bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-resolution fisheries data reveal effects of bivalve dredging on benthic communities in stressed coastal systems
Authors: McLaverty C , Eigaard OR , Dinesen GE , Gislason H , Kokkalis A , Erichsen AC , Petersen JK
Published: April 2020

Commercial dredging for blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) and oysters (Ostrea edulis,Crassostrea gigas) constitute the main bivalve fisheries in Denmark. These activities predominantly take place in Limfjorden, a large microtidal sound, and in the Inner Danish waters. Both areas are shallow, estuarine, receive high nutrient inputs from agriculture, and are of nature conservation interest (Natura 2000 sites), thus presenting challenges for an ecosystem approach to fisheries management. Using high-resolution fisheries data (~10 m), we investigated the effects of bivalve dredging on benthic communities at both local (Natura 2000 site) and regional (fishery-wide) scales. Regionally, our results showed that dredging intensity correlated with shifts in species composition and reduced community biomass. We were, however, unable to detect an effect of dredging on community density, trait richness, and trait composition. These metrics were significantly related to other environmental drivers, such as sediment organic content (negative) and mussel bed biomass (positive). At the local scale, the observed relationships between dredging, biomass, and species composition varied significantly. This occurred as dredging impacts were greater in areas that contained suitable reference conditions and experienced relatively low levels of disturbance. By contrast, communities which experienced high nutrient loading, regular anoxic events, and high natural variability were relatively unaffected by dredging. Our results therefore highlight the importance of spatial scales in fishing impact estimations. Furthermore, we demonstrate how targeted sampling, high-resolution fisheries data, and suitable reference areas can be used to detect fishery effects in coastal areas that are highly stressed by eutrophication.
Association of Intima-Media Thickness of Carotid Arteries With Remnant Lipoproteins in Men and Women
Authors: PIŤHA J. , KOVÁŘ J. , ŠKODOVÁ Z. , CÍFKOVÁ R. , STÁVEK P. , ČERVENKA L. , ŠEJDA T. , LÁNSKÁ V. , POLEDNE R.
Published: April 2020

The subclass of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins – remnant-like particles (RLP) seems to be strong and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. We evaluated the role of RLP and other risk factors (RF) with sonographically measured intima-media thickness of carotid arteries (IMT CCA) in a cohort of Czech population including women defined according to the time after menopause. We investigated relation of IMT CCA to age, weight, central obesity, plasma lipids including remnant-like particles cholesterol (RLP-C) and triglycerides (RLP-TG) in 136 men and 160 women. Using multiple linear regression analysis, significant association between IMT CCA and RLP-C was found in women 1-7 years after menopause. In the whole group of women, only age and fasting blood glucose were independently associated with IMT CCA. In men only age significantly correlated with IMT CCA. Significant decrease of all plasma lipids between 1988 and 1996 in men was detected, while in women significant increase in triglycerides and no change in non-HDL cholesterol was observed. RLP-C was the strongest independent RF for atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women but its association with IMT CCA was limited to several years after menopause. In conclusion, women changing reproductive status could be more sensitive to atherogenic impact of remnant lipoproteins.
Hypertriglyceridemic Waist – a Simple Clinical Tool to Detect Cardiometabolic Risk: Comparison With Harmonized Definition of Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: VAVERKOVÁ H. , KARÁSEK D. , NOVOTNÝ D. , HALENKA M. , ORSÁG J. , SLAVÍK L.
Published: April 2020

With the increasing prevalence of obesity and especially abdominal obesity, a simple clinical tool is needed that identifies the cardiometabolic risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The aim of our study was to evaluate a broad spectrum of metabolic variables and IMT in subjects with and without hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) and compare it with the harmonized definition of metabolic syndrome (MS) with both a higher (MS-I) and lower waist circumference (MS-II) for Europids. We enrolled 607 asymptomatic dyslipidemic subjects (295 men and 312 women) into our cross-sectional study. The subjects with HTGW had an atherogenic lipid profile (significantly higher triglycerides, AIP, non-HDL-C, lower HDL-C and ApoA-1, and the women also higher TC and ApoB), increased markers of insulin resistance (insulin, HOMA, C-peptide, proinsulin), inflammation (hsCRP), thrombosis (fibrinogen, PAI-1), SBP and DBP, and lower adiponectin (p<0.05-0.001 for all). These risk factors were entirely similar in HTGW, MS-I and MS-II. Age-adjusted IMT was significantly higher only in the women with HTGW but this significance disappeared after further adjustment for TC, SBP, and smoking. Our results support the routine use of HTGW as a simple and inexpensive screening tool to detect subjects at increased cardiometabolic risk in clinical practice.
Kamu Diplomasisi Aracı Olarak Arkeoloji: Zeugma Örneği
Authors: YAĞMURLU Aslı
Published: April 2020

