bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization Methods for Spectral Synthesizing of a Tuneable Colour Light Source
Authors: Carli Nina , Sperling Armin , Bizjak Grega
Published: January 2020

A method for a tuneable colour light source (TCLS) output spectrum synthesizing is described. A TCLS is a multichannel LED light source, which is able to mimic and produce different spectral distributions and can be used for the realization of different spectra, e.g. the spectra of different CIE standard illuminants. The synthesizing of output spectrum is actually an optimization problem of tuning the output spectrum of a TCLS to the target spectrum. It is also a so called constrained problem as output spectrum is produced by adding the weighted spectra of used light sources (e.g. singlecolour LEDs) and due to the fact that there is no “negative light”. Because of that usual optimization methods like least square method cannot be used. A novel synthesizing method based on a constrained optimization process was developed and tested on the laboratory TCLS to be used for calibration purposes. The developed synthesizing method, described in this paper, gives good results but comparison with more simple methods shows that also these can be successfully used.
Improvement of educational activities in order to develop the logistics system of the Armed forces of Ukraine
Authors: Kivlyuk Volodymyr , Tkach Mykola , Loishyn Anatolii , Gannenko Yuri
Published: January 2020

In the article, the authors considered the logistics system of the NATO countries, analyzed a number of components of the training and certification of qualified logistics specialists, searched for ways to adapt their skills to military applications in the context of Ukraine’s integration with NATO. The necessity of introducing the training of logistics specialists in higher military educational institutions, military educational units of higher educational institutions is substantiated, and recommendations for their preparation are given.
Multiple-threats analysis for loggerhead sea turtles in the southwest Atlantic Ocean
Authors: López-Mendilaharsu M , Giffoni B , Monteiro D , Prosdocimi L , Vélez-Rubio GM , Fallabrino A , Estrades A , Santos AS , Lara PH , Pires T , Tiwari M , Bolten AB , Marcovaldi MÂ
Published: January 2020

Priority-setting approaches for widely distributed and long-lived species can be challenging. This is especially true for sea turtles, which are species of conservation concern. The aim of this study was to conduct a detailed analysis of threats to identify, quantify and prioritize the main impacts to the loggerhead Caretta caretta population in the southwest Atlantic (SWA) region. A matrix of relative threats was constructed. Threats were identified and classified for 8 different life stages (nesting females, eggs, hatchlings, swim-frenzy transitional stage, juveniles-neritic, juveniles-oceanic, adults-neritic, adults-oceanic) and for 3 ecosystems inhabited by sea turtles (terrestrial, neritic and oceanic). Results indicated that fisheries bycatch represents a major threat for loggerheads in the SWA. The trawl fishery was identified as the main source of mortality for neritic juvenile and adult turtles, whereas juveniles in oceanic areas are mostly impacted by surface longlines. In terrestrial environments, eggs and hatchlings are mainly affected by habitat alteration and by native and exotic predators. Loggerheads have shown a positive nesting trend at their main nesting beaches in the SWA, probably due to long-term conservation efforts to reduce mortality of the different life stages within the terrestrial zone. However, the high mortality rates of juveniles and sub-adults documented at some known foraging grounds represent a reason for concern, as this may affect the overall population trend in the future. This threat analysis provides a tool to review the goals of national action plans, prioritize actions and optimize the allocation of management resources.
Recruits of the temperate coral Oculina arbuscula mimic adults in their resilience to ocean acidification
Authors: Varnerin BV , Hopkinson BM , Gleason DF
Published: January 2020

Ocean acidification has been investigated extensively in scleractinian corals, but studies on different life stages of the same species are lacking. We investigated the response of recruits of the temperate coral Oculina arbuscula to increased CO2 concentrations, a species whose adults show significant tolerance to elevated concentrations of CO2. Specifically, we exposed small colonies (5-12 mm diameter) to 475, 710, and 1261 ppm CO2 for 75 d in the laboratory to address the hypothesis that, like adults, the health of O. arbuscula recruits is not affected by increased CO2 concentrations. Calcification rates were monitored regularly during the experiment, while mortality, respiration rates, photosynthetic rates, algal symbiont densities, and soluble protein were quantified at the end. As predicted, CO2 concentration did not impact survival, algal densities, or soluble protein concentrations in O. arbuscula recruits. In contrast, both calcification rates and photosynthesis:respiration ratios tended to be lower at higher CO2. Comparing the results of this study on recruits with published studies on adults suggested that both life stages exhibit a similar non-linear response to CO2 concentration, whereby recruits may be unable to counter the increased energetic cost of calcification that occurs at the highest CO2. Based on these results and environmental monitoring showing that mean pCO2 is increasing by ~2.4% yr-1 in the waters off Georgia, USA, we conclude that O. arbuscula recruits may begin to exhibit depressed calcification rates within the current century if CO2 emissions are not reduced.
RETRACTED: Allopregnanolone Modulates GABAAR-Dependent CaMKIIδ3 and BDNF to Protect SH-SY5Y Cells Against 6-OHDA-Induced Damage
Authors: Wang Tongtong , Ye Xin , Bian Wei , Chen Zhichi , Du Juanjuan , Li Mengyi , Zhou Peng , Cui Huairui , Ding Yu-Qiang , Qi Shuangshuang , Liao Min , Sun Chenyou
Published: January 2020

