bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Visual Perceptions of Spatial Information for Wayfinding in Virtual Reality Environments
Authors: Kim Ju Yeon , Kim Mi Jeong
Published: May 2020

Human cognitive processes in wayfinding may differ depending on the time taken to accept visual information in environments. This study investigated users’ wayfinding processes using eye-tracking experiments, simulating a complex cultural space to analyze human visual movements in the perception and the cognitive processes through visual perception responses. The experiment set-up consisted of several paths in COEX Mall, Seoul—from the entrance of the shopping mall Starfield to the Star Hall Library to the COEX Exhibition Hall—using visual stimuli created by virtual reality (four stimuli and a total of 60 seconds stimulation time). The participants in the environment were 24 undergraduate or graduate students, with an average age of 24.8 years. Participants’ visual perception processes were analyzed in terms of the clarity and the recognition of spatial information and the activation of gaze fixation on spatial information. That is, the analysis of the visual perception process was performed by extracting “conscious gaze perspective” data comprising more than 50 consecutive 200 ms continuous gaze fixations; “visual understanding perspective” data were also extracted for more than 300 ms of continuous gaze fixation. The results show that the methods for analyzing the gaze data may vary in terms of processing, analysis, and scope of the data depending on the purpose of the virtual reality experiments. Further, they demonstrate the importance of what purpose statements are given to the subject during the experiment and the possibility of a technical approach being used for the interpretation of spatial information.
Microplastic Contamination of Surface Water-Sourced Tap Water in Hong Kong—A Preliminary Study
Authors: Lam Theresa Wing Ling , Ho Hiu Tung , Ma Anson T.H. , Fok Lincoln
Published: May 2020

Microplastics have been documented in a wide range of commercially available food products, and the presence of microplastics in tap water has received considerable attention in recent years. Although microplastics in drinking water pose a low concern for human health at current levels of exposure, there is a need to understand the potential pathways for human microplastic exposure. With the application of Rose Bengal staining, microplastics in 110 surface water-sourced tap water samples from urban sources in Hong Kong were qualified and morphologically characterized. A total of 224 items were identified in 86 (78.2%) samples with a mean concentration of 2.181 ± 0.165 n L−1. Fibrous and smaller (<1 mm) microplastics predominated in samples, accounting for 97.8% and 65.1% of the total microplastic count, respectively. Our results indicated a comparatively low level of microplastic contamination of tap water in Hong Kong. The potential sources of microplastics could be microplastic-polluted water bodies, atmospheric input and mechanical abrasion of plastic equipment during water treatment and distribution.
Use of Unbound Materials for Sustainable Road Infrastructures
Authors: Ciampa Donato , Cioffi Raffaele , Colangelo Francesco , Diomedi Maurizio , Farina Ilenia , Olita Saverio
Published: May 2020

The growing environmental sensitivity and the reduction of natural resources create, in Italy and other developed countries, an increasing interest in the search for alternative materials to be used in road construction works. In recent years, the problems related to environmental sustainability have made it increasingly difficult to remove natural aggregates from quarries and, at the same time, the regulations for the management of waste dumps are more and more restrictive. For this reason, the use of recycled aggregates is experiencing a continuous increase in the civil construction sector. This paper deals with the study of construction and demolition waste (CDW) in the field of road construction, in particular for the construction of embankment, road subgrades, foundation layers and unbound bases for flexible superstructures. Three different particle size fractions were used to prepare the mixtures: the first having a coarse size and designation 0–63 mm, the second intermediate size with aggregates of 0–31.5 mm grain size and the third with the finest aggregates having a grain size of 0–4 mm. The study was carried out by analyzing three granulometric fractions, verifying the best application for each of them. Subsequently, the mix-design was investigated, operating in compliance with the requirements imposed by UNI 11531-1, EN ISO 14688, EN 13242 and EN 13285. For the unbound layers of subgrade, foundation and base, which require greater resistance to fragmentation, the use of CDW alone has shown some limitations. Therefore, in the experimentation, it was decided to mix the CDW with a granulated slag coming from the steel production in the electric arc furnaces (EAF) and with an additional CDW (0–31.5 mm) coming from the recovery of concrete with slag. EAF granulated slag was used in small quantities, due to its relatively high cost. Four eco-friendly and recycled mixtures were studied, with low economic impact and high environmental sustainability, suitable for the construction of unbound layers of road superstructures.
Accurate and Rigorous Calibration of Intradyne Coherent Receiver Using Polarization-Multiplexed Signal Generated within Intradyne Coherent Transmitter
Authors: Wang Qiang , Yue Yang
Published: May 2020

Coherent optical transceivers offer significant advantages over direct-detect optical transceivers. However, both intradyne coherent transmitters (ICT) and intradyne coherent receivers (ICR) are more complicated and require careful calibration. Traditionally, an ICR is calibrated through heterodyne beating using a single-polarized signal. Active stabilization to maintain a constant state of polarization for the calibration signal is necessary, leading to a relatively complicated setup. We demonstrate a novel method through heterodyne beating using a polarization-multiplexed signal. No polarization control is needed, resulting in a much simpler configuration. The calibration results obtained through the polarization-multiplexed signal match with the results using a single polarized signal. Moreover, this polarization-multiplexed signal can be generated within the intradyne coherent transmitter without using any external components. This innovative technique enables the calibration of a coherent receiver for deployment in the field throughout its lifetime.
Organic and Conventional Herbs Quality Reflected by Their Antioxidant Compounds Concentration
Authors: Hallmann Ewelina , Sabała Piotr
Published: May 2020

