bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Red to Purple? Changing Demographics and Party Change in Texas
Authors: Huerta Juan , Cuartas Beatriz
Published: October 2020

Objective: This study investigates the potential for party change in Texas, specifically if a generational replacement and demographic changes are leading to an increase in Democratic identification A competitive Texas has national political implications. Method: Using the Impressionable Years framework, party identification and ideology are analyzed with public opinion surveys of Texans and demographic data. Generation cohorts and race/ethnicity are the key variables of interest, and the analysis includes line graphs and linear regression. Results: The findings demonstrate younger cohorts of white Texans are less likely to identify as Republican and older cohorts of whites are most likely. All cohorts of people of color are likely to identify as Democrats. Conclusions: Generational and demographic changes are leading to an increase in Democratic Party identification and a decline in Republican identifiers. The mobilization by parties of young Texans, who are trending towards Democrats, is critical to the future of Texas politics.
A Cell Adhesion-Based Reconstitution Method for Studying Cell Polarity
Authors: Johnston Christopher A.
Published: October 2020

Cell polarity is an evolutionarily conserved process of asymmetric spatial organization within cells and is essential to tissue structure, signal transduction, cell migration, and cell division. The establishment and maintenance of polarity typically involves extensive protein-protein interactions that can be made further intricate by cell cycle-dependent regulation. These aspects can make interpreting phenotypes within traditional in vivo genetic systems challenging due to pleiotropic effects in loss-of-function experiments. Minimal reconstitution methods offer investigators the advantage of stricter control of otherwise complex systems and allow for more direct assessment of the role of individual components to the process of interest. Here I provide a detailed protocol for a cell adhesion-based method of inducing cell polarity within non-polarized Drosophila S2 cells. This technique is simple, cost effective, moderate throughput, and amenable to RNAi-based loss-of-function studies. The ability to “plug-and-play” genes of interest allows investigators to easily assess the contribution of individual protein domains and post-translational modifications to their function. The system is ideally suited to test not only the requirement of individual components but also their sufficiency, and can provide important insight into the epistatic relationship among multiple components in a protein complex. Although designed for use within Drosophila cells, the general premise and protocol should be easily adapted to mammalian cell culture or other systems that may better suit the interests of potential users.
An Exceptionally Preserved Specimen From the Green River Formation Elucidates Complex Phenotypic Evolution in Gruiformes and Charadriiformes
Authors: Musser Grace , Clarke Julia A.
Published: October 2020

The stem lineage relationships and early phenotypic evolution of Charadriiformes (shorebirds) and Gruiformes (rails, cranes, and allies) remain unresolved. It is still debated whether these clades are sister-taxa. New phylogenetic analyses incorporating Paleogene fossils have the potential to reveal the evolutionary connections of these two speciose and evolutionarily critical neoavian subclades. Although Gruiformes have a rich Paleogene fossil record, most of these fossils have not been robustly placed. The Paleogene fossil record of Charadriiformes is scarce and largely consists of fragmentary single elements. Only one proposed Eocene charadriiform-like taxon,Scandiavis mikkelseniof Denmark, is represented by a partial skeleton. Here, we describe a new species from the early Eocene Green River Formation of North America comprising a partial skeleton and feather remains. Because the skeleton lacks the pectoral girdle and forelimbs as inS. mikkelseni, only features of the skull, axial skeleton, and hind limb are available to resolve the phylogenetic placement of this taxon. These anatomical subregions initially showed features seen in Charadriiformes and Gruiformes. To assess placement of this taxon, we use a matrix consisting of 693 morphological characters and 60 taxa, includingS. mikkelseniand the oldest known charadriiform taxa represented by single elements. These more fragmentary records comprise two distal humeri from the earliest Eocene Naranbulag Formation of Mongolia and the early Eocene Nanjemoy Formation of Virginia. Our phylogenetic analyses recover the new taxon andS. mikkelsenialternatively as a charadriiform or as a stem-gruiform; placement is contingent upon enforced relationships for major neoavian subclades recovered by recent molecular-based phylogenies. Specifically, when constraint trees based on results that do not recover Charadriiformes and Gruiformes as sister-taxa are used, the new taxon andS. mikkelseniare recovered within stem Gruiformes. Both Paleogene fossil humeri are consistently recovered within crown Charadriiformes. If placement of these humeri or the new taxon as charadriiforms are correct, this may indicate that recent divergence time analyses have underestimated the crown age of another major crown avian subclade; however, more complete sampling of these taxa is necessary, especially of more complete specimens with pectoral elements.
Role of HK2 in the Enzootic Cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi
Authors: Liu Qiang , Xu Haijun , Zhang Yan , Yang Jing , Du Jimei , Zhou Yan , Yang X. Frank , Lou Yongliang
Published: October 2020

