bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ginsenoside Rg1 Improves Differentiation by Inhibiting Senescence of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell via GSK-3β and β-Catenin
Authors: Wang Ziling , Jiang Rong , Wang Lu , Chen Xiongbin , Xiang Yue , Chen Linbo , Xiao Minghe , Ling Li , Wang Yaping
Published: May 2020

Objectives. To demonstrate the effect of Ginsenoside Rg1 on the differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs). Subsequently, a rational mechanism for the detection of Rg1 which affects mesenchymal stem cell differentiation was explored. Methods. Flow cytometry is used for cell identification. The differentiation ability of hBM-MSCs was studied by differentiation culture. SA-β-gal staining is used to detect cell senescence levels. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to determine protein expression levels. RT-qPCR is used to detect mRNA expression levels. Results. Rg1 regulates the differentiation of hBM-MSCs. Differentiation culture analysis showed that Rg1 promoted cells to osteogenesis and chondrogenesis. Western blot results showed that Rg1 regulated the overactivation of the β-catenin signaling pathway and significantly adjusted the phosphorylation of GSK-3β. GSK-3β inhibitor (Licl) significantly increased Rg1-induced phosphorylation of GSK-3β, which in turn reduced Rg1-induced differentiation of hBM-MSCs. Conclusion. Ginsenoside Rg1 can reduce the excessive activation of the Wnt pathway in senescent cells by inhibiting the phosphorylation of GSK-3β and regulate the mesenchymal stem cell differentiation ability.
Indefinite Ruhe’s Variant of the Block Lanczos Method for Solving the Systems of Linear Equations
Authors: Kamalvand M. Ghasemi , Asil K. Niazi
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we equip Cn with an indefinite scalar product with a specific Hermitian matrix, and our aim is to develop some block Krylov methods to indefinite mode. In fact, by considering the block Arnoldi, block FOM, and block Lanczos methods, we design the indefinite structures of these block Krylov methods; along with some obtained results, we offer the application of this methods in solving linear systems, and as the testifiers, we design numerical examples.
Sitagliptin and the Blood-Retina Barrier: Effects on Retinal Endothelial Cells Manifested Only after Prolonged Exposure
Authors: Jäckle Anja , Ziemssen Focke , Kuhn Eva-Maria , Kampmeier Jürgen , Lang Gerhard K. , Lang Gabriele E. , Deissler Helmut , Deissler Heidrun L.
Published: May 2020

Inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) are widely used to treat diabetes mellitus, but data concerning their effects on the barrier stability of retinal endothelial cells (REC) in vivo and in vitro are inconsistent. Therefore, we studied whether the barrier properties of immortalized endothelial cells of the bovine retina (iBREC) were affected by the inhibitors of DPP-4 sitagliptin (10-1000 nM) and diprotin A (1-25 μM). Their effects were also investigated in the presence of VEGF-A165 because diabetic patients often develop macular edema caused by VEGF-A-induced permeability of REC. To detect even transient or subtle changes of paracellular and transcellular flow as well as adhesion of the cells to the extracellular matrix, we continuously monitored the cell index (CI) of confluent iBREC grown on gold electrodes. Initially, the CI remained stable but started to decline significantly and persistently at 40 h or 55 h after addition of sitagliptin or diprotin A, respectively. Both inhibitors did not modulate, prevent, or revert the persistent VEGF-A165-induced reduction of the CI. Interestingly, sitagliptin and diprotin A increased the expression of the tight-junction protein claudin-1 which is an important component of a functional barrier formed by iBREC. In contrast, expressions of CD29—a subunit of the fibronectin receptor—or of the tetraspanin CD9 were lower after extended treatment with the DPP-4 inhibitors; less of the CD9 was seen at the plasma membrane after prolonged exposure to sitagliptin. Because both associated proteins are important for adhesion of iBREC to the extracellular matrix, the observed low CI might be caused by weakened attachment of the cells. From our results, we conclude that extended inhibition of DPP-4 destabilizes the barrier formed by microvascular REC and that DPP-4 inhibitors like sitagliptin do not counteract or enhance a VEGF-A165-induced barrier dysfunction as frequently observed in DME.
HEATR1 Deficiency Promotes Chemoresistance via Upregulating ZNF185 and Downregulating SMAD4 in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Fang Yuan , Han Xu , Li Jianang , Kuang Tiantao , Lou Wenhui
Published: May 2020

Objective. To discover the correlated gene with HEATR1 in regulating chemoresistance of gemcitabine.Methods. Gene chip analysis was performed to find out differential genes between HEATR1-KD and control groups. The top 20 genes were subjected to high-content screening, and functional assay was implemented. Gene expression profiling was carried out to find the downstream target. Immunohistochemistry and survival analysis were performed.Results. ZNF185 fold change (4.5285) was the most significant between the HEATR1-KD and control groups. Knocking down ZNF185 could promote the chemosensitivity, apoptosis, and proliferative inhibition, with SMAD4 significantly upregulated. Patients with high HEATR1 and SMAD4 or low ZNF185 exhibited better survival.Conclusion. HEATR1, ZNF185, and SMAD4 could affect the chemosensitivity of gemcitabine and may be the indicators of gemcitabine selection in the chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer.
Effect of Wetting-Drying Cycle on the Deformation and Seepage Behaviors of Rock Masses around a Tunnel
Authors: Guo Qingzhen , Su Haijian , Jing Hongwen , Zhu Wenxin
Published: May 2020

