bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic Health in Obese Subjects—Is There a Link to Lactoferrin and Lactoferrin Receptor-Related Gene Polymorphisms?
Authors: Jamka Małgorzata , Kaczmarek Nina , Mądry Edyta , Krzyżanowska-Jankowska Patrycja , Bajerska Joanna , Kręgielska-Narożna Matylda , Bogdański Paweł , Walkowiak Jarosław
Published: September 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the association of genetic variants in lactoferrin (LTF) metabolism-related genes with the prevalence of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO). In total, 161 MHO and 291 MUHO subjects were recruited to the study. The following polymorphisms were genotyped: low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) 2 rs2544390, LRP1 rs4759277, LRP1 rs1799986, LTF rs1126477, LTF rs2239692 and LTF rs1126478. We found significant differences in the genotype frequencies of LTF rs2239692 between MHO and MUHO subjects, with the CT variant associated with lower odds of developing metabolic syndrome than the TT variant. In the total population, significant differences in body weight and waist circumference (WC) were identified between LTF rs1126477 gene variants. A similar association with WC was observed in MUHO subjects, while significant differences in body mass index and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were discovered between LTF rs1126477 gene variants in MHO subjects. Besides, there were significant differences in diastolic blood pressure between LRP1 rs1799986 gene variants in MUHO subjects, as well as in WC and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels between LRP1 rs4759277 gene variants in MHO subjects. In conclusion, selected lactoferrin and lactoferrin receptor-related gene variants may be associated with the prevalence of metabolically healthy or metabolically unhealthy obesity.
Significance of Anti-Nuclear Antibodies and Cryoglobulins in Patients with Acute and Chronic HEV Infection
Authors: Horvatits Thomas , Schulze zur Wiesch Julian , Polywka Susanne , Buescher Gustav , Lütgehetmann Marc , Hussey Elaine , Horvatits Karoline , Peine Sven , Haag Friedrich , Addo Marylyn M. , Lohse Ansgar W. , Weiler-Normann Christina , Pischke Sven
Published: September 2020

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) has been associated with immunological phenomena. Their clinical significance, however, still needs to be clarified, that is, whether cryoglobulins or autoantibodies impact overt disease in HEV-infected individuals. To better understand, we analyzed these different immune phenomena in three cohorts, each representing different types of HEV infection. Methods: The cohorts included: (i) immunocompetent patients with acute hepatitis E, (ii) immunosuppressed patients with chronic hepatitis E, and (iii) individuals with asymptomatic HEV infection. Together, they consisted of 57 individuals and were studied retrospectively for the presence of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs), cryoglobulins, and serum total IgG. They were then compared with a control cohort of 17 untreated patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Results: Thirteen (23%) were immunocompetent patients with acute hepatitis E (median alanine aminotransferase (ALT) = 872 U/L), 15 (26%) were immunosuppressed patients with chronic hepatitis E (median ALT = 137 U/L), and 29 (51%) were blood donors with asymptomatic HEV infection (median ALT = 35 U/L). Overall, 24% tested positive for elevated ANA titers of >1:160, and 11% presented with a specific ANA pattern. ANA detection was not associated with the type of HEV infection, IgG levels, sex, or age. All individuals tested negative for anti-mitochondrial antibodies, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, liver-kidney microsomal antibodies, anti-myeloperoxidase-, and anti-proteinase-3 antibodies. Five patients (9%) tested positive for cryoglobulins. Notably, cryoglobulinemia was present in overt hepatitis E (Groups (i) and (ii); one acute and four chronic HEV infections), but was not present in any of the asymptomatic blood donors (p = 0.02). The frequency of cryoglobulins and elevated ANAs did not differ significantly between HEV and HBV/HCV patients. Conclusion: In line with findings on HBV and HCV infections, we frequently observed detection of ANAs (24%) and cryoglobulins (9%) in association with HEV infections. The presence of cryoglobulins was limited to patients with overt hepatitis E. We add to the findings on the immune phenomena of hepatitis E.
Evaluation of GVPC and BCYE Media for Legionella Detection and Enumeration in Water Samples by ISO 11731: Does Plating on BCYE Medium Really Improve Yield?
Authors: Scaturro Maria , Poznanski Elisa , Mupo Mariarosaria , Blasior Paola , Seeber Margit , Prast Anna-Maria , Romanin Elisa , Girolamo Antonietta , Rota Maria Cristina , Bella Antonino , Ricci Maria Luisa , Stenico Alberta
Published: September 2020

