bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emotions and Instructed Language Learning: Proposing a Second Language Emotions and Positive Psychology Model
Authors: Shao Kaiqi , Nicholson Laura J. , Kutuk Gulsah , Lei Fei
Published: August 2020

Although emotion research and positive psychology (PP) have recently gained strong momentum in the field of second language acquisition (SLA), theoretical models linking language emotion and PP research, which offer insights for both research and intervention practice are lacking. To address this gap, the present article first introduces the origin, concept, and research around PP. Next, it summarizes recent research on PP and emotions in SLA. Finally, by triangulating emotion theories and research in the fields of psychology, education, and SLA, we propose a new model, which merges the three pillars of PP (positive institutions, positive characteristics, and positive emotions) with the antecedents, outcomes, and interventions of second language (L2) emotions (the L2EPP model). The value of the model to L2 pedagogy and research is highlighted in the context of the importance of integrating PP into the area of emotions and instructed SLA.
When 5G Meets Deep Learning: A Systematic Review
Authors: Santos Guto Leoni , Endo Patricia Takako , Sadok Djamel , Kelner Judith
Published: August 2020

This last decade, the amount of data exchanged on the Internet increased by over a staggering factor of 100, and is expected to exceed well over the 500 exabytes by 2020. This phenomenon is mainly due to the evolution of high-speed broadband Internet and, more specifically, the popularization and wide spread use of smartphones and associated accessible data plans. Although 4G with its long-term evolution (LTE) technology is seen as a mature technology, there is continual improvement to its radio technology and architecture such as in the scope of the LTE Advanced standard, a major enhancement of LTE. However, for the long run, the next generation of telecommunication (5G) is considered and is gaining considerable momentum from both industry and researchers. In addition, with the deployment of the Internet of Things (IoT) applications, smart cities, vehicular networks, e-health systems, and Industry 4.0, a new plethora of 5G services has emerged with very diverging and technologically challenging design requirements. These include high mobile data volume per area, high number of devices connected per area, high data rates, longer battery life for low-power devices, and reduced end-to-end latency. Several technologies are being developed to meet these new requirements, and each of these technologies brings its own design issues and challenges. In this context, deep learning models could be seen as one of the main tools that can be used to process monitoring data and automate decisions. As these models are able to extract relevant features from raw data (images, texts, and other types of unstructured data), the integration between 5G and DL looks promising and one that requires exploring. As main contribution, this paper presents a systematic review about how DL is being applied to solve some 5G issues. Differently from the current literature, we examine data from the last decade and the works that address diverse 5G specific problems, such as physical medium state estimation, network traffic prediction, user device location prediction, self network management, among others. We also discuss the main research challenges when using deep learning models in 5G scenarios and identify several issues that deserve further consideration.
Analysis of the Influence of Suspension Actuator Limitations on Ride Comfort in Passenger Cars Using Model Predictive Control
Authors: Enders Erik , Burkhard Georg , Munzinger Nathan
Published: August 2020

Active suspension systems help to deliver superior ride comfort and can be used to resolve the objective conflict between ride comfort and road-holding. Currently, there exists no method for analyzing the influence of actuator limitations, such as maximum force and maximum rate of change, on the achievable ride comfort. This research paper presents a method that is capable of doing this. It uses model predictive control to eliminate the influence of feedback controller performance and to integrate both actuator limitations and necessary constraints on dynamic wheel-load variation and suspension travel. Various scenarios are simulated, such as driving over a speed bump and inner city driving, as well as driving on a country road and motorway driving, using a state-of-the-art quarter-car model, parameterized for a luxury class vehicle. It is analyzed how comfort, or in one scenario road-holding, can be improved with consideration for the actuator limitations. The results indicate that actuator rate limitation has a strong influence on vertical vehicle dynamics control system performance, and that relatively small maximum forces of around 1000 to 2000 N are sufficient to successfully reject disturbances from road irregularities, provided the actuator is capable of supplying the forces at a sufficiently high rate of change.
Pre-Emergence Herbicides and Mulches for Weed Control in Cutting Propagation
Authors: Witcher Anthony L. , Poudel Isha
Published: August 2020

Weed control is critical in cutting propagation to maximize root growth and liner quality, but hand weeding is time consuming and not cost efficient. Pre-emergence herbicides are widely used in container-grown nursery crop production, but concerns of potential phytotoxicity have limited widespread use in propagation. Mulches are a viable alternative for weed control but few products have been evaluated in propagation. Five pre-emergence herbicides and five mulches were evaluated for rooting stem cuttings of three nursery crop species and for control of four weed species. Mulches were applied (0.8 cm depth) prior to sticking cuttings while pre-emergence herbicides were applied (low labeled rate) two weeks after sticking cuttings. Rooting percentage, root dry weight, and shoot dry weight were not affected by pre-emergence herbicide or mulch, except for butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii ‘Nanho Blue’) which was severely injured when treated with the pre-emergence herbicide isoxaben. Oxyfluorfen + oxadiazon provided excellent control of all tested weed species and has potential to be used in propagation of a number of crops. Mulches did not provide adequate weed control, but increased application depth may enhance efficacy and should be further evaluated.
Method of Tillage with the Factor Determining the Quality of Organic Matter
Authors: Debska Bozena , Jaskulska Iwona , Jaskulski Dariusz
Published: August 2020

