bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oblique Penetration of a Circular Pipe Target by a Prefabricated Fragment
Authors: Wang Yajun , Li Weibing , Zhu Guili , Li Wenbin
Published: June 2019

For the oblique penetration of a circular pipe target by a prefabricated fragment, the finite element software LS-DYNA was used to build a computational model for the circular pipe considering the penetration by a cylindrical fragment from different directions. The failure characteristics of the pipe were acquired and the critical penetration velocity was calculated. The relationship between the initial velocity and critical angle of ricochet was found. The experiment was then conducted to verify the results obtained, indicating that the simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental ones. It was shown that the main critical failure pattern of a circular pipe is shear perforation or a penetrating crack. The critical penetration velocity is positively correlated with the direction angle [Formula: see text] and entry angle [Formula: see text]. For entry angles greater than 30∘, the critical penetration velocity increases with an increase in the direction angle, and this effect is stronger for higher direction angles. The critical angle of ricochet is positively correlated with the initial velocity of the fragment. The critical angle of ricochet tends to approach a constant of 60∘ as the initial velocity of the fragment increases.
Exponential mixing of 2D stochastic Ginzburg–Landau–Newell equations driven by degenerate noise
Authors: Zheng Yan , Huang Jianhua
Published: June 2019

The current paper is devoted to stochastic Ginzburg–Landau–Newell equation with degenerate stochastic forcing. First, we establish a type of gradient inequality, which is also essential to proving asymptotic strong Feller property. Then, we prove that the corresponding dynamical system possesses a strong type of Lyapunov structure and is of a relatively weak form of irreducibility. Finally, we prove that the corresponding Markov semigroup possesses a unique, exponentially mixing invariant measure.
Ramanujan’s sum in the ring of integers of an algebraic number field
Authors: Wang Yujie , Ji Chungang
Published: June 2019

In this paper, we generalize Ramanujan’s sum to the ring of integers of an algebraic number field. We also obtain the orthogonality properties of Ramanujan’s sum in the ring of integers.
Searching for the Random Walking microorganism cells
Authors: El-Hadidy Mohamed Abd Allah , Abou-Gabal Hamdy M.
Published: June 2019

In this paper, we present a complex cooperative search technique for finding the Random Walking microorganism cells on one of [Formula: see text]-intersect real lines at the origin. We have 2[Formula: see text] unit speed searchers starting together from the origin. Furthermore, proving the existence of a finite search plan, we are discussing the existence of optimality for this search plan which minimizes the expected value of the first meeting time between one of the searchers and the microorganism cells.
Identifying Complements and Substitutes of Products
Authors: Zhang Mingyue , Wei Xuan , Guo Xunhua , Chen Guoqing , Wei Qiang
Published: June 2019

Complements and substitutes are two typical product relationships that deserve consideration in online product recommendation. One of the key objectives of recommender systems is to promote cross-selling, which heavily relies on recommending the appropriate type of products in specific scenarios. Research on consumer behavior has shown that consumers usually prefer substitutes in the browsing stage whereas complements in the purchasing stage. Thus, it is of great importance to identify the complementary and substitutable relationships between products. In this article, we design a neural network based framework that integrates the textual content and non-textual information of online reviews to mine product relationships. For the textual content, we utilize methods such as LDA topic modeling to represent products in a succinct form called “embedding.” To capture the semantics of complementary and substitutable relationships, we design a modeling process that transfers the product embeddings into semantic features and incorporates additional non-textual factors of product reviews. Extensive experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed product relationship mining model. The advantages and robustness of our model are discussed from various perspectives.
Road Network Construction with Complex Intersections Based on Sparsely Sampled Private Car Trajectory Data
Authors: Huang Yourong , Xiao Zhu , Yu Xiaoyou , Wang Dong , Havyarimana Vincent , Bai Jing
Published: June 2019

A road network is a critical aspect of both urban planning and route recommendation. This article proposes an efficient approach to build a fine-grained road network based on sparsely sampled private car trajectory data under complex urban environment. In order to resolve difficulties introduced by low sampling rate trajectory data, we concentrate sample points around intersections by utilizing the turning characteristics from the large-scale trajectory data to ensure the accuracy of the detection of intersections and road segments. In front of complex road networks including many complex intersections, such as the overpasses and underpasses, we first layer intersections into major and minor one, and then propose a simplified representation of intersections and corresponding computable model based on the features of roads, which can significantly improve the accuracy of detected road networks, especially for the complex intersections. In order to construct fine-grained road networks, we distinguish various types of intersections using direction information and detected turning limit. To the best of our knowledge, our road network building method is the first time to give fine-grained road networks based on low-sampling rate private car trajectory data, especially able to infer the location of complex intersections and its connections to other intersections. Last but not the least, we propose an effective parameter selection process for the Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise based clustering algorithm, which is used to implement the reliable intersection detection. Extensive evaluations are conducted based on a real-world trajectory dataset from 1,345 private cars in Futian district, Shenzhen city of China. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The constructed road network matches close to the one from a public editing map OpenStreetMap, especially the location of the road intersections and road segments, which achieves 92.2% intersections within 20m and 91.6% road segments within 8m.
Optimizing the Cost of Executing Mixed Interactive and Batch Workloads on Transient VMs
Authors: Ambati Pradeep , Irwin David
Published: June 2019

