bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stimulated emission of relic gravitons and their super-Poissonian statistics
Authors: Giovannini Massimo
Published: May 2019

The degree of second-order coherence of the relic gravitons produced from the vacuum is super-Poissonian and larger than in the case of a chaotic source characterized by a Bose–Einstein distribution. If the initial state does not minimize the tensor Hamiltonian and has a dispersion smaller than its averaged multiplicity, the overall statistics is by definition sub-Poissonian. Depending on the nature of the sub-Poissonian initial state, the final degree of second-order coherence of the quanta produced by stimulated emission may diminish (possibly even below the characteristic value of a chaotic source) but it always remains larger than one (i.e. super-Poissonian). When the initial statistics is Poissonian (like in the case of a coherent state or for a mixed state weighted by a Poisson distribution) the degree of second-order coherence of the produced gravitons is still super-Poissonian. Even though the quantum origin of the relic gravitons inside the Hubble radius can be effectively disambiguated by looking at the corresponding Hanbury Brown–Twiss correlations, the final distributions caused by different initial states maintain their super-Poissonian character which cannot be altered.
Equation of state for the hard tetrahedron fluid at stable state
Authors: Tian Jianxiang , Jiang Hua
Published: May 2019

Based on the previous works [J. X. Tian, Y. X. Gui and A. Mulero, J. Phys. Chem. B 114, 13399 (2010); Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 12, 13597 (2010)], we constructed a new equation of state for the hard tetrahedron (HTH) fluid at stable state by using the recently published Monte Carlo simulation data [J. Kolafa and S. Labík, Mol. Phys. 113, 1119 (2015)]. It can reproduce the correct virial coefficients upto nine, which is the known highest order of virial coefficient for HTH fluid. It also describes the simulation data of the compressibility factor versus the packing fraction at stable state with high accuracy.
Quantum mechanism of condensation and high Tc superconductivity
Authors: Ma Tian , Wang Shouhong
Published: May 2019

The main objective of this paper is to introduce a new quantum mechanism of condensates and superconductivity based on a new interpretation of quantum mechanical wavefunctions, and on recent developments in quantum physics and statistical physics. First, we postulate that the wavefunction [Formula: see text]e[Formula: see text] is the common wavefunction for all particles in the same class determined by the external potential V(x), [Formula: see text](x)[Formula: see text] represents the distribution density of the particles, and [Formula: see text] is the velocity field of the particles. Although the new interpretation does not alter the basic theories of quantum mechanics, it is an entirely different interpretation from the classical Bohr interpretation, removes all absurdities and offers new insights for quantum physics and for condensed matter physics. Second, we show that the key for condensation of bosonic particles is that their interaction is sufficiently weak to ensure that a large collection of boson particles are in a state governed by the same condensation wavefunction field [Formula: see text] under the same bounding potential V. For superconductivity, the formation of superconductivity comes down to conditions for the formation of electron pairs, and for the electron pairs to share a common wavefunction. Thanks to the recently developed principle of interaction dynamics (PID) interaction potential of electrons and the average-energy level formula of temperature, these conditions for superconductivity are explicitly derived. Furthermore, we obtain both microscopic and macroscopic formulas for the critical temperature. The field and topological phase transition equations for condensates are also derived.
Influence of asymmetrical location of magnetic impurities on domain walls local deformation
Authors: Akimov M. L. , Polyakov P. A. , Banishev A. A. , Usmanov N. N.
Published: May 2019

Magnetic ordering in a mixed domain structure composed of a stripe domain and asymmetrically localized magnetic impurity inside the stripe domain was investigated. The analytical expression for domain walls deformation mediated by the influence of the magnetostatic stray field of the asymmetrically localized magnetic impurity was obtained. The calculations were done for the magnetic film with parameters which are typical for films used in magnetic memory. Experimental implementation of the mixed domain structure composed of the stripe domain and asymmetrically localized magnetic impurity inside the stripe domain was done in (BiLu)3(FeGa)5O12 film. Obtained analytical solution for the shape of stripe domain walls distortion is in excellent agreement with the experimental results.
Improving Weather Forecasting Using De-Noising with Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet Transform and GA Based Neuro-Fuzzy Controller
Authors: Dosdoğru Ayşe Tuğba
Published: May 2019

Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference Systems (ANFIS) is one of the most important neuro-fuzzy systems. ANFIS can be successfully applied to different real-world problems. However, it is difficult to create the ANFIS structure whose parameters directly influence the solutions. Therefore, hybrid ANFIS methods are generally used to increase efficiency and adaptability. This paper used an integrated neuro-fuzzy controller that is also known as PATSOS. The main purpose of this study is to improve the performance of the PATSOS method for weather forecasting. Our proposed PATSOS method is different from the previous ones since it embeds Genetic Algorithm (GA) into the PATSOS and also de-noising with Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet Transform (MODWT) is used to improve the data quality. GA is employed to optimize the moving average type, moving average degree, and de-noising degree. Furthermore, epoch number, membership function type, and membership function number for the PATSOS are optimized by GA. The results obtained by the hybrid PATSOS method are presented and compared with different cities and different models. It is concluded that proposed hybrid method forecasts daily mean temperature accurately. Proposed GA based PATSOS method can also provide remarkable advantages for determining parameter values in other complex, dynamic and non-linear forecasting problems.
Effects of Phase Lags on Thermoelastic Damping in Micro-Beam Resonators
Authors: Kumar Roushan , Kumar Ravi
Published: May 2019

