bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complexity of Unordered CNF Games
Authors: Rahman Md Lutfar , Watson Thomas
Published: June 2020

The classic TQBF problem is to determine who has a winning strategy in a game played on a given conjunctive normal form formula (CNF), where the two players alternate turns picking truth values for the variables in a given order, and the winner is determined by whether the CNF gets satisfied. We study variants of this game in which the variables may be played in any order, and each turn consists of picking a remaining variable and a truth value for it.

For the version where the set of variables is partitioned into two halves and each player may only pick variables from his or her half, we prove that the problem is PSPACE-complete for 5-CNFs and in P for 2-CNFs. Previously, it was known to be PSPACE-complete for unbounded-width CNFs (Schaefer, STOC 1976). For the general unordered version (where each variable can be picked by either player), we also prove that the problem is PSPACE-complete for 5-CNFs and in P for 2-CNFs. Previously, it was known to be PSPACE-complete for 6-CNFs (Ahlroth and Orponen, MFCS 2012) and PSPACE-complete for positive 11-CNFs (Schaefer, STOC 1976).
Elucidation of the Losses in Cycling Lithium-Metal Anodes in Carbonate-Based Electrolytes
Authors: Mukra Tzach , Peled Emanuel
Published: June 2020

Because of their higher energy density, compared to lithium-ion batteries, rechargeable lithium-metal batteries have been considered one of the most attractive next-generation energy-storage systems. Uneven deposition of lithium during charge results mainly from two processes. At the peak of lithium dendrites (or lithium hump) a fresh SEI is formed. This freshly formed SEI has a higher concentration of defects, thus higher lithium-ion conductivity. Another mechanism is the preferential lithium-ion conduction at the grain boundaries (GB) in the SEI, at which the concentration of lithium-ion defects is higher than in the bulk of the crystals. During discharge (lithium dissolution), dead lithium, (lithium particles that are electrically disconnected from the current collector) is formed. In this work we studied the effects of several parameters, in carbonate-based electrolytes, on the properties of the SEI and on capacity losses. The effects of vinyl carbonate (VC) and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) additives, current density and cycle number on the total capacity loss (QTL, Q deposition—Q dissolution), the capacity needed to repair the SEI after dissolution of lithium (QSEI repair), two types of dead lithium, roundtrip coulombic efficiency and on the correlation among them, will be discussed. Elucidation of these phenomena will lead to the improvement of the lithium deposition/dissolution (charge and discharge) processes in lithium-metal rechargeable batteries.
Perspective—Surface Reactions of Electrolyte with LiNixCoyMnzO2 Cathodes for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Heiskanen Satu Kristiina , Laszczynski Nina , Lucht Brett L.
Published: June 2020

Layered metal oxides with high nickel content are commonly used cathode materials in commercial lithium ion batteries due to high capacity and lower cost resulting from higher nickel content and lower cobalt content. Cathodes with increased nickel content suffer from rapid capacity fade due to a combination of thickening of the anode solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and impedance growth on the cathode after extended cycling. While transition metal catalyzed degradation of the anode SEI has been widely proposed as a primary source of capacity loss, we propose that a related acid induced degradation of the anode SEI also occurs.
Optimal Image Denoising for In Situ X-ray Tomographic Microscopy of Liquid Water in Gas Diffusion Layers of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells
Authors: Xu Hong , Bührer Minna , Marone Federica , Schmidt Thomas J. , Büchi Felix N. , Eller Jens
Published: June 2020

Improvements in synchrotron based operando X-ray tomographic microscopy (XTM) of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) have paved the way for 4D imaging studies of the water distribution in the gas diffusion layer (GDL). In order to capture the full water dynamics in 4D, a decrease of the scan time towards 0.1 s is aspired, posing significant challenges in image processing for quantitative water detection. In this work, ex situ and in situ X-ray tomographic microscopy experiments were conducted to study the influence of imaging parameters and image denoising settings on image quality and water detectability in the GDL. The image quality is quantified for scan times between 50 ms and 12.8 s at the TOMCAT beamline of the Swiss Light Source. Denoising strategies for a broad range of image qualities were identified, which enable high in situ water detectability rate of 96% at a scan time of 1.6 s and 88% at subsecond scan time as short as 0.4 s. The presented methodology can be transferred to other PEFC or similar XTM imaging setups and image processing pipelines to verify their water detection capabilities.
Acetylcholine exerts inhibitory and excitatory actions on mouse ileal pacemaker activity: role of muscarinic versus nicotinic receptors
Authors: Liu Julia Yuen Hang , Du Peng , Rudd John Anthony
Published: June 2020

The study discovered an acute action of acetylcholine on pacemaker potentials that is mediated by muscarinic receptors on the mouse ileum. Bethanechol, but not nicotine, mimicked the inhibitory actions of acetylcholine on pacemaker potentials. Atropine, but not hexamethonium, reversed the inhibitory actions of acetylcholine. When introduced after acetylcholine, atropine exhibited excitatory actions that increased the pacemaker frequency. Acetylcholine and bethanechol distorted the propagation activity and pattern, and this was also reversed by atropine. These actions of acetylcholine on pacemaker potentials may contribute to pathophysiology in bowel diseases.
Inhibition of LXR signaling by SULT2B1b promotes liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mouse models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Zhang Xin , Xu Yuyin , Bai Qianming , Li Xiaobo , Han Jing , Hou Yingyong , Ji Yuan , Zhang Zhigang
Published: June 2020

