bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Non-Leguminous Cover Crops on Yield and Quality of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.) Grown under Subtropical Conditions
Authors: Singh Atinderpal , Deb Sanjit K. , Singh Sukhbir , Sharma Parmodh , Kang Jasjit S.
Published: April 2020

Effects of non-leguminous cover crops and their times of chopping on the yield and quality of no-till baby corn (Zea mays L.) were evaluated during two kharif seasons (May-August in 2014 and 2015) under subtropical climatic conditions of Punjab, India. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with four replications at Punjab Agricultural University’s Research Farm. Three cover crops (pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), fodder maize (Zea mays L.), and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)) and the control (no cover crop) were in the main plots and chopping time treatments (25, 35, 45 days after planting (DAP)) in the subplots. During both kharif seasons, the yield (cob and fodder yield) and dry matter accumulation of baby corn following cover crop treatments, especially pearl millet, were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than the control, and improved with increments in chopping time from 25 to 45 DAP. The effect of cover crops on baby corn quality (i.e., protein, starch, total soluble solids, crude fiber, total solid, and sugar content) did not differ among treatments, while increasing increments in chopping time had a significant effect on the protein and sugar content of baby corn. The use of cover crops and increment in chopping time helped in enhancing topsoil quality, especially available nitrogen; yet, the effect of cover crops and their times of chopping on topsoil organic carbon, phosphorus, and potassium did not differ among treatments. During both seasons, there was no significant interaction between cover crop and time of chopping among treatments with respect to baby corn yield and quality, as well as topsoil quality parameters.
Identifying Types of Dating Violence and Protective Factors among Adolescents in Spain: A Qualitative Analysis of Lights4Violence Materials
Authors: Pérez-Marco Alfredo , Soares Panmela , Davó-Blanes Mari Carmen , Vives-Cases Carmen
Published: April 2020

Introduction: The Lights4Violence project was created to promote healthy relationships among adolescents using a school intervention in which participants developed video-capsules where they highlighted skills to resolve situations of dating violence. This study aims to assess the results of the Lights4Violence training program by identifying different types of violence and positive development assets that Spanish adolescents use in their video-capsule scripts. Methods: A thematic analysis of the Lights4Violence video capsules was carried out. Open coding was used to identify violence patterns. A deductive analysis was used to identify student assets using the “Positive Youth Development Model”. Findings: Adolescents describe different patterns of violence, such as psychological violence, sexist violence or verbal violence that is present on the scripts. However, they showed themselves capable of resolving these situations using language and personal empowerment skills as resources. Family, friends and community were identified in adolescents’ scenarios as the most frequent assets to address situations of conflict. Conclusion: Adolescents can promote healthy relationships using protective factors against violence. Interventions that use this approach can potentially be useful in preventing violence.
Corporate Sustainable Development Strategy: Effect of Green Shared Vision on Organization Members’ Behavior
Authors: Chang Tai-Wei
Published: April 2020

In this study, expectancy–valence theory was used from the perspective of corporate green management to investigate green shared vision (GSV). Moreover, organizational identity theory and psychological ownership theory were combined to propose an integrated conceptual framework. To fill research gaps, an investigation was also conducted with frontline R & D and sales employees to further examine the effect of GSV on organization members’ psychology and behavior. The research results indicate that when under the following circumstances, corporate members can enhance organizational citizenship behavior for the environment (OCBE) to improve green management performance, gain the favor of green consumers and achieve sustainable consumption goals. First, enterprises should focus on environmental issues and develop their GSV. Second, enterprises should implement the GSV in different aspects, such as product design, processing, marketing and management. Finally, corporate GSV should be in line with the expectations and values of organization members on environmental issues to motivate their OCBE. Therefore, enterprises must implement their GSV to strengthen the green organizational identity and green product psychological ownership of their members.
Impact of Climate Variability and Abundance of Mosquitoes on Dengue Transmission in Central Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Luong Thi , Le Huy Xuan , Nguyen Dong Thanh , Ho Ha Quang , Chuang Ting-Wu
Published: April 2020

Dengue fever is an important arboviral disease in many countries. Its incidence has increased during the last decade in central Vietnam. Most dengue studies in Vietnam focused on the northern area (Hanoi) and southern regions but not on central Vietnam. Dengue transmission dynamics and relevant environmental risk factors in central Vietnam are not understood. This study aimed to evaluate spatiotemporal patterns of dengue fever in central Vietnam and effects of climatic factors and abundance of mosquitoes on its transmission. Dengue and mosquito surveillance data were obtained from the Department of Vector Control and Border Quarantine at Nha Trang Pasteur Institute. Geographic Information System and satellite remote sensing techniques were used to perform spatiotemporal analyses and to develop climate models using generalized additive models. During 2005–2018, 230,458 dengue cases were reported in central Vietnam. Da Nang and Khanh Hoa were two major hotspots in the study area. The final models indicated the important role of Indian Ocean Dipole, multivariate El Niño-Southern Oscillation index, and vector index in dengue transmission in both regions. Regional climatic variables and mosquito population may drive dengue transmission in central Vietnam. These findings provide important information for developing an early dengue warning system in central Vietnam.
Smart and Regenerative Urban Growth: A Literature Network Analysis
Authors: Peponi Angeliki , Morgado Paulo
Published: April 2020