The aim of the present paper is to study the thermoelastic damping of a micro-beam resonator in the context of the generalized thermoelasticity theory with three-phase-lag (TPL). The thermoelastic damping of the micro-beam resonator is obtained by the Laplace transform procedure as well as by the finite-sine Fourier transformation. The vibration responses of deflection and thermal moment are obtained for the micro-beams with simply supported and isothermal ends. Initially, the analytic solution is obtained for the amplitudes of deflection and thermal moment. It was observed that both amplitudes are attenuated and the vibration frequency is increased with the three-phase-lag. The effects of phase-lags on the deflection and thermal moment are obtained and evaluated by comparing the present numerical results with the corresponding results based on the theory of thermoelasticity of type GN-III. It was observed that higher values of deflection and thermal moment of the resonator are obtained for the TPL when compared with those of the GN-III model. It was also found that these properties are size-dependent.
Krull dimension and regularity of binomial edge ideals of block graphs
Authors: Mascia Carla , Rinaldo Giancarlo
Published: May 2019

We give a lower bound for the Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity of binomial edge ideals of block graphs by computing the two distinguished extremal Betti numbers of a new family of block graphs, called flower graphs. Moreover, we present linear time algorithms to compute the Castelnuovo–Mumford regularity and the Krull dimension of binomial edge ideals of block graphs.
On the effect of projections on the Billingsley dimensions
Authors: Selmi Bilel
Published: May 2019

We are interested in the behavior of Billingsley dimensions under projections onto a lower dimensional linear subspace. The results in this paper establish the connections with various dimensions of subsets [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] and their projections, and generalize many known results about Hausdorff and packing dimensions of projections of [Formula: see text]. In particular, we improve, through these results, one of the main theorems of Selmi et al. in [Multifractal variation for projections of measures, Chaos Solitons Fractals  91 (2016) 414–420] and treat an unsolved case in their work.
Soft modes condensation in Raman spectra of (Pb–La)(Zr–Sn–Ti)O3 ceramics
Authors: Vtyurin Alexander N. , Krylov Alexander S. , Krylova Svetlana N. , Oreshonkov Alexander S. , Wei Xiaoyong , Feng Yujun , Xu Ran , Zhao Tian
Published: May 2019

Low frequency Raman spectra of ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]([Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]O3 ceramic samples have been studied near cubic to antiferroelectric phase transition at about 200∘C. A set of low frequency soft modes were observed restoring below the transition point, in addition to the known one above 100[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]. These modes show strong damping anomalies at the transition point that supposes considerable intermode interactions via dampings.
Comparative multi-scale analysis of filamentous microfossils from the
c.
850 Ma Bitter Springs Group and filaments from the
c.
3460 Ma Apex chert
Authors: Wacey David , Eiloart Kate , Saunders Martin
Published: May 2019

Filamentous microfossils belonging to
Cephalophytarion
from the 850 Ma Bitter Springs Group have previously been used as key analogues in support of a biological interpretation for filamentous objects from the 3460 Ma Apex chert. Here we provide a new perspective on this interpretation by combining Raman data with correlative electron microscopy data from both
Cephalophytarion
and Apex specimens. We show that, when analysed at high spatial resolution, the Apex filaments bear no morphological resemblance to the younger Bitter Springs microfossils.
Cephalophytarion
filaments are shown to be cylindrical, comprising chains of box-like cells of approximately constant dimensions with lateral kerogenous walls and transverse kerogenous septa. They exhibit taphonomic shrinkage and folding, possess fine cylindrical sheaths and are permineralized by sub-micrometric quartz grains. They fulfil all established biogenicity criteria for trichomic microfossils. In contrast, Apex filaments do not possess lateral cell walls, are not cylindrical in nature, and vary considerably in diameter along their length. Their kerogenous carbon does not have a cell-like distribution and their chemistry is consistent with an origin as exfoliated phyllosilicate grains. This work demonstrates the importance of high-resolution data when interpreting the microstructure, and origins, of putative Precambrian microfossils.
Indoor Positioning Based on Visible Light Communication
Authors: Afzalan Milad , Jazizadeh Farrokh
Published: May 2019

The emergent context-aware applications in ubiquitous computing demands for obtaining accurate location information of humans or objects in real-time. Indoor location-based services can be delivered through implementing different types of technology, among which is a recent approach that utilizes LED lighting as a medium for Visible Light Communication (VLC). The ongoing development of solid-state lighting (SSL) is resulting in the wide increase of using LED lights and thereby building the ground for a ubiquitous wireless communication network from lighting systems. Considering the recent advances in implementing Visible Light Positioning (VLP) systems, this article presents a review of VLP systems and focuses on the performance evaluation of experimental achievements on location sensing through LED lights. We have outlined the performance evaluation of different prototypes by introducing new performance metrics, their underlying principles, and their notable findings. Furthermore, the study synthesizes the fundamental characteristics of VLC-based positioning systems that need to be considered, presents several technology gaps based on the current state-of-the-art for future research endeavors, and summarizes our lessons learned towards the standardization of the performance evaluation.
Smart City System Design
Authors: Habibzadeh Hadi , Kaptan Cem , Soyata Tolga , Kantarci Burak , Boukerche Azzedine
Published: May 2019

Recent global smart city efforts resemble the establishment of electricity networks when electricity was first invented, which meant the start of a new era to sell electricity as a utility. A century later, in the smart era, the network to deliver services goes far beyond a single entity like electricity. Supplemented by a well-established Internet infrastructure that can run an endless number of applications, abundant processing and storage capabilities of clouds, resilient edge computing, and sophisticated data analysis like machine learning and deep learning, an already-booming Internet of Things movement makes this new era far more exciting.

