bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling Pan Evaporation Using Gaussian Process Regression K-Nearest Neighbors Random Forest and Support Vector Machines; Comparative Analysis
Authors: Shabani Sevda , Samadianfard Saeed , Sattari Mohammad Taghi , Mosavi Amir , Shamshirband Shahaboddin , Kmet Tibor , Várkonyi-Kóczy Annamária R.
Published: January 2020

Evaporation is a very important process; it is one of the most critical factors in agricultural, hydrological, and meteorological studies. Due to the interactions of multiple climatic factors, evaporation is considered as a complex and nonlinear phenomenon to model. Thus, machine learning methods have gained popularity in this realm. In the present study, four machine learning methods of Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Regression (SVR) were used to predict the pan evaporation (PE). Meteorological data including PE, temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), wind speed (W), and sunny hours (S) collected from 2011 through 2017. The accuracy of the studied methods was determined using the statistical indices of Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), correlation coefficient (R) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE). Furthermore, the Taylor charts utilized for evaluating the accuracy of the mentioned models. The results of this study showed that at Gonbad-e Kavus, Gorgan and Bandar Torkman stations, GPR with RMSE of 1.521 mm/day, 1.244 mm/day, and 1.254 mm/day, KNN with RMSE of 1.991 mm/day, 1.775 mm/day, and 1.577 mm/day, RF with RMSE of 1.614 mm/day, 1.337 mm/day, and 1.316 mm/day, and SVR with RMSE of 1.55 mm/day, 1.262 mm/day, and 1.275 mm/day had more appropriate performances in estimating PE values. It was found that GPR for Gonbad-e Kavus Station with input parameters of T, W and S and GPR for Gorgan and Bandar Torkmen stations with input parameters of T, RH, W and S had the most accurate predictions and were proposed for precise estimation of PE. The findings of the current study indicated that the PE values may be accurately estimated with few easily measured meteorological parameters.
Mean Zonal Drift Velocities of Plasma Bubbles Estimated from Keograms of Nightglow All-Sky Images from the Brazilian Sector
Authors: Vargas Fabio , Brum Christiano , Terra Pedrina , Gobbi Delano
Published: January 2020

We present in this work a method for estimation of equatorial plasma bubble (EPB) mean zonal drift velocities using keograms generated from images of the OI 6300.0 nm nightglow emission collected from an equatorial station–Cariri (7.4° S, 36.5° W), and a mid-latitude station–Cachoeira Paulista (22.7° S, 45° W), both in the Brazilian sector. The mean zonal drift velocities were estimated for 239 events recorded from 2000 to 2003 in Cariri, and for 56 events recorded over Cachoeira Paulista from 1998 to 2000. It was found that EPB zonal drift velocities are smaller (≈60 ms−1) for events occurring later in the night compared to those occurring earlier (≈150 ms−1). The decreasing rate of the zonal drift velocity is ≈10 ms−1/h. We have also found that, in general, bubble events appearing first in the west-most region of the keograms are faster than those appearing first in the east-most region. Larger zonal drift velocities occur from 19 to 23 LT in a longitude range from −37° to −33°, which shows that the keogram method can be used to describe vertical gradients in the thermospheric wind, assuming that the EPBs drift eastward with the zonal wind. The method of velocity estimation using keograms compares favorably against the mosaic method developed by Arruda, D.C.S, 2005, but the standard deviation of the residuals for the zonal drift velocities from the two methods is not small (≈15 ms−1).
STAT3 Inhibits CD103+ cDC1 Vaccine Efficacy in Murine Breast Cancer
Authors: Chrisikos Taylor T. , Zhou Yifan , Li Haiyan S. , Babcock Rachel L. , Wan Xianxiu , Patel Bhakti , Newton Kathryn , Mancuso James J. , Watowich Stephanie S.
Published: January 2020

Conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) are a critical immune population, composed of multiple subsets, and responsible for controlling adaptive immunity and tolerance. Although migratory type 1 cDCs (CD103+ cDC1s in mice) are necessary to mount CD8+ T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity, whether and how tumors modulate CD103+ cDC1 function remain understudied. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) mediates the intracellular signaling of tumor-associated immunosuppressive cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-10; thus, we hypothesized that STAT3 restrained anti-tumor immune responses elicited by CD103+ cDC1s. Herein, we show that in vitro-derived STAT3-deficient (Stat3∆/∆) CD103+ cDC1s are refractory to the inhibitory effects of IL-10 on Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist-induced maturation responses. In a tumor vaccination approach, we found Stat3∆/∆ CD103+ cDC1s restrained mammary gland tumor growth and increased mouse survival more effectively than STAT3-sufficient CD103+ cDC1s. In addition, vaccination with Stat3∆/∆ CD103+ cDC1s elicited increased amounts of tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and IFN-γ+ CD4+ T cells in tumors and tumor-draining lymph nodes versus phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)-treated animals. Furthermore, IL-10 receptor-deficient CD103+ cDC1s controlled tumor growth to a similar degree as Stat3∆/∆ CD103+ cDC1s. Taken together, our data reveal an inhibitory role for STAT3 in CD103+ cDC1 maturation and regulation of anti-tumor immunity. Our results also suggest IL-10 is a key factor eliciting immunosuppressive STAT3 signaling in CD103+ cDC1s in breast cancer. Thus, inhibition of STAT3 in cDC1s may provide an important strategy to improve their efficacy in tumor vaccination approaches and cDC1-mediated control of anti-tumor immunity.
In the Absence of a TCR Signal IL-2/IL-12/18-Stimulated γδ T Cells Demonstrate Potent Anti-Tumoral Function Through Direct Killing and Senescence Induction in Cancer Cells
Authors: Schilbach Karin , Welker Christian , Krickeberg Naomi , Kaißer Carlotta , Schleicher Sabine , Hashimoto Hisayoshi
Published: January 2020

