bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design Optimization of Rubber-Basalt Fiber- Modified Concrete Mix Ratios Based on a Response Surface Method
Authors: Gong Yafeng , Song Jiaxiang , Lin Siyuan , Yang Jianxing , He Yang , Tan Guojin
Published: September 2020

Rubber aggregates produced from waste rubber materials and environmentally friendly basalt fibers are excellent concrete modification materials, which significantly improve the working performance and mechanical properties of concrete. This paper studied the influences of water-binder ratio, basalt fiber content and rubber content on the properties of rubber-basalt fiber modified concrete (RBFC). Based on the response surface method (RSM), optimization schemes of three preparation parameters were designed. The results showed that all preparation parameters have significant impacts on the slump. The rubber content has a closer relationship with the compressive strength and the quadratic term of the basalt fiber content has a significant impact on the flexural strength. According to the analysis, the optimal mix ratio which possesses reliable accuracy compared with experimental results includes a water-binder ratio of 0.39, a basalt fiber content of 4.56 kg/m3 and a rubber content of 10%,
Design and Implementation of a Graphic Simulator for Calculating the Inverse Kinematics of a Redundant Planar Manipulator Robot
Authors: Urrea Claudio , Saa Daniel
Published: September 2020

In this paper, a graphics simulator that allows for characterizing the kinematic and dynamic behavior of redundant planar manipulator robots is presented. This graphics simulator is implemented using the Solidworks software and the SimMechanics Toolbox of MATLAB/Simulink. To calculate the inverse kinematics of this type of robot, an algorithm based on the probabilistic method called Simulated Annealing is proposed. By means of this method, it is possible to obtain, among many possibilities, the best solution for inverse kinematics. Without losing generality, the performance of metaheuristic algorithm is tested in a 6-DoF (Degrees of Freedom) virtual robot. The Cartesian coordinates (x,y) of the end effector of the robot under study can be accessed through a graphic interface, thereby automatically calculating its inverse kinematics, and yielding the solution set with the position adopted by each joint for each coordinate entered. Dynamic equations are obtained from the Lagrange–Euler formulation. To generate the joint trajectories, an interpolation method with a third order polynomial is used. The effectiveness of the developed methodologies is verified through computational simulations of a virtual robot.
Anthropometric Characteristics, Maximal Isokinetic Strength and Selected Handball Power Indicators Are Specific to Playing Positions in Elite Kosovan Handball Players
Authors: Havolli Jeton , Bahtiri Abedin , Kambič Tim , Idrizović Kemal , Bjelica Duško , Pori Primož
Published: September 2020

Anthropometric characteristics and physical performance are closely related to the game demands of each playing position. This study aimed to first examine the differences between playing positions in anthropometric characteristics and physical performance with special emphasis on the isokinetic strength of elite male handball players, and secondly to examine the correlations of the latter variables with ball velocity. Anthropometric characteristics, maximal isokinetic strength, sprinting and vertical jumping performance, and ball velocity in the set shot and jump shot were obtained from 93 elite handball players (age 22 ± 5 years, height 184 ± 8 cm, and weight 84 ± 14 kg) pre-season. Wing players were shorter compared to other players, and pivots were the heaviest. Wings had the fastest 20 m sprints, and, along with backcourt players, jumped higher, had better maximal knee isometric strength, and achieved the highest ball velocity compared to pivots and goalkeepers, respectively. There were no significant differences between playing positions in unilateral and bilateral maximal leg strength imbalances. Ball velocity was significantly correlated with height, weight, squat jump and maximal torque of extensors and flexors. Our study suggest that shooting success is largely determined by the player’s height, weight, muscle strength and power, while it seems that anthropometric characteristics and physical performance are closely related to the game demands of each playing position.
Adhesion and Corrosion Resistance of Micro-Arc Oxidation/Polyurethane Composite Coating on Aluminum Alloy Surface
Authors: Wang Ruitao , Xu Hong , Yao Zhongping , Li Chunxiang , Jiang Zhaohua
Published: September 2020

The adhesion and bonding performance of waterborne polyurethane (PU) coating on aluminum alloy surface was improved in this study. To achieve this objective, the effects of different sodium silicate concentrations on the aluminum alloy micro-arc oxidation (MAO) layer and the adhesion strength and corrosion resistance of MAO-PU composite coating before and after modification by MAO treatment of the 7050 aluminum alloy were studied. The experimental results showed that the modification of the MAO membrane layer by a silane coupling agent could significantly improve the adhesion strength and corrosion resistance of the composite coating. Moreover, the maximum adhesion strength was obtained when the concentration of sodium silicate was 12 g L−1.
Development of a Mortality Risk Model in Elderly Hip Fracture Patients by Different Analytical Approaches
Authors: Lo Chia-Lun , Yang Ya-Hui , Hsu Chien-Jen , Chen Chun-Yu , Huang Wei-Chun , Tang Pei-Ling , Renn Jenn-Huei
Published: September 2020