Water inrush caused by the wetting-drying cycle is a difficult problem in tunnel excavation. To investigate the effect of the wetting-drying cycle on the stability of the tunnel surrounding rock, physical experiments and numerical simulations regarding the process of tunnel excavation with different wetting-drying cycle numbers were performed in this study. The evolutions of stress, displacement, and pore water pressure were analyzed. With the increase in cycle number, the pore water pressure, vertical stress, and top-bottom approach of the tunnel surrounding rock increase gradually. And the increasing process could be divided into three stages: slightly increasing stage, slowly increasing stage, and sharply increasing stage, respectively. The failure process of the surrounding rock under the wetting-drying cycle gradually occurs from the roof to side wall, while the baseplate changes slightly. The simulation results showed that the maximum principal stress in the surrounding rock mass of the tunnel increases, while the minimum principal stress decreases. Furthermore, the displacement of the rock mass decreases gradually with the increasing distance from the tunnel surface. By comparing the simulation results with the experimental results, well consistency is shown. The results in this study can provide helpful references for the safe excavation and scientific design of a tunnel under the wetting-drying cycle.
Effect of Particle Size and Solution Leaching on Water Retention Behavior of Ion-Absorbed Rare Earth
Authors: Guo Zhong-qun , Lai Yuan-ming , Jin Jie-fang , Zhou Jian-rong , Sun Zheng , Zhao Kui
Published: May 2020

Soil-water characteristic curve reflects water retention behavior of unsaturated soil mass. Particle size and mineral composition can influence water retention behavior of soil mass significantly. To discuss effects of particle size and solution leaching on water retention behavior of ion-absorbed rare earth, soil-water characteristic tests of samples with different particle sizes before and after the solution leaching were carried out by using a pressure plate instrument. Soil-water characteristic curves during drying and wetting were analyzed. A fitting analysis on test data was implemented by the Fredlund&Xing 3 parameter model, the Fredlund&Xing 4 parameter model, and the Van Genuchten model to discuss variation laws of soil-water characteristic parameters in different models. Effects of particle size and solution leaching on water retention behavior of ion-absorbed rare earth as well as action mechanism were investigated. Results demonstrate that given the same matric suction, soil water content decreases gradually with the increase of particle size and content of coarse particles, thus decreasing water retention capacity of soil accordingly. Given the same volumetric water content, matric suction is inversely proportional to particle size. During drying and wetting, the amplitude of variation decreases gradually with the increase of particle size and content of coarse particles. The soil water content after solution leaching is smaller than that before under the same matric suction, indicating that solution leaching can decrease water retention capacity of soil. This is mainly because thickness of the double diffuse layer and pore water pressure are increased as a response to the ion exchange, thus decreasing matric suction.
Chrysophanol Regulates Cell Death, Metastasis, and Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Oral Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Hsu Po-Chih , Cheng Ching-Feng , Hsieh Po-Chun , Chen Yi-Hsuan , Kuo Chan-Yen , Sytwu Huey-Kang
Published: May 2020

Background. Oral cancer belongs to the class of head and neck cancers and can be life threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. Activation of cell death via apoptosis or reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and inhibition of cell cycle progression, migration, and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) may be a good strategy to arrest the development of oral cancer. In this study, we analyzed the possible action of chrysophanol isolated from the rhizomes of Rheum palmatum on the oral cancer cell lines FaDu (human pharynx squamous cell carcinoma) and SAS (human tongue squamous carcinoma) by investigating whether chrysophanol could influence cell death. Method. Cell viability was measured by using the MTT assay. For the detection of apoptosis, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL) staining and subG1 population analysis were used. We also examined cell cycle progression and ROS levels by flow cytometry. Additionally, the expression of p53, p21, procaspase 3, cyclin D1, CDK4, cdc2, CDK2, E‐cadherin, vimentin, and PCNA was evaluated by western blotting. Conclusion. Chrysophanol has an anticancer effect on FaDu and SAS cell lines. There is an increase in subG1 accumulation, ROS production, and cell cycle G1 arrest after treatment with chrysophanol. On the other hand, chrysophanol inhibited cell migration/metastasis and EMT. We proposed that chrysophanol may be a good candidate compound on oral cancer treatment in the further.
Successful Detection of Unrecognized Rickettsia typhi in Pregnancy Using Cell-Free Next-Generation Sequencing
Authors: Stafford Irene A. , Centeno Fernando H. , Al Mohajer Mayar , Parkerson George , Woc-Colburn Laila , Burgos-Lee Angelica Janice , Rac Martha , Dunn James , Muldrew Kenneth
Published: May 2020

Flea-borne (murine) typhus is caused by Rickettsia typhi. Infection in pregnant women can lead to adverse outcomes when diagnosis and treatment is delayed. We describe how next-generation sequencing (NGS) using the Karius® test was used to rapidly diagnose murine typhus in two pregnant women admitted to a large tertiary care center in Houston, Texas, when all initial testing was nondiagnostic.
ResNet15: Weather Recognition on Traffic Road with Deep Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Xia Jingming , Xuan Dawei , Tan Ling , Xing Luping
Published: May 2020

