bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gait Phase Recognition Using Deep Convolutional Neural Network with Inertial Measurement Units
Authors: Su Binbin , Smith Christian , Gutierrez Farewik Elena
Published: August 2020

Gait phase recognition is of great importance in the development of assistance-as-needed robotic devices, such as exoskeletons. In order for a powered exoskeleton with phase-based control to determine and provide proper assistance to the wearer during gait, the user’s current gait phase must first be identified accurately. Gait phase recognition can potentially be achieved through input from wearable sensors. Deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN) is a machine learning approach that is widely used in image recognition. User kinematics, measured from inertial measurement unit (IMU) output, can be considered as an ‘image’ since it exhibits some local ‘spatial’ pattern when the sensor data is arranged in sequence. We propose a specialized DCNN to distinguish five phases in a gait cycle, based on IMU data and classified with foot switch information. The DCNN showed approximately 97% accuracy during an offline evaluation of gait phase recognition. Accuracy was highest in the swing phase and lowest in terminal stance.
Membrane-Supported Recovery of Homogeneous Organocatalysts: A Review
Authors: Kisszékelyi Péter , Nagy Sándor , Fehér Zsuzsanna , Huszthy Péter , Kupai József
Published: August 2020

As catalysis plays a significant role in the development of economical and sustainable chemical processes, increased attention is paid to the recovery and reuse of high-value catalysts. Although homogeneous catalysts are usually more active and selective than the heterogeneous ones, both catalyst recycling and product separation pose a challenge for developing industrially feasible methods. In this respect, membrane-supported recovery of organocatalysts represents a particularly useful tool and a valid option for organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis. However, catalyst leaching/degradation and a subsequent decrease in selectivity/conversion are significant drawbacks. As the effectivity of the membrane separation depends mainly on the size of the catalyst in contrast to the other solutes, molecular weight enlargement of small organocatalysts is usually necessary. In the last few years, several synthetic methodologies have been developed to facilitate their recovery by nanofiltration. With the aim of extending the possibilities for the membrane-supported recovery of organocatalysts further, this contribution presents a review of the existing synthetic approaches for the molecular weight enlargement of organocatalysts.
Influence of Climate Conditions on the Temporal Development of Wheat Yields in a Long-Term Experiment in an Area with Pleistocene Loess
Authors: Heil Kurt , Lehner Anna , Schmidhalter Urs
Published: August 2020

Field experiments were conducted to test different agronomic practices, such as soil cultivation, fertilization, and pest and weed management, in highly controlled plot cultivation. The inter-annual yields and the interpretation of such experiments is highly affected by the variability of climatic conditions and fertilization level. We examined the effect of different climate indices, such as winterkill, late spring frost, early autumn frost, different drought parameters, precipitation-free periods, and heat-related stress, on winter wheat yield. This experiment was conducted in an agricultural area with highly fertile conditions, characterized by a high available water capacity and considerable C and N contents in lower soil depths. Residuals were calculated from long-term yield trends with a validated method (time series autoregressive integrated moving average ARIMA) and these served as base values for the detection of climate-induced, short-term, and inter-annual variations. In a subsequent step, the real yield values were used for their derivations from climate factors. Residuals and real yields were correlated with climate variables in multiple regression of quantitative analyses of the yield sensitivity. The inter-annual variation of yields varied considerably within the observation period. However, the variation was less an effect of the climatic conditions during the main growing time periods, being more of an effect of the prevailing climate conditions in the winter period as well as of the transition periods from winter to the warmer season and vice versa. The high storage capacity of plant available water exerted a remarkable dampening effect on drought-induced effects during the main vegetation periods. Increasing fertilization led to increased susceptibility to drought stress. The results indicate a changed picture of the yield development in these fertile locations.
Coating Process Parameters and Structural Properties of the Tubular Electrodes of Fuel Cells Based on a Self-Made Coating Device
Authors: Ni Hongjun , Zhang Jiaqiao , Lv Shuaishuai , Wang Xingxing , Pei Yi , Li Fei
Published: August 2020

The electrode is one of the most important components of tubular direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC), and the coating process directly determines its performance. In the present research, a tubular electrode coating device was designed based on planetary gear structures, and the influence of the coating process parameters on the electrode structure’s performance was studied. The experimental results show that: the coating layer on the electrode surface prepared by the self-made device is uniform and dense, and the coating surface quality is better than a manual coating. The best coating environment temperature is 30–40 °C, and the coating spindle speed is 6.67 r/min. Under the condition in which Nafion 117 is used as the proton exchange membrane, the fuel cell is placed in 1 mol/L H2SO4 + 0.5 mol/L CH3OH electrolyte, and high-purity oxygen is fed at a rate of 100 mL/min, the power density of the electrode coated by the self-made device can reach 20.50 mW/cm2, which is about 2.4 times that of the electrode coated manually.
Ablation of BaWO4 Crystal by Ultrashort Laser Pulses
Authors: Kinyaevskiy Igor , Danilov Pavel , Smirnov Nikita , Kudryashov Sergey , Koribut Andrey , Dunaeva Elizaveta , Voronina Irina , Andreev Yury , Ionin Andrey
Published: August 2020

