bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel test configuration design method for inverse identification of in‐plane moduli of a composite plate under the PFEUM framework
Authors: Siddiqui M. Z. , Khan S. Z. , Khan M. A. , Shahzad M. , Khan K. A. , Nisar S.
Published: June 2018

We propose a novel sensitivity based approach that predicts and explains the accuracy of material parameter identification for a composite plate using the Projected Finite Element Update Method. A typical experiment using the Projected Finite Element Update Method technique involves a plate specimen held at 3 or 4 supports and bent under the application of a point load. Two‐Dimensional Digital Image Correlation is used to measure the pseudo displacements resulting from the projection of out‐of‐plane deflection of the plate onto the image plane. A cost function relating the projected numerical and experimental displacement fields is then minimised to obtain the material parameters. It is shown that the contribution of a specific material parameter in the observed displacement field influences the accuracy of its identification. The contributions from material parameters are first quantified in terms of sensitivity criterion that may be tailored by changing the elements of test configuration such as location of supports, the load application point, and the specimen geometry. Several test configurations are designed by maximising the sensitivities corresponding to individual material parameters. The relevance of proposed sensitivity criterion in these configurations is then validated through material identification in simulated experiments with added Gaussian noise. Finally, a thin CFRP plate is tested under these configurations to demonstrate the practical use of this approach. The proposed approach helps in robust estimation of the in‐plane elastic moduli from a bent composite plate with a simple Two‐Dimensional Digital Image Correlation setup without requiring measurement of the actual plate deflection or curvatures.
Clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcome of tuberculosis in kidney transplant recipients: A multicentric case‐control study in a low‐endemic area
Authors: Gras Julien , De Castro Nathalie , Montlahuc Claire , Champion Laure , Scemla Anne , Matignon Marie , Lachâtre Marie , Raskine Laurent , Grall Nathalie , Peraldi Marie Noëlle , Molina Jean Michel
Published: June 2018

Objectives

Tuberculosis (TB) is a rare but life‐threatening infection after solid organ transplant. The present study was undertaken to assess the clinical features, risk factors, and outcome of TB after kidney transplantation in a low‐prevalence area.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study, describing all kidney transplant recipients diagnosed with TB between 2005 and 2015 in 3 French centers. For each TB case, 2 controls without TB were identified and matched by center, age, transplant date, and birth country. Risk factors associated with TB were identified and survival estimated.

Results

Thirty‐two cases and 64 control patients were included among 3974 transplantations. The prevalence of TB was 0.83%. Median age at the time of diagnosis was 64 years; 75% were born in a high TB prevalence country, but only 3 had received isoniazid prophylaxis for latent TB infection. TB occurred at a median of 22 months after transplantation. On diagnosis, 66% had disseminated infection. Median duration of treatment was 9 months. Immunosuppressive therapy changes were necessary in all patients because of drug‐drug interactions. Among cases, 5 deaths occurred during follow‐up (median duration: 41 months), one directly related with TB. Survival was significantly lower in transplant recipients with TB, as compared to controls (P = .001). No predictive factors of tuberculosis after transplantation were statistically significant in univariate analysis.

Conclusion

TB in kidney transplant recipients is a rare and late event, but is associated with significantly reduced survival. Our results emphasize the need for systematic screening for LTBI, followed by IPT in high‐risk patients.
Post‐transplant liver graft schistosomiasis in a migrant from Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Carrai Paola , Zammarchi Lorenzo , Pollina Luca Emanuele , Giordani Luca , Mangano Valentina , Iapoce Riccardo , Rinaldi Francesca , Bartoloni Alessandro , Filipponi Franco , De Simone Paolo , Bruschi Fabrizio
Published: June 2018

We report a case of post‐transplant liver graft infection with Schistosoma spp in a migrant from sub‐Saharan Africa transplanted for HBV‐related cirrhosis and with undiagnosed schistosomiasis pre‐transplantation. The occurrence of tropical diseases in non‐endemic areas warrants screening protocols for organ donors and recipients with a history of exposure in endemic areas.
Safe administration of rotavirus vaccine in a cohort of infants exposed to immunosuppressive drugs during gestation
Authors: Dinelli Maria Isabel S. , dos Santos Amélia M. N. , Weckx Lily Y. , de Moraes‐Pinto Maria Isabel
Published: June 2018

In utero exposure to immunosuppressive drugs might be a contraindication to rotavirus vaccine, but that may vary according to the immunosuppressive regimen. We evaluated 24 infants born to kidney transplanted mothers exposed to 3 immunosuppressants during pregnancy (prednisone, azathioprine, and tacrolimus or cyclosporine) and 31 control infants not exposed to these medications. No differences in adverse events were detected after rotavirus vaccination at 2 and 4 months.
Downregulation of p‐COUMAROYL ESTER 3‐HYDROXYLASE in rice leads to altered cell wall structures and improves biomass saccharification
Authors: Takeda Yuri , Tobimatsu Yuki , Karlen Steven D. , Koshiba Taichi , Suzuki Shiro , Yamamura Masaomi , Murakami Shinya , Mukai Mai , Hattori Takefumi , Osakabe Keishi , Ralph John , Sakamoto Masahiro , Umezawa Toshiaki
Published: June 2018

