bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pervasive human-driven decline of life on Earth points to the need for transformative change
Authors: Díaz Sandra , Settele Josef , Brondízio Eduardo S. , Ngo Hien T. , Agard John , Arneth Almut , Balvanera Patricia , Brauman Kate A. , Butchart Stuart H. M. , Chan Kai M. A. , Garibaldi Lucas A. , Ichii Kazuhito , Liu Jianguo , Subramanian Suneetha M. , Midgley Guy F. , Miloslavich Patricia , Molnár Zsolt , Obura David , Pfaff Alexander , Polasky Stephen , Purvis Andy , Razzaque Jona , Reyers Belinda , Chowdhury Rinku Roy , Shin Yunne-Jai , Visseren-Hamakers Ingrid , Willis Katherine J. , Zayas Cynthia N.
Published: December 2019

The time is now

For decades, scientists have been raising calls for societal changes that will reduce our impacts on nature. Though much conservation has occurred, our natural environment continues to decline under the weight of our consumption. Humanity depends directly on the output of nature; thus, this decline will affect us, just as it does the other species with which we share this world. Díaz
et al.
review the findings of the largest assessment of the state of nature conducted as of yet. They report that the state of nature, and the state of the equitable distribution of nature's support, is in serious decline. Only immediate transformation of global business-as-usual economies and operations will sustain nature as we know it, and us, into the future.

Science
, this issue p.
eaax3100
High strength in combination with high toughness in robust and sustainable polymeric materials
Authors: Liao Xiaojian , Dulle Martin , de Souza e Silva Juliana Martins , Wehrspohn Ralf B. , Agarwal Seema , Förster Stephan , Hou Haoqing , Smith Paul , Greiner Andreas
Published: December 2019

Strong and tough fibers

Dragline spider silk is known for its combination of strength and toughness, but this combination has been hard to replicate in synthetic fibers. Liao
et al.
electrospun polyacrylonitrile-
co
-methyl acrylate fibers modified with a small amount of poly(ethylene glycol) bisazide (PEG-BA) (see the Perspective by Fox). After collecting the electrospun yarn, it was annealed under tension that both aligned the small fibers and cross-linked them together via the PEG-BA. As hoped, the overall properties were comparable to those of spider silk.

Science
, this issue p.
1376
; see also p.
1314
Molecular messages in human microbiota
Authors: Henke Matthew T. , Clardy Jon
Published: December 2019

Multiple approaches reveal the molecular wealth from the gut microbiome
Extreme diamond-based quantum sensors
Authors: Hamlin James J. , Zhou Brian B.
Published: December 2019

Nitrogen vacancies make for superlative sensors of material properties at high pressures
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Phosphoprotein Dimerization Domain Is Dispensable for Virus Growth
Authors: Gérard Francine C. A. , Jamin Marc , Blackledge Martin , Blondel Danielle , Bourhis Jean-Marie
Published: December 2019

The phosphoprotein (P) is an essential and conserved component of all nonsegmented negative-sense RNA viruses, including some major human pathogens (e.g., rabies virus, measles virus, respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], Ebola virus, and Nipah virus). P is a modular protein with intrinsically disordered regions and folded domains that plays specific and similar roles in the replication of the different viruses and, in some cases, hijacks cell components to the advantage of the virus and is involved in immune evasion. All P proteins are multimeric, but the role of this multimerization is still unclear. Here, we demonstrate that the dimerization domain of VSV P is dispensable for the expression of virally encoded proteins and for virus growth in cell culture. This provides new insights into and raises questions about the functioning of the RNA-synthesizing machinery of the nonsegmented negative-sense RNA viruses.
Conformational Flexibility in Respiratory Syncytial Virus G Neutralizing Epitopes
Authors: Fedechkin Stanislav O. , George Natasha L. , Nuñez Castrejon Ana M. , Dillen Joshua R. , Kauvar Lawrence M. , DuBois Rebecca M.
Published: December 2019

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe respiratory infections in infants, young children, and the elderly, and currently, no licensed vaccine exists. In this study, we describe the crystal structure of the RSV surface glycoprotein G in complex with a broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibody. The antibody binds to RSV G at a highly conserved region stabilized by two disulfide bonds, but it captures RSV G in a conformation not previously observed, revealing that this region is both structured and flexible. Importantly, our findings provide insight for the design of vaccines that elicit diverse antibodies, which may provide broad protection from infection and disease.
Deprescribing psychotropic medications in children: results of a national qualitative study
Authors: Barnett Erin R , Trepman Alissa Z , Fuson Hannah A , Acquilano Stephanie C , McLaren Jennifer L , Woloshin Steven , Leyenaar Joanna K
Published: December 2019

Background and Objective

Prescriptions for psychotropic medications to children have risen dramatically in recent years despite few regulatory approvals and growing concerns about side effects. Government policy and numerous programmes are attempting to curb this problem. However, the perspectives of practising clinicians have not been explored. To characterise the perspectives and experiences of paediatric primary care clinicians and mental health specialists regarding overprescribing and deprescribing psychotropic medications in children.

Methods

We conducted 24 semistructured interviews with clinicians representing diverse geographic regions and practice settings in the USA. Interview questions focused on clinician perspectives surrounding overprescribing and experiences with deprescribing. We transcribed audio files verbatim and verified them for accuracy. We analysed transcripts using a grounded theory approach, identifying emergent themes and developing a conceptual model using axial coding.

