bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MMNET: A Multi-Modal Network Architecture for Underwater Networking
Authors: Liu Jun , Wang Jun , Song Shanshan , Cui Junhong , Wang Xiaoyu , Li Benyuan
Published: December 2020

At present, the key to underwater sensor network (UWSN) research is to provide personalized network support for many underwater applications. In order to achieve this goal, people need a general UWSN. Most of the current UWSN architecture is based on the traditional network, which are limited to a single hardware platform and software platform. Facing the current numerous underwater applications and heterogeneous networks, the UWSN is unable to provide personalized network services according to different application requirements. In this paper, we propose a heterogeneous network framework called MMNET (multimodal network) based on the idea of multimodality, aiming to achieve the compatibility of heterogeneous networks and the scalability of the new architecture. In addition, in the face of the complexity of heterogeneous networks and the personalized needs of network applications, the resource allocation is expressed as a personalized recommendation problem. The distributed personalized recommendation algorithm is used to configure personalized network resources for applications. Each node only needs to solve its own problems, instead of exchanging channel state information by using a distributed algorithm, so the computational complexity can be greatly reduced and signaling is overhead. Finally, we give a special example to prove that our network framework provides a good application.
WhatsTrust: A Trust Management System for WhatsApp
Authors: Almuzaini Fatimah , Alromaih Sarah , Althnian Alhanoof , Kurdi Heba
Published: December 2020

Online communication platforms face security and privacy challenges, especially in broad ecosystems, such as online social networks, where users are unfamiliar with each other. Consequently, employing trust management systems is crucial to ensuring the trustworthiness of participants, and thus, the content they share in the network. WhatsApp is one of the most popular message-based online social networks with over one billion users worldwide. Therefore, it is considered an attractive platform for cybercriminals who spread malware to gain unauthorized access to users’ accounts to steal their data or corrupt the system. None of the few trust management systems proposed in the online social network literature have considered WhatsApp as a use case. To this end, this paper introduces WhatsTrust, a trust management system for WhatsApp that evaluates the trustworthiness of users. A trust value accompanies each message to help the receiver make an informed decision regarding how to deal with the message. WhatsTrust is extensively evaluated through a strictly controlled empirical evaluation framework with two well-established trust management systems, namely EigenTrust and trust network analysis with subjective logic (TNA-SL) algorithms, as benchmarks. The experimental results demonstrate WhatsTrust’s dominance with respect to the success rate and execution time.
Bandwidth Improvement of Conventional Dual-Band Power Divider Using Physical Port Separation Structure
Authors: Chang Tso-Jung , Tsao Yi-Fan , Huang Ting-Jui , Hsu Heng-Tung
Published: December 2020

This paper presents the bandwidth improvement for dual-band power divider using complex isolation network while maintaining physical port separation. The conventional port-extended power dividers suffered from narrow system bandwidth. A rigorous analysis revealed that such problem was mainly due to the limited impedance bandwidth caused by the odd-mode bisected network. Moreover, the isolation bandwidth provided by the parallel L-C topology in the conventional approach was also limited. To overcome such technical issues, a serial L-C topology was proposed. Derivations of the impedance bandwidth through even- and odd-mode network analysis have been performed and optimal system bandwidth could be achieved when the reflection coefficients of the corresponding bisected networks exhibited minimum frequency dependence. Based on the theoretical analysis, simultaneous achievement of bandwidth broadening, size compactness, and physical port extension at both frequencies is possible with optimum combinations of the design parameters. The experimental results evidenced that other than the improvement in system bandwidth, the fabricated prototype featured low extra insertion loss, good isolation across the bands, and compactness in size while maintaining physical separation between the split ports compared with previously published works.
Numerical Simulation for the Sound Absorption Properties of Ceramic Resonators
Authors: Ciaburro Giuseppe , Iannace Gino
Published: December 2020

This work reports the results of experimental measurements of the sound absorption coefficient of ceramic materials using the principle of acoustic resonators. Subsequently, the values obtained from the measurements were used to train a simulation model of the acoustic behavior of the analyzed material based on artificial neural networks. The possible applications of sound-absorbing materials made with ceramic can derive from aesthetic or architectural needs or from functional needs, as ceramic is a fireproof material resistant to high temperatures. The results returned by the simulation model based on the artificial neural networks algorithm are particularly significant. This result suggests the adoption of this technology to find the finest possible configuration that allows the best sound absorption performance of the material.
Proximal Composition and Nutritive Value of Raw, Smoked and Pickled Freshwater Fish
Authors: Mielcarek Konrad , Puścion-Jakubik Anna , Gromkowska-Kępka Krystyna J. , Soroczyńska Jolanta , Naliwajko Sylwia K. , Markiewicz-Żukowska Renata , Moskwa Justyna , Nowakowski Patryk , Borawska Maria H. , Socha Katarzyna
Published: December 2020

