bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Cancer Immunotherapy: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Kim Jong Yeob , Lee Keum Hwa , Eisenhut Michael , van der Vliet Hans J. , Kronbichler Andreas , Jeong Gwang Hun , Shin Jae Il , Gamerith Gabriele
Published: November 2019

We conducted a systematic review for evidence of the clinical efficacy of cancer immunotherapies. We searched PubMed from inception to 14 February 2018 for meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of cancer immunotherapies. Re-analyses were performed to estimate the summary effect size under random-effects, the 95% confidence interval (CI), heterogeneity, and the 95% prediction interval, and we determined the strength of the evidence. We examined publication bias and excess significance bias. 63 articles corresponding to 247 meta-analyses were eligible. Nine meta-analyses were classified to have convincing evidence, and 75 were classified as suggestive evidence. The clinical benefit of immunotherapy was supported by convincing evidence in the following settings: anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy for treating advanced melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the combination of rituximab and chemotherapy for treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia and B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, adoptive cell immunotherapy for NSCLC, and the combination of interferon α and chemotherapy for metastatic melanoma. A further meta-analysis of 16 RCTs showed that anti-PD-1/PD-L1 mAb therapy had a benefit in patients with solid tumors (overall survival; hazard ratio = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.68–0.79; p < 0.001), supported by convincing evidence. In the future, rigorous approaches are needed when interpreting meta-analyses to gain better insight into the true efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
When the Future is Not Bright: Social and Political Stakes in Discussing Childhood Cancer in Romanian Media
Authors: Teodorescu Adriana , Chiribucă Dan
Published: November 2019

In contemporary societies’ perception of children, death plays an incredibly insignificant role. This role goes from being ornamental, a weak reminder that our civilisation has overcome the times of children’s high mortality rates, to being some other society’s concern. Despite both medical improvements and cultural constructions of the child as an immanent and social transcendence, children can and do die. Although an increasing number of recent studies disclose and legitimise children’s preoccupation with death and dying in the context of a popular culture fascinated with death, studies interested in the representations of death and dying in children are rather scant. In this article, we investigate the social and political stakes in discussing children’s cancer in today’s Romanian media, aiming to make visible how the illustrations of the connections between children, death and illness are never ethically neutral. We begin with the observation that, during recent years, there has been a growing media focus on childhood cancer in Romania. Adopting a qualitative approach and resorting to comparative analysis, we analyse what lies beneath the intentions of criticising troublesome socio-political or medical realities of childhood cancer, revealing the mechanisms through which childhood cancer is transformed into a social illness and the cultural implications for the acceptance of death as an inherent part of life both for children and the population as a whole.
Differential Occupation of Available Coral Hosts by Coral-Dwelling Damselfish (Pomacentridae) on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Chase Tory J , Hoogenboom Mia O
Published: November 2019

Associations between habitat-forming, branching scleractinian corals and damselfish have critical implications for the function and trophic dynamics of coral reef ecosystems. This study quantifies how different characteristics of reef habitat, and of coral morphology, determine whether fish occupy a coral colony. In situ surveys of aggregative damselfish–coral associations were conducted at 51 different sites distributed among 22 reefs spread along >1700 km of the Great Barrier Reef, to quantify interaction frequency over a large spatial scale. The prevalence of fish–coral associations between five damselfish (Chromis viridis, Dascyllus aruanus, Dascyllus reticulatus, Pomacentrus amboinensis and Pomacentrus moluccensis) and five coral species (Acropora spathulata, Acropora intermedia, Pocillopora damicornis, Seriatopora hystrix, and Stylophora pistillata) averaged ~30% across all corals, but ranged from <1% to 93% of small branching corals occupied at each site, depending on reef exposure levels and habitat. Surprisingly, coral cover was not correlated with coral occupancy, or total biomass of damselfish. Instead, the biomass of damselfish was two-fold greater on sheltered sites compared with exposed sites. Reef habitat type strongly governed these interactions with reef slope/base (25%) and shallow sand-patch habitats (38%) hosting a majority of aggregative damselfish-branching coral associations compared to reef flat (10%), crest (16%), and wall habitats (11%). Among the focal coral species, Seriatopora hystrix hosted the highest damselfish biomass (12.45 g per occupied colony) and Acropora intermedia the least (6.87 g per occupied colony). Analyses of local coral colony traits indicated that multiple factors governed colony usage, including spacing between colonies on the benthos, colony position, and colony branching patterns. Nevertheless, the morphological and habitat characteristics that determine whether or not a colony is occupied by fish varied among coral species. These findings illuminate the realized niche of one of the most important and abundant reef fish families and provide a context for understanding how fish–coral interactions influence coral population and community level processes.
Uncovering the Dependence of Cascading Failures on Network Topology by Constructing Null Models
Authors: Ding Lin , Liu Si-Yuan , Yang Quan , Xu Xiao-Ke
Published: November 2019