Legionella spp are the causative agents of Legionnaires’ diseases, which is a pneumonia of important public health concern. Ubiquitous freshwater and soil inhabitants can reach man-made water systems and cause illness. Legionella enumeration and quantification in water systems is crucial for risk assessment and culture examination is the gold standard method. In this study, Legionella recovery from potable water samples, at presumably a low concentration of interfering microorganisms, was compared by plating on buffered charcoal yeast extract (BCYE) and glycine, vancomycin, polymyxin B, cycloheximide (GVPC) Legionella agar media, according to the International Standard Organization (ISO) 11731: 2017. Overall, 556 potable water samples were analyzed and 151 (27.1%) were positive for Legionella. Legionella grew on both BCYE and GVPC agar plates in 85/151 (56.3%) water samples, in 65/151 (43%) on only GVPC agar plates, and in 1/151 (0.7%) on only BCYE agar plates. In addition, GVPC medium identified Legionella species other than pneumophila in six more samples as compared with the culture on BCYE. Although the medians of colony forming units per liter (CFU/L) detected on the BCYE and GVPC agar plates were 2500 and 1350, respectively (p-value < 0.0001), the difference did not exceed one logarithm, and therefore is not relevant for Legionella risk assessment. These results make questionable the need to utilize BCYE agar plates to analyze potable water samples.
Modulation of the Functions of Goat Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells by Fasciola gigantica Thioredoxin Peroxidase In Vitro
Authors: Tian Ai-Ling , Tian Xiaowei , Chen Dan , Lu Mingmin , Calderón-Mantilla Guillermo , Yuan Xiao-Dan , Li Xiangrui , Elsheikha Hany M. , Zhu Xing-Quan
Published: September 2020

The liver fluke Fasciola gigantica has a remarkable ability to establish a long-term infection within the hepatobiliary system of the mammalian definitive host. F. gigantica achieves this by producing excretory–secretory molecules, which have immunomodulatory activities. In an effort to elucidate the immunomodulatory functions of F. gigantica thioredoxin peroxidase protein (FgTPx), we expressed recombinant FgTPx (rFgTPx) in Escherichia coli bacteria and examined its effects on several functions of goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro. Sequence analysis revealed that FgTPx is related to a thioredoxin-like superfamily. Western blot analysis showed that rFgTPx was recognized by the sera of goats experimentally infected by F. gigantica. The specific binding of rFgTPx protein to the surface of goat PBMCs was demonstrated by immunofluorescence staining. We investigated the influence of serial concentrations of rFgTPx on various functions of goat PBMCs. All concentrations of rFgTPx increased the secretion of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-10, IL-17, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ), but inhibited PBMC proliferation, migration, and monocyte phagocytosis. Goat PBMCs exposed to 20–40 μg/mL of rFgTPx secreted increased levels of nitric oxide (NO), and 10–40 μg/mL of rFgTPx promoted cell apoptosis. These findings indicate that rFgTPx influences various functions of goat PBMCs by interacting with a large number of cellular targets, ultimately to promote the parasite’s survival. The roles of rFgTPx and their interacting proteins warrant further investigation.
Statin Use Is Associated with Decreased Risk of Invasive Mechanical Ventilation in COVID-19 Patients: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Song Sophia L. , Hays Sarah B. , Panton Constance E. , Mylona Evangelia K. , Kalligeros Markos , Shehadeh Fadi , Mylonakis Eleftherios
Published: September 2020

COVID-19 disproportionately affects patients with medical comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). Patients with CVD are widely prescribed 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutayl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins), a class of lipid-lowering medications known for their pleiotropic anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. However, the relationship between statin use and COVID-19 outcomes is not fully understood. In this preliminary study, we explored the association between statin use and severe COVID-19 outcomes in hospitalized patients, including intensive care unit (ICU) admission, the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and in-hospital death. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 249 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from 3 March 2020 to 10 April 2020 in Rhode Island, USA. Patient demographics, past medical history, current medications, and hospital course were recorded and analyzed. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine associations. After adjusting for age, sex, race, cardiovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes, and obesity, statin use was significantly associated with decreased risk for IMV (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 0.45, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.20–0.99). Our results support the continued use of statins among COVID-19 patients and could have implications for future prospective studies on the management of COVID-19.
Poly(Aspartic Acid) Functionalized Poly(ϵ-Caprolactone) Microspheres with Enhanced Hydroxyapatite Affinity as Bone Targeting Antibiotic Carriers
Authors: Rotman Stijn G. , Moriarty Thomas F. , Nottelet Benjamin , Grijpma Dirk W. , Eglin David , Guillaume Olivier
Published: September 2020

