bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The implementation of the depth-first search algorithm on learning computer assembly 3D simulations in vocational education
Authors: Trinadi A , Gerhana Y A , Syaripudin U
Published: December 2019

Games and simulations have become one of the most effective learning models. This study aims to implement the Depth-first Search Algorithm on 3D simulation learning models on computer assembly skills. The development framework uses Luther’s multimedia development model. The object of this study was 40 vocational high school teachers in West Java. Technology acceptance model (TAM) is used as a framework to measure attitudes towards teacher acceptance of the learning model developed. The measurement results, Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) has a significant effect on Perceived Usefulness (PU) of 68.2%, Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) and Perceived Usefulness (PU) have a significant effect on Attitude Towards Using Technology (ATUT) of 86.5%, Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Attitude Towards Using Technology (ATUT) significantly influence Behavioural Intention to Use (BITU) of 86.7%. Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Attitude Towards Using Technology (ATUT) significantly influence Behavioural Intention to Use (BITU) of 81.2%.
Website for remote village empowerment in developing countries
Authors: Fatimah D D S , Kurniawati R , Farida I , Pariyatin Y
Published: December 2019

The village is an area that has a low population density, homogeneous social interactions, works in the field of agriculture and is the lowest government body under the sub-district. The progress of a village varies, depending on its ease in exchanging resources for the lives of its people. Remote villages are villages that are difficult to exchange resources with other regions, so that growth is hampered. The presence of the internet is expected to be able to open access to information to empower disadvantaged villages, among others, by creating village websites. The website is one means of introducing villages to other regions, so that there is an exchange of products and cultures that increase the prosperity of the village. Based on this, the research aims to design a village website. The methodology used in this design uses the mechanism for designing object-oriented Unified Approach websites. This method provides two major stages, namely Object Oriented Analysis and Object Oriented Design, with the help of Unified Modelling Language (UML) modelling. The results of the study are village websites that provide information on agricultural products and processed products offered to other regions. Since this website can be accessed globally, information about the village can be spread throughout the world. Website information can be updated by village officials through training for six hours. System development can be done by providing consultation facilities between village officials and system makers. The conclusion of this study is that the village website produced can be used to provide information about the work of the village community so that it can be marketed to other regions. This website can also be integrated with school and marketplace web.
Success model for measuring information system implementation: Literature review
Authors: Subaeki B , Rahman A A , Putra S J , Alam C N
Published: December 2019

Many researchers have done research on information systems before; this is because of the breadth of studies or topics about IS. There is some example of a study on how to measure Information System Success by testing instrument factors. Some researchers can produce different judgments regarding the success of implementation of IS; this is because the first definition of success of each researcher is changed, the two perspectives on success assessment, the three variables used, the four implementations in different environments. Several models can be used as references to assess the success of IS, Delone and McLean are examples that are widely used as references, which use six variables in measuring IS implementation. From the model used, later there will be a gap in determining the model, and this becomes an opportunity for the development of the model as follows. The development of models to measure information system success can be done by adoption, adaptation, and combination. This is legitimately valid as long as the development of the model is accompanied by supporting theories. The purpose of this review literature is especially researchers can provide an overview of related to the method of previous researchers. Then it can be used as a framework for solving problems.
Archimedes law simulation for physics instructional media
Authors: Bhakti D D , Ismail A , Nasrulloh I , Sidiq P , Nugraha Y
Published: December 2019

Students find physics difficult, because they have to contend with different representations such as experiments, formulas and calculations, graphs, and conceptual explanation at the same time. As far as we know that physics experiments which conducted in well-equipped laboratories, improve student’s science process skills. It is hard to imagine learning to do science, or learning about science, without doing laboratory or fieldwork. But many schools in various part of the world have very poor or no laboratories, so the teachers have to use their own equipment and replace the students experimental work with simple demonstration experiments. The purpose of this study was to create physics learning media for Archimedes law using simulation to cover the lack of the availability of laboratories and physics practicum tools. Rapid prototyping lifecycle model was used as a design of study. CSUQ is used to test usability of the simulation. To test the functional aspect, this study used black box testing the result of questionnaire was 88.4% with very decent criteria. Based on the development steps and test results, it can be concluded that developing a simulation requires full collaboration between IT experts and physics.
Circle Hough Transform (CHT) method applied to coin identifier and recognition based on computer vision and android developer
Authors: Sarosa M , Muna N , Rohadi E , Junus M , Setiawan A , Muhiqqin I
Published: December 2019

