bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tuberculosis Vaccines: An Update of Recent and Ongoing Clinical Trials
Authors: Saramago Sean , Magalhães Joana , Pinheiro Marina
Published: October 2021

TB remains a global health challenge and, until now, only one licensed vaccine (the BCG vaccine) is available. The main goal of this work is to assess the progress in the development of new TB vaccines and highlight the research in nanovaccines. A review was conducted using a methodology with the appropriate keywords and inclusion and exclusion criteria. The search revealed 37 clinical trials that were further reviewed. The results available have reported good immunogenicity and safety profiles for the vaccines under investigation. Over the last five years, the vaccines, VPM1002 and Vaccae, have moved ahead to phase III clinical trials, with the remaining candidate vaccines progressing in phase I and II clinical trials. RUTI and ID93+GLA-SE involve the use of nanoparticles. This strategy seems promising to improve the delivery, efficacy, cost, and storage conditions of the existing TB vaccines. In conclusion, the use of nanovaccines may be an option for both prevention and treatment. However, further studies are necessary for the development of novel TB vaccines.
Patch-Wise Infrared and Visible Image Fusion Using Spatial Adaptive Weights
Authors: Minahil Syeda , Kim Jun-Hyung , Hwang Youngbae
Published: October 2021

In infrared (IR) and visible image fusion, the significant information is extracted from each source image and integrated into a single image with comprehensive data. We observe that the salient regions in the infrared image contain targets of interests. Therefore, we enforce spatial adaptive weights derived from the infrared images. In this paper, a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN)-based fusion method is proposed for infrared and visible image fusion. Based on the end-to-end network structure with dual discriminators, a patch-wise discrimination is applied to reduce blurry artifact from the previous image-level approaches. A new loss function is also proposed to use constructed weight maps which direct the adversarial training of GAN in a manner such that the informative regions of the infrared images are preserved. Experiments are performed on the two datasets and ablation studies are also conducted. The qualitative and quantitative analysis shows that we achieve competitive results compared to the existing fusion methods.
Application of Fe-Impregnated Biochar from Cattle Manure for Removing Pentavalent Antimony from Aqueous Solution
Authors: Park Seong-Jik , Lee Yeon-Jin , Kang Jin-Kyu , Lee Je-Chan , Lee Chang-Gu
Published: October 2021

This study assessed the applicability of Fe-impregnated biochar derived from cattle manure (Fe-CMB) as an adsorbent for removing Sb(V) from aqueous solutions and investigated the Sb(V) adsorption mechanism. Fe-CMB was mainly composed of C, O, Cl, Fe, Ca, and P, and the adsorption of Sb(V) onto Fe-CMB was identified using an energy dispersive spectrometer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Sb(V) adsorption reached equilibrium within 6 h, and the Sb(V) adsorption data as a function of time were well described by the pseudo-second-order model. The Langmuir isotherm model fit the equilibrium data better than the Freundlich model. The maximum adsorption capacity of Fe-CMB for Sb(V) obtained from the Langmuir model was 58.3 mg/g. Thermodynamic analysis of Sb(V) adsorption by Fe-CMB indicated that the adsorption process was exothermic and spontaneous. The Sb(V) removal percentage increased with the Fe-CMB dose, which achieved a removal of 98.5% at 10.0 g/L Fe-CMB. Increasing the solution pH from 3 to 11 slightly reduced Sb(V) adsorption by 6.5%. The inhibitory effect of anions on Sb(V) adsorption followed the order: Cl− ≈ NO3− < SO42− < HCO3− < PO43−.
Effect of Magnetic Nanofluids on the Performance of a Fin-Tube Heat Exchanger
Authors: Choi Yun-Seok , Kim Youn-Jea
Published: October 2021

As electrical devices become smaller, it is essential to maintain operating temperature for safety and durability. Therefore, there are efforts to improve heat transfer performance under various conditions, such as using extended surfaces and nanofluids. Among them, cooling methods using ferrofluid are drawing the attention of many researchers. This fluid can control the movement of the fluid in magnetic fields. In this study, the heat transfer performance of a fin-tube heat exchanger, using ferrofluid as a coolant, was analyzed when external magnetic fields were applied. Permanent magnets were placed outside the heat exchanger. When the magnetic fields were applied, a change in the thermal boundary layer was observed. It also formed vortexes, which affected the formation of flow patterns. The vortex causes energy exchanges in the flow field, activating thermal diffusion and improving heat transfer. A numerical analysis was used to observe the cooling performance of heat exchangers, as the strength and number of the external magnetic fields were varying. VGs (vortex generators) were also installed to create vortex fields. A convective heat transfer coefficient was calculated to determine the heat transfer rate. In addition, the comparative analysis was performed with graphical results using contours of temperature and velocity.
Morphological Change in the Biceps Brachii Muscles during Shoulder Rotation: A Cadaver Study
Authors: Katsuki Shuji , Hayashi Shogo , Tanaka Ryuta , Kiyoshima Daisuke , Qu Ning , Suyama Kaori , Sakabe Kou
Published: October 2021