Severe weather conditions will have a great impact on urban traffic. Automatic recognition of weather condition has important application value in traffic condition warning, automobile auxiliary driving, intelligent transportation system, and other aspects. With the rapid development of deep learning, deep convolutional neural networks (CNN) are used to recognize weather conditions on traffic road. A new simplified model named ResNet15 is proposed based on the residual network ResNet50 in this paper. The convolutional layers of ResNet15 are utilized to extract weather characteristics, and then the characteristics extracted at the previous layer are shortcut to the next layer through four groups of residual modules. Finally, the weather images are classified and recognized through the fully connected layer and Softmax classifier. In addition, we build a medium-scale dataset of weather images on traffic road, called “WeatherDataset-4,” which consists of 4 categories and contains 4983 weather images covering most of the severe weather. In this paper, ResNet15 is used to train and test on the “WeatherDataset-4,” and desirable recognition results are obtained. The evaluation of a large number of experiments demonstrates that the proposed ResNet15 is superior to traditional network models such as ResNet50 in recognition accuracy, recognition speed, and model size.
Recent Advances of Surfactant-Polymer (SP) Flooding Enhanced Oil Recovery Field Tests in China
Authors: Sun Chen , Guo Hu , Li Yiqiang , Song Kaoping
Published: May 2020

Recently, there are increasing interests in chemical enhanced oil recovery (EOR) especially surfactant-polymer (SP) flooding. Although alkali-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding can make an incremental oil recovery factor (IORF) of 18% original oil in place (OOIP) according to large-scale field tests in Daqing, the complex antiscaling and emulsion breaking technology as well as potential environment influence makes some people turn to alkali-free SP flooding. With the benefit of high IORF in laboratory and no scaling issue to worry, SP flooding is theoretically better than ASP flooding when high quality surfactant is available. Many SP flooding field tests have been conducted in China, where the largest chemical flooding application is reported. 10 typical large-scale SP flooding field tests were critically reviewed to help understand the benefit and challenge of SP flooding in low oil price era. Among these 10 field tests, only one is conducted in Daqing Oilfield, although ASP flooding has entered the commercial application stage since 2014. 2 SP tests are conducted in Shengli Oilfield. Both technical and economic parameters are used to evaluate these tests. 2 of these ten tests are very successful; the others were either technically or economically unsuccessful. Although laboratory tests showed that SP flooding can attain IORF of more than 15%, the average predicted IORF for these 10 field tests was 12% OOIP. Only two SP flooding tests in (SP 1 in Liaohe and SP 7 in Shengli) were reported actual IORF higher than 15% OOIP. The field test in Shengli was so successful that many enlarged field tests and industrial applications were carried out, which finally lead to a commercial application of SP flooding in 2008. However, other SP projects are not documented except two (SP7 and SP8). SP flooding tests in low permeability reservoirs were not successful due to high surfactant adsorption. It seems that SP flooding is not cost competitive as polymer flooding and ASP flooding if judged by utility factor (UF) and EOR cost. Even the most technically and economically successful SP1 has a much higher cost than polymer flooding and ASP flooding, SP flooding is thus not cost competitive as previously expected. The cost of SP flooding can be as high as ASP flooding, which indicates the importance of alkali. How to reduce surfactant adsorption in SP flooding is very important to cost reduction. It is high time to reevaluate the potential and suitable reservoir conditions for SP flooding. The necessity of surfactant to get ultra-low interfacial tension for EOR remains further investigation. This paper provides the petroleum industry with hard-to-get valuable information.
Service-Life Study of Polycarbonate Outdoors Using Python with Incomplete Data
Authors: An Jiangfeng , Peng Duncheng , Zhou Xuejie , Wu Jun , Zheng Penghua
Published: May 2020

The deterioration of polycarbonate (PC) depends on various environmental factors. Meanwhile, the complexity of the related weathering processes inhibits the prediction of service life based on the environmental factors. To elucidate the nonlinear correlation between PC weathering and the environmental factors, three-year-long natural weathering tests were conducted at eight experimental stations in China. The relationship between tensile-property data of PC and environmental and pollutant data is analyzed by extra-trees and multilayer perceptron networks implemented in Python. The results indicated that (1) the degradation of PC tensile properties is mainly affected by the experimental period (76.37%), whilst the effect of the environmental or pollutant factors on the degradation is less pronounced (23.63%); (2) the classification accuracy of the trained model on the training set is 91% (91/100), and on the testing set is 72.13% (44/61); and lastly, (3) it is inferred from the error analysis of the classification results that the performance change of polycarbonate in Qionghai and Wuhan is characterized by an initial reduction followed by a slight improvement. Lastly, we show that the proposed method performs well, especially in the case of areas with incomplete data available.
Theory of Generalized Canonical Transformations for Birkhoff Systems
Authors: Zhang Yi
Published: May 2020

