bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterizing Color Quality, Damage to Artwork, and Light Intensity of Multi-Primary LEDs for Museums
Authors: Durmus Dorukalp
Published: January 2021

Light causes damage when it is absorbed by sensitive artwork, such as oil paintings. However, light is needed to initiate vision and display artwork. The dilemma between visibility and damage, coupled with the inverse relationship between color quality and energy efficiency, poses a challenge for curators, conservators, and lighting designers in identifying optimal light sources. Multi-primary LEDs can provide great flexibility in terms of color quality, damage reduction, and energy efficiency for artwork illumination. However, there are no established metrics that quantify the output variability or highlight the trade-offs between different metrics. Here, various metrics related to museum lighting (damage, the color quality of paintings, illuminance, luminous efficacy of radiation) are analyzed using a voxelated 3-D volume. The continuous data in each dimension of the 3-D volume are converted to discrete data by identifying a significant minimum value (unit voxel). Resulting discretized 3-D volumes display the trade-offs between selected measures. It is possible to quantify the volume of the graph by summing unique voxels, which enables comparison of the performance of different light sources. The proposed representation model can be used for individual pigments or paintings with numerous pigments. The proposed method can be the foundation of a damage appearance model (DAM).
Untying the Precise Impact of COVID-19 Policy on Social Distancing Behavior
Authors: Shahzad Fakhar , Du Jianguo , Khan Imran , Ahmad Zeeshan , Shahbaz Muhammad
Published: January 2021

Social distancing has manifold effects and is used as a non-pharmacological measure to respond to pandemic situations such as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), especially in the absence of vaccines and other useful antiviral drugs. Governments around the globe have adopted and implemented a series of social distancing strategies. The efficacy of various policies and their comparative influence on mechanisms led by public actions and adoptions have not been examined. The differences in types and effective dates of various social distancing policies in various provinces/territories of Pakistan constitute a pure ground to examine the causal effects of each COVID-19 policy. Using the location trends and population movement data released by Google, a quasi-experimental method was used to measure the impact of the government’s various social distancing policies on the people’s existence at home and their outside social mobility. Based on the magnitude and importance of policy influences, this research ranked six social distancing policies whose influence exceeded the effect of voluntary behavior. Our research outcomes describe that the trend of staying at home was firmly pushed by state-wide home order rather than necessary business closings and policies that were associated with public gathering restrictions. Strong government policies have a strong causal effect on reducing social interactions.
A New Method for Evaluating Pelvic and Trunk Rotational Pitching Mechanics: From Qualitative to Quantitative Approaches
Authors: Lin Yu-Chuan , Chou Paul Pei-Hsi , Lin Hwai-Ting , Shih Chia-Lung , Lu Cheng-Chang , Su Fong-Chin
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study was to build on existing qualitative to quantitative approaches to develop a new quantitative method for evaluating pelvic and trunk rotational pitching mechanics. Thirty pitchers were divided into two groups (“Pattern1”: closed “hip-to-shoulder separation”; “Pattern2”: open “hip-to-shoulder separation”). Several parameters were analyzed. Higher ball speeds were found in group of Pattern1, four key characteristics of which were identified. Based on the results, a new evaluation method was developed. Pelvic and trunk rotational mechanics were classified into four types. Type1 (proper mechanics) enabled significantly higher ball speed than the other three types and was thought to involve proper energy transfer from the stride foot to the throwing upper limb. Types 2–4, however, were regarded as “improper mechanics”, which could result in slower ball speeds and less efficient energy transfer. A qualitative approach, based on “expert opinion”, can specify optimal pelvis and trunk rotational mechanics. However, quantitative analysis is more precise in identifying three improper types of pelvis and trunk rotational mechanics. Furthermore, special programs, such as core strengthening and flexibility training, can be developed for various improper practices in order to improve pitching mechanics.
Neighborhood Characteristics and the Mental Health of Caregivers Cohabiting with Care Recipients Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Alhasan Dana M. , Hirsch Jana A. , Jackson Chandra L. , Miller Maggi C. , Cai Bo , Lohman Matthew C.
Published: January 2021

While studies have documented the influence of caregiver and care recipient factors on caregiver health, it is important to address the potential impact of neighborhood contexts. This study estimated the cross-sectional associations between neighborhood characteristics and mental health among caregivers cohabiting with Alzheimer’s disease care recipients that were experiencing severe or non-severe neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) (e.g., aggression/anxiety). We obtained data collected in 2010 on caregivers and care recipients (n = 212) from a subset of South Carolina’s Alzheimer’s Disease Registry. Neighborhood measures (within 1 mile of the residence) came from the American Community Survey and the Rural-Urban Commuting Area Code. We categorized the neighborhood median household income into tertiles, namely, “low” (<$31,000), “medium” ($31,000–40,758), and “high” (>$40,758), and rurality as “large urban,” “small urban,” and “rural.” We used negative binomial regression to estimate the prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for caregiver mental health using neighborhood characteristics. The mean age was 58 ± 10.3 years, 85% were women, and 55% were non-Hispanic Black. Among the caregivers cohabiting with a recipient experiencing severe NPS, higher distress was experienced by caregivers living in low- (PR = 1.61 (95% CI = 1.26–2.04)) and medium- (PR = 1.45 (95% CI = 1.17–1.78)) vs. high-income neighborhoods after an adjustment. These results suggest that neighborhood characteristics may amplify other social stressors experienced by caregivers.
Moderating Effects of Organizational Climate on the Relationship between Emotional Labor and Burnout among Korean Firefighters
Authors: Jeung Da-Yee , Chang Sei-Jin
Published: January 2021

