bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Study on Airflow and Temperature Predicting in a Double Skin Façade in Hot and Cold Seasons in Romania
Authors: Cherecheș Monica Lilioara , Cherecheș Nelu Cristian , Ciobanu Adrian Alexandru , Hudișteanu Sebastian Valeriu , Țurcanu Emilian Florin , Bradu Aurelia , Popovici Cătălin George
Published: December 2021

In the context of energy conservation and sustainable development, building design should take into account the energy efficiency criteria by using renewable energy sources. Double-skin facades (DSF) represent innovative energy-efficient techniques that have gained increasing interest worldwide. The present study reports the results of an experimental campaign performed on a full-scale double-skin façade using the in-situ measurement methodology. The thermodynamic behavior of the façade is studied under real exterior climatic conditions in Romania in hot and cold seasons, and performance indicators in terms of pre-heating efficiency and dynamic insulation efficiency were determined. Three summer periods are analyzed corresponding to the outdoor air curtain scenario for three ventilation modes in naturally or mechanically ventilated single-story DSF. Results revealed that the third ventilation scenario, which combines horizontal and vertical openings, gives the best efficiency of 71.3% in the double skin façade functioning. During the cold season, the channel façade behaved like a thermal buffer between the building and the exterior air, ensuring the thermal energy for partial or integral heating of the building.
Improving Multi-Label Learning by Correlation Embedding
Authors: Huang Jun , Xu Qian , Qu Xiwen , Lin Yaojin , Zheng Xiao
Published: December 2021

In multi-label learning, each object is represented by a single instance and is associated with more than one class labels, where the labels might be correlated with each other. As we all know, exploiting label correlations can definitely improve the performance of a multi-label classification model. Existing methods mainly model label correlations in an indirect way, i.e., adding extra constraints on the coefficients or outputs of a model based on a pre-learned label correlation graph. Meanwhile, the high dimension of the feature space also poses great challenges to multi-label learning, such as high time and memory costs. To solve the above mentioned issues, in this paper, we propose a new approach for Multi-Label Learning by Correlation Embedding, namely MLLCE, where the feature space dimension reduction and the multi-label classification are integrated into a unified framework. Specifically, we project the original high-dimensional feature space to a low-dimensional latent space by a mapping matrix. To model label correlation, we learn an embedding matrix from the pre-defined label correlation graph by graph embedding. Then, we construct a multi-label classifier from the low-dimensional latent feature space to the label space, where the embedding matrix is utilized as the model coefficients. Finally, we extend the proposed method MLLCE to the nonlinear version, i.e., NL-MLLCE. The comparison experiment with the state-of-the-art approaches shows that the proposed method MLLCE has a competitive performance in multi-label learning.
Improving the Energy Efficiency of an Existing Building by Dynamic Numerical Simulation
Authors: Popescu Lelia Letitia , Popescu Razvan Stefan , Catalina Tiberiu
Published: December 2021

Nowadays, the enhancement of the existing building stock energy performance is a priority. To promote building energy renovation, the European Committee asks Member States to define retrofit strategies, finding cost-effective solutions. This research aims to investigate the relationship between the initial characteristics of an existing residential buildings and different types of retrofit solutions in terms of final/primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions. A multi-objective optimization has been carried out using experimental data in DesignBuilder dynamic simulation tool.
Exploring Methane Emission Drivers in Wetlands: The Cases of Massaciuccoli and Porta Lakes (Northern Tuscany, Italy)
Authors: Venturi Stefania , Tassi Franco , Cabassi Jacopo , Randazzo Antonio , Lazzaroni Marta , Capecchiacci Francesco , Vietina Barbara , Vaselli Orlando
Published: December 2021

Wetlands are hotspots of CH4 emissions to the atmosphere, mainly sustained by microbial decomposition of organic matter in anoxic sediments. Several knowledge gaps exist on how environmental drivers shape CH4 emissions from these ecosystems, posing challenges in upscaling efforts to estimate global emissions from waterbodies. In this work, CH4 and CO2 diffusive fluxes, along with chemical and isotopic composition of dissolved ionic and gaseous species, were determined from two wetlands of Tuscany (Italy): (i) Porta Lake, a small wetland largely invaded by Phragmites australis reeds experiencing reed die-back syndrome, and (ii) Massaciuccoli Lake, a wide marsh area including open-water basins and channels affected by seawater intrusion and eutrophication. Both wetlands were recognized as net sources of CH4 to the atmosphere. Our data show that the magnitude of CH4 diffusive emission was controlled by CH4 production and consumption rates, being mostly governed by (i) water temperature and availability of labile carbon substrates and (ii) water column depth, wind exposure and dissolved O2 contents, respectively. This evidence suggests that the highest CH4 diffusive fluxes were sustained by reed beds, providing a large availability of organic matter supporting acetoclastic methanogenesis, with relevant implications for global carbon budget and future climate models.
Design and Implementation of New Coplanar FA Circuits without NOT Gate and Based on Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata Technology
Authors: Vahabi Mohsen , Lyakhov Pavel , Bahar Ali Newaz , Wahid Khan A.
Published: December 2021

