bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct Ink Printing of Cavities in DPC Ceramic Substrates With Kaolin Pastes for Hermetic Packaging
Authors: Sun Qinglei , Peng Yang , Cheng Hao , Mou Yun , Chen Mingxiang
Published: December 2019

Fabrication of three-dimensional cavities containing kaolin pastes to be used as direct plated copper (3DPC) substrates ceramics is a very important advancement for electronic packaging of hermetic and ultraviolet light emitting diodes. This work demonstrates usage of pastes consisting of 32–40 wt% of kaolin clay and polyacrylic acid for direct ink printing (DIP) of 3DPC. Rheological and zeta potential tests were performed to determine printability and stability, respectively, of these kaolin pastes. Kaolin content variation had minimum effect on absolute values of the zeta potentials. All pastes had enough stability with the absolute values larger than 30 mV. 40 wt% kaolin solids mass paste was the optimal for DIP due to its excellent shear thinning and viscoelastic properties. Cured 40 wt% kaolin solids mass paste had superior compressive, flexural and bonding strengths. DIP using pastes containing 40 wt% of kaolin is promising for electronic chip integrated hermetic packaging.
Altered Vertical Ground Reaction Force Components While Walking in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability
Authors: Wikstrom Erik A. , Song Kyeongtak , Migel Kimmery , Hass Chris J.
Published: December 2019

Aberrant loading is a mechanism by which individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) may negatively impact cartilage health and therefore long-term health outcomes. We aimed to quantify walking vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) component differences between those with and without CAI. Participants (n = 36) walked barefoot overground at a self-selected comfortable pace. Normalized peak vGRF, time to peak vGRF, and normalized loading rate were calculated. Higher normalized loading rates (CAI: 5.69 ± 0.62 N/BW/s; controls: 5.30 ± 0.44 N/BW/s, p = .034) and less time to peak vGRF (CAI: 1.48 ± 0.18 s; controls: 1.62 ± 0.16 s, p = .018) were observed in those with CAI. In conclusion, those with CAI demonstrate a higher normalized loading rate and less time to peak vGRF compared to controls.
Relationship Between Glenohumeral and Thoracolumbar Rotation Range of Motion in Baseball Players
Authors: Williams Jeffrey G. , Darnall Lauryn , Schumann Conrad
Published: December 2019

Baseball players have demonstrated greater thoracolumbar rotation (TLR) range of motion (ROM) toward their nonthrowing arm sides. This imbalance is thought to be compensatory to ROM deficiencies at the throwing arm’s shoulder. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between TLR and glenohumeral (GH) ROM measures (internal rotation, external rotation, horizontal adduction) among collegiate baseball players. Findings demonstrated limited and no relationships between TLR and GH ROM. Future research should advance these findings by examining symptomatic participants and hip ROM as additional variables. Doing so may enhance clinicians’ abilities to comprehensively predict, prevent, detect, and treat movement deficiencies, and subsequent injuries, suffered by competitive baseball players.
A Comprehensive Account of Escherichia coli Sequence Type 131 in Wastewater Reveals an Abundance of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Clade A Strains
Authors: Finn Thomas J. , Scriver Lena , Lam Linh , Duong Mai , Peirano Gisele , Lynch Tarah , Dong Tao , Pitout Johann D. D. , DeVinney Rebekah
Published: December 2019

ST131 is a global pathogen. This clone causes urinary tract infections and is frequently isolated from human sources. However, little is known about ST131 from environmental sources. With the widely reported increase in antibiotic concentrations found in wastewater, there is additional selection pressure for the emergence of antibiotic-resistant ST131 in this niche. The unbiased screening approach reported herein revealed that previously antibiotic-sensitive lineages of ST131 are now resistant to commonly used antibiotics present in wastewater systems and may be capable of surviving UV sterilization. This is the most comprehensive account of ST131 in the wastewater niche to date and an important step in better understanding the ecology of this global pathogen.
A Bph-Like Nitroarene Dioxygenase Catalyzes the Conversion of 3-Nitrotoluene to 3-Methylcatechol by Rhodococcus sp. Strain ZWL3NT
Authors: Gao Yi-Zhou , Liu Xiao-Yang , Liu Hong , Guo Yuan , Zhou Ning-Yi
Published: December 2019

Nitroarenes are synthetic molecules widely used in the chemical industry. Microbial degradation of nitroarenes has attracted extensive attention, not only because this class of xenobiotic compounds is recalcitrant in the environment but also because the microbiologists working in this field are curious about the evolutionary origin and process of the nitroarene dioxygenases catalyzing the initial reaction in the catabolism. In contrast to previously reported nitroarene dioxygenases from Gram-negative strains, which originated from a Nag-like naphthalene dioxygenase, the 3-nitrotoluene (3NT) dioxygenase in this study is from a Gram-positive strain and is an example of a Bph-like nitroarene dioxygenase. The preference of hydroxylation of this enzyme at the 2,3 positions of the benzene ring to produce 3-methylcatechol exclusively from 3NT is also a unique property among the studied nitroarene dioxygenases. These findings will enrich our understanding of the diversity and origin of nitroarene dioxygenase in microorganisms.
Caspase-4 Mediates Restriction of Burkholderia pseudomallei in Human Alveolar Epithelial Cells
Authors: Srisaowakarn Chanya , Pudla Matsayapan , Ponpuak Marisa , Utaisincharoen Pongsak
Published: December 2019

