bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
2D photonic memristor beyond graphene: progress and prospects
Authors: Feng Xuewei , Liu Xinke , Ang Kah-Wee
Published: February 2020

Photonic computing and neuromorphic computing are attracting tremendous interests in breaking the memory wall of traditional von Neumann architecture. Photonic memristors equipped with light sensing, data storage, and information processing capabilities are important building blocks of optical neural network. In the recent years, two-dimensional materials (2DMs) have been widely investigated for photonic memristor applications, which offer additional advantages in geometry scaling and distinct applications in terms of wide detectable spectrum range and abundant structural designs. Herein, the recent progress made toward the exploitation of 2DMs beyond graphene for photonic memristors applications are reviewed, as well as their application in photonic synapse and pattern recognition. Different materials and device structures are discussed in terms of their light tuneable memory behavior and underlying resistive switching mechanism. Following the discussion and classification on the device performances and mechanisms, the challenges facing this rapidly progressing research field are discussed, and routes to realize commercially viable 2DMs photonic memristors are proposed.
A facile and simple approach to synthesis and characterization of methacrylated graphene oxide nanostructured polyaniline nanocomposites
Authors: Naghib Seyed Morteza , Zare Yasser , Rhee Kyong Yop
Published: February 2020

A novel, scalable methacrylated graphene oxide (MeGO) nanostructured polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposite was synthesized and electrodeposited on the surface of fluorine-doped tin oxide electrode (FTOE). The two-dimensional support maintained a suitable substrate and arrayed in a conductive polymer matrix, creating an ultra-superconductive platform with extraordinary characteristics. The versatility of the nanocomposite performance was corroborated by altering the amount of MeGO coated on FTOE and changing the charge density of electro-polymerized PANI on the substrate. This exceptional nanostructure material enabled a robust platform design that demonstrated the extraordinary performance with enhanced conductivity and stability. Charge transfer resistance (Rct) was dramatically decreased from 11,000 (for bare FTOE) to 65 (for MeGO/PANI).
Ultrasmall Fe3O4 nanoparticles induce S-phase arrest and inhibit cancer cells proliferation
Authors: Ye Ping , Ye Yuanyuan , Chen Xiaojing , Zou Hanbing , Zhou Yan , Zhao Xue , Chang Zhaohua , Han Baosan , Kong Xianming
Published: February 2020

The ultrasmall nanoparticles easily lead to a more seriously response than larger nanoparticles because of their physicochemical features. It is essential to understand their cytotoxicity effects for their further application. Here, we used ultrasmall 9 nm Fe3O4 NPs to explore its cytotoxicity mechanism on breast cancer cells. We demonstrated 9 nm Fe3O4 NPswas effectively internalized into cells and located in nucleus, subsequently, it inhibited DNA synthesis through inducing S-phase arrest.Moreover, 9 nm Fe3O4 NPs induced ROS production and oxidative damage by disturbing the expression of antioxidant-related genes (HMOX-1, GCLC and GCLM), which resulted in the enhancement of cells apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation, suggesting its potential to be used as therapeutic drug.
Colorimetric detection of glyphosate: towards a handmade and portable analyzer
Authors: Hellinger Renata , Silva Valmir B. , Orth Elisa S.
Published: February 2020

Glyphosate (GFT) is a widely used herbicide, considered toxic and a probable carcinogen. The main challenge is its detection, usually requiring expensive and laborious methodologies. Herein, we report a colorimetric detection of GFT, using a derivatization reaction with 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) that leads to a yellow-colored product. This is undertaken under mild conditions (weakly basic aqueous medium and ambient conditions). A thorough kinetic study was carried out, showing that the derivatization reaction with GFT predominates over the hydrolysis of DNFB. Hence, the colorimetric product is the major product formed, which was fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance. Finally, a portable, handmade and cheap colorimeter was used to detect and quantify GFT, relying on the colorimetric reaction proposed. Simulating real contaminated samples, it was possible to analyze in just 10 min, with less than 7 % of error of the nominal concentration. Overall, a highly sustainable approach is shown for an herbicide monitoring, with a simple and mild derivatization reaction that does not require purification and leads to a colorimetric product. Moreover, a simple apparatus with low time analysis is proposed that uses a problematic electronic trash: cellphone chargers. This cheapens the process and allows field analysis that can be extended to other agrochemicals.
Enhanced Entanglement in Hybrid Cavity Mediated by a Two-way Coupled Quantum Dot
Authors: Li Ming-Cui , Chen Ai-Xi
Published: February 2020

We investigate theoretically the entanglement in a hybrid Fabry-Perot cavity system. A membrane in the cavity acts as a mechanical resonator, and a two-level quantum dot is coupled to both the cavity mode and the mechanical resonator. The entanglements between the cavity field and the mechanical resonator, between the mechanical resonator and the quantum dot, as well as between the cavity field and the quantum dot are observed. The logarithmic negativities in the first two subsystems are much larger than those in the system without two-way coupled quantum dot, and the entanglements are robust against the thermal temperature (entanglements still exist in tens of Kelvin). We also find that without direct coupling between the cavity field and the mechanical resonator, one can till observe effective entanglement between them in our system. Our work is helpful and may have potential applications in the research of multipartite entanglement in physical system.
Smiling and use of first-name by a healthcare receptionist robot: Effects on user perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours
Authors: Johanson Deborah L. , Ahn Ho Seok , Sutherland Craig J. , Brown Bianca , MacDonald Bruce A. , Lim Jong Yoon , Ahn Byeong Kyu , Broadbent Elizabeth
Published: February 2020

