bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Motion Artefact in Voltage-Sensitive Fluorescent Dye Emission During Repeated Ischemia of Isolated Heart
Authors: JANOUŠEK O. , KOLÁŘOVÁ J. , RONZHINA M. , NOVÁKOVÁ M. , PROVAZNÍK I.
Published: July 2020

Motion artefact (MA) in voltage-sensitive fluorescent signals causes significant debasement of action potential. During ischemia and reperfusion in isolated rabbit heart, this artefact develops in a manner which may be described by the time of its onset, level, and shape. The MA during ischemia: (a) may become substantial with approximately two minutes delay after establishing global ischemia; (b) may be almost twice as high as the physiological action potential and decreases both with time and repetition of ischemia; (c) the MA shape is unpredictable and depends on individual rabbit.
Comparison of Myosin Heavy Chain mRNAs, Protein Isoforms and Fiber Type Proportions in the Rat Slow and Fast Muscles
Authors: ŽURMANOVÁ J. , SOUKUP T.
Published: July 2020

We studied the expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms at mRNA and protein levels as well as fiber type composition in the fast extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and slow soleus (SOL) twitch muscles of adult inbred Lewis strain rats. Comparison of the results from Real Time RT-PCR, SDS-PAGE and fiber type analysis showed corresponding proportions of MyHC transcripts (MyHC-1, -2a, -2x/d, -2b), protein isoforms (MyHC-1, -2a, -2x/d, -2b) and fiber types (type 1, 2A, 2X/D, 2B) in both muscles. Furthermore, we found that slow MyHC-1 mRNA expression in the SOL was up to three orders higher than that of fast MyHC transcripts. This finding can explain the predominance of MyHC-1 isoform and fiber type 1 and the absence of pure 2X/D and 2B fibers in the SOL muscle. Based on our data presenting quantitative evidence of corresponding proportions between mRNA level, protein content and fiber type composition, we suggest that the Real Time RT-PCR technique can be used as a routine method for analysis of muscle composition changes and could be advantageous for the analysis of scant biological samples such as muscle biopsies in humans.
From the First Spectral Analysis of Blood Pressure Variability in the World to the Present Time: Contribution of the Department of Physiology of the Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno
Authors: NOVÁKOVÁ Z.
Published: July 2020

The review shows the significance of blood pressure regulation studies conducted during several decades at the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno. Continuous non-invasive blood pressure measurement was first introduced and patented here and, with the obtained data, the first spectral analysis of blood pressure was performed. This method was used in many different physiological studies on the relationship of blood pressure regulation to circulatory parameters, breathing, and baroreflex sensitivity. The article deals with studies on risk stratification of sudden cardiac death according to decreased baroreflex sensitivity, 24-hour heart rate variability, the amount of extrasystoles and late potentials. Importance of the new method of determination of one summation risk index is described here. A summary of the new conception of the relationship between low baroreflex sensitivity and hypertension is presented. Here, not only pathological changes of the vessel wall but also increased sympathetic activity and genetic predisposition play a role. Importance of studies conducted in young adults is highlighted, as inherited BRS decrease contributes to earlier blood pressure increase in the young. This research is highly topical, since prevention of hypertension in childhood is possible. Recent studies are dedicated to blood pressure regulation in young diabetics.
Volatile Organic Compounds from Rhizobacteria Increase the Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites and Improve the Antioxidant Status in Mentha piperita L. Grown under Salt Stress
Authors: Cappellari Lorena del Rosario , Chiappero Julieta , Palermo Tamara Belén , Giordano Walter , Banchio Erika
Published: July 2020

Salinity is a major abiotic stress factor that affects crops and has an adverse effect on plant growth. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOC) play a significant role in microorganism–plant interactions. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOC) emitted by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens GB03 on the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and the antioxidant status in Mentha piperita L. grown under 0, 75 and 100 mM NaCl. Seedlings were exposed to mVOCs, avoiding physical contact with the bacteria, and an increase in NaCl levels produced a reduction in essential oil (EO) yield. Nevertheless, these undesirable effects were mitigated in seedlings treated with mVOCs, resulting in an approximately a six-fold increase with respect to plants not exposed to mVOCs, regardless of the severity of the salt stress. The main components of the EOs, menthone, menthol, and pulegone, showed the same tendency. Total phenolic compound (TPC) levels increased in salt-stressed plants but were higher in those exposed to mVOCs than in stressed plants without mVOC exposure. To evaluate the effect of mVOCs on the antioxidant status from salt-stressed plants, the membrane lipid peroxidation was analyzed. Peppermint seedlings cultivated under salt stress and treated with mVOC showed a reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, which is considered to be an indicator of lipid peroxidation and membrane damage, and had an increased antioxidant capacity in terms of DPPH (2,2-diphenyl−1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity in relation to plants cultivated under salt stress but not treated with mVOCs. These results are important as they demonstrate the potential of mVOCs to diminish the adverse effects of salt stress.
Low-Frequency Noise and Its Main Effects on Human Health—A Review of the Literature between 2016 and 2019
Authors: Araújo Alves Juliana , Neto Paiva Filipa , Torres Silva Lígia , Remoaldo Paula
Published: July 2020

