bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypoxia differently modulates the release of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA
Authors: Otandault Amaelle , Abraham Jean-Daniel , Al Amir Dache Zahra , Khalyfa Abdelnaby , Jariel-Encontre Isabelle , Forné Thierry , Prévostel Corinne , Chouaib Salem , Gozal David , Thierry Alain R.
Published: January 2020

Background

We investigated the influence of hypoxia on the concentration of mitochondrial and nuclear cell-free DNA (McfDNA and NcfDNA, respectively).

Method

By an ultra-sensitive quantitative PCR-based assay, McfDNA and NcfDNA were measured in the supernatants of different colorectal cell lines, and in the plasma of C57/Bl6 mice engrafted with TC1 tumour cells, in normoxic or hypoxic conditions.

Results

Our data when setting cell culture conditions highlighted the higher stability of McfDNA as compared to NcfDNA and revealed that cancer cells released amounts of nuclear DNA equivalent to the mass of a chromosome over a 6-h duration of incubation. In cell model, hypoxia induced a great increase in NcfDNA and McfDNA concentrations within the first 24 h. After this period, cfDNA total concentrations remained stable in hypoxia consecutive to a decrease of nuclear DNA release, and noteworthy, to a complete inhibition of daily mitochondrial DNA release. In TC1-engrafted mice submitted to intermittent hypoxia, plasma NcfDNA levels are much higher than in mice bred in normoxia, unlike plasma McfDNA concentration that is not impacted by hypoxia.

Conclusion

This study suggests that hypoxia negatively modulates nuclear and, particularly, mitochondrial DNA releases in long-term hypoxia, and revealed that the underlying mechanisms are differently regulated.
Critical roles of conventional dendritic cells in autoimmune hepatitis via autophagy regulation
Authors: Fan Xiaoli , Men Ruoting , Huang Chen , Shen Mengyi , Wang Tingting , Ghnewa Yasmeen , Ma Yun , Ye Tinghong , Yang Li
Published: January 2020

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a necroinflammatory disease associated with interactive cell populations of the innate and adaptive immune systems. The contribution of conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) to AIH and the underlying mechanism remain poorly understood. The frequency of peripheral mature cDCs increased in AIH patients and was positively correlated with disease severity. In experimental autoimmune hepatitis (EAH), hepatic accumulation of mature cDCs was observed, along with an increase in the periphery. Sequentially, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) from EAH mice exhibit more proinflammatory function than those from control mice. In vitro, ConA treatment promotes the maturation of BMDCs, which are characterized by higher expression of MHC-II, costimulatory molecules and cytokine secretion. ConA also induced the expression of autophagy-related protein and the formation of autophagosomes in DCs. To further investigate whether ConA-induced DC activation is associated with autophagy, we utilized 3-MA and bafilomycin A1 to block autophagy flux and accessed the maturation and function of DCs induced by ConA. 3-MA and bafilomycin A1 inhibited the mature status and proinflammatory cytokine secretion and diminished the proliferation and differentiation of CD4+ T cells when ConA-induced BMDCs cocultured CD4+ T cells. We demonstrated that cDCs contribute to the pathogenesis of AIH through excessive maturation. Aberrant autophagy flux plays a vital role in the immunogenic maturation of cDCs in AIH, and tolerogenic cDCs by inhibition of autophagy flux can be exploited as a new therapeutic approach for AIH.
Programmed magnetic manipulation of vesicles into spatially coded prototissue architectures arrays
Authors: Li Qingchuan , Li Shubin , Zhang Xiangxiang , Xu Weili , Han Xiaojun
Published: January 2020

In nature, cells self-assemble into spatially coded tissular configurations to execute higher-order biological functions as a collective. This mechanism has stimulated the recent trend in synthetic biology to construct tissue-like assemblies from protocell entities, with the aim to understand the evolution mechanism of multicellular mechanisms, create smart materials or devices, and engineer tissue-like biomedical implant. However, the formation of spatially coded and communicating micro-architectures from large quantity of protocell entities, especially for lipid vesicle-based systems that mostly resemble cells, is still challenging. Herein, we magnetically assemble giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) or cells into various microstructures with spatially coded configurations and spatialized cascade biochemical reactions using a stainless steel mesh. GUVs in these tissue-like aggregates exhibit uncustomary osmotic stability that cannot be achieved by individual GUVs suspensions. This work provides a versatile and cost-effective strategy to form robust tissue-mimics and indicates a possible superiority of protocell colonies to individual protocells.
Eight high-quality genomes reveal pan-genome architecture and ecotype differentiation of Brassica napus
Authors: Song Jia-Ming , Guan Zhilin , Hu Jianlin , Guo Chaocheng , Yang Zhiquan , Wang Shuo , Liu Dongxu , Wang Bo , Lu Shaoping , Zhou Run , Xie Wen-Zhao , Cheng Yuanfang , Zhang Yuting , Liu Kede , Yang Qing-Yong , Chen Ling-Ling , Guo Liang
Published: January 2020

