bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary Micronutrient Management to Treat Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Diet-Induced Obese Mice
Authors: Cimmino Fabiano , Catapano Angela , Trinchese Giovanna , Cavaliere Gina , Culurciello Rosanna , Fogliano Chiara , Penna Eduardo , Lucci Valeria , Crispino Marianna , Avallone Bice , Pizzo Elio , Mollica Maria Pina
Published: March 2021

Obesity and associated metabolic disturbances, which have been increasing worldwide in recent years, are the consequences of unhealthy diets and physical inactivity and are the main factors underlying non-communicable diseases (NCD). These diseases are now responsible for about three out of five deaths worldwide, and it has been shown that they depend on mitochondrial dysfunction, systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. It was also demonstrated that several nutritional components modulating these processes are able to influence metabolic homeostasis and, consequently, to prevent or delay the onset of NCD. An interesting combination of nutraceutical substances, named DMG-gold, has been shown to promote metabolic and physical wellness. The aim of this research was to investigate the metabolic, inflammatory and oxidative pathways modulated by DMG-gold in an animal model with diet-induced obesity. Our data indicate that DMG-gold decreases the metabolic efficiency and inflammatory state and acts as an antioxidant and detoxifying agent, modulating mitochondrial functions. Therefore, DMG-gold is a promising candidate in the prevention/treatment of NCD.
Complement-Opsonized Nano-Carriers Are Bound by Dendritic Cells (DC) via Complement Receptor (CR)3, and by B Cell Subpopulations via CR-1/2, and Affect the Activation of DC and B-1 Cells
Authors: Bednarczyk Monika , Medina-Montano Carolina , Fittler Frederic Julien , Stege Henner , Roskamp Meike , Kuske Michael , Langer Christian , Vahldieck Marco , Montermann Evelyn , Tubbe Ingrid , Röhrig Nadine , Dzionek Andrzej , Grabbe Stephan , Bros Matthias
Published: March 2021

The development of nanocarriers (NC) for biomedical applications has gained large interest due to their potential to co-deliver drugs in a cell-type-targeting manner. However, depending on their surface characteristics, NC accumulate serum factors, termed protein corona, which may affect their cellular binding. We have previously shown that NC coated with carbohydrates to enable biocompatibility triggered the lectin-dependent complement pathway, resulting in enhanced binding to B cells via complement receptor (CR)1/2. Here we show that such NC also engaged all types of splenic leukocytes known to express CR3 at a high rate when NC were pre-incubated with native mouse serum resulting in complement opsonization. By focusing on dendritic cells (DC) as an important antigen-presenting cell type, we show that CR3 was essential for binding/uptake of complement-opsonized NC, whereas CR4, which in mouse is specifically expressed by DC, played no role. Further, a minor B cell subpopulation (B-1), which is important for first-line pathogen responses, and co-expressed CR1/2 and CR3, in general, engaged NC to a much higher extent than normal B cells. Here, we identified CR-1/2 as necessary for binding of complement-opsonized NC, whereas CR3 was dispensable. Interestingly, the binding of complement-opsonized NC to both DC and B-1 cells affected the expression of activation markers. Our findings may have important implications for the design of nano-vaccines against infectious diseases, which codeliver pathogen-specific protein antigen and adjuvant, aimed to induce a broad adaptive cellular and humoral immune response by inducing cytotoxic T lymphocytes that kill infected cells and pathogen-neutralizing antibodies, respectively. Decoration of nano-vaccines either with carbohydrates to trigger complement activation in vivo or with active complement may result in concomitant targeting of DC and B cells and thereby may strongly enhance the extent of dual cellular/humoral immune responses.
Leptin and Cancer: Updated Functional Roles in Carcinogenesis, Therapeutic Niches, and Developments
Authors: Lin Tsung-Chieh , Hsiao Michael
Published: March 2021

Leptin is an obesity-associated adipokine that is known to regulate energy metabolism and reproduction and to control appetite via the leptin receptor. Recent work has identified specific cell types other than adipocytes that harbor leptin and leptin receptor expression, particularly in cancers and tumor microenvironments, and characterized the role of this signaling axis in cancer progression. Furthermore, the prognostic significance of leptin in various types of cancer and the ability to noninvasively detect leptin levels in serum samples have attracted attention for potential clinical applications. Emerging findings have demonstrated the direct and indirect biological effects of leptin in regulating cancer proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis and chemoresistance, warranting the exploration of the underlying molecular mechanisms to develop a novel therapeutic strategy. In this review article, we summarize and integrate transcriptome and clinical data from cancer patients together with the recent findings related to the leptin signaling axis in the aforementioned malignant phenotypes. In addition, a comprehensive analysis of leptin and leptin receptor distribution in a pancancer panel and in individual cell types of specific organs at the single-cell level is presented, identifying those sites that are prone to leptin-mediated tumorigenesis. Our results shed light on the role of leptin in cancer and provide guidance and potential directions for further research for scientists in this field.
A First Phenotypic and Functional Characterization of Placental Extracellular Vesicles from Women with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Martire Serena , Montarolo Francesca , Spadaro Michela , Perga Simona , Sforza Maria Ludovica , Marozio Luca , Frezet Federica , Bruno Stefania , Chiabotto Giulia , Deregibus Maria Chiara , Camussi Giovanni , Botta Giovanni , Benedetto Chiara , Bertolotto Antonio
Published: March 2021

