bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Transformativity of the Flipped Inclusion Model, between Anthropocentric Ergonomics of Social Capital, and Ecological-Systemic Empowerment
Authors: De Giuseppe Tonia , Ianniello Annalisa , Corona Felice
Published: August 2020

The use of information age technology favors pervasive communication exchanges and complex phenomenologies, which affect the production of knowledge and the permanent transformation of personalities and contexts, not always with a view to prosocial empowerment of differences. From the analysis of the liquid socio–psycho–educational frames explored in the research activated at the University of Salerno, the permanent need for a widespread media education emerges, to be rooted in a lifelong learning vision to achieve systemic inclusiveness. This is the basis of the epistemology of the existential design model Flipped Inclusion, promoted and tested at the University of Salerno, whose complex idiomatic phrase constitutes the integrated and complex synthesis of the multi-perspective and multimodal approach pursued by the model. In the exploratory–descriptive–transformative research underway since 2014, through blended learning, complex blended learning and with formal, non-formal and informal contexts, the design–organizational, algorithmic–computational architecture of flipped inclusion is experimented upon. The trend of data since 2014 confirms the educational value of the model, due to the positive impact relating to inclusiveness on personal styles and social contexts, hence the intention to continue research on larger samples.
Monitoring of Target-Site Mutations Conferring Insecticide Resistance in Spodoptera frugiperda
Authors: Boaventura Debora , Martin Macarena , Pozzebon Alberto , Mota-Sanchez David , Nauen Ralf
Published: August 2020

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, a major pest of corn and native to the Americas, recently invaded (sub)tropical regions worldwide. The intensive use of insecticides and the high adoption of crops expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins has led to many cases of resistance. Target-site mutations are among the main mechanisms of resistance and monitoring their frequency is of great value for insecticide resistance management. Pyrosequencing and PCR-based allelic discrimination assays were developed and used to genotype target-site resistance alleles in 34 FAW populations from different continents. The diagnostic methods revealed a high frequency of mutations in acetylcholinesterase, conferring resistance to organophosphates and carbamates. In voltage-gated sodium channels targeted by pyrethroids, only one population from Indonesia showed a mutation. No mutations were detected in the ryanodine receptor, suggesting susceptibility to diamides. Indels in the ATP-binding cassette transporter C2 associated with Bt-resistance were observed in samples collected in Puerto Rico and Brazil. Additionally, we analyzed all samples for the presence of markers associated with two sympatric FAW host plant strains. The molecular methods established show robust results in FAW samples collected across a broad geographical range and can be used to support decisions for sustainable FAW control and applied resistance management.
The Effects of Longitudinal White Matter Hyperintensity Change on Cognitive Decline and Cortical Thinning over Three Years
Authors: Kim Seung Joo , Lee Dong Kyun , Jang Young Kyoung , Jang Hyemin , Kim Si Eun , Cho Soo Hyun , Kim Jun Pyo , Jung Young Hee , Kim Eun-Joo , Na Duk L. , Lee Jong-Min , Seo Sang Won , Kim Hee Jin
Published: August 2020

White matter hyperintensity (WMH) has been recognised as a surrogate marker of small vessel disease and is associated with cognitive impairment. We investigated the dynamic change in WMH in patients with severe WMH at baseline, and the effects of longitudinal change of WMH volume on cognitive decline and cortical thinning. Eighty-seven patients with subcortical vascular mild cognitive impairment were prospectively recruited from a single referral centre. All of the patients were followed up with annual neuropsychological tests and 3T brain magnetic resonance imaging. The WMH volume was quantified using an automated method and the cortical thickness was measured using surface-based methods. Participants were classified into WMH progression and WMH regression groups based on the delta WMH volume between the baseline and the last follow-up. To investigate the effects of longitudinal change in WMH volume on cognitive decline and cortical thinning, a linear mixed effects model was used. Seventy patients showed WMH progression and 17 showed WMH regression over a three-year period. The WMH progression group showed more rapid cortical thinning in widespread regions compared with the WMH regression group. However, the rate of cognitive decline in language, visuospatial function, memory and executive function, and general cognitive function was not different between the two groups. The results of this study indicated that WMH volume changes are dynamic and WMH progression is associated with more rapid cortical thinning.
Role of Type2 Inflammatory Biomarkers in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Oishi Keiji , Matsunaga Kazuto , Shirai Toshihiro , Hirai Keita , Gon Yasuhiro
Published: August 2020

Airway inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is typically thought to be driven by Type1 immune responses, while Type2 inflammation appears to be present in definite proportions in the stable state and during exacerbations. In fact, some COPD patients showed gene expression of Type2 inflammation in the airway, and this subset was associated with the inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) response. Interestingly enough, the relationship between COPD and diseases associated with Type2 inflammation from the perspective of impaired lung development is increasingly highlighted by recent epidemiologic studies on the origin of COPD. Therefore, many researchers have shown an interest in the prevalence and the role of existent Type2 biomarkers such as sputum and blood eosinophils, exhaled nitric oxide fraction, and atopy, not only in asthma but also in COPD. Although the evidence about Type2 biomarkers in COPD is inconsistent and less robust, Type2 biomarkers have shown some potential when analyzing various clinical outcomes or therapeutic response to ICS. In this article, we review the existent and emerging Type2 biomarkers with clinically higher applicability in the management of COPD.
Optimized VLSI Architecture of HEVC Fractional Pixel Interpolators with Approximate Computing
Authors: Preatto Stefania , Giannini Andrea , Valente Luca , Masera Guido , Martina Maurizio
Published: August 2020

