bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Human Sulfotransferases Active towards Silymarin Flavonolignans and Taxifolin
Authors: Vrba Jiří , Papoušková Barbora , Kosina Pavel , Lněničková Kateřina , Valentová Kateřina , Ulrichová Jitka
Published: August 2020

Natural phenolic compounds are known to be metabolized by phase II metabolic reactions. In this study, we examined the in vitro sulfation of the main constituents of silymarin, an herbal remedy produced from the fruits of the milk thistle. The study focused on major flavonolignan constituents, including silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin A, isosilybin B, silychristin, and silydianin, as well as the flavonoid taxifolin. Using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS), individual flavonolignans and taxifolin were found to be sulfated by human liver and human intestinal cytosols. Moreover, experiments with recombinant enzymes revealed that human sulfotransferases (SULTs) 1A1*1, 1A1*2, 1A2, 1A3, 1B1, 1C4, and 1E1 catalyzed the sulfation of all of the tested compounds, with the exception of silydianin, which was not sulfated by SULT1B1 and SULT1C4. The sulfation products detected were monosulfates, of which some of the major ones were identified as silybin A 20-O-sulfate, silybin B 20-O-sulfate, and isosilybin A 20-O-sulfate. Further, we also observed the sulfation of the tested compounds when they were tested in the silymarin mixture. Sulfates of flavonolignans and of taxifolin were produced by incubating silymarin with all of the above SULT enzymes, with human liver and intestinal cytosols, and also with human hepatocytes, even though the spectrum and amount of the sulfates varied among the metabolic models. Considering our results and the expression patterns of human sulfotransferases in metabolic tissues, we conclude that flavonolignans and taxifolin can potentially undergo both intestinal and hepatic sulfation, and that SULTs 1A1, 1A3, 1B1, and 1E1 could be involved in the biotransformation of the constituents of silymarin.
Development of Fully Flexible Tactile Pressure Sensor with Bilayer Interlaced Bumps for Robotic Grasping Applications
Authors: Zhu Lingfeng , Wang Yancheng , Mei Deqing , Jiang Chengpeng
Published: August 2020

Flexible tactile sensors have been utilized in intelligent robotics for human-machine interaction and healthcare monitoring. The relatively low flexibility, unbalanced sensitivity and sensing range of the tactile sensors are hindering the accurate tactile information perception during robotic hand grasping of different objects. This paper developed a fully flexible tactile pressure sensor, using the flexible graphene and silver composites as the sensing element and stretchable electrodes, respectively. As for the structural design of the tactile sensor, the proposed bilayer interlaced bumps can be used to convert external pressure into the stretching of graphene composites. The fabricated tactile sensor exhibits a high sensing performance, including relatively high sensitivity (up to 3.40% kPa−1), wide sensing range (200 kPa), good dynamic response, and considerable repeatability. Then, the tactile sensor has been integrated with the robotic hand finger, and the grasping results have indicated the capability of using the tactile sensor to detect the distributed pressure during grasping applications. The grasping motions, properties of the objects can be further analyzed through the acquired tactile information in time and spatial domains, demonstrating the potential applications of the tactile sensor in intelligent robotics and human-machine interfaces.
Enhancement of the Molecular and Serological Assessment of Hepatitis E Virus in Milk Samples
Authors: Sayed Ibrahim M. , Hammam Ahmed R. A. , Elfaruk Mohamed Salem , Alsaleem Khalid A. , Gaber Marwa A. , Ezzat Amgad A. , Salama Eman H. , Elkhawaga Amal A. , El-Mokhtar Mohamed A.
Published: August 2020

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is endemic in developing and developed countries. HEV was reported to be excreted in the milk of ruminants, raising the possibility of transmission of HEV infection through the ingestion of contaminated milk. Therefore, the detection of HEV markers in milk samples becomes pivotal. However, milk includes inhibitory components that affect HEV detection assays. Previously it was reported that dilution of milk matrix improves the performance of HEV molecular assay, however, the dilution of milk samples is not the best strategy especially when the contaminated milk sample has a low HEV load. Therefore, the objective of this study is to compare the effect of extraction procedures on the efficiency of HEV RNA detection in undiluted milk samples. In addition, we assessed the effect of the removal of milk components such as fats and casein on the performance of the molecular and serological assays of HEV. Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and different milk matrices (such as whole milk, skim milk, and milk serum) were inoculated with different HEV inoculums and subjected to two different extraction procedures. Method A includes manual extraction using spin column-based extraction, while method B includes silica-based automated extraction. Method A was more sensitive than method B in the whole milk and skim milk matrices with a LoD95% of 300 IU/mL, and virus recovery yield of 47%. While the sensitivity and performance of method B were significantly improved using the milk serum matrix, with LoD95% of 96 IU/mL. Interestingly, retesting HEV positive milk samples using the high sensitivity assay based on method B extraction and milk serum matrix increased the HEV RNA detection rate to 2-fold. Additionally, the performance of HEV serological assays such as anti-HEV IgG and HEV Ag in the milk samples was improved after the removal of the fat globules from the milk matrix. In conclusion, HEV RNA assay is affected by the components of milk and the extraction procedure. Removal of inhibitory substances, such as fat and casein from the milk sample increased the performance of HEV molecular and serological assays which will be suitable for the low load HEV milk with no further dilutions.
Development of a More Descriptive Particle Breakage Probability Model
Authors: Bwalya Murray M. , Chimwani Ngonidzashe
Published: August 2020

