bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient Synthesis and X-ray Structure of [1,2,4]Triazolo[4,3-a]pyridines via Oxidative Cyclization Using N-Chlorosuccinimide (NCS)
Authors: El-Kurdi Said , Abu Thaher Bassam , Wahedy Kanan , Schollmeyer Dieter , Nopper Levin , Riester Oliver , Deigner Hans-Peter
Published: September 2021

Triazolopyridines are a family of compounds that, owing to their biological activity, have many pharmaceutical applications. In this study, 3-(pyridine-4-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine and 6-bromo-3-(pyridine-4-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine were synthesized by using the chlorinated agent NCS for hydrazones under very mild conditions. The characterization of these compounds was achieved by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR, MS and X-ray diffraction. The compound 3-(pyridine-4-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine was crystallized in the monoclinic space group P 21/c with a = 15.1413(12), b = 6.9179(4), c = 13.0938(8) Å, β = 105.102(6)°, V = 1324.16(16)Å3, Z = 4, and R = 0.0337. Also compound 6-bromo-3-(pyridine-4-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine was crystallized in the monoclinic space group P 21/c with a = 14.3213(11), b = 6.9452(4) (4), c = 12.6860(8)Å, β = 100.265(6)°, V = 1241.62(14)Å3, Z = 4, and R = 0.0561.
A First Estimate of Species Diversity for Benthic Diatom Assemblages from the Revillagigedo Archipelago, Mexico
Authors: Siqueiros Beltrones David A. , López-Fuerte Francisco Omar , Martínez Yuriko Jocselin , Altamirano-Cerecedo María del Carmen
Published: September 2021

Recent investigations at previously unexplored localities on the Mexican coast have confirmed the high taxonomic potential of benthic marine diatom assemblages (BMDA) in the region. An exploratory study of epiphytic diatoms of macroalgae in the Revillagigedo Archipelago (RA) suggested that further studies would yield many more taxa, prompting the hypothesis that diversity measurements, based on ecological indices, would be among the highest in pristine environments. Thus, the aim of this research was to enrich the record of epiphytic diatom floristics of the RA, and to estimate species diversity based on information theory (H′). Floristically, 167 identified taxa are added here to the BMDA species list of the RA, bringing the total to 397 taxa overall, including 52 taxa that are potentially new records for the Mexican Pacific coast. Among the most conspicuous genera are Mastogloia with five new taxa and it remains the most diverse genus with 55 taxa overall, followed by Cocconeis (27), Nitzschia (24), Amphora (23), Navicula (19), Diploneis (17) and Grammatophora (15). As expected for a pristine environment, the computed species diversity values for the BMDA were high, ranging from H′ = 3.92–5.2, depicting stability. Future surveys are expected to further increase the species richness of BMDA for the RA.
Surveys of Large Waterfowl and Their Habitats Using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle: A Case Study on the Siberian Crane
Authors: Wen Ding , Su Lei , Hu Yuanman , Xiong Zaiping , Liu Miao , Long Yingxian
Published: September 2021

Waterfowl surveys, especially for endangered waterfowl living in wetlands, are essential to protect endangered waterfowl and to create a management scenario of their habitats. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are powerful new tools for waterfowl surveys. In this paper, we propose one method for a habitat survey and another for a waterfowl species distribution survey. The habitat survey method obtained the waterfowl’s habitat and spatial distribution with a UAV automatic flight plan in the aggregation area. The waterfowl species distribution survey was used to detect and identify waterfowl species with high-spatial-resolution images from a free UAV flight plan in the aggregation area or areas where individuals were suspected to be present. The UAV-based data showed not only the area where waterfowl were found, but also additional ground surveys. The results showed that the species and locations of the waterfowl were recorded more accurately and efficiently using the distribution method based on the images from the UAV. The waterfowl habitat type and the number of waterfowl were obtained in detail using the habitat survey method. UAV-derived counts of waterfowl were greater (+37%) than ground counts. The results indicated the feasibility and advantages of using a low-cost UAV survey of large waterfowl in wetland regions with complex vegetation. This study provides one case study of large waterfowl numbers and habitat surveys. The UAV-based methods also provide a feasible and scientific way to obtain basic data for the protection and management of waterfowl.
Comparing Assessment Methods of Attribute Importance in Teachers’ Decisions: The Importance of Different Criteria for Tracking Recommendations after Primary School
Authors: Lintorf Katrin , van Ophuysen Stefanie , Osipov Igor
Published: September 2021

