bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review of Cognitive Radio Smart Grid Communication Infrastructure Systems
Authors: Molokomme Daisy Nkele , Chabalala Chabalala S. , Bokoro Pitshou N.
Published: June 2020

The cognitive smart grid (SG) communication paradigm aims to mitigate quality of service (QoS) issues in obsolete communication architecture associated with the conventional electrical grid. This paradigm entails the integration of advanced information and communication technologies (ICTs) into power grids, enabling a two-way flow of information. However, due to the exponential increase in wireless applications and services, also driven by the deployment of the Internet of Things (IoT) smart devices, SG communication systems are expected to handle large volumes of data. As a result, the operation of SG networks is confronted with the major challenge of managing and processing data in a reliable and secure manner. The existing works in the literature proposed architectures with the objective to mitigate the underlying QoS issues such as latency, bandwidth, data congestion, energy efficiency, etc. In addition, a variety of communication technologies have been analyzed for their capacity to support stringent QoS requirements for diverse SGs environments. This notwithstanding, a standard architecture designed to mitigate the aforementioned issues for SG networks remains a work-in-progress. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the emerging technologies such as cognitive radio networks (CRNs) as part of the Fifth-Generation (5G) mobile technology for reliable communication in SG networks. Furthermore, a hybrid architecture based on the combination of fog computing and cloud computing is proposed. In this architecture, real-time latency-sensitive information is given high priority, with fog edge based servers deployed in close proximity to home area networks (HANs) for preprocessing and analyzing of information collected from smart IoT devices. In comparison to the recent works in the literature, which are mainly based on CRNs and 5G separately, the proposed architecture in this paper incorporates the combination of CRNs and 5G for reliable and efficient communication in SG networks.
Multi-Objective Analysis of a Fixed Solar Shading System in Different Climatic Areas
Authors: Settino Jessica , Carpino Cristina , Perrella Stefania , Arcuri Natale
Published: June 2020

This study tackles the analysis of fixed external solar shading systems. The geometry of a building and of the shading system has been parametrically defined and a genetic optimization analysis has been carried out to identify an architectural solution that would allow the increase of energy savings, through a suitable window-to-wall ratio and an accurate design of the shading device. A multi-objective analysis has been performed with the aim of minimizing the energy consumption for space heating, cooling and artificial lighting, while ensuring the visual comfort of the occupants. The main goal of the study is to explore the influence of climatic context on the optimal design of shading devices. The analysis has been performed for three different latitudes across Europe. In all analyzed cases, a reduction of the annual energy consumption could be achieved, up to 42% if the optimal shading configuration is used. Moreover, the possibility of integrating the shading system with photovoltaic (PV) panels has been considered and the electricity production has been estimated.
Parameter Estimation of Inter-Laminar Fault-Region in Laminated Sheets Through Inverse Approach
Authors: Osemwinyen Osaruyi , Hemeida Ahmed , Martin Floran , Belahcen Anouar , Arkkio Antero
Published: June 2020

Estimating the additional power losses caused by an inter-laminar short circuit in electromagnetic devices using thermal measurements depends on many parameters such as thermal conductivity, heat capacity, convective heat coefficient, and size of the fault points. This paper presents a method for estimating these parameters using experimental measurement and a numerical model. The surface temperature rise due to inter-laminar short circuit fault was obtained using an infrared camera. Based on the initial temperature rise method, the least square non-linear approximation technique was used to determine the best fitting parameters of the fault region from the numerical model. To validate the results obtained, the fault region temperature rise and the total loss of the experimental sample were compared with the numerical model using the obtained parameters for different current supply conditions. The study shows that surface temperature distribution can be used to estimate the inter-laminar short circuit fault parameters and localized losses.
Alterations in Yeast Species Composition of Uninoculated Wine Ferments by the Addition of Sulphur Dioxide
Authors: Cuijvers Kathleen , Van Den Heuvel Steven , Varela Cristian , Rullo Mark , Solomon Mark , Schmidt Simon , Borneman Anthony
Published: June 2020

Uninoculated wine fermentations are conducted by a consortium of wine yeast and bacteria that establish themselves either from the grape surface or from the winery environment. Of the additives that are commonly used by winemakers, sulphur dioxide (SO2) represents the main antimicrobial preservative and its use can have drastic effects on the microbial composition of the fermentation. To investigate the effect of SO2 on the resident yeast community of uninoculated ferments, Chardonnay grape juice from 2018 and 2019 was treated with a variety of SO2 concentrations ranging up to 100 mg/L and was then allowed to undergo fermentation, with the yeast community structure being assessed via high-throughput meta-barcoding (phylotyping). While the addition of SO2 was shown to select against the presence of many species of non-Saccharomyces yeasts, there was a clear and increasing selection for the species Hanseniaspora osmophila as concentrations of SO2 rose above 40 mg/L in fermentations from both vintages. Chemical analysis of the wines resulting from these treatments showed significant increases in acetate esters, and specifically the desirable aroma compound 2-phenylethyl acetate, that accompanied the increase in abundance of H. osmophila. The ability to modulate the yeast community structure of an uninoculated ferment and the resulting chemical composition of the final wine, as demonstrated in this study, represents an important tool for winemakers to begin to be able to influence the organoleptic profile of uninoculated wines.
Cadmium Pollution in the Tourism Environment: A Literature Review
Authors: Mikhailenko Anna V. , Ruban Dmitry A. , Ermolaev Vladimir A. , van Loon A.J. (Tom)
Published: June 2020