Robots are now starting to be developed and used as receptionists in health applications. In this regard, it is important that robots’ behavioural skills are developed and researched so that people have appropriate and comfortable interactions. Smiling and use of first name are two more important social communication skills used during human interactions. While smiling and use of first name are often employed by robots in human interactions, the effect of these behaviours on perceptions of receptionist robots has not yet been experimentally investigated. This study explored the effects of robot smiling and robot use of the participant’s first name on perceptions of robot friendliness, mind, and personality, as well as attitudes and smiling behaviour. Forty participants interacted with a medical receptionist robot four times, in a two by two repeated measures design. Both smiling and use of first name had significant positive effects on participants’ perceptions of robot personality. Robot smiling also showed significant effects on participants’ overall attitudes towards robots, ratings of robot friendliness, and perceptions of the robot’s mind, and increased the frequency of participants’ own smiling. There were no significant interaction effects. Robot smiling in particular can enhance user perceptions of robots and increase reciprocal smiling.
Nepal: country report on children’s environmental health
Authors: Pathak Krishna Prasad , Gaire Tara
Published: February 2020

Although Nepal is a country rich in natural beauty, along with an abundance of natural resources, the children of this diverse nation still face several serious health issues arising from their own environment (water pollution, air pollution, chemical pollution, solid waste issues and drainage issues). Nepal also ranks as a highly vulnerable country to the adverse impacts of climate change. Children are more vulnerable to various infections for immunological, physiological and social reasons. Their inherent immunity diminishes within months after birth. There are risk factors for the development of various diseases, e.g. unsafe drinking water and lack of sanitation, which contribute to diarrheal diseases, trachoma, hookworm and amoebic dysentery; another risk factor is indoor air pollution. The infant mortality rate (IMR) is higher in rural areas with 55 per 1000 live births, compared to urban areas with 38 per 1000 live births. Likewise, the under-5-year-old mortality rate (MR) in rural areas is 64 and that in urban areas is 45 per 1000 live births. Around 12% of the population suffer from chronic respiratory diseases, according to a recent study exploring the situation in Kathmandu. Pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality among children under 5 years of age in Nepalese hospitals. Children under 5 are more prone to the ill effects of polluted environments because of their less well-developed immune system. In addition, the school environment is not sufficiently healthy due to the distribution of unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation supply systems. In Nepal, mainly in the 20 Terai districts, arsenic contamination of groundwater is a public health problem. Underground water is used as drinking water in those areas, but without purification – the estimate is that around 0.5 million people live at the risk of arsenic poisoning. Within a span of 200 km from north to south, the climate of Nepal varies from arctic to tropical. The annual average air pollution concentration is 5 times above the World Health Organization (WHO) air quality guidelines, which poses a serious health risk to hundreds of thousands of Nepalese people: 133 out of 1,000,000 deaths each year are related to air pollution. Dramatically, Kathmandu city is a silent killer to walk around due to air pollution, and its air quality is ranked as the worst out of 180 countries, according to the 2018 Environmental Performance Index. However, insufficient studies have been conducted to explore children’s environmental health issues. It is therefore essential to carry out more scientific studies to explore the issues of children’s environmental health as environmental health problems in children are serious in the Nepalese context.
Sémiotique de l’espace, l’espace de la sémiotique : La Chambre bleue de Sohrab Sépehri, une redéfinition de l’espace sémiotisant
Authors: Ayati Akram , Akbari Najmeh
Published: February 2020

Les études déjà menées depuis des années 1970 autour de la sémiotique de l’espace montrent que les fondements méthodologiques et épistémologiques de cette approche se situent bel et bien, dans la lignée de la sémiotique structurale. Pourtant, certains espaces et le sens qui y émerge en acte ne peuvent pas être réduits à un cadre théorique si restreint. Cet article se propose de montrer, à travers l’analyse d’une chambre décrite par Sohrab Sépehri (1928–1980), poète et peintre moderne iranien, comment l’explication de la production du sens dans cet espace échappe aux fondements de l’appareil théorique classique. Notre hypothèse est que cette chambre en tant qu’espace qui ne se veut plus comme un objet-valeur, ni comme un espace opératoire ou manipulateur, prend sens dans un processus interactionnel comme un mouvement tourbillonnaire qui implique le sujet, l’entoure, l’engage et le fait ainsi vivre une expérience vécue. Cet espace éprouvé devient ainsi l’espace existentiel de la présence du monde du poète. Mais selon quelles caractéristiques déterminons-nous le régime d’espace auquel appartient la Chambre bleue de Sépehri ? Comment et dans quelle mesure la Chambre qui appelle le poète sans arrêt, contribue à lui former un nouvel être au monde et à le faire avancer dans son itinéraire transcendant ? C’est à ces questions que ce texte essaiera de répondre.
A bridge theorem for the entropy of semigroup actions
Authors: Bruno Anna Giordano
Published: February 2020

