bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ERP Evidence for Co-Activation of English Words during Recognition of American Sign Language Signs
Authors: Lee Brittany , Meade Gabriela , Midgley Katherine , Holcomb Phillip , Emmorey Karen
Published: June 2019

Event-related potentials (ERPs) were used to investigate co-activation of English words during recognition of American Sign Language (ASL) signs. Deaf and hearing signers viewed pairs of ASL signs and judged their semantic relatedness. Half of the semantically unrelated signs had English translations that shared an orthographic and phonological rime (e.g., BAR–STAR) and half did not (e.g., NURSE–STAR). Classic N400 and behavioral semantic priming effects were observed in both groups. For hearing signers, targets in sign pairs with English rime translations elicited a smaller N400 compared to targets in pairs with unrelated English translations. In contrast, a reversed N400 effect was observed for deaf signers: target signs in English rime translation pairs elicited a larger N400 compared to targets in pairs with unrelated English translations. This reversed effect was overtaken by a later, more typical ERP priming effect for deaf signers who were aware of the manipulation. These findings provide evidence that implicit language co-activation in bimodal bilinguals is bidirectional. However, the distinct pattern of effects in deaf and hearing signers suggests that it may be modulated by differences in language proficiency and dominance as well as by asymmetric reliance on orthographic versus phonological representations.
Inception Mechanisms of Tunneling Nanotubes
Authors: Drab Mitja , Stopar David , Kralj-Iglič Veronika , Iglič Aleš
Published: June 2019

Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are thin membranous tubes that interconnect cells, representing a novel route of cell-to-cell communication and spreading of pathogens. TNTs form between many cell types, yet their inception mechanisms remain elusive. We review in this study general concepts related to the formation and stability of membranous tubular structures with a focus on a deviatoric elasticity model of membrane nanodomains. We review experimental evidence that tubular structures initiate from local membrane bending facilitated by laterally distributed proteins or anisotropic membrane nanodomains. We further discuss the numerical results of several theoretical and simulation models of nanodomain segregation suggesting the mechanisms of TNT inception and stability. We discuss the coupling of nanodomain segregation with the action of protruding cytoskeletal forces, which are mostly provided in eukaryotic cells by the polymerization of f-actin, and review recent inception mechanisms of TNTs in relation to motor proteins.
The Relationship between Solid Content and Particle Size Ratio of Waterborne Polyurethane
Authors: Hou Jinghui , Ma Yifei , Zhang Zihan , Yang Xuanhe , Huang Muhua , Chai Chunpeng
Published: June 2019

A series of high solid content carboxylic acid/sulfonic acid waterborne polyurethanes was prepared by the emulsion dispersion method. The particle size and solid content were measured. By changing the particle size of the large particles to achieve different particle size ratios, high solid content waterborne polyurethanes were obtained at specific particle size ratios. When the particle size ratio was >7, 4–5 or 2–3, the aqueous polyurethane could reach a higher solid content (more than 56%). This indicated that solid content is related to particle size distribution in high solid content waterborne polyurethane. Moreover, the corresponding three-dimensional stacked models (simple cubic accumulation, face-centered cubic accumulation, cubic close packing and hexagonal closest packing) were established.
Small Order Patterns in Big Time Series: A Practical Guide
Authors: Bandt Christoph
Published: June 2019

The study of order patterns of three equally-spaced values x t , x t + d , x t + 2 d in a time series is a powerful tool. The lag d is changed in a wide range so that the differences of the frequencies of order patterns become autocorrelation functions. Similar to a spectrogram in speech analysis, four ordinal autocorrelation functions are used to visualize big data series, as for instance heart and brain activity over many hours. The method applies to real data without preprocessing, and outliers and missing data do not matter. On the theoretical side, we study the properties of order correlation functions and show that the four autocorrelation functions are orthogonal in a certain sense. An analysis of variance of a modified permutation entropy can be performed with four variance components associated with the functions.
Structural Characteristics of Two-Sender Index Coding
Authors: Thapa Chandra , Ong Lawrence , Johnson Sarah , Li Min
Published: June 2019

This paper studies index coding with two senders. In this setup, source messages are distributed among the senders possibly with common messages. In addition, there are multiple receivers, with each receiver having some messages a priori, known as side-information, and requesting one unique message such that each message is requested by only one receiver. Index coding in this setup is called two-sender unicast index coding (TSUIC). The main goal is to find the shortest aggregate normalized codelength, which is expressed as the optimal broadcast rate. In this work, firstly, for a given TSUIC problem, we form three independent sub-problems each consisting of the only subset of the messages, based on whether the messages are available only in one of the senders or in both senders. Then, we express the optimal broadcast rate of the TSUIC problem as a function of the optimal broadcast rates of those independent sub-problems. In this way, we discover the structural characteristics of TSUIC. For the proofs of our results, we utilize confusion graphs and coding techniques used in single-sender index coding. To adapt the confusion graph technique in TSUIC, we introduce a new graph-coloring approach that is different from the normal graph coloring, which we call two-sender graph coloring, and propose a way of grouping the vertices to analyze the number of colors used. We further determine a class of TSUIC instances where a certain type of side-information can be removed without affecting their optimal broadcast rates. Finally, we generalize the results of a class of TSUIC problems to multiple senders.
One Shot Crowd Counting with Deep Scale Adaptive Neural Network
Authors: Wu Junfeng , Li Zhiyang , Qu Wenyu , Zhou Yizhi
Published: June 2019