p‐Coumaroyl ester 3‐hydroxylase (C3′H) is a key enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of lignin, a phenylpropanoid polymer that is the major constituent of secondary cell walls in vascular plants. Although the crucial role of C3′H in lignification and its manipulation to upgrade lignocellulose have been investigated in eudicots, limited information is available in monocotyledonous grass species, despite their potential as biomass feedstocks. Here we address the pronounced impacts of C3′H deficiency on the structure and properties of grass cell walls. C3′H‐knockdown lines generated via RNA interference (RNAi)‐mediated gene silencing, with about 0.5% of the residual expression levels, reached maturity and set seeds. In contrast, C3′H‐knockout rice mutants generated via CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated mutagenesis were severely dwarfed and sterile. Cell wall analysis of the mature C3′H‐knockdown RNAi lines revealed that their lignins were largely enriched in p‐hydroxyphenyl (H) units while being substantially reduced in the normally dominant guaiacyl (G) and syringyl (S) units. Interestingly, however, the enrichment of H units was limited to within the non‐acylated lignin units, with grass‐specific γ‐p‐coumaroylated lignin units remaining apparently unchanged. Suppression of C3′H also resulted in relative augmentation in tricin residues in lignin as well as a substantial reduction in wall cross‐linking ferulates. Collectively, our data demonstrate that C3′H expression is an important determinant not only of lignin content and composition but also of the degree of cell wall cross‐linking. We also demonstrated that C3′H‐suppressed rice displays enhanced biomass saccharification.
Inter‐cortical modulation from premotor to motor plasticity
Authors: Huang Ying‐Zu , Chen Rou‐Shayn , Fong Po‐Yu , Rothwell John C. , Chuang Wen‐Li , Weng Yi‐Hsin , Lin Wey‐Yil , Lu Chin‐Song
Published: June 2018

Key Points

Synaptic plasticity is involved in daily activities but abnormal plasticity may be deleterious.

In this study, we found that motor plasticity could be modulated by suppressing the premotor cortex with the theta burst form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Such changes in motor plasticity were associated with reduced learning of a simple motor task.

We postulate that the premotor cortex adjusts the amount of motor plasticity to modulate motor learning through heterosynaptic metaplasticity.

The present results provide an insight into how the brain physiologically coordinates two different areas to bring them into a functional network, a concept that could be employed to intervene in diseases with abnormal plasticity.

Primary motor cortex (M1) plasticity is known to be influenced by the excitability and prior activation history of M1 itself. However, little is known about how its plasticity is influenced by other areas of the brain. In the present study on humans of either sex who were known to respond to theta burst stimulation from previous studies, we found plasticity of M1 could be modulated by suppressing the premotor cortex with the theta burst form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation. Motor plasticity was distorted and disappeared 30 min and 120 min, respectively, after premotor excitability was suppressed. Further evaluation revealed that such changes in motor plasticity were associated with impaired learning of a simple motor task. We postulate that the premotor cortex modulates the amount of plasticity within M1 through heterosynaptic metaplasticity, and that this may impact on learning of a simple motor task previously shown to be directly affected by M1 plasticity. The present results provide an insight into how the brain physiologically coordinates two different areas to bring them into a functional network. Furthermore, such concepts could be translated into therapeutic approaches for diseases with aberrant plasticity.
Effect of electrochemical oxidation and reduction on cell de-adhesion at the conducting polymer–live cell interface as revealed by single cell force spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Hongrui , Gu Qi , Wallace Gordon G. , Higgins Michael J.
Published: June 2018

Cell adhesion on conducting polymers is important in organic bioelectronics, including applications such as electronically switchable surfaces and electrochemical transistors. There is a fundamental interest in understanding the conducting polymer–cellular interface though as yet no direct measurements to quantify the cell adhesion forces and energies, particularly at the molecular level, have been undertaken. Here, the authors apply electrochemical-single cell force spectroscopy (EC-SCFS) to directly quantify the de-adhesion forces between single L929 fibroblast cells and polypyrrole doped with dodecylbenzene sulfonate (PPy–DBSA) under electrical stimulation. The EC-SCFS reveals single cell de-adhesion forces of 0.65 nN on PPy–DBSA films with adsorbed fibronectin (FN) protein. Blocking experiments by introducing antibodies show that cell de-adhesion is largely due to the binding (∼60% of interactions) of cell-surface α5β1 integrin receptors. Electrochemical oxidation and reduction of PPy–DBSA during initial adsorption of fibronectin cause a significant decrease in the single cell de-adhesion forces to ∼0.4 nN, which is suggested to relate to electrical stimulation effects on reducing FN adsorption on the polymer. In contrast, when electrical stimulation is applied after protein adsorption is established and during the EC-SCFS measurements, the single cell de-adhesion is significantly enhanced on the oxidized polymer compared to the reduced and nonbiased polymer. The study highlights the use of EC-SCFS to directly quantify cell adhesion on electrode surfaces, as well as the ability to probe molecular-level interactions such as integrin receptor–FN complexes with forces of ∼50–100 pN.
Prevalence of a Cefazolin Inoculum Effect Associated with
blaZ
Gene Types among Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Four Major Medical Centers in Chicago
Authors: Wang Sheila K. , Gilchrist Annette , Loukitcheva Anastasia , Plotkin Balbina J. , Sigar Ira M. , Gross Alan E. , O'Donnell J. Nicholas , Pettit Natasha , Buros Amy , O'Driscoll Tristan , Rhodes Nathaniel J. , Bethel Cindy , Segreti John , Charnot-Katsikas Angella , Singh Kamaljit , Scheetz Marc H.
Published: June 2018