The aim of this paper has been to determine the importance of the strip-till method for the content of carbon and the quality of organic matter as compared with plough and ploughless tillage. The question to answer has been to what extent strip-till can contribute to carbon sequestration and thus be part of the strategy of counteracting climate change. The research involved soil where conventional tillage (CT), strip-till (ST), and reduced tillage (RT) were applied. These systems differ completely in the way they affect the post-harvest residue, i.e., “plant residue management”. For air-dry soil samples, the following analyses were made: the content of total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (Nt), content of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved nitrogen (DNt), and the fractional composition of humus. In the surface layer the content of TOC ranged from 11.96 (CT) to 13.88 g kg−1 (RT) and DOC ranged from 209.9 (CT) to 230.5 mg kg−1 (ST). The share of the fraction of fluvic acids (0–15 cm layer) changed from 15.51% (RT) to 18.81% (ST), the share of the fraction of humic acids was 9.36% (ST) to 11.60%, and humins were 68.90% (CT) to 72.6% (RT). These results demonstrated that the tillage system determines the properties of the organic matter of soil. In the surface layer (0–15 cm) and in the 30–50 cm layer the properties of the soil organic matter under strip-till had a greater similarity to the soil under ploughless tillage than under conventional tillage. Ploughless tillage and strip-till considerably limited the leaching of carbon and nitrogen from the surface layer to the 30–50 cm layer. Strip-till, similarly to ploughless tillage, is the tillage method which can be crucial for the process of carbon sequestration.
RETRACTED: Calvo-Guirado et al. Experimental Study on the Influence of Apigenin K and Melatonin in Socket Preservation as Bone Stimulators: An Experimental Study in Beagle Dogs. Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, 3006
Authors:   Applied Sciences Editorial Office
Published: August 2020

In the published paper [...]
Macrophage Accumulation and Angiogenesis in Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Cardiac Patients with or without Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Butcovan Doina , Mocanu Veronica , Timofte Daniel V. , Costan Victor V. , Danila Radu , Veselin Adina Pricope , Ciuntu Bogdan M. , Haliga Raluca E. , Sascau Radu A. , Ghiga Gabriela , Statescu Cristian
Published: August 2020

Routinely measuring epicardial fat had become a novel tool for cardiovascular risk stratification. Structural changes in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), including fat thickness, inflammation, and angiogenesis, have been described in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. We proposed to measure EAT thickness and characterize inflammatory infiltrate and angiogenesis in epicardial adipose tissue in CAD patients with and without chronic heart failure (CHF), established by cardiac dysfunction on echocardiography (left ventricular ejection fraction, LVEF ≤ 50%) and symptoms of heart failure (New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II or III).The study included 15 patients with CAD (demonstrated by coronary angiography),, who underwent right atrial appendages (RAA) excision during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). The study was performed by histopathological, immunohistochemical (IHC), and morphometrical analysis. EAT thickness was assessed by using morphometry applied on routine histological stains. Inflammatory cell infiltration and angiogenesis were investigated immunohistochemically by using antibodies against CD68 and CD34 markers. Diminished EAT thickness in the CAD patients with CHF was associated with increased macrophage infiltration and reduced angiogenesis of the EAT as compared to CAD patients without CHF. In conclusion, the present study on epicardial fat samples of the RAA suggested that high expression of CD68 appeared to be associated with severe deterioration of heart function in CAD patients who underwent myocardial revascularization consisting of CABG.
RETRACTED: Reconstructing the Dynamic Processes of the Taimali Landslide in Taiwan Using the Waveform Inversion Method
Authors: Lin Guan-Wei , Hung Ching
Published: August 2020

As a landslide occurs, seismic signals generated by the mass sliding on the slope can be recorded by seismometers nearby. Using waveform inversion techniques, we can explore the dynamic processes (e.g., sliding direction, velocity, and runout distance) of a landslide with the inverted force–time function. In this study, the point force history (PFH) inversion method was applied to the Taimali landslide in Taiwan, which was triggered by a heavy rainstorm in 2009. The inverted force–time function for the landslide revealed the complicated dynamic processes. The time series of velocity indicated three different sliding directions during the landslide. Hence, three propagating stages of the Taimali landslide were determined and were consistent with an investigation using remote sensing images and a digital elevation model of the landslide. In addition, the PFH inversion was implemented using high-quality single-station records and maintained good performance compared with the inversion by multistation records.
Effect of Surface Groove Structure on the Aerodynamics of Soccer Balls
Authors: Hong Sungchan , Asai Takeshi
Published: August 2020