Transformation is an important means to study problems in analytical mechanics. It is often difficult to solve dynamic equations, and the use of variable transformation can make the equations easier to solve. The theory of canonical transformations plays an important role in solving Hamilton’s canonical equations. Birkhoffian mechanics is a natural generalization of Hamiltonian mechanics. This paper attempts to extend the canonical transformation theory of Hamilton systems to Birkhoff systems and establish the generalized canonical transformation of Birkhoff systems. First, the definition and criterion of the generalized canonical transformation for the Birkhoff system are established. Secondly, based on the criterion equation and considering the generating functions of different forms, six generalized canonical transformation formulas are derived. As special cases, the canonical transformation formulas of classical Hamilton’s equations are given. At the end of the paper, two examples are given to illustrate the application of the results.
Challenges and Approaches to Measuring Repeat Fecal Immunochemical Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening
Authors: Murphy Caitlin C. , Halm Ethan A. , Skinner Celette Sugg , Balasubramanian Bijal A. , Singal Amit G.
Published: May 2020

Background:

Colorectal cancer screening with fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) can reduce colorectal cancer–related mortality. Effectiveness of FIT may be compromised when patients do not adhere to a regular schedule. However, having no standard measure of repeat FIT presents challenges for assessing effectiveness across populations and settings. We compared three measures of repeat FIT in a large, integrated health care system in Dallas, Texas.

Methods:

We identified 18,257 patients age-eligible (50–60 years) for FIT in January 1–December 31, 2010 and followed over four rounds of screening. Measures included: (i) repeat FIT in prior screeners, or completion of FIT within 9–15 months of the previous; (ii) yes–no patterns, whereby patients were assigned yes or no in 9–15 month windows; and 3) proportion of time covered (PTC), or the amount of time patients were up-to-date with screening relative to time eligible.

Results:

Repeat FIT varied by measure. Using a prior screeners measure, 15.8% of patients with a normal FIT in round 1 completed repeat FIT in round 2. Repeat FIT was notably higher (52.3%) using PTC. The most common yes–no pattern was YNNN or “one-and-done,” and only 9.4% of patients completed two consecutive FITs across all rounds (YYNN).

Conclusions:

Different measures of repeat FIT yielded a range of estimates, making comparison across studies difficult. Researchers should weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each measure and select the most appropriate to their research question.

Impact:

Our study highlights the need for future research of repeat FIT measures that best approximate screening effectiveness.
Eustachian Tube Function in Patients with Symptoms on Baro-Challenge
Authors: Smith Matthew E. , Bance Manohar , Tysome James R.
Published: May 2020

Objectives: To explore the relationship between aural symptoms during baro-challenge and the underlying measured Eustachian tube (ET) function. Two key questions were addressed. (1) In patients who have features of obstructive ET dysfunction, is there a measurable underlying difference in ET function between those who experience severe symptoms on baro-challenge and those that do not? (2) What is the diagnostic value of ET function tests in the identification of patients with severe symptoms on baro-challenge? Methods: Patients with symptoms of obstructive ET dysfunction were recruited, with the presence of aural symptoms on baro-challenge established via the clinical history and analysis of the Cambridge ET Dysfunction Assessment, a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM). ET function tests were assessed in each patient: 9 objective and semi-objective measures of ET opening, and 2 symptom-based PROMs. The tests’ results were grouped by type of ET opening assessed, generating passive and active dysfunction scores. Individual test results were assessed for diagnostic accuracy in reference to features in the history or PROM-based evidence of symptoms on baro-challenge. Results: Both passive and active opening of the ET was significantly reduced in ears with a history of pain on baro-challenge. Some patients had apparent severe obstructive ET dysfunction without symptoms on baro-challenge, whilst others had symptoms but normal test results. No individual test of ET opening was of diagnostic value in predicting those ears likely to experience pain or exacerbated symptoms on baro-challenge. Conclusion: The relationship between aural pain during baro-challenge and ET function appears more complex than had been assumed, with pain possibly related to factors other than just ET function.
Smart home automation towards the development of smart cities
Authors: Alam Tanweer , A. Salem Abdulrahman , O. Alsharif Ahmad , M. Alhejaili Abdulaziz
Published: May 2020

Home automation system is a system that controls by the smart device using a mobile application. It can control home appliances such as light, fans, air conditions, and smart security locks, etc. Bluetooth or Wi-Fi technology will be used to control things remotely.  Many people were thinking about that technology is taking a really huge part of our lives. It does! we’re living in a modern generation where smart and intelligent systems are necessary to be there wherever we are to make our lives easier and much better, for example, we can do many things faster, better, and more accurate.
Prototype of LPG gas leakage detector using flame sensor and MQ-2 sensor
Authors: Gusdevi Harya , Setya P Ade , Handini Zulaeha Puji
Published: May 2020

The conversion of kerosene use in household to gas, in addition to the decision of the Republic of Indonesia minister in relation to the movement of kerosene to gas, gas also given an affordable price, how to use it more effectively. But the public is also expected to be careful about how to use it, because the gas is explosive and leaking causing unpleasant odor (gas leak) even a more dangerous side effect is the explosion of gas cylinders. To evercome these problems then need a tool that can detect gas leakage, in order to prevent gas leakage early. Therefore the authors designed a device that can detect gas leakage by using Sensor Mq-2 and will issue sound gas alarm warning leak by Modul ISD 1760, and will stop the gas flow from the tube to the stove using a Solenoid Valve. There is also a Flame Sensor’s hardware to detect a fire if there is a spark emerging and spraying water into spots that are likely to spark fire. All hardware will be in if using ATMega 328microcontroller.Monitoring can use android smartphone, with the application that can send a warning to the mobile phone.
Avifaunal diversity of Tilyar Lake, Rohtak, Haryana, India
Authors: Jagjeet Singh  , Sandeep Antil  , Vivek Goyal  , Malik Vinay
Published: May 2020