Melioidosis is an infectious disease with a high mortality rate responsible for community-acquired sepsis in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. The causative agent of this disease is
Burkholderia pseudomallei
, a Gram-negative bacterium that resides in soil and contaminated natural water. After entering into host cells, the bacteria escape into the cytoplasm, which has numerous cytosolic sensors, including the noncanonical inflammatory caspases.
Development and Evaluation of a Novel VHH-Based Immunocapture Assay for High-Sensitivity Detection of Shiga Toxin Type 2 (Stx2) in Stool Samples
Authors: Melli Luciano J. , Zylberman Vanesa , Hiriart Yanina , Lauche Constanza E. , Baschkier Ariela , Pardo Romina , Miliwebsky Elizabeth , Chinen Isabel , Rivas Marta , Goldbaum Fernando A. , Ugalde Juan E. , Comerci Diego J. , Ciocchini Andrés E.
Published: December 2019

Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing
Escherichia coli
(STEC) is the main cause of postdiarrheal hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), a life-threatening clinical complication characterized by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure that mainly affects children. A relevant feature of STEC strains is the production of Stx, and all of them express Stx1 and/or Stx2 regardless of the strain serotype.
The Human Cytomegalovirus Nonstructural Glycoprotein UL148 Reorganizes the Endoplasmic Reticulum
Authors: Zhang Hongbo , Read Clarissa , Nguyen Christopher C. , Siddiquey Mohammed N. A. , Shang Chaowei , Hall Cameron M. , von Einem Jens , Kamil Jeremy P.
Published: December 2019

Perturbations to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) morphology occur during infection with various intracellular pathogens and in certain genetic disorders. We identify that a human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gene product, UL148, profoundly reorganizes the ER during infection and is sufficient to do so when expressed on its own. Our results reveal that UL148-dependent reorganization of the ER is a prominent feature of HCMV-infected cells. Moreover, we find that this example of virally induced organelle remodeling requires the integrated stress response (ISR), a stress adaptation pathway that contributes to a number of disease states. Since ER reorganization accompanies roles of UL148 in modulation of HCMV cell tropism and in evasion of antiviral immune responses, our results may have implications for understanding the mechanisms involved. Furthermore, our findings provide a basis to utilize UL148 as a tool to investigate organelle responses to stress and to identify novel drugs targeting the ISR.
Inhibition of Neutrophil Primary Granule Release during Yersinia pestis Pulmonary Infection
Authors: Eichelberger Kara R. , Jones Grant S. , Goldman William E.
Published: December 2019

Yersinia pestisis the causative agent of plague and is one of the deadliest human pathogens. The pneumonic form ofY. pestisinfection has played a critical role in the severity of both historical and modern plague outbreaks, yet the host-pathogen interactions that govern the lethality ofYersinia pestispulmonary infections are incompletely understood. Here, we report thatYersinia pestisinhibits neutrophil degranulation during infection, rendering neutrophils ineffective and allowing unrestricted growth ofY. pestisin the lungs. This coordinated inhibition of granule release not only demonstrates the pathogenic benefit of “silencing” lung neutrophils but also reveals specific host processes and pathways that could be manipulated to reduce the severity of primary pneumonic plague.
Global Assessment of Mycobacterium avium subsp.
hominissuis
Genetic Requirement for Growth and Virulence
Authors: Dragset Marte S. , Ioerger Thomas R. , Loevenich Maja , Haug Markus , Sivakumar Niruja , Marstad Anne , Cardona Pere Joan , Klinkenberg Geir , Rubin Eric J. , Steigedal Magnus , Flo Trude H.
Published: December 2019

Pulmonary disease caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria is increasing worldwide. The majority of these infections are caused by the
Mycobacterium avium
complex (MAC), whereof >90% are due to
Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
hominissuis
(MAH). Treatment of MAH infections is currently difficult, with a combination of antibiotics given for at least 12 months. To control MAH by improved therapy, prevention, and diagnostics, we need to understand the underlying mechanisms of infection. Here, we provide crucial insights into MAH’s global genetic requirements for growth and infection. We find that the vast majority of genes required for MAH growth and virulence (96% and 97%, respectively) have mutual orthologs in the tuberculosis-causing pathogen
M. tuberculosis
(
Mtb
). However, we also find growth and virulence genes specific to MAC species. Finally, we validate novel mycobacterial virulence factors that might serve as future drug targets for MAH-specific treatment or translate to broader treatment of related mycobacterial diseases.
Ifenprodil and Flavopiridol Identified by Genomewide RNA Interference Screening as Effective Drugs To Ameliorate Murine Acute Lung Injury after Influenza A H5N1 Virus Infection
Authors: Zhang Cong , Zhang Yuqing , Qin Yuhao , Zhang Qingchao , Liu Qiang , Shang Daozhen , Lu Huijun , Li Xiao , Zhou Congzhao , Huang Fengming , Jin Ningyi , Jiang Chengyu
Published: December 2019

