bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Study on the Customized Design Criteria of Pedestrians’ Specifications Using a Dimensionless Number
Authors: Roh Chang-Gyun , Park Bum-Jin
Published: November 2021

Worldwide, the population is aging at a gradually increasing speed, due to a decrease in the population and the development of medical facilities and technology. Due to the rapid aging of the population, social infrastructure will also need to be transformed into convenient facilities for the elderly. Walking facilities have been manufactured based on body size measured for general adults. Accordingly, it is necessary to prepare a new design standard suitable for the characteristics of the elderly. It is very difficult to establish standardized values for the elderly because there is a large difference in gait characteristics as well as body size. Therefore, in this study, gait characteristics were measured for the elderly with the standard physique of the elderly in Korea, and the measured gait characteristic variable values were converted into dimensionless numbers to calculate coefficients with more representativeness. The calculated coefficient is expected to be more universally applied and utilized because factors that may affect it depending on the size of the body are removed. When designing a walking facility, the average body size is applied to convert it back into necessary walking attribute information (including units), and this is presented as an example from Korea. It is expected that the presented results can be used to design more suitable and safe pedestrian facilities for an aging society.
CFD-Based In-Depth Investigation of the Effects of the Shape and Layout of a Vortex Generator on the Aerodynamic Performance of a Multi-MW Wind Turbine
Authors: Moon Hyeon-Gi , Park Sunho , Ha Kwangtae , Jeong Jae-Ho
Published: November 2021

Thick airfoils are conventionally adopted in the blade root region of a wind turbine to ensure structural safety under extreme conditions, despite the resulting power loss. To prevent this loss, a passive flow control device known as a vortex generator (VG) is installed at the starting point of the stall to control the flow field near the wall of the suction surface. In this study, we used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics induced as a result of the shape and layout of the VG on a multi-MW wind turbine blade. The separated and vortical flow behavior on the suction surface of the wind turbine blade equipped with VGs was captured by the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) steady-flow simulation. The parametric sensitivity study of the VG shape parameters such as the chord-wise length, height, and interval of the fair of VGs was conducted using thick DU airfoil on the blade inboard area. Based on these results, the response surface method (RSM) was used to investigate the influence of the design parameters of the VG. Based on the CFD results, the VG design parameters were selected by considering the lift coefficient and vorticity above the trailing edge. The maximum vorticity from the trailing edge of the selected VG and the lift coefficient were 55.7% and 0.42% higher, respectively, than the average. The selected VG design and layout were adopted for a multi-MW wind turbine and reduced stall occurrence in the blade root area, as predicted by the simulation results. The VG improved the aerodynamic performance of the multi-MW wind turbine by 2.8% at the rated wind speed.
A Novel Constraints Model of Credibility-Fuzzy for Reliability Redundancy Allocation Problem by Simplified Swarm Optimization
Authors: Lin Hota Chia-Sheng , Huang Chia-Ling , Yeh Wei-Chang
Published: November 2021

A novel constraints model of credibility-fuzzy for the reliability redundancy allocation problem (RRAP) is studied in this work. The RRAP that must simultaneously decide reliability and redundancy of components is an effective approach in improving the system reliability. In practice various systems, the uncertainty condition of components used in the systems, which few studies have noticed this state over the years, is a concrete fact due to several reasons such as production conditions, different batches of raw materials, time reasons, and climatic factors. Therefore, this study adopts the fuzzy theory and credibility theory to solve the components uncertainty in the constraints of RRAP including cost, weight, and volume. Moreover, the simplified swarm optimization (SSO) algorithm has been adopted to solve the fuzzy constraints of RRAP. The effectiveness and performance of SSO algorithm have been experimented by four famous benchmarks of RRAP.
Perspectives towards Sub-Ångström Working Regime of the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser with Low-Emittance Electron Beams
Authors: Chen Ye , Brinker Frank , Decking Winfried , Scholz Matthias , Winkelmann Lutz
Published: November 2021

Sub-ångström working regime refers to a working state of free-electron lasers which allows the generation of hard X-rays at a photon wavelength of 1 ångström and below, that is, a photon energy of 12.5 keV and above. It is demonstrated that the accelerators of the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser can provide highly energetic electron beams of up to 17.5 GeV. Along with long variable-gap undulators, the facility offers superior conditions for exploring self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) in the sub-ångström regime. However, the overall FEL performance relies quantitatively on achievable electron beam qualities through a kilometers-long accelerator beamline. Low-emittance electron beam production and the associated start-to-end beam physics thus becomes a prerequisite to dig in the potentials of SASE performance towards higher photon energies. In this article, we present the obtained results on electron beam qualities produced with different accelerating gradients of 40 MV/m–56 MV/m at the cathode, as well as the final beam qualities in front of the undulators via start-to-end simulations considering realistic conditions. SASE studies in the sub-ångström regime, using optimized electron beams, are carried out at varied energy levels according to the present state of the facility, that is, a pulsed mode operating with a 10 Hz-repetition 0.65 ms-long bunch train energized to 14 GeV and 17.5 GeV. Millijoule-level SASE intensity is obtained at a photon energy of 25 keV at 14 GeV electron beam energy using a gain length of about 7 m. At 17.5 GeV, half-millijoule lasing is achieved at 40 keV. Lasing at up to 50 keV is demonstrated with pulse energies in the range of a few hundreds and tens of microjoules with existing undulators and currently achievable electron beam qualities.
Experimental Investigation of Vertical Density Profile of Medium Density Fiberboard in Hot Press
Authors: Minhas Asfar Hameed , Ullah Naveed , Riaz Asim Ahmad , Siddiqi Muftooh Ur Rehman , Abualnaja Khamael M. , Althubeiti Khaled , Muhammad Riaz
Published: November 2021

