bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening of Bacterial Endophytes Able to Promote Plant Growth and Increase Salinity Tolerance
Authors: Gamalero Elisa , Favale Nicoletta , Bona Elisa , Novello Giorgia , Cesaro Patrizia , Massa Nadia , Glick Bernard , Orozco-Mosqueda Ma , Berta Graziella , Lingua Guido
Published: August 2020

Bacterial endophytes can colonize plant tissues without harming the plant. Instead, they are often able to increase plant growth and tolerance to environmental stresses. In this work, new strains of bacterial endophytes were isolated from three economically important crop plants (sorghum, cucumber and tomato) grown in three different regions in soils with different management. All bacterial strains were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing and characterized for plant beneficial traits. Based on physiological activities, we selected eight strains that were further tested for their antibiotic resistance profile and for the ability to efficiently colonize the interior of sorghum plants. According to the results of the re-inoculation test, five strains were used to inoculate sorghum seeds. Then, plant growth promotion activity was assessed on sorghum plants exposed to salinity stress. Only two bacterial endophytes increased plant biomass, but three of them delayed or reduced plant salinity stress symptoms. These five strains were then characterized for the ability to produce the enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, which is involved in the increase of stress tolerance. Pseudomonas brassicacearum SVB6R1 was the only strain that was able to produce this enzyme, suggesting that ACC deaminase is not the only physiological trait involved in conferring plant tolerance to salt stress in these bacterial strains.
Highly Active Ruthenium Catalyst Supported on Magnetically Separable Mesoporous Organosilica Nanoparticles
Authors: Omar Suheir , Abu-Reziq Raed
Published: August 2020

A facile and direct method for synthesizing magnetic periodic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles from pure organosilane precursors is described. Magnetic ethylene- and phenylene-bridged periodic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (PMO NPs) were prepared by nanoemulsification techniques. For fabricating magnetic ethylene- or phenylene-bridged PMO NPs, hydrophobic magnetic nanoparticles in an oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion were prepared, followed by a sol–gel condensation of the incorporated bridged organosilane precursor (1,2 bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane or 1,4 bis(triethoxysilyl)benzene), respectively. The resulting materials were characterized using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), solid-state NMR analysis, and nitrogen sorption analysis (N2-BET). The magnetic ethylene-bridged PMO NPs were successfully loaded using a ruthenium oxide catalyst by means of sonication and evaporation under mild conditions. The obtained catalytic system, termed Ru@M-Ethylene-PMO NPS, was applied in a reduction reaction of aromatic compounds. It exhibited very high catalytic behavior with easy separation from the reaction medium by applying an external magnetic field.
Mycotoxins in Functional Beverages: A Review
Authors: Gil-Serna Jéssica , Vázquez Covadonga , Patiño Belén
Published: August 2020

Consumer dietary habits have drastically changed in recent decades and functional beverages now have a strong position in the market. The majority of these beverages are produced using simple processes that use raw products, such as cereals, legumes, fruits, and nuts, among others, and these are known to be frequently contaminated with mycotoxins. This review is focused on the occurrence of these toxic compounds in plant-based milks, fruit juices, and herbal teas. The fate of the toxins during processing is discussed to establish the potential risk posed by the consumption of these kind of beverages regarding mycotoxin uptake.
COVID-19 in Light of Seasonal Respiratory Infections
Authors: Kiseleva Irina , Grigorieva Elena , Larionova Natalie , Al Farroukh Mohammad , Rudenko Larisa
Published: August 2020

A wide diversity of zoonotic viruses that are capable of overcoming host range barriers facilitate the emergence of new potentially pandemic viruses in the human population. When faced with a new virus that is rapidly emerging in the human population, we have a limited knowledge base to work with. The pandemic invasion of the new SARS-CoV-2 virus in 2019 provided a unique possibility to quickly learn more about the pathogenesis of respiratory viruses. In this review, the impact of pandemics on the circulation of seasonal respiratory viruses is considered. The emergence of novel respiratory viruses has often been accompanied by the disappearance of existing circulating strains. Some issues arising from the spread of pandemic viruses and underlying the choices of a strategy to fight the coronavirus infection are discussed.
Caveolin-3: A Causative Process of Chicken Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Kikuchi Tateki
Published: August 2020

The etiology of chicken muscular dystrophy is the synthesis of aberrant WW domain containing E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase 1 (WWP1) protein made by a missense mutation of WWP1 gene. The β-dystroglycan that confers stability to sarcolemma was identified as a substrate of WWP protein, which induces the next molecular collapse. The aberrant WWP1 increases the ubiquitin ligase-mediated ubiquitination following severe degradation of sarcolemmal and cytoplasmic β-dystroglycan, and an erased β-dystroglycan in dystrophic αW fibers will lead to molecular imperfection of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (DGC). The DGC is a core protein of costamere that is an essential part of force transduction and protects the muscle fibers from contraction-induced damage. Caveolin-3 (Cav-3) and dystrophin bind competitively to the same site of β-dystroglycan, and excessive Cav-3 on sarcolemma will block the interaction of dystrophin with β-dystroglycan, which is another reason for the disruption of the DGC. It is known that fast-twitch glycolytic fibers are more sensitive and vulnerable to contraction-induced small tears than slow-twitch oxidative fibers under a variety of diseased conditions. Accordingly, the fast glycolytic αW fibers must be easy with rapid damage of sarcolemma corruption seen in chicken muscular dystrophy, but the slow oxidative fibers are able to escape from these damages.
Colorectal Cancer Prediction Based on Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis and Variational Auto-Encoder
Authors: Ai Dongmei , Wang Yuduo , Li Xiaoxin , Pan Hongfei
Published: August 2020