Hip fracture is a major health issue that accompanies community aging. The most critical time after a hip fracture should be the first year. Care systems and surgical techniques for hip fractures have improved, so the trend of mortality in elderly hip fracture could be changed with them. Therefore, we observed the changes in the trend and critical factors for first-year mortality for the hip fractures in an elderly population in Taiwan, and mortality of prognosis prediction model was developed for the early diagnosis using a population-based database in Taiwan (National Health Insurance Research Database, NHIRD). A total of 166,274 elderly subjects with an age greater than 60-years-old from 2001 to 2010 were collected for this study. Cox proportional-hazards (PH) regression and logistic regression were calculated to odds ratio and hazard ratio for mortality of those patients and compared it. Data mining algorithms were also used to generate a risk stratification prediction model. The first-year mortality rate of the overall study group was 21.5% in 2001 and 15.0% in 2010 (p for trend < 0.001). In the male subgroup, the first-year mortality rate was 29.3% in 2001 and decreased to 17.3% in 2010; the trend of standardized mortality ratio was significantly decreased from 4.4 to 2.6 (p for trend < 0.001). By logistic regression, mortality significantly increased with age and male gender. Furthermore, gender, age, patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), cardiovascular (CV), and renal comorbidity, and surgical intervention can be variables for constructing the risk stratification model. The findings of the study will be used for helping related field physicians to predict the prognosis risk of hip fracture patients, and provide evidence-based tailored treatment recommendations for those patients. It may consider to build various models for predicting the prognosis of hip fracture or integrating prediction algorithms into the computerized physician order entry system, thus creating a practical clinical decision support system with warning functions.
AI-Based Stroke Disease Prediction System Using Real-Time Electromyography Signals
Authors: Yu Jaehak , Park Sejin , Kwon Soon-Hyun , Ho Chee Meng Benjamin , Pyo Cheol-Sig , Lee Hansung
Published: September 2020

Stroke is a leading cause of disabilities in adults and the elderly which can result in numerous social or economic difficulties. If left untreated, stroke can lead to death. In most cases, patients with stroke have been observed to have abnormal bio-signals (i.e., ECG). Therefore, if individuals are monitored and have their bio-signals measured and accurately assessed in real-time, they can receive appropriate treatment quickly. However, most diagnosis and prediction systems for stroke are image analysis tools such as CT or MRI, which are expensive and difficult to use for real-time diagnosis. In this paper, we developed a stroke prediction system that detects stroke using real-time bio-signals with artificial intelligence (AI). Both machine learning (Random Forest) and deep learning (Long Short-Term Memory) algorithms were used in our system. EMG (Electromyography) bio-signals were collected in real time from thighs and calves, after which the important features were extracted, and prediction models were developed based on everyday activities. Prediction accuracies of 90.38% for Random Forest and of 98.958% for LSTM were obtained for our proposed system. This system can be considered an alternative, low-cost, real-time diagnosis system that can obtain accurate stroke prediction and can potentially be used for other diseases such as heart disease.
A Method for Estimating Aircraft Vertical Acceleration and Eddy Dissipation Rate in Turbulent Flight
Authors: Gao Zhenxing , Wang Debao , Xiang Zhiwei
Published: September 2020

Atmospheric turbulence is a typical risk that threatens the flight safety of civil aviation aircraft. A method of estimating aircraft’s vertical acceleration in turbulence is proposed. Based on the combination of wing and horizontal tail, the continuous change of aerodynamic force in turbulent flight is obtained by unsteady vortex ring method. Vortex rings are assigned on the mean camber surface to further improve the computing accuracy. The incremental aerodynamic derivatives of lift and pitching moment are developed, which can describe the turbulence effects on aircraft. Furthermore, a new acceleration-based eddy dissipation rate (EDR) algorithm was developed to estimate the turbulence severity. Compared with wind tunnel test data, the aerodynamic performance of the lifting surface was computed accurately. A further test on wing–tail combination showed that the computed pitching moment change due to control-surface deflections approaches the aircraft-modeling data. The continuous change of vertical acceleration at any longitudinal locations of aircraft is obtained in turbulent flight. Compared with traditional transfer function-based EDR algorithms, the proposed algorithm shows higher accuracy and stability. Furthermore, the adverse influence of aircraft maneuvering on EDR estimation is eliminated.
Application of Satellite Remote Sensing in Monitoring Elevated Internal Temperatures of Landfills
Authors: Nazari Rouzbeh , Alfergani Husam , Haas Francis , Karimi Maryam E. , Fahad Md Golam Rabbani , Sabrin Samain , Everett Jess , Bouaynaya Nidhal , Peters Robert W.
Published: September 2020

Subsurface fires and smoldering events at landfills can present serious health hazards and threats to the environment. These fires are much more costly and difficult to extinguish than open fires at the landfill surface. The initiation of a subsurface fire may go unnoticed for a long period of time and undetected fires may spread over a large area. Unfortunately, not all landfill operators keep or publish heat elevation data and many landfills are not equipped with a landfill gas extraction system to control subsurface temperatures generated from the chemical reactions within. The timely and cost-effective identification of subsurface fires is an important and pressing issue. In this work, we describe a method for using satellite thermal infrared imagery at a moderate spatial resolution to identify the locations of subsurface fires and monitor their migration within landfills. The focus of this study was the Bridgeton Sanitary Landfill in Bridgeton, MO, USA where a subsurface fire was first identified in 2010 and continues to burn today. Observations from Landsat satellites over the last seventeen years were examined for surface temperature anomalies (or hot spots) that may be associated with subsurface fires. The results showed that the locations of hot spots identified in satellite imagery match the known locations of the subsurface fires. Changes in the hot-spot locations with time, as determined by in situ measurements, correspond to the spreading routes of the subsurface fires. These results indicate that the proposed approach based on satellite observations can be used as a tool for the identification of landfill subsurface fires by landfill owners/operators to monitor landfills and minimize the expenses associated with extinguishing landfill fires.
Partial Nulling Regularized Block Diagonalization Using Unfair Channel Selection for Post-Coding with Low-Complexity
Authors: Hwang Hyun-Sun , Ro Jae-Hyun , You Young-Hwan , Hwang Duckdong , Song Hyoung-Kyu
Published: September 2020

