bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meiotic gatekeeper STRA8 regulates cell cycle by interacting with SETD8 during spermatogenesis
Authors: Niu Changmin , Guo Jiaqian , Shen Xueyi , Ma Shikun , Xia Mengmeng , Xia Jing , Zheng Ying
Published: February 2020

STRA8 (Stimulated By Retinoic Acid Gene 8) is a retinoic acid (RA) induced gene that plays vital roles in spermatogonial proliferation, differentiation and meiosis. The SETD8 and STRA8 protein interaction was discovered using the yeast two‐hybrid technique using a mouse spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) cDNA library. The interaction of these two proteins was confirmed using co‐immunoprecipitation and identification of key domains governing the protein: protein complex. STRA8 and SETD8 showed a mutual transcriptional regulation pattern that provided evidence that SETD8 negatively regulated transcriptional activity of the STRA8 promoter. The SETD8 protein directly bound to the proximal promoter of the STRA8 gene. STRA8 increased the transcriptional activity of SETD8 promoter in a dose‐dependent manner. For the first time, we have discovered that STRA8 and SETD8 display a cell cycle‐dependent expression pattern in germline cells. Expression levels of SETD8 and H4K20me1 in S phase of STRA8 overexpression GC1 cells were different from that previously observed in tumour cell lines. In wild‐type mice testis, SETD8, H4K20me1 and PCNA co‐localized with STRA8 in spermatogonia. Further, our studies quantitated abnormal expression levels of cell cycle and ubiquitination‐related factors in STRA8 dynamic models. STRA8 and SETD8 may regulate spermatogenesis via Cdl4‐Clu4A‐Ddb1 ubiquitinated degradation axis in a PCNA‐dependent manner.
Bemisia tabaci in Iraq: Population structure, endosymbiont diversity and putative species
Authors: Kareem Ali A. , Logan Samuel A. , Port Gordon , Wolff Kirsten
Published: February 2020

Whiteflies (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) are major pests of many crops worldwide. Bemisia tabaci is a cryptic species complex composed of more than 39 putative species. Understanding which putative species of B. tabaci are predominant in an area is vital for effective pest management since they may vary considerably with respect to insecticide resistance, host plant range and virus transmission. Here, for the first time, the genetic diversity, the symbiont diversity and population structure of B. tabaci in Iraq were studied. Fourteen populations were analysed using mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (mtCO1) sequencing and microsatellite genotyping. Symbiotic bacteria were identified using 16S rRNA and 23S rRNA sequencing. MtCO1 sequencing detected two putative species of B. tabaci. The predominant putative species in Iraq was Middle East‐Asia Minor (MEAM) 1 subcladeB2. In addition, one individual was MEAM1‐subcladeB. The second putative species was a single individual of MEAM2. The microsatellite data indicated low genetic diversity, with no biologically informative clustering. All MEAM1 individuals harboured one primary symbiont, Portiera aleyrodidarum, and most (96%) have two secondary symbionts: Hamiltonella sp. and Rickettsia sp. This study has identified the genetic diversity and population structure of B. tabaci in Iraq. Further investigation is needed to update the pest status of B. tabaci in this region. The current data, combined with investigations into the capacity of the various putative species to transmit plant viruses, especially tomato yellow leaf curl virus, will aid pest management and horticultural production.
Foam mat drying of papaya using microwaves: Machine learning modeling
Authors: Qadri Ovais S. , Osama Khwaja , Srivastava Abhaya K.
Published: February 2020

The aim of this article is to study the microwave‐assisted foam mat drying of papaya to form papaya powder. The process of foam mat drying of papaya using microwaves was modeled by machine learning approaches like artificial neural network (ANN), support vector regression (SVR), and Gaussian process regression (GPR). Effect of microwave power (480–640 W), inlet air temperature (40–50°C), and thickness of foam (2–4 mm) on the rate of drying were studied. The performance of the models was evaluated on the basis of different performance matrices including root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R2), model predictive error, and Chi‐square (χ2). The microwave heating of the papaya foam reduced the drying time manifold. All three machine learning approaches were able to predict the drying process efficiently. SVR showed the best performance (R2 = 0.96; RMSE = 0.03) followed by GPR (R2 = 0.92; RMSE = 0.04) and ANN (R2 = 0.91; RMSE = 0.04). SVR‐based model was simulated to predict the effect of power, temperature, and thickness on drying rate. Machine learning approaches can be efficiently used for modeling and microwave‐assisted foam mat drying. SVR‐based model proves to be a good alternative of ANN.