The importance of different criteria for tracking recommendations is usually inferred using regression weights as a cross-student measure. The few studies that have applied alternative approaches or differentiated between student groups sometimes reach different conclusions. According to research on judgment and decision making (JDM), different methods operationalize different facets of importance. Given this, we investigate whether the importance of criteria for tracking recommendations depends on a direct vs. indirect operationalization (regression weights vs. ratings). A total of 181 teachers selected four students from their most recent fourth-grade class using a 2 × 2 design (certain vs. uncertain qualification for the Realschule (vocational track) vs. the Gymnasium (academic track)). Then, they reported on the level and the importance of predetermined criteria for each student. Contrary to JDM research, we found few method-related differences, but striking differences between cases with a certain vs. an uncertain qualification. For the latter, the importance of the criteria is more homogeneous, the regression prediction is less successful and the importance varies with the dependent variable in the regression (actual recommendation vs. perceived qualification). We conclude that further research should focus on uncertain cases rather than method-related differences and suspect that, in uncertain cases, the formation of the recommendation is a multistage decision process.
A Single Source Switched-Capacitor 13-Level Inverter with Triple Voltage Boosting and Reduced Component Count
Authors: Tayyab Mohammad , Sarwar Adil , Khan Irfan , Tariq Mohd , Hussan Md Reyaz , Murshid Shadab , Alhosaini Waleed
Published: September 2021

A new triple voltage boosting switched-capacitor multilevel inverter (SCMLI) is presented in this paper. It can produce 13-level output voltage waveform by utilizing 12 switches, three diodes, three capacitors, and one DC source. The capacitor voltages are self-balanced as all the three capacitors present in the circuit are connected across the DC source to charge it to the desired voltage level for several instants in one fundamental cycle. A detailed comparative analysis is carried to show the advantages of the proposed topology in terms of the number of switches, number of capacitors, number of sources, total standing voltage (TSV), and boosting of the converter with the recently published 13-level topologies. The nearest level control (NLC)-based algorithm is used for generating switching signals for the IGBTs present in the circuit. The TSV of the proposed converter is 22. Experimental results are obtained for different loading conditions by using a laboratory hardware prototype to validate the simulation results. The efficiency of the proposed inverter is 97.2% for a 200 watt load.
Light-Weight, Self-Powered Sensor Based on Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Big Data Analytics in Sports
Authors: Ma Xiaofei , Liu Xuan , Li Xinxing , Ma Yunfei
Published: September 2021

With the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoTs), big data analytics has been widely used in the sport field. In this paper, a light-weight, self-powered sensor based on a triboelectric nanogenerator for big data analytics in sports has been demonstrated. The weight of each sensing unit is ~0.4 g. The friction material consists of polyaniline (PANI) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Based on the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), the device can convert small amounts of mechanical energy into the electrical signal, which contains information about the hitting position and hitting velocity of table tennis balls. By collecting data from daily table tennis training in real time, the personalized training program can be adjusted. A practical application has been exhibited for collecting table tennis information in real time and, according to these data, coaches can develop personalized training for an amateur to enhance the ability of hand control, which can improve their table tennis skills. This work opens up a new direction in intelligent athletic facilities and big data analytics.
A Cost-Aware DNN-Based FDI Technology for Solenoid Pumps
Authors: Kim Suju , Akpudo Ugochukwu Ejike , Hur Jang-Wook
Published: September 2021

Fluid Pumps serve a critical function in hydraulic and thermodynamic systems, and this often exposes them to prolonged use, leading to fatigue, stress, contamination, filter clogging, etc. On one hand, vibration monitoring for hydraulic components has shown reliable efficiencies in fault detection and isolation (FDI) practices. On the other hand, signal processing techniques provide reliable FDI parameters for artificial intelligence (AI)-based data-driven diagnostics (and prognostics) and have recently attracted global interest across different disciplines and applications. Particularly for cost-aware systems, the choice of diagnostic parameters determines the reliability of an FDI/diagnostic model. By extracting (and selecting) discriminative spectral and transient features from solenoid pump vibration signals, accurate diagnostics across operating conditions can be achieved using AI-based FDI algorithms. This study employs a deep neural network (DNN) for fault diagnosis after a correlation-based selection of discriminative spectral and transient features. To solve the problem of hyperparameter selection for the proposed model, a grid search technique was employed for optimal search for parameters (number of layers, neurons, activation function, weight optimizer, etc.) on different network architectures.The results reveal the high accuracy of a three-layer DNN with ReLU activation function, with a test accuracy of 99.23% and a minimal false alarm rate on a case study.
Estimation of Airspeed, Angle of Attack, and Sideslip for Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) Using a Micro-Pitot Tube
Authors: Ariante Gennaro , Ponte Salvatore , Papa Umberto , Del Core Giuseppe
Published: September 2021

Fixed and rotary-wing unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), originally developed for military purposes, have widely spread in scientific, civilian, commercial, and recreational applications. Among the most interesting and challenging aspects of small UAS technology are endurance enhancement and autonomous flight; i.e., mission management and control. This paper proposes a practical method for estimation of true and calibrated airspeed, Angle of Attack (AOA), and Angle of Sideslip (AOS) for small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, up to 20 kg mass, 1200 ft altitude above ground level, and airspeed of up to 100 knots) or light aircraft, for which weight, size, cost, and power-consumption requirements do not allow solutions used in large airplanes (typically, arrays of multi-hole Pitot probes). The sensors used in this research were a static and dynamic pressure sensor (“micro-Pitot tube” MPX2010DP differential pressure sensor) and a 10 degrees of freedom (DoF) inertial measurement unit (IMU) for attitude determination. Kalman and complementary filtering were applied for measurement noise removal and data fusion, respectively, achieving global exponential stability of the estimation error. The methodology was tested using experimental data from a prototype of the devised sensor suite, in various indoor-acquisition campaigns and laboratory tests under controlled conditions. AOA and AOS estimates were validated via correlation between the AOA measured by the micro-Pitot and vertical accelerometer measurements, since lift force can be modeled as a linear function of AOA in normal flight. The results confirmed the validity of the proposed approach, which could have interesting applications in energy-harvesting techniques.
Acoustic Anomaly Detection of Mechanical Failures in Noisy Real-Life Factory Environments
Authors: Tagawa Yuki , Maskeliūnas Rytis , Damaševičius Robertas
Published: September 2021