Results

Analysis yielded themes within four domains: social and clinical contextual factors contributing to overprescribing, opportunities for deprescribing, and facilitators and barriers to deprescribing in paediatric outpatient settings. Most participants recognised the problem of overprescribing, and they described complex clinical and social contextual factors, as well as internal and external pressures, that contribute to overprescribing. Opportunities for deprescribing included identification of high-risk medications, routine reassessment of medication needs and recognition of the broader social needs of vulnerable children. Facilitators and barriers to deprescribing were both internal (eg, providing psychoeducation to families) and external (eg, parent and child preferences) to clinicians.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight a discrepancy between clinicians’ concerns about overprescribing and a lack of resources to support deprescribing in outpatient paediatric settings. To successfully initiate deprescribing, clinicians will need practical tools and organisational supports, as well as social resources for vulnerable families.
Auricular acupressure for cancer-related fatigue during lung cancer chemotherapy: a randomised trial
Authors: Lin Lu , Zhang Yan , Qian Hong Ying , Xu Jia Li , Xie Cong Yan , Dong Bei , Tian Li
Published: December 2019

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of auricular acupressure (AA) on cancer-related fatigue (CRF), sleep disturbance and anxiety in lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Materials and methods

Patients were recruited from the respiratory department of a general hospital and were randomised into three groups. A 9-week course of AA using Semen Vaccariae (SV) (Group A)/AA using magnetic beads (Group B)/routine care (Group C) was implemented. CRF scores were used as the primary outcome while the sleep and anxiety scores were the secondary outcomes. Analysis of variance and least significant difference t-test were used to determine the intergroup differences and paired-sample t-test was used for the intragroup comparison.

Results

100 lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were included. Compared with Group C, AA could significantly alleviate CRF (F:24.63, p<0.01), especially for physical and affective fatigue and Group A was more effective for managing physical fatigue than Group B in per-protocol (PP) (−1.75 (−2.69 to –0.82), p<0.01)/Intention to Treat analysis (ITT) (−1.41 (−2.39 to –0.41), p=0.01) analysis. However, AA had no effect on cognitive fatigue. Compared with Group C, only Group A produced significant improvements in sleep quality in PP analysis (−1.17 (−2.23 to –0.10), p=0.03) while it yielded negative results in ITT analysis (−0.82 (−1.74 to 0.10), p=0.08). Compared with Group C, AA could significantly reduce anxiety in PP analysis (F:9.35, p<0.01) while there was no statistical difference between Group B and Group C (−0.95 (−2.81 to 0.90), p=0.31), Group A and Group B (−1.26 (−3.12 to 0.59), p=0.18) in ITT analysis.

Conclusion

AA can alleviate CRF of lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, especially for physical and affective fatigue. AA using SV is more effective for physical fatigue while AA using magnetic beads works better for anxiety. However, AA cannot improve the sleep quality.

Trial registration number

ISRCTNregistry (ISRCTN16408424).
Pregnancy and fertility-related adverse outcomes associated withChlamydia trachomatisinfection: a global systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tang Weiming , Mao Jessica , Li Katherine T , Walker Jennifer S , Chou Roger , Fu Rong , Chen Weiying , Darville Toni , Klausner Jeffrey , Tucker Joseph D
Published: December 2019

Background

Genital chlamydia infection in women is often asymptomatic, but may result in adverse outcomes before and during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to examine the strength of the relationships between chlamydia infection and different reproductive health outcomes and to assess the certainty of the evidence.

Methods

This review was registered and followed the Cochrane guidelines. We searched three databases to quantitatively examine adverse outcomes associated with chlamydia infection. We included pregnancy and fertility-related outcomes. We performed meta-analyses on different study designs for various adverse outcomes using unadjusted and adjusted analyses.

Results

We identified 4730 unique citations and included 107 studies reporting 12 pregnancy and fertility-related outcomes. Sixty-eight studies were conducted in high-income countries, 37 studies were conducted in low-income or middle-income countries, and 2 studies were conducted in both high-income and low-income countries. Chlamydia infection was positively associated with almost all of the 12 included pregnancy and fertility-related adverse outcomes in unadjusted analyses, including stillbirth (OR=5.05, 95% CI 2.95 to 8.65 for case–control studies and risk ratio=1.28, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.51 for cohort studies) and spontaneous abortion (OR=1.30, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.49 for case–control studies and risk ratio=1.47, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.85 for cohort studies). However, there were biases in the design and conduct of individual studies, affecting the certainty of the overall body of evidence. The risk of adverse outcomes associated with chlamydia is higher in low-income and middle-income countries compared with high-income countries.

Conclusion

Chlamydia is associated with an increased risk of several pregnancy and fertility-related adverse outcomes in unadjusted analyses, especially in low-income and middle-income countries. Further research on how to prevent the sequelae of chlamydia in pregnant women is needed.