The efficacy of cefazolin with high-inoculum methicillin-susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
(MSSA) infections remains in question due to therapeutic failure inferred as being due to an inoculum effect (InE). This study investigated the local prevalence of a cefazolin InE (CInE) and its association with staphylococcal
blaZ
gene types among MSSA isolates in the Chicago area.
Short-Chain Fatty Acids Alter Metabolic and Virulence Attributes of Borrelia burgdorferi
Authors: Lin Ying-Han , Chen Yue , Smith Trever C. , Karna S. L. Rajasekhar , Seshu J.
Published: June 2018

Borrelia burgdorferi
responds to a variety of host-derived factors and appropriately alters its gene expression for adaptation under different host-specific conditions. We previously showed that various levels of acetate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), altered the protein profile of
B. burgdorferi
.
Immunization by Replication-Competent Controlled Herpesvirus Vectors
Authors: Bloom David C. , Tran Robert K. , Feller Joyce , Voellmy Richard
Published: June 2018

We hypothesized that vigorous replication of a pathogen may be critical for eliciting the most potent and balanced immune response against it. Hence, attenuation/inactivation (as in conventional vaccines) should be avoided. Instead, the necessary safety should be provided by placing replication of the pathogen under stringent control and by activating time-limited replication of the pathogen strictly in an administration region in which pathology cannot develop. Immunization will then occur in the context of highly efficient pathogen replication and uncompromised safety. We found that localized activation in mice of efficient but limited replication of a replication-competent controlled herpesvirus vector resulted in a greatly enhanced immune response to the virus or an expressed heterologous antigen. This finding supports the above-mentioned hypothesis and suggests that the vectors may be promising novel agents worth exploring for the prevention/mitigation of infectious diseases for which efficient vaccination is lacking, in particular in immunocompromised patients.
Broadly Reactive Human Monoclonal Antibodies Elicited following Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus Exposure Protect Mice against Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Challenge
Authors: Nachbagauer Raffael , Shore David , Yang Hua , Johnson Scott K. , Gabbard Jon D. , Tompkins S. Mark , Wrammert Jens , Wilson Patrick C. , Stevens James , Ahmed Rafi , Krammer Florian , Ellebedy Ali H.
Published: June 2018

The rise in zoonotic infections of humans by emerging influenza viruses is a worldwide public health concern. The majority of recent zoonotic human influenza cases were caused by H7N9 and H5Nx viruses and were associated with high morbidity and mortality. In addition, seasonal influenza viruses are estimated to cause up to 650,000 deaths annually worldwide. Currently available antiviral treatment options include only neuraminidase inhibitors, but some influenza viruses are naturally resistant to these drugs, and others quickly develop resistance-conferring mutations. Alternative therapeutics are urgently needed. Broadly protective antibodies that target the conserved “stalk” domain of the hemagglutinin represent potential potent antiviral prophylactic and therapeutic agents that can assist pandemic preparedness. Here, we describe four human monoclonal antibodies that target conserved regions of influenza HA and characterize their binding spectrum as well as their protective capacity in prophylactic and therapeutic settings against a lethal challenge with a zoonotic influenza virus.
A Single-Cell Approach to the Elusive Latent Human Cytomegalovirus Transcriptome
Authors: Goodrum Felicia , McWeeney Shannon
Published: June 2018

Herpesvirus latency has been difficult to understand molecularly due to low levels of viral genomes and gene expression. In the case of the betaherpesvirus human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), this is further complicated by the heterogeneity inherent to hematopoietic subpopulations harboring genomes and, as a consequence, the various patterns of infection that simultaneously exist in a host, ranging from latent to lytic. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) provides tremendous potential in measuring the gene expression profiles of heterogeneous cell populations for a wide range of applications, including in studies of cancer, immunology, and infectious disease. A recent study by Shnayder et al. (mBio 9:e00013-18, 2018,
https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00013-18
) utilized scRNA-seq to define transcriptomal characteristics of HCMV latency. They conclude that latency-associated gene expression is similar to the late lytic viral program but at lower levels of expression. The study highlights the numerous challenges, from the definition of latency to the analysis of scRNA-seq, that exist in defining a latent transcriptome.
The Adductor Strengthening Programme prevents groin problems among male football players: a cluster-randomised controlled trial
Authors: Harøy Joar , Clarsen Benjamin , Wiger Espen Guldahl , Øyen Mari Glomnes , Serner Andreas , Thorborg Kristian , Hölmich Per , Andersen Thor Einar , Bahr Roald
Published: June 2018

Background

Groin injuries represent a considerable problem in male football. Previous groin-specific prevention programmes have not shown a significant reduction in groin injury rates. An exercise programme using the Copenhagen Adduction exercise increases hip adduction strength, a key risk factor for groin injuries. However, its preventive effect is yet to be tested.

Aim

To evaluate the effect of a single-exercise approach, based on the Copenhagen Adduction exercise, on the prevalence of groin problems in male football players.

Methods

35 semiprofessional Norwegian football teams were cluster-randomised into an intervention group (18 teams, 339 players) and a control group (17 teams, 313 players). The intervention group performed an Adductor Strengthening Programme using one exercise, with three progression levels, three times per week during the preseason (6–8 weeks), and once per week during the competitive season (28 weeks). The control group were instructed to train as normal. The prevalence of groin problems was measured weekly in both groups during the competitive season using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse Injury Questionnaire.

