bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Production and Characteristics of a Heavy Metals Removing Bioflocculant Produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: EMAN ZAKARIA GOMAA
Published: November 2019

TIhe flocculating activity ofa bioflocculant produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC-10145 using kaolin clay was assayed. The influence of carbon, nitrogen sources, pH and culture temperature on bioflocculant production was investigated. The effects of cationic compounds, bioflocculant dosage, pH and temperature on flocculating activity were also determined. Of the cations tested, Ca2+, K+, Na+, Zn2+, Mg2+ and Cu2+ improved flocculating activity whereas Fe3+ and Al3+ caused its inhibition. The highest flocculating activity was observed at pH 7.0.The bioflocculant had a good flocculating activity of 80.50% for kaolin suspension with a dosage of only 1%. The bioflocculant was heat-stable and its activity was only decreased to 60.16% after heating at 100 degrees C for 60 min. Chemical analyses of the purified bioflocculant indicated that it was a sugar-protein derivative, composed of protein (27%, w/w) and carbohydrate (89%,w/w) including neutral sugar, uronic acid and amino sugar as the principal constituents in the relative weight proportions of 30.6%, 2.35% and 0.78%, respectively. The elemental analysis of the bioflocculant revealed the mass proportion of C, H and N was 19.06, 3.88 and 4.32 (%), correspondingly. Fourier transform infrared analysis showed that the exopolymers consisted of carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino and sugar derivative groups. The heavy metal adsorption by the bioflocculant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found to be influenced by the initial metal concentration, bioflocculant concentration and pH of the biosorption solution. This study demonstrates that microbial bioflocculant has potential to be used as an alternative bioremedial tool for industrial effluents and wastewater treatments which are co-contaminated with heavy metals.
Identification and Antibacterial Resistance of Bacteria Isolated from Poultry
Authors: EL-RAMI FADI. E. , SLEIMAN FAWWAK. T. , ABDELNOOR LEXANDER. M.
Published: November 2019

Food-borne infections are among the prominent health hazards. Antibacterial agents (ABA) are usually administered to poultry in Lebanon as antibiotic growth promoters (AGP), which might lead to the dissemination of resistant bacterial strains. The aims of this study were to isolate potential food borne pathogens from poultry and investigate an association between AGP usage and antibacterial resistance (ABR). Isolates were obtained from the culture of cloacae swabs and identified. Escherichia coli was the predominant isolate. There was a significant association between the use of tetracycline and gentamicin as AGP and the number of E. coli isolates resistant to these ABA.
Report on Overcoming the Poor Quality of ApaI Pulsotypes with a Short Review on PFGE for Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: KUŠAR DARJA , KAVALIČ MAJA , OCEPEK MATJAŽ , ZDOVC IRENA
Published: November 2019

Since listeriosis, caused by Listeria monocytogenes, is one of the important concerns of public health in Europe related to foodborne zoonoses, an efficient protocol for isolate typing is necessary when performing epidemiological studies. Three standardized PFGE protocols available for L. monocytogenes were briefly reviewed. Since observing a poor-quality of ApaI pulsotypes in our laboratory, enzymes from three different manufacturers were compared. The obtained pulsotypes showed that restriction digestion with ApaI from New England BioLabs should be complemented with a subsequent overnight incubation of PFGE plugs in TE buffer for better performance.
Produção artesanal do licor à base do cálice da vinagreira (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)
Authors: Gonçalves Daniele Juliana Rodrigues , Nascimento Nathalia Cardoso , Pereira Irislene Costa , Júnior Francisco Cesino de Medeiros
Published: November 2019

A Hibiscus sabdariffa L., comumente conhecida como vinagreira, é um tipo de hortaliça que pertence à família das Malváceas, do gênero Hibisco e que compreende uma grande variedade de espécies. A produção artesanal de licores constitui alternativa interessante para proporcionar aumento da renda familiar, pois seu processamento exige tecnologia simples, o produto final é comercializado em temperatura ambiente e apresenta extensa vida-de-prateleira. O objetivo da realização deste estudo é a produção artesanal de um licor à base do cálice da vinagreira (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.).Os espaços utilizados para esse fim serão os laboratórios de Técnica Dietética e Análise Sensorial de Alimentos, do Centro Universitário de Ciência e Tecnologia do Maranhão – UNIFACEMA, localizada em Caxias - MA. A análise sensorial do produto foi realizada com assessores não treinados para teste de aceitação com escala hedônica mista de 9 pontos. Os avaliadores sensoriais, antes dos testes, foram informados sobre os objetivos e metodologia da pesquisa e consultados por meio de um Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. Os resultados obtidos foram satisfatórios, pois houve uma boa aceitação sensorial do licor a base do cálice da vinagreira tornando o mesmo uma opção para comercialização. Com uma boa aceitação do produto nos aspectos sensoriais.
IMPROVING STUDENTS’ WRITING ABILITY ON DESCRIPTIVE TEXT BY USING INTENSIVE READING
Authors: Nuraini Hery , Mulyana Agus , Aeni Lutfiah
Published: November 2019