Rapeseed (Brassica napus) is the second most important oilseed crop in the world but the genetic diversity underlying its massive phenotypic variations remains largely unexplored. Here, we report the sequencing, de novo assembly and annotation of eightB. napusaccessions. Using pan-genome comparative analysis, millions of small variations and 77.2–149.6 megabase presence and absence variations (PAVs) were identified. More than 9.4% of the genes contained large-effect mutations or structural variations. PAV-based genome-wide association study (PAV-GWAS) directly identified causal structural variations for silique length, seed weight and flowering time in a nested association mapping population with ZS11 (reference line) as the donor, which were not detected by single-nucleotide polymorphisms-based GWAS (SNP-GWAS), demonstrating that PAV-GWAS was complementary to SNP-GWAS in identifying associations to traits. Further analysis showed that PAVs in threeFLOWERING LOCUS Cgenes were closely related to flowering time and ecotype differentiation. This study provides resources to support a better understanding of the genome architecture and acceleration of the genetic improvement ofB. napus.
Transcriptome profiling of abiotic responses to heat, cold, salt, and osmotic stress of Capsicum annuum L.
Authors: Kang Won-Hee , Sim Young Mi , Koo Namjin , Nam Jae-Young , Lee Junesung , Kim Nayoung , Jang Hakgi , Kim Yong-Min , Yeom Seon-In
Published: January 2020

Peppers (Capsicum annuum L.), belonging to the Solanaceae family, are one of the most economically important crops globally. Like other crops, peppers are threatened by diverse environmental conditions due to different pathogens and abiotic stresses. High-quality reference genomes with massive datasets of transcriptomes from various conditions can provide clues to preferred agronomic traits for breeding. However, few global gene expression profiling datasets have been published to examine the environmental stress-resistant mechanisms in peppers. In this study, we report the RNA-seq analyses of peppers treated with heat, cold, salinity, and osmotic stress at six different time points. RNA-seq libraries from 78 RNA samples containing three biological replicates per time point for each of the abiotic stresses and a mock control were constructed. A total of 204.68 Gb of transcriptome data were verified by differentially expressed genes and gene ontology enrichment analysis. Analyses of the transcriptome data in this study will provide useful information for basic studies of various stimuli to facilitate the development of stress-resistant pepper cultivars.
A continuously updated, geospatially rectified database of utility-scale wind turbines in the United States
Authors: Rand Joseph T. , Kramer Louisa A. , Garrity Christopher P. , Hoen Ben D. , Diffendorfer Jay E. , Hunt Hannah E. , Spears Michael
Published: January 2020

Over 60,000 utility-scale wind turbines are installed in the United States as of October, 2019, representing over 97 gigawatts of electric power capacity; US wind turbine installations continue to grow at a rapid pace. Yet, until April 2018, no publicly-available, regularly updated data source existed to describe those turbines and their locations. Under a cooperative research and development agreement, analysts from three organizations collaborated to develop and release the United States Wind Turbine Database (USWTDB) - a publicly available, continuously updated, spatially rectified data source of locations and attributes of utility-scale wind turbines in the United States. Technical specifications and wind facility data, incorporated from five sources, undergo rigorous quality control. The location of each turbine is visually verified using high-resolution aerial imagery. The quarterly-updated data are available in a variety of formats, including an interactive web application, comma-separated values (CSV), shapefile, and application programming interface (API). The data are used widely by academic researchers, engineers and developers from wind energy companies, government agencies, planners, educators, and the general public.
Comparing DNA methylation profiles across different tissues associated with the diagnosis of pediatric asthma
Authors: Lin Ping-I , Shu Huan , Mersha Tesfaye B.
Published: January 2020

DNA methylation (DNAm) profiles in central airway epithelial cells (AECs) may play a key role in pathological processes in asthma. The goal of the current study is to compare the diagnostic performance of DNAm markers across three tissues: AECs, nasal epithelial cells (NECs), and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Additionally, we focused on the results using the machine learning algorithm in the context of multi-locus effects to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the optimal subset of CpG sites. We obtained 74 subjects with asthma and 41 controls from AECs, 15 subjects with asthma and 14 controls from NECs, 697 subjects with asthma and 97 controls from PBMCs. Epigenome-wide DNA methylation levels in AECs, NECs and PBMCs were measured using the Infinium Human Methylation 450 K BeadChip. Overlap analysis across the three different sample sources at the locus and pathway levels were studied to investigate shared or unique pathophysiological processes of asthma across tissues. Using the top 100 asthma-associated methylation markers as classifiers from each dataset, we found that both AEC- and NEC-based DNAm signatures exerted a lower classification error than the PBMC-based DNAm markers (p-value = 0.0002). The area-under-the-curve (AUC) analysis based on out-of-bag errors using the random forest classification algorithm revealed that PBMC-, NEC-, and AEC-based methylation data yielded 31 loci (AUC: 0.87), 8 loci (AUC: 0.99), and 4 loci (AUC: 0.97) from each optimal subset of tissue-specific markers, respectively. We also discovered the locus-locus interaction of DNAm levels of the CDH6 gene and RAPGEF3 gene might interact with each other to jointly predict the risk of asthma – which suggests the pivotal role of cell-cell junction in the pathological changes of asthma. Both AECs and NECs might provide better diagnostic accuracy and efficacy levels than PBMCs. Further research is warranted to evaluate how these tissue-specific DNAm markers classify and predict asthma risk.
Effect of physical stimuli on hair follicle deposition of clobetasol-loaded Lipid Nanocarriers
Authors: Angelo Tamara , El-Sayed Nesma , Jurisic Marijas , Koenneke Aljoscha , Gelfuso Guilherme M. , Cunha-Filho Marcilio , Taveira Stephania F. , Lemor Robert , Schneider Marc , Gratieri Tais
Published: January 2020

