bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nerve Growth Factor Induces Proliferation and Aggressiveness in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Di Donato Marzia , Cernera Gustavo , Migliaccio Antimo , Castoria Gabriella
Published: June 2019

Resistance to hormone therapy and disease progression is the major challenge in clinical management of prostate cancer (PC). Drugs currently used in PC therapy initially show a potent antitumor effects, but PC gradually develops resistance, relapses and spreads. Most patients who fail primary therapy and have recurrences eventually develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), which is almost incurable. The nerve growth factor (NGF) acts on a variety of non-neuronal cells by activating the NGF tyrosine-kinase receptor, tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA). NGF signaling is deregulated in PC. In androgen-dependent PC cells, TrkA mediates the proliferative action of NGF through its crosstalk with the androgen receptor (AR). Epithelial PC cells, however, acquire the ability to express NGF and TrkA, as the disease progresses, indicating a role for NGF/TrkA axis in PC progression and androgen-resistance. We here report that once activated by NGF, TrkA mediates proliferation, invasiveness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in various CRPC cells. NGF promotes organoid growth in 3D models of CRPC cells, and specific inhibition of TrkA impairs all these responses. Thus TrkA represents a new biomarker to target in CRPC.
Agenesis and Hypomyelination of Corpus Callosum in Mice Lacking Nsun5, an RNA Methyltransferase
Authors: Yuan Zihao , Chen Peipei , Zhang Tingting , Shen Bin , Chen Ling
Published: June 2019

Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is caused by microdeletions of 28 genes and is characterized by cognitive disorder and hypotrophic corpus callosum (CC). Nsun5 gene, which encodes cytosine-5 RNA methyltransferase, is located in the deletion loci of WBS. We have reported that single-gene knockout of Nsun5 (Nsun5-KO) in mice impairs spatial cognition. Herein, we report that postnatal day (PND) 60 Nsun5-KO mice showed the volumetric reduction of CC with a decline in the number of myelinated axons and loose myelin sheath. Nsun5 was highly expressed in callosal oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and oligodendrocytes (OLs) from PND7 to PND28. The numbers of OPCs and OLs in CC of PND7-28 Nsun5-KO mice were significantly reduced compared to wild-type littermates. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses of myelin basic protein (MBP) showed the hypomyelination in the CC of PND28 Nsun5-KO mice. The Nsun5 deletion suppressed the proliferation of OPCs but did not affect transition of radial glial cells into OPCs or cell cycle exit of OPCs. The protein levels, rather than transcriptional levels, of CDK1, CDK2 and Cdc42 in the CC of PND7 and PND14 Nsun5-KO mice were reduced. These findings point to the involvement of Nsun5 deletion in agenesis of CC observed in WBS.
Insights on CTC Biology and Clinical Impact Emerging from Advances in Capture Technology
Authors: Bailey Patrick , Martin Stuart
Published: June 2019

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor microemboli (CTM) have been shown to correlate negatively with patient survival. Actual CTC counts before and after treatment can be used to aid in the prognosis of patient outcomes. The presence of circulating tumor materials (CTMat) can advertise the presence of metastasis before clinical presentation, enabling the early detection of relapse. Importantly, emerging evidence is indicating that cancer treatments can actually increase the incidence of CTCs and metastasis in pre-clinical models. Subsequently, the study of CTCs, their biology and function are of vital importance. Emerging technologies for the capture of CTC/CTMs and CTMat are elucidating vitally important biological and functional information that can lead to important alterations in how therapies are administered. This paves the way for the development of a “liquid biopsy” where treatment decisions can be informed by information gleaned from tumor cells and tumor cell debris in the blood.
Scaling between Superfluid Density and Tc in Overdoped La2−xSrxCuO4 Films
Authors: de Mello Evandro V. L.
Published: June 2019

We used an electronic phase separation approach to interpret the scaling between the low-temperature superfluid density average ρ sc ( 0 ) and the superconducting critical temperature T c on overdoped La 2 − x Sr x CuO 4 films. Guided by the observed nematic and incommensurate charge ordering (CO), we performed simulations with a free energy that reproduces charge domains with wavelength λ C O and provides a scale to local superconducting interactions. Under these conditions a complex order parameter with amplitude Δ d ( r i ) and phase θ ( r i ) may develop at a domain i. We assumed that these domains are coupled by Josephson energy E J ( r i j ) , proportional to the local superfluid density ρ sc ( r i j ) . Long-range order occured when the average E J ( T c ) is ∼ k B T c . The linear ρ s c ( 0 ) vs. T c relation was satisfied whenever CO was present, even with almost vanishing charge amplitudes.
Sum-Rate of Multi-User MIMO Systems with Multi-Cell Pilot Contamination in Correlated Rayleigh Fading Channel
Authors: Wang Menghan , Wang Dongming
Published: June 2019

