bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insight into the Antifungal Mechanism of Action of Human RNase N-terminus Derived Peptides
Authors: Salazar Vivian A. , Arranz-Trullén Javier , Prats-Ejarque Guillem , Torrent Marc , Andreu David , Pulido David , Boix Ester
Published: September 2019

Candida albicans is a polymorphic fungus responsible for mucosal and skin infections. Candida cells establish themselves into biofilm communities resistant to most currently available antifungal agents. An increase of severe infections ensuing in fungal septic shock in elderly or immunosuppressed patients, along with the emergence of drug-resistant strains, urge the need for the development of alternative antifungal agents. In the search for novel antifungal drugs our laboratory demonstrated that two human ribonucleases from the vertebrate-specific RNaseA superfamily, hRNase3 and hRNase7, display a high anticandidal activity. In a previous work, we proved that the N-terminal region of the RNases was sufficient to reproduce most of the parental protein bactericidal activity. Next, we explored their potency against a fungal pathogen. Here, we have tested the N-terminal derived peptides that correspond to the eight human canonical RNases (RN1-8) against planktonic cells and biofilms of C. albicans. RN3 and RN7 peptides displayed the most potent inhibitory effect with a mechanism of action characterized by cell-wall binding, membrane permeabilization and biofilm eradication activities. Both peptides are able to eradicate planktonic and sessile cells, and to alter their gene expression, reinforcing its role as a lead candidate to develop novel antifungal and antibiofilm therapies.
FGFR Signaling as a Candidate Therapeutic Target for Cancers Resistant to Carbon Ion Radiotherapy
Authors: Darwis Narisa Dewi Maulany , Nachankar Ankita , Sasaki Yasushi , Matsui Toshiaki , Noda Shin-ei , Murata Kazutoshi , Tamaki Tomoaki , Ando Ken , Okonogi Noriyuki , Shiba Shintaro , Irie Daisuke , Kaminuma Takuya , Kumazawa Takuya , Anakura Mai , Yamashita Souichi , Hirakawa Takashi , Kakoti Sangeeta , Hirota Yuka , Tokino Takashi , Iwase Akira , Ohno Tatsuya , Shibata Atsushi , Oike Takahiro , Nakano Takashi
Published: September 2019

Radiotherapy is an essential component of cancer therapy. Carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) promises to improve outcomes compared with standard of care in many cancers. Nevertheless, clinicians often observe in-field recurrence after CIRT. This indicates the presence of a subset of cancers that harbor intrinsic resistance to CIRT. Thus, the development of methods to identify and sensitize CIRT-resistant cancers is needed. To address this issue, we analyzed a unique donor-matched pair of clinical specimens: a treatment-naïve tumor, and the tumor that recurred locally after CIRT in the same patient. Exon sequencing of 409 cancer-related genes identified enrichment of somatic mutations in FGFR3 and FGFR4 in the recurrent tumor compared with the treatment-naïve tumor, indicating a pivotal role for FGFR signaling in cancer cell survival through CIRT. Inhibition of FGFR using the clinically available pan-FGFR inhibitor LY2874455 sensitized multiple cancer cell lines to carbon ions at 3 Gy (RBE: relative biological effectiveness), the daily dose prescribed to the patient. The sensitizer enhancement ratio was 1.66 ± 0.17, 1.27 ± 0.09, and 1.20 ± 0.18 in A549, H1299, and H1703 cells, respectively. Our data indicate the potential usefulness of the analytical pipeline employed in this pilot study to identify targetable mutations associated with resistance to CIRT, and of LY21874455 as a sensitizer for CIRT-resistant cancers. The results warrant validation in larger cohorts.
Enhancing the Thermo-Stability and Anti-Biofilm Activity of Alginate Lyase by Immobilization on Low Molecular Weight Chitosan Nanoparticles
Authors: Li Shangyong , Wang Yanan , Li Xiao , Lee Beom Suk , Jung Samil , Lee Myeong-Sok
Published: September 2019

Bacterial biofilm causes severe antibiotic resistance. An extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) is the main component in the bacterial biofilm. Alginate is a key EPS component in the biofilm of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and responsible for surface adhesion and stabilization of biofilm. Alginate lyase has emerged as an efficient therapeutic strategy targeting to degrade the alginate in the biofilm of P. aeruginosa. However, the application of this enzyme is limited by its poor stability. In this study, chitosan nanoparticles (CS-NPs) were synthesized using low molecular weight chitosan and alginate lyase Aly08 was immobilized on low molecular weight chitosan nanoparticles (AL-LMW-CS-NPs). As a result, the immobilization significantly enhanced the thermal stability and reusability of Aly08. In addition, compared with free Aly08, the immobilized AL-LMW-CS-NPs exhibited higher efficiency in inhibiting biofilm formation and interrupting the established mature biofilm of P. aeruginosa, which could reduce its biomass and thickness confirmed by confocal microscopy. Moreover, the biofilm disruption greatly increased the antibiotic sensitivity of P. aeruginosa. This research will contribute to the further development of alginate lyase as an anti-biofilm agent.
Alcohol or Gut Microbiota: Who Is the Guilty?
Authors: Meroni Marica , Longo Miriam , Dongiovanni Paola
Published: September 2019