This research investigates the performance of medium density fiberboard (MDF) with respect to hot press parameters. The performance of the board, type of glue, and production efficiency determine the optimum temperature and pressure for hot pressing. The actual temperature of the hot press inside the MDF board determines the properties of the final product. Hence, the optimal hot press parameters for the desired product are experimentally obtained. Moreover, MDF is experimentally investigated in terms of its vertical density profile, bending, and internal bonding under the various input parameters of temperature, pressure, cycle time, and moisture content during the manufacturing process. The experimental study is carried out by varying the temperature, pressure, cycle time, and moisture content in the ranges of 200–220 °C, 145–155 bar, 260–275 s, and 8–10%, respectively. Consequently, the optimum input parameters of a hot-pressing temperature of 220 °C, pressure of 155 bar, cycle time of 256 s, and moisture content of 8% are identified for the required internal bonding (0.64 N/mm2), bending (32 N/mm2), and increase in both the core and peak density of the vertical density profile as per the ASTM standard.
Automatic Ontology-Based Model Evolution for Learning Changes in Dynamic Environments
Authors: Jabla Roua , Khemaja Maha , Buendia Félix , Faiz Sami
Published: November 2021

Knowledge engineering relies on ontologies, since they provide formal descriptions of real-world knowledge. However, ontology development is still a nontrivial task. From the view of knowledge engineering, ontology learning is helpful in generating ontologies semi-automatically or automatically from scratch. It not only improves the efficiency of the ontology development process but also has been recognized as an interesting approach for extending preexisting ontologies with new knowledge discovered from heterogenous forms of input data. Driven by the great potential of ontology learning, we present an automatic ontology-based model evolution approach to account for highly dynamic environments at runtime. This approach can extend initial models expressed as ontologies to cope with rapid changes encountered in surrounding dynamic environments at runtime. The main contribution of our presented approach is that it analyzes heterogeneous semi-structured input data for learning an ontology, and it makes use of the learned ontology to extend an initial ontology-based model. Within this approach, we aim to automatically evolve an initial ontology-based model through the ontology learning approach. Therefore, this approach is illustrated using a proof-of-concept implementation that demonstrates the ontology-based model evolution at runtime. Finally, a threefold evaluation process of this approach is carried out to assess the quality of the evolved ontology-based models. First, we consider a feature-based evaluation for evaluating the structure and schema of the evolved models. Second, we adopt a criteria-based evaluation to assess the content of the evolved models. Finally, we perform an expert-based evaluation to assess an initial and evolved models’ coverage from an expert’s point of view. The experimental results reveal that the quality of the evolved models is relevant in considering the changes observed in the surrounding dynamic environments at runtime.
A Practical and Adaptive Approach to Predicting Indoor CO2
Authors: Segala Giacomo , Doriguzzi-Corin Roberto , Peroni Claudio , Gazzini Tommaso , Siracusa Domenico
Published: November 2021

COVID-19 has underlined the importance of monitoring indoor air quality (IAQ) to guarantee safe conditions in enclosed environments. Due to its strict correlation with human presence, carbon dioxide (CO2) represents one of the pollutants that most affects environmental health. Therefore, forecasting future indoor CO2 plays a central role in taking preventive measures to keep CO2 level as low as possible. Unlike other research that aims to maximize the prediction accuracy, typically using data collected over many days, in this work we propose a practical approach for predicting indoor CO2 using a limited window of recent environmental data (i.e., temperature; humidity; CO2 of, e.g., a room, office or shop) for training neural network models, without the need for any kind of model pre-training. After just a week of data collection, the error of predictions was around 15 parts per million (ppm), which should enable the system to regulate heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems accurately. After a month of data we reduced the error to about 10 ppm, thereby achieving a high prediction accuracy in a short time from the beginning of the data collection. Once the desired mobile window size is reached, the model can be continuously updated by sliding the window over time, in order to guarantee long-term performance.
Vehicle State Estimation Using Interacting Multiple Model Based on Square Root Cubature Kalman Filter
Authors: Wenkang Wan , Jingan Feng , Bao Song , Xinxin Li
Published: November 2021

The distributed drive arrangement form has better potential for cooperative control of dynamics, but this drive arrangement form increases the parameter acquisition workload of the control system and increases the difficulty of vehicle control accordingly. In order to observe the vehicle motion state accurately and in real-time, while reducing the effect of uncertainty in noise statistical information, the vehicle state observer is designed based on interacting multiple model theory with square root cubature Kalman filter (IMM-SCKF). The IMM-SCKF algorithm sub-model considers different state noise and measurement noise, and the introduction of the square root filter reduces the complexity of the algorithm while ensuring accuracy and real-time performance. To estimate the vehicle longitudinal, lateral, and yaw motion states, the algorithm uses a three degree of freedom (3-DOF) vehicle dynamics model and a nonlinear brush tire model, which is then validated in a Carsim-Simulink co-simulation platform for multiple operating conditions. The results show that the IMM-SCKF algorithm’s fusion output results can effectively follow the sub-model with smaller output errors, and that the IMM-SCKF algorithm’s results are superior to the traditional SCKF algorithm’s results.
Skull Vibration Induced Nystagmus Test: Correlations with Semicircular Canal and Otolith Asymmetries
Authors: Fabre Christol , Tan Haoyue , Dumas Georges , Giraud Ludovic , Perrin Philippe , Schmerber Sébastien
Published: November 2021

