bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A composite polymer of polystyrene coated with poly(4-vinylpyridine) as a sorbent for the extraction of synthetic dyes from foodstuffs
Authors: Zhang Mengxin , Xu Tong , Tian Tian , Zhang Yi , Li Xing , Yan Heng , Xie Wei-hong
Published: May 2020

A poly(St-co-EGDMA)@poly(4-vinylpyridine-co-EGDMA) composite polymer enables sample pre-treatment in food dye analysis in an environment friendly and economical manner.
Iodine activation: a general method for catalytic enhancement of thiolate monolayer-protected metal clusters
Authors: Sibakoti Tirtha R. , Jasinski Jacek B. , Nantz Michael H. , Zamborini Francis P.
Published: May 2020

This work presents a general method of using iodine to partially remove thiolate ligands from metal clusters, resulting in significant catalytic enhancement.
Base-promoted Lewis acid catalyzed synthesis of quinazoline derivatives
Authors: Hu Fang-Peng , Cui Xin-Feng , Lu Guo-Qiang , Huang Guo-Sheng
Published: May 2020

A one-pot protocol has been developed for the synthesis of quinazolinones from amide-oxazolines with TsCl via a cyclic 1,3-azaoxonium intermediate and 6π electron cyclization in the presence of a Lewis acid and base.
Tuning the cellulose nanocrystal alignments for supramolecular assembly of chiral nematic films with highly efficient UVB shielding capability
Authors: Ling Zhe , Wang Kaili , Liu Wanying , Tang Wei , Yong Qiang
Published: May 2020

Chiral nematic CNC nanocomposite films with excellent UVB shielding capability are fabricated and supramolecularly modified by d-xylose.
Temperature‐dependent electric field distribution in ±800 kV valve‐side bushing insulation for a converter transformer
Authors: Du Boxue , Sun Hanlei , Jiang Jinpeng , Kong Xiaoxiao , Yang Wei
Published: May 2020

The electric field distribution is determined for the design and long‐term performance of bushing yet gets complicated when coupled with temperature due to the highly temperature‐dependent conductivity of insulation. An electrothermal coupling model is established based on a ±800 kV converter transformer valve‐side bushing. The measured temperature‐dependent conductivity of insulation is adopted and fitted. The electric field distribution inside a condenser core under the influence of temperature was investigated, and the related mechanism was analysed, considering the different voltage forms, loading currents, and changeable ambient conditions. The temperature gradient within the condenser core is verified, and the electric field migration is observed. It is indicated that the electric field strength shows a strong dependence on temperature and increases along the radial direction. The maximum field strength appears at the outmost shield layer under the operating voltage and the load current 4500 A, which is higher than that under the DC long‐term withstand voltage of 1455 kV without thermal stress. The increased load current, decreased oil temperature, and enhanced valve hall temperature will lead to more serious electric field distortion, and unacceptable dielectric stress may occur. More attention should be paid to the design and operation of bushing for DC applications.
Playback experience driven cross layer optimisation of APP, transport and MAC layer for video clients over long‐term evolution system
Authors: Huang Xinyu , He Lijun
Published: May 2020

In the traditional communication system, information of application (APP) layer, transport layer, and media access control (MAC) layer has not been fully interacted. To solve the problem, the authors propose a joint optimisation framework, which consists of the APP layer, transport layer, and MAC layer, to improve the video clients' playback experience and system throughput. First, a client requirement aware autonomous packet drop strategy, based on packet importance, channel condition, and playback status, is developed to decrease the network load and the probability of rebuffering events. Furthermore, TCP state aware downlink and uplink resource allocation schemes are proposed to achieve smooth video transmission and steady acknowledgment (ACK) feedback, respectively. For the downlink scheme, the maximum transmission capacity required for each client is calculated based on feedback ACK information from the transport layer to avoid allocating excessive resource to the client, whose ACK feedback is blocked due to bad uplink channel condition. For the uplink scheme, information of retransmission timeout and TCP congestion window are utilised to indicate ACK scheduling priority. The simulation results show that their algorithm can significantly improve the system throughput and the clients' playback continuity with the acceptable video quality.
Flow control and scheduling mechanism to improve network performance in wireless NoC
Authors: Rad Farhad , Reshadi Midia , Khademzadeh Ahmad
Published: May 2020

Today's, a promising solution, namely wireless network‐on‐chip (WiNoC) is utilized in multi‐core systems to overcome the constraints of conventional on‐chip networks. In WiNoC architectures, wireless routers (WRs) provide high capacity wireless links to reduce the latency of multi‐hop communications. However, the buffer size of the WR antenna is limited, and under heavy traffic loads, it's filled and congestion occurs. On the other hand, network performance is degraded severely in the presence of head‐of‐line (HOL) blocking. Therefore, flow control and scheduling mechanisms are vital for improving the performance of WiNoCs. In this study, a flow control scheme based on an active queue management algorithm, and a priority‐based scheduling strategy are suggested. The proposed mechanisms are evaluated under uniform and Bit‐complement traffic patterns with different packet injection rate. The simulation results show that the proposed schemes have a significant impact on performance parameters, such as latency and throughput. Moreover, the saturation packet injection rate in WiNoC with four WRs is improved to about 33% under uniform traffic and is increased up to about 50% under the Bit‐complement traffic pattern. This is increased by 16 and 50% in WiNoC with 16 WRs for uniform and Bit‐complement traffic patterns, respectively, compared to the conventional WiNoCs.
Optimal cluster head selection using modified rider assisted clustering for IoT
Authors: Poluru Ravi Kumar , Ramasamy Lokesh Kumar
Published: May 2020

