bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comportamento hidro-erosivo de depósitos sedimentares da Formação Macacu situados na Ilha do Governador-RJ
Authors: Portocarrero Hugo , Campos Tácio Mauro Pereira de , Andrade Aluísio Granato de , Brizzi Raphael Rodrigues
Published: July 2021

A Ilha do Governador, inserida no contexto do Grábenda Guanabara, é marcada pela presença de exposições de depósitos sedimentares paleogênicos pertencentes à Formação Macacu. Tais exposições, atualmente evidentesem cortes de estrada e antigas jazidas para extração de material terroso, apresentam elevado grau de degradação causada pela erosão hídrica, o que é constatado a partir da presença de sulcos e voçorocas.O presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar o comportamento hidro-erosivo de depósitos sedimentares da Formação Macacu expostos em uma jazidasituada na áreapatrimonial do Aeroporto Internacional do Rio de Janeiro, buscando relacionar sedimentologia, hidráulica e erodibilidade. Após a interpretação geológica das exposições de sedimentos, realizaram-se análises granulométricas e mineralógicas, ensaios de permeabilidade, avaliações dos espaços porais e ensaios de erodibilidade. Reconheceram-se cinco diferentes fácies sedimentares, lamitos arenosos e argilosos das fácies La1e La2, arenitos com estratificação cruzada acanalada das fácies Aca1e Aca2, e arenitos maciços da fácies Am. A organização em ciclos granodecrescentes e a existência de fácies lamosas laminadas a maciças e arenosas, com estratificação cruzada acanalada, linhas de seixos de quartzo e concentrações de concreções lateríticas, foram características bastante similares às encontradas tanto nos depósitos adjacentes, dentro da Ilha do Governador, como em outros depósitos da Formação Macacu. A similaridade composicional, textural, das características permoporosas e da erodibilidade das fácies Aca1, Aca2e Am,e a relativa distinção com as das fácies La1e La2possibilitaram a definição de duas zonas de comportamento hidro-erosivo homogêneo, marcadas pela presença de mecanismos específicos, de maneira análoga ao conceito de hidrofácies. A Zona I, constituída pelos lamitos, representa um aquitardo, mais erodível e menos permeável em relação às fácies arenosas, gerando formas côncavas e incisões verticais profundas, em alguns casos seguindo planos de fraturamento, laminação, ou estruturas de contração. A Zona II, constituída pelos arenitos, representa aquífero pobre com menor erodibilidade em relação à Zona I, esta última resultante da presença do cimento diagênicohematítico/goethítico, formando patamares e totens acima dos lamitos, e controlando a erosão local, cujo caminho se inicia porsulcos estreitos e profundos que, quando atingem os lamitos, avançam até maiores profundidades. As duas zonas delimitadas apresentaram característicaspermoporosas médias muito similares às obtidas para hidrofácies correlacionáveisdescritas na literatura, e em termos de erodibilidade também apresentaram grande concordância com padrões já observados.
Conectividade fluvial no Planalto Sedimentar do Araripe, semiárido brasileiro
Authors: Lima Geislam Gomes de , Marçal Mônica dos Santos , De Barros Correa Antonio Carlos
Published: July 2021

Este estudo teve por objetivo caracterizar os diferentes quadros de conectividade fluvial de uma bacia hidrográfica semiárida, na porção nordeste do planalto sedimentar do Araripe, sul do estado do Ceará. Os modelos propostos enfatizam as morfologias e ajustes em escala histórica, tendo como controles as coberturas superficiais herdadas, a dinâmica climática, a litologia, as transformações do uso da terra, assim como os processos hidrológicos intrínsecos à paisagem. Foi realizado o mapeamento de impedimentos fluviais, seguido de sua classificação, com base na distribuição entre os compartimentos de paisagem e os processos de ligação. Os tributários de primeira ordem do rio Salamanca surgem a partir do entrincheiramento de depósitos sedimentares na base da escarpa ou sobre os depósitos de tálus mais a jusante, resultando em diferentes configurações de preenchimento dos hollows e distintos cenários de evolução da paleoconectividade. Os trechos de vale em garganta, a jusante, propiciam o confinamento do fluxo,acelerando a conectividade, com predomínio da erosão vertical. O elemento de desconectividade de origem antropogênica mais expressivo na bacia do rio Salamanca é um canal artificial, parte do projeto de transposição das águas do rio São Francisco para microbacias do estado do Ceará. O canal adutor margeia o planalto sedimentar, modificando ou obstruindo o fluxo das drenagens de baixa ordem e obliterando o fluxo laminar entre as unidades de encosta e seus níveis de base. Na Depressão Periférica (Vale do Cariri), as morfologias fluviais alternam sequências de arroyos(trechos canalizados) e floodouts(trechos não-canalizados), controladas pela dinâmica de corte e preenchimento prevalente nas planícies aluviais. Dentre os controles ambientais atuantes nos cenários analisados, destacam-se a litologia da bacia sedimentar, que se reflete na alta disponibilidade de sedimentos e distribuição espacial de planíciesaluviais contínuas e descontínuas; a dinâmica de corte e preenchimento em associação ao regime hidrológico semiárido; e as mudanças de uso da terra, com substituições da pauta agrícola, expansão do espaço urbano e construção de estradas e obras hidráulicasde transposição de bacias.
Coastal MD: programa de cálculo de parâmetros adimensionais para classificação morfodinâmica de praias arenosas
Authors: Oliveira Filho Silvio Roberto , Fernandez Guilherme Borges
Published: July 2021

