bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using DNA-barcoded Malaise trap samples to measure impact of a geothermal energy project on the biodiversity of a Costa Rican old-growth rain forest
Authors: Janzen Daniel H. , Hallwachs Winnie , Pereira Guillermo , Blanco Roger , Masis Alejandro , Chavarria Maria Marta , Chavarria Felipe , Guadamuz Adrian , Araya Magaly , Smith M. Alex , Valerio Johan , Guido Hartman , Sanchez Eddy , Bermudez Sergio , Perez Kate , Manjunath Ramya , Ratnasingham Sujeevan , St. Jacques Brianne , Milton Megan , DeWaard Jeremy R. , Zakharov Evgeny , Naik Suresh , Hajibabaei Mehrdad , Hebert Paul D.N. , Hasegawa Motohiro
Published: June 2020

We report one year (2013–2014) of biomonitoring an insect community in a tropical old-growth rain forest, during construction of an industrial-level geothermal electricity project. This is the first-year reaction by the species-rich insect biodiversity; six subsequent years are being analyzed now. The site is on the margin of a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), in northwestern Costa Rica. This biomonitoring is part of Costa Rica’s ongoing efforts to sustainably retain its wild biodiversity through biodevelopmental integration with its societies. Essential tools are geothermal engineering needs, entomological knowledge, insect species-rich forest, government–NGO integration, common sense, DNA barcoding for species-level identification, and Malaise traps. This research is tailored for integration with its society at the product level. We combine an academic view with on-site engineering decisions. This biomonitoring requires alpha-level DNA barcoding combined with centuries of morphology-based entomological taxonomy and ecology. Not all desired insect community analyses are performed; they are for data from subsequent years combined with this year. We provide enough analysis to be used by both guilds now. This biomonitoring has shown, for the first year, that the geothermal project impacts only the biodiversity within a zone less than 50 m from the project margin.
QCD Sum Rules Analysis of Weak Decays of Doubly-Heavy Baryons
Authors: Shi Yu-Ji , Wang Wei , Zhao Zhen-Xing
Published: June 2020

We calculate the weak decay form factors of doubly-heavy baryons using three-point QCD sum rules. The Cutkosky rules are used to derive the double dispersion relations. We include perturbative contributions and condensation contributions up to dimension five, and point out that the perturbative contributions and condensates with lowest dimensions dominate. An estimate of a part of the gluon–gluon condensates show that it plays a less important role. With these form factors at hand, we present a phenomenological study of semileptonic decays. The future experimental facilities can test these predictions, and deepen our understanding of the dynamics in the decays of doubly-heavy baryons.
Discrete phase space, relativistic quantum electrodynamics, and a non-singular Coulomb potential
Authors: Das Anadijiban , Chatterjee Rupak , Yu Ting
Published: June 2020

This paper deals with the relativistic, quantized electromagnetic and Dirac field equations in the arena of discrete phase space and continuous time. The mathematical formulation involves partial difference equations. In the consequent relativistic quantum electrodynamics, the corresponding Feynman diagrams and [Formula: see text]-matrix elements are derived. In the special case of electron–electron scattering (Møller scattering), the explicit second-order element [Formula: see text] is deduced. Moreover, assuming the slow motions for two external electrons, the approximation of [Formula: see text] yields a divergence-free Coulomb potential.
Level density model effects on the production cross-section calculations of some medical isotopes via (α, xn) reactions wherex= 1–3
Authors: Şekerci Mert , Özdoğan Hasan , Kaplan Abdullah
Published: June 2020

Level density models have an undeniable importance for a better perception on the nature of nuclear reactions, which influences our life via various ways. Many novel and advanced medical application use radioisotopes, which are produced with nuclear reactions. By considering the connection between the level density models and the importance of theoretical calculations for the production routes of medically important isotopes, this study is performed to investigate the level density model effects on the production cross-section calculations of [Formula: see text]Zn, [Formula: see text]Ga, [Formula: see text]Kr, [Formula: see text]Pd, [Formula: see text]In, [Formula: see text]I and [Formula: see text]At radioisotopes via some alpha particle induced and neutron emitting reactions. For theoretical calculations; frequently used computation tools, such as TALYS and EMPIRE codes, are applied. Obtained theoretical results are then compared with the experimental data, taken from Experimental Nuclear Reaction Data (EXFOR) library. For a better interpretation of the results, a mean weighted deviation calculation for each investigated reaction is performed in addition to a visual comparison of the graphical representations of the outcomes.
An Improved Water Surface Images Segmentation Algorithm Based on the Otsu Method
Authors: Li Ning , Lv Xin , Xu Shoukun , Li Bo , Gu Yuwan
Published: June 2020

The one-dimensional Otsu method is an adaptive threshold method. It obtains the optimal threshold for image segmentation by the maximum between-class variance, without considering the minimum within-class variance. As the background of water surface image is mostly uniform, using this feature, the threshold selection tactics adopt the combination of the one-dimensional Otsu method and the uniformity measurement, proposes the threshold segmentation method based on uniformity measurement, and adopts the performance evaluation method based on GT image to compare the segmentation result. Experimental results demonstrate that effectiveness of the improved Otsu method is generally better than the traditional Otsu method, and the other four commonly used threshold segmentation methods for the water surface image, which improves the segmentation accuracy of such images and reduces the segmentation error rate. At the same time, as the water surface image is usually affected by light intensity, water ripple and other factors, this paper also adopts the relevant correction algorithm to further improve the segmentation accuracy.
EFFECT OF BORON CONTENT ON HIGH-TEMPERATURE OXIDATION RESISTANCE OF B-BEARING HIGH-SPEED STEEL
Authors: LIN YINGHUA , LI HUI , JU JIANG , JIANG CHANGCHUN , LEI YONGPING , FU HANGUANG
Published: June 2020

