bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Day-to-Day Traffic Assignment Model considering Information Fusion and Dynamic Route Adjustment Ratio
Authors: Li Manman , Lu Jian , Sun Jiahui
Published: June 2020

A new day-to-day traffic assignment model is proposed to describe travelers’ day-to-day behavioral changes with advanced traffic information system. In the model, travelers’ perception is updated by a double exponential-smoothing learning process combining experience and traffic information that is explicitly modelled. Route adjustment ratio is dynamically determined by the difference between perceived and expected utilities. Through theoretical analyses, we investigate the existence of its fixed point and the influence factors of uniqueness of the fixed point. An iterative-based algorithm that can solve the fixed point is also given. Numerical experiments are then conducted to investigate effects of several main parameters on its convergence, which provides insights for traffic management. In addition, we compare the system efficiencies under the static route adjustment ratio and dynamic route adjustment ratio and show the application of the model.
miR-215 Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion via Targeting Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase
Authors: Xu Xinhua , Ding Yan , Yao Jun , Wei Zhiping , Jin Haipeng , Chen Chen , Feng Jun , Ying Rongbiao
Published: June 2020

Background. This study was aimed at exploring the effects of miR-215 and its target gene stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) on colorectal cancer (CRC) cell migration and invasion. Methods. Here, we analyzed the relationship between miR-215 and SCD, as well as the regulation of miR-215 on CRC cells. We constructed wild-type and mutant plasmids of SCD to identify whether SCD was a target gene of miR-215 by using a luciferase reporter assay. The expression of miR-215 and SCD was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. MTT, wound healing, and Transwell assays were applied to determine the effect of miR-215 on CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Results. It was found that miR-215 expression was significantly decreased in CRC tissue while SCD was highly expressed compared with those in adjacent normal tissue. The luciferase reporter assay indicated that SCD was a direct target gene of miR-215. Functional analysis revealed that miR-215 overexpression significantly inhibited CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. In addition, the result of rescue experiments showed that overexpression of SCD could promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells, and the carcinogenic effect of SCD could be inhibited by miR-215. Conclusions. Taken together, our findings suggested that miR-215 could inhibit CRC cell migration and invasion via targeting SCD. The result could eventually contribute to the treatment for CRC.
Systematic Identification of lncRNA-Associated ceRNA Networks in Immune Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Fan Zhenwei , Wang Xuan , Li Peng , Mei Chunli , Zhang Min , Zhao Chunshan , Song Yan
Published: June 2020

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying ITP remained to be further investigated. In the present study, we analyzed a series of public datasets (including GSE43177 and GSE43178) and identified 468 upregulated mRNAs, 272 downregulated mRNAs, 134 upregulated lncRNAs, 23 downregulated lncRNAs, 29 upregulated miRNAs, and 39 downregulated miRNAs in ITP patients. Then, we constructed protein-protein interaction networks, miRNA-mRNA and lncRNA coexpression networks in ITP. Bioinformatics analysis showed these genes regulated multiple biological processes in ITP, such as mRNA nonsense-mediated decay, translation, cell-cell adhesion, proteasome-mediated ubiquitin, and mRNA splicing. We thought the present study could broaden our insights into the mechanism underlying the progression of ITP and provide a potential biomarker for the prognosis of ITP.
Anticancer Activity of Tetrandrine by Inducing Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MDA‐MB‐231 In Vivo
Authors: Wang Chun-hui , Yang Jia-min , Guo Yu-bo , Shen Jing , Pei Xiao-hua
Published: June 2020

Tetrandrine (TET) is an alkaloid extracted from a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. It exerts remarkable anticancer activity and induces apoptotic cell death in various human cancer cells. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of TET on the inhibition of tumor growth and the induction of apoptosis in MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer in xenograft mice. Tumor weight and volume were measured. The histopathological changes in the tumor tissue were observed. Immunohistochemistry analysis of Bcl‐2‐associated X protein (Bax) and B‐cell lymphoma/leukemia‐2 (Bcl‐2) was carried out. The expression of apoptosis‐associated genes and proteins, such as cysteine aspartic acid‐specific protease‐3 (Caspase‐3), Survivin, Bax, Bcl‐2, BH3‐interacting domain death agonist (Bid), and poly ADP‐ribose polymerase (PARP), was measured by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. TET inhibited tumor growth and induced apoptosis in TNBC cell line MDA‐MB‐231. The mechanism underlying this effect might be mediated by TET‐upregulated Caspase‐3, Bax, and Bid and downregulated by Bcl‐2, Survivin, and PARP. Taken together, this study supported the fact that TET is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of TNBC, thereby providing experimental evidence for its use in the treatment of breast cancer.
Analysis of Skid Resistance and Noise Characteristics for Varieties of Concrete Pavement
Authors: Fang Jinmiao , Tu Jinsong , Wu Kunming
Published: June 2020

To establish evaluation criteria for the pavement skid resistance and noise level in tunnels pavements, the zoning and control standards for skid resistance and concrete pavement noise were examined. Transverse friction coefficient (TFC) test equipment and the on‐board sound intensity (OBSI) method were used to evaluate the antisliding characteristics and noise levels of several tunnel pavements. The results indicated poor antisliding characteristics and noise levels in ordinary grooved cement concrete pavement, whereas new types of cement concrete pavements, such as exposed concrete pavements and polymer‐modified cement concrete pavements, had good antisliding characteristics and achieved low noise levels. Combined with the cluster analysis method, a zoning method for the antisliding and noise level in concrete pavement is proposed. The antisliding characteristics and noise levels of the pavement are divided into three zones. To ensure safety and comfort during driving, the antisliding value (SFC) of the tunnel pavement should be more than 50, and the noise level should not exceed 105 dB. Finally, the correlation between the antisliding and noise levels for pavement was analyzed. The results indicated that the antiskiding value of pavement has a strong correlation to the noise level.
Modelling Unidirectional Crowd Motion in a Corridor with Statistical Characteristics of Pedestrian Movements
Authors: Chen Tan , Wang Wei , Tu Yu , Hua Xuedong
Published: June 2020

