bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ABCC8 mRNA expression is an independent prognostic factor for glioma and can predict chemosensitivity
Authors: Zhou Kaijia , Liu Yanwei , Zhao Zheng , Wang Yinyuan , Huang Lijie , Chai Ruichao , Li Guanzhang , Jiang Tao
Published: July 2020

Glioma is the most common primary intracranial tumor and is associated with very low survival rates. The development of reliable biomarkers can help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in glioma development. Here the expression of ABCC8 mRNA, clinical characteristics, and survival information based on 1893 glioma samples from four independent databases were analyzed. The expression patterns of ABCC8 mRNA were compared by a Chi square test. The overall survival rate of gliomas was evaluated according to the expression level of ABCC8 mRNA. The prognostic value of this marker in gliomas was tested using Cox single factor and multi factor regression analyses. We found patients with low WHO grade, oligodendrocytoma, low molecular grade, IDH mutation, and 1p19q combined deletion had high ABCC8 mRNA expression. The patients with high expression of ABCC8 mRNA had longer survival. ABCC8 mRNA expression was a new independent prognostic index for glioma. Temozolomide chemotherapy was an independent index to prolong overall survival in high ABCC8 mRNA expression glioma patients, whereas in patients with low expression, there was no significant difference. So ABCC8 mRNA expression could be an independent prognostic indicator for glioma patients and could predict the sensitivity of glioma to temozolomide.
Single amino acid utilization for bacterial categorization
Authors: Liu Yi-Kai , Kuo Hung-Chih , Lai Chih-Ho , Chou Chi-Chung
Published: July 2020

Despite great advancement in genetic typing, phenotyping is still an indispensable tool for categorization of bacteria. Certain amino acids may be essential for bacterial survival, growth, pathogenicity or toxin production, which prompts the idea that the intrinsic ability to utilize single amino acid under live-or-die situation could be a basis for differentiation of bacteria species. In this study, we determined the single amino acid consumption profiles of 7 bacterial species, and demonstrated that most bacteria have species-specific pattern of amino acid consumption. We also discovered that bacterial strains from different hosts, toxigenicity, and antibiotic-resistance presented distinct preference for certain amino acids. Taken altogether, the amino acid consumption profiles showed potential to be a novel tool complementary to study not only bacterial categorization but also biochemical characteristics of the bacteria such that its phenotyping can be used to uncover strategies for nutritional, pharmaceutical, taxonomic, and evolutionary aspects of bacterial researches.
The potential role of peak nasal inspiratory flow to evaluate active sinonasal inflammation and disease severity
Authors: Araújo-Martins José , Brás-Geraldes Carlos , Neuparth Nuno
Published: July 2020

Although the pathophysiology of nasal polyposis is incompletely understood, rhinologists have seldom studied it with rhinomanometry or peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) due to technical limitations and the perception that polyp size might impair reproducibility and the usefulness of recordings. The objective of this study is to assess how measures of rhinomanometry and PNIF relate to disease activity. Nineteen patients with polyps, 15 patients with chronic sinusitis without polyps and 11 negative controls were evaluated with active anterior rhinomanometry and PNIF. Sinusitis and polyp patients were re-evaluated after medical treatment. Polyp patients had the highest median Lund-Mackay score (14) and a median Johansen score of 1. PNIF and its variation after treatment were also lowest in this group (median 90 L/min before and after treatment; median variation of 0 L/min). Nasal resistance was similar between groups, and only correlated with Johansen score (Spearman = 0.517, p = 0.048) after treatment. Our study suggests that evaluating polyp patients using rhinomanometry and PNIF may provide useful and reproducible data. Several findings considered together suggest that polyp size is not the main determinant of nasal functional changes in these patients, warranting further studies to verify whether PNIF changes reflect sinus inflammation or merely airway obstruction.
Electro-haptic stimulation enhances speech recognition in spatially separated noise for cochlear implant users
Authors: Fletcher Mark D. , Song Haoheng , Perry Samuel W.
Published: July 2020

Hundreds of thousands of profoundly hearing-impaired people perceive sounds through electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve using a cochlear implant (CI). However, CI users are often poor at understanding speech in noisy environments and separating sounds that come from different locations. We provided missing speech and spatial hearing cues through haptic stimulation to augment the electrical CI signal. After just 30 min of training, we found this “electro-haptic” stimulation substantially improved speech recognition in multi-talker noise when the speech and noise came from different locations. Our haptic stimulus was delivered to the wrists at an intensity that can be produced by a compact, low-cost, wearable device. These findings represent a significant step towards the production of a non-invasive neuroprosthetic that can improve CI users’ ability to understand speech in realistic noisy environments.
Three-dimensional bright-field microscopy with isotropic resolution based on multi-view acquisition and image fusion reconstruction
Authors: Calisesi Gianmaria , Candeo Alessia , Farina Andrea , D’Andrea Cosimo , Magni Vittorio , Valentini Gianluca , Pistocchi Anna , Costa Alex , Bassi Andrea
Published: July 2020