The vital concern of this research work is to propose a new clustering algorithm based on IoT devices. This process is made up with four stages namely, Cluster Formation, Splitting and merging, CH selection and Data transformation. The first and foremost step is the cluster formation; in this k‐mean clustering is exploited to cluster the network, where the count of needed clusters is optimally selected using a new algorithm. Further, this selection is to either split or merge the cluster structure. Subsequently, the proposed clustering model defines the optimal cluster head selection of each cluster by the proposed algorithm. Finally, in the data transmission phase, the delay optimized data fusion tree is subjected for reducing the manipulation of data fusion on transmission delay. More importantly, to solve all the optimization problems (optimal count of clusters and cluster heads), this paper introduces a new Cyclic Rider Optimization Algorithm (C‐ROA), which is the modification of Rider Optimization Algorithm (ROA). To the end, the performance of the adopted method is compared over the other classical models like FF, GWO, WOA and conventional ROA in terms of delay, normalized energy, alive nodes and cost function measures.
New elevator system constructed by multi‐translator linear switched reluctance motor with enhanced motion quality
Authors: Masoudi Siamak , Mehrjerdi Hasan , Ghorbani Amir
Published: May 2020

In this work, a new elevator system created by a linear switched reluctance motor is presented. Unlike conventional linear motors, the proposed linear motor has more than one translator. Each phase in a translator generates a pulsing force; hence, the total generated force has noticeable ripple making it difficult to soft motion. In order to solve this problem, similar phases in different translators have been located in positions with specified distances together. As a result, similar force pulses would be shifted so that they can compensate together. An appropriate control strategy has been designed for the system, which can control the current, force, speed, and position simultaneously. A conventional proportional–integral controller and an adaptive fuzzy controller have been used to control the speed. In order to have a precise study, a prototype elevator system along with its control unit has been made and the obtained results have been compared with the simulation results. These results confirm that the proposed structure can significantly produce force and speed ripples.
Low‐loss ultra‐wideband beam switching metasurface antenna in X‐band
Authors: Swain Rajanikanta , Naik Deepak Kumar , Panda Asit Kumar
Published: May 2020

This study proposes an ultra‐wideband (UWB) metasurface‐based beam‐switching antenna system. A coplanar (CP) waveguide fed slot antenna (with 49% operating bandwidth) is coupled with a hexagonal metallic aperture to generate CP beam in the 10.2–10.8 GHz band. An octagonal split ring inclusion‐based meta‐element is designed to achieve 2π transmission phase variation with near‐unity magnitude. The principle of the Pancharatnam–Berry metasurface is used to design an offset metasurface superstrate for tilting the main beam of the UWB antenna for the CP band. Measured results (S11, axial ratio, and radiation pattern) agree well with full‐wave simulations. The fabricated X‐band UWB aperture coupled antenna system uses the metasurface superstrate to achieve a broadside beam for the lower band and tilted beam for the upper band. This antenna system holds promise for next‐generation vehicular and satellite communication applications.
Differential SIW slot antenna array with intrinsic common‐mode rejection
Authors: Deng Hong‐Wei , Xue Yi‐Fan , Sun Liang , Zhu Jia‐Ming , Xing Si‐Bei
Published: May 2020

In this study, the differential substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) slot antenna array is proposed with intrinsic common‐mode (CM) rejection. Through field analysis, it is found that the SIW is a natural differential transmission line which can only transmit differential signal due to the characteristics of hybrid electromagnetic boundary perfect electrical conductor and perfect magnetic conductor. Hence, it can also be seen as a natural balun with intrinsic CM suppression. Thus, a compact 1 × 4 differential SIW slot antenna array with high CM rejection can be designed using the differential microstrip transition structure which has little conversion between differential‐mode (DM) and CM. For the design of differential SIW passive device, the DM equivalent half circuit is a single‐ended SIW device with height halved. Further, the 4 × 4 differential SIW antenna array with high CM rejection can be designed with a T‐shaped differential SIW four‐way power divider. The 1 × 4 and 4 × 4 differential SIW antenna arrays are fabricated and good agreements between the simulated and measured results demonstrate the validity of proposed configurations.
Studying impacts of communication system performance on dynamic stability of networked microgrid
Authors: Bhattarai Bishnu , Marinovici Laurentiu , Touhiduzzaman Md , Tuffner Francis K. , Schneider Kevin P. , Xie Jing , Thekkumparambath Mana Priya , Du Wei , Fisher Andrew
Published: May 2020