Cascading failures are the significant cause of network breakdowns in a variety of complex infrastructure systems. Given such a system, uncovering the dependence of cascading failures on its underlying topology is essential but still not well explored in the field of complex networks. This study offers an original approach to systematically investigate the association between cascading failures and topological variation occurring in realistic complex networks by constructing different types of null models. As an example of its application, we study several standard Internet networks in detail. The null models first transform the original network into a series of randomized networks representing alternate realistic topologies, while taking its basic topological characteristics into account. Then considering the routing rule of shortest-path flow, it is sought to determine the implications of different topological circumstances, and the findings reveal the effects of micro-scale (such as degree distribution, assortativity, and transitivity) and meso-scale (such as rich-club and community structure) features on the cascade damage caused by deliberate node attacks. Our results demonstrate that the proposed method is suitable and promising to comprehensively analyze realistic influence of various topological properties, providing insight into designing the networks to make them more robust against cascading failures.
Noise Reduction of an Extinguishing Nozzle Using the Response Surface Method
Authors: Kim Yo-Hwan , Lee Myoungwoo , Hwang In-Ju , Kim Youn-Jea
Published: November 2019

An inert gas such as nitrogen is used as an extinguishing agent to suppress unexpected fire in places such as computer rooms and server rooms. The gas released with high pressure causes noise above 130 dB. According to recent studies, loud noise above 120 dB has a strong vibrational energy that leads to a negative influence on electronic equipment with a high degree of integration. In this study, a basic fire-extinguishing nozzle with absorbent was selected as the reference model, and numerical analysis was conducted using the commercial software, ANSYS FLUENT ver. 18.1. A total of 45 experiment points was selected using the design of experiment (DOE) method. An optimum point was derived using the response surface method (RSM). Results show that the vibrational energy of the noise was reduced by minimizing the turbulence kinetic energy. Pressure and velocity distributions were calculated and graphically depicted with various absorbent configurations.
An Accurate, Light-Weight Wind Speed Predictor for Renewable Energy Management Systems
Authors: Al-Zadjali Saira , Al Maashri Ahmed , Al-Hinai Amer , Al-Yahyai Sultan , Bakhtvar Mostafa
Published: November 2019

This paper proposes an approach for accurate wind speed forecasting. While previous works have proposed approaches that have either underperformed in accuracy or were too computationally intensive, the work described in this paper was implemented using a computationally efficient model. This model provides wind speed nowcasting using a combination of perturbed observation ensemble networks and artificial neural networks. The model was validated and evaluated via simulation using data that were measured from wind masts. The simulation results show that the proposed model improved the normalized root mean square error by 20.9% compared to other contending approaches. In terms of prediction interval coverage probability, our proposed model shows a 17.8% improvement, all while using a smaller number of neural networks. Furthermore, the proposed model has an execution time that is one order of magnitude faster than other contenders.
DFT-Based Identification of Oscillation Modes from PMU Data Using an Exponential Window Function
Authors: Hwang Jin Kwon , Seo Sangsoo , Castanon Julian Sotelo , Kim Ho-Chan
Published: November 2019

The characteristics of oscillation modes, such as interarea, regional, and subsynchronous modes, can vary during a power system fault, which can cause switching and control actions in the power system. Transient data of the modal response due to such a fault can be acquired through phasor measurement units (PMUs). When the transient data have a long duration, it is desirable to perform modal identification separately on each segment of the transient data, so as to reflect the varying characteristics of oscillation modes. A conventional discrete Fourier transform (DFT)-based method for parametric modal identification cannot be efficiently applied to such a segment dataset. In this paper, a DFT-based method with an exponential window function is proposed to identify oscillation modes from each segment of transient data in PMUs. This window function allows the application of the least squares method (LSM) for modal identification in the same manner as the conventional method. The accuracy of identification of the proposed method is compared with those of the conventional method and a Prony method through synthetic data of transient responses. Its feasibility is also verified by identifying real-world oscillation modes from transient data in PMUs.
Sensitivity of Numerical Predictions to the Permeability Coefficient in Simulations of Melting and Solidification Using the Enthalpy-Porosity Method
Authors: Ebrahimi Amin , Kleijn Chris R. , Richardson Ian M.
Published: November 2019

The high degree of uncertainty and conflicting literature data on the value of the permeability coefficient (also known as the mushy zone constant), which aims to dampen fluid velocities in the mushy zone and suppress them in solid regions, is a critical drawback when using the fixed-grid enthalpy-porosity technique for modelling non-isothermal phase-change processes. In the present study, the sensitivity of numerical predictions to the value of this coefficient was scrutinised. Using finite-volume based numerical simulations of isothermal and non-isothermal melting and solidification problems, the causes of increased sensitivity were identified. It was found that depending on the mushy-zone thickness and the velocity field, the solid–liquid interface morphology and the rate of phase-change are sensitive to the permeability coefficient. It is demonstrated that numerical predictions of an isothermal phase-change problem are independent of the permeability coefficient for sufficiently fine meshes. It is also shown that sensitivity to the choice of permeability coefficient can be assessed by means of an appropriately defined Péclet number.
Grid-Synchronization Stability Analysis for Multi DFIGs Connected in Parallel to Weak AC Grids
Authors: Wang Dong , Huang Yunhui , Liao Min , Zhu Guorong , Deng Xiangtian
Published: November 2019

