bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CASH-SETTLED SWAPTIONS: A NEW PRICING MODEL
Authors: PIETERSZ RAOUL , SENGERS FRANK , MICHIELON MATTEO
Published: May 2020

The market for cash-settled swaptions has changed its quotation conventions. Cash-settled zero-wide collars struck at the swap-settled forward have started trading at nonzero prices. Apart from full-fledged term-structure models, a simple arbitrage-free model to consistently value both cash-settled and swap-settled swaptions has been lacking so far. We propose a straightforward arbitrage-free model that consistently values cash-settled and swap-settled swaptions, and that also allows one to match zero-wide collar premiums. The defining characteristic of the model is to explicitly specify the swap-settled annuity as a function of a discount swap rate under the swap-settled annuity measure. The new methodology has many desirable features, and we show via a numerical example how the model performs in realistic market scenarios.
EDeepSSP: Explainable deep neural networks for exact splice sites prediction
Authors: Amilpur Santhosh , Bhukya Raju
Published: May 2020

Splice site prediction is crucial for understanding underlying gene regulation, gene function for better genome annotation. Many computational methods exist for recognizing the splice sites. Although most of the methods achieve a competent performance, their interpretability remains challenging. Moreover, all traditional machine learning methods manually extract features, which is tedious job. To address these challenges, we propose a deep learning-based approach (EDeepSSP) that employs convolutional neural networks (CNNs) architecture for automatic feature extraction and effectively predicts splice sites. Our model, EDeepSSP, divulges the opaque nature of CNN by extracting significant motifs and explains why these motifs are vital for predicting splice sites. In this study, experiments have been conducted on six benchmark acceptors and donor datasets of humans, cress, and fly. The results show that EDeepSSP has outperformed many state-of-the-art approaches. EDeepSSP achieves the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC_ROC) and area under the precision-recall curve (AUC_PR) of 99.32% and 99.26% on human donor datasets, respectively. We also analyze various filter activities, feature activations, and extracted significant motifs responsible for the splice site prediction. Further, we validate the learned motifs of our model against known motifs of JASPAR splice site database.
Meso-pyrrolyl BODIPY based colorimetric optical sensor for Cu2+ ions
Authors: Sabari P. , Sengupta Rima , Umasekhar B. , Ravikanth Mangalampalli
Published: May 2020

A simple meso-pyrrolyl BODIPY-Schiff base conjugate was synthesized by reacting ([Formula: see text]-formylpyrrolyl) BODIPY with 2-aminophenol in ethanol at reflux followed by recrystallization from CH2Cl2/petroleum ether, affording the conjugate in 72% yield. The conjugate was thoroughly characterized by HR-MS, 1D and 2D NMR and X-ray crystallographic techniques. The X-ray structure of the meso-pyrrolyl BODIPY-Schiff base conjugate revealed that the meso-pyrrole and the phenyl substituents were deviated by an angle of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively, from the plane of the BF2-dipyrrin core. The absorption spectrum of the conjugate was similar to the ([Formula: see text]-formylpyrrolyl) BODIPY with a strong absorption band at 508 nm, whereas the fluorescence of the ([Formula: see text]-formylpyrrolyl) BODIPY was completely quenched in the BODIPY-Schiff base conjugate. Furthermore, cation sensing studies revealed that the conjugate has a specific sensing ability for the Cu(II) ion even in the presence of the other metal ions, as verified by the visual, absorption and mass spectral studies. The DFT optimized structure revealed that the Cu(II) ion was bound to pyrrolic nitrogen, imine nitrogen, phenolic oxygen and two water molecules in a distorted square pyramidal fashion. TD-DFT studies accounted well for the absorption spectra of the BODIPY-Schiff base conjugate and its Cu[Formula: see text] bound complex.
Dynamics of an SAIQR influenza model of fractional order via convex incidence rate
Authors: ur Rahman Ghaus , Yildirim Ahmet , Haq Fazal , Goufo Emile F. Doungmo
Published: May 2020

Influenza A-virus infection represents a global threat causing seasonal outbreaks and pandemics. Among the global threats creating seasonal outbreak, Influenza “A-virus” infection is a dominating theme nowadays. Using the theory of fractional calculus, this study considers an influenza model for quantitative study via the Laplace Adomian Decomposition Method (LADM). We proceed to explore the role of LADM on the proposed model. The method is described and explained for the proposed model while providing some plots to present the behavior of the disease.
Application of discrete artificial bee colony algorithm for cloud task optimization scheduling
Authors: Man Shuai , Yang Rongjie
Published: May 2020

The performance of task scheduling algorithm in cloud computing determines the performance of the cloud system. This study mainly analyzed the application of the artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm in the cloud task scheduling. In order to solve the problem of cloud task scheduling, the ABC algorithm was discretized to get the discrete artificial bee colony (DABC) algorithm. Then the mathematical model of cloud task scheduling was established and solved by the DABC algorithm. Finally, the simulation experiment was carried out, and the performance of first-come-first-served (FCFS), MIN–MIN, ABC and DABC algorithms under different cloud tasks was compared to verify the performance of the proposed algorithm. The results showed that the user waiting time of the DABC algorithm was 1210s, the load balance degree was 0.01, and the user payment fee was 1688 yuan when the number of cloud tasks was 500; compared with other algorithms, the user waiting time of the DABC algorithm was shorter, the resource load balance degree was higher, and the overall performance was better. The research results verify the effectiveness of the DABC algorithm in solving the problem of cloud task optimal scheduling, and it can be further extended and applied in practice.
Inputs and Outputs in CSP
Authors: Cavalcanti Ana , Hierons Robert M. , Nogueira Sidney
Published: May 2020

