bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gentamicin Adsorption onto Soil Particles Prevents Overall Short-Term Effects on the Soil Microbiome and Resistome
Authors: Sanchez-Cid Concepcion , Guironnet Alexandre , Wiest Laure , Vulliet Emmanuelle , Vogel Timothy M.
Published: February 2021

Antibiotics used in agriculture may reach the environment and stimulate the development and dissemination of antibiotic resistance in the soil microbiome. However, the scope of this phenomenon and the link to soil properties needs to be elucidated. This study compared the short-term effects of a range of gentamicin concentrations on the microbiome and resistome of bacterial enrichments and microcosms of an agricultural soil using a metagenomic approach. Gentamicin impact on bacterial biomass was roughly estimated by the number of 16SrRNA gene copies. In addition, the soil microbiome and resistome response to gentamicin pollution was evaluated by 16SrRNA gene and metagenomic sequencing, respectively. Finally, gentamicin bioavailability in soil was determined. While gentamicin pollution at the scale of µg/g strongly influenced the bacterial communities in soil enrichments, concentrations up to 1 mg/g were strongly adsorbed onto soil particles and did not cause significant changes in the microbiome and resistome of soil microcosms. This study demonstrates the differences between the response of bacterial communities to antibiotic pollution in enriched media and in their environmental matrix, and exposes the limitations of culture-based studies in antibiotic-resistance surveillance. Furthermore, establishing links between the effects of antibiotic pollution and soil properties is needed.
Variability of the Genes Involved in the Cellular Redox Status and Their Implication in Drug Hypersensitivity Reactions
Authors: Ayuso Pedro , García-Martín Elena , Agúndez José A. G.
Published: February 2021

Adverse drug reactions are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Of the great diversity of drugs involved in hypersensitivity drug reactions, the most frequent are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs followed by β-lactam antibiotics. The redox status regulates the level of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). RONS interplay and modulate the action of diverse biomolecules, such as inflammatory mediators and drugs. In this review, we address the role of the redox status in the initiation, as well as in the resolution of inflammatory processes involved in drug hypersensitivity reactions. We summarize the association findings between drug hypersensitivity reactions and variants in the genes that encode the enzymes related to the redox system such as enzymes related to glutathione: Glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1, GSTP, GSTT1) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX1), thioredoxin reductase (TXNRD1 and TXNRD2), superoxide dismutase (SOD1, SOD2, and SOD3), catalase (CAT), aldo-keto reductase (AKR), and the peroxiredoxin system (PRDX1, PRDX2, PRDX3, PRDX4, PRDX5, PRDX6). Based on current evidence, the most relevant candidate redox genes related to hypersensitivity drug reactions are GSTM1, TXNRD1, SOD1, and SOD2. Increasing the understanding of pharmacogenetics in drug hypersensitivity reactions will contribute to the development of early diagnostic or prognosis tools, and will help to diminish the occurrence and/or the severity of these reactions.
Attenuating Effects of Dieckol on Endothelial Cell Dysfunction via Modulation of Th17/Treg Balance in the Intestine and Aorta of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Oh Seyeon , Shim Minjung , Son Myeongjoo , Jang Ji Tae , Son Kuk Hui , Byun Kyunghee
Published: February 2021

Disruptions of the Treg/Th17 cell balance and gut barrier function are associated with endothelial dysfunction. Dieckol (DK) obtained from Ecklonia cava and E. cava extract (ECE) decreases blood pressure by reducing inflammation; however, it has not been elucidated whether DK or ECE modulates the Treg/Th17 balance, changes the gut epithelial barrier, or decreases endothelial cell dysfunction. We evaluated the effects of ECE and DK on gut barrier and the Treg/Th17 balance in the intestine and aorta, with regard to endothelial dysfunction, using the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model. The level of Th17 cells increased and that of Treg cells decreased in the intestine of SHRs compared to normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat. These changes were attenuated by ECE or DK treatment. Additionally, the serum IL-17A level increased in SHRs more than WKY; this was decreased by ECE or DK treatment. The level of Treg cells decreased and that of Th17 cells increased in the aorta of SHRs. These changes were attenuated by ECE or DK treatment. The NF-κB and IL-6 levels were increased in SHRs, but these changes were reversed by ECE or DK treatment. Endothelial cell dysfunction, which was evaluated using peNOS/eNOS, nitrate/nitrite ratio, and NADPH oxidase activity, increased in the aorta of SHRs, but was decreased by ECE or DK treatment. The Treg/Th17 balance in the intestine and aorta of SHRs was attenuated and endothelial cell dysfunction was attenuated through the Th17/NF-κB/IL-6 pathway by ECE or DK.
Rhamnus alaternus Plant: Extraction of Bioactive Fractions and Evaluation of Their Pharmacological and Phytochemical Properties
Authors: Nekkaa Amine , Benaissa Akila , Mutelet Fabrice , Canabady-Rochelle Laetitia
Published: February 2021

