bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic Efficiency of High-Entropy Alloy Corrosion-Resistant Coatings Designed for Geothermal Turbine Blades: A Case Study
Authors: Geambazu Laura Elena , Voiculescu Ionelia , Manea Ciprian Alexandru , Bololoi Robert Viorel
Published: July 2022

The aim of this paper is to establish the cost-effectiveness of high-entropy alloy coatings, using the electrospark deposition technique, designed for a geothermal turbine blade’s leading edge. The deposition of materials with high resistance to corrosion and erosion aims to increase the blade’s service life, reduce maintenance costs and improve production efficiency. According to our previous research on the CoCrFeNiMox high-entropy alloy system, the results showed a high corrosion resistance when in bulk or as a coating, and when tested in geothermal steam and in a saline solution. Based on the results, the high-entropy alloy was subjected to further analyses. The paper focused on two aspects of the research. The first direction was to explore the possibility of obtaining an effective, protective high-entropy alloy layer by the electrospark deposition method. To this end, various tests were performed to demonstrate that the new material possesses superior properties and is suitable for the geothermal environment’s demands. The second direction was to calculate the economic efficiency of coating the areas intensely subjected to wear, based on reports published by the geothermal power plants’ representatives. The final costs were compared with the commercially available equipment parts, and also with the general maintenance costs. From the calculation of the cost efficiency for the CoCrFeNiMo0.85 high-entropy alloy, it resulted that the deposition method and the properties of the material are suitable for the operating conditions, representing an efficient and easy to apply solution to reduce maintenance costs in the geothermal industry.
Study of Secondary Effects of Fatigue Cracks in Cross Partitions of Steel Plate Reinforced Steel Box Girders
Authors: Liu Yan , Chen Zhuoyi , Zeng Jianbo , Li Chuanxi , Peng Hui , Gao Youwei
Published: July 2022

In order to investigate the effect of optimized reinforcement of cross-section of steel box girders with fatigue cracks on other vulnerable parts (cross-section, U-rib and deck slab, etc.) under wheel load, and to reveal the stress distribution law of critical parts after the optimization of steel plate reinforcement or arc notch. In this work, a suspension bridge with fatigue cracks in the curved notch of the cross-sectional plate is considered as the research object, two types of curved notch optimization reinforcement solutions are considered and finite element analysis is performed. Longitudinal and transverse moving loading tests were conducted with a test vehicle to test the stresses in the critical parts of the curved cutout of the cross-section. Furthermore, the effects of the two optimized strengthening solutions on the stresses in the curved cutout, the sides of the diaphragm, the sides of the U-rib and the deck slab were analyzed, and the effects of the changes in the diaphragm stiffness on other critical vulnerable structures were analyzed. The study shows that when the “arc notch optimization” strengthening scheme is adopted for crack-free or short cracks, although it can effectively improve the stress transfer path of the arc notch of the diaphragm, it also weakens the cross-sectional area of the diaphragm and has little effect on the diaphragm side, U-rib and deck plate. When the long crack is reinforced by “arc notch optimization + steel plate reinforcement”, it is easy to cause a reaction to the diaphragm sides arranged at the junction area of the diaphragm arc notch and U-rib without steel plate coverage, and the stress will be slightly higher than that when the diaphragm is not optimized. The steel plate reinforcement hurts the lateral stress of the U-rib, but the reinforcement effect will not have any effect on the deck plate.
Power Factor Correction Application Based on Independent Double-Boost Interleaved Converter (IDBIC)
Authors: Szekely Norbert Csaba , Salcu Sorin Ionut , Suciu Vasile Mihai , Pintilie Lucian Nicolae , Fasola Gheorghe Ioan , Teodosescu Petre Dorel
Published: July 2022

In this paper, a Power Factor Correction (PFC) application, based on the novel power stage topology named Independent Double-Boost Interleaved Converter (IDBIC), has been analyzed. The novelty of the proposed PFC rectifier is based on the sum of capabilities, such as supplying three independent output voltage levels with interleaved operation at the input and high voltage gain. The hardware used within this application consists of an AC input L-C-L filter, a single-phase bridge rectifier, the IDBIC power stage, output capacitors group and a group of variable high-power rheostats (resistors) group as DC load. The main purpose of the carried study was to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the novel power stage topology in the context of a green and modern AC to DC conversion solution. Nowadays, a high level of the efficiency and power factor have become a mandatory feature for the AC to DC conversion solutions to satisfy the international electrical standards. Thus, considering the modern electrical standards and recommendations, the current study tries to better depict the working steps and principles of the modern power stage topology within an AC to DC conversion application. The behavior of the considered power stage described in different detailed working steps (such as the Discontinuous Conduction Mode and Continuous Conduction Mode) may help understand how the energy conversions process of AC to DC becomes more efficient. The high output voltage gain of the considered power stage is the key feature in the Power Factor Correction process. With such a feature, the AC to DC conversion solution/application can also operate at lower input AC voltages (such as 90 [V] and 110 [V]). The proposed solution can be successfully used in the electric vehicle (automotive field) and high-power electrical traction (e.g., trains, high power electrical machines and drives). The same solution can also be used successfully in fast battery charging applications and chemical electrolysis processes.
Determining the Severity of Open and Closed Cracks Using the Strain Energy Loss and the Hill-Climbing Method
Authors: Tufisi Cristian , Rusu Catalin V. , Gillich Nicoleta , Pop Marius Vasile , Hamat Codruta Oana , Sacarea Christian , Gillich Gilbert-Rainer
Published: July 2022