Abundant IFN-γ secretion, potent cytotoxicity, and major histocompatibility complex-independent targeting of a large spectrum of tumors make γδ T cells attractive candidates for cancer immunotherapy. Upon tumor recognition through the T-cell receptor (TCR), NK-receptors, or NKG2D, γδ T cells generate the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ, or granzymes and perforin that mediate cellular apoptosis. Despite these favorable potentials, most clinical trials testing the adoptive transfer of pharmacologically TCR-targeted and expanded γδ T cells resulted in a limited response. Recently, the TCR-independent activation of γδ T cells was identified. However, the modulation of γδ T cell’s effector functions solely by cytokines remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we systematically analyzed the impact of IL-2, IL-12, and IL-18 in parallel with TCR stimulation on proliferation, cytokine production, and anti-tumor activity of γδ T cells. Our results demonstrate that IL-12 and IL-18, when combined, constitute the most potent stimulus to enhance anti-tumor activity and induce proliferation and IFN-γ production by γδ T cells in the absence of TCR signaling. Intriguingly, stimulation with IL-12 and IL-18 without TCR stimulus induces a comparable degree of anti-tumor activity in γδ T cells to TCR crosslinking by killing tumor cells and driving cancer cells into senescence. These findings approve the use of IL-12/IL-18-stimulated γδ T cells for adoptive cell therapy to boost anti-tumor activity by γδ T cells.
The Role of Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7 (TRPM7) in Cell Viability: A Potential Target to Suppress Breast Cancer Cell Cycle
Authors: Liu Hengrui , Dilger James P. , Lin Jun
Published: January 2020

The divalent cation-selective channel transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) channel was shown to affect the proliferation of some types of cancer cell. However, the function of TRPM7 in the viability of breast cancer cells remains unclear. Here we show that TRPM inhibitors suppressed the viability of TRPM7-expressing breast cancer cells. We first demonstrated that the TRPM7 inhibitors 2-aminoethyl diphenylborinate (2-APB), ginsenoside Rd (Gin Rd), and waixenicin A preferentially suppressed the viability of human embryonic kidney HEK293 overexpressing TRPM7 (HEK-M7) cells over wildtype HEK293 (WT-HEK). Next, we confirmed the effects of 2-APB on the TRPM7 channel functions by whole-cell currents and divalent cation influx. The inhibition of the viability of HEK-M7 cells by 2-APB was not mediated by the increase in cell death but by the interruption of the cell cycle. Similar to HEK-M7 cells, the viability of TRPM7-expressing human breast cancer MDA-MB-231, AU565, and T47D cells were also suppressed by 2-APB by arresting the cell cycle in the S phase. Furthermore, in a novel TRPM7 knock-out MDA-MB-231 (KO-231) cell line, decreased divalent influx and reduced proliferation were observed compared to the wildtype MDA-MB-231 cells. 2-APB and Gin Rd preferentially suppressed the viability of wildtype MDA-MB-231 cells over KO-231 by affecting the cell cycle in wildtype but not KO-231 cells. Our results suggest that TRPM7 regulates the cell cycle of breast cancers and is a potential therapeutic target.
A DFT Study on the Redox Active Behavior of Carbene and Pyridine Ligands in the Oxidative and Reductive Quenching Cycles of Ruthenium Photoredox Catalysts
Authors: Medina Edinson , Pinter Balazs
Published: January 2020

In this study, a detailed look at the electronic structure changes induced by photon absorption and of the succeeding redox events of the oxidative and reductive quenching cycles of ruthenium–carbene and ruthenium–pyridine photoredox catalysts is provided through an arsenal of density functional theory-based techniques including electron density difference Δρ(r) maps, spin-density distributions, and the non-covalent interaction analysis. We introduced an efficient computational protocol to obtain accurate equilibrium structures and ground-state reduction potentials for these types of complexes, substantiated via a direct comparison to empirical X-ray structures and cyclic voltammetry measurements, respectively. Moreover, we demonstrated the utility of a hitherto unexplored approach to compute excited-state redox potentials based on the Gibbs free energy of the triplet metal-to-ligand charge transfer state (3MLCT). The analyzed Δρ(r) maps revealed the characteristic features of, for example, metal- and ligand-centered reductions and oxidations in both ground and excited states and MLCT processes, disclosing the active participation of carbene ligands in the redox events of homoleptic systems. Beyond analyzing ligand–ligand non-covalent interactions and redox-active behaviors of carbene and pyridine ligands side by side, the effect of such groups on the kinetics of 3MLCT to 3MC transition was scrutinized.
Trehalose Alleviates Crystalline Silica-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis via Activation of the TFEB-Mediated Autophagy-Lysosomal System in Alveolar Macrophages
Authors: He Xiu , Chen Shi , Li Chao , Ban Jiaqi , Wei Yungeng , He Yangyang , Liu Fangwei , Chen Ying , Chen Jie
Published: January 2020