Soccer balls have undergone dramatic changes in their surface structure that can affect their aerodynamics. The properties of the soccer ball surface such as the panel shape, panel orientation, seam characteristics, and surface roughness have a significant impact on its aerodynamics and flight trajectory. In this study, we performed wind-tunnel tests to investigate how the introduction of grooves on the surface of a soccer ball affects the flight stability and aerodynamic forces on the ball. Our results show that for soccer balls without grooves, changing the panel orientation of the ball causes a significant change in the drag coefficient. Soccer balls with grooves exhibited a smaller change in air resistance (Cd) in the supercritical region (20 to 30 m/s; 3.0 × 105 ≤ Re ≤ 4.7 × 105), compared to the ungrooved ball where only the panel orientation was changed. Furthermore, at power-shot speeds (25 m/s), the grooved ball exhibited smaller variations in lift force and side force than the ungrooved ball. These results suggest that a long groove structure on the surface of the soccer ball has a significant impact on the air flow around the ball in the supercritical region, and has the effect of keeping the air flow separation line constant.
Analysis of Modal Parameters Using a Statistical Approach for Condition Monitoring of the Wind Turbine Blade
Authors: Dolinski Lukasz , Krawczuk Marek
Published: August 2020

The primary objective of the presented paper is the numerical and experimental investigation related to developing a useful diagnostic method, which can be used for determining the site and size of damage in laminated shells of wind turbine blades. The described detection technique is based on the analysis of low frequencies bending vibrations mode shapes of rotor blades. The authors used the commonly applied statistics methods that have been adapted to detect edges of damage, including the normalized determination coefficient fit, which is a measure of the absolute fit between two curves. The research was conducted for a scaled-down blade of a three-bladed horizontal-axis wind turbine with 36 m diameter rotor. The study was divided into two parts. The first stage included numerical calculations using the finite element method, which were supplemented in the second stage by measurements under laboratory conditions of the specially manufactured composite blade. The forms of natural vibrations for intact and damaged blade were determined using Laser Doppler Scanning Vibrometry. The results of the presented research confirm the effectiveness of the modal analysis combined with statistic calculation in damage detection. The method points out the location of relatively small damage.
Atlas of Defects within a Global Building Inspection System
Authors: Pereira Clara , de Brito Jorge , Silvestre José D. , Flores-Colen Inês
Published: August 2020

Building inspection systems are essential to optimise building maintenance. In the context of developing a global building inspection system, the lack of an expeditious tool to identify defects and their urgency of repair was detected. This study intends to propose an atlas of defects applicable to several types of building elements/materials, simplifying issues associated with the diagnosis of building pathology. A database was devised using previously developed components of the global inspection system: the classification list of defects and the urgency of repair parameters. Such a database was structured using several pages, each one with tables organised according to types of defects, building elements/materials and levels of urgency of repair (five-level scale—0–4). The atlas of defects has 38 pages in total, each for a different type of defect. The levels of urgency of repair are illustrated with photographs and described with concise classification criteria. Not all levels of urgency of repair apply to all defect–building element/material combinations; levels 1, 2 and 3 are those most often considered. The proposed atlas of defects is an innovative approach, useful to assist surveyors during technical inspections of buildings, whose concept may be adapted to other inspection systems.
Key Factors of the Initiation and Development of Polygonal Wear in the Wheels of a High-Speed Train
Authors: Wu Yue , Jin Xuesong , Cai Wubin , Han Jian , Xiao Xinbiao
Published: August 2020

The polygonal wear of train wheels occurs commonly in rail transport and increases the wheel–rail interaction force dramatically and has a bad effect on the safety and comfort of the train. The mechanism of polygonal wear needs to be studied. The characteristics of test data measured from 47,000 sets of polygonal wheels of high-speed trains were analysed statistically. The analysis shows that, in the entire use life cycle of the wheels, the order (wavelength) and development speed of polygonal wear are different; they correspond to different wheel diameters because of wear and re-profiling. A prediction model, which considered the flexibility of the wheelset for the polygonal wear of the wheels of high-speed trains, was developed to explain this phenomenon. This theoretical model analyses the initiation, development, and characteristics of polygonal wear. The analysis includes the effect of the high-frequency flexible deformation of the wheelset, train operation speed, and wheel diameter variation. This study suggests that, if the wheel perimeter is nearly an integral multiple of the wavelength of severe periodic wear along the wheel circumference, the polygonal wear on the wheel can develop quickly. Furthermore, the wavelength of the periodic wear of the wheel relies on the operation speed of the train and wheelset resonant frequency. Therefore, the initiation and development of polygonal wear on wheels depends on the operation speed, wheel diameter, and the resonant frequencies of the wheelset. This conclusion can be applied to research concerning measures associated with the suppression of polygonal wear development.
The One-Stage Detector Algorithm Based on Background Prediction and Group Normalization for Vehicle Detection
Authors: Lu Fei , Xie Fei , Shen Shibin , Yang Jiquan , Zhao Jing , Sun Rui , Huang Lei
Published: August 2020

