bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SATIŞ ELEMANLARININ EMLAK SEKTÖRÜNDEKİ ROLÜNÜN BELİRLENMESİNDE GÜVEN UNSURUNUN ÖNEMİ
Authors: GÜNEŞ Mehmet , ÖZGÜNER Zeynep
Published: January 2021

Gayrimenkul danışmanlığı, hizmet sektöründe faaliyet gösteren işletmeler içerisinde önemli bir iş alanıdır. Emlak sektöründeki bu faaliyet, yatırım amaçlı alım yapmaya istekli kişiler için veya yüksek gelir gruplarının ek yatırım odaklı hizmet alım süreçleri kapsamında güven unsurunun önemini ve sektördeki hareketliliğe etkisini öne çıkarmaktadır. Sektörel anlamda gerçekleştirilen tüm faaliyetlerin süreçsel anlamdaki verimliliği ve sektöre ekonomik katkısı dolayısıyla güven faktörü oldukça yoğun çalışılan konular arasındadır. Bu doğrultuda çalışmanın temel amacı; güven kavramının önemine, müşterilerin emlakçılara güvenip güvenmediğine ve emlakçıların kendilerine gelen müşteriye güven duygusu verip veremediklerine değinmek, işletmelerin kendilerine müşteri çekebilmesi açısından onlara destek sağlamak ve işletmelerin devamlılığının sağlanması adına farkındalık oluşturmaktır. Çalışma kapsamındaki anket ölçeği Gaziantep ili merkez Şahinbey ilçesinde uygulanmıştır. Çalışmanın örneklemini emlakçılardan belli bir ücret karşılığı hizmet almış veya hizmet talep etmek üzere emlakçılarla iletişime geçmiş 18 yaş ve üzerindeki bireyler oluşturmaktadır. Çalışmada 420 müşteriye uygulanan anket ölçeklerinden elde edilen veriler SPSS 22.0 paket programıyla analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgulara göre erkekler ile kadınlar arasında güven unsurunun etkisinin farklılık gösterdiği, bu durumda ise satış elemanlarının kadınlara erkeklerden daha az güven verdikleri sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.Gayrimenkul danışmanlığı, hizmet sektöründe faaliyet gösteren işletmeler içerisinde önemli bir iş alanıdır. Emlak sektöründeki bu faaliyet, yatırım amaçlı alım yapmaya istekli kişiler için veya yüksek gelir gruplarının ek yatırım odaklı hizmet alım süreçleri kapsamında güven unsurunun önemini ve sektördeki hareketliliğe etkisini öne çıkarmaktadır. Sektörel anlamda gerçekleştirilen tüm faaliyetlerin süreçsel anlamdaki verimliliği ve sektöre ekonomik katkısı dolayısıyla güven faktörü oldukça yoğun çalışılan konular arasındadır. Bu doğrultuda çalışmanın temel amacı; güven kavramının önemine, müşterilerin emlakçılara güvenip güvenmediğine ve emlakçıların kendilerine gelen müşteriye güven duygusu verip veremediklerine değinmek, işletmelerin kendilerine müşteri çekebilmesi açısından onlara destek sağlamak ve işletmelerin devamlılığının sağlanması adına farkındalık oluşturmaktır. Çalışma kapsamındaki anket ölçeği Gaziantep ili merkez Şahinbey ilçesinde uygulanmıştır. Çalışmanın örneklemini emlakçılardan belli bir ücret karşılığı hizmet almış veya hizmet talep etmek üzere emlakçılarla iletişime geçmiş 18 yaş ve üzerindeki bireyler oluşturmaktadır. Çalışmada 420 müşteriye uygulanan anket ölçeklerinden elde edilen veriler SPSS 22.0 paket programıyla analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgulara göre erkekler ile kadınlar arasında güven unsurunun etkisinin farklılık gösterdiği, bu durumda ise satış elemanlarının kadınlara erkeklerden daha az güven verdikleri sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
THE NEW BALANCE OF POWER IN THE SOUTHERN CAUCASUS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE NAGORNO-KARABAKH CONFLICT IN 2020
Authors: SEMERCİOĞLU Harun
Published: January 2021

Although it has an important historical background, the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which gained its sovereignty after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, has been the most important conflict issue in the South Caucasus from 1992 until today. Despite the multiple resolutions of the UN Security Council and the international community, Armenia which occupied the Azerbaijani territories there did not take a step back from this de facto situation with the influence of the strong diaspora in the USA and the EU, and the work of the Minsk Group established within this framework could not bring a solution to this problem. It is aimed in this paper to analyze the above-mentioned conflict in 2020. In this context, in the first part, the historical background is set forth and all parties and their effects are revealed. Later on, the events of the conflict and the peace agreement are included, and the final situation after the agreement is examined. Lastly, an analysis of the conflict has been made in conclusion, and also the new situation that emerged in the South Caucasus has been evaluated
Whose Virus - Whose Code
Authors: Gómez-Venegas Diego
Published: January 2021