Recent works have shown that phase-locked loop (PLL) synchronized wind turbines (WTs) suffer stability issues when integrated into weak grids. However, most of the current studies are limited to a single machine case, the interactions among the WTs are usually overlooked. This paper studies the stability of multiple doubly-fed induction generators (DFIGs) that are connected in parallel to a weak AC grid. A state space model of a two-DFIG system is firstly presented. Subsequently, eigenvalue sensitivity analysis shows that instability can occur at low short-circuit ratio (SCR) or heavy loading conditions. Meanwhile, participation factor analysis implies that the unstable mode is primarily induced by the interactions between the PLLs of the two WTs. Further, to make out how the PLLs interact to cause instability, a reduced-order model is proposed for analysis simplicity, and an explanation in terms of transfer function residue is given for illustration. Detailed model-based time domain simulations are conducted to validate the analyses’ results.
Effects of Nutrient Deficiency on Root Morphology and Nutrient Allocation in Pistacia chinensis Bunge Seedlings
Authors: Song Xiehai , Wan Fangfang , Chang Xiaochao , Zhang Jin , Sun Minghui , Liu Yong
Published: November 2019

Plant growth depends on soil mineral elements, a lack of which results in reduced nutrient accumulation leading to poor growth and resistance in plants. Therefore, more information is needed about the response of Pistacia chinensis Bunge (P. chinensis) seedlings to nutrient deficiency. In this study, we investigated how soil nutrient availability affects the nutrient accumulation and root system of P. chinensis seedlings. Seedlings were cultivated under five different nutrient treatments (500 mg, 400 mg, 300 mg, 200 mg, and 100 mg N). Various indices, including seedling growth, nutrient accumulation and root morphology, were analyzed at the end of the growing season. Nutrient deficiency (300 mg, 200 mg, and 100 mg N) reduced the accumulation of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in roots and stems, while the nutrient proportion of N, P, and K stored in the roots and root to shoot ratio (R/S) was increased at the end of growing season. Root length, root surface area, and root volume of very fine roots (<0.5 mm in diameter) and coarse roots (>3.0 mm in diameter) of the three lower nutrient treatments were significantly lower than those of the two highest nutrient treatments, while no significant difference was detected in the fine roots (1.0–3.0 mm in diameter). Instead, foliar N and K contents in seedlings treated with the two highest treatments were significantly greater than those of the three lower nutrient treatments, resulting in a greater nutrient loss ratio. However, seedlings treated with 100 mg N had significantly higher foliar P content than those treated with 500 mg. Seedlings treated with 300 mg and 200 mg N did not have restricted root nutrient accumulation but did have reduced nutrient accumulation in the stems. The 100 mg N treatment significantly reduced the root nutrient accumulation of N and K. The 500 mg N treatment did not increase the accumulation of nutrients in the storage organs compared with the 400 mg N treatment, but did increase the loss of N and K due to defoliation in autumn. In conclusion, there is a threshold for nutrient accumulation in storage organs at the nursery stage under a specific environment. P. chinensis seedlings reduced the negative effects of nutrient deficiency by promoting root growth, particularly fine roots, and increasing N and K allocation in storage organs.
Genetic Parameter Estimates and Genotype × Environment Interactions of Growth and Quality Traits for Betula alnoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don in Four Provenance-Family Trials in Southern China
Authors: Yin Mingyu , Guo Junjie , Wang Chunsheng , Zhao Zhigang , Zeng Jie
Published: November 2019

Betula alnoides is a valuable timber species with wide ecological adaptability in Southeast Asia and southern China. There are more than 150,000 ha of B. alnoides plantations in China until now. However, heavy differentiation in growth and quality traits with low productivity are usually seen in the practice. Elite germplasm are thus urgently needed for this species. Here growth and quality traits for 199 families of 25 provenances were assessed at four sites when 10–15 years old to estimate genetic parameters and reveal genotype by environment (G × E) interaction, and screen out superior provenances and families for plantation forestry of B. alnoides. The growth and quality performances of provenances varied with sites. Significant site, provenance, family and provenance-site effects were revealed for most growth and quality traits, while significant family-site effects were only observed in crown width (CW) and crown shape (CS), inferring that there existed significant G × E interaction. The provenance repeatability ( h p 2 ) and family heritability ( h f 2 ) of all tested traits ranged from 0.026 to 0.636 and 0.148 to 0.578, respectively. Stem volume showed the highest genetic and phenotypic coefficients of variation (GCV, PCV) among all traits at each site. The diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height (H), height to live crown base (HCB) and CW were strongly correlated with other traits, and were also under relatively higher genetic control and had stronger discriminating ability on genotype differences. Through biplot analyses of main genotypic effect and G × E interaction (GGE) for these traits, five provenances and 20 families were screened out with selection ratio of 20 % and 10% at provenance and family level, respectively. The genetic and realized gains at provenance level ranged from 0.25% to 2.01% and 2.43% to 14.84%, and those at family level ranged from 0.85% to 21.22% and 5.76% to 36.71%, respectively. The findings lay a foundation for subsequent study on genetic improvement and breeding of this species, and application of the superior provenances and families will greatly increase the productivity of its plantations in practice.
“The Atlas of Our Skin and Bone and Blood”: Disability, Ablenationalism, and the War on Drugs
Authors: Pitts Andrea
Published: November 2019