In this article, we present a multi-faceted survey of machine intelligence in modern implementations. We partition smart city infrastructure into application, sensing, communication, security, and data planes and put an emphasis on the data plane as the mainstay of computing and data storage. We investigate (i) a centralized and distributed implementation of data plane’s physical infrastructure and (ii) a complementary application of data analytics, machine learning, deep learning, and data visualization to implement robust machine intelligence in a smart city software core. We finalize our article with pointers to open issues and challenges.
Deep Neural Network Approximation for Custom Hardware
Authors: Wang Erwei , Davis James J. , Zhao Ruizhe , Ng Ho-Cheung , Niu Xinyu , Luk Wayne , Cheung Peter Y. K. , Constantinides George A.
Published: May 2019

Deep neural networks have proven to be particularly effective in visual and audio recognition tasks. Existing models tend to be computationally expensive and memory intensive, however, and so methods for hardware-oriented approximation have become a hot topic. Research has shown that custom hardware-based neural network accelerators can surpass their general-purpose processor equivalents in terms of both throughput and energy efficiency. Application-tailored accelerators, when co-designed with approximation-based network training methods, transform large, dense, and computationally expensive networks into small, sparse, and hardware-efficient alternatives, increasing the feasibility of network deployment. In this article, we provide a comprehensive evaluation of approximation methods for high-performance network inference along with in-depth discussion of their effectiveness for custom hardware implementation. We also include proposals for future research based on a thorough analysis of current trends. This article represents the first survey providing detailed comparisons of custom hardware accelerators featuring approximation for both convolutional and recurrent neural networks, through which we hope to inspire exciting new developments in the field.
Noether resolutions in dimension 2
Authors: Bermejo I. , García-Llorente E. , García-Marco I. , Morales M.
Published: May 2019

Let
R
:=
K
[
x
1
,...,

x
n

] be a polynomial ring over an infinite field
K
, and let
I
⊂
R
be a homogeneous ideal with respect to a weight vector ω = (ω
1
, ..., ω

n

) ∈ (Z
+
)

n

such that dim(
R/I
) =
d.
We consider the minimal graded free resolution of
R/I
as
A
-module, that we call the Noether resolution of
R/I
, whenever
A
:=
K
[
x

n-d
+1

,...,

x
n

] is a Noether normalization of
R/I.
When
d
= 2 and
I
is saturated, we give an algorithm for obtaining this resolution that involves the computation of a minimal Gröbner basis of
I
with respect to the weighted degree reverse lexicographic order. In the particular case when
R/I
is a 2-dimensional semigroup ring, we also describe the multigraded version of this resolution in terms of the underlying semigroup. Whenever we have the Noether resolution of
R/I
or its multigraded version, we obtain formulas for the corresponding Hilbert series of
R/I
, and when
I
is homogeneous, we obtain a formula for the Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity of
R/I.

As an application of the results for 2-dimensional semigroup rings, we provide a new upper bound for the Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity of the coordinate ring of a projective monomial curve. Finally, we describe the multigraded Noether resolution of either the coordinate ring of a projective monomial curve [EQUATION] associated to an arithmetic sequence or of any of its canonical projections [EQUATION].
Computing the integer points of a polyhedron
Authors: Jing Rui-Juan , Maza Marc Moreno
Published: May 2019

The integer points of polyhedral sets are of interest in many areas of mathematical sciences, see for instance the landmark textbooks of A. Schrijver [18] and A. Barvinok [3], as well as the compilation of articles [4]. One of these areas is the analysis and transformation of computer programs. For instance, integer programming [6] is used by P. Feautrier in the scheduling of for-loop nests [7], Barvinok's algorithm [2] for counting integer points in polyhedra is adapted by M. Köppe and S. Verdoolaege in [15] to answer questions like how many memory locations are touched by a for-loop nest. In [16], W. Pugh proposes an algorithm, called the
Omega Test
, for testing whether a polyhedron has integer points. In the same paper, W. Pugh shows how to use the Omega Test for performing dependence analysis [16] in for-loop nests. In [17], W. Pugh also suggests, without stating a formal algorithm, that the Omega Test could be used for quantifier elimination on Presburger formulas. This observation is a first motivation for the work presented here.
Isogeny-based cryptography in Julia/Nemo
Authors: Kieffer Jean , De Feo Luca
Published: May 2019

The Couveignes-Rostovtsev-Stolbunov key-exchange protocol based on isogenies of elliptic curves is of interest because it may resist quantum attacks, but its efficient implementation remains a challenge. We briefly present the computations involved, and efficient algorithms to achieve the critical steps, with timing results for our implementations in Sage and Julia/Nemo.
On W-characteristic sets of lexicographic Gröbner bases
Authors: Mou Chenqi , Wang Dongming
Published: May 2019

The structures of lexicographic (LEX) Gröbner bases were studied first by Lazard [4] for bivariate ideals and then extended to general zero-dimensional multivariate (radical) ideals [3, 6, 2]. Based on the structures of LEX Gröbner bases, algorithms have been proposed to compute triangular decompositions out of LEX Gröbner bases for zero-dimensional ideals [5, 2]. The relationships between LEX Gröbner bases and Ritt characteristic sets were explored in [1] and then made clearer in [8] with the concept of W-characteristic sets.
Improvement of EZ-GCD algorithm based on extended hensel construction
Authors: Sanuki Masaru
Published: May 2019