The coin recognition system is a very important role in currency processing systems which is aims to minimize human miscalculation and time to calculate coin values. The coin identifier and recognition to calculate the value of Indonesian coins based on android developer presented in this paper. The two coin parameters are used for coin recognition which are radius and colour of the coins. The Circle Hough Transform (CHT) method with gray scaling and erosion process as pre-processing image used to calculate radius parameters, based on android developer and computer vision. After the radius value is obtained then the average RGB value of the coins is detected to determine the colour parameters. By calculating the diameter and determining the colour, the coins can be recognized and the total value of the coins in the input image can be known. The experimental results show that the system has been obtained indicate that the system successfully recognized coins based on determined algorithm. That is mean the application using computer vision can recognition coin and count the value of coins.
Visual cohort baby recording based on internet of things for maternal and child health service
Authors: Dijaya R , Cholifah C , Djauharoh D , Nisak U , Syahminan S
Published: December 2019

Maternal and Child Health Service is a health service that makes it easier for the public to monitor the growth and development of infants and toddlers. The people who get this health service are infants less than one year old and toddlers aged 1 to 5 years. Maternal and Child Health Service in the community, especially in rural areas, the medical equipment used is still inadequate, for example to weigh infants and toddlers, maternal and child health official use scales commonly used to weigh rice. Periodically babies and toddlers are weighed by medical personnel, and the results are then recorded in the maternal and child book. In some cases, the registration process is still not efficient, because the possibility of the book being lost. The aim of this research is to design and develop a Posyandu Information System Application as an early warning system for Maternal and Child Health. In this research, first coding from four sensors used are heart rate sensor, weight sensor, temperature sensor and ultrasonic sensor. In the microcontroller, the Artificial Neural Network artificial intelligence method is embedded to learn from inputs to classify decisions / action information from the sensor medical record results. Medical record data and learning outcomes from Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Algorithm will be sent using Internet of Things modules on the server so that they can be accessed by the application server both web and mobile. Visualization of medical record data and the results of the health conditions of infants and toddlers recapitulated on the cohort book periodically and form of cohort graphical report. With the early warning system in the form of a Posyandu Information System Application it is expected that pregnant women or toddlers who have health problems can immediately obtain information as early as possible.
Analysis of higher education executive information system in Indonesia
Authors: Rantung V P , Munaiseche C P C , Komansilan T
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this study is to analyse the Executive Information System (EIS) that suit the needs of the executive level in higher education. The FAST method used to achieve the goal. This study focuses on the analysis phase in Manado state university, Indonesia. The final result of this study is an EIS process model that will use for designing a web-based application that providing flexible facilities for executive (Rector) in accessing external and internal information that is useful to identify problems in internal decision making.
Multimedia animation for mathematical application in engineering
Authors: Rohendi D , Wahyudin D , Wihardi Y
Published: December 2019

The concept of mathematical applications in engineering is still difficult for students to understand because besides they have to understand the technical concepts; they also be able to associate it with the mathematical concepts. One aspect that needs more understanding of this concept is how to visualize the technical concepts so that mathematical rules can be modelled. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to develop multimedia animation for the concept of mathematical applications in the field of engineering. The method used in this study is analysing the development needs of multimedia, both in software and hardware, the material of mathematical application that used in engineering, design, development, and testing. The results of the study show that multimedia animation in the application concept of mathematical in engineering is able to explain abstract concepts from mathematical concepts in engineering. The results of testing from media and material experts show that this animation multimedia is considered feasible to use.
Development of evaluation results information system learn based on website
Authors: Sastrawijaya Y , Yunanto P W , Jami’s K
Published: December 2019

SIP-Eval uses the concept of a decision support system and is developed with a SDLC model by designing using UML. SIP-Eval uses three tests that is assessment testing, usability testing and user accepted testing. Testing do to determine the quality of the item’s product by SIP-Eval and to know the usefulness of the SIP-Eval and to know SIP-Eval can function property. The test results conducted at Vocational High School 7 Jakarta and Vocational High School 26 Jakarta involving 3 Server Administration subject teachers and 27 students of the Computer Network Engineering expertise program show that SIP-Eval has a good ability in assisting users in completing the evaluation of learning outcomes process and can function very well for educators and students in the implementation evaluation of learning outcomes in schools with 73.75% obtained in usability testing and 94.70% in UAT testing. SIP-Eval produces 40 items that are declared valid. Difficulty analysis states that 5 items are too difficult, 34 items are moderate and 1 item is too easy. Differentiating power analysis states that 2 items have a very good, 19 items have well, 7 items are good enough for their power, 3items are not good for their power and 9 items are not very good at their power. Test equipment (assessment) used in the test subjects of server administration class XI even semester has a very high reliability scale with reliability test results obtained at 0.896.
Service quality factors: Web navigation on online transportation in Indonesia
Authors: Mulyana T , Susilawati W , Wufron W , Mardani N
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this research to analyse the service quality of online transportation an area in Indonesia, seen from consumer perceptions, and map service quality attributes based on consumer perceptions. The research method used in this research is Service Quality Analysis (SERVQUAL) and Importance Performance Analysis (IPA). The population in this research is online transportation consumers, who have used a go ride service at least 1 time. The sampling used in this research was sampling quota of 200 respondents. The results of this research indicate that overall there is a gap between performance values with consumer expectations of -0.5, so it can be assumed that the service quality of Gojek in the region according to consumer perceptions is quite good. Based on the results of the mapping it was found that the factor of ease of web navigation became one of the factors of the services quality of online transportation. So that these factors must be a concern of the company.
DOMI KALI: Elementary school multiplication learning media
Authors: Yuniasih N , Putri R E N , Nita C I R , Findawati Y
Published: December 2019