This paper explores the relationship between disability and the aspirational health of the civic body through an analysis of the criminalization of immigration and the war on drugs. In particular, this paper utilizes tools from transnational disability studies to examine the formation and maintenance of a form of ablenationalism operating within immigration reform and drug-related policies. Specifically, the militarization of border zones, as well as the vast austerity measures impacting people across North, Central, and South America have shaped notions of public health, safety, and security according to racial, gendered, and settler logics of futurity. The final section of the paper turns to three authors who have been situated in various ways on the margins of the United States, Gloria Anzaldúa (the Mexico-U.S. border), Aurora Levins Morales (Puerto Rico), and Margo Tamez (Lipan Apache). As such, this article analyzes the liberatory, affective, and future-oriented dimensions of disabled life and experience to chart possibilities for resistance to the converging momentum of carceral settler states, transnational healthcare networks, and racial capitalism.
Cytogenetic Analysis Did Not Reveal Differentiated Sex Chromosomes in Ten Species of Boas and Pythons (Reptilia: Serpentes)
Authors: Augstenová Barbora , Mazzoleni Sofia , Kostmann Alexander , Altmanová Marie , Frynta Daniel , Kratochvíl Lukáš , Rovatsos Michail
Published: November 2019

Homologous and differentiated ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes (or derived multiple neo-sex chromosomes) were often described in caenophidian snakes, but sex chromosomes were unknown until recently in non-caenophidian snakes. Previous studies revealed that two species of boas (Boa imperator, B. constrictor) and one species of python (Python bivittatus) independently evolved XX/XY sex chromosomes. In addition, heteromorphic ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes were recently revealed in the Madagascar boa (Acrantophis sp. cf. dumerili) and putatively also in the blind snake Myriopholis macrorhyncha. Since the evolution of sex chromosomes in non-caenophidian snakes seems to be more complex than previously thought, we examined ten species of pythons and boas representing the families Boidae, Calabariidae, Candoiidae, Charinidae, Pythonidae, and Sanziniidae by conventional and molecular cytogenetic methods, aiming to reveal their sex chromosomes. Our results show that all examined species do not possess sex-specific differences in their genomes detectable by the applied cytogenetic methods, indicating the presence of poorly differentiated sex chromosomes or even the absence of sex chromosomes. Interestingly, fluorescence in situ hybridization with telomeric repeats revealed extensive distribution of interstitial telomeric repeats in eight species, which are likely a consequence of intra-chromosomal rearrangements.
Zebrafish Models of Cancer—New Insights on Modeling Human Cancer in a Non-Mammalian Vertebrate
Authors: Hason Martina , Bartůněk Petr
Published: November 2019

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a valuable non-mammalian vertebrate model widely used to study development and disease, including more recently cancer. The evolutionary conservation of cancer-related programs between human and zebrafish is striking and allows extrapolation of research outcomes obtained in fish back to humans. Zebrafish has gained attention as a robust model for cancer research mainly because of its high fecundity, cost-effective maintenance, dynamic visualization of tumor growth in vivo, and the possibility of chemical screening in large numbers of animals at reasonable costs. Novel approaches in modeling tumor growth, such as using transgene electroporation in adult zebrafish, could improve our knowledge about the spatial and temporal control of cancer formation and progression in vivo. Looking at genetic as well as epigenetic alterations could be important to explain the pathogenesis of a disease as complex as cancer. In this review, we highlight classic genetic and transplantation models of cancer in zebrafish as well as provide new insights on advances in cancer modeling. Recent progress in zebrafish xenotransplantation studies and drug screening has shown that zebrafish is a reliable model to study human cancer and could be suitable for evaluating patient-derived xenograft cell invasiveness. Rapid, large-scale evaluation of in vivo drug responses and kinetics in zebrafish could undoubtedly lead to new applications in personalized medicine and combination therapy. For all of the above-mentioned reasons, zebrafish is approaching a future of being a pre-clinical cancer model, alongside the mouse. However, the mouse will continue to be valuable in the last steps of pre-clinical drug screening, mostly because of the highly conserved mammalian genome and biological processes.
Perceived Accessibility, Satisfaction with Daily Travel, and Life Satisfaction among the Elderly
Authors: Lättman Katrin , Olsson Lars , Friman Margareta , Fujii Satoshi
Published: November 2019

