bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation of Gut Microbiome in Free-Ranging Female Tibetan Macaques (Macaca thibetana) across Different Reproductive States
Authors: Sun Binghua , Xu Xiaojuan , Xia Yingna , Cheng Yumei , Mao Shuxin , Xiang Xingjia , Xia Dongpo , Wang Xi , Li Jinhua
Published: December 2020

The gut microbiome is expected to adapt to the varying energetic and nutritional pressures in females of different reproductive states. Changes in the gut microbiome may lead to varying nutrient utilizing efficiency in pregnant and lactating female primates. In this study, we examined variation in the gut bacterial community composition of wild female Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) across different reproductive states (cycling, pregnancy and lactation). Fecal samples (n = 25) were collected from ten adult females harvested across different reproductive states. Gut microbial community composition and potential functions were assessed using 16 S rRNA gene sequences. We found significant changes in gut bacterial taxonomic composition, structure and their potential functions in different reproductive states of our study species. In particular, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria increased significantly during pregnancy and lactation. In addition, the relative abundance of Succinivibrionaceae and Succinivibrio (Succinivibrionaceae) were overrepresented in pregnant females, whereas Bifidobacteriaceae and Bifidobacterium (Bifidobacteriaceae) were overrepresented in lactating females. Furthermore, the relative abundance of predicted functional genes of several metabolic pathways related to host’s energy and nutrition, such as metabolism of carbohydrates, cofactors and vitamins, glycans and other amino acids, were enriched in pregnancy and lactation. Our findings suggest that changes in the gut microbiome may play an important role in meeting the energetic needs of pregnant and lactating Tibetan macaques. Future studies of the “microbial reproductive ecology” of primates that incorporate food availability, reproductive seasonality, female reproductive physiology and gut inflammation are warranted.
A Potential Atypical Case of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease in a Dwarf Rabbit
Authors: Abade dos Santos Fábio A. , Magro Carolina , Carvalho Carina L. , Ruivo Pedro , Duarte Margarida D. , Peleteiro Maria C.
Published: December 2020

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) is a highly contagious infectious disease of European wild and domestic rabbits. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV, GI.1) emerged in 1986 in Europe, rapidly spreading all over the world. Several genotypes of RHDV have been recognised over time, but in 2010, a new virus (RHDV2/RHDVb, GI.2) emerged and progressively replaced the previous RHDV strains, due to the lack of cross-immunity conferred between RHDV and RHDV2. RHDV2 has a high mutation rate, similarly to the other calivirus and recombines with strains of RHDV and non-pathogenic calicivirus (GI.4), ensuring the continuous emergence of new field strains. Although this poses a threat to the already endangered European rabbit species, the available vaccines against RHDV2 and the compliance of biosafety measures seem to be controlling the infection in the rabbit industry Pet rabbits, especially when kept indoor, are considered at lower risk of infections, although RHDV2 and myxoma virus (MYXV) constitute a permanent threat due to transmission via insects. Vaccination against these viruses is therefore recommended every 6 months (myxomatosis) or annually (rabbit haemorrhagic disease). The combined immunization for myxomatosis and RHDV through a commercially available bivalent vaccine with RHDV antigen has been extensively used (Nobivac® Myxo-RHD, MSD, Kenilworth, NJ, USA). This vaccine however does not confer proper protection against the RHDV2, thus the need for a rabbit clinical vaccination protocol update. Here we report a clinical case of hepatitis and alteration of coagulation in a pet rabbit that had been vaccinated with the commercially available bivalent vaccine against RHDV and tested positive to RHDV2 after death. The animal developed a prolonged and atypical disease, compatible with RHD. The virus was identified to be an RHDV2 recombinant strain, with the structural backbone of RHDV2 (GI.2) and the non-structural genes of non-pathogenic-A1 strains (RCV-A1, GI.4). Although confirmation of the etiological agent was only made after death, the clinical signs and analytic data were very suggestive of RHD.
Effect of Allium Extract Supplementation on Egg Quality, Productivity, and Intestinal Microbiota of Laying Hens
Authors: Abad Paloma , Arroyo-Manzanares Natalia , Ariza Juan J. , Baños Alberto , García-Campaña Ana M.
Published: December 2020

The use of allium extract containing propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTSO) as hen feed supplement was evaluated to demonstrate its positive effect on egg production and intestinal microbiota modulation. The study was carried out on 90 laying hens whose feed was supplemented with allium extract for 28 days. Nutritional properties of eggs were not affected, whereas an improvement in productivity was observed based on the increase weight of eggs. In addition, a modulator effect on intestinal microbiota was confirmed by the increase in Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp., as well as by the reduction in Enterobacteriaceae populations. Finally, the preservation of egg composition was checked by monitoring the content of PTSO, using a new analytical method consisting of the use of solid phase extraction and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Consequently, based on current results, Allium spp. extract rich in organosulfur compounds such as PTSO added to the diet had a beneficial effect on the microbiota and would seem to be a possible alternative to increase productivity, while not affecting the biochemical composition of egg. However, further studies on the effects of allium extract as feed supplement are necessary.
Intraoperative Bacterial Contamination and Activity of Different Antimicrobial Prophylaxis Regimens in Primary Knee and Hip Replacement
Authors: Rivera Alba , Sánchez Alba , Luque Sonia , Mur Isabel , Puig Lluís , Crusi Xavier , González José Carlos , Sorlí Luisa , González Aránzazu , Horcajada Juan Pablo , Navarro Ferran , Benito Natividad
Published: December 2020

Surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP) is important for the prevention of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) and must be effective against the microorganisms most likely to contaminate the surgical site. Our aim was to compare different SAP regimens (cefazolin, cefuroxime, or vancomycin, alone or combined with gentamicin) in patients undergoing total knee (TKA) and hip (THA) arthroplasty. In this preclinical exploratory analysis, we analyzed the results of intraoperative sample cultures, the ratio of plasma antibiotic levels to the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for bacteria isolated at the surgical wound and ATCC strains, and serum bactericidal titers (SBT) against the same microorganisms. A total of 132 surgical procedures (68 TKA, 64 THA) in 128 patients were included. Cultures were positive in 57 (43.2%) procedures (mostly for coagulase-negative staphylococci and Cutibacterium spp.); the rate was lower in the group of patients receiving combination SAP (adjusted OR 0.475, CI95% 0.229–0.987). The SAP regimens evaluated achieved plasma levels above the MICs in almost all of intraoperative isolates (93/94, 98.9%) and showed bactericidal activity against all of them (SBT range 1:8–1:1024), although SBTs were higher in patients receiving cefazolin and gentamicin-containing regimens. The potential clinical relevance of these findings in the prevention of PJIs remains to be determined.
Anti-Tumor Activity of Hypericum perforatum L. and Hyperforin through Modulation of Inflammatory Signaling, ROS Generation and Proton Dynamics
Authors: Menegazzi Marta , Masiello Pellegrino , Novelli Michela
Published: December 2020

In this paper we review the mechanisms of the antitumor effects of Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John’s wort, SJW) and its main active component hyperforin (HPF). SJW extract is commonly employed as antidepressant due to its ability to inhibit monoamine neurotransmitters re-uptake. Moreover, further biological properties make this vegetal extract very suitable for both prevention and treatment of several diseases, including cancer. Regular use of SJW reduces colorectal cancer risk in humans and prevents genotoxic effects of carcinogens in animal models. In established cancer, SJW and HPF can still exert therapeutic effects by their ability to downregulate inflammatory mediators and inhibit pro-survival kinases, angiogenic factors and extracellular matrix proteases, thereby counteracting tumor growth and spread. Remarkably, the mechanisms of action of SJW and HPF include their ability to decrease ROS production and restore pH imbalance in tumor cells. The SJW component HPF, due to its high lipophilicity and mild acidity, accumulates in membranes and acts as a protonophore that hinders inner mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization, inhibiting mitochondrial ROS generation and consequently tumor cell proliferation. At the plasma membrane level, HPF prevents cytosol alkalization and extracellular acidification by allowing protons to re-enter the cells. These effects can revert or at least attenuate cancer cell phenotype, contributing to hamper proliferation, neo-angiogenesis and metastatic dissemination. Furthermore, several studies report that in tumor cells SJW and HPF, mainly at high concentrations, induce the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, likely by collapsing the mitochondrial membrane potential. Based on these mechanisms, we highlight the SJW/HPF remarkable potentiality in cancer prevention and treatment.
Interplay among Oxidative Stress, Methylglyoxal Pathway and S-Glutathionylation
Authors: de Bari Lidia , Scirè Andrea , Minnelli Cristina , Cianfruglia Laura , Kalapos Miklos Peter , Armeni Tatiana
Published: December 2020

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced constantly inside the cells as a consequence of nutrient catabolism. The balance between ROS production and elimination allows to maintain cell redox homeostasis and biological functions, avoiding the occurrence of oxidative distress causing irreversible oxidative damages. A fundamental player in this fine balance is reduced glutathione (GSH), required for the scavenging of ROS as well as of the reactive 2-oxoaldehydes methylglyoxal (MGO). MGO is a cytotoxic compound formed constitutively as byproduct of nutrient catabolism, and in particular of glycolysis, detoxified in a GSH-dependent manner by the glyoxalase pathway consisting in glyoxalase I and glyoxalase II reactions. A physiological increase in ROS production (oxidative eustress, OxeS) is promptly signaled by the decrease of cellular GSH/GSSG ratio which can induce the reversible S-glutathionylation of key proteins aimed at restoring the redox balance. An increase in MGO level also occurs under oxidative stress (OxS) conditions probably due to several events among which the decrease in GSH level and/or the bottleneck of glycolysis caused by the reversible S-glutathionylation and inhibition of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. In the present review, it is shown how MGO can play a role as a stress signaling molecule in response to OxeS, contributing to the coordination of cell metabolism with gene expression by the glycation of specific proteins. Moreover, it is highlighted how the products of MGO metabolism, S-D-lactoylglutathione (SLG) and D-lactate, which can be taken up and metabolized by mitochondria, could play important roles in cell response to OxS, contributing to cytosol-mitochondria crosstalk, cytosolic and mitochondrial GSH pools, energy production, and the restoration of the GSH/GSSG ratio. The role for SLG and glyoxalase II in the regulation of protein function through S-glutathionylation under OxS conditions is also discussed. Overall, the data reported here stress the need for further studies aimed at understanding what role the evolutionary-conserved MGO formation and metabolism can play in cell signaling and response to OxS conditions, the aberration of which may importantly contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases associated to elevated OxS.
Minimizing Resource Waste in Heterogeneous Resource Allocation for Data Stream Processing on Clouds
Authors: Chung Wu-Chun , Wu Tsung-Lin , Lee Yi-Hsuan , Huang Kuo-Chan , Hsiao Hung-Chang , Lai Kuan-Chou
Published: December 2020