The purpose of this study is 1) to develop DOMI KALI media, 2) to describe the feasibility of the DOMI KALI media, 3) to describe the practicality of the DOMI KALI media. The method used is adapted from the ADDIE model with four stages, namely: analysis, design, development and implementation. The subjects of the trial were the third grade students of Sumbersari Elementary School 2. The instruments of data collection used validation sheets, questionnaires, unstructured interviews. The results showed that the DOMI KALI media is feasible to use. It obtained a percentage of 90.69% of the experts so that it was included in the feasible category. DOMI KALI is right to understand multiplication and more pleasant learning atmosphere. It is suggested to the teacher to use the DOMI KALI Media as a tool in learning activities so that the multiplication counting operation material is more fun.
Implementation of Multivariate Exponentially Weighted Mean Square (MEWMS) control chart for quality control of wing parts of Airbus aircraft at PT Dirgantara Indonesia
Authors: Enjang E , Nurdin F S , Setiawan W , Subekti E , Rahmawati D
Published: December 2019

Quality control must be carried out very tightly for the production of single wing multivariate dispersion aircraft manufacturing. This research was conducted at PT. Dirgantara Indonesia in producing components of Airbus aircraft wings centered in Germany and France. The method used includes three stages, namely determining the single observation MEWMS diagram, determining the algorithm for determining L, and implementing MEWMS. The data used are L simulation data for p = 2 and p = 3, ARL = 370, and various values, key characteristic data from 31 wing component components of the aircraft fly with. The results showed that the more variables, the L value as the determinant of the width of the MEWMS control limit was smaller, and the greater the value of ω, the value of L as the width of the MEWMS control border width is wider.
Experiences of analysis ToolPak in Matrix Algebra
Authors: Maryati I , Sumartini T S , Noordyana M A , Sofyan D , Madio S S
Published: December 2019

Analysis toolpak is very useful for a problem related with matrix material the purpose of this research article is to analyze the effectiveness of using the ToolPak analysis on matrix algebra. The method of this study is an experimental method with quasi-experimental design. The sample in this study took 27 students at the first years of the one at a private college in Indonesia. The results of processing data show that the value tcount equal to 9,207 and then the value (2-tailed) equal to 0,000 smaller than alpha 0.05 so that Ho is rejected. As the implication from this study the use of effective ToolPak analysis to improve students mathematical reasoning abilities in matrix algebraic material
The analysis of mathematics with ATLAS.ti
Authors: Afriansyah E A , Puspitasari N , Luritawaty I P , Mardiani D , Sundayana R
Published: December 2019

The teacher is one of the important factors in a good teaching and learning process. A teacher is required to have qualified cognitive and pedagogical abilities, so that he/she is creative in everything, including problem posing. Many studies discussed the problem of students’ ability but not many discussed the problem of teachers’ ability itself. This study used ATLAS.ti software as a tool for data analysis. ATLAS.ti software assisted researchers to manage all various data. The research was conducted on prospective teachers in one private institution. Observations and tests were conducted on 40 respondents, while only 6 respondents were involved at the time of the phase, namely interviews. Through ATLAS.ti software, the result showed that the problem posing skill of prospective teachers was still far from enough. What is needed is the right action to overcome the problem.
Cho—Maison magnetic monopole: BPS limit and lower mass bound
Authors: Beneš Petr , Blaschke Filip
Published: December 2019

We construct a class of effective extensions of the Standard Model that support finite-mass Cho–Maison magnetic monopole in the Bogomol’nyi–Prasad–Sommerfield (BPS) limit. We present an example of exact analytic monopole solution and derive a universal lower mass bound M ⩾ 2πυ/g ≈ 2.37 TeV of the Cho–Maison magnetic monopole.
Operator-algebraic construction of the deformed Sine-Gordon model
Authors: Cadamuro Daniela
Published: December 2019

We consider the construction of integrable quantum field theories in the operator-algebraic approach, which is based on quantum fields localized in infinitely extended wedge regions. This approach has been successful for the construction of a class of models with scalar S-matrices and without bound states. In extension of these results, we apply similar methods to S-matrices with poles in the physical strip (“bound states”). Specifically, we consider a deformed version of the Sine-Gordon model, containing only breathers. We exhibit wedge-local fields in this model, which differ from those in non-bound state models by an additive term, the so called “bound state operator”.
On calculation of quadrupole operator in orthogonal Bargmann-Moshinsky basis of SU(3) group
Authors: Deveikis A. , Gusev A.A. , Vinitsky S.I. , Pe¸drak A. , Burdík Č , Góźdź A. , Krassovitskiy P.M.
Published: December 2019

