bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of MYC and PP2A in the Initiation and Progression of Myeloid Leukemias
Authors: Pippa Raffaella , Odero Maria D.
Published: February 2020

The MYC transcription factor is one of the best characterized PP2A substrates. Deregulation of the MYC oncogene, along with inactivation of PP2A, are two frequent events in cancer. Both proteins are essential regulators of cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation, and they, directly and indirectly, regulate each other’s activity. Studies in cancer suggest that targeting the MYC/PP2A network is an achievable strategy for the clinic. Here, we focus on and discuss the role of MYC and PP2A in myeloid leukemias.
Cyclooxygenases Inhibitors Efficiently Induce Cardiomyogenesis in Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Nemade Harshal , Acharya Aviseka , Chaudhari Umesh , Nembo Erastus , Nguemo Filomain , Riet Nicole , Abken Hinrich , Hescheler Jürgen , Papadopoulos Symeon , Sachinidis Agapios
Published: February 2020

Application of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs) is limited by the challenges in their efficient differentiation. Recently, the Wingless (Wnt) signaling pathway has emerged as the key regulator of cardiomyogenesis. In this study, we evaluated the effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitors on cardiac differentiation of hPSCs. Cardiac differentiation was performed by adherent monolayer based method using 4 hPSC lines (HES3, H9, IMR90, and ES4SKIN). The efficiency of cardiac differentiation was evaluated by flow cytometry and RT-qPCR. Generated hPSC-CMs were characterised using immunocytochemistry, electrophysiology, electron microscopy, and calcium transient measurements. Our data show that the COX inhibitors Sulindac and Diclofenac in combination with CHIR99021 (GSK-3 inhibitor) efficiently induce cardiac differentiation of hPSCs. In addition, inhibition of COX using siRNAs targeted towards COX-1 and/or COX-2 showed that inhibition of COX-2 alone or COX-1 and COX-2 in combination induce cardiomyogenesis in hPSCs within 12 days. Using IMR90-Wnt reporter line, we showed that inhibition of COX-2 led to downregulation of Wnt signalling activity in hPSCs. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that COX inhibition efficiently induced cardiogenesis via modulation of COX and Wnt pathway and the generated cardiomyocytes express cardiac-specific structural markers as well as exhibit typical calcium transients and action potentials. These cardiomyocytes also responded to cardiotoxicants and can be relevant as an in vitro cardiotoxicity screening model.
Use of the Sol–Gel Method for the Preparation of Coatings of Titanium Substrates with Hydroxyapatite for Biomedical Application
Authors: Catauro Michelina , Barrino Federico , Blanco Ignazio , Piccolella Simona , Pacifico Severina
Published: February 2020

Hydroxyapatite (HA) was coated onto the surface of commercially pure titanium grade 4 (a material generally used for implant application) by a dip coating method using HA sol. Hydroxyapatite sol was synthesized via sol–gel using Ca(NO3)2∙4H2O and P2O5 as precursors. The surface of the HA coating was homogeneous, as determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), which allowed the materials to be characterized. The bioactivity of the synthesized materials and their efficiency for use as future bone implants was confirmed by observing the formation of a layer of hydroxyapatite on the surface of the samples soaked in a fluid simulating the composition of human blood plasma. To verify the biocompatibility of the obtained biomaterial, fibroblasts were grown on a glass surface and were tested for viability after 24 h. The results of the WST-8 analysis suggest that the HA systems, prepared by the sol–gel method, are most suitable for modifying the surface of titanium implants and improving their biocompatibility.
Antioxidant Materials Based on 2D Nanostructures: A Review on Recent Progresses
Authors: Muráth Szabolcs , Alsharif Nizar , Sáringer Szilárd , Katana Bojana , Somosi Zoltán , Szilagyi Istvan
Published: February 2020

Counteracting reactive oxygen species (ROS, e.g., superoxide radical ion, H2O2 and hydroxyl radical) is an important task in fighting against oxidative stress-related illnesses and in improving product quality in industrial manufacturing processes. This review focuses on the recent advances on two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials of antioxidant activity, which are designed for effective decomposition of ROS and thus, for reduction of oxidative stress. Some materials featured in this paper are of uni- or multi-lamellar structures modified with small molecular or enzymatic antioxidants. Others are enzyme-mimicking synthetic compounds (the so-called nanozymes) prepared without antioxidant additives. However, carbon-based materials will not be included, as they were extensively reviewed in the recent past from similar aspects. Given the landmark development around the 2D materials used in various bio-applications, sheet-like antioxidant compounds are of great interest in the scientific and technological communities. Therefore, the authors hope that this review on the recent progresses will be helpful especially for researchers working on novel developments to substantially reduce oxidative stress either in biological systems or industrial liquors.
PbMoO4 Synthesis from Ancient Lead and Its Single Crystal Growth for Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Search
Authors: Khan Arshad , Aryal Pabitra , Kim Hongjoo , Lee Moo Hyun , Kim Yeongduk
Published: February 2020

