency during formulation and release from chitosan microparticles.

Conclusions

(34Pro,35Phe)CGRP27–37 is a potent CGRP receptor antagonist both in vitro and in vivo, and it can be formulated as a dry powder with no loss of activity indicating its potential as a nasally formulated anti-migraine medicine.
Telethonin variants found in Brugada syndrome, J‐wave pattern ECG, and ARVC reduce peak Nav1.5 currents in HEK‐293 cells
Authors: Turker Isik , Makiyama Takeru , Ueyama Takeshi , Shimizu Akihiko , Yamakawa Masaru , Chen Peng‐Sheng , Vatta Matteo , Horie Minoru , Ai Tomohiko
Published: June 2020

Background

Telethonin (TCAP) is a Z‐disk protein that maintains cytoskeletal integrity and various signaling pathways in cardiomyocytes. TCAP is shown to modulate α‐subunit of the human cardiac sodium channel (hNav1.5) by direct interactions. Several TCAP variants are found in cardiomyopathies. We sought to investigate whether TCAP variants are associated with arrhythmia syndromes.

Methods

Mutational analyses for TCAP were performed in 303 Japanese patients with Brugada syndrome, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, and J‐wave pattern ECG. Using patch‐clamp techniques, electrophysiological characteristics of hNav1.5 were studied in HEK‐293 cells stably expressing hNav1.5 and transiently transfected with wild‐type (WT) or variant TCAP.

Results

We identified two TCAP variants, c.145G>A:p.E49K and c.458G>A:p.R153H, in four individuals. p.E49K was found in two patients with ARVC or BrS. p.R153H was found in two patients with BrS or J‐wave pattern ECG. No patient had variant hNav1.5. Patch‐clamp experiments demonstrated that peak sodium currents were significantly reduced in cells expressing p.R153H and p.E49K compared with WT‐TCAP (66%, p.R153H; 72%, p.E49K). Voltage dependency of peak IV curve was rightward‐shifted by 5 mV in cells expressing p.E49K compared with WT‐TCAP. Voltage dependency of activation was not leftward‐shifted by p.R153H, while voltage dependency of steady‐state inactivation was leftward‐shifted by p.E49K.

Conclusions

We found two TCAP variants in the patients with BrS, J‐wave pattern ECG, and ARVC that can cause loss‐of‐function of the hNav1.5 in heterologous expression systems. Our observation suggests that these variants might impair INa and be associated with the patients’ electrophysiological phenotypes. Further studies linking our experimental data to clinical phenotypes are warranted.
Gibberellins and auxin regulate soybean hypocotyl elongation under low light and high‐temperature interaction
Authors: Bawa George , Feng Lingyang , Chen Guopeng , Chen Hong , Hu Yun , Pu Tian , Cheng Yajiao , Shi Jianyi , Xiao Te , Zhou Wenguan , Yong Taiwen , Sun Xin , Yang Feng , Yang Wenyu , Wang Xiaochun
Published: June 2020

Soybean is an important oilseed crop grown globally. However, two examples of environmental stresses that drastically regulate soybean growth are low light and high‐temperature. Emerging evidence suggests a possible interconnection between these two environmental stimuli. Low light and high‐temperature as individual factors have been reported to regulate plant hypocotyl elongation. However, their interactive signal effect on soybean growth and development remains largely unclear. Here, we report that gibberellins (GAs) and auxin are required for soybean hypocotyl elongation under low light and high‐temperature interaction. Our analysis indicated that low light and high‐temperature interaction enhanced the regulation of soybean hypocotyl elongation and that the endogenous GA3, GA7, indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), and indole‐3‐pyruvate (IPA) contents significantly increased. Again, analysis of the effect of exogenous phytohormones and biosynthesis inhibitors treatments showed that exogenous GA, IAA, and paclobutrazol (PAC), 2, 3, 5,‐triiodobenzoic acid (TIBA) treatments significantly regulated soybean seedlings growth under low light and high‐temperature interaction. Further qRT‐PCR analysis showed that the expression level of GA biosynthesis pathway genes (GmGA3ox1, GmGA3ox2 and GmGA3) and auxin biosynthesis pathway genes (GmYUCCA3, GmYUCCA5 and GmYUCCA7) significantly increased under (i) low light and high‐temperature interaction and (ii) exogenous GA and IAA treatments. Altogether, these observations support the hypothesis that gibberellins and auxin regulate soybean hypocotyl elongation under low light and high‐temperature stress interaction.
Supervisory Control and Distributed Optimization of Building Energy Systems
Authors: Jiang Zhanhong , Chinde Venkatesh , Kohl Adam , Kelkar Atul G. , Sarkar Soumik
Published: June 2020

