bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Advances in Photoactive Agents for Cancer Imaging and Therapy
Authors: Broadwater Deanna , Medeiros Hyllana C.D. , Lunt Richard R. , Lunt Sophia Y.
Published: July 2021

Photoactive agents are promising complements for both early diagnosis and targeted treatment of cancer. The dual combination of diagnostics and therapeutics is known as theranostics. Photoactive theranostic agents are activated by a specific wavelength of light and emit another wavelength, which can be detected for imaging tumors, used to generate reactive oxygen species for ablating tumors, or both. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) combines photosensitizer (PS) accumulation and site-directed light irradiation for simultaneous imaging diagnostics and spatially targeted therapy. Although utilized since the early 1900s, advances in the fields of cancer biology, materials science, and nanomedicine have expanded photoactive agents to modern medical treatments. In this review we summarize the origins of PDT and the subsequent generations of PSs and analyze seminal research contributions that have provided insight into rational PS design, such as photophysics, modes of cell death, tumor-targeting mechanisms, and light dosing regimens. We highlight optimizable parameters that, with further exploration, can expand clinical applications of photoactive agents to revolutionize cancer diagnostics and treatment.
Study of Preventing the Alumina Dissolution and Metal Ion Migration in the Ceramic Membrane Divided-Electrochemical Cell Worked with High Acid-Base Electrolyte
Authors: Silambarasan P. , Moon I. S.
Published: July 2021

The separator plays a key role in enhancing the performance of an electrochemical reactor. Polymeric ion-exchange membrane-like Nafion has been commercialized, but it has some disadvantages, such as durability and ion migration between the half-cells. In the present work, a ZSM-5 membrane (Pore size 0.55 nm) prepared by secondary growth on core–shell tubular ceramic supports was tested by measuring the stability and performing migration analysis in each half-cell of a divided tubular electrolysis reactor in high alkaline-acid aqueous solutions. An approximately 9000 h core–shell Zeolite tubular membrane (CSZTM) was robust when functioned at room temperatures in high acid and alkaline media because no obvious change in surface morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma—optical emission spectroscopy mass loss percent, and open porosity, and there were no large differences in the patterns. Ion migration was analyzed for more than 500 h in a divided tubular cell using CSZTM, and no migration was observed in both sides according to UV–visible spectroscopy. CSZTM was synthesized successfully, and its stability and ion migration were examined in an acid-alkaline aqueous solution in an electrochemical reactor.
Deep Learning in Laparoscopic Colorectal Carcinoma Surgery under Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Pan Shuguang , Tang Wei , Zhou Tiejun , Luo Wei
Published: July 2021

This study aimed to explore the application effect of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based on deep learning in laparoscopic surgery for colorectal carcinoma (CRC). 40 patients with CRC who were diagnosed and required laparoscopic surgery were selected in the research. The MRI scan images of all patients were processed based on the convolutional neural network algorithm. The MRI images before and after treatment were set as the control group and the experimental group, respectively. The consistency of MRI results with laparoscopic and postoperative pathological biopsy results was observed. Through the comparative analysis of the research results, in terms of consistency with the surgical plane, the assessment results of the experimental group were more consistent than those of the control group and direct observation under laparoscopy, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). In terms of tumor T staging, the consistency between the experimental group and pathological biopsy results was superior to that of the control group, with considerable difference (

P
<
0.05

). In conclusion, practically speaking, the application of MR images based on convolutional neural network algorithm in laparoscopic CRC surgery was better than conventional MRI technology. However, the research was a small-scale pathological study, which was not very representative.
Design and Simulation of Capacitive MEMS Switch for Ka Band Application
Authors: Bhatia Vinay , Kaur Sukhdeep , Sharma Kuldeep , Rattan Punam , Jagota Vishal , Kemal Mohammed Abdella
Published: July 2021

In this paper, RF MEMS switch with capacitive contact is designed and analyzed for Ka band application. A fixed‐fixed beam/meander configuration has been used to design the switch for frequency band 10 GHz to 40 GHz. Electromagnetic and electromechanical analysis of three‐dimensional (3D) structure/design has been analyzed in multiple finite element method (FEM) based full‐wave simulator (Coventorware and high‐frequency structure simulator). A comparative study has also been carried out in this work. The high resistivity silicon substrate (tanδ = 0.010, ρ > 8 kΩ − cm, εr = 11.8) with a thickness of 675 ± 25 μm has been taken for switch realization. The designed structure shows an actuation voltage of around 9.2 V. Impedance matching for the switch structure is well below 20 dB, loss in upstate, i.e., insertion loss >0.5 dB, and isolation of >25 dB throughout the frequency band is observed for the aforesaid structure. Furthermore, to increase the RF parameters, AIN dielectric material has been used instead of SiO2 resulting in capacitance in downstate that increases hence improved the isolation. The proposed switch can be utilized in various potential applications such as any switching/tunable networks phased‐array radar, reconfigurable antenna, RF phase shifter, mixer, biomedical, filter, and any transmitter/receiver (T/R) modules.
Reasonable Scope of Kilometer Drilling in Lower Layer of Extrathick Coal Seam: A Case Study of Tingnan Coal Mine, China
Authors: Zou Delong , Zhang Xiang
Published: July 2021