A number of requirements for 5G mobile communication are satisfied by adopting multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) systems. The inter user interference (IUI) which is an inevitable problem in MU-MIMO systems becomes controllable when the precoding scheme is used. The proposed scheme, which is one of the precoding schemes, is built on regularized block diagonalization (RBD) precoding and utilizes the partial nulling concept, which is to leave part of the IUI at the same time. Diversity gain is obtained by leaving IUI, which is made by choosing the row vectors of the channel matrix that are not nullified. Since the criterion for choosing the row vectors of the channel is the power of the channel, the number of selected row vectors of the channel for each device can be unfair. The proposed scheme achieves performance enhancement by obtaining diversity gain. Therefore, the bit error rate (BER) performance is better and the computational complexity is lower than RBD when the same data rate is achieved. When the number of reduced data streams is not enough for most devices to achieve diversity gain, the proposed scheme has better performance compared to generalized block diagonalization (GBD). The low complexity at the receiver is achieved compared to GBD by using the simple way to remove IUI.
Advances in Projectile Penetration Mechanism in Soil Media
Authors: Ahmed Mohd. , AlQadhi Saeed , Mallick Javed , Desmukh Mohammed Noor , Hang Hoang Thi
Published: September 2020

The penetration to geological shield occurs in many situations at various velocities and scales, for example, meteor-cratering, pile driving, falling of objects from high-rise building construction, and debris/fragments from failed components. The soil media is an efficient energy dissipation system and effective shock protection shield. Impact circumstances are currently getting widespread attention. A lot of research has been done on soil media for impact and penetration. The phenomenon of dynamic penetration in heterogeneous particulate soil medium is very complex and the target soil media under dynamic impact especially under high speed and deep penetration neither behave completely as solid nor as liquid. The topics of recent research interest in the field of penetration to soil media and their significant findings are critically reviewed in the present study. The dedicated review of analytical, empirical, experimental, and computational methods to predict the response of soils media-impacting objects to penetration is presented. The emerging challenges in fundamental research of penetration into soil media are outlined and it is an attempt to formulate the future research directions in the field of soil media penetration.
Mythical Islands of Value: Free Ports, Offshore Capitalism, and Art Capital
Authors: Post Erik , Calvão Filipe
Published: September 2020

The Geneva Free Port in Switzerland has paved the way for a new generation of art and luxury free ports. These are critical spatial pivots for the management of art assets, including storage and transactions of artworks, and serve as proxy to examine mechanisms for the capture and generation of value, integral but also outside the global art market. Drawing from the trajectory of the Geneva Free Port and an interdisciplinary body of scholarship on “offshore” and other special zones of production, and value circulation in human geography, anthropology, history, and sociology, this article frames free ports in a longer genealogy of offshore capitalism. First, we claim that the emergence of the Geneva Free Port prefigures and helps illuminate contemporary transformations in offshore capitalism; second, these spaces are more deeply imbricated with public and state authorities than previously suggested. Finally, a holistic understanding of art capital—works of art for investment and asset management—requires an encompassing view of free ports not as accidental and exceptional features in the world of high art but as spaces deeply implicated in the creation and operation of the art market more generally.
Theoretical Stark Broadening Parameters for UV–Blue Spectral Lines of Neutral Vanadium in the Solar and Metal-Poor Star HD 84937 Spectra
Authors: Colón Cristóbal , de Andrés-García María Isabel , Isidoro-García Lucía , Moya Andrés
Published: September 2020

Using Griem’s semi-empirical approach, we have calculated the Stark broadening parameters (line widths and shifts) of 35 UV–Blue spectral lines of neutral vanadium (V I). These lines have been detected in the Sun, the metal-poor star HD 84937, and Arcturus, among others. In addition, these parameters are also relevant in industrial and laboratory plasma. The matrix elements required were obtained using the relativistic Hartree–Fock (HFR) method implemented in Cowan’s code.
Clinical Translational Potential in Skin Wound Regeneration for Adipose-Derived, Blood-Derived, and Cellulose Materials: Cells, Exosomes, and Hydrogels
Authors: Frazier Trivia , Alarcon Andrea , Wu Xiying , Mohiuddin Omair A. , Motherwell Jessica M. , Carlsson Anders H. , Christy Robert J. , Edwards Judson V. , Mackin Robert T. , Prevost Nicolette , Gloster Elena , Zhang Qiang , Wang Guangdi , Hayes Daniel J. , Gimble Jeffrey M.
Published: September 2020

