bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HPGe detector field calculation methods demonstrated with an educational program, GeFiCa
Authors: Li Jianchen , Liu Jing , Kooi Kyler
Published: March 2020

A review of tools and methods to calculate electrostatic potentials and fields inside high-purity germanium detectors in various configurations is given. The methods are illustrated concretely with a new educational program named GeFiCa - Germanium detector Field Calculator. Demonstrated in GeFiCa are generic numerical calculations based on the successive over-relaxation method as well as analytic ones whenever simplification is possible due to highly symmetric detector geometries. GeFiCa is written in C$$++$$++ and provided as an extension to the CERN ROOT libraries widely used in the particle physics community. Calculation codes for individual detectors, provided as ROOT macros and python scripts, are distributed along with the GeFiCa core library, serving as both examples showing the usage of GeFiCa and starting points for customized calculations. They can be run without compilation in a ROOT interactive session or directly from a Linux shell. The numerical results are saved in a ROOT tree, making full use of the I/O optimization and plotting functionalities in ROOT. The speed and precision of the calculation are comparable to other commonly used packages, which qualifies GeFiCa as a scientific research tool. However, the main focus of GeFiCa is to clearly explain and demonstrate the analytic and numeric methods to solve Poisson’s equation, practical coding considerations and visualization methods, with intensive documentation and example macros. It serves as a one-stop resource for people who want to understand the operating mechanism of such a package under the hood.
Porous media to intensify natural convection in rectangular enclosures used in building techniques
Authors: Baïri A. , Martín-Garín A. , Millán-García J. A.
Published: March 2020

This numerical study quantifies the natural convective heat transfer occurring in an elongated rectangular cavity whose hot vertical wall generates a constant heat flux while the opposite one is kept isothermal at cold temperature. The study shows that when a layer of porous material is affixed to the hot wall, the aerodynamic phenomena are modified and increase the natural convective transfer. Several configurations were processed, obtained by varying the matrix’s thermal conductivity of the layer, the aspect ratio of the cavity and the Rayleigh number in wide ranges. The numerical solution is obtained by means of the control volume method based on the SIMPLE algorithm. A correlation of the Nusselt–Rayleigh type is proposed, allowing determination of the convective heat transfer for any combination of these physical parameters. It can be applied in various engineering fields including passive heating in building which can be improved by the simple and easy-to-implement assembly version discussed here.
Lump-type and interaction solutions to an extended (3 + 1)-dimensional Jimbo–Miwa equation
Authors: Qi Feng-Hua , Ma Wen-Xiu , Qu Qi-Xing , Wang Pan
Published: March 2020

By using the Hirota bilinear method, we construct new lump-type solutions to an extended [Formula: see text]-dimensional Jimbo–Miwa equation, which describes certain [Formula: see text]-dimensional wave phenomena in physics. The presented solutions contain 10 arbitrary parameters and only need to satisfy four restrictive conditions to be analytic, thereby enriching the existing lump-type solutions. Moreover, we compute their interaction solutions with double exponential function waves, which include rogue wave solutions. Dynamical features of the obtained solutions are graphically exhibited.
Modeling on the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility and electrical conductivity oscillations in narrow-gap semiconductors
Authors: Erkaboev U. I. , Gulyamov G. , Mirzaev J. I. , Rakhimov R. G.
Published: March 2020

Electrical conductivity oscillations, magnetic susceptibility oscillations and electronic heat capacity oscillations for narrow-gap electronic semiconductors are considered at different temperatures. A theory is constructed of the temperature dependence of quantum oscillation phenomena in narrow-gap electronic semiconductors, taking into account the thermal smearing of Landau levels. Oscillations of longitudinal electrical conductivity in narrow-gap electronic semiconductors at various temperatures are studied. An integral expression is obtained for the longitudinal conductivity in narrow-gap electronic semiconductors, taking into account the diffuse broadening of the Landau levels. A formula is obtained for the dependence of the oscillations of longitudinal electrical conductivity on the bandgap of narrow-gap semiconductors. The theory is compared with the experimental results of [Formula: see text]. A theory is constructed of the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility oscillations for narrow-gap electronic semiconductors. Using these oscillations of magnetic susceptibility, the cyclotron effective masses of electrons are determined. The calculation results are compared with experimental data. The proposed model explains the experimental results in [Formula: see text] at different temperatures.
A study on the mechanical properties of forged high chrome steel heat resistant materials
Authors: Jeong Il Heon , Park Yeong Min , Yoo Jae Uk , Kim Tae Gyu
Published: March 2020

High chrome steel (12 Cr-steel) is the material found in engine blade which required high durability and long service life at high temperatures. Therefore, it is important to produce durable and high strength 12 Cr-steel. In this study, effect of different tempering temperature on microstructure of 12 Cr-steel specimens were investigated. First, the specimens were heat treated to 1070[Formula: see text]C and quenched in an acidic solution. Then they were tempered at different temperature at 470[Formula: see text]C and 690[Formula: see text]C. Analyses on mechanical properties such as hardness, yield strength, tensile stress were performed. It is found that specimen at lower temperature (470[Formula: see text]C) has improved mechanical properties.
Light storage and thermal-assisted switching of SrAl2O4:Eu2+, Dy3+
Authors: Adhinarta J. K. , Jobiliong E. , Shiddiq M. , Uranus H. P. , Steven E.
Published: March 2020

