bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spo0A Suppresses
sin
Locus Expression in Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Dhungel Babita Adhikari , Govind Revathi
Published: November 2020

Clostridioides difficile
is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrheal disease in the United States. During infection,
C. difficile
spores germinate, and the vegetative bacterial cells produce toxins that damage host tissue. In
C. difficile
, the
sin
locus is known to regulate both sporulation and toxin production. In this study, we show that Spo0A, the master regulator of sporulation, controls
sin
locus expression. Results from our study suggest that Spo0A directly regulates the expression of this locus by binding to its upstream DNA region. This observation adds new detail to the gene regulatory network that connects sporulation and toxin production in this pathogen.
Role of LmeA, a Mycobacterial Periplasmic Protein, in Maintaining the Mannosyltransferase MptA and Its Product Lipomannan under Stress
Authors: Rahlwes Kathryn C. , Osman Sarah H. , Morita Yasu S.
Published: November 2020

Mycobacteria differentially regulate the cellular amounts of lipoglycans in response to environmental changes, but the molecular mechanisms of this regulation remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that cellular lipoarabinomannan (LAM) levels rapidly decline under two stress conditions, stationary growth phase and nutrient starvation, while the levels of another related lipoglycan, lipomannan (LM), stay relatively constant. The persistence of LM under stress correlated with the maintenance of two key mannosyltransferases, MptA and MptC, in the LM biosynthetic pathway. We further showed that the stress exposures lead to the upregulation of
lmeA
gene expression and that the periplasmic protein LmeA plays a key role in maintaining the enzyme MptA and its product LM under stress conditions. These findings reveal new aspects of how lipoglycan biosynthesis is regulated under stress conditions in mycobacteria.
Supplemental Material: Paleomagnetic insights into the Cambrian biogeographic conundrum: Did the North China craton link Laurentia and East Gondwana?
Authors: Zhao Hanqing , Zhang Shihong , al. et
Published: November 2020

Detailed paleomagnetic statistical parameters, four supplemental figures, three supplemental tables, and references.
Cabozantinib-based combination therapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shang Runze , Song Xinhua , Wang Pan , Zhou Yi , Lu Xinjun , Wang Jingxiao , Xu Meng , Chen Xinyan , Utpatel Kirsten , Che Li , Liang Binyong , Cigliano Antonio , Evert Matthias , Calvisi Diego F , Chen Xin
Published: November 2020

Objective

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer with limited treatment options. Cabozantinib, an orally bioavailable multikinase inhibitor is now approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for HCC patients. We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of cabozantinib, either alone or in combination, in vitro and in vivo.

Design

Human HCC cell lines and HCC mouse models were used to assess the therapeutic efficacy and targeted molecular pathways of cabozantinib, either alone or in combination with the pan-mTOR inhibitor MLN0128 or the checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD-L1 antibody.

Results

Cabozantinib treatment led to stable disease in c-Met/β-catenin and Akt/c-Met mouse HCC while possessing limited efficacy on Akt/Ras and c-Myc liver tumours. Importantly, cabozantinib effectively inhibited c-MET and ERK activity, leading to decreased PKM2 and increased p21 expression in HCC cells and in c-Met/β-catenin and Akt/c-Met HCC. However, cabozantinib was ineffective in inhibiting the Akt/mTOR cascade. Intriguingly, a strong inhibition of angiogenesis by cabozantinib occurred regardless of the oncogenic drivers. However, cabozantinib had limited impact on other tumour microenvironment parameters, including tumour infiltrating T cells, and did not induce programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. Combining cabozantinib with MLN0128 led to tumour regression in c-Met/β-catenin mice. In contrast, combined treatment with cabozantinib and the checkpoint inhibitor anti-PD-L1 antibody did not provide any additional therapeutic benefit in the four mouse HCC models tested.

Conclusion

c-MET/ERK/p21/PKM2 cascade and VEGFR2-induced angiogenesis are the primary targets of cabozantinib in HCC treatment. Combination therapies with cabozantinib and mTOR inhibitors may be effective against human HCC.
An optimized HNO3 and HBF4 digestion method for multielemental soil and sediment analysis using inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry
Authors: Javed Muhammad Babar , Grant-Weaver Iain , Shotyk William
Published: November 2020

A robust and reliable analytical procedure for the determination of trace (mg∙kg−1) and ultra-trace elements (μg∙kg−1) in soil and sediments by inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-QMS) was optimized. Aliquots of ∼200 mg of two certified reference materials (IAEA Soil-7, soil and IAEA SL-1, lake sediments) were digested in nitric acid (HNO3) purified twice by sub-boiling distillation using a microwave-heated high-pressure autoclave. Incremental addition of tetrafluoroboric acid (HBF4, 0.1–2 mL) to HNO3 was evaluated for yield. The selection of appropriate proportions of digestion acids was crucial to obtain accurate results. Digested samples were analyzed for a range of trace elements including those that are potentially toxic (Ag, Cd, Pb, Sb, and Tl), plant micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn), those enriched in bitumen (Mo, Ni, and V), and lithophile elements (Al, Ba, Co, Cr, Rb, Sr, Th, Ti, Y, and Zr). Nitric acid alone proved to be sufficient to completely liberate Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn in both soil and sediments (87%–120% recovery). For almost all the other elements, addition of HBF4 was needed for improved recovery. A combination of 3 mL of HNO3 and 1.5 mL of HBF4 was optimal to fully liberate an extended list of elements including Ba, Sb, and Sr from both the reference materials. Conservative lithophile elements (Th, Ti, Y, and Zr) could not be completely recovered with the proposed method, requiring hydrofluoric acid for complete dissolution of recalcitrant minerals.
Observational signatures of strongly naked singularities: image of the thin accretion disk
Authors: Gyulchev Galin , Kunz Jutta , Nedkova Petya , Vetsov Tsvetan , Yazadjiev Stoytcho
Published: November 2020