Kamu diplomasisi ülkelerin yurt dışındaki hedef kitleleri bilgilendirip etkileyerek ve hedef gruplarla etkileşimi artırmayı amaçlayan iletişim etkinliğidir. Makalede arkeoloji ile kamu diplomasisi arasındaki ilişki ele alınmış ve Zeugma Arkeolojik Alanı ve bu alandan çıkan eserlerin sergilendiği Gaziantep Zeugma Mozaik
Müzesi, kamu diplomasisi yönünden tartışılmıştır. Zeugma Antik Kenti MS 2-3. yüzyıla tarihlenen konut alanlarıyla dünyadaki en güzel mozaik yer döşemelerinin bulunduğu, döneminin en büyük ve kozmopolit kentidir. Kent ticari ve askeri bir üs konumundadır. Kentin zenginliği buluntulardan ortaya çıkmaktadır. Bu
önemli yerleşimin büyük kısmı Bilecik Barajı’nın su tutması dolayısıyla sular altında kalmıştır. 2000 yılında uluslararası destekle yürütülmüş olan kurtarma kazıları farklı ülkelerden kazı ekipleri ve profesyonel bir arkeoloji şirketi ile yürütülmüş ve bugün Zeugma Mozaik Müzesinde sergilenmekte olan eşsiz eserler ortaya
çıkarılmıştır. Zeugma Arkeolojik Kazıları hala farklı paydaşların bir arada işbirliği içinde çalışması ile yürütülmektedir. Ortaya çıkan eserler pek çok bilimsel yayın ve konferansa konu olmuştur. Bu süreç kamu diplomasisinin kültürel diplomasi içeriğine karşılık gelmektedir. Zeugma’dan kaçırılan mozaiklerin geri alınma
süreci de kamu diplomasi açısından savunma etkinliğine örnek olarak makalede yer almıştır. Ayrıca, Gaziantep Zeugma Mozaik Müzesi tüm dünyadan gelen ziyaretçileriyle hem kente hem de ülkeye bir yumuşak güç öğesi olarak kamu diplomasi işlevi taşımaktadır.
A Polanyian Rescue of The Abolition of Man
Authors: Fennell Jon
Published: April 2020

The Abolition of Man, though short in length and casual in tone, is among the most important books of the twentieth century. The reason it possesses such significance is that it reveals through penetrating analysis the contemporary sceptical assault on the very possibility of rational morality and, indeed, on the very meaning of human life. In meeting and overcoming this assault, Lewis embraces the concept of objective value. But this concept is itself under attack in modernity, most notably in Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil. There is, however, an effective response to this withering onslaught. It is found in Michael Polanyi's ‘fiduciary’ philosophy. This study shows how Polanyi's account of justification inoculates Lewis' objective value against Nietzsche's virulent attack, thereby preserving the defence of meaning and morality that constitutes the essential contribution of The Abolition of Man.
MANAJEMEN PEMBELAJARAN SENI BACA ALQURAN DI PONDOK PESANTREN ALQURAN AL-ITQON BOGOR
Authors: Efendi Muhammad Abdurrahman , Entang Muhamad , Hidayat Rais , Wulandari Dian
Published: April 2020

LEARNING MANAGEMENT READ AL QURAN IN ALQURAN AL-ITQON BOARDING SCHOOL, BOGORThe art of reading Alquran at boarding school is the major program that could be a uniqueness for the institution and the strengths as well. The excellent output of reading Alquran will support the achievement of the school target, therefore the school needs to develop effective learning management, especially in reading Alquran.  This research is focused on learning management in the art of reading Alquran at Al-Itqon Islamic Boarding School Bogor. The study was using a descriptive qualitative analytical approach to describe, explain and analyze objectively about the learning management of reading Alquran at Al-Itqon Boarding School Bogor. The data was taken by interviews about the sub-focus of the research, which were: planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating. The results showed that the learning management of the art of reading Alquran at the Al-Itqon Islamic Boarding School in Bogor, begin with planning as the first step, that consist of:1) setting the goal of the program which is preparing student to be a Qori or Qoriah, 2) setting the main program, which are tahsin and recital. The second step is organizing which consists of 1) setting the organizational structure for both male and female students, 2) organizing the program schedule, 3) organizing the facilitation such, learning method and media. The third step is an implementation: 1) learning steps implementation, 2) allocation of learning schedule and duration, 3) media and learning method. The final step is evaluation, which is setting the evaluation objectives including improving reading quality, remedial, repetition by drilling and awarding graduate certificates
Scenario Analysis and Proposed Plan for Pakistan Universities – COVID – 19: Application of Design Thinking Model
Authors: Akram Waqar , Adeel Sultan , Tabassum Muhammad , Jiang Yuansheng , Chandio Abbas , Yasmin Iram
Published: April 2020

The outbreak of a novel Corona Virus 2019 (COVID-19) has plumped the educational system of the world and have impacted 1.4 billion learners across the globe. Therefore, there is a gap for researchers to develop a system they may sustain during this current pandemic and in the future. In this paper, the researchers have worked on developing the “Virtual Learning Environment” by undertaking the scenario analysis in the design thinking model (DTM). The literature has also supported that the VLE gives the same satisfaction as of the traditional learning education (TLE). The brainstorming was done for the scenario analysis, and digital responses of the students were taken to develop the framework. The results, in the shape of the framework, has highlighted the three main stakeholders, i.e., teachers, students, and virtual system. Based on the results, each university can plan and develop a similar system for higher education in Pakistan.
Oscillation for Super Linear/Linear Second Order Neutral Difference Equations with Variable Several Delays
Authors: Behera Chittaranjan , Rath Radhanath , Mishra Prayag Prasad
Published: April 2020