Container Orchestration Platforms (COPs), such as Kubernetes, are increasingly used to manage large-scale clusters by automating resource allocation between applications encapsulated in containers. Increasingly, the resources underlying COPs are virtual machines (VMs) dynamically acquired from cloud platforms. COPs may choose from many different types of VMs offered by cloud platforms, which differ in their cost, performance, and availability. In particular, while transient VMs cost significantly less than on-demand VMs, platforms may revoke them at any time, causing them to become unavailable. While transient VMs' price is attractive, their unreliability is a problem for COPs designed to support mixed workloads composed of, not only delay-tolerant batch jobs, but also long-lived interactive services with high availability requirements. To address the problem, we design TR-Kubernetes, a COP that optimizes the cost of executing mixed interactive and batch workloads on cloud platforms using transient VMs. To do so, TR-Kubernetes enforces arbitrary availability requirements specified by interactive services despite transient VM unavailability by acquiring many more transient VMs than necessary most of the time, which it then leverages to opportunistically execute batch jobs when excess resources are available. When cloud platforms revoke transient VMs, TR-Kubernetes relies on existing Kubernetes functions to internally revoke resources from batch jobs to maintain interactive services' availability requirements. We show that TR-Kubernetes requires minimal extensions to Kubernetes, and is capable of lowering the cost (by 53%) and improving the availability (99.999%) of a representative interactive/batch workload on Amazon EC2 when using transient compared to on-demand VMs.
PROFET
Authors: Radulovic Milan , Sánchez Verdejo Rommel , Carpenter Paul , Radojković Petar , Jacob Bruce , Ayguadé Eduard
Published: June 2019

The approaching end of DRAM scaling and expansion of emerging memory technologies is motivating a lot of research in future memory systems. Novel memory systems are typically explored by hardware simulators that are slow and often have a simplified or obsolete abstraction of the CPU. This study presents PROFET, an analytical model that predicts how an application's performance and energy consumption changes when it is executed on different memory systems. The model is based on instrumentation of an application execution on actual hardware, so it already takes into account CPU microarchitectural details such as the data prefetcher and out-of-order engine. PROFET is evaluated on two real platforms: Sandy Bridge-EP E5-2670 and Knights Landing Xeon Phi platforms with various memory configurations. The evaluation results show that PROFET's predictions are accurate, typically with only 2% difference from the values measured on actual hardware. We release the PROFET source code and all input data required for memory system and application profiling. The released package can be seamlessly installed and used on high-end Intel platforms.
Performance Analysis of Workload Dependent Load Balancing Policies
Authors: Hellemans Tim , Bodas Tejas , Van Houdt Benny
Published: June 2019

Load balancing plays a crucial role in achieving low latency in large distributed systems. Recent load balancing strategies often rely on replication or use placeholders to further improve latency. However assessing the performance and stability of these strategies is challenging and is therefore often simulation based. In this paper we introduce a unified approach to analyze the performance and stability of a broad class of workload dependent load balancing strategies. This class includes many replication policies, such as replicate below threshold, delayed replication and replicate only small jobs, as well as strategies for fork-join systems. We consider systems with general job size distributions where jobs may experience server slowdown. We show that the equilibrium workload distribution of the cavity process satisfies a functional differential equation and conjecture that the cavity process captures the limiting behavior of the system as its size tends to infinity. We study this functional differential equation in more detail for a variety of load balancing policies and propose a numerical method to solve it. The numerical method relies on a fixed point iteration or a simple Euler iteration depending on the type of functional differential equation involved. We further show that additional simplifications can be made if certain distributions are assumed to be phase-type. Various numerical examples are included that validate the numerical method and illustrate its strength and flexibility.
QuickStop
Authors: Wei Honghao , Kang Xiaohan , Wang Weina , Ying Lei
Published: June 2019

This paper combines data-driven and model-driven methods for real-time misinformation detection. Our algorithm, named QuickStop, is an optimal stopping algorithm based on a probabilistic information spreading model obtained from labeled data. The algorithm consists of an offline machine learning algorithm for learning the probabilistic information spreading model and an online optimal stopping algorithm to detect misinformation. The online detection algorithm has both low computational and memory complexities. Our numerical evaluations with a real-world dataset show that QuickStop outperforms existing misinformation detection algorithms in terms of both accuracy and detection time (number of observations needed for detection). Our evaluations with synthetic data further show that QuickStop is robust to (offline) learning errors.
Hypercysteinemia, A Potential Risk Factor for Central Obesity and Related Disorders in Azores, Portugal
Authors: Lima Ana , Ferin Rita , Bourbon Mafalda , Baptista José , Pavão M. Leonor
Published: June 2019

In Azores, the standardized mortality rate for coronary artery disease (CAD) is nearly the double when compared to mainland Portugal. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of conventional CAD risk factors, as well as the plasma aminothiol profile (and its major determinants), between two groups of healthy subjects from Ponta Delgada (in Azores) and Lisbon (in mainland) cities, searching for precocious biomarker(s) of the disease. The study groups consisted of 101 healthy volunteers from Ponta Delgada (PDL) and 121 from Lisbon, aged 20–69 years. No differences in the prevalence of classical CAD risk factors were found between the study groups, except in physical inactivity and related central obesity, which were both higher in PDL men than in those from Lisbon. Hypercysteinemia, which seems to result from sulfur-rich amino acid diets and/or vitamin B12 malabsorption, revealed to be significantly more prevalent in PDL vs. Lisbon subjects (18% vs. 4%, P=0.001), namely, in male gender. Moreover, plasma Cys levels predicted waist circumference (β coefficient = 0.102, P=0.032) and concomitant central obesity and were also associated with insulin resistance. Nevertheless, hyperhomocysteinemia prevalence was similar in both groups, despite the fact that PDL subjects exhibited a higher rate of vitamin B12 deficiency compared to those from Lisbon (19% vs. 6%, P=0.003). Owing to the nature of this study design, a cause-effect relationship between high plasma Cys levels and central obesity or CAD risk could not be derived, but results strongly suggest that hypercysteinemia is a potential risk factor for metabolic disorders, i.e., obesity and insulin resistance, and CAD in Azores, a hypothesis that asks for confirmation through further large prospective studies.
ILC2s Induce Adaptive Th2-Type Immunity in Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Jiang Min , Liu Huifang , Li Zheng , Wang Jing , Zhang Fengbo , Cao Kaixiu , Li Fengsen , Ding Jianbing
Published: June 2019