We study the optical appearance of a thin accretion disk around the strongly naked static Janis–Newman–Winicour singularity. The solution does not possess a photon sphere, which results in the formation of a complex structure of bright rings in the central region of the disk image. Such structure is absent in the case of the Schwarzschild black hole with a thin accretion disk, where instead of the image we observe the black hole shadow. Some of the rings emit with the maximal observable radiation flux from the accretion disk, and should be experimentally detectable. Thus, this qualitatively new feature can be used to distinguish observationally black holes from naked singularities. We elucidate the appearance of the ring structure by revealing the physical mechanism of its formation, and explaining the nature of each of the ring images. We make the conjecture that a similar structure would also appear for other solutions without a photon sphere and it can serve as a general observational signature for distinguishing compact objects possessing no photon sphere from black holes.
SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES AND FDI ATTRACTION TO DISTRICTS IN VIETNAM: A NON-PARAMETRIC APPROACH
Authors: NGUYEN HUONG QUYNH , TIEN DAO NGOC
Published: November 2020

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are considered as an important regional industrial policy to attract foreign investment in a developing country such as Vietnam. The development of SEZs in Vietnam including the comprehensive review of infrastructure and business environment in SEZs is presented in this paper for the first time. Moreover, our results reveal the lower estimated density of domestic customers and suppliers connecting with foreign direct invested firms in SEZs in comparison to their domestic counterparts. Most importantly, this paper gives novel non-parametric evidence to indicate the positive causal effects of the zoning policies on the foreign direct investment at district level in the country during the period of 2011–2015.
Tests of Pauli exclusion principle violations from noncommutative quantum gravity
Authors: Addazi Andrea , Bernabei Rita
Published: November 2020

We review the main recent progresses in noncommutative space–time phenomenology in underground experiments. A popular model of noncommutative space–time is [Formula: see text]-Poincaré model, based on the Groenewold–Moyal plane algebra. This model predicts a violation of the spin-statistic theorem, in turn implying an energy and angular dependent violation of the Pauli exclusion principle. Pauli exclusion principle violating transitions in nuclear and atomic systems can be tested with very high accuracy in underground laboratory experiments such as DAMA/LIBRA and VIP(2). In this paper we derive that the [Formula: see text]-Poincaré model can be already ruled-out until the Planck scale, from nuclear transitions tests by DAMA/LIBRA experiment.
Weighted synthetical influence of degree and H-index in link prediction of complex networks
Authors: Zhu Shu Shan , Li Wenya , Chen Ning , Zhu Xuzhen , Wang Yuxin , Ma Jinming
Published: November 2020

Link prediction based on traditional models have attracted many interests recently. Among all models, the ones based on topological similarity have achieved great success. However, researchers pay more attention to links, but less to endpoint influence. After profound investigation, we find that the synthesis of degree and H-index plays an important role in modeling endpoint influence. So, in this paper, we propose link prediction models based on weighted synthetical influence, exploring the role of H-index and degree in endpoint influence measurement. Experiments on 12 real-world networks show that the proposed models can provide higher accuracy.
Twisted conjugacy classes in twisted Chevalley groups
Authors: Bhunia Sushil , Dey Pinka , Roy Amit
Published: November 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be a group and [Formula: see text] be an automorphism of [Formula: see text]. Two elements [Formula: see text] are said to be [Formula: see text]-twisted conjugate if [Formula: see text] for some [Formula: see text]. We say that a group [Formula: see text] has the [Formula: see text]-property if the number of [Formula: see text]-twisted conjugacy classes is infinite for every automorphism [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we prove that twisted Chevalley groups over a field [Formula: see text] of characteristic zero have the [Formula: see text]-property as well as the [Formula: see text]-property if [Formula: see text] has finite transcendence degree over [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] is periodic.
Parity violation in Poincaré gauge gravity
Authors: Obukhov Yuri N.
Published: November 2020

We analyze the parity violation issue in the Poincaré gauge theory of gravity for the two classes of models which are built as natural extensions of the Einstein–Cartan theory. The conservation laws of the matter currents are revisited and we clarify the derivation of the effective Einstein field equation and the structure of the effective energy–momentum current for arbitrary matter sources.
Dynamic characterization of a stochastic SIR infectious disease model with dual perturbation
Authors: Kiouach Driss , Sabbar Yassine
Published: November 2020

