bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variety features differentiate microbiota in the grape leaves
Authors: Zhang Shiwei , Wang Yuan , Chen Xi , Cui Bingjian , Bai Zhihui , Zhuang Guoqiang
Published: June 2020

The dependence of plant health and crop quality on the epiphytic microbial community has been extensively addressed, but little is known about plant-associated microbial communities under natural conditions. In this study, the bacterial and fungal communities on grape leaves were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer high-throughput sequencing, respectively. The results showed differences in the composition of the microbial communities on leaf samples of nine wine grape varieties. The most abundant bacterial genus was Pseudomonas, and the top three varieties with Pseudomonas were Zinfandel (22.6%), Syrah (21.6%), and Merlot (13.5%). The most abundant fungal genus was Alternaria, and the cultivar with the lowest abundance of Alternaria was Zinfandel (33.6%), indicating that these communities had different habitat preferences. The linear discriminant analysis effect size of all species showed that the bacteria Enterococcus, Massilia, and Kocuria were significantly enriched on the leaves of Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, respectively; Pseudomonadales and Pantoea on Zinfandel; and Bacillus, Turicibacter, and Romboutsia on Pinot Noir. Similarly, the fungi Cladosporium, Phoma, and Sporormiella were significantly enriched on Zinfandel, Lon, and Gem, respectively. Both Bray–Curtis and unweighted UniFrac revealed that bacteria and fungi have a significant impact (P < 0.01), and the results further proved that variety is the most important factor affecting the microbial community. The findings indicate that some beneficial or harmful microorganisms existing on the wine grape leaves might affect the health of the grape plants and the wine-making process.
The importance of DNA barcode choice in biogeographic analyses — a case study on marine midges of the genus Clunio
Authors: Fuhrmann Nico , Kaiser Tobias S.
Published: June 2020

DNA barcodes are widely used for species identification and biogeographic studies. Here, we compare the use of full mitochondrial genomes versus DNA barcodes and other mitochondrial DNA fragments for biogeographic and ecological analyses. Our dataset comprised 120 mitochondrial genomes from the genus Clunio (Diptera: Chironomidae), comprising five populations from two closely related species (Clunio marinus and Clunio balticus) and three ecotypes. We extracted cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) barcodes and partitioned the mitochondrial genomes into non-overlapping windows of 750 or 1500 bp. Haplotype networks and diversity indices were compared for these windows and full mitochondrial genomes (15.4 kb). Full mitochondrial genomes indicate complete geographic isolation between populations, but do not allow for conclusions on the separation of ecotypes or species. COI barcodes have comparatively few polymorphisms, ideal for species identification, but do not resolve geographic isolation. Many of the similarly sized 750 bp windows have higher nucleotide and haplotype diversity than COI barcodes, but still do not resolve biogeography. Only when increasing the window size to 1500 bp, two windows resolve biogeography reasonably well. Our results suggest that the design and use of DNA barcodes in biogeographic studies must be carefully evaluated for each investigated species.
U(1)B−L extension based on Δ(27) symmetry for lepton masses and mixings
Authors: Vien V. V. , Khoi D. P.
Published: June 2020

We propose a [Formula: see text] Standard Model (SM) extension based on [Formula: see text] symmetry in which neutrino mass orderings and the tiny neutrino masses are produced by the type-I seesaw mechanism. The obtained physical parameters are well consistent with the global fit of neutrino oscillation.1 The model is predictive in the sense that it reproduces the experimental values of neutrino parameters. Two of the predicted parameters have little deviations from the best-fit values given in Ref. 1, however they are consistent with the other experimental results.[Formula: see text]
Six-dimensional ultraviolet completion of the ℂℙ(N) σ model at two loops
Authors: Gracey J. A.
Published: June 2020

We extend the recent one-loop analysis of the ultraviolet completion of the [Formula: see text] nonlinear [Formula: see text] model in six dimensions to two-loop order in the [Formula: see text] scheme for an arbitrary covariant gauge. In particular we compute the anomalous dimensions of the fields and [Formula: see text]-functions of the four coupling constants. We note that like Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) in four dimensions the matter field anomalous dimension only depends on the gauge parameter at one loop. As a nontrivial check we verify that the critical exponents derived from these renormalization group functions at the Wilson–Fisher fixed point are consistent with the [Formula: see text] expansion of the respective large [Formula: see text] exponents of the underlying universal theory. Using the Ward–Takahashi identity we deduce the three-loop [Formula: see text] renormalization group functions for the six-dimensional ultraviolet completeness of scalar QED.
Anomalous diffusion equation using a new general fractional derivative within the Miller–Ross kernel
Authors: Feng Yiying , Liu Jiangen
Published: June 2020

In view of the generalization of Miller–Ross kernel in the sense of Riemann–Liouville type, we propose the new definitions of the general fractional integral (GFI) and general fractional derivative (GFD) to discuss the anomalous diffusion equation, which is distinct from those classic calculus operators. The obtained analytical solution of the application described in the graph is effective and accurate making the use of Laplace transform.
Hopf Bifurcation of a Generalized Delay-Induced Predator–Prey System with Habitat Complexity
Authors: Ma Zhihui
Published: June 2020