In this work, we demonstrate and evaluate the viability of SrAl2O4:Eu[Formula: see text], Dy[Formula: see text] crystals for long-term light storage applications at low temperatures that can be activated at higher temperatures for on-demand lighting applications. The switching mechanism is discussed from the point of view of the possible interplay between charge transport and the persistent luminescence in this system. Step-wise temperature-dependent luminescence decay time measurement is carried out to determine the optimal temperature for photo-charging and the operational temperature limit of the crystal-under-test as light sources.
ENERGY COST FOR TARGET CONTROL OF COMPLEX NETWORKS
Authors: DUAN GAOPENG , LI AMING , MENG TAO , WANG LONG
Published: March 2020

To promote the implementation of realistic control over various complex networks, recent work has been focusing on analyzing energy cost. Indeed, the energy cost quantifies how much effort is required to drive the system from one state to another when it is fully controllable. A fully controllable system means that the system can be driven by external inputs from any initial state to any final state in finite time. However, it is prohibitively expensive and unnecessary to confine that the system is fully controllable when we merely need to accomplish the so-called target control — controlling a subnet of nodes chosen from the entire network. Yet, when the system is partially controllable, the associated energy cost remains elusive. Here we present the minimum energy cost for controlling an arbitrary subset of nodes of a network. We show the scaling behavior of the precise upper and lower bounds of the minimum energy in terms of the time given to accomplish control. For controlling a given number of target nodes, we further show that the associated energy over different configurations can differ by several orders of magnitude. When the adjacency matrix of the network is nonsingular, we can simplify the framework by just considering the induced subgraph spanned by target nodes instead of the entire network. Importantly, we find that energy cost could be saved by orders of magnitude as we only need the partial controllability of the entire network. Our theoretical results are all corroborated by numerical calculations, and pave the way for estimating the energy cost to implement realistic target control in various applications.
EU-Asia Connectivity: France’s Three Largest Cities and China’s Belt and Road
Authors: Larçon Jean-Paul , Vadcar Corinne
Published: March 2020

The concept of connectivity has over the past decades become central to economic competitiveness, especially in a world of value chains. It now tends to have both a strategic dimension - in a renewed geopolitical context - and a sustainable dimension - with global warming. This is particularly true in the EU-Asia relationship. The strengthening of this connectivity, particularly in the case of transport infrastructure (maritime, rail, air and submarine), provides opportunities for trade in goods, services and data but also human interactions between the two regions. But it goes further with the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). While Europe has for several decades paid considerable attention to connectivity within its political borders, nothing was preparing it to the impact of this multifaceted initiative. This is particularly evident for the three largest French metropolitan areas (Paris, Lyon and Marseille), which show different degrees of connectivity with China, depending on whether it is a maritime, rail, air or submarine route. While it is not possible to simplify the connectivity with China of each city to only one aspect, it nevertheless appears that Paris has a powerful advantage on the air route, Lyon potentially on the rail route and Marseille on the submarine route.
Lower Bounds for the Parameterized Complexity of Minimum Fill-in and Other Completion Problems
Authors: Bliznets Ivan , Cygan Marek , Komosa Paweł , Pilipczuk Michał , Mach Lukáš
Published: March 2020

In this work, we focus on several completion problems for subclasses of chordal graphs: M
INIMUM
F
ILL
-I
N
, I
NTERVAL
C
OMPLETION
, P
ROPER
I
NTERVAL
C
OMPLETION
, T
RIVIALLY
P
ERFECT
C
OMPLETION
, and T
HRESHOLD
C
OMPLETION
. In these problems, the task is to add at most
k
edges to a given graph to obtain a chordal, interval, proper interval, threshold, or trivially perfect graph, respectively. We prove the following lower bounds for all these problems, as well as for the related C
HAIN
C
OMPLETION
problem:

• Assuming the Exponential Time Hypothesis, none of these problems can be solved in time 2
O
(
n
1/2
/log

c

n
) or 2

O

(
k
1/4
/log

c

k
)·
n

O
(1)

, for some integer
c
.

• Assuming the non-existence of a subexponential-time approximation scheme for M
IN
B
ISECTION
on
d
-regular graphs, for some constant
d
, none of these problems can be solved in time 2

o
(
n
)

or 2

o
√k)

}·
n

O
(1)

.

For all the aforementioned completion problems, apart from P
ROPER
I
NTERVAL
C
OMPLETION
, FPT algorithms with running time of the form 2

O
(√
k
log
k
)

·
n

O
(1)

are known. Thus, the second result proves that a significant improvement of any of these algorithms would lead to a surprising breakthrough in the design of approximation algorithms for M
IN
B
ISECTION
.