High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) is the latest video standard developed by the Joint Video Exploration Team. HEVC is able to offer better compression results than preceding standards but it suffers from a high computational complexity. In particular, one of the most time consuming blocks in HEVC is the fractional-sample interpolation filter, which is used in both the encoding and the decoding processes. Integrating different state-of-the-art techniques, this paper presents an architecture for interpolation filters, able to trade quality for energy and power efficiency by exploiting approximate interpolation filters and by halving the amount of required memory with respect to state-of-the-art implementations.
Acoustic Search and Detection of Oil Plumes Using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle
Authors: Hwang Jimin , Bose Neil , Nguyen Hung Duc , Williams Guy
Published: August 2020

We introduce an adaptive sampling method that has been developed to support the Backseat Driver control architecture of the Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) Explorer autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). The design is based on an acoustic detection and in-situ analysis program that allows an AUV to perform automatic detection and autonomous tracking of an oil plume. The method contains acoustic image acquisition, autonomous triggering, and thresholding in the search stage. A new biomimetic search pattern, the bumblebee flight path, was designed to maximize the spatial coverage in the oil plume detection phase. The effectiveness of the developed algorithm was validated through simulations using a two-dimensional planar plume model and a 90-degree scanning sensor model. The results demonstrate that the bumblebee search design combined with a genetic solution for the Traveling Salesperson Problem outperformed a conventional lawnmower survey, reducing the AUV travel distance by up to 75.3%. Our plume detection strategy, using acoustic sensing, provided data of plume location, distribution, and density, over a sector in contrast with traditional chemical oil sensors that only provide readings at a point.
Predicting Wind Wave Suppression on Irregular Long Waves
Authors: Bailey Taylor , Ross Lauren , Bryant Mary , Bryant Duncan
Published: August 2020

The applicability of the wind wave suppression model developed by Chen and Belcher (2000) to irregular wave environments is investigated in this study. Monochromatic and irregular wave environments were simulated in the W2 (Wind/Wave) laboratory at the University of Maine under varying wind speeds. The Chen and Belcher (2000) model accurately predicts the reduction of the energy density of the wind waves in the presence of the monochromatic waves as a function of wave steepness, but under predicts this energy dissipation for the irregular waves. This is due to the consideration of a single wave frequency in the estimation of the growth rate and wave-induced stress of the monochromatic waves. The same formulations for the growth rate and wave-induced stress cannot be applied to irregular waves because their spectra contain energy over a wide range of frequencies. A revised version of the model is proposed to account for the energy contained within multiple wave frequencies from the power spectra for the mechanically generated irregular waves. The revised model shows improved results when applied to irregular wave environments.
Seaweeds, Intact and Processed, as a Valuable Component of Poultry Feeds
Authors: Michalak Izabela , Mahrose Khalid
Published: August 2020

Poultry production is an important area of the agricultural economy. Nowadays, there is an interest in novel sources of feed additives that will improve production performance and poultry health. As an easily available and renewable biomass rich in biologically active compounds, seaweeds can meet this demand. Different forms of seaweeds–seaweed powder from naturally occurring biomass, cultivated or waste biomass, extracted compounds, post-extraction residues or liquid extracts–may be used in poultry feeding. Inclusion of this unconventional material in the poultry nutrition can positively influence the poultry performance along with its health and enrich poultry products with active compounds, such as micro- and macroelements, polyunsaturated fatty acids and pigments. Seaweeds also reduce lipids and cholesterol in eggs. Moreover, due to their unique properties, they can serve as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. This review presents the latest developments in the use of seaweeds in poultry nutrition, as well as its limitations.
Wave Induced Effects on the Hydrodynamic Coefficients of an Oscillating Heave Plate in Offshore Wind Turbines
Authors: Thiagarajan Krish , Moreno Javier
Published: August 2020