The miniaturization of electronic devices and the inefficiency of CMOS technology due to the development of integrated circuits and its lack of responsiveness at the nanoscale have led to the acquisition of nanoscale technologies. Among these technologies, quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) is considered one of the possible replacements for CMOS technology because of its extraordinary advantages, such as higher speed, smaller area, and ultra-low power consumption. In arithmetic and comparative circuits, XOR logic is widely used. The construction of arithmetic logic circuits using AND, OR, and NOT logic gates has a higher design complexity. However, XOR gate design has a lower design complexity. Hence, the efficient and optimized XOR logic gate is very important. In this article, we proposed a new XOR gate based on cell-level methodology, with the expected output achieved by the influence of the cells on each other; this design method caused less delay. However, this design was implemented without the use of inverter gates and crossovers, as well as rotating cells. Using the proposed XOR gate, two new full adder (FA) circuits were designed. The simulation results indicate the advantage of the proposed designs compared with previous structures.
Development and Evaluation of Low-Damage Maize Snapping Mechanism Based on Deformation Energy Conversion
Authors: Zhang Zhilong , Geng Aijun
Published: December 2021

Reducing ear damage is the key to improving the quality of maize harvests. In order to reduce the impact and damage of the ear caused by the ear snapping mechanism, this paper proposes a method to convert ear deformation energy during collision into elastic potential energy in the ear snapping mechanism. According to the above method, a low-damage maize snapping mechanism was designed. In order to verify the feasibility of energy conversion in reducing damage, the dynamic model of the contact between the ear and the snapping plate was established, and a dynamic simulation analysis was carried out based on the finite element method (FEM). In order to obtain better parameters for the improved mechanism, a test rig was established, after which a performance test was carried out on the test rig. The results showed that the primary and secondary order that affected the ear damage rate was the rotational speed of the snapping roller, the spring stiffness and the forward speed. The data processing software Design Expert was used to optimize the parameters, it was concluded that when the rotational speed was 805 r·min−1, the forward speed was 1.29 m·s−1, the spring stiffness was 33.5 N·mm−1, the model predicted that the ear damage rate was 0.023%. Therefore, this paper could provide further reference for research into maize low-damage ear snapping technology.
On New Types of Multivariate Trigonometric Copulas
Authors: Chesneau Christophe
Published: December 2021

Copulas are useful functions for modeling multivariate distributions through their univariate marginal distributions and dependence structures. They have a wide range of applications in all fields of science that deal with multivariate data. While there is a plethora of copulas, those based on trigonometric functions, especially in dimensions greater than two, have received much less attention. They are, however, of interest because of the properties of oscillation and periodicity of the trigonometric functions, which can appear in certain models of correlation of natural phenomena. In order to fill this gap, this paper introduces and investigates two new types of “multivariate trigonometric copulas”. Their main theoretical properties are studied, and some perspectives for applications are sketched for future work. In particular, we show that the proposed copulas are symmetric, not associative, with no orthant dependence, and with copula densities that have wide oscillations, which remains an uncommon property in the field. The expressions of their multivariate Spearman’s rho are also determined. Furthermore, the first type of the proposed copulas has the interesting feature of having a multivariate Spearman’s rho equal to 0 for all of the dimensions. Some graphic evidence supports the findings. Some mathematical formulas involving the product of n trigonometric functions may be of independent interest.
The Adaptive Re-Use of Historic Manor Buildings in Poland. The Maciejewo (Matzdorf) Palace in Western Pomerania, as a Specific Case
Authors: Paszkowski Zbigniew Władysław
Published: December 2021

Based upon the example of the historic palace and park complex in Maciejewo (Matzdorf), in Western Pomerania, Poland, the issues of the adaptation of historic mansions and palaces to modern functions are discussed. The palace in Maciejewo illustrates the thesis that, in order to survive, historic buildings must be used for purposes corresponding to their structure. Many historic residences in the Western Lands have lost their original function and need a new one to survive. These processes of functional adaptation, in some cases, have to be repeated, when monuments become affected by a loss of their functionality. The concept of “re-adaptation” is introduced, in the sense of the revitalization of a facility, combined with a change in its function. The palace in Maciejewo is an example of a facility that is undergoing another functional metamorphosis—adaptive re-use—after having been an agricultural school, a recreation centre and a hotel, to its current phase of becoming an exclusive nursing home. The article discusses the necessary architectural changes resulting from the introduction of a new function (in the case discussed, that of a nursing home). The re-adaptation was carried out considering conservation guidelines and according to adaptive re-use methodology.
Interannual Variability of the GNSS Precipitable Water Vapor in the Global Tropics
Authors: Baldysz Zofia , Nykiel Grzegorz , Latos Beata , Baranowski Dariusz B. , Figurski Mariusz
Published: December 2021