Lattice gas model is a kind of mature and convenient pedestrian simulation model. The original lattice gas model adopts discontinuous step length and finite moving directions to simulate crowd motion, which will lead to some unreasonable movements; besides, the transition probability used in this model is often manually designed and lacks the verification of realistic pedestrian trajectories. Based on an open pedestrian trajectory dataset, we first derived the relationship between local density and the distribution of pedestrian movements’ length and then proposed an extended lattice gas model considering the statistical characteristics of pedestrian movements, which extends the concept of transition probability in the original lattice gas model to distribution of pedestrian movements’ length in two perpendicular directions. The proposed model is applied to a scenario which is the same as the experiments of the open dataset, and the numerical results demonstrate that the proposed model can reproduce the fundamental diagrams and the transition probability of the experimental dataset well. This study is helpful to understand the statistical characteristics of pedestrian movements and can improve the applicability and accuracy of the lattice gas model.
Meibomian Glands or Not? Identification of In Vivo and Ex Vivo Confocal Microscopy Features and Histological Correlates in the Eyelid Margin
Authors: Wang Yu-jing , Ke Min
Published: June 2020

Purpose. In vivo confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) is an emerging diagnostic tool allowing fast and easy microscopic tissue examination. For the diagnostics of pathological eyelid margin lesions, the knowledge of the normal eyelid margin is essential. Methods. We examined 18 eyelid margins of healthy humans using the in vivo CLSM device and 10 samples of healthy eyelid margins from donor sites with ex vivo CLSM and compared the findings to the corresponding histological sections of donor sites. Cross-section images of different depths and depths of different skin appendages were measured. Results. The depth observed by in vivo CLSM is less than 150 μm into the eyelid. Images of the epidermis and superficial dermis skin, appendages including hair follicle, and sebaceous catheters can be captured associated with histopathology and ex vivo confocal microscopy. In correlation with histopathology, we identified different layers of the eyelid margin, different layers of the epidermis, and skin appendages by ex vivo confocal microscopy. Conclusions. The study offers an overview of the in vivo confocal microscopy human eyelid margin characteristics in comparison to the standard histological examination and confirms that in vivo CLSM could not observe the meibomian gland acini structure.
On the 3D Track Planning for Electric Power Inspection Based on the Improved Ant Colony Optimization and A∗ Algorithm
Authors: Huang Zheng , Zhai Xuefeng , Wang Hongxing , Zhou Hang , Zhao Hongwei , Feng Mingduan
Published: June 2020

At present, multirotor drones are restricted by the control accuracy and cannot position accurately according to the accuracy of point cloud data. Also, track planning in three-dimensional space is much more complicated than that in two-dimensional space, which means that existing track planning methods cannot achieve fast planning. Meanwhile, most existing researches were implemented in quasi-three-dimensional space with the shortest route length as the objective function and omitted environmental impacts. To overcome these, this paper uses the grid method to segment point cloud data of the flying space via ArcGIS software according to the drone’s controlling accuracy. It also extracts the grid coordinate information and maps it to a three-dimensional matrix to build the model accurately. This paper sets the minimal energy consumption as the objective function and builds a track planning model based on the drone’s performance and natural wind constraints. The improved ant colony optimization and A∗ (ACO-A∗) algorithm are utilized to design this algorithm for a faster solution. That is, we use the improved ant colony optimization to quickly find a near-optimal track covering all viewpoints with the minimal energy consumption. The improved A∗ algorithm will be used for local planning for adjacent tracks passing through obstacles. In the designed simulation environment, the simulation results show that, to ensure that the same components are shot, the improved algorithm in this paper can save 62.88% energy compared to that of the Shooting Manual of Drone Inspection Images for Overhead Transmission Lines. Also, it can save 9.33% energy compared to a track with the shortest route length. Besides, the ACO-A∗ algorithm saves 96.6% time than the A∗ algorithm.
A New Silicon Dioxide‐Coated MALDI‐ToF Sample Plate for Peptide Analysis
Authors: Huang He , Sun Lei , He Haiyang , Xia Tianbao
Published: June 2020

In this report, we describe the development and testing of a new coated plate which improves the sensitivity and accuracy in matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐ToF‐MS). The coated plate was covered with a thin layer of hydrophobic silicon dioxide, which enabled sample enrichment due to the water repellent nature of the silicon dioxide surface. Sensitivity and required laser strengths were tested using peptide standards, with the results that these coated plates required lower laser power and showed increased sensitivity than that of common plates. Accuracy was tested using bacteria, saliva, and serum samples. The coated plates showed significantly increased degrees of accuracy through their capacity to reduce mass shift. The importance and necessity of accuracy analysis in the assessment of new sample plates, which is rarely described in other papers, is also discussed.
Sparsity-Oriented Nonconvex Nonseparable Regularization for Rolling Bearing Compound Fault under Noisy Environment
Authors: Li Xiaocheng , Wang Jingcheng , Wang Hongyuan
Published: June 2020

