bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Obesity of Sows at Late Pregnancy Aggravates Metabolic Disorder of Perinatal Sows and Affects Performance and Intestinal Health of Piglets
Authors: Cheng Chuanshang , Wu Xiaoyu , Zhang Xiaofeng , Zhang Xiu , Peng Jian
Published: December 2019

This study explored the effect of obesity of sows in late pregnancy on metabolic status of perinatal sows and performance, intestinal health, and immune system of offspring piglets. Sixty multiparous Landrance × Large White sows were selected in this study. Sows were divided into two groups according to backfat thickness (normal backfat thickness group, =17 mm; excessive backfat thickness group, ≥21 mm) at days 109 of gestation. The excessive backfat thickness of sows during late pregnancy decreased the total number and litter weight of piglets born alive. Compared with normal backfat thickness sows, the excessive backfat thickness sows had increased levels of plasma glucose, IL-6, and TNF-α and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance values. The excessive backfat thickness also reduced total superoxide dismutase but increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in plasma of perinatal sows. Additionally, the fecal levels of TNF-α were increased but those of IL-10 were decreased in piglets from excessive backfat thickness sow. These findings indicate that the obesity of sows during late pregnancy aggravates the metabolic disorder of perinatal sows, reduces the number of piglets born alive, and adversely affects the intestinal health of sows and their offspring piglets.
Effects of Pair Versus Individual Housing on Performance, Health, and Behavior of Dairy Calves
Authors: Liu Shuai , Ma Jiaying , Li Jinghui , Alugongo Gibson Maswayi , Wu Zhaohai , Wang Yajing , Li Shengli , Cao Zhijun
Published: December 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pair versus individual housing on performance, health, and behavior of dairy calves. Thirty female Holstein dairy calves were assigned to individual (n = 10) or pair housing (n = 10 pairs). The results showed that both treatments had a similar starter intake and average daily gain (ADG) during the preweaning period. During weaning and postweaning periods, paired calves had a higher starter intake, and the ADG of paired calves continued to increase but calves housed individually experienced a growth check. Paired calves showed higher diarrhea frequency only in week three. The results on behavior showed that feeding, chewing and ruminating time increased, and self-grooming time decreased with age during weaning and postweaning periods, and paired calves spent less time feeding, standing and self-grooming but more time lying during this time. After mixing, feeding, and chewing and ruminating time continued to rise, and self-grooming time continued to decline for both treatments. All calves spent less time standing and non-nutritive manipulation after mixing, and previously individually housed calves tended to increase non-nutritive manipulation. These results showed that pair housing improved growth during weaning and postweaning periods and that calves altered their behavior at different phases. Less social contact may lead to more non-nutritive manipulation.
Protein Supplementation Improves Performance of Lambs Fed Low-Quality Forage
Authors: Obeidat Belal S. , Subih Hadil S. , Ata Mysaa
Published: December 2019

The objective was to investigate the effect of supplementing Awassi lambs fed low-quality forage with soybean meal. Twenty-one lambs (initial body weight (BW) of 26.1 ± 2.57 kg) were randomly assigned to the study diets, 1) the basal diet (forage mix; CON; n = 7); 2) the basal diet supplemented with either 125 (SBM125; n = 7); or 3) with 250 (SBM250; n = 7) SBM g/head/day. The forage mix was composed of 65% wheat straw and 35% alfalfa hay. The experimental diet was offered to the animals for 54 days. On day 40, four animals from each group were chosen to assess N balance and nutrient digestibility. The intake of crude protein (CP) and dry matter (DM) was the highest (p < 0.016) in the SBM250 group, followed by the SBM125 group and the CON diet. Digestibility of DM and CP was higher (p <0.05) for the SBM-containing diets than the CON diet. Final BW and average daily gain were greater (p < 0.008) for lambs that consumed SBM-containing diets than for those that consumed the CON diet. In summary, the growth performance, forage utilization, and nutrient digestibility improved for lambs fed low-quality forage when supplemented with soybean meal.
Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol
Authors: Atalay Sinemyiz , Jarocka-Karpowicz Iwona , Skrzydlewska Elzbieta
Published: December 2019

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the main pharmacologically active phytocannabinoids of Cannabis sativa L. CBD is non-psychoactive but exerts a number of beneficial pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The chemistry and pharmacology of CBD, as well as various molecular targets, including cannabinoid receptors and other components of the endocannabinoid system with which it interacts, have been extensively studied. In addition, preclinical and clinical studies have contributed to our understanding of the therapeutic potential of CBD for many diseases, including diseases associated with oxidative stress. Here, we review the main biological effects of CBD, and its synthetic derivatives, focusing on the cellular, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD.
Virtual Prototyping: Computational Device Placements within Detailed Human Heart Models
Authors: Deakyne Alex J. , Iles Tinen L. , Mattson Alexander R. , Iaizzo Paul A.
Published: December 2019

