bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Closing the Gap: Membrane Contact Sites in the Regulation of Autophagy
Authors: Kohler Verena , Aufschnaiter Andreas , Büttner Sabrina
Published: May 2020

In all eukaryotic cells, intracellular organization and spatial separation of incompatible biochemical processes is established by individual cellular subcompartments in form of membrane-bound organelles. Virtually all of these organelles are physically connected via membrane contact sites (MCS), allowing interorganellar communication and a functional integration of cellular processes. These MCS coordinate the exchange of diverse metabolites and serve as hubs for lipid synthesis and trafficking. While this of course indirectly impacts on a plethora of biological functions, including autophagy, accumulating evidence shows that MCS can also directly regulate autophagic processes. Here, we focus on the nexus between interorganellar contacts and autophagy in yeast and mammalian cells, highlighting similarities and differences. We discuss MCS connecting the ER to mitochondria or the plasma membrane, crucial for early steps of both selective and non-selective autophagy, the yeast-specific nuclear–vacuolar tethering system and its role in microautophagy, the emerging function of distinct autophagy-related proteins in organellar tethering as well as novel MCS transiently emanating from the growing phagophore and mature autophagosome.
Annexin A1/Formyl Peptide Receptor Pathway Controls Uterine Receptivity to the Blastocyst
Authors: Hebeda Cristina B. , Sandri Silvana , Benis Cláudia M. , Paula-Silva Marina de , Loiola Rodrigo A. , Reutelingsperger Chris , Perretti Mauro , Farsky Sandra H. P.
Published: May 2020

Embryo implantation into the uterine wall is a highly modulated, complex process. We previously demonstrated that Annexin A1 (AnxA1), which is a protein secreted by epithelial and inflammatory cells in the uterine microenvironment, controls embryo implantation in vivo. Here, we decipher the effects of recombinant AnxA1 in this phenomenon by using human trophoblast cell (BeWo) spheroids and uterine epithelial cells (Ishikawa; IK). AnxA1-treated IK cells demonstrated greater levels of spheroid adherence and upregulation of the tight junction molecules claudin-1 and zona occludens-1, as well as the glycoprotein mucin-1 (Muc-1). The latter effect of AnxA1 was not mediated through IL-6 secreted from IK cells, a known inducer of Muc-1 expression. Rather, these effects of AnxA1 involved activation of the formyl peptide receptors FPR1 and FPR2, as pharmacological blockade of FPR1 or FPR1/FPR2 abrogated such responses. The downstream actions of AnxA1 were mediated through the ERK1/2 phosphorylation pathway and F-actin polymerization in IK cells, as blockade of ERK1/2 phosphorylation reversed AnxA1-induced Muc-1 and claudin-1 expression. Moreover, FPR2 activation by AnxA1 induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion by IK cells, and the supernatant of AnxA1-treated IK cells evoked angiogenesis in vitro. In conclusion, these data highlight the role of the AnxA1/FPR1/FPR2 pathway in uterine epithelial control of blastocyst implantation.
Dichotomous Regulation of Acquired Immunity by Innate Lymphoid Cells
Authors: Ebihara Takashi
Published: May 2020

The concept of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) includes both conventional natural killer (NK) cells and helper ILCs, which resemble CD8+ killer T cells and CD4+ helper T cells in acquired immunity, respectively. Conventional NK cells are migratory cytotoxic cells that find tumor cells or cells infected with microbes. Helper ILCs are localized at peripheral tissue and are responsible for innate helper-cytokine production. Helper ILCs are classified into three subpopulations: TH1-like ILC1s, TH2-like ILC2s, and TH17/TH22-like ILC3s. Because of the functional similarities between ILCs and T cells, ILCs can serve as an innate component that augments each corresponding type of acquired immunity. However, the physiological functions of ILCs are more plastic and complicated than expected and are affected by environmental cues and types of inflammation. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the interaction between ILCs and acquired immunity, including T- and B-cell responses at various conditions. Immune suppressive activities by ILCs in particular are discussed in comparison to their immune stimulatory effects to gain precise knowledge of ILC biology and the physiological relevance of ILCs in human diseases.
Season of Birth Impacts the Neonatal Nasopharyngeal Microbiota
Authors: Schoos Ann-Marie Malby , Kragh Marie , Ahrens Peter , Kuhn Katrin Gaardbo , Rasmussen Morten Arendt , Chawes Bo Lund , Jensen Jørgen Skov , Brix Susanne , Bisgaard Hans , Stokholm Jakob
Published: May 2020