In the literature, the passive movement of the biceps brachii during shoulder motion is unclear. This study investigated the passive movement of the long head (LHBB) and short head (SHBB) of the biceps brachii during shoulder rotation. We included 18 shoulders from 15 cadavers. At three shoulder positions (internal rotation [IR]20°, 0°, external rotation [ER]20°), the three sides of the triangle consisting of the confluence of the SHBB and LHBB, coracoid processes, and lesser tubercles were measured. The confluence angle of the LHBB and SHBB (Angle A) was calculated using the cosine theorem. The mean values for Angle A and standardized three sides of the triangle were statistically compared among the three shoulder positions. Angle A values were 13.5° ± 7.6° at IR20°, 15.2° ± 5.8° at 0°, and 15.7° ± 4.3° at ER20° with no significant difference (p = 0.096). The lengths of all three sides and Angle A were the smallest at IR20° and highest at ER20°. All the three sides revealed significant differences among the three shoulder positions (p < 0.0001). These results imply that morphological changes of the biceps brachii occur during shoulder rotation. These morphological changes in biceps brachii may contribute to shoulder joint stabilization by adjusting the forces the act on the tendons of both heads.
Development of an Analytical Model to Determine the Heat Fluxes to a Structural Element Due to a Travelling Fire
Authors: Charlier Marion , Franssen Jean-Marc , Dumont Fabien , Nadjai Ali , Vassart Olivier
Published: October 2021

The term “travelling fire” is used to label fires which burn locally and move across the floor over a period of time in large compartments. Through experimental and numerical campaigns and while observing the tragic travelling fire events, it became clear that such fires imply a transient heating of the surrounding structure. The necessity to better characterize the thermal impact generated on the structure by a travelling fire motivated the development of an analytical model allowing to capture, in a simple manner, the multidimensional transient heating of a structure considering the effect of the ventilation. This paper first presents the basic assumptions of a new analytical model which is based on the virtual solid flame concept; a comparison of the steel temperatures measured during a travelling fire test in a steel-framed building with the ones obtained analytically is then presented. The limitations inherent to the analyticity of the model are also discussed. This paper suggests that the developed analytical model can allow for both an acceptable representation of the travelling fire in terms of fire spread and steel temperatures while not being computationally demanding, making it potentially desirable for pre-design.
Effect of Graphene Nanoplatelet on the Carbonation Depth of Concrete under Changing Climate Conditions
Authors: Zhang Yingzi , Wang Yanze , Yang Mingqian , Wang Huatao , Chen Guofang , Zheng Song
Published: October 2021

Climate change has been unprecedented in the past decades or even thousands of years, which has had an adverse impact on the mechanical properties of concrete structures. Many researchers have begun to study new concrete materials. Graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) is an attractive nanomaterial that can change the crystal structure of concrete and improve durability. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of GNP (0.05%wt) on the carbonation depth of concrete under simulated changing climate conditions (varying temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration), and compare it with ordinary concrete. When the concentration of CO2 is variable, the carbonation depth of graphene concrete is 10% to 20% lower than that of ordinary concrete. When the temperature is lower than 33 °C, the carbonation depth of graphene concrete is less than that of the control sample; however, above 33 °C, the thermal conductivity of GNP increases the carbonation reaction rate of concrete. When the humidity is a variable, the carbonation depth of graphene concrete is less than 15% to 30% of ordinary concrete, and when the humidity is higher than 78%, the difference in the carbonation depth between the ordinary concrete and the graphene concrete decreases gradually. The overall results indicated that GNP has a favorable effect on anti-carbonation performance under changing climate conditions.
The Manning’s Roughness Coefficient Calibration Method to Improve Flood Hazard Analysis in the Absence of River Bathymetric Data: Application to the Urban Historical Zamora City Centre in Spain
Authors: Garrote Julio , González-Jiménez Miguel , Guardiola-Albert Carolina , Díez-Herrero Andrés
Published: October 2021

The accurate estimation of flood risk depends on, among other factors, a correct delineation of the floodable area and its associated hydrodynamic parameters. This characterization becomes fundamental in the flood hazard analyses that are carried out in urban areas. To achieve this objective, it is necessary to have a correct characterization of the topography, both inside the riverbed (bathymetry) and outside it. Outside the riverbed, the LiDAR data led to an important improvement, but not so inside the riverbed. To overcome these deficiencies, different models with simplified bathymetry or modified inflow hydrographs were used. Here, we present a model that is based upon the calibration of the Manning’s n value inside the riverbed. The use of abnormally low Manning’s n values made it possible to reproduce both the extent of the flooded area and the flow depth value within it (outside the riverbed) in an acceptable manner. The reduction in the average error in the flow depth value from 50–75 cm (models without bathymetry and “natural” Manning’s n values) to only about 10 cm (models without bathymetry and “calibrated” Manning’s n values), was propagated towards a reduction in the estimation of direct flood damage, which fell from 25–30% to about 5%.
A Practice for the Application of Waste in Road Asphalt Pavements in an Eco-Friendly Way
Authors: Russo Francesca , Oreto Cristina , Veropalumbo Rosa
Published: October 2021