Optical Projection Tomography (OPT) is a powerful three-dimensional imaging technique used for the observation of millimeter-scaled biological samples, compatible with bright-field and fluorescence contrast. OPT is affected by spatially variant artifacts caused by the fact that light diffraction is not taken into account by the straight-light propagation models used for reconstruction. These artifacts hinder high-resolution imaging with OPT. In this work we show that, by using a multiview imaging approach, a 3D reconstruction of the bright-field contrast can be obtained without the diffraction artifacts typical of OPT, drastically reducing the amount of acquired data, compared to previously reported approaches. The method, purely based on bright-field contrast of the unstained sample, provides a comprehensive picture of the sample anatomy, as demonstrated in vivo on Arabidopsis thaliana and zebrafish embryos. Furthermore, this bright-field reconstruction can be implemented on practically any multi-view light-sheet fluorescence microscope without complex hardware modifications or calibrations, complementing the fluorescence information with tissue anatomy.
Synthesis of benzylidenemalononitrile by Knoevenagel condensation through monodisperse carbon nanotube-based NiCu nanohybrids
Authors: Zengin Nursefa , Burhan Hakan , Şavk Aysun , Göksu Haydar , Şen Fatih
Published: July 2020

Monodisperse nickel/copper nanohybrids (NiCu@MWCNT) based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were prepared for the Knoevenagel condensation of aryl and aliphatic aldehydes. The synthesis of these nanohybrids was carried out by the ultrasonic hydroxide assisted reduction method. NiCu@MWCNT nanohybrids were characterized by analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. According to characterization results, NiCu@MWCNT showed that these nanohybrids form highly uniform, crystalline, monodisperse, colloidally stable NiCu@MWCNT nanohybrids were successfully synthesized. Thereafter, a model reaction was carried out to obtain benzylidenemalononitrile derivatives using NiCu@MWCNT as a catalyst, and showed high catalytic performance under mild conditions over 10–180 min.
Preparation of efficient photothermal materials from waste coffee grounds for solar evaporation and water purification
Authors: Wang Chih-Feng , Wu Chih-Lin , Kuo Shiao-Wei , Hung Wei-Song , Lee Kuo-Jung , Tsai Hsieh-Chih , Chang Chi-Jung , Lai Juin-Yih
Published: July 2020

Effective water use is currently a critical global challenge needed to prevent water shortages and has attracted significant research attention. The realization of solar-driven water evaporation by using effective converters has attracted considerable attention in recent years owing to its potential for seawater desalination and wastewater treatment. Consequently, this paper proposes a simple two-step method to prepare low-cost and self-floating photothermal converters from waste coffee grounds. First, the coffee grounds were carbonized at 1,000 °C to develop broadband absorption, and the carbonized coffee grounds were modified using hydrophobic silane to enhance the water-floatation property of the grounds. The prepared hydrophobic carbonized coffee grounds exhibited good performance for desalination and water purification under sunlight irradiation. The self-floatation ability, low cost, well solar evaporation performance, and easy preparation contribute to the promising potential of using hydrophobic carbonized coffee grounds infuture steps toward eco-friendly desalination procedures.
Degradation-by-design: how chemical functionalization enhances the biodegradability and safety of 2D materials
Authors: Ma Baojin , Martín Cristina , Kurapati Rajendra , Bianco Alberto
Published: July 2020

A large number of graphene and other 2D materials are currently explored for the development of new technologies. The assessment of their biodegradability is one of the fundamental aspects for their safe application.
Chemically robust succinimide-group-assisted irreversible bonding of poly(dimethylsiloxane)–thermoplastic microfluidic devices at room temperature
Authors: Sivakumar Rajamanickam , Lee Nae Yoon
Published: July 2020

This study investigates surface chemical modification using anhydride silane and amino silane reagents at room temperature (RT) to realize bonding between silicon-based PDMS and non-silicon thermoplastics.
Assessment of human plasma and urine sample preparation for reproducible and high-throughput UHPLC-MS clinical metabolic phenotyping
Authors: Southam Andrew D. , Haglington Liam D. , Najdekr Lukáš , Jankevics Andris , Weber Ralf J. M. , Dunn Warwick B.
Published: July 2020

In this study we assess multiple sample preparation methods for UHPLC-MS metabolic phenotyping analysis of human urine and plasma. All methods are discussed in terms of metabolite and lipid coverage and reproducibility.
Bioinspired β-glucan microcapsules deliver FK506 to lymph nodes for treatment of cardiac allograft acute rejection
Authors: Wu Ya , Jin Qiaofeng , Chen Yihan , Li Huiling , Deng Cheng , Sun Zhenxing , Li Yuman , Wang Bin , Li He , Wu Chun , Zhang Li , Xie Mingxing
Published: July 2020

Delivering FK506 into lymph nodes by biomimetic β-glucan microcapsules can improve efficacy/safety ratio of FK506 and prolong cardiac allograft survival.
Synthesis, photoluminescence properties and sensing applications of luminescent sulfur nanodots
Authors: Shi Yu-e , Zhang Peng , Yang Daqing , Wang Zhenguang
Published: July 2020

This review systematically introduces the synthesis methods, characterization, PL mechanisms and some typical applications of S-dots in chemical sensing.
Correction: Diminishing accessibility of electrophilic nickel(ii) centres due to incorporation of a methylene spacer in the pendant side arm of a series of heterotrinuclear nickel(ii)/sodium complexes: a DFT study using a homodesmotic equation
Authors: Bhaumik Prasanta Kumar , Banerjee Abhisek , Dutta Tamal , Chatterjee Sudipta , Frontera Antonio , Chattopadhyay Shouvik
Published: July 2020