Resource allocation is vital for improving system performance in big data processing. The resource demand for various applications can be heterogeneous in cloud computing. Therefore, a resource gap occurs while some resource capacities are exhausted and other resource capacities on the same server are still available. This phenomenon is more apparent when the computing resources are more heterogeneous. Previous resource-allocation algorithms paid limited attention to this situation. When such an algorithm is applied to a server with heterogeneous resources, resource allocation may result in considerable resource wastage for the available but unused resources. To reduce resource wastage, a resource-allocation algorithm, called the minimizing resource gap (MRG) algorithm, for heterogeneous resources is proposed in this study. In MRG, the gap between resource usages for each server in cloud computing and the resource demands among various applications are considered. When an application is launched, MRG calculates resource usage and allocates resources to the server with the minimized usage gap to reduce the amount of available but unused resources. To demonstrate MRG performance, the MRG algorithm was implemented in Apache Spark. CPU- and memory-intensive applications were applied as benchmarks with different resource demands. Experimental results proved the superiority of the proposed MRG approach for improving the system utilization to reduce the overall completion time by up to 24.7% for heterogeneous servers in cloud computing.
Optical Fiber Current Sensors Based on FBG and Magnetostrictive Composite Materials
Authors: Xu Shaoyi , Peng Qiang , Li Chuansheng , Liang Bo , Sun Junwen , Xing Fangfang , Xue Hongyu , Li Ming
Published: December 2020

Optical fiber current sensors are widely used in the online monitoring of a new generation power system because of their high electrical insulation, wide dynamic range, and strong anti-electromagnetic interference ability. Current sensors, based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and giant magnetostrictive material, have the advantages of high reliability of FBG and high magnetostrictive coefficient of giant magnetostrictive material, which can meet the monitoring requirements of digital power systems. However, giant magnetostrictive materials are expensive, fragile, and difficult to mold, so giant magnetostrictive composite materials have replaced giant magnetostrictive materials as the sensitive elements of sensors. High sensitivity, high precision, wide working range, low response time, and low-cost optical fiber current sensors based on magnetostrictive composites have become a research hotspot. In this paper, the working principle of the sensor, the structure of the sensor, and the improvement of magnetostrictive composite materials are mainly discussed. At the same time, this paper points out improvements for the sensor.
Truck Appointment System for Cooperation between the Transport Companies and the Terminal Operator at Container Terminals
Authors: Im Hyeonu , Yu Jiwon , Lee Chulung
Published: December 2020

Despite the number of sailings canceled in the past few months, as demand has increased, the utilization of ships has become very high, resulting in sudden peaks of activity at the import container terminals. Ship-to-ship operations and yard activity at the container terminals are at their peak and starting to affect land operations on truck arrivals and departures. In response, a Truck Appointment System (TAS) has been developed to mitigate truck congestion that occurs between the gate and the yard of the container terminal. The vehicle booking system is developed and operated in-house at large-scale container terminals, but efficiency is low due to frequent truck schedule changes by the transport companies (forwarders). In this paper, we propose a new form of TAS in which the transport companies and the terminal operator cooperate. Numerical experiments show that the efficiency of the cooperation model is better by comparing the case where the transport company (forwarder) and the terminal operator make their own decision and the case where they cooperate. The cooperation model shows higher efficiency as there are more competing transport companies (forwarders) and more segmented tasks a truck can reserve.
Converting MST to TSP Path by Branch Elimination
Authors: Fränti Pasi , Nenonen Teemu , Yuan Mingchuan
Published: December 2020

Travelling salesman problem (TSP) has been widely studied for the classical closed loop variant but less attention has been paid to the open loop variant. Open loop solution has property of being also a spanning tree, although not necessarily the minimum spanning tree (MST). In this paper, we present a simple branch elimination algorithm that removes the branches from MST by cutting one link and then reconnecting the resulting subtrees via selected leaf nodes. The number of iterations equals to the number of branches (b) in the MST. Typically, b << n where n is the number of nodes. With O-Mopsi and Dots datasets, the algorithm reaches gap of 1.69% and 0.61 %, respectively. The algorithm is suitable especially for educational purposes by showing the connection between MST and TSP, but it can also serve as a quick approximation for more complex metaheuristics whose efficiency relies on quality of the initial solution.
Incentive Price-Based Demand Response in Active Distribution Grids
Authors: Nainar Karthikeyan , Pillai Jayakrishnan Radhakrishna , Bak-Jensen Birgitte
Published: December 2020

