bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Energy Management Approach for Solar Charge Stations in Smart Cities
Authors: Guneser M Tahir , Elweddad Mohamed , Ozarpa Cevat
Published: November 2020

The rapid development of intelligent transportation system in smart cities offers great opportunities to improve the performance of energy management strategies (EMSs) for connected electric vehicles (EV) charging system. An electric vehicle charging station integrating Solar Photovoltaic Panel (PV), a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and based utility grid is designed for many scenarios. In the proposed system, the PV is the primary energy source with the battery for storing excessive energy to deliver the lowest possible electricity bill with the grid-tied to ensure power delivery| (power continuity). An efficient design of charging solar station with control strategy is developed for the optimal power management between solar, BESS, grid. By taking dynamic charging process of EVs battery, the power management flow in the station is formulated and validated using MATLAB. Machine learning methods will be applied to optimize proposed energy management system.
Free Vibration Analysis of Shear Deformable Small-Scale Tubes
Authors: Aghazadeh Reza
Published: November 2020

This study presents an approach for investigating free vibration problem of small-scale tubes based on modified couple stress theory in conjunction with higher order shear deformation tube model. The size effect is captured through utilization of a length scale parameter involved in modified couple stress theory. A newly developed refined tube model is employed to satisfy friction-free conditions on inner and outer surfaces of micro-tubes. Hamilton’s principle is used as a variational technique for derivation of governing system of equations. For axial vibrations, an analytical procedure is conducted, while for transverse vibrations differential quadrature method is used as a numerical technique. The correctness of numerical results are verified through comparisons made with results which are available in the literature for limiting cases. The analyses reveal the effects of size and transverse shear deformation on the natural frequencies of micro-tubes.
Projeksiyon Kaynağında DP600 Çeliklerde Elektrot Baskı Kuvvetinin Punta Kalitesine Etkisi
Authors: Yazar Mustafa , Alp Ali Kemal , Talaş Şükrü
Published: November 2020

Bu çalışmada, MFDC trafolu 100 kVA projeksiyon kaynak makinasında baskı kuvvetin punta kalitesine olan etkisi incelenmiştir. Hazırlanan numuneler tam tahribatlı test cihazı ile kopma yükü kuvveti testine tabi tutulmuştur. Bu çalışmada, başta otomotiv ana sanayinin şartnamelerle belirlemiş olduğu punta kalitesini yakalayarak ürün güvenliğini sağlamaktır. Çalışmamızda 1,5 mm DP600 kaplamasız çelik saç ve kaynak civatası olarak 8,8 kalite M8x1,25x25 üç memeli kaplamasız kaynak cıvatası kullanılmıştır. Hazırlanan DP600 çelik saç numuneleri ve kaynak cıvataları ile puntalama operasyonunda kaynak zamanı 30 ms, akım değeri 18 kA de sabit tutulmuştur. Düşük, orta ve yüksek kuvvet değerleri verilerek optimum parametrelerinin farklı elektrot baskı kuvvet değerlerinin punta kalitesine etkisi incelenmiştir. Yapılan testlerde elektrod baskı kuvveti 230 – 730 daN arasında bulunmuştur. Sonuçlar kopma kuvvetlerinin 430 ile 530 daN arasında yüksek mukavemet değeri yakalandığı göstermiştir.
Scheduling Algorithms for a Hybrid Flow Shop under Uncertainty
Authors: Schumacher Christin , Buchholz Peter
Published: November 2020

In modern production systems, scheduling problems have to be solved in consideration of frequently changing demands and varying production parameters. This paper presents a approach combining forecasting and classification techniques to predict uncertainty from demands, and production data with heuristics, metaheuristics, and discrete event simulation for obtaining machine schedules. The problem is a hybrid flow shop with two stages, machine qualifications, skipping stages, and uncertainty in demands. The objective is to minimize the makespan. First, based on the available data of past orders, jobs that are prone to fluctuations just before or during the production phase are identified by clustering algorithms, and production volumes are adjusted accordingly. Furthermore, the distribution of scrap rates is estimated, and the quantiles of the resulting distribution are used to increase corresponding production volumes to prevent costly rescheduling resulting from unfulfilled demands. Second, Shortest Processing Time (SPT), tabu search, and local search algorithms are developed and applied. Third, the best performing schedules are evaluated and selected using a detailed simulation model. The proposed approach is validated on a real-world production case. The results show that the price for a very robust schedule that avoids underproduction with a high probability can significantly increase the makespan.
Use of Undigested NDF for Estimation of Diet Digestibility in Growing Pigs
Authors: Battelli Marco , Rapetti Luca , Rota Graziosi Andrea , Colombini Stefania , Crovetto Gianni Matteo , Galassi Gianluca
Published: November 2020