Allopregnanolone (APα), as a functional neurosteroid, exhibits the neuroprotective effect on neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) through γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABAAR), but it has not been completely understood about its molecular mechanisms. In order to investigate the neuroprotective effect of APα, as well as to clarify its possible molecular mechanisms, SH-SY5Y neuronal cell lines were incubated with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), which has been widely used as an in vitro model for PD, along with APα alone or in combination with GABAAR antagonist (bicuculline, Bic), intracellular Ca2+ chelator (EGTA) and voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channel blocker (Nifedipine). The viability, proliferation, and differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells, the expression levels of calmodulin (CaM), Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II δ3 (CaMKIIδ3), cyclin-dependent kinase-1 (CDK1) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as the interaction between CaMKIIδ3 and CDK1 or BDNF, were detected by morphological and molecular biological methodology. Our results found that the cell viability and the number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and TH/BrdU-positive cells in 6-OHDA-treated SH-SY5Y cells were significantly decreased with the concomitant reduction in the expression levels of aforementioned proteins, which were ameliorated following APα administration. In addition, Bic could further increase the number of TH or BrdU-positive cells as well as the expression levels of aforementioned proteins except for TH/BrdU-double positive cells, while EGTA and Nifedipine could attenuate the expression levels of CaM, CaMKIIδ3 and BDNF. Moreover, there existed a direct interaction between CaMKIIδ3 and CDK1 or BDNF. As a result, APα-induced an increase in the number of TH-positive SH-SY5Y cells might be mediated through GABAAR via Ca2+/CaM/CaMKIIδ3/BDNF (CDK1) signaling pathway, which would ultimately facilitate to elucidate PD pathogenesis and hold a promise as an alternative therapeutic target for PD.
Analysis of Grain Yield Differences Among Soybean Cultivars under Maize–Soybean Intercropping
Authors: Wang Xingcai , Wu Xiaoling , Ding Guohui , Yang Feng , Yong Taiwen , Wang Xiaochun , Yang Wenyu
Published: January 2020

Shading created by intercropping reduces the photosynthetic capacity of soybean plants but also directly affects the pod setting process of soybean. However, which of the changed aspects induce the yield differences in intercropped soybean cultivars is still unknown. Four soybean cultivars with similar yield and growth and development processes in monoculture were selected by a pre-experiment. Field experiments were carried out from 2015 to 2017 to investigate the leaf photosynthetic parameters, total biomass, reproductive characteristics, yield and yield components of soybean. The yield of soybean cultivars was significantly decreased in intercropping systems and the yield of cultivars (cvs.) ZH39 and QH34 were considerably higher than those of cvs. HD19 and HD20. Besides, the pod and seed number and harvest index were also reduced by intercropping and the yield components of cvs. ZH39 and QH34 in intercropping were significantly higher than those of cvs. HD19 and HD20, other than the seed size. Although the parameters of leaf photosynthetic capacity (leaf area index, net photosynthetic rate, and chlorophyll content) of soybean were changed by intercropping, there was no significant difference among cultivars. Additionally, the CGRR1–R5 (crop growth rate between R1 and R5) of intercropped soybean was lower than that of monoculture, while no significant differences were observed in different cultivars. The reproductive biomass at R5 was significantly different among soybean cultivars, and the reproductive partitioning and seed set efficiency of different cultivars were varied by the reproductive biomass at R5. Therefore, high-yielding cultivars in intercropping can achieve higher yield due to more reproductive structures survived at R5.
Weed Density Detection Method Based on Absolute Feature Corner Points in Field
Authors: Xu Yanlei , He Run , Gao Zongmei , Li Chenxiao , Zhai Yuting , Jiao Yubin
Published: January 2020

Field weeds identification is challenging for precision spraying, i.e., the automation identification of the weeds from the crops. For rapidly obtaining weed distribution in field, this study developed a weed density detection method based on absolute feature corner point (AFCP) algorithm for the first time. For optimizing the AFCP algorithm, image preprocessing was firstly performed through a sub-module processing capable of segmenting and optimizing the field images. The AFCP algorithm improved Harris corner to extract corners of single crop and weed and then sub-absolute corner classifier as well as absolute corner classifier were proposed for absolute corners detection of crop rows. Then, the AFCP algorithm merged absolute corners to identify crop and weed position information. Meanwhile, the weed distribution was obtained based on two weed density parameters (weed pressure and cluster rate). At last, the AFCP algorithm was validated based on the images that were obtained using one typical digital camera mounted on the tractor in field. The results showed that the proposed weed detection method manifested well given its ability to process an image of 2748 × 576 pixels using 782 ms as well as its accuracy in identifying weeds reaching 90.3%. Such results indicated that the weed detection method based on AFCP algorithm met the requirements of practical weed management in field, including the real-time images computation processing and accuracy, which provided the theoretical base for the precision spraying operations.
Identification of Novel lncRNAs Differentially Expressed in Placentas of Chinese Ningqiang Pony and Yili Horse Breeds
Authors: Pu Yabin , Zhang Yanli , Zhang Tian , Han Jianlin , Ma Yuehui , Liu Xuexue
Published: January 2020

