bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Cropping System and Humidity Level on Nitrate Content and Tipburn Incidence in Endive
Authors: San Bautista Alberto , Gromaz Andrea , Ferrarezi Rhuanito Soranz , López-Galarza Salvador , Pascual Bernardo , Maroto José Vicente
Published: May 2020

Tipburn is an important disorder caused by a calcium deficiency that affects the marketability of endives. Genotype, air relative humidity, and temperature are directly involved in tipburn occurrence. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of cropping systems and relative humidity on the marketable yield, nitrate accumulation, and incidence of tipburn in endives. Two cultivars were evaluated in pots (‘Cuartana’ and ‘Natacha’), two cropping systems (greenhouse and open-field), and in two different air humidity levels (high level: plants under a plastic tunnel with an extra supply of humidity with micro-sprinklers, and low level: plants without an extra supply of humidity and outside of a plastic tunnel) during two years (2013 and 2014) in different growing seasons. Nitrate content was determined by reflectometry, and tipburn was evaluated using a qualitative scale. Results showed that tipburn was favored under greenhouse with low humidity levels, with 40–60% plants affected. ‘Natacha’ was more susceptible to tipburn (>20% plants affected) than ‘Cuartana’ (<20% plants affected). Leaf nitrate accumulation was favored by the highest temperatures (greenhouse). It is concluded that in our conditions, tipburn incidence in endives depends on the interaction of genotype and the environmental conditions. Nitrate content was more influenced by the temperature than by the cultivars used.
Chemical Profile and Antioxidant Activity of the Kombucha Beverage Derived from White, Green, Black and Red Tea
Authors: Jakubczyk Karolina , Kałduńska Justyna , Kochman Joanna , Janda Katarzyna
Published: May 2020

Kombucha is a fermented tea beverage prepared as a result of the symbiotic nature of bacterial cultures and yeast, the so-called SCOBY (Symbiotic Cultures of Bacteria and Yeasts). Kombucha is characterised by rich chemical content and healthy properties. It includes organic acids, minerals and vitamins originating mainly from tea, amino acids, and biologically active compounds—polyphenols in particular. Kombucha is prepared mainly in the form of black tea, but other tea types are increasingly often used as well, which can significantly impact its content and health benefits. This work shows that the type of tea has a significant influence on the parameters associated with the antioxidant potential, pH, as well as the content of acetic acid, alcohol or sugar. Red tea and green tea on the 1st and 14th day of fermentation are a particularly prominent source of antioxidants, especially polyphenols, including flavonoids. Therefore, the choice of other tea types than the traditionally used black tea and the subjection of these tea types to fermentation seems to be beneficial in terms of the healthy properties of kombucha.
Oxidative Stress and Photodynamic Therapy of Skin Cancers: Mechanisms, Challenges and Promising Developments
Authors: Allegra Alessandro , Pioggia Giovanni , Tonacci Alessandro , Musolino Caterina , Gangemi Sebastiano
Published: May 2020

Ultraviolet radiation is one of the most pervasive environmental interactions with humans. Chronic ultraviolet irradiation increases the danger of skin carcinogenesis. Probably, oxidative stress is the most important mechanism by which ultraviolet radiation implements its damaging effects on normal cells. However, notwithstanding the data referring to the negative effects exerted by light radiation and oxidative stress on carcinogenesis, both factors are used in the treatment of skin cancer. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) consists of the administration of a photosensitiser, which undergoes excitation after suitable irradiation emitted from a light source and generates reactive oxygen species. Oxidative stress causes a condition in which cellular components, including DNA, proteins, and lipids, are oxidised and injured. Antitumor effects result from the combination of direct tumour cell photodamage, the destruction of tumour vasculature and the activation of an immune response. In this review, we report the data present in literature dealing with the main signalling molecular pathways modified by oxidative stress after photodynamic therapy to target skin cancer cells. Moreover, we describe the progress made in the design of anti-skin cancer photosensitisers, and the new possibilities of increasing the efficacy of PDT via the use of molecules capable of developing a synergistic antineoplastic action.
Testing the Accuracy of the Calculation of Gold Leaf Thickness by MC Simulations and MA-XRF Scanning
Authors: Barcellos Lins Sergio Augusto , Gigante Giovanni Ettore , Cesareo Roberto , Ridolfi Stefano , Brunetti Antonio
Published: May 2020

The use of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) scanning systems has become a common practice in many application sectors. In multistratified and heterogeneous samples, the simple analysis of an XRF spectrum as a response of the entire sample is not reliable, so different spectral analysis techniques have been proposed to detect the presence of surface stratification. One commonly studied case is that of gilding, i.e., the presence of a superimposing gold-leaf layer. The observation of changes in the net peak ratios of a single element or of several elements in an XRF spectrum is a well-developed practice, but is still not used in the case of XRF scanning (macro-X-Ray fluorescence scanning, MA-XRF), a technique that can be described as the extrapolation of XRF spot analysis to a second dimension, scanning a sample surface instead. This practice can yield information on the overlaying layer thickness, if some properties of the sample are known—or estimated—beforehand, e.g., the overlapping layer’s chemical composition and the matrix effect contribution from the bulk material (thick ratio). This work proposes the use of an algorithm to calculate the thickness distribution of a superimposing gold layer accurately and automatically through the differential attenuation method by using MA-XRF datasets in a total noninvasive manner. This approach has the clear advantage over the traditional spot sampling of allowing the generation of a surface heightmap to better visualize and interpret the data, as well as a considerably larger sample space. Monte Carlo simulations were used to verify the influence of the medium used to adhere the gold leaves to the substrate and to generate known spectra to assess the algorithm’s accuracy.
Prototype Observation of Flow Characteristics in an Inclined-Tube Settling Tank for Fine Sandy Water Treatment
Authors: Wang Keyuan , Li Yunkai , Ren Shumei , Yang Peiling
Published: May 2020