Evaluating the integrity of structures is an important issue in engineering applications. The use of vibration-based techniques has become a common approach to assessing cracks, which are the most frequently occurring damage in structures. When involving an inverse method, it is necessary to know the influence of the position and the geometry of the crack on the modal parameter changes. The geometry of the crack, both in size and shape, defines the damage severity (DS). In this study, we present a method (DS-SHC) used for estimating the DS for closed and open transverse cracks in beam-like structures using the intact and damaged beam deflections under its weight and a Stochastic Hill Climbing (SHC) algorithm. After describing the procedure of applying DS-SHC, we calculate for a prismatic cantilever beam the severities for different crack types and depths. The results are tested by comparing the DS obtained with DS-SHC with those acquired from dynamic tests made using professional simulation software. We obtained a good fit between the severities determined in these two ways. Subsequently, we performed laboratory experiments and found that the severities obtained with the DS-SHC method can accurately predict the frequency changes due to the crack. Hence, these severities are a valuable tool for damage detection.
Deep Reinforcement Learning for RIS-Aided Multiuser MISO System with Hardware Impairments
Authors: Ma Wenjie , Zhuo Liuchang , Li Luchu , Liu Yuhao , Ren Hong
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we study a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-aided multiuser MISO system with imperfect hardware, where the transceiver design is based on the statistical channel state information (CSI). Considering the transceiver hardware impairments (HWI), we aim to maximize the minimum average user data rate, where the precoding matrices at the base station (BS) and the reflecting phase shifts at the RIS are jointly optimized. Since the problem is nonconvex and the objective function cannot be derived in closed form, we adopt the deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) algorithm to deal with this challenging optimization problem, where we generate a set of CSI vectors in an offline way, and then these data sets are used to train the neural networks. The simulation results demonstrate the rapid convergence speed of the adopted DDPG algorithm and also emphasize that it is crucial to consider the HWI when optimizing the transceiver.
Three-Dimensional Analysis of Bone Volume Change at Donor Sites in Mandibular Body Bone Block Grafts by a Computer-Assisted Automatic Registration Method: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Kim Sola , Hwang JaeJoon , Cho Bong-Hae , Kim Yujin , Lee Jae-Yeol
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the bone volume change at donor sites in patients who received mandibular body bone block grafts using intensity-based automatic image registration. A retrospective study was conducted with 32 patients who received mandibular bone block grafts between 2017 and 2019 at the Pusan National University Dental Hospital. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were obtained before surgery (T0), 1 day after surgery (T1), and 4 months after surgery (T2). Scattered artefacts were removed by manual segmentation. The T0 image was used as the reference image for registration of T1 and T2 images using intensity-based registration. A total of 32 donor sites were analyzed three-dimensionally. The volume and pixel value of the bones were measured and analyzed. The mean regenerated bone volume rate on follow-up images (T2) was 34.87% ± 17.11%. However, no statistically significant differences of regenerated bone volume were noted among the four areas of the donor site (upper anterior, upper posterior, lower anterior, and lower posterior). The mean pixel value rate of the follow-up images (T2) was 78.99% ± 16.9% compared with that of T1, which was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Intensity-based registration with histogram matching showed that newly generated bone is generally qualitatively and quantitatively poorer than the original bone, thus revealing the feasibility of pixel value to evaluate bone quality in CBCT images. Considering the bone mass recovered in this study, 4 months may not be sufficient for a second harvesting, and a longer period of follow-up is required.
Precipitation Extremes and Their Synoptic Models in the Northwest European Sector of the Arctic during the Cold Season
Authors: Kislov Alexander , Matveeva Tatiana , Antipina Uliana
Published: July 2022

Precipitation extrema over the Barents Sea and the neighbouring locations in Europe were analysed using data obtained from station observations and a highly detailed ERA5 re-analysis dataset. These data did not always spatially coincide (on average, coincidence was ~50%). Daily amounts of precipitation were typically higher in the observation data, although there may be a reverse picture. The analysis revealed that at several stations and in many of the ERA5 grids, the set of precipitation extremes exists as a mixture of two different subsets. The cumulative distribution functions (CDF) of the largest population in the context of both the re-analysis and observational data are well described by Pareto’s law. However, very rare cases exist in which the values deviate and exceed this base distribution value in regions possessing large values. These super-large anomalies do not obey the statistical law common to all other extremes. However, this does not mean that the extremes can be arbitrarily large. They do not exceed the marginal values that are typical for this type of climate and season. The analysis confirms that extreme precipitation in the western sector of the Arctic is caused by the penetration of moist air masses from the Atlantic in the circulation systems of intense cyclones. At certain times, mesoscale convective systems are embedded in atmospheric fronts and can significantly contribute to the formation of precipitation. Intensification of such cyclones corresponding to global warming should lead to a transformation of typical CDF, as modern outliers will become regular components of the Pareto law. This change in the statistics of extreme events reflects the nonstationarity of the climate state. The influence of polar lows on the formation of large daily precipitation amounts is not felt.
Modelling the Atmospheric Environment Associated with a Wind-Driven Fire Event in Portugal
Authors: Purificação Carolina , Andrade Nuno , Potes Miguel , Salgueiro Vanda , Couto Flavio T. , Salgado Rui
Published: July 2022