“Smart city”, “sustainable city”, “ubiquitous city”, “smart sustainable city”, “eco-city”, “regenerative city” are fuzzy concepts; they are established to mitigate the negative impact on urban growth while achieving economic, social, and environmental sustainability. This study presents the result of the literature network analysis exploring the state of the art in the concepts of smart and regenerative urban growth under urban metabolism framework. Heat-maps of impact citations, cutting-edge research on the topic, tip-top ideas, concepts, and theories are highlighted and revealed through VOSviewer bibliometrics based on a selection of 1686 documents acquired from Web of Science, for a timespan between 2010 and 2019. This study discloses that urban growth is a complex phenomenon that covers social, economic, and environmental aspects, and the overlaps between them, leading to a diverse range of concepts on urban development. In regards to our concepts of interest, smart, and regenerative urban growth, we see that there is an absence of conceptual contiguity since both concepts have been approached on an individual basis. This fact unveils the need to adopt a more holistic and interdisciplinary approach to urban planning and design, integrating these concepts to improve the quality of life and public health in urban areas.
Effects of Monopolar Dielectric Radiofrequency Signals on the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ibáñez-Vera Alfonso Javier , García-Romero Jerónimo Carmelo , Alvero-Cruz José Ramón , Lomas-Vega Rafael
Published: April 2020

Monopolar dielectric radiofrequency (MDR) is a non-invasive treatment for pain based on the local application of electromagnetic signals. The study’s goal was to analyze the effects of MDR on the symptoms of fibromyalgia. For this aim, a randomized controlled trial was conducted on 66 female participants (aged 47 ± 17.7) diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Participants were randomly allocated to either an experimental group (n = 23), which received eight 20-minute sessions of MDR; a sham group, which received the same number of sessions of a sham MDR therapy (n = 22); or a control group (n = 21), which received usual care. The outcome variables included pain measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS), score on the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) and quality of life measured by the combined index of fibromyalgia severity (ICAF). A large effect size was observed for the local pain (R2 = 0.46), total ICAF (R2 = 0.42) and ICAF physical factor scores (R2 = 0.38). Significant mean differences were found for the local pain (p = 0.025) and ICAF physical factor (p = 0.031) scores of the experimental group in comparison with the sham group. No statistically significant differences between groups were found in HADS. In conclusion, MDR is more effective than either sham treatment or usual care in the short-term improvement of pain and the physical wellbeing of participants with fibromyalgia.
Multi-Objective Human Resource Allocation Approach for Sustainable Traffic Management
Authors: Sanyal Soumendra Nath , Nielsen Izabela , Saha Subrata
Published: April 2020

Efficient human resource deployment is one of the key aspects of road traffic management for maintaining the lifelines of any metropolitan city. The problem becomes relevant when collaboration between human resources with different skills in day-to-day operations is necessary to maintain public and commercial transport, manage various social events and emergency situations, and hence reduce congestion, injuries, emissions, etc. This study proposes a two-phase fuzzy multi-objective binary programming model for optimal allocation of five different categories of human resources to minimize the overall operational cost, maximize the allocation to accident-prone road segments, minimize the number of volunteer personnel and maximize the direct contact to reduce emissions and road traffic violations, simultaneously. A binary programming model is formulated to provide an efficient individual manpower allocation schedule for multiple road segments at different shifts. A case study is proposed for model evaluation and to derive managerial implications. The proposed model can be used to draw insights into human resource allocation planning in traffic management to reduce road traffic congestion, injuries and vehicular emissions.
Effect of Red Arch-Support Insoles on Subjective Comfort and Movement Biomechanics in Various Landing Heights
Authors: Wang Yi , Lam Wing-Kai , Cheung Cheuk-Hei , Leung Aaron Kam-Lun
Published: April 2020

Red is perceived as a “winning color”, which may influence actual and perceived performances in sports, but little effort has been done to assess the added value on colored foot insoles in basketball movements. This study examined if colored foot insole would influence perceived comfort and lower extremity biomechanics during drop landing. Nineteen male basketball players performed drop landing trials with different insoles (red arch-support, white arch-support, and white-flat) and landing heights (0.45 and 0.61 m). Two-way (Insole x Height) ANOVAs with repeated measures were performed on each of the knee and ankle angles and moments variables. Wearing red arch-support insoles induced better perception of forefoot and rearfoot cushioning and overall comfort but smaller plantarflexion moment than the white-flat insoles (p < 0.05). Increased landing height was related to higher ground reaction loading, sagittal flexion angles, range of motion, and joint moments but smaller ankle eversion (p < 0.05). Findings indicate that foot insoles might have influenced comfort perception and joint kinetics, but not joint kinematics. The use of red color in foot insoles could potentially maximize the effectiveness of foot insoles in a way that alters comfort perception and motor control during landing, with implications for risk of injury.
Correlation Analysis of the Quality of Family Functioning and Subjective Quality of Life in Rehabilitation Patients Living with Schizophrenia in the Community
Authors: Wang Ling , Fan Xi-Wang , Zhao Xu-Dong , Zhu Bing-Gen , Qin Hong-Yun
Published: April 2020

