bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
POTENSI AKULTURASI BUDAYA DALAM MENUNJANG KUNJUNGAN WISATAWAN DI KOTA SEMARANG
Authors: Septemuryantoro Syaiful Ade
Published: September 2020

Abstract: Semarang as a multicultural city which there is a mixture of three ethnics groups, namely Javanese ethnics, Arab ethnics and Chinese ethnics. Semarang has a cultural acculturation that comes from three etnics. SemarangÂ has a special food called â€œLunpiaâ€. Semarang has a variety of festivalâ€™s such as the Chinese New Year, Cheng Ho Festival, Dugderan Festival. One example : Dugderan festival is held welcoming ramadhan. Warag ngendog is a mythological animal with carrying eggs on its back, this creature celebrated during the dugderan festival held annualy a few days before the Ramadhan. Represent three different etnics groups in Semarang city is a Javanese ethnics, Arabian ethnics, and Chinese ethnics. Its head is like a dragon, the body is the combination of Â camel and the legs is teh combination of goat. Gambang Semarang is one of traditional dance in Semarang. Gambang Semarang dance is showed to be enjoyed from its moving, appearance and rhythm and the dance is a reflection of someone action which enjoy their life, joyful and thankfull to God (Allah SWT), because we have been given grace through beautiful dance. Gambang Semarang dance using gamelan instrument including Kendang, kempul, bonang, gong, kecrek and tohyan (chinese). Song in Gambang Semarang dance exhivition feels happy and fresh, in January 2020 tourist arrivals in Semarang decreased until 6 percen, because in Jauary is not a period holiday (low season period). Ahmad Yani International Airport in Semarang i sthe entrance point for foreign. In January 2020, Malaysia were the highest number of tourist in Semarang (849people), Singapore (279 people) and Chinese (113 people).Keywords:Â cultural, acculturation, food, festival
Implementation of STEM in Secondary Mathematics Classrooms: Identification of Teachers' Beliefs
Authors: Koklu, Ph.D. Onder , PHAN Peter
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers’ beliefs about the implementation of STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) approach in secondary (6-12 grades) mathematics classes and identify intervening belief aspects. A questionnaire was developed regarding practicing secondary level mathematics teachers’ beliefs about the implementation of STEM in mathematics classes. An online form of the questionnaire was created and sent to all secondary math teachers in two counties in the state of Florida.
Eighty-two were received back from teachers. The results of factor analysis confirmed that items were distributed under five major aspects. Finally, the results of the data analysis disclosed that although most teachers believe that the implementation of STEM education is necessary, some have concerns about the effectiveness of the implementation because of shortages of materials, resources, and equipment needed for implementation of STEM. Another important finding is that teachers don’t have appropriate and sufficient knowledge for the implementation of STEM activities.
A Platonic Trope Bundle Theory
Authors: Buckels Christopher
Published: September 2020

This paper provides a rational reconstruction of a Platonic trope bundle theory that is a live alternative to contemporary bundle theories. According to the theory, Platonic particulars are composed of what Plato calls images of Forms; contemporary metaphysicians call these tropes. Tropes are dependent on Forms and the Receptacle, while trope bundles are structured by natural kinds using the Phaedo's principles of inclusion and exclusion and the Timaeus’ geometrised elements, as well as by co-location in the Receptacle. Key elements of discussion include persistence and abundance of Plato's tropes. The resulting theory is compared with contemporary trope bundle theories.
Visualisasi Karakter Profetik dalam Diri Akuntan Pendidik
Authors: Gemelthree Ardiatus Subekti  , Hamidah -  , Astuti Dola Bastina
Published: September 2020

This research aims to contribute for an educator accountant in carrying out his profession by imitating and emulating the characters that already exist in the Prophet Muhammad. The approach in the formulation of thought uses a literature study by comparing the character of the Prophet Muhammad and the accountant educators who have unethichal behaviors. From these comparisons, the researcher gives an argument about why accountants educators should imitate and emulate the character of the Prophet Muhammad in carrying out their duties. The essence of ethical matters is fundamental in accounting, especially in the context of developing and enhancing the role of the teaching accountant profession in order to be able to act professionally.
Abstrak
Penelitian ini bertujuan mampu memberikan kontribusi bagi seorang akuntan pendidik dalam menjalankan profesinya dengan mencontoh dan meneladani karakter yang telah ada dalam diri Nabi Muhammad SAW. Pendekatan dalam perumusan pemikiran ini menggunakan studi kepustakaan dengan membandingkan antara karakter Nabi Muhammad SAW dengan oknum akuntan pendidik yang berperilaku tidak etis. Dari perbandingan tersebut peneliti memberikan argumen mengapa akuntan pendidik harus mencontoh dan meneladani karakter Nabi Muhammad SAW dalam menjalankan tugasnya. Esensi perihal etis sangat penting dalam akuntansi terutama dalam rangka pengembangan dan peningkatan peran profesi akuntan pendidik untuk dapat bertindak secara profesional.
Longitudinal Analysis of T and B Cell Receptor Repertoire Transcripts Reveal Dynamic Immune Response in COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Niu Xuefeng , Li Song , Li Pingchao , Pan Wenjing , Wang Qian , Feng Ying , Mo Xiaoneng , Yan Qihong , Ye Xianmiao , Luo Jia , Qu Linbing , Weber Daniel , Byrne-Steele Miranda L. , Wang Zhe , Yu Fengjia , Li Fang , Myers Richard M. , Lotze Michael T. , Zhong Nanshan , Han Jian , Chen Ling
Published: September 2020