The research problem discussed in this paper is of relevance to floating offshore wind turbine design, where heave plates are attached to the columns of a semi-submersible in order to improve vertical plane stability and the power output. Because of the shallow draft of these structures, the heave plates are proximal to the water surface. When subject to vertical plane motions the flow around a plate is altered by the presence of the free surface, resulting in changes in added mass and damping forces. In this paper, we present the experimental results for the added mass and damping coefficients for circular heave plates attached to a column, when oscillating in heave in the presence of oncoming waves. The results tend to indicate that applying the hydrodynamic coefficients obtained from still water experiments for a structure moving in waves may only be an approximation. For different relative phases of the wave and the motion, large variations could occur. We define a modified Keulegan—Carpenter (KC) number that depends on the relative amplitude of motion with respect to the wave. With this definition, the added mass and damping values are seen to be closer to the still water trends. However, at lower KC values, the added mass coefficients could differ by 30%, which can affect natural frequency estimates. Thus, caution needs to be exerted in the selection of hydrodynamic coefficients for heave plates oscillating in proximity to the free surface.
Secondary Metabolites and Antioxidant Activity of the Solid-State Fermentation in Apple (Pirus malus L.) and Agave Mezcalero (Agave angustifolia H.) Bagasse
Authors: Ibarra-Cantún Diego , Ramos-Cassellis María Elena , Marín-Castro Marco Antonio , Castelán-Vega Rosalía del Carmen
Published: August 2020

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is used in enzyme and antibiotic production, bioethanol and biodiesel as an alternative energy source, biosurfactants with environmental goals, and the production of organic acids and bioactive compounds. The present project determined the quantity of secondary metabolites and the antioxidant activity of the extracts obtained by the solid-state fermentation of apple and agave mezcalero bagasse over 28 days, inoculated with the Pleurotus ostreatus strain. The extraction was carried out with three solvents: acetone and water (80:20 v/v), 100% methanol and 100% water. The results showed a higher presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, total triterpenes and antioxidant activity in the apple bagasse from the SSF on day 21 in the extract of acetone and water (80:20 v/v), 100% methanol and aqueous; while the agave bagasse showed a significant presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids only in the aqueous extract. In conclusion, the presence of secondary metabolites exhibiting antioxidant activities from the solid-state fermentation in the residues of the cider and mezcal industry is an alternative use for wasted raw material, plus, it reduces the pollution generated from the agroindustrial residues.
The Quiet and Underappreciated Rise of Drug-Resistant Invasive Fungal Pathogens
Authors: Arastehfar Amir , Lass-Flörl Cornelia , Garcia-Rubio Rocio , Daneshnia Farnaz , Ilkit Macit , Boekhout Teun , Gabaldon Toni , Perlin David S.
Published: August 2020

Human fungal pathogens are attributable to a significant economic burden and mortality worldwide. Antifungal treatments, although limited in number, play a pivotal role in decreasing mortality and morbidities posed by invasive fungal infections (IFIs). However, the recent emergence of multidrug-resistant Candida auris and Candida glabrata and acquiring invasive infections due to azole-resistant C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and Aspergillus spp. in azole-naïve patients pose a serious health threat considering the limited number of systemic antifungals available to treat IFIs. Although advancing for major fungal pathogens, the understanding of fungal attributes contributing to antifungal resistance is just emerging for several clinically important MDR fungal pathogens. Further complicating the matter are the distinct differences in antifungal resistance mechanisms among various fungal species in which one or more mechanisms may contribute to the resistance phenotype. In this review, we attempt to summarize the burden of antifungal resistance for selected non-albicansCandida and clinically important Aspergillus species together with their phylogenetic placement on the tree of life. Moreover, we highlight the different molecular mechanisms between antifungal tolerance and resistance, and comprehensively discuss the molecular mechanisms of antifungal resistance in a species level.
Role of Voriconazole in the Management of Invasive Central Nervous System Aspergillosis: A Case Series from a Tertiary Care Centre in India
Authors: Gupta Nitin , Kodan Parul , Mittal Ankit , Singh Gagandeep , Netto George , Ramteke Prashant , Malla Sundeep , Kumar Rohit , Kumar Tirlangi Praveen , Singh Komal , Aggarwal Anivita , Desai Devashish , Soneja Manish , Xess Immaculata , Wig Naveet
Published: August 2020

Invasive central nervous system (CNS) aspergillosis is acquired by either hematogenous dissemination or direct spread from a sinus infection. We describe a series of nine patients with CNS aspergillosis from a tertiary care teaching institute in North India who were treated with voriconazole alone or in combination with surgery. All patients who had clinical and radiological features consistent with fungal CNS infection, showed the presence of septate hyphae on histopathology/microscopy and were either culture positive for Aspergillus spp. or had serum galactomannan positivity were diagnosed as CNS aspergillosis. Clinical features, risk factors, diagnostic modalities, treatment details and outcome at last follow-up were recorded for all patients diagnosed with CNS aspergillosis. A total of nine patients were diagnosed with CNS aspergillosis. The median duration of presentation at our hospital was six months (IQR-2-9 months). Six patients had concomitant sinus involvement, while two patients had skull-base involvement as well. All patients were treated with voriconazole therapy, and three of these patients underwent surgery. All but one patient survived at the last follow-up (median duration was 14 months (IQR- 8-21.5). Two patients had complete resolution, and voriconazole was stopped at the last follow-up, and the rest of the patients were continued on voriconazole. Of the six patients who were continued on voriconazole, all but one had more than 50% radiological resolution on follow-up imaging. Invasive CNS aspergillosis is an important cause of CNS fungal infection that is often diagnosed late and requires long-term voriconazole-based therapy.
Personalized Dental Medicine: Impact of Intraoral and Extraoral Clinical Variables on the Precision and Efficiency of Intraoral Scanning
Authors: Martínez-Rodríguez César , Patricia Junco-Plana , Ricardo Ortega-Aranegui , Alejandro Iglesias-Linares
Published: August 2020