Objective: Pathogenic airway bacteria colonizing the neonatal airway increase the risk of childhood asthma, but little is known about the determinants of the establishment and dynamics of the airway microbiota in early life. We studied associations between perinatal risk factors and bacterial richness of the commensal milieu in the neonatal respiratory tract. Methods: Three hundred and twenty-eight children from the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in the Childhood2000 (COPSAC2000) at-risk birth cohort were included in this study. The bacterial richness in each of the nasopharynxes of the 1-month old, asymptomatic neonates was analyzed by use of a culture-independent technique (T-RFLP). Information on perinatal risk factors included predisposition to asthma, allergy and eczema; social status of family; maternal exposures during pregnancy; mode of delivery; and postnatal exposures. The risk factor analysis was done by conventional statistics and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLSDA). Results: The nasopharyngeal bacterial community at 1-month displayed an average of 35 (IQR: 14–55, range 1–161) phylogenetically different bacteria groups. Season of birth was associated with nasopharyngeal bacterial richness at 1-month of age with a higher bacterial richness (p = 0.003) and more abundant specific bacterial profiles representing Gram-negative alpha-proteobacteria and Gram-positive Bacilli in the nasopharynx of summer-born children. Conclusion: Early postnatal bacterial colonization of the upper airways is significantly affected by birth season, emphasizing a future focus on the seasonality aspect in modelling the impact of early dynamic changes in airway bacterial communities in relation to later disease development.
Particle Compression Test: A Key Step towards Tailoring of Feedstock Powder for Cold Spraying
Authors: Assadi Hamid , Gärtner Frank
Published: May 2020

Cold spray is on the way to becoming a mainstream technology for coating and additive manufacturing processes. While there have been many advances in various aspects of this technology, the question of tailoring the ‘ideal’ feedstock powder for cold spraying has remained open. In particular, the mechanical strength and its dependence on the particle size, which are amongst the most relevant properties of the feedstock powder for cold spraying, are rarely covered when reporting powder specifications. This is mainly because of the lack of standardised methods of characterisation for these specific properties. In the present case study, we demonstrate how compression tests of single Inconel 718 particles by using a modified nanoindenter can address this central question. Data analyses are supported by finite element modelling of particle compression for a range of plastic behaviours. The results of simulation are then stored in the form of a surrogate model for subsequent comparison with the experimental data. Thus, the ultimate tensile strength and the size of the examined particles are calculated directly from the measured force-displacement data. The paper will also discuss how this information can be used to optimise cold spraying, and so, unveils a key step towards the design and manufacturing of cold-spray-specific feedstock powder.
Infrared Absorption Study of Zn–S Hybrid and ZnS Ultrathin Films Deposited on Porous AAO Ceramic Support
Authors: Włodarski Maksymilian , Putkonen Matti , Norek Małgorzata
Published: May 2020

Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is a powerful technique to characterize the chemical structure and dynamics of various types of samples. However, the signal-to-noise-ratio drops rapidly when the sample thickness gets much smaller than penetration depth, which is proportional to wavelength. This poses serious problems in analysis of thin films. In this work, an approach is demonstrated to overcome these problems. It is shown that a standard IR spectroscopy can be successfully employed to study the structure and composition of films as thin as 20 nm, when the layers were grown on porous substrates with a well-developed surface area. In contrast to IR spectra of the films deposited on flat Si substrates, the IR spectra of the same films but deposited on porous ceramic support show distinct bands that enabled reliable chemical analysis. The analysis of Zn-S ultrathin films synthesized by atomic layer deposition (ALD) from diethylzinc (DEZ) and 1,5-pentanedithiol (PDT) as precursors of Zn and S, respectively, served as proof of concept. However, the approach presented in this study can be applied to analysis of any ultrathin film deposited on target substrate and simultaneously on porous support, where the latter sample would be a reference sample dedicated for IR analysis of this film.
Study of the Effect of PGDA Solvent on Film Formation and Curing Process of Two-Component Waterborne Polyurethane Coatings by FTIR Tracking
Authors: Wang Ruitao , Li Chunxiang , Liu Zhigang , Yao Zhongping , Wang Zhijiang , Jiang Zhaohua , Zhao Min
Published: May 2020

Waterborne polyurethane coatings were prepared using polyhydroxyacrylate dispersion, polyisocyanate, and propylene glycol diacetate (PGDA). The rate of reaction between hydroxyl and NCO groups in film formation and curing processes was studied by FTIR. The influence of PGDA amount on film formation and curing was also studied. Results showed that PGDA content had a significant effect on the curing process. With less than 10% PGDA, the role of PGDA was more to assist diffusion of polyhydroxyacrylate and polyisocyanate resin droplets. This promoted the reaction between hydroxyl groups and NCO. With more than 10% PGDA, its effect as a solvent was more and it inhibited the reaction between hydroxyl and NCO groups. When the amount of PGDA was about 10%, the synergy between both the roles promoted the crosslinking and curing reactions. The extent of the curing reaction of NCO was more than 70% in 4 h, which was significantly higher, compared with that of about 30% without PGDA. The good applicability and appearance of the waterborne polyurethane coating prepared in this study were verified for the application to carbon fiber metro vehicles.
The Use of Autogenous Bone Mixed with a Biphasic Calcium Phosphate in a Maxillary Sinus Floor Elevation Procedure with a 6-Month Healing Time: A Clinical, Radiological, Histological and Histomorphometric Evaluation
Authors: Bouwman Wilhelmus F. , Bravenboer Nathalie , ten Bruggenkate Christiaan M. , Schulten Engelbert A. J. M.
Published: May 2020