Vehicle detection in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) is a very important and challenging task in traffic monitoring. The difficulty of this task is to accurately locate and classify relatively small vehicles in complex scenes. To solve these problems, this paper proposes a modified one-stage detector based on background prediction and group normalization to realize real-time and accurate detection of traffic vehicles. The one-stage detector firstly adds a module to adjust the width and height of anchors and predict the target background, which avoids the problem of the target vehicle missing detection or wrong detection due to the influence of the complicated environments. Then, group normalization and the loss function based on weight attenuation can improve the one-stage detector performance in the training process. The experimental results on traffic monitoring datasets indicate that the improved one-stage detector is superior to the other neural network models in terms of precision at 95.78%.
Experimental Study on the Effect of Different Parameters on Rotor Blade Icing in a Cold Chamber
Authors: Wang Zhengzhi , Zhu Chunling , Zhao Ning
Published: August 2020

Icing phenomenon is an important problem in helicopter rotor design. Conducting experiments in a cold chamber is one of the main methods used to study the law of rotor icing. The purpose of this paper was to analyze the influence of different parameters on the ice shapes of rotor blade and to obtain the relationship between the ice shapes and the input parameters. The icing experimental platform of rotation blade in a cold chamber was set up, and the rotor icing experiments under various conditions were carried out. The ice shapes on the blade were obtained, and the influence of different icing temperatures, rotation speeds, liquid water content, icing times, number of blades on the rotor, and blade materials on the ice shapes were analyzed. The results showed that the ice thickness on the leading edge increased with the increase of liquid water content, rotation speed, and icing time, and the number and material of blades had little effect on icing. The conclusions of this paper can provide a reference for the rotor numerical simulation and future experimental research.
Histomorphological and Redox Delineations in the Testis and Epididymis of Albino Rats Fed with Green-Synthesized Cellulose
Authors: Otuechere Chiagoziem A. , Adewuyi Adewale , Adebayo Olusegun L. , Yawson Emmanuel , Kabiawu Omolara , Al-Rashed Sarah , Okubio Blessing , Beshbishy Amany M. , Batiha Gaber El-Saber
Published: August 2020

It has also become increasingly necessary to diversify the production of cellulose for biomedical applications. In this study, cellulose-green-synthesized from Sesamum indicum (GSC)—was administered orally to rats for 14 days as follows: control, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg GSC. The impact of GSC on the antioxidant status and histomorphology of the testes and epididymis were studied. GSC had no effects on organ weights and organosomatic indices. In the testes, GSC caused nonsignificant changes in superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione and nitric oxide levels, whereas it significantly decreased glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde levels. In the epididymis, GSC significantly decreased superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide levels, but caused a significant increase in glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione levels. Furthermore, at ×200 magnification, testicular morphology appeared normal at all doses, however, extravasation of the germinal epithelium of the epididymis was observed at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg GSC. Conversely, at ×400 magnification, spermatogenic arrest (testes) and chromatolytic alterations (epididymis) were observed at the higher doses (200 and 400 mg/kg GSC). This study reports on the effect of green-synthesized cellulose on testicular and epididymal histology and redox status and further extends the frontiers of research on cellulose.
The Phytochemical, Antifungal, and First Report of the Antiviral Properties of Egyptian Haplophyllum tuberculatum Extract
Authors: Abdelkhalek Ahmed , Salem Mohamed Z. M. , Hafez Elsayed , Behiry Said I. , Qari Sameer H.
Published: August 2020

In this study, ethanol whole plant extract (WPE) of Haplophyllum tuberculatum was characterized and tested for its antifungal and antiviral activities against Fusarium culmorum, Rhizoctonia solani and tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that the main phytochemical constituents of H. tuberculatum WPE were resveratrol (5178.58 mg/kg), kaempferol (1735.23 mg/kg), myricetin (561.18 mg/kg), rutin (487.04 mg/kg), quercetin (401.04 mg/kg), and rosmarinic acid (387.33 mg/kg). By increasing H. tuberculatum WPE at concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3%, all of the fungal isolates were suppressed compared to the two positive and negative controls. Under greenhouse conditions, WPE-treated Chenopodium amaranticolor plants strongly inhibited TMV infection and significantly reduced TMV accumulation levels when compared to non-treated plants. Moreover, the induction of systemic resistance with significant increases in the transcriptional levels of the pathogenesis-related protein-1 (PR-1), chalcone synthase (CHS), and hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA quinate transferase (HQT) genes for treated plants were noticed at 3 and 5 days post-inoculation (dpi) for both assays. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported observation of the antiviral activity of H. tuberculatum extract against plant viral infections. Finally, the results obtained suggest that H. tuberculatum WPE can be considered a promising source of both antifungal and antiviral substances for practical use and for developing plant-derived compounds for the effective management of plant diseases.
Evaluation of the In Vitro Oral Wound Healing Effects of Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Rind Extract and Punicalagin, in Combination with Zn (II)
Authors: Celiksoy Vildan , Moses Rachael L. , Sloan Alastair J. , Moseley Ryan , Heard Charles M.
Published: August 2020