(1) Objectives: The aim is to measure the influence of different intraoral (crowding and molar inclination) and extraoral (surface material and ambient light) conditions on the efficacy and efficiency of intraoral scanning. (2) Methods: In a controlled in vitro experimental study, the samples were divided into six groups showing two types of intraoral conditions—lower incisor crowding (groups 1–3) and lower molar mesial tipping (groups 4–6). Each modified model was replicated using three types of materials with different light-absorption properties (n = 18 models). Each sample was scanned 30 times at light intensities of 0.0, 1800, or 3600 l×, yielding 3240 scans. Scanning efficiency (digital acquisition; scanning chair-time; and scanning failures) and scanning efficacy (undetected volume) were assessed using virtual superimpositions and Mecano Equate software. The intra- and interobserver error and reliability of the method were calculated and data analyses were performed using the t-test, paired t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (p < 0.05). (3) Results: Digital acquisition was influenced by the degree of crowding and molar inclination (p < 0.05). The scanning surface material affected the efficacy and efficiency, which were lower with a calcium sulfate hemihydrate A modified compound scanning surface (p < 0.05). Higher intensities of ambient light in the scanning room were associated with reduced scanning efficacy (p < 0.05). Moreover, the scanner showed greater amounts of undetected volume as the degrees of crowding and mesial tipping of the lower second molar increased over 25°, with mean error values of 0.97 mm3 and 1.12 mm3, respectively. (4) Conclusions: For scanning procedures employing digital acquisition, differences in the degrees of crowding and mesial tipping of the lower second molar, scanning surface material, and external light source intensity influence the efficacy and efficiency of the scanning procedures, scanning chair-time, scanning failures, and undetected volume.
New Indicators of Spatial Chaos in the Context of the Need for Retrofitting Suburbs
Authors: Mantey Dorota , Pokojski Wojciech
Published: August 2020

The article is dedicated to the phenomenon of spatial chaos in the suburban areas of Polish cities, which, due to uncontrolled scattering of buildings (urban sprawl), require urgent retrofitting. These activities should contribute to the gradual densification of buildings and the more frequent functioning of suburbanites in the local environment, close to the place of residence. The authors claim that the retrofitting of suburbs can be accomplished by impacting two dimensions of spatial chaos: limited pedestrian mobility around the place of residence (walkability) and low access to basic services. The article proposes a set of ten indicators and a synthetic index of spatial chaos that allow measuring the level of disorder in particular suburbs, and therefore on a smaller scale than a municipality, and at the same time refer to the features of the living environment typical of Polish suburbs. These indicators are a direct reference to the abovementioned dimensions of suburban spatial chaos and allow to estimate the degree of compactness of suburban settlements in its functional aspect. The research proved that the more sprawl-like features, the higher the level of spatial disorder.
Biologic Impact of Different Ultra-Low-Fluence Irradiations in Human Fibroblasts
Authors: Suzuki Masao , Uchihori Yukio , Kitamura Hisashi , Oikawa Masakazu , Konishi Teruaki
Published: August 2020

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the cellular response of healthy human fibroblasts induced by different types of ultra-low-fluence radiations, including gamma rays, neutrons and high linear energy transfer (LET) heavy ions. NB1RGB cells were pretreated with ultra-low-fluence radiations (~0.1 cGy/7–8 h) of 137Cs gamma rays, 241Am–Be neutrons, helium, carbon and iron ions before being exposed to an X-ray-challenging dose (1.5 Gy). Helium (LET = 2.3 keV/µm), carbon (LET = 13.3 keV/µm) and iron (LET = 200 keV/µm) ions were generated with the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC), Japan. No differences in cell death—measured by colony-forming assay—were observed regardless of the radiation type applied. In contrast, mutation frequency, which was detected through cell transformation into 6-thioguanine resistant clones, was 1.9 and 4.0 times higher in cells pretreated with helium and carbon ions, respectively, compared to cells exposed to X-ray-challenging dose alone. Moreover, cells pretreated with iron ions or gamma-rays showed a mutation frequency similar to cells exposed to X-ray-challenging dose alone, while cells pretreated with neutrons had 0.15 times less mutations. These results show that cellular responses triggered by ultra-low-fluence irradiations are radiation-quality dependent. Altogether, this study shows that ultra-low-fluence irradiations with the same level as those reported in the International Space Station are capable of inducing different cellular responses, including radio-adaptive responses triggered by neutrons and genomic instability mediated by high-LET heavy ions, while electromagnetic radiations (gamma rays) seem to have no biologic impact.
Thermal Conductivity and Cure Kinetics of Epoxy-Boron Nitride Composites—A Review
Authors: Hutchinson John M. , Moradi Sasan
Published: August 2020