This study examined the association of emotional labor and organizational climate with burnout and elucidated the moderating effect of organizational climate on the relationship between emotional labor and burnout among 18,936 Korean firefighters (male: 17,790, 93.9%, female: 1146, 6.1%). To examine the effects of organizational climate on the relationships between five sub-scales of emotional labor and burnout, four groups were created using various combinations of emotional labor (“normal” vs. “risk”) and organizational climate (“good” vs. “bad”): (1) “normal” and “good” (Group I), (2) “normal” and “bad” (Group II), (3) “risk” and “good” (Group III), and (4) “risk” and “bad” (Group IV). A hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis indicated that firefighters’ burnout was significantly higher in the group with “bad” than “good” organizational climate and was significantly higher among people with “risk” than “normal” emotional labor. Combined effects of organizational climate with emotional labor on burnout were observed in all five sub-scales. Groups II, III, and IV were more likely to experience burnout than Group I (trend p < 0.001). Additionally, the moderating effects of organizational climate on the relationship between the five sub-scales of emotional labor and burnout were observed, except for factor 5. These results emphasize the importance of stress management to alleviate burnout caused by emotional labor at the organizational level and coping strategies to reinforce the personal potentiality suitable to organizational norms at the individual level.
Study on Mechanisms Underlying Changes in Agricultural Carbon Emissions: A Case in Jilin Province, China, 1998–2018
Authors: Guo Hongpeng , Fan Boqun , Pan Chulin
Published: January 2021

Reducing agricultural carbon emissions (ACE) is a key point to achieve green and sustainable development in agriculture. Based on the ACE statistics of Jilin Province in China from 1998 to 2018, this article considers the sources of ACE in depth, and fourteen different carbon sources are selected to calculate ACE. Besides, the paper explores the variation characteristics of ACE in Jilin Province, their structure, and the relationship between the intensity and density of the dynamic changes in ACE in the province in terms of time. Finally, this paper uses the Kaya identity and logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) to analyze the influential factors in ACE. The results show the following: (1) During 1998–2018, the amount of ACE in Jilin Province increased, with an average annual growth rate of 1.13%. However, the chain growth rate has been negative in recent years, which reflects that carbon emission reduction has been achieved to a certain extent. (2) The characteristics of ACE in Jilin Province during the years is that of the low-intensity, high density category. Furthermore, agricultural resource input is the main source of the planting industry’s carbon emissions. From the perspective of animal husbandry, the proportion of CH4 decreased, while the proportion of N2O is relatively stable. (3) Based on the LMDI decomposition model, production efficiency, industrial structure, and labor are the three main factors that reduce ACE in Jilin Province. The economic level is the main factor of ACE, and it will be the most important factor leading to an increase in ACE in the short term. On the basis of comprehensive analysis, this article puts forward reasonable suggestions in terms of policy improvement, production mode and industrial structure adjustment, technological innovation, and talent introduction.
Is Short-Term Exposure to PM2.5 Relevant to Childhood Kawasaki Disease?
Authors: Oh Jongmin , Lee Ji Hyen , Kim Eunji , Kim Soontae , Kim Hae Soon , Ha Eunhee
Published: January 2021

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile vascular disease of unknown cause that affects the whole body. KD typically occurs in infants under the age of five and is found mainly in East Asian countries. Few studies have reported on the relationship between the pollutant PM2.5 and KD, and the evidence remains irrelevant or insufficient. Objectives: We investigated the relationship between short-term exposure to PM2.5 and KD hospitalizations using data from Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, 2006 to 2016. Methods: We obtained data from the hospital EMR (electronic medical records) system. We evaluated the relationship between short-term exposure to PM2.5 and KD hospitalizations using a case-crossover design. We considered exposures to PM2.5 two weeks before the date of KD hospitalization. We analyzed the data using a conditional logistic regression adjusted for temperature and humidity. The effect size was calculated as a 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration. We performed a subgroup analysis by sex, season, age group, and region. In the two-pollutants model, we adjusted SO2, NO2, CO, and O3, but the effect size did not change. Results: A total of 771 KD cases were included in this study. We did not find any statistically significant relationship between PM2.5 and children’s KD hospitalization (two-day moving average: odds ratio (OR) = 1.01, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.95, 1.06; seven-day moving average: OR = 0.98, CI = 0.91, 1.06; 14-day moving average: OR = 0.93, CI = 0.82, 1.05). A subgroup analysis and two pollutant analysis also found no significant results. Conclusion: We did not find a statistically significant relationship between PM2.5 and children’s KD hospitalizations. More research is needed to clarify the association between air pollution, including PM2.5, and KD.
Associations between Objective and Subjective Housing Status with Individual Mental Health in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Xie Lijian , Zhou Suhong , Zhang Lin
Published: January 2021