To prove our results, we use a reduction methodology based on combining the classic approach of starting with a sparse instance of 3-S
AT
, prepared using the Sparsification Lemma, with the existence of almost linear-size Probabilistically Checkable Proofs. Apart from our main results, we also obtain lower bounds excluding the existence of subexponential algorithms for the O
PTIMUM
L
INEAR
A
RRANGEMENT
problem, as well as improved, yet still not tight, lower bounds for F
EEDBACK
A
RC
S
ET
IN
T
OURNAMENTS
.
Transgenic and Diet-Enhanced Silk Production for Reinforced Biomaterials: A Metamaterial Perspective
Authors: Leem Jung Woo , Fraser Malcolm J. , Kim Young L.
Published: March 2020

Silk fibers, which are protein-based biopolymers produced by spiders and silkworms, are fascinating biomaterials that have been extensively studied for numerous biomedical applications. Silk fibers often have remarkable physical and biological properties that typical synthetic materials do not exhibit. These attributes have prompted a wide variety of silk research, including genetic engineering, biotechnological synthesis, and bioinspired fiber spinning, to produce silk proteins on a large scale and to further enhance their properties. In this review, we describe the basic properties of spider silk and silkworm silk and the important production methods for silk proteins. We discuss recent advances in reinforced silk using silkworm transgenesis and functional additive diets with a focus on biomedical applications. We also explain that reinforced silk has an analogy with metamaterials such that user-designed atypical responses can be engineered beyond what naturally occurring materials offer. These insights into reinforced silk can guide better engineering of superior synthetic biomaterials and lead to discoveries of unexplored biological and medical applications of silk.
Comprehensive identification of signaling pathways for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Liu Bingxun , Zhu Liping , Yuan Ping , Marsboom Glenn , Hong Zhigang , Liu Jinming , Zhang Peng , Hu Qinghua
Published: March 2020

Whole exome sequencing (WES) was used in the research of familial pulmonary arterial hypertension (FPAH). CAV1 and KCNK3 were found as two novel candidate genes of FPAH. However, few pathogenic genes were identified in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). We conducted WES in 20 unrelated IPAH patients who did not carry the known PAH-pathogenic variants among BMPR2, CAV1, KCNK3, SMAD9, ALK1, and ENG. We found a total of 4,950 variants in 3,534 genes, including 4,444 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and 506 insertions/deletions (InDels). Through the comprehensive and multilevel analysis, we disclosed several novel signaling cascades significantly connected to IPAH, including variants related to cadherin signaling pathway, dilated cardiomyopathy, glucose metabolism, immune response, mucin-type O-glycosylation, phospholipase C (PLC)-activating G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathway, vascular contraction and generation, and voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. We also conducted validation studies in five mutant genes related to PLC-activating GPCR signaling pathway potentially involved in intracellular calcium regulation through Sanger sequencing for mutation accuracy, qRT-PCR for mRNA stability, immunofluorescence for subcellular localization, Western blotting for protein level, Fura-2 imaging for intracellular calcium, and proliferation analysis for cell function. The validation experiments showed that those variants in CCR5 and C3AR1 significantly increased the rise of intracellular calcium and the variant in CCR5 profoundly enhanced proliferative capacity of human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Thus, our study suggests that multiple genetically affected signaling pathways take effect together to cause the formation of IPAH and the development of right heart failure and may further provide new therapy targets or putative clues for the present treatments such as limited therapeutic effectiveness of Ca2+ channel blockers.
Visual Information flow in Wilson-Cowan networks
Authors: Gomez Villa Alexander , Bertalmío Marcelo , Malo Jesus
Published: March 2020

In this work we study the communication efficiency of a psychophysically-tuned cascade of Wilson-Cowan and Divisive Normalization layers that simulate the retina-V1 pathway. This is the first analysis of Wilson-Cowan networks in terms of multivariate total correlation. The parameters of the cortical model have been derived through the relation between the steady state of the Wilson-Cowan model and the Divisive Normalization model.Efficiency has been analyzed in two ways: First, we provide an analytical expression for the reduction of the total correlation among the responses of a V1-like population after the Wilson-Cowan interaction. Second, we empirically study the efficiency with visual stimuli and statistical tools that were not available before: (1) a recent, radiometrically calibrated, set of natural scenes, and (2) a recent technique to estimate the multivariate total correlation in bits from sets of visual responses which only involves univariate operations, thus giving better redundancy estimates.The theoretical and the empirical results show that although this cascade of layers was not optimized for statistical independence in any way, the redundancy between the responses gets substantially reduced along the pathway. Specifically, we show that (1) the efficiency of a Wilson-Cowan network is similar to its equivalent Divisive Normalization, (2) while initial layers (Von-Kries adaptation and Weber-like brightness) contribute to univariate equalization, the bigger contributions to the reduction in total correlation come from the nonlinear local contrast and the local oriented filters, and (3) psychophysically-tuned models are more efficient in the more populated regions of the luminance-contrast plane. These results are an alternative confirmation of the Efficient Coding Hypothesis for the Wilson-Cowan systems. And from an applied perspective, they suggest that neural field models could be an option in image coding to perform image compression.
Separating neural influences from peripheral mechanics: the speed-curvature relation in mechanically constrained actions
Authors: Hermus James , Doeringer Joseph , Sternad Dagmar , Hogan Neville
Published: March 2020

Physically interacting with kinematic constraints is commonplace in everyday actions. We report a study of humans turning a crank, a circular constraint that imposes constant hand path curvature and hence should suppress variations of hand speed due to the power-law speed-curvature relation widely reported for unconstrained motions. Remarkably, we found that, when peripheral biomechanical factors are removed, a speed-curvature relation reemerges, indicating that it is, at least in part, of neural origin.
Zoonotic Gastrointestinal Parasites of Baboons (Papio anubis) in the Shai Hill Reserve in Ghana
Authors: Larbi John Asiedu , Akyeampong Stephen , Abubakari Amina , Offei Addo Seth , Okoto Dinah , Hanson Henry
Published: March 2020