Single-particle breakage test is becoming increasingly popular, as researchers seek to understand fracture response that is purely a function of the material being tested, instead of that which is based on the performance of the comminution device being used. To that end, an empirical breakage probability model that builds on previous work was proposed. The experimental results demonstrate the significance of both energy input and the number of repeated breakage attempts. Four different materials were compared, to gain a better insight into the breakage response. This modelling work goes further from previous research of the authors, by showing that not only does size related threshold energy and repeated impacts characterize particle breakage properties, but each material exhibits unique trends in terms of how its threshold energy and its rate of deterioration varies with particle size and each impact, respectively. This behaviour can be attributed to the different mechanical characteristics of the material and their flaw distribution. The importance of these aspects was highlighted.
Removal of Pollutants from an AMD from a Coal Mine by Neutralization/Precipitation Followed by “In Vivo” Biosorption Step with the Microalgae Scenedesmus sp.
Authors: Santos Karine Batista dos , Almeida Vítor Otacílio de , Weiler Jéssica , Schneider Ivo André Homrich
Published: August 2020

This work evaluates the benefits of a complementary treatment step of acid mine drainage (AMD) using the algae Scenedesmus sp. in terms of algae biomass production, residual metal removal, and the toxicity of the discharged water. Conventional treatment by neutralization/precipitation of an AMD from a coal mine in Brazil was conducted with Ca(OH)2 at pH 8.7. Algal growth studies were performed in the treated AMD, with and without a nutrient supply. The raw effluent and treatments were compared in terms of residual concentration of metals and sulfate, conductivity, and toxicity with the Allium cepa and Daphnia magna test organisms. The results show that the conventional treatment allowed a major metal removal, reduction in the conductivity, and good indices in the toxicological parameters evaluated. The biosorption with in vivo microalgae improved the quality of the effluent for residual metals. No significant toxicity was observed to Allium cepa in all treatments performed, while the Daphnia magna test indicated a reduction in toxicity after the biosorption step. It was concluded that algae growth can be carried out in treated mine waters, providing algae biomass and helping to achieve the standards for water discharge.
Supplementation with Fermented Rice Bran Attenuates Muscle Atrophy in a Diabetic Rat Model
Authors: Rusbana Tubagus Bahtiar , Agista Afifah Zahra , Saputra Wahyu Dwi , Ohsaki Yusuke , Watanabe Kouichi , Ardiansyah Ardy , Budijanto Slamet , Koseki Takuya , Aso Hisashi , Komai Michio , Shirakawa Hitoshi
Published: August 2020

Fermented rice bran (FRB), a prospective supplement, has been proven to ameliorate certain medical conditions. However, its nutraceutical effect on muscle atrophy has never been investigated. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of FRB on muscle atrophy in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model. Three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats, namely the control, STZ, and FRB groups, were treated as follows. The diabetic groups (STZ and FRB) were injected intraperitoneally with STZ (40 mg/kg BW), whereas the control group was injected with the vehicle. The STZ and control groups were fed the AIN93M diet, and the FRB group was fed 10% of FRB based on the AIN93M diet. The diabetic groups had reduced muscle size compared to the control group; however, these changes were alleviated in the FRB group. Moreover, the FRB group had a significantly lower expression of FBXO32/Atrogin-1 and TRIM63/MuRF1 (p < 0.05) due to blocked NF-κB activation. In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory effect of FRB may be beneficial for ameliorating muscle atrophy in diabetic conditions.
Frozen Autoclaved Sorghum Enhanced Colonic Fermentation and Lower Visceral Fat Accumulation in Rats
Authors: Pelpolage Samanthi W. , Yoshida Atsushi , Nagata Ryuji , Shimada Kenichiro , Fukuma Naoki , Bochimoto Hiroki , Hamamoto Tetsuo , Hoshizawa Michiyo , Nakano Koichi , Han Kyu-Ho , Fukushima Michihiro
Published: August 2020