The oxidation behavior of B-bearing high-speed steel was studied at 923[Formula: see text]K. The results showed that the as-cast microstructure of 1.0 wt.%B high-speed steel was composed of pearlite + ferrite + M7(C, B)3+ M2(B, C). When the boron content increased, the microstructure gradually changed into martensite + retained austenite + netlike M2(B, C) + M[Formula: see text](C, B)6+ M7(C, B)3. The cyclic oxidation of B-bearing high-speed steel at K followed parabolic rule. The unit area mass gain of 1 wt.%B high-speed steel was 4.2 g/m2after 923 K/250 h oxidation, and the unit area mass gain of 3 wt.%B high-speed steel was only 3.5 g/m2. The oxidation of boron element formed B2O3, which was mainly enriched at the interface of the oxide film/matrix. B2O3flowed in the oxide film at high temperature and was easy to fill the defect. B2O3was easy to form B2O3-SiO2borosilicate with SiO2. The more boron content was, the more favorable it was to form B2O3-SiO2borosilicate oxide layer rich in B2O3and the more favorable it was to spread in the oxide film, so that the oxidation resistance of B-bearing high-speed steel could be remarkably improved.
Singularity properties of null killing magnetic curves in Minkowski 3-space
Authors: Sun Jianguo
Published: June 2020

We reconstruct the Cartan Equations of null Killing magnetic curve [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] with Killing magnetic vector field [Formula: see text] under the new Cartan frame [Formula: see text], which describe some new geometrical properties of [Formula: see text]. The singularity properties of the rectifying surfaces and the binormal osculating surfaces of null Killing magnetic curves are given. As an application, two examples are given to explain the main results, where the singular loci of null Killing magnetic curves are obtained.
Supramolecular phthalocyanine assemblies — a Linstead Career Award paper
Authors: Nolte Roeland J.M.
Published: June 2020

In this review I summarize our attempts to prepare supramolecular assemblies from phthalocyanine dyes, the objective being to design functional materials that have specific properties, [Formula: see text] electron conduction. We explore several supramolecular methods to achieve phthalocyanine assembly, [Formula: see text] by attaching crown ethers to the phthalocyanine rings and combining these with alkali metal ions, by providing them with long aliphatic tails, and by using aided assembly techniques such as wetting-dewetting interactions on surfaces. Also, chirality has been applied as a tool to produce new self-assembled structures. In our studies we focus on the electron conducting properties of the molecular materials and on their use as alignment layers for the fabrication of liquid-crystal displays.
Organophilic Carbon Nanodots with Multi-Band Emission and their Application as a Ratiometric and Colorimetric Fluorescent Sensor
Authors: Sai Liman , Zheng Yaoyao , Yuan Chen , Xu Xiaofeng , Yang Jianwen
Published: June 2020

In this work, organophilic carbon nanodots (CNDs) were synthesized in acetone from organic extract of plant leaves. The as-prepared CNDs showed multi-band emission, and could be well dispersed in acetone and ethanol. The photoluminescence (PL) of the CNDs at 520[Formula: see text]nm was excitation-independent. The PL in the blue region could be tuned from 420 to 480[Formula: see text]nm through changing of the excitation wavelength. The multi-emissive CNDs were used as a ratiometric and colorimetric sensor for curcumin detection in ethanol. The blue PL of the CNDs at 420[Formula: see text]nm was quenched by curcumin through inner filter effect. Meanwhile, the green PL at 495[Formula: see text]nm and 535[Formula: see text]nm were enhanced with additional fluorescence of curcumin. The value of I[Formula: see text]/I[Formula: see text] and I[Formula: see text]/I[Formula: see text] both increased linearly with the curcumin concentration in the range of 0–15[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]M. The fluorescence color of the mixed solution changed from blue to yellow, and the detection limit reached 36.7[Formula: see text]nM. The sensitive and visual detection of the CNDs probe toward curcumin showed their high potential in practical applications.
Strong nonsplit dominating sets and strong nonsplit domination polynomial of complement of paths
Authors: Kiruba Packiarani D. , Therese Sunitha Mary Y.
Published: June 2020

Let [Formula: see text] be a simple graph of order [Formula: see text]. The strong nonsplit domination polynomial of a graph [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the number of strong nonsplit dominating sets of [Formula: see text] of size [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is the strong nonsplit domination number of [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] be the family of strong nonsplit dominating sets of a complement of a path [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) with cardinality [Formula: see text], and let [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we construct [Formula: see text], the recursive formula for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the strong nonsplit domination polynomial of [Formula: see text]. Also, we obtain some properties of the coefficients of this polynomial.
Efficient estimation of reduced-rank partial envelope model in multivariate linear regression
Authors: Zhang Jing , Huang Zhensheng , Xiong Yan
Published: June 2020