Practical Applications

Foam mat drying is the method of dehydrating for heat‐sensitive and viscous materials which cannot be dried by other conventional methods. It is cost‐effective, simple, and provides high product quality. The use of microwave‐assisted drying decreases the drying time manifold. Modeling of the drying process is significant for its scale‐up to industrial scale. Machine learning techniques have the capability of learning the hidden factors involved in the process and thus provide better predictions as compared with statistical regression methods. In this study, three machine learning methods (artificial neural network [ANN], support vector regression [SVR], and Gaussian process regression [GPR]) were compared for their efficiency in modeling the foam‐mat drying of papaya pulp using microwaves. SVR showed the best performance as compared with ANN and GPR.
ABA‐responsive ABRE‐BINDING FACTOR3 activatesDAM3expression to promote bud dormancy in Asian pear
Authors: Yang Qinsong , Yang Bo , Li Jianzhao , Wang Yan , Tao Ruiyan , Yang Feng , Wu Xinyue , Yan Xinhui , Ahmad Mudassar , Shen Jiaqi , Bai Songling , Teng Yuanwen
Published: February 2020

Bud dormancy is indispensable for the survival of perennial plants in cold winters. Abscisic acid (ABA) has essential functions influencing the endo‐dormancy status.Dormancy‐associated MADS‐box/SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE‐likegenes function downstream of the ABA signalling pathway to regulate bud dormancy. However, the regulation ofDAM/SVPexpression remains largely uncharacterized. In this study, we confirmed that endo‐dormancy maintenance andPpyDAM3expression are controlled by the ABA content in pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) buds. The expression of pearABRE‐BINDING FACTOR3(PpyABF3) was positively correlated withPpyDAM3expression. Furthermore, PpyABF3 directly bound to the second ABRE in thePpyDAM3promoter to activate its expression. Interestingly, both PpyABF3 and PpyDAM3 repressed the cell division and growth of transgenic pear calli. Another ABA‐induced ABF protein, PpyABF2, physically interacted with PpyABF3 and disrupted the activation of thePpyDAM3promoter by PpyABF3, indicatingDAMexpression was precisely controlled. Additionally, our results suggested that the differences in thePpyDAM3promoter in two pear cultivars might be responsible for the diversity in the chilling requirements. In summary, our data clarify the finely tuned regulatory mechanism underlying the effect of ABA onDAMgene expression and provide new insights into ABA‐related bud dormancy regulation.
Unsociability, peer relations, and psychological maladjustment among children: A moderated‐mediated model
Authors: Bullock Amanda , Xiao Bowen , Xu Gangmin , Liu Junsheng , Coplan Robert , Chen Xinyin
Published: February 2020

The goal of this study was to evaluate a complex theoretical model linking gender, unsociability, peer relations, and indices of psychological maladjustment among children in the People's Republic of China. Participants were 711 (395 boys) Grade 4 to Grade 8 (Mage = 10.98 years, SD = 1.56) students selected from 4 public schools in Shanghai. Multi‐source assessments were employed, including peer nominations of unsociability, sociometric nominations to measure peer preference, as well as child self‐reports of friendship quality, depressive symptoms, loneliness, and self‐worth. Among the results, both peer preference and friendship quality mediated the associations between unsociability and psychological maladjustment. Further analyses revealed that such mediating effects were significantly moderated by gender. Specifically, the mediating effects of friendship quality in the associations between unsociability and psychological maladjustment only existed for boys. In addition, peer preference played a mediation role in the associations between unsociability and psychological maladjustment for both boys and girls, although the strength of the associations was stronger among boys than girls. Findings are discussed in terms of the importance of considering gender and different types of peer experiences in studies of unsociable children in Mainland China.
BK polyomavirus nephropathy with systemic viral spread: Whole genome sequencing data from a fatal case of BKPyV infection
Authors: Roy Sanjeet , Mieczkowski Piotr A. , Weida Carol , Huo Jeffrey , Roehrs Philip , Singh Harsharan K. , Nickeleit Volker
Published: February 2020

BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) infections with multi‐organ involvement are rare. Here, we report for the first time whole genome sequencing data from a patient with systemic BKPyV disease. She presented post stem cell transplantation with graft‐vs‐host disease, suffered from profound immunosuppression, and developed fatal BKPyV disease of kidneys, lungs, and pancreas. The lytic infection was caused by an episomal BKPyV‐Ib strain with canonical structural and receptor encoding gene sequences. However, DNA from all infected tissue sites showed diverse BKPyV‐NCCR rearrangements (rr‐NCCR) involving the P, Q, and R domains, while largely sparing O and S, carrying initiation sites for early and late BKPyV gene transcripts crucial for viral replication and assembly. Common to all rr‐NCCR variants was a break point in Q (position 17‐27) that can form the nidus for double DNA strand break formation and gene rearrangements. Metastatic clonal BKPyV spread from kidneys to other organs was not detected. We hypothesize that lack of immune surveillance and a specific NCCR break point promote profound gene rearrangements of NCCR‐P, Q, and R with alterations of regulatory feedback loops. As a result, viral replication and pathogenicity are enhanced leading to severe, often fatal systemic disease not caused by the common archetypical BKPyV strains.
Is transthoracic lung biopsy a safe procedure?
Authors: Betianu Cezar Iulian , Goicea Mihaela , Ion Giorgiana , Bondari Andrei
Published: February 2020

.
Comment on “A standardized method of classifying pulsed sounds and its application to pulse rate measurement of blue whale southeast Pacific song units” [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 146, 2145–2154 (2019)]
Authors: Mercado Eduardo
Published: February 2020