This paper aims to utilize the deep learning architecture to break through the limitations of camera perspective, image background, uneven crowd density distribution and pedestrian occlusion to estimate crowd density accurately. In this paper, we proposed a new neural network called Deep Scale-Adaptive Convolutional Neural Network (DSA-CNN), which can convert a single crowd image to density map for crowd counting directly. For a crowd image with any size and resolution, our algorithm can output the density map of the crowd image by end-to-end method and finally estimate the number of the crowd in the image. The proposed DSA-CNN consists of two parts: the seven layers CNN network structure and DSA modules. In order to ensure the proposed method is robust to camera perspective effect, DSA-CNN has adopted different sizes of filters in the network and combines them ingeniously. In order to reduce the depth of the data to increase the speed of training, the proposed method utilized 1 × 1 filter in DSA module. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed model, we conducted comparative experiments on four popular public datasets (ShanghiTech dataset, UCF_CC_50 dataset, WorldExpo’10 dataset and UCSD dataset). We compare the proposed method with other well-known algorithms on the MAE and MSE indicators, such as MCNN, Switching-CNN, CSRNet, CP-CNN and Cascaded-MTL. Experimental results show that the proposed method has excellent performance. In addition, we found that the proposed model is easily trained, which further increases the usability of the proposed model.
Fuzzy-Based Statistical Feature Extraction for Detecting Broken Rotor Bars in Line-Fed and Inverter-Fed Induction Motors
Authors: Dias Cleber Gustavo , da Silva Luiz Carlos , Chabu Ivan Eduardo
Published: June 2019

This paper presents the use of a fuzzy-based statistical feature extraction from the air gap disturbances for diagnosing broken rotor bars in large induction motors fed by line or an inverter. The method is based on the analysis of the magnetic flux density variation in a Hall Effect Sensor, installed between two stator slots of the motor. The proposed method combines a fuzzy inference system and a support vector machine technique for time-domain assessment of the magnetic flux density, in order to detect a single fault or multiple broken bars in the rotor. In this approach, it is possible to detect not only the existence of failures, but also its severity. Moreover, it is not necessary to estimate the slip of the motor, usually required by other methods and the damaged rotor detection was also evaluated for oscillating load conditions. Thus, the present approach can overcome some drawbacks of the traditional MCSA method, particularly in operational cases where false positive and false negative indications are more frequently. The efficiency of this approach has been proven using some computational simulation results and experimental tests to detect fully broken rotor bars in a 7.5 kW squirrel cage induction machine fed by line and an inverter.
Thermal Fatigue Modelling and Simulation of Flip Chip Component Solder Joints under Cyclic Thermal Loading
Authors: Wu Liangyu , Han Xiaotian , Shao Chenxi , Yao Feng , Yang Weibo
Published: June 2019

Thermal Fatigue of flip chip component solder joints is widely existing in thermal energy systems, which imposes a great challenge to operational safety. In order to investigate the influential factors, this paper develops a model to analyze thermal fatigue, based on the Darveaux energy method. Under cyclic thermal loading, a theoretical heat transfer and thermal stress model is developed for the flip chip components and the thermal fatigue lives of flip chip component solder joints are analyzed. The model based simulation results show the effects of environmental and power parameters on thermal fatigue life. It is indicated that under cyclic thermal loading, the solder joint with the shortest life in a package of flip chip components is located at the outer corner point of the array. Increment in either power density or ambient temperature or the decrease in either power conversion time or ambient pressure will result in short thermal fatigue lives of the key solder joints in the flip chip components. In addition, thermal fatigue life is more sensitive to power density and ambient temperature than to power conversion time and ambient air pressure.
Coupling Structural Decomposition Analysis and Sensitivity Analysis to Investigate CO2 Emission Intensity in China
Authors: Li Ling , Tang Ling , Zhang Junrong
Published: June 2019

A coupled structural decomposition analysis (SDA) and sensitivity analysis approach is developed to explore the drivers of China’s CO2 emission intensity at both general and sectoral levels and from both ex-post and ex-ante perspectives. Two steps are involved—structural decomposition and sensitivity analysis. First, the popular factor decomposition method, SDA, is implemented to identify which drivers “have” made the largest contribution to emission intensity changes. Second, an emerging ex-ante approach, sensitivity analysis, is introduced to answer how and to what extent such drivers “will” influence future emission intensity at a sectoral level. Based on China’s input-output tables for 1997–2012, the empirical study provides a hotspot map of China’s energy system. (1) Direct-emission coefficient and technology coefficient are observed as the top two overall drivers. (2) For the former, reducing direct-emission coefficient in an emission-intensity sector (e.g., electricity and heat sectors) by 1% will mitigate China’s total emission intensity by at least 0.05%. (3) For the latter, future emission intensity is super-sensitive to direct transactions in emission-intensity sectors (particularly the chemical industry with elasticities up to 0.82%).
Genome-Wide Identification and Gene Expression Analysis of ABA Receptor Family Genes in Brassica juncea var. tumida
Authors: Cheng Chunhong , Zhong Yuanmei , Cai Zhaoming , Su Rongbin , Li Changman
Published: June 2019

