bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flash Drought Characteristics Based on U.S. Drought Monitor
Authors: Chen L. Gwen , Gottschalck Jon , Hartman Adam , Miskus David , Tinker Rich , Artusa Anthony
Published: August 2019

Understanding the characteristics of flash drought events and further predicting the onset of such events on subseasonal timescales is of critical importance for impact assessment, disaster mitigation, and loss prevention. In this study, we employ a rate-of-change approach and define a flash drought event as a drought event with greater than or equal to two categories degradation in a four-week period based on the U.S. Drought Monitor. Unlike conventional drought, which can occur year-round and everywhere in the United States, flash drought has preferred seasons and locations to occur, mostly in the warm season and over the central United States. Widespread flash drought over the United States is largely correlated with La Niña episodes. In contrast with conventional drought, which is mainly driven by precipitation deficits, anomalously high evapotranspiration rates, caused by anomalously high temperatures, winds, and/or incoming radiation, are usually present before the onset of flash drought. Comparing to precipitation and soil moisture, evapotranspiration typically has the largest decline rate during the fast-development phase. Three-month Standardized Precipitation Indexes are mostly dry right before flash drought onset, but large deficits are not required. As a result, monitoring rapid changes in evapotranspiration, along with precipitation and soil moisture conditions, can provide early warnings of flash drought development.
Possible Impacts of Snow Darkening Effects on the Hydrological Cycle over Western Eurasia and East Asia
Authors: Sang Jeong , Kim Maeng-Ki , Lau William K. M. , Kim Kyu-Myong
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we investigated the possible impact of snow darkening effect (SDE) by light-absorbing aerosols on the regional changes of the hydrological cycle over Eurasia using the NASA GEOS-5 Model with aerosol tracers and a state-of-the-art snow darkening module, the Goddard SnoW Impurity Module (GOSWIM) for the land surface. Two sets of ten-member ensemble experiments for 10 years were carried out forced by prescribed sea surface temperature (2002–2011) with different atmospheric initial conditions, with and without SDE, respectively. Results show that SDE can exert a significant regional influence in partitioning the contributions of evaporative and advective processes on the hydrological cycle, during spring and summer season. Over western Eurasia, SDE-induced rainfall increase during early spring can be largely explained by the increased evaporation from snowmelt. Rainfall, however, decreases in early summer due to the reduced evaporation as well as moisture divergence and atmospheric subsidence associated with the development of an anomalous mid- to upper-tropospheric anticyclonic circulation. On the other hand, in the East Asian monsoon region, moisture advection from the adjacent ocean is a main contributor to rainfall increase in the melting season. A warmer land-surface caused by earlier snowmelt and subsequent drying further increases moisture transport and convergence significantly enhancing rainfall over the region. Our findings suggest that the SDE may play an important role in leading to hotter and drier summers over western Eurasia, through coupled land-atmosphere interaction, while enhancing East Asian summer monsoonal precipitation via enhanced land-ocean thermal contrast and moisture transport due to the SDE-induced warmer Eurasian continent.
Characteristics of Ozone Pollution, Regional Distribution and Causes during 2014–2018 in Shandong Province, East China
Authors: Zhang Ji , Wang Chao , Qu Kai , Ding Jiewei , Shang Yiqun , Liu Houfeng , Wei Min
Published: August 2019

The summer ozone pollution of Shandong province has become a severe problem in the period 2014–2018. Affected by the monsoon climate, the monthly average ozone concentrations in most areas were unimodal, with peaks in June, whereas in coastal areas the concentrations were bimodal, with the highest peak in May and the second highest peak in September. Using the empirical orthogonal function method, three main spatial distribution patterns were found. The most important pattern proved the influences of solar radiation, temperature, and industrial structure on ozone. Spatial clustering analysis of the ozone concentration showed Shandong divided into five units, including Peninsula Coastal area (PC), Lunan inland area (LN), Western Bohai area (WB), Luxi plain area (LX), and Luzhong mountain area (LZ). Influenced by air temperature and local circulation, coastal cities had lower daytime and higher nighttime ozone concentrations than inland. Correlation analysis suggested that ozone concentrations were significantly positively correlated with solar radiation. The VOCs from industries or other sources (e.g., traffic emission, petroleum processing, and chemical industries) had high positive correlations with ozone concentrations, whereas NOx emissions had significantly negatively correlation. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of ozone pollution and theoretical reference for regional management of ozone pollution in Shandong province.
Tropical Atlantic Variability: Observations and Modeling
Authors: Cabos William , de la Vara Alba , Koseki Shunya
Published: August 2019