Patris, Malige, Glotin, Asch, and Buchan [(2019). Acoust. Soc. Am. 146, 2145–2154] proposed a technique for classifying and describing pulsed sounds produced by whales that can improve the precision and objectivity of acoustic measurements from song units. Their analyses revealed that blue whales produce units at precise pulse rates. The structure and precision of the song phrase they describe is remarkably similar to what is seen in song production by chickadees. In both species, precise control of shifts in pulse rate may produce reverberation-related cues that enable listeners to localize singers. The techniques developed by Patris and colleagues thus can provide more accurate measures as well as insights into how animals produce and use songs.
Identification and Characterization of Staphylococcus delphini Internalization Pathway in Nonprofessional Phagocytic Cells
Authors: Maali Yousef , Diot Alan , Martins-Simões Patrícia , Bes Michele , Bouvard Daniel , Vandenesch François , Verhoeven Paul O. , Laurent Frederic , Trouillet-Assant Sophie
Published: February 2020

The intracellular lifestyle of bacteria is widely acknowledged to be an important mechanism in chronic and recurring infection. Among the
Staphylococcus
genus, only
Staphylococcus aureus
and
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
have been clearly identified as intracellular in nonprofessional phagocytic cells (NPPCs), for which the mechanism is mainly fibronectin-binding dependent. Here, we used bioinformatics tools to search for possible new fibronectin-binding proteins (FnBP-like) in other
Staphylococcus
species.
SPD_1495 Contributes to Capsular Polysaccharide Synthesis and Virulence in
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Zheng Yun-Dan , Pan Ying , He Ke , Li Nan , Yang Donghong , Du Gao-Fei , Ge Ruiguang , He Qing-Yu , Sun Xuesong
Published: February 2020

Capsular polysaccharide is a key factor underlying the virulence of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
in human diseases. Thus, a deep understanding of capsular polysaccharide synthesis is essential for uncovering the pathogenesis of
S. pneumoniae
infection. In this study, we show that protein SPD_1495 interacts with phosphorylated ComE to negatively regulate the formation of capsular polysaccharide. Deletion of
spd1495
increased capsular polysaccharide synthesis and thereby enhanced bacterial virulence. These findings further reveal the synthesis mechanism of capsular polysaccharide and provide new insight into the biology of this clinically important bacterium.
Cardiac amyloidosis presenting with recurrent ischaemic strokes
Authors: Suleiman Suleiman , Coughlan John Joseph , Moore David
Published: February 2020

A 72-year-old man presented to our service with sudden onset right-sided weakness, aphasia and gaze palsy with diplopia. CT angiogram demonstrated an acute thrombotic occlusion of the distal basilar artery, a basilar infarct and the patient underwent successful thrombectomy. ECG and telemetry demonstrated slow atrial fibrillation (AF). His transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed a reduced ejection fraction of 25% with global hypo-kinesis, a dilated left ventricle (LV) and LV hypertrophy (LVH). Repeat TTE appeared suspicious for an infiltrative cardiomyopathy with LVH and a speckled appearance to the myocardium. Approximately 10 months later, he suffered another ischaemic stroke post-elective cardioversion for AF while on anticoagulation. Cardiac MRI demonstrated areas of delayed gadolinium enhancement consistent with amyloidosis. Fat pad biopsy was positive for amyloidosis. Our patient has made an excellent recovery from the ischaemic strokes and is being managed in our heart failure clinic.
Fibromuscular dysplasia presenting with a deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Lam Danielle , Jansen Shirley , Tibballs Jonathan , McLean-Tooke Andrew
Published: February 2020

A 41-year-old male patient presented with isolated right lower limb swelling. An ultrasound scan showed right external iliac and femoral vein deep vein thrombosis due to extrinsic compression by an aneurysm of the right common iliac artery. Investigations including imaging and a tissue biopsy of right and left femoral arteries confirmed a rare clinical presentation of fibromuscular dysplasia involving iliac, coeliac, renal and pulmonary vessels. The common iliac artery aneurysm was successfully treated with endovascular repair. Six months later, he developed coronary artery involvement with spontaneous dissection of left anterior descending artery diagnosed on coronary angiogram which was managed conservatively. At 6-year follow-up, he remains clinically asymptomatic and continues with regular surveillance imaging. Iliac arterial fibromuscular dysplasia is uncommon and clinical presentation with a complication such as a deep vein thrombosis is atypical.
Systematic benefit-risk assessment for buprenorphine implant: a semiquantitative method to support risk management
Authors: Osborne Vicki , Davies Miranda , Roy Debabrata , Tescione Francesco , Shakir Saad A W
Published: February 2020

Background

Prior to approval in the European Union, a systematic benefit-risk assessment was required to compare buprenorphine implant to sublingual buprenorphine as part of the license application to the European Medicines Agency.

Objective

The Benefit-Risk Action Team framework was used to describe the overall benefit-risk of buprenorphine implant in comparison to sublingual buprenorphine.

Study selection/methods

A value tree of key benefits and risks related to the implant formulation of buprenorphine was constructed. Risk differences (RD) or reporting ORs (ROR) and corresponding 95% CIs were calculated for each outcome, along with the number needed to treat and number needed to harm. Swing weighting was assigned to outcomes and the weighted net clinical benefit (wNCB) was calculated.