A delay-induced nonautonomous predator–prey system with variable habitat complexity is proposed based on mathematical and ecological issues, and this system is more realistic than the published models. Firstly, the permanence of the nonautonomous predation system is studied and some sufficient conditions are obtained. Secondly, the dynamical behaviors of the corresponding autonomous predation system are investigated, including the positivity and boundedness, and local and global stabilities. Thirdly, the properties of Hopf bifurcation of the autonomous predation system without/with delay are investigated and the explicit formulas which determine the stability and the direction of periodic solutions are obtained. Finally, a numerical example is given to test our theoretical results.
Four-Wing Hidden Attractors with One Stable Equilibrium Point
Authors: Deng Quanli , Wang Chunhua , Yang Linmao
Published: June 2020

Although multiwing hidden attractor chaotic systems have attracted a lot of interest, the currently reported multiwing hidden attractor chaotic systems are either with no equilibrium point or with an infinite number of equilibrium points. The multiwing hidden attractor chaotic systems with stable equilibrium points have not been reported. This paper reports a four-wing hidden attractor chaotic system, which has only one stable node-focus equilibrium point. The novel system can also generate a hidden attractor with one-wing and hidden attractors with quasi-periodic and periodic coexistence. In addition, a self-excited attractor with one-wing can be generated by adjusting the parameters of the novel system. The hidden attractors of the novel system are verified by the cross-section of attraction basins. And the hidden behavior is investigated by choosing different initial states. Moreover, the coexisting transient four-wing phenomenon of the self-excited one-wing attractor system is studied by the time domain waveforms and attraction basin. The dynamical characteristics of the novel system are studied by Lyapunov exponents spectrum, bifurcation diagram and Poincaré map. Furthermore, the novel hidden attractor system with four-wing and one-wing are implemented by electronic circuits. The hardware experiment results are consistent with the numerical simulations.
Asymptotic dynamics on a chemotaxis-Navier–Stokes system with nonlinear diffusion and inhomogeneous boundary conditions
Authors: Wu Chunyan , Xiang Zhaoyin
Published: June 2020

The diffusion of cells in a viscous incompressible fluid (e.g. water) may be viewed like movement in a porous medium and there is a bidirectorial oxygen exchange between water and their surrounding air in thin fluid layers near the air–water contact surface. This leads to the following chemotaxis-Navier–Stokes system with nonlinear diffusion: [Formula: see text] endowed with the inhomogeneous boundary conditions [Formula: see text] and the initial data [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text], where the incoming oxygen [Formula: see text] is non-negative, and the outgoing oxygen molecule is modeled by [Formula: see text] with positive coefficient [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we investigate the asymptotic dynamics of the above system in a bounded domain [Formula: see text] with the smooth boundary [Formula: see text]. We will show that arbitrary porous medium diffusion mechanism [Formula: see text] can inhibit the singularity formation. In the incoming oxygen-free case, we further prove that the solution will stabilize to the unique mass-preserving spatial equilibrium [Formula: see text] in the sense that as [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] hold uniformly with respect to [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text].
Impact of orbital orientations and radii on TianQin constellation stability
Authors: Tan Zhuangbin , Ye Bobing , Zhang Xuefeng
Published: June 2020

TianQin is a proposed space-based gravitational-wave observatory mission to be deployed in high circular Earth orbits. The equilateral-triangle constellation, with a nearly fixed orientation, can be distorted primarily under the lunisolar perturbations. To accommodate science payload requirements, one must optimize the orbits to stabilize the configuration in terms of arm-length, relative velocity, and breathing angle variations. In this paper, we present an efficient optimization method and investigate how changing the two main design factors, i.e. the orbital orientation and radius, impacts the constellation stability through single-variable studies. Thereby, one can arrive at the ranges of the orbital parameters that are comparatively more stable, which may assist future refined orbit design.
Ordovician trilobites with soft parts in African West Gondwana, European peri-Gondwana and Avalonia: a review
Authors: Budil Petr , Fatka Oldřich
Published: June 2020

A review of all currently known Ordovician trilobites with soft parts described or figured from West-Gondwana, European peri-Gondwana and Avalonia shows remains of the digestive system in 19 species. In comparison, remains of antennae and/or walking legs are known only in five species. Soft parts are known in Asaphidae, Bathycheilidae, Calymenidae, Cheiruridae, Dalmanitidae, Harpidae, Lichidae, Nileidae, Odontopleuridae and Trinucleidae. Exceptionally preserved trilobites originate from the Late Tremadocian Mílina Formation and Fezouata Shale, Middle Darriwilian Šárka and Llanfallteg formations, early Sandbian Tafilalt and Letná Konservat-Lagerstätten and Katian Bohdalec Formation. Levels containing exceptionally preserved trilobites in these units are characterized by prevailing fine-grained sediments with the exception of the Early Sandbian Lower Tafilalt and Letná Lagerstätten.
Within-Host Viral Diversity: A Window into Viral Evolution
Authors: Lauring Adam S.
Published: June 2020