Drug repurposing is a quick and economical strategy for developing new therapies with approved drugs. H5N1 is a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype that can cause severe acute lung injury (ALI) and a high mortality rate due to limited treatments. The use of RNA interference (RNAi) is a reliable approach to identify essential genes in diseases. In most genomewide RNAi screenings, virus replication is the readout of interference. Since H5N1 virus infection could induce significant cell death and the percentage of cell death is associated with virus lethality, we designed a genomewide RNAi screening method to identify repurposable drugs against H5N1 virus with cell death as the readout. We discovered that the neurological drug ifenprodil and the anticancer drug flavopiridol could effectively ameliorate murine ALI after influenza A H5N1 virus infection, suggesting that they might be novel remedies for H5N1 virus-induced ALI in addition to the traditional indications.
Foundered lithospheric segments dropped into the mantle transition zone beneath southern California, USA
Authors: Yu Youqiang , Gao Stephen S. , Liu Kelly H. , Zhao Dapeng
Published: December 2019

The diverse range of active tectonics occurring in southern California, USA, offers an opportunity to explore processes of continental deformation and modification in response to the instability of the Pacific and Farallon plates. Here, we present a high-resolution receiver-function image of the mantle transition zone (MTZ). Our result reveals significant lateral heterogeneities in the deep mantle beneath southern California. Both seismic tomography and MTZ discontinuity deflections reveal foundered lithospheric segments that have dropped into the MTZ beneath the western Transverse Ranges, the Peninsular Ranges, and part of the southern Sierra Nevada. Water dehydrated from these foundered materials may contribute to the observed MTZ thickening. Our observations, combined with previous tomography and geochemical results, indicate that lithospheric foundering of fossil arc roots provides a way for geochemical heterogeneities to be recycled into the underlying mantle, and suggest that the foundered materials can play a significant role in inducing lateral variations of MTZ structure.
Magma accumulation beneath Santorini volcano, Greece, from P-wave tomography
Authors: McVey B.G. , Hooft E.E.E. , Heath B.A. , Toomey D.R. , Paulatto M. , Morgan J.V. , Nomikou P. , Papazachos C.B.
Published: December 2019

Despite multidisciplinary evidence for crustal magma accumulation below Santorini volcano, Greece, the structure and melt content of the shallow magmatic system remain poorly constrained. We use three-dimensional (3-D) velocity models from tomographic inversions of active-source seismic P-wave travel times to identify a pronounced low-velocity anomaly (–21%) from 2.8 km to 5 km depth localized below the northern caldera basin. This anomaly is consistent with depth estimates of pre-eruptive storage and a recent inflation episode, supporting the interpretation of a shallow magma body that causes seismic attenuation and ray bending. A suite of synthetic tests shows that the geometry is well recovered while a range of melt contents (4%–13% to fully molten) are allowable. A thin mush region (2%–7% to 3%–10% melt) extends from the main magma body toward the northeast, observed as low velocities confined by tectono-magmatic lineaments. This anomaly terminates northwest of Kolumbo; little to no melt underlies the seamount from 3 to 5 km depth. These structural constraints suggest that crustal extension and edifice loads control the geometry of magma accumulation and emphasize that the shallow crust remains conducive to melt storage shortly after a caldera-forming eruption.
Outcome of patients with large vessel occlusion stroke after first admission in telestroke spoke versus comprehensive stroke center
Authors: Kaminsky Anne-Laure , Mione Gioia , Omorou Yacoubou , Humbertjean Lisa , Bonnerot Mathieu , Lacour Jean Christophe , Riou-Comte Nolwenn , Anadani Mohammad , Gory Benjamin , Richard Sébastien
Published: December 2019

Introduction

While telestroke allows early intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) for ischemic strokes in spoke centers, mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for large vessel occlusion (LVO) is mainly performed at comprehensive stroke centers (CSCs). We aimed to compare 3 month outcome in patients with LVO after admission to a spoke center using telestroke compared with first CSC admission in our large regional stroke network, irrespective of final treatment decision.

Methods

All consecutive LVO patients who were admitted to one of six spoke centers or to the regional CSC within 6 hours of symptom onset were prospectively included from September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2017. All patients admitted to spoke centers were assessed on site with cerebral and vessel imaging. Primary outcome was 3 month favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2).

Results

Distances between spoke centers and CSC ranged from 36 to 77 miles. Among 207 included patients, 132 (63.8%) were first admitted to CSCs and 75 (36.2%) to spoke centers. IVT was administered more in spoke centers (81.3% vs 53.8%, p<0.0001) while MT was performed less (26.7% vs 49.2%, p=0.001) and with a longer time from onset (303 vs 200 min, p<0.0001). No difference was found in 3 month favorable outcome between spoke centers compared with CSCs (32.0% and 35.1%, respectively; OR=0.68; 95% CI 0.42 to 1.10; p=0.12).

Conclusions

Despite different distribution of reperfusion therapies for LVO patients managed by telemedicine, we could not demonstrate a difference in functional outcome according to admission location in a large area with long distances between centers.
Region-specific agreement in ASPECTS estimation between neuroradiologists and e-ASPECTS software
Authors: Neuhaus Ain , Seyedsaadat Seyed Mohammad , Mihal David , Benson John C , Mark Ian , Kallmes David F , Brinjikji Waleed
Published: December 2019

Background and purpose

The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) is a widely used measure of ischemic change on non-contrast CT. Although predictive of long-term outcome, ASPECTS is limited by its modest interobserver agreement. One potential solution to this is the use of machine learning strategies, such as e-ASPECTS, to detect ischemia. Here, we compared e-ASPECTS with manual scoring by experienced neuroradiologists for all 10 individual ASPECTS regions.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively reviewed 178 baseline non-contrast CT scans from patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing endovascular thrombectomy. All scans were reviewed by two independent neuroradiologists with a third reader arbitrating disagreements for a consensus read. Each ASPECTS region was scored individually. All scans were then evaluated using a machine learning-based software package (e-ASPECTS, Brainomix). Interobserver agreement between readers and the software for each region was calculated with a kappa statistic.