Findings

Key benefits assessed: reduced risk of illicit opioid use (RD=0.09, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.17), reduced risk of misuse and diversion (ROR=0.13, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.94), improved compliance and convenience (RD=0.20) and quality of life measures (RD=0.03). Key risks assessed: clinically significant implant breakage (RD=0.01, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.01), migration/missing implant (RD=0.01, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.02), infection at insertion/removal site (RD=0.08, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.12) and implant-related allergic reaction (RD=0.07, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.11). The wNCB for buprenorphine implant was 4.96, which suggests a favourable benefit-risk profile.

Conclusions

The benefit-risk profile of buprenorphine implant is considered favourable in comparison to sublingual buprenorphine, based on this semiquantitative analysis using available data. Further data from real-world use on benefits and risks should be used for ongoing monitoring of the benefit-risk profile of buprenorphine implants in the postmarketing setting.
Efficacy and safety of biologics in psoriatic arthritis: a systematic literature review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Ruyssen-Witrand Adeline , Perry Richard , Watkins Clare , Braileanu George , Kumar Gayathri , Kiri Sandeep , Nott Debby , Liu-Leage Soyi , Hartz Susanne , Sapin Christophe
Published: February 2020

Background

Biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and targeted synthetic DMARDs are used in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but few studies directly compare their clinical efficacy. In such situations, network meta-analysis (NMA) can inform evidence-based decision-making.

Objective

To evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of approved bDMARDs in patients with PsA.

Methods

Bayesian NMA was conducted to compare the clinical efficacy of bDMARDs at weeks 12‒16 in bDMARD-naïve patients with PsA in terms of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, Psoriatic Arthritis Response Criteria (PsARC) and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Safety end points were evaluated in the overall mixed population of bDMARD-naive and bDMARD-experienced patients.

Results

For ACR, all treatments except abatacept were statistically superior to placebo. Infliximab was most effective, followed by golimumab and etanercept, which were statistically superior to most other treatments. Ixekizumab 80 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) was statistically superior to abatacept subcutaneous, apremilast and both regimens of ustekinumab; similar findings were observed for ixekizumab 80 mg Q4W. For PsARC response, ixekizumab did not significantly differ from other therapies, except for golimumab, infliximab and etanercept, which were superior to most other agents including ixekizumab. For PASI response, infliximab was numerically most effective, but was not statistically superior to ixekizumab, which was the next best performing agent. Analysis of safety end points identified few differences between treatments.

Conclusion

Our NMA confirms the efficacy and acceptable safety profile of bDMARDs in patients with active PsA. There were generally few statistically significant differences between most treatments.
Transfusion rates in emergency general surgery: high but modifiable
Authors: Medvecz Andrew , Bernard Andrew , Hamilton Courtney , Schuster Kevin M , Guillamondegui Oscar , Davenport Daniel
Published: February 2020

Background

Transfusion of red blood cells (RBC) increases morbidity and mortality, and emergency general surgery (EGS) cases have increased risk for transfusion and complication given case complexity and patient acuity. Transfusion reduction strategies and blood-conservation technology have been developed to decrease transfusions. This study explores whether transfusion rates in EGS have decreased as these new strategies have been implemented.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of the American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) data from three academic medical centers. Operations performed by general surgeons on adults (aged ≥18 years) were selected. Data were analyzed from two periods: 2011–2013 and 2014–2016. Cases were grouped by the first four digits of the primary procedure Current Procedural Terminology code. Transfusion was defined as any RBC transfusion during or within 72 hours following the operation. Composite morbidity was defined as any NSQIP complication within 30 days following the operation.

Results

Overall general surgery transfusion rates decreased from 6.4% to 4.8% from period 1 to period 2 (emergent: 16.6%–11.5%; non-emergent 4.9%–3.7%; Fisher’s exact p values <0.001). Among patients transfused, the number of units received decreased slightly (median 2 U (IQR 2–3) to median 2 U (IQR 1–3), Mann-Whitney U test p=0.005). Morbidity decreased (overall: 13.8%–12.3%, p=0.001; emergent: 26.3%–20.6%, p<0.001) while mortality did not change.

Discussion

Rates of RBC transfusion decreased in both emergent and non-emergent cases. Efforts to reduce transfusion may have been successful in the EGS population. Morbidity improved over the time periods while mortality was unchanged.

Level of Evidence

Level III.
Coating position optimization for a hard-coating thin-plate structure based on resonance response
Authors: Sun Wei , Sun Yue , Liu Rong
Published: February 2020

The ultimate goal of vibration reduction using hard coating is to suppress the resonance peaks of the structure. Thus, the optimal position of the coating as a function of the resonance response will better satisfy the design requirements. Based on a full consideration of the continuous coating area, a method for optimizing the coating position with the objective of minimizing resonance response was developed for the hard-coating thin plate. A semi-analytical analysis model of the partially coated cantilever thin plate was created, and the formula for solving the vibration response was identified by the mode superposition method. An optimization model was established. In the model, the position coordinates of coating patches are the design variables, and the objective function is the maximizing of the reciprocals of the resonance peaks, which is equivalent to minimizing the resonance response. A multi-population genetic algorithm (MPGA) has been proposed to solve the coating position optimization problem. Finally, a cantilever titanium plate coated with NiCrAlCoY + YSZ hard coating was chosen to demonstrate the presented method. The results show that the obtained optimized results can guarantee that the resonance peaks of the hard-coating thin plate are always less than those of general cases, whether it is for single-order or multi-order optimization objectives.
Constructing spherically symmetric Einstein–Dirac systems with multiple spinors: Ansatz, wormholes and other analytical solutions
Authors: Blázquez-Salcedo Jose Luis , Knoll Christian
Published: February 2020