We review the state-of-the-art knowledge of Tropical Atlantic Variability (TAV). A well-developed observing system and sustained effort of the climate modeling community have improved our understanding of TAV. It is dominated by the seasonal cycle, for which some mechanisms have been identified. The interannual TAV presents a marked seasonality with three dominant modes: (i) the Atlantic Zonal Mode (AZM), (ii) the Atlantic Meridional Mode (AMM) and (iii) the variability in the Angola–Benguela Front (ABF). At longer time scales, the AMM is active and low-frequency variations in the strength, periodicity, and spatial structure of the AZM are observed. Also, changes in the mean position of the ABF occur. Climate models still show systematic biases in the simulated TAV. Their causes are model-dependent and relate to drawbacks in the physics of the models and to insufficient resolution of their atmospheric and oceanic components. The identified causes for the biases can have local or remote origin, involving the global ocean and atmospheric circulation. Although there is not a clear consensus regarding the role of model resolution in the representation of the TAV, eddy-resolving ocean models combined with atmospheric models with enhanced horizontal and vertical resolutions simulate smaller biases.
Different Representation of Mesoscale Convective Systems in Convection-Permitting and Convection-Parameterizing NWP Models and Its Implications for Large-Scale Forecast Evolution
Authors: Peters Karsten , Hohenegger Cathy , Klocke Daniel
Published: August 2019

Representing mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) and their multi-scale interaction with the large-scale atmospheric dynamics is still a major challenge in state-of-the-art global numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. This results in potentially defective forecasts of synoptic-scale dynamics in regions of high MCS activity. Here, we quantify this error by comparing simulations performed with a very large-domain, convection-permitting NWP model to two operational global NWP models relying on parameterized convection. We use one month’s worth of daily forecasts over Western Africa and focus on land regions only. The convection-permitting model matches remarkably well the statistics of westward-propagating MCSs compared to observations, while the convection-parameterizing NWP models misrepresent them. The difference in the representation of MCSs in the different models leads to measurably different synoptic-scale forecast evolution as visible in the wind fields at both 850 and 650 hPa, resulting in forecast differences compared to the operational global NWP models. This is quantified by computing the correlation between the differences and the number of MCSs: the larger the number of MCSs, the larger the difference. This fits the expectation from theory on MCS–mean flow interaction. Here, we show that this effect is strong enough to affect daily limited-area forecasts on very large domains.
Orientin Induces G0/G1 Cell Cycle Arrest and Mitochondria Mediated Intrinsic Apoptosis in Human Colorectal Carcinoma HT29 Cells
Authors: Thangaraj Kalaiyarasu , Balasubramanian Balamuralikrishnan , Park Sungkwon , Natesan Karthi , Liu Wenchao , Manju Vaiyapuri
Published: August 2019

Colorectal carcinoma is one of the utmost diagnosed cancer with a steep increase in mortality rate. The incidence has been increasing in developing countries like India due to a westernization life style. Flavonoids have been explored widely for its various pharmacological activity including antitumor activity. Orientin, an analogue of luteolin (citrus flavonoid) isolated from rooibos and tulsi leaves is also expected to deliver significant antitumor activity similar to that of luteolin. The present study anticipates exploring the antitumor activity of orientin against colorectal carcinoma cells (HT29). Orientin exhibited remarkable cytotoxicity and antiproliferative activity against HT29 cells, which is clearly evident from tetrazolium based cytotoxicity and lactate dehydrogenase release assays. Orientin induce G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and regulates cyclin and cyclin-dependent protein kinases in order to prevent the entry of the cell cycle to the S phase. Annexin V-FITC (V-Fluorescein Isothiocyanate) dual staining reveals the apoptotic induction ability of orientin. The Bcl-2 family proteins along with the inhibitor of apoptotic proteins were regulated and the tumor suppressor p-53 expression have been decreased. In conclusion, our results proposed that orientin could be a potent chemotherapeutic agent against colorectal cancer after ascertaining their molecular mechanisms.
A Proposed Framework for Patient-Focused Policy at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Authors: Kuehn Carrie M.
Published: August 2019

Medical product sponsors are encouraged to include the patient perspective in their medical product development strategy to inform product design, augment regulatory submissions, argue for alternative clinical trial designs, or to support indications in specific patient populations. The goal is to create a patient-focused ecosystem that enables industry to integrate the patient voice throughout the medical product lifecycle. To this end, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published several guidance documents to provide industry with the expectations and opportunities for conducting patient-focused activities. From an industry perspective, the Center for Devices and Radiologic Health (CDRH) and the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER)/Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) patient-focused policies are complementary. The basic tenets promoted in all FDA patient-focused guidance could apply across therapeutic areas. However, there remain differences in these guidance documents across FDA centers, and there is no framework in place to provide industry with consistent recommendations. Without a coordinated patient-focused policy from the FDA, there is the potential for confusion and a lack of consistency among industry and regulatory decision-makers. The objective of this paper was to propose an alternative framework for patient-focused policy at the FDA, which recognizes the potential for different types of patient input to be used across therapeutic areas and medical product types. Further, these policies need to provide greater clarity on how patient input data is used, so that sponsors may navigate the opportunities to use patient input regardless of the FDA center under which their product is regulated. Creating consistent, coherent, and transparent FDA patient-focused policy will encourage sponsors to obtain patient input more often and with greater certainty of the value that these data may have to their medical product strategies.
Tumor Transcriptome Reveals High Expression of IL-8 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients with Low Pectoralis Muscle Area and Reduced Survival
Authors: Santiloni Cury Sarah , de Moraes Diogo , Paccielli Freire Paula , de Oliveira Grasieli , Venâncio Pereira Marques Douglas , Javier Fernandez Geysson , Dal-Pai-Silva Maeli , Nishida Hasimoto Érica , Pintor dos Reis Patricia , Regina Rogatto Silvia , Francisco Carvalho Robson
Published: August 2019

