bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tectonic history across the Iapetus suture zone in Ireland
Authors: McConnell Brian , Riggs Nancy , Fritschle Tobias
Published: May 2020

The early Paleozoic rocks of eastern Ireland span the suture zone between the Laurentian and Ganderian continental margins of the Iapetus Ocean. The Grangegeeth Terrane comprises a Laurentian continental fragment and Ordovician volcanic arc that formed the southern margin of the late Ordovician Rathkenny Basin of Moffat Shale facies mudstone. Together, these were overstepped in Wenlock time by Laurentia-derived greywackes and became the southernmost tract of the Longford–Down Terrane accretionary prism as subduction brought them into the Laurentian-margin trench. South of the suture, Middle Ordovician failed rifting of a Ganderian volcanic arc terrane was followed by shortening during continuing subduction under the north-facing arc. In Newfoundland, a Ganderian volcanic arc migrated across the ocean in mid-Ordovician times to accrete to Laurentia. In Ireland, the late-accreted arc on the Laurentian margin was formed on a Laurentian microcontinent, and Ganderia had an active margin throughout Late Ordovician time. Silurian closure of Iapetus was between the leading edge of Ganderia and the Laurentian margin, unlike in the Canadian Appalachians, where separate Ordovician and Silurian sutures are recognized. Iapetus was narrow by Katian time but subduction-related magmatism continued into Wenlock times on both margins.
Generating Representative Test Sequences from Real Workload for Minimizing DRAM Verification Overhead
Authors: Paik Yoonah , Kim Seon Wook , Jung Dongha , Kim Minseong
Published: May 2020

Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) standards have evolved for higher bandwidth, larger capacity, and lower power consumption, so their specifications have become complicated to satisfy the design goals. These complex implementations have significantly increased the test time overhead for design verification; thus, a tremendous amount of command sequences are used. However, since the sequences generated by real machines or memory simulators are the results of scheduling for high performance, they result in low test coverage with repetitive patterns. Eventually, various workloads should be applied to increase the coverage, but this approach incurs significant test time overhead. A few preliminary studies have been proposed to generate predefined or random sequences to cover various test cases or increase test coverage. However, they have limitations in representing various memory behaviors of real workloads.

In this article, we define a performance metric for estimating the test coverage when using command sequences. Then, our experiment shows that the coverage of a real machine and a simulator is low and similar. Also, the coverage patterns are almost the same in all tested benchmarks. To alleviate the problem, we propose a test-oriented command scheduling algorithm that increases the test coverage while preserving the memory behaviors of workloads and reducing the test time overhead by extracting representative sequences based on the similarity between command sequences. For the sequence extraction and the coverage estimation, our test sequences are embedded into vectors using bag-of-Ngrams. Compared to the simulator, our algorithm achieves 2.94x higher coverage while reducing the test overhead to 7.57%.
Texture and Bandgap Tuning of Phase Pure Cu2O Thin Films Grown By a Simple Potentiostatic Electrodeposition Technique
Authors: Syed Farhad
Published: May 2020

Highly textured phase pure Cu2O thin films have been grown by a simple electrodeposition technique with varying deposition voltages (-0.3 to -1.0 V). The surface morphology characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed that the deposited thin films coherently carpet the underlying substrate and composed of sharp faceted well-define grains of 0.5 – 1.0 µm sizes. XRD analyses showed that all films are composed of polycrystalline cubic Cu2O phase only and have average crystalline domain size in the range 30 – 73 nm. The preferred crystalline orientation of phase pure Cu2O films were found to be changing from (200) to (111) with increasing cathodic voltages and showed highest (111) and (200) crystalline texture coefficient while grown at -1.0 and -0.8 V respectively. Optical bandgap of the as-grown samples were calculated in the range (1.95 – 2.20) eV using UV-Vis Transmission data. The performance of copper oxide films was tested by estimating LED 'ON/OFF' modulated surface photovoltage into a photoelectrochemical cell at a zero bias.
ASICs are required for immediate exercise-induced muscle pain and are downregulated in sensory neurons by exercise training
Authors: Khataei Tahsin , Harding Anne Marie S. , Janahmadi Mahyar , El-Geneidy Maram , Agha-Alinejad Hamid , Rajabi Hamid , Snyder Peter M. , Sluka Kathleen A. , Benson Christopher J.
Published: May 2020

Exercise performance can be limited by the sensations of muscle fatigue and pain transmitted by muscle afferents. It has been proposed that exercise training abrogates these negative feedback signals. We found that acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are required for immediate exercise-induced muscle pain (IEIP). Moreover, exercise training prevented IEIP and was correlated with downregulation of ASICs in sensory neurons.
Rapid changes in vascular compliance contribute to cerebrovascular adjustments during transient reductions in blood pressure in young, healthy adults
Authors: Moir M. Erin , Klassen Stephen A. , Zamir Mair , Shoemaker J. Kevin
Published: May 2020

