bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rainfall Estimates with Respect to Rainfall Types Using S-Band Polarimetric Radar in Korea
Authors: You Cheolhwan , Kang Miyoung , Lee Dong-In
Published: December 2019

To investigate the impact of rainfall type on rainfall estimation using polarimetric variables, rainfall relations such as those between rain rate (R) and specific differential phase (KDP), between R and KDP/differential reflectivity (ZDR), and between R and reflectivity (Z)/ZDR, were examined with respect to the precipitation type classified using drop size distributions (DSDs) measured by a disdrometer. The classification of rainfall type was assessed using four different methods: temporal rainfall variation; and the relations between intercept parameter (N0) and R; normalized intercept parameter (Nw) and median diameter (D0); and slope parameter (Λ) and R. The logN0–R relation discriminated between convective and stratiform rain with less standard deviation than the other methods as shown by the Z–ZDR scatter with respect to the rainfall types. The transition type from convective to stratiform and vice versa occurred in the stratiform rain region for all methods. To apply the classified rainfall relations to radar rainfall estimation, logNw and D0 were retrieved from polarimetric variables to discriminate the rainfall types in the radar domain. The DSD classification was verified with the vertical profile of reflectivity extracted at two positions corresponding to gage sites. Statistical analysis of four different rainfall events showed that rainfall estimation using the relations with precipitation type were better than those obtained without classification. The R(KDP,ZDR) relation with classification performed best on rainfall estimation for all rainfall events. The greatest improvement in rainfall estimation was obtained from R(Z,ZDR) with classification. We conclude that the classification of rainfall type leads to more accurate rainfall estimation. The different relations R(KDP), R(KDP,ZDR), and R(Z,ZDR) with respect to the rain types using polarimetric radar show improvement compared to estimation without consideration of rainfall type, in Korea.
Repeated Derivatives of Hyperbolic Trigonometric Functions and Associated Polynomials
Authors: Dattoli Giuseppe , Licciardi Silvia , Pidatella Rosa Maria , Sabia Elio
Published: December 2019

Elementary problems as the evaluation of repeated derivatives of ordinary transcendent functions can usefully be treated with the use of special polynomials and of a formalism borrowed from combinatorial analysis. Motivated by previous researches in this field, we review the results obtained by other authors and develop a complementary point of view for the repeated derivatives of sec ( . ) , tan ( . ) and for their hyperbolic counterparts.
N-glycomic Profile in Combat Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Tudor Lucija , Nedic Erjavec Gordana , Nikolac Perkovic Matea , Konjevod Marcela , Svob Strac Dubravka , Uzun Suzana , Kozumplik Oliver , Jovanovic Tanja , Lauc Gordan , Pivac Nela
Published: December 2019

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops in a portion of individuals exposed to extreme trauma. Glycosylation is a post-translational modification that affects protein functions and is altered in various pathophysiological states and aging. There are still no validated biomarkers of PTSD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the N-glycomic profile in 543 male Caucasian individuals (299 veterans with PTSD and 244 control subjects). The study included discovery (N = 233) and replication (N = 310) cohort. Hydrophilic interaction HPLC and ultra-performance liquid chromatography were used to separate and detect 39 plasma and 24 IgG N-glycan species, respectively. All results were corrected for the effects of age and multiple testing. Significant results included only significantly altered N-glycans in cases/controls in both cohorts, in the same direction. Results showed that six plasma N-glycans (four increased and two decreased) were altered in PTSD vs. controls in both cohorts, but IgG N-glycans were similar between groups. The severity of PTSD was not associated with different plasma N-glycans. This is the first study detecting alterations in plasma N-glycans in PTSD. These N-glycans are also associated with other neuropsychiatric disorders and inflammation, suggesting possible shared glycosylation mechanisms.
Gathering Novel Circulating Exosomal microRNA in Osteosarcoma Cell Lines and Possible Implications for the Disease
Authors: Cuscino Nicola , Raimondi Lavinia , De Luca Angela , Carcione Claudia , Russelli Giovanna , Conti Laura , Baldi Jacopo , Conaldi Pier Giulio , Giavaresi Gianluca , Gallo Alessia
Published: December 2019

One of the goals of personalized medicine is to understand and treat diseases with greater precision through the molecular profile of the patient. This profiling is becoming a powerful tool for the discovery of novel biomarkers that can guide physicians in assessing, in advance, the disease stage, and monitoring disease progression. Circulating miRNAs and exosomal miRNAs, a group of small non-coding RNAs, are considered the gold standard diagnostic biomarkers for human diseases. We have previously demonstrated that osteosarcoma-derived exosomes are able to influence crucial mechanisms inside tumor niches, inducing osteoclast differentiation, and sustaining bone resorption activity. Here we discovered, through Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), eight novel microRNAs in three different osteosarcoma cell lines, and assessed the selective packaging into the exosomes released. We then investigated, as proof-of-principle, the presence of the novel microRNAs in osteosarcoma patient samples, and found that 5 of the 8 novel microRNAs were more present in circulating exosomes of osteosarcoma patients compared with the controls. These results raise a question: Could the 8 novel microRNAs play a role for osteosarcoma pathogenesis? Although still premature, the results are encouraging, and further studies with a validation in a larger cohort are needed.
Deterioration in Muscle Mass and Physical Function Differs According to Weight Loss History in Cancer Cachexia
Authors: Stene Guro Birgitte , Balstad Trude Rakel , Leer Anne Silja M. , Bye Asta , Kaasa Stein , Fallon Marie , Laird Barry , Maddocks Matthew , Solheim Tora S.
Published: December 2019