To investigate the effect of ILC2s on Th2-type adaptive immunity during the acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), the study enrolled healthy people, stable COPD patients, and AECOPD patients. Flow cytometry was used to detect Th1, Th2, and ILC2 in the peripheral blood and CD80 and MHC II levels on ILC2. The mRNA levels of GATA3, RORα, and CRTH2 of ILC2s were detected by RT-PCR. In addition, ILC2s from the peripheral blood of AECOPD patients were cocultured with CD4+ T cells from the peripheral blood of healthy controls. Cytokine levels in serum of the three groups and the in vitro coculture supernatants were measured by ELISA. Compared with the stable COPD group or the healthy control group, Th2 in the peripheral blood of AECOPD group increased dramatically, inducing an increase of Th2/Th1 ratio in AECOPD patients. Meanwhile, the level of IL-4 in the serum of this group was also increased. However, we also detected ILC2s in the peripheral blood of the AECOPD group and found that it was also increased, alone with the increased GATA3, RORα, and CRTH2 mRNA levels. We also found that the CD80 and MHC II on ILC2 were significantly upregulated and the proportion of MHC II+ ILC2 cells was significantly positively correlated with the proportion of Th2 cells in AECOPD patients. To further demonstrate the effect of ILC2 on Th2 cells, we cocultured ILC2 with CD4+ T cells in vitro, which also showed a significant increase of Th2 ratio as well as Th2-associated cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. However, we found that this effect of ILC2s on Th2 cells could be inhibited by the addition of anti-MHC II. The Th2/Th1 balance shifts to Th2 in AECOPD. ILC2s may function as APC by the upregulation of MHC II and regulate adaptive immunity shift to Th2-type response in AECOPD.
CMV Ileitis: To Treat or Not to Treat? Implications of Initiating Biologic Therapy for Concurrent Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Stilwell Kendra T. , Estes Jason , Kurtz Maria T. , Francis James M. , Lynch David T. , Patel Anish A.
Published: June 2019

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) enteritis is traditionally thought to be a self-limited infection in immunocompetent individuals. Consequently, current guidelines recommend against treating nonimmunocompromised patients with antiviral therapy. Conversely, recent data suggests that spontaneous resolution occurs less frequently than previously believed; furthermore, mortality rate in immunocompetent individuals is similar to that of the immunosuppressed. We present a case of a 43-year-old male who was simultaneously diagnosed with CMV ileitis and Crohn’s Disease. When discovered concomitantly, there is no guidance in the current medical literature regarding the benefit of antiviral treatment of the CMV infection prior to initiating biologic therapy versus the risks of withholding treatment, as is currently recommended for nonimmunosuppressed individuals.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Human Herpes Virus Type 8 (HHV-8), Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1), and Syphilis among Female Sex Workers in Malindi, Kenya
Authors: Nzivo M. M. , Lwembe R. M. , Odari E. O. , Kang’ethe J. M. , Budambula N. L. M.
Published: June 2019

The prevalence of Human Herpes Virus type 8 (HHV-8), Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and syphilis is high in Sub-Saharan Africa. Studies on HHV-8 in Kenya are few and data on its coinfection with HIV and syphilis scanty. This cross-sectional study among female sex workers (FSWs) in Malindi, Kenya, aimed to determine the prevalence of HHV-8, HIV, and syphilis mono/coinfections and identify associated risk factors. A total of 268 FSWs consented and were administered a structured questionnaire and screened for antibodies against HHV-8, HIV, and syphilis following the National Guidelines. FSWs positive for HHV-8 were 67/268 (25%), HIV 44/268 (16.4%), and 6/268 (2.24%) for syphilis. Eight out of 67 (12%) tested positive for HHV-8/HIV and 2/67 (3%) for HHV-8/syphilis coinfections. Married FSWs had higher odds of HHV-8 infection (OR 2.90, 95%, and P=0.043). Single marital status was inversely associated (OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.23-0.94, and P=0.034) with HIV infection. HIV was associated with increasing age (OR 14.79, P<0.001), inconsistent condom use (OR 2.69, P=0.004), increased duration as sex worker ≥6 (OR 3.0, P=0.002) and clients ≥4 (OR 4.0, P<0.001), intravenous drug use (OR 2.5, P=0.043), and early sex debut (P=0.049) unlike HHV-8 which was not associated with high risk sexual behavior. HHV-8/HIV coinfection was associated with increasing age (OR 11.21, P=0.027). Infection by HHV-8 was not significantly associated with HIV (OR 0.62; P=0.257) or syphilis (OR 1.52; P=0.636). There was a high likelihood of infection with HHV-8 compared to HIV (OR 8.6, P=0.014) and syphilis (OR 14.6, P<0.001). The lack of association of HHV-8 with high risk sexual behavior suggests that sexual transmission may not play a significant role in transmission of HHV-8 among FSWs in Malindi.
Thermodynamic Limit in High-Multiplicity Proton-Proton Collisions at s=7 TeV
Authors: Sharma Natasha , Cleymans Jean , Hippolyte Boris
Published: June 2019

