bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural Efficiency of Non-Prismatic Hollow Reinforced Concrete Beams Retrofitted with CFRP Sheets
Authors: Alshimmeri Ahmad Jabbar Hussain , Jaafar Esraa Kamal , Shihab Lina Abdulsalam , Al-Maliki Hadi Naser Ghadhban , Al-Balhawi Ali , Zhang Binsheng
Published: January 2022

Non-prismatic reinforced concrete (RC) beams are widely used for various practical purposes, including enhancing architectural aesthetics and increasing the overall thickness in the support area above the column, which gives high assurance to services that this will not result in the distortion of construction features and can reduce heights. The hollow sections (recess) can also be used for the maintenance of large structural sections and the safe passage of utility lines of water, gas, telecommunications, electricity, etc. They are generally used in large and complex civil engineering works like bridges. This study conducted a numerical study using the commercial finite element software ANSYS version 15 for analysing RC beams, hollow longitudinally sectioned and retrofitted with carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRPs), which were subjected to concentrated vertical loads. The numerical analysis results on the simulated beam models were in excellent agreements with the previous experimental test results. This convergence was confirmed by a statistical analysis, which considered the correlation coefficients, individual arithmetic means and standard deviations for all the calculated deflections of the simulated beam models. A proposed numerical simulation model with the hypotheses can be considered suitable for modelling the behaviours of simple supported non-prismatic RC beams under vertical concentrated loads. The numerical results showed that altering the cross-section from solid to hollow could reduce the load carrying capacities of the beams by up to 53% and increase the corresponding deflections by up to 40%, respectively. Using steel pipes for making recesses could enhance the loading capacity by up to 56%, increase the ductility, and reduce the corresponding deflections by up to 30%, respectively. Finally, it was found that bonding the CFRP sheets in the lower middle tensile areas of the hollow beams could improve the resistance and reduce the deformations by up to 27%. The failure patterns for all the numerical models were shear failure. The cylinder compressive strength could be used as a mechanical parameter for modelling and assessing the structural behaviours of the beam models, as its increase could improve the load carrying capacities and reduce the deflections by 30–50%.
Effect of Water and Formic Acid on ·OH + CH4 Reaction: An Ab Initio/DFT Study
Authors: Ali Mohamad Akbar , Muthiah Balaganesh
Published: January 2022

In this work, we used ab initio/DFT method coupled with statistical rate theory to answer the question of whether or not formic acid (HCOOH) and water molecules can catalyze the most important atmospheric and combustion prototype reaction, i.e., ·OH (OH radical) + CH4. The potential energy surface for ·OH + CH4 and ·OH + CH4 (+X) (X = HCOOH, H2O) reactions were calculated using the combination of hybrid-density functional theory and coupled-cluster theory with Pople basis set [(CCSD(T)/ 6-311++G(3df,3pd)//M06-2X/6-311++G(3df,3pd)]. The results of this study show that the catalytic effect of HCOOH (FA) and water molecules on the ·OH + CH4 reaction has a major impact when the concentration of FA and H2O is not included. In this situation the rate constants for the CH4 + HO···HCOOH (3 × 10−9 cm3 molecule−1 s−1) reaction is ~105 times and for CH4 + H2O···HO reaction (3 × 10−14 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at 300 K) is ~20 times higher than ·OH + CH4 (~6 × 10−15 cm3 molecule−1 s−1). However, the total effective rate constants, which include the concentration of both species in the kinetic calculation has no effect under atmospheric condition. As a result, the total effective reaction rate constants are smaller. The rate constants when taking the account of the FA and water for CH4 + HO···HCOOH (4.1 × 10−22 cm3 molecule−1 s−1) is at least seven orders magnitude and for the CH4 + H2O···HO (7.6 × 10−17 cm3 molecule−1 s−1) is two orders magnitude smaller than ·OH + CH4 reaction. These results are also consistent with previous experimental and theoretical studies on similar reaction systems. This study helps to understand how FA and water molecules change the reaction kinetic under atmospheric conditions for ·OH + CH4 reaction.
Methanol to Gasoline (MTG): Preparation, Characterization and Testing of HZSM-5 Zeolite-Based Catalysts to Be Used in a Fluidized Bed Reactor
Authors: Sanz-Martínez Andrés , Lasobras Javier , Soler Jaime , Herguido Javier , Menéndez Miguel
Published: January 2022

The preparation of catalysts suitable for MTG processes in a fluidized bed reactor has been studied with emphasis on improving the textural, physico-chemical, morphological, structural and mechanical properties. A mixture of HZSM-5 zeolite (active material), boehmite or bentonite (binder) and alumina (inert filler) was used to prepare different catalysts. After preparation, characterization by physical adsorption of N2, XRF, XRD and SEM-EDX techniques was carried out. The screening of catalysts was performed in a fluidized bed reactor. The distribution of products was very similar in all cases, with the yield of light hydrocarbons always being higher than that of gasoline. Among the catalysts tested, the one containing boehmite as a binder (HZ_Boeh) was found as the most appropriate due to its high mechanical strength, high yield to aromatics and lower yield to durene.
The Impact of Alternative Fuels on Ship Engine Emissions and Aftertreatment Systems: A Review
Authors: Feng Shuo , Xu Shirui , Yuan Peng , Xing Yuye , Shen Boxiong , Li Zhaoming , Zhang Chenguang , Wang Xiaoqi , Wang Zhuozhi , Ma Jiao , Kong Wenwen
Published: January 2022