Rolling bearing is widely used in rotating machinery and, at the same time, it is easy to be damaged due to harsh operating environments and conditions. As a result, rolling bearing is critical to the safe operation of the machinery devices. Compound fault of rolling bearing is not a simple superimposition of multiple single faults, but the coupling of multiple fault features, making the vibration signal, becomes complicated. In our study, sparsity-oriented nonconvex nonseparable regularization (SONNR) method is proposed to rolling bearing compound fault diagnosis under noisy environment. Firstly, a theoretical model of rolling bearing compound fault is established, and the vibration characteristics of rolling bearing compound fault are analyzed. Secondly, four-layer structure of the SONNR method is proposed: input layer, nonconvex sparse regularization layer, signal reconstruction layer, and compound faults isolation layer. Finally, the validity of the method is verified by simulation data and actual data, and it is compared with the traditional time domain diagnostic methods and artificial intelligence methods.
A Rare Case of Uterine Leiomyosarcoma with Metastasis to the Thyroid Gland
Authors: Irizarry-Villafañe Gabriel , Rivera-Santana Nadyeschka , Mangual-García Michelle , González-Bóssolo Alex , Trinidad-Hernández Rafael , García-Maldonado Miosotis , Carlo-Chévere Víctor
Published: June 2020

Uterine leiomyosarcomas are aggressive tumors associated with a poor prognosis. These neoplasms have high metastatic potential, more frequently affecting the lungs, liver, and peritoneum. There are very few cases of metastasis to the thyroid described in the literature. We present the case of a 47-year-old female diagnosed with uterine leiomyosarcoma metastatic to the thyroid gland. In this case report, we want to emphasize the utility of ancillary studies to help differentiate a leiomyosarcoma from anaplastic thyroid carcinoma since cytologic evaluation alone can be challenging.
HDAC6 Plays a Noncanonical Role in the Regulation of Antitumor Immune Responses, Dissemination, and Invasiveness of Breast Cancer
Authors: Banik Debarati , Noonepalle Satish , Hadley Melissa , Palmer Erica , Gracia-Hernandez Maria , Zevallos-Delgado Christian , Manhas Namratta , Simonyan Hayk , Young Colin N. , Popratiloff Anastas , Chiappinelli Katherine B. , Fernandes Rohan , Sotomayor Eduardo M. , Villagra Alejandro
Published: June 2020

Despite the outstanding clinical results of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in melanoma and other cancers, clinical trials in breast cancer have reported low responses to these therapies. Current efforts are now focused on improving the treatment efficacy of ICB in breast cancer using new combination designs such as molecularly targeted agents, including histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi). These epigenetic drugs have been widely described as potent cytotoxic agents for cancer cells. In this work, we report new noncanonical regulatory properties of ultra-selective HDAC6i over the expression and function of epithelial–mesenchymal transition pathways and the invasiveness potential of breast cancer. These unexplored roles position HDAC6i as attractive options to potentiate ongoing immunotherapeutic approaches. These new functional activities of HDAC6i involved regulation of the E-cadherin/STAT3 axis. Pretreatment of tumors with HDAC6i induced critical changes in the tumor microenvironment, resulting in improved effectiveness of ICB and preventing dissemination of cancer cells to secondary niches. Our results demonstrate for the first time that HDAC6i can both improve ICB antitumor immune responses and diminish the invasiveness of breast cancer with minimal cytotoxic effects, thus departing from the cytotoxicity-centric paradigm previously assigned to HDACi.

Significance:

Ultraselective HDAC6 inhibitors can reduce tumor growth and invasiveness of breast cancer by noncanonical mechanisms unrelated to the previously cytotoxic properties attributed to HDAC inhibitors.
Obesity/Type 2 Diabetes-Associated Liver Tumors Are Sensitive to Cyclin D1 Deficiency
Authors: Luo Chi , Liang Jiaxin , Sharabi Kfir , Hatting Maximilian , Perry Elizabeth A. , Tavares Clint D.J. , Goyal Lipika , Srivastava Amitabh , Bilodeau Marc , Zhu Andrew X. , Sicinski Piotr , Puigserver Pere
Published: June 2020

Type 2 diabetes, which is mainly linked to obesity, is associated with increased incidence of liver cancer. We have previously found that in various models of obesity/diabetes, hyperinsulinemia maintains heightened hepatic expression of cyclin D1, suggesting a plausible mechanism linking diabetes and liver cancer progression. Here we show that cyclin D1 is greatly elevated in human livers with diabetes and is among the most significantly upregulated genes in obese/diabetic liver tumors. Liver-specific cyclin D1 deficiency protected obese/diabetic mice against hepatic tumorigenesis, whereas lean/nondiabetic mice developed tumors irrespective of cyclin D1 status. Cyclin D1 dependency positively correlated with liver cancer sensitivity to palbociclib, an FDA-approved CDK4 inhibitor, which was effective in treating orthotopic liver tumors under obese/diabetic conditions. The antidiabetic drug metformin suppressed insulin-induced hepatic cyclin D1 expression and protected against obese/diabetic hepatocarcinogenesis. These results indicate that the cyclin D1–CDK4 complex represents a potential selective therapeutic vulnerability for liver tumors in obese/diabetic patients.