This essay attempts to trace the currents of anxieties and fears that overflowed the digital during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. Traveling with such flows, this work aims to model the questions that, circulating silently in a sort of latent state before the catastrophe, now haunt us as brutally unveiled; namely, to which extent the digital mediations we have attached to ourselves, to our lives, in order to know and experience this world under a protected mode, now push us to witness that that world has expelled us? To which extent these digital mediations tell us that now we belong more to them, than to that old world of which we became blind almost a century ago? Through a post-hermeneutical approach, one that analyzes some of the digital traces left by the rise of this pandemic by discussing them through the lens of media history and media theory, this work seeks to sketch a short media history of loss; the loss of many, the loss of our-selves.
Exploring Climate Disaster Resilience: Insight into City and Zone Levels of Southern Taiwan
Authors: Imani Moslem , Fakour Hoda , Lo Shang-Lien
Published: January 2021

While climate change is one of the greatest environmental threats the entire world faces today, rapid urbanization is making both the community and ecosystem more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Estimating urban resilience is thus one of the important processes to understanding the current and potential future risks of cities providing practical policies and qualified strategies to cope with climate change effects. This study presents a disaster risk analysis in Southern Taiwan at the municipal and zone levels using the Climate Disaster Resilience Index (CDRI). The index was estimated at both the zone and city scale of three coastal cities, namely Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung. The CDRI approach consists of five different dimensions (physical, social, economic, institutional, and natural), with several parameters and variables reflecting the abilities, strength, and threats of case study cities to cope with potential climate-related disasters. The findings show that, while the physical dimension has the highest resilience among cities, the lowest average scores and the least resilience belong to the natural dimension. The overall CDRI score for different cites also revealed various capabilities, shortcomings, drawbacks, and potential risks of neighbored cities in the same region. It is expected that the findings of this study shall serve as an urban planning tool to recognize the sectors within an urban context that are more or less resilient, enhance actions at the local level, and support future planning decisions.
Genome-Wide Identification of the NHX Gene Family in Punica granatum L. and Their Expressional Patterns under Salt Stress
Authors: Dong Jianmei , Liu Cuiyu , Wang Yuying , Zhao Yujie , Ge Dapeng , Yuan Zhaohe
Published: January 2021

Most cultivated lands are suffering from soil salinization, which is a global problem affecting agricultural development and economy. High NaCl concentrations in the soil result in the accumulation of toxic Cl− and Na+ in plants. Na+/H+ antiporter (NHX) can regulate Na+ compartmentalization or efflux to reduce Na+ toxicity. This study aims to identify the NHX genes in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) from the genome sequences and investigate their expression patterns under different concentrations of NaCl stress. In this study, we used the sequences of PgNHXs to analyze the physicochemical properties, phylogenetic evolution, conserved motifs, gene structures, cis-acting elements, protein tertiary structure and expression pattern. A total of 10 PgNHX genes were identified, and divided into three clades. Conserved motifs and gene structures showed that most of them had an amiloride-binding site (FFI/LY/FLLPPI), except for the members of clade III. There were multiple cis-acting elements involved in abiotic stress in PgNHX genes. Additionally, protein-protein interaction network analysis suggested that PgNHXs might play crucial roles in keeping a balance of Na+ in cells. The qRT-PCR analysis suggested that PgNHXs had tissue-specific expressional patterns under salt stress. Overall, our findings indicated that the PgNHXs could play significant roles in response to salt stress. The theoretical foundation was established in the present study for the further functional characterization of the NHX gene family in pomegranate.
Foliar Application of Ulva rigida Water Extracts Improves Salinity Tolerance in Wheat (Triticum durum L.)
Authors: Latique Salma , Mrid Reda Ben , Kabach Imad , Kchikich Anass , Sammama Hasnaa , Yasri Abdelaziz , Nhiri Mohamed , El Kaoua Mimoun , Douira Allal , Selmaoui Karima
Published: January 2021

This study investigated the effect of seaweed extract (SWE) sprays obtained from Ulva rigida on wheat plants (Triticum durum L., variety Karim) grown under salt stress conditions for six weeks. Three levels of NaCl (0, 34.22, 68.44 mM) and four different concentrations (0, 12.5, 25 and 50%) of Ulva rigida as a water extract were applied. The obtained results indicated that seaweed treated plants showed higher ability to tolerate salt stress (34.22 or 68.44 mM of NaCl) by a significant (p < 0.05) increase of plant growth and the photosynthetic pigment contents, compared to those of control (non-treated plants). Furthermore, there was a significant improvement in antioxidant enzyme activity, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) activities in the stressed plants, especially in those treated with 12.5% of SWE. Overall, our results suggest that the application of the Ulva rigida water extract could be used as a promising plant growth biostimulant for treating wheat plants under salinity stress.
Semiochemical-Based Attractant for the Ambrosia Pinhole Borer Euplatypus parallelus
Authors: Rainho Hugo L. , Silva Weliton D. , Bento José Maurício S.
Published: January 2021

