bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Keratin 7 Is a Constituent of the Keratin Network in Mouse Pancreatic Islets and Is Upregulated in Experimental Diabetes
Authors: Alam Catharina M. , Baghestani Sarah , Pajari Ada , Omary M. Bishr , Toivola Diana M.
Published: July 2021

Keratin (K) 7 is an intermediate filament protein expressed in ducts and glands of simple epithelial organs and in urothelial tissues. In the pancreas, K7 is expressed in exocrine ducts, and apico-laterally in acinar cells. Here, we report K7 expression with K8 and K18 in the endocrine islets of Langerhans in mice. K7 filament formation in islet and MIN6 β-cells is dependent on the presence and levels of K18. K18-knockout (K18‒/‒) mice have undetectable islet K7 and K8 proteins, while K7 and K18 are downregulated in K8‒/‒ islets. K7, akin to F-actin, is concentrated at the apical vertex of β-cells in wild-type mice and along the lateral membrane, in addition to forming a fine cytoplasmic network. In K8‒/‒ β-cells, apical K7 remains, but lateral keratin bundles are displaced and cytoplasmic filaments are scarce. Islet K7, rather than K8, is increased in K18 over-expressing mice and the K18-R90C mutation disrupts K7 filaments in mouse β-cells and in MIN6 cells. Notably, islet K7 filament networks significantly increase and expand in the perinuclear regions when examined in the streptozotocin diabetes model. Hence, K7 represents a significant component of the murine islet keratin network and becomes markedly upregulated during experimental diabetes.
The Green Anti-Cancer Weapon. The Role of Natural Compounds in Bladder Cancer Treatment
Authors: Wigner Paulina , Bijak Michal , Saluk-Bijak Joanna
Published: July 2021

Bladder cancer (BC) is the second most common genitourinary cancer. In 2018, 550,000 people in the world were diagnosed with BC, and the number of new cases continues to rise. BC is also characterized by high recurrence risk, despite therapies. Although in the last few years, the range of BC therapy has considerably widened, it is associated with severe side effects and the development of drug resistance, which is hampering treatment success. Thus, patients are increasingly choosing products of natural origin as an alternative or complementary therapeutic options. Therefore, in this article, we aim to elucidate, using the available literature, the role of natural substances such as curcumin, sulforaphane, resveratrol, quercetin, 6-gingerol, delphinidin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate and gossypol in the BC treatment. Numerous clinical and preclinical studies point to their role in the modulation of the signaling pathways, such as cell proliferation, cell survival, apoptosis and cell death.
Role of Methylation in Period2 (PER2) Transcription in the Context of the Presence or Absence of Light Signals: Natural and Chemical—Studies on the Pig Model
Authors: Gilun Przemysław , Flisikowski Krzysztof , Flisikowska Tatiana , Kwiatkowska Joanna , Wąsowska Barbara , Koziorowska-Gilun Magdalena
Published: July 2021

It has been proposed that carbon monoxide (CO) is a chemical light carrier that is transferred by the humoral pathway from the retina to the brain. Here, we aimed to study how deeply CO is involved in regulating the expression of Period2 gene (PER2), one of the genes maintaining the intrinsic biological clock. In our in vivo experiment, we studied whether CO may be a chemical signal and is also equivalent to natural light in three groups of pigs: Normal: housed in natural conditions without any procedures, Control: adapted and kept in constant darkness, infused with blank plasma, and CO treated: adapted and kept in constant darkness infused with CO-enriched plasma. After the experiment, the animals were slaughtered at two times of day: 12 p.m. and 12 a.m. Next, hypothalamus samples were collected. Quantitative PCR, the DNA methylation of the promoter sequence containing enhancers (E-box) and a functional analysis of the PER2 promoter was performed. qPCR showed a differential pattern of PER2 mRNA expression at daytime oscillation in the examined groups. Pyrosequencing revealed daytime changes in the methylation level of regulatory sites of the examined sequence. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that E-boxes (CANNTG) drive the expression of the porcine PER2 in vitro. In conclusion, changes in methylation over 24 h may regulate the oscillatory manner of PER2 expression.
Hyperinsulinemia and Its Pivotal Role in Aging, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer
Authors: Janssen Joseph A. M. J. L.
Published: July 2021