Data relative to anatomical measurements, spatial relationships, and device–tissue interaction are invaluable to medical device designers. However, obtaining these datasets from a wide range of anatomical specimens can be difficult and time consuming, forcing designers to make decisions on the requisite shapes and sizes of a device from a restricted number of specimens. The Visible Heart® Laboratories have a unique library of over 500 perfusion-fixed human cardiac specimens from organ donors whose hearts (and or lungs) were not deemed viable for transplantation. These hearts encompass a wide variety of pathologies, patient demographics, surgical repairs, and/or interventional procedures. Further, these specimens are an important resource for anatomical study, and their utility may be augmented via generation of 3D computational anatomical models, i.e., from obtained post-fixation magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. In order to optimize device designs and procedural developments, computer generated models of medical devices and delivery tools can be computationally positioned within any of the generated anatomical models. The resulting co-registered 3D models can be 3D printed and analyzed to better understand relative interfaces between a specific device and cardiac tissues within a large number of diverse cardiac specimens that would be otherwise unattainable.
Influence of Lithium Carbonate and Sodium Carbonate on Physical and Elastic Properties and on Carbonation Resistance of Calcium Sulphoaluminate-Based Mortars
Authors: Coppola Luigi , Coffetti Denny , Crotti Elena , Dell’Aversano Raffaella , Gazzaniga Gabriele , Pastore Tommaso
Published: December 2019

In this study, three different hardening accelerating admixtures (sodium carbonate, lithium carbonate and a blend of sodium and lithium carbonates) were employed to prepare calcium sulphoaluminate cement-based mortars. The workability, setting times, entrapped air, elasto-mechanical properties such as compressive strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity, free shrinkage, water absorption and carbonation rate were measured and mercury intrusion porosimetry were also performed. Experimental results show that a mixture of lithium carbonate and sodium carbonate acts as a hardening accelerating admixture, improving the early-age strength and promoting a remarkable pore structure refinement. Finally, sodium carbonate also reduces the water absorption, the carbonation rate and the shrinkage of mortars without affecting the setting times and the workability.
An Analysis of Rhythmic Patterns with Unsupervised Learning
Authors: Pesek Matevž , Leonardis Aleš , Marolt Matija
Published: December 2019

This paper presents a model capable of learning the rhythmic characteristics of a music signal through unsupervised learning. The model learns a multi-layer hierarchy of rhythmic patterns ranging from simple structures on lower layers to more complex patterns on higher layers. The learned hierarchy is fully transparent, which enables observation and explanation of the structure of the learned patterns. The model employs tempo-invariant encoding of patterns and can thus learn and perform inference on tempo-varying and noisy input data. We demonstrate the model’s capabilities of learning distinctive rhythmic structures of different music genres using unsupervised learning. To test its robustness, we show how the model can efficiently extract rhythmic structures in songs with changing time signatures and live recordings. Additionally, the model’s time-complexity is empirically tested to show its usability for analysis-related applications.
Design of Wide Angle and Large Aperture Optical System with Inner Focus for Compact System Camera Applications
Authors: Choi Hojong , Ryu Jaemyung
Published: December 2019

Conventionally, a bright, very wide-angle optical system is designed as a floating type optical system that moves two or more lens groups composed of multiple lens in order to focus accurately. These have been widely used as phase detection auto focus (AF) methods within conventional digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. However, a phase detection AF optical system cannot be used when recording motion pictures. In contrast, a compact system camera (CSC) performs AF by the contrast method, where a stepper motor is used as the driving source for moving the optical lens. Nonetheless, to ensure that the focusing lens is lighter, these stepper motors should not have high torque and AF must be possible by moving only one lens. Yet, when focusing is performed with only one lens, aberration change due to focusing lens movement is magnified. Therefore, a very wide-angle optical system comprised of a half-angle of view more than 40 degrees and F of 1/4 has not been developed. Here, a very wide-angle optical system was designed with high resolving power that enables high speed AF, even in contrast mode, by moving only one lens while minimizing aberration change.
Shock Reduction through Opposing Jets—Aerodynamic Performance and Flight Stability Perspectives
Authors: Rashid Shagufta , Nawaz Fahad , Maqsood Adnan , Riaz Rizwan , Salamat Shuaib
Published: December 2019

In this research paper, investigations of counter flow (opposing) jet on the aerodynamic performance, and flight stability characteristics of an airfoil with blunt leading-edge in supersonic regime are performed. Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes ( U R A N S ) based solver is used to model the flow field. The effect of angle of attack ( α ), free-stream Mach number ( M ∞ ), and pressure ratio ( P R ) on aerodynamic performance of airfoil with and without jet are compared. The results indicate that the opposing jet reduces drag from 30 % to 70 % , improves the maximum lift-to-drag ratio from 2.5 to 4.0, and increases shock stand-off distance from 15 % to 35 % depending on flow conditions. The effect of opposing jet on longitudinal flight stability characteristics, studied for the first time, indicate improvement in dynamic stability coefficients ( C m q + C m α ˙ ) at low angles of attack. It is concluded that the opposing jet can help mitigate flight disturbances in supersonic regime.
Laser Finishing of Ti6Al4V Additive Manufactured Parts by Electron Beam Melting
Authors: Genna Silvio , Rubino Gianluca
Published: December 2019

