bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Grapevine Cane Extracts: Raw Plant Material, Extraction Methods, Quantification, and Applications
Authors: Aliaño-González María José , Richard Tristan , Cantos-Villar Emma
Published: August 2020

Grapevine canes are viticulture waste that is usually discarded without any further use. However, recent studies have shown that they contain significant concentrations of health-promoting compounds, such as stilbenes, secondary metabolites of plants produced as a response to biotic and abiotic stress from fungal disease or dryness. Stilbenes have been associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties and they have been tested as potential treatments of cardiovascular and neurological diseases, and even cancer, with promising results. Stilbenes have been described in the different genus of the Vitaceae family, the Vitis genera being one of the most widely studied due to its important applications and economic impact around the world. This review presents an in-depth study of the composition and concentration of stilbenes in grapevine canes. The results show that the concentration of stilbenes in grapevine canes is highly influenced by the Vitis genus and cultivar aspects (growing conditions, ultraviolet radiation, fungal attack, etc.). Different methods for extracting stilbenes from grapevine canes have been reviewed, and the extraction conditions have also been studied, underlining the advantages and disadvantages of each technique. After the stilbenes were extracted, they were analyzed to determine the stilbene composition and concentration. Analytical techniques have been employed with this aim, in most cases using liquid chromatography, coupled with others such as mass spectrometry and/or nuclear magnetic resonance to achieve the individual quantification. Finally, stilbene extracts may be applied in multiple fields based on their properties. The five most relevant are preservative, antifungal, insecticide, and biostimulant applications. The current state-of-the-art of the above applications and their prospects are discussed.
Plasmodium falciparum Knockout for the GPCR-Like PfSR25 Receptor Displays Greater Susceptibility to 1,2,3-Triazole Compounds That Block Malaria Parasite Development
Authors: Santos Benedito , Gonzaga Daniel , da Silva Fernando , Ferreira Vitor , Garcia Celia
Published: August 2020

The search for new compounds with antimalarial activity is urgent, as resistance to ones in the classical drug, has already been described in more than one continent. Compounds derived from 1,2,3-triazoles are effective against parasites and bacteria. Here, we evaluated the potential antimalarial activity against the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum in a culture of fifty-four triazole compounds derived from 1H-and 2H-1,2,3-triazole. We identified thirty-one compounds with potential antimalarial activity at concentrations in the micromolar order (µM) and IC50 values ranging from 2.80 µM (9) to 29.27 µM (21). Then, we selected some of these compounds to perform the same tests on the PfSR25- strain (knockout for P. falciparum G-protein coupled receptor-like, SR25). Our experiences with the PfSR25- strain showed that both compounds with higher antimalarial activity for the 3D7 strain and those with less activity resulted in lower IC50 values for the knockout strain. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was evaluated in human renal embryonic cells (HEK 293), using MTT assays. This demonstrated that the compounds with the highest activity (9, 13, 19, 22, 24, 29), showed no toxicity at the tested concentrations.
Application of Chemometrics in Biosensing: A Brief Review
Authors: Martynko Ekaterina , Kirsanov Dmitry
Published: August 2020

The field of biosensing is rapidly developing, and the number of novel sensor architectures and different sensing elements is growing fast. One of the most important features of all biosensors is their very high selectivity stemming from the use of bioreceptor recognition elements. The typical calibration of a biosensor requires simple univariate regression to relate a response value with an analyte concentration. Nevertheless, dealing with complex real-world sample matrices may sometimes lead to undesired interference effects from various components. This is where chemometric tools can do a good job in extracting relevant information, improving selectivity, circumventing a non-linearity in a response. This brief review aims to discuss the motivation for the application of chemometric tools in biosensing and provide some examples of such applications from the recent literature.
Peripheral Biomarkers in DSM-5 Anxiety Disorders: An Updated Overview
Authors: Vismara Matteo , Girone Nicolaja , Cirnigliaro Giovanna , Fasciana Federica , Vanzetto Simone , Ferrara Luca , Priori Alberto , D’Addario Claudio , Viganò Caterina , Dell’Osso Bernardo
Published: August 2020

Anxiety disorders are prevalent and highly disabling mental disorders. In recent years, intensive efforts focused on the search for potential neuroimaging, genetic, and peripheral biomarkers in order to better understand the pathophysiology of these disorders, support their diagnosis, and characterize the treatment response. Of note, peripheral blood biomarkers, as surrogates for the central nervous system, represent a promising instrument to characterize psychiatric disorders, although their role has not been extensively applied to clinical practice. In this report, the state of the art on peripheral biomarkers of DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition) Anxiety Disorders is presented, in order to examine their role in the pathogenesis of these conditions and their potential application for diagnosis and treatment. Available data on the cerebrospinal fluid and blood-based biomarkers related to neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, neurotrophic factors, and the inflammation and immune system are reviewed. Despite the wide scientific literature and the promising results in the field, only a few of the proposed peripheral biomarkers have been defined as a specific diagnostic instrument or have been identified as a guide in the treatment response to DSM-5 Anxiety Disorders. Therefore, further investigations are needed to provide new biological insights into the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders, to help in their diagnosis, and to tailor a treatment.
The Clinicopathological Characteristics And Genetic Alterations of Signet-ring Cell Carcinoma in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Huang Kuo-Hung , Chen Ming-Huang , Fang Wen-Liang , Lin Chien-Hsing , Chao Yee , Lo Su-Shun , Li Anna Fen-Yau , Wu Chew-Wun , Shyr Yi-Ming
Published: August 2020

Signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRC) in advanced gastric cancer (GC) is often associated with more invasiveness and a worse prognosis than other cell types. The genetic alterations associated with gastric carcinogenesis in SRC are still unclear. In this study, 441 GC patients receiving curative surgery for GC between 2005 and 2013 were enrolled. The clinicopathological characteristics and genetic alterations of GC patients with and without SRC were compared. Among the 441 GC patients, 181 had SRC. For early GC, patients with SRC had more tumors located in the middle and lower stomach, more infiltrating tumors and better overall survival (OS) rates than those without SRC. For advanced GC, patients with SRC had more scirrhous type tumors, more PIK3CA amplifications, fewer microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) tumors, more peritoneal recurrences and worse 5-year OS rates than those without SRC. For advanced GC with SRC, patients with peritoneal recurrence tended to have PD-L1 expression. For advanced GC without SRC, patients with liver metastasis tended to have PD-L1 expression, PI3K/AKT pathway mutations, TP53 mutations and MSI-H tumors. For advanced GC, PD-L1 expression was associated with peritoneal recurrence in SRC tumors, while non-SRC tumors with liver metastasis were likely to have PI3K/AKT pathway mutations, TP53 mutations and PD-L1 expression; immunotherapy and targeted therapy may be beneficial for these patients.
Three-Dimensional Interactions Analysis of the Anticancer Target c-Src Kinase with Its Inhibitors
Authors: Jha Vibhu , Macchia Marco , Tuccinardi Tiziano , Poli Giulio
Published: August 2020

Src family kinases (SFKs) constitute the biggest family of non-receptor tyrosine kinases considered as therapeutic targets for cancer therapy. An aberrant expression and/or activation of the proto-oncogene c-Src kinase, which is the oldest and most studied member of the family, has long been demonstrated to play a major role in the development, growth, progression and metastasis of numerous human cancers, including colon, breast, gastric, pancreatic, lung and brain carcinomas. For these reasons, the pharmacological inhibition of c-Src activity represents an effective anticancer strategy and a few compounds targeting c-Src, together with other kinases, have been approved as drugs for cancer therapy, while others are currently undergoing preclinical studies. Nevertheless, the development of potent and selective inhibitors of c-Src aimed at properly exploiting this biological target for the treatment of cancer still represents a growing field of study. In this review, the co-crystal structures of c-Src kinase in complex with inhibitors discovered in the past two decades have been described, highlighting the key ligand–protein interactions necessary to obtain high potency and the features to be exploited for addressing selectivity and drug resistance issues, thus providing useful information for the design of new and potent c-Src kinase inhibitors.
Zebrafish: A Suitable Tool for the Study of Cell Signaling in Bone
Authors: Valenti Maria Teresa , Marchetto Giulia , Mottes Monica , Dalle Carbonare Luca
Published: August 2020

In recent decades, many studies using the zebrafish model organism have been performed. Zebrafish, providing genetic mutants and reporter transgenic lines, enable a great number of studies aiming at the investigation of signaling pathways involved in the osteoarticular system and at the identification of therapeutic tools for bone diseases. In this review, we will discuss studies which demonstrate that many signaling pathways are highly conserved between mammals and teleost and that genes involved in mammalian bone differentiation have orthologs in zebrafish. We will also discuss as human diseases, such as osteogenesis imperfecta, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and Gaucher disease can be investigated in the zebrafish model.
Decreased Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter 1 (ENT1) Activity Contributes to the High Extracellular Adenosine Levels in Mesenchymal Glioblastoma Stem-Like Cells
Authors: Alarcón Sebastián , Toro María de los Ángeles , Villarreal Carolina , Melo Rómulo , Fernández Rodrigo , Ayuso Sacido Angel , Uribe Daniel , San Martín Rody , Quezada Claudia
Published: August 2020

Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most malignant types of cancer. This is mainly due to a cell subpopulation with an extremely aggressive potential, called glioblastoma stem-like cells (GSCs). These cells produce high levels of extracellular adenosine which has been associated with increased chemoresistance, migration, and invasion in glioblastoma. In this study, we attempted to elucidate the mechanisms that control extracellular adenosine levels in GSC subtypes. By using primary and U87MG-derived GSCs, we associated increased extracellular adenosine with the mesenchymal phenotype. [3H]-adenosine uptake occurred mainly through the equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs) in GSCs, but mesenchymal GSCs have lower expression and ENT1-mediated uptake activity than proneural GSCs. By analyzing expression and enzymatic activity, we determined that ecto-5′-nucleotidase (CD73) is predominantly expressed in proneural GSCs, driving AMPase activity. While in mesenchymal GSCs, both CD73 and Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP) contribute to the AMP (adenosine monophosphate) hydrolysis. We did not observe significant differences between the expression of proteins involved in the metabolization of adenosine among the GCSs subtypes. In conclusion, the lower expression and activity of the ENT1 transporter in mesenchymal GSCs contributes to the high level of extracellular adenosine that these GSCs present.
Impact of Anticoagulation and Sample Processing on the Quantification of Human Blood-Derived microRNA Signatures
Authors: Mussbacher Marion , Krammer Teresa L. , Heber Stefan , Schrottmaier Waltraud C. , Zeibig Stephan , Holthoff Hans-Peter , Pereyra David , Starlinger Patrick , Hackl Matthias , Assinger Alice
Published: August 2020