As raw sorghum is not able to influence considerable colonic fermentation despite its higher resistant starch (RS) content, our study aimed to investigate the effects of frozen autoclaved sorghum on colonic fermentation. Fischer 344 rats were fed frozen cooked refined (S-Rf) and whole (S-Wh) sorghum diets and were compared against α-corn starch (CON) and high amylose starch (HAS) fed rats for zoometric parameters, cecal biochemical and microbiological parameters. Sorghum fed rats exhibited significantly lower feed intake and visceral adipose tissue mass compared to CON. Bacterial alpha diversity was significantly higher in the sorghum fed rats compared to HAS and the two sorghum fed groups clustered together, separately from HAS and CON in the beta diversity plot. Serum non-High Density Lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol in S-Rf group were significantly lower compared to CON, while total fecal bile excretion was also significantly higher in the two sorghum fed groups. Lower visceral adiposity was correlated with lower feed intake, RS content ingested and cecal short chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents. Thus, higher RS inflow to the colon via frozen autoclaved sorghum might have influenced colonic fermentation of RS and the resultant SCFA might have influenced lower adiposity as manifested by the lower body weight gain.
Effects of Consumption of Alcohol on Intraocular Pressure: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010 to 2011
Authors: Song Ji Eun , Kim Joon Mo , Lee Mi Yeon , Jang Hye Joo , Park Ki Ho
Published: August 2020

This study researched the association between alcohol consumption, intraocular pressure (IOP), and risk of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) using nationwide population-based cross-sectional data from the Korean population based survey. Information on alcohol intake was obtained by questionnaire and comprehensive ophthalmic examinations were performed. Among a total of 6057 participants, the prevalence of OAG was 4.4% (6.0% for men and 3.0% for women). Multivariate adjusted models showed that alcohol consumption showed significant relationship with changes in IOP. In sex-stratified analyses, alcohol consumption more than 2 times per week was associated with increased IOP in men without OAG, while in women with OAG drinking alcohol more than 4 times per week was associated with increased IOP. This study showed significant differences between men and women without glaucoma who consumed alcohol more than four times per week (p-value: 0.03). Our results suggest that alcohol consumption is associated with risk of elevated IOP depending on sex and presence of glaucoma in Koreans. Therefore, patients who need to control IOP should consider the effects of alcohol consumption.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infections
Authors: Suay-García Beatriz , Pérez-Gracia María-Teresa
Published: August 2020

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease with a high morbidity burden. Despite having guidelines for its treatment, the incidence of the disease follows an increasing trend worldwide. This is mainly due to the appearance of antibiotic-resistant strains, inefficient diagnostic methods and poor sexual education. Without an effective vaccine available, the key priorities for the control of the disease include sexual education, contact notification, epidemiological surveillance, diagnosis and effective antibiotic treatment. This Special Issue focuses on some of these important issues such as the molecular mechanisms of the disease, diagnostic tests and different treatment strategies to combat gonorrhea.
No-Touch Automated Room Disinfection after Autopsies of Exhumed Corpses
Authors: Tarka Patryk , Borowska-Solonynko Aleksandra , Brzozowska Małgorzata , Nitsch-Osuch Aneta , Kanecki Krzysztof , Kuthan Robert , Garczewska Barbara
Published: August 2020

Autopsies of exhumed bodies pose a risk of infections with environmental bacteria or fungi, which may be life-threatening. Thus, it is important to use effective methods of disinfection in forensic pathology facilities. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of no-touch automated disinfection (NTD) system after autopsies of exhumed bodies. Directly after 11 autopsies of exhumed bodies, we used an NTD system based on a peroxone vapor to disinfect the air and surfaces. We measured microbial burden in the air and on surfaces before and after NTD. The NTD system reduced the mean bacterial burden in the air from 171 colony forming units (CFU)/m3 to 3CFU/m3. The mean fungal burden in the air decreased from 221 CFU/m3 to 9CFU/m3. The mean all-surface microbial burden was 79 CFU/100 cm2 after all autopsies, and it decreased to 2 CFU/100 cm2 after NTD. In conclusion, the peroxone-based NTD system was effective for decontamination of the air and surfaces in a dissecting room after autopsies of exhumed bodies.
One-Pot Polymerization of Dopamine as an Additive to Enhance Permeability and Antifouling Properties of Polyethersulfone Membrane
Authors: Mulyati Sri , Muchtar Syawaliah , Arahman Nasrul , Meirisa Friska , Syamsuddin Yanna , Zuhra Zuhra , Rosnelly Cut Meurah , Shamsuddin Norazanita , Mat Nawi Normi Izati , Wirzal Mohd Dzul Hakim , Bilad Muhammad Roil , Takagi Ryosuke , Matsuyama Hideto
Published: August 2020

This paper reports the fabrication of polyethersulfone membranes via in situ hydrogen peroxide-assisted polymerization of dopamine. The dopamine and hydrogen peroxide were introduced into the dope solution where the polymerization occurred, resulting in a single-step additive formation during membrane fabrication. The effectivity of modification was evaluated through characterizations of the resulting membranes in terms of chemical functional groups, surface morphology, porosity, contact angle, mechanical strength and filtration of humic acid solution. The results confirm that the polydopamine was formed during the dope solution mixing through peroxide-assisted polymerization as proven by the appearance of peaks associated OH and NH groups in the resulting membranes. The presence of polydopamine residual in the membrane matric enhances the pore properties in terms of size and porosity (by a factor of 10), and by lowering the hydrophilicity (from 69° to 53°) which leads to enhanced filtration flux of up to 217 L/m2 h. The presence of the residual polydopamine also enhances membrane surface hydrophilicity which improve the antifouling properties as shown from the flux recovery ratio of > 80%.
Development of Thermoplastic Starch (TPS) Including Leather Waste Fragments
Authors: Pompei Silvio , Tirillò Jacopo , Sarasini Fabrizio , Santulli Carlo
Published: August 2020