Significance:

Obesity/diabetes-associated liver tumors are specifically vulnerable to cyclin D1 deficiency and CDK4 inhibition, suggesting that the obese/diabetic environment confers cancer-selective dependencies that can be therapeutically exploited.
Long-term Follow-up of Standard-Dose Pembrolizumab Plus Reduced-Dose Ipilimumab in Patients with Advanced Melanoma: KEYNOTE-029 Part 1B
Authors: Carlino Matteo S. , Menzies Alexander M. , Atkinson Victoria , Cebon Jonathan S. , Jameson Michael B. , Fitzharris Bernard M. , McNeil Catriona M. , Hill Andrew G. , Ribas Antoni , Atkins Michael B. , Thompson John A. , Hwu Wen-Jen , Hodi F. Stephen , Guminski Alexander D. , Kefford Richard , Wu Haiyan , Ibrahim Nageatte , Homet Moreno Blanca , Long Georgina V.
Published: June 2020

Purpose:

Combination therapy with reduced-dose programmed death 1 inhibitor plus standard-dose cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 inhibitor demonstrated efficacy, but substantial toxicity, in melanoma. We present long-term results of part 1B of KEYNOTE-029, which assessed safety and efficacy of standard-dose pembrolizumab plus reduced-dose ipilimumab in advanced melanoma.

Patients and Methods:

Part 1B was an expansion cohort of the open-label, phase Ib portion of KEYNOTE-029. Eligible patients had advanced melanoma and no previous immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Patients received pembrolizumab 2 mg/kg (amended to 200 mg) every 3 weeks plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks (four cycles), then pembrolizumab alone for up to 2 years. Primary end point was safety; secondary end points included objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), duration of response (DOR), and overall survival (OS).

Results:

A total of 153 patients received at least one dose of pembrolizumab plus ipilimumab. At a median follow-up of 36.8 months, 71.9% had received four doses of ipilimumab and 30.7% had completed 2 years of pembrolizumab; 26.1% completed both treatments. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 96.1% (47.1% grade 3/4; no deaths), leading to discontinuation of one or both study drugs in 35.9%. ORR was 62.1% with 42 (27.5%) complete and 53 (34.6%) partial responses. Median DOR was not reached; 36-month ongoing response rate was 84.2%. Median PFS and OS were not reached; 36-month rates were 59.1% and 73.4%, respectively.

Conclusions:

Standard-dose pembrolizumab plus reduced-dose ipilimumab demonstrated robust antitumor activity, durable response, and favorable long-term survival with manageable toxicity.
A Novel First-Line Treatment Alternative for Noncomplicated Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis: Combined İntralesional Steroid İnjection with Topical Steroid Administration
Authors: Toktas Osman , Konca Can , Trabulus Didem Can , Soyder Aykut , Koksal Hande , Karanlik Hasan , Kamali Polat Ayfer , Ozbas Serdar , Yormaz Serdar , Isik Arda , Sezgin Efe , Soran Atilla
Published: June 2020

Background: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a rare form of nonlactational mastitis. Due to the small number of case series and consequently inadequate prospective studies, there is still no consensus on the optimal treatment of IGM. In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy of intralesional steroid injection with concomitant topical steroids to systemic steroid therapy only in the treatment of noncomplicated IGM. Methods: Between June 2015 and April 2018, the patients’ data was prospectively collected and analyzed retrospectively. The study included a total of 78 female patients diagnosed with IGM. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the local steroid treatment group (intralesional steroid injection with topical steroid administration; group 1, n = 46) and the peroral systemic steroid treatment group (group 2, n = 32). Response to the therapy, side effects, recurrence, the need for surgical treatment, and complication rates were compared. Results: Forty-three patients (93.5%) in group 1 achieved a partial or complete response compared to 23 patients (71.9%) in group 2 after 3 months; this difference was significant (p = 0.012). The recurrence rates were significantly lower in group 1 (8.7%) compared to group 2 (46.9%; p = 0.001), and the need for surgical treatment was significantly less in group 1 (2.2%) than in group 2 (9.4%; p = 0.001). While the complication rates were similar between groups, a higher rate of systemic side effects was observed in group 2. Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, combined steroid injection and topical steroid treatment in IGM is as effective as systemic steroid treatment. We suggest that this combination therapy of topical steroids and local steroid injection should be used as first-line therapy in patients with noncomplicated IGM.
Iatrogenic Iron Overload in an End Stage Renal Disease Patient
Authors: Aldwairi Majd M. , Yassin Mohamed A.
Published: June 2020

Iron overload is a common complication in patients with chronic renal failure treated with dialysis prior to the availability of recombinant human erythropoietin therapy. Iron overload was the result of hypoproliferative erythroid marrow function coupled with the need for frequent red blood cell transfusions to manage symptomatic anemia. The repetitive use of intravenous iron with or without the use of red blood cell transfusions also contributed to iron loading and was associated with iron deposition in liver parenchymal and reticuloendothelial cells. Here we report a 56-year-old female with end-stage renal failure who underwent kidney transplant twice and found to have iatrogenic iron overload with excess intravenous iron treated conservatively.
Transdiagnostische Behandlung emotionaler Störungen bei Jugendlichen mit dem Unified Protocol: Eine Fallstudie
Authors: Gutzweiler Raphael , Schwarz Daniela , In-Albon Tina
Published: June 2020