Results

The average prevalence of groin problems during the season was 13.5% (95% CI 12.3% to 14.7%) in the intervention group and 21.3% (95% CI 20.0% to 22.6%) in the control group. The risk of reporting groin problems was 41% lower in the intervention group (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.86, p=0.008).

Conclusion

The simple Adductor Strengthening Programme substantially reduced the self-reported prevalence and risk of groin problems in male football players.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN98514933.
Is the time right for quantitative public health guidelines on sitting? A narrative review of sedentary behaviour research paradigms and findings
Authors: Stamatakis Emmanuel , Ekelund Ulf , Ding Ding , Hamer Mark , Bauman Adrian E , Lee I-Min
Published: June 2018

Sedentary behaviour (SB) has been proposed as an ‘independent’ risk factor for chronic disease risk, attracting much research and media attention. Many countries have included generic, non-quantitative reductions in SB in their public health guidelines and calls for quantitative SB targets are increasing. The aim of this narrative review is to critically evaluate key evidence areas relating to the development of guidance on sitting for adults. We carried out a non-systematic narrative evidence synthesis across seven key areas: (1) definition of SB, (2) independence of sitting from physical activity, (3) use of television viewing as a proxy of sitting, (4) interpretation of SB evidence, (5) evidence on ‘sedentary breaks’, (6) evidence on objectively measured sedentary SB and mortality and (7) dose response of sitting and mortality/cardiovascular disease. Despite research progress, we still know little about the independent detrimental health effects of sitting, and the possibility that sitting is mostly the inverse of physical activity remains. Unresolved issues include an unclear definition, inconsistencies between mechanistic and epidemiological studies, over-reliance on surrogate outcomes, a very weak epidemiological evidence base to support the inclusion of ‘sedentary breaks’ in guidelines, reliance on self-reported sitting measures, and misinterpretation of data whereby methodologically inconsistent associations are claimed to be strong evidence. In conclusion, public health guidance requires a consistent evidence base but this is lacking for SB. The development of quantitative SB guidance, using an underdeveloped evidence base, is premature; any further recommendations for sedentary behaviour require development of the evidence base and refinement of the research paradigms used in the field.
Paternal smoking and spontaneous abortion: a population-based retrospective cohort study among non-smoking women aged 20–49 years in rural China
Authors: Wang Long , Yang Ying , Liu Fangchao , Yang Aimin , Xu Qin , Wang Qiaomei , Shen Haiping , Zhang Yiping , Yan Donghai , Peng Zuoqi , He Yuan , Wang Yuanyuan , Xu Jihong , Zhao Jun , Zhang Hongguang , Zhang Ya , Dai Qiaoyun , Ma Xu
Published: June 2018

Background

To comprehensively evaluate the association of paternal smoking and spontaneous abortion.

Methods

We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study among 5 770 691 non-smoking rural Chinese women, along with their husbands, participating in the National Free Pre-Pregnancy Checkups Project, regarding outcome events that occurred in 2010–2016. The main outcome was spontaneous abortion (SA). Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate OR and 95% CI, and restricted cubic spline was used to estimate the non-linear relationship.

Results

The multivariable-adjusted OR of exposure to paternal smoking for SA was 1.17 (95% CI 1.16 to 1.19), compared with women without exposure to paternal smoking; and corresponding OR of exposure to preconception paternal smoking for SA was 1.11 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.14), compared with women without exposure to preconception paternal smoking. The ORs of preconception paternal smoking also increased with increases in paternal smoking (pnonlinear<0.05, almost linearly shaped) and preconception paternal smoking (pnonlinear>0.05). In addition, periconception paternal smoking cessation was associated with an 18% (15%–22%) lower risk of SA.

Conclusion

Paternal smoking was associated with SA. The importance of tobacco control, specifically pertaining to paternal smoking, should be emphasised during preconception and pregnancy counselling.
Connecting homocysteine and obesity through pyroptosis, gut microbiome, epigenetics, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and zinc finger protein 407
Authors: Laha Anwesha , Majumder Avisek , Singh Mahavir , Tyagi Suresh C.
Published: June 2018

Although homocysteine (Hcy), a part of the epigenome, contributes to cell death by pyroptosis and decreases peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) levels, the mechanisms are unclear. Hcy is found in high concentrations in the sera of obese individuals, which can elicit an immune response as well by hypermethylating CpG islands of specific gene promoters, a marker of epigenetics. Hcy has also been established to chelate divalent metal ions like Cu2+ and Zn2+, but this role of Hcy has not been established in relationship with obesity. It has been known for a while that PPARγ dysregulation results in various metabolic disorders including glucose and lipid metabolism. Recently, zinc finger protein 407 (Zfp407) is reported to regulate PPARγ target gene expression without affecting PPARγ transcript and protein levels by synergistically working with PPARγ. However, the mechanism(s) of this synergy, as well as other factors contributing to or inhibiting this synergism, have not been proven. This review suggests that Hcy contributes to pyroptosis, changes gut microbiome, and alters PPARγ-dependent mechanism(s) via Zfp407-mediated upregulated adipogenesis and misbalanced fatty acid metabolism, which can predispose to obesity and, consequently, obesity-related metabolic disorders.
A Redistributed Bundle Algorithm for Generalized Variational Inequality Problems in Hilbert Spaces
Authors: Shen Jie , Gao Ya-Li , Guo Fang-Fang , Zhao Rui
Published: June 2018