AbstrakThis research is conducted in order to improve students’ writing ability by using intensive reading at tenth grade of SMAN 14 Kabupaten Tangerang. In conducting this research the writer used qualitative descriptive as the method of the research. In this research used purposive sampling with the sample was 36 participants. To collect and analyzed the data, the writer used the information from observation, students’ writing test and interview. The result of observation and interview in this research showed that intensive reading can improve students’ writing ability on descriptive text. The result also supported by students’ writing test. It can be seen from students’ pre-test and post-test. The average score of pre-test was 30.1 or 35% and the average score of post-test was 55.4 or 65% of 36 students. The average score of post-test showed higher with increase score 25.3 or 30% of 36 students than their pre-test. It means intensive reading can improve students’ writing ability especially on descriptive text. From the result, the writer concluded that teaching writing descriptive text using intensive reading at tenth grade of SMAN 14 Kabupaten Tangerang can improve their writing ability. For the teachers and the further researchers, it is recommended that to implement this method in English classroom to improve students’ writing skill.Kata Kunci: descriptive text, intensive reading, writing ability
Öğretmenlerde Örgütsel Adalet Algısı İle İşe Duyulan İlgi Arasındaki İlişki
Authors: Turhan Muhammed , Erol Yusuf Celal , Demirkol Murat , Özdemir Tuncay
Published: November 2019

Çalışmada,
öğretmenlerin örgütsel adalet algıları, işlerine duydukları ilgi düzeyleri ve
bu iki değişken arasındaki ilişki incelenmiştir. Örgütsel adalet, örgütün
amaçlarına ulaşabilmesi için anahtar görevi görmektedir.
Çalışanların işlerine duydukları ilgi ise, işleriyle bütünleşmelerine yardımcı
olmaktadır. Elazığ ilinde gerçekleştirilen çalışmada, 390 öğretmen ile örneklem
oluşturulmuştur. Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak Örgütsel Adalet Ölçeği
ve İşe Duyulan İlgi Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Öğretmenlerin örgütsel adalet
algılarıyla işe duyulan ilgi düzeyleri arasında aynı yönde, anlamlı ve zayıf
bir ilişki olduğu bulgusuna ulaşılmıştır. Öğretmenlerin öğretmenlik mesleğini
severek yapmaları ve hayatlarının önemli bir parçası olarak görmesinde örgütsel
adaletin önemli bir rolü bulunmaktadır. Okul içindeki yönetsel eylemlerin adil
bir şekilde yapılması, yöneticilerin tüm öğretmenlere eşit mesafede olması,
çıkarların dağıtılmasında adalet ilkesinin gözetilmesi öğretmenlerin iş
tutumlarına olumlu yansıyacaktır.
Liming Positively Modulates Microbial Community Composition and Function of Sugarcane Fields
Authors: Pang Ziqin , Tayyab Muhammad , Kong Chuibao , Hu Chaohua , Zhu Zhisheng , Wei Xin , Yuan Zhaonian
Published: November 2019

Liming combined with an optimum quantity of inorganic fertilizer, as a soil amendment in intensive agriculture, is a viable agricultural practice in terms of improving soil nutrient status and productivity, as well as mitigating soil degradation. The chief benefits of this strategy are fundamentally dependent on soil microbial function. However, we have limited knowledge about lime’s effects on soil microbiomes and their functions, nor on its comprehensive influence on soil nutrient status and the productivity of sugarcane plantations. This study compares the impacts of lime application (1-year lime (L1), 2-year lime (L2), and no lime (CK) on microbial communities, their functions, soil nutrient status, and crop yield in a sugarcane cropping system. We employed Illumina sequencing and functional analysis (PICRUSt and FUNGuild) to decipher microbial communities and functions. In comparison with CK, lime application (L1 and L2) mitigated soil acidity, increased the level of base cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+), and improved soil nutrient status (especially through N and P) as well as soil microbial functions associated with nutrient cycling and that are beneficial to plants, thereby improving plant agronomic parameters and yield. Liming (L1 and L2) increased species richness and stimulated an abundance of Acidobacteria and Chloroflexi compared to CK. In comparison with CK, the two functional categories related to metabolism (amino acid and carbohydrate) increased in the L1 field, whereas cofactors and vitamin metabolites increased in the L2 field. Turning to fungi, compared to CK, liming enriched symbiotrophs (endophytes, ectomycorrhizae, and arbuscular mycorrhizae) and led to a reduction of saprotrophs (Zygomycota and wood saprotrophs) and pathotrophs. The observed benefits of liming were, in turn, ultimately reflected in improved sugarcane agronomic performance, such as increased stalk height and weight in the sugarcane planting system. However, the increase in the above-mentioned parameters was more prominent in the L2 field compared to the L1 field, suggesting consecutive liming could be a practical approach in terms of sustainable production of sugarcane.
Agronomic Performances of Organic Field Vegetables Managed with Conservation Agriculture Techniques: A Study from Central Italy
Authors: Antichi Daniele , Sbrana Massimo , Martelloni Luisa , Abou Chehade Lara , Fontanelli Marco , Raffaelli Michele , Mazzoncini Marco , Peruzzi Andrea , Frasconi Christian
Published: November 2019