This paper presents some exact results on the sum-rate of multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) systems subject to multi-cell pilot contamination under correlated Rayleigh fading. With multi-cell multi-user channel estimator, we give the lower bound of the sum-rate. We derive the moment generating function (MGF) of the sum-rate and then obtain the closed-form approximations of the mean and variance of the sum-rate. Then, with Gaussian approximation, we study the outage performance of the sum-rate. Furthermore, considering the number of antennas at base station becomes infinite, we investigate the asymptotic performance of the sum-rate. Theoretical results show that compared to MU-MIMO system with perfect channel estimation and no pilot contamination, the variance of the sum-rate of the considered system decreases very quickly as the number of antennas increases.
Domestic Hot Water Storage Tank Utilizing Phase Change Materials (PCMs): Numerical Approach
Authors: Bayomy Ayman , Davies Stephen , Saghir Ziad
Published: June 2019

Thermal energy storage (TES) is an essential part of a solar thermal/hot water system. It was shown that TES significantly enhances the efficiency and cost effectiveness of solar thermal systems by fulfilling the gap/mismatch between the solar radiation supply during the day and peak demand/load when sun is not available. In the present paper, a three-dimensional numerical model of a water-based thermal storage tank to provide domestic hot water demand is conducted. Phase change material (PCM) was used in the tank as a thermal storage medium and was connected to a photovoltaic thermal collector. The present paper shows the effectiveness of utilizing PCMs in a commercial 30-gallon domestic hot water tank used in buildings. The storage efficiency and the outlet water temperature were predicted to evaluate the storage system performance for different charging flow rates and different numbers of families demands. The results revealed that increases in the hot water supply coming from the solar collector caused increases in the outlet water temperature during the discharge period for one family demand. In such a case, it was observed that the storage efficiency was relatively low. Due to low demand (only one family), the PCMs were not completely crystallized at the end of the discharge period. The results showed that the increases in the family’s demand improve the thermal storage efficiency due to the increases in the portion of the energy that is recovered during the nighttime.
Optimal Design of Heat-Integrated Water Allocation Networks
Authors: Kermani Maziar , Kantor Ivan D. , Maréchal François
Published: June 2019

Industrial operations consume energy and water in large quantities without accounting for potential economic and environmental burdens on future generations. Consumption of energy (mainly in the form of high pressure steam) and water (in the form of process water and cooling water) are essential to all processes and are strongly correlated, which requires development of systematic methodologies to address their interconnectivity. To this end, the subject of heat-integrated water allocation network design has received considerable attention within the research community in recent decades while further growth is expected due to imposed national and global regulations within the context of sustainable development. The overall mathematical model of these networks has a mixed-integer nonlinear programming formulation. As discussed in this work, proposed models in the literature have two main difficulties dealing with heat–water specificities, which result in complex formulations. These difficulties are addressed in this work through proposition of a novel nonlinear hyperstructure and a sequential solution strategy. The solution strategy is to solve three sub-problems sequentially and iteratively generate a set of potential solutions through the implementation of integer cut constraints. The novel mathematical approach also lends itself to an additional innovation for proposing multiple solutions balancing various performance indicators. This is exemplified with both a literature test case and an industrial-scale problem. The proposed solutions address a variety of performance indicators which guides decision-makers toward selecting the most appropriate configuration(s) among a large number of potential possibilities. Results exhibit that despite having a sequential solution strategy, better performance can be reached compared to previous approaches with the additional benefit of providing many potential solutions for further consideration by decision-makers to select the best case-specific solution.
Performance and Emission Quality Assessment in a Diesel Engine of Straight Castor and Sunflower Vegetable Oils, in Diesel/Gasoline/Oil Triple Blends
Authors: Estevez Rafael , Aguado-Deblas Laura , Posadillo Alejandro , Hurtado Beatriz , Bautista Felipa M. , Hidalgo José M. , Luna Carlos , Calero Juan , Romero Antonio A. , Luna Diego
Published: June 2019

This research evaluates the possibility of using straight oils such as castor oil, which is not suitable for food use, and sunflower oil, used as a standard reference for waste cooking oils, in blends with gasoline as second-generation biofuels. To this end, a study of the rheological properties of biofuels obtained from these double blends has been carried out. The aim is to take advantage of the different properties of gasoline, i.e., its low viscosity and its high energy density to obtain blends whose rheological properties allow the substitution of fossil diesel in high extent. The incorporation of fossil diesel to these gasoline/oil mixtures produces diesel/gasoline/oil triple blends, which exhibited the suitable rheological properties to be able to operate in conventional diesel engines. Therefore, the behavior of these blends has been evaluated in a conventional diesel engine, operating as an electricity generator. The triple blends allow the substitution of fossil diesel up to 40% with sunflower oil, and up to 25% with castor oil, with excellent power results achieved for blends in which diesel is substituted up to 40%, and also in fuel consumption at high demand in comparison to conventional fossil diesel. Besides, a significant reduction in the emission of pollutants has also been obtained with these triple blends.
Experimental and Numerical Studies in Biomedical Engineering
Authors: Paras Spiros V. , Kanaris Athanasios G.
Published: June 2019