This paper summarizes the presently available knowledge about the association between low-frequency noise and its effects on health. A database was constructed with a total of 142 articles published between 2016 and 2019 regarding low-frequency noise exposure and its effects on health. A total of 39 articles were analysed in depth. The articles were divided into categories according to the effects on human health addressed. Regarding the emitting source, there was a greater number of articles addressing issues related to sources of environmental noise and noise from wind turbines. As for the effects generated on human health, there was a greater number of articles referring to the effects on sleep disorders, discomfort, sensitivity to and irritability from noise, annoyance, hearing loss, and cardiovascular diseases, and these effects are analysed in more detail in the present article.
Pilots’ Performance and Workload Assessment: Transition from Analogue to Glass-Cockpit
Authors: Socha Vladimir , Socha Lubos , Hanakova Lenka , Valenta Viktor , Kusmirek Stanislav , Lalis Andrej
Published: July 2020

During their professional career, pilots often experience a change in workplace conditions in the form of an aircraft cockpit ergonomics change. Change of working conditions may impact their perception of flight data or the pilot’s psychophysiological condition, especially in cases of inexperienced pilots. The presented study deals with the influence of cockpit ergonomics change on the performance and pilot workload during a training course. We divided 20 subjects with no previous practical flying experience into two training groups (Gr. A and Gr. B). The flight training was focused on acquisition of basic piloting skills where both groups experienced cockpit ergonomics change in different training phases. The performance (piloting precision) was assessed based on deviations from predetermined parameters of the monitored flight manoeuvres. Heart rate variability qualified the extent of workload. The study showed the influence of the cockpit arrangement on piloting precision, where the transition to other type of cockpit ergonomics did not influence pilots’ subjective workload with statistical significance.
Gaussian Process Modeling of Specular Multipath Components
Authors: Nguyen Anh Hong , Rath Michael , Leitinger Erik , Nguyen Khang Van , Witrisal Klaus
Published: July 2020

The consideration of ultra-wideband (UWB) and mm-wave signals allows for a channel description decomposed into specular multipath components (SMCs) and dense/diffuse multipath. In this paper, the amplitude and phase of SMCs are studied. Gaussian Process regression (GPR) is used as a tool to analyze and predict the SMC amplitudes and phases based on a measured training data set. In this regard, the dependency of the amplitude (and phase) on the angle-of-arrival/angle-of-departure of a multipath component is analyzed, which accounts for the incident angle and incident position of the signal at a reflecting surface—and thus for the reflection characteristics of the building material—and for the antenna gain patterns. The GPR model describes the similarities between different data points. Based on its model parameters and the training data, the amplitudes of SMCs are predicted at receiver positions that have not been measured in the experiment. The method can be used to predict a UWB channel impulse response at an arbitrary position in the environment.
Diffusiophoresis in Suspensions of Charged Soft Particles
Authors: Lin Wei C. , Keh Huan J.
Published: July 2020

The diffusiophoresis in a suspension of charged soft particles in electrolyte solution is analyzed. Each soft particle is composed of a hard core of radius r0 and surface charge density σ and an adsorbed fluid-penetrable porous shell of thickness a−r0 and fixed charge density Q. The effect of particle interactions is considered by using a unit cell model. The ionic concentration, electric potential, and fluid velocity distributions in a unit cell are solved as power expansions in σ and Q, and an explicit formula for the diffusiophoretic velocity of the soft particle is derived from a balance between the hydrodynamic and electrostatic forces exerted on it. This formula is correct to the second orders of σ and Q and valid for arbitrary values of κa, λa, r0/a, and the particle volume fraction of the suspension, where κ is the Debye screening parameter and λ is the reciprocal of a length featuring the flow penetration into the porous shell. The effects of the physical characteristics and particle interactions on the diffusiophoresis (including electrophoresis and chemiphoresis) in a suspension of charged soft particles, which become those of hard particles and porous particles in the limits r0=a and r0=0, respectively, are significant and complicated.
Conceptual Approach on Feasible Hydrogen Contents for Retrofit of CNG to HCNG under Heavy-Duty Spark Ignition Engine at Low-to-Middle Speed Ranges
Authors: Park Bum Youl , Lee Ki-Hyung , Park Jungsoo
Published: July 2020

Hydrogen-based engines are progressively becoming more important with the increasing utilization of hydrogen and layouts (e.g., onboard reforming systems) in internal combustion engines. To investigate the possibility of HICE (hydrogen fueled internal combustion engine), such as an engine with an onboard reforming system, which is introduced as recent technologies, various operating areas and parameters should be considered to obtain feasible hydrogen contents itself. In this study, a virtual hydrogen-added compressed natural gas (HCNG) model is built from a modified 11-L CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) engine, and a response surface model is derived through a parametric study via the Latin hypercube sampling method. Based on the results, performance and emission trends relative to hydrogen in the HCNG engine system are suggested. The operating conditions are 1000, 1300, and 1500 rpm under full load. For the Latin hypercube sampling method, the dominant variables include spark timing, excess air ratio (i.e., λCH4+H2), and H2 addition. Under target operating conditions of 1000, 1300, and 1500 rpm, the addition of 6–10% hydrogen enables the virtual HCNG engine to reach similar levels of torque and BSFC (brake specific fuel consumption) compared to same lambda condition of λCH4. For the relatively low 1000 rpm speed under conditions similar to those of the base engine, NOx formation is greater than base engine condition, while a similar NOx level can be maintained under the middle speed range (1300 and 1500 rpm) despite hydrogen addition. Upon addition of 6–10% hydrogen under the middle speed operation range, the target engine achieves performance and emission similar to those of the base engine.
Photo-Rechargeable Electric Energy Storage Systems Based on Silicon Solar Cells and Supercapacitor-Engineering Concept
Authors: Plebankiewicz Ireneusz , Bogdanowicz Krzysztof Artur , Iwan Agnieszka
Published: July 2020