This article, is concerned with finding sufficient conditions for the oscillation and non oscillation of the solutions of a second order neutral difference equation with multiple delays under the forward difference operator, which generalize and extend some existing results.This could be possible by extending an important lemma from the literature.
An Overview of Few Nature Inspired Optimization Techniques and Its Reliability Applications
Authors: Uniyal Nitin , Pant Sangeeta , Kumar Anuj
Published: April 2020

Optimization has been a hot topic due to its inevitably in the development of new algorithms in almost every applied branch of Mathematics. Despite the broadness of optimization techniques in research fields, there is always an open scope of further refinement. We present here an overview of nature-inspired optimization with a subtle background of fundamentals and classification and their reliability applications. An attempt has been made to exhibit the contrast nature of multi objective optimization as compared to single objective optimization. Though there are various techniques to achieve the optimality in optimization problems but nature inspired algorithms have proved to be very efficient and gained special attention in modern research problems. The purpose of this article is to furnish the foundation of few nature inspired optimization techniques and their reliability applications to an interested researcher.
Individuals with Psychopathic Traits and Poor Attitudes towards Animals Can Recognise Infant Features But Give Them Reduced Attentional Priority
Authors: Carroll Grace A. , Cohen Leah R. , McParland Aideen , Jack Sam , Montrose V. Tamara
Published: April 2020

Infant features are physical traits that are characteristic of human infants and include facial features such as large and low-lying eyes, and a small nose and mouth. Animals possessing high levels of infant features elicit care-giving responses in humans. Despite this, animal cruelty is a common occurrence. The aim of this research was to determine whether the ability to recognise and/or attend to infant features is linked to subclinical psychopathic traits and attitudes towards animals. Using a community sample, participants (n = 387) completed a cuteness forced-choice task. Self-reported psychopathy and attitude towards animals were not related to the participants’ ability to detect cues of cuteness in human infants and animals. In a second study, participants (n = 142) were screened for low versus high primary psychopathy and low versus high animal attitude scores. A Psychopathy-Attitude Composite score was created and a subset of participants (n = 50) from the upper and lower quartiles completed a free-viewing eye-tracking task where ‘Cute’, ‘Neutral, ‘Monetary’ and ‘Control’ images were presented in pairs. Higher levels of psychopathic traits and an anti-animal welfare attitude were associated with decreased attention to ‘Cute’ images in terms of decreased dwell time, mean fixation duration and mean fixation count, measures of voluntary attention. There were a number of interactions between Psychopathy-Attitude Composite classification and attention to each image category in terms of dwell time, first fixation duration, mean fixation duration and fixation count. These findings support the theory that individuals with psychopathic traits recognise facial cues of vulnerability but choose to give them reduced attentional priority. This may have implications for animal welfare.
Effects of a Trans-Galactooligosaccharide on Biochemical Blood Parameters and Intestine Morphometric Parameters of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)
Authors: Ziółkowska Ewa , Bogucka Joanna , Dankowiakowska Agata , Rawski Mateusz , Mazurkiewicz Jan , Stanek Magdalena
Published: April 2020

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a trans-galactooligosaccharide prebiotic (GOS) on the growth performance, biochemical blood parameters, and intestine morphometric parameters of common carp. The 60-day-long experiment was performed on one-year-old fish with a mean body weight of 180 g (±5 g). Three diets were used: control diet 1 (C) with no microbiota affecting feed additives, diet 2 (B1) with 1% of prebiotic, and diet 3 (B2) with 2% of prebiotic, in four replications (tanks) per treatment and 25 fish per tank. At the end of the trial, 16 individuals from each group were used for analyses. The study showed that GOS supplementation did not affect growth performance. In turn, the prebiotic had a positive effect on the development of the intestine, and increased the height, width, and surface of the villi in B1 and B2 groups. The content of phosphorus (P) was significantly higher in B1 group compared with B2 group, which indicated that 1% addition of prebiotic causes better absorption of P from the intestine. The other biochemical indicators—namely lipid, protein and hepatic parameters, insulin, and Ca—were not affected by GOS treatment, which may indicate similar metabolic balance of fish in each experimental group. Serum triiodothyronine (TT3) and glucose (stress markers) concentrations were not significantly different among treatments groups. GOS may be recommended as a feed additive for common carp due to its positive effects on fish physiology and development of the gastrointestinal tract. However, our results suggest that 1% diet supplementation causes satisfactory reactions for the abovementioned aspects in comparison to control or 2% supplementation.
Dynamics of Different Buffer Systems in Slurries Based on Time and Temperature of Storage and Their Visualization by a New Mathematical Tool
Authors: Overmeyer Veronika , Holtkamp Felix , Clemens Joachim , Büscher Wolfgang , Trimborn Manfred
Published: April 2020