As a nutrient sensor, the placenta plays a key role in regulating fetus growth and development. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to regulate growth-related traits. However, the biological function of lncRNAs in horse placentas remains unclear. To compare the expression patterns of lncRNAs in the placentas of the Chinese Ningqiang (NQ) and Yili (YL) breeds, we performed a transcriptome analysis using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology. NQ is a pony breed with an average adult height at the withers of less than 106 cm, whereas that of YL is around 148 cm. Based on 813 million high-quality reads and stringent quality control procedures, 3011 transcripts coding for 1464 placental lncRNAs were identified and mapped to the horse reference genome. We found 107 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) between NQ and YL, including 68 up-regulated and 39 down-regulated DELs in YL. Six (TBX3, CACNA1F, EDN3, KAT5, ZNF281, TMED2, and TGFB1) out of the 233 genes targeted by DELs were identified as being involved in limb development, skeletal myoblast differentiation, and embryo development. Two DELs were predicted to target the TBX3 gene, which was found to be under strong selection and associated with small body size in the Chinese Debao pony breed. This finding suggests the potential functional significance of placental lncRNAs in regulating horse body size.
Bardoxolone-Methyl (CDDO-Me) Suppresses Androgen Receptor and Its Splice-Variant AR-V7 and Enhances Efficacy of Enzalutamide in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Khurana Namrata , Chandra Partha K. , Kim Hogyoung , Abdel-Mageed Asim B. , Mondal Debasis , Sikka Suresh C.
Published: January 2020

Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is fundamental to prostate cancer (PC) progression, and hence, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) remains a mainstay of treatment. However, augmented AR signaling via both full length AR (AR-FL) and constitutively active AR splice variants, especially AR-V7, is associated with the recurrence of castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Oxidative stress also plays a crucial role in anti-androgen resistance and CRPC outgrowth. We examined whether a triterpenoid antioxidant drug, Bardoxolone-methyl, known as CDDO-Me or RTA 402, can decrease AR-FL and AR-V7 expression in PC cells. Nanomolar (nM) concentrations of CDDO-Me rapidly downregulated AR-FL in LNCaP and C4-2B cells, and both AR-FL and AR-V7 in CWR22Rv1 (22Rv1) cells. The AR-suppressive effect of CDDO-Me was evident at both the mRNA and protein levels. Mechanistically, acute exposure (2 h) to CDDO-Me increased and long-term exposure (24 h) decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cells. This was concomitant with an increase in the anti-oxidant transcription factor, Nrf2. The anti-oxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) could overcome this AR-suppressive effect of CDDO-Me. Co-exposure of PC cells to CDDO-Me enhanced the efficacy of a clinically approved anti-androgen, enzalutamide (ENZ), as evident by decreased cell-viability along with migration and colony forming ability of PC cells. Thus, CDDO-Me which is in several late-stage clinical trials, may be used as an adjunct to ADT in PC patients.
Contribution of Individual Polyphenols to Antioxidant Activity of Cotoneaster bullatus and Cotoneaster zabelii Leaves—Structural Relationships, Synergy Effects and Application for Quality Control
Authors: Kicel Agnieszka , Owczarek Aleksandra , Kapusta Paulina , Kolodziejczyk-Czepas Joanna , Olszewska Monika A.
Published: January 2020

Cotoneaster plants are sources of traditional medicines and dietary products, with health benefits resulting from their phenolic contents and antioxidant activity. In this work, active markers of the leaves of C. bullatus and C. zabelii were characterized and evaluated in an integrated phytochemical and biological activity study. Based on UHPLC-PDA-ESI-MS3 analysis, twelve analytes were preselected from the constituents of the hydromethanolic leaf extracts, and two of them—caffeoylmalic acid and quercetin 3--O-β-d-(2″--O-β-d-xylopyranosyl)galactopyranoside (QPH)—were isolated for full identification (NMR spectroscopy: 1H, 13C, COSY, HMBC, HMQC). All selected phenolics contributed to the antioxidant activity of the extracts, which was demonstrated in chemical in vitro tests (DPPH, FRAP, and TBARS) and in a biological model of human plasma exposed to oxidative/nitrative stress induced by peroxynitrite. This contribution was partly due to the synergy between individual polyphenols, evidenced by an isobolographic analysis of the interactions of (–)-epicatechin, chlorogenic acid, and QPH as representatives of three classes of Cotoneaster polyphenols. All twelve markers, including also neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, procyanidin B2, procyanidin C1, rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, and quercitrin, were thus applied as calibration standards, and a fast, accurate, reproducible, and fully validated RP-HPLC-PDA method for quality control and standardization of the target extracts was proposed.
Phytochemical Constituents, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, and Antimicrobial Activities of the Ethanolic Extract of Mexican Brown Propolis
Authors: Rivero-Cruz J. Fausto , Granados-Pineda Jessica , Pedraza-Chaverri José , Pérez-Rojas Jazmin Marlen , Kumar-Passari Ajit , Diaz-Ruiz Gloria , Rivero-Cruz Blanca Estela
Published: January 2020