In this work, the feasibility of laser surface finishing of parts obtained by additive manufacturing (AM) was investigated. To this end, a 450 W fiber laser (operating in continuous wave, CW) was adopted to treat the surface of Ti-6Al-4V samples obtained via electron beam melting (EBM). During the tests, different laser energy densities and scanning speeds were used. In order to assess the quality of the treatment, either the as-built or the treated samples were analyzed by means of a three-dimensional (3D) profilometer, digital microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to check which and how process parameters affected the finishing. The results show that, in the best conditions, the laser treatment reduced surface roughness by about 80%.
A Heterogeneous Battlefield Situation Information Sharing Method Based on Content
Authors: Liu Cuntao , Zhao Wendong , Li Aijing , Zhang Junsheng
Published: December 2019

Various information systems adopt different information category standards and description methods even for the same battlefield space. This leads to the heterogeneity of information distributed in different systems, which hinders the information sharing among different systems. In this paper, we adopt the idea of schema mapping and design a framework of realizing heterogeneous information sharing based on content. We design a concept-logic tree model to organize the battlefield situation information and realize the mapping from local concept models in different systems to a global unified concept model. By constructing a unified information space, we realize the centralized organization, storage, and management of entity description information. Then, the information broadcasting mechanism and content based information query mechanism are designed to realize information sharing. Theoretical analysis and experiment results verify the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
Improvement Practices in the Performance of a CPS Multiple-Joint Robotics Simulator
Authors: Park Bo Kyung , Jeon Byungkook , Kim R. Young Chul
Published: December 2019

In the Fourth Industrial Revolution environment, plenty of automatic and smart software in diverse fields will come out, such as virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR), autonomous robots and vehicles, smart factoring, and so on. In Korea, especially, one important issue is the cyber–physical system (CPS), used for monitoring and controlling the smart and automatic system in a smart city. This kind of system, therefore, needs to have good performance; otherwise, it may not respond in time. To solve this, we propose a code visualization approach to reduce code complexity based on a static analysis, which identifies bad codes against performance. To ensure better performance, we make our queries identify performance degradation factors, store statically analyzed data into database (DB) tables, and visualize bad operation patterns. For performance improvement, we can refactor with them. As a result, we reduce the code complexity of CPS-based software to obtain good performance. With this approach, we expect to have better performance and a reduction in the complexity of CPS software without even power consumption.
Bionic Morse Coding Mimicking Humpback Whale Song for Covert Underwater Communication
Authors: Bilal Muhammad , Liu Songzuo , Qiao Gang , Wan Lei , Tao Yan
Published: December 2019

A novel method of bionic Morse coding mimicking humpback whale vocal is presented for covert underwater acoustic communication. The complex humpback whale song is translated as bionic Morse codes based on information entropy. The communication signal is made akin to the natural singing of male humpback whales. The intruder can detect the signal but will not be able to recognize the communication signal due to unified resemblance with the natural sound. This novel technique gives an excellent low probability of recognition characteristics. A flawless stealthy underwater acoustic communication has been established which has negligible chances of deciphered with high imperceptibility. Standard mimicry Morse codes have been developed for the characters of the English language and compared with Morse coding. Covert information of one character per second can be watermarked with perfect stealth and clandestine communication. This novel concept has been verified at transmission distance of five km and less than 10−3 Bit Error Rate (BER) is achieved at Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) down to negative seven dB. Zero BER is attained by estimating the channel by a matching pursuit algorithm and equalizing the errors by virtual time reversal mirror technique.
Frequency-Dependent Schroeder Allpass Filters
Authors: Schlecht Sebastian J.
Published: December 2019

Since the introduction of feedforward–feedback comb allpass filters by Schroeder and Logan, its popularity has not diminished due to its computational efficiency and versatile applicability in artificial reverberation, decorrelation, and dispersive system design. In this work, we present an extension to the Schroeder allpass filter by introducing frequency-dependent feedforward and feedback gains while maintaining the allpass characteristic. By this, we directly improve upon the design of Dahl and Jot which exhibits a frequency-dependent absorption but does not preserve the allpass property. At the same time, we also improve upon Gerzon’s allpass filter as our design is both less restrictive and computationally more efficient. We provide a complete derivation of the filter structure and its properties. Furthermore, we illustrate the usefulness of the structure by designing an allpass decorrelation filter with frequency-dependent decay characteristics.
Person Search via Deep Integrated Networks
Authors: Chen Ju-Chin , Wu Cheng-Feng , Chen Chun-Huei , Lin Cheng-Rong
Published: December 2019