Results

The median ASPECTS was 9 for manual scoring and 8.5 for e-ASPECTS, with an overall agreement of κ=0.248. Regional agreement varied from κ=0.094 (M1) to κ=0.555 (lentiform), with better performance in subcortical regions. When corrected for the low number of infarcts in any given region, prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa ranged from 0.483 (insula) to 0.888 (M3), with greater agreement for cortical areas. Intraclass correlation coefficients were between 0.09 (M1) and 0.556 (lentiform).

Conclusion

Manual scoring and e-ASPECTS had fair agreement in our dataset on a per-region basis. This warrants further investigation using follow-up scans or MRI as the gold standard measure of true ASPECTS.
Theoretical studies on the structure and properties of DAT/BTNAT cocrystal under high pressure
Authors: Li Liangyu , Zhu Weihua
Published: December 2019

The structural, electronic, and absorption properties of 3,5-diamino-1H-1,2,4-triazole (DAT) and 5,5′-bis(trinitromethyl)-3,3′-azo-1H-1,2,4-triazole (BTNAT) cocrystal under hydrostatic compression of 0–100 GPa were investigated by using periodic density functional theory with dispersion correction (DFT-D). The results indicate that a structural transformation occurred at 25 GPa. The structural transformation makes the positions of the molecules rearrange in the cocrystal and improves the stability and planarity. An analysis of the band gap and density of states indicates that the DAT/BTNAT cocrystal becomes more sensitive under compression. The absorption spectra illustrate that the DAT/BTNAT cocrystal has relatively high optical activity with the increasing pressure. Our work may offer some valuable information for understanding the behavior of energetic cocrystals under high pressure.
Solvatochromism in some cosolvent mixtures of sulfolane and aliphatic alcohols: a tool to predict preferential solvation
Authors: Sarijloo Mohsen , Jabbari Morteza , Farajtabar Ali
Published: December 2019

The phenomenon of solvatochromism for three indicator solutes, namely para-nitroaniline, N,N-dimethyl-p-nitroaniline, and the betaine dye 4-(2,4,6-triphenylpyridinium-1-yl)-2,6-diphenylphenolate, was studied at 303.15 ± 0.1 K by means of UV–vis absorption measurements. The spectral shifts of these dyes in different mole fractions (0.0–1.0) of binary mixtures of sulfolane with eight alcohols (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, iso-butanol, tert-butanol) were analyzed to investigate preferential solvation of them in terms of both the solute–solvent and the solvent–solvent interactions. A modified theoretical model (solvent exchange model) was successfully employed to calculate preferential solvation parameters and to obtain information into the contribution of intermolecular interactions to the local and bulk mole fraction distribution of solvation species. It was found that the solvation shell of the dyes is mainly affected by the solvent–solvent interactions, and in all binary mixtures, the studied solvation behavior was non-ideal.
Mechanisms for the transition from physiological to pathological cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Oldfield Christopher J. , Duhamel Todd A. , Dhalla Naranjan S.
Published: December 2019

The heart is capable of responding to stressful situations by increasing muscle mass, which is broadly defined as cardiac hypertrophy. This phenomenon minimizes ventricular wall stress for the heart undergoing a greater than normal workload. At initial stages, cardiac hypertrophy is associated with normal or enhanced cardiac function and is considered to be adaptive or physiological; however, at later stages, if the stimulus is not removed, it is associated with contractile dysfunction and is termed as pathological cardiac hypertrophy. It is during physiological cardiac hypertrophy where the function of subcellular organelles, including the sarcolemma, sarcoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and myofibrils, may be upregulated, while pathological cardiac hypertrophy is associated with downregulation of these subcellular activities. The transition of physiological cardiac hypertrophy to pathological cardiac hypertrophy may be due to the reduction in blood supply to hypertrophied myocardium as a consequence of reduced capillary density. Oxidative stress, inflammatory processes, Ca2+-handling abnormalities, and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes are suggested to play a critical role in the depression of contractile function during the development of pathological hypertrophy.
Offline Simulation Online Application: A New Framework of Simulation-Based Decision Making
Authors: Hong L. Jeff , Jiang Guangxin
Published: December 2019

Traditionally, simulation has been used as a tool of design to estimate, compare and optimize the performance of different system designs. It is rarely used in making real-time decisions due to the long computation delay of executing simulation models. However, with the fast growth of computing capability, we have observed more and more works on reusing simulation efforts for repeated experiments with the help of data analytics tools, and the target of these works is to solve real-time decision problems. In this paper, we distill the important features of these works and summarize a new simulation framework, called offline-simulation-online-application (OSOA) framework, which treats simulation as a data generator, applies state-of-the-art analytics tools to build predictive models, and then uses the predictive models for real-time applications. In this paper, we illustrate how to apply the OSOA framework on estimation, ranking and selection and simulation optimization, and provide a prospect of this new framework.
Particle acceleration and electromagnetic field of deformed neutron stars
Authors: Rayimbaev Javlon , Turimov Bobur , Marcos Figueroa , Palvanov Satimbay , Rakhmatov Azamkhan
Published: December 2019