Construction of orthonormal states of the noncanonical Bargmann-Moshinsky basis in a nonmultiplicity-free case is presented. It is implemented by means of the both Gram-Schmidt procedure and solving eigenvalue problem of the Hermitian labeling operator of an envelope algebra of the SU(3) group. Calculations of the quadrupole and Bargmann-Moshinsky operators and its matrix elements needed for construction of the nuclear models are tested. Comparison of results in the integer and floating point calculations with help of the proposed procedures implemented in Wolfram Mathematica is given.
Two-qubit geometric discord. The solution
Authors: Frydryszak Andrzej , Ługiewicz Piotr , Jakóbczyk Lech
Published: December 2019

We report the analytical solution of the problem of description of quantum geometric discord for a two-qubit system.
Supersymmetric Calogero and Calogero-Sutherland models from gauging
Authors: Ivanov Evgeny
Published: December 2019

We describe how the new kinds of N = 2 and N = 4 supersymmetric extensions of the rational and hyperbolic Calogero models can be derived by gauging U(n) symmetry of the appropriate superfield matrix models. These systems feature non-standard numbers N n
2 of physical fermionic variables as compared with N n in the standard case. An essential ingredient of N = 4 models is the necessary presence of semi-dynamical spin variables described by d = 1 Wess-Zumino terms. The bosonic cores of N = 4 models are U(2) spin Calogero and Calogero-Sutherland models. In the hyperbolic case two non-equivalent N = 4 extensions exist, with and without the interacting center-of-mass coordinate in the bosonic sector. The talk is based on joint works with Sergey Fedoruk and Olaf Lechtenfeld.
Towards a Z3-graded approach to quarks’ symmetries
Authors: Kerner Richard , Lukierski Jerzy
Published: December 2019

Colour SU(3) group is an exact symmetry of Quantum Chromodynamics, which describes strong interactions between quarks and gluons. Supplemented by two internal symmetries, SU(2) and U(1), it serves as the internal symmetry of the Standard Model, describing as well the electroweak interactions of quarks and leptons. The colour SU(3) symmetry is exact, while two other symmetries are broken by means of the Higgs-Kibble mechanism. The three colours and fractional quarks charges with values 1/3 and 2/3 suggest that the cyclic group Z
3 may play a crucial role in quark field dynamics.

In this paper we consequently apply the Z
3 symmetry to field multiplets describing colour quark fields. Generalized Dirac equation for coloured 12-component spinors is introduced and its properties are discussed. Imposing Z
3-graded Lorentz and Poincaré covariance leads to enlargement of quark fields multiplets and incorporates additional Z
2
× Z
3 symmetry which leads to the appearance of three generations (families) of distinct quark doublets.
Features of the twistor formulation of the massless superparticle on AdS5 × S5 superbackground
Authors: Uvarov D V
Published: December 2019

We study supertwistor formulations of the D = 10 massless superparticle model on AdS
5
× S
5 superbackground of IIB supergravity. Product structure of the background suggests using Spin(1, 4) variables to express momentum components tangent to AdS
5 and Spin(5) variables to express momentum components tangent to S
5 that yields eight-supertwistor formulation of the superparticle’s Lagrangian. We find incidence relations connecting supertwistor components with the AdS
5
× S
5 superspace coordinates and the set of the constraints that supertwistors satisfy. Solving the constraints for the Spin(1, 4) and Spin(5) variables it is possible to reduce eight-supertwistor formulation to the four-supertwistor one. Respective supertwistors agree with those introduced previously in other models. The advantage of the four-supertwistor formulation is the presence only of the first-class constraints that facilitates analysis of the superparticle model.
On modeling neutrinos oscillations by geometry methods in the frames of the theory for a fermion with three mass parameters
Authors: Voynova Ya.A. , Ovsiyuk E A , Kisel V V , Pletyukhov V A , Gilewsky V V , Red’kov V M
Published: December 2019

Starting from the general Gel’fand-Yaglom approach, we develop the theory of a new wave equation for a spin 1/2 fermion, which is characterized by three mass parameters. On the base of a 20-component wave function, three auxiliary bispinors are introduced, in absence of external fields these bispinors obey three separate Dirac-like equations with different masses. In presence of external electromagnetic fields or gravitational non-Euclidean background with a non-vanishing Ricci scalar curvature, the main equation is not split into separated three equations, instead a quite definite mixing of three Dirac-like equations arises. It is shown that for neutral Majorana particle, a generalized equation with three mass parameters exists as well. Such a generalized Majorana equation is not split into three separated equations in the curved space-time background, if the Ricci scalar of that space-time does not vanish. We have studied in detail the Majorana case, assuming approximation when an external cosmological background is taken into account by a constant Ricci parameter, R = const, and the Cartesian coordinates are used. With the help of a special linear transformation, the system of three linked Majorana equations transforms into three separate ones, with modified mass parameters, the last are solvable in the usual way. The spectrum of arising mass parameters is studied analytically and numerically.
A Quantum Electromagnetic Theory of the Pions, Muons and Their Emitting Particles (I)
Authors: Zheng-Johansson J X
Published: December 2019