Organic farming systems are considered not compatible with conservation tillage mainly because of the reliance of conservative systems on herbicides. In this three-year field experiment, we tested the performances of an innovative vegetable organic and conservative system (ORG+) combining the use of cover crops (exploited as either living or dead mulch) and no-till techniques. This system was compared to “business-as-usual” organic farming (ORG) and integrated farming system (INT) based on the same crop sequence: savoy cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. sabauda L. cv. Famosa), spring lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Justine), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Cv. Montebianco), and summer lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Ballerina RZ). The results of crop yield parameters and weed abundance contribute to spotlight potentialities and weaknesses of organic-conservative management of field vegetables. In particular, ORG+ caused significant yield depletion for all the crops and revealed suboptimal weed control and N availability. The agroecosystem services provided by the cover crops grown in the ORG+ as dead mulch or living mulch were affected by weather conditions and not always resulted in significant crop gain. Nevertheless, interesting results in terms of P availability and reduced N surplus encourage further development of the system targeting more sustainable organic vegetable production.
On the Fault Detection and Diagnosis of Railway Switch and Crossing Systems: An Overview
Authors: Hamadache Moussa , Dutta Saikat , Olaby Osama , Ambur Ramakrishnan , Stewart Edward , Dixon Roger
Published: November 2019

Railway switch and crossing (S&C) systems have a very complex structure that requires not only a large number of components (such as rails, check rails, switches, crossings, turnout bearers, slide chair, etc.) but also different types of components and technologies (mechanical devices to operate switches, electrical and/or electronic devices for control, etc.). This complexity of railway S&C systems makes them vulnerable to failures and malfunctions that can ultimately cause delays and even fatal accidents. Thus, it is crucial to develop suitable condition monitoring techniques to deal with fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) in railway S&C systems. The main contribution of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of the existing FDD techniques for railway S&C systems. The aim is to overview the state of the art in rail S&C and in doing so to provide a platform for researchers, railway operators, and experts to research, develop and adopt the best methods for their applications; thereby helping ensure the rapid evolution of monitoring and fault detection in the railway industry at a time of the increased interest in condition based maintenance and the use of high-speed trains on the rail network.
Regeneration of Activated Carbons Spent by Waste Water Treatment Using KOH Chemical Activation
Authors: Park Jung Eun , Lee Gi Bbum , Hong Bum Ui , Hwang Sang Youp
Published: November 2019

In this study, spent activated carbons (ACs) were collected from a waste water treatment plant (WWTP) in Incheon, South Korea, and regenerated by heat treatment and KOH chemical activation. The specific surface area of spent AC was 680 m2/g, and increased up to 710 m2/g through heat treatment. When the spent AC was activated by the chemical agent potassium hydroxide (KOH), the surface area increased to 1380 m2/g. The chemically activated ACs were also washed with acetic acid (CH3COOH) to compare the effect of ash removal during KOH activation. The low temperature N2 adsorption was utilized to measure the specific surface areas and pore size distributions of regenerated ACs by heat treatment and chemical activation. The functional groups and adsorbed materials on ACs were also analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence. The generated ash was confirmed by proximate analysis and elementary analysis. The regenerated ACs were tested for toluene adsorption, and their capacities were compared with commercial ACs. The toluene adsorption capacity of regenerated ACs was higher than commercial ACs. Therefore, it is a research to create high value-added products using the waste.
Prediction of Blood Pressure after Induction of Anesthesia Using Deep Learning: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Jeong Young-Seob , Kang Ah Reum , Jung Woohyun , Lee So Jeong , Lee Seunghyeon , Lee Misoon , Chung Yang Hoon , Koo Bon Sung , Kim Sang Hyun
Published: November 2019

Anesthesia induction is associated with frequent blood pressure fluctuation such as hypotension and hypertension. If it is possible to precisely predict blood pressure a few minutes ahead, anesthesiologists can proactively give anesthetic management before patients develop hemodynamic problem. The objective of this study is to develop a real-time model for predicting 3-min-ahead blood pressure from the start of anesthesia induction to surgical incision. We used only vital signs and anesthesia-related data obtained during anesthesia-induction phase and designed a bidirectional recurrent neural network followed by fully connected layers. We conducted experiments on our collected data of 102 patients, and obtained mean absolute errors between 8.2 mmHg and 11.1 mmHg and standard deviation between 8.7 mmHg and 12.7 mmHg. The average elapsed time for prediction of a batch of 100 unseen data was about 26.56 milliseconds. We believe that this study shows feasibility of real-time prediction of future blood pressures, and the performance will be improved by collecting more data and finding better model structures.
Enhanced Mid-Latitude Meridional Heat Imbalance Induced by the Ocean
Authors: Yang Hu , Lohmann Gerrit , Shi Xiaoxu , Li Chao
Published: November 2019

The heat imbalance is the fundamental driver for the atmospheric circulation. Therefore, it is crucially important to understand how it responds to global warming. In this study, the role of the ocean in reshaping the atmospheric meridional heat imbalance is explored based on observations and climate simulations. We found that ocean tends to strengthen the meridional heat imbalance over the mid-latitudes. This is primarily because of the uneven ocean heat uptake between the subtropical and subpolar oceans. Under global warming, the subtropical ocean absorbs relatively less heat as the water there is well stratified. In contrast, the subpolar ocean is the primary region where the ocean heat uptake takes place, because the subpolar ocean is dominated by upwelling, strong mixing, and overturning circulation. We propose that the enhanced meridional heat imbalance may potentially contribute to strengthening the water cycle, westerlies, jet stream, and mid-latitude storms.
Dendrimer-Based Drug Delivery Systems for Brain Targeting
Authors: Zhu Yuefei , Liu Chunying , Pang Zhiqing
Published: November 2019