The integration of circular economy principles in the design of road pavements raises the problem of obtaining high-performance asphalt mixtures for reduction of waste and environmental pollution compared to traditional solutions. In this study, the base and binder layers of road asphalt pavements were prepared by using reclaimed asphalt pavement and construction and demolition waste as coarse aggregates, while jet grouting waste and fly ash served as fillers. A leaching test was performed for the marginal materials, after which the engineering performances of the designed asphalt mixtures were investigated through laboratory tests. A life cycle assessment methodology was applied to determine the life cycle impacts of one cubic meter of each asphalt solution. Next, a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) was performed for the solutions suggested for the binder and base layers. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify the most suitable MCDA solutions by varying the weights for a total of 24 different weight configurations. The results of this work revealed that the solutions utilizing jet grouting waste (in particular, the hot asphalt mixture for the binder layer and cold asphalt mixture for the base layer) were preferred to other traditional and alternative solutions in most decision-making scenarios.
Serve Ball Trajectory Characteristics of Different Volleyballs and Their Causes
Authors: Tamaru Takehiro , Hiratsuka Masaki , Ito Shinichiro
Published: October 2021

A floater serve in volleyball is a technique of serving a non-rotating or low-rotating ball, which is difficult to return because the flight path of the ball changes irregularly. On the other hand, the randomness of the trajectory makes it difficult for the ball to fall on the target. Players are required to serve taking into account the variability of the trajectory. In previous studies using wind tunnels, it was shown that aerodynamic characteristics such as drag force and lateral force applied to the ball vary depending on the type of ball and the orientation of the panel. Therefore, in order to control the flight trajectory, it is necessary to understand the aerodynamic characteristics of each ball. Since the velocity of the ball and the fluid force applied to the ball changes during flight, it is important to measure not only the fluid force at a steady state in the wind tunnel but also the actual flight distance of the ball. In this study, to provide valuable information for precise control of floater serves, we measured the drag force applied to the ball in a wind tunnel and the flight distance of the ball using an ejection machine, and clarified the effects of the type of ball and the panel face. In the drag force measurement, the drag force on three types of balls, V200W, MVA200, and FLISTATEC, was measured in the wind speed range of 4 m/s to 30 m/s. In the ejection measurement, the ball flight distances were measured while changing the orientation of the panel using an ejection machine. Basically, the FLISTATEC, MVA200, and V200W, in that order, were more likely to increase the distance and the variability, but it was shown that the drop point could be adjusted slightly by selecting the panel face. This result was also obtained when a human player actually served the ball, indicating the tactical importance of the player consciously controlling the direction of the panel. The tactical importance of the player’s conscious control of the direction of the panel was demonstrated. We also proposed receiver positions that would be effective based on the characteristics of each ball.
An Automatic Data Completeness Check Framework for Open Government Data
Authors: Bhandari Sovit , Ranjan Navin , Kim Yeong-Chan , Park Jong-Do , Hwang Kwang-Il , Kim Woo-Hyuk , Hong Youn-Sik , Kim Hoon
Published: October 2021

In recent years, the governments in many countries have recognized the importance of data in boosting their economies. As a result, they are implementing the philosophy of open government data (OGD) to make public data easily and freely available to everyone in standardized formats. Because good quality OGD can boost a country’s economy, whereas poor quality can jeopardize its efficient use and reuse, it is very important to maintain the quality of data stored in open government data portals (OGDP). However, most OGDPs do not have a feature that indicates the quality of the data stored there, and even if they do, they do not provide real-time service. Moreover, most recent studies focused on developing approaches to quantify the quality of OGD, either qualitatively or quantitatively, but did not offer an approach to automatically calculate and visualize it in real-time. To address this problem to some extent, this paper proposes a framework that can automatically assess the quality of data in the form of a data completeness ratio (DCR) and visualize it in real-time. The framework is validated using the OGD of South Korea, whose DCR is displayed in real-time using the Django-based dashboard.
Review of Element Analysis of Industrial Materials by In-Line Laser—Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
Authors: Pedarnig Johannes D. , Trautner Stefan , Grünberger Stefan , Giannakaris Nikolaos , Eschlböck-Fuchs Simon , Hofstadler Josef
Published: October 2021

