bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Defining the Normal Growth Curve of Fetal Fractional Limb Volume in a Japanese Population
Authors: Ikenoue Satoru , Akiba Yohei , Endo Toyohide , Kasuga Yoshifumi , Yakubo Kazumi , Ishii Ryota , Tanaka Mamoru , Ochiai Daigo
Published: January 2021

Fetal fractional limb volume is a useful measure for predicting birth weight and newborn adiposity; however, a normal growth curve has been reported solely in the United States. As the birth weight of neonates in Japan is significantly lower than that in the US, fetal fractional limb volume is likely to be smaller in the Japanese population. This study aimed to define the normal growth curve of fractional arm volume (AVol) and thigh volume (TVol) in the Japanese population. Ultrasound scans of 453 AVol and TVol pairs were obtained; each AVol and TVol percentile at each gestational age was calculated. The measured AVol and TVol at each gestational week were also converted to z-scores based on a previous report. The growth curves increased linearly until the second trimester and exponentially in the third trimester. Linear regression showed a significant negative correlation between gestational age and AVol and TVol z-scores. The growth pattern of fetal fractional limb volume in the Japanese population is consistent with, but smaller than, that reported in the US; this difference becomes greater as the gestational age progresses.
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of JDB in 2020
Authors:   JDB Editorial Office
Published: January 2021

Peer review is the driving force of journal development, and reviewers are gatekeepers who ensure that JDB maintains its standards for the high quality of its published papers [...]
Altered Cogs of the Clock: Insights into the Embryonic Etiology of Spondylocostal Dysostosis
Authors: Nóbrega Ana , Maia-Fernandes Ana C. , Andrade Raquel P.
Published: January 2021

Spondylocostal dysostosis (SCDO) is a rare heritable congenital condition, characterized by multiple severe malformations of the vertebrae and ribs. Great advances were made in the last decades at the clinical level, by identifying the genetic mutations underlying the different forms of the disease. These were matched by extraordinary findings in the Developmental Biology field, which elucidated the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in embryo body segmentation into the precursors of the axial skeleton. Of particular relevance was the discovery of the somitogenesis molecular clock that controls the progression of somite boundary formation over time. An overview of these concepts is presented, including the evidence obtained from animal models on the embryonic origins of the mutant-dependent disease. Evidence of an environmental contribution to the severity of the disease is discussed. Finally, a brief reference is made to emerging in vitro models of human somitogenesis which are being employed to model the molecular and cellular events occurring in SCDO. These represent great promise for understanding this and other human diseases and for the development of more efficient therapeutic approaches.
Deep Learning for Brain Tumor Segmentation: A Survey of State-of-the-Art
Authors: Magadza Tirivangani , Viriri Serestina
Published: January 2021

Quantitative analysis of the brain tumors provides valuable information for understanding the tumor characteristics and treatment planning better. The accurate segmentation of lesions requires more than one image modalities with varying contrasts. As a result, manual segmentation, which is arguably the most accurate segmentation method, would be impractical for more extensive studies. Deep learning has recently emerged as a solution for quantitative analysis due to its record-shattering performance. However, medical image analysis has its unique challenges. This paper presents a review of state-of-the-art deep learning methods for brain tumor segmentation, clearly highlighting their building blocks and various strategies. We end with a critical discussion of open challenges in medical image analysis.
North Sea Infragravity Wave Observations
Authors: Reniers Ad J.H.M. , Naporowski Remy , Tissier Marion F. S. , de Schipper Matthieu A. , Akrish Gal , Rijnsdorp Dirk P.
Published: January 2021

Coastal safety assessments with wave-resolving storm impact models require a proper offshore description for the incoming infragravity (IG) waves. This boundary condition is generally obtained by assuming a local equilibrium between the directionally-spread incident sea-swell wave forcing and the bound IG waves. The contribution of the free incident IG waves is thus ignored. Here, in-situ observations of IG waves with wave periods between 100 s and 200 s at three measurement stations in the North Sea in water depths of O(30) m are analyzed to explore the potential contribution of the free and bound IG waves to the total IG wave height for the period from 2010 to 2018. The bound IG wave height is computed with the equilibrium theory of Hasselmann using the measured frequency-directional sea-swell spectra as input. The largest IG waves are observed in the open sea with a maximum significant IG wave height of O(0.3) m at 32 m water depth during storm Xaver (December 2013) with a concurrent significant sea-swell wave height in excess of 9 m. Along the northern part of the Dutch coast, this maximum has reduced to O(0.2) m at a water depth of 28 m with a significant sea-swell wave height of 7 m and to O(0.1) m at the most southern location at a water depth of 34 m with a significant sea-swell wave height of 5 m. These appreciable IG wave heights in O(30) m water depth represent a lower bound for the expected maximum IG wave heights given the fact that in the present analysis only a fraction of the full IG frequency range is considered. Comparisons with the predicted bound IG waves show that these can contribute substantially to the observed total IG wave height during storm conditions. The ratio between the predicted bound- and observed total IG variance ranges from 10% to 100% depending on the location of the observations and the timing during the storm. The ratio is typically high at the peak of the storm and is lower at both the onset and waning of the storm. There is significant spatial variability in this ratio between the stations. It is shown that differences in the directional spreading can play a significant role in this. Furthermore, the observed variability along the Dutch coast, with a substantially decreased contribution of the bound IG waves in the south compared to the northern part of the Dutch coast, are shown to be partly related to changes in the mean sea-swell wave period. For the southern part of the Dutch coast this corresponds to an increased difference with the typically assumed equilibrium boundary condition although it is not clear how much of the free IG-energy is onshore directed barring more sophisticated observations and/or modeling.
Settling Velocity of Microplastics Exposed to Wave Action
Authors: De Leo Annalisa , Cutroneo Laura , Sous Damien , Stocchino Alessandro
Published: January 2021