Anomaly detection without employing dedicated sensors for each industrial machine is recognized as one of the essential techniques for preventive maintenance and is especially important for factories with low automatization levels, a number of which remain much larger than autonomous manufacturing lines. We have based our research on the hypothesis that real-life sound data from working industrial machines can be used for machine diagnostics. However, the sound data can be contaminated and drowned out by typical factory environmental sound, making the application of sound data-based anomaly detection an overly complicated process and, thus, the main problem we are solving with our approach. In this paper, we present a noise-tolerant deep learning-based methodology for real-life sound-data-based anomaly detection within real-world industrial machinery sound data. The main element of the proposed methodology is a generative adversarial network (GAN) used for the reconstruction of sound signal reconstruction and the detection of anomalies. The experimental results obtained in the Malfunctioning Industrial Machine Investigation and Inspection (MIMII) show the superiority of the proposed methodology over baseline approaches based on the One-Class Support Vector Machine (OC-SVM) and the Autoencoder–Decoder neural network. The proposed schematics using the unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) and the mean square error (MSE) loss function with the L2 regularization term showed an improvement of the Area Under Curve (AUC) for the noisy pump data of the pump.
Characterization of the Carbonate Formation Fracture System Based on Well Logging Data and Results of Laboratory Measurements
Authors: Stadtműller Marek , Krakowska-Madejska Paulina I. , Leśniak Grzegorz , Jarzyna Jadwiga A.
Published: September 2021

This article presents a novel methodology for data integration including laboratory data, the results of standard well logging measurements and interpretation and the interpretation of XRMI imager data for determination of the porosity and permeability of the fracture system in carbonate rock. An example of the results of the micro computed tomography applied for carbonate rock is included. Data were obtained on the area of the Polish Lowland Zechstein Main Dolomite formation. The input set of data included the results of mercury injection porosimetry (MICP), thin section and polished section analysis, well logging measurements and comprehensive interpretation and micro computed tomography. The methodology of the macrofractures’ analysis based on borehole wall imagery as well as estimation of their aperture was described in detail. The petrophysical characteristics of the fracture systems were analyzed as an element of standard interpretation of well logging data along a carbonate formation. The results of permeability determination, with micro-, mezzo- and macrofractures’ presence in the rock taken into consideration, were compared with outcomes of the drill stem tests (DSTs).
Energy Curtailment Scheduling MILP Formulation for an Islanded Microgrid with High Penetration of Renewable Energy
Authors: Park Woan-Ho , Abunima Hamza , Glick Mark B. , Kim Yun-Su
Published: September 2021

The efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) cells has improved significantly in the last decade, making PV generation a common feature of the sustainable microgrid. As the PV-powered microgrid reaches high penetrations of intermittent PV power, optimum scheduling of over-production is necessary to minimize energy curtailment. Failure to include an accurate assessment of curtailed energy costs in the scheduling process increases wasted energy. Moreover, applying an objective function without considering the cost coefficients results in an inefficient concentration of curtailed power in a specific time interval. In this study, we provide an optimization method for scheduling the microgrid assets to evenly distribute curtailment over the entire daily period of PV generation. Each of the curtailment intervals established in our optimization model features the application of different cost coefficients. In the final step, curtailment costs are added to the objective function. The proposed cost minimization algorithm preferentially selects intervals with low curtailment costs to prevent the curtailment from being concentrated at a specific time. By inducing even distribution of curtailment, this novel optimization methodology has the potential to improve the cost-effectiveness of the PV-powered microgrid
Smart Building Energy Inefficiencies Detection through Time Series Analysis and Unsupervised Machine Learning
Authors: Talei Hanaa , Benhaddou Driss , Gamarra Carlos , Benbrahim Houda , Essaaidi Mohamed
Published: September 2021

The climate of Houston, classified as a humid subtropical climate with tropical influences, makes the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems the largest electricity consumers in buildings. HVAC systems in commercial buildings are usually operated by a centralized control system and/or an energy management system based on a fixed schedule and scheduled control of a zone setpoint, which is not appropriate for many buildings with changing occupancy rates. Lately, as part of energy efficiency analysis, attention has focused on collecting and analyzing smart meters and building-related data, as well as applying supervised learning techniques, to propose new strategies to operate HVAC systems and reduce energy consumption. On the other hand, unsupervised learning techniques have been used to study the consumption information and profile characterization of different buildings after cluster analysis is performed. This paper adopts a different approach by revealing the power of unsupervised learning to cluster data and unveiling hidden patterns. In this study, we also identify energy inefficiencies after exploring the cluster results of a single building’s HVAC consumption data and building usage data as part of the energy efficiency analysis. Time series analysis and the K-means clustering algorithm are successfully applied to identify new energy-saving opportunities in a highly efficient office building located in the Houston area (TX, USA). The paper uses 1-year data from a highly efficient Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED)-, Energy Star-, and Net Zero-certified building, showing a potential energy savings of 6% using the K-means algorithm. The results show that clustering is instrumental in helping building managers identify potential additional energy savings.
Nonlinear Causality between Crude Oil Prices and Exchange Rates: Evidence and Forecasting
Authors: Orzeszko Witold
Published: September 2021