Several intestinal parasites of baboons are of zoonotic importance, especially where there is considerable interaction between the baboons and humans. The identification of gastrointestinal parasite infections of baboons (Papio anubis) was undertaken at the Shai Hills Reserve Resort, Ghana. A total of 51 faecal samples were collected randomly from individual baboons (51) and examined for cysts, eggs, and larvae of parasites of medical importance, using the direct saline smear and formol‐ether concentration technique. The baboons were in 7 troops and were grouped into juveniles, subadults, and adults. The survey showed that 92% of the baboon samples examined were infected with at least one or more parasite(s) of medical importance. Hookworm had the highest prevalence of 38.39% followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (22.32%), whilst Diphyllobotrium latum recorded the lowest prevalence of 0.89%. Adults had the highest prevalence of A. lumbricoides (35.42%). Hookworm (47.92%) occurred most in the juveniles. This is the first report of intestinal parasitic infection in baboons within the Shai Hills Reserve. The results showed a high level of multiparasitism in the nonhuman primates, thus the need for possible interventions to maintain ecosystem health and control the infections as they may be a potential source of transmission to humans.
An Ignored Wind Generates More Electricity: A Solar Updraft Tower to a Wind Solar Tower
Authors: Watanabe Koichi , Fukutomi Sho , Ohya Yuji , Uchida Takanori
Published: March 2020

A solar updraft tower is one of the wind power generation plants which utilizes solar energy. The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether the tower was also able to utilize crosswind energy. Wind tunnel experiments and numerical simulations were conducted simulating the crosswind. The results showed that suctioned updraft speed in the tower was proportional to the crosswind speed, and its conversion rate depended on the tower configuration. A diffuser-shaped tower with a vortex generator achieved to produce the updraft whose speed exceeded the crosswind speed. It was due to the low pressure created by the vortex atop the tower and to the diffuser effect. The crosswind utilization enables the simple power generation device to generate electricity during the night, and the hybrid utilization of renewable energies contributes to the increasing wind energy market.
Clinical Examination and Self-Reported Upper Extremity Impairments in Patients with Long-Standing Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Gutefeldt Kerstin , Lundstedt Simon , Thyberg Ingrid S. M. , Bachrach-Lindström Margareta , Arnqvist Hans J. , Spångeus Anna
Published: March 2020

Aim. The aims of the current study were (1) to determine the prevalence of upper extremity impairments (UEIs) in patients with type 1 diabetes by clinical investigation; (2) to investigate if self-reported impairments were concordant with clinical findings and if key questions could be identified; and (3) to investigate if answers to our self-reported questionnaire regarding UEIs are reliable. Methods. Patients with type 1 diabetes were invited to participate in a cross-sectional study of clinical and self-reported (12 items) UEIs in adjunction to ordinary scheduled clinical visit. Before the visit, a questionnaire on UEIs was filled in twice (test-retest) followed by clinical testing at the planned visit. Results. In total, 69 patients aged 45±14 years and with diabetes duration 26±15 were included in the study. In the clinical examination, two-thirds (65%) of the patients showed one or more UEI, with failure to perform hand against back as the most common clinical finding (40%) followed by positive Phalen’s test (27%), Tinel’s test (26%), and Prayer’s sign (24%). UEIs observed by clinical examination were often bilateral, and multiple impairments often coexisted. Self-reported shoulder stiffness was associated with impaired shoulder mobility and with Prayer’s sign. Self-reported reduced hand strength was associated to lower grip force, Prayer’s sign, trigger finger, fibrosis string structures, and reduced thenar strength as well as reduced shoulder mobility. In addition, self-reporting previous surgery of carpal tunnel and trigger finger was associated with several clinical UEIs including shoulder, hand, and finger. The test-retest of the questionnaire showed a high agreement of 80-98% for reported shoulder, hand, and finger impairments. Conclusion. UEIs are common in type 1 diabetes. Self-reported shoulder stiffness and reduced hand strength might be used to capture patients with UEIs in need of clinical investigation and enhanced preventive and therapeutic strategies, as well as rehabilitative interventions.
Adaptive Control Design for Human Handwriting Process Based on Electromyography Signals
Authors: Mahmoud Imane , Chihi Ines , Abdelkrim Afef
Published: March 2020

The most used control approaches of hand prosthesis are based on the forearm muscle activities, named ElectroMyoGraphy signal (EMG). In this sense, researchers modeled the hand writing on the plane only from two EMG signals. Based on this analysis, we can consider the hand as a robot with two arms (two degrees of freedom) moving on (x, y) plane. However, these signals are very sensitive to many disturbances and are generally unpredictable in time, type, and level. Based on forearm EMG signals, this work aims to propose an adaptive hand-robot control design to generate handwriting. As a first step, we develop the application of the classic proportional integral structure (PI). The PI controller was applied to generate different essays of handwritten graphic traces in one-writer case and multiwriter case. Both cases have presented unsatisfactory results in generating cursive letters and forms. Indeed, we propose, as a second approach, an adaptive PI controller with varying Integral Ki gain, according to EMG signals, in order to deal with operation changes.
Second Trimester Heterotopic Triplet Pregnancy with Intrauterine Twin Pregnancy and Ruptured Interstitial Pregnancy: A Maternal Near-Miss Case Report
Authors: Nkurunziza Charles , Rurangwa Theogene , Ngendahimana Vincent , Magriples Urania
Published: March 2020