Severe COVID-19 is associated with profound lymphopenia and an elevated neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio. We applied a novel dimer avoidance multiplexed polymerase chain reaction next-generation sequencing assay to analyze T (TCR) and B cell receptor (BCR) repertoires. Surprisingly, TCR repertoires were markedly diminished during the early onset of severe disease but recovered during the convalescent stage. Monitoring TCR repertoires could serve as an indicative biomarker to predict disease progression and recovery. Panoramic concurrent assessment of BCR repertoires demonstrated isotype switching and a transient but dramatic early IgA expansion. Dominant B cell clonal expansion with decreased diversity occurred following recovery from infection. Profound changes in T cell homeostasis raise critical questions about the early events in COVID-19 infection and demonstrate that immune repertoire analysis is a promising method for evaluating emergent host immunity to SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, with great implications for assessing vaccination and other immunological therapies.
Multi-Fidelity Gradient-Based Strategy for Robust Optimization in Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Serafino Aldo , Obert Benoit , Cinnella Paola
Published: September 2020

Efficient Robust Design Optimization (RDO) strategies coupling a parsimonious uncertainty quantification (UQ) method with a surrogate-based multi-objective genetic algorithm (SMOGA) are investigated for a test problem in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), namely the inverse robust design of an expansion nozzle. The low-order statistics (mean and variance) of the stochastic cost function are computed through either a gradient-enhanced kriging (GEK) surrogate or through the less expensive, lower fidelity, first-order method of moments (MoM). Both the continuous (non-intrusive) and discrete (intrusive) adjoint methods are evaluated for computing the gradients required for GEK and MoM. In all cases, the results are assessed against a reference kriging UQ surrogate not using gradient information. Subsequently, the GEK and MoM UQ solvers are fused together to build a multi-fidelity surrogate with adaptive infill enrichment for the SMOGA optimizer. The resulting hybrid multi-fidelity SMOGA RDO strategy ensures a good tradeoff between cost and accuracy, thus representing an efficient approach for complex RDO problems.
Presence of Bradyrhizobium sp. under Continental Conditions in Central Europe
Authors: Griebsch Anne , Matschiavelli Nicole , Lewandowska Sylwia , Schmidtke Knut
Published: September 2020

Soil samples from different locations with varied soybean cultivation histories were taken from arable fields in 2018 in East Germany and Poland (Lower Silesia) to evaluate the specific microsymbionts of the soybean, Bradyrhizobium japonicum, one to seven years after inoculation. Soybeans were grown in the selected farms between 2011 and 2017. The aim of the experiment was to investigate whether there is a difference in rhizobia contents in soils in which soybeans have been recultivated after one to seven years break, and whether this could lead to differences in soybean plant growth. The obtained soil samples were directly transferred into containers, then sterilized soybean seeds were sown into pots in the greenhouse. After 94 days of growth, the plants were harvested and various parameters such as the nodular mass, number of nodules, and dry matter in the individual plant parts were determined. In addition, the relative abundances of Bradyrhizobium sp. in soil samples were identified by sequencing. No major decline in Bradyrhizobium sp. concentration could be observed due to a longer interruption of soybean cultivation. Soil properties such as pH, P, and Mg contents did not show a significant influence on the nodule mass or number, but seem to have an influence on the relative abundance of Bradyrhizobium sp. The investigations have shown that Bradyrhizobium japonicum persists in arable soils even under Central European site conditions and enters into an effective symbiosis with soybeans for up to seven years.
Diversity and Management Strategies of Plant Parasitic Nematodes in Moroccan Organic Farming and Their Relationship with Soil Physico-Chemical Properties
Authors: Krif Ghizlane , Mokrini Fouad , Aissami Aicha El , Laasli Salah-Eddine , Imren Mustafa , Özer Göksel , Paulitz Timothy , Lahlali Rachid , Dababat Abdelfattah A.
Published: September 2020

Organic farming has been increasing steadily over the last decade and is expected to grow drastically in the future. Plant parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are known as one of the most important pests attacking various plants in conventional and organic farming systems. A survey was conducted in January 2019 to determine the occurrence and diversity of PPNs, their associations with soil properties, and to assess their management methods in organically farmed fields in Southern Morocco. Twelve genera of PPNs were identified in soil and root samples collected from 53 organic fields, including Meloidogyne, Pratylenchus, Helicotylenchus, Tylenchus, Tylenchorynchus, Criconemoides, Trichodorus, and Xiphinema. The root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and the root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus spp.) were the most prevalent PPNs. Vegetable crops (bean, onion, and tomato) had high nematode diversity indices compared to some aromatic and medicinal crops, including the Shannon, Evenness, and plant parasitic index (PPI). Our study underlined that several PPN genera were significantly correlated with soil physico-chemical properties, in particular, soil structure and organic matter. Therefore, it was concluded that soil properties have a considerable impact on PPN communities in organic farming systems located in Southern Morocco. There are numerous strategies for the control of PPNs in organic farming systems.
Bedding Application to Feedlot Steers: Influence on Growth Performance, Estimated Maintenance Coefficient, Carcass Characteristics, and Circulating Metabolites in Beef Steers
Authors: Smerchek Dathan Thomas , Smith Zachary Kidd
Published: September 2020