The evolutionary dynamics of a virus can differ within hosts and across populations. Studies of within-host evolution provide an important link between experimental studies of virus evolution and large-scale phylodynamic analyses. They can determine the extent to which global processes are recapitulated on local scales and how accurately experimental infections model natural ones. They may also inform epidemiologic models of disease spread and reveal how host-level dynamics contribute to a virus's evolution at a larger scale. Over the last decade, advances in viral sequencing have enabled detailed studies of viral genetic diversity within hosts. I review how within-host diversity is sampled, measured, and expressed, and how comparative studies of viral diversity can be leveraged to elucidate a virus's evolutionary dynamics. These concepts are illustrated with detailed reviews of recent research on the within-host evolution of influenza virus, dengue virus, and cytomegalovirus.
Architecture-Based Control of Temperature Gradient-Driven Water Transport in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells
Authors: LaManna J. M. , Aaron D. S. , Mench M. M.
Published: June 2020

Temperature gradients can move water within the porous media of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell through phase-change-induced (PCI) flow. It is critical to understand PCI flow so that control and distribution of water within a fuel cell can be accomplished. This work investigates the role of architecture, specifically anode land width, on overall cell water content and distribution in the through-plane direction. A specially-designed 4.8 cm2 fuel cell with precise thermal boundary conditions was imaged with neutrons using two different anode flow field configurations. A new, non-dimensional thermal transport number was developed which quantifies the relative influence of PCI flow on cell water transport. It was found that anode lands larger than the cathode lands cause large thermal gradients that instigate net water flux from the cathode to the anode. An asymmetric configuration with larger anode lands was found to have large changes in water content that were strongly sensitive to cell operating conditions. The thermal transport number developed here enables deduction of the net flux condition based on operating conditions and architecture. This approach enables design of high-performance systems with balanced water management.
Influence of NCM Particle Cracking on Kinetics of Lithium-Ion Batteries with Liquid or Solid Electrolyte
Authors: Ruess Raffael , Schweidler Simon , Hemmelmann Hendrik , Conforto Gioele , Bielefeld Anja , Weber Dominik A. , Sann Joachim , Elm Matthias T. , Janek Jürgen
Published: June 2020

In liquid electrolyte-type lithium-ion batteries, Nickel-rich NCM (Li1+x
(Ni1−y−z
Co
y
Mnz)1−x
O2) as cathode active material allows for high discharge capacities and good material utilization, while solid-state batteries perform worse despite the past efforts in improving solid electrolyte conductivity and stability. In this work, we identify major reasons for this discrepancy by investigating the lithium transport kinetics in NCM-811 as typical Ni-rich material. During the first charge of battery half-cells, cracks form and are filled by the liquid electrolyte distributing inside the secondary particles of NCM. This drastically improves both the lithium chemical diffusion and charge transfer kinetics by increasing the electrochemically active surface area and reducing the effective particle size. Solid-state batteries are not affected by these cracks because of the mechanical rigidity of solid electrolytes. Hence, secondary particle cracking improves the initial charge and discharge kinetics of NCM in liquid electrolytes, while it degrades the corresponding kinetics in solid electrolytes. Accounting for these kinetic limitations by combining galvanostatic and potentiostatic discharge, we show that Coulombic efficiencies of about 89% at discharge capacities of about 173 mAh gNCM
−1 can be reached in solid-state battery half-cells with LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 as cathode active material and Li6PS5Cl as solid electrolyte.
Decoding SARS-CoV-2 hijacking of host mitochondria in COVID-19 pathogenesis
Authors: Singh Keshav K. , Chaubey Gyaneshwer , Chen Jake Y. , Suravajhala Prashanth
Published: June 2020

Because of the ongoing pandemic around the world, the mechanisms underlying the SARS-CoV-2-induced COVID-19 are subject to intense investigation. Based on available data for the SARS-CoV-1 virus, we suggest how CoV-2 localization of RNA transcripts in mitochondria hijacks the host cell’s mitochondrial function to viral advantage. Besides viral RNA transcripts, RNA also localizes to mitochondria. SARS-CoV-2 may manipulate mitochondrial function indirectly, first by ACE2 regulation of mitochondrial function, and once it enters the host cell, open-reading frames (ORFs) such as ORF-9b can directly manipulate mitochondrial function to evade host cell immunity and facilitate virus replication and COVID-19 disease. Manipulations of host mitochondria by viral ORFs can release mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the cytoplasm and activate mtDNA-induced inflammasome and suppress innate and adaptive immunity. We argue that a decline in ACE2 function in aged individuals, coupled with the age-associated decline in mitochondrial functions resulting in chronic metabolic disorders like diabetes or cancer, may make the host more vulnerable to infection and health complications to mortality. These observations suggest that distinct localization of viral RNA and proteins in mitochondria must play essential roles in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. Understanding the mechanisms underlying virus communication with host mitochondria may provide critical insights into COVID-19 pathologies. An investigation into the SARS-CoV-2 hijacking of mitochondria should lead to novel approaches to prevent and treat COVID-19.
Screening of Some Sulfonamide and Sulfonylurea Derivatives as Anti-Alzheimer’s Agents Targeting BACE1 and PPARγ
Authors: Li Ning , Wang Yan , Li Wensheng , Li Haiyan , Yang Liu , Wang Jun , Mahdy Hazem A. , Mehany Ahmed B. M. , Jaiash Dareen A. , Santali Eman Y. , Eissa Ibrahim H.
Published: June 2020