In order to further improve the efficiency of parameter estimation and reduce the number of estimated parameters, we adopt dimension reduction ideas of partial envelope model proposed by [Su and Cook, Partial envelopes for efficient estimation in multivariate linear regression, Biometrika 98 (2011) 133–146.] to center on some predictors of special interest. Based on the research results of [Cook et al., Envelopes and reduced-rank regression, Biometrika 102 (2015) 439–456.], we combine partial envelopes with reduced-rank regression to form reduced-rank partial envelope model which can reduce dimension efficiently. This method has the potential to perform better than both. Further, we demonstrate maximum likelihood estimators for the reduced-rank partial envelope model parameters, and exhibit asymptotic distribution and theoretical properties under normality. Meanwhile, we show selections of rank and partial envelope dimension. At last, under the normal and non-normal error distributions, simulation studies are carried out to compare our proposed reduced-rank partial envelope model with the other four methods, including ordinary least squares, reduced-rank regression, partial envelope model and reduced-rank envelope model. A real data analysis is also given to support the theoretic claims. The reduced-rank partial envelope estimators have shown promising performance in extensive simulation studies and real data analysis.
BISTRO
Authors: Feygin Sidney A. , Lazarus Jessica R. , Forscher Edward H. , Golfier-Vetterli Valentine , Lee Jonathan W. , Gupta Abhishek , Waraich Rashid A. , Sheppard Colin J. R. , Bayen Alexandre M.
Published: June 2020

The current trend toward urbanization and adoption of flexible and innovative mobility technologies will have complex and difficult-to-predict effects on urban transportation systems. Comprehensive methodological frameworks that account for the increasingly uncertain future state of the urban mobility landscape do not yet exist. Furthermore, few approaches have enabled the massive ingestion of urban data in planning tools capable of offering the flexibility of scenario-based design.

This article introduces Berkeley Integrated System for Transportation Optimization (BISTRO), a new open source transportation planning decision support system that uses an agent-based simulation and optimization approach to anticipate and develop adaptive plans for possible technological disruptions and growth scenarios. The new framework was evaluated in the context of a machine learning competition hosted within Uber Technologies, Inc., in which over 400 engineers and data scientists participated. For the purposes of this competition, a benchmark model, based on the city of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was adapted to the BISTRO framework. An important finding of this study was that in spite of rigorous analysis and testing done prior to the competition, the two top-scoring teams discovered an unbounded region of the search space, rendering the solutions largely uninterpretable for the purposes of decision-support. On the other hand, a follow-on study aimed to fix the objective function. It served to demonstrate BISTRO’s utility as a human-in-the-loop cyberphysical system: one that uses scenario-based optimization algorithms as a feedback mechanism to assist urban planners with iteratively refining objective function and constraints specification on intervention strategies. The portfolio of transportation intervention strategy alternatives eventually chosen achieves high-level regional planning goals developed through participatory stakeholder engagement practices.
Active modulation of human erythrocyte mechanics
Authors: Kuck Lennart , Peart Jason N. , Simmonds Michael J.
Published: June 2020

The classic view of the red blood cell (RBC) presents a biologically inert cell that upon maturation has limited capacity to alter its physical properties. This view developed largely because of the absence of translational machinery and inability to synthesize or repair proteins in circulating RBC. Recent developments have challenged this perspective, in light of observations supporting the importance of posttranslational modifications and greater understanding of ion movement in these cells, that each regulate a myriad of cellular properties. There is thus now sufficient evidence to induce a step change in understanding of RBC: rather than passively responding to the surrounding environment, these cells have the capacity to actively regulate their physical properties and thus alter flow behavior of blood. Specific evidence supports that the physical and rheological properties of RBC are subject to active modulation, primarily by the second-messenger molecules nitric oxide (NO) and calcium-ions (Ca2+). Furthermore, an isoform of nitric oxide synthase is expressed in RBC (RBC-NOS), which has been recently demonstrated to have an active role in regulating the physical properties of RBC. Mechanical stimulation of the cell membrane activates RBC-NOS, leading to NO generation, which has several intracellular effects, including the S-nitrosylation of integral membrane components. Intracellular concentration of Ca2+ is increased upon mechanical stimulation via the recently identified mechanosensitive cation channel piezo1. Increased intracellular Ca2+ modifies the physical properties of RBC by regulating cell volume and potentially altering several important intracellular proteins. A synthesis of recent advances in understanding of molecular processes within RBC thus challenges the classic view of these cells and rather indicates a highly active cell with self-regulated mechanical properties.
Vascular permeability disruption explored in the proteomes of mouse lungs and human microvascular cells following acute bromine exposure
Authors: Addis Dylan R. , Aggarwal Saurabh , Doran Stephen F. , Jian Ming-Yuan , Ahmad Israr , Kojima Kyoko , Ford David A. , Matalon Sadis , Mobley James A.
Published: June 2020