Rhamnus alaternus, is a wild-growing shrub, belonging to the Rhamnaceae family. Widely distributed in the Mediterranean basin, R. alaternus is used in the usual medicine in numerous countries, mostly Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Spain, France, Italy, and Croatia. A large number of disorders—including dermatological complications, diabetes, hepatitis, and goiter problems—can be treated by the various parts of R. alaternus (i.e., roots, bark, berries, and leaves). Several bioactive compounds were isolated from R. alaternus, including flavonoids, anthocyanins, and anthraquinones, and showed several effects such as antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, antigenotoxic, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, and antiproliferative. This review summarizes the updated information concerning the botanical description, distribution, extraction processes applied on R. alaternus, and its ethnopharmacology, toxicity, phytochemistry, and pharmacological effects.
A Strategy for Achieving Smooth Filamentation Cutting of Transparent Materials with Ultrafast Lasers
Authors: Tokarev Vladimir N. , Melnikov Igor V.
Published: February 2021

A strategy is proposed for achieving a practically important mode of laser processing—a so-called “smooth” laser filamentation cutting (LFC) of transparent materials by a moving beam of a pulse-periodic pico- or subpicosecond laser. With such cutting, the surface of the sidewalls of the cuts have a significantly improved smoothness, and, as a result, the laser-cut plates have increased resistance to damage and cracking due to mechanical impacts during their subsequent use. According to the proposed analytical model, for the case when each filament is formed only by a single laser pulse, the strategy of such cutting is defined by a set of necessary conditions, whose implementation requires, in turn, a certain selection and matching with each other of irradiation parameters (pulse duration and energy, repetition rate, pitch of filaments following) and of material parameters—thermal, optical and mechanical strength constants. The model shows good agreement with experiments on sapphire and tempered glass. Besides, LFC modes are also predicted that provide very high cutting speeds of the order of 1–25 m/s or more, or allow cutting with an extremely low average laser power, but still at a speed acceptable for practical applications.
Re-Enrichment Learning: Metadata Saliency for the Evolutive Personalization of a Recommender System
Authors: Ban Yuseok , Lee Kyungjae
Published: February 2021

Many studies have been conducted on recommender systems in both the academic and industrial fields, as they are currently broadly used in various digital platforms to make personalized suggestions. Despite the improvement in the accuracy of recommenders, the diversity of interest areas recommended to a user tends to be reduced, and the sparsity of explicit feedback from users has been an important issue for making progress in recommender systems. In this paper, we introduce a novel approach, namely re-enrichment learning, which effectively leverages the implicit logged feedback from users to enhance user retention in a platform by enriching their interest areas. The approach consists of (i) graph-based domain transfer and (ii) metadata saliency, which (i) find an adaptive and collaborative domain representing the relations among many users’ metadata and (ii) extract attentional features from a user’s implicit logged feedback, respectively. The experimental results show that our proposed approach has a better capacity to enrich the diversity of interests of a user by means of implicit feedback and to help recommender systems achieve more balanced personalization. Our approach, finally, helps recommenders improve user retention, i.e., encouraging users to click more items or dwell longer on the platform.
Fast Falling Weight Deflectometer Method for Condition Assessment of RC Bridges
Authors: Coni Mauro , Mistretta Fausto , Stochino Flavio , Rombi James , Sassu Mauro , Puppio Mario Lucio
Published: February 2021

In this paper, the use of Fast Falling Weight Deflectometer (Fast-FWD) is analyzed as a non-destructive and quick test procedure to evaluate the efficiency of short-span bridges. The Fast-FWD is an instrument that can produce a broadband dynamic force up to an impact value of 120 KN: The impact is constant and replicable, providing accurate action measures of bridge stiffness in a truly short period (30 ms). In this paper, a single-span reinforced concrete bridge is investigated, using the Fast-FWD. The considered bridge, approximately 12.0 m long and 15.5 m wide, was in critical condition. The bridge is in a suburban principal road near to the City of Cagliari in Sardinia (Italy), with an Annual Average Daily Traffic of 13,500 vehicles/day, and was suddenly closed, creating serious problems for urban mobility. In these conditions, the investigation through other standard techniques is time-consuming and labor intensive. For this reason, it is important to introduce methods that can be rapid, accurate and cost-efficient. In this paper, bridge stiffness values obtained during the in situ experimental campaign were compared with finite element models values. The Fast-FWD has the potential to provide engineering information that can help us to better understand bridge condition, in a rapid and cost-effective procedure.
Novel Hydroxyapatite Beads for the Adsorption of Radionuclides from Decommissioned Nuclear Power Plant Sites
Authors: Tran Thi Nhung , Kim Junho , Park Joo-Sung , Chung Youngkun , Han Jaemun , Oh Seungjun , Kang Seoktae
Published: February 2021