An analysis is made of the particle composition in the final state of proton-proton (pp) collisions at 7 TeV as a function of the charged particle multiplicity (dNch/dη). The thermal model is used to determine the chemical freeze-out temperature as well as the radius and strangeness suppression factor γs. Three different ensembles are used in the analysis: the grand canonical ensemble, the canonical ensemble with exact strangeness conservation, and the canonical ensemble with exact baryon number, strangeness, and electric charge conservation. It is shown that for the highest multiplicity class the three ensembles lead to the same result. This allows us to conclude that this multiplicity class is close to the thermodynamic limit. It is estimated that the final state in pp collisions could reach the thermodynamic limit when dNch/dη is larger than twenty per unit of rapidity, corresponding to about 300 particles in the final state when integrated over the full rapidity interval.
Diagnostic Performance of Glymphatic System Evaluation Using Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus and Mimickers
Authors: Yokota Hajime , Vijayasarathi Arvind , Cekic Milos , Hirata Yoko , Linetsky Michael , Ho Michael , Kim Won , Salamon Noriko
Published: June 2019

Purpose. To investigate the pathological change of the glymphatic system in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) analysis. Materials and Methods. 24 right-handed patients were referred to our hydrocephalus clinic for assessment of ventriculomegaly and gait impairment. 12 of 24 were diagnosed as pseudo-iNPH (piNPH) based on assessment by a neurologist. Diffusivity maps in the direction of the x-axis (right-to-left) (Dx), y-axis (anterior-to-posterior) (Dy), and z-axis (inferior-to-superior) (Dz) were computed. The diffusion map was coregistered to International Consortium for Brain Mapping (ICBM) DTI-81 atlas. The analysis along the perivascular space (ALPS) index was defined as mean (Dxpro, Dypro)/mean (Dypro, Dzasc), where Dxpro and Dxasc are Dx values in the projection and association fiber areas, respectively. Evans index and callosal angle were also assessed on each case. Results. ALPS indexes of the control, piNPH, and iNPH cases were 1.18 ± 0.08, 1.08 ± 0.03, and 0.94 ± 0.06, respectively, and there were significant differences among the groups (control vs. piNPH, P = 0.003; control vs. iNPH P < 0.001; piNPH vs. iNPH, P < 0.001). Area under curve (AUC) was 0.92, 1.00, and 1.00 on control vs. piNPH, control vs. iNPH, and piNPH vs. iNPH on ROC analysis. Between piNPH and NPH, ALPS index has higher diagnostic performance than Evans index and callosal angle (AUC = 1.00 vs. 0.84, P = 0.028; AUC = 1.00 vs. 0.74, P = 0.016). Conclusion. Atlas-based ALPS index using the DTI method differentiated among iNPH, piNPH, and controls clearly.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: The Time-Synchronized Relationship between Ischemia and Left Ventricular Dysfunction Assessed by Highly Sensitive Troponin I and NT-proBNP
Authors: Rajtar-Salwa Renata , Gębka Adam , Dziewierz Artur , Dimitrow Paweł Petkow
Published: June 2019

The aim of this study was to compare NT-proBNP using the absolute values and NT-proBNP/ULN values that were standardized by age and gender between three subgroups: those without ischemia (negative hs-troponin I and no anginal pain (hsTnI-/AP-)), those with painless ischemia (hsTnI+/AP-), and those with painful ischemia (hsTnI+/AP+). Additionally, echocardiographic parameters were compared in these three subgroups. The absolute value of NT-proBNP was significantly higher in the painful ischemia subgroup (hsTnI-/AP- vs. hsTnI+/AP- vs. hsTnI+/AP+: 502 (174-833) vs. 969 (363-1346) vs. 2053 (323-3283) pg/ml; p=0.018 for the whole-model analysis). The standardized value of NT-proBNP/ULN was gradually increased (hsTnI-/AP- vs. hsTnI+/AP- vs. hsTnI+/AP+: 3.61+0.63 vs. 6.90+1.31 vs. 9.35+1.87; p=0.001 for the whole-model analysis). In the comparison between subgroups (hsTnI-/AP- vs. hsTnI+/AP- vs. hsTnI+/AP+), two echocardiographic parameters increased significantly. The left ventricular maximum wall thickness (LVMWT) at diastole was 1.99±0.08 cm vs. 2.28±0.13 cm vs. 2.49±0.15 cm (p=0.004 for the whole-model analysis). The maximal gradient of the provoked left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient increased significantly in only the painful-ischemia subgroup (11 (7-30) mmHg vs. 12 (9.35-31.5) mmHg vs. 100 (43-120) mmHg). In conclusion, both painless ischemia and painful ischemia are associated with a gradual, significant increase in NT-proBNP/ULN in comparison to the double-negative hsTnI/AP subgroup. In contrast, NT-proBNP is significantly higher in only the subgroup with painful ischemia.
Study of Shear Capacity of Jointed Rock Mass with Prestressed Anchor Bolt
Authors: Zhao Yufei , Zhang Hongtao , Nie Yong
Published: June 2019

