bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Annexin Animal Models—From Fundamental Principles to Translational Research
Authors: Grewal Thomas , Rentero Carles , Enrich Carlos , Wahba Mohamed , Raabe Carsten A. , Rescher Ursula
Published: March 2021

Routine manipulation of the mouse genome has become a landmark in biomedical research. Traits that are only associated with advanced developmental stages can now be investigated within a living organism, and the in vivo analysis of corresponding phenotypes and functions advances the translation into the clinical setting. The annexins, a family of closely related calcium (Ca2+)- and lipid-binding proteins, are found at various intra- and extracellular locations, and interact with a broad range of membrane lipids and proteins. Their impacts on cellular functions has been extensively assessed in vitro, yet annexin-deficient mouse models generally develop normally and do not display obvious phenotypes. Only in recent years, studies examining genetically modified annexin mouse models which were exposed to stress conditions mimicking human disease often revealed striking phenotypes. This review is the first comprehensive overview of annexin-related research using animal models and their exciting future use for relevant issues in biology and experimental medicine.
Hepatic Senescence Accompanies the Development of NAFLD in Non-Aged Mice Independently of Obesity
Authors: Moustakas Ioannis I. , Katsarou Angeliki , Legaki Aigli-Ioanna , Pyrina Iryna , Ntostoglou Konstantinos , Papatheodoridi Alkistis-Maria , Gercken Bettina , Pateras Ioannis S. , Gorgoulis Vassilis G. , Koutsilieris Michael , Chavakis Triantafyllos , Chatzigeorgiou Antonios
Published: March 2021

Senescence is considered to be a cardinal player in several chronic inflammatory and metabolic pathologies. The two dominant mechanisms of senescence include replicative senescence, predominantly depending on age-induced telomere shortening, and stress-induced senescence, triggered by external or intracellular harmful stimuli. Recent data indicate that hepatocyte senescence is involved in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, previous studies have mainly focused on age-related senescence during NAFLD, in the presence or absence of obesity, while information about whether the phenomenon is characterized by replicative or stress-induced senescence, especially in non-aged organisms, is scarce. Herein, we subjected young mice to two different diet-induced NAFLD models which differed in the presence of obesity. In both models, liver fat accumulation and increased hepatic mRNA expression of steatosis-related genes were accompanied by hepatic senescence, indicated by the increased expression of senescence-associated genes and the presence of a robust hybrid histo-/immunochemical senescence-specific staining in the liver. Surprisingly, telomere length and global DNA methylation did not differ between the steatotic and the control livers, while malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress, was upregulated in the mouse NAFLD livers. These findings suggest that senescence accompanies NAFLD emergence, even in non-aged organisms, and highlight the role of stress-induced senescence during steatosis development independently of obesity.
Current Understanding of Novel Coronavirus: Molecular Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment Approaches
Authors: Jha Niraj , Jeyaraman Madhan , Rachamalla Mahesh , Ojha Shreesh , Dua Kamal , Chellappan Dinesh , Muthu Sathish , Sharma Ankur , Jha Saurabh , Jain Rashmi , Jeyaraman Naveen , GS Prajwal , Satyam Rohit , Khan Fahad , Pandey Pratibha , Verma Nitin , Singh Sandeep , Roychoudhury Shubhadeep , Dholpuria Sunny , Ruokolainen Janne , Kesari Kavindra
Published: March 2021

An outbreak of “Pneumonia of Unknown Etiology” occurred in Wuhan, China, in late December 2019. Later, the agent factor was identified and coined as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the disease was named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In a shorter period, this newly emergent infection brought the world to a standstill. On 11 March 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 as a pandemic. Researchers across the globe have joined their hands to investigate SARS-CoV-2 in terms of pathogenicity, transmissibility, and deduce therapeutics to subjugate this infection. The researchers and scholars practicing different arts of medicine are on an extensive quest to come up with safer ways to curb the pathological implications of this viral infection. A huge number of clinical trials are underway from the branch of allopathy and naturopathy. Besides, a paradigm shift on cellular therapy and nano-medicine protocols has to be optimized for better clinical and functional outcomes of COVID-19-affected individuals. This article unveils a comprehensive review of the pathogenesis mode of spread, and various treatment modalities to combat COVID-19 disease.
Two-Way Contact Network Modeling for Identifying the Route of COVID-19 Community Transmission
Authors: Lee Sung Jin , Lee Sang Eun , Kim Ji-On , Kim Gi Bum
Published: March 2021