Blood-derived microRNA signatures have emerged as powerful biomarkers for predicting and diagnosing cardiovascular disease, cancer, and metabolic disorders. Platelets and platelet-derived microvesicles are a major source of microRNAs. We have previously shown that the inappropriate anticoagulation and storage of blood samples causes substantial platelet activation that is associated with the release of platelet-stored molecules into the plasma. However, it is currently unclear if circulating microRNA levels are affected by artificial platelet activation due to suboptimal plasma preparation. To address this issue, we used a standardized RT-qPCR test for 12 microRNAs (thrombomiR®, TAmiRNA GmbH, Vienna, Austria) that have been associated with cardiovascular and thrombotic diseases and were detected in platelets and/other hematopoietic cells. Blood was prevented from coagulating with citrate–theophylline–adenosine–dipyridamole (CTAD), sodium citrate, or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and stored for different time periods either at room temperature or at 4 °C prior to plasma preparation and the subsequent quantification of microRNAs. We found that five microRNAs (miR-191-5p, miR-320a, miR-21-5p, miR-23a-3p, and miR-451a) were significantly increased in the EDTA plasma. Moreover, we observed a time-dependent increase in plasma microRNAs that was most pronounced in the EDTA blood stored at room temperature for 24 h. Furthermore, significant correlations between microRNA levels and plasma concentrations of platelet-stored molecules pointed towards in vitro platelet activation. Therefore, we strongly recommend to (i) use CTAD as an anticoagulant, (ii) process blood samples as quickly as possible, and (iii) store blood samples at 4 °C whenever immediate plasma preparation is not feasible to generate reliable data on blood-derived microRNA signatures.
Ammonia Removal Using Biotrickling Filters: Part A: Determination of the Ionic Nitrogen Concentration of Water Using Electrical Conductivity Measurement
Authors: Dumont Éric , Lagadec Solène , Guingand Nadine , Loyon Laurence , Amrane Abdeltif , Couroussé Valérie , Couvert Annabelle
Published: August 2020

It is emphasized that a generalized relationship can be used to predict the ionic nitrogen concentration (i.e., sum of ammonium NH4+, nitrite NO2− and nitrate NO3−) of the scrubbing liquid in a biotrickling filter treating ammonia emissions by measuring the electrical conductivity (EC) of the water directly. From measurements carried out on different water samples from six biotrickling filters in operation in pig husbandries, the generalized relationship is: Σ([NH4+]+[NO2−]+[NO3−]) g N/L = 0.22 EC mS/cm. This equation is valid provided the fresh water feeding the biotrickling filter has a low electrical conductivity (<1 mS cm−1). Moreover, since ammonium, nitrite and nitrate ions are the ultra-majority ions in the liquid phase, the balance between NH4+ and (NO2− + NO3−) was confirmed, and consequently the relationship NH4+ = 0.11 EC mS/cm can also be applied to determine the ammonium concentration from the EC. As a result, EC measurement could be applied extensively to monitor operating biotrickling filters worldwide and used to determine ammonia mass transfer in real time, keeping in mind that the accuracy of the generalized relationship is ±20%.
Ammonia Removal Using Biotrickling Filters: Part B: Determination of the Nitrogen Accumulation in the Scrubbing Liquid at a Livestock Facility Using Electrical Conductivity Measurement
Authors: Dumont Éric , Lagadec Solène , Guingand Nadine , Loyon Laurence , Amrane Abdeltif , Couvert Annabelle
Published: August 2020

It was demonstrated that the daily monitoring of electrical conductivity (EC) of scrubbing water can easily be used to determine the performance of biotrickling filters treating ammonia (NH3) emissions, generated by livestock facilities. Two different measurement campaigns were carried out on a pilot-scale biotrickling filter installed at a pig facility. Different phases of the operation were observed for each campaign, in accordance with EC values. For EC ranges of between 5 and 40 mS cm−1, performance was similar for both campaigns, indicating that the nitrogen accumulated in water (φ) was controlled by the operating conditions and biotrickling filter design (φ = 205 gN day−1 corresponding to 1.71 mS cm−1 day−1). Due to the correlation established in Part A of this study, the performance of the biotrickling filter can be directly expressed as gN h−1 m−3packing material without gas-phase monitoring. Thus, for an Empty Bed Residence Time of 1 s, the nitrogen accumulation capacity of the biotrickling filter was 24 gN h−1 m−3packing material. For higher EC values, the ammonia mass transfer slowed down and stopped with EC at around 50–60 mS cm−1 (campaign #1) and 70 mS cm−1 (campaign #2). It was evidenced that the mass transfer stopped due to ammonia mass transfer limitation controlled by the driving force, although biomass inhibition can occur at these levels of nitrogen concentration in the scrubbing liquid. EC monitoring can also be used to assess the ratio of nitrogen accumulated in water φ and amount of ammonia entering the system φmax. Thus φ/φmax ratios of 41% and 27% were recorded for campaign #1 and #2 respectively.
Serious Illness Conversations in Pediatrics: A Case Review
Authors: van Breemen Camara , Johnston Jennifer , Carwana Matthew , Louie Peter
Published: August 2020