The topological entropy of a semigroup action on a totally disconnected locally compact abelian group coincides with the algebraic entropy of the dual action. This relation holds both for the entropy relative to a net and for the receptive entropy of finitely generated monoid actions.
PIK3CA and TP53 MUTATIONS and SALL4, PTEN and PIK3R1 GENE EXPRESSION LEVELS in BREAST CANCER
Authors: Dirican Ebubekir , Erbarut Seven İpek , Kaya Handan , Uğurlu M. Ümit , Peker İrem , Güllüoğlu Bahadır M. , Özer Ayşe , Akkiprik Mustafa
Published: February 2020

Objective

A high frequency of PI3K signalling pathway abnormalities and TP53 mutations are critical in the development and progression of breast cancer (BCa). We aimed to detect PIK3CA and TP53 mutations via an expression analysis of PIK3R1, PTEN and SALL4 and correlate the expression of these genes with clinical parameters of BCa.

Materials and methods

PIK3CA and TP53 mutations in BCa samples were analysed by High-Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis, followed by Sanger sequencing, and the expression levels of PIK3R1, PTEN and SALL4 were evaluated by RT-PCR methods.

Results

The frequency of PIK3CA and TP53 mutations was 42% and 38% according to the HRM and Sanger sequencing. There was a significantly high frequency of these mutations in ER( +), N0 and HER2( −) tumour samples. PIK3R1 and PTEN expression levels were high in tumour samples, whereas SALL4 expression was low. In patients with TP53 mutations, PIK3R1 expression was low, and this finding was statistically significant. PIK3R1 and PTEN expression levels showed statistically significant, respectively in G3 grades, ER(+), (PR)( +), HER2(+) and ER( +).

Conclusions

We suggest that these candidate genes could be potential prognostic biomarkers of BCa and that they should be considered in the evaluation of clinical parameters of BCa.
Immunoassay biomarkers of first and second trimesters: a comparison between pregnant Syrian refugees and Turkish women
Authors: Ekici Günay Nahide , Aksoy Hüseyin
Published: February 2020

Background

It was aimed to investigate maternal serum hormone values used for aneuploidy screening, demographic characteristics and fetal measurements in the population of pregnant Syrian refugees (PSRs) and to compare with data from pregnant Turkish women (PTW).

Material and methods

The study assessed data from 2697 pregnant who underwent triple and double screening tests, including 1738 Turkish and 959 Syrian women. The maternal serum biomarkers, demographic characteristics and fetal sonography measurements were compared and biases were calculated. By multivariate linear regression analysis, group-specific regression coefficients were estimated.

Results

Mean total age and weight were found to be significantly different and lower in PSRs in all gestational ages evaluated (p < 0.001; p < 0.001). The first trimester, median biases for fß-hCG were found to be higher by 38% and 24.5% for weeks 11 and 13, respectively. In the second trimester, median values of tß-hCG showed negative biases of 11.8% and 21.2% on weeks 16 and 19 in PSRs, respectively (p < 0.001). It was considered that ethnicity has a stronger effect on first trimester hormone biomarkers than second trimester. The ethnic diversity showed the greatest effect on fß-hCG.

Conclusion

Race/ethnicity-specific regression coefficients and median values based on validated risk estimations should have to be used for fetal aneuploidy risk reports.
A Moving Residual Limb: Botulinum Toxin to the Rescue
Authors: Briand Marie-Michèle , Boudier-Réveret Mathieu , Rodrigue Xavier , Sirois Geneviève , Chang Min Cheol
Published: February 2020

Movement disorders post-amputation are a rare complication and can manifest as the jumping stump phenomenon, a form of peripheral myoclonus. The pathophysiology remains unknown and there is currently no standardized treatment. We describe the case of a 57-year-old male with unremitting stump myoclonus, starting one month after transtibial amputation, in his residual limb without associated phantom or neurological pain. The consequence of the myoclonus was a reduction in prosthetic wearing time. Failure to respond to oral medication led us to attempt the use of botulinum neurotoxin Type A injections in the involved muscles of the residual limb. Injection trials, over a two-year period, resulted in an improvement of movement disorder, an increased prosthetic wearing time and a higher satisfaction level of the patient. Injection of botulinum toxin type A should be considered as an alternative treatment for stump myoclonus to improve prosthetic wearing time and comfort.
Integrated Chinese and western medicine for acute guillain-barré syndrome treatment
Authors: Yang Liu , Zhao Xiumin
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a worldwide demyelinating polyradiculopathy and polyneuropathy. Currently, there is no specific drug for GBS, and established treatment is generally based on immune-modulating treatment with plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulin in combination with supportive care. This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of integrated Chinese and Western medicine for acute GBS treatment.

Methods

We enrolled 73 subjects, and randomly divided them into two groups: 35 cases in the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group, and 28 in the Control group. The Control group was treated with the common Western medicine for one month; and the TCM group was administrated with one month of common treatment combined with TCM medication.