When stratified mining is adopted in high‐gas and extrathick coal seam, a large amount of pressure‐relief gas of the lower layer flows into the upper layer goaf along the cracks in the layer, resulting in upper layer working face to frequently exceed the gas limit. And ordinary drilling can no longer meet the requirements of the pressure‐relief gas drainage of the lower layer. The 205 working face of Tingnan Coal Mine is taken as the test background in this paper, and based on the “pressure‐relief and flow‐increase” effect of the lower layer under the action of mining stress during the upper layer mining, the gas drainage of kilometer directional drilling in lower layer is studied. According to the distribution characteristics of support pressure before and after the working face, the pressure‐relief principle, fracture development characteristics, and gas migration law of the lower layered coal body are analyzed in the process of advancing the upper layered working face in the extrathick coal seam with high gas. The maximum depth of goaf damage is calculated theoretically, and the Flac3D numerical simulation of the failure deformation of the 205 working face floor is carried out. It is found that the maximum depth of plastic failure of the lower layer is about 13 m. According to the plastic deformation of the lower layer under different vertical depths and the movement of coal and rock mass, it is determined that the reasonable range of kilometer directional drilling in the lower layer is 6–9 m below the floor vertical depth. From 15 m to 45 m in the two parallel grooves, there is no fracture failure with a sharp increase or decrease in the displacement in the local range. Meanwhile, in this part, the roof falling behind is not easy to compaction, and the displacement of the floor is large, which does not cause plastic damage. The degree of pressure relief is more sufficient, and the permeability of the lower layer is good. Therefore, drilling should be arranged as much as possible along the working face in this tendency range. The determination of reasonable arrangement range of kilometer directional drilling in extrathick coal seam provides reference index and theoretical guidance for industrial test of working face and also provides new ideas for gas control of stratified mining face in high‐gas and extrathick coal seam.
[Retracted] Strength Enhancement Study on Composites of AA6066 Aluminium Alloy with Magnesium Oxide and Coal Ash
Authors: Ponraj Sankar L. , Aruna G. , Sathish T. , Parthiban A. , Vijayan V. , Dinesh Kumar S. , Rajkumar S. , Mekonnen Addisalem , Tufa Mebratu
Published: July 2021

Aluminium alloy is the most favourable material based on the various properties and economic factors. Always there are so many researches going on based on the enhancement of the material properties with various combinations and the various materials mixing rate depending upon the availability. These researches were focused on the augmentations of the properties, and then the corresponding properties can be used in the various applications depending upon the results. In this study, the AA6066 aluminium alloy composites were created with the magnesium oxide and coal ash with a variety of grouping. The specimens were named as AAMgOCA 1 to AAMgOCA 6 with respect to the volume concentration composition. Then, the composites were tested to identify the impact on various strengths such as yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, shear strength, and flexural strength. These strengths were compared with the two conditions of the composites such as annealed and heat‐treated conditions. AAMgOCA 3 has the greatest results in heat‐treated condition when compared with the annealed condition.
Carbon Monoxide‐Releasing Molecule‐2 Ameliorates Particulate Matter‐Induced Aorta Inflammation via Toll‐Like Receptor/NADPH Oxidase/ROS/NF‐κB/IL‐6 Inhibition
Authors: Vo Thi Thuy Tien , Hsu Chien-Yi , Wee Yinshen , Chen Yuh-Lien , Cheng Hsin-Chung , Wu Ching-Zong , Lin Wei-Ning , Lee I-Ta
Published: July 2021

Particulate matter (PM), a major air pollutant, may be associated with adverse cardiovascular effects. Reactive oxygen species‐ (ROS‐) dependent proinflammatory cytokine production, such as interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), is a possible underlying mechanism. Carbon monoxide‐ (CO‐) releasing molecule‐2 (CORM‐2) which liberates exogenous CO can exert many beneficial effects, particularly anti‐inflammation and antioxidant effects. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective effects and underpinning mechanisms of CORM‐2 on PM‐induced aorta inflammation. Here, human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) were utilized as in vitro models for the assessment of signaling pathways behind CORM‐2 activities against PM‐induced inflammatory responses, including Toll‐like receptors (TLRs), NADPH oxidase, ROS, nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB), and IL‐6. The modulation of monocyte adherence and HASMC migration, that are two critical cellular events of inflammatory process, along with their regulators, including intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1), vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1), and matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) and MMP‐9, in response to PM by CORM‐2, were further evaluated. Finally, mice experiments under different conditions were conducted for the in vivo evaluation of CORM‐2 benefits on the expression of inflammatory molecules including IL‐6, ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1, MMP‐2, and MMP‐9. Our results found that PM could induce aorta inflammation in vitro and in vivo, as evidenced by the increase of IL‐6 expression that was regulated by the TLR2 and TLR4/NADPH oxidase/ROS/NF‐κB signaling pathway, thereby promoting ICAM‐1‐ and VCAM‐1‐dependent monocyte adhesion and MMP‐2‐ and MMP‐9‐dependent HASMC migration. Importantly, our experimental models demonstrated that CORM‐2‐liberated CO effectively inhibited the whole identified PM‐induced inflammatory cascade in HASMCs and tissues. In conclusion, CORM‐2 treatment may elicit multiple beneficial effects on inflammatory responses of aorta due to PM exposure, thereby providing therapeutic value in the context of inflammatory diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Decision‐Making for the Lifetime Performance Index
Authors: Alsaedi Basim S. O. , Abd El-Raouf M. M. , Hafez E. H. , Almaspoor Zahra , Alamri Osama Abdulaziz , Alanazi Kamel Atallah , Khosa Saima Khan
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this research is to develop a maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) for lifetime performance index CL for the parameter of mixture Rayleigh‐Half Normal distribution (RHN) under progressively type‐II right‐censored samples under the constraint of knowing the lower specification limit (L). Additionally, we suggest an asymptotic normal distribution for the MLE for CL in order to construct a mechanism for evaluating products’ lifespan efficiency. We have specified all the steps to carry out the test. Additionally, not only does hypothesis testing successfully assess the lifetime performance of items, but it also functions as a supplier selection criterion for the consumer. Finally, we have added two real data examples as illustration examples. These two applications are provided to demonstrate how the results can be applied.
A Novel Adaptive Visual Analytics Framework for Multiship Encounter Identification
Authors: Zhen Rong , Shi Ziqiang
Published: July 2021