Acute and chronic skin wounds due to burns, pressure injuries, and trauma represent a substantial challenge to healthcare delivery with particular impacts on geriatric, paraplegic, and quadriplegic demographics worldwide. Nevertheless, the current standard of care relies extensively on preventive measures to mitigate pressure injury, surgical debridement, skin flap procedures, and negative pressure wound vacuum measures. This article highlights the potential of adipose-, blood-, and cellulose-derived products (cells, decellularized matrices and scaffolds, and exosome and secretome factors) as a means to address this unmet medical need. The current status of this research area is evaluated and discussed in the context of promising avenues for future discovery.
Computational and In Vitro Investigation of (-)-Epicatechin and Proanthocyanidin B2 as Inhibitors of Human Matrix Metalloproteinase 1
Authors: Lee Kyung , Bharadwaj Shiv , Yadava Umesh , Kang Sang
Published: September 2020

Matrix metalloproteinases 1 (MMP-1) energetically triggers the enzymatic proteolysis of extracellular matrix collagenase (ECM), resulting in progressive skin aging. Natural flavonoids are well known for their antioxidant properties and have been evaluated for inhibition of matrix metalloproteins in human. Recently, (-)-epicatechin and proanthocyanidin B2 were reported as essential flavanols from various natural reservoirs as potential anti-inflammatory and free radical scavengers. However, their molecular interactions and inhibitory potential against MMP-1 are not yet well studied. In this study, sequential absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) profiling, quantum mechanics calculations, and molecular docking simulations by extra precision Glide protocol predicted the drug-likeness of (-)-epicatechin (−7.862 kcal/mol) and proanthocyanidin B2 (−8.145 kcal/mol) with the least reactivity and substantial binding affinity in the catalytic pocket of human MMP-1 by comparison to reference bioactive compound epigallocatechin gallate (−6.488 kcal/mol). These flavanols in docked complexes with MMP-1 were further studied by 500 ns molecular dynamics simulations that revealed substantial stability and intermolecular interactions, viz. hydrogen and ionic interactions, with essential residues, i.e., His218, Glu219, His222, and His228, in the active pocket of MMP-1. In addition, binding free energy calculations using the Molecular Mechanics Generalized Born Surface Area (MM/GBSA) method suggested the significant role of Coulomb interactions and van der Waals forces in the stability of respective docked MMP-1-flavonol complexes by comparison to MMP-1-epigallocatechin gallate; these observations were further supported by MMP-1 inhibition assay using zymography. Altogether with computational and MMP-1–zymography results, our findings support (-)-epicatechin as a comparatively strong inhibitor of human MMP-1 with considerable drug-likeness against proanthocyanidin B2 in reference to epigallocatechin gallate.
Anti-Survival and Pro-Apoptotic Effects of 6-Shogaol on SW872 Human Liposarcoma Cells via Control of the Intrinsic Caspase Pathway, STAT-3, AMPK, and ER Stress
Authors: Yadav Anil Kumar , Jang Byeong-Churl
Published: September 2020

Notably, 6-Shogaol, a bioactive natural substance, has anticancer effects on many types of tumors. Up to date, the anticancer effect and mode of action of 6-Shogaol on liposarcoma are not known. In this study, we investigated whether 6-Shogaol inhibits the growth of SW872 and 93T449 cells, two different human liposarcoma cell lines. Of note, 6-Shogaol inhibited the growth of SW872 and 93T449 cells without affecting that of normal 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Specifically, 6-Shogaol further induced the apoptosis of SW872 cells, as evidenced by nuclear DNA fragmentation, increased sub G1 population, activation of the intrinsic caspase pathway, and PARP cleavage. However, pretreatment with either z-VAD-fmk, a pan-caspase inhibitor, or N-acetylcysteine, an antioxidant, attenuated the 6-Shogaol’s growth-suppressive and apoptosis-inducing effects on SW872 cells. Moreover, 6-Shogaol activated AMPK while inhibited STAT-3 in SW872 cells, and siRNA-based genetic silencing of AMPK or STAT-3 considerably blocked the growth-suppressive and apoptotic response of 6-Shogaol to SW872 cells. Moreover, 6-Shogaol also upregulated the expression and phosphorylation of GRP-78, eIF-2α, ATF4, and CHOP, known ER stress markers, in SW872 cells, illustrating the induction of ER stress. These findings collectively demonstrate that 6-Shogaol has strong antigrowth and proapoptotic effects on SW872 cells through regulation of the intrinsic caspase pathway, oxidative stress, STAT-3, AMPK, and ER stress.
Non-Adherence to Statin Treatment in Older Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease Depending on Persistence Status
Authors: Wawruch Martin , Wimmer Gejza , Murin Jan , Paduchova Martina , Petrova Miriam , Tesar Tomas , Matalova Petra , Havelkova Beata , Trnka Michal , Aarnio Emma
Published: September 2020