This article addresses refinement and testing based on CSP models, when we distinguish input and output events. In a testing experiment, the tester (or the environment) controls the inputs, and the system under test controls the outputs. The standard models and refinement relations of CSP, however, do not differentiate inputs and outputs and are not, therefore, entirely suitable for testing. Here, we consider an alphabet of events partitioned into inputs and outputs, and we present a novel refusal-testing model for CSP with a notion of input-output refusal-traces refinement. We compare that with the ioco relation often used in testing, and we find that it is more widely applicable and stronger. This means that mistakes found using traditional ioco testing do indicate mistakes in the development. Finally, we provide a CSP testing theory that takes into account inputs and outputs. With our theory, it becomes feasible to develop techniques and tools for automatic generation of realistic and sound tests from CSP models. Our work reconciles the normally disparate areas of refinement and (formal) testing by identifying how ioco testing can be used to inform refinement-based results and vice-versa.
Three Perceptual Dimensions for Specular and Diffuse Reflection
Authors: Toscani Matteo , Guarnera Dar’ya , Guarnera Giuseppe Claudio , Hardeberg Jon Yngve , Gegenfurtner Karl R.
Published: May 2020

Previous research investigated the perceptual dimensionality of achromatic reflection of opaque surfaces, by using either simple analytic models of reflection or measured reflection properties of a limited sample of materials. Here, we aim to extend this work to a broader range of simulated materials. In a first experiment, we used sparse multidimensional scaling techniques to represent a set of rendered stimuli in a perceptual space that is consistent with participants’ similarity judgments. Participants were presented with one reference object and four comparisons, rendered with different material properties. They were asked to rank the comparisons according to their similarity to the reference, resulting in an efficient collection of a large number of similarity judgments. To interpret the space individuated by multidimensional scaling, we ran a second experiment in which observers were asked to rate our experimental stimuli according to a list of 30 adjectives referring to their surface reflectance properties. Our results suggest that perception of achromatic reflection is based on at least three dimensions, which we labelled “Lightness,” “Gloss,” and “Metallicity,” in accordance with the rating results. These dimensions are characterized by a relatively simple relationship with the parameters of the physically based rendering model used to generate our stimuli, indicating that they correspond to different physical properties of the rendered materials. Specifically, “Lightness” relates to diffuse reflections, “Gloss” to the presence of high contrast sharp specular highlights, and “Metallicity” to spread out specular reflections.
Projection of Dual-Rail DPA Countermeasures in Future FinFET and Emerging TFET Technologies
Authors: Delgado-Lozano I. M. , Tena-Sánchez E. , Núñez J. , Acosta A. J.
Published: May 2020

The design of near future cryptocircuits will require greater performance characteristics in order to be implemented in devices with very limited resources for secure applications. Considering the security against differential power side-channel attacks (DPA), explorations of different implementations of dual-precharge logic gates with advanced and emerging technologies, using nanometric FinFET and Tunnel FET transistors, are proposed aiming to maintain or even improve the security levels obtained by current Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET) technologies and reducing the resources needed for the implementations. As case study, dual-precharge logic primitives have been designed and included in the 4-bit substitution box of PRIDE algorithm, measuring the performance and evaluating the security through simulation-based Differential Power Analysis (DPA) attacks for each implementation. Extensive electrical simulations with predictive Predictive Transistor model on scaled 16nm and 22nm MOSFET, 16nm and 20nm FinFET, and 20nm Tunnel Field Effect Transistor (TFET) demonstrate a clear evolution of security and performances with respect to current 90nm MOSFET implementations, providing FinFET as fastest solutions with a delay 3.7 times better than conventional proposals, but TFET being the best candidate for future cryptocircuits in terms of average power consumption (x0.02 times compared with conventional technologies) and security in some orders of magnitude.
Aortic stiffness is associated with changes in retinal arteriole flow pulsatility mediated by local vasodilation in healthy young/middle-age adults
Authors: Holwerda Seth W. , Kardon Randy H. , Hashimoto Ryuya , Full Jan M. , Nellis Julie K. , DuBose Lyndsey E. , Fiedorowicz Jess G. , Pierce Gary L.
Published: May 2020

By using the human retinal microvasculature as an end-organ in vivo model, we confirm that aortic stiffness and related increases in central pulse pressure are inversely correlated with retinal arteriole lumen diameter and increased microvascular resistance among heathy young/middle-age adults. Additionally, higher aortic stiffness is not associated with excessive flow pulsatility in the retinal microvasculature under tonic conditions but may be related to limited reductions in retinal arteriole flow pulsatility in response to local vasodilation.
The right ventricular myocardial systolic-to-diastolic duration ratio in children after surgical repair of Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Hui Wei , Slorach Cameron , Iori Susan , Dragulescu Andreea , Mertens Luc , Friedberg Mark K.
Published: May 2020

