bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tetraploidy enhances the cold-resistance in yellow kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis)
Authors: Li Yipei , Liu Xiaozhen , Wei Zhou , Zhang Zhimin , Bian Wen , Li Shengxing , Zhang Hanyao
Published: January 2020

Yellow kiwifruit ( Actinidia chinensis ) is highly susceptible to severe weather, such as low temperature and frost, which may affect the production in the coming year. And the cold-resistant mechanism of kiwifruit associated with gene regulation is poorly investigated. To botain cold-resistant germplam, to provide insight into the causes of differences in low temperature tolerance due to ploidy and to better understand cold-adaptive mechanisms in tetraploid kiwifruit, the diploid yellow kiwifruit ‘SWFU03’ and its tetraploid plantlets were subjected to cold-tolerant screening with L-hydroxyproline (L-Hyp) and low temperature, the selected ones were then analyzed by transcriptome data and confirmed by RT-qPCR. The results showed that the survival rate of tetraploid plants was 62.22% when treated with 8 mmol/L L-Hyp for 30 days, while all the diploid ones died. After treated with 0°C for 12 h, then at room temperature for seven days, the survival rate of tetraploid plantlets was 42.22%, while all diploidy died. Hence, cold tolerance of the tetraploid plantlets was stronger than that of the diploid genotypes. Using these two screening systems, 126 cold-resistant tetraploid tissue culture plantlets were obtained. A total of 1630 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, of which 619 were up-regulated and 1011 were down-regulated in the low temperature treatment goup. The DEGs enriched in the cold-tolerance related pathways mainly included plant hormone signal transduction, and starch and sucrose metabolism pathway. RT-qPCR analysis confirmed the expression levels of eight up-regulated genes in these pathways in the cold-resistant mutants. In conclusion, this study has identified cold-resistant yellow kiwifruit plantlets and cold-tolerance related genes. Moreover, the dataset got in this study advances our knowledge of the cold-adaptive genes in the regulatory networks and leads to understand the cold tolerance mechanisms in the tetraploid yellow kiwifruit.
Effect of activity level after TKA on the relative bone mineral density measured on standard radiographs in periprosthetic tibial bone: a five-year follow-up study
Authors: Liu Yong , He Peiheng , Li Xing , Ye Yongheng , Liu Minghao , Chen Weizhi , XU Dongliang
Published: January 2020

Background: To suggest the best activity level to guide clinical rehabilitation by evaluating the effect of activity level on BMD in the proximal tibia 5 years after TKA.Methods: In 121 patients, the UCLA activity rating was evaluated, and the relative BMD in periprosthetic tibial bone was measured by ImageJ software on anteroposterior X-ray images. ANOVA, chi-squared test, paired t test and nonlinear regression were used for data analysis.Results: Activity level significantly affected rBMD in the proximal tibia, with the smallest reduction in rBMD observed with moderate activity. The difference in rBMD% between the lateral and medial metaphysis was significant. The regions with a significant difference in rBMD% between the lateral and medial metaphysis were closest to the base plate of the prosthesis. The lateral and medial regions closest to the stem of the prosthesis showed no significant difference in rBMD%.Conclusions: Moderate-intensity functional exercise is recommended within 3 years after TKA.
Trabeculae microstructure parameters serve as effective predictors for marginal bone loss of dental implant in the mandible
Authors: Zhang Hengguo , Shan Jie , Zhang Ping , Jiang Hongbing
Published: January 2020

Background : To investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of machine learning models based on trabecular microstructure parameters for predicting the occurrence of marginal bone loss (MBL) of the submerged dental implant in mandible. Methods : Clinical variables and morphological parameters of trabecular bone were collected from 81 subjects with submerged implants in the mandible (41 cases of abnormal MBL and 40 as normal controls). We measured the peri-implant MBL level by a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) at the follow-up of 20.95±2.67 months after functional loading. The morphological parameters and possible factors associated with MBL were collected in a mean of 3.98±1.06 months at the early loading stage. All variables were analyzed using correlation and covariance matrices. Support vector machine (SVM), artificial neural network (ANN), logistic regression (LR) model and random forest (RF) were actualized to predict abnormal MBL. Results : At the early stage of functional loading, the abnormal MBL cases showed a significant increase of structure model index (SMI) and trabecular pattern factor (Tb.Pf) in peri-implant. Meanwhile, SMI and Tb.Pf simultaneously revealed a significantly high positive correlation with MBL. The LR model exhibited the best outcome in predicting MBL (AUC = 0.956), followed by SVM (AUC = 0.928), RF (AUC = 0.917), ANN (AUC = 0.900), SMI alone (AUC = 0.705) and Tb.Pf alone (AUC = 0.663). Compared with one single predictor, all algorithm models yielded significantly superior performance. Conclusion : Abnormal MBL cases demonstrated the premonitory morphological variation in trabecular bone at the early stage. MBL prediction could be achieved by machine learning methods.
Addition of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging to Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI: can it help differentiate benign from malignant jaw lesions?
Authors: Zhao Xue
Published: January 2020