Abscisic acid (ABA) plays important roles in multiple physiological processes, such as plant response to stresses and plant development. The ABA receptors pyrabactin resistance (PYR)/ PYR1-like (PYL)/regulatory components of ABA receptor (RCAR) play a crucial role in ABA perception and signaling. However, little is known about the details regarding PYL family genes in Brassica juncea var. tumida. Here, 25 PYL family genes were identified in B. juncea var. tumida genome, including BjuPYL3, BjuPYL4s, BjuPYL5s, BjuPYL6s, BjuPYL7s, BjuPYL8s, BjuPYL10s, BjuPYL11s, and BjuPYL13. The results of phylogenic analysis and gene structure showed that the PYL family genes performed similar gene characteristics. By analyzing cis-elements in the promoters of those BjuPYLs, several hormone and stress related cis-elements were found. The results of gene expression analysis showed that the ABA receptor homologous genes were induced by abiotic and biotic stress. The tissue-specific gene expression patterns of BjuPYLs also suggested those genes might regulate the stem swelling during plant growth. These findings indicate that BjuPYLs are involved in plant response to stresses and organ development. This study provides valuable information for further functional investigations of PYL family genes in B. juncea var. tumida.
Comparison of Hydraulic and Tracer Tomography for Discrete Fracture Network Inversion
Authors: Ringel Lisa Maria , Somogyvári Márk , Jalali Mohammadreza , Bayer Peter
Published: June 2019

Fractures serve as highly conductive preferential flow paths for fluids in rocks, which are difficult to exactly reconstruct in numerical models. Especially, in low-conductive rocks, fractures are often the only pathways for advection of solutes and heat. The presented study compares the results from hydraulic and tracer tomography applied to invert a theoretical discrete fracture network (DFN) that is based on data from synthetic cross-well testing. For hydraulic tomography, pressure pulses in various injection intervals are induced and the pressure responses in the monitoring intervals of a nearby observation well are recorded. For tracer tomography, a conservative tracer is injected in different well levels and the depth-dependent breakthrough of the tracer is monitored. A recently introduced transdimensional Bayesian inversion procedure is applied for both tomographical methods, which adjusts the fracture positions, orientations, and numbers based on given geometrical fracture statistics. The used Metropolis-Hastings-Green algorithm is refined by the simultaneous estimation of the measurement error’s variance, that is, the measurement noise. Based on the presented application to invert the two-dimensional cross-section between source and the receiver well, the hydraulic tomography reveals itself to be more suitable for reconstructing the original DFN. This is based on a probabilistic representation of the inverted results by means of fracture probabilities.
The Glorious Plagiarism, Trash Aesthetics, and Ecological Entropy of Cryptic Cut-Ups from Minutes to Go
Authors: Weidner Chad
Published: June 2019

This paper examines some of the many ways in which example early cut-ups from Minutes to Go recall canonical literary forms, revive the revolutionary destructive urgency of Dada aesthetics, as well as contribute to wider environmental concerns. How do unusual examples of radically experimental literature contribute to how people think about the environment? What can additional consideration of the cut-up manifesto Minutes to Go tell us about the relationship between culture and nature? This paper suggests that unstudied examples of cryptic cut-ups from Minutes to Go participate in cultural recycling through the Glorious Plagiarism of canonical texts, and what emerges from the Dada Compost Grinder is a trash aesthetic that highlights the voids of both consumer and material culture.
Critical Analysis of the Snow Survey Network According to the Spatial Variability of Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) on Eastern Mainland Canada
Authors: Sena Yawu Noumonvi , Chokmani Karem , Gloaguen Erwan , Bernier Monique
Published: June 2019

In Eastern Canada, the snow survey network is highly optimized at the operational scale. However, it is commonly accepted that the network is limited when it comes to studying the spatial variability of the snow water equivalent (SWE), which forms different spatial structures that are active at multiple scales—from local to regional. The main objective of this study was to conduct a critical analysis of the existing snow survey network, based on the spatial variability of the existing SWE structures. To do so, we must (1) assess the snow survey network’s capacity to model spatial variability structures of SWE, and (2) study the spatial distribution based on the spatial variability structures of SWE. Initially, the snow survey network’s capacity to model the spatial variability structures of the SWE was evaluated by a variogram analysis. Second, the spatial distribution of the snow survey network’s data was analyzed through the Lorenz index curve and by measuring the spatial distribution using the Gini index. The results showed that, at a regional scale, the snow survey stations were evenly distributed within the spatial structures. However, at the local scale, the snow survey network was inadequate to model the spatial variability of SWE due to the reduced and uneven number of snow survey stations.
Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity in Human Schistosoma japonicum Infection at Village Level in Hubei Province, China
Authors: Qiu Juan , Li Rendong , Xiao Ying , Xia Jing , Zhu Hong , Niu Yingnan , Huang Duan , Shao Qihui , Cui Ying , Wang Yong
Published: June 2019

