bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expansion of Necrosis Depending on Hybrid Motor-Driven Motility of Aeromonas hydrophila in a Murine Wound Infection Model
Authors: Yamazaki Kohei , Kashimoto Takashige , Niwano Ayuha , Yamasaki Moeko , Nomura Mayu , Akeda Yukihiro , Ueno Shunji
Published: December 2020

The gram-negative bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila is a cause of fulminant and lethal necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs). Suppressing the rapid proliferation of the pathogen and expansion of the necrosis caused in the host is an important issue in clinical practice, but the pathogenic mechanism for the rapid aggravation has not been clarified. In this study, we characterized the function of two types of motor stators in A. hydrophila and explored the role of motility during wound infection. In vitro analysis showed that the motility was reliably maintained while being complemented by the stators. We created a non-motile strain that lacked genes encoding two types of motor stators and analyzed the role of motility in a murine wound infection model. Examination of the bacterial burden in the local infection site and systemic circulation revealed that motility was not essential for the proliferation of A. hydrophila in the host. However, the extent of necrosis at the lesions was lower, and survival times were prolonged in mice infected with the non-motile strain compared with mice infected with the parent strain. These results provide evidence that the rapid expansion of necrosis and the progression to death within a short time period is dependent on the motility of A. hydrophila.
An Overview on Industrial and Medical Applications of Bio-Pigments Synthesized by Marine Bacteria
Authors: Nawaz Ali , Chaudhary Rida , Shah Zinnia , Dufossé Laurent , Fouillaud Mireille , Mukhtar Hamid , ul Haq Ikram
Published: December 2020

Marine bacterial species contribute to a significant part of the oceanic population, which substantially produces biologically effectual moieties having various medical and industrial applications. The use of marine-derived bacterial pigments displays a snowballing effect in recent times, being natural, environmentally safe, and health beneficial compounds. Although isolating marine bacteria is a strenuous task, these are still a compelling subject for researchers, due to their promising avenues for numerous applications. Marine-derived bacterial pigments serve as valuable products in the food, pharmaceutical, textile, and cosmetic industries due to their beneficial attributes, including anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities. Biodegradability and higher environmental compatibility further strengthen the use of marine bio-pigments over artificially acquired colored molecules. Besides that, hazardous effects associated with the consumption of synthetic colors further substantiated the use of marine dyes as color additives in industries as well. This review sheds light on marine bacterial sources of pigmented compounds along with their industrial applicability and therapeutic insights based on the data available in the literature. It also encompasses the need for introducing bacterial bio-pigments in global pigment industry, highlighting their future potential, aiming to contribute to the worldwide economy.
Anaerobic Carbon Monoxide Uptake by Microbial Communities in Volcanic Deposits at Different Stages of Successional Development on O-yama Volcano, Miyake-jima, Japan
Authors: DePoy Amber N. , King Gary M. , Ohta Hiroyuki
Published: December 2020

Research on Kilauea and O-yama Volcanoes has shown that microbial communities and their activities undergo major shifts in response to plant colonization and that molybdenum-dependent CO oxidizers (Mo-COX) and their activities vary with vegetation and deposit age. Results reported here reveal that anaerobic CO oxidation attributed to nickel-dependent CO oxidizers (Ni-COX) also occurs in volcanic deposits that encompass different developmental stages. Ni-COX at three distinct sites responded rapidly to anoxia and oxidized CO from initial concentrations of about 10 ppm to sub-atmospheric levels. CO was also actively consumed at initial 25% concentrations and 25 °C, and during incubations at 60 °C; however, uptake under the latter conditions was largely confined to an 800-year-old forested site. Analyses of microbial communities based on 16S rRNA gene sequences in treatments with and without 25% CO incubated at 25 °C or 60 °C revealed distinct responses to temperature and CO among the sites and evidence for enrichment of known and potentially novel Ni-COX. The results collectively show that CO uptake by volcanic deposits occurs under a wide range of conditions; that CO oxidizers in volcanic deposits may be more diverse than previously imagined; and that Ni-dependent CO oxidizers might play previously unsuspected roles in microbial succession.
Alternative Invasion Mechanisms and Host Immune Response to Plasmodium vivax Malaria: Trends and Future Directions
Authors: Kepple Daniel , Pestana Kareen , Tomida Junya , Abebe Abnet , Golassa Lemu , Lo Eugenia
Published: December 2020

Plasmodium vivax malaria is a neglected tropical disease, despite being more geographically widespread than any other form of malaria. The documentation of P. vivax infections in different parts of Africa where Duffy-negative individuals are predominant suggested that there are alternative pathways for P. vivax to invade human erythrocytes. Duffy-negative individuals may be just as fit as Duffy-positive individuals and are no longer resistant to P.vivax malaria. In this review, we describe the complexity of P. vivax malaria, characterize pathogenesis and candidate invasion genes of P. vivax, and host immune responses to P. vivax infections. We provide a comprehensive review on parasite ligands in several Plasmodium species that further justify candidate genes in P. vivax. We also summarize previous genomic and transcriptomic studies related to the identification of ligand and receptor proteins in P. vivax erythrocyte invasion. Finally, we identify topics that remain unclear and propose future studies that will greatly contribute to our knowledge of P. vivax.
Does Gut-Microbiome Interaction Protect against Obesity and Obesity-Associated Metabolic Disorders?
Authors: Zawada Agnieszka , Rychter Anna Maria , Ratajczak Alicja Ewa , Lisiecka-Masian Agata , Dobrowolska Agnieszka , Krela-Kaźmierczak Iwona
Published: December 2020