An effective feature extraction method is key to improving the accuracy of a prediction model. From the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, which includes 13,487 genes, we obtained microarray gene expression data for 238 samples from colorectal cancer (CRC) samples and normal samples. Twelve gene modules were obtained by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) on 173 samples. By calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) between the characteristic genes of each module and colorectal cancer, we obtained a key module that was highly correlated with CRC. We screened hub genes from the key module by considering module membership, gene significance, and intramodular connectivity. We selected 10 hub genes as a type of feature for the classifier. We used the variational autoencoder (VAE) for 1159 genes with significantly different expressions and mapped the data into a 10-dimensional representation, as another type of feature for the cancer classifier. The two types of features were applied to the support vector machines (SVM) classifier for CRC. The accuracy was 0.9692 with an AUC of 0.9981. The result shows a high accuracy of the two-step feature extraction method, which includes obtaining hub genes by WGCNA and a 10-dimensional representation by variational autoencoder (VAE).
α-Lactalbumin, Amazing Calcium-Binding Protein
Authors: Permyakov Eugene A.
Published: August 2020

α-Lactalbumin (α-LA) is a small (Mr 14,200), acidic (pI 4–5), Ca2+-binding protein. α-LA is a regulatory component of lactose synthase enzyme system functioning in the lactating mammary gland. The protein possesses a single strong Ca2+-binding site, which can also bind Mg2+, Mn2+, Na+, K+, and some other metal cations. It contains several distinct Zn2+-binding sites. Physical properties of α-LA strongly depend on the occupation of its metal binding sites by metal ions. In the absence of bound metal ions, α-LA is in the molten globule-like state. The binding of metal ions, and especially of Ca2+, increases stability of α-LA against the action of heat, various denaturing agents and proteases, while the binding of Zn2+ to the Ca2+-loaded protein decreases its stability and causes its aggregation. At pH 2, the protein is in the classical molten globule state. α-LA can associate with membranes at neutral or slightly acidic pH at physiological temperatures. Depending on external conditions, α-LA can form amyloid fibrils, amorphous aggregates, nanoparticles, and nanotubes. Some of these aggregated states of α-LA can be used in practical applications such as drug delivery to tissues and organs. α-LA and some of its fragments possess bactericidal and antiviral activities. Complexes of partially unfolded α-LA with oleic acid are cytotoxic to various tumor and bacterial cells. α-LA in the cytotoxic complexes plays a role of a delivery carrier of cytotoxic fatty acid molecules into tumor and bacterial cells across the cell membrane. Perhaps in the future the complexes of α-LA with oleic acid will be used for development of new anti-cancer drugs.
Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Mutations in Glioma: Genetics, Biochemistry, and Clinical Indications
Authors: Liu Yang , Lang Fengchao , Chou Fu-Ju , Zaghloul Kareem A. , Yang Chunzhang
Published: August 2020

Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) are commonly observed in lower-grade glioma and secondary glioblastomas. IDH mutants confer a neomorphic enzyme activity that converts α-ketoglutarate to an oncometabolite D-2-hydroxyglutarate, which impacts cellular epigenetics and metabolism. IDH mutation establishes distinctive patterns in metabolism, cancer biology, and the therapeutic sensitivity of glioma. Thus, a deeper understanding of the roles of IDH mutations is of great value to improve the therapeutic efficacy of glioma and other malignancies that share similar genetic characteristics. In this review, we focused on the genetics, biochemistry, and clinical impacts of IDH mutations in glioma.
The Biomedical Uses of Inositols: A Nutraceutical Approach to Metabolic Dysfunction in Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: López-Gambero Antonio J. , Sanjuan Carlos , Serrano-Castro Pedro Jesús , Suárez Juan , Rodríguez de Fonseca Fernando
Published: August 2020