Correction for ‘Diminishing accessibility of electrophilic nickel(ii) centres due to incorporation of a methylene spacer in the pendant side arm of a series of heterotrinuclear nickel(ii)/sodium complexes: a DFT study using a homodesmotic equation’ by Prasanta Kumar Bhaumik et al., CrystEngComm, 2020, 22, 2970–2977, DOI: 10.1039/D0CE00251H.
Free electron laser infrared action spectroscopy of nitrous oxide binding to platinum clusters, Ptn(N2O)+
Authors: Meizyte Gabriele , Green Alice E. , Gentleman Alexander S. , Schaller Sascha , Schöllkopf Wieland , Fielicke André , Mackenzie Stuart R
Published: July 2020

Infrared multiple-photon dissociation spectroscopy has been applied to study Ptn(N2O)+ (n = 1–8) clusters which represent entrance-channel complexes on the reactive potential energy surface for nitrous oxide decomposition on platinum.
Quantum state and surface-site-resolved studies of methane chemisorption by vibrational spectroscopies
Authors: Gutiérrez-González Ana , Beck Rainer D.
Published: July 2020

Infrared spectroscopic methods enable quantum-state-specific and surface-site-selective studies of methane chemisorption on stepped platinum surfaces.
Palladium aminopyridine complexes catalyzed selective benzylic C–H oxidations with peracetic acid
Authors: Lubov Dmitry P. , Lyakin Oleg Yu. , Samsonenko Denis G. , Rybalova Tatyana V. , Talsi Evgenii P. , Bryliakov Konstantin P.
Published: July 2020

Palladium complexes with tripodal ligands of the tpa family efficiently catalyze benzylic C–H oxidation of various substrates with peracetic acid, affording the corresponding ketones in high yields (up to 100%), at <1 mol% catalyst loadings.
Correction: Wet chemical epitaxial growth of a cactus-like CuFeO2/ZnO heterojunction for improved photocatalysis
Authors: Jiang Tengfei , Xu Cong , Zhang Yihan , Xue Huaiguo , Tian Jingqi
Published: July 2020

Correction for ‘Wet chemical epitaxial growth of a cactus-like CuFeO2/ZnO heterojunction for improved photocatalysis’ by Tengfei Jiang, et al., Dalton Trans., 2020, DOI: 10.1039/d0dt01813a.
Correction: Copper(ii) l/d-valine-(1,10-phen) complexes target human telomeric G-quadruplex motifs and promote site-specific DNA cleavage and cellular cytotoxicity
Authors: Arjmand Farukh , Sharma Surbhi , Parveen Sabiha , Toupet Loic , Yu Zhen , Cowan James Allan
Published: July 2020

Correction for ‘Copper(ii) l/d-valine-(1,10-phen) complexes target human telomeric G-quadruplex motifs and promote site-specific DNA cleavage and cellular cytotoxicity’ by Farukh Arjmand et al., Dalton Trans., 2020, 49, 9888–9899, DOI: 10.1039/d0dt01527j.
Prolonging the antibacterial activity of nanosilver-coated membranes through partial sulfidation
Authors: Barrios Ana C. , Carrillo Dianne , Waag Tyson R. , Rice Douglas , Bi Yuqiang , Islam Rafiqul , Perreault François
Published: July 2020

Silver sulfidation in nanosilver-coated membranes slows down silver release and increase biofouling resistance without affecting the membrane's functionality.
PLGA-nanoparticles loaded with a thiosemicarbazone derived palladium(ii) complex as a potential agent to new formulations for human ovarian carcinoma treatment
Authors: Oliveira Carolina G. , Dalmolin Luciana F. , Silva R. T. C. , Lopez Renata F. V. , Maia Pedro I. S. , Moreto Jéferson A.
Published: July 2020

The encapsulation process of the PdII complex [PdCl(PPh3)(PrCh)], a promising cytotoxic agent on ovarian cancer cells, in PLGA polymer was studied. The cytotoxicity results showed that the formulation led to a significant reduction of the ovarian cell viability (80% at 1 μM).
Recurrent π–π stacking motifs in three new 4,5-dihydropyrazolyl–thiazole–coumarin hybrids: X-ray characterization, Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT calculations
Authors: Madni Murtaza , Ahmed Muhammad Naeem , Hafeez Muhammad , Ashfaq Muhammad , Tahir Muhammad Nawaz , Gil Diego M. , Galmés Bartomeu , Hameed Shahid , Frontera Antonio
Published: July 2020

Two different π–π stacking modes are described, studied and characterized in the crystal structures of 4,5-dihydropyrazolyl–thiazole–coumarin hybrids, including a partial aliphatic ring.
Glycosylation with ulosonates under Mitsunobu conditions: scope and limitations
Authors: Kánya Nándor , Kun Sándor , Batta Gyula , Somsák László
Published: July 2020

Mitsunobu reactions on highly hindered tertiary type hydroxy groups of ulosonates: from 47 NuH compounds O-, N-, and S-nucleophiles gave the corresponding ulosidonates in 30–78% yields, while C-nucleophiles were unreactive.
Lipase immobilization on UiO-66/poly(vinylidene fluoride) hybrid membranes and active catalysis in the vegetable oil hydrolysis
Authors: Zhu Fenfen , Xu Wei , Li Xiao , Meng Hao , Han Yide , Wu Junbiao , Xu Junli , Xu Yan , Zhang Xia
Published: July 2020