In [2], we proposed the EZ-GCD algorithm based on extended Hensel construction, in order to compute the GCD of multivariate polynomials. The extended Hensel construction is a specify factorization into algebraic function, and it is efficient for sparse multivariate polynomials. However, it is slower than Maple's GCD routine. In this paper, we improve our EZ-GCD algorithm efficiency.
Sympathetic neural responsiveness to sleep deprivation in older adults: sex differences
Authors: Carter Jason R. , Fonkoue Ida T. , Greenlund Ian M. , Schwartz Christopher E. , Mokhlesi Babak , Smoot Carl A.
Published: May 2019

Our laboratory has previously reported that total sleep deprivation (TSD) modifies muscle sympathetic neural activity (MSNA) differently in young men and women. Because postmenopausal women are among the highest risk for hypertension, this study compares MSNA responses with TSD in older men and women. We hypothesized that TSD would alter MSNA in older adults, with greater sympathoexcitation in postmenopausal women. Twenty-seven participants (14 men and 13 women) between the ages of 55 and 75 yr were tested twice, once after 24-h TSD and once after normal sleep (randomized, crossover design). Our primary outcome measure of MSNA (microneurography) was successful across both conditions in 20 participants (10 men and 10 women). Secondary outcome measures included seated blood pressure, heart rate, and fasting plasma testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone. Age (60 ± 1 vs. 61 ± 2 yr) and BMI (27 ± 1 vs. 26 ± 1 kg/m2) were not different between groups. TSD increased systolic blood pressure in both men (124 ± 5 to 130 ± 4 mmHg) and women (107 ± 5 to 116 ± 4 mmHg), but the increases were not different between groups (condition, P = 0.014; condition × sex, P > 0.05). In contrast, TSD elicited divergent MSNA responses in older men and women. Specifically, MSNA burst frequency increased in postmenopausal women (28 ± 3 to 34 ± 3 burst/min), but not older men (38 ± 3 to 35 ± 3 bursts/min; condition × sex, P = 0.032). In conclusion, TSD elicited sympathoexcitation in postmenopausal women but not age-matched men. These findings provide new mechanistic insight into reported links between sleep deprivation and hypertension.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Epidemiological studies report that sleep deprivation is more strongly associated with hypertension in women than in men. In the present study, 24-h total sleep deprivation (TSD) increased blood pressure in postmenopausal women and age-matched men. In contrast, only women demonstrated increases in muscle sympathetic nerve activity after TSD. The sympathoexcitation observed in postmenopausal women suggests a potential contributing mechanism for epidemiological observations and advances our understanding of the complex relations between sleep, sex, and hypertension.

Listen to this article’s corresponding podcast at https://ajpheart.podbean.com/e/total-sleep-deprivation-and-msna-in-older-adults/ .
JNK2 in myeloid cells impairs insulin’s vasodilator effects in muscle during early obesity development through perivascular adipose tissue dysfunction
Authors: Meijer Rick I. , Hoevenaars Femke P. M. , Serné Erik H. , Yudkin John S. , Kokhuis Tom J. A. , Weijers Ester M. , van Hinsbergh Victor W. M. , Smulders Yvo M. , Eringa Etto C.
Published: May 2019

Reduced vasodilator properties of insulin in obesity are caused by changes in perivascular adipose tissue and contribute to microvascular dysfunction in skeletal muscle. The causes of this dysfunction are unknown. The effects of a short-term Western diet on JNK2-expressing cells in perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) on insulin-induced vasodilation and perfusion of skeletal muscle were assessed. In vivo, 2 wk of Western diet (WD) reduced whole body insulin sensitivity and insulin-stimulated muscle perfusion, determined using contrast ultrasonography during the hyperinsulinemic clamp. Ex vivo, WD triggered accumulation of PVAT in skeletal muscle and blunted its ability to facilitate insulin-induced vasodilation. Labeling of myeloid cells with green fluorescent protein identified bone marrow as a source of PVAT in muscle. To study whether JNK2-expressing inflammatory cells from bone marrow were involved, we transplanted JNK2−/−bone marrow to WT mice. Deletion of JNK2 in bone marrow rescued the vasodilator phenotype of PVAT during WD exposure. JNK2 deletion in myeloid cells prevented the WD-induced increase in F4/80 expression. Even though WD and JNK2 deletion resulted in specific changes in gene expression of PVAT; epididymal and subcutaneous adipose tissue; expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, or protein inhibitor of STAT1 was not affected. In conclusion, short-term Western diet triggers infiltration of JNK2-positive myeloid cells into PVAT, resulting in PVAT dysfunction, nonclassical inflammation, and loss of insulin-induced vasodilatation in vivo and ex vivo.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate that in the earliest phase of weight gain, changes in perivascular adipose tissue in muscle impair insulin-stimulated muscle perfusion. The hallmark of these changes is infiltration by inflammatory cells. Deletion of JNK2 from the bone marrow restores the function of perivascular adipose tissue to enhance insulin’s vasodilator effects in muscle, showing that the bone marrow contributes to regulation of muscle perfusion.
Multiomics analyses of vesicular transport pathway-specific transcripts and proteins in ovine amnion: responses to altered intramembranous transport
Authors: Cheung Cecilia Y. , Anderson Debra F. , Brace Robert A.
Published: May 2019