Ablation of BaWO4 Raman crystals with different impurity concentrations by ultrashort laser pulses was experimentally studied. Laser pulses with duration varying from 0.3 ps to 1.6 ps at wavelengths of 515 nm and 1030 nm were applied. A single-pulse optical damage threshold of the crystal surface changed from 1.3 J/cm2 to 4.2 J/cm2 depending on the laser pulse parameters and BaWO4 crystal purity. The optical damage threshold under multi-pulse irradiation was an order of magnitude less.
Facilitation or Competition? Effects of Lions on Brown Hyaenas and Leopards
Authors: Bashant Janelle , Somers Michael , Swanepoel Lourens , Dalerum Fredrik
Published: August 2020

Intra-guild interactions related to facilitation and competition can be strong forces structuring ecological communities and have been suggested as particularly prominent for large carnivores. The African lion (Panthera leo) is generally thought to be a dominant predator where it occurs and can be expected to have broad effects on sympatric carnivore communities. We used data from two small game reserves in northern South Africa to relate the presence of African lions to abundance, habitat use, diet, and prey selection of two sympatric large carnivores, brown hyaenas (Parahyaena brunnea) and leopards (Panthera pardus). Our results offered some support for the facilitative effects of lions on brown hyaenas, and competitive effects on leopards. However, differences between populations living without and with lions were restricted to broad diet composition and appear not to have permeated into differences in either prey selection, abundance or habitat use. Therefore, we suggest that the potential effects of lions on the predator–prey interactions of sympatric predators may have been context dependent or absent, and subsequently argue that lions may not necessarily influence the predator–prey dynamics in the landscapes they live in beyond those caused by their own predatory behaviour.
Stark Broadening of Co II Lines in Stellar Atmospheres
Authors: Majlinger Zlatko , Dimitrijević Milan S. , Srećković Vladimir A.
Published: August 2020

Data for Stark full widths at half maximum for 46 Co II multiplets were calculated using a modified semiempirical method. In order to show the applicability and usefulness of this set of data for research into white dwarf and A type star atmospheres, the obtained results were used to investigate the significance of the Stark broadening mechanism for Co II lines in the atmospheres of these objects. We examined the influence of surface gravity (log g), effective temperature and the wavelength of the spectral line on the importance of the inclusion of Stark broadening contribution in the profiles of the considered Co II spectral lines, for plasma conditions in atmospheric layers corresponding to different optical depths.
From Mouse to Man and Back: Closing the Correlation Gap between Imaging and Histopathology for Lung Diseases
Authors: Tielemans Birger , Dekoster Kaat , Verleden Stijn E. , Sawall Stefan , Leszczyński Bartosz , Laperre Kjell , Vanstapel Arno , Verschakelen Johny , Kachelriess Marc , Verbeken Erik , Swoger Jim , Vande Velde Greetje
Published: August 2020

Lung diseases such as fibrosis, asthma, cystic fibrosis, infection and cancer are life-threatening conditions that slowly deteriorate quality of life and for which our diagnostic power is high, but our knowledge on etiology and/or effective treatment options still contains important gaps. In the context of day-to-day practice, clinical and preclinical studies, clinicians and basic researchers team up and continuously strive to increase insights into lung disease progression, diagnostic and treatment options. To unravel disease processes and to test novel therapeutic approaches, investigators typically rely on end-stage procedures such as serum analysis, cyto-/chemokine profiles and selective tissue histology from animal models. These techniques are useful but provide only a snapshot of disease processes that are essentially dynamic in time and space. Technology allowing evaluation of live animals repeatedly is indispensable to gain a better insight into the dynamics of lung disease progression and treatment effects. Computed tomography (CT) is a clinical diagnostic imaging technique that can have enormous benefits in a research context too. Yet, the implementation of imaging techniques in laboratories lags behind. In this review we want to showcase the integrated approaches and novel developments in imaging, lung functional testing and pathological techniques that are used to assess, diagnose, quantify and treat lung disease and that may be employed in research on patients and animals. Imaging approaches result in often novel anatomical and functional biomarkers, resulting in many advantages, such as better insight in disease progression and a reduction in the numbers of animals necessary. We here showcase integrated assessment of lung disease with imaging and histopathological technologies, applied to the example of lung fibrosis. Better integration of clinical and preclinical imaging technologies with pathology will ultimately result in improved clinical translation of (therapy) study results.
Retroperitoneal Sarcomas: An Update on the Diagnostic Pathology Approach
Authors: Choi Joon Hyuk , Ro Jae Y.
Published: August 2020