Avian diversity of Tilyar Lake (28.883–28.879 0N & 76.637 –76.634 0E)  located on the eastern outskirts of Rohtak, Haryana was conducted from May 2017 to April 2018.  A total of 73 avian species belonging to 62 genera and 31 families under 15 orders was observed. Order Passeriformes with 21 species in 12 families dominated the avifauna whereas orders Bucerotiformes, Podicipediformes, and Psittaciformes were poorly represented with a single species each.  Family Anatidae was the most dominant representing 13.89% (n=10) of the total species recorded.  Among the reported species 75% (n=54) were resident while 25% (n=18) were migrant.  Common Pochard Aythya ferina assessed globally as Vulnerable, while Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster and Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus are assessed as Near Threatened, whereas the rest of the species were in the Least Concern category of the IUCN Red List 2019.  The omnivorous feeding habit was shown by the maximum number of species while frugivorous and granivorous bird species were in the least numbers.  The rich avifaunal diversity of the Tilyar Lake confirms it as a suitable habitat for both resident and migrant bird species. Therefore, the present study suggests the need for incorporation of appropriate protective measures for conservation of the avian heritage of Tilyar Lake, Rohtak.
On the evidence of the Irrawaddy Dolphin Orcaella brevirostris (Owen, 1866) (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla: Delphinidae) in the Hooghly River, West Bengal, India
Authors: Roy Chowdhury Gargi , Roy Kanad , Goyal Naman , Warudkar Ashwin , Raza Rashid Hassnain , Qureshi Qamar
Published: May 2020

We report the presence and status of the Irrawaddy Dolphin Orcaella brevirostris in the Hooghly River of West Bengal, India.  These observations were made while conducting our field work on the Ganges River Dolphin, which involved vessel-based surveys as well as intensive monitoring from an anchored boat.
Records of dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) of Dipang Lake, with two new records to Nepal
Authors: Sajan K.C. , Gurung Juddha Bahadur
Published: May 2020

Odonata fauna of Dipang Lake, Lekhnath, Kaski District was studied during April and May of 2019.  Twenty-eight different species belonging to 20 genera and six families were recorded.  Family Libellulidae was dominant representing 16 species.  Among the recorded Odonata species, Aciagrion approximans (Selys, 1876) and Ceriagrion cerinorubellum (Brauer, 1865) are new records for Nepal.
Iron-Deficiency and Estrogen Are Associated With Ischemic Stroke by Up-Regulating Transferrin to Induce Hypercoagulability
Authors: Tang Xiaopeng , Fang Mingqian , Cheng Ruomei , Zhang Zhiye , Wang Yuming , Shen Chuanbin , Han Yajun , Lu Qiumin , Du Yingrong , Liu Yingying , Sun Zhaohui , Zhu Liping , Mwangi James , Xue Min , Long Chengbo , Lai Ren
Published: May 2020

Rationale:

Epidemiological studies have identified an associate between iron deficiency (ID) and the use of oral contraceptives (CC) and ischemic stroke (IS). To date, however, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Both ID and CC have been demonstrated to upregulate the level and iron-binding ability of Tf (transferrin), with our recent study showing that this upregulation can induce hypercoagulability by potentiating FXIIa/thrombin and blocking antithrombin-coagulation proteases interactions.

Objective:

To investigate whether Tf mediates IS associated with ID or CC and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods and Results:

Tf levels were assayed in the plasma of IS patients with a history of ID anemia, ID anemia patients, venous thromboembolism patients using CC, and ID mice, and in the cerebrospinal fluid of some IS patients. Effects of ID and estrogen administration on Tf expression and coagulability and the underlying mechanisms were studied in vivo and in vitro. High levels of Tf and Tf-thrombin/FXIIa complexes were found in patients and ID mice. Both ID and estrogen upregulated Tf through hypoxia and estrogen response elements located in the Tf gene enhancer and promoter regions, respectively. In addition, ID, administration of exogenous Tf or estrogen, and Tf overexpression promoted platelet-based thrombin generation and hypercoagulability and thus aggravated IS. In contrast, anti-Tf antibodies, Tf knockdown, and peptide inhibitors of Tf-thrombin/FXIIa interaction exerted anti-IS effects in vivo.