Marine engines often use diesel as an alternative fuel to improve the economy. In recent years, waste oil, biodiesel and alcohol fuel are the most famous research directions among the alternative fuels for diesel. With the rapid development of the shipping industry, the air of coastal areas is becoming increasingly polluted. It is now necessary to reduce the emission of marine engines to meet the strict emission regulations. There are many types of alternative fuels for diesel oil and the difference of the fuel may interfere with the engine emissions; however, PM, HC, CO and other emissions will have a negative impact on SCR catalyst. This paper reviews the alternative fuels such as alcohols, waste oils, biodiesel made from vegetable oil and animal oil, and then summarizes and analyzes the influence of different alternative fuels on engine emissions and pollutant formation mechanism. In addition, this paper also summarizes the methods that can effectively reduce the emissions of marine engines; it can provide a reference for the study of diesel alternative fuel and the reduction of marine engine emissions.
Purification and Structural Characterization of the Auxiliary Activity 9 Native Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenase from Thermoascus aurantiacus and Identification of Its C1- and C4-Oxidized Reaction Products
Authors: Yu Weishuai , Mohsin Imran , Papageorgiou Anastassios C. , Li Duochuan
Published: January 2022

Auxiliary activity 9 (AA9) lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are copper-dependent oxidoreductases that use O2 or H2O2 to perform oxidative cleavage of cellulose in the presence of an electron donor. Combined with cellulases, they can assist in a more efficient cleavage of cellulose. AA9 LPMOs have therefore attracted considerable attention in recent years for use in biotechnological applications. Here, a native AA9 LPMO (nTaAA9A) from the thermophilic fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus was purified and characterized. The enzyme was shown to be active and able to cleave cellulose and xylan to produce C1- and C4-oxidized products. It was also found to retain about 84.3, 63.7, and 35.3% of its activity after incubation for 30 min at 60, 70, and 80 °C, respectively, using quantitative activity determination. The structure was determined to 1.36 Å resolution and compared with that of the recombinant enzyme expressed in Aspergillus oryzae. Structural differences in the glycosylated Asn138 and in solvent-exposed loops were identified.
Highlighting the Multifaceted Role of Orai1 N-Terminal- and Loop Regions for Proper CRAC Channel Functions
Authors: Humer Christina , Romanin Christoph , Höglinger Carmen
Published: January 2022

Orai1, the Ca2+-selective pore in the plasma membrane, is one of the key components of the Ca2+release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channel complex. Activated by the Ca2+ sensor in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), via direct interaction when ER luminal Ca2+ levels recede, Orai1 helps to maintain Ca2+ homeostasis within a cell. It has already been proven that the C-terminus of Orai1 is indispensable for channel activation. However, there is strong evidence that for CRAC channels to function properly and maintain all typical hallmarks, such as selectivity and reversal potential, additional parts of Orai1 are needed. In this review, we focus on these sites apart from the C-terminus; namely, the second loop and N-terminus of Orai1 and on their multifaceted role in the functioning of CRAC channels.
Using the Conservation Standards Framework to Address the Effects of Climate Change on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
Authors: Brown Marcia B. , Morrison John C. , Schulz Terri T. , Cross Molly S. , Püschel-Hoeneisen Nicole , Suresh Varsha , Eguren Antonieta
Published: January 2022

Climate change has challenged biodiversity conservation practitioners and planners. In this paper, we provide scalable guidance on integrating climate change into conservation planning and adaptive management that results in the most appropriate conservation strategies. This integrated “Climate-Smart Conservation Practice” focuses on analyzing the potential impact of climate change on species, ecosystems, and ecosystem services, combined with “conventional” (non-climate) threats, and incorporating this knowledge into projects. The guidance is based on the already widely-used “Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation”, an application of systems thinking and adaptive management, which has been successfully applied to thousands of conservation projects. Our framework emphasizes a methodical analysis of climate change impacts for projects to support more productive goals and strategy development. We provide two case studies showing the applicability and flexibility of this framework. An initial key element is developing “situation models” that document both current and future threats affecting biodiversity while showing the interactions between climate and conventional threats. Guidance is also provided on how to design integrated, climate-smart goals and strategies, and detailed theories of change for selected strategies. The information and suggestions presented are intended to break down the steps to make the process more approachable, provide guidance to teams using climate change information within a systematic conservation planning process, and demonstrate how climate scientists can provide appropriate information to conservation planners.
CT- and MRI-Based 3D Reconstruction of Knee Joint to Assess Cartilage and Bone
Authors: Ciliberti Federica Kiyomi , Guerrini Lorena , Gunnarsson Arnar Evgeni , Recenti Marco , Jacob Deborah , Cangiano Vincenzo , Tesfahunegn Yonatan Afework , Islind Anna Sigríður , Tortorella Francesco , Tsirilaki Mariella , Jónsson Halldór , Gargiulo Paolo , Aubonnet Romain
Published: January 2022