A thermoplastic starch (TPS) material is developed, based on corn starch plasticized with glycerol and citric acid in a 9:3:1 ratio and further bonded with isinglass and mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E471). In TPS, leather fragments, in the amount of 7.5 15 or 22.5 g/100 g of dry matter, were also introduced. The mixture was heated at a maximum temperature of 80 °C, then cast in an open mold to obtain films with thickness in the range 300 ± 50 microns. The leather fragments used were based on collagen obtained from production waste from shoemaking and tanned with tannins obtained from smoketree (Rhus cotinus), therefore free from chromium. Thermogravimetric (TGA) tests suggested that material degradation started at a temperature around 285 °C, revealing that the presence of leather fragments did not influence the occurrence of this process in TPS. Tensile tests indicated an increase in tensile properties (strength and Young’s modulus) with increasing leather content, albeit coupled, especially at 22.5 wt%, with a more pronounced brittle behavior. Leather waste provided a sound interface with the bulk of the composite, as observed under scanning electron microscopy. The production process indicated a very limited degradation of the material after exposure to UV radiation for eight days, as demonstrated by the slight attenuation of amide I (collagen) and polysaccharide FTIR peaks. Reheating at 80 °C resulted in a weight loss not exceeding 3%.
Evaluation Analysis of Landsat Level-1 and Level-2 Data Products Using In Situ Measurements
Authors: Teixeira Pinto Cibele , Jing Xin , Leigh Larry
Published: August 2020

Landsat Level-1 products are delivered as quantized and calibrated scaled Digital Numbers (DN). The Level-1 DN data can be rescaled to Top-of-Atmosphere (TOA) reflectance applying radiometric rescaling coefficients. Currently, the Level-1 product is the standard data product of the Landsat sensors. The more recent Level-2 data products contain surface reflectance values, i.e., reflectance as it would be measured at ground level in the absence of atmospheric effects; in the near future, these products are anticipated to become the standard products of the Landsat sensors. The purpose of this paper is to present a radiometric performance evaluation of Level-1 and Level-2 data products for the Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) and Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) sensors. TOA reflectance and derived surface reflectance values from both data products were evaluated and compared to in situ measurements from eight test sites located in Turkey, Brazil, Chile, the United States, France, and Namibia. The results indicate an agreement between the ETM+ and OLI Level-1 TOA reflectance data and the in situ measurements of 3.9% to 6.5% and 3.9% to 6.0%, respectively, across all spectral bands. Agreement between the in situ measurements and both Level-2 surface reflectance data products were consistently decreased in the shorter wavelength bands, and slightly better in the longer wavelength bands. The mean percent absolute error for Level-2 surface reflectance data ranged from 3.3% to 10% for both Landsat sensors. The significant decay in agreement with the data collected in situ in the short wavelength spectral bands with Level-2 data suggests issues with retrieval of aerosol concentration at some sites. In contrast, the results indicate a reasonably accurate estimate of water vapor in the mid-infrared spectrum. Lastly, despite the less reliable performance of Level-2 data product in the visible spectral region (compared with Level-1 data) in both sensors, the Landsat-8 OLI Level-2 showed an improvement of surface reflectance product over all spectral bands in common with the Landsat-7 ETM+ Level-2 data.
Short-Range Water Temperature Profiling in a Lake with Coastal Acoustic Tomography
Authors: Huang Haocai , Guo Yong , Li Guangming , Arata Kaneko , Xie Xinyi , Xu Pan
Published: August 2020

Coastal acoustic tomography (CAT), as an innovative technology, can perform water temperature measurements both in horizontal and vertical slices. Investigations on vertical slice observations are significantly fewer in number than horizontal observations due to difficulties in multi-path arrival peak identification. In this study, a two-station sound transmission experiment is carried out in Thousand-Island Lake, Hangzhou, China, to acquire acoustic data for water temperature profiling. Time windows, determined by range-independent ray simulation, are used to identify multi-path arrival peaks and obtain corresponding sound wave travel times. Special attention is paid to travel time correction, whose errors are caused by position drifting by more than 2 m of moored stations. The sound speed and temperature profiling are divided into four layers and are calculated by regularized inversion. Results show a good consistency with conductivity–temperature–depth (CTD) measurements. The root mean square error (RMSE) of water temperature is 0.3494, 0.6838, 1.0236 and 1.0985 °C for layer 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The fluctuations of measurement are further smoothed by the moving average, which decreases the RMSE of water temperature to 0.2858, 0.4742, 0.7719 and 0.9945 °C, respectively. This study illustrates the feasibility and high accuracy of the coastal acoustic tomography method in short-range water temperature measurement. Furthermore, 3D water temperature field profiling can be performed with combined analyzing in horizontal and vertical slices.
A Machine Learning Method for the Detection of Brown Core in the Chinese Pear Variety Huangguan Using a MOS-Based E-Nose
Authors: Wei Hao , Gu Yu
Published: August 2020