For many years, the dogma has been that insulin resistance precedes the development of hyperinsulinemia. However, recent data suggest a reverse order and place hyperinsulinemia mechanistically upstream of insulin resistance. Genetic background, consumption of the “modern” Western diet and over-nutrition may increase insulin secretion, decrease insulin pulses and/or reduce hepatic insulin clearance, thereby causing hyperinsulinemia. Hyperinsulinemia disturbs the balance of the insulin–GH–IGF axis and shifts the insulin : GH ratio towards insulin and away from GH. This insulin–GH shift promotes energy storage and lipid synthesis and hinders lipid breakdown, resulting in obesity due to higher fat accumulation and lower energy expenditure. Hyperinsulinemia is an important etiological factor in the development of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and premature mortality. It has been further hypothesized that nutritionally driven insulin exposure controls the rate of mammalian aging. Interventions that normalize/reduce plasma insulin concentrations might play a key role in the prevention and treatment of age-related decline, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Caloric restriction, increasing hepatic insulin clearance and maximizing insulin sensitivity are at present the three main strategies available for managing hyperinsulinemia. This may slow down age-related physiological decline and prevent age-related diseases. Drugs that reduce insulin (hyper) secretion, normalize pulsatile insulin secretion and/or increase hepatic insulin clearance may also have the potential to prevent or delay the progression of hyperinsulinemia-mediated diseases. Future research should focus on new strategies to minimize hyperinsulinemia at an early stage, aiming at successfully preventing and treating hyperinsulinemia-mediated diseases.
Gasotransmitters for the Therapeutic Prevention of Hypertension and Kidney Disease
Authors: Hsu Chien-Ning , Tain You-Lin
Published: July 2021

Nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), three major gasotransmitters, are involved in pleiotropic biofunctions. Research on their roles in hypertension and kidney disease has greatly expanded recently. The developing kidney can be programmed by various adverse in utero conditions by so-called renal programming, giving rise to hypertension and kidney disease in adulthood. Accordingly, early gasotransmitter-based interventions may have therapeutic potential to revoke programming processes, subsequently preventing hypertension and kidney disease of developmental origins. In this review, we describe the current knowledge of NO, CO, and H2S implicated in pregnancy, including in physiological and pathophysiological processes, highlighting their key roles in hypertension and kidney disease. We summarize current evidence of gasotransmitter-based interventions for prevention of hypertension and kidney disease in animal models. Continued study is required to assess the interplay among the gasotransmitters NO, CO, and H2S and renal programming, as well as a greater focus on further clinical translation.
Synthesis and Antiparasitic Activity of New Conjugates—Organic Drugs Tethered to Trithiolato-Bridged Dinuclear Ruthenium(II)–Arene Complexes
Authors: Desiatkina Oksana , Johns Serena K. , Anghel Nicoleta , Boubaker Ghalia , Hemphill Andrew , Furrer Julien , Păunescu Emilia
Published: July 2021

Tethering known drugs to a metalorganic moiety is an efficient approach for modulating the anticancer, antibacterial, and antiparasitic activity of organometallic complexes. This study focused on the synthesis and evaluation of new dinuclear ruthenium(II)–arene compounds linked to several antimicrobial compounds such as dapsone, sulfamethoxazole, sulfadiazine, sulfadoxine, triclosan, metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, as well as menadione (a 1,4-naphtoquinone derivative). In a primary screen, 30 compounds (17 hybrid molecules, diruthenium intermediates, and antimicrobials) were assessed for in vitro activity against transgenic T. gondii tachyzoites constitutively expressing β-galactosidase (T. gondii β-gal) at 0.1 and 1 µM. In parallel, the cytotoxicity in noninfected host cells (human foreskin fibroblasts, HFF) was determined by an alamarBlue assay. When assessed at 1 µM, five compounds strongly impaired parasite proliferation by >90%, and HFF viability was retained at 50% or more, and they were further subjected to T. gondii β-gal dose-response studies. Two compounds, notably 11 and 13, amide and ester conjugates with sulfadoxine and metronidazole, exhibited low IC50 (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) values 0.063 and 0.152 µM, and low or intermediate impairment of HFF viability at 2.5 µM (83 and 64%). The nature of the anchored drug as well as that of the linking unit impacted the biological activity.
Molecular Pathogenesis of Psoriasis and Biomarkers Reflecting Disease Activity
Authors: Honma Masaru , Nozaki Hiroyoshi
Published: July 2021

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease induced by multifactorial causes and is characterized by bothersome, scaly reddish plaques, especially on frequently chafed body parts, such as extensor sites of the extremities. The latest advances in molecular-targeted therapies using biologics or small-molecule inhibitors help to sufficiently treat even the most severe psoriatic symptoms and the extra cutaneous comorbidities of psoriatic arthritis. The excellent clinical effects of these therapies provide a deeper understanding of the impaired quality of life caused by this disease and the detailed molecular mechanism in which the interleukin (IL)-23/IL-17 axis plays an essential role. To establish standardized therapeutic strategies, biomarkers that define deep remission are indispensable. Several molecules, such as cytokines, chemokines, antimicrobial peptides, and proteinase inhibitors, have been recognized as potent biomarker candidates. In particular, blood protein markers that are repeatedly measurable can be extremely useful in daily clinical practice. Herein, we summarize the molecular mechanism of psoriasis, and we describe the functions and induction mechanisms of these biomarker candidates.
Consequences of the COVID-19 Outbreak Lockdown on Non-Viral Infectious Agents as Reported by a Laboratory-Based Surveillance System at the IHU Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
Authors: Kaba Lanceï , Giraud-Gatineau Audrey , Jimeno Marie-Thérèse , Rolain Jean-Marc , Colson Philippe , Raoult Didier , Chaudet Hervé
Published: July 2021