Results

Compared to the controls, TCM significantly enhanced the treatment efficiency in symptom expression, including the TCM syndrome score, the activity of daily living score, Hughes functional score and sensory dysfunction assessment. The total effective rate of the TCM group was 94.29%, significantly better than controls (78.59%). Moreover, TCM provide better improvement in motor nerve conduction functions (distal motor latency and motor conduction velocity) and sensory nerve conduction functions (sensory conduction velocity and sensory nerve action potential) in median nerve, ulnar nerve, and common fibular nerve.

Conclusion

When combined with TCM administration, the GBS treatment could acquire better outcomes.
Laboratory synthesis and characterization of Knasibfite K3Na4[SiF6]3[BF4] and the homologous Ge compound K3Na4[GeF6]3[BF4]
Authors: Bandemehr Jascha , Klippstein Josefin , Ivlev Sergei I. , Sachs Malte , Kraus Florian
Published: February 2020

Herein we present the synthesis, crystal structure, and the infrared and Raman spectra of K3Na4[SiF6]3[BF4]. The compound also occurs in nature as the mineral Knasibfite. We obtained it from the reaction of stoichiometric amounts of SiO2, Na[BF4], K2CO3, and Na2CO3 in hydrofluoric acid at room temperature. Hydrofluorothermal synthesis at 200 °C lead to a product of higher purity. Knasibfite is colorless and crystallizes in space group Im 2m with a = 5.546(2), b = 9.261(2), c = 17.184(4) Å, V = 882.5(4) Å3, Z = 2, at T = 400(2) K. At 342 K a phase transition to a monoclinic structure was observed (I 2, a = 5.5003(6), b = 9.0890(9), c = 17.0048(2) Å, β = 90.041(9)°, V = 852.2(2) Å3, Z = 2, T = 100(2) K). By replacing SiO2 with GeO2 as a starting material K3Na4[GeF6]3[BF4] was obtained. This compound also crystallizes in form of two polymorphs, both of which are isotypic to the respective ones of K3Na4[SiF6]3[BF4].
A new two-fold interpenetrating two-dimensional copper(II) coordination polymer constructed from 4,4′-bis(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)diphenyl ether
Authors: Liang Liang , Pan Chen-Dong , Wang Jun
Published: February 2020

A new Cu(II) metal-organic framework, [Cu(BMIOPE)(Br-BDC)]
n
(1) [Br-H2BDC = 5-bromo-isophthalic acid, BMIOPE = 4,4′-bis(2-methylimidazol-1-yl)diphenyl ether], has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized through IR spectroscopy, elemental and thermal analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 possesses a unique two-fold interpenetrating two-dimensional framework with sql topology. The photocatalytic property of complex 1 for oxidative degradation of methyl orange and methylene blue with hydrogen peroxide was examined under UV irradiation.
The Influence of Surface Modified Silica Nanoparticles: Properties of Epoxy Nanocomposites
Authors: Mehmood Sahid , Ali Nisar , Ali Farman , Haq Fazal , Haroon Muhammad , Fahad Shah
Published: February 2020

The influence of the surface-modified (CCS) and un-modified (UCS) silica nanoparticles on epoxy nanocomposites were studied. Two different nanocomposites systems were synthesized using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-(triethoxysilyl) propylamine APTES as a precursor and coupling agent, respectively. In the uncoupled composite system (UCS) the silica particles were solely generated using TEOS as a precursor. The APTES was used as a coupling agent to chemically link the silica (SiO2) particles to the matrix in the coupled composite system (CCS). Both composite systems were fabricated as thin films. The SiO2 epoxy nanocomposites thin films were characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), RAMAN, Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Thermal Gravimetric (TGA) analysis. RAMAN and FT-IR analysis confirmed the curing of epoxy resin and the generation of the inorganic structural network formation. SEM analysis of these nanocomposites revealed that silica particles were uniformly dispersed in the epoxy matrix. DSC analysis of the nano-composites revealed an increase in glass transition (T
g) temperature with the addition of nanofiller. TGA analysis shows enhanced thermal stability of the coupled composite system in comparison to the neat and uncoupled epoxy composite system.
Effect of Defect Size and Load on the Performance of Thermoplastic Bearings
Authors: Gaaliche Nesrine , Chithambaram Subramanian , Fathallah Raouf
Published: February 2020

The dynamic performance of thermoplastic bearing with respect to defect size, location, applied load, and speed was investigated in this article. A fatigue test rig was developed in house to test the thermoplastic bearing. The vibration signals are measured continuously using a piezoelectric accelerometer to investigate the influence of the size and location of the defects of both polypropylene (PP) and polyoxymethylene (POM) bearings. Vibration signatures of metallic bearings are investigated and compared with thermoplastic bearings. Test results reveal that POM bearings exhibit less vibration amplitude compared to that of PP and metal. Peak vibration amplitudes of shaft harmonics and Fast Fourier Transform increase with respect to the load levels and are more pronounced in inner race defects compared to outer race defects and are found to increase with the increase in defect size. A statistical indicator kurtosis shows the sensitivity to bearing damage by analyzing the vibration signals of the thermoplastic ball bearing. Thermoplastic bearing failure under high loads reveals wear and smearing as the important failure modes.
Effects of temperature, gibberellic acid, and KNO3 treatments on seed germination of the wild plant Maesa japonica
Authors: Kwon Hyuk Joon , Shin So Lim , Kim Yu-Ri , Kim Soo-Young
Published: February 2020