A semiochemical-based attractant for Euplatypus parallelus was identified and field-tested. Analyses of headspace volatile extracts of conspecific males revealed the presence of 1-hexanol along with lesser amounts of 3-methyl-1-butanol, hexyl acetate, 1-octanol and trans-geraniol, which were not found in equivalent extracts from females. Emission of 1-hexanol coincided with the emergence of adults of both sexes during afternoon hours. A synthetic blend of these compounds, with and without ethanol, was tested in the field. The blend alone attracted a small number of females and no males. Ethanol alone attracted a small number of females (not significantly different from the blend alone) but significantly more males than the blend alone. More females were caught with the blend combined with ethanol than the combined catch of either attractant alone, suggesting a synergistic interaction. Attraction of males appeared to be a response to ethanol alone. During the trials, two potential natural enemies of E. parallelus were caught, indicating that they might be eavesdropping on the semiochemical channels of their prey. Traps containing the male-specific volatile compounds combined with ethanol could be applied as an effective attractant for detection and monitoring of E. parallelus as well as for recruitment of its natural enemies.
Effect of Pregnane X Receptor on CYP3A29 Expression in Porcine Alveolar Macrophages during Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae Infection
Authors: Yang Xiaoyang , Xing Fei , Wang Li , Zhao Weimin , Fu Yanfeng , Tu Feng , Li Bixia , Fang Xiaomin , Ren Shouwen
Published: January 2021

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae, Mhp) is the causative agent of mycoplasma pneumonia of swine (MPS). M. hyopneumoniae infection causes inflammation in pigs and leads to considerable economic losses in the pig industry. Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a pluripotent gene regulatory protein that plays an important role in regulating cytochrome P-450 (CYP) in pigs in the context of inflammatory responses, drug metabolism, homeostasis, etc. We previously reported that cytochrome P450 3A29 (CYP3A29) expression was significantly upregulated in pigs infected with M. hyopneumoniae compared with healthy control pigs. This experiment mainly focused on identifying the role of PXR in the regulation of CYP3A29 and inflammatory factors after M. hyopneumoniae infection by establishing pig alveolar macrophage (PAM) cells in which PXR was overexpressed or silenced. Our results showed that the overexpression of PXR could significantly improve the protein and the mRNA expression levels of CYP3A29 with and without M. hyopneumoniae infection in PAM cells. After the expression of PXR was inhibited, protein and mRNA expression levels of CYP3A29 were significantly reduced with and without M. hyopneumoniae infection in PAM cells. Moreover, PXR can regulate the mRNA expression levels of IL-6 and IL-8 during M. hyopneumoniae infection of PAM cells. In conclusion, these results suggest that PXR positively regulates CYP3A29 expression during the inflammatory response caused by M. hyopneumoniae infection.
Effect of Soybean Oil Supplementation on Milk Production, Digestibility, and Metabolism in Dairy Goats under Thermoneutral and Heat Stress Conditions
Authors: Hamzaoui Soufiane , Caja Gerardo , Such Xavier , Albanell Elena , Salama Ahmed A. K.
Published: January 2021

In a previous work, we observed that heat-stressed goats suffer reductions in milk yield and its contents of fat and protein. Supplementation with soybean oil (SBO) may be a useful strategy to enhance milk quality. In total, eight multiparous Murciano–Granadina dairy goats (42.8 ± 1.3 kg body weight; 99 ± 1 days of lactation) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four periods; 21 d each (14 d adaptation, 5 d for measurements and 2 d transition between periods). Goats were allocated to one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Factors were no oil (CON) or 4% of soybean oil (SBO), and controlled thermal neutral (TN; 15 to 20 °C) or heat stress (HS; 12 h/d at 37 °C and 12 h/d at 30 °C) conditions. This resulted in four treatment combinations: TN-CON, TN-SBO, HS-CON, and HS-SBO. Compared to TN, HS goats experienced lower (p < 0.05) feed intake, body weight, N retention, milk yield, and milk protein and lactose contents. However, goats in HS conditions had greater (p < 0.05) digestibility coefficients (+5.1, +5.2, +4.6, +7.0, and +8.9 points for dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, respectively) than TN goats. The response to SBO had the same magnitude in TN and HS conditions. Supplementation with SBO had no effects on feed intake, milk yield, or milk protein content. However, SBO supplementation increased (p < 0.05) blood non-esterified fatty acids by 50%, milk fat by 29%, and conjugated linoleic acid by 360%. In conclusion, feeding 4% SBO to dairy goats was a useful strategy to increase milk fat and conjugated linoleic acid without any negative effects on intake, milk yield, or milk protein content. These beneficial effects were obtained regardless goats were in TN or HS conditions.
Monitoring and Improving the Metabolic Health of Dairy Cows during the Transition Period
Authors: Caixeta Luciano S. , Omontese Bobwealth O.
Published: January 2021

The peripartum period of a dairy cow is characterized by several physiological and behavioral changes in response to a rapid increase in nutrient demands, to support the final stages of fetal growth and the production of colostrum and milk. Traditionally, the transition period is defined as the period 3 weeks before and 3 weeks after parturition. However, several researchers have argued that the transition period begins at the time of dry-off (~60–50 days prior to calving) and extends beyond the first month post-calving in high producing dairy cows. Independent of the definition used, adequate adaptation to the physiological demands of this period is paramount for a successful lactation. Nonetheless, not all cows are successful in transitioning from late gestation to early lactation, leading to approximately one third of dairy cows having at least one clinical disease (metabolic and/or infectious) and more than half of the cows having at least one subclinical case of disease within the first 90 days of lactation. Thus, monitoring dairy cows during this period is essential to detect early disease signs, diagnose clinical and subclinical diseases, and initiate targeted health management to avoid health and production impairment. In this review, we discuss different strategies to monitor dairy cows to detected unintended disruptions in performance and management strategies that can be implemented to improve the metabolic health and performance of dairy cows during the transition period.
Effects of Airspeed on the Respiratory Rate, Rectal Temperature, and Immunity Parameters of Dairy Calves Housed Individually in an Axial-Fan-Ventilated Barn
Authors: Zhao Wanying , Choi Christopher , Li Dapeng , Yan Geqi , Li Hao , Shi Zhengxiang
Published: January 2021