This is the first study to assess right ventricular myocardial performance using the systolic-to-diastolic duration ratio derived from 2D strain. Seventy-six children with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot were evaluated. Echocardiographic data were correlated with cardiac magnetic resonance and peak oxygen consumption during exercise. The results show the right ventricular myocardial systolic-to-diastolic duration ratio incorporates systolic and diastolic performance, electromechanical dyssynchrony, and postsystolic shortening and is associated with exercise capacity in repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.
Virus-induced genetics revealed by multidimensional precision medicine transcriptional workflow applicable to COVID-19
Authors: Prokop Jeremy W. , Shankar Rama , Gupta Ruchir , Leimanis Mara L. , Nedveck Derek , Uhl Katie , Chen Bin , Hartog Nicholas L. , Van Veen Jason , Sisco Joshua S. , Sirpilla Olivia , Lydic Todd , Boville Brian , Hernandez Angel , Braunreiter Chi , Kuk ChiuYing Cynthia , Singh Varinder , Mills Joshua , Wegener Marc , Adams Marie , Rhodes Mary , Bachmann Andre S. , Pan Wenjing , Byrne-Steele Miranda L. , Smith D. Casey , Depinet Mollye , Brown Brittany E. , Eisenhower Mary , Han Jian , Haw Marcus , Madura Casey , Sanfilippo Dominic J. , Seaver Laurie H. , Bupp Caleb , Rajasekaran Surender
Published: May 2020

Precision medicine requires the translation of basic biological understanding to medical insights, mainly applied to characterization of each unique patient. In many clinical settings, this requires tools that can be broadly used to identify pathology and risks. Patients often present to the intensive care unit with broad phenotypes, including multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) resulting from infection, trauma, or other disease processes. Etiology and outcomes are unique to individuals, making it difficult to cohort patients with MODS, but presenting a prime target for testing/developing tools for precision medicine. Using multitime point whole blood (cellular/acellular) total transcriptomics in 27 patients, we highlight the promise of simultaneously mapping viral/bacterial load, cell composition, tissue damage biomarkers, balance between syndromic biology versus environmental response, and unique biological insights in each patient using a single platform measurement. Integration of a transcriptome workflow yielded unexpected insights into the complex interplay between host genetics and viral/bacterial specific mechanisms, highlighted by a unique case of virally induced genetics (VIG) within one of these 27 patients. The power of RNA-Seq to study unique patient biology while investigating environmental contributions can be a critical tool moving forward for translational sciences applied to precision medicine.
Curcumin, Alone or in Combination with Aminoguanidine, Increases Antioxidant Defenses and Glycation Product Detoxification in Streptozotocin-Diabetic Rats: A Therapeutic Strategy to Mitigate Glycoxidative Stress
Authors: Lima Tayra Ferreira Oliveira , Costa Mariana Campos , Figueiredo Ingrid Delbone , Inácio Maiara Destro , Rodrigues Maria Rita , Assis Renata Pires , Baviera Amanda Martins , Brunetti Iguatemy Lourenço
Published: May 2020

Both oxidative stress and the exacerbated generation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have crucial roles in the onset and progression of diabetic complications. Curcumin has antioxidant and antidiabetic properties; its combination with compounds capable of preventing the advanced glycation events, such as aminoguanidine, is an interesting therapeutic option to counteract diabetic complications. This study is aimed at investigating the effects of treatments with curcumin or aminoguanidine, alone or in combination, on metabolic alterations in streptozotocin-diabetic rats; the focus was mainly on the potential of these bioactive compounds to oppose the glycoxidative stress. Curcumin (90 mg/kg) or aminoguanidine (50 and 100 mg/kg), alone or in combination, slightly decreased glycemia and the biomarkers of early protein glycation, but markedly decreased AGE levels (biomarkers of advanced glycation) and oxidative damage biomarkers in the plasma, liver, and kidney of diabetic rats. Some novel insights about thein vivoeffects of these bioactive compounds are centered on the triggering of cytoprotective machinery. The treatments with curcumin and/or aminoguanidine increased the activities of the antioxidant enzymes (paraoxonase 1, superoxide dismutase, and catalase) and the levels of AGE detoxification system components (AGE-R1 receptor and glyoxalase 1). In addition, combination therapy between curcumin and aminoguanidine effectively prevented dyslipidemia in diabetic rats. These findings demonstrate the combination of curcumin (natural antioxidant) and aminoguanidine (prototype therapeutic agent with anti-AGE activity) as a potential complementary therapeutic option for use with antihyperglycemic agents, which may aggregate beneficial effects against diabetic complications.
Wenxin Granule Ameliorates Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Oxidative Stress in Mitochondria via the PKC-δ/NOX2/ROS Pathway in H9c2 Cells
Authors: Jin Qihui , Jiang Yanhong , Fu Lizhong , Zheng Yanqiu , Ding Yuxia , Liu Qian
Published: May 2020