The objective of this paper is to describe the surveillance system MIDaS and to show how this system has been used for evaluating the consequences of the French COVID-19 lockdown on the bacterial mix of AP-HM and the antibiotic resistance. MIDas is a kind of surveillance activity hub, allowing the automatic construction of surveillance control boards. We investigated the diversity and resistance of bacterial agents from respiratory, blood, and urine samples during the lockdown period (from week 12 to 35 of 2020), using the same period of years from 2017 to 2019 as control. Taking into account the drop in patient recruitment, several species have exhibited significant changes in their relative abundance (either increasing or decreasing) with changes up to 9%. The changes were more important for respiratory and urine samples than for blood samples. The relative abundance in respiratory samples for the whole studied period was higher during the lockdown. A significant increase in the percentage of wild phenotypes during the lockdown was observed for several species. The use of the MIDaS syndromic collection and surveillance system made it possible to efficiently detect, analyze, and follow changes of the microbiological population as during the lockdown period.
Ossification and Fusion of the Vertebral Ring Apophysis as an Important Part of Spinal Maturation
Authors: Costa Lorenzo , de Reuver Steven , Kan Luc , Seevinck Peter , Kruyt Moyo C. , Schlosser Tom P. C. , Castelein René M.
Published: July 2021

In scoliosis, most of the deformity is in the disc and occurs during the period of rapid growth. The ring apophyses form the insertion of the disc into the vertebral body, they then ossify and fuse to the vertebrae during that same crucial period. Although this must have important implications for the mechanical properties of the spine, relatively little is known of how this process takes place. This study describes the maturation pattern of the ring apophyses in the thoracic and lumbar spine during normal growth. High-resolution CT scans of the spine for indications not related to this study were included. Ossification and fusion of each ring apophysis from T1 to the sacrum was classified on midsagittal and midcoronal images (4 points per ring) by two observers. The ring apophysis maturation (RAM) was compared between different ages, sexes, and spinal levels. The RAM strongly correlated with age (R = 0.892, p < 0.001). Maturation differed in different regions of the spine and between sexes. High thoracic and low lumbar levels fused earlier in both groups, but, around the peak of the growth spurt, in girls the mid-thoracic levels were less mature than in boys, which may have implications for the development of scoliosis.
Psychoactive Substances Taken with Mephedrone and HCV Infection
Authors: Ordak Michal , Nasierowski Tadeusz , Muszynska Elzbieta , Bujalska-Zadrozny Magdalena
Published: July 2021

Background: In recent years, the observed frequency of hospitalization of patients taking mephedrone with other psychoactive substances has increased. There are no data in the literature on the effect of mephedrone use on liver function in patients, including the frequency of HCV infection. We have analysed the impact of taking mephedrone together with other psychoactive substances on the incidence of HCV infection. We have also analysed the effect of taking mephedrone with heroin, alcohol, and benzodiazepines on liver enzyme levels. Methods: The study included patients taking mephedrone with: alcohol (n = 115), heroin (n = 85) and benzodiazepines (n = 130) hospitalized in 2010–2018. The control group consisted of patients addicted to alcohol (n = 180), heroin (n = 221) and benzodiazepines (n = 152). Clinical data and laboratory findings were collected from medical records. Results: Taking mephedrone together with benzodiazepines is a statistically significant predictor of HCV infection in this group of patients, OR (8.44); 95% CI 5.63–12.64; p < 0.001). A statistically significant interaction of the group with HCV infection was observed, i.e., for the level of alanine transaminase (p < 0.001) and aspartate transaminase (p < 0.001). Increased levels of liver enzymes in each of the studied groups was characteristic in patients with HCV infection (p < 0.001). Taking additional mephedrone by this group of patients did not increase the level of liver enzymes. Conclusion: HCV infection is a statistically significant factor affecting the increase in liver enzymes levels in the group of patients taking mephedrone.
Isolation and Characterization of Endomycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Growth Promotion of Blueberry Plants
Authors: Cai Binbin , Vancov Tony , Si Hanqi , Yang Wenru , Tong Kunning , Chen Wenrong , Fang Yunying
Published: July 2021

Despite their notable root mutualism with blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), studies related to Ericoid mycorrhizal (ERM) are relatively limited. In this study, we report the isolation of 14 endomycorrhizal fungi and their identification by fungal colony morphology characterization combined with PCR-amplified fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence analyses. Six of the isolated strains were confirmed as beneficial mycorrhizal fungi for blueberry plants following inoculation. We observed the formation of typical ERM hyphae coil structures—which promote and nutritionally support growth—in blueberry seedlings and significant nitrogen and phosphorous content increases in diverse tissues. QRT-PCRs confirmed changes in VcPHT1s expression patterns. After the formation of ERM, PHT1-1 transcription in roots was upregulated by 1.4- to threefold, whilst expression of PHT1-3 and PHT1-4 in roots were downregulated 72% and 60%, respectively. Amino acid sequence analysis of all four VcPHT1s genes from the blueberry variety “Sharpblue” revealed an overall structural similarity of 67% and predicted transmembrane domains. Cloning and overexpression of PHT1-1 and PHT1-3 genes in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants significantly enriched total phosphorus and chlorophyll content, confirming that PHT1-1 and PHT1-3 gene functions are associated with the transport and absorption of phosphorus.
Physiotherapy versus Consecutive Physiotherapy and Cognitive Treatment in People with Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Randomized Cross-Over Study
Authors: Varalta Valentina , Poiese Paola , Recchia Serena , Montagnana Barbara , Fonte Cristina , Filippetti Mirko , Tinazzi Michele , Smania Nicola , Picelli Alessandro
Published: July 2021