Undigested neutral detergent fibre (uNDF) is commonly used as an internal marker for the estimation of diet digestibility in ruminants. This work aimed to verify (i) whether the in vivo method with uNDF could be used to evaluate diet digestibility in growing pigs, and (ii) whether pre-treating the samples with neutral detergent solution (NDS) and α-amylase improves the accuracy of the estimates. Samples from a previously published work of two diets with known in vivo digestibility values estimated by the total faecal collection method and 16 individual samples of faeces were used. For each sample, four Ankom F57 bags were weighed. Before the incubation, two F57 bags were pre-treated with NDS and α-amylase. All the samples were incubated for 240 h in the Ankom DaisyII incubator and then analysed for their uNDF contents. Dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities were estimated using the uNDF contents, and the results were compared with those of the former study. The digestibility values obtained using the uNDF method with pre-treatment were not statistically different from those determined with the total faecal collection. On the contrary, the uNDF method without the pre-treatment could not satisfactorily predict the digestibilities of pig diets.
A Few TH-Immunoreactive Neurons Closely Appose DMX-Located Neuronal Somata Projecting to the Stomach Prepyloric Region in the Pig
Authors: Calka Jaroslaw , Ganko Marta , Rychlik Andrzej
Published: November 2020

The vagus nerve is responsible for efferent innervation and functional control of stomach functions. The efferent fibers originate from neurons located in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMX) and undergo functional control of the local neuroregulatory terminals. The aim of the present study was to examine the existence of morphological foundations for direct regulatory action of the local TH-immunoreactive neurons on parasympathetic efferent neurons supplying the prepyloric region of the porcine stomach. Combined injection of neuronal retrograde tracer Fast Blue into the stomach prepyloric region with TH immunostaining was used in order to visualize spatial relationship between DMX-located stomach prepyloric region supplying neuronal stomata and local TH-IR terminals. We confirmed existence of TH-immunoreactive neural terminals closely opposing the stomach prepyloric region innervating neurons at the porcine DMX area. The observed spatial relationship points out the possibility of indirect catecholaminergic control of the stomach function exerted through preganglionic parasympathetic efferent neurons in the pig.
Clinical Changes and Uterine Hemodynamic in Pyometra Medically Treated Bitches
Authors: Rosa Filho Roberto Rodrigues da , Brito Maíra Morales , Faustino Thaís Gomes , Almeida Leticia Lima de , Gardés Thayná Pantoja , Leite Roberta Ferreira , Vannucchi Camila Infantosi
Published: November 2020

Cystic endometrial hyperplasia–pyometra complex is a canine endometrial disorder, considered the most common and important among uterine diseases. The treatment of choice is ovariohysterectomy, but medical treatments have become an alternative. However, no studies have been performed in order to evaluate uterine hemodynamic changes during medical treatment for pyometra bitches. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two medical protocols by means of clinical (heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature), medullar response (complete blood count (CBC)) and uterine hemodynamic evaluation in pyometra bitches. For such purpose, 10 bitches with pyometra were assigned to two groups: Aglepristone Group (n = 5) and Associative Group (aglepristone + prostaglandin; n = 5). The Associative Group had altered respiratory rate and decreased body temperature. The Aglepristone Group had decreased plasma protein, however, leukocyte count reduced over time for both therapeutic protocols. Uterine area and vascularization score decreased throughout treatment. There was a significant reduction in uterine perimeter, area and vascularization score. The Associative Group had lower final diastolic velocity and higher systole:diastole ratio (S/D), pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI). In conclusion, both medical treatments are effective in reversing clinical and CBC changes of pyometra, especially aglepristone, however they cannot fully restore local uterine changes in a short-term evaluation. Conversely, associative therapy was more effective in decreasing uterine vascularization and modulating uterine blood flow.
Clinical Significance of Manuka and Medical-Grade Honey for Antibiotic-Resistant Infections: A Systematic Review
Authors: Nolan Victoria C. , Harrison James , Wright John E. E. , Cox Jonathan A. G.
Published: November 2020

Antimicrobial resistance is an ever-increasing global issue that has the potential to overtake cancer as the leading cause of death worldwide by 2050. With the passing of the “golden age” of antibiotic discovery, identifying alternative treatments to commonly used antimicrobials is more important than ever. Honey has been used as a topical wound treatment for millennia and more recently has been formulated into a series of medical-grade honeys for use primarily for wound and burn treatment. In this systematic review, we examined the effectiveness of differing honeys as an antimicrobial treatment against a variety of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial species. We analysed 16 original research articles that included a total of 18 different types of honey against 32 different bacterial species, including numerous MDR strains. We identified that Surgihoney was the most effective honey, displaying minimum inhibitory concentrations as low as 0.1% (w/v); however, all honeys reviewed showed a high efficacy against most bacterial species analysed. Importantly, the MDR status of each bacterial strain had no impact on the susceptibility of the organism to honey. Hence, the use of honey as an antimicrobial therapy should be considered as an alternative approach for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections.
Serum Selenium Status and Its Interrelationship with Serum Biomarkers of Thyroid Function and Antioxidant Defense in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Authors: Rostami Rahim , Nourooz-Zadeh Sarmad , Mohammadi Afshin , Khalkhali Hamid Reza , Ferns Gordon , Nourooz-Zadeh Jaffar
Published: November 2020