The two-component response regulator Rrp2 is a key activator controlling the production of numerous virulence factors of Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease pathogen. Previously it was shown that the cognate histidine kinase HK2 is not required for Rrp2 activation in vitro, nor for mammalian infection upon needle inoculation, raising the question whether HK2 has any role in the enzootic cycle of B. burgdorferi. In this study, we demonstrated that HK2 is not required for spirochetal survival in the tick vector. When fed on naive mice, the hk2 mutant had reduced infectivity through the route of tick bite, suggesting that the spirochetes lacking HK2 had a disadvantage in the enzootic cycle. Furthermore, overexpression of hk2 reduced the level of Rrp2 phosphorylation, suggesting that HK2 can function as a phosphatase to dephosphorylate Rrp2. Strains overexpressing hk2 impaired the expression of RpoN regulon whose activation is dependent on Rrp2 phosphorylation and activation, and had reduced infectivity in mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate that although HK2 does not play an essential role in Rrp2 activation, it is important for the optimal fitness of B. burgdorferi in the enzootic cycle.
Blockade of Acid-Sensing Ion Channels Increases Urinary Bladder Capacity With or Without Intravesical Irritation in Mice
Authors: Yoshiyama Mitsuharu , Kobayashi Hideki , Takeda Masayuki , Araki Isao
Published: October 2020

We conducted this study to examine whether acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are involved in the modulation of urinary bladder activity with or without intravesical irritation induced by acetic acid. All in vivo evaluations were conducted during continuous infusion cystometry in decerebrated unanesthetized female mice. During cystometry with a pH 6.3 saline infusion, an i.p. injection of 30 μmol/kg A-317567 (a potent, non-amiloride ASIC blocker) increased the intercontraction interval (ICI) by 30% (P < 0.001), whereas vehicle injection had no effect. An intravesical acetic acid (pH 3.0) infusion induced bladder hyperactivity, with reductions in ICI and maximal voiding pressure (MVP) by 79% (P < 0.0001) and 29% (P < 0.001), respectively. A-317567 (30 μmol/kg i.p.) alleviated hyperreflexia by increasing the acid-shortened ICI by 76% (P < 0.001). This dose produced no effect on MVP under either intravesical pH condition. Further analysis in comparison with vehicle showed that the increase in ICI (or bladder capacity) by the drug was not dependent on bladder compliance. Meanwhile, intravesical perfusion of A-317567 (100 μM) had no effect on bladder activity during pH 6.0 saline infusion cystometry, and drug perfusion at neither 100 μM nor 1 mM produced any effects on bladder hyperreflexia during pH 3.0 acetic acid infusion cystometry. A-317567 has been suggested to display extremely poor penetrability into the central nervous system and thus to be a peripherally active blocker. Taken together, our results suggest that blockade of ASIC signal transduction increases bladder capacity under normal intravesical pH conditions and alleviates bladder hyperreflexia induced by intravesical acidification and that the site responsible for this action is likely to be the dorsal root ganglia.
LA PSICOTERAPIA ENTRE ARTE Y CIENCIA
Authors: Guidano Victorio
Published: October 2020

El presente texto es la traducción al castellano de un curso de “training”, impartido por Vittorio Guidano, y publicado por Giovanni Cutulo (2008) en la editorial Franco Angeli, bajo el título “La psicoterapia tra arte e scienza”. En él se desarrolla de manera didáctica la exposición del modelo de terapia postracionalista, propuesto por el autor.
Reseña libro: Ya no te llamarán “abandonada”. Acompañamiento psico-espiritual a supervivientes de abuso sexual
Authors: Rosas Jiménez Carlos Alberto
Published: October 2020

La mayoría de las veces que se habla del abuso sexual se mencionan solamente a las víctimas y a los abusadores. Sin embargo, poco se habla de los terceros, de aquellos que encubrieron, no dijeron nada cuando vieron algo sospechoso o que simplemente fueron negligentes y no cumplieron con su labor de vigilar a las personas vulnerables para que no fueran abusadas. Por otro lado, tampoco se suele hablar de las víctimas secundarias, que son las familias, miembros de las parroquias, comunidades religiosas, instituciones educativas donde se encontraba la víctima, pues aunque la herida más grande la tiene la víctima del abuso, las víctimas secundarias pueden ser heridas muy gravemente a nivel físico, pero también psicológica y espiritualmente, en la confianza hacia las demás personas o hacia la institución donde ocurrió el abuso; las víctimas secundarias también son supervivientes del abuso sexual. Pues bien, en este libro, para abordar de manera integral la sanación psico-espiritual de los supervivientes, Luis Alfonso Zamorano busca incluir también los terceros y las víctimas secundarias. Además, brinda una mirada muy completa de lo que es el abuso sexual de niños, niñas y adolescentes, con un enfoque particular en la situación de la Iglesia Católica.
Genios literarios y pérdidas parentales
Authors: Franchi Silvia Beatriz
Published: October 2020

Resumen

 

Reconocidos escritores, como Dante  Alighieri, John R. R. Tolkien, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, León Tolstoi y muchos otros,  han perdido a sus progenitores en  etapas tempranas de la vida, así como artistas, presidentes, científicos, emprendedores e innovadores que alcanzaron reconocimiento universal por su  creatividad y trascendieron su propia época.

 

Este trabajo preliminar y exploratorio se centrará en la relación entre genialidad literaria y orfandad, focalizándose en un escritor eminente, que trascendió su época y contó con un público que lo ha reconocido por décadas, debido a su gran resonancia y talento: John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. Sus obras fueron traducidas a nivel mundial y las editoriales se han ocupado de publicarlas ininterrumpidamente, en los más diversos formatos y traducciones.

 

Se destacará el rol que tuvieron en la vida de Tolkien sus figuras de apego, el apoyo que recibió de maestros, colegas y grandes amigos, así como el de su esposa. Asimismo, se enfatizará el desarrollo de la resiliencia en el transcurso de su vida, sumado a su genialidad y creatividad.