Cadmium is a highly-toxic metal, and, its environmental occurrence and human exposure consequently deserve close attention. The insight into the relationships between cadmium and tourism relations has deepened during the past three decades and the research into this relationship is reviewed. For this purpose, 83 relevant publications (mainly articles in international journals) were analyzed. It was found that investigation of Cd in the tourism environment took place in all continents (except Antarctica) and has intensified since the mid-2000s; Chinese researchers are the most active contributors. The Cd occurrence in air, living organisms, sediments, soil, suspended particular matter, water, and of the human environment has been studied. It has become clear that tourism contributes to Cd pollution (particularly, by hotel wastewater and increased traffic), and, vice versa, Cd pollution of beaches, coastal waters, food, urban parks, etc. creates risks for tourists and increases human exposure to this toxic metal. Both mechanisms have received equal attention. Examples concern many places worldwide, with the Mediterranean and Central and Eastern Europe as apparently critical regions. Our significantly incomplete knowledge of the relationships between cadmium and tourism must be ascribed to the common oversimplification of these relationships and to the scarcity or even absence of information supplied by the most important tourist destinations. The present review demonstrates that more studies of heavy metals and, particularly, Cd in the tourism environment are needed.
Plant Extract Treatments Induce Resistance to Bacterial Spot by Tomato Plants for a Sustainable System
Authors: Abo-Elyousr Kamal A. M. , Almasoudi Najeeb M. , Abdelmagid Ahmed W. M. , Roberto Sergio R. , Youssef Khamis
Published: June 2020

The aim of this study is to assess the effect of extracts of Nerium oleander, Eucalyptus chamadulonsis and Citrullus colocynthis against bacterial spot disease of tomato and to investigate the induction of resistance by tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) in order to promote a sustainable management system. The antibacterial activity of aqueous and ethanol plant extracts was tested against Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vesicatoria, isolate PHYXV3, in vitro and in vivo. The highest antibacterial activity in vitro was obtained with C. colocynthis, N. oleander and E. chamadulonsis, respectively. In vivo, ethanol extracts of N. oleander and E. chamadulonsis were more effective than aqueous extracts in reducing pathogen populations on tomato leaves. Under greenhouse conditions, application of the plant extracts at 15% (v/v) to tomato plants significantly reduced disease severity and increased the shoot weight of ‘Super Marmande’ tomato. In most cases, plant extracts significantly increased total phenol and salicylic acid content of tomato plants compared to either healthy or infected ones. In addition, C. colocynthis and E. chamadulonsis extracts significantly increased peroxidase activity while only E. chamadulonsis increased polyphenol oxidase after infection with the causal agent. The results indicated that the plant extracts showed promising antibacterial activity and could be considered an effective tool in integrated management programs for a sustainable system of tomato bacterial spot control.
The Intersection of Islamic Microfinance and Women’s Empowerment: A Case Study of Baitul Maal Wat Tamwil in Indonesia
Authors: Rahayu Ninik Sri
Published: June 2020

It is largely assumed that Islamic microfinance institutions (IMFIs) deal with family empowerment instead of women’s empowerment. However, women are the main beneficiaries of Baitul Maal Wat Tamwil (BMT), Indonesia’s first IMFIs. This paper aims to explore the origins, the initiators, and the visions of BMTs and the extent to which they intersect with women’s empowerment. Employing a qualitative approach, this study selected four BMTs in Yogyakarta as a case study. It found that four critical groups that have a significant role in the development of Indonesian BMTs: ICMI (Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectual), Islamic mass organizations, NGOs, and local governments. The issues of loan sharks and poverty alleviation were the primary factors driving the inception of BMTs. Despite women being crucial clients, none of the studied BMTs explicitly invoked women’s empowerment in their organizational vision. To conclude, the BMTs’ preference for women is not based on an understanding of gender inequality, but rather motivated by pragmatic business considerations, particularly the self-sustainability paradigm that underpins their practices.
Pathophysiology of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): A Review on Oxidative Disorders
Authors: Signorelli Salvatore Santo , Marino Elisa , Scuto Salvatore , Di Raimondo Domenico
Published: June 2020