Energy consumption in commercial buildings is significantly affected by the performance of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, which are traditionally operated using centralized controllers. HVAC control requires adjusting multiple setpoints such as chilled water temperatures and supply air temperature (SAT). Supervisory control framework in a distributed setting enables optimal HVAC operation and provides scalable solutions for optimizing energy across several scales from homes to regional areas. This paper proposes a distributed optimization framework for achieving energy efficiency in large-scale building energy systems. It is highly desirable to have building management systems that are scalable, robust, flexible, and are low cost. For addressing the scalability and flexibility, a modular problem formulation is established that decouples the distributed optimization level from local thermal zone modeling level. We leverage a recently developed generalized gossip algorithm for robust distributed optimization. The supervisory controller aims at minimizing the energy input considering occupant comfort. For validating the proposed scheme, a numerical case study based on a physical testbed in the Iowa Energy Center is presented. We show that the distributed optimization methodology outperforms the typical baseline strategy, which is a rule-based controller to set a constant supply air temperature. This paper also incorporates a software architecture based on the volttron platform, developed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), for practical implementation of the proposed framework via the BACnet system. The experimental results show that the supervisory control framework proposed in this paper can save energy by approximately 11%.
Stress–Strain Relationship of Polycaprolactone in Liquid Nitrogen for Finite Element Simulation of Cryogenic Micropunching Process
Authors: Sagar Amrit , Nehme Christopher , Saigal Anil , James Thomas P.
Published: June 2020

In pursuit of research to create a synthetic tissue scaffold by a micropunching process, material properties of polycaprolactone (PCL) in liquid nitrogen were determined experimentally and used for finite element modeling of cryogenic micropunching process. Specimens were prepared using injection molding and tested under compression to determine the stress–strain relationship of PCL below its glass transition temperature. Cryogenic conditions were maintained by keeping the PCL specimens submerged in liquid nitrogen throughout the loading cycle. Specimens of two different aspect ratios were used for testing. Yield strength, strength coefficient, and strain hardening exponent were determined for different specimen aspect ratios and extrapolated for the case with zero diameter to length ratio. Material properties were also determined at room temperature and compared against results available in the literature. Results demonstrate that PCL behaves in a brittle manner at cryogenic temperatures with more than ten times increase in Young's modulus from its value at room temperature. The results were used to predict punching forces for the design of microscale hole punching dies and for validation of a microscale hole punching model that was created with a commercially available finite element software package, deform 3D. The three parameters, yield strength, strength coefficient, and strain hardening exponent, used in Ludwik's equation to model flow stress of PCL in deform 3D were determined to be 94.8 MPa, 210 MPa, and 0.54, respectively. The predicted peak punching force from finite element simulations matched with experimentally determined punching force results.
A Case Study on Designing a Passive Feeding-Assistive Orthosis for Arthrogryposis
Authors: Castro Miguel Nobre , Rahman Tariq , Nicholson Kristen Faith , Rasmussen John , Bai Shaoping , Andersen Michael Skipper
Published: June 2020

Passive arm-assistive devices play an important role in the rehabilitation of patients with neuromuscular disorders or injuries by overcoming their motor deficit. Routine human activities such as feeding are not possible without the aid provided by one of these devices or by a caregiver. In this study, a body-powered assistive device was designed for feeding purposes using a compact spherical scissors mechanism and zero-free-length (ZFL) springs (rubber bands) to leverage the patient's residual biceps and healthy triceps function. This partially balanced and lightweight orthosis was also projected to accommodate the spring attachment points closer to the elbow joint center. The performance of the prototype was evaluated on a young adult with bilateral amyoplasia of the biceps due to arthrogryposis who could not initially reach the superior anterior aspect of the close-to-torso region of the reachable three-dimensional (3D) workspace (RWS). That was accomplished by measuring the anatomical RWS of the patient before and while wearing the device. The results show that the patient, with the assistance provided by the device, was able to attain positions in the frontal close-to-torso region of the body that included reaching her mouth, thus enabling independent feeding.
Combining surface-sensitive microscopies for analysis of biological tissues after neural device implantation
Authors: De Carvalho Amanda G. , Barnes Jean-Paul , Renault Olivier , Mariolle Denis , Gaude Christophe , Ratel David , Galtayries Anouk
Published: June 2020