Background: In this study it is evaluated whether autogenous bone mixed with biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) used in a maxillary sinus floor elevation (MSFE) leads to improved bone formation. Materials and methods: In five patients a unilateral MSFE was performed. Histological and histomorphometric analyses were performed on bone biopsies that were obtained 6 months after MSFE during dental implant surgery. Results: The average vital bone volume was 29.9% of the total biopsy (BV/TV, SD ± 10.1) of which 7.1% was osteoid (OV/BV, SD ± 4.8). The osteoid surface (OS/BS) covered 26.0% (SD ± 13.4) of the bone surface. The BS/TV covered 4.7 mm2/mm3 (SD ± 2.3). Compared with previous studies the analyses showed a difference for trabecular thickness (Tb.Th.) and osteoid surface (OS/BS), but not for BV/TV, OV/BV and the number of osteoclasts. Conclusion: MSFE with autogenous bone mixed with BCP shows an amount of newly formed bone that is comparable with the findings from the previously published 6-month study with pure BCP. However, a better distribution of the new bone over the entire biopsy was observed.
Threading Performance of Different Coatings for High Speed Steel Tapping
Authors: Gil Del Val Alain , Veiga Fernando , Pereira Octavio , Lopez De Lacalle Luis Norberto
Published: May 2020

Threading holes using tapping tools is a widely used machining operation in the industry. This manufacturing process involves a great tool immersion in the part, which involves both friction and cutting. This makes the use of coatings critical to improving tool life. Four coatings are used based on Physical vapor deposition (PVD) technology—TiN, TiCN, TiAlN and TiAlN+WC/C are compared to uncoated tool performance. The effect of various coatings on the life of M12 × 1.5 tapping tools during threading of through holes 20 mm deep, in GG25 casting plates, dry and applying cutting speed of 50 m/min. The end-of-life criterion has been established based on a cutting torque of 16 N-m. Taking the uncoated tap as a basis for comparison, it is observed that coatings based on PVD technologies increase tool life doubling in the most advantageous case with the TiAlN coating. PVD type coatings provide better protection to wear at cylindrical area of the tool, where the thread profile is finished, than uncoated taps. The teeth located in the cone-cylinder transition zone of the taps suffer the most wear regardless of the coating. However, taps coated with TiAlN+WC/C wear level values is lowest of all the coatings tested, which indicates a strong reinforcement in these teeth.
Pectin-Based Films Loaded with Hydroponic Nopal Mucilages: Development and Physicochemical Characterization
Authors: Luna-Sosa Brenda , Martínez-Ávila Guillermo C.G. , Rodríguez-Fuentes Humberto , Azevedo Ana G. , Pastrana Lorenzo M. , Rojas Romeo , Cerqueira Miguel A.
Published: May 2020

Nopal is a potential source of mucilage that can be used in different food applications. One of its potential use is the development of films and coatings where it can act as a packaging material but also as a source of bioactive compounds. Therefore, this work aimed to develop and characterize pectin-based films loaded with mucilage extracted from two species of nopal, Copena F1 (Cop) and Villanueva (Vi). The obtained mucilages were denominated as materials without fibre (Copwtf and Viwtf) and with fibre (Copwf and Viwf), according to the fibre’s size. Films were produced with pectin (2% w/v), mucilage (2.5% w/v) and glycerol (0.5% w/v) by the casting method. The addition of mucilages was shown to influence the visual appearance, optical properties and morphology of the films. The presence of mucilage also changed the moisture content, water contact angle and water vapour permeability of the films. The pectin-based films without mucilage presented the best mechanical properties. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed similar signals in terms of frequency and intensity, for all the films, not showing any chemical modification. Results show that the mucilage obtained from different nopal fractions can be used in pectin-based films foreseeing their use as films or coatings in food applications.
Interaction of Particles with Langmuir Monolayers of 1,2-Dipalmitoyl-Sn-Glycero-3-Phosphocholine: A Matter of Chemistry?
Authors: Guzmán Eduardo , Santini Eva , Ferrari Michele , Liggieri Libero , Ravera Francesca
Published: May 2020

Lipid layers are considered among the first protective barriers of the human body against pollutants, e.g., skin, lung surfactant, or tear film. This makes it necessary to explore the physico-chemical bases underlying the interaction of pollutants and lipid layers. This work evaluates using a pool of surface-sensitive techniques, the impact of carbon black and fumed silica particles on the behavior of Langmuir monolayers of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC). The results show that the incorporation of particles into the lipid monolayers affects the surface pressure–area isotherm of the DPPC, modifying both the phase behavior and the collapse conditions. This is explained considering that particles occupy a part of the area available for lipid organization, which affects the lateral organization of the lipid molecules, and consequently the cohesion interactions within the monolayer. Furthermore, particles incorporation worsens the mechanical performance of lipid layers, which may impact negatively in different processes presenting biological relevance. The modification induced by the particles has been found to be dependent on their specific chemical nature. This work tries to shed light on some of the most fundamental physico-chemical bases governing the interaction of pollutants with lipid layers, which plays an essential role on the design of strategies for preventing the potential health hazards associated with pollution.
Surface Grain Refinement of 304L Stainless Steel by Combined Severe Shot Peening and Reversion Annealing Treatment
Authors: Wu Xuanpei , Qi Zeyou , Zhou Zhiling , Zhang Hongcheng , Wu Weijie , Wang Yanfei
Published: May 2020