Selenium (Se) deficiency has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), although the available evidence is limited. The present study aimed to explore the interrelationships between serum Se status with measures of thyroid function and antioxidant defense in new cases of HT patients with hypoechogenic thyroid. HT patients (n = 49) and matched controls (n = 50) were recruited. Selenium, thyroid hormone panel, thyroid volume (TVol), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase3 (GPx3) activity, urinary iodine concentration (UIC), and urinary creatinine (Cr) were assessed. HT patients exhibited lower Se levels compared to controls (p < 0.001) with the rates of Se-deficient (<0.85 µmol/L) participants being 58.8% and 34%, respectively. Se-deficient patients exhibited higher thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Thyroid volume (TVol), thyroglobulin, antibody-titers, GPx3 activity and UIC/Cr compared to Se-sufficient patients (all p < 0.001). In the Se-deficient patients, inverse correlations were seen between Se-levels with TSH, TVol, and Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) (all p < 0.001). This study is the first to uncover that coexisting Se-deficiency and elevated iodine in HT may enhance autoimmune reactions and accelerate the deterioration of thyroid function through oxidative stress. Our study also highlights the importance of optimal Se status in this disease, thus providing a rationale for the execution of intervention trials for the evaluation of the clinical benefits of antioxidant-status improvement in HT.
The Role of Bone Stem Cell Niches in Bone Metastasis
Authors: Tamma Roberto , Annese Tiziana , Ribatti Domenico
Published: November 2020

In post-natal life, stem cells contribute to the preservation of many tissues. In adults, stem cells remain localized, in particular, specialized microanatomical areas named as niches, which are crucial in the control of stem cell quiescence and activity through the production of many regulatory signals. Bone physiologically includes both the endosteal niche and the vascular niche, which are involved in the attraction, retention and release of the residing stem cells during the formation of new vessels as well as in the control of the differentiation of bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts. In tumors, cancer cells are able to take control of the niches to support all the stages of the tumorigenesis, transforming them in the so-called pre-metastatic and metastatic niches. Hence, there is emerging importance of the interactions between cancer cells, bone cells and niches in driving metastatic progression. This review article summarizes the literature data concerning the role of bone vascular and endosteal niches in the regulation of bone metastasis, focusing on their cellular and molecular interactions and the potential therapeutic approaches.
Influence of Pre-Turbine Small-Sized Oxidation Catalyst on Engine Performance and Emissions under Driving Conditions
Authors: Serrano José Ramón , Piqueras Pedro , De la Morena Joaquín , Ruiz María José
Published: November 2020

The earlier activation of the catalytic converters in internal combustion engines is becoming highly challenging due to the reduction in exhaust gas temperature caused by the application of CO2 reduction technologies. In this context, the use of pre-turbine catalysts arises as a potential way to increase the conversion efficiency of the exhaust aftertreatment system. In this work, a small-sized oxidation catalyst consisting of a honeycomb thin-wall metallic substrate was placed upstream of the turbine to benefit from the higher temperature and pressure prior to the turbine expansion. The change in engine performance and emissions in comparison to the baseline configuration are analyzed under driving conditions. As an individual element, the pre-turbine catalyst contributed positively with a relevant increase in the overall CO and HC conversion efficiency. However, its placement produced secondary effects on the engine and baseline aftertreatment response. Although small-sized monoliths are advantageous to minimize the thermal inertia impact on the turbocharger lag, the catalyst cross-section is in trade-off with the additional pressure drop that the monolith causes. As a result, the higher exhaust manifold pressure in pre-turbine pre-catalyst configuration caused a fuel consumption increase higher than 3% while the engine-out CO and HC emissions did around 50%. These increments were not completely offset despite the high pre-turbine pre-catalyst conversion efficiency (>40%) because the partial abatement of the emissions in this device conditioned the performance of the close-coupled oxidation catalyst.
Feature Extraction for Bearing Fault Detection Using Wavelet Packet Energy and Fast Kurtogram Analysis
Authors: Zhang Xiaojun , Zhu Jirui , Wu Yaqi , Zhen Dong , Zhang Minglu
Published: November 2020

An integrated method for fault detection of bearing using wavelet packet energy (WPE) and fast kurtogram (FK) is proposed. The method consists of three stages. Firstly, several commonly used wavelet functions were compared to select the appropriate wavelet function for the application of WPE. Then the analyzed signal is decomposed using WPE and the energy of each decomposed signal is calculated and selected for signal reconstruction. Secondly, the reconstructed signal is analyzed by FK to select the best central frequency and bandwidth for the band-pass filter. Finally, the filtered signal is processed using the squared envelope frequency spectrum and compared with the theoretical fault characteristic frequency for fault feature extraction. The procedure and performance of the proposed approach are illustrated and estimated by the simulation analysis, proving that the proposed method can effectively extract the weak transients. Moreover, the analysis results of gearbox bearing and rolling bearing cases show that the proposed method can provide more accurate fault features compared with the individual FK method.
Design of a Low-complexity Graph-Based Motion-Planning Algorithm for Autonomous Vehicles
Authors: Hegedűs Tamás , Németh Balázs , Gáspár Péter
Published: November 2020