The Serious Illness Conversation Guide program developed by Ariadne Labs, a Joint Center for Health Systems Innovation, includes a list of patient-centered questions designed to assist clinicians to gain a more thorough understanding of their patient’s life in order to inform future care decisions. In July 2017, specialist pediatric palliative care clinicians at Canuck Place Children’s Hospice (CPCH) (Vancouver, BC, Canada), adapted the original guide to use with parents of children with serious illness. This tool is referred to as the Serious Illness Conversation Guide-Peds (SICG-Peds). Using the SICG-Peds, along with enhanced communication skills, can help illuminate the parents’ (child’s) understanding of illness and the values they hold. Expanding the application of the guide will promote goal-based, efficient, comprehensive and consistent communication between families and clinicians and help ensure that seriously ill children receive care that is tailored to their needs through the disease trajectory. This paper explores the guide through the lens of a case study. The steps—seeking permission, assessing understanding, sharing prognosis and exploring key topics (hopes, fears, strengths, critical abilities and trade-offs)—as well as formulating clinician recommendations, are described.
Effects of Process Parameters and CrCl3 Concentration on the Structure, Surface Morphology, Composition and Corrosion Resistance of Electrodeposited NiCrP Amorphous Alloy Coatings
Authors: Xiao Jingjing , Yu Jinku , Guo Fuyu , Qiao Qi , Yang Haibo , Guo Yanqing
Published: August 2020

Herein, NiCrP amorphous alloy coatings were prepared on copper substrates by electrodeposition. The aim of this paper is to replace Cr6+ with Cr3+ to prepare NiCrP amorphous alloy coating, which can reduce environmental pollution. By studying the influence of pH, temperature (T), current density (DK), and CrCl3 concentration on the structure, surface morphology, composition, and corrosion resistance of the alloy coatings, the optimum bath formulation and process parameters were determined as follows: 25 g·L−1 NiSO4·6H2O, 100 g·L−1 CrCl3·6H2O, 20 g·L−1 NaH2PO2·H2O, 80 g·L−1 Na3C6H5O7·2H2O (sodium citrate), 40 g·L−1 H3BO3, 50 g·L−1 NH4Cl, 1 g·L−1 KF, 5 g·L−1 C7H5O3NS (saccharin), 0.05 g·L−1 C12H25SO4Na (sodium dodecyl sulfate), and 40 mL·L−1 HCOOH and T: 30 °C, DK: 15 A·dm−2, and pH: 3.5, respectively. NiCrP amorphous alloy coatings with high corrosion resistance were prepared under the abovementioned conditions. The crystal cells of the coating surface are uniform and fine. The corrosion resistance of the NiCrP amorphous alloy coatings was characterized by polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and an immersion corrosion test and compared with that of the NiP amorphous alloy coating. The results show that Ni91.9P8.1 and Ni83.5Cr8.3P8.2 corrosion potential and corrosion current density are −0.68, −0.44 V, and 36, 7 μA·cm−2 in 3.5 wt.% NaCl, respectively. With Ni91.9P8.1 and Ni83.5Cr8.3P8.2, the maximum weight loss is 61.67 and 15.42 mg·dm−2 in a 1 mol·L−1 HCl, respectively. The corrosion resistance of the NiCrP amorphous alloy coatings in 3.5 wt.% NaCl and 1 mol·L−1 HCl solutions is better than that of the NiP alloy coating.
A Modeling and Experimental Study on the Growth of VCSEL Materials Using an 8 × 6 Inch Planetary MOCVD Reactor
Authors: Gou Yudan , Wang Jun , Cheng Yang , Guo Yintao , Xiao Xiao , Zhou Shouhuan
Published: August 2020

VCSEL (vertical cavity surface emitting laser) is a promising optoelectronic device, but its high manufacturing cost limits its scope of applications. Growing on larger size wafers is an effective way to reduce the cost. However, the growth rate uniformity needs to be optimized to ensure the uniformity of the devices’ performance over the wafers. This paper investigates the factors which influence the growth rate uniformity using an 8 × 6 inch planetary reactor through experiments and simulations. At a carrier gas flow rate of 37 slm, an AsH3 flow rate of 600 sccm, an AsH3 flow rate ratio of 100:500, and a ceiling temperature of 175 °C, the growth rate uniformity of the AlGaAs layer with a relative standard deviation of 0.16%, 1σ, was obtained over the 6-inch wafers. The uniformity of the DBR stop band center and VCSEL quantum well wavelength with standard deviations of 0.142% and 0.023%, 1σ, were received over the 6-inch wafers, respectively. Based on the optimized results, 99.95% of VCSEL devices with wavelengths of 940 ± 5 nm were realized over the 6-inch wafers.
The Effect of the Metal Phase on the Compressive and Tensile Stresses Reduction in the Superhard Nitride Coatings
Authors: Volkhonsky Alexey O. , Blinkov Igor V. , Belov Dmitry S.
Published: August 2020