The term “biomedical engineering” refers to the application of the principles and problem-solving techniques of engineering to biology and medicine [...]
BarkBase: Epigenomic Annotation of Canine Genomes
Authors: Megquier Kate , Genereux Diane P. , Hekman Jessica , Swofford Ross , Turner-Maier Jason , Johnson Jeremy , Alonso Jacob , Li Xue , Morrill Kathleen , Anguish Lynne J. , Koltookian Michele , Logan Brittney , Sharp Claire R. , Ferrer Lluis , Lindblad-Toh Kerstin , Meyers-Wallen Vicki N. , Hoffman Andrew , Karlsson Elinor K.
Published: June 2019

Dogs are an unparalleled natural model for investigating the genetics of health and disease, particularly for complex diseases like cancer. Comprehensive genomic annotation of regulatory elements active in healthy canine tissues is crucial both for identifying candidate causal variants and for designing functional studies needed to translate genetic associations into disease insight. Currently, canine geneticists rely primarily on annotations of the human or mouse genome that have been remapped to dog, an approach that misses dog-specific features. Here, we describe BarkBase, a canine epigenomic resource available at barkbase.org. BarkBase hosts data for 27 adult tissue types, with biological replicates, and for one sample of up to five tissues sampled at each of four carefully staged embryonic time points. RNA sequencing is complemented with whole genome sequencing and with assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq), which identifies open chromatin regions. By including replicates, we can more confidently discern tissue-specific transcripts and assess differential gene expression between tissues and timepoints. By offering data in easy-to-use file formats, through a visual browser modeled on similar genomic resources for human, BarkBase introduces a powerful new resource to support comparative studies in dogs and humans.
Characterization of Nutrient and Metal Leaching in Roadside Ditches Maintained with Cool and Warm Season Grasses
Authors: Boger Alex , Ahiablame Laurent
Published: June 2019

Roadside ditches play an important role in the quantity and quality of receiving waters. Very little, however, is known about the fate and transport of nutrients and trace metals in roadside ditches, especially their leaching to shallow groundwater. This study sought to document selected water quality constituent levels in infiltrated water (i.e., leachate) in roadside ditches maintained with permanent vegetation. Leachate sampling wells were installed in four roadside ditches, and water samples were collected from the wells following major rainfall events during the years 2016 and 2017. The samples were analyzed for nutrient and metal concentrations. Results indicated that nutrient concentrations in the water samples range from 0.00600 to 0.0107 mg/L for orthophosphate (PO4–P), 0.00500 to 6.80 mg/L for nitrate (NO3–N), 0 to 0.007 mg/L for nitrite (NO2–N), and 0.0100 to 314 mg/L for chloride (Cl−). Concentrations of the metals examined varied between 0.0100 and 104 mg/L in water samples. While there was no specific pattern in both nutrient and metal concentrations when roadside ditches maintained with cool season grass were compared to those of warm season grass ditches, results suggest that grass types will likely affect differently uptake of nutrients and metals in the ditches.
Effectiveness Assessment of a New System of Sediment Trap in the Investigation of Matter Sedimentation in a Reservoir—A Case Study
Authors: Cieśla Maksymilian , Bartoszek Lilianna , Gruca-Rokosz Renata
Published: June 2019

This paper presents results of the research on the effectiveness of entrapping sediment matter in newly designed sediment traps. Four traps, characterized by different geometrical and construction parameters, were analyzed. The assessment of the operation of the traps was made on the basis of research work conducted in situ in a small retention reservoir located in Blizne, south-east Poland during summer 2017 and 2018. Under environmental conditions present during the research, trap number 2 emerged as the most effective. It was characterized by a height to diameter ratio equal to 6.06, as well as innovative design thanks to the presence of a dual-chamber cylindrical vessel with a sedimentation funnel ending in a deflector. The proposed construction solution ensured optimal, stable operation of the trap. This trap is more effective in entrapping sediment matter than the simple tools described in the literature so far. In addition, it can be used not only in reservoirs, but also in seas and oceans. Such traps can be used to study the sedimentation rate in various water ecosystems, and also the entrapped sediment can be analysed in a qualitative manner to determine its role in the distribution of pollutants deposited in the sediments of aquatic ecosystems.
Systematic Literature Review of Health Impact Assessments in Low and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Thondoo Meelan , Rojas-Rueda David , Gupta Joyeeta , de Vries Daniel H. , Nieuwenhuijsen Mark J.
Published: June 2019

Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) motivate effective measures for safeguarding public health. There is consensus that HIAs in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are lacking, but no study systematically focuses on those that have been successfully conducted across all regions of the world, nor do they highlight factors that may enable or hinder their implementation. Our objectives are to (1) systematically review, geographically map, and characterize HIA activity in LMICs; and (2) apply a process evaluation method to identify factors which are important to improve HIA implementation in LMICs. A systematic review of peer-reviewed HIAs in 156 LMICs was performed in Scopus, Medline, Web of Science, Sociological abstracts, and LILACs (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences) databases. The search used PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and covered HIAs across all type of interventions, topics, and health outcomes. HIAs were included if they reported a clear intervention and health outcome to be assessed. No time restriction was applied, and grey literature was not included. The eligible studies were subjected to six process evaluation criteria. The search yielded 3178 hits and 57 studies were retained. HIAs were conducted in 26 out of 156 countries. There was an unequal distribution of HIAs across regions and within LMICs countries. The leading topics of HIA in LMICs were air pollution, development projects, and urban transport planning. Most of the HIAs reported quantitative approaches (72%), focused on air pollution (46%), appraised policies (60%), and were conducted at the city level (36%). The process evaluation showed important variations in the way HIAs have been conducted and low uniformity in the reporting of six criteria. No study reported the time, money, and staff used to perform HIAs. Only 12% of HIAs were based on participatory approaches; 92% of HIAs considered multiple outcomes; and 61% of HIAs provided recommendations and fostered cross-national collaboration. The limited transparency in process, weak participation, and inconsistent delivery of recommendations were potential limitations to HIA implementation in low and middle-income countries. Scaling and improving HIA implementation in low and middle-income countries in the upcoming years will depend on expanding geographically by increasing HIA governance, adapting models and tools in quantitative methods, and adopting better reporting practices.
The Age-Related Performance Decline in Marathon Running: The Paradigm of the Berlin Marathon
Authors: Nikolaidis Pantelis T. , Alvero-Cruz José Ramón , Villiger Elias , Rosemann Thomas , Knechtle Beat
Published: June 2019

The variation of marathon race time by age group has been used recently to model the decline of endurance with aging; however, paradigms of races (i.e., marathon running) examined so far have mostly been from the United States. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the age of peak performance (APP) in a European race, the “Berlin Marathon”. Race times of 387,222 finishers (women, n = 93,022; men, n = 294,200) in this marathon race from 2008 to 2018 were examined. Men were faster by +1.10 km.h−1 (10.74 ± 1.84 km.h−1 versus 9.64 ± 1.46 km.h−1, p <0.001, η2 = 0.065, medium effect size) and older by +2.1 years (43.1 ± 10.0 years versus 41.0 ± 9.8 years, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.008, trivial effect size) than women. APP was 32 years in women and 34 years in men using 1-year age groups, and 30–34 years in women and 35–39 years in men using 5-year age groups. Women’s and men’s performance at 60–64 and 55–59 age groups, respectively, corresponded to ~90% of the running speed at APP. Based on these findings, it was concluded that although APP occurred earlier in women than men, the observed age-related differences indicated that the decline of endurance with aging might differ by sex.
Factors Associated with Compliance among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Transfers: Evidence from Audit Records at Clinics in Guangdong, China
Authors: Gong Cheng , Zou Xia , Chen Wen , Liu Yin , Lu Qian , Ling Li
Published: June 2019

Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) requires patients to intake their daily dose in person at their clinic. Therefore, transfer services are vital for patients who need temporary leave from their primary MMT clinic. However, studies have shown that transfer patients might delay return after temporary leave, leading to missed doses and putting them at risk of increased harm. In this study, we aimed to explore the transfer rates and factors associated with MMT patients who delayed return during a transfer period. In this retrospective analysis, we used audit records from the web-based management system from six MMT clinics in Guangdong, China. Multilevel logistic regression and multilevel Poisson regression analyses were used to examine the factors associated with patients who delayed return to their primary MMT clinic. A total of 459 people used the transfer system 2940 times between January 2006 and December 2016. Of those, patients delayed return to their primary MMT clinic 1199 times (40.78%). Patients who transferred regularly had poor compliance rates with MMT treatment. Those who once dropped out from and then re-enrolled in MMT were more likely to delay return. Most patients (82.71%) who used the transfer service for “work” were more likely to prolong their delay length. The findings highlight that a more flexible transfer system would minimize inconvenience to the patients.
Physical Activity and Mental Toughness as Antecedents of Academic Burnout among School Students: A Latent Profile Approach
Authors: Cheung Peggy , Li Chunxiao
Published: June 2019

Background: The purpose of the current survey-based study was to identify patterns of academic burnout and their antecedents among secondary school students. Methods: Secondary school students (n = 1209) completed a survey measuring academic burnout, physical activity, and mental toughness. Results: Using latent profile analyses, three burnout profiles were identified: a “moderately engaged group” (n = 699; 57.8%), a “burnout group” (n = 389; 32.2%), and a “well-functioning group” (n = 121; 10.0%). Group comparisons revealed that the “well-functioning group” reported significantly higher levels of physical activity and mental toughness than the other two groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest that lack of physical activity and mental toughness are potential risk factors for academic burnout. These findings may inform the development of intervention programs for academic burnout.
Survival to Age 90 in Men: The Tromsø Study 1974–2018
Authors: Brenn Tormod
Published: June 2019