Inositols are sugar-like compounds that are widely distributed in nature and are a part of membrane molecules, participating as second messengers in several cell-signaling processes. Isolation and characterization of inositol phosphoglycans containing myo- or d-chiro-inositol have been milestones for understanding the physiological regulation of insulin signaling. Other functions of inositols have been derived from the existence of multiple stereoisomers, which may confer antioxidant properties. In the brain, fluctuation of inositols in extracellular and intracellular compartments regulates neuronal and glial activity. Myo-inositol imbalance is observed in psychiatric diseases and its use shows efficacy for treatment of depression, anxiety, and compulsive disorders. Epi- and scyllo-inositol isomers are capable of stabilizing non-toxic forms of β-amyloid proteins, which are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive dementia in Down’s syndrome, both associated with brain insulin resistance. However, uncertainties of the intrinsic mechanisms of inositols regarding their biology are still unsolved. This work presents a critical review of inositol actions on insulin signaling, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction, and its potential for either preventing or delaying cognitive impairment in aging and neurodegenerative diseases. The biomedical uses of inositols may represent a paradigm in the industrial approach perspective, which has generated growing interest for two decades, accompanied by clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease.
Rapid Detection of Legionella pneumophila in Drinking Water, Based on Filter Immunoassay and Chronoamperometric Measurement
Authors: Ezenarro Josune J. , Párraga-Niño Noemí , Sabrià Miquel , Del Campo Fancisco Javier , Muñoz-Pascual Francesc-Xavier , Mas Jordi , Uria Naroa
Published: August 2020

Legionella is a pathogenic bacterium, ubiquitous in freshwater environments and able to colonise man-made water systems from which it can be transmitted to humans during outbreaks. The prevention of such outbreaks requires a fast, low cost, automated and often portable detection system. In this work, we present a combination of sample concentration, immunoassay detection, and measurement by chronoamperometry. A nitrocellulose microfiltration membrane is used as support for both the water sample concentration and the Legionella immunodetection. The horseradish peroxidase enzymatic label of the antibodies permits using the redox substrate 3,3′,5,5′-Tetramethylbenzidine to generate current changes proportional to the bacterial concentration present in drinking water. Carbon screen-printed electrodes are employed in the chronoamperometric measurements. Our system reduces the detection time: from the 10 days required by the conventional culture-based methods, to 2–3 h, which could be crucial to avoid outbreaks. Additionally, the system shows a linear response (R2 value of 0.99), being able to detect a range of Legionella concentrations between 101 and 104 cfu·mL−1 with a detection limit (LoD) of 4 cfu·mL−1.
Cannabinoids for People with ASD: A Systematic Review of Published and Ongoing Studies
Authors: Fusar-Poli Laura , Cavone Vito , Tinacci Silvia , Concas Ilaria , Petralia Antonino , Signorelli Maria Salvina , Díaz-Caneja Covadonga M. , Aguglia Eugenio
Published: August 2020

The etiopathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains largely unclear. Among other biological hypotheses, researchers have evidenced an imbalance in the endocannabinoid (eCB) system, which regulates some functions typically impaired in ASD, such as emotional responses and social interaction. Additionally, cannabidiol (CBD), the non-intoxicating component of Cannabis sativa, was recently approved for treatment-resistant epilepsy. Epilepsy represents a common medical condition in people with ASD. Additionally, the two conditions share some neuropathological mechanisms, particularly GABAergic dysfunctions. Hence, it was hypothesized that cannabinoids could be useful in improving ASD symptoms. Our systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and aimed to summarize the literature regarding the use of cannabinoids in ASD. After searching in Web of KnowledgeTM, PsycINFO, and Embase, we included ten studies (eight papers and two abstracts). Four ongoing trials were retrieved in ClinicalTrials.gov. The findings were promising, as cannabinoids appeared to improve some ASD-associated symptoms, such as problem behaviors, sleep problems, and hyperactivity, with limited cardiac and metabolic side effects. Conversely, the knowledge of their effects on ASD core symptoms is scarce. Interestingly, cannabinoids generally allowed to reduce the number of prescribed medications and decreased the frequency of seizures in patients with comorbid epilepsy. Mechanisms of action could be linked to the excitatory/inhibitory imbalance found in people with ASD. However, further trials with better characterization and homogenization of samples, and well-defined outcomes should be implemented.
Enhancing Cognitive Performance of Healthy Czech Seniors through Non-Native Language Learning—A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study
Authors: Klimova Blanka , Slaninova Gabriela , Prazak Pavel , Kacetl Jaroslav , Valis Martin
Published: August 2020

The aim of this article is to discuss the effect of learning a non-native language on the enhancement of cognitive performance in healthy native Czech elderly. In addition, special emphasis is put on the qualitative assessment. To do this, 42 Czech cognitively unimpaired seniors were enrolled into the study. These were then divided into an experimental group (i.e., 20 healthy elderly studied English as a non-native language for three months) and a passive control group (22 healthy elderly, who did not undergo any non-native language intervention). The main outcome measures included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, statistical processing of the data, and a qualitative content analysis. The results indicate that the cognitive performance of the intervention group did not differ from the control group. Therefore, no cognitive enhancement through non-native language learning was achieved. However, the findings of the qualitative analysis show that such non-native language learning with the peers of the same age is especially beneficial for the overall well-being of healthy seniors, especially as far as their social networks are concerned. Furthermore, participant’s subjective feelings from their self-reports indicate that foreign language learning also contributes to acquiring new English words and phrases. However, as there are very few empirical studies on this research topic, further research is needed in order to confirm or refute the present research findings on the enhancement of cognitive performance through non-native language learning in healthy seniors.
Molecular Targets for the Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Cohen Romain , Pudlarz Thomas , Delattre Jean-François , Colle Raphaël , André Thierry
Published: August 2020