Myocardial infarction and following reperfusion therapy-induced myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury have been recognized as an important subject of cardiovascular disease with high mortality. As the antiarrhythmic agent, Wenxin Granule (WXG) is widely used to arrhythmia and heart failure. In our pilot study, we found the antioxidative potential of WXG in the treatment of myocardial I/R. This study is aimed at investigating whether WXG could treat cardiomyocyte hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury by inhibiting oxidative stress in mitochondria. The H9c2 cardiomyocyte cell line was subject to H/R stimuli to mimic I/R injury in vitro. WXG was added to the culture medium 24 h before H/R exposing as pretreatment. Protein kinase C-δ (PKC-δ) inhibitor rottlerin or PKC-δ lentivirus vectors were conducted on H9c2 cells to downregulate or overexpress PKC-δ protein. Then, the cell viability, oxidative stress levels, intracellular and mitochondrial ROS levels, mitochondrial function, and apoptosis index were analyzed. In addition, PKC-δ protein expression in each group was verified by western blot analysis. Compared with the control group, the PKC-δ protein level was significantly increased in the H/R group, which was remarkably improved by WXG or rottlerin. PKC-δ lentivirus vector-mediated PKC-δ overexpression was not reduced by WXG. WXG significantly improved H/R-induced cell injury, lower levels of SOD and GSH/GSSG ratio, higher levels of MDA, intracellular and mitochondrial ROS content, mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP loss, mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening, NOX2 activation, cytochrome C release, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cleaved caspase-3 increasing, and cell apoptosis. Similar findings were obtained from rottlerin treatment. However, the protective effects of WXG were abolished by PKC-δ overexpression, indicating that PKC-δ was a potential target of WXG treatment. Our findings demonstrated a novel mechanism by which WXG attenuated oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction of H9c2 cells induced by H/R stimulation via inhibitory regulation of PKC-δ/NOX2/ROS signaling.
Study on the Prosthesis Structural Design and Vibration Characteristics Based on the Conduction Effect of Human Middle Ear
Authors: Ren Wu , Yan Huijuan , Yu Yi , Ren Jinghong , Chang Jinlong , Wang Yidong , Han Yibo
Published: May 2020

As a bridge from the sound signal in the air to the sound perception of the inner ear auditory receptor, the tympanic membrane and ossicular chain of the middle ear transform the sound signal in the outer ear through two gas-solid and solid-liquid conversions. In addition, through the lever principle formed by three auditory ossicle structure, the sound was concentrated and amplified to the inner ear. However, the sound transmission function of the middle ear will be decreased by disease, genetic, or trauma. Hence, using middle ear prosthesis to replace the damaged ossicles can restore the conduction function. The function realization of middle ear prosthesis depends on the vibration response of the prosthesis from the tympanic membrane to the stapes plate on the human auditory perception frequency, which is affected by the way the prosthesis combined with the tympanic membrane, the material, and the geometric shape. In this study, reasonable prosthetic structures had been designed for different types of ossicular chain injuries, and the frequency response characteristics were analyzed by the finite element method then. Moreover, in order to achieve better vibration frequency response, a ball structure was designed in the prosthesis to simulate its amplification function. The results showed that the middle ear prostheses constructed by different injury types can effectively transfer vibration energy. In particular, the first- and second-order resonant frequencies and response amplitudes are close to each other when ball structure models of different materials are added. Instead, the resonance frequency of the third stage formed by aluminum alloy ball materials is larger than that of the other two, which showed good response features.
Antibacterial Screening of Gunnera perpensa-Mediated Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Patel Naazlene , Kasumbwe Kabange , Mohanlall Viresh
Published: May 2020

The biosynthesis of nanoparticles has become quite popular and has been proposed as an alternative over the tedious, expensive, and toxic physical and chemical methods of synthesis due to its cost-effectiveness and ecofriendliness. This study involved the biosynthesis, characterization, and evaluation of the antibacterial activity of Gunnera perpensa-mediated AgNPs. Biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized using TEM, UV, and FTIR spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated in six bacterial strains, using the disc diffusion assay, and MIC was determined using the broth dilution assay. All NPs generally presented as spherical clusters, with sizes ranging from 13 to 24 nm, as determined by TEM. The absorption peaks ranging between 421 and 425 nm and the presence of the C=O bond with amine groups, as indicated by UV and FTIR spectra, confirmed the synthesis and stabilization of G. perpensa extract-mediated AgNPs. Good antimicrobial activity ranging from 7.0 to 9.0 mm was exhibited by both preparations of G. perpensa extract-mediated AgNPs against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative studied bacteria, at MIC ranging from 3.2 to 12.5 μg/ml. Overall, good antibacterial activity was achieved at lower doses with both preparations of the G. perpensa-mediated AgNPs against all tested bacterial strains, suggesting G. perpensa-mediated AgNPs as good antimicrobial agents.
CNID: Research of Network Intrusion Detection Based on Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Liu Guojie , Zhang Jianbiao
Published: May 2020

Network intrusion detection system can effectively detect network attack behaviour, which is very important to network security. In this paper, a multiclassification network intrusion detection model based on convolutional neural network is proposed, and the algorithm is optimized. First, the data is preprocessed, the original one-dimensional network intrusion data is converted into two-dimensional data, and then the effective features are learned using optimized convolutional neural networks, and, finally, the final test results are produced in conjunction with the Softmax classifier. In this paper, KDD-CUP 99 and NSL-KDD standard network intrusion detection dataset were used to carry out the multiclassification network intrusion detection experiment; the experimental results show that the multiclassification network intrusion detection model proposed in this paper improves the accuracy and check rate, reduces the false positive rate, and also obtains better test results for the detection of unknown attacks.
Predictive Value of Pleural Cytology in the Diagnosis of Complicated Parapneumonic Effusions and Empyema Thoracis
Authors: Ferguson John , Kazimir Michal , Gailey Michael , Moore Frank , Schott Earl
Published: May 2020