Cachexia is a syndrome characterized by an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass associated with poor patient prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, prognostic cachexia biomarkers in NSCLC are unknown. Here, we analyzed computed tomography (CT) images and tumor transcriptome data to identify potentially secreted cachexia biomarkers (PSCB) in NSCLC patients with low-muscularity. We integrated radiomics features (pectoralis muscle, sternum, and tenth thoracic (T10) vertebra) from CT of 89 NSCLC patients, which allowed us to identify an index for screening muscularity. Next, a tumor transcriptomic-based secretome analysis from these patients (discovery set) was evaluated to identify potential cachexia biomarkers in patients with low-muscularity. The prognostic value of these biomarkers for predicting recurrence and survival outcome was confirmed using expression data from eight lung cancer datasets (validation set). Finally, C2C12 myoblasts differentiated into myotubes were used to evaluate the ability of the selected biomarker, interleukin (IL)-8, in inducing muscle cell atrophy. We identified 75 over-expressed transcripts in patients with low-muscularity, which included IL-6, CSF3, and IL-8. Also, we identified NCAM1, CNTN1, SCG2, CADM1, IL-8, NPTX1, and APOD as PSCB in the tumor secretome. These PSCB were capable of distinguishing worse and better prognosis (recurrence and survival) in NSCLC patients. IL-8 was confirmed as a predictor of worse prognosis in all validation sets. In vitro assays revealed that IL-8 promoted C2C12 myotube atrophy. Tumors from low-muscularity patients presented a set of upregulated genes encoding for secreted proteins, including pro-inflammatory cytokines that predict worse overall survival in NSCLC. Among these upregulated genes, IL-8 expression in NSCLC tissues was associated with worse prognosis, and the recombinant IL-8 was capable of triggering atrophy in C2C12 myotubes.
Acute Myeloid and Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cell Interactions with Endothelial Selectins: Critical Role of PSGL-1, CD44 and CD43
Authors: Spertini Caroline , Baïsse Bénédicte , Bellone Marta , Gikic Milica , Smirnova Tatiana , Spertini Olivier
Published: August 2019

Acute myeloid and lymphoblastic leukemia are poor prognosis hematologic malignancies, which disseminate from the bone marrow into the blood. Blast interactions with selectins expressed by vascular endothelium promote the development of drug resistance and leukostasis. While the role of selectins in initiating leukemia blast adhesion is established, our knowledge of the involved selectin ligands is incomplete. Using various primary acute leukemia cells and U937 monoblasts, we identified here functional selectin ligands expressed by myeloblasts and lymphoblasts by performing biochemical studies, expression inhibition by RNA interference and flow adhesion assays on recombinant selectins or selectin ligands immunoadsorbed from primary blast cells. Results demonstrate that P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) is the major P-selectin ligand on myeloblasts, while it is much less frequently expressed and used by lymphoblasts to interact with endothelial selectins. To roll on E-selectin, myeloblasts use PSGL-1, CD44, and CD43 to various extents and the contribution of these ligands varies strongly among patients. In contrast, the interactions of PSGL-1-deficient lymphoblasts with E-selectin are mainly supported by CD43 and/or CD44. By identifying key selectin ligands expressed by acute leukemia blasts, this study offers novel insight into their involvement in mediating acute leukemia cell adhesion with vascular endothelium and may identify novel therapeutic targets.
Lithocholic Acid, a Metabolite of the Microbiome, Increases Oxidative Stress in Breast Cancer
Authors: Kovács Patrik , Csonka Tamás , Kovács Tünde , Sári Zsanett , Ujlaki Gyula , Sipos Adrien , Karányi Zsolt , Szeőcs Dóra , Hegedűs Csaba , Uray Karen , Jankó Laura , Kiss Máté , Kiss Borbála , Laoui Damya , Virág László , Méhes Gábor , Bai Péter , Mikó Edit
Published: August 2019

In breast cancer patients, the diversity of the microbiome decreases, coinciding with decreased production of cytostatic bacterial metabolites like lithocholic acid (LCA). We hypothesized that LCA can modulate oxidative stress to exert cytostatic effects in breast cancer cells. Treatment of breast cancer cells with LCA decreased nuclear factor-2 (NRF2) expression and increased Kelch-like ECH associating protein 1 (KEAP1) expression via activation of Takeda G-protein coupled receptor (TGR5) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR). Altered NRF2 and KEAP1 expression subsequently led to decreased expression of glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3), an antioxidant enzyme, and increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The imbalance between the pro- and antioxidant enzymes increased cytostatic effects via increased levels of lipid and protein oxidation. These effects were reversed by the pharmacological induction of NRF2 with RA839, tBHQ, or by thiol antioxidants. The expression of key components of the LCA-elicited cytostatic pathway (iNOS and 4HNE) gradually decreased as the breast cancer stage advanced. The level of lipid peroxidation in tumors negatively correlated with the mitotic index. The overexpression of iNOS, nNOS, CAR, KEAP1, NOX4, and TGR5 or the downregulation of NRF2 correlated with better survival in breast cancer patients, except for triple negative cases. Taken together, LCA, a metabolite of the gut microbiome, elicits oxidative stress that slows down the proliferation of breast cancer cells. The LCA–oxidative stress protective pathway is lost as breast cancer progresses, and the loss correlates with poor prognosis.
In Situ Encapsulated Pt Nanoparticles Dispersed in Low Temperature Oxygen for Partial Oxidation of Methane to Syngas
Authors: Wang Junwen , Ma Lichao , Ding Chuanmin , Xue Yanan , Zhang Yongkang , Gao Zhiting
Published: August 2019