The influence of the compressive and tensile stresses forming in the nanostructured Ti–Al–N coatings during deposition on their physical-mechanical properties was studied. The modifying influence of metal components (Ni and Cu) introduction into Ti–Al–N coatings, which do not interact with nitrogen and have limited solubility with the nitride phase, was also under research. Coatings were deposited on WC–(6 wt.%)Co carbide cutting inserts with an arc-PVD method using a cathodic vacuum arc evaporation apparatus. The introduction of Ni and Cu to the composition leads to the reduction of nitride phases grain size in both investigated coatings from 120 to 10–12 nm for Ti–Al–Cu–N and to 15–18 nm for Ti–Al–Ni–N. Thus, the hardness increases from 29 to 43 and 51 GPa for the mentioned above coatings, respectively. Meanwhile, Ti–Al–Cu–N and Ti–Al–Ni–N coatings are characterized by tensile stresses about 0.12–0.32 MPa against the much higher value of compressive stresses in Ti–Al–N coatings (4.29–5.31 GPa). The modification of Ti–Al–N coatings also leads to the changing of their destruction mechanism during the scratch-test. The critical loads characterizing the emergence of the first cracks in the coatings and complete abrasion of the coating (Lc1 and Lc3) were determined. They had the value of 20; 22 N (Lc1) and 64; 57 N (Lc3) for Ti–Al–Ni–N; Ti–Al–Cu–N coatings, respectively. The Lc1 parameter for Ti–Al–N coatings was much lower and was equal to 11 N. Along with those, Ti–Al–N coatings destructed according to the adhesion mechanism when the critical load was 35 N. In addition, the decreasing level of compressive stresses in Ti–Al–Cu–N and Ti–Al–Ni–N coatings as compared to that in the Ti–Al–N coating, their crack resistance during multi-cycle shock-dynamic impact test was significantly higher. The results can indicate that high hardness and crack resistance of the coatings is to a greater extent determined by coatings nanostructuring, not the stresses value. In addition, it confirms the possibility to obtain coatings with low stresses value while maintaining their superhardness.
Detection of Organic Substances by a SERS Method Using a Special Ag-Poly(Chloro-P-Xylylene)-Ag Sandwich Substrate
Authors: Boginskaya Irina , Gainutdinova Aliia , Gusev Alexey , Mailyan Karen , Mikhailitsyn Anton , Sedova Marina , Vdovichenko Artem , Ryzhikov Ilya , Chvalun Sergei , Lagarkov Andrey
Published: August 2020

Spectroscopy based on surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is widely used as a method with extremely high sensitivity for molecular and chemical analysis. We have developed thin-film sandwich structures, in which, when used as sensitive elements for detecting organic compounds at low concentrations, high-amplitude spectra of surface enhanced Raman scattering are observed. Using gas-phase cryochemical synthesis and thermal sputtering in vacuum, SERS active sandwich structures Ag–poly(chloro-p-xylylene)–Ag (Ag–PCPX–Ag) were obtained. In the process of creating sandwich structures, the upper silver film takes the form of a complex island topology with submicron sizes. A series of samples were made with different thicknesses of the polymer and upper silver layers. SERS spectra of the analyte chemically adsorbed on the film surface were obtained, demonstrating a significant amplification (up to 104) compared with the control sample. The dependence of the gain on the silver concentration is characterized by a maximum polymer layer thickness of 600 nm and a 30 nm thick upper silver layer. A selective amplification of the low molecular weight compound spectra with respect to proteins was observed. A semi-empirical model is proposed that is in good agreement with the experimental results.
A Comparative Clinical Study of the Self-Adhering Flowable Composite Resin Vertise Flow and the Traditional Flowable Composite Resin Premise Flowable
Authors: Maj Aleksander , Trzcionka Agata , Twardawa Henryk , Tanasiewicz Marta
Published: August 2020

Background. The aim of this research was to carry out a comparative clinical study of a self-adhesive, light-curing composite material called Vertise Flow and a traditional flow material called Premise flowable used in combination with dedicated bonding systems. In order to standardize the clinical environment, the stability of oral hygiene (analyzed with the oral hygiene index and the approximal plaque index) was taken into consideration. Methods. The study involved 37 patients with 64 fillings. They were distributed into three groups: 22 fillings in Group I, 22 fillings in Group II and 20 fillings in Group III. In Group I (G I), Vertise Flow material was applied without the use of an etching agent or a bonding system; in Group II (G II), Premise flowable material was applied without the use of an etching agent, but with the use of the OptiBond All-In-One seventh-generation bonding system; in Group III (G III), Premise flowable material was applied after etching and treatment of the hard tooth tissues using a fifth-generation OptiBond Solo Plus bonding system. Then, at appropriate time intervals (0, i.e., right after filling and after 6, 12 and 24 months), the fillings were subjected to clinical evaluation, conducted according to the Ryge scale criteria with the use of registration by means of a fluorescent high-intensity visible light beam produced by a camera (Vista Proof). Results. The quality of fillings performed with the use of comparable materials was subjected to clinical evaluation using the Ryge scale of fillings after 6, 12, and 24 months; the examination showed significant differences between the tested materials. The Vertise Flow material used without an etching agent or a bonding system (G I) presented the weakest results with respect to marginal adaptation and smoothness among those evaluated in this study. The intensification of the degradation continued over time until the final clinical observation at 24 months. The results confirmed that the best quality was achieved with the Premise flowable material after etching and treatment of the hard tooth tissues using a fifth-generation OptiBond Solo Plus bonding system (G III) relative to others for all time points during the observation. Conclusions. The used preparation scheme and bonding system have an impact on the final quality of the composite filling. There is a need to carry out a qualitative clinical evaluation of dental restorative materials under uniform conditions using evaluation scales.
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of X-ray Crystal Structure, Biological Activities, DFT Calculations, and Molecular Docking of Phenyl Imidazolidin-2-One Derivatives
Authors: Deng Xile , Jin Can , Xie Yong , Gao Junbo , Zhou Xiaomao
Published: August 2020