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a rapidly developing technique for chemical materials analysis. LIBS is applied for fundamental investigations, e.g., the laser plasma matter interaction, for element, molecule, and isotope analysis, and for various technical applications, e.g., minimal destructive materials inspection, the monitoring of production processes, and remote analysis of materials in hostile environment. In this review, we focus on the element analysis of industrial materials and the in-line chemical sensing in industrial production. After a brief introduction we discuss the optical emission of chemical elements in laser-induced plasma and the capability of LIBS for multi-element detection. An overview of the various classes of industrial materials analyzed by LIBS is given. This includes so-called Technology materials that are essential for the functionality of modern high-tech devices (smartphones, computers, cars, etc.). The LIBS technique enables unique applications for rapid element analysis under harsh conditions where other techniques are not available. We present several examples of LIBS-based sensors that are applied in-line and at-line of industrial production processes.
Repair of Voids in Multi-Labeled Triangular Mesh
Authors: Zhong Deyun , Li Benyu , Shi Tiandong , Li Zhaopeng , Wang Liguan , Bi Lin
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we propose a novel mesh repairing method for repairing voids from several meshes to ensure a desired topological correctness. The input to our method is several closed and manifold meshes without labels. The basic idea of the method is to search for and repair voids based on a multi-labeled mesh data structure and the idea of graph theory. We propose the judgment rules of voids between the input meshes and the method of void repairing based on the specified model priorities. It consists of three steps: (a) converting the input meshes into a multi-labeled mesh; (b) searching for quasi-voids using the breadth-first searching algorithm and determining true voids via the judgment rules of voids; (c) repairing voids by modifying mesh labels. The method can repair the voids accurately and only few invalid triangular facets are removed. In general, the method can repair meshes with one hundred thousand facets in approximately one second on very modest hardware. Moreover, it can be easily extended to process large-scale polygon models with millions of polygons. The experimental results of several data sets show the reliability and performance of the void repairing method based on the multi-labeled triangular mesh.
The Effect of Antagonist Abiotic Stress on Bioactive Compounds from Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Authors: Copolovici Lucian , Lupitu Andreea , Moisa Cristian , Taschina Monica , Copolovici Dana M.
Published: October 2021

Drought and flooding are some of the most common stressful conditions for plants. Due to the recent climate changes, they can occur one after another. This study is focused on the effect of antagonistic abiotic stress such as drought and flooding on the different metabolites from Ocimum basilicum leaves. Six-week-old plants of Ocimum basilicum were exposed to drought or flooding stress for 15 days, followed by antagonist stress for 14 days. The assimilation rates decrease drastically for plants under consecutive stresses from 18.9 to 0.25 µmol m−2 s−1 starting at day 3 of treatment. The stomatal conductance to water vapor gs was also reduced from 86 to 29 mmol m−2 s−1. The emission of green leaf volatiles compounds increases from 0.14 to 2.48 nmol m−2 s−1, and the emission of monoterpenes increased from 2.00 to 7.37 nmol m−2 s−1. The photosynthetic pigment concentration (chlorophyll a and b, and β-carotene), the flavonoid content, and total phenolic content decrease for all stressed plants. The results obtained in this study could indicate that the water status (drought and/or flooding) directly impacts basil plants’ physiological parameters and secondary metabolites.
Analytical Solutions for the Radial Consolidation of Unsaturated Foundation with Prefabricated Vertical Drain Based on Fourier Series Expansion Theory
Authors: Meng Qiang , Xu Qianwei , Luo Xianmin , Chen Yang , Li Tianyi
Published: October 2021

This paper presents the analytical solution of the radial consolidation of a prefabricated vertical drain (PVD) foundation under the unsaturated condition. In the proposed modeling, air and water phases in the foundation are thought to dissipate horizontally toward to the drain, and the smear effect, drain resistance and external time-dependent loading are fully considered. The analytical mathematical tools, namely the general integration method, Fourier series expansion method, decoupling method and the constant variation method, are utilized to solve the partial differential equations. Moreover, the current solutions are verified with existing solutions in the literature. Finally, a case study considering the ramp loading and exponential loading is conducted to investigate the consolidation patterns under various loading parameters. The results show that smear effect and drain resistance can significantly hinder the dissipation process of excess pore pressures, and different external loading types will lead to various dissipation characteristics (i.e., peak values).
Lean and Flexible Project Delivery
Authors: Vaagen Hajnalka , Ballard Glenn
Published: October 2021

The average cost and time overrun of frequent changes in ETO and construction projects is high, and with steadily increasing cost constraints, productivity increase is critical for future competitiveness. Successful lean implementations in project-based production systems have led to great reductions in waste and time to market. However, companies also often struggle with effective customization of lean principles to their changing contexts. This paper extends the scope of the operational system of lean project delivery, initially focused on a project-based production system with the Last Planner System (LPS®) at core, to enhance master planning with options to flexibly handle changes. The research follows the guidelines of Design Science Research, combining the theory and practice of lean project management with results for project flexibility from quantitative models. The main contribution is the proposed operational system, along with the process to evaluate its intended utility, i.e., to increase the ability to quickly and cost effectively handle late changes. This enables the quantitative assessment of the value of planned flexibility in lean projects, before the decision is taken, and illustrates this value for capturing opportunities from customer-driven changes. Insights into the value of design research for the management of project uncertainty are emphasized.
Anomaly Detection of the Brake Operating Unit on Metro Vehicles Using a One-Class LSTM Autoencoder
Authors: Kang Jaeyong , Kim Chul-Su , Kang Jeong Won , Gwak Jeonghwan
Published: October 2021