Heterotopic pregnancy is defined as the occurrence of simultaneous intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancies. It is a rare, potentially life-threatening condition and infrequent in natural conceptions. Here, we report a case of spontaneous heterotopic triplet pregnancy with ruptured cornual ectopic pregnancy and simultaneous twin intrauterine pregnancies at 18 weeks of gestation. The event led to miscarriage of all fetuses from both the ectopic and the intrauterine twin pregnancies.
Optimization of Equivalent Source Configuration for an Independent-Equivalent Source Method in Half-Space Sound Field
Authors: Jing Wen-Qian , Wu Huawei , Nie Jin-Quan
Published: March 2020

In the situation that vibrating objects are located above a reflecting plane, an independent-equivalent source method (I-ESM) regards the reflections due to the plane as being radiated by equivalent sources placed under the plane and then the half-space sound field is reconstructed by matching the measured pressure with the equivalent sources distributed within the vibrating object and those substituting for reflections. But, this method heavily depends on the equivalent source configuration and may obtain bad reconstruction results if the equivalent sources are arranged incorrectly. This paper deals with the optimization of the equivalent source configuration to ensure I-ESM always perform well. Through numerical simulations and experiments, the influence of equivalent source configurations on the reconstruction accuracy was studied and optimal configurations were acquired and confirmed.
Health Behaviors among Male and Female University Students in Cambodia: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Sok Say , Pal Khuondyla , Tuot Sovannary , Yi Rosa , Chhoun Pheak , Yi Siyan
Published: March 2020

Students go through a transition when they enter university, which involves major individual and contextual changes in every domain of life that may lead to several behavioral and health problems. This study examined a wide range of health behaviors and practices among 1,359 male and female students recruited from two public universities in Cambodia using a multistage cluster sampling method. Health-related information in different domains were collected using a structured questionnaire. We compared the variables in male and female students. Of the total, 50.8% were male and the mean age was 21.3 (SD = 2.3) years. The majority (79.5%) reported not having any vigorous-intensity activities, 25.9% not having moderate-intensity activities, and 33.5% not having walked continuously for 10 min over the last week. More than one-third (38.3%) reported drinking alcohol, 1.1% smoking tobacco, and 0.4% using an illicit drug in the past 12 months. About one in ten (10.6%) reported having sexual intercourse; of whom, 42.4% reported not using a condom in the last intercourse, and the mean number of sexual partners was 2.1 (SD = 2.4) in the past 12 months. Only 7.1% reported having been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the past 12 months; of whom, 60% sought for treatment for the most recent STI. About one-third (33.6%) reported eating fast food at least once over the last week. More than half (55.6%) had one to two servings of fruits or vegetables daily, and 9.9% did not eat any fruits or vegetables over the last week. Gender differences were observed in physical activities, dietary intakes, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and sexual behaviors. Findings from this study indicate that public health and education policies should promote healthy behaviors among university students. The interventions may take advantage of and expand upon the positive health behaviors and consider gender differences.
Soil Water Contents Control the Responses of Dissolved Nitrogen Pools and Bacterial Communities to Freeze‐Thaw in Temperate Soils
Authors: Jiang Nan , Juan Yinghua , Tian Lulu , Chen Xiaodong , Sun Wentao , Chen Lijun
Published: March 2020

Background. Freeze‐thaw influences soil‐dissolved nitrogen (N) pools due to variations in bacterial communities in temperate regions. The availability of soil water is important to soil biogeochemical cycles under frozen conditions. However, it is unclear how soil water content (SWC) mediates the effects of freeze‐thaw on soil‐dissolved N pools and bacterial communities. Method. In this study, freeze‐thaw microcosms were incubated at three levels of SWC, including 10% (air‐dried soils), 15% (natural SWC), and 30% (wet soils). In addition to measuring soil‐dissolved N pools, variations in bacterial communities were examined using high‐throughput sequencing. Results and Conclusions. Total dissolved N (TDN), NO3-‐N, NH4+‐N, microbial biomass N (MBN), and net N mineralization rate (NNMR) were significantly influenced by SWC, freeze‐thaw, and their interaction (NH4+‐N excluded). N immobilization was inhibited under both low and high SWC, which was accompanied by varied bacterial community composition. However, only higher SWC substantially modified the freeze‐thaw effects on the soil‐dissolved N pools, characterized by a decrease in N mineralization (especially for the content of NO3-‐N and NNMR) and an increase in N immobilization (MBN). These scenarios could be significantly correlated to variations in bacterial community composition based on redundancy analysis, especially by species belonging to Bacteroidetes, Nitrospirae, Alphaproteobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and Verrucomicrobia (Spearman’s correlations). In conclusion, bacterial species passed through biotic (bacterial species) and abiotic filters (soil N pools) in response to freeze‐thaw under varied SWC.
A Study on the Strengthening Performance of Concrete Beam by Fiber‐Reinforced Polyurea (FRPU) Reinforcement
Authors: Song Jun-Hyuk , Lee Eun-Taik , Eun Hee-Chang
Published: March 2020