The relationships between crude oil prices and exchange rates have always been of interest to academics and policy analysts. There are theoretical transmission channels that justify such links; however, the empirical evidence is not clear. Most of the studies on causal relationships in this area have been restricted to a linear framework, which can omit important properties of the investigated dependencies that could be exploited for forecasting purposes. Based on the nonlinear Granger causality tests, we found strong bidirectional causal relations between crude oil prices and two currency pairs: EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and weaker between crude oil prices and JPY/USD. We showed that the significance of these relations has changed in recent years. We also made an attempt to find an effective strategy to forecast crude oil prices using the investigated exchange rates as regressors and vice versa. To this aim, we applied Support Vector Regression (SVR)—the machine learning method of time series modeling and forecasting.
Analysis of the Airflow Generated by Human Activity Using a Mobile Slipstream Measuring Device
Authors: Kim Minkyeong , Lee Yongil , Park Duckshin
Published: September 2021

Human activities, including walking, generate an airflow, commonly known as the slipstream, which can disperse contaminants indoors and transmit infection to other individuals. It is important to understand the characteristics of airflow to prevent the dissemination of contaminants such as viruses. A cylinder of diameter 500 mm, which is the average shoulder width of an adult male, was installed in a motorcar and moved at a velocity of 1.2 m/s, which is the walking speed of an adult male. The velocity profile of the slipstream generated during this movement was measured by locating the sensor support at 0.15–2.0 m behind the cylinder. The wind velocity was set to 1.2 m/s to conduct the numerical analysis. The measurement data revealed the velocity profile of the space behind the cylinder, and a comparison of the numerical analysis and the measurement results indicate very similar u (measured velocity)/U (moving velocity) results, with a maximum difference of 0.066, confirming that the measured values were correctly estimated from the results of the numerical analysis.
More than Just Wine: The Nutritional Benefits of Grapevine Leaves
Authors: Maia Marisa , Cavaco Ana Rita , Laureano Gonçalo , Cunha Jorge , Eiras-Dias José , Matos Ana Rita , Duarte Bernardo , Figueiredo Andreia
Published: September 2021

The domesticated species Vitis vinifera L. harbours many cultivars throughout the world that present distinctive phenology and grape quality. Not only have the grapes been used for human consumption, but the leaves are also used as a source of bioactive compounds and are present in the diets of several Mediterranean countries. We have selected seven different cultivars and performed elemental, fatty acid (FA) and pigment profiling. Total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) enabled the identification of 21 elements. Among them, Na, Ca and K were highly represented in all the cultivars and Zn was prevalent in V. vinifera cv. ‘Pinot noir’ and ‘Cabernet sauvignon’. Through gas chromatography, six FAs were identified, including omega-3 and omega-6 FA, the most abundant mainly in V. vinifera cv. ‘Tinta barroca’, ‘Pinot noir’ and ‘Cabernet sauvignon’. FA composition was used to determine nutritional quality parameters, namely atherogenic, thrombogenic, hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic and peroxidisability indexes as well as oxidability and oxidative susceptibility. Grapevine leaves were highlighted as a suitable source of health-promoting lipids. Given the popularity of “green” diets, we have also performed a leaf pigment analysis. Seventeen pigments including chlorophylls, trans-lutein, b-carotene and zeaxanthins were detected. ‘C19’ presented the highest content of most of the detected pigments.
Development of Hydrolysis and Defatting Processes for Production of Lowered Fishy Odor Hydrolyzed Collagen from Fatty Skin of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)
Authors: Nilsuwan Krisana , Chantakun Kasidate , Chotphruethipong Lalita , Benjakul Soottawat
Published: September 2021

Lipid oxidation has a negative impact on application and stability of hydrolyzed collagen (HC) powder from fatty fish skin. This study aimed to produce fat-free HC powder from salmon skin via optimization of one-step hydrolysis using mixed proteases (papain and Alcalase) at different levels. Fat removal processes using disk stack centrifugal separator (DSCS) for various cycles and subsequent defatting of HC powder using isopropanol for different cycles were also investigated. One-step hydrolysis by mixed proteases (3% papain and 4% Alcalase) at pH 8 and 60 °C for 240 min provided HC with highest degree of hydrolysis. HC powder having fat removal with DSCS for 9 cycles showed the decreased fat content. HC powder subsequently defatted with isopropanol for 2 cycles (HC-C9/ISP2) had no fat content with lowest fishy odor intensity, peroxide value, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances than those without defatting and with 1-cycle defatting. HC-C9/ISP2 had high L*-value (84.52) and high protein (94.72%). It contained peptides having molecular weight less than 3 kDa. Glycine and imino acids were dominant amino acid. HC-C9/ISP2 had Na, Ca, P, and lowered odorous constituents. Combined processes including hydrolysis and defatting could therefore render HC powder free of fat and negligible fishy odor.
Cesaro Limits for Fractional Dynamics
Authors: Kondratiev Yuri , da Silva José
Published: September 2021