Historically, dynamic cerebral autoregulation has been characterized by adjustments in cerebrovascular resistance following systematic changes in blood pressure. However, with the use of Windkessel modeling approaches, this study revealed rapid and large increases in cerebrovascular compliance that preceded reductions in cerebrovascular resistance following standing-induced blood pressure reductions. Importantly, the rapid cerebrovascular compliance response contributed to preservation of systolic blood velocity during the transient hypotensive phase. These results broaden our understanding of dynamic cerebral autoregulation.
Mechanism of YuPingFeng in the Treatment of COPD Based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Yin Yunhong , Liu Jianyu , Zhang Mengyu , Li Rui , Liu Xiao , Yang Yican , Qu Yi-Qing
Published: May 2020

YuPingFeng (YPF) granules are a classic herbal formula extensively used in clinical practice in China for the treatment of COPD. However, the pathological mechanisms of YPF in COPD remain undefined. In the present research, a network pharmacology‐based strategy was implemented to elucidate the underlying multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway modes of action of YPF against COPD. First, we identified putative YPF targets based on TCMSP databases and constructed a network containing interactions between putative YPF targets and known therapeutic targets of COPD. Next, two topological parameters, “degree” and “closeness,” were calculated to identify target genes in the network. The major hubs were imported to the MetaCore database for pathway enrichment analysis. In total, 23 YPF active ingredients and 83 target genes associated with COPD were identified. Through protein interaction network analysis, 26 genes were identified as major hubs due to their topological importance. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis results revealed YPF to be mainly associated with the response to glucocorticoids and steroid hormones, with apoptotic and HIF‐1 signalling pathways being dominant and correlative pathways. The promising utility of YPF in the treatment of COPD has been demonstrated by a network pharmacology approach.
Global Prevalence of Periodontal Disease and Lack of Its Surveillance
Authors: Nazir Muhammad , Al-Ansari Asim , Al-Khalifa Khalifa , Alhareky Muhanad , Gaffar Balgis , Almas Khalid
Published: May 2020

Background. Periodontal disease is a public health problem and is strongly associated with systemic diseases; however, its worldwide distribution is not fully understood.Objective. To evaluate global data of periodontal disease: (1) among adolescents, adults, and older population and (2) in low-, middle-, and high-income countries.Methods. This ecological study included data of periodontal disease from the World Health Organization’s data bank which are based on the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN code: 0 = no disease; 1 = bleeding on probing; 2 = calculus; 3 = periodontal pocket (PD) 4-5 mm; 4 = PD (6+ mm). Age- and income-related periodontal disease inequalities were evaluated across the globe.Results. Compared with 9.3% of adults and 9.7% of older persons, 21.2% of adolescents had no periodontal disease (P=0.005). Nearly 18.8% of adolescents compared with 8.9% of adults and 5% of older persons had bleeding on probing (P≤0.001). Similarly, 50.3% of adolescents, 44.6% of adults, and 31.9% older persons demonstrated the occurrence of calculus (P=0.01). On the other hand, older persons had the highest prevalence of PD 4-5 mm and PD 6+ mm than adults and adolescents (P≤0.001). The distribution of periodontitis (CPITN code 3 + 4) in adults differed significantly in low- (28.7%), lower-middle- (10%), upper-middle- (42.5%), and high-income countries (43.7%) (P=0.04). However, no significant differences in periodontitis (CPITN code 3 + 4) were observed in adolescents and older persons in low- to high-income countries.Conclusions. Within the limitations of data, this study found that the distribution of periodontal disease increases with age. Periodontitis was the most common in older persons and in population from high-income countries.
On Transformation Involving Basic Analogue of Multivariable H-Function
Authors: Kumar Dinesh , Ayant Frédéric , Tariboon Jessada
Published: May 2020

In this article, fractional order q-integrals and q-derivatives involving a basic analogue of multivariable H-function have been obtained. We give an application concerning the basic analogue of multivariable H-function and q-extension of the Leibniz rule for the fractional q-derivative for a product of two basic functions. We also give the corollary concerning basic analogue of multivariable Meijer’s G-function as a particular case of the main result.
Genetic Profiles Playing Opposite Roles of Pathogenesis in Schizophrenia and Glioma
Authors: Wen Ya-Dan , Xia Zhi-Wei , Li Dong-Jie , Cheng Quan , Zhao Qing , Cao Hui
Published: May 2020

Background. Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were found having lower risks to develop cancers, including glioma. Based on this epidemiology, we hypothesized that there were gene profiles playing opposite roles in pathogenesis of schizophrenia and glioma. Methods. Based on GEO datasets and TCGA, key genes of schizophrenia genes on the opposite development of glioma were screened by different expressed genes (DEGs) screening, weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), disease-specific survival (DSS), and glioma grading and verified by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Results. First, 612 DEGs were screened from schizophrenia and control brain samples. Second, 134 key genes more specific to schizophrenia were left by WGCNA, with 93 key genes having annotations in TCGA. Third, DSS of glioma helped to find 42 key gene expressions of schizophrenia oppositely associated with survival of glioma. Finally, 24 key genes showed opposite expression trends in schizophrenia and different glioma grading, i.e., the upregulated key genes in schizophrenia expressed increasingly in higher grade glioma, and vice versa. CAMK2D and MPC2 were taken as the examples and evaluated by GSEA, which indeed showed opposite trends in the same pathways of schizophrenia and glioma. Conclusion. This workflow of selecting novel targeted genes which may have opposite roles in pathogenesis of two diseases was firstly and innovatively generated by our team. Some filtered key genes were indeed found by their potential effects in several mechanism studies, indicating our process could be effective to generate novel targeted genes. These 24 key genes may provide potential directions for future biochemical and pharmacotherapeutic research studies.
Parosteal Osteosarcoma: A Benign-Looking Tumour, Amenable to a Variety of Surgical Reconstruction
Authors: Prabowo Yogi , Kamal Achmad Fauzi , Kodrat Evelina , Prasetyo Marcel , Maruanaya Samuel , Efar Toto Suryo
Published: May 2020

