bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and construction of a didactic module of electrical circuits for remote experimentation through a web application and IoT resources
Authors: Ribeiro Mateus Henrique Rodrigues , Estevam Lucas de Oliveira , Rogério Júnior Lúcio , Alves Guilherme Henrique , Moraes Fabíola Eugênio Arrabaca , Joaquim Welington Mrad , Siva Neto Manuel Ferreira , Silva Antônio Manoel Batista da
Published: December 2020

This article presents the development and construction of a didactic kit of practical experiences of electrical circuits, remotely controllable through the internet, from low cost resources and devices, and easy to implement. Developed with open source technologies, the practice module was built from a Raspberry Pi, and subdivided into four parts: a web application (developed in Html, Css, Javascript, PHP and MySQL) and a local application coded in Python and runs on the Raspberry; two electronic boards, one for controlling the resistors of a circuit and the other as a variable power supply for the circuit; a cabinet designed and built in MDF to accommodate all the physical components of the equipment; and a mixed electrical circuit for experiments, consisting of 9 resistors, 10 voltmeters and 3 ammeters. To access remotely, a Login system was built, generating greater security and a button interface that, when triggered, make requests to a server, recording the status of the button pressed in an SQL Database (Structured Query Language). Tests were carried out to check the integrity of the hardware and software devices of the didactic kit, considering that they did not present any flaws, allowing the equipment to be installed in a physics laboratory, connected to the internet and made available intermittently for use by high school students.
Conferências nacionais de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional e a conformação de uma arena de ação: a perspectiva de atores participantes
Authors: Ramos Flavia Pascoal , Santos Sandra Maria Chaves dos
Published: December 2020

As Conferências Nacionais de Políticas Públicas são consideradas importantes mecanismos de participação social no Brasil. Considerando a realização periódica das Conferências Nacionais de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo investigar as contribuições dessas conferências para a formação de uma arena de ação em Segurança Alimentar Nutricional (SAN), a partir da fala de atores sociais que participaram da trajetória das conferências como integrantes do Conselho Nacional de Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional (CONSEA). Foram entrevistados sete membros e ex-membros do CONSEA. As entrevistas foram realizadas, a partir de um roteiro semiestruturado, gravadas e posteriormente transcritas. A análise de dados baseou-se na análise temática de conteúdo e os resultados foram agrupados em quatro eixos: avaliação geral das conferências; conferências e democracia; capacidade das conferências de influenciar políticas e ações e desafios. Os participantes consideraram as conferências eventos democráticos bem-sucedidos, com contribuições para o exercício e para a qualificação da democracia no Brasil e com influência na elaboração de políticas públicas. Também foram relatados desafios, como tensões e discordâncias, em parte, devido às incompreensões relacionadas à própria complexidade da temática. Conclui-se que as conferências nacionais de SAN se constituíram em espaço social e político, na medida em que permitiram o reconhecimento de atores e interesses, consensos e dissensos, nessa área de intervenção.
Análise do gerenciamento de resíduos de papel em associações e cooperativas de catadores na cidade de Belém, Estado do Pará, Brasil
Authors: Noronha Filho Francisco Áureo , Silva Allyne Maciel da , Lima Fernanda Costa de , Miranda Sarah Brasil de Araújo de , Dias Gustavo Francesco de Morais , Rodrigues Nicolas França dos Santos , Costa Rodrigo Otávio Silva da , Dias Rhana Roberta Caldas , Monteiro-Gama Luana Helena Oliveira , Paiva Paula Fernanda Pinheiro Ribeiro
Published: December 2020

A cadeia produtiva do papel interliga vários outros elos produtivos, como a reciclagem, que possibilita transição a uma economia circular. Para tanto, ressalta-se a importância da gestão e gerenciamento dos resíduos sólidos, responsabilidade compartilhada e coleta seletiva. Nesse contexto, o estudo teve como objetivo analisar a atuação das associações e cooperativas da região metropolitana de Belém do Pará, no gerenciamento dos resíduos de papel, a fim de identificar o seu processo trabalho e sua importância econômica, social e ambiental. A área de estudo compreendeu a região metropolitana de Belém-PA, e a metodologia da pesquisa é exploratória do estudo de caso a partir de dados qualiquantitativos da análise in loco e entrevistas. Dezessete associações e cooperativas foram identificadas e seis selecionadas para as entrevistas. Os resultados demonstraram que os cooperados realizam a coleta domiciliar. A classificação dos papéis coletados são realizadas em aparas brancas, mistas e papelão, além disso identificou-se que as quantidades não são regularmente registradas e os preços de vendas do material para grandes empresas são menores que a média nacional. As instituições que recebem incentivo governamental recebem resíduos de locais fixos, e as demais realizam a coleta porta-a-porta e utilizam ferramentas rudimentares, caracterizando condições de trabalho vulnerabilizadas. Destaca-se a relevância de suporte do poder público e setor privado para possibilitar melhores condições de trabalho e eficiência do sistema de coleta seletiva. Dessa forma, com o estudo percebeu-se questões sociais, econômicas e ambientais interligadas, e que as melhorias necessárias para um bom gerenciamento, devem abarcar políticas públicas como a inclusão de educação ambiental efetiva.
Ibuprofen does not Impair Skeletal Muscle Regeneration Upon Cardiotoxin-Induced Injury
Authors: DALLE S , POFFÉ C , HIROUX C , SUHR F , DELDICQUE L , KOPPO K
Published: December 2020