We study the asymptotic behavior of random time changes of dynamical systems. As random time changes we propose three classes which exhibits different patterns of asymptotic decays. The subordination principle may be applied to study the asymptotic behavior of the random time dynamical systems. It turns out that for the special case of stable subordinators explicit expressions for the subordination are known and its asymptotic behavior are derived. For more general classes of random time changes explicit calculations are essentially more complicated and we reduce our study to the asymptotic behavior of the corresponding Cesaro limit.
Fungal Lysine Deacetylases in Virulence, Resistance, and Production of Small Bioactive Compounds
Authors: Bauer Ingo , Graessle Stefan
Published: September 2021

The growing number of immunocompromised patients begs for efficient therapy strategies against invasive fungal infections. As conventional antifungal treatment is increasingly hampered by resistance to commonly used antifungals, development of novel therapy regimens is required. On the other hand, numerous fungal species are industrially exploited as cell factories of enzymes and chemicals or as producers of medically relevant pharmaceuticals. Consequently, there is immense interest in tapping the almost inexhaustible fungal portfolio of natural products for potential medical and industrial applications. Both the pathogenicity and production of those small metabolites are significantly dependent on the acetylation status of distinct regulatory proteins. Thus, classical lysine deacetylases (KDACs) are crucial virulence determinants and important regulators of natural products of fungi. In this review, we present an overview of the members of classical KDACs and their complexes in filamentous fungi. Further, we discuss the impact of the genetic manipulation of KDACs on the pathogenicity and production of bioactive molecules. Special consideration is given to inhibitors of these enzymes and their role as potential new antifungals and emerging tools for the discovery of novel pharmaceutical drugs and antibiotics in fungal producer strains.
How to Choose a Good Marker to Analyze the Olive Germplasm (Olea europaea L.) and Derived Products
Authors: Sion Sara , Savoia Michele Antonio , Gadaleta Susanna , Piarulli Luciana , Mascio Isa , Fanelli Valentina , Montemurro Cinzia , Miazzi Monica Marilena
Published: September 2021

The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is one of the most cultivated crops in the Mediterranean basin. Its economic importance is mainly due to the intense production of table olives and oil. Cultivated varieties are characterized by high morphological and genetic variability and present a large number of synonyms and homonyms. This necessitates the introduction of a rapid and accurate system for varietal identification. In the past, the recognition of olive cultivars was based solely on analysis of the morphological traits, however, these are highly influenced by environmental conditions. Therefore, over the years, several methods based on DNA analysis were developed, allowing a more accurate and reliable varietal identification. This review aims to investigate the evolving history of olive tree characterization approaches, starting from the earlier morphological methods to the latest technologies based on molecular markers, focusing on the main applications of each approach. Furthermore, we discuss the impact of the advent of next generation sequencing and the recent sequencing of the olive genome on the strategies used for the development of new molecular markers.
Trends in the Application of “Omics” to Ecotoxicology and Stress Ecology
Authors: Ebner Joshua Niklas
Published: September 2021

Our ability to predict and assess how environmental changes such as pollution and climate change affect components of the Earth’s biome is of paramount importance. This need positioned the fields of ecotoxicology and stress ecology at the center of environmental monitoring efforts. Advances in these interdisciplinary fields depend not only on conceptual leaps but also on technological advances and data integration. High-throughput “omics” technologies enabled the measurement of molecular changes at virtually all levels of an organism’s biological organization and thus continue to influence how the impacts of stressors are understood. This bibliometric review describes literature trends (2000–2020) that indicate that more different stressors than species are studied each year but that only a few stressors have been studied in more than two phyla. At the same time, the molecular responses of a diverse set of non-model species have been investigated, but cross-species comparisons are still rare. While transcriptomics studies dominated until 2016, a shift towards proteomics and multiomics studies is apparent. There is now a wealth of data at functional omics levels from many phylogenetically diverse species. This review, therefore, addresses the question of how to integrate omics information across species.
Brain Activity in the Prefrontal Cortex during Cognitive Tasks and Dual Tasks in Community-Dwelling Elderly People with Pre-Frailty: A Pilot Study for Early Detection of Cognitive Decline
Authors: Maruya Kohei , Arai Tomoyuki , Fujita Hiroaki
Published: September 2021