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an atherosclerotic disease that affects a wide range of the world’s population, reaching up to 200 million individuals worldwide. PAD particularly affects elderly individuals (>65 years old). PAD is often underdiagnosed or underestimated, although specificity in diagnosis is shown by an ankle/brachial approach, and the high cardiovascular event risk that affected the PAD patients. A number of pathophysiologic pathways operate in chronic arterial ischemia of lower limbs, giving the possibility to improve therapeutic strategies and the outcome of patients. This review aims to provide a well detailed description of such fundamental issues as physical exercise, biochemistry of physical exercise, skeletal muscle in PAD, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in PAD, and antioxidants in PAD. These issues are closely related to the oxidative stress in PAD. We want to draw attention to the pathophysiologic pathways that are considered to be beneficial in order to achieve more effective options to treat PAD patients.
Downregulation of PPARα during Experimental Left Ventricular Hypertrophy is Critically Dependent on Nox2 NADPH Oxidase Signalling
Authors: Harvey Adam P. , Robinson Emma , Edgar Kevin S. , McMullan Ross , O’Neill Karla M. , Alderdice Matthew , Amirkhah Raheleh , Dunne Philip D. , McDermott Barbara J. , Grieve David J.
Published: June 2020

Pressure overload-induced left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is initially adaptive but ultimately promotes systolic dysfunction and chronic heart failure. Whilst underlying pathways are incompletely understood, increased reactive oxygen species generation from Nox2 NADPH oxidases, and metabolic remodelling, largely driven by PPARα downregulation, are separately implicated. Here, we investigated interaction between the two as a key regulator of LVH using in vitro, in vivo and transcriptomic approaches. Phenylephrine-induced H9c2 cardiomyoblast hypertrophy was associated with reduced PPARα expression and increased Nox2 expression and activity. Pressure overload-induced LVH and systolic dysfunction induced in wild-type mice by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) for 7 days, in association with Nox2 upregulation and PPARα downregulation, was enhanced in PPARα−/− mice and prevented in Nox2−/− mice. Detailed transcriptomic analysis revealed significantly altered expression of genes relating to PPARα, oxidative stress and hypertrophy pathways in wild-type hearts, which were unaltered in Nox2−/− hearts, whilst oxidative stress pathways remained dysregulated in PPARα−/− hearts following TAC. Network analysis indicated that Nox2 was essential for PPARα downregulation in this setting and identified preferential inflammatory pathway modulation and candidate cytokines as upstream Nox2-sensitive regulators of PPARα signalling. Together, these data suggest that Nox2 is a critical driver of PPARα downregulation leading to maladaptive LVH.
Natural Metallic Nanoparticles for Application in Nano-Oncology
Authors: Alphandéry Edouard
Published: June 2020

Here, the various types of naturally synthesized metallic nanoparticles, which are essentially composed of Ce, Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, Cu, Ni, Se, Fe, or their oxides, are presented, based on a literature analysis. The synthesis methods used to obtain them most often involve the reduction of metallic ions by biological materials or organisms, i.e., essentially plant extracts, yeasts, fungus, and bacteria. The anti-tumor activity of these nanoparticles has been demonstrated on different cancer lines. They rely on various mechanisms of action, such as heat, the release of chemotherapeutic drugs under a pH variation, nanoparticle excitation by radiation, or apoptotic tumor cell death. Among these natural metallic nanoparticles, one type, which consists of iron oxide nanoparticles produced by magnetotactic bacteria called magnetosomes, has been purified to remove endotoxins and abide by pharmacological regulations. It has been tested in vivo for anti-tumor efficacy. For that, purified and stabilized magnetosomes were injected in intracranial mouse glioblastoma tumors and repeatedly heated under the application of an alternating magnetic field, leading to the full disappearance of these tumors. As a whole, the results presented in the literature form a strong basis for pursuing the efforts towards the use of natural metallic nanoparticles for cancer treatment first pre-clinically and then clinically.
Assessing Advantages and Drawbacks of Rapidly Generated Ultra-Large 3D Breast Cancer Spheroids: Studies with Chemotherapeutics and Nanoparticles
Authors: Holub Austin R. , Huo Anderson , Patel Kavil , Thakore Vishal , Chhibber Pranav , Erogbogbo Folarin
Published: June 2020

Traditionally, two-dimensional (2D) monolayer cell culture models have been used to study in vitro conditions for their ease of use, simplicity and low cost. However, recently, three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models have been heavily investigated as they provide better physiological relevance for studying various disease behaviors, cellular activity and pharmaceutical interactions. Typically, small-sized tumor spheroid models (100–500 μm) are used to study various biological and physicochemical activities. Larger, millimetric spheroid models are becoming more desirable for simulating native tumor microenvironments (TMEs). Here, we assess the use of ultra-large spheroid models (~2000 μm) generated from scaffolds made from a nozzle-free, ultra-high resolution printer; these models are explored for assessing chemotherapeutic responses with molecular doxorubicin (DOX) and two analogues of DoxilⓇ (Dox-NPⓇ, DoxovesTM) on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. To provide a comparative baseline, small spheroid models (~500 μm) were developed using a self-aggregation method of MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines, and underwent similar drug treatments. Analysis of both large and small MCF-7 spheroids revealed that Dox-NP tends to have the highest level of inhibition, followed by molecular doxorubicin and then Doxoves. The experimental advantages and drawbacks of using these types of ultra-large spheroids for cancer research are discussed.
Special Issue “Selected Papers from the 8th Asia-Pacific NMR (APNMR) Symposium: Recent Advances in NMR Spectroscopy”
Authors: Bhattacharjya Surajit , Yang Daiwen , Yoon Ho Sup
Published: June 2020