This study proposes an integrated deep network consisting of a detection and identification module for person search. Person search is a very challenging problem because of the large appearance variation caused by occlusion, background clutter, pose variations, etc., and it is still an active research issue in the academic and industrial fields. Although various studies have been proposed, following the protocols of the person re-identification (ReID) benchmarks, most existing works take cropped pedestrian images either from manual labelling or a perfect detection assumption. However, for person search, manual processing is unavailable in practical applications, thereby causing a gap between the ReID problem setting and practical applications. One fact is also ignored: an imperfect auto-detected bounding box or misalignment is inevitable. We design herein a framework for the practical surveillance scenarios in which the scene images are captured. For person search, detection is a necessary step before ReID, and previous studies have shown that the precision of detection results has an influence on person ReID. The detection module based on the Faster R-CNN is used to detect persons in a scene image. For identifying and extracting discriminative features, a multi-class CNN network is trained with the auto-detected bounding boxes from the detection module, instead of the manually cropped data. The distance metric is then learned from the discriminative features output by the identification module. According to the experimental results of the test performed in the scene images, the multi-class CNN network for the identification module can provide a 62.7% accuracy rate, which is higher than that for the two-class CNN network.
Continuous Variable Quantum Secret Sharing with Fairness
Authors: Kang Ye , Guo Ying , Zhong Hai , Chen Guojun , Jing Xiaojun
Published: December 2019

The dishonest participants have many advantages to gain others’ shares by cheating in quantum secret sharing (QSS) protocols. However, the traditional methods such as identity authentication and message authentication can not resolve this problem due to the reason that the share has already been released to dishonest participants before realizing the deception. In this paper, a continuous variable QSS (CVQSS) scheme is proposed with fairness which ensures all participants can acquire or can not acquire the secret simultaneously. The quantum channel based on two-mode squeezing states provides secure communications through which it can send shares successfully, as long as setting the squeezing and modulation parameters according to the quantum channel transmission efficiency and the Shannon information of shares. In addition, the Chinese Remainder Theorem (CRT) can provides tunable threshold structures according to demands of the complex quantum network and the strategy for fairness can be incorporated with other sharing schemes, resulting in perfect compatibility for practical implementations.
Development of Railway Protective Relay Simulator for Real-Time Applications
Authors: Kim Joorak , Cho Gyu-Jung , Kim Jaewon
Published: December 2019

Electric railways use a single-phase system, with the line comprising a trolley wire (TF) that supplies power to the load with a neutral wire and an autotransformer (AF) feeder to absorb the return current of the rail. Testing the performance of the protective relay that detects the fault of the traction power-supply system (TPSS) and operates the circuit breaker is very important. Until now, the performance test of protective relays for the TPSS has been conducted via a simple-steady test or using an expensive real-time simulator. However, under a fast-moving environment in which the load consumes a large amount of power, the protective relay must always detect faults and operate properly. This paper proposes a digital simulator that enables the dynamic testing of protective relays without using any steady test and expensive real-time simulators. This simulator includes both external waveform import and internal waveform generation functions. Users can test the operation of the protective relay by entering the waveform generated externally or internally into the protective relay. Additionally, it has the ability to monitor the operating protection elements and pickup time when the protective relay detects a fault and orders the circuit breaker trip.
Study of a Carbon Nanowall Synthesized on an MWCNT-Based Buffer Layer for Improvement of Electrical Properties
Authors: Kim Joouk , Park Chulmin , Jung Hosung , Kim Hyungchul , Kwon Seokhun , Choi Hyeokjoo , Kang Hyunil
Published: December 2019

We conducted experiments to improve the electrical properties of the CNW (carbon nanowall), which has lower electrical properties than other carbon allotropes such as graphene and CNT (carbon nanotube), and report the results through this article. The carbon nanowall has an amorphous buffer layer, leading to low electrical properties, and MWCNT (multi-walled carbon nanotube) was used as a buffer layer to improve this issue, and then a CNW was grown on it by CVD (chemical vapor deposition). Then, the content of MWCNT was adjusted to 30 µL, 50 µL, and 70 µL to analyze the electrical properties accordingly. Alteration in carrier concentration, carrier mobility and resistivity were observed as electrical properties. Dramatic changes in electrical properties with MWCNT content were identified. The ohmic contact state between the MWCNT-based buffer layer and the CNW was investigated by analysis of the I-V and I-R characteristics and the electrical stability according to the linearity of the curve.
Off-Line Camera-Based Calibration for Optical See-Through Head-Mounted Displays
Authors: Cutolo Fabrizio , Fontana Umberto , Cattari Nadia , Ferrari Vincenzo
Published: December 2019