Muscle regeneration is regulated through interaction between muscle and immune cells. Studies showed that treatment with supra-physiological doses of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) abolished inflammatory signaling and impaired muscle recovery. The present study examines the effects of pharmacologically-relevant NSAID treatment on muscle regeneration. C57BL/6 mice were injected in the tibialis anterior (TA) with either PBS or cardiotoxin (CTX). CTX-injected mice received ibuprofen (CTX-IBU) or were untreated (CTX-PLAC). After 2 days, Il-1β and Il-6 expression was upregulated in the TA of CTX-IBU and CTX-PL vs. PBS. However, Cox-2 expression and macrophage infiltration were higher in CTX-PL vs. PBS, but not in CTX-IBU. At the same time, anabolic markers were higher in CTX-IBU vs. PBS, but not in CTX-PL. Nevertheless, ibuprofen did not affect muscle mass or muscle fiber regeneration. In conclusion, mild ibuprofen doses did not worsen muscle regeneration. There were even signs of a transient improvement in anabolic signaling and attenuation of inflammatory signaling.
Sex-Linked Differences in the Course of Thioacetamide-Induced Acute Liver Failure in Lewis Rats
Authors: KOBLIHOVÁ E , MRÁZOVÁ Iveta , VAŇOURKOVÁ Z , MAXOVÁ H , RYSKA M , FRONĚK Jiří
Published: December 2020

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a clinical syndrome with high mortality rate, resulting from widespread hepatocyte damage. Its pathophysiological background is still poorly understood and preclinical studies evaluating pathophysiology and new potential therapeutic measures are needed. The model of ALF induced by administration of thioacetamide (TAA) in Lewis rats is recommended as optimal; however, the limitation of previous studies was that they were performed predominantly in male rats. In view of the growing recognition that sex as a biological variable should be taken into consideration in preclinical research, we examined its role in the development of
TAA-induced ALF in Lewis rats. We found that, first, intact male Lewis rats showed lower survival rate than their female counterparts, due to augmented liver injury documented by higher plasma ammonia, and bilirubin levels and alanine aminotransferase activity. Second, in female rats castration did not alter the course of TAA-induced ALF whereas in the male gonadectomy improved the survival rate and attenuated liver injury, reducing it to levels observed in their female counterparts. In conclusion, we found that Lewis rats show a remarkable sexual dimorphism with respect to TAA-induced ALF, and male rats display dramatically poorer prognosis as compared with the females. We showed that testosterone is responsible for the deterioration of the course of TAA-induced ALF in male rats. In most general terms, our findings indicate that in the preclinical studies of the pathophysiology and treatment of ALF (at least of the TAA-induced form) the sex-linked differences should be seriously considered.
Up-Regulation of CD163 Expression in Subpopulations of Blood Monocytes After Kidney Allograft Transplantation
Authors: ČURNOVÁ L , MEZEROVÁ K , ŠVACHOVÁ V , FIALOVÁ M , NOVOTNÝ M , ČEČRDLOVÁ E , VIKLICKÝ O , STŘÍŽ I
Published: December 2020

M2 macrophages expressing CD163 are known to suppress immune responses but have been also found in biopsies of patients with chronic kidney allograft injury associated with interstitial fibrosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the expression of CD163 in blood monocytes, precursors of tissue macrophages, in kidney allograft recipients with uncomplicated outcome (n=94) compared with those developing acute rejection (n=44). Blood samples were collected before the transplantation and at 1 week, 1 month and 1 year. The expression of CD163 increased during the first week after the transplantation not only in classical (CD14+CD16-) but also in intermediate (CD14+CD16+) and nonclassical (CD14lowCD16+) monocytes in all patients regardless of their rejection status. In patients developing acute rejection, higher pre-transplant expression of CD163 on blood monocytes was found. In vitro experiments confirmed strong induction of membrane CD163 on monocytes together with CD206 (an alternative marker of M2 macrophages) in response to IL-10. We assume from our data that dramatic upregulation of CD163 by peripheral blood monocytes may have a pathophysiological role in early phases after kidney allograft transplantation and high pre-transplant expression of CD163 on blood monocytes might be involved in events leading to acute rejection.
Research of the Chemical Composition of Industrial Waste of the Kadamzhay Antimony Combine
Authors: Erkinbaeva N. , Tashpolotov Y. , Ysmanov E.
Published: December 2020