The aim of this work was to determine the bioactive compounds concentration in herbs from organic and conventional production. In 2017 and 2018, herbs of four species, including basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), bear’s garlic (Allium ursinum L.), marjoram (Origanum majorana L.), and oregano (Origanum vulgare L.), were examined. The concentrations of polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, and chlorophylls were measured. Next, separation and identification of the individual bioactive compounds were completed. The obtained results show that organic herbs contained significantly higher concentrations of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids compared to conventional herbs in both investigation years. On the other hand, conventional herbs contained significantly higher concentrations of chlorophylls and carotenoids, including beta-carotene.
Monthly Reservoir Inflow Forecasting for Dry Period Using Teleconnection Indices: A Statistical Ensemble Approach
Authors: Lee Donghee , Kim Hwansuk , Jung Ilwon , Yoon Jaeyoung
Published: May 2020

Reliable long-range reservoir inflow forecast is essential to successfully manage water supply from reservoirs. This study aims to develop statistical reservoir inflow forecast models for a reservoir watershed, based on hydroclimatic teleconnection between monthly reservoir inflow and climatic variables. Predictability of such a direct relationship has not been assessed yet at the monthly time scale using the statistical ensemble approach that employs multiple data-driven models as an ensemble. For this purpose, three popular data-driven models, namely multiple linear regression (MLR), support vector machines (SVM) and artificial neural networks (ANN) were used to develop monthly reservoir inflow forecasting models. These models have been verified using leave-one-out cross-validation with expected error S as a measure of forecast skill. The S values of the MLR model ranged from 0.21 to 0.55, the ANN model ranged from 0.20 to 0.52 and the SVM from 0.21 to 0.56 for different months. When used as an ensemble, Bayesian model averaging was more accurate than simple model averaging and naïve forecast for four target years tested. These were considered to be decent prediction skills, indicating that teleconnection-based models have the potential to be used as a tool to make a decision for reservoir operation in preparing for droughts.
Biomechanical Evaluation of the Effects of Implant Neck Wall Thickness and Abutment Screw Size: A 3D Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Jeng Ming-Dih , Lin Yang-Sung , Lin Chun-Li
Published: May 2020

In this study, we evaluate the influence of implant neck wall thickness and abutment screw size on alveolar bone and implant component biomechanical responses using nonlinear finite element (FE) analysis. Twelve internal hexagon Morse taper implant–abutment connection FE models with three different implant sizes (diameters 4, 5, and 6 mm), secured with 1.4, 1.6, and 1.8 mm abutment screws to fit with three unilateral implant neck wall thicknesses of 0.45, 0.50, and 1.00 mm, were constructed to perform simulations. Nonlinear contact elements were used to simulate realistic interface fixation within the implant system. A 200 N concentrated force was applied toward the center of a hemispherical load cap and inclined 30° relative to the implant axis as the loading condition. The simulation results indicated that increasing the unilateral implant neck wall thickness from 0.45 to 1.00 mm can significantly decrease implant, abutment, and abutment screw stresses and bone strain, decreased to 58%, 48%, 54%, and 70%, respectively. Variations in abutment screw size only significantly influenced abutment screw stress, and the maximum stress dissipation rates were 10% and 29% when the diameter was increased from 1.4 to 1.6 and 1.8 mm, respectively. We conclude that the unilateral implant neck wall thickness is the major design factor for the implant system and implant neck wall thickness in effectively decreasing implant, abutment, and abutment screw stresses and bone strain.
Arrangement of Live Human Cells through Acoustic Waves Generated by Piezoelectric Actuators for Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Serzanti Marialaura , Baù Marco , Demori Marco , Calamaio Serena , Cominelli Manuela , Poliani Pietro Luigi , Dell’Era Patrizia , Ferrari Marco , Ferrari Vittorio
Published: May 2020

In this paper, the possibility to steer and confine live human cells by means of acoustic waves, such as flexural plate waves (FPWs), generated by piezoelectric actuators applied to non-piezoelectric substrates, has been explored. A device with two lead zirconate titanate (PZT) actuators with an interdigital transducer (IDT) screen-printed on an alumina (Al2O3) substrate has been fabricated and tested. The experimental results show that, by exciting the actuators at their resonant frequencies, FPW modes are generated in the substrate. By exploiting the device, arrangements of cells on lines at frequency-dependent distances have been obtained. To maintain the alignment after switching off the actuator, cells were entrapped in a fibrin clot that was cultured for several days, enabling the formation of cellular patterns.
An Experimental–Numerical Approach for Modelling the Mechanical Behaviour of a Pneumatic Tyre for Agricultural Machines
Authors: Anifantis Alexandros Sotirios , Cutini Maurizio , Bietresato Marco
Published: May 2020