Environmental perturbations are unavoidable in the propagation of infectious diseases. In this paper, we introduce the stochasticity into the susceptible–infected–recovered (SIR) model via the parameter perturbation method. The stochastic disturbances associated with the disease transmission coefficient and the mortality rate are presented with two perturbations: Gaussian white noise and Lévy jumps, respectively. This idea provides an overview of disease dynamics under different random perturbation scenarios. By using new techniques and methods, we study certain interesting asymptotic properties of our perturbed model, namely: persistence in the mean, ergodicity and extinction of the disease. For illustrative purposes, numerical examples are presented for checking the theoretical study.
Modified iteration method for numerical solution of nonlinear differential equations arising in science and engineering
Authors: Pathak Maheshwar , Joshi Pratibha
Published: November 2020

In this paper, a modified iteration method (MIM) has been proposed to solve nonlinear second-order ODEs. Convergence analysis and error estimate of the proposed method are also discussed. Computational efficiency of this method is illustrated through numerical examples.
Two-tree graphs with minimum sum-connectivity index
Authors: Jahanbani A.
Published: November 2020

The sum-connectivity index of a graph [Formula: see text] is defined as the sum of weights [Formula: see text] over all edges [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are the degrees of the vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text], respectively. The graphs called two-trees are defined by recursion. The smallest two-tree is the complete graph on two vertices. A two-tree on [Formula: see text] vertices (where [Formula: see text]) is obtained by adding a new vertex adjacent to the two end vertices of one edge in a two-tree on [Formula: see text] vertices. In this paper, the sharp lower bound on the sum-connectivity index of two-trees is presented, and the two-trees with the minimum and the second minimum sum-connectivity, respectively, are determined.
Toxoplasmosis: Recent Advances in Understanding the Link Between Infection and Host Behavior
Authors: Johnson Stefanie K. , Johnson Pieter T.J.
Published: November 2020

Humans, wildlife, and domestic animals are intimately linked through shared infections. Many parasites and pathogens use multiple host species, either opportunistically or sequentially, such that managing disease risk frequently requires a broader understanding of the ecological community. The coccidian protozoan Toxoplasma gondii infects more than one hundred species of vertebrates, ranging from bats to beluga whales. In humans, acute toxoplasmosis can have serious health consequences for immunocompromised individuals. Even amongst asymptomatic patients, however, toxoplasmosis has been linked to a range of behavioral alterations and conditions, such as changes in risk tolerance, neuroticism, mental illness, suicide, and accident proneness. Whether such links are causal or simply correlational has been the subject of intense study and debate; from an evolutionary standpoint, selection may favor parasite-induced alterations in host behavior that increase the likelihood a host is consumed by the definitive host—in this case a domestic or wild felid. Here, we examine current evidence for parasite-induced manipulations of host behavior, in both humans and other animals. We critically evaluate proposed mechanisms through which infection might influence host behavior, which range from inflammation in the brain to changes in hormones or neurotransmitters. Considering estimates that T. gondii may infect up to one-third of the global human population, we conclude by examining the implications of these changes for human behavior, individual fitness, and emergent cultural properties.
On the Role of Competing Interactions in Charged Colloids with Short-Range Attraction
Authors: Ruiz-Franco José , Zaccarelli Emanuela
Published: November 2020

In this review, we discuss recent advances in the investigation of colloidal systems interacting via a combination of short-range attraction and long-range repulsion. The prototypical examples of this phenomenology are charged colloids with depletion interactions, but the results apply, to a large extent, also to suspensions of globular proteins, clays, and, in general, to systems with competing attractive (hydrophobic) and repulsive (polar) contributions. After a brief introduction to the problem, we focus on the three disordered states that characterize these systems: equilibrium cluster phase, equilibrium gel, and Wigner glass of clusters. We provide a comparison of their static and dynamic observables, mainly by means of numerical simulations. Next, we discuss the few available studies on their viscoelastic properties and on their response to an external shear. Finally, we provide a summary of the current findings and also raise the main open questions and challenges for the future in this topic.
Model Reduction Methods for Complex Network Systems
Authors: Cheng X. , Scherpen J.M.A.
Published: November 2020

Network systems consist of subsystems and their interconnections and provide a powerful framework for the analysis, modeling, and control of complex systems. However, subsystems may have high-dimensional dynamics and a large number of complex interconnections, and it is therefore relevant to study reduction methods for network systems. Here, we provide an overview of reduction methods for both the topological (interconnection) structure of a network and the dynamics of the nodes while preserving structural properties of the network. We first review topological complexity reduction methods based on graph clustering and aggregation, producing a reduced-order network model. Next, we consider reduction of the nodal dynamics using extensions of classical methods while preserving the stability and synchronization properties. Finally, we present a structure-preserving generalized balancing method for simultaneously simplifying the topological structure and the order of the nodal dynamics.
Physics-Based Modeling and Parameter Identification for Lithium Ion Batteries Under High Current Discharge Conditions
Authors: Kostetzer Lucas , Nebl Christoph , Stich Michael , Bund Andreas , Schweiger Hans-Georg
Published: November 2020