This study demonstrates for the first time that hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase 2B1b (SULT2B1b) overexpression promotes the regeneration of fatty liver after partial hepatectomy in mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, while reducing triglyceride accumulation in the regenerative fatty liver. Liver X receptor signaling may be crucial in the SULT2B1b-mediated regeneration of fatty liver. Thus, SULT2B1b may be a potential target for treating hepatic steatosis-related liver regeneration disorders.
Chronic elevation of renal venous pressure induces extensive renal venous collateral formation and modulates renal function and cardiovascular stability in rats
Authors: Hamza Shereen M. , Huang Xiaohua , Zehra Tayyaba , Zhuang Wenqing , Cupples William A. , Braam Branko
Published: June 2020

Acutely increased renal venous pressure (RVP) impairs renal function, but the long-term impact is unknown. We investigated whether chronic RVP elevation impairs baseline renal function and prevents exacerbation of renal dysfunction and cardiovascular instability upon further RVP increase. RVP elevation (20–25 mmHg) or sham operation (sham) was performed in rats. After 1 wk ( n = 17) or 3 wk ( n = 22), blood pressure, RVP, renal blood flow (RBF), renal vascular conductance (RVC), and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured at baseline and during superimposed RVP increase. Chronic RVP elevation induced extensive renal venous collateral formation. RVP fell to 6 ± 1 mmHg at 1 wk and 3 ± 1 mmHg at 3 wk. Baseline blood pressure and heart rate were unaltered compared with sham. RBF, RVC, and GFR were reduced at 1 wk but normalized by 3 wk. Upon further RVP increase, the drop in mean arterial pressure was attenuated at 3 wk compared with 1 wk ( P < 0.05), whereas heart rate fell comparably across all groups; the mean arterial pressure-heart rate relationship was disrupted at 1 and 3 wk. RBF fell to a similar degree as sham at 1 wk (−2.3 ± 0.7 vs. −3.9 ± 1.2 mL/min, P = 0.066); however, at 3 wk, this was attenuated compared with sham (−1.5 ± 0.5 vs. −4.2 ± 0.7 mL/min, P < 0.05). The drop in RVC and GFR was attenuated at 1 and 3 wk ( P < 0.05). Thus, chronic RVP elevation induced by partial renal vein ligation elicits extensive renal venous collateral formation, and although baseline renal function is impaired, chronic RVP elevation in this manner induces protective adaptations in kidneys of healthy rats, which attenuates the hemodynamic response to further RVP increase.
Long noncoding RNA NEAT1 sponges miR-129 to modulate renal fibrosis by regulation of collagen type I
Authors: Li Chen , Liu Yuan-Fei , Huang Chong , Chen Yan-Xia , Xu Cheng-Yun , Chen Yan
Published: June 2020

The long noncoding RNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) has been reported to promote liver fibrosis progression. However, its molecular mechanism in renal fibrosis was not elucidated. In the present study, an in vitro model of renal fibrosis was established with HK-2 and HKC-8 cells treated with transforming growth factor-β1. C57BL/6 mice were used for the in vivo model with unilateral ureteral obstruction. Our results indicated that NEAT1 and collagen type I levels were significantly upregulated, whereas miR-129 was obviously downregulated, in the progression of renal fibrosis. Meanwhile, NEAT1 knockdown or miR-129 overexpression inhibited collagen type I deposition, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process, and the inflammation response to suppress renal fibrosis. NEAT1 directly targeted miR-129, and miR-129 directly bound to collagen type I. Downregulation of miR-129 reversed inhibition of renal fibrosis induced by NEAT1 silencing, and upregulation of collagen type I also reversed inhibition of renal fibrosis caused by miR-129 overexpression. NEAT1 knockdown alleviated renal fibrosis in mice subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction. In conclusion, NEAT1 sponged miR-129 to modulate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process and inflammation response of renal fibrosis by regulation of collagen type I. Our study indicates a novel role in the regulation of renal fibrosis and provides a new potential treatment target for renal fibrosis.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of TTI-101, a STAT3 inhibitor that blocks muscle proteolysis in rats with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Zhang Liping , Wang Ying , Dong Yanlan , Chen Zihong , Eckols Thomas K. , Kasembeli Moses M. , Tweardy David J. , Mitch William E.
Published: June 2020