Slurry treatments such as acidification and alkalization have proven to be promising solutions to reduce gaseous emission produced by farm animals. The optimization of these technologies requires detailed knowledge of how and to what extent the buffer capacities in slurries will change during storage under the influence of different temperatures, as this may save resources needed to adjust a targeted pH value. Fresh slurries from dairy cows, fattening pigs and sows were collected and stored for 12 weeks under either cold (4.7 ± 1.1 °C) or warm (23.6 ± 2.1 °C) conditions to perform titrations in acidic and alkaline milieu at regular intervals. Based on these results, we successfully verified a new mathematical tool that we have developed to be able to calculate and visualize the most important buffer systems found in the analyzed slurries. Our experimental results showed a strong correlation between the degradation of the volatile fatty acid (VFA) buffer and the emergence of the carbonate buffers, i.e., the HCO3− and the CO32− buffer. Furthermore, a drop in the pH value caused by enhanced microbial production of VFAs can be mitigated by the presence of the NH3 buffer. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the buffers cannot be considered individually but must be interpreted as a complex and interacting system.
Synthetic and Crystalline Amino Acids: Alternatives to Soybean Meal in Chicken-Meat Production
Authors: Selle Peter H. , de Paula Dorigam Juliano Cesar , Lemme Andreas , Chrystal Peter V. , Liu Sonia Y.
Published: April 2020

: This review explores the premise that non-bound (synthetic and crystalline) amino acids are alternatives to soybean meal, the dominant source of protein, in diets for broiler chickens. Non-bound essential and non-essential amino acids can partially replace soybean meal so that requirements are still met but dietary crude protein levels are reduced. This review considers the production of non-bound amino acids, soybeans, and soybean meal and discusses the concept of reduced-crude protein diets. There is a focus on specific amino acids, including glycine, serine, threonine, and branched-chain amino acids, because they may be pivotal to the successful development of reduced-crude protein diets. Presently, moderate dietary crude protein reductions of approximately 30 g/kg are feasible, but more radical reductions compromise broiler performance. In theory, an ‘ideal’ amino acid profile would prevent this, but this is not necessarily the case in practice. The dependence of the chicken-meat industry on soybean meal will be halved if crude protein reductions in the order of 50 g/kg are attained without compromising the growth performance of broiler chickens. In this event, synthetic and crystalline, or non-bound, amino acids will become viable alternatives to soybean meal in chicken-meat production.
Human Keratinocyte UVB-Protective Effects of a Low Molecular Weight Fucoidan from Sargassum horneri Purified by Step Gradient Ethanol Precipitation
Authors: Fernando Ilekuttige Priyan Shanura , Dias Mawalle Kankanamge Hasitha Madhawa , Madusanka Disanayaka Mudiyanselage Dinesh , Han Eui Jeong , Kim Min Ju , Jeon You-Jin , Lee Kyounghoon , Cheong Sun Hee , Han Young Seok , Park Sang Rul , Ahn Ginnae
Published: April 2020

Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation-induced oxidative skin cell damage is a major cause of photoaging. In the present study, a low molecular weight fucoidan fraction (SHC4) was obtained from Sargassum horneri by Celluclast-assisted extraction, followed by step gradient ethanol precipitation. The protective effect of SHC4 was investigated in human keratinocytes against UVB-induced oxidative stress. The purified fucoidan was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), agarose gel-based molecular weight analysis and monosaccharide composition analysis. SHC4 had a mean molecular weight of 60 kDa, with 37.43% fucose and 28.01 ± 0.50% sulfate content. The structure was mainly composed of α-L-Fucp-(1→4) linked fucose units. SHC4 treatment dose-dependently reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and increased the cell viability of UVB exposed HaCaT keratinocytes. Moreover, SHC4 dose-dependently inhibited UVB-induced apoptotic body formation, sub-G1 accumulation of cells and DNA damage. Inhibition of apoptosis was mediated via the mitochondria-mediated pathway, re-establishing the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The UVB protective effect of SHC4 was facilitated by enhancing intracellular antioxidant defense via nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling. Further studies may promote the use of SHC4 as an active ingredient in cosmetics and nutricosmetics.
Efficiency Analysis of Manufacturing Line with Industrial Robots and Human Operators
Authors: Barosz Piotr , Gołda Grzegorz , Kampa Adrian
Published: April 2020

The problem of production flow and evaluation of productivity in the manufacturing line is analysed. Machines can be operated by humans or by robots. Since breakdowns and human factors affect the destabilization of the production processes, robots are preferred. The main problem is a proper methodology—how can we determine the real difference in work efficiency between human and robot at the design stage? Therefore, an analysis of the productivity and reliability of the machining line operated by human operators or industrial robots is presented. Some design variants and simulation models in FlexSim have been developed, taking into consideration the availability and reliability of the machines, operators and robots. Traditional productivity metrics, such as the throughput and utilization rate, are not very helpful for identifying the underlying problems and opportunities for productivity improvement in a manufacturing system, therefore we apply the OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) metric to present how the availability and reliability parameters influence the performance of the workstation, in the short and long terms. The implementation results of a real robotic line from industry are presented with the use of the overall factory efficiency (OFE) metric. The analysis may help factories achieve the level of world class manufacturing.
An Unsupervised Regularization and Dropout based Deep Neural Network and Its Application for Thermal Error Prediction
Authors: Tian Yang , Pan Guangyuan
Published: April 2020