The spatiotemporal dynamics of Schistosoma japonicum, combined with temporal heterogeneity among regions of different epidemic areal-types from a microscale viewpoint might capture the local change dynamics and thus aid in optimizing the combinations of precise schistosomiasis control measures. The prevalence data on schistosomiasis infection from 2007 to 2012 in the 30 most endemic counties of Hubei Province, Central China, were appended to the village-level administrative division polygon layer. Anselin local Moran’s I, a retrospective space–time scan statistic and a multilevel-growth model analysis framework, was used to investigate the spatiotemporal pattern of schistosomiasis resident infection rate (RIR) at the village level and how natural geographical environment influence the schistosomiasis RIR over time. Two spatiotemporal high-risk clusters and continuous high-rate clusters were identified mainly in the embankment region across flooding areas of lakes connected with the Yangze and Hanjiang Rivers. Moreover, 12 other clusters and outlier evolution modes were detected to be scattered across the continuous high-rate clusters. Villages located in embankment region had the highest initial values and most rapidly reduced RIRs over time, followed by villages located in marshland-and-lake regions and finally by villages located in hilly region. Moreover, initial RIR values and rates of change did significantly vary (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) irrespective of their epidemic areal-type. These local spatiotemporal heterogeneities could contribute to the formulation of distinct control strategies based on local transmission dynamics and be applied in other endemic areas of schistosomiasis.
Gender Division of Labor, Burnout, and Intention to Leave Work Among Young Female Nurses in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Minamizono Sachiko , Nomura Kyoko , Inoue Yuki , Hiraike Haruko , Tsuchiya Akiko , Okinaga Hiroko , Illing Jan
Published: June 2019

Women in Japan face difficulties balancing work and personal life due to the gender division of labor, and medical professions are no exception. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the gender division of labor affects the intention to leave the workplace among the nursing profession. Among 328 female nurses working for three university-affiliated hospitals in Tokyo, Japan, above 70% were in their 20s and 30s and single, and agreed with the gender division of labor that men should be the breadwinner and women should assume family responsibilities. Adjusting for three types of Copenhagen burnout inventory, stepwise multivariable logistic regression models identified that being younger (all p-values < 0.05), each domain of burnout score (each p < 0.001 for work-, personal-, and client-related burnout) increased a risk of intention to leave, and high support decreased the risk (all p < 0.001). Women who agreed with the gender division of labor were more likely to have intentions to leave (p = 0.003 but this association disappeared when adjusted. The findings of study demonstrate that perceptions toward gender division of labor are not a determinant of intention to leave the workplace but the young nurses and those who scored high on burnout were the most vulnerable population.
A Low-Altitude Flight Conflict Detection Algorithm Based on a Multilevel Grid Spatiotemporal Index
Authors: Miao Shuangxi , Cheng Chengqi , Zhai Weixin , Ren Fuhu , Zhang Bo , Li Shuang , Zhang Junxiao , Zhang Huangchuang
Published: June 2019

Flight conflict detection is fundamental to flight dispatch, trajectory planning, and flight safety control. An ever-increasing aircraft population and higher speeds, particularly the emergence of hypersonic/supersonic aircrafts, are challenging the timeliness and accuracy of flight conflict detection. Traditional trajectory conflict detection algorithms rely on traversing multivariate equations of every two trajectories, in order to yield the conflict result and involve extensive computation and high algorithmic complexity; these algorithms are often unable to provide the flight conflict solutions required quickly enough. In this paper, we present a novel, low-altitude flight conflict detection algorithm, based on the multi-level grid spatiotemporal index, that transforms the traditional trajectory-traversing multivariate conflict computation into a grid conflict state query of distributed grid databases. Essentially, this is a method of exchanging "storage space" for "computational time". First, we build the spatiotemporal subdivision and encoding model based on the airspace. The model describes the geometries of the trajectories, low-altitude obstacles, or dangerous fields and identifies the grid with grid codes. Next, we design a database table structure of the grid and create a grid database. Finally, we establish a multilevel grid spatiotemporal index, design a query optimization scheme, and examine the flight conflict detection results from the grid database. Experimental verification confirms that the computation efficiency of our algorithm is one order of magnitude higher than those of traditional methods. Our algorithm can perform real-time (dynamic/static) conflict detection on both individual aircraft and aircraft flying in formation with more efficient trajectory planning and airspace utilization.
Glucosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb1) as a Biomarker for Monitoring Treated and Untreated Children with Gaucher Disease
Authors: Hurvitz Noa , Dinur Tama , Becker-Cohen Michal , Cozma Claudia , Hovakimyan Marina , Oppermann Sebastian , Demuth Laura , Rolfs Arndt , Abramov Aya , Zimran Ari , Revel-Vilk Shoshana
Published: June 2019

The role of glucosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb1), a downstream metabolic product of glucosylceramide, for monitoring treated and untreated children with Gaucher disease (GD) has not yet been studied. We reviewed the clinical charts of 81 children (<18 years), 35 with mild type 1 GD (GD1), 34 with severe GD1 and 12 with type 3 GD (GD3), followed at Shaare Zedek Medical Center between 2014–2018. Disease severity for GD1 was based on genotypes. Forty children (87%) with severe GD1 and GD3 received enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) compared to two children (6%) with mild GD1. Lyso-Gb1 measurements were conducted on dried blood spot samples taken at each clinic visit. Lyso-Gb1 levels were significantly lower in children with mild compared to severe GD1 (p = 0.009). In untreated children, lyso-Gb1 levels were inversely correlated with platelet counts. During follow-up, lyso-Gb1 increased in almost 50% of untreated children, more commonly in younger children. In treated children, lyso-Gb1 levels were inversely correlated with hemoglobin levels. The increase of lyso-Gb1 while receiving ERT, seen in eight children, was partly associated with compliance and weight gain. Lyso-Gb1 seems to be a useful biomarker for monitoring children with GD and should be included in the routine follow-up. Progressive increase in lyso-Gb1 levels in untreated children suggests ERT initiation.
Upregulation of MDR- and EMT-Related Molecules in Cisplatin-Resistant Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines
Authors: Choi Hyeong Sim , Kim Young-Kyun , Yun Pil-Young
Published: June 2019