Asia-Pacific NMR (APNMR) has been an important scientific event in the region, engaging a large number of NMR scientists from academia and industries [...]
The Effects of Mutual Interaction of Orexin-A and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 on Reflex Swallowing Induced by SLN Afferents in Rats
Authors: Kobashi Motoi , Shimatani Yuichi , Fujita Masako , Mitoh Yoshihiro , Yoshida Ryusuke , Matsuo Ryuji
Published: June 2020

(1) Background: Our previous studies revealed that orexin-A, an appetite-increasing peptide, suppressed reflex swallowing via the commissural part of the nucleus tractus solitarius (cNTS), and that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an appetite-reducing peptide, also suppressed reflex swallowing via the medial nucleus of the NTS (mNTS). In this study, we examined the mutual interaction between orexin-A and GLP-1 in reflex swallowing. (2) Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats under urethane–chloralose anesthesia were used. Swallowing was induced by electrical stimulation of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) and was identified by the electromyographic (EMG) signals obtained from the mylohyoid muscle. (3) Results: The injection of GLP-1 (20 pmol) into the mNTS reduced the swallowing frequency and extended the latency of the first swallow. These suppressive effects of GLP-1 were not observed after the fourth ventricular administration of orexin-A. After the injection of an orexin-1 receptor antagonist (SB334867) into the cNTS, an ineffective dose of GLP-1 (6 pmol) into the mNTS suppressed reflex swallowing. Similarly, the suppressive effects of orexin-A (1 nmol) were not observed after the injection of GLP-1 (6 pmol) into the mNTS. After the administration of a GLP-1 receptor antagonist (exendin-4(5-39)), an ineffective dose of orexin-A (0.3 nmol) suppressed reflex swallowing. (4) Conclusions: The presence of reciprocal inhibitory connections between GLP-1 receptive neurons and orexin-A receptive neurons in the NTS was strongly suggested.
Effect of Oocyte Quality Assessed by Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB) Staining on Cumulus Cell Expansion and Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Porcine during In Vitro Maturation
Authors: Lee Sanghoon , Kang Hyo-Gu , Jeong Pil-Soo , Nanjidsuren Tsevelmaa , Song Bong-Seok , Jin Yeung Bae , Lee Sang-Rae , Kim Sun-Uk , Sim Bo-Woong
Published: June 2020

Brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) staining is used to select developmentally competent cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) for in vitro maturation (IVM). However, limited attention has been paid to what drives the higher developmental competence of BCB+ COCs. Sonic hedgehog signaling (SHH) is an important signaling pathway for ovarian follicular development and oocyte maturation. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of oocyte quality assessed by BCB staining on cumulus cell expansion, oocyte nuclear maturation, subsequent embryo development, apoptosis levels, and SHH signaling protein expression, in porcine COCs. After IVM, BCB+ COCs exhibited a significantly higher proportion of complete cumulus cell expansion and metaphase II rate in oocytes than BCB- COCs. After in vitro fertilization, the BCB+ group showed a significantly higher monospermy rate, fertilization efficiency, percentage of cleavage and blastocyst formation, with a higher total cell number and a lower apoptosis in blastocysts as compared with the BCB- group. Furthermore, significantly lower apoptosis levels and a higher expression of SHH-signaling proteins in COCs were observed, before and after IVM. In conclusion, high-quality oocytes had a greater potential to expand their surrounding cumulus cells with active SHH signaling and a lower apoptosis. This could provide COCs with a proper environment for maturation, thereby leading to a better subsequent embryo development.
Nutraceuticals in Neurological Disorders
Authors: Makkar Rashita , Behl Tapan , Bungau Simona , Zengin Gokhan , Mehta Vineet , Kumar Arun , Uddin Md. Sahab , Ashraf Ghulam Md. , Abdel-Daim Mohamed M. , Arora Sandeep , Oancea Roxana
Published: June 2020

Neurological diseases are one of the major healthcare issues worldwide. Posed lifestyle changes are associated with drastically increased risk of chronic illness and diseases, posing a substantial healthcare and financial burden to society globally. Researchers aim to provide fine treatment for ailing disorders with minimal exposed side effects. In recent decades, several studies on functional foods have been initiated to obtain foods that have fewer side effects and increased therapeutic activity. Hence, an attempt has been made to unravel several extraction techniques to acquire essential bioactive compounds or phytochemicals from therapeutically active food products. This has led to the conception of the term functional foods being meddled with other similar terms like “pharmafoods,” “medifoods”, “vitafoods”, or “medicinal foods”. With a dire need to adhere towards healthy options, the demand of nutraceuticals is widely increasing to combat neurological interventions. An association between food habits and the individual lifestyle with neurodegeneration has been manifested, thereby proposing the role of nutraceuticals as prophylactic treatment for neurological interventions. The current review covers some of the major neurological disorders and nutraceutical therapy in the prevention of disease.
Extracellular Adenine Nucleotides and Adenosine Modulate the Growth and Survival of THP-1 Leukemia Cells
Authors: Puchałowicz Kamila , Tarnowski Maciej , Tkacz Marta , Chlubek Dariusz , Kłos Patrycja , Dziedziejko Violetta
Published: June 2020