Increased knowledge of the meteorological conditions that lead to mega-fires is important to prevent wildfires and improve firefighting. This study analyses the atmospheric conditions that led to the largest forest fire ever observed in Portugal in 2019. The fire burned an estimated total area of around 9000 hectares in 12 h. The study is based on two simulations performed with the Meso-NH atmospheric model. The control simulation was configured in a single and large domain with 2500 m resolution, whereas a second simulation was configured using the grid nesting technique with an inner domain with 500 m resolution. The fire developed under typical summer conditions, under the influence of the Azores anticyclone and the presence of the Iberian thermal low. The weather pattern included intense northwest winds in the western region of the Iberian Peninsula. In the fire area, the wind speed was around 7 m s−1 with maximum wind gusts of 15 m s−1, favouring the rapid spread of the fire and characterising the event as a wind-driven fire. This study demonstrates the benefits of the use of large domains and high-resolution numerical simulations to explore the regional and local effects, which are crucial for the evolution of some fires.
Comparing Regional Attitudes toward Immigrants in Six European Countries
Authors: Indelicato Alessandro , Martín Juan Carlos , Scuderi Raffaele
Published: July 2022

Many immigrants have risked their lives searching for a better future by crossing the Mediterranean Sea or the Atlantic Ocean. The Canary Islands became the centre of another emerging humanitarian and human rights crisis at Europe’s frontier in 2020. The study aims to analyse whether attitudes towards immigrants are affected by territories close to these humanitarian crises. To this end, the study is based on previous studies using a Fuzzy-Hybrid TOPSIS method to analyse attitudes toward immigrants. The synthetic indicator will be built upon a set of eight indicators that proxy the ethnic, economic, cultural, and religious threats experienced by the citizens. The International Social Survey Program (ISSP) dataset for the year 2013 for six countries, namely Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, United Kingdom, and Portugal, will be used. Results show that the attitude toward immigrants is affected by the territorial dimension as classified by the nomenclature of territorial units for statistics at NUTS2 and NUTS3 levels, and that attitudes are very different between those of some of the archipelagos and islands considered in the study. In particular, our results point out a sort of duality between the Balearic Islands—the most open territory toward immigrants, and Corse—the least open territory toward immigrants.
Advances in Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Production, Volume 3
Authors: Koller Martin
Published: July 2022

Steadily increasing R&D activities in the field of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolyesters are committed to growing global threats from climate change, aggravating plastic pollution, and the shortage of fossil resources. These prevailing issues paved the way to launch the third Special Issue of Bioengineering dedicated to future-oriented biomaterials, characterized by their versatile plastic-like properties. Fifteen individual contributions to the Special Issue, written by renowned groups of researchers from all over the world, perfectly mirror the current research directions in the PHA sector: inexpensive feedstock like carbon-rich waste from agriculture, mitigation of CO2 for PHA biosynthesis by cyanobacteria or wild type and engineered “knallgas” bacteria, powerful extremophilic PHA production strains, novel tools for rapid in situ determination of PHA in photobioreactors, modelling of the dynamics of PHA production by mixed microbial cultures from inexpensive raw materials, enhanced bioreactor design for high-throughput PHA production by sophisticated cell retention systems, sustainable and efficient PHA recovery from biomass assisted by supercritical water, enhanced processing of PHA by application of novel antioxidant additives, and the development of compatible biopolymer blends. Moreover, elastomeric medium chain length PHA (mcl-PHA) are covered in-depth, inter alia, by introduction of a novel class of bioactive mcl-PHA-based networks, in addition to the first presentation of the new rubber-like polythioester poly(3-mercapto-2-methylpropionate). Finally, the present Special Issue is concluded by a critical essay on past, ongoing, and announced global endeavors for PHA commercialization.
In-Silico Modeling to Compare Radiofrequency-Induced Thermal Lesions Created on Myocardium and Thigh Muscle
Authors: Pérez Juan J. , Berjano Enrique , González-Suárez Ana
Published: July 2022