This is the first report in which UiO-66/PVDF hybrid membranes with high immobilization efficiency for lipase were constructed.
Unprecedented random lasing in 2D organolead halide single-crystalline perovskite microrods
Authors: Roy Pradip Kumar , Ulaganathan Rajesh Kumar , Raghavan Chinnambedu Murugesan , Mhatre Swapnil Milind , Lin Hung-I , Chen Wei-Liang , Chang Yu-Ming , Rozhin Alex , Hsu Yun-Tzu , Chen Yang-Fang , Sankar Raman , Chou Fang-Cheng , Liang Chi-Te
Published: July 2020

Low threshold random lasing was observed in a millimeter-sized 2D single-crystalline perovskite microrod. The lower value of the threshold can be attributed to the strong light confinement, long mean free path and large exciton binding energy.
A sinter-resistant catalytic system based on ultra-small Ni–Cu nanoparticles encapsulated in Ca–SiO2for high-performance ethanol steam reforming
Authors: Dai Rong , Zheng Ziliang , Lian Chenshuai , Shi Kai , Wu Xu , An Xia , Xie Xianmei
Published: July 2020

The core@shell Ni–Cu@CS nanocatalyst synthesizedviaa reverse micelle system exhibited an excellent anti-sintering performance, while the unique characteristics of its shell suppress carbon deposition in the ESR reaction.
“Clickable” bacterial poly(γ-glutamic acid)
Authors: Cedrati Valeria , Pacini Aurora , Nitti Andrea , Martínez de Ilarduya Antxon , Muñoz-Guerra Sebastián , Sanyal Amitav , Pasini Dario
Published: July 2020

The controlled functionalization of bacterial γ-PGA is realized through sonication, solubilization using quaternary ammonium salts and click chemistry.
Environmental occurrence and risk assessment of haloacetic acids in swimming pool water and drinking water
Authors: Zhao Huihui , Yang Linyan , Li Yejin , Xue Weibo , Li Kai , Xie Yingqi , Meng Shujuan , Cao Guomin
Published: July 2020

Environmental occurrence, statistical correlation, and human exposure of haloacetic acids in swimming pool water and drinking water were systematically investigated.
Biomimetic peptide enriched nonwoven scaffolds promote calcium phosphate mineralisation
Authors: Gharaei Robabeh , Tronci Giuseppe , Goswami Parikshit , Davies Robert P. Wynn , Kirkham Jennifer , Russell Stephen J.
Published: July 2020

A structurally robust electrospun peptide-enriched scaffold, with controlled peptide release behaviour, supports nucleation and growth of hydroxyapatite minerals in vitro.
Toward a disposable low-cost LOC device: heterogeneous polymer micro valve and pump fabricated by UV/ozone-assisted thermal fusion bonding
Authors: Jung Wonjong , Uddin M. Jalal , Namkoong Kak , Chung Wonseok , Kim Joon-Ho , Shim Joon S.
Published: July 2020

Herein, a heterogeneous polymer micro valve and pump with a polypropylene (PP) membrane was developed in a low-cost manner via UV/ozone-assisted thermal fusion bonding.
Quantifying tensile forces at cell–cell junctions with a DNA-based fluorescent probe
Authors: Zhao Bin , Li Ningwei , Xie Tianfa , Bagheri Yousef , Liang Chungwen , Keshri Puspam , Sun Yubing , You Mingxu
Published: July 2020

A DNA-based fluorescent probe to quantify the magnitude and distribution of tensile forces at cell–cell junctions.
Catalytic three-component C–C bond forming dearomatization of bromoarenes with malonates and diazo compounds
Authors: Kato Hiroki , Musha Itsuki , Komatsuda Masaaki , Muto Kei , Yamaguchi Junichiro
Published: July 2020

A catalytic three-component C–C bond forming dearomatization of bromoarenes was developed, enabling rapid access to multi-substituted alicycles.
Total synthesis of endiandric acid J and beilcyclone A from cyclooctatetraene
Authors: Yahiaoui Oussama , Almass Adrian , Fallon Thomas
Published: July 2020

A new strategy to the endiandric acid natural products is demonstrated by intercepting the 8π/6π/IMDA pericyclic cascade through a tactical anti-vicinal difunctionalisation of cyclooctatetraene.
Template effects of vesicles in dynamic covalent chemistry
Authors: Bravin Carlo , Hunter Christopher A.
Published: July 2020

Vesicle lipid bilayers have been employed as templates to modulate the product distribution in a dynamic covalent library of Michael adducts formed by mixing a Michael acceptor with thiols.
Recent advances of near infrared inorganic fluorescent probes for biomedical applications
Authors: Yang Fan , Zhang Qingzhe , Huang Shengyun , Ma Dongling
Published: July 2020

Near infrared (NIR)-excitable and NIR-emitting probes have fuelled advances in biomedical applications owing to their power in enabling deep tissue imaging, offering high image contrast and reducing phototoxicity.
Correction: Taking advantage of the disadvantage: employing the high aqueous instability of amorphous calcium carbonate to realize burst drug release within cancer cells
Authors: Wang Cheng , Chen Shaoqing , Yu Qin , Hu Fuqiang , Yuan Hong
Published: July 2020

Correction for ‘Taking advantage of the disadvantage: employing the high aqueous instability of amorphous calcium carbonate to realize burst drug release within cancer cells’ by Cheng Wang et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2017, 5, 2068–2073, DOI: 10.1039/C6TB02826H.
Association of rs662799 variant and APOA5 gene haplotypes with metabolic syndrome and its components: a meta-analysis in North Africa
Authors: Hechmi Meriem , Dallali Hamza , Gharbi Meriem , Jmel Haifa , Fassatoui Meriem , Ben Halima Yossra , Bahri Sonia , Bahlous Afaf , Abid Abdelmajid , Jamoussi Henda , Barakat Abdelhamid , Kefi Rym
Published: July 2020

Apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) has been linked to metabolic syndrome (MetS) in several populations. In North Africa, only the Tunisian and Moroccan populations were investigated. Our aim is to assess the association between APOA5 gene variant (rs662799) and haplotypes with MetS in Tunisian population and to perform a meta-analysis in North Africa. A total of 594 Tunisian participants were genotyped for polymorphism rs662799 using KASPar technology. Two polymorphisms rs3135506 and rs651821 in APOA5 gene genotyped in our previous study, were used in addition to rs662799 to assess the haplotype association with MetS. The genotype of 875 participants was used for the meta-analysis. Statistical analyses were performed with R software.

The rs662799 increases the risk of MetS under the dominant (P=0.018) and the additive models (P=0.028) in the Tunisian population. After stratification of the cohort following the sex and the geographic origin, a positive association of rs662799 with MetS was found for participant from the Northern region and for the women group. Only the haplotype AGT showed a significant association with MetS by decreasing the risk of the disease.

The meta-analysis reported a significant association of rs662799 and rs3135506 with MetS.

Our results showed a significant association between the APOA5 gene variants rs662799 and haplotypes with MetS and its traits in Tunisia. An impact of the sex and the geographic origin on the genotype distribution was highlighted. Our funding emphasizes the role of APOA5 in the development of MetS in North Africa.
KAP1 silencing relieves OxLDL-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction by down-regulating LOX-1
Authors: Yan Tianqing , Liang Chang , Fan Haidi , Zhou Wei , Huang Linyan , Qi Suhua , Wang Wan , Ma Ping
Published: July 2020

KRAB domain-associated protein 1 (KAP1) is highly expressed in atherosclerotic plaques. Here, we studied the role of KAP1 in atherosclerosis development using a cell model of endothelial dysfunction induced by oxidative low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL). The phosphorylation and protein levels of KAP1 were similar between OxLDL-treated and non-treated endothelial cells (ECs). KAP1 depletion significantly inhibited the production of OxLDL-enhanced reactive oxygen species and the expression of adhesion molecules in ECs. Treatment with OxLDL promoted the proliferation and migration of ECs, which was also confirmed by the elevated levels of the proliferative markers c-Myc and PCNA, as well as the migratory marker MMP-9. However, these effects were also abrogated by KAP1 depletion. Moreover, the depletion of KAP1 in OxLDL-treated ECs resulted in decreases in the LOX-1 level and increases in eNOS expression. Generally, the data suggest that strategies targeting KAP1 depletion might be particularly useful for the prevention or treatment of atherosclerosis.
Obeticholic acid ameliorates hepatorenal syndrome in ascitic cirrhotic rats by down-regulating the renal 8-iso-PGF2α-activated COX-TXA2 pathway
Authors: Tsai Yu-Lien , Liu Chih-Wei , Hsu Chien-Fu , Huang Chia-Chang , Lin Ming-Wei , Huang Shiang-Fen , Li Tzu-Hao , Lee Kuei-Chuan , Hsieh Yun-Cheng , Yang Ying-Ying , Lee Tzung-Yan , Liu Hsuan-Miao , Huang Yi-Hsiang , Hou Ming-Chih , Lin Han-Chieh
Published: July 2020

Backgrounds/Aims: The present study explores the potential of chronic treatment with the Foresaid X receptor (FXR) agonist obeticholic acid (OCA), which inhibits oxidative stress-related pathogenesis, in ascitic cirrhotic rats with hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) developed 6 weeks after bile duct ligation (BDL). Methods: Systemic, splanchnic, and renal hemodynamics and pathogenic cascades were measured in ascitic BDL and sham rats receiving 2-weeks of either vehicle or OCA treatments (sham-OCA and BDL-OCA groups), and NRK-52E cells, rat kidney tubular epithelial cells. Results: Chronic OCA treatment significantly normalized portal hypertension, glomerular filtration rate, urine output, renal blood flow; decreased ascites, renal vascular resistance, serum creatinine, and the release of renal tubular damage markers, including urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and kidney injury moleculae-1 (uKim-1) in BDL-OCA rats. In the BDL group, inhibition of the renal oxidative stress (8-iso-PGF2α)-activated cyclooxygenase-thromboxane A2 [COX-TXA2] pathway, apoptosis, and tubular injury accompanied by a decrease in hyper-responsiveness to the vasoconstrictor 8-iso-PGF2α in perfused kidneys. In vitro experiments revealed that 8-iso-PGF2α induced oxidative stress, release of reactive oxygen species, and cell apoptosis, which were reversed by concomitant incubation with the FXR agonist. Conclusions: Through the inhibition of renal 8-iso-PGF2α production and the down-regulation of the COX-TXA2 pathway, our study suggests that chronic OCA treatment can ameliorate the HRS in ascitic cirrhotic rats. Thus, OCA is an agent with antioxidative stress, antivasoconstrictive, antiapoptotic properties which benefit ascitic, cirrhotic rats with systemic, hepatic, and renal abnormalities.
Patterns of Misidentified Vowels in Individuals With Dysarthria Secondary to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Lee Jimin , Kim Heejin , Jung Yong
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The current study examines the pattern of misidentified vowels produced by individuals with dysarthria secondary to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Method

Twenty-three individuals with ALS and 22 typical individuals produced 10 monophthongs in an /h/-vowel-/d/ context. One hundred thirty-five listeners completed a forced-choice vowel identification test. Misidentified vowels were examined in terms of the target vowel categories (front–back; low–mid–high) and the direction of misidentification (the directional pattern when the target vowel was misidentified, e.g., misidentification “to a lower vowel”). In addition, acoustic predictors of vowel misidentifications were tested based on log first formant (F1), log second formant, log F1 vowel inherent spectral change, log second formant vowel inherent spectral change, and vowel duration.