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD), a disorder caused by excessive alcohol intake represents a global health care burden. ALD encompasses a broad spectrum of hepatic injuries including asymptomatic steatosis, alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The susceptibility of alcoholic patients to develop ALD is highly variable and its progression to more advanced stages is strongly influenced by several hits (i.e., amount and duration of alcohol abuse). Among them, the intestinal microbiota and its metabolites have been recently identified as paramount in ALD pathophysiology. Ethanol abuse triggers qualitative and quantitative modifications in intestinal flora taxonomic composition, mucosal inflammation, and intestinal barrier derangement. Intestinal hypermeability results in the translocation of viable pathogenic bacteria, Gram-negative microbial products, and pro-inflammatory luminal metabolites into the bloodstream, further corroborating the alcohol-induced liver damage. Thus, the premise of this review is to discuss the beneficial effect of gut microbiota modulation as a novel therapeutic approach in ALD management.
Low-Cost, Low-Power FPGA Implementation of ED25519 and CURVE25519 Point Multiplication
Authors: Mehrabi Mohamad Ali , Doche Christophe
Published: September 2019

Twisted Edwards curves have been at the center of attention since their introduction by Bernstein et al. in 2007. The curve ED25519, used for Edwards-curve Digital Signature Algorithm (EdDSA), provides faster digital signatures than existing schemes without sacrificing security. The CURVE25519 is a Montgomery curve that is closely related to ED25519. It provides a simple, constant time, and fast point multiplication, which is used by the key exchange protocol X25519. Software implementations of EdDSA and X25519 are used in many web-based PC and Mobile applications. In this paper, we introduce a low-power, low-area FPGA implementation of the ED25519 and CURVE25519 scalar multiplication that is particularly relevant for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The efficiency of the arithmetic modulo the prime number 2 255 − 19 , in particular the modular reduction and modular multiplication, are key to the efficiency of both EdDSA and X25519. To reduce the complexity of the hardware implementation, we propose a high-radix interleaved modular multiplication algorithm. One benefit of this architecture is to avoid the use of large-integer multipliers relying on FPGA DSP modules.
Behavioral Genetics of the Interactions between Apis mellifera and Varroa destructor
Authors: Beaurepaire Alexis , Sann Christina , Arredondo Daniela , Mondet Fanny , Le Conte Yves
Published: September 2019

The western honeybee Apis mellifera exhibits a diverse set of adaptations in response to infestations by its most virulent disease-causing agent, the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor. In this study, we investigated the effect of honeybee pupae genotype on the expression of four host and parasite traits that are associated with the reproductive phase of the mite in the brood of its host. We first phenotyped cells containing bee pupae to assess their infestation status, their infestation level, the reproductive status of the mites, and the recapping of cells by adult workers. We then genotyped individual pupae with five microsatellites markers to compare these phenotypes across full sister groups. We found that the four phenotypes varied significantly in time but did not across the subfamilies within the colonies. These findings show that V. destructor mites do not differentially infest or reproduce on some particular honeybee patrilines, and that workers do not target preferentially specific pupae genotypes when performing recapping. These findings bring new insights that can help designing sustainable mite control strategies through breeding and provide new insights into the interactions between A. mellifera and V. destructor.
Effect of Corticosteroids on C-Reactive Protein in Patients with Severe Community-Acquired Pneumonia and High Inflammatory Response: The Effect of Lymphopenia
Authors: Torres Antoni , Ceccato Adrian , Ferrer Miquel , Gabarrus Albert , Sibila Oriol , Cilloniz Catia , Mendez Raúl , Menendez Rosario , Bermejo-Martin Jesus , Niederman Michael S.
Published: September 2019

Background: Lymphopenic patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) have shown high mortality rates. Corticosteroids have immunomodulatory properties and regulate cytokine storm in CAP. However, it is not known whether their modulatory effect on cytokine secretion differs in lymphopenic and non-lymphopenic patients with CAP. Therefore, we aimed to test whether the presence of lymphopenia may modify the response to corticosteroids (mainly in C reactive protein (CRP)) in patients with severe CAP and high inflammatory status). Methods: A post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial (NCT00908713) which evaluated the effect of corticosteroids in patients with severe CAP and high inflammatory response (CRP > 15 mg/dL). Patients were clustered according to the presence of lymphopenia (lymphocyte count below 1000 cell/mm3). Results: At day 1, 35 patients (59%) in the placebo group presented with lymphopenia, compared to 44 patients (73%) in the corticosteroid group. The adjusted mean changes from day 1 showed an increase of 1.19 natural logarithm (ln) cell/mm3 in the corticosteroid group and an increase of 0.67 ln cell/mm3 in the placebo group (LS mean difference of the changes in ln (methylprednisolone minus placebo) 0.51, 95% CI (0.02 to 1.01), p = 0.043). A significant effect was also found for the interaction (p = 0.043) between corticosteroids and lymphopenia in CRP values at day 3, with lower values in patients without lymphopenia receiving corticosteroids after adjustments for potential confounders. Conclusion: In this exploratory post hoc analysis from ramdomized controlled trial (RCT) data, the response to corticosteroids, measured by CRP, may differ according to lymphocyte count. Further larger studies are needed to confirm this data.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Accuracy of in Vivo Reflectance Confocal Microscopy for the Diagnosis of Primary Basal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Lupu Mihai , Popa Iris Maria , Voiculescu Vlad Mihai , Caruntu Ana , Caruntu Constantin
Published: September 2019