The brown core is an internal disorder that significantly affects the palatability and economic value of Chinese pears. In this study, a framework that includes a back-propagation neural network (BPNN) and extreme learning machine (ELM) (BP-ELMNN) was proposed for the detection of brown core in the Chinese pear variety Huangguan. The odor data of pear were collected using a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) electronic nose (E-nose). Principal component analysis was used to analyze the complexity of the odor emitted by pears with brown cores. The performances of several machine learning algorithms, i.e., radial basis function neural network (RBFNN), BPNN, and ELM, were compared with that of the BP-ELMNN. The experimental results showed that the proposed framework provided the best results for the test samples, with an accuracy of 0.9683, a macro-precision of 0.9688, a macro-recall of 0.9683, and a macro-F1 score of 0.9685. The results demonstrate that the use of machine learning algorithms for the analysis of E-nose data is a feasible and non-destructive method to detect brown core in pears.
A New Dataset of People Flow in an Industrial Site with UWB and Motion Capture Systems
Authors: Delamare Mickael , Duval Fabrice , Boutteau Remi
Published: August 2020

Improving performance and safety conditions in industrial sites remains a key objective for most companies. Currently, the main goal is to be able to dynamically locate both people and goods on the site. Security and access regulation to restricted areas are often ensured by doors or badge barriers and those have several issues when faced with people being in places they are not supposed to be in or even tools of objects being used incorrectly. In addition to this, a growing use of new devices requires precise information about their location in the environment such as mobile robots or drones. Therefore, it is becoming essential to have the tools to dynamically manage these flows of people and goods. Ultra-wide-band and motion capture solutions will be used to quickly identify people who may be in unauthorized areas or performing tasks which they have been uninstructed to do. In addition to the dynamic tracking of people, this also overcomes some issues associated with moving objects or tools around the production floor. We offer a new set of data that provides precise information on worker movement. This dataset can be used to develop new metrics regarding worker efficiency and safety.
A Random Forest-Based Accuracy Prediction Model for Augmented Biofeedback in a Precision Shooting Training System
Authors: Guo Junqi , Yang Lan , Umek Anton , Bie Rongfang , Tomažič Sašo , Kos Anton
Published: August 2020

In the military, police, security companies, and shooting sports, precision shooting training is of the outmost importance. In order to achieve high shooting accuracy, a lot of training is needed. As a result, trainees use a large number of cartridges and a considerable amount of time of professional trainers, which can cost a lot. Our motivation is to reduce costs and shorten training time by introducing an augmented biofeedback system based on machine learning techniques. We are designing a system that can detect and provide feedback on three types of errors that regularly occur during a precision shooting practice: excessive hand movement error, aiming error and triggering error. The system is designed to provide concurrent feedback on the hand movement error and terminal feedback on the other two errors. Machine learning techniques are used innovatively to identify hand movement errors; the other two errors are identified by the threshold approach. To correct the excessive hand movement error, a precision shot accuracy prediction model based on Random Forest has proven to be the most suitable. The experimental results show that: (1) the proposed Random Forest (RF) model achieves the prediction accuracy of 91.27%, higher than any of the other reference models, and (2) hand movement is strongly related to the accuracy of precision shooting. Appropriate use of the proposed augmented biofeedback system will result in a lower number of rounds used and shorten the precision shooting training process.
Algorithm and Distributed Computing for the Internet of Things
Authors: Gómez-Pulido Juan A. , Sá Silva Jorge , Hara Takahiro
Published: August 2020

The ongoing generalization of Internet of Things and its presence and application in multiple fields is generating a large amount of data that can be used to extract knowledge, among other purposes. In this context, algorithmic techniques and efficient computer systems provide an opportunity to successfully address efficient data processing and intelligent data analysis. As a result, multiple services can be improved, resources can be optimized and real-world problems of interest can be solved. This Special Issue on Algorithm and Distributed Computing for the Internet of Things gives the opportunity to know recent advances in the application of modern technologies hardware and software to the Internet of Things.
3D-Printed Immunosensor Arrays for Cancer Diagnostics
Authors: Sharafeldin Mohamed , Kadimisetty Karteek , Bhalerao Ketki S. , Chen Tianqi , Rusling James F.
Published: August 2020