People are living longer than they did previously, and the proportion of older people is increasing worldwide. This rapid development will have implications for the transport system, in general, and for travel behavior and accessibility to daily activities, in particular. In recent years, both research and politics have drawn the attention of the public to issues affecting the opportunities of the elderly to participate in everyday life. The debate has so far mostly focused on health issues, with limited work having been done on the ability of the elderly to live the lives they want to considering how they travel. With this view, a theoretical model, grounded in a model of travel and subjective wellbeing was developed to explore the role of perceived accessibility in satisfaction with travel and life satisfaction. Empirical data were collected from a sample of 2422 respondents (aged 60–92) from five cities in Northern Europe (Stockholm, Helsinki, Oslo, Copenhagen, Bergen) and analyzed using partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings confirmed the link between perceived accessibility, travel satisfaction, and life satisfaction. The findings also showed the role of sociodemographic and travel attributes in perceived accessibility and satisfaction with travel, as well as the moderating effects of different age groups. We conclude that this moderating role played by age indicates that we should not always treat the elderly as a homogenous group in research and transport planning.
Fatigue-Related Factors for Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Diabetes: A Theory-Guided Multi-Dimensional Approach Using the Dynamic Biopsychosocial Model
Authors: Kim Hyerang , Son Heesook
Published: November 2019

Older adults with diabetes appear more susceptible to fatigue compared to younger adults with diabetes or healthy older adults, since aging and diabetes independently and synergistically influence fatigue. Few studies have investigated fatigue in older adults with diabetes using a multidimensional approach. This study explored the influences of physical, psychological, interpersonal, and contextual factors on diabetes fatigue using a dynamic biopsychosocial model. Face-to-face surveys were administered to community-dwelling older adults with diabetes and included variables across four domains (i.e., physical, psychological, interpersonal, and contextual factors). Univariate analyses and multiple linear regression were used. The mean fatigue score was 3.94 (standard deviation (SD) = 1.81) out of 7, and the prevalence of fatigue was 48.8%. Significant differences in fatigue severity by psychological, interpersonal, and contextual factors were found. Comorbidity and psychological factors were significant predictors of fatigue in the model, explaining 31.9% of the variance. As nearly half the sample experienced moderate or severe fatigue, which was significantly influenced by both comorbidity and psychological factors, including depression, sleep quality, and diet-related psychological characteristics, assessing patients’ psychological status may be important. Awareness of fatigue could be incorporated into dietary interventions for older adults with diabetes.
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Intentions towards Human Papillomavirus Vaccination among Nursing Students in Spain
Authors: Villanueva Sara , Mosteiro-Miguéns Diego Gabriel , Domínguez-Martís Eva María , López-Ares David , Novío Silvia
Published: November 2019

Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is linked to specific types of cancer, can be prevented by vaccination. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitudes of nursing students about HPV and its vaccine as well as their intentions towards personal vaccination. A total of 536 Spanish nursing students were invited to complete the Spanish version of the questionnaire “Knowledge, attitudes and intentions towards HPV”. Overall, 367 surveys were completed (68.4% response rate). Data analysis included the calculation of three scores: the knowledge score, categorized into low (<33%), moderate (33%–66%), and good knowledge (>66%); the attitude score, sorted into positive (<2.5), neutral (2.5–3.5), and negative attitude (>3.5); and the intention score, categorized into not favorable (<4), neutral (4–7), and favorable intention (>7). Knowledge about HPV and its vaccine was moderate (54.34 ± 0.9%), and the attitude towards vaccination was positive (2.34 ± 0.03). The intention towards personal vaccination increased significantly after completing the questionnaire (before: 4.14 ± 0.27, after: 6.02 ± 0.28; p < 0.001). The present study highlights the need of training future nurses about HPV and its vaccine, considering the important role it plays in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.
Earthquake Disaster Risk Perception Process Model for Rural Households: A Pilot Study from Southwestern China
Authors: Xu Dingde , Liu Yi , Deng Xin , Qing Chen , Zhuang Linmei , Yong Zhuolin , Huang Kai
Published: November 2019

There are many important factors to consider when creating robust, regional disaster prevention systems. These include rural households’ knowledge and reported skills of earthquake disasters, disaster risk perception, awareness of disaster risk reduction, willingness to purchase insurance, and willingness to relocate to avoid disasters. However, few empirical studies have systematically established the theoretical research frameworks to analyze these factors. This study analyzed the data sampled from 241 rural households located in counties affected by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. A theoretical model was designed to investigate rural households’ disaster risk perception and used path analysis to systematically analyze the mechanism of the factors stated above. The results showed that 53.11% of rural households had a stronger willingness to purchase disease insurance and 72.19% had a stronger willingness to relocate to avoid disasters. Risk perception, knowledge and reported skills, and awareness of disaster risk reduction were significantly correlated with a willingness to purchase disaster insurance. Risk perception and awareness of disaster risk reduction were significantly positively correlated with a willingness to relocate to avoid disasters. Knowledge and reported skills indirectly affected the willingness to purchase insurance and the willingness to relocate to avoid disasters through risk perception and awareness of disaster risk reduction. Risk perception could indirectly affect the willingness to purchase insurance and the willingness to relocate to avoid disasters through awareness of disaster risk reduction.
Physico-Chemical Influence of Surface Water Contaminated by Acid Mine Drainage on the Populations of Diatoms in Dams (Iberian Pyrite Belt, SW Spain)
Authors: Rivera Maria José , Luís Ana Teresa , Grande José Antonio , Sarmiento Aguasanta Miguel , Dávila José Miguel , Fortes Juan Carlos , Córdoba Francisco , Diaz-Curiel Jesus , Santisteban María
Published: November 2019