Although a powdered form of hydroxyapatite (p-HdA) has been studied for the adsorption of heavy metals that contaminate the restoration sites of decommissioned nuclear power plants, most of the studies are limited in the laboratory due to the head loss and post-separation in practical applications. Herein, we fabricated a porous bead form of HdA (b-HdA) as a novel adsorbent for removing radionuclides from aqueous environments via a facile synthesis by mixing the p-HdA precursor and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) as a binder and added a sintering process for the final production of a porous structure. The spherical b-HdA with an approximate diameter of 2.0 mm was successfully fabricated. The effectiveness of the b-HdA at removing Co(II) was investigated via the adsorption equilibrium at various experimental temperatures. The b-HdA exhibited the adsorption capacity for Co(II) ions with a maximum of 7.73 and 11.35 mg/g at 293 K and 313 K, respectively. The experimental kinetic data were well described using a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the adsorption mechanisms of Co(II) onto the b-HdA were revealed to be a chemisorption process with intraparticle diffusion being the rate-limiting step. In addition, the competitive adsorption onto the b-HdA with the order of U(VI) > Co(II) > Ni(II) > Sr(II) > Cs(I) was also observed in the multi-radionuclides system. Considering the advantages of the size, applicability to the continuous-flow column, and the easy separation from treated water, the b-HdA can be an excellent absorbent with high potential for practical applications for removing radionuclides.
Tulip-Shaped Pattern Imprinting for Omni-Phobic Surfaces Using Partially Cured Photopolymer
Authors: Choi Su Hyun , Kim Do Hyeog , Kim Seonjun , Kim Woo Young , Kim Seok , Cho Young Tae
Published: February 2021

Functional films with hydrophobic, oleophobic, anti-fouling, anti-icing, anti-bacterial and low reflectance properties can be produced by patterning nano- or micro-structures on films via nano imprint lithography. Here, an omni-phobic surface showing both hydrophobicity and oleophobicity was obtained without chemical surface treatment by increasing the surface roughness and deforming the pattern morphology using only nano imprint lithography and the oxygen-inhibited curing properties of polyurethane acrylate (PUA) resin. A tulip-shaped pattern imprinting process was designed in which microscale patterns were fabricated using a porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) mold with high oxygen transmission. During ultraviolet (UV) curing, a curing inhibiting layer was formed by reaction with oxygen. Next, a PDMS pad was used for the pressurized curing of the curing inhibition layer to modify the micro scale structures. Finally, final curing of the deformed pattern was performed using ultra high-power UV light. The deformation of the pattern into tulip-like shapes with increased surface roughness was confirmed by microscopy, and contact angle measurement was performed to confirm omni-phobicity. The final cured imprinted samples showed water and oil contact angles reaching 169.2° and 115°, respectively; thus, the omni-phobic surface could be demonstrated by a tulip-shaped pattern imprinting process.
Prediction of Maritime Pine Boards Modulus of Elasticity by Means of Sonic Testing on Green Timber
Authors: Concu Giovanna
Published: February 2021

Timber buildings are experiencing a rapid diffusion due to their good performance and their sustainability; however, some steps of structural timber production process, such as drying, are energy-intensive and environmentally impactful, and many wood species are also affected by low yield. Therefore, it would be important to determine the quality of the green material, that is, in wet condition, before undergoing the most impactful and expensive production steps. This paper describes a research aimed at quantifying the variation of the dynamic modulus of elasticity MoEdyn, which is commonly used for structural timber mechanical grading, from wet to dry condition in Sardinian maritime pine boards to be used for the production of laminated timber, and to examine the relationship between wet and dry MoEdyn. The MoEdyn was determined from measurements of the velocity of sonic waves propagating through the boards. The results show that the dry MoEdyn can be estimated starting from boards sonic testing in the wet condition, so providing a basis for implementing Sardinian maritime pine pre-grading in order to obtain the reduction of manufacturing costs, the abatement of environmental impact, and the increase of structural grade yield.
Measurement of the Degree of Coordination in Regard to Carbon Emissions, Economic Development, and Environmental Protection in China
Authors: Lu Chenyu , Wang Dai , Li Hengji , Cheng Wei , Tang Xianglong , Liu Wei
Published: February 2021

Driven by economic development, the dramatic increase in carbon emissions has led to global warming and a series of environmental problems. The question of how to ensure harmonized coordination between economic development, carbon emissions and environmental protection has become increasingly important. The conflicts between the use of energy and emission reductions in China have become more intense. It is an inevitable requirement for China’s sustainable development to promote a low-carbon circular economy and the simultaneous and coordinated development of carbon emissions, the economy and the environment. The present study took 30 provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions directly under the Central Government) as the research objects (Tibet, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are not included in the study due to the lack of relevant data), and applied quantitative analysis methods, such as three-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) models, coupling coordination degree models and spatial analysis models, to construct a measurement index system. On the basis of the measurement of its carbon emission efficiency, the level of China’s coordination degree in regard to carbon emissions, economic development, and environmental protection at both spatial and temporal dimensions was analyzed comprehensively in order to reveal its temporal and spatial characteristics. The conclusions are as follows: (1) China’s overall carbon emission efficiency displayed a gradual upward trend, although the overall level was not that high. Therefore, there is still much scope for further improvement. (2) The level of China’s coordination degree in regard to carbon emissions, economic development, and environmental protection showed a steady yet rising trend. All provinces reached different levels of coordination development, and there was no province that displayed a disorderly declining trend. However, the number of provinces that reached or went beyond the intermediate level of coordination development was quite limited. (3) The level of China’s coordination degree in regard to carbon emissions, economic development, and environmental protection displayed obvious spatial aggregation patterns at the provincial level, showing an apparent spatial dependence and heterogeneity. Over time, the level of spatial aggregation patterns in regard to coordination degree tended to weaken. Overall, the values were high in the eastern region and low in the western region, decreasing from the eastern coastal zone towards the western inland zone, thus demonstrating a contrasting east-west spatial distribution pattern.
On the Measurement of Particle Contact Curvature and Young’s Modulus Using X-ray μCT
Authors: Wang Li Ge , Li Zhipeng , Zhang Lianzhen , Zhou Rongxin , Chen Xizhong
Published: February 2021