The mechanical behaviour of an agricultural tyre is a matter of extreme interest as it is related to the comfort of operators, to the adherence of agricultural machines, and to the compaction of agricultural soil. Moreover, the deformability of the tyres plays a fundamental role in vehicle stability in terms of side rollover. The behaviour of a loaded tyre during its deformation is complex, due to the combined contributions of the carcass components, the tread rubber and the air contained within it. Therefore, this study proposes an experimental–numerical approach for the mechanical characterization of agricultural tyres based on real-scale experiments and matches these results with a finite-element (FE) model. The tyre flattening in the elastic field has been described using two coefficients (Young’s modulus “E”, Poisson’s ratio “ν”), whose values have been identified with an iterative FEM procedure. The proposed approach was applied to two different tyres (420/85 R24 and 460/85 R34), each one inflated at two different pressures (1.0 bar and 1.6 bar). Young’s modulus was appreciated to be highly variable with the inflation pressure “p” of the tyres. Furthermore, the response surface methodology was applied to find two mathematical regression models, useful for studying the variations of the tyre footprint dimensions according to the type of tyre. This simple approach can be applied in other simulations without suffering any loss of accuracy in the description of the phenomenon.
A Review of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Its Association with Age, Body Mass Index, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Hand Dominance, and Sex
Authors: Cazares-Manríquez Melissa Airem , Wilson Claudia Camargo , Vardasca Ricardo , García-Alcaraz Jorge Luis , Olguín-Tiznado Jesús Everardo , López-Barreras Juan Andrés , García-Rivera Blanca Rosa
Published: May 2020

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common compressive, canalicular neuropathies of the upper extremities, causing hand pain and impaired function. CTS results from compression or injury of the median nerve at the wrist within the confines of the carpal tunnel. Parameters such as age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) could be risk factors for CTS. This research work aimed to review the existing literature regarding the relationship between CTS and possible risk factors, such as age, sex, BMI, dominant hand, abdominal circumference, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and cardiac rate to determine which ones are the most influential, and therefore, take them into account in subsequent applied research in the manufacturing industry. We performed a literature search in the PubMed, EBSCO, and ScienceDirect databases using the following keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome AND (age OR sex OR BMI OR handedness OR abdominal circumference OR respiratory rate OR blood pressure OR cardiac rate). We chose 72 articles by analyzing the literature found based on selection criteria. We concluded that CTS is associated with age, female sex, and high BMI. Trends and future challenges have been proposed to delve into the relationship between risk factors and CTS, such as correlation studies on pain reduction, analysis of weight changes to predict the severity of this pathology, and its influence on clinical treatments.
Development of In-Situ Poled Nanofiber Based Flexible Piezoelectric Nanogenerators for Self-Powered Motion Monitoring
Authors: Kim Minjung , Kaliannagounder Vignesh Krishnamoorthi , Unnithan Afeesh Rajan , Park Chan Hee , Kim Cheol Sang , Ramachandra Kurup Sasikala Arathyram
Published: May 2020

Energy harvesting technologies have found significant importance over the past decades due to the increasing demand of energy and self-powered design of electronic and implantable devices. Herein, we demonstrate the design and application of in situ poled highly flexible piezoelectric poly vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) graphene oxide (GO) hybrid nanofibers in aligned mode for multifaceted applications from locomotion sensors to self-powered motion monitoring. Here we exploited the simplest and most versatile method, called electrospinning, to fabricate the in situ poled nanofibers by transforming non-polar α-phase of PVDF to polar β- phase structures for enhanced piezoelectricity under high bias voltage. The flexible piezoelectric device fabricated using the aligned mode generates an improved output voltage of 2.1 V at a uniform force of 12 N. The effective piezoelectric transduction exhibited by the proposed system was tested for its multiple efficacies as a locomotion detector, bio-e-skin, smart chairs and so on.
Effect of Functional Superplasticizers on Concrete Strength and Pore Structure
Authors: Xun Wuju , Wu Changlong , Leng Xuefei , Li Jiye , Xin Desheng , Li Yang
Published: May 2020

The current work investigates the fluidity and the loss of the flow rate of cement paste and mortar over time, as well as the pore structure and compressive strength of concrete and mortar in the presence of functional polycarboxylic acid high-performance water-reducing agents. The hydration rate, hydration products, and pore structure of the concrete containing different functional polycarboxylic acid superplasticizers were analyzed by means of mercury intrusion test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that water-reducing agent Z significantly improves the pore structure of concrete and further compacts the structure of concrete and mortar, thereby improving the compressive strength of concrete. Moreover, the shorter side chains and ester functional groups in the structure of water-reducing agent H can slow down cement hydration rate, which lowers the early strength of mortar; nevertheless, at later stages, the pore structure of the concrete and mortar including superplasticizer H is less different from that of the concrete and mortar containing polycarboxylic acid water-reducing agents. Water-reducing agent J performs best but has a weaker effect on the pore structure of concrete and mortar compared to superplasticizer Z; it is also better than naphthalene-based water-reducing agents.
Wine Industry’s Attitude towards Oenological Yeasts: Italy as a Case Study
Authors: Fracassetti Daniela , Massaglia Stefano , Viberti Andrea , Motta Giulia , Foschino Roberto , Vigentini Ileana
Published: May 2020