Human neuroscience has made remarkable progress in understanding basic aspects of functional organization; it is a renowned fact that the blood–brain barrier (BBB) impedes the permeation and access of most drugs to central nervous system (CNS) and that many neurological diseases remain undertreated. Therefore, a number of nanocarriers have been designed over the past few decades to deliver drugs to the brain. Among these nanomaterials, dendrimers have procured an enormous attention from scholars because of their nanoscale uniform size, ease of multi-functionalization, and available internal cavities. As hyper-branched 3D macromolecules, dendrimers can be maneuvered to transport diverse therapeutic agents, incorporating small molecules, peptides, and genes; diminishing their cytotoxicity; and improving their efficacy. Herein, the present review will give exhaustive details of extensive researches in the field of dendrimer-based vehicles to deliver drugs through the BBB in a secure and effectual manner. It is also a souvenir in commemorating Donald A. Tomalia on his 80th birthday.
Lanatoside C Induces G2/M Cell Cycle Arrest and Suppresses Cancer Cell Growth by Attenuating MAPK, Wnt, JAK-STAT, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathways
Authors: Reddy Dhanasekhar , Kumavath Ranjith , Ghosh Preetam , Barh Debmalya
Published: November 2019

Cardiac glycosides (CGs) are a diverse family of naturally derived compounds having a steroid and glycone moiety in their structures. CG molecules inhibit the α-subunit of ubiquitous transmembrane protein Na+/K+-ATPase and are clinically approved for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Recently, the CGs were found to exhibit selective cytotoxic effects against cancer cells, raising interest in their use as anti-cancer molecules. In this current study, we explored the underlying mechanism responsible for the anti-cancer activity of Lanatoside C against breast (MCF-7), lung (A549), and liver (HepG2) cancer cell lines. Using Real-time PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence studies, we observed that (i) Lanatoside C inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in cell-specific and dose-dependent manner only in cancer cell lines; (ii) Lanatoside C exerts its anti-cancer activity by arresting the G2/M phase of cell cycle by blocking MAPK/Wnt/PAM signaling pathways; (iii) it induces apoptosis by inducing DNA damage and inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways; and finally, (iv) molecular docking analysis shows significant evidence on the binding sites of Lanatoside C with various key signaling proteins ranging from cell survival to cell death. Our studies provide a novel molecular insight of anti-cancer activities of Lanatoside C in human cancer cells.
Electrophysiological Markers of Visuospatial Attention Recovery after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Bolduc-Teasdale Julie , Jolicoeur Pierre , McKerral Michelle
Published: November 2019

Objective: Attentional problems are amongst the most commonly reported complaints following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), including difficulties orienting and disengaging attention, sustaining it over time, and dividing attentional resources across multiple simultaneous demands. The objective of this study was to track, using a single novel electrophysiological task, various components associated with the deployment of visuospatial selective attention. Methods: A paradigm was designed to evoke earlier visual evoked potentials (VEPs), as well as attention-related and visuocognitive ERPs. Data from 36 individuals with mTBI (19 subacute, 17 chronic) and 22 uninjured controls are presented. Postconcussion symptoms (PCS), anxiety (BAI), depression (BDI-II) and visual attention (TEA Map Search, DKEFS Trail Making Test) were also assessed. Results: Earlier VEPs (P1, N1), as well as processes related to visuospatial orientation (N2pc) and encoding in visual short-term memory (SPCN), appear comparable in mTBI and control participants. However, there appears to be a disruption in the spatiotemporal dynamics of attention (N2pc-Ptc, P2) in subacute mTBI, which recovers within six months. This is also reflected in altered neuropsychological performance (information processing speed, attentional shifting). Furthermore, orientation of attention (P3a) and working memory processes (P3b) are also affected and remain as such in the chronic post-mTBI period, in co-occurrence with persisting postconcussion symptomatology. Conclusions: This study adds original findings indicating that such a sensitive and rigorous ERP task implemented at diagnostic and follow-up levels could allow for the identification of subtle but complex brain activation and connectivity deficits that can occur following mTBI.
Targeting FAT1 Inhibits Carcinogenesis, Induces Oxidative Stress and Enhances Cisplatin Sensitivity through Deregulation of LRP5/WNT2/GSS Signaling Axis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Hsu Tung-Nien , Huang Chih-Ming , Huang Chin-Sheng , Huang Mao-Suan , Yeh Chi-Tai , Chao Tsu-Yi , Bamodu Oluwaseun Adebayo
Published: November 2019