Over the past years, colorectal cancer (CRC) was subtyped according to its molecular and genetic characteristics, allowing the development of therapeutic strategies, based on predictive biomarkers. Biomarkers such as microsatellite instability (MSI), RAS and BRAF mutations, HER2 amplification or NTRK fusions represent major tools for personalized therapeutic strategies. Moreover, the routine implementation of molecular predictive tests provides new perspectives and challenges for the therapeutic management of CRC patients, such as liquid biopsies and the reintroduction of anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies. In this review, we summarize the current landscape of targeted therapies for metastatic CRC patients, with a focus on new developments for EGFR blockade and emerging biomarkers (MSI, HER2, NTRK).
Age at Onset and Presenting Symptoms of Neurofibromatosis Type 2 as Prognostic Factors for Clinical Course of Vestibular Schwannomas
Authors: Gugel Isabel , Grimm Florian , Zipfel Julian , Teuber Christian , Ernemann Ulrike , Kluwe Lan , Tatagiba Marcos , Mautner Victor-Felix , Schuhmann Martin Ulrich
Published: August 2020

The presenting symptoms of the tumor suppressor gene syndrome neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) are often non-specific and unrelated to the disease hallmark bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VS). However, age at onset and presenting symptoms may have predictive values for the clinical course of VS. In this retrospective single-center study, we addressed this issue by reviewing 106 patients with 194 VS. Presenting symptoms attributable to VS commonly occur in 87% of adults and 31% of children. Age at onset significantly correlates with tumor volumes at presentation (p = 0.034). In addition, age at onset significantly correlates with pure-tone average (p = 0.0001), speech discrimination scores (p = 0.001), age at beginning of hearing loss (p = 0.0001), age at deafness (p = 0.0001), and age at first surgery (p = 0.0001). Patients presenting with VS related symptoms had significantly (p < 0.05) worse hearing values at presentation and after surgery. These patients also exhibited higher growth rates and tumor volumes compared to patients with non-VS related presenting symptoms, but this difference did not reach the significance level of p < 0.05. Due to the late appearance of these symptoms, the time of beginning hearing loss, surgery and deafness is significantly delayed (p < 0.05) compared to patients not presenting with VS. In summary, age at onset and type of presenting symptom provide excellent prognostic parameters for predicting VS- and hearing-related clinical course.
Nuclear Receptors as Potential Therapeutic Targets for Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Pan Pan , Chen Xiao
Published: August 2020

The nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily has been studied extensively in many solid tumors and some receptors have been targeted to develop therapies. However, their roles in leukemia are less clear and vary considerably among different types of leukemia. Some NRs participate in mediating the differentiation of myeloid cells, making them attractive therapeutic targets for myeloid leukemia. To date, the success of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) remains a classical and unsurpassable example of cancer differentiation therapy. ATRA targets retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and forces differentiation and/or apoptosis of leukemic cells. In addition, ligands/agonists of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) have also been shown to inhibit proliferation, induce differentiation, and promote apoptosis of leukemic cells. Encouragingly, combining different NR agonists or the addition of NR agonists to chemotherapies have shown some synergistic anti-leukemic effects. This review will summarize recent research findings and discuss the therapeutic potential of selected NRs in acute and chronic myeloid leukemia, focusing on RAR, VDR, PPAR, and retinoid X receptor (RXR). We believe that more mechanistic studies in this field will not only shed new lights on the roles of NRs in leukemia, but also further expand the clinical applications of existing therapeutic agents targeting NRs.
A Systematic Review of Inverse Agonism at Adrenoceptor Subtypes
Authors: Michel Martin C. , Michel-Reher Martina B. , Hein Peter
Published: August 2020

As many, if not most, ligands at G protein-coupled receptor antagonists are inverse agonists, we systematically reviewed inverse agonism at the nine adrenoceptor subtypes. Except for β3-adrenoceptors, inverse agonism has been reported for each of the adrenoceptor subtypes, most often for β2-adrenoceptors, including endogenously expressed receptors in human tissues. As with other receptors, the detection and degree of inverse agonism depend on the cells and tissues under investigation, i.e., they are greatest when the model has a high intrinsic tone/constitutive activity for the response being studied. Accordingly, they may differ between parts of a tissue, for instance, atria vs. ventricles of the heart, and within a cell type, between cellular responses. The basal tone of endogenously expressed receptors is often low, leading to less consistent detection and a lesser extent of observed inverse agonism. Extent inverse agonism depends on specific molecular properties of a compound, but inverse agonism appears to be more common in certain chemical classes. While inverse agonism is a fascinating facet in attempts to mechanistically understand observed drug effects, we are skeptical whether an a priori definition of the extent of inverse agonism in the target product profile of a developmental candidate is a meaningful option in drug discovery and development.
Enhanced NO2-Sensing Properties of Au-Loaded Porous In2O3 Gas Sensors at Low Operating Temperatures
Authors: Ueda Taro , Boehme Inci , Hyodo Takeo , Shimizu Yasuhiro , Weimar Udo , Barsan Nicolae
Published: August 2020