Retroperitoneal sarcomas are a heterogenous group of rare tumors arising in the retroperitoneum. Retroperitoneal sarcomas comprise approximately 10% of all soft tissue sarcomas. Though any soft tissue sarcoma histologic types may arise in the retroperitoneal space, liposarcoma (especially well-differentiated and dedifferentiated types) and leiomyosarcoma do so most commonly. Retroperitoneal sarcomas are diagnostically challenging, owing to their diversity and morphological overlap with other tumors arising in the retroperitoneum. An accurate diagnosis is necessary for correct management and prognostication. Herein, we provide an update on the diagnostic approach to retroperitoneal sarcomas and review their key histologic findings and differential diagnoses.
Portuguese Principals’ Professional Development Needs and Preferred Learning Methods
Authors: Serrão Cunha Rosário , Tintoré Mireia , Cabral Ilídia , Matias Alves José
Published: August 2020

Due to the crucial role principals have on school outcomes, investing in their training is a cost-effective approach for schools’ improvement. Research shows that principals attribute pertinence to their ongoing professional development. However, little research has been conducted on principals’ training needs from their viewpoint, particularly in Portugal. Through individual interviews (n = 19) and a questionnaire (n = 117) to principals, we collected data that enable us to understand principals’ perceptions on their training needs, focusing on learning areas, skills to be developed and learning methods. Results show considerable variability, reinforcing the relevance of tailored and contextualised approaches to professional development. Globally, principals request management skills and training opportunities that enable them to develop leadership skills (e.g., personal, interpersonal/socioemotional). Moreover, principals need training on instructional and distributed leadership practices. Collaborative and reflective methods are the ones principals prefer. Practical implications for the design of systematic professional development practices, in a lifelong perspective, are also discussed.
Fleet Management and Control System for Medium-Sized Cities Based in Intelligent Transportation Systems: From Review to Proposal in a City
Authors: Rojas Beimar , Bolaños Cristhian , Salazar-Cabrera Ricardo , Ramírez-González Gustavo , Pachón de la Cruz Álvaro , Madrid Molina Juan Manuel
Published: August 2020

In medium-sized cities in developing countries, transit services without dedicated lanes have issues related to route compliance, schedules, speed control, and safety. An efficient way for dealing with this issue is the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), to implement a Fleet Management and Control Systems (FMCS). Such implementation can be performed using Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSs), which allow integration of services and adequate standardization. This article features: (a) a literature review, related to FMCS based on ITS and enabling technologies, (b) design of the ITS architecture of an FMCS, and (c) some advances in the development of the proposed FMCS in a Colombian city (Popayán). The results of the literature review allowed identifying the most important requirements of FMCS in order to design the ITS architecture and build a prototype featuring the suggested technologies. Finally, some experiments were performed to evaluate the operation of the developed prototype. The results showed evidence of adequate operation in sending and receiving messages from and to four prototypes developed for the vehicles, also complying with the established requirements of location, tracking, exchanged data, and security. This allows continuing the development of the proposed FMCS, with some adjustments.
The Effects of Halogenated Compounds on the Anaerobic Digestion of Macroalgae
Authors: Nielsen Birthe V , Maneein Supattra , Al Farid Md Mahmud , Milledge John J
Published: August 2020

The urgent need to replace fossil fuels has seen macroalgae advancing as a potential feedstock for anaerobic digestion. The natural methane productivity (dry weight per hectare) of seaweeds is greater than in many terrestrial plant systems. As part of their defence systems, seaweeds, unlike terrestrial plants, produce a range of halogenated secondary metabolites, especially chlorinated and brominated compounds. Some orders of brown seaweeds also accumulate iodine, up to 1.2% of their dry weight. Fluorine remains rather unusual within the chemical structure. Halogenated hydrocarbons have moderate to high toxicities. In addition, halogenated organic compounds constitute a large group of environmental chemicals due to their extensive use in industry and agriculture. In recent years, concerns over the environmental fate and release of these halogenated organic compounds have resulted in research into their biodegradation and the evidence emerging shows that many of these compounds are more easily degraded under strictly anaerobic conditions compared to aerobic biodegradation. Biosorption via seaweed has become an alternative to the existing technologies in removing these pollutants. Halogenated compounds are known inhibitors of methane production from ruminants and humanmade anaerobic digesters. The focus of this paper is reviewing the available information on the effects of halogenated organic compounds on anaerobic digestion.
Stability of the Plane Bingham–Poiseuille Flow in an Inclined Channel
Authors: Falsaperla Paolo , Giacobbe Andrea , Mulone Giuseppe
Published: August 2020