At many modern dairy farms, calves raised in barns are kept in individual stalls separated by solid partitions, which act as barriers. Ventilation fans blowing air perpendicular to these stalls only provide the optimal airflow to the first few calves, while those further away receive a slower airflow. To ascertain whatever effects different airflow speeds may have on the health of animals kept in stalls located at increasing distances from ventilation fans, we divided a select group of 43 Holstein dairy calves into six subgroups based on age, and each subgroup was subjected to either a specified high-speed or low-speed airflow as follows: (1) Six 3-day-olds received high-speed airflow (D3-HA); (2) Six 3-day-olds received low-speed airflow (D3-LA); (3) Eight 19 (±3)-day-olds received high-speed airflow (D19-HA); (4) Eight 19 (± 3)-day-olds received low-speed airflow (D19-LA); (5) Eight 29 (±3)-day-olds received high-speed airflow (D29-HA); and (6) Seven 29 (±3)-day-olds received medium-speed airflow (D29-MA). These trials show that the rectal temperatures and respiratory rates of D19-LA (39.37 °C; 72.90 breaths/min) were significantly higher than those of D19-HA (39.14 °C; 61.57 breaths/min) (p ≤ 0.05), and those of D29-MA (39.40 °C; 75.52 breaths/min) were significantly higher than those of D29-HA (39.20 °C; 68.41 breaths/min) (p ≤ 0.05). At 33 (±3) days of age, those calves receiving high-speed airflow (p ≤ 0.05) registered significantly higher immunoglobulins A and M than calves receiving low-speed flow. Those calves subjected to a high-speed airflow also registered significantly lower tumor necrosis factor levels than those receiving low-speed flow (p ≤ 0.05). Among the 29 to 43-day-old calves, no significant differences in immunity parameters were found to exist between groups D29-HA and D29-MA. On the basis of these findings, we were able to conclude that in the warm season, when the calves were less than 0.5 months old, low-speed (0.17–0.18 m/s) airflows had no significant effect on calves; when the calves were 1 month old, low-speed airflow (0.20–0.21 m/s) may impair the immune functions; when the calves were 1 to 1.5 months old, the airflow velocity higher than 0.9 m/s can meet the needs of the calf without a negative impact on the calf.
Prevalence of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) in Companion Animals: The First Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review
Authors: Wada Yusuf , Irekeola Ahmad Adebayo , E.A.R. Engku Nur Syafirah , Yusof Wardah , Lih Huey Lee , Ladan Muhammad Suwaiba , Harun Azian , Yean Chan Yean , Zaidah Abdul Rahman
Published: January 2021

Antimicrobial resistance in companion animals is a major public health concern worldwide due to the animals’ zoonotic potential and ability to act as a reservoir for resistant genes. We report on the first use of meta-analysis and a systematic review to analyze the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) in companion animals. Databases such as MedLib, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched. The information was extracted by two independent reviewers and the results were reviewed by a third. Two reviewers independently assessed the study protocol using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) checklist and the study quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist for prevalence data. OpenMeta analyst and comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) were used for the meta-analysis. The random effect model was used, and publication bias was assessed using the Eggers test and funnel plot. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed, and the sources were analyzed using the leave-one-out meta-analysis, subgroup analysis and meta-regression. Twenty-two studies met the eligibility criteria, but because some studies reported the prevalence of VRE in more than one companion animal, they were considered as individual studies, and 35 studies were therefore added to the final meta-analysis. Sampling period of the included studies was from 1995–2018. Of the 4288 isolates tested in the included studies, 1241 were VRE. The pooled prevalence of VRE in companion animals was estimated at 14.6% (95% CI; 8.7–23.5%; I2 = 97.10%; p < 0.001). Between-study variability was high (t2 = 2.859; heterogeneity I2 = 97.10% with heterogeneity chi-square (Q) = 1173.346, degrees of freedom (df) = 34, and p < 0.001). The funnel plot showed bias, which was confirmed by Eggers test (t-value = 3.97165; p = 0.00036), and estimates from the leave-one-out forest plot did not affect the pooled prevalence. Pooled prevalence of VRE in dogs and cats were 18.2% (CI = 9.4–32.5%) and 12.3%, CI = 3.8–33.1%), respectively. More studies were reported in Europe than in any other continent, with most studies using feces as the sample type and disc diffusion as the detection method. With the emergence of resistant strains, new antimicrobials are required in veterinary medicine.
The Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Anaerobic Bacteria in Major Liver Resection
Authors: Strohäker Jens , Bareiß Sophia , Nadalin Silvio , Königsrainer Alfred , Ladurner Ruth , Meier Anke
Published: January 2021