The 738 oldest men who participated in the first survey of the population-based Tromsø Study (Tromsø 1) in Norway in 1974 have now had the chance to reach the age of 90 years. The men were also invited to subsequent surveys (Tromsø 2–7, 1979–2016) and have been followed up for all-cause deaths. This study sought to investigate what could be learned from how these men have fared. The men were born in 1925–1928 and similar health-related data from questionnaires, physical examination, and blood samples are available for all surveys. Survival curves over various variable strata were applied to evaluate the impact of individual risk factors and combinations of risk factors on all-cause deaths. At the end of 2018, 118 (16.0%) of the men had reached 90 years of age. Smoking in 1974 was the strongest single risk factor associated with survival, with observed percentages of men reaching 90 years being 26.3, 25.7, and 10.8 for never, former, and current smokers, respectively. Significant effects on survival were also found for physical inactivity, low income, being unmarried, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. For men with 0–4 of these risk factors, the percentages reaching 90 years were 33.3, 24.9, 12.4, 14.4, and 1.5, respectively. Quitting smoking and increasing physical activity before 55 years of age improved survival significantly. Men should refrain from smoking and increase their physical activity, especially those with low income, those who are unmarried, and those with high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Comment to: Qi, Yi, et al. “Bibliometric Analysis of Algal-Bacterial Symbiosis in Wastewater Treatment”, Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 1077
Authors: Ho Yuh-Shan
Published: June 2019

Qi et al. recently published an article in the journal, entitled “Bibliometric Analysis of Algal–Bacterial Symbiosis in Wastewater Treatment” [...]
Chemokines in COPD: From Implication to Therapeutic Use
Authors: Henrot Pauline , Prevel Renaud , Berger Patrick , Dupin Isabelle
Published: June 2019

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) represents the 3rd leading cause of death in the world. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms have been the focus of extensive research in the past. The lung has a complex architecture, where structural cells interact continuously with immune cells that infiltrate into the pulmonary tissue. Both types of cells express chemokines and chemokine receptors, making them sensitive to modifications of concentration gradients. Cigarette smoke exposure and recurrent exacerbations, directly and indirectly, impact the expression of chemokines and chemokine receptors. Here, we provide an overview of the evidence regarding chemokines involvement in COPD, and we hypothesize that a dysregulation of this tightly regulated system is critical in COPD evolution, both at a stable state and during exacerbations. Targeting chemokines and chemokine receptors could be highly attractive as a mean to control both chronic inflammation and bronchial remodeling. We present a special focus on the CXCL8-CXCR1/2, CXCL9/10/11-CXCR3, CCL2-CCR2, and CXCL12-CXCR4 axes that seem particularly involved in the disease pathophysiology.
Petunidin, a B-ring 5′-O-Methylated Derivative of Delphinidin, Stimulates Osteoblastogenesis and Reduces sRANKL-Induced Bone Loss
Authors: Nagaoka Masahiro , Maeda Toyonobu , Moriwaki Sawako , Nomura Atsushi , Kato Yasumasa , Niida Shumpei , Kruger Marlena C. , Suzuki Keiko
Published: June 2019

Several lines of evidence suggest that oxidative stress is one of the key pathogenic mechanisms of osteoporosis. We aimed to elucidate the bone protective effects of petunidin, one of the most common anthocyanidins, considering its potent antioxidative activity. Petunidin (>5 μg/mL) significantly inhibited osteoclastogenesis and downregulated c-fos, Nfatc1, Mmp9, Ctsk, and Dc-stamp mRNA expression in RAW264.7 cells. Conversely, petunidin (>16 μg/mL) stimulated mineralized matrix formation and gene expression of Bmp2 and Ocn, whereas it suppressed Mmp13, Mmp2, and Mmp9 mRNA expression and proteolytic activities of MMP13 and MMP9 in MC3T3-E1 cells. Micro-CT and bone histomorphometry analyses of sRANKL-induced osteopenic C57BL/6J mice showed that daily oral administration of petunidin (7.5 mg/kg/day) increased bone volume to tissue volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), the ratio of osteoid volume to tissue volume (OV/TV), osteoid thickness (O.Th), the ratio of osteoid surface to bone surface (OS/BS), the ratio of osteoblast surface to bone surface (Ob.S/BS), and the number of osteoblast per unit of bone surface (N.Ob/BS), and decreased trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), the ratio of eroded surface to bone surface (ES/BS), the ratio of osteoclast surface to bone surface (Oc.S/BS), and number of osteoclast per unit of bone surface (N.Oc/BS), compared to untreated mice. Furthermore, histological sections of the femurs showed that oral administration of petunidin to sRANKL-induced osteopenic mice increased the size of osteoblasts located along the bone surface and the volume of osteoid was consistent with the in vitro osteoblast differentiation and MMP inhibition. These results suggest that petunidin is a promising natural agent to improve sRANKL-induced osteopenia in mice through increased osteoid formation, reflecting accelerated osteoblastogenesis, concomitant with suppressed bone resorption.
Application of Periodontal Ligament-Derived Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Sheets for Periodontal Regeneration
Authors: Onizuka Satoru , Iwata Takanori
Published: June 2019