Twenty-three water dams located in the Iberian Pyrite Belt were studied during March 2012 (early spring) in order to carry out an environmental assessment based on diatom communities and to define the relationships between these biological communities and the physico-chemical characteristics of the dam surface water. This is the first time that a diatom inventory has been done for dams affected by acid mine drainage (AMD) in the Spanish part of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). It was found that the pH was the main factor influencing the behaviour of the diatom communities. Then, using a dbRDA approach it was possible to organize the aggrupation of diatoms into four groups in response to the physico-chemical conditions of the ecosystem, especially pH: (1) Maris, Aac, Gos, Cmora (pH 2–3); (2) Andc, San, And, Dpin (pH 3–4.5); (3) Gran, Pleon, Oliv, Lagu, Chan, SilI, SilII, Joya, Gar, Agrio, Camp, Corum (pH 4.5–6); (4) Herr, Diq I, Diq II (pH 6–7). The obtained results confirmed the response of benthic diatom communities to changes in the physico-chemical characteristics of surface water, and helped to understand the role of diatoms as indicators of the degree of AMD contamination in those 23 dams. Special attention was given to those that have an acidophilic or acid-tolerant profile (pH 2–3 and pH 3–4.5) such as Pinnularia aljustrelica, Pinnularia acidophila, Pinnularia acoricola and Eunotia exigua, which are the two groups found in the most AMD contaminated dams.
Challenges of the Use of Sound Emergence for Setting Legal Noise Limits
Authors: Dutilleux Guillaume , Gjestland Truls , Licitra Gaetano
Published: November 2019

In the vast majority of legislation on environmental noise, the metric used for expressing limit values is based on sound pressure levels. But some countries have introduced sound emergence limit values where the compliance of a noise-generating activity is defined as a maximum allowable difference between the sound pressure level with and without the regulated activity operating. This paper investigates the foundations and the merits of this kind of differential noise limit values. Our review of literature indicates that there is very little evidence supporting the use of differential noise limits over absolute ones. Moreover, while sound emergence limits seem to originate from consideration about audibility of the regulated noise source, they appear to give little insight into what is audible and what is not. Furthermore, both the definition and the practical measurement of sound emergence raise several challenges that compromise reproducibility. In addition, first, the reference to background noise makes it very difficult first to ascertain the conformity of noisy installations in the long run, second to effectively protect the community from excessive noise and third to evaluate conformity on the basis of simulations. When switching to another metric is not an option the paper makes recommendations toward a more reliable use of sound emergence.
Carboxypeptidase E-∆N Promotes Proliferation and Invasion of Pancreatic Cancer Cells via Upregulation of CXCR2 Gene Expression
Authors: Hareendran Sangeetha , Yang Xuyu , Lou Hong , Xiao Lan , Loh Y. Peng
Published: November 2019

Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The molecular basis for the pathogenesis of this disease remains elusive. In this study, we have investigated the role of wild-type Carboxypeptidase E (CPE-WT) and a 40 kDa N-terminal truncated isoform, CPE-ΔN in promoting proliferation and invasion of Panc-1 cells, a pancreatic cancer cell line. Both CPE-WT and CPE-ΔN were expressed in Panc-1 and BXPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells. Immunocytochemical studies revealed that in CPE transfected Panc-1 cells, CPE-ΔN was found primarily in the nucleus, whereas CPE-WT was present exclusively in the cytoplasm as puncta, characteristic of secretory vesicles. Endogenous CPE-WT was secreted into the media. Overexpression of CPE-ΔN in Panc-1 cells resulted in enhancement of proliferation and invasion of these cells, as determined by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) cell proliferation assay and Matrigel invasion assay, respectively. In contrast, the expression of CPE-WT protein at comparable levels to CPE-ΔN in Panc-1 cells resulted in promotion of proliferation but not invasion. Importantly, there was an upregulation of the expression of CXCR2 mRNA and protein in Panc-1 cells overexpressing CPE-ΔN, and these cells exhibited significant increase in proliferation in a CXCR2-dependent manner. Thus, CPE-ΔN may play an important role in promoting pancreatic cancer growth and malignancy through upregulating the expression of the metastasis-related gene, CXCR2.
Neuronal Death in the Contralateral Un-Injured Retina after Unilateral Axotomy: Role of Microglial Cells
Authors: Lucas-Ruiz Fernando , Galindo-Romero Caridad , Rodríguez-Ramírez Kristy T. , Vidal-Sanz Manuel , Agudo-Barriuso Marta
Published: November 2019