This article investigates the chemical composition of industrial waste (dump slag and flotation tailings). This study, in contrast to previous studies, was carried out by chemical, atomic emission, X-ray fluorescence methods. Valuable rare earth chemical elements (ytterbium, yttrium, lanthanum, scandium), valuable chemical elements (antimony, titanium, vanadium, tungsten, niobium, indium, germanium, gallium, tantalum, molybdenum, strontium, beryllium, zirconium, cobalt) and others have been determined. The oxides of elements (SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, CaO, Fe2O3, Na2O, K2O, S, FeO) have been investigated. Toxic elements (arsenic, cadmium, tin, lead). These studies were carried out with the aim of using man-made waste in various sectors of the national economy for the disposal of man-made waste and to improve the environmental situation in the region and reduce material costs for the production of new products.
Role of Guest Houses in the Development of Rural and Ecological Tourism in the Republic of Karakalpakstan
Authors: Adilchaev B. , Ismailov B.
Published: December 2020

Experience of many European countries proves that in many regions including the Republic of Karakalpakstan possessing considerable ecological, recreational, social and cultural potential, development of agritourism in rural areas can be the most effective instrument of their social and economic development. In recent years, the region shows dynamic development of tourism, and offers unique tourist products. The biggest part of tourist resources of the region is located in rural areas. In article the characteristic of conditions for development of agritourism in the region is given. Prospects of development of this type of tourism on the example of guesthouses are shown.
KONTRIBUSI MONITORING ORANG TUA TERHADAP KEMANDIRIAN SISWA DI SEKOLAH DASAR
Authors: Suchyadi Yudhie , Sutisna Entis , Budiana Sandi
Published: December 2020

THE CONTRIBUTION OF PARENTS MONITORING TO THE INDEPENDENCE OF STUDENTS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLThe research objective is to examine the contribution of parental monitoring to learning outcomes indirectly through student independence. Type of quantitative research. The sampling technique used proportional random sampling. Data collection techniques using questionnaires and documentation. The data analysis technique used path analysis. The results of the study with parental monitoring, contribute simultaneously to independence. Partially, parental monitoring does not contribute directly to learning outcomes and indirectly contributes positively through independence. Partially, parental monitoring affects independence by 7.34%.
Functional transformations and conceptual-terminological problems of accounting policy
Authors:   Ternopil Ivan Puluj National Technical University, KHOMYN Petro
Published: December 2020

It is noted that at present, instead of deepening scientific research in terms of turning accounting offices into accounting and analytical centers and training students in accordance with modern requirements for the formation of analytical information for managers, the key problem of the theory and practice of accounting has become the erroneous focus of attention of domestic authors on foreign language terms. and “justifying” the need to replace its dubious value name with ephemeral ones. Using the methods of historical analysis, structural and logical understanding of scientific literature and accounting practice for almost a century, it is argued that the withdrawal of the analytical function from the competence of accountants was especially painful during the period of privatization of public property. It is recommended, first of all, to discard the urge to borrow from untested innovations, in which accounting is only backgrounds. It is pointed out that one should not succumb to the illusion that every master must become a scientist, as it seems from the interpretation of this Latin name. Therefore, thorough training of accountants-analysts (according to the well-known metaphor – Nostradamus accounting process) should be carried out under the clear guidance of J. Rossi: “Science is practiced at university departments, art – in accounting”. Therefore, first of all, we must reject the urge to borrow from untested innovations, in which accounting is only a background, and remove from the curricula of such professionals copied ephemerals such as “integrated” reporting, or so-called. isolated “management” etc. accounting. where they look drawn to the ears. The same applies to the competition, who will come up with a more absurd name for the position of accountant instead of the current one, as well as the titles of minister – “servant”, or marshal – “groom”. Because its translation from German into Ukrainian is still more resonant than the association, which will inevitably arise when an accountant would try to be called an information technology manager – most likely it will be reduced to an abbreviated “informant”, i.e. translated from Latin “agent”, or any worse synonyms of Ukrainian origin.
EVALUATION OF ECOLOGICAL STABILITY OF THE TERRITORY OF SIMFEROPOL DISTRICT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CRIMEA
Authors:   Academy of Life and Environmental Sciences V. I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University, Melnichuk Aleksandr Y. , Zakalichnaya Olga V. ,   Academy of Life and Environmental Sciences V. I. Vernadsky Crimean Federal University
Published: December 2020

The article considers aspects of evaluation of the spatial structure of land use and agricultural land, based on calculations of environmental stability coefficients and heterogeneity indexes. The relevance of the research is the need to obtain reliable information on the balanced land use, which is a condition for saving the natural capabilities of the agrarian landscape, the ability to self-repair and achieve the stability of the territories. The purpose of research is to assess the sustainability of land use on the example of the territory of Simferopol district. The pronounced vertical zoning of the study area introduces additional requirements and restrictions to the use of the territory. The indices were calculated using the methods for assessing the stability of territories and using the Shannon index. The spatial distribution of results was performed using GIS-technologies. The results of research to indicate the greatest diversity of the structure of agricultural land and a relative stability in the mountainous areas of the studied territory. The territories of Shirokovsky, Zhuravlevsky, Pervomaysky and Nikolaevsky rural settlements are homogeneous in the structure of land use and less environmentally stable. It is stated that the plains need to optimize the land use structure and the land of the Foothills territories need the application of precise agricultural technologies. The results can be used in the development of strategies for managing territories, in the improving the structure of land and crop areas, and in the development of other measures aimed by achieving the sustainable development of territories.
ANALYSIS OF METHODS AND MEANS OF CONTROL OF MAIN PIPELINES’ PROTECTIVE STRUCTURES
Authors:   Siberian State University of Geosystems and Technologies, Dedkova Valeriya V. , Komissarov Alexander V. ,   Siberian State University of Geosystems and Technologies
Published: December 2020