Housing is an important social determinant of mental health. However, few studies simultaneously measure the objective housing status (i.e., housing tenure, living space, housing conditions, and housing stability) and subjective housing status (i.e., housing satisfaction) as well as examine their effects on people’s mental health (i.e., stress, anxiety, and depression). Thus, using a sample size of 1003 participants by two-stage random sampling survey in Guangzhou, China, this study applies multivariate ordinary least square regression models to comprehensively explore and compare the associations between objective and subjective housing status with mental health, and then analyze the moderating effects of subjective housing status on the relationships between objective housing status and mental health. The findings suggest that there are significant differences in people’s mental health based on different housing status. The subjective housing status can better explain the variances in mental health than objective housing status. Also, subjective housing status may partly mitigate the adverse impacts of objective housing disadvantages on some aspects of an individual’s mental health. Therefore, housing improvement policies and public health initiatives should be designed based on a comprehensive account of objective and subjective housing characteristics as well as their influences on specific aspects of mental health.
Interleukin-1β Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in Human Periodontal Ligament-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells under In Vitro Simulated Static Orthodontic Forces
Authors: Behm Christian , Nemec Michael , Blufstein Alice , Schubert Maria , Rausch-Fan Xiaohui , Andrukhov Oleh , Jonke Erwin
Published: January 2021

The periodontal ligament (PDL) responds to applied orthodontic forces by extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, in which human periodontal ligament-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hPDL-MSCs) are largely involved by producing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their local inhibitors (TIMPs). Apart from orthodontic forces, the synthesis of MMPs and TIMPs is influenced by the aseptic inflammation occurring during orthodontic treatment. Interleukin (IL)-1β is one of the most abundant inflammatory mediators in this process and crucially affects the expression of MMPs and TIMPs in the presence of cyclic low-magnitude orthodontic tensile forces. In this study we aimed to investigate, for the first time, how IL-1β induced expression of MMPs, TIMPs and how IL-1β in hPDL-MSCs was changed after applying in vitro low-magnitude orthodontic tensile strains in a static application mode. Hence, primary hPDL-MSCs were stimulated with IL-1β in combination with static tensile strains (STS) with 6% elongation. After 6- and 24 h, MMP-1, MMP-2, TIMP-1 and IL-1β expression levels were measured. STS alone had no influence on the basal expression of investigated target genes, whereas IL-1β caused increased expression of these genes. In combination, they increased the gene and protein expression of MMP-1 and the gene expression of MMP-2 after 24 h. After 6 h, STS reduced IL-1β-induced MMP-1 synthesis and MMP-2 gene expression. IL-1β-induced TIMP-1 gene expression was decreased by STS after 6- and 24-h. At both time points, the IL-1β-induced gene expression of IL-1β was increased. Additionally, this study showed that fetal bovine serum (FBS) caused an overall suppression of IL-1β-induced expression of MMP-1, MMP-2 and TIMP-1. Further, it caused lower or opposite effects of STS on IL-1β-induced expression. These observations suggest that low-magnitude orthodontic tensile strains may favor a more inflammatory and destructive response of hPDL-MSCs when using a static application form and that this response is highly influenced by the presence of FBS in vitro.
Fluorescent Cytochemical Detection of Polyphosphates Associated with Human Platelets
Authors: Sato Atsushi , Aizawa Hachidai , Tsujino Tetsuhiro , Isobe Kazushige , Watanabe Taisuke , Kitamura Yutaka , Kawase Tomoyuki
Published: January 2021

Polyphosphate (polyP) is released from activated platelets and activates the intrinsic coagulation pathway. However, polyP may also be involved in various pathophysiological functions related to platelets. To clarify these functions, we established a cytochemical method to reproducibly visualize polyP in platelets. Platelets obtained from healthy non-smoking donors were suspended in phosphate-buffered saline and quickly immobilized on glass slides using a Cytospin. After fixation and membrane permeabilization, platelets were treated with 4′,6- diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and examined using a fluorescence microscope with a blue-violet excitation filter block (BV-2A). Fixed platelets were also subjected to immunocytochemical examination to visualize serotonin distribution. Under the optimized conditions for polyP visualization, immobilized platelets were fixed with 10% neutral-buffered formalin for 4 h or longer and treated with DAPI at a concentration of 10 µg/mL in 0.02% saponin- or 0.1% Tween-20-containing Hanks balanced salt solution as a permeabilization buffer for 30 min at room temperature (22–25 °C). Based on the results obtained by using activated platelets, treatment with alkaline phosphatases, and serotonin release, the DAPI+ targets were identified as polyP. Therefore, this cytochemical method is useful for determining the amount and distribution of polyP in platelets.
Hedgehog Signaling: Implications in Cancers and Viral Infections
Authors: Iriana Sidney , Asha Kumari , Repak Miroslava , Sharma-Walia Neelam
Published: January 2021

The hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway is primarily involved in embryonic gut development, smooth muscle differentiation, cell proliferation, adult tissue homeostasis, tissue repair following injury, and tissue polarity during the development of vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. GLIoma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) family of zinc-finger transcription factors and smoothened (SMO) are the signal transducers of the SHH pathway. Both SHH ligand-dependent and independent mechanisms activate GLI proteins. Various transcriptional mechanisms, posttranslational modifications (phosphorylation, ubiquitination, proteolytic processing, SUMOylation, and acetylation), and nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling control the activity of SHH signaling pathway proteins. The dysregulated SHH pathway is associated with bone and soft tissue sarcomas, GLIomas, medulloblastomas, leukemias, and tumors of breast, lung, skin, prostate, brain, gastric, and pancreas. While extensively studied in development and sarcomas, GLI family proteins play an essential role in many host-pathogen interactions, including bacterial and viral infections and their associated cancers. Viruses hijack host GLI family transcription factors and their downstream signaling cascades to enhance the viral gene transcription required for replication and pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss a distinct role(s) of GLI proteins in the process of tumorigenesis and host-pathogen interactions in the context of viral infection-associated malignancies and cancers due to other causes. Here, we emphasize the potential of the Hedgehog (HH) pathway targeting as a potential anti-cancer therapeutic approach, which in the future could also be tested in infection-associated fatalities.
Regulation of Fibroblast Activation Protein by Transforming Growth Factor Beta-1 in Glioblastoma Microenvironment
Authors: Krepela Evzen , Vanickova Zdislava , Hrabal Petr , Zubal Michal , Chmielova Barbora , Balaziova Eva , Vymola Petr , Matrasova Ivana , Busek Petr , Sedo Aleksi
Published: January 2021

The proline-specific serine protease fibroblast activation protein (FAP) can participate in the progression of malignant tumors and represents a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target. Recently, we demonstrated an increased expression of FAP in glioblastomas, particularly those of the mesenchymal subtype. Factors controlling FAP expression in glioblastomas are unknown, but evidence suggests that transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) can trigger mesenchymal changes in these tumors. Here, we investigated whether TGFbeta promotes FAP expression in transformed and stromal cells constituting the glioblastoma microenvironment. We found that both FAP and TGFbeta-1 are upregulated in glioblastomas and display a significant positive correlation. We detected TGFbeta-1 immunopositivity broadly in glioblastoma tissues, including tumor parenchyma regions in the immediate vicinity of FAP-immunopositive perivascular stromal cells. Wedemonstrate for the first time that TGFbeta-1 induces expression of FAP in non-stem glioma cells, pericytes, and glioblastoma-derived endothelial and FAP+ mesenchymal cells, but not in glioma stem-like cells. In glioma cells, this effect is mediated by the TGFbeta type I receptor and canonical Smad signaling and involves activation of FAP gene transcription. We further present evidence of FAP regulation by TGFbeta-1 secreted by glioma cells. Our results provide insight into the previously unrecognized regulation of FAP expression by autocrine and paracrine TGFbeta-1 signaling in a broad spectrum of cell types present in the glioblastoma microenvironment.
Elevated Brain Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Induces Depressive-Like Phenotypes in Rodent Models: A Review
Authors: Rafiei Dorsa , Kolla Nathan J.
Published: January 2021

Altered activity of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), an enzyme of the endocannabinoid system, has been implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD). It is speculated that increased brain FAAH expression is correlated with increased depressive symptoms. The aim of this scoping review was to establish the role of FAAH expression in animal models of depression to determine the translational potential of targeting FAAH in clinical studies. A literature search employing multiple databases was performed; all original articles that assessed FAAH expression in animal models of depression were considered. Of the 216 articles that were screened for eligibility, 24 articles met inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Three key findings emerged: (1) FAAH expression is significantly increased in depressive-like phenotypes; (2) genetic knockout or pharmacological inhibition of FAAH effectively reduces depressive-like behavior, with a dose-dependent effect; and (3) differences in FAAH expression in depressive-like phenotypes were largely localized to animal prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum. We conclude, based on the animal literature, that a positive relationship can be established between brain FAAH level and expression of depressive symptoms. In summary, we suggest that FAAH is a tractable target for developing novel pharmacotherapies for MDD.
Advances in Understanding Activation and Function of the NLRC4 Inflammasome
Authors: Sundaram Balamurugan , Kanneganti Thirumala-Devi
Published: January 2021