Two randomized complete block design experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of bedding use in confined beef steers. Experiment 1 used Simmental × Angus steers (n = 240; initial body weight (BW) = 365 ± 22.5 kg). Experiment 2 used newly weaned Charolais × Red Angus steers (n = 162; initial BW = 278 ± 13.4 kg). Steers were allotted to one of two treatments: (1) no bedding (NO), or (2) 1.8 kg (Experiment 1) or 1.0 kg (Experiment 2) of wheat straw (as-is basis) bedding/steer·d−1 (BED). In Experiment 1, applying bedding improved (p ≤ 0.01) dry matter intake (DMI), kg of gain to kg of feed (G:F), and average daily gain (ADG). Bedding reduced (p = 0.01) the estimated maintenance coefficient (MQ). Dressing percentage, rib fat, marbling, and yield grade were increased (p ≤ 0.03) in NO. Bedding resulted in an increase (p = 0.01) in serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). In Experiment 2, a tendency (p = 0.06) for increased DMI for NO was noted. Bedding improved G:F (p = 0.01). MQ was elevated (p = 0.03) for NO and NO had an increase (p = 0.02) in serum concentration of urea-N (SUN). An increase (p = 0.01) in serum non-esterified fatty acid was noted for NO. These data indicate that bedding application should be considered to improve growth performance and feed efficiency by reducing maintenance energy requirements in beef steers during the feedlot receiving and finishing phase.
Enterococcus faecalis Endocarditis and Outpatient Treatment: A Systematic Review of Current Alternatives
Authors: Herrera-Hidalgo Laura , de Alarcón Arístides , López-Cortes Luis , Luque-Márquez Rafael , López-Cortes Luis , Gutiérrez-Valencia Alicia , Gil-Navarro María
Published: September 2020

The selection of the best alternative for Enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis (IE) continuation treatment in the outpatient setting is still challenging. Three databases were searched, reporting antibiotic therapies against E. faecalis IE in or suitable for the outpatient setting. Articles the results of which were identified by species and treatment regimen were included. The quality of the studies was assessed accordingly with the study design. Data were extracted and synthesized narratively. In total, 18 studies were included. The treatment regimens reported were classified regarding the main antibiotic used as regimen, based on Aminoglycosides, dual β-lactam, teicoplanin, daptomycin or dalbavancin or oral therapy. The regimens based on aminoglycosides and dual β-lactam combinations are the treatment alternatives which gather more evidence regarding their efficacy. Dual β-lactam is the preferred option for high level aminoglycoside resistance strains, and for to its reduced nephrotoxicity, while its adaptation to the outpatient setting has been poorly documented. Less evidence supports the remaining alternatives, but many of them have been successfully adapted to outpatient care. Teicoplanin and dalbavancin as well as oral therapy seem promising. Our work provides an extensive examination of the potential alternatives to E. faecalis IE useful for outpatient care. However, the insufficient evidence hampers the attempt to give a general recommendation.
Caerin 1 Antimicrobial Peptides that Inhibit HIV and Neisseria May Spare Protective Lactobacilli
Authors: Rollins-Smith Louise A. , Smith Patricia B. , Ledeczi Anna M. , Rowe Julia M. , Reinert Laura K.
Published: September 2020

Although acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a manageable disease for many, it is still a source of significant morbidity and economic hardship for many others. The predominant mode of transmission of HIV/AIDS is sexual intercourse, and measures to reduce transmission are needed. Previously, we showed that caerin 1 antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) originally derived from Australian amphibians inhibited in vitro transmission of HIV at relatively low concentrations and had low toxicity for T cells and an endocervical cell line. The use of AMPs as part of microbicidal formulations would expose the vaginal microbiome to these agents and cause potential harm to protective lactobacilli. Here, we tested the effects of caerin 1 peptides and their analogs on the viability of two species of common vaginal lactobacilli (Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus crispatus). Several candidate peptides had limited toxicity for the lactobacilli at a range of concentrations that would inhibit HIV. Three AMPs were also tested for their ability to inhibit growth of Neisseria lactamica, a close relative of the sexually transmissible Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Neisseria lactamica was significantly more sensitive to the AMPs than the lactobacilli. Thus, several candidate AMPs have the capacity to inhibit HIV and possible N. gonorrhoeae transmission at concentrations that are significantly less harmful to the resident lactobacilli.
Royal Jelly as an Intelligent Anti-Aging Agent—A Focus on Cognitive Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review
Authors: Ali Amira Mohammed , Kunugi Hiroshi
Published: September 2020