Rock mass failure caused by jointed plane is the common disaster in geotechnical engineering. Research on shearing property of jointed rock mass with prestressed anchor bolt and its mechanical property is an aspect for the stability analysis of rock slope and tunnel. This paper studies the stress and deformation of bolt and jointed plane, as well as anchored body and rock mass during shearing by indoor model testing and theoretical analysis. The shearing strength and mechanical property of anchored jointed plane have been systematically studied, and the additional force caused by deformation of prestressed anchor bolt and jointed rock mass during the shearing has been proposed and verified. The anchorage interaction between rock mass and bolt is revealed.
A Novel Method for Intelligent Fault Diagnosis of Bearing Based on Capsule Neural Network
Authors: Wang Zhijian , Zheng Likang , Du Wenhua , Cai Wenan , Zhou Jie , Wang Jingtai , Han Xiaofeng , He Gaofeng
Published: June 2019

In the era of big data, data‐driven methods mainly based on deep learning have been widely used in the field of intelligent fault diagnosis. Traditional neural networks tend to be more subjective when classifying fault time‐frequency graphs, such as pooling layer, and ignore the location relationship of features. The newly proposed neural network named capsules network takes into account the size and location of the image. Inspired by this, capsules network combined with the Xception module (XCN) is applied in intelligent fault diagnosis, so as to improve the classification accuracy of intelligent fault diagnosis. Firstly, the fault time‐frequency graphs are obtained by wavelet time‐frequency analysis. Then the time‐frequency graphs data which are adjusted the pixel size are input into XCN for training. In order to accelerate the learning rate, the parameters which have bigger change are punished by cost function in the process of training. After the operation of dynamic routing, the length of the capsule is used to classify the types of faults and get the classification of loss. Then the longest capsule is used to reconstruct fault time‐frequency graphs which are used to measure the reconstruction of loss. In order to determine the convergence condition, the three losses are combined through the weight coefficient. Finally, the proposed model and the traditional methods are, respectively, trained and tested under laboratory conditions and actual wind turbine gearbox conditions to verify the classification ability and reliable ability.
Effects of N-Terminal and C-Terminal Polyhistidine Tag on the Stability and Function of the Thermophilic P450 CYP119
Authors: Aslantas Yaprak , Surmeli Nur Basak
Published: June 2019

Biocatalysts are sought-after in synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals due to their high regioselectivity and enantioselectivity. Among biocatalysts, heme-containing cytochrome P450 (P450) oxygenases are an attractive target since they catalyze oxidation of “unactivated” carbon-hydrogen bonds with high efficiency. CYP119 is an acidothermophilic P450 from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, which has the potential to be widely used as a biocatalyst since it shows activity at high temperatures and low pH. Polyhistidine tags (His-tags) are widely used to simplify purification of proteins. However, His-tags can cause changes to protein structure and function. Here, we demonstrate the effects of His-tags on CYP119. To this end, the His-tags were cloned at the N-terminus or C-terminus of the CYP119, and His-tagged proteins were expressed and isolated. The thermostability and peroxidase activity of His-tagged CYP119s were tested and compared to wild type CYP119. Results indicated that while addition of His-tags increased the yield and simplified isolation of CYP119, they also influenced the electronic structure of active site and the activity of the protein. We show that N-terminal His-tagged CYP119 has desirable properties and potential to be used in industrial applications, but mechanistic studies using this protein need careful interpretation since the His-tag affects electronic properties of the active site heme iron.
Decreased Insulin Secretion but Unchanged Glucose Homeostasis in Cadmium-Exposed Male C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Li Xiaoyin , Li Mengyang , Xu Jiming , zhang Xiang , Xiao Wei , Zhang Zengli
Published: June 2019

Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known toxic metal element that is largely distributed in the environment. Cd causes toxicity to most organs. Accumulating evidence suggests that Cd exposure is associated with islet dysfunction and development of diabetes, but the association remains controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible effects of chronic Cd exposure on glucose metabolism in male C57BL/6 mice. Mice were intraperitoneally injected with CdCl2solution (1 mg.kg−1) twice a week for 24 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels and body weights were measured weekly. After 24 weeks, the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test (IPITT), and fasting serum insulin (FSI) level test were performed. The insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and pancreaticβcell function index (HOMA-β) were calculated and analyzed. The expression of insulin receptor (IR) in mouse liver was detected by real-time PCR. Pancreatic tissue was collected for histological examination. The results demonstrated that FBG, IPGTT, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-βwere identical between Cd exposure and control mice. In contract, mean fasting serum insulin level, area under the curve (AUC) of IPITT, and IR expression in livers of Cd-exposed mice decreased significantly compared with control mice. Cd administration induced islet atrophy and decreased islet area. The results suggested that Cd exposure decreased insulin secretion and maintained glucose homeostasis in male C57BL/6 mice and that pancreatic functions should be monitored in populations chronically exposed to Cd.
MgO Fertilizer Sole and Combined with Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers: Effect on Soil Chemical Properties, Turmeric Performance, and Quality in a Tropical Alfisol
Authors: Adekiya Aruna Olasekan , Alori Elizabeth Temitope , Aboyeji Christopher Muyiwa , Dunsin Oluwagbenga , Adegbite Kehinde Abodunde , Aremu Charity O. , Bamiro Olasunkanmi , Ejue Wutem Sunny , Okunlola Faith Oluwatobi , Adesola Omowumi Oluwanifemi
Published: June 2019