A classificação morfodinâmica de praias é um tema consagrado nos estudos da geomorfologia costeira. A classificação mais abrangente e referenciada na literatura científica foi desenvolvida nas praias do sudeste australiano, a partir da análise de perfis transversais e fotografias aéreas, classificando as praiascomo refletivas, dissipativas ou intermediárias, em função das características morfológicas da praia. O modelo de classificação morfodinâmica também teve seu ancoramento em determinados parâmetros empíricos, envolvendo aspectos relativos a hidrodinâmica e a sedimentação. Neste sentido, foram utilizados diferentes parâmetros adimensionais, desenvolvidos desde o final da década de 1960, para determinação da classificação morfodinâmica de praias, como o parâmetro de similaridade de surfe (?), o parâmetro de escala de surfe (ε), o parâmetro ômega (Ω), o parâmetro de amplituderelativada maré (RTR) e o parâmetro delta (Δ). O cálculo de cada um destes parâmetros adimensionais exige não somente um dispêndiode tempo, mas também um esforço para a realização do cálculo matemático, mesmo com facilidades computacionais. Neste sentido, esta nota técnica tem por objetivo apresentar o programa Coastal MD, que propõe a automatização dos cálculos para determinar a classificação morfodinâmica das praias,aumentando o desempenho relacionado ao processamento de dados de campo ou simulados, de maneira rápida e precisa.
Automated analysis of landforms of the Paraguaçu River Basin / Bahia
Authors: De Amorim Ludimila de Oliveira , De Souza Robaina Luís Eduardo , Trentin Romario
Published: July 2021

A morfologia do relevo é o resultado da ação das forças tectônicas e dos agentes da superfície terrestre que ao longo do tempo desenvolvem formas diferentes. O geoprocessamento e o SIG permitem aplicar uma proposta de classificação do relevo adaptada para o ambiente informatizado. O objetivo do trabalho é analisar o relevo da bacia hidrográfica do rio Paraguaçu, no estado da Bahia. O relevo foi caracterizado em ambiente computacional quanto às altitudes, amplitudes e declividades e os elementos de relevo foram caracterizados por meio do intercruzamento entre as litologias, altitudes e formas do relevo. Foram definidas dez unidades de relevo com base nas respectivas morfologias e morfometrias. Conclui-se que a bacia possui uma assimetria importante associada à distribuiçãodos afluentes do rio principal.
The Role of Consistence and Perceived Relevance for Sustainability of Sharia Banking
Authors: Hamid Wahyuniati , Aisjah Siti
Published: July 2021

The growth of sharia banking in Indonesia is though significant not as high as expected. The present study identifies two issues, among others, that have hampered this growth. They include consistence and perceived relevance. The study intends to find out their moderating roles on effects of fairness value and halal values on perceived competitive advantage of sharia banking. The novelties of the study lies on its enrichment of perceive value theory by bring up fairness value and halal value, and the insertion of consistence and perceived relevance constructs which could be typical issues of Indonesian consumers. Respondents are regular consumers of sharia banks in Makassar city. It applies PLS for data analysis. The results should be that fairness value and halal value have significant effects on perceived competitive advantage. Consumers who sense the existence of consistence and perceived relevance find their moderating roles on the effects fairness value and halal value on perceived competitive advantage.
Kimoyo Beads, Multiverses and Crossovers: Establishing (Re)connection in the World of Marvel’s Black Panther
Authors: Millanzi Riziki
Published: July 2021

In the Black Panther comics and film, literary plot devices, genre conventions and narrative choices are all used to examine issues of connection. From Vibranium and Kimoyo Beads to the interdisciplinary team of creators that established them, (re)connection is a vital part of the Black Panther universe, both inside and out. This article explores how Marvel’s Black Panther universe can be used to explore the threads of (re)connection that are present within our everyday lives. It establishes how connection takes place within contemporary social movements, such as Black Lives Matter, and considers how Black Panther represents this connection as an opportunity for facilitating change and progress.
Discovery of a Novel Tetrapeptide Against Influenza A Virus: Rational Design, Synthesis, Bioactivity Evaluation and Computational Studies
Authors: Scala Maria Carmina , Agamennone Mariangela , Pietrantoni Agostina , Di Sarno Veronica , Bertamino Alessia , Superti Fabiana , Campiglia Pietro , Sala Marina
Published: July 2021

Influenza is a highly contagious, acute respiratory illness, which represents one of the main health issues worldwide. Even though some antivirals are available, the alarming increase of virus strains resistant to them highlights the need to find new drugs. Previously, Superti et al. have deeper investigated the mechanism of the anti-Influenza virus effect of bovine Lactoferrin (bLf) and the role of its tryptic fragments (the N and C-lobes) in the antiviral activity. Recently, through a truncation library, we identified the tetrapeptides, SKHS (1) and SLDC (2), derived from bLf C-lobe fragment 418-429, which were able to bind hemagglutinin (HA) and inhibit cell infection in a concentration range of femto- to picomolar. Starting from these results, in this work, we initiated a systematic SAR study on the peptides mentioned above, through an Alanine scanning approach. We carried out binding affinity measurements by microscale thermophoresis (MST) and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and virus neutralization (NT) assays on synthesized peptides. Computational studies were performed to identify possible lig-and-HA interactions. Results obtained led to the identification of an interesting peptide endowed with broad anti-Influenza activity and able to inhibit viral infection to a greater extent of reference peptide.
The physiochemical properties of kefir using honey concentrations
Authors: Padauleng Meliani Anwar Andi , Maruddin Fatma , Nur Yuliati Farida , Tashi Wangdi Jamyang , Ihsan Andi Dagong Muhammad
Published: July 2021