Clobetasol propionate (CLO) is a potent glucocorticoid used to treat inflammation-based skin, scalp, and hair disorders. In such conditions, hair follicles (HF) are not only the target site but can also act as drug reservoirs when certain formulations are topically applied. Recently, we have demonstrated nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) containing CLO presenting epidermal-targeting potential. Here, the focus was evaluating the HF uptake provided by such nanoparticles in comparison to a commercial cream and investigating the influence of different physical stimuli [i.e., infrared (IR) irradiation (with and without metallic nanoparticles-MNP), ultrasound (US) (with and without vibration) and mechanical massage] on their follicular targeting potential. Nanosystems presented sizes around 180 nm (PdI < 0.2) and negative zeta potential. The formulation did not alter skin water loss measurements and was stable for at least 30 days at 5 °C. Nanoparticles released the drug in a sustained fashion for more than 3 days and increased passively about 40 times CLO follicular uptake compared to the commercial cream. Confocal images confirmed the enhanced follicular delivery. On the one hand, NLC application followed by IR for heat generation showed no benefit in terms of HF targeting even at higher temperatures generated by metallic nanoparticle heating. On the other hand, upon US treatment, CLO retention was significantly increased in deeper skin layers. The addition of mechanical vibration to the US treatment led to higher follicular accumulation compared to passive exposure to NLC without stimuli. However, from all evaluated stimuli, manual massage presented the highest follicular targeting potential, driving more than double the amount of CLO into the HF than NLC passive application. In conclusion, NLC showed great potential for delivering CLO to HF, and a simple massage was capable of doubling follicular retention.
Three-dimensional reconstruction of the feeding apparatus of the tick Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae): a new insight into the mechanism of blood-feeding
Authors: Vancová Marie , Bílý Tomáš , Šimo Ladislav , Touš Jan , Horodyský Petr , Růžek Daniel , Novobilský Adam , Salát Jiří , Strnad Martin , Sonenshine Daniel E. , Grubhoffer Libor , Nebesářová Jana
Published: January 2020

The different components of the mouthparts of hard ticks (Ixodidae) enable these parasites to penetrate host skin, secrete saliva, embed, and suck blood. Moreover, the tick’s mouthparts represent a key route for saliva-assisted pathogen transmission as well as pathogen acquisition from blood meal during the tick feeding process. Much has been learned about the basic anatomy of the tick’s mouthparts and in the broad outlines of how they function in previous studies. However, the precise mechanics of these functions are little understood. Here, we propose for the first time an animated model of the orchestration of the tick mouthparts and associated structures during blood meal acquisition and salivation. These two actions are known to alternate during tick engorgement. Specifically, our attention has been paid to the mechanism underlining the blood meal uptake into the pharynx through the mouth  and how ticks prevent mixing the uptaken blood with secreted saliva. We animated function of muscles attached to the salivarium and their possible opening /closing of the salivarium, with a plausible explanation of the movement of saliva within the salivarium and massive outpouring of saliva.
Phasic Dopamine Release Magnitude Tracks Individual Differences in Sensitization of Locomotor Response following a History of Nicotine Exposure
Authors: Fennell Ashley M. , Pitts Elizabeth G. , Sexton Lacey L. , Ferris Mark J.
Published: January 2020

Smoking remains the primary cause of preventable death in the United States and smoking related illness costs more than $300 billion annually. Nicotine (the primary reinforcer in cigarettes) causes changes in behavior and neurochemistry that lead to increased probability of relapse. Given the role of mesolimbic dopamine projections in motivation, substance use disorder, and drug relapse, we examined the effect of repeated nicotine on rapid dopamine signals in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of rats. Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to nicotine (0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg, subcutaneous) once daily for 7 days. On day 8, dopamine release and uptake dynamics, and their modulation by nicotinic receptor agonists and antagonists, were assessed using fast scan cyclic voltammetry in the NAc core. Nicotine exposure decreased electrically-stimulated dopamine release across a range of stimulation frequencies and decreased α6β2-containing nicotinic receptor control over dopamine release. Additionally, nicotine locomotor sensitization correlated with accumbal dopamine modulation by nicotine and mecamylamine. Taken together, our study suggests that repeated exposure to nicotine blunts dopamine release in the NAc core through changes in α6β2 modulation of dopamine release and individual differences in the sensitivity to this outcome may predict variation in behavioral models of vulnerability to substance use disorder.
Prevalence and risk factors of feline lower urinary tract disease in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Authors: Piyarungsri Kakanang , Tangtrongsup Sahatchai , Thitaram Niyada , Lekklar Phatthamaporn , Kittinuntasilp Atiratt
Published: January 2020