NO2-sensing properties of semiconductor gas sensors using porous In2O3 powders loaded with and without 0.5 wt% Au (Au/In2O3 and In2O3 sensors, respectively) were examined in wet air (70% relative humidity at 25 °C). In addition, the effects of Au loading on the increased NO2 response were discussed on the basis of NO2 adsorption/desorption properties on the oxide surface. The NO2 response of the Au/In2O3 sensor monotonically increased with a decrease in the operating temperature, and the Au/In2O3 sensor showed higher NO2 responses than those of the In2O3 sensor at a temperature of 100 °C or lower. In addition, the response time of the Au/In2O3 sensor was much shorter than that of the In2O3 sensor at 30 °C. The analysis based on the Freundlich adsorption mechanism suggested that the Au loading increased the adsorption strength of NO2 on the In2O3 surface. Moreover, the Au loading was also quite effective in decreasing the baseline resistance of the In2O3 sensor in wet air (i.e., increasing the number of free electrons in the In2O3), which resulted in an increase in the number of negatively charged NO2 species on the In2O3 surface. The Au/In2O3 sensor showed high response to the low concentration of NO2 (ratio of resistance in target gas to that in air: ca. 133 to 0.1 ppm) and excellent NO2 selectivity against CO and ethanol, especially at 100 °C.
Identifying the Input Uncertainties to Quantify When Prioritizing Railway Assets for Risk-Reducing Interventions
Authors: Papathanasiou Natalia , Adey Bryan T.
Published: August 2020

Railway managers identify and prioritize assets for risk-reducing interventions. This requires the estimation of risks due to failures, as well as the estimation of costs and effects due to interventions. This, in turn, requires the estimation of values of numerous input variables. As there is uncertainty related to the initial input estimates, there is uncertainty in the output, i.e., assets to be prioritized for risk-reducing interventions. Consequently, managers are confronted with two questions: Do the uncertainties in inputs cause significant uncertainty in the output? If so, where should efforts be concentrated to quantify them? This paper discusses the identification of input uncertainties that are likely to affect railway asset prioritization for risk-reducing interventions. Once the track sections, switches and bridges of a part of the Irish railway network were prioritized using best estimates of inputs, they were again prioritized using: (1) reasonably low and high estimates, and (2) Monte Carlo sampling from skewed normal distributions, where the low and high estimates encompass the 95% confidence interval. The results show that only uncertainty in a few inputs influences the prioritization of the assets for risk-reducing interventions. Reliable prioritization of assets can be achieved by quantifying the uncertainties in these particular inputs.
Thermal Analysis and Optimization of Nano Coated Radiator Tubes Using Computational Fluid Dynamics and Taguchi Method
Authors: Pungaiah Sudalai Suresh , Kailasanathan Chidambara Kuttalam
Published: August 2020

Automotive heat removal levels are of high importance for maximizing fuel consumption. Current radiator designs are constrained by air-side impedance, and a large front field must meet the cooling requirements. The enormous demand for powerful engines in smaller hood areas has caused a lack of heat dissipation in the vehicle radiators. As a prediction, exceptional radiators are modest enough to understand coolness and demonstrate great sensitivity to cooling capacity. The working parameters of the nano-coated tubes are studied using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Taguchi methods in this article. The CFD and Taguchi methods are used for the design of experiments to analyse the impact of nano-coated radiator parameters and the parameters having a significant impact on the efficiency of the radiator. The CFD and Taguchi methodology studies show that all of the above-mentioned parameters contribute equally to the rate of heat transfer, effectiveness, and overall heat transfer coefficient of the nanocoated radiator tubes. Experimental findings are examined to assess the adequacy of the proposed method. In this study, the coolant fluid was transmitted at three different mass flow rates, at three different coating thicknesses, and coated on the top surface of the radiator tubes. Thermal analysis is performed for three temperatures as heat input conditioning for CFD. The most important parameter for nanocoated radiator tubes is the orthogonal array, followed by the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNRA) and the variance analysis (ANOVA). A proper orthogonal array is then selected and tests are carried out. The findings of ANOVA showed 95% confidence and were confirmed in the most significant parameters. The optimal values of the parameters are obtained with the help of the graphs.
In Situ Electric-Field Study of Surface Effects in Domain Engineered Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 Relaxor Crystals by Grazing Incidence Diffraction
Authors: Cain Markys G. , Staruch Margo , Thompson Paul , Lucas Christopher , Wermeille Didier , Kayser Yves , Beckhoff Burkhard , Lofland Sam E. , Finkel Peter
Published: August 2020