More research has recently focused on the role of the gut microbiota in the development or course of numerous diseases, including non-communicable diseases. As obesity remains prevalent, the question arises as to what microbial changes are associated with increased obesity prevalence and what kind of prevention and treatment approaches it could provide. Moreover, the influence of the gut-brain axis on obesity is also crucial, since it can affect metabolism and food intake. The quantitative and qualitative changes in the microbiota composition are called dysbiosis; however, in view of the current knowledge, it is difficult to conclude which microbial imbalances are adverse or beneficial. Increased numbers of pathological microorganisms were observed among patients with obesity and comorbidities associated with it, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and insulin resistance. Our review provides current knowledge regarding changes in the intestinal microbiota associated with obesity and obesity-associated comorbidities. Nevertheless, given that dietary patterns and nutrients are two of the factors affecting the intestinal microbiota, we also discuss the role of different dietary approaches, vitamins, and minerals in the shaping of the intestinal microbiota.
Comparative Analysis of Carbohydrate Active Enzymes in the Flammulina velutipes var. lupinicola Genome
Authors: Yu Hye-Won , Im Ji-Hoon , Kong Won-Sik , Park Young-Jin
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine the genome sequence of Flammulina velutipes var. lupinicola based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) and to identify the genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) in the genome. The optimal assembly (71 kmer) based on ABySS de novo assembly revealed a total length of 33,223,357 bp (49.53% GC content). A total of 15,337 gene structures were identified in the F.velutipes var. lupinicola genome using ab initio gene prediction method with Funannotate pipeline. Analysis of the orthologs revealed that 11,966 (96.6%) out of the 15,337 predicted genes belonged to the orthogroups and 170 genes were specific for F. velutipes var. lupinicola. CAZymes are divided into six classes: auxiliary activities (AAs), glycosyltransferases (GTs), carbohydrate esterases (CEs), polysaccharide lyases (PLs), glycoside hydrolases (GHs), and carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs). A total of 551 genes encoding CAZymes were identified in the F. velutipes var. lupinicola genome by analyzing the dbCAN meta server database (HMMER, Hotpep, and DIAMOND searches), which consisted of 54–95 AAs, 145–188 GHs, 55–73 GTs, 6–19 PLs, 13–59 CEs, and 7–67 CBMs. CAZymes can be widely used to produce bio-based products (food, paper, textiles, animal feed, and biofuels). Therefore, information about the CAZyme repertoire of the F. velutipes var. lupinicola genome will help in understanding the lignocellulosic machinery and in-depth studies will provide opportunities for using this fungus for biotechnological and industrial applications.
Bacterial Succession through the Artisanal Process and Seasonal Effects Defining Bacterial Communities of Raw-Milk Adobera Cheese Revealed by High Throughput DNA Sequencing
Authors: Ruvalcaba-Gómez José M. , Delgado-Macuil Raúl J. , Zelaya-Molina Lily X. , Maya-Lucas Otoniel , Ruesga-Gutiérrez Edmundo , Anaya-Esparza Luis M. , Villagrán-de la Mora Zuamí , López-de la Mora David A. , Arteaga-Garibay Ramón I.
Published: December 2020

The bacterial community of the artisanal Adobera cheese from Los Altos de Jalisco was described through high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene libraries. Samples were collected in two different seasons (dry and rainy) during four key steps of the manufacturing process (raw milk, fresh curd, matured curd, and cheese). Bacterial diversity was higher in early steps in comparison with the final elaboration stages. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the most abundant phyla, strongly represented by the Streptococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Lactobacillaceae families, and core bacteria genera such as Streptococcus spp., Lactococcus spp., and Lactobacillus spp. Undesirable bacteria, including Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp., were also detected in raw milk but almost undetectable at the end of the cheese manufacturing process, and seemed to be displaced by lactic-acid bacteria-related genera. Seasonal effects were observed on the community structure but did not define the core microbiota composition. Predictive metabolism was related to membrane transport, and amino-acid, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism pathways. Our results contribute to deduce the role of bacteria involved in Adobera cheese manufacturing in terms of the metabolism involved, cheese microbial safety, and how undesirable bacterial populations could be regulated by process standardization as a potential tool to improve safety.
Tularemia as a Mosquito-Borne Disease
Authors: Abdellahoum Zakaria , Maurin Max , Bitam Idir
Published: December 2020