Background: Muscle mass and physical function (PF) are common co-primary endpoints in cancer cachexia trials, but there is a lack of data on how these outcomes interact over time. The aim of this secondary analysis of data from a trial investigating multimodal intervention for cancer cachexia (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01419145) is to explore whether changes in muscle mass and PF are associated with weight loss and cachexia status at baseline. Methods: Secondary analysis was conducted using data from a phase II randomized controlled trial including 46 patients with stage III–IV non-small cell lung cancer (n = 26) or inoperable pancreatic cancer (n = 20) due to commence chemotherapy. Cachexia status at baseline was classified according to international consensus. Muscle mass (assessed using computed tomography (CT)) and PF outcomes, i.e., Karnofsky performance status (KPS), self-reported PF (self-PF), handgrip strength (HGS), 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and physical activity (PA), were measured at baseline and after six weeks. Results: When compared according to cachexia status at baseline, patients with no/pre-cachexia had a mean loss of muscle mass (−5.3 cm2, p = 0.020) but no statistically significant change in PF outcomes. Patients with cachexia also lost muscle mass but to a lesser extent (−2.8 cm2, p = 0.146), but demonstrated a statistically significant decline in PF; KPS (−3.8 points, p = 0.030), self-PF (−8.8 points, p = 0.027), and HGS (−2.7 kg, p = 0.026). Conclusions: Weight loss history and cachexia status at baseline are of importance if one aims to detect changes in PF outcomes in cancer cachexia trials. To improve the use of co-primary endpoints that include PF in future trials, outcomes that have the potential to detect change relative to weight loss should be investigated further.
Direct Targeting Options for STAT3 and STAT5 in Cancer
Authors: Orlova Anna , Wagner Christina , de Araujo Elvin D. , Bajusz Dávid , Neubauer Heidi A. , Herling Marco , Gunning Patrick T. , Keserű György M. , Moriggl Richard
Published: December 2019

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 and STAT5 are important transcription factors that are able to mediate or even drive cancer progression through hyperactivation or gain-of-function mutations. Mutated STAT3 is mainly associated with large granular lymphocytic T-cell leukemia, whereas mutated STAT5B is associated with T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and γδ T-cell-derived lymphomas. Hyperactive STAT3 and STAT5 are also implicated in various hematopoietic and solid malignancies, such as chronic and acute myeloid leukemia, melanoma or prostate cancer. Classical understanding of STAT functions is linked to their phosphorylated parallel dimer conformation, in which they induce gene transcription. However, the functions of STAT proteins are not limited to their phosphorylated dimerization form. In this review, we discuss the functions and the roles of unphosphorylated STAT3/5 in the context of chromatin remodeling, as well as the impact of STAT5 oligomerization on differential gene expression in hematopoietic neoplasms. The central involvement of STAT3/5 in cancer has made these molecules attractive targets for small-molecule drug development, but currently there are no direct STAT3/5 inhibitors of clinical grade available. We summarize the development of inhibitors against the SH2 domains of STAT3/5 and discuss their applicability as cancer therapeutics.
Comparision on the Low-Temperature NH3-SCR Performance of γ-Fe2O3 Catalysts Prepared by Two Different Methods
Authors: Husnain Naveed , Wang Enlu , Fareed Shagufta , Tuoqeer Anwar Muhammad
Published: December 2019

Maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) catalysts were prepared by two different methods, and their activities and selectivities for selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3 were investigated. The methods of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), ammonia temperature-programmed desorption (NH3-TPD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (in situ DRIFTS) were used to characterize the catalysts. The resulted demonstrated that the γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles prepared by the facile method (γ-Fe2O3–FM) not only exhibited better NH3-SCR activity and selectivity than the catalyst prepared by the coprecipitation method but also showed improved SO2 tolerance. This superior NH3-SCR performance was credited to the existence of the larger surface area, better pore structure, a high concentration of lattice oxygen and surface-adsorbed oxygen, good reducibility, a lot of acid sites, lower activation energy, adsorption of the reactants, and the existence of unstable nitrates on the surface of the γ-Fe2O3–FM.
Osteopontin: A Promising Therapeutic Target in Cardiac Fibrosis
Authors: Abdelaziz Mohamed Iman , Gadeau Alain-Pierre , Hasan Anwarul , Abdulrahman Nabeel , Mraiche Fatima
Published: December 2019