Innate immune receptors initiate a host immune response, or inflammatory response, upon detecting pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Among the innate immune receptors, nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs) play a pivotal role in detecting cytosolic PAMPs and DAMPs. Some NLRs can form a multiprotein cytosolic complex known as the inflammasome. Inflammasome activation triggers caspase-1–mediated cleavage of the pore-forming protein gasdermin D (GSDMD), which drives a form of inflammatory cell death called pyroptosis. Parallelly, activated caspase-1 cleaves immature cytokines pro–IL-1β and pro–IL-18 into their active forms, which can be released via GSDMD membrane pores. The NLR family apoptosis inhibitory proteins (NAIP)-NLR family caspase-associated recruitment domain-containing protein 4 (NLRC4) inflammasome is important for mounting an immune response against Gram-negative bacteria. NLRC4 is activated through NAIPs sensing type 3 secretion system (T3SS) proteins from Gram-negative bacteria, such as Salmonella Typhimurium. Mutations in NAIPs and NLRC4 are linked to autoinflammatory disorders in humans. In this review, we highlight the role of the NAIP/NLRC4 inflammasome in host defense, autoinflammatory diseases, cancer, and cell death. We also discuss evidence pointing to a role of NLRC4 in PANoptosis, which was recently identified as a unique inflammatory programmed cell death pathway with important physiological relevance in a range of diseases. Improved understanding of the NLRC4 inflammasome and its potential roles in PANoptosis paves the way for identifying new therapeutic strategies to target disease.
Synergistic Effects of Milk-Derived Exosomes and Galactose on α-Synuclein Pathology in Parkinson’s Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Melnik Bodo C.
Published: January 2021

Epidemiological studies associate milk consumption with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). PD is an α-synucleinopathy associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, deficient lysosomal clearance of α-synuclein (α-syn) and aggregation of misfolded α-syn. In T2D, α-syn promotes co-aggregation with islet amyloid polypeptide in pancreatic β-cells. Prion-like vagal nerve-mediated propagation of exosomal α-syn from the gut to the brain and pancreatic islets apparently link both pathologies. Exosomes are critical transmitters of α-syn from cell to cell especially under conditions of compromised autophagy. This review provides translational evidence that milk exosomes (MEX) disturb α-syn homeostasis. MEX are taken up by intestinal epithelial cells and accumulate in the brain after oral administration to mice. The potential uptake of MEX miRNA-148a and miRNA-21 by enteroendocrine cells in the gut, dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra and pancreatic β-cells may enhance miRNA-148a/DNMT1-dependent overexpression of α-syn and impair miRNA-148a/PPARGC1A- and miRNA-21/LAMP2A-dependent autophagy driving both diseases. MiRNA-148a- and galactose-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress activate c-Abl-mediated aggregation of α-syn which is exported by exosome release. Via the vagal nerve and/or systemic exosomes, toxic α-syn may spread to dopaminergic neurons and pancreatic β-cells linking the pathogenesis of PD and T2D.
Analysis of Oscillating Combustion for NOx−Reduction in Pulverized Fuel Boilers
Authors: Jolibois Nicklas , Aleksandrov Krasimir , Hauser Manuela , Stapf Dieter , Seifert Helmut , Matthes Jörg , Waibel Patrick , Vogelbacher Markus , Keller Hubert B. , Gehrmann Hans-Joachim
Published: January 2021

Thermal power plants in different fields are regularly adapted to the state-of-the-art emissions standards, applying “The Best Available Techniques Reference”. Since 2016 in the power plant area new, more stringent limits for power plant units with a thermal output of more than 300 MW operated with black coal are valid. Usually, in order to reach the new limits e.g., for NOX emissions, downstream reduction processes (Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction, SNCR or Selective Catalytic Reduction) are applied, which use of operating resources (essentially ammonia water) thereby increase. By the means of an experimentally validated process, by which pulverized fuel is fed by oscillation through a swirl burner into a pilot combustion chamber with a thermal output of 2.5 MW, nitrogen oxides can be reduced without further activities, for instance from 450 mg/mN3 in non-oscillation operation mode (0 Hz) to 280 mg/mN3 in oscillation operation mode (3.5 Hz), normalized to an O2–content of 6% each. These findings were patented in EP3084300. Particularly promising are the experiments which utilize oscillation of a large portion of the burn out air instead of the fuel in order to minimize the fatigue of the pulverized fuel oscillator, amongst others. Thereby, the nitrogen conversion rate, which describes the ratio of NOX to fuel nitrogen, including thermal NOX can be reduced from 26% for non-oscillation operation mode down to 16%. The present findings show that fuel oscillation alone is not sufficient to achieve nitrogen oxides concentrations below the legislative values. Therefore, a combination of different primary (and secondary) measures is required. This paper presents the experimental results for oscillating coal-dust firing. Furthermore, an expert model based on a multivariate regression is developed to evaluate the experimental results.
Urine NGAL and KIM-1—Tubular Injury Biomarkers in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Solid Tumors: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Latoch Eryk , Konończuk Katarzyna , Muszyńska-Rosłan Katarzyna , Taranta-Janusz Katarzyna , Wasilewska Anna , Szymczak Edyta , Trochim Justyna , Krawczuk-Rybak Maryna
Published: January 2021