Epoxy resin composites filled with thermally conductive but electrically insulating particles play an important role in the thermal management of modern electronic devices. Although many types of particles are used for this purpose, including oxides, carbides and nitrides, one of the most widely used fillers is boron nitride (BN). In this review we concentrate specifically on epoxy-BN composites for high thermal conductivity applications. First, the cure kinetics of epoxy composites in general, and of epoxy-BN composites in particular, are discussed separately in terms of the effects of the filler particles on cure parameters and the cured composite. Then, several fundamental aspects of epoxy-BN composites are discussed in terms of their effect on thermal conductivity. These aspects include the following: the filler content; the type of epoxy system used for the matrix; the morphology of the filler particles (platelets, agglomerates) and their size and concentration; the use of surface treatments of the filler particles or of coupling agents; and the composite preparation procedures, for example whether or not solvents are used for dispersion of the filler in the matrix. The dependence of thermal conductivity on filler content, obtained from over one hundred reports in the literature, is examined in detail, and an attempt is made to categorise the effects of the variables and to compare the results obtained by different procedures.
Collagen-Based Materials Modified by Phenolic Acids—A Review
Authors: Kaczmarek Beata , Mazur Olha
Published: August 2020

Collagen-based biomaterials constitute one of the most widely studied types of materials for biomedical applications. Low thermal and mechanical parameters are the main disadvantages of such structures. Moreover, they present low stability in the case of degradation by collagenase. To improve the properties of collagen-based materials, different types of cross-linkers have been researched. In recent years, phenolic acids have been studied as collagen modifiers. Mainly, tannic acid has been tested for collagen modification as it interacts with a polymeric chain by strong hydrogen bonds. When compared to pure collagen, such complexes show both antimicrobial activity and improved physicochemical properties. Less research reporting on other phenolic acids has been published. This review is a summary of the present knowledge about phenolic acids (e.g., tannic, ferulic, gallic, and caffeic acid) application as collagen cross-linkers. The studies concerning collagen-based materials with phenolic acids are summarized and discussed.
Event-Based Implementation of Fractional Order IMC Controllers for Simple FOPDT Processes
Authors: Muresan Cristina I. , Birs Isabela R. , Dulf Eva H.
Published: August 2020

Fractional order calculus has been used to generalize various types of controllers, including internal model controllers (IMC). The focus of this manuscript is towards fractional order IMCs for first order plus dead-time (FOPDT) processes, including delay and lag dominant ones. The design is novel at it is based on a new approximation approach, the non-rational transfer function method. This allows for a more accurate approximation of the process dead-time and ensures an improved closed loop response. The main problem with fractional order controllers is concerned with their implementation as higher order transfer functions. In cases where central processing unit CPU, bandwidth allocation, and energy usage are limited, resources need to be efficiently managed. This can be achieved using an event-based implementation. The novelty of this paper resides in such an event-based algorithm for fractional order IMC (FO-IMC) controllers. Numerical results are provided for lag and delay dominant FOPDT processes. For comparison purposes, an integer order PI controller, tuned according to the same performance specifications as the FO-IMC, is also implemented as an event-based control strategy. The numerical results show that the proposed event-based implementation for the FO-IMC controller is suitable and provides for a smaller computational effort, thus being more suitable in various industrial applications.
C*-Algebra Valued Partial b-Metric Spaces and Fixed Point Results with an Application
Authors: Mlaiki Nabil , Asim Mohammad , Imdad Mohammad
Published: August 2020

In this paper, we enlarge the class of C*-algebra valued partial metric spaces as well as the class of C*-algebra valued b-metric spaces by introducing the class of C*-algebra valued partial b-metric spaces and utilize the same to prove our fixed point results. We furnish an example to highlight the utility of our main result. Finally, we apply our result in order to examine the existence and uniqueness of a solution for the system of Fredholm integral equations.
Predicting Fire Brigades Operational Breakdowns: A Real Case Study
Authors: Cerna Selene , Guyeux Christophe , Royer Guillaume , Chevallier Céline , Plumerel Guillaume
Published: August 2020

Over the years, fire departments have been searching for methods to identify their operational disruptions and establish strategies that allow them to efficiently organize their resources. The present work develops a methodology for breakage calculation and another for predicting disruptions based on machine learning techniques. The main objective is to establish indicators to identify the failures due to the temporal state of the organization in the human and vehicular material. Likewise, by forecasting disruptions, to determine strategies for the deployment or acquisition of the necessary armament. This would allow improving operational resilience and increasing the efficiency of the firemen over time. The methodology was applied to the Departmental Fire and Rescue Doubs (SDIS25) in France. However, it is generic enough to be extended and adapted to other fire departments. Considering a historic of breakdowns of 2017 and 2018, the best predictions of public service breakdowns for the year 2019, presented a root mean squared error of 2.5602 and a mean absolute error of 2.0240 on average with the XGBoost technique.
Influence of Geometric Equations in Mixed Problem of Porous Micromorphic Bodies with Microtemperature
Authors: Codarcea-Munteanu Lavinia , Marin Marin
Published: August 2020