Extreme scenarios of high discharge current must be understood for better battery management system design. Physics-based modeling can give a better insight into the battery response but can be challenging due to the large number of parameters. In this work, an electrochemical pseudo-2D model is developed and used in the parameter identification and validated under high current discharge conditions. Commercial 18 650 cells with maximum rated current of 20 A (13.3 C) are characterized with discharge rates up to 40 C under controlled thermal conditions. The proposed three-step parameter identification procedure starts with the open circuit voltage being used to estimate the equilibrium potentials. In a second step, kinetic parameters are identified under high current aided by a parameter sensitivity analysis and parameter optimization with an evolutionary algorithm. The third step is the verification by comparing simulation results with measurements resulting in root main square error under 89 mV for currents until 26.6 C. Limits of the model are explored in the 33.3 C case, where a parameter re-fit shows that polarization effects change for very high current.
Synergistic Effect of Solid State Hydrogen and Cold Work Pretreatment on Oxide Films Grown on 316L Stainless Steel during Short Term Immersion in Deaerated High Temperature Water at 300 °C
Authors: Cui Tongming , Ma Jiarong , Zhang Kun , Lu Zhanpeng , Tang Yuanjie , Xu Xinhe , Lozano-Perez Sergio , Shoji Tetsuo
Published: November 2020

The properties of the oxide films formed on solution-annealed and cold-worked 316L stainless steel (SS) specimens with and without charged hydrogen in deaerated pressurized water reactor primary water at 300 °C were investigated. The outer oxide layers of all specimens were composed of magnetite (Fe3O4) and NiFe2O4. Charged hydrogen resulted in larger outer iron-bearing oxide particles forming due to hydrogen-enhanced outward diffusion of iron cations. Prior cold-work accelerates the oxidation was observed. Charged hydrogen led to local cracks in the oxide film and enhanced the penetration oxidation beneath the metal/oxide interface. The Cr-rich inner oxide layer grown on the prior cold-worked specimen with charged hydrogen was thicker than that on the cold-work specimen or the hydrogen-charged specimen, revealing the combined effects of charged hydrogen and prior cold-work on the acceleration of the oxidation process. The working mechanism of the solid-state hydrogen effect on the oxide film was discussed.
Enhancement of Electrical Parameters of Ni/n-GaN SBDs under Remote and not In-flux Gamma Irradiation
Authors: Kumar Santosh , Mariswamy Vinay Kumar , Kumar Ashish , Kandasami Asokan , Sannathammegowda Krishnaveni
Published: November 2020

Remote and not in-flux gamma irradiation effects have been examined on the cumulative dose ranges from 250 Gy to 1 kGy by current-voltage (I–V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics for Ni/n-GaN Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs). The interface and charge transport properties of Ni/n-GaN SBDs are significantly changed after gamma irradiation. In addition, the reverse current conduction mechanism indicates that the emission of Poole-Frenkel is dominant in lower voltages and Schottky emission for different doses at the higher voltage. The electrical parameters, such as barrier height and series resistance, decreases significantly at 500 Gy. Due to the internal irradiation of Compton electrons caused by primary gamma photons, low-dose gamma irradiation reveals the enhancement of device characteristics. Nonetheless, for higher doses of gamma irradiation above 500 Gy, degradation of Ni/n-GaN characteristics was observed.
Lessons learned while creating an effective emergency remote learning environment for students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Vollbrecht Peter J. , Porter-Stransky Kirsten A. , Lackey-Cornelison Wendy L.
Published: November 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing many institutions to consider remote, virtual instruction for the safety of employees and students. Based upon the authors’ experiences in transforming preclerkship medical science courses to virtual platforms, this paper shares tips for faculty rapidly establishing remote medical science instruction. With planning and support, faculty can create engaging, high-quality educational experiences for learners.
Carbon Nanomaterial Manufacturing System and Automatic Synthesis Equipment and Its Control Device and Control Methods
Authors: Lou Gaoxiang , Cai Zongyan
Published: November 2020

In recent years, people are committed to developing new technologies and technologies for energy storage and conversion, environmental detection, high-performance sensors and energy security, and other aspects of the increasingly prominent problems in the field of environmental and biosafety. The purpose of this paper is to explore the manufacturing system and automatic synthesis equipment of carbon nanomaterials, understand the control device and control method, and analyze the structure and morphology characteristics of three kinds of carbon nanomaterials produced by carbon nanomaterial manufacturing system by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. The results show that the carbon nanomaterial manufacturing system and automatic synthesis system in this paper solve the problems of high cost, low efficiency, and small scale of the existing carbon nanomaterials manufacturing and achieve the precision control of automatic production, so that the productivity is increased by 20%–35%, and the cost is reduced by 15%–30%. Therefore, they are widely used in the fields of science and technology, environmental protection, and intelligent manufacturing broad prospects. Carbon nanotube manufacturing equipment and automatic synthesis equipment have great production advantages, which can greatly improve the quality and efficiency of carbon nanomaterials. UPY, GO, and UGO carbon nanomaterials produced by carbon nanotube manufacturing equipment are not easy to fall off from the materials. When the wavelength is 500 nm, the absorption frequency of the three materials is the largest. With the extension of the spectral wavelength, the absorption frequency of the three materials is reduced by 52%, 33%, and 34.7%, respectively.
Current Applications of Bacteriocin
Authors: Negash Abebe Worku , Tsehai Berhanu Andualem
Published: November 2020

