bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of OFDM Based Bidirectional Relay Network with Multiple Antennas in the Presence of Phase Noise
Authors: V.N Senthil Kumaran , A Andrew Roobert
Published: March 2021

In this article, a bidirectional relay network based on OFDM with multiple antennas at source nodes is proposed. The concepts of Transmit Antenna Selection (TAS) and Maximal Ratio Combining (MRC) are applied at the source nodes in first and second time slots respectively to exploit spatial diversity to improve the outage performance in the presence of phase noise. Modeling and analysis of the proposed bidirectional relay network in the presence of phase noise are briefly discussed. Analytical results have been verified by Monte-Carlo simulations. The performance of the proposed work is compared with the literature, and better performance is observed in the proposed work
SEAI: Secrecy and Efficiency Aware Inter-gNB Handover Authentication and Key Agreement Protocol in 5G Communication Network
Authors: Gupta Shubham , Parne Balu L. , Chaudhari Narendra S. , Saxena Sandeep
Published: March 2021

Recently, the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has initiated to work in the Fifth Generation (5G) network to fulfill the security characteristics of IoT-based services. 3GPP has proposed the 5G handover key structure and framework in a recently published technical report. In this paper, we evaluate the handover authentication methodologies available in the literature and
identify the security vulnerabilities such as violation of global base-station, failure of key forward/backward secrecy, de-synchronization attack, and huge network congestion. Also, these protocols suffer from high bandwidth consumption that doesn’t suitable for energy efficient mobile devices in 5G network. To overcome these concerns, we introduce Secrecy and Efficiency Aware Inter-gNB (SEAI) handover Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) protocol. The formal security
proof of the protocol is carried out by random oracle model to achieve the session key secrecy, confidentiality, and integrity. For the protocol correctness and achieve the mutual authentication property, simulation is performed using the AVISPA tool. Also, the informal security evaluation represents that the protocol defeats all the possible attacks and achieves the necessary security properties. Moreover, the performance evaluation of the earlier 5G handover protocols and proposed SEAI protocol is carried out. From the evaluations, the significant results are obtained based on computation, transmission, and communication overhead.
Ezh2 as an epigenetic checkpoint regulator during monocyte differentiation: a potential target to improve cardiac repair after myocardial infarction
Authors: Rondeaux Julie , Groussard Deborah , Renet Sylvanie , Tardif Virginie , Dumesnil Anaïs , Chu Alphonse , Henry Jean-Paul , Badji Zina , Vézier Claire , Béziau Delphine , Guerrot Dominique , Brand Marjorie , Richard Vincent , Durand Eric , Brakenhielm Ebba , Fraineau Sylvain
Published: March 2021

Epigenetic regulation of histone H3K27 methylation has recently emerged as a key step during alternative M2-like macrophage polarization, essential for cardiac repair after Myocardial Infarction (MI). We hypothesized that EZH2, responsible for H3K27 methylation, could act as an epigenetic checkpoint regulator during this process. We demonstrate for the first-time an EZH2 ectopic, and putative inactive, cytoplasmic localization of the epigenetic enzyme, during monocyte differentiation in vitro as well as in M2 macrophages in vivo during post-MI cardiac inflammation. Moreover, we show that pharmacological EZH2 inhibition, with GSK-343, resolves H3K27 methylation at the promoter of bivalent genes, thus enhancing their expression to promote human monocyte repair functions. In line with this protective effect, GSK-343 treatment accelerated cardiac inflammatory resolution preventing infarct expansion and subsequent cardiac dysfunction after MI in vivo. In conclusion, our study reveals that epigenetic modulation of cardiac-infiltrating immune cells may hold promise to limit adverse cardiac remodeling after MI.
Spatial analysis of mangrove forest management for the reduction of air temperature and CO2 emission
Authors: Sumarmi Sumarmi , Purwanto Purwanto , Bachri Syamsul
Published: March 2021

Surabaya is a coastal city that is still developing. Like other developing cities, Surabaya highly suppresses the mangrove forest for the residential, industry and other areas. Mangrove forest as a conservation land has an essential function as an oxygen source for people in Surabaya and it absorbs CO2. Mangrove forest functions to decrease the impact of global warming and maintain the coastal ecosystem sustainability. This research aimed to 1) Map the dynamics of temperature in Surabaya during the last twenty years (1996-2016) by using Remote Sensing and GIS. 2) Examine the ability of mangrove forest in absorbing CO2 and heat energy in decreasing the impact of global warming in Surabaya. The research results showed that 1) based on the analysis result of temperature surface extent, the temperature has changed since 1996 up to 2016. The trend of the temperature change can be classified into three surface temperatures which are low, moderate and high. The low temperature with the category of 210-300C had a different trend. Every year, the trend of the area extent of which surface temperature was highly categorized was 310-420C. The trend was highly increasing in the period of 2006-2016. Such condition showed that, in 2016, Surabaya had a high temperature increase. (2) There was a correlation between mangrove forest change and the temperature change; the content of CO2 in the mangrove, vegetation and water areas was reduced and it increased in the areas used for buildings such as factory, residential, road and other. The content of CO2 in the air of Surabaya showed the distribution grouping in the “high” and “extremely high” categories. The high category was 27.5% and the extremely high category was 67.5%. The sample point in each moderate and low category was around 25%.
WITHDRAWN: Spatial Effects of Internal and External Conflicts on Regional Maternal Mortality
Authors: Khezri Mohsen , Razzaghi Somayeh , Khezri Somayeh
Published: March 2021