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer worldwide and its incidence is constantly rising. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly reduce patient morbidity and healthcare costs. The value of reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) in non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosis is still under debate. This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the diagnostic accuracy of RCM in primary BCC. PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched up to July 05, 2019, to collect articles concerning primary BCC diagnosis through RCM. The studies’ methodological quality was assessed by the QUADAS-2 tool. The meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 13.0, RevMan 5.0, and MetaDisc 1.4 software. We included 15 studies totaling a number of 4163 lesions. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.92 (95% CI, 0.87–0.95; I2 = 85.27%) and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.85–0.97; I2 = 94.61%), the pooled positive and negative likelihood ratios were 13.51 (95% CI, 5.8–31.37; I2 = 91.01%) and 0.08 (95% CI, 0.05–0.14; I2 = 84.83%), and the pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 160.31 (95% CI, 64.73–397.02; I2 = 71%). Despite the heterogeneity and risk of bias, this study demonstrates that RCM, through its high sensitivity and specificity, may have a significant clinical impact on the diagnosis of primary BCC.
Altered Metabolomic Profile in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Ismaeel Ahmed , Franco Marco E. , Lavado Ramon , Papoutsi Evlampia , Casale George P. , Fuglestad Matthew , Mietus Constance J. , Haynatzki Gleb R. , Smith Robert S. , Bohannon William T. , Sawicki Ian , Pipinos Iraklis I. , Koutakis Panagiotis
Published: September 2019

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common atherosclerotic disease characterized by narrowed or blocked arteries in the lower extremities. Circulating serum biomarkers can provide significant insight regarding the disease progression. Here, we explore the metabolomics signatures associated with different stages of PAD and investigate potential mechanisms of the disease. We compared the serum metabolites of a cohort of 26 PAD patients presenting with claudication and 26 PAD patients presenting with critical limb ischemia (CLI) to those of 26 non-PAD controls. A difference between the metabolite profiles of PAD patients from non-PAD controls was observed for several amino acids, acylcarnitines, ceramides, and cholesteryl esters. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that patients with CLI possess an altered metabolomic signature different from that of both claudicants and non-PAD controls. These findings provide new insight into the pathophysiology of PAD and may help develop future diagnostic procedures and therapies for PAD patients.
Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Loaded with Glucocorticoids Protect Auditory Cells from Cisplatin-Induced Ototoxicity
Authors: Cervantes Blanca , Arana Lide , Murillo-Cuesta Silvia , Bruno Marina , Alkorta Itziar , Varela-Nieto Isabel
Published: September 2019

Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent that causes the irreversible death of auditory sensory cells, leading to hearing loss. Local administration of cytoprotective drugs is a potentially better option co-therapy for cisplatin, but there are strong limitations due to the difficulty of accessing the inner ear. The use of nanocarriers for the efficient delivery of drugs to auditory cells is a novel approach for this problem. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are biodegradable and biocompatible nanocarriers with low solubility in aqueous media. We show here that stearic acid-based SLNs have the adequate particle size, polydispersity index and ζ-potential, to be considered optimal nanocarriers for drug delivery. Stearic acid-based SLNs were loaded with the fluorescent probe rhodamine to show that they are efficiently incorporated by auditory HEI-OC1 (House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1) cells. SLNs were not ototoxic over a wide dose range. Glucocorticoids are used to decrease cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Therefore, to test SLNs’ drug delivery efficiency, dexamethasone and hydrocortisone were tested either alone or loaded into SLNs and tested in a cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in vitro assay. Our results indicate that the encapsulation in SLNs increases the protective effect of low doses of hydrocortisone and lengthens the survival of HEI-OC1 cells treated with cisplatin.
Impact of Quantitative Feedback via High-Fidelity Airway Management Training on Success Rate in Endotracheal Intubation in Undergraduate Medical Students—A Prospective Single-Center Study
Authors: Hempel Gunther , Heinke Wolfgang , Struck Manuel F. , Piegeler Tobias , Rotzoll Daisy
Published: September 2019

Endotracheal intubation is still the gold standard in airway management. For medical students and young professionals, it is often difficult to train personal skills. We tested a high-fidelity simulator with an additional quantitative feedback integration to elucidate if competence acquisition for airway management is increased by using this feedback method. In the prospective trial, all participants (n = 299; 4th-year medical students) were randomized into two groups—One had been trained on the simulator with additional quantitative feedback (n = 149) and one without (n = 150). Three simulator measurements were considered as quality criteria—The pressure on the upper front row of teeth, the correct pressure point of the laryngoscope spatula and the correct depth for the fixation of the tube. There were a total of three measurement time points—One after initial training (with additional capture of cognitive load), one during the exam, and a final during the follow-up, approximately 20 weeks after the initial training. Regarding the three quality criteria, there was only one significant difference, with an advantage for the control group with respect to the correct pressure point of the laryngoscope spatula at the time of the follow-up (p = 0.011). After the training session, the cognitive load was significantly higher in the intervention group (p = 0.008) and increased in both groups over time. The additional quantitative feedback of the airway management trainer brings no measurable advantage in training for endotracheal intubation. Due to the increased cognitive load during the training, simple airway management task training may be more efficient for the primary acquisition of essential procedural steps.
Maternal Obesity and Offspring Long-Term Infectious Morbidity
Authors: Gutvirtz Gil , Wainstock Tamar , Landau Daniella , Sheiner Eyal
Published: September 2019