Francisella tularensis (Ft) is the etiological agent of tularemia, a disease known for over 100 years in the northern hemisphere. Ft includes four subspecies, of which two are the etiologic agents of tularemia: Ft subsp. tularensis (Ftt) and Ft subsp. holarctica (Fth), mainly distributed in North America and the whole northern hemisphere, respectively. Several routes of human infection with these bacteria exist, notably through bites of Ixodidae ticks. However, mosquitoes represent the main vectors of Fth in Scandinavia, where large tularemia outbreaks have occurred, usually during the warm season. The mechanisms making mosquitoes vectors of Fth are still unclear. This review covers the inventory of research work and epidemiological data linking tularemia to mosquitoes in Scandinavia and highlights the gaps in understanding mosquitoes and Ft interactions.
Black Phosphorus as Multifaceted Advanced Material Nanoplatforms for Potential Biomedical Applications
Authors: Pandey Abhijeet , Nikam Ajinkya N. , Fernandes Gasper , Kulkarni Sanjay , Padya Bharath Singh , Prassl Ruth , Das Subham , Joseph Alex , Deshmukh Prashant K. , Patil Pravin O. , Mutalik Srinivas
Published: December 2020

Black phosphorus is one of the emerging members of two-dimensional (2D) materials which has recently entered the biomedical field. Its anisotropic properties and infrared bandgap have enabled researchers to discover its applicability in several fields including optoelectronics, 3D printing, bioimaging, and others. Characterization techniques such as Raman spectroscopy have revealed the structural information of Black phosphorus (BP) along with its fundamental properties, such as the behavior of its photons and electrons. The present review provides an overview of synthetic approaches and properties of BP, in addition to a detailed discussion about various types of surface modifications available for overcoming the stability-related drawbacks and for imparting targeting ability to synthesized nanoplatforms. The review further gives an overview of multiple characterization techniques such as spectroscopic, thermal, optical, and electron microscopic techniques for providing an insight into its fundamental properties. These characterization techniques are not only important for the analysis of the synthesized BP but also play a vital role in assessing the doping as well as the structural integrity of BP-based nanocomposites. The potential role of BP and BP-based nanocomposites for biomedical applications specifically, in the fields of drug delivery, 3D printing, and wound dressing, have been discussed in detail to provide an insight into the multifunctional role of BP-based nanoplatforms for the management of various diseases, including cancer therapy. The review further sheds light on the role of BP-based 2D platforms such as BP nanosheets along with BP-based 0D platforms—i.e., BP quantum dots in the field of therapy and bioimaging of cancer using techniques such as photoacoustic imaging and fluorescence imaging. Although the review inculcates the multimodal therapeutic as well as imaging role of BP, there is still research going on in this field which will help in the development of BP-based theranostic platforms not only for cancer therapy, but various other diseases.
Comparison of Nanomaterials with Other Unconventional Materials Used as Additives for Soil Improvement in the Context of Sustainable Development: A Review
Authors: Liu Gang , Zhang Chong , Zhao Mingzhi , Guo Wenbo , Luo Qiang
Published: December 2020

Since the concept of sustainable development enjoys popular support in the 21st century, various kinds of unconventional materials were introduced for soil improvement in the past few decades to replace the traditional materials like concrete and lime. This paper compared nanomaterials with other three kinds of representative unconventional materials to demonstrate its superiority in soil treatment. The other three kinds of unconventional materials include microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP), recycled tire and environmental fiber. Nanomaterial and MICP have a comprehensive effect on soil reinforcement, since they can improve shear strength, adjust permeability, resist liquefaction and purify the environment. Recycled tire and environmental fibers are granular materials that are mostly adopted to reinforce reconstituted soil. The reinforcement mechanisms and effects of these four kinds of unconventional materials are discussed in detail, and their price/performance ratios are calculated to make an evaluation about their market application prospects. It can be seen that nanomaterials have promising prospects. Colloidal silica, bentonite and laponite present a satisfactory effect on liquefaction mitigation for sandy foundation, and carbon nanotube has an aptitude for unconfined compressive strength improvement. Among the investigated nanomaterials, colloidal silica is the closest to scale market application. Despite the advantages of nanomaterials adopted as additives for soil improvement, they are known for unwanted interactions with different biological objects at the cell level. Nevertheless, research on nanomaterials that are adopted for soil improvement are very promising and can intensify the relationship between sustainable development and geotechnical engineering through innovative techniques.
The Tip Region on VP2 Protein of Bluetongue Virus Contains Potential IL-4-Inducing Amino Acid Peptide Segments
Authors: Yang Jia-Ling , Chang Chia-Yi , Sheng Chih-Shuan , Wang Chia-Chi , Wang Fun-In
Published: December 2020