In this work, we present a grazing incidence X-ray diffraction study of the surface of a 0.24Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 (PIN-PMN-PT) [011] poled rhombohedral single crystal. The near surface microstructure (the top several tens to hundreds of unit cells) was measured in situ under an applied electric field. The strains calculated from the change in lattice parameters have been compared to the macroscopic strain measured with a strain gauge affixed to the sample surface. The depth dependence of the electrostrain at the crystal surface was investigated as a function of temperature. The analysis revealed hidden sweet spots featuring unusually high strains that were observed as a function of depth, temperature and orientation of the lattice planes.
Exotic Prey Facilitate Coexistence between Pumas and Culpeo Foxes in the Andes of Central Chile
Authors: Osorio Christian , Muñoz Ana , Guarda Nicolás , Bonacic Cristian , Kelly Marcella
Published: August 2020

Coexistence between species with similar ecological niches implies species must segregate along one or more niche axes to survive. Space, time, and trophic resources are regarded as the principal axes upon which species segregate. We examined segregation along these niche axes to determine mechanisms underlying coexistence between the two main predators, puma (Puma concolor) and culpeo foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus) in the Andes of Central Chile. We used occupancy modeling to examine space use and overlap, Kernel Density Estimation to determine temporal activity patterns and overlap, and analysis of prey remains in feces to assess diet breadth and similarity. We found high spatial overlap and positive associations between detection of the carnivores lending little support for spatial segregation. Similarly, we found high nocturnal, temporal overlap between pumas and foxes that matched peaks in activity of prey. In contrast, we found relatively low dietary overlap indicating niche segregation likely occurs along the dietary axis. The Puma diet was dominated by introduced, exotic hares and foxes appeared to shift away from hares to rabbits, small mammals, and seeds. Given that lagomorphs are the main dietary resource for pumas in particular, management decisions regarding the control or eradication of such exotic species could negatively affected puma survival.
E-Learning Critical Success Factors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Comprehensive Analysis of E-Learning Managerial Perspectives
Authors: Alqahtani Ammar Y. , Rajkhan Albraa A.
Published: August 2020

During the COVID-19 pandemic, educational institutions were shut down all over the world, which impacted over 60% of students and caused a massive disruption of the education system. The goal of this paper was to identify the critical success factors for E-learning during COVID-19 using the multi-criteria Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) techniques to enhance the educational process. Data were generated by interviewing 69 E-learning managers in educational institutions during COVID-19 based on defined evaluation criteria and E-learning approaches through several channels. We found that technology management, support from management, increased student awareness to use E-learning systems, and demanding a high level of information technology from instructors, students, and universities were the most influential factors for E-learning during COVID-19. Among the five learning systems, blended learning was the most suitable learning system to practice. These results demonstrated that, regardless of how extraordinary the technology is in an educational institution, the readiness of E-learning execution played a large role in boosting the educational process during the COVID-19 pandemic.
FP-TES: Fluidization Based Particle Thermal Energy Storage, Part II: Experimental Investigations
Authors: Sulzgruber Verena , Wünsch David , Walter Heimo , Haider Markus
Published: August 2020

In recent years, the fight against global warming and therefore CO2 reduction have become the most important issue for humanity. As a result, volatile sources of energy—like wind and solar power—are penetrating the electrical grid and therefore an increased demand on storage capacities is required. At the TU Wien Institute for Energy Systems and Thermodynamics, a Fluidization Based Particle Thermal Energy Storage (FP-TES) working with bulk material as a sensible storage material is developed. In this paper, the concept and an experimental study of the cold test rig is presented. By means of various pressure measurements, a novel concept of particle transport based on advanced fluidization technology without any mechanical transport devices is investigated. Moreover, a mathematical correlation between the pressure gradients and the particle mass flow is found. Overall, the experimental study provides a full proof of concept and functionality of the novel energy storage system.
Methodology to Evaluate the Embodied Primary Energy and CO2 Production at Each Stage of the Life Cycle of Prefabricated Structural Systems: The Case of the Solar Decathlon Competition
Authors: Luna-Tintos J.F. , Cobreros Carlos , López-Escamilla Álvaro , Herrera-Limones Rafael , Torres-García Miguel
Published: August 2020

The construction industry is responsible for a high percentage of the energy consumed on the planet and the emission of greenhouse gases, therefore it is considered necessary to rethink many of the processes that this industry carries out in order to reduce its environmental impact. For this, one of the paths could take into account the Life Cycle Assessment of the used materials, for which it is necessary to evaluate this aspect through indicators that allow the qualification and quantification of the weight of these environmental impacts. In this context, this article presents a methodological proposal for the quantitative evaluation of the embodied primary energy and CO2 production at each stage of the life cycle of prefabricated structural systems, taking as case studies eight prototypes from the “Solar Decathlon” competition in its editions of Europe (2014), United States (2015) and Latin America (2015), through a Simplified Life Cycle Analysis, using the Eco Audit tool from CES Edupack. Through this analysis, conclusions are drawn about the optimization of a structural system with lower environmental demand and the possibilities of transferring knowledge from this competition to be applied in innovative systems of new housing models.
Office Occupants’ Perspective Dealing with Energy Flexibility: A Large-Scale Survey in the Province of Bolzano
Authors: Vigna Ilaria , Balest Jessica , Pasut Wilmer , Pernetti Roberta
Published: August 2020