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes destruction of the periodontal attachment apparatus including alveolar bone, the periodontal ligament, and cementum. Dental implants have been routinely installed after extraction of periodontitis-affected teeth; however, recent studies have indicated that many dental implants are affected by peri-implantitis, which progresses rapidly because of the failure of the immune system. Therefore, there is a renewed focus on periodontal regeneration aroundnatural teeth. To regenerate periodontal tissue, many researchers and clinicians have attempted to perform periodontal regenerative therapy using materials such as bioresorbable scaffolds, growth factors, and cells. The concept of guided tissue regeneration, by which endogenous periodontal ligament- and alveolar bone-derived cells are preferentially proliferated by barrier membranes, has proved effective, and various kinds of membranes are now commercially available. Clinical studies have shown the significance of barrier membranes for periodontal regeneration; however, the technique is indicated only for relatively small infrabony defects. Cytokine therapies have also been introduced to promote periodontal regeneration, but the indications are also for small size defects. To overcome this limitation, ex vivo expanded multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been studied. In particular, periodontal ligament-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells are thought to be a responsible cell source, based on both translational and clinical studies. In this review, responsible cell sources for periodontal regeneration and their clinical applications are summarized. In addition, recent transplantation strategies and perspectives about the cytotherapeutic use of stem cells for periodontal regeneration are discussed.
Research on a Method for Simulating Multiview Ocean Wave Synchronization Data by Networked SAR Satellites
Authors: Wan Yong , Zhang Xiaoyu , Dai Yongshou , Shi Xiaolei
Published: June 2019

It is expected that the problem of the azimuth cutoff wavelength in single-satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) observations can be solved by means of the cooperative observation of networked SAR satellites. Multiview SAR wave synchronization data are required in the process. However, most of the current orbiting satellites are geosynchronous orbit satellites; the simultaneous observation by multiple SARs in the same sea area cannot be achieved, and multiview synchronization data cannot be obtained. Therefore, this paper studies the simulation of the multiview SAR wave synchronization data. Ocean wave spectra were simulated by using the Pierson Moskowitz (PM) spectrum. The Monte Carlo method was used to simulate two-dimensional (2D) ocean surfaces at different wind speeds. The two-scale electromagnetic scattering model was used to calculate the ocean surface backscattering coefficient, and the time-domain echo algorithm was used to generate echo signals. The echo signals were processed by the Range–Doppler (RD) imaging algorithm to obtain ocean SAR data. Based on the obtained single-SAR wave data, networked satellites consisting of three SARs were simulated, and the SAR wave data were synchronized. The results show that when SARs are used to observe the same sea area from different observation directions, the clarity of the wave fringes in the SAR images are different. For different azimuth angles, the degrees of azimuth cutoff are different. These results reflect the influences of different degrees of azimuth cutoff on SAR images. The simulated wave synchronization data can be used as the basic data source for subsequent azimuth cutoff wavelength compensation.
Default Risk and Cross Section of Returns
Authors: Cakici Nusret , Chatterjee Sris , Chen Ren-Raw
Published: June 2019

Prior research uses the basic one-period European call-option pricing model to compute default measures for individual firms and concludes that both the size and book-to-market effects are related to default risk. For example, small firms earn higher return than big firms only if they have higher default risk and value stocks earn higher returns than growth stocks if their default risk is high. In this paper we use a more advanced compound option pricing model for the computation of default risk and provide a more exhaustive test of stock returns using univariate and double-sorted portfolios. The results show that long/short hedge portfolios based on Geske measures of default risk produce significantly larger return differentials than Merton’s measure of default risk. The paper provides new evidence that mediates between the rational and behavioral explanations of value premium.
Twin-Shaft Mixers’ Mechanical Behavior Numerical Simulations of the Mix and Phases
Authors: Valigi Maria Cristina , Logozzo Silvia , Landi Luca , Braccesi Claudio , Galletti Luca
Published: June 2019

In this paper, the mechanical behavior of concrete twin-shaft mixers is analyzed in terms of power consumption and exchanged forces between the mixture and the mixing organs during the mixing cycle. The mixing cycle is divided into two macro phases, named transient and regime phase, where the behavior of the mixture is modeled in two different ways. A force estimation and power consumption prediction model are presented for both the studied phases and they are validated by experimental campaigns. From the application of this model to different machines and by varying different design parameters, the optimization of the power consumption of the concrete twin-shaft mixers is analyzed. Results of this work can be used to increase productivity and profitability of concrete mixers and reduce energy waste in the industries which involve mixing processes.
Properties for ψ-Fractional Integrals Involving a General Function ψ and Applications
Authors: Liang Jin , Mu Yunyi
Published: June 2019

In this paper, we are concerned with the ψ-fractional integrals, which is a generalization of the well-known Riemann–Liouville fractional integrals and the Hadamard fractional integrals, and are useful in the study of various fractional integral equations, fractional differential equations, and fractional integrodifferential equations. Our main goal is to present some new properties for ψ-fractional integrals involving a general function ψ by establishing several new equalities for the ψ-fractional integrals. We also give two applications of our new equalities.
Dynamic Pricing in a Multi-Period Newsvendor Under Stochastic Price-Dependent Demand
Authors: Ullah Mehran , Khan Irfanullah , Sarkar Biswajit
Published: June 2019