Clarifying the flow characteristics in the settling tank is the foundation for the design optimization and efficiency improvement of sediment removal. However, few research works have been undertaken on the precise observation of the flow movement in the tank. For this purpose, research into an inclined-tube settling tank for the water-sediment separation of the Yellow River was carried out. An acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) was utilized to measure the velocity distribution in the tank. The dimensionless turbulence intensity and dimensionless Reynolds shear stress distribution were obtained subsequently. It was found that the velocity distribution in the stable settlement area (SSA) and the settlement area with inclined tubes (ISA) was uniform. The turbulence intensity and Reynolds shear stress in the tank were beneficial to the formation of the flocs and the subsequent acceleration of the sediment settling. The flow pattern could be significantly improved by the flow adjustment board and the inclined tubes. However, the inlet, the baffle and the overflow weir in the tank had negative effects on the flow pattern. The results enhanced our understanding of the flow characteristics in the inclined-tube settling tank and indicated a direction for optimizing the tank structure and improving the settling efficiency.
Adaptive Model-Free Coupling Controller Design for Multi-Axis Motion Systems
Authors: Chen Bo-Sheng , Lee Ching-Hung
Published: May 2020

In this study, we introduce an adaptive model-free coupling controller while using recurrent fuzzy neural network (RFNN) for multi-axis system to minimize the contour error. The proposed method can be applied to linear or nonlinear multi-axis motion control systems following desired paths. By the concept of cross-coupling control (CCC), multi-axis system is transferred into a nonlinear time-varying system due to the time-dependent coordinate transformation; tangential, normal, and bi-normal components of desired contour. Herein, we propose a model-free adaptive coupling controller design approach for multi-axis linear motor system with uncertainty and nonlinear phenomena. RFNN establishes the corresponding adaptive coupling controller to treat the uncertain system with nonlinear phenomenon. The stability of closed-loop system is guaranteed by the Lyapunov method and the adaptation of RFNN is also obtained. Simulation results are introduced in order to illustrate the effectiveness.
Rigorous Study on Hump Phenomena in Surrounding Channel Nanowire (SCNW) Tunnel Field-Effect Transistor (TFET)
Authors: Lee Seung-Hyun , Park Jeong-Uk , Kim Garam , Jee Dong-Woo , Kim Jang Hyun , Kim Sangwan
Published: May 2020

In this paper, analysis and optimization of surrounding channel nanowire (SCNW) tunnel field-effect transistor (TFET) has been discussed with the help of technology computer-aided design (TCAD) simulation. The SCNW TFET features an ultra-thin tunnel layer at source sidewall and shows a high on-current (ION). In spite of the high electrical performance, the SCNW TFET suffers from hump effect which deteriorates subthreshold swing (S). In order to solve the issue, an origin of hump effect is analyzed firstly. Based on the simulation, the transfer curve in SCNW TFET is decoupled into vertical- and lateral-BTBTs. In addition, the lateral-BTBT causes the hump effect due to low turn-on voltage (VON) and low ION. Therefore, the device design parameter is optimized to suppress the hump effect by adjusting thickness of the ultra-thin tunnel layer. Finally, we compared the electrical properties of the planar, nanowire and SCNW TFET. As a result, the optimized SCNW TFET shows better electrical performance compared with other TFETs.
Climate Scenarios and Agricultural Indices: A Case Study for Switzerland
Authors: Tschurr Flavian , Feigenwinter Iris , Fischer Andreas M. , Kotlarski Sven
Published: May 2020

The CH2018 Climate Scenarios for Switzerland are evaluated with respect to the representation of 24 indices with agricultural relevance. Furthermore, future projections of the considered indices until the end of the 21st century are analyzed for two greenhouse gas scenarios (Representative Concentrations Pathways RCP2.6 and RCP8.5). The validation reveals good results for indices that are based on one or two climate variables only and on simple temporal aggregations. Indices that involve multiple climate variables, complex temporal statistics or extreme conditions are less well represented. The climate projection analysis indicates an intensification of temperature-related extreme events such as heat waves. In general, climate change signals in the indices considered are subject to three main patterns: a horizontal pattern across Switzerland, a vertical pattern depending on elevation and a temporal pattern with an intensification of change in the course of the 21st century. Changes are in most cases more pronounced for the high-emission RCP8.5 scenario compared to the mitigation scenario RCP2.6. Overall, the projections indicate a challenging 21st century climate for the agricultural sector. Our findings furthermore show the value and the necessity of a robust validation of climate scenario products to enable trustworthy and valuable impact analyses, especially for more complex indices and models.
Bio-Aerosols Negatively Affect Prochlorococcus in Oligotrophic Aerosol-Rich Marine Regions
Authors: Rahav Eyal , Paytan Adina , Mescioglu Esra , Bar-Zeev Edo , Martínez Ruiz Francisca , Xian Peng , Herut Barak
Published: May 2020

The marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus is a dominant photoautotroph in many oligotrophic Low-Nutrients-Low-Chlorophyll (LNLC) regions. While the chemical impact of aerosols upon interaction with surface seawater was documented in numerous studies, we show that Prochlorococcus cells are affected also by bio-aerosols (potentially biological agents in the dust/aerosols such as membrane-bound extracellular vesicles, small-size bacteria and/or viruses), resulting in lower surface seawater abundances in the oligotrophic Mediterranean Sea. We conducted experimental amendments of ‘live’ aerosol/dust particles and aerosol filtrates (<0.22-µm) to surface Southeastern Mediterranean seawater or to pure Prochlorococcus cultures (MED4). Results show a significant decline in cell biomass (<90%), while UV-sterilized aerosols elicited a much weaker and non-significant response (~10%). We suggest that the difference is due to a negative effect of bio-aerosols specific to Prochlorococcus. Accordingly, the dominance of Synechococcus over Prochlorococcus throughout the surface Mediterranean Sea (observed mainly in spring when atmospheric aerosol levels are relatively high) and the lack of spatial westward gradient in Prochlorococcus biomass as typically observed for chlorophyll-a or other cyanobacteria may be attributed, at least to some extent, to the impact of bio-aerosol deposition across the basin. Predictions for enhanced desertification and increased dust emissions may intensify the transport and potential impact of bio-aerosols in LNLC marine systems.
Effects of Chronic Cannabidiol Treatment in the Rat Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Model of Depression
Authors: Gáll Zsolt , Farkas Szidónia , Albert Ákos , Ferencz Elek , Vancea Szende , Urkon Melinda , Kolcsár Melinda
Published: May 2020

Several neuropharmacological actions of cannabidiol (CBD) due to the modulation of the endocannabinoid system as well as direct serotonergic and gamma-aminobutyric acidergic actions have recently been identified. The current study aimed to reveal the effect of a long-term CBD treatment in the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model of depression. Adult male Wistar rats (n = 24) were exposed to various stressors on a daily basis in order to induce anhedonia and anxiety-like behaviors. CBD (10 mg/kg body weight) was administered by daily intraperitoneal injections for 28 days (n = 12). The effects of the treatment were assessed on body weight, sucrose preference, and exploratory and anxiety-related behavior in the open field (OF) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests. Hair corticosterone was also assayed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. At the end of the experiment, CBD-treated rats showed a higher rate of body weight gain (5.94% vs. 0.67%) and sucrose preference compared to controls. A significant increase in vertical exploration and a trend of increase in distance traveled in the OF test were observed in the CBD-treated group compared to the vehicle-treated group. The EPM test did not reveal any differences between the groups. Hair corticosterone levels increased in the CBD-treated group, while they decreased in controls compared to baseline (+36.01% vs. −45.91%). In conclusion, CBD exerted a prohedonic effect in rats subjected to CUMS, demonstrated by the increased sucrose preference after three weeks of treatment. The reversal of the effect of CUMS on hair corticosterone concentrations might also point toward an anxiolytic or antidepressant-like effect of CBD, but this needs further confirmation.
Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Protein Hydrolysates Promote Anti-Inflammatory Response in Primary Human Monocytes
Authors: Rodriguez-Martin Noelia M. , Montserrat-de la Paz Sergio , Toscano Rocio , Grao-Cruces Elena , Villanueva Alvaro , Pedroche Justo , Millan Francisco , Millan-Linares Maria C
Published: May 2020

Hemp seeds have a wide variety of chemical compounds which present biological activity. Specifically, the focus on proteins and bioactive peptides are increasing as alternative sources of nutraceutical uses. In the literature, hemp protein products (HPPs) have reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to determine the inflammation-related modulatory effects of HPPs on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated primary human monocytes. CD14+ cells were immunomagnetically isolated from buffy coats and the anti-inflammatory activity of hemp protein isolate (HPI) and hydrolysates (HPHs) was evaluated on LPS-stimulated human primary monocytes. The specific markers of inflammation, polarization, and chemoattraction were measured by RT-qPCR and ELISA assays. Our results showed that HPPs decreased the pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and increased the anti-inflammatory mediators (IL-10 and IL-4). In addition, M1 polarization marker gene expression (CCR7 and iNOS) was downregulated by HPPs and, M2 polarization marker gene expression (CD200R and MRC1) was upregulated. Finally, the mRNA expression of chemotaxis genes (CCR2 and CCL2) was downregulated by HPPs. In conclusion, this study suggests that HPPs may improve chronic inflammatory states and promote regenerative processes by reprogramming monocytes toward M2 polarization phenotype.
Spinal Cord Involvement in MS and Other Demyelinating Diseases
Authors: Marrodan Mariano , Gaitán María I. , Correale Jorge
Published: May 2020