In this paper we present a detailed calculation of an Ansatz that allows to obtain spherically symmetric Einstein–Dirac configurations in d-dimensions. We show that this is possible by combining $$2^{\lfloor \frac{d-2}{2} \rfloor }$$2⌊d-22⌋ Dirac fields, making use of the properties of the angular dependence of the spinors in a spherical background. By applying this Ansatz, we investigate some simple analytical solutions. One of them is a regular wormhole supported by the Dirac fields. Other solutions include a pathological black hole and a naked singularity. We analyze the domain of existence and properties of all these solutions.
Enhanced Double-Carrier Word Embedding via Phonetics and Writing
Authors: Zhu Wenhao , Jin Xin , Liu Shuang , Lu Zhiguo , Zhang Wu , Yan Ke , Wei Baogang
Published: February 2020

Word embeddings, which map words into a unified vector space, capture rich semantic information. From a linguistic point of view, words have two carriers, speech and writing. Yet the most recent word embedding models focus on only the writing carrier and ignore the role of the speech carrier in semantic expressions. However, in the development of language, speech appears before writing and plays an important role in the development of writing. For phonetic language systems, the written forms are secondary symbols of spoken ones. Based on this idea, we carried out our work and proposed double-carrier word embedding (DCWE). We used DCWE to conduct a simulation of the generation order of speech and writing. We trained written embedding based on phonetic embedding. The final word embedding fuses writing and phonetic embedding. To illustrate that our model can be applied to most languages, we selected Chinese, English, and Spanish as examples and evaluated these models through word similarity and text classification experiments.
The Intersection of Being Black and Being a Woman
Authors: Ross Monique , Hazari Zahra , Sonnert Gerhard , Sadler Philip
Published: February 2020

Computer science (CS) has been identified as one of the fastest-growing professions, with demand for CS professionals far outpacing the supply of CS graduates. The necessity for a trained CS workforce has compelled industry and academia to evaluate strategies for broadening participation in CS. The current literature in CS education emphasizes the importance of social relationships and supports for individuals from underrepresented groups. Unfortunately, this literature has largely been limited to either the exploration of issues of women or that of underrepresented racial/ethnic groups. These limited views generalize characteristics of specific underrepresented groups without considering intersections between these groups. This quantitative study (n= 3,206) addressed that shortcoming by leveraging inferential statistical methods to examine (i) the similarities and differences between the social CS-related experiences of Black women, Black men, and non-Black women in the United States; (ii) the relationship between these experiences and CS career choices; and (iii) the activities during which significant social experiences might occur. The results indicate that Black women's social experiences are often different from the experiences of both Black men and non-Black women. In particular, both Black men and non-Black women had more CS friends than Black women, whereas having these friends was more significant for the CS career choice for Black women. Introductions to CS in school, before college, were negatively related to career choice for all groups, whereas home support was positive for both Black women and men. This work suggests that considering intersectionality is important to understanding the needs of different individuals, as well as the importance of social supports for persistence in CS.
Small but Powerful
Authors: Rücker Michael T. , van Joolingen Wouter R. , Pinkwart Niels
Published: February 2020

Enabling students to recognize and evaluate the ubiquitous impact of computing technology on society is an internationally proclaimed goal of a K-12 computing education. To that end, students need to actually engage with their computing knowledge in concrete everyday situations. From the perspectives of learning transfer and variation theory, we conducted three iterations of a classroom intervention and qualitatively analyzed students’ learning processes. As a result, we propose a model of four so-called critical aspects of everyday computing technology in that context. We present various classroom situations and learning experiences in relation to those aspects, and discuss what seems to have enabled or prevented meaningful learning. In particular, we found that several students had difficulties in conceiving of computing technology as simultaneously economical and powerful, thus limiting its potential ubiquity. We discuss our findings in the context of contemporary theories of learning transfer and argue that they suggest specific issues that may seriously inhibit students to appropriately engage with their computing knowledge in the context of everyday technologies.
Computational Sophistication of Games Programmed by Children
Authors: Werner Linda , Denner Jill , Campe Shannon , Torres David M.
Published: February 2020

This article builds on prior work that aims to measure computational learning (CL) during middle school. Since game computational sophistication (GCS) has been used as a proxy for a student’s engagement in CL we build on their model to more completely describe the relationship between different types of building blocks of computer games and GCS. In doing so, we present a single quantitative measurement for GCS. Our model, called
GCS 2.0
, has face validity for 39 games, each programmed by a pair of middle school children. We choose four of these games, two with high GCS and two with low GCS, and discuss the computational building blocks found in each game. We do this to help the reader better understand our measurement of GCS and its relationship to CL.
Can nanosheet transistors keep Moore's law alive?
Authors: Greengard Samuel
Published: February 2020