Microplastic (MP) debris is recognized to be one of the most serious threats to marine environments. They are found in all seas and oceanic basins worldwide, even in the most remote areas. This is further proof that the transport of MPs is very efficient. In the present study, we focus our attention on MPs’ transport owing to the Stokes drift generated by sea waves. Recent studies have shown that the interaction between heavy particles and Stokes drift leads to unexpected phenomena mostly related to inertial effects. We perform a series of laboratory experiments with the aim to directly measure MPs’ trajectories under different wave conditions. The main objective is to quantify the inertial effect and, ultimately, suggest a new analytical formulation for the net settling velocity. The latter formula might be implemented in a larger scale transport model in order to account for inertial effects in a simplified approach.
Chromoblastomycosis Caused by Phialophora—Proven Cases from Mexico
Authors: Ahmed Sarah A. , Bonifaz Alexandro , González Gloria M. , Moreno Leandro F. , Menezes da Silva Nickolas , Vicente Vania A. , Li Ruoyu , de Hoog Sybren
Published: January 2021

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic severely mutilating disease caused by fungi of the order Chaetothyriales. Classically, Phialophora verrucosa has been listed among these etiologic agents. This species is known to occur in the environment and has been found to cause other infections like phaeohyphomycosis, while reported cases of chromoblastomycosis are scant. Phialophora is phylogenetically diverse, and thus retrospective confirmation of etiology is necessary. We studied ten proven cases of chromoblastomycosis from Mexico and further analyzed the population genetics and genomics of the Phialophora species to understand their pathogenicity and predilection. The clinical strains were molecularly identified as Phialophora americana (n = 4), Phialophorachinensis (n = 4), and Phialophora macrospora (n = 2). No genetic distinction between clinical and environmental strains was possible. Further analysis of strains from diverse origins are needed to address eventual differences in virulence and niche predilection between the species.
A Candida parapsilosis Overexpression Collection Reveals Genes Required for Pathogenesis
Authors: Pál Sára E. , Tóth Renáta , Nosanchuk Joshua D. , Vágvölgyi Csaba , Németh Tibor , Gácser Attila
Published: January 2021

Relative to the vast data regarding the virulence mechanisms of Candida albicans, there is limited knowledge on the emerging opportunistic human pathogen Candida parapsilosis. The aim of this study was to generate and characterize an overexpression mutant collection to identify and explore virulence factors in C. parapsilosis. With the obtained mutants, we investigated stress tolerance, morphology switch, biofilm formation, phagocytosis, and in vivo virulence in Galleria mellonella larvae and mouse models. In order to evaluate the results, we compared the data from the C. parapsilosis overexpression collection analysis to the results derived from previous deletion mutant library characterizations. Of the 37 overexpression C. parapsilosis mutants, we identified eight with altered phenotypes compared to the controls. This work is the first report to identify CPAR2_107240, CPAR2_108840, CPAR2_302400, CPAR2_406400, and CPAR2_602820 as contributors to C. parapsilosis virulence by regulating functions associated with host-pathogen interactions and biofilm formation. Our findings also confirmed the role of CPAR2_109520, CPAR2_200040, and CPAR2_500180 in pathogenesis. This study was the first attempt to use an overexpression strategy to systematically assess gene function in C. parapsilosis, and our results demonstrate that this approach is effective for such investigations.
Ustilaginaceae Biocatalyst for Co-Metabolism of CO2-Derived Substrates toward Carbon-Neutral Itaconate Production
Authors: Ullmann Lena , Phan An N. T. , Kaplan Daniel K. P. , Blank Lars M.
Published: January 2021