Diagnostic accuracy is poor in demyelinating myelopathies, and therefore a challenge for neurologists in daily practice, mainly because of the multiple underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in each subtype. A systematic diagnostic approach combining data from the clinical setting and presentation with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion patterns, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings, and autoantibody markers can help to better distinguish between subtypes. In this review, we describe spinal cord involvement, and summarize clinical findings, MRI and diagnostic characteristics, as well as treatment options and prognostic implications in different demyelinating disorders including: multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease, and glial fibrillary acidic protein IgG-associated disease. Thorough understanding of individual case etiology is crucial, not only to provide valuable prognostic information on whether the disorder is likely to relapse, but also to make therapeutic decision-making easier and reduce treatment failures which may lead to new relapses and long-term disability. Identifying patients with monophasic disease who may only require acute management, symptomatic treatment, and subsequent rehabilitation, rather than immunosuppression, is also important.
Liver Growth Factor Induces Glia-Associated Neuroprotection in an In Vitro Model of Parkinson´s Disease
Authors: Gonzalo-Gobernado Rafael , Reimers Diana , Casarejos María José , Calatrava Ferreras Lucía , Vallejo-Muñoz Manuela , Jiménez-Escrig Adriano , Diaz-Gil Juan José , Ulzurrun de Asanza Gonzalo M. , Bazán Eulalia
Published: May 2020

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive death of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN), which leads to a loss of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the basal ganglia. Current treatments relieve the symptoms of the disease, but none stop or delay neuronal degeneration. Liver growth factor (LGF) is an albumin–bilirubin complex that stimulates axonal growth in the striatum and protects DA neurons in the SN of 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats. Our previous results suggested that these effects observed in vivo are mediated by microglia and/or astrocytes. To determine if these cells are LGF targets, E14 (embryos from Sprague Dawley rats of 14 days) rat mesencephalic glial cultures were used. Treatment with 100 pg/mL of LGF up-regulated the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and the cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in glial cultures, and it increased the microglia marker Iba1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) protein levels. The treatment of E14 midbrain neurons with a glial-conditioned medium from LGF-treated glial cultures (GCM-LGF) prevented the loss of DA neurons caused by 6-hydroxy-dopamine. This neuroprotective effect was not observed when GCM-LGF was applied in the presence of a blocking antibody of TNF-alpha activity. Altogether, our findings strongly suggest the involvement of microglia and TNF-alpha in the neuroprotective action of LGF on DA neurons observed in vitro.
An Integrated Genomic Strategy to Identify CHRNB4 as a Diagnostic/Prognostic Biomarker for Targeted Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Chuang Yi-Hsuan , Lee Chia-Hwa , Lin Chun-Yu , Liu Chia-Lin , Huang Sing-Han , Lee Jung-Yu , Chiu Yi-Yuan , Lee Jih-Chin , Yang Jinn-Moon
Published: May 2020

Although many studies have shown the association between smoking and the increased incidence and adverse prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the mechanisms and pharmaceutical targets involved remain unclear. Here, we integrated gene expression signatures, genetic alterations, and survival analyses to identify prognostic indicators and therapeutic targets for smoking HNSCC patients, and we discovered that the FDA-approved drug varenicline inhibits the target for cancer cell migration/invasion. We first identified 18 smoking-related and prognostic genes for HNSCC by using RNA-Seq and clinical follow-up data. One of these genes, CHRNB4 (neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit beta-4), increased the risk of death by approximately threefold in CHRNB4-high expression smokers compared to CHRNB4-low expression smokers (log rank, p = 0.00042; hazard ratio, 2.82; 95% CI, 1.55–5.14), former smokers, and non-smokers. Furthermore, we examined the functional enrichment of co-regulated genes of CHRNB4 and its 246 frequently occurring copy number alterations (CNAs). We found that these genes were involved in promoting angiogenesis, resisting cell death, and sustaining proliferation, and contributed to much worse outcomes for CHRNB4-high patients. Finally, we performed CHRNB4 gene editing and drug inhibition assays, and the results validate these observations. In summary, our study suggests that CHRNB4 is a prognostic indicator for smoking HNSCC patients and provides a potential new therapeutic drug to prevent recurrence or distant metastasis.
Fungal Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Its Role in Colorectal, Oral, and Pancreatic Carcinogenesis
Authors: Kaźmierczak-Siedlecka Karolina , Dvořák Aleš , Folwarski Marcin , Daca Agnieszka , Przewłócka Katarzyna , Makarewicz Wojciech
Published: May 2020

The association between bacterial as well as viral gut microbiota imbalance and carcinogenesis has been intensively analysed in many studies; nevertheless, the role of fungal gut microbiota (mycobiota) in colorectal, oral, and pancreatic cancer development is relatively new and undiscovered field due to low abundance of intestinal fungi as well as lack of well-characterized reference genomes. Several specific fungi amounts are increased in colorectal cancer patients; moreover, it was observed that the disease stage is strongly related to the fungal microbiota profile; thus, it may be used as a potential diagnostic biomarker for adenomas. Candida albicans, which is the major microbe contributing to oral cancer development, may promote carcinogenesis via several mechanisms, mainly triggering inflammation. Early detection of pancreatic cancer provides the opportunity to improve survival rate, therefore, there is a need to conduct further studies regarding the role of fungal microbiota as a potential prognostic tool to diagnose this cancer at early stage. Additionally, growing attention towards the characterization of mycobiota may contribute to improve the efficiency of therapeutic methods used to alter the composition and activity of gut microbiota. The administration of Saccharomyces boulardii in oncology, mainly in immunocompromised and/or critically ill patients, is still controversial.
Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Pancreatic Cancer: Overview and Comparison with Other Types of Models
Authors: Garcia Patrick L. , Miller Aubrey L. , Yoon Karina J.
Published: May 2020