Amniotic fluid volume (AFV) is determined by the rate of intramembranous (IM) transport of amniotic fluid (AF) across the amnion. This transport is regulated by fetal urine-derived stimulators and AF inhibitors. Our objective was to utilize a multiomics approach to determine the IM transport pathways and identify the regulators. Four groups of fetal sheep with experimentally induced alterations in IM transport rate were studied: control, urine drainage (UD), urine drainage with fluid replacement (UDR), and intra-amniotic fluid infusion (IA). Amnion, AF, and fetal urine were subjected to transcriptomics (RNA-Seq) and proteomics studies followed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. The analysis uncovered nine transport-associated pathways and four groups of differentially expressed transcripts and proteins. These can be categorized into mediators of vesicular uptake and endocytosis, intracellular trafficking, pathway activation and signaling, and energy metabolism. UD decreased IM transport rate and AFV in conjunction with enhanced expression of vesicular endocytosis regulators but reduced expression of intracellular trafficking mediators. With UDR, IM transport rate decreased and AFV increased. Energy metabolism activators increased while trafficking mediators decreased in expression. IA increased IM transport rate and AFV together with enhanced expressions of vesicular endocytosis and trafficking mediators. We conclude that IM transport across the amnion is regulated by multiple vesicular transcytotic and signaling pathways and that the mediators of intracellular trafficking most likely play an important role in determining the rate of IM transport. Furthermore, the motor protein cytoplasmic dynein light chain-1, which coexpressed in AF and fetal urine, may function as a urine-derived IM transport stimulator.
Inactivation of Bap1 Cooperates with Losses of Nf2 and Cdkn2a to Drive the Development of Pleural Malignant Mesothelioma in Conditional Mouse Models
Authors: Kukuyan Anna-Mariya , Sementino Eleonora , Kadariya Yuwaraj , Menges Craig W. , Cheung Mitchell , Tan Yinfei , Cai Kathy Q. , Slifker Michael J. , Peri Suraj , Klein-Szanto Andres J. , Rauscher Frank J. , Testa Joseph R.
Published: May 2019

Pleural malignant mesothelioma is a therapy-resistant cancer affecting the serosal lining of the thoracic cavity. Mutations/deletions of BAP1, CDKN2A, and NF2 are the most frequent genetic lesions in human malignant mesothelioma. We introduced various combinations of these deletions in the pleura of conditional knockout (CKO) mice, focusing on the contribution of Bap1 loss. While homozygous CKO of Bap1, Cdkn2a, or Nf2 alone gave rise to few or no malignant mesotheliomas, inactivation of Bap1 cooperated with loss of either Nf2 or Cdkn2a to drive development of malignant mesothelioma in approximately 20% of double-CKO mice, and a high incidence (22/26, 85%) of malignant mesotheliomas was observed in Bap1;Nf2;Cdkn2a (triple)-CKO mice. Malignant mesothelioma onset was rapid in triple-CKO mice, with a median survival of only 12 weeks, and malignant mesotheliomas from these mice were consistently high-grade and invasive. Adenoviral-Cre treatment of normal mesothelial cells from Bap1;Nf2;Cdkn2a CKO mice, but not from mice with knockout of one or any two of these genes, resulted in robust spheroid formation in vitro, suggesting that mesothelial cells from Bap1;Nf2;Cdkn2a mice have stem cell–like potential. RNA-seq analysis of malignant mesotheliomas from triple-CKO mice revealed enrichment of genes transcriptionally regulated by the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and others previously implicated in known Bap1-related cellular processes. These data demonstrate that somatic inactivation of Bap1, Nf2, and Cdkn2a results in rapid, aggressive malignant mesotheliomas, and that deletion of Bap1 contributes to tumor development, in part, by loss of PRC2-mediated repression of tumorigenic target genes and by acquisition of stem cell potential, suggesting a potential avenue for therapeutic intervention.

Significance:

Combinatorial deletions of Bap1, Nf2, and Cdkn2a result in aggressive mesotheliomas, with Bap1 loss contributing to tumorigenesis by circumventing PRC2-mediated repression of oncogenic target genes.
Genetic Polymorphisms Predisposing the Interleukin 6–Induced APOBEC3B-UNG Imbalance Increase HCC Risk via Promoting the Generation of APOBEC-Signature HBV Mutations
Authors: Liu Wenbin , Wu Jianfeng , Yang Fan , Ma Longteng , Ni Chong , Hou Xiaomei , Wang Ling , Xu Aijing , Song Jiahui , Deng Yang , Xian Linfeng , Li Zixiong , Wang Shuo , Chen Xi , Yin Jianhua , Han Xue , Li Chengzhong , Zhao Jun , Cao Guangwen
Published: May 2019

Purpose:

APOBEC3-UNG imbalance contributes to hepatitis B virus (HBV) inhibition and somatic mutations. We aimed to explore the associations between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk and genetic polymorphisms predisposing the imbalance.

Experimental Design: Genetic polymorphisms at APOBEC3 promoter and UNG enhancer regions were genotyped in 5,621 participants using quantitative PCR. HBV mutations (nt.1600–nt.1945, nt.2848–nt.155) were determined by Sanger sequencing. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was applied to detect the transcriptional activity. Effects of APOBEC3B/UNG SNPs and expression levels on HCC prognosis were evaluated with a cohort of 400 patients with HCC and public databases, respectively.