A powder synthesis of PbMoO4 (PMO) from ancient lead (Pb) and deeply purified commercial MoO3 powders was performed using a wet chemistry technique to achieve the low radioactivity scintillator for neutrinoless double beta decay search in 100Mo. The synthesized powders were used to grow single crystals of PbMoO4 by the Czochralski technique in an Ar environment. The luminescence and scintillation properties were measured with excitations using UV, X- and γ-rays in the temperature range of 10–300 K. Annealing of the grown PMO crystal in an air atmosphere significantly enhanced the scintillation light yield compared to that measured before annealing. The scintillation light yield of grown PMO crystal at 10 K was found to be 127% to that of a reference PMO crystal under 662 keV γ-rays excitation from a 137Cs source. The background measurement of the grown crystal performed at 50 K shows a lower internal activity from 210Pb compared to that of reference PMO (grown from modern Pb) crystal. These preliminary performances show that the PMO crystal grown from ancient Pb and deeply purified MoO3 powders has a great potential to be used as a cryogenic scintillator for the neutrinoless double beta decay search in 100Mo.
Asymptotic Versus Bootstrap Inference for Inequality Indices of the Cumulative Distribution Function
Authors: Abul Naga Ramses , Stapenhurst Christopher , Yalonetzky Gaston
Published: February 2020

We examine the performance of asymptotic inference as well as bootstrap tests for the Alphabeta and Kobus–Miłoś family of inequality indices for ordered response data. We use Monte Carlo experiments to compare the empirical size and statistical power of asymptotic inference and the Studentized bootstrap test. In a broad variety of settings, both tests are found to have similar rejection probabilities of true null hypotheses, and similar power. Nonetheless, the asymptotic test remains correctly sized in the presence of certain types of severe class imbalances exhibiting very low or very high levels of inequality, whereas the bootstrap test becomes somewhat oversized in these extreme settings.
Lab-Supported Hypothesis and Mathematical Modeling of Crack Development in the Fluid-Soaking Process of Multi-Fractured Horizontal Wells in Shale Gas Reservoirs
Authors: Huang Zhiyong , Guo Boyun , Shaibu Rashid
Published: February 2020

The objective of this study is to develop a technique to identify the optimum water-soaking time for maximizing productivity of shale gas and oil wells. Based on the lab observation of cracks formed in shale core samples under simulated water-soaking conditions, shale cracking was found to dominate the water-soaking process in multi-fractured gas/oil wells. An analytical model was derived from the principle of capillary-viscous force balance to describe the dynamic process of crack propagation in shale gas formations during water-soaking. Result of model analysis shows that the formation of cracks contributes to improving well inflow performance, while the cracks also draw fracturing fluid from the hydraulic fractures and reduce fracture width, and consequently lower well inflow performance. The tradeoff between the crack development and fracture closure allows for an optimum water-soaking time, which will maximize well productivity. Reducing viscosity of fracturing fluid will speed up the optimum water-soaking time, while lowering the water-shale interfacial tension will delay the optimum water-soaking time. It is recommended that real-time shut-in pressure data are measured and shale core samples are tested to predict the density of cracks under fluid-soaking conditions before using the crack propagation model. This work provides a shut-in pressure data-driven method for water-soaking time optimization in shale gas wells for maximizing well productivity and gas recovery factor.
Mercury Migration Behavior from Flue Gas to Fly Ashes in a Commercial Coal-Fired CFB Power Plant
Authors: Li Xiaohang , Teng Yang , Zhang Kai , Peng Hao , Cheng Fangqin , Yoshikawa Kunio
Published: February 2020

Mercury (Hg) emissions from coal-fired power plants are of increasing concern around the world. In this study, field tests were carried out to understand the Hg emission characteristics and its migration behaviors in a commercial CFB boiler unit with the electricity generation capacity of 25 MW. This boiler is equipped with one electrostatic precipitator (ESP) and two fabric filters (FFs) in series for removing particulates from the flue gas. The EPA 30B method was used for simultaneous flue gas Hg sampling at the inlet of the ESP and the outlet of the second FF. The Hg mass balance in the range of 104.07% to 112.87% was obtained throughout the CFB unit by measuring the Hg contents in the feed fuel, the fly ash and the bottom ash, as well as in the flue gas at the outlet of the particulate control device (PCD) system. More than 99% of Hg contained in the feed fuel was captured by the fly ash, whilst less than 1% of Hg was remained in the bottom ash or the flue gas after passing the PCD system. The gaseous Hg obviously migrated from the flue gas to the fly ash in the air pre-heater, where the flue gas temperature decreased from 250 °C at the inlet to 120 °C at the outlet. Other gaseous Hg migrated from the flue gas to the fly ash in the PCD system, as the Hg concentrations in the flue gas ranged from 3.14 to 4.14 μg/m3 at the inlet of the ESP and ranged from 0.30 to 0.36 μg/m3 at the outlet of the second FF. The average Hg contents in the fly ash samples collected from the ESP, the first FF and the second FF were 912.3, 1313.6 and 1464.9 ng/g, respectively, while the mean particle diameters of these fly ash samples tend to decrease along the flow pass in the PCD system. Compared to large fly ash particles, smaller fly ash particles exhibit higher Hg capture performance due to their high unburned carbon (UBC) content and large specific surface area. The migration of gaseous Hg from the flue gas to the fly ash downstream of the CFB boiler unit was easier than that downstream of the PC boiler unit due to high UBC content and specific surface area.
Kinetic Characterization of Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Apple Pomace as Feedstock for a Sugar-Based Biorefinery
Authors: Procentese Alessandra , Russo Maria Elena , Di Somma Ilaria , Marzocchella Antonio
Published: February 2020

The enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose from biomass feedstock in the sugar-based biorefinery chain is penalized by enzyme cost and difficulty to approach the theoretical maximum cellulose conversion degree. As a consequence, the process is currently investigated to identify the best operating conditions with reference to each biomass feedstock. The present work reports an investigation regarding the enzymatic hydrolysis of apple pomace (AP). AP is an agro-food waste largely available in Europe that might be exploited as a sugar source for biorefinery purposes. A biomass pre-treatment step was required before the enzymatic hydrolysis to make available polysaccharides chains to the biocatalyst. The AP samples were pre-treated through alkaline (NaOH), acid (HCl), and enzymatic (laccase) delignification processes to investigate the effect of lignin content and polysaccharides composition on enzymatic hydrolysis. Enzymatic hydrolysis tests were carried out using a commercial cocktail (Cellic®CTec2) of cellulolytic enzymes. The effect of mixing speed and biomass concentration on the experimental overall glucose production rate was assessed. The characterization of the glucose production rate by the assessment of pseudo-homogeneous kinetic models was proposed. Data were analysed to assess kinetic parameters of pseudo-mechanistic models able to describe the glucose production rate during AP enzymatic hydrolysis. In particular, pseudo-homogeneous Michaelis and Menten, as well as Chrastil’s models were used. The effect of lignin content on the enzymatic hydrolysis rate was evaluated. Chrastil’s model provided the best description of the glucose production rate.
Small-Scale Forest Structure Influences Spatial Variability of Belowground Carbon Fluxes in a Mature Mediterranean Beech Forest
Authors: D’Andrea Ettore , Guidolotti Gabriele , Scartazza Andrea , De Angelis Paolo , Matteucci Giorgio
Published: February 2020

The tree belowground compartment, especially fine roots, plays a relevant role in the forest ecosystem carbon (C) cycle, contributing largely to soil CO2 efflux (SR) and to net primary production (NPP). Beyond the well-known role of environmental drivers on fine root production (FRP) and SR, other determinants such as forest structure are still poorly understood. We investigated spatial variability of FRP, SR, forest structural traits, and their reciprocal interactions in a mature beech forest in the Mediterranean mountains. In the year of study, FRP resulted in the main component of NPP and explained about 70% of spatial variability of SR. Moreover, FRP was strictly driven by leaf area index (LAI) and soil water content (SWC). These results suggest a framework of close interactions between structural and functional forest features at the local scale to optimize C source–sink relationships under climate variability in a Mediterranean mature beech forest.
Density Profiles of 51 Galaxies from Parameter-Free Inverse Models of Their Measured Rotation Curves
Authors: Criss Robert E. , Hofmeister Anne M.
Published: February 2020

Spiral galaxies and their rotation curves have key characteristics of differentially spinning objects. Oblate spheroid shapes are a consequence of spin and reasonably describe galaxies, indicating that their matter is distributed in gravitationally interacting homeoidal shells. Here, previously published equations describing differentially spinning oblate spheroids with radially varying density are applied to 51 galaxies, mostly spirals. A constant volumetric density (ρ, kg m−3) is assumed for each thin homeoid in these formulae, after Newton, which is consistent with RCs being reported simply as a function of equatorial radius r. We construct parameter-free inverse models that uniquely specify mass inside any given r, and thus directly constrain ρ vs. r solely from velocity v (r) and galactic aspect ratios (assumed as 1:10 for spirals when data are unavailable). Except for their innermost zones, ρ is proven to be closely proportional to rn, where the statistical average of n for all 36 spirals studied is −1.80 ± 0.40. Our values for interior densities compare closely with independently measured baryon density in appropriate astronomical environments: for example, calculated ρ at galactic edges agrees with independently estimated ρ of intergalactic media (IGM). Our finding that central densities increase with galaxy size is consistent with behavior exhibited by diverse self-gravitating entities. Our calculated mass distributions are consistent with visible luminosity and require no non-baryonic component.
Reversion to Normal of FMR1 Expanded Alleles: A Rare Event in Two Independent Fragile X Syndrome Families
Authors: Tabolacci Elisabetta , Pietrobono Roberta , Maneri Giulia , Remondini Laura , Nobile Veronica , Della Monica Matteo , Pomponi Maria Grazia , Genuardi Maurizio , Neri Giovanni , Chiurazzi Pietro
Published: February 2020