Pregnancy is a unique situation of physiological immunomodulation, as well as a strong Multiple Sclerosis (MS) disease modulator whose mechanisms are still unclear. Both maternal (decidua) and fetal (trophoblast) placental cells secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are known to mediate cellular communication and modulate the maternal immune response. Their contribution to the MS disease course during pregnancy, however, is unexplored. Here, we provide a first phenotypic and functional characterization of EVs isolated from cultures of term placenta samples of women with MS, differentiating between decidua and trophoblast. In particular, we analyzed the expression profile of 37 surface proteins and tested the functional role of placental EVs on mono-cultures of CD14+ monocytes and co-cultures of CD4+ T and regulatory T (Treg) cells. Results indicated that placental EVs are enriched for surface markers typical of stem/progenitor cells, and that conditioning with EVs from samples of women with MS is associated to a moderate decrease in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines by activated monocytes and in the proliferation rate of activated T cells co-cultured with Tregs. Overall, our findings suggest an immunomodulatory potential of placental EVs from women with MS and set the stage for a promising research field aiming at elucidating their role in MS remission.
Analysis of PI3K Pathway Associated Molecules Reveals Dysregulated Innate and Adaptive Functions of B Cells in Early Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Simon Diána , Erdő-Bonyár Szabina , Rapp Judit , Balogh Péter , Minier Tünde , Nagy Gabriella , Czirják László , Berki Tímea
Published: March 2021

B cell activation is an early event in the development of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The classical activation of B cells downstream of the B-cell receptor (BCR) involves the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) pathway that integrates the effects of multiple co-stimulatory receptors. Our analysis of PI3K pathway associated molecules in peripheral blood B cells of early diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) patients showed altered mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) homolog CD180, TLR4, complement component 3, IL-4 receptor and secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1). Parallel to this, we found elevated basal SPP1 secretion in dcSSc B cells, but, with BCR + IL-4 receptor co-stimulation, we could not induce further secretion. CD180 stimulation alone resulted in NF-κB activation in more B cells than CD180 + BCR co-stimulation both in dcSSc and healthy control (HC), but the co-engagement increased the phosphorylation of NF-κB only in dcSSc B cells. Additionally, in contrast with HC B cells, the lower basal production of IL-10 by dcSSc B cells could not be elevated with CD180 stimulation. Furthermore, activation via CD180 increased the percentage of CD86+ switched memory (CD27+IgD−) B cells in dcSSc compared to HC. Our results suggest that alternative B cell activation and CD180 dysfunction cause imbalance of regulatory mechanisms in dcSSc B cells.
Huntingtin: A Protein with a Peculiar Solvent Accessible Surface
Authors: Babbi Giulia , Savojardo Castrense , Martelli Pier Luigi , Casadio Rita
Published: March 2021

Taking advantage of the last cryogenic electron microscopy structure of human huntingtin, we explored with computational methods its physicochemical properties, focusing on the solvent accessible surface of the protein and highlighting a quite interesting mix of hydrophobic and hydrophilic patterns, with the prevalence of the latter ones. We then evaluated the probability of exposed residues to be in contact with other proteins, discovering that they tend to cluster in specific regions of the protein. We then found that the remaining portions of the protein surface can contain calcium-binding sites that we propose here as putative mediators for the protein to interact with membranes. Our findings are justified in relation to the present knowledge of huntingtin functional annotation.
Deficiency of Lipin2 Results in Enhanced NF-κB Signaling and Osteoclast Formation in RAW-D Murine Macrophages
Authors: Watahiki Asami , Hoshikawa Seira , Chiba Mitsuki , Egusa Hiroshi , Fukumoto Satoshi , Inuzuka Hiroyuki
Published: March 2021

Lipin2 is a phosphatidate phosphatase that plays critical roles in fat homeostasis. Alterations in Lpin2, which encodes lipin2, cause the autoinflammatory bone disorder Majeed syndrome. Lipin2 limits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages. However, little is known about the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-inflammatory function. In this study, we attempted to elucidate the molecular link between the loss of lipin2 function and autoinflammatory bone disorder. Using a Lpin2 knockout murine macrophage cell line, we showed that lipin2 deficiency enhances innate immune responses to LPS stimulation through excessive activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, partly because of TAK1 signaling upregulation. Lipin2 depletion also enhanced RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis and osteoclastic resorption activity accompanied by NFATc1 dephosphorylation and increased nuclear accumulation. These results suggest that lipin2 suppresses the development of autoinflammatory bone disorder by fine-tuning proinflammatory responses and osteoclastogenesis in macrophages. Therefore, this study provides insights into the molecular pathogenesis of monogenic autoinflammatory bone disorders and presents a potential therapeutic intervention.
Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Disease: An Updated Narrative Review
Authors: Zittermann Armin , Trummer Christian , Theiler-Schwetz Verena , Lerchbaum Elisabeth , März Winfried , Pilz Stefan
Published: March 2021