The development of smart grid technologies has resulted in increased interdependence between power and communication systems. Many of the operations in the existing power system rely on a stable and secured communication system. For electrically weak systems and time‐critical applications, this reliance can be even greater, where a small degradation in communication performance can degrade system stability. However, despite inter‐dependencies between power and communication systems, only a few studies have investigated the impacts of communication system performance on power system dynamics. This study investigates the dependencies of power system dynamics operations on a communication system performance. First, a detailed, dynamic networked microgrid model is developed in the GridLAB‐D simulation environment, along with a representative multi‐traffic, multi‐channel, multi‐protocol communication system model, developed in the network simulator (ns‐3). Second, a hierarchical engine for large‐scale infrastructure co‐simulation framework is developed to co‐simulate microgrid dynamics, its communication system, and a microgrid control system. The impact of communication system delays on the dynamic stability of networked microgrids is evaluated for the loss of generation using three use‐cases. While the example use‐cases examine microgrid applications and the impact to resiliency, the framework can be applied to all levels of power system operations.
Fault autonomous model handling through integrated adaptive‐filters for eliminating deployment faults in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Elsayed Walaa M. , El‐Bakry Hazem M. , El‐Sayed Salah M.
Published: May 2020

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are exposed to various data‐deployment faults during the communication action. These faults may impact the behaviour of the sensors that degrade its performance and cuts its life. Therefore, we tend to implement the integration of two independent trends are self‐awareness and self‐adaptation capabilities along with two integrated adaptive filters, FIR and RLS. The proposed Autonomous Fault‐Awareness and Adaptive (AFAA) model composed of three adaptive two‐stage executed self‐awareness approach to limit the impact of such faults during the propagation process. In this paper, we introduce the operational mechanism of AFAA that manages to identify the failure and aware of the lost signal values autonomously, then filter the perceptive‐signals for eliminating the accompanied interference and gaining convergent values. It executed the incorporated autonomous model at the level of Cluster Head (CH) for independent fault‐correction using an adaptive feedback model. Compared to the state‐of‐the‐art methods, the proposed model achieved speed in fault diagnosis; also high‐accuracy rate in the prediction of the lost signal values as much as 98.63%, thus improving the percentage of performance efficiency to 3:1 times along of duty cycle. Hence, it enhanced the overall network lifetime.
Renal Transplant Artery Inflow Stenosis Treated with Femorofemoral Bypass
Authors: Ortiz Christopher Chiodo , Miyara Santiago J. , Cagliani Joaquin A. , Cho Young Min , Guevara Sara , Hayashida Kei , Shinozaki Koichiro , Clement Damian , Becker Lance B. , Wang Bo , Krishnasastry K.V. , Teperman Lewis W. , Molmenti Ernesto P.
Published: May 2020

In this case report we describe a novel and successful revascularization approach in instances of allograft and distal limb ischemia after kidney transplantation. Stenosis proximal to transplant renal artery anastomoses is a complication leading to allograft dysfunction and/or loss. We present a femorofemoral bypass graft with ringed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In this occasion, revascularization was achieved by a backflow mechanism. The approach described achieved its goal of revascularizing the allograft as well as the distal extremity, with both short- and long-term successful outcomes. Benefits of this approach when compared with re-implantation or procedures directly involving the transplant renal artery include minimization of ischemic time, no need to repair the stenosis, anastomoses with vessels of greater diameter, no need to perfuse the kidney, no need to take down the renal artery anastomosis, no need to dissect the transplanted kidney, and no further lower extremity ischemia. This approach does not require any proximal temporary inflow occlusion (as seen with stent placement) or clamping of the arterial inflow to the kidney. This procedure was completed without having to infuse any preservation fluid into the kidney.
2019 Novel Coronavirus Infection: Gastrointestinal Manifestations
Authors: Samanta Jayanta , Dhar Jahnvi , Khaliq Abdul , Kochhar Rakesh
Published: May 2020

The world is witnessing a major public health crisis in the wake of the third coronavirus strain pandemic, a novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). Although initially thought to be a pure respiratory pathogen, recent reports have highlighted not only the extrapulmonary effects of the virus but also, importantly, the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) effects. Various studies have looked into the effects of this novel coronavirus infection (coronavirus-19 disease [COVID-19]) on GIT involvement with reports of more frequent involvement than previously expected. With feco-oral transmission, debate being conclusively proven with fecal samples testing positive for COVID-19 and longer shedding time, it only underlines the importance of GIT involvement. Moreover, the presence of other GI diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, with COVID-19 infection might wreak havoc leading to poor patient outcomes.
Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Manifestations of Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Singla Vikas , Arora Anil
Published: May 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new infectious disease that has spread rapidly throughout the world. The disease is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a member of the Coronaviridae family. Though the pulmonary involvement is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, involvement of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and pancreas has been explained in these patients. The literature is rapidly changing because of influx of new information with every passage of time. The most common hepatic presentation is mild elevation of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase, which does not require specific treatment. Occasionally, patients can have severe liver injury. Because of underlying predisposing factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity, patients with nonalcoholic liver disease may be at risk of severe disease. Patients with decompensated liver disease may also be vulnerable to severe disease. Behavior of SARS-CoV-2 in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and primary biliary cirrhosis is yet to be seen. The prevalence and severity of COVID-19 patients with the aforementioned diseases may be different. The effect of SARS-CoV-2 on an underlying liver disease is not known. COVID-19 may complicate the peritransplant period and throw new challenges in these patients. Drugs used to treat severe COVID-19 may cause liver injury and may have an effect on the underlying disease activity. Both hepatic and pancreatic involvement is related to the severity of COVID-19 disease. Serum amylase and lipase levels may be elevated in patients with severe COVID-19 disease. The involvement of pancreatic islet cells may lead to deranged blood sugar levels and potentially predispose to future diabetes mellitus. There are many unknown facts that will unfold with the passage of time.
Being Legally Sound in the COVID-19 Era
Authors: Setya Ashwini Kumar
Published: May 2020