The purpose of research is to justify methods and means of remote sensing for monitoring of technical state of various types of main pipelines’ protective structures. An analysis of accidents at main pipelines based on the data of the Federal Service for Ecological, Technological and Nuclear Supervision, as well as the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation is given. The analysis revealed that all protective structures are divided into 2 types - engineering and earth structures. The essence of main methods of active remote sensing is described: radar imaging, radar interferometry, aerial, mobile and ground laser scanning. Accuracy characteristics are given. Justification of monitoring methods application for various types of engineering structures is performed.
POSSIBILITIES OF USING UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS TO CONTROL COMPLIANCE OF CONSTRUCTION RESULTS OF PIPELINE TRANSPORT FACILITIES WITH DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Authors:   JSC SpaceInfo Geomatics, Dolgopolov Daniil V.
Published: December 2020

The article presents the results of experimental studies of the use of aerial photography materials using unmanned aviation systems for three-dimensional modeling of pipeline transport facilities and the construction of the information model "How Built." An experiment was performed on three-dimensional modeling of the construction object on the basis of data obtained with the help of unmanned aircraft systems, accuracy of the obtained model was determined. The aim of the study is to develop a methodology for using unmanned aviation systems to control compliance of the results of construction of pipeline transport facilities with design solutions. The results of the pilot studies show that it is possible to use these unmanned aircraft systems to monitor deviations from the working documentation during construction works on the site. The proposed solution can be used as a methodological basis for monitoring the results of construction of pipeline transport facilities by design solutions within the framework of construction works.
Response of Microbial Community to Induced Failure of Anaerobic Digesters Through Overloading With Propionic Acid Followed by Process Recovery
Authors: Khafipour Azin , Jordaan Elsie M. , Flores-Orozco Daniel , Khafipour Ehsan , Levin David B. , Sparling Richard , Cicek Nazim
Published: December 2020

In order to effectively use microbial-based strategies to manage anaerobic digesters, it is necessary to distinguish between community shifts that are part of the natural dynamic of the system and shifts caused by environmental or operational disturbances. The objective of this research study was to evaluate the significance of changes in the microbial community of anaerobic digesters during failure in correlation to operational parameters such as an organic acid overload. Five continuously stirred 0.5 L reactors were set-up as semi-continuously-fed, mesophilic dairy manure digesters with a 30-day hydraulic retention time. After a 120-day stabilization period, two digesters were kept as controls, while the organic loading rates in the triplicate set were increased step-wise to ultimately provide a shock-load leading to failure using propionic acid spikes. Acidosis resulting in near cessation of biogas and termination of methane production occurred between 4 and 7 weeks, after which all the digesters continued to be fed only dairy manure. The shock loading of propionic acid led to an accumulation of mainly acetate and propionate, with low levels of iso-butyrate, butyrate, iso-valerate, and valerate. High-throughput Illumina sequencing of the V4 region of the bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA gene in digester samples showed a significant change in the microbial community composition during propionic acid overload, followed by a return to the original composition with regular feedstock. Bacterial genera whose relative abundance decreased during the inhibition stage included Sedimentibacter, Syntrophomonas, TSCOR003.O20, and Marinilabiaceae, while the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcus, Mogibacteriaceae, Pyramidobacter, and Bacteroides increased. The relative abundance of dominant methanogens, Methanosarcina and Methanobacterium, although initially resistant, were decreased (from 91.71 to 12.14% and from 2.98 to 0.73%, respectively) during inhibition, while Methanobrevibacter and Methanosphaera that were prominent in the manure feedstock increased from 17.36 to 79.45% and from 0.14 to 1.12%, respectively. Shifts in bacterial and archaeal compositions, back to their pre-shock steady state after failure, highlight the digester’s microbial resilience and recovery potential.
IRAP Endosomes Control Phagosomal Maturation in Dendritic Cells
Authors: Weimershaus Mirjana , Mauvais François-Xavier , Evnouchidou Irini , Lawand Myriam , Saveanu Loredana , van Endert Peter
Published: December 2020