Osteosarcoma arising from cortical surface is classified into parosteal, periosteal and high-grade surface osteosarcoma. Along the spectrum, parosteal osteosarcoma occupies the well-differentiated end. It is a relatively rare disease entity, comprised only 4% of all osteosarcomas and barely reported in the literature. The objective of this study is to describe cases of parosteal osteosarcoma as well as a variety of treatment options amenable to such entity. Six cases of parosteal osteosarcoma were identified based on histopathological reports in a tertiary referral hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia between January 2001 and December 2019. The mean age was 29.8 years old; four of them (66.7%) were male. Distal end of femur was the most commonly involved bone (five cases, 83.3%). The patients were treated with wide excision followed by several different reconstruction methods: replacement with endoprosthesis, extracorporeal irradiation, knee arthrodesis, or prophylactic fixation. One of our patients presented with dedifferentiated component, and therefore was treated by limb ablation. While two cases died of pulmonary metastasis, other patients reported fair to excellent functional outcome.
A Rare Case of ARDS Caused by Bupropion Inhalation and Treated with Noninvasive Ventilation
Authors: Al-Saiegh Yousif , Spears Jenna , De Klerk Pieter S. , Hitchings Joshua , Lee Christopher , Mahr Tamara
Published: May 2020

Acute respiratory distress syndrome, characterized by the Berlin criteria, is associated with a high mortality rate. Its treatment includes addressing the underlying etiology, general supportive measures, and achievement of effective oxygenation. New key data indicates that in a subset of patients, noninvasive ventilation techniques can be a therapeutic and equivalent alternative to traditional invasive ventilation. We present a rare case of ARDS triggered by nasal bupropion inhalation and effectively treated with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation resulting in complete resolution.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) Strategies under Hemodynamic Support for Cardiogenic Shock: A Single-Center Experience with Two Patients
Authors: Ahmed Talha , Chahal Diljon , Madathil Ronson J. , Kaczorowski David , Gupta Anuj
Published: May 2020

We describe two cases of profound cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction (CSAMI) requiring mechanical circulatory support (MCS) with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) allowing complex, high-risk, and staged percutaneous interventions with successful decannulation but with unfortunate outcomes.
On Best Proximity Point Results for Some Type of Mappings
Authors: Parvaneh Vahid , Haddadi Mohammad Reza , Aydi Hassen
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we give new conditions for existence and uniqueness of a best proximity point for Geraghty- and Caristi-type mappings. The presented results are most valuable generalizations of the Geraghty and Caristi fixed point theorems.
An Adjustable Zero Vibration Input Shaping Control Scheme for Overhead Crane Systems
Authors: Mohammed Abdullah , Alghanim Khalid , Taheri Andani Masood
Published: May 2020

This article presents a modified zero vibration (ZV) input shaping technique to address the sensitivity and flexibility limitations of the classic ZV shapers commonly implemented in overhead crane applications. Starting with the classical ZV formulation, new parameters are introduced to optimize the control system performance according to a versatile objective function. The new shaper enhances the design flexibility and operational domain of the shaper, while it inherits the robustness properties and computational efficiency of the ZV scheme. Unlike the original ZV shaper, the proposed shaper allows for the point-to-point maneuver time to be fixed. The sensitivity analysis of the controller confirms that the new shaper effectively reduces the ZV sensitivity to the cable length variations.
Anticoccidial Activity of Aloe debrana and Aloe pulcherrima Leaf Gel against Eimeria Oocysts
Authors: Desalegn Andualem Yimer , Ahmed Mulubrihan Rahimeto
Published: May 2020