The aim of the study was to assess protein, fat, salt, collagen, moisture content and energy value of freshwater fish purchased in Polish fish farms. Eight species of freshwater fish (raw, smoked, pickled) were assessed by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The protein content varied between 15.9 and 21.7 g/100 g, 12.8 and 26.2 g/100 g, 11.5 and 21.9 g/100 g in raw, smoked and pickled fish, respectively. Fat content ranged from 0.89 to 22.3 g/100 g, 0.72 to 43.1 g/100 g, 0.01 to 29.7 g/100 g in raw, smoked and pickled fish, respectively. Salt content ranged from 0.73 to 1.48 g/100 g, 0.77 to 3.39 g/100 g, 1.47 to 2.29 g/100 g in raw, smoked and pickled fish, respectively. A serving (150 g) of each fish product provided 53.2–71.9% of the Reference Intake (RI) for protein, 2.21–60.3% of the RI for fat, 21.3–61.3% of the RI for salt and 6.27–24.4% kJ/6.29–24.5% kcal of the RI for energy. Smoked fish had a higher protein and also fat content than raw and pickled fish, while smoked and pickled fish had higher salt content than raw fish. Cluster analysis was performed, which allowed to distinguish, on the basis of protein, fat, salt, collagen and moisture content, mainly European eel.
Mesophilic Semi-Continuous Anaerobic Digestion of Strawberry Extrudate Pretreated with Steam Explosion
Authors: Cubero-Cardoso Juan , Muñoz-Arjona Andrés , Trujillo-Reyes Ángeles , Serrano Antonio , Alonso-Fariñas Bernabé , Rodríguez-Gutiérrez Guillermo , Urbano Juan , Borja Rafael , Fermoso Fernando G.
Published: December 2020

The production of strawberry concentrate produces a side stream after extrusion that is commonly landfilled. This strawberry extrudate (SE), of lignocellulosic character, contains valuable bioactive compounds such as sugars and phenols. Thermal treatments, such as steam explosion, are currently used for the valorisation of agricultural lignocellulosic wastes due to their ability to impact the structure of the lignocellulose and hemicellulose present in these wastes, favouring the disruption of fibrous material. Steam explosion has already been shown as a promising technology for phenol recovery from SE. Biogas is an additional valuable resource that might be produced from thermally pretreated and de-phenolised SE. This study assessed the influence of a steam-explosion pretreatment and the subsequent recovery of phenolic compounds from the long-term operation of a semi-continuous anaerobic digester of pretreated SE. The anaerobic digestion of SE steam exploded at 220 °C for 5 min and de-phenolised was stable at an OLR of 0.5 g of volatile solids (VS)/(L·d), which permitted a specific production rate of 135 ± 11 mL of CH4/(g of VS d). The system was not able to operate at an OLR of 1 g of VS/(L·d), which resulted in a failure of the process. Despite the inhibition threshold of phenolic compounds not being achieved, the inhibition of the anaerobic digestion process at an OLR of 1 g of VS/(L·d) was most likely due to the overloading of the system. This was indicated by the accumulation of soluble organic matter and volatile fatty acids. The increase in the propionic acid concentration up to 1300 mg/L when operating at OLRs higher than 0.5 g of VS/(L·d) could be the main factor responsible for the inhibition. An economic evaluation showed that the proposed approach (steam explosion, phenol recovery, and anaerobic digestion) would offer positive benefits, taking into account the high phenolic recovery (0.90 g of gallic acid equivalents/kg of extrudate) and the low sales price of the phenol extract, i.e., EUR 0.610/g of gallic acid equivalents, needed to reach zero net profit.
Managing Procrastination on Social Networking Sites: The D-Crastinate Method
Authors: Alblwi Abdulaziz , Al-Thani Dena , McAlaney John , Ali Raian
Published: December 2020

Procrastination refers to the voluntary avoidance or postponement of action that needs to be taken, that results in negative consequences such as low academic performance, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Previous work has demonstrated the role of social networking site (SNS) design in users’ procrastination and revealed several types of procrastination on SNS. In this work, we propose a method to combat procrastination on SNS (D-Crastinate). We present the theories and approaches that informed the design of D-Crastinate method and its stages. The method is meant to help users to identify the type of procrastination they experience and the SNS features that contribute to that procrastination. Then, based on the results of this phase, a set of customised countermeasures are suggested for each user with guidelines on how to apply them. To evaluate our D-Crastinate method, we utilised a mixed-method approach that included a focus group, diary study and survey. We evaluate the method in terms of its clarity, coverage, efficiency, acceptance and whether it helps to increase users’ consciousness and management of their own procrastination. The evaluation study involved participants who self-declared that they frequently procrastinate on SNS. The results showed a positive impact of D-Crastinate in increasing participants’ awareness and control over their procrastination and, hence, enhancing their digital wellbeing.
Understanding Spatiotemporal Variations of Ridership by Multiple Taxi Services
Authors: Zhang Wenbo , Xi Yinfei , Ukkusuri Satish V.
Published: December 2020