Detecting cancer at an early stage of disease progression promises better treatment outcomes and longer lifespans for cancer survivors. Research has been directed towards the development of accessible and highly sensitive cancer diagnostic tools, many of which rely on protein biomarkers and biomarker panels which are overexpressed in body fluids and associated with different types of cancer. Protein biomarker detection for point-of-care (POC) use requires the development of sensitive, noninvasive liquid biopsy cancer diagnostics that overcome the limitations and low sensitivities associated with current dependence upon imaging and invasive biopsies. Among many endeavors to produce user-friendly, semi-automated, and sensitive protein biomarker sensors, 3D printing is rapidly becoming an important contemporary tool for achieving these goals. Supported by the widely available selection of affordable desktop 3D printers and diverse printing options, 3D printing is becoming a standard tool for developing low-cost immunosensors that can also be used to make final commercial products. In the last few years, 3D printing platforms have been used to produce complex sensor devices with high resolution, tailored towards researchers’ and clinicians’ needs and limited only by their imagination. Unlike traditional subtractive manufacturing, 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has drastically reduced the time of sensor and sensor array development while offering excellent sensitivity at a fraction of the cost of conventional technologies such as photolithography. In this review, we offer a comprehensive description of 3D printing techniques commonly used to develop immunosensors, arrays, and microfluidic arrays. In addition, recent applications utilizing 3D printing in immunosensors integrated with different signal transduction strategies are described. These applications include electrochemical, chemiluminescent (CL), and electrochemiluminescent (ECL) 3D-printed immunosensors. Finally, we discuss current challenges and limitations associated with available 3D printing technology and future directions of this field.
Landscape Influence on the Browning of a Lake Watershed in the Adirondack Region of New York, USA
Authors: A. LoRusso Nicholas , McHale Marykate , McHale Patrick , Montesdeoca Mario , Zeng Teng , T. Driscoll Charles
Published: August 2020

Watershed recovery from long-term acidification in the northeastern U.S. has been characterized by an increase in the influx of dissolved organic matter (DOM) into surface waters. Increases in carbon quantity and shifts to more aromatic and “colored” OM has impacted downstream lakes by altering thermal stratification, nutrient cycling and food web dynamics. Here, we used fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) to model predominant carbon quality fractions and their seasonal changes within surface waters along landscape positions of Arbutus Lake watershed in the Adirondack region of NY, USA. All DOM components were terrestrial in origin, however their relative fractions varied throughout the watershed. DOM in headwater streams contained high fractions of recalcitrant (~43%) and microbial reprocessed humic-like OM (~33%), sourced from upland forest soils. Wetlands above the lake inlet contributed higher fractions of high molecular weight, plant-like organic matter (~30%), increasing dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations observed at the lake inlet (492.5 mg L−1). At the lake outlet, these terrestrial fractions decreased significantly during summer months leading to a subsequent increase in reprocessed OM likely through increased microbial metabolism and photolysis. Comparisons of specific ultraviolet absorbance between this study and previous studies at Arbutus Lake show that OM draining upland streams (3.1 L·mg C−1 m−1) and wetland (4.1 L·mg C−1 m−1) is now more aromatic and thus more highly colored than conditions a decade ago. These findings provide insight into the emerging role that watersheds recovering from acidification play on downstream water quality.
How to Improve Sustainability Competences of Teacher Training? Inquiring the Prior Knowledge on Climate Change in Primary School Students
Authors: Solís-Espallargas Carmen , Morón-Monge Hortensia
Published: August 2020

The work is carried out in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goal 13 Climate Action with prospective primary school teachers. The study presented is part of the science education subject at the University of Seville (Spain) during the 2019–2020 academic year. This research has two main goals, on the one hand, to present an innovative educational experience (design and implementation) for teacher training, on the other hand, to assess the educational implication of the experience from the prospective primary school teachers’ self-perception about their level of sustainability competences achieved. The novel educational experience consisted in the inquiry of prior knowledge about climate change in primary school children for the design of a lesson plan. The degree of scope of the educational experience, in particular, the level of sustainability competences achieved was assessed from the self-perception of the participants (Prospective Primary school Teachers) through a Likert-type questionnaire. The results show an improvement in the degree of acquisition of these competences, not only from their self-perception, but also from the investigative process followed through this innovative experience. Likewise, these results indicate the success of the educational proposal as a possible educational strategy for the sustainability of the curriculum in the field of science education.
The Impact of E-Commerce-Related Last-Mile Logistics on Cities: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Viu-Roig Marta , Alvarez-Palau Eduard J.
Published: August 2020

E-commerce-related last-mile logistics have a great impact on cities. Recent years have seen sustained growth in e-commerce in most developed countries, a trend that has only been reinforced by the COVID-19 pandemic. The perceived impact of this phenomenon varies depending upon the perspective of the players involved: individual members of the public, companies, or the public administrations. Tackling the issue from these perspectives, the goal of this article is to explore the kinds of impact this phenomenon has and will have. We use as the basis for their classification the so-called triple bottom line (TBL) of sustainability, encompassing people, planet, and profit; we complement this with the impact classification used by the European Science Foundation’s impact assessment working group. After performing a systematic review of the literature following PRISMA guidelines, our results show that, albeit to different degrees, the four impact dimensions analyzed (economic, social, environmental, and technological) have only received incipient coverage in the existing literature. Given its ever-growing importance, we believe that greater attention needs to be paid to this phenomenon, especially with regard to those aspects having the greatest impact upon urban systems and the different stakeholders involved. Only in this way can the public policies needed to mitigate these externalities be properly implemented.
COVID-19: Immediate Predictors of Individual Resilience
Authors: Ferreira Regardt J. , Buttell Fred , Cannon Clare
Published: August 2020