Neutron stars (NS)s are astrophysical objects with strong gravitational and electromagnetic fields. Since there are several effects on radiation processes around the star, it is impossible to consider whole effects all together. One way to study the processes is by considering them one by one as a toy model. In this paper, we have investigated the effects of spacetime deformation on the surface magnetic field of the slowly rotating neutron star and its plasma magnetospheric processes, such as the plasma magnetosphere formation around the star. At first, the approximate vacuum solutions of the Maxwell equations for the electromagnetic fields of a magnetized neutron star in a slowly rotating deformed spacetime metric have been obtained. It has been shown that the positive deformation parameter leads to an increase in the value of the (surface) magnetic field at the near zone of the neutron star, while the effect of the negative deformation parameter is vice versa. We have also considered the electric field of the slowly rotating neutron star in the spacetime. In the slow rotation approximation, we have studied the particle acceleration in the polar cap zone, considering the effect of deformation of spacetime on the [Formula: see text]-Lorentz factor of a relativistic charged particle. It is shown that in the case of the positive deformation, an additional gravity occurs around the NS. The effects of spacetime deformation on magneto-dipolar radiation of radio pulsars and polar cap size have also been studied and shown that negative deformation of spacetime increased the radiation luminosity and as positive deformation increases, the luminosity decreases. Size of polar cap region of a neutron star, where magnetic field lines open, increases with increasing the value of the deformation parameter [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we have studied the influence of the spacetime deformation on the death line for radio pulsar, which separates the region in [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] diagram, where the pulsar can or cannot radiate in radio band (create pair production) through inverse compton scattering (ICS). It is shown that the negative (positive) deformation shifts upward (downward) the death line, which means that even a small negative (positive) deformation of spacetime may cause to be radio-quite (be radio load) the radio pulsar which is lying on the death line (in [Formula: see text] diagram) in the GR frame with its corresponding parameters.
Structural, morphological and magnetic properties of Mn2+ ions substituted nanosized nickel–copper–cobalt ferrites through sol–gel auto-combustion method
Authors: Zhang Wei , Sun Aimin , Zhao Xiqian , Pan Xiaoguang , Han Yingqiang
Published: December 2019

Manganese substituted nickel–copper–cobalt ferrite nanoparticles having the basic composition [Formula: see text] (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4) were synthesized by sol–gel auto-combustion method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to estimate phase purity and lattice symmetry. All the prepared samples show the single-phase cubic spinel structure. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements also confirm the cubic spinel structure of the ferrite that is formed. The preparation of samples show these nearly spherical particles by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The magnetic properties of Mn[Formula: see text] ion substituted in nickel–copper–cobalt ferrite were studied by Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The saturation magnetization ([Formula: see text]), remanent magnetization [Formula: see text], coercivity [Formula: see text], magnetic moment [Formula: see text] and anisotropy constant [Formula: see text] first increase and then decrease with the increase of [Formula: see text] ions content. They had better magnetism than pure sample and other substituted samples when the substitution amount of [Formula: see text] ions was [Formula: see text]. At [Formula: see text], the maximum values of remanent magnetization [Formula: see text], saturation magnetization [Formula: see text] and coercivity [Formula: see text] are 25.58 emu/g, 61.95 emu/g and 689.76 Oe, respectively. This indicates that the magnetism of ferrite can improve by substituting with the appropriate amount of manganese. However, due to the excess [Formula: see text] ions instead, ferrite magnetism is weakened. This means that these materials can be used in magnetic data storage and recording media.
Projections generated by Moore–Penrose inverses and core inverses
Authors: Zhu Huihui , Peng Fei
Published: December 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be a unital ∗-ring. As is well known, idempotents and projections can be constructed by the Moore–Penrose inverse and the core inverse of an element in [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we mainly investigate characterizations and properties of these types of idempotents and projections. Also, several results in [Hartwig and Spindelböck, Matrices for which [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] commute, Linear Multilinear Algebra 14 (1984) 241–256] are extended to a general ∗-ring without ∗-cancellable conditions. As applications, the characterization of EP elements is given.
Asymptotics of solutions to a fifth-order modified Korteweg–de Vries equation in the quarter plane
Authors: Liu Nan , Guo Boling
Published: December 2019

The large-time behavior of solutions to a fifth-order modified Korteweg–de Vries equation in the quarter plane is established. Our approach uses the unified transform method of Fokas and the nonlinear steepest descent method of Deift and Zhou.
Development of Applications for Humanoid Robots Using Multiple Platforms, Tools, and Cloud Data Sharing
Authors: Martínez Santiago , Garcia-Haro Juan Miguel , Monje Concepcion Alicia , Balaguer Carlos
Published: December 2019