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a common problem in cats. The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence, clinical signs, and causes of FLUTD and the risk factors for FLUTD. The medical records of 3486 cats visiting Chiang Mai University Small Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) between November 2016 and October 2017 were reviewed. An age-matched case-control study was performed to determine the risk factors for FLUTD by comparing 78 cats with FLUTD and 78 clinically normal age-matched cats. For each animal, potential risk data were obtained from medical records and cat owner interviews; these were analysed for associations with FLUTD. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the odds ratios and to adjust for expected confounding factors. The prevalence of FLUTD in cats visiting the Chiang Mai University Veterinary Teaching Hospital was 2.2%. The most common clinical signs identified were urethral obstruction (55.1%) and haematuria (23.1%). The most common diagnoses were feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) (57.7%) and urolithiasis (struvite) (18%). The multivariable logistic regression analysis results indicated that FLUTD was most likely to be diagnosed in castrated male cats. FIC and urolithiasis were the most common diagnoses in cats with FLUTD, and male sex and castration increased the risk of FLUTD.
Electrically-Evoked Proximity Sensation Can Enhance Fine Finger Control in Telerobotic Pinch
Authors: Zhao Ziqi , Yeo Minku , Manoharan Stefan , Ryu Seok Chang , Park Hangue
Published: January 2020

For teleoperation tasks requiring high control accuracy, it is essential to provide teleoperators with information on the interaction between the end effector and the remote environment. Real-time imaging devices have been widely adopted, but it delivers limited information, especially when the end effectors approach the target following the line-of-sight. In such situations, teleoperators rely on the perspective at the screen and can apply high force unintentionally at the initial contact. This research proposes to deliver the distance information at teleoperation to the fingertips of teleoperators, i.e., proximity sensation. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation was applied onto the fingertips of teleoperators, with the pulsing frequency inversely proportional to the distance. The efficacy of the proximity sensation was evaluated by the initial contact force during telerobotic pinch in three sensory conditions: vision only, vision + visual assistance (distance on the screen), and vision + proximity sensation. The experiments were repeated at two viewing angles: 30–60° and line-of-sight, for eleven healthy human subjects. For both cases, the initial contact force could be significantly reduced by either visual assistance (20–30%) or the proximity sensation (60–70%), without additional processing time. The proximity sensation is two-to-three times more effective than visual assistance regarding the amount of force reduction.
Regulation of Gdf5 expression in joint remodelling, repair and osteoarthritis
Authors: Kania Karolina , Colella Fabio , Riemen Anna H. K. , Wang Hui , Howard Kenneth A. , Aigner Thomas , Dell’Accio Francesco , Capellini Terence D. , Roelofs Anke J. , De Bari Cosimo
Published: January 2020

Growth and Differentiation Factor 5 (GDF5) is a key risk locus for osteoarthritis (OA). However, little is known regarding regulation of Gdf5 expression following joint tissue damage. Here, we employed Gdf5-LacZ reporter mouse lines to assess the spatiotemporal activity of Gdf5 regulatory sequences in experimental OA following destabilisation of the medial meniscus (DMM) and after acute cartilage injury and repair. Gdf5 expression was upregulated in articular cartilage post-DMM, and was increased in human OA cartilage as determined by immunohistochemistry and microarray analysis. Gdf5 expression was also upregulated during cartilage repair in mice and was switched on in injured synovium in prospective areas of cartilage formation, where it inversely correlated with expression of the transcriptional co-factor Yes-associated protein (Yap). Indeed, overexpression of Yap suppressed Gdf5 expression in chondroprogenitors in vitro. Gdf5 expression in both mouse injury models required regulatory sequence downstream of Gdf5 coding exons. Our findings suggest that Gdf5 upregulation in articular cartilage and synovium is a generic response to knee injury that is dependent on downstream regulatory sequence and in progenitors is associated with chondrogenic specification. We propose a role for Gdf5 in tissue remodelling and repair after injury, which may partly underpin its association with OA risk.
Default Mode Network Connectivity and Social Dysfunction in Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Saris Ilja M. J. , Penninx Brenda W. J. H. , Dinga Richard , van Tol Marie-Jose , Veltman Dick J. , van der Wee Nic J. A. , Aghajani Moji
Published: January 2020

Though social functioning is often hampered in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), we lack a complete and integrated understanding of the underlying neurobiology. Connectional disturbances in the brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN) might be an associated factor, as they could relate to suboptimal social processing. DMN connectional integrity, however, has not been explicitly studied in relation to social dysfunctioning in MDD patients. Applying Independent Component Analysis and Dual Regression on resting-state fMRI data, we explored DMN intrinsic functional connectivity in relation to social dysfunctioning (i.e. composite of loneliness, social disability, small social network) among 74 MDD patients (66.2% female, Mean age = 36.9, SD = 11.9). Categorical analyses examined whether DMN connectivity differs between high and low social dysfunctioning MDD groups, dimensional analyses studied linear associations between social dysfunction and DMN connectivity across MDD patients. Threshold-free cluster enhancement (TFCE) with family-wise error (FWE) correction was used for statistical thresholding and multiple comparisons correction (P < 0.05). The analyses cautiously linked greater social dysfunctioning among MDD patients to diminished DMN connectivity, specifically within the rostromedial prefrontal cortex and posterior superior frontal gyrus. These preliminary findings pinpoint DMN connectional alterations as potentially germane to social dysfunction in MDD, and may as such improve our understanding of the underlying neurobiology.
Self-assembled kanamycin antibiotic-inorganic microflowers and their application as a photocatalyst for the removal of organic dyes
Authors: Jadhav Ratan W. , La Duong Duc , More Vishal G. , Tung Vo Hoang , Nguyen Duy Anh , Tran Dai Lam , Bhosale Sheshanath V.
Published: January 2020