In the last few decades, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has emerged as a serious global problem, and it has been considered as the most common type of dementia. PPARγ and beta-secretase 1 (BACE1) are considered as potential targets for Alzheimer’s disease management. In the same time, sulfonylureas and sulfonamides have been confirmed to have PPARγ agonistic activity. Aiming to obtain new anti-AD agents, thirty-five compounds of sulfonamide and sulfonylurea derivatives having the same essential pharmacophoric features of the reported PPARγ agonists have been subjected to virtual screening. Docking studies revealed that five compounds (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) have promising affinities to PPARγ. They were also docked into the binding site of BACE1. In addition, ADMET and physicochemical properties of these compounds were considered. Additionally, these compounds were further evaluated against BACE1 and PPARγ. Compound 2 showed IC50 value of 1.64 μM against BACE1 and EC50 value of 0.289 μM against PPARγ.
Performances and Working Mechanisms of Inclined Retaining Structures for Deep Excavations
Authors: Zheng Gang , Wang Yuping , Zhang Peng , Cheng Xuesong , Cheng Wenlong , Zhao Yuebin , Li Xinhao
Published: June 2020

Because of the limits of struts, braceless retaining structures (BRS) have become a preferred option in deep excavation engineering. A type of BRS, that is, inclined retaining system, has been successfully applied in several projects. However, its performance and working mechanism have not been systematically studied. A case study and finite element results in this study show that inclined piles (IP) are more effective than vertical piles (VP), while composite inclined retaining structures (CIRSs) are more effective than IP in terms of deflection and bending moment reduction. The deformation‐control mechanism of IP mainly comes from the decrease in the active earth pressure. For CIRSs, the working mechanism is governed by several combined effects, that is, the rigid frame effect, inclined strut effect, earth berm effect, and gravity wall effect. For instance, in composite vertical and inward‐inclined piles (VIIP), inclined piles function as struts for the vertical piles in this rigid frame system and frictional force between the soil and the inclined piles significantly influences its retaining performance; the soil between the vertical and inclined piles plays a role similar to an earth berm; additionally, the entire retaining system is similar to a gravity retaining wall, which has relatively high overturning stability.
Redox States of Protein Cysteines in Pathways of Protein Turnover and Cytoskeleton Dynamics Are Changed with Aging and Reversed by Slc7a11 Restoration in Mouse Lung Fibroblasts
Authors: Zheng Yuxuan , Merchant Michael L. , Burke Tom J. , Ritzenthaler Jeffrey D. , Li Ming , Gaweda Adam E. , Benz Frederick W. , Roman Jesse , Watson Walter H.
Published: June 2020

Slc7a11 is the key component of system Xc-, an antiporter that imports cystine (CySS) and exports glutamate. It plays an important role in cellular defense against oxidative stress because cysteine (Cys), reduced from CySS, is used for and limits the synthesis of glutathione (GSH). We have shown that downregulation of Slc7a11 is responsible for oxidation of extracellular Cys/CySS redox potential in lung fibroblasts from old mice. However, how age-related change of Slc7a11 expression affects the intracellular redox environment of mouse lung fibroblasts remains unexplored. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of aging on the redox states of intracellular proteins and to examine whether Slc7a11 contributes to the age-dependent effects. Iodoacetyl Tandem Mass Tags were used to differentially label reduced and oxidized forms of Cys residues in primary lung fibroblasts from young and old mice, as well as old fibroblasts transfected with Slc7a11. The ratio of oxidized/reduced forms (i.e., redox state) of a Cys residue was determined via multiplexed tandem mass spectrometry. Redox states of 151 proteins were different in old fibroblasts compared to young fibroblasts. Slc7a11 overexpression restored redox states of 104 (69%) of these proteins. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) showed that age-dependent Slc7a11-responsive proteins were involved in pathways of protein translation initiation, ubiquitin-proteasome-mediated degradation, and integrin-cytoskeleton-associated signaling. Gene ontology analysis showed cell adhesion, protein translation, and organization of actin cytoskeleton were among the top enriched terms for biological process. Protein-protein interaction network demonstrated the interactions between components of the three enriched pathways predicted by IPA. Follow-up experiments confirmed that proteasome activity was lower in old cells than in young cells and that upregulation of Slc7a11 expression by sulforaphane restored this activity. This study finds that aging results in changes of redox states of proteins involved in protein turnover and cytoskeleton dynamics, and that upregulating Slc7a11 can partially restore the redox states of these proteins.
Study on Stochastic Differential Game Model in Network Attack and Defense
Authors: Xu Xiaotong , Wang Gaocai , Hu Jintian , Lu Yuting
Published: June 2020