The effectiveness of statins in secondary prevention of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) largely depends on patients’ adherence to treatment. The aims of our study were: (a) to analyze non-adherence during the whole follow-up in persistent patients, and only during persistence for non-persistent patients; (b) to identify factors associated with non-adherence separately among persistent and non-persistent patients. A cohort of 8330 statin users aged ≥65 years, in whom PAD was newly diagnosed between January 2012–December 2012, included 5353 patients persistent with statin treatment, and 2977 subjects who became non-persistent during the 5-year follow-up. Non-adherence was defined using the proportion of days covered <80%. Patient- and statin-related characteristics associated with non-adherence were identified with binary logistic regression. A significantly higher proportion of non-adherent patients was found among non-persistent patients compared to persistent subjects (43.6% vs. 29.6%; p < 0.001). Associated with non-adherence in both persistent and non-persistent patients was high intensity statin treatment, while in non-persistent patients, it was employment and increasing number of medications. In patients with a poor adherence during their persistent period, an increased risk for discontinuation may be expected. However, there is also non-adherence among persistent patients. There are differences in factors associated with non-adherence depending on patients’ persistence.
Therapeutic Anticancer Uses of the Active Principles of “Rhopalurus junceus” Venom
Authors: Dioguardi Mario , Caloro Giorgia Apollonia , Laino Luigi , Alovisi Mario , Sovereto Diego , Crincoli Vito , Aiuto Riccardo , Dioguardi Antonio , De Lillo Alfredo , Troiano Giuseppe , Lo Muzio Lorenzo
Published: September 2020

The Rhopalurus junceus is a scorpion belonging to the Buthidae family that finds its habitat in Cuba. This scorpion is known by the common name of “Blue Scorpion”. The venom is used on the island of Cuba as an alternative cure for cancer and, more recently, in the research of active components for biomedicine. Recently, the venom has been tested in several studies to investigate its effects on cancer cell lines, and the initial results of in vitro studies demonstrated how this poison can be effective on certain carcinoma cell lines (Hela, SiHa, Hep-2, NCI-H292, A549, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, and HT-29). The aim of this review is, therefore, to describe the effects of the venom on carcinoma lines and to investigate all anti-cancer properties studied in the literature. The research was conducted using four databases, Pub Med, Scopus, EBSCO, and Web of Science, through the use of keywords, by two independent reviewers following the PRISMA protocol, identifying 57 records. The results led to a total of 13 articles that met the eligibility criteria. The data extracted for the purpose of meta-analysis included the IC50 of the venom on carcinoma cell lines. The results of the meta-analysis provided a pooled mean of the IC50 of 0.645 mg/mL (95% CI: 0.557, 0.733), with a standard error (SE) = 0.045, p < 0.001. The analysis of the subgroups, differentiated by the type of cell line used, provided insight regarding how the scorpion venom was effective on the cell lines of lung origin (NCI-H292, A549, and MRC-5) with a pooled mean of IC50 0.460 mg/mL (95% CI: 0.290, 0.631) SE (0.087) p < 0.001. The results described in the literature for in vitro studies are encouraging, and further investigations should be carried out and deepened.
Evaluation of Root-End Preparation with Two Different Endodontic Microsurgery Ultrasonic Tips
Authors: Palma Paulo J. , Marques Joana A. , Casau Margarida , Santos André , Caramelo Francisco , Falacho Rui I. , Santos João Miguel
Published: September 2020

The aim of this study is to compare root-end preparation performed with two different ultrasonic tips—CVDentus and NSK—and respective time requirements. After root-end resection, 32 teeth were randomly divided in two groups, according to the ultrasonic tip used for root-end preparation. Preparation time was recorded. Photomicrographs were taken to assess the following parameters: root surface microcracking, marginal integrity and presence of debris. One ultrasonic tip from each group was analyzed through scanning electron microscopy before and after root-end preparation. The significance level was set at α = 0.05. Incidence of microcracks in both groups was 12.5%. Solely intracanal microcracking was found, consistently positioned within the widest side of the remaining dentine. No statistically significant differences were verified between both experimental groups regarding marginal integrity (p = 0.102) and preparation time (p = 0.780), whereas statistical differences (p = 0.003) were found concerning the presence of debris (the minimum registered score was mostly verified in CVDentus group). NSK tips showed major morphological changes, with extensive surface wear and noticeable loss of particles, which was not verified on CVDentus tips. Our findings suggest significant differences regarding root-end preparation walls quality, with CVDentus tips showing better results. Concerning microcracking, as well as preparation time and marginal integrity, both ultrasonic tips showed similar results. Qualitative analysis exposed NSK tips major morphological changes and wear after use, which was not verified on CVDentus tips.
Idebenone Protects against Spontaneous Chronic Murine Colitis by Alleviating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Inflammatory Response
Authors: Shastri Sonia , Shinde Tanvi , Perera Agampodi Promoda , Gueven Nuri , Eri Rajaraman
Published: September 2020

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in intestinal secretory goblet cells has been linked to the development of ulcerative colitis (UC). Emerging evidence suggests that the short chain quinone drug idebenone displays anti-inflammatory activity in addition to its potent antioxidant and mitochondrial electron donor properties. This study evaluated the impact of idebenone in Winnie mice, that are characterized by spontaneous chronic intestinal inflammation and ER stress caused by a missense mutation in the mucin MUC2 gene. Idebenone (200 mg/kg) was orally administered daily to 5–6 weeks old Winnie mice over a period of 21 days. Idebenone treatment substantially improved body weight gain, disease activity index (DAI), colon length and histopathology score. Immunohistochemistry revealed increased expression of MUC2 protein in goblet cells, consistent with increased MUC2 mRNA levels. Furthermore, idebenone significantly reduced the expression of the ER stress markers C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) and X-box binding protein-1 (XBP-1) at both mRNA and protein levels. Idebenone also effectively reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in colonic explants. Taken together, these results indicate that idebenone could represent a potential therapeutic approach against human UC by its strong anti-inflammatory activity and its ability to reduce markers of ER stress.
Evi1 Counteracts Anti-Leukemic and Stem Cell Inhibitory Effects of All-Trans Retinoic Acid on Flt3-ITD/Npm1c-Driven Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells
Authors: Nguyen Chi Huu , Grandits Alexander M. , Vassiliou George S. , Staber Philipp B. , Heller Gerwin , Wieser Rotraud
Published: September 2020