Construction of hybrid three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical nanostructures via self-assembly of organic and inorganic compounds have recently attracted immense interest from scientists due to their unique properties and promise in a large range of applications. In this article, hybrid flower structures were successfully constructed by self-assembly an antibiotic, kanamycin, with Cu2+. The flower-like morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy, to be approximately 4 µm in diameter and about 10 nm in thickness. FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed the antibiotic-inorganic hybrid structure was uniform composition, and showed crystallinity due to ordered self-assembly. The hybrid flowers showed high photocatalytic activity towards degradation of methyl blue during 240 minutes under visible light irradiation. A possible mechanism of photocatalytic activity was also proposed, that exposes the inherent advantages in using antibiotic-inorganic hybrid flowers as photocatalysts, where self-assembly can be used to generate active, high surface area structures for photodegradation of pollutants.
Streptococcus pneumoniae triggers hierarchical autophagy through reprogramming of LAPosome-like vesicles via NDP52-delocalization
Authors: Ogawa Michinaga , Takada Naoki , Shizukuishi Sayaka , Tomokiyo Mikado , Chang Bin , Yoshida Mitsutaka , Kakuta Soichiro , Tanida Isei , Ryo Akihide , Guan Jun-Lin , Takeyama Haruko , Ohnishi Makoto
Published: January 2020

In innate immunity, multiple autophagic processes eliminate intracellular pathogens, but it remains unclear whether noncanonical autophagy and xenophagy are coordinated, and whether they occur concomitantly or sequentially. Here, we show that Streptococcus pneumoniae, a causative of invasive pneumococcal disease, can trigger FIP200-, PI3P-, and ROS-independent pneumococcus-containing LC3-associated phagosome (LAPosome)-like vacuoles (PcLVs) in an early stage of infection, and that PcLVs are indispensable for subsequent formation of bactericidal pneumococcus-containing autophagic vacuoles (PcAVs). Specifically, we identified LC3- and NDP52-delocalized PcLV, which are intermediates between PcLV and PcAV. Atg14L, Beclin1, and FIP200 were responsible for delocalizing LC3 and NDP52 from PcLVs. Thus, multiple noncanonical and canonical autophagic processes are deployed sequentially against intracellular S. pneumoniae. The Atg16L1 WD domain, p62, NDP52, and poly-Ub contributed to PcLV formation. These findings reveal a previously unidentified hierarchical autophagy mechanism during bactericidal xenophagy against intracellular bacterial pathogens, and should improve our ability to control life-threating pneumococcal diseases.
Superexchange mechanism and quantum many body excitations in the archetypal di-Cu oxo-bridge
Authors: al-Badri Mohamed Ali , Linscott Edward , Georges Antoine , Cole Daniel J. , Weber Cédric
Published: January 2020

The hemocyanin protein binds and transports molecular oxygen via two copper atoms at its core. The singlet state of the $${{\rm{Cu}}}_{2}{{\rm{O}}}_{2}$$

Cu

2

O

2

core is thought to be stabilised by a superexchange pathway, but detailed in situ computational analysis is complicated by the multi-reference character of the electronic ground state. Here, electronic correlation effects in the functional site of hemocyanin are investigated using a novel approach, treating the localised copper 3d electrons with cluster dynamical mean field theory. This enables us to account for dynamical and multi-reference quantum mechanics, capturing valence and spin fluctuations of the 3d electrons. Our approach explains the stabilisation of the experimentally observed di-Cu singlet for the butterflied $${{\rm{Cu}}}_{2}{{\rm{O}}}_{2}$$

Cu

2

O

2

core, with localised charge and incoherent scattering processes across the oxo-bridge that prevent long-lived charge excitations. This suggests that the magnetic structure of hemocyanin is largely influenced by the many-body corrections.
On the design of molecular excitonic circuits for quantum computing: the universal quantum gates
Authors: Castellanos Maria A. , Dodin Amro , Willard Adam P.
Published: January 2020

This manuscript presents a strategy for controlling the transformation of excitonic states through the design of circuits made up of coupled organic dye molecules.
Facile synthesis of a Ru-dispersed N-doped carbon framework catalyst for electrochemical nitrogen reduction
Authors: Zhang Ziqi , Yao Kaida , Cong Linchuan , Yu Zhuochen , Qu Lina , Huang Weimin
Published: January 2020

Ru-Dispersed N-doped carbon framework electrocatalysis the nitrogen reduction reaction and produces NH3 under ambient conditions.
A pregnancy complication-dependent change in SIgA-targeted microbiota during third trimester
Authors: Cui Mengjun , Qi Ce , Yang Liping , Zhang Mengyun , Wang Huiyan , She Guangtong , Yu Renqiang , Miao Tingting , Sun Jin
Published: January 2020