Background: The high maternal mortality rates in African and Middle Eastern countries motivated the present study to explore the causes of such a phenomenon from a broader perspective. Extensive internal and external conflicts, including war and cross-border, foreign pressures, civil war, terrorism, and civil disorder conflicts, are the dominant feature of these countries. Therefore, this paper aims to elicit the influential factors in maternal mortality in the Middle East and Africa, with a special emphasis on the contribution of internal and external conflicts.Methods: This study investigates data from 46 Asian and African countries from 2011 to 2017 on the regional effects of such conflicts on maternal mortality using spatial models. Results: According to the results, the model control variables, except for trade openness, were found to have significant effects on the maternal mortality rate. Economic growth and natural resource rents through the expansion of health services showed significant effects on mortality reduction. In addition, the expansion of urbanization has led to an increase in maternal mortality rates. Also, most internal and external conflicts lead to a decrease in the production orientation towards health services, increasing maternal mortality rates, while war and cross-border have quite opposite effects. Conclusions: The expansion of health services during the emergence of such conflicts reduces the maternal mortality rate. According to the results, conflicts such as war, foreign pressures, and terrorism in neighboring countries lead to increased mortality rates in the country of origin, suggesting that regional conflicts can have spillover effects on the regional extensions of maternal mortality rates.
Dose-Effect of Long-Snake-Like Moxibustion for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ma Tingting , Gong Rui , Zheng Rui , Wu Jie
Published: March 2021

Background

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disease with high incidence rate and great impact on life, but it lacks for specific pharmacological treatment and diagnostic indicators. In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), fatigue is the result of Yang deficiency. Long-snake-like moxibustion, as one of a special moxa therapy, has been applied in Yang deficiency patients for thousands of years in China and it is used widely to relieve fatigue symptoms for its strong function of Yang warming. However, the does-effect relationship is unclear in the moxibustion research. Hence, we design this trial to assess the duration-effect of long-snake-like moxibustion through combining measurements of the subjective patient-reported scales with objective medical infrared imaging technology─Thermal Texture Maps (TTM).
Methods

This is a single-center, randomized controlled trial. Thirty healthy women and sixty female CFS patients will be recruited to receive the first TTM scanning, then CFS patients will be allocated to 60-minute long-snake-like moxibustion (Group A) and 30-minute long-snake-like moxibustion (Group B) equally. These two groups will receive corresponding treatment once a day, three sessions per week every other day for consecutive 4 weeks. The second TTM scanning will be employed for CFS patients after the end of treatment. The primary outcome will be the score improvement of the Fatigue scale-14 (FS-14). Secondary outcomes include the change of the Self-rating depression scale (SDS),the Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and the Symptoms Scale of spleen-kidney Yang deficiency.
Discussion

The trial will provide evidence for the choice of treatment duration for long-snake-like moxibustion in treating CFS. The results will contribute to explore the dose-effect relationship of moxibustion, and optimize the efficacy of moxibustion therapy.
Trial registration:

Chinese Clinical Trail Registry (No. ChiCTR2000041000), on 16th December, 2020, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=62488
Flexible Methyl Cellulose/Polyaniline/Silver composite films with Enhanced Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties
Authors: Atta Ali , Hamied Mostufa Abdel , Abdelreheem Ahmed , Berber Mohamed R.
Published: March 2021

In order to potentiate implementations in optical energy applications, flexible polymer composite films comprising methyl cellulose (MC), polyaniline (PANI) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully fabricated through a solution cast preparation method. The composite structure of the fabricated film was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy, indicating a successful incorporation of AgNPs into the MC/PANI blend. The optical parameters such as band gap (Eg), absorption edge (Ed), number of carbon cluster (N) and Urbach energy (Eu) of pure MC polymer, MC/PANI blend and MC/PANI/Ag film were determined by using the UV optical absorbance in the wavelength range 200 to 110 nm. The influence of AgNPs and PANI on linear optical (LO) and nonlinear optical (NLO )parameters such as reflection extinction coefficient, refractive index, dielectric constant, nonlinear refractive index and nonlinear susceptibility of MC polymer were also investigated. The results showed a decrease in the band gap of MC/PANI/AgNPs compared to the pure MC film. Meanwhile, the estimated carbon cluster number enhanced with the incorporation of the AgNPs. The addition of AgNPs and PANI also improved the optical parameters of MC polymer, a trait that makes the current composite a convenient material for optical energy applications.
Observation of robust energy transfer in the photosynthetic protein allophycocyanin using single-molecule pump-probe spectroscopy
Authors: Moya Raymundo , Norris Audrey , Kondo Toru , Schlau-Cohen Gabriela
Published: March 2021