We study the stability of laminar Bingham–Poiseuille flows in a sheet of fluid (open channel) down an incline with constant slope angle β∈(0,π/2). This problem has geophysical applications to the evolution of landslides. In this article, we apply to this problem recent results of Falsaperla et al. for laminar Couette and Poiseuille flows of Newtonian fluids in inclined channels. The stability of the basic motion of the generalised Navier–Stokes system for a Bingham fluid in a horizontal channel against linear perturbations has been studied. In this article, we study the flows of a Bingham fluid when the channel is oblique and we prove a stabilizing effect of the Bingham parameter B. We also study the stability of the linear system with an energy method (Lyapunov functions) and prove that the streamwise perturbations are always stable, while the spanwise perturbations are energy-stable if the Reynolds number Re is less than the critical Reynolds number Rc obtained solving a generalised Orr equation of a maximum variational problem.
Changes in the Bacterial Diversity of Human Milk during Late Lactation Period (Weeks 21 to 48)
Authors: Marin-Gómez Wendy , Grande Mᵃ José , Pérez-Pulido Rubén , Galvez Antonio , Lucas Rosario
Published: August 2020

Breast milk from a single mother was collected during a 28-week lactation period. Bacterial diversity was studied by amplicon sequencing analysis of the V3-V4 variable region of the 16S rRNA gene. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the main phyla detected in the milk samples, followed by Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. The proportion of Firmicutes to Proteobacteria changed considerably depending on the sampling week. A total of 411 genera or higher taxons were detected in the set of samples. Genus Streptococcus was detected during the 28-week sampling period, at relative abundances between 2.0% and 68.8%, and it was the most abundant group in 14 of the samples. Carnobacterium and Lactobacillus had low relative abundances. At the genus level, bacterial diversity changed considerably at certain weeks within the studied period. The weeks or periods with lowest relative abundance of Streptococcus had more diverse bacterial compositions including genera belonging to Proteobacteria that were poorly represented in the rest of the samples.
Rapid Microbiological Assessment in Raw Milk: Validation of a Rapid Alternative Method for the Assessment of Microbiological Quality in Raw Milk
Authors: Marri Nicla , Losito Francesca , Le Boffe Loris , Giangolini Gilberto , Amatiste Simonetta , Murgia Lorenza , Arienzo Alyexandra , Antonini Giovanni
Published: August 2020

The consumption of dairy products and the dairy industry are one of the main global agri-food sectors for its size, economic importance, and level of technology. Microbiological quality of pasteurized milk or other milk products is dependent on microbiological quality of raw milk. A variety of microbiological count methods is available for monitoring the hygienic quality of raw milk. Among them, the pour plate method is the official essay for counting the number of colony-forming units in milk samples according to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) No. 4833-1:2013. The aim of the present study is the validation of the Micro Biological Survey (MBS) method, against the reference plate-count method, for the assessment of the microbiological quality of raw milk. This comparative study, performed in collaboration with the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana M. Aleandri (IZSLT), demonstrates the accuracy of this alternative method for the determination of total viable bacterial count in cow’s raw milk. The results obtained with the MBS method highlight its potential as a valid tool for reliable microbiological analysis in dairy industries.
Digitalization by Means of a Prototyping Process: The Case of a Brazilian Public Service
Authors: Gardenghi John L. , Pereira Lucas G. , Alcantara Shayane M. , Figueiredo Rejane M. C. , Ramos Cristiane S. , Ribeiro Luiz C. M.
Published: August 2020

Digital Transformation is under constant evolution. Organizations that were not already created in the digital environment need to digitalize their services. The process used to do so may involve not only elements of technology, but also social, political and organizational aspects. While there is no holistic method to implement digital transformation, organizations learn from successful cases in order to build their own way to implement digital transformation. This paper presents the process through which a physically delivered service provided by the Brazilian federal government was transformed into a digital service. This was performed with a prototyping approach made of six steps: diagnose the service, analyze the service, identify the requirements, and elaborate, verify, and validate the prototype. To perform the digitalization, an automation tool was used, and there was constant interaction with the service provider. This article offers a detailed process to implement digitalization by means of prototyping, which can be used by other organizations to make services digital.
The Effect of Limited Resources in the Dynamic Vehicle Routing Problem with Mixed Backhauls
Authors: Ninikas Georgios , Minis Ioannis
Published: August 2020

In the dynamic vehicle routing problem with mixed backhauls (DVRPMB) both pick up orders and delivery orders, not related to each other, are served. The requests of the former arrive dynamically while the latter are known a priori. In this study, we focus on the case of limited fleet, which fulfills all delivery orders, but may not have enough capacity to serve all pick up orders within the available working horizon. The problem’s dynamic nature and the attention to customer service raise interesting considerations, especially related to the problem’s objectives. The problem is solved through periodic re-optimization, acknowledging the fact that this pseudo-dynamic approach may lead to some limitations. For the underlying (static) optimization problem we propose appropriate objective functions, which account for vehicle productivity and propose a branch-and-price (BP) approach to solve it to optimality. The results indicate how the performance of the various objectives is impacted by different re-optimization frequencies and policies in this practically relevant environment of dynamic demand served by a limited fleet. Specifically, extensive experimentation indicates that accounting for vehicle productivity within a typical periodic re-optimization solution framework may result to higher customer service under a range of operational settings, in comparison to conventional objectives.
L-Arginine Modulates Neonatal Leukocyte Recruitment in a Gestational Age-Dependent Manner
Authors: Fitterer Raphaela , Lajqi Trim , Kranig Simon Alexander , Braun Maylis , Theissig Nicole , Kuss Navina , Pöschl Johannes , Frommhold David , Hudalla Hannes
Published: August 2020