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a well-established folklore medicine, demonstrating benefits in treating numerous conditions partly due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Such desirable medicinal capabilities are attributed to a high hydrolysable tannin content, especially punicalagin. However, few studies have evaluated the abilities of pomegranate to promote oral healing, during situations such as periodontal disease or trauma. Therefore, this study evaluated the antioxidant and in vitro gingival wound healing effects of pomegranate rind extract (PRE) and punicalagin, alone and in combination with Zn (II). In vitro antioxidant activities were studied using DPPH and ABTS assays, with total PRE phenolic content measured by Folin–Ciocalteu assay. PRE, punicalagin and Zn (II) combination effects on human gingival fibroblast viability/proliferation and migration were investigated by MTT assay and scratch wounds, respectively. Punicalagin demonstrated superior antioxidant capacities to PRE, although Zn (II) exerted no additional influences. PRE, punicalagin and Zn (II) reduced gingival fibroblast viability and migration at high concentrations, but retained viability at lower concentrations without Zn (II). Fibroblast speed and distance travelled during migration were also enhanced by punicalagin with Zn (II) at low concentrations. Therefore, punicalagin in combination with Zn (II) may promote certain anti-inflammatory and fibroblast responses to aid oral healing.
Parkinson’s Disease-Cognitive Rating Scale for Evaluating Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rosca Elena , Simu Mihaela
Published: August 2020

The aim of the present systematic review was to examine the evidence on the accuracy and psychometric properties of the Parkinson’s Disease-Cognitive Rating Scale (PD-CRS) for evaluating the presence of cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) as well as to highlight the quality and quantity of research available on the use of the PD-CRS in this population. We searched four databases from inception until July 2020. Eight studies, published between 2008 and 2020, met the inclusion criteria: One cross-sectional study in which participants were assessed with the index test (PD-CRS) and a reference standard diagnostic assessment, in accordance with the Level II criteria of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS); one case-control study comparing the PD-CRS to an extensive battery of tests (i.e., MDS Level II diagnosis); and six studies comparing the PD-CRS to other short cognitive batteries. In patients with Parkinson’s disease, the PD-CRS test provides information about cortical and sub-cortical cognitive functions. Even if it demonstrated good psychometric properties, the results regarding the optimal threshold for detecting mild cognitive impairment and dementia in PD are somewhat inconsistent. Further cross-sectional studies are necessary to examine the optimum cut-off score for detecting cognitive dysfunction in PD patients.
Breast Tumor Cell Invasion and Pro-Invasive Activity of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Co-Targeted by Novel Urokinase-Derived Decapeptides
Authors: Belli Stefania , Franco Paola , Iommelli Francesca , De Vincenzo Anna , Brancaccio Diego , Telesca Marialucia , Merlino Francesco , Novellino Ettore , Ranson Marie , Del Vecchio Silvana , Grieco Paolo , Carotenuto Alfonso , Stoppelli Maria Patrizia
Published: August 2020

Among peritumoral cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are major facilitators of tumor progression. This study describes the effects of two urokinase-derived, novel decapeptides, denoted as Pep 1 and its cyclic derivative Pep 2. In a mouse model of tumor dissemination, using HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells, Pep 2 reduced the number and size of lung metastases. Specific binding of fluoresceinated Pep 2 to HT1080 and telomerase immortalised fibroblasts (TIF) cell surfaces was enhanced by αv overexpression or abolished by excess vitronectin, anti-αv antibodies or silencing of ITGAV αv gene, identifying αv-integrin as the Pep 2 molecular target. In 3D-organotypic assays, peptide-exposed TIFs and primary CAFs from breast carcinoma patients both exhibited a markedly reduced pro-invasive ability of either HT1080 fibrosarcoma or MDA-MB-231 mammary carcinoma cells, respectively. Furthermore, TIFs, either exposed to Pep 2, or silenced for αv integrin, were impaired in their ability to chemoattract cancer cells and to contract collagen matrices, exhibiting reduced α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) levels. Finally, peptide exposure of αv-expressing primary CAFs led to the downregulation of α-SMA protein and to a dramatic reduction of their pro-invasive capability. In conclusion, the ability of the novel decapeptides to interfere with tumor cell invasion directly and through the down-modulation of CAF phenotype suggests their use as lead compounds for co-targeting anti-cancer strategies.
Genetic Susceptibility to Endometrial Cancer: Risk Factors and Clinical Management
Authors: Dörk Thilo , Hillemanns Peter , Tempfer Clemens , Breu Julius , Fleisch Markus C.
Published: August 2020