We aimed to detect brain abnormalities during cognitive and motor tasks in older individuals with pre-frailty, as this could prevent dementia. Sixty elderly participants (mean age: 76.3 years; 27 healthy and 33 with pre-frailty) were included, and their motor function, cognitive function, and dual-task abilities (gait with calculation and while carrying a ball) were evaluated. Total hemoglobin (t-Hb) was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during tasks and resting periods. The pre-frailty group had a slightly lower gait speed than the healthy group, but there was no significant difference in cognitive function. In the pre-frailty group, the t-Hb values during the normal gait and cognitive tasks were higher than the resting value in the right prefrontal cortex, while in the healthy group, only the word frequency task (WFT) was higher. Furthermore, in the WFT, the t-Hb values were significantly lower in the pre-frailty group than in the healthy group. The results showed that pre-frail subjects had lower brain activation during the WFT in the right prefrontal cortex and excessive activity during walking, even without a noticeable cognitive decline. The differences in cerebral blood flow under the pre-frailty conditions may be a clue to detecting cognitive decline earlier.
New Rehabilitation Assessment Method of the End-Effector Finger Rehabilitation Robot Based on Multi-Sensor Source
Authors: Wang Hongbo , Chen Peng , Li Yungui , Sun Bowen , Liao Ziyu , Niu Baoshan , Niu Jianye
Published: September 2021

In the process of rehabilitation, the objectivity and the accuracy of rehabilitation assessment have an obvious impact on the follow-up training. To improve this problem, using a multi-sensor source, this paper attempts to establish a comprehensive assessment method of the finger rehabilitation effect, including three indicators of finger muscle strength, muscle fatigue degree, and range of motion. Firstly, on the basis of the fingertip pressure sensor of the End-Effector Finger Rehabilitation Robot, a mathematical model of finger muscle strength estimation was established, and the estimated muscle strength was scored using the entropy weight method. Secondly, using an sEMG signal sensor, a fatigue monitoring system was designed in the training process, and the fatigue degree was determined on the basis of the change trend of the eigenvalues of MAV and RMS. Lastly, a human–machine motion coupling model was established, and the joint range of motion acquisition and scoring model were obtained on the basis of the motor encoder. According to the above three indicators, using the AHP assessment method to establish a comprehensive rehabilitation assessment method, the effectiveness of the method was verified by experiments. This paper provides a potential new idea and method for objective, accurate, and convenient assessment of finger function rehabilitation, which is of positive significance for alleviating the burden on rehabilitation doctors and improving rehabilitation efficiency.
Technical Study of the Paint Layers from Buddhist Sculptures Unearthed from the Longxing Temple Site in Qingzhou, China
Authors: Song Yan , Zhou Linlin , Wang Yunpeng , Liu Fangzhi , Guo Juwen , Wang Ruixia , Nevin Austin
Published: September 2021

In 1996, more than four hundred Buddhist statues were excavated from the Hoard of Longxing Temple site in Qingzhou, Shandong Province, China. They are of great significance in the study of Buddhism history during the Northern and Southern Dynasties of China, and have attracted widespread attention since they were unearthed. In this paper, the paint layers from 14 of the Buddhist statues unearthed from the Longxing Temple site were analyzed using portable 3D microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to determine the materials used in their production. Several microscopic samples were analyzed in the laboratory using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The combined results from the field and laboratory analyses materials used in painting layers of these statues were identified, and the technique for the production of the sculptures was studied. After the stone sculpture of Buddha was finished, a priming layer of lead white was applied over the stone body as a ground, over which pigments were applied. These include mineral pigments (cinnabar, malachite, lapis lazuli and cerussite), Chinese ink (carbon black) and gold leaf. Cinnabar was used for the outer garments, the halos and ornaments of Buddha and Bodhisattva statues; malachite, was found primarily on the Monk’s clothing; the blue pigment, lapis lazuli, was mainly used for the Buddha’s bun, halo and outer garment edges; carbon black ink was employed for drafting and sketching clothing and decorative patterns.
Spatial Accessibility Assessment of Prehospital EMS with a Focus on the Elderly Population: A Case Study in Ningbo, China
Authors: Zhu Huanhuan , Pan Lin , Li Yiji , Jin Huiming , Wang Qian , Liu Xin , Wang Cong , Liao Peng , Jiang Xinyang , Li Luo
Published: September 2021

The spatial accessibility of prehospital EMS is particularly important for the elderly population’s physiological functions. Due to the recent expansion of aging populations all over the globe, elderly people’s spatial accessibility to prehospital EMS presents a serious challenge. An efficient strategy to address this issue involves using geographic information systems (GIS)-based tools to evaluate the spatial accessibility in conjunction with the spatial distribution of aging people, available road networks, and prehospital EMS facilities. This study employed gravity model and empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK) interpolation analysis to evaluate the elderly’s spatial access to prehospital EMS in Ningbo, China. In our study, we aimed to solve the following specific research questions: In the study area, “what are the characteristics of the prehospital EMS demand of the elderly?” “Do the elderly have equal and convenient spatial access to prehospital EMS?” and “How can we satisfy the prehospital EMS demand of an aging population, improve their spatial access to prehospital EMS, and then ensure their quality of life?” The results showed that 37.44% of patients admitted to prehospital EMS in 2020 were 65 years and older. The rate of utilization of ambulance services by the elderly was 27.39 per 1000 elderly residents. Ambulance use by the elderly was the highest in the winter months and the lowest in the spring months (25.90% vs. 22.38%). As for the disease spectrum, the main disease was found to be trauma and intoxication (23.70%). The mean accessibility score was only 1.43 and nearly 70% of demand points had scored lower than 1. The elderly’s spatial accessibility to prehospital EMS had a central-outward gradient decreasing trend from the central region to the southeast and southwest of the study area. Our proposed methodology and its spatial equilibrium results could be taken as a benchmark of prehospital care capacity and help inform authorities’ efforts to develop efficient, aging-focused spatial accessibility plans.
Na+-Coupled Respiration and Reshaping of Extracellular Polysaccharide Layer Counteract Monensin-Induced Cation Permeability in Prevotella bryantii B14
Authors: Trautmann Andrej , Schleicher Lena , Pfirrmann Jana , Boldt Christin , Steuber Julia , Seifert Jana
Published: September 2021