The family Ustilaginaceae (belonging to the smut fungi) are known for their plant pathogenicity. Despite the fact that these plant diseases cause agricultural yield reduction, smut fungi attracted special attention in the field of industrial biotechnology. Ustilaginaceae show a versatile product spectrum such as organic acids (e.g., itaconate, malate, succinate), polyols (e.g., erythritol, mannitol), and extracellular glycolipids, which are considered value-added chemicals with potential applications in the pharmaceutical, food, and chemical industries. This study focused on itaconate as a platform chemical for the production of resins, plastics, adhesives, and biofuels. During this work, 72 different Ustilaginaceae strains from 36 species were investigated for their ability to (co-) consume the CO2-derived substrates acetate and formate, potentially contributing toward a carbon-neutral itaconate production. The fungal growth and product spectrum with special interest in itaconate was characterized. Ustilago maydis MB215 and Ustilago rabenhorstiana NBRC 8995 were identified as promising candidates for acetate metabolization whereas Ustilago cynodontis NBRC 7530 was identified as a potential production host using formate as a co-substrate enhancing the itaconate production. Selected strains with the best itaconate production were characterized in more detail in controlled-batch bioreactor experiments confirming the co-substrate utilization. Thus, a proof-of-principle study was performed resulting in the identification and characterization of three promising Ustilaginaceae biocatalyst candidates for carbon-neutral itaconate production contributing to the biotechnological relevance of Ustilaginaceae.
Old Grammars New (?) Scope: Adjective Placement in Native and Non-Native Spanish
Authors: Pettibone Erin , Pérez-Leroux Ana Teresa , Klassen Gabrielle
Published: January 2021

Prior studies have examined the association between modifying adjective placement and interpretation in second language (L2) Spanish. These studies show evidence of convergence with native speaker’s intuitions, which is interpreted as restructuring of the underlying grammar. Two issues deserve further study: (i) there are debates on the nature of native speaker’s interpretations; (ii) previous results could be explained by a combination of explicit instruction and access to the first language (L1). The present study re-examines native and non-native intuitions on the interpretation of variable order adjectives in pre-nominal and post-nominal positions, and extends the domain of inquiry by asking if L2 learners have intuitions about the order of two-adjective sequences, which appear in mirror image order in English and Spanish (faded blue pants vs. pantalones azules desteñidos). Two-adjective sequences are rare in the input, not typically taught explicitly, and have a different word order that cannot be [partially] derived from the L1 subgrammar. Two groups of non-native speakers (n = 50) and native speaker controls (n = 15) participated in the study. Participants completed a preference task, testing the interaction between word order and restrictive/non-restrictive interpretation, and an acceptability judgement task, testing ordering intuitions for two-adjective sequences. Results of the preference task show that the majority of speakers, both native and non-native, prefer variable adjectives in a post-nominal position independent of interpretation. Results of the acceptability judgement task indicate that both native and non-native speakers prefer mirror image order. We conclude that these results support underlying grammar reanalysis in L2 speakers and indicate that the semantic distribution of variable adjectives is not fully complementary; rather, the post-nominal position is unmarked, and generally preferred by both native and non-native speakers.
Optimization of Mass Flow in the Synthesis of Ferromagnetic Carbon Nanotubes in Chemical Vapor Deposition System
Authors: Raniszewski Grzegorz , Pietrzak Łukasz
Published: January 2021

Carbon nanotubes have unique properties, which make it possible to be applied in a variety of sensing applications. Moreover, by controlling the synthesis chemistry process, it is possible for carbon nanotubes to either fill or attach to its surface metal particles, e.g., iron. In an industrial scale, the yield and purity of the final product is very important. This work describes the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method of carbon iron nanocontainers with maximum nanoparticles to impurities ratio. As one of the main parameters, the mass flow of gases was considered. To investigate the quality of the product, the scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric methods were used. Results for different process conditions were presented and discussed. The low gas velocity and high temperatures may affect the catalyst decomposition and ionization. The optimum flow and temperature in the reactor were determined.
Role of Anharmonic Interactions for Vibration Density of States in α-Cristobalite
Authors: Huang Yongda , Zhou Jian , Wang Guanjie , Sun Zhimei
Published: January 2021

The vibrational density of states (VDOS) of solids in the low-energy regime controls the thermal and transport properties of materials, such as heat capacity, heat conduction, free energy and entropy. In α-Cristobalite, the low-frequency part of vibration density of states (VDOS) has many common features with the Boson peak in silica glass of matched densities. Recent theoretical work reported that anharmonic phonon–phonon interactions were critical for the low-frequency part of VDOS in α-Cristobalite. Therefore, it is urgent to identify the role of different anharmonic interactions from first principles. In this paper, we focus on the main peak of the low-frequency part of VDOS in α-Cristobalite. Calculated by our own developed codes and first principles, we find that the quartic anharmonic interaction can increase the frequency of the peak, while the cubic anharmonic can reduce the frequency and change the shape of the peak. Meanwhile, the anharmonic interactions are critical for the temperature effect. Therefore, we calculated the temperature-dependent property of the peak. We find that the frequency of the peak is directly proportional to the temperature. The atomic displacement patterns of different temperatures also confirm the above conclusion. All our calculations converged well. Moreover, our basic results agree well with other published results. Finally, we highlight that our codes offer a general and reliable way to calculate the VDOS with temperature.
Corrosion Inhibitor-Modified Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation Coatings on 6061 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Sowa Maciej , Wala Marta , Blacha-Grzechnik Agata , Maciej Artur , Kazek-Kęsik Alicja , Stolarczyk Agnieszka , Simka Wojciech
Published: January 2021