Bromine (Br2) is an organohalide found in nature and is integral to many manufacturing processes. Br2is toxic to living organisms, and high concentrations can prove fatal. To meet industrial demand, large amounts of purified Br2are produced, transported, and stored worldwide, providing a multitude of interfaces for potential human exposure through either accidents or terrorism. To identify the key mechanisms associated with acute Br2exposure, we have surveyed the lung proteomes of C57BL/6 male mice and human lung-derived microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) at 24 h following exposure to Br2in concentrations likely to be encountered in the vicinity of industrial accidents. Global discovery proteomics applications combined with systems biology analysis identified robust and highly significant changes in proteins associated with three biological processes: 1) exosome secretion, 2) inflammation, and 3) vascular permeability. We focused on the latter, conducting physiological studies on isolated perfused lungs harvested from mice 24 h after Br2exposure. These experiments revealed significant increases in the filtration coefficient ( Kf) indicating increased permeability of the pulmonary vasculature. Similarly, confluent monolayers of Br2and Br-lipid-treated HMECs exhibited differential levels of zona occludens-1 that were found to be dissociated from cell wall localization, an increase in phosphorylation and internalization of E-cadherin, as well as increased actin stress fiber formation, all of which are consistent with increased permeability. Taken as a whole, our discovery proteomics and systems analysis workflow, combined with physiological measurements of permeability, revealed both profound and novel biological changes that contribute to our current understanding of Br2toxicity.
Influence of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex-interacting multifunctional protein 1 on epithelial differentiation and organization during lung development
Authors: Lee Daniel D. , Hochstetler Alexandra , Sah Eric , Xu Haiming , Lowe Chinn-Woan , Santiaguel Sara , Thornton Janet Lea , Pajakowski Adam , Schwarz Margaret A.
Published: June 2020

Proper development of the respiratory bronchiole and alveolar epithelium proceeds through coordinated cross talk between the interface of epithelium and neighboring mesenchyme. Signals that facilitate and coordinate the cross talk as the bronchial forming canalicular stage transitions to construction of air-exchanging capillary-alveoli niche in the alveolar stage are poorly understood. Expressed within this decisive region, levels of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase complex-interacting multifunctional protein 1 (AIMP1) inversely correlate with the maturation of the lung. The present study addresses the role of AIMP1 in lung development through the generation and characterization of Aimp1−/−mutant mice. Mating of Aimp1+/−produced offspring in expected Mendelian ratios throughout embryonic development. However, newborn Aimp1−/−pups exhibited neonatal lethality with mild cyanosis. Imaging both structure and ultrastructure of Aimp1−/−lungs showed disorganized bronchial epithelium, decreased type I but not type II cell differentiation, increased distal vessels, and disruption of E-cadherin deposition in cell-cell junctions. Supporting the in vivo findings of disrupted epithelial cell-cell junctions, in vitro biochemical experiments show that a portion of AIMP1 binds to phosphoinositides, the lipid anchor of proteins that have a fundamental role in both cellular membrane and actin cytoskeleton organization; a dramatic disruption in F-actin cytoskeleton was observed in Aimp1−/−mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Such observed structural defects may lead to disrupted cell-cell boundaries. Together, these results suggest a requirement of AIMP1 in epithelial cell differentiation in proper lung development.
Repeated and patterned stimulation of cutaneous reflex pathways amplifies spinal cord excitability
Authors: Pearcey Gregory E. P. , Zehr E. Paul
Published: June 2020

Priming via patterned stimulation of the nervous system induces neuroplasticity. Yet, accessing previously known cutaneous reflex pathways to alter muscle reflex excitability has not yet been examined. Here, we show that sensory stimulation of the cutaneous afferents that innervate the foot sole can amplify spinal cord excitability, which, in this case, is attributed to reductions in presynaptic inhibition.
Modulation of finger muscle activation patterns across postures is coordinated across all muscle groups
Authors: Lee Sang Wook , Qiu Dan , Fischer Heidi C. , Conrad Megan O. , Kamper Derek G.
Published: June 2020

We examined how hand muscles adapt to changing external (force direction) and internal (posture) conditions. Muscle activations, particularly of the extrinsic extensors, were significantly affected by postural changes of the interphalangeal, but not metacarpophalangeal, joints. Joint impedance was modulated so that the effects of the signal-dependent motor noise on the force output were reduced. Comparisons with theoretical solutions showed that the chosen activation patterns occupied a small portion of the possible solution space, minimizing the maximum activation of any one muscle.
The neural foundations of handedness: insights from a rare case of deafferentation
Authors: Jayasinghe S. A. L. , Sarlegna F. R. , Scheidt R. A. , Sainburg R. L.
Published: June 2020

The role of proprioceptive feedback on the lateralization of motor control mechanisms is unclear. We examined upper limb kinematics in a rare case of peripheral deafferentation to determine the role of sensory information in integrating motor control mechanisms from each hemisphere. Our empirical findings and computational simulations showed that the loss of somatosensory information results in an impaired integration of control mechanisms, thus providing support for a complementary dominance hypothesis of handedness.
Movement speed effects on beta-band oscillations in sensorimotor cortex during voluntary activity
Authors: Zhang Xiangzi , Li Hualiang , Xie Tingjun , Liu Yuzhong , Chen Juan , Long Jinyi
Published: June 2020

Beta-band oscillations are a dominant feature in the sensorimotor system that associate to the motor function. We found that the movement-related postmovement beta synchronization (PMBS) over the contralateral sensorimotor cortex was positively correlated with the speed of a voluntary movement, but the movement-related beta desynchronization (MRBD) was not. Our results show a differential response of the PMBS and MRBD to the movement speed during voluntary movement.
Application of Statistical Experimental Design and Surface Plot Technique to Optimize Oxygenated Apatite Synthesis
Authors: Belouafa Soumia , Chaair Hassan , Digua Khalid
Published: June 2020