Conclusions:

Our findings revealed that certain factors (ie, ID and CC) upregulating Tf are risk factors of thromboembolic diseases decipher a previously unrecognized mechanistic association among ID, CC, and IS and provide a novel strategy for the development of anti-IS medicine by interfering with Tf-thrombin/FXIIa interactions.
Reading from Worlds under the Text: Oceanic Women in the missio Dei
Authors: Dewerse Rosemary , Hine Cathy
Published: May 2020

Missional hermeneutics is a relatively recent development in the field of biblical hermeneutics, emerging from several decades of scholarly engagement with the concept and frame of missio Dei. In a key recent publication in the field, Reading the Bible Missionally, edited by Michael Goheen, the voices of the Global South and of women – and certainly of women from Oceania – do not feature. In this article the authors, both Oceanic women, interrupt the discourse to read biblical text from their twice-under perspective. The Beatitudes provide the frame and the lens for a spiralling discussion of the missio Dei as, to borrow from Letty M. Russell, “calculated inefficiency.” Stories of faithful Oceanic women interweave with those of God and of biblical women, offering their complexities to challenge assumptions and simplicities.
A remarkable new Iguanura (Arecaceae, Arecoideae, Areceae) from northern Myanmar

Authors: HENDERSON ANDREW , AUNG MU MU , ARMSTRONG KATE
Published: May 2020

A new species of Iguanura from northern Myanmar is described and illustrated.
Dacryopinax (Fungi: Dacrymycetales) in Mexico

Authors: CASTRO-SANTIUSTE SANDRA , SIERRA SIGFRIDO , GUZMÁN-DÁVALOS LAURA , CIFUENTES JOAQUÍN , EVANS THOMAS , MARTÍNEZ-GONZÁLEZ CÉSAR RAMIRO , ALVARADO-SIZZO HERNÁN , LUNA-VEGA ISOLDA
Published: May 2020

A taxonomical revision of the Dacryopinax species in Mexico is presented in detail. Historically, only four species were known in the country: Dacryopinax elegans, D. lowyi, D. spathularia, and D. yungensis. Dacryopinax martinii is reported for the first time from Mexico. Taxonomical descriptions and remarks for all the species, based on macro- and micro-morphology, as well as geographical distribution are included, except for D. yungensis, as its record corresponded to a misidentification of D. spathularia. We propose a new phylogeny including the taxonomic position and relationships of all species, based on ITS and LSU sequence data. Finally, a dichotomous key to identify the four species in Mexico is provided.
A new species of Coccomyces from Guizhou Province of China

Authors: ZANG WEI , LV TU , SUN JIANQIU , HOU CHENGLIN
Published: May 2020

Specimens of Coccomyces collected from Fanjingshan National Nature Reserve in Guizhou Province of China were identified as a new species and named as Coccomyces fanjingshanensis. Phylogenetic analyses of the ITS gene and combined LSU and mtSSU genes indicate that this new taxon has a close relationship with Coccomyces huangshanensis, Coccomyces cupressinus and Coccomyces radiatus.The type collection was deposited in the Herbarium of the College of Life Science, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China (BJTC).
Taxonomic revision of the Boiga ceylonensis group (Serpentes: Colubridae): re-examination of type specimens, redefinition of nominate taxa and an updated key
Authors: GANESH S.R. , ACHYUTHAN N.S. , CHANDRAMOULI S.R. , VOGEL GERNOT
Published: May 2020

We conducted a taxonomic revision of the arboreal snakes of the Boiga ceylonensis-group, all inhabiting the Indian subcontinent. Based on 15 characters, recorded from more than 100 specimens, representing eight recognized taxa, we conducted a multivariate morphometric analysis to redefine the taxonomic boundaries. We provide redescriptions of the nominate taxa in this group based on re-examination of the name-bearing types. The types of B. ceylonensis, B. beddomei, B. barnesii, B. dightoni, B. nuchalis and B. andamanensis are redescribed, where appropriate lectotypes are selected, illustrated and their nomenclature, synonymy and distribution are discussed. Status of the nominate taxon Boiga ceylonensis dakhunensis Deraniyagala, 1955 is fixed as an objective junior synonym of Dipsas nuchalis Günther, 1875. An updated key to the species of this group is presented.
­A new species of phytotelm breeding frog (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam
Authors: ROWLEY JODI J. L. , LE DUONG THI THUY , HOANG HUY DUC , CAO TRUNG TIEN , DAU VINH QUANG
Published: May 2020

We describe a new species of phytotelm-breeding rhacophorid frog from central Vietnam. Gracixalus trieng sp. nov. is distinguished from all congeners by a combination of (1) body size medium (37.2–41.4 mm in five adult males), (2) snout rounded in dorsal and lateral views, (3) dorsal surface brown or yellowish with a darker brown interorbital crossbar and inverse-Y shape on the back, (4) throat and chest yellow or yellowish brown with pinkish mottling and belly and ventral surfaces of limbs including hands and feet pinkish, (5) tympanum and supratympanic fold distinct, (6) iris pale gold with darker gold radiating out from anterior and posterior edges of pupil, (7) majority of dorsal body and limb surfaces smooth in adults, with some individuals having sparsely distributed low, irregular tubercles, (8) nuptial pads on fingers I and II in adult males, and (9) eggs deposited as a tightly spaced array of non-pendent eggs on the wall of a phytotelmon. The species occurs in syntopy with G. lumarius. At present, Gracixalus trieng sp. nov. is known only from montane bamboo and evergreen forest (>1700 m) on Mount Ngoc Linh and adjacent peaks; and it is likely to be restricted to high-elevation forest with an estimated geographical distribution of <1000 km2.
A new Miopsalis from Mindanao supports a biogeographic umbilicus between Borneo and the southern Philippines (Arachnida: Opiliones: Cyphophthalmi: Stylocellidae)
Authors: SCHMIDT STEPHANIE M. , CLOUSE RONALD M. , SHARMA PRASHANT P.
Published: May 2020