There are many methods for incorporating organic corrosion inhibitors to oxide coatings formed on aluminum alloys. However, typically they require relatively concentrated solutions of inhibitors, possibly generating a problematic waste and/or are time-/energy-consuming (elevated temperature is usually needed). The authors propose a three-step method of oxide layer formation on 6061-T651 aluminum alloy (AAs) via alternating current (AC) plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), impregnation with an 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) solution, and final sealing by an additional direct current (DC) polarization in the original PEO electrolyte. The obtained coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, roughness tests, contact angle measurements, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Additionally, corrosion resistance was assessed by potentiodynamic polarization in a NaCl solution. Two types of the coating were formed (A—thicker, more porous at 440 mA cm−2; B—thinner, more compact at 220 mA cm−2) on the AA substrate. The 8-HQ impregnation was successful as evidenced by XPS. It increased the contact angle only for the B coatings and improved the corrosion resistance of both coating systems. Additional DC treatment destroyed superficially adsorbed 8-HQ. However, it served to block the coating pores (contact angle ≈ 80°) which improved the corrosion resistance of the coating systems. DC sealing alone did not bring about the same anti-corrosion properties as the combined 8-HQ impregnation and DC treatment which dispels the notion that the provision of the inhibitor was a needless step in the procedure. The proposed method of AA surface treatment suffered from unsatisfactory uniformity of the sealing for the thicker coatings, which needs to be amended in future efforts for optimization of the procedure.
PROMETHEUS: A Copper-Based Polymetallic Catalyst for Automotive Applications. Part I: Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Yakoumis Iakovos
Published: January 2021

According to the strict European exhaust emissions standards that have been imposed by European legislation there is an elevated need for the decrease of the toxic gas emissions from vehicles. Therefore, car manufacturers have implemented a series of catalytic devices in the aftertreatment of the engine to comply with the standards. All catalytic devices (such as three-way catalysts, diesel particulate filters and diesel oxidation catalysts) accumulate concentrated loading of platinum group metals (PGMs, platinum, palladium, rhodium) as the active catalytic phase. Thus, the demand for PGMs is constantly increasing with a subsequent increase in their market prices. As a result, the research on catalytic converters of high activity and reduced cost/PGM loading is of great interest. In the present work, the Prometheus catalyst, a polymetallic nanosized copper-based catalyst for automotive emission control applications, is presented in two different metal loadings (2 wt% and 5 wt%) and metal ratios (Cu/Pd/Rh = 21/7/1 and Cu/Pd/Rh = 21/7/3). For the first time, a three-metal (copper, palladium, rhodium) nano-catalyst has been synthesized and characterized on a large scale. By using copper as an active catalytic phase, a reduction of PGMs loading is achieved (up to 85%) resulting in a novel catalytic device with similar or improved catalytic performance compared to commercial ones. The Prometheus catalyst is prepared by a wet impregnation method, using as a carrier an inorganic mixed oxide (CeZrO4) exhibiting elevated oxygen storage capacity (OSC). The heterogeneous catalytic powders produced were characterized by both spectroscopic and analytical methods. The metal content and ratio were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The morphology and the catalyst particle size were determined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The investigation revealed homogeneous particle formation and dispersion. The deposition of the metal nanoparticles on the porous inorganic carrier was verified with N2 sorption. Catalytic performance and reactivity of a catalyst (pure wash coat) with molar ratio 21/7/1 and a full-scale Prometheus catalyst with the desired loading of 15 g/ft3 were tested on an in-house synthetic gas bench (SGB) for the abatement of CO, CH4 and NO, both presenting high catalytic activity.
Influence of Varied Waste Ceramic Fillers on the Resistance of Concrete to Freeze–Thaw Cycles
Authors: Katzer Jacek , Halbiniak Jacek , Langier Bogdan , Major Maciej , Major Izabela
Published: January 2021

Our research focused on the influence of fillers obtained from crushed waste materials on the selected properties of concrete composites. The used waste materials were sourced from the production of ceramic tiles, ceramic pots, and sanitary ceramics. We evaluated concretes modified with the addition of 10% (by mass of cement) of different fillers. The properties, including the air content in the fresh concrete mix, consistency, compressive strength, and freeze-thaw resistance were examined. The evaluation of the freeze-thaw resistance was carried out by testing the concrete with the direct method for 150 cycles of freezing and thawing. The characteristics of the concrete porosity structure were assessed using automated digital image analysis. Concretes modified by coarse and fine fillers were characterized by different improvements in the mechanical properties and resistance to cycles of freezing and thawing. Composites with the addition of coarse fillers did not show any significant changes in comparison to the control concrete. An automated digital image analysis of the pore distribution in concrete proved to be an effective tool for the assessment of the freeze–thaw resistance of the concretes in question.
Facile Synthesis of Spherical TiO2 Hollow Nanospheres with a Diameter of 150 nm for High-Performance Mesoporous Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Quy Hoang Van , Truyen Dang Hai , Kim Sangmo , Bark Chung Wung
Published: January 2021