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by motor and cognitive dysfunctions that can usually be treated by physiotherapy or cognitive training, respectively. The effects of consecutive physiotherapy and cognitive rehabilitation programs on PD deficits are less investigated. Objective: We investigated the effects of 3 months of physiotherapy (physiotherapy treatment group) or consecutive physiotherapy and cognitive (physiotherapy and cognitive treatment group) rehabilitation programs on cognitive, motor, and psychological aspects in 20 PD patients. Methods: The two groups switched programs and continued rehabilitation for another 3 months. The outcomes were score improvement on cognitive (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Frontal Assessment Battery, Trail Making Test, Verbal Phonemic Fluency, Digit Span, and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning), motor (Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale-III, Berg Balance Scale, Two-Minute Walking Test, and Time Up and Go), and psychological (Beck Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) scales. Results: Between-group comparison revealed a significant difference in functional mobility between the two rehabilitation programs. Improvements in walking abilities were noted after both interventions, but only the patients treated with consecutive training showed better performance on functional mobility and memory tasks. Conclusion: Our findings support the hypothesis that consecutive physiotherapy plus cognitive rehabilitation may have a greater benefit than physiotherapy alone in patients with PD.
Tele-Neuropsychological Assessment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Carotenuto Anna , Traini Enea , Fasanaro Angiola Maria , Battineni Gopi , Amenta Francesco
Published: July 2021

Background: Because of the new pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the demand for telemedicine and telemonitoring solutions has been exponentially raised. Because of its special advantage to treat patients in an emergency without physical presence at a hospital via video conferencing, telemedicine has been used to overcome distance barriers and to improve access to special domains like neurology. In these pandemic times, telemedicine has been also employed as a support for the diagnosis and treatment of adult-onset dementia disorders including Alzheimer’s disease. Objective: In this study, we carried out a systematic literature analysis to clarify if the neuropsychological tests traditionally employed in face-to-face (FTF) contexts are reliable via telemedicine. Methods: A systematic literature search for the past 20 years (2001–2020) was carried out through the medical databases PubMed (Medline) and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). The quality assessment was conducted by adopting the Newcastle Ottawa Scale (NOS) and only studies with a NOS ≥ 7 were included in this review. Results: The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) results do not differ when tests are administered in the traditional FTF modality or by videoconference, and only negligible minor changes in the scoring system were noticeable. Other neuropsychological tests used to support the diagnosis of AD and dementia such as the Token Test, the Comprehension of Words and Phrases (ACWP), the Controlled Oral Word Association Test showed high reliability between the two modalities considered. No differences in the reliability concerning the living setting or education of the subjects were reported. Conclusions: The MMSE, which is the main screening test for dementia, can be administered via telemedicine with minor adaptation in the scoring system. Telemedicine use for other neuropsychological tests also resulted in general reliability and enough accuracy. Cognitive assessment by videoconference is accepted and appreciated and therefore can be used for dementia diagnosis in case of difficulties to performing FTF assessments. This approach can be useful given a personalized medicine approach for the treatment of adult-onset dementia disorders.
Utilization of Thermally Treated SiC Nanowhiskers and Superplasticizer for Cementitious Composite Production
Authors: Azevedo Nagilla , Neto José Andrade , de Matos Paulo , Betioli Andrea , Szeląg Maciej , Gleize Philippe
Published: July 2021

Nanomaterials are potential candidates to improve the mechanical properties and durability of cementitious composites. SiC nanowhiskers (NWs) present exceptional mechanical properties and have already been successfully incorporated into different matrices. In this study, cementitious composites were produced with a superplasticizer (SP) and 0–1.0 wt % SiC NWs. Two different NWs were used: untreated (NT-NW) and thermally treated at 500 °C (500-NW). The rheological properties, cement hydration, mechanical properties, and microstructure were evaluated. The results showed that NWs incorporation statistically increased the yield stress of cement paste (by up to 10%) while it led to marginal effects in viscosity. NWs enhanced the early cement hydration, increasing the main heat flow peak. NWs incorporation increased the compressive strength, tensile strength, and thermal conductivity of composites by up to 56%, 66%, and 80%, respectively, while it did not statistically affect the water absorption. Scanning electron microscopy showed a good bond between NWs and cement matrix in addition to the bridging of cracks. Overall, the thermal treatment increased the specific surface area of NWs enhancing their effects on cement properties, while SP improved the NWs dispersion, increasing their beneficial effects on the hardened properties.
Study of the Interaction of an Iron Phthalocyanine Complex over Surface Modified Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Pérez-Cadenas María , Asedegbega-Nieto Esther , Carter Jonathan , Anderson James A. , Rodríguez-Ramos Inmaculada , Guerrero-Ruiz Antonio
Published: July 2021