All-trans retinoic acid (atRA) has a dramatic impact on the survival of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia, but its therapeutic value in other types of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has so far remained unclear. Given that AML is a stem cell-driven disease, recent studies have addressed the effects of atRA on leukemic stem cells (LSCs). atRA promoted stemness of MLL-AF9-driven AML in an Evi1-dependent manner but had the opposite effect in Flt3-ITD/Nup98-Hoxd13-driven AML. Overexpression of the stem cell-associated transcription factor EVI1 predicts a poor prognosis in AML, and is observed in different genetic subtypes, including cytogenetically normal AML. Here, we therefore investigated the effects of Evi1 in a mouse model for cytogenetically normal AML, which rests on the combined activity of Flt3-ITD and Npm1c mutations. Experimental expression of Evi1 on this background strongly promoted disease aggressiveness. atRA inhibited leukemia cell viability and stem cell-related properties, and these effects were counteracted by overexpression of Evi1. These data further underscore the complexity of the responsiveness of AML LSCs to atRA and point out the need for additional investigations which may lay a foundation for a precision medicine-based use of retinoids in AML.
Epoxide Syntheses and Ring-Opening Reactions in Drug Development
Authors: Moschona Fotini , Savvopoulou Ioanna , Tsitopoulou Maria , Tataraki Despoina , Rassias Gerasimos
Published: September 2020

This review concentrates on success stories from the synthesis of approved medicines and drug candidates using epoxide chemistry in the development of robust and efficient syntheses at large scale. The focus is on those parts of each synthesis related to the substrate-controlled/diastereoselective and catalytic asymmetric synthesis of epoxide intermediates and their subsequent ring-opening reactions with various nucleophiles. These are described in the form of case studies of high profile pharmaceuticals spanning a diverse range of indications and molecular scaffolds such as heterocycles, terpenes, steroids, peptidomimetics, alkaloids and main stream small molecules. Representative examples include, but are not limited to the antihypertensive diltiazem, the antidepressant reboxetine, the HIV protease inhibitors atazanavir and indinavir, efinaconazole and related triazole antifungals, tasimelteon for sleep disorders, the anticancer agent carfilzomib, the anticoagulant rivaroxaban the antibiotic linezolid and the antiviral oseltamivir. Emphasis is given on aspects of catalytic asymmetric epoxidation employing metals with chiral ligands particularly with the Sharpless and Jacobsen–Katsuki methods as well as organocatalysts such as the chiral ketones of Shi and Yang, Pages’s chiral iminium salts and typical chiral phase transfer agents.
Diverse Defenses: A Perspective Comparing Dipteran Piwi-piRNA Pathways
Authors: Gamez Stephanie , Srivastav Satyam , Akbari Omar S. , Lau Nelson C.
Published: September 2020

Animals face the dual threat of virus infections hijacking cellular function and transposons proliferating in germline genomes. For insects, the deeply conserved RNA interference (RNAi) pathways and other chromatin regulators provide an important line of defense against both viruses and transposons. For example, this innate immune system displays adaptiveness to new invasions by generating cognate small RNAs for targeting gene silencing measures against the viral and genomic intruders. However, within the Dipteran clade of insects, Drosophilid fruit flies and Culicids mosquitoes have evolved several unique mechanistic aspects of their RNAi defenses to combat invading transposons and viruses, with the Piwi-piRNA arm of the RNAi pathways showing the greatest degree of novel evolution. Whereas central features of Piwi-piRNA pathways are conserved between Drosophilids and Culicids, multiple lineage-specific innovations have arisen that may reflect distinct genome composition differences and specific ecological and physiological features dividing these two branches of Dipterans. This perspective review focuses on the most recent findings illuminating the Piwi/piRNA pathway distinctions between fruit flies and mosquitoes, and raises open questions that need to be addressed in order to ameliorate human diseases caused by pathogenic viruses that mosquitoes transmit as vectors.
IL-12 and IL-23—Close Relatives with Structural Homologies but Distinct Immunological Functions
Authors: Floss Doreen M. , Moll Jens M. , Scheller Jürgen
Published: September 2020

Cytokines of the IL-12 family show structural similarities but have distinct functions in the immune system. Prominent members of this cytokine family are the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-12 and IL-23. These two cytokines share cytokine subunits and receptor chains but have different functions in autoimmune diseases, cancer and infections. Accordingly, structural knowledge about receptor complex formation is essential for the development of new therapeutic strategies preventing and/or inhibiting cytokine:receptor interaction. In addition, intracellular signaling cascades can be targeted to inhibit cytokine-mediated effects. Single nucleotide polymorphisms can lead to alteration in the amino acid sequence and thereby influencing protein functions or protein–protein interactions. To understand the biology of IL-12 and IL-23 and to establish efficient targeting strategies structural knowledge about cytokines and respective receptors is crucial. A highly efficient therapy might be a combination of different drugs targeting extracellular cytokine:receptor assembly and intracellular signaling pathways.
Electrical and Humidity-Sensing Properties of Impedance-Type Humidity Sensors that Were Made of Ag Microwires/PPy/SnO2 Ternary Composites
Authors: Su Pi-Guey , Lu Ping-Hsiang
Published: September 2020