The automatic identification of multiship encounter is a vital criterion for ship collision avoidance and intelligent maritime safety surveillance. However, the parameters of ship encounter identification in the existing studies are fixed, and the methods are weak to give an automatic and visual performance in the multiship encounter identification. In order to fix the existed gap, this paper proposed a novel adaptive visual analytics framework for automatic multiship encounter identification based on density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) and visual analytics by adjusting the parameters of ship encounter adaptively. The DBSCAN clustering method was applied to detect the clusters of encounter ships and filter out the nonencounter ship, and the distribution and density of the encounter ship had been visualized on the nautical chart to give a better perception of ships’ behavior with a potentially high navigational risk. The framework had been designed and developed using DBSCAN and visual analytics, and the effectiveness was evaluated and validated by adjusting different parameters of multiship encounter within the Southwest waters of Zhoushan Island, China. The results showed that the proposed framework had a good performance in the visual identification of multiship encounter within confined waters, which could assist the ship collision avoidance and intelligent maritime surveillance system.
Edge Computing for IoT-Enabled Smart Grid
Authors: Mehmood M. Yasir , Oad Ammar , Abrar Muhammad , Munir Hafiz Mudassir , Hasan Syed Faraz , Muqeet H. Abd ul , Golilarz Noorbakhsh Amiri
Published: July 2021

Smart grid is a new vision of the conventional power grid to integrate green and renewable technologies. Smart grid (SG) has become a hot research topic with the development of new technologies, such as IoT, edge computing, artificial intelligence, big data, 5G, and so on. The efficiency of SG will be increased by smart embedded devices that have intelligent decision-making ability. Various types of sensors and data sources will collect data of high resolution. One of the vital challenges for IoT is to manage a large amount of data produced by sensors. Sending this massive amount of data directly to the cloud will create problems of latency, security, privacy, and high bandwidth utilization. This issue is addressed by edge computing (EC). In EC, the data are processed at the edge of the network that is near the embedded gadgets. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the smart grid systems, based on IoT and EC. The development in the rising technologies, the framework for EC-IoT-based SG, and requirements to implement the EC-IoT-based SG system are highlighted in the paper. Framework for EC-IoT-based SG is examined, and important requirements to implement the EC-IoT-based SG system are outlined. Finally, some critical issues and challenges faced in the implementation of EC-IoT-based SG systems are identified. Some important open research issues are also identified.
Study on the Performance and Adhesion Behavior of Ultrathin Wearing Course Using Calcined Bauxite as Aggregate
Authors: Sheng Yanping , Wang Runzhi , Jia Haichuan , Qiu Wenli , Feng Lei , Zhang Shaobo , Cui Shian , Zhao Xiaorui
Published: July 2021

An ultrathin wearing course is an effective maintenance treatment for prolonging the service life of asphalt pavements, which have been widely used in the field of pavement construction and road maintenance. However, the repeated vehicle load and wear results in a decreased durability of ultrathin wear course cover pavement. Hence, the gradation of ultrathin wear course was designed using calcined bauxite in this study, and the water stability, low-temperature properties, resistance to permanent deformation, and salt erosion were investigated through a laboratory test. Results indicated that the addition of a nonammonia antistripping agent significantly improves the water stability of the asphalt mixture with calcined bauxite and its ability to resist salt erosion as well as improve its low-temperature deformation ability. At the same time, polyphosphoric acid improves the adhesion between asphalt and calcined bauxite aggregate and the high-temperature performance of asphalt mixture but has limited improvement in water stability and resistance to salt erosion. This research is conducive to the widespread use of calcined bauxite aggregates in road pavements and is of great significance for improving the durability of ultrathin wear course asphalt pavements.
Locomotive Gear Fault Diagnosis Based on Wavelet Bispectrum of Motor Current
Authors: Zhang Mingming , Yang Jiangtian , Zhang Zhang
Published: July 2021

The motor current signature analysis (MCSA) provides a nondestructive method for gear fault detection. The motor current in the faulty gear system not only involves the frequency information related to the fault but also the electric supply frequency and gear meshing‐related frequency, which not only contaminates the fault characteristics but also increases the difficulty of fault extraction. To extract the fault characteristic frequency effectively, an innovative method based on the wavelet bispectrum (WB) is proposed. Bispectrum is an effective tool for identifying the fault‐related quadratic phase coupling (QPC). However, it requires a large amount of data averaging, which is not suitable for short data analysis. In this paper, the wavelet bispectrum is introduced to motor current analysis and the problem of QPC extraction under variable speed conditions is preliminarily solved. Furthermore, a fault diagnostic approach for locomotive gears using the wavelet bispectrum and wavelet bispectral entropy is suggested. The presented method was effectively applied to the locomotive online running operations, and faults of the drive gear were successfully diagnosed.
SAV Operations on a Bus Line Corridor: Travel Demand, Service Frequency, and Vehicle Size
Authors: Yantao Huang , Kockelman Kara M. , Truong Long T.
Published: July 2021