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) were prepared by a modified chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The synthesized carbon materials were treated with acidic and basic solutions in order to introduce certain surface functional groups, mainly containing oxygen (OCNT) or amine (ACNT) species. These modified CNTs (OCNT and ACNT) as well as the originally prepared CNT were reacted with a non-ionic Fe complex, Iron (II) Phthalocyanine, and three composites were obtained. The amount of metal complex introduced in each case and the interaction between the complex and the CNT materials were studied with the aid of various characterization techniques such as TGA, XRD, and XPS. The results obtained in these experiments all indicated that the interaction between the complex and the CNT was greatly affected by the functionalization of the latter.
Prediction of Healing Performance of Autogenous Healing Concrete Using Machine Learning
Authors: Huang Xu , Wasouf Mirna , Sresakoolchai Jessada , Kaewunruen Sakdirat
Published: July 2021

Cracks typically develop in concrete due to shrinkage, loading actions, and weather conditions; and may occur anytime in its life span. Autogenous healing concrete is a type of self-healing concrete that can automatically heal cracks based on physical or chemical reactions in concrete matrix. It is imperative to investigate the healing performance that autogenous healing concrete possesses, to assess the extent of the cracking and to predict the extent of healing. In the research of self-healing concrete, testing the healing performance of concrete in a laboratory is costly, and a mass of instances may be needed to explore reliable concrete design. This study is thus the world’s first to establish six types of machine learning algorithms, which are capable of predicting the healing performance (HP) of self-healing concrete. These algorithms involve an artificial neural network (ANN), a k-nearest neighbours (kNN), a gradient boosting regression (GBR), a decision tree regression (DTR), a support vector regression (SVR) and a random forest (RF). Parameters of these algorithms are tuned utilising grid search algorithm (GSA) and genetic algorithm (GA). The prediction performance indicated by coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error (RMSE) measures of these algorithms are evaluated on the basis of 1417 data sets from the open literature. The results show that GSA-GBR performs higher prediction performance (R2GSA-GBR = 0.958) and stronger robustness (RMSEGSA-GBR = 0.202) than the other five types of algorithms employed to predict the healing performance of autogenous healing concrete. Therefore, reliable prediction accuracy of the healing performance and efficient assistance on the design of autogenous healing concrete can be achieved.
Behaviors of Electromagnetic Wave Propagation in Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Basmaci Ayse Nihan
Published: July 2021

In this study, behaviors of electromagnetic wave propagation in a double-walled carbon nanotube (DWCNT) are investigated theoretically. For this purpose, the effects of carbon nanotube’s inner and outer tubes’ material property parameters (μ, ε) on electromagnetic wave propagation are discussed. The effects of interaction between the carbon nanotube’s inner and outer tubes on the electromagnetic wave propagation are defined. Nonlocal effects of the DWCNT on electromagnetic wave propagation are examined. Besides, the electromagnetic wave propagation frequencies are specifically investigated, taking the DWCNT’s nonlocal effects and material property parameters (ε, µ) into account. When the wavenumber, k, is greater than 1.8 × 1010, the frequencies of the fundamental mode and the second mode converge to 3.554 × 108 Hz. Additionally, the electromagnetic wave propagation frequencies decrease with the increase of the DWCNT’s nonlocal parameter (ν) and decrease with material parameter (D).
Dielectrophoresis Structurization of PZT/PDMS Micro-Composite for Elastronic Function: Towards Dielectric and Piezoelectric Enhancement
Authors: D’Ambrogio Giulia , Zahhaf Omar , Le Minh-Quyen , Capsal Jean-Fabien , Cottinet Pierre-Jean
Published: July 2021

Piezoelectric materials have been used for decades in the field of sensors as transducers and energy harvesters. Among these, piezoelectric composites are emerging being extremely advantageous in terms of production, costs, and versatility. However, the piezoelectric performances of a composite with randomly dispersed filler are not comparable with bulk ferroelectric ceramics and electroactive polymers. In order to achieve highly performing and low-cost materials, this work aims to develop flexible composites made of Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) filler in Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix, with a specific internal structure called quasi-1–3 connectivity. Such a structure, comprising particles arranged in columns along a preferred direction, is performed through dielectrophoresis by applying an alternating electric field on the composite before and during the polymerization. The developed flexible material could be introduced into complex structures in various application fields, as sensors for structural monitoring.
Some Properties of Euler’s Function and of the Function τ and Their Generalizations in Algebraic Number Fields
Authors: Minculete Nicuşor , Savin Diana
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we find some inequalities which involve Euler’s function, extended Euler’s function, the function τ, and the generalized function τ in algebraic number fields.
Remote Quantum-Safe Authentication of Entities with Physical Unclonable Functions
Authors: Nikolopoulos Georgios M.
Published: July 2021