Recently, use of supercapacitors as energy storage systems has attracted considerable attention. However, the literature is scarce of information about the optimization of hybrid systems, using supercapacitors as the main energy storage system. In our study, we focused step-by-step on the engineering concept of a photo-rechargeable energy storage system based on silicon solar cells and supercapacitors. In the first step, based on commercially available elements, we designed a solar charger and simulated its work in idealized conditions. Secondly, we designed appropriate electronic connections and control systems, allowing for the charging–discharging process of the energy storage system. After constructing three type of demonstrators of solar energy charger, we tested it. The novel design allowed us to achieve total available energy from solar panel energy conversion up to 93%.
Using High-Fidelity Simulation to Introduce Communication Skills about End-of-Life to Novice Nursing Students
Authors: Abajas-Bustillo Rebeca , Amo-Setién Francisco , Aparicio Mar , Ruiz-Pellón Noelia , Fernández-Peña Rosario , Silio-García Tamara , Leal-Costa César , Ortego-Mate Carmen
Published: July 2020

Background: High-fidelity simulation is being considered as a suitable environment for imparting the skills needed to deal with end-of-life (EOL) situations. The objective was to evaluate an EOL simulation project that introduced communication skills to nursing students who had not yet begun their training in real healthcare environments. Methods: A sequential approach was used. The “questionnaire for the evaluation of the end-of-life project” was employed. Results: A total of 130 students participated. Increasing the time spent in high-fidelity simulation significantly favored the exploration of feelings and fears regarding EOL (t = −2.37, p = 0.019), encouraged dialogue (t = −2.23, p = 0.028) and increased the acquisition of communication skills (t = −2.32, p = 0.022). Conclusions: High-fidelity simulation promotes communication skills related to EOL in novice nursing students.
A Framework Uniting Ontology-Based Geodata Integration and Geovisual Analytics
Authors: Ding Linfang , Xiao Guohui , Calvanese Diego , Meng Liqiu
Published: July 2020

In a variety of applications relying on geospatial data, getting insights into heterogeneous geodata sources is crucial for decision making, but often challenging. The reason is that it typically requires combining information coming from different sources via data integration techniques, and then making sense out of the combined data via sophisticated analysis methods. To address this challenge we rely on two well-established research areas: data integration and geovisual analytics, and propose to adopt an ontology-based approach to decouple the challenges of data access and analytics. Our framework consists of two modules centered around an ontology: (1) an ontology-based data integration (OBDI) module, in which mappings specify the relationship between the underlying data and a domain ontology; (2) a geovisual analytics (GeoVA) module, designed for the exploration of the integrated data, by explicitly making use of standard ontologies. In this framework, ontologies play a central role by providing a coherent view over the heterogeneous data, and by acting as a mediator for visual analysis tasks. We test our framework in a scenario for the investigation of the spatiotemporal patterns of meteorological and traffic data from several open data sources. Initial studies show that our approach is feasible for the exploration and understanding of heterogeneous geospatial data.
Microvesicles in Cancer: Small Size, Large Potential
Authors: Menck Kerstin , Sivaloganathan Suganja , Bleckmann Annalen , Binder Claudia
Published: July 2020

Extracellular vesicles (EV) are secreted by all cell types in a tumor and its microenvironment (TME), playing an essential role in intercellular communication and the establishment of a TME favorable for tumor invasion and metastasis. They encompass a variety of vesicle populations, among them the well-known endosomal-derived small exosomes (Exo), but also larger vesicles (diameter > 100 nm) that are shed directly from the plasma membrane, the so-called microvesicles (MV). Increasing evidence suggests that MV, although biologically different, share the tumor-promoting features of Exo in the TME. Due to their larger size, they can be readily harvested from patients’ blood and characterized by routine methods such as conventional flow cytometry, exploiting the plethora of molecules expressed on their surface. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the biology and the composition of MV, as well as their role within the TME. We highlight not only the challenges and potential of MV as novel biomarkers for cancer, but also discuss their possible use for therapeutic intervention.
Inactivation of Endothelial ADAM17 Reduces Retinal Ischemia-Reperfusion Induced Neuronal and Vascular Damage
Authors: Gutsaeva Diana R , Shalaby Lamiaa , Powell Folami L , Thounaojam Menaka C , Abouhish Hossameldin , Wetzstein Sara A , Jadeja Ravirajsinh N , Kwok Hang Fai , Martin Pamela M , Bartoli Manuela
Published: July 2020