The astronomical increase of the world’s aged population is associated with the increased prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, heightened disability, and extremely high costs of care. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a widespread, age-related, multifactorial neurodegenerative disease that has enormous social and financial drawbacks worldwide. The unsatisfactory outcomes of available AD pharmacotherapy necessitate the search for alternative natural resources that can target the various underlying mechanisms of AD pathology and reduce disease occurrence and/or progression. Royal jelly (RJ) is the main food of bee queens; it contributes to their fertility, long lifespan, and memory performance. It represents a potent nutraceutical with various pharmacological properties, and has been used in a number of preclinical studies to target AD and age-related cognitive deterioration. To understand the mechanisms through which RJ affects cognitive performance both in natural aging and AD, we reviewed the literature, elaborating on the metabolic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms that mediate its anti-AD effects. Preclinical findings revealed that RJ acts as a multidomain cognitive enhancer that can restore cognitive performance in aged and AD models. It promotes brain cell survival and function by targeting multiple adversities in the neuronal microenvironment such as inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial alterations, impaired proteostasis, amyloid-β toxicity, Ca excitotoxicity, and bioenergetic challenges. Human trials using RJ in AD are limited in quantity and quality. Here, the limitations of RJ-based treatment strategies are discussed, and directions for future studies examining the effect of RJ in cognitively impaired subjects are noted.
Audio-Visual Tensor Fusion Network for Piano Player Posture Classification
Authors: Park So-Hyun , Park Young-Ho
Published: September 2020

Playing the piano in the correct position is important because the correct position helps to produce good sound and prevents injuries. Many studies have been conducted in the field of piano playing posture recognition that combines various techniques. Most of these techniques are based on analyzing visual information. However, in the piano education field, it is essential to utilize audio information in addition to visual information due to the deep relationship between posture and sound. In this paper, we propose an audio-visual tensor fusion network (simply, AV-TFN) for piano performance posture classification. Unlike existing studies that used only visual information, the proposed method uses audio information to improve the accuracy in classifying the postures of professional and amateur pianists. For this, we first introduce a dataset called C3Pap (Classic piano performance postures of amateur and professionals) that contains actual piano performance videos in diverse environments. Furthermore, we propose a data structure that represents audio-visual information. The proposed data structure represents audio information on the color scale and visual information on the black and white scale for representing relativeness between them. We call this data structure an audio-visual tensor. Finally, we compare the performance of the proposed method with state-of-the-art approaches: VN (Visual Network), AN (Audio Network), AVN (Audio-Visual Network) with concatenation and attention techniques. The experiment results demonstrate that AV-TFN outperforms existing studies and, thus, can be effectively used in the classification of piano playing postures.
Endoscopic Optical Imaging Technologies and Devices for Medical Purposes: State of the Art
Authors: Kaur Mandeep , Lane Pierre M. , Menon Carlo
Published: September 2020

The growth and development of optical components and, in particular, the miniaturization of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMSs), has motivated and enabled researchers to design smaller and smaller endoscopes. The overarching goal of this work has been to image smaller previously inaccessible luminal organs in real time, at high resolution, in a minimally invasive manner that does not compromise the comfort of the subject, nor introduce additional risk. Thus, an initial diagnosis can be made, or a small precancerous lesion may be detected, in a small-diameter luminal organ that would not have otherwise been possible. Continuous advancement in the field has enabled a wide range of optical scanners. Different scanning techniques, working principles, and the applications of endoscopic scanners are summarized in this review.
Inductive Imaging of the Concealed Defects with Radio-Frequency Atomic Magnetometers
Authors: Bevington P. , Gartman R. , Chalupczak W.
Published: September 2020

We explore the capabilities of the radio-frequency atomic magnetometers in the non-destructive detection of concealed defects. We present results from the systematic magnetic inductive measurement of various defect types in an electrically conductive object at different rf field frequencies (0.4–12 kHz) that indicate the presence of an optimum operational frequency of the sensor. The optimum in the frequency dependence of the amplitude/phase contrast for defects under a 0.5–1.5 mm conductive barrier was observed within the 1–2 kHz frequency range. The experiments are performed in the self-compensated configuration that automatically removes the background signal created by the rf field producing object response.
An Improved 2D Meshfree Radial Point Interpolation Method for Stress Concentration Evaluation of Welded Component
Authors: Bao Fuming , Chen Bingzhi , Zhao Yanguang , Guo Xinglin
Published: September 2020

The study of characterizing the stress concentration effects at welds is one of the most important research directions for predicting the fatigue life of welded components. Stress solutions at the weld toe obtained from conventional meshfree methods are strongly influenced by parameters used in the methods as a result of stress singularity. In this study, an improved 2D meshfree radial point interpolation method (RPIM) is proposed for stress concentration evaluation of a welded component. The stress solutions are insensitive to parameters used in the improved RPIM. The improved RPIM-based scheme for consistently calculating stress concentration factor (SCF) and stress intensity factor at weld toe are presented. Our studies provide a novel approach to apply global weak-form meshfree methods in consistently computing SCFs and stress intensity factors at welds.
Soil Type and a Labile C Addition Regime Control the Temperature Sensitivity of Soil C and N Mineralization More than N Addition in Wetland Soils in China
Authors: Wang Chunmei , Zhang Yunyun , Li Yun
Published: September 2020