Silicosis is an occupational lung disease characterized by persistent inflammation and irreversible fibrosis. Crystalline silica (CS) particles are mainly phagocytized by alveolar macrophages (AMs), which trigger apoptosis, inflammation, and pulmonary fibrosis. Previously, we found that autophagy-lysosomal system dysfunction in AMs was involved in CS-induced inflammation and fibrosis. Induction of autophagy and lysosomal biogenesis by transcription factor EB (TFEB) nuclear translocation can rescue fibrotic diseases. However, the role of TFEB in silicosis is unknown. In this study, we found that CS induced TFEB nuclear localization and increased TFEB expression in macrophages both in vivo and in vitro. However, TFEB overexpression or treatment with the TFEB activator trehalose (Tre) alleviated lysosomal dysfunction and enhanced autophagic flux. It also reduced apoptosis, inflammatory cytokine levels, and fibrosis. Both pharmacologically inhibition of autophagy and TFEB knockdown in macrophages significantly abolished the antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects elicited by either TFEB overexpression or Tre treatment. In conclusion, these results uncover a protective role of TFEB-mediated autophagy in silicosis. Our study suggests that restoration of autophagy-lysosomal function by Tre-induced TFEB activation may be a novel strategy for the treatment of silicosis.
Monitoring Therapy Efficiency in Cancer through Extracellular Vesicles
Authors: Stevic Ines , Buescher Gustav , Ricklefs Franz Lennard
Published: January 2020

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous group of membrane-enclosed vesicles made of a phospholipid bilayer and are secreted by all cell types. EVs are present in a variety of body fluids containing proteins, DNA, RNA species, and lipids, and play an important role in cell- to-cell communication and are worth being considered as biomarkers for both early diagnosis of cancer patients and real-time monitoring of treatment response. Recently, emerging evidence verified EVs to have crucial roles in cancer progression and metastasis and a great potential in therapeutic applications. In this review, we discuss the potential of EVs in monitoring the efficacy of cancer therapies.
Interleukin-22 Mediates the Chemotactic Migration of Breast Cancer Cells and Macrophage Infiltration of the Bone Microenvironment by Potentiating S1P/SIPR Signaling
Authors: Kim Eun-Young , Choi Bongkun , Kim Ji-Eun , Park Si-On , Kim Sang-Min , Chang Eun-Ju
Published: January 2020

The interleukin-22 (IL-22) signaling pathway is well known to be involved in the progression of various cancer types but its role in bone metastatic breast cancer remains unclear. We demonstrate using human GEO profiling that bone metastatic breast cancer displays elevated interleukin-22 receptor 1 (IL-22R1) and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) expression. Importantly, IL-22 stimuli promoted the expression of IL-22R1 and S1PR1 in aggressive MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. IL-22 treatment also increased sphingosine-1-phosphate production in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and induced the sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)-mediated chemotactic migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. This effect was inhibited by an S1P antagonist. In addition to the S1PR1 axis, IL-22 stimulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), thereby promoting breast cancer cell invasion. Moreover, IL-22 induced IL22R1 and S1PR1 expression in macrophages, myeloid cell, and MCP1 expression in MSCs to facilitate macrophage infiltration. Immunohistochemistry indicated that IL-22R1 and S1PR1 are overexpressed in invasive malignant breast cancers and that this correlates with the MMP-9 levels. Collectively, our present results indicate a potential role of IL-22 in driving the metastasis of breast cancers into the bone microenvironment through the IL22R1-S1PR1 axis.
Numerical Analysis of Carbon Nanotube-Based Nanofluid Unsteady Flow Amid Two Rotating Disks with Hall Current Coatings and Homogeneous–Heterogeneous Reactions
Authors: Ramzan Muhammad , Riasat Saima , Kadry Seifedine , Kuntha Pin , Nam Yunyoung , Howari Fares
Published: January 2020

In the present exploration, our objective is to investigate the importance of Hall current coatings in the establishment of Cattaneo–Christov (CC) heat flux model in an unsteady aqueous-based nanofluid flow comprising single (SWCNTs) and multi-walled (MWCNTs) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) amid two parallel rotating stretchable disks. The novelty of the presented model is strengthened with the presence of homogeneous-heterogeneous (HH) reactions and thermal stratification effects. The numerical solution of the system of coupled differential equations with high nonlinearity is obtained by applying the bvp4c function of MATLAB software. To corroborate the authenticity of the present envisioned mathematical model, a comparison table is added to this study in limiting case. An excellent harmony between the two results is obtained. Effects of numerous parameters on involved distributions are displayed graphically and are argued logically in the light of physical laws. Numerical values of coefficient of drag force and Nusselt number are also tabulated for different parameters. It is observed that tangential velocity (function of rotation parameter) is increasing for both CNTs. Further, the incremental values of thermal stratification parameter cause the decrease in fluid temperature parameter.
Design Strategy for Self-Healing Epoxy Coatings
Authors: Yuan Dian , Solouki Bonab Vahab , Patel Ammar , Yilmaz Talha , Gross Richard A. , Manas-Zloczower Ica
Published: January 2020