Background: Recently, the community rehabilitation model for schizophrenia patients has become increasingly popular, and the Shanghai Pudong New Area has developed a relatively complete community rehabilitation model. This study analyzed the correlation between family function and subjective quality of life in the rehabilitation of patients living with schizophrenia in the community. Methods: This study evaluated persons living with schizophrenia using the Family Assessment Device and the Subjective Quality of Life Scale. A convenient sampling method was used to select 281 rehabilitation patients living with schizophrenia in the community and 166 hospitalized persons living with schizophrenia. Results: There was a significant difference in the Family Assessment Device scores between rehabilitation patients living with schizophrenia in the community and hospitalized persons living with schizophrenia (p < 0.0001). The difference in the scores of the subjective quality of life assessment between rehabilitation patients living with schizophrenia in the community and hospitalized persons living with schizophrenia was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The regression analysis showed that quality of family function had a significant effect on the subjective quality of life in rehabilitation patients living with schizophrenia in the community and hospitalized persons living with schizophrenia. (F = 10.770 p < 0.001), (F = 2.960 p < 0.01). Conclusions: The quality of family function plays an important role in improving the subjective quality of life in rehabilitation patients living with schizophrenia in the community. It may be beneficial to add some methods to improve family function in the current model of rehabilitation in the community.
‘Get a Fish’ vs. ‘Get a Fishing Skill’: Farmers’ Preferred Compensation Methods to Control Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution
Authors: Li Xiaoping , Yan Yan , Yao Liuyang
Published: April 2020

Ecological compensation is an important means for controlling agricultural nonpoint source pollution, and compensation methods comprise an essential part of the compensation policy for mitigating this form of pollution. Farmers’ choice of compensation methods affects their response to compensation policies as well as the effects of pollution control and ecological compensation efficiency. This study divides ecological compensation methods into two distinct philosophies—the “get a fish” method (GFM) and “get a fishing skill” method (GFSM)—based on policy objectives, to determine farmers’ choice between the two methods and the factors influencing this choice. Furthermore, by analyzing survey data of 632 farmers in the Ankang and Hanzhong cities in China and using the multivariate probit model, the study determines farmers’ preferred option among four specific compensation modes of GFM and GFSM. The three main results are as follows. (1) The probability of farmers choosing GFM is 82%, while that of choosing GFSM is 51%. Therefore, GFM should receive more attention in compensation policies relating to agricultural nonpoint source pollution control. (2) Of the four compensation modes, the study finds a substitution effect between farmers’ choice of capital and technology compensations, capital and project compensations, material and project compensations, while there is a complementary relationship between the choice of material and technology compensations. Therefore, when constructing the compensation policy basket, attention should be given to achieving an organic combination of different compensation methods. (3) Highly educated, young, and male farmers with lower part-time employment, large cultivated land, and a high level of eco-friendly technology adoption and policy understanding are more likely to choose GFSM. Hence, the government should prioritize promoting GFSM for farmers with these characteristics, thereby creating a demonstration effect to encourage transition from GFM to GFSM.
Unemployment Trajectories and the Early Risk of Disability Pension among Young People with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Nationwide Study in Sweden
Authors: Lallukka Tea , Mittendorfer-Rutz Ellenor , Ervasti Jenni , Alexanderson Kristina , Virtanen Marianna
Published: April 2020

Depression and anxiety are associated with unemployment and disability pension, while autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is less studied. We aimed to first identify unemployment trajectories among young adults with and without ASD, and then to examine their social determinants. Finally, we used the trajectories as determinants for subsequent disability pension. We used a population-based cohort, including 814 people who were 19–35 years old, not on disability pension, and who had their ASD diagnosis between 2001 and 2009. A matched reference population included 22,013 people with no record of mental disorders. Unemployment follow-up was the inclusion year and four years after. Disability pension follow-up started after the unemployment follow-up and continued through 2013. We identified three distinctive trajectories of unemployment during the follow-up: (1) low, then sharply increasing (9%,) (2) low (reference, 67%), and (3) high then slowly decreasing (24%). People with ASD had higher odds of belonging belong to the trajectory groups 1 (OR 2.53, 95% CI 2.02–3.18) and 3 (OR 3.60, 95% CI 3.08–4.19). However, the mean number of unemployment days was relatively low in all groups. A disability pension was a rare event in the cohort, although memberships to groups 1 and 3 were associated with the risk of a future disability pension. More knowledge is needed about factors facilitating participation in paid employment among people with ASD.
Female AhR Knockout Mice Develop a Minor Renal Insufficiency in an Adenine-Diet Model of Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Makhloufi Camélia , Nicolas Fanny , McKay Nathalie , Fernandez Samantha , Hache Guillaume , Garrigue Philippe , Brunet Philippe , Guillet Benjamin , Burtey Stéphane , Poitevin Stéphane
Published: April 2020