FAT atypical cadherin 1 (FAT1) regulates cell-cell adhesion and extracellular matrix architecture, while acting as tumor suppressor or oncogene, context-dependently. Despite implication of FAT1 in several malignancies, its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unclear. Herein, we document the driver-oncogene role of FAT1, and its mediation of cell-death evasion, proliferation, oncogenicity, and chemoresistance in OSCC. In-silica analyses indicate FAT1 mutations are frequent and drive head-neck SCC, with enhanced expression defining high-risk population and poor prognosis. We demonstrated aberrant FAT1 mRNA and protein expression in OSCC compared with non-cancer tissues, whereas loss-of-FAT1-function attenuates human primary SAS and metastatic HSC-3 OSCC cell viability, without affecting normal primary human gingival fibroblast cells. shFAT1 suppressed PCNA and upregulated BAX/BCL2 ratio in SAS and HSC-3 cells. Moreover, compared with wild-type cells, shFAT1 concomitantly impaired HSC-3 cell migration, invasion, and clonogenicity. Interestingly, while over-expressed FAT1 characterized cisplatin-resistance (CispR), shFAT1 synchronously re-sensitized CispR cells to cisplatin, enhanced glutathione (GSH)/GSH synthetase (GSS)-mediated oxidative stress and deregulated LRP5/WNT2 signaling. Concisely, FAT1 is an actionable driver-oncogene in OSCC and targeting FAT1 in patients with erstwhile cisplatin-resistant OSCC is therapeutically promising.
Cancer Is Associated with Alterations in the Three-Dimensional Organization of the Genome
Authors: Li Lifei , Barth Nicolai K. H. , Pilarsky Christian , Taher Leila
Published: November 2019

The human genome is organized into topologically associating domains (TADs), which represent contiguous regions with a higher frequency of intra-interactions as opposed to inter-interactions. TADs contribute to gene expression regulation by restricting the interactions between their regulatory elements, and TAD disruption has been associated with cancer. Here, we provide a proof of principle that mutations within TADs can be used to predict the survival of cancer patients. Specifically, we constructed a set of 1467 consensus TADs representing the three-dimensional organization of the human genome and used Cox regression analysis to identify a total of 35 prognostic TADs in different cancer types. Interestingly, only 46% of the 35 prognostic TADs comprised genes with known clinical relevance. Moreover, in the vast majority of such cases, the prognostic value of the TAD was not directly related to the presence/absence of mutations in the gene(s), emphasizing the importance of regulatory mutations. In addition, we found that 34% of the prognostic TADs show strong structural perturbations in the cancer genome, consistent with the widespread, global epigenetic dysregulation often observed in cancer patients. In summary, this study elucidates the mechanisms through which non-coding variants may influence cancer progression and opens new avenues for personalized medicine.
Synovial-Fluid miRNA Signature for Diagnosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Nziza Nadége , Jeziorski Eric , Delpont Marion , Cren Maïlys , Chevassus Hugues , Carbasse Aurélia , Mahe Perrine , Abassi Hamouda , Joly-Monrigal Pauline , Schordan Eric , Mangé Alain , Jorgensen Christian , Apparailly Florence , Duroux-Richard Isabelle
Published: November 2019

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic inflammatory rheumatism in childhood; microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as diagnostic biomarkers. Although joints are the primary targets for JIA, a synovial fluid-based miRNA signature has never been studied. We aim to identify miRNA biomarkers in JIA by comparing synovial fluid and serum samples from children with JIA and K. kingae septic arthritis (SA). With next-generation high-throughput sequencing, we measured the absolute levels of 2083 miRNAs in synovial fluid and serum from an exploratory cohort of children and validated differentially expressed miRNAs in a replication study by using RT-qPCR. We identified a 19-miRNA signature only in synovial fluid samples that was significantly deregulated, with at least 2-fold change in expression, in JIA versus SA (p < 0.01). The combination of miR-6764-5p, miR-155, and miR-146a-5p expression in synovial fluid yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 1 (95% CI 0.978 to 1), thereby perfectly differentiating JIA from SA in children. We propose, for the first time, a synovial fluid-specific miRNA signature for JIA and associated signaling pathways that may indicate potential biomarkers to assist in the classification and differential diagnosis of JIA and help in understanding JIA pathogenesis.
Advanced Age Is Associated with Iron Dyshomeostasis and Mitochondrial DNA Damage in Human Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Picca Anna , Mankowski Robert T. , Kamenov George , Anton Stephen D. , Manini Todd M. , Buford Thomas W. , Saini Sunil K. , Calvani Riccardo , Landi Francesco , Bernabei Roberto , Marzetti Emanuele , Leeuwenburgh Christiaan
Published: November 2019

Whether disruption of iron metabolism is implicated in human muscle aging is presently unclear. We explored the relationship among iron metabolism, muscle mitochondrial homeostasis, inflammation, and physical function in older adults and young controls. Eleven young and 23 older men and women were included. Older adults were classified into high–functioning (HF) and low–functioning (LF) groups according to their Short Physical Performance Battery score. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were assayed for total iron content, expression of 8-oxoguanine and DNA glycosylase (OGG1), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) levels, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and damage. Circulating ferritin and hepcidin levels were also quantified. Muscle iron levels were greater in the old group. Protein expression of transferrin receptor 1, Zrt-Irt-like protein (ZIP) 8, and ZIP14 were lower in old participants. Circulating levels of ferritin, hepcidin, interleukin 6 (IL6), and C-reactive protein were higher in the old group. Old participants showed lower mtDNA content and greater mtDNA damage. OGG1 protein expression declined with age, whereas 3-NT levels were greater in old participants. Finally, a negative correlation was determined between ZIP14 expression and circulating IL6 levels in LF older adults. None of assayed parameters differed between HF and LF participants. Our findings suggest that muscle iron homeostasis is altered in old age, which might contribute to loss of mtDNA stability. Muscle iron metabolism may therefore represent a target for interventions against muscle aging.
Sex Differences in Liver, Adipose Tissue, and Muscle Transcriptional Response to Fasting and Refeeding in Mice
Authors: Bazhan Nadezhda , Jakovleva Tatiana , Feofanova Natalia , Denisova Elena , Dubinina Anastasia , Sitnikova Natalia , Makarova Elena
Published: November 2019