Results

First, high and mid vowels were more frequently misidentified than low vowels for all speaker groups. Second, front and back vowels were misidentified at a similar rate for both the Mild and Severe groups, whereas back vowels were more frequently misidentified than front vowels in typical individuals. Regarding the direction of vowel misidentification, vowel errors were mostly made within the same backness (front–back) category for all groups. In addition, more errors were found toward a lower vowel category than toward a higher vowel category in the Severe group, but not in the Mild group. Overall, log F1 difference was identified as a consistent acoustic predictor of the main vowel misidentification pattern.

Conclusion

Frequent misidentifications in the vowel height dimension and the acoustic predictor, F1, suggest that limited tongue height control is the major articulatory dysfunction in individuals with ALS. Clinical implications regarding this finding are discussed.
Comparison of Diagnostic Auditory Processing Test Scores Measured in Clinical and School Settings
Authors: Mamatha Nerale Maraiah , Yathiraj Asha
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The study aimed to compare auditory processing and cognitive test scores measured in a clinical setting with that measured in a school setting using a repeated-measures design. This was done on typically developing children and children with auditory processing disorder (APD).

Method

Thirty-two children (16 typically developing and 16 with APD), aged 7 years, were evaluated using three diagnostic auditory processing tests and a cognitive test. The tests included the Speech Perception in Noise Test in Kannada, the Gap Detection Threshold Test, the Dichotic Consonant–Vowel Test, and the Auditory Memory and Sequencing Test in Kannada. All the children were evaluated in an audiological diagnostic setting, as well as in their school.

Results

No significant difference in scores was obtained in the two settings for all the four tests that were administered. This was seen in the typically developing children and the children with APD. Additionally, the pass/fail decision for each test did not alter in the two settings. Moderate to almost perfect agreement was seen between the tests carried out in the two settings in both groups, on a Kappa test of agreement. In both settings, the children with APD performed significantly poorer than the typically developing children on the four diagnostic tests.

Conclusions

The findings of the study indicate that the diagnostic auditory processing tests and the cognitive test can be carried out in school settings as effectively as tests carried out in an audiological diagnostic clinical setting. This will enable carrying out diagnostic tests on children in schools soon after they are referred on screening auditory processing tools, administered in the educational setting. This will prevent missing diagnosis of children who fail to report to a diagnostic audiological center for detailed auditory processing evaluation.
Colors of an Earth-like exoplanet
Authors: Groot A. , Rossi L. , Trees V. J. H. , Cheung J. C. Y. , Stam D. M.
Published: July 2020

Context. Understanding the total flux and polarization signals of Earth-like planets and their spectral and temporal variability is essential for the future characterization of such exoplanets.

Aims. We provide computed total (F) and linearly (Q and U) and circularly (V) polarized fluxes, and the degree of polarization P of sunlight that is reflected by a model Earth, to be used for instrument designs, optimizing observational strategies, and/or developing retrieval algorithms.

Methods. We modeled a realistic Earth-like planet using one year of daily Earth-observation data: cloud parameters (distribution, optical thickness, top pressure, and particle effective radius), and surface parameters (distribution, surface type, and albedo). The Stokes vector of the disk-averaged reflected sunlight was computed for phase angles α from 0° to 180°, and for wavelengths λ from 350 to 865 nm.

Results. The total flux F is one order of magnitude higher than the polarized flux Q, and Q is two and four orders of magnitude higher than U and V, respectively. Without clouds, the peak-to-peak daily variations due to the planetary rotation increase with increasing λ for F, Q, and P, while they decrease for U and V. Clouds modify but do not completely suppress the variations that are due to rotating surface features. With clouds, the variation in F increases with increasing λ, while in Q, it decreases with increasing λ, except at the largest phase angles. In earlier work, it was shown that with oceans, Q changes color from blue through white to red. The α where the color changes increases with increasing cloud coverage. Here, we show that this unique color change in Q also occurs when the oceans are partly replaced by continents, with or without clouds. The degree of polarization P shows a similar color change. Our computed fluxes and degree of polarization will be made publicly available.
Demand side management based charging strategy for fleet of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
Authors: Kaur Sachpreet , Sandhu Ravtej Singh , Kaur Tarlochan , Khanna Rintu
Published: July 2020

In coming years, the widespread use of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) will impose a significant burden on the existing electric grid. The situation may worsen due to uncontrolled charging strategies adopted for PHEVs. On the other hand, these PHEVs, if charged through proper control mechanisms may reduce additional dynamic load demands. Also, if utilized properly, they may provide significant support to electric grid from time to time. The entire process of regulating the power exchanged with PHEVs w.r.t the existing grid conditions is well known as Demand Side Management (DSM). To indulge PHEVs in DSM, an accurate estimate of characteristics of PHEVs, both on-road and off-road, is necessary. Thus, this study aims to mathematically model the behaviour of four imperative parameters of PHEVs. These are dynamic travel behaviour, battery state-of-charge (SOC) requirements, the energy demands of PHEVs and, total power exchanged by PHEVs with the electric grid. In addition to this, a smart charging strategy is proposed and tested to verify the ability of PHEVs for participating in DSM for peak load management. The impacts of uncontrolled charging and smart charging of PHEVs on grid power demands are also discussed.
Super-twisting Control of Magnetic Levitation System
Authors: Rokade Rupak , Khimani Deepti
Published: July 2020