Highly dispersed ultra-small Pt nanoparticles limited in nanosized silicalite-1 zeolite were prepared by in situ encapsulation strategy using H2PtCl6·6H2O as a precursor and tetrapropylammonium hydroxide as a template. The prepared Pt@S-1 catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), N2 adsorption-desorption, CO adsorption, and TGA techniques and exhibited unmatched catalytic activity and sintering resistance in the partial oxidation of methane to syngas. Strikingly, Pt@S-1 catalyst with further reduced size and increased dispersibility of Pt nanoparticles showed enhanced catalytic activity after low-temperature oxygen calcination. However, for Pt/S-1 catalyst, low-temperature oxygen calcination did not improve its catalytic activity.
Perovskite Structure Associated with Precious Metals: Influence on Heterogenous Catalytic Process
Authors: Teixeira Guilhermina Ferreira , Silva Junior Euripedes , Vilela Ramon , Zaghete Maria Aparecida , Colmati Flávio
Published: August 2019

The use of perovskite-based materials and their derivatives can have an important role in the heterogeneous catalytic field based on photochemical processes. Photochemical reactions have a great potential to solve environmental damage issues. The presence of precious metals in the perovskite structure (i.e., Ag, Au, or Pt) may improve its efficiency significantly. The precious metal may comprise the perovskite lattice as well as form a heterostructure with it. The efficiency of catalytic materials is directly related to processing conditions. Based on this, this review will address the use of perovskite materials combined with precious metal as well as their processing methods for the use in catalyzed reactions.
Hydrogen from Renewables: A Case Study of Glycerol Reforming
Authors: Fasolini Andrea , Cespi Daniele , Tabanelli Tommaso , Cucciniello Raffaele , Cavani Fabrizio
Published: August 2019

Biomass is an interesting candidate raw material for the production of renewable hydrogen. The conversion of biomass into hydrogen can be achieved by several processes. In particular, this short review focuses on the recent advances in glycerol reforming to hydrogen, highlighting the development of new and active catalysts, the optimization of reaction conditions, and the use of non-innocent supports as advanced materials for supported catalysts. Different processes for hydrogen production from glycerol, especially aqueous phase reforming (APR) and steam reforming (SR), are described in brief. Thermodynamic analyses, which enable comparison with experimental studies, are also considered. In addition, research advances in terms of life cycle perspective applied to support R&D activities in the synthesis of renewable H2 from biomass are presented. Lastly, also featured is an evaluation of the studies published, as evidence of the increased interest of both academic research and the industrial community in biomass conversion to energy sources.
Genetically Modified M13 Bacteriophage Nanonets for Enzyme Catalysis and Recovery
Authors: Kadiri Vincent Mauricio , Alarcón-Correa Mariana , Ruppert Jacqueline , Günther Jan-Philipp , Bill Joachim , Rothenstein Dirk , Fischer Peer
Published: August 2019

Enzyme-based biocatalysis exhibits multiple advantages over inorganic catalysts, including the biocompatibility and the unchallenged specificity of enzymes towards their substrate. The recovery and repeated use of enzymes is essential for any realistic application in biotechnology, but is not easily achieved with current strategies. For this purpose, enzymes are often immobilized on inorganic scaffolds, which could entail a reduction of the enzymes’ activity. Here, we show that immobilization to a nano-scaled biological scaffold, a nanonetwork of end-to-end cross-linked M13 bacteriophages, ensures high enzymatic activity and at the same time allows for the simple recovery of the enzymes. The bacteriophages have been genetically engineered to express AviTags at their ends, which permit biotinylation and their specific end-to-end self-assembly while allowing space on the major coat protein for enzyme coupling. We demonstrate that the phages form nanonetwork structures and that these so-called nanonets remain highly active even after re-using the nanonets multiple times in a flow-through reactor.
Regulation of IKs Potassium Current by Isoproterenol in Adult Cardiomyocytes Requires Type 9 Adenylyl Cyclase
Authors: Li Yong , Hof Thomas , Baldwin Tanya A. , Chen Lei , Kass Robert S. , Dessauer Carmen W.
Published: August 2019