Photosynthetic organisms convert sunlight to electricity with near unity quantum efficiency. Absorbed photoenergy transfers through a network of chromophores positioned within protein scaffolds, which fluctuate due to thermal motion. The resultant variation in energy transfer has not yet been measured, and so how the efficiency is robust to this variation, if any, has not been determined. Here, we describe single-molecule pump-probe spectroscopy with facile spectral tuning and its application to the ultrafast dynamics of single allophycocyanin, a light-harvesting protein from cyanobacteria. Using the spectral dependence of the dynamics, energy transfer and energetic relaxation from nuclear motion were disentangled. For energy transfer, an asymmetric distribution of timescales was observed. For energetic relaxation, the timescales were slower and more heterogeneous due to the impact of the protein environment. Collectively, these results suggest that energy transfer is robust to protein fluctuations, a prerequisite for efficient light harvesting.
99mTc-Galacto-RGD2 Integrin αvβ3 Targeted Imaging as a Surrogate for Molecular Phenotyping in Lung Cancer: Prospective Study in the Real World
Authors: Fu Jingjing , Xie Yan , Fu Tong , Qiu Fan , Yu Fei , Qu Wei , Yao Xiaochen , Zhang Aiping , Yang Zhenhua , Shao Guoqiang , Meng Qingle , Shi Xiumin , Huang Yue , Wang Feng , Gu Wei
Published: March 2021

Purpose: Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are beneficial in patients with lung cancer. We explored the clinical value of 99mTc-Galacto-RGD2 single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) in patients with lung cancer, Integrin αvβ3 expression, and neovascularization in lung cancer subtypes was also addressed. Methods: A total of 185 patients with lung cancer and 25 patients with benign lung diseases were enrolled in this prostective study from January 2013 to December 2016. All patients underwent 99mTc-Galacto-RGD2 imaging. The region of interest was drawn around each primary lesion, and tumour uptake of 99mTc-Galacto-RGD2 was measured as the tumour/normal tissue ratio（T/N）. The diagnostic efficacy was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Tumour tissues were obtained from 66 patients with malignant diseases and seven with benign disease. Tumour expression levels of αvβ3, CD31, Ki-67, and CXCR4 were analysed to determine their value for phenotyping and metastasis potential evaluation. Results: The lung cancer patients included 22 cases of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), 48 squamous cell carcinoma (LSC), 97 adenocarcinoma (LAC), and 18 other types of lung cancer. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 99mTc-Galacto-RGD2 SPECT/CT using a cut-off value of 2.5 were 91.89 %, 48.0 %, and 86.67 %, respectively. Integrin αvβ3 expression was higher in non-SCLC compared with SCLC, while LSC showed denser neovascularization and higher integrin αvβ3 expression. Integrin αvβ3 expression levels were significantly higher in advanced (Ⅲ, Ⅳ) than early stages (Ⅰ, Ⅱ). However, there was no significant correlation between tumour uptake and αvβ3 expression. Conclusion: 99mTc-Galacto-RGD2 SPECT/CT has high sensitivity but limited specificity for detecting primary lung cancer. RGD imaging may help evaluate the biological behaviour and phenotyping, and thus aid management in lung cancer.
Relationship between CDH23 gene and risk of noise-induced hearing loss
Authors: Jiao Jie , Yu Shanfa , Gu Guizhen , Chen Guoshun , Zhang Huanling , Zheng Yuxin
Published: March 2021

Objective: To investigate the relationship between CDH23 gene and the risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).Methods: This was a case-control study. Noise-exposed workers worked in a steel factory in North China was recruited and been divided into two groups: the case group (BHFTA ≥40 dB) and the control group (BHFTA<25 dB). We analyzed the association among 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CDH23 and NIHL risk using the generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) method. Logistic regression was performed to analyze the main effects of SNPs and the interactions between CNE and SNPs adjusting cumulative noise exposure (CNE), smoking, drinking, physical exercise and hypertension. Results: In this study, 776 subjects of period I and 1117 subjects of period I+II were recruited. The results showed that subjects who carried the AA genotype of rs3802711possessed significantly increased risk of NIHL than those carrying GG (OR: 2.71; 95% CI:1.15, 6.39) and GA+GG (OR: 2.54; 95% CI: 1.09, 6.00) in period I, respectively. For rs11592462, subjects carrying the GG genotype showed a significantly increased risk of NIHL compared with the subjects. Significant relationships were showed between rs10999947, rs3802711, rs10762480, rs3752751, rs3752752, rs3747867, and rs11592462 for NIHL overall and various CNE strata. There was no significant association between the rs1227049 - rs3752752 - rs10999947 - rs3752751 - rs10762480 - rs3802711 - rs11592462 - rs4747195 - rs4747194 - rs10466026 haplotypes and NIHL risk. Conclusions: The genetic variation in the CDH23 gene might play an important role in determining individual susceptibility to NIHL.
Distributed Robust Tracking Control for Multiple Euler–lagrange Systems With Full-state Constraints and Input Saturation via Event-triggered Control
Authors: liu Haitao , Du Guangshuo , Tian Xuehong , Zou Lanping
Published: March 2021