Introduction. Complicated parapneumonic effusions (CPE) are distinguished from uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions (UPE) by the ability to resolve without drainage. Determinants include pleural pH, pleural glucose, and pleural LDH, along with microbiologic cultures. Inflammation mediated by neutrophil chemotactic cytokines leads to fibrinous loculation of an effusion, and the degree of this inflammation may lead to a CPE. One role of the pathologist is to evaluate for the presence of malignancy in a pleural effusion; however, the ability of the pathologist to distinguish a CPE from UPE has not been evaluated.Materials and Methods. A single-center retrospective study was performed on pleural cytology specimens from 137 patients diagnosed with a parapneumonic effusion or empyema over a five-year interval. Pleural cytology was characterized as either uncomplicated or complicated by two pathologists based on cellular composition and the presence or absence of fibrinous exudate in the fluid. Cohen’s kappa was calculated for interobserver agreement. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of cytologic diagnoses were calculated. Determinants of cytologic accuracy were assessed using Wilcoxon rank sum test, unpairedt-test, and logistic regression.Results. Kappa interobserver agreement between pathologists was 0.753. Pleural fluid cytology sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for CPE/empyema were 76.0%, 95% CI [65.0, 84.9]; 50%, 95% CI [29.1, 70.9]; 83.3%, 95% CI [76.7, 88.4]; and 38.7%, 95% CI [26.5, 52.5], respectively. The presence of pleural bacteria, elevated pleural LDH, and reduced pleural pH were nonsignificant determinants of cytologic accuracy. Logistic regression was significant for the presence of pleural bacteria (p=0.03) in determining a successful cytologic diagnosis.Conclusion. Pleural cytology adds little value to traditional markers of distinguishing a UPE from CPE. Inflammation on pleural fluid cytology is suggestive of empyema or the presence of pleural fluid bacteria.
Auto-Administered Photobiomodulation on Diabetic Leg Ulcers Treatment: A New Way to Manage It?
Authors: Merigo Elisabetta , Tan Lixin , Zhao Zengyi , Rocca Jean-Paul , Fornaini Carlo
Published: May 2020

Background. Peripheral arterial disease is a dramatic consequence of an uncontrolled diabetic condition causing an increase of morbidity and mortality and its treatment is currently medical or surgical, finally requiring, in the 7–20% of cases, major or minor amputation. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) is a laser treatment used in medicine, thanks to its ability to stimulate the wound healing, the acceleration of inflammatory process, and the modulation of pain. Recently, the self-administration of the treatment has been suggested for different purposes in medicine and dentistry with a great number of advantages and no side effects. Methods. A 84-year-old woman affected by diabetes type 2 and positive for diabetes complications had diagnosis for an ulcerative lesion of 1 cm diameter on her right leg and started a treatment of the lesion applying the B-Cure Laser Pro (Erika Carmel, Haifa, Israel) on her own with a fluence per minute of 3.2 J/cm2 for 2 sessions of 15 minutes by cutaneous application. Results. After a week of treatment, the ulcer dried and crusted, finally providing complete healing after 30 days of treatment. Conclusion. With this short case report, we think to add a further contribution by suggesting this kind of treatment for successful management of the leg ulcers in diabetic patients.
Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of Aquagenic Pruritus among Medical and Pharmacy Students in Lomé (Togo)
Authors: Teclessou Julienne Noude , Kombate Koussake , Akakpo Abla Sefako , Mouhari-Toure Abas , Zoua Julie , Kassang Panawe , Saka Bayaki , Pitche Palokinam
Published: May 2020

Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of aquagenic pruritus (AP) in medical students in Lomé (Togo). Methods. This was a prospective and descriptive study conducted among medical students in Lomé from June 1st to August 30th, 2019. The data collection questionnaire was anonymous composed of sociodemographic variables, bathing habits, and history of allergy responding to the concept of aquagenic pruritus and its characteristics. Results. In our study, 129/591 medical students had AP, giving a prevalence of AP to 21.8%. The average age of students with AP was 23.9 years, and the M/F sex ratio was 1.5. AP was not present after each bath in 100% of the medical students who suffered from it and lasted an average of 9.09 minutes. It was characteristically pruritic (60.5%) or tingling (38.0%) and localized (45.0%) or generalized (55.0%) in respondents with history of AP. There was a significant association between the presence of AP and a personal history of allergic rhinitis (p<0.01) and the presence of AP and a family AP (p<0.01). Twenty-six (20.2%) respondents with AP feared taking a bath. Bathing with warm or lukewarm water (29.5%) or applying menthol ointment (27.1%) were the main precautions taken to reduce AP. Conclusion. Aquagenic pruritus is a common condition in medical students in Togo. It occurs mainly in males and can be familial.
Experimental Study on Seepage Characteristics of Jurassic Weakly Cemented Sandstone under Water-Rock Interaction
Authors: Liu Qin , Sun Yajun , Li Jian
Published: May 2020