This work deals with oxygenated apatite synthesis from calcium chloride and phosphoric acid using a wet precipitation method. An experimental design is applied to precise the influence of the synthesis parameters (pH of the reaction medium, atomic ratio Ca/P of the reagents, concentration of the calcium solution (Ca2+), temperature of the reaction medium (T), and duration of the reaction (D)) on the chemical composition (Ca/P molar ratio, % O2, and ). An empirical model was developed and validated by applying the ANOVA analysis incorporating the interaction effects of all parameters and optimized using the response surface methodology. A reproducible synthesis of more oxygenated apatite with speed of dissolution adaptable to that of the osseous neoformation and allowing a progressive diffusion of oxygenated species (Ca/P = 1.575) is attained.
Inequalities for a Unified Integral Operator via α,m-Convex Functions
Authors: Ni Baizhu , Farid Ghulam , Mahreen Kahkashan
Published: June 2020

Recently, a unified integral operator has been introduced by Farid, 2020, which produces several kinds of known fractional and conformable integral operators defined in recent decades (Kwun, 2019, Remarks 6 and 7). The aim of this paper is to establish bounds of this unified integral operator by means of α,m-convex functions. The resulting inequalities provide the bounds of all associated fractional and conformable integral operators in a compact form. Also, the results of this paper hold for different kinds of convex functions connected with α,m-convex functions.
Performance of Methyl-5-Benzoyl-2-Benzimidazole Carbamate (Mebendazole) as Corrosion Inhibitor for Mild Steel in Dilute Sulphuric Acid
Authors: Edoziuno F. O. , Adediran A. A. , Odoni B. U. , Oki M. , Ikubanni P. P. , Omodara O.
Published: June 2020

The inhibitive effect of mebendazole (MBZ) on the corrosion of low-carbon steel in H2SO4was investigated by gravimetric and electrochemical techniques as well as examination of specimens in the scanning electron microscope with attached energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). From gravimetric analysis, the highest inhibition efficiency of about 96.6% was obtained for 1.0 g of inhibitor in H2SO4solution at 24 h, while with longer exposure times of between 72 to 120 h, the efficiencies averaged between 92 and 95%. Tafel extrapolations from the polarization curves showed that 1.0 g MBZ gave a maximum inhibition efficiency of approximately 99% for the investigation conducted at 30°C, whereas 1.5 g of MBZ gave a maximum inhibition efficiency of about 85% at 60°C. Inhibition efficiency increased with increasing concentrations of MBZ and decreased at elevated temperatures. The inhibitive action was attributed to physical adsorption of MBZ species on the mild steel surface which followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. MBZ performed as a mixed-type inhibitor on mild steel in dilute H2SO4.
Effect of BRCA1 on the Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy Resistance of Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma Based on Transcriptome Sequencing Analysis
Authors: Wen Xin , Liu Shui , Cui Manhua
Published: June 2020

Background. Cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the main pathological type of cervical cancer, accounting for 80%–85% of cervical cancer. Owing to concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) resistance in a subset of CSCC patients, the treatment response is often unsatisfactory. Identifying predictors and therapeutic targets related to cisplatin‐based CCRT resistance in CSCC is critical. Methods. We reanalyzed GSE56363, an mRNA dataset from the GEO database with 21 patients with locally advanced CSCC, to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to CCRT resistance. The hub genes were screened from the protein‐protein interaction network of DEGs using cytoHubba plug‐in of Cytoscape software. Transcriptome sequencing technology was used to compare differential expression between SiHa cells overexpressing BRCA1 compared with control SiHa cells. Functional annotation for DEGs and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to identify DEG‐enriched relative signaling pathways to examine the molecular mechanisms of BRCA1 in CCRT resistance of CSCC. qPCR was used to verify the expression of key genes in SiHa/DDP cells. Results. A total of 609 DEGs including 223 upregulated DEGs and 386 downregulated DEGs were identified between the complete response to CCRT (CR) and noncomplete response to CCRT (NCR) CSCC patients based on the GSE56363 dataset. Ten hub genes with the highest degrees were identified via the plug‐in CytoHubba in Cytoscape: BRCA1, CDCA8, ASPM, CDC45, RAD51, HMMR, CENPF, EXO1, DTL, and ZWINT genes, and BRCA1 ranked first. Through transcriptome sequencing analysis based on GSE141558, 1344 DEGs were identified in BRCA1‐overexpressing SiHa cells, including 824 upregulated DEGs and 520 downregulated DEGs. GSEA results showed that CCRT‐resistance related signaling pathways, such as the JAK/STAT signaling pathway and the WNT signaling pathway, were differentially enriched in BRCA1‐expressing SiHa cells. STAT1, STAT2, and CCND1 were screened as the differentially expressed target genes of BRCA1 and may correlate with resistance of CSCC. qPCR results showed that only STAT1 was significantly increased in SiHa cells with GV230‐BRCA1 plasmid transfection. Conclusion. BRCA1 overexpression in SiHa cells may upregulate STAT1 to activate the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, suggesting a mechanism for enhanced CCRT resistance.
Economic Development Forecast of China’s General Aviation Industry
Authors: Liao Hongqing , Fang Zhigeng , Wang Chuanhui , Liu Xiaqing
Published: June 2020