Osteopontin (OPN) is recognized for its significant roles in both physiological and pathological processes. Initially, OPN was recognized as a cytokine with pro-inflammatory actions. More recently, OPN has emerged as a matricellular protein of the extracellular matrix (ECM). OPN is also known to be a substrate for proteolytic cleavage by several proteases that form an integral part of the ECM. In the adult heart under physiological conditions, basal levels of OPN are expressed. Increased expression of OPN has been correlated with the progression of cardiac remodeling and fibrosis to heart failure and the severity of the condition. The intricate process by which OPN mediates its effects include the coordination of intracellular signals necessary for the differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, promoting angiogenesis, wound healing, and tissue regeneration. In this review, we discuss the role of OPN in contributing to the development of cardiac fibrosis and its suitability as a therapeutic target.
Transgenerational Inheritance of Environmentally Induced Epigenetic Alterations during Mammalian Development
Authors: Legoff Louis , D’Cruz Shereen Cynthia , Tevosian Sergei , Primig Michael , Smagulova Fatima
Published: December 2019

Genetic studies traditionally focus on DNA as the molecule that passes information on from parents to their offspring. Changes in the DNA code alter heritable information and can more or less severely affect the progeny’s phenotype. While the idea that information can be inherited between generations independently of the DNA’s nucleotide sequence is not new, the outcome of recent studies provides a mechanistic foundation for the concept. In this review, we attempt to summarize our current knowledge about the transgenerational inheritance of environmentally induced epigenetic changes. We focus primarily on studies using mice but refer to other species to illustrate salient points. Some studies support the notion that there is a somatic component within the phenomenon of epigenetic inheritance. However, here, we will mostly focus on gamete-based processes and the primary molecular mechanisms that are thought to contribute to epigenetic inheritance: DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs. Most of the rodent studies published in the literature suggest that transgenerational epigenetic inheritance through gametes can be modulated by environmental factors. Modification and redistribution of chromatin proteins in gametes is one of the major routes for transmitting epigenetic information from parents to the offspring. Our recent studies provide additional specific cues for this concept and help better understand environmental exposure influences fitness and fidelity in the germline. In summary, environmental cues can induce parental alterations and affect the phenotypes of offspring through gametic epigenetic inheritance. Consequently, epigenetic factors and their heritability should be considered during disease risk assessment.
Substrate Stiffness Modulates Renal Progenitor Cell Properties via a ROCK-Mediated Mechanotransduction Mechanism
Authors: Melica Maria Elena , La Regina Gilda , Parri Matteo , Peired Anna Julie , Romagnani Paola , Lasagni Laura
Published: December 2019

Stem cell (SC)-based tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (RM) approaches may provide alternative therapeutic strategies for the rising number of patients suffering from chronic kidney disease. Embryonic SCs and inducible pluripotent SCs are the most frequently used cell types, but autologous patient-derived renal SCs, such as human CD133+CD24+ renal progenitor cells (RPCs), represent a preferable option. RPCs are of interest also for the RM approaches based on the pharmacological encouragement of in situ regeneration by endogenous SCs. An understanding of the biochemical and biophysical factors that influence RPC behavior is essential for improving their applicability. We investigated how the mechanical properties of the substrate modulate RPC behavior in vitro. We employed collagen I-coated hydrogels with variable stiffness to modulate the mechanical environment of RPCs and found that their morphology, proliferation, migration, and differentiation toward the podocyte lineage were highly dependent on mechanical stiffness. Indeed, a stiff matrix induced cell spreading and focal adhesion assembly trough a Rho kinase (ROCK)-mediated mechanism. Similarly, the proliferative and migratory capacity of RPCs increased as stiffness increased and ROCK inhibition, by either Y27632 or antisense LNA-GapmeRs, abolished these effects. The acquisition of podocyte markers was also modulated, in a narrow range, by the elastic modulus and involved ROCK activity. Our findings may aid in 1) the optimization of RPC culture conditions to favor cell expansion or to induce efficient differentiation with important implication for RPC bioprocessing, and in 2) understanding how alterations of the physical properties of the renal tissue associated with diseases could influenced the regenerative response of RPCs.
Ce3+/Eu2+ Doped Al2O3 Coatings Formed by Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation of Aluminum: Photoluminescence Enhancement by Ce3+→Eu2+ Energy Transfer
Authors: Stojadinović Stevan , Ćirić Aleksandar
Published: December 2019

Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) of aluminum in electrolytes containing CeO2 and Eu2O3 powders in various concentrations was used for creating Al2O3 coatings doped with Ce3+ and Eu2+ ions. Phase and chemical composition, surface morphology, photoluminescence (PL) properties and energy transfer from Ce3+ to Eu2+ were investigated. When excited by middle ultraviolet radiation, Al2O3:Ce3+/Eu2+ coatings exhibited intense and broad emission PL bands in the ultraviolet/visible spectral range, attributed to the characteristic electric dipole 4f05d1→4f1 transition of Ce3+ (centered at about 345 nm) and 4f65d1→4f7 transition of Eu2+ (centered at about 405 and 500 nm). Due to the overlap between the PL emission of Al2O3:Ce3+ and the PL excitation of Al2O3:Eu2+, energy transfer from Ce3+ sensitizer to the Eu2+ activator occurs. The energy transfer is identified as an electric dipole–dipole interaction. The critical distance between Eu2+ and Ce3+ ions in Al2O3 was estimated to be 8.6 Å by the spectral overlap method.
Large-Area Laying of Soft Textile Power Generators for the Realization of Body Heat Harvesting Clothing
Authors: Chen Yao-Shing , Lwo Ben-Je
Published: December 2019