Kefir has a sour taste and distinctive aroma. This condition affects the level of consumer acceptance. The level of consumer acceptance of kefir can be improved by adding a sweetener, namely honey. This study aims to determine the characteristics of kefir made from commercial liquid milk to total lactic acid, pH value, viscosity, organoleptic (taste and preference) panelists to kefir with the addition of honey. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD). The treatment of this research was 4 honey concentrations  (5%, 7%, 9% and without the addition of honey (0%) as a control) and was repeated 3 times. Kefir addition of honey is made in the following way: the liquid milk is sterilized at 105oC for 5 minutes and then the sterile milk is cooled down to a temperature of about 40oC. After chilling, sterile milk was inoculated with 3% (v/v) pre-propagated kefir starter and incubated at 37oC for 24 hours. Furthermore, kefir was added with honey treatment with a concentration of 5%, 7% and 9% (v/v) respectively and homogenized. Kefir honey is carried out in a series of tests including total lactic acid, acidity (pH), viscosity, organoleptic (taste and preference). The results showed that the different use of honey kefir did not change the lactic acid content. Increasing use of honey concentration causes pH value, viscosity, sweetness, and preference to increase. The best use of honey concentration in making kefir is 9%.
Fishing Quota and International Obligation: Why Has Indonesia been Indicated as a Non-Compliant State
Authors: Indriyani Rachma , Rahim Asmar Abdul , Azmi Ruzita
Published: July 2021

Indonesia committed to conserving the tuna resources by participating in some RFMOs. From all regional organizations where Indonesia has been joined, the CCSBT is the unique one, due to it governs a single tuna species, which is called Southern Bluefin Tuna. This kind of tuna is essential for Indonesia because it is the world’s most expensive tuna and SBT migrates through Indonesian fisheries management zones and goes even further within the territorial waters, where the SBT spawning area is located. This natural characteristic distinguishes Indonesia from other Parties to CCSBT. Nevertheless, the Country has been dealing with its obligation to comply with national quota allocation. For some fishing season periods, the CCSBT indicated Indonesia as a non-compliant. By applying the qualitative approach, this study considers how Indonesia’s non-compliance has been addressed in fishing for shared fish stocks. The data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews and legal analysis of law and policy instruments. This method leads the elaboration to reveal domestic factors affecting non-compliance by Indonesia. This study argues, the fisheries legislation should consider the provision concerning fishing for resources under quota system, hence, it will provide sufficient legal base to take enforcement measures towards non-compliance with fishing quota.
Mortality Before and After Border Wall Construction Along the US–Mexico Border, 1990–2017
Authors: Bruch Joseph Dov , Barin Ozlem , Venkataramani Atheendar S. , Song Zirui
Published: July 2021

Objectives. To evaluate changes in mortality in US counties along the US–Mexico border in which there was substantial new border wall construction after the Secure Fence Act of 2006 relative to border counties in which there was no such border wall construction.

Methods. Using complete 1990 to 2017 mortality microdata and a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences design, we evaluated changes in overall (all-cause) mortality, mortality from drug overdose, and mortality from homicide in the 10 counties with substantial new border wall construction and 11 counties with no such construction. We fit a linear model, adjusting for population characteristics and county and year fixed effects, with Bonferroni adjustments for multiple comparisons. Sensitivity analyses included the addition of adjacent inland counties and modifications to the statistical model.

Results. Relative to counties without substantial new border wall construction, counties in which a substantial amount of new border wall was constructed exhibited a nonsignificant 0.02-percentage-point increase (95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.06, 0.10; P > .99) in overall mortality after construction. Border wall construction was not associated with changes in either deaths from overdose or deaths from homicide.

Conclusions. Wall construction along the US–Mexico border after the Secure Fence Act of 2006 was not associated with discernible changes in mortality.
Sedimentology and reservoir architecture of a widespread siliciclastic intra-lava unit, Kangerlussuaq, East Greenland
Authors: Vosgerau Henrik , Guarnieri Pierpaolo , Weibel Rikke , Larsen Michael , Bell Brian , Sørensen Erik V. , Nøhr-Hansen Henrik
Published: July 2021

The Rosebank hydrocarbon discovery in 2004 proved that intra-lava sandstones form attractive reservoirs in the Faroe–Shetland Basin and the new volcanic play triggered the need for suitable analogues to describe and assess sedimentology, reservoir architecture, compartmentalization, and connectivity of intra-lava siliciclastic units. The onshore Kangerlussuaq Basin in East Greenland offers the opportunity to study Paleogene intra-lava siliciclastic sandstones and their interaction with lavas, on the scale of the Rosebank Field. The focus of this study is a siliciclastic-dominated intra-lava unit, 4–10 m thick, exposed in almost vertical cliff sections over distances of several kilometers. The unit reflects a short return to siliciclastic deposition following initiation of volcanic activity and extrusion of the first lava flows in the area. Deposition took place as shoreface and delta progradation in a marine-influenced, shallow embayment. Lateral variations in sedimentary facies distribution and geometry are prominent and were largely governed by an interplay of base-level variations and autocyclic processes, the surface roughness and type of substratum on which deposition took place, and differential block movements before and during deposition. Presence of local topographic barriers are of key importance and influenced the lava–sediment interaction and the resulting 3D-geometry of lava flows and sediment bodies. In addition, compartmentalization of the intra-lava sandstone unit is observed and is controlled by the offset across normal faults, intersecting dikes, and to a lesser extent by invasive and eroding lavas.