In direct accordance to the overall relevant experimental demonstrations, we represent the charged pion π- as a heavy electron h
- in precessional-orbital (P-O) motion at essentially the light speed c about

υ
¯

e

-orbit of a normal at quantised angle π − θ1/2 = − arccos

(

1
/

3

)

to the z axis. h
- is the level N = 1 oscillation of charge −e and its electromagnetic radiation originally generated in the weak potential field of another particle. The P-O kinetic energy current and two additional opposite ones created upon π- decay represent confined neutrinos

υ
¯

e

,

υ
¯

μ

,

υ
μ

. The muon µ- is a xy-projected h
- in two superposing P-O motions along

υ
¯

e
−

,

υ
μ

- orbits of normals at angles π − θ1/2, θ1/2 to z. The µ- (rest) mass is a geometric projection of the reduced π- mass,

M
μ

=
(

M
π

−

M

υ
μ

)

cos

θ

1
/
2

=
105.86
MeV

. The µ- mass is fundamentally predetermined by the mixed two states ml
= −1, +1 of level n = 2 of a double heavy positronium in the CM frame produced in a relativistic e
-, e
+ collision, and is ab initio predicted to be

M

μ
−

=

(

3
4

2
α

+
1

)

M
e

=
105.549
MeV

, where

α
=

e
2

/

4
π

∈
0

ℏ
c

. The un-projected n = 2 level gives the bound π- mass containing a friction term

O
η

,

M
π

+

O
η

=

(

2
α

+
1

)

M
e

=
140.525
MeV

. Their antiparticles π+, µ+ and the tauons τ∓ can be similarly represented. The remaining unstable elementary particles can be constructed as composites of two or more single charged ones in certain spatial quantised P-O motions.
3O A pre-existing inflammatory immune microenvironment predicts the clinical and immunological response of vulvar high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions to therapeutic HPV16 peptide vaccination
Authors: Abdulrahman Z , de Miranda N F C C , van Poelgeest M I E , van der Burg S H
Published: December 2019

Background

Vulvar High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (vHSIL) is predominantly induced by high-risk Human Papilloma Virus type 16 (HPV16). In two independent trials, therapeutic vaccination against the oncoproteins of HPV16 with synthetic long peptides (SLP) resulted in vHSIL regression in about half of the patients after 12 months. Several studies have shown that the immune microenvironment influences therapy outcome. Therefore, a thorough investigation of the vHSIL immune microenvironment before and after SLP vaccination was performed, and its impact on clinical response was studied.

Methods

Two novel multiplex immunofluorescence panels were designed for formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue, one for T cells (CD3, CD8, FoxP3, Tim3, Tbet, PD-1, DAPI) and one for myeloid cells (CD14, CD33, CD68, CD163, CD11c, PD-L1, DAPI). Pre- and 3 months post-vaccination biopsies of 29 patients and 27 healthy vulva excisions were stained, scanned with the Vectra multispectral imaging system, and automatically phenotyped and counted with inForm advanced image analysis software.

Results

A pre-existing pro-inflammatory TME, marked by high numbers of CD4 and CD8 T cells expressing Tbet and/or PD-1 as well as CD14+ inflammatory macrophages, is a strong predictor for good clinical response. A clear stepwise increase in pre-vaccination infiltrating Tbet+, CD4+, CD8+ T cells and CD14+ macrophages, and decrease in Foxp3+ Tregs was observed as response increased from non to partial to complete response. Moreover, the pre-vaccination immune microenvironment of complete responders resembled healthy vulva. Vaccination further increased infiltrating CD4+ and Tbet+ T cells and CD14+ macrophages and decreased FoxP3+ Tregs in the complete and partial responders, but not in the non responders.

Conclusion

Clinical responsiveness to therapeutic HPV16 SLP vaccination requires a pre-existing inflamed type 1 immune contexture in vHSIL. Hence, only patients with an inflamed TME should be selected for monotherapy by therapeutic vaccination, since this strategy is incapable of creating an inflamed TME in patients where this is absent.

Legal entity responsible for the study

The authors.

Funding

Leiden University Medical Center.