Propolis is a complex mixture of natural sticky and resinous components produced by honeybees from living plant exudates. Globally, research has been dedicated to studying the biological properties and chemical composition of propolis from various geographical and climatic regions. However, the chemical data and biological properties of Mexican brown propolis are scant. The antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) sample collected in México and the isolated compounds is described. Cytotoxic activity was evaluated in a central nervous system and cervical cancer cell lines. Cytotoxicity of EEP was evaluated in a C6 cell line and cervical cancer (HeLa, SiHa, and CasKi) measured by the 3-(3,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) assay. The antibacterial activity was tested using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay. Twelve known compounds were isolated and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Additionally, forty volatile compounds were identified by means of headspace-solid phase microextraction with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry time of flight analysis (HS-SPME/GC-MS-TOF). The main volatile compounds detected include nonanal (18.82%), α-pinene (12.45%), neryl alcohol (10.13%), and α-pinene (8.04%). EEP showed an anti-proliferative effect on glioma cells better than temozolomide, also decreased proliferation and viability in cervical cancer cells, but its effectiveness was lower compared to cisplatin.
Mapping Recent Shoreline Changes Spanning the Lateral Collapse of Anak Krakatau Volcano, Indonesia
Authors: Novellino Alessandro , Engwell Samantha L. , Grebby Stephen , Day Simon , Cassidy Michael , Madden-Nadeau Amber , Watt Sebastian , Pyle David , Abdurrachman Mirzam , Edo Marshal Nurshal Muhammad , Tappin David R. , Andri Kurniawan Idham , Hunt James
Published: January 2020

We use satellite imagery to investigate the shoreline changes associated with volcanic activity in 2018–2019 at Anak Krakatau, Indonesia, spanning a major lateral collapse and period of regrowth through explosive activity. The shoreline changes have been analyzed and validated through the adaptation of an existing methodology based on Sentinel-2 multispectral imagery and developed on Google Earth Engine. This work tests the results of this method in a highly dynamic volcanic environment and validates them with manually digitized shorelines. The analysis shows that the size of the Anak Krakatau Island increased from 2.84 km2 to 3.19 km2 during 15 May 2018–1 November 2019 despite the loss of area in the 22 December 2018 lateral collapse. The lateral collapse reduced the island area to ~1.5 km2 but this was followed by a rapid increase in area in the first two months of 2019, reaching up to 3.27 km2. This was followed by a period of little change as volcanic activity declined and then by a net decrease from May 2019 to 1 November 2019 that resulted from erosion on the SW side of the island. This history of post-collapse eruptive regrowth and coastal erosion derived from the shoreline changes illuminates the potential for satellite-based automated shoreline mapping to provide databases for monitoring remote island volcanoes.
Pore Distribution Characteristics of Thawed Residual Soils in Artificial Frozen-Wall Using NMRI and MIP Measurements
Authors: An Ran , Kong Lingwei , Li Chengsheng
Published: January 2020

Artificial ground freezing method is widely applied in the construction of metro tunnel and significantly impact the microstructure of soils in artificial frozen-walls. To delve into the pore distribution characteristics of thawed residual soils, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging (NMRI) measurements were performed to investigate the relaxation time (T2) spectrums and T2-weighted images of saturated samples after freezing at different temperatures. The pore volume distributions were determined from T2 spectrums based on the surface relaxation coefficient ( ρ 2 ) and the pore structures were visualized by T2-weighted images. Subsequently, the pore size distribution curves from NMRI were compared and validated by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) tests. According to the results, the peak areas of T2 spectrums were linearly related to freezing temperatures in a positive manner. Pore volume distribution curves of thawed soils have two peaks, which are the major peaks with diameters of 0.5–20 μm and the secondary peaks with diameters of 20–500 μm. As the freezing temperature drops, the volumes of pores with different diameters all increased. The damage degree of microstructure in thawed soils increases as the temperature drops, according to the visualized pore structure. Besides, NMRI measurements of saturated soils are more accurate to reflect the full diameter range of pores, compared to MIP method.
Metal Additive Manufacturing Parts Inspection Using Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Cui Wenyuan , Zhang Yunlu , Zhang Xinchang , Li Lan , Liou Frank
Published: January 2020

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is gaining increasing attention from academia and industry due to its unique advantages compared to the traditional manufacturing process. Parts quality inspection is playing a crucial role in the AM industry, which can be adopted for product improvement. However, the traditional inspection process has relied on manual recognition, which could suffer from low efficiency and potential bias. This study presented a convolutional neural network (CNN) approach toward robust AM quality inspection, such as good quality, crack, gas porosity, and lack of fusion. To obtain the appropriate model, experiments were performed on a series of architectures. Moreover, data augmentation was adopted to deal with data scarcity. L2 regularization (weight decay) and dropout were applied to avoid overfitting. The impact of each strategy was evaluated. The final CNN model achieved an accuracy of 92.1%, and it took 8.01 milliseconds to recognize one image. The CNN model presented here can help in automatic defect recognition in the AM industry.
Recent Advances in Non-Traditional Elastic Wave Manipulation by Macroscopic Artificial Structures
Authors: Park Jeonghoon , Lee Dongwoo , Rho Junsuk
Published: January 2020