Objective: To explore the diagnosis value of adding diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in distinguishing benign from malignant jaw lesions.Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was involved 53 patients (23 benign, 30 malignant) with jaw lesions confirmed by pathology were analyzed. DWI and DCE-MRI were performed in all patients. The Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) value as well as the DCE-MRI parameters [time to peak (Tpeak), wash in rate (WIR), wash out rate (WOR), relative enhancement, and maximum enhancement] were measured for each patient. The optimal cut-off value of ADC values and DCE-MRI parameters were determined by using a receiver operating characteristics (ROCs), and the area under ROC curve (AUC) was evaluated. P < 0.05 was considered to indicate a significant difference. Results: Among the five parameters of DCE-MRI, the WOR displayed the most significantly difference with a threshold value of 4.90 l/s between benign and malignant group (P<0.05). When only WOR was used as the basis for diagnosis, the sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 77.20%, 78.00%, and 0.800, respectively (Fig.3, 4). However, sensitivity (77.20% vs 83.30%), specificity (78.00% vs 87.20%) and accuracy (0.80 vs 0.85) significantly improved with the addition of ADC values in the evaluation of jaw lesions, which manifested better than that by using WOR alone.Conclusion: The high WOR of DCE-MRI may have a malignant tendency, but in the evaluation of jaw disease, the addition of ADC value can improve the diagnostic value.
Prehospital risk stratification in non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome; a paramedic echocardiography pilot study.
Authors: Jacobsen Lars , Jortveit Jarle , Moe Espen Ellingsen , Olsen Roy Bjørkholt , Dahlslett Thomas , Grenne Bjørnar , Thorsen Kjetil , Bache Kristi Cecilie Grønvold
Published: January 2020

Background Prehospital risk stratification and timing of revascularization in Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) is currently based on the electrocardiogram (ECG). ST- elevation in the ECG indicates myocardial infarction (STEMI) in need of immediate reperfusion therapy. However, a large group of ACS patients presents without ST-elevation in ECG, despite coronary occlusions. In these high risk non-ST-elevation myocardial infarctions (NSTEMI), immediate reperfusion may be just as crucial for the prognosis, but prehospital diagnostic tools to identify them are lacking. Objective This pilot study investigated if focused prehospital transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) images achieved by paramedics could be transferred to the in-hospital cardiologist for diagnostic evaluation, and test if this, in combination with a point-of-care (POC) high-sensitive Troponin-T (Hs-cTnT) test, facilitates prehospital identification of high risk NSTE-ACS. Methods Paramedics were trained to obtain focused prehospital TTE images and provide POC Hs-cTnT - testing in patients with suspected ACS. The information was transferred to the in-hospital cardiologist who determined the treatment strategy by evaluating the information provided by the paramedics. Results 123 patients were included between November 30 th 2017 and November 30 th 2018. TTE images were interpretable in 107 cases (87%), and Hs-cTnT measures in 113 cases (93%). NSTEMI was the final diagnosis in 16 patients (13%), where 13 got admitted directly for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). These patients bypassed the local hospital and saved time to treatment based on the prehospital detection of NSTE-ACS. Conclusion Interpretable focused TTE images and POC Hs-cTnT measures can be achieved by paramedics in most patients with suspected NSTE-ACS. This information seems to aid in-hospital cardiologist admitting the right patients to the PCI hospital. The study strongly indicates that prehospital diagnostics and risk assessment of patients with suspected NSTE-ACS is feasible. A larger study is needed to clarify the diagnostic accuracy of focused prehospital TTE in suspected NSTE-ACSTrial registration Clinical trials NCT04223986, ID: 17/05178-2 – 522). Registered retrospectively September 23rd 2018. https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT04223986.
A new anatomic zone division within the cervical spinal canal
Authors: Liu Yadong , Liu Li , Kong Chao , Chen Xueming , Yuan Xin , Gao Yan , Guan Yun
Published: January 2020

Background: Detailed anatomical information is important for identifying the origin and anatomic basis of symptoms in cervical spondylosis patients, but very little quantitative data have been reported. This study characterized the morphologic features of cervical spinal nerve rootlets and defined different zones at cervical spinal canal to provide an anatomic basis for studying cervical spondylosis. Methods: Ten cervical spines from C2 to T1 were obtained for the present study. We defined three zones from midline to lateral part (zone I, II and III) and two zones from cranial to caudal (zone P and zone IP) on the coronal plane within the cervical spinal canal. Quantitative anatomy of the zones at different cervical segments were measured including: 1) horizontal widths of zone I, II and III; 2) Length of the cervical spinal cord segment at the ventral rootlets (LV); 3) The pedicle height (PH, zone P) and the inter-pedicle height (IPH, zone IP); 4) The distance between the superior margin of pedicle and the exit of the uppermost ventral nerve rootlet (PN). Results: There was a trend that the horizontal widths of zone I gradually decrease from C4 to C8 but without significant differences (P=0.98). The value of zone II at C4 was significantly less than that at other levels (P=0.008). The value of zone III increases from C4 to C8, and the values at C7 and C8 were significantly higher than those at C4, C5 and C6 (P=0.032). PHs and IPHs were not significantly different between different levels (P1=0.365; P2=0.240). The values of LV at C4 and C8 were smaller than those of C5, C6 and C7 (P=0.001). The value of PN showed an increasing trend. At C4, the uppermost ventral rootlet was at about the same height as C3 pedicle, while C8 uppermost ventral rootlet was at the same level as the inferior part of C6 pedicle. Ventral intradural intersegmental connections were found in three intersegments (two specimens) out of 20 intersegments (15%). Conclusions: The current definition of anatomic zones may be useful for an accurate diagnosis of cervical spondylosis and a safe and effective anterior decompression surgery.
Leaf Net Photosynthesis, Leaf Greenness, and Shoot Lignin Content of Nonbearing Pecan Trees at Two Nitrogen and Nickel Application Rates
Authors: Moran-Duran Sara Andrea , Flynn Robert Paul , Heerema Richard , VanLeeuwen Dawn
Published: January 2020