Due to the large size of the heavy duty machine tool-foundation systems, space temperature difference is high related to thermal error, which affects to system’s accuracy greatly. The recent highly focused deep learning technology could be an alternative in thermal error prediction. In this paper, a thermal prediction model based on a self-organizing deep neural network (DNN) is developed to facilitate accurate-based training for thermal error modeling of heavy-duty machine tool-foundation systems. The proposed model is improved in two ways. Firstly, a dropout self-organizing mechanism for unsupervised training is developed to prevent co-adaptation of the feature detectors. In addition, a regularization enhanced transfer function is proposed to further reduce the less important weights of the process and improve the network feature extraction capability and generalization ability. Furthermore, temperature sensors are used to acquire temperature data from the heavy-duty machine tool and concrete foundation. In this way, sample data of thermal error predictive model are repeatedly collected from the same locations at different times. Finally, accuracy of the thermal error prediction model was validated by thermal error experiments, thus laying the foundation for subsequent studies on thermal error compensation.
Single-Layer Pressure Textile Sensors with Woven Conductive Yarn Circuit
Authors: Kim Gaeul , Vu Chi Cuong , Kim Jooyong
Published: April 2020

Today, e-textiles have become a fundamental trend in wearable devices. Fabric pressure sensors, as a part of e-textiles, have also received much interest from many researchers all over the world. However, most of the pressure sensors are made of electronic fibers and composed of many layers, including an intermediate layer for sensing the pressure. This paper proposes the model of a single layer pressure sensor with electrodes and conductive fibers intertwined. The plan dimensions of the fabricated sensors are 14 x 14 mm, and the thickness is 0.4 mm. The whole area of the sensor is the pressure-sensitive point. As expected, results demonstrate an electrical resistance change from 283 Ω at the unload pressure to 158 Ω at the load pressure. Besides, sensors have a fast response time (50 ms) and small hysteresis (5.5%). The hysteresis will increase according to the pressure and loading distance, but the change of sensor loading distance is very small. Moreover, the single-layer pressure sensors also show high durability under many working cycles (20,000 cycles) or washing times (50 times). The single-layer pressure sensor is very thin and more flexible than the multi-layer pressure sensor. The structure of this sensor is also expected to bring great benefits to wearable technology in the future.
Mapping the Academic Landscape of the Renewable Energy Field in Electrical and Electronic Disciplines
Authors: Xu Wenxiu , Guo Liang , Liang Likai
Published: April 2020

Research on renewable energy fields of electrical and electronic disciplines is key to promoting the efficient production and utilization of renewable energy, but its branches are numerous and development is uneven. This article examines the topic distribution and future development trajectory of this field, and aims to provide academic researchers with the clearest development context and organizational structure in this field. This study obtained all fields from 3743 articles in the field of renewable energy from the Web of Science (WoS) database, with a time span of 1992–2018. We applied statistical analysis, the latent dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic model, and the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model to map topic landscapes in the field of renewable energy. By analyzing these fields, we discovered the digital characteristics of the field and divided the field into 29 different topics, such as “Power conversion technology”, “Micro-grid”, and “Electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles”, and analyzed the growth characteristics of topics in two time periods—1992–2005 and 2005–2018. Finally, based on the development trajectory of each topic, we predicted their future development enthusiasm, which was divided into cold, hot, and stable. We compiled statistics on the most popular outlets and citations for each topic, making it easy for researchers and journal editors to appreciate and apply them.
Performance Comparisons on Parallel Optimization of Atmospheric and Ocean Numerical Circulation Models Using KISTI Supercomputer Nurion System
Authors: Lim Chaewook , Kim Dong-Hoon , Woo Seung-Buhm , Joh Minsu , An Jooneun , Moon Il-Ju
Published: April 2020

The characteristics of the 5th Supercomputer Nurion Knights Landing (KNL) system of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) were analyzed by developing ultra-high resolution atmospheric and ocean numerical circulation models. These models include the Weather Research and Forecasting System (WRF), Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS), and Unstructured Grid Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM). Ideal and real-case experiments were simulated for each model according to the number of parallelized cores used for comparing performances. Identical experiments were performed on a general multicore system (Skylake and a general cluster system) for a performance comparison with the Nurion KNL system. Although the KNL system has more than twice as many cores per node as the Skylake system, the KNL system demonstrated 1/3 of the performance rate of the Skylake system. However, the performance rate of the Nurion KNL system was approximately 43% for all experiments. Reducing the number of cores per node in the KNL system by half (36 cores) is the most efficient method when the total number of cores is less than 256 cores, while it is more economical to use all cores when using more than 256 cores. In all experiments, the performance was continuously improved even for a maximum core experiment (1024 cores), thereby indicating that the KNL system can effectively simulate ultra-high resolution numerical circulation models.
Voice Conversion Using a Perceptual Criterion
Authors: Lee Ki-Seung
Published: April 2020

In voice conversion (VC), it is highly desirable to obtain transformed speech signals that are perceptually close to a target speaker’s voice. To this end, a perceptually meaningful criterion where the human auditory system was taken into consideration in measuring the distances between the converted and the target voices was adopted in the proposed VC scheme. The conversion rules for the features associated with the spectral envelope and the pitch modification factor were jointly constructed so that perceptual distance measurement was minimized. This minimization problem was solved using a deep neural network (DNN) framework where input features and target features were derived from source speech signals and time-aligned version of target speech signals, respectively. The validation tests were carried out for the CMU ARCTIC database to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method, especially in terms of perceptual quality. The experimental results showed that the proposed method yielded perceptually preferred results compared with independent conversion using conventional mean-square error (MSE) criterion. The maximum improvement in perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ) was 0.312, compared with the conventional VC method.
Partitioning of Large-Scale and Local-Scale Precipitation Events by Means of Spatio-Temporal Precipitation Regimes on Corsica
Authors: Knerr Isabel , Trachte Katja , Garel Emilie , Huneau Frédéric , Santoni Sébastien , Bendix Jörg
Published: April 2020