In recent years, the entry into the market of self contained optical see-through headsets with integrated multi-sensor capabilities has led the way to innovative and technology driven augmented reality applications and has encouraged the adoption of these devices also across highly challenging medical and industrial settings. Despite this, the display calibration process of consumer level systems is still sub-optimal, particularly for those applications that require high accuracy in the spatial alignment between computer generated elements and a real-world scene. State-of-the-art manual and automated calibration procedures designed to estimate all the projection parameters are too complex for real application cases outside laboratory environments. This paper describes an off-line fast calibration procedure that only requires a camera to observe a planar pattern displayed on the see-through display. The camera that replaces the user’s eye must be placed within the eye-motion-box of the see-through display. The method exploits standard camera calibration and computer vision techniques to estimate the projection parameters of the display model for a generic position of the camera. At execution time, the projection parameters can then be refined through a planar homography that encapsulates the shift and scaling effect associated with the estimated relative translation from the old camera position to the current user’s eye position. Compared to classical SPAAM techniques that still rely on the human element and to other camera based calibration procedures, the proposed technique is flexible and easy to replicate in both laboratory environments and real-world settings.
Gender-Based Differences in Actual Thumb Force Exertions at Various Target Force Levels
Authors: Choi Kyeong-Hee , Kim Jae-Kyeong , Shim Hyun-Ho , Kong Yong-Ku
Published: December 2019

Measurement of thumb force in the industrial filed is important to quantify the risk of manual tasks. However, few studies have assessed the thumb force. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between actual thumb force and perceived force according to the force levels and gender. A total of 31 healthy participants (23 males and 8 females) were asked to exert a maximum thumb force (MTF) and random levels of target thumb force (10, 30, 50, 70, and 90% MTF). Results indicated that females exerted approximately 73.6% (100.6 N) of the strength exerted by males (136.7 N). Based on the differences between actual and perceived thumb exertions, the highest accuracy was achieved at 50% MTF, designated as “50%-phenomenon”. At 10% and 30% MTF levels, participants tended to exert greater strength (over-exertion) than the perceived exertions, whereas participants showed less strength (under-exertion) than the perceived exertions at 70% and 90% MTFs. Participants generally exerted greater and lesser thumb force than the perceived exertions at levels lower and higher than 50% MTF, respectively. Thus, the relationship between the actual and perceived force of exertion displayed a nonlinear S-shaped curve.
Multi-Level Analysis of On-Chip Optical Wireless Links
Authors: Fuschini Franco , Barbiroli Marina , Calò Giovanna , Tralli Velio , Bellanca Gaetano , Zoli Marco , Shafiei Dehkordi Jinous , Nanni Jacopo , Alam Badrul , Petruzzelli Vincenzo
Published: December 2019

Networks-on-chip are being regarded as a promising solution to meet the on-going requirement for higher and higher computation capacity. In view of future kilo-cores architectures, electrical wired connections are likely to become inefficient and alternative technologies are being widely investigated. Wireless communications on chip may be therefore leveraged to overcome the bottleneck of physical interconnections. This work deals with wireless networks-on-chip at optical frequencies, which can simplify the network layout and reduce the communication latency, easing the antenna on-chip integration process at the same time. On the other end, optical wireless communication on-chip can be limited by the heavy propagation losses and the possible cross-link interference. Assessment of the optical wireless network in terms of bit error probability and maximum communication range is here investigated through a multi-level approach. Manifold aspects, concurring to the final system performance, are simultaneously taken into account, like the antenna radiation properties, the data-rate of the core-to core communication, the geometrical and electromagnetic layout of the chip and the noise and interference level. Simulations results suggest that communication up to some hundreds of μm can be pursued provided that the antenna design and/or the target data-rate are carefully tailored to the actual layout of the chip.
Uncertainty Quantification of Future Design Rainfall Depths in Korea
Authors: Kim Kyungmin , Choi Jeonghyeon , Lee Okjeong , Cha Dong-Hyun , Kim Sangdan
Published: December 2019

One of the most common ways to investigate changes in future rainfall extremes is to use future rainfall data simulated by climate models with climate change scenarios. However, the projected future design rainfall intensity varies greatly depending on which climate model is applied. In this study, future rainfall Intensity–Duration–Frequency (IDF) curves are projected using various combinations of climate models. Future Ensemble Average (FEA) is calculated using a total of 16 design rainfall intensity ensembles, and uncertainty of FEA is quantified using the coefficient of variation of ensembles. The FEA and its uncertainty vary widely depending on how the climate model combination is constructed, and the uncertainty of the FEA depends heavily on the inclusion of specific climate model combinations at each site. In other words, we found that unconditionally using many ensemble members did not help to reduce the uncertainty of future IDF curves. Finally, a method for constructing ensemble members that reduces the uncertainty of future IDF curves is proposed, which will contribute to minimizing confusion among policy makers in developing climate change adaptation policies.
Impacts of Desert Dust Outbreaks on Air Quality in Urban Areas
Authors: Milford Celia , Cuevas Emilio , Marrero Carlos L. , Bustos J.J. , Gallo Víctor , Rodríguez Sergio , Romero-Campos Pedro M. , Torres Carlos
Published: December 2019