Metamaterials are composed of arrays of subwavelength-sized artificial structures; these architectures give rise to novel characteristics that can be exploited to manipulate electromagnetic waves and acoustic waves. They have been also used to manipulate elastic waves, but such waves have a coupling property, so metamaterials for elastic waves uses a different method than for electromagnetic and acoustic waves. Since researches on this type of metamaterials is sparse, this paper reviews studies that used elastic materials to manipulate elastic waves, and introduces applications using extraordinary characteristics induced by metamaterials. Bragg scattering and local resonances have been exploited to introduce a locally resonant elastic metamaterial, a gradient-index lens, a hyperlens, and elastic cloaking. The principles and applications of metasurfaces that can overcome the disadvantages of bulky elastic metamaterials are discussed.
Integration of a Three-Dimensional-Printed Titanium Implant in Human Tissues: Case Study
Authors: Park Jong Woong , Song Chae Ahn , Kang Hyun Guy , Kim June Hyuk , Lim Kwun Mook , Kim Han-Soo
Published: January 2020

A titanium alloy implant of appropriate pore size can potentially enhance osseointegration and soft tissue integration. However, the human clinical application of such implants has not been reported. Here, we present a case of limb salvage surgery for a bone tumor using customized three-dimensional (3D)-printed Ti6Al4V radius and ulna implants. The patient presented with local recurrence at the proximal junction of the ulna and underwent a re-wide excision. Single forearm bone surgery was performed using another 3D-printed implant after resection of the recurrent tumor with an ulnar implant. Host osseointegration and soft tissue integration of the retrieved implant were quantified through histological evaluation. The total tissue integration rates of the implant at the proximal and distal bone junctions were 45.96% and 15.03%, respectively. The mesh structure enhanced bone integration by up to 10.81% in the proximal and by up to 8.91% in the distal bone junction. Furthermore, the soft tissue adhesion rates of the implant shaft were 59.50% and 50.26% in the axial and longitudinal cuts, respectively. No area was left unoccupied throughout the shaft of the implant. Overall, these results indicate that the 3D-printed Ti6Al4V titanium alloy implant with a rough surface has considerable tissue integration ability.
Semi-CNN Architecture for Effective Spatio-Temporal Learning in Action Recognition
Authors: Leong Mei Chee , Prasad Dilip K. , Lee Yong Tsui , Lin Feng
Published: January 2020

This paper introduces a fusion convolutional architecture for efficient learning of spatio-temporal features in video action recognition. Unlike 2D convolutional neural networks (CNNs), 3D CNNs can be applied directly on consecutive frames to extract spatio-temporal features. The aim of this work is to fuse the convolution layers from 2D and 3D CNNs to allow temporal encoding with fewer parameters than 3D CNNs. We adopt transfer learning from pre-trained 2D CNNs for spatial extraction, followed by temporal encoding, before connecting to 3D convolution layers at the top of the architecture. We construct our fusion architecture, semi-CNN, based on three popular models: VGG-16, ResNets and DenseNets, and compare the performance with their corresponding 3D models. Our empirical results evaluated on the action recognition dataset UCF-101 demonstrate that our fusion of 1D, 2D and 3D convolutions outperforms its 3D model of the same depth, with fewer parameters and reduces overfitting. Our semi-CNN architecture achieved an average of 16–30% boost in the top-1 accuracy when evaluated on an input video of 16 frames.
Antioxidant Capacity and Antigenotoxic Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Extracts Obtained with Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Process
Authors: Peredo Pozos Gregorio Iván , Ruiz-López Mario Alberto , Zamora Nátera Juan Francisco , Álvarez Moya Carlos , Barrientos Ramírez Lucia , Reynoso Silva Mónica , Rodríguez Macías Ramón , García-López Pedro Macedonio , González Cruz Ricardo , Salcedo Pérez Eduardo , Vargas Radillo J. Jesús
Published: January 2020

Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) is in high demand worldwide due to its beneficial health properties owing to the polyphenols content, mainly in the flower calyx. The objective of this study was to find the best conditions (time and liquid: solid ratio) to extract polyphenols from Roselle using Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) (40 kHz, 180 W), with ethanol how solvent; as well as determine the yield of phenols, anthocyanin, flavonoids, tannins, antioxidant activity (DPPH) and antigenotoxic effect (comet assay). A traditional solid-liquid extraction was applied as a reference. Extraction times of 40 and 60 min resulted in the highest polyphenols (13.019 mg GAE/g dry weight (dw)), flavonoids (4.981 CE/g dw), anthocyanins (1.855 mg Cya3GE/g dw), and tannins (0.745 CE/g dw) recoveries and an antioxidant activity (DPPH) of 74.58%. Extracts from white calyces contained similar amounts of phenols and flavonoids, but very little condensed tannins (0.049 CE/g dw) and practically no anthocyanins. Extracts from red and white calyces, showed antigenotoxic activity and repaired capacity of damage caused by mutagens in human lymphocytes.
Self-Organization When Pedestrians Move in Opposite Directions. Multi-Lane Circular Track Model
Authors: Goldsztein Guillermo H.
Published: January 2020