Retinal ischemia contributes to visual impairment in ischemic retinopathies. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase ADAM17 is implicated in multiple vascular pathologies through its ability to regulate inflammatory signaling via ectodomain shedding. We investigated the role of endothelial ADAM17 in neuronal and vascular degeneration associated with retinal ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury using mice with conditional inactivation of ADAM17 in vascular endothelium. ADAM17Cre-flox and control ADAM17flox mice were subjected to 40 min of pressure-induced retinal ischemia, with the contralateral eye serving as control. Albumin extravasation and retinal leukostasis were evaluated 48 h after reperfusion. Retinal morphometric analysis was conducted 7 days after reperfusion. Degenerate capillaries were assessed by elastase digest and visual function was evaluated by optokinetic test 14 and 7 days following ischemia, respectively. Lack of ADAM17 decreased vascular leakage and reduced retinal thinning and ganglion cell loss in ADAM17Cre-flox mice. Further, ADAM17Cre-flox mice exhibited a remarkable reduction in capillary degeneration following IR. Decrease in neurovascular degeneration in ADAM17Cre-flox mice correlated with decreased activation of caspase-3 and was associated with reduction in oxidative stress and retinal leukostasis. In addition, knockdown of ADAM17 resulted in decreased cleavage of p75NTR, the process known to be associated with retinal cell apoptosis. A decline in visual acuity evidenced by decrease in spatial frequency threshold observed in ADAM17flox mice was partially restored in ADAM17-endothelial deficient mice. The obtained results provide evidence that endothelial ADAM17 is an important contributor to IR-induced neurovascular damage in the retina and suggest that interventions directed at regulating ADAM17 activity can be beneficial for alleviating the consequences of retinal ischemia.
Heme Oxygenase Protects against Placental Vascular Inflammation and Abortion by the Alarmin Heme in Mice
Authors: Suttorp Christiaan M. , van Rheden René E. M. , van Dijk Natasja W. M. , Helmich Maria P. A. C. , Kuijpers-Jagtman Anne Marie , Wagener Frank A. D. T. G.
Published: July 2020

Both infectious as non-infectious inflammation can cause placental dysfunction and pregnancy complications. During the first trimester of human gestation, when palatogenesis takes place, intrauterine hematoma and hemorrhage are common phenomena, causing the release of large amounts of heme, a well-known alarmin. We postulated that exposure of pregnant mice to heme during palatogenesis would initiate oxidative and inflammatory stress, leading to pathological pregnancy, increasing the incidence of palatal clefting and abortion. Both heme oxygenase isoforms (HO-1 and HO-2) break down heme, thereby generating anti-oxidative and -inflammatory products. HO may thus counteract these heme-induced injurious stresses. To test this hypothesis, we administered heme to pregnant CD1 outbred mice at Day E12 by intraperitoneal injection in increasing doses: 30, 75 or 150 μmol/kg body weight (30H, 75H or 150H) in the presence or absence of HO-activity inhibitor SnMP from Day E11. Exposure to heme resulted in a dose-dependent increase in abortion. At 75H half of the fetuses where resorbed, while at 150H all fetuses were aborted. HO-activity protected against heme-induced abortion since inhibition of HO-activity aggravated heme-induced detrimental effects. The fetuses surviving heme administration demonstrated normal palatal fusion. Immunostainings at Day E16 demonstrated higher numbers of ICAM-1 positive blood vessels, macrophages and HO-1 positive cells in placenta after administration of 75H or SnMP + 30H. Summarizing, heme acts as an endogenous “alarmin” during pregnancy in a dose-dependent fashion, while HO-activity protects against heme-induced placental vascular inflammation and abortion.
Predicting Carcinogenic Mechanisms of Non-Genotoxic Carcinogens via Combined Analysis of Global DNA Methylation and In Vitro Cell Transformation
Authors: Hwang Sung-Hee , Yeom Hojin , Han Byeal-I , Ham Byung-Joo , Lee Yong-Moon , Han Mi-Ryung , Lee Michael
Published: July 2020

An in vitro cell transformation assay (CTA) is useful for the detection of non-genotoxic carcinogens (NGTXCs); however, it does not provide information on their modes of action. In this study, to pursue a mechanism-based approach in the risk assessment of NGTXCs, we aimed to develop an integrated strategy comprising an in vitro Bhas 42 CTA and global DNA methylation analysis. For this purpose, 10 NGTXCs, which were also predicted to be negative through Derek/Sarah structure–activity relationship analysis, were first tested for transforming activity in Bhas 42 cells. Methylation profiles using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing were generated for seven NGTXCs that were positive in CTAs. In general, the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) within promoter regions showed slightly more bias toward hypermethylation than the DMRs across the whole genome. We also identified 13 genes associated with overlapping DMRs within the promoter regions in four NGTXCs, of which seven were hypermethylated and six were hypomethylated. Using ingenuity pathway analysis, the genes with DMRs at the CpG sites were found to be enriched in cancer-related categories, including “cell-to-cell signaling and interaction” as well as “cell death and survival”. Moreover, the networks related to “cell death and survival”, which were considered to be associated with carcinogenesis, were identified in six NGTXCs. These results suggest that epigenetic changes supporting cell transformation processes occur during non-genotoxic carcinogenesis. Taken together, our combined system can become an attractive component for an integrated approach for the testing and assessment of NGTXCs.
Crossing the Power Line: Using Virtual Simulation to Prepare the First Responders of Utility Linemen
Authors: Herrington Alaina , Tacy Joseph
Published: July 2020