Obesity is a leading cause of morbidity world-wide. Maternal obesity is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. Furthermore, Obesity has been associated with increased susceptibility to infections. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term pediatric infectious morbidity of children born to obese mothers. This population-based cohort analysis compared deliveries of obese (maternal pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and non-obese patients at a single tertiary medical center. Hospitalizations of the offspring up to the age of 18 years involving infectious morbidities were evaluated according to a predefined set of ICD-9 codes. A Kaplan–Meier survival curve was used to compare cumulative hospitalization incidence between the groups and Cox proportional hazards model was used to control for possible confounders. 249,840 deliveries were included. Of them, 3399 were children of obese mothers. Hospitalizations involving infectious morbidity were significantly more common in children born to obese mothers compared with non-obese patients (12.5% vs. 11.0%, p < 0.01). The Kaplan–Meier survival curve demonstrated a significantly higher cumulative incidence of infectious-related hospitalizations in the obese group (log rank p = 0.03). Using the Cox regression model, maternal obesity was found to be an independent risk factor for long-term infectious morbidity of the offspring (adjusted HR = 1.125, 95% CI 1.021–1.238, p = 0.017).
New Horizons in Early Dementia Diagnosis: Can Cerebellar Stimulation Untangle the Knot?
Authors: Naro Antonino , Marra Angela , Billeri Luana , Portaro Simona , De Luca Rosaria , Maresca Giuseppa , La Rosa Gianluca , Lauria Paola , Bramanti Placido , Calabrò Rocco Salvatore
Published: September 2019

Differentiating Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) from dementia and estimating the risk of MCI-to-dementia conversion (MDC) are challenging tasks. Thus, objective tools are mandatory to get early diagnosis and prognosis. About that, there is a growing interest on the role of cerebellum-cerebrum connectivity (CCC). The aim of this study was to differentiate patients with an early diagnosis of dementia and MCI depending on the effects of a transcranial magnetic stimulation protocol (intermittent theta-burst stimulation -iTBS) delivered on the cerebellum able to modify cortico-cortical connectivity. Indeed, the risk of MDC is related to the response to iTBS, being higher in non-responder individuals. All patients with MCI, but eight (labelled as MCI-), showed preserved iTBS aftereffect. Contrariwise, none of the patients with dementia showed iTBS aftereffects. None of the patients showed EEG aftereffects following a sham TBS protocol. Five among the MCI- patients converted to dementia at 6-month follow-up. Our data suggest that cerebellar stimulation by means of iTBS may support the differential diagnosis between MCI and dementia and potentially identify the individuals with MCI who may be at risk of MDC. These findings may help clinicians to adopt a better prevention/follow-up strategy in such patients.
Strategies in Developing Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer: Recognizing and Correcting Multiple Immune “Defects” in the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Upadhrasta Sireesha , Zheng Lei
Published: September 2019

With the advent of cancer immunotherapies, significant advances have been made in the treatment of many tumor types including melanoma, lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, etc. However, similar success has not been observed with the treatment of pancreatic cancer and all other immunogenic “cold” tumors. This prompts the need for a better understanding of the complexity of the cold tumor microenvironment (TME) of pancreatic cancer and what are truly the “defects” in the TME making the cancer unresponsive to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Here we discuss four major immune defects that can be recognized in pancreatic cancer, including lack of high-quality effector intratumoral T cells, heterogeneous dense stroma as a barrier to effector immune cells infiltrating into the tumor, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and failure of the T cells to accomplish tumor elimination. We also discuss potential strategies for pancreatic cancer treatment that work by correcting these immune defects.
Tsunami Science and Engineering II
Authors: Heller Valentin
Published: September 2019

Earthquake-tsunamis, including the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, with approximately 227,898 casualties, and the 2011 Tōhoku Tsunami in Japan, with 18,550 people missing or dead [...]
Model-Based Evaluation of Hydroelectric Dam’s Impact on the Seasonal Variabilities of POC in Coastal Ocean: A Case Study of Three Gorges Project
Authors: Chen Dongxing , Liu Qianqian , Xu Jiexin , Wang Kuo
Published: September 2019

Particulate organic carbon (POC) plays an important role in the global carbon cycle. The POC in the Changjiang Estuary and adjacent coastal region of the East China Sea (ECS) is dominated by riverine input and marine production and is significantly influenced by the three gorges project (TGP). A coupled physical-biogeochemical model was used to evaluate TGP’s impact on POC. The results demonstrate that TGP regulates the area influenced by diluted water and POC through direct river and sediment discharge and affects the ecosystem. From the early to later TGP construction periods, the surface region with high-POC concentration (>40 μmol L−1) decreases by 20.5% in area and 11.5% in concentration. Meanwhile, POC in the whole water column decreases from 19.5 to 17.8 μmol L−1. By contrast, the concentrations of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and related nutrients increase. A three end-member mixing model based on quasi-conservative temperature and salinity is used to quantify relative contributions of different water sources to POC in our research area. We also estimate the biological POC production by the difference between the physical-biogeochemical model predicted POC and three end-member model mixing POC. The result demonstrate that under the regulation of TGP in the later period, the decrease of sediment load increases water transparency, which favors photosynthesis and oceanic biological produced POC. In addition, over 70% of the areas have C/Chl-a > 200 and high C/N ratios, which are circumstantial evidences that organic detritus and terrestrial input sources still dominate in the Changjiang Estuary and adjacent coastal ECS but are influenced by TGP’s regulation.
Computing the Parameter Values for the Emergence of Homochirality in Complex Networks
Authors: Montoya Andrés , Cruz Elkin , Ágreda Jesús
Published: September 2019