A new species of Cyphophthalmi belonging to the Southeast Asian genus Miopsalis Thorell, 1890 is described and illustrated using SEM and confocal microscopy. The species is known from two localities in the northern part of Mindanao and constitutes only the second described Cyphophthalmi species endemic to the Philippines. Sequence data obtained from this species show that it is phylogenetically distinct from two juvenile specimens previously collected from Bangaray Kimlawis (southern Mindanao) in 2009. The new Miopsalis is clearly distinguishable from other Miopsalis by characters pertaining to spermatopositor morphology.
Taxonomic review of Sibaria Stål, 1872 (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae: Pentatominae: Carpocorini), with description of a new species
Authors: KREIN VERÔNICA , BIANCHI FILIPE M. , RIDER DAVID A. , GRAZIA JOCELIA
Published: May 2020

Sibaria Stål is a genus of Pentatomidae occurring exclusively in the Neotropical region. Since its description, little information has been added to the knowledge of the taxon. The hypothesis of monophyly of Sibaria was recently supported by a phylogenetic analysis based on morphological and molecular data. The purpose of this study is to provide a review of Sibaria, redescribe the valid species, and describe a new species. The genus includes four species: S. andicola Breddin, S. armata (Dallas), S. englemani Rolston, and S. amazonica sp. nov.. Diagnoses, macrophotographs (habitus, external and internal genitalia), an identification key, and distribution records of the species are also provided.
A new species of the assassin bug genus Rihirbus (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) from Vietnam
Authors: LAM TRUONG XUAN , HOA BUI THI QUYNH , LINH HA NGOC , CAI WANZHI
Published: May 2020

Rihirbus kronganaensis sp. nov. (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Harpactorinae) is described from central highlands of Vietnam. A key to the species of Rihirbus Stål, 1861 is presented.
Elucidating Diverse Drought Characteristics from Two Meteorological Drought Indices (SPI and SPEI) in China
Authors: Li Lingcheng , She Dunxian , Zheng Hui , Lin Peirong , Yang Zong-Liang
Published: May 2020

This study elucidates drought characteristics in China during 1980–2015 using two commonly used meteorological drought indices: standardized precipitation index (SPI) and standardized precipitation–evapotranspiration index (SPEI). The results show that SPEI characterizes an overall increase in drought severity, area, and frequency during 1998–2015 compared with those during 1980–97, mainly due to the increasing potential evapotranspiration. By contrast, SPI does not reveal this phenomenon since precipitation does not exhibit a significant change overall. We further identify individual drought events using the three-dimensional (i.e., longitude, latitude, and time) clustering algorithm and apply the severity–area–duration (SAD) method to examine the drought spatiotemporal dynamics. Compared to SPI, SPEI identifies a lower drought frequency but with larger total drought areas overall. Additionally, SPEI identifies a greater number of severe drought events but a smaller number of slight drought events than the SPI. Approximately 30% of SPI-detected drought grids are not identified as drought by SPEI, and 40% of SPEI-detected drought grids are not recognized as drought by SPI. Both indices can roughly capture the major drought events, but SPEI-detected drought events are overall more severe than SPI. From the SAD analysis, SPI tends to identify drought as more severe over small areas within 1 million km2 and short durations less than 2 months, whereas SPEI tends to delineate drought as more severe across expansive areas larger than 3 million km2 and periods longer than 3 months. Given the fact that potential evapotranspiration increases in a warming climate, this study suggests SPEI may be more suitable than SPI in monitoring droughts under climate change.
Nanoscale Spatial Resolution in Far-Field Raman Imaging Using Hyperspectral Unmixing in Combination with Positivity Constrained Super-Resolution
Authors: Winterauer Dominik J. , Funes-Hernando Daniel , Duvail Jean-Luc , Moussaoui Saïd , Batten Tim , Humbert Bernard
Published: May 2020

This work introduces hyper-resolution (HyRes), a numerical approach for spatial resolution enhancement that combines hyperspectral unmixing and super-resolution image restoration (SRIR). HyRes yields a substantial increase in spatial resolution of Raman spectroscopy while simultaneously preserving the undistorted spectral information. The resolving power of this technique is demonstrated on Raman spectroscopic data from a polymer nanowire sample. Here, we demonstrate an achieved resolution of better than 14 nm, a more than eightfold improvement on single-channel image-based SRIR and [Formula: see text] better than regular far-field Raman spectroscopy, and comparable to near-field probing techniques.
Network Ties and the Politics of Renationalization: Embeddedness, Political-Business Relations, and Renationalization in Post-Milosevic Serbia
Authors: Resimic Milos
Published: May 2020