This article presents the implementation results of second order sliding mode control (SOSM) for magnetic levitation system. In practical systems, especially when the actuators are electro-mechanical, the conventional (first order) sliding mode control can not be used effectively as it exhibits chattering, which is highly undesirable. Therefore, for such systems, sliding mode control of higher order can be a suitable choice as the reduce the chattering significantly. In this article the super-twisting control, which isa second order sliding mode control, is designed and implemented for the experimental setup of Maglev system, Model 730 developed by ECP systems.
Intelligent Robotic Arm
Authors: Ban Prasad , Desale Shweta , Barge Revati , Chavan Pallavi
Published: July 2020

Regardless the abundance of technological robotic equipment’s present in the form of auto- mated Mechanical Robotic Arm, most of the citizens in India are not able to use those robots in their regular day to day life. This paper talks about the Intelligent robotic Arm (IRA) which is able to cook food dishes in an ordinary home environment. The robotic arm recognizes the utensils and ingredients required for the particular recipe. For object detection we have developed a system using OpenCV and Python which helps the robotic arm to recognize the correct ingredient and pick and drop it to appropriate utensil for cooking the required recipe. It involves automated tasks which the arm has to perform while commands are given to it for making the particular recipe. Our motivation is to help brilliant supplier robots that work by and large human environments ,automating continuous errands. In quest for this objective, we follow the universal apply autonomy worldview, in which savvy observation and control, are blended in with ubiquitous processing. By misusing sensors and effectors in its condition, a mechanical can work extra confused obligations other than turning out to be excessively perplexing itself. Following this understanding, we have built up a supplier automated that works independently in a sensor-prepared kitchen. The mechanical gains from exhibition, and performs refined assignments, working together with the system of gadgets in its condition. We record on the structure, usage, and utilization of this framework, which is unreservedly accessible for use, and improvement through others, in the examination network.
Hindi Language Interface to Database
Authors: Dubey Rachana , Kawale Tejal , Choudhary Twisha , Narawade Vaibhav
Published: July 2020

In our everyday lives we require information to accomplish daily tasks. Database is one of the most important sources of information. Database systems have been widely used in data storage and retrieval. However, to extract information from databases, we need to have some knowledge of database languages like SQL. But SQL has predefined structures and format, so it is hard for the non-expert users to formulate the desired query. To override this complexity, we have turned to natural language to retrieve information from database, which can be an ideal channel between a non-technical user and the application. But the application cannot understand natural language so an interface is required. This interface is capable of converting the user’s natural language query to an equivalent database language query. In this paper, we address the system architecture for translating a Hindi sentence in the form of an audio to an equivalent SQL query. The users don’t need to learn any formal query language; hence it’s easy to use for common people.
Class Attendance Management System using Facial Recognition
Authors: Gomes Clyde , Chanchal Sagar , Desai Tanmay , Jadhav Dipti
Published: July 2020

Attendance marking in a classroom during a lecture is not only a onerous task but also a time consuming one at that. Due to an unusually high number of students present during the lecture there will always be a probability of proxy attendance(s).Attendance marking with conventional methods has been an area of challenge. The growing need of efficient and automatic techniques of marking attendance is a growing challenge in the area of face recognition. In recent years, the problem of automatic attendance marking has been widely addressed through the use of standard biometrics like fingerprint and Radio frequency Identification tags etc., However,these techniques lack the element of reliability. In this proposed project an automated attendance marking and management system is proposed by making use of face detection and recognition algorithms. Instead of using the conventional methods, this proposed system aims to develop an automated system that records the student’s attendance by using facial recognition technology. The main objective of this work is to make the attendance marking and management system efficient, time saving, simple and easy. Here faces will be recognized using face recognition algorithms. The processed image will then be compared against the existing stored record and then attendance is marked in the database accordingly. Compared to existing system traditional attendance marking system, this system reduces the workload of people. This proposed system will be implemented with 4 phases such as Image Capturing, Segmentation of group image and Face Detection, Face comparison and Recognition, Updating of Attendance in database.
Traffic Avoidance System for High Priority Vehicles
Authors: Sara Roy Ashly , Jose Merin , Thomas Sreya , Dalvi Shweta , Rajput Manita
Published: July 2020

India and most of the developing countries have unplanned cities in which roads are narrow and unkempt. Due to increasing vehicular density, repair of roads and traffic rules violation, traffic congestion is increasing at an alarming rate. Delay in arrival of High Priority Vehicles (HPV) like ambulances and fire engines cause severe loss to life and property. Although most HPVs are equipped with sirens, it is not efficient to guarantee a clear road to HPVs due to its audibility range. Hence, we propose a system by which the vehicles near the traffic junction will be alerted about the oncoming of HPV much in advance of its arrival so that they can make way for the HPV. In this system, every HPV is provided with an active RFID tag. Few kilometers before the main signal, an active RFID reader would be placed which would detect the vehicle and send this information to the display screen placed near the traffic junction signal via LoRa wirelessly, starting to make way for the HPV. Therefore, this project proposes to streamline the traffic and allow HPV to pass easily.
Fraudulent Face Image Detection
Authors: Awhad Rahul , Jayswal Saurabh , More Adesh , Kundale Jyoti
Published: July 2020