Wetlands store a large amount of carbon (C) and many are vulnerable to potential global warming. It is critical to quantify the temperature sensitivity of soil nitrogen (N) and C mineralization in response to external labile C or N addition in different types of wetland. Through incubation experiments, the effects of temperature and the addition of N or C on soil C and N mineralization were tested using soils from the Sanjiang Plain wetland (SW), Zoigê alpine wetland (ZW), Yellow River estuary wetland (YW), and Baiyangdian Lake (BL). Our findings showed that temperature, available C and wetland type were dominant factors in the regulation of soil C loss, with soil C in SW and ZW being less stable and poorly resistant to increases in temperature. The response of net N mineralization to N addition showed regional differences. A lack of long-term effects of the deposition of N on soil mineralization suggested that there may be a particular N addition threshold level for changed C and N mineralization. It is predicted that an increase in labile C supply due to elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) and its interactions with wetland types will increase CO2 efflux more than N deposition in wetland soils.
Spread of COVID-19, Meteorological Conditions and Air Quality in the City of Buenos Aires, Argentina: Two Facets Observed during Its Pandemic Lockdown
Authors: Bolaño-Ortiz Tomás R. , Pascual-Flores Romina M. , Puliafito S. Enrique , Camargo-Caicedo Yiniva , Berná-Peña Lucas L. , Ruggeri María F. , Lopez-Noreña Ana I. , Tames María F. , Cereceda-Balic Francisco
Published: September 2020

This work studied the spread of COVID-19, the meteorological conditions and the air quality in a megacity from two viewpoints: (1) the correlation between meteorological and air quality (PM10 and NO2) variables with infections and deaths due COVID-19, and (2) the improvement in air quality. Both analyses were performed for the pandemic lockdown due to COVID-19 in the City of Buenos Aires (CABA), the capital and the largest city in Argentina. Daily data from temperature, rainfall, average relative humidity, wind speed, PM10, NO2, new cases and deaths due COVID-19 were analyzed. Our findings showed a significant correlation of meteorological and air quality variables with COVID-19 cases. The highest temperature correlation occurred before the confirmation day of new cases. PM10 presented the highest correlation within 13 to 15 days lag, while NO2 within 3 to 6 days lag. Also, reductions in PM10 and NO2 were observed. This study shows that exposure to air pollution was significantly correlated with an increased risk of becoming infected and dying due to COVID-19. Thus, these results show that the NO2 and PM10 levels in CABA can serve as one of the indicators to assess vulnerability to COVID-19. In addition, decision-makers can use this information to adopt strategies to restrict human mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic and future outbreaks of similar diseases in CABA.
Cell Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Iijima Kazutoshi , Otsuka Hidenori
Published: September 2020

Currently, well-known surgical procedures for bone defects are classified into four types: (1) autogenous bone graft transplantation, (2) allogeneic bone graft transplantation, (3) xenogeneic bone graft transplantation, and (4) artificial bone graft transplantation. However, they are often risky procedures and related to postoperative complications. As an alternative, tissue engineering to regenerate new bone often involves the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), derived from bone marrow, adipose tissues, and so on, which are cultured into three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds to regenerate bone tissue by osteoinductive signaling. In this manuscript, we provide an overview of recent treatment of bone defects and the studies on the creation of cell scaffolds for bone regeneration. Bone regeneration from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells using silica nonwoven fabric by the authors’ group were provided. Potential application and future direction of the present systems were also described.
Identification of Plasma Glycosphingolipids as Potential Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer (PCa) Status
Authors: Snider Ashley J. , Seeds Michael C. , Johnstone Laurel , Snider Justin M. , Hallmark Brian , Dutta Rahul , Moraga Franco Cristina , Parks John S. , Bensen Jeannette T. , Broeckling Corey D. , Mohler James L. , Smith Gary J. , Fontham Elizabeth T.H. , Lin Hui-Kuan , Bresette William , Sergeant Susan , Chilton Floyd H.
Published: September 2020

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common male cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in United States men. Controversy continues over the effectiveness of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for distinguishing aggressive from indolent PCa. There is a critical need for more specific and sensitive biomarkers to detect and distinguish low- versus high-risk PCa cases. Discovery metabolomics were performed utilizing ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) on plasma samples from 159 men with treatment naïve prostate cancer participating in the North Carolina-Louisiana PCa Project to determine if there were metabolites associated with aggressive PCa. Thirty-five identifiable plasma small molecules were associated with PCa aggressiveness, 15 of which were sphingolipids; nine common molecules were present in both African-American and European-American men. The molecules most associated with PCa aggressiveness were glycosphingolipids; levels of trihexosylceramide and tetrahexosylceramide were most closely associated with high-aggressive PCa. The Cancer Genome Atlas was queried to determine gene alterations within glycosphingolipid metabolism that are associated with PCa and other cancers. Genes that encode enzymes associated with the metabolism of glycosphingolipids were altered in 12% of PCa and >30% of lung, uterine, and ovarian cancers. These data suggest that the identified plasma (glyco)sphingolipids should be further validated for their association with aggressive PCa, suggesting that specific sphingolipids may be included in a diagnostic signature for PCa.
Retinoblastoma Tumor Suppressor Protein Roles in Epigenetic Regulation
Authors: Guzman Frederick , Fazeli Yasamin , Khuu Meagan , Salcido Kelsey , Singh Sarah , Benavente Claudia A.
Published: September 2020