This paper addresses the subject of inter-annual variability of the tropical precipitable water vapor (PWV) derived from 18 years of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) observations. Non-linear trends of retrieved GNSS PWV were investigated using the singular spectrum analysis (SSA) along with various climate indices. For most of the analyzed stations (~49%) the GNSS PWV anomaly was related to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), although its influence on the PWV variability was not homogeneous. The cross-correlations coefficient values estimated between the Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI) and PWV were up to 0.78. A strong cross-correlation was also found for regional climate pattern expressed through CAR, DMI, HAW, NPGO, TNA and TSA indices. A distinct agreement was also found when instead of climate indices, the local sea surface temperature was examined (average correlation 0.60). The SSA method made it also possible to distinguish small-scale phenomena that affect PWV, such as local droughts or wetter rainy seasons. The overall nature of the investigated changes was also verified through linear trend analysis. In general, not a single station was characterized by a negative trend and its weighted mean value, calculated for all stations was equal to 0.08 ± 0.01 mm/year.
Estimating Terrestrial Radiation for Human Thermal Comfort in Outdoor Urban Space
Authors: Lee Kanghyun , Brown Robert D.
Published: December 2021

Cities inadvertently create warmer and drier urban climate conditions than their surrounding areas through urbanization that replaces natural surfaces with impervious materials. These changes cause heat-related health problems and many studies suggest microclimatic urban design (MUD) as an approach to address these problems. In MUD-related research, although terrestrial radiation plays an important role in human thermal comfort and previous studies use thermal comfort models to identify human heat stress, few studies have addressed the effect of terrestrial radiation. This study develops the ground ratio factor (GRF) model to estimate the different terrestrial radiation according to different ground conditions. Three types of ground materials (asphalt, concrete, and grass) were considered in the model, and field studies were conducted in humid subtropical climate (Cfa) zone during the hot season (13 July to 19 September 2020). The model was validated by comparing the predicated terrestrial radiation (PTR) from the model with the actual terrestrial radiation (ATR). The results showed that there is a statistically significant strong correlation between PTR and ATR. The model can contribute to MUD strategies by updating existing human energy budget models, which can lead to the measurement of more accurate human thermal comfort for mitigating thermal environments.
Prediction of Transient NOx Emission from Diesel Vehicles Based on Deep-Learning Differentiation Model with Double Noise Reduction
Authors: Li Jiaqiang , Yu Yang , Wang Yanyan , Zhao Longqing , He Chao
Published: December 2021

For diesel engines, accurate prediction of NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) emission plays an essential role in virtual NOx sensor development and engine design under situations of actual road driving. However, due to the randomness and uncertainty in the driving process of diesel vehicles, it is difficult to make predictions about NOx emissions. In order to solve this problem, this paper proposes differential models for noise reductions of NOx emissions in time series. First, according to the internal fluctuation of time series, use SSA (Singular Spectrum Analysis) to reduce the noises of the original time series; second, use ICEEMDAN (Improved Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise) to decompose the noise-reducing data into several relatively stable subsequences; third, use the sample entropy to calculate the complexity of each subsequence, and divide the sequences into high-frequency ones and low-frequency ones; finally, use GRU (Gated Recurrent Unit) to complete the prediction of high-frequency sequences and SVR (Support Vector Regression) for the prediction of low-frequency sequences. To obtain the final models, integrate the prediction results of the subsequences. Make comparisons with five single models, SSA single-processing models, and ICEEMDAN single-processing models. The experimental results show that the proposed model can predict the instantaneous NOx emissions of diesel engines better than the single model and the model processed by SSA, and the differentiated model can effectively improve the execution speed of the model.
Four- and Five-Carbon Dicarboxylic Acids Present in Secondary Organic Aerosol Produced from Anthropogenic and Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds
Authors: Sato Kei , Ikemori Fumikazu , Ramasamy Sathiyamurthi , Fushimi Akihiro , Kumagai Kimiyo , Iijima Akihiro , Morino Yu
Published: December 2021

To better understand precursors of dicarboxylic acids in ambient secondary organic aerosol (SOA), we studied C4–C9 dicarboxylic acids present in SOA formed from the oxidation of toluene, naphthalene, α-pinene, and isoprene. C4–C9 dicarboxylic acids present in SOA were analyzed by offline derivatization gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. We revealed that C4 dicarboxylic acids including succinic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, DL-tartaric acid, and meso-tartaric acid are produced by the photooxidation of toluene. Since meso-tartaric acid barely occurs in nature, it is a potential aerosol tracer of photochemical reaction products. In SOA particles from toluene, we also detected a compound and its isomer with similar mass spectra to methyltartaric acid standard; the compound and the isomer are tentatively identified as 2,3-dihydroxypentanedioic acid isomers. The ratio of detected C4–C5 dicarboxylic acids to total toluene SOA mass had no significant dependence on the initial VOC/NOx condition. Trace levels of maleic acid and fumaric acid were detected during the photooxidation of naphthalene. Malic acid was produced from the oxidation of α-pinene and isoprene. A trace amount of succinic acid was detected in the SOA produced from the oxidation of isoprene.
Balances in the Set of Arithmetic Progressions
Authors: Chung Chan-Liang , Zhong Chunmei , Zhou Kanglun
Published: December 2021

This article focuses on searching and classifying balancing numbers in a set of arithmetic progressions. The sufficient and necessary conditions for the existence of balancing numbers are presented. Moreover, explicit formulae of balancing numbers and various relations are included.
Back to the Cradle of Cytotherapy: Integrating a Century of Clinical Research and Biotechnology-Based Manufacturing for Modern Tissue-Specific Cellular Treatments in Switzerland
Authors: Laurent Alexis , Abdel-Sayed Philippe , Scaletta Corinne , Laurent Philippe , Laurent Elénie , Michetti Murielle , de Buys Roessingh Anthony , Raffoul Wassim , Hirt-Burri Nathalie , Applegate Lee Ann
Published: December 2021