Polyurea coating helps improve the ductility and toughness of structural members. A fiber‐reinforced polyurea (FRPU) composite provides high load‐carrying capacity and is applied by simply spraying it onto the member surface. Unlike existing reinforcement approaches, the FRPU coating method can prevent the ductility of concrete beams from deteriorating and the concrete surface from debonding. In this study, 20 concrete beams were tested with respect to their load‐carrying capacity and flexural ductility using polyurea or FRPU reinforcement. The test variables included the type of reinforcing fibers, coating thickness, and weight‐to‐content ratio of the fibers in the FRPU. Moreover, the load‐carrying capacity and mechanical behavior of all specimens were compared according to the content of the steel fibers, milled glass fibers, or carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Specimens reinforced using polyurea or FRPU were confirmed to retain the load‐carrying capacity and flexural ductility to a certain degree after concrete failure at the tension face of the midspan section. The concrete beams ultimately failed through the fracture of polyurea or FRPU without debonding. Experiments were conducted to illustrate the strengthening effect by FRPU and determine its superiority.
A Pooling Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Susceptibility Loci and Signaling Pathways of Immune Thrombocytopenia in Chinese Han Population
Authors: Xu Yanmei , Li Jing , Yang Wentao , Tang Xiaoli , Huang Bo , Liu Jing , Lin Jin , Zhang Jing , Yang Weiming , Li Shuqi , Sun Fan , Deng Libin , Wang Xiaozhong
Published: March 2020

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired bleeding disease due to immune-mediated destruction of antilogous platelets and ineffective thrombopoiesis. Although the etiology of ITP remains unknown, genetic variants are thought to predispose individuals to the disease. Several candidate gene analyses have identified several loci that increased ITP susceptibility, but no systematic genetic analysis on a genome-wide scope. To extend the genetic evidence and to identify novel candidates of ITP, we performed a pooling genome-wide association study (GWAS) by IlluminaHumanOmniZhongHua-8 combining pathway analysis in 200 ITP cases and 200 controls from Chinese Han population (CHP). The results revealed that 4 novel loci (rs117503120, rs5998634, rs4483616, and rs16866133) were strongly associated with ITP (P<1.0×10−7). Expect for rs4483616, other three loci were validated by the TaqMan probe genotyping assay (P<0.05) in another cohort including 250 ITP cases and 250 controls. And rs5998634 T allele was more sensitive to glucocorticoids for ITP patients (χ2=7.30, P<0.05). Moreover, we identified three overrepresented signaling pathways including the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, pathways in cancer, and the JAK-STAT pathway, which involved in the etiology of ITP. In conclusion, our results revealed four novel loci and three pathways related to ITP and provided new clues to explore the pathogenesis of ITP.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Key Pathways and Hormone Activities Involved in Early Microtuber Formation of Dioscorea opposita
Authors: Li Junhua , Zhao Xiting , Dong Yahui , Li Shujie , Yuan Jiaojiao , Li Chenglong , Zhang Xiaoli , Li Mingjun
Published: March 2020

Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita) is an important tuberous crop used for both food and medicine. Despite a long history of cultivation, the understanding of D. opposita genetics and molecular biology remains scant, which has limited its genetic improvement. This work presents a de novo transcriptome sequencing analysis of microtuber formation in D. opposita. We assembled cDNA libraries from different stages during the process of microtuber formation, designated as initial explants (EXP), axillary bud proliferation after three weeks (BUD), and microtuber visible after four weeks (MTV). More differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and pathways were identified between BUD vs. EXP than in MTV vs. BUD, indicating that proliferation of the axillary bud is the key stage of microtuber induction. Gene classification and pathway enrichment analysis showed that microtuber formation is tightly coordinated with primary metabolism, such as amino acid biosynthesis, ribosomal component biosynthesis, and starch and sucrose metabolism. The formation of the microtuber is regulated by a variety of plant hormones, including ABA. Combined with analysis of physiological data, we suggest that ABA positively regulates tuberization in D. opposita. This study will serve as an empirical foundation for future molecular studies and for the propagation of D. opposita germplasm in field crops.
Characterization of Nutritional, Antinutritional, and Mineral Contents of Thirty-Five Sorghum Varieties Grown in Ethiopia
Authors: Tasie Masresha Minuye , Gebreyes Belay Gezahegn
Published: March 2020