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is mostly due to the expansion and subsequent methylation of a polymorphic CGG repeat in the 5’ UTR of the FMR1 gene. Full mutation alleles (FM) have more than 200 repeats and result in FMR1 gene silencing and FXS. FMs arise from maternal premutations (PM) that have 56–200 CGGs; contractions of a maternal PM or FM are rare. Here, we describe two unaffected boys in two independent FXS families who inherited a non-mosaic allele in the normal and intermediate range, respectively, from their mothers who are carriers of an expanded CGG allele. The first boy inherited a 51 CGG allele (without AGG interruptions) from his mother, who carries a PM allele with 72 CGGs. The other boy inherited from his FM mother an unusual allele with 19 CGGs resulting from a deletion, removing 85 bp upstream of the CGG repeat. Given that transcription of the deleted allele was found to be preserved, we assume that the binding sites for FMR1 transcription factors are excluded from the deletion. Such unusual cases resulting in non-mosaic reduction of maternal CGG expansions may help to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying the instability of the FMR1 gene.
Disparity between Inter-Patient Molecular Heterogeneity and Repertoires of Target Drugs Used for Different Types of Cancer in Clinical Oncology
Authors: Zolotovskaia Marianna A. , Sorokin Maxim I. , Petrov Ivan V. , Poddubskaya Elena V. , Moiseev Alexey A. , Sekacheva Marina I. , Borisov Nicolas M. , Tkachev Victor S. , Garazha Andrew V. , Kaprin Andrey D. , Shegay Peter V. , Giese Alf , Kim Ella , Roumiantsev Sergey A. , Buzdin Anton A.
Published: February 2020

Inter-patient molecular heterogeneity is the major declared driver of an expanding variety of anticancer drugs and personalizing their prescriptions. Here, we compared interpatient molecular heterogeneities of tumors and repertoires of drugs or their molecular targets currently in use in clinical oncology. We estimated molecular heterogeneity using genomic (whole exome sequencing) and transcriptomic (RNA sequencing) data for 4890 tumors taken from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. For thirteen major cancer types, we compared heterogeneities at the levels of mutations and gene expression with the repertoires of targeted therapeutics and their molecular targets accepted by the current guidelines in oncology. Totally, 85 drugs were investigated, collectively covering 82 individual molecular targets. For the first time, we showed that the repertoires of molecular targets of accepted drugs did not correlate with molecular heterogeneities of different cancer types. On the other hand, we found that the clinical recommendations for the available cancer drugs were strongly congruent with the gene expression but not gene mutation patterns. We detected the best match among the drugs usage recommendations and molecular patterns for the kidney, stomach, bladder, ovarian and endometrial cancers. In contrast, brain tumors, prostate and colorectal cancers showed the lowest match. These findings provide a theoretical basis for reconsidering usage of targeted therapeutics and intensifying drug repurposing efforts.
Identification of the WUSCHEL-Related Homeobox (WOX) Gene Family, and Interaction and Functional Analysis of TaWOX9 and TaWUS in Wheat
Authors: Li Zheng , Liu Dan , Xia Yu , Li Ziliang , Jing Doudou , Du Jingjing , Niu Na , Ma Shoucai , Wang Junwei , Song Yulong , Yang Zhiquan , Zhang Gaisheng
Published: February 2020

The WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) is a family of plant-specific transcription factors, with important functions, such as regulating the dynamic balance of division and differentiation of plant stem cells and plant organ development. We identified 14 distinct TaWOX genes in the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genome, based on a genome-wide scan approach. All of the genes under evaluation had positional homoeologs on subgenomes A, B and D except TaWUS and TaWOX14. Both TaWOX14a and TaWOX14d had a paralogous copy on the same genome due to tandem duplication events. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that TaWOX genes could be divided into three groups. We performed functional characterization of TaWOX genes based on the evolutionary relationships among the WOX gene families of wheat, rice (Oryza sativa L.), and Arabidopsis. An overexpression analysis of TaWUS in Arabidopsis revealed that it affected the development of outer floral whorl organs. The overexpression analysis of TaWOX9 in Arabidopsis revealed that it promoted the root development. In addition, we identified some interaction between the TaWUS and TaWOX9 proteins by screening wheat cDNA expression libraries, which informed directions for further research to determine the functions of TaWUS and TaWOX9. This study represents the first comprehensive data on members of the WOX gene family in wheat.
Replication Protein A (RPA) Mediates Radio-Resistance of Glioblastoma Cancer Stem-Like Cells
Authors: Pedersen Henriette , Anne Adanma Obara Elisabeth , Elbæk Kirstine Juul , Vitting-Serup Kristoffer , Hamerlik Petra
Published: February 2020