Before shared automated vehicles (SAVs) can be widely adopted, they are anticipated to be implemented commercially in confined regions or fixed routes where the benefits of automation can be realized. SAVs have the potential to operate in a traditional transit corridor, replacing conventional transit vehicles, and have frequent interactions with riders and other vehicles sharing the same right of way. This paper microsimulates SAVs’ operation on a 6.5-mile corridor to understand how vehicle size and attributes of such SAV-based transit affect traffic, transit riders, and system costs. The SUMO (Simulation of Urban MObility) platform is employed to model microscopic interactions among SAVs, transit passengers, and other traffic. Results show that the use of smaller, but more frequent, SAVs leads to reduced passenger waiting times but increased vehicle travel times. More frequent services of smaller SAVs do not, in general, significantly affect general traffic due to shorter dwell times. Overall, using smaller SAVs instead of the large 40-seat SAVs can reduce system costs by up to 4% while also reducing passenger waiting times, under various demand levels and passenger loading factors. However, the use of 5-seat SAVs does not always have the lowest system costs.
A New Construction of Holditch Theorem for Homothetic Motions in

C

p
Authors: Erişir Tülay
Published: July 2021

In this study, the planar kinematics has been studied in a generalized complex plane which is a geometric representation of the generalized complex number system. Firstly, the planar kinematic formulas with one parameter for homothetic motions in the generalized complex plane have been mentioned briefly. Then, the Steiner area formula given areas of the trajectories drawn by the points taken in a generalized complex plane have been obtained during the one-parameter planar homothetic motion. Finally, the Holditch theorem, which gives the relationship between these areas of trajectories, has been expressed for homothetic motions in a generalized complex plane. So, this theorem obtained in this study is the most general form of all Holditch theorems obtained so far.
[Retracted] Facial Nerve Monitoring under Different Levels of Neuromuscular Blockade with Cisatracurium Besilate in Parotid Tumour Surgery
Authors: Huang Huimin , Jiang Hong , Liu Jinxing , Chen Jie , Qiu Lin , Wang Jiayi , Liu Wenhui , Chen Huan
Published: July 2021

Background. Anaesthesia can alter neuronal excitability and vascular reactivity and ultimately lead to neurovascular coupling. Precise control of the skeletal muscle relaxant doses is the key in reducing anaesthetic damage. Methods. A total of 102 patients with the normal functioning preoperative facial nerve who required parotid tumour resection were included in this study. Facial nerve monitoring was conducted intraoperatively. The surgeon stimulated the facial nerve at different myorelaxation intervals at TOF% (T4/T1) and T1% (T1/T0) and recorded the responses and the amplitude of electromyogram (EMG). Body movements (BM) or patient‐ventilator asynchrony (PVA) was recorded intraoperatively. Results. In parotid tumour resection, T1% should be maintained at a range of 30 to 60% while TOF% should be maintained at a range of 20 to 30%. Analysis of the decision tree model for facial nerve monitoring suggests a partial muscle relaxation level of 30% < T1% ≤ 50% and TOF ≤ 60%. A nomogram prediction model, while incorporating factors such as sex, age, BMI, TOF%, and T1%, was constructed to predict the risk of BM/PVA during surgery, showing good predictive performance. Conclusions. This study revealed an adequate level of neuromuscular blockade in intraoperative parotid tumour resection while conducting facial nerve monitoring. A visual nomogram prediction model was constructed to guide anaesthetists in improving the anaesthetic plan.
Study on Dynamic Behavior and Energy Dissipation of Rock considering Initial Damage Effect
Authors: Lu Aihong , Xu Jinhai , Xia Yu , Sun Lei
Published: July 2021

To explore the influence of initial damage on the dynamic characteristics of rock mass, the Φ 50 mm split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test system was used, and the uniaxial impact compression tests on yellow sandstone specimens with different damage degrees were conducted, and then the variation law of mechanical properties of rock specimens with the initial damage was determined. The test results show that the dynamic stress‐strain curve of rock specimens with initial damage can be roughly divided into compaction stage, elastic deformation stage, crack evolution stage, and strain‐softening stage; the higher the initial damage degree of rock mass, the more significant the compaction stage. With the increase of the initial damage degree, the dynamic elastic modulus and peak stress of rock mass decrease gradually in a power number, while the peak strain of rock mass increases exponentially. With the increase of the initial damage degree, both the reflected energy ratio and the dissipated energy ratio decrease linearly, while the transmitted energy ratio increases linearly; the increasing rate of the transmitted energy ratio is greater than the decreasing rate of the reflected energy ratio.
Acoustic Emission and Fractal Precursory Characteristics of Coals with Different Bursting Liabilities in Loading Failure Process
Authors: Wang Chao , Li Yuefeng , Li Yong , Xu Jianhui , Zhang Chengliang
Published: July 2021