Beating heart (BH) and thigh muscle (TM) are two pre-clinical models aimed at studying the lesion sizes created by radiofrequency (RF) catheters in cardiac ablation. Previous experimental results have shown that thermal lesions created in the TM are slightly bigger than in the BH. Our objective was to use in-silico modeling to elucidate some of the causes of this difference. In-silico RF ablation models were created using the Arrhenius function to estimate lesion size under different energy settings (25 W/20 s, 50 W/6 s and 90 W/4 s) and parallel, 45° and perpendicular catheter positions. The models consisted of homogeneous tissue: myocardium in the BH model and striated muscle in the TM model. The computer results showed that the lesion sizes were generally bigger in the TM model and the differences depended on the energy setting, with hardly any differences at 90 W/4 s but with differences of 1 mm in depth and 1.5 m in width at 25 W/20 s. The higher electrical conductivity of striated muscle (0.446 S/m) than that of the myocardium (0.281 S/m) is possibly one of the causes of the higher percentage of RF energy delivered to the tissue in the TM model, with differences between models of 2–5% at 90 W/4 s, ~9% at 50 W/6 s and ~10% at 25 W/20 s. Proximity to the air–blood interface (just 2 cm from the tissue surface) artificially created in the TM model to emulate the cardiac cavity had little effect on lesion size. In conclusion, the TM-based experimental model creates fairly similar-sized lesions to the BH model, especially in high-power short-duration ablations (50 W/6 s and 90 W/4 s). Our computer results suggest that the higher electrical conductivity of striated muscle could be one of the causes of the slightly larger lesions in the TM model.
Identifying the Physical Fitness and Health Evaluations for Police Officers: Brief Systematic Review with an Emphasis on the Portuguese Research
Authors: Massuça Luís M. , Santos Vanessa , Monteiro Luís F.
Published: July 2022

This review aims (i) to identify and analyze the most used physical fitness tests for police officers (from international and Portuguese studies) and (ii) to understand the health-related physical fitness requirements according to the job descriptions of police officers. A total of 29 studies were included. Eighteen were from around the world and eleven were related to Portuguese police officers. All studies showed acceptable methodological quality in the assessment of physical fitness, and the most used fitness components were muscular strength, endurance, power, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, flexibility, and agility. For the analysis of health parameters, they are insufficient at the international level, while at the Portuguese level we have an acceptable sample. We try to analyze the relationship between physical fitness and health, but the studies conducted so far are insufficient. This review provides summary information (i) to help select the most used fitness measures and health-related parameters for police officers, and (ii) that will serve as a starting point for evaluating the relationship between the health and physical fitness of police officers.
Is Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor a Metabolic Hormone in Peripheral Tissues?
Authors: Iu Elsie Chit Yu , Chan Chi Bun
Published: July 2022

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important growth factor in the central nervous system. In addition to its well-known activities in promoting neuronal survival, neuron differentiation, and synaptic plasticity, neuronal BDNF also regulates energy homeostasis by modulating the hypothalamus’s hormonal signals. In the past decades, several peripheral tissues, including liver, skeletal muscle, and white adipose tissue, were demonstrated as the active sources of BDNF synthesis in response to different metabolic challenges. Nevertheless, the functions of BDNF in these tissues remain obscure. With the use of tissue-specific Bdnf knockout animals and the availability of non-peptidyl BDNF mimetic, increasing evidence has reported that peripheral tissues-derived BDNF might play a significant role in maintaining systemic metabolism, possibly through the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics in the various tissues. This article reviews the autocrine/paracrine/endocrine functions of BDNF in non-neuronal tissues and discusses the unresolved questions about BDNF’s function.
Reference Intervals for Blood Biomarkers in Farmed Atlantic Salmon, Coho Salmon and Rainbow Trout in Chile: Promoting a Preventive Approach in Aquamedicine
Authors: Rozas-Serri Marco , Correa Rodolfo , Walker-Vergara Romina , Coñuecar Darling , Barrientos Soraya , Leiva Camila , Ildefonso Ricardo , Senn Carolina , Peña Andrea
Published: July 2022

The mission of veterinary clinical pathology is to support the diagnostic process by using tests to measure different blood biomarkers to support decision making about farmed fish health and welfare. The objective of this study is to provide reference intervals (RIs) for 44 key hematological, blood biochemistry, blood gasometry and hormones biomarkers for the three most economically important farmed salmonid species in Chile (Atlantic salmon, coho salmon and rainbow trout) during the freshwater (presmolt and smolt age range) and seawater stages (post-smolt and adult age range). Our results confirmed that the concentration or activity of most blood biomarkers depend on the salmonid species, age range and/or the interaction between them, and they are often biologically related to each other. Erythogram and leukogram profiles revealed a similar distribution in rainbow trout and coho salmon, but those in Atlantic salmon were significantly different. While the activity of the most clinically important plasma enzymes demonstrated a similar profile in Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout, coho salmon demonstrated a significantly different distribution. Plasma electrolyte and mineral profiles showed significant differences between salmonid species, especially for rainbow trout, while Atlantic salmon and coho salmon demonstrated a high degree of similarity. Furthermore, electrolytes, minerals and blood gasometry biomarkers were significantly different between age ranges, suggesting a considerably different distribution between freshwater and seawater-farmed fish. The RIs of clinically healthy fish described in this study take into account the high biological variation of farmed fish in Chile, as the 3.059 individuals came from 78 different fish farms, both freshwater and seawater, and blood samples were collected using the same pre-analytical protocol. Likewise, our study provides the Chilean salmon farming industry with standardized protocols that can be used routinely and provides valuable information to improve the preventive vision of aquamedicine through the application of blood biomarkers to support and optimize health, welfare and husbandry management in the salmon farming industry.
Generation of a Normal Long-Term-Cultured Chinese Hook Snout Carp Spermatogonial Stem Cell Line Capable of Sperm Production In Vitro
Authors: Chen Xiao , Kan Yuting , Zhong Ying , Jawad Muhammad , Wei Wenbo , Gu Kaiyan , Gui Lang , Li Mingyou
Published: July 2022