Loss of muscle proteins increases the morbidity and mortality of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and there are no reliable preventive treatments. We uncovered a STAT3/CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein-δ to myostatin signaling pathway that activates muscle protein degradation in mice with CKD or cancer; we also identified a small-molecule inhibitor of STAT3 (TTI-101) that blocks this pathway. To evaluate TTI-101 as a treatment for CKD-induced cachexia, we measured TTI-101 pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in control and CKD rats that were orally administered TTI-101or its diluent. The following two groups of gavage-fed rats were studied: sham-operated control rats and CKD rats. Plasma was collected serially (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h) following TTI-101 administration (at oral doses of 0, 10, 30, or 100 mg/kg). Plasma levels of TTI-101 were measured by LC-MS/MS, and pharmacokinetic results were analyzed with the PKSolver program. Plasma TTI-101 levels increased linearly with doses; the maximum plasma concentrations and time to maximal plasma levels (~1 h) were similar in sham-operated control rats and CKD rats. Notably, gavage treatment of TTI-101 for 3 days produced TTI-101 muscle levels in sham control rats and CKD rats that were not significantly different. CKD rats that received TTI-101 for 7 days had suppression of activated STAT3 and improved muscle grip strength; there also was a trend for increasing body and muscle weights. TTI-101 was tolerated at doses of 100 mg·kg−1·day−1 for 7 days. These results with TTI-101 in rats warrant its development as a treatment for cachexia in humans.
Employment of Alginate Floating In Situ Gel for Controlled Delivery of Celecoxib: Solubilization and Formulation Studies
Authors: Abdul Rasool Bazigha K. , Khalifa AlZahraa , Abu-Gharbieh Eman , Khan Rawoof
Published: June 2020

Celecoxib (CXB) is a COX‐2‐selective nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug used to control pain and various inflammatory conditions. CXB has limited oral bioavailability and a slow dissociation rate due to its poor water solubility. In order to enhance the oral bioavailability of CXB and reduce the frequency of administration, the present study was aimed at enhancing the aqueous solubility of CXB by a cosolvency technique and then at formulating and evaluating a CXB in situ floating gelling system for sustained oral delivery. Three cosolvents, namely, PEG 600, propylene glycol, and glycerin, at different concentrations, were used to solubilize CXB. Particle size analysis was performed to confirm the solubility of CXB in the solutions. The floating in situ gel formulations were then prepared by the incorporation of the CXB solution into sodium alginate solutions (0.25, 0.5, and 1% w/v). Formulations, in sol form, were then in vitro characterized for their physical appearance, pH, and rheological behaviors, while formulations in gel form were evaluated for their floating behavior and in vitro drug release studies. FTIR spectroscopy was performed to examine drug‐polymer interaction. The selected formula was evaluated biologically for its anti‐inflammatory and analgesic activities. Results revealed that the less‐polar solvent PEG 600 at 80% v/v had the highest solubilization potential, and it was used to optimize the in situ gel formulation. The candidate formula (F3) was found to have the highest sodium alginate concentration (1% w/v) and showed the optimum sustained release profile with the Higuchi model release kinetics. The results from the FTIR spectroscopy analysis showed noticeable drug‐polymer molecular interaction. Moreover, F3 exhibited a significantly higher percentage of paw edema inhibition at 8 h compared with the reference drug (p < 0.05). Also, it showed a sustained duration of analgesia that persisted for the entire experimental time.
Urban Regional Logistics Distribution Path Planning Considering Road Characteristics
Authors: Ren Chuanxiang , Wang Xiaoqi , Gao Ge , Li Juntao
Published: June 2020

Generally, road characteristics (such as the longitudinal slope and pavement damage) have an important effect on logistics distribution path, not only the vehicle fuel economy and driving safety but also the benefits and efficiency of logistics companies. It is necessary to explore the influence of road characteristics on logistics distribution path planning. First, a road characteristics evaluation value is defined to quantify road characteristics. With the application of analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the road characteristics evaluation index system with three criteria and eleven indices was built, and then the calculation of the road characteristics evaluation value is proposed based on the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. Secondly, a mathematical model of logistics distribution path planning is proposed, in which road characteristics and distance are comprehensively considered. Thirdly, an adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA) is presented with customized crossover operator for the solution of the mathematical model. Finally, through simulation by a real example, the influences of road characteristics and distance on the optimal distribution path are discussed, and the results show the model considering the road characteristics and distance comprehensively achieves superior distribution paths to that considering the distance or road characteristics only.
Drug Use Evaluation of Beta-Blockers in Medical Wards of Nedjo General Hospital, Western Ethiopia
Authors: Fekadu Ginenus , Bekele Firomsa , Bekele Kumera , Hanbisa Sagni , Belay Gemechis , Maqbool Mudasir
Published: June 2020