For the observation of human joint cartilage, X-ray, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the main diagnostic tools to evaluate pathologies or traumas. The current work introduces a set of novel measurements and 3D features based on MRI and CT data of the knee joint, used to reconstruct bone and cartilages and to assess cartilage condition from a new perspective. Forty-seven subjects presenting a degenerative disease, a traumatic injury or no symptoms or trauma were recruited in this study and scanned using CT and MRI. Using medical imaging software, the bone and cartilage of the knee joint were segmented and 3D reconstructed. Several features such as cartilage density, volume and surface were extracted. Moreover, an investigation was carried out on the distribution of cartilage thickness and curvature analysis to identify new markers of cartilage condition. All the extracted features were used with advanced statistics tools and machine learning to test the ability of our model to predict cartilage conditions. This work is a first step towards the development of a new gold standard of cartilage assessment based on 3D measurements.
Rotating Minimal Thermodynamic Systems
Authors: Bormashenko Edward
Published: January 2022

Minimal rotating thermodynamic systems are addressed. Particle m placed into the rotating symmetrical double-well potential (bowl), providing binary logical system is considered. The condition providing the transfer of the particle from one frictionless half-well to another, and, in this way, the possibility to record 1 bit of information is derived. The procedure of recording turns out to be irreversible; it is impossible to return the particle to its initial state under rotation about the same axis. The same rotating double-well system exerted to the thermal noise is considered. A minimal rotating thermal engine built of the rotating chamber, movable partition, and the particle confined within the chamber is treated. Rotation of the system displaces the partition, thus enabling erasing of one bit information. Erasing of 1 bit of information is due to the inertia (centrifugal force) acting on the partition. Isothermal expansion of the “minimal gas” expectedly gives rise to the Landauer bound. Compression of the “gas” with the rotation around the same axis is impossible and demands the additional axis of rotation. The interrelation between the possibility of recording/erasing information and the symmetry of the system is considered.
Using Integrative Career Construction Counselling to Promote Autobiographicity and Transform Tension into Intention and Action
Authors: Maree Jacobus G.
Published: January 2022

This article reports on the use of integrative career counselling to promote autobiographical reasoning in a purposively sampled gifted 16-year-old female learner with moratorium career identity status. I implemented an explanatory, mixed-methods (QUALITATIVE-quantitative; uppercase denoting the bigger weighting given to the qualitative aspect) research design and used qualitative and quantitative career construction counselling techniques and methods and quantitative career construction counselling techniques and methods and strategies to construct data. The Maree Career Matrix (MCM) was used to gather the participant’s career interests (“scores”) quantitatively, and the Career Interest Profile (CIP) was used to elicit her micro-narratives (“stories”) qualitatively. An adapted version of thematic data analysis was used to analyse the data. The intervention promoted the participant’s (self-)reflection and reflexivity, transformed her tension into intention, led to an increase in her career options, and helped her revitalise her sense of meaning, purpose, and positivity. While the findings are encouraging, future (longitudinal) research is needed to establish the long-term influence of the intervention espoused here.
Undergraduate Disabled Students as Knowledge Producers Including Researchers: Perspectives of Disabled Students
Authors: Lillywhite Aspen , Wolbring Gregor
Published: January 2022

Knowledge influences policy development and policies impact disabled people. Scientific and technological advancements, including neuro-advancements and their governance, have social implications for disabled people. However, knowledge is missing on this topic. Although efforts are underway to increase the number of disabled academics, the numbers remain low. Engaging undergraduate disabled students in knowledge production, especially research, could decrease the knowledge deficit and increase the pool of disabled students considering an academic career. We performed 10 semi-structured interviews of disabled students to understand the reality of undergraduate disabled students as knowledge producers, including researchers. Using a directed thematic content analysis, we found that participants felt that undergraduate disabled students were insufficiently exposed to and supported in the identity of being knowledge producers including researchers. Participants identified ethical, legal, and social implications of science and technology and argued that undergraduate disabled students and disabled people have a role to play in the discussions of these. Exposing disabled students at the undergraduate and high school level to knowledge production including researcher identity could increase the numbers of undergraduate disabled researchers, disabled academics, and disabled students doing research in the community after graduation and decrease the knowledge gaps around the social situation of disabled people.
The Development of Research Skills in Nursing Postgraduate Training
Authors: Ferreira Rogério , Sousa Luís , Nobre Cidália , Nunes Ana Clara , Fonseca Cesar , Ferreira Óscar , Baixinho Cristina Lavareda
Published: January 2022