Trial registration number

CRD42017056818.
First evidence for the conifer Pinus, as Pinuxylon selmeierianum sp. nov., during the Paleogene on Wootton Peninsula, northern Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada
Authors: Dolezych Martina , Reinhardt Lutz
Published: December 2019

We describe a new fossil wood species of pine, Pinuxylon selmeierianum sp. nov., for a piece of petrified wood encased within a concretion that was recovered in marine, fine-grained sandstones of the Paleogene Eureka Sound Group on Wootton Peninsula, Ellesmere Island. The fossil wood is allochthonous, having drifted in from a nearby landmass. Within the fossil wood genus Pinuxylon Gothan, 1905, Pinuxylon selmeierianum sp. nov. shares anatomical characteristics with the haploxylon sections Parrya Mayr, 1890 and Strobus Little and Critchfield, 1969. The new species is most closely related to the extant Pinus lambertiana Douglas, 1827, a species belonging to section Strobus. Our study provides the first evidence for a fossil Pinus Linné, 1753 on Wootton Peninsula, supporting the idea that Pinus was an “Arctic conifer”, and providing insights into Paleogene vegetation at high latitudes.
Global parameterization of $$\pi \pi $$ scattering up to 2 $${\mathrm {\,GeV}}$$
Authors: Pelaez J. R. , Rodas A. , Ruiz de Elvira J.
Published: December 2019

We provide global parameterizations of $$\pi \pi \rightarrow \pi \pi $$

π
π
→
π
π

scattering S0 and P partial waves up to roughly 2 GeV for phenomenological use. These parameterizations describe the output and uncertainties of previous partial-wave dispersive analyses of $$\pi \pi \rightarrow \pi \pi $$

π
π
→
π
π

, both in the real axis up to 1.12 $${\mathrm {\,GeV}}$$

GeV

and in the complex plane within their applicability region, while also fulfilling forward dispersion relations up to 1.43 $${\mathrm {\,GeV}}$$

GeV

. Above that energy we just describe the available experimental data. Moreover, the analytic continuations of these global parameterizations also describe accurately the dispersive determinations of the $$\sigma /f_0(500)$$

σ
/

f
0

(
500
)

, $$f_0(980)$$

f
0

(
980
)

and $$\rho (770)$$

ρ
(
770
)

pole parameters.
Gauged $$U(1)_{L_\mu -L_\tau }$$ scotogenic model in light of $$R_{K^{(*)}}$$ anomaly and AMS-02 positron excess
Authors: Han Zhi-Long , Ding Ran , Lin Su-Jie , Zhu Bin
Published: December 2019

We study the gauged$$U(1)_{L_\mu -L_\tau }$$U(1)Lμ-Lτscotogenic model with emphasis on latest measurement of LHCb$$R_{K^{(*)}}$$RK(∗)anomaly and AMS-02 positron excess. In this model, neutrino masses are induced at one-loop level with$$Z_2$$Z2-odd particles, i.e., right-handed neutrinos$$N_\ell (\ell =e,\mu ,\tau )$$Nℓ(ℓ=e,μ,τ)and inert scalar doublet$$\eta $$ηinside the loop. Meanwhile, the gauged$$U(1)_{L_\mu -L_\tau }$$U(1)Lμ-Lτsymmetry is broken spontaneously by the scalar singletS, resulting to the massive gauge boson$$Z'$$Z′. Provided certain couplings to quarks induced by heavy vector-like quarks, the gauge boson$$Z'$$Z′would contribute to the transition$$b\rightarrow s \mu ^+\mu ^-$$b→sμ+μ-, hence explain the$$R_{K^{(*)}}$$RK(∗)anomaly. As for the Majorana fermion DMN, the gauge boson$$Z'$$Z′and the singlet Higgs$$H_0$$H0will generate various annihilation channels, among which the$$NN\rightarrow Z'Z'$$NN→Z′Z′and$$NN\rightarrow Z'H_0(\rightarrow Z'Z')$$NN→Z′H0(→Z′Z′)channel could be used to interpret the AMS-02 positron excess. We give a comprehensive analysis on model parameter space with consider various current constraints. The combined analysis shows that the$$R_{K^{(*)}}$$RK(∗)anomaly and AMS-02 positron excess can be explained simultaneously.
Conserved quantities in the presence of torsion: A generalization of Killing theorem
Authors: Peterson Christian , Bonder Yuri
Published: December 2019

When spacetime torsion is present, geodesics and autoparallels generically do not coincide. In this work, the well-known method that uses Killing vectors to solve the geodesic equations is generalized for autoparallels. The main definition is that of T-Killing vectors: vector fields such that, when their index is lowered with the metric, have vanishing symmetric derivative when acted upon with a torsionful and metric-compatible derivative. The main property of T-Killing vectors is that their contraction with the autoparallels’ tangents are constant along these curves. As an example, in a static and spherically symmetric situation, the autoparallel equations are reduced to an effective one-dimensional problem. Other interesting properties and extensions of T-Killing vectors are discussed.
Target Object Recognition Using Multiresolution SVD and Guided Filter with Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Biswas Biswajit , Ghosh Swarup Kr , Ghosh Anupam , Chakraborty Chandan , Mitra Pabitra
Published: December 2019