Introduction. Beta-blocker use evaluation is a performance method that focuses on the evaluation of beta-blocker use processes to achieve optimal patient outcomes. Several studies conducted in different hospitals revealed a high incidence of inappropriate prescription of beta-blockers among hospitalized patients. Therefore, it is important to identify inappropriate beta-blocker prescribing since they may increase the risk of hospitalizations. Despite this, there was no study conducted related to drug use evaluation of beta-blockers in Nedjo general hospital (NGH). Thus, this study was aimed at assessing the use evaluation of beta-blockers in medical wards of NGH. Methods. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at medical wards of NGH from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2017. Results. Out of the total of 149 medical record of patients that contains beta-blockers, 84 (56.37%) were males and about one-third (31.54%) of the patients ages were between 41 and 50 years. Propranolol was the most commonly prescribed beta-blocker (62.76%), and 94.56% of beta-blockers were prescribed with correct indication. There were about 51%, 46.31%, 64.43%, and 46.98% of beta-blockers prescribed with the correct dose, duration, frequency, and route of administration, respectively. Regarding the routes of administration, 70 (46.98%) of them were prescribed with the correct route. Most drugs interacting were propranolol with cimetidine 26 (68.42%), and the most frequent condition for which beta-blockers were prescribed was hypertension (32.89%). Conclusion. Overall, there was an inappropriate use of beta-blockers in terms of dosage and durations. So, prescribers of NGH should strictly adhere to the national treatment guideline when prescribing medications. Additionally, drug information centers have proved useful and effective in promoting rational drug use. Hence, it should be recommended for general use.
PPARG Could Work as a Valid Therapeutic Strategy for the Treatment of Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Shi Shunbin , Yu Guiping , Huang Bin , Mi Yedong , Kang Yan , Simon Julia Pia
Published: June 2020

Previous studies showed that PPAR-gamma (PPARG) ligands might serve as potential therapeutic agents for nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, a few studies reported the specific relationship between PPARG and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Here, we made an effort to explore the relationship between PPARG and LSCC. First, we used mega-analysis and partial mega-analysis to analyze the effects of PPARG on LSCC by using 12 independent LSCC expression datasets (285 healthy controls and 375 LSCC cases). Then, literature-based molecular pathways between PPARG and LSCC were established. After that, a gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted to study the functionalities of PPARG and PPARG-driven triggers within the molecular pathways. Finally, another mega-analysis was constructed to test the expression changes of PPARG and its driven targets. The partial mega-analysis showed a significant downregulated expression of PPARG in LSCC (LFC=−1.08, p value=0.00073). Twelve diagnostic markers and four prognostic markers were identified within multiple PPARG-LSCC regulatory pathways. Our results suggested that the activation of PPARG expression may inhibit the development and progression of LSCC through the regulation of LSCC upstream regulators and downstream marker genes, which were involved in tumor cell proliferation and protein polyubiquitination/ubiquitination.
A Novel User Selection Strategy with Incentive Mechanism Based on Time Window in Mobile Crowdsensing
Authors: Sun Xuemei , Yang Xiaorong , Wang Caiyun , Wang Jiaxin
Published: June 2020

With the rapid development of smart phones and wireless communication, mobile sensing has become an efficient environmental data acquisition method capable of accomplishing large-scale and highly complex sensing tasks. Currently, participants want to collect continuous data over a period of time. However, the number of participants varies widely in some periods. In view of this application background, this paper proposes a new incentive mechanism of extra rewards: premium and jackpot incentive mechanism (PJIM), and a new participant selection method based on time window: participant selection for time window dependent tasks (PS-TWDT). In the PJIM, the platform divides the time period of sensing tasks according to the time distribution of task participants and adopts different incentive strategies in different situations; at the same time, it introduces the prize pool mechanism to attract more participants to participate in the sensing task with fewer participants. In the PS-TWDT, we design a participant selection method based on dynamic programming algorithm. The goal is to maximize the data benefit while the sensing time of the selected participants covers the task time period. In addition, the updating strategy of participants’ credit value is added, and the credit value of participants is updated according to their willingness to participate in the task and data quality. Finally, simulation experiment verifies that the incentive mechanism and participant selection method proposed in this paper have good performance.
A Study of Synergy of Combination of Eosin B with Chloroquine, Artemisinin, and Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine on Plasmodium falciparum In Vitro and Plasmodium berghei In Vivo
Authors: Sadeghi Sedigheh , Valadkhani Zarrintaj , Tafreshi Alireza Sadeghi , Arjmand Mohammad , Nahravanian Hossein , Vahabi Farideh , Soori Neda , Mohammadi Maryam , Meigooni Masoomeh , Zamani Zahra
Published: June 2020

Background and Objectives. Artemisinin is the popular antimalarial medication, but it has to be used in combination with other drugs as its monotherapy causes resistance. The effectiveness of eosin B, a laboratory stain, as a competent antimalarial agent was identified earlier. It was tested in combination with different antimalarial drugs such as artesunate (a derivative of artemisinin) or chloroquine or sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in vitro on Plasmodium falciparum and in vivo on Plasmodium berghei using Peter’s suppression test. Methods. Drug assessment was carried out singly or in combination on Plasmodium falciparum in vitro using the candle jar method at three inhibitory concentrations. Percent parasitemia of live cells was obtained by microscopic counting. Peter’s suppression test was carried out on mice infected with Plasmodium berghei after 3 administration of the drugs singly and in combination, and parasites were counted by microscopy for 10 days. Results. Synergy was exhibited by isobolograms of eosin B combined with artesunate and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine with more than 10 fold reduction of all drugs in vitro. A good combination index was obtained with artesunate at 50% inibitory concentration with 3.4 nM eosin B and 1.7 nM artesunate in contrast to 124 nM eosin B and 7.6 nM artesunate singly. In vivo studies also showed a considerable lowering of the effective dose of eosin B 30 mg/kg: artesunate 3 mg/kg with 200 mg/kg eosin B and 60 mg/kg artesunate separately. Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine seemed to have the greatest synergistic effect with a combination index of 0.007, but this could be due to it consisting of a combination of three drugs. Eosin B’s combination index with chloroquine was fair, and in vivo tests too did not show as much competence as the other two drugs. Conclusion and Interpretation. It can be concluded that eosin B can be used in combination with antimalarial drugs with favorable results.
What Do the Dental Students Know about Infection Control? A Cross‐Sectional Study in a Teaching Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Authors: Qamar Mariam Khan , Shaikh Babar Tasneem , Afzal Aamir
Published: June 2020