The subunits KCNQ1 and KCNE1 generate the slowly activating, delayed rectifier potassium current, IKs, that responds to sympathetic stimulation and is critical for human cardiac repolarization. The A-kinase anchoring protein Yotiao facilitates macromolecular complex formation between IKs and protein kinase A (PKA) to regulate phosphorylation of KCNQ1 and IKs currents following beta-adrenergic stimulation. We have previously shown that adenylyl cyclase Type 9 (AC9) is associated with a KCNQ1-Yotiao-PKA complex and facilitates isoproterenol-stimulated phosphorylation of KCNQ1 in an immortalized cell line. However, requirement for AC9 in sympathetic control of IKs in the heart was unknown. Using a transgenic mouse strain expressing the KCNQ1-KCNE1 subunits of IKs, we show that AC9 is the only adenylyl cyclase (AC) isoform associated with the KCNQ1-KCNE1-Yotiao complex in the heart. Deletion of AC9 resulted in the loss of isoproterenol-stimulated KCNQ1 phosphorylation in vivo, even though AC9 represents less than 3% of total cardiac AC activity. Importantly, a significant reduction of isoproterenol-stimulated IKs currents was also observed in adult cardiomyocytes from IKs-expressing AC9KO mice. AC9 and Yotiao co-localize with N-cadherin, a marker of intercalated disks and cell–cell junctions, in neonatal and adult cardiomyocytes, respectively. In conclusion, AC9 is necessary for sympathetic regulation of PKA phosphorylation of KCNQ1 in vivo and for functional regulation of IKs in adult cardiomyocytes.
Osteopontin is An Important Regulative Component of the Fetal Bone Marrow Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche
Authors: Cao Huimin , Cao Benjamin , Heazlewood Chad K. , Domingues Melanie , Sun Xuan , Debele Emmanuel , McGregor Narelle E. , Sims Natalie A. , Heazlewood Shen Y. , Nilsson Susan K.
Published: August 2019

Osteopontin (OPN) is an important component in both bone and blood regulation, functioning as a bridge between the two. Previously, thrombin-cleaved osteopontin (trOPN), the dominant form of OPN in adult bone marrow (BM), was demonstrated to be a critical negative regulator of adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) via interactions with α4β1 and α9β1 integrins. We now demonstrate OPN is also required for fetal hematopoiesis in maintaining the HSC and progenitor pool in fetal BM. Specifically, we showed that trOPN is highly expressed in fetal BM and its receptors, α4β1 and α9β1 integrins, are both highly expressed and endogenously activated on fetal BM HSC and progenitors. Notably, the endogenous activation of integrins expressed by HSC was attributed to high concentrations of three divalent metal cations, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Mn2+, which were highly prevalent in developing fetal BM. In contrast, minimal levels of OPN were detected in fetal liver, and α4β1 and α9β1 integrins expressed by fetal liver HSC were not in the activated state, thereby permitting the massive expansion of HSC and progenitors required during early fetal hematopoiesis. Consistent with these results, no differences in the number or composition of hematopoietic cells in the liver of fetal OPN-/- mice were detected, but significant increases in the hematopoietic progenitor pool in fetal BM as well as an increase in the BM HSC pool following birth and into adulthood were observed. Together, the data demonstrates OPN is a necessary negative regulator of fetal and neonatal BM progenitors and HSC, and it exhibits preserved regulatory roles during early development, adulthood and ageing.
RNA Sequencing of H3N2 Influenza Virus-Infected Human Nasal Epithelial Cells from Multiple Subjects Reveals Molecular Pathways Associated with Tissue Injury and Complications
Authors: Tan Kai Sen , Andiappan Anand Kumar , Lee Bernett , Yan Yan , Liu Jing , Tang See Aik , Lum Josephine , He Ting Ting , Ong Yew Kwang , Thong Mark , Lim Hui Fang , Choi Hyung Won , Rotzschke Olaf , Chow Vincent T , Wang De Yun
Published: August 2019

The human nasal epithelium is the primary site of exposure to influenza virus, the initiator of host responses to influenza and the resultant pathologies. Influenza virus may cause serious respiratory infection resulting in major complications, as well as severe impairment of the airways. Here, we elucidated the global transcriptomic changes during H3N2 infection of human nasal epithelial cells from multiple individuals. Using RNA sequencing, we characterized the differentially-expressed genes and pathways associated with changes occurring at the nasal epithelium following infection. We used in vitro differentiated human nasal epithelial cell culture model derived from seven different donors who had no concurrent history of viral infections. Statistical analysis highlighted strong transcriptomic signatures significantly associated with 24 and 48 h after infection, but not at the earlier 8-h time point. In particular, we found that the influenza infection induced in the nasal epithelium early and altered responses in interferon gamma signaling, B-cell signaling, apoptosis, necrosis, smooth muscle proliferation, and metabolic alterations. These molecular events initiated at the infected nasal epithelium may potentially adversely impact the airway, and thus the genes we identified could serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets for influenza infection and associated disease management.
Non-Coding RNA Regulates the Myogenesis of Skeletal Muscle Satellite Cells, Injury Repair and Diseases
Authors: Zhao Yue , Chen Mingming , Lian Di , Li Yan , Li Yao , Wang Jiahao , Deng Shoulong , Yu Kun , Lian Zhengxing
Published: August 2019