In the development of autonomous vehicles, the design of real-time motion-planning is a crucial problem. The computation of the vehicle trajectory requires the consideration of safety, dynamic and comfort aspects. Moreover, the prediction of the vehicle motion in the surroundings and the real-time planning of the autonomous vehicle trajectory can be complex tasks. The goal of this paper is to present low-complexity motion-planning for overtaking scenarios in parallel traffic. The developed method is based on the generation of a graph, which contains feasible vehicle trajectories. The reduction of the complexity in the real-time computation is achieved through the reduction of the graph with clustering. In the motion-planning algorithm, the predicted motion of the surrounding vehicles is taken into consideration. The prediction algorithm is based on density functions of the surrounding vehicle motion, which are developed through real measurements. The resulted motion-planning algorithm is able to guarantee a safe and comfortable trajectory for the autonomous vehicle. The effectiveness of the method is illustrated through simulation examples using a high-fidelity vehicle dynamic simulator.
Normal Mode Analysis for Connected Plate Structure Using Efficient Mode Polynomials with Component Mode Synthesis
Authors: Park Jeong-Hee , Yang Jae-Hyoung
Published: November 2020

In the engine room and stern adjacent to the main excitation force of the ship, there are many fuel and fresh water tank structures required for ship operation which are always exposed to vibrations. Therefore, it is necessary to review the anti-vibration design to prevent such vibration problems at the design stage, and for this reason, although commercial finite element analysis (FEA) programs are widely used, approximate analysis methods are still developed and used because of the limited time until modeling and analysis results are obtained. Until now, only known elastic boundary conditions have been used in many studies using approximate analysis methods used to calculate natural vibrations for beams or plates. However, many local structures, such as tank edges and equipment foundations, consist of connected structures and it is very difficult to find suitable elastic boundary conditions. Vibration analysis of many local structures in ships, such as tanks and supports for equipment, can be simplified by breaking them up into smaller subsystems which are related through geometrical conditions and natural conditions at junctions. In this study, polynomials for simple support and fixed support were proposed to represent each subsystem and a polynomial to be applied to the plate constituting the tank was proposed by combining them. Until now, there have been many studies on single beams or single plates for approximate analysis. However, there was no research on this to the extent that no reference material could be found for the connected structure. The proposed method has been applied to tanks which are bounded by bulkhead and a deck. The results of this study shows good agreements with those obtained by the FEA Software (Patran/Nastran).
A Review of Modular Multilevel Converters for Stationary Applications
Authors: Wang Yang , Aksoz Ahmet , Geury Thomas , Ozturk Salih Baris , Kivanc Omer Cihan , Hegazy Omar
Published: November 2020

A modular multilevel converter (MMC) is an advanced voltage source converter applicable to a wide range of medium and high-voltage applications. It has competitive advantages such as quality output performance, high modularity, simple scalability, and low voltage and current rating demand for the power switches. Remarkable studies have been carried out regarding its topology, control, and operation. The main purpose of this review is to present the current state of the art of the MMC technology and to offer a better understanding of its operation and control for stationary applications. In this study, the MMC configuration is presented regarding its conventional and advanced submodule (SM) and overall topologies. The mathematical modeling, output voltage, and current control under different grid conditions, submodule balancing control, circulating current control, and modulation methods are discussed to provide the state of the MMC technology. The challenges linked to the MMC are associated with submodule balancing control, circulating current control, control complexity, and transient performance. Advanced nonlinear and predictable control strategies are expected to improve the MMC control and performance in comparison with conventional control methods. Finally, the power losses associated with the advanced wide bandgap (WBG) power devices (such as SiC, GaN) are explored by using different modulation schemes and switching frequencies. The results indicate that although the phase-shifted carrier-based pulse width modulation (PSC-PWM) has higher power losses, it outputs a better quality voltage with lower total harmonic distortion (THD) in comparison with phase-disposition pulse width modulation (PD-PWM) and sampled average modulation pulse width modulation (SAM-PWM). In addition, WBG switches such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) devices have lower power losses and higher efficiency, especially at high switching frequency in the MMC applications.
Energy–Water Management System Based on Predictive Control Applied to the Water–Food–Energy Nexus in Rural Communities
Authors: Roje Tomislav , Sáez Doris , Muñoz Carlos , Daniele Linda
Published: November 2020

Generating strategies and techniques to feed the increasing world population is a significant challenge under climate change effects such as drought. Rural areas are especially sensitive to such effects as they are unable to overcome the lack of water with new agricultural production techniques. In developing countries, rural communities commonly do not have access to high-quality electricity supplies. In some cases, these communities lack electricity in their homes, which affects the opportunity to improve food production through the incorporation of new technologies. This work proposes an integrated optimizer based on model predictive control (MPC) that combines a water management system, which handles the medium-term water requirements for irrigation, with an energy management system, which handles short-term energy requirements. The proposed approach is based on predictive phenomenological models of evapotranspiration and electricity consumption considering climate conditions such as temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, and wind speed, and aims to optimize the use of energy and water and the relative yields of crops. The integrated energy–water management system (EWMS) improves water resource sustainability according to energy availability/costs and water use requirements. Simulation results using real data from a rural community in southern Chile show that the integrated EWMS based on an MPC optimizer successfully determines and satisfies the water and energy requirements under aquifer sustainability constraints.
Synthesis and Use of Zwitterion Bearing Sulfonyl(trifluoromethane sylfonyl)imide Anion as Additive for Polymer Electrolytes
Authors: Fedeli Elisabetta , Kvasha Andriy , Gigmes Didier , Phan Trang N. T.
Published: November 2020