In recent years, nickel (Ni) deficiency symptoms has been observed in commercial pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch.] orchards in New Mexico. Nickel deficiency can cause a reduction in lignin formation, which could affect the risk for breakage on pecan tree shoots. Ni deficiency might furthermore disrupt ureide catabolism in pecan and, therefore, could negatively affect nitrogen (N) nutrition in the plant. The objective of this study was to identify the effects of Ni and N fertilizer applications, at two rates, on net photosynthesis (Pn), leaf greenness (SPAD), and branch lignin concentration in New Mexico’s nonbearing pecan trees. Sixty trees for year 2012 (Pawnee and Western cultivars) and 40 trees for year 2013 (Pawnee cultivar) were used at two New Mexico locations (Artesia and Las Cruces) to evaluate the effects of Ni and N on tree measures. Treatments were as follows: (1) High N plus Ni (+Ni); (2) Low N no Ni (−Ni); (3) High N −Ni; and (4) Low N +Ni. In 2012 and 2013, there was an increase in leaf greenness for each location and cultivar (tree group) through time (June to September). Photosynthesis measures in 2012 differed between tree group, time in the season, and N and Ni treatments. In 2013, Pn was influenced by tree group and time (P < 0.0001), but N and Ni interaction did not present a significant effect related to Ni benefits. Photosynthesis varied over time in 2012 and 2013, with an inconsistent pattern. In this study, Ni application at the high N rate had a negative effect on ‘Pawnee’ Pn early in the season at the Artesia site, but this application had a positive effect for ‘Western’ from Artesia at the low N level, also early in the season. Lignin content varied between tree groups only. The application of N and Ni did not affect lignin in pecan shoots. The results show an inconsistent pattern regarding the benefits of Ni on nonbearing pecan orchards for leaf greenness, Pn, and lignin content during the 2-year study. Future studies on Ni should focus on pecan trees exhibiting leaf Ni deficiency symptoms or on soils with less than 0.14 mg·kg−1 of DTPA extractable Ni, as well as the long-term effect of Ni on pecan growth and development to optimize the addition of Ni into an efficient fertilization program.
Avaliação do potencial da lagoa de estabilização do Aterro Sanitário do Município de Puxinanã-PB, Nordeste do Brasil
Authors: Guedes Natália de Souza , Oliveira Bárbara Freire de , Carvalho Guilherme de Andrade , Silva José Marcelino de Lima , Miranda e Silva João Carlos de
Published: January 2020

Atualmente, o destino dos resíduos sólidos produzidos diariamente nas cidades, tem sido motivo de discussão em diversas instâncias governamentais. Para tratar de tal situação, hoje em dia, aterros sanitários se tornaram o meio mais utilizado, de menor custo e mais adequado ambientalmente para a estocagem desses resíduos. Porém, nos aterros ocorre a geração de chorume (líquido negro e mal cheiroso), este chorume por ser altamente poluidor precisa ser tratado adequadamente. Desta forma, este trabalho teve por objetivo estudar o potencial da lagoa de estabilização do aterro sanitário de Puxinanã, município da região metropolitana de Campina Grande-PB, que se encontra inativo no momento, para o tratamento do chorume. Para a análise foram realizadas coletas de amostras na entrada e na lagoa de estabilização para fins de análises físico, química, bacteriológica e de metais pesados. Com o resultado das análises, verifica-se que há potencial da lagoa de estabilização, que continua operando e tratando o lixiviado, porém com uma baixa eficiência para redução da carga orgânica, eficiência de remoção igual a 36,1%. Portanto, pode-se concluir assim que há necessidade de melhoramentos na técnica utilizada para o tratamento do lixiviado (chorume) do aterro.
Development trends of local taxes in the system of local budgets in Ukraine
Authors: Glushchenko Julia , Kozhalina Natalia
Published: January 2020

Effective system of local self-government is a key to the successful development of a democratic state. It should be aimed at ensuring the effective performance of functions by the authorities, creating environment for obtaining quality services by citizens, and introducing and expanding the system of local taxes.Local taxes make the financial basis for the activities of local self-government bodies. However, nowadays, the lack of their volume and revenue instability are considered as a matter of national concern. Funding of state delegated powers, which is mainly due to transfer payments, is characterized by the delayed receipt of revenues and the lack of revenue in terms of targets, thereby creating problems with financing from local budgets.The article investigates the essentials of local taxation in the system of local budgets in Ukraine. It also summarizes methodological approaches to determining the nature of local taxes, clarifies their fiscal role in the local tax system and local budgets, and analyzes the existing practice of formation and implementation of local taxes in local budget revenues. Besides, prospective lines of improvement of the local taxation system are investigated and recommendations for its development are elaborated. Also, the subject to reform of the system of tax and budgetary relations was substantiated; changes in some administration mechanisms, the list expansion due to environmental fees and strengthened control over the unshadowing of small and medium businesses were offered.
A novel internal heat recycling concept for reducing energy consumption and increasing flux through three-stage air-gap–water-gap membrane distillation system
Authors: Abu-Zeid Mostafa Abd El-Rady , Lu Xiaolong , Zhang Shaozhe
Published: January 2020