We investigated the morphological characteristics of Maesa japonica seeds and the optimal conditions for germination. The seeds were exalbuminous, and their length and width were 0.85 ± 0.09 mm and 0.77 ± 0.05 mm, respectively. We tested germination at 15, 20, 25,
30 and 35°C; the optimum temperature for germination was 30°C (64% germination). To test the effects of gibberellic acid (GA3) and KNO3 on germination, the seeds were soaked in solutions containing 0, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 g GA3 L-1 or
0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20 or 0.50 g KNO3 L-1 before sowing for germination. KNO3 treatment increased germination percentage and speed. Soaking in GA3 concentrations over 1.0 g L-1 stimulated 100% germination after 13 days. A presoaking treatment
that combined 1.0 g GA3 L-1 and 0.2 g KNO3 L-1 promoted germination speed and shortened the time in which half of the seeds germinated. Overall, we determined that the best method for germination of Maesa japonica seeds was pre-soaking in
1.0 g GA3 L-1 and 0.2 g KNO3 L-1 at 4°C in the dark for 24 hours, followed by incubation at 25–30°C in a 16-hour light, 8-hour dark cycle for 10 days.
Sucrose consumption alters steroid and dopamine signalling in the female rat brain
Authors: Tobiansky Daniel J , Kachkovski George V , Enos Reilly T , Schmidt Kim L , Murphy E Angela , Soma Kiran K
Published: February 2020

Sucrose consumption is associated with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive deficits. Sucrose intake during pregnancy might have particularly prominent effects on metabolic, endocrine, and neural physiology. It remains unclear how consumption of sucrose affects parous females, especially in brain circuits that mediate food consumption and reward processing. Here, we examine whether a human-relevant level of sucrose before, during, and after pregnancy (17–18 weeks total) influences metabolic and neuroendocrine physiology in female rats. Females were fed either a control diet or a macronutrient-matched, isocaloric sucrose diet (25% of kcal from sucrose). Metabolically, sucrose impairs glucose tolerance, increases liver lipids, and increases a marker of adipose inflammation, but has no effect on body weight or overall visceral adiposity. Sucrose also decreases corticosterone levels in serum but not in the brain. Sucrose increases progesterone levels in serum and in the brain and increases the brain:serum ratio of progesterone in the mesocorticolimbic system and hypothalamus. These data suggest a dysregulation of systemic and local steroid signalling. Moreover, sucrose decreases tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a catecholamine-synthetic enzyme, in the medial prefrontal cortex. Finally, sucrose consumption alters the expression pattern of FOSB, a marker of phasic dopamine signalling, in the nucleus accumbens. Overall, chronic consumption of sucrose at a human-relevant level alters metabolism, steroid levels, and brain dopamine signalling in a female rat model.
Genome Report—A Genome Sequence Analysis of the RB51 Strain ofBrucella abortusin the Context of Its Vaccine Properties
Authors: Bricker Betsy , Goonesekere Nalin , Bayles Darrell , Alt David , Olsen Steven , Vrentas Catherine
Published: February 2020

The RB51 vaccine strain of Brucella abortus, which confers safe and effective protection of cattle from B. abortus infection, was originally generated via serial passage of B. abortus 2308 to generate spontaneous, attenuating mutations. While some of these mutations have been previously characterized, such as an insertional mutation in the wboA gene that contributes to the rough phenotype of the strain, a comprehensive annotation of genetic differences between RB51 and B. abortus 2308 genomes has not yet been published. Here, the whole genome sequence of the RB51 vaccine strain is compared against two available 2308 parent sequences, with all observed single nucleotide polymorphisms, insertions, and deletions presented. Mutations of interest for future characterization in vaccine development, such as mutations in eipA and narJ genes in RB51, were identified. Additionally, protein homology modeling was utilized to provide in silico support for the hypothesis that the RB51 capD mutation is the second contributing mutation to the rough phenotype of RB51, likely explaining the inability of wboA-complemented strains of RB51 to revert to a smooth phenotype.
Genome-Wide Association Analyses Reveal Genomic Regions Controlling Canopy Wilting in Soybean
Authors: Steketee Clinton J , Schapaugh William T , Carter Thomas E , Li Zenglu
Published: February 2020