Air pollution has many adverse effects on health and is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Desert dust outbreaks contribute directly to air pollution by increasing particulate matter concentrations. We investigated the influence of desert dust outbreaks on air quality in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a city located in the dust export pathway off the west coast of North Africa, using air-quality observations from a six-year period (2012–2017). During winter intense dust outbreaks PM 10 mean (24-h) concentrations increased from 14 μ g m − 3 to 98 μ g m − 3 , on average, and PM 2 . 5 mean (24-h) concentrations increased from 6 μ g m − 3 to 32 μ g m − 3 . Increases were less during summer outbreaks, with a tripling of PM 10 and PM 2 . 5 daily mean concentrations. We found that desert dust outbreaks reduced the height of the marine boundary layer in our study area by >45%, on average, in summer and by ∼25%, on average, in winter. This thinning of the marine boundary layer was associated with an increase of local anthropogenic pollution during dust outbreaks. NO 2 and NO mean concentrations more than doubled and even larger relative increases in black carbon were observed during the more intense summer dust outbreaks; increases also occurred during the winter outbreaks but were less than in summer. This has public health implications; local anthropogenic emissions need to be reduced even further in areas that are impacted by desert dust outbreaks to reduce adverse health effects.
Weather and Climate Extremes: Current Developments
Authors: Drumond Anita , Liberato Margarida L. R. , Reboita Michelle S. , Taschetto Andréa S.
Published: December 2019

An increasing number of extreme events have been observed around the world over the past few decades, some of them attributed to global warming [...]
Stromal Collagen Arrangement Correlates with Stiffness of the Canine Cornea
Authors: Leonard Brian C. , Cosert Krista , Winkler Moritz , Marangakis Ariana , Thomasy Sara M. , Murphy Christopher J. , Jester James V. , Raghunathan Vijay Krishna
Published: December 2019

The cornea is the most external layer of the eye and serves two important roles in (1) the refraction of light and (2) protection from the outside environment, both of which are highly dependent on the collagen assembly of the corneal stroma. This study sought to determine the collagen fiber arrangement of the canine corneal stroma and correlate the stromal organization with tissue stiffness in the anterior and posterior cornea. Collagen organization of the canine cornea was visualized through second-harmonic generation (SHG) imaging, and tissue stiffness of the anterior and posterior corneal stroma was determined by atomic force microscopy. Analysis of the canine anterior corneal stroma using SHG imaging documented intertwining of the collagen fibers with a high degree of fiber branching, with a more lamellar and non-branching posterior stroma. The anterior stroma had significantly higher tissue stiffness in both dogs and humans, when compared with the posterior corneal stroma (canine median: 1.3 kPa vs. 0.3 kPa; human median: 14.6 kPa vs. 2.1 kPa, respectively). There was a direct correlation between corneal collagen stromal organization and tissue stiffness in the dog, which was consistent with other mammalian species previously examined and likely reflects the need for maintenance of rigidity and corneal curvature.
The Biological Impacts of Sitagliptin on the Pancreas of a Rat Model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Drug Interactions with Metformin
Authors: Shawky Lamiaa M. , Morsi Ahmed A. , El Bana Eman , Hanafy Safaa Masoud
Published: December 2019

Sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, is a beneficial class of antidiabetic drugs. However, a major debate about the risk of developing pancreatitis is still existing. The aim of the work was to study the histological and immunohistochemical effects of sitagliptin on both endocrine and exocrine pancreases in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus and to correlate these effects with the biochemical findings. Moreover, a possible synergistic effect of sitagliptin, in combination with metformin, was also evaluated. Fifty adult male rats were used and assigned into five equal groups. Group 1 served as control. Group 2 comprised of untreated diabetic rats. Group 3 diabetic rats received sitagliptin. Group 4 diabetic rats received metformin. Group 5 diabetic rats received both combined. Treatments were given for 4 weeks after the induction of diabetes. Blood samples were collected for biochemical assay before the sacrification of rats. Pancreases were removed, weighed, and were processed for histological and immunohistochemical examination. In the untreated diabetic group, the islets appeared shrunken with disturbed architecture and abnormal immunohistochemical reactions for insulin, caspase-3, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The biochemical findings were also disturbed. Morphometrically, there was a significant decrease in the islet size and islet number. Treatment with sitagliptin, metformin, and their combination showed an improvement, with the best response in the combined approach. No evidence of pancreatic injury was identified in the sitagliptin-treated groups. In conclusion, sitagliptin had a cytoprotective effect on beta-cell damage. Furthermore, the data didn’t indicate any detrimental effects of sitagliptin on the exocrine pancreas.
Panax ginseng Pharmacopuncture: Current Status of the Research and Future Challenges
Authors: Lee In-Seon , Kang Ki Sung , Kim Song-Yi
Published: December 2019