Bluetongue is an infectious viral hemorrhagic disease of domestic and wild ruminants that has a considerable economic impact on domestic ruminants. There are currently at least 29 serotypes of bluetongue virus (BTV) in the world. Noteworthily, the pathogenesis among BTV serotypes is different, even in the same animal species. In this study, BTV2/KM/2003 and BTV12/PT/2003 were used to investigate the differential immunological effects on bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The BTV viral load and the expression of cytokine messenger RNA (mRNA) in PBMCs were measured by fluorescence-based real-time reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). The immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was applied to detect BTV signals in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). The SWISS-MODEL and IL-4pred prediction tools were used to predict the interleukin 4 (IL-4)-inducing peptides in BTV-coat protein VP2. Synthetic peptides of VP2 were used to stimulate PBMCs for IL-4-inducing capability. This study demonstrated that the cytokine profiles of BTV-induced PBMCs were significantly different between BTV2/KM/2003 and BTV12/PT/2003. BTV2 preferentially activated the T helper 2 (Th2) pathway, represented by the early induction of IL-4, and likely fed back to inhibit the innate immunity. In contrast, BTV12 preferentially activated the innate immunity, represented by the induction of tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 (IL-1), with only minimal subsequent IL-4. The BTV nonstructural protein 3 antibody (anti-BTV-NS3) fluorescent signals demonstrated that monocytes in PBMCs and MDMs were the preferred targets of BTV replication. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the capability to induce IL-4 was attributed to the tip region of the VP2 protein, wherein a higher number of predicted peptide segments on BTVs were positively correlated with the allergic reaction reported in cattle. Synthetic peptides of BTV2-VP2 induced significant IL-4 within 12–24 h post-infection (hpi) in PBMCs, whereas those of BTV12 did not, consistent with the bioinformatics prediction. Bovine PBMCs and synthetic peptides together seem to serve as a good model for pursuing the BTV-induced IL-4 activity that precedes the development of an allergic reaction, although further optimization of the protocol is warranted.
Factors Impacting Pharmaceutical Prices and Affordability: Narrative Review
Authors: Lee Kah Seng , Kassab Yaman Walid , Taha Nur Akmar , Zainal Zainol Akbar
Published: December 2020

Increasing prescription drug pricing often reflects additional work stress on medical professionals because they function as financial advisors for patients and help them manage out-of-pocket expenses. Providers or prescribers wish to help patients with prescription costs but often lack related information. Healthcare plan providers try to display prescription and drug cost information on their websites, but such data may not be linked to electronic prescription software. A mark-up is defined as the additional charges and costs that are applied to the price of a product for the purpose of covering overhead costs, distribution charges, and profit. Therefore, the policies implemented in the pharmaceutical distribution chain might include the regulation of wholesale and retails mark-ups and pharmaceutical remuneration. If mark-ups are regulated, countries are highly recommended to use regressive mark-ups rather than fixed percentage mark-ups. This narrative review provides insights into the framework of pharmaceutical mark-up systems by describing different factors impacting pharmaceutical prices and affordability. These include the interplay of medicine pricing and the supply chain, the impact of pertinent laws and regulation and out-of-pocket expenditure.
Transverse Load and Temperature Sensing Using Multiplexed Long-Period Fiber Gratings
Authors: Torres-Gómez Ismael , Martínez-Rios Alejandro , Anzueto-Sánchez Gilberto , Ceballos-Herrera Daniel. E. , Salceda-Delgado Guillermo
Published: December 2020

The simultaneous measurement of transverse load and temperature using two long-period fiber gratings multiplexed in the wavelength domain is presented experimentally. For this, a mechanically induced long-period fiber grating (MI-LPFG) and a long-period fiber grating inscribed by a continuous-wave CO2 laser (CO2 LPFG) are connected in cascade. First, the transverse load and the temperature measurements were individually performed by the multiplexed long-period fiber gratings configuration. The MI-LPFG is subject to a transverse load variation from 0–2000 g with steps of 500 g, whereas the CO2 LPFG is unloaded and they are kept at room temperature. Similarly, the CO2 LPFG is subject to a temperature variation from 30 to 110 °C by increments of 20 °C, while the MI-LPFG with a constant transverse load of 2000 g is kept at room temperature. Subsequently, the simultaneous measurement of the transverse load and the temperature is performed by the multiplexed long-period fiber grating following the steps outlined above. According to the experimental results, the transverse load and temperature measurement present high repeatability for the individual and simultaneous process. Moreover, the multiplexed LPFGs exhibit low cladding-mode crosstalk of transverse load and temperature. The coarse wavelength-division multiplexing (CWDM) of long-period fiber gratings is an attractive alternative technique in optical fiber distributed sensing applications.
Development and Application of Gene-Specific Markers for Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus Resistance in Both Field and Artificial Infections
Authors: Lee Jang Hee , Chung Dae Jun , Lee Je Min , Yeam Inhwa
Published: December 2020

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) is a disease that is damaging to tomato production worldwide. Resistance to TYLCV has been intensively investigated, and single resistance genes such as Ty-1 have been widely deployed in breeding programs. However, resistance-breaking incidences are frequently reported, and achieving durable resistance against TYLCV in the field is important. In this study, gene-specific markers for Ty-2 and ty-5, and closely-linked markers for Ty-4 were developed and applied to distinguish TYLCV resistance in various tomato genotypes. Quantitative infectivity assays using both natural infection in the field and artificial inoculation utilizing infectious TYLCV clones in a growth chamber were optimized and performed to investigate the individual and cumulative levels of resistance. We confirmed that Ty-2 could also be an effective source of resistance for TYLCV control, together with Ty-1. Improvement of resistance as a result of gene-pyramiding was speculated, and breeding lines including both Ty-1 and Ty-2 showed the strongest resistance in both field and artificial infections.
The Effect of Slurry Wet Mixing Time, Thermal Treatment, and Method of Electrode Preparation on Membrane Capacitive Deionisation Performance
Authors: Botha Ebrahiem , Smith Nafeesah , Hlabano-Moyo Bongibethu , Bladergroen Bernard
Published: December 2020