Cisplatin is one of the major drugs used in oral cancer treatments, but its usage can be limited by acquired drug resistance. In this study, we established three cisplatin-resistant oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines and characterized them using cell viability assays, qPCR, Western blotting, FACS, immunofluorescence, and wound healing assays. Three OSCC cell lines (YD-8, YD-9, and YD-38) underwent long-term exposure to cisplatin, eventually acquiring resistance to the drug, which was confirmed by an MTT assay. In these three newly established cell lines (YD-8/CIS, YD-9/CIS, and YD-38/CIS), overexpression of multidrug resistance (MDR)-related genes was detected by qPCR and Western blotting. The cell lines displayed an increase in the functional activities of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) and multidrug resistance protein1 (MDR1) by rhodamine 123 and bodipy FL prazosin accumulation assays. Moreover, the cisplatin-resistant cells underwent morphological changes, from round to spindle-shaped, increased expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related molecules such as N-cadherin, and showed increased cell migration when compared with the parental cell lines. These results suggest that these newly established cell lines have acquired drug resistance and EMT induction.
Dissecting the Genetic Architecture of Seed Protein and Oil Content in Soybean from the Yangtze and Huaihe River Valleys Using Multi-Locus Genome-Wide Association Studies
Authors: Li Shuguang , Xu Haifeng , Yang Jiayin , Zhao Tuanjie
Published: June 2019

Soybean is a globally important legume crop that provides a primary source of high-quality vegetable protein and oil. Seed protein and oil content are two valuable quality traits controlled by multiple genes in soybean. In this study, the restricted two-stage multi-locus genome-wide association analysis (RTM-GWAS) procedure was performed to dissect the genetic architecture of seed protein and oil content in a diverse panel of 279 soybean accessions from the Yangtze and Huaihe River Valleys in China. We identified 26 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for seed protein content and 23 for seed oil content, including five associated with both traits. Among these, 39 QTLs corresponded to previously reported QTLs, whereas 10 loci were novel. As reported previously, the QTL on chromosome 20 was associated with both seed protein and oil content. This QTL exhibited opposing effects on these traits and contributed the most to phenotype variation. From the detected QTLs, 55 and 51 candidate genes were identified for seed protein and oil content, respectively. Among these genes, eight may be promising candidate genes for improving soybean nutritional quality. These results will facilitate marker-assisted selective breeding for soybean protein and oil content traits.
Poly-Saturated Dolichols from Filamentous Fungi Modulate Activity of Dolichol-Dependent Glycosyltransferase and Physical Properties of Membranes
Authors: Gryz Elżbieta , Perlińska-Lenart Urszula , Gawarecka Katarzyna , Jozwiak Adam , Piłsyk Sebastian , Lipko Agata , Jemiola-Rzeminska Malgorzata , Bernat Przemysław , Muszewska Anna , Steczkiewicz Kamil , Ginalski Krzysztof , Długoński Jerzy , Strzalka Kazimierz , Swiezewska Ewa , Kruszewska Joanna S.
Published: June 2019

Mono-saturated polyprenols (dolichols) have been found in almost all Eukaryotic cells, however, dolichols containing additional saturated bonds at the ω-end, have been identified in A. fumigatus and A. niger. Here we confirm using an LC-ESI-QTOF-MS analysis, that poly-saturated dolichols are abundant in other filamentous fungi, Trichoderma reesei, A. nidulans and Neurospora crassa, while the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae only contains the typical mono-saturated dolichols. We also show, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fluorescence anisotropy of 1,6-diphenyl-l,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) that the structure of dolichols modulates the properties of membranes and affects the functioning of dolichyl diphosphate mannose synthase (DPMS). The activity of this enzyme from T. reesei and S. cerevisiae was strongly affected by the structure of dolichols. Additionally, the structure of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) model membranes was more strongly disturbed by the poly-saturated dolichols from Trichoderma than by the mono-saturated dolichols from yeast. By comparing the lipidome of filamentous fungi with that from S. cerevisiae, we revealed significant differences in the PC/PE ratio and fatty acids composition. Filamentous fungi differ from S. cerevisiae in the lipid composition of their membranes and the structure of dolichols. The structure of dolichols profoundly affects the functioning of dolichol-dependent enzyme, DPMS.
Genome-Wide Identification, Expression Analysis, and Subcellular Localization of Carthamus tinctorius bHLH Transcription Factors
Authors: Hong Yingqi , Ahmad Naveed , Tian Yuanyuan , Liu Jianyu , Wang Liyan , Wang Gang , Liu Xiuming , Dong Yuanyuan , Wang Fawei , Liu Weican , Li Xiaowei , Zhao Xu , Yao Na , Li Haiyan
Published: June 2019

The basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) family is the second largest superfamily of transcription factors that belongs to all three eukaryotic kingdoms. The key function of this superfamily is the regulation of growth and developmental mechanisms in plants. However, the bHLH gene family in Carthamus tinctorius has not yet been studied. Here, we identified 41 bHLH genes in Carthamus tinctorius that were classified into 23 subgroups. Further, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis and identified 10 conserved protein motifs found in the safflower bHLH family. We comprehensively analyzed a group of bHLH genes that could be associated with flavonoid biosynthesis in safflower by gene expression analysis, gene ontology annotation, protein interaction network prediction, subcellular localization of the candidate CtbHLH40 gene, and real-time quantitative expression analysis. This study provides genome-wide identification of the genes related to biochemical and physiological processes in safflower.
Indirect Radioiodination of DARPin G3 Using N-succinimidyl-Para-Iodobenzoate Improves the Contrast of HER2 Molecular Imaging
Authors: Vorobyeva Anzhelika , Schulga Alexey , Rinne Sara S. , Günther Tyran , Orlova Anna , Deyev Sergey , Tolmachev Vladimir
Published: June 2019

Radionuclide molecular imaging of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in breast and gastroesophageal cancer might be used to stratify patients for HER2-targeted therapy as well as monitor treatment response and disease progression. Designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) are small engineered scaffold proteins with favorable properties for molecular imaging. Herein we compared two methods for labeling the anti-HER2 DARPin (HE)3-G3, direct and indirect radioiodination. We hypothesized that the use of N-succinimidyl-para-iodobenzoate (SPIB) for radioiodination would facilitate the clearance of radiometabolites and improve the contrast of imaging. Both radiolabeled (HE)3-G3 variants preserved their binding specificity and high affinity to HER2-expressing cells. The specificity of tumor targeting in vivo was also demonstrated. A biodistribution comparison of [125I]I-(HE)3-G3 and [125I]I-PIB-(HE)3-G3, in mice bearing HER2 expressing SKOV3 xenografts, showed rapid clearance of [125I]I-PIB-(HE)3-G3 from normal organs and tissues and low accumulation of activity in organs with NaI-symporter expression. Both radiolabeled (HE)3-G3 variants had equal tumor uptake. Consequently, the indirect label provided higher tumor-to-blood and tumor-to-organ ratios compared with the direct label. Comparative Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)/CT imaging of HER2 expression in SKOV3 xenografts, using both radiolabeled DARPins, demonstrated the superior imaging contrast of the indirect label. Indirect radioiodination of (HE)3-G3 using SPIB could be further applied for SPECT and PET imaging with iodine-123 and iodine-124.
Analgesic and Antidepressant Effects of Oltipraz on Neuropathic Pain in Mice by Modulating Microglial Activation
Authors: Díaz Andrés Felipe , Polo Sara , Gallardo Núria , Leánez Sergi , Pol Olga
Published: June 2019

Nerve injury provokes microglial activation, contributing to the sensory and emotional disorders associated with neuropathic pain that do not completely resolve with treatment. In C57BL/6J mice with neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve (CCI), we evaluated the effects of oltipraz, an antioxidant and anticancer compound, on (1) allodynia and hyperalgesia, (2) microglial activation and pain signaling pathways, (3) oxidative stress, and (4) depressive-like behaviors. Twenty-eight days after surgery, we assessed the effects of oltipraz on the expression of CD11b/c (a microglial marker), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/ phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcription factor, and mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) in the spinal cord, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Our results show that oltipraz alleviates neuropathic pain by inhibiting microglial activation and PI3K/p-Akt, phosphorylated inhibitor of κBα (p-IκBα), and MAPK overexpression, and by normalizing and/or enhancing the expression of antioxidant proteins, nuclear factor erythroid derived-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) in the spinal cord. The inhibition of microglial activation and induction of the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway in the hippocampus and/or prefrontal cortex may explain the antidepressant effects of oltipraz during neuropathic pain. These data demonstrate the analgesic and antidepressant effects of oltipraz and reveal its protective and antioxidant properties during chronic pain.
Sustainable Green Pavement Using Bio-Based Polyurethane Binder in Tunnel
Authors: Leng Chao , Lu Guoyang , Gao Junling , Liu Pengfei , Xie Xiaoguang , Wang Dawei
Published: June 2019

As a closed space, the functional requirements of the tunnel pavement are very different from ordinary pavements. In recent years, with the increase of requirements for tunnel pavement safety, comfort and environmental friendliness, asphalt pavement has become more and more widely used in long tunnels, due to its low noise, low dust, easy maintenance, and good comfort. However, conventional tunnel asphalt pavements cause significant safety and environmental concerns. The innovative polyurethane thin overlay (PTO) has been developed for the maintenance of existing roads and constructing new roads. Based on the previous study, the concept of PTO may be a feasible and effective way to enrich the innovative functions of tunnel pavement. In this paper, the research aims to evaluate the functional properties of PTO, such as noise reduction, solar reflection and especially combustion properties. Conventional asphalt (Open-graded Friction Course (OGFC) and Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA)) and concrete pavement materials were used as control materials. Compared with conventional tunnel pavement materials, significant improvements were observed in functional properties and environmental performance. Therefore, this innovative wearing layer can potentially provide pavements with new eco-friendly functions. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of these environmentally friendly materials, paving the way for the possible application in tunnels, as well as some other fields, such as race tracks in stadiums.
Development of Oxidized Polyvinyl Alcohol-Based Nerve Conduits Coupled with the Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor
Authors: Porzionato Andrea , Barbon Silvia , Stocco Elena , Dalzoppo Daniele , Contran Martina , De Rose Enrico , Parnigotto Pier Paolo , Macchi Veronica , Grandi Claudio , De Caro Raffaele
Published: June 2019