 

Palabras clave: genialidad, creatividad, orfandad, apoyo social, resiliencia
Conversaciones del Equipo en el Modelo Narrativo-Temático
Authors: Ramos Gutiérrez Ricardo , IZU SHEILA , Al-jende Laila
Published: October 2020

El modelo narrativo - temático, sobre el que se articula el presente trabajo, es un intento de síntesis y desarrollo de otros dos modelos terapéuticos con los que comparte premisas: la terapia narrativa y la terapia dialógica. Algunos de los instrumentos que propone el modelo, ejemplificados a través de un caso clínico, ponen de relieve las principales diferencias con estas terapias: qué posición asume el terapeuta, cuál es el locus de intervención, a qué y quién responde la conversación terapéutica y qué objetivo tiene la terapia. Este modelo plantea una forma particular de uso del equipo que permita a los integrantes zafarse de cómo la historia que cuentan (las familias y los profesionales) condiciona sus respuestas. Teniendo en cuenta el flujo de conversaciones que preceden a la conversación terapéutica, el Plan Temático de la Sesión se plantea como una herramienta que permite al equipo situarse en la red y ayudar así a reposicionar a la familia apuntando a posibilidades y a futuro. La conversación terapéutica busca influir sobre las relaciones entre los miembros de la familia y los profesionales con los que se van a seguir relacionando. Para ello se tiene en cuenta qué personas y qué temas se activan en un momento determinado en el sistema, así como qué sesgo van tomando las conversaciones. La historia que interesa es la que se pueda construir a partir de lo que le ocurre a la familia mientras transcurre la terapia, lo que denominamos la historia por vivir.
Eficacia y Satisfacción del Programa Resiliencia y Bienestar: Quédate en casa
Authors: Hernández Óscar Sánchez , Canales Ana
Published: October 2020

El estado de pandemia y cuarentena provocado por el COVID-19 ha supuesto un verdadero reto para todos los países, instituciones, organizaciones  familias y personas del planeta. Las pandemias se sucederán en los próximos años y, lejos de caer en el catastrofismo, podemos estar preparados, hacerles frente con determinación y cooperación. En este artículo se revisa el impacto psicológico de las cuarentenas y epidemias pasadas y de la pandemia actual así como el importante papel de la Psicología ante estos hechos. Se revisan intervenciones pasadas para prevenir problemas emocionales y promocionar el bienestar y se describe el Programa Resiliencia y Bienestar: <> cuyos objetivos son la prevención de problemas emocionales, la promoción del bienestar y la detección e intervención precoz ante los efectos de la cuarentena y pandemia originada por el COVID-19. Por último se propone líneas de intervención e investigación para fortalecer comunidades mediante la resiliencia proactiva.
Desarrollo Infantil en Psicoterapia Integrativa
Authors: Erskine Richard G. , Pérez Burgos Angela
Published: October 2020

Los conceptos y las investigaciones sobre desarrollo infantil proporcionan el fundamento para la indagación terapéutica en una psicoterapia integrativa basada en el desarrollo evolutivo y centrada en la relación. Este artículo enfatiza las ideas sobre el desarrollo de Erik Erikson y las relaciona con los conceptos de Bowlby, Fraiberg, Piaget y Winnicott. Los diversos conceptos de desarrollo proporcionan la base para la sintonía evolutiva, la formación de imágenes evolutivas, para la indagación fenomenológica y para la inferencia terapéutica, lo que permite que la memoria implícita y procedimental se exprese en una narrativa terapéutica.
Sociedad de Rendimiento y Práctica Psicoterapéutica
Authors: Sánchez Ruiz Diego , Velayos Jiménez Lorena
Published: October 2020

La situación de la psicología no puede entenderse separada de la realidad sociopolítica en que se desarrolla. El objetivo del siguiente artículo es analizar la influencia en la práctica terapéutica de la preponderancia del sistema capitalista, la emergencia de la psicología positiva y la especialización técnico-médica de la profesión. Inicialmente, se realiza una revisión del desarrollo sociopolítico del postmodernismo y de su influencia sobre la concepción de la salud mental de las personas; y se desarrolla la evolución de la psicología positiva y de la especialización técnico-médica de la disciplina. Posteriormente, se reflexiona acerca de cómo los factores descritos previamente podrían ser responsables de iatrogenia en la terapia por el riesgo que tienen de aislar al individuo, culpabilizarle y fomentar la estructura de opresión postmoderna. Finalmente, se describen algunas alternativas para tener en cuenta durante la práctica terapéutica con el objetivo de realizar una atención holística y humana durante la terapia: fomentar el capital social, empoderar al paciente y despatologizar el sufrimiento.
Reestructuración del vínculo a través de terapia integrativa en un caso de duelos múltiples
Authors: Monjarás Rodríguez María Teresa , Lucio Gómez-Maqueo María Emilia
Published: October 2020

El objetivo principal es describir el vínculo con historia de M., un niño de 8 años, quién afronta diversas pérdidas y su relación con la presencia del duelo patológico; para ello fue necesario el análisis minucioso del caso de principio a fin del tratamiento, se audio grabaron las sesiones con el consentimiento del paciente y su tutor. Es importante mencionar que se realizó una evaluación diagnóstica completa con diversas pruebas psicológicas que abarcan las diferentes áreas (afectiva, percepto motora e intelectual).