Capacitive deionisation (CDI) electrodes with identical composition were prepared using three deposition methods: (1) slurry infiltration by calendering (SIC), (2) ink infiltration dropwise (IID), and (3) ink deposition by spray coating (IDSC). The SIC method clearly showed favourable establishment of an electrode with superior desalination capacity. Desalination results showed that electrodes produced from slurries mixed longer than 30 min displayed a significant reduction in the maximum salt adsorption capacity, due to the agglomeration of carbon black. The electrodes were then thermally treated at 130, 250, and 350 °C. Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) decomposition was observed when the electrodes were treated at temperatures higher than 180 °C. The electrodes treated at 350 °C showed contact angles of θ = 0°. The optimised electrodes showed a salt adsorption capacity value of 24.8 mg/g (130 °C). All CDI electrodes were analysed using specific surface area by N2 adsorption, contact angle measurements, conductivity by the four-point probe method and salt adsorption/desorption experiments. Selected reagents and CDI electrodes were characterised using thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry (TGA-MS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), as well as scanning electron microscopy energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Electrode structure and the development of the critical balance between ion- and electron- conductive pathways were found to be a function of the electrode slurry mixing procedure, slurry deposition technique and thermal treatment of the electrodes.
Static and Dynamic Analysis of a 6300 KN Cold Orbital Forging Machine
Authors: Gu Zhiqiang , Chen Mingzhang , Wang Chaoyang , Zhuang Wuhao
Published: December 2020

In cold orbital forging (COF) processes, large stress, displacement and vertical vibration of the COF machine are bad for the quality of the part and the fatigue life of the COF machine. It is necessary to investigate the static and dynamic performance of the COF machine and provide methods for reducing the stress, displacement and vertical vibration of the COF machine. In this paper, finite element analysis, theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and experimental analysis were applied to study the static and dynamic performance of a 6300 KN COF machine. The static and dynamic analyses were verified effectively by carrying out strain and vertical vibration test experiments. In the static analysis, the large stress and displacement positions of the COF machine were mainly distributed near the working table and the junction between the working table and the column. Large stress and displacement will be bad for the quality of the part and the fatigue life of the COF machine. Structural optimizations of the COF machine include ribbed plates on the working table and beam. This structural optimization method of the COF machine obviously reduced the stress and displacement of the COF machine. When the angular velocities of the eccentric rings were 8π rad/s, the vertical vibration of the swing shaft is a low-frequency vibration. The existence of absorber obviously reduced the vertical vibration of the COF machine.
Ad-Dressing Stem Cells: Hydrogels for Encapsulation
Authors: Kandilogiannakis Leonidas , Filidou Eirini , Kolios George , Paspaliaris Vasilis
Published: December 2020

Regenerative medicine is a novel scientific field that employs the use of stem cells as cell-based therapy for the regeneration and functional restoration of damaged tissues and organs. Stem cells bear characteristics such as the capacity for self-renewal and differentiation towards specific lineages and, therefore, serve as a backup reservoir in case of tissue injuries. Therapeutically, they can be autologously or allogeneically transplanted for tissue regeneration; however, allogeneic stem cell transplantation can provoke host immune responses leading to a host-versus-transplant reaction. A probable solution to this problem is stem cell encapsulation, a technique that utilizes various biomaterials for the creation of a semi-permeable membrane that encases the stem cells. Stem cell encapsulation can be accomplished by employing a great variety of natural and/or synthetic hydrogels and offers many benefits in regenerative medicine, including protection from the host’s immune system and mechanical stress, improved cell viability, proliferation and differentiation, cryopreservation and controlled and continuous delivery of the stem-cell-secreted therapeutic agents. Here, in this review, we report and discuss almost all natural and synthetic hydrogels used in stem cell encapsulation, along with the benefits that these materials, alone or in combination, could offer to cell therapy through functional cell encapsulation.
Risk Assessment of Investments in Projects of Production of Raw Materials for Bioethanol
Authors: Tryhuba Anatoliy , Hutsol Taras , Tryhuba Inna , Pokotylska Nataliia , Kovalenko Nataliia , Tabor Sylwester , Kwasniewski Dariusz
Published: December 2020