The technology promises to advance semiconductors and computing, but also introduces new questions and challenges.
Across the language barrier
Authors: Kirkpatrick Keith
Published: February 2020

Translation devices are getting better at making speech and text understandable in different languages.
Securing the boot process
Authors: Frazelle Jessie
Published: February 2020

The hardware root of trust.
Stopping tyranny
Authors: Shasha Dennis
Published: February 2020

A compromise proposal toward a solution to making it impossible for a would-be tyrant to exceed reasonable authority.
Catuscia Palamidessi
Authors: Alvim Mário S. , Chatzikokolakis Konstantinos , Olarte Carlos , Valencia Frank D.
Published: February 2020

On the 4th of November 2019 (date very close to her 60th birthday), we celebrated Catuscia's intellectual depth, vision, passion for science, and tenacity in solving technical problems. The one-day event was held at the Inria Saclay Center (LIX, École Polytechnique, France) and included the participation of more than 40 of her colleagues and friends. Moreover, as a special gift, we presented Catuscia with an LNCS volume written in her honor, entitled
The Art of Modelling Computational Systems: A Journey from Logic and Concurrency to Security and Privacy
[Alvim et al. 2019]. The process of reviewing and selecting contributions, as well as of editing the final volume, took over one year. Fortunately, we succeeded in keeping it secret from Catuscia. We received support from EasyChair and Springer for publishing the volume and financial funding for the event from LIX - École Polytechnique and Inria Saclay.
Stress and Psychiatric Disorders: The Role of Mitochondria
Authors: Daniels Teresa E. , Olsen Elizabeth M. , Tyrka Audrey R.
Published: February 2020

In seeking to understand mental health and disease, it is fundamental to identify the biological substrates that draw together the experiences and physiological processes that underlie observed psychological changes. Mitochondria are subcellular organelles best known for their central role in energetics, producing adenosine triphosphate to power most cellular processes. Converging lines of evidence indicate that mitochondria play a key role in the biological embedding of adversity. Preclinical research documents the effects of stress exposure on mitochondrial structure and function, and recent human research suggests alterations constituting recalibrations, both adaptive and nonadaptive. Current research suggests dynamic relationships among stress exposure, neuroendocrine signaling, inflammation, and mitochondrial function. These complex relationships are implicated in disease risk, and their elucidation may inform prevention and treatment of stress- and trauma-related disorders. We review and evaluate the evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction as a consequence of stress exposure and as a contributing factor to psychiatric disease.
Effect of Nobel Metal Ions on the Synthesis of Metal Nanoclusters for Selective Detection of Various Heavy Metals
Authors: NAIN AMIT
Published: February 2020

In this study, effect of noble metal ions (Au, Ag and Cu) on the synthesis of metal nanoclusters (MNCs) have been investigated. Through heating at 70ºC, TSA/BSA–Au, –Ag and –Cu NCs were separately prepared from Au3+, Ag+ and Cu2+ respectively in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and thiosalicylic acid (TSA). They exhibit photoluminescence (PL) at 700, 624 and 430 nm, with an average life times of 1500, 100 and 11.71 ns, respectively, when excited at 350 nm. X–ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data support the presence of metal core (M0) and metal–thiolate shell (Mn–SRm) in each of the TSA/BSA–Metal nanoclusters (MNCs). Spectroscopic measurements reveal the formation of Au32–SR, Ag9–SR and (Cu4–Cu13)–SR species in the TSA/BSA–Au, –Ag and –Cu NCs respectively. Through PL quenching of the TSA/BSA–Au, –Ag and –Cu NCs, they have been used separately for quantitation of Hg2+, As3+ and Cr6+ , with linear ranges of 1400, 418, and 40400 nM and limits of detection (LODs) of 0.25, 2.34 and 3.54 nM, respectively. The PL quenching is mainly due to aggregation of the MNCs via metal–metal or metal–thiol interaction. The stable TSA/BSA–Au, –Ag and –Cu NCs have been employed separately for the determination of the concentrations of Hg2+, As3+ and Cr6+ ions in the spiked sea water samples, showing advantages of simplicity, rapidity, high selectivity, and sensitivity.
Islet Stellate Cells Regulate Insulin Secretion via Wnt5a in Min6 Cells
Authors: Xu Wei , Jones Peter M. , Geng Houfa , Li Rui , Liu Xuekui , Li Yinxia , Lv Qian , Liu Ying , Wang Jie , Wang Xiuli , Sun Zilin , Liang Jun
Published: February 2020