Aimed at investigating the differentiation of acoustic emission (AE) signals and fractal precursory characteristics between strong, weak, and no bursting liability coals under uniaxial compression, as well as improving the accuracy of rockburst monitoring and early warning by AE techniques, we experimentally studied the evolution law and differences of AE ring count rate, energy rate, and correlation dimension between different loaded bursting liability coals by the YAW4306 electric mechanical test system and CTA‐1 AE monitor. Our experimental results indicated that the AE count and energy of coal samples with different bursting liabilities showed a similar evolution law of “sharp increase‐calm‐sharp increase” before their main rupture. The active points of AE signals emitted from coal with strong, weak, and no bursting liability appeared at about 85∼90%, 75∼78%, and 51∼55% of the peak stress, respectively. The stronger the bursting liability of coal, the shorter the duration of main rupture and postpeak failure stage, and the greater the AE energy rate in the main rupture. The AE counts of different coals had obvious fractal characteristics, and the AE correlation dimension values of strong and weak bursting liability coal samples presented the phenomenon of “fluctuating rise to a peak value‐sharp drop‐continuous decrease,” which can be used as a precursory information of coal failure.
The Assessment of Quality of Products Called Sandalwood Oil Based on the Information Provided by Manufacturer of the Oil on Polish, German, and English Websites
Authors: Hartman-Petrycka Magdalena , Lebiedowska Agata
Published: July 2021

Background. Sandalwood oil is one of the most valuable raw materials worldwide. As a highly valued product, it has its own regulations based on the ISO 3518 standard, which clearly informs producers, distributors, and consumers of the requirements to be met. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of products called sandalwood oil based on the information provided by the manufacturer of the oils on Polish, German, and English websites. Methods. A Google search was utilized to collect data on sandalwood oil offered by producers and distributors in Polish and foreign markets. Information from 50 websites in each of the aforementioned languages, including the description of sandalwood oil properties on websites, method for using it, safety limitations, and presence of a product description consistent with the INCI recommendations, was gathered using Microsoft Excel software and was analyzed. The information that enabled us to estimate the quality of the oils was the botanical name of the oil-bearing plant and the price. Good-quality oils were considered to be oils with the botanical name Santalum album in the description and with a price not considerably less than the price of white sandalwood oils sold by reliable distributors who control the quality of the oils by chromatography. Ultimately, the lower price limit for one milliliter of the oil was established as PLN 21. Results and Conclusions. Good-quality sandalwood oils derived from the Santalum album plant at a price equal to or greater than the chromatographically tested items amounted to a negligible percentage of products sold online. Without knowing the botanical name of the essential oil plant and the price range of unadulterated sandalwood oil, the likelihood of buying a reliable product is low on all of the analyzed websites, with the lowest probability being observed on the Polish websites.
Multiple Positive Solutions of Second-Order Nonlinear Difference Systems with Repulsive Singularities
Authors: Li Shengjun , Zhang Fang
Published: July 2021

We study the existence of positive solutions for second-order nonlinear repulsive singular difference systems with periodic boundary conditions. Our nonlinearity may be singular in its dependent variable. The proof of the main result relies on a fixed point theorem in cones and a nonlinear alternative principle of Leray-Schauder; the result is applicable to the case of a weak singularity as well as the case of a strong singularity. An example is given; some recent results in the literature are improved and generalized.
Single-Cell Analysis of the Multicellular Ecosystem in Viral Carcinogenesis by HTLV-1
Authors: Koya Junji , Saito Yuki , Kameda Takuro , Kogure Yasunori , Yuasa Mitsuhiro , Nagasaki Joji , McClure Marni B. , Shingaki Sumito , Tabata Mariko , Tahira Yuki , Akizuki Keiichi , Kamiunten Ayako , Sekine Masaaki , Shide Kotaro , Kubuki Yoko , Hidaka Tomonori , Kitanaka Akira , Nakano Nobuaki , Utsunomiya Atae , Togashi Yosuke , Ogawa Seishi , Shimoda Kazuya , Kataoka Keisuke
Published: July 2021

Premalignant clonal expansion of human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1)–infected cells occurs before viral carcinogenesis. Here we characterize premalignant cells and the multicellular ecosystem in HTLV-1 infection with and without adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) by genome sequencing and single-cell simultaneous transcriptome and T/B-cell receptor sequencing with surface protein analysis. We distinguish malignant phenotypes caused by HTLV-1 infection and leukemogenesis and dissect clonal evolution of malignant cells with different clinical behavior. Within HTLV-1–infected cells, a regulatory T-cell phenotype associates with premalignant clonal expansion. We also delineate differences between virus- and tumor-related changes in the nonmalignant hematopoietic pool, including tumor-specific myeloid propagation. In a newly generated conditional knockout mouse model recapitulating T-cell–restricted CD274 (encoding PD-L1) gene lesions found in ATL, we demonstrate that PD-L1 overexpressed by T cells is transferred to surrounding cells, leading to their PD-L1 upregulation. Our findings provide insights into clonal evolution and immune landscape of multistep virus carcinogenesis.