Bone infection is a feared complication for patients with surgically fixed bone fractures and local antibiotic delivery is important in prophylaxis and treatment of these infections. Recent studies indicated that Staphylococcus aureus can penetrate bone tissue through micron-sized canaliculi and evade systemic and currently available local antibiotic treatments. Targeting bacteria within the bone requires highly efficient delivery of antimicrobials to the infected bone tissue. In this work, a biodegradable microsphere carrier loaded with antibiotics and with specific affinity to bone mineral was developed. Two widely used antibiotics, i.e., Gentamicin-dioctyl sulfosuccinate (GM-AOT) and Ciprofloxacin (CF) were embedded in poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) microspheres fabricated by oil-in-water emulsion techniques with carboxylated poly(vinyl alcohol) (cPVA) as surfactant. The carboxylic acid groups present at the Poly(ϵ-caprolactone)/cPVA (PCL-cPVA) microsphere surface were functionalized with aspartic acid oligomers (ASP) granting bone targeting properties. We report on cPVA synthesis, microsphere formulation, and antibiotic loading of PCL/cPVA-ASP microspheres. Antibiotic loaded PCL/cPVA-ASP microspheres show sustained release of its antibiotic load and can inhibit bacterial growth in vitro for up to 6 days. PCL/cPVA-ASP microspheres show enhanced affinity to mineralized substrates compared to non-functionalized PCL/cPVA microspheres. These findings support further development of these bone targeting antibiotic carriers for potential treatment of persistent bone infections.
Transcriptome-Wide Analysis of Nitrogen-Regulated Genes in Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis L. O. Kuntze) and Characterization of Amino Acid Transporter CsCAT9.1
Authors: Zhang Xinwan , Liu Hongling , Pilon-Smits Elizabeth , Huang Wei , Wang Pu , Wang Mingle , Guo Fei , Wang Yu , Li Ruiyuan , Zhao Hua , Ni Dejiang
Published: September 2020

The vigor of tea plants (Camellia sinensis) and tea quality are strongly influenced by the abundance and forms of nitrogen, principally NO3−, NH4+, and amino acids. Mechanisms to access different nitrogen sources and the regulatory cues remain largely elusive in tea plants. A transcriptome analysis was performed to categorize differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in roots and young leaves during the early response to four nitrogen treatments. Relative to the continuously nitrogen-replete control, the three nitrogen-deprived and resupplied treatments shared 237 DEGs in the shoots and 21 DEGs in the root. Gene-ontology characterization revealed that transcripts encoding genes predicted to participate in nitrogen uptake, assimilation, and translocation were among the most differentially expressed after exposure to the different nitrogen regimes. Because of its high transcript level regardless of nitrogen condition, a putative amino acid transporter, TEA020444/CsCAT9.1, was further characterized in Arabidopsis and found to mediate the acquisition of a broad spectrum of amino acids, suggesting a role in amino acid uptake, transport, and deposition in sinks as an internal reservoir. Our results enhance our understanding of nitrogen-regulated transcript level patterns in tea plants and pinpoint candidate genes that function in nitrogen transport and metabolism, allowing tea plants to adjust to variable nitrogen environments.
Endophytic Trichoderma Species Isolated from Persea americana and Cinnamomum verum Roots Reduce Symptoms Caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi in Avocado
Authors: Andrade-Hoyos Petra , Silva-Rojas Hilda Victoria , Romero-Arenas Omar
Published: September 2020

Avocado root rot caused by the oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi is a severe disease that affects avocado production in Mexico and worldwide. The use of biological control agents such as Trichoderma species isolated from places where the disease is always present, represents an efficient alternative to reduce losses. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the biocontrol ability of 10 endophytic Trichoderma spp. strains against P. cinnamomi tested both in vitro and in the greenhouse. The endophytic Trichoderma spp. were recovered from Persea americana and Cinnamomum verum roots, isolated and purified on potato–dextrose–agar medium. Ten strains were identified by phylogenetic reconstruction of the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA sequences as T. asperellum (T-AS1, T-AS2, T-AS6, and T-AS7), T. harzianum (T-H3, T-H4, and T-H5), T. hamatum (T-A12), T. koningiopsis (T-K8 and T-K11), and P. cinnamomi (CPO-PCU). In vitro dual-culture assay, the percentage of inhibition of radial growth (PIRG) between Trichoderma spp. and P. cinnamomi strains was measured according to the Bell’s scale. PIRG results indicated that T-AS2 reached the highest value of 78.32%, and T-H5 reached the lowest value of 38.66%. In the greenhouse, the infection was evaluated according to the percentage of disease incidence. Plants with the lowest incidence of dead by avocado root rot were those whose seedlings were inoculated with T-AS2 and T-AS7, resulting in only 5% death by root rot caused by P. cinnamomi. The disease incidence of seedlings with wilt symptoms and death decreased more than 50% in the presence of Trichoderma spp. Relying on the results, we conclude that T. asperellum and T. harzianum contribute to the biocontrol of soil-borne pathogenic oomycete P. cinnamomi.
Content of Capsaicinoids and Capsiate in “Filius” Pepper Varieties as Affected by Ripening
Authors: Vázquez-Espinosa Mercedes , Fayos Oreto , V. González-de-Peredo Ana , Espada-Bellido Estrella , Ferreiro-González Marta , Palma Miguel , Garcés-Claver Ana , F. Barbero Gerardo
Published: September 2020