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is anticipated to be second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States by 2030. Surgery remains the only potentially curative treatment for patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common form of PC. Multiple recent preclinical studies focus on identifying effective treatments for PDAC, but the models available for these studies often fail to reproduce the heterogeneity of this tumor type. Data generated with such models are of unknown clinical relevance. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models offer several advantages over human cell line-based in vitro and in vivo models and models of non-human origin. PDX models retain genetic characteristics of the human tumor specimens from which they were derived, have intact stromal components, and are more predictive of patient response than traditional models. This review briefly describes the advantages and disadvantages of 2D cultures, organoids and genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models of PDAC, and focuses on the applications, characteristics, advantages, limitations, and the future potential of PDX models for improving the management of PDAC.
Sustainable Catalytic Conversion of Biomass for the Production of Biofuels and Bioproducts
Authors: Morales Gabriel , Iglesias Jose , Melero Juan A.
Published: May 2020

Biomass, in its many forms—oils and fats, lignocellulose, algae, etc [...]
The Effect of CO Partial Pressure on Important Kinetic Parameters of Methanation Reaction on Co-Based FTS Catalyst Studied by SSITKA-MS and Operando DRIFTS-MS Techniques
Authors: Vasiliades Michalis A. , Kyprianou Konstantina K. , Govender Nilenindran S. , Govender Ashriti , Crous Renier , Moodley Denzil , Efstathiou Angelos M.
Published: May 2020

A 20 wt% Co-0.05 wt% Pt/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was investigated to obtain a fundamental understanding of the effect of CO partial pressure (constant H2 partial pressure) on important kinetic parameters of the methanation reaction (x vol% CO/25 vol% H2, x = 3, 5 and 7) by performing advanced transient isotopic and operando diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy–mass spectrometry (DRIFTS-MS) experiments. Steady State Isotopic Transient Kinetic Analysis (SSITKA) experiments conducted at 1.2 bar, 230 °C after 5 h in CO/H2 revealed that the surface coverages, θCO and θCHx and the mean residence times, τCO, and τCHx (s) of the reversibly adsorbed CO-s and active CHx-s (Cα) intermediates leading to CH4, respectively, increased with increasing CO partial pressure. On the contrary, the apparent activity (keff, s−1) of CHx-s intermediates, turnover frequency (TOF, s−1) of methanation reaction, and the CH4-selectivity (SCH4, %) were found to decrease. Transient isothermal hydrogenation (TIH) following the SSITKA step-gas switch provided important information regarding the reactivity and concentration of active (Cα) and inactive -CxHy (Cβ) carbonaceous species formed after 5 h in the CO/H2 reaction. The latter Cβ species were readily hydrogenated at 230 °C in 50%H2/Ar. The surface coverage of Cβ was found to vary only slightly with increasing CO partial pressure. Temperature-programmed hydrogenation (TPH) following SSITKA and TIH revealed that other types of inactive carbonaceous species (Cγ) were formed during Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis (FTS) and hydrogenated at elevated temperatures (250–550 °C). The amount of Cγ was found to significantly increase with increasing CO partial pressure. All carbonaceous species hydrogenated during TIH and TPH revealed large differences in their kinetics of hydrogenation with respect to the CO partial pressure in the CO/H2 reaction mixture. Operando DRIFTS-MS transient isothermal hydrogenation of adsorbed CO-s formed after 2 h in 5 vol% CO/25 vol% H2/Ar at 200 °C coupled with kinetic modeling (H-assisted CO hydrogenation) provided information regarding the relative reactivity (keff) for CH4 formation of the two kinds of linear-type adsorbed CO-s on the cobalt surface.
stim2b Knockout Induces Hyperactivity and Susceptibility to Seizures in Zebrafish Larvae
Authors: Wasilewska Iga , Gupta Rishikesh Kumar , Wojtaś Bartosz , Palchevska Oksana , Kuźnicki Jacek
Published: May 2020

In neurons, stromal interaction molecule (STIM) proteins regulate store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) and are involved in calcium signaling pathways. However, STIM activity in neurological diseases is unclear and should be clarified by studies that are performed in vivo rather than in cultured cells in vitro. The present study investigated the role of neuronal Stim2b protein in zebrafish. We generated stim2b knockout zebrafish, which were fertile and had a regular lifespan. Using various behavioral tests, we found that stim2b−/− zebrafish larvae were hyperactive compared with wild-type fish. The mutants exhibited increases in mobility and thigmotaxis and disruptions of phototaxis. They were also more sensitive to pentylenetetrazol and glutamate treatments. Using lightsheet microscopy, a higher average oscillation frequency and higher average amplitude of neuronal Ca2+ oscillations were observed in stim2b−/− larvae. RNA sequencing detected upregulation of the annexin 3a and gpr39 genes and downregulation of the rrm2, neuroguidin, and homer2 genes. The latter gene encodes a protein that is involved in several processes that are involved in Ca2+ homeostasis in neurons, including metabotropic glutamate receptors. We propose that Stim2b deficiency in neurons dysregulates SOCE and triggers changes in gene expression, thereby causing abnormal behavior, such as hyperactivity and susceptibility to seizures.
Mechanisms Regulating Muscle Regeneration: Insights into the Interrelated and Time-Dependent Phases of Tissue Healing
Authors: Forcina Laura , Cosentino Marianna , Musarò Antonio
Published: May 2020