Background. Dental students are exposed to various infections and infective sources during their training, and on this aspect, their level of knowledge is suboptimal and practices are risky. Therefore, improving their knowledge and practices would contribute significantly to infection control. Objective. To ascertain the level of understanding of senior dental students regarding the infection control in the dental practice. Methods. A cross‐sectional study was conducted among dental students (3rd year and 4th year) of the Foundation University Dental College, Pakistan. The sample consisted of 100 third year dental students and 88 fourth year students. A self‐administrated questionnaire was used for data collection which consisted of fourteen close‐ended items. Frequencies of knowledge, attitudes, and practice were calculated separately by using SPSS 21.0 software. Results. Almost half of the students would not use any antiseptic for sterilizing their hands, and only two‐third would ask their patient to use an oral mouth rinse before starting the treatment. Many students did not the optimal temperature of the autoclave for sterilization of the instruments. Only one‐third would wear the personal protective equipment during a procedure. Around one‐third of the study participants reported that ineffective sterilization during clinical practice can transmit infection from one patient to another. Conclusion. Knowledge on infection control among the dental students is though weak, practices are not as per standards but attitudes are positive and encouraging for taking steps and complying with measures on infection control.
Identification of Target Genes of Antiarrhythmic Traditional Chinese Medicine Wenxin Keli
Authors: Yao Yusi , Liu Yuhong , Zeng Zhihuan , Zhao Yanqun , Li Tudi , Chen Rong , Zhang Rendan
Published: June 2020

Wenxin Keli (WXKL) is a traditional Chinese medicine drug approved for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to identify WXKL-targeting genes involved in antiarrhythmic efficacy of WXKL. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) technology platform was used to screen active compounds of WXKL and WXKL-targeting arrhythmia-related genes. A pig model of myocardial ischemia (MI) was established by balloon-expanding the endothelium of the left coronary artery. Pigs were divided into the model group and WXKL group (n = 6). MI, QT interval, heart rate, and arrhythmia were recorded, and the mRNA expression of target genes in myocardial tissues was detected by PCR. Eleven active ingredients of WXKL and eight WXKL-targeting arrhythmia-related genes were screened. Five pathways were enriched, and an “ingredient-gene-path” network was constructed. WXKL markedly decreased the incidence of arrhythmia in the MI pig model (P<0.05). The QT interval was significantly shortened, and the heart rate was slowed down in the WXKL group compared with the model group (P<0.05). In addition, the expression of sodium channel protein type 5 subunit alpha (SCN5A) and beta-2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) was downregulated, while muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M2 (CHRM2) was upregulated in the WXKL group (P<0.05). In conclusion, WXKL may shorten the QT interval and slow down the heart rate by downregulating SCN5A and ADRB2 and upregulating CHRM2 during MI. These findings provide novel insight into molecular mechanisms of WXKL in reducing the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia.
Study on Accessibility of Feeder Lines with Different Geometric Shapes
Authors: Tang Qing , Du Peng
Published: June 2020

The performance of the urban rail transit system depends largely on the operation efficiency of its feeder system. An improved way is proposed in this paper to calculate the accessibility index which is used for evaluation of feeder lines, and both passengers’ waiting time and the competition between different access modes are considered. Different from previous research, this paper focuses on whether and how the geometric shape differences affect the performance of fixed-route feeder lines. The impacts of line shape on accessibility are analysed by derived formulas for calculating accessibility under ideal conditions. The finding emerging from this study is that the accessibility of feeder lines differs obviously due to their shapes, given the same conditions of total line length, stop spacing, and vehicle fleet size. The service area of feeder lines with branches or a loop is closer to the rail station compared with that of linear lines, thus leading to fewer passengers served but shorter average travel time under specific routing plans. For further exploring the universality of the above finding, route alignment optimization models to maximize accessibility are built for different shaped lines. The optimal solutions of different shapes are obtained and compared in the cases of random generation to analyse the impacts of shapes on accessibility under different line length conditions.
Distributed Fuzzy Adaptive Control for Heterogeneous Nonlinear Multiagent Systems with Similar Composite Structure
Authors: Fan Yongqing , Xiao Tiantian , Li Zhen
Published: June 2020