Based on the redistributed technique of bundle methods and the auxiliary problem principle, we present a redistributed bundle method for solving a generalized variational inequality problem which consists of finding a zero point of the sum of two multivalued operators. The considered problem involves a nonsmooth nonconvex function which is difficult to approximate by workable functions. By imitating the properties of lower-[Formula: see text] functions, we consider approximating the local convexification of the nonconvex function, and the local convexification parameter is modified dynamically in order to make the augmented function produce nonnegative linearization errors. The convergence of the proposed algorithm is discussed when the sequence of stepsizes converges to zero, any weak limit point of the sequence of serious steps [Formula: see text] is a solution of problem (P) under some conditions. The presented method is the generalization of the convex bundle method [Salmon, G, JJ Strodiot and VH Nguyen (2004). A bundle method for solving variational inequalities. SIAM Journal on Optimization, 14(3), 869–893].
Iterative Column Generation Algorithm for Generalized Multi-Vehicle Covering Tour Problem
Authors: Murakami Keisuke
Published: June 2018

The multi-vehicle covering tour problem ([Formula: see text]-CTP) is defined on a graph [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a set of vertices that can be visited and [Formula: see text] is a set of vertices that must be covered but cannot be visited. The objective of the [Formula: see text]-CTP is to obtain a set of total minimum cost tours on subset of [Formula: see text], while covering all [Formula: see text] by up to [Formula: see text] vehicles. In this paper, we first generalize the original [Formula: see text]-CTP by adding a realistic constraint, and then propose an algorithm for the generalized [Formula: see text]-CTP using a column generation approach. Computational experiments show that our algorithm performs well and outperforms the existing algorithms.
Photoemission process — Relation with quantum entanglement
Authors: Wang J. T. , Fan J. D.
Published: June 2018

It is well known that an electron has either spin-up or spin-down state and a photon has two possible polarizations called spin [Formula: see text] or spin [Formula: see text]. But when two particles are created, the two particles can have 50% of one state and 50% in the other. This is called the two particles in quantum entanglement. The spooky thing is that an event at one point in the universe can instantaneously affect the event that is arbitrarily far away between these two particles. a The entanglement of the two particles can be electron or photon. We believe, in order to study this phenomenon we have to study further than the previously established principles of quantum mechanics, that is, to study how an electron creates a photon and how it interacts with the photon emitted.

a Quantum entanglement simplified-video results — Quantum entanglement and spooky action at a distance, youtube.com, two years ago.
On the classification of conservation laws and soliton solutions of the long short-wave interaction system
Authors: Inc Mustafa , Aliyu Aliyu Isa , Yusuf Abdullahi , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: June 2018

In this paper, the classification of conservation laws (Cls) of the long short-wave interaction system (LSWS) which appears in fluid mechanics as well as plasma physics is implemented using two Cls theorems, namely, the multipliers approach and the new conservation theorem. The LSWS describes the interaction between one long longitudinal wave and one short transverse wave propagating in a generalized elastic medium. The zeroth-order multipliers and the nonlinear self-adjoint substitutions of the model are derived. Considering the fact that the new conservation theorem needs Lie point symmetries in constructing Cls, we derive the point symmetries of a system of nonlinear partial differential equations (NPDEs) acquired by transforming the model into real and imaginary components. Moreover, we derive some kink-type, bell-shaped, singular and combined soliton solutions to the model using the powerful sine-Gordon expansion method (SGEM). Some figures are presented to show the physical interpretations of the acquired results.
Optical properties of β-brominated meso-tetraphenylporphyrins: Comparative experimental and computational studies
Authors: Alghooneh Leila , Eskandari Mortaza , Zakavi Saeed , Omidyan Reza
Published: June 2018

The UV-vis and fluorescence spectra of a series of [Formula: see text]-brominated derivatives of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (H[Formula: see text]TPPBr[Formula: see text]; [Formula: see text] 0, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) were used to investigate the steroelectronic effects of bromine atoms on the optical properties of H[Formula: see text]TPP. The wavelength and intensity of the absorption and emission bands were found to be influenced by the bromine atoms. The degree of configuration interaction between the S[Formula: see text] and S[Formula: see text] excited states and fluorescence quantum yield and their dependence on the bromine atoms were also studied. Computational studies based on density functional theory and time-dependent density functional approach (DFT and TD-DFT) support and provide an explanation for the spectral changes associated with the bromination of H[Formula: see text]TPP. Furthermore, the solvent effect on the spectral properties of higher degrees of [Formula: see text]-bromination was attributed to the formation of relatively strong hydrogen bonds between their saddle-distorted porphyrin cores and the solvent molecules.
Comparison of Ontology Alignment Systems Across Single Matching Task Via the McNemar’s Test
Authors: Mohammadi Majid , Atashin Amir Ahooye , Hofman Wout , Tan Yaohua
Published: June 2018