The study of the mixed initial-boundary value problem, corresponding to the thermoelasticity of porous micromorphic materials under the influence of microtemperatures, represents the main objective of this article. Achieving qualitative results on the existence, uniqueness and continuous dependence on the initial data and loads, of the solution of the mixed problem, implies a new perspective of approaching these topics, imposed by the large number of unknowns, which increases the complexity of equations and conditions that characterize the thermoelastic porous micromorphic materials with microtemperatures. The use of the semigroup theory of operators represents the optimal solution for deducing these results, the theory being adaptable to the requirements of the demonstrations, the mixed problem turning into a problem of Cauchy type, with regards to an equation of evolution on a Hilbert space, chosen appropriately.
Effects of Convection on Sisko Fluid with Peristalsis in an Asymmetric Channel
Authors: Iqbal Naveed , Yasmin Humaira , Kometa Bawfeh K. , Attiya Adel A.
Published: August 2020

This article deals with Sisko fluid flow exhibiting peristaltic mechanism in an asymmetric channel with sinusoidal wave propagating down its walls. The channel walls in heat transfer process satisfy the convective conditions. The flow and heat transfer equations are modeled and non-dimensionalized. Analysis has been carried out subject to low Reynolds number and long wavelength considerations. Analytical solution is obtained by using the regular perturbation method by taking Sisko fluid parameter as a perturbed parameter. The shear-thickening and shear-thinning properties of Sisko fluid in the present nonlinear analysis are examined. Comparison is provided between Sisko fluid outcomes and viscous fluids. Velocity and temperature distributions, pressure gradient and streamline pattern are addressed with respect to different parameters of interest. Trapping and pumping processes have also been studied. As a result, the thermal analysis indicates that the implementation of a rise in a non-Newtonian parameter, the Biot numbers and Brinkman number increases the thermal stability of the liquid.
Comparison of Physicochemical Characteristics and Macrophage Immunostimulatory Activities of Polysaccharides from Chlamys farreri
Authors: Shi Fulin , Liu Zhicong , Liu Yang , Cheong Kit-Leong , Teng Bo , Khan Bilal Muhammad
Published: August 2020

To address the structure–activity relationship of Chlamys farreri polysaccharides on their immunostimulatory efficacy, two polysaccharides (CFP-1 and CFP-2) were extracted from Chlamys farreri by hot water extraction, and separated through column chromatography. The isolated CFPs were chemically analyzed to clarify their physicochemical characteristics and cultured with murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells, in order to evaluate their immunostimulatory efficacy. Despite the fact that both CFP-1 and CFP-2 were mainly comprised of glucose lacking the triple-helix structure, as revealed through preliminary physicochemical analyses, obvious differences in regard to molecular weight (Mw), glucuronic acid content (GAc) and branching degree (BD) were observed between CFP-1 and CFP-2. In in vitro immunostimulatory assays for macrophage RAW264.7 cells, it was demonstrated that CFP-2 with larger Mw, more GAc and BD could evidently promote phagocytosis and increase the production of NO, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β secretion, by activating the expression of iNOS, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β genes, respectively. Hence, CFP-2 shows great promise as a potential immunostimulatory agent in the functional foods and nutraceutical industry, while CFP-1, with lower molecular weight, less GAc and BD, displays its weaker immunostimulatory efficacy, based on the indistinctive immunostimulatory parameters of CFP-1.
The Number of Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors Is Independently Correlated with Disease Activity in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Ferraz-Amaro Iván , Prieto-Peña Diana , Palmou-Fontana Natalia , Martínez-López David , de Armas-Rillo Laura , García-Dorta Alicia , Atienza-Mateo Belén , Blanco Ricardo , Armesto Susana , González-Gay Miguel Á.
Published: August 2020

Background and objectives: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with several comorbidities, including among others an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease, atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, hypertension dyslipidemia, and diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to determine how the number of CV risk factors correlates with disease related data such as disease activity. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study that encompassed 305 patients who fulfilled the CASPAR criteria for PsA were assessed for lipid profile, disease activity measurements, and the presence of six traditional CV risk factors (diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hypertension, obesity, chronic kidney disease, and smoking status). A multivariable regression analysis, adjusted for age, sex, and disease duration, was performed to evaluate if the number of classic CV risk factors was independently related with specific features of the disease, including disease activity. Results: Disease duration was found to be higher, after adjustment for age and sex, in patients with 1 or 2, and 3 or higher CV factors, compared to those patients without CV risk factors. Similarly, DAPSA (Disease Activity in PSoriatic Arthritis score) was found to be independently upregulated in patients with a higher number of CV risk factors. In this sense, as DAPSA score increases the odds ratio (OR) of having 1 or 2 (OR 1.12 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.21), p = 0.010), and 3 or higher (OR 1.15 (95% CI 1.04–1.26), p = 0.004) CV factors was significantly higher compared to no CV risk factors category. This was independently found after adjustment for age, sex, and disease duration. Conclusions: PsA patients with a higher number of CV risk factors exhibit an upregulated disease activity compared to those without them. This is independent of disease duration and other demographics factors.
Review on the Comparison of the Chemical Reactivity of Cyanex 272, Cyanex 301 and Cyanex 302 for Their Application to Metal Separation from Acid Media
Authors: Nguyen Viet Nhan Hoa , Nguyen Thi Hong , Lee Man Seung
Published: August 2020