Yeast inoculation is a widespread practice in winemaking in order to control the must fermentation. However, the use of indigenous wine yeasts can enrich wine quality and differentiate wine styles. Yeast cream preparation (CRY), recently accepted by the International Organization of Vine and Wine, could allow an easier usage of autochthonous yeasts. This work aimed at investigating the actual Italian wine industry’s attitude towards the available formulations of commercial wine yeasts with attention to CRY. Moreover, this study evaluated the perception of wineries toward indigenous yeasts in both winemaking and marketing viewpoints. Data show different levels of knowledge and use about the available yeast formulations. In general, there is not a predominantly positive or negative participants’ opinion regarding the use of indigenous yeasts. Wineries using CRY (4% of the sample) mainly adopt them as a part of the production in order to compare the wines with the ones traditionally obtained with commercial yeasts. CRY is perceived by some interviewees as a potential tool to increase communication and product differentiation. This survey could have anticipated future trends in the use of yeast formulations, determined by the market demands for diversified, unique, and environmentally sustainable products, that can allow an accessible application of precision enology.
Rigosertib-Activated JNK1/2 Eliminate Tumor Cells through p66Shc Activation
Authors: Günther Julia K. , Nikolajevic Aleksandar , Ebner Susanne , Troppmair Jakob , Khalid Sana
Published: May 2020

Rigosertib, via reactive oxygen species (ROS), stimulates cJun N-terminal kinases 1/2 (JNK1/2), which inactivate RAS/RAF signaling and thereby inhibit growth and survival of tumor cells. JNK1/2 are not only regulated by ROS—they in turn can also control ROS production. The prooxidant and cell death function of p66Shc requires phosphorylation by JNK1/2. Here, we provide evidence that establishes p66Shc, an oxidoreductase, as a JNK1/2 effector downstream of Rigosertib-induced ROS production, DNA damage, and cell death. This may provide a common pathway for suppression of tumor cell growth by Rigosertib.
De-Escalation by Reversing the Escalation with a Stronger Synergistic Package of Contact Tracing, Quarantine, Isolation and Personal Protection: Feasibility of Preventing a COVID-19 Rebound in Ontario, Canada, as a Case Study
Authors: Tang Biao , Scarabel Francesca , Bragazzi Nicola Luigi , McCarthy Zachary , Glazer Michael , Xiao Yanyu , Heffernan Jane M. , Asgary Ali , Ogden Nicholas Hume , Wu Jianhong
Published: May 2020

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, most Canadian provinces have gone through four distinct phases of social distancing and enhanced testing. A transmission dynamics model fitted to the cumulative case time series data permits us to estimate the effectiveness of interventions implemented in terms of the contact rate, probability of transmission per contact, proportion of isolated contacts, and detection rate. This allows us to calculate the control reproduction number during different phases (which gradually decreased to less than one). From this, we derive the necessary conditions in terms of enhanced social distancing, personal protection, contact tracing, quarantine/isolation strength at each escalation phase for the disease control to avoid a rebound. From this, we quantify the conditions needed to prevent epidemic rebound during de-escalation by simply reversing the escalation process.
C-Methylation of S-adenosyl-L-Methionine Occurs Prior to Cyclopropanation in the Biosynthesis of 1-Amino-2-Methylcyclopropanecarboxylic Acid (Norcoronamic Acid) in a Bacterium
Authors: Maruyama Chitose , Chinone Yukiko , Sato Shusuke , Kudo Fumitaka , Ohsawa Kosuke , Kubota Junya , Hashimoto Junko , Kozone Ikuko , Doi Takayuki , Shin-ya Kazuo , Eguchi Tadashi , Hamano Yoshimitsu
Published: May 2020

Many pharmacologically important peptides are bacterial or fungal in origin and contain nonproteinogenic amino acid (NPA) building blocks. Recently, it was reported that, in bacteria, a cyclopropane-containing NPA 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid (ACC) is produced from the L-methionine moiety of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) by non-canonical ACC-forming enzymes. On the other hand, it has been suggested that a monomethylated ACC analogue, 2-methyl-ACC (MeACC), is derived from L-valine. Therefore, we have investigated the MeACC biosynthesis by identifying a gene cluster containing bacterial MeACC synthase genes. In this gene cluster, we identified two genes, orf29 and orf30, which encode a cobalamin (B12)-dependent radical SAM methyltransferase and a bacterial ACC synthase, respectively, and were found to be involved in the MeACC biosynthesis. In vitro analysis using their recombinant enzymes (rOrf29 and rOrf30) further revealed that the ACC structure of MeACC was derived from the L-methionine moiety of SAM, rather than L-valine. In addition, rOrf29 was found to catalyze the C-methylation of the L-methionine moiety of SAM. The resulting methylated derivative of SAM was then converted into MeACC by rOrf30. Thus, we demonstrate that C-methylation of SAM occurs prior to cyclopropanation in the biosynthesis of a bacterial MeACC (norcoronamic acid).
Exploitation of Lactic Acid Bacteria and Baker’s Yeast as Single or Multiple Starter Cultures of Wheat Flour Dough Enriched with Soy Flour
Authors: Teleky Bernadette-Emőke , Martău Adrian Gheorghe , Ranga Floricuța , Chețan Felicia , Vodnar Dan C.
Published: May 2020