Avian coccidiosis is one of the serious infectious diseases that pose huge impact on the health and production of poultry, hence mainly controlled by regular use of prophylactic and therapeutic chemical drugs. Frequent use of anticoccidial drugs, however, has resulted in the development of resistance in the Eimeria species and concerns about drug residues which have stimulated the efforts to search for alternative. Aloe pulcherrima and Aloe debrana are some of the endemic Aloe species of Ethiopia which are traditionally used for the treatment of various infectious diseases. In this study, an in vitro trial was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Aloe debrana and A. pulcherrima leaf gel infusions on the inhibition of the sporulation of oocysts of mixed Eimeria species isolated from naturally infected chickens. In this assay, petri dishes containing unsporulated coccidian oocysts at a dose of 1500 oocysts/ml of fecal solution were randomly assigned to 10, 15, 25, and 30% w/v crude gel infusion of both aloe species in 1% potassium dichromate solution while Amprolium and distilled water served as control groups. The results of this study show that 10, 15, 25, and 3 0% w/v gel infusions at the tested concentrations have anticoccidial activity as evidenced by their ability to decrease significantly (P<0.05) the sporulation of Eimeria oocysts relative to the control incubation. The efficacy of A. debrana was found significantly better (P<0.05) than A. pulcherrima at different concentrations. However, A. debrana at 30% concentration showed significantly higher (P<0.05) sporulation inhibition efficacy of 79.35% (CI: 75.99-83.21) compared to A. pulcherrima (69.17%, CI: 64.65-73.92) at similar concentration in relation to the control incubation, though this could not be compared to Amprolium which was more effective (P<0.05) with an inhibition percentage of 90.54% (CI: 89.16-92.21). This study has shown that there is potential for use of Aloe debrana leaf gel for the control of avian coccidiosis and as a chemotherapeutic, though much research is needed to determine absolute concentration which will make it comparable to commercially available drugs in terms of efficacy.
Steel‐Concrete Composite Bridges: Design, Life Cycle Assessment, Maintenance, and Decision‐Making
Authors: Martínez-Muñoz D. , Martí J. V. , Yepes V.
Published: May 2020

Steel‐concrete composite bridges are used as an alternative to concrete bridges because of their ability to adapt their geometry to design constraints and the possibility of reusing some of the materials in the structure. In this review, we report the research carried out on the design, behavior, optimization, construction processes, maintenance, impact assessment, and decision‐making techniques of composite bridges in order to arrive at a complete design approach. In addition to a qualitative analysis, a multivariate analysis is used to identify knowledge gaps related to bridge design and to detect trends in research. An additional objective is to make visible the gaps in the sustainable design of composite steel‐concrete bridges, which allows us to focus on future research studies. The results of this work show how researchers have concentrated their studies on the preliminary design of bridges with a mainly economic approach, while at a global level, concern is directed towards the search for sustainable solutions. It is found that life cycle impact assessment and decision‐making strategies allow bridge managers to improve decision‐making, particularly at the end of the life cycle of composite bridges.
Synchronous Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Patient with Primary Gastric Cancer: An Exceptional Association
Authors: Hammami Aya , Elleuch Nour , Jaziri Hanen , Ben Cheikh Yasser , Braham Ahlem , Ajmi Salem , Ben Slama Aida , Ksiaa Mehdi , Jmaa Ali
Published: May 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent type of liver cancer. Liver cirrhosis of any etiology is considered the main risk factor for the development of HCC. However, HCC in noncirrhotic livers remains an uncommon finding. The association of HCC with a primary gastric adenocarcinoma was described in the literature as part of a hepatoid adenocarcinoma which is a special type of primary gastric carcinoma characterized by histologic similarities to HCC with excessive production of α-fetoprotein. Herein, we report the case of a 50-year-old male patient, with no history of pre-existing liver disease, who was admitted due to epigastric pain and vomiting. He was diagnosed with HCC in noncirrhotic liver associated with primary gastric adenocarcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of synchronous HCC and gastric cancer with no hepatoid adenocarcinoma features in Tunisia.
Gene Expression Profiling of Human Adipose Tissue Stem Cells during 2D versus 3D Adipogenesis
Authors: Zohora Fatema Tuj , Aldebs Alyaa Isam , Nosoudi Nasim , Singh Surinder Pal , Ramirez-Vick Jaime Eduardo
Published: May 2020

Much of the current understanding on molecular and cellular events of adipose developmental biology comes from monolayer cell culture models using preadipocyte cell lines, although in vivo adipose tissue consists of a much more complex three-dimensional microenvironment of diverse cell types, extracellular network, and tissue-specific morphological and functional features. Added to this fact, the preadipocytes, on which the adipogenesis mechanisms are mostly explored, possess some serious limitations (e.g., time of initial subculture and adipogenic differentiation time), which, perhaps, can efficiently be replaced with progenitor cells such as adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs). With the objective of developing a better in vitro model for adipose developmental biology, this project involves gene expression profiling of human ASCs (hASCs) during their differentiation to adipocytes in a 2D versus 3D culture model. This transcriptional-level analysis revealed that gene expression patterns of adipogenesis-induced hASCs in a 3D self-assembled polypeptide hydrogel are relatively different from the 2D monolayered cells on plastic hard substrate. Moreover, analysis of adipogenic lineage progression 9 days after adipogenic induction shows earlier differentiation of hASCs in 2D over their 3D counterparts. However, differentiation in 2D shows some unexpected behavior in terms of gene expression, which does not seem to be related to adipogenic lineage specification. Since hASCs are already being used in clinical trials due to their therapeutic potential, it is important to have a clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms in an in vivo model microenvironment like the one presented here.
Prilocaine-Induced Methemoglobinemia
Authors: Medetalibeyoğlu Alpay , Koç Elif Sitre , Beyaz Oyku , Edizer Ahmed
Published: May 2020