This paper describes the procedure followed for using third-party tools and applications, avoiding the development of complex communication software modules for data sharing. A common practice in robotics is the use of middlewares to interconnect different software applications, hardware components, or even complete systems. It allows code and tool reuse minimizing the development effort. In this way, applications developed for one middleware can be shared with others by means of establishing communication bridges among them. The most extended procedure is the development of software modules that use the low-level communication resources that middlewares provide. This procedure has many advantages but a clear disadvantage: the complexity of development. The procedure proposed is based on the use of cloud technologies for data sharing without the development of middleware bridges. The way of inter-relate different middlewares is by means of the development of a compatible robot model. This procedure has enabled the use of the ArmarX middleware tools and the application of the results obtained to the humanoid robot TEO, that uses the YARP middleware, in an easy and fast way.
Scalar field solutions for anisotropic universe models in various gravitation theories
Authors: Kabak Ali , Aygün Sezgin
Published: December 2019

In this study, we have investigated homogeneous and anisotropic Marder and Bianchi type I universe models filled with normal and phantom scalar field matter distributions with [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] gravitation theory (T. Harko et al., Phys. Rev. D 84 (2011) 024020). In this model, [Formula: see text] is the Ricci scalar and [Formula: see text] is the trace of energy–momentum tensor. To obtain exact solutions of modified field equations, we have used anisotropy feature of the universe and different scalar potential models with [Formula: see text] function. Also, we have obtained general relativity (GR) solutions for normal and phantom scalar field matter distributions in Marder and Bianchi type I universes. Additionally, we obtained the same scalar function values by using different scalar field potentials for Marder and Bianchi type I universe models with constant difference in [Formula: see text] gravity and GR theory. From obtained solutions, we get negative cosmological term value for [Formula: see text] constant scalar potential model with Marder and Bianchi type I universes in GR theory. These results agree with the studies of Maeda and Ohta, Aktaş et al. also Biswas and Mazumdar. Finally, we have discussed and compared our results in gravitation theories.
Cyclic butadiyne-linked porphyrin(2.1.2.1) oligomers
Authors: Kuzuhara Daiki , Furukawa Wataru , Aratani Naoki , Yamada Hiroko
Published: December 2019

Cyclic butadiyne-linked porphyrin(2.1.2.1) oligomers are synthesized from 5,16-diethynylporphyrin(2.1.2.1) by Glaser–Hay coupling. Porphyrin(2.1.2.1) forms a bent structure which gives advantages for making cyclic structure without templating molecules. We isolated cyclic trimer and tetramer and characterized them by MALDI-TOF-MS and [Formula: see text]H NMR spectroscopy, theoretical calculations, UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra and cyclic voltammetry. The cyclic structure mainly affects the reduction potentials because of expansion of [Formula: see text]-conjugations through butadiyne-linkages to stabilize their LUMOs.
Edge-enabled Disaster Rescue
Authors: Liu Fang , Guo Yeting , Cai Zhiping , Xiao Nong , Zhao Ziming
Published: December 2019

In the aftermath of earthquakes, floods, and other disasters, photos are increasingly playing more significant roles, such as finding missing people and assessing disasters, in rescue and recovery efforts. These disaster photos are taken in real time by the crowd, unmanned aerial vehicles, and wireless sensors. However, communications equipment is often damaged in disasters, and the very limited communication bandwidth restricts the upload of photos to the cloud center, seriously impeding disaster rescue endeavors. Based on edge computing, we propose Echo, a highly time-efficient disaster rescue framework. By utilizing the computing, storage, and communication abilities of edge servers, disaster photos are preprocessed and analyzed in real time, and more specific visuals are immensely helpful for conducting emergency response and rescue. This article takes the search for missing people as a case study to show that Echo can be more advantageous in terms of disaster rescue. To greatly conserve valuable communication bandwidth, only significantly associated images are extracted and uploaded to the cloud center for subsequent facial recognition. Furthermore, an adaptive photo detector is designed to utilize the precious and unstable communication bandwidth effectively, as well as ensure the photo detection precision and recall rate. The effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method are demonstrated by simulation experiments.
General Temporally Biased Sampling Schemes for Online Model Management
Authors: Hentschel Brian , Haas Peter J. , Tian Yuanyuan
Published: December 2019

To maintain the accuracy of supervised learning models in the presence of evolving data streams, we provide temporally biased sampling schemes that weight recent data most heavily, with inclusion probabilities for a given data item decaying over time according to a specified “decay function.” We then periodically retrain the models on the current sample. This approach speeds up the training process relative to training on all of the data. Moreover, time-biasing lets the models adapt to recent changes in the data while—unlike in a sliding-window approach—still keeping some old data to ensure robustness in the face of temporary fluctuations and periodicities in the data values. In addition, the sampling-based approach allows existing analytic algorithms for static data to be applied to dynamic streaming data essentially without change. We provide and analyze both a simple sampling scheme (Targeted-Size Time-Biased Sampling (T-TBS)) that probabilistically maintains a target sample size and a novel reservoir-based scheme (Reservoir-Based Time-Biased Sampling (R-TBS)) that is the first to provide both control over the decay rate and a guaranteed upper bound on the sample size. If the decay function is exponential, then control over the decay rate is complete, and R-TBS maximizes both expected sample size and sample-size stability. For general decay functions, the actual item inclusion probabilities can be made arbitrarily close to the nominal probabilities, and we provide a scheme that allows a tradeoff between sample footprint and sample-size stability. R-TBS rests on the notion of a “fractional sample” and allows for data arrival rates that are unknown and time varying (unlike T-TBS). The R-TBS and T-TBS schemes are of independent interest, extending the known set of unequal-probability sampling schemes. We discuss distributed implementation strategies; experiments in Spark illuminate the performance and scalability of the algorithms, and show that our approach can increase machine learning robustness in the face of evolving data.
Welcome to AI matters 5(3)
Authors: McGovern Amy , Leite Iolanda
Published: December 2019