Complications in the third trimester were related to disorders of the intestinal SIgA-targeted microbiota.
Synthesis and characterization of monoacylglycerols through glycerolysis of ethyl esters derived from linseed oil by green processes
Authors: Hobuss Cristiane B. , da Silva Felipe A. , dos Santos Marco A. Z. , de Pereira Claudio M. P. , Schulz Gracélie A. S. , Bianchini Daniela
Published: January 2020

The synthesis of monoacylglycerol (MAG) through the glycerolysis of ethyl ester mixture (biodiesel) was investigated in this study from linseed oil, low-cost alternative feedstock, using an alkaline catalyst with green reagent.
Mechanisms that control the adsorption–desorption behavior of phosphate on magnetite nanoparticles: the role of particle size and surface chemistry characteristics
Authors: Hou Lei , Liang Qibin , Wang Fang
Published: January 2020

Both the particle size and surface properties are shown to determine the adsorption of phosphate to magnetite particles.
Conductive textiles prepared by spray coating of water-based graphene dispersions
Authors: Samanta Archana , Bordes Romain
Published: January 2020

Effect of coating technique on surface properties and conductivity of PET textiles.
Soft interactions with hard Lewis acids: generation of mono- and dicationic alkaline-earth metal arene-complexes by direct oxidation
Authors: Schorpp Marcel , Krossing Ingo
Published: January 2020

The alkaline earths like it hard and soft! By employing a radical cationic ligand-forming oxidising agent we gained access to unprecedented mono and dicationic arene complexes of calcium, strontium and barium.
A review on silicon nanowire-based anodes for next-generation high-performance lithium-ion batteries from a material-based perspective
Authors: Yang Yang , Yuan Wei , Kang Wenquan , Ye Yintong , Pan Qiqi , Zhang Xiaoqing , Ke Yuzhi , Wang Chun , Qiu Zhiqiang , Tang Yong
Published: January 2020

Various materials incorporated into SiNW-based anodes for LIBs through doping or compositing and their electrochemical effects are discussed.
MOF thin films with bi-aromatic linkers grown by molecular layer deposition
Authors: Lausund Kristian Blindheim , Olsen Malin Solheim , Hansen Per-Anders , Valen Håkon , Nilsen Ola
Published: January 2020

Thin films of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising for a wide range of applications including membranes for separations and sensor materials in microelectronics.
Lattice reconstruction of La-incorporated CsPbI2Br with suppressed phase transition for air-processed all-inorganic perovskite solar cells
Authors: Chen Shoulong , Zhang Tianju , Liu Xiaolin , Qiao Jinli , Peng Lin , Wang Jun , Liu Yongsheng , Yang Tieying , Lin Jia
Published: January 2020

A stable CsPbI2Br perovskite phase can be achieved when doped with an appropriate amount of La3+ ions.
Obvious ferroelectricity in undoped HfO2 films by chemical solution deposition
Authors: Chen Haiyan , Chen Yonghong , Tang Lin , Luo Hang , Zhou Kechao , Yuan Xi , Zhang Dou
Published: January 2020

Although great achievements have been made in realizing ferroelectricity in HfO2-based films by the ALD method, the performance is strongly constrained by film thickness and dopant types.
Investigation of the mechanism for selective flocculation process using natural iron ore tailings
Authors: Panda Lopamudra , Biswal Surendra Kumar , Venugopal Rayasam , Mandre Narayan R.
Published: January 2020

A huge quantity of iron ore tailings was generated every year from the iron ore washing plants during beneficiation. These discarded tailings were stored in the tailing pond. Safe storage and handling of these tailings are a major concern to the management. Due to depletion of high-grade ore, the government of India had reduced the cut-off grade from 55 to 45% because of the shortage of the iron ore reserves. Ultrafine particles present in the tailings cannot be treated effectively by the conventional methods due to particle size limitations. For Indian iron ore, associated gangue mineral alumina is the major source which causes problems in the blast furnace. Removal of alumina from the iron ore of ultrafine size is a hill task. A selective flocculation approach was employed to the iron ore tailings which contain 50.98% of Fe (T) with 8.86% of Al2O3 assay. It was observed that, when applying a selective flocculation process, the concentrate contains more than 63.48% Fe (%), 2.5% Al2O3 with 31.196% recovery (%). The mechanism was investigated using zeta potential analysis, FTIR analysis, etc.
Experimental and FE study of hybrid laminates aluminium carbon-fibre joints with different lay-up configurations
Authors: Carbas Ricardo J.C. , Palmares Miguel P. , da Silva Lucas F.M.
Published: January 2020