For soil fertility maintenance, secondary nutrient such as Magnesium (Mg) is always being neglected. However, its role is critical in the growth, yield, and quality of crops. Therefore, two field experiments were initiated in 2017 and 2018 to evaluate the response of soil chemical properties, performance, and qualities of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) to Mg fertilizer alone and in combination with poultry manure (PM) and NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer (NPK). The treatments applied were the following: (i) PM alone at 8 t ha−1, (ii) NPK alone at 200 kg ha−1, (iii) Mg fertilizer alone (in form of MgO) at 20 kg ha−1, (iv) PM at 8 t ha−1 with MgO at 20 kg ha−1 (PM + Mg), (v) NPK at 200 kg ha−1 with MgO at 20kgha−1 (NPK + Mg), and (vi) control (no amendment of any kind). PM, NPK, and Mg fertilizers alone or NPK + Mg and PM + Mg increased soil chemical properties, performance (plant height, number of leaves, number of tillers, number of rhizomes, and fresh rhizome weight), and minerals and vitamins C and A contents of turmeric rhizome compared with the control. By averaging 2017 and 2018, Mg fertilizer alone increased the yield of turmeric by 10.8% compared with the control. For this experiment, NPK + Mg increased growth and yield of turmeric compared with other treatments. Also, averaging 2017 and 2018, NPK + Mg increased rhizome yield of turmeric by 13.6% and 10.6% compared with PM + Mg and NPK alone, respectively. Similarly, PM + Mg significantly improved mineral and vitamins contents compared with other treatments. Therefore, for those that desire turmeric rhizome for its nutritive value, PM + Mg is recommended. For those that want quantity, NPK + Mg is recommended.
First Strike–Second Strike Strategies in Metastatic Cancer: Lessons from the Evolutionary Dynamics of Extinction
Authors: Gatenby Robert A. , Zhang Jingsong , Brown Joel S.
Published: June 2019

While clinical cancer research has produced many highly effective drugs, the diversity and evolutionary capacity of most cancer populations remain insurmountable barriers to cure. Here, we propose that curative outcomes may, nevertheless, be achieved by sequencing therapies that are individually effective but noncurative. Basic principles for such an approach are derived from the eco-evolutionary dynamics of background extinctions in which a “first strike” reduces the size and heterogeneity of the population. When followed immediately by demographic and ecological “second strikes,” the population can be reduced below some minimum threshold, leading inevitably to extinction. This strategy bears strong similarity to the empirically-derived curative therapy in childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia.
Surgically Induced Macular Detachment for Treatment of Refractory Full-Thickness Macular Hole: Anatomical and Functional Results
Authors: Frisina Rino , Tozzi Luigi , Sabella Pierfilippo , Cacciatori Matteo , Midena Edoardo
Published: June 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of surgically induced macular detachment (MD) for the treatment of refractory full-thickness macular hole (FTMH). Materials and Methods: Clinical data were age, gender, lens status, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Preoperative tomographic parameters were: FTMH morphology (intraretinal cyst and elevated or flat edges) and FTMH diameter. Postoperative FTMH closure and outer retinal layer (ORL) restoration were evaluated. Fundus autofluorescence (FAF), optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings, and BCVA were analyzed at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th postoperative month. The interval between the first surgery for idiopathic FTMH and the surgically induced MD for refractory FTMH was collected (intersurgical interval, days). Results: Ten eyes of 10 patients were included. The mean age was 68.8 ± 6.8 years. FTMH closure was obtained in 9 patients; in 8 patients, ORL restoration was detected. BCVA improved from 1.06 ± 0.1 (baseline) to 0.56 ± 0.2 (final) logMAR (p = 0.0001). A negative correlation between the intersurgical interval and postoperative visual gain was demonstrated (r = –0.3618). FAF and OCT showed a permanent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) damage corresponding to the retinotomy points. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the efficacy of this technique and highlights the risk of RPE damage, suggesting the need to perform the retinotomy points outside the macula.
Exogenous Activation of Protease-Activated Receptor 2 Attenuates Cutaneous Vasodilatation and Sweating in Older Men Exercising in the Heat
Authors: Fujii Naoto , Hatam Kion , McGarr Gregory W. , Meade Robert D. , Boulay Pierre , Nishiyasu Takeshi , Kenny Glen P.
Published: June 2019

Background: Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) exists in the cutaneous vasculature and eccrine sweat glands. We previously showed that in young habitually active men, exogenous PAR2 activation via the agonist SLIGKV-NH2 had no effect on heat loss responses of cutaneous vasodilatation and sweating during rest or exercise in the heat. However, ageing is associated with altered mechanisms governing these responses. Thus, the effect of exogenous PAR2 activation on cutaneous vasodilatation and sweating in older individuals may differ from that in young adults. Methods: Local cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) and sweat rate were measured in 9 older males (62 ± 4 years) at four forearm skin sites treated with the following: (1) lactated Ringer solution (control), (2) 0.05 mM, (3) 0.5 mM, or (4) 5 mM SLIGKV-NH2. Measurements were performed while participants rested in a non-heat-stress environment (25°C) for ∼60 min and an additional 50 min thereafter in the heat (40°C). Participants then performed 50 min of cycling at a fixed metabolic heat load of 200 W/m2 (to maintain the same thermal drive for heat loss between participants) followed by a 30-min recovery. Results: CVC during non-heat-stress resting was elevated from the control site with 5 mM SLIGKV-NH2 (p ≤ 0.05), but this response was not observed during ambient heat exposure. By contrast, 5 mM SLIGKV-NH2 lowered CVC during the early stage (10 and 20 min) of exercise compared to the control site (all p ≤ 0.05). Although sweating during non-heat-stressed and heat-stressed resting was not affected by any dose of SLIGKV-NH2, it was reduced with all SLIGKV-NH2 doses relative to the control site during and following exercise (all p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: We show that while exogenous PAR2 activation induces cutaneous vasodilatation at rest under non-heat-stressed conditions, it attenuates cutaneous vasodilatation and sweating during and following an exercise-induced heat stress in older men.
Incidence of Cerebral Injury in Monochorionic Twin Survivors after Spontaneous Single Demise: Long-Term Outcome of a Large Cohort
Authors: Lanna Mariano Matteo , Consonni Dario , Faiola Stefano , Izzo Giana , Scelsa Barbara , Cetin Irene , Rustico Maria Angela
Published: June 2019