The electron transport layer (ETL) of organic–inorganic perovskite solar cells plays an important role in their power conversion efficiency (PCE). In this study, TiO2 hollow nanospheres with a diameter of 150 nm were prepared by a facile synthesis method. The synthesized TiO2 hollow nanospheres had a highly porous structure with a surface area of 85.23 m2 g−1, which is significantly higher than commercial TiO2 (P25) (54.32 m2 g−1), indicating that they can form an ideal mesoporous layer for Formamidinium iodide-based perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In addition, the nanospheres achieved a remarkable perovskite performance, and the average PCE increased from 12.87% to 14.27% with a short circuit current density of 22.36 mAcm−2, an open voltage of 0.95 V, and a fill factor of 0.65. The scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the enhanced PCE could be due to the improved carrier collection and transport properties of the nanosphere, which enabled efficient filtration of perovskite into the TiO2 mesoporous ETL. The TiO2 hollow nanospheres fabricated in this study show high potential as a high-quality ETL material for efficient (FAPbI3)0.97(MAPbBr3)0.03-based PSCs.
Effect of Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Properties of 24CrNiMo Alloy Steel Formed by Selective Laser Melting (SLM)
Authors: Zhao Yongsheng , Ding Chenggang
Published: January 2021

The 24CrNiMo alloy steel powder was used as experimental material. The microstructure and mechanical properties of as-deposited, quenched and tempered (QT) and stress-relief annealed (SR) specimens were analyzed. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the specimens in the three states were mainly ferrite (α-Fe), in which the as-deposited samples had puny face-centered cubic (FCC) structure Fe (γ-Fe). The microstructure observation showed that the as-deposited specimens were made up of ferrite, granular bainite, a small amount of cementite and residual austenite. The tensile test results indicated that the tensile strength and yield strength of the as-deposited specimens were 1199 MPa and 1053 MPa respectively, and the elongation at break was 10.7%. The elongation of QT and SR specimens increased to 11.6% and 12.8%, respectively. The electron backscattered scattering detection (EBSD) analysis results showed that the small-angle grain boundary content of the as-deposited samples was 58%, and large-angle grain boundary content was 15%. After QT and SR, small-angle and large-angle grain boundaries were obtained than those in the as-deposited specimens. The high-temperature friction and wear properties and thermal fatigue performances of the QT and SR specimens were improved significantly. The QT specimens had the smallest wear and thermal fatigue crack lengths, excellent resistance to friction and wear performance and prevention of crack growth, with an ideal comprehensive properties.
Particle Image Velocimetry Method for Prediction Hydrodynamic Conditions during Leaching Process on the Basis of Sn–NaOH System
Authors: Cwudziński Adam , Gajda Bernadeta
Published: January 2021

In leaching processes controlled by diffusion and convectional transport of mass, the hydrodynamic structure formed in the reactor’s working volume is an additional factor affecting the process. This research work presents results related to hydrodynamic structures developing in batch reactors, different in shape, recorded by means of the particle image velocimetry (PIV) method. The movement of the distilled water and leaching solution was analyzed during investigations. Next, the system hydrodynamics and the process of tin leaching were analyzed. Finally, the leaching is affected by the reactor geometry and the hydrodynamic structure developed in its working volume, especially when a convectional or diffusion mass transport decides the process efficiency.
Approximation of the Constant in a Markov-Type Inequality on a Simplex Using Meta-Heuristics
Authors: Sroka Grzegorz , Oszust Mariusz
Published: January 2021

Markov-type inequalities are often used in numerical solutions of differential equations, and their constants improve error bounds. In this paper, the upper approximation of the constant in a Markov-type inequality on a simplex is considered. To determine the constant, the minimal polynomial and pluripotential theories were employed. They include a complex equilibrium measure that solves the extreme problem by minimizing the energy integral. Consequently, examples of polynomials of the second degree are introduced. Then, a challenging bilevel optimization problem that uses the polynomials for the approximation was formulated. Finally, three popular meta-heuristics were applied to the problem, and their results were investigated.
A Simple and Effective Approach for Tackling the Permutation Flow Shop Scheduling Problem
Authors: Abdel-Basset Mohamed , Mohamed Reda , Abouhawwash Mohamed , Chakrabortty Ripon K. , Ryan Michael J.
Published: January 2021

In this research, a new approach for tackling the permutation flow shop scheduling problem (PFSSP) is proposed. This algorithm is based on the steps of the elitism continuous genetic algorithm improved by two strategies and used the largest rank value (LRV) rule to transform the continuous values into discrete ones for enabling of solving the combinatorial PFSSP. The first strategy is combining the arithmetic crossover with the uniform crossover to give the algorithm a high capability on exploitation in addition to reducing stuck into local minima. The second one is re-initializing an individual selected randomly from the population to increase the exploration for avoiding stuck into local minima. Afterward, those two strategies are combined with the proposed algorithm to produce an improved one known as the improved efficient genetic algorithm (IEGA). To increase the exploitation capability of the IEGA, it is hybridized a local search strategy in a version abbreviated as HIEGA. HIEGA and IEGA are validated on three common benchmarks and compared with a number of well-known robust evolutionary and meta-heuristic algorithms to check their efficacy. The experimental results show that HIEGA and IEGA are competitive with others for the datasets incorporated in the comparison, such as Carlier, Reeves, and Heller.
Fuzzy Automata as Coalgebras
Authors: Liu Ai , Wang Shun , Barbosa Luis Soares , Sun Meng
Published: January 2021