Integration of PV power generation systems at distribution grids, especially at low-voltage (LV) grids, brings in operational challenges for distribution system operators (DSOs). These challenges include grid over-voltages and overloading of cables during peak PV power production. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are being installed alongside PV systems by customers for smart home energy management. This paper investigates the utilization of those BESS by DSOs for maintaining the grid voltages within limits. In this context, an incentive price based demand response (IDR) method is proposed for indirect control of charging/discharging power of the BESS according to the grid voltage conditions. It is shown that the proposed IDR method, which relies on a distributed computing application, is able to maintain the grid voltages within limits. The advantage of the proposed distributed implementation is that the DSOs can compute and communicate the incentive prices thereby encouraging customers to actively participate in the demand response program. An iterative distributed algorithm is used to compute the incentive prices of individual BESS to minimize the costs of net power consumption of the customer. The proposed IDR method is tested by conducting simulation studies on the model of a Danish LV grid for few study cases. The simulation results show that by using the proposed method for the control of BESS, node voltages are maintained within limits as well as the costs of net power consumption of BESS owners are minimized.
Multi-Field Models of Fiber Reinforced Concrete for Structural Applications
Authors: Pan Yaming , Kang Jingu , Ichimaru Sonoko , Bolander John E.
Published: December 2020

Short fiber reinforcement is added to concrete materials to improve a variety of performance measures related to structural safety, serviceability, and health diagnosis. Mesoscale models have been developed to understand the individual and collective actions of these fibers on various material properties. Those modeling efforts have predominately focussed on the mechanical (i.e., stiffness and strength) contributions of fibers. This paper introduces computationally efficient, semi-discrete representations of fibers within coupled mechanical and transport processes in cement-based matrices. Basic simulations are done to study: the use of conductive fibers for self-sensing; and the influences of fibers on early-age plastic settlement. It is found that the models can account for directional bias on fiber orientation, as may occur during material casting. With respect to plastic settlement, fibers may play competing roles: mechanical restraint offered by the fibers reduces settlement, whereas enhanced hydraulic conductivity along the fiber–matrix interface may increase settlement by facilitating the bleeding process.
Effects of Pulsed Electric Field and Thermal Treatments on Microbial Reduction, Volatile Composition, and Sensory Properties of Orange Juice, and Their Characterization by a Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Lee Hyesoo , Choi Sehun , Kim Euichan , Kim Ye-Na , Lee Jihyun , Lee Dong-Un
Published: December 2020

The effects of pulsed electric field (PEF) treatments on microbial reduction, volatile composition, and sensory characteristics of orange juice were investigated. Mild (Thermal-1) and intensive (Thermal-2) thermal treatments were applied for comparison. A pilot-scale PEF system, with a flow rate of 30 L/h and maximum field strength of 20 kV/cm, was used. PEF treatment at a specific energy of 150 kJ/L resulted in 9.0 and 8.0 decimal reductions of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, respectively. The PEF treatments preserved the characteristic compounds associated with a fresh flavor (e.g., dl-limonene, β-myrcene, α-pinene, and valencene) more effectively than an intensive thermal treatment. This was verified by descriptive analysis of sensory evaluations. Based on the principal component analyses (PCAs) and partial least-squares (PLS) regression analyses, PEF-treated orange juice showed higher similarity to untreated orange juice. Our results indicate that PEF may be an alternative processing technique that can preserve the fresh flavor and taste of freshly squeezed orange juice.
An Event-Driven Serverless ETL Pipeline on AWS
Authors: Pogiatzis Antreas , Samakovitis Georgios
Published: December 2020

This work presents an event-driven Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) pipeline serverless architecture and provides an evaluation of its performance over a range of dataflow tasks of varying frequency, velocity, and payload size. We design an experiment while using generated tabular data throughout varying data volumes, event frequencies, and processing power in order to measure: (i) the consistency of pipeline executions; (ii) reliability on data delivery; (iii) maximum payload size per pipeline; and, (iv) economic scalability (cost of chargeable tasks). We run 92 parameterised experiments on a simple AWS architecture, thus avoiding any AWS-enhanced platform features, in order to allow for unbiased assessment of our model’s performance. Our results indicate that our reference architecture can achieve time-consistent data processing of event payloads of more than 100 MB, with a throughput of 750 KB/s across four event frequencies. It is also observed that, although the utilisation of an SQS queue for data transfer enables easy concurrency control and data slicing, it becomes a bottleneck on large sized event payloads. Finally, we develop and discuss a candidate pricing model for our reference architecture usage.
Frequency of Sleep Bruxism Behaviors in Healthy Young Adults over a Four-Night Recording Span in the Home Environment
Authors: Colonna Anna , Segù Marzia , Lombardo Luca , Manfredini Daniele
Published: December 2020