Bacteriocins are multifunctional, ribosomally produced, proteinaceous substances with pronounced antimicrobial activity at certain concentrations. They are produced by bacteria and certain members of archaea to inhibit the growth of similar or closely related bacterial strains. These molecules have antimicrobial activity against pathogenic and deteriorating bacteria, which justifies their biotechnological potential. They are classified into 3 major classes based on their structural and physicochemical properties: class I bacteriocin, class II bacteriocin, and class III bacteriocin. Bacteriocins inhibit the growth of target organisms by functioning primarily on the cell envelope and by affecting gene expression and protein production within cells. The use of bacteriocins has been reported for the following: food preservation, diverse therapeutic purposes such as treatment of peptic ulcer, spermicidal agent, and woman care, anticancerous agent, veterinary use, skincare, and oral care, and also for plant growth promotion in agriculture among others.
Data-Driven Bearing Fault Diagnosis of Microgrid Network Power Device Based on a Stacked Denoising Autoencoder in Deep Learning and Clustering by Fast Search without Data Labels
Authors: Xu Fan , Shu Xin , Li Xin , Zhang Xiaodi
Published: November 2020

The traditional health indicator (HI) construction method of electric equipment devices in microgrid networks, such as bearings that require different time-frequency domain indicators, needs several models to combine. Therefore, it is necessary to manually select appropriate and sensitive models, such as time-frequency domain indicators and multimodel fusion, to build HIs in multiple steps, which is more complicated because sensitivity characteristics and suitable models are more representatives of bearing degradation trends. In this paper, we use the stacked denoising autoencoder (SDAE) model in deep learning to construct HI directly from the microgrid power equipment of raw signals in bearings. With this model, the HI can be constructed without multiple model combinations or the need for manual experience in selecting the sensitive indicators. The SDAE can extract the representative degradation information adaptively from the original data through several nonlinear hidden layers automatically and approximate complicated nonlinear functions with a small reconstruction error. After the SDAE extracts the preliminary HI, a model is needed to divide the wear state of the HI constructed by the SDAE. A cluster model is commonly used for this, and unlike most clustering methods such as k-means, k-medoids, and fuzzy c-means (FCM), in which the clustering center point must be preset, cluster by fast search (CFS) can automatically find available cluster center points automatically according to the distance and local density between each point and its clustering center point. Thus, the selected cluster center points are used to divide the wear state of the bearing. The root mean square (RMS), kurtosis, Shannon entropy (SHE), approximate entropy (AE), permutation entropy (PE), and principal component analysis (PCA) are also used to construct the HI. Finally, the results show that the performance of the method (SDAE-CFS) presented is superior to other combination HI models, such as EEMD-SVD-FCM/k-means/k-medoids, stacked autoencoder-CFS (SAE-CFS), RMS, kurtosis, SHE, AE, PE, and PCA.
Curcumin Improves the Renal Autophagy in Rat Experimental Membranous Nephropathy via Regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Nrf2/HO‐1 Signaling Pathways
Authors: Di Tu Qiu , Jin Juan , Hu Xiao , Ren Yan , Zhao Li , He Qiang
Published: November 2020

Membranous nephropathy (MN, also known as membranous glomerulopathy) is one of the many glomerular diseases causing nephrotic syndrome. The literature indicates that autophagy is associated with the homeostasis of podocytes in glomeruli. Curcumin, the main active component in turmeric, has drawn attention for its effective bioactivities against chronic kidney disease. The current study was aimed at assessing the effects of curcumin and exploring the underlying mechanism that mediates autophagy in an animal model of passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) in rats. Passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) was induced in male SD rats by intraperitoneal injection of anti‐Fx1A serum. The rats were divided into 3 groups: control (n = 10, normal diet), model group (n = 10, 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose), and curcumin (n = 10, 300 mg/kg/d). The kidney function and oxidative stress indicators were measured using commercial diagnostic kits, and the histomorphology of renal tissues was observed. The number of podocytes was measured by immunohistochemistry. Meanwhile, the autophagosomes in podocyte were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and the immunofluorescence assay pointing to p62, an autophagic marker. Western blot analyzed the levels of apoptosis, autophagy, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway‐associated proteins. The total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urine volume, and urine albumin of PHN rats were significantly reduced by the administration of curcumin and attenuated renal histomorphological changes in model rats. Meanwhile, curcumin improved the oxidative stress response by decreasing MDA and increasing SOD, GSH, and CAT levels in the kidney of PHN rats. Furthermore, curcumin significantly ameliorated the podocyte loss, along with the fusion, and increased the autophagic vacuoles compared to the PHN control rats. In addition, curcumin downregulated the expression of Bax, Caspase‐3, p62, PI3K, p‐AKT, and p‐mTOR proteins and upregulated the Bcl‐2, beclin1, LC3, Nrf2, and HO‐1 levels in this animal model. The results provide a scientific basis that curcumin could significantly alleviate the development of MN by inducing autophagy and alleviating renal oxidative stress through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Nrf2/HO‐1 pathways.
Geometric Model for Physical Simulation System of Coal and Gas Outburst
Authors: Zhang Shutong
Published: November 2020