Background: To establish in patients with peripheral vestibular disorders relations between skull vibration-induced nystagmus (SVIN) different components (horizontal, vertical, torsional) and the results of different structurally related vestibular tests. Methods: SVIN test, canal vestibular test (CVT: caloric test + video head impulse test: VHIT), otolithic vestibular test (OVT: ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential oVEMP + cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential cVEMP) performed on the same day in 52 patients with peripheral vestibular diseases (age < 65 years), and 11 control patients were analyzed. Mixed effects logistic regression analysis was performed to assert whether the presence of nystagmus in SVIN (3D analysis) have an association with the presence of peripheral vestibular dysfunction measured by vestibular explorations (CVT or OVT). Results: We obtained different groups: Group-Co (control group), Group-VNT (dizzy patients with no vestibular tests alterations), Group-O (OVT alterations only), Group-C (CVT alterations only), Group-M (mixed alterations). SVIN-SPV horizontal component was significantly higher in Group-M than in the other groups (p = 0.005) and correlated with alterations of lateral-VHIT (p < 0.001), caloric test (p = 0.002) and oVEMP (p = 0.006). SVIN-SPV vertical component was correlated with the anterior-VHIT and oVEMP alterations (p = 0.007; p = 0.017, respectively). SVIN-SPV torsional component was correlated with the anterior-VHIT positivity (p = 0.017). SVIN was the only positive test for 10% of patients (83% of Group-VNT). Conclusion: SVIN-SPV analysis in dizzy patients shows significant correlation to both CVT and OVT. SVIN horizontal component is mainly relevant to both vestibular tests exploring lateral canal and utricle responses. SVIN-SPV is significantly higher in patients with combined canal and otolith lesions. In some patients with dizziness, SVIN may be the only positive test.
On the Monoid of Unital Endomorphisms of a Boolean Ring
Authors: Al Subaiei Bana , Jarboui Noômen
Published: November 2021

Let X be a nonempty set and P(X) the power set of X. The aim of this paper is to provide an explicit description of the monoid End1P(X)(P(X)) of unital ring endomorphisms of the Boolean ring P(X) and the automorphism group Aut(P(X)) when X is finite. Among other facts, it is shown that if X has cardinality n≥1, then End1P(X)(P(X))≅Tnop, where Tn is the full transformation monoid on the set X and Aut(P(X))≅Sn.
Zebrafish Model to Study Angiotensin II-Mediated Pathophysiology
Authors: Joshi Bhagyashri , Wagh Ganesh , Kaur Harmandeep , Patra Chinmoy
Published: November 2021

Hypertension, a common chronic condition, may damage multiple organs, including the kidney, heart, and brain. Thus, it is essential to understand the pathology upon ectopic activation of the molecular pathways involved in mammalian hypertension to develop strategies to manage hypertension. Animal models play a crucial role in unraveling the disease pathophysiology by allowing incisive experimental procedures impossible in humans. Zebrafish, a small freshwater fish, have emerged as an important model system to study human diseases. The primary effector, Angiotensin II of the RAS pathway, regulates hemodynamic pressure overload mediated cardiovascular pathogenesis in mammals. There are various established mammalian models available to study pathophysiology in Angiotensin II-induced hypertension. Here, we have developed a zebrafish model to study pathogenesis by Angiotensin II. We find that intradermal Angiotensin II injection every 12 h can induce cardiac remodeling in seven days. We show that Angiotensin II injection in adult zebrafish causes cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and enhances cardiac cell proliferation. In addition, Angiotensin II induces ECM protein-coding gene expression and fibrosis in the cardiac ventricles. Thus, this study can conclude that Angiotensin II injection in zebrafish has similar implications as mammals, and zebrafish can be a model to study pathophysiology associated with AngII-RAS signaling.
Integrated Genomic Analysis Identifies ANKRD36 Gene as a Novel and Common Biomarker of Disease Progression in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Iqbal Zafar , Absar Muhammad , Akhtar Tanveer , Aleem Aamer , Jameel Abid , Basit Sulman , Ullah Anhar , Afzal Sibtain , Ramzan Khushnooda , Rasool Mahmood , Karim Sajjad , Mirza Zeenat , Iqbal Mudassar , AlMajed Maryam , AlShehab Buthinah , AlMukhaylid Sarah , AlMutairi Nouf , Al-anazi Nawaf , Sabar Muhammad Farooq , Arshad Muhammad , Asif Muhammad , Shammas Masood , Mahmood Amer
Published: November 2021