Monensin is an ionophore for monovalent cations, which is frequently used to prevent ketosis and to enhance performance in dairy cows. Studies have shown the rumen bacteria Prevotella bryantii B14 being less affected by monensin. The present study aimed to reveal more information about the respective molecular mechanisms in P.bryantii, as there is still a lack of knowledge about defense mechanisms against monensin. Cell growth experiments applying increasing concentrations of monensin and incubations up to 72 h were done. Harvested cells were used for label-free quantitative proteomics, enzyme activity measurements, quantification of intracellular sodium and extracellular glucose concentrations and fluorescence microscopy. Our findings confirmed an active cell growth and fermentation activity of P.bryantii B14 despite monensin concentrations up to 60 µM. An elevated abundance and activity of the Na+-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase counteracted sodium influx caused by monensin. Cell membranes and extracellular polysaccharides were highly influenced by monensin indicated by a reduced number of outer membrane proteins, an increased number of certain glucoside hydrolases and an elevated concentration of extracellular glucose. Thus, a reconstruction of extracellular polysaccharides in P.bryantii in response to monensin is proposed, which is expected to have a negative impact on the substrate binding capacities of this rumen bacterium.
In Silico Identification and Evaluation of Natural Products as Potential Tumor Necrosis Factor Function Inhibitors Using Advanced Enalos Asclepios KNIME Nodes
Authors: Papadopoulou Dimitra , Drakopoulos Antonios , Lagarias Panagiotis , Melagraki Georgia , Kollias George , Afantitis Antreas
Published: September 2021

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a regulator of several chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Although anti-TNF biologics have been used in clinic, they render several drawbacks, such as patients’ progressive immunodeficiency and loss of response, high cost, and intravenous administration. In order to find new potential anti-TNF small molecule inhibitors, we employed an in silico approach, aiming to find natural products, analogs of Ampelopsin H, a compound that blocks the formation of TNF active trimer. Two out of nine commercially available compounds tested, Nepalensinol B and Miyabenol A, efficiently reduced TNF-induced cytotoxicity in L929 cells and production of chemokines in mice joints’ synovial fibroblasts, while Nepalensinol B also abolished TNF-TNFR1 binding in non-toxic concentrations. The binding mode of the compounds was further investigated by molecular dynamics and free energy calculation studies, using and advancing the Enalos Asclepios pipeline. Conclusively, we propose that Nepalensinol B, characterized by the lowest free energy of binding and by a higher number of hydrogen bonds with TNF, qualifies as a potential lead compound for TNF inhibitors’ drug development. Finally, the upgraded Enalos Asclepios pipeline can be used for improved identification of new therapeutics against TNF-mediated chronic inflammatory diseases, providing state-of-the-art insight on their binding mode.
The Role of E-Cadherin and microRNA on FAK Inhibitor Response in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM)
Authors: Yuen Man Lee , Zhuang Ling , Rath Emma M. , Yu Takun , Johnson Ben , Sarun Kadir Harun , Wang Yiwei , Kao Steven , Linton Anthony , Clarke Candice Julie , McCaughan Brian C. , Takahashi Ken , Lee Kenneth , Cheng Yuen Yee
Published: September 2021

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive malignancy with limited effective treatment options. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitors have been shown to efficiently suppress MPM cell growth initially, with limited utility in the current clinical setting. In this study, we utilised a large collection of MPM cell lines and MPM tissue samples to study the role of E-cadherin (CDH1) and microRNA on the efficacy of FAK inhibitors in MPM. The immunohistochemistry (IHC) results showed that the majority of MPM FFPE samples exhibited either the absence of, or very low, E-cadherin protein expression in MPM tissue. We showed that MPM cells with high CDH1 mRNA levels exhibited resistance to the FAK inhibitor PND-1186. In summary, MPM cells that did not express CDH1 mRNA were sensitive to PND-1186, and MPM cells that retained CDH1 mRNA were resistant. A cell cycle analysis showed that PND-1186 induced cell cycle disruption by inducing the G2/M arrest of MPM cells. A protein−protein interaction study showed that EGFR is linked to the FAK pathway, and a target scan of the microRNAs revealed that microRNAs (miR-17, miR221, miR-222, miR137, and miR148) interact with EGFR 3′UTR. Transfection of MPM cells with these microRNAs sensitised the CHD1-expressing FAK-inhibitor-resistant MPM cells to the FAK inhibitor.
Enteric Microbiota-Mediated Serotonergic Signaling in Pathogenesis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Mishima Yoshiyuki , Ishihara Shunji
Published: September 2021