Mutations that result in the loss of function of pRB were first identified in retinoblastoma and since then have been associated with the propagation of various forms of cancer. pRB is best known for its key role as a transcriptional regulator during cell cycle exit. Beyond the ability of pRB to regulate transcription of cell cycle progression genes, pRB can remodel chromatin to exert several of its other biological roles. In this review, we discuss the diverse functions of pRB in epigenetic regulation including nucleosome mobilization, histone modifications, DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs.
Circulatory miRNA as a Biomarker for Therapy Response and Disease-Free Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Pratama Muhammad Yogi , Visintin Alessia , Crocè Lory Saveria , Tiribelli Claudio , Pascut Devis
Published: September 2020

The clinical outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment remains unsatisfactory, contributing to the high mortality of HCC worldwide. Circulating miRNAs have the potential to be a predictor of therapy response. Microarray profiling was performed in serum samples of 20 HCC patients before treatment. Circulating miRNAs associated with treatment response were validated in 86 serum HCC samples using the qRT-PCR system. Patients were treated either with curative treatments (resection or radiofrequency) or trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and grouped according to therapy response in complete responders (CR) and partial responders or progressive disease (PRPD), following mRECIST criteria. Four miRNA candidates from the discovery phase (miR-4443, miR-4454, miR-4492, and miR-4530) were validated. Before therapy, miR-4454 and miR-4530 were up-regulated in CR to curative treatments (2.83 fold, p = 0.02 and 2.33 fold, p = 0.008, respectively) and were able to differentiate CR from PRPD (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.74, sens/spec 79/63% and AUC = 0.77, sens/spec 72/73%). On the contrary, miR-4443 was 1.95 times down-regulated in CR (p = 0.05) with an AUC of 0.72 (sens = 70%, spec = 60%) in distinguishing CR vs. PRPD. The combination of the three miRNAs was able to predict the response to curative treatment with an AUC of 0.84 (sens = 72%, spec = 75%). The higher levels of miR-4454 and miR-4530 in were associated to longer overall survival (HR = 2.79, p = 0.029 and HR = 2.97, p = 0.011, respectively). Before TACE, miR-4492 was significantly up-regulated in CR patients (FC = 2.67, p = 0.01) and able to differentiate CR from PRPD (AUC = 0.84, sens/spec 84.6/71%). We demonstrated that different miRNAs predictors can be used as potential prognostic circulating biomarkers according to the selected treatment for HCC.
A Machine-Learning Tool Concurrently Models Single Omics and Phenome Data for Functional Subtyping and Personalized Cancer Medicine
Authors: Nyamundanda Gift , Eason Katherine , Guinney Justin , Lord Christopher J. , Sadanandam Anguraj
Published: September 2020

One of the major challenges in defining clinically-relevant and less heterogeneous tumor subtypes is assigning biological and/or clinical interpretations to etiological (intrinsic) subtypes. Conventional clustering/subtyping approaches often fail to define such subtypes, as they involve several discrete steps. Here we demonstrate a unique machine-learning method, phenotype mapping (PhenMap), which jointly integrates single omics data with phenotypic information using three published breast cancer datasets (n = 2045). The PhenMap framework uses a modified factor analysis method that is governed by a key assumption that, features from different omics data types are correlated due to specific “hidden/mapping” variables (context-specific mapping variables (CMV)). These variables can be simultaneously modeled with phenotypic data as covariates to yield functional subtypes and their associated features (e.g., genes) and phenotypes. In one example, we demonstrate the identification and validation of six novel “functional” (discrete) subtypes with differential responses to a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4/6 inhibitor and etoposide by jointly integrating transcriptome profiles with four different drug response data from 37 breast cancer cell lines. These robust subtypes are also present in patient breast tumors with different prognosis. In another example, we modeled patient gene expression profiles and clinical covariates together to identify continuous subtypes with clinical/biological implications. Overall, this genome-phenome machine-learning integration tool, PhenMap identifies functional and phenotype-integrated discrete or continuous subtypes with clinical translational potential.
DUX Hunting—Clinical Features and Diagnostic Challenges Associated with DUX4-Rearranged Leukaemia
Authors: Rehn Jacqueline A. , O'Connor Matthew J. , White Deborah L. , Yeung David T.
Published: September 2020

DUX4-rearrangement (DUX4r) is a recently discovered recurrent genomic lesion reported in 4–7% of childhood B cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) cases. This subtype has favourable outcomes, especially in children and adolescents treated with intensive chemotherapy. The fusion most commonly links the hypervariable IGH gene to DUX4 a gene located within the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat on chromosome 4, with a homologous polymorphic repeat on chromosome 10. DUX4r is cryptic to most standard diagnostic techniques, and difficult to identify even with next generation sequencing assays. This review summarises the clinical features and molecular genetics of DUX4r B-ALL and proposes prospective new diagnostic methods.
Functional Transcription Factor Target Networks Illuminate Control of Epithelial Remodelling
Authors: Overton Ian M. , Sims Andrew H. , Owen Jeremy A. , Heale Bret S. E. , Ford Matthew J. , Lubbock Alexander L. R. , Pairo-Castineira Erola , Essafi Abdelkader
Published: September 2020