In this study, we address the problem originated from the fact that “The Corona 19 Epidemiological Research Support System,” developed by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is limited to analyzing the Global Positioning System (GPS) information of the confirmed COVID-19 cases alone. Consequently, we study a method that the authority predicts the transmission route of COVID-19 between visitors in the community from a spatiotemporal perspective. This method models a contact network around the first confirmed case, allowing the health authorities to conduct tests on visitors after an outbreak of COVID-19 in the community. After securing the GPS data of community visitors, it traces back to the past from the time the first confirmed case occurred and creates contact clusters at each time step. This is different from other researches that focus on identifying the movement paths of confirmed patients by forward tracing. The proposed method creates the contact network by assigning weights to each contact cluster based on the degree of proximity between contacts. Identifying the source of infection in the contact network can make us predict the transmission route between the first confirmed case and the source of infection and classify the contacts on the transmission route. In this experiment, we used 64,073 simulated data for 100 people and extracted the transmission route and a top 10 list for centrality analysis. The contacts on the route path can be quickly designated as a priority for COVID-19 testing. In addition, it is possible for the authority to extract the subjects with high influence from the centrality theory and use them for additional COVID-19 epidemic investigation that requires urgency. This model is expected to be used in the epidemic investigation requiring the quick selection of close contacts.
Investigating the Parasitoid Community Associated with the Invasive Mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis in Southern China
Authors: Chen Hua-Yan , Li Hong-Liang , Pang Hong , Zhu Chao-Dong , Zhang Yan-Zhou
Published: March 2021

The cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), is an emerging invasive insect pest in China. Hymenopteran parasitoids are the key organisms for suppressing populations of P. solenopsis in the field, and therefore could be used as biological agents. Accurate identification of the associated parasitoids is the critical step to assess their potential role in biological control. In this study, we facilitated the identification of the parasitoid composition of P. solenopsis using an integrated approach of species delimitation, combining morphology with molecular data. Eighteen Hymenoptera parasitoid species belonging to 11 genera of four families are recognized based on morphological examination and molecular species delimitation of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) gene and the 28S rDNA using the automatic barcode gap discovery (ABGD) and the Bayesian Poisson tree processes model (bPTP). Among these species, eight species are primary parasitoids with Aenasius arizonensis (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) being the dominant taxon, while the other 10 species are probably hyperparasitoids, with a prevalence of Cheiloneurus nankingensis Li & Xu (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). These results indicate that parasitoid wasps associated with P. solenopsis from China are diverse and the integrated taxonomic approach applied in this study could enhance the accurate identification of these parasitoids that should be assessed in future biological control programs.
Effects of Medicinal Fungi-Derived β-Glucan on Tumor Progression
Authors: Vetvicka Vaclav , Teplyakova Tamara V. , Shintyapina Alexandra B. , Korolenko Tatiana A.
Published: March 2021

β-Glucans have been studied in animal species, from earthworms to humans. They form a heterogenous group of glucose polymers found in fungi, plants, bacteria, and seaweed. β-Glucans have slowly emerged as an important target for the recognition of pathogens. In the current review, we highlight the major roles of mushroom-derived β-glucans on cancer progression.
A Comprehensive Worst Case Bounds Analysis of IEEE 802.15.7
Authors: Kurunathan Harrison , Severino Ricardo , Tovar Eduardo
Published: March 2021

Visible Light Communication (VLC) has been emerging as a promising technology to address the increasingly high data-rate and time-critical demands that the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G paradigms impose on the underlying Wireless Sensor Actuator Networking (WSAN) technologies. In this line, the IEEE 802.15.7 standard proposes several physical layers and Medium Access Control (MAC) sub-layer mechanisms that support a variety of VLC applications. Particularly, at the MAC sub-layer, it can support contention-free communications using Guaranteed Timeslots (GTS), introducing support for time-critical applications. However, to effectively guarantee accurate usage of such functionalities, it is vital to derive the worst-case bounds of the network. In this paper, we use network calculus to carry out the worst-case bounds analysis for GTS utilization of IEEE 802.15.7 and complement our model with an in-depth performance analysis. We also propose the inclusion of an additional mechanism to improve the overall scalability and effective bandwidth utilization of the network.
Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Flow and Heat Transfer in Heat Exchanger Channels with Different Dimples Geometries
Authors: Ying Pingting , He You , Tang Hesheng , Ren Yan
Published: March 2021

The heat exchanger is widely applied to many axial piston machines, and its structure significantly affects the heat transfer performance. Flow characteristic and heat transfer performance in heat exchanger channels with different dimples geometries are numerically and experimentally analyzed in this research work. The objective is to present details of flow field structure and heat transfer mechanisms for the dimpled channel. The realizable k-ε turbulence model was employed in the numerical simulations with the Re range from 3500 to 20,000. The temperature contour, local streamlines, friction factor, and Nu were presented to illustrate the heat transfer enhancement mechanisms. From this investigation, it is found that dimples cause downward flow, improve the flow mixing and reattachment, interrupt the boundary layer and form periodic impingement flows and then greatly improve the heat transfer. The heat transfer coefficient of hemispherical dimple channels with the three kinds of dimple radius–depth ratios is the highest, and it is about 27.2% higher than that of the traditional rhombus dimple channel. Comparing to the rhombus dimpled channel, the lower flow friction performance of the hemispherical dimple channel depends on the lower dimple radius–depth ratio. The hemispherical dimpled channel present better overall thermal performance due to the strength and extent of the recirculation flow reduction.
Electric Field Control of Magnetic Properties by Means of Li+ Migration in FeRh Thin Film
Authors: Li Gengfei , Xie Yali , Wang Baomin , Yang Huali , Li Run-Wei
Published: March 2021