Peppers are fruits with wide genetic variability and multiple ways of being consumed that hold a relevant position in the human diet. Nowadays, consumers are interested in new gastronomic experiences provided by pepper cultivars that present new shapes, colors, and flavors while preserving their bioactive compounds, such as their capsaicinoids and capsinoids. However, numerous changes take place during their development that may alter their biological properties. Therefore, this work evaluates the capsaicinoid and capsiate contents in two traditional varieties of ornamental peppers (“Filius Blue” and “Filius Green’”) during fruit maturation. The aim is to determine the ideal harvesting moment depending on the farmer’s objective (e.g., achieving a specific color, shape, or flavor; achieving the maximum concentrations of bioactive compounds). The capsaicinoid contents followed different patterns in the two varieties analyzed. The “Filius Blue” variety exhibited increasing concentrations of capsaicinoids up to the 41st day post-anthesis (dpa), from which point on this trend was reversed. The concentrations in the “Filius Green” variety increased and decreased several times, reaching maximum concentrations on the 69th dpa. Regarding capsiate contents, both varieties varied in the same way, reaching maximum concentrations on the 34th dpa and then decreasing.
Polyelectrolyte Nanoparticles of Amphiphilic Chitosan/Pectin from Banana Peel as Potential Carrier System of Hydrophobic Molecules
Authors: Méndez Paula A. , López Betty L.
Published: September 2020

In this study, pectins were extracted from banana wastes Musa paradisiaca under different acidic conditions, obtaining pectins with different degrees of esterification (DE) depending on the acid type and pH. The formation of the polyelectrolyte nanoparticles was evaluated according to the DE of the pectin, the mass ratio of the polymers of pectin to amphiphilic chitosan (AmCh), and their concentration. The properties of the polyelectrolyte nanoparticles were evaluated at different pH and temperatures. The pectin with 24.3% DE formed polyelectrolyte nanoparticles through the electrostatic interaction with AmCh, which was evidenced by changes in the zeta potential and particle size. The study of mass ratio AmCh:Pectin, to get a stable system, showed that it must be at least equal (1:1), or AmCh must be in higher proportion (6:1, 50:1, 100:1), and the polymers concentration must be 1 mg/mL. The study of the temperature effect showed that, when the temperature increases, the particle size decreases, and the pH study showed a stable particle size for the polyelectrolyte nanoparticles in the range of pH 5–6. Nile Red (NR), a hydrophobic molecule, was encapsulated in the polyelectrolyte nanoparticles with a loading capacity of 1.8% and an encapsulation efficiency of 80%.
Effect of Extrusion Screw Speed and Plasticizer Proportions on the Rheological, Thermal, Mechanical, Morphological and Superficial Properties of PLA
Authors: Gálvez Jaime , Correa Aguirre Juan , Hidalgo Salazar Miguel , Vera Mondragón Bairo , Wagner Elizabeth , Caicedo Carolina
Published: September 2020

One of the critical processing parameters—the speed of the extrusion process for plasticized poly (lactic acid) (PLA)—was investigated in the presence of acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) as plasticizer. The mixtures were obtained by varying the content of plasticizer (ATBC, 10–30% by weight), using a twin screw extruder as a processing medium for which a temperature profile with peak was established that ended at 160 °C, two mixing zones and different screw rotation speeds (60 and 150 rpm). To evaluate the thermo-mechanical properties of the blend and hydrophilicity, the miscibility of the plasticizing and PLA matrix, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), oscillatory rheological analysis, Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), mechanical analysis, as well as the contact angle were tested. The results derived from the oscillatory rheological analysis had a viscous behavior in the PLA samples with the presence of ATBC; the lower process speed promotes the transitions from viscous to elastic as well as higher values of loss modulus, storage modulus and complex viscosity, which means less loss of molecular weight and lower residual energy in the transition from the viscous state to the elastic state. The mechanical and thermal performance was optimized considering a greater capacity in the energy absorption and integration of the components.
Semiconducting Properties of the Hybrid Film of Elastic Poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) Block Copolymer and Semiconducting Poly(3-hexylthiophene) Nanofibers
Authors: Goto Takanori , Morita Jun , Maekawa Yuya , Kanehashi Shinji , Shimomura Takeshi
Published: September 2020

We investigated the electrical properties of a composite film loaded with semi-conductive poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) nanofibers dispersed in poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) (SBS). This structure can be regarded as the hybrid of SBS matrix with elastic mechanical properties and P3HT nanofibers with semiconducting properties. The P3HT nanofibers were embedded in the fingerprint pattern of microphase-separated SBS, as observed by scanning force microscopy. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity and field-effect mobility of the composite films were evaluated. The field-effect mobility was estimated to be 6.96 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1, which is consistent with the results of previous studies on P3HT nanofibers dispersed in an amorphous polymer matrix including poly(methyl methacrylate) and polystyrene, and we found that the P3HT nanofiber network was connected in the SBS bulk matrix. The film was stretchable; however, at elongation by two times, the nanofiber network could not follow the elongation of the SBS matrix, and the conductivity decreased drastically. The field-effect transistor of this film was operated by bending deformation with a radius of curvature of 1.75 cm, though we could not obtain an off-state and the device operated in a normally-on state.
Optimization Methodology for Additive Manufacturing of Customized Parts by Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). Application to a Shoe Heel
Authors: García-Dominguez Amabel , Claver Juan , Sebastián Miguel A.
Published: September 2020