Fasting is often used for obesity correction but the “refeeding syndrome” limits its efficiency, and molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic response to different food availability are under investigation. Sex was shown to affect hormonal and metabolic reactions to fasting/refeeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate hormonal and transcriptional responses to fasting and refeeding in male and female C57Bl/6J mice. Sex asymmetry was observed both at the hormonal and transcriptional levels. Fasting (24 h) induced increase in hepatic Fgf21 gene expression, which was associated with elevation of plasma FGF21 and adiponectin levels, and the upregulation of expression of hepatic (Pparα, Cpt1α) and muscle (Cpt1β, Ucp3) genes involved in fatty acid oxidation. These changes were more pronounced in females. Refeeding (6 h) evoked hyperinsulinemia and increased hepatic expression of gene related to lipogenesis (Fasn) only in males and hyperleptinemia and increase in Fgf21 gene expression in muscles and adipose tissues only in females. The results suggest that in mice, one of the molecular mechanisms underlying sex asymmetry in hepatic Pparα, Cpt1α, muscle Cpt1β, and Ucp3 expression during fasting is hepatic Fgf21 expression, and the reason for sex asymmetry in hepatic Fasn expression during refeeding is male-specific hyperinsulinemia.
Temperature Effects and Entropy Generation of Pressure Retarded Osmosis Process
Authors: Abdelkader Bassel , Sharqawy Mostafa H.
Published: November 2019

Pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) is considered as one of the promising and new techniques to generate power. In this work, a numerical model was used to study the effect of the flow streams temperature on the performance of the PRO process and entropy generation. The variation of the feed solution and draw solution temperatures, pressure difference, concentration difference, and flow rates on the power density and entropy generation were discussed. The model results were validated with experimental measurements obtained from literature and showed a good agreement with the model predictions. It was found that the power density increases by about 130% when both feed solution and draw solution temperatures increase from 20 °C to 50 °C. The feed solution temperature has more impact on the power density than that of the draw solution. This is due to the direct effect of the feed solution temperature on the water permeability and diffusion coefficient. The effect of the feed solution temperature becomes significant at higher concentration differences. Whereas, at low concentrations, the power density slightly increases with the feed temperature. Furthermore, it is found that there is an optimum volumetric flow in the channels that maximizes the power density and minimizes the entropy generation when fixing other operating conditions.
Semantic Entropy in Language Comprehension
Authors: Venhuizen Noortje J. , Crocker Matthew W. , Brouwer Harm
Published: November 2019

Language is processed on a more or less word-by-word basis, and the processing difficulty induced by each word is affected by our prior linguistic experience as well as our general knowledge about the world. Surprisal and entropy reduction have been independently proposed as linking theories between word processing difficulty and probabilistic language models. Extant models, however, are typically limited to capturing linguistic experience and hence cannot account for the influence of world knowledge. A recent comprehension model by Venhuizen, Crocker, and Brouwer (2019, Discourse Processes) improves upon this situation by instantiating a comprehension-centric metric of surprisal that integrates linguistic experience and world knowledge at the level of interpretation and combines them in determining online expectations. Here, we extend this work by deriving a comprehension-centric metric of entropy reduction from this model. In contrast to previous work, which has found that surprisal and entropy reduction are not easily dissociated, we do find a clear dissociation in our model. While both surprisal and entropy reduction derive from the same cognitive process—the word-by-word updating of the unfolding interpretation—they reflect different aspects of this process: state-by-state expectation (surprisal) versus end-state confirmation (entropy reduction).
Mixed Convective Flow and Heat Transfer of a Dual Stratified Micropolar Fluid Induced by a Permeable Stretching/Shrinking Sheet
Authors: Khashi’ie Najiyah Safwa , Md Arifin Norihan , Nazar Roslinda , Hafidzuddin Ezad Hafidz , Wahi Nadihah , Pop Ioan
Published: November 2019

The present study accentuates the magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) flow and heat transfer characteristics of a dual stratified micropolar fluid over a permeable stretching/shrinking sheet. Thermal and solutal buoyancy forces are also included to incorporate with the stratification effect. Similarity, transformation is applied to reduce the governing model (partial differential equations) into a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) due to its complexity. Using bvp4c solver in the MATLAB software, numerical results for some limiting cases are in favorable agreement with the earlier published results. Both assisting and opposing buoyancy flows have dual similarity solutions within specific range of suction and stretching/shrinking parameters, whereas only a distinctive solution is observed for pure forced convective flow. The micropolar fluid shows a disparate pattern of flow, heat and mass transfer characteristics between stretching and shrinking cases. Unlike the shrinking flow, the surface velocity gradient, local Nusselt and Sherwood numbers for stretching flow intensify with the increment of the material parameter. The result from stability analysis reveals that the first solution is the real solution, whereas the second solution is virtual.
A Novel MPPT Technique for Single Stage Grid-Connected PV Systems: T4S
Authors: Costanzo Luigi , Vitelli Massimo
Published: November 2019