Significance:

Our multimodal single-cell analyses comprehensively dissect the cellular and molecular alterations of the peripheral blood in HTLV-1 infection, with and without progression to leukemia. This study not only sheds light on premalignant clonal expansion in viral carcinogenesis, but also helps to devise novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for HTLV-1–related disorders.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 403
Tamarind Multifunctional Protein: Safety and Anti-Inflammatory Potential in Intestinal Mucosa and Adipose Tissue in a Preclinical Model of Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Lima Vanessa C.O. , Luz Anna B.S. , Amarante Maria do Socorro M. , Lima Maíra C.J.S. , Carvalho Fabiana M.C. , Figueredo Julia B.S. , Santos Pedro P.A. , Camillo Christina S. , Ladd Fernando V.L. , Maciel Bruna L.L. , Uchôa Adriana F. , Morais Ana H.A.
Published: July 2021

Introduction: Obesity has emerged as one of the main public health problems. This condition triggers a series of hormonal and metabolic changes related to a low-grade chronic inflammatory condition. The trypsin inhibitor purified from tamarind (TTIp) seeds is a promising anti-inflammatory molecule, but its safety needs to be evaluated. This study aimed to evaluate TTIp bioactive dose effects on organs involved in its metabolism (liver and pancreas) and affected tissues (small intestine and perirenal adipose tissue) in an obesity model. Methods: Three groups of adult male Wistar rats were used (n = 5). Two of these groups had diet-induced obesity, and a third group was eutrophic. TTIp was administered by gavage in one of the obese groups for 10 days, while the remaining groups received a vehicle. The chromatographic profile and the inhibition assay corroded the purification of the inhibitor. Physical and behavioral changes, liver enzymes, and stereological and histopathological analyses of tissues were evaluated. Results: TTIp did not cause visible signs of toxicity, nor caused changes in liver enzymes, the liver, and pancreatic tissues. TTIp did not cause changes in the intestinal mucosa, showing improvement in the villi’s histopathological characteristics compared to the group of animals with obesity without treatment with TTIp (p = 0.004). The analysis of perirenal adipose tissue showed that the average sectional area of animals with obesity that received TTIp did not differ from the control. There was a difference between the high glycemic load diet group and the group treated with the inhibitor (351.8 ± 55.5) (p = 0.016). In addition, the group that received TTIp had no inflammatory infiltrates. Conclusion: Based on histological and stereological analysis, the use of TTIp is potentially safe and anti-inflammatory in the evaluated obesity model and can be investigated as a possible adjuvant in obesity therapy.
Evaluation of the Effects of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Conditioned Medium on Growth and Maturation of Mouse Ovarian Follicle after Vitrification
Authors: Tork Shahriyar , Sharifi Zahra Nadia , Movassaghi Shabnam , Molaeeghaleh Negar , Abdi Shabnam
Published: July 2021

The aim of this research study is to evaluate the effect of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells conditioned medium (hBMSCs-CM) on growth and maturation of mouse ovarian follicle, and embryonic development after vitrification. The hBMSCs were cultured, and the derived CM was collected, concentrated, and stored. 14-day-old mice ovaries were collected and randomly divided into vitrified and non-vitrified groups. Then their isolated preantral follicles were cultured for 12 days in α-MEM supplemented with different concentrations of CM (2.5, 5, and 7.5%). Finally, the growth and diameter of follicles, maturation of oocytes, hormone level, and embryo developmental rate were assessed. The results showed the antrum formation, oocyte maturation, and hormone secretion were significantly higher in the presence of 7.5% CM (p < 0.001). In the vitrified group, the developmental rate of follicles was lower than the non-vitrified group, and the subgroup containing 7.5% CM showed better results than the 5%, and 2.5% CM subgroups. However, no changes in fertilization and embryonic development rates were observed. Supplementing follicle culture media with 7.5% CM could enhance follicle growth and oocyte maturation of follicles after vitrification.
In vitro evaluation of the dissolving effect of carbonated beverages (Coca-Cola® ) and enzyme-based solutions on enteroliths obtained from horses: pilot study
Authors: Vélez Gil Sergio Andrés , Patiño Marulanda Juan José , Martínez Aranzales José Ramón
Published: July 2021

Enteroliths are concretions of minerals that cause partial or total obstruction of the intestinal lumen, resulting in recurrent and chronic colic in horses. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the in vitro solvent effect of carbonated beverages (Coca-Cola® and Coca-Cola® Zero), and papain and cellulase enzymes (Robinson Pharma®, Santa Ana, CA, USA) on enteroliths obtained from horses. Six 51-grams samples of six enteroliths were assigned to six treatments of immersion solutions: T1, Coca-Cola®; T2: Coca-Cola® Zero; T3: distilled water + papain (90 mg) and cellulase (120 mg); T4: Coca-Cola® + papain and cellulase; T5: Coca-Cola® Zero + papain and cellulase; and, CT: distilled water (control). The volume for immersion in the assigned solution was 150 mL, at a pH of 7.1, using an incubation shaker (Heidolph® , Germany) at 37ºC and 25 rpm, for 72 h. The evaluation periods of the dissolution percentage (difference between the initial weight and final weight of the samples), were 0, 3, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h. After 72 h of immersion, solutions T4, T5, and T1 presented 47, 38.8, and 14.9% of dissolution, respectively. The other solutions did not have major differences with CT (control). Under the in vitro conditions of this pilot study, papain and cellulase enzymes potentiated the dissolving effect of the carbonated solutions on the enteroliths obtained from horses. Further studies are suggested since the existing literature is on the dissolution of phytobezoars and not of enteroliths.
DUYGUSAL EMEK İLE ÖRGÜTSEL VATANDAŞLIK ARASINDAKİ İLİŞKİYİ BELİRLEMEYE YÖNELİK HAZIR GİYİM FİRMASI ÇALIŞANLARI ÜZERİNDE BİR ARAŞTIRMA
Authors: ESEN Murat , GÜLER Dilcan
Published: July 2021