Opsariichthys bidens belongs to the family Cyprinidae and is a small freshwater economic fish widely distributed in China. In recent years, the natural resources of O. bidens have been drastically reduced due to overfishing and the destruction of the water environment. The in vitro culture and long-term preservation of germ stem cells are the key technologies to keep genetic resources from degeneration. However, except for the establishment of the first long-term cultured medaka spermatogonia cell line (SSC) capable of producing sperm in vitro in 2004, no other long-term cultured SSC line has been found in other fish species. In this study, we successfully established another long-term-cultured spermatogonial stem cell line from Opsariichthys bidens (ObSSC). After more than 2 years of culture, ObSSC had a diploid karyotype and stable growth, with the typical gene expression patterns of SSC. Under in vitro culture, ObSSC could be induced to differentiate into sperm and other different types of somatic cells. In vivo, ObSSC could differentiate into different cells of three germ layers upon being transplanted into zebrafish embryos. Our research helps to explore the potential and regulation mechanism of fish SSC differentiation and spermatogenesis in vitro, provides a new way for solving the problem of fish genetic resource degradation and lays a foundation for further research on fish germ cell transplantation.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Used to Assess Physiological Muscle Adaptations in Exercise Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tuesta Marcelo , Yáñez-Sepúlveda Rodrigo , Verdugo-Marchese Humberto , Mateluna Cristián , Alvear-Ordenes Ildefonso
Published: July 2022

Using muscle oxygenation to evaluate the therapeutic effects of physical exercise in pathologies through near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is of great interest. The aim of this review was to highlight the use of muscle oxygenation in exercise interventions in clinical trials and to present the technological characteristics related to the equipment used in these studies. PubMed, WOS, and Scopus databases were reviewed up to December 2021. Scientific articles that evaluated muscle oxygenation after exercise interventions in the sick adult population were selected. The PEDro scale was used to analyze the risk of bias (internal validity). The results were presented grouped in tables considering the risk of bias scores, characteristics of the devices, and the effects of exercise on muscle oxygenation. All the stages were carried out using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). The search strategy yielded 820 clinical studies, of which 18 met the eligibility criteria. This review detailed the characteristics of 11 NIRS devices used in clinical trials that used physical exercise as an intervention. The use of this technology made it possible to observe changes in muscle oxygenation/deoxygenation parameters such as tissue saturation, oxyhemoglobin, total hemoglobin, and deoxyhemoglobin in clinical trials of patients with chronic disease. It was concluded that NIRS is a non-invasive method that can be used in clinical studies to detect the effects of physical exercise training on muscle oxygenation, hemodynamics, and metabolism. It will be necessary to unify criteria such as the measurement site, frequency, wavelength, and variables for analysis. This will make it possible to compare different models of exercise/training in terms of time, intensity, frequency, and type to obtain more precise conclusions about their benefits for patients.
Modifying Thermostability and Reusability of Hyperthermophilic Mannanase by Immobilization on Glutaraldehyde Cross-Linked Chitosan Beads
Authors: Sadaqat Beenish , Sha Chong , Dar Mudasir Ahmad , Dhanavade Maruti J. , Sonawane Kailas D. , Mohamed Hassan , Shao Weilan , Song Yuanda
Published: July 2022

In the current study, the purified β-mannanase (Man/Cel5B) from Thermotoga maritima was immobilized on glutaraldehyde cross-linked chitosan beads. The immobilization of Man/Cel5B on chitosan beads was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. After immobilization, the protein loading efficiency and immobilization yield were found to be 73.3% and 71.8%, respectively. The optimum pH for both free and immobilized enzymes was found to be pH 5.5. However, the optimum temperature of immobilized Man/Cel5B increased by 10 °C, from 85 °C (free Man/Cel5B) to 95 °C (Immobilized). The half-life of free and immobilized enzymes was found to be 7 h and 9 h, respectively, at 85 °C owing to the higher thermostability of immobilized Man/Cel5B. The increase in thermostability was also demonstrated by an increase in the energy of deactivation (209 kJmol−1) for immobilized enzyme compared to its native form (92 kJmol−1), at 85 °C. Furthermore, the immobilized Man/Cel5B displayed good operational stability as it retained 54% of its original activity after 15 repeated catalytic reactions concerning its free form.
Label-Free and Homogeneous Electrochemical Biosensor for Flap Endonuclease 1 Based on the Target-Triggered Difference in Electrostatic Interaction between Molecular Indicators and Electrode Surface
Authors: Zheng Jianping , Xu Xiaolin , Zhu Hanning , Pan Zhipeng , Li Xianghui , Luo Fang , Lin Zhenyu
Published: July 2022