In this paper, the issue of distributed tracking control is studied for multiple Euler–Lagrange systems in presence of external disturbances and input saturation. Specifically, the full-state constraints, input saturation, communication delay, and unmeasured velocity are also considered simultaneously. Firstly, an adaptive distributed state observer is introduced to obtain the leader's time-varying position information, at the same time, a delay function is employed to compensate the communication delay. Moreover, the event-triggered control scheme is developed to reduce communication source and computation load, and the anti-saturation compensation algorithm is exploited to compensate for the influence of system saturation. Thirdly, an adaptive law is designed to offset external disturbances. What’s more, the high-gain observer is used to estimate the unmeasured velocities. Theorem analysis shows that the system errors can converge to zero. Finally, numerical simulations are present to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Cosmetic potential of boiled water of Hijiki (Sargassum fusiforme) grown in the ocean in Okinawa, Japan
Authors: Takashi Hanagasaki
Published: March 2021

Okinawa has most beautiful ocean that attracts tourists and it was recorded over 10 million foreign tourists visited Okinawa in 2018. The ocean surrounding Okinawa has various species of marine algae that could be raw material for cosmetic products because it has high concentration of phenolic compounds contributing antioxidant activity. There is an urgent need to create Okinawa’s unique brands for cosmetic products using marine algae grown in the ocean of Okinawa. Some of marine algae including popular seaweed food, Mozuku (Cladosiphon okamuranus Tokida) and Hijiki (Sargassum fusiforme), had high oxygen radical absorbance capacity and tyrosinase inhibition. In the food processing of Hijiki, there is a boiling step needed. And this Hijiki liquor is wasted 15 tons per year. To take advantage of this residue, development of cosmetic products derived from Hijiki liquor should be required. Hijiki liquor had the effect of decreasing melanin pigmentation and no cytotoxicity in a three-dimensional human skin model. Therefore, there is a high possibility that Hijiki liquor is a great material for cosmetic products.
Mimical Reconstruction and Aesthetic Repair of the Nail After Resection of Subungual Melanocytic Nevus
Authors: Li Xiucun , Cao Songhua , Li Zhengxun , Zhang Ning , Hu Yong
Published: March 2021

Background: Previous studies have shown about 25% - 33% of cutaneous melanomas result from melanocytic nevi. Currently, there are no consensus on treatment of the subungual melanocytic nevi with the pigmented band width > 3mm. However, some options change post-operative nail appearance and cannot obtain a well aesthetic outcome. The purpose of this study is to report the outcomes of mimical reconstruction and aesthetic repair of the nail.Methods: When the width of the pigmented bands was more than 1/2 of the whole nail width, the mimical reconstruction of the nail, the lateral toe pulp island flap covered the wound via the subcutaneous channel, was performed. If the width of the pigmented bands ranged from 1/4 to 2/5 of the entire nail, the aesthetic repair of the nail, the split-thickness excision under microscope, would be carried out.Results: The average age at the time of surgery was 14.5 years. The lesions were located at the toes in 5 patients and fingers in 3 patients. No complications occurred postoperatively. In 5 patients with the mimical reconstruction of the nail, all of toenail showed well-settled flap. In three patients with the aesthetic repair of the nail, there was no nail malnutrition or deformity, and all nails have an aesthetic appearance.Conclusions: Mimical reconstruction and aesthetic repair of the nail following resection of subungual melanocytic nevus is a reliable and feasible. It seems to be satisfactory that “like tissue” repairs the complex nail defects. All patients obtain an excellent aesthetic outcome.
A One Health Approach to Simple Liquid Sample Handling for Respiratory Based -Omics Analysis; Tracheal Wash and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
Authors: Karagianni Anna E. , Eaton Samantha L. , Kurian Dominic , Cillán-Garcia Eugenio , Twynam-Perkins Jonathan , Raper Anna , Wishart Thomas M. , Pirie Scott R.
Published: March 2021

Airway inflammation is highly prevalent in horses, with the majority of non-infectious cases being defined as equine asthma. Currently, cytological analysis of airway derived samples is the principal method of assessing lower airway inflammation. Samples can be obtained by tracheal wash (TW) or by lavage of the lower respiratory tract (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; BALF). Although BALF cytology carries significant diagnostic advantages over TW cytology, sample acquisition is invasive, making it prohibitive for routine and sequential-screening of airway health. The aim of this study was to establish a robust protocol to isolate macrophages, protein and RNA for molecular characterisation of TW samples and demonstrate the applicability of sample handling to rodent and human pediatric bronchoalveolar lavage fluid isolates. TW samples provided a good quality and yield of both RNA and protein for downstream transcriptomic/proteomic analyses. The sample handling methodologies were successfully applicable to BALF for rodent and human research. TW samples represent a rich source of airway cells, and molecular analysis to facilitate and study airway inflammation, based on both transcriptomic and proteomic analysis. This study provides a necessary methodological platform for future transcriptomic and/or proteomic studies on equine lower respiratory tract secretions and BALF samples from humans and mice.
Gene Expression Assay: A New Panel for Early Metastatic Risk Estimation for Breast Cancer
Authors: Agraz Melih , Agyuz Umut , Welch E. Celeste , Yasin Kaymaz , Birol Kuyumcu
Published: March 2021