This paper presents the realization of a flexible thermoelectric (TE) generator as a textile fabric that converts human body heat into electrical energy for portable, low-power microelectronic products. In this study, an organic non-toxic conductive coating was used to dip rayon wipes into conductive TE fabrics so that the textile took advantage of the TE currents which were parallel to the temperature gradient. To this end, a dyed conductive cloth was first sewn into a TE unit. The TE unit was then sewn into an array to create a temperature difference between the human body and the environment for TE power harvesting. The prototype of the TE fabric consisted of 48 TE units connected by conductive wire over an area of 275 × 205 mm2, and the TE units were sewn on a T-shirt at the chest area. After fabrication and property tests, a Seebeck coefficient of approximately 20 μV/K was measured from the TE unit, and 0.979 mV voltage was obtained from the T-shirt with TE textile fabric. Since the voltage was generated at a low temperature gradient environment, the proposed energy solution in actual fabric applications is suitable for future portable microelectronic power devices.
How do Online Learning Networks Emerge? A Review Study of Self-Organizing Network Effects in the Field of Networked Learning
Authors: Schreurs Bieke , Cornelissen Frank , De Laat Maarten
Published: December 2019

In this article we want to understand in more detail how learning networks emerge in online networked learning environments. An adage in Networked Learning theory is that networked learning cannot be designed; it can only be designed for. This adage implicitly carries the idea that networked learning is seen as learning in which information and communication technology is used to promote (emergent) connections between learners and their peers, learners and tutors and learners and learning resources. Emergence entails a self-organizing component. However, there is no comprehensive understanding of how self-organizing network effects occur in networked learning environments, how they influence possible learning outcomes and how these network effects can be enhanced or frustrated by the design elements of different networked learning environments. By means of a review we investigate how the three most known self-organizing network effects occur in networked learning environments, namely preferential attachment, reciprocity and transitivity. Results show that in most studies self-organizing network effects are significantly present. Moreover we found important (design) elements related to the people, the physical environments and the tasks of the learning networks that could influence these self-organizing network effects. Studies that looked at learning outcomes are limited. Based on the review study future research directions for the field of Networked Learning are addressed.
Electrostatic-Discharge-Immunity Impacts in 300 V nLDMOS by Comprehensive Drift-Region Engineering
Authors: Lin Po-Lin , Chen Shen-Li , Fan Sheng-Kai
Published: December 2019

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) events are the main factors impacting the reliability of Integrated circuits (ICs); therefore, the ESD immunity level of these ICs is an important index. This paper focuses on comprehensive drift-region engineering for ultra-high-voltage (UHV) circular n-channel lateral diffusion metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor (nLDMOS) devices used to investigate impacts on ESD ability. Under the condition of fixed layout area, there are four kinds of modulation in the drift region. First, by floating a polysilicon stripe above the drift region, the breakdown voltage and secondary breakdown current of this modulation can be increased. Second, adjusting the width of the field-oxide layer in the drift region when the width of the field-oxide layer is 5.8 μm will result in the minimum breakdown voltage (105 V) but the best secondary breakdown current (6.84 A). Third, by adjusting the discrete unit cell and its spacing, the corresponding improved trigger voltage, holding voltage, and secondary breakdown current can be obtained. According to the experimental results, the holding voltage of all devices under test (DUTs) is greater than that of the reference group, so the discrete HV N-Well (HVNW) layer can effectively improve its latch-up immunity. Finally, by embedding different P-Well lengths, the findings suggest that when the embedded P-Well length is 9 μm, it will have the highest ESD ability and latch-up immunity.
Decentralized Smart Grid Voltage Control by Synchronization of Linear Multiagent Systems in the Presence of Time-Varying Latencies
Authors: Andreotti Amedeo , Caiazzo Bianca , Petrillo Alberto , Santini Stefania , Vaccaro Alfredo
Published: December 2019