A depositional model is suggested that incorporates the detailed sedimentological and 3D photogrammetric observations and presents a possible explanation for the contrasting architecture of the intra-lava unit observed in three areas located a few kilometers apart. The model embraces the complex interplay between siliciclastic and volcanic settings and reveals important aspects to consider when recoverable volumes of hydrocarbons are estimated in intra-volcanic subsurface reservoirs in volcanic rifted margins with poor seismic imaging of the relatively thin intra-lava reservoirs.
Medios de comunicación y conflictos sociales durante la pandemia por covid-19: análisis de los enfoques presentes en la prensa de Lima durante las protestas contra el gobierno interino de Manuel Merino (2020)
Authors: Angulo-Giraldo Miguel , Bolo - Varela Oswaldo
Published: July 2021

América Latina vivió un conjunto de masivas manifestaciones sociales durante los últimos años con distintas repercusiones políticas. En el Perú, entre octubre y noviembre de 2020, el 13% de los peruanos se movilizó en las calles por un conflicto social ocasionado por la vacancia del presidente Martín Vizcarra y el nombramiento de un nuevo presidente. Los medios de comunicación peruanos pusieron en agenda esta situación; sin embargo, se evidenció una diferencia en la forma de enfocar este conflicto e interpretarlo hacia la ciudadanía. Desde un enfoque descriptivo, transversal, no experimental y de enfoque mixto, se analizan 53 portadas de los diarios más consumidos en Perú (El Comercio, La República, Trome y El Popular), a partir de las cuales se evidencia la presencia mayoritaria de un enfoque periodístico de amenaza y de oposición, y la nula aparición de un frame que promueva el diálogo con el fin de transformar dicho conflicto.
Pandemia global, crisis económica y política
Authors: Mora Ramirez Rafael Félix
Published: July 2021

En este trabajo se estudia el tema de la pandemia y sus consecuencias sociales, políticas y económicas. Su objetivo es analizar la situación actual y se basa en la recopilación e interpretación de textos filosóficos. El principal aporte del presente ensayo es el de criticar los aspectos más problemáticos del capitalismo que han salido a relucir a raíz de esta crisis. Así, se inicia exponiendo el control bajo el cual se encuentra la vida humana en la actualidad. En este escenario, el autoritarismo se asoma desestabilizando toda posible democracia. Luego, se mostró los errores del capitalismo y, enseguida, se revisa el evidente conflicto entre valores vitales y económicos que se ha producido. Finalmente, se analiza el consumismo de esta sociedad.
Enfim chegando ao ponto de partida: Caminhos que me levaram ao ProfEPT
Authors: Silva Denise
Published: July 2021

Memorial acadêmico apresentado no Mestrado em Educaçâo Profissional e Tecnológica.
Genome-wide detection and quantitation of RNA distribution by ChIRC13a-seq
Authors: Yang Fan , Tanasa Bogdan , Micheletti Rudi , Ohgi Kenneth A. , Aggarwal Aneel K. , Rosenfeld Michael G.
Published: July 2021

Eukaryotic genome are transcribed extensively, but a majority of transcripts remain functionally uncharacterized. This is most ascribed to lacking of a potent RNA-centric technology that is capable of accurately quantitating putative genomic binding sites for endogenous RNAs. We describe here a detailed protocol for Chromatin Isolation by RNA-Cas13a Complex sequencing (ChIRC13a-seq), based on recently discovered CRISPR-Cas13a from Leptotrichia wadei (LwaCas13a), for profiling of RNA associated chromatin binding cites. ChIRC13a-seq employs biotinylated, enzymatically-dead Cas13a (dCas13a) that is still capable of binding target RNA and guide RNAs (gRNAs) specific for the RNA target of interest to enrich RNA and its chromatin binding sites. This assay can be performed in standard molecular biology laboratories with 2 d taken for ChIRC13a-seq library preparation.
A Model for a Practical Evaluation of a DASH-based Rate Adaptive Algorithm over HTTP.
Authors: Younus Muhammad Usman , Shafi Rabia
Published: July 2021