Objectives: This study aimed to assess frequency and multiple-night variability of sleep bruxism (SB) as well as sleep-time masticatory muscle activities (sMMA) in the home environment in healthy young adults using a portable device that provides electrocardiographic (ECG) and surface electromyographic (EMG) recordings from the masticatory muscles. Methods: The study was performed on 27 subjects (11 males, 16 females; mean age 28.3 ± 1.7 years) selected from a sample of healthy young students. Evaluation was carried out for four nights to record data on masticatory muscle activities using a compact portable device that previously showed an excellent agreement with polysomnography (PSG) for the detection of SB events. The number of SB episodes per sleep hour (bruxism index), and the number of tonic, phasic and mixed sMMA events per hour were assessed. A descriptive evaluation of the frequency of each condition was performed on all individuals, and gender comparison was investigated. Results: Mean sleep duration over the four recording nights was 7 ± 1.3 h. The average SB index was 3.6 ± 1.2. Most of the sMMA were tonic (49.9%) and phasic (44.1%). An ANOVA test showed the absence of significant differences between the four nights. No significant gender differences were detected for the SB index, phasic or tonic contractions; conversely, gender differences were detected for mixed sMMA events (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This investigation supports the concept that sMMA events are quite frequent in healthy adults. Differences over the four-night recording span were not significant. These data could be compared to subjects with underlying conditions that may lead to an additive bruxism activity and possible clinical consequences.
Study on the Compatibility of Eco-Friendly Insulating Gas C5F10O/N2 and C5F10O/Air with Copper Materials in Gas-Insulated Switchgears
Authors: Li Yalong , Zhang Xiaoxing , Xia Yalong , Li Yi , Wei Zhuo , Wang Yi , Xiao Song
Published: December 2020

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is widely used in the power industry because of its excellent insulation and arc extinguishing performance. However, the high greenhouse effect of this material is being restricted by many countries around the world, thereby discouraging its usage. As a potential alternative to SF6, the compatibility of C5F10O with conductive copper materials used in electrical equipment is of great significance in ensuring the safe and stable operation of environmentally friendly gas-insulated equipment. In this paper, the interaction among C5F10O/N2, C5F10O/air gas mixture, and copper was studied via experiments and simulations. When the C5F10O/N2 (or air) gas mixture comes in contact with copper at the gas–solid interface, a small portion of C5F10O is decomposed to form C3F6 (or C3F6 and C3F6O) at high temperatures. Meanwhile, at low temperatures (120 °C), the C5F10O/air gas mixture becomes more compatible with copper than with the C5F10O/N2 gas mixture. When the experiment temperatures range between 170 °C and 220 °C, the compatibility of the C5F10O/air gas mixture with copper is significantly inferior to its compatibility with copper. Under high temperatures, the C5F10O/air gas mixture shows severe corrosion on the copper surface due to the presence of O2, forms a thick cubic grain, and emits irritating gases. The simulations show that the carbonyl group in C5F10O is chemically active and can be easily adsorbed on the copper surface. An anti-corrosion treatment must be performed on copper materials in manufacturing equipment. The findings provide an important reference for the application of C5F10O gas mixture.
Review of Advanced Medical Telerobots
Authors: Mehrdad Sarmad , Liu Fei , Pham Minh Tu , Lelevé Arnaud , Atashzar S. Farokh
Published: December 2020

The advent of telerobotic systems has revolutionized various aspects of the industry and human life. This technology is designed to augment human sensorimotor capabilities to extend them beyond natural competence. Classic examples are space and underwater applications when distance and access are the two major physical barriers to be combated with this technology. In modern examples, telerobotic systems have been used in several clinical applications, including teleoperated surgery and telerehabilitation. In this regard, there has been a significant amount of research and development due to the major benefits in terms of medical outcomes. Recently telerobotic systems are combined with advanced artificial intelligence modules to better share the agency with the operator and open new doors of medical automation. In this review paper, we have provided a comprehensive analysis of the literature considering various topologies of telerobotic systems in the medical domain while shedding light on different levels of autonomy for this technology, starting from direct control, going up to command-tracking autonomous telerobots. Existing challenges, including instrumentation, transparency, autonomy, stochastic communication delays, and stability, in addition to the current direction of research related to benefit in telemedicine and medical automation, and future vision of this technology, are discussed in this review paper.
Experimental Investigation of Oxygen Carrier Aided Combustion (OCAC) with Methane and PSA Off-Gas
Authors: Stenberg Viktor , Rydén Magnus , Mattisson Tobias , Lyngfelt Anders
Published: December 2020

Oxygen carrier aided combustion (OCAC) is utilized to promote the combustion of relatively stable fuels already in the dense bed of bubbling fluidized beds by adding a new mechanism of fuel conversion, i.e., direct gas–solid reaction between the metal oxide and the fuel. Methane and a fuel gas mixture (PSA off-gas) consisting of H2, CH4 and CO were used as fuel. Two oxygen carrier bed materials—ilmenite and synthetic particles of calcium manganate—were investigated and compared to silica sand, an in this context inert bed material. The results with methane show that the fuel conversion is significantly higher inside the bed when using oxygen carrier particles, where the calcium manganate material displayed the highest conversion. In total, 99.3–99.7% of the methane was converted at 900 °C with ilmenite and calcium manganate as a bed material at the measurement point 9 cm above the distribution plate, whereas the bed with sand resulted in a gas conversion of 86.7%. Operation with PSA off-gas as fuel showed an overall high gas conversion at moderate temperatures (600–750 °C) and only minor differences were observed for the different bed materials. NO emissions were generally low, apart from the cases where a significant part of the fuel conversion took place above the bed, essentially causing flame combustion. The NO concentration was low in the bed with both fuels and especially low with PSA off-gas as fuel. No more than 11 ppm was detected at any height in the reactor, with any of the bed materials, in the bed temperature range of 700–750 °C.
Conceptual Design of Composite Bridge Sandwich Structure
Authors: Waqas Hafiz Muhammad , Shi Dongyan , Tong Lili , Imran Muhammad , Khan Sohaib Z. , Ahmed Waqas , Qureshi Shafiq R.
Published: December 2020