Self-healing strategies including intrinsic and extrinsic self-healing are commonly used for polymeric materials to restore their appearance and properties upon damage. Unlike intrinsic self-healing tactics where recovery is based on reversible chemical or physical bonds, extrinsic self-healing approaches rely on a secondary phase to acquire the self-healing functionality. Understanding the impacts of the secondary phase on both healing performance and matrix properties is important for rational system design. In this work, self-healing coating systems were prepared by blending a bio-based epoxy from diglycidyl ether of diphenolate esters (DGEDP) with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) prepolymers. Such systems exhibit polymerization induced phase separation morphology that controls coating mechanical and healing properties. Structure–property analysis indicates that the degree of phase separation is controlled by tuning the TPU prepolymer molecular weight. Increasing the TPU prepolymer molecular weight results in a highly phase separated morphology that is preferable for mechanical performances but undesirable for healing functionality. In this case, diffusion of TPU prepolymers during healing is restricted by the epoxy network rigidity and chain entanglement. Low molecular weight TPU prepolymers tend to phase mix with the epoxy matrix during curing, resulting in the formation of a flexible epoxy network that benefits TPU flow while decreasing Tg and mechanical properties. This work describes a rational strategy to develop self-healing coatings with controlled morphology to extend their functions and tailor their properties for specific applications.
Low Gate Lag Normally-Off p-GaN/AlGaN/GaN High Electron Mobility Transistor with Zirconium Gate Metal
Authors: Liu Chia-Hao , Chiu Hsien-Chin , Huang Chong-Rong , Chang Kuo-Jen , Chen Chih-Tien , Hsueh Kuang-Po
Published: January 2020

The impact of gate metal on the leakage current and breakdown voltage of normally-off p-GaN gate high-electron-mobility-transistor (HEMT) with nickel (Ni) and zirconium (Zr) metals were studied and investigated. In this study, a Zr metal as a gate contact to p-GaN/AlGaN/GaN high mobility transistor (HEMT) was first applied to improve the hole accumulation at the high gate voltage region. In addition, the ZrN interface is also beneficial for improving the Schottky barrier with low nitrogen vacancy induced traps. The features of Zr are low work function (4.05 eV) and high melting point, which are two key parameters with p-GaN Schottky contact at reversed voltage. Therefore, Zr/p-GaN interface exhibits highly potential for GaN-based switching power device applications.
TTF-1/p63-Positive Poorly Differentiated NSCLC: A Histogenetic Hypothesis from the Basal Reserve Cell of the Terminal Respiratory Unit
Authors: Cabibi Daniela , Bellavia Sandro , Giannone Antonino Giulio , Barraco Nadia , Cipolla Calogero , Martorana Anna , Rodolico Vito , Cajozzo Massimo , Florena Ada Maria
Published: January 2020

TTF-1 is expressed in the alveolar epithelium and in the basal cells of distal terminal bronchioles. It is considered the most sensitive and specific marker to define the adenocarcinoma arising from the terminal respiratory unit (TRU). TTF-1, CK7, CK5/6, p63 and p40 are useful for typifying the majority of non-small-cell lung cancers, with TTF and CK7 being typically expressed in adenocarcinomas and the latter three being expressed in squamous cell carcinoma. As tumors with coexpression of both TTF-1 and p63 in the same cells are rare, we describe different cases that coexpress them, suggesting a histogenetic hypothesis of their origin. We report 10 cases of poorly differentiated non-small-cell lung carcinoma (PD-NSCLC). Immunohistochemistry was performed by using TTF-1, p63, p40 (ΔNp63), CK5/6 and CK7. EGFR and BRAF gene mutational analysis was performed by using real-time PCR. All the cases showed coexpression of p63 and TTF-1. Six of them showing CK7+ and CK5/6− immunostaining were diagnosed as “TTF-1+ p63+ adenocarcinoma”. The other cases of PD-NSCLC, despite the positivity for CK5/6, were diagnosed as “adenocarcinoma, solid variant”, in keeping with the presence of TTF-1 expression and p40 negativity. A “wild type” genotype of EGFR was evidenced in all cases. TTF1 stained positively the alveolar epithelium and the basal reserve cells of TRU, with the latter also being positive for p63. The coexpression of p63 and TTF-1 could suggest the origin from the basal reserve cells of TRU and represent the capability to differentiate towards different histogenetic lines. More aggressive clinical and morphological features could characterize these “basal-type tumors” like those in the better known “basal-like” cancer of the breast.
An Isolated High Voltage Boost Current-Fed DC–DC Converter Based on 1:1 Transformer Multiplier Cells and ZVS Operation
Authors: Alsaleem Abdulhakeem , Alsakran Faleh , Simões Marcelo Godoy
Published: January 2020

This paper presents a high step up, current fed, interleaved, isolated DC–DC converter with voltage multipliers and ZVS (zero voltage switching). The converter provides zero voltage switching for all active switches and provides a high step up voltage gain that is suitable for very low voltage source applications, such as PV and other renewable sources. In addition, this converter allows the utilization of very low voltage stress switches and diodes. It reduces the current stress by interleaving the input current, and reduces the voltage stress by utilizing a half bridge based multiplier cell integrated configuration at the output voltage while providing high frequency galvanic isolation. The isolation is achieved through the use of 1:1 transformers which are easier to design, and the need for a high turns ratio is absent in this converter. The main theory of operation and the design guideline are presented, as is a laboratory prototype, all to validate the concept.
Determinants of Nonindustrial Private Forest Owners’ Willingness to Harvest Timber in Norway
Authors: Bashir Altamash , Sjølie Hanne , Solberg Birger
Published: January 2020