Empirically studied by Dr. Brown-Séquard in the late 1800s, cytotherapies were later democratized by Dr. Niehans during the twentieth century in Western Switzerland. Many local cultural landmarks around the Léman Riviera are reminiscent of the inception of such cell-based treatments. Despite the discreet extravagance of the remaining heirs of “living cell therapy” and specific enforcements by Swiss health authorities, current interest in modern and scientifically sound cell-based regenerative medicine has never been stronger. Respective progress made in bioengineering and in biotechnology have enabled the clinical implementation of modern cell-based therapeutic treatments within updated medical and regulatory frameworks. Notably, the Swiss progenitor cell transplantation program has enabled the gathering of two decades of clinical experience in Lausanne for the therapeutic management of cutaneous and musculoskeletal affections, using homologous allogeneic cell-based approaches. While striking conceptual similarities exist between the respective works of the fathers of cytotherapy and of modern highly specialized clinicians, major and important iterative updates have been implemented, centered on product quality and risk-analysis-based patient safety insurance. This perspective article highlights some historical similarities and major evolutive differences, particularly regarding product safety and quality issues, characterizing the use of cell-based therapies in Switzerland over the past century. We outline the vast therapeutic potential to be harnessed for the benefit of overall patient health and the importance of specific scientific methodological aspects.
Current Therapeutics and Future Perspectives to Ocular Melanocytic Neoplasms in Dogs and Cats
Authors: Guerra Guimarães Tarcísio , Menezes Cardoso Karla , Tralhão Pedro , Marto Carlos Miguel , Alexandre Nuno , Botelho Maria Filomena , Laranjo Mafalda
Published: December 2021

Neoplasms of melanocytic origin are diseases relevant to dogs and cats’ ophthalmic oncology due to their incidence, potential visual loss, and consequent decrease in life quality and expectancy. Despite its non-specific clinical presentation, melanocytic neoplasms can be histologically distinguished in melanocytomas, which present benign characteristics, and malignant melanomas. The diagnosis often occurs in advanced cases, limiting the therapeutic options. Surgery, cryotherapy, radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), and laser are currently available therapeutic strategies. As no clinical guidelines are available, the treatment choice is primarily based on the clinician’s preference, proficiency, and the owner’s financial constraints. While surgery is curative in benign lesions, ocular melanomas present a variable response to treatments, besides the potential of tumour recurrences or metastatic disease. This review presents the currently available therapies for ocular melanocytic neoplasms in dogs and cats, describing the therapeutic, indications, and limitations. Additionally, new therapeutics being developed are presented and discussed, as they can improve the current treatment options.
COVID-19 in Solid Organ Transplant Recipient: Exploring Cumulative Incidence, Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Disease Severity
Authors: Caldara Rossana , Maffi Paola , Costa Sabrina , Bazzigaluppi Elena , Brigatti Cristina , Lampasona Vito , Magistretti Paola , Manenti Fabio , Marzinotto Ilaria , Pellegrini Silvia , Scavini Marina , Secchi Antonio , Piemonti Lorenzo
Published: December 2021

Background: Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients may be at increased risk for severe disease and mortality from COVID-19 because of immunosuppression and prolonged end-stage organ disease. As a transplant center serving a diverse patient population, we report the cumulative incidence and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in our cohort of SOT recipients. Methods: We prospectively included in this observational study SOT recipients with a functioning kidney (n = 201), pancreas ± kidney (n = 66) or islet transplant (n = 24), attending outpatient regular follow-up at the San Raffaele Hospital from February 2020 to April 2021. Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were tested in all patients by a luciferase immunoprecipitation system assay. Results: Of the 291 SOT recipients, 30 (10.3%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the study period and prevalence was not different among different transplants. The SARS-CoV-2 antibody frequency was around 2.6-fold higher than the incidence of cases who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR. As for the WHO COVID-19 severity classification, 19 (63.3%) SOT recipients were mild, nine (30%) were moderate, and two were critical and died yielding a crude mortality rate in our patient population of 6.7%. Kidney transplant (OR 12.9 (1.1–150) p = 0.041) was associated with an increased risk for moderate/critical disease, while statin therapy (OR 0.116 (0.015–0.926) p = 0.042) and pancreas/islet transplant (OR 0.077 (0.007–0.906) p = 0.041) were protective. Conclusions: The incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in SOT recipients may be higher than previously described. Due to the relative high crude mortality, symptomatic SOT recipients must be considered at high risk in case of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of miRNAs after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Review
Authors: Błażejowska Ewelina , Urbanowicz Tomasz , Gąsecka Aleksandra , Olasińska-Wiśniewska Anna , Jaguszewski Miłosz J. , Targoński Radosław , Szarpak Łukasz , Filipiak Krzysztof J. , Perek Bartłomiej , Jemielity Marek
Published: December 2021