Cardiovascular complications observed in chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation by tryptophan-derived uremic toxins—mainly indoxyl sulfate (IS). AhR is a ligand-activated transcription factor originally characterized as a receptor of xenobiotics involved in detoxification. The aim of this study was to determine the role of AhR in a CKD mouse model based on an adenine diet. Wild-type (WT) and AhR−/− mice were fed by alternating an adenine-enriched diet and a regular diet for 6 weeks. Our results showed an increased mortality rate of AhR−/− males. AhR−/− females survived and developed a less severe renal insufficiency that WT mice, reflected by urea, creatinine, and IS measurement in serum. The protective effect was related to a decrease of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic gene expression, an attenuation of tubular injury, and a decrease of 2,8-dihydroxyadenine crystal deposition in the kidneys of AhR−/− mice. These mice expressed low levels of xanthine dehydrogenase, which oxidizes adenine into 2,8-dihydroxyadenine, and low levels of the IS metabolism enzymes. In conclusion, the CKD model of adenine diet is not suitable for AhR knockout mice when studying the role of this transcription factor in cardiovascular complications, as observed in human CKD.
Quantitative Proteomic Analyses Identify STO/BBX24 -Related Proteins Induced by UV-B
Authors: Lyu Guizhen , Li Dongbing , Xiong Hui , Xiao Langtao , Tong Jianhua , Ning Chanjuan , Wang Ping , Li Shaoshan
Published: April 2020

Plants use solar radiation for photosynthesis and are inevitably exposed to UV-B. To adapt to UV-B radiation, plants have evolved a sophisticated strategy, but the mechanism is not well understood. We have previously reported that STO (salt tolerance)/BBX24 is a negative regulator of UV-B-induced photomorphogenesis. However, there is limited knowledge of the regulatory network of STO in UV-B signaling. Here, we report the identification of proteins differentially expressed in the wild type (WT) and sto mutant after UV-B radiation by iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation)-based proteomic analysis to explore differential proteins that depend on STO and UV-B signaling. A total of 8212 proteins were successfully identified, 221 of them were STO-dependent proteins in UV-B irradiated plants. The abundances of STO-dependent PSB and LHC (light-harvesting complex) proteins in sto mutants decreased under UV-B radiation, suggesting that STO is necessary to maintain the normal accumulation of photosynthetic system complex under UV-B radiation to facilitate photosynthesis photon capture. The abundance of phenylalanine lyase-1 (PAL1), chalcone synthetase (CHS), and flavonoid synthetase (FLS) increased significantly after UV-B irradiation, suggesting that the accumulation of flavonoids do not require STO, but UV-B is needed. Under UV-B radiation, STO stabilizes the structure of antenna protein complex by maintaining the accumulation of PSBs and LHCs, thereby enhancing the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) ability, releasing extra energy, protecting photosynthesis, and ultimately promoting the elongation of hypocotyl. The accumulation of flavonoid synthesis key proteins is independent of STO under UV-B radiation. Overall, our results provide a comprehensive regulatory network of STO in UV-B signaling.
Mapping the Gene Expression Spectrum of Mediator Subunits in Response to Viroid Infection in Plants
Authors: Nath Vishnu Sukumari , Shrestha Ankita , Awasthi Praveen , Mishra Ajay Kumar , Kocábek Tomáš , Matoušek Jaroslav , Sečnik Andrej , Jakše Jernej , Radišek Sebastjan , Hallan Vipin
Published: April 2020

The mediator (MED) represents a large, conserved, multi-subunit protein complex that regulates gene expression through interactions with RNA polymerase II and enhancer-bound transcription factors. Expanding research accomplishments suggest the predominant role of plant MED subunits in the regulation of various physiological and developmental processes, including the biotic stress response against bacterial and fungal pathogens. However, the involvement of MED subunits in virus/viroid pathogenesis remains elusive. In this study, we investigated for the first time the gene expression modulation of selected MED subunits in response to five viroid species (Apple fruit crinkle viroid (AFCVd), Citrus bark cracking viroid (CBCVd), Hop latent viroid (HLVd), Hop stunt viroid (HSVd), and Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd)) in two model plant species (Nicotiana tabacum and N. benthamiana) and a commercially important hop (Humulus lupulus) cultivar. Our results showed a differential expression pattern of MED subunits in response to a viroid infection. The individual plant MED subunits displayed a differential and tailored expression pattern in response to different viroid species, suggesting that the MED expression is viroid- and plant species-dependent. The explicit evidence obtained from our results warrants further investigation into the association of the MED subunit with symptom development. Together, we provide a comprehensive portrait of MED subunit expression in response to viroid infection and a plausible involvement of MED subunits in fine-tuning transcriptional reprogramming in response to viroid infection, suggesting them as a potential candidate for rewiring the defense response network in plants against pathogens.
Lipids Nutrients in Parkinson and Alzheimer’s Diseases: Cell Death and Cytoprotection
Authors: Nury Thomas , Lizard Gérard , Vejux Anne
Published: April 2020

Neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, have common features: protein accumulation, cell death with mitochondrial involvement and oxidative stress. Patients are treated to cure the symptoms, but the treatments do not target the causes; so, the disease is not stopped. It is interesting to look at the side of nutrition which could help prevent the first signs of the disease or slow its progression in addition to existing therapeutic strategies. Lipids, whether in the form of vegetable or animal oils or in the form of fatty acids, could be incorporated into diets with the aim of preventing neurodegenerative diseases. These different lipids can inhibit the cytotoxicity induced during the pathology, whether at the level of mitochondria, oxidative stress or apoptosis and inflammation. The conclusions of the various studies cited are oriented towards the preventive use of oils or fatty acids. The future of these lipids that can be used in therapy/prevention will undoubtedly involve a better delivery to the body and to the brain by utilizing lipid encapsulation.
Ankyrin Repeat and Kinase Domain Containing 1 Gene, and Addiction Vulnerability
Authors: Koeneke Alejandra , Ponce Guillermo , Troya-Balseca Johanna , Palomo Tomás , Hoenicka Janet
Published: April 2020

The TaqIA single nucleotide variant (SNV) has been tested for association with addictions in a huge number of studies. TaqIA is located in the ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 gene (ANKK1) that codes for a receptor interacting protein kinase. ANKK1 maps on the NTAD cluster along with the dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2), the tetratricopeptide repeat domain 12 (TTC12) and the neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM1) genes. The four genes have been associated with addictions, although TTC12 and ANKK1 showed the strongest associations. In silico and in vitro studies revealed that ANKK1 is functionally related to the dopaminergic system, in particular with DRD2. In antisocial alcoholism, epistasis between ANKK1 TaqIA and DRD2 C957T SNVs has been described. This clinical finding has been supported by the study of ANKK1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of alcoholic patients and controls. Regarding the ANKK1 protein, there is direct evidence of its location in adult and developing central nervous system. Together, these findings of the ANKK1 gene and its protein suggest that the TaqIA SNV is a marker of brain differences, both in structure and in dopaminergic function, that increase individual risk to addiction development.
The Cbs Locus Affects the Expression of Senescence Markers and mtDNA Copy Number, but not Telomere Dynamics in Mice
Authors: Utyro Olga , Perła-Kaján Joanna , Jakubowski Hieronim
Published: April 2020

Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) is a housekeeping enzyme that catalyzes the first step of the homocysteine to cysteine transsulfuration pathway. Homozygous deletion of the Cbs gene in mice causes severe hyperhomocysteinemia and reduces life span. Here, we examined a possible involvement of senescence, mitochondrial DNA, and telomeres in the reduced life span of Cbs−/− mice. We found that senescence-related p21, Pai-1, Mcp1, and Il-6 mRNAs were significantly upregulated (2–10-fold) in liver, while p21 was upregulated in the brain of Cbs−/− mice (n = 20) compared with control Cbs+/− siblings (n = 20) in a sex- and age-dependent manner. Telomere length in blood (n = 80), liver (n = 40), and brain (n = 40) was not affected by the Cbs−/− genotype, but varied with sex and/or age. Levels of mitochondrial DNA tended to be reduced in livers, but not brains and blood, of Cbs−/− females (n = 20–40). The Cbs−/− genotype significantly reduced Tert mRNA expression in brain, but not liver, in a sex- and age-dependent manner. Multiple regression analysis showed that the senescence-related liver (but not brain) mRNAs and liver (but not brain or blood) mitochondrial DNA were associated with the Cbs genotype. In contrast, telomere length in blood, brain, and liver was not associated with the Cbs genotype or hyperhomocysteinemia, but was associated with sex (in brain and liver) and age (in brain and blood). Taken together, these findings suggest that the changes in senescence marker expression and mtDNA levels, but not telomere shortening, could account for the reduced life span of Cbs−/− mice.
Insights into Structures and Dynamics of Flavivirus Proteases from NMR Studies
Authors: Li Qingxin , Kang CongBao
Published: April 2020

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy plays important roles in structural biology and drug discovery, as it is a powerful tool to understand protein structures, dynamics, and ligand binding under physiological conditions. The protease of flaviviruses is an attractive target for developing antivirals because it is essential for the maturation of viral proteins. High-resolution structures of the proteases in the absence and presence of ligands/inhibitors were determined using X-ray crystallography, providing structural information for rational drug design. Structural studies suggest that proteases from Dengue virus (DENV), West Nile virus (WNV), and Zika virus (ZIKV) exist in open and closed conformations. Solution NMR studies showed that the closed conformation is predominant in solution and should be utilized in structure-based drug design. Here, we reviewed solution NMR studies of the proteases from these viruses. The accumulated studies demonstrated that NMR spectroscopy provides additional information to understand conformational changes of these proteases in the absence and presence of substrates/inhibitors. In addition, NMR spectroscopy can be used for identifying fragment hits that can be further developed into potent protease inhibitors.
Current Insights into Combination Therapies with MAPK Inhibitors and Immune Checkpoint Blockade
Authors: Shin Min Hwa , Kim Jiyoung , Lim Siyoung A. , Kim Jeongsoo , Lee Kyung-Mi
Published: April 2020