Drought stress causes the greatest soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield losses among the abiotic stresses in rain-fed U.S. growing areas. Because less than 10% of U.S. soybean hectares are irrigated, combating this stress requires soybean plants which possess physiological mechanisms to tolerate drought for a period of time. Phenotyping for these mechanisms is challenging, and the genetic architecture for these traits is poorly understood. A morphological trait, slow or delayed canopy wilting, has been observed in a few exotic plant introductions (PIs), and may lead to yield improvement in drought stressed fields. In this study, we visually scored wilting during stress for a panel of 162 genetically diverse maturity group VI-VIII soybean lines genotyped with the SoySNP50K iSelect BeadChip. Field evaluation of canopy wilting was conducted under rain-fed conditions at two locations (Athens, GA and Salina, KS) in 2015 and 2016. Substantial variation in canopy wilting was observed among the genotypes. Using a genome-wide association mapping approach, 45 unique SNPs that tagged 44 loci were associated with canopy wilting in at least one environment with one region identified in a single environment and data from across all environments. Several new soybean accessions were identified with canopy wilting superior to those of check genotypes. The germplasm and genomic regions identified can be used to better understand the slow canopy wilting trait and be incorporated into elite germplasm to improve drought tolerance in soybean.
Deposition of Centromeric Histone H3 Variant CENP-A/Cse4 into Chromatin Is Facilitated by Its C-Terminal Sumoylation
Authors: Ohkuni Kentaro , Suva Evelyn , Au Wei-Chun , Walker Robert L , Levy-Myers Reuben , Meltzer Paul S , Baker Richard E , Basrai Munira A
Published: February 2020

Centromeric localization of CENP-A (Cse4 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, CID in flies, CENP-A in humans) is essential for faithful chromosome segregation. Mislocalization of overexpressed CENP-A contributes to aneuploidy in yeast, flies, and humans, and is proposed to promote tumorigenesis in human cancers. Hence, defining molecular mechanisms that promote or prevent mislocalization of CENP-A is an area of active investigation. In budding yeast, evolutionarily conserved histone chaperones Scm3 and chromatin assembly factor-1 (CAF-1) promote localization of Cse4 to centromeric and noncentromeric regions, respectively. Ubiquitin ligases, such as Psh1 and Slx5, and histone chaperones (HIR complex) regulate proteolysis of overexpressed Cse4 and prevent its mislocalization to noncentromeric regions. In this study, we have identified sumoylation sites lysine (K) 215/216 in the C terminus of Cse4, and shown that sumoylation of Cse4 K215/216 facilitates its genome-wide deposition into chromatin when overexpressed. Our results showed reduced levels of sumoylation of mutant Cse4 K215/216R/A [K changed to arginine (R) or alanine (A)] and reduced interaction of mutant Cse4 K215/216R/A with Scm3 and CAF-1 when compared to wild-type Cse4. Consistent with these results, levels of Cse4 K215/216R/A in the chromatin fraction and localization to centromeric and noncentromeric regions were reduced. Furthermore, in contrast to GAL-CSE4, which exhibits Synthetic Dosage Lethality (SDL) in psh1∆, slx5∆, and hir2∆ strains, GAL-cse4 K215/216R does not exhibit SDL in these strains. Taken together, our results show that deposition of Cse4 into chromatin is facilitated by its C-terminal sumoylation.
HP Labs India’s Technology to Make Printed Paper Documents Tamper-Proof
Authors:   HP Labs India, Bangalore, Srinivasan Ramani , Kuchibhotla Anjaneyulu ,   HP Labs India, Bangalore, Srinivasu Godavari ,   HP Labs India, Bangalore, Matad Bhushan ,   HP Labs India, Bangalore
Published: February 2020

Proof “The objective of this paper is to discuss the cost-effective technologies developed at HP Labs India to make paper documents tamper-proof. We started with a real customer problem: to ensure that printed government land records should be tamper-proof. We first looked at existing techniques to see if they could address the problem but subsequently had to come up with our own technology. To address the problem, there was a need to identify good pilot customers to promote adoption of technology. Another challenge was around the customer’s lack of awareness in terms of the impact of fraudulent documents on their business, and the difficulty of selling solutions versus selling products. Technology invention plays a small part in the final success of any customer-driven innovation, and so other factors should not be ignored. There were several other specific conclusions related to the innovator, the customer-facing staff and the customers. The key contributions of this work was starting with a real customer problem and dealing with end-to-end issues related to adoption of technology to make paper documents tamper-proof."
University-Industry Collaboration: An Open Innovation Approach at Hewlett-Packard
Authors:   Institute for International Management and Technology Gurgaon, India, Jauhari Vinnie , Benard Michel ,   Open Innovation Office, HP Labs Hewlett-Packard Company, Switzerland
Published: February 2020

“In the pursuit of innovation, global firms try to deploy different strategies for innovation. The universities constitute a very important segment for sourcing innovation and working on pre-competitive technologies which have a long term impact. This research assesses the open innovation approach deployed by firms. It also looks at the approach adopted by Hewlett-Packard to focus on technologies which have a long term impact and developed by an open approach involving technical communities around the globe. It tracks the development of technologies such as D Space and its applications and challenges. It also looks at the strategy towards developing Cloud Computing frameworks. The other initiatives include the implementation of the Innovation Research Program spanning the universities across various countries. The opportunities and challenges associated with the open innovation approach are then suggested based on interaction with over two dozen leading academics and industry practitioners.”
Chip Architecture for Data Sorting Using Recursive Algorithm
Authors:   Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee,Uttarakhand, Agarwal Megha , Gupta Indra ,   Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee,Uttarakhand
Published: February 2020