Skeletal muscle myogenesis and injury-induced muscle regeneration contribute to muscle formation and maintenance. As myogenic stem cells, skeletal muscle satellite cells have the ability to proliferate, differentiate and self-renew, and are involved in muscle formation and muscle injury repair. Accumulating evidence suggests that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are widely involved in the regulation of gene expression during skeletal muscle myogenesis, and their abnormal expression is associated with a variety of muscle diseases. From the perspective of the molecular mechanism and mode of action of ncRNAs in myogenesis, this review aims to summarize the role of ncRNAs in skeletal muscle satellite cells’ myogenic differentiation and in muscle disease, and systematically analyze the mechanism of ncRNAs in skeletal muscle development. This work will systematically summarize the role of ncRNAs in myogenesis and provide reference targets for the treatment of various muscle diseases, such as muscle dystrophy, atrophy and aberrant hypertrophy.
Real-Time Sensor Response Characteristics of 3 Commercial Metal Oxide Sensors for Detection of BTEX and Chlorinated Aliphatic Hydrocarbon Organic Vapors
Authors: Yurko Gabriel , Roostaei Javad , Dittrich Timothy , Xu Lanyu , Ewing Michael , Zhang Yongli , Shreve Gina
Published: August 2019

The objective of this study was to examine the sensor response characteristics of three commercial Internet of Things (IoT) compatible metal oxide (MOx) sensors in preparation for the development of field-scale sensor networks for the real-time monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor environments located in proximity to brownfield sites. Currently, there is limited examination of such sensor responses to relevant mixtures of target VOCs, such as the common petrochemicals benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), as well as chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon (CAH) contaminants such as tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE) which are frequently associated with deterioration of indoor air quality. To address this, a study of three commercial metal oxide (MOx) sensors (SGP30, BME680, and CCS811) was undertaken to examine the sensor response characteristics of individual components as well as mixtures of each of the target BTEX and CAH chemicals over relevant indoor air concentrations within the operating range of the MOx sensors (0–6000 ppb). Our investigation revealed similar response patterns to those previously reported for the thick film MOx sensor to most individual target VOCs, however, response trends for mixtures were more difficult to discern. In general, the MOx sensors we examined demonstrated similar magnitude responses to the CAHs as BTEX compounds indicating reliable detection of CAHs.
Numerical Investigation of Multiple Solutions for Caputo Fractional-Order-Two Dimensional Magnetohydrodynamic Unsteady Flow of Generalized Viscous Fluid over a Shrinking Sheet Using the Adams-Type Predictor-Corrector Method
Authors: Lund Liaquat Ali , Omar Zurni , Alharbi Sayer O. , Khan Ilyas , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy
Published: August 2019

In this paper, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow over a shrinking sheet and heat transfer with viscous dissipation has been studied. The governing equations of the considered problem are transformed into ordinary differential equations using similarity transformation. The resultant equations are converted into a system of fractional differential boundary layer equations by employing a Caputo derivative which is then solved numerically using the Adams-type predictor-corrector method (APCM). The results show the existence of two ranges of solutions, namely, dual solutions and no solution. Moreover, the results indicate that dual solutions exist for a certain range of specific parameters which are in line with the results of some previously published work. It is also observed that the velocity boundary layer decreases as the suction and magnetic parameters increase.
SEM Analysis of Enamel Abrasion after Air Polishing Treatment with Erythritol, Glycine and Sodium Bicarbonate
Authors: Sinjari Bruna , D’Addazio Gianmaria , Bozzi Martina , Santilli Manlio , Traini Tonino , Murmura Giovanna , Caputi Sergio
Published: August 2019

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the enamel surface topography after treatment with three air polishing powders: Glycine (A), erythritol (B), and sodium bicarbonate (C) (Air Flow Soft, Plus and Classic powders, EMS Electro Medical Systems S.A., Nyon, Switzerland). Fifteen extracted incisors were randomly divided into three groups of five teeth each, A, B and C, respectively. The teeth were blocked in plaster bases, washed, dried and half-covered with polytetrafluoroethylene strips before treatment. In this way, each half-treated dental element became test and control of itself. Comparative statistical analysis of Rq (geometric average of the deviations occurring in roughness profile) was performed. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed different degrees of surface roughness between the groups, decreasing after treatment. In addition, a statistically significant reduction p < 0.05 was present in group C (Rq mean non-treated 108.17 µm, 95% CI: 97.29–124.01 and Rq mean treated 86.78 µm, 95% CI: 80.63–93.70). A decrease in surface roughness post-treatment was not observed in group A and B. Therefore, it may be concluded that the air flow powders tested herein can be used on dental enamel to reduce the surface roughness due to function and the action of dental therapies.
Surface Stoichiometry and Optical Properties of Cux–TiyCz Thin Films Deposited by Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Roy Avishek , Mukhopadhyay Arun Kumar , Das Sadhan Chandra , Bhattacharjee Gourab , Majumdar Abhijit , Hippler Rainer
Published: August 2019

Ternary carbide in metal matrix composites constitute a big challenge in the industry, and in this regard their surface treatment is one of the most important issues. Ternary carbide (CuxTiyCz, where x, y and z are integers) thin films are synthesized by magnetron sputtering and characterized with respect to the film depth. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of Cu-2p and Ti-2p peaks shows the associated shake-up satellite peaks at a smaller film depth; the peak intensity is reduced at a higher depth. The relative intensity of Cu and Ti increases at a larger film depth. The optical band gap varies from 1.83 to 2.20 eV at different film depths.
Conservation Status of Brachycephalus Toadlets (Anura: Brachycephalidae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest
Authors: Bornschein Marcos R. , Pie Marcio R. , Teixeira Larissa
Published: August 2019