Virtual reality (VR) healthcare simulation has helped learners develop skills that are transferable to real-word conditions. Innovative strategies are needed to train workers to improve community safety. The purpose of this pilot project was to evaluate the use of a VR simulation applying the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) Standards of Best Practice: SimulationSM Simulation Design with eight power line workers. Six power industry supervisors and educators assisted in facilitating three VR simulations with eight linemen participants. Kotter’s eight steps to leading change and the INACSL Standards of Best Practice: SimulationSM Simulation Design were utilized in working with energy leaders and VR developers to carry out this pilot project. Pre- and post-implementation surveys demonstrated a 28% improvement in participants’ learning outcomes. All three learning objectives were met. This project demonstrated the successful application of a translational framework and the INACSL Standards of Best Practice: SimulationSM in a VR context in the power industry. This process may be helpful to guide or inspire further adoption of VR in unconventional settings.
The Role of Yeasts in Fermentation Processes
Authors: Maicas Sergi
Published: July 2020

In recent years, vessels have been discovered that contain the remains of wine with an age close to 7000 years. It is unclear whether, in ancient times, humans accidentally stumbled across fermented beverages like wine or beer, or was it a product intended as such. What is a fact is that since then, alcoholic beverages have been part of the diet and culture of many of the civilizations that have preceded us. The typical examples of beer and wine are an example of many other drinks resulting from the action of yeasts. In addition to these two beverages, various companies have developed other types of fermented foods and non-alcoholic beverages prepared in a traditional or commercial manner. The climatic conditions, the availability of raw material and the preferences of each region have conditioned and favored the maintenance of some of these products. In addition to the aforementioned traditional alcoholic beverages produced from fruits, berries, or grains, humans use yeast in the production of chemical precursors, global food processing such as coffee and chocolate, or even wastewater processing. Yeast fermentation is not only useful in food manufacturing. Its uses extend to other products of high interest such as the generation of fuel from vegetable sources.
Optimized MALDI TOF Mass Spectrometry Identification of Francisella tularensis Subsp. holarctica
Authors: Regoui Sofiane , Hennebique Aurélie , Girard Thomas , Boisset Sandrine , Caspar Yvan , Maurin Max
Published: July 2020

Francisella tularensis is a tier 1 agent causing the zoonosis tularemia. This highly infectious Gram-negative bacterium is occasionally isolated from human samples (especially blood samples) in routine clinical microbiology laboratories. A rapid and accurate method for identifying this pathogen is needed in order to optimize the infected patient’s healthcare management and prevent contamination of the laboratory personnel. MALDI TOF mass spectrometry has become the gold standard for the rapid identification of most human pathogens. However, F. tularensis identification using such technology and commercially available databases is currently considered unreliable. Real-time PCR-based methods for rapid detection and accurate identification of F. tularensis are not available in many laboratories. As a national reference center for tularemia, we developed a MALDI TOF database allowing accurate identification of the species F. tularensis and its differentiation from the closely related neighbor species F. tularensis subsp. novicida and F. philomiragia. The sensitivity and specificity of this database were validated by testing 71 F. tularensis strains and 165 strains from 63 species not belonging to the Francisella genus. We obtained accurate identification at the species level and differentiation of all the tested bacterial strains. In particular, F. tularensis could be accurately differentiated from other small Gram-negative bacilli occasionally isolated from human samples, including species of the HACEK group and Brucella melitensis.
BDK Deficiency in Cerebral Cortex Neurons Causes Neurological Abnormalities and Affects Endurance Capacity
Authors: Mizusawa Anna , Watanabe Ayako , Yamada Minori , Kamei Rina , Shimomura Yoshiharu , Kitaura Yasuyuki
Published: July 2020

Branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism is regulated by its rate-limiting enzyme, branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH), which is negatively regulated by BCKDH kinase (BDK). Loss of BDK function in mice and humans leads to dysregulated BCAA catabolism accompanied by neurological symptoms such as autism; however, which tissues or cell types are responsible for the phenotype has not been determined. Since BDK is highly expressed in neurons compared to astrocytes, we hypothesized that neurons are the cell type responsible for determining the neurological features of BDK deficiency. To test this hypothesis, we generated mice in which BDK deletion is restricted to neurons of the cerebral cortex (BDKEmx1-KO mice). Although BDKEmx1-KO mice were born and grew up normally, they showed clasped hind limbs when held by the tail and lower brain BCAA concentrations compared to control mice. Furthermore, these mice showed a marked increase in endurance capacity after training compared to control mice. We conclude that BDK in neurons of the cerebral cortex is essential for maintaining normal neurological functions in mice, and that accelerated BCAA catabolism in that region may enhance performance in running endurance following training.
Impaired CPT1A Gene Expression Response to Retinoic Acid Treatment in Human PBMC as Predictor of Metabolic Risk
Authors: Cifre Margalida , Palou Andreu , Oliver Paula
Published: July 2020