To design an efficient fusion scheme for the generation of a highly informative fused image by combining multiple images is still a challenging task in computer vision. A fast and effective image fusion scheme based on multi-resolution singular value decomposition (MR-SVD) with guided filter (GF) has been introduced in this paper. The proposed scheme decomposes an image of two-scale by MR-SVD into a lower approximate layer and a detailed layer containing the lower and higher variations of pixel intensity. It generates lower and details of left focused (LF) and right focused (RF) layers by applying the MR-SVD on each series of multi-focus images. GF is utilized to create a refined and smooth-textured weight fusion map by the weighted average approach on spatial features of the lower and detail layers of each image. A fused image of LF and RF has been achieved by the inverse MR-SVD. Finally, a deep convolutional autoencoder (CAE) has been applied to segment the fused results by generating the trained-patches mechanism. Comparing the results by state-of-the-art fusion and segmentation methods, we have illustrated that the proposed schemes provide superior fused and its segment results in terms of both qualitatively and quantitatively.
3-Manifolds with abelian embeddings in S4
Authors: Hillman J. A.
Published: December 2019

We consider embeddings of 3-manifolds in [Formula: see text] such that each of the two complementary regions has an abelian fundamental group. In particular, we show that an homology handle [Formula: see text] has such an embedding if and only if [Formula: see text] is perfect, and that the embedding is then essentially unique.
Nuclear transition matrix elements for neutrinoless double-β decay of 76Ge isotope within PHFB approach
Authors: Rath P. K. , Kumar A. , Chandra R. , Gautam R. , Raina P. K. , Dixit B. M.
Published: December 2019

Employing projected–Hartree–Fock–Bogoliubov (PHFB) model, nuclear transition matrix elements (NTMEs) [Formula: see text] for the neutrinoless double-[Formula: see text] decay of [Formula: see text]Ge isotope are calculated within mechanisms involving light as well as heavy Majorana neutrinos, and classical Majorons. By considering the spin-tensor decomposition of realistic KUO and empirical JUN45 effective two-body interactions, it is noticed that the effect due to SRC on NTMEs [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] involving the exchange of light and heavy Majorana neutrinos, respectively, is maximally incorporated by the central part of the effective two-body interaction, which varies by a small amount with the inclusion of spin-orbit and tensor components. Presently, the model-dependent uncertainties in the average NTMEs [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] turn out to be about 10% and 37%, respectively.
PERFORMANCE OF pH SENSOR ELECTRODE BASED ON ZnO NRs ON FTO-GLASS SUBSTRATE
Authors: FAISAL ABDULQADER D. , DAWOOD MOHAMMAD O. , HUSSEIN HASSAN H. , HASSOON KHALEEL I.
Published: December 2019

In this work, ZnO nanorods (ZnO NRs) were successfully synthesized on FTO-glass via hydrothermal technique. Two steps were followed to grow ZnO NRs. In the first step, the seed layer of ZnO nanocrystals was deposited by using a drop cast method. The second step was represented by the hydrothermal growth of ZnO NRs on a pre-coated FTO- glass with the seed layer. The hydrothermal growth was conducted at 90∘C for 2[Formula: see text]h. The resulted structure, morphology and optical properties of the produced layers were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and UV-visible spectrophotometer, respectively. The analysis confirmed that the ZnO NRs grown by the hydrothermal method have a hexagonal crystal structure which was grown randomly on the FTO surface. The crystallite size was recorded 50[Formula: see text]nm and a slight microstrain (0.142%) was calculated. The bandgap was found to be in the range of 3.14–3.17[Formula: see text]eV. The ZnO NRs have a high density and large aspect ratio. A pH sensor with high sensitivity was fabricated using a two-electrode cell configuration. The ZnO NRs sensor showed the sensitivity of [Formula: see text]59.03[Formula: see text]mV/pH, which is quite promising and close to the theoretical value ([Formula: see text]59.12[Formula: see text]mV/pH).
Mesh simplification algorithm based on edge curvature metrics and local optimization
Authors: Huang Jun , Wang Xiuhui , Wang Jun
Published: December 2019

Aiming at the problem that the mesh simplification algorithm loses the geometric features of the model in large-scale simplification, an improved half-edge collapse mesh simplification algorithm is proposed. The concept of approximate measurement of edge curvature is introduced, and the edge curvature is added to the error measure, so that the order of half-edge collapse of the mesh is changed, and the simplified details of the mesh model can be preserved accurately. At the same time, by analyzing the quality of simplified triangular mesh, optimizing triangular mesh locally, reducing the amount of narrow triangles, the quality of the simplified model is improved. The proposed algorithm was tested on Cow model, Car model and Bunny model, and compared with another three algorithms, one of them is a classical mesh simplification algorithm based on edge collapse, the other is an improved algorithm of the classical one. The experimental results show that the improved algorithm can better retain the detail features of the original model at the same reduction ratio, and has reasonable mesh allocation, fast execution speed and small error.
Generation of Spin Currents by Magnetic Field in 𝒯- and 𝒫-Broken Materials
Authors: Wang Jing , Lian Biao , Zhang Shou-Cheng
Published: December 2019

Pure spin currents carry information in quantum spintronics and could play an essential role in the next generation low-energy-consumption electronics. Here, we theoretically predict that the magnetic field can induce a quantum spin current without a concomitant charge current in metals without time reversal symmetry [Formula: see text] and inversion symmetry [Formula: see text] but respect the combined [Formula: see text] symmetry. It is governed by the magnetic moment of the Bloch states on the Fermi surface, and can be regarded as a spinful generalization of the gyrotropic magnetic effect in [Formula: see text]-broken metals. The effect is explicitly studied for a minimal model of an antiferromagnetic Dirac semimetal, where the experimental signature is proposed. We further propose candidate materials, including topological antiferromagnetic Dirac semimetals, Weyl semimetals and tenary Heusler compounds.
Reliability Analysis and Performance Evaluation of STT-MRAM-Based Physical Unclonable Function
Authors: Wang You , Wang Hanchen , Zhao Weisheng , Cai Hao
Published: December 2019