Contact curvature plays a pivotal role in the Young’s modulus determination and mechanical response of a particle. This paper presents the sensitivity analysis of a particle morphology to contact curvature and its influence on the Young’s modulus determination during the elastic deformation of a particle. X-ray computed micro-tomography (μCT) was conducted to obtain the prototype of a single particle. The digital information of the scanned particle, including 2D slices and 3D rendering was processed and the variation of contact curvature of the particle was examined using the circular (spherical at 3D) and polynomial fitting methods. The fitting sections of the particle are taken into account. The effect of contact curvature on Young’s modulus determination was investigated and it was found that Young’s modulus changed substantially from global fitting to local fitting. Young’s modulus is highly related to the surface roundness, which exerts a significant influence on the determination of Young’s modulus.
Validation of Heat-Level Vapor Phase Soldering Process and Workspace Leakage Detection with Applied Pressure Sensors
Authors: Alaya Mohamed Amine , Illés Balázs , Bušek David , Géczy Attila
Published: February 2021

Electronic manufacturing principles are continuously developing, further improving assembly quality and productivity. There is a continuous need to apply novel and improved methods of process monitoring to provide accurate measurement and control during assembling. In this paper, a new principle for monitoring filmwise condensation-based heat-level—vapour phase soldering (HL-VPS) is presented to improve the process control. The experiment is based on thermocouple sensors in fusion with a sensitive gauge type pressure sensor. The aim is to precisely identify the steps of condensation-based reflow heat transfer process with commercially available components and the mindset of possible retrofitting in the generally used HL-VPS soldering ovens. It was found that the gauge sensor can follow the state of the workspace more precisely as the thermocouples, by monitoring the hydrostatic state of the vapour. The pressure (time) function gives information about the build-up of the vapour column, highlighting four characteristic steps (phases) of the process, meaning: immersion of the sample to be soldered, condensation-based heat transfer, solder-break, and cooling. Combined application with thermocouples enables more precise control, improving soldering quality and can reduce idle time of the oven. In addition, it was showed that the gauge type sensors could highlight any failure in the oven sealing by a sensor signal threshold detection. The original concept of workspace identification also fits the present and future industry 4.0 directives.
On the Use of the eStation Developed in the GMES & Africa EU Project: Results from the User Survey
Authors: Lavaysse Christophe , Roudier Philippe , Venkatachalam Vijay , Klooster Jurriaan , Clerici Marco
Published: February 2021

In 2007, at the 2nd Africa-EU Summit, the development and implementation of earth observation based services to support sustainable development in Africa was agreed. A joint Africa-EU strategy created a framework for cooperation to this end called GMES & Africa. This cooperation aims to produce products and services relevant to the needs of Africans and implemented by African institutions. It is based in particular on the European Copernicus program. The themes covered by the cooperation include natural resource management, marine and coastal areas, water resource management, climate variability and change, disaster risk reduction and food security. Building on its early involvement in the previous projects, the Joint Research Centre has developed an operational and distributable open-source data processing tool, called eStation. One year before the end of the first phase of the project, a full survey of eStation users was conducted. The objective of the survey was to get a full overview of the use, strength, weakness and way to improve the eStation in an operational context. This study presents the main results of the survey. It identifies who are the users, what their operational tasks are and how they communicate the information to decision makers. In addition, the use of the station is described, its strengths and weaknesses are identified as well as the technical and thematic difficulties encountered. The survey underlines the importance of maintaining a constant dialogue between users and developers in order to offer technical and thematic supports to improve the efficiency of the use of the tools. This can be done by organising training and workshops and is essential for the proper use of the tools and products.
A Comparison between One-Step and Two-Step Nesting Strategy in the Dynamical Downscaling of Regional Climate Model COSMO-CLM at 2.2 km Driven by ERA5 Reanalysis
Authors: Raffa Mario , Reder Alfredo , Adinolfi Marianna , Mercogliano Paola
Published: February 2021