Physical unclonable functions have been shown to be a useful resource of randomness for implementing various cryptographic tasks including entity authentication. All the related entity authentication protocols that have been discussed in the literature so far, either they are vulnerable to an emulation attack, or they are limited to short distances. Hence, quantum-safe remote entity authentication over large distances remains an open question. In the first part of this work, we discuss the requirements that an entity authentication protocol has to offer, to be useful for remote entity authentication in practice. Subsequently, we propose a protocol, which can operate over large distances, and offers security against both classical and quantum adversaries. The proposed protocol relies on standard techniques, it is fully compatible with the infrastructure of existing and future photonic networks, and it can operate in parallel with other quantum protocols, including QKD protocols.
Towards Smart Home Automation Using IoT-Enabled Edge-Computing Paradigm
Authors: Yar Hikmat , Imran Ali Shariq , Khan Zulfiqar Ahmad , Sajjad Muhammad , Kastrati Zenun
Published: July 2021

Smart home applications are ubiquitous and have gained popularity due to the overwhelming use of Internet of Things (IoT)-based technology. The revolution in technologies has made homes more convenient, efficient, and even more secure. The need for advancement in smart home technology is necessary due to the scarcity of intelligent home applications that cater to several aspects of the home simultaneously, i.e., automation, security, safety, and reducing energy consumption using less bandwidth, computation, and cost. Our research work provides a solution to these problems by deploying a smart home automation system with the applications mentioned above over a resource-constrained Raspberry Pi (RPI) device. The RPI is used as a central controlling unit, which provides a cost-effective platform for interconnecting a variety of devices and various sensors in a home via the Internet. We propose a cost-effective integrated system for smart home based on IoT and Edge-Computing paradigm. The proposed system provides remote and automatic control to home appliances, ensuring security and safety. Additionally, the proposed solution uses the edge-computing paradigm to store sensitive data in a local cloud to preserve the customer’s privacy. Moreover, visual and scalar sensor-generated data are processed and held over edge device (RPI) to reduce bandwidth, computation, and storage cost. In the comparison with state-of-the-art solutions, the proposed system is 5% faster in detecting motion, and 5 ms and 4 ms in switching relay on and off, respectively. It is also 6% more efficient than the existing solutions with respect to energy consumption.
Towards a Machine Learning Based Situational Awareness Framework for Cybersecurity: An SDN Implementation
Authors: Nikoloudakis Yannis , Kefaloukos Ioannis , Klados Stylianos , Panagiotakis Spyros , Pallis Evangelos , Skianis Charalabos , Markakis Evangelos K.
Published: July 2021

The ever-increasing number of internet-connected devices, along with the continuous evolution of cyber-attacks, in terms of volume and ingenuity, has led to a widened cyber-threat landscape, rendering infrastructures prone to malicious attacks. Towards addressing systems’ vulnerabilities and alleviating the impact of these threats, this paper presents a machine learning based situational awareness framework that detects existing and newly introduced network-enabled entities, utilizing the real-time awareness feature provided by the SDN paradigm, assesses them against known vulnerabilities, and assigns them to a connectivity-appropriate network slice. The assessed entities are continuously monitored by an ML-based IDS, which is trained with an enhanced dataset. Our endeavor aims to demonstrate that a neural network, trained with heterogeneous data stemming from the operational environment (common vulnerability enumeration IDs that correlate attacks with existing vulnerabilities), can achieve more accurate prediction rates than a conventional one, thus addressing some aspects of the situational awareness paradigm. The proposed framework was evaluated within a real-life environment and the results revealed an increase of more than 4% in the overall prediction accuracy.
The Artificial Intelligence of Things Sensing System of Real-Time Bridge Scour Monitoring for Early Warning during Floods
Authors: Lin Yung-Bin , Lee Fong-Zuo , Chang Kuo-Chun , Lai Jihn-Sung , Lo Shi-Wei , Wu Jyh-Horng , Lin Tzu-Kang
Published: July 2021

Scour around bridge piers remains the leading cause of bridge failure induced in flood. Floods and torrential rains erode riverbeds and damage cross-river structures, causing bridge collapse and a severe threat to property and life. Reductions in bridge-safety capacity need to be monitored during flood periods to protect the traveling public. In the present study, a scour monitoring system designed with vibration-based arrayed sensors consisting of a combination of Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) is developed and implemented to obtain real-time scour depth measurements. These vibration-based micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) sensors are packaged in a waterproof stainless steel ball within a rebar cage to resist a harsh environment in floods. The floodwater-level changes around the bridge pier are performed using real-time CCTV images by the Mask R-CNN deep learning model. The scour-depth evolution is simulated using the hydrodynamic model with the selected local scour formulas and the sediment transport equation. The laboratory and field measurement results demonstrated the success of the early warning system for monitoring the real-time bridge scour-depth evolution.
Internal Labour Regulations: Federal and Local Level
Authors: Petrov A. A. Ya.
Published: July 2021

The article, based on the analysis of the internal labor regulations of the federal and local levels, as well as the recommended as a model, considers controversial aspects of their content.
On Certain Areas of Improving Legislation on Distance Work in the Russian Federation
Authors: Vasyukov S. S. V.
Published: July 2021