A distributed fuzzy adaptive control with similar parameters is constructed for a class of heterogeneous multiagent systems. Unlike many existing works, the dimensions of each multiagent dynamic system are considered to be nonidentical in this paper. Firstly, similar properties for different dimensions of multiagent systems are introduced, and some similar parameters among multiagent systems are also proposed. Secondly, a distributed fuzzy adaptive control on the basis of similar parameters is designed for the consensus of leader-follower multiagent systems. Following the graph theory and Lyapunov stability approach, it is concluded that UUB (uniformly ultimately bounded) of all signals in the closed-loop system can be guaranteed, and the consensus tacking error converges to a small compact zero set. Finally, a simulation example with different dimensions is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
A Novel Statistical Feature Analysis-Based Global and Local Method for Face Recognition
Authors: Talab Mohammed Ahmed , Awang Suryanti , Ansari Mohd Dilshad
Published: June 2020

Face recognition from an image/video has been a fast-growing area in research community, and a sizeable number of face recognition techniques based on texture analysis have been developed in the past few years. Further, these techniques work well on gray-scale and colored images, but very few techniques deal with binary and low-resolution images. As the binary image is becoming the preferred format for low face resolution analysis, there is a need for further studies to provide a complete solution for the image-based face recognition system with a higher accuracy rate. To overcome the limitation of the existing methods in extracting distinctive features in low-resolution images due to the contrast between the face and background, we propose a statistical feature analysis technique to fill the gaps. To achieve this, the proposed technique integrates the binary-level occurrence matrix (BLCM) and the fuzzy local binary pattern (FLBP) named FBLCM to extract global and local features of the face from binary and low-resolution images. The purpose of FBLCM is to distinctively improve performance of edge sharpness between black and white pixels in the binary image and to extract significant data relating to the features of the face pattern. Experimental results on Yale and FEI datasets validate the superiority of the proposed technique over the other top-performing feature analysis methods. The developed technique has achieved the accuracy of 94.54% when a random forest classifier is used, hence outperforming other techniques such as the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), bag of word (BOW), and fuzzy local binary pattern (FLBP), respectively.
Concentrating Mill Wastes are the Source of Pollution of Human Environment and Natural Ecosystems with Heavy Metals: A Case Study in Primorsky Krai, Russian Federation
Authors: Tarasenko Irina A. , Zin’kov Alexander V. , Kholodov Aleksei S. , Riaz Muhammad , Petukhov Valeriy I. , Popov Nikita Y. , Tsatsakis Aristidis , Golokhvast Kirill S.
Published: June 2020

Elevated contents of hazardous elements in natural ecosystems are often associated with human activities. Significant quantities of these elements, including heavy metals, are concentrated in tailings. The goal of the study was to assess the mineralogical and geochemical features of the old tailings of the decommissioned Krasnorechenskaya concentrating mill (located in Primorsky Krai, Russian Federation), which was processing complex tin-polymetallic and silver-lead-zinc ores, the chemical features of tailings pond waters, and the extent of environmental impact on the nearby Rudnaya river. In addition to the analysis of rock and water samples, the software modeling of the water-rock-gas system was carried out. In the study area, the minerals and rocks undergo changes that lead to the formation of highly mineralized, acidic waters saturated with various elements. In the tailings ponds, the maximum permissible concentrations were exceeded for Zn, Cd, Cu, Mg, Fetotal, Pb, Mn, Al, As, Co, Be, Sr, Ni, and Ba. The drainage from the tailings pond tripled the total mineralization of the Rudnaya river relative to the background values. However, the intoxication of the ecosystem by tailing products is partially inhibited by the secondary minerals in the tailings ponds. The negative impact is of a local nature, and 500 m downstream the concentration of many of the above elements is reduced. Despite this, the system that forms the chemical composition of highly mineralized waters is far from the equilibrium state. The oxidation of sulfides, dissolution of other minerals, and migration of oxidation and hydrolysis products will continue affecting the environment. In this regard, it is necessary to conduct environmental monitoring and undertake activities aimed at the recovery of mature concentration tailings or at suppressing the activity of hazardous elements by the conservation of tailings ponds.
Autoimmune Mechanisms of Interferon Hypersensitivity and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Down Syndrome
Authors: Jagadeesh Ashraya , Maroun Leonard E. , Van Es Lisa M. , Millis Richard M.
Published: June 2020