Despite a massive body of knowledge which has been produced related to the mechanisms guiding muscle regeneration, great interest still moves the scientific community toward the study of different aspects of skeletal muscle homeostasis, plasticity, and regeneration. Indeed, the lack of effective therapies for several physiopathologic conditions suggests that a comprehensive knowledge of the different aspects of cellular behavior and molecular pathways, regulating each regenerative stage, has to be still devised. Hence, it is important to perform even more focused studies, taking the advantage of robust markers, reliable techniques, and reproducible protocols. Here, we provide an overview about the general aspects of muscle regeneration and discuss the different approaches to study the interrelated and time-dependent phases of muscle healing.
Degradation Behavior, Transport Mechanism and Osteogenic Activity of Mg–Zn–RE Alloy Membranes in Critical-Sized Rat Calvarial Defects
Authors: Zhao Mingyu , Liu Guanqi , Li Ying , Yu Xiaodong , Yuan Shenpo , Nie Zhihua , Wang Jiewen , Han Jianmin , Tan Chengwen , Guo Chuanbin
Published: May 2020

In this study, a specific Mg–Zn–RE alloy membrane with 6 wt.% zinc and 2.7 wt.% rare earth elements (Y, Gd, La and Ce) was prepared to investigate implant degradation, transport mechanism and guide bone regeneration in vivo. The Mg-membrane microstructure and precipitates were characterized by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The Mg-membrane degradation process and effect on osteogenesis were investigated in a critical-sized rat calvarial defect model via micro-CT examination and hard tissue slicing after 2-, 5- and 8-week implants. Then, the distribution of elements in organs after 1-, 2- and 4-weeks implantation was examined to explore their transportation routes. Results showed that two types of precipitates had formed in the Mg–membrane after a 10-h heat treatment at 175 °C: γ-phase MgZn precipitation with dissolved La, Ce and Gd, and W-phase Mg3(Y, Gd)2Zn3 precipitation rich in Y and Gd. In the degradation process of the Mg-membrane, the Mg matrix degraded first, and the rare earth-rich precipitation particles were transferred to a more stable phosphate compound. The element release rate was dependent on the precipitate type and composition. Rare earth elements may be transported mainly through the lymph system. The defects were repaired rapidly by the membranes. The Mg-membrane used in the present study showed excellent biocompatibility and enhanced bone formation in the vicinity of the implants.
A Unified Methodology for Heartbeats Detection in Seismocardiogram and Ballistocardiogram Signals
Authors: Mora Niccolò , Cocconcelli Federico , Matrella Guido , Ciampolini Paolo
Published: May 2020

This work presents a methodology to analyze and segment both seismocardiogram (SCG) and ballistocardiogram (BCG) signals in a unified fashion. An unsupervised approach is followed to extract a template of SCG/BCG heartbeats, which is then used to fine-tune temporal waveform annotation. Rigorous performance assessment is conducted in terms of sensitivity, precision, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of annotation. The methodology is tested on four independent datasets, covering different measurement setups and time resolutions. A wide application range is therefore explored, which better characterizes the robustness and generality of the method with respect to a single dataset. Overall, sensitivity and precision scores are uniform across all datasets ( p > 0.05 from the Kruskal–Wallis test): the average sensitivity among datasets is 98.7%, with 98.2% precision. On the other hand, a slight yet significant difference in RMSE and MAE scores was found ( p < 0.01 ) in favor of datasets with higher sampling frequency. The best RMSE scores for SCG and BCG are 4.5 and 4.8 ms, respectively; similarly, the best MAE scores are 3.3 and 3.6 ms. The results were compared to relevant recent literature and are found to improve both detection performance and temporal annotation errors.
Hot Deformation Behavior and Microstructure Characterization of an Al-Cu-Li-Mg-Ag Alloy
Authors: Cao Lingfei , Liao Bin , Wu Xiaodong , Li Chaoyang , Huang Guangjie , Cheng Nanpu
Published: May 2020