The goal of our research is the development of algorithmic tools for the analysis of chemical reaction networks proposed as models of biological homochirality. We focus on two algorithmic problems: detecting whether or not a chemical mechanism admits mirror symmetry-breaking; and, given one of those networks as input, sampling the set of racemic steady states that can produce mirror symmetry-breaking. Algorithmic solutions to those two problems will allow us to compute the parameter values for the emergence of homochirality. We found a mathematical criterion for the occurrence of mirror symmetry-breaking. This criterion allows us to compute semialgebraic definitions of the sets of racemic steady states that produce homochirality. Although those semialgebraic definitions can be processed algorithmically, the algorithmic analysis of them becomes unfeasible in most cases, given the nonlinear character of those definitions. We use Clarke’s system of convex coordinates to linearize, as much as possible, those semialgebraic definitions. As a result of this work, we get an efficient algorithm that solves both algorithmic problems for networks containing only one enantiomeric pair and a heuristic algorithm that can be used in the general case, with two or more enantiomeric pairs.
Microstructure, Microhardness and Corrosion Resistance of WE43 Alloy Based Composites after High-Pressure Torsion
Authors: Straumal Petr , Martynenko Natalia , Kilmametov Askar , Nekrasov Aleksey , Baretzky Brigitte
Published: September 2019

The structure and properties of a composite consisting of Mg-Y-Nd-Zr alloy (WE43) and various oxides are studied. The particles of the WE43 powder were coated by the nanocrystalline oxide layer by means of a wet chemical deposition process. After that the powder is compressed into solid samples and deformed using high-pressure torsion at room temperature. A second phase is present, both, in pure WE43 alloy and in the one with deposited oxides. We observed that the modification of the alloy by the oxide layer deposition and deformation by high-pressure torsion changes the phase composition and properties of the samples. The samples modified by TiO2 showed the best microhardness and corrosion resistance.
Regionalised Life Cycle Assessment of Bio-Based Materials in Construction; the Case of Hemp Shiv Treated with Sol-Gel Coatings
Authors: Heidari Mohammad Davoud , Lawrence Michael , Blanchet Pierre , Amor Ben
Published: September 2019

Interest in intrinsically low-energy construction materials is becoming mainstream, and bio-based materials form a key part of that group of materials. The goal of this study was to analyse the environmental impact of applying a sol-gel coating on hemp shiv, in order to improve the durability of this innovative bio-based material, using a regionalised LCA model, taking into account regional specific peculiarities. This study analysed the environmental performance of using bio-based materials in the building envelope compared with traditional synthetic construction materials, and compared the impact of a regionalised approach with a global approach. The carbon footprint of treated hemp shiv in a wall with a U-value of 0.15 W/m2.K was compared to untreated hempcrete and a reference cavity wall with the same U-value. Considering the environmental damage caused by the production of hemp shiv, nitrogen fertiliser was the hotspot. The LCA results showed that, using innovative bio-based materials in construction, treated hemp shiv with sol-gel can decrease the carbon footprint of a building envelope through carbon sequestration. Using the more accurate site-specific information in life cycle inventory and impact assessment methods will result in more consistent and site-appropriate environmental results for decision-making.
The Significant Impact of Carbon Nanotubes on the Electrochemical Reactivity of Mg-Bearing Metallic Glasses with High Compressive Strength
Authors: Lou Jing-Feng , Cheng Ai-Guo , Zhao Ping , Misra R. D. K. , Feng Heng
Published: September 2019

Here, we elucidate the significant impact of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the electrochemical behavior of Mg-based amorphous composite materials that were reinforced with CNTs while using pressure die casting. The addition of 3 vol % CNTs led to an increase in the compressive strength of Mg-based amorphous material from 812 MPa to 1007 MPa, and the fracture strain from 1.91% to 2.67% in the composite. Interestingly, the addition of CNTs significantly contributed to the enhancement of corrosion resistance of Mg-based glass by ~30%. The superior mechanical properties are primarily related to the fact that the addition of CNTs hindered the growth of shear bands (cracks), while the high corrosion resistance is related to inferior wettability and the bridging effect between adherent corrosive oxide film and the matrix that provided enhanced corrosion resistance.
Microstructure and Properties of Nano-Hydroxyapatite Reinforced WE43 Alloy Fabricated by Friction Stir Processing
Authors: Cao Genghua , Zhang Lu , Zhang Datong , Liu Yixiong , Gao Jixiang , Li Weihua , Zheng Zhenxing
Published: September 2019