(1) Background: L-arginine is a complex modulator of immune functions, and its levels are known to decrease under septic conditions. L-arginine may suppress leukocyte recruitment in vivo; however, little is known about the gestational age-specific effects of L-arginine on leukocyte recruitment in preterm infants. We now asked whether L-arginine alters leukocyte recruitment in preterm and term neonates. (2) Methods: Leukocytes were isolated from preterm (28 + 0 to 32 + 6 weeks of gestation) and term (>37 weeks of gestation) newborns as well as from healthy adults. After incubation with 10 µg/mL L-arginine, we assessed leukocyte rolling and adhesion in dynamic microflow chamber experiments and leukocyte transmigration in fluorescence assays. In addition, we measured the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Arginase 1 (Arg-1) in neutrophils by flow cytometry. (3) Results: Leukocyte rolling, adhesion, and transmigration increased with gestational age. Leukocyte rolling, adhesion, and transmigration were decreased by L-arginine in term-born infants and adults. Preterm leukocytes showed no change in recruitment upon L-arginine exposure. Leukocyte adhesion after L-arginine exposure reached similar levels among all groups. In line, the expression of iNOS and Arg-1 was similar in all three age groups. (4) Conclusion: L-arginine dampens the ex vivo recruitment capacity of leukocytes from term-born infants, whereas no effect was seen in premature infants. As levels of iNOS and Arg-1 in neutrophils remain ontogenetically unchanged, the anti-inflammatory effect of L-arginine on the leukocyte recruitment cascade needs further investigation. These results add to the controversial debate of L-arginine supplementation in premature infants in sepsis.
Clinical Characteristics, Treatments, and Outcomes of Patients with Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA): Results from a Multicenter National Registry
Authors: Gasior Pawel , Desperak Aneta , Gierlotka Marek , Milewski Krzysztof , Wita Krystian , Kalarus Zbigniew , Fluder Joanna , Kazmierski Maciej , Buszman Paweł E. , Gasior Mariusz , Wojakowski Wojciech
Published: August 2020

Background: Diagnosis of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) requires both clinical evidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and demonstration of non-obstructive coronary arteries using angiography. We compared the clinical features, treatments, and three-year outcomes in patients with MINOCA and myocardial infarction with obstructive coronary artery disease (MI-CAD). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data for 205,606 hospitalized patients with AMI. MINOCA was indicated as a working diagnosis in 6063 patients (2.94% of all AMI patients). For the control group we included 160,886 patients with MI-CAD. We evaluated the baseline characteristics, medication management options, outcomes, and readmission causes at 36 months follow-up. Results: Patients in the MINOCA group were younger. Females constituted a greater proportion of patients in the MINOCA group when compared to MI-CAD patients. STEMI during admission was diagnosed less frequently in the MINOCA group when compared to the MI-CAD group. All-cause mortality at 12 months was higher in the MINOCA group (10.94% vs. 9.54%, p < 0.001). At 36 months, there was no difference in the all-cause mortality rates (MINOCA 16.18% vs. MI-CAD 14.93%, p = 0.081). All-cause readmission rates were lower in the MINOCA group when compared to the MI-CAD group at both 12 months (45.19% vs. 54.33%, p < 0.001) and 36 months follow-up (56.42% vs. 66.66%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This is the first description of the clinical features, treatments, and three-year outcomes in a large population of Polish patients. The main finding of this study was a relatively low rate of MINOCA, with high rates of adverse events both at 12 and 36 months follow-up.
Marine Propulsion System Failures—A Review
Authors: Vizentin Goran , Vukelic Goran , Murawski Lech , Recho Naman , Orovic Josip
Published: August 2020

Failures of marine propulsion components or systems can lead to serious consequences for a vessel, cargo and the people onboard a ship. These consequences can be financial losses, delay in delivery time or a threat to safety of the people onboard. This is why it is necessary to learn about marine propulsion failures in order to prevent worst-case scenarios. This paper aims to provide a review of experimental, analytical and numerical methods used in the failure analysis of ship propulsion systems. In order to achieve that, the main causes and failure mechanisms are described and summarized. Commonly used experimental, numerical and analytical tools for failure analysis are given. Most indicative case studies of ship failures describe where the origin of failure lies in the ship propulsion failures (i.e., shaft lines, crankshaft, bearings, foundations). In order to learn from such failures, a holistic engineering approach is inevitable. This paper tries to give suggestions to improve existing design procedures with a goal of producing more reliable propulsion systems and taking care of operational conditions.
Stickler Syndrome: A Review of Clinical Manifestations and the Genetics Evaluation
Authors: Boothe Megan , Morris Robert , Robin Nathaniel
Published: August 2020