Local anesthetics are used to anesthetize surface areas in several procedures. The history of anesthesia exposure has been established as an important factor for correct diagnosis. When they are used excessively, some systemic side effects such as methemoglobinemia, respiratory failure, cardiovascular arrhythmias, or neurological manifestations may occur. Methemoglobinemia which usually presents with nonspecific symptoms is a serious entity. It is a rare but severe side effect of anesthetics. We herein present a case of methemoglobinemia due to local anesthesia with prilocaine.
Novel Methods for Quantification of Vasodepression and Cardioinhibition During Tilt-Induced Vasovagal Syncope
Authors: van Dijk J. Gert , Ghariq Maryam , Kerkhof Fabian I. , Reijntjes Robert , van Houwelingen Marc J. , van Rossum Ineke A. , Saal Dirk P. , van Zwet Erik W. , van Lieshout Johannes J. , Thijs Roland D. , Benditt David G.
Published: May 2020

Rationale:

Assessing the relative contributions of cardioinhibition and vasodepression to the blood pressure (BP) decrease in tilt-induced vasovagal syncope requires methods that reflect BP physiology accurately.

Objective:

To assess the relative contributions of cardioinhibition and vasodepression to tilt-induced vasovagal syncope using novel methods.

Methods and Results:

We studied the parameters determining BP, that is, stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR), and total peripheral resistance (TPR), in 163 patients with tilt-induced vasovagal syncope documented by continuous ECG and video EEG monitoring. We defined the beginning of cardioinhibition as the start of an HR decrease (HR) before syncope and used logarithms of SV, HR, and TPR ratios to quantify the multiplicative relation BP=SV·HR·TPR. We defined 3 stages before syncope and 2 after it based on direction changes of these parameters. The earliest BP decrease occurred 9 minutes before syncope. Cardioinhibition was observed in 91% of patients at a median time of 58 seconds before syncope. At that time, SV had a strong negative effect on BP, TPR a lesser negative effect, while HR had increased (all
P
<0.001). At the onset of cardioinhibition, the median HR was at 98 bpm higher than baseline. Cardioinhibition thus initially only represented a reduction of the corrective HR increase but was nonetheless accompanied by an immediate acceleration of the ongoing BP decrease. At syncope, SV and HR contributed similarly to the BP decrease (
P
<0.001), while TPR did not affect BP.

Conclusions:

The novel methods allowed the relative effects of SV, HR, and TPR on BP to be assessed separately, although all act together. The 2 major factors lowering BP in tilt-induced vasovagal syncope were reduced SV and cardioinhibition. We suggest that the term vasodepression in reflex syncope should not be limited to reduced arterial vasoconstriction, reflected in TPR, but should also encompass venous pooling, reflected in SV.
China’s Efforts in Marine Biodiversity Conservation: Recent Developments in Policy and Institutional Reform
Authors: Wang Jiayi , Zou Keyuan
Published: May 2020

Marine biodiversity is essential for providing material foundations for sustainable social development and maintaining balance in the ecosystems of the earth. However, in recent years, marine biodiversity has been threatened by the combined effects of human activities and climate change, and has deteriorated at both domestic and international levels. Effective marine biodiversity conservation is dependent upon a comprehensive policy and legislation framework and scientific conservation measures. As a responsible developing country, China has made great efforts to protect marine biodiversity. This article provides an overview of recent policy and institutional developments in China with respect to marine biodiversity conservation. These current developments indicate that China’s marine biodiversity conservation strategy is increasingly holistic and unified, and emphasises integrated management of the sea.
Establishing a method for the expansion of human regulatory T cells with a high-efficiency in vitro
Authors: Tao Shuo , Feng Sujuan , Fan Bengfang , Zhao Lihua , Zhang Poxuan , Liu Ying
Published: May 2020

The objective of this study is to establish a method to isolate and culture regulatory T cells with a high-efficiency in vitro. The CD4+, CD25+, and CD127low T cells were isolated through fluorescence activated cells sorting and cultured in vitro
with anti-CD3-anti-CD28-coated microbeads and IL-2 for two weeks. The number of cells was determined to evaluate the expansion ability, the phenotype of the expanded cells was identified with flow cytometry, and the suppressive function was examined by mixed lymphocyte reaction. The CD4+CD25+CD127low
T cells were efficiently amplified in vitro using magnetic beads (Fe3O4). A mean expansion of (755.5 ± 213.5) fold was obtained after the cells were cultured for two weeks. In addition, the expressions of CD4, CD19, CD8, and CD25 in the expanded cells were
estimated at (98.3 ± 1.04)%, (0.039 ± 0.021)%, (0.443 ± 0.239)%, and (97.6 ± 1.35)%, respectively. FOXP3+ cells accounted for (87.7 ± 5.5)% of the expanded cells, while Helios+ cells accounted for (73.3 ± 2.9)%. The cultured cells
demonstrated the highest suppressive capacity with (84.39 ± 1.98)% suppression of the activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells at a responder: regulatory T cells (Treg) ratio of 1:1. This research suggests a method to obtain a large quantity of Tregs with a high-efficiency in
vitro. The expanded cells remain in their original phenotype and demonstrate the ability of immune suppression, which plays enormous significance in the cell therapy for treating autoimmune diseases and transplant rejections.
Phospholipase C-like protein 2 (PLC-L2) is associated with cytolytic ability of CD8+ T cells and prognosis of prostate cancer
Authors: Li Kaiwen , Ma Xiaoming , Wang Qiong , Zhou Qianghua , Chen Xu , Guo Zhenghui , Lai Yiming , Tao Yiran , Wu Wanhua , Peng Shirong , Cai Wenli , Bai Shoumin , Huang Hai
Published: May 2020