Impedance-type humidity sensors were fabricated via one-step UV-irradiation photopolymerization of Ag microwires (Ag MWs), polypyrrole (PPy) and SnO2 ternary composite (Ag MWs/PPy/SnO2) films on an alumina substrate. X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) elemental mapping were used to analyze the morphology, structure, and composition of Ag MWs/PPy/SnO2 ternary composite films. Microstructural observations revealed that the Ag MWs were embedded, and PPy formed on the surface of the Ag MWs/PPy/SnO2 ternary composite film. The effects of the addition amounts of loading of Ag and PPy on the electrical and humidity-sensing properties of the Ag MWs/PPy/SnO2 ternary composite films were investigated. The impedance-type humidity sensor based on Ag MWs/PPy/SnO2 ternary composite film containing 6 mg of Ag and 0.1 g of PPy had the highest sensitivity and an acceptable linearity over the RH ranged from 10% to 90% RH, a low hysteresis, a fast response time, and long-term stability. This technique is useful for practical application because its fast and ease of fabrication. The ions (H3O+) that dominate the impedance changed with relative humidity (RH) for the humidity sensor that based on Ag MWs/PPy/SnO2 ternary composite film was analyzed using complex impedance spectra.
Nebulizer Care and Inhalation Technique in Children with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Petrocheilou Argyri , Kaditis Athanasios G. , Troupi Evgenia , Loukou Ioanna
Published: September 2020

Nebulizers are used by the great majority of cystic fibrosis patients for delivery of cornerstone treatments. Inhalation technique and adequate disinfection and maintenance are important for optimizing medication delivery. In this study, inhalation technique and nebulizer disinfection/maintenance were assessed in cystic fibrosis patients by direct observation in clinic and completion of a scoring sheet. A total of 108 patients were recruited. The maximum inhalation technique score was attained by 30.5% and adequate inhalation technique score by 74.08% of patients. The inhalation technique score was best with the vibrating mesh nebulizer (p = 0.038), while patient age and number of nebulized medications did not affect ITS significantly (p > 0.05). Nebulizer disinfection/maintenance score was excellent in only 31.48%. Most families kept the nebulizer clean and used appropriate disinfection method, but only half of them replaced the nebulizer and nebulizer cup at the recommended time intervals. Nebulizer disinfection/maintenance score was positively affected by a number of nebulized medications and negatively by years of equipment use (p = 0.009 and p = 0.001, respectively). Even though inhalation technique and disinfection/maintenance practices were found to be adequate in a large proportion of cases, there is still a need for regular review and education. The type of nebulizer was associated with improved inhalation technique, but more data are required before making specific recommendations.
Expected Impacts of Mixing European Beech with Silver Fir on Regional Air Quality and Radiation Balance
Authors: Bonn Boris , Kreuzwieser Jürgen , Magh Ruth-Kristina , Rennenberg Heinz , Schindler Dirk , Sperlich Dominik , Trautmann Raphael , Yousefpour Rasoul , Grote Rüdiger
Published: September 2020

The anticipated climate change during the next decades is posing crucial challenges to ecosystems. In order to decrease the vulnerability of forests, introducing tree species’ mixtures are a viable strategy, with deep-rooting native Silver fir (Abies alba) being a primary candidate for admixture into current pure stands of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) especially in mountainous areas. Such a change in forest structure also has effects on the regional scale, which, however, have been seldomly quantified. Therefore, we measured and modeled radiative balance and air chemistry impacts of admixing Silver fir to European beech stands, including changes in biogenic volatile organic compound emissions. An increased fraction of Silver fir caused a smaller albedo and a (simulated) larger evapotranspiration, leading to a dryer and warmer forest. While isoprene emission was negligible for both species, sesquiterpene and monoterpene emissions were larger for fir than for beech. From these differences, we derived that ozone concentration as well as secondary organic aerosols and cloud condensation nuclei would increase regionally. Overall, we demonstrated that even a relatively mild scenario of tree species change will alter the energy balance and air quality in a way that could potentially influence the climate on a landscape scale.
PriADA: Management and Adaptation of Information Based on Data Privacy in Public Environments
Authors: Lopes Hugo , Pires Ivan Miguel , Sánchez San Blas Hector , García-Ovejero Raúl , Leithardt Valderi
Published: September 2020

The mobile devices cause a constant struggle for the pursuit of data privacy. Nowadays, it appears that the number of mobile devices in the world is increasing. With this increase and technological evolution, thousands of data associated with everyone are generated and stored remotely. Thus, the topic of data privacy is highlighted in several areas. There is a need for control and management of data in circulation inherent to this theme. This article presents an approach to the interaction between the individual and the public environment, where this interaction will determine the access to information. This analysis was based on a data privacy management model in open environments created after reading and analyzing the current technologies. A mobile application based on location by Global Positioning System (GPS) was developed to substantiate this model, which considers the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to control and manage access to each individual’s data.
Engineering Porous Silicon Nanowires with Tuneable Electronic Properties
Authors: Rezvani S. Javad , Pinto Nicola , Gunnella Roberto , D’Elia Alessandro , Marcelli Augusto , Di Cicco Andrea
Published: September 2020