A través del análisis de las sesiones se observa la dificultad de M para elaborar el duelo al no contar con una figura estable y segura que lo contuviera.  Por medio del tratamiento terapéutico M logra establecer vínculos estables, afrontando así las diferentes pérdidas.
Psicoterapia Primordial
Authors: Taroppio Ernesto
Published: October 2020

La Psicoterapia Primordial constituye la aplicación práctica del Modelo Interacciones Primordiales, una concepción humanística-existencial-integral de la naturaleza humana, centrada en la relevancia de las relaciones interpersonales en la salud y el pleno desarrollo de la persona y los grupos.

Este artículo procura mostrar la importancia del abordaje integral y de la antroplogía de base en el diseño y aplicación de metodologías terapéuticas, aplicables tanto a los procesos individuales como grupales.

Presenta un modelo que integra sistemáticamente el trabajo corporal, energético y lingüístico-cognitivo, completado con un método de meditación sin contenidos religiosos.

 

Key words: integralidad, relaciones interpersonales, trabajo corporal, trascendencia, meditación
Sustainable Biomass Pellets Production Using Vineyard Wastes
Authors: Senila Lacrimioara , Tenu Ioan , Carlescu Petru , Corduneanu Oana Raluca , Dumitrachi Emanuel Petru , Kovacs Eniko , Scurtu Daniela Alexandra , Cadar Oana , Becze Anca , Senila Marin , Roman Marius , Dumitras Diana Elena , Roman Cecilia
Published: October 2020

Vineyards waste has a great importance as biomass, a renewable source of energy. In this paper eight vine shoot varieties were used for the production of pellets by densification of feedstock materials with four ranges of moisture contents (6–8%, 8–10%, 10–12% and 12–15%). A moisture content of 10% gave durability higher than 97.5% and a calorific value greater than 17 MJ kg−1 and the small durability was obtained for 6–8% moisture. The study shows the significant influence of water during densification. The physicochemical and energetic properties of pellets were evaluated in accordance with ISO 17225-6 (2014). The obtained pellets were also structurally characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). SEM analysis showed the formation of carbon microsphere after pelletization, due to the increase of bulk density and durability of pellets. Also, XRD analysis revealed the crystallinity of cellulose, while TGA analysis showed a total decomposition of pellets. The obtained pellets were burned in a domestic boiler and the flue gases were measured. The preliminary results showed that the vineyard residues had higher emissions, but below the admitted limits, with the exception of carbon monoxide content. The obtained results suggested that the biomass wastes can be used for the production of pellets, aiming to enhance the research for the manufacturing of these sustainable biofuels with some remarks regarding risk of corrosion and slag formation during prolonged use.
The Cell Envelope Stress Response of Bacillus subtilis towards Laspartomycin C
Authors: Diehl Angelika , Wood Thomas M. , Gebhard Susanne , Martin Nathaniel I. , Fritz Georg
Published: October 2020

Cell wall antibiotics are important tools in our fight against Gram-positive pathogens, but many strains become increasingly resistant against existing drugs. Laspartomycin C is a novel antibiotic that targets undecaprenyl phosphate (UP), a key intermediate in the lipid II cycle of cell wall biosynthesis. While laspartomycin C has been thoroughly examined biochemically, detailed knowledge about potential resistance mechanisms in bacteria is lacking. Here, we use reporter strains to monitor the activity of central resistance modules in the Bacillus subtilis cell envelope stress response network during laspartomycin C attack and determine the impact on the resistance of these modules using knock-out strains. In contrast to the closely related UP-binding antibiotic friulimicin B, which only activates ECF σ factor-controlled stress response modules, we find that laspartomycin C additionally triggers activation of stress response systems reacting to membrane perturbation and blockage of other lipid II cycle intermediates. Interestingly, none of the studied resistance genes conferred any kind of protection against laspartomycin C. While this appears promising for therapeutic use of laspartomycin C, it raises concerns that existing cell envelope stress response networks may already be poised for spontaneous development of resistance during prolonged or repeated exposure to this new antibiotic.
The Protective Role of Hydrogen Sulfide Against Obesity-Associated Cellular Stress in Blood Glucose Regulation
Authors: Mezouari Ania , Nangia Radhika , Gagnon Jeffrey
Published: October 2020

Circulating palmitic acid (PA) is increased in obesity and causes metabolic stress, leading to diabetes. This includes the impairment of the glucoregulatory hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secreted from intestinal L-cells. Recently, the anti-inflammatory gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been implicated in the enhancement of GLP-1 secretion. We hypothesized that H2S can reduce the oxidative stress caused by palmitate and play a protective role in L-cell function. This study was conducted on both human and mouse L-cells and a mouse model of Western diet (WD)-induced obesity. PA-induced L-cell stress was assessed using DCF-DA. H2S was delivered using the donor GYY4137. C57BL/6 mice were fed either chow diet or PA-enriched WD for 20 weeks with ongoing measurements of glycemia and GLP-1 secretion. In both L-cell models, we demonstrated that PA caused an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS). This ROS induction was partially blocked by the H2S administration. In mice, the WD elevated body weight in both sexes and elevated fasting blood glucose and lipid peroxidation in males. Additionally, a single GYY4137 injection improved oral glucose tolerance in WD-fed male mice and also enhanced glucose-stimulated GLP-1 release. To conclude, H2S reduces oxidative stress in GLP-1 cells and can improve glucose clearance in mice.
NOX2ko Mice Show Largely Increased Expression of a Mutated NOX2 mRNA Encoding an Inactive NOX2 Protein
Authors: Göllner Monika , Ihrig-Biedert Irmgard , Petermann Victoria , Saurin Sabrina , Oelze Matthias , Kröller-Schön Swenja , Vujacic-Mirski Ksenija , Kuntic Marin , Pautz Andrea , Daiber Andreas , Kleinert Hartmut
Published: October 2020