All the three Indian gastroenterology societies (Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy of India, Indian Society of Gastroenterology, and Indian National Association for the Study of the Liver) jointly recommend to consider only emergency and urgent endoscopy procedures for the next 1 month or till the current threat due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is over.

Two laws that are penal in nature are now applicable in the current pandemic, namely the Epidemics Diseases Act 1897 and the Indian Penal Code 1860. No act of an endoscopist should be seen to be in contravention of any of the aforementioned laws, and the sections thereunder as provisions of the Indian Penal Code can be attracted in the current scenario for spreading an infectious disease either knowingly (Section 270) or unknowingly or negligently (Section 269).

Section 4 of the Epidemics Disease Act 1897 gives legal protection to every person who has acted under this Act or the directions issued under this Act subject to only one condition, that is, the act must have been done in good faith.

Though the hospitals are obliged to ensure personal safety of its staff legally, morally and ethically, because of the huge gap in demand and supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), it is advisable to arrange PPE on one’s own to first protect oneself and then, by extension, to prevent the spread to others. The dictum is “take care of yourself.” Self-preservation is a supreme law.

In the current COVID-19 pandemic conditions, certain additional information, to be agreed upon by the patient, needs to be incorporated in the consent. It should be incorporated in the consent that:

• While all the necessary precautions are being taken, there is a finite though small risk that the patient may contract the infection from the hospital.

• He/she indemnifies the hospital and the endoscopist against any such liability arising out of any action taken while doing the procedure.

• Furthermore, to protect the patient him/herself, he/she agrees to get the preprocedural test for COVID-19 as well as bear the additional cost of the PPE used by the endoscopist and support staff.

Several of those who have undergone an endoscopy would require a follow-up consultation. As it is difficult to have physical interaction, teleconsultation may be done as per the telemedicine practice guidelines issued by the Medical Council of India (MCI).
Triaging Patients Undergoing Endoscopy During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Lakhtakia Sundeep , Ramchandani Mohan
Published: May 2020

"Triaging for endoscopy" is the process to determine the most deserving patients after careful scrutiny amongst a pool of patients who report for Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy diagnostic or interventional procedures that include Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD), Colonoscopy, ERCP, EUS and Enteroscopy. The purpose of triaging at endoscopy is to prevent transmission of SARS-COV2 infection from suspected patient to the health care workers involved at endoscopy. The three professional Indian Gastroenterology bodies namely Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy of India (SGEI), Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG) & Indian Association for the study of the liver (INASL) have recently provided guidance of scheduling of endoscopic procedures in the current Covid-9 pandemic. Similar suggestions have been promulgated by other international bodies.
Emerging Treatment and Prevention Strategies against COVID-19: A Brief Update
Authors: Jha Ashish K. , Kumar Ravikant , Goenka Mahesh K. , Dayal Vishwa M.
Published: May 2020

Patients with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are at significantly increased risk for mortality and morbidity. Current management remains supportive care, ranging from symptomatic outpatient management to full–intensive care support, including intravenous fluids, invasive, and non-invasive oxygen supplementation. In patients with septic shock, treatment with antibiotics and vasopressors are recommended to keep mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≥ 65 mm Hg and lactate < 2 mmol/L. Because of the lack of effectiveness and possible adverse effects, routine corticosteroids should be avoided unless they are indicated for another reason (exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], and septic shock in whom fluids and vasopressors do not restore hemodynamic stability). There is currently no sufficient evidence of efficacy of hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine, remdesivir, and other antivirals in the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. Limited evidence shows that COVID-19 convalescent plasma can be used as a treatment of COVID-19 without the occurrence of severe adverse events. Drug regulatory agencies granted an emergency-use authorization of chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine and remdesivir to treat patients when a clinical trial is not available or participation is not feasible. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are associated with QT interval prolongation and life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Guidelines are issued for use of convalescent plasma in patients with serious or immediately life-threatening COVID-19. Data from several ongoing randomized controlled trials will provide further evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of these drugs for the treatment of COVID-19.
Liquid–liquid phase separation of type II diabetes-associated IAPP initiates hydrogelation and aggregation
Authors: Pytowski Lior , Lee Chiu Fan , Foley Alex C. , Vaux David J. , Jean Létitia
Published: May 2020