Physical unclonable function (PUF) is considered as a promising primitive for variety of security applications since its appearance, such as authentication, key generators and random oracle. With the fast development of Internet of Things (IoT), the requirement for low complexity, high power efficiency and enhanced security level of PUF becomes urgent. Meanwhile, the conventional PUF instances based on optical effect and semiconductors fail to meet the requirements due to poor scalability and sensitivity to attacks. This paper proposes a circuit design of PUF by utilizing the spin transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM). The performance of presented circuit design is thoroughly investigated from the aspects of uniqueness, reliability, uniformity, diffuseness, access speed and energy consumption. The simulation results show that the inter-Hamming distance can achieve 50% and the intra-Hamming distance can be reduced as low as 0%, resulting in perfect security. Meanwhile, the circuit behaves high immunity to environmental variations such as high and low temperature. With the rapid development of artificial intelligence, many powerful attack methods emerge. To defend against these attacks, the user reconfigurable function has been proposed. Moreover, design space including programming voltage, device parameters and thermal conditions has been explored to optimize the reliability of this function.
Risks to the Public
Authors: Neumann Peter G.
Published: December 2019

RISKS items seem to be burgeoning, making it very difficult to devote detailed accounts in the six pages that our recent SEN sections are occupying. We try to emphasize those items here that have the most content relating to software engineer- ing and system engineering. Safety issues continue to recur, and security issues are always rampant. Fodder for this section continues to manifest itself.
Saffron
Authors: Le Xuan-Bach D. , Pasareanu Corina , Padhye Rohan , Lo David , Visser Willem , Sen Koushik
Published: December 2019

Fuzz testing has been gaining ground recently with substantial e orts devoted to the area. Typically, fuzzers take a set of seed inputs and leverage random mutations to continually improve the inputs with respect to a cost, e.g. program code coverage, to discover vulnerabilities or bugs. Following this methodology, fuzzers are very good at generating unstructured inputs that achieve high coverage. However fuzzers are less e ective when the inputs are structured, say they conform to an input grammar. Due to the nature of random mutations, the overwhelming abundance of inputs generated by this common fuzzing practice often adversely hinders the effectiveness and efficiency of fuzzers on grammar-aware applications. The problem of testing becomes even harder, when the goal is not only to achieve increased code coverage, but also to nd complex vulnerabilities related to other cost measures, say high resource consumption in an application.

We propose Saffron an adaptive grammar-based fuzzing approach to effectively and efficiently generate inputs that expose expensive executions in programs. Saffron takes as input a user-provided grammar, which describes the input space of the program under analysis, and uses it to generate test inputs. Saffron assumes that the grammar description is approximate since precisely describing the input program space is often difficult as a program may accept unintended inputs due to e.g., errors in parsing. Yet these inputs may reveal worst-case complexity vulnerabilities. The novelty of Saffron is then twofold: (1) Given the user-provided grammar, Saffron attempts to discover whether the program accepts unexpected inputs outside of the provided grammar, and if so, it repairs the grammar via grammar mutations. The repaired grammar serves as a speci cation of the actual inputs accepted by the application. (2) Based on the re ned grammar, it generates concrete test inputs. It starts by treating every production rule in the grammar with equal probability of being used for generating concrete inputs. It then adaptively re nes the probabilities along the way by increasing the probabilities for rules that have been used to generate inputs that improve a cost, e.g., code coverage or arbitrary user-de ned cost. Evaluation results show that Saffron signi cantly outperforms state-of-the-art baselines.
Cyber-physical Support of Daily Activities
Authors: Pereyda Christopher , Raghunath Nisha , Minor Bryan , Wilson Garrett , Schmitter-Edgecombe Maureen , Cook Diane J.
Published: December 2019

This article introduces RAS, a cyber-physical system that supports individuals with memory limitations to perform daily activities in their own homes. RAS represents a partnership between a smart home, a robot, and software agents. When smart home residents perform activities, RAS senses their movement in the space and identifies the current activity. RAS tracks activity steps to detect omission errors. When an error is detected, the RAS robot finds and approaches the human with an offer of assistance. Assistance consists of playing a video recording of the entire activity, showing the omitted activity step, or guiding the resident to the object that is required for the current step. We evaluated RAS performance for 54 participants performing three scripted activities in a smart home testbed and for 2 participants using the system over multiple days in their own homes. In the testbed experiment, activity errors were detected with a sensitivity of 0.955 and specificity of 0.992. RAS assistance was performed successfully with a rate of 0.600. In the in-home experiments, activity errors were detected with a combined sensitivity of 0.905 and a combined specificity of 0.988. RAS assistance was performed successfully for the in-home experiments with a rate of 0.830.
Fast Parallel Algorithms for Counting and Listing Triangles in Big Graphs
Authors: Arifuzzaman Shaikh , Khan Maleq , Marathe Madhav
Published: December 2019