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite bridges are usually constructed for rapid installation. The durability of the bridge is increased by stiffness, strength to weight ratio, and corrosion resistance. The main factors on which the design of the composite sandwiched bridge considerably depends are ply layers, material system, alignment of ply angles, and thickness of the core. In this work, a parametric design study for a bridge using finite element analysis (FEA) is presented. Two types of composite materials—carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP)—were used as the sandwich structure’s skin, and three different types of woods were used as a core. Different design configurations were acquired based on material and instability constraints by using Euro-codes. Failure criterion of Tsai-Hill, Tsai-Wu, MS, equivalent stress, and maximum shear stress were implemented to analyze the overall failure of the bridge deck under Ultimate Limit State (ULS) conditions. The total deformation was examined under Serviceability Limit State (SLS) conditions, and the results were compared and verified by the previous study. The core was also examined using the core-factor and increasing the thickness of the core through parametric modeling.
LES Simulation of Wind-Driven Wildfire Interaction with Idealized Structures in the Wildland-Urban Interface
Authors: Ghaderi Mohsen , Ghodrat Maryam , Sharples Jason J.
Published: December 2020

This paper presents a numerical investigation of the impact of a wind-driven surface fire, comparable to a large wildfire, on an obstacle located downstream of the fire source. The numerical modelling was conducted using FireFOAM, a coupled fire-atmosphere model underpinned by a large eddy simulation (LES) solver, which is based on the Eddy Dissipation Concept (EDC) combustion model and implemented in the OpenFOAM platform (an open source CFD tool). The numerical data were validated using the aerodynamic measurements of a full-scale building model in the absence of fire effects. The results highlighted the physical phenomena contributing to the fire spread pattern and its thermal impact on the building. In addition, frequency analysis of the surface temperature fluctuations ahead of the fire front showed that the presence of a building influences the growth and formation of buoyant instabilities, which directly affect the behaviour of the fire’s plume. The coupled fire-atmosphere modelling presented here constitutes a fundamental step towards better understanding the behaviour and potential impacts of large wind-driven wildland fires in wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas.
Atmospheric Mercury Pollution in the Xi’an Area, China, Studied by Differential Absorption Lidar
Authors: Duan Zheng , Zhao Guangyu , Zhu Shiming , Lian Ming , Li Yiyun , Zhang Weixing , Svanberg Sune
Published: December 2020

Measurements of the atmospheric concentration of polluting atomic mercury were performed using the differential absorption lidar (DIAL) technique in the Lintong district, about 35 km northeast of Xi’an, the capital of the Shaanxi province, China. Concentrations ranging from 2 to 13 ng/m3 were observed. As uniquely enabled by the lidar technique, representative average concentrations, integrated over a considerable volume, were recorded and put in relation to weather conditions, and vertical concentration profiles were measured. Considerable local non-uniformities were also observed, which may indicate the presence of localized hot-spots in the area, possibly related to ancient tombs.
Evaluation of Atmospheric Downward Longwave Radiation in the Brazilian Pampa Region
Authors: Aimi Daniele , Zimmer Tamires , Buligon Lidiane , de Arruda Souza Vanessa , Hernandez Roilan , Romio Leugim , Rubert Gisele Cristina , Diaz Marcelo Bortoluzzi , Maldaner Silvana , Veeck Gustavo Pujol , Bremm Tiago , Herdies Dirceu Luis , Roberti Debora Regina
Published: December 2020

Atmospheric downward longwave radiation flux (L↓) is a variable that directly influences the surface net radiation and consequently, weather and climatic conditions. Measurements of L↓ are scarce, and the use of classical models depending on some atmospheric variables may be an alternative. In this paper, we analyzed L↓ measured over the Brazilian Pampa biome. This region is located in a humid subtropical climate zone and characterized by well defined seasons and well distributed precipitation. Furthermore, we evaluated the performance of the eleven classical L↓ models for clear sky with one-year experimental data collected in the Santa Maria experimental site (SMA) over native vegetation and high relative humidity throughout the year. Most of the L↓ estimations, using the original coefficients, underestimated the experimental data. We performed the local calibration of the L↓ equations coefficients over an annual period and separated them into different sky cover classifications: clear sky, partly cloudy sky, and cloudy sky. The calibrations decreased the errors, especially in cloudy sky classification. We also proposed the joint calibration between the clear sky emissivity equations and cloud sky correction function to reduce errors and evaluate different sky classifications. The results found after these calibrations presented better statistical indexes. Additionally, we presented a new empirical model to estimate L↓ based on multiple regression analysis using water vapor pressure and air temperature. The new equation well represents partial and cloudy sky, even without including the cloud cover parameterization, and was validated with the following five years in SMA and two years in the Cachoeira do Sul experimental site (CAS). The new equation proposed herein presents a root mean square error ranging from 13 to 21 Wm−2 and correlation coefficient from 0.68 to 0.83 for different sky cover classifications. Therefore, we recommend using the novel equation to calculate L↓ over the Pampa biome under these specific climatic conditions.
Phosphate Buffer Solubility and Oxidative Potential of Single Metals or Multielement Particles of Welding Fumes
Authors: Ghanem Manuella , Perdrix Esperanza , Alleman Laurent Yves , Rousset Davy , Coddeville Patrice
Published: December 2020