Significance

Deposition of some aggregated and misfolded polypeptides (amyloids) is the hallmark of many degenerative diseases. Amyloid assembly is slow, unfavorable, and still poorly understood. Here, we show that liquid–liquid demixing (like oil forming droplets in water) of type II diabetes IAPP amyloid precursors is not dependent on the human amyloidogenic sequence and leads to the formation of a water-filled gel within phase-separated droplets. Both processes then trigger pathological aggregation at the droplet surface, which is modulated by insulin. This localized aggregation propagates to interconnect droplets, leading to a macroscopic meshwork formation with increased local viscosity, eventually percolating the whole system. These processes may be at the heart of the pathology of type II diabetes.
Cooperatively enhanced reactivity and “stabilitaxis” of dissociating oligomeric proteins
Authors: Agudo-Canalejo Jaime , Illien Pierre , Golestanian Ramin
Published: May 2020

Significance

To gain insight into cellular metabolism, it is important to understand how proteins travel and self-organize within the cell. A characteristic feature of many important proteins is that they are oligomeric complexes, that is, they are composed of a few smaller subunits that can reversibly associate and dissociate. Here, we study the impact of dissociation on protein transport and self-organization. We find that dissociation can help proteins find and react with a target more rapidly, and that dissociating proteins spontaneously accumulate in regions in which they are most stable.
The β-arrestin-biased β-adrenergic receptor blocker carvedilol enhances skeletal muscle contractility
Authors: Kim Jihee , Grotegut Chad A. , Wisler James W. , Mao Lan , Rosenberg Paul B. , Rockman Howard A. , Lefkowitz Robert J.
Published: May 2020

Significance

We recently demonstrated that the effects of the β
2
AR agonist clenbuterol to enhance skeletal muscle strength and hypertrophy are mediated via β-arrestin1-dependent signaling. The present study reports the unique ability of carvedilol, previously identified as a β-arrestin-biased agonist at the β
2
AR, to enhance skeletal muscle contractility. This observation was unique among βAR antagonists tested as metoprolol and nadolol failed to stimulate skeletal muscle contractility. Our findings provide insight into the mechanism of carvedilol’s effect on skeletal muscle contractility and demonstrate the unconventional potential utility of a commonly used pharmacologic agent for a previously unappreciated clinical use. We hypothesize that the observed β-arrestin-dependent signaling pathway could be targeted in various clinical conditions associated with decreased functional exercise capacity.
In situ X-ray diffraction of silicate liquids and glasses under dynamic and static compression to megabar pressures
Authors: Morard Guillaume , Hernandez Jean-Alexis , Guarguaglini Marco , Bolis Riccardo , Benuzzi-Mounaix Alessandra , Vinci Tommaso , Fiquet Guillaume , Baron Marzena A. , Shim Sang Heon , Ko Byeongkwan , Gleason Arianna E. , Mao Wendy L. , Alonso-Mori Roberto , Lee Hae Ja , Nagler Bob , Galtier Eric , Sokaras Dimosthenis , Glenzer Siegfried H. , Andrault Denis , Garbarino Gaston , Mezouar Mohamed , Schuster Anja K. , Ravasio Alessandra
Published: May 2020

Significance

Understanding the structural changes silicate melts undergo over the pressure–temperature range of the Earth’s mantle has been a major, longstanding challenge in the geosciences. Experimental studies are extremely difficult due to required temperatures exceeding 4,000 K needed to melt silicates over megabar pressures. To overcome this issue, laser-driven shock experiments combined with X-ray free-electron lasers were performed to provide nanosecond resolution on silicate structural transformations. By comparison with statically compressed diamond-anvil cell experiments at ambient temperature, a common high-pressure structural evolution of glasses and liquid silicates was revealed. This supports the concept that silicate glasses of dominant mantle composition are suitable structural analogues for the corresponding liquids at these pressures.
Host nutrient milieu drives an essential role for aspartate biosynthesis during invasive
Staphylococcus aureus
infection
Authors: Potter Aimee D. , Butrico Casey E. , Ford Caleb A. , Curry Jacob M. , Trenary Irina A. , Tummarakota Srivarun S. , Hendrix Andrew S. , Young Jamey D. , Cassat James E.
Published: May 2020

Significance

Staphylococcus aureus
can infect a diverse array of host environments. The broad tissue tropism of
S. aureus
requires metabolic flexibility to utilize the variety of nutrient sources found within target organ systems. In this work, we conducted a systematic analysis of the central metabolic pathways required for
S. aureus
survival during bone infection, one of the most frequent sites of invasive staphylococcal disease. We show that
S. aureus
requires aspartate biosynthesis to survive during bone infection, despite possessing an aspartate transporter, due to inhibition of aspartate utilization by the amino acid glutamate. Our results reveal a crucial role for inflammation-associated shifts in the host nutrient milieu for determining the metabolic pathways utilized by
S. aureus
during invasive infection.
Kinetic diversity of amyloid oligomers
Authors: Dear Alexander J. , Michaels Thomas C. T. , Meisl Georg , Klenerman David , Wu Si , Perrett Sarah , Linse Sara , Dobson Christopher M. , Knowles Tuomas P. J.
Published: May 2020