The flow behavior of an Al-Cu-Li-Mg-Ag alloy was studied by thermal simulation tests at deformation temperatures between 350 °C and 470 °C and strain rates between 0.01–10 s−1. The microstructures of the deformed materials were characterized by electron backscattered diffraction. Constitutive equations were developed after considering compensation for strains. The processing maps were established and the optimum processing window was identified. The experimental data and predicted values of flow stresses were in a good agreement with each other. The influence of deformation temperature and strain rates on the microstructure were discussed. The relationship between the recrystallization mechanism and the Zener–Hollomon parameter was investigated as well.
Probabilistic Shaping for Finite Blocklengths: Distribution Matching and Sphere Shaping
Authors: Gültekin Yunus Can , Fehenberger Tobias , Alvarado Alex , Willems Frans M. J.
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we provide a systematic comparison of distribution matching (DM) and sphere shaping (SpSh) algorithms for short blocklength probabilistic amplitude shaping. For asymptotically large blocklengths, constant composition distribution matching (CCDM) is known to generate the target capacity-achieving distribution. However, as the blocklength decreases, the resulting rate loss diminishes the efficiency of CCDM. We claim that for such short blocklengths over the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel, the objective of shaping should be reformulated as obtaining the most energy-efficient signal space for a given rate (rather than matching distributions). In light of this interpretation, multiset-partition DM (MPDM) and SpSh are reviewed as energy-efficient shaping techniques. Numerical results show that both have smaller rate losses than CCDM. SpSh—whose sole objective is to maximize the energy efficiency—is shown to have the minimum rate loss amongst all, which is particularly apparent for ultra short blocklengths. We provide simulation results of the end-to-end decoding performance showing that up to 1 dB improvement in power efficiency over uniform signaling can be obtained with MPDM and SpSh at blocklengths around 200. Finally, we present a discussion on the complexity of these algorithms from the perspectives of latency, storage and computations.
The Effects of Implementation Quality of a School-Based Social and Emotional Well-Being Program on Students’ Outcomes
Authors: Dowling Katherine , Barry Margaret M.
Published: May 2020

School-based social and emotional learning (SEL) programs can be effective in producing positive outcomes for students. However, when the implementation quality is poor, these programs often lose their effectiveness and fail to produce the expected positive outcomes. The current study evaluates a school-based SEL program for 15–18-year-olds in Ireland by determining the impact of implementation quality on program outcomes. The study also examines the effects on outcomes of different implementation dimensions including Dosage, Adherence, Quality of Delivery, and Participant Responsiveness. Employing a cluster randomized controlled trial design, this study collected student outcome data (n = 675) from 32 disadvantaged schools across three time points (pre-, post-, 12-month follow-up) and compared these data across three treatment groups (high-implementation, low-implementation, and control). Linear mixed models (LMM) were used to determine the relationships between the implementation data and student outcome data longitudinally. The findings revealed that the positive effects of the program were only observed with the high-, but not the low-implementation group (reduced suppression of emotions (p = 0.049); reduced avoidance coping (p = 0.006); increased social support coping (p = 0.009); reduced levels of stress (p = 0.035) and depressive symptoms (p = 0.025). The comparison of implementation dimensions revealed that only Quality of Delivery had a significant effect on all of the tested outcomes. This study highlights the importance of high-quality implementation in producing positive outcomes and supports the need to evaluate implementation using multiple dimensions.
A Detection Approach Using LSTM-CNN for Object Removal Caused by Exemplar-Based Image Inpainting
Authors: Lu Ming , Niu Shaozhang
Published: May 2020

Exemplar-based image inpainting technology is a “double-edged sword”. It can not only restore the integrity of image by inpainting damaged or removed regions, but can also tamper with the image by using the pixels around the object region to fill in the gaps left by object removal. Through the research and analysis, it is found that the existing exemplar-based image inpainting forensics methods generally have the following disadvantages: the abnormal similar patches are time-consuming and inaccurate to search, have a high false alarm rate and a lack of robustness to multiple post-processing combined operations. In view of the above shortcomings, a detection method based on long short-term memory (LSTM)-convolutional neural network (CNN) for image object removal is proposed. In this method, CNN is used to search for abnormal similar patches. Because of CNN’s strong learning ability, it improves the speed and accuracy of the search. The LSTM network is used to eliminate the influence of false alarm patches on detection results and reduce the false alarm rate. A filtering module is designed to eliminate the attack of post-processing operation. Experimental results show that the method has a high accuracy, and can resist the attack of post-processing combination operations. It can achieve a better performance than the state-of-the-art approaches.
Spatial Pattern of a Comprehensive fE Index for Provincial Carbon Emissions in China
Authors: Sun Lili , Cui Huijuan , Ge Quansheng , Adenutsi Caspar Daniel , Hao Xining
Published: May 2020

China has committed to ambitious targets to reduce its carbon emissions in the next decades, in order to combat climate change and improve the environment. The realization of the targets depends on the fair and effective mitigation plans of all provinces. However, with varying ecological and environmental conditions and social-economic development, it is a critical issue to quantify the provinces’ efforts equally. This paper proposed a comprehensive fE index in coordinating ecology, equity and economy, by accounting for carbon emissions and sinks to characterize provincial carbon emission status in China, from 2000 to 2017, which shows a spatial pattern of “boundary high, central low”. The provinces with higher fE value (>1.5) in boundary areas can be seen as “relative equality” provinces with good ecology circulation, equity and economic efficiency. The provinces with lower fE value (<0.7) in central areas around Bohai Bay are regarded as “severe inequality” provinces, and are identified as the hot-spot provinces, which have emitted more CO2 than their equity share by occupying the carbon emission space of other provinces in recent decades. These results could provide a reference for a provincial guide for carbon reduction and sustainable development of the low-carbon economy.
Adsorptive Biogas Purification from Siloxanes—A Critical Review
Authors: Gaj Kazimierz
Published: May 2020