Disclosure

S.H. van der Burg: Advisory / Consultancy: ISA Pharmaceuticals. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Cleavage of SPACA1 regulates assembly of sperm–egg membrane fusion machinery in mature spermatozoa†
Authors: Yamatoya Kenji , Kousaka Marika , Ito Chizuru , Nakata Kazuya , Hatano Masahiko , Araki Yoshihiko , Toshimori Kiyotaka
Published: December 2019

The acrosome reaction is a multi-step event essential for physiological fertilization. During the acrosome reaction, gamete fusion-related factor IZUMO1 translocates from the anterior acrosome to the equatorial segment and assembles the gamete fusion machinery. The morphological changes in the acrosome reaction process have been well studied, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms of acrosome reorganization essential for physiological gamete membrane fusion. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of IZUMO1 translocation, the steps of the acrosome reaction during that process must be clarified. In this study, we established a method to detect the early steps of the acrosome reaction and subdivided the process into seven populations through the use of two epitope-defined antibodies, anti-IZUMO1 and anti-SPACA1, a fertilization-inhibiting antibody. We found that part of the SPACA1 C-terminus in the periacrosomal space was cleaved and had begun to disappear when the vesiculation of the anterior acrosome occurred. The IZUMO1 epitope externalized from the acrosomal lumen before acrosomal vesiculation and phosphorylation of IZUMO1 occurred during the translocation to the equatorial segment. IZUMO1 circumvented the area of the equatorial segment where the SPACA1C-terminus was still localized. We therefore propose an IZUMO1 translocation model and involvement of SPACA1.
Cyclophosphamide has Long-Term Effects on Proliferation in Olfactory Epithelia
Authors: Awadallah Nora , Proctor Kara , Joseph Kyle B , Delay Eugene R , Delay Rona J
Published: December 2019

Chemotherapy patients often experience chemosensory changes during and after drug therapy. The chemotherapy drug, cyclophosphamide (CYP), has known cytotoxic effects on sensory and proliferating cells of the taste system. Like the taste system, cells in the olfactory epithelia undergo continuous renewal. Therefore, we asked if a single injection of 75 mg/kg CYP would affect cell proliferation in the anterior dorsomedial region of the main olfactory epithelium (MOE) and the vomeronasal organ (VNO) from 0 to 125 days after injection. Both epithelia showed a decrease in Ki67-labeled cells compared to controls at day 1 and no Ki67+ cells at day 2 postinjection. In the sensory layer of the MOE, cell proliferation began to recover 4 days after CYP injection and by 6 days, the rate of proliferation was significantly greater than controls. Ki67+ cells peaked 30 days postinjection, then declined to control levels at day 45. Similar temporal sequences of initial CYP-induced suppression of cell proliferation followed by elevated rates peaking 30–45 days postinjection were seen in the sustentacular layer of the MOE and all 3 areas (sensory, sustentacular, marginal) of the VNO. CYP affected proliferation in the sensory layer of the MOE more than the sustentacular layer and all 3 areas of the VNO. These findings suggest that chemotherapy involving CYP is capable of affecting cell renewal of the olfactory system and likely contributes to clinical loss of function during and after chemotherapy.
Crustal anisotropy beneath northeastern Tibetan Plateau from the harmonic decomposition of receiver functions
Authors: Xie Zhenxin , Levin Vadim , Wu Qingju
Published: December 2019

A uniformly spaced linear transect through the northeastern Tibetan Plateau was constructed using 54 stations from ChinaArray Phase II. We used a set of colocated earthquakes to form receiver function beams that were then used to construct a 2-D image of main converting boundaries in our region and to investigate lateral changes in main impedance contrasts along the transect. The image revealed obvious mid-crustal low-velocity zones beneath the Qilian Orogen and the Alxa Block. We developed a new procedure that uses harmonically decomposed receiver functions to characterize seismic anisotropy, and that can determine both the orientations of symmetry axes and their type (fast or slow). We tested our technique on a number of synthetic models, and subsequently applied it to the data from the transect. We found that: (1) within the upper crust the orientations of slow symmetry axes are nearly orthogonal to the strike directions of faults, and thus anisotropy is likely caused by the shape preferred orientation of fluid-saturated cracks or fractures and (2) together with the low-velocity zones revealed from receiver functions stacks, anisotropic layers in the middle-to-lower crust could be explained by the crustal channel flow that was proposed for this region by previous studies. The shear within the boundary layers of crustal flow forms anisotropy with symmetry axes parallel to the flow direction.
Application of a gut-immune co-culture system for the study of N-glycan-dependent host–pathogen interactions of Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: Zamora Cristina Y , Ward Elizabeth M , Kester Jemila C , Chen Wen Li Kelly , Velazquez Jason G , Griffith Linda G , Imperiali Barbara
Published: December 2019