The present study proposes a novel method, i.e., combined severe shot peening (SP) and reversion annealing treatment, to grain-refine the surface layers of 304L austenitic stainless steel. Steel specimens were shot-peened at 0.7 MPa for 30 min, introducing 40% vol. α′ martensite, and then were annealed at 700 or 800 °C for different durations (30 s). As annealing reversed α′ martensite to austenite, the obtained surface layers consist of fully austenitic ultrafine grains. The smallest grain size obtained is about 500 nm at the top surface. SP elevates the microhardness to more than 500 HV. Although the grain-refined surface layers produced by the combined method are not as hard as that treated by only SP, they are harder (e.g., the specimen annealed at 700 °C for 30 s using a heating rate of 50 °C/s exhibited a peak microhardness of 400 HV) than the untreated surface layer (225 HV) due to grain refinement. Moreover, due to the absence of α′ martensite, they have higher corrosion resistance in H2SO4 solution than that treated by only SP.
Biotechnology Applied to Cosmetics and Aesthetic Medicines
Authors: Gomes Cátia , Silva Ana Catarina , Marques Ana Camila , Sousa Lobo José , Amaral Maria Helena
Published: May 2020

Biotechnology uses microorganisms and/or enzymes to obtain specific products through fermentative processes and/or genetic engineering techniques. Examples of these products are active ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, kojic acid, resveratrol, and some enzymes, which are used in skin anti-aging products. In addition, certain growth factors, algae, stem cells, and peptides have been included in cosmetics and aesthetic medicines. Thus, biotechnology, cosmetics and aesthetic medicines are now closely linked, through the production of high-quality active ingredients, which are more effective and safer. This work describes the most used active ingredients that are produced from biotechnological processes. Although there are a vast number of active ingredients, the number of biotechnological active ingredients reported in the literature is not significantly high.
Genesis of Complex Polyiodide Networks: Insights on the Blue Box/I−/I2 Ternary System
Authors: Savastano Matteo , Bazzicalupi Carla , Gellini Cristina , Bianchi Antonio
Published: May 2020

The Stoddart’s blue box (BB) (cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene))/iodide binary system was recently demonstrated to give rise to porous three-dimensional networks which can hardly be classified as common XOF-type materials (X = M, C, S, i.e., metal, covalent, or supramolecular organic frameworks), leading to the definition of permutable organized frameworks (POFs). The ternary BB/iodide/iodine system was reported to generate pentaiodide-based structures constituted by the most complex interlocked polyiodides so far isolated (up to an infinite supramolecular pseudopolyrotaxane with a poly[3]catenane axle). The missing link, i.e., the XRD structure of the BB/triiodide complex, is herein reported: structural similarities and novel Raman evidence, opening perspectives in the genesis of solid-state BB-based complex polyiodide networks from solution.
Stimuli-Sensitive Aggregation-Induced Emission of Organogelators Containing Mesogenic Au(I) Complexes
Authors: Panthai Supattra , Fukuhara Ryota , Hisano Kyohei , Tsutsumi Osamu
Published: May 2020

As the luminescence from conventional organic luminophores is typically quenched in constrained environments, the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) phenomenon is of interest for the development of materials that exhibit strong luminescence in condensed phases. Herein, new bismesogenic Au complexes were developed as organogelators and their photophysical properties, including their AIE characteristics, were investigated in organogels and crystals. The crystals of the gold complexes exhibited room-temperature phosphorescence with relatively high quantum yields. Moreover, the gold complexes also showed photoluminescence in the organogels and we demonstrated that the reversible switching of the luminescence intensity was induced by the sol-gel phase transition. The intense photoluminescence in the crystal and gel was induced by the restricted internal motion of the luminophore in the molecular aggregates. However, in the sol, the network structure of the organogel was destroyed and the nonradiative deactivation of the excited states was enhanced. As a result, we can conclude that the switching of the luminescence intensity was induced by changes in the aggregated structures of the molecules. The developed Au-complex-based gelators are excellent candidates for the realization of stimuli-responsive soft and smart luminescent materials.
Novel Cd (II) Coordination Polymers Afforded with EDTA or Trans-1,2-Cdta Chelators and Imidazole, Adenine, or 9-(2-Hydroxyethyl) Adenine Coligands
Authors: Belmont-Sánchez Jeannette Carolina , García-Rubiño María Eugenia , Frontera Antonio , Matilla-Hernández Antonio , Castiñeiras Alfonso , Niclós-Gutiérrez Juan
Published: May 2020