This research mainly focuses on the successful fabrication of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) reinforced WE43 alloy by two-pass friction stir processing (FSP). Microstructure evolution, mechanical properties, and in vitro corrosion behavior of FSPed WE43/nHA composite and FSPed WE43 alloy were studied. The results show that nHA particles are effectively dispersed in the processing zone, and the well-dispersed nHA particles can enhance the grain refine effect of FSP. The average grain sizes of FSPed WE43 alloy and WE43/nHA composite are 5.7 and 3.3 μm, respectively. However, a slight deterioration in tensile strength and yield strength is observed on the WE43/nHA composite, compared to the FSPed WE43 alloy, which is attributed to the locally agglomerated nHA particles and the poor quality of interfacial bonding between nHA particles and matrix. The electrochemical test and in vitro immersion test results reveal that the corrosion resistance of the WE43 alloy is greatly improved after FSP. With the addition of nHA particles, the corrosion resistance of the WE43/nHA composite shows an even greater improvement.
Optimising Parameters for Expanded Polystyrene Based Pod Production Using Taguchi Method
Authors: Ishrat Sheikh Imran , Khan Zahid Akhtar , Siddiquee Arshad Noor , Badruddin Irfan Anjum , Algahtani Ali , Javaid Shakeel , Gupta Rajan
Published: September 2019

Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is used in the building and construction industry for insulation and under flooring purposes. The objective of the study is to investigate the impact of the application of the total quality management (TQM) technique on the significant parameters of the pod production process in a New Zealand based EPS manufacturing facility. In this work, Taguchi’s L27 orthogonal array (OA) is considered for conducting experiments through three input parameters i.e., weight of untreated beads, batch duration, and temperature is investigated. Based on the results, the analyses are carried out while using statistical approaches, such as analysis of the means (ANOM) and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results from confirmatory experiment indicate that, at optimal parameters setting (17 kg of untreated bead, 130 s of batch duration and 155 °F of temperature), a reasonably streamlined pod manufacturing process can be achieved for sustainable operations.
Upper Bound of the Third Hankel Determinant for a Subclass of Close-to-Convex Functions Associated with the Lemniscate of Bernoulli
Authors: Srivastava Hari M. , Ahmad Qazi Zahoor , Darus Maslina , Khan Nazar , Khan Bilal , Zaman Naveed , Shah Hasrat Hussain
Published: September 2019

In this paper, our aim is to define a new subclass of close-to-convex functions in the open unit disk U that are related with the right half of the lemniscate of Bernoulli. For this function class, we obtain the upper bound of the third Hankel determinant. Various other related results are also considered.
Set-Valued Interpolative Hardy–Rogers and Set-Valued Reich–Rus–Ćirić-Type Contractions in b-Metric Spaces
Authors: Debnath Pradip , de La Sen Manuel
Published: September 2019

In this paper, using an interpolative approach, we investigate two fixed point theorems in the framework of a b-metric space whose all closed and bounded subsets are compact. One of the theorems is for set-valued Hardy–Rogers-type and the other one is for set-valued Reich–Rus–Ćirić-type contractions. Examples are provided to validate the results.
Genomic Instability and Carcinogenesis of Heavy Charged Particles Radiation: Clinical and Environmental Implications
Authors: Mortezaee Keywan , Najafi Masoud , Farhood Bagher , Ahmadi Amirhossein , Shabeeb Dheyauldeen , Eleojo Musa Ahmed
Published: September 2019

One of the uses of ionizing radiation is in cancer treatment. The use of heavy charged particles for treatment has been introduced in recent decades because of their priority for deposition of radiation energy in the tumor, via the Bragg peak phenomenon. In addition to medical implications, exposure to heavy charged particles is a crucial issue for environmental and space radiobiology. Ionizing radiation is one of the most powerful clastogenic and carcinogenic agents. Studies have shown that although both low and high linear energy transfer (LET) radiations are carcinogenic, their risks are different. Molecular studies have also shown that although heavy charged particles mainly induce DNA damage directly, they may be more potent inducer of endogenous generation of free radicals compared to the low LET gamma or X-rays. It seems that the severity of genotoxicity for non-irradiated bystander cells is potentiated as the quality of radiation increases. However, this is not true in all situations. Evidence suggests the involvement of some mechanisms such as upregulation of pro-oxidant enzymes and change in the methylation of DNA in the development of genomic instability and carcinogenesis. This review aimed to report important issues for genotoxicity of carcinogenic effects of heavy charged particles. Furthermore, we tried to explain some mechanisms that may be involved in cancer development following exposure to heavy charged particles.
Association of Antihyperglycemic Therapy with Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke in Diabetic Patients
Authors: Lăcătușu Cristina-Mihaela , Grigorescu Elena-Daniela , Stătescu Cristian , Sascău Radu Andy , Onofriescu Alina , Mihai Bogdan-Mircea
Published: September 2019

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke are both forms of CVD that have major consequences in terms of disabilities and death among patients with diabetes; however, they are less present in the preoccupations of scientific researchers as a primary endpoint of clinical trials. Several publications have found DM to be associated with a higher risk for both AF and stroke; some of the main drugs used for glycemic control have been found to carry either increased, or decreased risks for AF or for stroke in DM patients. Given the risk for thromboembolic cerebrovascular events seen in AF patients, the question arises as to whether stroke and AF occurring with modified incidences in diabetic individuals under therapy with various classes of antihyperglycemic medications are interrelated and should be considered as a whole. At present, the medical literature lacks studies specifically designed to investigate a cause–effect relationship between the incidences of AF and stroke driven by different antidiabetic agents. In default of such proof, we reviewed the existing evidence correlating the major classes of glucose-controlling drugs with their associated risks for AF and stroke; however, supplementary proof is needed to explore a hypothetically causal relationship between these two, both of which display peculiar features in the setting of specific drug therapies for glycemic control.
Development of a High Strength Mg-9Li Alloy via Multi-Pass ECAP and Post-Rolling
Authors: Klu Edwin Eyram , Song Dan , Li Chen , Wang Guowei , Zhou Zhikai , Gao Bo , Sun Jiapeng , Ma Aibin , Jiang Jinghua
Published: September 2019