Additive manufacturing technologies offer important new manufacturing possibilities, but its potential is so big that only with the support of other technologies can it really be exploited. In that sense, parametric design and design optimization tools appear as two appropriate complements for additive manufacturing. Synergies existing between these three technologies allow for integrated approaches to the design of customized and optimized products. While additive manufacturing makes it possible to materialize overly complex geometries, parametric design allows designs to be adapted to custom characteristics and optimization helps to choose the best solution according to the objectives. This work represents an application development of a previous work published in Polymers which exposed the general structure, operation and opportunities of a methodology that integrates these three technologies by using visual programming with Grasshopper. In this work, the different stages of the methodology and the way in which each one modifies the final design are exposed in detail, applying it to a case study: the design of a shoe heel for FDM—an interesting example both from the perspectives of ergonomic and mass customization. Programming, operation and results are exposed in detail showing the complexity, usefulness and potential of the methodology, with the aim of helping other researchers to develop proposals in this line.
Deformation Process of 3D Printed Structures Made from Flexible Material with Different Values of Relative Density
Authors: Płatek Paweł , Rajkowski Kamil , Cieplak Kamil , Sarzyński Marcin , Małachowski Jerzy , Woźniak Ryszard , Janiszewski Jacek
Published: September 2020

The main aim of this article is the analysis of the deformation process of regular cell structures under quasi-static load conditions. The methodology used in the presented investigations included a manufacturability study, strength tests of the base material as well as experimental and numerical compression tests of developed regular cellular structures. A regular honeycomb and four variants with gradually changing topologies of different relative density values have been successfully designed and produced in the TPU-Polyflex flexible thermoplastic polyurethane material using the Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printing technique. Based on the results of performed technological studies, the most productive and accurate 3D printing parameters for the thermoplastic polyurethane filament were defined. It has been found that the 3D printed Polyflex material is characterised by a very high flexibility (elongation up to 380%) and a non-linear stress-strain relationship. A detailed analysis of the compression process of the structure specimens revealed that buckling and bending were the main mechanisms responsible for the deformation of developed structures. The Finite Element (FE) method and Ls Dyna software were used to conduct computer simulations reflecting the mechanical response of the structural specimens subjected to a quasi-static compression load. The hyperelastic properties of the TPU material were described with the Simplified Rubber Material (SRM) constitutive model. The proposed FE models, as well as assumed initial boundary conditions, were successfully validated. The results obtained from computer simulations agreed well with the data from the experimental compression tests. A linear relationship was found between the relative density and the maximum strain energy value.
Thermal Effect on Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) Material Removal in the Micromilling Process
Authors: Yan Ying , Zhou Ping , Wang Huiping , Mao Yu
Published: September 2020

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is of growing interest in the application of microfluidic devices and high precision optical elements due to its excellent moldability and formability. Micromilling is one of the micromachining methods which has been extensively used to manufacture polymer components. In this study, a high-speed micromilling method was used to manufacture polymer with high form accuracy and surface quality. The processing temperature effects on the surface quality were investigated in detail. The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) experiment was used to study the material mechanical property under different temperatures. According to the DMA results, the PMMA sample is in the glass and viscoelastic state during the milling process. The cutting chips under various processing temperatures are classified into three kinds according to their shapes: roll, sheet, and sinter. The surface roughness of samples with sheet and roll cutting chips is smaller than that of sinter cutting chips. To obtain a better machining bottom surface and edge shape, the processing temperature below 70 °C is recommended according to the results. This work is of great value for the study of polymer removal mechanism and optimization of processing parameters for the industry.
Review of Natural Compounds for the Management and Prevention of Lymphoma
Authors: Cho Yongmin , Park Moon Nyeo , Noh Seungjin , Kang Seog Young , Kim Bonglee
Published: September 2020

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that can be categorized into two types-Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). A total of 509,590 and 79,990 cases of NHL and HL were newly diagnosed in 2018, respectively. Although conventional therapy has stridden forward over recent decades, its adverse effects are still a hurdle to be solved. Thus, to help researchers develop better lymphoma treatment, this study aims to review the systematic anticancer data for natural products and their compounds. A variety of natural products showed anticancerous effects on lymphoma by regulation of intracellular mechanisms including apoptosis as well as cell cycle arrest. As these results shed light on the potential to substitute conventional therapy with natural products, it may become a promising strategy for lymphoma treatment in the near future.
Optimization Design of a Two-Vane Pump for Wastewater Treatment Using Machine-Learning-Based Surrogate Modeling
Authors: Ma Sang-Bum , Kim Sung , Kim Jin-Hyuk
Published: September 2020

This paper deals with three-objective optimization, using machine-learning-based surrogate modeling to improve the hydraulic performances of a two-vane pump for wastewater treatment. For analyzing the internal flow field in the pump, steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations were solved with the shear stress transport turbulence model as a turbulence closure model. The radial basis neural network model, which is an artificial neural network, was used as the surrogate model and trained to improve prediction accuracy. Three design variables related to the geometry of blade and volute were selected to optimize concurrently the objective functions with the total head and efficiency of the pump and size of the waste solids. The optimization results obtained by using the model showed highly accurate prediction values, and compared with the reference design, the optimum design provided improved hydraulic performances.
Drag Effect of Carbon Emissions on the Urbanisation Process: Evidence from China’s Province Panel Data
Authors: Li Jiajia , Shi Jiangang , Li Heng , Duan Kaifeng , Zhang Rui , Xu Quanwei
Published: September 2020