Ex vivo human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) systems offer the possibility to test transcriptomic effects of food bioactive compounds with potential health effects. We investigated all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) effect on mRNA expression of key lipid metabolism and inflammatory genes in PBMCs from normal-weight (NW) and overweight-obese (OW-OB) men with different metabolic syndrome-related features. PBMCs were incubated with 10 µM ATRA and mRNA levels of selected genes were analyzed using real-time RT-qPCR. Human ex vivo PBMCs responded to ATRA treatment, but the response for some genes was dependent on body mass index (BMI), with a lower response in PBMC from OW-OB than from NW donors. Moreover, gene expression response was affected by circulating high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels. Particularly, the response to ATRA of CPT1A, previously reported as a sensitive metabolic risk predictive biomarker, was dependent on HDL levels and not on BMI, being impaired in those individuals with lower HDL levels, specifically in OW-OB. Thus, PBMCs’ insensitivity to ATRA, which can be considered as indicative of impaired metabolism, was observed in individuals with higher metabolic risk (OW-OB with low HDL levels). In conclusion, an ex vivo human PBMC system indicates that ATRA response could be influenced by metabolic syndrome features. Moreover, our study reinforces the role of CPT1A as a marker of metabolic risk and points to plasmatic HDL-cholesterol levels as a parameter to take into consideration when the effects of nutritional factors and/or dietary interventions on humans are under study. Further studies including women are required to detect potential gender differences in the observed effects.
Ivermectin Treatment Response in Onchocerca Volvulus Infected Persons with Epilepsy: A Three-Country Short Cohort Study
Authors: Dusabimana Alfred , Bhwana Dan , Raimon Stephen , Mmbando Bruno P. , Hotterbeekx An , Tepage Floribert , Mandro Michel , Siewe Fodjo Joseph N. , Abrams Steven , Colebunders Robert
Published: July 2020

Despite a long history of community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTI), a high ongoing Onchocerca volvulus transmission is observed in certain onchocerciasis-endemic regions in Africa with a high prevalence of epilepsy. We investigated factors associated with higher microfilarial (mf) density after ivermectin treatment. Skin snips were obtained from O. volvulus-infected persons with epilepsy before, and 3 to 5 months after ivermectin treatment. Participants were enrolled from 4 study sites: Maridi (South Sudan); Logo and Aketi (Democratic Republic of Congo); and Mahenge (Tanzania). Of the 329 participants, 105 (31.9%) had a post-treatment mf density >20% of the pre-treatment value. The percentage reduction in the geometric mean mf density ranged from 69.0% (5 months after treatment) to 89.4% (3 months after treatment). A higher pre-treatment mf density was associated with increased probability of a positive skin snip after ivermectin treatment (p = 0.016). For participants with persistent microfiladermia during follow-up, a higher number of previous CDTI rounds increased the odds of having a post-treatment mf density >20% of the pre-treatment value (p = 0.006). In conclusion, the high onchocerciasis transmission in the study sites may be due to initially high infection intensity in some individuals. Whether the decreasing effect of ivermectin with increasing years of CDTI results from sub-optimal response mechanisms warrants further research.
Super-Resolution of Sentinel-2 Imagery Using Generative Adversarial Networks
Authors: Salgueiro Romero Luis , Marcello Javier , Vilaplana Verónica
Published: July 2020

Sentinel-2 satellites provide multi-spectral optical remote sensing images with four bands at 10 m of spatial resolution. These images, due to the open data distribution policy, are becoming an important resource for several applications. However, for small scale studies, the spatial detail of these images might not be sufficient. On the other hand, WorldView commercial satellites offer multi-spectral images with a very high spatial resolution, typically less than 2 m, but their use can be impractical for large areas or multi-temporal analysis due to their high cost. To exploit the free availability of Sentinel imagery, it is worth considering deep learning techniques for single-image super-resolution tasks, allowing the spatial enhancement of low-resolution (LR) images by recovering high-frequency details to produce high-resolution (HR) super-resolved images. In this work, we implement and train a model based on the Enhanced Super-Resolution Generative Adversarial Network (ESRGAN) with pairs of WorldView-Sentinel images to generate a super-resolved multispectral Sentinel-2 output with a scaling factor of 5. Our model, named RS-ESRGAN, removes the upsampling layers of the network to make it feasible to train with co-registered remote sensing images. Results obtained outperform state-of-the-art models using standard metrics like PSNR, SSIM, ERGAS, SAM and CC. Moreover, qualitative visual analysis shows spatial improvements as well as the preservation of the spectral information, allowing the super-resolved Sentinel-2 imagery to be used in studies requiring very high spatial resolution.
Boundary-Included Enhanced Water Storage Changes Inferred by GPS in the Pacific Rim of the Western United States
Authors: Shen Yingchun , Yan Haoming , Peng Peng , Feng Wei , Zhang Zizhan , Song Yunji , Bai Xixuan
Published: July 2020