The coalgebraic method is of great significance to research in process algebra, modal logic, object-oriented design and component-based software engineering. In recent years, fuzzy control has been widely used in many fields, such as handwriting recognition and the control of robots or air conditioners. It is then an interesting topic to analyze the behavior of fuzzy automata from a coalgebraic point of view. This paper models different types of fuzzy automata as coalgebras with a monad structure capturing fuzzy behavior. Based on the coalgebraic models, we can define a notion of fuzzy language and consider several versions of bisimulation for fuzzy automata. A group of combinators is defined to compose fuzzy automata of two branches: state transition and output function. A case study illustrates the coalgebraic models proposed and their composition.
Discussions of Fluorescence in Selenium Chemistry: Recently Reported Probes, Particles, and a Clearer Biological Knowledge
Authors: Abdillah Ariq , Sonawane Prasad M. , Kim Donghyeon , Mametov Dooronbek , Shimodaira Shingo , Park Yunseon , Churchill David G.
Published: January 2021

In this review from literature appearing over about the past 5 years, we focus on selected selenide reports and related chemistry; we aimed for a digestible, relevant, review intended to be usefully interconnected within the realm of fluorescence and selenium chemistry. Tellurium is mentioned where relevant. Topics include selenium in physics and surfaces, nanoscience, sensing and fluorescence, quantum dots and nanoparticles, Au and oxide nanoparticles quantum dot based, coatings and catalyst poisons, thin film, and aspects of solar energy conversion. Chemosensing is covered, whether small molecule or nanoparticle based, relating to metal ion analytes, H2S, as well as analyte sulfane (biothiols—including glutathione). We cover recent reports of probing and fluorescence when they deal with redox biology aspects. Selenium in therapeutics, medicinal chemistry and skeleton cores is covered. Selenium serves as a constituent for some small molecule sensors and probes. Typically, the selenium is part of the reactive, or active site of the probe; in other cases, it is featured as the analyte, either as a reduced or oxidized form of selenium. Free radicals and ROS are also mentioned; aggregation strategies are treated in some places. Also, the relationship between reduced selenium and oxidized selenium is developed.
Identification and Quantification of Phenolic Compounds from Mexican Oregano (Lippia graveolens HBK) Hydroethanolic Extracts and Evaluation of Its Antioxidant Capacity
Authors: Cortés-Chitala María del Carmen , Flores-Martínez Héctor , Orozco-Ávila Ignacio , León-Campos Carolina , Suárez-Jacobo Ángela , Estarrón-Espinosa Mirna , López-Muraira Irma
Published: January 2021

Plants have been used for thousands of years for various purposes because they have a wide variety of activities with biological significance. Mexican oregano is an aromatic plant of great importance to Mexico and north of Jalisco state as a spice with important economic value. Chromatographic identification and quantification of phenolic compounds and evaluation of their antioxidant activity were important tools to obtain a better characterization of this spice. Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of flavonoids, triterpenes, saponins, quinones and tannins, the latter at high concentrations. Through chromatographic assays of Mexican oregano extracts, 62 compounds were identified, the major ones being quantified as: taxifolin, apigenin 7-O-glucoside, phlorizin, eriodictyol, quercetin, naringenin, hispidulin, pinocembrin, galangin and genkwanin (compound for the first time reported for this species). The results can be useful as a precedent to establish the bases of new quality characterization parameters and they have also suggested that Mexican oregano contains a wide variety of compounds with untapped importance for the development of new high value-added products.
Environment-Induced Reversible Modulation of Optical and Electronic Properties of Lead Halide Perovskites and Possible Applications to Sensor Development: A Review
Authors: De Giorgi Maria Luisa , Milanese Stefania , Klini Argyro , Anni Marco
Published: January 2021

Lead halide perovskites are currently widely investigated as active materials in photonic and optoelectronic devices. While the lack of long term stability actually limits their application to commercial devices, several experiments demonstrated that beyond the irreversible variation of the material properties due to degradation, several possibilities exist to reversibly modulate the perovskite characteristics by acting on the environmental conditions. These results clear the way to possible applications of lead halide perovskites to resistive and optical sensors. In this review we will describe the current state of the art of the comprehension of the environmental effects on the optical and electronic properties of lead halide perovskites, and of the exploitation of these results for the development of perovskite-based sensors.
Computational Analysis of Thermal Adaptation in Extremophilic Chitinases: The Achilles’ Heel in Protein Structure and Industrial Utilization
Authors: Ang Dale L. , Hoque Mubasher Zahir , Hossain Md. Abir , Guerriero Gea , Berni Roberto , Hausman Jean-Francois , Bokhari Saleem A , Bridge Wallace J. , Siddiqui Khawar Sohail
Published: January 2021