The article examines certain problematic issues of labor regulation of teleworkers in Russian legislation, analyzes the provisions of the draft law on amendments to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation in terms of regulating the labor of teleworkers and the introduction of the concept of temporary remote work.
Challenges in the Application of Legislation to Pilot the Use of Electronic Work-related documents
Authors: Klepalova Yu. I. , Jiltsov M. A. , Jiltsov Yu. V.
Published: July 2021

One of the directions for the development of electronic interaction between the employee and the employer is the adoption of legislation on the experiment on the use of electronic documents related to work. The implementation of these standards raises a number of questions. The authors of the article analyze these problems and propose amendments to the law.
Clinical validation of implementing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol in elderly colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Koh Wooree , Lee Chul Seung , Bae Jung Hoon , Al-Sawat Abdullah , Lee In Kyu , Jin Hyeong Yong
Published: July 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of applying enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in elderly colorectal cancer patients.Methods: The medical records of patients who underwent elective colorectal cancer surgery at our institution, from January 2017 to December 2017, were reviewed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the young group (YG, patients aged 70 and under 70 years) and the old group (OG, patients over 70 years old). Perioperative outcomes and length of hospital stay were compared between both groups.Results: In total, 335 patients were enrolled; 237 were YG and 98 were OG. Despite the poorer baseline characteristics of OG, the perioperative outcomes were similar. Length of hospital stay was not different between the groups (YG, 5 days vs. OG, 5 days; P=0.320). When comparing the postoperative complications using the comprehensive complication index (CCI), there was no significant difference (YG, 8.0±13.2 vs. OG, 11.7±23.0; P=0.130). In regression analysis, old age (>70 years) was not a risk factor for high CCI in all patients. In multivariate analysis, C-reactive protein (CRP) level on postoperative day (POD) 3 to 4 was the only strong predictive factor for high CCI in elderly patients.Conclusion: Implementing the ERAS protocol in patients aged >70 years is safe and feasible. High CRP (≥6.47 mg/dL) on POD 3 to 4 can be used as a safety index to postpone discharge in elderly patients.
FOOD AND DRINK PROCESSING FROM LYCHEE PRODUCTS IN THE NORTHERN PROVINCES OF VIETNAM - AND ROLES OF AGRICULTURE PROJECT FINANCING
Authors: Ngoc-Huy Dinh Tran , Thi Hang Nguyen , Thanh-Huong Le Thi , Van Hong Pham
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study focuses on presenting the food and drink process in the case of making lychee juice and lychee-tea combination fruit juice in a tropical country such as Vietnam. We mainly use methods of qualitative analysis, synthesis and inductive methods, with description and explanatory methods. Authors also use a value chain approach from a material supply (lychee products) to production and market distribution.Research results show us that choosing good red lychee together with good green or black tea, esp. Lipton tea, which is produced from the region of material supplying in the Northern region of Vietnam, then mixed with sugar and ice, using little vegetables will be very good for everybody health, functioning as medical treatment to prevent heart disease, and helps men and women stronger.In the meantime, we also propose lychee and tea planting policies and capital financing policies in the country, esp. In the north of Vietnam. For instance, the nation needs to continue to negotiate with countries that have not yet allowed Vietnam’s fresh lychee to be imported into developed countries (such as Korea, ...); The state/province cooperates with donors and businesses in trade promotion activities in potential export markets for Vietnamese lychee and fruit products (Japan, Korea, US, EU, ASEAN…).
Innovation and Information Aspects of the Structural Organization of the World Political and Economic Space
Authors: Dementyev Vyacheslav , Dalevska Nataliya , Kwilinski Aleksy
Published: July 2021

The article analyzes the innovation and information aspects of the structural organization of the world political and economic space in terms of increasing the importance of knowledge-intensive production in meeting social needs. It develops theoretical aspects of establishing international economic relations in the conditions of deepening global confrontation between hierarchical and network structures of the global political and economic space. The institutional structure of the world political and economic space in terms of functional, normative, relational and stratification aspects is studied. It is determined that the global economy and world politics interact in accordance with the strategic direction of the global society development, the dominant position in which is occupied by information and communication technologies that provide opportunities to optimize the operation of actors in international relations and knowledge, the volume of which determines the integrated the position of the individual in the space of social inequalities, associated with a specific set of life opportunities. From the standpoint of the existential approach, it is argued that the globalization of the world economy generates a wide range of internal interests and human motivations, stimulates its purposeful influence on shaping the global information infrastructure, global productive forces and transformation of international economic relations on the natural basis of cognitive capital and social capital. The communicative and informational properties, the specifics of accumulation and the latest trends in the reproduction of social capital within the world political and economic space are considered. The paper reveals the criterion assessment of the effectiveness of rent-oriented social networks as a structural basis of the world political and economic space and the social legitimacy of international power structures for regulating the global social processes. The research results were scientifically substantiated on the basis of combining the concepts of existential approach and general scientific, special methods of scientific cognition (logical-dialectical method, method of systemic analysis, comparative method, economic-statistical method, method of theoretical generalization).
O mundo como alvo
Authors: Arantes Paulo Eduardo
Published: July 2021