Sourdough fermentation presents several advantageous effects in bread making, like improved nutritional quality and increased shelf life. Three types of experiments aimed to evaluate comparatively the efficiency of two Lactobacillus (Lb.) strains, Lb. plantarum ATCC 8014 and Lb. casei ATCC 393, to metabolize different white wheat flour and soybeans flour combinations to compare their efficiency, together with/without Saccharomyces cerevisiae on sourdough fermentation. For this purpose, the viability, pH, organic acids, and secondary metabolites production were investigated, together with the dynamic rheological properties of the sourdough. During sourdough fermentation, LAB presented higher growth, and the pH decreased significantly from above pH 6 at 0 h to values under 4 at 24 h for each experiment. Co-cultures of LAB and yeast produced a higher quantity of lactic acid than single cultures, especially in sourdough enriched with soy-flour. In general, sourdoughs displayed a stable, elastic-like behavior, and the incorporation of soy-flour conferred higher elasticity in comparison with sourdoughs without soy-flour. The higher elasticity of sourdoughs enriched with soy-flour can be attributed to the fact that through frozen storage, soy proteins have better water holding capacity. In conclusion, sourdough supplemented with 10% soy-flour had better rheological properties, increased lactic, acetic, and citric acid production.
Neurophysiological and Neurochemical Effects of the Putative Cognitive Enhancer (S)-CE-123 on Mesocorticolimbic Dopamine System
Authors: Sagheddu Claudia , Pintori Nicholas , Kalaba Predrag , Dragačević Vladimir , Piras Gessica , Lubec Jana , Simola Nicola , De Luca Maria Antonietta , Lubec Gert , Pistis Marco
Published: May 2020

Treatments for cognitive impairments associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or narcolepsy, aim at modulating extracellular dopamine levels in the brain. CE-123 (5-((benzhydrylsulfinyl)methyl) thiazole) is a novel modafinil analog with improved specificity and efficacy for dopamine transporter inhibition that improves cognitive and motivational processes in experimental animals. We studied the neuropharmacological and behavioral effects of the S-enantiomer of CE-123 ((S)-CE-123) and R-modafinil in cognitive- and reward-related brain areas of adult male rats. In vivo single unit recordings in anesthetized animals showed that (S)-CE-123, but not R-modafinil, dose-dependently (1.25 to 10 mg/kg i.v.) reduced firing of pyramidal neurons in the infralimbic/prelimbic (IL/PrL) cortex. Neither compound the affected firing activity of ventral tegmental area dopamine cells. In freely moving animals, (S)-CE-123 (10 mg/kg i.p.) increased extracellular dopamine levels in the IL/PrL, with different patterns when compared to R-modafinil (10 mg/kg i.p.); in the nucleus accumbens shell, a low and transitory increase of dopamine was observed only after (S)-CE-123. Neither (S)-CE-123 nor R-modafinil initiated the emission of 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations, a behavioral marker of positive affect and drug-mediated reward. Our data support previous reports of the procognitive effects of (S)-CE-123, and show a minor impact on reward-related dopaminergic areas.
Metformin: Sentinel of the Epigenetic Landscapes That Underlie Cell Fate and Identity
Authors: Menendez Javier A.
Published: May 2020

The biguanide metformin is the first drug to be tested as a gerotherapeutic in the clinical trial TAME (Targeting Aging with Metformin). The current consensus is that metformin exerts indirect pleiotropy on core metabolic hallmarks of aging, such as the insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 and AMP-activated protein kinase/mammalian Target Of Rapamycin signaling pathways, downstream of its primary inhibitory effect on mitochondrial respiratory complex I. Alternatively, but not mutually exclusive, metformin can exert regulatory effects on components of the biologic machinery of aging itself such as chromatin-modifying enzymes. An integrative metabolo-epigenetic outlook supports a new model whereby metformin operates as a guardian of cell identity, capable of retarding cellular aging by preventing the loss of the information-theoretic nature of the epigenome. The ultimate anti-aging mechanism of metformin might involve the global preservation of the epigenome architecture, thereby ensuring cell fate commitment and phenotypic outcomes despite the challenging effects of aging noise. Metformin might therefore inspire the development of new gerotherapeutics capable of preserving the epigenome architecture for cell identity. Such gerotherapeutics should replicate the ability of metformin to halt the erosion of the epigenetic landscape, mitigate the loss of cell fate commitment, delay stochastic/environmental DNA methylation drifts, and alleviate cellular senescence. Yet, it remains a challenge to confirm if regulatory changes in higher-order genomic organizers can connect the capacity of metformin to dynamically regulate the three-dimensional nature of epigenetic landscapes with the 4th dimension, the aging time.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Anti-diabetic Activity of Some Novel Vanadium-Folate-Amino Acid Materials
Authors: M. Naglah Ahmed , Al-Omar Mohamed A. , Almehizia Abdulrahman A. , Obaidullah Ahmad J. , Bhat Mashooq A. , Kalmouch Atef , Al-Wasidi Asma S. , Al-Humaidi Jehan Y. , Refat Moamen S.
Published: May 2020