This study attempts to measure the drag effect of carbon emissions on China’s economic growth by incorporating carbon emissions as an endogenous variable into an economic growth model and by relaxing the assumption that the size of the economy will remain unchanged. The drag effect of carbon emissions on the process of urbanisation is derived based on the intrinsic relationship between economic growth and urban development. Then, unit root and cointegration tests are performed using panel data from 30 provincial regions in Mainland China from 2003 to 2016 to prove and estimate the resistance caused by carbon emission in the process of urbanisation. Results show that the drag effect of carbon emission between 2003 and 2016 has a certain negative impact on the process of urbanisation in China. Due to the constraints of carbon emissions, the growth rate of China’s economic growth and urbanization level is 0.74% and 4.96% lower than that without constraints, respectively. Therefore, in the process of rapid urbanisation, formulating a reasonable carbon emission reduction strategy by the provincial government is conducive to the healthy and sustainable development of urbanisation.
Biofuel, Bioenergy and Feed Valorization of By-Products and Residues from Hevea brasiliensis Cultivation to Enhance Sustainability
Authors: Pizzi Andrea , Duca Daniele , Rossini Giorgio , Fabrizi Sara , Toscano Giuseppe
Published: September 2020

In the latex production chain, rubber tree seeds (Hevea brasiliensis) represent an underutilized fraction with high potentialities, which can increase the sustainability of the whole process if rightly valorized. In the present study, the quality of all the fractions obtained from the rubber fruit were evaluated, with the aim to identify possible applications for their valorization with a circular economy perspective. Seeds from five different varieties of rubber tree were analyzed. Furthermore, a whole mass and energy balance was defined, which has allowed us to define hypothetical production scenarios. The obtained results show negligible differences among varieties. Shells and capsules have shown a composition similar to woody biomass, with high heating values (more than 16.5 MJ kg−1), low nitrogen content (below 0.5% on weight basis (w/w)) and reduced ash content (0.51% w/w and 1.90% w/w, respectively). Kernels were chemically extracted comparing two different solvents: n-hexane and ethanol. Both solvents showed similar extraction yields, i.e., 49% w/w and 46% w/w for n-hexane and ethanol, respectively. The resulting extraction flour was characterized by a high protein content (around 40% w/w) making it suitable for animal feeding. The rubber seed oil could be used in blends of different vegetable oils for biodiesel production. All this information is useful for improving the sustainability of the latex production chain and to assess the sustainability of possible bioenergy value chains.
Detection of a Moving UAV Based on Deep Learning-Based Distance Estimation
Authors: Lai Ying-Chih , Huang Zong-Ying
Published: September 2020

Distance information of an obstacle is important for obstacle avoidance in many applications, and could be used to determine the potential risk of object collision. In this study, the detection of a moving fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with deep learning-based distance estimation to conduct a feasibility study of sense and avoid (SAA) and mid-air collision avoidance of UAVs is proposed by using a monocular camera to detect and track an incoming UAV. A quadrotor is regarded as an owned UAV, and it is able to estimate the distance of an incoming fixed-wing intruder. The adopted object detection method is based on the you only look once (YOLO) object detector. Deep neural network (DNN) and convolutional neural network (CNN) methods are applied to exam their performance in the distance estimation of moving objects. The feature extraction of fixed-wing UAVs is based on the VGG-16 model, and then its result is applied to the distance network to estimate the object distance. The proposed model is trained by using synthetic images from animation software and validated by using both synthetic and real flight videos. The results show that the proposed active vision-based scheme is able to detect and track a moving UAV with high detection accuracy and low distance errors.
Mapping of Cotton Fields Within-Season Using Phenology-Based Metrics Derived from a Time Series of Landsat Imagery
Authors: Al-Shammari Dhahi , Fuentes Ignacio , M. Whelan Brett , Filippi Patrick , F. A. Bishop Thomas
Published: September 2020