In this paper, a novel maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique, which has been named T4S (a technique based on the proper setting of the sign of the slope of the photovoltaic voltage reference signal), is presented and discussed. It is specifically designed with reference to a single-stage grid-connected PV system. Its performance is numerically compared with that of the well-known and widely used perturb and observe (P&O) MPPT technique. The results of the numerical simulations confirm the validity of the proposed MPPT technique which exhibited a slightly better performance, under stationary and also time-varying irradiance conditions. In addition, the T4S technique is characterized by the following features: it does not require explicit power detection or calculation and, moreover, it allows the tracking of the maximum average power injected into the grid rather than the tracking of the maximum instantaneous power extracted by the PV source.
Life Cycle Assessment and Techno-Economic Analysis of Pressure Sensitive Bio-Adhesive Production
Authors: Yang Minliang , Rosentrater Kurt A.
Published: November 2019

Bioproducts have attracted much attention in recent years due to the increasing environmental concerns about petroleum products. In this study, we aimed to explore potential environmental impacts and economic feasibility of pressure sensitive bio-adhesive (PSA) produced from the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization process. A detail process model of pressure sensitive bio-adhesive was developed in order to thoroughly understand both economic and environmental impacts of this production process. Life cycle assessment results showed that the overall environmental impacts of bio-adhesive was ~30% lower compared to the petro-adhesive’s production process. The minimum selling price for this pressure sensitive bio-adhesive was calculated as $3.48/kg. Sensitivity analysis results indicated that raw materials costs had the most significant impact on pressure sensitive bio-adhesive’s selling price, followed by total capital investment. Electricity sources had larger environmental impacts to the overall bio-adhesive production process compared to transportation distance and product yield. These results highlight the environmental advantage and potential economic competency of this pressure sensitive bio-based adhesive.
Intelligent Fault Classification and Location Identification Method for Microgrids Using Discrete Orthonormal Stockwell Transform-Based Optimized Multi-Kernel Extreme Learning Machine
Authors: Gush Teke , Bukhari Syed Basit Ali , Mehmood Khawaja Khalid , Admasie Samuel , Kim Ji-Soo , Kim Chul-Hwan
Published: November 2019

This paper proposes an intelligent fault classification and location identification method for microgrids using discrete orthonormal Stockwell transform (DOST)-based optimized multi-kernel extreme learning machine (MKELM). The proposed method first extracts useful statistical features from one cycle of post-fault current signals retrieved from sending-end relays of microgrids using DOST. Then, the extracted features are normalized and fed to the MKELM as an input. The MKELM, which consists of multiple kernels in the hidden nodes of an extreme learning machine, is used for the classification and location of faults in microgrids. A genetic algorithm is employed to determine the optimum parameters of the MKELM. The performance of the proposed method is tested on the standard IEC microgrid test system for various operating conditions and fault cases, including different fault locations, fault resistance, and fault inception angles using the MATLAB/Simulink software. The test results confirm the efficacy of the proposed method for classifying and locating any type of fault in a microgrid with high performance. Furthermore, the proposed method has higher performance and is more robust to measurement noise than existing intelligent methods.
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy on the Performance Degradation of LiFePO4/Graphite Lithium-Ion Battery Due to Charge-Discharge Cycling under Different C-Rates
Authors: Abe Yusuke , Hori Natsuki , Kumagai Seiji
Published: November 2019

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) using a LiFePO4 cathode and graphite anode were assembled in coin cell form and subjected to 1000 charge-discharge cycles at 1, 2, and 5 C at 25 °C. The performance degradation of the LIB cells under different C-rates was analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electron microscopy. The most severe degradation occurred at 2 C while degradation was mitigated at the highest C-rate of 5 C. EIS data of the equivalent circuit model provided information on the changes in the internal resistance. The charge-transfer resistance within all the cells increased after the cycle test, with the cell cycled at 2 C presenting the greatest increment in the charge-transfer resistance. Agglomerates were observed on the graphite anodes of the cells cycled at 2 and 5 C; these were more abundantly produced in the former cell. The lower degradation of the cell cycled at 5 C was attributed to the lowered capacity utilization of the anode. The larger cell voltage drop caused by the increased C-rate reduced the electrode potential variation allocated to the net electrochemical reactions, contributing to the charge-discharge specific capacity of the cells.
Hysteresis Passivation in Planar Perovskite Solar Cells Utilizing Facile Chemical Vapor Deposition Process and PCBM Interlayer
Authors: Yang Chongqiu , Shan Xiaobiao , Xie Tao
Published: November 2019