Recently, the electric control of magnetism by means of ion migration has been proven to be effective with nonvolatility and low energy consumption. In this work, we investigated the control of the magnetic properties of FeRh films by means of Li+ migration in FeRh/MgO heterostructures. We found that the migration of Li+ could reduce the phase transition temperature by 2 K with an applied voltage of 1 V. Meanwhile, the voltage-dependent saturated magnetization exhibited a repetitive switching behavior from high to low magnetization values while the voltage was switched from 4 to −4 V, indicating that the migration of Li+ in the FeRh film can be reversible. This provides a means to control the magnetic properties of FeRh films.
Schanuel’s Conjecture and the Transcendence of Power Towers
Authors: Trojovská Eva , Trojovský Pavel
Published: March 2021

We give three consequences of Schanuel’s Conjecture. The first is that P(e)Q(e) and P(π)Q(π) are transcendental, for any non-constant polynomials P(x),Q(x)∈Q¯[x]. The second is that π≠αβ, for any algebraic numbers α and β. The third is the case of the Gelfond’s conjecture (about the transcendence of a finite algebraic power tower) in which all elements are equal.
The Influence of Short-Term Kinesiology Taping on Foot Anthropometry and Pain in Patients Suffering from Hallux Valgus
Authors: Żłobiński Tobiasz , Stolecka-Warzecha Anna , Hartman-Petrycka Magdalena , Błońska-Fajfrowska Barbara
Published: March 2021

Background and Objectives: Hallux valgus, one of the most common foot disorders, contributes to the formation of pain, changes foot proportions and hinders everyday functioning. In this study we wanted to verify if kinesiology taping improves hallux valgus and affects the position as well as reducing pain. Materials and Methods: Forty feet with hallux valgus were examined and the parameters were measured at three stages: before the kinesiology taping was applied, just after its application and after a month of use. Measurements were taken with a 3D scanner and a baropodometric platform. Results: When taping was applied, the hallux valgus angle decreased statistically significantly compared with pre-taping (p < 0.01). The use of taping for a month significantly reduced this angle compared with pre-taping (p < 0.05). Parameters such as foot length, the surface of the hindfoot and forefoot and hindfoot pressure on the ground changed. A change in the hallux position due to the taping produced significant changes in the perception of pain (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Kinesiology taping acts on the hallux valgus and foot position mechanically. This makes kinesiology taping an effective method of conservative treatment for patients who are not qualified for surgery.
Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria as an Emerging Tool to Manage Bacterial Rice Pathogens
Authors: Ngalimat Mohamad Syazwan , Mohd Hata Erneeza , Zulperi Dzarifah , Ismail Siti Izera , Ismail Mohd Razi , Mohd Zainudin Nur Ain Izzati , Saidi Noor Baity , Yusof Mohd Termizi
Published: March 2021

As a major food crop, rice (Oryza sativa) is produced and consumed by nearly 90% of the population in Asia with less than 9% produced outside Asia. Hence, reports on large scale grain losses were alarming and resulted in a heightened awareness on the importance of rice plants’ health and increased interest against phytopathogens in rice. To serve this interest, this review will provide a summary on bacterial rice pathogens, which can potentially be controlled by plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). Additionally, this review highlights PGPB-mediated functional traits, including biocontrol of bacterial rice pathogens and enhancement of rice plant’s growth. Currently, a plethora of recent studies address the use of PGPB to combat bacterial rice pathogens in an attempt to replace existing methods of chemical fertilizers and pesticides that often lead to environmental pollutions. As a tool to combat bacterial rice pathogens, PGPB presented itself as a promising alternative in improving rice plants’ health and simultaneously controlling bacterial rice pathogens in vitro and in the field/greenhouse studies. PGPB, such as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Streptomyces, are now very well-known. Applications of PGPB as bioformulations are found to be effective in improving rice productivity and provide an eco-friendly alternative to agroecosystems.
Intranasal Immunization with the Influenza A Virus Encoding Truncated NS1 Protein Protects Mice from Heterologous Challenge by Restraining the Inflammatory Response in the Lungs
Authors: Vasilyev Kirill , Shurygina Anna-Polina , Sergeeva Maria , Stukova Marina , Egorov Andrej
Published: March 2021