A new approach to improve the effectiveness of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment is to use the properties of purinergic signaling molecules secreted into the bone marrow milieu in response to leukemic cell growth. Therefore, our study aimed to evaluate the effects of extracellular adenine nucleotides and adenosine on the growth and death parameters in the leukemic THP-1 cell line. Cells were exposed to ATP, ADP, AMP, adenosine and nonhydrolyzable analogues of ATP and ADP (ATPγS and ADPβS) in a 1–1000 μM broad concentration range. The basal mRNA expression of the P1 and P2 receptors was evaluated by real-time PCR. Changes in the processes of cell growth and death were assessed by flow cytometry analysis of proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis. Chemotaxis toward stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) was performed using the modified Boyden chamber assay, and chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) surface expression was quantified by flow cytometry. We indicated several antileukemic actions. High micromolar concentrations (100–1000 μM) of extracellular adenine nucleotides and adenosine inhibit the growth of cells by arresting the cell cycle and/or inducing apoptosis. ATP is characterized by the highest potency and widest range of effects, and is responsible for the cell cycle arrest and the apoptosis induction. Compared to ATP, the effect of ADP is slightly weaker. Adenosine mostly has a cytotoxic effect, with the induction of apoptosis. The last studied nucleotide, AMP, demonstrated only a weak cytotoxic effect without affecting the cell cycle. In addition, cell migration towards SDF-1 was inhibited by low micromolar concentrations (10 μM). One of the reasons for this action of ATPγS and adenosine was a reduction in CXCR4 surface expression, but this only partially explains the mechanism of antimigratory action. In summary, extracellular adenine nucleotides and adenosine inhibit THP-1 cell growth, cause death of cells and modulate the functioning of the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis. Thus, they negatively affect the processes that are responsible for the progression of AML and the difficulties in AML treatment.
Combination of Ipilimumab and Nivolumab in Cancers: From Clinical Practice to Ongoing Clinical Trials
Authors: Kooshkaki Omid , Derakhshani Afshin , Hosseinkhani Negar , Torabi Mitra , Safaei Sahar , Brunetti Oronzo , Racanelli Vito , Silvestris Nicola , Baradaran Behzad
Published: June 2020

Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) are inhibitory checkpoints that are commonly seen on activated T cells and have been offered as promising targets for the treatment of cancers. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)targeting PD-1, including pembrolizumab and nivolumab, and those targeting its ligand PD-L1, including avelumab, atezolizumab, and durvalumab, and two drugs targeting CTLA-4, including ipilimumab and tremelimumab have been approved for the treatment of several cancers and many others are under investigating in advanced trial phases. ICIs increased antitumor T cells’ responses and showed a key role in reducing the acquired immune system tolerance which is overexpressed by cancer and tumor microenvironment. However, 50% of patients could not benefit from ICIs monotherapy. To overcome this, a combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab is frequently investigated as an approach to improve oncological outcomes. Despite promising results for the combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab, safety concerns slowed down the development of such strategies. Herein, we review data concerning the clinical activity and the adverse events of ipilimumab and nivolumab combination therapy, assessing ongoing clinical trials to identify clinical outlines that may support combination therapy as an effective treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is one of the first studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ipilimumab and nivolumab combination therapy in several cancers.
Pulmonary Hypertension Phenotypes in Systemic Sclerosis: The Right Diagnosis for the Right Treatment
Authors: Attanasio Umberto , Cuomo Alessandra , Pirozzi Flora , Loffredo Stefania , Abete Pasquale , Petretta Mario , Marone Gianni , Bonaduce Domenico , De Paulis Amato , Rossi Francesca Wanda , Tocchetti Carlo Gabriele , Mercurio Valentina
Published: June 2020

Systemic sclerosis is an auto-immune disease characterized by skin involvement that often affects multiple organ systems. Pulmonary hypertension is a common finding that can significantly impact prognosis. Molecular pathophysiological mechanisms underlying pulmonary hypertension in systemic sclerosis can be extremely heterogeneous, leading to distinct clinical phenotypes. In addition, different causes of pulmonary hypertension may overlap within the same patient. Since pulmonary hypertension treatment is very different for each phenotype, it is fundamental to perform an adequate diagnostic work-up to properly and promptly identify the prevalent mechanism underlying pulmonary hypertension in order to start the right therapies. When pulmonary hypertension is caused by a primary vasculopathy of the small pulmonary arteries, treatment with pulmonary vasodilators, often in an initial double-combination regimen, is indicated, aimed at reducing the mortality risk profile. In this review, we describe the different clinical phenotypes of pulmonary hypertension in the scleroderma population and discuss the utility of clinical tools to identify the presence of pulmonary vascular disease. Furthermore, we focus on systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension, highlighting the advances in the knowledge of right ventricular dysfunction in this setting and the latest updates in terms of treatment with pulmonary vasodilator drugs.
In Search of a Phosphorus Dendrimer-Based Carrier of Rose Bengal: Tyramine Linker Limits Fluorescent and Phototoxic Properties of a Photosensitizer
Authors: Sztandera Krzysztof , Marcinkowska Monika , Gorzkiewicz Michał , Janaszewska Anna , Laurent Regis , Zabłocka Maria , Mignani Serge , Majoral Jean Pierre , Klajnert-Maculewicz Barbara
Published: June 2020