When pedestrians walk along a corridor in both directions, a frequently observed phenomenon is the segregation of the whole group into lanes of individuals moving in the same direction. While this formation of lanes facilitates the flow and benefits the whole group, it is believed that results from the actions of the individuals acting on their behalf, without considering others. This phenomenon is an example of self-organization and has attracted the attention of a number of researchers in diverse fields. We introduce and analyze a simple model. We assume that individuals move around a multi-lane circular track. All of them move at the same speed. Half of them in one direction and the rest in the opposite direction. Each time two individuals collide, one of them moves to a neighboring lane. The individual changing lanes is selected randomly. We prove that the system self-organizes. Eventually, each lane is occupied with individuals moving in only one direction. Our analysis supports the belief that global self-organization is possible even if each member of the group acts without considering the rest.
Ana-Ethnographic Representation: Early Modern Pueblo Painters, Scientific Colonialism, and Tactics of Refusal
Authors: Scott Sascha T.
Published: January 2020

In 1918, San Ildefonso Pueblo artist Crescencio Martinez completed two commissions for the anthropologist Edgar L. Hewett: A set of paintings and a series of tiles. The paintings, called the Crescencio Set, mark a formative moment in the development of a new genre of art, modern Pueblo painting. Before Crescencio and his San Ildefonso peers began creating images of ceremonial and daily life for sale to outsiders, they were hired as day laborers at archaeological excavations. While Pueblo laborers benefited financially from working with anthropologists, they nevertheless understood anthropology as a threat to their communities, as scientists disrupted sacred sites and the dead, collected sensitive material, and pushed informants for esoteric information. In countering this new colonial threat, Pueblo communities deployed long-developed tactics of resistance. Among the most powerful of these tactics is what Audra Simpson calls “refusal”. Many Pueblo laborers refused to share esoteric knowledge with anthropologists, a tactic adopted by those laborers who became artists. Early Pueblo paintings can, thus, be understood as “ana-ethnographic”, a representational mode through which the artists worked both through and against ethnographic norms in order to simultaneously benefit from, manipulate, and resist scientific colonialism. Crescencio’s paintings and tiles are paradigmatically ana-ethnographic. In creating these objects, Crescencio benefited from the ethnographic desire to know and record Pueblo life, and yet he only represented aspects of his culture appropriate for outsider consumption, refusing to share protected knowledge.
The Great Orbital Run (or the M25 in 4000 Images)
Authors: Chance Véronique
Published: January 2020

The Great Orbital Run was a solitary run/artwork that took place over nine days around the inside boundary of the M25 London Orbital. The journey was mapped through a stream of photographs and GPS coordinates relayed live from a mobile phone to a web interface and shown as a projected artwork at the University of Greenwich, London. It was later re-configured as the M25 in 4000 images, a unique concertina bookwork/sculpture produced from digital data into tangible, printed paper form. Cut, folded, and constructed by hand, it makes visible the mass of images that embody the running activity and the terrain it represents. This essay considers this artwork and its status as a document and artist’s book, reflecting on (1) the original running activity, (2) the mapping of the boundary of Greater London, (3) the performance of technology in relaying the run, and (4) the transformation of digital images into material form. The document is considered in relation to the run as a performance and in relation to its performative potential. This is extended to the documentary properties of the artists’ book as ‘a form of three-dimensional representation’ that, through its ‘agency’, aligns itself with spatial practice.
The Medieval Synagogue of Molina de Aragón: Architecture and Decoration
Authors: Muñoz-Garrido Daniel
Published: January 2020

The remains of a medieval synagogue, in addition to numerous fragments of plaster decoration, have been found as a result of the excavation work done at the Prao de los Judíos archaeological site in the town of Molina de Aragón (Guadalajara, Spain). These remains suggest that the synagogue was built in the second half of the thirteenth century and that it was refashioned later in the fourteenth century following the same artistic model of the synagogues of Córdoba and El Tránsito. Based on comparative analysis, this article studies the Synagogue of Molina de Aragón in relation to other medieval Iberian synagogues.
Design and Rationale of the ERA-CVD Consortium PREMED-CAD—Precision Medicine in Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Shrivastava Apurva , Marzolla Vincenzo , Weidmann Henri , Caprio Massimiliano , Tregouet David-Alexandre , Zeller Tanja , Karakas Mahir
Published: January 2020

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) comprise 45% of all deaths in Europe and causes 3.9 million deaths annually. Coronary artery disease (CAD) which includes myocardial infarction (MI) represents the most common form of CVD. A relevant proportion of MI cases seems preventable since reports claim that up to two-thirds of these patients exhibit symptoms suggestive for MI within 12 months prior to the acute MI event. An early identification of these at-risk subjects is necessary to manage an early and efficient treatment during the ischemic phase. The aim of the PRecision MEDicine in Coronary Artery Disease (PREMED-CAD) consortium is to apply a system medicine approach towards studying and identifying an ischemia specific ‘biomarker signature’ that improves the identification of individuals ‘at-risk’ for acute MI. The consortium will take an interdisciplinary and translational approach integrating knowledge from CAD epidemiology, imaging, bioinformatics, statistics and molecular biology, as well as existing phenotypic, blood-based and clinical biomarker data of distinct CAD and subclinical MI phenotypes. This biomarker signature will be validated through atherosclerosis-prone mouse models and human cohorts. The validated signature will be translated in a real-world clinical setting using an ongoing clinical trial comprising patients with subclinical ischemia. The aim of the knowledge obtained from this project is to aid in early MI detection and reduce the mortality and morbidity rate in these at-risk MI individuals.
Host-Induced Gene Silencing of an Adenylate Kinase Gene Involved in Fungal Energy Metabolism Improves Plant Resistance to Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Su Xiaofeng , Lu Guoqing , Li Xiaokang , Rehman Latifur , Liu Wende , Sun Guoqing , Guo Huiming , Wang Guoliang , Cheng Hongmei
Published: January 2020