Dendritic cells (DCs) contribute to the immune surveillance by sampling their environment through phagocytosis and endocytosis. We have previously reported that, rapidly following uptake of extracellular antigen into phagosomes or endosomes in DCs, a specialized population of storage endosomes marked by Rab14 and insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) is recruited to the nascent antigen-containing compartment, thereby regulating its maturation and ultimately antigen cross-presentation to CD8+ T lymphocytes. Here, using IRAP–/– DCs, we explored how IRAP modulates phagosome maturation dynamics and cross-presentation. We find that in the absence of IRAP, phagosomes acquire more rapidly late endosomal markers, are more degradative, and show increased microbicidal activity. We also report evidence for a role of vesicle trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)–Golgi intermediate compartment to endosomes for the formation or stability of the IRAP compartment. Moreover, we dissect the dual role of IRAP as a trimming peptidase and a critical constituent of endosome stability. Experiments using a protease-dead IRAP mutant and pharmacological IRAP inhibition suggest that IRAP expression but not proteolytic activity is required for the formation of storage endosomes and for DC-typical phagosome maturation, whereas proteolysis is required for fully efficient cross-presentation. These findings identify IRAP as a key factor in cross-presentation, trimming peptides to fit the major histocompatibility complex class-I binding site while preventing their destruction through premature phagosome maturation.
CircRNA hsa_circ_0008500 Acts as a miR-1301-3p Sponge to Promote Osteoblast Mineralization by Upregulating PADI4
Authors: Zhai Qiaoli , Zhao Yi , Wang Linping , Dai Yan , Zhao Peiqing , Xiang Xinxin , Liu Kui , Du Wenyan , Tian Wenxiu , Yang Baoye , Li Tao , Wang Lianqing
Published: December 2020

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are regarded as pivotal regulators in bone metabolism. However, the role of circRNAs in osteoblast mineralization remains largely unknown. Herein, we explored the expression profiles of circRNAs in 4 groups of osteoblasts with varying mineralization processes. Hsa_circ_0008500 (circ8500), which is upregulated in the RNA-seq data, is sifted through 194 candidate circRNAs in osteoblasts during mineralization. We characterize the features of novel circRNAs and find that the elevated expression of circ8500 promotes osteoblast mineralization. Mechanistically, circ8500 contains a critical binding site for miR-1301-3p. We further show that circ8500 competitively binds miR-1301-3p to abolish its suppressive effect on peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PADI4). PADI4 works as a binding partner of RUNX2 and stabilizes its protein expression levels by inhibiting the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. This work provides new insights on the circRNA patterns in osteoblasts and the role of PADI4 in matrix mineralization.
BAP31 Promotes Tumor Cell Proliferation by Stabilizing SERPINE2 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Xiyang , Jiang Dongbo , Yang Shuya , Sun Yuanjie , Liu Yang , Shi Jingqi , Hu Chenchen , Pan Jingyu , Liu Tianyue , Jin Boquan , Yang Kun
Published: December 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients are mostly diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in systemic therapy and poor prognosis. Therefore, the identification of a novel treatment target for HCC is important. B-cell receptor-associated protein 31 (BAP31) has been identified as a cancer/testis antigen; however, BAP31 function and mechanism of action in HCC remain unclear. In this study, BAP31 was demonstrated to be upregulated in HCC and correlated with the clinical stage. BAP31 overexpression promoted HCC cell proliferation and colony formationin vitroand tumor growthin vivo. RNA-sequence (RNA-seq) analysis demonstrated that serpin family E member 2 (SERPINE2) was downregulated in BAP31-knockdown HCC cells. Coimmunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays demonstrated that BAP31 directly binds to SERPINE2. The inhibition of SERPINE2 significantly decreased the BAP31-induced cell proliferation and colony formation of HCC cells and phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and p38. Moreover, multiplex immunohistochemistry staining of the HCC tissue microarray showed positive associations between the expression levels of BAP31, SERPINE2, its downstream gene LRP1, and a tumor proliferation marker, Ki-67. The administration of anti-BAP31 antibody significantly inhibited HCC cell xenograft tumor growthin vivo. Thus, these findings suggest that BAP31 promotes tumor cell proliferation by stabilizing SERPINE2 and can serve as a promising candidate therapeutic target for HCC.
Functional Nucleic Acid-Based Live-Cell Fluorescence Imaging
Authors: Zhang Yutong , Du Yulin , Zhuo Yuting , Qiu Liping
Published: December 2020

Cell is the structural and functional unit of organism. It serves as a key research object in various biological processes, such as growth, ontogeny, metabolism and stress. Studying the spatiotemporal distribution and functional activity of specific biological molecules in living cells is crucial for exploring the mechanism governing life. It also facilitates the elucidation of pathogenesis, clinical prevention and disease theranostics. In recent years, the fluorescence imaging technique has been greatly exploited for live-cell imaging. However, the development of molecular probes has lagged far behind. Functional nucleic acids (FNAs), for example, aptamer and DNAzyme, possess special chemical and/or biological functions, hence severing as promising molecular tools for cellular imaging. The current mini review focuses on the applications of FNAs in live-cell fluorescence imaging.
Midgut Mitochondrial Function as a Gatekeeper for Malaria Parasite Infection and Development in the Mosquito Host
Authors: Luckhart Shirley , Riehle Michael A.
Published: December 2020