Stickler Syndrome (SS) is a multisystem collagenopathy frequently encountered by ophthalmologists due to the high rate of ocular complications. Affected individuals are at significantly increased risk for retinal detachment and blindness, and early detection and diagnosis are critical in improving visual outcomes for these patients. Systemic findings are also common, with craniofacial, skeletal, and auditory systems often involved. SS is genotypically and phenotypically heterogenous, which can make recognizing and correctly diagnosing individuals difficult. Molecular genetic testing should be considered in all individuals with suspected SS, as diagnosis not only assists in treatment and management of the patient but may also help identify other at-risk family members. Here we review common clinical manifestation of SS and genetic tests frequently ordered as part of the SS evaluation.
The Urbanization Run-Up in Italy: From a Qualitative Goal in the Boom Decades to the Present and Future Unsustainability
Authors: Romano Bernardino , Fiorini Lorena , Marucci Alessandro , Zullo Francesco
Published: August 2020

The research presented in the paper intends to overcome an information gap on the evolution of urbanized surfaces in Italy which in the studies carried out so far have never been available. The only historical data on this form of land use date back to the 1950s, and were extracted from a national cartography created by the Military Geographic Institute. The next chronological section available was then that of the noughties, already digital. However, much more frequent data were processed by the ten-year censuses by the National Institute of Statistics, but concerning buildings and not urbanized areas. By processing building census data, this study has put together some novel information on land take dynamics between the end of World War II and the year 2000, highlighting the more intensive processes that occurred at an extraordinary rate in the ‘70′s and ‘80′s, obtaining unprecedented information on the speed of transformation of the territory in these decades of economic boom. Through this method, we were able to obtain numerous geographical indications previously lacking on a national scale, highlight the yet significant vigor of this phenomenon and develop an inferential scenario.
Analysis of a Wearable Robotic System for Ankle Rehabilitation
Authors: Russo Matteo , Ceccarelli Marco
Published: August 2020

As one of the most commonly injured joints of the human body, the ankle is often subject to sprains or fractures that require motion assistance to recover mobility. Whereas physiotherapists usually perform rehabilitation in one-on-one sessions with patients, several successful robotic rehabilitation solutions have been proposed in the last years. However, their design is usually bulky and requires the patient to sit or stand in a static position. A lightweight wearable device for ankle motion assistance, the CABLEankle, is here proposed for motion ankle exercising in rehabilitation and training. The CABLEankle is based on a cable-driven S-4SPS parallel architecture, which enables motion assistance over the large motion range of the human ankle in a walking gait. The proposed mechanism design is analyzed with kinematic and static models, and the force closure workspace of the mechanism is discussed with analytical results. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed design is investigated through numerical simulations over the ankle motion range as a characterization of the peculiar motion.
Spin-Crossover Complexes in Direct Contact with Surfaces
Authors: Gruber Manuel , Berndt Richard
Published: August 2020

The transfer of the inherent bistability of spin crossover compounds to surfaces has attracted considerable interest in recent years. The deposition of the complexes on surfaces allows investigating them individually and to further understand the microscopic mechanisms at play. Moreover, it offers the prospect of engineering switchable functional surfaces. We review recent progress in the field with a particular focus on the challenges and limits associated with the dominant experimental techniques used, namely near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). One of the main difficulties in NEXAFS-based experiments is to ascertain that the complexes are in direct contact with the surfaces. We show that molecular coverage determination based on the amplitude of the edge-jump of interest is challenging because the latter quantity depends on the substrate. Furthermore, NEXAFS averages the signals of a large number of molecules, which may be in different states. In particular, we highlight that the signal of fragmented molecules is difficult to distinguish from that of intact and functional ones. In contrast, STM allows investigating individual complexes, but the identification of the spin states is at best done indirectly. As quite some of the limits of the techniques are becoming apparent as the field is gaining maturity, their detailed descriptions will be useful for future investigations and for taking a fresh look at earlier reports.
High Capacity Reversible Data Hiding Based on the Compression of Pixel Differences
Authors: Chen Kai-Meng
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we proposed a novel reversible data hiding method in encrypted image (RDHEI), which is based on the compression of pixel differences. In the proposed method, at the content owner’ side the image is divided into non-overlapping blocks, and a block-level image encryption scheme is used to generate the encrypted image, which partially retains spatial correlation in the blocks. Due to the spatial correlation, in each block the pixels are highly likely to be similar. Therefore, the pixel differences in all blocks are concentrated in a small range and can be compressed. By the compression of pixel differences, the data hider can vacate the room to accommodate secret data in the encrypted image without losing information. At the receiver’s side, the receiver can obtain secret data or retrieve the original image using different keys with no error. The experimental results demonstrate that, compared with existing methods, the proposed method can achieve a higher capacity and visual quality.
Similarity Measures for Learning in Lattice Based Biomimetic Neural Networks
Authors: Ritter Gerhard X. , Urcid Gonzalo , Lara-Rodríguez Luis-David
Published: August 2020