In Norway, 84% of the productive forest is privately owned, and these forests dominate the supply of timber to industries. However, during last 80 years, annual forest growth has seen a substantial upsurge while annual timber harvest has been rather stable, generating an increasing potential for timber supply. In this study, we provide new insights to better understand Norwegian non-industrial private forest owners’ timber harvesting decisions. This was achieved by comparing the outcomes of two different statistical approaches (i.e., a combination of probit-linear models with a tobit model). These approaches are commonly applied in timber supply studies, but to the best of our knowledge have never been compared on the same dataset. The survey utilized for this study constitutes a population of Active and Inactive forest owners, based on whether the owner had harvested timber for sale during the last fifteen years. Two gross samples of 1500 and 1650 were drawn, with response rates of 56% and 49% for the Active and Inactive owner samples, respectively. The study results reveal that the average holding size varied from 25.2 ha for Inactive to 49.5 ha for both samples and 73.8 ha for Active owners. The probit model analysis indicated that knowledge of forest fund and financial objectives had the most significant impact on the willingness to harvest, with marginal effects of 11% and 12%, respectively. In the linear regression, being a female owner increased the historical timber supply by 1.48 m3 ha−1 year−1 compared to male ownership. In the second regression pathway (tobit model), the two variables female forest owner and owning forests for financial objectives triggered the supply of timber by 1.85 m3 ha−1 year−1 and 1.25 m3 ha−1 year−1, respectively. Timber prices were significant in the linear model (elasticity 1.18) and tobit model (elasticity 0.66), whereas they were non-significant in the probit model. Our study concludes that Active owners had a better understanding of acknowledging forests for economic security. Policy-makers and extension services should recognize that the Inactive forest owner group may require different actions than Active owners.
Non-Pessimistic Predictions of the Distributions and Suitability of Metasequoia glyptostroboides under Climate Change Using a Random Forest Model
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Wei Haiyan , Zhang Xuhui , Liu Jing , Zhang Quanzhong , Gu Wei
Published: January 2020

Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu & W. C. Cheng, which is a remarkable rare relict plant, has gradually been reduced to its current narrow range due to climate change. Understanding the comprehensive distribution of M. glyptostroboides under climate change on a large spatio-temporal scale is of great significance for determining its forest adaptation. In this study, based on 394 occurrence data and 10 bioclimatic variables, the global potential distribution of M. glyptostroboides under eight different climate scenarios (i.e., the past three, the current one, and the next four) from the Quaternary glacial to the future was simulated by a random forest model built with the biomod2 package. The key bioclimatic variables affecting the distribution of M. glyptostroboides are BIO2 (mean diurnal range), BIO1 (annual mean temperature), BIO9 (mean temperature of driest quarter), BIO6 (min temperature of coldest month), and BIO18 (precipitation of warmest quarter). The result indicates that the temperature affects the potential distribution of M. glyptostroboides more than the precipitation. A visualization of the results revealed that the current relatively suitable habitats of M. glyptostroboides are mainly distributed in East Asia and Western Europe, with a total area of approximately 6.857 × 106 km2. With the intensification of global warming in the future, the potential distribution and the suitability of M. glyptostroboides have a relatively non-pessimistic trend. Whether under the mild (RCP4.5) and higher (RCP8.5) emission scenarios, the total area of suitable habitats will be wider than it is now by the 2070s, and the habitat suitability will increase to varying degrees within a wide spatial range. After speculating on the potential distribution of M. glyptostroboides in the past, the glacial refugia of M. glyptostroboides were inferred, and projections regarding the future conditions of these places are expected to be optimistic. In order to better protect the species, the locations of its priority protected areas and key protected areas, mainly in Western Europe and East Asia, were further identified. Our results will provide theoretical reference for the long-term management of M. glyptostroboides, and can be used as background information for the restoration of other endangered species in the future.
Functional Role of Extrafloral Nectar in Boreal Forest Ecosystems under Climate Change
Authors: Holopainen Jarmo , Blande James , Sorvari Jouni
Published: January 2020

Carbohydrate-rich extrafloral nectar (EFN) is produced in nectaries on the leaves, stipules, and stems of plants and provides a significant energy source for ants and other plant mutualists outside of the flowering period. Our review of literature on EFN indicates that only a few forest plant species in cool boreal environments bear EFN-producing nectaries and that EFN production in many boreal and subarctic plant species is poorly studied. Boreal forest, the world’s largest land biome, is dominated by coniferous trees, which, like most gymnosperms, do not produce EFN. Notably, common deciduous tree species that can be dominant in boreal forest stands, such as Betula and Alnus species, do not produce EFN, while Prunus and Populus species are the most important EFN-producing tree species. EFN together with aphid honeydew is known to play a main role in shaping ant communities. Ants are considered to be keystone species in mixed and conifer-dominated boreal and mountain forests because they transfer a significant amount of carbon from the canopy to the soil. Our review suggests that in boreal forests aphid honeydew is a more important carbohydrate source for ants than in many warmer ecosystems and that EFN-bearing plant species might not have a competitive advantage against herbivores. However, this hypothesis needs to be tested in the future. Warming of northern ecosystems under climate change might drastically promote the invasion of many EFN-producing plants and the associated insect species that consume EFN as their major carbohydrate source. This may result in substantial changes in the diet preferences of ant communities, the preventative roles of ants against insect pest outbreaks, and the ecosystem services they provide. However, wood ants have adapted to using tree sap that leaks from bark cracks in spring, which may mitigate the effects of improved EFN availability.
Public Information: Relevance or Salience?
Authors: Invernizzi Giovanna M.
Published: January 2020