Understanding protein stability is critical for the application of enzymes in biotechnological processes. The structural basis for the stability of thermally adapted chitinases has not yet been examined. In this study, the amino acid sequences and X-ray structures of psychrophilic, mesophilic, and hyperthermophilic chitinases were analyzed using computational and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methods. From the findings, the key features associated with higher stability in mesophilic and thermophilic chitinases were fewer and/or shorter loops, oligomerization, and less flexible surface regions. No consistent trends were observed between stability and amino acid composition, structural features, or electrostatic interactions. Instead, unique elements affecting stability were identified in different chitinases. Notably, hyperthermostable chitinase had a much shorter surface loop compared to psychrophilic and mesophilic homologs, implying that the extended floppy surface region in cold-adapted and mesophilic chitinases may have acted as a “weak link” from where unfolding was initiated. MD simulations confirmed that the prevalence and flexibility of the loops adjacent to the active site were greater in low-temperature-adapted chitinases and may have led to the occlusion of the active site at higher temperatures compared to their thermostable homologs. Following this, loop “hot spots” for stabilizing and destabilizing mutations were also identified. This information is not only useful for the elucidation of the structure–stability relationship, but will be crucial for designing and engineering chitinases to have enhanced thermoactivity and to withstand harsh industrial processing conditions
Real-Time Tracking of Highly Luminescent Mesoporous Silica Particles Modified with Europium β-Diketone Chelates in Living Cells
Authors: Kim Jong-Seok , Lee Sung , Doh Hansol , Kim Myeong , Kim Do
Published: January 2021

Highly luminescent europium complexes modified mesoporous silica particles (MSP) were synthesized as an imaging probes for both in-vitro diagnostic and in-vivo cellular tracking agents. Europium β-diketone chelates (4,4,4-trifluoro-l-(2-thienyl)-l,3-butanedione) trioctylphosphine europium (III) (Eu(TTA)3(P(Oct)3)3) were incorporated inside the nanocavities that existed in hierarchical MSP (Eu@MSP). The MSP and Eu@MSP on mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) did not show any toxic effect. The MSP and Eu@MSP in the BMDMs were found at cytoplasm without any degradation and immunogenicity. However, both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines of macrophages were significantly increased when lipopolysaccharide and a high concentration (100 μg/mL) of MSP and Eu@MSP were treated simultaneously.
Krill Oil Supplementation Reduces Exacerbated Hepatic Steatosis Induced by Thermoneutral Housing in Mice with Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Sistilli Gabriella , Kalendova Veronika , Cajka Tomas , Irodenko Illaria , Bardova Kristina , Oseeva Marina , Zacek Petr , Kroupova Petra , Horakova Olga , Lackner Karoline , Gastaldelli Amalia , Kuda Ondrej , Kopecky Jan , Rossmeisl Martin
Published: January 2021

Preclinical evidence suggests that n-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA (Omega-3) supplemented as phospholipids (PLs) may be more effective than triacylglycerols (TAGs) in reducing hepatic steatosis. To further test the ability of Omega-3 PLs to alleviate liver steatosis, we used a model of exacerbated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease based on high-fat feeding at thermoneutral temperature. Male C57BL/6N mice were fed for 24 weeks a lard-based diet given either alone (LHF) or supplemented with Omega-3 (30 mg/g diet) as PLs (krill oil; ω3PL) or TAGs (Epax 3000TG concentrate; ω3TG), which had a similar total content of EPA and DHA and their ratio. Substantial levels of TAG accumulation (~250 mg/g) but relatively low inflammation/fibrosis levels were achieved in the livers of control LHF mice. Liver steatosis was reduced by >40% in the ω3PL but not ω3TG group, and plasma ALT levels were markedly reduced (by 68%) in ω3PL mice as well. Krill oil administration also improved hepatic insulin sensitivity, and its effects were associated with high plasma adiponectin levels (150% of LHF mice) along with superior bioavailability of EPA, increased content of alkaloids stachydrine and trigonelline, suppression of lipogenic gene expression, and decreased diacylglycerol levels in the liver. This study reveals that in addition to Omega-3 PLs, other constituents of krill oil, such as alkaloids, may contribute to its strong antisteatotic effects in the liver.
Old Question Revisited: Are High-Protein Diets Safe in Pregnancy?
Authors: Halldorsson Thorhallur I. , Birgisdottir Bryndis E. , Brantsæter Anne L. , Meltzer Helle Margrete , Haugen Margaretha , Thorsdottir Inga , Olafsdottir Anna S. , Olsen Sjurdur F.
Published: January 2021