Eight phenyl imidazolinone derivatives were synthesized from N2-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-N1-methyformamidine (DPMF) via scaffold-hopping method using the ring-closure approach. The prepared compounds were verified using 1H and 13C NMR and HRMS spectroscopies. The structure of compound 3c was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The mean plane of the phenyl and imidazolinone moieties was almost coplanar with an angle of 8.85(4)°. In the crystal, molecules were interlinked with intermolecular hydrogen bonds (N–H···O and C–H···O), generating a network structure. Additionally, compound 3f displayed the highest insecticidal activity (86.7%) against Plutella xylostella at 600 mg/L, which was significantly higher than the insecticidal activity (23.0%) of DPMF. Also, compound 3d displayed good fungicidal activities against Phytophthora capsici, Phytophthora sojae, and Phytophthora infestans. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to explain the insecticidal and fungicidal activities of phenyl imidazolidin-2-one derivatives, especially potent compounds 3f and 3d. Moreover, the binding modes of compounds 3a–h and DPMF against octopamine receptor of Plutella xylostella were studied by homology modeling and molecular docking. Therefore, a preliminary structure–activity relationship (SAR) was derived and discussed. These results encourage the exploration of novel insecticides and fungicides based on DPMF.
The Effects of Size and Shape Dispersity on the Phase Behavior of Nanomesogen Lyotropic Liquid Crystals
Authors: Hamade Fatima , Amit Sadat Kamal , Woods Mackenzie B. , Davis Virginia A.
Published: August 2020

Self-assembly of anisotropic nanomaterials into fluids is a key step in producing bulk, solid materials with controlled architecture and properties. In particular, the ordering of anisotropic nanomaterials in lyotropic liquid crystalline phases facilitates the production of films, fibers, and devices with anisotropic mechanical, thermal, electrical, and photonic properties. While often considered a new area of research, experimental and theoretical studies of nanoscale mesogens date back to the 1920s. Through modern computational, synthesis, and characterization tools, there are new opportunities to design liquid crystalline phases to achieve complex architectures and enable new applications in opto-electronics, multifunctional textiles, and conductive films. This review article provides a brief review of the liquid crystal phase behavior of one dimensional nanocylinders and two dimensional nanoplatelets, a discussion of investigations on the effects of size and shape dispersity on phase behavior, and outlook for exploiting size and shape dispersity in designing materials with controlled architectures.
A Comparison of a Standard Macintosh Blade Laryngoscope, Pentax-AWS Videolaryngoscope and Intubrite Videolaryngoscope for Tracheal Intubation in Manikins in Sitting and Prone Positions: A Randomized Cross-Over Study
Authors: Gaszyński Tomasz M.
Published: August 2020

Background: Intubation of a patient in different positions may be done not only in emergency settings, but also in routine anesthesia (e.g., prone position for lumbar spine surgery). Methods: The aim of the study was to compare the classic Macintosh blade laryngoscope with two videolaryngoscopes: the Pentax-AWS and the Intubrite in a simulated scenario of a manikin placed in a sitting and prone position. Additionally, intubation with the use of all three devices was performed in a standard supine position as the control group. The time of intubation and the pressure exerted on the tongue was assessed. The ANOVA Friedman (analysis of variance) and Wilcoxon with Bonferroni correction tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The time of intubation in a prone position was significantly shorter for the Pentax-AWS videolaryngoscope compared to the Macintosh and the Intubrite. There were no significant differences in the obtained results of the evaluated devices in sitting and standard positions. The lowest pressure exerted on the tongue was with the Pentax-AWS, followed by the Intubrite and the Macintosh laryngoscopes. Conclusions: The use of the Pentax-AWS was associated with faster tracheal intubation, creating lower pressure on tongue when compared with standard Macintosh and Intubrite laryngoscopes in both prone and sitting positions.
Clinical Significance and Diagnostic Value of Pain Extent Extracted from Pain Drawings: A Scoping Review
Authors: Barbero Marco , Navarro-Santana Marcos J. , Palacios-Ceña María , Ortega-Santiago Ricardo , Cescon Corrado , Falla Deborah , Fernández-de-las-Peñas César
Published: August 2020