The proposed approach to quantitative assessment of the risk of investor’s profit in projects for the production of raw materials for bioethanol involves the implementation of eight stages. It systematically takes into account the stochastic nature of many factors that determine the amount of investments in the project, as well as the stochastic nature of the market value of raw materials. The use of the proposed approach makes it possible to obtain an accurate assessment of the level of risk of investors in projects for the production of raw materials for bioethanol, taking into account the requirements of investors. Based on the use of the developed application software, stochastic models of profit of investors in projects for the production of raw materials for wheat bioethanol and patterns of changes in their risk for the Western region of Ukraine are obtained. It is established that with the growth of the minimum expected profit of investors of projects from 10 to 70$/ton, the probability of its receipt varies from 0.89 to 0.34. According to a reasonable scale, the level of risk of making a profit by investors in projects for the production of raw materials for bioethanol from wheat varies from acceptable to high.
Ultrasonic Intensification of Mass Transfer in Organic Acid Extraction
Authors: Gradov Oleg M. , Zakhodyaeva Yulia A. , Zinov’eva Inna V. , Voshkin Andrey A.
Published: December 2020

The mechanism of ultrasonic extraction was discovered and analyzed in detail for the liquid membrane technique from the consideration of the specific features of the radial vibrations of a droplet of the dispersed phase placed into an immiscible continuous phase subjected to ultrasonic irradiation. Analytical formulas were derived for the rate of mass transfer as a function of the amplitude of acoustic pressure oscillations and the time of ultrasonic treatment of an extraction system. Conditions for achieving the maximum efficiency of the extraction of a substance under the stimulating effect of ultrasound were analyzed. A nonlinear equation was derived for the radial vibrations of a spherical droplet of the dispersed phase in an immiscible continuous phase under forcing in the form of acoustic pressure periodically changing with time. Experimental study of the dependence of sulfosalicylic acid distribution on time in an aqueous two-phase system with ultrasound shows good agreement of experimental results with the calculations performed.
The Role of Buddhist Studies in Fostering Metadisciplinary Conversations and Improving Pedagogical Collaborations
Authors: Salguero C. Pierce
Published: December 2020

Buddhist studies has been at the center of a number of pedagogical experiments that have emerged on my campus over the last five years in response to Penn State University’s general education reform introducing an integrative studies requirement. The first half of this paper introduces two of these interdisciplinary collaborations. I discuss the structure and goals of these two courses and detail how I integrated Buddhist Studies into the design of each. In the second half of the paper, I describe how the practice of what I call “metadisciplinarity” can help to avoid some of the pitfalls commonly faced in interdisciplinary collaborations. I discuss both how to engage in metadisciplinary reflection and communication and the strengths that Buddhist studies scholars can bring to this kind of pedagogical collaboration based on some core features of our field.
Fisibilillah: Labor as Learning on the Sufi Path
Authors: Carter Youssef
Published: December 2020

At the core of this study of spiritual empowerment and Black Atlantic Sufism lies the pre-occupation of understanding precisely the manner by which particular Muslim subjectivities are fashioned within the bounds of the Mustafawi Sufi tradition of religious cultivation through charitable giving and community service in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. This article examines Black Atlantic Muslim religiosities and argues that West African Sufism in diasporic context—which draws upon nonwestern theories of the body and theories of the soul—can be theorized as a philosophy of freedom and decoloniality. In the American South, spiritual empowerment becomes possible through varying forms of care and bodily practice that take place in a mosque that is situated on a former slave plantation. Meanwhile, that empowerment takes place through discourses on Islamic piety and heightened religiosity in a postcolonial Senegal. Spiritual empowerment occurs, as I show, through attending to the body and spirit as students connect themselves, via West African Sufism, to a tradition of inward mastery and bodily discipline through philanthropic efforts.
Erratum: Wang, Q.; Ni-Meister, W. Forest Canopy Height and Gaps from Multiangular BRDF, Assessed with Airborne LiDAR Data (Short Title: Vegetation Structure from Lidar and Multiangular Data). Remote Sens. 2019, 11, 2566
Authors: Wang Qiang , Ni-Meister Wenge
Published: December 2020

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Ultra Stable Molecular Sensors by Submicron Referencing and Why They Should Be Interrogated by Optical Diffraction—Part II. Experimental Demonstration
Authors: Frutiger Andreas , Gatterdam Karl , Blickenstorfer Yves , Reichmuth Andreas Michael , Fattinger Christof , Vörös János
Published: December 2020

Label-free optical biosensors are an invaluable tool for molecular interaction analysis. Over the past 30 years, refractometric biosensors and, in particular, surface plasmon resonance have matured to the de facto standard of this field despite a significant cross reactivity to environmental and experimental noise sources. In this paper, we demonstrate that sensors that apply the spatial affinity lock-in principle (part I) and perform readout by diffraction overcome the drawbacks of established refractometric biosensors. We show this with a direct comparison of the cover refractive index jump sensitivity as well as the surface mass resolution of an unstabilized diffractometric biosensor with a state-of-the-art Biacore 8k. A combined refractometric diffractometric biosensor demonstrates that a refractometric sensor requires a much higher measurement precision than the diffractometric to achieve the same resolution. In a conceptual and quantitative discussion, we elucidate the physical reasons behind and define the figure of merit of diffractometric biosensors. Because low-precision unstabilized diffractometric devices achieve the same resolution as bulky stabilized refractometric sensors, we believe that label-free optical sensors might soon move beyond the drug discovery lab as miniaturized, mass-produced environmental/medical sensors. In fact, combined with the right surface chemistry and recognition element, they might even bring the senses of smell/taste to our smart devices.
Digital Health in Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention: A Search for the Ideal Tool
Authors: Falter Maarten , Scherrenberg Martijn , Dendale Paul
Published: December 2020