Despite the increasing use of ginseng pharmacopuncture in clinical practice, evidence of its physiological effects, safety, and clinical outcomes is insufficient. The purpose of this review is to summarize previous studies and suggest future challenges for the clinical use of ginseng pharmacopuncture. We systematically searched clinical and animal studies that applied ginseng pharmacopuncture and reviewed the manufacturing processes of ginseng pharmacopuncture solution, safety, physiological responses, and clinical effects. Intravenous or point injection of the ginseng pharmacopuncture solution made by distillation extraction has been commonly used in studies. Ginseng pharmacopuncture does not show any toxicity in animals and humans, while it influenced the heart rate variability, pulse wave velocity, and protein synthesis in human subjects. In 25 case reports, patients with cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, skin wrinkles, and allergic rhinitis showed significant improvement of clinical outcomes. We found that more evidence is necessary to conclude that ginseng pharmacopuncture is safe and effective. First, the pharmacopuncture manufacturing process should be standardized on the basis of the safety and efficacy tests. Moreover, studies on the quantitative quality of the components of the solution and on the clinical comparison of various injection methods are required to improve clinical outcomes in the future.
The Role of Soluble Polysaccharides in Tannin-Cell Wall Interactions in Model Solutions and in Wines
Authors: Osete-Alcaraz Andrea , Bautista-Ortín Ana Belén , Gómez-Plaza Encarna
Published: December 2019

The interactions between tannins and soluble and insoluble cell wall components are, in part, responsible for the low quantities of tannins found in wines compared with the quantities in grapes. The use of polysaccharides to compete with cell wall components could be an interesting approach for improving the chromatic and sensory characteristics of wines. The effect of two commercial polysaccharides, pectin and mannan, on limiting tannin-cell wall interactions was studied in a model solution, measuring the concentration of tannins and polysaccharides remaining in solution after the different interactions by chromatography. The treatment was also tested in a small-scale vinification. Soluble polysaccharides were added to the must and the wines were evaluated at the end of alcoholic fermentation and after six months in the bottle. In the model solution, the commercial polysaccharides formed soluble complexes with the tannins and limited the interactions with cell wall components, with some differences between skin and seed tannins. In the case of the wines, the treatments resulted in wines with a higher color intensity and phenolic content. Sensory analysis resulted in higher scores for the wines with added polysaccharides, since the complexation of tannins with the polysaccharides increased the roundness and body of the resulting wines.
Retinoic Acid Signaling Regulates the Metamorphosis of Feather Stars (Crinoidea, Echinodermata): Insight into the Evolution of the Animal Life Cycle
Authors: Yamakawa Shumpei , Morino Yoshiaki , Kohtsuka Hisanori , Wada Hiroshi
Published: December 2019

Many marine invertebrates have a life cycle with planktonic larvae, although the evolution of this type of life cycle remains enigmatic. We recently proposed that the regulatory mechanism of life cycle transition is conserved between jellyfish (Cnidaria) and starfish (Echinoderm); retinoic acid (RA) signaling regulates strobilation and metamorphosis, respectively. However, the function of RA signaling in other animal groups is poorly understood in this context. Here, to determine the ancestral function of RA signaling in echinoderms, we investigated the role of RA signaling during the metamorphosis of the feather star, Antedon serrata (Crinoidea, Echinodermata). Although feather stars have different larval forms from starfish, we found that exogenous RA treatment on doliolaria larvae induced metamorphosis, like in starfish. Furthermore, blocking RA synthesis or binding to the RA receptor suppressed metamorphosis. These results suggested that RA signaling functions as a regulator of metamorphosis in the ancestor of echinoderms. Our data provides insight into the evolution of the animal life cycle from the viewpoint of RA signaling.
BRAF V600E Detection in Liquid Biopsies from Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumors
Authors: García-Romero Noemi , Carrión-Navarro Josefa , Areal-Hidalgo Pilar , Ortiz de Mendivil Ana , Asensi-Puig Adriá , Madurga Rodrigo , Núñez-Torres Rocio , González-Neira Anna , Belda-Iniesta Cristobal , González-Rumayor Victor , López-Ibor Blanca , Ayuso-Sacido Angel
Published: December 2019