Significance

Protein oligomers are a fundamental component of amyloidogenic disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, being both critical intermediates in the formation of amyloid fibrils and the most toxic species on the protein aggregation pathway. Here, we derive general analytical expressions for the chemical kinetics of the oligomers generated during amyloid-formation reactions and explain how these may be used to categorize oligomers according to their basic physicochemical properties. By applying this framework to experimental kinetic data on the aggregation of a wide range of amyloidogenic proteins, we are able to determine features common to all amyloid oligomers. In particular, most are not capable of rapid growth by monomer addition, and most dissociate rather than mature into fibrils.
Epigenetic conversion of conventional T cells into regulatory T cells by CD28 signal deprivation
Authors: Mikami Norihisa , Kawakami Ryoji , Chen Kelvin Y. , Sugimoto Atsushi , Ohkura Naganari , Sakaguchi Shimon
Published: May 2020

Foxp3-expressing regulatory T cells (Tregs) can be generated in vitro by antigenic stimulation of conventional T cells (Tconvs) in the presence of TGF-β and IL-2. However, unlike Foxp3+naturally occurring Tregs, such in vitro induced Tregs (iTregs) are functionally unstable mainly because of incomplete Treg-type epigenetic changes at Treg signature genes such asFoxp3. Here we show that deprivation of CD28 costimulatory signal at an early stage of iTreg generation is able to establish Treg-specific DNA hypomethylation at Treg signature genes. It was achieved, for example, by TCR/TGF-β/IL-2 stimulation of CD28-deficient Tconvs or CD28-intact Tconvs without anti-CD28 agonistic mAb or with CD80/CD86-blocked or -deficient antigen-presenting cells. The signal abrogation could induce Treg-type hypomethylation in memory/effector as well as naive Tconvs, while hindering Tconv differentiation into effector T cells. Among various cytokines and signal activators/inhibitors, TNF-α and PKC agonists inhibited the hypomethylation. Furthermore, CD28 signal deprivation significantly reduced c-Rel expression in iTregs; and the specific genomic perturbation of a NF-κB binding motif at the Foxp3 CNS2 locus enhanced the locus-specific DNA hypomethylation even in CD28 signaling-intact iTregs. In addition, in vitro maintenance of such epigenome-installed iTregs with IL-2 alone, without additional TGF-β or antigenic stimulation, enabled their expansion and stabilization of Treg-specific DNA hypomethylation. These iTregs indeed stably expressed Foxp3 after in vivo transfer and effectively suppressed antigen-specific immune responses. Taken together, inhibition of the CD28-PKC-NF-κB signaling pathway in iTreg generation enables de novo acquisition of Treg-specific DNA hypomethylation at Treg signature genes and abundant production of functionally stable antigen-specific iTregs for therapeutic purposes.
Fluorescent Janus emulsions for biosensing of
Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Li Jie , Savagatrup Suchol , Nelson Zachary , Yoshinaga Kosuke , Swager Timothy M.
Published: May 2020

Significance

Listeria
has been a strong foodborne pathogen for years and can lead to severe diseases. Efficient sensing methods for quick detections of
Listeria
are still in demand. Here we designed a biosensor that installed
Listeria
antibodies on the surface of hydrocarbon phase of Janus droplets. We also dissolved a pair of blocking and emissive dyes in the hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon phases of Janus droplets. With the existence of
Listeria
, Janus droplets will form agglutinations and tilt that could be easily tracked by fluorimeter. Our work provides a sensitive, simple, and quick method for the detection of
Listeria
.
Discussing humanist education in the vernacular
Authors: Crocco Claudia , Katinis Teodoro
Published: May 2020

This article contributes to the study of the relationship between Latin and Tuscan vernacular in the 16th century.
We examine a set of almost neglected grammatical works (the Concetti, Supplimento, and Il
grammatico) published between 1557 and 1567, and related to the Italian humanist Aonio Paleario. We adopt
both a linguistic and literary approach to shed light particularly on the humanistic perspectives on language education and
proficiency. After presenting a brief outline of the content of the three works and their problematic authorship, we focus on the
dialogue Il grammatico. We conclude that, within the discussion on method for teaching Latin, the dialogue
defines the humanist as the guardian of the best language for both Latin and vernacular.
El espíritu de la colmena
Authors: Rodero Jesús
Published: May 2020

All the main characters inThe Spirit of the Beehiveshow some type of connection with marginality and survival. They are either at the margins of social convention or survivors of harrowing particular historical events (Spanish Civil War). This connection reveals itself in a conspicuous and distinct fashion through the monster figure. This article intends to highlight the centrality of the concept of monstrosity in the film as well as emphasize the socio-political significance of these manifestations of the monster. It is, therefore, a reading of the monster figure in Erice’s film as a political and social agent both in the specific context at the outset of Franco’s dictatorship and in the more abstract context of the challenging of power structures.
Physiology and genetics of heat stress in cattle.
Authors: McManus C.M.
Published: May 2020