Cell identity is governed by gene expression, regulated by transcription factor (TF) binding at cis-regulatory modules. Decoding the relationship between TF binding patterns and gene regulation is nontrivial, remaining a fundamental limitation in understanding cell decision-making. We developed the NetNC software to predict functionally active regulation of TF targets; demonstrated on nine datasets for the TFs Snail, Twist, and modENCODE Highly Occupied Target (HOT) regions. Snail and Twist are canonical drivers of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a cell programme important in development, tumour progression and fibrosis. Predicted “neutral” (non-functional) TF binding always accounted for the majority (50% to 95%) of candidate target genes from statistically significant peaks and HOT regions had higher functional binding than most of the Snail and Twist datasets examined. Our results illuminated conserved gene networks that control epithelial plasticity in development and disease. We identified new gene functions and network modules including crosstalk with notch signalling and regulation of chromatin organisation, evidencing networks that reshape Waddington’s epigenetic landscape during epithelial remodelling. Expression of orthologous functional TF targets discriminated breast cancer molecular subtypes and predicted novel tumour biology, with implications for precision medicine. Predicted invasion roles were validated using a tractable cell model, supporting our approach.
Understanding the Effects of Radiotherapy on the Tumour Immune Microenvironment to Identify Potential Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers of Radiotherapy Response
Authors: Cheng Shuhui , J. Cheadle Eleanor , M. Illidge Timothy
Published: September 2020

Radiotherapy (RT) is a highly effective anti-cancer treatment. Immunotherapy using immune checkpoint blockade (ICI) has emerged as a new and robust pillar in cancer therapy; however, the response rate to single agent ICI is low whilst toxicity remains. Radiotherapy has been shown to have local and systemic immunomodulatory effects. Therefore, combining RT and immunotherapy is a rational approach to enhance anti-tumour immune responses. However, the immunomodulatory effects of RT can be both immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive and may be different across different tumour types and patients. Therefore, there is an urgent medical need to establish biomarkers to guide clinical decision making in predicting responses or in patient selection for RT-based combination treatments. In this review, we summarize the immunological effects of RT on the tumour microenvironment and emerging biomarkers to help better understand the implications of these immunological changes, and we provide new insights into the potential for combination therapies with RT and immunotherapy.
Notch Signaling in Breast Cancer: A Role in Drug Resistance
Authors: BeLow McKenna , Osipo Clodia
Published: September 2020

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease that can be subdivided into unique molecular subtypes based on protein expression of the Estrogen Receptor, Progesterone Receptor, and/or the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2. Therapeutic approaches are designed to inhibit these overexpressed receptors either by endocrine therapy, targeted therapies, or combinations with cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, a significant percentage of breast cancers are inherently resistant or acquire resistance to therapies, and mechanisms that promote resistance remain poorly understood. Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved signaling pathway that regulates cell fate, including survival and self-renewal of stem cells, proliferation, or differentiation. Deregulation of Notch signaling promotes resistance to targeted or cytotoxic therapies by enriching of a small population of resistant cells, referred to as breast cancer stem cells, within the bulk tumor; enhancing stem-like features during the process of de-differentiation of tumor cells; or promoting epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Preclinical studies have shown that targeting the Notch pathway can prevent or reverse resistance through reduction or elimination of breast cancer stem cells. However, Notch inhibitors have yet to be clinically approved for the treatment of breast cancer, mainly due to dose-limiting gastrointestinal toxicity. In this review, we discuss potential mechanisms of Notch-mediated resistance in breast cancer cells and breast cancer stem cells, and various methods of targeting Notch through γ-secretase inhibitors, Notch signaling biologics, or transcriptional inhibitors. We also discuss future plans for identification of novel Notch-targeted therapies, in order to reduce toxicity and improve outcomes for women with resistant breast cancer.
Use of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) in Chronic Airway Diseases
Authors: Máiz Carro Luis , Martínez-García Miguel A.
Published: September 2020

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a key component of the extracellular matrix of the lungs. A unique attribute of HA is its water-retaining properties, so HA has a major role in the regulation of fluid balance in the lung interstitium. Hyaluronic acid has been widely used in the treatment of eyes, ears, joints and skin disorders, but in the last years, it has been also proposed in the treatment of certain lung diseases, including airway diseases, due to its anti-inflammatory and water-binding capacities. Hyaluronic acid aerosol decreases the severity of elastase-induced emphysema in murine models, prevents bronchoconstriction in asthmatics and improves some functional parameters in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Due to the protection of HA against bronchoconstriction and its hydration properties, inhaled HA would increase the volume of airway surface liquid, resulting in mucus hydration, increased mucous transport and less mucous plugging of the airways. In addition, it has been seen in human studies that the treatment with nebulised HA improves the tolerability of nebulised hypertonic saline (even at 6% or 7% of concentration), which has been demonstrated to be an effective treatment in bronchial secretion management in patients with cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis. Our objective is to review the role of HA treatment in the management of chronic airway diseases.
Development and Characterization of Novel Active Chitosan Films Containing Fennel and Peppermint Essential Oils
Authors: Liu Ting , Wang Jingfan , Chi Fumin , Tan Zhankun , Liu Liu
Published: September 2020