Influenza viruses with an impaired NS1 protein are unable to antagonize the innate immune system and, therefore, are highly immunogenic because of the self-adjuvating effect. Hence, NS1-mutated viruses are considered promising candidates for the development of live-attenuated influenza vaccines and viral vectors for intranasal administration. We investigated whether the immunogenic advantage of the virus expressing only the N-terminal half of the NS1 protein (124 a.a.) can be translated into the induction of protective immunity against a heterologous influenza virus in mice. We found that immunization with either the wild-type A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) influenza strain (A/PR8/NSfull) or its NS1-shortened counterpart (A/PR8/NS124) did not prevent the viral replication in the lungs after the challenge with the A/Aichi/2/68 (H3N2) virus. However, mice immunized with the NS1-shortened virus were better protected from lethality after the challenge with the heterologous virus. Besides showing the enhanced influenza-specific CD8+ T-cellular response in the lungs, immunization with the A/PR8/NS124 virus resulted in reduced concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and the lower extent of leukocyte infiltration in the lungs after the challenge compared to A/PR8/NSfull or the control group. The data show that intranasal immunization with the NS1-truncated virus may better induce not only effector T-cells but also certain immunoregulatory mechanisms, reducing the severity of the innate immune response after the heterologous challenge.
Revisiting the Lognormal Modelling of Shadowing Effects during Wireless Communications by Means of the α-μ/α-μ Composite Distribution
Authors: Ozelim Luan C. S. M. , Dias Ugo S. , Rathie Pushpa N.
Published: March 2021

Properly modeling the shadowing effects during wireless transmissions is crucial to perform the network quality assessment. From a mathematical point of view, using composite distributions allows one to combine both fast fading and slow fading stochastic phenomena. Numerous statistical distributions have been used to account for the fast fading effects. On the other hand, even though several studies indicate the adequacy of the Lognormal distributon (LNd) as a shadowing model, they also reveal this distribution renders some analytic tractability issues. Past works include the combination of Rayleigh and Weibull distributions with LNd. Due to the difficulty inherent to obtaining closed form expressions for the probability density functions involved, other authors approximated LNd as a Gamma distribution, creating Nakagami-m/Gamma and Rayleigh/Gamma composite distributions. In order to better mimic the LNd, approximations using the inverse Gamma and the inverse Nakagami-m distributions have also been considered. Although all these alternatives were discussed, it is still an open question how to effectively use the LNd in the compound models and still get closed-form results. We present a novel understanding on how the α-μ distribution can be reduced to a LNd by a limiting procedure, overcoming the analytic intractability inherent to Lognormal fading processes. Interestingly, new closed-form and series representations for the PDF and CDF of the composite distributions are derived. We build computational codes to evaluate all the expression hereby derived as well as model real field trial results by the equations developed. The accuracy of the codes and of the model are remarkable.
Box–Behnken Design (BBD)-Based Optimization of Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Parthenolide from the Stems of Tarconanthus camphoratus and Cytotoxic Analysis
Authors: Alam Perwez , Siddiqui Nasir Ali , Rehman Md. Tabish , Hussain Afzal , Akhtar Ali , Mir Showkat R. , Alajmi Mohamed Fahad
Published: March 2021

Parthenolide, a strong cytotoxic compound found in different parts of Tarchonanthus camphoratus which motivated the authors to develop an optimized microwave-assisted extraction (MEA) method using Box–Behnken design (BBD) for efficient extraction of parthenolide from the stem of T. camphoratus and its validation by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and cytotoxic analysis. The optimized parameters for microwave extraction were determined as: 51.5 °C extraction temperature, 50.8 min extraction time, and 211 W microwave power. A quadratic polynomial model was found the most suitable model with R2 of 0.9989 and coefficient of variation (CV) of 0.2898%. The high values of adjusted R2 (0.9974), predicted R2 (0.9945), and signal-to-noise ratio (74.23) indicated a good correlation and adequate signal, respectively. HPTLC analyzed the parthenolide (Rf = 0.16) content in T. camphoratus methanol extract (TCME) at λmax = 575 nm and found it as 0.9273% ± 0.0487% w/w, which was a higher than expected yield (0.9157% w/w). The TCME exhibited good cytotoxicity against HepG2 and MCF-7 cell lines (IC50 = 30.87 and 35.41 µg/mL, respectively), which further supported our findings of high parthenolide content in TCME. This optimized MAE method can be further applied to efficiently extract parthenolide from marketed herbal supplements containing different Tarconanthus species.
Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus Inhibits Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa-B Ligand (RANKL)-Induced Osteoclast Differentiation and Prevents Ovariectomy (OVX)-Induced Bone Loss
Authors: Han Sang-Yong , Kim June-Hyun , Jo Eun-Heui , Kim Yun-Kyung
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of root bark of Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus (ES) on osteoclast differentiation and function in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, we found that ES significantly inhibited the RANKL-induced formation of TRAP-positive multinucleated osteoclasts and osteoclastic bone resorption without cytotoxic effects. ES markedly downregulated the expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1); c-Fos; and osteoclast-related marker genes, such as TRAP, osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), calcitonin receptor, cathepsin K, the 38 kDa d2 subunit of the vacuolar H+-transporting lysosomal ATPase (Atp6v0d2), dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP), and osteoclast-stimulatory transmembrane protein (OC-STAMP). These effects were achieved by inhibiting the RANKL-mediated activation of MAPK signaling pathway proteins, including p38, ERK, and JNK. In vivo, ES attenuated OVX-induced decrease in bone volume to tissue volume ratio (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (Tb.N), and bone mineral density, but increased trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) in the femur. Collectively, our findings showed that ES inhibited RANKL-activated osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow macrophages and prevented OVX-mediated bone loss in rats. These findings suggest that ES has the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent for bone-related diseases, such as osteoporosis.
An Update on Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Design through a Computational Approach to Produce Molecular Recognition Material with Enhanced Analytical Performance
Authors: Suryana Shendi , Mutakin  , Rosandi Yudi , Hasanah Aliya Nur
Published: March 2021

Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) computational design is expected to become a routine technique prior to synthesis to produce polymers with high affinity and selectivity towards target molecules. Furthermore, using these simulations reduces the cost of optimizing polymerization composition. There are several computational methods used in MIP fabrication and each requires a comprehensive study in order to select a process with results that are most similar to properties exhibited by polymers synthesized through laboratory experiments. Until now, no review has linked computational strategies with experimental results, which are needed to determine the method that is most appropriate for use in designing MIP with high molecular recognition. This review will present an update of the computational approaches started from 2016 until now on quantum mechanics, molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics that have been widely used. It will also discuss the linear correlation between computational results and the polymer performance tests through laboratory experiments to examine to what extent these methods can be relied upon to obtain polymers with high molecular recognition. Based on the literature search, density functional theory (DFT) with various hybrid functions and basis sets is most often used as a theoretical method to provide a shorter MIP manufacturing process as well as good analytical performance as recognition material.
Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Sheep and Goats from Romania
Authors: Hotea Ionela , Herman Viorel , Tîrziu Emil , Colibar Olimpia , Brudiu Ileana , Sîrbu Cătălin , Dărăbuș Gheorghe
Published: March 2021

Toxoplasma gondii infections in sheep and goats are important economically and for public health for many countries, including Romania. In this study, seroprevalence and associated risk factors for T. gondii infection were determined in 2500 sheep and 500 goats from three counties in the Banat region of Romania. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 1266 of 2500 (50.64%) sheep and in 375 (75%) of 500 goats, by using a commercial (IDEXX) ELISA. To evaluate the epidemiological status of the infection, some risk factors for ovine and caprine T. gondii infections were assessed. The main risk factors associated with T. gondii infections were breed, age, and the presence of cats in the farm. Seroprevalence was higher in animals older than three years and in purebred versus mixed breed animals. This is the first detailed study of risk factors associated with T. gondii seroprevalence in sheep and goats in Romania.
Gravitational and Electromagnetic Perturbations of a Charged Black Hole in a General Gauge Condition
Authors: Moreno Claudia , Degollado Juan Carlos , Núñez Darío , Rodríguez-Leal Carlos
Published: March 2021

We derive a set of coupled equations for the gravitational and electromagnetic perturbation in the Reissner–Nordström geometry using the Newman–Penrose formalism. We show that the information of the physical gravitational signal is contained in the Weyl scalar function Ψ4, as is well known, but for the electromagnetic signal, the information is encoded in the function χ, which relates the perturbations of the radiative Maxwell scalars φ2 and the Weyl scalar Ψ3. In deriving the perturbation equations, we do not impose any gauge condition and as a limiting case, our analysis contains previously obtained results, for instance, those from Chandrashekhar’s book. In our analysis, we also include the sources for the perturbations and focus on a dust-like charged fluid distribution falling radially into the black hole. Finally, by writing the functions on the basis of spin-weighted spherical harmonics and the Reissner–Nordström spacetime in Kerr–Schild type coordinates, a hyperbolic system of coupled partial differential equations is presented and numerically solved. In this way, we completely solve a system that generates a gravitational signal as well as an electromagnetic/gravitational one, which sets the basis to find correlations between them and thus facilitates gravitational wave detection via electromagnetic signals.
Staphylococcus saccharolyticus Associated with Prosthetic Joint Infections: Clinical Features and Genomic Characteristics
Authors: Söderquist Bo , Afshar Mastaneh , Poehlein Anja , Brüggemann Holger
Published: March 2021