In recent years, evolutionary game theory has been gradually applied to analyze and predict network attack and defense for maintaining cybersecurity. The traditional deterministic game model cannot accurately describe the process of actual network attack and defense due to changing in the set of attack-defense strategies and external factors (such as the operating environment of the system). In this paper, we construct a stochastic evolutionary game model by the stochastic differential equation with Markov property. The evolutionary equilibrium solution of the model is found and the stability of the model is proved according to the knowledge of the stochastic differential equation. And we apply the explicit Euler numerical method to analyze the evolution of the strategy selection of the players for different problem situations. The simulation results show that the stochastic evolutionary game model proposed in this paper can get a steady state and obtain the optimal defense strategy under the action of the stochastic disturbance factor. In addition, compared with other kinds of literature, we can conclude that the return on security investment of this model is better, and the strategy selection of the attackers and defenders in our model is more suitable for actual network attack and defense.
Improved ASM-TER Training Sequence Detection and Fine Doppler Frequency Estimation Methods from a Satellite
Authors: Zhang Peixin , Wang Jianxin , Ren Peng , Yang Shushu , Song Haiwei
Published: June 2020

To detect terrestrial application-specific messages (ASM-TER) signals from a satellite, a novel detection method based on the fast computation of the cross ambiguity function is proposed in this paper. The classic cross ambiguity function’s computational burden is heavy, and we transform the classic cross ambiguity function to a frequency domain version to reduce the computational complexity according to Parseval’s theorem. The computationally efficient sliding discrete Fourier transform (SDFT) is utilized to calculate the frequency spectrum of the windowed received signal, from which the Doppler frequency could be estimated coarsely. Those subbands around the Doppler frequency are selected to calculate the ambiguity function for reducing the computational complexity. Furthermore, two local sequences with half length of the training sequence are utilized to acquire a better Doppler frequency tolerance; thus, the frequency search step is increased and the computational complexity could be further reduced. Once an ASM-TER signal is detected by the proposed algorithm, a fine Doppler frequency estimation could be obtained easily from the correlation peaks of the two local sequences. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm shares almost the same performance with the classic cross ambiguity function-based method, and the computational complexity is greatly reduced. Simulation results also show that the proposed algorithm is more resistant to cochannel interference (CCI) than the differential correlation (DC) algorithm, and the performance of fine Doppler frequency estimation is close to that of the Cramér–Rao lower bound (CRLB).
Lessons from Hippocrates: Time to Change the Cancer Paradigm
Authors: Galmarini Carlos M.
Published: June 2020

The ultimate goal of all medical activity is to restore patients to a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing. In cancer, it is assumed that this can only be obtained through the complete eradication of the tumor burden. So far, this strategy has led to a substantial improvement in cancer survival rates. Despite this, more than 9 million people die from cancer every year. Therefore, we need to accept that our current cancer treatment paradigm is obsolete and must be changed. The new paradigm should reflect that cancer is a systemic disease, which affects an individual patient living in a particular social reality, rather than an invading organism or a mere cluster of mutated cells that need to be eradicated. This Hippocratic holistic view will ultimately lead to an improvement in health and wellbeing in cancer patients. They deserve nothing less.
Fire Evacuation Process Using Both Elevators and Staircases for Aging People: Simulation Case Study on Personnel Distribution in High-Rise Nursing Home
Authors: Chen Yameng , Wang Chen , Yap Jeffrey Boon Hui , Li Heng , Hu Hong Song , Chen Chih-Cheng , Lai Kuei-Kuei
Published: June 2020

There were increasing concerns on the possibility and suitability of using elevators for high-rise building evacuation because, through the improvement of the elevator system, the self-evacuation ability of age people is promoted as much as possible in the process of an emergency evacuation. The combined evacuation using both elevators and stairs was put into discussion. However, there was no empirical evidence and numerical simulation on emergency evacuation using both elevators and staircases for aging people in high-rise nursing homes. Therefore, using one case study, this paper simulated the emergency evacuation in a high-rise nursing home using variables such as the distribution of the elderly with different physical conditions, the proportion of the elderly in different physical conditions, the number of the elderly, the number of floors, the number of elevators used, and the priority of the elevator floor. By simulating the evacuation process in various scenarios, the general distribution strategy of high-rise nursing home and the optimal use of the elevator-stair combination during the emergency evacuation were developed. Results show that the elevator-stair combination of evacuation is more effective than using elevators or stairs alone. Increasing the number and speed of elevators can reduce evacuation time. Categorizing elderly people on each floor according to their physical conditions could reduce the evacuation time than randomly distributing them.
Enhanced Human Gingival Fibroblast Response and Reduced Porphyromonas gingivalis Adhesion with Titania Nanotubes
Authors: Xu Zhiqiang , He Yuqi , Zeng Xiufeng , Zeng Xiuxia , Huang Junhui , Lin Xi , Chen Jiang
Published: June 2020