The low flux and high energy consumption problems of the conventional three-stage air-gap membrane distillation (AG-AG-AG)MD system caused by the low temperature difference between hot and cold feed at both sides of the membrane and high boundary layer thickness were solved successfully by replacing one of the three stages of air gaps by a water gap. The novel three-stage air-gap–water-gap membrane distillation (AG-AG-WG)MD system reduced energy consumption and increased flux due to efficient internal heat recycling by virtue of a water-gap module. Heat and mass transfer in novel and conventional three-stage systems were analyzed theoretically. Under a feed temperature of 45 °C, flow rate of 20 l/h, cooling temperature of 20 °C, and concentration of 340 ppm, the (AG-AG-WG)MD promoted flux by 17.59% and 211.69%, and gained output ratio (GOR) by 60.57% and 204.33% compared with two-stage (AG-WG)MD and one-stage AGMD, respectively. This work demonstrated the important role of a water gap in changing the heat and mass transfer where convection heat transfer across the water gap is faster by 24.17 times than conduction heat transfer through the air gap. The increase in flux and GOR economized the heating energy and decreased waste heat input into the system. Additionally, the number of MD stages could increase the achieving of a high flux with operation stability.
Antimicrobial Peptides From Lycosidae (Sundevall, 1833) Spiders
Authors: Melo-Braga Marcella Nunes , De Marco Almeida Flávia , dos Santos Daniel Moreira , de Avelar Júnior Joaquim Teixeira , dos Reis Pablo Victor Mendes , de Lima Maria Elena
Published: January 2020

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been found in all organism taxa and may play an essential
role as a host defense system. AMPs are organized in various conformations, such as linear
peptides, disulfide bond-linked peptides, backbone-linked peptides and circular peptides. AMPs apparently
act primarily on the plasma membrane, although an increasing number of works have shown that
they may also target various intracellular sites. Spider venoms are rich sources of biomolecules that
show several activities, including modulation or blockage of ion channels, anti-insect, anti-cancer,
antihypertensive and antimicrobial activities, among others. In spider venoms from the Lycosidae
family there are many linear AMPs with a wide range of activities against several microorganisms.
Due to these singular activities, some Lycosidae AMPs have been modified to improve or decrease
desirable or undesirable effects, respectively. Such modifications, especially with the aim of increasing
their antibiotic activity, have led to the filing of many patent applications. This review explores the
abundance of Lycosidae venom AMPs and some of their derivatives, and their use as new drug models.
Virulence Factors of the Entomopathogenic Genus Metarhizium
Authors: González-Hernández Gloria A. , Padilla-Guerrero Israel E. , Martínez-Vázquez Azul , Torres-Guzmán Juan C.
Published: January 2020

:

The fungal genus Metarhizium has been used as an entomopathogen worldwide for
approximately 140 years, and its mechanism of infection and its virulence factors have been studied.
The present review is a compilation of virulence factors described in the literature to date and
their participation in specific stages of the infection process.
Investigation on the Preparation, Characteristics, and Controlled Release Model of Paeonol-Loaded Liposome in Carbomer Hydrogel
Authors: Liu Qinqin , Xia Hongmei , Xu Yinxiang , Cheng Yongfeng , Cheng Zhiqing
Published: January 2020

Objective:

Paeonol is a phenolic compounce that is volatile. In order to decrease its volatility
and achieve controlled release, paeonol-loaded liposome in carbomer hydrogel was prepared by coating
with soybean phospholipid via ethanol injection method and then added into the carbomer hydrogel.

Methods:

The quality of paeonol-loaded liposome in carbomer hydrogel was evaluated by the degree of
roundness, particle size distribution, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (filtration method and chitosan
neutralization method), viscosity, infrared spectrum, etc. Furthermore, the diffusion from paeonolloaded
liposome in hydrogel was studied in vitro.

Results:

The results showed that the average particle size of paeonol-loaded liposome was about 401
nm, the potential was -17.8 mV, and the entrapment efficiency was above 45%. The viscosity of paeonol-
loaded liposome in hydrogel was 23.972×10-3 Pa*s, and the diffusion rate from paeonol-loaded
liposome in hydrogel in vitro was obviously slower than that from the other paeonol preparations.

Conclusion:

The conclusions could be drawn that paeonol-loaded liposome in hydrogel was a kind of
novel preparation, and its diffusion in vitro had obvious controlled-release characteristics, which further
proved that it might improve the bioavailability of paeonol.
Lipid-based Nanoplatforms in Cancer Therapy: Recent Advances and Applications
Authors: Rajpoot Kuldeep
Published: January 2020

Though modern available cancer therapies are effective, they possess major adverse effects, causing non-compliance to patients. Furthermore, the majority of the polymeric-based medication platforms are certainly not universally acceptable, due to their several restrictions. With this juxtaposition, lipid-based medication delivery systems have appeared as promising drug nanocarriers to replace the majority of the polymer-based products because they are in a position to reverse polymer as well as, drug-associated restrictions. Furthermore, the amalgamation of the basic principle of nanotechnology in designing lipid nanocarriers, which are the latest form of lipid carriers, has tremendous chemotherapeutic possibilities as tumor-targeted drug-delivery pertaining to tumor therapy. Apart from this, it is reported that nearly 40% of the modern medication entities are lipophilic. Moreover, research continues to be efficient in attaining a significant understanding of the absorption and bioavailability of the developed lipids systems.
Fas Ligand Enhances Apoptosis of Human Lung Cancer Cells Cotreated with RIG-I-like Receptor Agonist and Radiation
Authors: Sato Yoshiaki , Yoshino Hironori , Tsuruga Eichi , Kashiwakura Ikuo
Published: January 2020