Objectives: To evaluate incidence of cerebral injury and outcome in a large series of monochorionic (MC) twin survivors after spontaneous single fetal demise. Methods: Retrospective analysis of all MC pregnancies with single fetal demise diagnosed at, or referred to, the Fetal Therapy Unit “U. Nicolini,” V. Buzzi Children’s Hospital, Milan, Italy, from 2004 to 2015. Survivors evaluation protocol included detailed ultrasound (US) of intracranial anatomy, Doppler investigation of peak systolic velocity in the middle cerebral artery (MCA-PSV), and magnetic resonance (MR). Data were collected on pregnancy characteristics, postnatal brain scan, and MR and neurological follow-up. Results: Seventy-eight consecutive MC pregnancies were analyzed. Median gestational age (GA) at single fetal demise was 22 weeks (range 15–36); median interval between single demise and live birth was 105 days (range 1–175), with a median GA at birth of 36 weeks (range 23–41). Prenatal MR was performed in 57 of 78 cases (73%). Cerebral injury affected 14/78 (18%) co-twins, 2 of whom were born immediately after single demise, with postnatal diagnosis of cerebral injury; of the other 12 fetuses that were studied before birth, 10 had a prenatal diagnosis of lesion both with US and MR, one only with MR, and in one case, a grade III intraventricular hemorrhage was reported only after delivery, which occurred at 25 weeks, 5 weeks after the single demise. Signs of fetal anemia (MCA-PSV value above 1.55 MoM) were related to a higher risk of prenatal cerebral injury; cases with postnatal diagnosis of lesion were delivered at lower GA. Conclusions: Cerebral injury affects 18% of co-twin survivors after single fetal demise in MC twin pregnancies, and evaluation and follow-up of these cases can improve detection rate of such damage.
Considerable Synteny and Sequence Similarity of Primate Chromosomal Region VIIq31
Authors: Hirai Hirohisa , Go Yasuhiro , Hirai Yuriko , Rakotoarisoa Gilbert , Pamungkas Joko , Baicharoen Sudarath , Jahan Israt , Sajuthi Dondin , Tosi Anthony J.
Published: June 2019

Human chromosome 7 has been the focus of many behavioral, genetic, and medical studies because it carries genes related to cancer and neurodevelopment. We examined the evolution of the chromosome 7 homologs, and the 7q31 region in particular, using chromosome painting analyses and 3 paint probes derived from (i) the whole of chimpanzee chromosome VII (wcVII), (ii) human 7q31 (h7q31), and (iii) the chimpanzee homolog VIIq31 (cVIIq31). The wcVII probe was used instead of the whole human chromosome 7 because the chimpanzee contains additional C-bands and revealed large areas of synteny conservation as well as fragmentation across 20 primate species. Analyses focusing specifically on the 7q31 homolog and vicinity revealed considerable conservation across lineages with 2 exceptions. First, the probes verified an insertion of repetitive sequence at VIIq22 in chimpanzees and bonobos and also detected the sequence in most subtelomeres of the African apes. Second, a paracentric inversion with a breakpoint in the cVIIq31 block was found in the common marmoset, confirming earlier studies. Subsequent in silico comparative genome analysis of 17 primate species revealed that VIIq31.1 is more significantly conserved at the sequence level than other regions of chromosome VII, which indicates that its components are likely responsible for critical shared traits across the order, including conditions necessary for proper human development and wellbeing.
Prolonged Cardiac Rhythm Monitoring and Secondary Stroke Prevention in Patients With Cryptogenic Cerebral Ischemia
Authors: Tsivgoulis Georgios , Katsanos Aristeidis H. , Grory Brian Mac , Köhrmann Martin , Ricci Brittany A. , Tsioufis Konstantinos , Cutting Shawna , Krogias Christos , Schellinger Peter D. , Campello Ana Rodriguez , Cuadrado-Godia Elisa , Gladstone David J. , Sanna Tommaso , Wachter Rolf , Furie Karen , Alexandrov Andrei V. , Yaghi Shadi
Published: June 2019

Background and Purpose—

Although prolonged cardiac rhythm monitoring (PCM) can reveal a substantial proportion of ischemic stroke (IS) patients with atrial fibrillation not detected by conventional short-term monitoring, current guidelines indicate an uncertain clinical benefit for PCM. We evaluated the impact of PCM on secondary stroke prevention using data from available to date randomized clinical trials and observational studies.

Methods—

We performed a comprehensive literature search in MEDLINE, SCOPUS, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial), and conference proceedings to identify studies reporting stroke recurrence rates in patients with history of cryptogenic IS or transient ischemic attack (TIA) receiving PCM compared with patients receiving conventional (non-PCM) cardiac monitoring.