“This paper suggests a way to implement recursive algorithm on hardware with an example of sorting of numeric data. Every recursive call/return needs a mechanism to store/restore parameters, local variables and return addresses respectively. Also a control sequence is needed to control the flow of execution as in case of recursive call and recursive return. The number of states required for the execution of a recursion in hardware can be reduced compared with software. This paper describes all the details that are required to implement recursive algorithm in hardware. For implementation, all the entities are designed using VHDL and are synthesized, configured on Spartan-2 XC2S200-5PQ208."
Analysis of Exposed Node Problem and Security Concerns in Adhoc Networks
Authors:   Chitkara Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rajpura, Punjab, Singal T. L. , Sharma Prachi ,   Infosys Technologies Ltd., Mysore, Kaur Ravneet ,   Infosys Technologies Ltd., Mysore
Published: February 2020

“The paper contains the analysis of exposed node problem in mobile adhoc network. The problem is that before starting the transmission, a station wants to know whether there is activity around the receiver. If the transmission is taking place around the receiver, there will be collisions and the effective throughput will be decreased. A detailed study of the simulation on these exposed nodes is carried out using the GloMoSim software to calculate the throughput for the various transmission powers and different protocols, so as to compare the performances by varying different parameters. These simulation results with GloMoSim corroborate our theoretical analysis.”
FPGA Based Hardware Co-Simulation of an Area and Power Efficient FIR Filter for Wireless Communication Systems
Authors:   National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, Chandigarh, Kumar Rajesh , Devi Swapna ,   National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, Chandigarh, Pattnaik S. S. ,   National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research, Chandigarh
Published: February 2020

“In this paper FPGA based hardware co-simulation of an area and power efficient FIR filter for wireless communication systems is presented. The implementation is based on distributed arithmetic (DA) which substitutes multiply-and-accumulate operations with look up table (LUT) accesses. Parallel Distributed arithmetic (PDA) look up table approach is used to implement an FIR Filter taking optimal advantage of the look up table structure of FPGA using VHDL. The proposed design is hardware co-simulated using System Generator10.1, synthesized with Xilinx ISE 10.1 software, and implemented on Virtex-4 based xc4vlx25-10ff668 target device. Results show that the proposed design operates at 17.5 MHz throughput and consumes 0.468W power with considerable reduction in required resources to implement the design as compared to Coregen and add/shift based design styles. Due to this reduction in required resources the proposed design can also be implemented on Spartan-3 FPGA device to provide cost effective solution for DSP and wireless communication applications.”
Technology Leapfrogging: Findings from Singapore’s Water Industry
Authors:   National University of Singapore, Singapore, Chew Michele Y.C. , Watanabe Chihiro ,   Tokyo Seitoku University, Japan, Tou Yuji ,   Niigata University, Japan
Published: February 2020

This paper illustrates Singapore’s strategy in catching up with global water treatment nations. Water is an important economic resource for Singapore, creating value-added jobs and stimulating research and development in various related technology trajectories. The analysis shows that from a nation lacking in competence in the water industry, Singapore has successfully transformed herself into a global hydrohub, exporting indigenous capabilities and offering consultancy for water projects. With long-term government policies and funding support for initial R&D and subsequent industry R&D inducement by means of the introduction of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) programme, Singapore has been able to build up her competence in waste water treatment. This is probably the first paper that analyses the development of the water industry in Singapore from the management of technology and policy perspectives.
Technology and Entrepreneurship: How India Can Lead in Creating a Sustainable World Future
Authors:   Stanford University, USA, Raman Neerja
Published: February 2020

In the last decade, a global economy saw unprecedented growth that resulted in world recognition of developing countries as having superpower potential. But, in economies like India growth has not been beneficial for large segments of the population thus creating a socially volatile opportunity gap between the rich and the poor. Through examination of game changing technology and business models, this article poses a strategy to support creation of a new economy that does not have to make a choice between growth and poverty eradication. The approach calls for leaders to invest in locally appropriate technology research, build market forces to scale impact in rural or remote areas and to expand on the success of the microfinance ethos of investing in people through education, training and healthcare. While challenges are acknowledged, this article focuses on the key innovation advantages: a growing market and a young population demographic which can position India as a leader in sustainable growth for the world. Partnerships between government, corporations, and academics that foster entrepreneurship can achieve economic as well as social prosperity and examples are provided as impetus in overcoming resistance to change.
Dual Hybrid Management of Technology: Co-evolution with Growing Economies
Authors:   Japan Science and Technology Agency, Japan, Fukuda Kayano , Zhao Weilin ,   Waseda University, Japan, Watanabe Chihiro ,   National University of Singapore, Singapore
Published: February 2020