Target-induced differences in the electrostatic interactions between methylene blue (MB) and indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode surface was firstly employed to develop a homogeneous electrochemical biosensor for flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) detection. In the absence of FEN1, the positively charged methylene blue (MB) is free in the solution and can diffuse onto the negatively charged ITO electrode surface easily, resulting in an obvious electrochemical signal. Conversely, with the presence of FEN1, a 5′-flap is cleaved from the well-designed flapped dumbbell DNA probe (FDP). The remained DNA fragment forms a closed dumbbell DNA probe to trigger hyperbranched rolling circle amplification (HRCA) reaction, generating plentiful dsDNA sequences. A large amount of MB could be inserted into the produced dsDNA sequences to form MB-dsDNA complexes, which contain a large number of negative charges. Due to the strong electrostatic repulsion between MB-dsDNA complexes and the ITO electrode surface, a significant signal drop occurs. The signal change (ΔCurrent) shows a linear relationship with the logarithm of FEN1 concentration from 0.04 to 80.0 U/L with a low detection limit of 0.003 U/L (S/N = 3). This study provides a label-free and homogeneous electrochemical platform for evaluating FEN1 activity.
The Patent Foramen Ovale and Migraine: Associated Mechanisms and Perspectives from MRI Evidence
Authors: Cao Wenfei , Shen Yinbo , Zhong Jiaqi , Chen Zhenhong , Wang Nizhuan , Yang Jiajun
Published: July 2022

Migraine is a common neurological disease with a still-unclear etiology and pathogenesis. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a kind of congenital heart disease that leads to a right-to-left shunt (RLS). Although previous studies have shown that PFO has an effect on migraine, a clear conclusion about the link between PFO and migraine is lacking. We first summarized the PFO potential mechanisms associated with migraine, including microembolus-triggered cortical spreading depression (CSD), the vasoactive substance hypothesis, impaired cerebral autoregulation (CA), and a common genetic basis. Further, we analyzed the changes in brain structure and function in migraine patients and migraine patients with PFO. We found that in migraine patients with PFO, the presence of PFO may affect the structure of the cerebral cortex and the integrity of white matter, which is mainly locked in subcortical, deep white matter, and posterior circulation, and may lead to changes in brain function, such as cerebellum and colliculus, which are involved in the processing and transmission of pain. In summary, this paper provides neuroimaging evidence and new insights into the correlation between PFO and migraine, which will help to clarify the etiology and pathogenesis of migraine, and aid in the diagnosis and treatment of migraine in the future.
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) Exerts Anxiolytic Effects in the rTg4510 Tau Mouse Model
Authors: Rodriguez Mya N. , Lippi Stephen L. P.
Published: July 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) significantly impairs the life of an individual both cognitively and behaviorally. Tau and beta-amyloid (Aβ) proteins are major contributors to the etiology of AD. This study used mice modeling AD through the presence of tau pathology to assess the effects of Hericium erinaceus (H. erinaceus), also known as Lion’s mane, on cognitive and non-cognitive behaviors. Despite neurocognitive and neurobiological effects of H. erinaceus being seen in both healthy and transgenic mice, no research to date has explored its effects on mice with solely tau pathology. In this study, mice were placed on a diet supplemented with H. erinaceus or a standard rodent diet for 4.5 months in order to determine the effect of this medicinal mushroom on behavior. Tau mice given H. erinaceus had significantly shorter latencies to enter the center of the open field (OF) (p < 0.05) and spent significantly more time in the open arms of the elevated zero maze (EZM) (p < 0.001) compared to tau control mice. Mice given H. erinaceus spent significantly more time in the open arms of and made more head dips in the elevated zero maze (EZM) (p < 0.05). While H. erinaceus had anxiolytic effects, no improvements were seen in spatial memory or activities of daily living. These findings provide additional support for the anxiolytic effects of H. erinaceus and point to its potential benefit as a therapeutic for anxiety in AD.
Latent Class Analysis to Identify Parental Involvement Styles in Chinese Children’s Learning at Home
Authors: Huang Xiaorui , Schumacker Randall E. , Chen Bin-Bin , Chiu Ming-Ming
Published: July 2022

Background: Parental involvement is one of the most important factors affecting students’ academic learning. Different families seem to show similar parental involvement patterns. This study employed a representative sample of 12,575 seventh- and eighth-grade Chinese students’ parents to explore the patterns of parental involvement. (2) Methods: Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify different parental involvement styles in children’s studies at home. Discriminant analysis, MANOVA, post-hoc tests, and effect size were used to verify the LCA results. (3) Results: Four distinctive latent class groups were identified and named: supportive (20%), permissive (54%), restrictive (8%), and neglectful (18%). A discriminant analysis supported the LCA group classification results. The MANOVA results indicated statistically significant differences between the four latent classes using the set of predictor variables. The post-hoc test results and effect sizes showed that the predictor variables had substantial differences among the four latent class groups. Parental education and family income showed statistically significant links to these four parental involvement styles, which, in turn, were linked to students’ academic achievement according to the MANOVA, effect sizes, and post-hoc test results. (4) Conclusions: Parental involvement styles in children’s learning at home can be identified and categorized into four different latent class styles.
Neuroticism and Emotional Intelligence in Adolescence: A Mediation Model Moderate by Negative Affect and Self-Esteem
Authors: Oropesa Ruiz Nieves Fátima , Mercader Rubio Isabel , Gutiérrez Ángel Nieves , Pérez García María Araceli
Published: July 2022