Across diverse organisms, various physiologies are profoundly regulated by mitochondrial function, which is defined by mitochondrial fusion, biogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), and mitophagy. Based on our data and significant published studies from Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster and mammals, we propose that midgut mitochondria control midgut health and the health of other tissues in vector mosquitoes. Specifically, we argue that trade-offs among resistance to infection, metabolism, lifespan, and reproduction in vector mosquitoes are fundamentally controlled both locally and systemically by midgut mitochondrial function.
Proteomic and Metabolomic Analyses Provide Insights into the Mechanism on Arginine Metabolism Regulated by tRNA Modification Enzymes GidA and MnmE of Streptococcus suis
Authors: Gao Ting , Yuan Fangyan , Liu Zewen , Liu Wei , Zhou Danna , Yang Keli , Guo Rui , Liang Wan , Zou Geng , Zhou Rui , Tian Yongxiang
Published: December 2020

GidA and MnmE, two important tRNA modification enzymes, are contributed to the addition of the carboxymethylaminomethyl (cmnm) group onto wobble uridine of tRNA. GidA-MnmE modification pathway is evolutionarily conserved among Bacteria and Eukarya, which is crucial in efficient and accurate protein translation. However, its function remains poorly elucidated in zoonotic Streptococcus suis (SS). Here, a gidA and mnmE double knock-out (DKO) strain was constructed to systematically decode regulatory characteristics of GidA-MnmE pathway via proteomic. TMT labelled proteomics analysis identified that many proteins associated with cell divison and growth, fatty acid biosynthesis, virulence, especially arginine deiminase system (ADS) responsible for arginine metabolism were down-regulated in DKO mutant compared with the wild-type (WT) SC19. Accordingly, phenotypic experiments showed that the DKO strain displayed decreased in arginine consumption and ammonia production, deficient growth, and attenuated pathogenicity. Moreover, targeted metabolomic analysis identified that arginine was accumulated in DKO mutant as well. Therefore, these data provide molecular mechanisms for GidA-MnmE modification pathway in regulation of arginine metabolism, cell growth and pathogenicity of SS. Through proteomic and metabolomic analysis, we have identified arginine metabolism that is the links between a framework of protein level and the metabolic level of GidA-MnmE modification pathway perturbation.
Exploring Challenges of Hospital Chaplains in Transdisciplinary Teams
Authors: Spates Stephen A. , Kingsley Westerman Catherine Y. , Laam Leslie A. , Goke Ryan
Published: December 2020

Hospital chaplains experience obstacles in contributing to team objectives when a part of transdisciplinary teams. This case study explores the communication challenges of membership on transdisciplinary teams for hospital chaplains, using a fictional account based on data from a previous study. Chaplain David Howard is one of three chaplains at Grace Hospital and is assigned to the newly formed palliative care transdisciplinary team. The purpose of this team is to work towards providing quality care to patients in the upcoming integrative medicine wing. Although the team is tasked with improving the quality of life for patients, David notices that his concerns of quality care often clash with his medical colleagues' concerns about improved medical health outcomes. As the team's differing perspectives are revealed, it is evident that their communication is crucial to their ability to work together successfully.
Diversity of East China Summer Rainfall Change in Post-El Niño Summers
Authors: Zhang Wen , Zhou Xiaoye , Hsu Pang-Chi , Liu Fei
Published: December 2020

East China has experienced positive precipitation anomalies in post-El Niño summers, mainly in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Valley. This kind of monsoonal rainfall change induced by El Niño, however, is not always the same due to El Niño diversity and mean state change. Here, we use cluster analysis on the post-El Niño (PE) East China summer precipitation anomalies to identify the diversity of this El Niño-induced monsoon change. The result shows that PE East China summer rainfall anomalies mainly display three different modes for all selected 20 El Niño events from 1957 to 2016. Cluster 1 shows the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River demonstrate strong wet anomalies, while South and North China are dominated by dry anomalies, similar to a sandwich mode. Cluster 2 is distinguished by dry anomalies over South China and wet anomalies over North China, exhibiting a dipole mode. Compared with Cluster 1, the change caused by Cluster 3 is different, showing negative anomalies over the Yangtze-Huaihe River Valley. The three clusters are correlated with successive events of El Niño, a quick transfer to a strong La Niña and a quick transfer to a weak La Niña respectively. The associated anomalous anticyclone (AAC) focuses on (120°E, 20°N) in Cluster 1, which expands southward for Cluster 2 and moves eastward for Cluster 3. The feedback of AAC-sea surface temperature (SST) mainly works for supporting the AAC in Cluster 1, but it is weak for Cluster 2; the strong easterly anomalies related to La Niña contribute to the AAC location change for Cluster 2. Both AAC-SST feedback and easterly anomalies support the AAC of Cluster 3. The CMIP5 output can capture these diverse responses in circulation except that their simulated AAC for Cluster 1 is significant to the east of the observed.
Development of Identity in CHARGE Syndrome—A Case Study “I Know Who I Am”
Authors: Wanka Andrea
Published: December 2020