Results:

APOBEC3B rs2267401-G allele and UNG rs3890995-C allele significantly increased HCC risk. rs2267401-G allele was significantly associated with the generation of APOBEC-signature HBV mutation whose frequency consecutively increased from asymptomatic HBV carriers to patients with HCC. Multiplicative interaction of rs2267401-G allele with rs3890995-C allele increased HCC risk, with an adjusted OR (95% confidence interval) of 1.90 (1.34–2.81). rs2267401 T-to-G and rs3890995 T-to-C conferred increased activities of APOBEC3B promoter and UNG enhancer, respectively. IL6 significantly increased APOBEC3B promoter activity and inhibited UNG enhancer activity, and these effects were more evident in those carrying rs2267401-G and rs3890995-C, respectively. APOBEC3B rs2267401-GG genotype, higher APOBEC3B expression, and higher APOBEC3B/UNG expression ratio in HCCs indicated poor prognosis. APOBEC-signature somatic mutation predicts poor prognosis in HBV-free HCCs rather than in HBV-positive ones.

Conclusions:

Polymorphic genotypes predisposing the APOBEC3B-UNG imbalance in IL6-presenting microenvironment promote HCC development, possibly via promoting the generation of high-risk HBV mutations. This can be transformed into specific prophylaxis of HBV-caused HCC.
On the Potential for Open-Endedness in Neural Networks
Authors: Guttenberg Nicholas , Virgo Nathaniel , Penn Alexandra
Published: May 2019

Natural evolution gives the impression of leading to an open-ended process of increasing diversity and complexity. If our goal is to produce such open-endedness artificially, this suggests an approach driven by evolutionary metaphor. On the other hand, techniques from machine learning and artificial intelligence are often considered too narrow to provide the sort of exploratory dynamics associated with evolution. In this article, we hope to bridge that gap by reviewing common barriers to open-endedness in the evolution-inspired approach and how they are dealt with in the evolutionary case—collapse of diversity, saturation of complexity, and failure to form new kinds of individuality. We then show how these problems map onto similar ones in the machine learning approach, and discuss how the same insights and solutions that alleviated those barriers in evolutionary approaches can be ported over. At the same time, the form these issues take in the machine learning formulation suggests new ways to analyze and resolve barriers to open-endedness. Ultimately, we hope to inspire researchers to be able to interchangeably use evolutionary and gradient-descent-based machine learning methods to approach the design and creation of open-ended systems.
U.S. Policy to Curb West European Nuclear Exports, 1974–1978
Authors: Sarkar Jayita
Published: May 2019

After India's detonation of a nuclear explosive in 1974 publicly demonstrated the proliferation risks from nuclear assistance, the U.S. government increased its efforts to control nuclear exports worldwide. In doing so, U.S. policymakers faced challenges from two major West European allies, France and West Germany, both of which pursued their commercial interests through nuclear exports to countries such as Pakistan, Brazil, Iran, and India, among others. Despite multilateral efforts including the formation of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and bilateral negotiations with the supplier governments, the administrations of Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter attained only partial success. The commercial interests of nuclear firms, the influence of pro-export coalitions inside supplier countries, and the emerging importance of the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact countries as alternative suppliers influenced the outcome. The United States was more successful in restraining the French through a series of quid pro quo arrangements than it ever was with the West Germans. Using recently declassified archival documents, this article sheds new light on U.S. nonproliferation policy in the aftermath of the 1973 oil price shock.
Non-Euclidean Geometry in Russian Art History: On a Little-Known Application of a Scientific Theory
Authors: Antonova Clemena
Published: May 2019

The author has previously proposed that there are at least six different definitions of “reverse” or “inverse” perspective, i.e. the principle of organizing pictorial space in the icon. Reverse perspective is still a largely unresolved art historical problem. The author focuses on one of the six defi nitions, the one least familiar to Western scholars—namely, the view, common in Russian art-historical writing at the beginning of the twentieth century, that space in the icon is a visual analogue of non-Euclidean geometry. Russian mathematician-turned-theologian and priest Pavel Florensky claimed that the space of the icon is that of non-Euclidean geometry and truer to the way human vision functions. The author considers the scientifi c validity of Florensky's claim.
Guerilla Science: Mixing Science with Art, Music and Play in Unusual Settings
Authors: Rosin Mark , Wong Jen , O’Connell Kari , Storksdieck Martin , Keys Brianna
Published: May 2019

Outreach activities at the interface of science and art present a unique opportunity to connect and engage with “latently interested” publics who do not otherwise take part in science activities such as visiting science museums. In this article, the authors present “Guerilla Science” as one model that supports the hypothesis that well-designed science and art (STEAM) programming in informal settings can broaden participation in and facilitate engagement with STEM-related topics. The article describes a range of interactive events featuring scientists and artists and accompanying research into the impact of these events on a public audience.
A new Gerronema species with striking colours from China
Authors: LIU LI-NA , MOU GUANG-FU , BAU TOLGOR
Published: May 2019

Gerronema indigoticum sp. nov., distinctive for its blue to blue-green basidiomata, is described as a new taxon from subtropical China. Photographs of basidiomata, morphological features and relevant illustrations of this species are presented. Morphological characters compared with related Gerronema species and phylogenetic analyses conducted based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the large subunit (LSU) regions of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene sequences with Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Analysis (BA) tree show that the new taxon can be distinguished from phenotypically similar and phylogenetically related species.
Pycreus rubidomontanus (Cyperaceae), a widespread but undescribed species from tropical West Africa
Authors: VERLOOVE FILIP , BROWNING JANE , MESTERHÁZY ATTILA
Published: May 2019