In order to improve the electrochemical properties of poly(ethylene oxide), a well-known-solid polymer electrolyte, by adding zwitterion molecules, the synthesis of a new zwitterion (ZN) having imidazolium cation and sulfonyl(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide anion is investigated. The addition of different amounts of ZN to the mixture of lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and poly(ethylene glycol)dimethyl ether (PEGDM) of 1000 g mol−1 does not significantly affect the transition temperature of PEGDM but causes a slight decrease in ionic conductivity of the electrolyte mixtures. However, even with the presence of only 0.05 mole fraction of ZN, the anodic stability of LiTFSI/PEGDM based electrolytes is improved to over 4.5 V vs. Li+/Li at 25 °C. This makes the new synthesized zwitterion a promising electrolyte’s additive for high voltage batteries.
Load Transfer during Magnetic Mucoperiosteal Distraction in Newborns with Complete Unilateral and Bilateral Orofacial Clefts: A Three-Dimensional Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Nalabothu Prasad , Verna Carlalberta , Benitez Benito K. , Dalstra Michel , Mueller Andreas A.
Published: November 2020

The primary correction of congenital complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) is challenging due to inherent lack of palatal tissue and small extent of the palatal shelves at birth. The tissue deficiency affects the nasal mucosa, maxillary bone and palatal mucosa. This condition has driven the evolution of several surgical and non-surgical techniques for mitigating the inherent problem of anatomical deficits. These techniques share the common principle of altering the neighboring tissues around the defect area in order to form a functional seal between the oral and nasal cavity. However, there is currently no option for rectifying the tissue deficiency itself. Investigations have repeatedly shown that despite the structural tissue deficiency of the cleft, craniofacial growth proceeds normal if the clefts remain untreated, but the cleft remains wide. Conversely, craniofacial growth is reduced after surgical repair and the related alteration of the tissues. Therefore, numerous attempts have been made to change the surgical technique and timing so as to reduce the effects of surgical repairs on craniofacial growth, but they have been only minimally effective so far. We have determined whether the intrinsic structural soft and hard tissue deficiency can be ameliorated before surgical repair using the principles of periosteal distraction by means of magnetic traction. Two three-dimensional maxillary finite element models, with cleft patterns of UCLP and BCLP, respectively, were created from computed tomography slice data using dedicated image analysis software. A virtual dental magnet was positioned on either side of the cleft at the mucoperiosteal borders, and an incremental magnetic attraction force of up to 5 N was applied to simulate periosteal distraction. The stresses and strains in the periosteal tissue induced by the magnet were calculated using finite element analysis. For a 1 N attraction force the maximum strains did not exceed 1500 µstrain suggesting that adaptive remodeling will not take place for attraction forces lower than 1 N. At 5 N the regions subject to remodeling differed between the UCLP and BCLP models. Stresses and strains at the periosteum of the palatal shelf ridges in the absence of compressive forces at the alveolar borders were greater in the UCLP model than the BCLP model. The findings suggest that in newborns with UCLP and BCLP, periosteal distraction by means of a magnetic 5 N attraction force can promote the generation of soft and hard tissues along the cleft edges and rectify the tissue deficiency associated with the malformation.
Efficiency Estimation of Roller Chain Power Transmission System
Authors: Zhang Sheng-Peng , Tak Tae-Oh
Published: November 2020

In the present study, a novel approach to estimating the efficiency of roller chain power transmission systems is proposed based on sliding friction losses and damping force. The dynamics model is taken into account between chain links with lateral offset owing to the derailleur system. Frictional losses were calculated according to Coulomb’s law of friction, and the damping force was dependent on the damping coefficient. The effects of rotational speed, load, derailleur system, and damping coefficient on transmission efficiency were analyzed. The test stand of the roller chain power transmission system was set up to verify the estimated efficiency, and the results showed a good correlation, demonstrating the validity of the chain power transmission efficiency estimation.
Rabbit as an Aging Model in Reproduction: Advanced Maternal Age Alters GLO1 Expression in the Endometrium at the Time of Implantation
Authors: de Nivelle Johanna , Thoma Juliane , Toto Nienguesso Alicia , Seeling Tom , Jung Juliane-Susanne , Navarrete Santos Anne , Schindler Maria
Published: November 2020