In order to address the complexity of chemical analysis of biological systems, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and x-ray photoemission electron microscopy (XPEEM) were used for combined surface imaging of a biological tissue formed around a surface neural device after implantation on a nonhuman primate brain. Results show patterns on biological tissue based on extracellular matrix (ECM) and phospholipid membrane (PM) molecular fragments, which were contrasted through principal component analysis of ToF-SIMS negative spectrum. This chemical differentiation may indicate severe inflammation on tissue with an early case of necrosis. Quantification of the elemental composition and the chemical bonding states on both ECM-rich and PM-rich features was possible through XPS analysis from survey and high-resolution spectra, respectively. Variable amounts of carbon (68%–80.5%), nitrogen (10%–2.4%), and oxygen (20.8%–16.5%) were detected on the surface of the biological tissue. Chlorine, phosphorous sodium, and sulfur were also identified in lower extends. Besides that, analysis of the C 1s high-resolution spectra for the same two regions (ECM and PM ones) showed that a compromise between C—C (41.8 at. %) and C—N/C—O (35.6 at. %) amounts may indicate a strong presence of amino acids and proteoglycans on the ECM fragment-rich region, while the great amount of C—C (70.1 at. %) on the PM fragment-rich region is attributed to the large chains of fatty acids connected to phospholipid molecules. The micrometer-scale imaging of these chemical states on tissue was accomplished through XPEEM analysis. The C—C presence was found uniformly distributed across the entire analyzed area, while C—N/C—O and C=O were in two distinct regions. The combination of ToF-SIMS, XPS, and XPEEM is shown here as a powerful, noninvasive approach to map out elemental and chemical properties of biological tissues, i.e., identification of chemically distinct regions, followed by quantification of the surface chemical composition in each distinct region.
Heritable genetic variants in key cancer genes link cancer risk with anthropometric traits
Authors: Di Giovannantonio Matteo , Harris Benjamin HL , Zhang Ping , Kitchen-Smith Isaac , Xiong Lingyun , Sahgal Natasha , Stracquadanio Giovanni , Wallace Marsha , Blagden Sarah , Lord Simon , Harris David , Harris Adrian H.L. , Buffa Francesca M. , Bond Gareth L.
Published: June 2020

Background

Height and other anthropometric measures are consistently found to associate with differential cancer risk. However, both genetic and mechanistic insights into these epidemiological associations are notably lacking. Conversely, inherited genetic variants in tumour suppressors and oncogenes increase cancer risk, but little is known about their influence on anthropometric traits.

Methods

By integrating inherited and somatic cancer genetic data from the Genome-Wide Association Study Catalog, expression Quantitative Trait Loci databases and the Cancer Gene Census, we identify SNPs that associate with different cancer types and differential gene expression in at least one tissue type, and explore the potential pleiotropic associations of these SNPs with anthropometric traits through SNP-wise association in a cohort of 500,000 individuals.

Results

We identify three regulatory SNPs for three important cancer genes, FANCA, MAP3K1 and TP53 that associate with both anthropometric traits and cancer risk. Of particular interest, we identify a previously unrecognised strong association between the rs78378222[C] SNP in the 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) of TP53 and both increased risk for developing non-melanomatous skin cancer (OR=1.36 (95% 1.31 to 1.41), adjusted p=7.62E−63), brain malignancy (OR=3.12 (2.22 to 4.37), adjusted p=1.43E−12) and increased standing height (adjusted p=2.18E−24, beta=0.073±0.007), lean body mass (adjusted p=8.34E−37, beta=0.073±0.005) and basal metabolic rate (adjusted p=1.13E−31, beta=0.076±0.006), thus offering a novel genetic link between these anthropometric traits and cancer risk.

Conclusion

Our results clearly demonstrate that heritable variants in key cancer genes can associate with both differential cancer risk and anthropometric traits in the general population, thereby lending support for a genetic basis for linking these human phenotypes.
Polygenic and multifactorial scores for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma risk prediction
Authors: Galeotti Alice Alessandra , Gentiluomo Manuel , Rizzato Cosmeri , Obazee Ofure , Neoptolemos John P , Pasquali Claudio , Nentwich Michael , Cavestro Giulia Martina , Pezzilli Raffaele , Greenhalf William , Holleczek Bernd , Schroeder Cornelia , Schöttker Ben , Ivanauskas Audrius , Ginocchi Laura , Key Timothy J , Hegyi Péter , Archibugi Livia , Darvasi Erika , Basso Daniela , Sperti Cosimo , Bijlsma Maarten F , Palmieri Orazio , Hlavac Viktor , Talar-Wojnarowska Renata , Mohelnikova-Duchonova Beatrice , Hackert Thilo , Vashist Yogesh , Strouhal Ondrej , van Laarhoven Hanneke , Tavano Francesca , Lovecek Martin , Dervenis Christos , Izbéki Ferenc , Padoan Andrea , Małecka-Panas Ewa , Maiello Evaristo , Vanella Giuseppe , Capurso Gabriele , Izbicki Jakob R , Theodoropoulos George E , Jamroziak Krzysztof , Katzke Verena , Kaaks Rudolf , Mambrini Andrea , Papanikolaou Ioannis S , Szmola Richárd , Szentesi Andrea , Kupcinskas Juozas , Bursi Simona , Costello Eithne , Boggi Ugo , Milanetto Anna Caterina , Landi Stefano , Gazouli Maria , Vodickova Ludmila , Soucek Pavel , Gioffreda Domenica , Gemignani Federica , Brenner Hermann , Strobel Oliver , Büchler Markus , Vodicka Pavel , Paiella Salvatore , Canzian Federico , Campa Daniele
Published: June 2020

Background

Most cases of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are asymptomatic in early stages, and the disease is typically diagnosed in advanced phases, resulting in very high mortality. Tools to identify individuals at high risk of developing PDAC would be useful to improve chances of early detection.