Verticillium wilt, caused by the ascomycete fungus Verticillium dahliae (Vd), is a devastating disease of numerous plant species. However, the pathogenicity/virulence-related genes in this fungus, which may be potential targets for improving plant resistance, remain poorly elucidated. For the study of these genes in Vd, we used a well-established host-induced gene silencing (HIGS) approach and identified 16 candidate genes, including a putative adenylate kinase gene (VdAK). Transiently VdAK-silenced plants developed milder wilt symptoms than control plants did. VdAK-knockout mutants were more sensitive to abiotic stresses and had reduced germination and virulence on host plants. Transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana plants that overexpressed VdAK dsRNAs had improved Vd resistance than the wild-type. RT-qPCR results showed that VdAK was also crucial for energy metabolism. Importantly, in an analysis of total small RNAs from Vd strains isolated from the transgenic plants, a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting VdAK was identified in transgenic N. benthamiana. Our results demonstrate that HIGS is a promising strategy for efficiently screening pathogenicity/virulence-related genes of Vd and that VdAK is a potential target to control this fungus.
The Bcl-2 Family: Ancient Origins, Conserved Structures, and Divergent Mechanisms
Authors: Banjara Suresh , Suraweera Chathura D. , Hinds Mark G. , Kvansakul Marc
Published: January 2020

Intrinsic apoptosis, the response to intracellular cell death stimuli, is regulated by the interplay of the B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family and their membrane interactions. Bcl-2 proteins mediate a number of processes including development, homeostasis, autophagy, and innate and adaptive immune responses and their dysregulation underpins a host of diseases including cancer. The Bcl-2 family is characterized by the presence of conserved sequence motifs called Bcl-2 homology motifs, as well as a transmembrane region, which form the interaction sites and intracellular location mechanism, respectively. Bcl-2 proteins have been recognized in the earliest metazoans including Porifera (sponges), Placozoans, and Cnidarians (e.g., Hydra). A number of viruses have gained Bcl-2 homologs and subvert innate immunity and cellular apoptosis for their replication, but they frequently have very different sequences to their host Bcl-2 analogs. Though most mechanisms of apoptosis initiation converge on activation of caspases that destroy the cell from within, the numerous gene insertions, deletions, and duplications during evolution have led to a divergence in mechanisms of intrinsic apoptosis. Currently, the action of the Bcl-2 family is best understood in vertebrates and nematodes but new insights are emerging from evolutionarily earlier organisms. This review focuses on the mechanisms underpinning the activity of Bcl-2 proteins including their structures and interactions, and how they have changed over the course of evolution.
Avocado–Soybean Unsaponifiables: A Panoply of Potentialities to Be Exploited
Authors: Salehi Bahare , Rescigno Antonio , Dettori Tinuccia , Calina Daniela , Docea Anca Oana , Singh Laxman , Cebeci Fatma , Özçelik Beraat , Bhia Mohammed , Dowlati Beirami Amirreza , Sharifi-Rad Javad , Sharopov Farukh , C. Cho William , Martins Natália
Published: January 2020

Avocado and soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) constitute vegetable extracts made from fruits and seeds of avocado and soybean oil. Characterized by its potent anti-inflammatory effects, this ASU mixture is recommended to act as an adjuvant treatment for osteoarthritic pain and slow-acting symptomatic treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis; autoimmune diseases; diffuse scleroderma and scleroderma-like states (e.g., morphea, sclerodactyly, scleroderma in bands). Besides, it was reported that it can improve the mood and quality of life of postmenopausal women in reducing menopause-related symptoms. This article aims to summarize the studies on biological effects of the avocado–soybean unsaponifiable, its chemical composition, pharmacotherapy as well as applications in autoimmune, osteoarticular and menopausal disorders. Finally, we will also discuss on its safety, toxicological and regulatory practices.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Diospyrin on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation Using RAW 264.7 Mouse Macrophages
Authors: Shahidullah Adnan , Lee Ji-Young , Kim Young-Jin , Halimi Syed Muhammad Ashhad , Rauf Abdur , Kim Hyun-Ju , Kim Bong-Youn , Park Wansu
Published: January 2020

Diospyrin is a bisnaphthoquinonoid medicinal compound derived from Diospyros lotus, with known anti-cancer, anti-tubercular, and anti-leishmanial activities against Leishmania donovani. However, the effects of diospyrin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage activation and inflammation are not fully reported. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effects of diospyrin on LPS-induced macrophages were examined. Diospyrin showed no toxicity in RAW 264.7 at concentrations of up to 10 μM. Diospyrin moderated the production of nitric oxide (NO), monocyte chemotactic protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, leukemia inhibitory factor, and RANTES/CCL5, as well as calcium release in LPS-induced RAW 264.7, at concentrations of up to 10 μM significantly (p < 0.05). Diospyrin also significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and mRNA expression of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), as well as tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6 (Fas), in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells at concentrations of up to 10 μM (p < 0.05). Diospyrin exhibits anti-inflammatory properties mediated via inhibition of NO, and cytokines in LPS-induced mouse macrophages via the ER-stressed calcium-p38 MAPK/CHOP/Fas pathway.
Toward Improving Diagnostic Strategies in Chronic Disorders of Consciousness: An Overview on the (Re-)Emergent Role of Neurophysiology
Authors: Billeri Luana , Filoni Serena , Russo Emanuele Francesco , Portaro Simona , Militi David , Calabrò Rocco Salvatore , Naro Antonino
Published: January 2020