The objective of this study was to understand the contribution of postgraduate training to the development of research skills, aiming at their application in clinical practice. Method: This was a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study conducted with eight nurses in the Local Health Unit of Baixo Alentejo, in Portugal, who had postgraduate training. The researchers conducted a group interview, or discussion group, using a semi-structured interview, which was assessed by two reviewers. The data were submitted to content analysis, and the results underwent a validation process with the participants and two reviewers. This study was approved by the institution’s ethics committee. Result: In terms of the research skills developed in nursing postgraduate education, the following indicators emerged from the participants’ discourse: understanding the research process, searching databases, developing literature reviews, assessing the quality of articles, developing research projects, communicating about science, and translating knowledge into clinical practice. Conclusion: The participants developed research skills in their nursing postgraduate training and reported developing these skills in their clinical practice.
A System-Performance-Based Comparison of Sparse Regular and Irregular Antenna Arrays for Millimeter-Wave Multi-User MIMO Base Stations
Authors: Budé Roel X. F. , Bressner Thomas A. H. , Johansson Martin N. , Ivashina Marianna V. , Smolders Adrianus Bernardus , Johannsen Ulf
Published: January 2022

A system-level study was conducted that evaluated the system performance of various dense and sparse antenna array configurations for application in millimeter-wave multi-user multiple-input multiple-output base stations. The performance was evaluated by investigating the probability that a user experiences an outage when a zero-forcing pre-coder is used in a random line of sight scenario. This paper shows that the outage probability significantly decreased when irregular sparse arrays were used rather than regular sparse or regular dense arrays. A re-configurable linear array was designed and realized as a demonstrator. It used 3D-printed aluminum box horn antenna elements that had wide scanning range in the azimuthal plane and a small scanning range in the elevation plane. For the demonstrator, it was shown that the outage probability was reduced from 3.85% to 0.64% by moving from a sparse regularly spaced array to a sparse randomly spaced array. This amounted to an improvement of a factor of six. The sparse topology allowed for the usage of large antenna elements that had an increased gain and still achieved wide-angle scanning, while reducing mutual coupling to a minimum.
Extended Reality in Education and Training: Case Studies in Management Education
Authors: Zwoliński Grzegorz , Kamińska Dorota , Laska-Leśniewicz Anna , Haamer Rain Eric , Vairinhos Mário , Raposo Rui , Urem Frane , Reisinho Pedro
Published: January 2022

This paper presents and concludes the ATOMIC project, which was to create an XR-based educational environment that enables students to meet the challenges of a natural business environment such as planning and organizing, staffing and control, problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. Four different approaches were taken utilizing different XR technologies (projector-based AR, mobile-based AR, HMD AR, and HMD VR), and their efficacy and educational value were juxtaposed. A universal 34-question usability questionnaire was proposed that can be applied in future XR usability studies. Four versions of the application were tested among 20 students to identify the advantages and disadvantages of each approach in an educational context.
Prediction of AI-Based Personal Thermal Comfort in a Car Using Machine-Learning Algorithm
Authors: Ju Yeong Jo , Lim Jeong Ran , Jeon Euy Sik
Published: January 2022

Defining a passenger’s thermal comfort in a car cabin is difficult because of the narrow environment and various parameters. Although passenger comfort is predicted using a thermal-comfort scale in the overall cabin or a local area, the scale’s range of passenger comfort may differ owing to psychological factors and individual preferences. Among the many factors affecting such comfort levels, the temperature of the seat is one of the direct and significant environmental factors. Therefore, it is necessary to predict the cabin environment and seat-related personal thermal comfort. Accordingly, machine learning is used in this research to predict whether a passenger’s seat-heating-operation pattern can be predicted in a winter environment. The experiment measures the ambient factor and collects data on passenger heating-operation patterns using a device in an actual winter environment. The temperature is set as the input parameter in the measured data and the operation pattern is used as the output parameter. Based on the parameters, the predictive accuracy of the heating-operation pattern is investigated using machine learning. The algorithms used in the machine-learning train are Tree, SVM, and kNN. In addition, the predictive accuracy is tested using SVM and kNN, which shows a high validation accuracy based on the prediction results of the algorithm. In this research, the parameters predicting the personal thermal comfort of three passengers are investigated as a combination of input parameters, according to the passengers. As a result, the predictive accuracy of the operation pattern according to the tested input parameter is 0.96, showing the highest accuracy. Considering each passenger, the predictive accuracy has a maximum deviation of 30%. However, we verify that it indicates the level of accuracy in predicting a passenger’s heating-operation pattern. Accordingly, the possibility of operating a heating seat without a switch operation is confirmed through machine learning. The primary-stage research result reveals whether it is possible to predict objective personal thermal comfort using the passenger seat’s heating-operation pattern. Based on the results of this research, it is expected to be utilized for system construction based on the AI prediction of operation patterns according to the passenger through machine learning.
BloSM: Blockchain-Based Service Migration for Connected Cars in Embedded Edge Environment
Authors: Kanagachalam Srinidhi , Tulkinbekov Khikmatullo , Kim Deok-Hwan
Published: January 2022