Glioblastoma (GBM) is among the deadliest of solid tumors with median survival rates of approximately 12–15 months despite maximal therapeutic intervention. A rare population of self-renewing cells referred to as GBM cancer stem-like cells (GSCs) are believed to be the source of inevitable recurrence in GBM. GSCs exhibit preferential activation of the DNA damage response pathway (DDR) and evade ionizing radiation (IR) therapy by superior execution of DNA repair compared to their differentiated counterparts, differentiated GBM cells (DGCs). Replication Protein A (RPA) plays a central role in most of the DNA metabolic processes essential for genomic stability, including DNA repair. Here, we show that RPA is preferentially expressed by GSCs and high RPA expression informs poor glioma patient survival. RPA loss either by shRNA-mediated silencing or chemical inhibition impairs GSCs’ survival and self-renewal and most importantly, sensitizes these cells to IR. This newly uncovered role of RPA in GSCs supports its potential clinical significance as a druggable biomarker in GBM.
Does Complement-Mediated Hemostatic Disturbance Occur in Traumatic Brain Injury? A Literature Review and Observational Study Protocol
Authors: Fletcher-Sandersjöö Alexander , Maegele Marc , Bellander Bo-Michael
Published: February 2020

Despite improvements in medical triage and tertiary care, traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Almost two-thirds of patients with severe TBI develop some form of hemostatic disturbance, which contributes to poor outcome. In addition, the complement system, which is abundant in the healthy brain, undergoes significant intra- and extracranial amplification following TBI. Previously considered to be structurally similar but separate systems, evidence of an interaction between the complement and coagulation systems in non-TBI cohorts has accumulated, with the activation of one system amplifying the activation of the other, independent of their established pathways. However, it is not known whether this interaction exists in TBI. In this review we summarize the available literature on complement activation following TBI, and the crosstalk between the complement and coagulation systems. We demonstrate how the complement system interacts with the coagulation cascade by activating the intrinsic coagulation pathway and by bypassing the initial cascade and directly producing thrombin as well. This crosstalk also effects platelets, where evidence points to a relationship with the complement system on multiple levels, with complement anaphylatoxins being able to induce disproportionate platelet activation and adhesion. The complement system also stimulates thrombosis by inhibiting fibrinolysis and stimulating endothelial cells to release prothrombotic microparticles. These interactions see clinical relevance in several disorders where a deficiency in complement regulation seems to result in a prothrombotic clinical presentation. Finally, based on these observations, we present the outline of an observational cohort study that is currently under preparation and aimed at assessing how complement influences coagulation in patients with isolated TBI.
Autoantigen Treatment in Type 1 Diabetes: Unsolved Questions on How to Select Autoantigen and Administration Route
Authors: Ludvigsson Johnny
Published: February 2020

Autoantigen treatment has been tried for the prevention of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and to preserve residual beta-cell function in patients with a recent onset of the disease. In experimental animal models, efficacy was good, but was insufficient in human subjects. Besides the possible minor efficacy of peroral insulin in high-risk individuals to prevent T1D, autoantigen prevention trials have failed. Other studies on autoantigen prevention and intervention at diagnosis are ongoing. One problem is to select autoantigen/s; others are dose and route. Oral administration may be improved by using different vehicles. Proinsulin peptide therapy in patients with T1D has shown possible minor efficacy. In patients with newly diagnosed T1D, subcutaneous injection of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) bound to alum hydroxide (GAD-alum) can likely preserve beta-cell function, but the therapeutic effect needs to be improved. Intra-lymphatic administration may be a better alternative than subcutaneous administration, and combination therapy might improve efficacy. This review elucidates some actual problems of autoantigen therapy in the prevention and/or early intervention of type 1 diabetes.
Identification of Novel ARSB Genes Necessary for p-Benzoquinone Biosynthesis in the Larval Oral Secretion Participating in External Immune Defense in the Red Palm Weevil
Authors: Pu Yu-Chen , Liang Xin-Yu , Zhang He , Zhang Hua-Jian , Xu Li-Na , Ji Ya-Nan , Huang Shu-Ning , Bai Juan , Hou You-Ming
Published: February 2020

External secretions, composed of a variety of chemical components, are among the most important traits that endow insects with the ability to defend themselves against predators, parasites, or other adversities, especially pathogens. Thus, these exudates play a crucial role in external immunity. Red palm weevil larvae are prolific in this regard, producing large quantities of p-benzoquinone, which is present in their oral secretion. Benzoquinone with antimicrobial activity has been proven to be an active ingredient and key factor for external immunity in a previous study. To obtain a better understanding of the genetic and molecular basis of external immune secretions, we identify genes necessary for p-benzoquinone synthesis. Three novel ARSB genes, namely, RfARSB-0311, RfARSB-11581, and RfARSB-14322, are screened, isolated, and molecularly characterized on the basis of transcriptome data. To determine whether these genes are highly and specifically expressed in the secretory gland, we perform tissue/organ-specific expression profile analysis. The functions of these genes are further determined by examining the antimicrobial activity of the secretions and quantification of p-benzoquinone after RNAi. All the results reveal that the ARSB gene family can regulate the secretory volume of p-benzoquinone by participating in the biosynthesis of quinones, thus altering the host’s external immune inhibitory efficiency.
ZnO Nanoparticles Induced Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis in Gingival Squamous Cell Carcinoma through Mitochondrial Dysfunction and p70S6K Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wang Shih-Wei , Lee Chien-Hsing , Lin Ming-Shen , Chi Chih-Wen , Chen Yu-Jen , Wang Guo-Shou , Liao Kuang-Wen , Chiu Li-Pin , Wu Shu-Hui , Huang Dong-Ming , Chen Luke , Shen Yung-Shuen
Published: February 2020