Different studies have revealed that high scores in neuroticism relate to feelings of guilt, flustering, low self-esteem, and insecurity in relationships with others. The main objective of this work is to analyze the relationship between neuroticism and emotional intelligence in the adolescent stage and try to go one step further in the study of that relationship through the formulation of a moderate mediation model in which negative affect participates as a mediating variable and self-esteem as a moderating variable. Method: The total number of adolescents amounted to 742, with a very similar sample in both sexes, 45.1% boys and 51.5% girls. They were between 13 and 19 years old (M = 15.63, SD = 1.244) and lived in the province of Almería, Spain. Results: First, our main results significantly reflected that the neuroticism personality trait increased negative affect as self-esteem decreased. Second, statistical analyzes showed that the effect of neuroticism on attention and emotional repair was mediated by negative affect, the effect being greater when self-esteem was lower. Therefore, negative affect was presented as a mediating variable in the relationship between neuroticism and attention and emotional repair, with self-esteem acting as a moderating variable in the model. Conclusions: These findings have implications for professional practice with adolescents, since they highlight the importance of carrying out interventions that contribute to the development of self-esteem in the prevention of neuroticism since these actions can help moderate the effect exerted by the negative affect on emotional attention and repair, improving the emotional intelligence of the adolescent and, therefore, their psychological health.
Modernization of the Living Environment Space Using the Example of an Urban Array of Residential Buildings from the Soviet Period in Almaty
Authors: Murzabayeva Kuralay , Lapshina Elena , Tuyakayeva Ainagul
Published: July 2022

This article explored the possibilities of modernizing the residential areas erected during the massive Soviet period building construction in Almaty city in the 1960’s. There were proposals to improve the comfort of the living environment of citizens based on the modernization of mass residential development to improve socio-psychological, aesthetic, and ecological conditions. The comfort of the living environment has been achieved using several architectural and urban planning techniques for transforming the residential fund. By the authors it was demonstrated a certain approach to the reconstruction of residential buildings in mass series based on the principle of the trinity; the revival of the building idea by Edem, the development of the ideas of the Russian (Soviet) avant-gardes, underlying modernist solutions of architecture in mass residential series and the emphasis on the society in a deep perception of the centuries-old experience of organizing building areas in the natural and climatic conditions of Semirechye (Central Asia), folk traditions and modern requests. The study results are presented in the form of drawings and pictures of the re-planning areas of a residential building, the extension of the loggia and elevators, the superstructure of floors through the improvement of facade solutions, and also by the development of yard areas.
Seismic Fragility Assessment of Cable-Stayed Bridges Crossing Fault Rupture Zones
Authors: Guo Junjun , Gu Yitong , Wu Weihong , Chu Shihyu , Dang Xinzhi
Published: July 2022

Current studies lack probabilistic evaluations on the performance of fault-crossing bridges. This paper conducts seismic fragility analyses to evaluate the fragility of cable-stayed bridges with the effects of fault ruptures. Synthetic across-fault ground motions are generated using existing simulation methods for the low-frequency pulses and high-frequency residuals. Incremental dynamic analysis is utilized to generate the seismic responses of the bridge. The optimal intensity measure (IM) for a cable-stayed bridge that crosses a fault is identified based on the coefficient of determination (R2). Root-mean-square velocity (Vrms) is found to be the best IM for cable-stayed bridges traversed by fault ruptures, instead of the commonly used ones such as peak ground acceleration or velocity (PGA or PGV). Fragility curves for the critical components of fault-crossing cable-stayed bridges, including pylons, cables, and bearings, are developed using the IM of Vrms, and are subsequently compared with those for the cable-stayed bridge near faults. Results show that the bearings on transition piers are the most vulnerable component for fault-crossing cable-stayed bridges because of the rotation of their girder. Compared to cable-stayed bridges near faults, pylons and bearings are more vulnerable in the transverse direction for cable-stayed bridges crossing faults, whereas the vulnerability of cables is comparable.
The Role of Runx2 in Microtubule Acetylation in Bone Metastatic Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Othman Ahmad , Winogradzki Marcus , Patel Shreya , Holmes Waddell , Blank Alan , Pratap Jitesh
Published: July 2022