A new six intraperitoneal injections insulin-mimetic vanadyl(IV) compounds [(VO)(FA)(AAn)] (where n = 1–6: AA1 = isoleucine, AA2 = threonine, AA3 = proline, AA4 = phenylalanine, AA5 = lysine, and AA6 = glutamine) were synthesized by the chemical reactions between folic acid (FA), VOSO4, and amino acids (AAn) with equal molar ratio 1:1:1 in neutralized media. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and estimation of vanadyl(IV) metal ions. The thermal stability behavior of these complexes was studied by TG-DTG-DTA analyses. The structures of these complexes were elucidated by spectroscopic methods like infrared, electron spin resonance (ESR), and solid reflectance spectroscopes. The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) study suggested the crystalline nature of the complexes. Magnetic moments and electronic spectra revealed the square-pyramid geometrical structure of the complexes. The conductivity results refereed that all synthesized vanadyl(IV) complexes were of a non-electrolyte behavior. The infrared spectra assignments of these complexes revealed that the FAH2 and AAn chelates act as a bidentate ligation. The chelation towards vanadyl (IV) ions existed via deprotonation of one of the carboxylic groups of FAH2 drug ligand, and so amino acids act as bidentate ligands via N-amino and O-carboxylate groups. Both scanning and transmission electron microscope (SEM and TEM) techniques were used to investigate the surface morphology. The main task of this research is the aim of designing a new insulin alternative antidiabetic drug agent. The antidiabetic efficiency of these complexes was evaluated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male albino rats. Liver and kidney functions, insulin and blood glucose levels, lipid profile, and superoxide dismutase antioxidant (SOD) are verified identifiers for the efficiency of VO(IV)/FA/AAn system compounds as antidiabetic drug agents.
snoRNPs: Functions in Ribosome Biogenesis
Authors: Ojha Sandeep , Malla Sulochan , Lyons Shawn M.
Published: May 2020

Ribosomes are perhaps the most critical macromolecular machine as they are tasked with carrying out protein synthesis in cells. They are incredibly complex structures composed of protein components and heavily chemically modified RNAs. The task of assembling mature ribosomes from their component parts consumes a massive amount of energy and requires greater than 200 assembly factors. Among the most critical of these are small nucleolar ribonucleoproteins (snoRNPs). These are small RNAs complexed with diverse sets of proteins. As suggested by their name, they localize to the nucleolus, the site of ribosome biogenesis. There, they facilitate multiple roles in ribosomes biogenesis, such as pseudouridylation and 2′-O-methylation of ribosomal (r)RNA, guiding pre-rRNA processing, and acting as molecular chaperones. Here, we reviewed their activity in promoting the assembly of ribosomes in eukaryotes with regards to chemical modification and pre-rRNA processing.
Enabling Biomimetic Place-Based Design at Scale
Authors: Hayes Samantha , Toner Jane , Desha Cheryl , Gibbs Mark
Published: May 2020

Amidst the inter-related challenges of climate change, resource scarcity, and population growth, the built environment must be designed in a way that recognises its role in shaping and being shaped by complex social and ecological systems. This includes avoiding the degradation of living systems in the design and construction of buildings and infrastructure, as well as enhancing the built environment’s resilience to disturbance by those systems. This paper explores the potential for biomimetic place-based design (BPD) to inform resilient and regenerative built environment outcomes by learning from local ecosystems. One recognised hurdle is the upfront resourcing required to establish the biomimetic knowledge base for each project. However, conducting BPD projects at-scale (i.e., city or region) can improve the method’s value-proposition by better leveraging upfront research efforts, design concepts, and strategies. This research identifies existing barriers to the widespread adoption of BPD and presents an action framework for capability-building across industry, government, and academia to enable application at-scale. Drawing on findings from workshops in the USA and Australia, it creates a resource for colleagues looking to apply BPD in a city or region and offers next steps for research and development.
Composite Magnetic Sorbents Based on Iron Oxides in Different Polymer Matrices: Comparison and Application for Removal of Strontium
Authors: Egorin Andrei , Tokar Eduard , Matskevich Anna , Ivanov Nikita , Tkachenko Ivan , Sokolnitskaya Tatiana , Zemskova Larisa
Published: May 2020

Introduction of magnetic nanoparticles into composite sorbents based on polymer matrices has received great attention due to the possibility of using cheap iron oxides and removing spent sorbents by means of magnetic separation. In the present paper, we discuss the problem of creating magnetic sorbents using two types of matrices as host materials: synthetic cation exchange resin and natural aminopolysaccharide chitosan. The possibilities of applying matrices for the in situ formation of oxide phases of a specified composition with the required content of an inorganic component in a composite material were estimated. The composition of the oxide phase formed in the composite material was studied, and particle sizes were evaluated by the method of X-ray diffraction analysis. Magnetic characteristics were investigated. Sorption characteristics with respect to strontium for the composites containing iron oxides were determined.
An Evolutionary Marker of the Ribokinase Superfamily Is Responsible for Zinc-Mediated Regulation of Human Pyridoxal Kinase
Authors: Ramírez-Sarmiento César A. , Engelberger Felipe , Guixé Victoria
Published: May 2020