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are increasingly used in sunscreens, food additives, pigments, rubber manufacture, and electronic materials. Several studies have shown that ZnO-NPs inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis by the production of oxidative stress in a variety of human cancer cells. However, the anti-cancer property and molecular mechanism of ZnO-NPs in human gingival squamous cell carcinoma (GSCC) are not fully understood. In this study, we found that ZnO-NPs induced growth inhibition of GSCC (Ca9-22 and OECM-1 cells), but no damage in human normal keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1 cells). ZnO-NPs caused apoptotic cell death of GSCC in a concentration-dependent manner by the quantitative assessment of oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Flow cytometric analysis of cell cycle progression revealed that sub-G1 phase accumulation was dramatically induced by ZnO-NPs. In addition, ZnO-NPs increased the intracellular reactive oxygen species and specifically superoxide levels, and also decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential. ZnO-NPs further activated apoptotic cell death via the caspase cascades. Importantly, anti-oxidant and caspase inhibitor clearly prevented ZnO-NP-induced cell death, indicating the fact that superoxide-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with the ZnO-NP-mediated caspase-dependent apoptosis in human GSCC. Moreover, ZnO-NPs significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K kinase). In a corollary in vivo study, our results demonstrated that ZnO-NPs possessed an anti-cancer effect in a zebrafish xenograft model. Collectively, these results suggest that ZnO-NPs induce apoptosis through the mitochondrial oxidative damage and p70S6K signaling pathway in human GSCC. The present study may provide an experimental basis for ZnO-NPs to be considered as a promising novel anti-tumor agent for the treatment of gingival cancer.
Morphological Disparity of the Mouthparts in Polyphagous Species of Largidae (Heteroptera: Pentatomomorpha: Pyrrhocoroidea) Reveals Feeding Specialization
Authors: Wang Yan , Brożek Jolanta , Dai Wu
Published: February 2020

Mouthpart structures were observed in four species of Largidae using scanning electron microscopy to investigate their morphological disparity, and linked to changes in feeding specialization. The examined species are pests that feed mainly on seeds and plant sap of forbs, shrubs, and trees. Their external mouthparts are described in detail for the first time herein. The cone-like labrum and four-segmented tube-like labium are shorter in Physopelta species than in Macrocheraia grandis (Grey). The labium surface in all studied species bears nine types of sensilla (St1-St2, Sb1-3, Sch, Sca1-2, Sm). The distributions of sensilla on particular labial segments varies among the studied species. The tripartite apex of the labium consists of two lateral lobes and an apical plate that is partly divided in Physopelta species, and not divided in Macrocheraia. Each lateral lobe possesses a sensillar field with 10 thick-walled uniporous sensilla basiconica, one multiporous sensillum styloconicum, and one long non-porous hair sensillum. Each mandibular stylet tip in M. grandis has a central tooth placed anteriorly and pairs of teeth arranged dorso-laterally. In Physopelta, there are one or two central teeth placed anteriorly but two pairs of teeth dorso-laterally. In all studied species, the inner surfaces of the mandibular stylets have scale-like projections. A left–right asymmetry of the maxillary stylets is noticeable; the external end of the right maxillary stylet is smooth and slightly tapered in M. grandis and evidently wider (spoon–like) in the three species of Physopelta, while the left end of the stylets is straight and narrow in M. grandis in contrast to Physopelta, in which the end is straight and wide. No differences in the internal structure of the maxillary stylets were observed among the studied species. Based on structural differences, we inferred that the mandibles and maxillae are more adapted for seed-sucking in Physopelta species than in M. grandis. M. grandis has the ends of the maxillae more narrowed, a trait more adapted for sucking sap from phloem or parenchymal cells.
Correction: Hyseni, C.; Garrick, R.C. Ecological Drivers of Species Distributions and Niche Overlap for Three Subterranean Termite Species in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, USA. Insects 2019, 10, 33
Authors: Hyseni Chaz , Garrick Ryan C.
Published: February 2020

It has recently come to our attention that two of the environmental rasters we used for analyses in our study [...]
Improving Coastal Ocean Wave Height Forecasting during Typhoons by using Local Meteorological and Neighboring Wave Data in Support Vector Regression Models
Authors: Chen Shien-Tsung , Wang Yu-Wei
Published: February 2020

This study is aimed at applying support vector regression to perform real-time typhoon wave height forecasting with lead times of 1 to 3 h. Two wave rider buoys in the coastal ocean northeast of Taiwan provided real-time observation wave and meteorological data for the study. Information from actual typhoon events was collected and used for model calibration and validation. Three model structures were developed with different combinations of input variables, including wave, typhoon, and meteorological data. Analysis of forecasting results indicated that the proposed models have good generalization ability, but forecasts with longer lead times underestimate extreme wave heights. Comparisons of models with different inputs indicated that adding local meteorological data enhanced forecasting accuracy. Backup models were also developed in case local wave and meteorological data were unavailable. Analysis of these models revealed that when local wave heights are unknown, using neighboring wave heights can improve forecasting performance.
Special Issue: Localization in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Tomic Slavisa , Beko Marko
Published: February 2020