During the last two decades, the potential impact of vitamin D on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been rigorously studied. Data regarding the effect of vitamin D on CVD risk are puzzling: observational data indicate an inverse nonlinear association between vitamin D status and CVD events, with the highest CVD risk at severe vitamin D deficiency; however, preclinical data and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) show several beneficial effects of vitamin D on the surrogate parameters of vascular and cardiac function. By contrast, Mendelian randomization studies and large RCTs in the general population and in patients with chronic kidney disease, a high-risk group for CVD events, largely report no significant beneficial effect of vitamin D treatment on CVD events. In patients with rickets and osteomalacia, cardiovascular complications are infrequently reported, except for an increased risk of heart failure. In conclusion, there is no strong evidence for beneficial vitamin D effects on CVD risk, either in the general population or in high-risk groups. Whether some subgroups such as individuals with severe vitamin D deficiency or a combination of low vitamin D status with specific gene variants and/or certain nutrition/lifestyle factors would benefit from vitamin D (metabolite) administration, remains to be studied.
A New Loss Generation Body Force Model for Fan/Compressor Blade Rows: An Artificial-Neural-Network Based Methodology
Authors: Pazireh Syamak , Defoe Jeffrey J.
Published: March 2021

Body force models of fans and compressors are widely employed for predicting performance due to the reduction in computational cost associated with their use, particularly in nonuniform inflows. Such models are generally divided into a portion responsible for flow turning and another for loss generation. Recently, accurate, uncalibrated turning force models have been developed, but accurate loss generation models have typically required calibration against higher fidelity computations (especially when flow separation occurs). In this paper, a blade profile loss model is introduced which requires the trailing edge boundary layer momentum thicknesses. To estimate the momentum thickness for a given blade section, an artificial neural network is trained using over 400,000 combinations of blade section shape and flow conditions. A blade-to-blade flow field solver is used to generate the training data. The model obtained depends only on blade geometry information and the local flow conditions, making its implementation in a typical computational fluid dynamics framework straightforward. We show good agreement in the prediction of profile loss for 2D cascades both on and off design in the defined ranges for the neural network training.
PIK3CA Mutation Assessment in HR+/HER2− Metastatic Breast Cancer: Overview for Oncology Clinical Practice
Authors: Criscitiello Carmen , Marra Antonio , Curigliano Giuseppe
Published: March 2021

Activation of the PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway occurs in several human cancers, including hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer (BC) where is associated with resistance to endocrine therapy and disease progression. In BC, the most common PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway alteration is represented by PIK3CA oncogenic mutations. These mutations can occur throughout several domains of the p110α catalytic subunit, but the majority are found in the helical and kinase domains (exon 9 and 20) that represent the “hotspots”. Considering the central role of the PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway in HR-positive BC, several inhibitors (both pan-PI3K and isoform-specific) have been developed and tested in clinical trials. Recently, the PI3Kα-selective inhibitor alpelisib was the first PI3K inhibitor approved for clinical use in HR-positive metastatic BC based on the results of the phase III SOLAR-1 trial. Several methods to assess PIK3CA mutational status in tumor samples have been developed and validated, including real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), BEAMing assays, Sanger sequencing, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels. Several new challenges will be expected once alpelisib is widely available in a clinical setting, including the harmonization of testing procedures for the detection of PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway alterations. Herein, we provide an overview on PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway alterations in HR-positive BC, discuss their role in determining prognosis and resistance to endocrine therapy and highlight practical considerations about diagnostic methods for the detection of PI3K–AKT–mTOR pathway activation status.
Physical Modelling of the Effect on the Wave Field of the WaveCat Wave Energy Converter
Authors: Allen James , Iglesias Gregorio , Greaves Deborah , Miles Jon
Published: March 2021

The WaveCat is a moored Wave Energy Converter design which uses wave overtopping discharge into a variable v-shaped hull, to generate electricity through low head turbines. Physical model tests of WaveCat WEC were carried out to determine the device reflection, transmission, absorption and capture coefficients based on selected wave conditions. The model scale was 1:30, with hulls of 3 m in length, 0.4 m in height and a freeboard of 0.2 m. Wave gauges monitored the surface elevation at discrete points around the experimental area, and level sensors and flowmeters recorded the amount of water captured and released by the model. Random waves of significant wave height between 0.03 m and 0.12 m and peak wave periods of 0.91 s to 2.37 s at model scale were tested. The wedge angle of the device was set to 60°. A reflection analysis was carried out using a revised three probe method and spectral analysis of the surface elevation to determine the incident, reflected and transmitted energy. The results show that the reflection coefficient is highest (0.79) at low significant wave height and low peak wave period, the transmission coefficient is highest (0.98) at low significant wave height and high peak wave period, and absorption coefficient is highest (0.78) when significant wave height is high and peak wave period is low. The model also shows the highest Capture Width Ratio (0.015) at wavelengths on the order of model length. The results have particular implications for wave energy conversion prediction potential using this design of device.
Topological and Morphological Controls on Morphodynamics of Salt Marsh Interiors
Authors: Evans Ben R. , Möller Iris , Spencer Tom
Published: March 2021