For years it has been known that unilateral optic nerve lesions induce a bilateral response that causes an inflammatory and microglial response in the contralateral un-injured retinas. Whether this contralateral response involves retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss is still unknown. We have analyzed the population of RGCs and the expression of several genes in both retinas of pigmented mice after a unilateral axotomy performed close to the optic nerve head (0.5 mm), or the furthest away that the optic nerve can be accessed intraorbitally in mice (2 mm). In both retinas, RGC-specific genes were down-regulated, whereas caspase 3 was up-regulated. In the contralateral retinas, there was a significant loss of 15% of RGCs that did not progress further and that occurred earlier when the axotomy was performed at 2 mm, that is, closer to the contralateral retina. Finally, the systemic treatment with minocycline, a tetracycline antibiotic that selectively inhibits microglial cells, or with meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, rescued RGCs in the contralateral but not in the injured retina. In conclusion, a unilateral optic nerve axotomy triggers a bilateral response that kills RGCs in the un-injured retina, a death that is controlled by anti-inflammatory and anti-microglial treatments. Thus, contralateral retinas should not be used as controls.
A Single Synonymous Variant (c.354G>A [p.P118P]) in ADAMTS13 Confers Enhanced Specific Activity
Authors: Hunt Ryan , Hettiarachchi Gaya , Katneni Upendra , Hernandez Nancy , Holcomb David , Kames Jacob , Alnifaidy Redab , Lin Brian , Hamasaki-Katagiri Nobuko , Wesley Aaron , Kafri Tal , Morris Christina , Bouché Laura , Panico Maria , Schiller Tal , Ibla Juan , Bar Haim , Ismail Amra , Morris Howard , Komar Anton , Kimchi-Sarfaty Chava
Published: November 2019

Synonymous variants within coding regions may influence protein expression and function. We have previously reported increased protein expression levels ex vivo (~120% in comparison to wild-type) from a synonymous polymorphism variant, c.354G>A [p.P118P], of the ADAMTS13 gene, encoding a plasma protease responsible for von Willebrand Factor (VWF) degradation. In the current study, we investigated the potential mechanism(s) behind the increased protein expression levels from this variant and its effect on ADAMTS13 physico-chemical properties. Cell-free assays showed enhanced translation of the c.354G>A variant and the analysis of codon usage characteristics suggested that introduction of the frequently used codon/codon pair(s) may have been potentially responsible for this effect. Limited proteolysis, however, showed no substantial influence of altered translation on protein conformation. Analysis of post-translational modifications also showed no notable differences but identified three previously unreported glycosylation markers. Despite these similarities, p.P118P variant unexpectedly showed higher specific activity. Structural analysis using modeled interactions indicated that subtle conformational changes arising from altered translation kinetics could affect interactions between an exosite of ADAMTS13 and VWF resulting in altered specific activity. This report highlights how a single synonymous nucleotide variation can impact cellular expression and specific activity in the absence of measurable impact on protein structure.
Hepatic MicroRNA Expression by PGC-1α and PGC-1β in the Mouse
Authors: Piccinin Elena , Arconzo Maria , Graziano Giusi , Vacca Michele , Peres Claudia , Bellafante Elena , Villani Gaetano , Moschetta Antonio
Published: November 2019

The fine-tuning of liver metabolism is essential to maintain the whole-body homeostasis and to prevent the onset of diseases. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivators (PGC-1s) are transcriptional key players of liver metabolism, able to regulate mitochondrial function, gluconeogenesis and lipid metabolism. Their activity is accurately modulated by post-translational modifications. Here, we showed that specific PGC-1s expression can lead to the upregulation of different microRNAs widely implicated in liver physiology and diseases development and progression, thus offering a new layer of complexity in the control of hepatic metabolism.
In Situ Analysis of DNA-Protein Complex Formation upon Radiation-Induced DNA Damage
Authors: Ticli Giulio , Prosperi Ennio
Published: November 2019

The importance of determining at the cellular level the formation of DNA–protein complexes after radiation-induced lesions to DNA is outlined by the evidence that such interactions represent one of the first steps of the cellular response to DNA damage. These complexes are formed through recruitment at the sites of the lesion, of proteins deputed to signal the presence of DNA damage, and of DNA repair factors necessary to remove it. Investigating the formation of such complexes has provided, and will probably continue to, relevant information about molecular mechanisms and spatiotemporal dynamics of the processes that constitute the first barrier of cell defense against genome instability and related diseases. In this review, we will summarize and discuss the use of in situ procedures to detect the formation of DNA-protein complexes after radiation-induced DNA damage. This type of analysis provides important information on the spatial localization and temporal resolution of the formation of such complexes, at the single-cell level, allowing the study of heterogeneous cell populations.
Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Cupriavidus necator H16 for Carbon Co-Utilization with Glycerol
Authors: González-Villanueva Miriam , Galaiya Hemanshi , Staniland Paul , Staniland Jessica , Savill Ian , Wong Tuck Seng , Tee Kang Lan
Published: November 2019