Background: The superoxide-generating enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX2 or gp91phox, the phagocytic isoform) was reported as a major source of oxidative stress in various human diseases. Genetic deletion is widely used to study the impact of NOX2-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) on disease development and progression in various animal models. Here, we investigate why NOX2 knockout mice show no NOX2 activity but express NOX2 mRNA and protein. Methods and Results: Oxidative burst (NOX2-dependent formation of ROS) was measured by L-012-based chemiluminescence and was largely absent in whole blood of NOX2 knockout mice. Protein expression was still detectable in different tissues of the NOX2 knockout mice, at the expected and a slightly lower molecular weight (determined by Western blot). The NOX2 gene was even largely enhanced at its expressional level in NOX2 knockout mice. RNA sequencing revealed a modified NOX2 mRNA in the knockout mice that is obviously translated to a truncated inactive mutant enzyme. Conclusion: Although the commercial NOX2 knockout mice display no considerable enzymatic NOX2 activity, expression of the NOX2 gene (when using standard primers) and protein (when using antibodies binding to the carboxy-terminal end) can still be detected, which may lead to confusion among investigators.
The Effect of Antioxidants on Photoreactivity and Phototoxic Potential of RPE Melanolipofuscin Granules from Human Donors of Different Age
Authors: Olchawa Magdalena M. , Szewczyk Grzegorz M. , Zadlo Andrzej C. , Sarna Michal W. , Wnuk Dawid , Sarna Tadeusz J.
Published: October 2020

One of the most prominent age-related changes of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is the accumulation of melanolipofuscin granules, which could contribute to oxidative stress in the retina. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of melanolipofuscin granules from younger and older donors to photogenerate reactive oxygen species, and to examine if natural antioxidants could modify the phototoxic potential of this age pigment. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry, EPR-spin trapping, and time-resolved detection of near-infrared phosphorescence were employed for measuring photogeneration of superoxide anion and singlet oxygen by melanolipofuscin isolated from younger and older human donors. Phototoxicity mediated by internalized melanolipofuscin granules with and without supplementation with zeaxanthin and α-tocopherol was analyzed in ARPE-19 cells by determining cell survival, oxidation of cellular proteins, organization of the cell cytoskeleton, and the cell specific phagocytic activity. Supplementation with antioxidants reduced aerobic photoreactivity and phototoxicity of melanolipofuscin granules. The effect was particularly noticeable for melanolipofuscin mediated inhibition of the cell phagocytic activity. Antioxidants decreased the extent of melanolipofuscin-dependent oxidation of cellular proteins and disruption of the cell cytoskeleton. Although melanolipofuscin might be involved in chronic phototoxicity of the aging RPE, natural antioxidants could partially ameliorate these harmful effects.
Transfer and Enzyme-Mediated Metabolism of Oxidized Phosphatidylcholine and Lysophosphatidylcholine between Low- and High-Density Lipoproteins
Authors: Sawada Naoko , Obama Takashi , Mizuno Mirei , Fukuhara Kiyoshi , Iwamoto Sanju , Aiuchi Toshihiro , Makiyama Tomohiko , Itabe Hiroyuki
Published: October 2020

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and oxidized high-density lipoprotein (oxHDL), known as risk factors for cardiovascular disease, have been observed in plasma and atheromatous plaques. In a previous study, the content of oxidized phosphatidylcholine (oxPC) and lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) species stayed constant in isolated in vivo oxLDL but increased in copper-induced oxLDL in vitro. In this study, we prepared synthetic deuterium-labeled 1-palmitoyl lysoPC and palmitoyl-glutaroyl PC (PGPC), a short chain-oxPC to elucidate the metabolic fate of oxPC and lysoPC in oxLDL in the presence of HDL. When LDL preloaded with d13-lysoPC was mixed with HDL, d13-lysoPC was recovered in both the LDL and HDL fractions equally. d13-LysoPC decreased by 50% after 4 h of incubation, while d13-PC increased in both fractions. Diacyl-PC production was abolished by an inhibitor of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT). When d13-PGPC-preloaded LDL was incubated with HDL, d13-PGPC was transferred to HDL in a dose-dependent manner when both LCAT and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) were inhibited. Lp-PLA2 in both HDL and LDL was responsible for the hydrolysis of d13-PGPC. These results suggest that short chain-oxPC and lysoPC can transfer between lipoproteins quickly and can be enzymatically converted from oxPC to lysoPC and from lysoPC to diacyl-PC in the presence of HDL.
Raman Laser Spectrometer: Application to 12C/13C Isotope Identification in CH4 and CO2 Greenhouse Gases
Authors: Vitkin Vladimir , Polishchuk Anton , Chubchenko Ian , Popov Evgeniy , Grigorenko Konstantin , Kharitonov Artem , Davtian Arsen , Kovalev Anton , Kurikova Valeria , Camy Patrice , Loiko Pavel , Aguiló Magdalena , Díaz Francesc , Mateos Xavier
Published: October 2020