Aiming at solving the problem of system external impact on China’s general aviation industry, combining functional theory and grey system theory, and applying Bayesian network reasoning technology, a grey Bayesian network reasoning prediction model of system impact and system control is established. Based on the dynamic deduction of the functional analysis factor of system impact evolution, the flight time of general aviation production operation is selected to predict the development trend of the system. Based on the current period information of the general aviation industry, the grey Bayesian network inference prediction model is used to predict the current and future trends, so as to predict the economic development trend of the general aviation industry in China. The prediction results are more accurate than those of other existing models.
Pathogenesis, Assessments, and Management of Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment (CRCI): An Updated Literature Review
Authors: Lv Longqin , Mao Shanping , Dong Huimin , Hu Pan , Dong Ruochen
Published: June 2020

There are various cancer treatments at present, and chemotherapy is one of the main methods. Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), as one of the side effects of chemotherapy, has gradually attracted the attention of more and more researchers. CRCI has been verified by subjective reports and objective neuropsychological tests so far. But oncologists’ understanding of it and its treatments are still incomplete. In this review, we mainly give a comprehensive overview of the mechanism of CRCI, then describe a variety of evaluation methods, and finally summarize the treatment approaches under current medical conditions and compare it with an excellent article published in 2015 with the aim of providing directions for future research and better understanding of CRCI for clinicians.
Some New Connection Relations Related to Classical Orthogonal Polynomials
Authors: Chammam Wathek , Ul-Haq Wasim
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we deal with a problem of positivity of linear functionals in the linear space ℙ of polynomials in one variable with complex coefficients. Some new results of connection relations between the corresponding sequences of monic orthogonal polynomials of classical character are established.
Scientific Achievements in the Study of the Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile of Major Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria in Foods and Food Processing Environments in Romania: Review of the Last Decade
Authors: Imre Kálmán , Herman Viorel , Morar Adriana
Published: June 2020

Pathogenic bacteria are recognized as a major cause of foodborne diseases in humans, globally, with negative impact on the economy of each country. The aim of the present review was to obtain a comprehensive understanding about the frequency of isolation, diversity, and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the six major foodborne pathogenic bacteria in food matrices and food processing environment, in Romania. In this regard, results of relevant epidemiological studies, published during the last decade and retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database, were analyzed, with special emphasis on scientific achievements, main knowledge gaps, and future perspectives. The summarized and harmonized results offer useful insight, especially for public health authorities and researchers, having a reference effect in stimulating further opportunities for studies to be carried out to address some of the limitations of the current status.
Documentation and Evaluation of an Ancient Paper Manuscript with Leather Binding Using Spectrometric Methods
Authors: Hassan Rushdya Rabee Ali , Ali Mona F. , Fahmy Abdel-Gawaad A. , Ali Hayssam M. , Salem Mohamed Z. M.
Published: June 2020

The present study presented an integrated analytical approach to the Qur’anic manuscript with leather binding; the multianalyses revealed the degree of degradation for paper and leather in the current manuscript under the study, causing the mapping of treatment. The visual assessment detected yellowness in the internal papers, dark black spots, and advanced erosion in the leather bind. The result detected that this manuscript leads to yellowing and weakness in the properties of paper under the attack of acidity where the pH of paper reached 5.5. XRD and FTIR analyses of paper illustrated a dramatic decrease of crystallinity index with a notable increase of C=O stretching, respectively. The sharp increase of carbonyl group can be used as evidence of oxidation. The microscopic examination also showed that cotton was used in the manufacturing of the paper of the current manuscript, while the leather bind was made from goatskin. In addition, the cellulose and protein bundles were both destructive and disintegrated.
Suppressors of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS)1 and SOCS3 Proteins Are Mediators of Interleukin-10 Modulation of Inflammatory Responses Induced byChlamydia muridarumand Its Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP) in Mouse J774 Macrophages
Authors: Duncan Skyla A. , Sahu Rajnish , Dixit Saurabh , Singh Shree R. , Dennis Vida A.
Published: June 2020

The immunopathology of chlamydial diseases is exacerbated by a broad-spectrum of inflammatory mediators, which we reported are inhibited by IL-10 in macrophages. However, the chlamydial protein moiety that induces the inflammatory mediators and the mechanisms by which IL-10 inhibits them are unknown. We hypothesized thatChlamydiamajor outer membrane protein (MOMP) mediates its disease pathogenesis, and the suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)1 and SOCS3 proteins are mediators of the IL-10 inhibitory actions. Our hypothesis was tested by exposing mouse J774 macrophages to chlamydial stimulants (liveChlamydia muridarumand MOMP) with and without IL-10. MOMP significantly induced several inflammatory mediators (IL-6, IL-12p40, CCL5, CXCL10), which were dose-dependently inhibited by IL-10. Chlamydial stimulants induced the mRNA gene transcripts and protein expression of SOCS1 and SOCS3, with more SOCS3 expression. Notably, IL-10 reciprocally regulated their expression by reducing SOCS1 and increasing SOCS3. Specific inhibitions of MAPK pathways revealed that p38, JNK, and MEK1/2 are required for inducing inflammatory mediators as well as SOCS1 and SOCS3. Chlamydial stimulants triggered an M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype evidently by an enhanced nos2 (M1 marker) expression, which was skewed by IL-10 towards a more M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype by the increased expression of mrc1 and arg1 (M2 markers) and the reduced SOCS1/SOCS3 ratios. Neutralization of endogenously produced IL-10 augmented the secretion of inflammatory mediators, reduced SOCS3 expression, and skewed the chlamydial M1 to an M2 phenotype. Inhibition of proteasome degradation increased TNF but decreased IL-10, CCL5, and CXCL10 secretion by suppressing SOCS1 and SOCS3 expressions and dysregulating their STAT1 and STAT3 transcription factors. Our data show that SOCS1 and SOCS3 are regulators of IL-10 inhibitory actions, and underscore SOCS proteins as therapeutic targets for IL-10 control of inflammation forChlamydiaand other bacterial inflammatory diseases.
Mutation of Cultural Information on the Use of Plant Complexes in Local Medical Systems
Authors: Dantas Janilo I. M. , Nascimento André L. B. , Silva Taline C. , Albuquerque Ulysses Paulino
Published: June 2020