Successful dental implants rely on stable osseointegration and soft‐tissue integration. Titania nanotubes (TNTs) with a diameter of 100 nm could increase the mesenchymal stem cell response and simultaneously decrease Staphylococcus aureus adhesion. However, the interactions between the modified surface and surrounding soft tissues are still unknown. In the present study, we fully investigated the biological behavior of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and the adhesion of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). TNTs were synthesized on titanium (Ti) surfaces by electrochemical anodization at 10, 30, and 60 V, and the products were denoted as NT10, NT30, and NT60, respectively. NT10 (diameter: 30 nm) and NT30 (diameter: 100 nm) could enhance the HGF functions, such as cell attachment and proliferation and extracellular matrix‐ (ECM‐) related gene expressions, with the latter showing higher enhancement. NT60 (diameter: 200 nm) clearly impaired cell adhesion and proliferation and ECM‐related gene expressions. Bacterial adhesion on the TNTs decreased and reached the lowest value on NT30. Therefore, NT30 without pharmaceuticals can be used to substantially enhance the HGF response and reduce P. gingivalis adhesion to the utmost, thus demonstrating significant potential in the transgingival part of dental implants.
Improved Spatial Resolution of Electroencephalogram Using Tripolar Concentric Ring Electrode Sensors
Authors: Liu Xiang , Makeyev Oleksandr , Besio Walter
Published: June 2020

The electroencephalogram (EEG) is broadly used for research of brain activities and diagnosis of brain diseases and disorders. Although EEG provides good temporal resolution of millisecond or less, it does not provide good spatial resolution. There are two main reasons for the poor spatial resolution: the blurring effects of the head volume conductor and poor signal-to-noise ratio. We have developed a tripolar concentric ring electrode (TCRE) Laplacian sensor and now report on computer simulations comparing spatial resolution between conventional EEG disc electrode sensors and TCRE Laplacian sensors. We also performed visual evoked stimulus experiments and acquired visual evoked potentials (VEPs) from healthy human subjects. From the simulations, we found that TCRE Laplacian sensors can provide approximately a tenfold improvement in spatial resolution and pass signals from specific volumes. Placing TCRE sensors near the brain region of interest will allow passage of the wanted signals and rejection of distant interference signals. We were also able to detect VEPs on the scalp surface and show that TCREs separated VEP sources better than conventional disc electrodes.
From Prediabetes to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Lifestyle and Pharmacological Management
Authors: Pani Arianna , Gironi Ilaria , Di Vieste Giacoma , Mion Elena , Bertuzzi Federico , Pintaudi Basilio
Published: June 2020

Aims. Despite the very clear association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and dysglycemia, few studies have explored the continuum of glycemic alterations leading from minor glucose abnormalities to overt diabetes. The purpose of this review is to trace the natural history of glycemic alteration in women with PCOS.Methods. We performed a literature review without time limit until August 2019. Inclusion criteria were studies addressing the association between impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose or type 2 diabetes (T2D) and PCOS with at least an English abstract. The exclusion criteria were no PCOS or impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose or T2D as outcome. The outcomes of interest were the onset of impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, T2D, and the progression from impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose to T2D.Results. Healthy diet and physical activity are the first-line therapy for PCOS. Treatment with metformin was associated with significant lower 2-hour postload glucose levels and with reduction in fasting glucose when compared to placebo. Thiazolidinediones were more effective in reducing fasting glucose levels compared to placebo. Metformin and pioglitazone treatments showed similar effects on fasting glucose levels. The sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor empagliflozin did not show differences in metabolic parameters when compared to metformin. The combination therapy with metformin plus the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist liraglutide was associated with significant improvements in basal and postload glucose levels compared with only liraglutide. Likewise, a combination therapy with the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor saxagliptin and metformin demonstrated superiority versus metformin in fasting glucose and oral glucose tolerance test normalization. Myo-inositol supplementation was associated with lower insulin levels, glucose levels, and insulin resistance when compared with placebo, metformin, or estrogen treatments.Conclusions. The use of insulin-sensitizing agents, such as metformin and inositols, along with lifestyle interventions may improve the metabolic profile in PCOS women.
Z-Shaped Transfer Functions for Binary Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Guo Sha-sha , Wang Jie-sheng , Guo Meng-wei
Published: June 2020

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is a swarm intelligent searching algorithm based on population that simulates the social behavior of birds, bees, or fish groups. The discrete binary particle swarm optimization (BPSO) algorithm maps the continuous search space to a binary space through a new transfer function, and the update process is designed to switch the position of the particles between 0 and 1 in the binary search space. Aiming at the existed BPSO algorithms which are easy to fall into the local optimum, a new Z-shaped probability transfer function is proposed to map the continuous search space to a binary space. By adopting nine typical benchmark functions, the proposed Z-probability transfer function and the V-shaped and S-shaped transfer functions are used to carry out the performance simulation experiments. The results show that the proposed Z-shaped probability transfer function improves the convergence speed and optimization accuracy of the BPSO algorithm.
The Evaluation Model of Network QoS Based on Intelligent Water Droplets Algorithm
Authors: Li Fang , Wang Yunlan , Li Peng
Published: June 2020

In order to solve the problem of the user demands to the quality of service (QoS) of network, this paper provides a novel QoS evaluation model based on the intelligent water droplets (IWD) algorithm. The model firstly gives the evaluation indexes of network QoS and establishes a multiobjective optimization function for solution in combination with the improved IWD. Then, mathematical simulation is used to conduct the in-depth study of the key factors influencing the evaluation model. Compared with the other methods, the algorithm has shown better adaptability in the simulation results.
Cost and CO2 Emission Reduction Effects of a Partially Encased Composite Precast Concrete Beam
Authors: Zhang Liufeng , Yang Yinghua , Liang Jiongfeng
Published: June 2020