Three mixed-ligands of Cd(II) coordination polymers were unintentionally obtained: {[Cd(µ3-EDTA)(Him)·Cd(Him)(H2O)2]·H2O}n (1), {[Cd(µ4-CDTA)(Hade)·Cd(Hade)2]}n (2), and {[Cd(µ3-EDTA)(H2O)·Cd(H9heade)(H2O)]·2H2O}n (3), having imidazole (Him), adenine (Hade) or 9-(2-hydroxyethyl)adenine (9heade) as the N-heterocyclic coligands. Compounds 2 and 3 were obtained by working with an excess of corresponding N-heterocyclic coligands. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction structures and thermogravimetric analyses are reported. The chelate moieties in all three compounds exhibit hepta-coordinated Cd centers, whereas the non-chelated Cd center is five-coordinated in 1 and six-coordinated in 2 and 3. Him and Hade take part in the seven-coordinated chelate moieties in 1 and 2, respectively. In contrast, 9heade is unable to replace the aqua ligand of the chelate [Cd (EDTA) (H2O)] moiety in 3. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) behavior of [Cd (H2EDTA) (H2O)]·2H2O in 1 and 3 leads to a residue of CdO, whereas the N-rich compound 2 yields CdO·Cd(NO3)2 as a residue. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations along with molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) and quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules computations were performed in adenine (compound 2) and (2-hydroxyethyl)adenine (compound 3) to analyze how the strength of the H-bonding and π-stacking interactions, respectively, are affected by their coordination to the Cd-metal center.
Diversity and Distribution Patterns of Geometrid Moths (Geometridae, Lepidoptera) in Mongolia
Authors: Enkhtur Khishigdelger , Boldgiv Bazartseren , Pfeiffer Martin
Published: May 2020

Geometrids are a species-rich group of moths that serve as reliable indicators for environmental changes. Little is known about the Mongolian moth fauna, and there is no comprehensive review of species richness, diversity, and distribution patterns of geometrid moths in the country. Our study aims to review the existing knowledge on geometrid moths in Mongolia. We compiled geometrid moth records from published scientific papers, our own research, and from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to produce a checklist of geometrid moths of Mongolia. Additionally, we analyzed spatial patterns, species richness, and diversity of geometrid moths within 14 ecoregions of Mongolia and evaluated environmental variables for their distribution. In total, we compiled 1973-point records of 388 geometrid species. The most species-rich ecoregion in Mongolia was Daurian Forest Steppe with 142 species. Annual precipitation and maximum temperature of the warmest month were the most important environmental variables that correlated with NMDS axes in an analysis of geometrid assemblages of different ecoregions in Mongolia.
Ichthyological Differentiation and Homogenization in the Pánuco Basin, Mexico
Authors: Martínez-Lendech Norma , Martínez-Falcón Ana P. , Schmitter-Soto Juan Jacobo , Mejía-Mojica Humberto , Sorani-Dalbón Valentino , Cruz-Ruíz Gabriel I. , Mercado-Silva Norman
Published: May 2020

Species introductions and extirpations are key aspects of aquatic ecosystem change that need to be examined at large geographic and temporal scales. The Pánuco Basin (Eastern Mexico) has high ichthyological diversity and ecological heterogeneity. However, freshwater fish (FWF) introductions and extirpations since the mid-1900s have modified species range and distribution. We examine changes in FWF species composition in and among four sub-basins of the Pánuco by comparing fish collection records pre-1980 to 2018. Currently, the FWF of the Pánuco includes 95 species. Fishes in the Poeciliidae, Cyprinidae, and Cichlidae, respectively, comprised most records over time. Significant differences in species composition were found between the first (pre-1980) and last (2011–2018) study periods, but not for periods in-between. Eight independent species groups were key for explaining changes in Pánuco river ichthyofauna; one group was dominated by invasive species, and saw increases in the number of records across study periods (faunal homogenization). Another group was formed by species with conservation concern with a declining number of records over time. Thirteen (2 native and 11 non-native) species were responsible for temporal turnover. These results strongly suggest high rates of differentiation over time (via native species loss) following widespread non-native species introductions.
Bat Species Richness and Community Composition along a Mega-transect in the Okavango River Basin
Authors: Weier Sina M. , Keith Mark , Neef Götz G. , Parker Daniel M. , Taylor Peter J.
Published: May 2020

The Okavango River Basin is a hotspot of bat diversity that requires urgent and adequate protection. To advise future conservation strategies, we investigated the relative importance of a range of potential environmental drivers of bat species richness and functional community composition in the Okavango River Basin. During annual canoe transects along the major rivers, originating in the central Angolan highlands, we recorded more than 25,000 bat echolocation calls from 2015 to 2018. We corrected for possible biases in sampling design and effort. Firstly, we conducted rarefaction analyses of each survey year and sampling appeared to be complete, apart from 2016. Secondly, we used total activity as a measure of sample effort in mixed models of species richness. Species richness was highest in the Angola Miombo Woodlands and at lower elevations, with higher minimum temperatures. In total, we identified 31 individual bat species. We show that even when acoustic surveys are conducted in remote areas and over multiple years, it is possible to correct for biases and obtain representative richness estimates. Changes in habitat heterogeneity will have detrimental effects on the high richness reported here and human land-use change, specifically agriculture, must be mediated in a system such as the Angolan Miombo Woodland.
Elite VABB 13G: A New Ultrasound-Guided Wireless Biopsy System for Breast Lesions. Technical Characteristics and Comparison with Respect to Traditional Core-Biopsy 14–16G Systems
Authors: La Forgia Daniele , Fausto Alfonso , Gatta Gianluca , Di Grezia Graziella , Faggian Angela , Fanizzi Annarita , Cutrignelli Daniela , Dentamaro Rosalba , Didonna Vittorio , Lorusso Vito , Massafra Raffaella , Tangaro Sabina , Mazzei Maria Antonietta
Published: May 2020