Recent years have seen the big growth of app-based taxi services by not only competing for rides with street-hailing taxi services but also generating new taxi rides. Moreover, the innovation in dynamic pricing also makes it competitive in both passenger and driver sides. However, current literature still lacks better understandings of induced changes in spatiotemporal variations in multiple taxi ridership after app-based taxi service launch. This study develops two study cases in New York City to explore impacts of presence of app-based taxi services on daily total and street-hailing taxi rides and impacts of dynamic pricing on hourly app-based taxi rides. Considering the panel data and treatment effect measurement in this problem, we introduce a mixed modeling structure with both geographically weighted panel regression and difference-in-difference estimator. This mixed modeling structure outperforms traditional fixed effects model in our study cases. Empirical analyses identified the significant spatiotemporal variations in impacts of presence of app-based taxi services; for instance, impacts daily total taxi rides in 2014 and 2016 and impacts on street-hailing taxi rides from 2012 to 2016. Moreover, we capture the spatial variations in impacts of dynamic pricing on hourly app-based taxi rides, as well as significant impacts of time of day, day of week, and vehicle supply.
When Should We Perform Endoscopic Drainage and Necrosectomy for Walled-Off Necrosis?
Authors: Chantarojanasiri Tanyaporn , Ratanachu-Ek Thawee , Isayama Hiroyuki
Published: December 2020

Endoscopic drainage and necrosectomy are now accepted treatment approaches for patients with symptomatic walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WON). The current recommendations advocate step-up approaches for the treatment of symptomatic WON. Previous recommendations stipulated that endoscopic intervention should be delayed until more than four weeks after the onset. Recent data on early drainage have been increasing and this option might be considered in well-encapsulated cases, but the percutaneous route is preferred if the drainage is performed within two weeks after onset or in nonencapsulated cases. Recently, additional drainage methods, such as the multiple gateway technique and multiple stent placement, have been developed to open up multiple dead spaces in the WON cavity. Endoscopic necrosectomy could be performed via the transluminal route or percutaneous route after failed initial and additional drainage procedures. The use of novel lumen-apposing stents is a promising treatment option that could reduce the number of steps, the procedure time, and the overall number of necrosectomies.
Prognostic Value of Troponin Elevation in COVID-19 Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Cordeanu Elena-Mihaela , Duthil Nicolas , Severac Francois , Lambach Hélène , Tousch Jonathan , Jambert Lucas , Mirea Corina , Delatte Alexandre , Younes Waël , Frantz Anne-Sophie , Merdji Hamid , Schini-Kerth Valérie , Bilbault Pascal , Ohlmann Patrick , Andres Emmanuel , Stephan Dominique
Published: December 2020

(1) Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) penetrates the respiratory epithelium through angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) binding. Myocardial and endothelial expression of ACE2 could account for the growing body of reported evidence of myocardial injury in severe forms of Human Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to provide insight into the impact of troponin (hsTnI) elevation on SARS-CoV-2 outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. (2) Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of hospitalized adult patients with the SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to a university hospital in France. The observation period ended at hospital discharge. (3) Results: During the study period, 772 adult, symptomatic COVID-19 patients were hospitalized for more than 24 h in our institution, of whom 375 had a hsTnI measurement and were included in this analysis. The median age was 66 (55–74) years, and there were 67% of men. Overall, 205 (55%) patients were placed under mechanical ventilation and 90 (24%) died. A rise in hsTnI was noted in 34% of the cohort, whereas only three patients had acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and one case of myocarditis. Death occurred more frequently in patients with hsTnI elevation (HR 3.95, 95% CI 2.69–5.71). In the multivariate regression model, a rise in hsTnI was independently associated with mortality (OR 3.12, 95% CI 1.49–6.65) as well as age ≥ 65 years old (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.45–7.18) and CRP ≥ 100 mg/L (OR 3.62, 95% CI 1.12–13.98). After performing a sensitivity analysis for the missing values of hsTnI, troponin elevation remained independently and significantly associated with death (OR 3.84, 95% CI 1.78–8.28). (4) Conclusion: Our study showed a four-fold increased risk of death in the case of a rise in hsTnI, underlining the prognostic value of troponin assessment in the COVID-19 context.
Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients with Glucocorticoid-Induced Hyperglycemia—A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Delfs Neele , Struja Tristan , Gafner Sandra , Muri Thaddaeus , Baechli Ciril , Schuetz Philipp , Mueller Beat , Blum Claudine Angela
Published: December 2020

Background: Glucocorticoid (GC)-induced hyperglycemia is a frequent side effect in hospitalized patients. Guidelines recommend treat-to-target treatment between 6–10 mmol/L (108–180 mg/dL) with insulin, but data on outcome is scarce. We investigated the 30-day outcome in hospitalized patients receiving GCs. Methods: All patient records of hospitalized patients between January 2014 and April 2018 were screened for GC administration and consecutive hyperglycemia. The primary combined endpoint consisted of death, cardiovascular events, and infections until 30 days after admission. Hypoglycemia was a secondary outcome. Results: Of the 2424 hospitalized patients (9.6% of all hospitalized patients) who received systemic GCs and met inclusion criteria, the overall incidence for GC-induced hyperglycemia was 812 (33.5%), and 89 (3.7%) had at least one documented hypoglycemia during their hospital stay. Compared to patients with normoglycemia, GC-induced hyperglycemia had an adjusted-odds ratio of 1.68 (95% CI 1.25–2.26) for the combined primary endpoint. Hypoglycemia even had an odds ratio of 1.95 (95% CI 1.2–3.17). Conclusions: Mortality, cardiovascular events, and rate of infections were markedly higher in patients with GC-induced hyperglycemia as compared to patients with normoglycemia. Importantly, hypoglycemia was associated with a doubled risk for adverse outcome. Future studies should evaluate whether optimized glucose control by minimizing the risk for hypoglycemia has a beneficial effect on clinical outcomes in patients with GC-induced hyperglycemia.
Quality Assessment of CEUS in Individuals with Small Renal Masses—Which Individual Factors Are Associated with High Image Quality?
Authors: Spiesecke Paul , Fischer Thomas , Friedersdorff Frank , Hamm Bernd , Lerchbaumer Markus Herbert
Published: December 2020