Background: A previous randomized dietary intervention in pregnant women from the 1970s, the Harlem Trial, reported retarded fetal growth and excesses of very early preterm births and neonatal deaths among those receiving high-protein supplementation. Due to ethical challenges, these findings have not been addressed in intervention settings. Exploring these findings in an observational setting requires large statistical power due to the low prevalence of these outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate if the findings on high protein intake could be replicated in an observational setting by combining data from two large birth cohorts. Methods: Individual participant data on singleton pregnancies from the Danish National Birth Cohort (DNBC) (n = 60,141) and the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) (n = 66,302) were merged after a thorough harmonization process. Diet was recorded in mid-pregnancy and information on birth outcomes was extracted from national birth registries. Results: The prevalence of preterm delivery, low birth weight and fetal and neonatal deaths was 4.77%, 2.93%, 0.28% and 0.17%, respectively. Mean protein intake (standard deviation) was 89 g/day (23). Overall high protein intake (>100 g/day) was neither associated with low birth weight nor fetal or neonatal death. Mean birth weight was essentially unchanged at high protein intakes. A modest increased risk of preterm delivery [odds ratio (OR): 1.10 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.19)] was observed for high (>100 g/day) compared to moderate protein intake (80–90 g/day). This estimate was driven by late preterm deliveries (weeks 34 to <37) and greater risk was not observed at more extreme intakes. Very low (<60 g/day) compared to moderate protein intake was associated with higher risk of having low-birth weight infants [OR: 1.59 (95%CI: 1.25, 2.03)]. Conclusions: High protein intake was weakly associated with preterm delivery. Contrary to the results from the Harlem Trial, no indications of deleterious effects on fetal growth or perinatal mortality were observed.
The Effects of Sleep Quality and Resilience on Perceived Stress, Dietary Behaviors, and Alcohol Misuse: A Mediation-Moderation Analysis of Higher Education Students from Asia, Europe, and North America during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Du Chen , Zan Megan Chong Hueh , Cho Min Jung , Fenton Jenifer I. , Hsiao Pao Ying , Hsiao Richard , Keaver Laura , Lai Chang-Chi , Lee HeeSoon , Ludy Mary-Jon , Shen Wan , Swee Winnie Chee Siew , Thrivikraman Jyothi , Tseng Kuo-Wei , Tseng Wei-Chin , Doak Stephen , Folk Sara Yi Ling , Tucker Robin M.
Published: January 2021

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the already high levels of stress that higher education students experience. Stress influences health behaviors, including those related to dietary behaviors, alcohol, and sleep; yet the effects of stress can be mitigated by resilience. To date, past research studying the connections between dietary behaviors, alcohol misuse, sleep, and resilience commonly investigated singular relationships between two of the constructs. The aim of the current study was to explore the relationships between these constructs in a more holistic manner using mediation and moderation analyses. Methods: Higher education students from China, Ireland, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, the Netherlands, and the United States were enrolled in a cross-sectional study from April to May 2020, which was during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic for most participants. An online survey, using validated tools, was distributed to assess perceived stress, dietary behaviors, alcohol misuse, sleep quality and duration, and resilience. Results: 2254 students completed the study. Results indicated that sleep quality mediated the relationship between perceived stress and dietary behaviors as well as the relationship between perceived stress and alcohol misuse. Further, increased resilience reduced the strength of the relationship between perceived stress and dietary behaviors but not alcohol misuse. Conclusion: Based on these results, higher education students are likely to benefit from sleep education and resilience training, especially during stressful events.
Prevalence and Predictors of Vitamin D Deficiency and Insufficiency among Pregnant Rural Women in Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Faruk , Khosravi-Boroujeni Hossein , Khan Moududur Rahman , Roy Anjan Kumar , Raqib Rubhana
Published: January 2021

Although adequate vitamin D status during pregnancy is essential for maternal health and to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes, limited data exist on vitamin D status and associated risk factors in pregnant rural Bangladeshi women. This study determined the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency, and identified associated risk factors, among these women. A total of 515 pregnant women from rural Bangladesh, gestational age ≤ 20 weeks, participated in this cross-sectional study. A separate logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the risk factors of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. Overall, 17.3% of the pregnant women had vitamin D deficiency [serum 25(OH)D concentration <30.0 nmol/L], and 47.2% had vitamin D insufficiency [serum 25(OH)D concentration between 30–<50 nmol/L]. The risk of vitamin D insufficiency was significantly higher among nulliparous pregnant women (OR: 2.72; 95% CI: 1.75–4.23), those in their first trimester (OR: 2.68; 95% CI: 1.39–5.19), anaemic women (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 0.99–2.35; p = 0.056) and women whose husbands are farmers (OR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.22–3.50). The risk of vitamin deficiency was significantly higher among younger pregnant women (<25 years; OR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.06–4.21), nulliparous women (OR: 2.65; 95% CI: 1.34–5.25), women in their first trimester (OR: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.12–5.79) and those with sub-optimal vitamin A status (OR: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.28–4.11). In conclusion, hypovitaminosis D is highly prevalent among pregnant rural Bangladeshi women. Parity and gestational age are the common risk factors of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. A husband’s occupation and anaemia status might be important predictors of vitamin D insufficiency, while younger age and sub-optimal vitamin A status are risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in this population.