Objective

We generated a polygenic risk score (PRS) for PDAC risk prediction, combining the effect of known risk SNPs, and carried out an exploratory analysis of a multifactorial score.

Methods

We tested the associations of the individual known risk SNPs on up to 2851 PDAC cases and 4810 controls of European origin from the PANcreatic Disease ReseArch (PANDoRA) consortium. Thirty risk SNPs were included in a PRS, which was computed on the subset of subjects that had 100% call rate, consisting of 839 cases and 2040 controls in PANDoRA and 6420 cases and 4889 controls from the previously published Pancreatic Cancer Cohort Consortium I–III and Pancreatic Cancer Case-Control Consortium genome-wide association studies. Additional exploratory multifactorial scores were constructed by complementing the genetic score with smoking and diabetes.

Results

The scores were associated with increased PDAC risk and reached high statistical significance (OR=2.70, 95% CI 1.99 to 3.68, p=2.54×10−10 highest vs lowest quintile of the weighted PRS, and OR=14.37, 95% CI 5.57 to 37.09, p=3.64×10−8, highest vs lowest quintile of the weighted multifactorial score).

Conclusion

We found a highly significant association between a PRS and PDAC risk, which explains more than individual SNPs and is a step forward in the direction of the construction of a tool for risk stratification in the population.
Photodissociation of mono- and di-anionic tin clusters
Authors: Wolfram Markus , Bandelow Steffi , Jankowski Alexander , König Stephan , Marx Gerrit , Schweikhard Lutz
Published: June 2020

Negatively charged tin clusters offer a broad range of decay products, as observed after electron-cluster interactions [S. König, M. Wolfram, S. Bandelow, G. Marx, L. Schweikhard, Eur. Phys. J. D 72, 153 (2018)]. To get further insight into their decay pathways, size and charge-state selected clusters Snn- and Snn2- were photo-excited at the ClusterTrap setup by 532 nm Nd:YAG laser pulses. For small mono-anionic precursor clusters containing up to n ≃ 45 atoms, Snn-7- and Snn-10- are observed as preferred ionic fragments. For bigger clusters a transition to neutral monomer evaporation was found. In the case of di-anionic precursors, preferred decay products are Sn10- and Snn-10-, indicating fission similar to the case of the group 14 neighbor element lead [S. König, A. Jankowski, G. Marx, L. Schweikhard, M. Wolfram, Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 163001 (2018)]. Furthermore, doubly charged fragment clusters such as Snn-72- are observed, originating from break-off of neutral heptamers Sn7, a behavior which has not been observed previously for di-anionic clusters.

Graphical abstract
Multiscaled Neural Autoregressive Distributed Lag: A New Empirical Mode Decomposition Model for Nonlinear Time Series Forecasting
Authors: Saâdaoui Foued , Messaoud Othman Ben
Published: June 2020

Forecasting has always been the cornerstone of machine learning and statistics. Despite the great evolution of the time series theory, forecasters are still in the hunt for better models to make more accurate decisions. The huge advances in neural networks over the last years has led to the emergence of a new generation of effective models replacing classic econometric models. It is in this direction that we propose, in this paper, a new multiscaled Feedforward Neural Network (FNN), with the aim of forecasting multivariate time series. This new model, called Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD)-based Neural ARDL, is inspired from the well-known Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model being our proposal founded upon the concepts of nonlinearity, EMD-multiresolution and neural networks. These features give the model the ability to effectively capture many nonlinear patterns like the ones often present in econophysical time series, such as nonlinear trends, seasonal effects, long-range dependency, etc. The proposed algorithm can be summarized into the following four basic tasks: (i) EMD breaking-down multivariate time series into different resolution levels, (ii) feeding EMD components from the same levels into a number of feedforward neural ARDL models, (iii) from one level to the next, extrapolating the component corresponding to the response variable (scalar output) a number of steps ahead, and finally, (iv) recombining level-by-level forecasts into a single output. An optimal learning scheme is rigorously designed for efficiently training the new proposed architecture. The approach is finally tested and compared to a number of powerful benchmark models, where experiments are conducted on real-world data.
Categorization of Multiple Documents Using Fuzzy Overlapping Clustering Based on Formal Concept Analysis
Authors: Chen Yi-Hui , Lu Eric Jui-Lin , Cheng Ya-Wen
Published: June 2020

Most clustering algorithms build disjoint clusters. However, clusters might be overlapped because documents may belong to two or more categories in the real world. For example, a paper discussing the Apple Watch may be categorized into either 3C, Fashion, or even Clothing and Shoes. Therefore, overlapping clustering algorithms have been studied such that a resource can be assigned to one or more clusters. Formal Concept Analysis (FCA), which has many practical applications in information science, has been used in disjoin clustering, but has not been studied in overlapping clustering. To make overlapping clustering possible by using FCA, we propose an approach, including two types of transformation. From the experimental results, it shows that the proposed fuzzy overlapping clustering performed more efficiently than existing overlapping clustering methods. The positive results confirm the feasibility of the proposed scheme used in overlapping clustering. Also, it can be used in applications such as recommendation systems.
Concurrent Bug Finding Based on Bounded Model Checking
Authors: Vujošević Janičić Milena
Published: June 2020