MiRNAs are noncoding, 21–24 nucleotide-long RNA particles that control over 60% of genes. MiRNAs affect gene expression through binding to the 3’-untranslated region of messenger RNA (mRNA), thus inhibiting mRNA translation or inducing mRNA degradation. MiRNAs have been associated with various cardiovascular diseases, including heart failure, hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, or ischemic heart disease. In addition, miRNA expression alters during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, which could be used to predict perioperative outcomes. CABG is an operation in which complex coronary arteries stenosis is treated by bypassing atherosclerotic lesions with venous or arterial grafts. Despite a very low perioperative mortality rate and excellent long-term survival, CABG is associated with postoperative complications, including reperfusion injury, graft failure, atrial fibrillation and perioperative myocardial infarction. So far, no reliable diagnostic and prognostic tools to predict prognosis after CABG have been developed. Changes in the perioperative miRNA expression levels could improve the diagnosis of post-CABG myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation and could be used to stratify risk after CABG. Herein, we describe the expression changes of different subtypes of miRNAs during CABG and review the diagnostic and prognostic utility of miRNAs in patients undergoing CABG.
Dexamethasone for Inner Ear Therapy: Biocompatibility and Bio-Efficacy of Different Dexamethasone Formulations In Vitro
Authors: Gao Ziwen , Schwieger Jana , Matin-Mann Farnaz , Behrens Peter , Lenarz Thomas , Scheper Verena
Published: December 2021

Dexamethasone is widely used in preclinical studies and clinical trials to treat inner ear disorders. The results of those studies vary widely, maybe due to the different dexamethasone formulations used. Laboratory (lab) and medical grade (med) dexamethasone (DEX, C22H29FO5) and dexamethasone dihydrogen phosphate-disodium (DPS, C22H28FNa2O8P) were investigated for biocompatibility and bio-efficacy in vitro. The biocompatibility of each dexamethasone formulation in concentrations from 0.03 to 10,000 µM was evaluated using an MTT assay. The concentrations resulting in the highest cell viability were selected to perform a bio-efficiency test using a TNFα-reduction assay. All dexamethasone formulations up to 900 µM are biocompatible in vitro. DPS-lab becomes toxic at 1000 µM and DPS-med at 2000 µM, while DEX-lab and DEX-med become toxic at 4000 µM. Bio-efficacy was evaluated for DEX-lab and DPS-med at 300 µM, for DEX-med at 60 µM, and DPS-lab at 150 µM, resulting in significantly reduced expression of TNFα, with DPS-lab having the highest effect. Different dexamethasone formulations need to be applied in different concentration ranges to be biocompatible. The concentration to be applied in future studies should carefully be chosen based on the respective dexamethasone form, application route and duration to ensure biocompatibility and bio-efficacy.
Allelic Variation Analysis at the Vernalization Response and Photoperiod Genes in Russian Wheat Varieties Identified Two Novel Alleles of Vrn-B3
Authors: Berezhnaya Alina , Kiseleva Antonina , Leonova Irina , Salina Elena
Published: December 2021

Heading time is an important agronomic trait affecting the adaptability and productivity of common wheat. In this study, 95 common wheat varieties from Russia and the late-maturing breeding line ‘Velut’ were tested for allelic diversity of genes having the strongest effect on heading. In this research, allelic variation at the Ppd-D1, Vrn-A1, Vrn-B1, Vrn-D1, and Vrn-B3 loci was tested. The Vrn-B1 and Vrn-B3 loci provided the largest contribution to genetic diversity. We found two novel allelic variants of the Vrn-B3 gene in the studied varieties. Ten varieties carried a 160 bp insertion in the promoter region, and the breeding line ‘Velut’ carried a 1617 bp insertion. These alleles were designated Vrn-B3e and Vrn-B3d, respectively. The analysis of the sequences showed the recent insertion of a retrotransposon homologous to the LTR retrotransposon (RLX_Hvul_Dacia_ RND-1) in the Vrn-B3d allele. Plants with the Vrn-B3e and the ‘Velut’ line with the Vrn-B3d allele headed later than the plants with the wild-type allele; among these plants, ‘Velut’ is the latest maturing wheat variety. Analysis of the gene expression of two groups of lines differing by the Vrn-B3 alleles (Vrn-B3d or vrn-B3) from the F2 population with ‘Velut’ as a parental line did not reveal a significant difference in the expression level between the groups. Additional research is required to study the reasons for the late maturation of the ‘Velut’ line. However, the studied wheat varieties could be used as a potential source of natural variation in genes controlling heading times.
Transport and Secretion of the Wnt3 Ligand by Motor Neuron-like Cells and Developing Motor Neurons
Authors: Pinto Cristina , Pérez Viviana , Mella Jessica , Albistur Miguel , Caprile Teresa , Bronfman Francisca C. , Henríquez Juan Pablo
Published: December 2021