This paper presents a novel lattice based biomimetic neural network trained by means of a similarity measure derived from a lattice positive valuation. For a wide class of pattern recognition problems, the proposed artificial neural network, implemented as a dendritic hetero-associative memory delivers high percentages of successful classification. The memory is a feedforward dendritic network whose arithmetical operations are based on lattice algebra and can be applied to real multivalued inputs. In this approach, the realization of recognition tasks, shows the inherent capability of prototype-class pattern associations in a fast and straightforward manner without need of any iterative scheme subject to issues about convergence. Using an artificially designed data set we show how the proposed trained neural net classifies a test input pattern. Application to a few typical real-world data sets illustrate the overall network classification performance using different training and testing sample subsets generated randomly.
Probiotics: Versatile Bioactive Components in Promoting Human Health
Authors: Sharifi-Rad Javad , Rodrigues Célia F. , Stojanović-Radić Zorica , Dimitrijević Marina , Aleksić Ana , Neffe-Skocińska Katarzyna , Zielińska Dorota , Kołożyn-Krajewska Danuta , Salehi Bahare , Milton Prabu Selvaraj , Schutz Francine , Docea Anca Oana , Martins Natália , Calina Daniela
Published: August 2020

The positive impact of probiotic strains on human health has become more evident than ever before. Often delivered through food, dietary products, supplements, and drugs, different legislations for safety and efficacy issues have been prepared. Furthermore, regulatory agencies have addressed various approaches toward these products, whether they authorize claims mentioning a disease’s diagnosis, prevention, or treatment. Due to the diversity of bacteria and yeast strains, strict approaches have been designed to assess for side effects and post-market surveillance. One of the most essential delivery systems of probiotics is within food, due to the great beneficial health effects of this system compared to pharmaceutical products and also due to the increasing importance of food and nutrition. Modern lifestyle or various diseases lead to an imbalance of the intestinal flora. Nonetheless, as the amount of probiotic use needs accurate calculations, different factors should also be taken into consideration. One of the novelties of this review is the presentation of the beneficial effects of the administration of probiotics as a potential adjuvant therapy in COVID-19. Thus, this paper provides an integrative overview of different aspects of probiotics, from human health care applications to safety, quality, and control.
Facilitated Transport of Copper(II) across Polymer Inclusion Membrane with Triazole Derivatives as Carrier
Authors: Gajda Bernadeta , Plackowski Radosław , Skrzypczak Andrzej , Bogacki Mariusz B.
Published: August 2020

This study investigates copper(II) ion transport through a polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) containing 1-alkyl-1,2,4-triazole (n = 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14), o-nitrophenyl octyl ether as the plasticizer and cellulose triacetate as the polymer matrix. The feeding phase was a solution of 0.1 mol/dm3CuCl2 and an equimolar (0.1 mol/dm3) mixture of copper, nickel, and cobalt chlorides with varying concentrations of chloride anions (from 0.5 to 5.0 mol/dm3) established with NaCl. The receiving phase was demineralized water. The flow rate of the source and receiving phases through the membrane module was within the range from 0.5 cm3/min to 4.5 cm3/min. The tests were carried out at temperatures of 20, 30, 40 and 50 °C. Transport of NaCl through the membrane was excluded for the duration of the test. It was noted that the flow rate through the membrane changes depending on the length of the carbon chain in the alkyl substituent from 16.1 μmol/(m2s) to 1.59 μmol/(m2s) in the following order: C8> C9> C10> C11> C12> C14. The activation energy was 71.3 ± 3.0 kJ/mol, indicating ion transport through the PIM controlled with a chemical reaction. Results for transport in case of the concurrent separation of copper(II), nickel(II), and cobalt(II) indicate a possibility to separate them in a selective manner.
Continuous Production of Galacto-Oligosaccharides by an Enzyme Membrane Reactor Utilizing Free Enzymes
Authors: Cao Teng , Pázmándi Melinda , Galambos Ildikó , Kovács Zoltán
Published: August 2020

Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) are prebiotic compounds widely used for their health-promoting effects. Conventionally, GOS is produced by the enzymatic conversion of lactose in stirred tank reactors (STR). The high operational costs associated with enzyme inactivation and removal might be reduced by the application of enzyme membrane reactors (EMR). In this study, we aimed to assess the potential of continuous GOS production by EMR using soluble Biolacta N5, a Bacillus circulans-derived commercial enzyme preparation. The steady-state performance of the EMR equipped with an ultrafiltration module was investigated as function of residence time (1.1–2.8 h) and enzyme load (17–190 U·g−1) under fixed operational settings of temperature (50 °C), pH (6.0), lactose feed concentration (300 g·kg−1), and recirculation flow-rate (0.18 m3·h−1). Results indicate that the yield of oligosaccharides with higher degree of polymerization (DP3-6) in STR (approx. 38% on total carbohydrate basis) exceeds that measured in EMR (ranging from 24% to 33%). However, a stable catalytic performance without a significant deterioration in product quality was observed when operating the EMR for an extended period of time (>120 h). Approx. 1.4 kg of DP3-6 was produced per one gram of crude enzyme preparation over the long-term campaigns, indicating that EMR efficiently recovers enzyme activity.
β-Hydroxybutyrate Oxidation Promotes the Accumulation of Immunometabolites in Activated Microglia Cells
Authors: Benito Adrian , Hajji Nabil , O’Neill Kevin , Keun Hector C. , Syed Nelofer
Published: August 2020