As unconventional water-bearing rocks, the hydraulic conductivity of weakly cemented sandstones can increase by several orders of magnitude during drainages or pumping tests, posing great challenges to water prevention and control of coal mines in northwestern China. In this study, seepage experiments on Jurassic weakly cemented sandstones were performed and the hydraulic conductivity during the seepage process was analyzed. Combined with laboratory test and theoretical analysis methods, the relation between the permeability and micropore structures was studied, and the permeability evolution mechanism of the weakly cemented sandstones was eventually clarified. According to the experimental results, the seepage process can be divided into the saturated seepage stage, the stable seepage stage, and the seepage mutation stage. The hydraulic conductivity increases as the porosity and the mercury extrusion rate increase, but there is no obvious correlation between them that can be identified. In contrast, there is a linear positive correlation between the hydraulic conductivity and the average pore-throat radius. The variation trend of the pore-throat ratio can be used as the main reference indicator for judging whether the seepage mutation occurs in weakly cemented sandstone. Based on the correlation analysis of micropore structures and the hydraulic conductivity, a seepage model of straight capillary was constructed and the theoretical permeability equations of stable seepage stage and seepage mutation stage were proposed. It is concluded that the specific permeability of weakly cemented sandstones is directly proportional to porosity and the square of the average pore-throat radius. A theoretical equation to calculate the specific permeability during the latter two stages was also presented in this paper. Theoretical calculation results are roughly consistent with actual values obtained in the experiments.
miR-6869-5p Inhibits Glioma Cell Proliferation and Invasion via Targeting PGK1
Authors: Wang Fakai , Zhang Huanjun , Liu Bing , Liu Wei , Zhang Zengchao
Published: May 2020

Accumulating studies have suggested the dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in brain tumors, including glioma. miR-6869-5p has been documented to be aberrantly expressed in diverse cancers. However, the precise role of miR-6869-5p in glioma remains poorly understood. This study is aimed at evaluating its modifying effects on glioma. Significantly decreased expression of miR-6869-5p was found in glioma tissues and cells. Negative association was documented between miR-6869-5p and PGK1 in glioma cells, and PGK1 was demonstrated to be a targeted gene of this miRNA by luciferase reporter assay. miR-6869-5p regulated glioma cell proliferation and invasion via targeting PGK1. In addition, the survival analysis had suggested that low miR-6869-5p expression predicted poor prognosis of glioma patients. This study has suggested that miR-6869-5p is a useful tumor suppressor and prognostic marker in glioma.
A Pan-cancer Clinical Study of Personalized Neoantigen Vaccine Monotherapy in Treating Patients with Various Types of Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Fang Yong , Mo Fan , Shou Jiawei , Wang Huimin , Luo Kai , Zhang Shanshan , Han Ning , Li Hongsen , Ye Shengli , Zhou Zhan , Chen Rongchang , Chen Lin , Liu Liang , Wang Huina , Pan Hongming , Chen Shuqing
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

Because of their high tumor specificity and immunogenicity, neoantigens have been considered as ultimate targets for cancer immunotherapy. Neoantigen-based vaccines have demonstrated promising efficacy for several cancer types. To further investigate the antitumor potentials for other types of solid tumors, we designed a peptide-based neoantigen vaccine, iNeo-Vac-P01, and conducted a single-arm, open-labeled, investigator-initiated clinical trial (NCT03662815).

Patients and Methods:

Personalized neoantigen vaccines were designed and manufactured according to our bioinformatics analysis results from the whole-exome sequencing of tumor and peripheral blood cell DNAs. Patients were scheduled to be vaccinated subcutaneously with adjuvant on days 1, 4, 8, 15, and 22 (prime phase), and days 78 and 162 (boost phase). Additional immunizations were administrated every 2–3 months as per patient's potential benefit. The safety and efficacy were assessed through adverse events (AE), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and other parameters.

Results:

Of the 22 patients enrolled with advanced malignancies, 20 had no or mild AEs, while 2 had grade 3 or 4 acute allergic reactions only after their sixth boost vaccination. The disease control rate was 71.4%. The median PFS was 4.6 months, whereas the median OS was not reached (12-month OS = 55.1%). Around 80% of individual peptides or peptide pools elicited measurable specific immune response. In addition, our findings revealed several potential biomarkers for the prediction of better response.

Conclusions:

iNeo-Vac-P01 as monotherapy is feasible and safe for patients with advanced solid tumors. It could elicit T-cell–mediated immune response targeting tumor neoantigens, and might have promising antitumor efficacy.

See related commentary by Filderman and Storkus, p. 4429
Prognostic Significance of Immune Cell Populations Identified by Machine Learning in Colorectal Cancer Using Routine Hematoxylin and Eosin–Stained Sections
Authors: Väyrynen Juha P. , Lau Mai Chan , Haruki Koichiro , Väyrynen Sara A. , Dias Costa Andressa , Borowsky Jennifer , Zhao Melissa , Fujiyoshi Kenji , Arima Kota , Twombly Tyler S. , Kishikawa Junko , Gu Simeng , Aminmozaffari Saina , Shi Shanshan , Baba Yoshifumi , Akimoto Naohiko , Ugai Tomotaka , Da Silva Annacarolina , Song Mingyang , Wu Kana , Chan Andrew T. , Nishihara Reiko , Fuchs Charles S. , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , Giannakis Marios , Ogino Shuji , Nowak Jonathan A.
Published: May 2020

Purpose:

Although high T-cell density is a well-established favorable prognostic factor in colorectal cancer, the prognostic significance of tumor-associated plasma cells, neutrophils, and eosinophils is less well-defined.