The current scoping review aimed to map current literature investigating the relationship between pain extent extracted from pain drawings with clinical, psychological, and psycho-physiological patient-reported outcome measures in people with pain. Electronic databases were searched for cross-sectional cohort studies that collected pain drawings using digital technology or a pen-on-paper approach and assessed for correlations between pain extent and clinical, psychological or psycho-physical outcomes. Data were extracted by two different reviewers. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Mapping of the results included: 1, description of included studies; 2, summary of results; and 3, identification of gaps in the existing literature. Eleven cross-sectional cohort studies were included. The pain disorders considered were heterogeneous, ranging from musculoskeletal to neuropathic conditions, and from localized to generalized pain conditions. All studies included pain and/or pain-related disability as clinical outcomes. Psychological outcomes included depression and anxiety, kinesiophobia and catastrophism. Psycho-physical measures included pressure or thermal pain thresholds. Ten studies were considered of high methodological quality. There was heterogeneity in the associations between pain extent and patient-reported outcome measures depending on the pain condition. This scoping review found that pain extent is associated with patient-reported outcome measures more so in patients presenting with musculoskeletal pain, e.g., neck pain or osteoarthritis, rather than for those with neuropathic pain or headache.
The Oncogenic Roles of PTTG1 and PTTG2 Genes and Pseudogene PTTG3P in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Grzechowiak Inga , Graś Justyna , Szymańska Dominika , Biernacka Martyna , Guglas Kacper , Poter Paulina , Mackiewicz Andrzej , Kolenda Tomasz
Published: August 2020

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas are a group of heterogeneous diseases that occur in the mouth, pharynx and larynx and are characterized by poor prognosis. A low overall survival rate leads to a need to develop biomarkers for early head and neck squamous cell carcinomas detection, accurate prognosis and appropriate selection of therapy. Therefore, in this paper, we investigate the biological role of the PTTG3P pseudogene and associated genes PTTG1 and PTTG2 and their potential use as biomarkers. Methods: Based on TCGA data and the UALCAN database, PTTG3P, PTTG1 and PTTG2 expression profiles and clinicopathological features with TP53 gene status as well as expression levels of correlated genes were analyzed in patients’ tissue samples. The selected genes were classified according to their biological function using the PANTHER tool. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis software was used for functional enrichment analysis. All statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 5. Results: In head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, significant up-regulation of the PTTG3P pseudogene, PTTG1 and PTTG2 genes’ expression between normal and cancer samples were observed. Moreover, the expression of PTTG3P, PTTG1 and PTTG2 depends on the type of mutation in TP53 gene, and they correlate with genes from p53 pathway. PTTG3P expression was significantly correlated with PTTG1 as well as PTTG2, as was PTTG1 expression with PTTG2. Significant differences between expression levels of PTTG3P, PTTG1 and PTTG2 in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas patients were also observed in clinicopathological contexts. The contexts taken into consideration included: T-stage for PTTG3P; grade for PTTG3, PTTG1 and PTTG2; perineural invasion and lymph node neck dissection for PTTG1 and HPV p16 status for PTTG3P, PTTG1 and PTTG2. A significantly longer disease-free survival for patients with low expressions of PTTG3P and PTTG2, as compared to high expression groups, was also observed. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis indicated that the PTTG3 high-expressing group of patients have the most deregulated genes connected with DNA repair, oxidative phosphorylation and peroxisome pathways. For PTTG1, altered genes are from DNA repair groups, Myc targets, E2F targets and oxidative phosphorylation pathways, while for PTTG2, changes in E2F targets, G2M checkpoints and oxidative phosphorylation pathways are indicated. Conclusions: PTTG3P and PTTG2 can be used as a prognostic biomarker in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas diagnostics. Moreover, patients with high expressions of PTTG3P, PTTG1 or PTTG2 have worse outcomes due to upregulation of oncogenic pathways and more aggressive phenotypes.
Climate Disaster Risks—Empirics and a Multi-Phase Dynamic Model
Authors: Mittnik Stefan , Semmler Willi , Haider Alexander
Published: August 2020

Recent research in financial economics has shown that rare large disasters have the potential to disrupt financial sectors via the destruction of capital stocks and jumps in risk premia. These disruptions often entail negative feedback effects on the macroeconomy. Research on disaster risks has also actively been pursued in the macroeconomic models of climate change. Our paper uses insights from the former work to study disaster risks in the macroeconomics of climate change and to spell out policy needs. Empirically, the link between carbon dioxide emission and the frequency of climate related disaster is investigated using a panel data approach. The modeling part then uses a multi-phase dynamic macro model to explore the effects of rare large disasters resulting in capital losses and rising risk premia. Our proposed multi-phase dynamic model, incorporating climate-related disaster shocks and their aftermath as a distressed phase, is suitable for studying mitigation and adaptation policies as well as recovery policies.
Including the Dark Side of Entrepreneurship in the Entrepreneurship Education
Authors: Ziemianski Pawel , Golik Jakub
Published: August 2020