A compact Raman laser gas spectrometer is developed. It comprises a high-power green laser at 532.123 nm as an excitation source and a specially designed gas cell with an internal volume of less than 0.6 cm3 that can withstand gas pressures up to 100 atm. The resolution of the spectrometer is ~1 cm−1. The Raman spectra of chemically pure isotopically enriched carbon dioxide (12CO2, 13CO2) and methane (12CH4, 13CH4) gases are studied. The expected limit of detection (LOD) is less than 100 ppm for the isotopologues of CO2 and less than 25 ppm for those of CH4 (at a gas pressure of 50 atm.), making the developed spectrometer promising for studying the sources of emissions of greenhouse gases by resolving their isotopologue composition. We also show the suitability of the spectrometer for Raman spectroscopy of human exhalation.
Prediction of BOD Concentration in Wastewater Treatment Process Using a Modular Neural Network in Combination with the Weather Condition
Authors: Li Wenjing , Zhang Junkai
Published: October 2020

Since weather has a huge impact on the wastewater treatment process (WWTP), the prediction accuracy for the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) concentration in WWTP would degenerate if using only one single artificial neural network as the model for soft measurement method. Aiming to solve this problem, the present study proposes a novel hybrid scheme using a modular neural network (MNN) combining with the factor of weather condition. First, discriminative features among different weather groups are selected to ensure a high accuracy for sample clustering based on weather conditions. Second, the samples are clustered based on a density-based clustering algorithm using the discriminative features. Third, the clustered samples are input to each module in MNN, with the auxiliary variables correlated with BOD prediction input to the corresponding model. Finally, a constructive radial basis function neural network with the error-correction algorithm is used as the model for each subnetwork to predict BOD concentration. The proposed scheme is evaluated on a standard wastewater treatment platform—Benchmark Simulation Model 1 (BSM1). Experimental results demonstrate the performance improvement of the proposed scheme on the prediction accuracy for BOD concentration in WWTP. Besides, the training time is shortened and the network structure is compact.
Snake Robot with Driving Assistant Mechanism
Authors: Bae Junseong , Kim Myeongjin , Song Bongsub , Jin Maolin , Yun Dongwon
Published: October 2020

Snake robots are composed of multiple links and joints and have a high degree of freedom. They can perform various motions and can overcome various terrains. Snake robots need additional driving algorithms and sensors that acquire terrain data in order to overcome rough terrains such as grasslands and slopes. In this study, we propose a driving assistant mechanism (DAM), which assists locomotion without additional driving algorithms and sensors. In this paper, we confirmed that the DAM prevents a roll down on a slope and increases the locomotion speed through dynamic simulation and experiments. It was possible to overcome grasslands and a 27 degrees slope without using additional driving controllers. In conclusion, we expect that a snake robot can conduct a wide range of missions well, such as exploring disaster sites and rough terrain, by using the proposed mechanism.
Biogas Potential of Wastes and By-Products of the Alcoholic Beverage Production Industries in the Spanish Region of Cantabria
Authors: Montes Jesús A. , Rico Carlos
Published: October 2020

The industry of alcoholic beverage production has been, historically, both an important economic engine and a source of wastes and pollution (due to the production processes by themselves and to the energy requirements) in a number of countries. In the small region of Cantabria, in northern Spain, the production of alcoholic beverages as an economic sector has been growing in importance in recent years. Thus, there is a new flow of waste for which specific management plans have yet to be developed. The result is an increase in the total amount of urban waste to be disposed. Anaerobic digestion can be a suitable in-situ solution for the treatment of the generated wastes providing a source of renewable energy which can be a supply for the processes in these industries, reducing the emission of greenhouse gases associated to the use of fossil fuels, all of this benefitting both environment and economy. In this work the authors present the information gathered about waste generation and the biomethanogenic potential of the most important wastes generated in the industries. As a result, specific strategies could be designed for the industrial sector in the region, of which other small agro-industries can benefit.
Wood Defect Detection Based on Depth Extreme Learning Machine
Authors: Yang Yutu , Zhou Xiaolin , Liu Ying , Hu Zhongkang , Ding Fenglong
Published: October 2020

The deep learning feature extraction method and extreme learning machine (ELM) classification method are combined to establish a depth extreme learning machine model for wood image defect detection. The convolution neural network (CNN) algorithm alone tends to provide inaccurate defect locations, incomplete defect contour and boundary information, and inaccurate recognition of defect types. The nonsubsampled shearlet transform (NSST) is used here to preprocess the wood images, which reduces the complexity and computation of the image processing. CNN is then applied to manage the deep algorithm design of the wood images. The simple linear iterative clustering algorithm is used to improve the initial model; the obtained image features are used as ELM classification inputs. ELM has faster training speed and stronger generalization ability than other similar neural networks, but the random selection of input weights and thresholds degrades the classification accuracy. A genetic algorithm is used here to optimize the initial parameters of the ELM to stabilize the network classification performance. The depth extreme learning machine can extract high-level abstract information from the data, does not require iterative adjustment of the network weights, has high calculation efficiency, and allows CNN to effectively extract the wood defect contour. The distributed input data feature is automatically expressed in layer form by deep learning pre-training. The wood defect recognition accuracy reached 96.72% in a test time of only 187 ms.
Using Elastographic Ultrasound to Assess Plantar Tissue Stiffness after Walking at Different Speeds and Durations
Authors: Lung Chi-Wen , Wu Fu-Lien , Zhang Keying , Liau Ben-Yi , Townsend Runnell , Jan Yih-Kuen
Published: October 2020