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common cancer affecting the female reproductive organs in higher-income states. Apart from reproductive factors and excess weight, genetic predisposition is increasingly recognized as a major factor in endometrial cancer risk. Endometrial cancer is genetically heterogeneous: while a subgroup of patients belongs to cancer predisposition syndromes (most notably the Lynch Syndrome) with high to intermediate lifetime risks, there are also several common genomic polymorphisms contributing to the spectrum of germline predispositions. Germline variants and somatic events may act in concert to modulate the molecular evolution of the tumor, where mismatch-repair deficiency is common in endometrioid endometrial tumors whereas homologous recombinational repair deficiency has been described for non-endometrioid endometrial tumors. In this review, we will survey the currently known genomic predispositions for endometrial cancer and discuss their relevance for clinical management in terms of counseling, screening and novel treatments.
Indolepropionic Acid, a Metabolite of the Microbiome, Has Cytostatic Properties in Breast Cancer by Activating AHR and PXR Receptors and Inducing Oxidative Stress
Authors: Sári Zsanett , Mikó Edit , Kovács Tünde , Jankó Laura , Csonka Tamás , Lente Gréta , Sebő Éva , Tóth Judit , Tóth Dezső , Árkosy Péter , Boratkó Anita , Ujlaki Gyula , Török Miklós , Kovács Ilona , Szabó Judit , Kiss Borbála , Méhes Gábor , Goedert James J. , Bai Péter
Published: August 2020

Oncobiotic transformation of the gut microbiome may contribute to the risk of breast cancer. Recent studies have provided evidence that the microbiome secretes cytostatic metabolites that inhibit the proliferation, movement, and metastasis formation of cancer cells. In this study, we show that indolepropionic acid (IPA), a bacterial tryptophan metabolite, has cytostatic properties. IPA selectively targeted breast cancer cells, but it had no effects on non-transformed, primary fibroblasts. In cell-based and animal experiments, we showed that IPA supplementation reduced the proportions of cancer stem cells and the proliferation, movement, and metastasis formation of cancer cells. These were achieved through inhibiting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, inducing oxidative and nitrosative stress, and boosting antitumor immune response. Increased oxidative/nitrosative stress was due to the IPA-mediated downregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and enhanced mitochondrial reactive species production. Increased oxidative/nitrosative stress led to cytostasis and reductions in cancer cell stem-ness. IPA exerted its effects through aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR) receptors. A higher expression of PXR and AHR supported better survival in human breast cancer patients, highlighting the importance of IPA-elicited pathways in cytostasis in breast cancer. Furthermore, AHR activation and PXR expression related inversely to cancer cell proliferation level and to the stage and grade of the tumor. The fecal microbiome’s capacity for IPA biosynthesis was suppressed in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, especially with stage 0. Bacterial indole biosynthesis showed correlation with lymphocyte infiltration to tumors in humans. Taken together, we found that IPA is a cytostatic bacterial metabolite, the production of which is suppressed in human breast cancer. Bacterial metabolites, among them, IPA, have a pivotal role in regulating the progression but not the initiation of the disease.
Vitamin D Effects on Cell Differentiation and Stemness in Cancer
Authors: Fernández-Barral Asunción , Bustamante-Madrid Pilar , Ferrer-Mayorga Gemma , Barbáchano Antonio , Larriba María Jesús , Muñoz Alberto
Published: August 2020

Vitamin D3 is the precursor of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), a pleiotropic hormone that is a major regulator of the human genome. 1,25(OH)2D3 modulates the phenotype and physiology of many cell types by controlling the expression of hundreds of genes in a tissue- and cell-specific fashion. Vitamin D deficiency is common among cancer patients and numerous studies have reported that 1,25(OH)2D3 promotes the differentiation of a wide panel of cultured carcinoma cells, frequently associated with a reduction in cell proliferation and survival. A major mechanism of this action is inhibition of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition, which in turn is largely based on antagonism of the Wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β and EGF signaling pathways. In addition, 1,25(OH)2D3 controls the gene expression profile and phenotype of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are important players in the tumorigenic process. Moreover, recent data suggest a regulatory role of 1,25(OH)2D3 in the biology of normal and cancer stem cells (CSCs). Here, we revise the current knowledge of the molecular and genetic basis of the regulation by 1,25(OH)2D3 of the differentiation and stemness of human carcinoma cells, CAFs and CSCs. These effects support a homeostatic non-cytotoxic anticancer action of 1,25(OH)2D3 based on reprogramming of the phenotype of several cell types.
Towards Quantitative Interpretation of Fourier-Transform Photocurrent Spectroscopy on Thin-Film Solar Cells
Authors: Holovský Jakub , Stuckelberger Michael , Finsterle Tomáš , Conrad Brianna , Peter Amalathas Amalraj , Müller Martin , Haug Franz-Josef
Published: August 2020