An experiment was carried out to characterize the proximate compositions and antinutritional and mineral contents of sorghum varieties released for production by the Ethiopian sorghum improvement programme. Sorghum is an extensively researched crop in Ethiopia. However, comprehensive information on nutritional, antinutritional, and mineral content has not been generated. In the present study, thirty-five sorghum varieties released by the national sorghum improvement programme were used and evaluated for their proximate compositions, tannin, and mineral nutrient. AOAC methods of analysis were used for proximate compositions and mineral content together, i.e., whereas for tannin, vanillin-HCL assay methods of analysis were used. Differences between sorghum varieties were significant (P≤0.05) for all measured parameters. Proximate composition values such as moisture, ash, crude fat, crude fiber, crude protein, and CHO varied from 9.66 to 12.94, 1.12 to 2.29, 2.48 to 4.60, 2.17 to 8.59, 8.20 to 16.48, and 67.56 to 76.42, respectively. The highest mineral content of P (367.965), Na (6.151), Mg (207.526), K (314.011), Ca (67.159), Fe (14.018), and Zn (6.484) as measured by mg/100 g was found from the varieties Macia, Abshir, Chiro, Birmash, Dagem, and Assossa-1 (Fe and Zn), respectively. Maximum tannin values of 3337.200 and 2474.7 mg/100 g were obtained from Lalo and Dano, respectively. The varieties such as Miskir, Abshir, ESH-1, Meko-1, Red Swazi, and Karimtams have higher nutritional and mineral and lower antinutritional values among the tested varieties. The abovementioned varieties should be considered for food product development due to their nutritional qualities.
Epigenome, Transcriptome, and Protection by Sulforaphane at Different Stages of UVB-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis
Authors: Li Shanyi , Yang Yuqing , Sargsyan Davit , Wu Renyi , Yin Ran , Kuo Hsiao-Chen Dina , Yang Irene , Wang Lujing , Cheng David , Ramirez Christina N. , Hudlikar Rasika , Lu Yaoping , Kong Ah-Ng
Published: March 2020

Sulforaphane (SFN), a potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent, has been shown to protect against cancers especially at early stages. However, how SFN affects UVB-mediated epigenome/DNA methylome and transcriptome changes in skin photodamage has not been fully assessed. Herein, we investigated the transcriptomic and DNA methylomic changes during tumor initiation, promotion, and progression and its impact and reversal by SFN using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. The results show that SFN reduced tumor incidence and tumor number. SFN's protective effects were more dramatic in the early stages than with later stages. Bioinformatic analysis of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data shows differential expressed genes and identifies the top canonical pathways related to SFN treatment of UVB-induced different stages of epidermal carcinogenesis. These pathways include p53 signaling, cell cycle: G2–M DNA damage checkpoint regulation, Th1, and Th2 activation pathway, and PTEN signaling pathways. The top upstream regulators related to UVB and SFN treatment as time progressed include dextran sulfate, TP53, NFE2L2 (Nrf2), IFNB1, and IL10RA. Bioinformatic analysis of Methyl-seq data shows several differential methylation regions induced by UVB were attenuated by SFN. These include Notch1, Smad6, Gnai3, and Apc2. Integrative analysis of RNA-seq and DNA-seq/CpG methylome yields a subgroup of genes associated with ultraviolet B (UVB) and SFN treatment. The changes in gene expression were inversely correlated with promoter CpG methylation status. These genes include Pik3cd, Matk, and Adm2. In conclusion, our study provides novel insights on the impact of SFN on the transcriptomic and DNA methylomic of UVB-induced different stages of skin cancer in mice.
IL1α Antagonizes IL1β and Promotes Adaptive Immune Rejection of Malignant Tumors
Authors: Tian Tian , Lofftus Serena , Pan Youdong , Stingley Claire A. , King Sandra L. , Zhao Jingxia , Pan Timothy Y. , Lock Rebecca , Marglous Jacob W. , Liu Kevin , Widlund Hans R. , Fuhlbrigge Robert C. , Cichowski Karen , Kupper Thomas S.
Published: March 2020

We assessed the contribution of IL1 signaling molecules to malignant tumor growth using IL1β−/−, IL1α−/−, and IL1R1−/− mice. Tumors grew progressively in IL1R−/− and IL1α−/− mice but were often absent in IL1β−/− mice. This was observed whether tumors were implanted intradermally or injected intravenously and was true across multiple distinct tumor lineages. Antibodies to IL1β prevented tumor growth in wild-type (WT) mice but not in IL1R1−/− or IL1α−/− mice. Antibodies to IL1α promoted tumor growth in IL1β−/− mice and reversed the tumor-suppressive effect of anti-IL1β in WT mice. Depletion of CD8+ T cells and blockade of lymphocyte mobilization abrogated the IL1β−/− tumor suppressive effect, as did crossing IL1β−/− mice to SCID or Rag1−/− mice. Finally, blockade of IL1β synergized with blockade of PD-1 to inhibit tumor growth in WT mice. These results suggest that IL1β promotes tumor growth, whereas IL1α inhibits tumor growth by enhancing T-cell–mediated antitumor immunity.
Villous Sebaceous Adenoma Arising from the Caruncular Surface Squamous Epithelium
Authors: Jakobiec Frederick A. , Cortes Barrantes Paula , Milman Tatyana
Published: March 2020

A 68-year-old woman developed an asymptomatic left caruncular multilobular lesion over one year. Excision of the lesion displayed a benign sebaceous neoplasm taking origin from the surface squamous epithelium which invaginated into the stroma to create crypts resembling the conjunctival pseudoglands of Henle or the glands of Lieberkuhn of the small intestine. Scattered sebaceous cells were also discovered in the surface squamous epithelium. The cryptal walls spawned lateral sebaceous gland lobules that were adipophilin positive. p16 was positive in the surface epithelium, the cryptal walls, and in the basal cells of the sebaceous lobules. No defects in nuclear mismatch repair protein expression were identified, which together with the absence of a familial cancer history, rendered unlikely an association with the Muir-Torre syndrome.
A Classification Proposal for Adenomyosis Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Kobayashi Hiroshi , Matsubara Sho
Published: March 2020