Detecting anomalies in the Brake Operating Unit (BOU) braking system of metro trains is very important for trains’ reliability and safety. However, current periodic maintenance and inspection cannot detect anomalies at an early stage. In addition, constructing a stable and accurate anomaly detection system is a very challenging task. Hence, in this work, we propose a method for detecting anomalies of BOU on metro vehicles using a one-class long short-term memory (LSTM) autoencoder. First, we extracted brake cylinder (BC) pressure data from the BOU data since one of the anomaly cases of metro trains is that BC pressure relief time is delayed by 4 s. After that, extracted BC pressure data is split into subsequences which are fed into our proposed one-class LSTM autoencoder which consists of two LSTM blocks (encoder and decoder). The one-class LSTM autoencoder is trained using training data which only consists of normal subsequences. To detect anomalies from test data that contain abnormal subsequences, the mean absolute error (MAE) for each subsequence is calculated. When the error is larger than a predefined threshold which was set to the maximum value of MAE in the training (normal) dataset, we can declare that example an anomaly. We conducted the experiments with the BOU data of metro trains in Korea. Experimental results show that our proposed method can detect anomalies of the BOU data well.
Comparison of Casein Phosphopeptide with Potassium Nitrate and Sodium Monofluorophosphate Desensitizing Efficacy after In-Office Vital Bleaching—A Randomized Trial
Authors: Adil Hafiz Muhammad , Jouhar Rizwan , Ahmed Muhammad Adeel , Basha Sakeenabi , Ahmed Naseer , Abbasi Maria Shakoor , Maqsood Afsheen , Nagarajappa Anil Kumar , Alam Mohammad Khursheed
Published: October 2021

Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), potassium nitrate, and sodium monofluorophosphate are desensitizing agents that help in reducing teeth sensitivity. However, indecisive evidence exists regarding their efficacy. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the desensitizing efficacy of casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate and potassium nitrate with sodium monofluorophosphate agents after in-office vital bleaching. A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 2011 patients. The patients were randomly and equally divided into the CPP-ACP group (group 1), potassium nitrate with sodium monofluorophosphate group (group 2), and placebo gel (group 3). The upper and lower anterior teeth including the first premolar were isolated with a rubber dam, then the bleaching agents were applied on the labial surface of all the teeth, followed by light activation for 15 min. The procedure was repeated 3 times with an interval of 5 min in-between. After carrying out the bleaching procedure, patients were given a desensitizing gel or placebo gel in unmarked syringes with an instruction to apply it every 12 h for up to 3 days. The intensity of pain was recorded using a discomfort interval scale (DIS). A decrease in pain was observed 24 h after the application of the desensitizing gel in groups 1 and 2. However, in group 3, the pain persisted, with 46 (69.69%) patients having moderate pain and 14 (21.21%) developing severe pain over time. A significant difference in discomfort level with time was noted in group 1 (p = 0.015) and group 2 (p = 0.036). However, no significant difference was found in group 3 (p = 0.085). It was concluded that both desensitizing agents performed exceptionally well in reducing teeth sensitivity.
Air Quality in Windsor (Canada) and Impact of Regional Scale Transport
Authors: Zhang Tianchu , Chen Yangfan , Tan Rongtai , Xu Xiaohong
Published: October 2021

Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) is a scale designed in Canada to help residences understand the impact of air quality on health. This study investigated temporal variability of daily AQHI and impact of regional transport on AQHI in Windsor, Ontario, Canada from 2016 to 2019. The four-year average daily AQHI was 2.9, slightly below the upper limit of the low health risk level of 3. AQHI value decreased from 2.95 to 2.81 during the study period, indicating the improvement of air quality. Half of the days, AQHI were 3 regardless of season. AQHI was higher in the warm season (3.1) than in the cold season (2.6) due to more frequent moderate risk days (27%, AQHI = 4) in warm season and more frequent low risk days (42%, AQHI = 2) in the cold season. Among the three pollutants considered, O3 was the most frequently reported dominant contributor to daily AQHI (88% of days), followed by NO2 (12%), especially in the cold season, with small contribution from PM2.5 (<1%). Trajectory analysis found that AQHI ≤ 3 days were closely associated with air masses from the north and northwest, whereas AQHI > 3 days were closely associated with air masses from the west and southwest. This is because northerly flows brought in clear air mass owing to less industrial facilities. Polluted air masses were transported from the south of Windsor, where several industrial states of the US were located. Directional AQHI resembles O3 more than NO2 or PM2.5 concentrations do. Further improvement of AQHI in Windsor could be challenging because O3 concentrations have continued to increase in recent years. Thus, more effective control measures to mitigate O3 pollution are warranted to reduce its impact on human health and the environment.
The Evolutionary History of New Zealand Deschampsia Is Marked by Long-Distance Dispersal, Endemism, and Hybridization
Authors: Xue Zhiqing , Greimler Josef , Paun Ovidiu , Ford Kerry A. , Barfuss Michael H. J. , Chiapella Jorge O.
Published: October 2021