The method of detecting deep defects in photovoltaic materials by Fourier-Transform Photocurrent Spectroscopy has gone through continuous development during the last two decades. Still, giving quantitative predictions of photovoltaic device performance is a challenging task. As new materials appear, a prediction of potentially achievable open-circuit voltage with respect to bandgap is highly desirable. From thermodynamics, a prediction can be made based on the radiative limit, neglecting non-radiative recombination and carrier transport effects. Beyond this, more accurate analysis has to be done. First, the absolute defect density has to be calculated, taking into account optical effects, such as absorption enhancement, due to scattering. Secondly, the electrical effect of thickness variation has to be addressed. We analyzed a series of state-of-the-art hydrogenated amorphous silicon solar cells of different thicknesses at different states of light soaking degradation. Based on a combination of empirical results with optical, electrical and thermodynamic simulations, we provide a predictive model of the open-circuit voltage of a device with a given defect density and absorber thickness. We observed that, rather than the defect density or thickness alone, it is their product or the total number of defects, that matters. Alternatively, including defect absorption into the thermodynamic radiative limit gives close upper bounds to the open-circuit voltage with the advantage of a much easier evaluation.
Metal Foam Electrode as a Cathode for Copper Electrowinning
Authors: Vainoris Modestas , Cesiulis Henrikas , Tsyntsaru Natalia
Published: August 2020

The geometry of porous materials is complex, and the determination of the true surface area is important because it affects current density, how certain reactions will progress, their rates, etc. In this work, we have investigated the dependence of the electrochemical deposition of copper coatings on the geometry of the copper substrate (flat plates or 3D foams). Chronoamperometric measurements show that copper deposition occurs 3 times faster on copper foams than on a flat electrode with the same geometric area in the same potential range, making metal foams great electrodes for electrowinning. Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), the mechanism of copper deposition was determined at various concentrations and potentials, and the capacities of the double electric layer (DL) for both types of electrodes were calculated. The DL capacity on the foam electrodes is up to 14 times higher than that on the plates. From EIS data, it was determined that the charge transfer resistance on the Cu foam electrode is 1.5–1.7 times lower than that on the Cu plate electrode. Therefore, metal foam electrodes are great candidates to be used for processes that are controlled by activation polarization or by the adsorption of intermediate compounds (heterogeneous catalysis) and processes occurring on the entire surface of the electrode.
Diversity and Structure of Soil Fungal Communities across Experimental Everglades Tree Islands
Authors: Almeida Brianna K. , Ross Michael S. , Stoffella Susana L. , Sah Jay P. , Cline Eric , Sklar Fred , Afkhami Michelle E.
Published: August 2020

Fungi play prominent roles in ecosystem services (e.g., nutrient cycling, decomposition) and thus have increasingly garnered attention in restoration ecology. However, it is unclear how most management decisions impact fungal communities, making it difficult to protect fungal diversity and utilize fungi to improve restoration success. To understand the effects of restoration decisions and environmental variation on fungal communities, we sequenced soil fungal microbiomes from 96 sites across eight experimental Everglades tree islands approximately 15 years after restoration occurred. We found that early restoration decisions can have enduring consequences for fungal communities. Factors experimentally manipulated in 2003–2007 (e.g., type of island core) had significant legacy effects on fungal community composition. Our results also emphasized the role of water regime in fungal diversity, composition, and function. As the relative water level decreased, so did fungal diversity, with an approximately 25% decline in the driest sites. Further, as the water level decreased, the abundance of the plant pathogen–saprotroph guild increased, suggesting that low water may increase plant-pathogen interactions. Our results indicate that early restoration decisions can have long-term consequences for fungal community composition and function and suggest that a drier future in the Everglades could reduce fungal diversity on imperiled tree islands.
Smart Image Enhancement Using CLAHE Based on an F-Shift Transformation during Decompression
Authors: Fan Ruiqin , Li Xiaoyun , Lee Sanghyuk , Li Tongliang , Zhang Hao Lan
Published: August 2020

As technologies for image processing, image enhancement can provide more effective information for later data mining and image compression can reduce storage space. In this paper, a smart enhancement scheme during decompression, which combined a novel two-dimensional F-shift (TDFS) transformation and a non-standard two-dimensional wavelet transform (NSTW), is proposed. During the decompression, the first coefficient s00 of the wavelet synopsis was used to adaptively adjust the global gray level of the reconstructed image. Next, the contrast-limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) was used to achieve the enhancement effect. To avoid a blocking effect, CLAHE was used when the synopsis was decompressed to the second-to-last level. At this time, we only enhanced the low-frequency component and did not change the high-frequency component. Lastly, we used CLAHE again after the image reconstruction. Through experiments, the effectiveness of our scheme was verified. Compared with the existing methods, the compression properties were preserved and the image details and contrast could also be enhanced. The experimental results showed that the image contrast, information entropy, and average gradient were greatly improved compared with the existing methods.
Energy Demand in the State of Kuwait During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Technical, Economic, and Environmental Perspectives
Authors: Alhajeri Hamad M. , Almutairi Abdulrahman , Alenezi Abdulrahman , Alshammari Faisal
Published: August 2020