The anaerobic coagulase-negative staphylococcal species Staphylococcus saccharolyticus is a member of the normal skin microbiota. However, S. saccharolyticus is rarely found in clinical specimens and its pathogenic potential is unclear. The clinical data of prosthetic hip (n = 5) and shoulder (n = 2) joint implant-associated infections where S. saccharolyticus was detected in periprosthetic tissue specimens are described. The prosthetic hip joint infection cases presented as “aseptic” loosening and may represent chronic, insidious, low-grade prosthetic joint infections (PJIs), eventually resulting in loosening of prosthetic components. All cases were subjected to one-stage revision surgery and the long-term outcome was good. The shoulder joint infections had an acute onset. Polymicrobial growth, in all cases with Cutibacterium acnes, was found in 4/7 patients. All but one case were treated with long-term administration of beta-lactam antibiotics. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of the isolates was performed and potential virulence traits were identified. WGS could distinguish two phylogenetic clades (clades 1 and 2), which likely represent distinct subspecies of S. saccharolyticus. Little strain individuality was observed among strains from the same clade. Strains of clade 2 were exclusively associated with hip PJIs, whereas clade 1 strains originated from shoulder PJIs. It is possible that strains of the two clades colonize different skin habitats. In conclusion, S. saccharolyticus has the potential to cause PJIs that were previously regarded as aseptic loosening of prosthetic joint devices.
Null-Result Test for Effect on Weight from Large Electrostatic Charge
Authors: Hathaway George , Williams Lance L.
Published: March 2021

We report test results searching for an effect of electrostatic charge on weight. For conducting test objects of mass of order 1 kg, we found no effect on weight, for potentials ranging from 10 V to 200 kV, corresponding to charge states ranging from 10−9 to over 10−5 coulombs, and for both polarities, to within a measurement precision of 2 g. While such a result may not be unexpected, this is the first unipolar, high-voltage, meter-scale, static test for electro-gravitic effects reported in the literature. Our investigation was motivated by the search for possible coupling to a long-range scalar field that could surround the planet, yet go otherwise undetected. The large buoyancy force predicted within the classical Kaluza theory involving a long-range scalar field is falsified by our results, and this appears to be the first such experimental test of the classical Kaluza theory in the weak field regime, where it was otherwise thought identical with known physics. A parameterization is suggested to organize the variety of electro-gravitic experiment designs.
From Traditional Breeding to Genome Editing for Boosting Productivity of the Ancient Grain Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter]
Authors: Numan Muhammad , Khan Abdul Latif , Asaf Sajjad , Salehin Mohammad , Beyene Getu , Tadele Zerihun , Ligaba-Osena Ayalew
Published: March 2021

Tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is a staple food crop for 70% of the Ethiopian population and is currently cultivated in several countries for grain and forage production. It is one of the most nutritious grains, and is also more resilient to marginal soil and climate conditions than major cereals such as maize, wheat and rice. However, tef is an extremely low-yielding crop, mainly due to lodging, which is when stalks fall on the ground irreversibly, and prolonged drought during the growing season. Climate change is triggering several biotic and abiotic stresses which are expected to cause severe food shortages in the foreseeable future. This has necessitated an alternative and robust approach in order to improve resilience to diverse types of stresses and increase crop yields. Traditional breeding has been extensively implemented to develop crop varieties with traits of interest, although the technique has several limitations. Currently, genome editing technologies are receiving increased interest among plant biologists as a means of improving key agronomic traits. In this review, the potential application of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated proteins (CRISPR-Cas) technology in improving stress resilience in tef is discussed. Several putative abiotic stress-resilient genes of the related monocot plant species have been discussed and proposed as target genes for editing in tef through the CRISPR-Cas system. This is expected to improve stress resilience and boost productivity, thereby ensuring food and nutrition security in the region where it is needed the most.
Expression Level of Transcription Factor ART1 Is Responsible for Differential Aluminum Tolerance in Indica Rice
Authors: Sun Li Ming , Che Jing , Ma Jian Feng , Shen Ren Fang
Published: March 2021

Rice is the most aluminum (Al)-tolerant species among the small grain cereals, but there are great variations in the Al tolerance between subspecies, with higher tolerance in japonica subspecies than indica subspecies. Here, we performed a screening of Al tolerance using 65 indica cultivars and found that there was also a large genotypic difference in Al tolerance among indica subspecies. Further characterization of two cultivars contrasting in Al tolerance showed that the expression level of ART1 (ALUMINUM RESISTANCE TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR 1) encoding a C2H2-type Zn-finger transcription factor, was higher in an Al-tolerant indica cultivar, Jinguoyin, than in an Al-sensitive indica cultivar, Kasalath. Furthermore, a dose-response experiment showed that ART1 expression was not induced by Al in both cultivars, but Jinguoyin always showed 5.9 to 11.4-fold higher expression compared with Kasalath, irrespectively of Al concentrations. Among genes regulated by ART1, 19 genes showed higher expression in Jinguoyin than in Kasalath. This is associated with less Al accumulation in the root tip cell wall in Jinguoyin. Sequence comparison of the 2-kb promoter region of ART1 revealed the extensive sequence polymorphism between two cultivars. Whole transcriptome analysis with RNA-seq revealed that more genes were up- and downregulated by Al in Kasalath than in Jinguoyin. Taken together, our results suggest that there is a large genotypic variation in Al tolerance in indica rice and that the different expression level of ART1 is responsible for the genotypic difference in the Al tolerance.
Different Adsorption Behavior between Perfluorohexane Sulfonate (PFHxS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) on Granular Activated Carbon in Full-Scale Drinking Water Treatment Plants
Authors: Park Yong-Gyun , Lee Woo Hyoung , Kim Keugtae
Published: March 2021