Background Metastasis is one of the most challenging problems in cancer diagnosis and treatment, as its causes have not been yet well characterized. Prediction of the metastatic status of breast cancer is important in cancer research because it has the potential to save lives. However, the systems biology behind metastasis is complex and driven by a variety of factors beyond those that have already been characterized for various cancer types. Furthermore, prediction of cancer metastasis is a challenging task due to the variation in parameters and conditions specific to individual patients and mutation of the sub-types. Results In this paper, we apply tree-based machine learning algorithms for gene expression data analysis in the estimation of metastatic potentials within a group of 490 breast cancer patients. Hence, we utilize tree-based machine learning algorithms, decision trees, gradient boosting, and extremely randomized trees to assess the variable importance.Conclusions We obtained highly accurate values from all three algorithms, we observed the highest accuracy from the Gradient Boost method which is 0.8901. Finally, we were able to determine the 10 most important genetic variables used in the boosted algorithms, as well as their respective importance scores and biological importance. Common important genes for our algorithms are found as CD8, PB1, THP-1. CD8, also known as CD8A is a receptor for the TCR, or T-cell receptor, which facilitates cytotoxic T-cell activity and its association with cancer is defined in the paper. PB1, PBRM1 or polybromo 1 is a tumor suppressor gene. THP-1 or GLI2 is a zinc finger protein referred to as ”Glioma-Associated Oncogene Family Zinc Finger 2”. This gene encodes a protein for the zinc finger, which binds DNA and mediate Sonic hedgehog signaling (SHH). Disruption in the SHH pathway have long been associated with cancer and cellular proliferation.
Fear Emotion Decelerates Outcomes of Climate Change Education
Authors: Chen Jin , Wang Xueqi
Published: March 2021

Emotion mediating educational outcomes has been recognized for decades. However, empirical experiments to test these predictions, particularly for climate change education, which is often mixed with various emotions, are rare. In this study, we conducted a two-week climate change education program with specific video clips designed to induce fear or hope in students to explore how emotions affect educational outcomes. The study involved 1,730 students from nine middle schools in three coastal cities (Xiamen, Shenzhen, and Ningbo) in China. The results demonstrated that emotional video clips are a successful stimulus for the target emotion. In the hope treatment group, emotion did not significantly affect the educational outcomes, as indicated by the limited change in students’ climate change involvement, self-efficiency, and mitigation behavior. However, in the fear treatment group, emotion significantly decelerated students’ change in mitigation behavior compared to the lecture-only group. These decelerated behaviors are mostly located at the behavior change of low carbon life. Based on the mediation analysis, both the hope group and lecture-only group had direct effects on climate change mitigation behavior, while the fear group only had an indirect effect on climate change behavior, mediated primarily by climate change involvement. The study thus highlighted that both negative and positive emotions should not indiscriminately used in climate change education programs to safeguard significant educational outcomes.
Development of Genomic Resources From Crossostephium Chinense (Asteraceae) Based on Genome Skimming Data
Authors: Liu Luxian , Low Shook Ling , Feng Yu , Ge Binjie , Konowalik Kamil , Li Pan
Published: March 2021

Crossostephium chinense is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb and it is often cultivated as an ornamental plant. Previous studies on this species mainly focused on its chemical composition and it was represented rarely and marginally in genetic studies, which limited knowledge about its genetic background, and thus genomic resources remain scarce. To develop both chloroplast and nuclear polymorphic microsatellites for C. chinense, potential microsatellites were screened from genome skimming data of two individuals of C. chinense. Sixty-four and 63 cpSSR markers were identified from two chloroplast genomes of C. chinense. This study performed for the first-ever study on employment of genome skimming data and CandiSSR, consequently a total of 133 polymorphic nSSRs were developed. Ten nSSRs were randomly selected to test their transferability across 35 individuals from three populations of C. chinense, and 20 individuals each of Artemisia stolonifera and A. argyi. Cross-amplifications were successful done for C. chinense, and were partially successful amplified for both Artemisia species. The number of alleles varied from two to nine. The observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.000 to 0.286 and from 0.029 to 0.755, respectively. These genomic resources will be valuable for population genetics and conservation studies in C. chinense and Artemisia.
Multi-Objective Decision Making Approach based Load Balanced Clustering in WSNs to Increase The Lifetime of Network
Authors: Lekhraj  , Kumar Alok , Kumar Anoj
Published: March 2021

A network of wireless sensors (WSN) is an outstanding technology that can aid in the various applications. Batteries run the sensor nodes those are used in WSN. The battery is impossible to charge or repair, so the most valuable resource for wireless sensor networks is power. Over the years, several strategies have been invented and used to preserve this precious WSN resource. One of the most successful approach for this purpose has turned out to be clustering. The aim of this paper is to suggest an effective technique for choosing cluster heads in WSNs to increase the lifetime of the network. To accomplish this task, Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO) technique has been used. The general GWO was updated in this paper to meet the particular purpose of cluster head selection in WSNs. In this article, we have considered eleven attributes in the fitness function for the proposed algorithm. The simulation is carried out under different conditions. The results obtained show that the proposed protocol is superior in terms of energy consumption and network lifetime by evaluating the proposed protocol (i.e. CH-GWO protocol) with some well-existing cluster protocols. The suggested protocol forms energy-efficient and scalable clusters.
A Novel Approach for IoT Tasks Offloading in Edge-Cloud Environments
Authors: Almutairi Jaber , Aldossary Mohammad
Published: March 2021