The recent development of high-throughput genomics has revolutionized personalized medicine by identifying key pathways and molecular targets controlling tumor progression and survival. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways are examples of such targets, and inhibitors against these pathways have shown promising clinical responses in patients with melanoma, non-small-cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and thyroid cancer. Although MAPK pathway-targeted therapies have resulted in significant clinical responses in a large proportion of cancer patients, the rate of tumor recurrence is high due to the development of resistance. Conversely, immunotherapies have shown limited clinical responses, but have led to durable tumor regression in patients, and complete responses. Recent evidence indicates that MAPK-targeted therapies may synergize with immune cells, thus providing rationale for the development of combination therapies. Here, we review the current status of ongoing clinical trials investigating MAPK pathway inhibitors, such as BRAF and MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitors, in combination with checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed death protein 1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and cytotoxic T cell associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4). A better understanding of an individual drug’s mechanism of action, patterns of acquired resistance, and the influence on immune cells will be critical for the development of novel combination therapies.
Immunotherapy in Renal Cell Carcinoma: The Future Is Now
Authors: Deleuze Antoine , Saout Judikaël , Dugay Frédéric , Peyronnet Benoit , Mathieu Romain , Verhoest Gregory , Bensalah Karim , Crouzet Laurence , Laguerre Brigitte , Belaud-Rotureau Marc-Antoine , Rioux-Leclercq Nathalie , Kammerer-Jacquet Solène-Florence
Published: April 2020

Renal cell carcinoma is the third type of urologic cancer and has a poor prognosis with 30% of metastatic patients at diagnosis. The antiangiogenics and targeted immunotherapies led to treatment remodeling emphasizing the role of the tumour microenvironment. However, long-term responses are rare with a high rate of resistance. New strategies are emerging to improve the efficacy and the emerging drugs are under evaluation in ongoing trials. With the different treatment options, there is an urgent need to identify biomarkers in order to predict the efficacy of drugs and to better stratify patients. Owing to the limitations of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), the most studied immunohistochemistry biomarkers, and of the tumor mutational burden, the identification of more reliable markers is an unmet need. New technologies could help in this purpose.
Games on Mobiles via Web or Virtual Reality Technologies: How to Support Learning for Biomedical Laboratory Science Education
Authors: Frøland Tord Hettervik , Heldal Ilona , Sjøholt Gry , Ersvær Elisabeth
Published: April 2020

Simulations, serious games, and virtual reality (SSG) applications represent promising support for achieving practical proficiency, but it is difficult to know how to introduce them into a new environment. This paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of introducing new SSGs to a non-computer related educational environment—biomedical laboratory science (BLS) education. By following the choice, construction, and evaluation of a gamified app for practicing phlebotomy (StikkApp), not only the usefulness of the application, but also the general needs and possibilities for supporting SSG applications, are discussed. This paper presents the evaluation of StikkApp through an experimental study examining its use on mobile devices, as a web app and by discussing challenges for a corresponding virtual reality app by BLS students and their teachers. This evaluation focused on questions concerning usage scenarios, technologies, and how the design of the app can be aligned to learning goals necessary for education. By discussing these requirements and possibilities for apps and technology support for using SSG apps for BLS students, this paper contributes to a better understanding of using digital support for sustainable education.
Plasma Beam Dumps for the EuPRAXIA Facility
Authors: Xia Guoxing , Bonatto Alexandre , Pizzato Nunes Roger , Liang Linbo , Jakobsson Oscar , Zhao Yuan , Williamson Barney , Davut Can , Wang Xueying
Published: April 2020

Beam dumps are indispensable components for particle accelerator facilities to absorb or dispose beam kinetic energy in a safe way. However, the design of beam dumps based on conventional technology, i.e., energy deposition via beam–dense matter interaction, makes the beam dump facility complicated and large in size, partly due to the high beam intensities and energies achieved. In addition, specific methods are needed to address the radioactive hazards that these high-power beams generate. On the other hand, the European Plasma Research Accelerator with eXcellence in Application (EuPRAXIA) project can advance the laser–plasma accelerator significantly by achieving a 1–5 GeV high-quality electron beam in a compact layout. Nevertheless, beam dumps based on the conventional technique will still produce radiation hazards and make the overall footprint less compact. Here, a plasma beam dump will be implemented to absorb the kinetic energy from the EuPRAXIA beam. In doing so, the overall compactness of the EuPRAXIA layout could be further improved, and the radioactivity generated by the facility can be mitigated. In this paper, results from particle-in-cell simulations are presented for plasma beam dumps based on EuPRAXIA beam parameters.
Rectifiers’ Design and Optimization for a Dual-Channel RF Energy Harvester
Authors: Colaiuda Davide , Ulisse Iolanda , Ferri Giuseppe
Published: April 2020