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a skin cancer treatment alternative to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This method exploits three elements: a phototoxic compound (photosensitizer), light source and oxygen. Upon irradiation by light of a specific wavelength, the photosensitizer generates reactive oxygen species triggering the cascade of reactions leading to cell death. The positive therapeutic effect of PDT may be limited due to low solubility, low tumor specificity and inefficient cellular uptake of photosensitizers. A promising approach to overcome these obstacles involves the use of nanocarrier systems. The aim of this initial study was to determine the potential of the application of phosphorus dendrimers as carriers of a photosensitizer—rose bengal (RB). The primary goal involved the synthesis and in vitro studies of covalent drug–dendrimer conjugates. Our approach allowed us to obtain RB–dendrimer conjugates with the use of tyramine as an aromatic linker between the carrier and the drug. The compounds were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 31P NMR, size and zeta potential measurements and spectrofluorimetric analysis. The dialysis to check the drug release from the conjugate, flow cytometry to specify intracellular uptake, and singlet oxygen generation assay were also applied. Finally, we used MTT assay to determine the biological activity of the tested compounds. The results of our experiments indicate that the conjugation of RB to phosphorus dendrimers via the tyramine linker decreases photodynamic activity of RB.
Connexin Hemichannels Contribute to the Activation of cAMP Signaling Pathway and Renin Production
Authors: Hong Jingru , Yao Jian
Published: June 2020

Connexin hemichannels play an important role in the control of cellular signaling and behaviors. Given that lowering extracellular Ca2+, a condition that activates hemichannels, is a well-characterized stimulator of renin in juxtaglomerular cells, we, therefore, tested a potential implication of hemichannels in the regulation of renin in As4.1 renin-secreting cells. Lowering extracellular Ca2+ induced hemichannel opening, which was associated with cAMP signaling pathway activation and increased renin production. Blockade of hemichannels with inhibitors or downregulation of Cxs with siRNAs abrogated the activation of cAMP pathway and the elevation of renin. Further analysis revealed that cAMP pathway activation was blocked by adenylyl cyclase inhibitor SQ 22536, suggesting an implication of adenyl cyclase. Furthermore, the participation of hemichannels in the activation of the cAMP signaling pathway was also observed in a renal tubular epithelial cell line NRK. Collectively, our results characterized the hemichannel opening as a presently unrecognized molecular event involved in low Ca2+-elicited activation of cAMP pathway and renin production. Our findings thus provide novel mechanistic insights into the low Ca2+-initiated cell responses. Given the importance of cAMP signaling pathway in the control of multiple cellular functions, our findings also highlight the importance of Cx-forming channels in various pathophysiological situations.
Tensile Properties of Z-Pin Reinforced Laminates with Circumferentially Notched Z-Pins
Authors: Knopp André , Scharr Gerhard
Published: June 2020

This paper describes experimental investigations on the in-plane tensile properties of unidirectional carbon-fibre/epoxy laminates reinforced with circumferentially notched z-pins with different notch designs. From the results it can be concluded that the application of circumferential notches at the z-pin surface with constant notch depth of 20 μm and distance of 100 μm has no significant effect on the in-plane tensile strength values, regardless of the notch designs investigated. For circular and rectangular notch designs, no dependence of the tensile strength from the notch depth could be observed. Only changing the notch distances at a constant notch depth and width leads to small increases in the tensile strength values with increasing notch distance. The determined tensile modulus values indicate that there are no substantial deviations between laminates reinforced with unnotched and circumferentially notched z-pins, no matter which notch design is considered. It can be observed that there are no dependencies of the tensile modulus from notch depth and distance. Therefore, it can be assumed that the microstructural changes influencing the in-plane tensile properties will not be changed, or only to a very small extent, by the presence of notches on the pin surface.
Combination of LBP Bin and Histogram Selections for Color Texture Classification
Authors: Porebski Alice , Truong Hoang Vinh , Vandenbroucke Nicolas , Hamad Denis
Published: June 2020

LBP (Local Binary Pattern) is a very popular texture descriptor largely used in computer vision. In most applications, LBP histograms are exploited as texture features leading to a high dimensional feature space, especially for color texture classification problems. In the past few years, different solutions were proposed to reduce the dimension of the feature space based on the LBP histogram. Most of these approaches apply feature selection methods in order to find the most discriminative bins. Recently another strategy proposed selecting the most discriminant LBP histograms in their entirety. This paper tends to improve on these previous approaches, and presents a combination of LBP bin and histogram selections, where a histogram ranking method is applied before processing a bin selection procedure. The proposed approach is evaluated on five benchmark image databases and the obtained results show the effectiveness of the combination of LBP bin and histogram selections which outperforms the simple LBP bin and LBP histogram selection approaches when they are applied independently.
Image Reconstruction Based on Novel Sets of Generalized Orthogonal Moments
Authors: Farouk R. M.
Published: June 2020