COVID-19 is a pandemic event not seen in a century. This research aims to determine important predictors of resilience towards the COVID 19/Coronavirus Pandemic. This study uses a cross-sectional design, with purposive snowball sampling, for primary survey data collected over 10 weeks starting the first week in April 2020. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire on demographics and behavioral factors. Resilience was assessed using the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and perceived stress was assessed using the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. 374 adults participated in the survey. OLS regression was performed to determine key associations among demographic variables, resilience measures, and perceived stress brought on by COVID-19. Age and education were statistically significantly positively associated with resilience, while English as a second language was significantly negatively associated. Participants who reported needing help from family and neighbors, total number of days in lockdown, and higher perceived stress were all significantly negatively associated with resilience. This study adds to immediate predictors of individual resilience to the ongoing infectious disease catastrophe created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conventional Sewer Systems Are Too Time-Consuming, Costly and Inflexible to Meet the Challenges of the 21st Century
Authors: Öberg Gunilla , Metson Geneviève S. , Kuwayama Yusuke , A. Conrad Steven
Published: August 2020

There is an urgent need for innovation in the sanitation sector because the conventional model (toilet-to-sewer-to-treatment) is too time-consuming and costly, and alternatives are lacking. We estimate the challenge ahead by developing scenarios for 60 of the fastest-growing urban conglomerates in the World. We find that the majority would need to build out their sewer systems at a rate that is ten to 50 times higher than the highest rate for any project in the World Bank’s database, which is unrealistic. We also carry out a case study of Lagos, Nigeria, which suggests that, in any given year, 14–37% of Lagos State’s budget would need to be invested to provide sanitation to the presently underserviced population while keeping up with population growth, which also is unrealistic. Our study provides clear evidence that the conventional model for sanitation is unworkable for rapidly growing urban areas. We conclude there is an urgent need to encourage and fund projects that promote innovations that can tackle the three core challenges: can be built sufficiently quickly, are flexible, and affordable. This is not likely to happen unless the future generation is systematically trained and educated to creatively support innovation in sustainable sanitation.
Dark Side of Weyl Gravity
Authors: Jizba Petr , Rachwał Lesław , Giaccari Stefano G. , Kňap Jaroslav
Published: August 2020

We address the issue of a dynamical breakdown of scale invariance in quantum Weyl gravity together with related cosmological implications. In the first part, we build on our previous work [Phys. Rev. D2020, 101, 044050], where we found a non-trivial renormalization group fixed point in the infrared sector of quantum Weyl gravity. Here, we prove that the ensuing non-Gaussian IR fixed point is renormalization scheme independent. This confirms the feasibility of the analog of asymptotic safety scenario for quantum Weyl gravity in the IR. Some features, including non-analyticity and a lack of autonomy, of the system of β-functions near a turning point of the renormalization group at intermediate energies are also described. We further discuss an extension of the renormalization group analysis to the two-loop level. In particular, we show universal properties of the system of β-functions related to three couplings associated with C2 (Weyl square), G (Gauss–Bonnet), and R2 (Ricci curvature square) terms. Finally, we discuss various technical and conceptual issues associated with the conformal (trace) anomaly and propose possible remedies. In the second part, we analyze physics in the broken phase. In particular, we show that, in the low-energy sector of the broken phase, the theory looks like Starobinsky f(R) gravity with a gravi-cosmological constant that has a negative sign in comparison to the usual matter-induced cosmological constant. We discuss implications for cosmic inflation and highlight a non-trivial relation between Starobinsky’s parameter and the gravi-cosmological constant. Salient issues, including possible UV completions of quantum Weyl gravity and the role of the trace anomaly matching, are also discussed.
Of Mice and Men: The Coronavirus MHV and Mouse Models as a Translational Approach to Understand SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Körner Robert , Majjouti Mohamed , Alcazar Miguel , Mahabir Esther
Published: August 2020