(1) Background: Anaerobic infections in hepatobiliary surgery have rarely been addressed. Whereas infectious complications during the perioperative phase of liver resections are common, there are very limited data on the prevalence and clinical role of anaerobes in this context. Given the risk of contaminated bile in liver resections, the goal of our study was to investigate the prevalence and outcome of anaerobic infections in major hepatectomies. (2) Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the charts of 245 consecutive major hepatectomies that were performed at the department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery of the University Hospital of Tuebingen between July 2017 and August 2020. All microbiological cultures were screened for the prevalence of anaerobic bacteria and the patients’ clinical characteristics and outcomes were evaluated. (3) Results: Of the 245 patients, 13 patients suffered from anaerobic infections. Seven had positive cultures from the biliary tract during the primary procedure, while six had positive culture results from samples obtained during the management of complications. Risk factors for anaerobic infections were preoperative biliary stenting (p = 0.002) and bile leaks (p = 0.009). All of these infections had to be treated by intervention and adjunct antibiotic treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics. (4) Conclusions: Anaerobic infections are rare in liver resections. Certain risk factors trigger the antibiotic coverage of anaerobes.
Protective Effect of Pomegranate on Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Response Induced by 5-Fluorouracil in Human Keratinocytes
Authors: Rapa Shara Francesca , Magliocca Giorgia , Pepe Giacomo , Amodio Giuseppina , Autore Giuseppina , Campiglia Pietro , Marzocco Stefania
Published: January 2021

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a pyrimidine analogue used as an antineoplastic agent to treat multiple solid tumors. Despite its use and efficacy, it also has important side effects in healthy cells, including skin reactions, related to its pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory potential. Although there are numerous remedies for chemotherapy-induced skin reactions, the efficacy of these treatments remains limited. In this study we focused on the effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) juice extract (PPJE) on the oxidative and inflammatory state in 5-FU-treated human skin keratinocytes (HaCaT). The obtained results showed that PPJE significantly inhibited reactive oxygen species release and increased the cellular antioxidant response, as indicated by the increased expression of cytoprotective enzymes, such as heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1. In these experimental conditions, PPJE also inhibited nitrotyrosine formation and 5-FU-induced inflammatory response, as indicated by the reduced cytokine level release. Moreover, PPJE inhibited nuclear translocation of p65-NF-κB, a key factor regulating the inflammatory response. In 5-FU-treated HaCaT cells PPJE also inhibited apoptosis and promoted wound repair. These results suggest a potential use of PPJE as an adjuvant in the treatment of the oxidative and inflammatory state that characterizes chemotherapy-induced skin side effects.
Research of Calibration Method for Industrial Robot Based on Error Model of Position
Authors: Chen Tianyan , Lin Jinsong , Wu Deyu , Wu Haibin
Published: January 2021

Based on the current situation of high precision and comparatively low APA (absolute positioning accuracy) in industrial robots, a calibration method to enhance the APA of industrial robots is proposed. In view of the "hidden" characteristics of the RBCS (robot base coordinate system) and the FCS (flange coordinate system) in the measurement process, a comparatively general measurement and calibration method of the RBCS and the FCS is proposed, and the source of the robot terminal position error is classified into three aspects: positioning error of industrial RBCS, kinematics parameter error of manipulator, and positioning error of industrial robot end FCS. The robot position error model is established, and the relation equation of the robot end position error and the industrial robot model parameter error is deduced. By solving the equation, the parameter error identification and the supplementary results are obtained, and the method of compensating the error by using the robot joint angle is realized. The Leica laser tracker is used to verify the calibration method on ABB IRB120 industrial robot. The experimental results show that the calibration method can effectively enhance the APA of the robot.
Interactions between Phase-Separated Liquids and Membrane Surfaces
Authors: Botterbusch Samuel , Baumgart Tobias
Published: January 2021

Liquid-liquid phase separation has recently emerged as an important fundamental organizational phenomenon in biological settings. Most studies of biological phase separation have focused on droplets that “condense” from solution above a critical concentration, forming so-called “membraneless organelles” suspended in solution. However, membranes are ubiquitous throughout cells, and many biomolecular condensates interact with membrane surfaces. Such membrane-associated phase-separated systems range from clusters of integral or peripheral membrane proteins in the plane of the membrane to free, spherical droplets wetting membrane surfaces to droplets containing small lipid vesicles. In this review, we consider phase-separated liquids that interact with membrane surfaces and we discuss the consequences of those interactions. The physical properties of distinct liquid phases in contact with bilayers can reshape the membrane, and liquid-liquid phase separation can construct membrane-associated protein structures, modulate their function, and organize collections of lipid vesicles dynamically. We summarize the common phenomena that arise in these systems of liquid phases and membranes.
Trends and Source Contribution Characteristics of SO2, NOX, PM10 and PM2.5 Emissions in Sichuan Province from 2013 to 2017
Authors: He Min , Chen Junhui , He Yuming , Li Yuan , Long Qichao , Qiao Yuhong , Zhang Kaishan
Published: January 2021