We developed a new boundary-included inversion model to improve the terrestrial water storage (TWS) inverted from regional GPS vertical deformation data. Through defining a new disc load empirical function (DLEF) and considering the mass change effect from the near but outside region, the result shows the TWS is more reasonable than the one inverted directly. Six simulation tests further confirmed the effectiveness of the boundary-included model. Finally, our new boundary-included model was used to derive the TWS in the Pacific Rim of the western United States based on the GPS-observed vertical deformation information. The inversion results show that our boundary-included inversion model can effectively improve the inversion results by 10–20% in terms of variance reduction in the boundary regions.
A Pilot Study to Estimate Forage Mass from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in a Semi-Arid Rangeland
Authors: DiMaggio Alexandria M. , Perotto-Baldivieso Humberto L. , Ortega-S. J. Alfonso , Walther Chase , Labrador-Rodriguez Karelys N. , Page Michael T. , Martinez Jose de la Luz , Rideout-Hanzak Sandra , Hedquist Brent C. , Wester David B.
Published: July 2020

The application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the monitoring and management of rangelands has exponentially increased in recent years due to the miniaturization of sensors, ability to capture imagery with high spatial resolution, lower altitude platforms, and the ease of flying UAVs in remote environments. The aim of this research was to develop a method to estimate forage mass in rangelands using high-resolution imagery derived from the UAV using a South Texas pasture as a pilot site. The specific objectives of this research were to (1) evaluate the feasibility of quantifying forage mass in semi-arid rangelands using a double sampling technique with high-resolution imagery and (2) to compare the effect of altitude on forage mass estimation. Orthoimagery and digital surface models (DSM) with a resolution <1.5 cm were acquired with an UAV at altitudes of 30, 40, and 50 m above ground level (AGL) in Duval County, Texas. Field forage mass data were regressed on volumes obtained from a DSM. Our results show that volumes estimated with UAV data and forage mass as measured in the field have a significant relationship at all flight altitudes with best results at 30-m AGL (r2 = 0.65) and 50-m AGL (r2 = 0.63). Furthermore, the use of UAVs would allow one to collect a large number of samples using a non-destructive method to estimate available forage for grazing animals.
Control Plane Optimisation for an SDN-Based WBAN Framework to Support Healthcare Applications
Authors: Hasan Khalid , Ahmed Khandakar , Biswas Kamanashis , Islam Md. Saiful , Kayes A. S. M. , Islam S. M. Riazul
Published: July 2020

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) offers an abstract view of the network and assists network operators to control the network traffic and the associated network resources more effectively. For the past few years, SDN has shown a lot of merits in diverse fields of applications, an important one being the Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) for healthcare services. With the amalgamation of SDN with WBAN (SDWBAN), the patient monitoring and management system has gained much more flexibility and scalability compared to the conventional WBAN. However, the performance of the SDWBAN framework largely depends on the controller which is a core element of the control plane. The reason is that an optimal number of controllers assures the satisfactory level of performance and control of the network traffic originating from the underlying data plane devices. This paper proposes a mathematical model to determine the optimal number of controllers for the SDWBAN framework in healthcare applications. To achieve this goal, the proposed mathematical model adopts the convex optimization method and incorporates three critical SDWBAN factors in the design process: number of controllers, latency and number of SDN-enabled switches (SDESW). The proposed analytical model is validated by means of simulations in Castalia 3.2 and the outcomes indicate that the network achieves high level of Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR) and low latency for optimal number of controllers as derived in the mathematical model.
Monitoring of Assembly Process Using Deep Learning Technology
Authors: Chen Chengjun , Zhang Chunlin , Wang Tiannuo , Li Dongnian , Guo Yang , Zhao Zhengxu , Hong Jun
Published: July 2020

Monitoring the assembly process is a challenge in the manual assembly of mass customization production, in which the operator needs to change the assembly process according to different products. If an assembly error is not immediately detected during the assembly process of a product, it may lead to errors and loss of time and money in the subsequent assembly process, and will affect product quality. To monitor assembly process, this paper explored two methods: recognizing assembly action and recognizing parts from complicated assembled products. In assembly action recognition, an improved three-dimensional convolutional neural network (3D CNN) model with batch normalization is proposed to detect a missing assembly action. In parts recognition, a fully convolutional network (FCN) is employed to segment, recognize different parts from complicated assembled products to check the assembly sequence for missing or misaligned parts. An assembly actions data set and an assembly segmentation data set are created. The experimental results of assembly action recognition show that the 3D CNN model with batch normalization reduces computational complexity, improves training speed and speeds up the convergence of the model, while maintaining accuracy. Experimental results of FCN show that FCN-2S provides a higher pixel recognition accuracy than other FCNs.
Daily School Physical Activity Is Associated with Higher Level of Physical Activity Independently of Other Socioecological Factors
Authors: Lahti Amanda , Rosengren Björn , Nilsson Jan-Åke , Dencker Magnus , Karlsson Magnus
Published: July 2020