To evaluate the chemical behavior and the health impact of welding fumes (WF), a complex and heterogeneous mixture of particulate metal oxides, two certified reference materials (CRMs) were tested: mild steel WF (MSWF-1) and stainless steel WF (SSWF-1). We determined their total chemical composition, their solubility, and their oxidative potential in a phosphate buffer (PB) solution under physiological conditions (pH 7.4 and 37 °C). The oxidative potential (OPDTT) of WF CRMs was evaluated using an acellular method by following the dithiothreitol (DTT) consumption rate (µmol DTT L−1 min−1). Pure metal salts present in the PB soluble fraction of the WF CRMs were tested individually at equivalent molarity to estimate their specific contribution to the total OPDTT. The metal composition of MSWF-1 consisted mainly of Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu and the SSWF-1 composition consisted mainly of Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn, in diminishing order. The metal PB solubility decreased from Cu (11%) to Fe (approximately 0.2%) for MSWF-1 and from Mn (9%) to Fe (<1%) for SSWF-1. The total OPDTT of SSWF-1 is 2.2 times the OPDTT of MSWF-1 due to the difference in oxidative capacity of soluble transition metals. Cu (II) and Mn (II) are the most sensitive towards DTT while Cr (VI), Fe (III), and Zn (II) are barely reactive, even at higher concentrations. The OPDTT measured for both WF CRMs extracts compare well with simulated extracts containing the main metals at their respective PB-soluble concentrations. The most soluble transition metals in the simulated extract, Mn (II) and Cu (II), were the main contributors to OPDTT in WF CRMs extracts. Mn (II), Cu (II), and Ni (II) might enhance the DTT oxidation by a redox catalytic reaction. However, summing the main individual soluble metal DTT response induces a large overestimation probably linked to modifications in the speciation of various metals when mixed. The complexation of metals with different ligands present in solution and the interaction between metals in the PB-soluble fraction are important phenomena that can influence OPDTT depletion and therefore the potential health effect of inhaled WF.
Light Cross-Linkable Marine Collagen for Coaxial Printing of a 3D Model of Neuromuscular Junction Formation
Authors: Sanz Borja , Albillos Sanchez Ane , Tangey Bonnie , Gilmore Kerry , Yue Zhilian , Liu Xiao , Wallace Gordon
Published: December 2020

Collagen is a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that modulates cell adhesion, growth, and migration, and has been utilised in tissue engineering applications. However, the common terrestrial sources of collagen carry the risk of zoonotic disease transmission and there are religious barriers to the use of bovine and porcine products in many cultures. Marine based collagens offer an attractive alternative and have so far been under-utilized for use as biomaterials for tissue engineering. Marine collagen can be extracted from fish waste products, therefore industry by-products offer an economical and environmentally sustainable source of collagen. In a handful of studies, marine collagen has successfully been methacrylated to form collagen methacrylate (ColMA). Our work included the extraction, characterization and methacrylation of Red Snapper collagen, optimisation of conditions for neural cell seeding and encapsulation using the unmodified collagen, thermally cross-linked, and the methacrylated collagen with UV-induced cross-linking. Finally, the 3D co-axial printing of neural and skeletal muscle cell cultures as a model for neuromuscular junction (NMJ) formation was investigated. Overall, the results of this study show great potential for a novel NMJ in vitro 3D bioprinted model that, with further development, could provide a low-cost, customizable, scalable and quick-to-print platform for drug screening and to study neuromuscular junction physiology and pathogenesis.
Trait-Based Dimensions Discriminating Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and, Co-occurring ADHD/ASD
Authors: Pehlivanidis Artemios , Papanikolaou Katerina , Korobili Kalliopi , Kalantzi Eva , Mantas Vasileios , Pappa Dimitra , Papageorgiou Charalambos
Published: December 2020

This study assessed the co-occurrence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in newly diagnosed adults of normal intelligence and the contribution of trait-based dimensions deriving from the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV (BAARS-IV), the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ), and the Empathy Quotient (EQ) to the differentiation of patients with ADHD, ASD, and ADHD/ASD. A total of 16.1% of patients with ADHD received a co-occurring ASD diagnosis, while 33.3% of patients with ASD received an ADHD diagnosis. Subjects with ADHD or ADHD/ASD had higher scores in all ADHD traits compared to ASD subjects. Compared to the ADHD group, the ASD group had AQ scores that were significantly greater, except for attention to detail. ADHD/ASD co-occurrence significantly increased the score of attention to detail. The total EQ score was greater in the ADHD group. In the stepwise logistic regression analyses, past hyperactivity, current inattention and impulsivity, attention switching, communication, imagination, and total EQ score discriminated ADHD patients from ASD patients. Attention to detail, imagination, and total EQ score discriminated ADHD cases from ADHD/ASD cases, while past hyperactivity and current impulsivity discriminated ASD subjects from ADHD/ASD subjects. Our findings highlight the importance of particular trait-based dimensions when discriminating adults with ADHD, ASD, and co-occurring ADHD/ASD.
De Novo Partial 13q22-q34 Trisomy with Typical Neurological and Immunological Findings: A Case Report with New Genetic Insights
Authors: Brogna Claudia , Milano Valentina , Brogna Barbara , Cristiano Lara , Rovere Giuseppe , De Sanctis Roberto , Romeo Domenico M. , Mercuri Eugenio , Zampino Giuseppe
Published: December 2020