The contrasting evolutionary histories of endemic versus related cosmopolitan species provide avenues to understand the spatial drivers and limitations of biodiversity. Here, we investigated the evolutionary history of three New Zealand endemic Deschampsia species, and how they are related to cosmopolitan D. cespitosa. We used RADseq to test species delimitations, infer a dated species tree, and investigate gene flow patterns between the New Zealand endemics and the D. cespitosa populations of New Zealand, Australia and Korea. Whole plastid DNA analysis was performed on a larger worldwide sampling. Morphometrics of selected characters were applied to New Zealand sampling. Our RADseq review of over 55 Mbp showed the endemics as genetically well-defined from each other. Their last common ancestor with D. cespitosa lived during the last ten MY. The New Zealand D. cespitosa appears in a clade with Australian and Korean samples. Whole plastid DNA analysis revealed the endemics as members of a southern hemisphere clade, excluding the extant D. cespitosa of New Zealand. Both data provided strong evidence for hybridization between D. cespitosa and D. chapmanii. Our findings provide evidence for at least two migration events of the genus Deschampsia to New Zealand and hybridization between D. cespitosa and endemic taxa.
The Mycobiota of High Altitude Pear Orchards Soil in Colombia
Authors: Nicola Lidia , Landínez-Torres Angela Yaneth , Zambuto Francesco , Capelli Enrica , Tosi Solveig
Published: October 2021

In Colombia, the cultivation of deciduous fruit trees such as pear is expanding for socio-economic reasons and is becoming more and more important for the local population. Since organized cultivation is slowly replacing sustenance cultivation, scientific information on the present agro-environment is needed to proceed in this change in an organic and environmentally friendly way. In particular, this study is an accurate description of the mycobiota present in the bulk soil of two different high altitude pear orchards in the Colombian Andes. The metabarcoding of soil samples allowed an in-depth analysis of the whole fungal community. The fungal assemblage was generally dominated by Ascomycota and secondly by Mortierellomycota. As observed in other studies in Colombia, the genus Mortierella was found to be especially abundant. The soil of the different pear orchards appeared to host quite different fungal communities according to the soil physico-chemical properties. The common mycobiota contained 35 fungal species, including several species of Mortierella, Humicola, Solicoccozyma and Exophiala. Moreover, most of the identified fungal species (79%) were recorded for the first time in Colombian soils, thus adding important information on soil biodiversity regarding both Colombia and pear orchards.
A Standardised Approach to the Biomechanical Evaluation of Tracheal Grafts
Authors: Martínez-Hernández Néstor J. , Mas-Estellés Jorge , Milián-Medina Lara , Martínez-Ramos Cristina , Cerón-Navarro José , Galbis-Caravajal José , Roig-Bataller Amparo , Mata-Roig Manuel
Published: October 2021

The ideal tracheal substitute must have biomechanical properties comparable to the native trachea, but currently there is no standardised approach to evaluating these properties. Here we propose a novel method for evaluating and comparing the properties of tracheal substitutes, thus systematising both measurement and data curation. This system was tested by comparing native rabbit tracheas to frozen and decellularised specimens and determining the histological characteristics of those specimens. We performed radial compression tests on the anteroposterior tracheal axis and longitudinal axial tensile tests with the specimens anastomosed to the jaw connected to a measuring system. All calculations and results were adjusted according to tracheal size, always using variables relative to the tracheal dimensions, thus permitting comparison of different sized organs. The biomechanical properties of the decellularised specimens were only slightly reduced compared to controls and significant in regard to the maximum stress withstood in the longitudinal axis (−0.246 MPa CI [−0.248, −0.145] MPa) and the energy stored per volume unit (−0.124 mJ·mm−3 CI [−0.195, −0.055] mJ·mm−3). The proposed method is suitable for the systematic characterisation of the biomechanical properties of different tracheal substitutes, regardless of the size or nature of the substitute, thus allowing for direct comparisons.
In Silico and Cellular Differences Related to the Cell Division Process between the A and B Races of the Colonial Microalga Botryococcus braunii
Authors: Morales-de la Cruz Xochitl , Mandujano-Chávez Alejandra , Browne Daniel R. , Devarenne Timothy P. , Sánchez-Segura Lino , López Mercedes G. , Lozoya-Gloria Edmundo
Published: October 2021

Botryococcus braunii produce liquid hydrocarbons able to be processed into combustion engine fuels. Depending on the growing conditions, the cell doubling time can be up to 6 days or more, which is a slow growth rate in comparison with other microalgae. Few studies have analyzed the cell cycle of B. braunii. We did a bioinformatic comparison between the protein sequences for retinoblastoma and cyclin-dependent kinases from the A (Yamanaka) and B (Showa) races, with those sequences from other algae and Arabidopsis thaliana. Differences in the number of cyclin-dependent kinases and potential retinoblastoma phosphorylation sites between the A and B races were found. Some cyclin-dependent kinases from both races seemed to be phylogenetically more similar to A. thaliana than to other microalgae. Microscopic observations were done using several staining procedures. Race A colonies, but not race B, showed some multinucleated cells without chlorophyll. An active mitochondrial net was detected in those multinucleated cells, as well as being defined in polyphosphate bodies. These observations suggest differences in the cell division processes between the A and B races of B. braunii.
Use of Alternative Gelling Agents Reveals the Role of Rhamnolipids in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Surface Motility
Authors: Morin Charles D. , Déziel Eric
Published: October 2021