PLC-L2, whose related members of its family facilitate in the differentiation of T cells, is a potential epigenetic marker for PCa. The density of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells in PCa is associated with a better prognosis. It remains unclear how PLC-L2 affects the TIL and
PCa. A human tissue microarray (TMA) and PCa patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas were used to address the correlations between PLC-L2 and the infiltrated immune cells and to evaluate the relationship between PLC-L2 and prognosis of PCa patients. More advanced PCa expressed less PLC-L2 than
less advanced PCa, in terms of pathological grade, clinical stage, and the presence of lymph node and distant metastasis. Besides, the expression of PLC-L2 had positive correlations with CD8+ T cells and antigen-presenting cells such as macrophage and dendritic cells. PLC-L2 expression
was also positively correlated with local immune cytolytic ability, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-12A, IL-12B, and IL-18. Furthermore, PLC-L2 expression was an independent factor of a favorable prognosis in PCa patients. This study reveals that PLC-L2 might recruit CD8+ T cells and promote
their cytolytic ability in PCa. PLC-L2 accompanied by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells could suppress the development of PCa and subsequently increase prognosis in PCa patients.
Global Characterization of the Ocean’s Internal Wave Spectrum
Authors: Pollmann Friederike
Published: May 2020

A key ingredient of energetically consistent ocean models is the parameterized link between small-scale turbulent mixing, an important energy source of large-scale ocean dynamics, and internal gravity wave energetics. Theory suggests that this link depends on the wave field’s spectral characteristics, but because of the paucity of suitable observations, its parameterization typically relies on a model spectrum [Garrett–Munk (GM)] with constant parameters. Building on the so-called “finestructure method,” internal gravity wave spectra are derived from vertical strain profiles obtained from Argo floats to provide a global estimate of the spatial and temporal variability of the GM model’s spectral parameters. For spectral slopes and wavenumber scales, the highest variability and the strongest deviation from the model’s canonical parameters are observed in the North Atlantic, the northwest Pacific, and the Southern Ocean. Internal wave energy levels in the upper ocean are well represented by the GM model value equatorward of approximately 50°, while they are up to two orders of magnitude lower poleward of this latitude. The use of variable spectral parameters in the energy level calculation hides the seasonal cycle in the northwest Pacific that was previously observed for constant parameters. The global estimates of how the GM model’s spectral parameters vary in space and time are hence expected to add relevant detail to various studies on oceanic internal gravity waves, deepening the understanding of their energetics and improving parameterizations of the mixing they induce.
Nanoscale Molecular Characterization of Hair Cuticle Cells Using Integrated Atomic Force Microscopy–Infrared Laser Spectroscopy
Authors: Fellows Alexander P. , Casford Mike T. L. , Davies Paul B.
Published: May 2020

The hair cuticle provides significant protection from external sources, as well as giving rise to many of its bulk properties, e.g., friction, shine, etc. that are important in many industries. In this work, atomic force microscopy-infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR) has been used to investigate the nanometer-scale topography and chemical structure of human hair cuticles in two spectral regions. AFM-IR combines atomic force microscopy with a tunable infrared laser and circumvents the diffraction limit that has impaired traditional infrared spectroscopy, facilitating surface-selective spectroscopy at ultra-spatial resolution. This high resolution was exploited to probe the protein secondary structures and lipid content, as well as specific amino acid residues, e.g., cystine, within individual cuticle cells. Characterization across the top of individual cells showed large inhomogeneity in protein and lipid contributions that suggested significant changes to physical properties on approaching the hair edge. Additionally, the exposed layered sub-structure of individual cuticle cells allowed their chemical compositions to be assessed. The variation of protein, lipid, and cystine composition in the observed layers, as well as the measured dimensions of each, correspond closely to that of the epicuticle, A-layer, exocuticle, and endocuticle layers of the cuticle cell sub-structure, confirming previous findings, and demonstrate the potential of AFM-IR for nanoscale chemical characterization within biological substrates.
Mutually Assured Distrust: Ideology and Commitment Problems in Civil Wars
Authors: Keels Eric , Wiegand Krista
Published: May 2020

Within the study of intrastate armed conflicts, many scholars rely on a bargaining model when explaining why some civil wars are intractable. Primarily, scholars posit that commitment problems represent a key barrier to settling conflicts through negotiations. Yet, some civil wars are more easily resolved than others. If commitment problems are a universal feature of civil wars, what explains why commitment problems are more salient in some conflicts as compared to others? We argue that ideological differences between combatants enhance commitment problems in civil wars. Assuming that ideology is used by combatants to generate support, concessions that violate the ideological goals of each side may alienate supporters. With extreme ideological polarization, concessions may be viewed as relative as opposed to absolute, making it difficult for either side to credibly commit to offer concessions. To test these claims, we quantitatively examine the duration and outcome of all intrastate conflicts from 1975 to 2011.
How Need for Power Explains Why Narcissists Are Antisocial
Authors: Alexander Megan Brooke , Gore Jonathan , Estep Caitlin
Published: May 2020