Obesity and bowel gas are known to impair image quality in abdominal ultrasound (US). The present study aims at identifying individual factors in B-mode US that influence contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) image quality to optimize further imaging workup of incidentally detected focal renal masses. We retrospectively analyzed renal CEUS of focal renal masses ≤ 4 cm performed at our center in 143 patients between 2016 and 2020. Patient and lesion characteristics were tested for their influence on focal and overall image quality assessed by two experienced radiologists using Likert scales. Effects of significant variables were quantified by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis with area under the curve (AUC), and combined effects were assessed by binary logistic regression. Shrunken kidney, kidney depth, lesion depth, lesion size, and exophytic lesion growth were found to influence focal renal lesion image quality, and all factors except lesion size also influenced overall image quality. Combination of all parameters except kidney depth best predicted good CEUS image quality showing an AUC of 0.91 (p < 0.001, 95%-CI 0.863–0.958). The B-mode US parameters investigated can identify patients expected to have good CEUS image quality and thus help select the most suitable contrast-enhanced imaging strategy for workup of renal lesions.
Changes in Nutritional Status in Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Longitudinal Changes in BMI According to Acid-Fast Bacilli Smear Positivity
Authors: Ko Yousang , Kim Changwhan , Park Yong Bum , Mo Eun-Kyung , Moon Jin-Wook
Published: December 2020

Malnutrition is closely associated with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). However, changes before and after treatment remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the longitudinal changes in nutritional status from treatment to follow-up of TB in 215 PTB cases in South Korea. First, we evaluated the trend in body mass index (BMI) from the time of diagnosis to a 2-year follow-up. Second, we compared the BMIs of our cases with 5694 controls who participated in a Korean national survey after treatment. During the treatment period, the BMI of the smear-positive group (n = 72) significantly increased compared with that of the smear-negative group (n = 143) (+1.9 kg/m2 vs. +0.4 kg/m2, p = 0.001). Almost all the changes occurred in the early phase, with unremarkable differences in the rest of the treatment period and up to the 2-year follow-up period. When compared with controls, the smear-positive PTB group also had a lower BMI than the smear-negative PTB group, which, however, was lower than that of the general population, though all the participants regained their BMIs during treatment. These results clarify the nutritional aspects of PTB and enable better strategies to support patients with PTB.
Structural Determinants and Their Role in Cyanobacterial Morphogenesis
Authors: Springstein Benjamin L. , Nürnberg Dennis J. , Weiss Gregor L. , Pilhofer Martin , Stucken Karina
Published: December 2020

Cells have to erect and sustain an organized and dynamically adaptable structure for an efficient mode of operation that allows drastic morphological changes during cell growth and cell division. These manifold tasks are complied by the so-called cytoskeleton and its associated proteins. In bacteria, FtsZ and MreB, the bacterial homologs to tubulin and actin, respectively, as well as coiled-coil-rich proteins of intermediate filament (IF)-like function to fulfil these tasks. Despite generally being characterized as Gram-negative, cyanobacteria have a remarkably thick peptidoglycan layer and possess Gram-positive-specific cell division proteins such as SepF and DivIVA-like proteins, besides Gram-negative and cyanobacterial-specific cell division proteins like MinE, SepI, ZipN (Ftn2) and ZipS (Ftn6). The diversity of cellular morphologies and cell growth strategies in cyanobacteria could therefore be the result of additional unidentified structural determinants such as cytoskeletal proteins. In this article, we review the current advances in the understanding of the cyanobacterial cell shape, cell division and cell growth.
β-Catenin Regulates Cardiac Energy Metabolism in Sedentary and Trained Mice
Authors: Balatskyi Volodymyr V. , Palchevska Oksana L. , Bortnichuk Lina , Gan Ana-Maria , Myronova Anna , Macewicz Larysa L. , Navrulin Viktor O. , Tumanovska Lesya V. , Olichwier Adam , Dobrzyn Pawel , Piven Oksana O.
Published: December 2020

The role of canonical Wnt signaling in metabolic regulation and development of physiological cardiac hypertrophy remains largely unknown. To explore the function of β-catenin in the regulation of cardiac metabolism and physiological cardiac hypertrophy development, we used mice heterozygous for cardiac-specific β-catenin knockout that were subjected to a swimming training model. β-Catenin haploinsufficient mice subjected to endurance training displayed a decreased β-catenin transcriptional activity, attenuated cardiomyocytes hypertrophic growth, and enhanced activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), phosphoinositide-3-kinase–Akt (Pi3K–Akt), and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (MAPK/Erk1/2) signaling pathways compared to trained wild type mice. We further observed an increased level of proteins involved in glucose aerobic metabolism and β-oxidation along with perturbed activity of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complexes (OXPHOS) in trained β-catenin haploinsufficient mice. Taken together, Wnt/β-catenin signaling appears to govern metabolic regulatory programs, sustaining metabolic plasticity in adult hearts during the adaptation to endurance training.
A Biomarker Panel of Radiation-Upregulated miRNA as Signature for Ionizing Radiation Exposure
Authors: Song Man , Xie Dafei , Gao Shanshan , Bai Chen-Jun , Zhu Mao-Xiang , Guan Hua , Zhou Ping-Kun
Published: December 2020