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a motile bacterium able to exhibit a social surface behaviour known as swarming motility. Swarming requires the polar flagellum of P. aeruginosa as well as the secretion of wetting agents to ease the spread across the surface. However, our knowledge on swarming is limited to observed phenotypes on agar-solidified media. To study the surface behaviour and the impact of wetting agents of P. aeruginosa on other surfaces, we assessed surface motility capabilities of the prototypical strain PA14 on semi-solid media solidified with alternative gelling agents, gellan gum and carrageenan. We found that, on these alternative surfaces, the characteristic dendritic spreading pattern of P. aeruginosa is drastically altered. One striking feature is the loss of dependence on rhamnolipids to spread effectively on plates solidified with these alternative gelling agents. Indeed, a rhlA-null mutant unable to produce its wetting agents still spreads effectively, albeit in a circular shape on both the gellan gum- and carrageenan-based media. Our data indicate that rhamnolipids do not have such a crucial role in achieving surface colonization of non-agar plates, suggesting a strong dependence on the physical properties of the tested surface. The use of alternative gelling agent provides new means to reveal unknown features of bacterial surface behaviour.
Recent Advances in Pancreatic Cancer: Novel Prognostic Biomarkers and Targeted Therapy—A Review of the Literature
Authors: Schlick Konstantin , Kiem Dominik , Greil Richard
Published: October 2021

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma carries a devastating prognosis. For locally advanced and metastatic disease, several chemotherapeutic regimens are currently being used. Over the past years, novel approaches have included targeting EGFR, NTRK, PARP, K-Ras as well as stroma and fibrosis, leading to approval of NTRK and PARP inhibitors. Moreover, immune check point inhibitors and different combinational approaches involving immunotherapeutic agents are being investigated in many clinical trials. MiRNAs represent a novel tool and are thought to greatly improve management by allowing for earlier diagnosis and for more precise guidance of treatment.
Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Conditioned Medium Modulates the Expression of Inflammation Induced Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2, -5 and -6 as Well as Compared with Shockwave Therapy on Rat Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Cheng Jai-Hong , Hsu Chieh-Cheng , Hsu Shan-Ling , Chou Wen-Yi , Wu Yi-No , Kuo Chun-En Aurea , Hsu Tsai-Chin , Shiu Li-Yen , Jhan Shun-Wun
Published: October 2021

The dose-dependent effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (ADSC-CM) were compared with those of shockwave (SW) therapy in the treatment of early osteoarthritis (OA). Anterior cruciate ligament transaction (ACLT) with medial meniscectomy (MMx) was performed in rats divided into sham, OA, SW, CM1 (intra-articular injection of 100 μL ADSC-CM into knee OA), and CM2 (intra-articular injection of 200 μL ADSC-CM) groups. Cartilage grading, grading of synovium changes, and specific molecular analysis by immunohistochemistry staining were performed. The OARSI and synovitis scores of CM2 and SW group were significantly decreased compared with those of the OA group (p < 0.05). The inflammatory markers interleukin 1β, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling and matrix metalloproteinase 13 were significantly reduced in the CM2 group compared to those in the SW and CM1 groups (p < 0.001). Cartilage repair markers (type II collagen and SRY-box transcription factor 9, SOX9) expression were significantly higher in the CM2 group than in the other treatment groups (p < 0.001; p < 0.05). Furthermore, inflammation-induced growth factors such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), BMP5, and BMP6 were significantly reduced in the treatment groups, and the CM2 group showed the best results among the treatments (p < 0.05). In conclusion, ADSC-CM and SW ameliorated the expression of inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-induced BMPs to protect the articular cartilage of the OA joint.
The Desmin Mutation DES-c.735G>C Causes Severe Restrictive Cardiomyopathy by Inducing In-Frame Skipping of Exon-3
Authors: Brodehl Andreas , Hain Carsten , Flottmann Franziska , Ratnavadivel Sandra , Gaertner Anna , Klauke Bärbel , Kalinowski Jörn , Körperich Hermann , Gummert Jan , Paluszkiewicz Lech , Deutsch Marcus-André , Milting Hendrik
Published: October 2021

Currently, little is known about the genetic background of restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). Herein, we screened an index patient with RCM in combination with atrial fibrillation using a next generation sequencing (NGS) approach and identified the heterozygous mutation DES-c.735G>C. As DES-c.735G>C affects the last base pair of exon-3, it is unknown whether putative missense or splice site mutations are caused. Therefore, we applied nanopore amplicon sequencing revealing the expression of a transcript without exon-3 in the explanted myocardial tissue of the index patient. Western blot analysis verified this finding at the protein level. In addition, we performed cell culture experiments revealing an abnormal cytoplasmic aggregation of the truncated desmin form (p.D214-E245del) but not of the missense variant (p.E245D). In conclusion, we show that DES-c.735G>C causes a splicing defect leading to exon-3 skipping of the DES gene. DES-c.735G>C can be classified as a pathogenic mutation associated with RCM and atrial fibrillation. In the future, this finding might have relevance for the genetic understanding of similar cases.
The Risk of Colorectal Adenoma in Nonalcoholic or Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Seo Ji-Yeon , Bae Jung-Ho , Kwak Min-Sun , Yang Jong-In , Chung Su-Jin , Yim Jeong-Yoon , Lim Seon-Hee , Chung Goh-Eun
Published: October 2021