Recently, the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) has released a new generation of reanalysis, acknowledged as ERA5, representing at the present the most plausible picture for the current climate. Although ERA5 enhancements, in some cases, its coarse spatial resolution (~31 km) could still discourage a direct use of precipitation fields. Such a gap could be faced dynamically downscaling ERA5 at convection permitting scale (resolution < 4 km). On this regard, the selection of the most appropriate nesting strategy (direct one-step against nested two-step) represents a pivotal issue for saving time and computational resources. Two questions may be raised within this context: (i) may the dynamical downscaling of ERA5 accurately represents past precipitation patterns? and (ii) at what extent may the direct nesting strategy performances be adequately for this scope? This work addresses these questions evaluating two ERA5-driven experiments at ~2.2 km grid spacing over part of the central Europe, run using the regional climate model COSMO-CLM with different nesting strategies, for the period 2007–2011. Precipitation data are analysed at different temporal and spatial scales with respect to gridded observational datasets (i.e., E-OBS and RADKLIM-RW) and existing reanalysis products (i.e., ERA5-Land and UERRA). The present work demonstrates that the one-step experiment tendentially outperforms the two-step one when there is no spectral nudging, providing results at different spatial and temporal scales in line with the other existing reanalysis products. However, the results can be highly model and event dependent as some different aspects might need to be considered (i.e., the nesting strategies) during the configuration phase of the climate experiments. For this reason, a clear and consolidated recommendation on this topic cannot be stated. Such a level of confidence could be achieved in future works by increasing the number of cities and events analysed. Nevertheless, these promising results represent a starting point for the optimal experimental configuration assessment, in the frame of future climate studies.
Enhancing the Encoding-Forecasting Model for Precipitation Nowcasting by Putting High Emphasis on the Latest Data of the Time Step
Authors: Jeong Chang Hoo , Kim Wonsu , Joo Wonkyun , Jang Dongmin , Yi Mun Yong
Published: February 2021

Nowcasting is an important technique for weather forecasting because sudden weather changes significantly affect human life. The encoding-forecasting model, which is a state-of-the-art architecture in the field of data-driven radar extrapolation, does not particularly focus on the latest data when forecasting natural phenomena. This paper proposes a weighted broadcasting method that emphasizes the latest data of the time step to improve the nowcasting performance. This weighted broadcasting method allows the most recent rainfall patterns to have a greater impact on the forecasting network by extending the architecture of the existing encoding-forecasting model. Experimental results show that the proposed model is 1.74% and 2.20% better than the existing encoding-forecasting model in terms of mean absolute error and critical success index, respectively. In the case of heavy rainfall with an intensity of 30 mm/h or higher, the proposed model was more than 30% superior to the existing encoding-forecasting model. Therefore, applying the weighted broadcasting method, which explicitly places a high emphasis on the latest information, to the encoding-forecasting model is considered as an improvement that is applicable to the state-of-the-art implementation of data-driven radar-based precipitation nowcasting.
On Almost Projective Modules
Authors: Ertaş Nil Orhan
Published: February 2021

In this note, we investigate the relationship between almost projective modules and generalized projective modules. These concepts are useful for the study on the finite direct sum of lifting modules. It is proved that; if M is generalized N-projective for any modules M and N, then M is almost N-projective. We also show that if M is almost N-projective and N is lifting, then M is im-small N-projective. We also discuss the question of when the finite direct sum of lifting modules is again lifting.
Short Wave Ultraviolet Light (UV-C) Effectiveness in the Inactivation of Bacterial Spores Inoculated in Turbid Suspensions and in Cloudy Apple Juice
Authors: Sauceda-Gálvez Jezer N. , Martinez-Garcia María , Hernández-Herrero Ma Manuela , Gervilla Ramón , Roig-Sagués Artur X.
Published: February 2021

Liquid foods might present interferences in their optical properties that can reduce the effectiveness of short-wave ultraviolet radiation (UV-C) treatments used for sterilization purposes. The effect of turbidity as UV-C interference factor against the inactivation of bacterial spores was analysed by using phosphate-buffered saline solutions (PBS) of different turbidity values (2000, 2500, and 3000 NTU) which were adjusted with the addition of apple fibre. These suspensions were inoculated with spores of Bacillus subtilis and Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris. While higher UV-C doses increased the inactivation rates of spores, these were reduced when turbidity values increased; a dose of 28.7 J/mL allowed inactivation rates of B. subtilis spores of 3.96 Log in a 2000-NTU suspension compared with 2.81 Log achieved in the 3000-NTU one. Spores of B. subtilis were more UV-C-resistant than A. acidoterrestris. Cloudy apple juice inoculated with A. acidoterrestris spores was processed by UV-C at different doses in a single pass and with recirculation of the matrix through the reactor. Inactivation increased significantly with recirculation, surpassing 5 Log after 125 J/mL compared with 0.13 Log inactivation after a single-pass treatment at the same UV-C dose. UV-C treatments with recirculation affected the optical properties (absorption coefficient at 254 nm and turbidity) of juice and increased browning as UV-C doses became higher.
Predicting Hotspots and Prioritizing Protected Areas for Endangered Primate Species in Indonesia under Changing Climate
Authors: Condro Aryo Adhi , Prasetyo Lilik Budi , Rushayati Siti Badriyah , Santikayasa I Putu , Iskandar Entang
Published: February 2021