Edge computing represents the future of computing paradigms that perform tasks near the user plane. The integration of blockchain with edge computing provides the added advantage of secured and trusted communication. In this paper, we propose a blockchain-based service migration by developing edge clusters using NVIDIA Jetson boards in an embedded edge environment, using containers and Kubernetes as a container orchestration capable of handling real-time computation-intensive deep learning tasks. Resource constraints in the edge and client movement are the proposed scenarios for service migration. Container migration due to mobile clients is integrated with blockchain to find a suitable destination, meta-based node evaluation, and secured data transfer in the connected car environment. Each service request migration takes, on average, 361 ms. The employed container migration method takes 75.11 s and 70.46 s to migrate application containers that use NVIDIA CUDA Toolkit. Finally, we evaluate the efficiency of blockchain to find the destination node through performance parameters such as latency, throughput, storage, and bandwidth.
Energy Management Strategy for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles Based on Driving Condition Recognition: A Review
Authors: Liu Chunna , Liu Yan
Published: January 2022

Appropriate energy management strategies (EMSs) have been selected for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) based on driving-condition recognition (DCR) according to the acquired driving information, so as to minimize the target parameters. With online control and offline optimization, the strategy is suitable for real-time applications and is of great significance to repetitive routes, owing to its simplicity and ease of implementation. This paper aims to identity the DCR-based EMSs, develop efficient EMSs, and invite researchers involved in this field to discover new solutions. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of EMSs based on DCR in terms of principles, the scope of application as well as their advantages and disadvantages, and provides a thorough survey of the latest progress in EMSs. We concluded that DCR-based EMSs show an improvement in energy saving and the pollutant-discharging effect.
Effect of Packaging and Portioning on the Dynamics of Water–Fat Serum Release from Fresh Pasta Filata Soft Cheese
Authors: Biegalski Jakub , Cais-Sokolińska Dorota , Wawrzyniak Jolanta
Published: January 2022

The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of cheese fragmentation and packaging on the dynamics of water–fat serum released from pasta filata cheese made from cow’s milk and its mixture with sheep’s milk. The addition of sheep’s milk reduced the amount of leachate from the vacuum-packed cheeses and did not cause as much loss of gloss as in the case of cow’s milk cheeses. This was also reflected in the microscopic images of the cheese samples. Consumers showed less acceptance of cow’s milk pasta filata cheeses than cheeses made with a mixture of cow’s and sheep’s milk (they had the same fat content, acidity, hardness, and oiling-off, but better stretching). The data describing water–fat serum release from pasta filata cheese within 24 h of unpacking was modeled with the use of the feed-forward artificial neural networks, whose architecture is based on Multi-Layer Perceptron with a single hidden layer. The model inputs comprised four independent variables, including one quantitative (i.e., time) and the other qualitative ones, which had the following states: type of raw material (cow’s milk, cow-sheep’s milk), way of sample portioning (whole, quarters, slices), packing method (vacuum packed and packed in brine).
Considerations on the Analysis of E-900 Food Additive: An NMR Perspective
Authors: Palacios-Jordan Héctor , Jané-Brunet Anna , Jané-Brunet Eduard , Puiggròs Francesc , Canela Núria , Rodríguez Miguel A.
Published: January 2022

Food additives are in widespread use in the food industry to extend the shelf life of food, improve its organoleptic characteristics or facilitate industrial processing. Their use is not without controversy, which makes regulation and control crucial for food safety and public health. Among food additives, silicone-based antifoaming agents (polysiloxanes or E900) are difficult to analyze and quantify due to their polymeric nature. Currently, there is no official method of quantifying this additive in foods. In this context, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a quantitative method for speciation analysis of silicon compounds almost without known interferents. In this work, we describe the evolution of the regulation of the E900 additive, discuss different analytic methods quantifying polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS), and propose a new method based on NMR suitable for analyzing the content of E900 in the form of PDMS in various types of food from dietary oils to marmalades and jellies, among others. The proposed method consists of a previous quantitative concentration of PDMS by liquid–liquid extraction and the monitoring of the quantification using a bis(trimethylsilyl)benzene (BTMSB) standard to control the variability, ranging within 2–7%, depending on the food. This simple, direct, and reproducible procedure for aqueous and lipidic foods may help to monitor and fill a gap in regulatory legislation regarding the E900 additive.
Effects of Shortening Replacement with Extra Virgin Olive Oil on the Physical–Chemical–Sensory Properties of Italian Cantuccini Biscuits
Authors: Giuffrè Angelo Maria , Caracciolo Manuela , Capocasale Marco , Zappia Clotilde , Poiana Marco
Published: January 2022

Olive oil is recognised for its beneficial effects on human health, mainly due to it containing oleic acid (a monounsaturated fatty acid), whereas fats of animal origin or margarine, which are often used in recipes for biscuit production, contain mainly saturated fatty acids. The aim of this study was to evaluate the shelf-life and physicochemical properties of biscuits and of the fats contained in original recipe Italian Cantuccini biscuits (50% cow’s butter and 50% margarine). Additionally, the sensory properties of the biscuits were evaluated, including their colour, appearance, taste, flavour, texture and overall acceptability. At the same time, the fat composition of the original recipe was also modified to contain 30% cow’s butter and 70% extra virgin olive oil, in order to replace an aliquot of the saturated fatty acid content with unsaturated fatty acids, in particular with one monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid. Colour (CIELab), water activity, relative humidity, hardness and fracturability analyses were conducted on Cantuccini biscuits. Colour (CIELab), free acidity, spectrophotometric characteristics, DPPH assay and fatty acid methyl ester (FAMEs) analyses were conducted on the fat extracted from Cantuccini biscuits prepared from both the original and modified recipes.
Molecular Markers of Adult Neurogenesis in the Telencephalon and Tectum of Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Pushchina Evgeniya V. , Varaksin Anatoly A. , Obukhov Dmitry K.
Published: January 2022