As one of the most populated regions in China, Sichuan province had been suffering from deteriorated air quality due to the dramatic growth of economy and vehicles in recent years. To deal with the increasingly serious air quality problem, Sichuan government agencies had made great efforts to formulate various control measures and policies during the past decade. In order to better understand the emission control progress in recent years and to guide further control policy formulation, the emission trends and source contribution characteristics of SO2, NOX, PM10 and PM2.5 from 2013 to 2017 were characterized by using emission factor approach in this study. The results indicated that SO2 emission decreased rapidly during 2013–2017 with total emission decreased by 52%. NOX emission decreased during 2013–2015 but started to increase slightly afterward. PM10 and PM2.5 emissions went down consistently during the study period, decreased by 26% and 25%, respectively. In summary, the contribution of power plants kept decreasing, while contribution of industrial combustion remained steady in the past 5 years. The contribution of industrial processes increased for SO2 emission, and decreased slightly for NOX, PM10 and PM2.5 emissions. The on-road mobile sources were the largest emission contributor for NOX, accounting for about 32–40%, and its contribution increased during 2013–2015 and then decreased. It was worth mentioning that nonroad mobile sources and natural gas fired boilers were becoming important NOX contributors in Sichuan. Fugitive dust were the key emission sources for PM10 and PM2.5, and the contribution kept increasing in the study period. Comparison results with other inventories, satellite data and ground observations indicated that emission trends developed in this research were relatively credible.
Identification of an RNA Silencing Suppressor Encoded by a Symptomless Fungal Hypovirus, Cryphonectria Hypovirus 4
Authors: Aulia Annisa , Hyodo Kiwamu , Hisano Sakae , Kondo Hideki , Hillman Bradley I. , Suzuki Nobuhiro
Published: January 2021

Previously, we have reported the ability of a symptomless hypovirus Cryphonectria hypovirus 4 (CHV4) of the chestnut blight fungus to facilitate stable infection by a co-infecting mycoreovirus 2 (MyRV2)—likely through the inhibitory effect of CHV4 on RNA silencing (Aulia et al., Virology, 2019). In this study, the N-terminal portion of the CHV4 polyprotein, termed p24, is identified as an autocatalytic protease capable of suppressing host antiviral RNA silencing. Using a bacterial expression system, CHV4 p24 is shown to cleave autocatalytically at the di-glycine peptide (Gly214-Gly215) of the polyprotein through its protease activity. Transgenic expression of CHV4 p24 in Cryphonectria parasitica suppresses the induction of one of the key genes of the antiviral RNA silencing, dicer-like 2, and stabilizes the infection of RNA silencing-susceptible virus MyRV2. This study shows functional similarity between CHV4 p24 and its homolog p29, encoded by the symptomatic prototype hypovirus CHV1.
Microwave-Assisted Rapid Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Seed Extract of Trachyspermum ammi: ROS Mediated Biofilm Inhibition and Anticancer Activity
Authors: Perveen Kahkashan , Husain Fohad Mabood , Qais Faizan Abul , Khan Altaf , Razak Suhail , Afsar Tayyaba , Alam Pravej , Almajwal Ali M. , Abulmeaty Mahmoud M. A.
Published: January 2021

Green synthesis of metal nanoparticles using plant extracts as capping and reducing agents for the biomedical applications has received considerable attention. Moreover, emergence and spread of multidrug resistance among bacterial pathogens has become a major health concern and lookout for novel alternative effective drugs has gained momentum. In current study, we synthesized gold nanoparticles using the seed extract of Trachyspermum ammi (TA-AuNPs), assessed its efficacy against drug resistant biofilms of Listeria monocytogenes and Serratia marcescens, and evaluated its anticancer potential against HepG2 cancer cell lines. Microwave-assisted green synthesis of gold nanoparticles was carried out and characterization was done using UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Most nanoparticles were observed as spherical and spheroidal with few anisotropies with an average crystalline size of 16.63 nm. Synthesized TA-AuNPs demonstrated significant biofilm inhibitory activity against L. monocytogenes (73%) as well as S. marcescens (81%). Exopolysaccharide (EPS), motility, and CSH, key elements that facilitate the formation and maintenance of biofilm were also inhibited significantly at the tested sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs). Further, TA-AuNPs effectively obliterated preformed mature biofilms of S. marcescens and L. monocytogenes by 64% and 58%, respectively. Induction of intracellular ROS production in TA-AuNPs treated bacterial cells could be the plausible mechanism for the reduced biofilm formation in test pathogens. Administration of TA-AuNPs resulted in the arrest of cellular proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. TA-AuNPs decrease the intracellular GSH in HepG2 cancer cell lines, cells become more prone to ROS generation, hence induce apoptosis. Thus, this work proposes a new eco-friendly and rapid approach for fabricating NPs which can be exploited for multifarious biomedical applications.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Biomimetics in 2020
Authors:   Biomimetics Editorial Office
Published: January 2021

Peer review is the driving force of journal development, and reviewers are gatekeepers who ensure that Biomimetics maintains its standards for the high quality of its published papers [...]
Analysis of Italian BRCA1/2 Pathogenic Variants Identifies a Private Spectrum in the Population from the Bergamo Province in Northern Italy
Authors: Figlioli Gisella , De Nicolo Arcangela , Catucci Irene , Manoukian Siranoush , Peissel Bernard , Azzollini Jacopo , Beltrami Benedetta , Bonanni Bernardo , Calvello Mariarosaria , Bondavalli Davide , Pasini Barbara , Vignolo Lutati Francesca , Ogliara Paola , Zuradelli Monica , Pensotti Valeria , De Vecchi Giovanna , Volorio Sara , Verderio Paolo , Pizzamiglio Sara , Matullo Giuseppe , Aneli Serena , Birolo Giovanni , Zanardi Federica , Tondini Carlo , Zambelli Alberto , Livraghi Luca , Franchi Michela , Radice Paolo , Peterlongo Paolo
Published: January 2021