Down syndrome (DS), also known as trisomy 21 (T21), is associated with interferon (IFN) hypersensitivity, as well as predilections for Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) and various autoimmune diseases. IFN-αand IFN-γreceptors are encoded on chromosome 21 (Ch21). It remains unclear how other Ch21 genes contribute to the neuropathological features of DS/T21. This study tests the hypothesis that identifying IFN-stimulated response element (ISRE) control sites on Ch21 will mark novel candidate genes for DS/T21-related IFN hypersensitivity and neuropathology not previously reported to be associated with IFN functions. We performed whole chromosome searches of online databases. The general ISRE consensus and gamma interferon activation consensus sequences (GAS) were used for identifying IFN-stimulated response elements. Candidate genes were defined as those possessing two or more ISRE and/or GAS control sites within and/or upstream of the transcription start site. A literature search of gene functions was used to select the candidate genes most likely to explain neuropathology associated with IFN hypersensitivity.DOPEY2,TMEM50B,PCBP3, RCAN1, andSIM2were found to meet the aforementioned gene search and functional criteria. These findings suggest thatDOPEY2,TMEM50B,PCBP3, RCAN1, andSIM2are genes which may be dysregulated in DS/T21 and may therefore serve as novel targets for treatments aimed at ameliorating the neuropathological features of DS/T21. Future studies should determine whether these genes are dysregulated in patients with DS, DS-related AD, and autoimmune diseases.
A Global Inhomogeneous Intensity Clustering- (GINC-) Based Active Contour Model for Image Segmentation and Bias Correction
Authors: Feng Chaolu , Yang Jinzhu , Lou Chunhui , Li Wei , Yu Kun , Zhao Dazhe
Published: June 2020

Image segmentation is still an open problem especially when intensities of the objects of interest are overlapped due to the presence of intensity inhomogeneities. A bias correction embedded level set model is proposed in this paper where inhomogeneities are estimated by orthogonal primary functions. First, an inhomogeneous intensity clustering energy is defined based on global distribution characteristics of the image intensities, and membership functions of the clusters described by the level set function are then introduced to define the data term energy of the proposed model. Second, a regularization term and an arc length term are also included to regularize the level set function and smooth its zero-level set contour, respectively. Third, the proposed model is extended to multichannel and multiphase patterns to segment colorful images and images with multiple objects, respectively. Experimental results and comparison with relevant models demonstrate the advantages of the proposed model in terms of bias correction and segmentation accuracy on widely used synthetic and real images and the BrainWeb and the IBSR image repositories.
A Structural Analysis Method for Cable-Beam Composite Structure
Authors: You Guoqiang
Published: June 2020

A structural analysis method is proposed in this paper for cable-beam composite structure with a large number of cable elements; it can improve computational efficiency and accuracy. Firstly, we use a structural division method to divide the whole cable-beam structure into inner cablenet system and edge cablenet-beam system. Because inner cablenet is a pure cablenet structure with given shape and topology, balance matrix analysis method is used to help obtain the best pretension distribution of it with the evenness as objective. For edge cablenet-beam system, with obtaining equilibrium forces of inner cablenet’s pretensions as goal, an iterative pretension losses compensation calculation combined with nonlinear finite element method and balance matrix analysis method is used for edge cablenet to adjust its pretension distribution and make the whole cablenet system keep its preset ideal shape under influence of beams’ deformations. Because edge cablenet-beam system has a lot less cable elements than overall structure, its nonlinear finite element calculations are much easier and faster than those for the whole cable-beam composite structure. In order to verify the above method’s validity, it is used for a spaceborne cablenet deployable antenna example, and the computed results indicate that the method is feasible.
Long Noncoding RNA NEAT1 Regulates TGF‐β2‐Induced Epithelial‐Mesenchymal Transition of Lens Epithelial Cells through the miR‐34a/Snail1 and miR‐204/Zeb1 Pathways
Authors: Dong Ning
Published: June 2020

The aim of this study was to explore whether the long noncoding RNA nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1)/miR‐34a/Snail1 and NEAT1/miR‐204/Zeb1 pathways are involved in epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lens epithelial cells (LECs). Primary human LECs (HLECs) were separated and cultured. Our results identified that TGF‐β2 induces NEAT1 overexpression in a dose‐dependent manner and a time‐dependent manner. Additionally, TGF‐β2 induced downregulation of E‐cadherin and upregulation of fibronectin in primary HLECs through a NEAT1‐dependent mechanism. Microarray analysis showed that NEAT1 overexpression inhibited the miR‐34a and miR‐204 levels in the LECs. The expression of miR‐34a and miR‐204 was decreased, and the levels of Snail1 and Zeb1 were elevated in human posterior capsule opacification‐ (PCO‐) attached LECs and the LECs obtained from anterior subcapsular cataract (ASC) by quantitative RT‐PCR (qRT‐PCR). Mechanistic studies revealed that NEAT1 negatively regulates miR‐34a or miR‐204, and miR‐34a or miR‐204 directly targets Snail1 or Zeb1 by luciferase assay and RNA‐binding protein immunoprecipitation assay, respectively. Overall, the NEAT1/miR‐34a/Snail1 and NEAT1/miR‐204/Zeb1 pathways are involved in TGF‐β2‐induced EMT of HLECs. In summary, TGF‐β2 induces NEAT1 overexpression, which in turn suggests that NEAT1 acts as a ceRNA targeting Snail1 or Zeb1 by binding miR‐34a or miR‐204, and promotes the progression of EMT of LECs.
Laparoscopic Resection of a Left Upper Quadrant Mass Leading to a Surprise Diagnosis
Authors: Bonatti Hugo J. R. , Sahmel Reinhardt O. , Erlich Rodrigo B.
Published: June 2020