The island of Corsica in the western Mediterranean is characterized by a pronounced topography in which local breeze systems develop in the diurnal cycle. In interaction with the large-scale synoptic situation, various precipitation events occur, which are classified in this study with regard to their duration and intensity. For this purpose, the island was grouped into five precipitation regimes using a cluster analysis, namely the western coastal area, the central mountainous region, the southern coastal area, the northeast coastal area, and the eastern coastal area. Based on principal component analysis using mean sea level pressure (mslp) obtained from ERA5 reanalysis (the fifth generation of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, ECMWF), six spatial patterns were identified which explain 98% of the large-scale synoptic situation, while the diurnal breeze systems within the regimes characterize local drivers. It is shown that on radiation days with weak large-scale pressure gradients, pronounced local circulations in mountainous regions are coupled with sea breezes, leading to a higher number of short and intense precipitation events. Meridional circulation patterns lead to more intensive precipitation events on the eastern part of the island (30% intensive events with meridional patterns on the east side compared to 11% on the west side). On the west side of Corsica, however, coastal precipitation events are seldom and less intense than further inland, which can be attributed to the influence of the topography in frontal passages.
Hourly Elemental Composition and Source Identification by Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) of Fine and Coarse Particulate Matter in the High Polluted Industrial Area of Taranto (Italy)
Authors: Lucarelli Franco , Calzolai Giulia , Chiari Massimo , Giardi Fabio , Czelusniak Caroline , Nava Silvia
Published: April 2020

In the framework of an extensive environmental investigation, promoted by the Italian Health Ministry, the ISPESL (Istituto Superiore per la Prevenzione e la Sicurezza del Lavoro) and the CNR (Consiglio Nazionale della Ricerca), aerosol samples were collected in Taranto (one of the most industrialized towns in southern Italy) with high time resolution and analyzed by PIXE. The samples were collected in two periods (February–March and June 2004) and in two different sites: an urban district close to the industrial area and a small town 7 km N-NW of Taranto. The use of ‘‘streaker’’ samplers (by PIXE International Corporation) allowed for the simultaneous collection of the fine (<2.5 μm) and coarse (2.5–10 μm) fractions of particulate matter. PIXE analyses were performed with a 3 MeV proton beam from the 3 MV Tandetron accelerator of the INFN-LABEC laboratory. Particulate emissions as well as their atmospheric transport and dilution processes change within a few hours, but most of the results in literature are limited to daily time resolution of the input samples that are not suitable for tracking these rapid changes. Furthermore, since source apportionment receptor models need a series of samples containing material from the same set of sources in different proportions, a higher variability between samples can be obtained by increasing the temporal resolution rather than with samples integrated over a longer time. In this study, the high time resolution of the adopted approach allowed us to follow in detail the changes in the aerosol elemental composition due to both the time evolution of the industrial emissions and the time changes in meteorological conditions, and thus, transport pathways. Moreover, the location of the sampling sites, along the prevalent wind direction and in opposite positions with respect to the industrial site, allowed us to follow the impact of the industrial plume as a function of wind direction. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis on the elemental hourly concentrations identified eight sources in the fine fraction and six sources in the coarse one.
Electrical Modelling and Investigation of Laser Beam Welded Joints for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Hollatz Sören , Kremer Sebastian , Ünlübayir Cem , Sauer Dirk Uwe , Olowinsky Alexander , Gillner Arnold
Published: April 2020

The growing electrification of vehicles and tools increases the demand for low resistance contacts. Today’s batteries for electric vehicles consist of large quantities of single battery cells to reach the desired nominal voltage and energy. Each single cell needs a contacting of its cell terminals, which raises the necessity of an automated contacting process with low joint resistances to reduce the energy loss in the cell transitions. A capable joining process suitable for highly electrically conductive materials like copper or aluminium is the laser beam welding. This study contains the theoretical examination of the joint resistance and a simulation of the current flow dependent on the contacting welds’ position in an overlap configuration. The results are verified by examinations of laser-welded joints in a test bench environment. The investigations are analysing the influence of the shape and position of the weld seams as well as the influence of the laser welding parameters. The investigation identifies a tendency for current to flow predominantly through a contact’s edges. The use of a double weld seam with the largest possible distance greatly increases the joint’s conductivity, by leveraging this tendency and implementing a parallel connection. A simplistic increase of welded contact area does not only have a significantly smaller effect on the overall conductivity, but can eventually also reduce it.
H2S, Polysulfides, and Enzymes: Physiological and Pathological Aspects
Authors: Nagahara Noriyuki , Wróbel Maria
Published: April 2020