This paper presents the design and implementation of two front-ends for RF (Radio Frequency) energy harvesting, comparing them with the commercial one—P2110 by Powercast Co. (Pittsburgh, PA, USA) Both devices are implemented on a discrete element board with microstrip lines combined with lumped elements and are optimized for two different input power levels (−10 dBm and 10 dBm, respectively), at the GSM900 frequencies. The load has been fixed at 5kΩ, after a load-pull analysis on systems. The rectifiers stages implement two different Schottky diodes in two different topologies: a single diode and a 2-stage Dickson’s charge pump. The second one is compared with the P2110 by generating RF fields at 915 MHz with the Powercast Powerspot. The main aim of this work is to design simple and efficient low-cost devices, which can be used as a power supply for low-power autonomous sensors, with better performances than the current solutions of state-of-the-art equipment, providing an acceptable voltage level on the load. Measurements have been conducted for input power range −20 dBm up to 10 dBm; the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) is obtained with the second design, which reaches a value of 70% at 915 MHz. In particular, the proposed device exhibited better performance compared to the P2110 commercial device, allowing a maximum distance of operation of up to 22 meters from the dedicated RF power source, making it suitable even for IoT (Internet of Things) applications.
Selected Papers from Coastlab18 Conference
Authors: Lara Javier L. , Maza Maria
Published: April 2020

The 7th International Conference on The Application of Physical Modelling in Coastal and Port Engineering and Science, Coastlab18, was organized in Santander, Spain, from 22 to 26 May 2018, by the Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de la Universidad de Cantabria, IHCantabria [...]
Influence of Scanning Strategy Parameters on Residual Stress in the SLM Process According to the Bridge Curvature Method for AISI 316L Stainless Steel
Authors: Hajnys Jiri , Pagáč Marek , Měsíček Jakub , Petru Jana , Król Mariusz
Published: April 2020

The present paper deals with the investigation and comparison of the influence of scanning strategy on residual stress in the selective laser melting (SLM) process. For the purpose of the experiment, bridge geometry samples were printed by a 3D metal printer, which exhibited tension after cutting from the substrate, slightly bending the samples toward the laser melting direction. Samples were produced with the variation of process parameters and with a change in scanning strategy which plays a major role in stress generation. It was evaluated using the Bridge Curvature Method (BCM) and optical microscopy. At the end, a recommendation was made.
Fundamental Properties and Thermal Transferability of Masonry Built by Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Self-Insulation Blocks
Authors: Li Fenglan , Chen Gonglian , Zhang Yunyun , Hao Yongchang , Si Zhengkai
Published: April 2020

This paper performed a detailed study on the fundamental properties and thermal conductivity of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) self-insulation block, and the mechanical properties and heat transfer resistance of the AAC self-insulation block masonry. Different kinds of joints and the plastering surface were used to build the masonry specimens. The distinctive feature of the blocks and mortars is the lower thermal conductivity with expected strength. Compared to those with larger thickness of insulation mortar joints, the masonry with thin-layer mortar joints had better compressive performance and lower shear strength. The compressive strength of masonry was related with the block and mortar strengths, the shear strength of masonry along mortar joints was related with the mortar strength. The stress–strain relationship of masonry in compression could be predicted by the similar expression of conventional block masonry. The tested heat transfer coefficient of AAC self-insulation block masonry with thickness of 250 mm without plastering surfaces was (0.558 ± 0.003) W/(m2·K). With the plastering surfaces, the heat transfer coefficient reduced by 4.4% to 8.9%. Good agreements in values of heat transfer coefficient existed by using the test, theoretical computation and ANSYS (ANSYS Inc. Canonsburg, PA, USA) analytical methods. Based on the extensibility analyses, the heat transfer coefficients of AAC self-insultation block masonry with different thickness are proposed. The best thickness is proposed for the outer walls of residential buildings in different cold zone to meet the design requirement of energy conservation.
3D Printing of Hierarchical Scaffolds Based on Mesoporous Bioactive Glasses (MBGs)—Fundamentals and Applications
Authors: Baino Francesco , Fiume Elisa
Published: April 2020

The advent of mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) in applied bio-sciences led to the birth of a new class of nanostructured materials combining triple functionality, that is, bone-bonding capability, drug delivery and therapeutic ion release. However, the development of hierarchical three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds based on MBGs may be difficult due to some inherent drawbacks of MBGs (e.g., high brittleness) and technological challenges related to their fabrication in a multiscale porous form. For example, MBG-based scaffolds produced by conventional porogen-assisted methods exhibit a very low mechanical strength, making them unsuitable for clinical applications. The application of additive manufacturing techniques significantly improved the processing of these materials, making it easier preserving the textural and functional properties of MBGs and allowing stronger scaffolds to be produced. This review provides an overview of the major aspects relevant to 3D printing of MBGs, including technological issues and potential applications of final products in medicine.
Effects of Platelet-Rich Fibrin on Hard Tissue Healing: A Histomorphometric Crossover Trial in Sheep
Authors: Ondur Esra , Bolukbasi Balcioglu Nilufer , Soluk Tekkesin Merva , Guzel Ozlem , Ersanli Selim
Published: April 2020