Salt marshes are important coastal environments and provide multiple benefits to society. They are considered to be declining in extent globally, including on the UK east coast. The dynamics and characteristics of interior parts of salt marsh systems are spatially variable and can fundamentally affect biotic distributions and the way in which the landscape delivers ecosystem services. It is therefore important to understand, and be able to predict, how these landscape configurations may evolve over time and where the greatest dynamism will occur. This study estimates morphodynamic changes in salt marsh areas for a regional domain over a multi-decadal timescale. We demonstrate at a landscape scale that relationships exist between the topology and morphology of a salt marsh and changes in its condition over time. We present an inherently scalable satellite-derived measure of change in marsh platform integrity that allows the monitoring of changes in marsh condition. We then demonstrate that easily derived geospatial and morphometric parameters can be used to determine the probability of marsh degradation. We draw comparisons with previous work conducted on the east coast of the USA, finding differences in marsh responses according to their position within the wider coastal system between the two regions, but relatively consistent in relation to the within-marsh situation. We describe the sub-pixel-scale marsh morphometry using a morphological segmentation algorithm applied to 25 cm-resolution maps of vegetated marsh surface. We also find strong relationships between morphometric indices and change in marsh platform integrity which allow for the inference of past dynamism but also suggest that current morphology may be predictive of future change. We thus provide insight into the factors governing marsh degradation that will assist the anticipation of adverse changes to the attributes and functions of these critical coastal environments and inform ongoing ecogeomorphic modelling developments.
The Effects of Wind-Driven Storm Events on Partly Sheltered Estuarine Beaches in Batemans Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Wang Alexander , Wang Xiao Hua , Yang Gang
Published: March 2021

Extreme wind-driven storm events have the potential to erode beach systems. Along the East Coast of Australia, storm events have been responsible for beach erosion in many coast-facing, open beaches. This paper investigates the potential impacts of wind-driven storms on partly sheltered estuarine beaches—a niche found within Batemans Bay, New South Wales (NSW), along the East Coast. It combines beach geomorphological data with meteorological and oceanographic data to evaluate the impacts of large storm events on three partly sheltered estuarine embayed beaches (Cullendulla Beach, Corrigans Beach, and Maloney’s Beach). The results show that while embayed beaches are protected from some storm events, storm impacts may vary with the season due to wind speed and direction changes, the presence of nearby rivers or creeks, and anthropogenic modifications such as dredging and coastline alterations. This study may contribute to the understanding of the erosive impacts of storms and help improve management strategies used to prevent recession, particularly on embayed beaches.
Differential Induction Pattern Towards Classically Activated Macrophages in Response to an Immunomodulatory Extract from Pleurotus ostreatus Mycelium
Authors: Llauradó Maury Gabriel , Morris-Quevedo Humberto J. , Heykers Annick , Lanckacker Ellen , Cappoen Davie , Delputte Peter , Vanden Berghe Wim , Salgueiro Zelene , Cos Paul
Published: March 2021

Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom preparations have been investigated because of their ability to modulate the immune function. However, there is still no consensus regarding the activation and polarizing effect on macrophages by Pleurotus-derived bioproducts. This study examined the immune-activating effect of a mycelium-derived P. ostreatus aqueous extract (HW-Pm) on macrophage functions, by means of the determination of nitric oxide (NO) production, the mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Arginase-1 and FIZZ and the cytokine levels. The phagocytic activity and the activation of NF-κB in U937 reporter cells were also investigated. No cytotoxicity was observed in macrophages treated with HW-Pm (IC50 > 1024 μg/mL) by the resazurin test. HW-Pm induced high levels of NO production and iNOS expression in macrophages. In contrast, HW-Pm did not induce Arginase-1 and FIZZ mRNA expressions. The mushroom extract increased TNF-α and IL-6 production and the phagocytic function in murine macrophages. It also stimulated the activation of the NF-κB promoter. The P. ostreatus mycelium extract has a potential application as a natural immune-enhancing agent, by targeting macrophage activation towards the classically activated subset and stimulating macrophage-mediated innate immune responses.
New Method for Identifying Fungal Kingdom Enzyme Hotspots from Genome Sequences
Authors: Lange Lene , Barrett Kristian , Meyer Anne S.
Published: March 2021