In the brain of teleost fish, radial glial cells are the major type of astroglial cells. To answer the question as to how radial glia structures adapt to the continuous growth of the brain, which is characteristic of salmonids, it is necessary to study various types of cells (neuronal precursors, astroglial cells, and cells in a state of neuronal differentiation) in the major integrative centers of the salmon brain (telencephalon and tectum opticum), using rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, as a model. A study of the distribution of several molecular markers in the telencephalon and tectum with the identification of neural stem/progenitor cells, neuroblasts, and radial glia was carried out on juvenile (three-year-old) O. mykiss. The presence of all of these cell types provides specific conditions for the adult neurogenesis processes in the trout telencephalon and tectum. The distribution of glutamine synthetase, a molecular marker of neural stem cells, in the trout telencephalon revealed a large population of radial glia (RG) corresponding to adult-type neural stem cells (NSCs). RG dominated the pallial region of the telencephalon, while, in the subpallial region, RG was found in the lateral and ventral zones. In the optic tectum, RG fibers were widespread and localized both in the marginal layer and in the periventricular gray layer. Doublecortin (DC) immunolabeling revealed a large population of neuroblasts formed in the postembryonic period, which is indicative of intense adult neurogenesis in the trout brain. The pallial and subpallial regions of the telencephalon contained numerous DC+ cells and their clusters. In the tectum, DC+ cells were found not only in the stratum griseum periventriculare (SGP) and longitudinal torus (TL) containing proliferating cells, but also in the layers containing differentiated neurons: the central gray layer, the periventricular gray and white layers, and the superficial white layer. A study of the localization patterns of vimentin and nestin in the trout telencephalon and tectum showed the presence of neuroepithelial neural stem cells (eNSCs) and ependymoglial cells in the periventricular matrix zones of the brain. The presence of vimentin and nestin in the functionally heterogeneous cell types of adult trout indicates new functional properties of these proteins and their heterogeneous involvement in intracellular motility and adult neurogenesis. Investigation into the later stages of neuronal development in various regions of the fish brain can substantially elucidate the major mechanisms of adult neurogenesis, but it can also contribute to understanding the patterns of formation of certain brain regions and the involvement of RG in the construction of the definite brain structure.
Role of Groucho and Groucho1-like in Regulating Metamorphosis and Ovary Development in Nilaparvata lugens (Stål)
Authors: Gao Han , Jiang Xiaojuan , Zheng Shiwen , Li Yan , Lin Xinda
Published: January 2022

Juvenile hormone and ecdysone are key regulators in the metamorphosis and development. Grocho (Gro) is a highly conserved protein required for metamorphosis and development. Brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) is a major pest affecting rice production in China and many Asian countries. Although the molecular function of Gro has been investigated in holometabolous insects such as Aedes aegypti and Drosophila melanogaster, their role in the hemimetabolous insect, brown planthopper, and the relationship between NlGro/NlGro1-L and JH/ecdysone signaling pathway, remained unknown. In this study, NlGroucho (NlGro) and NlGroucho1-like (NlGro1-L) were cloned. An analysis of the predicted protein sequence showed that NlGro has highly conserved Q domain and WD40 domain, and NlGro1-L has a highly conserved WD40 domain. The expression profiles of both genes were studied by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Their relative expressions were high in egg, head, wing, ovary, and testis. NlGro and NlGro1-L were found to interact genetically with juvenile hormone and ecdysone signaling by hormone treatment and RNAi of JH/ecdysone signaling-related genes. Moreover, when NlGro or NlGro1-L was down-regulated alone, the survival rate was decreased, the ovarian development was delayed, and the oviposition was also affected. All defects were aggravated when NlGro and NlGro1-L were down-regulated together. This study will help to develop new pesticides on the basis of the function of NlGro and NlGro1-L, and provide new possibilities for the control of Nilaparvata lugens.
Myo-Inositol Limits Kainic Acid-Induced Epileptogenesis in Rats
Authors: Kandashvili Manana , Gamkrelidze Georgi , Tsverava Lia , Lordkipanidze Tamar , Lepsveridze Eka , Lagani Vincenzo , Burjanadze Maia , Dashniani Manana , Kokaia Merab , Solomonia Revaz
Published: January 2022