Experimental Design:

We computationally processed digital images of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)–stained sections to identify lymphocytes, plasma cells, neutrophils, and eosinophils in tumor intraepithelial and stromal areas of 934 colorectal cancers in two prospective cohort studies. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to compute mortality HR according to cell density quartiles. The spatial patterns of immune cell infiltration were studied using the GTumor:Immune cell function, which estimates the likelihood of any tumor cell in a sample having at least one neighboring immune cell of the specified type within a certain radius. Validation studies were performed on an independent cohort of 570 colorectal cancers.

Results:

Immune cell densities measured by the automated classifier demonstrated high correlation with densities both from manual counts and those obtained from an independently trained automated classifier (Spearman's ρ 0.71–0.96). High densities of stromal lymphocytes and eosinophils were associated with better cancer-specific survival [Ptrend < 0.001; multivariable HR (4th vs 1st quartile of eosinophils), 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.34–0.71]. High GTumor:Lymphocyte area under the curve (AUC0,20μm; Ptrend = 0.002) and high GTumor:Eosinophil AUC0,20μm (Ptrend < 0.001) also showed associations with better cancer-specific survival. High stromal eosinophil density was also associated with better cancer-specific survival in the validation cohort (Ptrend < 0.001).

Conclusions:

These findings highlight the potential for machine learning assessment of H&E-stained sections to provide robust, quantitative tumor-immune biomarkers for precision medicine.
Prostate Epithelial RON Signaling Promotes M2 Macrophage Activation to Drive Prostate Tumor Growth and Progression
Authors: Sullivan Camille , Brown Nicholas E. , Vasiliauskas Juozas , Pathrose Peterson , Starnes Sandra L. , Waltz Susan E.
Published: May 2020

Effective treatment of advanced prostate cancer persists as a significant clinical need as only 30% of patients with distant disease survive to 5 years after diagnosis. Targeting signaling and tumor cell–immune cell interactions in the tumor microenvironment has led to the development of powerful immunotherapeutic agents, however, the prostate tumor milieu remains impermeable to these strategies highlighting the need for novel therapeutic targets. In this study, we provide compelling evidence to support the role of the RON receptor tyrosine kinase as a major regulator of macrophages in the prostate tumor microenvironment. We show that loss of RON selectively in prostate epithelial cells leads to significantly reduced prostate tumor growth and metastasis and is associated with increased intratumor infiltration of macrophages. We further demonstrate that prostate epithelial RON loss induces transcriptional reprogramming of macrophages to support expression of classical M1 markers and suppress expression of alternative M2 markers. Interestingly, our results show epithelial RON activation drives upregulation of RON expression in macrophages as a positive feed-forward mechanism to support prostate tumor growth. Using 3D coculture assays, we provide additional evidence that epithelial RON expression coordinates interactions between prostate tumor cells and macrophages to promote macrophage-mediated tumor cell growth. Taken together, our results suggest that RON receptor signaling in prostate tumor cells directs the functions of macrophages in the prostate tumor microenvironment to promote prostate cancer.

Implications:

Epithelial RON is a novel immunotherapeutic target that is responsible for directing the macrophage antitumor immune response to support prostate tumor growth and progression.
A smart gas leakage monitoring system for use in hospitals
Authors: Mahmood Hussien Nadia , Makki Mohialden Yasmin , Thanoon Ahmed Nada , Mohammed Mostafa Abdulghafoor , Sutikno Tole
Published: May 2020

A gas leaks lead to personal and financial damage. Much effort has been dedicated to preventing such leaks and developing reliable techniques for leak detection and leakage localization using sensors. These sensors usually sound an alarm after detecting a dangerous gas in its vicinity. This paper describes a system for detecting a gas leakage from cylinders which notifies the user via the GSM network. The system consists of an LPG gas leakage detector which sends a warning signal to Arduino Uno Microcontroller. The system uses the GSM network to send notifications, a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor to display the warning message and buzzer to sound the alert.
A novel similarity measure for missing link prediction in social networks
Authors: Naga Chandrika Gogulamudi , Reddy E. Srinivasa
Published: May 2020

Social Networks progress over time by the addition of new nodes and links, form associations with one community to the other community. Over a few decades, the fast expansion of Social Networks has attracted many researchers to pay more attention towards complex networks, the collection of social data, understand the social behaviors of complex networks and predict future conflicts. Thus, Link prediction is imperative to do research with social networks and network theory. The objective of this research is to find the hidden patterns and uncovered missing links over complex networks. Here, we developed a new similarity measure to predict missing links over social networks. The new method is computed on common neighbors with node-to-node distance to get better accuracy of missing link prediction. We tested the proposed measure on a variety of real-world linked datasets which are formed from various linked social networks. The proposed approach performance is compared with contemporary link prediction methods. Our measure makes very effective and intuitive in predicting disappeared links in linked social networks.
Thermal comfort control via air conditioning system using fuzzy neural network feedback controller
Authors: Mohamadi Somaye A. , J. Ahmed Abdulraheem
Published: May 2020