Recently, the number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices connected to the Internet has increased dramatically as well as the data produced by these devices. This would require offloading IoT task to release heavy computation and storage to the resource-rich nodes such as Edge Computing and Cloud Computing. Although Edge Computing is a promising enabler for latency-sensitive related issues, its deployment produces new challenges. Besides, different service architectures and offloading strategies have a different impact on the service time performance of IoT applications. Therefore, this paper presents a novel approach for task offloading in an Edge-Cloud system in order to minimize the overall service time for latency-sensitive applications. This approach adopts the fuzzy logic algorithms, considering application characteristics (e.g., CPU demand, network demand and delay sensitivity) as well as resource utilization and resource heterogeneity. A number of simulation experiments are conducted to evaluate the proposed approach with other related approaches, where it was found to improve the overall service time for latency-sensitive applications and utilize the edge-cloud resources effectively. Also, the results show that different offloading decisions within the Edge-Cloud system can lead to various service time due to the computational resources and communications types.
Bradycardia in Accidental Severe Hypothermia in a Newborn: Treat or Don’t Touch? A case report
Authors: Kuonen Astrid , Riva Thomas , Erdoes Gabor
Published: March 2021

BackgroundHypothermia significantly affects mortality and morbidity of newborns. Literature about severe accidental hypothermia in neonates is limited. We present a case of a neonate suffering from severe accidental hypothermia. An understanding of the physiology of neonatal thermoregulation and hypothermia is important to decide on treatment.Case presentationWe report a case of severe accidental hypothermia (rectal temperature 25.7°C) in a hypothropic newborn due to prolonged exposure to low ambient temperature. The newborn presented bradycardic, bradypneic, lethargic, pale and cold. Bradycardia, bradypnea and consciousness were interpreted in the context of the measured body temperature. Therefore, no reanimation or intubation was initiated. The newborn was closely monitored and successfully treated only with active and passive rewarming. ConclusionClinical parameters such as heart frequency, blood pressure, respiration and consciousness must be interpreted in light of the measured body temperature. Medical treatment should be adapted to the clinical presentation. External rewarming can be a safe and effective measure in neonatal patients.
GIS Approach for Novel Corona Virus in Northern State of India Jammu and Kashmir
Authors: meer Mohammad suhail , Mishra Anoop Kumar
Published: March 2021

Novel Corona Virus “COVID 19” has affected worldwide. At initial stage the way out to curb the deadly virus was lockdown, isolating the symptomatic people, quarantining travellers and educate the people about the Corona virus so that precautionary measures are followed by people. local admistration has played vital role for highlighting the red zone areas and restricted the entry for people from outside to red zone areas in order to stop the infection from human to human transmission. The present research focus on application of Geographic Information System on mapping the Corona Virus cases in Jammu and Kashmir .The research attributes the role of dense Population and Urbanization are responsible for increasing the corona virus cases in the area. The districts like Srinagar and Jammu with high population and urbanization (census 2011) attributes high number of Corona cases in year 2020.The research experience that the Srinagar and Jammu attributes high population of 1236830 and 1529958 respectively than other districts of Jammu and Kashmir. This high population experiences highest number of Corona cases(Jammu 23339,Srinagar 24996), Deaths(Jammu 350,Srinagar 444) and COVID-19 recoveries(Jammu 22141,Srinagar 23957). The highly urbanised and populated area exposes the area towards infection. The high number of Corona Case experience heart related issues. The number of heart attacks in the state Jammu and Kashmir is rising which is alarming issue. This study will serve as replica study for managing COVID-19 in Jammu and Kashmir. The remote sensing and GIS was used to map the infected area and will be used for the future study in order to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on life.
Compensation Process and Generation of Chirped Femtosecond Solitons and Double-kink Solitons in Bose-Einstein Condensates with Time-dependent Atomic Scattering Length in a Time-varying Complex Potential
Authors: Kengne Emmanuel , Lakhssassi Ahmed
Published: March 2021

We consider the one-dimensional (1D) cubic-quintic Gross--Pitaevskii (GP)nequation, which governs the dynamics of Bose--Einstein condensate (BEC) matter waves with time-varying scattering length and loss/gain of atoms in a harmonic trapping potential. We derive the integrability conditions and the compensation condition for the 1D GP equation and obtain, with the help of a cubic-quintic nonlinear Schr\"{o}dinger (NLS) equation with self-steepening and self-frequency shift, exact analytical solitonlike solutions with the corresponding frequency chirp which describe the dynamics of femtosecond solitons and double-kink solitons propagating on a vanishing background. Our investigation shows that under the compensation condition, the matter wave solitons maintain a constant amplitude, the amplitude of the frequency chirp depends on the scattering length, while the motion of both the matter wave solitons and the corresponding chirp depend on the external trapping potential. More interesting, the frequency chirps are localized and their feature depends on the sign of the self-steepening parameter. Our study also shows that our exact solutions can be used to describe the compression of matter wave solitons when the absolute value of the s-wave scattering length increases with time.
Low-Temperature and Atmospheric Pressure Plasma for Palm Biodiesel Hydrogenation
Authors: Kongprawes Grittima , Wongsawaeng Doonyapong , Ngaosuwan Kanokwan , Kiatkittipong Worapon , Assabumrungrat Suttichai
Published: March 2021