Hazır giyim işletmeleri, hizmet sektörü içerisinde müşteri ile ilişkilerin yoğun olarak yaşandığı bir yerdir. Bu tip işletmelerde çalışanlar, hem müşterinin isteklerini karşılamak için çaba harcarken öte yandan işletme içerisinde yatay ve dikey yönlü ilişkilerini de yönetmek durumunda kalmaktadırlar. Hazır giyim perakende satış hizmetleri bünyesinde, çalışanların duygusal emek davranışlarının kontörlünün sağlanarak olumlu yönde geliştirilmesi çalışanların karşılık beklemeksizin gönüllü bir şekilde ve görevlerinden fazlasını yerine getirmelerini, işletmeye ve işe bağlılıklarının sağlanmasını, işletme içindeki çevresine güven duymasını, iş tatmininin artmasını ve beraberinde işe karşı motivasyonunun üst seviyelere çıkmasını ve böylelikle çalışma yaşamı kalitesinin yükselmesini de beraberinde getirecektir. Özellikle hizmet işletmelerinde insan kaynakları yönetimi politikalarının insanların duygularını ve sosyal durumlarını da göz önüne alarak oluşturulması personelin örgütsel vatandaşlık davranışı gösterme eğilimine katkı sağlayabilecektir.
Çalışmada, Türkiye'de yaygın bir mağaza ağı olan hazır giyim firmasının çalışanları ele alınmıştır. Amaç, çalışanların duygusal emek bağlamında göstermiş oldukları davranış durumlarını ele alarak duygusal emek davranışlarıyla örgütsel vatandaşlık davranışları arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemektir. Bunun yanı sıra demografik değişkenlere göre duygusal emek ve örgütsel vatandaşlık boyutlarındaki farklılıklar incelenmiştir.
DÜNYADA VE TÜRKİYE’DE EMEK PİYASALARINDA DİJİTALLEŞME VE KAMU İSTİHDAM HİZMETLERİNİN ROLÜ
Authors: KARAASLAN İlknur
Published: July 2021

Çağımızda bir taraftan teknolojideki gelişmeler ve dijitalleşme, diğer taraftan yaşanan demografik değişim/dönüşüm bireylerin emek piyasasında muhatap oldukları işleri ve meslekleri de etkilemektedir. Emek piyasasındaki bu dönüşüm sonucunda ortaya çıkan taleplerin ne ölçüde karşılanıp karşılanmadığı, bireylerin emek piyasasına girmeleri veya girememeleri sonucunu doğurmaktadır. Bu noktada önemli bir rol üstlenmesi beklenen kamu istihdam hizmetleri, teknoloji ve dijitalleşmenin ortaya çıkardığı imkanlarla hem kendi iç işleyişini daha aktif, dinamik bir hale getirebilecek hem de teknolojinin iş arayanlarla, eleman arayanlar arasında yarattığı kopukluğu gidermek üzere, aktif istihdam politikalarını çeşitlendirme ve adapte etme yolunu izleyebilecektir.
Bu çerçevede, çalışmada, emek piyasasında ortaya çıkan söz konusu gelişmelerin istihdam üzerindeki etkileri ve kamu istihdam hizmetlerinin rolü, global olarak ve Türkiye için tartışılacaktır.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Emek piyasasında dijitalleşme, istihdam, kamu istihdam hizmetleri.
JEL Kodları: J44, J21, J68
Building Environmental Peace: The UN Environment Programme and Knowledge Creation for Environmental Peacebuilding
Authors: Dalmer Natalia
Published: July 2021

Since the aftermath of the 1999 Kosovo Conflict, UNEP has addressed the environmental dimension of insecurities and turned to peacebuilding. This has been risky because it strays close to conflict prevention, identification, or resolution, which lie outside of UNEP’s mandate. I argue that this change in approach results from knowledge creation. UNEP’s experiences about the linkage between environmental degradation and insecurity in postconflict settings motivated its search for opportunities that would legitimize its contribution to postconflict peacebuilding. Seizing on the UN’s Peacebuilding Architecture, UNEP established ECP and, through the program, aimed to develop environmental peacebuilding as a concern through three distinct but interrelated knowledge-building practices: knowledge collection, strategic interpretation, and implementation.
Ġarar vs. Jurisprudential Necessity in Commercial Insurance Contracts
Authors: Haswa Maher , Sharaiyra Suhaib Walid
Published: July 2021

This study deals with the effect of ġarar (uncertainty) and jurisprudential necessity on the Sharīʿah permissibility of commercial insurance contracts, using an analytical and critical approach. The study clarifies the meaning of ġarar, and its effect on contracts, by verifying the effective cause of ġarar, determining its degree, and ascertaining the rationale for its prohibition. The criterion for differentiating between trivial and substantial ġarar is discussed, as well as the views of jurists who permit insurance contracts through a holistic view approach, contrary to the traditional view. The study distinguishes between ḥāǧah (necessity) in the jurisprudential sense, general necessity as expressed in the objectives of the lawgiver, from the concept of ḍarūrah (essentiality). Furthermore, the study highlights an important jurisprudential rule that has direct effect on the permissibility of insurance contracts, i.e., ‘what is forbidden for the prevention of the means (of corruption) is permitted for the preponderant interest’.
The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of Foreign Policy Planning in Brazil (1949-2018)
Authors: de Souza Farias Rogério
Published: July 2021