Pediatric Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors are the most fatal cancer diseases in childhood. Due to their localization and infiltrative nature, some tumor resections or biopsies are not feasible. In those cases, the use of minimally invasive methods as diagnostic, molecular marker detection, prognostic or monitoring therapies are emerging. The analysis of liquid biopsies which contain genetic information from the tumor has been much more widely explored in adults than in children. We compare the detection of BRAF V600E targetable mutation by digital-PCR from cell-free-DNA and EV-derived DNA (ctDNA) in serum, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) isolated from a cohort of 29 CNS pediatric patients. Here we demonstrate that ctDNA isolated from serum and plasma could be successfully analyzed to obtain tumor genetic information which could be used to guide critical treatment decisions.
TCA Cycle Rewiring as Emerging Metabolic Signature of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Todisco Simona , Convertini Paolo , Iacobazzi Vito , Infantino Vittoria
Published: December 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy. Despite progress in treatment, HCC is still one of the most lethal cancers. Therefore, deepening molecular mechanisms underlying HCC pathogenesis and development is required to uncover new therapeutic strategies. Metabolic reprogramming is emerging as a critical player in promoting tumor survival and proliferation to sustain increased metabolic needs of cancer cells. Among the metabolic pathways, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle is a primary route for bioenergetic, biosynthetic, and redox balance requirements of cells. In recent years, a large amount of evidence has highlighted the relevance of the TCA cycle rewiring in a variety of cancers. Indeed, aberrant gene expression of several key enzymes and changes in levels of critical metabolites have been observed in many solid human tumors. In this review, we summarize the role of the TCA cycle rewiring in HCC by reporting gene expression and activity dysregulation of enzymes relating not only to the TCA cycle but also to glutamine metabolism, malate/aspartate, and citrate/pyruvate shuttles. Regarding the transcriptional regulation, we focus on the link between NF-κB-HIF1 transcriptional factors and TCA cycle reprogramming. Finally, the potential of metabolic targets for new HCC treatments has been explored.
Integrated Analysis of Structural Variation and RNA Expression of FGFR2 and Its Splicing Modulator ESRP1 Highlight the ESRP1amp-FGFR2norm-FGFR2-IIIchigh Axis in Diffuse Gastric Cancer
Authors: Teles Sara Pinto , Oliveira Patrícia , Ferreira Marta , Carvalho Joana , Ferreira Pedro , Oliveira Carla
Published: December 2019

Gastric Cancer (GC) is one of the most common and deadliest types of cancer in the world. To improve GC prognosis, increasing efforts are being made to develop new targeted therapies. Although FGFR2 genetic amplification and protein overexpression in GC have been targeted in clinical trials, so far no improvement in patient overall survival has been found. To address this issue, we studied genetic and epigenetic events affecting FGFR2 and its splicing regulator ESRP1 in GC that could be used as new therapeutic targets or predictive biomarkers. We performed copy number variation (CNV), DNA methylation, and RNA expression analyses of FGFR2/ESRP1 across several cohorts. We discovered that both genes were frequently amplified and demethylated in GC, resulting in increased ESRP1 expression and of a specific FGFR2 isoform: FGFR2-IIIb. We also showed that ESRP1 amplification in GC correlated with a significant decreased expression of FGFR2-IIIc, an alternative FGFR2 splicing isoform. Furthermore, when we performed a survival analysis, we observed that patients harboring diffuse-type tumors with low FGFR2-IIIc expression revealed a better overall survival than patients with FGFR2-IIIc high-expressing diffuse tumors. Our results encourage further studies on the role of ESRP1 in GC and support FGFR2-IIIc as a relevant biomarker in GC.
Photocatalysis as a Tool for in Vitro Drug Metabolism Simulation: Multivariate Comparison of Twelve Metal Oxides on a Set of Twenty Model Drugs
Authors: Gawlik Maciej , Trawiński Jakub , Skibiński Robert
Published: December 2019

The constant development in the area of medicinal substances on the market and their subsequent progress in the field of drug analysis has become one of the reasons for the search for alternative, cheaper, and faster methods to determine the metabolism pathways of new molecular entities (NMEs). The simulation of transformation processes using photocatalysis is considered to be one of the promising methods. Although its effectiveness has been proven, the research has so far focused especially on titanium dioxide, while a more accurate comparison of the suitability of different photocatalysts in terms of their use in drug metabolism studies has not been performed. For this purpose, a set of twelve metal oxides was prepared and their photocatalytic efficiency in the direction of drug metabolism mimicking was checked on a model mixture of twenty medicinal substances differing both in chemical structure and pharmacological properties. Incubation with human liver microsomes (HLMs) was used as the reference method. The metabolic profiles obtained with the use of LC-MS analysis were compared using multidimensional chemometric techniques; and the graphic presentation of the results in the form of PCA plot and cluster dendrogram enabled their detailed interpretation and discussion. All tested photocatalysts confirmed their effectiveness. However, the exact outcome of the study indicate advantage of the WO3-assisted photocatalysis over other metal oxides.
Endo-Selective Construction of Spiro-[butyrolactone-pyrrolidine] via Ag(I)/CAAA-Amidphos-Catalyzed 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition between Azomethine Ylides and α-Methylene-γ-Butyrolactone
Authors: Hou Qinglin , You Yaoyao , Song Xinluo , Wang Yingxia , Chen Ke , Wang Haifei
Published: December 2019

Construction of spirocyclic pyrrolidines bearing a spiro quaternary stereocenter is an enormous challenge in synthetic organic chemistry. In this report, we introduce a Ag(I)/CAAA-amidphos-catalyzed enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between azomethine ylides and α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone as an effective strategy for the construction of excellent endo-selective spiro-[butyrolactone-pyrrolidine] derivatives. Meanwhile, the catalytic system was also successfully applied in the three-component one-pot reaction of azomethine ylides formed in situ under the action of N,N′-diisopropylcarbodiimide serving as a dehydrator. Under the optimal conditions, endo-pyrrolidine derivatives bearing a spiro quaternary stereocenter were obtained with high to excellent yields (up to 95% yield) and enantioselectivities (up to 93% ee).