Background:

Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) play key roles
in the antiviral response, but recent works show that RLR activation elicits anticancer activity as
well, including apoptosis. Previously, we demonstrated that the anticancer activity of the RLR agonist
Poly(I:C)-HMW/LyoVec™ [Poly(I:C)-HMW] against human lung cancer cells was enhanced
by cotreatment with ionizing radiation (IR). In addition, cotreatment with Poly(I:C)-HMW and IR
induced apoptosis in a Fas-independent manner, and increased Fas expression on the cell surface.

Objective:

The current study investigated the resultant hypothesis that Fas ligand (FasL) may enhance
apoptosis in lung cancer cells cotreated with Poly(I:C)-HMW+IR.

Methods:

FasL was added into culture medium at 24 h following cotreatment with Poly(I:C)-
HMW+IR, after upregulation of cell surface Fas expression on human lung cancer cells A549 and
H1299 have already been discussed.

Results:

FasL enhanced the apoptosis of A549 and H1299 cells treated with Poly(I:C)-HMW+IR.
Similarly, IR alone - and not Poly(I:C)-HMW - resulted in the upregulation of cell surface Fas expression
followed by a high response to FasL-induced apoptosis, thus suggesting that the high sensitivity
of cells treated with Poly(I:C)-HMW+IR to FasL-induced apoptosis resulted from the cellular
response to IR. Finally, knockdown of Fas by siRNA confirmed that the high response of treated
cells to FasL-induced apoptosis is dependent on Fas expression.

Conclusion:

In summary, the present study indicates that upregulated Fas expression following cotreatment
with Poly(I:C)-HMW and IR is responsive to FasL-induced apoptosis, and a combination
of RLR agonist, IR, and FasL could be a potential promising cancer therapy.
Recovery of Cellulose Nanofiber from Lignocellulosic Biomass: Recent Trends and Applications
Authors: Majumdar Ria , Mishra Umesh , Muthuraj Muthusivaramapandian , Bhunia Biswanath
Published: January 2020

Background:

Plants are considered an important feedstock for cellulose, although algae
can be used as a reservoir for the extraction of cellulose in its pure form. Cellulose nanofiber extracted
from plant and algae gains more attention among researchers due to their size in the nano range,
low cost for preparation, higher surface area available for tuning, outstanding mechanical properties
and eco-friendly nature. However, the quality of nanofiber depends on the extraction procedure and
feedstock used for their extraction. Furthermore, the extracted nanofiber from lignocellulosic biomass
is not compatible with liquid and polymeric matrices due to less amount of functional groups
present on their surface. Therefore, it is urged to comprehend the explicit protocol required for the
extraction of highly resourceful nanofibers from specific lignocellulosic biomass and surface tuning
strategy, which can augment their application in various fields. The present review targets to understand
the various polysaccharides, lignin and production of cellulose nanofibers in an economical &
efficient way with special attention on its implementation in environmental applications to mitigate
the toxic pollutants from our surroundings.

Methods:

Research articles related to the cellulose types, feedstocks, physico-chemical features, various
extraction and conversion techniques, functionalization methods, and applications on mitigating
environmental pollution were collected and reviewed. This review article comprises sections which
present various cellulose and nanocellulose types, feedstocks, followed by their extraction, characterization
and applications in mitigation of environmental issues such as heavy metal contaminations.

Results:

Studies highlighted in the article detailed types of extraction protocols, so far developed and
strategies applied to improve the salient properties of nanofibers for specific applications are enlightened.

Conclusion:

The functionalized or modified cellulose and nanocellulose have gained significant attention
attributed to their unique characteristics, physico-chemical characteristics and efficiency in
recovery of environmental pollutants. Thus, further exploitation of such natural resources in mitigation
of various environmental issues and other related applications are to be maximized.
A Review on Nanoalloy Clusters: Theory to Applications
Authors: Ranjan Prabhat , Chaudhary Shalini , Chakraborty Tanmoy
Published: January 2020

Nanoalloy clusters have attracted a lot of attention in recent times and have grown enormously
in various domains, ranging from semiconductor, material sciences, biophysics, life sciences
to earth sciences. In this report, we presented a review of nanoalloy clusters and their application.
The background of clusters, nanoalloys and their isomers, their classification, and potential applications
ranging from catalysis, optoelectronics, magnetic to bio-diagnosis are reported. Experimental
techniques as well as the importance of theoretical and computational studies in nanoalloy clusters
are also presented.
MiR-143 Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis by Targeting RANK and NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathways
Authors: He Xianfeng , Zhu Limei , An Lin , Zhang Jingwei
Published: January 2020

Objective:

To explore the effect of miRNA-143 on osteoclast formation and provide new ideas for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Methods:

Mice macrophage lines RAW264.7 cells after transfection were divided into four groups: control group, RANKL group, RANKL combined with miR-143 mimics group and RANKL combined with miR-NC group. TARCP staining was used to observe the effect of miR-143 on osteoclast formation. The expression of RANK, TRAF6 and NFATc-1 in the upstream of RANKL pathway was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT qPCR) and Western blotting (WB). The binding of miR-143 to TNFRSF11A was detected by double Luciferase Reporter Analysis. The effect of miR-143 on the expression of NF-κB (p65, I-κB-α) signal pathway in osteoclasts was detected. The effects of I-BET151 on the expression of osteoclast-specific genes TRACP, MMP 9, CtsK and c-Src were detected.