Ionizing radiation causes serious injury to the human body and has long-time impacts on health. It is important to find optimal biomarkers for the early quick screening of exposed individuals. A series of miRNAs signatures have been developed as the new biomarkers for diagnosis, survival, and prognostic prediction of cancers. Here, we have identified the ionizing radiation-inducible miRNAs profile through microarray analysis. The biological functions were predicted for the top six upregulated miRNAs by 4 Gy γ-rays: miR-1246, miR-1307-3p, miR-3197, miR-4267, miR-5096 and miR-7641. The miRNA-gene network and target gene-pathway network analyses revealed that DNAH3 is the target gene associated with all the six miRNAs. GOLGB1 is related to 4 miRNAs and other 26 genes targeted by 3 miRNAs. The upregulation of fifteen miRNAs were further verified at 4 h and 24 h after 0 to 10 Gy irradiation in the human lymphoblastoid AHH-1 cells, and some demonstrated a dose-dependent increased. Six miRNAs, including miR-145, miR-663, miR-1273g-3p, miR-6090, miR-6727-5p and miR-7641, were validated to be dose-dependently upregulated at 4 h or 24 h post-irradiation in both AHH-1 and human peripheral blood lymphocytes irradiated ex vivo. This six-miRNA signature displays the superiority as a radiation biomarker for the translational application of screening and assessment of radiation exposed individuals.
Maintainability of a Gearbox Using Design for Disassembly and Augmented Reality
Authors: Marruganti Martina , Frizziero Leonardo
Published: December 2020

Environmental impact and recycling have been increasingly frequent topics in recent years. At the same time, the life cycle of products has increasingly become shorter, as the escalating competitive market requires new products in smaller pieces. From this perspective, the recovery of parts and products that are produced in this market system for subsequent reuse when they reach the end of their life cycle is essential. For these reasons, it has become critical that companies re-evaluate their product design with a view to the possible recovery of the parts that comprise their products and to create new products for the market. The following discussion was based on the study of design for disassembly (DfD), which is the analysis of industrial products aimed at optimizing disassembly in terms of time and costs. The application of the DfD to a case study of a gearbox has, among its main objectives, the search for the best disassembly sequence in terms of time and money. During the course of the study, augmented reality (AR) was used. Through the use of the Unity software and Vuforia package, it was possible to bring the gearbox back to AR and then simulate the disassembly sequence in AR.
On An Open Question in Controlled Rectangular b-Metric Spaces
Authors: George Reny , Belhenniche Abdelkader , Benahmed Sfya , Mitrović Zoran D. , Mlaiki Nabil , Guran Liliana
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we give an affirmative answer to an open question posed recently by Mlaiki et al. As a consequence of our results, we get some known results in the literature. We also give an application of our results to the existence of a solution of nonlinear fractional differential equations.
Historical Perspectives on the Development of Current Standards of Care for Enzymatic Debridement
Authors: Heitzmann Wolfram , Fuchs Paul Christian , Schiefer Jennifer Lynn
Published: December 2020

Background and Objective: The use of plant-based products for burn treatment dates back to 1600 BC. Enzymatic debridement, which can be achieved as non-surgical or conservative debridement, has recently gained increasing attention. Several reviews have been published thus far. However, there has been no historical article including the achievements of the last 20 years, and this is the first review to present the achievements made in the field of enzymatic debridement in the last 20 years. This study aimed to present a historical overview of the development of enzymatic debridement until the present day. Methods: Enzymes from bacteria and plants were initially used for full-thickness burn treatment; however, they did not gain attention. Papain-derived products were the first plant-based products used for enzymatic debridement. Sutilains gained broad use in the 70s and 80s but came off market in the 1990s. Bromelain has been used for burn treatment owing to its strong debriding properties. NexoBrid™ is used as a minimally invasive approach for enzymatic debridement of deep dermal burns. However, its use has been limited due to commercially available bromelain and the presence of four distinct cysteine proteinases. NexoBrid™ involves faster eschar removal together with reduced blood loss, leading to improved long-term outcomes. However, research on nonoperative enzymatic debridement of burns has taken decades and is still ongoing. Results: Overall, the results of our study indicate that necrectomy, which has been used for a long time, remains the standard of care for burns. However, enzymatic debridement has several advantages, such as faster eschar removal, reduced blood loss, and reduced need for skin grafting, especially in cases of facial and hand burns. Enzymatic debridement cannot replace surgical intervention, as the enzyme only works on the surface of the eschar. Enzymatic debridement is not recommended in the early phase of scald burns. Conclusions: Enzymatic debridement has become an integral part of burn therapy and the standard of care in specific burn centers.
Effects of High Temperature Aging Treatment on the Microstructure and Impact Toughness of Z2CND18-12N Austenitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Zhang Hui , Liu Yanfeng , Zhai Xian , Xiao Wenkai
Published: December 2020