CHARGE Syndrome is a genetic syndrome with a recognized pattern of features, and involves extensive medical and physical challenges. It is recognized as the most common cause of congenital deafblindness. This case study focuses on the development of identity of individuals with CHARGE Syndrome which is of concern to individuals with CHARGE Syndrome, their parents and the various professionals that provide support and service. A review of the literature demonstrates that the vast majority of research regarding CHARGE Syndrome focuses on the medical, developmental, and family structures. However, identity research shifts the paradigm to the individual and their unique personality, which encourages professionals to apply their support or services to the human being rather than the disability. This study introduces a method with which it was possible to collect differentiated data from individuals with CHARGE Syndrome themselves through a guided creation of pictorial collages and a specialized interview technique based on their collages. The methodological approach used in this study included structured interviews embedded within the Collage Life Story Elicitation Technique. The CLET (Collage Life Story Elicitation Technique) is a protocol to support individuals in their efforts to create their own life story. Analysis of the resulting data was viewed according to several theoretical frameworks applied to the core narrations and the resources. This provided different avenues to the construction of meaning that formed an understanding of identity from the voices of individual themselves. This research initiative uses a single case study of a young man: Janosch. It becomes clear that Janosch does not associate his core identity with CHARGE Syndrome but rather from alternate origins of self. Janosch demonstrated through this research process that the relevance of animals and the topic of tolerance take a leading role in the formation of his identity. Furthermore and unexpected, Janosch's participation in the Mangas community serves as a primary source of social and emotional support, forms his construction of “togetherness” and strongly influences his concept of the relevance of family. This is in contrast to the role in which friends often impact these components of ones' own identity. The specialized methodology used in this study demonstrates that individuals with CHARGE Syndrome can be active participants in identity research that realize rich and accurate data.
Rotary Adsorption: Selective Recycling of CO2 in Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plants
Authors: Herraiz Laura , Palfi Erika , Sánchez Fernández Eva , Lucquiaud Mathieu
Published: December 2020

A conceptual design assessment shows that the use of structured adsorbents in a regenerative adsorption wheel is technically feasible for the application of selective exhaust gas recirculation (SEGR) in combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants. As the adsorber rotates, CO2 is selectively transferred from a flue gas stream to an ambient air stream fed to the gas turbine compressor, increasing the CO2 concentration and reducing the flow rate of the fraction of the flue gases treated in a post-combustion CO2 capture system. It imposes an estimated pressure drop of 0.25 kPa, unlike a pressure drop of 10 kPa reported for selective CO2 membrane systems, preventing a significant derating of the gas turbine. An equilibrium model of a rotary adsorber with commercially available activated carbon evaluates the inventory of the adsorbent and sizes the wheel rotor. Two rotary wheels of 24 m diameter and 2 m length are required per gas turbine—heat recovery steam generator train to achieve an overall CO2 capture level of 90% in a CCGT power plant (ca. 820 MWe) with SEGR “in parallel” to the capture plant. Two to five rotary wheels are required for a configuration with SEGR “in series” to the capture plant. A reduction of 50% in the mass of the adsorbent would be possible with Zeolite 13X instead of activated carbon, yet the hydrophilicity of zeolites are detrimental to the capacity and upstream dehydration of the flue gases is required. A parametric analysis of the equilibrium properties provides guidelines for adsorbent development. It suggests the importance of balancing the affinity for CO2 to allow the regeneration of the adsorbent with air at near ambient pressure and temperature, to minimise the inventory of the adsorbent within practical limits. An adsorbent with a saturation capacity of 8 mol/kg, a heat of adsorption from 24 to 28 kJ/mol CO2 and a pre-exponential factor of the equilibrium constant from 2 × 10–6 to 9 × 10–6 kPa−1 would result in an inventory below 200 kg, i.e., approximately the limit for the use of a single rotary wheel system.
Atomic Layer Deposition of SnO2-Based Composite Anodes for Thin-Film Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhao Bo , Dhara Arpan , Dendooven Jolien , Detavernier Christophe
Published: December 2020

Transition metal oxides are promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries thanks to their good electrochemical reversibility, high theoretical capacities, high abundance, and low cost. The mechanism of lithium insertion or deintercalation into or from these metal oxides can be different depending upon their lattice structure or chemical nature. Synergistic effects obtained from mixing different metal oxides with (dis)similar lithiation/delithiation mechanisms (intercalation, conversion and alloying) can significantly improve the device performances. In this research, we systematically investigate the impact on electrochemical properties of SnO2 thin-films upon mixing with TiO2, Fe2O3 and ZnO. In these pure thin-films, SnO2 displays conversion- as well as alloying-type lithiation and serves as the host material, whereas TiO2 represents an intercalation-type anode material, Fe2O3 exhibits conversion reactions and ZnO expresses alloying during lithiation-delithiation processes. Importantly, all the composite thin-films have an intermixed structure at the atomic scale, as they are precisely prepared by the atomic layer deposition method. The electrochemical properties demonstrate that the composite thin-films show better performance, either higher capacities or better cycling retentions, than the individual constituent material (SnO2, TiO2, Fe2O3 or ZnO). Overall cycling stability improves to a great extent along with a slight increase in capacity with the addition of TiO2. The supplement of Fe2O3 in the SnO2–Fe2O3 composite thin-films moderately improves both capacity and retention, while the SnO2–ZnO composite electrodes demonstrate a good cyclability and stabilize at a relatively high capacity. The systematic investigation of synergistic effects on the different types (intercalation, conversion and alloying) of metal oxide composites is expected to provide guidance towards the development of composite anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.
Automated Discovery of Relationships, Models, and Principles in Ecology
Authors: Cardoso Pedro , Branco Vasco V. , Borges Paulo A. V. , Carvalho José C. , Rigal François , Gabriel Rosalina , Mammola Stefano , Cascalho José , Correia Luís
Published: December 2020