The current energy system is dealing with an increasing share of renewable energy that, because of its intermittent availability, can affect the effectiveness of the energy supply. To cope with the problem, buildings need to become energy flexible. According to the definition given by IEA EBC Annex 67, energy flexibility is the ability of a building to manage its demand and generation according to local climate conditions, user needs and grid requirements. Users of energy-flexible buildings play a crucial role for an effective implementation, thus user acceptance and proper behaviour are important factors. In order to understand the current level of awareness on the topic and the general acceptance of the users, this paper presents the results of a large-scale survey distributed in the office buildings of the Province of Bolzano (Italy). This study investigates the information, experience, beliefs, and desires of the building users (i.e., office employees) with concepts and technologies dealing with energy flexibility, such as smart grids, smart appliances, and smart meters. This study identifies (i) the main socio-demographic characteristics associated to the information and desires about energy flexibility in office buildings, and (ii) the main conditions of social acceptance of flexible energy usages. Although this work is focused on a specific user type (i.e., office workers in the Province of Bolzano) and the results cannot be generalized, the analysis offers an interesting insight on the user perspectives and acceptance on energy flexibility and can be easily replicated. The results can be used at local level to provide insights for policies and strategies to encourage building users to be more flexible.
Solving the Optimal Reactive Power Dispatch Using Marine Predators Algorithm Considering the Uncertainties in Load and Wind-Solar Generation Systems
Authors: Ebeed Mohamed , Alhejji Ayman , Kamel Salah , Jurado Francisco
Published: August 2020

The optimal reactive power dispatch (ORPD) problem is an important issue to assign the most efficient and secure operating point of the electrical system. The ORPD became a strenuous task, especially with the high penetration of renewable energy resources due to the intermittent and stochastic nature of wind speed and solar irradiance. In this paper, the ORPD is solved using a new natural inspired algorithm called the marine predators’ algorithm (MPA) considering the uncertainties of the load demand and the output powers of wind and solar generation systems. The scenario-based method is applied to handle the uncertainties of the system by generating deterministic scenarios from the probability density functions of the system parameters. The proposed algorithm is applied to solve the ORPD of the IEEE-30 bus system to minimize the power loss and the system voltage devotions. The result verifies that the proposed method is an efficient method for solving the ORPD compared with the state-of-the-art techniques.
Functional Energy Accumulation, Photo- and Magnetosensitive Hybridity in the GaSe-Based Hierarchical Structures
Authors: Chabecki Piotr , Całus Dariusz , Ivashchyshyn Fedir , Pidluzhna Anna , Hryhorchak Orest , Bordun Ihor , Makarchuk Oleksandr , Kityk Andriy V.
Published: August 2020

We report on the complex GaSe-based hierarchical structures GaSe(CS(NH2)2), GaSe(SmCl3) and GaSe(CS(NH2)2(SmCl3)) synthesized by an intercalation method. The conductive properties of synthesized clathrates and their relation to hierarchical structural complexity were explored by an impedance spectroscopy technique. The impedance response, thermostimulated discharge spectra, and photo- and magnetoresistive effects are reported. Based on the obtained results, the impurity energy spectra were calculated. A strong low-frequency inductive response, observable in the GaSe(SmCl3) clathrate, makes this material promising for the development of gyrator-free nanodelay lines potentially applicable in nanoelectronics. Hierarchical GaSe(CS(NH2)2(SmCl3)) clathrate, on the other hand, reveals hysteresis of the current–voltage characteristics, apparently confirming an accumulation of electric energy at interphase boundaries. A relevant spin battery effect, observable experimentally in stationary magnetic fields, demonstrates a principal possibility of the electric energy accumulation at a quantum level.
A Maximum Power Point Tracking Method Based on a Modified Grasshopper Algorithm Combined with Incremental Conductance
Authors: Wijaya Bustani Hadi , Subroto Ramadhani Kurniawan , Lian Kuo Lung , Hariyanto Nanang
Published: August 2020

The partial shading of photovoltaic (PV) modules due to clouds or blocking objects, such as buildings or tree leaves, is a common problem for photovoltaic systems. To address this, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is implemented to find the global maximum power point (GMPP). In this paper, a new hybrid MPPT is proposed that combines a modified grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA) with incremental conductance (IC). In the first stage, the proposed modified GOA is implemented to find a suitable tracking area where the GMPP is located. Then the system moves to the second stage by implementing IC to get the correct GMPP. IC is a fast-performing and reliable algorithm. By combining GOA and IC, the proposed method can find the GMPP accurately with a short tracking time. Various experimental results show that the proposed method yields the highest tracking efficiency and lowest tracking time compared to some of the state-of-the-art MPPT algorithms, such as particle swarm and modified firefly optimizations.
A Comprehensive Review of Phytochemistry and Biological Activities of Quercus Species
Authors: Burlacu Ema , Nisca Adrian , Tanase Corneliu
Published: August 2020