Modern power distribution systems require reliable, self-organizing and highly scalable voltage control systems, which should be able to promptly compensate the voltage fluctuations induced by intermittent and non-programmable generators. However, their deployment in realistic operation scenarios is still an open issue due, for example, to the presence of non-ideal and unreliable communication systems that allow each component within the power network to share information about its state. Indeed, due to technological constraints, time-delays in data acquisition and transmission are unavoidable and their effects have to be taken into account in the control design phase. To this aim, in this paper, we propose a fully distributed cooperative control protocol allowing the voltage control to be achieved despite the presence of heterogeneous time-varying latencies. The idea is to exploit the distributed intelligence along the network, so that it is possible to bring out an optimal global behavior via cooperative distributed control action that leverages both local and the outdated information shared among the devices within the power network. Detailed simulation results obtained on the realistic case study of the IEEE 30-bus test system are presented and discussed in order to prove the effectiveness of the proposed approach in the task of solving complex voltage control problems. Finally, a robustness analysis with respect to both loads variations and hard communication delays was also carried to disclose the efficiency of the approach.
Evaluation of Hydrogen Sulfide Scrubbing Systems for Anaerobic Digesters on Two U.S. Dairy Farms
Authors: Choudhury Abhinav , Shelford Timothy , Felton Gary , Gooch Curt , Lansing Stephanie
Published: December 2019

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a corrosive trace gas present in biogas produced from anaerobic digestion systems that should be removed to reduce engine-generator set maintenance costs. This study was conducted to provide a more complete understanding of two H2S scrubbers in terms of efficiency, operational and maintenance parameters, capital and operational costs, and the effect of scrubber management on sustained H2S reduction potential. For this work, biogas H2S, CO2, O2, and CH4 concentrations were quantified for two existing H2S scrubbing systems (iron-oxide scrubber, and biological oxidation using air injection) located on two rural dairy farms. In the micro-aerated digester, the variability in biogas H2S concentration (average: 1938 ± 65 ppm) correlated with the O2 concentration (average: 0.030 ± 0.004%). For the iron-oxide scrubber, there was no significant difference in the H2S concentrations in the pre-scrubbed (450 ± 42 ppm) and post-scrubbed (430 ± 41 ppm) biogas due to the use of scrap iron and steel wool instead of proprietary iron oxide-based adsorbents often used for biogas desulfurization. Even though the capital and operating costs for the two scrubbing systems were low (<$1500/year), the lack of dedicated operators led to inefficient performance for the two scrubbing systems.
Zero Stress Aging of Glass and Carbon Fibers in Water and Oil—Strength Reduction Explained by Dissolution Kinetics
Authors: Echtermeyer Andreas T. , Krauklis Andrey E. , Gagani Abedin I. , Sæter Erik
Published: December 2019

Understanding the strength degradation of glass and carbon fibers due to exposure to liquids over time is important for structural applications. A model has been developed for glass fibers that links the strength reduction in water to the increase of the Griffith flaw size of the fibers. The speed of the increase is determined by regular chemical dissolution kinetics of glass in water. Crack growth and strength reduction can be predicted for several water temperatures and pH, based on the corresponding dissolution constants. Agreement with experimental results for the case of water at 60 °C with a pH of 5.8 is reasonably good. Carbon fibers in water and toluene and glass fibers in toluene do not chemically react with the liquid. Subsequently no strength degradation is expected and will be confirmed experimentally. All fiber strength measurements are carried out on bundles. The glass fibers are R-glass.
The Fusion of Lipid and DNA Nanotechnology
Authors: Darley Es , Singh Jasleen Kaur Daljit , Surace Natalie A. , Wickham Shelley F. J. , Baker Matthew A. B.
Published: December 2019

Lipid membranes form the boundary of many biological compartments, including organelles and cells. Consisting of two leaflets of amphipathic molecules, the bilayer membrane forms an impermeable barrier to ions and small molecules. Controlled transport of molecules across lipid membranes is a fundamental biological process that is facilitated by a diverse range of membrane proteins, including ion-channels and pores. However, biological membranes and their associated proteins are challenging to experimentally characterize. These challenges have motivated recent advances in nanotechnology towards building and manipulating synthetic lipid systems. Liposomes—aqueous droplets enclosed by a bilayer membrane—can be synthesised in vitro and used as a synthetic model for the cell membrane. In DNA nanotechnology, DNA is used as programmable building material for self-assembling biocompatible nanostructures. DNA nanostructures can be functionalised with hydrophobic chemical modifications, which bind to or bridge lipid membranes. Here, we review approaches that combine techniques from lipid and DNA nanotechnology to engineer the topography, permeability, and surface interactions of membranes, and to direct the fusion and formation of liposomes. These approaches have been used to study the properties of membrane proteins, to build biosensors, and as a pathway towards assembling synthetic multicellular systems.
Identification and Description of the Key Molecular Components of the Egg Strings of the Salmon Louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis)
Authors: Borchel Andreas , Kongshaug Heidi , Nilsen Frank
Published: December 2019

The salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis is a parasite of Atlantic salmon and other salmonids. Every year, it causes high costs for the Norwegian aquaculture industry. While the morphology of the female genital tract has been described, knowledge of the molecular basis of reproduction is very limited. We identified nine genes which are expressed exclusively in the female cement gland, the organ responsible for cement production, which is used to hold the eggs together and keep them attached to their mother in egg strings. Six of these genes encode proteins with signal peptides and probably form the main component of the cement. Two other genes are peroxidases, which are probably important in the cement formation. The last gene is not similar to any known protein, but contains a transmembrane domain. A knockdown of all these genes leads to missing or deformed egg strings, preventing reproduction of the lice. The correct assemblage of the cement in the cement gland is essential for successful reproduction of salmon lice. Similar proteins seem to be present in other copepod species, as well.
Recovering Human Motion Patterns from Passive Infrared Sensors: A Geometric-Algebra Based Generation-Template-Matching Approach
Authors: Xiao Shengjun , Yuan Linwang , Luo Wen , Li Dongshuang , Zhou Chunye , Yu Zhaoyuan
Published: December 2019