Structural and electronic properties of silicon nanowires with pre-designed structures are investigated. Wires with distinct structure were investigated via advanced spectroscopic techniques such as X-ray absorption spectroscopy and Raman scattering as well as transport measurements. We show that wire structures can be engineered with metal assisted etching fabrication process via the catalytic solution ratios as well as changing doping type and level. In this way unique well-defined electronic configurations and density of states are obtained in the synthesized wires leading to different charge carrier and phonon dynamics in addition to photoluminescence modulations. We demonstrate that the electronic properties of these structures depend by the final geometry of these systems as determined by the synthesis process. These wires are characterized by a large internal surface and a modulated DOS with a significantly high number of surface states within the band structure. The results improve the understanding of the different electronic structures of these semiconducting nanowires opening new possibilities of future advanced device designs.
Skin Protective Activity of LactoSporin-the Extracellular Metabolite from Bacillus Coagulans MTCC 5856
Authors: Majeed Muhammed , Majeed Shaheen , Nagabhushanam Kalyanam , Lawrence Lincy , Arumugam Sivakumar , Mundkur Lakshmi
Published: September 2020

Background: Probiotics and their products are increasingly used in skincare in recent years. Postbiotics are defined as any substance derived through the metabolic activity of a probiotic microorganism, which exerts a direct or indirect beneficial effect on the host. The extracellular metabolites of probiotic bacteria have antimicrobial activities, protect against acne, and improve skin condition. We studied skin protective activities of the extracellular metabolite (LactoSporin) of a spore-forming probiotic Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 in vitro. Methods: LactoSporin was evaluated for antioxidant activity by free radical scavenging activity and reactive oxygen quenching activity in human dermal fibroblast cells. Protection of fibroblasts from UV-induced apoptosis and cell death was studied by flow cytometry and neutral red uptake assays. Enzyme inhibition assays were carried out for collagenase, Elastase, and Hyaluronidase. Gene expression studies were carried out using polymerase chain reaction. Results: LactoSporin showed antioxidant activity and was found to protect skin cells from UV-induced apoptosis and cell death. LactoSporin inhibited collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase activity and upregulated the expression of hyaluronan synthase, transforming growth factor and epidermal growth factor, which are associated with extracellular matrix integrity. Conclusions: These results suggest LactoSporin is a skin protective postbiotic with wide application in cosmetic formulations.
A Public Dataset of 24-h Multi-Levels Psycho-Physiological Responses in Young Healthy Adults
Authors: Rossi Alessio , Da Pozzo Eleonora , Menicagli Dario , Tremolanti Chiara , Priami Corrado , Sîrbu Alina , Clifton David A. , Martini Claudia , Morelli Davide
Published: September 2020

Wearable devices now make it possible to record large quantities of physiological data, which can be used to obtain a clearer view of a person’s health status and behavior. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no open datasets in the literature that provide psycho-physiological data. The Multilevel Monitoring of Activity and Sleep in Healthy people (MMASH) dataset presented in this paper provides 24 h of continuous psycho-physiological data, that is, inter-beat intervals data, heart rate data, wrist accelerometry data, sleep quality index, physical activity (i.e., number of steps per second), psychological characteristics (e.g., anxiety status, stressful events, and emotion declaration), and sleep hormone levels for 22 participants. The MMASH dataset will enable the investigation of possible relationships between the physical and psychological characteristics of people in daily life. Data were validated through different analyses that showed their compatibility with the literature.
Volume Flow and Peak Systolic Velocity of the Arteriovenous Circuit in Patients after Percutaneous Deep Venous Arterialization
Authors: Schreve Michiel A. , Huizing Eline , Kum Steven , de Vries Jean-Paul P. M. , de Borst Gert J. , Ünlü Çağdaş
Published: September 2020

Percutaneous deep venous arterialization (pDVA) is a developing technique for limb salvage in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia by creating an arteriovenous (AV) circuit. After pDVA, patency of the AV circuit is evaluated using duplex ultrasound (DUS) imaging. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) and volume flow (VF) values for maintaining a patent AV circuit are undefined; therefore, guidance about when a reintervention should be performed is lacking. The objective of this study was to interpret post-pDVA PSV and VF values in relation to AV circuit preservation. This was performed by analyzing DUS results of 22 post-pDVA patients. A total of 670 PSV and 623 VF measurements were collected. A PSV value of ≤55 cm/s and a VF value of ≤195 mL/min were found predictive for failure. The reliability of PSV and VF measurements in patent AV-circuits was good (intraclass correlation coefficient; PSV, 0.85; VF, 0.88). In conclusion, this study is the first to analyze DUS measurements in post-pDVA patients and showed that DUS can be used to anticipate for failure. The thresholds found can be used to help interpret DUS measurements in post-pDVA patients. More research in a larger patient population is needed to prospectively validate these thresholds.