Partially hydrogenated fatty acid methyl ester (H-FAME) is conventionally produced through partial hydrogenation under high pressure and elevated temperature in the presence of a catalyst. Herein, a novel green, catalyst-free, non-thermal and atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma was employed instead of a conventional method to hydrogenate palm FAME. H-FAME became more saturated with the conversion of C18:2 and C18:3 of 47.1 and 100%, respectively, at 100 W input power, 1 mm gas-filled gap size and 80% H2 in the mixed gas at room temperature for 5 h, causing a reduction of the iodine value from 50.2 to 43.5. Oxidation stability increased from 12.8 to 20 h while a cloud point changed from 13.5 to 16°C. Interstingly, DBD plasma hydrogenation resulted in no trans-fatty acid formation which provided a positive effect on the cloud point. This green DBD plasma system showed a superior performance to a conventional catalytic reaction. It is an alternative method that is safe from explosion due to the mild operating condition, as well as being highly environmentally-friendly by reducing waste and energy utilization from the regeneration process required for a catalytic process. This novel green plasma hydrogenation technique could also be applied to other liquid-based processes.
Methotrexate and theaflavin-3,3’ di gallate synergistically restore the balance between apoptosis and autophagy in synovial fibroblast of RA: An ex vivo approach with cultured human RA FLS
Authors: Misra Sanchaita , Bagchi Aniruddha , Sarkar Avik , Niyogi Sougata , Bhattacharjee Dipanjan , Chatterjee Sulagna , Mondal Sumantro , Chattopadhyay Arghya , Saha Ayindrila , Chatterjee Sudipta , Sinhamahapatra Pradyot , Chakrabarti Partha , Chatterjee Mitali , Ghosh Alakendu
Published: March 2021

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by inflammation mediated angiogenesis in synovial tissue, leading to apoptotic retardation and enhanced cell survival in synovial fibroblasts. Methotrexate (MTX) can reduce selective pro-inflammatory cytokines but unable to restore disrupted homeostasis between autophagy and apoptosis in fd-FLS.Objective: To evaluate the effect of black tea compound TF3 along with MTX upon fluid derived (fd)-FLS to induce apoptosis and inhibit autophagy through ER stress-mediated pathways.Methods: FLS sourced from synovial fluid (SF) of patients with RA (n=11) and osteoarthritis (OA) (n=10) were cultured following treatment with MTX/TF3 or in combination and underlying mechanisms were investigated. Extracellular inflammatory markers like CRP and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), angiogenic markers (VEGF, ANG-1) were quantified by ELISA. Cell viability of cultured fd-FLS was determined by MTT assay. fd-FLS treated with MTX/TF3 or combination of MTX(125nM) and TF3(10µM), followed by apoptosis measurement by flow cytometry. ER stress associated markers were quantified by RT-PCR (IRE1A and spliced-XBP-1) and immunoblotting (Grp78, Hsp70, CHOP, HIF1-α). Apoptotic (Bcl-2, Bax, and Caspases) and autophagic proteins (Beclin1, LC3b and p62) were quantified by immunoblot study. Results: MTX and TF3 both in single doses (IC25) could down-regulate the levels of pro-inflammatory and angiogenic markers. Combination treatment modulated ER stress response and blocked the auto-phagmosomal proteins in fd-FLS and induced apoptosis.Conclusion: Disruption in homeostasis between apoptosis and autophagy might be an underlying phenomenon in the progression of pathophysiology in fd-FLS. The combined administration of MTX and TF3 successfully balanced the homeostasis by inducing apoptosis.
Transcriptomics Unravels Molecular Players Shaping Dorsal Lip Hypertrophy in the Vacuum Cleaner Cichlid, Gnathochromis Permaxillaris
Authors: Lecaudey Laurène Alicia , Singh Pooja , Sturmbauer Christian , Duenser Anna , Gessl Wolfgang , Ahi Ehsan Pashay
Published: March 2021

Background:Teleosts display a spectacular diversity of craniofacial adaptations that often mediate ecological specializations. A considerable amount of research has revealed molecular players underlying skeletal craniofacial morphologies, but less is known about soft craniofacial phenotypes. Here we focus on a bizarre example of lip hypertrophy in the Lake Tangnayika cichlid, Gnathochromis permaxillaris, that is considered to be a dietary adaptation to suck invertebrates out of narrow crevices. In this study, we investigate the molecular and regulatory basis of lip development G. permaxillaris, using a comparative transcriptomic approach.Results: We identified a gene regulatory network involved in tissue overgrowth and cellular hypertrophy, potentially associated with the formation of a locally restricted hypertrophic lip in a teleost fish species. Of particular interest were the increased expression level of apoda and fhl2, as well as reduced expression of cyp1a, gimap8, lama5 and rasal3, in the hypertrophic lip region which have been implicated in formation of lip structure in other vertebrates. Among the predicted upstream transcription factors, we found reduced expression foxp1 in the hypertrophic lip region, which is known to act as repressor of cell growth and proliferation and its function has been associated with hypertrophy of upper lip in human. Conclusion: Our results provide a genetic foundation for future studies of molecular players shaping soft and exaggerated, but locally restricted, craniofacial morphological changes in fish and perhaps across vertebrates.
An Integrated 2-bit all Optical Analog to Digital Converter based on Photonic Crystal Semiconductor Optical Amplifier
Authors: Moshfe Sajjad , abedi kambiz , Moravvej-Farshi Mohammad Kazem
Published: March 2021