Pursuing an entrepreneurial career is often rewarding in terms of both economic and psychological outcomes. However, becoming an entrepreneur also has its darker side that affects professional and personal life. Meanwhile, the positivity bias is prevalent in entrepreneurial education and research. It is recognized as emphasizing the advantages of becoming an entrepreneur and giving considerably less attention to potential downsides. Based on the theoretical model of met expectations, it is proposed that building an accurate and balanced image of the entrepreneurial career is crucial to help students prepare to pursue it successfully. Using data from SEAS (Survey on Entrepreneurial Attitudes of Students) Project, authors quantitatively test the perception of the severity of negative aspects of entrepreneurship among 513 business students from northern Poland. Further, the results of 16 semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted with mature and experienced entrepreneurs from the same region are presented. They are focused on the entrepreneurs’ perspective on the experienced dark sides and reveal employed coping strategies. A call is made to include these findings in designing university entrepreneurship programs by eliciting the awareness of the existence of the dark sides and indicating the means of their attenuation.
Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access in Multiuser MIMO Configurations via Code Reuse and Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Gkonis Panagiotis K. , Trakadas Panagiotis T. , Sarakis Lambros E.
Published: August 2020

The goal of the study presented in this paper is to evaluate the performance of a proposed transmission scheme in multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) configurations, via code reuse. Hence, non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) is performed. To this end, a correlation matrix of the received data is constructed at the transmitter, with feedback as only the primary eigenvector of the equivalent channel matrix, which is derived after principal component analysis (PCA) at the receiver. Afterwards, users experiencing improved channel quality (i.e., diagonal terms of the correlation matrix) along with reduced multiple access interference (i.e., the inner product of transmission vectors) are the potential candidates for their assigned code to be reused. As the results indicate, considering various MIMO configurations, the proposed approach can achieve almost 33% code assignment gain (CAG), when successive interference cancellation (SIC) is employed in mobile receivers. However, even in the absence of SIC, CAG is still maintained with a tolerable average bit error rate (BER) degradation.
Malvertising in Facebook: Analysis, Quantification and Solution
Authors: Arrate Aritz , González-Cabañas José , Cuevas Ángel , Cuevas Rubén
Published: August 2020

Online advertising is a wealthy industry that generated more than $100B in 2018 only in the US and delivers billions of ads to Internet users every day with. These impressive numbers have also attracted the attention of malicious players that try to exploit the online advertising ecosystem for their own benefit. In particular, one of the most harmful practices refers to malicious users that act as advertisers to deliver unsafe ads. The goal of these ads is to compromise the security of the users that receive those ads. This practice is referred to as Malvertising. Some reports have estimated the economic loss caused by malvertising to the online advertising sector to $1.1B in 2017. This paper is the first work that analyses and quantifies the impact of malvertising in Facebook. To accomplish this study, we rely on a dataset that includes more than 5 M ads delivered to 3 K Facebook users from 126 K advertisers between October 2016 and May 2018. Our results reveal that although the portion of advertisers (0.68%) and ads (0.17%) associated to malvertising is very low, 1/3 of the users in our study were exposed to malvertising. Finally, we also propose a novel solution to block malvertising ads in real-time in Facebook.
Simulating Power Generation from Photovoltaics in the Polish Power System Based on Ground Meteorological Measurements—First Tests Based on Transmission System Operator Data
Authors: Jurasz Jakub , Wdowikowski Marcin , Figurski Mariusz
Published: August 2020

The Polish power system is undergoing a slow process of transformation from coal to one that is renewables dominated. Although coal will remain a fundamental fuel in the coming years, the recent upsurge in installed capacity of photovoltaic (PV) systems should draw significant attention. Owning to the fact that the Polish Transmission System Operator recently published the PV hourly generation time series in this article, we aim to explore how well those can be modeled based on the meteorological measurements provided by the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management. The hourly time series of PV generation on a country level and irradiation, wind speed, and temperature measurements from 23 meteorological stations covering one month are used as inputs to create an artificial neural network. The analysis indicates that available measurements combined with artificial neural networks can simulate PV generation on a national level with a mean percentage error of 3.2%.
Thermophilic Co-Fermentation of Wood Wastes and High in Nitrogen Animal Manures into Bio-Methane with the Aid of Fungi and its Potential in the USA
Authors: Ingersoll John G.
Published: August 2020

A novel process is proposed whereby wood wastes from forest tree mortalities and improved forest management are co-digested with high in nitrogen content animal manures to yield bio-methane along with nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium bio-fertilizers. The process mimics the well-known wood conversion to methane process in lower termites but relies on thermophilic fungi, bacteria, and archaea instead. It is based on the modified state-of-the art two-step, hyperthermophilic (70 °C) hydrolysis and thermophilic (55 °C) fermentation, dry (30% TS), anaerobic digestion technology with a high organic loading and shortened retention time. The process is augmented with the thermophilic fermentation of carbon dioxide in the biogas into secondary bio-methane by employing hydrogen produced via wind-powered electrolysis. The entire process comprised of five distinct steps is designated as “Wood to Methane 3 + 2”. An industrial type, standardized plant unit has been developed that can be employed in a modular fashion. The implementation of these plant units across the US, utilizing the estimated waste wood potential along with 3/4 of the produced poultry and pig manure, would generate the equivalent of 2/3 of transportation fuel consumption and would supply about 11% of current US energy use per annum. The produced bio-methane can be cost-competitive only if it is employed as a transportation fuel to replace fossil gasoline and diesel fuels. The required annual investment over a 20-year period is well within the means of the US economy in a public–private development partnership.