Background. Resplenectomy is most commonly done for the treatment of recurrent idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) refractory to medical management due to the regrowth of a missed accessory spleen. Case Report. A 66-year-old male had undergone open splenectomy for traumatic rupture 40 years ago. He presented with a leiomyosarcoma of his leg, which was surgically removed. When he developed metastatic disease, chemotherapy was started. He developed left upper quadrant pain, and on CT scan, a 5 cm mass compatible with a sarcoma was found between the tail of the pancreas and the left adrenal gland. During laparoscopy, dense adhesion of the omentum to the abdominal wall and the stomach from his previous splenectomy was divided. The lesser sac was opened through the gastrocolic ligament, and the splenic flexure was taken down. Superior and dorsal to the tail of the pancreas next to the left adrenal gland, the mass was identified and carefully dissected out. The vascular pedicle, which originated from a side branch of the splenic vessels at the tail of the pancreas, was stapled. The gastric fundus showed multiple nodules, and therefore, a modified sleeve gastrectomy was done; also, a 2 cm nodule in segment 5 of the liver and an omental nodule were removed. The tumors and gastrectomy specimen were placed in an endobag and removed through a periumbilical mini-incision. The patient recovered without any complications from the procedure and his LUQ pain resolved. Pathology revealed no sarcoma metastases but accessory spleens in all specimens. Discussion. Splenosis with multiple implants within the abdomen after splenectomy for trauma is a rare condition. In our patient, this seems to have been triggered by chemotherapy for his sarcoma resulting in extramedullary hemopoiesis. Laparoscopic removal of accessory spleens can be safely done.
FcircSEC: An R Package for Full Length circRNA Sequence Extraction and Classification
Authors: Hossain Md. Tofazzal , Peng Yin , Feng Shengzhong , Wei Yanjie
Published: June 2020

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are formed by joining the 3′ and 5′ ends of RNA molecules. Identification of circRNAs is an important part of circRNA research. The circRNA prediction methods can predict the circRNAs with start and end positions in the chromosome but cannot identify the full-length circRNA sequences. We present an R package FcircSEC (Full Length circRNA Sequence Extraction and Classification) to extract the full-length circRNA sequences based on gene annotation and the output of any circRNA prediction tools whose output has a chromosome, start and end positions, and a strand for each circRNA. To validate FcircSEC, we have used three databases, circbase, circRNAdb, and plantcircbase. With information such as the chromosome and strand of each circRNA as the input, the identified sequences by FcircSEC are consistent with the databases. The novelty of FcircSEC is that it can take the output of state-of-the-art circRNA prediction tools as input and is applicable for human and other species. We also classify the circRNAs as exonic, intronic, and others. The R package FcircSEC is freely available.
Prognosis of Patients with Colorectal Cancer with Diabetes According to Medication Adherence: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Choe Sunho , Lee Joonki , Park Ji Won , Jeong Seung-Yong , Cho Young Min , Park Byung-Joo , Shin Aesun
Published: June 2020

Background:

Diabetes mellitus is known to have a negative effect on colorectal cancer survival due to hyperinsulinemia or hyperglycemia, and medications such as metformin, which targets insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, have a preventive effect on the risk of death. The aim of this study was to compare the risk of death among patients with colorectal cancer with diabetes with different levels of adherence to oral antidiabetics.

Methods:

National Health Information Database was used, which has all claims data for those who are registered for national health insurance in Korea, from 2002 to 2016, for conducting a retrospective cohort study. Newly diagnosed patients with colorectal cancer among diabetics were followed up from the date of diagnosis until death or December 31, 2016. The medication adherence was calculated as the proportion of days covered (PDC). The HR and 95% confidence interval (CI) for death were estimated using the low-adherence patients as a reference.

Results:

A total of 33,841 diabetic patients with newly diagnosed colorectal cancer were followed for an average of 4.7 years. Patients with colorectal cancer with good adherence (PDC ≥ 80%) showed a reduced risk of death [HR (95% CI), 0.82 (0.78–0.86)] compared with those with poor adherence (PDC < 80%). A reduced risk of death was observed for all cancer subsites.

Conclusions:

The maintenance of good medication adherence for diabetes mellitus was related to a favorable prognosis of colorectal cancer.

Impact:

This study provides evidence that patients with colorectal cancer who are adherent to their diabetes medication will have better survival than patients who are not adherent.
Splice of Life for Cancer: Missplicing of PPP2R5A by Mutant SF3B1 Leads to MYC Stabilization and Tumorigenesis
Authors: O'Connor Caitlin M. , Narla Goutham
Published: June 2020

Although mutations in SF3B1 are the most common RNA-splicing factor mutations in cancer, determining the downstream missplicing events that drive tumorigenesis has remained challenging. Liu and colleagues present a model by which mutant SF3B1 tumors displayed high levels of oncogenic MYC activity through the missplicing of PP2A-B56α, a key post-translational regulator of MYC stability, providing a new therapeutic target and driver of SF3B1-mediated tumorigenesis.

See related article by Liu et al., p. 806.