Climatic variables can trigger physiological, biochemical, hematological, and hormonal alterations that influence the maintenance of homeothermy and can affect production and productivity in cattle. An understanding of pathways leading to resistance/tolerance in cattle is necessary, so that the impact of these changes can be mitigated. Particularly, heat stress (HS) has complex effects on the physiology and genetics of production characteristics in animals, thereby making the use of genomic information to select thermotolerant animals difficult. This review looks at physical, physiological, molecular, and genetic aspects of heat tolerance in cattle and the interrelationship between them.
Agricultural waste management for horticulture revolution in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Paul K. Baiyeri , Ugese D. Felix , Obalum E. Sunday , Nwobodo Cynthia E.
Published: May 2020

Agricultural activities, which basically involve the production of raw produce and subsequent value addition normally, generate substantial waste, which could be in solid, liquid or gaseous forms. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the disposal of these wastes, which come from a myriad of sources or agricultural activities, constitutes a huge challenge. Even though these wastes are economically viable when properly managed by conversion to organic fertilizer and eventual use in crop production, they often exert hazardous effect on the environment due to improper disposal or management. Properly managed wastes deployed in conservation agriculture could enhance ecological balance and ensure sustainable crop production system intensification leading to elevated levels and quality of yield. Positive utilization of these wastes holds great prospects for SSA, which is characterized by accelerated population growth that puts undue pressure on available land, declining soil fertility and crop yield as well as high rate of youth unemployment. Horticulture essentially involves intensive cultivation of specialty crop (fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, seedlings) and, thus, often pays special attention to soil fertility management. The crops are largely grown under protected environments (modified or controlled environments), consequently, requiring among other variables high soil/substrates fertility. Organic manure generated from agricultural wastes is a putative source of good-quality and cheap nutrients for optimum crop performance. Converting large volume of available agricultural wastes in SSA to organic manure for horticultural field production and/or to organic substrates for protected crop production and commercial nursery will revolutionize horticultural industry in the subregion. This review explores the various types of agricultural wastes generated in SSA, their possible or potential utility in the horticulture industry and advocates their proper management and utilization in horticulture to enhance environmental quality, increase crop yield and quality and improve economies and livelihoods across SSA.
Quantification of anticipation of excitement with a three-axial model of emotion with EEG
Authors: Machizawa Maro G , Lisi Giuseppe , Kanayama Noriaki , Mizuochi Ryohei , Makita Kai , Sasaoka Takafumi , Yamawaki Shigeto
Published: May 2020

Objective. Multiple facets of human emotion underlie diverse and sparse neural mechanisms. Among the many existing models of emotion, the two-dimensional circumplex model of emotion is an important theory. The use of the circumplex model allows us to model variable aspects of emotion; however, such momentary expressions of one’s internal mental state still lacks a notion of the third dimension of time. Here, we report an exploratory attempt to build a three-axis model of human emotion to model our sense of anticipatory excitement, ‘Waku-Waku’ (in Japanese), in which people predictively code upcoming emotional events. Approach. Electroencephalography (EEG) data were recorded from 28 young adult participants while they mentalized upcoming emotional pictures. Three auditory tones were used as indicative cues, predicting the likelihood of the valence of an upcoming picture: positive, negative, or unknown. While seeing an image, the participants judged its emotional valence during the task and subsequently rated their subjective experiences on valence, arousal, expectation, and Waku-Waku immediately after the experiment. The collected EEG data were then analyzed to identify contributory neural signatures for each of the three axes. Main results. A three-axis model was built to quantify Waku-Waku. As expected, this model revealed the considerable contribution of the third dimension over the classical two-dimensional model. Distinctive EEG components were identified. Furthermore, a novel brain-emotion interface was proposed and validated within the scope of limitations. Significance. The proposed notion may shed new light on the theories of emotion and support multiplex dimensions of emotion. With the introduction of the cognitive domain for a brain-computer interface, we propose a novel brain-emotion interface. Limitations of the study and potential applications of this interface are discussed.
Feed and animal nutrition: insect as animal feed
Authors: Dewi Apri Astuti , Komalasari Kokom
Published: May 2020

In the last ten years, insects have been widely recognized for food and feed. Many studies using insects (Black soldier fly, cricket and silkworm pupae) as feed to explore their nutritional value and apply it in some animal rations as an alternative source of protein and fat. Data showed that Black soldier fly (BSF) has high protein and fat, especially lauric acid which potential as an antibacterial pathogen. In vitro study showed that BSF extracted could phagocyte 99% of pathogen bacteria such as E coli and S aureus. Meanwhile, cricket has also high fat and protein, including glutamic acid for brain development, and mineral Fe has to support hemoglobin synthesis. Silkworm pupae contain 67.48% of unsaturated fatty acid with linoleic acid (omega 6) and linolenic acid (omega 3) which very good as a steroid hormone precursor. Application insects to substitute imported ingredients (Casein, fish, meat bone, and soybean meal) in poultry diets resulted in a good performance and the animal still healthy with low mortality. The BSF and cricket meal as part of milk replacer could produce ADG of pre-weaning goat/sheep around 100-120 g/h/d, meanwhile if those ingredients are used as part of creep feed, the daily gain of post-weaning goat/sheep could be more than 150 g/h/d. Application of silkworm meal as a substitute for the fish meal could improve egg quality and quantity of laying quail. It was concluded that insects have the potential to be used as a protein source in the poultry and pre-weaning small ruminant rations without any negative effect on the animal.
Production and reproduction performances of Bali cattle in Southeast Sulawesi-Indonesia
Authors: Saili Takdir
Published: May 2020