The typification of breast lumps with fine-needle biopsies is often affected by inconclusive results that extend diagnostic time. Many breast centers have progressively substituted cytology with micro-histology. The aim of this study is to assess the performance of a 13G-needle biopsy using cable-free vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) technology. Two of our operators carried out 200 micro-histological biopsies using the Elite 13G-needle VABB and 1314 14–16G-needle core biopsies (CBs) on BI-RADS 3, 4, and 5 lesions. Thirty-one of the procedures were repeated following CB, eighteen following cytological biopsy, and three after undergoing both procedures. The VABB Elite procedure showed high diagnostic performance with an accuracy of 94.00%, a sensitivity of 92.30%, and a specificity of 100%, while the diagnostic underestimation was 11.00%, all significantly comparable to of the CB procedure. The VABB Elite 13G system has been shown to be a simple, rapid, reliable, and well-tolerated biopsy procedure, without any significant complications and with a diagnostic performance comparable to traditional CB procedures. The histological class change in an extremely high number of samples would suggest the use of this procedure as a second-line biopsy for suspect cases or those with indeterminate cyto-histological results.
An Effective Mental Stress State Detection and Evaluation System Using Minimum Number of Frontal Brain Electrodes
Authors: Attallah Omneya
Published: May 2020

Currently, mental stress is a common social problem affecting people. Stress reduces human functionality during routine work and may lead to severe health defects. Detecting stress is important in education and industry to determine the efficiency of teaching, to improve education, and to reduce risks from human errors that might occur due to workers’ stressful situations. Therefore, the early detection of mental stress using machine learning (ML) techniques is essential to prevent illness and health problems, improve quality of education, and improve industrial safety. The human brain is the main target of mental stress. For this reason, an ML system is proposed which investigates electroencephalogram (EEG) signal for thirty-six participants. Extracting useful features is essential for an efficient mental stress detection (MSD) system. Thus, this framework introduces a hybrid feature-set that feeds five ML classifiers to detect stress and non-stress states, and classify stress levels. To produce a reliable, practical, and efficient MSD system with a reduced number of electrodes, the proposed MSD scheme investigates the electrodes placements on different sites on the scalp and selects that site which has the higher impact on the accuracy of the system. Principal Component analysis is employed also, to reduce the features extracted from such electrodes to lower model complexity, where the optimal number of principal components is examined using sequential forward procedure. Furthermore, it examines the minimum number of electrodes placed on the site which has greater impact on stress detection and evaluation. To test the effectiveness of the proposed system, the results are compared with other feature extraction methods shown in literature. They are also compared with state-of-the-art techniques recorded for stress detection. The highest accuracies achieved in this study are 99.9%(sd = 0.015) and 99.26% (sd = 0.08) for identifying stress and non-stress states, and distinguishing between stress levels, respectively, using only two frontal brain electrodes for detecting stress and non-stress, and three frontal electrodes for evaluating stress levels respectively. The results show that the proposed system is reliable as the sensitivity is 99.9(0.064), 98.35(0.27), specificity is 99.94(0.02), 99.6(0.05), precision is 99.94(0.06), 98.9(0.23), and the diagnostics odd ratio (DOR) is ≥ 100 for detecting stress and non-stress, and evaluating stress levels respectively. This shows that the proposed framework has compelling performance and can be employed for stress detection and evaluation in medical, educational and industrial fields. Finally, the results verified the efficiency and reliability of the proposed system in predicting stress and non-stress on new patients, as the accuracy achieved 98.48% (sd = 1.12), sensitivity = 97.78% (sd = 1.84), specificity = 97.75% (sd = 2.05), precision = 99.26% (sd = 0.67), and DOR ≥ 100 using only two frontal electrodes.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Host-Microbial-Environmental Interactions in Dysbiosis
Authors: Colquhoun Catherine , Duncan Michelle , Grant George
Published: May 2020

Crohn’s Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) are world-wide health problems in which intestinal dysbiosis or adverse functional changes in the microbiome are causative or exacerbating factors. The reduced abundance and diversity of the microbiome may be a result of a lack of exposure to vital commensal microbes or overexposure to competitive pathobionts during early life. Alternatively, many commensal bacteria may not find a suitable intestinal niche or fail to proliferate or function in a protective/competitive manner if they do colonize. Bacteria express a range of factors, such as fimbriae, flagella, and secretory compounds that enable them to attach to the gut, modulate metabolism, and outcompete other species. However, the host also releases factors, such as secretory IgA, antimicrobial factors, hormones, and mucins, which can prevent or regulate bacterial interactions with the gut or disable the bacterium. The delicate balance between these competing host and bacteria factors dictates whether a bacterium can colonize, proliferate or function in the intestine. Impaired functioning of NOD2 in Paneth cells and disrupted colonic mucus production are exacerbating features of CD and UC, respectively, that contribute to dysbiosis. This review evaluates the roles of these and other the host, bacterial and environmental factors in inflammatory bowel diseases.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Knowledge, Awareness and Acceptance among Dental Students and Post-Graduate Dental Residents
Authors: Mann Steven Kent , Kingsley Karl
Published: May 2020