The faster growth of technology stipulates the rapid development of new products; with the spread of new technologies old ones are outdated and their market demand declines sharply. The combined impact of demand uncertainty and short life-cycles complicate ordering and pricing decision of retailers that leads to a decrease in the profit. This study deals with the joint inventory and dynamic pricing policy for such products considering stochastic price-dependent demand. The aim is to develop a discount policy that enables the retailer to order more at the start of the selling season thus increase the profit and market share of the retailer. A multi-period newsvendor model is developed under the distribution-free approach and the optimal stocking quantities, unit selling price, and the discount percentage are obtained. The results show that the proposed discount policy increases the expected profit of the system. Additionally, the stocking quantity and the unit selling price also increases in the proposed discount policy. The robustness of the proposed model is illustrated with numerical examples and sensitivity analysis. Managerial insights are given to extract significant insights for the newsvendor model with discount policy.
Older Adults—Potential Users of Technologies
Authors: Lesauskaitė Vita , Damulevičienė Gytė , Knašienė Jurgita , Kazanavičius Egidijus , Liutkevičius Agnius , Janavičiūtė Audronė
Published: June 2019

Background and objective: The successful adoption of technology is becoming increasingly important to functional independence and successful ageing in place. A better understanding of technology usage amongst older people may help to direct future interventions aimed at improving their healthcare. We aimed to obtain the first data regarding technology use, including gerontechnologies, represented by fall detectors, from older adults in Lithuania. Material and methods: The research was carried out in the framework of the project Smart Gerontechnology for Healthy Ageing, which involved assessing the use of technologies and the readiness to use gerontechnologies, as represented by fall detectors. A total of 375 individuals that were more than 60 years of age were enrolled in the study. The self-reporting questionnaires were completed by geriatric in-patients, hospitalized in the geriatric department, and also by community-dwelling older adults. Results: Geriatric in-patients’ use of computers and the internet was associated with age (every year of age decreased the probability of computer and internet use by 0.9-times) and a positive attitude towards new technologies—this predictor increased the use of a computer by six-times in comparison with people who did not have such an attitude. Sex and education had no influence on computer use for geriatric in-patients. For community-dwelling older adults, the use of computers and internet was associated with age, education (a university education increased the use of computers and the internet by four times), and a positive attitude towards technologies. Conclusions: Lithuanian older women in the study used computers, the internet, and cell phones equally with men. Increasing age was a strong negative predictor of technology use. A positive attitude to new technologies was a strong positive predictor of technology use. Most geriatric patients and community-dwelling older adults were ready to use technologies that permit ageing in place.
The Effect of an Innovative Biofeedback SKOL-AS® Treatment on the Body Posture and Trunk Rotation in Children with Idiopathic Scoliosis—Preliminary Study
Authors: Kamelska-Sadowska Anna M. , Protasiewicz-Fałdowska Halina , Zakrzewska Lidia , Zaborowska-Sapeta Katarzyna , Nowakowski Jacek J. , Kowalski Ireneusz M.
Published: June 2019

Background and Objectives: The deformity in idiopathic scoliosis (IS) is three dimensional and effective correction involves all three planes. Recently, the biofeedback method has been implemented in the treatment of scoliosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative biofeedback SKOL-AS® postural training among children with scoliosis. Materials and Methods: The target population for this study was 28 patients (25 girls and 3 boys) aged between 5 and 16 years old diagnosed and treated with progressing low-grade scoliosis. The postural diagnosis consisted of anthropometric measurements, posterior–anterior X-ray imaging, SpinalMeter® postural assessment and the angle of trunk rotation (ATR) assessment. The SKOL-AS® treatment comprised of 24 sessions conducted in lying and sitting positions, two times a week. Results: It has been shown that the postural training resulted in the decrease in the ATR value (pre- vs. post-exercise in younger: 5.55 vs. 3.0 and older patients: 5.2 vs. 3.0). The increase in height of the subjects seemed to confirm a positive effect of SKOL-AS® elongation treatment. In the posterior view, a statistically significant decrease in shoulder asymmetry in the sitting position in younger children has been observed. In the anterior view, the changes in the head position (based on mouth and eye symmetry) have been observed. The statistically significant increase in acromion–heel, acromion–iliac crest and posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS)–heel length values has been shown in younger children on the left side of the body. After treatment, older subjects had higher acromion–iliac crest and PSIS–heel values on the left side of the body. On the right side only PSIS–heel length was higher. In a sitting position, only a small increase in acromion–iliac crest length value has been observed. Conclusions: The SKOL-AS® biofeedback method could teach good postural habits and teach patients the auto-correction of the spine.
Translational Metabolomics: Current Challenges and Future Opportunities
Authors: Pinu Farhana R. , Goldansaz Seyed Ali , Jaine Jacob
Published: June 2019

Metabolomics is one of the latest omics technologies that has been applied successfully in many areas of life sciences. Despite being relatively new, a plethora of publications over the years have exploited the opportunities provided through this data and question driven approach. Most importantly, metabolomics studies have produced great breakthroughs in biomarker discovery, identification of novel metabolites and more detailed characterisation of biological pathways in many organisms. However, translation of the research outcomes into clinical tests and user-friendly interfaces has been hindered due to many factors, some of which have been outlined hereafter. This position paper is the summary of discussion on translational metabolomics undertaken during a peer session of the Australian and New Zealand Metabolomics Conference (ANZMET 2018) held in Auckland, New Zealand. Here, we discuss some of the key areas in translational metabolomics including existing challenges and suggested solutions, as well as how to expand the clinical and industrial application of metabolomics. In addition, we share our perspective on how full translational capability of metabolomics research can be explored.
Second-Order Vector Mode Propagation in Hollow-Core Antiresonant Fibers
Authors: Li Lili , Xiao Limin
Published: June 2019