Recent and continuous development of mobile computing and user-centric applications has led to a requirement for accurate and low-cost localization and tracking systems [...]
Dynamic Recrystallization Behavior and Processing Map of the 6082 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Hu Dao-chun , Wang Lei , Wang Hong-jun
Published: February 2020

Multiple hot-compression tests were carried out on the 6082 aluminum (Al) alloy using a Gleeble-1500 thermal simulation testing machine. Data on flow stresses of the 6082 Al alloy at deformation temperatures of 623 to 773 K and strain rates from 0.01 to 5 s−1 were attained. Utilizing electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM), the dynamic recrystallization behaviors of the 6082 Al alloy during hot compression in isothermal conditions were explored. With the test data, a hot-working processing map for the 6082 Al alloy (based on dynamic material modeling (DMM)) was drawn. Using the work-hardening rate, the initial critical strain causing dynamic recrystallization was determined, and an equation for the critical strain was constructed. A dynamic model for the dynamic recrystallization of the 6082 Al alloy was established using analyses and test results from the EBSD. The results showed that the safe processing zone (with a high efficiency of power dissipation) mainly corresponded to a zone with deformation temperatures of 703 to 763 K and strain rates of 0.1 to 0.3 s−1. The alloy was mainly subjected to continuous dynamic recrystallization in the formation of the zone. According to the hot-working processing map and an analysis of the microstructures, it is advised that the following technological parameters be selected for the 6082 Al alloy during hot-forming: a range of temperatures between 713 and 753 K and strain rates between 0.1 and 0.2 s−1.
Self-Assembly of Organic Nanomaterials and Biomaterials: The Bottom-Up Approach for Functional Nanostructures Formation and Advanced Applications
Authors: Lombardo Domenico , Calandra Pietro , Pasqua Luigi , Magazù Salvatore
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we survey recent advances in the self-assembly processes of novel functional platforms for nanomaterials and biomaterials applications. We provide an organized overview, by analyzing the main factors that influence the formation of organic nanostructured systems, while putting into evidence the main challenges, limitations and emerging approaches in the various fields of nanotechology and biotechnology. We outline how the building blocks properties, the mutual and cooperative interactions, as well as the initial spatial configuration (and environment conditions) play a fundamental role in the construction of efficient nanostructured materials with desired functional properties. The insertion of functional endgroups (such as polymers, peptides or DNA) within the nanostructured units has enormously increased the complexity of morphologies and functions that can be designed in the fabrication of bio-inspired materials capable of mimicking biological activity. However, unwanted or uncontrollable effects originating from unexpected thermodynamic perturbations or complex cooperative interactions interfere at the molecular level with the designed assembly process. Correction and harmonization of unwanted processes is one of the major challenges of the next decades and requires a deeper knowledge and understanding of the key factors that drive the formation of nanomaterials. Self-assembly of nanomaterials still remains a central topic of current research located at the interface between material science and engineering, biotechnology and nanomedicine, and it will continue to stimulate the renewed interest of biologist, physicists and materials engineers by combining the principles of molecular self-assembly with the concept of supramolecular chemistry.
Kinetic Modeling of Grain Boundary Diffusion: The Influence of Grain Size and Surface Processes
Authors: Jaseliunaite Justina , Galdikas Arvaidas
Published: February 2020

Based on rate equations, the kinetics of atom adsorption, desorption, and diffusion in polycrystalline materials is analyzed in order to understand the influence of grain boundaries and grain size. The boundary conditions of the proposed model correspond with the real situation in the electrolytes of solid oxide hydrogen fuel cells (SOFC). The role of the ratio of grain boundary and grain diffusion coefficients in perpendicular and parallel (to the surface) concentration profiles is investigated. In order to show the influence of absolute values of grain and grain boundary diffusion coefficients, we select four different cases in which one of the diffusion coefficients is kept constant while the others vary. The influence of grain size on diffusion processes is investigated using different geometrical models. The impact of kinetic processes taking place on the surface is analyzed by comparing results obtained assuming the first layer as a constant source and then involving in the model the processes of adsorption and desorption. It is shown that surface processes have a significant influence on the depth distribution of diffusing atoms and cannot be ignored. The analytical function of overall concentration dependence on grain and grain boundary volume ratio (Vg/Vgb) is found. The solution suggests that the concentration increases as a complementary error function while Vg/Vgb decreases.
Super-Fast Computation for the Three-Asset Equity-Linked Securities Using the Finite Difference Method
Authors: Lee Chaeyoung , Lyu Jisang , Park Eunchae , Lee Wonjin , Kim Sangkwon , Jeong Darae , Kim Junseok
Published: February 2020