Epilepsy is a severe neurological disease characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS). A complex pathophysiological process referred to as epileptogenesis transforms a normal brain into an epileptic one. Prevention of epileptogenesis is a subject of intensive research. Currently, there are no clinically approved drugs that can act as preventive medication. Our previous studies have revealed highly promising antiepileptogenic properties of a compound–myo-inositol (MI) and the present research broadens previous results and demonstrates the long-term disease-modifying effect of this drug, as well as the amelioration of cognitive comorbidities. For the first time, we show that long-term treatment with MI: (i) decreases the frequency and duration of electrographic SRS in the hippocampus; (ii) has an ameliorating effect on spatial learning and memory deficit associated with epileptogenesis, and (iii) attenuates cell loss in the hippocampus. MI treatment also alters the expression of the glial fibrillary acidic protein, LRRC8A subunit of volume-regulated anion channels, and protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type R, all expected to counteract the epileptogenesis. All these effects are still present even 4 weeks after MI treatment ceased. This suggests that MI may exert multiple actions on various epileptogenesis-associated changes in the brain and, therefore, could be considered as a candidate target for prevention of epileptogenesis.
Molecular Features and Clinical Management of Hereditary Pancreatic Cancer Syndromes and Familial Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Kasuga Akiyoshi , Okamoto Takeshi , Udagawa Shohei , Mori Chinatsu , Mie Takafumi , Furukawa Takaaki , Yamada Yuto , Takeda Tsuyoshi , Matsuyama Masato , Sasaki Takashi , Ozaka Masato , Ueki Arisa , Sasahira Naoki
Published: January 2022

Hereditary pancreatic cancers are caused by several inherited genes. Familial pancreatic cancer is defined as pancreatic cancer arising in a patient with at least two first-degree relatives with pancreatic cancer in the absence of an identified genetic cause. Hereditary pancreatic cancer syndromes and familial pancreatic cancers account for about 10% of pancreatic cancer cases. Germline mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, PALB2, CDKN2A, STK11, and TP53 and mismatch repair genes (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, and EPCAM) are among the well-known inherited susceptibility genes. Currently available targeted medications include poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARP) for cases with mutant BRCA and immune checkpoint inhibitors for cases with mismatch repair deficiency. Loss of heterozygosity of hereditary pancreatic cancer susceptibility genes such as BRCA1/2 plays a key role in carcinogenesis and sensitivity to PARP inhibitors. Signature 3 identified by whole genome sequencing is also associated with homologous recombination deficiency and sensitivity to targeted therapies. In this review, we summarize molecular features and treatments of hereditary pancreatic cancer syndromes and surveillance procedures for unaffected high-risk cases. We also review transgenic murine models to gain a better understanding of carcinogenesis in hereditary pancreatic cancer.
THZ531 Induces a State of BRCAness in Multiple Myeloma Cells: Synthetic Lethality with Combination Treatment of THZ 531 with DNA Repair Inhibitors
Authors: Shyamsunder Pavithra , Sridharan Shree Pooja , Madan Vikas , Dakle Pushkar , Zeya Cao , Kanojia Deepika , Chng Wee-Joo , Ong S. Tiong , Koeffler H. Phillip
Published: January 2022

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological disease marked by abnormal growth of B cells in bone marrow. Inherent chromosomal instability and DNA damage are major hallmarks of MM, which implicates an aberrant DNA repair mechanism. Studies have implicated a role for CDK12 in the control of expression of DNA damage response genes. In this study, we examined the effect of a small molecule inhibitor of CDK12–THZ531 on MM cells. Treatment of MM cells with THZ531 led to heightened cell death accompanied by an extensive effect on gene expression changes. In particular, we observed downregulation of genes involved in DNA repair pathways. With this insight, we extended our study to identify synthetic lethal mechanisms that could be exploited for the treatment of MM cells. Combination of THZ531 with either DNA-PK inhibitor (KU-0060648) or PARP inhibitor (Olaparib) led to synergistic cell death. In addition, combination treatment of THZ531 with Olaparib significantly reduced tumor burden in animal models. Our findings suggest that using a CDK12 inhibitor in combination with other DNA repair inhibitors may establish an effective therapeutic regimen to benefit myeloma patients.
The Epigenetic Role of Vitamin C in Neurodevelopment
Authors: Coker Sharna J. , Smith-Díaz Carlos C. , Dyson Rebecca M. , Vissers Margreet C. M. , Berry Mary J.
Published: January 2022