Big graphs (networks) arising in numerous application areas pose significant challengesfor graph analysts as these graphs grow to billions of nodes and edges and are prohibitively large to fit in the main memory. Finding the number of triangles in a graph is an important problem in the mining and analysis of graphs. In this article, we present two efficient MPI-based distributed memory parallel algorithms for counting triangles in big graphs. The first algorithm employs overlapping partitioning and efficient load balancing schemes to provide a very fast parallel algorithm. The algorithm scales well to networks with billions of nodes and can compute the exact number of triangles in a network with 10 billion edges in 16 minutes. The second algorithm divides the network into non-overlapping partitions leading to a space-efficient algorithm. Our results on both artificial and real-world networks demonstrate a significant space saving with this algorithm. We also present a novel approach that reduces communication cost drastically leading the algorithm to both a space- and runtime-efficient algorithm. Further, we demonstrate how our algorithms can be used to list all triangles in a graph and compute clustering coefficients of nodes. Our algorithm can also be adapted to a parallel approximation algorithm using an edge sparsification method.
Evolutionary Classifier and Cluster Selection Approach for Ensemble Classification
Authors: Md. Jan Zohaib , Verma Brijesh
Published: December 2019

Ensemble classifiers improve the classification performance by combining several classifiers using a suitable fusion methodology. Many ensemble classifier generation methods have been developed that allowed the training of multiple classifiers on a single dataset. As such random subspace is a common methodology utilized by many state-of-the-art ensemble classifiers that generate random subsamples from the input data and train classifiers on different subsamples. Real-world datasets have randomness and noise in them, therefore not all randomly generated samples are suitable for training. In this article, we propose a novel particle swarm optimization-based approach to optimize the random subspace to generate an ensemble classifier. We first generate a random subspace by incrementally clustering input data and then optimize all generated data clusters. On all optimized data clusters, a set of classifiers is trained and added to the pool. The pool of classifiers is then optimized and an optimized ensemble classifier is generated. The proposed approach is tested on 12 benchmark datasets from the UCI repository and results are compared with current state-of-the-art ensemble classifier approaches. A statistical significance test is also conducted and an analysis is presented.
Brain Plasticity in Human Lifespan Development: The Exploration–Selection–Refinement Model
Authors: Lindenberger Ulman , Lövdén Martin
Published: December 2019

Plasticity can be defined as the brain's capacity to achieve lasting structural changes in response to environmental demands that are not fully met by the organism's current functional capacity. Plasticity is triggered when experiential forces interact with genetic programs in the maturation of species-common functions (e.g., vision), but it is also required for less universal forms of learning that sculpt individuals into unique members of their species. Hence, delineating the mechanisms that regulate plasticity is critical for understanding human ontogeny. Nevertheless, mechanisms of plasticity in the human brain and their relations to individual differences in learning and lifespan development are not well understood. Drawing on animal models, developmental theory, and concepts from reinforcement learning, we introduce the exploration–selection–refinement (ESR) model of human brain plasticity. According to this model, neuronal microcircuits potentially capable of implementing the computations needed for executing a task are, early in learning, widely probed and therefore structurally altered. This phase of exploration is followed by phases of experience-dependent selection and refinement of reinforced microcircuits and the concomitant gradual elimination of novel structures associated with unselected circuits. The ESR model makes a number of predictions that are testable in humans and has implications for the study of individual differences in lifespan development.
Ranolazine may exert its beneficial effects by increasing myocardial adenosine levels
Authors: Le D. Elizabeth , Davis Catherine M. , Wei Kevin , Zhao Yan , Cao Zhiping , Nugent Matthew , Scott Kristin L. Lyon , Liu Lijuan , Nagarajan Shanthi , Alkayed Nabil J. , Kaul Sanjiv
Published: December 2019

We hypothesized that ranolazine-induced adenosine release is responsible for its beneficial effects in ischemic heart disease. Sixteen open-chest anesthetized dogs with noncritical coronary stenosis were studied at rest, during dobutamine stress, and during dobutamine stress with ranolazine. Six additional dogs without stenosis were studied only at rest. Regional myocardial function and perfusion were assessed. Coronary venous blood was drawn. Murine endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes were incubated with ranolazine and adenosine metabolic enzyme inhibitors, and adenosine levels were measured. Cardiomyocytes were also exposed to dobutamine and dobutamine with ranolazine. Modeling was employed to determine whether ranolazine can bind to an enzyme that alters adenosine stores. Ranolazine was associated with increased adenosine levels in the absence (21.7 ± 3.0 vs. 9.4 ± 2.1 ng/mL, P < 0.05) and presence of ischemia (43.1 ± 13.2 vs. 23.4 ± 5.3 ng/mL, P < 0.05). Left ventricular end-systolic wall stress decreased (49.85 ± 4.68 vs. 57.42 ± 3.73 dyn/cm2, P < 0.05) and endocardial-to-epicardial myocardial blood flow ratio tended to normalize (0.89 ± 0.08 vs. 0.76 ± 0.10, P = nonsignificant). Adenosine levels increased in cardiac endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes when incubated with ranolazine that was reversed when cytosolic-5′-nucleotidase (cN-II) was inhibited. Point mutation of cN-II aborted an increase in its specific activity by ranolazine. Similarly, adenosine levels did not increase when cardiomyocytes were incubated with dobutamine. Modeling demonstrated plausible binding of ranolazine to cN-II with a docking energy of −11.7 kcal/mol. We conclude that the anti-adrenergic and cardioprotective effects of ranolazine-induced increase in tissue adenosine levels, likely mediated by increasing cN-II activity, may contribute to its beneficial effects in ischemic heart disease.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Ranolazine is a drug used for treatment of angina pectoris in patients with ischemic heart disease. We discovered a novel mechanism by which this drug may exhibit its beneficial effects. It increases coronary venous levels of adenosine both at rest and during dobutamine-induced myocardial ischemia. Ranolazine also increases adenosine levels in endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes in vitro, by principally increasing activity of the enzyme cytosolic-5′-nucleotidase. Adenosine has well-known myocardial protective and anti-adrenergic properties that may explain, in part, ranolazine’s beneficial effect in ischemic heart disease.
Lipidomic Profile Revealed the Association of Plasma Lysophosphatidylcholines with Adolescent Obesity
Authors: Wang Yang , Jiang Chang-Tao , Song Jie-Yun , Song Qi-Ying , Ma Jun , Wang Hai-Jun
Published: December 2019