Exercise has been demonstrated to improve health in people with diabetes. However, exercise may increase risk for foot ulcers because of increased plantar pressure during most weight-bearing physical activities. To date, there is no study investigating the effect of various walking speeds and durations (i.e., the most common form of exercise in daily living) on the plantar foot. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of various walking intensities on plantar tissue stiffness. A 3 × 2 factorial design, including three walking speeds (1.8, 3.6 and 5.4 mph) and two durations (10 and 20 min), was tested in 12 healthy participants. B-mode and elastographic ultrasound images were measured from the first metatarsal head to quantify plantar tissue stiffness after walking. Two-way ANOVA was used to examine the results. Our results showed that the walking speed factor caused a significant main effect of planar stiffness of the superficial layers (p = 0.007 and 0.003, respectively). However, the walking duration factor did not significantly affect the plantar stiffness. There was no interaction between the speed and duration factors on plantar tissue stiffness. Regarding the walking speed effect, there was a significant difference in the plantar stiffness between 1.8 and 3.6 mph (56.8 ± 0.8% vs. 53.6 ± 0.9%, p = 0.017) under 20 min walking duration. This finding is significant because moderate-to-fast walking speed (3.6 mph) can decrease plantar stiffness compared to slow walking speed (1.8 mph). This study suggests people at risk for foot ulcers walk at a preferred or fast speed (3.6 mph) rather than walk slowly (1.8 mph).
GRASP and Iterated Local Search-Based Cellular Processing algorithm for Precedence-Constraint Task List Scheduling on Heterogeneous Systems
Authors: Santiago Alejandro , Terán-Villanueva J. David , Martínez Salvador Ibarra , Rocha José Antonio Castán , Menchaca Julio Laria , Berrones Mayra Guadalupe Treviño , Ponce-Flores Mirna
Published: October 2020

High-Performance Computing systems rely on the software’s capability to be highly parallelized in individual computing tasks. However, even with a high parallelization level, poor scheduling can lead to long runtimes; this scheduling is in itself an NP-hard problem. Therefore, it is our interest to use a heuristic approach, particularly Cellular Processing Algorithms (CPA), which is a novel metaheuristic framework for optimization. This framework has its foundation in exploring the search space by multiple Processing Cells that communicate to exploit the search and in the individual stagnation detection mechanism in the Processing Cells. In this paper, we proposed using a Greedy Randomized Adaptive Search Procedure (GRASP) to look for promising task execution orders; later, a CPA formed with Iterated Local Search (ILS) Processing Cells is used for the optimization. We assess our approach with a high-performance ILS state-of-the-art approach. Experimental results show that the CPA outperforms the previous ILS in real applications and synthetic instances.
Evaluation of Color Change and Biodeterioration Resistance of Gewang (Corypha utan Lamk.) Wood
Authors: Nandika Dodi , Darmawan Wayan , Karlinasari Lina , Hadi Yusuf Sudo , Abdillah Imam Busyra , Hiziroglu Salim
Published: October 2020

Gewang (Corypha utan Lamk.) is one of the endemic palm species which has been used as a building material for many years in Indonesia. The objective of this study was to enhance the overall resistance of gewang wood to biological deterioration by using smoke treatment. Samples taken from different parts of the trunks, namely bottom, middle, and upper parts in a longitudinal direction and outer and inner parts in a transversal direction, were exposed to the smoking process. Discoloration, dry-wood termite (Cryptotemes cynocephalus) and fungi (Schizophyllumcommune) resistance of smoked samples were determined according to the Indonesian standard. Based on the findings in this work, discoloration of smoked specimens was more prominent than that of the unsmoked samples. Overall termite and decay resistance of smoked samples were enhanced and higher than those of unsmoked samples without any influence of longitudinal and transversal orientations within the trunks. It appears that smoking can be considered as a potential method to improve decay and termite resistances of gewang wood.
Application of Stockwell Transform and Shannon Energy for Pace Pulses Detection in a Single-Lead ECG Corrupted by EMG Artifacts
Authors: Jekova Irena , Iliev Ivo , Tabakov Serafim
Published: October 2020

Electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis is important for the detection of pace pulse artifacts, since their existence indicates the presence of a pacemaker. ECG gives information on the proper functionality of the device and could help to evaluate the reaction of the heart. Beyond the challenges related to the diversity of ECG arrhythmias and pace pulses, the existence of electromyogram (EMG) noise could cause serious problems for the correct detection of pace pulses. This study reveals the potential of a methodology based on Stockwell transformation (S-transform), subsequent Shannon energy calculation and a threshold-based rule for pace artifact detection in a single-lead ECG corrupted with EMG noise. The design, validation and test are performed on a large, publicly available artificial database acquired with high amplitude and time resolution. It includes various combinations of ECG arrhythmias and pace pulses with different amplitudes, rising edges and total pulse durations, as well as timing that corresponds to different pacemaker modes. The training was done over 312 (ECG + EMG) signals. The method was validated on 390 clean ECGs and independently tested on 312 (ECG + EMG) and 390 clean ECGs. The achieved accuracy over the test dataset was Se = 100%, PPV = 98.0% for ECG corrupted by EMG artifacts and Se = 99.9%, PPV = 98.3% for clean ECG signals. This shows that, despite EMG artifacts, the S-transform could distinctly localize the pace pulse positions and, together with the applied ShE, could provide precise pace pulses detection in the time domain.
The Purpose of Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) Post Its Digitalization and Integration into Clinical Practice: An Interdisciplinary Redefinition Resembling PROs Theoretical and Practical Evolvement
Authors: Eriksen Jeppe , Bygholm Ann , Bertelsen Pernille
Published: October 2020