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is initiated in bone marrow due to chromosomal translocation t(9;22) leading to fusion oncogene BCR-ABL. Targeting BCR-ABL by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has changed fatal CML into an almost curable disease. Despite that, TKIs lose their effectiveness due to disease progression. Unfortunately, the mechanism of CML progression is poorly understood and common biomarkers for CML progression are unavailable. This study was conducted to find novel biomarkers of CML progression by employing whole-exome sequencing (WES). Materials and Methods: WES of accelerated phase (AP) and blast crisis (BC) CML patients was carried out, with chronic-phase CML (CP-CML) patients as control. After DNA library preparation and exome enrichment, clustering and sequencing were carried out using Illumina platforms. Statistical analysis was carried out using SAS/STAT software version 9.4, and R package was employed to find mutations shared exclusively by all AP-/BC-CML patients. Confirmation of mutations was carried out using Sanger sequencing and protein structure modeling using I-TASSER followed by mutant generation and visualization using PyMOL. Results: Three novel genes (ANKRD36, ANKRD36B and PRSS3) were mutated exclusively in all AP-/BC-CML patients. Only ANKRD36 gene mutations (c.1183_1184 delGC and c.1187_1185 dupTT) were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Protein modeling studies showed that mutations induce structural changes in ANKRD36 protein. Conclusions: Our studies show that ANKRD36 is a potential common biomarker and drug target of early CML progression. ANKRD36 is yet uncharacterized in humans. It has the highest expression in bone marrow, specifically myeloid cells. We recommend carrying out further studies to explore the role of ANKRD36 in the biology and progression of CML.
Clinical Relevance of Elevated Soluble ST2, HSP27 and 20S Proteasome at Hospital Admission in Patients with COVID-19
Authors: Wendt Ralph , Lingitz Marie-Therese , Laggner Maria , Mildner Michael , Traxler Denise , Graf Alexandra , Krotka Pavla , Moser Bernhard , Hoetzenecker Konrad , Kalbitz Sven , Lübbert Christoph , Beige Joachim , Ankersmit Hendrik Jan
Published: November 2021

Although, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) represents one of the biggest challenges in the world today, the exact immunopathogenic mechanism that leads to severe or critical Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has remained incompletely understood. Several studies have indicated that high systemic plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines result in the so-called “cytokine storm”, with subsequent development of microthrombosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and multiorgan-failure. Therefore, we reasoned those elevated inflammatory molecules might act as prognostic factors. Here, we analyzed 245 serum samples of patients with COVID-19, collected at hospital admission. We assessed the levels of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), soluble suppressor of tumorigenicity-2 (sST2) and 20S proteasome at hospital admission and explored their associations with overall-, 30-, 60-, 90-day- and in-hospital mortality. Moreover, we investigated their association with the risk of ventilation. We demonstrated that increased serum sST2 was uni- and multivariably associated with all endpoints. Furthermore, we also identified 20S proteasome as independent prognostic factor for in-hospital mortality (sST2, AUC = 0.73; HSP27, AUC = 0.59; 20S proteasome = 0.67). Elevated sST2, HSP27, and 20S proteasome levels at hospital admission were univariably associated with higher risk of invasive ventilation (OR = 1.8; p < 0.001; OR = 1.1; p = 0.04; OR = 1.03, p = 0.03, respectively). These findings could help to identify high-risk patients early in the course of COVID-19.
Revealing Topological Barriers against Knot Untying in Thermal and Mechanical Protein Unfolding by Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Xu Yan , Kang Runshan , Ren Luyao , Yang Lin , Yue Tongtao
Published: November 2021

The knot is one of the most remarkable topological features identified in an increasing number of proteins with important functions. However, little is known about how the knot is formed during protein folding, and untied or maintained in protein unfolding. By means of all-atom molecular dynamics simulation, here we employ methyltransferase YbeA as the knotted protein model to analyze changes of the knotted conformation coupled with protein unfolding under thermal and mechanical denaturing conditions. Our results show that the trefoil knot in YbeA is occasionally untied via knot loosening rather than sliding under enhanced thermal fluctuations. Through correlating protein unfolding with changes in the knot position and size, several aspects of barriers that jointly suppress knot untying are revealed. In particular, protein unfolding is always prior to knot untying and starts preferentially from separation of two α-helices (α1 and α5), which protect the hydrophobic core consisting of β-sheets (β1–β4) from exposure to water. These β-sheets form a loop through which α5 is threaded to form the knot. Hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding interactions inside the core stabilize the loop against loosening. In addition, residues at N-terminal of α5 define a rigid turning to impede α5 from sliding out of the loop. Site mutations are designed to specifically eliminate these barriers, and easier knot untying is achieved under the same denaturing conditions. These results provide new molecular level insights into the folding/unfolding of knotted proteins.
Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine as a Molecular Physiological and Pathological Biomarker
Authors: Ghanemi Abdelaziz , Yoshioka Mayumi , St-Amand Jonny
Published: November 2021

Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is expressed in diverse tissues and plays roles in various biological functions and processes. Increased serum levels of SPARC or its gene overexpression have been reported following numerous physiological and pathological changes including injuries, exercise, regeneration, obesity, cancer, and inflammation. Such expression pattern interrelation between these biological changes and the SPARC expression/secretion points to it as a biomarker. This property could lead to a variety of potential applications ranging from mechanistic studies and animal model validation to the clinical and therapeutic evaluation of both disease prognosis and pharmacological agents.
Screening Plasma Exosomal RNAs as Diagnostic Markers for Cervical Cancer: An Analysis of Patients Who Underwent Primary Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Cho Oyeon , Kim Do-Wan , Cheong Jae-Youn
Published: November 2021