The deterioration of renal function after childhood solid tumors treatment is the result of using the intensive multimodal therapy. In recent years, urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) have been introduced as potential promising biomarkers of early kidney damage. The aim of the present study was to determine whether anticancer treatment has any effect on the concentration of KIM-1 and NGAL and its association with renal impairment in survivors of childhood solid tumors. Sixty patients previously treated for solid tumors were involved in this study. The median time after end of treatment was 8.35 years. Urine KIM-1 and NGAL levels were measured using immunoenzymatic ELISA commercial kits. Higher levels of urine NGAL, KIM-1/cr. (creatinine), and NGAL/cr. ratios were found in comparison with healthy controls (p < 0.0001). Among all subjects, 23% were found to have decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). A strong correlation between KIM-1/cr. and a cumulative dose of ifosfamide was observed (r = 0.865, p < 0.05). In addition, a moderate correlation between NGAL/cr. and a cumulative dose of cisplatin was identified (r = 0.534, p < 0.05). The AUC for KIM-1/cr. was 0.52, whereas NGAL/cr. showed a diagnostic profile describing the AUC of 0.67. Univariable regression showed significant associations between NGAL/cr. ratio and subjects after unilateral nephrectomy (coeff. 63.8, p = 0.007), cumulative dose of cisplatin (coeff. 0.111, p = 0.033), and age at diagnosis (coeff. 3.75, p = 0.023). The multivariable model demonstrated only cumulative dose of cisplatin as an independent factor influence on NGAL/cr. ratio. The results of our study showed increased levels of urine KIM-1 and NGAL many years after completion of the childhood solid tumors treatment, which correlated positively with a cumulative dose of ifosfamide and cisplatin. This study also suggests that unilateral nephrectomy could affect the concentration of the studied biomarkers.
Study of Natural Longlife Juvenility and Tissue Regeneration in Caudate Amphibians and Potential Application of Resulting Data in Biomedicine
Authors: Grigoryan Eleonora N.
Published: January 2021

The review considers the molecular, cellular, organismal, and ontogenetic properties of Urodela that exhibit the highest regenerative abilities among tetrapods. The genome specifics and the expression of genes associated with cell plasticity are analyzed. The simplification of tissue structure is shown using the examples of the sensory retina and brain in mature Urodela. Cells of these and some other tissues are ready to initiate proliferation and manifest the plasticity of their phenotype as well as the correct integration into the pre-existing or de novo forming tissue structure. Without excluding other factors that determine regeneration, the pedomorphosis and juvenile properties, identified on different levels of Urodele amphibians, are assumed to be the main explanation for their high regenerative abilities. These properties, being fundamental for tissue regeneration, have been lost by amniotes. Experiments aimed at mammalian cell rejuvenation currently use various approaches. They include, in particular, methods that use secretomes from regenerating tissues of caudate amphibians and fish for inducing regenerative responses of cells. Such an approach, along with those developed on the basis of knowledge about the molecular and genetic nature and age dependence of regeneration, may become one more step in the development of regenerative medicine
Intersections between TikTok and TV: Channels and Programmes Thinking Outside the Box
Authors: Vázquez-Herrero Jorge , Negreira-Rey María-Cruz , Rodríguez-Vázquez Ana-Isabel
Published: January 2021

The rise of the TikTok social network has caused the media to confront the younger generation. The platform, which hosts dances, challenges, and funny short videos, has unique features that force a reinvention of social networking strategies. Television has become social and has expanded to new platforms, while young people are abandoning the consumption of traditional television. In this study, we explore—for the first time—the presence of television channels and programmes on TikTok and an analysis of the main strategies shown in the 133 found profiles. The results describe a first exploratory phase that lacks specific strategies in most cases, while examples adapted to the logic of the social network emerge: content with a fun and simple tone, with participation in challenges and trends of the moment, as well as a positioning of the brand to—gradually—approach its future potential audiences.
Corporate Finance
Authors: Gherghina Ștefan Cristian
Published: January 2021

Corporate finance deals with the financing and investment decisions set by the corporations’ management in order to maximize the value of the shareholders’ wealth [...]
Lost in Missions? Employees as a Top Strategic Priority of the World’s Biggest Banks
Authors: Ruban Dmitry A. , Yashalova Natalia N.
Published: January 2021

Human resources are vitally important to banking. The mission statements of 50 banks with the biggest market value are analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively for subsequent judgments of consideration of employees among top strategic priorities of these organizations. The staff-related notions are found in the only 30% statements. Employees are considered in different aspects, and most frequently in regard to their work and duties. The top 10 banks pay attention to personnel development, career, and success. The findings of the present study indicate on the underrepresentation of the staff-related strategic priority in the mission statements of the world’s biggest banks. This seems to be a serious cavity in their strategic communication, dangerous to organization reputation and job satisfaction, and, thus, many actual mission statements need improvement.
How the CEFR Is Impacting French-as-a-Second-Language in Ontario, Canada: Teachers’ Self-Reported Instructional Practices and Students’ Proficiency Exam Results
Authors: Rehner Katherine , Popovich Anne , Lasan Ivan
Published: January 2021