During the casting cooling process or the forging process, austenitic stainless steel will remain at around 800 °C for some time. During this period, precipitate particle behaviors in austenitic stainless steel (containing ferrite) will cause a reduction in ductility, which can lead to material cracking. In this study, the effects of aging at 800 °C on the microstructure, impact toughness and microhardness of Z2CND18-12N austenitic stainless steel were systematically investigated. The precipitation processes of the χ and σ phases were characterized by color metallography and back scattered electron (BSE) signals. The toughness was investigated by the Charpy impact test. After the aging treatment, the χ and σ phases precipitated successively in the ferrite, and as the aging duration increased, the χ-phase dissolved and the σ-phase precipitated along the austenite grain boundaries. These all lead to a decrease in toughness and an increase in microhardness. Finally, the relationship between fracture morphology and aging time is discussed herein, and a crack mechanism is given.
Characterization of a Novel Endophytic Actinomycete, Streptomyces physcomitrii sp. nov., and Its Biocontrol Potential Against Ralstonia solanacearum on Tomato
Authors: Zhuang Xiaoxin , Gao Congting , Peng Chenghui , Wang Zhiyan , Zhao Junwei , Shen Yue , Liu Chongxi
Published: December 2020

Bacterial wilt of tomato is a destructive disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum throughout the world. An endophytic actinomycete with antagonistic activity, designated strain LD120T, was isolated from moss (Physcomitrium sphaericum (Ludw) Fuernr). The biocontrol test demonstrated that co-inoculation by the isolate and the pathogen gave the greatest biocontrol efficiency of 63.6%. Strain LD120T had morphological characteristics and chemotaxonomic properties identical to those of members of the genus Streptomyces. The diamino acid present in the cell wall was LL-diaminopimelic acid. Arabinose, glucose, rhamnose, and ribose occured in whole cell hydrolysates. The menaquinones detected were MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8), and MK-9(H2). The polar lipid profile was found to contain diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylinositol. The major cellular fatty acids were found to be iso-C16:0, iso-C17:0, anteiso-C15:0, and C16:1 ω7c. The DNA G+C content of the draft genome sequence, consisting of 7.6 Mbp, was 73.1%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain LD120T belongs to the genus Streptomyces, with the highest sequence similarity to Streptomyces azureus NRRL B-2655T (98.97%), but phylogenetically clustered with Streptomyces anandii NRRL B-3590T (98.62%). Multilocus sequence analysis based on five other house-keeping genes (atpD, gyrB, rpoB, recA, and trpB) and the low level of DNA–DNA relatedness, as well as phenotypic differences, allowed strain LD120T to be differentiated from its closely related strains. Therefore, the strain was concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomycesphyscomitrii sp. nov. was proposed. The type strain was LD120T (=CCTCC AA 2018049T = DSM 110638T).
Processing of Metals and Metalloids by Actinobacteria: Cell Resistance Mechanisms and Synthesis of Metal(loid)-Based Nanostructures
Authors: Presentato Alessandro , Piacenza Elena , Turner Raymond J. , Zannoni Davide , Cappelletti Martina
Published: December 2020

Metal(loid)s have a dual biological role as micronutrients and stress agents. A few geochemical and natural processes can cause their release in the environment, although most metal-contaminated sites derive from anthropogenic activities. Actinobacteria include high GC bacteria that inhabit a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic ecological niches, where they play essential roles in recycling or transforming organic and inorganic substances. The metal(loid) tolerance and/or resistance of several members of this phylum rely on mechanisms such as biosorption and extracellular sequestration by siderophores and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), bioaccumulation, biotransformation, and metal efflux processes, which overall contribute to maintaining metal homeostasis. Considering the bioprocessing potential of metal(loid)s by Actinobacteria, the development of bioremediation strategies to reclaim metal-contaminated environments has gained scientific and economic interests. Moreover, the ability of Actinobacteria to produce nanoscale materials with intriguing physical-chemical and biological properties emphasizes the technological value of these biotic approaches. Given these premises, this review summarizes the strategies used by Actinobacteria to cope with metal(loid) toxicity and their undoubted role in bioremediation and bionanotechnology fields.
Genes on the Move: In Vitro Transduction of Antimicrobial Resistance Genes between Human and Canine Staphylococcal Pathogens
Authors: Frosini Sian Marie , Bond Ross , McCarthy Alex J. , Feudi Claudia , Schwarz Stefan , Lindsay Jodi A. , Loeffler Anette
Published: December 2020

Transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) between people and pets, and their co-carriage, are well-described. Potential exchange of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes amongst these staphylococci was investigated in vitro through endogenous bacteriophage-mediated transduction. Bacteriophages were UV-induced from seven donor isolates of canine (MRSP) and human (MRSA) origin, containing tet(M), tet(K), fusB or fusC, and lysates filtered. Twenty-seven tetracycline- and fusidic acid- (FA-) susceptible recipients were used in 122 donor-recipient combinations (22 tetracycline, 100 FA) across 415 assays (115 tetracycline, 300 FA). Bacteriophage lysates were incubated with recipients and presumed transductants quantified on antimicrobial-supplemented agar plates. Tetracycline resistance transduction from MRSP and MRSA to methicillin-susceptible S. pseudintermedius (MSSP) was confirmed by PCR in 15/115 assays. No FA-resistance transfer occurred, confirmed by negative fusB/fusC PCR, but colonies resulting from FA assays had high MICs (≥32 mg/L) and showed mutations in fusA, two at a novel position (F88L), nine at H457[Y/N/L]. Horizontal gene transfer of tetracycline-resistance confirms that resistance genes can be shared between coagulase-positive staphylococci from different hosts. Cross-species AMR transmission highlights the importance of good antimicrobial stewardship across humans and veterinary species to support One Health.
Assessing the Multivariate Relationship between the Human Infant Intestinal Exfoliated Cell Transcriptome (Exfoliome) and Microbiome in Response to Diet
Authors: He Kejun , Donovan Sharon M. , Ivanov Ivan V. , Goldsby Jennifer S. , Davidson Laurie A. , Chapkin Robert S.
Published: December 2020

Gut microbiota and the host exist in a mutualistic relationship, with the functional composition of the microbiota strongly influencing the health and well-being of the host. In addition to the standard differential expression analysis of host genes to assess the complex cross-talk between environment (diet), microbiome, and host intestinal physiology, data-driven integrative approaches are needed to identify potential biomarkers of both host genes and microbial communities that characterize these interactions. Our findings demonstrate that the complementary application of univariate differential gene expression analysis and multivariate approaches such as sparse Canonical Correlation Analysis (sCCA) and sparse Principal Components Analysis (sPCA) can be used to integrate data from both the healthy infant gut microbial community and host transcriptome (exfoliome) using stool derived exfoliated cells shed from the gut. These approaches reveal host genes and microbial functional categories related to the feeding phenotype of the infants. Our findings also confirm that combinatorial noninvasive -omic approaches provide an integrative genomics-based perspective of neonatal host-gut microbiome interactions.
Quantification of Trastuzumab–HER2 Engagement In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Rudkouskaya Alena , Smith Jason T. , Intes Xavier , Barroso Margarida
Published: December 2020

Human EGF Receptor 2 (HER2) is an important oncogene driving aggressive metastatic growth in up to 20% of breast cancer tumors. At the same time, it presents a target for passive immunotherapy such as trastuzumab (TZM). Although TZM has been widely used clinically since 1998, not all eligible patients benefit from this therapy due to primary and acquired drug resistance as well as potentially lack of drug exposure. Hence, it is critical to directly quantify TZM–HER2 binding dynamics, also known as cellular target engagement, in undisturbed tumor environments in live, intact tumor xenograft models. Herein, we report the direct measurement of TZM–HER2 binding in HER2-positive human breast cancer cells and tumor xenografts using fluorescence lifetime Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FLI-FRET) via near-infrared (NIR) microscopy (FLIM-FRET) as well as macroscopy (MFLI-FRET) approaches. By sensing the reduction of fluorescence lifetime of donor-labeled TZM in the presence of acceptor-labeled TZM, we successfully quantified the fraction of HER2-bound and internalized TZM immunoconjugate both in cell culture and tumor xenografts in live animals. Ex vivo immunohistological analysis of tumors confirmed the binding and internalization of TZM–HER2 complex in breast cancer cells. Thus, FLI-FRET imaging presents a powerful analytical tool to monitor and quantify cellular target engagement and subsequent intracellular drug delivery in live HER2-positive tumor xenografts.
Sterically Facilitated Intramolecular Nucleophilic NMe2 Group Substitution in the Synthesis of Fused Isoxazoles: Theoretical Study
Authors: Antonov Alexander S. , Tupikina Elena Yu , Karpov Valerii V. , Mulloyarova Valeriia V. , Bardakov Victor G.
Published: December 2020

The influence of steric repulsion between the NMe2 group and a second ortho-(peri-)substituent in the series of 1-dimethylaminonaphthalene and N,N-dimethylanilene ortho-oximes on the ease of the NMe2 group’s intramolecular nucleophilic substitution is studied. Possible reaction intermediates for three mechanisms are calculated (ωB97xd/def-2-TZVP), and their free Gibbs energies are compared to model reaction profiles. Supporting experiments have proved the absence of studied reactivity in the case of simple 2-dimethylaminobenzaldoxime, which allowed us to establish reactivity limits. The significant facilitation of NMe2 group displacement in the presence of bulky substituents is demonstrated. The possibility of fused isoxazoles synthesis via the intramolecular nucleophilic substitution of a protonated NMe2 group in the aniline and naphthalene series is predicted.
The Structure and Function of Paraoxonase-1 and Its Comparison to Paraoxonase-2 and -3
Authors: Taler-Verčič Ajda , Goličnik Marko , Bavec Aljoša
Published: December 2020