Results:

The positive level of osteoclasts in RANKL group and RANKL combined with miR-NC group was significantly higher than that of RANKL combined with miR-143 mimics group and control group (P < 0.05). The expression levels of RANK, TRAF6, NFATc-1, TRACP, MMP-9, CtsK and c-Src in RANKL group and RANKL combined with miR-NC group were significantly higher than those of RANKL combined with miR-143 mimics group and control group (P < 0.05). The expression levels of I-κB-α were significantly lower than that of RANKL combined with miR-143 mimics group and control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

MiR-143 can inhibit the expression of RANK, TRAF6 and downstream NFATc-1 in the RANKL pathway, thereby inhibiting the RANK/RANKL pathway. MiR-143 can inhibit the signal pathway of NF-κB (p65, I-κB-α). MiR-143 inhibits the expression of osteoclast-specific genes TRACP, MMP 9, CtsK and c-Src. That is to say, miR-143 inhibits osteoclast formation by targeting RANK, NF- κB and MAPK signaling pathways.
Daclatasvir and Sofosbuvir Mitigate Hepatic Fibrosis Through Downregulation of TNF-α / NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zakaria Sherin , El-Sisi Alaa E.
Published: January 2020

Background:

Hepatic fibrosis is the major issue in chronic liver diseases such as chronic
hepatitis C virus (HCV). The newly approved direct acting antiviral (DAA) agents such as Sofosbuvir
(SOF) and daclatasvir (DAC) have been found to be associated with decreased fibrotic markers in
HCV patients.

Aim:

This study tried to explore whether the reported antifibrotic effect of these drugs is antiviral dependent
or drug induced.

Method:

Hepatic fibrosis was induced by (0.5ml/kg) CCl4 IP twice a week for six weeks. SOF (20
mg/kg/d) and DAC (30 mg/kg/d) were added in the last four weeks of treatments. Liver functions,
fibrotic markers such as Hyaluronic acid and metalloproteinase-9 were detected using immunoassay.
The expression of TNF-α/NF-κB signaling pathway as well as Bcl-2 were done using immunoassay.

Results:

SOF and DAC exerted a potent antifibrotic effect evidenced by their activity against
hyaluronic acid HA and metalloproteinase MMP-9 significantly (P≤0.001). This effect was further
proved histopathologically where liver tissues from rats treated by drugs showed marked inhibition of
collagen precipitation as well as inhibition of HSCs activation. This antifibrotic action was associated
with decreased expression of TNF-α /NF-κB signaling pathway and induction of Bcl-2.

Conclusion:

SOF/ DAC antifibrotic effect is independent of its antiviral activity. The molecular events
associated with this effect were the downregulation of TNF-α / NF-κB signaling pathway and induction
of Bcl-2.
Synthesis and Characterization of Chemical Structures, Thermal Decomposition and Biological Properties of Novel Copper (II) Bio- Based Surfactants
Authors: Meena Asha , Sharma Rashmi , Sukhadia Vandana
Published: January 2020

Background:

Thermal degradation has attracted the attention of scientific
community throughout the world due to its multiple applications in environment, energy,
waste water treatment, pollution control, green chemistry, etc.

Objective:

The present work deals with the study of synthesis and characterization of
thermal and biological properties of novel copper complex.

Methods:

Chemical structures of copper (II) sesame 2-amino-6-ethoxy benzothiazole
complex were confirmed by IR, NMR, and ESR techniques. Thermal and biological properties
were analysed by Thermogravimetry (TGA) and antimicrobial activity determination
against Staphylococcus aureus.

Results:

The TGA study reveals that copper (II) sesame 2-amino-6-ethoxy benzothiazole
complex undergoes stepwise thermal degradation of ligand-soap bond of complex and unsaturated
and saturated fatty acid components of edible oils. The complex exhibit significant
antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus.

Conclusion:

This study provides relevant basic information on the thermal and antimicrobial
properties of new copper (II) bio-based surfactants, as well as an explicit relationship
structure-biological activity for their potential use as safe and green chemicals.
Design on the Inner Wall Crawling and Inspecting Robot for Offshore Platform Leg
Authors: Zhang Shihai , Li Zhuo , Wang Yanshuang , Zhang Zimiao
Published: January 2020

Background:

The legs are important base mechanism and have a key effect on the stability
and security of movable offshore platform. In the application field, the work of defects detection is
operated in a manual way for offshore platform leg. The main disadvantages of manual inspection can
be summarized as follows: high detection cost and risk, low detection coverage and efficiency, etc.

Objective:

To develop a robot with an inspecting system that can crawl on the inner wall surface of the
offshore platform leg, and inspect the surface defects through the inspecting system.