The vertebrate neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is formed by a presynaptic motor nerve terminal and a postsynaptic muscle specialization. Cumulative evidence reveals that Wnt ligands secreted by the nerve terminal control crucial steps of NMJ synaptogenesis. For instance, the Wnt3 ligand is expressed by motor neurons at the time of NMJ formation and induces postsynaptic differentiation in recently formed muscle fibers. However, the behavior of presynaptic-derived Wnt ligands at the vertebrate NMJ has not been deeply analyzed. Here, we conducted overexpression experiments to study the expression, distribution, secretion, and function of Wnt3 by transfection of the motor neuron-like NSC-34 cell line and by in ovo electroporation of chick motor neurons. Our findings reveal that Wnt3 is transported along motor axons in vivo following a vesicular-like pattern and reaches the NMJ area. In vitro, we found that endogenous Wnt3 expression increases as the differentiation of NSC-34 cells proceeds. Although NSC-34 cells overexpressing Wnt3 do not modify their morphological differentiation towards a neuronal phenotype, they effectively induce acetylcholine receptor clustering on co-cultured myotubes. These findings support the notion that presynaptic Wnt3 is transported and secreted by motor neurons to induce postsynaptic differentiation in nascent NMJs.
Exploring the Cell Stemness and the Complexity of the Adipose Tissue Niche
Authors: Kislev Nadav , Izgilov Roza , Adler Raizel , Benayahu Dafna
Published: December 2021

Adipose tissue is a complex organ composed of different cellular populations, including mesenchymal stem and progenitor cells, adipocytes, and immune cells such as macrophages and lymphocytes. These cellular populations alter dynamically during aging or as a response to pathophysiology such as obesity. Changes in the various inflammatory cells are associated with metabolic complications and the development of insulin resistance, indicating that immune cells crosstalk with the adipocytes. Therefore, a study of the cell populations in the adipose tissue and the extracellular matrix maintaining the tissue niche is important for the knowledge on the regulatory state of the organ. We used a combination of methods to study various parameters to identify the composition of the resident cells in the adipose tissue and evaluate their profile. We analyzed the tissue structure and cells based on histology, immune fluorescence staining, and flow cytometry of cells present in the tissue in vivo and these markers’ expression in vitro. Any shift in cells’ composition influences self-renewal of the mesenchymal progenitors, and other cells affect the functionality of adipogenesis.
Red Blood Cell-Derived Iron Alters Macrophage Function in COPD
Authors: Baker James M. , Hammond Molly , Dungwa Josiah , Shah Rajesh , Montero-Fernandez Angeles , Higham Andrew , Lea Simon , Singh Dave
Published: December 2021

Lung macrophage iron levels are increased in COPD patients. Lung macrophage iron levels are thought to be increased by cigarette smoke, but the role of red blood cells (RBCs) as a source of iron has not been investigated. We investigate RBCs as a potential source of alveolar iron in COPD, and determine the effect of RBC-derived iron on macrophage function. We used lung tissue sections to assess RBC coverage of the alveolar space, iron and ferritin levels in 11 non-smokers (NS), 15 smokers (S) and 32 COPD patients. Lung macrophages were isolated from lung resections (n = 68) and treated with hemin or ferric ammonium citrate (50, 100 or 200 μM). Lung macrophage phenotype marker gene expression was measured by qPCR. The phagocytosis of Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) was measured by flow cytometry. Cytokine production in response to NTHi in iron-treated macrophages was measured by ELISA. Lung macrophage iron levels were significantly correlated with RBC coverage of the alveolar space (r = 0.31, p = 0.02). Furthermore, RBC coverage and lung macrophage iron were significantly increased in COPD patients and correlated with airflow obstruction. Hemin treatment downregulated CD36, CD163, HLA-DR, CD38, TLR4, CD14 and MARCO gene expression. Hemin-treated macrophages also impaired production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to NTHi exposure, and decreased phagocytosis of NTHi (200 μM: 35% decrease; p = 0.03). RBCs are a plausible source of pulmonary iron overload in COPD. RBC-derived iron dysregulates macrophage phenotype and function.
The Change in Metabolic Syndrome Status and the Risk of Nonviral Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Chung Goh-Eun , Chang Young , Cho Yuri , Cho Eun-Ju , Yoo Jeong-Ju , Park Sang-Hyun , Han Kyungdo , Shin Dong-Wook , Yu Su-Jong , Kim Yoon-Jun , Yoon Jung-Hwan
Published: December 2021

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is considered to be the hepatic component of metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the association between changes in MetS status and the risk of liver cirrhosis (LC) has not been investigated to date. This study assessed the association between changes in MetS and subsequent nonviral LC development. Methods: Data were obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance Service. Individuals who participated in health screenings from both 2009 to 2010 and 2011 to 2012 were included. The primary outcome was LC development according to the static and dynamic MetS status. Subjects were stratified into four groups according to the change in MetS status observed from the two-year interval screening (2009–2011). Cox regression analysis was used to examine the hazard ratios of LC. Results: During a median of 7.3 years of follow-up, 24,923 incident LC cases developed among 5,975,308 individuals. After adjusting for age, sex, smoking, alcohol, regular exercise, and body mass index, the adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for LC development were 1.39 (1.33–1.44) for the MetS-Developed group, 1.32 (1.26–1.37) for the MetS-Recovered group, and 1.51 (1.45–1.56) for the MetS-Sustained group, relative to the MetS-Free group. Stratified analyses according to age, sex, smoking, alcohol intake, exercise, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and chronic kidney disease showed similar results. Conclusions: Both static and dynamic MetS status are independent risk factors for LC development. The risk of LC was the highest in people with sustained MetS and was lower in the MetS-Recovered group than in the MetS-Sustained group. These results suggest that improving a person’s MetS status may be helpful in preventing LC.
YAP/Hippo Pathway and Cancer Immunity: It Takes Two to Tango
Authors: Matthaios Dimitrios , Tolia Maria , Mauri Davide , Kamposioras Konstantinos , Karamouzis Michalis
Published: December 2021