The effects of fennel essential oil (FEO) and peppermint essential oil (PEO) on chitosan-based films were evaluated in this study. The results showed that the addition of FEO and PEO slightly increased the density and thickness, while significantly decreasing the moisture content, water swelling, and solubility properties. The color values (L, a, b, ΔE and whiteness index (WI)) of the composite films containing FEO and PEO changed obviously with a tendency toward yellowness, which was beneficial in resisting food decomposition caused by ultraviolet light. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier-transform-infrared (FTIR) results indicated that the addition of FEO and PEO affected the structure of the chitosan films, while the interaction between the chitosan and polyphenols in FEO and PEO established new hydrogen bonds and improved the thermal stability. The environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) illustrated that the surfaces of the composite films containing FEO and PEO were smooth, but the cross-section was rougher than in pure chitosan film. Furthermore, the composite films containing FEO and PEO exhibited prominent antioxidant activity. In short, the novel active chitosan-based films with incorporated FEO and PEO present broad application prospects in fresh-cut meat or vegetable packaging.
Theoretical Study of the Reverse Roll Coating of Non-Isothermal Magnetohydrodynamics Viscoplastic Fluid
Authors: Ali Fateh , Hou Yanren , Zahid Muhammad , Rana Muhammad Afzal
Published: September 2020

This article describes the development of a mathematical model of the reverse roll coating of a thin film for an incompressible non-isothermal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) viscoplastic fluid as it passes through a small gap between two rolls rotating reversely. The equations of motion required for the fluid added to the web are constructed and simplified using the lubrication approximation theory (LAT). Analytical results are obtained for the velocity profile, pressure gradient, and temperature distribution. The pressure distributions and flow rate are calculated numerically using the trapezoidal rule and regular false position method, respectively. Some of these results are presented graphically, while others are shown in a tabular form. From the present analysis, it has been observed that the magnitude of pressure distributions increases by increasing the value of the involved parameters. It is worth mentioning that the velocities ratio and Brickman’s number are controlling parameters for the temperature distributions. The results indicate the strong effectiveness of the viscoplastic parameter and velocities ratio for the velocity and pressure distributions. It is also concluded that the coating of Casson material has been remarkably affected by the magnetohydrodynamics effects.
Achnanthes Bory Sensu Stricto (Bacillariophyta) from Terrestrial Habitats of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), with Description of Achnanthes pseudoinflata sp. nov.
Authors: Rybak Mateusz , Peszek Łukasz , Skoczylas Łukasz , Noga Teresa , Ector Luc , Wetzel Carlos E.
Published: September 2020

The aim of the present work was to present the ecological and morphological characteristics of species from the genus Achnanthes Bory sensu stricto, which develops in terrestrial mosses near the Rio de Janeiro Botanic Garden, Brazil. A literature comparison was made with other similar species, including the LM and SEM analysis of original material bearing Achnanthes inflata (Kützing) Grunow housed at the Grunow Collection in Vienna, and data from the available literature. Samples were collected from clumps of moss growing on tree trunks, and from a concrete wall within the botanic garden. Four taxa from the genus Achnanthes were recorded: A. coarctata, A. inflata var. gibba, A. mauiensis and Achnanthes pseudoinflata sp. nov. The main morphological differences between these taxa were cell dimensions (length and width), striae and areolae density. The most common diatom species found in these samples were Humidophila sp. (90%), Humidophila contenta (74.8%), Luticola moreirae (17.9%), and Achnanthes pseudoinflata sp. nov. (7.4%).
Classification of Actual Sensor Network Deployments in Research Studies from 2013 to 2017
Authors: Judvaitis Janis , Mednis Artis , Abolins Valters , Skadins Ansis , Lapsa Didzis , Rava Raimonds , Ivanovs Maksims , Nesenbergs Krisjanis
Published: September 2020

Technologies, such as Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) and Internet of Things (IoT), have captured the imagination of researchers, businesses, and general public, due to breakthroughs in embedded system development, sensing technologies, and ubiquitous connectivity in recent years. That resulted in the emergence of an enormous, difficult-to-navigate body of work related to WSN and IoT. In an ongoing research effort to highlight trends and developments in these technologies and to see whether they are actually deployed rather than subjects of theoretical research with presumed potential use cases, we gathered and codified a dataset of scientific publications from a five-year period from 2013 to 2017 involving actual sensor network deployments, which will serve as a basis for future in-depth analysis of the field. In the first iteration, 15,010 potentially relevant articles were identified in SCOPUS and Web of Science databases; after two iterations, 3059 actual sensor network deployments were extracted from those articles and classified in a consistent way according to different categories, such as type of nodes, field of application, communication types, etc. We publish the resulting dataset with the intent that its further analysis may identify prospective research fields and future trends in WSN and IoT.