We have been studying the general aspects of the functions of H2S and polysulfides, and the enzymes involved in their biosynthesis, for more than 20 years. Our aim has been to elucidate novel physiological and pathological functions of H2S and polysulfides, and unravel the regulation of the enzymes involved in their biosynthesis, including cystathionine β-synthase (EC 4.2.1.22), cystathionine γ-lyase (EC 4.4.1.1), thiosulfate sulfurtransferase (rhodanese, EC 2.8.1.1), and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (EC 2.8.1.2). Physiological and pathological functions, alternative biosynthetic processes, and additional functions of H2S and polysulfides have been reported. Further, the structure and reaction mechanisms of related enzymes have also been reported. We expect this issue to advance scientific knowledge regarding the detailed functions of H2S and polysulfides as well as the general properties and regulation of the enzymes involved in their metabolism. We would like to cover four topics: the physiological and pathological functions of H2S and polysulfides, the mechanisms of the biosynthesis of H2S and polysulfides, the properties of the biosynthetic enzymes, and the regulation of enzymatic activity. The knockout mouse technique is a useful tool to determine new physiological functions, especially those of H2S and polysulfides. In the future, we shall take a closer look at symptoms in the human congenital deficiency of each enzyme. Further studies on the regulation of enzymatic activity by in vivo substances may be the key to finding new functions of H2S and polysulfides.
Spermatogonial Stem Cells in Fish: Characterization, Isolation, Enrichment, and Recent Advances of In Vitro Culture Systems
Authors: Xie Xuan , Nóbrega Rafael , Pšenička Martin
Published: April 2020

Spermatogenesis is a continuous and dynamic developmental process, in which a single diploid spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) proliferates and differentiates to form a mature spermatozoon. Herein, we summarize the accumulated knowledge of SSCs and their distribution in the testes of teleosts. We also reviewed the primary endocrine and paracrine influence on spermatogonium self-renewal vs. differentiation in fish. To provide insight into techniques and research related to SSCs, we review available protocols and advances in enriching undifferentiated spermatogonia based on their unique physiochemical and biochemical properties, such as size, density, and differential expression of specific surface markers. We summarize in vitro germ cell culture conditions developed to maintain proliferation and survival of spermatogonia in selected fish species. In traditional culture systems, sera and feeder cells were considered to be essential for SSC self-renewal, in contrast to recently developed systems with well-defined media and growth factors to induce either SSC self-renewal or differentiation in long-term cultures. The establishment of a germ cell culture contributes to efficient SSC propagation in rare, endangered, or commercially cultured fish species for use in biotechnological manipulation, such as cryopreservation and transplantation. Finally, we discuss organ culture and three-dimensional models for in vitro investigation of fish spermatogenesis.
Advances in Sensing Technologies for Monitoring of Bone Health
Authors: Rani Seema , Bandyopadhyay-Ghosh Sanchita , Ghosh Subrata Bandhu , Liu Guozhen
Published: April 2020

Changing lifestyle and food habits are responsible for health problems, especially those related to bone in an aging population. Poor bone health has now become a serious matter of concern for many of us. In order to avoid serious consequences, the early prediction of symptoms and diagnosis of bone diseases have become the need of the hour. From this inspiration, the evolution of different bone health monitoring techniques and measurement methods practiced by researchers and healthcare companies has been discussed. This paper focuses on various types of bone diseases along with the modeling and remodeling phenomena of bones. The evolution of various diagnosis tests for bone health monitoring has been also discussed. Various types of bone turnover markers, their assessment techniques, and recent developments for the monitoring of biochemical markers to diagnose the bone conditions are highlighted. Then, the paper focuses on the potential assessment of the recent sensing techniques (physical sensors and biosensors) that are currently available for bone health monitoring. Considering the importance of electrochemical biosensors in terms of high sensitivity and reliability, specific attention has been given to the recent development of electrochemical biosensors and significance in real-time monitoring of bone health.
Development of Novel Magneto-Biosensor for Sulfapyridine Detection
Authors: Jamshaid Talha , Tenório-Neto Ernandes Taveira , Baraket Abdoullatif , Lebaz Noureddine , Elaissari Abdelhamid , Sanchís Ana , Salvador J.-Pablo , Marco M.-Pilar , Bausells Joan , Errachid Abdelhamid , Zine Nadia
Published: April 2020

In this work, we report the development of a highly sensitive biosensor for sulfapyridine detection based on an integrated bio micro-electromechanical system (Bio-MEMS) containing four gold working electrodes (WEs), a platinum counter electrode (CE), and a reference electrode (RE). Firstly, the cleaned WEs were modified with 4-aminophenylacetic acid (CMA). Then, (5-[4-(amino)phenylsulfonamide]-5-oxopentanoic acid (SA2BSA) was immobilized onto the transducers surface by carbodiimide chemistry. The analyte was quantified by competitive detection with SA2BSA immobilized on the WE toward a mixture of Ab155 antibody (with fixed concentration) and sulfapyridine. In order to obtain a highly sensitive biosensor, Ab155 was immobilized onto magnetic latex nanoparticles surface to create a 3D architecture (Ab-MLNp). Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), we investigated the influence of the Ab-MLNp on the sensitivity of our approach. The optimized system was analyzed, as competitive assay, with different concentrations of sulfapyridine (40 µM, 4 µM, and 2 nM) and with phosphate buffer solution. From data fitting calculations and graphs, it was observed that the EIS showed more linearity when Ab-MLNp was used. This result indicates that the magnetic latex nanoparticles increased the sensitivity of the biosensor.
Preclinical Targeted α- and β−-Radionuclide Therapy in HER2-Positive Brain Metastasis Using Camelid Single-Domain Antibodies
Authors: Puttemans Janik , Dekempeneer Yana , Eersels Jos L. , Hanssens Heleen , Debie Pieterjan , Keyaerts Marleen , Windhorst Albert D. , van der Aa Frank , Lecocq Quentin , Breckpot Karine , Morgenstern Alfred , Bruchertseifer Frank , Lahoutte Tony , Devoogdt Nick , D’Huyvetter Matthias
Published: April 2020