Cupriavidus necator H16 is a non-pathogenic Gram-negative betaproteobacterium that can utilize a broad range of renewable heterotrophic resources to produce chemicals ranging from polyhydroxybutyrate (biopolymer) to alcohols, alkanes, and alkenes. However, C. necator H16 utilizes carbon sources to different efficiency, for example its growth in glycerol is 11.4 times slower than a favorable substrate like gluconate. This work used adaptive laboratory evolution to enhance the glycerol assimilation in C. necator H16 and identified a variant (v6C6) that can co-utilize gluconate and glycerol. The v6C6 variant has a specific growth rate in glycerol 9.5 times faster than the wild-type strain and grows faster in mixed gluconate–glycerol carbon sources compared to gluconate alone. It also accumulated more PHB when cultivated in glycerol medium compared to gluconate medium while the inverse is true for the wild-type strain. Through genome sequencing and expression studies, glycerol kinase was identified as the key enzyme for its improved glycerol utilization. The superior performance of v6C6 in assimilating pure glycerol was extended to crude glycerol (sweetwater) from an industrial fat splitting process. These results highlight the robustness of adaptive laboratory evolution for strain engineering and the versatility and potential of C. necator H16 for industrial waste glycerol valorization.
Effect of Different Aluminum Substitution Rates on the Structure of Tobermorite
Authors: Liao Wei , Li Wenqing , Fang Zhenggang , Lu Chunhua , Xu Zhongzi
Published: November 2019

Tobermorite and Al-substituted tobermorite with varying Al/(Si + Al) molar ratios were synthesized via the static hydrothermal method. The effect of different Al substitution ratios on the structure of tobermorite was investigated by XRD, SEM–EDS, TG–DSC, FT–IR, 29Si, and 27Al MAS–NMR. The interplanar crystal spacing of (002) increased with the increment of the Al substitution ratio. The maximum ratio of the Al substitution for Si in the structure of tobermorite was about 15 at %, which was limited by the compositions of tobermorite and the electrostatic repulsive forces caused by Al substitution. The DSC curve of the tobermorite with an Al/(Al + Si) molar ratio of 0.15 showed a larger exothermic peak area at 850 °C, indicating that the Al-O-Si bond was formed in the structure of tobermorite and the Al participated in the recrystallization. The 29Si and 27Al MAS–NMR results confirmed that tetrahedral Al was introduced into the structure of the tobermorite. New silicon sites, Q2(1Al) and Q3(1Al), formed by the Al substitution for Si in bridging and non-bridging sites, were detected. Compared to the tobermorite without Al substitution, the adsorption capacity of Al-substituted tobermorite with Al/(Al + Si) = 0.15 to Na+ was improved by 44%.
Thuwalallenes A–E and Thuwalenynes A–C: New C15 Acetogenins with Anti-Inflammatory Activity from a Saudi Arabian Red Sea Laurencia sp.
Authors: Koutsaviti Aikaterini , Daskalaki Maria G. , Agusti Susana , Kampranis Sotirios C. , Tsatsanis Christos , Duarte Carlos M. , Roussis Vassilios , Ioannou Efstathia
Published: November 2019

Thuwalallenes A–E (1–3, 5 and 8) and thuwalenynes A–C (4, 6, 7), new C15 acetogenins featuring uncommon ring systems, along with cis-maneonene D (9), thyrsiferol (10) and 23-acetyl-thyrsiferol (11) were isolated from the organic extract of a population of the red alga Laurencia sp., collected at Rose Reef off the village of Thuwal in the Red Sea waters of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The structure elucidation of the isolated natural products was based on extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data. Compounds 1–6, 8, 10 and 11 were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity by quantifying nitric oxide (NO) release in response to TLR4 stimulation in macrophages. Besides compound 4 that did not exhibit any activity, all other tested metabolites inhibited NO production from activated macrophages. Among them, thyrsiferol (10) and 23-acetylthyrsiferol (11) displayed activity with IC50 values in the low nM scale without cytotoxicity.
Complexes Formed by Hydrophobic Interaction between Ag-Nanospheres and Adsorbents for the Detection of Methyl Salicylate VOC
Authors: Park Jinhyuk , Thomasson J. Alex , Fernando Sandun , Lee Kyung-Min , Herrman Timothy J.
Published: November 2019

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has been widely investigated in many applications. However, only little work has been done on using SERS for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), primarily due to the challenges associated with fabricating SERS substrates with sufficient hotspots for signal enhancement and with the surface interfacially compatible for the VOCs. This study investigated the phase transfer of Ag-nanospheres (AgNSs) from the aqueous phase to the non-aqueous phase by electrostatic interaction induced by cationic surfactants, and the feasibility of the transferred AgNSs as SERS substrates for the determination of methyl salicylate VOC. Results indicated that one of three cationic surfactants, tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB) dissolved in organic solvent showed successful phase transfer of the AgNSs confirmed by several characterization analyses. The complex formed by hydrophobic interaction between the transferred AgNSs and Tenax-TA adsorbent polymer was able to be utilized as a SERS substrate, and the volatile of methyl salicylate could be easily determined from SERS measurements at 4 h static volatile collection. Therefore, the proposed new techniques can be effectively employed to areas where many VOCs relevant to food and agriculture need to be analyzed.