The ribokinase superfamily catalyzes the phosphorylation of a vast diversity of substrates, and its members are characterized by the conservation of a common structural fold along with highly conserved sequence motifs responsible for phosphoryl transfer (GXGD) and stabilization of the metal-nucleotide complex (NXXE). Recently, a third motif (HXE) exclusive from ADP-dependent enzymes was identified, with its glutamic acid participating in water-mediated interactions with the metal-nucleotide complex and in stabilization of the ternary complex during catalysis. In this work, we bioinformatically determine that the aspartic acid of another motif (DPV), exclusively found in hydroxyethyl thiazole (THZK), hydroxymethyl pyrimidine (HMPK) and pyridoxal kinases (PLK), is structurally equivalent to the acidic residue in the HXE motif. Moreover, this residue is highly conserved among all ribokinase superfamily members. To determine whether the functional role of the DPV motif is similar to the HXE motif, we employed molecular dynamics simulations using crystal structures of phosphoryl donor substrate-complexed THZK and PLK, showing that its aspartic acid participated in water-mediated or direct interactions with the divalent metal of the metal-nucleotide complex. Lastly, enzyme kinetic assays on human PLK, an enzyme that utilizes zinc, showed that site-directed mutagenesis of the aspartic acid from the DPV motif abolishes the inhibition of this enzyme by increasing free zinc concentrations. Altogether, our results highlight that the DPV and HXE motifs are evolutionary markers of the functional and structural divergence of the ribokinase superfamily and evidence the role of the DPV motif in the interaction with both free and nucleotide-complexed divalent metals in the binding site of these enzymes.
TiO2 and Active Coated Glass Photodegradation of Ibuprofen
Authors: Khalaf Samer , Shoqeir Jawad H. , Lelario Filomena , Bufo Sabino A. , Karaman Rafik , Scrano Laura
Published: May 2020

Commercial non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are considered as toxic to the environment since they induce side effects when consumed by humans or aquatic life. Ibuprofen is a member of the NSAID family and is widely used as an anti-inflammatory and painkiller agent. Photolysis is a potentially important method of degradation for several emerging contaminants, and individual compounds can undergo photolysis to various degrees, depending on their chemical structure. The efficiency oftitanium dioxide (TiO2) and photocatalysis was investigated for the removal of ibuprofen from the aquatic environment, and the performance of these different processes was evaluated. In heterogeneous photocatalysis, two experiments were carried out using TiO2 as (i) dispersed powder, and (ii) TiO2 immobilized on the active surface of commercial coated glass. The kinetics of each photoreaction was determined, and the identification of the photoproducts was carried out by liquid chromatography coupled with Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (LC-FTICR MS). The overall results suggest that the TiO2 active thin layer immobilized on the glass substrate can avoid recovery problems related to the use of TiO2 powder in heterogeneous photocatalysis and may be a promising tool toward protecting the environment from emerging contaminants such as ibuprofen and its derivatives.
Functional Characterization of Neurofilament Light Splicing and Misbalance in Zebrafish
Authors: Demy Doris Lou , Campanari Maria Letizia , Munoz-Ruiz Raphael , Durham Heather D. , Gentil Benoit J. , Kabashi Edor
Published: May 2020

Neurofilaments (NFs), a major cytoskeletal component of motor neurons, play a key role in the differentiation, establishment and maintenance of their morphology and mechanical strength. The de novo assembly of these neuronal intermediate filaments requires the presence of the neurofilament light subunit (NEFL), whose expression is reduced in motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study used zebrafish as a model to characterize the NEFL homologue neflb, which encodes two different isoforms via a splicing of the primary transcript (neflbE4 and neflbE3). In vivo imaging showed that neflb is crucial for proper neuronal development, and that disrupting the balance between its two isoforms specifically affects the NF assembly and motor axon growth, with resultant motor deficits. This equilibrium is also disrupted upon the partial depletion of TDP-43 (TAR DNA-binding protein 43), an RNA-binding protein encoded by the gene TARDBP that is mislocalized into cytoplasmic inclusions in ALS. The study supports the interaction of the NEFL expression and splicing with TDP-43 in a common pathway, both biologically and pathogenetically.
Large Eddy Simulation of Wind Flow over A Realistic Urban Area
Authors: Kirkil Gokhan , Lin Ching-Long
Published: May 2020

A high-resolution large eddy simulation (LES) of wind flow over the Oklahoma City downtown area was performed to explain the effect of the building height on wind flow over the city. Wind flow over cities is vital for pedestrian and traffic comfort as well as urban heat effects. The average southerly wind speed of eight meters per second was used in the inflow section. It was found that heights and distribution of the buildings have the greatest impact on the wind flow patterns. The complexity of the flow field mainly depended on the location of buildings relative to each other and their heights. A strong up and downflows in the wake of tall buildings as well as large-scale coherent eddies between the low-rise buildings were observed. It was found out that high-rise buildings had the highest impact on the urban wind patterns. Other characteristics of urban canopy flows, such as wind shadows and channeling effects, are also successfully captured by the LES. The LES solver was shown to be a powerful tool for understanding urban canopy flows; therefore, it can be used in similar studies (e.g., other cities, dispersion studies, etc.) in the future.
Rabbit Ear Membranes as an Interesting Alternative for Permeability Tests in the Preformulation Stages of Cosmetic Products
Authors: Benavides Estefania , Manjarres Sara , Salamanca Constain H. , Barrera-Ocampo Alvaro
Published: May 2020