In this work, we have presented a general framework for reconstruction of intensity images based on new sets of Generalized Fractional order of Chebyshev orthogonal Moments (GFCMs), a novel set of Fractional order orthogonal Laguerre Moments (FLMs) and Generalized Fractional order orthogonal Laguerre Moments (GFLMs). The fractional and generalized recurrence relations of fractional order Chebyshev functions are defined. The fractional and generalized fractional order Laguerre recurrence formulas are given. The new presented generalized fractional order moments are tested with the existing orthogonal moments classical Chebyshev moments, Laguerre moments, and Fractional order Chebyshev Moments (FCMs). The numerical results show that the importance of our general framework which gives a very comprehensive study on intensity image representation based GFCMs, FLMs, and GFLMs. In addition, the fractional parameters give a flexibility of studying global features of images at different positions and scales of the given moments.
Research of the Effectiveness of Selected Methods of Reducing Toxic Exhaust Emissions of Marine Diesel Engines
Authors: Witkowski Kazimierz
Published: June 2020

The article’s applications are very important, as it is only a dozen or so years since the current issues of protection of the atmosphere against emissions of toxic compounds from ships. The issue was discussed against the background of binding legal norms, including rules introduced by the IMO (International Maritime Organization) in the context of the MARPOL Convention (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships), Annex VI, with the main goal to significantly strengthen the emission limits in light of technological improvements. Taking these standards into account, effective methods should be implemented to reduce toxic compounds’ emissions to the atmosphere, including nitrogen oxides NOx and carbon dioxide CO2. The purpose of the article was, based on the results of our own research, to indicate the impact of the effectiveness of selected methods on reducing the level of nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide emitted by the marine engine. The laboratory tests were carried out with the use of the one-cylinder two stroke, crosshead supercharged diesel engine. Methods of reducing their emissions in the study were adopted, including supplying the engine with fuel mixtures of marine diesel oil (MDO) and rapeseed oil ester (RME)-(MDO/RME mixtures) and changing the fuel injection parameters and the advance angles of fuel injection. The supply of the engine during the tests and the mixtures of marine diesel oil (MDO) and rape oil esters (RMEs) caused a clear drop in emissions of nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide, particularly for a higher engine load, as has been shown. The decrease of the injection advance angle unambiguously makes the NOx content in exhaust gas lower.
Parametric Knocking Performance Investigation of Spark Ignition Natural Gas Engines and Dual Fuel Engines
Authors: Xiang La , Theotokatos Gerasimos , Cui Haining , Xu Keda , Ben Hongkai , Ding Yu
Published: June 2020

Both spark ignition (SI) natural gas engines and compression ignition (CI) dual fuel (DF) engines suffer from knocking when the unburnt mixture ignites spontaneously prior to the flame front arrival. In this study, a parametric investigation is performed on the knocking performance of these two engine types by using the GT-Power software. An SI natural gas engine and a DF engine are modelled by employing a two-zone zero-dimensional combustion model, which uses Wiebe function to determine the combustion rate and provides adequate prediction of the unburnt zone temperature, which is crucial for the knocking prediction. The developed models are validated against experimentally measured parameters and are subsequently used for performing parametric investigations. The derived results are analysed to quantify the effect of the compression ratio, air-fuel equivalence ratio and ignition timing on both engines as well as the effect of pilot fuel energy proportion on the DF engine. The results demonstrate that the compression ratio of the investigated SI and DF engines must be limited to 11 and 16.5, respectively, for avoiding knocking occurrence. The ignition timing for the SI and the DF engines must be controlled after −38°CA and 3°CA, respectively. A higher pilot fuel energy proportion between 5% and 15% results in increasing the knocking tendency and intensity for the DF Engine at high loads. This study results in better insights on the impacts of the investigated engine design and operating settings for natural gas (NG)-fuelled engines, thus it can provide useful support for obtaining the optimal settings targeting a desired combustion behaviour and engine performance while attenuating the knocking tendency.
An Economic–Business Approach to Clinical Risk Management
Authors: Comite Ubaldo , Dong Kechen , Li Rita Yi Man , Crabbe M. James C. , Shao Xue-Feng , Yue Xiao-Guang
Published: June 2020

This paper introduces risk factors in the field of healthcare and discusses the clinical risks, identification, risk management methods, and tools as well as the analysis of specific situations. Based on documentary analysis, an efficient and coherent methodological choice of an informative and non-interpretative approach, it relies on “unobtrusive” and “non-reactive” information sources, such that the research results are not influenced by the research process itself. To ensure objective and systematical analysis, our research involved three macro-phases: (a) the first involved a skimming (a superficial examination) of the documents collected; (b) the second reading (a thorough examination) allowed a selection of useful information; (c) the third phase involved classification and evaluation of the collected data. This iterative process combined the elements of content and thematic analysis that categorised the information into different categories which were related to the central issues for research purposes. Finally, from the perspective of safety analysis and risk management, we suggest that comprehensive control and operation should be conducted in a holistic way, including patient safety, cost consumption, and organizational responsibility. An organizational strategy that revolves around a constant and gradual risk management process is an important factor in clinical governance which focuses on the safety of patients, operators, and organizations.
The Perception of Postalveolar English Obstruents by Spanish Speakers Learning English as a Foreign Language in Mexico
Authors: López Velarde Mariela , Simonet Miquel
Published: June 2020