Hippo pathway with its main molecule YAP is a crucial pathway for development, tissue homeostasis, wound healing, tissue regeneration, and cancer. In this review, we discuss the multiple effects of the YAP/Hippo pathway in the immune system and cancer. We analyzed a series of effects: extracellular vesicles enhanced immunity through inhibition of LATS1/2, ways of modulation of the tumor microenvironment, YAP- and TAZ-mediated upregulation of PDL1, high expression of YAP and PDL1 in EGFR-TKI-resistant cells, enhanced YAP activity in inflammation, and the effect of the Hippo pathway on T cells, B cells, Tregs, macrophages, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). These pleiotropic effects render the YAP and Hippo pathway a key pathway for exploitation in the future, in order to enhance our immunotherapy treatment strategies in oncology.
Complement and Coagulation System Crosstalk in Synaptic and Neural Conduction in the Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems
Authors: Berkowitz Shani , Chapman Joab , Dori Amir , Gofrit Shany Guly , Maggio Nicola , Shavit-Stein Efrat
Published: December 2021

Complement and coagulation are both key systems that defend the body from harm. They share multiple features and are similarly activated. They each play individual roles in the systemic circulation in physiology and pathophysiology, with significant crosstalk between them. Components from both systems are mapped to important structures in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS). Complement and coagulation participate in critical functions in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity. During pathophysiological states, complement and coagulation factors are upregulated and can modulate synaptic transmission and neuronal conduction. This review summarizes the current evidence regarding the roles of the complement system and the coagulation cascade in the CNS and PNS. Possible crosstalk between the two systems regarding neuroinflammatory-related effects on synaptic transmission and neuronal conduction is explored. Novel treatment based on the modulation of crosstalk between complement and coagulation may perhaps help to alleviate neuroinflammatory effects in diseased states of the CNS and PNS.
AI-Enabled, Ultrasound-Guided Handheld Robotic Device for Femoral Vascular Access
Authors: Brattain Laura , Pierce Theodore , Gjesteby Lars , Johnson Matthew , DeLosa Nancy , Werblin Joshua , Gupta Jay , Ozturk Arinc , Wang Xiaohong , Li Qian , Telfer Brian , Samir Anthony
Published: December 2021

Hemorrhage is a leading cause of trauma death, particularly in prehospital environments when evacuation is delayed. Obtaining central vascular access to a deep artery or vein is important for administration of emergency drugs and analgesics, and rapid replacement of blood volume, as well as invasive sensing and emerging life-saving interventions. However, central access is normally performed by highly experienced critical care physicians in a hospital setting. We developed a handheld AI-enabled interventional device, AI-GUIDE (Artificial Intelligence Guided Ultrasound Interventional Device), capable of directing users with no ultrasound or interventional expertise to catheterize a deep blood vessel, with an initial focus on the femoral vein. AI-GUIDE integrates with widely available commercial portable ultrasound systems and guides a user in ultrasound probe localization, venous puncture-point localization, and needle insertion. The system performs vascular puncture robotically and incorporates a preloaded guidewire to facilitate the Seldinger technique of catheter insertion. Results from tissue-mimicking phantom and porcine studies under normotensive and hypotensive conditions provide evidence of the technique’s robustness, with key performance metrics in a live porcine model including: a mean time to acquire femoral vein insertion point of 53 ± 36 s (5 users with varying experience, in 20 trials), a total time to insert catheter of 80 ± 30 s (1 user, in 6 trials), and a mean number of 1.1 (normotensive, 39 trials) and 1.3 (hypotensive, 55 trials) needle insertion attempts (1 user). These performance metrics in a porcine model are consistent with those for experienced medical providers performing central vascular access on humans in a hospital.
Rapid and Highly Sensitive Detection of C-Reaction Protein Using Robust Self-Compensated Guided-Mode Resonance BioSensing System for Point-of-Care Applications
Authors: Yeh Chu-Tung , Barshilia Devesh , Hsieh Chia-Jui , Li Hsun-Yuan , Hsieh Wen-Hsin , Chang Guo-En
Published: December 2021