A phenology-based crop type mapping approach was carried out to map cotton fields throughout the cotton-growing areas of eastern Australia. The workflow was implemented in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, as it is time efficient and does not require processing in multiple platforms to complete the classification steps. A time series of Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) imagery were generated from Landsat 8 Surface Reflectance Tier 1 (L8SR) and processed using Fourier transformation. This was used to produce the harmonised-NDVI (H-NDVI) from the original NDVI, and then phase and amplitude values were generated from the H-NDVI to visualise active cotton in the targeted fields. Random Forest (RF) models were built to classify cotton at early, mid and late growth stages to assess the ability of the model to classify cotton as the season progresses, with phase, amplitude and other individual bands as predictors. Results obtained from leave-one-season-out cross validation (LOSOCV) indicated that Overall Accuracy (OA), Kappa, Producer’s Accuracies (PA) and User’s Accuracy (UA), increased significantly when adding amplitude and phase as predictor variables to the model, than prediction using H-NDVI or raw bands only. Commission and omission errors were reduced significantly as the season progressed and more in-season imagery was available. The methodology proposed in this study can map cotton crops accurately based on the reconstruction of the unique cotton reflectance trajectory through time. This study confirms the importance of phenological metrics in improving in-season cotton fields mapping across eastern Australia. This model can be used in conjunction with other datasets to forecast yield based on the mapped crop type for improved decision making related to supply chain logistics and seasonal outlooks for production.
A Capacitively-Fed Inverted-F Antenna for Displacement Detection in Structural Health Monitoring
Authors: Xue Songtao , Zheng Zhiquan , Guan Shuai , Xie Liyu , Wan Guochun , Wan Chunfeng
Published: September 2020

This paper presents a capacitive displacement sensor based on a capacitively fed inverted-F antenna (CFIFA) for displacement detection. The sensor is composed of a grounded L-shape patch and a rectangular upper patch, forming a capacitor between them. The asymmetric dipole model is adopted to explain the frequency shift and current distribution of the proposed antenna sensor at its first-order resonance. The numerical simulation of the CFIFA using the Ansoft high-frequency structure simulator (HFSS) software is carried out to optimize the dimensional parameters, allowing the antenna to perform better. Two sets of CFIFAs are fabricated and tested for verification. Results show that the CFIFA has a good linear relationship between its first resonant frequency and the relative displacement, and is capable of a long range of displacement measuring.
Monitoring Soil Moisture Dynamics Using Electrical Resistivity Tomography under Homogeneous Field Conditions
Authors: de Jong Steven M. , Heijenk Renée A. , Nijland Wiebe , van der Meijde Mark
Published: September 2020

There is a gap between lab experiments where resistivity–soil moisture relations are generally very good and field studies in complex environmental settings where relations are always less good and complicated by many factors. An experiment was designed where environmental settings are more controlled, the best outside laboratory, to assess the transferability from lab to outdoor. A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the use of electric resistivity tomography (ERT) for monitoring soil moisture dynamics over a period of 67 days. A homogeneous site in the central part of The Netherlands was selected consisting of grass pasture on an aeolian sand soil profile. ERT values were correlated to gravimetric soil moisture samples for five depths at three different dates. Correlations ranged from 0.43 to 0.73 and were best for a soil depth of 90 cm. Resistivity patterns over time (time-lapse ERT) were analyzed and related to rainfall events where rainfall infiltration patterns could be identified. Duplicate ERT measurements showed that the noise level of the instrument and measurements is low and generally below 3% for the soil profile below the mixed layer but above the groundwater. Although the majority of the measured resistivity patterns could be well explained, some artefacts and dynamics were more difficult to clarify, even so in this homogeneous field situation. The presence of an oak tree with its root structure and a ditch with surface water with higher conductivity may have an impact on the resistivity pattern in the soil profile and over time. We conclude that ERT allows for detailed spatial measurement of local soil moisture dynamics resulting from precipitation although field experiments do not yield accuracies similar to laboratory experiments. ERT approaches are suitable for detailed spatial analyses where probe or sample-based methods are limited in reach or repeatability.
Combination of Multivariate Standard Addition Technique and Deep Kernel Learning Model for Determining Multi-Ion in Hydroponic Nutrient Solution
Authors: Tuan Vu , Khattak Abdul , Zhu Hui , Gao Wanlin , Wang Minjuan
Published: September 2020

Ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) have recently become the most attractive tools for the development of efficient hydroponic systems. Nevertheless, some inherent shortcomings such as signal drifts, secondary ion interferences, and effected high ionic strength make them difficult to apply in a hydroponic system. To minimize these deficiencies, we combined the multivariate standard addition (MSAM) sampling technique with the deep kernel learning (DKL) model for a six ISEs array to increase the prediction accuracy and precision of eight ions, including NO3−, NH4+, K+, Ca2+, Na+, Cl−, H2PO4−, and Mg2+. The enhanced data feature based on feature enrichment (FE) of the MSAM technique provided more useful information to DKL for improving the prediction reliability of the available ISE ions and enhanced the detection of unavailable ISE ions (phosphate and magnesium). The results showed that the combined MSAM–feature enrichment (FE)–DKL sensing structure for validating ten real hydroponic samples achieved low root mean square errors (RMSE) of 63.8, 8.3, 29.2, 18.5, 11.8, and 8.8 mg·L−1 with below 8% coefficients of variation (CVs) for predicting nitrate, ammonium, potassium, calcium, sodium, and chloride, respectively. Moreover, the prediction of phosphate and magnesium in the ranges of 5–275 mg·L−1 and 10–80 mg·L−1 had RMSEs of 29.6 and 8.7 mg·L−1 respectively. The results prove that the proposed approach can be applied successfully to improve the accuracy and feasibility of ISEs in a closed hydroponic system.
Semantic Segmentation of a Printed Circuit Board for Component Recognition Based on Depth Images
Authors: Li Dongnian , Li Changming , Chen Chengjun , Zhao Zhengxu
Published: September 2020