The physical simulation system is an important means to study the mechanism of coal and gas outburst. The small- and medium-sized coal and gas outbursts account for the largest proportion in China. So, the paper focuses on small- and medium-sized coal and gas outbursts based on key physical rules and their statistical characteristics. According to the geometric parameters statistical data of more than 100 caverns, the proportion of outburst caverns whose depth is less than 5 m is 80%, and whose depth is more than 6 m is 13%. The ratio of depth and cavern outlet’s diameter is 2.58–7.31. There are statistical relationship of 2 times between coal’s and cavern’s volume, and between gas emission volume per ton and gas content in seam. Then, the cavern of coal and gas outburst is simplified as an ellipsoid, and the shape of cavern outlet is simplified as a circle. The cavern’s and the prototype’s geometrical parameters of small and medium coal and gas outbursts were deduced. The depth of cavern is 5 m, width is 4 m, and diameter of cavern outlet is 0.68–1.94 m. The depth of coal and outburst prototype is 12.3 m, width is 6.5 m, and diameter of cavern outlet is 0.68 m. In order to guarantee the movement similarity, according to the relationships among statistical data of outburst coal particle’s size, cavern outlet’s size, and height of tunnel, the minimum cavern outlet’s size was calculated. Select 10 times the coal particle’s size (5 mm) as the smallest size. Then, maximum geometric similarity ratio of coal and gas outburst was deduced, and it is 13.6. The minimum geometrical parameters of coal and outburst similar model were obtained. Its depth is 0.9 m, width is 0.48 m, and diameter of cavern outlet is 50 mm. According to the results, the physical simulation system was developed. The results provide support to carry out physical simulation experiment of coal and gas outburst.
Joint Task Offloading and Resource Allocation Strategy for DiffServ in Vehicular Cloud System
Authors: Kang Ya , Liu Zhanjun , Chen Qianbin , Dai Yingdi
Published: November 2020

A vehicular cloud (VC) can reduce latency and improve resource utilization of the Internet of vehicles by effectively using the underutilized computing resources of nearby vehicles. Although the task offloading of the VC enhances road safety and traffic management on the Internet of vehicles and meets the low-latency requirements for driving safety services on the Internet of vehicles business, there are still some key challenges such as the resource allocation mechanism of differentiated services (DiffServ) and task offloading mechanism of improving user experience. To address these issues, we study the task offloading and resource allocation strategy of the VC system where tasks generated by vehicles can be offloaded and executed cooperatively by vehicles in VC. Specifically, the computing task is further divided into independent subtasks and executed in different vehicles in VC to maximize the offloading utility. Considering the mobility of vehicles, the deadline of tasks, and the limited computing resources, we propose the optimization problem of task offloading in the VC system in the cause of improved user experience. To characterize the difference in service requirements resulting from the diversity of tasks, a DiffServ model focusing on the pricing of a task is utilized. The initial pricing of a task is tailored by the characteristics of the task and the uniqueness of the network status. In this model, tasks are sorted and processed in order according to task pricing, so as to optimize resource allocation. Numerical results show that the proposed scheme can effectively increase the resource utilization and task completion ratio.
Structure Optimization of e-Commerce Platform Based on Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain Technology
Authors: Li Shengqi
Published: November 2020

The current e-commerce operation model has network defects such as network chaos and uneven network distribution, which affect economic development and progress. In response to the above problems, this article introduces the artificial intelligence system, optimizes and analyzes the structure of e-commerce websites, and combines the Internet economy with online website theory through independent screening and analysis of the artificial intelligence system. The concept of blockchain technology is introduced, and the characteristics of blockchain are analyzed through theory and data using quantitative analysis methods, and the problem of cross-border electronic payment is solved based on blockchain. Based on the analysis of artificial intelligence, an optimized online website innovation plan was obtained. Finally, the online website resource allocation variables are simulated, and the simulation method is used to test the scheme. The simulation test simulates the process of resource allocation, optimizes the use of innovative models, and hires professional financial personnel to observe records. The test verifies the effectiveness of the structure optimization of the e-commerce platform realized in this paper.
An Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Preoperative Nomogram for Prediction of Lymph Node Metastasis in Bladder Cancer (BLCA)
Authors: Cao Rui , Ma Bo , Wang Gang , Xiong Yaoyi , Tian Ye , Yuan Lushun
Published: November 2020