Germline pathogenic variants (PVs) in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes cause high breast cancer risk. Recurrent or founder PVs have been described worldwide including some in the Bergamo province in Northern Italy. The aim of this study was to compare the BRCA1/2 PV spectra of the Bergamo and of the general Italian populations. We retrospectively identified at five Italian centers 1019 BRCA1/2 PVs carrier individuals affected with breast cancer and representative of the heterogeneous national population. Each individual was assigned to the Bergamo or non-Bergamo cohort based on self-reported birthplace. Our data indicate that the Bergamo BRCA1/2 PV spectrum shows less heterogeneity with fewer different variants and an average higher frequency compared to that of the rest of Italy. Consistently, four PVs explained about 60% of all carriers. The majority of the Bergamo PVs originated locally with only two PVs clearly imported. The Bergamo BRCA1/2 PV spectrum appears to be private. Hence, the Bergamo population would be ideal to study the disease risk associated with local PVs in breast cancer and other disease-causing genes. Finally, our data suggest that the Bergamo population is a genetic isolate and further analyses are warranted to prove this notion.
Role of Hypoxia-Mediated Autophagy in Tumor Cell Death and Survival
Authors: Zaarour Rania F. , Azakir Bilal , Hajam Edries Y. , Nawafleh Husam , Zeinelabdin Nagwa A. , Engelsen Agnete S.T. , Thiery Jérome , Jamora Colin , Chouaib Salem
Published: January 2021

Programmed cell death or type I apoptosis has been extensively studied and its contribution to the pathogenesis of disease is well established. However, autophagy functions together with apoptosis to determine the overall fate of the cell. The cross talk between this active self-destruction process and apoptosis is quite complex and contradictory as well, but it is unquestionably decisive for cell survival or cell death. Autophagy can promote tumor suppression but also tumor growth by inducing cancer-cell development and proliferation. In this review, we will discuss how autophagy reprograms tumor cells in the context of tumor hypoxic stress. We will illustrate how autophagy acts as both a suppressor and a driver of tumorigenesis through tuning survival in a context dependent manner. We also shed light on the relationship between autophagy and immune response in this complex regulation. A better understanding of the autophagy mechanisms and pathways will undoubtedly ameliorate the design of therapeutics aimed at targeting autophagy for future cancer immunotherapies.
Isoform-Specific Roles of Mutant p63 in Human Diseases
Authors: Osterburg Christian , Osterburg Susanne , Zhou Huiqing , Missero Caterina , Dötsch Volker
Published: January 2021

The p63 gene encodes a master regulator of epidermal commitment, development, and differentiation. Heterozygous mutations in the DNA binding domain cause Ectrodactyly, Ectodermal Dysplasia, characterized by limb deformation, cleft lip/palate, and ectodermal dysplasia while mutations in in the C-terminal domain of the α-isoform cause Ankyloblepharon-Ectodermal defects-Cleft lip/palate (AEC) syndrome, a life-threatening disorder characterized by skin fragility, severe, long-lasting skin erosions, and cleft lip/palate. The molecular disease mechanisms of these syndromes have recently become elucidated and have enhanced our understanding of the role of p63 in epidermal development. Here we review the molecular cause and functional consequences of these p63-mutations for skin development and discuss the consequences of p63 mutations for female fertility.
Using Gd-Enhanced β-NaYF4:Yb,Er Fluorescent Nanorods Coupled to Reduced TiO2 for the NIR-Triggered Photocatalytic Inactivation of Escherichia coli
Authors: Zhou Huang , He Fengjiao
Published: January 2021

β-NaYF4:Yb,Er,Gd fluorescent nanorods were successfully coupled to a reduced TiO2 (UCNPs@R-TiO2) nanocomposite and applied to visible-light catalytic sterilization under 980 nm near-infrared (NIR) light illumination. The UCNPs (β-NaYF4:Yb,Er,Gd) absorb the NIR light and emit red and green light. The visible light can be absorbed by the R-TiO2 (Eg = 2.8 eV) for the photocatalytic reaction. About 98.1% of Escherichia coli were effectively killed upon 12 min of NIR light irradiation at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 40 μg/mL UCNPs@R-TiO2 nanocomposite. The bactericidal properties were further evaluated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis. We found that the high bactericidal activity was due to the synergistic effect between the UCNPs and R-TiO2. Moreover, the UCNPs show excellent upconversion luminance properties, and the introduction of visible-light-absorbed R-TiO2 nanoparticles (2.8 eV) was conducive to the efficient separation and utilization of photogenerated electron-hole pairs.
Precision Medicine in Osteosarcoma: MATCH Trial and Beyond
Authors: Tirtei Elisa , Campello Anna , Asaftei Sebastian D. , Mareschi Katia , Cereda Matteo , Fagioli Franca
Published: January 2021