The present paper reports the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the electricity peak load and power generation in the State of Kuwait during the partial and full curfews imposed in March, April and May 2020 using historic data measured data and the predictions provided by a statistical genetic algorithm model. A quantitative assessment is made of the economic and environmental impacts caused by partial and full lockdowns. Comparison of measured peak demand for 2019 and 2020 with predicted peak demand for 2020 has: (i) enabled an accurate evaluation of residential energy consumption in the state of Kuwait at nearly 18 MWh yearly the highest energy consumption per capita in the world, (ii) shown that the imposition of the curfews to reduce the spread of COVID-19 caused a fall in the demand for electrical power of 17.6% compared with the expected demand and (iii) quantified the reduction in CO2, NOx and CO pollutant emissions produced by power plants due to less fuel being consumed. A mathematical model has been developed to predict the peak electric load in the national grid according to climatic data supplied by the Meteorological Department of Civil Aviation of Kuwait and National Control Center (NCC).
Optimized Protection of Pole-Mounted Distribution Transformers against Direct Lightning Strikes
Authors: Pourakbari-Kasmaei Mahdi , Mahmood Farhan , Lehtonen Matti
Published: August 2020

Direct lightning strikes on overhead phase conductors result in high overvoltage stress on the medium voltage (MV) terminals of pole-mounted transformers, which may cause considerable damage. Therefore, introducing an efficient protection strategy would be a remedy for alleviating such undesirable damages. This paper investigates the optimized protection of MV transformers against direct lightning strikes on the phase conductors. To this end, first, the impacts of grounding densities (number of grounded intermediate poles between every two successive transformer poles) on the probability of overvoltage stress on transformer terminals are investigated. Then, the implications of guy wire, as a supporting device for ungrounded intermediate poles, on reducing the overvoltage stress on transformers, are studied. Finally, the role of a surge arrester in mitigating the overvoltage stress of non-surge-arrester-protected transformer poles is scrutinized. The investigations are conducted on a sample MV network with 82 wood poles comprising 17 pole-mounted transformers protected by spark gaps. To provide in-depth analysis, two different poles, namely creosote- and arsenic-impregnated poles, are considered under wet and dry weather conditions. A sensitivity analysis is performed on grounding distances and on a combination of guy wire and grounded intermediate poles while taking into account soil ionization. The results provide a clear picture for the system operator in deciding how many grounded intermediate poles might be required for a system to reach the desired probabilities of transformers experiencing overvoltage stress and how the surge arrester and guy wires contribute to mitigating undesirable overvoltage stress.
Petrographic Characteristics of Coal Gasification and Combustion by-Products from High Volatile Bituminous Coal
Authors: Bielowicz Barbara
Published: August 2020

The coal was gasified in a fluidized bed reactor with CO2 as a gasifying agent at 889–980 °C. The coal and gasification residue produced during gasification was burned at temperatures up to 900 °C. The petrographic analysis, gasification residues, and fly and bottom ash resulting from the combustion of coal and chars showed the efficiency of the gasification and combustion processes. The gasification residue primarily comprised inertoids and crassinetwork, which accounted for 60% of the sample. The analysis of the petrographic composition of fly ash revealed that the fly ash formed during the combustion of gasification residue had a higher mineral content. The fly ash from the combustion of gasification products contained significantly less unburned coal compared to that from coal. The samples of the bottom ash from coal combustion were composed of approximately 25% organic matter, most of which was chars. The bottom ash formed from the combustion of coal gasification products was composed mainly of mineral matter (95% or higher). The obtained results have significant implications in determining future waste management strategies.
The Ectomycorrhizal Community of Crimean Linden Trees in Warsaw, Poland
Authors: Olchowik Jacek , Suchocka Marzena , Malewski Tadeusz , Baczewska-Dąbrowska Aneta , Studnicki Marcin , Hilszczańska Dorota
Published: August 2020

Urban trees provide many ecosystem services essential to city dwellers well-being. Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi are symbionts for trees and may also contribute to urban tree health and thus maintenance of the ecosystem services. However, no studies so far have analysed the composition of the ECM community colonising Crimean linden. In this study we investigated ECM associations of Crimean linden trees in the urban environment, comparing street trees with those growing in a park. Moreover, we studied the ECM community of healthy versus unhealthy linden trees growing along a street. The health status of each tree was assessed using tree health indicators. The smallest degree ECM colonisation was observed in unhealthy street trees (40.5%). Cenococcum geophilum was found to be the most abundant ECM fungal species of the Crimean linden growing in the park (23.9%). Our results suggest that the linden trees growing in the park and those growing along the street but without disease symptoms did not differ in their ECM richness. However, the unhealthy street trees showed less ECM diversity and abundance. Moreover, strong negative correlations between the concentrations of Na and Cl in the soil and ECM colonisation were found. This study describes, for the first time, the ECM fungal community on Tilia “Euchlora” trees grown in Europe. We report novel findings on the ECM associations of Crimean linden trees in an urban ecosystem. Further research should focus on the role of native mycorrhizal fungal communities in nutrient acquisition by urban trees in the presence of salt stress.