Lymph node (LN) metastasis is a lethal independent risk factor for patients with bladder cancer (BLCA). Accurate evaluation of LN metastasis is of vital importance for disease staging, treatment selection, and prognosis prediction. Several histopathologic parameters are available to predict LN metastasis postoperatively. To date, medical imaging techniques have made a great contribution to preoperatively diagnosis of LN metastasis, but it also exhibits substantial false positives. Therefore, a reliable and robust method to preoperatively predict LN metastasis is urgently needed. Here, we selected 19 candidate genes related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) across the LN metastasis samples, which was previously reported to be responsible for the subtype transition and correlation with malignancy and prognosis of BLCA, to establish an EMT-LN signature through LASSO logistic regression analysis. The EMT-LN signature could significantly predict LN metastasis with high accuracy in the TCGA-BLCA cohort, as well as several independent cohorts. As integrating with C3orf70 mutation, we developed an individualized prediction nomogram based on the EMT-LN signature. The nomogram exhibited good discrimination on LN metastasis status, with AUC of 71.7% and 75.9% in training and testing datasets of the TCGA-BLCA cohort. Moreover, the EMT-LN nomogram displayed good calibration with

p
>
0.05

in the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test. Decision curve analysis (DCA) revealed that the EMT-LN nomogram was of high potential for clinical utility. In summary, we established an EMT-LN nomogram integrating an EMT-LN signature and C3orf70 mutation status, which acted as an easy-to-use tool to facilitate preoperative prediction of LN metastasis in BLCA individuals.
The Decomposition Theorem for a Fuzzy Quasinorm
Authors: Gao Rui , Li Xinxin , Wu Jianrong
Published: November 2020

This paper deals with fuzzy quasinormed spaces in the sense of Alegre and Romaguera. After introducing the concept of the family of star quasiseminorms, we prove the decomposition theorem for a fuzzy quasinorm with general t-norm, characterize fuzzy quasinorms in terms of families of star quasiseminorms, and establish the connection between the fuzzy quasinorm and the family of quasinorms.
Resistance of Biomphalaria alexandrina to Schistosoma mansoni and Bulinus truncatus to Schistosoma haematobium Correlates with Unsaturated Fatty Acid Levels in the Snail Soft Tissue
Authors: Elias Marian , Hanafi Rasha S. , El-Bardicy Samia , Hafez Ebtisam A. , El Ridi Rashika
Published: November 2020

Only a fraction of the Biomphalaria and Bulinus snail community shows patent infection with schistosomes despite continuous exposure to the parasite, indicating that a substantial proportion of snails may resist infection. Accordingly, exterminating the schistosome intermediate snail hosts in transmission foci in habitats that may extend to kilometres is cost-prohibitive and damaging to the ecological equilibrium and quality of water and may be superfluous. It may be more cost effective with risk less ecological damage to focus on discovering the parameters governing snail susceptibility and resistance to schistosome infection. Therefore, laboratory bred Biomphalaria alexandrina and Bulinus truncatus snails were exposed to miracidia of laboratory-maintained Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium, respectively. Snails were examined for presence or lack of infection association with soft tissue and hemolymph content of proteins, cholesterol, and triglycerides, evaluated using standard biochemical techniques and palmitic, oleic, linoleic, and arachidonic acid, assayed by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Successful schistosome infection of B. alexandrina and B. truncatus consistently and reproducibly correlated with snails showing highly significant (up toP<0.0001) decrease in soft tissue and hemolymph content of the monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, and the polyunsaturated fatty acids, linoleic, and arachidonic acids as compared to naïve snails. Snails that resisted twice infection had soft tissue content of oleic, linoleic, and arachidonic acid similar to naïve counterparts. High levels of soft tissue and hemolymph oleic, linoleic, and arachidonic acid content appear to interfere with schistosome development in snails. Diet manipulation directed to eliciting excessive increase of polyunsaturated fatty acids in snails may protect them from infection and interrupt disease transmission in a simple and effective manner.
Stability Analysis of Jointed Rock Slope by Strength Reduction Technique considering Ubiquitous Joint Model
Authors: Lu Ruili , Wei Wei , Shang Kaiwei , Jing Xiangyang
Published: November 2020

In order to study the failure mechanism and assess the stability of the inlet slope of the outlet structure of Lianghekou Hydropower station, the strength reduction method considering the ubiquitous joint model is proposed. Firstly, two‐dimension numerical models are built to investigate the influence of the dilation angle of ubiquitous joints, mesh discretization, and solution domain size on the slope stability. It is found that the factor of safety is insensitive to the dilation angle of ubiquitous joints and the solution domain size but sensitive to the mesh discretization when the number of elements less than a certain threshold. Then, a complex three‐dimension numerical model is built to assess the stability of the inlet slope of the outlet structure of Lianghekou Hydropower station. During the strength reduction procedure, the progressive failure process and the final failure surface of the slope are obtained. Furthermore, the comparison of factors of safety obtained from strength reduction method and analytical solutions indicates that the effect of vertical side boundaries plays an important role in the stability of jointed rock slope, and the cohesive force is the main contribution to the resistant force of vertical side boundaries.
Panic Disorder Induced by the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic in a Patient with Organic Mood Disorder Successfully Treated with Vortioxetine
Authors: Yoshimura Reiji , Okamoto Naomichi , Konishi Yuki , Ikenouchi Atsuko
Published: November 2020