Ontology alignment is widely used to find the correspondences between different ontologies in diverse fields. After discovering the alignments, several performance scores are available to evaluate them. The scores typically require the identified alignment and a reference containing the underlying actual correspondences of the given ontologies. The current trend in the alignment evaluation is to put forward a new score (e.g., precision, weighted precision, semantic precision, etc.) and to compare various alignments by juxtaposing the obtained scores. However, it is substantially provocative to select one measure among others for comparison. On top of that, claiming if one system has a better performance than one another cannot be substantiated solely by comparing two scalars. In this article, we propose the statistical procedures that enable us to theoretically favor one system over one another. The McNemar’s test is the statistical means by which the comparison of two ontology alignment systems over one matching task is drawn. The test applies to a 2 × 2 contingency table, which can be constructed in two different ways based on the alignments, each of which has their own merits/pitfalls. The ways of the contingency table construction and various apposite statistics from the McNemar’s test are elaborated in minute detail. In the case of having more than two alignment systems for comparison, the family wise error rate is expected to happen. Thus, the ways of preventing such an error are also discussed. A directed graph visualizes the outcome of the McNemar’s test in the presence of multiple alignment systems. From this graph, it is readily understood if one system is better than one another or if their differences are imperceptible. The proposed statistical methodologies are applied to the systems participated in the OAEI 2016 anatomy track, and also compares several well-known similarity metrics for the same matching problem.
The Coin Problem for Product Tests
Authors: Lee Chin Ho , Viola Emanuele
Published: June 2018

Let

X
m,ε

be the distribution over
m
bits
X
1
,…,
X

m

where the

X
i

are independent and each

X
i

equals 1 with probability (1−
ε
)/2 and 0 with probability (1 −
ε
)/2. We consider the smallest value
ε
*
of ε such that the distributions

X
m, ε

and

X
m, 0

can be distinguished with constant advantage by a function
f
: {0,1}
m
→
S
, which is the product of
k
functions
f
1
,
f
2
,…,

f
k

on disjoint inputs of
n
bits, where each

f
i

: {0,1}
n
→
S
and
m
=
nk
.

We prove that ε
*
= Θ(1/√
n
log
k
) if
S
= [−1,1], while ε
*
= Θ(1/√
nk
) if
S
is the set of unit-norm complex numbers.
The Scientific Legacy of the CARIACO Ocean Time-Series Program
Authors: Muller-Karger Frank E. , Astor Yrene M. , Benitez-Nelson Claudia R. , Buck Kristen N. , Fanning Kent A. , Lorenzoni Laura , Montes Enrique , Rueda-Roa Digna T. , Scranton Mary I. , Tappa Eric , Taylor Gordon T. , Thunell Robert C. , Troccoli Luis , Varela Ramon
Published: June 2018

The CARIACO (Carbon Retention in a Colored Ocean) Ocean Time-Series Program station, located at 10.50°N, 64.66°W, observed biogeochemical and ecological processes in the Cariaco Basin of the southwestern Caribbean Sea from November 1995 to January 2017. The program completed 232 monthly core cruises, 40 sediment trap deployment cruises, and 40 microbiogeochemical process cruises. Upwelling along the southern Caribbean Sea occurs from approximately November to August. High biological productivity (320–628 g C m−2 y−1) leads to large vertical fluxes of particulate organic matter, but only approximately 9–10 g C m−2 y−1 fall to the bottom sediments (∼1–3% of primary production). A diverse community of heterotrophic and chemoautotrophic microorganisms, viruses, and protozoa thrives within the oxic–anoxic interface. A decrease in upwelling intensity from approximately 2003 to 2013 and the simultaneous overfishing of sardines in the region led to diminished phytoplankton bloom intensities, increased phytoplankton diversity, and increased zooplankton densities. The deepest waters of the Cariaco Basin exhibited long-term positive trends in temperature, salinity, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, phosphate, methane, and silica. Earthquakes and coastal flooding also resulted in the delivery of sediment to the seafloor. The program's legacy includes climate-quality data from suboxic and anoxic habitats and lasting relationships between international researchers.
Plasticity of Retinal Gap Junctions: Roles in Synaptic Physiology and Disease
Authors: O'Brien John , Bloomfield Stewart A.
Published: June 2018

Electrical synaptic transmission via gap junctions underlies direct and rapid neuronal communication in the central nervous system. The diversity of functional roles played by electrical synapses is perhaps best exemplified in the vertebrate retina, in which gap junctions are expressed by each of the five major neuronal types. These junctions are highly plastic; they are dynamically regulated by ambient illumination and circadian rhythms acting through light-activated neuromodulators. The networks formed by electrically coupled neurons provide plastic, reconfigurable circuits positioned to play key and diverse roles in the transmission and processing of visual information at every retinal level. Recent work indicates gap junctions also play a role in the progressive cell death and aberrant activity seen in various pathological conditions of the retina. Gap junctions thus form potential targets for novel neuroprotective therapies in the treatment of neurodegenerative retinal diseases such as glaucoma and ischemic retinopathies.
Heun Functions Describing Bosons and Fermions on Melvin’s Spacetime
Authors: Dariescu Marina-Aura , Dariescu Ciprian
Published: June 2018

Employing a pseudo-orthonormal coordinate-free approach, the solutions to the Klein–Gordon and Dirac equations for particles in Melvin spacetime are derived in terms of Heun’s biconfluent functions.
Antiasthmatic Effects of Sanglong Pingchuan Decoction through Inducing a Balanced Th1/Th2 Immune Response
Authors: Zhu Binnian , Dong Jun , Gao Xiangyun , He Yanfei , Sun Hongxiang
Published: June 2018