The rapid and sensitive detection of human C-reactive protein (CRP) in a point-of-care (POC) may be conducive to the early diagnosis of various diseases. Biosensors have emerged as a new technology for rapid and accurate detection of CRP for POC applications. Here, we propose a rapid and highly stable guided-mode resonance (GMR) optofluidic biosensing system based on intensity detection with self-compensation, which substantially reduces the instability caused by environmental factors for a long detection time. In addition, a low-cost LED serving as the light source and a photodetector are used for intensity detection and real-time biosensing, and the system compactness facilitates POC applications. Self-compensation relies on a polarizing beam splitter to separate the transverse-magnetic-polarized light and transverse-electric-polarized light from the light source. The transverse-electric-polarized light is used as a background signal for compensating noise, while the transverse-magnetic-polarized light is used as the light source for the GMR biosensor. After compensation, noise is drastically reduced, and both the stability and performance of the system are enhanced over a long period. Refractive index experiments revealed a resolution improvement by 181% when using the proposed system with compensation. In addition, the system was successfully applied to CRP detection, and an outstanding limit of detection of 1.95 × 10−8 g/mL was achieved, validating the proposed measurement system for biochemical reaction detection. The proposed GMR biosensing sensing system can provide a low-cost, compact, rapid, sensitive, and highly stable solution for a variety of point-of-care applications.
Covalent Immobilization of Antibodies through Tetrazine-TCO Reaction to Improve Sensitivity of ELISA Technique
Authors: García-Maceira Tania , García-Maceira Fé I. , González-Reyes José A. , Torres-Sánchez Luis A. , Aragón-Gómez Ana Belén , García-Rubiño María Eugenia , Paz-Rojas Elier
Published: December 2021

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is routinely used to detect biomolecules related to several diseases facilitating diagnosis and monitoring of these, as well as the possibility of decreasing their mortality rate. Several methods have been carried out to improve the ELISA sensitivity through antibodies immobilization on the microtiter plates. Here, we have developed a strategy of antibodies immobilization to improve the ELISA sensitivity increasing the antibody density surface through the tetrazine (Tz)-trans-cyclooctene (TCO) reaction. For this, we prepared surfaces with tetrazine groups while the captured antibody was conjugated with TCO. The tetrazine surfaces were prepared in two different ways: (1) from aminated plates and (2) from Tz-BSA-coated plates. The surfaces were evaluated using two sandwich ELISA models, one of them using the low-affinity antibody anti-c-myc as a capture antibody to detect the c-myc-GST-IL8h recombinant protein, and the other one to detect the carcinoembryonic human protein (CEA). The sensitivity increased in both surfaces treated with tetrazine in comparison with the standard unmodified surface. The c-myc-GST-IL8h detection was around 10-fold more sensible on both tetrazine surfaces, while CEA ELISA detection increased 12-fold on surfaces coated with Tz-BSA. In conclusion, we show that it is possible to improve the ELISA sensitivity using this immobilization system, where capture antibodies bond covalently to surfaces.
Differential Regulation of the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/PTEN Pathway between Low- and High-Grade Gliomas
Authors: Erira Alveiro , Velandia Fernando , Penagos José , Zubieta Camilo , Arboleda Gonzalo
Published: December 2021

Gliomas represent 70% of all central system nervous tumors and are classified according to the degree of malignancy as low- or high-grade. The permanent activation of the EGFR/PI3K/AKT pathway by various genetic or post-translational alterations of EGFR, PI3KCA, and PTEN has been associated with increased proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. The present study aimed to analyze the molecular/genetic changes in the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/PTEN pathway between low-grade and high-grade gliomas in a sample of Colombian patients. A total of 30 samples were tested for PI3K and PTEN mutations, EGFR, PI3K, and AKT gene amplification, AKT, PI3K, BAX, Bcl2 expression levels, and phosphorylation of AKT and PTEN, EGFR and/or PI3K gene amplification was found in 50% of low-grade and 45% of high-grade ones. AKT amplification was found in 25% of the low-grade and 13.6% of the high-grade. The expression of PI3K, AKT, Bcl2, and BAX was increased particularly to a high degree. AKT phosphorylation was found in 66% of low-grade and 31.8% of high-grade. Increased phosphorylation of PTEN was found in 77% low-grade and 66% high-grade. Our results indicate that alterations in the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/PTEN pathway could be important in the initiation and malignant progression of this type of tumor.
Household Water and Energy Consumption Changes during COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns: Cases of the Kazakhstani Cities of Almaty, Shymkent, and Atyrau
Authors: Tleuken Aidana , Tokazhanov Galym , Serikbay Aray-Bibi , Zhalgasbayev Kuanysh , Guney Mert , Turkyilmaz Ali , Karaca Ferhat
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the daily behaviors of people by forcing them to spend the majority of their time in their residences, particularly during social distancing measures. The increased time spent at home is expected to influence, among other things, the daily consumption of utilities: specifically, water and energy. A prolonged presence of residents at home during COVID-19 lockdowns might increase strain on water and energy resources, which are mostly from non-renewable sources in several countries, including Kazakhstan; however, such potentially important effects have not yet been studied for the country. The present research aims to evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns have affected the water and energy consumption in residential housings in cities of varying sizes in Kazakhstan, providing a novel understanding of the effect of pandemic lockdowns on household energy and water consumption. Energy and water consumption data of Almaty, Shymkent, and Atyrau have been first obtained from the local service companies, and then, the usage behavior was analyzed for the periods before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. After, statistical tests were conducted to check the hypotheses regarding the effect of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns on the consumption of energy and water. The findings indicate that residential energy and water consumption increased during the lockdown periods in large and medium cities. Nevertheless, this growth is not highly significant compared to similar non-pandemic timeframes. This result could indicate a particular risk for sustainable resources consumption and put pressure on the supply companies. Moreover, in case of further lockdown measures, current building systems are at risk of increased pressure, and eventually, of failure.