The use of composite materials in industry is growing due to various technological advances in composite materials accompanied by improvements in the structural adhesives used to bond them. Fibre metal laminates (FML's) are hybrid composite structures based on thin sheets of metal alloys and plies of fibre-reinforced polymeric materials. The fibre/metal composite technology combines the advantages of metallic materials and fibre-reinforced matrix systems. The aim of the present study is to use a concept similar to that used in FML to increase the peel strength of composite materials and increase the joint strength of hybrid laminates aluminium carbon-fibre adhesive joints. Carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites were modified by including one or several aluminium sheets during the laminate manufacture to enhance the composite through the thickness properties. The objective was to identify the joint configuration that gives the best joint strength improvement in relation to the CFRP only reference joint. An adhesive developed for the aeronautical industry was used to manufacture single lap joints for tensile testing. Experimental and numerical studies were undertaken on modified CFRP joints to investigate the joint strength of different lay-up solutions to prevent delamination of adherends.
Optimization of producing oil and meal from canola seeds using microwave − pulsed electric field pretreatment
Authors: Mohseni Nazanin Maryam , Mirzaei Habib Ollah , Moghimi Masoumeh
Published: January 2020

In this study, optimization of the extraction of canola seeds oil was investigated using microwave-pulsed electric field seeds pretreatment (MW-PEF) with different MW times (0 to 200 s) and PEF intensities (0 to 5 kV/cm). The seeds oil was then extracted using screw press with different speeds (11 to 57 rpm). Oil extraction efficiency, refractive index, peroxide and phenolic compounds of oil and meal protein were measured. Tocopherols content of the best sample was also measured. The results showed that the peroxide and phenolic compounds increased at higher time, intensity and speed. An increase in the MW time and PEF intensity at first led to an increase in the oil extraction efficiency and meal protein but then both parameters decreased. The efficiency of oil extraction and protein decreased at higher speeds. The refractive index of all samples was 1.475. Gamma tocopherol was predominate one in canola oil and applying the pretreatment led to an increase in the number of total tocopherols. Treating at 1.28 kV/cm for 140.5 s and 28.71 rpm was chosen as the optimum condition with high desirability (0.744).
A decision-making method based on consumer spending data
Authors: Dušek Radim
Published: January 2020

The aim of the paper is to introduce method which allows to calculate the estimation of the total consumer spending for 2019 in different regions of the Czech Republic. Presented method is based on combination of publicly available consumer spending data sets and geomarketing information. It can be applied to estimate consumer spending in total or for example only in one specific consumption expenditure group. Thus obtained findings, that can be visualized on a map with the use of GIS software, can be considered as a basis for more effective SMEs‘ marketing and management decision-making process concerning Czech Republic local consumer goods markets‘ size and characteristics as well as for forecasting future growth rate.
Base erosion and profit shifting by Google and platform market competition in Korea
Authors: Lee Taehee
Published: January 2020

The adoption of Google Taxes is often mentioned with respect to corporate taxes avoided for a MNE that does not have a permanent establishment in the domestic market. None has looked at the implications of avoided corporate taxes on platform market competition. Using Google as a representative MNE that employs the DIDS framework, the present study, using publicly disclosed financial statements information, documents that if a MNE with a permanent establishment in Korean market had generated profits of 520.9b KRW in 2017.
The Institutional Regulatory Environment of the Digital Ecosystem: Theoretical Approach and Russian Experience
Authors: Masyuk Natalya , Bushueva Marina , Bragina Zinaida
Published: January 2020

Digitalization is an integral part of global change in the world economy. The successful creation and functioning of a digital economy are possible only in an adequate digital ecosystem. The main criterion for the formation of a digital ecosystem is the maturity and stability of its institutional environment, including the totality of new institutions. The creation of digital institutions is a new phenomenon of institutionalization and accompanies the introduction of digital technologies in the digital ecosystem. The article defines the concept of institutionalization in connection with the analysis of the economic interests of business entities operating in the regions of Russia. The definition of digital institutions as new social institutions in the digital age is formulated. The structure and basic elements of the institutional regulatory environment of the digital ecosystem that is necessary for regulating digital transformations in the digital ecosystem are determined.
Scientific instrumentarium for diagnostics of staffing at the Ukrainian machine-building enterprises: marketing approach
Authors: Pryakhina Kateryna , Pochtovyuk Andryi
Published: January 2020

The article deals with scientific instrumentarium for diagnostics of staffing of Ukraininan machine-building enterprisesthanks to a set of methods and techniques of scientific knowledge (analysis to determine the conformity of production and economic objectives to staffing, Synthesis to investigate the quantitative dynamics of staff by typing posts, assessments to identify the inadequate level of professional and qualification correspondenceof the employee with the requirements of the employer), which allows to determine the causes of the problems of staffing.This will allow in the future to form a system of scientific and practical measures to bring the professional qualifications of the workers into line with the needs of employers in accordance with the portfolio of the orders of the enterprise.
The Methodology of Simple Comparisons as a Replacement for Comprehensive Benchmarking in Controlling
Authors: Rousek Pavel , Hašková Simona
Published: January 2020

The paper aims to define an alternative to the traditional process of comprehensive benchmarking in controlling. Traditional benchmarking offers invaluable outputs, but the cost is a high process, time, and cost. The newly defined method of simple comparisons is less demanding from a process, time, and financial point of view, but the accuracy of the results is lower.
Globalization impact on the world travel market development
Authors: Trunina Iryna Mykhailivna , Sushchenko Olena Anatoliivna , Druzhynina Viktoriia Valeriivna , Zahorianska Olena Leonidivna
Published: January 2020