Indonesia has a large number of primate diversity where a majority of the species are threatened. In addition, climate change is conservation issues that biodiversity may likely face in the future, particularly among primates. Thus, species-distribution modeling was useful for conservation planning. Herein, we present protected areas (PA) recommendations with high nature-conservation importance based on species-richness changes. We performed maximum entropy (Maxent) to retrieve species distribution of 51 primate species across Indonesia. We calculated species-richness change and range shifts to determine the priority of PA for primates under mitigation and worst-case scenarios by 2050. The results suggest that the models have an excellent performance based on seven different metrics. Current primate distributions occupied 65% of terrestrial landscape. However, our results indicate that 30 species of primates in Indonesia are likely to be extinct by 2050. Future primate species richness would be also expected to decline with the alpha diversity ranging from one to four species per 1 km2. Based on our results, we recommend 54 and 27 PA in Indonesia to be considered as the habitat-restoration priority and refugia, respectively. We conclude that species-distribution modeling approach along with the categorical species richness is effectively applicable for assessing primate biodiversity patterns.
Joint Tumor Bud–MMP/TIMP Count at the Invasive Front Improves the Prognostic Evaluation of Invasive Breast Carcinoma
Authors: González Luis O. , Eiro Noemi , Fraile María , Sánchez Rosario , Andicoechea Alejandro , Fernández-Francos Silvia , Schneider Jose , Vizoso Francisco J.
Published: February 2021

Background: Tumor budding is a histological phenomenon consisting of the formation of small clusters of one to five undifferentiated malignant cells detached from the main tumor mass which are observed in the tumor stroma. In the present study, we investigated the prognostic significance of tumor budding in breast cancer and its relationship with the expressions of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs). Methods: The number of buds was counted in whole-tissue sections from 153 patients with invasive ductal carcinomas who underwent a long follow-up period. In addition, an immunohistochemical study of MMP-9, -11, and -14 TIMP-1 and -2 expression by cell types at the invasive tumor front was carried out. Results: There was a wide variability in the number of buds among tumors, ranging from 0 to 28 (median = 5). Tumor budding count ≥ 4 was the optimal cut-off to predict both relapse-free and overall survival. High-grade tumor budding was associated with MMP/TIMP expression by cancer-associated fibroblasts. In addition, we found that the combination of tumor budding grade with MMP/TIMP expression by stromal cells, and especially with MMP-11 expression by mononuclear inflammatory cells, significantly improved the prognostic evaluation. Conclusion: High-grade tumor budding is associated with a more aggressive tumor phenotype, which, combined with MMP/TIMP expression by stromal cells at the invasive front of the tumor, identifies patients with poor prognosis.
Building Drainage System Design for Tall Buildings: Current Limitations and Public Health Implications
Authors: Gormley Michael , Kelly David , Campbell David , Xue Yunpeng , Stewart Colin
Published: February 2021

National design guides provide essential guidance for the design of building drainage systems, which primarily ensure the basic objectives of preventing odor ingress and cross-transmission of disease through water-trap seal retention. Current building drainage system design guides only extend to buildings of 30 floors, while modern tall buildings frequently extend to over 100 floors, exceeding the predictive capability of current design guides in terms of operating system conditions. However, the same design guides are being used for tall buildings as would be used for low-rise buildings. A complicating factor is the historic roots of current design guides and standards (including the interpretation of the governing fluid mechanics principles and margins of safety), causing many design differences to exist for the same conditions internationally, such as minimum trap seal retention requirements, stack-to-vent cross-vent spacing, and even stack diameter. The design guides also differ in the size and scale of the systems they cover, and most make no allowance for the specific building drainage system requirements of tall buildings. This paper assesses the limitations of applying current building drainage system design guides when applied to the case of tall buildings. Primarily, the assessments used in this research are based on codes from Europe, the USA and Australia/New Zealand as representative of the most common approaches and from which many other codes and standards are derived. The numerical simulation model, AIRNET, was used as the analysis tool. Our findings confirm that current design guides, which have been out of date for a number of decades, are now in urgent need of updating as code-compliant systems have been shown to be susceptible to water-trap seal depletion, a risk to cross-transmission of disease, which is a major public health concern, particularly in view of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Implementation of Pushover Analysis for Seismic Assessment of Masonry Towers: Issues and Practical Recommendations
Authors: Shehu Rafael
Published: February 2021

Seismic assessment is a paramount issue and a valuable instrument towards the conservation of vulnerable structures in seismic prone regions. The past seismic events have highlighted the vulnerability of masonry towers that is exhibited by severe structural and nonstructural damages or even collapses. The preservation of existing structures, mainly focused on the built heritage, is emerging and imposing substantial enhancements of numerical methods, including pushover analysis approaches. The accuracy of the estimated seismic capacity for these structures is correlated with the assumed strategies and approximations made during the numerical modeling. The present paper concerns those aspects by exploring the limitations and possibilities of conceiving pushover analysis in the finite element method environment. The most crucial target is tracing in a pushover capacity curve the corresponding initiation of structural damages, maximum load-bearing capacity, and the ultimate displacement capacity. Different recommendations for achieving this target have been proposed and illustrated for practical utilization. Three representative geometrical towers, adopting three different materials and five different load patterns, are investigated in this study. The load pattern’s role and necessity of the displacement-like control approach for the pushover analysis are exploited. This paper highlights the load-bearing capacity overestimation when the force-controlled are implemented. The material model influences the achievement of softening branch with a distinguishable displacement capacity.
Plexin-B3 Regulates Cellular Motility, Invasiveness, and Metastasis in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Saxena Sugandha , Prajapati Dipakkumar R. , Goel Paran , Tomar Babita , Hayashi Yuri , Atri Pranita , Rachagani Satyanarayana , Grandgenett Paul M. , Hollingsworth Michael A. , Batra Surinder K. , Singh Rakesh K.
Published: February 2021