Bone metastasis of breast cancer results in severe bone loss, fractures, and death. Crosstalk between breast cancer cells and bone resident cells promotes osteoclast activity and the release of growth factors from the bone matrix resulting in aggressive tumor growth and bone loss. We and others have shown that Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2) promotes metastatic tumor growth-associated bone loss. Breast cancer cells also induce autophagy to survive metabolic stress at the metastatic site. Recently, we reported a Runx2-dependent increase in autophagy. In this study, to examine the underlying mechanisms of metastasis and tumor resistance to stress, we used a bone metastatic isogenic variant of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells isolated from a xenograft tumor mouse model of metastasis. Our results with immunofluorescence and biochemical approaches revealed that Runx2 promotes microtubule (MT) stability to facilitate autophagy. Stable MTs are critical for autophagosome trafficking and display increased acetylation at Lysine 40 of α-tubulin. Runx2 silencing decreases acetylated α-tubulin levels. The expression levels of HDAC6 and αTAT1, which serve to regulate the acetylation of α-tubulin, were not altered with Runx2 silencing. We found that HDAC6 interaction with α-tubulin is inhibited by Runt-related factor-2 (Runx2). We show that the expression of wild-type Runx2 can restore the acetylated polymer of MTs in Runx2 knockdown cells, while the C-terminal deletion mutant fails to rescue the polymer of MTs. Importantly, cellular stress, such as glucose starvation also increases the acetylation of α-tubulin. We found that the loss of Runx2 increases the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to MT-targeting agents. Overall, our results indicate a novel regulatory mechanism of microtubule acetylation and suggest that Runx2 and acetylated microtubules may serve as therapeutic targets for bone metastatic tumors.
Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells Fuse with Monocytes to Form Tumour Hybrid Cells with the Ability to Migrate and Evade the Immune System
Authors: Montalbán-Hernández Karla , Cantero-Cid Ramón , Casalvilla-Dueñas José Carlos , Avendaño-Ortiz José , Marín Elvira , Lozano-Rodríguez Roberto , Terrón-Arcos Verónica , Vicario-Bravo Marina , Marcano Cristóbal , Saavedra-Ambrosy Jorge , Prado-Montero Julia , Valentín Jaime , Pérez de Diego Rebeca , Córdoba Laura , Pulido Elisa , del Fresno Carlos , Dueñas Marta , López-Collazo Eduardo
Published: July 2022

Background: The cancer cell fusion theory could be one of the best explanations for the metastasis from primary tumours. Methods: Herein, we co-cultured colorectal cancer (CRC) stem cells with human monocytes and analysed the properties of the generated tumour hybrid cells (THCs). The presence of THCs in the bloodstream together with samples from primary and metastatic lesions and their clinical correlations were evaluated in CRC patients and were detected by both FACS and immunofluorescence methods. Additionally, the role of SIGLEC5 as an immune evasion molecule in colorectal cancer was evaluated. Results: Our data demonstrated the generation of THCs after the in vitro co-culture of CRC stem cells and monocytes. These cells, defined as CD45+CD14+EpCAM+, showed enhanced migratory and proliferative abilities. The THC-specific cell surface signature allows identification in matched primary tumour tissues and metastases as well as in the bloodstream from patients with CRC, thus functioning as a biomarker. Moreover, SIG-LEC5 expression on in vitro generated THCs has shown to be involved in the mechanism for immune evasion. Additionally, sSIGLEC5 levels correlated with THC numbers in the prospective cohort of patients. Conclusions: Our results indicate the generation of a hybrid entity after the in vitro co-culture between CRC stem cells and human monocytes. Moreover, THC numbers present in patients are related to both prognosis and the later spread of metastases in CRC patients.
Reciprocal Interactions between Fibroblast and Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Cells: Putative Impact of the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Cuny Thomas , van Koetsveld Peter M. , Mondielli Grégoire , Dogan Fadime , de Herder Wouter W. , Barlier Anne , Hofland Leo J.
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs) present with a fibrotic stroma that constitutes the tumor microenvironment (TME). The role played by stromal fibroblasts in the growth of PNENs and their sensitivity to the mTOR inhibitor RAD001 has not yet been established. Methods: We investigated reciprocal interactions between (1) human PNEN cell lines (BON-1/QGP-1) or primary cultures of human ileal neuroendocrine neoplasm (iNEN) or PNEN and (2) human fibroblast cell lines (HPF/HFL-1). Proliferation was assessed in transwell (tw) co-culture or in the presence of serum-free conditioned media (cm), with and without RAD001. Colony formation and migration of BON-1/QGP-1 were evaluated upon incubation with HPFcm. Results: Proliferation of BON-1 and QGP-1 increased in the presence of HFL-1cm, HPFcm, HFL-1tw and HPFtw (BON-1: +46–70% and QGP-1: +42–55%, p < 0.001 vs. controls) and HPFcm significantly increased the number of BON-1 or QGP-1 colonies (p < 0.05). This stimulatory effect was reversed in the presence of RAD001. Likewise, proliferation of human iNEN and PNEN primary cultures increased in the presence of HFL-1 or HPF. Reciprocally, BON-1cm and BONtw stimulated the proliferation of HPF (+90 ± 61% and +55 ± 47%, respectively, p < 0.001 vs. controls), an effect less pronounced with QGP-1cm or QGPtw (+19 to +27%, p < 0.05 vs. controls). Finally, a higher migration potential for BON-1 and QGP-1 was found in the presence of HPFcm (p < 0.001 vs. controls). Conclusions: Fibroblasts in the TME of PNENs represent a target of interest, the stimulatory effect of which over PNENs is mitigated by the mTOR inhibitor everolimus.