Hintergrund: Angst- und depressive Störungen sind die häufigsten psychischen Störungen im Jugendalter und weisen untereinander eine hohe Komorbiditätsrate auf. Während kognitive Verhaltenstherapie (KVT) in der Behandlung von Angststörungen bei Jugendlichen wirksam ist, weist die Behandlung von depressiven Störungen nur mo­derate Wirksamkeit auf. Es liegen jedoch kaum Studien vor, die die Wirksamkeit der KVT in der Behandlung komorbid vorliegender Angst- und depressiver Störungen bei Jugendlichen untersuchen. Der transdiagnostische Ansatz des Unified Protocols (UP) für emotionale Störungen konnte seine Wirksamkeit im englischsprachigen Raum bereits im Jugend- und Erwachsenenalter nachweisen. Eine deutsche Übersetzung und Überprüfung des UP für Jugendliche steht bislang noch aus. Falldarstellung: In dieser Kasuistik wird eine 17-jährige Patientin vorgestellt, die die Kriterien einer sozialen Angststörung nach ICD-10 und DSM-5 erfüllt und zudem eine depressive Symptomatik aufweist. Nach einer umfassenden Diagnostik mithilfe eines strukturierten klinischen Interviews und Selbstberichtverfahrens wurden 17 Sitzungen KVT basierend auf dem UP für Adoleszente (UP-A) durchgeführt. Ziel der vorliegenden Fallbeschreibung ist die Vorstellung des Therapierationals und der Umsetzung des Manuals. Nach der Therapie erfüllte die Jugendliche die Kriterien der sozialen Angststörung nicht mehr, es zeigte sich zudem eine Abnahme der depressiven Symptomatik. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Fallvorstellung verweist auf die Umsetzbarkeit der deutschen Übersetzung des UP-A für die transdiagnostische Behandlung von Angst- und depressiven Störungen bei Jugendlichen. Eine randomisiert kontrollierte Studie zur Wirksamkeitsprüfung steht noch aus.
Genome-Wide Association of Kidney Traits in Hispanics/Latinos Using Dense Imputed Whole-Genome Sequencing Data
Authors: Qian Huijun , Kowalski Madeline H. , Kramer Holly J. , Tao Ran , Lash James P. , Stilp Adrienne M. , Cai Jianwen , Li Yun , Franceschini Nora
Published: June 2020

Background:

Genetic factors that influence kidney traits have been understudied for low-frequency and ancestry-specific variants.

Methods:

This study used imputed whole-genome sequencing from the Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine project to identify novel loci for estimated glomerular filtration rate and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio in up to 12 207 Hispanics/Latinos. Replication was performed in the Women’s Health Initiative and the UK Biobank when variants were available.

Results:

Two low-frequency intronic variants were associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (rs58720902 at
AQR
, minor allele frequency=0.01,
P
=1.6×10
−8
) or urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (rs527493184 at
ZBTB16
, minor allele frequency=0.002,
P
=1.1×10
−8
). An additional variant at
PRNT
(rs2422935, minor allele frequency=0.54,
P
=2.89×10
−8
) was significantly associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate in meta-analysis with replication samples. We also identified 2 known loci for urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (
BCL2L11
rs116907128,
P
=5.6×10
−8
and
HBB
rs344,
P
=9.3×10
−11
) and validated 8 loci for urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio previously identified in the UK Biobank.

Conclusions:

Our study shows gains in gene discovery when using dense imputation from multi-ethnic whole-genome sequencing data in admixed Hispanics/Latinos. It also highlights limitations in genetic research of kidney traits, including the lack of suitable replication samples for variants that are more common in non-European ancestry and those at low frequency in populations.
Cladistic analysis of Spartocerini Amyot & Serville 1843 (Hemiptera, Coreidae, Coreinae)
Authors: da Silva Costa Wanessa , Barcellos Aline , Brailovsky Harry
Published: June 2020

Among the 32 tribes of Coreinae currently recognized, Spartocerini comprises 66 extant species distributed in six genera: Euagona Dallas, Eubule Stål, Menenotus Laporte, Molchina Amyot & Serville, Sephina Amyot & Serville and Spartocera Laporte, distributed exclusively in the Western Hemisphere. We performed cladistic analyses using equal (EW) and also implied weighting (IW) based on 56 terminals (23 belonging to the ingroup) and 115 morphological characters, including male and female genitalia. Spartocerini was polyphyletic both under EW and IW because Molchina was nested in Mictini. We remove Molchina from Spartocerini and consider the genus as incertae sedis. Spartocera, Eubule, and Sephina were not recovered as monophyletic. Sephina pubera (Erichson) is considered as incertae sedis within Spartocerini, Eubule ampliata (Valdés) is transferred to Spartocera as a new combination, and Mamurius is included in Anisoscelini.
African Basin Management Organizations
Authors: Sangbana Komlan
Published: June 2020

In Africa, basin organizations are almost indispensable mechanisms for any attempt to achieve the sustainable protection of transboundary water resources. Indeed, transboundary freshwater pollution is a growing concern at the African transboundary basin level. In this context, African basin organizations play a central role in the protection of transboundary water resources and their ecosystems. In order to prevent pollution damage and protect water resources, basin institutions have been entrusted with a variety of functions and tasks in the formation and implementation of pollution control standards. This monograph explores and highlights the increasingly important role of basin organizations in this area and provides some avenues for strengthening the work they perform to protect river systems.
International Palaeoentomological Society Statement

Authors: SZWEDO JACEK , WANG BO , SOSZYŃSKA-MAJ AGNIESZKA , AZAR DANY , ROSS ANDREW J.
Published: June 2020

Following a mailbox of comments concerning a letter sent by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology to journal editors on “Fossils from conflict zones...” dated 21 April 2020 calling for a ban on publications on Burmese amber, it was felt necessary to air some concerns raised for further discussion.
New data on fossil mimarachnids (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Fulgoroidea) in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber

Authors: FU YANZHE , HUANG DIYING
Published: June 2020

Mimarachnidae is an extinct planthopper family of the superfamily Fulgoroidea, with ten genera from the Cretaceous of Eurasia. Here, we describe a new genus, Cretodorus gen. nov. and two new species, Cretodorus granulatus sp. nov. and C. angustus sp. nov., on the basis of four specimens from the mid-Cretaceous amber of northern Myanmar. This remarkable genus can be separated from all other mimarachnids as follows: moderately elongate head, anteriorly protruded pronotum with straight lateral carinae, and unbranched MP of tegmen. Additionally, a new species of Burmissus Shcherbakov, 2017, Burmissus latimaculatus sp. nov., is described from the same Burmese amber, and the morphological characters of Burmissus szwedoi Luo, Jiang, Wang & Xiao, 2020 are supplemented for pronotum, clypeus, rostrum, and legs. These new discoveries enrich the palaeodiversity of mimarachnid planthoppers to fifteen species, ten of which are described from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, suggesting that this extinct family remained highly diverse during this period.
The enigmatic arthropod Duraznovis gallegoi from the Late Triassic of Argentina is a cicadomorphan head (Insecta: Hemiptera: Auchenorrhyncha)

Authors: FU YANZHE , HUANG DIYING
Published: June 2020

Recently, Lara et al. (2020a, b) described a new fossil taxon, Duraznovis gallegoi, based on two specimens from the Upper Triassic Potrerillos Formation at Quebrada del Durazno, Cuyana Basin of Argentina. This fossil is considered to be an enigmatic arthropod closely resembling the living and fossil representatives of xiphosurans (Chelicerata) and notostracans (Branchiopoda), two completely different arthropod groups with convergent body plans. Some distinctive combination of features, however, makes the systematic position of these specimens indeterminate (Lara et al., 2020a, b).
Fossil dragonflies (Odonata: Anisoptera) from the late Oligocene Fossil-Lagerstätte Enspel (Rhineland-Palatinate, SW Germany)

Authors: BROCKHAUS THOMAS , MÜLLER OLE , NEL ANDRE , POSCHMANN MARKUS J. , WAPPLER TORSTEN
Published: June 2020

Fossils of dragonflies (Odonata: Anisoptera), three larvae and one isolated hind wing, are described from the late Oligocene crater lake of Enspel (Westerwald, Germany). The larvae are interpreted to belong to one species, although representing three different ontogenetic stages. Comparison to extant taxa shows that the larvae are to be assigned to the clubtails (Gomphidae), namely to the genera Gomphidia or Ictinogomphus, or, more unlikely, Diastatomma in the subfamily Lindeniinae, and thus constitute the first record of larvae of this subfamily in the Oligocene. The venation pattern of the hind wing clearly shows that it belongs to a species in the family Macromiidae and thus constitutes the oldest record of this family.
A systematic revision of the scale mite genus Pterygosoma Peters, 1849 (Acariformes: Pterygosomatidae)
Authors: FAJFER MONIKA
Published: June 2020

A systematic revision of the scale mites of the genus Pterygosoma (Acariformes: Pterygosomatidae) associated with agamas (Reptilia: Agamidae) was carried out based on type-material and numerous samples collected all over the world. For the natural species groups established in Fajfer (2019) diagnoses are presented. All Pterygosoma species are re-diagnosed or redescribed with simultaneous re-examination of host-parasite associations. Several taxonomic changes are implemented in the course of re-examination of the type series: seven subspecies of the genus Pterygosoma are elevated to species rank (with their former stem species in parentheses): P. aculeatum Lawrence, 1936 (agamae), P. angolae Jack, 1962 (melanum), P. capensis Jack, 1962 (melanum), P. longipalpae Lawrence, 1936 (melanum), P. orbicularis Jack, 1962 (spinosa) and P. pseudorbicularis Jack, 1962 (bibronii), P. problematica Jack, 1962 (fimbriata); four species are synonymized: Pterygosoma expansum Bertrand, Finkelman and Paperna, 2000 is synonymized with P. adramitana Jack, 1961 and consequently P. gladiator Bertrand, Finkelman and Paperna, 2000 with P. neumanni (Berlese, 1910), P. rhipidostichata Bertrand, Finkelman and Paperna, 2000 with P. mutabilis Jack, 1961 and P. livingstonei Bertrand and Modry, 2004 with P. circularis Jack, 1962; new hosts and distribution records are given for Pterygosoma neumanni (Berlese, 1910), P. bibronii Jack, 1962, P. longipalpae Lawrence, 1936, P. gracilipalpis and P. sinaita Jack, 1961. The protonymphs of Pterygosoma engai Fajfer, 2013, P. indare Fajfer, 2013, P. longipalpae Lawrence, 1936, and the deutonymph of P. transvaalense Lawrence, 1936 are described for the first time. A revision of leg chaetotaxy models i.e. coxae-trochanters I−IV and tarsi I−IV proposed by Jack (1964) is conducted and new species groups for Pterygosoma species are proposed. A key to all Pterygosoma species is provided. A full list of Pterygosoma species with their corrected host associations and distribution data is compiled.
Characteristics of TAA–ZnS Buffer Layer by Addition of Sodium Citrate for CIGS Thin Film Solar Cell
Authors: Park Jeong Eun , Park So Mang , Bae Eun Ji , Lim Donggun
Published: June 2020

Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) is an environmentally friendly material with a wide bandgap (Eg = 3.7 eV) comparable to that of cadmium sulfide (CdS) (2.4 eV), which is conventionally used as buffer layer in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin film solar cells. Conventional ZnS buffer layers
are manufactured using thiourea, and, these layers possess a disadvantage in that their deposition rate is lower than that of CdS buffer layers. In this paper, thioacetamide (TAA) was used as a sulfur precursor instead of thiourea to increase the deposition rate. However, the ZnS thin films
deposited with TAA exhibited a higher roughness than the ZnS thin films deposited with thiourea. Sodium citrate was therefore added to increase the uniformity and decrease the roughness of the former ZnS thin films. When sodium citrate was used, the thin films demonstrated a high transmittance
via the controlled generation of particles. In the case of TAA–ZnS thin films doped with a sodium citrate concentration of 0.04 M, the granules on the surface disappeared and these thin films were denser than the TAA–ZnS thin films deposited with a lower sodium citrate concentration.
It is considered that the rate of the ion-by-ion reaction increased due to the addition of sodium citrate, thereby resulting in a uniform thin film. Consequently, TAA–ZnS thin films with thicknesses of approximately 40 nm and high transmittances of 83% were obtained when a sodium citrate
concentration of 0.04 M was used.
Immobilization of Photocatalytic ZnO Nanopowders Using Anodized Nanoporous Alumina Substrates
Authors: Park Sung , Han Seunggyu , Kim Jae Hyeok , Lee Sang Heon , Choi Sumin
Published: June 2020

Nanoporous Al2O3 substrates with an average pore size of about 150 nm were prepared via anodization of Aluminum plates. Depending on the anodization condition, the surface area of the anodized Al2O3 was increased more than six-fold. Solution-combusted
ZnO nanopowders were prepared as a function of fuel/oxidant ratios. At a fuel/oxidant ratio of 0.8, ZnO powder showed excellent powder characteristics such as average particle sizes of 30 nm and spherical shape. Electrical properties of SCM ZnO nanopowders with different fuel/oxidant ratios
were investigated by Hall measurement. The carrier concentration of SCM ZnO nanopowders at the fuel/oxidant ratio of 0.8, was the highest, three-fold higher than that of any commercial ZnO powders. Using spray coating, these nanopowders were coated onto Al2O3 substrates
for immobilization. To evaluate the photo-catalytic effect, Ag ions were removed from the wastewater via photocatalysis. The photocatalytic efficiency with the SCM ZnO nanopowders on nanoporous Al2O3 substrates was 2.5-fold higher than that with the SCM ZnO nanopowders
on normal Al2O3 substrates. However, commercial zinc oxide powders did not show any photocatalytic phenomena. The large difference in photocatalytic efficiency was probably attributed to the characteristics of SCM ZnO nanopowder and the large surface area of anodized
Al2O3.
Amino Functionalization of Zirconium Diboride for High Dispersion Stability and Solid Loading
Authors: Shin Jae Rok , Kim Bong-Gu , Choi Sung-Churl , Jung Yeon-Gil , Seok An Gye
Published: June 2020

Zirconium diboride (ZrB2) is an ultrahigh-temperature ceramic (UHTC) with excellent thermal and mechanical properties. To fabricate a complexly structured UHTC sintered body with high density a high-solid-loading slurry with low viscosity is required to fill the mold well.
Extensive studies have been carried out to improve the dispersion properties, including those on solvents and surfactants. In this study, a surface treatment using polyethylenimine (PEI) was investigated. This reagent was used to provide ZrB2 particles with desirable properties,
such as electrostatic repulsive force and steric hindrance, by the functionalization of amine groups. Additionally, surface treatments with different concentrations of PEI were performed. The appropriate content for a high dispersity was determined. The surface functional groups of the PEI-treated
ZrB2 were observed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The surface charge and enhancement in dispersion were evaluated by zeta potential and particle size distribution analysis, respectively. The rheological properties of the ZrB2 slurries with various solid loadings
were analyzed by viscosity measurements. In conclusion, ZrB2 slurries with solid loadings up to 50 vol% could be prepared through the PEI treatments.
Flower-Like α-Fe2O3 for Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewater
Authors: Tsedenbal Bulgan , Lee Ji Eun , Kim Min Soo , Huh Seok Hwan , Koo Bon Heun
Published: June 2020

In the present work flower-like, α-Fe2O3 were synthesized by ethylene-glycol mediated polyol method. The synthesized flower-like, α-Fe2O3 were separated cadmium (Cd2+) chromium (Cr6+) and lead
ions (Pb2+) from wastewater. XRD pattern and FESEM images show the obtained sample is pure hematite and flower-like nanostructures average particle sizes 4.0 μm. The BET specific surface area was 47.55 m2g−1. Adsorption experiments were investigated
the adsorbent dose, influence pH of the metal ions, sorption times and initial concentrations of heavy metal ions. High efficiency of Cd2+, Cr6+ and Pb2+ removal occurred at pH 7.0, 3.0 and 5.5, respectively. The adsorption equilibrium study showed that the
heavy metal ions adsorption of flowers like α-Fe2O3 followed a Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm model. The heavy metal ions adsorption equilibrium data were followed to the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacities were 16.95, 22.22 and 25.64 mg g−1
for Cd2+, Cr6+ and Pb2+ ions respectively. This work determines that the synthesized flower-like α-Fe2O3 is proposed as an efficient nano-adsorbent for wastewater treatment.
A Novel Photocatalyst Composite of Magnesium Aminoclay and TiO2 Immobilized into Activated Carbon Fiber (ACF) Matrix for Pollutant Removal
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Ngoc , Tran Vinh Van , Bui Vu Khac Hoang , Kim Minjeong , Park Duckshin , Hur Jaehyun , Kim Il Tae , Lee Hyun Uk , Ko Sangwon , Lee Young-Chul
Published: June 2020