The Plexins family of proteins are well-characterized transmembrane receptors of semaphorins, axon guidance cue molecules, that mediate the cell attraction or repelling effects for such cues. Plexins and their ligands are involved in numerous cellular activities, such as motility, invasion, and adhesion to the basement membrane. The detachment of cells and the gain in motility and invasion are hallmarks of the cancer metastasis cascade, thus generating interest in exploring the role of plexins in cancer metastasis. Semaphorin–plexin complexes can act as tumor promoters or suppressors, depending upon the cancer type, and are under investigation for therapeutic purposes. Our group has identified Semaphorin-5A (SEMA5A)/Plexin-B3 as an attractive targetable complex for pancreatic cancer (PC) metastasis. However, our understanding of the Plexin-B3 function and pathological expression in PC is limited, and our present study delineates the role of Plexin-B3 in PC malignancy. We examined the pathological expression of Plexin-B3 in PC tumors and metastasis using a human tissue microarray, disease progression model of PDX-Cre-Kras(G12D) (KC) mice, and different metastatic sites obtained from the KrasG12D; Trp53R172H; Pdx1-Cre (KPC) mice model. We observed a higher Plexin-B3 expression in PC tumor cores than the normal pancreas, and different metastatic sites were positive for Plexin-B3 expression. However, in the KC mice model, the Plexin-B3 expression increased initially and then decreased with the disease progression. Next, to evaluate the functional role of Plexin-B3, we utilized T3M-4- and CD18/HPAF-Control and -Plexin B3 knockdown cells for different in vivo and in vitro studies. The knockdown of Plexin-B3 enhanced the in vitro cellular migration, invasiveness, and impaired colony formation in three-dimensional culture, along with an increase in cellular spread and remodeling of the actin filaments. We also observed a higher metastasis in nude mice injected with T3M-4- and CD18/HPAF-shPlexin-B3 cells compared to their respective control cells. Furthermore, we observed a lower number of proliferating Ki-67-positive cells and higher ALDH1-A1-positive cells in the tumors formed by Plexin-B3 knockdown cells compared to tumors formed by the control cells. Together, our data suggest that the loss of Plexin-B3 is associated with the interference of cell division machinery and the induction of stem cell-like characteristics in PC cells.
Allosteric and ATP-Competitive MEK-Inhibition in a Novel Spitzoid Melanoma Model with a RAF- and Phosphorylation-Independent Mutation
Authors: Hegedüs Luca , Okumus Özlem , Livingstone Elisabeth , Baranyi Marcell , Kovács Ildikó , Döme Balázs , Tóvári József , Bánkfalvi Ágnes , Schadendorf Dirk , Aigner Clemens , Hegedüs Balázs
Published: February 2021

Spitzoid melanoma is a rare malignancy with histological characteristics similar to Spitz nevus. It has a diverse genetic background and in adults, a similarly grim clinical outcome as conventional malignant melanoma. We established a spitzoid melanoma cell line (PF130) from the pleural effusion sample of a 37-year-old male patient. We found that the cell line carries a rare MEK1 mutation (pGlu102_Lys104delinsGln) that belongs to the RAF- and phosphorylation-independent subgroup of MEK1 alternations supposedly insensitive to allosteric MEK inhibitors. The in vivo tumorigenicity was tested in three different models by injecting the cells subcutaneously, intravenously or into the thoracic cavity of SCID mice. In the intrapleural model, macroscopic tumors formed in the chest cavity after two months, while subcutaneously and intravenously delivered cells showed limited growth. In vitro, trametinib—but not selumentinib—and the ATP-competitive MEK inhibitor MAP855 strongly decreased the viability of the cells and induced cell death. In vivo, trametinib but not MAP855 significantly reduced tumor growth in the intrapleural model. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first patient-derived melanoma model with RAF- and phosphorylation-independent MEK mutation and we demonstrated its sensitivity to trametinib.
Preparation of Ag-TiO2/Sr4Al14O25:Eu2+,Dy3+ Photocatalyst on Phosphor Beads and Its Photoreaction Characteristics
Authors: Eun Seong-Rak , Mavengere Shielah , Kim Jung-Sik
Published: February 2021