Objective. The human lipidomic profile reflects lipid metabolism, including the early phase of pathophysiological changes associated with diseases. An investigation of the association between the plasma lipidomic profile and adolescent obesity might provide new insights into the biological mechanisms of obesity. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association of the plasma lipidome with obesity in Chinese adolescents using lipidomics.Methods. Using a combination of liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, we quantified 328 lipid species from 24 lipid classes and subclasses in 100 male adolescents aged 14–16 years who were categorized into four groups: (1) normal weight with traditional normal clinical plasma lipid levels (NN); (2) normal weight with traditional abnormal clinical plasma lipid levels (NA); (3) obese with traditional normal clinical plasma lipid levels (ON); and (4) obese with traditional abnormal clinical plasma lipid levels (OA). The concentrations of all the lipid species were compared between obese and normal-weight adolescents at different traditional clinical plasma lipid levels using the Kruskal–Wallis test followed by the Mann–WhitneyUtest. A partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was applied to select lipids with a significant ability to discriminate adolescent obesity.Results. The lipidomic profile distinguished obese adolescents from normal-weight subjects. Regardless of whether traditional clinical plasma lipid levels were normal or abnormal, we observed a significant reduction in the levels of five lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC) species (LPC18:2, LPC18:1, LPC20:2, LPC20:1, and LPC20:0) in the obese group compared with the normal-weight group (difference = −31.29% to −13.19%;P=9.91×10−5 to 2.28×10−2). The ability of these five LPC species to discriminate adolescent obesity was confirmed in the PLS-DA model.Conclusions. The findings provided evidence for the association of some LPC species with adolescent obesity. The discriminatory effects of five LPC species were identified between normal-weight and obese adolescents, independent of traditional clinical plasma lipid levels. These results will provide a basis for validation in subsequent studies.
Flavonoids from Apios americana Medikus Leaves Protect RAW264.7 Cells against Inflammation via Inhibition of MAPKs, Akt-mTOR Pathways, and Nfr2 Activation
Authors: Chu Qiang , Yu Xin , Jia Ruoyi , Wang Yaxuan , Zhang Yiru , Zhang Shuang , Liu Yangyang , Li Yonglu , Chen Wen , Ye Xiang , Zheng Xiaodong
Published: December 2019

Apios americana Medikus was once widely accepted as staple food in India for a long time, and the tuber of which possesses high nutrients. During the past decades, most of the research has focused on the biological activity in the tubers of Apios americana Medikus whereas the leaves were ignored. In this study, the Apios americana Medikus leaf extract (ALE) was obtained and seven compounds were identified. LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells were used to study the anti-inflammation activity of ALE. As expected, ALE reduced the secretion of nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory cytokines via inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK signaling together with activation of Nrf2-Keap1 and FOXO pathways, as well as alleviating the oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, ALE could activate HMGB1-Beclin1 and Sirt1-FoxO1 pathways and inhibit the Akt-mTOR signaling pathway to activate autophagy, protecting RAW264.7 cells from inflammation. In summary, our results suggested that ALE might help activate the anti-inflammation system, resulting in the prevention of LPS-induced damage in RAW264.7 cells.
The Effect of Protein FAM172A on Proliferation in HepG2 Cells and Investigation of the Possible Molecular Mechanism
Authors: Zhao Hong , Wang Yujie , Liu Yufeng , Hao Xiaohua , Wei Hongshan , Xie Wen
Published: December 2019

Background. In our previous study, we found that the FAM172A recombinant protein could promote proliferation of L02 cells. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. The present study was aimed at investigating the effect of FAM172A on proliferation of HepG2 cells and exploring the possible molecular mechanisms and its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods. Cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Western blot test was carried out to investigate the mechanism. Rabbit antibodies against FAM172A and membrane proteins isolated from lysate of HepG2 cell were coprecipitated and the resultant precipitates were analyzed by mass spectrum. Results. The MTT assay showed that recombinant protein FAM172A isoform 1 (FAM172A-1) could induce HepG2 cell proliferation at the concentration of 10-100 ng/mL, while protein FAM172A isoform 3 (FAM172A-3) was at the concentration of 80-100 ng/mL. Western blot demonstrated that both FAM172A-1 and FAM172A-3 could activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/threonine-protein kinase (PI3K/Akt) pathway. Mass spectrum analysis suggested that there were some membrane proteins interacting with FAM172A. Several candidate interacting proteins might mediate proliferation signals induced by FAM172A recombinant protein, including seven membrane proteins. Conclusion. In conclusion, FAM172A recombinant protein could induce proliferation of HepG2 cells, in which the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways might be involved. The role of FAM172A in HepG2 cell proliferation also indicated its possible involvement in HCC. The receptor of FAM172A on cells still needs to be exploited.
Photovoltaic Solar Technologies: Solution to Affordable, Sustainable, and Reliable Energy Access for All in Rwanda
Authors: Bimenyimana Samuel , Asemota Godwin Norense Osarumwense , Niyonteze Jean De Dieu , Nsengimana Cyprien , Ihirwe Paula Jeanne , Li Lingling
Published: December 2019