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a semiconductor photocatalyst widely applied in numerous fields due to possessing prominent photocatalytic properties. However, its practical applications in the form of nanoparticles or powders still have remained several limitations. Recently,
novel photocatalytic porous composites have been discovered to be potential alternative approaches. In the present study, nanostructured magnesium-aminoclay-based TiO2 (MgAC–TiO2) was successfully deposited on an activated carbon fiber (ACF) matrix using the sol–gel
approach followed by calcination at 350°C in an air atmosphere. The structure and photocatalytic activity of this as-prepared photocatalyst composite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and
UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectral analysis. The photocatalytic activity of MgAC–TiO2/ACF was investigated under batch conditions for the removal of methylene blue (MB) in solution under UV irradiation and dark conditions. The results revealed that MB is absorbed by MgAC–TiO2/ACF
and that its photodecomposition occurs under UV irradiation. The addition of MgAC can prevent the sintering of TiO2 act as a dispersing agent to create a high specific surface area, and thus enhance photocatalytic efficiency. In addition, ACF in the MgAC–TiO2/ACF
composite can additionally improve the photocatalytic activity by hindering electron-hole recombination, which is known as a synergetic effect, and thereby enhancing the photodegradation and removal efficiency of MB.
Hydrothermal Preparation of Ag/TiO2/GO Nanocomposites with Ammonia-Treated Graphene Oxide for Enhanced Conductivity
Authors: Choi Bo-Kyung , Choi Woong-Ki , Park Jong-Hyun , Park Soo-Jin , Seo Min-Kang
Published: June 2020

In this study, Ag/TiO2/GO nanocomposites were successfully fabricated by a facile hydrothermal method. Nitrogen-doped GO was prepared using ammonia treatment to improve its conductivity. The Ag/TiO2/GO nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy
(SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), zeta potential, and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). A homogeneous dispersion of Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles was shown on the surface of GO. Increasing the nitrogen
doping concentration increased hydrophilicity, thereby improving the conductivity of Ag/TiO2/GO nanocomposites.
Effects on the Physical Properties of Ophthalmic Hydrogels Containing 4-Chlorostyrene and Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles with Ultraviolet Blocking Ability
Authors: Shin Su-Mi , Sung A-Young
Published: June 2020

The optical, physical and polymerization property of hydrogel ophthalmic lenses made by cerium nanoparticles containing 4-chlorostyrene as a base hydrogel material were analyzed. Cerium oxide nanoparticles were used as additive. And HEMA, 4-chlorostyrene and a cross-linker EGDMA were
copolymerized in the presence of AIBN as an initiator. Also, the polymerization property such as TGA and absorbance of the prepared lens were measured. Measurement of the polymerization characteristics of the copolymerized material showed that TGA was found that the addition of cerium oxide
increased thermal stability. The physical properties of the basic lenses were totally satisfied and breaking strength gradually increased with the addition amount of 4-Chlorostyrene. Cerium nanoparticles are considered to satisfy the basic requirements of hydrogel lenses and UV-blocking amount
gradually increased according to the addition ratio of cerium oxide nanoparticles without affecting the basic physical properties. Therefore, these materials can be used effectively as additives for ophthalmic hydrogel lenses.
Bacterial Isolation by Adsorption on Graphene Oxide from Large Volume Sample
Authors: Yoo Hyun Jin , Mohammadniaei Mohsen , Min Junhong , Baek Changyoon
Published: June 2020

Graphene oxide (GO) is a well-known two-dimensional nanomaterial with broad applications in various fields. In particular, the functional groups of GO has demonstrated significance in the molecular binding interactions. GO is normally coated on a solid surface as it is difficult to
handle due to its nano-scaled size. Therefore, chemical properties of surface-coated GO depend on the morphological structure of GO on the surface and the operating conditions during the coating process. Isolation of bacteria from environmental samples such as river and pond water is important
for increasing the analytical sensitivity of sensor devices. The main issue in isolation of bacteria from an environmental sample is adsorption capacity per unit time. However, increasing the velocity of water sample to elevate the process rate induces high shear stress on the surface, such
that the bacteria adsorption rate on the surface is reduced. In this study, we investigated the morphological and chemical properties of sonicated GO and GO-coated surface by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The sonicated GO-coated beads were successfully
used for concentrating bacteria from a large-volume sample as opposed to the conventional methods. It can be concluded that, GO-coated surfaces are prospective platforms for concentrating bacteria from various samples and play a major role in reducing the concentration time.
Nano Aggregate Formation Through Self-Assembly of Poly(L-lysine)-Block-Poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate)-Graft-Poly(ethylene glycol) Copolymer
Authors: Zhang Yu , Song Wenliang , Kim Il
Published: June 2020

Polymeric nano aggregates based on poly(L-lysine)-block-PBLG-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) (PLL-b-PBLG-g-PEG) copolymers were prepared by a dialysis method in deionized water. PLL-b-PBLG-g-PEG copolymers with different degrees of PEG substitution
were synthesized by combining the ring-opening polymerization of α-amino acid N-carboxyanhydrides and ester exchange reactions. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography were employed to confirm the polymer structures and molecular
weights. Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering were used to observe the self-assembly behavior. The experimental results revealed that the volume content of deionized water in the mixture significantly affects the morphology and size of the aggregates formed by PLL-b-PBLG-g-PEG
copolymers. Spherical, spindle-like, needle-like, and daisy-like aggregates were observed with an increase in the volume content of deionized water in the mixture.