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in water have detrimental effects on human health, and the removal rate of these compounds by conventional water treatment processes is low. Given that the levels of PFCs have been regulated in many regions, a granular activated carbon (GAC) adsorption process has been used in drinking water treatment plants to maintain concentrations of PFCs, perfluorohexyl sulfonate (PFHxS), and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), below 70 ng/L. However, it was found that these concentrations in the final product water in local water utilities unexpectedly increased because of inappropriate operation and maintenance methods of GAC, such as its inefficient regeneration and replacement cycle. In this study, the changes in PFC concentration were monitored and analyzed in raw and final water of two large-scale water treatment plants for eight months. Additionally, the correlation of the GAC replacement cycle with the removal efficiency of PFHxS and PFOA was investigated in a total of 30 GAC basins of two drinking water treatment plants. A lab-scale experiment with a coconut-shell-based GAC column showed the possibly different mechanism of removal between PFHxS and PFOA, indicating that the sulfonate-based PFCs may be a limiting factor in GAC replacement cycle for PFCs removal.
Analysis of a PWM Converter with Less Current Ripple, Wide Voltage Operation and Zero-Voltage Switching
Authors: Lin Bor-Ren , Peng Yi-Hao
Published: March 2021

This paper studies and implements a power converter to have less current ripple output and wide voltage input operation. A three-leg converter with different primary turns is presented on its high-voltage side to extend the input voltage range. The current doubler rectification circuit is adopted on the output side to have low current ripple capability. From the switching states of the three-leg converter, the presented circuit has two equivalent sub-circuits under different input voltage ranges (Vin = 120–270 V or 270–600 V). The general phase-shift pulse-width modulation is employed to control the presented converter so that power devices can be turned on at zero voltage in order to reduce switching loss. Compared to two-stage circuit topologies with a wide voltage input operation, the presented converter has the benefits of simple circuit structure, easy control algorithm using a general integrated circuit or digital controller, and less components. The performance of the presented circuit is confirmed and validated by an 800 W laboratory prototype.
The Interplay between Tectonic Activity, Climate and Sea-Level Change in the Suriname River Valley, Tropical South America
Authors: Gersie Kathleen S. , Van Balen Ronald T. , Kroonenberg Salomon B.
Published: March 2021

Suriname is part of the Guiana Shield, a cratonic area in northern South America. It is drained by several major rivers that are characterized by river terraces. The formation of terraces along the Suriname river is closely related to climatic changes during the Quaternary, due to the effects of climate on vegetation and precipitation changes. The terraces along the Suriname River valley show levels of 5, 15, and 20 m above the current mean water level. The reason behind the scarce terrace differentiation is the limited amount of long-term vertical incision. Therefore, each level along the Suriname River valley encompasses multiple climate cycles, which cannot be separated on morphological grounds. The limited incision reflects tectonic stability, which is typical for cratonic areas. Fieldwork along the river combined with topographic maps were used to determine and correlate the various terrace levels. While in the upper part of the river, climatically induced changes in vegetation cover and sediment delivery is dominant. In the lowermost reach, sea level change is especially important.
Is Liturgy Ludic? Distinguishing between the Phenomena of Play and Ritual
Authors: Gschwandtner Christina M.
Published: March 2021

What is the nature (or “Wesen”) of the liturgical phenomenon? It has become immensely popular to describe liturgical or ritual practice as a kind of “holy play,” whether as metaphor, as productive analogy for pragmatic or theological purposes, or even as making an ontological claim about what liturgy “is” in its essence. The present article seeks to complicate the association of the phenomena of liturgy and of play. The first part traces the origins of the notion of play and the development of its application to ritual in the most influential sources from Kant to Gadamer. The second part highlights its prevalence in the contemporary discussion and elucidates how it is being used. The third part provides a phenomenological analysis to demonstrate important differences between the two phenomena and to question the contention that liturgy is a form of play. The final part tries to ascertain the broader practical and theological aims being served by the association of the two phenomena and—via a return to the question of the nature of the liturgical phenomenon in a more theological mode—suggests that these aims might be accomplished more productively in ways that avoid the downsides of identifying ritual or liturgy with play.
Immunization Strategies for Funding Multiple Inflation-Linked Retirement Income Benefits
Authors: Simões Cláudia , Oliveira Luís , Bravo Jorge M.
Published: March 2021