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a rare bone malignant tumour with a poor prognosis in the case of recurrence. So far, there is no agreement on the best systemic therapy for relapsed OS. The availability of next generation sequencing techniques has recently revolutionized clinical research. The sequencing of the tumour and its matched normal counterpart has the potential to reveal a wide landscape of genetic alterations with significant implications for clinical practice. The knowledge that the genomic profile of a patient’s tumour can be precisely mapped and matched to a targeted therapy in real time has improved the development of precision medicine trials (PMTs). PMTs aiming at determining the effectiveness of targeted therapies could be advantageous for patients with a tumour refractory to standard therapies. Development of PMTs for relapsed OS is largely encouraging and is in its initial phase. Assessing OS features, such as its rarity, its age distribution, the technical issues related to the bone tissue origin, and its complex genomic landscape, represents a real challenge for PMTs development. In this light, a multidisciplinary approach is required to fully exploit the potential of precision medicine for OS patients.
Nogo-A Is Critical for Pro-Inflammatory Gene Regulation in Myocytes and Macrophages
Authors: Ullah H. M. Arif , Elfadl A. K. , Park SunYoung , Kim Yong Deuk , Chung Myung-Jin , Son Ji-Yoon , Yun Hyun-Ho , Park Jae-Min , Yim Jae-Hyuk , Jung Seung-Jun , Choi Young-Chul , Shin Jin-Hong , Kim Dae-Seong , Park Jin-Kyu , Jeong Kyu-Shik
Published: January 2021

Nogo-A (Rtn 4A), a member of the reticulon 4 (Rtn4) protein family, is a neurite outgrowth inhibitor protein that is primarily expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). However, previous studies revealed that Nogo-A was upregulated in skeletal muscles of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Additionally, experiments showed that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress marker, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), was upregulated in gastrocnemius muscle of a murine model of ALS. We therefore hypothesized that Nogo-A might relate to skeletal muscle diseases. According to our knocking down and overexpression results in muscle cell line (C2C12), we have found that upregulation of Nogo-A resulted in upregulation of CHOP, pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, while downregulation of Nogo-A led to downregulation of CHOP, IL-6 and TNF-α. Immunofluorescence results showed that Nogo-A and CHOP were expressed by myofibers as well as tissue macrophages. Since resident macrophages share similar functions as bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM), we therefore, isolated macrophages from bone marrow to study the role of Nogo-A in activation of these cells. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BMDM in Nogo-KO mice showed low mRNA expression of CHOP, IL-6 and TNF-α compared to BMDM in wild type (WT) mice. Interestingly, Nogo knockout (KO) BMDM exhibited lower migratory activity and phagocytic ability compared with WT BMDM after LPS treatment. In addition, mice experiments data revealed that upregulation of Nogo-A in notexin- and tunicamycin-treated muscles was associated with upregulation of CHOP, IL-6 and TNF-α in WT group, while in Nogo-KO group resulted in low expression level of CHOP, IL-6 and TNF-α. Furthermore, upregulation of Nogo-A in dystrophin-deficient (mdx) murine model, myopathy and Duchenne muscle dystrophy (DMD) clinical biopsies was associated with upregulation of CHOP, IL-6 and TNF-α. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate Nogo-A as a regulator of inflammation in diseased muscle and bone marrow macrophages and that deletion of Nogo-A alleviates muscle inflammation and it can be utilized as a therapeutic target for improving muscle diseases.
Interaction between Parkin and α-Synuclein in PARK2-Mediated Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Madsen Daniel Aghaie , Schmidt Sissel Ida , Blaabjerg Morten , Meyer Morten
Published: January 2021

Parkin and α-synuclein are two key proteins involved in the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Neurotoxic alterations of α-synuclein that lead to the formation of toxic oligomers and fibrils contribute to PD through synaptic dysfunction, mitochondrial impairment, defective endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi function, and nuclear dysfunction. In half of the cases, the recessively inherited early-onset PD is caused by loss of function mutations in the PARK2 gene that encodes the E3-ubiquitin ligase, parkin. Parkin is involved in the clearance of misfolded and aggregated proteins by the ubiquitin-proteasome system and regulates mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis. PARK2-related PD is generally thought not to be associated with Lewy body formation although it is a neuropathological hallmark of PD. In this review article, we provide an overview of post-mortem neuropathological examinations of PARK2 patients and present the current knowledge of a functional interaction between parkin and α-synuclein in the regulation of protein aggregates including Lewy bodies. Furthermore, we describe prevailing hypotheses about the formation of intracellular micro-aggregates (synuclein inclusions) that might be more likely than Lewy bodies to occur in PARK2-related PD. This information may inform future studies aiming to unveil primary signaling processes involved in PD and related neurodegenerative disorders.
Extraneous E-Cadherin Engages the Deterministic Process of Somatic Reprogramming through Modulating STAT3 and Erk1/2 Activity
Authors: Liu Yu-Hao , Chen Chien-Chang , Hsueh Yi-Jen , Hung Li-Man , Ma David Hui-Kang , Chen Hung-Chi , Len Wen-Bin , Meir Yaa-Jyuhn J.
Published: January 2021

Although several modes of reprogramming have been reported in different cell types during iPSC induction, the molecular mechanism regarding the selection of different modes of action is still mostly unknown. The present study examined the molecular events that participate in the selection of such processes at the onset of somatic reprogramming. The activity of STAT3 versus that of Erk1/2 reversibly determines the reprogramming mode entered; a lower activity ratio favors the deterministic process and vice versa. Additionally, extraneous E-cadherin facilitates the early events of somatic reprogramming, potentially by stabilizing the LIF/gp130 and EGFR/ErbB2 complexes to promote entry into the deterministic process. Our current findings demonstrated that manipulating the pSTAT3/pErk1/2 activity ratio in the surrounding milieu can drive different modes of action toward either the deterministic or the stochastic process in the context of OSKM-mediated somatic reprogramming.