Bone defects lead to aesthetic and functional losses, causing dental rehabilitation to be more difficult. The objective of this work is to histologically assess the hard tissue healing of bone defects filled with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) alone or as an adjuvant for mixing with and covering anorganic bovine bone (ABB), compared to ABB covered with a resorbable collagen membrane (CM). This study was designed as a crossover animal study. Four 5-mm tibia defects, 5 mm apart from each other, were surgically created on the tibias of 6 sheep. The defects were randomly filled with ABB + CM; PRF alone; ABB+PRF; or were left empty. The animals were euthanized on days 10, 20, and 40 post-operatively. No group showed any signs of bone necrosis. Inflammation was observed in 2 control and 3 test defects with no statistically significant difference between groups at each time point. The ABB + CM and ABB + PRF groups experienced the highest bone regeneration ratios. No differences between the empty-defect and PRF groups were observed in regard to bone regeneration. No statistical difference was observed between the ABB+PRF and ABB + CM groups in regard to bone regeneration and the amount of residual graft material at each time point. The use of PRF should be preferred due to its autogenous origin, low cost, and ease of use.
Special Issue: Ti-Based Biomaterials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications
Authors: Jakubowicz Jarosław
Published: April 2020

In the last half century, great attention has been paid to materials that can be used in the human body to prepare parts that replace failed bone structures. Of all materials, Ti-based materials are the most desirable, because they provide an optimum combination of mechanical, chemical and biological properties. The successful application of Ti biomaterials has been confirmed mainly in dentistry, orthopedics and traumatology. The Ti biomaterials provide high strength and a relatively low Young’s modulus. Titanium biocompatibility is practically the highest of all metallic biomaterials, however new solutions are being sought to continuous improve their biocompatibility and osseointegration. Thus, the chemical modification of Ti results in the formation of new alloys or composites, which provide new perspectives for Ti biomaterials applications. Great attention has also been paid to the formation of nanostructures in Ti-based biomaterials, which has leads to extremely good mechanical properties and very good biocompatibility. Additionally, the surface treatment applied to Ti-based biomaterials provides faster osseointegration and improve in many cases mechanical properties. The special issue “Ti-Based Biomaterials: Synthesis, Properties and Applications” has been proposed as a means to present recent developments in the field. The articles included in the special issue cover broad aspects of Ti-based biomaterials formation with respect to design theirs structure, mechanical and biological properties, as highlighted in this editorial.
Turbulence as a Network of Fourier Modes
Authors: Gürcan Özgür. D. , Li Yang , Morel Pierre
Published: April 2020

Turbulence is the duality of chaotic dynamics and hierarchical organization of a field over a large range of scales due to advective nonlinearities. Quadratic nonlinearities (e.g., advection) in real space, translates into triadic interactions in Fourier space. Those interactions can be computed using fast Fourier transforms, or other methods of computing convolution integrals. However, more generally, they can be interpreted as a network of interacting nodes, where each interaction is between a node and a pair. In this formulation, each node interacts with a list of pairs that satisfy the triadic interaction condition with that node, and the convolution becomes a sum over this list. A regular wavenumber space mesh can be written in the form of such a network. Reducing the resolution of a regular mesh and combining the nearby nodes in order to obtain the reduced network corresponding to the low resolution mesh, we can deduce the reduction rules for such a network. This perspective allows us to develop network models as approximations of various types of turbulent dynamics. Various examples, such as shell models, nested polyhedra models, or predator–prey models, are briefly discussed. A prescription for setting up a small world variants of these models are given.
WO3 and Ionic Liquids: A Synergic Pair for Pollutant Gas Sensing and Desulfurization
Authors: D’Anna Francesca , Grilli Maria Luisa , Petrucci Rita , Feroci Marta
Published: April 2020

This review deals with the notable results obtained by the synergy between ionic liquids (ILs) and WO3 in the field of pollutant gas sensing and sulfur removal pretreatment of fuels. Starting from the known characteristics of tungsten trioxide as catalytic material, many authors have proposed the use of ionic liquids in order to both direct WO3 production towards controllable nanostructures (nanorods, nanospheres, etc.) and to modify the metal oxide structure (incorporating ILs) in order to increase the gas adsorption ability and, thus, the catalytic efficiency. Moreover, ionic liquids are able to highly disperse WO3 in composites, thus enhancing the contact surface and the catalytic ability of WO3 in both hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of liquid fuels. In particular, the use of ILs in composite synthesis can direct the hydrogenation process (HDS) towards sulfur compounds rather than towards olefins, thus preserving the octane number of the fuel while highly reducing the sulfur content and, thus, the possibility of air pollution with sulfur oxides. A similar performance enhancement was obtained in ODS, where the high dispersion of WO3 (due to the use of ILs during the synthesis) allows for noteworthy results at very low temperatures (50 °C).