Functionalized synthetic conduits represent a promising strategy to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration by guiding axon growth while delivering therapeutic neurotrophic factors. In this work, hollow nerve conduits made of polyvinyl alcohol partially oxidized with bromine (OxPVA_Br2) and potassium permanganate (OxPVA_KMnO4) were investigated for their structural/biological properties and ability to absorb/release the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). Chemical oxidation enhanced water uptake capacity of the polymer, with maximum swelling index of 60.5% ± 2.5%, 71.3% ± 3.6% and 19.5% ± 4.0% for OxPVA_Br2, OxPVA_KMnO4 and PVA, respectively. Accordingly, hydrogel porosity increased from 15.27% ± 1.16% (PVA) to 62.71% ± 8.63% (OxPVA_Br2) or 77.50% ± 3.39% (OxPVA_KMnO4) after oxidation. Besides proving that oxidized PVA conduits exhibited mechanical resistance and a suture holding ability, they did not exert a cytotoxic effect on SH-SY5Y and Schwann cells and biodegraded over time when subjected to enzymatic digestion, functionalization with CNTF was performed. Interestingly, higher amounts of neurotrophic factor were detected in the lumen of OxPVA_Br2 (0.22 ± 0.029 µg) and OxPVA_KMnO4 (0.29 ± 0.033 µg) guides rather than PVA (0.11 ± 0.021 µg) tubular scaffolds. In conclusion, we defined a promising technology to obtain drug delivery conduits based on functionalizable oxidized PVA hydrogels.
Steroids from Marine-Derived Fungi: Evaluation of Antiproliferative and Antimicrobial Activities of Eburicol
Authors: Dos Santos Dias Ana Camila , Couzinet-Mossion Aurélie , Ruiz Nicolas , Lakhdar Fatima , Etahiri Samira , Bertrand Samuel , Ory Lucie , Roussakis Christos , Pouchus Yves François , Nazih El-Hassane , Wielgosz-Collin Gaetane
Published: June 2019

The most common sterol in fungi is ergosterol, which has frequently been investigated in human pathogenic fungal strains. This sterol, and others isolated from fungal strains, has also demonstrated cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines and antimicrobial activities. Marine fungi can produce high amounts of bioactive compounds. So, a screening was performed to study sterol composition using GC/MS in 19 marine fungal strains and ergosterol was always the major one. One strain, Clonostachys rosea MMS1090, was selected due to its high amount of eburicol and a one strain many compounds approach was performed on seven culture media to optimize its production. After purification and structural identification by NMR, eburicol was assessed against four cancer cell lines, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, NSCLC-N6-L16 and A549, and seven human pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus sp., Bacillus cereus, Listeria ivanovii, Escherichia coli, Citrobacter freundii and Salmonella spp. The most significant activity was cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells (2 µM). This is the first report of such an accumulation of eburicol in the marine fungal strain C. rosea confirming its potential in the production of bioactive lipids.
Continuous Electron Beam Post-Treatment of EBF3-Fabricated Ti–6Al–4V Parts
Authors: Panin Alexey , Kazachenok Marina , Perevalova Olga , Martynov Sergey , Panina Alexandra , Sklyarova Elena
Published: June 2019

In the present study, the methods of optical, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy as well as X-ray diffraction analysis gained insights into the mechanisms of surface finish and microstructure formation of Ti–6Al–4V parts during an EBF3-process. It was found that the slip band propagation within the outermost surface layer provided dissipation of the stored strain energy associated with martensitic transformations. The latter caused the lath fragmentation as well as precipitation of nanosized β grains and an orthorhombic martensite α″ phase at the secondary α lath boundaries of as-built Ti–6Al–4V parts. The effect of continuous electron beam post-treatment on the surface finish, microstructure, and mechanical properties of EBF3-fabricated Ti–6Al–4V parts was revealed. The brittle outermost surface layer of the EBF3-fabricated samples was melted upon the treatment, resulting in the formation of equiaxial prior β grains of 20 to 30 μm in size with the fragmented acicular α′ phase. Electron-beam irradiation induced transformations within the 70 μm thick molten surface layer and 500 μm thick heat affected zone significantly increased the Vickers microhardness and tensile strength of the EBF3-fabricated Ti–6Al–4V samples.
Optimization of the Continuous Galvanizing Heat Treatment Process in Ultra-High Strength Dual Phase Steels Using a Multivariate Model
Authors: Costa Patricia , Altamirano Gerardo , Salinas Armando , González-González David S. , Goodwin Frank
Published: June 2019