Despite being an affable strategy of adaptive expectation, the transmission of cultural information can result in unintended changes in the information. This is known as “mutation” in the theory of cultural evolution. The occurrence of information mutations in local medical systems may be greater in some situations. For example, “vegetable complexes” can be used as good study models to show a greater accumulation of mutations due to the variation in the mixtures and combinations of information. Here, we tested the following hypotheses: (H1) medicinal plants in plant complexes generate a greater accumulation of mutations than isolated plants in local medical systems; (H2) information on the medicinal function of the plant species generates a greater proportion of mutations than information on the parts of plants used medicinally; (H3) plants in plant complexes perceived as less efficient undergo more information mutational events; and (H4) changes in information on plant complexes are more random (mutation) than intentional (guided variation). We conducted the study in the Lagoa do Junco community, state of Alagoas, Northeast Brazil. For data collection, we used semistructured interviews to address the use of isolated medicinal plants and plant complexes. Additionally, we assessed the informants’ perceptions about the effectiveness of the plants used in these preparations. We found that the mutation rate was higher when isolated plants were used than when plant complexes were used (p = 0.02), and it was also higher for function than for parts of the medicinal plants (p < 0.001). No relationship between the mutations and perceived efficiency of the plants (p = 0.19) was observed, and changes in information were more random (mutation) than intentional (guided variation) (p < 0.001). From an evolutionary perspective, greatly varying information, such as that on plant complexes, did not explain a greater accumulation of mutations. Thus, we suggested that further studies that include other evolutionary parameters that may cause the accumulation of information mutations must be conducted.
Comprehensive Screening and Identification of Phillyrin Metabolites in Rats Based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive Mass Spectrometry Combined with Multi-Channel Data Mining
Authors: Ma Beibei , Li Jiameng , Lou Tianyu , Liang Yaoyue , Wang Chenxiao , Li Ruiji , Wang Tingting , Liu Jinhui , Guo Yudong , Wang Zhibin , Wang Jing
Published: June 2020

Phillyrin, a well-known bisepoxylignan, has been shown to have many critical pharmacological activities. In this study, a novel strategy for the extensive acquisition and use of data was established based on UHPLC-Q-Exactive mass spectrometry to analyze and identify the in vivo metabolites of phillyrin and to elucidate the in vivo metabolic pathways of phillyrin. Among them, the generation of data sets was mainly due to multichannel data mining methods, such as high extracted ion chromatogram (HEIC), diagnostic product ion (DPI), and neutral loss filtering (NLF). A total of 60 metabolites (including the prototype compound) were identified in positive and negative ion modes based on intuitive and useful data such as the standard’s cleavage rule, accurate molecular mass, and chromatographic retention time. The results showed that a series of biological reactions of phillyrin in vivo mainly included methylation, hydroxylation, hydrogenation, sulfonation, glucuronidation, demethylation, and dehydrogenation and their composite reactions. In summary, this study not only comprehensively explained the in vivo metabolism of phillyrin, but also proposed an effective strategy to quickly analyze and identify the metabolites of natural pharmaceutical ingredients in nature.
Biosorption Mechanism of Aqueous Pb2+, Cd2+, and Ni2+ Ions on Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS)
Authors: Cui Di , Tan Chong , Deng Hongna , Gu Xunxue , Pi Shanshan , Chen Ting , Zhou Lu , Li Ang
Published: June 2020

Heavy metal pollution has been a focus with increasing attention, especially Pb2+, Cd2+, and Ni2+ in an aqueous environment. The adsorption capacity and mechanism of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from Agrobacterium tumefaciens F2 for three heavy metals were investigated in this study. The adsorption efficiency of 94.67%, 94.41%, and 77.95% were achieved for Pb2+, Cd2+, and Ni2+ adsorption on EPS, respectively. The experimental data of adsorption could be well fitted by Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models, and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Model parameters analysis demonstrated the great adsorption efficiency of EPS, especially for Pb2+, and chemisorption was the rate-limiting step during the adsorption process. The functional groups of C=O of carboxyl and C-O-C from sugar derivatives in EPS played the major role in the adsorption process judged by FTIR. In addition, 3D-EEM spectra indicated that tyrosine also assisted EPS adsorption for three heavy metals. But EPS from strain F2 used the almost identical adsorption mechanism for three kinds of divalent ions of heavy metals, so the adsorption efficiency difference of Pb2+, Cd2+, and Ni2+ on EPS could be correlated to the inherent characteristics of each heavy metal. This study gave the evidence that EPS has a great application potential as a bioadsorbent in the treatment of heavy metals pollution.
Trifrequency Reconfigurable Linear Irregular Array with Beam Deflection Capability in X/Ku/Ka-Bands
Authors: Li Ming , Wei Haiping , Zhao Jiahao , Tao Qingchang
Published: June 2020