Introduction: The recent development of a vaccine that is highly effective against the human papillomavirus (HPV) has been met with widespread clinical and public health professional acceptance. However, social and societal barriers to vaccination may hamper public health efforts to prevent HPV-mediated diseases. Although a few studies have evaluated knowledge or awareness of HPV vaccination among dentists or dental educators, few studies have evaluated the acceptance, knowledge and awareness of HPV vaccination among dental students and post-graduate dental residents. The primary goal of this study is to evaluate survey responses regarding acceptance, knowledge and awareness of HPV vaccination among dental students and post-graduate dental residents. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of a previously administered and collected questionnaire. The original protocol was reviewed by the UNLV Biomedical Institutional Research Board (IRB) and was deemed excluded from IRB review (OPRS#0811-2911). Results: Two hundred and ninety-three (N = 293) dental student and forty-one (N = 41) post-graduate dental resident questionnaires were available for a total sample size of N = 334. In brief, although the majority of dental students and residents agreed that vaccines are safe and effective, less than half of dental students (37.5%) or dental residents (48.7%) had discussed the HPV vaccine with a physician or had received the vaccine themselves. In addition, a significant percentage of dental students and residents felt they did not have enough information regarding the HPV vaccine (25.6% and 26.8%, respectively) or had significant concerns about the side effects (17.1%). Conclusions: The data suggest more specific information in dental school microbiology and immunology courses might be needed to increase awareness and knowledge of the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, including the HPV vaccine. This enhanced education might also serve as a curricular focal point to answer questions regarding vaccine-related side effects and provide a mechanism for answering important questions regarding this vaccine.
Entropy, Free Energy, and Work of Restricted Boltzmann Machines
Authors: Oh Sangchul , Baggag Abdelkader , Nha Hyunchul
Published: May 2020

A restricted Boltzmann machine is a generative probabilistic graphic network. A probability of finding the network in a certain configuration is given by the Boltzmann distribution. Given training data, its learning is done by optimizing the parameters of the energy function of the network. In this paper, we analyze the training process of the restricted Boltzmann machine in the context of statistical physics. As an illustration, for small size bar-and-stripe patterns, we calculate thermodynamic quantities such as entropy, free energy, and internal energy as a function of the training epoch. We demonstrate the growth of the correlation between the visible and hidden layers via the subadditivity of entropies as the training proceeds. Using the Monte-Carlo simulation of trajectories of the visible and hidden vectors in the configuration space, we also calculate the distribution of the work done on the restricted Boltzmann machine by switching the parameters of the energy function. We discuss the Jarzynski equality which connects the path average of the exponential function of the work and the difference in free energies before and after training.
Did Decentralisation Affect Citizens’ Perception of the European Union? The Impact during the Height of Decentralisation in Europe
Authors: Tselios Vassilis , Rodríguez-Pose Andrés
Published: May 2020

The aim of this paper is to assess the extent to which different levels of decentralisation across regions of the European Union (EU) affected citizens’ perceptions about European integration over the period 1973–2002. The paper uses Eurobarometer Surveys to explore by means of multinomial logistic regressions whether decentralisation was an important factor behind the varying perceptions about Europe. Two dimensions of decentralization—political and fiscal—are considered in the analysis, alongside several compositional and contextual effects. The results of the analysis show that fiscal decentralisation was fundamental for citizens’ support for European integration, while there is limited evidence that political decentralisation played a similar role. Hence, while fiscal decentralisation may have given prominence to the economic benefits of European integration, political decentralisation was more associated with its economic costs. Taking into account that history matters, this paper raises potentially interesting insights for the design of policies aimed at promoting social cohesion.
Undecidability and the Evolution of Ideas in an Emergency Event: An Example of How to Systemically Test Organizational Effectiveness (OE) in University Groups
Authors: Fucà Romina , Cubico Serena
Published: May 2020

The location of this research is the university, through which we are progressively channeled into a seemingly insoluble Gordian knot. What is our participation in the university and what cultural and human commitments inform this participation? More trivially, what rights and duties does the individual acquire or lose within his or her academic identities? Our main target was finding an ideal organizational practice to examine, such as an emergency event. What strategy can the university adopt? Can it realign its distortions and retain its resources? How and in what ways? What information is needed for this purpose? Which actors are relevant in this process? A systemic survey model is, therefore, presented to analyze data obtained from a sample of 200 respondents from various academic groups, including students, professors, administrative staff, and other stakeholders. Quotas were used for the primary challenge posed by the pictures representing dimensions according to a systemic schema of organizational effectiveness (OE). Respondents were then asked to judge the dimensions and pictures against their personal capacity for intellectual identity, functionalism, and materialism. During the test, the participants were expected to develop their capacity to approach phenomenal consciousness and the search for its neural correlates, thereby becoming familiar with the high-order demands and challenges posed by the current information available to them. A nine-item interval behaviorally anchored rating scale (BARS) was used to develop a systemic matrix that could show the participants’ collective OE when an emergency event occurs at the university. This study aims to stimulate a broader investigation into the preparation of programs and plans that should be a priority today in the context of sustainability in educational institutions, thereby setting useful thresholds on decision-making paths. To develop the collective model, a matrix generated by each respondents’ dimensional modal values (DMVs) in the test and the overall samples’ modal values (OMMVs) were used. Borrowing from Luce’s theory of probability, we analyzed the similarity of the OE university matrix from the results in descending order, restricting our attention to modal values which were chosen for the test and demonstrate how the learning model was formulated to assume that each group with evolved behavior could respond adaptively to a conditional function thanks to its permanence in a university environment.
OCT Image Restoration Using Non-Local Deep Image Prior
Authors: Fan Wenshi , Yu Hancheng , Chen Tianming , Ji Sheng
Published: May 2020