The proliferation of multimedia devices and user-generated content has driven massive growth in Internet traffic for video streaming. There is a dire need to propose solutions that can pose challenging multimedia streaming issues to achieve a user’s quality. Dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (DASH) improves the user’s quality through practical systems with limited bandwidth that enables the streaming media to run smoothly. This modern technology can easily improve user perception and defines the media presentation description (MPD) in terms of URL, content file, etc. The proposed adaptation algorithm attempts to determine the optimal solution to alleviate the conflict between maximizing the video quality and avoiding buffer stalls. We evaluate the proposed algorithm against alternative solutions such as ALDASH and FDASH for video content by taking into account the video bitrate, buffer level, and video bitrate switches for the single-user environment. A set of experiments have been conducted to investigate and analyze the benefits of our proposed algorithm. A network simulator NS-3 is used to conduct the performance evaluation by our proposed algorithm. Furthermore, simulation results show that our proposed algorithm enhances video quality performance compared to ALDASH and FDASH in terms of user satisfaction. Last but not least, the experimental results of our proposed algorithm can provide high viewer quality in adaptive streaming as compared to ALDASH and FDASH.
Cryoprotective Effect of Pentoxifylline on Spermatogonial Stem Cell During Transplantation into Azoospermic Torsion Mouse Model
Authors: malekzadeh mehrnoush , Takzaree Nasrin , toolee heidar , kazemzadeh shokoofe , khanmohammadi Nasrin , Solhjoo Somayeh , Sadeghiani Ghazaleh , shabani maryam , Rastegar Tayebeh
Published: July 2021

Preserving the spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in long periods of time during the treatment of male infertility using stem cell banking systems and transplantation is an important issue. Therefore, this study was conducted to develop an optimal cryopreservation protocol for SSCs using 10 mM pentoxifylline (PTX) as an antioxidant in basal freezing medium. Testicular torsion - a mouse model for long-term infertility- was used to transplant fresh SSCs (n = 6), fresh SSCs treated with PTX (n = 6), cryopreserved SSCs with basal freezing medium (n = 6) and cryopreserved SSCs treated with PTX (n = 6). Eight weeks after germ cell transplantation, samples were assessed for proliferation, through evaluation of Ddx4 and Id4 markers, and differentiation via evaluation of C-Kit and Sycp3, Tnp1, Tnp2, and Prm1 markers. According to morphological and flow cytometry results, SSCs are able to form colonies and express Gfra1, ID4, α6‐integrin and β1‐integrin markers. We found positive influence from PTX on proliferative and differentiative markers in SSCs transplanted to azoospermic mice. In the recipient testis, donor SSCs formed spermatogenic colonies and sperm. Respecting these data, adding pentoxifylline is a practical way to precisely cryopreserve germ cells enriched for SSCs in cryopreservation, and this procedure could become an efficient method to restore fertility in a clinical setup. However, more studies are needed to ensure its safety in the long term.
Secure Multi-Label Tumor Classification Using Homomorphic Encryption
Authors: Hong Seungwan , Park Jai Hyun , Cho Wonhee , Choe Hyeongmin , Cheon Jung Hee
Published: July 2021

Background: In a secure genome analysis competition called iDASH 2020, the homomorphic encryption task was to develop a multi-label tumor classification method for predicting the classes of samples based on genetic information. The scenario is that a data holder encrypts a genetic variant dataset from tumor samples and provides the encrypted data to an untrusted server. Then, the server evaluates homomorphically encrypted data in its model which is trained in plaintext using the published data or own genetic data and outputs the result in an encrypted state so that there is no leakage of genetic information. Methods: We develop a secure multi-label tumor classification method using the CKKS scheme, the approximate homomorphic encryption scheme. We first propose a new data preprocessing method to reduce the size of large-scale genetic data of tumor samples. Our method aims to analyze the dataset from iDASH 2020 competition track I, which originated from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset, which consists of 2,713 samples from 11 types of cancers, genetic features from more than 25,000 genes. Secondly, we propose the new data packing method for CKKS ciphertext to provide a trade-off between the number of ciphertexts and the number of rotations in matrix multiplication. Lastly, we suggest the approximation method for softmax activation of a neural network model.Results: Our preprocessing method reduces the number of genes from more than 25,000 to 2048 or less and achieves a microAUC value of 0.9865 with a 1-layer shallow neural network. Using our model, we successfully compute the tumor classification inference steps on the encrypted test data in 4.5 minutes. Despite using the approximate softmax function, the difference in microAUC value from our implementation results in the encrypted state is less than 10-3 compared to the plain result.Conclusions: We present preprocessing and evaluation methods for secure multi-label tumor classification based on approximate homomorphic encryption using a shallow neural network model with the softmax activation function.
On The Exact Counting of Tree-Child Networks
Authors: Pons Miquel , Batle Josep
Published: July 2021

The combinatorial study of phylogenetic networks has attracted much attention in recent times. In particular, one class of them, the so-called tree-child networks, are becoming the most prominent ones. However, their combinatorial properties are largely unknown. In this paper we address the problem of exactly counting them. We conjecture a bijection with a certain class of words, and from this assumption a simple recurrence formula arises. It is able to determine the number of all subclasses, as well as a direct formula, a simple enumeration procedure and precise
asympotics. Our results coincide with all currently proved formulas for particular subclasses of tree-child networks, as well as with numerical results obtained for small networks. Since, as we will show, working with words greatly simplies the problem, we expect to contribute to further combinatoric characterizations of this class of networks.
Gene Deletion Algorithms for Minimum Reaction Network Design by Mixed-integer Linear Programming for Metabolite Production in Constraint-based Models: gDel_minRN
Authors: Tamura Takeyuki , Muto-Fujita Ai , Tohsato Yukako , Kosaka Tomoyuki
Published: July 2021