Welcome to the third issue of the fifth volume of the AI Matters Newsletter. With this issue, we want to welcome our new SIGAI Executive Committee. Elections were completed this Spring, and we have a new leadership team in place. Sanmay Das of Washington University in St. Louis (former vice-chair) is the new chair, Nicholas Mattei of Tulane University the new vice-chair, and John Dickerson of the University of Maryland the new secretary-treasurer. Nicholas and John were formerly active as the appointed AI and Society and Labor Market officers respectively. Sven Koenig will transition into the role of past-chair, and continue to serve on the EC in that role.
ACM SIGAI activity report
Authors: Koenig Sven , Das Sanmay , Paradis Rosemary , Dickerson John , Gil Yolanda , Guo Katherine , Kuipers Benjamin , Leite Iolanda , Ma Hang , Mattei Nicholas , McGovern Amy , Medsker Larry , Neller Todd , Neumann Marion , Petrov Plamen , Rovatsos Michael , Stork David
Published: December 2019

We are happy to present the annual activity report of the ACM Special Interest Group on AI (ACM SIGAI), covering the period from July 2018 to June 2019.

The scope of ACM SIGAI consists of the study of intelligence and its realization in computer systems (see also its web-site at sigai.acm.org). This includes areas such as

autonomous agents, cognitive modeling, computer vision, constraint programming, human language technologies, intelligent user interfaces, knowledge discovery, knowledge representation and reasoning, machine learning, planning and search, problem solving and robotics.

Members come from academia, industry and government agencies worldwide. ACM SIGAI recently added two new ACM SIGAI chapters, namely one professional chapter in Laguna Nigel (USA) and one student chapter at the SRM Institute of Science & Technology in Chennai.

ACM SIGAI also added two new officers this year to be able to serve its membership better, namely Iolanda Leite from the Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) as second newsletter editor-in-chief and Marion Neumann from Washington University in St. Louis (USA) as diversity officer, thus increasing diversity in the ACM SIGAI leadership committee by increasing both the number of international officers and the number of female officers and also furthering the internationalization of the ACM SIGAI newsletter. Marion will be covering diversity also as part of the ACM SIGAI newsletter. ACM SIGAI started officers meetings at major AI conferences already in 2018 and continued the new practice in 2019 (so far at the AAAI Conference), in addition to all-officers teleconferences and a monthly ACM SIGAI leadership teleconference.
Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant mitoquinone attenuates liver inflammation and fibrosis in cirrhotic rats
Authors: Turkseven Saadet , Bolognesi Massimo , Brocca Alessandra , Pesce Paola , Angeli Paolo , Di Pascoli Marco
Published: December 2019

In liver cirrhosis, oxidative stress plays a major role in promoting liver inflammation and fibrosis. Mitochondria dysregulation is responsible for excessive reactive oxygen species production. Therefore, in an experimental model of cirrhosis, we investigated the effect of mitochondria-targeted antioxidant mitoquinone. Liver cirrhosis was induced in Spraque-Dawley rats by common bile duct ligation (CBDL). Mitoquinone (10 mg·kg−1·day−1, oral gavage) or vehicle was administered from 3rd to 28th day after CBDL, when animals were euthanized; liver oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis, mitophagy were evaluated; and in vivo and ex vivo hemodynamic studies were performed. In cirrhotic rats, mitoquinone prevented liver inflammation, hepatocyte necrosis, and fibrosis at histological examination; decreased circulating TNF-α, gene expression of transforming growth factor-β1, collagen type 1a1, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, and MMP-13; and reduced hepatic oxidative stress, as shown by reduced oxidative carbonylation of the proteins, by modulating antioxidants catalase, Mn superoxide dismutase, and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase. Furthermore, mitoquinone attenuated apoptosis by reducing hepatic protein expression of cleaved caspase-3. A selective removal of dysfunctional mitochondria was improved by mitoquinone, as shown by the increase in Parkin translocation to mitochondria. Treatment with mitoquinone normalized the weight of the spleen; however, it increased portal blood flow and reduced splenic artery intrahepatic resistance, suggesting an effect on resistance index. Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant mitoquinone improves liver inflammation and fibrosis in cirrhotic rats by reducing hepatic oxidative stress, preventing apoptosis, and promoting removal of dysfunctional mitochondria. Therefore, it may represent a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of liver cirrhosis.
A myogenic motor pattern in mice lacking myenteric interstitial cells of Cajal explained by a second coupled oscillator network
Authors: Parsons Sean P. , Huizinga Jan D.
Published: December 2019