To date, no research has examined need for power as a reason why narcissists engage in antisocial behavior. The purpose of the current research is to examine need for power as a potential mediating factor between narcissism and antisocial behavior. The current research was conducted in two studies. Participants ( n =  408) of study one consisted of undergraduate students who completed an online survey focusing on narcissism, need for power, and aggression. The results of Study 1 found that Need for Power fully mediated the association between narcissism and aggression. Participants ( n =  323) of study two consisted of adults who completed an online survey through Mechanical Turk. Study 2 focused on seven types of narcissism, four types of need for power, need for influence, and lifetime criminal behavior. The results of Study 2 found that most forms of narcissism positively associated with criminal behavior but only the desire to resist subordination mediated the link between narcissism and criminal behavior.
Future Applications of Real-World Neuroimaging to Clinical Psychology
Authors: Crum II James E.
Published: May 2020

Clinical neuroimaging has largely been limited to examining the neurophysiological outcomes of treatments for psychiatric conditions rather than the neurocognitive mechanisms by which these outcomes are brought about as a function of clinical strategies, and the cognitive neuroscientific research aiming to investigate these mechanisms in nonclinical and clinical populations has been ecologically challenged by the extent to which tasks represent and generalize to intervention strategies. However, recent technological and methodological advancements to neuroimaging techniques such as functional near-infrared spectroscopy and functional near-infrared spectroscopy-based hyperscanning provide novel opportunities to investigate the mechanisms of change in more naturalistic and interactive settings, representing a unique prospect for improving our understanding of the intra- and interbrain systems supporting the recogitation of dysfunctional cognitive operations.
An Empirically Derived Taxonomy of Biopsychosocial Factors of Adjustment to Fibromyalgia: Results of a Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Muller Veronica , Chan Fong , Iwanaga Kanako , Wu Jia-Rung , Chen Xiangli , Lee Beatrice , Tao Jing , Rumrill Phillip , Bezyak Jill
Published: May 2020

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a lifelong central nervous system disorder that is precipitated by a range of biological, psycho-cognitive, and social factors. The aims of this exploratory study were to (a) identify biopsychosocial and cognitive factors that may affect an individual’s response to FM, (b) determine whether individuals with FM can be grouped into homogeneous subgroups based on biopsychosocial factors associated with response to FM, and (c) compare subgroup differences in health outcomes and life satisfaction. This study included 302 participants with FM. Principal components analysis yielded three sets of biopsychosocial factors that may affect response to FM (i.e., protective, cognitive-affective, and physical factors). Based on these three factors, a cluster analysis was performed, which produced three homogeneous subgroups: (a) the moderate amount of problems group, (b) the least amount of problems group, and (c) the many problems group. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) results indicated that these three subgroups differed significantly in terms of health outcomes and life satisfaction. The findings of this study broaden the existing literature related to understanding FM from a multidimensional symptom response perspective and contribute to the development and validation of biopsychosocial interventions for people with FM.
Experimental study on texturability of filament yarns produced from recycled PET
Authors: Abbasi Marjan , Mohades Mojtahedi Mohammad Reza , Kotek Richard
Published: May 2020

In the present work, the texturability of filament yarns produced from recycled bottle grade polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET) and new fiber grade PET (FG-PET) were investigated and compared experimentally. Yarn spun on a spin-draw spinning machine was draw-textured. Elongation at break in each fiber was set to reach 30 ± 5% in the texturing machine. The effect of the draw-texturing conditions on thermomechanical, structural, and crimp properties were examined. Draw-texturing behaviors of the fibers were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry and measurements of intrinsic viscosity, mechanical and crimp properties, density, and X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that crystallinity of the textured yarn from R- PET and FG-PET has increased compared to the semi-drawn yarns. Further, the lateral dimensions of the R-PET crystals are relatively well developed. Crimp properties show nearly similar response for two polymer yarns for the texturing process. It was found that R-PET can be the premier feed supply for the draw-texturing process and that filaments with appropriate confidence could be obtained from the R-PET.
Using the WhatsApp Social Media Application for Active Learning
Authors: Dahdal Sohail
Published: May 2020

WhatsApp, the message-sharing social media app, is commonly used by students to collaborate on class assignments. This article examines the use of WhatsApp as part of a course gradable assignments and weekly pre- and postlecture discussions. This study is based on a survey and interviews conducted with undergraduate university students in the UAE who were asked if WhatsApp Groups use within the structured frame of the course and as gradable requirements increased their motivation to contribute to the course work. The results indicate that the students were more engaged with assignments that had WhatsApp embedded within the assignment structure. Furthermore, they found the pre- and postlecture WhatsApp discussions beneficial and effective, increasing motivation to participate actively in the lecture’s topic. This study concludes that the use of WhatsApp as part of course gradable assignments can contribute to active learning and enhance collaborative learning pre- and postlectures.
Make Your Pitch: A Flexible Assignment for Engaging Students in Aging
Authors: Goedereis Eric A. , Gray-Graves Amy
Published: May 2020