In recent years, convolutional neural networks (CNN) have been widely used in image denoising for their high performance. One difficulty in applying the CNN to medical image denoising such as speckle reduction in the optical coherence tomography (OCT) image is that a large amount of high-quality data is required for training, which is an inherent limitation for OCT despeckling. Recently, deep image prior (DIP) networks have been proposed for image restoration without pre-training since the CNN structures have the intrinsic ability to capture the low-level statistics of a single image. However, the DIP has difficulty finding a good balance between maintaining details and suppressing speckle noise. Inspired by DIP, in this paper, a sorted non-local statics which measures the signal autocorrelation in the differences between the constructed image and the input image is proposed for OCT image restoration. By adding the sorted non-local statics as a regularization loss in the DIP learning, more low-level image statistics are captured by CNN networks in the process of OCT image restoration. The experimental results demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed method over other state-of-the-art despeckling methods, in terms of objective metrics and visual quality.
Experimental Implementation of a Low-Cost, Fully-Analog Self-Jamming Canceller for UHF RFID Devices
Authors: Rossi Massimiliano , Liberati Riccardo , Frasca Marco , Richardson John
Published: May 2020

It is quite common for transceivers to operate with the RF receiver and transmitter working on different time slots. Typical applications are radars and transceivers in the field of communications. Generally, the receiver is turned off when the transmitter broadcasts and vice versa. This is done in order to prevent the transmitter from blinding the receiver or causing the RF low noise amplification (LNA) stage to saturate. When keeping a receiver active, some leakage of RF energy is inevitable, and therefore shielding is applied to mitigate spurious signals. However, there are many applications wherein the receiver cannot be turned off. To address these applications, we investigate the design and performance of a fully-analog self-jamming canceller able to operate in UHF (Ultra High Frequency) RFID devices. While the traditional cost to design and build this type of topology can be quite high, our proposal is based on a low-cost physical approach. In addition to using common SMT (Surface Mount Technology) devices, we leveraged a new piece of modular technology offered by X-Microwave which allows designers to easily produce RF solutions with a broad portfolio of modular system drop-in blocks. A prototype was realized and the measured results are in close agreement with theoretical simulations. Significant damping of the leaked signal in the receiving channel was realized.
Compensation Parameters Optimization of Wireless Power Transfer for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Wen Feng , Chu Xiaohu , Li Qiang , Gu Wei
Published: May 2020

For wireless charging of electric vehicles (EVs), increasing the output power level is particularly important. In this paper, the purpose of improving the output power while maintaining optimal transmission efficiency is achieved by optimizing the parameters of the compensation topology under the premise that the coupled coils of the system does not need to be redesigned. The series-series (SS) and hybrid-series-parallel (LCC, composed by an inductor and two capacitors) compensation topology are studied. The influence factors of load resistance to achieve optimal efficiency, the influence of LCC compensation parameters on the power output level, and the influence of parameter changes on system safety are analyzed. Theorical results show that by rationally designing the LCC compensation parameters, larger output power and optimal transfer efficiency can be achieved under different load resistance by adjusting the inductances of the primary and secondary compensation circuits. The output power of the optimized system with adjusted LCC compensation topology is increased by 64.2% with 89.8% transfer efficiency under 50 ohms load in experiments. The correctness and feasibility of this parameter design method are verified by both theorical and experimental results.
Research on the Load Distribution Strategy to Meet the QoE Requirements for Conversational Real-Time HD Video Service
Authors: Zhan Yuzhuo , Lei Weimin , Guan Yunchong , Li Hao
Published: May 2020

A reliable transmission with QoE (Quality of Experience) guarantee is crucial for internet conversational service applications. However, due to the limited network bandwidth bottleneck effect and the drawback of transmission technology, there exists no mature and open QoE technical solution for this service. In this paper, we focused our attention on a load distribution strategy for multipath relay transmission to meet the QoE requirements of conversational real-time HD video services. It consisted of three stages: First, a series of relay nodes was deployed in the backbone network, and a software defined overlay network was constructed to perform the multipath relay transmission for the service. Second, by an analysis of the QoE feature, a bijection was built for each quantitative QoE and its MOS (Mean Opinion Score) score. Finally, considering the influence of the coupling relation between paths on the service quality in multipath relay transmission, fuzzy cooperative game theory was used to design the service load distribution strategy. Many experiments showed that compared with state-of-the-art methods in the single-path transmission scene, the strategy we designed can dynamically adjust the load distribution of each sub-path according to the change in QoS (Quality of Service) information of the transmission path in real time. While meeting the strict real-time constraints of the service, it can effectively avoid the impact of network random congestion on the service QoE.