Bali cattle is predominant cattle breed raised by smallholder farmer who lives in villages across Southeast Sulawesi region. Besides keeping Bali cattle, they also grow various crops for supporting their livelihood, so they are not really the livestock farmer. However, the existence of Bali cattle for farmers has been a main pillar of the family economy when they need a lot of cash either for the educational needs of children or ceremonial events of religion and culture. Cattle production management in Southeast Sulawesi is quite diverse because it depends on the habit of the farmer. In transmigration settlements, Bali cattle are generally kept by farmer in a semi-intensive system and some even kept intensively, especially for fattening purposes. Whereas in local community settlements (indigenous people), cattle are generally kept extensively or semi-intensively. The smallholder farmer kept cattle on a small scale (2 - 5 heads/household, on average). However, in areas with extensive management systems (natural ranch), they can even keep a hundred cattle per farmer. According to livestock statistical data, beef cattle population in Southeast Sulawesi increased about 15% per year during 2013-2017 but it decreased about 19% during 2017-2018. However, the preliminary data in 2019 cattle population in Southeast Sulawesi increased again about 41%. Bali cattle breed is about ±95% (90%-99%) of beef cattle population in Southeast Sulawesi. The other cattle breeds were crossbreed between Bali cattle and Limousine, Simmental, Brahman Cross or Ongole Cross. Based on cattle population data (December 2018), the cow population is more than bull population. The fertility of Bali cow are diverse with calving interval ranged between 1-3 years because of several factors such as bull availability, nutrition, poor understanding of estrus sign, disease etc. However, in the area where Bali bull is always available or in the area that artificial insemination applied well, the fertility of Bali cow is good, indicated by short period of anestrus post parturition (40-60 days) or calving interval about 12-13 months. Moreover, Bali cow has long reproductive periods, she still has fair fertility up to 13-15 years of age. Bali cattle are also kept for fattening purposes. Young bull of Bali cattle could have daily gain up to 0.7kg/day when they are fed by grass plus concentrate compared to pasture fattening in which daily gain only ranged between 0.2-0.4kg/day. Those production and reproduction performances of Bali cattle in Southeast Sulawesi will be elaborated in this article.
Gentamicin Nephrotoxicity in Animal Model: Study of Kidney Histopathology and Physiological Functions
Authors: Fauzi Ahmad , Titisari Nurina , Sutarso  , Mellisa Venny
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this study was to analyze abnormal changes in kidney histology and physiology in acute kidney injury animal models with multiple doses of gentamicin. Induction of experimental animals was carried out on 20 rats (Rattus norvegicus) Wistar strain which were divided into 4 groups, group I was a negative control group, groups II, III and IV are gentamicin-induced groups at doses of 30 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, and 50 mg/kg, respectively. Kidney histopathology were stained with Hematoxylin Eosin (HE), while analysis of serum BUN and creatinine by spectrophotometric method. Data analysis for kidney histopathology was descriptively while for BUN and Creatinine were statistically tested with one way ANOVA. The results of this study showed there was a kidney damage in all gentamicin-induced groups, which is necrosis in the contortus tubule and the Bowman’s capsule compared to the negative control group. The group of rats with the higher doses of gentamicin showed a more severe level of histopathological changes, however, BUN and creatinine levels were not significantly different (p> 0.05). This study concludes that gentamicin induction could cause kidney histopathological changes but not kidney physiology.
Muscle fiber area and warner bratzler shear force (WBSF) value of Aceh cattle semitendinosus muscle
Authors: Sofyan H , Satyaningtijas A S , Sumantri C , Sudarnika E , Agungpriyono S
Published: May 2020

Aceh cattle serves as the first choice in providing beef in Aceh Province, Indonesia. This study was aimed to measure the area of muscle fibers in Aceh cattle and its correlation with the meat tenderness. The study used semitendinosus muscle samples from four Aceh bulls aged 18-30 months with an average body weight of 320.75±71.41 kg. The paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, while muscle samples were processed for meat tenderness measurement. The measurement of the area of muscle fibers was carried out under a light microscope and by using IMAGE J software, while the analysis of meat tenderness was done using the Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF). The results were compared with reference values in Bali cattle and Ongole grade cattle. The average area (μm2) of muscle fibers in Aceh cattle was 2 752.17 (95% CI: 1 334.34-4 170.00). This value is not different from those of Bali cattle and Ongole grade cattle. WBSF value (kg cm−2) in Aceh cattle was 9.35 (95% CI: 4.21-14.49). The average of WBSF value in Aceh cattle was higher but not significantly different from those of Bali cattle and Ongole grade cattle. The study concluded that beef of Aceh cattle is as tender as the beef of Bali and Ongole grade cattle.