The present study deals with the perception (identification and discrimination) of an English phonemic contrast (/t∫/–/∫/, as in cheat and sheet) by speakers of two Mexican varieties of Spanish who are learning English as a foreign language. Unlike English, Spanish does not contrast /t∫/ and /∫/ phonemically. Most Spanish varieties have [t∫], but not [∫]. In northwestern Mexico, [∫] and [t∫] find themselves in a situation of “free” variation—perhaps conditioned, to some extent, by social factors, but not in complementary distribution. In this variety, [∫] and [t∫] are variants of the same phoneme. The present study compares the perceptual behavior of English learners from northwestern Mexico, with that of learners from central Mexico, whose native dialect includes only [t∫]. The results of a word-categorization task show that both groups of learners find cheat and sheet difficult to identify in the context of each other, but that, relative to the other learner group, the group of learners in northwestern Mexico find this task to be particularly challenging. The results of a categorical discrimination task show that both learner groups find the members of the /t∫/–/∫/ contrast difficult to discriminate. On average, accuracy is lower for the group of learners in northwestern Mexico than it is for the central Mexicans. The findings suggest that the phonetic variants found in one’s native dialect modulate the perception of nonnative sounds and, consequently, that people who speak different regional varieties of the same language may face different obstacles when learning the sounds of their second language.
Searchable Encrypted Image Retrieval Based on Multi-Feature Adaptive Late-Fusion
Authors: Ma Wentao , Qin Jiaohua , Xiang Xuyu , Tan Yun , He Zhibin
Published: June 2020

Recently, searchable encrypted image retrieval in a cloud environment has been widely studied. However, the inappropriate encryption mechanism and single feature description make it hard to achieve the expected effects. Therefore, a major challenge of encrypted image retrieval is how to extract and fuse multiple efficient features to improve performance. Towards this end, this paper proposes a searchable encrypted image retrieval based on multi-feature adaptive late-fusion in a cloud environment. Firstly, the image encryption is completed by designing the encryption function in an RGB color channel, bit plane and pixel position of the image. Secondly, the encrypted images are uploaded to the cloud server and the convolutional neural network (CNN) is fine-tuned to build a semantic feature extractor. Then, low-level features and semantic features are extracted. Finally, the similarity score curves of each feature are calculated, and adaptive late-fusion is performed by the area under the curve. A large number of experiments on public dateset are used to validate the effectiveness of our method.
Oral Administration of Cannabis and Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Preparations: A Systematic Review
Authors: Poyatos Lourdes , Pérez-Acevedo Ana Pilar , Papaseit Esther , Pérez-Mañá Clara , Martin Soraya , Hladun Olga , Siles Adrià , Torrens Marta , Busardo Francesco Paolo , Farré Magí
Published: June 2020

Background and objective: Changes in cannabis legalization regimes in several countries have influenced the diversification of cannabis use. There is an ever-increasing number of cannabis forms available, which are gaining popularity for both recreational and therapeutic use. From a therapeutic perspective, oral cannabis containing Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) is a promising route of administration but there is still little information about its pharmacokinetics (PK) effects in humans. The purpose of this systematic review is to provide a general overview of the available PK data on cannabis and THC after oral administration. Materials and Methods: A search of the published literature was conducted using the PubMed database to collect available articles describing the PK data of THC after oral administration in humans. Results: The literature search yielded 363 results, 26 of which met our inclusion criteria. The PK of oral THC has been studied using capsules (including oil content), tablets, baked goods (brownies and cookies), and oil and tea (decoctions). Capsules and tablets, which mainly correspond to pharmaceutical forms, were found to be the oral formulations most commonly studied. Overall, the results reflect the high variability in the THC absorption of oral formulations, with delayed peak plasma concentrations compared to other routes of administration. Conclusions: Oral THC has a highly variable PK profile that differs between formulations, with seemingly higher variability in baked goods and oil forms. Overall, there is limited information available in this field. Therefore, further investigations are required to unravel the unpredictability of oral THC administration to increase the effectiveness and safety of oral formulations in medicinal use.
Chrysippus and the First Known Description of Cataract Surgery
Authors: Grzybowski Juliusz , Grzybowski Andrzej
Published: June 2020

Although the origin of cataract surgery is unknown, the earliest identified mention of cataract surgery comes from Chrysippus in the 3rd century B.C.E. This historical review analyses this first description of cataract surgery from both philosophical and linguistic perspectives, within the original context in which early cataract surgeries were performed, as well as within the context of contemporary medical knowledge.
Advanced Simulation Technologies of Metallurgical Processing
Authors: Peters Bernhard
Published: June 2020

Although the design and performance of metallurgical processes are still carried out on an experimental basis, numerical methods and simulation software—either commercial or open-source—have developed into a standard for these processes [...]