This paper proposes a trifrequency reconfigurable antenna (FRA), which can work in the X-band, Ku-band, and Ka-band, by controlling only two RF MEMS switches. The antenna element has a frequency ratio beyond 3 : 1 and provides a good candidate for the frequency reconfigurable antenna array, since the size of the antenna is reduced by loading multiple metal shorting holes between the antenna radiating surface and the ground plate, and the overall size is only 0.14λX × 0.35λX (λX is the free-space wavelength at 8.6 GHz). Based on the proposed FRA element, a 1 × 16 linear irregular frequency reconfigurable antenna array (FRAA) with beam deflection ability is designed, which effectively addresses the element spacing problem in the optimization of the array. In addition, the close-coupling in X-band and the grating lobe caused by the long distance of array element spacing in Ka-band are comprehensively considered. With uniform amplitude feeding network, the sidelobe level is below −15 dB under beam deflection. Moreover, both FRA elements and FRAA prototypes have been fabricated and measured to verify their superiority. Good agreements are obtained between simulated and measured results, which indicates that the antenna has potential application in the future multifrequency wireless communication and intelligent radar anti-interference fields.
An Active Set Smoothing Method for Solving Unconstrained Minimax Problems
Authors: Zhou Zhengyong , Yang Qi
Published: June 2020

In this paper, an active set smoothing function based on the plus function is constructed for the maximum function. The active set strategy used in the smoothing function reduces the number of gradients and Hessians evaluations of the component functions in the optimization. Combing the active set smoothing function, a simple adjustment rule for the smoothing parameters, and an unconstrained minimization method, an active set smoothing method is proposed for solving unconstrained minimax problems. The active set smoothing function is continuously differentiable, and its gradient is locally Lipschitz continuous and strongly semismooth. Under the boundedness assumption on the level set of the objective function, the convergence of the proposed method is established. Numerical experiments show that the proposed method is feasible and efficient, particularly for the minimax problems with very many component functions.
Salidroside-Mediated Autophagic Targeting of Active Src and Caveolin-1 Suppresses Low-Density Lipoprotein Transcytosis across Endothelial Cells
Authors: Bai Xiangli , Jia Xiong , Lu Yajing , Zhu Lin , Zhao Ying , Cheng Wenzhuo , Shu Meng , Jin Si
Published: June 2020

Subendothelial retention of apolipoprotein B100-containing lipoprotein, such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), is the initial step of atherogenesis. Activation of autophagy exhibits beneficial effects for the treatment of atherosclerosis. In our previous study, we demonstrated that hyperglycemia suppressed autophagic degradation of caveolin-1, which in turn resulted in acceleration of caveolae-mediated LDL transcytosis across endothelial cells and lipid retention. Therefore, targeting the crossed pathway in autophagy activation and LDL transcytosis interruption may be a promising antiatherosclerotic strategy. In metabolic diseases, including atherosclerosis, salidroside, a phenylpropanoid glycoside compound (3,5-dimethoxyphenyl) methyl-β-glucopyranoside), is the most important compound responsible for the therapeutic activities of Rhodiola. However, whether salidroside suppresses LDL transcytosis to alleviate atherosclerosis has not yet been elucidated. In the present study, we demonstrated that salidroside significantly decreased LDL transcytosis across endothelial cells. Salidroside-induced effects were dramatically blocked by AMPK (adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase) inhibitor (compound c, AMPKα siRNA) and by overexpression of exogenous tyrosine-phosphorylated caveolin-1 using transfected cells with phosphomimicking caveolin-1 on tyrosine 14 mutant plasmids (Y14D). Furthermore, we observed that salidroside promoted autophagosome formation via activating AMPK. Meanwhile, the interaction between caveolin-1 and LC3B-II, as well as the interaction between active Src (indicated by the phosphorylation of Src on tyrosine 416) and LC3B-II, was significantly increased, upon stimulation with salidroside. In addition, both bafilomycin A1 (a lysosome inhibitor) and an AMPK inhibitor (compound c) markedly prevented salidroside-induced autophagic degradation of p-Src and caveolin-1. Moreover, the phosphorylation of caveolin-1 on tyrosine 14 was disrupted due to the downregulation of p-Src and caveolin-1, thereby directly decreasing LDL transcytosis by attenuating the number of caveolae on the cell membrane and by preventing caveolae-mediated LDL endocytosis released from the cell membrane. In ApoE-/- mice, salidroside significantly delayed the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. Meanwhile, a significant increase in LC3B, accompanied by attenuated accumulation of the autophagy substrate SQSTM1, was observed in aortic endothelium of ApoE-/- mice. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that salidroside protected against atherosclerosis by inhibiting LDL transcytosis through enhancing the autophagic degradation of active Src and caveolin-1.