The Quercus genus provides a large amount of biomaterial with many applications in fields like pharmaceutics, cosmetics, and foodstuff areas. Due to the worldwide dissemination of the genus, many species were used for centuries in traditional healing methods or in the wine maturing process. This review aims to bring together the results about phytoconstituents from oak extracts and their biological applicability as antioxidants, antimicrobial, anticancer, etc. The literature data used in this paper were collected via PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct (2010–June 2020). The inclusion criteria were papers published in English, with information about phytoconstituents from Quercus species (leaves, bark and seeds/acorns) and biological activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antiobesity, anti-acne vulgaris, antifungal, anticancer, antiviral, antileishmanial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory. The exclusion criteria were the research of other parts of the Quercus species (e.g., galls, wood, and twigs); lack of information about phytochemistry and biological activities; non-existent Quercus species reported by the authors. The most studied Quercus species, in terms of identified biomolecules and biological activity, are Q. brantii, Q. infectoria and Q. robur. The Quercus species have been reported to contain several phytoconstituents. The main bioactive phytochemicals are phenolic compounds, volatile organic compounds, sterols, aliphatic alcohols and fatty acids. The, Quercus species are intensely studied due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities, provided by their phytochemical composition. The general conclusion is that oak extracts can be exploited for their biological activity and can be used in research fields, such as pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and medical.
Modeling of Dead Wood Potential Based on Tree Stand Data
Authors: Mikkonen Ninni , Leikola Niko , Halme Panu , Heinaro Einari , Lahtinen Ari , Tanhuanpää Topi
Published: August 2020

Here we present a framework for identifying areas with high dead wood potential (DWP) for conservation planning needs. The amount and quality of dead wood and dying trees are some of the most important factors for biodiversity in forests. As they are easy to recognize on site, it is widely used as a surrogate marker for ecological quality of forests. However, wall-to-wall information on dead wood is rarely available on a large scale as field data collection is expensive and local dead wood conditions change rapidly. Our method is based on the forest growth models in the Motti forest simulator, taking into account 168 combinations of tree species, site types, and vegetation zones as well as recommendations on forest management. Simulated estimates of stand-level dead wood volume and mean diameter at breast height were converted into DWP functions. The accuracy of the method was validated on two sites in southern and northeastern Finland, both consisting of managed and conserved boreal forests. Altogether, 203 field plots were measured for living and dead trees. Data on living trees were inserted into corresponding DWP functions and the resulting DWPs were compared to the measured dead wood volumes. Our results show that DWP modeling is an operable tool, yet the accuracy differs between areas. The DWP performs best in near-pristine southern forests known for their exceptionally good quality areas. In northeastern areas with a history of softer management, the differences between near-pristine and managed forests is not as clear. While accurate wall-to-wall dead wood inventory is not available, we recommend using DWP method together with other spatial datasets when assessing biodiversity values of forests.
Assessment of the Antibiotic Resistance Profile, Genetic Heterogeneity and Biofilm Production of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Isolated from The Italian Swine Production Chain
Authors: Rodríguez-López Pedro , Filipello Virginia , Di Ciccio Pierluigi Aldo , Pitozzi Alessandra , Ghidini Sergio , Scali Federico , Ianieri Adriana , Zanardi Emanuela , Losio Marina Nadia , Simon Ancuta Cezara , Alborali Giovanni Loris
Published: August 2020

The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the level of antibiotic resistance, prevalence and virulence features of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from heavy swine at abattoir level and farming environments in Lombardy (Northern Italy). With this scope, 88 different heavy swine farms were surveyed, obtaining a total of n = 440 animal swabs and n = 150 environmental swabs. A total of n = 87 MRSA isolates were obtained, with an overall MRSA incidence of 17.50% (n = 77) among animal samples and a 6.67% (n = 10) among environmental. Molecular characterisation using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) plus spa-typing showed that sequence type ST398/t899 and ST398/t011 were the most commonly isolated genotypes, although other relevant sequence types such as ST1 or ST97 were also found. A lack of susceptibility to penicillins, tetracycline and ceftiofur was detected in >91.95, 85.05 and 48.28% of the isolates, respectively. Resistance to doxycycline (32.18%), enrofloxacin (27.59%) and gentamicin (25.29%) was also observed. Additionally, a remarkable level of antibiotic multiresistance (AMR) was observed representing a 77.01% (n = 67) of the obtained isolates. Genetic analysis revealed that 97.70% and 77.01% of the isolates harboured at least one antibiotic resistance or enterotoxin gene, respectively, pointing out a high isolate virulence potential. Lastly, 55.17% (n = 48) were able to produce measurable amounts of biofilm after 24 h. In spite of the current programmes for antibiotic reduction in intensively farming, a still on-going high level of AMR and virulence potential in MRSA was demonstrated, making this pathogen a serious risk in swine production chain, highlighting once more the need to develop efficient, pathogen-specific control strategies.