This preliminary study aimed to screen non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) from plasma exosomes as a new method for cervical cancer diagnosis. Differentially expressed RNAs were initially selected from among a group of 12 healthy individuals (normal group) and a pretreatment group of 30 patients with cervical cancer (cancer group). Then, we analyzed the association between an ncRNA-mRNA network and cancer using ingenuity pathway analysis after secondary selection according to the number and correlation of mRNAs (or ncRNAs) relative to changes in the expression of primarily selected ncRNAs (or mRNAs) before and after chemoradiotherapy. The number of RNAs selected from the initial RNAs was one from 13 miRNAs, four from 42 piRNAs, four from 28 lncRNAs, nine from 18 snoRNAs, 10 from 76 snRNAs, nine from 474 tRNAs, nine from 64 yRNAs, and five from 67 mRNAs. The combination of miRNA (miR-142-3p), mRNAs (CXCL5, KIF2A, RGS18, APL6IP5, and DAPP1), and snoRNAs (SNORD17, SCARNA12, SNORA6, SNORA12, SCRNA1, SNORD97, SNORD62, and SNORD38A) clearly distinguished the normal samples from the cancer group samples. We present a method for efficiently screening eight classes of RNAs isolated from exosomes for cervical cancer diagnosis using mRNAs (or ncRNAs) altered by chemoradiotherapy.
Evolutionary and Molecular Aspects of Plastid Endosymbioses
Authors: Oborník Miroslav , Füssy Zoltán
Published: November 2021

Plastids are membrane-bound organelles that bestow phototrophic abilities to eukaryotes [...]
p53-Mediated Radiosensitization of 177Lu-DOTATATE in Neuroblastoma Tumor Spheroids
Authors: Lundsten Sara , Berglund Hanna , Jha Preeti , Krona Cecilia , Hariri Mehran , Nelander Sven , Lane David P. , Nestor Marika
Published: November 2021

p53 is involved in DNA damage response and is an exciting target for radiosensitization in cancer. Targeted radionuclide therapy against somatostatin receptors with 177Lu-DOTATATE is currently being explored as a treatment for neuroblastoma. The aim of this study was to investigate the novel p53-stabilizing peptide VIP116 in neuroblastoma, both as monotherapy and together with 177Lu-DOTATATE. Five neuroblastoma cell lines, including two patient-derived xenograft (PDX) lines, were characterized in monolayer cultures. Four out of five were positive for 177Lu-DOTATATE uptake. IC50 values after VIP116 treatments correlated with p53 status, ranging between 2.8–238.2 μM. IMR-32 and PDX lines LU-NB-1 and LU-NB-2 were then cultured as multicellular tumor spheroids and treated with 177Lu-DOTATATE and/or VIP116. Spheroid growth was inhibited in all spheroid models for all treatment modalities. The most pronounced effects were observed for combination treatments, mediating synergistic effects in the IMR-32 model. VIP116 and combination treatment increased p53 levels with subsequent induction of p21, Bax and cleaved caspase 3. Combination treatment resulted in a 14-fold and 1.6-fold induction of MDM2 in LU-NB-2 and IMR-32 spheroids, respectively. This, together with differential MYCN signaling, may explain the varying degree of synergy. In conclusion, VIP116 inhibited neuroblastoma cell growth, potentiated 177Lu-DOTATATE treatment and could, therefore, be a feasible treatment option for neuroblastoma.
Nanoscale Sub-Compartmentalization of the Dendritic Spine Compartment
Authors: Vallés Ana Sofía , Barrantes Francisco J.
Published: November 2021

Compartmentalization of the membrane is essential for cells to perform highly specific tasks and spatially constrained biochemical functions in topographically defined areas. These membrane lateral heterogeneities range from nanoscopic dimensions, often involving only a few molecular constituents, to micron-sized mesoscopic domains resulting from the coalescence of nanodomains. Short-lived domains lasting for a few milliseconds coexist with more stable platforms lasting from minutes to days. This panoply of lateral domains subserves the great variety of demands of cell physiology, particularly high for those implicated in signaling. The dendritic spine, a subcellular structure of neurons at the receiving (postsynaptic) end of central nervous system excitatory synapses, exploits this compartmentalization principle. In its most frequent adult morphology, the mushroom-shaped spine harbors neurotransmitter receptors, enzymes, and scaffolding proteins tightly packed in a volume of a few femtoliters. In addition to constituting a mesoscopic lateral heterogeneity of the dendritic arborization, the dendritic spine postsynaptic membrane is further compartmentalized into spatially delimited nanodomains that execute separate functions in the synapse. This review discusses the functional relevance of compartmentalization and nanodomain organization in synaptic transmission and plasticity and exemplifies the importance of this parcelization in various neurotransmitter signaling systems operating at dendritic spines, using two fast ligand-gated ionotropic receptors, the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and the glutamatergic receptor, and a second-messenger G-protein coupled receptor, the cannabinoid receptor, as paradigmatic examples.
Fabrication of Co3O4/NiCo2O4 Nanocomposite for Detection of H2O2 and Dopamine
Authors: Liu Tianjiao , Zhang Xiaoyuan , Fu Kun , Zhou Nan , Xiong Jinping , Su Zhiqiang
Published: November 2021