Advanced maternal age is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and the decline of female fertility in mammals. A potential reason for reduced fertility is metabolic changes due to protein modifications by advanced glycation end products. To elucidate the aging process in female reproduction, we analysed a key enzyme for detoxification of reactive dicarbonyls, the glyoxalase 1 (GLO1), in reproductive organs and blastocysts of young and old rabbits at the preimplantation stage. At day 6 post coitum, uterine, oviductal, ovarian tissue and blastocysts from young (16–20 weeks) and old rabbits (>108 weeks) were characterised for GLO1 expression. GLO1 amounts, enzymatic activity and localisation were quantified by qPCR, Simple Western, activity assay and immunohistochemistry. The GLO1 enzyme was present and active in all reproductive tract organs in a cell-type-specific pattern. Ovarian follicle and uterine epithelial cells expressed GLO1 to a high extent. In tertiary follicles, GLO1 expression increased, whereas it decreased in the endometrium of old rabbits at day 6 of pregnancy. In blastocysts of old animals, GLO1 expression remained unchanged. In early pregnancy, advanced maternal age leads to modified GLO1 expression in ovarian follicles and the endometrium, indicating an altered metabolic stress response at the preimplantation stage in older females.
Environmental Comfort as a Sustainable Strategy for Housing Integration: The AURA 1.0 Prototype for Social Housing
Authors: López-Escamilla Álvaro , Herrera-Limones Rafael , León-Rodríguez Ángel Luis , Torres-García Miguel
Published: November 2020

The AURA 1.0 prototype is a sustainable social housing proposal, designed by the University of Seville and built for the first Latin American edition of the prestigious Solar Decathlon competition. Different conditioning strategies were integrated into this prototype, optimized for a tropical climate, and focused on contributing positively to the health of the most humble people in society. In this moment, in which a large part of the world population is confined to their homes due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have the opportunity (and the obligation) to reconsider the relationship between architecture and medicine or in other words, between the daily human habitat and health. For this reason, this analysis of aspects derived from the interior conditioning of the homes is carried out. The main objective of the Aura proposal is to be able to extract data through a housing monitoring system, which allows us to transfer some design strategies to the society to which is a case study, in order to promote environmental comfort and, therefore, people’s health. The AURA 1.0 prototype develops flexible and adaptable living spaces, with a high environmental quality, in order to maintain the variables of temperature, relative humidity and natural lighting within a range of comfort required by the rules of the event. To achieve this end, the prototype develops an architectural proposal that combines passive and active conditioning strategies, using construction qualities and typical costs of social housing. These strategies allowed the project to achieve the first prize in the Comfort Conditions test. So, this paper presents an appropriate and tested solution that can satisfy comfortability and health of residents who live in social housing while maintaining low energy consumption.
Development of Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy for Properties Analysis of Highly Diluted Antibodies
Authors: Penkov Nikita , Fesenko Eugeny
Published: November 2020

This work represents the development of a three-band (Debye relaxation, intermolecular bending, and stretching vibrational bands) approach to the terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) for the analysis of aqueous solutions of lactose saturated with highly diluted (HD) antibodies to interferon-gamma. Since THz-TDS is sensitive to a very slight changes in water properties, we aimed to assess its applicability for the analysis of HD antibodies. To evaluate water features in tested samples we also used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, considering the first overtone of intramolecular stretching vibrations of water molecules. We showed a broadening of the energy distribution of intermolecular bonds in the solution of HD substances in comparison to the control solution. This broadening corresponded to the presence of an active component even in HD samples. The results of both methods were similar; however, with the THz-TDS it was possible to analyze the changes in energy distribution of intermolecular (hydrogen) bonds in the solutions. Therefore, our approach to THz-TDS method is applicable for analyzing structural properties of the solutions containing HD antibodies and for the indirect investigation of altered aqueous properties in water solutions when direct measurements of a substance concentration are not available.
Evaluation of Two Cloud-Resolving Models Using Bin or Bulk Microphysics Representation for the HyMeX-IOP7a Heavy Precipitation Event
Authors: Arteaga Diana , Planche Céline , Kagkara Christina , Wobrock Wolfram , Banson Sandra , Tridon Frédéric , Flossmann Andrea
Published: November 2020

The Mediterranean region is frequently affected in autumn by heavy precipitation that causes flash-floods or landslides leading to important material damage and casualties. Within the framework of the international HyMeX program (HYdrological cycle in Mediterranean EXperiment), this study aims to evaluate the capabilities of two models, WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) and DESCAM (DEtailed SCAvenging Model), which use two different representations of the microphysics to reproduce the observed atmospheric properties (thermodynamics, wind fields, radar reflectivities and precipitation features) of the HyMeX-IOP7a intense precipitating event (26 September 2012). The DESCAM model, which uses a bin resolved representation of the microphysics, shows results comparable to the observations for the precipitation field at the surface. On the contrary, the simulations made with the WRF model using a bulk representation of the microphysics (either the Thompson scheme or the Morrison scheme), commonly employed in NWP models, reproduce neither the intensity nor the distribution of the observed precipitation—the rain amount is overestimated and the most intense cell is shifted to the East. The different simulation results show that the divergence in the surface precipitation features seems to be due to different mechanisms involved in the onset of the precipitating system: the convective system is triggered by the topography of the Cévennes mountains (i.e., south-eastern part of the Massif Central) in DESCAM and by a low-level flux convergence in WRF. A sensitivity study indicates that the microphysics properties have impacted the thermodynamics and dynamics fields inducing the low-level wind convergence simulated with WRF for this HyMeX event.
Investigation of Marine Wind Veer Characteristics Using Wind Lidar Measurements
Authors: Shu Zhenru , Li Qiusheng , He Yuncheng , Chan Pak Wai
Published: November 2020