An in vitro gut-immune co-culture model with apical and basal accessibility, designed to more closely resemble a human intestinal microenvironment, was employed to study the role of the N-linked protein glycosylation pathway in Campylobacter jejuni pathogenicity. The gut-immune co-culture (GIC) was developed to model important aspects of the human small intestine by the inclusion of mucin-producing goblet cells, human enterocytes and dendritic cells, bringing together a mucus-containing epithelial monolayer with elements of the innate immune system. The utility of the system was demonstrated by characterizing host–pathogen interactions facilitated by N-linked glycosylation, such as host epithelial barrier functions, bacterial invasion and immunogenicity. Changes in human intestinal barrier functions in the presence of 11168 C. jejuni (wildtype) strains were quantified using GICs. The glycosylation-impaired strain 11168 ΔpglE was 100-fold less capable of adhering to and invading this intestinal model in cell infectivity assays. Quantification of inflammatory signaling revealed that 11168ΔpglE differentially modulated inflammatory responses in different intestinal microenvironments, suppressive in some but activating in others. Virulence-associated outer membrane vesicles produced by wildtype and 11168ΔpglE C. jejuni were shown to have differential composition and function, with both leading to immune system activation when provided to the gut-immune co-culture model. This analysis of aspects of C. jejuni infectivity in the presence and absence of its N-linked glycome is enabled by application of the gut-immune model, and we anticipate that this system will be applicable to further studies of C. jejuni and other enteropathogens of interest.
The case of the missing royalty stacking in the world mobile wireless industry
Authors: Galetovic Alexander , Gupta Kirti
Published: December 2019

We build an equilibrium royalty stacking model that links the number of standard-essential patent (SEP) holders with the equilibrium quantity, price and cumulative royalty. We show that all observable implications of the theory are inconsistent with the data from the world mobile wireless industry. In this industry, the number of SEP holders grew from 2 in 1994 to 130 in 2013. Royalty stacking theory predicts falling or stagnant output, rising selling prices, and rising or stagnant quality-adjusted prices. By contrast, between 1994 and 2013 worldwide yearly device sales grew 62-fold, at an average rate of 20.1% per year, and both selling and quality-adjusted prices fell fast over time. Controlling for technological generation, the real average selling price of a device fell between -11.4% and -24.8% per year. Similarly, under conservative parametrizations, royalty stacking theory predicts royalty yields, which are more than an order of magnitude larger than the observed average cumulative royalty yield charged by SEP holders in practice, which hovers between 3% and 3.5%. A theory based on Lerner and Tirole’s (2015, J. Political Econ., 123(3), 547–586) within-functionality competition yields observable implications consistent with the observed facts. If all the technologies protected by SEPs have meaningful substitutes that cap the royalty that any SEP holder can charge, then the cumulative royalty is independent of demand parameters in the downstream market and can be as low as the observed average cumulative royalty yield. Moreover, if the product market is competitive and technological progress is fast, then prices follow costs, quality-adjusted prices protractedly fall, and sales grow fast.
Chiral Versus Classical Operad
Authors: Bakalov Bojko , De Sole Alberto , Heluani Reimundo , Kac Victor G
Published: December 2019

We establish an explicit isomorphism between the associated graded of the filtered chiral operad and the classical operad, which is important for computing the cohomology of vertex algebras.
Microcredit Contracts, Risk Diversification and Loan Take-Up
Authors: Attanasio Orazio , Augsburg Britta , De Haas Ralph
Published: December 2019

We study theoretically and empirically the demand for microcredit under different liability arrangements and risk environments. A theoretical model shows that the demand for joint-liability loans can exceed that for individual-liability loans when risk-averse borrowers value their long-term relationship with the lender. Joint liability then offers a way to diversify risk and reduce the chance of losing access to future loans. We also show that the demand for loans depends negatively on the riskiness of projects. Using data from a randomised controlled trial in Mongolia we find that these model predictions hold true empirically. In particular, we use innovative data on subjective risk perceptions to show that expected project risk negatively affects the demand for loans. In line with an insurance role of joint-liability contracts, this effect is muted in villages where joint-liability loans are available.
Severe heterotopic ossification post total knee arthroplasty in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis: a case report
Authors: Alturki Abdullah A , Aldeghaither Sarah A , Alhandi Ali A
Published: December 2019

Stiffness following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can be a devastating complication to the patient by limiting his function. Various causes have been reported in the literature, including heterotopic ossification (HO). HO is one of the rarely reported complication of TKA characterized by deposition of bone cells in non-skeletal tissue. This is a case of 32-year-old female known to have rheumatoid arthritis with history of TKA 4-years-ago complaining of right knee pain and restricted range of motion. She was later found to have HO and was treated with a revision TKA. In conclusion, the incidence and outcome of HO following total knee replacement in patients with RA remains underexplored topic in the literature.
Mental Health During Naval Deployment: The Protective Role of Family Support
Authors: Nordmo Morten , Hystad Sigurd William , Sanden Sverre , Johnsen Bjørn Helge
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Minor mental health problems among service members deployed in combat areas are relatively common, but social support is a protective factor. With the advent of digital communication, as well as more frequent family separations, a stable family support system may be more important than before. In this exploratory study, we aimed to test the relationship between perceived family support and the development of minor psychiatric symptoms during a 4-month naval counter piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden.