Digital health is becoming more integrated in daily medical practice. In cardiology, patient care is already moving from the hospital to the patients’ homes, with large trials showing positive results in the field of telemonitoring via cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), monitoring of pulmonary artery pressure via implantable devices, telemonitoring via home-based non-invasive sensors, and screening for atrial fibrillation via smartphone and smartwatch technology. Cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention are modalities that could greatly benefit from digital health integration, as current compliance and cardiac rehabilitation participation rates are low and optimisation is urgently required. This viewpoint offers a perspective on current use of digital health technologies in cardiac rehabilitation, heart failure and secondary prevention. Important barriers which need to be addressed for implementation in medical practice are discussed. To conclude, a future ideal digital tool and integrated healthcare system are envisioned. To overcome personal, technological, and legal barriers, technological development should happen in dialog with patients and caregivers. Aided by digital technology, a future could be realised in which we are able to offer high-quality, affordable, personalised healthcare in a patient-centred way.
Deformation Prediction of Unstable Slopes Based on Real-Time Monitoring and DeepAR Model
Authors: Dong Mei , Wu Hongyu , Hu Hui , Azzam Rafig , Zhang Liang , Zheng Zengrong , Gong Xiaonan
Published: December 2020

With increased urbanization, accidents related to slope instability are frequently encountered in construction sites. The deformation and failure mechanism of a landslide is a complex dynamic process, which seriously threatens people’s lives and property. Currently, prediction and early warning of a landslide can be effectively performed by using Internet of Things (IoT) technology to monitor the landslide deformation in real time and an artificial intelligence algorithm to predict the deformation trend. However, if a slope failure occurs during the construction period, the builders and decision-makers find it challenging to effectively apply IoT technology to monitor the emergency and assist in proposing treatment measures. Moreover, for projects during operation (e.g., a motorway in a mountainous area), no recognized artificial intelligence algorithm exists that can forecast the deformation of steep slopes using the huge data obtained from monitoring devices. In this context, this paper introduces a real-time wireless monitoring system with multiple sensors for retrieving high-frequency overall data that can describe the deformation feature of steep slopes. The system was installed in the Qili connecting line of a motorway in Zhejiang Province, China, to provide a technical support for the design and implementation of safety solutions for the steep slopes. Most of the devices were retained to monitor the slopes even after construction. The machine learning Probabilistic Forecasting with Autoregressive Recurrent Networks (DeepAR) model based on time series and probabilistic forecasting was introduced into the project to predict the slope displacement. The predictive accuracy of the DeepAR model was verified by the mean absolute error, the root mean square error and the goodness of fit. This study demonstrates that the presented monitoring system and the introduced predictive model had good safety control ability during construction and good prediction accuracy during operation. The proposed approach will be helpful to assess the safety of excavated slopes before constructing new infrastructures.
A Navigation Probability Map in Pedestrian Dynamic Environment Based on Influencer Recognition Model
Authors: Qiao Zhi , Zhao Lijun , Jiang Xinkai , Gu Le , Li Ruifeng
Published: December 2020

One of the challenging problems in robot navigation is efficient and safe planning in a highly dynamic environment, where the robot is required to understand pedestrian patterns in the environment, such as train station. The rapid movement of pedestrians makes the robot more difficult to solve the collision problem. In this paper, we propose a navigation probability map to solve the pedestrians’ rapid movement problem based on the influencer recognition model (IRM). The influencer recognition model (IRM) is a data-driven model to infer a distribution over possible causes of pedestrian’s turning. With this model, we can obtain a navigation probability map by analyzing the changes in the effective pedestrian trajectory. Finally, we combined navigation probability map and artificial potential field (APF) method to propose a robot navigation method and verified it on our data-set, which is an unobstructed, overlooked pedestrians’ data-set collected by us.
Hybrid LPG-FBG Based High-Resolution Micro Bending Strain Sensor
Authors: Lee Song-Bi , Jung Young-Jun , Choi Hun-Kook , Sohn Ik-Bu , Lee Joo-Hyeon
Published: December 2020

Sensitivity and reliability are essential factors for the practical implementation of a wearable sensor. This study explores the possibility of using a hybrid high-resolution Bragg grating sensor for achieving a fast response to dynamic, continuous motion and Bragg signal pattern monitoring measurement. The wavelength shift pattern for real-time monitoring in picometer units was derived by using femtosecond laser Bragg grating processing on an optical wave path with long-period grating. The possibility of measuring the demodulation system’s Bragg signal pattern on the reflection spectrum of the femtosecond laser precision Bragg process and the long-period grating was confirmed. By demonstrating a practical method of wearing the sensor, the application of wearables was also explored. It is possible to present the applicability of sophisticated micro transformation measurement applications in picometer units.
Virtual IP-Based Secure Gatekeeper System for Internet of Things
Authors: Jung Younchan , Agulto Ronnel
Published: December 2020