Only one fifth of children aged 11–17 years are physically active for 60 min (min)/day. As physical activity (PA) levels track from childhood to adulthood, it is important to establish healthy PA behavior early in life. This study aims to evaluate whether daily school PA is associated with objectively measured PA independently of other socioecological factors. This study includes 209 children (120 boys) aged 9.8 ± 0.6 (mean ± SD) years from four government-funded schools in Sweden. One school including 113 children (70 boys) had 40 min of daily school PA (intervention) and three schools including 96 children (50 boys) had 60 min of school PA/week (control). PA was measured during four serial days with accelerometers. General PA (GPA) was defined as mean counts per minute (cpm). Socioecological factors were collected by questionnaires, and anthropometric traits by measurements. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test whether sex, age, relative age, body height, fat mass, lean mass, screen time activity, parental educational level, parental attitude towards PA, parental PA, sibling(s)’ PA, living in a house or apartment, and whether the child was allocated to 40 min daily school PA or 60 min school PA/week, was independently associated with GPA. Daily GPA was found to be 686.9 ± 211.9 cpm. Independently of the other included factors, daily school PA was associated with +81.8 (15.7, 147.8) cpm compared with 60 min PA/week. This study infers that daily school PA is an appropriate strategy to promote PA in 10-year-old children, independently of different socioecological factors.
“That’s Our Traditional Way as Indigenous Peoples”: Towards a Conceptual Framework for Understanding Community Support of Sustainable Energies in NunatuKavut, Labrador
Authors: Mercer Nicholas , Hudson Amy , Martin Debbie , Parker Paul
Published: July 2020

There is a substantial body of literature in North America regarding the social acceptance of renewable energies, particularly wind energy. However, limited research focuses on the experiences of Indigenous Peoples. Furthermore, several researchers have called for a rapid transition to renewable energies in Indigenous off-grid diesel powered communities in Canada, while limited research has considered local support for this transition, which neglects the Indigenous right of free, prior, and informed consent for developments on or which affect their territories. Working in partnership with nine Indigenous off-grid communities in southeast Labrador, we assess community-member perceptions and support of sustainable energies via hybrid interviews/surveys (n = 211) and key informant interviews (n = 11). Applying directed content analysis and participatory methodologies, we find that five primary themes influence Indigenous support for sustainable energies in southeast Labrador: (1) Community familiarity and understanding; (2) association with previous projects; (3) relationships with culture and sustenance; (4) endogeneity of resources; (5) energy security impacts. The themes should be viewed as a framework for understanding community support, not a definitive recipe for reaching consent. Applying these themes, we demonstrate broad community support for conventional renewables (wind, solar), reluctance towards emerging renewables (biomass, tidal, wave) and energy storage (pumped hydro, battery), and wide opposition for hydroelectricity and small modular nuclear. We demonstrate that energy efficiency applications maintain substantially higher support than most supply-side options. Supply-side sustainable energies have the potential to perpetuate the colonial or extractive nature of resource development in Indigenous communities, while energy efficiency applications more directly facilitate energy security and protect energy sovereignty.
Global R&D Collaboration in the Development of Nanotechnology: The Impact of R&D Collaboration Patterns on Patent Quality
Authors: Lo Chih-cheng , Cho Hsin-Chuan , Wang Pin-Wei
Published: July 2020

Nanotechnologies have been regarded as general-purpose, and interdisciplinary technology converged with different implications of technologies. This paper aims to explore the global Nano collaboration of research and development (R&D) by patent analysis to realize the sustainable development of nanotechnology and investigate the influence of global R&D collaboration on patent quality. The primary findings indicated that the number of issued patents grew sharply since 2002, and the major collaborative fields in terms of nanotechnology are nanoelectronic and nanomaterials. Finally, the collaboration among star assigners, global partnership, and the indicator of patent centrality had a positive impact on patent quality, except that university-industry collaboration did not show a significant effect on patent quality. One part of the reason is that industries have not yet fully recognised nanotechnology opportunities with a risk-averse attitude toward market uncertainties. Overall, the relationship of global R&D collaboration is an essential factor in promoting the sustainable development of the patent quality of nanotechnology. An effective patenting strategy and high-quality application of nanotechnology R&D could secure protection for innovations to reinforce core competitiveness in the business.
How Attractive for Walking Are the Main Streets of a Shrinking City?
Authors: Istrate Aura-Luciana , Bosák Vojtěch , Nováček Alexandr , Slach Ondřej
Published: July 2020

This research assesses the way main streets are perceived and used by pedestrians in an industrial, Central-European city—Ostrava in Czechia. The city has recently experienced shrinkage and changing patterns of socio-economic exchange, reason why this research is timely and needed in view of city center regeneration. Four main streets have been purposefully selected for this study. The research methods include questionnaires with street users (n = 297), direct observations of human activities and pedestrian counting. A link between business types and the way the street is experienced emerged. Results also indicate that vacant and unproperly managed spaces negatively affect the desire to walk on main streets. Furthermore, pedestrian volumes coupled with the amount of static activities determined several benchmark conditions for lively street segments. This research provides recommendations for policy-making and design and planning practice for regeneration of industrial city centers undergoing commercial and spatial transformation.