In this study, a high-strength Mg-9Li alloy was developed via multi-pass equal-channel-angular-pressing (ECAP) and post rolling, of which the yield tensile stress (YTS) and ultimate tensile stress (UTS) were 166 MPa and 174 MPa representing about 219% and 70% increase in YTS and UTS respectively, compared to the cast alloy. The cast alloy was ECAP processed at 200 °C for 4, 8, and 16 passes, followed by room-temperature rolling to a total thickness reduction of 50%. The 8-passes ECAPed (E8) alloy presented the best strength of all the ECAPed alloys, and the post rolling endowed the alloy (E8R) further strengthening and the best strength of all the alloys. Grain-boundary strengthening and dislocation strengthening were the two major factors for the high strength of the processed alloys. The α-Mg phase grains were greatly refined to about 2 μm after 8-passes ECAP, and was further refined to about 800 nm ~1.5 μm after rolling. Significant grain refinement endowed the alloy with sufficient grain-boundary strengthening. Profuse intragranular dislocation accumulated in the deformed matrix, leading to the significant dislocation hardening of the alloy. Rolling-induced strong basal texture of the α-Mg phase also enhanced the further strengthening of the E8R alloy.
Process and Parameter Optimization of the Double-Pulsed GMAW Process
Authors: Yao Ping , Zhou Kang , Huang Shuwei
Published: September 2019

The double pulsed gas metal arc welding (DP-GMAW) process has been effectively employed to realize joining of steel plates and obtain weld bead surfaces with high quality fish scale ripples. In this work, a DP-GMAW process based on robot operation using the latest twinpulse XT DP control technology was employed to join the stainless-steel base plates. Four key operational parameters, which were robot welding speed, twin pulse frequency, twin pulse relation and twin pulse current change in percent, were selected to be input elements of orthogonal experimental design, which included nine experiments with three levels. To accurately understand the performance and process of weld bead obtained from DP-GMAW operation based on robot operation, the appearance observation and key shape parameters measurement, microstructure analysis, tensile and hardness testing, as well as stability analysis of the electrical signals, were conducted. Correlation analysis showed that the grain size was significantly correlative to the toughness and hardness. Then, to obtain quantitative evaluation results, fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) was employed to provide quality evaluation of weld beads from the above experiments. The influential levels of the key operational parameters on the appearance, grain size and FCE scores, and corresponding physical analyses, were respectively presented. In addition, optimal parameters combinations for obtaining weld beads with optimal appearance, grain size, and the highest FCE scores of weld bead quality were respectively provided according to the range analysis of the results from orthogonal experimental design. This work can provide an effective analysis method of influential levels of key operational parameters on the performance of the weld bead, optimal operational parameters combination seeking method, and quantitative quality evaluation method for the DP-GMAW process, which can improve the process optimization and increase the production efficiency, both in academic research and actual industrial production.
Neonatal Urine Metabolic Profiling and Development of Childhood Asthma
Authors: Chawes Bo L. , Giordano Giuseppe , Pirillo Paola , Rago Daniela , Rasmussen Morten A. , Stokholm Jakob , Bønnelykke Klaus , Bisgaard Hans , Baraldi Eugenio
Published: September 2019

Urine metabolomics case-control studies of childhood asthma have demonstrated a discriminative ability. Here, we investigated whether urine metabolic profiles from healthy neonates were associated with the development of asthma in childhood. Untargeted metabolomics by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was applied to urine samples collected at age 4 weeks in 171 and 161 healthy neonates born from mothers with asthma from the COPSAC2000 and COPSAC2010 cohorts, respectively, where persistent wheeze/asthma was prospectively diagnosed using a symptom-based algorithm. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied to investigate differences in metabolic profiles between children who developed asthma and healthy children. Univariate analysis showed 63 and 87 metabolites (q-value < 0.15) in COPSAC2000 and COPSAC2010, respectively, which is promising for discriminating between asthmatic and healthy children. Of those, 14 metabolites were common among the two cohorts. Multivariate random forest and projection to latent structures discriminant analyses confirmed the discriminatory capacity of the metabolic profiles in both cohorts with estimated errors in prediction equal to 35% and AUCpred > 0.60. Database search enabled annotation of three discriminative features: a glucoronidated compound (steroid), 3-hydroxytetradecanedioic acid (fatty acid), and taurochenodeoxycholate-3-sulfate (bile acid). The urine metabolomics profiles from healthy neonates were associated with the development of childhood asthma, but further research is needed to understand underlying metabolic pathways.
Hybrid Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes for White Emission Using Blue Phosphorescent Organic Molecules and Red Quantum Dots
Authors: Moon Aram , Kim Jiwan
Published: September 2019