The low-cost, indoor-feasibility, and non-intrusive characteristic of passive infrared sensors (PIR sensors) makes it widely used in human motion detection, but the limitation of its object identification ability makes it difficult to further analyze in the field of Geographic Information System (GIS). We present a template matching approach based on geometric algebra (GA) that can recover the semantics of different human motion patterns through the binary activation data of PIR sensor networks. A 5-neighborhood model was first designed to represent the azimuth of the sensor network and establish the motion template generation method based on GA coding. Full sets of 36 human motion templates were generated and then classified into eight categories. According to human behavior characteristics, we combined the sub-sequences of activation data to generate all possible semantic sequences by using a matrix-free searching strategy with a spatiotemporal constraint window. The sub-sequences were used to perform the matching operation with the generation-templates. Experiments were conducted using Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories (MERL) motion datasets. The results suggest that the sequences of human motion patterns could be efficiently extracted in different observation periods. The extracted sequences of human motion patterns agreed well with the event logs under various circumstances. The verification based on the environment and architectural space shows that the accuracy of the result of our method was up to 96.75%.
Quantitative Identification of Urban Functions with Fishers’ Exact Test and POI Data Applied in Classifying Urban Districts: A Case Study within the Sixth Ring Road in Beijing
Authors: Yi Disheng , Yang Jing , Liu Jingjing , Liu Yusi , Zhang Jing
Published: December 2019

Urban areas involve different functions that attract individuals and fit personal needs. Understanding the distribution and combination of these functions in a specific district is significant for urban development in cities. Many researchers have already studied the methods of identifying the dominant functions in a district. However, the degree of collection and the representativeness of a function in a district are controlled not only by its number in the district but also by the number outside this district and a number of other functions. Thus, this study proposed a quantitative method to identify urban functions, using Fisher’s exact test and point of interest (POI) data, applied in determining the urban districts within the Sixth Ring Road in Beijing. To begin with, we defined a functional score based on three statistical features: the p-value, odds-ratio, and the frequency of each POI tag. The p-value and odds-ratio resulted from a statistical significance test, the Fisher’s exact test. Next, we ran a k-modes clustering algorithm to classify all urban districts in accordance with the score of each function and their combination in one district, and then we detected four different groups, namely, Work and Tourism Mixed-developed district, Mixed-developed Residential district, Developing Greenland district, and Mixed Recreation district. Compared with the other identifying methods, our method had good performance in identifying functions, except for transportation. In addition, the Coincidence Degree was used to evaluate the accuracy of classification. In our study, the total accuracy of identifying urban districts was 83.7%. Overall, the proposed identifying method provides an additional method to the various methods used to identify functions. Additionally, analyzing urban spatial structure can be simpler, which has certain theoretical and practical value for urban geospatial planning.
microRNAs Tune Oxidative Stress in Cancer Therapeutic Tolerance and Resistance
Authors: Zhang Wen Cai
Published: December 2019

Relapsed disease following first-line therapy remains one of the central problems in cancer management, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, growth factor receptor-based targeted therapy, and immune checkpoint-based immunotherapy. Cancer cells develop therapeutic resistance through both intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms including cellular heterogeneity, drug tolerance, bypassing alternative signaling pathways, as well as the acquisition of new genetic mutations. Reactive oxygen species (ROSs) are byproducts originated from cellular oxidative metabolism. Recent discoveries have shown that a disabled antioxidant program leads to therapeutic resistance in several types of cancers. ROSs are finely tuned by dysregulated microRNAs, and vice versa. However, mechanisms of a crosstalk between ROSs and microRNAs in regulating therapeutic resistance are not clear. Here, we summarize how the microRNA–ROS network modulates cancer therapeutic tolerance and resistance and direct new vulnerable targets against drug tolerance and resistance for future applications.
RankerGUI: A Computational Framework to Compare Differential Gene Expression Profiles Using Rank Based Statistics
Authors: Thind Amarinder Singh , Tripathi Kumar Parijat , Guarracino Mario Rosario
Published: December 2019