Protecting against unexpected yield curve, inflation, and longevity shifts are some of the most critical issues institutional and private investors must solve when managing post-retirement income benefits. This paper empirically investigates the performance of alternative immunization strategies for funding targeted multiple liabilities that are fixed in timing but random in size (inflation-linked), i.e., that change stochastically according to consumer price or wage level indexes. The immunization procedure is based on a targeted minimax strategy considering the M-Absolute as the interest rate risk measure. We investigate to what extent the inflation-hedging properties of ILBs in asset liability management strategies targeted to immunize multiple liabilities of random size are superior to that of nominal bonds. We use two alternative datasets comprising daily closing prices for U.S. Treasuries and U.S. inflation-linked bonds from 2000 to 2018. The immunization performance is tested over 3-year and 5-year investment horizons, uses real and not simulated bond data and takes into consideration the impact of transaction costs in the performance of immunization strategies and in the selection of optimal investment strategies. The results show that the multiple liability immunization strategy using inflation-linked bonds outperforms the equivalent strategy using nominal bonds and is robust even in a nearly zero interest rate scenario. These results have important implications in the design and structuring of ALM liability-driven investment strategies, particularly for retirement income providers such as pension schemes or life insurance companies.
Human–Robot Interaction through Eye Tracking for Artistic Drawing
Authors: Scalera Lorenzo , Seriani Stefano , Gallina Paolo , Lentini Mattia , Gasparetto Alessandro
Published: March 2021

In this paper, authors present a novel architecture for controlling an industrial robot via an eye tracking interface for artistic purposes. Humans and robots interact thanks to an acquisition system based on an eye tracker device that allows the user to control the motion of a robotic manipulator with his gaze. The feasibility of the robotic system is evaluated with experimental tests in which the robot is teleoperated to draw artistic images. The tool can be used by artists to investigate novel forms of art and by amputees or people with movement disorders or muscular paralysis, as an assistive technology for artistic drawing and painting, since, in these cases, eye motion is usually preserved.
Integration of a Wearable Mobile Mapping Solution and Advance Numerical Simulations for the Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions: A Case of Study in San Pedro Church (Palencia, Spain)
Authors: Sánchez-Aparicio Luis Javier , Mora Rocío , Conde Borja , Maté-González Miguel Ángel , Sánchez-Aparicio María , González-Aguilera Diego
Published: March 2021

This work aims at enhancing the current methodologies used for generating as-built CAD models suitable for advanced numerical simulations. To this end, this paper proposes the use of a wearable mobile mapping system that allows one to improve the digitalization stage in terms of flexibility and time required. The noise showed by the resulting point cloud, based on the simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) solution, demands a post-processing stage that introduces the use of a parameter-free noise reduction filter. This filter improves the quality of the point cloud, allowing for the adjustment of surfaces by means of parametric and non-parametric shapes. These shapes are created by using reverse engineering procedures. The results showed during this investigation highlight a novel application of this sensor: the creation of as-built CAD models for advanced numerical simulations. The results of this investigation are complemented by a valuable contribution with respect to the use of an advanced restoration solution, by means of textile reinforced mortar. To this end, the CAD model is used as the geometrical base for several numerical simulations by means of the finite element method. All this procedure is applied in a construction with structural problems.
Land Subsidence in Wuhan Revealed Using a Non-Linear PSInSAR Approach with Long Time Series of COSMO-SkyMed SAR Data
Authors: Jiang Haonan , Balz Timo , Cigna Francesca , Tapete Deodato
Published: March 2021

Wuhan is an important city in central China, with a rapid development that has led to increasingly serious land subsidence over the last decades. Most of the existing Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) subsidence monitoring studies in Wuhan are either short-term investigations—and thus can only detect this process within limited time periods—or combinations of different Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) datasets with temporal gaps in between. To overcome these constraints, we exploited nearly 300 high-resolution COSMO-SkyMed StripMap HIMAGE scenes acquired between 2012 and 2019 to monitor the long-term subsidence process affecting Wuhan and to reveal its spatiotemporal variations. The results from the Persistent Scatterer Interferometric SAR (PSInSAR) processing highlight several clearly observable subsidence zones. Three of them (i.e., Houhu, Xinrong, and Guanggu) are affected by serious subsidence rates and non-linear temporal behavior, and are investigated in this paper in more detail. The subsidence in Houhu is caused by soft soil consolidation and compression. Soil mechanics are therefore used to estimate when the subsidence is expected to finish and to calculate the degree of consolidation for each year. The COSMO-SkyMed PSInSAR results indicate that the area has entered the late stage of consolidation and compression and is gradually stabilizing. The subsidence curve found for the area around Xinrong shows that the construction of an underground tract of the subway Line 21 caused large-scale settlement in this area. The temporal granularity of the PSInSAR time series also allows precise detection of a rebound phase following a major flooding event in 2016. In the southern industrial park of Guanggu, newly detected subsidence was found. The combination of the subsidence curve with an optical time-series image analysis indicates that urban construction is the main trigger of deformation in this area. While this study unveils previously unknown characters of land subsidence in Wuhan and clarifies the relationship with the urban causative factors, it also proves the benefits of non-linear PSInSAR in the analysis of the temporal evolution of such processes in dynamic and expanding cities.