Pycreus rubidomontanus is described as a new species. It is relatively widespread in tropical West Africa where it had been confused up to present with P. atrorubidus, a very rare endemic species from Zambia in south-central Africa that probably is known only from the type gathering. Differences between these and other similar species are discussed and the new species is copiously illustrated.
Rhynchospora seccoi, a new species of Rhynchospora sect. Tenues (Cyperaceae) from Brazilian Amazon (Serra dos Carajás, Pará State)
Authors: NUNES CLEBIANA DE SÁ , SILVA FILHO PEDRO JOEL SILVA DA , THOMAS WILLIAM WAYT , GIL ANDRÉ DOS SANTOS BRAGANÇA
Published: May 2019

Rhynchospora seccoi, a new species of Rhynchospora sect. Tenues (Cyperaceae) is herein described and illustrated. This new species from Serra dos Carajás (Pará State, Brazil) is morphologically similar to R. tenuis and R. riparia, but differs by being annual and having often cauline leaves, a synflorescence comprising 1 terminal and 2–3 axillary paniculodia, a nutlet with a rounded apex, a nutlet surface with 8–10(12) transverse ridges of vertically oriented linear cells, and a persistent style-base that is brown, shallowly triangular, and shortly bilobed at the base, with the lobes not extending along the shoulders of nutlet.
A new species of Caroperla Kohno, 1946 (Plecoptera: Perlidae) from Guangxi of China
Authors: MO RAORAO , WANG GUOQUAN , LI WEIHAI
Published: May 2019

One new species of the genus Caroperla Kohno, C. longilobata sp. nov., is described from the Dayao Mountain of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of southern China. The relationships of morphological characteristics of the new species and the three-known species of the genus are discussed.
The West Palaearctic Dineura species, focussing on Sweden (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae)
Authors: LISTON ANDREW , PROUS MARKO , VÅRDAL HEGE
Published: May 2019

Four Dineura species are now considered to occur in the West Palaearctic, including northern Europe, but D. parcivalvis has not been found in Scandinavia. Dineura pullior Schmidt & Walter, 1995 is treated as a new junior subjective synonym of D. virididorsata (Retzius, 1783). An illustrated key to adults is presented. Lectotypes are designated for seven nominal taxa: Dineura stilata var. virilis Enslin, 1918, Dineura testaceipes var. nigriventris Enslin, 1915, Dineura virididorsata var. dorsalis Enslin, 1915, Nematus posticus Förster, 1854, Nematus xanthocerus Hartig, 1840, Nematus xanthopus Zaddach, 1876, and Tenthredo (Allantus) stilata Klug, 1816. Distributions in the Fennoscandian countries are outlined, with particular reference to Sweden.
A new Platambus from Sichuan, with new records of species of the P. sawadai group from China (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae: Agabinae)
Authors: HÁJEK JIŘÍ , ZHANG TAO
Published: May 2019

Platambus binliui sp. nov. from Sichuan Province, China, is described and illustrated. It belongs to the P. sawadai species group sensu Nilsson (2000). The new species differs from other species of this group by the larger body, punctation of the dorsal surface and shape of male genitalia. New records of members of the P. sawadai group from China are provided: Platambus micropunctatus Nilsson, 2003 (Guangdong), P. punctatipennis Brancucci, 1984 (Fujian, Guangdong, Guizhou, Jiangxi, Zhejiang), P. regulae Brancucci, 1991 (Yunnan), representing a new species for Chinese fauna, and P. wangi Brancucci, 2006 (Hubei). Habitus and median lobe photographs for all mentioned species are provided.
A new species of Acanthosaura Gray 1831 (Reptilia: Agamidae) from central Vietnam
Authors: NGUYEN SANG NGOC , JIN JIE-QIONG , VO BA DINH , NGUYEN LUAN THANH , ZHOU WEI-WEI , CHE JING , MURPHY ROBERT W. , ZHANG YA-PING
Published: May 2019

Herein, we describe the new agamid species Acanthosaura phongdienensis sp. nov. from central Vietnam based on morphological and genetic data. Males of the new medium-sized species have a snout-vent length of up to 77.4 mm and females up to 64.7 mm. In both genders, the tail is longer than the snout-vent length. A spine occurs on each side of the neck, the rostral scute is entire, and the nuchal and dorsal crests are continuous. A postorbital spine is about half as long as the diameter of the eye-ball, and small lateral scales intermix with large, keeled scales whose tips point backwards and upwards. The new species differs genetically from the closely related species A. brachypoda, A. coronata, and A. lepidogaster by uncorrected p-distances of 13.6%, 21.7%, and 12.8%, respectively. This is the 13th species of Acanthosaura and the eighth species in the genus from Vietnam.
A new record of deep-sea shrimp Glyphocrangon investigatoris Wood-Mason & Alcock, 1891 (Decapoda: Glyphocrangonidae) from the southeastern Arabian Sea
Authors: KUBERAN G. , CHAKRABORTY REKHA DEVI , PURUSHOTHAMAN P. , MAHESWARUDU G. , SREESANTH L. , RAGESH N.
Published: May 2019