Due to the growing advancements in technology, many software applications are being developed to modify and edit images. Such software can be used to alter images. Nowadays, an altered image is so realistic that it becomes too difficult for a person to identify whether the image is fake or real. Such software applications can be used to alter the image of a person’s face also. So, it becomes very difficult to identify whether the image of the face is real or not. Our proposed system is used to identify whether the image of a face is fake or real. The proposed system makes use of machine learning. The system makes use of a convolution neural network and support vector classifier. Both these machine learning models are trained using real as well as fake images. Both these trained models will take an image as an input and will determine whether the image is fake or real.
MoView Engine : An Open Source Movie Recommender
Authors: Manavi Vallari , Diwate Anjali , Korade Priyanka , Senathi Anita
Published: July 2020

Recommendation is an ideology that works as choice-based system for the end users. Users are recommended with their favorite movies based on history of other watched movies or based on the category of the movies. These types of recommendations are becoming popular because of their ability to think and react as human brain. For this purpose, deep learning or artificial intelligence comes into picture. It is the ability to think as a human brain as give the output best suited to the end users liking. This paper focuses on implementing the recommendation system of movies using deep learning with neural network model using the activation function of SoftMax to give an experience to users as friendly recommendation. Moreover, this paper focuses on different scenarios of recommendation like the recommendation based on history, genre of the movie etc.
Efficient pothole detection using smartphone sensors
Authors: Pawar Kshitij , Jagtap Siddhi , Bhoir Smita
Published: July 2020

Road safety remains a casualty in India, with potholes wrecking asphalt pavements by the dozens. A study in 2017 recorded that potholes caused the budget for road safety to increase by a whopping 100.4 per cent, and even doubled the death toll from that of the year prior. To address this situation, an effective solution is required that ensures the drivers’ safety and can prove beneficial for long term measures. This can be established by employing an apt pothole detection system which is simple yet functional. In this paper, the method for such a system is described which uses accelerometer and gyroscope, both built in the modern day smartphones, to sense potholes. Pothole induced vibrations can be measured on the axis reading, making them distinguishable. Our proposed Neural Network model is trained and evaluated on the data acquired from the sensors and classifies the potholes from the non-potholes. The neural network gives a classification accuracy of 94.78 per cent. It also presents a solid precision-recall trade-off with 0.71 precision and 0.81 recall, considerably high for a problem with class imbalance. The results indicate that the method is suitable for creating an accurate and sensitive supervised model for pothole detection.
Online Voting System using Homomorphic Encryption
Authors: Saproo Saksham , Warke Vedant , Pote Shreyas , Dhumal Rashmi
Published: July 2020

An important part of a democratically fair society are elections. The conventional democratic framework becomes hard for the individuals who can’t visit the polling stall for casting their votes. With quick advancement of data innovation, online Internet voting framework is all the more intriguing to use for the nations where vote casting cooperation is low and it is too helpful for people living far off from their homes. Security is a major worry for Internet voting system. The proposed framework guarantees security prerequisites for example, validation, precision, secrecy, receipt-freeness, unwavering quality, obviousness and reasonableness in the political race.
Density and Time based Traffic Control System using Video Processing
Authors: Sable Tanvi , Parate Nehal , Nadkar Dharini , Shinde Swapnil
Published: July 2020

Traffic is the serious issue which each nation faces due to the expansion in number of vehicles. One of the strategies to beat the traffic issue is to build up a smart traffic control framework which depends on computing the traffic density and about utilizing constant video and picture preparing procedures. The topic is to control the traffic by deciding the traffic density on each roadside and control the traffic signal smartly by utilizing the density data. In this paper, an automated system based on processing of real time videos is proposed for detection of vehicles and recording count of them. The System will consist of various stages which includes Object Car Detection and Signal variation based on density. Captured video will be converted into frames and which will be pre-processed for object detection using Haar-Cascade than detected object count will be used to obtain the density and manipulate the signal accordingly. The density count algorithm works by contrasting the ongoing edge of live video by the reference picture and via looking through vehicles just in the district of intrigue (for example street region). The figured vehicle thickness can be contrasted and other course of the traffic so as to perform control of the traffic flags in more smart and proficient manner.
A Multilayer Hybrid Machine Learning Model for Diabetes Detection
Authors: Parab Sahil , Rathod Piyush , Patil Durgesh , Chikkareddi Vishwanath
Published: July 2020

Diabetes Detection has been one of the many challenges which is being faced by the medical as well as technological communities. The principles of machine learning and its algorithms is used in order to detect the possibility of a diabetic patient based on their level of glucose concentration , insulin levels and other medically point of view required test reports. The basic diabetes detection model uses Bayesian classification machine learning algorithm, but even though the model is able to detect diabetes, the efficiency is not acceptable at all times because of the drawbacks of the single algorithm of the model. A Hybrid Machine Learning Model is used to overcome the drawbacks produced by a single algorithm model. A Hybrid Model is constructed by implementing multiple applicable machine learning algorithms such as the SVM model and Bayesian’s Classification model or any other models in order to overcome drawbacks faced by each other and also provide their mutually contributed efficiency. In a perfect case scenario the new hybrid machine learning model will be able to provide more efficiency as compared to the old Bayesian’s classification model.