The advantage of using the Network Address Translation device is that the internal IP address, which makes the IP address space of Internet of Things (IoT) devices expanded, is invisible from the outside and safe from external attacks. However, the use of these private IPv4 addresses poses traversal problems, especially for the mobile IoTs to operate peer-to-peer applications. An alternative solution is to use IPv6 technologies for future IoT devices. However, IPv6 package, including IPSec, is too complex to apply to the IoT device because it is a technology developed for the user terminal with enough computing power. This paper proposes a gatekeeper to enable the real IP addresses of IoTs inside the same subnetwork to be not explicitly addressable and visible from outside of the gatekeeper. Each IoT device publishes its virtual IP address via the Registrar Server or Domain Name System (DNS) with which the gatekeeper shares the address mapping information. While the gatekeeper maintains the mapping information for the local IoT devices, the registration server or DNS has global address mapping information so that any peer can reach the mapping information. All incoming and outgoing packets must pass through the gatekeeper responsible for the address conversion and security checks for them from the entrance. This paper aims to apply our gatekeeper system to a platform of self-driving cars that allows surrounding IoT cameras and autonomous vehicles to communicate with each other securely, safely, and rapidly. So, this paper finally analyzes improvement effects on latency to show that our gatekeeper system guarantees the latency goal of 20 ms under the environment of 5G links.
Lateral Flow Serodiagnosis in the Double-Antigen Sandwich Format: Theoretical Consideration and Confirmation of Advantages
Authors: Sotnikov Dmitriy V. , Zherdev Anatoly V. , Dzantiev Boris B.
Published: December 2020

Determination of the presence in the blood of antibodies specific to the causative agent of a particular disease (serodiagnosis) is an effective approach in medical analytical chemistry. Serodiagnostics performed in the lateral flow immunoassay format (immunochromatography) meet the modern requirements for point-of-care testing and are supported by existing technologies of large-scale diagnostic tests production, thus increasing the amount of attention in a tense epidemiological situation. For traditional lateral flow serodiagnostics formats, a large number of nonspecific immunoglobulins in the sample significantly reduces the degree of detectable binding. To overcome these limitations, an assay based on the formation of immobilized antigen-specific antibody-labeled antigen complexes detection was proposed. However, the requirements for its implementation, providing maximum sensitivity, have not been established. This article describes the mathematical model for the above assay. The influence of the ratio of reagent concentrations on the analysis results is considered. It is noted that the formation of specific antibody complexes with several labeled antigens is the main limiting factor in reducing the detection limit, and methods are proposed to minimize this factor. Recommendations for the choice of the assay conditions, following from the analysis of the model, are confirmed experimentally.
Titanium Nitride Thin Film Based Low-Redox-Interference Potentiometric pH Sensing Electrodes
Authors: Paul Shylendra Shimrith , Lonsdale Wade , Wajrak Magdalena , Nur-E-Alam Mohammad , Alameh Kamal
Published: December 2020

In this work, a solid-state potentiometric pH sensor is designed by incorporating a thin film of Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtered (RFMS) Titanium Nitride (TiN) working electrode and a commercial Ag|AgCl|KCl double junction reference electrode. The sensor shows a linear pH slope of −59.1 mV/pH, R2 = 0.9997, a hysteresis as low as 1.2 mV, and drift below 3.9 mV/h. In addition, the redox interference performance of TiN electrodes is compared with that of Iridium Oxide (IrO2) counterparts. Experimental results show −32 mV potential shift (E0 value) in 1 mM ascorbic acid (reducing agent) for TiN electrodes, and this is significantly lower than the −114 mV potential shift of IrO2 electrodes with sub-Nernstian sensitivity. These results are most encouraging and pave the way towards the development of miniaturized, cost-effective, and robust pH sensors for difficult matrices, such as wine and fresh orange juice.
Service Design Management and Organizational Innovation Performance
Authors: Lee Seonghye , Oh Hae Young , Choi Jeongil
Published: December 2020

With the transformation of the industrial paradigm from the manufacturing industry to the service industry, many companies have utilized “service design” as an innovative performance tool to enhance customer satisfaction while increasing organizational efficiency. While interest in the use of service design or its methodology has increased in organizations, research on the factors that influence organizational innovation and performance through service design is lacking. Therefore, this study aims to explore which service design management factors affect service innovation performance. For empirical analysis, a survey was conducted on Korean companies applying service design methodologies, and hypotheses were verified through partial least square structural equations modeling (PLS-SEM). According to the analysis, top management support and customer focus influenced concept transformation, and stakeholder collaboration and customer focus affected process improvement. Conceptual transformation and internal process improvement were shown to have a positive impact on perceived service innovation. Finally, innovative service outcomes, through the application of service design, satisfied customers, which in turn increased organizational performance. This study has great significance in that it addresses the application of service design to management activities.