Based on an original large-N data set of Serbian firms privatized between 2002 and 2011, and qualitative evidence, this article applies survival modeling to network data to analyze the political foundations of renationalization. I build on embeddedness scholarship and hypothesize that renationalization is influenced by varying patterns of embeddedness of firms in political and ownership networks. In contrast with expectations of the state capture literature, I find that politically connected firms are more likely to be renationalized than non-politicized ones, whereas firms owned by domestic corporate owners are less likely to be renationalized than those owned by non-corporate owners. I theorize my findings as the logic of extraction, showing that renationalization in politically connected firms happens either as an unintended consequence of extraction or of predation, and as the logic of reciprocity, which demonstrates that domestic corporate owners are more likely to avoid renationalization because they can offer favors to political parties.
The buffered, technological self: Finding associations between Internet use and religiosity
Authors: McClure Paul K
Published: May 2020

Explanations for the rise of the religiously unaffiliated have regained attention from sociologists in light of recent declines in religiosity. While the secularization thesis has seen revisions across disciplines, few studies link lower levels of religiosity with greater Internet use. This article draws from Charles Taylor’s widely regarded account of secularity and his concept of ‘the buffered self’ to argue that individuals who use the Internet more frequently are less religious. Using data from the Baylor Religion Survey (2017), I find that with higher levels of Internet use, individuals are less likely to pray, read sacred texts, attend religious services, consider religion personally important, or affiliate with a religious tradition. Greater Internet use is further associated with being an atheist, while other media activity such as watching television is not similarly linked. These findings ground Taylor’s theoretical work by specifying empirically measurable, contextual conditions that explain recent declines in religiosity.
Biracial Identity Development at Historically White and Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Authors: Clayton Kristen A.
Published: May 2020

This study explores the relationship between biracial identity development and college context. I draw on interviews with 49 black-white biracial first- and second-year students attending historically black colleges/universities (HBCUs) or historically white colleges/universities (HWCUs) and follow-up interviews with the same students at the end of college to explore how and why their racial identities changed over time. Most participants experienced racial identity change over the course of the study, and this change was most often in the direction of a strengthened black identity for both HBCU and HWCU students. An increasing understanding of racism led students at both institutional types to develop stronger black identities. The processes that led to this heightened awareness of racism, however, differed across institutions. Reflected appraisals (HBCU students’ impression that their peers included and accepted them as black and HWCU students’ impression that their white peers excluded and labeled them as nonwhite) also played a role in students’ strengthening black identities, as did increased contact with black peers (especially for HBCU students). This article describes the implications of biracial identity development for biracial students’ psychosocial well-being, campus social adjustment, and college persistence.
Contagious Politics: Tie Strength and the Spread of Political Knowledge
Authors: Ognyanova Katherine
Published: May 2020

This work explores the influence of social connections on young people’s political knowledge. Extending previous research on individual and interpersonal predictors of political learning, the study examines relational characteristics and their role in informed citizenship. Factors expected to affect social contagion in political behavior include conversation content, interaction frequency, relational closeness, mutual communication partners, and shared ideology. The analyses were based on longitudinal network data from 13 residential student communities. The study found evidence consistent with social contagion. The political knowledge of participants was predicted by the knowledge of their strong social ties. Political discussants were not as influential as high-frequency general conversation partners. These findings have important implications for research exploring social influence on political behavior. They signal that the contacts we tend to identify as political are not necessarily the ones that matter most in shaping our opinions and attitudes.
1 John 3.12, Early Judaism and the Greek Life of Adam and Eve
Authors: Levison John R.
Published: May 2020

The seemingly sudden introduction of an allusion to Cain and Abel in 1 Jn 3.12 is puzzling. To explain this apparent intrusion, select scholars have turned to early Jewish interpretations of Gen. 4. The purpose of this study is to provide further grist for this mill. Beginning with an appraisal of the role Jewish texts play in the analyses of Ernst Lohmeyer, Raymond Brown and Judith Lieu, it continues with a detailed study of an ancient text that has been neglected in the interpretation of 1 Jn 3.12, the Greek Life of Adam and Eve (GLAE). A consideration of key features in the story of Cain and Abel in GLAE strengthens the possibility that 1 Jn 3.12 was part and parcel of an interpretive milieu that sharpened the divide between righteous and evil, between murderer and martyr.
Peer Firms in Audit Pricing: Evidence Under High Uncertainty Settings
Authors: Fang Junxiong , Gul Ferdinand A. , Sami Heibatollah , Zhou Haiyan
Published: May 2020

Drawing on prior studies regarding the use of peers for investment decisions and compensation practices and the recent reports which suggest that firms use peer information for audit pricing, we examine the effect of peer groups on the audit pricing process under high information asymmetry environment. Using observations from the emerging markets of China, we find that peer group information is used in audit pricing with peer groups defined as the Industry, Industry/Region, Industry/Big4, Industry/Size, and Industry/Region/Big4. This is consistent with above complementary theories. We also find evidence that peer group information is more likely to be used by firms from low-technology industries, less developed regions, and firms audited by non-Big 4 CPA firms than those from high-technology industries, more developed regions, and firms audited by Big 4 CPA firms. Also, peer group information is more likely to be used in clients firms with shorter auditor tenure and with lower analyst following compared with their counterparts. Finally, we find that clients with lower audit fees than their peer groups in the previous period are more likely to increase audit fees in the current period. Our results are qualitatively the same regardless of whether we use an overall sample across different industries or for each industry separately. These results are consistent with the peer group literature and also indicate that peer group information is more likely to be used in conditions when information asymmetry is high.