This exploratory article describes (1) the self-reported instructional practices of a group of 103 Kindergarten to Grade 12 French-as-a-second-language (FSL) teachers from school boards across Ontario, Canada before and after intensive and extensive professional learning about the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and (2) the areas of strength and opportunities for improvement in the FSL proficiency of 434 Grade 12 students from school boards across Ontario in their final year of study, as measured through their outcomes on the Diplôme d’études en langue française (the FSL proficiency exam aligned with the CEFR). In looking across the findings from these early-CEFR-adopter teachers and these highly-motivated students at the end of their FSL studies, the article offers a window onto how the CEFR is impacting the local landscape of FSL education in the province.
Identification of Lead Compounds against Scm (fms10) in Enterococcus faecium Using Computer Aided Drug Designing
Authors: Rasheed Muhammad Asif , Iqbal Muhammad Nasir , Saddick Salina , Ali Iqra , Khan Falak Sher , Kanwal Sumaira , Ahmed Dawood , Ibrahim Muhammad , Afzal Umara , Awais Muhammad
Published: January 2021

(1) Background: Enterococcus faecium DO is an environmental microbe, which is a mesophilic, facultative, Gram-positive, and multiple habitat microorganism. Enterococcus faecium DO is responsible for many diseases in human. The fight against infectious diseases is confronted by the development of multiple drug resistance in E. faecium. The focus of this research work is to identify a novel compound against this pathogen by using bioinformatics tools and technology. (2) Methods: We screened the proteome (accession No. PRJNA55353) information from the genome database of the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and suggested a potential drug target. I-TASSER was used to predict the three-dimensional structure of the protein, and the structure was optimized and minimized by different tools. PubChem and ChEBI were used to retrieve the inhibitors. Pharmacophore modeling and virtual screening were performed to identify novel compounds. Binding interactions of compounds with target protein were checked using LigPlot. pkCSM, SwissADME, and ProTox-II were used for adsorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties. (3) Results: Novel selected compounds have improved absorption and have better ADMET properties. Based on our results, the chemically identified inhibitor ZINC48942 targeted the receptor that can inhibit the activity of infection in E. faecium. This research work will be beneficial for the scientific community and could aid in the design of a new drug against E. faecium infections. (4) Conclusions: It was observed that novel compounds are potential inhibitors with more efficacy and fewer side effects. This research work will help researchers in testing and identification of these chemicals useful against E. faecium.
New Approach for the Determination of Radiological Parameters on Hardened Cement Pastes with Coal Fly Ash
Authors: Moreno de los Reyes Ana María , Suárez-Navarro José Antonio , Alonso Maria del Mar , Gascó Catalina , Sobrados Isabel , Puertas Francisca
Published: January 2021

Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in industrial waste and by-products are routinely used to mitigate the adverse environmental effects of, and lower the energy consumption associated with, ordinary Portland cement (OPC) manufacture. Many such SCMs, such as type F coal fly ash (FA), are naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs). 226Ra, 232Th and 40K radionuclide activity concentration, information needed to determine what is known as the gamma-ray activity concentration index (ACI), is normally collected from ground cement samples. The present study aims to validate a new method for calculating the ACI from measurements made on unground 5 cm cubic specimens. Mechanical, mineralogical and radiological characterisation of 28-day OPC + FA pastes (bearing up to 30 wt % FA) were characterised to determine their mechanical, mineralogical and radiological properties. The activity concentrations found for 226Ra, 212Pb, 232Th and 40K in hardened, intact 5 cm cubic specimens were also statistically equal to the theoretically calculated values and to the same materials when ground to a powder. These findings consequently validated the new method. The possibility of determining the activity concentrations needed to establish the ACI for cement-based materials on unground samples introduces a new field of radiological research on actual cement, mortar and concrete materials.
Development of pH-Responsive Polymer Coating as an Alternative to Enzyme-Based Stem Cell Dissociation for Cell Therapy
Authors: Kim Yu-Jin , Lee Tae-Jin , Jeong Gun-Jae , Song Jihun , Yu Taekyung , Lee Doo Sung , Bhang Suk Ho
Published: January 2021

Cell therapy usually accompanies cell detachment as an essential process in cell culture and cell collection for transplantation. However, conventional methods based on enzymatic cell detachment can cause cellular damage including cell death and senescence during the routine cell detaching step due to an inappropriate handing. The aim of the current study is to apply the pH-responsive degradation property of poly (amino ester) to the surface of a cell culture dish to provide a simple and easy alternative method for cell detachment that can substitute the conventional enzyme treatment. In this study, poly (amino ester) was modified (cell detachable polymer, CDP) to show appropriate pH-responsive degradation under mild acidic conditions (0.05% (w/v) CDP, pH 6.0) to detach stem cells (human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hADSCs)) perfectly within a short period (less than 10 min). Compared to conventional enzymatic cell detachment, hADSCs cultured on and detached from a CDP-coated cell culture dish showed similar cellular properties. We further performed in vivo experiments on a mouse hindlimb ischemia model (1.0 × 106 cells per limb). The in vivo results indicated that hADSCs retrieved from normal cell culture dishes and CDP-coated cell culture dishes showed analogous therapeutic angiogenesis. In conclusion, CDP could be applied to a pH-responsive cell detachment system as a simple and easy nonenzymatic method for stem cell culture and various cell therapies.
Adsorptive and Electrochemical Properties of Carbon Nanotubes, Activated Carbon, and Graphene Oxide with Relatively Similar Specific Surface Area
Authors: Kuśmierek Krzysztof , Świątkowski Andrzej , Skrzypczyńska Katarzyna , Dąbek Lidia
Published: January 2021