Background. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a serious public health problem worldwide. Accumulating evidence has shown that β-cell dysfunction is an important mechanism underlying diabetes mellitus. The changes in the physiological state of islet stellate cells (ISCs) and the effects of these cells on β cell function play an important role in the development of diabetes. This study aimed at elucidating the mechanism by which ISCs regulate insulin secretion from Min6 cells via the Wnt5a protein. Methods. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) from Min6 cells was examined by estimating the insulin levels in response to high glucose challenge after culture with ISC supernatant or exogenous Wnt5a. Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analyses were used to observe changes in the β-catenin, receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (Ror2), Ca (2+)/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase II (CamKII), forkhead box O1 (FoxO1), pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1), glucose transporter 2 (Glut2), insulin, and Cask mRNA and protein levels in the Wnt and insulin secretory pathways. Flow cytometry was used to confirm the intracellular Ca2+ concentration in Min6 cells. Results. We observed a significant increase in insulin secretion from Min6 cells cocultured in vitro with supernatant from db/m mouse ISCs compared to that from Min6 cells cocultured with supernatant from db/db mouse ISCs; The intracellular Ca2+ concentration in Min6 cells increased in cultured in vitro with supernatant from db/m mouse ISCs and exogenous Wnt5a compared to that from control Min6 cells. Culture of Min6 cells with exogenous Wnt5a caused a significant increase in pCamKII, pFoxO1, PDX-1, and Glut2 levels compared to those in Min6 cells cultured alone; this treatment further decreased Ror2 and Cask expression but did not affect β-catenin expression. Conclusion. ISCs regulate insulin secretion from Min6 cells through the Wnt5a protein-induced Wnt-calcium and FoxO1-PDX1-GLUT2-insulin signalling cascades.
A Comprehensive Exploration of the lncRNA CCAT2: A Pan-Cancer Analysis Based on 33 Cancer Types and 13285 Cases
Authors: Huang Bowen , Yu Min , Guan Renguo , Liu Dong , Hou Baohua
Published: February 2020

Whether the lncRNA CCAT2 expression level affects the clinical progression and outcome of cancer patients has not yet been fully elucidated. There is still an inconsistent view regarding the correlation between CCAT2 expression and clinicopathological factors, including survival data. Besides, the regulation mechanism of CCAT2 in human cancer is still unclear. Our study analyzed a large number of publication data and TCGA databases to identify the association of CCAT2 expression with clinicopathological factors and to explore the regulatory mechanisms in human cancers. We designed a comprehensive study to determine the expression of CCAT2 in human cancer by designing a meta-analysis of 20 selected studies and the TCGA database, using StataSE 12.0 to explore the relationship between CCAT2 expression and both the prognosis and clinicopathological features of 33 cancer types and 13285 tumor patients. Moreover, we performed GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses on potential target genes of CCAT2 collected from GEPIA and LncRNA2Target V2.0. The level of CCAT2 expression in tumor tissues is higher than that in paired normal tissues and is significantly associated with a poor prognosis in cancer patients. Besides, overexpression of CCAT2 was significantly associated with tumor size, clinical stage, and TNM classification. Meanwhile, CCAT2 expression is the highest in stage II of human cancer, followed by stage III. Finally, 111 validated target gene symbols were identified, and GO and KEGG demonstrated that the CCAT2 validation target was significantly enriched in several pathways, including microRNAs in the cancer pathway. In summary, CCAT2 can be a potential biomarker associated with the progression and prognosis of human cancer.
Tulip-Screw Head Disjunction from Posterior C2 Fracture Fixation Instrumentation
Authors: Burley Halle E. K. , Ansari Darius S. , von Glinski Alexander , Goodmanson Ryan , Schell Benjamin , Chapman Jens R. , Oskouian Rod J.
Published: February 2020

This report presents an unusual case of instrumentation failure after posterior fixation of a C2 fracture and reviews currently available treatment alternatives. The patient, a 53-year-old female, initially presented to the emergency department at an outside facility with acute alcohol intoxication and acute neck pain following a fall from a ladder. CT demonstrated bilateral C2 pars fractures and unstable posteroinferior displacement of the posterior elements. She underwent an emergent C2 open-reduction internal fixation (ORIF) at the outside facility with 3.5 mm polyaxial synapse pedicle screws (DePuy Synthes, Switzerland). There were no known complications and the patient was discharged. Two years after the index operation, cervical CT scan at a different facility revealed that although the fracture was fully healed, bilateral tulip caps had detached from the pedicle screw heads at C2. All implants were removed without postoperative complications. Industry review of alternate lag screws approved for the cervical spine demonstrated that there is not currently an ideal implant for fixation of C2 fractures without fusion. Cannulated trauma screws, which are low profile and would have avoided the instrumentation failure seen here, are not currently FDA approved for the cervical spine.
Flood Analysis with HEC‐RAS: A Case Study of Tigris River
Authors: Ogras Selman , Onen Fevzi
Published: February 2020

Floods are seen in countries in tropical climatic zones, both in terms of quantity and harm. The non‐tropical climate countries such as Turkey are also affected by the floods. The geographical structure of Turkey is extremely complex and varies even at short distance. Therefore, the shape and effects of the floods vary from region to region. Considering the peculiar state of nature, floods, which are the greatest disasters after the earthquake, are unlikely to occur. But floods are becoming more risky for human beings day by day because of the population growth, need of water and settlements, wrong zoning plan, and unplanned engineering practices. Regulation comes at the beginning of measures to be taken to minimize the damages that occur from the floods. To do these studies, it must be specified the changes which bridges on the rivers and hydraulics structures like regulator cause in cross sections and the effects of the changes to water surface profile due to the natural state of the land. In order to determine water surface profiles, many software packages have been developed for facilitating the analysis and calculation. HEC‐RAS is one of them. In this study, the floodplain analysis was handled between Diyarbakır‐Silvan Highway and historical Ten‐Eyed Bridge. There are three bridges, and one of which are historical bridges, as well as fertile agricultural lands, facilities, and hospitals in the Dicle University campus, the Hevsel Gardens on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, and some residential areas on the route under study. The aim of the study we have done in this much important route is to evaluate the flood areas and create a flood hazard map which can predict risky areas. And also contributing to the Tigris River Rehabilitation Project is one of the aims. About methodology, the 1/1000 maps of the study area were digitized using the AutoCAD Civil 3D program and cross sections were made by obtaining the digital elevation models of the region. The obtained cross sections were defined in the HEC‐RAS software, and the hydraulic characteristics of the flood bed and the water surface profiles of the Q25, Q50, Q100, and Q500 flood recurring and one‐dimensional floodplain analysis of the Tigris River were determined.
Experimental Study on Coal Permeability Variation during Microwave Radiation
Authors: Ma Yulin , Cheng Yao , Shang Wenlong , Zhao Dong , Duan Xianggang
Published: February 2020