HER2-targeted therapies have drastically improved the outcome for breast cancer patients. However, when metastasis to the brain is involved, current strategies fail to hold up to the same promise. Camelid single-domain antibody-fragments (sdAbs) have been demonstrated to possess favorable properties for detecting and treating cancerous lesions in vivo using different radiolabeling methods. Here we evaluate the anti-HER2 sdAb 2Rs15d, coupled to diagnostic γ- and therapeutic α- and β−-emitting radionuclides for the detection and treatment of HER2pos brain lesions in a preclinical setting. 2Rs15d was radiolabeled with 111In, 225Ac and 131I using DTPA- and DOTA-based bifunctional chelators and Sn-precursor of SGMIB respectively and evaluated in orthotopic tumor-bearing athymic nude mice. Therapeutic efficacy as well as systemic toxicity were determined for 131I- and 225Ac-labeled sdAbs and compared to anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) trastuzumab in two different HER2pos tumor models. Radiolabeled 2Rs15d showed high and specific tumor uptake in both HER2pos SK-OV-3-Luc-IP1 and HER2pos MDA-MB-231Br brain lesions, whereas radiolabeled trastuzumab was unable to accumulate in intracranial SK-OV-3-Luc-IP1 tumors. Administration of [131I]-2Rs15d and [225Ac]-2Rs15d alone and in combination with trastuzumab showed a significant increase in median survival in 2 tumor models that remained largely unresponsive to trastuzumab treatment alone. Histopathological analysis revealed no significant early toxicity. Radiolabeled sdAbs prove to be promising vehicles for molecular imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy of metastatic lesions in the brain. These data demonstrate the potential of radiolabeled sdAbs as a valuable add-on treatment option for patients with difficult-to-treat HER2pos metastatic cancer.
The Challenges and Opportunities of LncRNAs in Ovarian Cancer Research and Clinical Use
Authors: Salamini-Montemurri Martín , Lamas-Maceiras Mónica , Barreiro-Alonso Aida , Vizoso-Vázquez Ángel , Rodríguez-Belmonte Esther , Quindós-Varela María , Cerdán María Esperanza
Published: April 2020

Ovarian cancer is one of the most lethal gynecological malignancies worldwide because it tends to be detected late, when the disease has already spread, and prognosis is poor. In this review we aim to highlight the importance of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment choice, to make progress towards increasingly personalized medicine in this malignancy. We review the effects of lncRNAs associated with ovarian cancer in the context of cancer hallmarks. We also discuss the molecular mechanisms by which lncRNAs become involved in cellular physiology; the onset, development and progression of ovarian cancer; and lncRNAs’ regulatory mechanisms at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational stages of gene expression. Finally, we compile a series of online resources useful for the study of lncRNAs, especially in the context of ovarian cancer. Future work required in the field is also discussed along with some concluding remarks.
Association of Proteins Modulating Immune Response and Insulin Clearance during Gestation with Antenatal Complications in Patients with Gestational or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Kopylov Arthur T. , Kaysheva Anna L. , Papysheva Olga , Gribova Iveta , Kotaysch Galina , Kharitonova Lubov , Mayatskaya Tatiana , Krasheninnikova Anna , Morozov Sergey G.
Published: April 2020

Background: The purpose of the study is to establish and quantitatively assess protein markers and their combination in association with insulin uptake that may be have value for early prospective recognition of diabetic fetopathy (DF) as a complication in patients with diabetes mellitus during gestation. Methods: Proteomic surveying and accurate quantitative measurement of selected proteins from plasma samples collected from the patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who gave birth of either healthy or affected by maternal diabetes newborns was performed using mass spectrometry. Results: We determined and quantitatively measured several proteins, including CRP, CEACAM1, CNDP1 and Ig-family that were significantly differed in patients that gave birth of newborns with signs of DF. We found that patients with newborns associated with DF are characterized by significantly decreased CEACAM1 (113.18 ± 16.23 ng/mL and 81.09 ± 10.54 ng/mL in GDM and T2DM, p < 0.005) in contrast to control group (515.6 ± 72.14 ng/mL, p < 0.005). On the contrary, the concentration of CNDP1 was increased in DF-associated groups and attained 49.3 ± 5.18 ng/mL and 37.7 ± 3.34 ng/mL (p < 0.005) in GDM and T2DM groups, respectively. Among other proteins, dramatically decreased concentration of IgG4 and IgA2 subclasses of immunoglobulins were noticed. Conclusion: The combination of the measured markers may assist (AUC = 0.893 (CI 95%, 0.785–0.980) in establishing the clinical finding of the developing DF especially in patients with GDM who are at the highest risk of chronic insulin resistance.