The comparison of high throughput gene expression datasets obtained from different experimental conditions is a challenging task. It provides an opportunity to explore the cellular response to various biological events such as disease, environmental conditions, and drugs. There is a need for tools that allow the integration and analysis of such data. We developed the “RankerGUI pipeline”, a user-friendly web application for the biological community. It allows users to use various rank based statistical approaches for the comparison of full differential gene expression profiles between the same or different biological states obtained from different sources. The pipeline modules are an integration of various open-source packages, a few of which are modified for extended functionality. The main modules include rank rank hypergeometric overlap, enriched rank rank hypergeometric overlap and distance calculations. Additionally, preprocessing steps such as merging differential expression profiles of multiple independent studies can be added before running the main modules. Output plots show the strength, pattern, and trends among complete differential expression profiles. In this paper, we describe the various modules and functionalities of the developed pipeline. We also present a case study that demonstrates how the pipeline can be used for the comparison of differential expression profiles obtained from multiple platforms’ data of the Gene Expression Omnibus. Using these comparisons, we investigate gene expression patterns in kidney and lung cancers.
Boosting Customer E-Loyalty: An Extended Scale of Online Service Quality
Authors: Al-Adwan Ahmad Samed , Al-Horani Maher Ahmad
Published: December 2019

The Customer trust, satisfaction and loyalty with regard to the provision of e-commerce services is expected to be critical factors for the assessment of the success of online businesses. Service quality and high-quality product settings are closely linked to these factors. However, despite the rapid advancement of e-commerce applications, especially in the context of business to consumer (B2C), prior research has confirmed that e-retailers face difficulties when it comes to maintaining customer loyalty. Several e-service quality frameworks have been employed to boost service quality by targeting customer loyalty. Among these prominent frameworks is the scale of online etail quality (eTailQ). This scale has been under criticism as it was developed before the emergence of Web 2.0 technologies. Consequently, this paper aims to fill this gap by offering empirically-tested and conceptually-derived measurement model specifications for an extended eTailQ scale. In addition, it investigates the potential effects of the extended scale on e-trust and e-satisfaction, and subsequently e-loyalty. The practical and theoretical implications are highlighted to help businesses to design effective business strategies based on quality in order to achieve enhanced customer loyalty, and to direct future research in the field of e-commerce.
Alkali-Activated Metakaolin as a Zeolite-Like Binder for the Production of Adsorbents
Authors: Vegere Kristine , Vitola Laura , Argalis Pauls P. , Bajare Diana , Krauklis Andrey E.
Published: December 2019

This work reports and describes a novel alkali-activated metakaolin as a potential binder material for the granulation of zeolites, which are widely used as CO2 adsorbents. The alkali-activated binders are zeolite-like materials, resulting in good material compatibility with zeolite-based adsorbents. A major problem during the granulation of zeolites is that their adsorption capacities decrease by about 15–20%, because typical binder materials (for example bentonite or kaolin clay) are inactive towards CO2 adsorption. A possible pathway to solve this problem is to introduce a novel binder that is also able to sorb CO2. In such a case, a binder plays a dual role, acting both as a binding material and as a sorbent. However, it is important that, alongside the adsorptive properties, a novel binder material must fulfil mechanical and morphological requirements. Thus, in this work, physical and mechanical properties of this novel binder for zeolite granulation for CO2 adsorption are studied. Alkali-activated metakaolin was found to be efficient and competitive as a binder material, when mechanical and physical properties were concerned. The compressive strengths of most of the obtained binders reported in this work are above the compressive strength threshold of 10 MPa. The future work on this novel binder will be conducted, which includes granulation-related details and the CO2 adsorptive properties of the novel binder material. Metakaolin was used as a precursor for alkali-activated binders. Binders were synthesized using varying molarity of a NaOH solution and at varying curing conditions. The final products were characterized using density measurements, compressive strength tests, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Hippo Pathway and YAP Signaling Alterations in Squamous Cancer of the Head and Neck
Authors: Santos-de-Frutos Karla , Segrelles Carmen , Lorz Corina
Published: December 2019

Head and neck cancer affects the upper aerodigestive tract and is the sixth leading cancer worldwide by incidence and the seventh by cause of death. Despite significant advances in surgery and chemotherapy, molecularly targeted therapeutic options for this type of cancer are scarce and long term survival rates remain low. Recently, comprehensive genomic studies have highlighted the most commonly altered genes and signaling pathways in this cancer. The Hippo-YAP pathway has been identified as a key oncogenic pathway in multiple tumors. Expression of genes controlled by the Hippo downstream transcriptional coactivators YAP (Yes-associated protein 1) and TAZ (WWTR1, WW domain containing transcription regulator 1) is widely deregulated in human cancer including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Interestingly, YAP/TAZ signaling might not be as essential for the normal homeostasis of adult tissues as for oncogenic growth, altogether making the pathway an amenable therapeutic target in cancer. Recent advances in the role of Hippo-YAP pathway in HNSCC have provided evidence that genetic alterations frequent in this type of cancer such as PIK3CA (phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha) overexpression or FAT1 (FAT atypical cadherin 1) functional loss can result in YAP activation. We discuss current therapeutic options targeting this pathway which are currently in use for other tumor types.
Cardiac Imaging in Liver Transplantation Candidates: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives
Authors: Dimitroglou Yannis , Aggeli Constantina , Alexopoulou Alexandra , Mavrogeni Sophie , Tousoulis Dimitris
Published: December 2019