Given trends in local, national, and global demographics, a need exists for educators in fields that serve older adults to provide innovative and engaging assignments that are relevant and applicable to the diverse contexts in which students are likely to find themselves as they pursue their careers. This article discusses a novel “elevator pitch” assignment that could be implemented in a number of ways to fit a variety of pedagogical methods and courses and further tailored to serve the needs of diverse student populations. For those working to actively and successfully recruit, train, and retain students in fields that serve older adults, such flexibility of assignments and delivery are likely to be acutely important as institutions, instructors, and students continue to adapt to rapidly changing developments such as those imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In My Own Opinion”: Negotiation of Rabbinical Authority Online in Responsa Within Kipa.co.il
Authors: Tsuria Ruth , Campbell Heidi A.
Published: May 2020

This study explores how Israeli Jewish rabbis negotiate their authority through the practice of online Responsa, a Jewish tradition of rabbinical questions and answers (Q&A). A total of n = 567 Q&A were collected from five different rabbis answering on Kipa.co.il. By analyzing questions asked by anonymous users and answered by specific rabbis, this research shows how online Responsa allows rabbis to negotiate their rabbinical authority. We highlight two trends regarding rabbinical authority: (a) a growing need for online presence, meaning that the quantity of answers becomes an important part of constructing rabbinical authority online and (b) online activity in rabbinical Q&A changes the length and textual depth of the answers. The online Jewish Responsa is more concise and tends not to supply textual support. These trends, we argue, result in a reframing of the rabbi’s roles, and the Halachic discourse itself.
Positional headache induced by isolated middle cerebral artery dissection: Two case reports
Authors: Lee Sang-Hun , Yeo Tae-Young , Jung Jin-Man
Published: May 2020

Background

Isolated middle cerebral artery dissection is uncommon and occurs in patients reporting headaches as the only symptom. This makes intracranial artery dissection challenging to diagnose and treat. Case description: We describe two cases of positional headache caused by isolated middle cerebral artery dissection, confirmed using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging. The two patients presented with sudden-onset headache, occurring when lying in the lateral decubitus position. When lying down in the decubitus position ipsilateral to the intracranial artery dissection, the headache aggravated and middle cerebral artery flow velocity increased on transcranial Doppler ultrasonography compared to when in the supine position. Both patients were treated with antiplatelet agents, and the headache completely resolved within 1–2 weeks.

Conclusion

We recommend additional imaging studies evaluating intracranial artery dissection as a cause of positional headache.
Computer Science Meets Education: Natural Language Processing for Automatic Grading of Open-Ended Questions in eBooks
Authors: Smith Glenn Gordon , Haworth Robert , Žitnik Slavko
Published: May 2020

We investigated how Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms could automatically grade answers to open-ended inference questions in web-based eBooks. This is a component of research on making reading more motivating to children and to increasing their comprehension. We obtained and graded a set of answers to open-ended questions embedded in a fiction novel written in English. Computer science students used a subset of the graded answers to develop algorithms designed to grade new answers to the questions. The algorithms utilized the story text, existing graded answers for a given question and publicly accessible databases in grading new responses. A computer science professor used another subset of the graded answers to evaluate the students’ NLP algorithms and to select the best algorithm. The results showed that the best algorithm correctly graded approximately 85% of the real-world answers as correct, partly correct, or wrong. The best NLP algorithm was trained with questions and graded answers from a series of new text narratives in another language, Slovenian. The resulting NLP algorithm model was successfully used in fourth-grade language arts classes for providing feedback to student answers on open-ended questions in eBooks.
Reduced VIP Expression Affects Circadian Clock Function in VIP-IRES-CRE Mice (JAX 010908)
Authors: Joye Deborah A. M. , Rohr Kayla E. , Keller Danielle , Inda Thomas , Telega Adam , Pancholi Harshida , Carmona-Alcocer Vania , Evans Jennifer A.
Published: May 2020

Circadian rhythms are programmed by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which relies on neuropeptide signaling to maintain daily timekeeping. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is critical for SCN function, but the precise role of VIP neurons in SCN circuits is not fully established. To interrogate their contribution to SCN circuits, VIP neurons can be manipulated specifically using the DNA-editing enzyme Cre recombinase. Although the Cre transgene is assumed to be inert by itself, we find that VIP expression is reduced in both heterozygous and homozygous adult VIP-IRES-Cre mice (JAX 010908). Compared with wild-type mice, homozygous VIP-Cre mice display faster reentrainment and shorter free-running period but do not become arrhythmic in constant darkness. Consistent with this phenotype, homozygous VIP-Cre mice display intact SCN PER2::LUC rhythms, albeit with altered period and network organization. We present evidence that the ability to sustain molecular rhythms in the VIP-Cre SCN is not due to residual VIP signaling; rather, arginine vasopressin signaling helps to sustain SCN function at both intracellular and intercellular levels in this model. This work establishes that the VIP-IRES-Cre transgene interferes with VIP expression but that loss of VIP can be mitigated by other neuropeptide signals to help sustain SCN function. Our findings have implications for studies employing this transgenic model and provide novel insight into neuropeptide signals that sustain daily timekeeping in the master clock.