The fatal acute respiratory coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, infection and mortality rates have been rising steadily worldwide. The lack of a vaccine, as well as preventive and therapeutic strategies, emphasize the need to develop new strategies to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission and pathogenesis. Since mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), and SARS-CoV-2 share a common genus, lessons learnt from MHV and SARS-CoV could offer mechanistic insights into SARS-CoV-2. This review provides a comprehensive review of MHV in mice and SARS-CoV-2 in humans, thereby highlighting further translational avenues in the development of innovative strategies in controlling the detrimental course of SARS-CoV-2. Specifically, we have focused on various aspects, including host species, organotropism, transmission, clinical disease, pathogenesis, control and therapy, MHV as a model for SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 as well as mouse models for infection with SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. While MHV in mice and SARS-CoV-2 in humans share various similarities, there are also differences that need to be addressed when studying murine models. Translational approaches, such as humanized mouse models are pivotal in studying the clinical course and pathology observed in COVID-19 patients. Lessons from prior murine studies on coronavirus, coupled with novel murine models could offer new promising avenues for treatment of COVID-19.
Femtoplankton: What’s New?
Authors: Colombet Jonathan , Fuster Maxime , Billard Hermine , Sime-Ngando Télesphore
Published: August 2020

Since the discovery of high abundances of virus-like particles in aquatic environment, emergence of new analytical methods in microscopy and molecular biology has allowed significant advances in the characterization of the femtoplankton, i.e., floating entities filterable on a 0.2 µm pore size filter. The successive evidences in the last decade (2010–2020) of high abundances of biomimetic mineral–organic particles, extracellular vesicles, CPR/DPANN (Candidate phyla radiation/Diapherotrites, Parvarchaeota, Aenigmarchaeota, Nanoarchaeota and Nanohaloarchaeota), and very recently of aster-like nanoparticles (ALNs), show that aquatic ecosystems form a huge reservoir of unidentified and overlooked femtoplankton entities. The purpose of this review is to highlight this unsuspected diversity. Herein, we focus on the origin, composition and the ecological potentials of organic femtoplankton entities. Particular emphasis is given to the most recently discovered ALNs. All the entities described are displayed in an evolutionary context along a continuum of complexity, from minerals to cell-like living entities.
From Theory to Reality: Establishing a Successful Kidney Genetics Clinic in the Outpatient Setting
Authors: Lundquist Andrew L. , Pelletier Renee C. , Leonard Courtney E. , Williams Winfred W. , Armstrong Katrina A. , Rehm Heidi L. , Rhee Eugene P.
Published: August 2020

Background

Genetic testing in nephrology is increasingly described in the literature and several groups have suggested significant clinical benefit. However, studies to date have described experience from established genetic testing centers or from externally funded research programs.

Methods

We established a de novo kidney genetics clinic within an academic adult general nephrology practice. Key features of this effort included a pipeline for internal referrals, flexible scheduling, close coordination between the nephrologist and a genetic counselor, and utilization of commercial panel-based testing. Over the first year, we examined the outcomes of genetic testing, the time to return of genetic testing, and out-of-pocket cost to patients.

Results

Thirty patients were referred and 23 were evaluated over the course of five clinic sessions. Nineteen patients underwent genetic testing with new diagnoses in nine patients (47%), inconclusive results in three patients (16%), and clearance for kidney donation in two patients (11%). On average, return of genetic results occurred 55 days (range 9–174 days) from the day of sample submission and the average out-of-pocket cost to patients was $155 (range $0–$1623).

Conclusions

We established a kidney genetics clinic, without a pre-existing genetics infrastructure or dedicated research funding, that identified a new diagnosis in approximately 50% of patients tested. This study provides a clinical practice model for successfully incorporating genetic testing into ambulatory nephrology care with minimal capital investment and limited financial effect on patients.
Influence potassium humate and vostok EM-1 drugs on yield and quality of Soybean Variety Ivan Karamanov in the conditions of the Primorskii Krai
Authors: Pavlova Olga Vladimirovna , Mitropolova Lyudmila Vasilyevna , Naumova Tatyana Vladimirovna , Avramenko Anastasia Alexandrovna
Published: August 2020

The article presents the research results of the influence potassium humate and effective microorganisms on soybean variety Ivan Karamanov plants on survival, preservation, yield, crop structure and seed quality. The results were obtained as follows. The preservation ability of soybean plants in the control variant was 90%, it increased by 2% when treated with potassium humate and it increased by 3% when treated with Vostok EM-1. The use of potassium humate and effective microorganisms increases the soya leaf surface area. Treatment of soybean plants with growth regulators during the growing season beneficially affects the growth and development of the root system. The length of the main root and the mass of the root system increases when plants are treated with potassium humate. The number of nodules increases almost fourfold from 7.2 in the control variant and it increases to 27.9 in the variant with potassium humate. The attachment height of the lower bean increases by 2.2 cm when treating plants with potassium humate which reduces losses during harvesting. The productivity of a single plant increases from 4.73 g to 5.54 g when treated with potassium humate and to 5.16 g when treated with effective microorganisms. The yield of soya increases by 0.44 t / ha when treated with potassium humate compared to the control variant which corresponds to 19.7%, and when treated with effective microorganisms it increases by 12.6%. Treatment of plants with potassium humate and effective microorganisms contributes to the production of higher quality seeds. Laboratory seed germination without treatment was 88.0%, it was 96.5% when treated with potassium humate and it was 91.0 % when treated with effective microorganisms.