The number of described anurans has increased continuously, with many newly described species determined to be at risk. Most of these new species inhabit hotspots and are under threat of habitat loss, such as Brachycephalus, a genus of small toadlets that inhabits the litter of the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest. Of 36 known species, 22 were described in the last decade, but only 11 have been assessed according to the IUCN Red List categories, with just one currently listed as Critically Endangered. All available data on occurrence, distribution, density, and threats to Brachycephalus were reviewed. The species extent of occurrence was estimated using the Minimum Convex Polygon method for species with three or more records and by delimiting continuous areas within the altitudinal range of species with up to two records. These data were integrated to assess the conservation status according to the IUCN criteria. Six species have been evaluated as Critically Endangered, five as Endangered, 10 as Vulnerable, five as Least Concern, and 10 as Data Deficient. Deforestation was the most common threat to imperiled Brachycephalus species. The official recognition of these categories might be more readily adopted if the microendemic nature of their geographical distribution is taken into account.
FDG-PET/CT Versus Contrast-Enhanced CT for Response Evaluation in Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Helland Fredrik , Hallin Henriksen Martine , Gerke Oke , Vogsen Marianne , Høilund-Carlsen Poul Flemming , Hildebrandt Malene Grubbe
Published: August 2019

18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with integrated computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) can be used for response evaluation in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). In this study, we aimed to review literature comparing the PET Response Criteria in Solid Tumors (PERCIST) with Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) in patients with MBC. We made a systematic search in Embase, PubMed/Medline, and Cochrane Library using a modified PICO model. The population was MBC patients and the intervention was PERCIST or RECIST. Quality assessment was performed using the QUADAS-2 checklist. A total of 1975 articles were identified. After screening by title/abstract, 78 articles were selected for further analysis of which 2 duplicates and 33 abstracts/out of focus articles were excluded. The remaining 43 articles provided useful information, but only one met the inclusion and none of the exclusion criteria. This was a retrospective study of 65 patients with MBC showing one-year progression-free survival for responders versus non-responders to be 59% vs. 27% (p = 0.2) by RECIST compared to 64% vs. 0% (p = 0.0001) by PERCIST. This systematic literature review identified a lack of studies comparing the use of RECIST (with CE-CT) and PERCIST (with FDG-PET/CT) for response evaluation in metastatic breast cancer. The available sparse literature suggests that PERCIST might be more appropriate than RECIST for predicting prognosis in patients with MBC.
The Subtle Unphysical Hypothesis of the Firewall Theorem
Authors: Rovelli Carlo
Published: August 2019

The black-hole firewall theorem derives a suspicious consequence (large energy-momentum density at the horizon of a black hole) from a set of seemingly reasonable hypotheses. I point out the hypothesis that is likely to be unrealistic (a hypothesis not always sufficiently made explicit) and discuss the subtle confusion at its origin: mixing-up of two different notions of entropy and misusing the entropy bound.
Public Transit Ridership and Car-Oriented Cities: The Case of the Dallas Region
Authors: Daqrouq Ahmed , Anjomani Ardeshir
Published: August 2019

U.S. cities have invested large amounts of sums on public transit and urban rail in the last few decades, but the transit usage in most of these car-oriented cities is very low, and previous efforts to increase ridership have been mostly fruitless. This research examines the factors affecting transit ridership in a large car-oriented metropolitan setting and uses the Dallas region in the United States as a case for the study to identify factors that could help in increasing ridership. Most previous studies of transit ridership have not included many of the variables thought to influence transit ridership. Therefore, the disparities among the findings of empirical research completed to date point to the necessity for further study. This study addresses these shortcomings by exploring multiple factors, measuring population, technology, geography, and socioeconomic characteristics.
Self-Employment in Times of Crisis: The Case of the Spanish Financial Crisis
Authors: Contreras Sergio A.
Published: August 2019

While some researchers have suggested that the self-employment (SE) sector is a haven during a financial crisis, others believe that SE is not necessarily the desired outcome, but an indicator that the labor market is tightening for some groups. Few researchers have compared the SE sector before and after the occurrence of a significant financial crisis, especially in developed countries. This paper analyzes the determinants of entry into self-employment during the 2008 Spanish Crisis. Using data from the Encuesta de Presupuesto Familiar (EPF), results show that although the rate of SE did not experience a significant change during this time, the crisis affected people differently based on gender, with females being more affected than males. Results also suggest differences between Comunidades Autonomas in how the self-employment sector behaved during the crisis.
The Perceived Impact of Public Sector Corruption on Economic Performance of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in a Developing Country
Authors: Ezebilo Eugene E. , Odhuno Francis , Kavan Philip
Published: August 2019