Automated and reliable software verification is of crucial importance for development of high-quality software. Formal methods can be used for finding different kinds of bugs without executing the software, for example, for finding possible run-time errors. The methods like model checking and symbolic execution offer very precise static analysis but on real world programs do not always scale well. One way to tackle the scalability problem is to apply new concurrent and sequential approaches to complex algorithms used in these kinds of software analysis. In this paper, we compare different variants of bounded model checking and propose two concurrent approaches: concurrency of intra-procedural analysis and concurrency of inter-procedural analysis. We implemented these approaches in a software verification tool LAV, a tool that is based on bounded model checking and symbolic execution. For assessing the improvements gained, we experimentally compared the concurrent approaches with the standard bounded model checking approach (where all correctness conditions are put into a single compound formula) and with a sequential approach (where correctness conditions are checked separately, one after the other). The results show that, in many cases, the proposed concurrent approaches give significant improvements.
Software Crucial Functions Ranking and Detection in Dynamic Execution Sequence Patterns
Authors: Zhang Bing , Shan Chun , Hussain Munawar , Ren Jiadong , Huang Guoyan
Published: June 2020

Because of the sequence and number of calls of functions, software network cannot reflect the real execution of software. Thus, to detect crucial functions (DCF) based on software network is controversial. To address this issue, from the viewpoint of software dynamic execution, a novel approach to DCF is proposed in this paper. It firstly models, the dynamic execution process as an execution sequence by taking functions as nodes and tracing the stack changes occurring. Second, an algorithm for deleting repetitive patterns is designed to simplify execution sequence and construct software sequence pattern sets. Third, the crucial function detection algorithm is presented to identify the distribution law of the numbers of patterns at different levels and rank those functions so as to generate a decision-function-ranking-list (DFRL) by occurrence times. Finally, top-k discriminative functions in DFRL are chosen as crucial functions, and similarity the index of decision function sets is set up. Comparing with the results from Degree Centrality Ranking and Betweenness Centrality Ranking approaches, our approach can increase the node coverage to 80%, which is proven to be an effective and accurate one by combining advantages of the two classic algorithms in the experiments of different test cases on four open source software. The monitoring and protection on crucial functions can help increase the efficiency of software testing, strength software reliability and reduce software costs.
Particle creation by wormholes: A 1 + 1 model
Authors: Gurrea-Ysasi Gonzalo , Olmo Gonzalo J.
Published: June 2020

The propagation of a free massless scalar field in a [Formula: see text]-dimensional Minkowski space modeling, a wormhole is considered. The wormhole model consists on two timelike trajectories, which represent the entrance and the exit of the wormhole, connected via some transfer function that specifies how incoming modes that reach the entrance are transferred to the exit. We find that particles and energy fluxes are generically produced except for transfer functions that represent global conformal transformations. We consider several examples involving exit trajectories which are asymptotically inertial, asymptotically null, and also involving a faster-than-light motion to illustrate the peculiarities of the emitted energy fluxes and quantum correlations.
A Three-Dimensional Monotonicity-Preserving Modified Method of Characteristics on Unstructured Tetrahedral Meshes
Authors: Khouya Bassou , El-Amrani Mofdi , Seaid Mohammed
Published: June 2020

Slope limiters have been widely used to eliminate nonphysical oscillations near discontinuities generated by finite volume methods for hyperbolic systems of conservation laws. In this study, we investigate the performance of these limiters as applied to three-dimensional modified method of characteristics on unstructured tetrahedral meshes. The focus is on the construction of monotonicity-preserving modified method of characteristics for three-dimensional transport problems with discontinuities and steep gradients in their solutions. The proposed method is based on combining the modified method of characteristics with a finite element discretization of the convection equations using unstructured grids. Slope limiters are incorporated in the method to reconstruct a monotone and essentially nonoscillatory solver for three-dimensional problems at minor additional cost. The main idea consists in combining linear and quadratic interpolation procedures using nodes of the element where departure points are localized. We examine the performance of the proposed method for a class of three-dimensional transport equations with known analytical solutions. We also present numerical results for a transport problem in three-dimensional pipeline flows. In considered test problems, the proposed method demonstrates its ability to accurately capture the three-dimensional transport features without nonphysical oscillations.
VALUE CO-CREATION PLATFORM IN INDONESIAN SME COMMUNITY: SDL PERSPECTIVE
Authors: WIDJOJO HANDYANTO , FONTANA AVANTI , GAYATRI GITA , SOEHADI AGUS W.
Published: June 2020