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of liver disease associated with various metabolic disorders. Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) emphasizes metabolic dysfunction in NAFLD. Although the relationship between NAFLD and colorectal adenomas has been suggested, the effect of MAFLD on colorectal adenoma has yet to be investigated. In this study, we examined the relationship between NAFLD/MAFLD and colorectal adenoma in comparison with other metabolic factors. Methods: Examinees who underwent colonoscopy and abdominal ultrasonography on the same day from January 2012 to December 2012 were included. NAFLD was diagnosed according to the findings of ultrasonography. The Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index was used as a surrogate marker for advanced hepatic fibrosis. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk of NAFLD/MAFLD for colorectal adenoma. Results: The prevalence of NAFLD and MAFLD was 37.5% and 32.8%, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, male sex, older age, diabetes, and smoking increased the risk of colorectal adenoma. NAFLD and MAFLD were the most important risk factors for colorectal adenoma only in females [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.43 and 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–2.03, and OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.09–2.20, respectively]. NAFLD and MAFLD with an advanced fibrosis index were significantly associated with an increased risk of colorectal adenoma. (NAFLD: OR 1.38, 95% CI, 1.04–1.83, p = 0.027; MAFLD: OR 1.45, 95% CI, 1.13–1.96, p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusion: NAFLD and MAFLD were significantly associated with a higher risk of colorectal adenomas, especially in females. NAFLD and MAFLD with advanced fibrosis were associated with an increased risk of colorectal adenoma. Colonoscopic examinations may be emphasized for patients with NAFLD/MAFLD, for women, or patients with the presence of hepatic fibrosis.
Phytocompounds from Himalayan Medicinal Plants as Potential Drugs to Treat Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella typhimurium: An In Silico Approach
Authors: Mehta Jyoti , Rolta Rajan , Salaria Deeksha , Awofisayo Oladoja , Fadare Olatomide A. , Sharma Prem Prakash , Rathi Brijesh , Chopra Adity , Kaushik Neha , Choi Eun Ha , Kaushik Nagendra Kumar
Published: October 2021

Medicinal plants can be used as natural therapeutics to treat diseases in humans. Enteric bacteria possess efflux pumps to remove bile salts from cells to avoid potential membrane damage. Resistance to bile and antibiotics is associated with the survival of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium) within a host. The present study aimed to investigate the binding affinity of major phytocompounds derived from 35 medicinal plants of the North Western Himalayas with the RamR protein (PDB ID 6IE9) of S. typhimurium. Proteins and ligands were prepared using AutoDock software 1.5.6. Molecular docking was performed using AutoDock Vina and MD simulation was performed at 100 ns. Drug likeness and toxicity predictions of hit phytocompounds were evaluated using molinspiration and ProTox II online servers. Moreover, docking, drug likeness, and toxicity results revealed that among all the selected phytocompounds, beta-sitosterol exhibited the most efficacious binding affinity with RamR protein (PDB ID 6IE9) and was nontoxic in nature. MD simulation data revealed that beta-sitosterol in complex with 6IE9 can be used as an antimicrobial. Furthermore, beta-sitosterol is stable in the binding pocket of the target protein; hence, it can be further explored as a drug to inhibit resistance-nodulation-division efflux pumps.
Characterization of Proteins Regulated by Androgen and Protein Kinase a Signaling in VCaP Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: You Hye-Jin , You Byong-Chul , Kim Jong-Kwang , Park Jae-Min , Song Bo-Seul , Myung Jae-Kyung
Published: October 2021

Androgen signaling via the androgen receptor (AR) is involved in normal prostate development and prostate cancer progression. In addition to androgen binding, a variety of protein kinases, including cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA), can activate the AR. Although hormone deprivation, especially that of androgen, continues to be an important strategy for treating prostate cancer patients, the disease ultimately progresses to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), despite a continuous hormone-deprived environment. To date, it remains unclear which pathways in this progression are active and targetable. Here, we performed a proteomic analysis of VCaP cells stimulated with androgen or forskolin to identify proteins specific for androgen-induced and androgen-bypassing signaling, respectively. Patterns of differentially expressed proteins were quantified, and eight proteins showing significant changes in expression were identified. Functional information, including a Gene Ontology analysis, revealed that most of these proteins are involved in metabolic processes and are associated with cancer. The mRNA and protein expression of selected proteins was validated, and functional correlations of identified proteins with signaling in VCaP cells were assessed by measuring metabolites related to each enzyme. These analyses offered new clues regarding effector molecules involved in prostate cancer development, insights that are supported by the demonstration of increased expression levels of the eight identified proteins in prostate cancer patients and assessments of the progression-free interval. Taken together, our findings show that aberrant levels of eight proteins reflect molecular changes that are significantly regulated by androgen and/or PKA signaling pathways, suggesting possible molecular mechanisms of CRPC.