In the pre-formulation stages of cosmetic products, in vitro permeability tests correspond to an important alternative for making better decisions regarding the stability, performance and biocompatibility of these products. Moreover, these tests allow us to establish whether a cosmetic ingredient can penetrate the different layers of the skin, which is essential in these products. This study was focused on the extraction, characterization and preservation of rabbit ear membranes and their subsequent performance comparison against two synthetic membranes (cellulose and Strat-MTM). For this, the rabbit ear stratum corneum was isolated and characterized histologically, using the Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining protocol along with light microscopy and image analysis. Then, the Frank diffusion cell (FC) model was employed to evaluate and compare the permeability of the model compound Naproxen sodium (NPX) between the three membrane systems. The results show that NPX permeability is strongly affected by the type of membrane, and the implementation of rabbit ear membranes shows high reproducibility, demonstrating that this model could be implemented during pre-formulation studies of cosmetic products.
Inonotus obliquus Extracts Decreased Expression of MMP1 mRNA via JNK-AP-1 Axis
Authors: Kim Young Joo , Cha Hwa Jun
Published: May 2020

Inonotus obliquus, which is parasitic on birch and other trees, is a fungus in the family Hymenochaetaceae. In this study, we investigated whether Inonotus obliquus extracts used in traditional medicine were decreased in the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1) in the normal human dermal fibroblasts. As shown in our results, extracts of Inonotus obliquus decreased MMP1 expression in oxidative stress-exposed normal human dermal fibroblasts. Additionally, Inonotus obliquus extracts decreased AP-1 transcriptional activity and phospho-JNK in oxidative stress-exposed normal human dermal fibroblasts. Oxidative stress mediated the elevation of MMP1 mRNA expression and was well regulated by the JNK-AP-1 axis. Therefore, the results suggest that Inonotus obliquus extracts decreased MMP1 mRNA expression by regulating JNK-AP-1 axis. Additionally, Inonotus obliquus extracts have the potential to reduce collagen destruction and the formation of wrinkles and to be used as a cosmetic ingredient.
The Over-Expression of E2F3 Might Serve as Prognostic Marker for Neuroblastoma Patients with Stage 4S Disease
Authors: Parodi Stefano , Ognibene Marzia , Haupt Riccardo , Pezzolo Annalisa
Published: May 2020

Stage 4S neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer occurring in infants (<12 months at diagnosis) with metastases limited to liver, skin, and bone marrow (<10%). It is associated with an excellent outcome, due to its notable ability to undergo spontaneous regression without any therapeutic intervention. However, a subgroup of patients is doomed to relapse and eventually to die in spite of aggressive therapies. Stage 4S neuroblastoma shows characteristic hypermethylation of genes involved in the telomere maintenance, indicating that the dysregulation of these genes might serve as prognostic marker. The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (RB)-E2F transcription factors pathway is one of the critical tumor-suppressor/oncogene pathways involved in regulating telomerase expression. We have interrogated in silicopublic neuroblastoma databases for regulators involved in the RB-E2F pathway especially for E2F factors themselves, and we identified the E2F transcription factor 3 (E2F3) expression as a potential prognostic marker in stage 4S neuroblastoma. In order to confirm this finding, we screened 38 paraffin-embedded tissue samples stage 4S neuroblastoma for E2F3 protein expression using immunofluorescence, and we observed that augmented expression was strongly associated with impaired event-free survival. These results indicate that E2F3 expression might serve as prognostic marker in patients with stage 4S disease.
Analysis of the Stochastic Population Model with Random Parameters
Authors: Noor Adeeb , Barnawi Ahmed , Nour Redhwan , Assiri Abdullah , El-Beltagy Mohamed
Published: May 2020

The population models allow for a better understanding of the dynamical interactions with the environment and hence can provide a way for understanding the population changes. They are helpful in studying the biological invasions, environmental conservation and many other applications. These models become more complicated when accounting for the stochastic and/or random variations due to different sources. In the current work, a spectral technique is suggested to analyze the stochastic population model with random parameters. The model contains mixed sources of uncertainties, noise and uncertain parameters. The suggested algorithm uses the spectral decompositions for both types of randomness. The spectral techniques have the advantages of high rates of convergence. A deterministic system is derived using the statistical properties of the random bases. The classical analytical and/or numerical techniques can be used to analyze the deterministic system and obtain the solution statistics. The technique presented in the current work is applicable to many complex systems with both stochastic and random parameters. It has the advantage of separating the contributions due to different sources of uncertainty. Hence, the sensitivity index of any uncertain parameter can be evaluated. This is a clear advantage compared with other techniques used in the literature.
On Relations Between the Relative Entropy and χ2-Divergence, Generalizations and Applications
Authors: Nishiyama Tomohiro , Sason Igal
Published: May 2020

The relative entropy and the chi-squared divergence are fundamental divergence measures in information theory and statistics. This paper is focused on a study of integral relations between the two divergences, the implications of these relations, their information-theoretic applications, and some generalizations pertaining to the rich class of f-divergences. Applications that are studied in this paper refer to lossless compression, the method of types and large deviations, strong data–processing inequalities, bounds on contraction coefficients and maximal correlation, and the convergence rate to stationarity of a type of discrete-time Markov chains.
Editorial: Networks Applied in Science Education Research
Authors: Koponen Ismo T. , Mäntylä Terhi
Published: May 2020

Science education research is, in many ways, involved with exploring relational aspects of diverse elements that affect students’ learning outcomes; at one end, the elements may be concepts to be learned, and at the other end, the relations between students in different types of learning settings and environments and, ultimately, how such elements may interact [...]