The main process variables to produce galvanized dual phase (DP) steel sheets in continuous galvanizing lines are time and temperature of intercritical austenitizing (tIA and TIA), cooling rate (CR1) after intercritical austenitizing, holding time at the galvanizing temperature (tG) and finally the cooling rate (CR2) to room temperature. In this research work, the effects of CR1, tG and CR2 on the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and elongation (EL) of cold rolled low carbon steel were investigated by applying an experimental central composite design and a multivariate regression model. A multi-objective optimization and the Pareto Front were used for the optimization of the continuous galvanizing heat treatments. Typical thermal cycles applied for the production of continuous galvanized AHSS-DP strips were simulated in a quenching dilatometer using miniature tensile specimens. The experimental results of UTS, YS and EL were used to fit the multivariate regression model for the prediction of these mechanical properties from the processing parameters (CR1, tG and CR2). In general, the results show that the proposed multivariate model correctly predicts the mechanical properties of UTS, YS and %EL for DP steels processed under continuous galvanizing conditions. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the phase transformations that take place during the optimized tG (galvanizing time) play a dominant role in determining the values of the mechanical properties of the DP steel. The production of hot-dip galvanized DP steels with a minimum tensile strength of 1100 MPa is possible by applying the proposed methodology. The results provide important scientific and technological knowledge about the annealing/galvanizing thermal cycle effects on the microstructure and mechanical properties of DP steels.
A MEMS-Based Quad-Wavelength Hybrid Plasmonic–Pyroelectric Infrared Detector
Authors: Doan Anh Tung , Yokoyama Takahiro , Dao Thang Duy , Ishii Satoshi , Ohi Akihiko , Nabatame Toshihide , Wada Yoshiki , Maruyama Shigenao , Nagao Tadaaki
Published: June 2019

Spectrally selective detection is of crucial importance for diverse modern spectroscopic applications such as multi-wavelength pyrometry, non-dispersive infrared gas sensing, biomedical analysis, flame detection, and thermal imaging. This paper reports a quad-wavelength hybrid plasmonic–pyroelectric detector that exhibited spectrally selective infrared detection at four wavelengths—3.3, 3.7, 4.1, and 4.5 μm. The narrowband detection was achieved by coupling the incident infrared light to the resonant modes of the four different plasmonic perfect absorbers based on Al-disk-array placed on a Al2O3–Al bilayer. These absorbers were directly integrated on top of a zinc oxide thin film functioning as a pyroelectric transducer. The device was fabricated using micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) technology to optimize the spectral responsivity. The proposed detector operated at room temperature and exhibited a responsivity of approximately 100–140 mV/W with a full width at half maximum of about 0.9–1.2 μm. The wavelength tunability, high spectral resolution, compactness and robust MEMS-based platform of the hybrid device demonstrated a great advantage over conventional photodetectors with bandpass filters, and exhibited impressive possibilities for miniature multi-wavelength spectroscopic devices.
Malaria: The Past and the Present
Authors: Talapko Jasminka , Škrlec Ivana , Alebić Tamara , Jukić Melita , Včev Aleksandar
Published: June 2019

Malaria is a severe disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium, which is transmitted to humans by a bite of an infected female mosquito of the species Anopheles. Malaria remains the leading cause of mortality around the world, and early diagnosis and fast-acting treatment prevent unwanted outcomes. It is the most common disease in Africa and some countries of Asia, while in the developed world malaria occurs as imported from endemic areas. The sweet sagewort plant was used as early as the second century BC to treat malaria fever in China. Much later, quinine started being used as an antimalaria drug. A global battle against malaria started in 1955, and Croatia declared 1964 to be the year of eradication of malaria. The World Health Organization carries out a malaria control program on a global scale, focusing on local strengthening of primary health care, early diagnosis of the disease, timely treatment, and disease prevention. Globally, the burden of malaria is lower than ten years ago. However, in the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of malaria cases around the world. It is moving towards targets established by the WHO, but that progress has slowed down.
Use of Indocyanine Green (ICG), a Medical Near Infrared Dye, for Enhanced Fluorescent Imaging—Comparison of Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide 1B3 (OATP1B3) and Sodium-Taurocholate Cotransporting Polypeptide (NTCP) Reporter Genes
Authors: Wu Menq-Rong , Huang Yi-You , Hsiao Jong-Kai
Published: June 2019

Molecular and cellular imaging in living organisms have ushered in an era of comprehensive understanding of intracellular and intercellular events. Currently, more efforts have been focused on the infrared fluorescent dyes that facilitate deeper tissue visualization. Both sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) and organic-anion-transporting polypeptide 1B3 (OATP1B3) are capable of carrying indocyanine green (ICG) into the cytoplasm. We compared the feasibility of NTCP and OATP1B3 as reporter genes in combination with ICG. NTCP and OATP1B3 were transduced into HT-29 cells. Genetically modified HT-29 cells were inoculated into nude mice. ICG was administered in vitro and in vivo and the signals were observed under confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, multimode microplate reader, and an in vivo imaging system. Both NTCP- and OATP1B3-expressing cells and xenografts had higher ICG intensities. The OATP1B3-expressing xenograft has a higher ICG uptake than the NTCP-expressing xenograft. NTCP or OATP1B3 combined with ICG could serve as a noninvasive imaging modality for molecular and cellular imaging. OATP1B3 outperforms NTCP in terms of in vivo imaging.