The paper deals with the research of the theoretical and methodological bases of the world travel market functioning, taking into account the new trends influence on it and gives the characteristic of the forms of these trends. We provide the globalization processes dynamics assessment and their impact on the world travel market development. It enables the determination of the main features of Ukraine’s participation at the world travel market and results in the indication of the Ukrainian tourist product development prospects at it. We prove that the development of tourism, as one of the basic branches of national economy, is an important factor of the social development and cultural growth of Ukraine. Tourism is the source of foreign currency income in the state treasury and also the center of new jobs creation. The interest of foreign tourists in our history and culture will grow with the Ukraine tourism development, which will enable our country to preserve its cultural and historical heritage and to be successfully placed at the world travel market.
Human factors errors and identification of causes of successful/unsuccessful completion of business projects
Authors: Vaníčková Radka
Published: January 2020

Managers often deal with uncertainty of a different nature in their decision processes. The objective of the contribution is to confirm or refute the facts published in professional literature including the opinions resulting from the erudition of the author of the paper claiming that human factor errors and identifying causes of successful / unsuccessful completion of business projects is a significant explicit factor. With regard to this finding, the paper will deal with the quintessence of the human factor positive/negative impact on the business projects success, as well as recognizing and prevention of negative impacts on the implementation of success/failure a business project. The theoretical part defines the influence of the human factor and correlation of a business project success/failure with the SMART method. The analytical part of the paper interprets the theoretical findings into practical models of project teams by means of comparison and erudition of the author of the paper. The final part proposes measures, suggestions and recommendations concerning the optimal setting of the human factor key values so that the personality positive/negative impact on the business project success is evaluated and from the socio-economic perspective in terms of invested financial resources and the return of investment, from a substantive and time point of view. For the purposes of the contribution, the term “influence“ can be divided into exogenous and endogenous, while “success“ can be defined as a determinant of positive/negative fulfilment of expected vision and business strategy entities. In terms of project management, “project” is a set of individual and unique activities to implement a planned change or innovation in a given period of time using specific sources.
Forecasting trade balance of Czech Republic and People´s Republic of China in equalizing time series and considering seasonal fluctuations
Authors: Vochozka Marek , Rowland Zuzana
Published: January 2020

The objective of the contribution is to introduce a methodology for considering seasonal fluctuations in equalizing time series using artificial neural networks on the example of the Czech Republic and the People´s Republic of China trade balance. The data available is the data on monthly balance for the period between January 2000 and July 2018, that is, 223 input data. The unit is Euro. The data for the analysis are available on the World Bank web pages etc. Regression analysis is carried out using artificial neural networks. There are two types on neural networks generated, multilayer perceptron networks (MLP) and radial basis function networks (RBF). In order to achieve the optimal result, two sets of neural structures are generated. There are generated a total of 10,000 neural structures, out of which only 5 with the best characteristics are retained. Finally, the results of both groups of retained neural networks are compared. The contribution this paper brings is the involvement of variables that are able to forecast a possible seasonal fluctuation in the time series development when using artificial neural networks. Moreover, neural networks have been identified that achieve slightly better results than other networks, specifically these are the neural networks 1. MLP 13-6-1 and 3. MLP 13-8-1.
Controlling of Strategic Organizational Changes at the University
Authors: Zotova Anna , Mantoulenko Valentina , Plaksina Irina
Published: January 2020

Since modern organizations are characterized by a variety of goals, the definition of the effectiveness of organizational changes can be specified as a degree of results achievement (under the conditions that these results are adequate to the established and intended goals of organizational changes and the changes themselves meet certain needs of stakeholders and create conditions for constant development of an organization). This research is based on general scientific research methods: system analysis methods, scientific abstraction and generalization, comparative and categorical analysis, empirical description methods, as well as behavioral, systematic, process specifying scientific methodological approaches of the theory of management. The authors classified strategic interests of the main stakeholders in universities activities in Russian Federation; the element base and the system of interactions between them was performed in the model of interests coordination during the changes implementation process in the system of higher education and control methods when making changes were analyzed. In conclusion various forms of controlling were suggested and this variation was derived from various university stakeholders’ interests.
Innovation activities of Czech businesses: differences between urban and rural businesses
Authors: Kmecová Iveta , Vokoun Marek
Published: January 2020

Innovative activities of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas and in Czech economy are relatively unexplored areas. Socioeconomic and environmental contributions of SMEs activities can be gained not only by means of ecological innovative activities of rural SMEs. Rural areas are also a suitable localization strategy for obtaining public money from subsidies, as there is no great direct competition and lower costs. SMEs economic contributions are irreplaceable both for urban and rural areas. Socioeconomic impact of ecological innovations for urban and rural areas is connected with the advantages of circular economy, such as reduced energy consumption, less pollution and waste, and well-organized product recycling options after use. The hypotheses are focused on the localization of businesses into rural areas, size of enterprises introducing innovations in the market, and ecological product and processes innovations. Estimation is based on 4 innovation phases as in the case of the general innovation business process. The 2014 data set is provided by the Czech Statistical Office contains the Community Innovation Survey. The results for 2014 indicate that localization does not affect the first phases of the innovation process, and that the innovative activities increase the costs of the R&D activities.