In this article, we propose a super-fast computational algorithm for three-asset equity-linked securities (ELS) using the finite difference method (FDM). ELS is a very popular investment product in South Korea. There are one-, two-, and three-asset ELS. The three-asset ELS is the most popular financial product among them. FDM has been used for pricing the one- and two-asset ELS because it is accurate. However, the three-asset ELS is still priced using the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) due to the curse of dimensionality for FDM. To overcome the limitation of dimension for FDM, we propose a systematic non-uniform grid with an explicit Euler scheme and an optimal implementation of the algorithm. The computational time is less than 6 s. We perform standard ELS option pricing and compare the results from the fast FDM with the ones from MCS. The computational results confirm the superiority and practicality of the proposed algorithm.
Review of the Energy Consumption and Production Structure of China’s Steel Industry: Current Situation and Future Development
Authors: He Kun , Wang Li , Li Xiaoyan
Published: February 2020

China produced 49.2% of the world’s total steel production in 2017. From 1990 to 2017, the world’s total steel production increased by 850 Mt, of which 87% came from China. After 30 years of rapid expansion, China’s steel industry is not expected to increase its production in the medium and long term. In fact, the industry is currently in the stage of industrial restructuring, and great changes will arise in production structure and technical level to solve pressing issues, such as overcapacity, high energy intensity (EI), and carbon emission. These changes will directly affect the global energy consumption and carbon emissions. Thus, a review of China’s steel industry is necessary to introduce its current situation and development plan. Therefore, this paper presents an overview of the Chinese steel industry, and factors involved include steel production, production structure, energy consumption, technical level, EI, carbon emission, scrap consumption, etc. In addition, four determinants are analyzed to explain the EI gap between China and the world’s advanced level. In addition, comparison of steel industries between China and the world, development plans for energy savings, and emission reduction are also included in this paper to give readers a clear understanding of China’s steel industry.
Optimizing Mandrel Dimensions for a Fixture Hardening Process of High-Strength Steel Aerospace Parts by Finite Element Simulation
Authors: Birkhofer Hannes , Lübben Thomas , Taylor Ben
Published: February 2020

A fixture hardening process for aerospace gear box components of alloy S156 (16NiCrMo16-5, 1.6722) is investigated by thermomechanical metallurgical 2D axisymmetric Finite Element simulations. Material parameters are experimentally determined. Contact and transformation plasticity effects among others are implemented in Abaqus® with user subroutines. The study aims to optimize the mandrel diameter of a fixture hardening tool for processing of planet gears. Plasticity, transformation plasticity, arising contact forces, and pressure depending on different mandrel sizes are investigated in depth. Distortion is evaluated and an optimal setting is derived from the calculations. Results show that cylindricity, defined here as the difference between maximum and minimum radius of the part, and maximum contact pressure, both can be reduced by increasing the mandrel radius. Physical effects and distortion evolve strongly nonlinear. Analysis methods highlighting cylindricity depending on the different mandrel diameters are developed to illustrate this nonlinear behavior and to enhance knowledge about the process.
Fatigue–Creep Interaction of P92 Steel and Modified Constitutive Modelling for Simulation of the Responses
Authors: Zhang Tianyu , Wang Xiaowei , Zhang Wei , Hassan Tasnim , Gong Jianming
Published: February 2020

Fatigue–creep interaction (FCI) responses of P92 steel are investigated experimentally and numerically. A series of isothermal FCI experiments with tensile dwell time ranging from 60 to 600 s were conducted at two temperatures under strain-controlled trapezoidal waveform. The experimental responses demonstrate that the peak stress is influenced by temperature and dwell time. In other words, creep-mechanism-influenced stress relaxation during dwell time influences the peak stress and fatigue life (Nf). In addition, effects of strain range on peak stress and fatigue life under fatigue–creep loading are evaluated. Towards developing a simulation-based design methodology for high temperature components, first a conventional unified constitutive model is evaluated against the P92 steel experimental responses. Based on the simulation deficiency of the conventional model, a modified static recovery term incorporated in the kinematic hardening rule is proposed and satisfactory simulations of the P92 steel FCI responses are demonstrated. The experimental responses of P92 steel and strengths and deficiencies of the conventional and modified Chaboche models are elaborated identifying the important FCI phenomena and progress in constitutive model development for FCI response simulation.
Methods to Determine Characteristics of AOD-Converter Decarburization-Slags
Authors: Ternstedt Patrik , Runnsjö Gunilla , Tilliander Anders , Janis Jesper , Andersson Nils Å. I. , Jönsson Pär G.
Published: February 2020

Argon Oxygen Decarburization (AOD) converter slags are known to consist of both liquid and solid phases, but limited information on the slag characteristics has been published in the open literature. Therefore, a new methodology to study the characteristics of slag samples taken from the AOD converter process during production was developed based on petrography. The results show that the preparations of the slag samples using the borax method are suitable to use when determining the chemical composition of AOD slag samples using the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) method. The results also showed that both the light optical microscopy (LOM) method and a method combining scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) can be used to characterize the slag samples and that the correlation between the methods was found to be good. This means that it is possible to use the faster LOM method instead of the more complicated SEM-EDS method to characterize AOD slag samples. Finally, the results show that the difference between calculated values based on stoichiometry and measured data for Ca and Cr in AOD slags are 11.7 mass% and 11.3 mass%, respectively. This is considered to be a good agreement for industrial samples.