A proper understanding of marine wind characteristics is of essential importance across a wide range of engineering applications. While the offshore wind speed and turbulence characteristics have been examined extensively, the knowledge of wind veer (i.e., turning of wind with height) is much less understood and discussed. This paper presents an investigation of marine wind field with particular emphasis on wind veer characteristics. Extensive observations from a light detection and ranging (Lidar) system at an offshore platform in Hong Kong were examined to characterize the wind veer profiles up to a height of 180 m. The results underscored the occurrence of marine wind veer, with a well-defined two-fold vertical structure. The observed maximum wind veer angle exhibits a reverse correlation with mean wind speed, which decreases from 2.47° to 0.59° for open-sea terrain, and from 7.45° to 1.92° for hilly terrain. In addition, seasonal variability of wind veer is apparent, which is most pronounced during spring and winter due to the frequent occurrence of the low-level jet. The dependence of wind veer on atmospheric stability is evident, particularly during winter and spring. In general, neutral stratification reveals larger values of wind veer angle as compared to those in stable and unstable stratification conditions.
Inertial Iterative Self-Adaptive Step Size Extragradient-Like Method for Solving Equilibrium Problems in Real Hilbert Space with Applications
Authors: Kumam Wiyada , Muangchoo Kanikar
Published: November 2020

A number of applications from mathematical programmings, such as minimization problems, variational inequality problems and fixed point problems, can be written as equilibrium problems. Most of the schemes being used to solve this problem involve iterative methods, and for that reason, in this paper, we introduce a modified iterative method to solve equilibrium problems in real Hilbert space. This method can be seen as a modification of the paper titled “A new two-step proximal algorithm of solving the problem of equilibrium programming” by Lyashko et al. (Optimization and its applications in control and data sciences, Springer book pp. 315–325, 2016). A weak convergence result has been proven by considering the mild conditions on the cost bifunction. We have given the application of our results to solve variational inequality problems. A detailed numerical study on the Nash–Cournot electricity equilibrium model and other test problems is considered to verify the convergence result and its performance.
Authentication and Traceability Study on Barbera d’Asti and Nizza DOCG Wines: The Role of Trace- and Ultra-Trace Elements
Authors: Aceto Maurizio , Gulino Federica , Calà Elisa , Robotti Elisa , Petrozziello Maurizio , Tsolakis Christos , Cassino Claudio
Published: November 2020

Barbera d’Asti—including Barbera d’Asti superiore—and Nizza are two DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) wines produced in Piemonte (Italy) from the Barbera grape variety. Differences among them arise in the production specifications in terms of purity, ageing, and zone of production, in particular with concern to Nizza, which follows the most stringent rules, sells at three times the average price, and is considered to have the highest market value. To guarantee producers and consumers, authentication methods must be developed in order to distinguish among the different wines. As the production zones totally overlap, it is important to verify whether the distinction is possible or not according to metals content, or whether chemical markers more linked to winemaking are needed. In this work, Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) elemental analysis and multivariate data analysis are used to study the authentication and traceability of samples from the three designations of 2015 vintage. The results show that, as far as elemental distribution in wine is concerned, work in the cellar, rather than geographic provenance, is crucial for the possibility of distinction.
Identification of Feldin, an Antifungal Polyyne from the Beefsteak Fungus Fistulina hepatica
Authors: Lee Jungho , Shi Yi-Ming , Grün Peter , Gube Matthias , Feldbrügge Michael , Bode Helge , Hennicke Florian
Published: November 2020

Fruiting body-forming members of the Basidiomycota maintain their ecological fitness against various antagonists like ascomycetous mycoparasites. To achieve that, they produce myriads of bioactive compounds, some of which are now being used as agrochemicals or pharmaceutical lead structures. Here, we screened ethyl acetate crude extracts from cultures of thirty-five mushroom species for antifungal bioactivity, for their effect on the ascomycete Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the basidiomycete Ustilago maydis. One extract that inhibited the growth of S. cerevisiae much stronger than that of U. maydis was further analyzed. For bioactive compound identification, we performed bioactivity-guided HPLC/MS fractionation. Fractions showing inhibition against S. cerevisiae but reduced activity against U. maydis were further analyzed. NMR-based structure elucidation from one such fraction revealed the polyyne we named feldin, which displays prominent antifungal bioactivity. Future studies with additional mushroom-derived eukaryotic toxic compounds or antifungals will show whether U. maydis could be used as a suitable host to shortcut an otherwise laborious production of such mushroom compounds, as could recently be shown for heterologous sesquiterpene production in U. maydis.
Relaxin-2 May Suppress Endometriosis by Reducing Fibrosis, Scar Formation, and Inflammation
Authors: Yoshino Osamu , Ono Yosuke , Honda Masako , Hattori Kyoko , Sato Erina , Hiraoka Takehiro , Ito Masami , Kobayashi Mutsumi , Arai Kenta , Katayama Hidekazu , Tsuchida Hiroyoshi , Yamada-Nomoto Kaori , Iwahata Shunsuke , Fukushi Yoshiyuki , Wada Shinichiro , Iwase Haruko , Koga Kaori , Osuga Yutaka , Iwaoka Michio , Unno Nobuya
Published: November 2020