Serum paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is the most studied member of the group of paraoxonases (PONs). This enzyme possesses three enzymatic activities: lactonase, arylesterase, and paraoxonase activity. PON1 and its isoforms play an important role in drug metabolism as well as in the prevention of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Although all three members of the PON family have the same origin and very similar amino acid sequences, they have different functions and are found in different locations. PONs exhibit substrate promiscuity, and their true physiological substrates are still not known. However, possible substrates include homocysteine thiolactone, an analogue of natural quorum-sensing molecules, and the recently discovered derivatives of arachidonic acid—bioactive δ-lactones. Directed evolution, site-directed mutagenesis, and kinetic studies provide comprehensive insights into the active site and catalytic mechanism of PON1. However, there is still a whole world of mystery waiting to be discovered, which would elucidate the substrate promiscuity of a group of enzymes that are so similar in their evolution and sequence yet so distinct in their function.
Antiproliferative Phenanthrenes from Juncus tenuis: Isolation and Diversity-Oriented Semisynthetic Modification
Authors: Bús Csaba , Kúsz Norbert , Kincses Annamária , Szemerédi Nikoletta , Spengler Gabriella , Bakacsy László , Purger Dragica , Berkecz Róbert , Hohmann Judit , Hunyadi Attila , Vasas Andrea
Published: December 2020

The occurrence of phenanthrenes is limited in nature, with such compounds identified only in some plant families. Phenanthrenes were described to have a wide range of pharmacological activities, and numerous research programs have targeted semisynthetic derivatives of the phenanthrene skeleton. The aims of this study were the phytochemical investigation of Juncus tenuis, focusing on the isolation of phenanthrenes, and the preparation of semisynthetic derivatives of the isolated compounds. From the methanolic extract of J. tenuis, three phenanthrenes (juncusol, effusol, and 2,7-dihydroxy-1,8-dimethyl-5-vinyl-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene) were isolated. Juncusol and effusol were transformed by hypervalent iodine(III) reagent, using a diversity-oriented approach. Four racemic semisynthetic compounds possessing an alkyl-substituted p-quinol ring (1–4) were produced. Isolation and purification of the compounds were carried out by different chromatographic techniques, and their structures were elucidated by means of 1D and 2D NMR, and HRMS spectroscopic methods. The isolated secondary metabolites and their semisynthetic analogues were tested on seven human tumor cell lines (A2780, A2780cis, KCR, MCF-7, HeLa, HTB-26, and T47D) and on one normal cell line (MRC-5), using the MTT assay. The effusol derivative 3, substituted with two methoxy groups, showed promising antiproliferative activity on MCF-7, T47D, and A2780 cell lines with IC50 values of 5.8, 7.0, and 8.6 µM, respectively.
Quaternary Ammonium-Based Ionosilica Hydrogels as Draw Solutes in Forward Osmosis
Authors: Duarte Rodrigues Alysson , Jacob Matthieu , Gauchou Véronique , Durand Jean-Olivier , Trens Philippe , Hesemann Peter
Published: December 2020

In the last few years, forward osmosis (FO) has attracted increasing interest as a sustainable technique for water desalination and wastewater treatment. However, FO remains as an immature process principally due to the lack of efficient and easily recyclable draw solutes. In this work, we report that ionosilica hydrogels based on quaternary ammonium halide ionosilica are efficient draw solutes in FO. Fluidic ionosilica hydrogels were obtained via hydrolysis-polycondensation reactions of a trisilylated quaternary ammonium precursor in slightly acidic water/ethanol solvent mixtures. The liquid-to-gel transition of the precursor and the kinetics of the formation of hydrogels were monitored by liquid NMR measurements. The formed hydrogels were shown to generate osmotic pressure up to 10.0 atm, indicating the potential of these hydrogels as efficient draw solutes in FO. Our results suggest that iodide anions are the osmotically active species in the system. Regeneration of the hydrogels via ultrafiltration (UF) was successfully achieved, allowing the development of a closed FO-UF process. However, the osmotic performances of the ionosilica hydrogels irreversibly decreased along the successive FO-UF cycles, probably due to anion exchange processes.
A Study of the Effect of Sintering Conditions of Mg0.95Ni0.05Ti3 on Its Physical and Dielectric Properties
Authors: Shen Chun-Hsu , Pan Chung-Long , Lin Shih-Hung
Published: December 2020

Mg0.95Ni0.05TiO3 ceramics were prepared by traditional solid-state route using sintering temperatures between 1300 and 1425 °C and holding time of 2–8 h. The sintered samples were characterized for their phase composition, micro-crystalline structure, unit–cell constant, and dielectric properties. A two-phase combination region was identified over the entire compositional range. The effect of sintering conditions was analyzed for various properties. Both permittivity (εr) and Q factor (Qf) were sensitive to sintering temperatures and holding times, and the optimum performance was found at 1350 °C withholding time of 4 h. The temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) in a range from −45.2 to −52 (ppm/°C) and unit–cell constant were not sensitive to both the sintering temperature and holding time. An optimized Q factor of 192,000 (GHz) related with a permittivity (εr) of 17.35 and a temperature coefficient (τf) of −47 (ppm/°C) was realized for the specimen sintered at 1350 °C withholding time of 4 h. For applications of 5G communication device (filter, antennas, etc.), Mg0.95Ni0.05TiO3 is considered to be a suitable candidate for substrate materials.