We present a case of panic disorder induced by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in a patient with an organic mood disorder. The patient was a 62-year-old woman with mild mood swings and reduced motivation and volition caused by a traumatic brain injury after a traffic accident. She was maintained on carbamazepine (600 mg/day). When the COVID-19 outbreak occurred in Japan, she developed concerns regarding the illness and complained of multiple episodes of panic attacks. Further, her depressive symptoms worsened. Thus, vortioxetine was added to the ongoing CBZ treatment. Four weeks after initiating vortioxetine treatment, the symptoms of panic disorder and depressive state were ameliorated. The present case suggests that vortioxetine augmentation can improve symptoms of depressive state and panic disorder induced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Behavioral Response of Microstructural Slip on the Development of Magnetohydrodynamic Micropolar Boundary Layer Flow
Authors: Khan Raja Mehmood , Ashraf Waqas , Sohail Muhammad , Yao Shao-Wen , Al-Kouz Wael
Published: November 2020

In this paper, the concept of microstructural slip is introduced in the flow of micropolar fluids pertinent to model various physical situations. The flow is modeled by a set of PDEs which are transformed to a nonlinear system of ODEs by employing boundary layer transformations. The system of governing equations is implemented using MATLAB bvp4c function along with the initial-boundary conditions. The code is validated by comparing the computed results in the limiting case with the available literature. Influence of microstructural slip on the skin friction coefficient and Nusselt number along with hydrodynamic and thermal boundary layer profiles is studied and discussed. It is found that, in the presence of microstructural slip, the microrotational velocity boundary layer thickness decreases up to a maximum of 37.5% in its value, in comparison to the case where there is no microstructural slip effect. The results predict that, in the presence of first-order translational slip, the microrotations have shown counterrotational phenomena in comparison to the case where there is no translational slip effect. Moreover, second-order translational slip results in declining the microrotational velocity and associated layer thickness.
Management Challenges of Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression in Pregnancy
Authors: Dasic Davor , Rath Narendra K. , Ganau Mario , Sarsam Zaid
Published: November 2020

Primary and secondary spinal tumours with cord compression often represent a challenging condition for the patient and clinicians alike, even more so during pregnancy. The balance between safe delivery of a healthy baby and management of the mother’s disease bears many clinical, psychological, and ethical dilemmas. Pregnancy sets a conflict between the optimal surgical and oncological managements of the mother’s tumour and the well-being of her foetus. We followed the CARE guidelines from the EQUATOR Network to report an exemplificative case of a 39-year-old woman with a 10-year history of breast cancer, presenting in the second trimester of her first pregnancy with acute onset severe thoracic spinal instability, causing mechanical pain and weakness in lower limbs. Neuroradiological investigations revealed multilevel spinal deposits with a pathological T10 fracture responsible for spinal cord compression. The patient was adamant that she wanted a continuation of the pregnancy and her baby delivered. After discussion with her oncologist and obstetrician, we agreed to perform emergency spinal surgery—decompression and instrumented fixation. The literature search did not reveal a similar case of spinal metastatic breast cancer undergoing spinal instrumentation and delivery of a healthy baby a few months later. Following the delivery, the patient had further oncological treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The paucity of such reports prompted us to present this case and highlight the relevance of a multidisciplinary approach involving obstetrician, oncologist, spinal surgeon, and radiologist to guide the optimal decision-making process.
Immunotherapy-Resistant Vitreoretinal Metastatic Melanoma
Authors: Venkat Arthi , Binkley Elaine M. , Srivastava Sunil , Karthik Naveen , Singh Arun D.
Published: November 2020

Purpose: To describe 2 cases of vitreoretinal metastases in patients treated with immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma. Methods: Retrospective case series. Results: We pre­sent 2 patients with metastatic melanoma treated with systemic immunotherapy with subsequent development of ocular vitreoretinal metastasis. The first patient was a male with metastatic melanoma from a site of unknown origin that was in complete remission following a course of ipilimumab and nivolumab therapy. He presented to an outside provider for evaluation of vitritis and a pigmented lesion in the right eye that was presumed secondary to toxoplasmosis. After failing initial management with oral antibiotics, he underwent diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy, and vitreous biopsy was consistent with metastatic melanoma to the vitreous. He was additionally found to have an elevated pigmented retinal mass consistent with a retinal metastasis from melanoma that initially failed treatment with plaque brachytherapy and ultimately required enucleation. The second case was a monocular male with metastatic melanoma from cutaneous melanoma with decreased vision 3 months after the initiation of nivolumab therapy. He presented with dense vitreous debris in his seeing eye and was thought to have nivolumab-associated inflammation. He was initially treated with difluprednate with improved vision and decrease in vitreous debris, but developed dense pigment deposition in the affected eye later in the treatment course. Diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy was performed, and vitreous biopsy was positive for malignant melanoma cells. His systemic disease was in remission at the time of diagnosis of ocular metastasis. External beam radiation was recommended given his monocular status. Conclusion: Vitreoretinal metastasis can develop despite favorable systemic response to immunotherapy in patients with metastatic cutaneous melanoma. Lack of ocular penetration and extension of life span with immunotherapeutic agents may be the underlying mechanism for vitreoretinal metastasis.