Coal‐bed methane (CBM) is a new type of clean energy, which is abundant in China. Rational development and use of CBM can not only reduce the occurrence of mine disasters but also alleviate energy shortages. However, the “high storage capacity and low‐permeability” characteristics of China’s CBM have hindered the realization of industrialized CBM production. To study the effect of microwave radiation on the permeability of coal reservoirs, a seepage experiment under different stress and microwave radiation conditions was carried out by using the seepage experiment system of gas‐bearing coal under microwave radiation developed by the authors. The relationship among different microwave powers, different irradiation times, different energy inputs, and coal permeability was explored. The results show that the microwave power effect and the temperature effect promote coal permeability. Under microwave radiation, the relationship between permeability and effective stress followed a negative exponential function, and all R‐squared values were greater than 0.97. The permeability increased monotonically with increasing microwave power and irradiation time, and the linear fitting slope of the rate of increase in the low‐effective‐stress area was greater than in the high‐effective‐stress area. Under the same energy input, permeability increased with rising microwave power. The peak temperature of the coal sample also increased with increasing power. When the microwave power increased to a certain range, the permeability growth of the coal sample was the greatest, and the temperature gradient of the coal‐sample temperature field was the steepest. The coal sample experienced the optimum microwave radiation power under the action of microwaves to achieve the permeability enhancement effect of microwaves on the coal sample. The experimental results provide a theoretical reference for applying microwave radiation technology in coal‐bed methane extraction.
An Extended EDAS Method for Multicriteria Decision-Making Based on Multivalued Neutrosophic Sets
Authors: Han Lili , Wei Cuiping
Published: February 2020

Neutrosophic set (NS) is a generalization of intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS). It depicts not only the incomplete information but also the indeterminate information and inconsistent information which exist commonly in belief systems. In this paper, the evaluation based on distance from average solution (EDAS) method is extended to handle multicriteria decision-making problems with multivalued neutrosophic numbers (MVNNs). The average solution under all the criteria is calculated by the proposed convex weighted average operator of MVNNs. Then, the positive distance and the negative distance from each solution to the average solution are calculated, and the comprehensive evaluations of alternatives are obtained by integrating two kinds of distance values to get the ranking result. Finally, the rationality and efficiency of the proposed method are shown by the parameter analysis and comparisons with some existing methods.
Investigation of the Effect of Secreted Factors from Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Disc Cells from Degenerated Discs
Authors: Hingert Daphne , Nawilaijaroen Phonphan , Aldridge Jonathan , Baranto Adad , Brisby Helena
Published: February 2020

Low back pain is experienced by a large number of people in western countries and may be caused and influenced by many different pathologies and psychosocial factors including disc degeneration. Disc degeneration involves the increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the disc environment, which leads to the loss of extracellular matrix (ECM) and the viability of the native disc cells (DCs). Treatment approaches using growth factors and cell therapy have been proposed due to the compelling results that growth factors and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can influence the degenerated discs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of conditioned media (CM) from human MSCs (hMSCs) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and TGF-β on disc cells, and hMSCs isolated from patients with degenerative discs and severe low back pain. The aim was also to examine the constituents of CM in order to study the peptides that could bring about intervertebral disc (IVD) regeneration. DCs and hMSC pellets (approx.. 200,000 cells) were cultured and stimulated with hMSC-derived CM or CTGF and TGF-β over 28 days. The effects of CM and CTGF on DCs and hMSCs were assessed via cell viability, proteoglycan production, the expression of ECM proteins, and chondrogenesis in 3D pellet culture. To identify the constituents of CM, CM was analyzed with tandem mass spectrometry. The findings indicate that CM enhanced the cellular viability and ECM production of DCs while CTGF and the control exhibited nonsignificant differences. The same was observed in the hMSC group. Mass spectrometry analysis of CM identified >700 peptides, 129 of which showed a relative abundance of ≥2 (CTGF among them). The results suggest that CM holds potential to counter the progression of disc degeneration, likely resulting from the combination of all the substances released by the hMSCs. The soluble factors released belong to different peptide families. The precise mechanism underlying the regenerative effect needs to be investigated further, prior to incorporating peptides in the development of new treatment strategies for low back pain that is potentially caused by IVD degeneration.