Materials and Methods

We measured minor mental health problems with the general health questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12) and family support at three intervals, 3 weeks before deployment, 2 months into the mission, and at the end of deployment. We used mixed multilevel regression analysis to analyze the main effects of family support and time, as well as their interaction. All analyses were controlled for military rank.

Results

We found that minor psychiatric symptoms increased at both midway (B = 0.51, P < 0.05) and toward the end of the mission (B = 0.72, P < 0.01). The results also showed that receiving more family support is associated with fewer psychiatric symptoms (B = −0.87, P < 0.01). Family support also moderated the development of symptoms toward the end of the mission (B = −0.73, P < 0.01). The buffering effect was such that service members with a high degree of family support experienced no increase in minor psychiatric symptoms during the deployment.

Conclusions

The results indicate that naval deployment is associated with a small increase in minor mental health problems and that having a high degree of family support buffers this effect. Efforts to increase support among military families may positively influence the wellbeing of naval sailors during combat missions.
Horizontal Gene Transfer Phylogenetics: A Random Walk Approach
Authors: Sevillya Gur , Doerr Daniel , Lerner Yael , Stoye Jens , Steel Mike , Snir Sagi
Published: December 2019

The dramatic decrease in time and cost for generating genetic sequence data has opened up vast opportunities in molecular systematics, one of which is the ability to decipher the evolutionary history of strains of a species. Under this fine systematic resolution, the standard markers are too crude to provide a phylogenetic signal. Nevertheless, among prokaryotes, genome dynamics in the form of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between organisms and gene loss seem to provide far richer information by affecting both gene order and gene content. The “synteny index” (SI) between a pair of genomes combines these latter two factors, allowing comparison of genomes with unequal gene content, together with order considerations of their common genes. Although this approach is useful for classifying close relatives, no rigorous statistical modeling for it has been suggested. Such modeling is valuable, as it allows observed measures to be transformed into estimates of time periods during evolution, yielding the “additivity” of the measure. To the best of our knowledge, there is no other additivity proof for other gene order/content measures under HGT. Here, we provide a first statistical model and analysis for the SI measure. We model the “gene neighborhood” as a “birth–death–immigration” process affected by the HGT activity over the genome, and analytically relate the HGT rate and time to the expected SI. This model is asymptotic and thus provides accurate results, assuming infinite size genomes. Therefore, we also developed a heuristic model following an “exponential decay” function, accounting for biologically realistic values, which performed well in simulations. Applying this model to 1,133 prokaryotes partitioned to 39 clusters by the rank of genus yields that the average number of genome dynamics events per gene in the phylogenetic depth of genus is around half with significant variability between genera. This result extends and confirms similar results obtained for individual genera in different manners.
Synergistic activity of mTORC1/2 kinase and MEK inhibitors suppresses pediatric low-grade glioma tumorigenicity and vascularity
Authors: Arnold Antje , Yuan Ming , Price Antionette , Harris Lauren , Eberhart Charles G , Raabe Eric H
Published: December 2019

Background

Pediatric low-grade glioma (pLGG) is the most common childhood brain tumor. Many patients with unresectable or recurrent/refractory tumors have significant lifelong disability. The majority of pLGG have mutations increasing the activity of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is also a hallmark of pLGG. We therefore hypothesized that the dual target of rapamycin complexes 1 and 2 (TORC1/2) kinase inhibitor TAK228 would synergize with the mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) inhibitor trametinib in pLGG.

Methods

We tested TAK228 and trametinib in patient-derived pLGG cell lines harboring drivers of pLGG including BRAFV600E and neurofibromatosis type 1 loss. We measured cell proliferation, pathway inhibition, cell death, and senescence. Synergy was analyzed via MTS assay using the Chou–Talalay method. In vivo, we tested for overall survival and pathway inhibition and performed immunohistochemistry for proliferation and vascularization. We performed a scratch assay and measured angiogenesis protein activation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Results

TAK228 synergized with trametinib in pLGG at clinically relevant doses in all tested cell lines, suppressing proliferation, inducing apoptosis, and causing senescence in a cell line–dependent manner. Combination treatment increased median survival by 70% and reduced tumor volume compared with monotreatment and control cohorts. Vascularization of tumors decreased as measured by CD31 and CD34. Combination treatment blocked activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and sarcoma proto-oncogene non-receptor tyrosine kinase (SRC) in HUVEC cells and reduced HUVEC migration compared with each drug alone.

Conclusions

The combination of TAK228 and trametinib synergized to suppress the growth of pLGG. These agents synergized to reduce tumor vascularity and endothelial cell growth and migration by blocking activation of FAK and SRC.