Background: Genome-scale constraint-based metabolic networks play an important role in the simulation of growth coupling, which means that cell growth and target metabolite production are simultaneously achieved. To achieve growth coupling, a minimal reaction-network-based design is known to be effective. However, the obtained reaction networks often fail to be realized by gene deletions due to conflicts with gene-protein-reaction relations.Results: Here, we developed gDel_minRN that determines gene deletion strategies using mixed-integer linear programming to achieve growth coupling by repressing the maximum number of reactions via gene-protein-reaction relations. Computational experiments were conducted in which gDel_minRN was applied to iML1515, a genome-scale model of Escherichia coli. The target metabolites were three vitamins that are highly valuable and require cost-effective bioprocesses for economics and the environment. gDel_minRN successfully calculated gene deletion strategies that achieve growth coupling for the production of biotin (vitamin B7), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and pantothenate (vitaminB5).Conclusion: Since gDel_minRN calculates a constraint-based model of the minimum number of gene-associated reactions without conflict with gene-protein-reaction relations, it helps biological analysis of the core parts essential for growth coupling for each target metabolite. The source codes are implemented in MATLAB, CPLEX, and COBRA Toolbox. The obtained data and source codes are available on https://github.com/taketam/gDel-minRN
Formulation, Development and Assessment of Novel Phyto-Elastosomes Loaded with Devil’s Claw Extract
Authors: Ntemi Pascal , Walker Roderick B , Khamanga Sandile
Published: July 2021

Background: Management of arthritis requires frequent administration of medications at high doses that may lead to unwanted side effects and diminished patient adherence to the therapy. Devil’s claw extract, a herbal medicine from the Kalahari sands possess similar therapeutic efficacy with less side effects as the commercialized NSAIDs. The objectives of this study were to formulate, develop and assess novel phyto-elastosomes loaded with Devil’s claw extract in order to combat the toxicity levels associated with Devil’s claw and enhance penetration of harpagoside to intended targeted site.Methods: Screening studies were undertaken to determine the ideal amount of Tween® 80, cholesterol, ethanol, diacetyl phosphate and the pH of the hydration medium necessary to produce stable Devil’s claw-loaded phyto-elastosomes. Parameters monitored were particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency and deformability index.Results: The use of 20 % v/v ethanol was sufficient to produce novel phyto-elastosomes capable of deforming with minimal size alterations. Hydration of thin films in acidic solution produced phyto-elastosomal dispersions with high entrapment efficiency. The presence of cholesterol impeded harpagoside entrapment and increased cholesterol content affected the stability of vesicles by causing agglomeration. Conversely, increasing Tween® 80 concentration promoted harpagoside entrapment. Diacetyl phosphate promoted the stability of vesicle through charge induction.Conclusions: Development of Devil’s claw loaded phyto-elastosomes is useful in ensuring harpagoside reach the target site of action in arthritis-affected patients. Incorporation of these elastic vesicles in transdermal dosage forms may significantly improve the management of arthritis in the near future.
WITHDRAWN: Ecc-bAsed ScalablE Revocation(EASER) scheme for selective sharing in resource-constrained devices
Authors: Sethia Divyashikha , Sahu Raj , Yadav Sandeep
Published: July 2021

IoT is one of the most promising technologies in modern industry. IoT devices are resource-constrained and hence require efficient and lightweight encryption schemes to provide data security. Fine-grained selective access control is required to share sensitive data with different stakeholders. There must be support for scalable revocation to revoke unsolicited users and provide uninterrupted access to valid users. In this paper, we propose a novel lightweight Ecc bAsed ScalablE Revocation (EASER) CP-ABE scheme. It extends an existing CPABE-CSSK to mitigate a key collusion attack and extends it for scalable revocation without any need for any redistribution of keys, re-encryption of ciphertext, or requirement of any revocation lists beforehand. EASER CP-ABE scheme is lightweight and pairing-free with constant -size secret keys. Detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of the EASER CP-ABE scheme proves that it outperforms the existing related schemes with acceptable storage and computational overheads.
Simplified Cultivation Methods for Rice Production in a Rice-ratoon Rice Cropping System in Southwestern China
Authors: Jiang Peng , Xu Fuxian , Zhang Lin , Mao Liu , Xiong Hong , Guo Xiaoyi , Zhu Yongchuan , Zhou Xingbing
Published: July 2021

Simplified cultivation methods for rice production offer considerable social, economic, and environmental benefits. However, limited information is available on yield components of rice grown using simplified cultivation methods in a rice-ratoon rice cropping system. A field experiment using two hybrids and two rice cultivars was conducted to compare four cultivation methods (conventional tillage and transplanting, CTTP; conventional tillage and direct seeding, CTDS; no-tillage and transplanting, NTTP; no-tillage and direct seeding, NTDS) in a rice-ratoon rice system from 2017–2020. Main season yields for CTDS and NTDS were higher than for CTTP, whereas ratoon season yields for CTDS and NTDS were equal to or higher than for CTTP. Annual grain yields for CTDS and NTDS were higher than for CTTP. The higher CTDS and NTDS yields were associated with higher panicle numbers per m2 and biomass production. Rice hybrids had significantly higher yields than inbred cultivars, which was attributed to high grain weight and biomass production. Our results suggest that CTTP can be replaced by CTDS and NTDS to maintain high grain yields and save labor costs. Developing cultivars with high grain weight could be a feasible approach to achieve high rice yields in the rice-ratoon rice cropping system in southwest China.
An integrated design for collecting and recycling of space debris
Authors: Kamal Sherif , Gaber Ahmed , El-Baz Farouk
Published: July 2021