Three carbon materials with a highly diversified structure and at the same time much less different porosity were selected for the study: single-walled carbon nanotubes, heat-treated activated carbon, and reduced graphene oxide. These materials were used for the adsorption of 2,4-D herbicide from aqueous solutions and in its electroanalytical determination. Both the detection of this type of contamination and its removal from the water are important environmental issues. It is important to identify which properties of carbon materials play a significant role. The specific surface area is the major factor. On the other hand, the presence of oxygen bound to the carbon surface in the case of contact with an organochlorine compound had a negative effect. The observed regularities concerned both adsorption and electroanalysis with the use of the carbon materials applied.
The Texture and Structure of the Melt-Spun Co2MnAl-Type Heusler Alloy
Authors: Diko Pavel , Kavečanský Viktor , Ryba Tomáš , Frolová Lucia , Varga Rastislav , Vargová Zuzana
Published: January 2021

The structure of the Co2MnAl-type Heusler alloy in the form of a melt-spun ribbon was studied by electron microscopy, electron back-scattered diffraction (EBSD), and X-ray diffraction. The melt-spun ribbon consists of a homogeneous single-phase disordered Heusler alloy at the wheel side of the ribbon and an inhomogeneous single-phase alloy, formed by cellular or dendritic growth, at the free surface of the ribbon. Cellular growth causes the formation of an inhomogeneous distribution of the elemental constituents, with a higher Co and Al concentration in the centre of the cells or dendritic arms and a higher concentration of Mn at the cell boundaries. The EBSD analysis shows that the columnar crystals grow in the <111> crystal direction and are declined by about 10° against the direction of the spinning.
A Practical Finite Element Modeling Strategy to Capture Cracking and Crushing Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Structures
Authors: Mathern Alexandre , Yang Jincheng
Published: January 2021

Nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis of reinforced concrete (RC) structures is characterized by numerous modeling options and input parameters. To accurately model the nonlinear RC behavior involving concrete cracking in tension and crushing in compression, practitioners make different choices regarding the critical modeling issues, e.g., defining the concrete constitutive relations, assigning the bond between the concrete and the steel reinforcement, and solving problems related to convergence difficulties and mesh sensitivities. Thus, it is imperative to review the common modeling choices critically and develop a robust modeling strategy with consistency, reliability, and comparability. This paper proposes a modeling strategy and practical recommendations for the nonlinear FE analysis of RC structures based on parametric studies of critical modeling choices. The proposed modeling strategy aims at providing reliable predictions of flexural responses of RC members with a focus on concrete cracking behavior and crushing failure, which serve as the foundation for more complex modeling cases, e.g., RC beams bonded with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) laminates. Additionally, herein, the implementation procedure for the proposed modeling strategy is comprehensively described with a focus on the critical modeling issues for RC structures. The proposed strategy is demonstrated through FE analyses of RC beams tested in four-point bending—one RC beam as reference and one beam externally bonded with a carbon-FRP (CFRP) laminate in its soffit. The simulated results agree well with experimental measurements regarding load-deformation relationship, cracking, flexural failure due to concrete crushing, and CFRP debonding initiated by intermediate cracks. The modeling strategy and recommendations presented herein are applicable to the nonlinear FE analysis of RC structures in general.
Rapid 3 s Curing: What Happens in Deep Layers of New Bulk-Fill Composites?
Authors: Marovic Danijela , Par Matej , Crnadak Ana , Sekelja Andjelina , Negovetic Mandic Visnja , Gamulin Ozren , Rakić Mario , Tarle Zrinka
Published: January 2021

This study assessed the influence of rapid 3 s light curing on the new generation of bulk-fill resin composites under the simulated aging challenge and depths up to 4 mm. Four bulk-fill materials were tested: two materials designed for rapid curing (Tetric PowerFill—PFILL; Tetric PowerFlow—PFLW) and two regular materials (Filtek One Bulk Fill Restorative—FIL; SDR Plus Bulk Fill Flowable—SDR). Three-point bending (n = 10) was used to measure flexural strength (FS) and flexural modulus (FM). In the 3 s group, two 2 mm thick specimens were stacked to obtain 4 mm thickness, while 2 mm-thick specimens were used for ISO group. Specimens were aged for 1, 30, or 30 + 3 days in ethanol. The degree of conversion (DC) up to 4 mm was measured by Raman spectroscopy. There was no difference between curing protocols in FS after 1 day for all materials except PFLW. FM was higher for all materials for ISO curing protocol. Mechanical properties deteriorated by increasing depth (2–4 mm) and aging. ISO curing induced higher DC for PFLW and FIL, while 3 s curing was sufficient for PFILL and SDR. The 3 s curing negatively affected FM of all tested materials, whereas its influence on FS and DC was highly material-specific.