Metabolic regulation of immune cells has arisen as a critical set of processes required for appropriate response to immunological signals. While our knowledge in this area has rapidly expanded in leukocytes, much less is known about the metabolic regulation of brain-resident microglia. In particular, the role of alternative nutrients to glucose remains poorly understood. Here, we use stable-isotope (13C) tracing strategies and metabolomics to characterize the oxidative metabolism of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in human (HMC3) and murine (BV2) microglia cells and the interplay with glucose in resting and LPS-activated BV2 cells. We found that BHB is imported and oxidised in the TCA cycle in both cell lines with a subsequent increase in the cytosolic NADH:NAD+ ratio. In BV2 cells, stimulation with LPS upregulated the glycolytic flux, increased the cytosolic NADH:NAD+ ratio and promoted the accumulation of the glycolytic intermediate dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP). The addition of BHB enhanced LPS-induced accumulation of DHAP and promoted glucose-derived lactate export. BHB also synergistically increased LPS-induced accumulation of succinate and other key immunometabolites, such as α-ketoglutarate and fumarate generated by the TCA cycle. Finally, BHB upregulated the expression of a key pro-inflammatory (M1 polarisation) marker gene, NOS2, in BV2 cells activated with LPS. In conclusion, we identify BHB as a potentially immunomodulatory metabolic substrate for microglia that promotes metabolic reprogramming during pro-inflammatory response.
Refining the Galleria mellonella Model by Using Stress Marker Genes to Assess Clostridioides difficile Infection and Recuperation during Phage Therapy
Authors: Nale Janet Y. , Chutia Mahananda , Cheng Jeffrey K. J. , Clokie Martha R. J.
Published: August 2020

The Galleria mellonella is an effective model for probing Clostridioides difficile interactions with phages. Despite valuable insights from this model, the larvae are not easily amenable to assessing detailed clinical responses to either bacteria or phages. Here, larval survival, colonisation and toxin levels were compared to expression profiles of 17 G. mellonella stress genes to monitor Clostridiodes difficile infection (CDI), and recuperation during phage therapy. The larvae were infected with a ribotype 014/020 isolate and treated with an optimised phage cocktail. Larvae treated prophylactically with phages and the phage-control larval group were protected, showing the highest survival, and low C. difficile colonisation and toxin rates, compared to co-infection, remedial and bacterial-control larval groups. Expression of growth (9) and reproduction (2) genes were enhanced within prophylaxis and phage-control larval groups compared to the co-infection, remedial and bacterial control groups. In contrast, expression of infection (2), humoral (1) and cellular (3) immunity genes declined in the prophylactic and phage-control groups but increased in the co-infection, remedial and bacterial control larvae. The molecular markers augment the survival, colonisation and toxin data and allow detailed monitoring of CDI and recovery. This data support the use of stress marker genes as tools to analyse clinical symptoms in this model.
Moving from qPCR to Chip Digital PCR Assays for Tracking of some Fusarium Species Causing Fusarium Head Blight in Cereals
Authors: Morcia Caterina , Tumino Giorgio , Gasparo Giulia , Ceresoli Caterina , Fattorini Chiara , Ghizzoni Roberta , Carnevali Paola , Terzi Valeria
Published: August 2020

Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is one of the major diseases affecting small-grain cereals, worldwide spread and responsible for severe yield and quality losses annually. Diagnostic tools, able to track Fusarium species even in the early stages of infection, can contribute to mycotoxins’ risk control. Among DNA-based technologies for Fusarium detection, qPCR (single and multiplex assays) is currently the most applied method. However, pathogen diagnostics is now enforced by digital PCR (dPCR), a breakthrough technology that provides ultrasensitive and absolute nucleic acid quantification. In our work, a panel of chip digital PCR assays was developed to quantify Fusarium graminearum, F.culmorum, F. sporotrichioides, F. poae and F. avenaceum. The primers/probes combinations were evaluated on pure fungal samples with cdPCR technique, in comparison with the qPCR approach. Moreover, the cdPCR assays were applied to quantify Fusarium in durum wheat and oat samples, naturally contaminated or spiked with fungal DNA. For a better evaluation of infection level in plants, duplex assays were developed, able to co-amplify both plant and fungal DNA. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study directed to the application of digital PCR to Fusarium diagnosis in plants.