Cyanex extractants, such as Cyanex 272, Cyanex 301, and Cyanex 302 have been commercialized and widely used in the extraction and separation of metal ions in hydrometallurgy. Since Cyanex 301 and Cyanex 302 are the derivatives of Cyanex 272, these extractants have similar functional groups. In order to understand the different extraction behaviors of these extractants, an understanding of the relationship between their structure and reactivity is important. We reviewed the physicochemical properties of these extractants, such as their solubility in water, polymerization degree, acidity strength, extraction performance of metal ions, and the interaction with diluent and other extractants on the basis of their chemical structure. Synthetic methods for these extractants were also introduced. This information is of great value in the synthesis of new kinds of extractants for the extraction of metals from a diverse medium. From the literature, the extraction and stripping characteristics of metals by Cyanex 272 and its derivatives from inorganic acids such as HCl, H2SO4, and HNO3 were also reviewed. The replacement of oxygen with sulfur in the functional groups (P = O to P = S group) has two opposing effects. One is to enhance their acidity and extractability due to an increase in the stability of metal complexes, and the other is to make the stripping of metals from the loaded Cyanex 301 difficult.
Industrial Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries—A Critical Review of Metallurgical Process Routes
Authors: Brückner Lisa , Frank Julia , Elwert Tobias
Published: August 2020

Research for the recycling of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) started about 15 years ago. In recent years, several processes have been realized in small-scale industrial plants in Europe, which can be classified into two major process routes. The first one combines pyrometallurgy with subsequent hydrometallurgy, while the second one combines mechanical processing, often after thermal pre-treatment, with metallurgical processing. Both process routes have a series of advantages and disadvantages with respect to legislative and health, safety and environmental requirements, possible recovery rates of the components, process robustness, and economic factors. This review critically discusses the current status of development, focusing on the metallurgical processing of LIB modules and cells. Although the main metallurgical process routes are defined, some issues remain unsolved. Most process routes achieve high yields for the valuable metals cobalt, copper, and nickel. In comparison, lithium is only recovered in few processes and with a lower yield, albeit a high economic value. The recovery of the low value components graphite, manganese, and electrolyte solvents is technically feasible but economically challenging. The handling of organic and halogenic components causes technical difficulties and high costs in all process routes. Therefore, further improvements need to be achieved to close the LIB loop before high amounts of LIB scrap return.
Unraveling Arbuscular Mycorrhiza-Induced Changes in Plant Primary and Secondary Metabolome
Authors: Kaur Sukhmanpreet , Suseela Vidya
Published: August 2020

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is among the most ubiquitous plant mutualists that enhance plant growth and yield by facilitating the uptake of phosphorus and water. The countless interactions that occur in the rhizosphere between plants and its AMF symbionts are mediated through the plant and fungal metabolites that ensure partner recognition, colonization, and establishment of the symbiotic association. The colonization and establishment of AMF reprogram the metabolic pathways of plants, resulting in changes in the primary and secondary metabolites, which is the focus of this review. During initial colonization, plant–AMF interaction is facilitated through the regulation of signaling and carotenoid pathways. After the establishment, the AMF symbiotic association influences the primary metabolism of the plant, thus facilitating the sharing of photosynthates with the AMF. The carbon supply to AMF leads to the transport of a significant amount of sugars to the roots, and also alters the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Apart from the nutrient exchange, the AMF imparts abiotic stress tolerance in host plants by increasing the abundance of several primary metabolites. Although AMF initially suppresses the defense response of the host, it later primes the host for better defense against biotic and abiotic stresses by reprogramming the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Additionally, the influence of AMF on signaling pathways translates to enhanced phytochemical content through the upregulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway, which improves the quality of the plant products. These phytometabolome changes induced by plant–AMF interaction depends on the identity of both plant and AMF species, which could contribute to the differential outcome of this symbiotic association. A better understanding of the phytochemical landscape shaped by plant–AMF interactions would enable us to harness this symbiotic association to enhance plant performance, particularly under non-optimal growing conditions.
Random Access Addressing of MEMS Electrostatic Shutter Array for Multi-Object Astronomical Spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Xufeng , Takahashi Takuya , Konishi Masahiro , Motohara Kentaro , Toshiyoshi Hiroshi
Published: August 2020