The differential diagnosis of patients with Disorder of Consciousness (DoC), in particular in the chronic phase, is significantly difficult. Actually, about 40% of patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) and the minimally conscious state (MCS) are misdiagnosed. Indeed, only advanced paraclinical approaches, including advanced EEG analyses, can allow achieving a more reliable diagnosis, that is, discovering residual traces of awareness in patients with UWS (namely, functional Locked-In Syndrome (fLIS)). These approaches aim at capturing the residual brain network models, at rest or that may be activated in response to relevant stimuli, which may be appropriate for awareness to emerge (despite their insufficiency to generate purposeful motor behaviors). For this, different brain network models have been studied in patients with DoC by using sensory stimuli (i.e., passive tasks), probing response to commands (i.e., active tasks), and during resting-state. Since it can be difficult for patients with DoC to perform even simple active tasks, this scoping review aims at summarizing the current, innovative neurophysiological examination methods in resting state/passive modality to differentiate and prognosticate patients with DoC. We conclude that the electrophysiologically-based diagnostic procedures represent an important resource for diagnosis, prognosis, and, therefore, management of patients with DoC, using advance passive and resting state paradigm analyses for the patients who lie in the “greyzones” between MCS, UWS, and fLIS.
Predictors of Response and Survival in Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Treated Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Lee Pei-Chang , Chao Yee , Chen Ming-Huang , Lan Keng-Hsin , Lee Chieh-Ju , Lee I-Cheng , Chen San-Chi , Hou Ming-Chih , Huang Yi-Hsiang
Published: January 2020

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with nivolumab and pembrolizumab are promising agents for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but lack of effective biomarkers. We aimed to investigate the potential predictors of response and factors associated with overall survival (OS) for ICI treatment in unresectable HCC patients. Ninety-five patients who received nivolumab or pembrolizumab for unresectable HCC were enrolled for analyses. Radiologic evaluation was based on RECIST v1.1. Factors associated with outcomes were analyzed. Of 90 patients with evaluable images, the objective response rate (ORR) was 24.4%. Patients at Child–Pugh A or received combination treatment had higher ORR. Early alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) >10% reduction (within 4 weeks) was the only independent predictor of best objective response (odds ratio: 7.259, p = 0.001). For patients with baseline AFP ≥10 ng/mL, significantly higher ORR (63.6% vs. 10.2%, p < 0.001) and disease control rate (81.8% vs. 14.3%, p < 0.001) were observed in those with early AFP reduction than those without. In addition, early AFP reduction and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade or Child–Pugh class were independent factors associated with OS in different models. In conclusion, a 10-10 rule of early AFP response can predict objective response and survival to ICI treatment in unresectable HCC. ALBI grade and Child–Pugh class determines survival by ICI treatment.
PARylation During Transcription: Insights into the Fine-Tuning Mechanism and Regulation
Authors: Páhi Zoltán G. , Borsos Barbara N. , Pantazi Vasiliki , Ujfaludi Zsuzsanna , Pankotai Tibor
Published: January 2020

Transcription is a multistep, tightly regulated process. During transcription initiation, promoter recognition and pre-initiation complex (PIC) formation take place, in which dynamic recruitment or exchange of transcription activators occur. The precise coordination of the recruitment and removal of transcription factors, as well as chromatin structural changes, are mediated by post-translational modifications (PTMs). Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) are key players in this process, since they can modulate DNA-binding activities of specific transcription factors through poly-ADP-ribosylation (PARylation). PARylation can regulate the transcription at three different levels: (1) by directly affecting the recruitment of specific transcription factors, (2) by triggering chromatin structural changes during initiation and as a response to cellular stresses, or (3) by post-transcriptionally modulating the stability and degradation of specific mRNAs. In this review, we principally focus on these steps and summarise the recent findings, demonstrating the mechanisms through which PARylation plays a potential regulatory role during transcription and DNA repair.
Vimentin Intermediate Filaments as Potential Target for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Strouhalova Katerina , Přechová Magdalena , Gandalovičová Aneta , Brábek Jan , Gregor Martin , Rosel Daniel
Published: January 2020

Intermediate filaments constitute the third component of the cellular skeleton. Unlike actin and microtubule cytoskeletons, the intermediate filaments are composed of a wide variety of structurally related proteins showing distinct expression patterns in tissues and cell types. Changes in the expression patterns of intermediate filaments are often associated with cancer progression; in particular with phenotypes leading to increased cellular migration and invasion. In this review we will describe the role of vimentin intermediate filaments in cancer cell migration, cell adhesion structures, and metastasis formation. The potential for targeting vimentin in cancer treatment and the development of drugs targeting vimentin will be reviewed.