Herein, the Co3O4/NiCo2O4 nanocomposite has been prepared as a novel electrochemical sensor to accurately detect hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and glucose. ZIF-67 is a metal-organic framework (MOF) with Co as the center metal ion. Co3O4 can be obtained by calcination of ZIF-67 at 700 °C, which can retain the structure of ZIF-67. The hollow Co3O4 nanocrystal was synthesized based on a calcination process of ZIF-67. This open structure can promote the whole Co3O4/NiCo2O4 nanocomposite larger accessible surface area and reactive sites. Co3O4 has good electrocatalytic performance, which has been applied in many fields. Moreover, H2O2 and dopamine sensing tests indicate that the as-prepared non-enzymatic electrochemical biosensor has good detection properties. The testing results indicate the as-prepared biosensor has a wide detection range, low detection limit, high selectivity, and long-term stability. These testing results suggest the potential application in food security, biomedicine, environmental detection, and pharmaceutical analysis.
Evaluating the Vertical Extension Module of a Building with Installed Rotary Dampers at Joints
Authors: Heo Seokjae , Na Seunguk , Hur Moo-Won , Lee Sanghyun
Published: November 2021

In this study, the shape of a vertical expansion module with a rotary-type damping device is proposed. The external energy dissipation capacity is confirmed through experiments and the performance of the module is simulated. It can be easily applied to high-rise structures, as the module is directly supported by the bearing walls without the need for a separate base system. Additionally, as the damper can be replaced, it is possible to enhance seismic performance even after construction. The simulation results show that the rotary-type damper is more effective in reducing the displacement, shear force, and moment than free and fixed joints. In the pushover analysis of a system modeled using the moment hinge of the rotary damper of the joint, the best response reduction effect is obtained when the yield moment of the hinge is defined as 1% of the frame plastic moment. As a result of the analysis of the multi-degree-of-freedom system considering a harmonic load, we determined that it is efficient for the hinge to yield after the displacement, and the acceleration response of the resonant structure reaches steady state during the installation. In the multi-degree-of-freedom system with slab joints added to the analytical model, the displacement response decreased gradually as the natural period of the structure decreased and the joint increased. This provides evidence that the damper does not affect the overall behavior of the structure. The most important design factor of the rotary-type friction damper, shown through the experiment, is the relationship between the frictional surface and the tightening force of the bolt.
Fire Protection of Steel Structures with Epoxy Coatings under Cryogenic Exposure
Authors: Gravit Marina , Klementev Boris , Shabunina Daria
Published: November 2021

Cases of fire with highly flammable, combustible liquids and combustible gases with high potential heat emission at oil and gas facilities are assumed to develop as a hydrocarbon fire, which is characterized by the temperature rising rapidly up to 1093 ± 56 °C within five minutes from the test start and staying within the same range throughout the test, as well as by overpressure being generated. Although various fireproof coating systems are commonly used to protect steel structures from high temperatures, a combination of fire protection and cryogenic spillage protection, i.e., protection from liquefied natural gas (LNG), is rather an international practice novelty regulated by standards ISO 20088. Thanks to their outstanding features, i.e., ability to sustain chemical and climatic impact, these epoxy-based materials are able to ensure positive fireproof performance for steel structures in the case of potential cryogenic impact. The article discusses tests on steel structures coated with epoxy fireproof compounds, specifically PREGRAD-EP, OGRAX-SKE and Chartek 2218. The test records show the time from the start of cryogenic exposure to the said sample reaching the limit state, as well as the time from the start of heat impact to the sample reaching the limit state in case of hydrocarbon fire temperature.
Photocatalytic Properties of a Novel Keratin char-TiO2 Composite Films Made through the Calcination of Wool Keratin Coatings Containing TiO2 Precursors
Authors: Zhang Jinyuan , Zhang Hui , Li Wenjun , Yang Limeng , Wu Hailiang , Mao Ningtao
Published: November 2021

In this study, the photocatalytic properties of novel keratin char-TiO2 composite films, made through the calcination of wool keratin coatings containing TiO2 precursors at 400 °C, were investigated for the photodegradation of organic contaminants under visible light irradiation. Its structural characteristics and photocatalytic performance were systematically examined. It was shown that a self-cleaning hydrophobic keratin char-TiO2 composite film containing meso- and micro-pores was formed after the keratin—TiO2 precursors coating was calcined. In comparison with calcinated TiO2 films, the keratin char-TiO2 composite films doped with the elements of C, N, and S from keratins resulted in decreased crystallinity and a larger water contact angle. The bandgap of the char-TiO2 composite films increased slightly from 3.26 to 3.32 eV, and its separation of photogenerated charge carriers was inhibited to a certain degree. However, it exhibited higher photodegradation efficiency to methyl blue (MB) effluents than the pure calcinated TiO2 films. This was mainly because of its special porous structure, large water contact angle, and high adsorption energy towards organic pollutants, confirmed by the density functional theory calculations. The main active species were 1O2 radicals in the MB photodegradation process.
Homogeneous Catalyzed Valorization of Furanics: A Sustainable Bridge to Fuels and Chemicals
Authors: Padilla Rosa , Koranchalil Sakhitha , Nielsen Martin
Published: November 2021