Long-lasting Sr4Al14O25:Eu2+,Dy3+ phosphor beads were prepared with inorganic sodium silicate binders and coated to support Ag-doped TiO2 catalyst by the sol–gel coating method. Energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that Ag and TiO2 were loaded on the bead surface. Photocatalytic degradation of toluene volatile organic compound was evaluated under ultraviolet and visible light through 410 nm filters. The photocatalyst/phosphor beads of Ag-TiO2/Sr4Al14O25:Eu2+,Dy3+ decorated with 0.035 M Ag in N2 and N2-H2 atmospheres exhibited higher photocatalytic efficiencies compared with beads heat treated in air. A low amount of Ag impregnation and the reducing atmosphere of N2/N2-H2 were beneficial for enhancing photocatalytic efficiency because Ag-doping in TiO2 imparted low energy levels for visible light sensitization. The synthesized powder-free beads possess compressive strength for possible applications, and easy recovery of the photocatalysts is beneficial for preventing any secondary pollution of nano-powders.
Sustainable Highly Selective Toluene Oxidation to Benzaldehyde
Authors: Valentini Francesca , Ferracci Giacomo , Galloni Pierluca , Pomarico Giuseppe , Conte Valeria , Sabuzi Federica
Published: February 2021

Thanks to the well-recognized role of benzaldehyde in industry, nowadays the research of new and sustainable approaches to selectively synthesize such an interesting product is receiving great attention from the chemists’ community. In this paper, a V-based catalytic biphasic system is adopted to perform toluene oxidation to benzaldehyde. Importantly, to pursue sustainability, organic solvents have been avoided, so toluene is used as substrate and co-solvent, together with water. Also, the use of hydrophobic ionic liquids has been explored. To perform oxidation, NH4VO3 catalyst, H2O2, and a safe and inexpensive co-catalyst are used. Among the tested co-catalysts, KF and O2 were found to be the best choice, to guarantee good yields, in mild reaction conditions. In fact, with such a sustainable method, up to 30% of benzaldehyde can be obtained at 60 °C and, more interestingly, the oxidative system can be recharged, raising-up the yield. The entire process results highly selective, since no traces of benzyl alcohol or benzoic acid are detected. Hence, it constitutes a very appealing synthetic route, even suitable to be easily scaled-up at an industrial level.
Knowledge-Guided “Community Network” Analysis Reveals the Functional Modules and Candidate Targets in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Wang Fan , Han Shuqing , Yang Ji , Yan Wenying , Hu Guang
Published: February 2021

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a heterogeneous group of malignancies that are the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Although many NSCLC-related genes and pathways have been identified, there remains an urgent need to mechanistically understand how these genes and pathways drive NSCLC. Here, we propose a knowledge-guided and network-based integration method, called the node and edge Prioritization-based Community Analysis, to identify functional modules and their candidate targets in NSCLC. The protein–protein interaction network was prioritized by performing a random walk with restart algorithm based on NSCLC seed genes and the integrating edge weights, and then a “community network” was constructed by combining Girvan–Newman and Label Propagation algorithms. This systems biology analysis revealed that the CCNB1-mediated network in the largest community provides a modular biomarker, the second community serves as a drug regulatory module, and the two are connected by some contextual signaling motifs. Moreover, integrating structural information into the signaling network suggested novel protein–protein interactions with therapeutic significance, such as interactions between GNG11 and CXCR2, CXCL3, and PPBP. This study provides new mechanistic insights into the landscape of cellular functions in the context of modular networks and will help in developing therapeutic targets for NSCLC.
Impact of DJ-1 and Helix 8 on the Proteome and Degradome of Neuron-Like Cells
Authors: Kern Ursula , Fröhlich Klemens , Bedacht Johanna , Schmidt Nico , Biniossek Martin , Gensch Nicole , Baerenfaller Katja , Schilling Oliver
Published: February 2021

DJ-1 is an abundant and ubiquitous component of cellular proteomes. DJ-1 supposedly exerts a wide variety of molecular functions, ranging from enzymatic activities as a deglycase, protease, and esterase to chaperone functions. However, a consensus perspective on its molecular function in the cellular context has not yet been reached. Structurally, the C-terminal helix 8 of DJ-1 has been proposed to constitute a propeptide whose proteolytic removal transforms a DJ-1 zymogen to an active hydrolase with potential proteolytic activity. To better understand the cell-contextual functionality of DJ-1 and the role of helix 8, we employed post-mitotically differentiated, neuron-like SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells with stable over-expression of full length DJ-1 or DJ-1 lacking helix 8 (ΔH8), either with a native catalytically active site (C106) or an inactive site (C106A active site mutation). Global proteome comparison of cells over-expressing DJ-1 ΔH8 with native or mutated active site cysteine indicated a strong impact on mitochondrial biology. N-terminomic profiling however did not highlight direct protease substrate candidates for DJ-1 ΔH8, but linked DJ-1 to elevated levels of activated lysosomal proteases, albeit presumably in an indirect manner. Finally, we show that DJ-1 ΔH8 loses the deglycation activity of full length DJ-1. Our study further establishes DJ-1 as deglycation enzyme. Helix 8 is essential for the deglycation activity but dispensable for the impact on lysosomal and mitochondrial biology; further illustrating the pleiotropic nature of DJ-1.