Today, as estimated by the U.S. Space Surveillance Network, there are 14,000 pieces of debris larger than 10 cm in Earth-orbit. That is in addition to thousands of satellites for various applications. As time passes, these satellites represent debris that might represent dangerous space waste. Such accumulated items orbit the Earth at very high speed and might threaten the daily uses of space-based applications, such as satellites that are needed for weather forecasting, telecommunications, and global positioning systems (GPS). In addition, this might negatively affect future missions -- unless the international space community considers the risks and joins forces to mitigate them. Today, only ideas have been proposed by the various space agencies without taking much action. Each proposed idea deals with a specific size of debris. This paper proposes an integrated approach to collect most of the debris to be recycled for use as a source of raw material in construction equipment, which are used in maintenance of the International Space Station (ISS) and other equipment needed by future space missions and spacecraft. Furthermore, this proposal might solve the problem of the lack of space in the ISS, which served as home to numerous astronauts for more two decades. The proposed design could be implemented through cooperative programs by the world’s space agencies. Because few countries represent the main source of this space wastes, it is here proposed that a financing source would be established by assigning a tariff for each future space flight, as a percentage of the cost of each mission. For example, fees could be determined based on; the extent of the mission’s lifetime, the size and weight of the satellites, and the purpose of the mission.
Evaluation of Strategies for Pumping Optimization of Coastal Aquifers Using Numerical Simulation and Game Theory
Authors: Beheshti Javid , Javadi Saman , Hosseini Seyed Abbas , Moghadam Hamid Kardan
Published: July 2021

In this study, after simulating five years of saltwater intrusion with SEAWAT package in Astaneh-Kouchesfahan coastal aquifer, Iran, 19 strategies, including managerial, structural, and combined strategies, were investigated to reduce the saltwater intrusion. Since managerial solutions cause users’ dissatisfaction and structural solutions increase the costs, two-player game theory was used to identify the most appropriate solution. According to the results obtained from game theory, the two strategies of artificial recharge and underground dam had the greatest impact on preventing the saltwater intrusion with the highest satisfaction of stakeholders, so that they decreased the saltwater intrusion from 740 m by 150 and 300 m, respectively, after five years. Therefore, the combined simulator-optimizer method presented in this study can evaluate various solutions, and the most appropriate solution can be proposed with the lowest cost and maximum satisfaction for the sustainable management of coastal aquifers.
Knockdown of PGM1 Synergistically Enhances Anticancer Effects of Orlistat in Gastric Cancer Under Glucose Deprivation
Authors: Cao Bo , Deng Huan , Cui Hao , Zhao Ruiyang , Li Hanghang , Wei Bo , Chen Lin
Published: July 2021

Background Phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1) acts as an important regulator in glucose metabolism. However, the role of PGM1 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of PGM1 and develop novel regimens based on metabolic reprogramming in GC. MethodsCorrelation and enrichment analysis of PGM1 was conducted based on The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Data derived from the Kaplan-Meier Plotter database were analyzed for correlations between PGM1 expression and survival time of GC patients. CCK-8, EdU, flow cytometry assays, generation of subcutaneous tumor and lung metastasis mouse models were used to determine growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Cell glycolysis was detected by a battery of glycolytic indicators, including lactate, pyruvic acid, ATP production and glucose uptake. Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN) activity and detection of lipid regulators levels by western blot were used to reflect on the cell lipid metabolism. ResultsCorrelation and enrichment analysis suggested that PGM1 was closely associated with cell proliferation and metabolism. PGM1 was overexpressed in GC tissues and cell lines. High PGM1 expression served as an indicator of shorter survival for specific subpopulation of GC patients, which was also correlated with some clinicopathological features, including T stage and TNM stage. Under low glucose conditions, knockdown of PGM1 significantly suppressed cell proliferation and glycolysis levels, whereas lipid metabolism was enhanced. Orlistat, as a drug that was designed to inhibit FASN activity for obesity treatment, effectively induced apoptosis, suppressed FASN activity. However, orlistat conversely increased glycolytic levels in GC cells. Orlistat exhibited more significant inhibitive effects on GC progression after knockdown of PGM1 under glucose deprivation due to combination of glycolysis and lipid metabolism. ConclusionsDownregulation of PGM1 expression under glucose deprivation synergistically enhanced anti-cancer effects of orlistat. This combination application may serve as a novel strategy for GC treatment.
Employing Peer Support Workers in the Emergency Department to Help Care for Patients that Present After An Opioid-Related Overdose: Implementation Challenges and Recommendations From Key Stakeholders
Authors: Crisanti Annette S. , Earheart Jennifer
Published: July 2021