Second-order vector modes, possessing doughnut-shaped intensity distribution with unique polarization, are widely utilized in material micromachining, optical tweezers, and high-resolution microscopy. Since the hollow-core fiber can act as a flexible and robust optical waveguide for ultra-short pulse delivery and manipulation, high-order vector modes guided in hollow-core fibers will have huge potential in many advanced applications. We firstly reveal that a second-order vector mode can be well guided in a hollow-core antiresonant fiber with the suppression of the fundamental mode and other second-order vector modes at the red side of transmission band. We interpret our observation through a phase-matched coupling mechanism between core modes and coupled cladding modes. A single second-order vector mode such as TE01, TM01, or HE21 can be guided with low confinement loss at specific wavelengths with appropriate structure parameters. Our proposed hollow-core fibers have a modal engineering function which will open up a new avenue toward the single second-order vector mode propagation and its fiberized applications.
Modeling and Experiment of the Critical Depth of Cut at the Ductile–Brittle Transition for a 4H-SiC Single Crystal
Authors: Chai Peng , Li Shujuan , Li Yan
Published: June 2019

In this paper, a theoretical model of the critical depth of cut of nanoscratching on a 4H-SiC single crystal with a Berkovich indenter is proposed, and a series of scratch tests in a nanomechanical test system was performed. Through nanoindentation experimentation on fused quartz, the Berkovich indenter nose radius was indirectly confirmed using least squares. The range of critical depths of cut at the ductile–brittle transition was obtained by SEM observation, and the size of cracks was amplified with increasing scratching depth. The theoretical result of the critical depth of cut at the ductile–brittle transition for a 4H-SiC single crystal is 91.7 nm, which is close to the first obvious pop-in point of the relation curve between tangential force and lateral displacement. Repeated experimental results show good consistency and good agreement with other references.
Mixed Two-Dimensional Organic-Inorganic Halide Perovskites for Highly Efficient and Stable Photovoltaic Application
Authors: Dong Jia-Yi , Ma Zi-Qian , Yang Ye , Wang Shuang-Peng , Pan Hui
Published: June 2019

Solar cells made of hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite (HOIP) materials have attracted ever-increasing attention due to their high efficiency and easy fabrication. However, issues regarding their poor stability remain a challenge for practical applications. Engineering the composition and structure of HOIP can effectively enhance the thermal stability and improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE). In this work, mixed two-dimensional (2D) HOIPs are systematically investigated for solar-power harvesting using first-principles calculations. We find that their electronic properties depend strongly on the mixed atoms (Cs, Rb, Ge and Pb) and the formation energy is related to the HOIP’s composition, where the atoms are more easily mixed in SnI-2D-HOIPs due to low formation energy at the same composition ratio. We further show that optimal solar energy harvesting can be achieved on the solar cells composed of mixed SnI-2D-HOIPs because of reduced bandgaps, enhanced mobility and improved stability. Importantly, we find that the mixed atoms (Cs, Rb, Ge and Pb) with the appropriate composition ratios can effectively enhance the solar-to-power efficiency and show greatly improved resistance to moisture. The findings demonstrate that mixed 2D-HOIPs can replace the bulk HOIPs or pure 2D-HOIPs for applications into solar cells with high efficiency and stability.
UV and Visible Light-Driven Production of Hydroxyl Radicals by Reduced Forms of N, F, and P Codoped Titanium Dioxide
Authors: Abdullah A. M. , Garcia-Pinilla Miguel Á. , Pillai Suresh C. , O'Shea Kevin
Published: June 2019

The photocatalytic activities of reduced titanium dioxide (TiO2) materials have been investigated by measuring their ability to produce hydroxyl radicals under UV and visible light irradiation. Degussa P25 TiO2 was doped with nitrogen (N), fluorine (F), and/or phosphorus (P) and then subjected to surface modification employing a thermo-physicochemical process in the presence of reducing agent sodium borohydride (NaBH4). The reduced TiO2 materials were characterized by a number of X-ray, spectroscopic and imaging methods. Surface doping of TiO2 was employed to modulate the band gap energies into the visible wavelength region for better overlap with the solar spectrum. Hydroxyl radical generation, central to TiO2 photocatalytic water purification applications, was quantitated using coumarin as a trap under UV and visible light irradiation of the reduced TiO2 materials. At 350 nm irradiation, the yield of hydroxyl radicals generated by the reduced forms of TiO2 was nearly 90% of hydroxyl radicals generated by the Degussa P25 TiO2. Hydroxyl radical generation by these reduced forms of TiO2 was also observed under visible light irradiation (419 and 450 nm). These results demonstrated that simple surface modification of doped TiO2 can lead to visible light activity, which is important for more economical solar-driven applications of TiO2 photocatalysis.