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) digitalization and integration into clinical practice has widened its purpose, which makes it relevant to reconceptualize PRO accordingly. Therefore, this study aims to describe and critically discuss the purposes of PRO and to suggest an interdisciplinary definition of PRO aligned with current applications. The findings in this study are based on a formerly conducted scoping review on PRO and patient participation; hence, a sub-study focusing on the purpose of PRO. The purposes of PRO pertain to research and drug testing; quality and economy; patient-centered care; politicization and democratization; and organization and culture. The suggested definition describes PRO as a validated questionnaire; developed in collaboration between patients, clinicians, and other pertinent stakeholders; systematically applied; mediated digitally or paper-based; completed directly by the patient, with assistance or by a qualified proxy; composed of generic, disease-specific, condition-specific or preference-based measures; consisting of content pertaining to the patient’s physical and mental health condition, functioning, symptoms, well-being or health-related quality of life (HRQoL); providing objective and/or subjective outcomes, and individual and/or population data. An alternative understanding of PRO is meant to enhance the link between purposes and definitions of PRO, facilitating interdisciplinary stakeholder discussions on PRO, potentially improving future PRO interventions.
Abundance Tracking by Long-Read Nanopore Sequencing of Complex Microbial Communities in Samples from 20 Different Biogas/Wastewater Plants
Authors: Brandt Christian , Bongcam-Rudloff Erik , Müller Bettina
Published: October 2020

Anaerobic digestion (AD) has long been critical technology for green energy, but the majority of the microorganisms involved are unknown and are currently not cultivable, which makes abundance tracking difficult. Developments in nanopore long-read sequencing make it a promising approach for monitoring microbial communities via metagenomic sequencing. For reliable monitoring of AD via long reads, we established a robust protocol for obtaining less fragmented, high-quality DNA, while preserving bacteria and archaea composition, for a broad range of different biogas reactors. Samples from 20 different biogas/wastewater reactors were investigated, and a median of 20.5 Gb sequencing data per nanopore flow cell was retrieved for each reactor using the developed DNA isolation protocol. The nanopore sequencing data were compared against Illumina sequencing data while using different taxonomic indices for read classifications. The Genome Taxonomy Database (GTDB) index allowed sufficient characterisation of the abundance of bacteria and archaea in biogas reactors with a dramatic improvement (1.8- to 13-fold increase) in taxonomic classification compared to the RefSeq index. Both technologies performed similarly in taxonomic read classification with a slight advantage for Illumina in regard to the total proportion of classified reads. However, nanopore sequencing data revealed a higher genus richness after classification. Metagenomic read classification via nanopore provides a promising approach to monitor the abundance of taxa present in a microbial AD community as an alternative to 16S ribosomal RNA studies or Illumina Sequencing.
Life-Cycle Performance Assessment and Distress Prediction of Subgrade Based on an Analytic Hierarchy Process and the PSO–LSSVM Model
Authors: Li Qi , Wang Yimin , Zhang Kunbiao , Cheng Zhiyuan , Tao Ziyu
Published: October 2020

The subgrade performance assessment and targeted maintenance of a highway during operation is very important and challenging. This paper focuses on the performance of the whole life-cycle of a highway subgrade during the operational period. Four roads with different traffic volume and geological conditions were selected; 20 test sections of these 4 roads were examined for a three-year distress survey, and 18 specific subgrade distresses of the 5 assessment objects were tracked and collected. First, based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the subgrade performance of the selected section is evaluated, and the subgrade performance index (SPI) at different time periods is obtained. Then, based on the internal and external factors which affect the subgrade, three algorithms to determine the optimal support vector machine (SVM) model were proposed to train and predict the SPI. The results show that the SPI predicted results based on the data time series and particle swarm optimization–least squares SVM (PSO–LSSVM) model are better than those based on grid search (Grid-SVM) and genetic algorithm (GA-SVM) models. Finally, this paper provides a detailed idea for the rational layout of subgrade life-cycle assessment and decision-making by establishing a subgrade performance assessment–prediction–maintenance–management architecture system.
Translating English Sound Symbolism in Italian Comics: A Corpus-Based Linguistic Analysis across Six Decades (1932–1992)
Authors: Pischedda Pier Simone
Published: October 2020

Linking interdisciplinarity and multimodality in translation studies, this paper will analyse the diachronic translation of English ideophones in Italian Disney comics. This is achieved thanks to the compiling of a bi-directional corpus of sound symbolic entries spanning six decades (1932–1992)—a corpus that was created following extensive archival work in various Italian and American libraries between 2014 and 2016. The central aim is to showcase practical examples coming from published comic scripts and to highlight patterns of translation in each of the five different time windows which were chosen according to specific historical, linguistic and cultural vicissitudes taking place in the Italian nation. Overall, the intention is to shed light on an under-developed area of studies that focuses on the cross-linguistical transposition of ideophonic forms in comic books and to pinpoint how greater factors might influence the treatment of such deceptively miniscule elements in the comic books’ pages.