The maternal diet during pregnancy is a key determinant of offspring health. Early studies have linked poor maternal nutrition during gestation with a propensity for the development of chronic conditions in offspring. These conditions include cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and even compromised mental health. While multiple factors may contribute to these outcomes, disturbed epigenetic programming during early development is one potential biological mechanism. The epigenome is programmed primarily in utero, and during this time, the developing fetus is highly susceptible to environmental factors such as nutritional insults. During neurodevelopment, epigenetic programming coordinates the formation of primitive central nervous system structures, neurogenesis, and neuroplasticity. Dysregulated epigenetic programming has been implicated in the aetiology of several neurodevelopmental disorders such as Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome. Accordingly, there is great interest in determining how maternal nutrient availability in pregnancy might affect the epigenetic status of offspring, and how such influences may present phenotypically. In recent years, a number of epigenetic enzymes that are active during embryonic development have been found to require vitamin C as a cofactor. These enzymes include the ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenases (TETs) and the Jumonji C domain-containing histone lysine demethylases that catalyse the oxidative removal of methyl groups on cytosines and histone lysine residues, respectively. These enzymes are integral to epigenetic regulation and have fundamental roles in cellular differentiation, the maintenance of pluripotency and development. The dependence of these enzymes on vitamin C for optimal catalytic activity illustrates a potentially critical contribution of the nutrient during mammalian development. These insights also highlight a potential risk associated with vitamin C insufficiency during pregnancy. The link between vitamin C insufficiency and development is particularly apparent in the context of neurodevelopment and high vitamin C concentrations in the brain are indicative of important functional requirements in this organ. Accordingly, this review considers the evidence for the potential impact of maternal vitamin C status on neurodevelopmental epigenetics.
Novel NK1R-Targeted 68Ga-/177Lu-Radioconjugates with Potential Application against Glioblastoma Multiforme: Preliminary Exploration of Structure–Activity Relationships
Authors: Matalińska Joanna , Kosińska Katarzyna , Halik Paweł K. , Koźmiński Przemysław , Lipiński Piotr F. J. , Gniazdowska Ewa , Misicka Aleksandra
Published: January 2022

Locoregionally administered, NK1 receptor (NK1R) targeted radionuclide therapy is a promising strategy for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. So far, the radiopharmaceuticals used in this approach have been based on the endogenous agonist of NK1R, Substance P or on its close analogues. Herein, we used a well-known, small molecular NK1R antagonist, L732,138, as the basis for the radiopharmaceutical vector. First, 14 analogues of this compound were evaluated to check whether extending the parent structure with linkers of different lengths would not deteriorate the NK1R binding. The tested analogues had affinity similar to or better than the parent compound, and none of the linkers had a negative impact on the binding. Next, five DOTA conjugates were synthesized and used for labelling with 68Ga and 177Lu. The obtained radioconjugates turned out to be fairly lipophilic but showed rather limited stability in human plasma. Evaluation of the receptor affinity of the (radio)conjugates showed that neither the chelator nor the metal negatively impacts the NK1R binding. The 177Lu-radioconjugates exhibited the binding characteristics towards NK1R similar or better than that of the 177Lu-labelled derivative of Substance P, which is in current clinical use. The experimental results presented herein, along with their structural rationalization provided by modelling, give insight for the further molecular design of small molecular NK1R-targeting vectors.
Metabolomic Fingerprinting for the Detection of Early-Stage Lung Cancer: From the Genome to the Metabolome
Authors: Haince Jean-François , Joubert Philippe , Bach Horacio , Ahmed Bux Rashid , Tappia Paramjit S. , Ramjiawan Bram
Published: January 2022

The five-year survival rate of lung cancer patients is very low, mainly because most newly diagnosed patients present with locally advanced or metastatic disease. Therefore, early diagnosis is key to the successful treatment and management of lung cancer. Unfortunately, early detection methods of lung cancer are not ideal. In this brief review, we described early detection methods such as chest X-rays followed by bronchoscopy, sputum analysis followed by cytological analysis, and low-dose computed tomography (LDCT). In addition, we discussed the potential of metabolomic fingerprinting, compared to that of other biomarkers, including molecular targets, as a low-cost, high-throughput blood-based test that is both feasible and affordable for early-stage lung cancer screening of at-risk populations. Accordingly, we proposed a paradigm shift to metabolomics as an alternative to molecular and proteomic-based markers in lung cancer screening, which will enable blood-based routine testing and be accessible to those patients at the highest risk for lung cancer.
Indomethacin and Diclofenac Hybrids with Oleanolic Acid Oximes Modulate Key Signaling Pathways in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Narożna Maria , Krajka-Kuźniak Violetta , Kleszcz Robert , Baer-Dubowska Wanda
Published: January 2022

Our earlier studies showed that coupling nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with oleanolic acid derivatives increased their anti-inflammatory activity in human hepatoma cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate their effect on the signaling pathways involved in inflammation processes in human pancreatic cancer (PC) cells. Cultured PSN-1 cells were exposed for 24 h (30 µM) to OA oxime (OAO) derivatives substituted with benzyl or morpholide groups and their conjugates with indomethacin (IND) or diclofenac (DCL). The activation of NF-κB and Nrf2 was assessed by the evaluation of the translocation of their active forms into the nucleus and their binding to specific DNA sequences via the ELISA assay. The expression of NF-κB and Nrf2 target genes was evaluated by R-T PCR and Western blot analysis. The conjugation of IND or DCL with OAO derivatives increased cytotoxicity and their effect on the tested signaling pathways. The most effective compound was the DCL hybrid with OAO morpholide (4d). This compound significantly reduced the activation and expression of NF-κB and enhanced the activation and expression of Nrf2. Increased expression of Nrf2 target genes led to reduced ROS production. Moreover, MAPKs and the related pathways were also affected. Therefore, conjugate 4d deserves more comprehensive studies as a potential PC therapeutic agent.