This paper offers a new framework of value co-creation in a small-medium enterprise (SME) community in which multi-actor interaction in the community plays an important role to do collective resource integration to overcome its limitation. The findings demonstrate that collaborative networks, dynamic interaction and resource integration are proven as a valid platform of value co-creation. Collaborative networks with external actors and dynamic interaction among members within a SME community link one another and show positive influence on resource integration in the value co-creation process. A SME can adopt this value co-creation platform as a new strategy for business development and sustainability. This study conveys a different perspective for service-dominant logic concept.
A HIGHLY SENSITIVE REAL-TIME REVERSE TRANSCRIPTION POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION FOR DETECTING NUCLEOCAPSID PROTEIN GENE OF BOTH CLASSES I AND II OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS
Authors: Liu Yu-Pin , Chang Chiu-Yen , Lee Fan , Chiou Chwei-Jang , Tsai Hsiang-Jung
Published: June 2020

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is a worldwide viral agent that infects over 200 species of birds and is responsible for outbreaks of ND. Although a series of real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assays have been developed for detecting different genes of NDV, diagnostic sensitivity and efficiency still can be improved. This study describes a nucleocapsid protein gene rRT-PCR screening assay based on TaqMan technology for the detection of divergent NDV strains. All 23 representative NDV strains of classes I and II in the tested panel were detected using the NP-gene rRT-PCR assay, whereas eight class I and two class II NDV isolates cannot be detected by the USDA-validated matrix-gene assay. The detection limit of the NP-gene assay was approximately 10[Formula: see text] EID[Formula: see text]/mL. The new assay also demonstrated a high degree of specificity with no false-positive results of 35 non-NDV viruses. A total of 146 clinical specimens were also tested and the NP-gene assay gave high relative sensitivity (100%) and specificity (96.61%) when compared with virus isolation. This NP-gene rRT-PCR assay offers a sensitive, specific and rapid assay for detecting both class I and II NDV and can be used alongside with the existing diagnostic assays for this notifiable disease agent.
Some new sums of q-trigonometric and related functions through a theta product of Jacobi
Authors: Bachraoui Mohamed El , Sándor József
Published: June 2020

We evaluate some finite and infinite sums involving [Formula: see text]-trigonometric and [Formula: see text]-digamma functions. Upon letting [Formula: see text] approach [Formula: see text], one obtains corresponding sums for the classical trigonometric and the digamma functions. Our key argument is a theta product formula of Jacobi and Gosper’s [Formula: see text]-trigonometric identities.
A Low-Cost Instrument for Dry Particle Fusion Coating of Advanced Electrode Material Particles at the Laboratory Scale
Authors: Geng Chenxi , Trussler Simon , Johnson Michel B. , Zaker Nafiseh , Scott B. , Botton Gianluigi , Dahn J. R.
Published: June 2020

Surface coating is an approach used to improve capacity retention of electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Dry particle fusion is a relatively new approach for applying coatings on particles. In this work, we introduce a low-cost dry particle fusion instrument that was constructed in house. The operation and performance of the machine is demonstrated by dry particle fusion coating of alumina on Ni(OH)2 and alumina and LiFePO4 on LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2, respectively. The hammer temperature vs time during dry particle fusion is used to monitor the process. Particle size distribution results demonstrate that the original core particles are not fractured by the coating process. SEM images show the morphology of particles before and after dry particle fusion coating and cross-sectional SEM/EDS images show the uniformity of the coating. Coin cell testing results show that dry particle fusion with suitable coating materials, at the laboratory scale using this instrument, is effective in improving capacity retention.
ECS Weathers the Storm
Authors: Chaves Frances
Published: June 2020

To ensure that our community experienced the best possible meetings, throughout its 118-year history, ECS confronted and overcame major national and global challenges. Much of the maneuvering required to meet these challenges happens behind the scenes, as staff, board, and volunteers work together so that nothing interrupts ECS’s critical mission of advancing electrochemistry and solid state science and technology. Here is a partial look at some of those challenges, and how the storms were weathered.
Comparison of Amiodarone and Propafenone in Blanking Period after Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Propensity Score‐Matched Study
Authors: Huang RongDa , Lin JingJing , Gong KeZeng , Chen LiangLong , Fan Lin , Zhang FeiLong , Zhang Yan , Chen XueHai , Xu Zhe
Published: June 2020