In order to study the performance of partially precast partially encased assembled composite beam (PPECB) in reducing costs and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, this paper obtained the bearing capacity of PPECBs by a static test. Considering the load conditions and beam height conditions as constraints, the steel‐concrete composite beam (SCCB) and reinforced concrete beam (RCB) were optimized and designed based on the principle of fully utilizing the advantages of steel and concrete. On the basis of investigating the quantity of different materials, the cost and CO2 emissions of the three different types of beams were analyzed. The cost and CO2 emission of the PPECB are the lowest, and SCCBs have the highest cost and CO2 emissions. This paper can provide reference for design choice and further research from the perspective of cost and CO2 emission and lay a solid foundation for the realization of economic and environment‐friendly buildings.
Nomogram-Based Prediction of the Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Mo Ruohui , Shi Rong , Hu Yuhong , Hu Fan
Published: June 2020

Objectives. This study is aimed at developing a risk nomogram of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in a Chinese population with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods. A questionnaire survey, biochemical indicator examination, and physical examination were performed on 4170 T2DM patients, and the collected data were used to evaluate the DR risk in T2DM patients. By operating R software, firstly, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis was used to optimize variable selection by running cyclic coordinate descent with 10 times K cross-validation. Secondly, multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to build a predicting model introducing the predictors selected from the LASSO regression analysis. The nomogram was developed based on the selected variables visually. Thirdly, calibration plot, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and decision curve analysis were used to validate the model, and further assessment was running by external validation. Results. Seven predictors were selected by LASSO from 19 variables, including age, course of disease, postprandial blood glucose (PBG), glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), uric creatinine (UCR), urinary microalbumin (UMA), and systolic blood pressure (SBP). The model built by these 7 predictors displayed medium prediction ability with the area under the ROC curve of 0.700 in the training set and 0.715 in the validation set. The decision curve analysis curve showed that the nomogram could be applied clinically if the risk threshold is between 21% and 57% and 21%-51% in external validation. Conclusion. Introducing age, course of disease, PBG, HbA1c, UCR, UMA, and SBP, the risk nomogram is useful for prediction of DR risk in T2DM individuals.
Detection of Ureaplasma Biovars and Subtyping of Ureaplasma parvum among Women Referring to a University Hospital in Morocco
Authors: Karim Safae , Bouchikhi Chahrazed , Banani Abdelaziz , Fatemi Hinde E. L. , Souho Tiatou , Erraghay Sanaa , Bennani Bahia
Published: June 2020

Objectives. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Ureaplasma biovars and Ureaplasma parvum (U. parvum) serovars, their associated risk factors, and genital STI-related symptoms. Methods. DNA obtained from cervical samples of 1053 women attending the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the laboratory of pathological anatomy of Hassan II university hospital of Fez, Morocco, was used to detect Ureaplasma biovars (U. urealyticum and U. parvum) and to subtype U. parvum by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results. Of the 1053 women examined, 25.4% (268/1053) were Ureaplasma positives. The rates of U. urealyticum and U. parvum were 12.1% (128/1053) and 7% (74/1053), respectively, and the copresence of these biovars was noted in 6.3% (66/1053) cases. The U. parvum subtyping revealed a predominance of the serovar 3/14 (61.4%). The association of demographics variables with Ureaplasma biovars was studied and shows that the age (“<30” years) seems to be a risk factor of Ureaplasma spp. and U. urealyticum carriage (OR 1.729, 95% CI [1.113-2.687] and OR 1.848, 95% CI [1.026-3.330], respectively). There was no difference in the prevalence of Ureaplasma type regarding symptoms. However, a significant association was found between U. parvum serovar 1 and infertility (P=0.011). Conclusion. This first study conducted in Morocco provides an idea on Ureaplasma biovars and U. parvum serovars circulating in this region, their associated risk factors, and genital STI-related symptoms. Therefore, further studies are required to clarify and confirm the pathogenic role of these Ureaplasma species.
Effect of Huaier on Melanoma Invasion, Metastasis, and Angiogenesis
Authors: Su Dongqiang , Jiang Bingbing , Yang Yun , Miao Yu , Fu Qian , Zhang Feng
Published: June 2020

Malignant melanoma (MM) is a highly metastatic and malignant cancer. Developing potential drugs with good efficacy and low toxicity for MM treatment is needed. Huaier, extracted from the mushroom Trametes robiniophila Murr, has been widely used in clinical anticancer treatments in China. A previous work done by our group confirmed that Huaier could inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in human melanoma cells. The current study is aimed at investigating the effects of Huaier on melanoma metastasis and angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo and to explore its possible mechanism of action. Our results showed that Huaier not only significantly inhibited the metastasis of A375 cells at the concentration ranging from 4 to 16 mg/ml (P < 0.05), which were determined by the wound healing assay and transwell assay in vitro, but also suppressed the MM tumor growth and metastatic cells to the liver in A375‐bearing mice after oral administration at the dose of 5 mg/kg (P < 0.05). In addition, Huaier treatment downregulated the expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), astrocyte‐elevated gene‐1 (AEG‐1), and N‐cadherin, while it upregulated E‐cadherin expression in both the A375 cells and tumor tissues, which was detected using western blotting and RT‐PCR (P < 0.05). Taken together, our data suggests that the antitumor and antimetastatic activities of Huaier are caused by the downregulation of the HIF‐1α/VEGF and AEG‐1 signaling pathways and by the inhibition of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). This study provides a new insight into the mechanism of Huaier on antimetastatic therapy and a new scientific basis for comprehensive treatment strategies for MM.
Mobile Robot Localization Based on Vision and Multisensor
Authors: Yao Lina , Li Fengzhe
Published: June 2020