Despite remarkable economic growth and development in recent decades, Rwanda has been still facing energy crises and challenges. Although the country has considerable energy assets, less than 10% is utilized for its local electricity needs. Currently, national installed generation capacity is estimated at 221 MW, for a population around 12 million, and electricity access is estimated at 51% (37% grid and 14% off-grid networks). About half the population is without electricity access while the grid-connected users face high electricity tariffs and frequent power outages (blackouts). The national grid itself is also experiencing high losses. This paper used the HOMER software for modeling the optimal, sustainable, reliable, and affordable photovoltaic solar technologies as energy solutions for all (off-grid and on-grid users) in Rwanda. The selection and recommendation of a suitable photovoltaic (PV) solar technology depend on its annual electricity production capacity, electrical load, renewable energy penetration percentage, economic viability, feasibility, affordability, carbon footprint, and greenhouse gas emission level for climate change considerations towards a clean and greener future. The results show that the least cost of energy (LCOE) for electricity production by each of the solar PV systems with storage, PV-grid-connected household, and PV-grid connection with storage was 67.5%, 56.8%, and 33.9%, respectively, lower than the normal electricity tariff in Rwanda. The PV systems with storage proposed in this paper could be effective in increasing national energy resource exploitation, providing affordable and reliable energy access to all citizens.
Mannan-Binding Lectin Regulates Inflammatory Cytokine Production, Proliferation, and Cytotoxicity of Human Peripheral Natural Killer Cells
Authors: Zhou Jia , Hu Mengyao , Li Jie , Liu Yan , Luo Jialiang , Zhang Liyun , Lu Xiao , Zuo Daming , Chen Zhengliang
Published: December 2019

Natural killer (NK) cells represent the founding members of innate lymphoid cells (ILC) and play critical roles in inflammation and the immune response. NK cell effector functions are regulated and fine-tuned by various immune modulators. Mannan (or mannose)-binding lectin (MBL), a soluble C-type lectin, is traditionally recognized as an initiator of the complement pathway. Recently, it is also considered as an immunomodulator by its interaction with kinds of immune cells. However, the effect of MBL on NK cell function remains unexplored. In this study, we found that human plasma MBL could interact directly with peripheral NK cells partially via its collagen-like region (CLR). This MBL binding markedly suppressed the interleukin-2- (IL-2-) induced inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production but increased the IL-10 production in NK cells. In addition, the expression of activation surface markers such as CD25 and CD69 declined after MBL treatment. Also, MBL impaired the proliferation and lymphokine-activated killing (LAK) of NK cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that MBL inhibited IL-2-induced signal transducers and activators of transcription 5 (STAT5) activation in NK cells. In conclusion, we have uncovered a far unknown regulatory role of MBL on NK cells, a new clue that could be important in the immunomodulatory networks of immune responses.
Indigo Carmine and 2,6-Dichlorophenolindophenol Removal Using Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide-Modified Palm Oil Fiber: Adsorption Isotherms and Mass Transfer Kinetics
Authors: Ngaha Marcel Cédric Deussi , Njanja Evangéline , Doungmo Giscard , Tamo Kamdem Arnaud , Tonle Ignas Kenfack
Published: December 2019

In the present work, the usefulness of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-modified palm oil fiber (CTAB-modified POF) for the removal of indigo carmine (IC) and 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (2,6-DCPIP) from aqueous solutions was investigated. Raw, NaOH-treated, and CTAB-modified POF were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric-hyperdifferential scanning calorimetric (TG-HDSC) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The adsorption studies of IC and 2,6-DCPIP were performed in batch mode using CTAB-modified POF. The results showed that equilibrium was attained after a contact time of 30 minutes for IC and 20 minutes for 2,6-DCPIP. The maximum capacity of adsorption was obtained at pH = 2. The capacity of adsorption considerably increased with modified biosorbents and with increasing initial concentration of dyes. The ionic strength favors the increasing adsorption capacity of IC and does not affect the adsorption capacity of 2,6-DCPIP. The percentage of adsorption increased with increasing mass of the biosorbents. The nonlinear regression of adsorption isotherms showed that Freundlich (r2 = 0.953;χ2 = 4.398) and Temkin (r2 = 0.986;χ2 = 1.196) isotherms are most appropriate to describe the adsorption of IC and 2,6-DCPIP on CTAB-modified POF, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacities determined by the Langmuir isotherm were 275.426 and 230.423 μmol·g−1for IC and 2,6-DCPIP, respectively. The linear regression of adsorption kinetics was best described by the pseudo-second-order model (R2 ≥ 0.998). The diffusion mechanism showed that external mass transfer is the main rate controlling step. Desorption of the two dyes is favorable in the alkaline medium.