Background. Amiodarone and propafenone are commonly used to maintain sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is not known which one is better in reducing early recurrence (ER) during the blanking period (the first three months after catheter ablation). Objective. To compare the efficacy and safety of amiodarone and propafenone in reducing ER during the blanking period after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in AF patients. Materials and Methods. A total of 694 patients who underwent their first RFCA between May 2014 and May 2018 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Subsequently, 202 patients were excluded according to the exclusion criteria. The remaining 492 patients were divided into two groups based on the choice of antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) (amiodarone or propafenone) in the blanking period. The primary outcomes were incidence of ER and AAD‐associated adverse effects during the blanking period after RFCA. Propensity score matching (PSM) analyses were used to compare the outcomes of the two groups while controlling for confounders. Results. Among the 492 patients who took AADs in the blanking period (187 amiodarone and 305 propafenone), PSM selected 135 unique pairs of patients with similar characteristics. Amiodarone was associated with a lower ER incidence rate (23.7% versus 48.9%, p < 0.001) and a similar rate of AAD‐associated adverse effects (2.1% versus 1.5%, p = 0.652). Treatment with amiodarone in the blanking period was significantly associated with a lower ER incidence rate compared to treatment with propafenone (HR = 0.416, 95% CI 0.272–0.637, p < 0.001). Conclusions. Compared with propafenone, amiodarone was associated with a lower ER incidence rate, and they had similar rates of AAD‐associated adverse effects. Treatment with amiodarone in the blanking period was shown to be more effective in reducing ER than propafenone.
Rb and p53 Execute Distinct Roles in the Development of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Authors: Yamauchi Yuki , Kodama Yuzo , Shiokawa Masahiro , Kakiuchi Nobuyuki , Marui Saiko , Kuwada Takeshi , Sogabe Yuko , Tomono Teruko , Mima Atsushi , Morita Toshihiro , Matsumori Tomoaki , Ueda Tatsuki , Tsuda Motoyuki , Nishikawa Yoshihiro , Kuriyama Katsutoshi , Sakuma Yojiro , Ota Yuji , Maruno Takahisa , Uza Norimitsu , Masuda Atsuhiro , Tatsuoka Hisato , Yabe Daisuke , Minamiguchi Sachiko , Masui Toshihiko , Inagaki Nobuya , Uemoto Shinji , Chiba Tsutomu , Seno Hiroshi
Published: June 2020

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNET) were classified into grades (G) 1 to 3 by the World Health Organization in 2017, but the precise mechanisms of PanNET initiation and progression have remained unclear. In this study, we used a genetically engineered mouse model to investigate the mechanisms of PanNET formation. Although pancreas-specific deletion of the Rb gene (Pdx1-Cre;Rbf/f) in mice did not affect pancreatic exocrine cells, the α-cell/β-cell ratio of islet cells was decreased at 8 months of age. During long-term observation (18–20 months), mice formed well-differentiated PanNET with a Ki67-labeling index of 2.7%. In contrast, pancreas-specific induction of a p53 mutation (Pdx1-Cre;Trp53R172H) had no effect on pancreatic exocrine and endocrine tissues, but simultaneous induction of a p53 mutation with Rb gene deletion (Pdx1-Cre;Trp53R172H;Rb f/f) resulted in the formation of aggressive PanNET with a Ki67-labeling index of 24.7% over the short-term (4 months). In Pdx1-Cre;Trp53R172H;Rbf/f mice, mRNA expression of Pten and Tsc2, negative regulators of the mTOR pathway, significantly decreased in the islet cells, and activation of the mTOR pathway was confirmed in subsequently formed PanNET. Thus, by manipulating Rb and p53 genes, we established a multistep progression model from dysplastic islet to indolent PanNET and aggressive metastatic PanNET in mice. These observations suggest that Rb and p53 have distinct roles in the development of PanNET.

Significance:

Pancreas-specific manipulation of Rb and p53 genes induced malignant transformation of islet cells, reproducing stepwise progression from microadenomas to indolent (grade 1) and subsequent aggressive PanNETs (grade 2–3).
Interaction with CD68 and Regulation of GAS6 Expression by Endosialin in Fibroblasts Drives Recruitment and Polarization of Macrophages in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Yang Fa , Wei Yan , Han Donghui , Li Yu , Shi Shengjia , Jiao Dian , Wu Jieheng , Zhang Qiang , Shi Changhong , Yang Lijun , Song Wei , Zhang Jingliang , Han Yueheng , Zhang Rui , Yang An-Gang , Dimitrov Dimiter S. , Zhao Aizhi , Qin Weijun , Wen Weihong
Published: June 2020

Fibroblasts and macrophages play key roles in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, cross-talk between these two kinds of cells has not been well studied. Endosialin (CD248/TEM1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is expressed in certain cancer cells, tumor stromal cells, and pericytes. In this study, we found that endosialin is mainly expressed in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) in HCC and its expression inversely correlates with patient prognosis. Endosialin interacted with CD68 to recruit macrophages and regulated expression of GAS6 in CAFs to mediate M2 polarization of macrophages. The fully human antibody IgG78 bound glycosylated endosialin and induced its internalization in CAFs, thus weakening the cross-talk between CAFs and macrophages. In subcutaneous and orthotopic xenograft models of HCC in nude mice, treatment with IgG78 significantly inhibited tumor growth. These results indicate that endosialin-positive CAFs promote HCC progression and highlight IgG78 as a promising therapeutic candidate for HCC treatment.