Ecological systems are the quintessential complex systems, involving numerous high-order interactions and non-linear relationships. The most used statistical modeling techniques can hardly accommodate the complexity of ecological patterns and processes. Finding hidden relationships in complex data is now possible using massive computational power, particularly by means of artificial intelligence and machine learning methods. Here we explored the potential of symbolic regression (SR), commonly used in other areas, in the field of ecology. Symbolic regression searches for both the formal structure of equations and the fitting parameters simultaneously, hence providing the required flexibility to characterize complex ecological systems. Although the method here presented is automated, it is part of a collaborative human–machine effort and we demonstrate ways to do it. First, we test the robustness of SR to extreme levels of noise when searching for the species-area relationship. Second, we demonstrate how SR can model species richness and spatial distributions. Third, we illustrate how SR can be used to find general models in ecology, namely new formulas for species richness estimators and the general dynamic model of oceanic island biogeography. We propose that evolving free-form equations purely from data, often without prior human inference or hypotheses, may represent a very powerful tool for ecologists and biogeographers to become aware of hidden relationships and suggest general theoretical models and principles.
Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals an Association Between Cancer Cell Stemness, Gene Mutations, and the Immune Microenvironment in Stomach Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ye Zaisheng , Zheng Miao , Zeng Yi , Wei Shenghong , Wang Yi , Lin Zhitao , Shu Chen , Xie Yunqing , Zheng Qiuhong , Chen Luchuan
Published: December 2020

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), characterized by infinite proliferation and self-renewal, greatly challenge tumor therapy. Research into their plasticity, dynamic instability, and immune microenvironment interactions may help overcome this obstacle. Data on the stemness indices (mRNAsi), gene mutations, copy number variations (CNV), tumor mutation burden (TMB), and corresponding clinical characteristics were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and UCSC Xena Browser. The infiltrating immune cells in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) tissues were predicted using the CIBERSORT method. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the normal and tumor tissues were used to construct prognostic models with weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and Lasso regression. The association between cancer stemness, gene mutations, and immune responses was evaluated in STAD. A total of 6,739 DEGs were identified between the normal and tumor tissues. DEGs in the brown (containing 19 genes) and blue (containing 209 genes) co-expression modules were used to perform survival analysis based on Cox regression. A nine-gene signature prognostic model (ARHGEF38-IT1, CCDC15, CPZ, DNASE1L2, NUDT10, PASK, PLCL1, PRR5-ARHGAP8, and SYCE2) was constructed from 178 survival-related DEGs that were significantly related to overall survival, clinical characteristics, tumor microenvironment immune cells, TMB, and cancer-related pathways in STAD. Gene correlation was significant across the prognostic model, CNVs, and drug sensitivity. Our findings provide a prognostic model and highlight potential mechanisms and associated factors (immune microenvironment and mutation status) useful for targeting CSCs.
Heat Shock Improves Random Spore Analysis in Diverse Strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Burke Molly K. , McHugh Kaitlin M. , Kutch Ian C.
Published: December 2020

Random spore analysis (RSA) is a classic method in yeast genetics that allows high-throughput purification of recombinant haploid spores following specific crosses. RSA typically involves a number of steps to induce sporulation, purge vegetative cells that fail to sporulate, and disrupt the ascus walls of sporulated cells to release haploid spores. These steps generally require expensive chemicals and/or enzymes that kill diploid cells but have few effects on spores. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomcyes pombe, heat shock has been reported as an effective addition to RSA protocols, but to our knowledge heat shock has not been used for this purpose in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, we evaluate the effects of heat shock on vegetative and sporulated cultures of four diverse yeast strains: a European wine strain (DBVPG6765), a Japanese sake strain (Y12), a West African palm wine strain (DBVPG6044) and a North American strain isolated from the soil beneath an oak tree (YPS128). We characterize this phenotype under multiple combinations of temperature and incubation time, and find specific conditions that lead to the exclusion of vegetative cells and an enrichment in spores, which differ by strain. We also collected genome sequence data from a recombinant population that experienced multiple rounds of RSA, including one round with a heat shock treatment. These data suggest that when incorporated into an RSA protocol, heat shock leads to increased genetic diversity among the cells that survive and mate. Ultimately, our work provides evidence that short heat treatments can improve existing RSA protocols, though in a strain-specific manner. This result informs applications of high-throughput RSA protocols, such as QTL mapping and experimental evolution research.