Methods:

Based on our patented technologies and the application requirements, the telescopic mechanisms,
constituted by motor-screw-nut mechanism, are applied to design the body and legs mechanism
of the robot. The vacuum sucker groups are applied to design the adsorption mechanism of the robot.
The PLC is applied to design the measurement and movement control system. The laser ranging sensors
are applied to realize the function of obstacle detection, robot location and pose analysis. The camera
and its driving system are applied to design the image acquisition system. The wireless bridge is
applied to design the message remote transmission system.

Results:

Based on the structure characteristic and the defect inspecting requirement of offshore platform
leg, the wall crawling robot and its inspecting system are designed in this study.

Conclusion:

A series of experiments show that the robot and its inspecting system meet the demand of
field applications.
Thermal Effect in the Microwave-assisted Aminolysis of Benzoates and Amines
Authors: Yang Dongqiang , Xu Jiaxi
Published: January 2020

Background:

Microwave selective heating thermal effect is obvious in unimolecular organic
reactions. However, it is unclear whether it exists in bimolecular organic reactions under strictly
controlled reaction temperature conditions.

Objective:

To determine whether microwave selective heating effect exists in the microwave-assisted
bimolecular reactions.

Methods:

Hammett linear relationships in “one-pot” aminolyses of mixed 4-nitrophenyl substituted
benzoates with benzylamine and 4-nitrophenyl benzoate with mixed substituted anilines were selected
as molecular level probes to explore the thermal effect in the microwave-assisted bimolecular reactions.

Results:

In less polar solvent, there is an obvious “hot spots” effect. “One-pot” aminolyses of mixed
4-nitrophenyl substituted benzoates with benzylamine and 4-nitrophenyl benzoate with mixed substituted
anilines were performed in less polar solvent toluene under oil-bath and microwave heating conditions.
Generally, slopes of Hammett plots or effect of substituents on reaction rates decrease along
with temperature increases under oil-bath heating conditions. Under microwave irradiation conditions,
slopes of Hammett plots or effect of substituents on reaction rates decrease in comparison with those
under oil-bath heating conditions at the same setting temperature, revealing that higher temperature
regions (“hot spots”) still exist in intermolecular organic reactions.

Conclusion:

Microwave selective heating thermal effect still exists in bimolecular organic reactions
under strictly controlled reaction temperature conditions, revealing that higher temperature regions
(“hot spots”) do exist in intermolecular organic reactions.
Synthesis, Characterization and Thermal Behaviour Studies of Terpolymer Resin Derived from 8-Hydroxyquinoline-5-Sulphonic Acid and Anthranilic Acid
Authors: Gurnule Wasudeo B. , Rathod Yashpal U.
Published: January 2020

Background:

Terpolymer have versatile applications in adhesives, electroluminescent devices, packaging, coating materials, ion exchanger and hardener for epoxy resin.

Objective:

In the present investigation, our main aim was to synthesize terpolymer using 8- hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid, anthranilic acid and formaldehyde (8-HQ-5-SAAF) via the polycondensation method and to evaluate thermal properties of terpolymer.

Materials and Methods:

8-Hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid, anthranilic acid and formaldehyde were used for synthesis. Terpolymer was obtained by employing the polycondensation method.

Results:

TGA analysis shows that the synthesized terpolymer resin was thermally stable. The activation energy calculated by Freeman-Carroll and Sharp-Wentworth methods has been found to be in good agreement with each other. The low value of frequency factor and negative entropy value indicate that the thermal decomposition would be a slow reaction.

Conclusion:

The thermal energy of activation calculated by using Sharp-Wentworth and Freeman- Carroll methods has been found to be nearly identical. The terpolymer 8-HQ-5-SAAF starts degradation at high temperature, showing that this polymer resin is thermally stable.
The Adoption of a Virtual Reality–Assisted Training System for Mental Rotation: A Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling Approach (Preprint)
Authors: Chang Chen-Wei , Yeh Shih-Ching , Li Mengtong
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Virtual reality (VR) technologies have been developed to assist education and training. Although recent research suggested that the application of VR led to effective learning and training outcomes, investigations concerning the acceptance of these VR systems are needed to better urge learners and trainees to be active adopters.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to create a theoretical model to examine how determining factors from relevant theories of technology acceptance can be used to explain the acceptance of a novel VR-assisted mental rotation (MR) training system created by our research team to better understand how to encourage learners to use VR technology to enhance their spatial ability.

METHODS

Stereo and interactive MR tasks based on Shepard and Metzler’s pencil and paper test for MR ability were created. The participants completed a set of MR tasks using 3D glasses and stereoscopic display and a 6-degree-of-freedom joystick controller. Following task completion, psychometric constructs from theories and previous studies (ie, perceived ease of use, perceived enjoyment, attitude, satisfaction, and behavioral intention to use the system) were used to measure relevant factors influencing behavior intentions.

RESULTS

The statistical technique of partial least squares structural equation modeling was applied to analyze the data. The model explained 47.7% of the novel, VR-assisted MR training system’s adoption intention, which suggests that the model has moderate explanatory power. Direct and indirect effects were also interpreted.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study have both theoretical and practical importance not only for MR training but also for other VR-assisted education. The results can extend current theories from the context of information systems to educational and training technology, specifically for the use of VR-assisted systems and devices. The empirical evidence has practical implications for educators, technology developers, and policy makers regarding MR training.
Predicting Onset of Dementia Using Clinical Notes and Machine Learning: Case-Control Study (Preprint)
Authors: Hane Christopher A , Nori Vijay S , Crown William H , Sanghavi Darshak M , Bleicher Paul
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND

Clinical trials need efficient tools to assist in recruiting patients at risk of Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD). Early detection can also assist patients with financial planning for long-term care. Clinical notes are an important, underutilized source of information in machine learning models because of the cost of collection and complexity of analysis.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the use of deidentified clinical notes from multiple hospital systems collected over 10 years to augment retrospective machine learning models of the risk of developing ADRD.