Faz algum tempo que vivemos em um mundo povoado de alvos. Somos inclusive alvos de um sem-número de empreendimentos, dos mais inocentemente comerciais às mais turvas operações encobertas. Uma simples consulta ao Google, não por acaso uma máquina colossal de “obter alvos”, deverá exibir com certeza alguns milhões de ocorrências, na grande maioria das línguas que operam nesse mesmo mundo coberto de alvos. Alguma coisa esta inflação deve dizer sobre a sociedade em que vivemos e a direção em que está indo. Mais de um autor está respondendo que nos anos que correm estamos entrando numa sociedade de direcionamento de alvos, como recentemente se traduziu targeted societies. Nesse meio tempo, um outro teórico mostrou que vivíamos há um bom tempo numa era em que o próprio mundo havia se tornado ele mesmo um alvo. Como não dá para enfrentar sem mais, por assim dizer em campo aberto e meramente conceitual, a hipótese de que passamos a viver, para além da disciplina e do controle, tal como os tratam Foucault e Deleuze, respectivamente, numa sociedade de alvos direcionados, podemos começar por um rodeio, para testar por nossa vez uma outra variante dessa mesma hipótese, a de que a sociedade de alvos direcionados em que nos debatemos é ela mesma o ponto de acumulação de um longo processo de definição militar da realidade. Se conseguirmos igualmente sugerir que o assim chamado capitalismo de vigilância se explicaria em alguma medida pela expansão daquele mesmo processo de definição da realidade, teremos quem sabe atinado com a nota específica da espantosa guerra dos mundos que se trava à nossa volta. Para resumir de outro modo essa visão do mundo como alvo, diremos que também se trata de uma hipótese alternativa sobre a militarização contemporânea.
 
Palavras-chave: era atômica, era da emergência, antropoceno, público-alvo, bombardeio estratégico, militarização, dispositivos de segurança, capitalismo de vigilância, metafísica militar, Wright Mills, Veblen, Adorno, Virilio, targeted society.
Esquerda e direita no espelho das ONGs
Authors: Arantes Paulo Eduardo
Published: July 2021

Paulo Arantes problematiza neste conhecido artigo o léxico "dos direitos da cidadania" que tem sido utilizado por autoridades governamentais vinculadas à área social e por empresas – um sistema de simulacros, uma vez que enseja a mistura dos papéis e camufla os reais interesses dos segmentos sociais envolvidos, num jogo de "coisas trocadas". Exemplos do linguajar, oriundo de ONGs, são as expressões "sociedade civil", "espaços sociais", "compromisso" e "envolvimento" entre os "atores", conduzindo a uma "participação cidadã". Da órbita empresarial, provêm "vivência empresarial", "cumplicidade", "envolvimento com o seu entorno", "parceiros" e "interlocutores no mercado", "empresa cidadã". Esse léxico integra o corpo das políticas compensatórias recomendadas pelos patrocinadores da reestruturação econômica e social em curso, tendo o Banco Mundial à frente. Nesse arcabouço de mudanças, está incluída uma nova concepção do papel do Estado, com enxugamento de parcela específica de suas funções, principalmente aquela de executor das políticas sociais, engendradas sob a égide do keynesianismo. A concretização dessas políticas passa a ser delegada a "parceiros da sociedade civil", entidades sem fins lucrativos, contando com repasses de verbas públicas. (...) Advoga-se o lugar de um Terceiro Setor gerencialmente enxuto, um Estado parceiro-facilitador que deve "estrategicamente" se retirar assim que as organizações não governamentais "demonstrarem" a superioridade de suas vantagens comparativas, uma vitória sem muito esforço, já que não havia mais em campo com quem competir, salvo a sucata preparada para tal efeito demonstrativo. Quanto às empresas, Paulo identifica presentemente a existência de "um surto esquizofrênico, pois agem, mas sobretudo falam, dando a entender que no fundo são organizações sociais sem fins lucrativos", sem, de fato, perderem a veia comercial que lhes é intrínseca. As empresas capitalizam o trabalho "voluntário" que induzem seus empregados a fazer junto às "comunidades", transformando-o em vantagem competitiva, mediante a agregação da imagem de "empresa cidadã" aos produtos e/ou serviços que colocam no mercado. O fenômeno pode ser resumido pela utilização distorcida das palavras que denomina, utilizando expressão de Vera da Silva Telles, "espantoso deslizamento semântico", contextualizando-o e denunciando sua intenção de colocar o mundo "de ponta-cabeça", de enevoar a consciência, de confundir. Esse léxico cumpre, portanto, as funções da ideologia, procurando encobrir a desigualdade na distribuição da riqueza e do poder no interior da sociedade capitalista.
(Da resenha de Maria Rosa Lombardi)
 
Palavras-chave: ONG, reforma do Estado, empresa-cidadã, sociedade civil, terceiro setor, organizações sociais, Banco Mundial, parcerias, direitos da cidadania, marketing, público-alvo, lógica gerencial, empoderamento, privatização, linguagem, deslizamento semântico.