Given the increasing significance of the co-evolution between advanced and growing economies for problem-solving innovation that aims at solving global critical issues, this paper attempts an empirical analysis to identify the optimal co-evolutionary trajectory, which could benefit both advanced and growing economies. While Japan has succeeded to develop the hybrid management of technology fusing indigenous strength and learning ability, it has revealed some limitations during the global simultaneous economic stagnation. The analysis suggests that the dual hybrid management of technology coevolving also with growing economies is decisive to the problem-solving innovation of the nation. This benefits nations in growing economies as well. This paper provides new insights into the problem-solving innovation, and also inducing strategy of growing economies for global sustainability.
Information Systems and Quality Management in Healthcare Organization: An Empirical Study
Authors:   National Institute of Technology, Surathkal, India, D’Souza Sunil C. , Sequeira A.H. ,   National Institute of Technology, Surathkal, India
Published: February 2020

The paper explores current status of information systems, identifies gaps in the current information systems and assessment in healthcare organization. This paper is based on Critical Analysis of literature and a questionnaire is administered on administrative level employees of South Indian healthcare organizations. It has been identified that healthcare organization should have specific strategy and must implement measures derived from strategy. Data and information systems should be seen as business resources. The knowledge base of medical field is large and it is growing rapidly. Hence information system must be integrated across the enterprise. The results of the study determined the relationship between measurement, analysis and knowledge Management on performance. The Information system is the newest dimension among the MBNQA (Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award) criteria. The Information system performance was assessed in terms of management relevant data and information. The outcomes suggest that there is a growing recognition of the administrators about the importance and use of information systems as a critical resource in healthcare organizations. From the study it is inferred that information system analysis continues to be a challenge. The higher utilization of technology, computerization and the Internet has resulted in dramatic change in the quality performance of the Healthcare Organizations. The paper provides an empirical evidence that information system has an impact on performance in the context of healthcare organizations. The information system is a key performance area of Quality management and it has received limited attention in improving quality performance including MBNQA. Finally, the study concludes that there is an immense scope for altering current information systems and it should be aligned with the quality management environment.
Vibrant Eco-system Creation for Sustainability: A Lesson from Singapore’s Water Industry
Authors:   National University of Singapore, Singapore, Chew Michele Y.C. , Watanabe Chihiro ,   Tokyo Seitoku University, Japan, Tou Yuji ,   Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
Published: February 2020

Through a stepwise national strategy of importing technology, building indigenous capabilities through learning and assimilating imported technology to exporting the indigenous capabilities, Singapore has successfully caught up with the nations that are advanced in the technologies related to water treatment. From the macro-numerical phenomenon observed, this paper aims to provide both qualitative and quantitative evidences of this co-evolutionary dynamism between innovation and institutional systems. Realising the issue as a comprehensive technology chain and its substitution for traditional resources, sophisticated combination of government stimulation and industry participation leading to a Global Hydrohub has induced world leading-edge innovation involvement. Such a vibrant eco-system aiming at overcoming the constraints for sustainable growth can be applied not only to water management but also to energy and climate change issues. Policy makers in emerging economies can adapt the successful practices and note the pitfalls in establishing the vibrant eco-system that is essential for sustainable environmental solutions for their economies.
Using the Genetic Algorithm for Optimization of the Integrated Urban Transportation Systems
Authors:   Islamic Azad University of Iran, Rasht Branch, Iran, Nia Sharam Gilani , Sharif Bahram ,   Islamic Azad University of Iran, Rasht Branch, Iran, Habibzadeh Neda ,   Islamic Azad University of Iran, Rasht Branch, Iran, Rezvani Musa ,   Islamic Azad University of Iran, Rasht Branch, Iran
Published: February 2020

Improving the public transportation problems should rely on integrated multidimensional transport policies which can soften the demand of infrastructure investment. However, it would be very difficult to fully consider the multi-dimensional transport polices in planning framework because there would be too many possible policy combinations to be evaluated. So, this study attempts to develop an analytic framework for evaluating urban integrated transport policies comprehensively, including strategies of investment, pricing, management and regulation. To deal with the difficulty of too many policy combinations, genetic algorithms will be used to search for the optimal strategy combination for integrated transport strategy. Finally, the relationship between quantified objectives, policy combinations, and assessment performances would be analyzed using the proposed model.
Hybrid Management of Technology for Global Co-evolution: Insight from Singapore’s Water Industry
Authors:   National University of Singapore, Chew Michele Y.C. , Chihiro Watanabe ,   National University of Singapore
Published: February 2020

Ensuring a sustainable water supply is crucial in all economies. Technological breakthrough has made possible the idea of using membranes to treat water. Recycling water and desalination are substitutes for the traditional water treatment process. While sea water is plentiful, the process of desalination depends largely on electricity, making the process costly. Singapore’s success in NEWater (recycled water) depended on its stepwise advancement of membrane technology with sophisticated complementary engineering systems based on advanced information technology. This advancement contributes to electricity efficiency improvement in desalination which in turn accelerates dramatic advancement of the complementary engineering systems. Synergistic effects between NEWater and desalination can be expected by constructing a hybrid management of technology fusing indigenous strength and the effect of learning leading to a new phase in Singapore’s NEWater development and also the trigger of its desalination endeavor. By means of an empirical analysis of Singapore’s pioneer challenge, this paper demonstrates the significance of this endeavor for global sustainability.