Fungal genome sequencing data represent an enormous pool of information for enzyme discovery. Here, we report a new approach to identify and quantitatively compare biomass-degrading capacity and diversity of fungal genomes via integrated function-family annotation of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) encoded by the genomes. Based on analyses of 1932 fungal genomes the most potent hotspots of fungal biomass processing CAZymes are identified and ranked according to substrate degradation capacity. The analysis is achieved by a new bioinformatics approach, Conserved Unique Peptide Patterns (CUPP), providing for CAZyme-family annotation and robust prediction of molecular function followed by conversion of the CUPP output to lists of integrated “Function;Family” (e.g., EC 3.2.1.4;GH5) enzyme observations. An EC-function found in several protein families counts as different observations. Summing up such observations allows for ranking of all analyzed genome sequenced fungal species according to richness in CAZyme function diversity and degrading capacity. Identifying fungal CAZyme hotspots provides for identification of fungal species richest in cellulolytic, xylanolytic, pectinolytic, and lignin modifying enzymes. The fungal enzyme hotspots are found in fungi having very different lifestyle, ecology, physiology and substrate/host affinity. Surprisingly, most CAZyme hotspots are found in enzymatically understudied and unexploited species. In contrast, the most well-known fungal enzyme producers, from where many industrially exploited enzymes are derived, are ranking unexpectedly low. The results contribute to elucidating the evolution of fungal substrate-digestive CAZyme profiles, ecophysiology, and habitat adaptations, and expand the knowledge base for novel and improved biomass resource utilization.
Chaperone Networks in Fungal Pathogens of Humans
Authors: Horianopoulos Linda C. , Kronstad James W.
Published: March 2021

The heat shock proteins (HSPs) function as chaperones to facilitate proper folding and modification of proteins and are of particular importance when organisms are subjected to unfavourable conditions. The human fungal pathogens are subjected to such conditions within the context of infection as they are exposed to human body temperature as well as the host immune response. Herein, the roles of the major classes of HSPs are briefly reviewed and their known contributions in human fungal pathogens are described with a focus on Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus. The Hsp90s and Hsp70s in human fungal pathogens broadly contribute to thermotolerance, morphological changes required for virulence, and tolerance to antifungal drugs. There are also examples of J domain co-chaperones and small HSPs influencing the elaboration of virulence factors in human fungal pathogens. However, there are diverse members in these groups of chaperones and there is still much to be uncovered about their contributions to pathogenesis. These HSPs do not act in isolation, but rather they form a network with one another. Interactions between chaperones define their specific roles and enhance their protein folding capabilities. Recent efforts to characterize these HSP networks in human fungal pathogens have revealed that there are unique interactions relevant to these pathogens, particularly under stress conditions. The chaperone networks in the fungal pathogens are also emerging as key coordinators of pathogenesis and antifungal drug tolerance, suggesting that their disruption is a promising strategy for the development of antifungal therapy.
A Simple and Safe Strategy for Improving the Fuel Economy of a Fuel Cell Vehicle
Authors: Bizon Nicu , Thounthong Phatiphat
Published: March 2021

A new real-time strategy is proposed in this article to optimize the hydrogen utilization of a fuel cell vehicle, by switching the control references of fueling regulators, based on load-following. The advantages of this strategy are discussed and compared, with advanced strategies that also use the aforementioned load-following mode regulator of fueling controllers, but in the entire loading range, respectively, with a benchmark strategy utilizing the static feed-forward control of fueling controllers. Additionally, the advantages of energy-storage function in a charge-sustained mode, such as a longer service life and reduced size due to the implementation of the proposed switching strategy, are presented for the dynamic profiles across the entire load range. The optimization function was designed to improve the fuel economy by adding to the total power of the fuel utilization efficiency (in a weighted way). The proposed optimization loop will seek the reference value to control the fueling regulator in real-time, which is not regulated by a load-following approach. The best switching threshold between the high and low loading scales were obtained using a sensitivity analysis carried out for both fixed and dynamic loads. The results obtained were promising—(1) the fuel economy was two-times higher than the advanced strategies mentioned above; and (2) the total fuel consumption was 13% lower than the static feed-forward strategy. This study opens new research directions for fuel cell vehicles, such as for obtaining the best fuel economy or estimating fuel consumption up to the first refueling station on the planned road.
Sequential Learning-Based Energy Consumption Prediction Model for Residential and Commercial Sectors
Authors: Haq Ijaz Ul , Ullah Amin , Khan Samee Ullah , Khan Noman , Lee Mi Young , Rho Seungmin , Baik Sung Wook
Published: March 2021

The use of electrical energy is directly proportional to the increase in global population, both concerning growing industrialization and rising residential demand. The need to achieve a balance between electrical energy production and consumption inspires researchers to develop forecasting models for optimal and economical energy use. Mostly, the residential and industrial sectors use metering sensors that only measure the consumed energy but are unable to manage electricity. In this paper, we present a comparative analysis of a variety of deep features with several sequential learning models to select the optimized hybrid architecture for energy consumption prediction. The best results are achieved using convolutional long short-term memory (ConvLSTM) integrated with bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM). The ConvLSTM initially extracts features from the input data to produce encoded sequences that are decoded by BiLSTM and then proceeds with a final dense layer for energy consumption prediction. The overall framework consists of preprocessing raw data, extracting features, training the sequential model, and then evaluating it. The proposed energy consumption prediction model outperforms existing models over publicly available datasets, including Household and Korean commercial building datasets.
Transcriptome Signatures in Pseudomonas simiae WCS417 Shed Light on Role of Root-Secreted Coumarins in Arabidopsis-Mutualist Communication
Authors: Yu Ke , Stringlis Ioannis A. , van Bentum Sietske , de Jonge Ronnie , Snoek Basten L. , Pieterse Corné M. J. , Bakker Peter A. H. M. , Berendsen Roeland L.
Published: March 2021