Despite their complexity and uncertainty, air conditioning systems should provide the optimal thermal conditions in a building. These controller systems should be adaptable to changes in environmental parameters. In most air conditioning systems, today, there are On/Off controllers or PID in more advanced types, which, due to different environmental conditions, are not optimal and cannot provide the optimal environmental conditions. Controlling thermal comfort of an air conditioning system requires estimation of thermal comfort index. In this study, fuzzy controller was used to provide thermal comfort in an air conditioning system, and neural network was used to estimate thermal comfort in the feedback path of the controller. Fuzzy controller has a good response given the non-linear features of air conditioning systems. In addition, the neural network makes it possible to use thermal comfort feedback in a real-time control.
Non-isolated multiple input multilevel output DC-DC converter for hybrid power system
Authors: Al-Modaffer Ameen M. , Chlaihawi Amer A. , Wahhab Husam A.
Published: May 2020

The utilization of multisources of energy in a compact and an effective power system gains an essential role in power electronic industry. As such, the design and simulation of a new non-isolated Multiple Input Multilevel Output (MIMLO) DC-DC converter for hybrid power system is presented. The MIMLO DC-DC converter can be integrated in renewable energy, such as fuel cells, wind turbines and photovoltaic arrays etc, to get the best output voltages. The MIMLO DC-DC converter powers the load from renewable energy sources through the independence of the availability of other sources. The proposed topology has been simulated by using MATLAB/Simulink software to testify the performance control operation of the Multiple Input Multilevel Output DC-DC converter. The results of the carried-out simulation favor the usage of multi-input voltage, rather than a single input voltage. The MIMLO design has the advantages of a simple configuration, reduced number of switches, fewer components, high efficiency, and high conversion ratio. The Multilevel Output DC-DC converter provides high voltage transfer with low size inductors, reduction of losses, low stress voltage on switches and diodes. 
Experimental investigation of photovoltaic thermal solar air collector with exergy performance comparison
Authors: Bahtiar Bahtiar , Zohri Muhammad , Fudholi Ahmad
Published: May 2020

The integration of photovoltaic technology and solar air collector is named a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system. PVT system generates electricity as pumping power to fan DC and produces thermal energy together with to cooling PV panel. The experimental with the indoor and outdoor evaluation of PVT solar air collector have been compared at the chosen solar intensity of 820 W/m2. The mass flow rate is range from 0.01 kg/s to 0.05 kg/s. The exergy and efficiency exergy accuracy of PVT solar air collector between indoor and outdoor evaluation are 98.42%, 98.11% respectively. The exergy and exergy efficiency comparison results indicated that the indoor and outdoor investigation is suitable. 
Modelling and simulation of magnesium antimonide based thermoelectric generator
Authors: Hasan Md. Nazibul , Abdul Rahim Herlina , Ahmad Mohd Ashraf , Mohamed Ali Mohamed Sultan
Published: May 2020

This paper presents the modelling and simulation of a π-shaped Mg3Sb2 based thermoelectric generator. The performance of the proposed thermoelectric generator is evaluated with finite element analysis. A number of thermocouples were varied for high output power and power efficiency factor. Based on the analysis, we demonstrated that enhancement of the temperature gradient and the number of thermocouples are beneficial for high output power and power efficiency factor of Mg3Sb2 based thermoelectric generator. A high output power and power efficiency factor of 8.89 mW and 3.47 mWmm-2K-2 were obtained at a temperature gradient of 500K across the hot and cold side for four Mg3Sb2 based thermocouples, respectively. The obtained results show that the developed device could be used to drive portable electronic devices.
A new quasi-newton equation on the gradient methods for optimization minimization problem
Authors: Hassan Basim Abbas , Al-Naemi Ghada M.
Published: May 2020

The quasi-Newton equation is the very foundation of an assortment of the quasi-Newton methods for optimization minimization problem. In this paper, we deriving a new quasi-Newton equation based on the second-order Taylor’s series expansion. The global convergence is established underneath suitable conditions and numerical results are reported to show that the given algorithm is more effective than those of the normal BFGS method.
Frequency control of microgrid system based renewable generation using fractional PID controller
Authors: Mohamed Regad , Helaimi M. , Taleb Rachid , A. Gabbar Hossam , M. Othman Ahmed
Published: May 2020

This paper addresses a control frequency scheme of the microgrid system using a fractional order PID controller. The proposed Microgrid system is consisted of a Photovoltaic System, Wind Turbine Generator, Diesel Engine Generator, Fuel Cell, and different storage systems like Battery Energy Storage Systems, and Flywheel Energy Storage Systems. The principal objective of the present paper is to limit the frequency and power deviations by the application of the proposed controller which has five parameters to be determined through optimization techniques. Krill Herd algorithm is used for determining the optimum fractional order PID controller parameters using the Integral of Squared Error. A comparison between the Genetic Algorithm and Krill Herd is done, and the obtained simulation results presents that the investigated controller-based Krill Herd outperforms the Genetic Algorithm in terms of fewer fluctuations in power and frequency deviation.