Hybrid quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) with no buffer layer were developed to achieve white emission using red quantum dots by spin-coating, and blue phosphorescent organic molecules by thermal evaporation. These unique bichromatic devices exhibit two distinct electroluminescent peaks with similar intensities at 10.5 V. For white emission, these hybrid QLEDs present a maximum luminance of 6195 cd/m2 and a current efficiency of 2.02 cd/A. These results indicate that the unique double emission layers have the potential for bright and efficient white devices using fewer materials.
Analysis of Orthogonal Coupling Structure Based on Double Three-Contact Vertical Hall Device
Authors: Wei Rongshan , Du Yuxuan
Published: September 2019

A vertical Hall device is an important component of 3D Hall sensors, used for detecting magnetic fields parallel to the sensor surface. The Hall devices described in existing research still have problems, such as large offset voltage and low sensitivity. Aiming to solve these problems, this study proposes a double three-contact vertical Hall device with low offset voltage, and a conformal mapping analysis method to improve the sensitivity of the device. Secondly, an orthogonal coupling structure composed of two sets of double three-contact vertical Hall devices is proposed, which further reduces the offset voltage of the device. Finally, the TCAD simulation software was used to analyze the performance of the devices, and an existing vertical Hall device was compared to ours. The results show that the orthogonal coupling structure in this study exhibits better performance, reaching an average voltage sensitivity of 17.5222 mV/VT and an average offset voltage of about 0.075 mV. In addition, the structure has the same magnitude of offset voltage in the four phases of the rotating current method. This characteristic enables the back-end circuit to more accurately filter out the offset voltage and acquire the Hall signal.
High-Precision Propagation-Loss Measurement of Single-Mode Optical Waveguides on Lithium Niobate on Insulator
Authors: Lin Jintian , Zhou Junxia , Wu Rongbo , Wang Min , Fang Zhiwei , Chu Wei , Zhang Jianhao , Qiao Lingling , Cheng Ya
Published: September 2019

We demonstrate the fabrication of single-mode optical waveguides on lithium niobate on an insulator (LNOI) by optical patterning combined with chemomechanical polishing. The fabricated LNOI waveguides had a nearly symmetric mode profile of ~2.5 µm mode field size (full-width at half-maximum). We developed a high-precision measurement approach by which single-mode waveguides were characterized to have propagation loss of ~0.042 dB/cm.
Nitric Oxide Donor Modulates a Multispecies Oral Bacterial Community—An In Vitro Study
Authors: Nambu Takayuki , Wang Dan , Mashimo Chiho , Maruyama Hugo , Kashiwagi Kosuke , Yoshikawa Kazushi , Yamamoto Kazuyo , Okinaga Toshinori
Published: September 2019

The deterioration of human oral microbiota is known to not only cause oral diseases but also to affect systemic health. Various environmental factors are thought to influence the disruption and restoration of the oral ecosystem. In this study, we focused on the effect of nitric oxide (NO) produced by denitrification and NO synthase enzymes on dental plaque microbiota. Interdental plaques collected from 10 subjects were exposed to NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and then cultured in a specialized growth medium. Depending on the concentration of exposed SNP, a decrease in α-diversity and a continuous change in β-diversity in the dental plaque community were shown by sequencing bacterial 16S rRNA genes. We also identified eight operational taxonomic units that were significantly altered by NO exposure. Among them, the exposure of NO donors to Fusobacterium nucleatum cells showed a decrease in survival rate consistent with the results of microbiota analysis. Meanwhile, in addition to NO tolerance, an increase in the tetrazolium salt-reducing activity of Campylobacter concisus cells was confirmed by exposure to SNP. This study provides an overview of how oral plaque microbiota shifts with exposure to NO and may contribute to the development of a method for adjusting the balance of the oral microbiome.
Genome Insights into the Novel Species Microvirga brassicacearum, a Rapeseed Endophyte with Biotechnological Potential
Authors: Jiménez-Gómez Alejandro , Saati-Santamaría Zaki , Igual José M. , Rivas Raúl , Mateos Pedro F. , García-Fraile Paula
Published: September 2019

Plants harbor a diversity of microorganisms constituting the plant microbiome. Many bioinoculants for agricultural crops have been isolated from plants. Nevertheless, plants are an underexplored niche for the isolation of microorganisms with other biotechnological applications. As a part of a collection of canola endophytes, we isolated strain CDVBN77T. Its genome sequence shows not only plant growth-promoting (PGP) mechanisms, but also genetic machinery to produce secondary metabolites, with potential applications in the pharmaceutical industry, and to synthesize hydrolytic enzymes, with potential applications in biomass degradation industries. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of strain CDVBN77T shows that it belongs to the genus Microvirga, its closest related species being M. aerophila DSM 21344T (97.64% similarity) and M. flavescens c27j1T (97.50% similarity). It contains ubiquinone 10 as the predominant quinone, C19:0 cycloω8c and summed feature 8 as the major fatty acids, and phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine as the most abundant polar lipids. Its genomic DNA G+C content is 62.3 (mol %). Based on phylogenetic, chemotaxonomic, and phenotypic analyses, we suggest the classification of strain CDVBN77T within a new species of the genus Microvirga and propose the name Microvirga brassicacearum sp. nov. (type strain CDVBN77T = CECT 9905T = LMG 31419T).