Low-cost, high-efficiency perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have the distinguished potential to be next commercialized photovoltaic devices. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process was regarded as an excellent choice as compared to solution deposition technique, however, the photovoltaic and stable performance of the former lags behind that of the latter. In this work, we propose a facile CVD pattern to fabricate PSCs, substrates covered by lead iodide (PbI2) sandwich-surrounded by the source methyl-ammonium iodide (CH3NH3I, MAI) powder. Heat and mass transfer, surface reactions are involved in the CVD deposition procedure. Numerical calculations present a uniform distribution of MAI vapor, contributing to homogeneous perovskite films with comparable surface morphologies, crystal structures and photovoltaic performances, despite of the notorious hysteresis. Herein, a PCBM ([6,6]-Phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester) interlayer is introduced before the PbI2 coating and the CVD process. Results show that even suffered from the torturous CVD procedure, the PCBM interlayer still works to passivating the bulk and interfacial recombination, reducing the hysteresis, improving the grain structure of perovskite films. Hence, the photovoltaic performance of PSCs enhances by 30%, and the filling factor difference between the forward and the reverse scan reduces to 6%.
Microgrid Infrastructure Compendium Analysis with a Model Creation Tool and Guideline Based on Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Carpintero-Rentería Miguel , Santos-Martín David , Chinchilla Mónica , Rebollal David
Published: November 2019

A microgrid (MG) is an electric power distribution system that may provide a suitable ecosystem for distributed generation. Detailed information about the infrastructure layer in MG projects is available, so this study aimed to propose a compendium and a model creation guideline for MGs. The aggregated information based on 1618 MGs was summarized into different tables and analyzed based on various parameters. Two MG infrastructure model creation tools were developed. First, a simple guideline was created based on the information in the tables, and then a machine learning tool based on decision trees was proposed that generates more accurate MG models using two main inputs: latitude and the segment in which they operate.
Impact of Sustainable Financial and Economic Development on Greenhouse Gas Emission in the Developed and Converging Economies
Authors: Ziolo Magdalena , Kluza Krzysztof , Spoz Anna
Published: November 2019

Several studies have examined the relationship between environmental performance and economic development. However, most of them did not take sustainable development and financial development into account. The study argues that sustainable financial and economic development contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We use the panel data regression model to capture the relationship between greenhouse gas emission and sustainable economic and financial development. The panel data refers to the period of 2007–2017. The EU 25 countries were analysed. The results show that the relationship between sustainable financial development and environmental degradation is more relevant for converging economies than developed countries. We found that the variable “energy productivity” has the strongest impact on greenhouse gas emissions for both country groups (converging and developed); however, it increases for developed countries and it decreases the greenhouse gas emissions for converging economies. We also found that environmental taxes are an efficient instrument that mitigates greenhouse gas emissions, especially in developed countries group.
Plasticity of Plant N Uptake in Two Native Species in Response to Invasive Species
Authors: Hu Yi-Heng , Zhou Yu-Lu , Gao Jun-Qin , Zhang Xiao-Ya , Song Ming-Hua , Xu Xing-Liang
Published: November 2019

Survival competition caused by limiting nutrients is often strong between invasive and native plant species. The effects of plant invasion on nutrient uptake in plant growth remain largely unclear. Clarifying how invasive plants affect N uptake by natives will provide a better understanding on mechanisms responsible for plant invasion. A 15N-labeling experiment was conducted using two common invasive species (Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. and Wedelia trilobata (L.) Hitchc.) and their native congeners (A. sessilis (L.) DC. and W. chinensis (Osbeck.) Merr.) to examine their growth and uptake of NH4+, NO3−, and glycine when grown in monocultures and mixed cultures. All plants were grown in a greenhouse for 70 days for labelling and biomass measurements. The main factor affecting N uptake by the four species was the form of N, rather than species identity. In all of the species, the most N was taken up in the form of NH4+, followed by NO3− and glycine. The two invasive species grew faster, with stable N-uptake patterns despite more moderate uptake rates of N than the native species. Native species were strongly affected by the invasive species. The presence of invasive species caused the N-uptake rates of the natives to be reduced, with altered N-uptake patterns, but did not substantially alter their growth rates. Native species reduced their N-uptake rates but increased N-use efficiency through altering N-uptake patterns in the presence of invasive plants. Such a flexible N-uptake pattern could be an important survival strategy for native plants in competition with invaders.
Application of Near-Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging with Machine Learning Methods to Identify Geographical Origins of Dry Narrow-Leaved Oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia) Fruits
Authors: Gao Pan , Xu Wei , Yan Tianying , Zhang Chu , Lv Xin , He Yong
Published: November 2019

Narrow-leaved oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia) fruit is a kind of natural product used as food and traditional medicine. Narrow-leaved oleaster fruits from different geographical origins vary in chemical and physical properties and differ in their nutritional and commercial values. In this study, near-infrared hyperspectral imaging covering the spectral range of 874–1734 nm was used to identify the geographical origins of dry narrow-leaved oleaster fruits with machine learning methods. Average spectra of each single narrow-leaved oleaster fruit were extracted. Second derivative spectra were used to identify effective wavelengths. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and support vector machine (SVM) were used to build discriminant models for geographical origin identification using full spectra and effective wavelengths. In addition, deep convolutional neural network (CNN) models were built using full spectra and effective wavelengths. Good classification performances were obtained by these three models using full spectra and effective wavelengths, with classification accuracy of the calibration, validation, and prediction set all over 90%. Models using effective wavelengths obtained close results to models using full spectra. The performances of the PLS-DA, SVM, and CNN models were close. The overall results illustrated that near-infrared hyperspectral imaging coupled with machine learning could be used to trace geographical origins of dry narrow-leaved oleaster fruits.