How does salient public information affect voters’ behavior? In a majoritarian voting game with common preferences, rational voters could use public information as an information device (depending on accuracy) or as a coordination device (regardless of accuracy). A simple lab experiment contradicts both hypotheses – subjects tend to follow public information when it is salient, regardless of the information’s accuracy, but fail to use it as a source of coordination. In particular, it matters whether the information is recent – subjects are more likely to follow public information when it is provided closer to the voting decision. These findings are important because the salience of public information is easily manipulable by political actors.
Genome-Wide Study of the GATL Gene Family in Gossypium hirsutum L. Reveals that GhGATL Genes Act on Pectin Synthesis to Regulate Plant Growth and Fiber Elongation
Authors: Zheng Lei , Wu Huanhuan , Qanmber Ghulam , Ali Faiza , Wang Lingling , Liu Zhao , Yu Daoqian , Wang Qian , Xu Aixia , Yang Zuoren
Published: January 2020

Pectin is a major polysaccharide component that promotes plant growth and fiber elongation in cotton. In previous studies, the galacturonosyltransferase-like (GATL) gene family has been shown to be involved in pectin synthesis. However, few studies have been performed on cotton GATL genes. Here, a total of 33, 17, and 16 GATL genes were respectively identified in Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium raimondii, and Gossypium arboreum. In multiple plant species, phylogenetic analysis divided GATL genes into five groups named GATL-a to GATL-e, and the number of groups was found to gradually change over evolution. Whole genome duplication (WGD) and segmental duplication played a significant role in the expansion of the GATL gene family in G. hirsutum. Selection pressure analyses revealed that GATL-a and GATL-b groups underwent a great positive selection pressure during evolution. Moreover, the expression patterns revealed that most of highly expressed GhGATL genes belong to GATL-a and GATL-b groups, which have more segmental duplications and larger positive selection value, suggesting that these genes may play an important role in the evolution of cotton plants. We overexpressed GhGATL2, GhGATL9, GhGATL12, and GhGATL15 in Arabidopsis and silenced the GhGATL15 gene in cotton through a virus induced gene silencing assay (VIGS). The transgenic and VIGS lines showed significant differences in stem diameter, epidermal hair length, stamen length, seed size, and fiber length than the control plant. In addition, the pectin content test proved that the pectin was significantly increased in the transgenic lines and reduced in VIGS plants, demonstrating that GhGATL genes have similar functions and act on the pectin synthesis to regulate plant growth and fiber elongation. In summary, we performed a comprehensive analysis of GhGATL genes in G. hirsutum including evolution, structure and function, in order to better understand GhGATL genes in cotton for further studies.
Map Matching for Urban High-Sampling-Frequency GPS Trajectories
Authors: Liu Minshi , Zhang Ling , Ge Junlian , Long Yi , Che Weitao
Published: January 2020

As a fundamental component of trajectory processing and analysis, trajectory map-matching can be used for urban traffic management and tourism route planning, among other applications. While there are many trajectory map-matching methods, urban high-sampling-frequency GPS trajectory data still depend on simple geometric matching methods, which can lead to mismatches when there are multiple trajectory points near one intersection. Therefore, this study proposed a novel segmented trajectory matching method in which trajectory points were separated into intersection and non-intersection trajectory points. Matching rules and processing methods dedicated to intersection trajectory points were developed, while a classic “Look-Ahead” matching method was applied to non-intersection trajectory points, thereby implementing map matching of the whole trajectory. Then, a comparative analysis between the proposed method and two other new related methods was conducted on trajectories with multiple sampling frequencies. The results indicate that the proposed method is not only competent for intersection matching with high-frequency trajectory data but also superior to two other methods in both matching efficiency and accuracy.
Statistical Correlation between Monthly Electric Power Consumption and VIIRS Nighttime Light
Authors: Lin Jintang , Shi Wenzhong
Published: January 2020

The nighttime light (NTL) imagery acquired from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day/Night Band (DNB) enables feasibility of investigating socioeconomic activities at monthly scale, compared with annual study using nighttime light data acquired from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program/Operational Linescan System (DMSP/OLS). This paper is the first attempt to discuss the quantitative correlation between monthly composite VIIRS DNB NTL data and monthly statistical data of electric power consumption (EPC), using 14 provinces of southern China as study area. Two types of regressions (linear regression and polynomial regression) and nine kinds of NTL with different treatments are employed and compared in experiments. The study demonstrates that: (1) polynomial regressions acquire higher reliability, whose average R square is 0.8816, compared with linear regressions, whose average R square is 0.8727; (2) regressions between denoised NTL with threshold of 0.3 nW/(cm2·sr) and EPC steadily exhibit the strongest reliability among the nine kinds of processed NTL data. In addition, the polynomial regressions for 12 months between denoised NTL with threshold of 0.3 nW/(cm2·sr) and EPC are constructed, whose average values of R square and mean absolute relative error are 0.8906 and 16.02%, respectively. These established optimal regression equations can be used to accurately estimate monthly EPC of each province, produce thematic maps of EPC, and analyze their spatial distribution characteristics.
Urban Ecological Corridor Network Construction: An Integration of the Least Cost Path Model and the InVEST Model
Authors: Tang Yuhan , Gao Chi , Wu Xuefei
Published: January 2020