Siloxanes are among the most technologically troublesome trace compounds present in biogas. As a result of their combustion, hard-to-remove sediments are formed, blocking biogas energy processing devices and reducing the efficiency of biogas plants. The purpose of this study was to help investors and designers to choose the optimal technology for the adsorptive removal of volatile methylsiloxanes (VMSs) from biogas and to identify adsorbents worth further development. This paper critically reviews and discusses the state-of-the-art technologies for the adsorption removal of siloxanes from biogas, indicating potentially beneficial directions in their development and deficiencies in the state of knowledge. The origin of VMSs in biogas, their selected physicochemical properties, technological problems that they can cause and their typical versus limit concentrations in biogases are presented. Both the already implemented methods of adsorptive VMSs removal from landfill and sewage gases and the ones being under development are verified and systematized. The parameters and effectiveness of adsorption processes are discussed, and individual adsorbents are compared. Possible ways of regenerating spent adsorbents are evaluated and prospects for their application are assessed. Finally, zeolite-based adsorbents—which can also be used for biogas desulfurization—and adsorbents based on polymer resins, as being particularly active against VMSs and most amenable to multiple regeneration, are identified.
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of a 10 MW Floating Offshore Wind Turbine in Regular Waves
Authors: Ahn Hyeonjeong , Shin Hyunkyoung
Published: May 2020

Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) experience fluctuations in their platforms, owing to the various wave and wind conditions. These fluctuations not only decrease the output of the wind power generation system, but also increase the fatigue load of the structure and various equipment mounted on it. Therefore, when designing FOWTs, efficient performance with respect to waves and other external conditions must be ensured. In this study, a model test was performed with a 10 MW floating offshore wind turbine. The model test was performed by scaling down a 10 MW FOWT model that was designed with reference to a 5 MW wind turbine and a semisubmersible platform by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the DeepCwind project. A scale ratio of 1:90 was used for the model test. The depth of the East Sea was considered as 144 m and, to match the water depth with the geometric similarity of mooring lines, mooring tables were installed. The load cases used in the model test are combined environmental conditions, which are combined uniform wind, regular waves and uniform current. Especially, Model tests with regular waves are especially necessary, because irregular waves are superpositions of regular waves with various periods. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the characteristics of the FOWTs caused by regular waves of various periods. Furthermore, in this model test, the effect of current was investigated using the current data of the East Sea. The results obtained through the model tests were the response amplitude operator (RAO) and the effective RAO for a six degrees-of-freedom motion. The results obtained from the model tests were compared with those obtained using the numerical simulation. The purpose of this paper is to predict the response of the entire system observed in model tests through simulation.
Non-Contact Degradation Evaluation for IGBT Modules Using Eddy Current Pulsed Thermography Approach
Authors: Liu Xingliang , Tian Guiyun , Chen Yu , Luo Haoze , Zhang Jian , Li Wuhua
Published: May 2020

In this paper, a non-contact degradation evaluation method for insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules is proposed based on eddy current pulsed thermography approach. In non-contact heat excitation procedures, a high-power induction heater is introduced to generate heat excitation in IGBT modules. The thermographs of the whole temperature mapping are recorded non-invasively by an IR camera. As a result, the joint degradation of IGBT modules can be evaluated by the transient thermal response curves derived from the recorded thermographs. Firstly, the non-destructive evaluation principle of the eddy current pulsed thermography (ECPT) system for an IGBT module with a heat sink is introduced. A 3D simulation module is built with physical parameters in ANSYS simulations, and then thermal propagation behavior considering the degradation impact is investigated. An experimental ECPT system is set up to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results show that the delay time to peak temperature can be extracted and treated as an effective indicative feature of joint degradation.
Cost–Benefit Analysis of a Virtual Power Plant Including Solar PV, Flow Battery, Heat Pump, and Demand Management: A Western Australian Case Study
Authors: Behi Behnaz , Baniasadi Ali , Arefi Ali , Gorjy Arian , Jennings Philip , Pivrikas Almantas
Published: May 2020

Achieving the renewable energy integration target will require the extensive engagement of consumers and the private sector in investment and operation of renewable-based energy systems. Virtual power plants are an efficient way to implement this engagement. In this paper, the detailed costs and benefits of implementing a realistic virtual power plant (VPP) in Western Australia, comprising 67 dwellings, are calculated. The VPP is designed to integrate and coordinate rooftop solar photovoltaic panels (PV), vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB), heat pump hot water systems (HWSs), and demand management mechanisms. An 810-kW rooftop solar PV system is designed and located using the HelioScope software. The charging and the discharging of a 700-kWh VRFB are scheduled for everyday use over a year using an optimization algorithm, to maximize the benefit of it for the VPP owners and for the residents. The use of heat pump HWSs provides a unique opportunity for the residents to save energy and reduce the total cost of electricity along with demand management on some appliances. The cost-and-benefit analysis shows that the cost of energy will be reduced by 24% per dwelling in the context of the VPP. Moreover, the internal rate of return for the VPP owner is at least 11% with a payback period of about 8.5 years, which is a promising financial outcome.