Background: The peer support model has been adapted in emergency departments (ED) throughout the country, specifically in response to increases in admissions resulting from opioid use disorder (OUD). The purpose of this study was to use community-engaged principles to identify implementation challenges and recommendations related to employing peer support workers (PSWs) in the ED to help care for patients that present after an opioid-related overdose. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted to identify challenges to and recommendations for implementing the peer support model in the ED to help care for patients that present after an opioid-related overdose. Nineteen stakeholders were interviewed, including directors/managers, nurses and PSWs. An inductive qualitative approach was used for the identification of themes from the interviews.Results: Three themes surfaced among the implementation challenges, including system level challenges, hospital level challenges, and challenges specific to PSWs (referred to as individual level challenges). Recommendations to address the challenges are presented for successful integration of PSWs in ED settings to help care for patients that present after an opioid-related overdose. Recommendations include, for example, clearly defined job descriptions and increasing understanding of what PSWs do among all hospital staff. Conclusions: PSWs can play a role in the care for patients that present to the ED after an opioid-related overdose and in doing so help address the opioid crisis. Through the identification of challenges, awareness of strategies to address these challenges, and proper planning, hospitals can implement PSWs into the ED successfully. Planning should include thoughtful conversations between leadership, ED staff and, PSWs, as well as a commitment from leadership and hospital staff to recovery-oriented care. For the successful employment and integration of PSWs into ED settings to help care for patients that present after an opioid-related overdose, planning should focus on four key areas, including (1) hiring the right PSWs for the position, (2) education ED and hospital staff, (3) establishing protocols, and (4) training and supervision.
A Supramolecular Heat-Pump: an Electrochemical Cooling System Utilizing the Enthalpy Change of a Host–Guest Interaction
Authors: Matoba Fumitoshi , Yamada Teppei , Kimizuka Nobuo
Published: July 2021

Redox-stimulated host–guest chemistry was applied for the electrochemical Peltier effect, which is a heat transportation phenomenon observed in redox-active electrolytes. The refrigeration capability was enhanced up to 70%. By the addition of alpha-Cyclodextrin (α-CD) into I−/I3− aqueous solution, the amount of heat transported from the cathode side to the anode side was observed. The enhancement of the heat transportation was derived from the elimination heat of I3− from α-CD associated with the shift of host–guest equilibrium caused by the exhausting of I3− by the reduction. This is the first report that utilized the stimuli-responsive supramolecular interaction for heat transportation.
Chicken miR-126-5p Negatively Regulates Antiviral Innate Immunity By Targeting TRAF3
Authors: Wang Jie , Cheng Yuqiang , Wang Longlong , Lin Zhenyu , Zhu Wenxian , Wang Zhaofei , Ma Jinjiao , Wang Henan , Sun JianHe
Published: July 2021

Background Innate immunity plays an essential role in preventing the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms. However, innate immunity is a double-edged sword, whose excessively activated is detrimental to immune homeostasis and even leads to "cytokine storm" of the infected host. A series of negative regulatory mechanisms are developed by the host to balance the immune response. Here, we report a negative regulatory mechanism of chicken innate immunity mediated by miRNA. Results In this study we found that the miR-126-5p is markedly up-regulated in RNA virus infected chickens in GEO database. Then, the upregulation of the miR-126-5p by RNA virus was further verified via both cell model and in vivo test. Overexpression of miR-126-5p significantly inhibits the expression of interferon related genes and inflammatory cytokines evoked by RNA virus. The opposite result was achieved after knocking down miR-126-5p expression. Bioinformatics analysis indicated TRAF3 as the candidate target gene of miR-126-5p, and experimental evidence, such as the effects of miR-126-5p on the endogenous expression of TRAF3, and the effect of miR-126-5p on TRAF3 3'UTR drove luciferase reporter assay, were provided to further verify that miR-126-5p targets TRAF3. Furthermore, we demonstrated that miR-126-5p negatively regulates innate immunity by blocking the MAVS-TRAF3-TBK1 axis, with co-expression assay. Conclusion Our results suggest that miR-126-5p is involved in the negative regulation of the chicken innate immunity, which might contribute to maintaining immune balance.
Computational Probing of Tin-based Lead-free Perovskite Solar Cells: Effects of Absorber Parameters and Various ETL Materials on Device Performance
Authors: Shyma Arunkumar Prabhakaran , Sellappan Raja
Published: July 2021

Tin-based perovskite solar cells have gained global research attention due to the lead toxicity and health risk associated with its lead-based analogue. The promising opto-electrical properties of the Tin-based perovskite have attracted researchers to work on developing solar cells with higher efficiencies comparable to Lead-based analogues. Tin-based perovskites outperform the lead-based ones in areas like optimal band gap and carrier mobility. A detailed understanding regarding the effects of each parameters and working conditions on Tin-based perovskite is crucial in order to improve the efficiency. In the present work, we have carried out a numerical simulation of planar heterojunction Tin-based (CH3NH3SnI3) perovskite solar cell employing SCAPS 1D simulator. Device parameters namely thickness of the absorber layer, defect density of the absorber layer, working temperature, series resistance, metal work function have been exclusively investigated. ZnO has been employed as the ETL (Electron transport layer) material in the initial simulation to obtain optimized parameters and attained a maximum efficiency of 19.62 % with 1.1089 V open circuit potential (Voc) at 700 nm thickness (absorber layer). Further, different ETL materials have been introduced into the optimized device architecture and Zn2SnO4 based device delivers an efficiency of 24.3 % with a Voc of 1.1857 V. The obtained results indicate a strong possibility to model and construct better performing perovskite solar cells based on Tin (Sn) with Zn2SnO4 as ETL layer.