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) contribute to the economic development of most developing countries. However, the economic performance of the MSMEs is often restricted by several obstacles. This paper reports on a study of the impacts of public sector corruption on employment growth in MSMEs, as perceived by their managers/owners. The data originated from a nationwide survey that involved MSMEs managers/owners in Papua New Guinea (PNG) that were selected by a stratified random sampling technic. The data was analyzed using a two-stage least squares (2SLS) regression model. The results show that MSME managers/owners perceive that corruption in the public sector is generally linked to an increase in employment growth in their firms. Medium-size enterprises benefit most from corruption in the public sector, whereas small-size firms appear not to benefit. The findings indicate that other than corruption, there might be failures in the public institutions that are hampering the competitiveness, innovations and efficiency in MSMEs. Corrupt practices can precipitate the loss of revenue that would have accrued to the government from tax that could be used to provide facilities required by the public institutions. Corruption in the public institutions of developing countries such as PNG can be tackled by implementing strategies that promote zero-tolerance for corruption. These include promoting public awareness of the cost of corruption to the country’s economy, improvement in the quality of governance, and expanding the capacity of government agencies for effective and efficient service delivery. Increasing the penalty for engaging in corrupt practices could also be considered, while people who engage in practices that discourage corruption should be rewarded. The findings contribute to a potential strategy that could be used to promote ease of doing business in a country by considering the obstacles that MSMEs face.
Extending Smart Phone Based Techniques to Provide AI Flavored Interaction with DIY Robots, over Wi-Fi and LoRa interfaces
Authors: Loukatos Dimitrios , Arvanitis Konstantinos G.
Published: August 2019

Inspired by the mobile phone market boost, several low cost credit card-sized computers have made the scene, able to support educational applications with artificial intelligence features, intended for students of various levels. This paper describes the learning experience and highlights the technologies used to improve the function of DIY robots. The paper also reports on the students’ perceptions of this experience. The students participating in this problem based learning activity, despite having a weak programming background and a confined time schedule, tried to find efficient ways to improve the DIY robotic vehicle construction and better interact with it. Scenario cases under investigation, mainly via smart phones or tablets, involved from touch button to gesture and voice recognition methods exploiting modern AI techniques. The robotic platform used generic hardware, namely arduino and raspberry pi units, and incorporated basic automatic control functionality. Several programming environments, from MIT app inventor to C and python, were used. Apart from cloud based methods to tackle the voice recognition issues, locally running software alternatives were assessed to provide better autonomy. Typically, scenarios were performed through Wi-Fi interfaces, while the whole functionality was extended by using LoRa interfaces, to improve the robot’s controlling distance. Through experimentation, students were able to apply cutting edge technologies, to construct, integrate, evaluate and improve interaction with custom robotic vehicle solutions. The whole activity involved technologies similar to the ones making the scene in the modern agriculture era that students need to be familiar with, as future professionals.
Development of an Advanced TDDB Analysis Model for Temperature Dependency
Authors: Park Kiron , Park Keonho , Im Sujin , Hong SeungEui , Son Kwonjoo , Jeon Jongwook
Published: August 2019

This paper proposes a hybrid model to describe the temperature dependence of the time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) phenomenon. TDDB can be expressed in terms of two well-known representative degradation mechanisms: The thermo-chemical (TC) mechanism and the anode hole injection (AHI) mechanism. A single model does not account for the measured lifetime, due to TDDB under different temperature conditions. Hence, in the proposed model, two different degradation mechanisms are considered simultaneously in an appropriate manner to describe the trap generation in the dielectric layer. The proposed model can be used to simulate the generation of the percolation path in a dielectric layer, and it is in agreement with the measured lifetime because of TDDB at different temperatures. Therefore, the proposed model can be used to predict guarantee time or initial failure detection, using the accelerated life test for industrial purposes.
A Deep Learning-Based Scatter Correction of Simulated X-ray Images
Authors: Lee Heesin , Lee Joonwhoan
Published: August 2019

X-ray scattering significantly limits image quality. Conventional strategies for scatter reduction based on physical equipment or measurements inevitably increase the dose to improve the image quality. In addition, scatter reduction based on a computational algorithm could take a large amount of time. We propose a deep learning-based scatter correction method, which adopts a convolutional neural network (CNN) for restoration of degraded images. Because it is hard to obtain real data from an X-ray imaging system for training the network, Monte Carlo (MC) simulation was performed to generate the training data. For simulating X-ray images of a human chest, a cone beam CT (CBCT) was designed and modeled as an example. Then, pairs of simulated images, which correspond to scattered and scatter-free images, respectively, were obtained from the model with different doses. The scatter components, calculated by taking the differences of the pairs, were used as targets to train the weight parameters of the CNN. Compared with the MC-based iterative method, the proposed one shows better results in projected images, with as much as 58.5% reduction in root-mean-square error (RMSE), and 18.1% and 3.4% increases in peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index measure (SSIM), on average, respectively.
Microwave Imaging by Means of Lebesgue-Space Inversion: An Overview
Authors: Estatico Claudio , Fedeli Alessandro , Pastorino Matteo , Randazzo Andrea
Published: August 2019

An overview of the recent advancements in the development of microwave imaging procedures based on the exploitation of the regularization theory in Lebesgue spaces is reported in this paper. Such inversion schemes have been found to provide accurate results in several microwave imaging scenarios, thanks to the different geometrical properties that Lebesgue spaces can exhibit with respect to the more classical Hilbert ones. Moreover, the recent extension to the more general case of variable-exponent Lebesgue spaces is also addressed. Experimental results involving reference data are shown for supporting the theoretical description of the approaches.