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional disorder that affects the gastrointestinal tract. Details regarding the pathogenesis of IBS remain largely unknown, though the dysfunction of the brain-gut-microbiome (BGM) axis is a major etiological factor, in which neurotransmitters serve as a key communication tool between enteric microbiota and the brain. One of the most important neurotransmitters in the pathology of IBS is serotonin (5-HT), as it influences gastrointestinal motility, pain sensation, mucosal inflammation, immune responses, and brain activity, all of which shape IBS features. Genome-wide association studies discovered susceptible genes for IBS in serotonergic signaling pathways. In clinical practice, treatment strategies targeting 5-HT were effective for a certain portion of IBS cases. The synthesis of 5-HT in intestinal enterochromaffin cells and host serotonergic signaling is regulated by enteric resident microbiota. Dysbiosis can trigger IBS development, potentially through aberrant 5-HT signaling in the BGM axis; thus, the manipulation of the gut microbiota may be an alternative treatment strategy. However, precise information regarding the mechanisms underlying the microbiota-mediated intestinal serotonergic pathway related to the pathogenesis of IBS remains unclear. The present review summarizes current knowledge and recent progress in understanding microbiome–serotonin interaction in IBS cases.
Biochemical Characterization of 13-Lipoxygenases of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Maynard Daniel , Chibani Kamel , Schmidtpott Sonja , Seidel Thorsten , Spross Jens , Viehhauser Andrea , Dietz Karl-Josef
Published: September 2021

13-lipoxygenases (13-LOX) catalyze the dioxygenation of various polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), of which α-linolenic acid (LeA) is converted to 13-S-hydroperoxyoctadeca-9, 11, 15-trienoic acid (13-HPOT), the precursor for the prostaglandin-like plant hormones cis-(+)-12-oxophytodienoic acid (12-OPDA) and methyl jasmonate (MJ). This study aimed for characterizing the four annotated A. thaliana 13-LOX enzymes (LOX2, LOX3, LOX4, and LOX6) focusing on synthesis of 12-OPDA and 4Z,7Z,10Z)-12-[[-(1S,5S)-4-oxo-5-(2Z)-pent-2-en-1yl] cyclopent-2-en-1yl] dodeca-4,7,10-trienoic acid (OCPD). In addition, we performed interaction studies of 13-LOXs with ions and molecules to advance our understanding of 13-LOX. Cell imaging indicated plastid targeting of fluorescent proteins fused to 13-LOXs-N-terminal extensions, supporting the prediction of 13-LOX localization to plastids. The apparent maximal velocity (Vmax app) values for LOX-catalyzed LeA oxidation were highest for LOX4 (128 nmol·s−1·mg protein−1), with a Km value of 5.8 µM. A. thaliana 13-LOXs, in cascade with 12-OPDA pathway enzymes, synthesized 12-OPDA and OCPD from LeA and docosahexaenoic acid, previously shown only for LOX6. The activities of the four isoforms were differently affected by physiologically relevant chemicals, such as Mg2+, Ca2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+, and by 12-OPDA and MJ. As demonstrated for LOX4, 12-OPDA inhibited enzymatic LeA hydroperoxidation, with half-maximal enzyme inhibition at 48 µM. Biochemical interactions, such as the sensitivity of LOX toward thiol-reactive agents belonging to cyclopentenone prostaglandins, are suggested to occur in human LOX homologs. Furthermore, we conclude that 13-LOXs are isoforms with rather specific functional and regulatory enzymatic features.
Caput Ligation Renders Immature Mouse Sperm Motile and Capable to Undergo cAMP-Dependent Phosphorylation
Authors: Tourzani Darya A. , Battistone Maria A. , Salicioni Ana M. , Breton Sylvie , Visconti Pablo E. , Gervasi Maria G.
Published: September 2021

Mammalian sperm must undergo two post-testicular processes to become fertilization-competent: maturation in the male epididymis and capacitation in the female reproductive tract. While caput epididymal sperm are unable to move and have not yet acquired fertilization potential, sperm in the cauda epididymis have completed their maturation, can move actively, and have gained the ability to undergo capacitation in the female tract or in vitro. Due to the impossibility of mimicking sperm maturation in vitro, the molecular pathways underlying this process remain largely unknown. We aimed to investigate the use of caput epididymal ligation as a tool for the study of sperm maturation in mice. Our results indicate that after seven days of ligation, caput sperm gained motility and underwent molecular changes comparable with those observed for cauda mature sperm. Moreover, ligated caput sperm were able to activate pathways related to sperm capacitation. Despite these changes, ligated caput sperm were unable to fertilize in vitro. Our results suggest that transit through the epididymis is not required for the acquisition of motility and some capacitation-associated signaling but is essential for full epididymal maturation. Caput epididymal ligation is a useful tool for the study of the molecular pathways involved in the acquisition of sperm motility during maturation.