Significance:

These findings highlight CAF-expressed endosialin as a primary regulator of macrophage recruitment and polarization and demonstrate endosialin inhibition as a potential treatment strategy for HCC.
Inhibition of Aurora-A Promotes CD8+ T-Cell Infiltration by Mediating IL10 Production in Cancer Cells
Authors: Han Jing , Jiang Zhen , Wang Chennan , Chen Xin , Li Rongqing , Sun Na , Liu Xiangye , Wang Hui , Hong Li , Zheng Kuiyang , Yang Jing , Ikezoe Takayuki
Published: June 2020

Intratumoral tumor-specific activated CD8+ T cells with functions in antitumor immune surveillance predict metastasis and clinical outcome in human colorectal cancer. Intratumoral CD8+ T cells also affect treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Interestingly, inhibition of Aurora kinase A (Aurora-A) by its selective inhibitor alisertib obviously induced infiltration of CD8+ T cells. However, the mechanisms by which inhibition of Aurora-A promotes infiltration of intratumoral CD8+ T cells remain unclear. Our recent results demonstrated that conditional deletion of the AURKA gene or blockade of Aurora-A by alisertib slowed tumor growth in association with an increase in the infiltration of intratumoral CD8+ T cells as well as the mRNA levels of their IL10 receptor α (IL10Rα). The antitumor effects of targeting Aurora-A were attenuated in the absence of CD8+ T cells. In addition, antibody-mediated blockade of IL10Rα dramatically decreased the percentage of intratumoral CD8+ T cells. In further experiments, we found that the levels of IL10 were elevated in the serum of azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate-treated AURKAflox/+;VillinCre+ mice. Unexpectedly, we found that in addition to Aurora-A's mitotic role, inhibition of Aurora-A elevated IL10 transcription, which in turn increased the IL10Rα mRNA levels in CD8+ T cells. Thus, inhibition of Aurora-A could be a useful treatment strategy for recruiting tumor-specific intratumoral CD8+ T cells.

Implications:

Understanding the mechanisms by which inhibition of Aurora-A promotes CD8+ T-cell infiltration and activation, as mediated by the IL10 pathway could provide a potential strategy for tumor immunotherapy.
Successful Treatment of a Resistant Subclone in ALK-Rearranged NSCLC
Authors: König David , Meier Urs R. , Klaeser Bernd , Savic Spasenija , Pless Miklos
Published: June 2020

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are established effective therapies in patients with ALK-rearranged advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Upon progressive disease, patients normally receive a subsequent ALK TKI. However, when disease progression occurs in a limited number of sites, an oligoprogressive approach is a treatment option. In our case, FDG-PET/CT scan detected a progressive site in a patient with ceritinib therapy. Biopsy of the lesion was not possible because of its location. Progression was therefore confirmed by liquid biopsy with identification of the resistant subclone ALK G1202R. Definitive radiotherapy of the progressive site led to the disappearance of the ALK-resistant mutation. Meanwhile, ceritinib therapy was continued. The absence of disease both on repeated imaging and liquid biopsy indicates that eradication of a resistant subclone with an oligoprogressive treatment approach might be possible.
Superficial Acral Fibromyxoma, Appearing as Retronychia: A Rare Clinical Entity
Authors: Kalloniati Evangelia , Arampatzi Stella , Ouzouni Christina , Papathemeli Despoina , Lazaridou Elizabeth , Trakatelli Myrto-Georgia
Published: June 2020

We report a case of a subungual superficial acral fibromyxoma (SAFM) in a 37-year-old male patient who presented with a persistent chronic proximal paronychia of the big toenail of the right leg. Our clinical diagnosis was retronychia, an often misinterpreted condition, which must be suspected in cases of persistent paronychia, especially in the setting of trauma. The nail plate avulsion revealed a subungual tumor, which was surgically excised. Histopathology in combination with immunohistochemistry revealed features suggestive of SAFM. The follow-up examination of the patient showed no recurrence 9 months after the surgery.
Molecular Identification of a Densovirus in Healthy and Diseased Zophobas morio (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae)
Authors: Tokarev Yuri S. , Malysh Svetlana M. , Volodartseva Yuliya V. , Gerus Aleksei V. , Berezin Mikhail V.
Published: June 2020

Zophobas morio is a tropical darkling beetle which is widely exploited for commercial large-scale insect growing. Outbreaks of a disease may occur causing total devastation of cultures. In the present paper, samples of diseased Z. morio were obtained and used for establishment of a laboratory model as they were found infective to the larvae of the same insect species from another source. It took about 1 month to develop symptoms of acute disease in mid-age larvae and about twice as much when younger larvae were used for infection. Affected larvae perished quickly, and within several days up to 90–100% of the colony could perish. Both in healthy and diseased larvae a virus was detected using PCR with degenerate primers specific for a gene coding for a non-structural protein (ORF3). The sequenced gene fragment (Genbank accession #MN732869) confirmed allocation of the virus to Densoviridae, with maximal similarity of 97.2% to Blatella germanica densovirus-like virus (#JQ320376) and 66.2% to B. germanica densovirus (#AY189948). Genomic DNA samples of Z. morio larvae from an independent colony devoid of symptoms of a disease were also positive for this virus with a slightly different (99.7% sequence similarity to the former sequence of the Z. morio densovirus) genotype (#MN732870).