Pseudomonas simiae WCS417 is a root-colonizing bacterium with well-established plant-beneficial effects. Upon colonization of Arabidopsis roots, WCS417 evades local root immune responses while triggering an induced systemic resistance (ISR) in the leaves. The early onset of ISR in roots shows similarities with the iron deficiency response, as both responses are associated with the production and secretion of coumarins. Coumarins can mobilize iron from the soil environment and have a selective antimicrobial activity that impacts microbiome assembly in the rhizosphere. Being highly coumarin-tolerant, WCS417 induces the secretion of these phenolic compounds, likely to improve its own niche establishment, while providing growth and immunity benefits for the host in return. To investigate the possible signaling function of coumarins in the mutualistic Arabidopsis-WCS417 interaction, we analyzed the transcriptome of WCS417 growing in root exudates of coumarin-producing Arabidopsis Col-0 and the coumarin-biosynthesis mutant f6′h1. We found that coumarins in F6′H1-dependent root exudates significantly affected the expression of 439 bacterial genes (8% of the bacterial genome). Of those, genes with functions related to transport and metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, and nucleotides were induced, whereas genes with functions related to cell motility, the bacterial mobilome, and energy production and conversion were repressed. Strikingly, most genes related to flagellar biosynthesis were down-regulated by F6′H1-dependent root exudates and we found that application of selected coumarins reduces bacterial motility. These findings suggest that coumarins’ function in the rhizosphere as semiochemicals in the communication between the roots and WCS417. Collectively, our results provide important novel leads for future functional analysis of molecular processes in the establishment of plant-mutualist interactions.
Nitrogen-Doped Carbon-Coating Disproportionated SiO Materials as Long Cycling Stable Anode for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Huang Ben , Chu Binbin , Huang Tao , Yu Aishui
Published: March 2021

Silicon monoxide (SiO) is a kind of promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries because of its smaller volume change during the charge and discharge process than pure silicon and its higher theoretical capacity than commercialized graphite. However, its fast-fading capacity still restricts the development of practical application of SiO. A simple and cheap strategy to dope nitrogen and coat carbon on the surface of disproportionated SiO is proposed to improve the cycling stability significantly even at a high specific current. The capacity retention is nearly 85% after 250 cycles and more than 69% after 500 cycles at a specific current of 1000 mA g−1. Even at a specific current of 2000 mA g−1, its cycling performance behaves similarly to that of 1000 mA g−1. Nitrogen doping in materials could improve the conductivity of materials because pyridinic nitrogen and pyrrolic nitrogen could improve the electron conductivity and provide defects to contribute to the diffusion of lithium ions. The use of pitch and melamine, which are easily available industrial raw materials, makes it possible to contribute to the practical application.
In-Vitro Cytotoxicity Study: Cell Viability and Cell Morphology of Carbon Nanofibrous Scaffold/Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposites
Authors: Abd El-Aziz Asmaa M. , El-Maghraby Azza , Ewald Andrea , Kandil Sherif H.
Published: March 2021

Electrospun carbon nanofibers (CNFs), which were modified with hydroxyapatite, were fabricated to be used as a substrate for bone cell proliferation. The CNFs were derived from electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers after two steps of heat treatment: stabilization and carbonization. Carbon nanofibrous (CNF)/hydroxyapatite (HA) nanocomposites were prepared by two different methods; one of them being modification during electrospinning (CNF-8HA) and the second method being hydrothermal modification after carbonization (CNF-8HA; hydrothermally) to be used as a platform for bone tissue engineering. The biological investigations were performed using in-vitro cell counting, WST cell viability and cell morphology after three and seven days. L929 mouse fibroblasts were found to be more viable on the hydrothermally-modified CNF scaffolds than on the unmodified CNF scaffolds. The biological characterizations of the synthesized CNF/HA nanofibrous composites indicated higher capability of bone regeneration.
Garcinol Encapsulated Ph-Sensitive Biodegradable Nanoparticles: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Jacob Eden Mariam , Borah Ankita , Pillai Sindhu C. , Kumar D. Sakthi
Published: March 2021

The emergence of pH-sensitive nanoscale particles is beneficial due to their ability to only release cargo in a colonic pH environment, which helps to directly target inflamed tissues in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Hence, we have designed the formulation of pH-sensitive biodegradable garcinol (GAR)-loaded poly (lactic–co–glycolic acid) (PLGA) coated with Eudragit® S100 (ES100) (GAR-PLGA-ES100 nanoparticles (NPs)) for reducing inflammation caused by proinflammatory cytokines. The GAR-PLGA-ES100 NPs were prepared using a solvent evaporation technique and characterized for shape and surface morphology. An in vitro drug release study revealed the release of the drug specifically from NPs at the colonic pH of 7.4. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the GAR-PLGA-ES100 NPs was also evaluated and found to be highly biocompatible with CACO-2 cells. These NPs were able to reduce lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Inhibition of the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α , chemokine interleukin (IL)-8 and the nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B-cells (NF-κB) was observed after GAR-PLGA-ES100 NPs treatment. Therefore, our results support the idea that GAR-PLGA-ES100 NPs show substantial improvement after the release of the drug, specifically in colonic pH targeting and reduction in the activation of inflammation that leads to IBD, suggesting that GAR-PLGA-ES100 NPs are promising candidates for oral delivery to colonic inflamed tissue.
Pretreatment of Switchgrass for Production of Glucose via Sulfonic Acid-Impregnated Activated Carbon
Authors: Ansanay Yane , Kolar Praveen , Sharma-Shivappa Ratna , Cheng Jay , Arellano Consuelo
Published: March 2021