The partial trisomy 13q encompasses an extensive variability of phenotypic and radiological findings including leukoencephalopathy and brain malformations such as holoprosencephaly, callosal dysgenesis, hippocampal hypoplasia, olfactory hypoplasia, and vermian hypoplasia. We report for the first time a case of a 23-year-old patient affected by de novo partial 13q22.1q34 trisomy (41.7 Mb, 72,365,975-114,077,122x3) presenting with hemiparesis related to both ischemic and haemorrhagic cerebral lesions compatible with cerebral vasculitis due to a possible combination of genetic and immunological interaction.
Envelope Following Response to 440 Hz Carrier Chirp-Modulated Tones Show Clinically Relevant Changes in Schizophrenia
Authors: Griskova-Bulanova Inga , Voicikas Aleksandras , Dapsys Kastytis , Melynyte Sigita , Andruskevicius Sergejus , Pipinis Evaldas
Published: December 2020

The 40 Hz auditory steady-state response (ASSR) impairment is suggested as an electrophysiological biomarker of schizophrenia; however, existing data also points to the deficiency of low and high frequency ASSR responses. In order to obtain the full picture of potential impairment in schizophrenia, it is important to test responses at different frequencies. The current study aims to evaluate a wide frequency range (1–120 Hz) in response to brief low-frequency carrier chirp-modulated tones in a group of patients with schizophrenia. The EEG-derived envelope following responses (EFRs) were obtained in a group of male patients with schizophrenia (N = 18) and matched controls (N = 18). While subjects were watching silent movies, 440 Hz carrier chirp-modulated at 1–120 Hz tones were presented. Phase-locking index and evoked amplitude in response to stimulation were assessed and compared on point-to-point basis. The peak frequency of the low gamma response was estimated. Measures were correlated with psychopathology—positive, negative, total scores of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and hallucination subscale scores. In comparison to controls, patients showed (1) reduced power of theta-beta (4–18 Hz) responses, (2) intact but slower low gamma (30–60 Hz), and (3) reduced high gamma (95–120 Hz) responses. No correlation survived the Bonferroni correction, but a sign of positive association between low gamma phase-locking and the prevalence of hallucinations, and a sign of negative association between high gamma phase-locking and the total PANSS scores were observed. Brain networks showed impaired capabilities to generate EFRs at different frequencies in schizophrenia; moreover, even when responses of patients did not significantly differ from controls on the group level, they still showed potentially clinically relevant variability.
Carbon Nanohorns as Effective Nanotherapeutics in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Curcio Manuela , Cirillo Giuseppe , Saletta Federica , Michniewicz Filip , Nicoletta Fiore Pasquale , Vittorio Orazio , Hampel Silke , Iemma Francesca
Published: December 2020

Different carbon nanostructures have been explored as functional materials for the development of effective nanomaterials in cancer treatment applications. This review mainly aims to discuss the features, either strength or weakness, of carbon nanohorn (CNH), carbon conical horn-shaped nanostructures of sp2 carbon atoms. The interest for these materials arises from their ability to couple the clinically relevant properties of carbon nanomaterials as drug carriers with the negligible toxicity described in vivo. Here, we offer a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in the use of CNH in cancer treatments, underlining the benefits of each functionalization route and approach, as well as the biological performances of either loaded and unloaded materials, while discussing the importance of delivery devices.
Hyper-Progressive Disease: The Potential Role and Consequences of T-Regulatory Cells Foiling Anti-PD-1 Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Tay Christopher , Qian Yamin , Sakaguchi Shimon
Published: December 2020

Antibody-mediated disruption of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) pathway has brought much success to the fight against cancer. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of patients respond poorly to anti-PD-1 treatment. Cases of accelerated and more aggressive forms of cancer following therapy have also been reported. Termed hyper-progressive disease (HPD), this phenomenon often results in fatality, thus requires urgent attention. Among possible causes of HPD, regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are of suspect due to their high expression of PD-1, which modulates Treg activity. Tregs are a subset of CD4+ T-cells that play a non-redundant role in the prevention of autoimmunity and is functionally dependent on the X chromosome-linked transcription factor FoxP3. In cancer, CD4+FoxP3+ Tregs migrate to tumors to suppress anti-tumor immune responses, allowing cancer cells to persist. Hence, Treg accumulation in tumors is associated with poor prognosis. In mice, the anti-tumor efficacy of anti-PD-1 can be enhanced by depleting Tregs. This suggests Tregs pose resistance to anti-PD-1 therapy. In this article, we review the relevant Treg functions that suppress tumor immunity and the potential effects anti-PD-1 could have on Tregs which are counter-productive to the treatment of cancer, occasionally causing HPD.