The development of efficient biomass valorization is imperative for the future sustainable production of chemicals and fuels. Particularly, the last decade has witnessed the development of a plethora of effective and selective transformations of bio-based furanics using homogeneous organometallic catalysis under mild conditions. In this review, we describe some of the advances regarding the conversion of target furanics into value chemicals, monomers for high-performance polymers and materials, and pharmaceutical key intermediates using homogeneous catalysis. Finally, the incorporation of furanic skeletons into complex chemical architectures by multifunctionalization routes is also described.
Enzymatic Bioelectrocatalysis
Authors: Lojou Elisabeth , Xiao Xinxin
Published: November 2021

Enzymatic bioelectrocatalysis relies on immobilizing oxidoreductases on electrode surfaces, leading to different applications, such as biosensors [...]
Local Structure of Pd1 Single Sites on the Surface of PdIn Intermetallic Nanoparticles: A Combined DFT and CO-DRIFTS Study
Authors: Smirnova Nadezhda S. , Mashkovsky Igor S. , Markov Pavel V. , Bukhtiyarov Andrey V. , Baeva Galina N. , Falsig Hanne , Stakheev Alexander Y.
Published: November 2021

Local structure of Pd1 single sites on the surface of Pd1In1 intermetallic nanoparticles supported on α-Al2O3 was investigated by the combination of CO-DRIFTS spectroscopy and DFT. CO-DRIFTS spectra of PdIn/Al2O3 catalyst exhibit only one asymmetric absorption band of linearly adsorbed CO comprising two peaks at 2065 and 2055 cm−1 attributable to CO molecules coordinated to Pd1 sites located at (110) and (111) facets of PdIn nanoparticles. The absence of bridged or hollow-bonded CO bands indicates that multipoint adsorption on PdIn nanoparticles is significantly hindered or impossible. DFT results show that on (110) facet multipoint CO adsorption is hindered due to large distance between neighboring Pd atoms (3.35 Å). On (111) facet multipoint CO adsorption on surface palladium atoms is impossible, since adjacent Pd atoms are located below the surface plane.
MiR 208a Regulates Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Metabolically Challenged Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Mekala Naveen , Kurdys Jacob , Vicenzi Alexis Paige , Weiler Leana Rose , Avramut Carmen , Vazquez Edwin J. , Ragina Neli , Rosca Mariana G.
Published: November 2021

Metabolic syndrome increases the risk for cardiovascular disease including metabolic cardiomyopathy that may progress to heart failure. The decline in mitochondrial metabolism is considered a critical pathogenic mechanism that drives this progression. Considering its cardiac specificity, we hypothesized that miR 208a regulates the bioenergetic metabolism in human cardiomyocytes exposed to metabolic challenges. We screened in silico for potential miR 208a targets focusing on mitochondrial outcomes, and we found that mRNA species for mediator complex subunit 7, mitochondrial ribosomal protein 28, stanniocalcin 1, and Sortin nexin 10 are rescued by the CRISPR deletion of miR 208a in human SV40 cardiomyocytes exposed to metabolic challenges (high glucose and high albumin-bound palmitate). These mRNAs translate into proteins that are involved in nuclear transcription, mitochondrial translation, mitochondrial integrity, and protein trafficking. MiR 208a suppression prevented the decrease in myosin heavy chain α isoform induced by the metabolic stress suggesting protection against a decrease in cardiac contractility. MiR 208a deficiency opposed the decrease in the mitochondrial biogenesis signaling pathway, mtDNA, mitochondrial markers, and respiratory properties induced by metabolic challenges. The benefit of miR 208a suppression on mitochondrial function was canceled by the reinsertion of miR 208a. In summary, miR 208a regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and function in cardiomyocytes exposed to diabetic conditions. MiR 208a may be a therapeutic target to promote mitochondrial biogenesis in chronic diseases associated with mitochondrial defects.
The Vertical and Horizontal Pathways in the Monkey Retina Are Modulated by Typical and Atypical Cannabinoid Receptors
Authors: Bouskila Joseph , Bleau Maxime , Micaelo-Fernandes Catarina , Bouchard Jean-François , Ptito Maurice
Published: November 2021

The endocannabinoid (eCB) system has been found in all visual parts of the central ner-vous system and plays a role in the processing of visual information in many species, including monkeys and humans. Using anatomical methods, cannabinoid receptors are present in the monkey retina, particularly in the vertical glutamatergic pathway, and also in the horizontal GABAergic pathway. Modulating the eCB system regulates normal retinal function as demonstrated by electrophysiological recordings. The characterization of the expression patterns of all types of cannabinoid receptors in the retina is progressing, and further research is needed to elucidate their exact role in processing visual information. Typical cannabinoid receptors include G-protein coupled receptor CB1R and CB2R, and atypical cannabinoid receptors include the G-protein coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) and the ion channel transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). This review focuses on the expression and localization studies carried out in monkeys, but some data on other animal species and humans will also be reported. Furthermore, the role of the endogenous cannabinoid receptors in retinal function will also be presented using intraocular injections of known modulators (agonists and antagonists) on electroretinographic patterns in monkeys. The effects of the natural bioactive lipid lysophosphatidylglucoside and synthetic FAAH inhibitor URB597 on retinal function, will also be described. Finally, the potential of typical and atypical cannabinoid receptor acti-vity regulation in retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and retinitis pigmentosa will be briefly explored.
Mechanisms of Plasticity in Subcortical Visual Areas
Authors: Duménieu Maël , Marquèze-Pouey Béatrice , Russier Michaël , Debanne Dominique
Published: November 2021