Under the background of urban expansion, ecological protection cannot be delayed. The construction of ecological networks is of considerable significance to ecosystem services. However, in the process of constructing a corridor network, there is no uniform standard for the selection of ecological sources and the determination of cost factors. The InVEST model is an effective complement to ecosystem service assessment for sensitively measuring external threats and their threat intensity. Therefore, taking Wuhan as an example, we combined InVEST and the least cost path model (LCP) to construct a multi-target corridor network with comprehensive cost factors for birds and small terrestrial mammals. The results showed that: (1) The InVEST model provided a reliable basis for ecological source screening by demonstrating the distribution of habitat quality. (2) The corridor with a length of 12–25 km presented a “U” shape, and the impact of urbanization on small terrestrial mammals was more significant than that of birds. (3) The integrated network pattern proposed by the “point-line-plane” principle would provide a reference for urban ecological construction and sustainable development.
Metabolic Adaptation to Sulfur of Hyperthermophilic Palaeococcus pacificus DY20341T from Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Sediments
Authors: Zeng Xiang , Zhang Xiaobo , Shao Zongze
Published: January 2020

The hyperthermo-piezophilic archaeon Palaeococcus pacificus DY20341T, isolated from East Pacific hydrothermal sediments, can utilize elemental sulfur as a terminal acceptor to simulate growth. To gain insight into sulfur metabolism, we performed a genomic and transcriptional analysis of Pa. pacificus DY20341T with/without elemental sulfur as an electron acceptor. In the 2001 protein-coding sequences of the genome, transcriptomic analysis showed that 108 genes increased (by up to 75.1 fold) and 336 genes decreased (by up to 13.9 fold) in the presence of elemental sulfur. Palaeococcus pacificus cultured with elemental sulfur promoted the following: the induction of membrane-bound hydrogenase (MBX), NADH:polysulfide oxidoreductase (NPSOR), NAD(P)H sulfur oxidoreductase (Nsr), sulfide dehydrogenase (SuDH), connected to the sulfur-reducing process, the upregulation of iron and nickel/cobalt transfer, iron–sulfur cluster-carrying proteins (NBP35), and some iron–sulfur cluster-containing proteins (SipA, SAM, CobQ, etc.). The accumulation of metal ions might further impact on regulators, e.g., SurR and TrmB. For growth in proteinous media without elemental sulfur, cells promoted flagelin, peptide/amino acids transporters, and maltose/sugar transporters to upregulate protein and starch/sugar utilization processes and riboflavin and thiamin biosynthesis. This indicates how strain DY20341T can adapt to different living conditions with/without elemental sulfur in the hydrothermal fields.
Importance Analysis of Components of a Multi-Operational-State Power System Using Fault Tree Models
Authors: Chybowski Leszek
Published: January 2020

This article describes a case study using a fault tree analysis for a multi-operational-state system (system with several operational states) model with many different technical solutions for the power system of a fishing vessel. We describe the essence of system dependability metamodeling. A vector of external events was used to construct a detailed metamodel, depending on the operational status being modeled. In a fault tree, individual external events modify the structure of a system. The analysis includes the following operational states: sea voyages of a vessel, hauling in and paying out nets, trawling, staying in a port, and heaving to. For each operational state and assumed system configurations, the importance of system components was determined by calculating the Vesely–Fussell measures. The most important components for each operational state of a system were determined, and the critical system components, that is, those that are important in every operational state and system configuration, were identified.
Neuronal Innervation of the Subgenual Organ Complex and the Tibial Campaniform Sensilla in the Stick Insect Midleg
Authors: Strauß Johannes
Published: January 2020

Mechanosensory organs in legs play are crucial receptors in the feedback control of walking and in the detection of substrate-borne vibrations. Stick insects serve as a model for the physiological role of chordotonal organs and campaniform sensilla. This study documents, by axonal tracing, the neural innervation of the complex chordotonal organs and groups of campaniform sensilla in the proximal tibia of the midleg in Sipyloidea sipylus. In total, 6 nerve branches innervate the different sensory structures, and the innervation pattern associates different sensilla types by their position. Sensilla on the anterior and posterior tibia are innervated from distinct nerve branches. In addition, the variation in innervation is studied for five anatomical branching points. The most common variation is the innervation of the subgenual organ sensilla by two nerve branches rather than a single one. The fusion of commonly separated nerve branches also occurred. However, a common innervation pattern can be demonstrated, which is found in >75% of preparations. The variation did not include crossings of nerves between the anterior and posterior side of the leg. The study corrects the innervation of the posterior subgenual organ reported previously. The sensory neuroanatomy and innervation pattern can guide further physiological studies of mechanoreceptor organs and allow evolutionary comparisons to related insect groups.
Hitting More Birds with a Stone: Impact of TGF-β on ILC Activity in Cancer
Authors: Fionda Cinzia , Stabile Helena , Cerboni Cristina , Soriani Alessandra , Gismondi Angela , Cippitelli Marco , Santoni Angela
Published: January 2020