Background: Relaxin (RLX)-2, produced by the corpus luteum and placenta, is known to be potentially effective in fibrotic diseases of the heart, lungs, kidneys, and bladder; however, its effectiveness in endometriosis has not yet been investigated. In the present study, we conducted a comprehensive study on the effect of RLX-2 on endometriosis. We checked the expressions of LGR-7, a primary receptor of RLX-2, in endometriomas using immunohistochemistry. Endometriotic stromal cells (ESCs) purified from surgical specimens were used in in vitro experiments. The effects of RLX-2 on ESCs were evaluated by quantitative-PCR, ELISA, and Western blotting. Gel contraction assay was used to assess the contraction suppressive effect of RLX-2. The effect of RLX-2 was also examined in the endometriosis mouse model. LGR-7 was expressed in endometriotic lesions. In ESCs, RLX-2 increased the production of cAMP and suppressed the secretion of interleukin-8, an inflammatory cytokine, by 15% and mRNA expression of fibrosis-related molecules, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and collagen-I by approximately 50% (p < 0.05). In the gel contraction assay, RLX-2 significantly suppressed the contraction of ESCs, which was cancelled by removing RLX-2 from the medium or by adding H89, a Protein Kinase A (PKA) inhibitor. In ESCs stimulated with RLX-2, p38 MAPK phosphorylation was significantly suppressed. In the endometriosis mouse model, administration of RLX-2 significantly decreased the area of the endometriotic-like lesion with decreasing fibrotic component compared to non-treated control (p = 0.01). RLX-2 may contribute to the control of endometriotic lesion by suppressing fibrosis, scar formation, and inflammation.
Development of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)-Based Surface-Corrugated Nanopillars for Biomolecular Detection of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Chen Kuan-Hung , Pan Meng-Ju , Jargalsaikhan Zoljargal , Ishdorj Tseren-Onolt , Tseng Fan-Gang
Published: November 2020

In this paper, a nanobiosensor with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) capability is introduced for highly sensitive miRNA detection in colorectal cancer. This sensor was designed and fabricated by employing a nanoshielding mechanism from nanopolystyrene beads to resist reactive ion etching and allow anisotropic electrochemical etching, producing high-aspect-ratio, surface-corrugated nanopillars (SiNPs) on a silicon wafer to create extensive hot spots along the nanopillars for improved SERS signals. SERS enhancements were correlated with nanorange roughness, indicating that hot spots along the pillars were the crucial factor to improve the SERS effect. We achieved the detection capability of a trace amount of R6G (10−8 M), and the SERS signal enhancement factor (EF) was close to 1.0 × 107 on surface-corrugated gold SiNPs. miRNA samples were also demonstrated on this sensor with good sensitivity and specificity. The target molecule miR-21-Cy5 was easily monitored through Raman spectrum variation with a PCR-comparable concentration at around 100 pM with clear nucleotide-specific Raman signals, which is also suitable for biomolecule sensing.
Detecting Vasodilation as Potential Diagnostic Biomarker in Breast Cancer Using Deep Learning-Driven Thermomics
Authors: Yousefi Bardia , Akbari Hamed , Maldague Xavier P.V.
Published: November 2020

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Early diagnosis improves outcome and survival, which is the cornerstone of breast cancer treatment. Thermography has been utilized as a complementary diagnostic technique in breast cancer detection. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the capacity to capture and analyze the entire concealed information in thermography. In this study, we propose a method to potentially detect the immunohistochemical response to breast cancer by finding thermal heterogeneous patterns in the targeted area. In this study for breast cancer screening 208 subjects participated and normal and abnormal (diagnosed by mammography or clinical diagnosis) conditions were analyzed. High-dimensional deep thermomic features were extracted from the ResNet-50 pre-trained model from low-rank thermal matrix approximation using sparse principal component analysis. Then, a sparse deep autoencoder designed and trained for such data decreases the dimensionality to 16 latent space thermomic features. A random forest model was used to classify the participants. The proposed method preserves thermal heterogeneity, which leads to successful classification between normal and abnormal subjects with an accuracy of 78.16% (73.3–81.07%). By non-invasively capturing a thermal map of the entire tumor, the proposed method can assist in screening and diagnosing this malignancy. These thermal signatures may preoperatively stratify the patients for personalized treatment planning and potentially monitor the patients during treatment.