Cardiovascular dysfunction in cirrhotic patients is a recognized clinical entity commonly referred to as cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Systematic inflammation, autonomic dysfunction, and activation of vasodilatory factors lead to hyperdynamic circulation with high cardiac output and low peripheral vascular resistance. Counter acting mechanisms as well as direct effects on cardiac cells led to systolic or diastolic dysfunction and electromechanical abnormalities, which are usually masked at rest but exposed at stress situations. While cardiovascular complications and mortality are common in patients undergoing liver transplantation, they cannot be adequately predicted by conventional cardiac examination including transthoracic echocardiography. Newer echocardiography indices and other imaging modalities such as cardiac magnetic resonance have shown increased diagnostic accuracy with predictive implications in cardiovascular diseases. The scope of this review was to describe the role of cardiac imaging in the preoperative assessment of liver transplantation candidates with comprehensive analysis of the future perspectives anticipated by the use of newer echocardiography indices and cardiac magnetic resonance applications.
Pallidal Deep Brain Stimulation in DYT6 Dystonia: Clinical Outcome and Predictive Factors for Motor Improvement
Authors: Danielsson Annika , Carecchio Miryam , Cif Laura , Koy Anne , Lin Jean-Pierre , Solders Göran , Romito Luigi , Lohmann Katja , Garavaglia Barbara , Reale Chiara , Zorzi Giovanna , Nardocci Nardo , Coubes Philippe , Gonzalez Victoria , Roubertie Agathe , Collod-Beroud Gwenaelle , Lind Göran , Tedroff Kristina
Published: December 2019

Pallidal deep brain stimulation is an established treatment in dystonia. Available data on the effect in DYT-THAP1 dystonia (also known as DYT6 dystonia) are scarce and long-term follow-up studies are lacking. In this retrospective, multicenter follow-up case series of medical records of such patients, the clinical outcome of pallidal deep brain stimulation in DYT-THAP1 dystonia, was evaluated. The Burke Fahn Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale served as an outcome measure. Nine females and 5 males were enrolled, with a median follow-up of 4 years and 10 months after implant. All benefited from surgery: dystonia severity was reduced by a median of 58% (IQR 31-62, p = 0.001) at last follow-up, as assessed by the Burke Fahn Marsden movement subscale. In the majority of individuals, there was no improvement of speech or swallowing, and overall, the effect was greater in the trunk and limbs as compared to the cranio-cervical and orolaryngeal regions. No correlation was found between disease duration before surgery, age at surgery, or preoperative disease burden and the outcome of deep brain stimulation. Device- and therapy-related side-effects were few. Accordingly, pallidal deep brain stimulation should be considered in clinically impairing and pharmaco-resistant DYT-THAP1 dystonia. The method is safe and effective, both short- and long-term.
Micro Flowers of SrS/Bi2S3 Nanocomposite and Its Field Emission Properties
Authors: Gunjal Aarti R. , Chothe Ujjwala P. , Sethi Yogesh A. , Panmand Rajendra P. , Ambekar Jalinder D. , Kulkarni Milind V. , More Mahendra A. , Kale Bharat B.
Published: December 2019

The three-dimensional hierarchical SrS/Bi2S3 heterostructures were synthesized by a template-free single-step hydrothermal method. The structural and morphological studies revealed the formation of a single crystalline orthorhombic heterostructure with rod-like morphologies possessing a high aspect ratio. The field emission properties of SrS/Bi2S3 nanorods were investigated. J–E and the Fowler–Nordheim (F–N) plot, as well as long-term field emission (FE) stability, were studied. SrS/Bi2S3 nanoflowers have enhanced the FE properties more than the virgin Bi2S3. The observed values of the re-producible turn-on field for SrS/Bi2S3 defined to draw an emission current density of ca. 1 µA/cm2 were found to be ca. 2.50 V/µm, and of the threshold field to draw a current density of ca. 10 µA/cm2 were found to be ca. 3.00 V/µm (without visible light illumination). A maximum emission current density of ca. 527 μA/cm2 was drawn without light and a current density of ca. 1078 μA/cm2 with light, which is higher than that of pristine Bi2S3.
The Fungal Cell Death Regulator czt-1 Is Allelic to acr-3
Authors: Gonçalves A. Pedro , McCluskey Kevin , Glass N. Louise , Videira Arnaldo
Published: December 2019

Fungal infections have far-reaching implications that range from severe human disease to a panoply of disruptive agricultural and ecological effects, making it imperative to identify and understand the molecular pathways governing the response to antifungal compounds. In this context, CZT-1 (cell death-activated zinc cluster transcription factor) functions as a master regulator of cell death and drug susceptibility in Neurospora crassa. Here we provide evidence indicating that czt-1 is allelic to acr-3, a previously described locus that we now found to harbor a point mutation in its coding sequence. This nonsynonymous amino acid substitution in a low complexity region of CZT-1/ACR-3 caused a robust gain-of-function that led to reduced sensitivity to acriflavine and staurosporine, and increased expression of the drug efflux pump abc-3. Thus, accumulating evidence shows that CZT-1 is an important broad regulator of the cellular response to various antifungal compounds that appear to share common molecular targets.