Results—

We included 4 studies (2 randomized clinical trials and 2 observational studies), including a total of 1102 patients (mean age: 68 years, 41% women). We documented an increased incidence of atrial fibrillation detection (risk ratio=2.46; 95% CI, 1.61–3.76) and anticoagulant initiation (risk ratio=2.07; 95% CI, 1.36–3.17) and decreased risk of recurrent stroke (risk ratio=0.45; 95% CI, 0.21–0.97) and recurrent stroke/TIA (risk ratio=0.49; 95% CI, 0.30–0.81) during follow-up for IS/TIA patients who underwent PCM compared with IS/TIA patients receiving conventional cardiac monitoring. In the subgroup analysis, according to study type, atrial fibrillation detection, anticoagulant initiation, and IS/TIA recurrence rates were comparable between PCM and non-PCM in randomized clinical trials and observational studies. No evidence of heterogeneity (
I
2
<12%) was documented across all the aforementioned subgroups.

Conclusions—

We provide preliminary evidence for a potential impact of PCM on secondary stroke prevention, as patients with cryptogenic IS/TIA undergoing PCM had higher rates of atrial fibrillation detection, anticoagulant initiation, and lower stroke recurrence.
Strengthening States’ and the International Community’s Responsibility to Protect Civilians: Revisiting the Prosecution of War Crimes Committed in Africa by the International Criminal Court (ICC)
Authors: Bamidele Seun
Published: June 2019

The silhouette of International Criminal Justice (ICJ) is fast changing across the globe. The change and transformation are connected to the criminalization of war, which has complicated the attraction of and engagement in the war for war-mongers. At least, the last few years had seen remarkable prosecution of war criminals in Africa. This is related to a relatively new thinking that informed the establishment of International Criminal Court (ICC) and global re-enforcement of war crime-related charges. Since the genocide in Rwanda, the establishment of the ICC has led to the prosecution of warlords. Also, the ICC has issued thirteen public warrants of arrest on war charges to actors and perpetrators in more than four African states. The case of President of Sudan, whose warrant of arrest had been issued regarding the crisis in Darfur, demonstrated that African leaders and war-mongers would be held responsible for their actions and atrocities they have committed. The lesson from the ICC is clear, war-mongers would be made to pay for their criminality. This article intends to examine the actions of the ICC on intra-state civil war crimes in Africa and assess whether ICC can act as deterrence on for intrastate war mongers in Africa.
An Odd Couple of Ancient China: ‘Fierce-Fire Oil’ and ‘Rose-Dew’ in Huang Zhong’s Hai yu 海語 (1536)
Authors: Bocci Chiara
Published: June 2019

This study examines two entries in Huang Zhong’s Words of the Sea: ‘fierce-fire oil’ and ‘tumi-dew’ (rose-water), whose connection goes back at least to the tenth century, when they were offered as tributes by the king of Champa. They continued to appear together down through the centuries, thus reinforcing the idea of a particular relation; a curious circumstance, given their utterly different nature: an incendiary medium to destroy enemies, and an intoxicating fragrance. Going back in time, one realizes that they shared a Middle Eastern origin: Byzantium, Persia and the Arabian Peninsula. As the sea-routes took on a more prominent role and new powers like Srivijaya emerged (see Kulke, 2016), they got to be appreciated along the shores of the Indian Ocean, where they generated such great profits that the locals learned to manufacture their own alternatives. Huang Zhong seems to be the first to name ‘tumi-flower dew’ this alternative rose-water.
The largest blindsnake in Mesoamerica: a new species of Typhlops (Squamata: Typhlopidae) from an isolated karstic mountain in Honduras
Authors: TOWNSEND JOSIAH H. , WILSON LARRY DAVID , KETZLER LORRAINE P. , LUQUE-MONTES ILEANA R.
Published: June 2019

A distinctive new species of Typhlops is described from Parque Nacional Montaña de Santa Bárbara, 1550 m elevation, Departamento de Santa Bárbara, Honduras. The holotype and only known specimen of this new taxon is the largest specimen of the genus thus far reported from Mexico and Central America, and is further differentiated from all other Mesoamerican Typhlops by having 22–22–22 scales around the body and by having a dark brownish gray dorsum with a well-defined pale yellowish gray to immaculate white ventral coloration. This species is a member of the Caribbean Arc Group of Typhlops. An updated key to the Typhlopidae of Mesoamerica is provided.
On the occurrence of Apostolepis phillipsi (Serpentes, Elapomorphini) in Brazil, with the description of a new specimen from Mato Grosso
Authors: COLLI GUARINO RINALDI , BARRETO-LIMA ANDRÉ FELIPE , DANTAS PEDRO TOURINHO , MORAIS CARLOS JOSÉ S. , PANTOJA DAVI LIMA , DE SENA ARTHUR , DE SOUSA HEITOR CAMPOS
Published: June 2019

We describe a specimen of Apostolepis phillipsi Harvey, 1999, from Vila Bela da Santíssima Trindade, Mato Grosso, establishing the first unambiguous record of the species in Brazil. The new locality is ca. 120 km from the type locality, in Bolivia. We present an updated species diagnosis, the first image of a living specimen, and the first description of A. phillipsi coloration in life. Even though the Brazilian range of A. phillipsi lies within a protected area (Parque Estadual Serra Ricardo Franco—PESRF), it is threatened by cattle raising, logging and agriculture. PESRF lacks formal delimitation and a management plan, and the Mato Grosso State Legislature is considering a decree to extinguish PESRF, which could cause the extirpation of the Brazilian range of several endemic species.