To deal with the low accuracy of positioning for mobile robots when only using visual sensors and an IMU, a method based on tight coupling and nonlinear optimization is proposed to obtain a high-precision visual positioning scheme by combining measured value of the preintegrated inertial measurement unit (IMU) and values of the odometer and characteristic observations. First, the preprocessing part of the observation data includes tracking of the image data and the odometer data, and preintegration of IMU data. Second, the initialization part of the above three sensors includes IMU preintegration, odometer preintegration, and gyroscope bias calculation. It also includes the alignment of speed, gravity, and scale. Finally, a local BA (bundle adjustment) joint optimization and global graph optimization are established, so as to obtain more accurate positioning results.
High Mean Platelet Volume Associates with In-Hospital Mortality in Severe Pneumonia Patients
Authors: Chen Jieru , Li Yihao , Zeng Yingsi , Tian Yu , Wen Yueqiang , Wang Zebin
Published: June 2020

Background. Although mean platelet volume (MPV) appears to be associated with poor outcome of pneumonia, the relationship between MPV and in-hospital mortality is unclear in severe pneumonia (SP) patients. Methods. In this retrospective cohort study, 115 SP patients from June 1st, 2016, to September 29th, 2019, were included and divided into two groups. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to assess the predictive ability for in-hospital mortality. Kaplan-Meier cumulative incidence curves were applied to observe the incidence of mortality. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the hazard ratios (HRs). Besides, a formal test for interaction was investigated to analyze the relationship between MPV and sex. Results. During the course of hospitalization, 63 cases of mortality were recorded. ROC analysis suggested that MPV had a modest power for predicting in-hospital mortality (AUC=0.723, 95% CI: 0.628-0.818, P<0.001). Yet the cutoff value of MPV was 10.5 (sensitivity=73.02%; specificity=73.08%). Compared to the low-MPV group, the high-MPV group had significantly increased in-hospital mortality (log-rank test=13.501, P<0.001), while the adjusted Cox model indicated that the high-MPV group was associated with an elevated risk of in-hospital mortality (HR: 2.267, 95% CI: 1.166-4.406, P=0.016). Moreover, analyses of in-hospital mortality suggested a significant interaction between optimal MPV level and sex (P=0.011). In a multivariate Cox model which included females only, a high MPV level was associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality (HR: 11.387, 95% CI: 1.767-73.380, P=0.011). Conclusion. High MPV level is an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality in patients with SP.
Analysis of Peripapillary and Macular Choroidal Thickness in Eyes with Pseudoexfoliative Glaucoma and Fellow Eyes
Authors: Li Fan , Shang Qingli , Tang Guangxian , Zhang Hengli , Yan Xiaowei , Ma Lihua , Geng Yulei , Zhang Qing
Published: June 2020

Purpose. To compare differences in peripapillary and macular choroidal thickness in pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PXG) eyes, nonexfoliative fellow eyes, and normal eyes. Methods. This case-control study included 37 PXG patients (group A: 37 PXG eyes; group B: 37 nonexfoliative fellow eyes) and 37 sex-, age-, and axial length-matched healthy volunteer eyes (group C). Peripapillary and macular choroidal thickness and volume were measured in all subjects via enhanced-depth imaging-optical coherence tomography. Results. The average peripapillary (AP) choroidal thickness was (130.10 ± 46.14) μm, (131.43 ± 46.00) μm, and (147.89 ± 53.32) μm; average macular (AM) choroidal thickness was (191.72 ± 68.07) μm, (204.62 ± 69.54) μm, and (215.10 ± 45.40) μm; and average volume was (0.59 ± 0.21) μm3, (0.63 ± 0.21) μm3, and (0.65 ± 0.14) μm3 in groups A, B, and C, respectively. NIP choroidal thickness was significantly lower in groups A and B than in group C (P<0.05). TIM and TOM choroidal thickness and volume were significantly lower in group A than in group C (P<0.05). NIM, SIM, NOM, IOM, AM choroidal thickness and volume, and CSM choroidal thickness were significantly lower in group A than in group B (P<0.05). CSM, TIM, and TOM in group A and TIM, TOM choroidal thickness, and volume in group B were significantly lower than in group C (P<0.05). Conclusions. NIP choroidal thickness in PXG eyes and nonexfoliative fellow eyes and temporal macular choroidal thickness in PXG eyes were significantly lower than in normal eyes. Macular choroidal thickness (except in temporal regions) was significantly lower in PXG eyes than in nonexfoliative fellow eyes. Changes in peripapillary and macula choroidal thickness further elucidate the choroid’s role in PXG development and progression.