Objective. To investigate the antiasthmatic effects of Sanglong pingchuan decoction (SLPCD) and to explore its mechanisms of action. Methods. The serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung tissues from OVA‐induced allergic asthma mice were collected 24 h after the last administration. Lung pathological changes were observed by H&E staining. The inflammatory cells in BALF were counted by flow cytometry. The levels of total IgE in serum and cytokines in BALF were determined by ELISA. The expression levels of cytokine mRNA in lung were assayed by qRT‐PCR. Results. SLPCD significantly inhibited airway inflammation, reduced inflammatory cells in BALF, reduced the levels of total IgE in serum and Th2 cytokines (IL‐10 and IL‐13) in BALF, and downregulated the mRNA expression levels of Th2 cytokines (IL‐4, IL‐5, IL‐10, and IL‐13) in lung of asthmatic mice. However, SLPCD remarkably elevated the level of Th1 cytokine IFN‐γ in BALF and upregulated the mRNA expression levels of Th1 cytokines (IL‐2 and IFN‐γ) in lung of asthmatic mice. Conclusion. SLPCD could attenuate airway inflammation and alleviate the pathogenesis in asthma mice through inducing a balanced Th1/Th2 response and could act as an effective drug for treatment of asthma.
Integrating Oscillatory General Second-Order Initial Value Problems Using a Block Hybrid Method of Order 11
Authors: Jator Samuel N. , King Kindyl L.
Published: June 2018

In some cases, high-order methods are known to provide greater accuracy with larger step-sizes than lower order methods. Hence, in this paper, we present a Block Hybrid Method (BHM) of order 11 for directly solving systems of general second-order initial value problems (IVPs), including Hamiltonian systems and partial differential equations (PDEs), which arise in multiple areas of science and engineering. The BHM is formulated from a continuous scheme based on a hybrid method of a linear multistep type with several off-grid points and then implemented in a block-by-block manner. The properties of the BHM are discussed and the performance of the method is demonstrated on some numerical examples. In particular, the superiority of the BHM over the Generalized Adams Method (GAM) of order 11 is established numerically.
Coincidence Point Theorems for (α,β,γ)-Contraction Mappings in Generalized Metric Spaces
Authors: Thangthong Chaiporn , Khemphet Anchalee
Published: June 2018

The result of our study is that a coincidence point of two mappings P and Q can be achieved when the ordered pair (P,Q) is an (α,β,γ)-contraction with respect to a generalized metric space. Moreover, with some additional condition, a common fixed point can be obtained as a consequence of our main theorems. Further, we apply our findings to some examples and integral equation problems.
Adjuvant Therapy of Oral Chinese Herbal Medicine for Menopausal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Wang Jiju , Liu Jian , Ni Xiaojia , Nie Guangning , Zeng Yuyan , Cao Xiaojing , Li Xiaoyu , Wang Xiaoyun
Published: June 2018

Objective. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of oral Chinese herbal medicine (OCHM) combined with pharmacotherapy for menopausal depression. Methods. The electronic databases were searched from their inception to December 25, 2016, comprising PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, and Chinese Biomedical (CBM) database. Randomized controlled trials investigating the effectiveness of OCHM combined with pharmacotherapy for the people with menopausal depression were eligible. Risk of bias was evaluated according to the Cochrane handbook. Meta‐analyses were performed to pool the effect size. Heterogeneity and publication bias were also examined. Results. Twenty‐two RCTs with 1770 participants were included in the review. None of the studies used placebo as the control and the risk of bias was high in blinding the participants and personnel. Overall, the meta‐analysis demonstrated that adjuvant therapy of OCHM was effective in reducing the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) scores compared to pharmacotherapy (MD = −3.75; 95% CI = −5.22, −2.29; P < 0.00001). The meta‐analysis also suggested that OCHM adjuvant therapy for menopausal depression was superior to pharmacotherapy in terms of response rate of reducing HAMD scores (RR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.10, 1.25; I2 = 55%). Conclusions. OCHM may provide additional effectiveness to pharmacotherapy for the people with menopausal depression. RCTs including the placebo control were required to further determine the additional efficacy of OCHM for menopausal depression.
Analysis for Irregular Thin Plate Bending Problems on Winkler Foundation by Regular Domain Collocation Method
Authors: Zhuang Meiling , Miao Changqing
Published: June 2018

Regular domain collocation method based on barycentric rational interpolation for solving irregular thin plate bending problems on Winkler foundation is presented in this article. Embedding the irregular plate into a regular domain, the barycentric rational interpolation is used to approximate the unknown function. The governing equation and the boundary conditions of thin plate bending problems on Winkler foundation in a rectangular region can be discretized by the differentiation matrices of barycentric rational interpolation. The additional method or the substitute method is used to impose the boundary conditions. The overconstraint equations can be solved by using the least square method. Numerical solutions of bending deflection for the irregular plate bending problems on Winkler foundation are obtained by interpolating the data on rectangular region. Numerical examples illuminate that the proposed method for irregular thin plate bending problems on Winkler foundation has the merits of simple formulations, efficiency, and relative error precision of 10−9 orders of magnitude.
High-Order Compact Difference Scheme and Multigrid Method for Solving the 2D Elliptic Problems
Authors: Wang Yan , Ge Yongbin
Published: June 2018