Locating and identifying the components mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) based on machine vision is an important and challenging problem for automated PCB inspection and automated PCB recycling. In this paper, we propose a PCB semantic segmentation method based on depth images that segments and recognizes components in the PCB through pixel classification. The image training set for the PCB was automatically synthesized with graphic rendering. Based on a series of concentric circles centered at the given depth pixel, we extracted the depth difference features from the depth images in the training set to train a random forest pixel classifier. By using the constructed random forest pixel classifier, we performed semantic segmentation for the PCB to segment and recognize components in the PCB through pixel classification. Experiments on both synthetic and real test sets were conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results demonstrate that our method can segment and recognize most of the components from a real depth image of the PCB. Our method is immune to illumination changes and can be implemented in parallel on a GPU.
A PID-Type Fuzzy Logic Controller-Based Approach for Motion Control Applications
Authors: García-Martínez José R. , Cruz-Miguel Edson E. , Carrillo-Serrano Roberto V. , Mendoza-Mondragón Fortino , Toledano-Ayala Manuel , Rodríguez-Reséndiz Juvenal
Published: September 2020

Motion control is widely used in industrial applications since machinery, robots, conveyor bands use smooth movements in order to reach a desired position decreasing the steady error and energy consumption. In this paper, a new Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) -type fuzzy logic controller (FLC) tuning strategy that is based on direct fuzzy relations is proposed in order to compute the PID constants. The motion control algorithm is composed by PID-type FLC and S-curve velocity profile, which is developed in C/C++ programming language; therefore, a license is not required to reproduce the code among embedded systems. The self-tuning controller is carried out online, it depends on error and change in error to adapt according to the system variations. The experimental results were obtained in a linear platform integrated by a direct current (DC) motor connected to an encoder to measure the position. The shaft of the motor is connected to an endless screw; a cart is placed on the screw to control its position. The rise time, overshoot, and settling time values measured in the experimentation are 0.124 s, 8.985% and 0.248 s, respectively. These results presented in part 6 demonstrate the performance of the controller, since the rise time and settling time are improved according to the state of the art. Besides, these parameters are compared with different control architectures reported in the literature. This comparison is made after applying a step input signal to the DC motor.
The Role of Psychological Capital in Athletic Performance and Career Development of Adolescent Baseball Players in Taiwan
Authors: Lai Chih-Pin , Hsieh Huey-Hong , Chang Chia-Ming , Ni Fu-Te
Published: September 2020

Although many baseball players dream of playing professionally, intense training together with psychological pressure and injuries may increase athletes’ burnout and may lead athletes to quit and pursue alternate careers. Therefore, it is important for athletes to manage their mental toughness on their career paths. Findings from previous psychological capital (PsyCap) studies suggested that PsyCap had a positive influence on stress reduction. Therefore, this study examined PsyCap’s effects on athletes’ performance and career development, particularly under stress. We hope the findings can provide useful suggestions for athletes and coaches. To explore the relationships of PsyCap with athletic performance and career development, a structured questionnaire was distributed to 800 baseball players enrolled in middle and high schools in Taiwan with a valid return rate of 80.9%. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to verify the relationships among PsyCap, performance, and career development. The findings showed that PsyCap had significant influence on both athletic performance and career development of the study subjects. Based on our findings, implications for baseball players and coaches as well as suggestions for future research are discussed.
An Examination of Digital Parenting Behavior in Parents with Preschool Children in the Context of Lifelong Learning
Authors: Tosun Nilgun , Mihci Can
Published: September 2020

This study, which has been carried out as a needs analysis project, reflects results from preliminary work for designing from scratch a digital parenting educational program for parents with preschool children in the Turkish province of Edirne. Convenience sampling method was used and a group of 231 parents participated in the study. Qualitative and quantitative methods were both used in this sequential mixed method research of descriptive nature. The Digital Parenting Attitude Scale has been used for data collection purposes, alongside a questionnaire form developed by the authors. In conclusion, it was understood that; (a) the digital parenting attitude scores of participants were found to be relatively low, with an average score of 21.74; (b) half of the participants were not willing to participate in a digital parenting educational program and that those unwilling to participate were also those who displayed poor digital parenting attitude; (c) not only gender and employment status, but also other variables such as awareness in concepts of digital footprints or cyberbullying result in significant differences in terms of digital parenting attitudes; (d) descriptive accounts of Turkish parents show that they are prone to conceptualizing digital parenting as screen time policies only; and (e) digital parenting educational programs should focus not only on the digital but also on (conventional) parenting skills and the notion of sustainability. Results emphasize the importance of increasing public awareness towards concepts related to digital parenting, as well as the economic exploitation of children in the cyber world and the establishment of dialogue with the child on this critical matter. Further research in the subject, especially with (a) greater emphasis on sustainability, (b) greater contribution from male participants, and (c) on the subject of specific deterrents against participation in digital parenting education may be needed.