Visual plasticity is classically considered to occur essentially in the primary and secondary cortical areas. Subcortical visual areas such as the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) or the superior colliculus (SC) have long been held as basic structures responsible for a stable and defined function. In this model, the dLGN was considered as a relay of visual information travelling from the retina to cortical areas and the SC as a sensory integrator orienting body movements towards visual targets. However, recent findings suggest that both dLGN and SC neurons express functional plasticity, adding unexplored layers of complexity to their previously attributed functions. The existence of neuronal plasticity at the level of visual subcortical areas redefines our approach of the visual system. The aim of this paper is therefore to review the cellular and molecular mechanisms for activity-dependent plasticity of both synaptic transmission and cellular properties in subcortical visual areas.
What Do We Have to Know about PD-L1 Expression in Prostate Cancer? A Systematic Literature Review. Part 1: Focus on Immunohistochemical Results with Discussion of Pre-Analytical and Interpretation Variables
Authors: Palicelli Andrea , Bonacini Martina , Croci Stefania , Magi-Galluzzi Cristina , Cañete-Portillo Sofia , Chaux Alcides , Bisagni Alessandra , Zanetti Eleonora , De Biase Dario , Melli Beatrice , Sanguedolce Francesca , Ragazzi Moira , Bonasoni Maria Paola , Soriano Alessandra , Ascani Stefano , Zizzo Maurizio , Castro Ruiz Carolina , De Leo Antonio , Giordano Guido , Landriscina Matteo , Carrieri Giuseppe , Cormio Luigi , Berney Daniel M. , Athanazio Daniel , Gandhi Jatin , Cavazza Alberto , Santandrea Giacomo , Tafuni Alessandro , Zanelli Magda
Published: November 2021

Immunotherapy targeting the PD-1–PD-L1 axis yielded good results in treating different immunologically ‘‘hot’’ tumors. A phase II study revealed good therapeutic activity of pembrolizumab in selected prostatic carcinoma (PC)-patients. We performed a systematic literature review (PRISMA guidelines), which analyzes the immunohistochemical expression of PD-L1 in human PC samples and highlights the pre-analytical and interpretation variables. Interestingly, 29% acinar PCs, 7% ductal PCs, and 46% neuroendocrine carcinomas/tumors were PD-L1+ on immunohistochemistry. Different scoring methods or cut-off criteria were applied on variable specimen-types, evaluating tumors showing different clinic-pathologic features. The positivity rate of different PD-L1 antibody clones in tumor cells ranged from 3% (SP142) to 50% (ABM4E54), excluding the single case tested for RM-320. The most tested clone was E1L3N, followed by 22C3 (most used for pembrolizumab eligibility), SP263, SP142, and 28-8, which gave the positivity rates of 35%, 11–41% (depending on different scoring systems), 6%, 3%, and 15%, respectively. Other clones were tested in <200 cases. The PD-L1 positivity rate was usually higher in tumors than benign tissues. It was higher in non-tissue microarray specimens (41–50% vs. 15%), as PC cells frequently showed heterogenous or focal PD-L1-staining. PD-L1 was expressed by immune or stromal cells in 12% and 69% cases, respectively. Tumor heterogeneity, inter-institutional preanalytics, and inter-observer interpretation variability may account for result biases.
Annexin A1 Mimetic Peptide and Piperlongumine: Anti-Inflammatory Profiles in Endotoxin-Induced Uveitis
Authors: Girol Ana Paula , de Freitas Zanon Caroline , Caruso Ícaro Putinhon , de Souza Costa Sara , Souza Helena Ribeiro , Cornélio Marinônio Lopes , Oliani Sonia Maria
Published: November 2021

Uveitis is one of the main causes of blindness worldwide, and therapeutic alternatives are worthy of study. We investigated the effects of piperlongumine (PL) and/or annexin A1 (AnxA1) mimetic peptide Ac2-26 on endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU). Rats were inoculated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and intraperitoneally treated with Ac2-26 (200 µg), PL (200 and 400 µg), or Ac2-26 + PL after 15 min. Then, 24 h after LPS inoculation, leukocytes in aqueous humor, mononuclear cells, AnxA1, formyl peptide receptor (fpr)1, fpr2, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 were evaluated in the ocular tissues, along with inflammatory mediators in the blood and macerated supernatant. Decreased leukocyte influx, levels of inflammatory mediators, and COX-2 expression confirmed the anti-inflammatory actions of the peptide and pointed to the protective effects of PL at higher dosage. However, when PL and Ac2-26 were administered in combination, the inflammatory potential was lost. AnxA1 expression was elevated among groups treated with PL or Ac2-26 + PL but reduced after treatment with Ac2-26. Fpr2 expression was increased only in untreated EIU and Ac2-26 groups. The interaction between Ac2-26 and PL negatively affected the anti-inflammatory action of Ac2-26 or PL. We emphasize that the anti-inflammatory effects of PL can be used as a therapeutic strategy to protect against uveitis.