The interstitial cells of Cajal associated with the myenteric plexus (ICC-MP) are a network of coupled oscillators in the small intestine that generate rhythmic electrical phase waves leading to corresponding waves of contraction, yet rhythmic action potentials and intercellular calcium waves have been recorded from c-kit-mutant mice that lack the ICC-MP, suggesting that there may be a second pacemaker network. The gap junction blocker carbenoxolone induced a “pinstripe” motor pattern consisting of rhythmic “stripes” of contraction that appeared simultaneously across the intestine with a period of ~4 s. The infinite velocity of these stripes suggested they were generated by a coupled oscillator network, which we call X. In c-kit mutants rhythmic contraction waves with the period of X traveled the length of the intestine, before the induction of the pinstripe pattern by carbenoxolone. Thus X is not the ICC-MP and appears to operate under physiological conditions, a fact that could explain the viability of these mice. Individual stripes consisted of a complex pattern of bands of contraction and distension, and between stripes there could be slide waves and v waves of contraction. We hypothesized that these phenomena result from an interaction between X and the circular muscle that acts as a damped oscillator. A mathematical model of two chains of coupled Fitzhugh–Nagumo systems, representing X and circular muscle, supported this hypothesis. The presence of a second coupled oscillator network in the small intestine underlines the complexity of motor pattern generation in the gut.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Physiological experiments and a mathematical model indicate a coupled oscillator network in the small intestine in addition to the c-kit-expressing myenteric interstitial cells of Cajal. This network interacts with the circular muscle, which itself acts as a system of damped oscillators, to generate physiological contraction waves in c-kit (W) mutant mice.
Identification of a Novel NF1 Frameshift Variant in a Chinese Family with Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Authors: Xu Guoyao , Li Ming , Niu Youya , Huang Xueshuang , Li Yanchun , Tang Genyun , Long Sha , Zhao Hui , Jiang Haiou
Published: December 2019

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a progressive neurocutaneous disorder in humans, mainly characterized by café-au-lait macules (CALMs) and neurofibromas. NF1 is caused by variants of the neurofibromin 1 gene (NF1), which encodes a Ras-GTPase-activating protein called neurofibromin. NF1 variants may result in loss of neurofibromin function and elevation of cell proliferation and tumor formation. In this study, a Chinese NF1 family with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern was recruited. Exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were performed to discover the causative variant responsible for the family, followed by molecular analysis of effect of the mutated NF1 protein on Ras activity. A novel frameshift variant c.541dupC (p.(Gln181Profs∗20)) in the NF1 gene was identified in all three affected family members. The variant cosegregated with the disease phenotypes in the pedigree and was absent in 100 healthy controls. Bioinformatic analysis showed that the variant c.541dupC (p.(Gln181Profs∗20)) was pathogenic. The further molecular analysis verified the cells expressing NF1 variant p.(Gln181Profs∗20) partially enhanced Ras activity and elevated cell proliferation and tumor formation due to loss of neurofibromin function caused by the variant. Taken together, the data strongly advocate the c.541dupC (p.(Gln181Profs∗20)) variant as the underlying genetic cause of the Chinese family with NF1. Moreover, our findings broaden the spectrum of NF1 variants and provide molecular insights into the pathogenesis of NF1.
An Unusual Benign Cause of an Alarming Finding on Chest-X ray: A Case Report of Widened Mediastinum due to Rare Congenital Abnormality (Azygos Vein Continuation of Inferior Vena Cava)
Authors: Hanna Michael , Elshimy Ghada , Ismail Medhat , Ismail Mourad
Published: December 2019

Acute widened mediastinum is an alarming finding. It has many possible differential diagnoses; aortic dissection (AD) is considered one that carries catastrophic outcomes. AD is relatively uncommon; it requires early and accurate diagnosis and treatment for better patient survival. However, acute mediastinal widening also can be present in more benign conditions. We report a case of a 50-year-old African American female with postoperative shortness of breath; initial imaging studies revealed an acute widened mediastinum, but on further management with diuresis and follow-up imaging, she was diagnosed with azygous vein continuation of the Inferior vena cava (IVC). This is considered as a rare benign cause of wide mediastinum. Clinicians must be aware of the presence of such a benign cause when dealing with acute wide mediastinum.
Traffic Model and On‐Ramp Metering Strategy under Foggy Weather Conditions Using T‐S Fuzzy Systems
Authors: Sun Changle , Gao Hongyan
Published: December 2019

Foggy weather seriously deteriorates the performance of freeway systems, particularly regarding traffic safety and efficiency. General macroscopic traffic models have difficulty reflecting the characteristics of a freeway under foggy weather conditions. In the present study, a macroscopic traffic model using a correction factor under foggy weather conditions is therefore proposed, which is regulated according to the different levels of visibility and curve radius of the freeway using the Takagi–Sugeno (T‐S) model. Based on the proposed traffic model, a local ramp metering strategy with density correction under foggy weather conditions is proposed to improve traffic safety. The proposed local ramp metering strategy regulates the on‐ramp flow using the T‐S model according to the mainstream density, speed, and visibility. The correction factors are determined based on the parameters of the consequent part in the T‐S model, which are optimized using the particle swarm optimization algorithm. The sum of the mean absolute percentage error of the mainstream traffic density and speed is used to evaluate the proposed traffic model. The real‐time crash‐risk prediction model, which reflects the degree of traffic safety, is used to evaluate the proposed local ramp metering strategy. Simulations using VISSIM and MATLAB show that the proposed traffic model is suitable under foggy weather conditions and that the proposed local ramp metering strategy achieves a better performance in reducing fog‐related crashes.