An extended version of cross-bar type addressing technique is developed for three-port electrostatic micro shutters arranged in an arrayed format. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) shutter blade suspended by a pair of torsion beams works as a movable electrode that is either attracted upwards to the cover plate to close the aperture or retracted downwards into the through-hole to open it. Tri-state positioning of the shutter—i.e., open, rest, and close—is controlled by the hysteresis loop of the electrostatic pull-in and release behavior using the combination of the voltages applied to the shutter, the cover, and the substrate. Random access addressing of the shutters is demonstrated by a control system composed of MATLAB-coded Arduino electronics. The shutter array developed in this work is for a sub-cluster of a reconfigurable shutter array under development for a multi-object galactic astronomy.
Mycobacteriosis in Aquatic Invertebrates: A Review of Its Emergence
Authors: Davidovich Nadav , Morick Danny , Carella Francesca
Published: August 2020

Mycobacteriosis is a chronic bacterial disease reported in aquatic and terrestrial animals, including humans. The disease affects a wide range of cultured and wild organisms worldwide. Mycobacteriosis is well-known in aquatic vertebrates (e.g., finfish, marine mammals), while in the last few years, reports of its presence in aquatic invertebrates have been on the rise, for both freshwater and marine species. The number of cases is likely to increase as a result of increased awareness, surveillance and availability of diagnostic methods. Domestication of wild aquatic species and the intensification of modern aquaculture are also leading to an increase in the number of reported cases. Moreover, climate changes are affecting fresh and marine aquatic ecosystems. The increasing reports of mycobacteriosis in aquatic invertebrates may also be influenced by global climate warming, which could contribute to the microbes’ development and survival rates, pathogen transmission and host susceptibility. Several species of the genus Mycobacterium have been diagnosed in aquatic invertebrates; a few of them are significant due to their wide host spectrum, economic impact in aquaculture, and zoonotic potential. The impact of mycobacteriosis in aquatic invertebrates is probably underestimated, and there is currently no effective treatment other than facility disinfection. In this review, we provide an overview of the diversity of mycobacterial infections reported in molluscs, crustaceans, cnidarians, echinoderms and sponges. We highlight important issues relating to its pathological manifestation, diagnosis and zoonotic considerations.
The Absence of C-5 DNA Methylation in Leishmania donovani Allows DNA Enrichment from Complex Samples
Authors: Cuypers Bart , Dumetz Franck , Meysman Pieter , Laukens Kris , De Muylder Géraldine , Dujardin Jean-Claude , Domagalska Malgorzata Anna
Published: August 2020

Cytosine C5 methylation is an important epigenetic control mechanism in a wide array of eukaryotic organisms and generally carried out by proteins of the C-5 DNA methyltransferase family (DNMTs). In several protozoans, the status of this mechanism remains elusive, such as in Leishmania, the causative agent of the disease leishmaniasis in humans and a wide array of vertebrate animals. In this work, we showed that the Leishmania donovani genome contains a C-5 DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) from the DNMT6 subfamily, whose function is still unclear, and verified its expression at the RNA level. We created viable overexpressor and knock-out lines of this enzyme and characterized their genome-wide methylation patterns using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, together with promastigote and amastigote control lines. Interestingly, despite the DNMT6 presence, we found that methylation levels were equal to or lower than 0.0003% at CpG sites, 0.0005% at CHG sites, and 0.0126% at CHH sites at the genomic scale. As none of the methylated sites were retained after manual verification, we conclude that there is no evidence for DNA methylation in this species. We demonstrated that this difference in DNA methylation between the parasite (no detectable DNA methylation) and the vertebrate host (DNA methylation) allowed enrichment of parasite vs. host DNA using methyl-CpG-binding domain columns, readily available in commercial kits. As such, we depleted methylated DNA from mixes of Leishmania promastigote and amastigote DNA with human DNA, resulting in average Leishmania:human enrichments from 62× up to 263×. These results open a promising avenue for unmethylated DNA enrichment as a pre-enrichment step before sequencing Leishmania clinical samples.
Host–Pathogen Interactions between Xanthomonas fragariae and Its Host Fragaria × ananassa Investigated with a Dual RNA-Seq Analysis
Authors: Gétaz Michael , Puławska Joanna , Smits Theo H.M. , Pothier Joël F.
Published: August 2020

Strawberry is economically important and widely grown, but susceptible to a large variety of phytopathogenic organisms. Among them, Xanthomonas fragariae is a quarantine bacterial pathogen threatening strawberry productions by causing angular leaf spots. Using whole transcriptome sequencing, the gene expression of both plant and bacteria in planta was analyzed at two time points, 12 and 29 days post inoculation, in order to compare the pathogen and host response between the stages of early visible and of well-developed symptoms. Among 28,588 known genes in strawberry and 4046 known genes in X. fragariae expressed at both time points, a total of 361 plant and 144 bacterial genes were significantly differentially expressed, respectively. The identified higher expressed genes in the plants were pathogen-associated molecular pattern receptors and pathogenesis-related thaumatin encoding genes, whereas the more expressed early genes were related to chloroplast metabolism as well as photosynthesis related coding genes. Most X. fragariae genes involved in host interaction, recognition, and pathogenesis were lower expressed at late-phase infection. This study gives a first insight into the interaction of X. fragariae with its host. The strawberry plant changed gene expression in order to consistently adapt its metabolism with the progression of infection.