In this paper, by integrating InP/InGaAsP/InP Photonic crystal semiconductor optical amplifier (PhC-SOA) with photonic crystal channel drop filters (PhC-CDF), we present a novel fully integrated ultra-small low-power all-optical analog to digital converter (AO-ADC). The self-phase modulation in the PhC-SOA can shift the frequency of the Gaussian input pulse. The two output PhC-CDFs are designed in a way that appropriately codes the frequency-shifted pulse by the PhC-SOA, which consequently converts them to four desired digital output levels. The numerical results indicated that the center wavelength of an amplitude modulated Gaussian pulse with a center wavelength of 1551.228 nm, temporal pulse-width of 10.6 ps, and energy of 74.4 fJ can be shifted by 1.652 nm. This shift is accommodated by utilizing a PhC-SOA with a length of 9 µm and an injection current of 6.5 mA. The shifted pulse is then quantized and coded to the four digital levels of (00, 01, 10, 11) by two point-defect PhC-CDFs. The PhC-CDFs minimize the AO-ADC integral and differential nonlinearity (INL/DNL) errors by compensating for the effect of the nonlinear frequency shift induced by PhC-SOA. The proposed design offers a footprint of 142 µm2 AO-ADC working at 10 Gs/s.
Diffraction of Waves by a Planar Junction of Impedance and Perfect Electromagnetic Conductor Half-Planes
Authors: Basdemir Husnu Deniz
Published: March 2021

In this study, diffraction of waves by a planar junction between impedance and
perfect electromagnetic conductor half-planes is investigated. The method of transition
boundary is used for the solution of the problem. The diffracted wave expressions are expressed
in terms of the Fresnel functions by using the uniform theory of diffraction method. Thus, finite
magnitudes are obtained at the transition regions and the results are analyzed numerically for
different set of parameters.
Germline Mutations in a Clinic-based Series of Pregnancy Associated Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Zografos Eleni , Korakiti Anna-Maria , Andrikopoulou Angeliki , Rellias Ioannis , Dimitrakakis Constantine , Marinopoulos Spyridon , Giannos Aris , Keramopoulos Antonios , Bredakis Nikolaos , Dimopoulos Meletios-Athanasios , Zagouri Flora
Published: March 2021

Background: Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) defined as breast cancer diagnosed during gestation, lactation or within one year after delivery, represents a truly challenging situation with significantly increasing incidence rate. The genomic background of PABC has only recently been addressed while the underlying mechanisms of the disease still remain unknown. This analysis aims to further elucidate the frequency of PABC cases attributable to genetic predisposition and identify specific cancer susceptibility genes characterizing PABC.Methods: A comprehensive 94-cancer gene panel was implemented in a cohort of 20 PABC patients treated in our clinic and descriptive correlation was performed among the results and the patients’ clinicopathological data. Results: In the present study, 35% of PABC patients tested carried pathogenic mutations in two known cancer predisposition genes (BRCA1 and CHEK2). In total, 30% of the patients carried BRCA1 pathogenic variants. An additional 5% carried pathogenic variants in the CHEK2 gene. Variants of unknown/uncertain significance (VUS) in breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA2, CHEK2 and BRIP1 were also identified in three different PABC patients (15%). Not all patients carrying germline mutations reported known family history of cancer.Conclusions: Genetic testing should be offered to PABC patients regardless of family history as the disease is highly associated with genetic predisposition. Germline mutation identification may further modify PABC management approach and improve the prognostic outcome.
Cooperative Fusion Architecture-based Distributed Spectrum Sensing Under Rayleigh Fading Channel
Authors: Mokhtar Rania A. , Saeed Rashid , Alhumyani Hesham
Published: March 2021

Cognitive radio (CR) is one of the most promising technology soon due to the scarcity of the spectrum, especially at microwave band. CR faces massive resistance from the industry because of the potential interference caused by the secondary users. Spectrum sensing forms an important functionality for CR systems. However, such detection performance is usually compromised by shadowing and fading channel conditions. Cooperative sensing is one of the crucial solutions to overcome degraded detection performance. To improve the sensing performance and reduce the reporting error, a distributed architecture for processing and fusion of sensing information is proposed in this work. In dense network scenarios, the decision fusion for cooperated users could be complex and reported sensing traffic may require large bandwidth. This paper proposes a new distributed detection and adapted threshold based on controlled false alarm probability to improve sensing reliability and efficiency in a highly Rayleigh faded environment. A distributed detection is developed by selecting fusion nodes (FN) that are dynamically selected from a group of nodes. The detection threshold is calculated adaptively using the link quality indicator (LQI) of the sensing channel. Moreover, the proposed method can significantly minimize the typically transmitted bits in the reporting channel. The paper also discussed in detail the design parameter of the CR number on the performance of fusion values. The simulation analysis shows that the performance of the distributed cooperative sensing (DCS) process is considerably improved by the adapted threshold. The numerical results demonstrated that the error was remarkably minimized. The ROC curve of the sensing process is notably improved for detection probability and false alarm probability, respectively. Finally, it was shown that the requirement of sensitivity can be greatly improved up to 0.95.