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a central immunosuppressive cytokine within tumor microenvironment inhibiting the expansion and function of major cellular components of adaptive and innate immune system. Among them, compelling evidence has demonstrated that TGF-β is a key regulator of natural killer (NK) cells, innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) with a critical role in immunosurveillance against different kinds of cancer cells. A TGF-β rich tumor microenvironment blocks NK cell activity at multiple levels. This immunosuppressive factor exerts direct regulatory effects on NK cells including inhibition of cytokine production, alteration of activating/inhibitory receptor expression, and promotion of the conversion into non cytotoxic group I ILC (ILC1). Concomitantly, TGF-β can render tumor cells less susceptible to NK cell-mediated recognition and lysis. Indeed, accumulating evidence suggest that changes in levels of NKG2D ligands, mainly MICA, as well as an increase of immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., PD-L1) and other inhibitory ligands on cancer cells significantly contribute to TGF-β-mediated suppression of NK cell activity. Here, we will take into consideration two major mechanisms underlying the negative regulation of ILC function by TGF-β in cancer. First, we will address how TGF-β impacts the balance of signals governing NK cell activity. Second, we will review recent advances on the role of this cytokine in driving ILC plasticity in cancer. Finally, we will discuss how the development of therapeutic approaches blocking TGF-β may reverse the suppression of host immune surveillance and improve anti-tumor NK cell response in the clinic.
QE versus the Real Problems in the World Economy
Authors: Blundell-Wignall Adrian
Published: January 2020

These notes are based on parts of a keynote address to the Fourth Annual Conference on Money and Finance at Chapman University on 6–7 September 2019. Quantitative easing (QE) policies have been pushed to extremes and extended well beyond their use-by dates to little plausible effect in achieving the goal of raising inflation and growth. Instead, they are damaging the interbank market (as exemplified by the liquidity crisis in September 2019), adding to the risk of financial crises in the future and taking pressure off policy-makers to deal with the real causes of poor investment, growth and deflation pressure. The shift in where investment is occurring and the special problems of Europe and Brexit are focused upon.
Comparison of Management and Orchestration Solutions for the 5G Era
Authors: Trakadas Panagiotis , Karkazis Panagiotis , Leligou Helen C. , Zahariadis Theodore , Vicens Felipe , Zurita Arturo , Alemany Pol , Soenen Thomas , Parada Carlos , Bonnet Jose , Fotopoulou Eleni , Zafeiropoulos Anastasios , Kapassa Evgenia , Touloupou Marios , Kyriazis Dimosthenis
Published: January 2020

5G is considered to be the technology that will accommodate the development and management of innovative services with stringent and diverse requirements from end users, calling for new business models from the industry. In this context, the development and efficient management of Network Services (NS) serving specific vertical industries and spanning across multiple administrative domains and heterogeneous infrastructures is challenging. The main challenges regard the efficient provision of NSs considering the Quality of Service (QoS) requirements per vertical industry along with the optimal usage of the allocated resources. Towards addressing these challenges, this paper details an innovative approach that we have developed for managing and orchestrating such NSs, called SONATA, and compare it with OSM and Cloudify, which are two of the most known open-source Management and Orchestration (MANO) frameworks. In addition to examining the supported orchestration mechanisms per MANO framework, an evaluation of main operational and functional KPIs is provided based on experimentation using a real testbed. The final aim is the identification of their strong and weak points, and the assessment of their suitability for serving diverse vertical industry needs, including of course the Internet of Things (IoT) service ecosystem.
Studies on the β → α Phase Transition Kinetics of Ti–3.5Al–5Mo–4V Alloy under Isothermal Conditions by X-ray Diffraction
Authors: Ge Panpan , Xiang Song , Tan Yuanbiao , Ji Xuanming
Published: January 2020

The β → α phase transition kinetics of the Ti–3.5Al–5Mo–4V alloy with two different grain sizes was investigated at the isothermal temperature of 500 °C. A method to estimate the function of the precipitate fraction of the α phase with different aging times was developed based on X-ray diffraction analysis. The value of the α precipitate fraction increased sharply at first, then increased slowly with the aging time, and finally reached equilibrium. The value of the α precipitate fraction was higher in the alloy aged for the same time at a higher solution temperature, while the size of the α precipitate was smaller at a higher solution temperature. The β → α phase transition kinetics under isothermal conditions were modeled in the theoretical frame of the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami–Kolmogorov (JMAK) theory. The kinetic parameters of JMAK deduced different transformation mechanisms. The mechanism of the phase transition in the first stage was dominated by mixed transformation mechanisms (homogeneously nucleated and acicular-grown α structure, and grain boundary-nucleated and grown α precipitate), while the second stage was the growth of the fine α precipitate, which was controlled by slow diffusion. As the aging time increased, the hardness of the Ti–3.5Al–5Mo–4V alloy increased sharply. After the hardness of the alloy reached a plateau, it began to decline. The hardness of the alloy was always higher at a higher solution temperature.