In the present research, activated carbon-supported sulfonic acid catalysts were synthesized and tested as pretreatment agents for the conversion of switchgrass into glucose. The catalysts were synthesized by reacting sulfuric acid, methanesulfonic acid, and p-toluenesulfonic acid with activated carbon. The characterization of catalysts suggested an increase in surface acidities, while surface area and pore volumes decreased because of sulfonation. Batch experiments were performed in 125 mL serum bottles to investigate the effects of temperature (30, 60, and 90 °C), reaction time (90 and 120 min) on the yields of glucose. Enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated switchgrass using Ctec2 yielded up to 57.13% glucose. Durability tests indicated that sulfonic solid-impregnated carbon catalysts were able to maintain activity even after three cycles. From the results obtained, the solid acid catalysts appear to serve as effective pretreatment agents and can potentially reduce the use of conventional liquid acids and bases in biomass-into-biofuel production.
Improved Continuous-Cycling Method for PID Autotuning
Authors: Kim Kyeong Hoon , Bae Jeong Eun , Chu Syng Chul , Sung Su Whan
Published: March 2021

An improved continuous-cycling method is proposed for the autotuning of the proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller. The proposed method can identify the frequency response of the process at a preset phase angle without a modeling error. Moreover, it provides an exact frequency response even if a static disturbance is present. The proposed method is an improved version of the continuous-cycling method. The gain of the proportional controller in the continuous-cycling method is updated to obtain the continuous-cycling status automatically. To guarantee the preset phase angle of the frequency response, we place a phase shifter in the form of a time delay after the proportional controller. The results of simulation and experimental studies show that the proposed method can provide an exact frequency response even under static disturbance conditions and can be applied to real processes.
Language Preferences in Romanian Communication Sciences Journals: A Web-Based Analysis
Authors: Cernicova-Buca Mariana
Published: March 2021

In modern times, English has become the lingua franca of science, dominating journal publishing ecologies. Multilingual journals keep up the flag, many researchers arguing that, especially in the case of social sciences and humanities, diversity of languages is an asset. In Romania, in the absence of national databases or repositories, the first task to understand linguistic preferences for scientific communication is to map the ground. The study extracted information on Romanian communication sciences journals from four major databases. Out of the 22 identified journals, only eight are dedicated solely to communication sciences, grouped in two poles of communication sciences schools, where doctoral studies in the field have been established. While English dominates the publication world, multilinguistic journals also appear, prevailing in traditional multicultural regions such as Transylvania–Banat. The future of multilingual journals depends on, among other factors, the capacity of the European Union to promote linguistic diversity for scientific purposes. Meanwhile, Romanian journals in communication sciences work towards increasing their impact. Research findings have practical and policy implications, the core idea being that Romanian editors need to strive for better standards in publication and showcase the journals better on the journal’s webpage.
DDoS Flood and Destination Service Changing Sensor
Authors: Hsu Fu-Hau , Lee Chia-Hao , Wang Chun-Yi , Hung Rui-Yi , Zhuang YungYu
Published: March 2021

In this paper, we aim to detect distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, and receive a notification of destination service, changing immediately, without the additional efforts of other modules. We designed a kernel-based mechanism to build a new Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) connection smartly by the host while the users or clients not knowing the location of the next host. Moreover, we built a lightweight flooding attack detection mechanism in the user mode of an operating system. Given that reinstalling a modified operating system on each client is not realistic, we managed to replace the entry of the system call table with a customized sys_connect. An effective defense depends on fine detection and defensive procedures. In according with our experiments, this novel mechanism can detect flooding DDoS successfully, including SYN flood and ICMP flood. Furthermore, through cooperating with a specific low cost network architecture, the mechanism can help to defend DDoS attacks effectively.
RN-Net: A Deep Learning Approach to 0–2 Hour Rainfall Nowcasting Based on Radar and Automatic Weather Station Data
Authors: Zhang Fuhan , Wang Xiaodong , Guan Jiping , Wu Meihan , Guo Lina
Published: March 2021