There is a lack of an international consensus on adenomyosis classification that is useful for clinical practice and research. This article reviews advancements in the classification of adenomyosis, and the existing limitations. We collected a literature search from PubMed and Embase database up to March 2019. The proposed adenomyosis classification is based on magnetic resonance imaging and clinically relevant parameters. Adenomyosis is not a disease of homogeneity but is composed of multiple heterogeneous subtypes. Adenomyosis represents a spectrum of lesions, ranging from increased thickness of the junctional zone to focal or diffuse lesions involving the entire uterine wall. Potentially important parameters to be included in the classification could be affected area (internal or external adenomyosis), pattern (focal or diffuse), size or volume (myometrial involvement <1/3, <2/3, or >2/3 of uterine wall), concomitant pathologies (none, peritoneal endometriosis, ovarian endometrioma, deep infiltrating endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or others) and localization (anterior, posterior, left lateral, right lateral, or fundal). We propose a simplified classification system to monitor symptom severity against morphological types or extent of adenomyosis using the combination of previously published classifications as a starting point. More studies are needed to investigate whether this classification represents a useful tool for disease assessment in clinical practice and research.
A Unique Case of Acquired Hemophilia A Presenting with Transient Ischemic Attack
Authors: Beauverd Yan , Boehlen Françoise , Fisch Loraine , Sztajzel Roman , Fontana Pierre , Casini Alessandro
Published: March 2020

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare but serious condition, usually associated with significant spontaneous or traumatic bleeding and a high mortality rate. In this report, we describe the case of an elderly patient presenting a transient ischemic attack concurrently with AHA. A thrombotic event in AHA is occasionally associated with the use of bypassing agents for treatment, but a spontaneous thrombotic event has not ever been described.
Expression Profile of Chicken Sex Chromosome Gene BTF3 is Linked to Gonadal Phenotype
Authors: Liu Long , Fan Yanfeng , Zhao Debiao , Ioannidis Jason , Gong Daoqing , Clinton Michael
Published: March 2020

In birds, the female is heterogametic (ZW) and the male homogametic (ZZ). The small W chromosome comprises only 28 protein coding genes (homologues to Z chromosome counterparts) and a number of repeat regions. Here, we report our analysis of one of these genes, BTF3 (basic transcription factor 3), which exhibits differential expression during gonadogenesis. We measured RNA levels of both Z and W homologues and BTF3 protein levels in male and female gonads during development of the chicken embryo. In addition, BTF3 RNA and protein levels were compared in female gonads (ovary) and in female gonads following treatment to induce sex reversal (testis). Combined BTF3 RNA levels were higher in female gonads than male gonads, while BTF3-Z was expressed at similar levels in males and females. Surprisingly, BTF3 protein levels were higher in male gonads than female gonads at embryonic day 6 (E6), suggesting translational rather than transcriptional regulation. BTF3 protein was expressed in both somatic and germ cells and was restricted to the medulla of the developing ovary in females and the sex cords of the developing testis in males. In addition, in gonadal sex-reversed females, RNA and protein levels of BTF3 were similar to those normally found in male gonads, suggesting that BTF3 expression correlated with the gonadal phenotype.
Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Patients with Breast Cancer Based on Clinical and Evolving Oncotype DX Criteria
Authors: Zekri Jamal , Al-Foheidi Meteb , Alata Maaz , Zabani Reem , Rasmy Ayman
Published: March 2020

Introduction: Oncotype DX assay recurrence score (ODX-RS) cut-off values have recently changed after the publication of the TAILOR-X trial results. We aim to explore decisions for adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) based on physicians’ clinical assessment and the evolving ODX-RS. Methodology: Patients who underwent ODX testing after curative surgical resection of estrogen receptor positive (ER+), Her2 non-overexpressed (Her2–) and lymph node-negative (LN–) breast cancer (BC) were eligible. Management of these patients was guided by the results of the old ODX-RS-1 (<18, 18–30, and ≥31) risk grouping. For the purpose of this study, treatment decisions were also assumed according to TAILOR-X results (ODX-RS-2). Decisions of 3 medical oncologists on ACT were solicited by blinding them to the RS to investigate concordance with ODXA RS-1 and 2 recommendations. Results: Sixty-six consecutive patients were included. Median age was 50.5 (range: 21–73) years. There was 1 male patient, and 37/65 females (56.9%) were premenopausal. Among the 3 oncologists, recommendations for ACT based on clinical assessment were discrepant in 29 (43.9%) patients. Based on majority consensus (≥2 oncologists), ACT would have been recommended to 22/41 (53.7%) and 22/46 (47.82%) patients with low-risk tumors according to ODX-RS-1 and ODX-RS-2, respectively. Compared to ODX-RS-1, ODX-RS-2 identifies 12% (46 vs. 41) more low-risk patients and 66% (20 vs. 12 patients) more high-risk patients. Conclusion: Overtreatment and discrepancies in the management of patients with ER+/Her2–/LN– early BC can be minimized by the implementation of ODX genomic assay. Some differences in ACT recommendations exist between ODX-RS-1 and ODX-RS-2.