METHODS

We used 2 years of data to predict the future outcome of ADRD onset. Clinical notes are provided in a deidentified format with specific terms and sentiments. Terms in clinical notes are embedded into a 100-dimensional vector space to identify clusters of related terms and abbreviations that differ across hospital systems and individual clinicians.

RESULTS

When using clinical notes, the area under the curve (AUC) improved from 0.85 to 0.94, and positive predictive value (PPV) increased from 45.07% (25,245/56,018) to 68.32% (14,153/20,717) in the model at disease onset. Models with clinical notes improved in both AUC and PPV in years 3-6 when notes’ volume was largest; results are mixed in years 7 and 8 with the smallest cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

Although clinical notes helped in the short term, the presence of ADRD symptomatic terms years earlier than onset adds evidence to other studies that clinicians undercode diagnoses of ADRD. De-identified clinical notes increase the accuracy of risk models. Clinical notes collected across multiple hospital systems via natural language processing can be merged using postprocessing techniques to aid model accuracy.
Effect of oxygen addition on the formation of anatase TiO2 nano-coatings obtained by spray pyrolysis technique
Authors: Benzait Zineb , Tatar Demet , Ertuğrul Mehmet
Published: January 2020

High-quality anatase phased titanium dioxide thin films were prepared in this work using an easy, simple and cost-effective method. Normal, partially and highly oxygen-enriched atmospheres were provided during the spray pyrolysis deposition of titania in order to study the oxygen effect on the structure and morphology of the films prepared. High crystalline anatase nano-coatings stable at high temperature (700°C) could be obtained through the delaying of anatase-to-rutile transformation due to the filling of oxygen vacancies by the oxygen added to the spraying atmosphere. These nano-coatings constitute promising materials for different applications such as hydroxyapatite coated metal implanting, rechargeable lithium ion batteries fabrication, gas sensing and photocatalytic applications.
An efficient 3D Diffie-Hellman based Two-Server password-only authenticated key exchange
Authors: K Anitha Kumari , G Sudha Sadasivam
Published: January 2020

In emerging technological world, security potentially remains as a highest challenge in the large-scale distributed systems, as it is suffering extensively with adversarial attacks due to insufficient mutual authentication. In order to address this, a state-of-art tetrahedron (3D) based two-server Password Authenticated and Key Exchange (PAKE) protocol has been formulated with formal proof of security by incorporating the elementary properties of plane geometry. The main intention of this work is, obtaining a password from the stored credentials must be infeasible when both the servers compromised together. At the outset to realize these goals, in this paper, the properties of the tetrahedron are utilized along with Diffie-Hellman (DH) key exchange algorithm to withstand against malicious attacks. A significant aspect of the proposed 3D PAKE protocol is, client side complexity has been reduced to a greater extent in terms of computation and communication. Both theoretically and practically, 3D PAKE protocol is the first demonstrable secure two-server PAKE protocol that breaks the assumptions of the Yang et al. and Yi et al. protocol that the two servers must not compromise together. Computational complexity, communication complexity, security key principles, best of all attacks happening dubiously are considered as the evaluation parameters to compare the performance of the proposed 3D PAKE protocol.
El juicio por jurado en las constituciones de México
Authors: González Oropeza Manuel
Published: January 2020

El juicio por jurado fue objeto de recurrentes discusiones en el constitucionalismo mexicano del siglo XIX. Eventualmente la institución quedó al margen de las tendencias predominantes, pero aun así no dejó de aparecer en el marco constitucional actual, como lo muestra la fracción VI del artículo 20 de la Constitución General de la República. En el presente ensayo se hace una reseña del debate en torno al juicio por jurado, tal y como se diera en el Congreso Constituyente de 1856, así como en el proceso de discusión de la Ley de Amparo de 1869. Se da cuenta de los distintos argumentos que se dieron, a favor y en contra de dicha institución, por Ignacio L. Vallara, Francisco Zarco e Ignacio Ramírez, entre otros. El ensayo concluye haciendo referencia a la actualidad constitucional del juicio por jurado y a su potencialidad en materias distintas a la protección de la libertad de prensa.
Compétences de la Cour Constitutionnelle: modèle ukrainien
Authors: Martinenko Petro
Published: January 2020

El autor expone la integración, competencia, funciones y desempeño de la Corte Constitucional de Ucrania, establecida en octubre de 1996 y en funciones a partir de abril de 1997. En su análisis, que comprende tanto las facultades vinculatorias (decisiones) como las no vinculatorias (opiniones) de la Corte, los límites de su competencia, las formas de control y el principio de no retroactividad de sus decisiones, el autor utiliza extensivamente referencias a los casos en que se ha intervenido y sentado un precedente. Resulta especialmente interesante el análisis de la doctrina, elaborada por la Corte, de la "oportunidad política", así como su rechazo a completar las lagunas legislativas.