A high-order compact difference scheme for solving the two-dimensional (2D) elliptic problems is proposed by including compact approximations to the leading truncation error terms of the central difference scheme. A multigrid method is employed to overcome the difficulties caused by conventional iterative methods when they are used to solve the linear algebraic system arising from the high-order compact scheme. Numerical experiments are conducted to test the accuracy and efficiency of the present method. The computed results indicate that the present scheme achieves the fourth-order accuracy and the effect of the multigrid method for accelerating the convergence speed is significant.
Application of the Flux-Variance Technique for Evapotranspiration Estimates in Three Types of Agricultural Structures
Authors: Ahiman Ori , Mekhmandarov Yonatan , Pirkner Moran , Tanny Josef
Published: June 2018

Irrigation of protected crops requires sound knowledge of evapotranspiration. Previous studies have established that the eddy-covariance (EC) technique is suitable for whole canopy evapotranspiration measurements in large agricultural screenhouses. Nevertheless, the eddy-covariance technique remains difficult to apply in the farm due to costs, operational complexity, and postprocessing of data, thereby inviting alternative techniques to be developed. The subject of this paper is the evaluation of a turbulent transport technique, the flux variance (FV), whose instrumentation needs and operational demands are not as elaborate as the EC, to estimate evapotranspiration within large agricultural structures. Measurements were carried out in three types of agricultural structures: (i) a banana plantation in a light-shading (8%) screenhouse (S1), (ii) a pepper crop in an insect-proof (50-mesh) screenhouse (S2), and (iii) a tomato crop in a naturally ventilated greenhouse with a plastic roof and 50-mesh screened sidewalls (S3). Quality control analysis of the EC data showed that turbulence development and flow stationarity conditions in the three structures were suitable for flux measurements. However, within the insect-proof screenhouse (below the screen) and the plastic-covered greenhouse, R2 of the energy balance closure was poor; hence, the alternative simple method could not be used. Results showed that the FV technique was suitable for reliable estimates of ET in shading and insect-proof screenhouses with R2 of the regressions between FV latent heat flux and latent heat flux deduced from energy balance closure of 0.99 and 0.92 during validation for S1 and S2, respectively.
Long-Term Dietary Changes after Diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Swedish Women: Data from a Population-Based Cohort
Authors: Lourdudoss Cecilia , Arnaud Laurent , Wolk Alicja , van Vollenhoven Ronald F. , Di Giuseppe Daniela
Published: June 2018

Objective. To investigate long-term dietary changes after rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis in Swedish women, compared to women without RA.Methods. This study included 21,602 women from the Swedish Mammography Cohort (SMC), who completed dietary questionnaires in 1997 and 2009. Between 1997 and 2009, 191 women were diagnosed with RA. Dietary changes after RA diagnosis were analyzed based on intake of 82 food items. Statistical analysis included linear mixed models.Results. Women with RA, compared to women without RA, had significantly lower intake (mean servings per week) of animal products such as black pudding, egg, kidney, and liver paste (2.94±2.73 versus 2.45±1.82, p=0.010) and dairy products (35.14±20.02 versus 28.42±16.10, p=0.040) in 1997 and of cereals and grains (31.01±15.54 versus 28.00±14.98, p=0.009) in 2009. However, multivariable adjusted changes in dietary intake from 1997 to 2009 did not show any significant difference in intake. Nevertheless, women without RA increased their intake of whole wheat bread, wheat/oat bran, and rice more than women with RA.Conclusion. Women who had been diagnosed with RA had similar dietary patterns over time as the general population; these women did not remarkably change their diet over time due to their disease. Dietary recommendations for RA patients are needed.
TET1-Mediated Hypomethylation Activates Oncogenic Signaling in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Good Charly Ryan , Panjarian Shoghag , Kelly Andrew D. , Madzo Jozef , Patel Bela , Jelinek Jaroslav , Issa Jean-Pierre J.
Published: June 2018

Both gains and losses of DNA methylation are common in cancer, but the factors controlling this balance of methylation remain unclear. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a subtype that does not overexpress hormone receptors or HER2/NEU, is one of the most hypomethylated cancers observed. Here, we discovered that the TET1 DNA demethylase is specifically overexpressed in about 40% of patients with TNBC, where it is associated with hypomethylation of up to 10% of queried CpG sites and a worse overall survival. Through bioinformatic analyses in both breast and ovarian cancer cell line panels, we uncovered an intricate network connecting TET1 to hypomethylation and activation of cancer-specific oncogenic pathways, including PI3K, EGFR, and PDGF. TET1 expression correlated with sensitivity to drugs targeting the PI3K–mTOR pathway, and CRISPR-mediated deletion of TET1 in two independent TNBC cell lines resulted in reduced expression of PI3K pathway genes, upregulation of immune response genes, and substantially reduced cellular proliferation, suggesting dependence of oncogenic pathways on TET1 overexpression. Our work establishes TET1 as a potential oncogene that contributes to aberrant hypomethylation in cancer and suggests that TET1 could serve as a druggable target for therapeutic intervention.

Significance: This study addresses a critical gap in knowledge of how and why methylation is prognostic in breast cancer and shows how this information can be used to stratify patients with TNBC for targeted therapy. Cancer Res; 78(15); 4126–37. ©2018 AACR.