Policy planning has a long history in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs around the world. This article provides an overview of almost 70 years of this technique in Brazil’s Ministry of External Relations (Itamaraty). I will argue that there has been a clear trade-off between predicting, preaching, disrupting and managing. Despite its failures, planning has been an important tool for coping with uncertainty and has provided coherence in foreign policy-making.
Exploring the Theology of Expectation in Relation to Young People and Youth Ministry
Authors: Štěch František
Published: July 2021

This article introduces theology of expectation designed by Czech theologian Vladimír Boublík and considers its capacity to potentially enhance the theological background of youth ministry. It starts with a presentation of expectation as a characteristic feature of humanity which is specifically intensive in young age and proceeds with a particular, Christian understanding of expectation in relation to eschatology. Drawing upon Boublík’s treatment of expectation a few inspirations and impulses for the field of youth ministry research are suggested. In its conclusion, the article argues that expecting the future in general and awaiting Christ in particular forms a standpoint that comprises a potential for solid theological understanding to young people and helps to perceive youth ministry as an environment where good theology might be transformed into good projects.
The second North American fossil horntail wood-wasp (Hymenoptera: Siricidae), from the early Eocene Green River Formation
Authors: ARCHIBALD S. BRUCE , AASE ARVID , NEL ANDRÉ
Published: July 2021

Eoteredon lacoi gen. et sp. nov., is described from the early Eocene Green River Formation in Wyoming, the second fossil siricid genus and species described from North America. We propose Eoteredon as sister to the genus Teredon, whose sole species is one of the rarest of extant Siricidae. The majority of siricids today inhabit temperate Northern Hemisphere forests; Teredon cubensis, however, is one of its few species that live in megathermal tropical lowlands. The Eocene forest that Eoteredon inhabited had a mesothermal to megathermal climate. We place Eoteredon in the context of broad Cenozoic climate change.
A new dung beetle species of the genus Stiptopodius Harold, 1871 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) recorded from xeric savanna in Namibia
Authors: STRÜMPHER WERNER P. , DANIEL GIMO M.
Published: July 2021

A new species of dung beetle, Stiptopodius brancoi Strümpher & Daniel, new species, from Namibia, is diagnosed, described, and illustrated. The new species is the first Stiptopodius recorded from the country and belong to the “singularis species group”. A revised key as well as a checklist of Stiptopodius species recorded from the African continent are provided.
The MJO on the Equatorial Beta Plane: An Eastward-Propagating Rossby Wave Induced by Meridional Moisture Advection
Authors: Ahmed Fiaz
Published: July 2021

Linearized wave solutions on the equatorial beta plane are examined in the presence of a background meridional moisture gradient. Of interest is a slow, eastward-propagatingn= 1 mode that is unstable at planetary scales and only exists for a small range of zonal wavenumbers (). The mode dispersion curve appears as an eastward extension of the westward-propagating equatorial Rossby wave solution. This mode is therefore termed the eastward-propagating equatorial Rossby wave (ERW). The zonal wavenumber-2 ERW horizontal structure consists of a low-level equatorial convergence center flanked by quadrupole off-equatorial gyres, and resembles the horizontal structure of the observed MJO. An analytic, leading-order dispersion relationship for the ERW shows that meridional moisture advection imparts eastward propagation, and that the smallness of a gross moist stability–like parameter contributes to the slow phase speed. The ERW is unstable near planetary scales when low-level easterlies moisten the column. This moistening could come from either zonal moisture advection or surface fluxes or a combination thereof. When westerlies instead moisten the column, the ERW is damped and the westward-propagating long Rossby wave is unstable. The ERW does not exist when the meridional moisture gradient is too weak. A moist static energy budget analysis shows that the ERW scale selection is partly due to finite-time-scale convective adjustment and less effective zonal wind–induced moistening at smaller scales. Similarities in the phase speed, preferred scale, and horizontal structure suggest that the ERW is a beta-plane analog of the MJO.
The role of storm movement in controlling flash flood response: an analysis of the 28 September 2012 extreme event in Murcia, southeastern Spain
Authors: Amengual A. , Borga M. , Ravazzani G. , Crema S.
Published: July 2021

Flash flooding is strongly modulated by the spatial and temporal variability in heavy precipitation. Storm motion prompts a continuous change of rainfall space-time variability that interacts with the drainage river system, thus influencing the flood response. The impact of storm motion on hydrological response is assessed for the 28 September 2012 flash flood over the semi-arid and medium-sized Guadalentín catchment in Murcia, southeastern Spain. The influence of storm kinematics on flood response is examined through the concept of ‘catchment-scale storm velocity’. This variable quantifies the interaction between the storm system motion and the river drainage network, assessing its influence on the hydrograph peak. By comparing two hydrological simulations forced by rainfall scenarios of distinct spatial and temporal variability, the role of storm system movement on the flood response is effectively isolated. This case study is the first to: (i) show through the catchment-scale storm velocity how storm motion may strongly affect flood peak and timing; and (ii) assess the influence of storm kinematics on hydrological response at different basin scales. In the end, this extreme flash flooding provides a valuable case study of how the interaction between storm motion and drainage properties modulate hydrological response.