Precipitation has an important impact on people’s daily life and disaster prevention and mitigation. However, it is difficult to provide more accurate results for rainfall nowcasting due to spin-up problems in numerical weather prediction models. Furthermore, existing rainfall nowcasting methods based on machine learning and deep learning cannot provide large-area rainfall nowcasting with high spatiotemporal resolution. This paper proposes a dual-input dual-encoder recurrent neural network, namely Rainfall Nowcasting Network (RN-Net), to solve this problem. It takes the past grid rainfall data interpolated by automatic weather stations and doppler radar mosaic data as input data, and then forecasts the grid rainfall data for the next 2 h. We conduct experiments on the Southeastern China dataset. With a threshold of 0.25 mm, the RN-Net’s rainfall nowcasting threat scores have reached 0.523, 0.503, and 0.435 within 0.5 h, 1 h, and 2 h. Compared with the Weather Research and Forecasting model rainfall nowcasting, the threat scores have been increased by nearly four times, three times, and three times, respectively.
An Unambiguous Synchronization Scheme for GNSS BOC Signals Based on Reconstructed Correlation Function
Authors: Sun Xiyan , Song Shaojie , Ji Yuanfa , Gan Xingli , Yan Suqing , Jia Xizi
Published: March 2021

Binary offset carrier (BOC) modulation is a new modulation method that has been gradually applied to the Global Satellite Navigation System (GNSS) in recent years. However, due to the multi-peaks in its auto-correlation function (ACF), it will incur a false lock and generate synchronization ambiguous potentially. In this paper, an unambiguous synchronization method based on a reconstructed correlation function is proposed to solve the ambiguity problem. First, through the shape code vector constructed in this paper, the general cross-correlation function (CCF) expression of the BOC modulated signal will be obtained. Based on the features of the signal correlation function, it is decomposed into a matrix form of trigonometric functions. Then, it generates two local signal waves using a specific method, then the proposed method is implemented to obtain a no-side-peak correlation function by reconstructing the cross-correlation between the received signal and the two local signals. Simulations showed that it fully eliminates the side-peak threat and significantly removes the ambiguity during the synchronization of the BOC signals. This paper also gives the improved structure of acquisition and tracking. The detailed theoretical deduction of detection probability and code tracking error is demonstrated, and the corresponding phase discrimination function is given. In terms of de-blurring ability and detection probability performance, the proposed method outperformed other conventional approaches. The tracking performance was superior to the comparison methods and the phase discrimination curve only had a zero-crossing, which successfully removed the false lock points. In addition, in multipath mitigation, it outperformed the ACF of the BOC signal, and performs as well as the autocorrelation side-peak cancellation technique (ASPeCT) for BOC(kn,n) signals.
Sensing of Surface and Bulk Refractive Index Using Magnetophotonic Crystal with Hybrid Magneto-Optical Response
Authors: Ignatyeva Daria , Kapralov Pavel , Golovko Polina , Shilina Polina , Khramova Anastasiya , Sekatskii Sergey , Nur-E-Alam Mohammad , Alameh Kamal , Vasiliev Mikhail , Kalish Andrey , Belotelov Vladimir
Published: March 2021

We propose an all-dielectric magneto-photonic crystal with a hybrid magneto-optical response that allows for the simultaneous measurements of the surface and bulk refractive index of the analyzed substance. The approach is based on two different spectral features of the magneto-optical response corresponding to the resonances in p- and s-polarizations of the incident light. Angular spectra of p-polarized light have a step-like behavior near the total internal reflection angle which position is sensitive to the bulk refractive index. S-polarized light excites the TE-polarized optical Tamm surface mode localized in a submicron region near the photonic crystal surface and is sensitive to the refractive index of the near-surface analyte. We propose to measure a hybrid magneto-optical intensity modulation of p-polarized light obtained by switching the magnetic field between the transverse and polar configurations. The transversal component of the external magnetic field is responsible for the magneto-optical resonance near total internal reflection conditions, and the polar component reveals the resonance of the Tamm surface mode. Therefore, both surface- and bulk-associated features are present in the magneto-optical spectra of the p-polarized light.
Agreement between the SHAPES Questionnaire and a Multiple-Sensor Monitor in Assessing Physical Activity of Adolescents Using Categorial Approach: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Radman Ivan , Sorić Maroje , Mišigoj-Duraković Marjeta
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the agreement between a 7-day recall questionnaire and multiple-sensor monitor in identifying sufficiently active adolescents. A total of 282 students involved in the CRO-PALS study were randomly selected for a device-based measurement of physical activity (PA) using the SenseWear Armband device (SWA) no more than three weeks before or after having fulfilled the SHAPES questionnaire. Valid data was obtained from 150 participants (61 boys; 89 girls) and included in the analysis. In boys, SHAPES exhibited high specificity (92.3%), overall percent agreement (85.0%), and significant agreement (κ = 0.32, p = 0.014) with the SWA in recognising sufficiently active individuals. Conversely, no agreement was detected for quartiles of PA, although boys that were classified in the first and in the fourth quartile by SHAPES differed in device-based measured duration of MVPA (134 [95%CI: 109–160] vs. 87 [95%CI: 65–108], p = 0.032); and VPA (39 [95%CI: 23–56] vs. 14 [95%CI: 6–22], p = 0.011). In girls, no significant agreement between the two methods was found in any of the analyses. It appears that the SHAPES questionnaire is effective to identify individuals that comply with PA recommendations and to distinguish between the most active and the least active individuals for adolescent boys, but not for girls.