Here, we report the new record of deep-sea caridean shrimp Glyphocrangon investigatoris Wood-Mason & Alcock, 1891 from the Arabian Sea along the Indian coast. The three individual specimens were collected from Sakthikulangara fish landing center (fishing off Kollam 8°56’60.78”N/76°32’34.27”E) obtained from deep-sea bottom trawlers between 200 and 300 m depth along the southwest coast of India in December of 2017 and the voucher specimen was deposited to the Marine Biodiversity Referral Museum at Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute. The species of G. investigatoris is considered as one of the data deficient in distributional range, which was only recorded from northern and southern Bay of Bengal. The intraspecies genetic distance in the COI gene of G. investigatoris retrieved from NCBI revealed 0.6–0.7% while interspecies distance ranged from 5% to 26.5% and 16S was found between 1.1% to 8.1% and the closest genetic distance ranged with G. regalis.
Radar Detection of Individual Raindrops
Authors: Schmidt Jerome M. , Flatau Piotr J. , Harasti Paul R. , Yates Robert. D. , Delene David J. , Gapp Nicholas J. , Kohri William J. , Vetter Jerome R. , Nachamkin Jason E. , Parent Mark G. , Hoover Joshua D. , Anderson Mark J. , Green Seth , Bennett James E.
Published: May 2019

Descriptions of the experimental design and research highlights obtained from a series of four multiagency field projects held near Cape Canaveral, Florida, are presented. The experiments featured a 3 MW, dual-polarization, C-band Doppler radar that serves in a dual capacity as both a precipitation and cloud radar. This duality stems from a combination of the radar’s high sensitivity and extremely small-resolution volumes produced by the narrow 0.22° beamwidth and the 0.543 m along-range resolution. Experimental highlights focus on the radar’s real-time aircraft tracking capability as well as the finescale reflectivity and eddy structure of a thin nonprecipitating stratus layer. Examples of precipitating storm systems focus on the analysis of the distinctive and nearly linear radar reflectivity signatures (referred to as “streaks”) that are caused as individual hydrometeors traverse the narrow radar beam. Each streak leaves a unique radar reflectivity signature that is analyzed with regard to estimating the underlying particle properties such as size, fall speed, and oscillation characteristics. The observed along-streak reflectivity oscillations are complex and discussed in terms of diameter-dependent drop dynamics (oscillation frequency and viscous damping time scales) as well as radar-dependent factors governing the near-field Fresnel radiation pattern and inferred drop–drop interference.
Extended Multiplicative Signal Correction for Infrared Microspectroscopy of Heterogeneous Samples with Cylindrical Domains
Authors: Rasskazov Ilia L. , Singh Rajveer , Carney P. Scott , Bhargava Rohit
Published: May 2019

Optical scattering corrections are invoked to computationally distinguish between scattering and absorption contributions to recorded data in infrared (IR) microscopy, with a goal to obtain an absorption spectrum that is relatively free of the effects of sample morphology. Here, we present a modification of the extended multiplicative signal correction (EMSC) approach that allows for spectral recovery from fibers and cylindrical domains in heterogeneous samples. The developed theoretical approach is based on exact Mie theory for infinite cylinders. Although rigorous Mie theory implies utilization of comprehensive and time-consuming calculations, we propose to change the workflow of the original EMSC algorithm to minimize extensive calculations for each recorded spectrum at each iteration step. This makes the modified EMSC approach practical for routine use. First, we tested our approach using synthetic data derived from a rigorous model of scattering from cylinders in an IR microscope. Second, we applied the approach to Fourier transform IR (FT-IR) microspectroscopy data recorded from filamentous fungal and cellulose samples with pronounced fiber-like shapes. While the corrected spectra show greatly reduced baseline offsets and consistency, strongly absorbing regions of the spectrum require further refinement. The modified EMSC algorithm broadly mitigates the effects of scattering, offering a practical approach to more consistent and accurate spectra from cylindrical objects or heterogeneous samples with cylindrical domains.
From Protohypericin to Hypericin: Photoconversion Analysis Using a Time-Resolved Thermal Lens Technique
Authors: Camargo Vinicius G. , Zanuto Vitor S. , Astrath Nelson G. C. , Caetano Wilker , Hioka Noboru , Pereira Paulo C. S. , Gonçalves Renato S. , Lukasievicz Gustavo V. B. , Herculano Leandro S. , Malacarne Luis C.
Published: May 2019

Hypericin (Hyp) is a natural compound with interesting photophysical and pharmacological properties, which has been used in photodynamic therapy and photodynamic inactivation of microorganisms. Its synthesis is based on a series of chemical processes that ends with a light–drug interaction by the photoconversion of protohypericin (pHyp) to Hyp. Although this photosensitizer is used in a variety of medical applications, the photophysical and photochemical mechanisms involved in the final step related to the photo production of Hyp are not completely understood at the molecular level. Protohypericin concentration, solvents, light irradiation under different wavelengths, and a sort of variables could play an important role in predicting the yielding of this photoconversion process. Here, we used the high-sensitive and remote measurement characteristics of the time-resolved thermal lens technique to investigate the relation between the light-induced photoconversion rate of pHyp to Hyp and the initial concentration pHyp. The results show a linear dependence of the photoreaction rate with the concentration of pHyp, indicating that the overall reaction process includes steps comprising the formation of distinct intermediate species. We demonstrate the applicability of the thermal lens technique for the photochemical characterization of photosensitive drugs at low concentration levels.