bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adsorption Characteristics of Gas Molecules (H2O, CO2, CO, CH4, and H2) on CaO-Based Catalysts during Biomass Thermal Conversion with in Situ CO2 Capture
Authors: Zhao Baofeng , Wang Jingwei , Zhu Di , Song Ge , Yang Huajian , Chen Lei , Sun Laizhi , Yang Shuangxia , Guan Haibin , Xie Xinping
Published: September 2019

Biomass thermochemical conversion with in situ CO2 capture is a promising technology in the production of high-quality gas. The adsorption competition mechanism of gas molecules (H2O, CO2, CO, CH4, and H2) on CaO-based catalyst surfaces was studied using density functional theory (DFT) and experimental methods. The adsorption characteristics of CO2 on CaO and 10 wt % Ni/CaO (100) surfaces were investigated in a temperature range of 550–700 °C. The adsorption energies were increased and then weakened, reaching their maximum at 650 °C. The simulation results were verified by CO2 temperature-programmed desorption (CO2-TPD) experiments. By the density of states and Mulliken population analysis, CaO doped with Ni caused a change in the electronic structure of the Osurf atom and decreased the C–O bond stability. The molecular competition mechanism on the CaO-based catalyst surface was identified by DFT simulation. As a result, the adsorption energies decreased in the following order: H2O > CO2 > CO > CH4 > H2. The increase of CO2 adsorption energy on the 10 wt % Ni/CaO surface, compared with the CaO surface, was the largest among those of the studied molecules, and its value increased from 1.45 eV to 1.81 eV. Therefore, the 10 wt % Ni/CaO catalyst is conducive to in situ CO2 capture in biomass pyrolysis.
Zeolite-Based Catalysts: A Valuable Approach toward Ester Bond Formation
Authors: Fattahi Nadia , Triantafyllidis Konstantinos , Luque Rafael , Ramazani Ali
Published: September 2019

Zeolite-based catalysts are versatile catalytic systems for a wide range of laboratory studies and industrial scale processes. The chemical composition, ion exchange, and pore size structure attributes of zeolites are responsible for their extensive catalytic applications. Esterification is one of the most important and routinely processes in diverse fields of organic synthesis. It has a long history in both industrial processes and laboratory work due to its versatility. This review intends to give a detailed insight into the significance of zeolite-based catalysts for ester bond formation
Cyclosporin A Increases Mitochondrial Buffering of Calcium: An Additional Mechanism in Delaying Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Opening
Authors: Mishra Jyotsna , Davani Ariea J. , Natarajan Gayathri K. , Kwok Wai-Meng , Stowe David F. , Camara Amadou K.S.
Published: September 2019

Regulation of mitochondrial free Ca2+ is critically important for cellular homeostasis. An increase in mitochondrial matrix free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]m) predisposes mitochondria to opening of the permeability transition pore (mPTP). Opening of the pore can be delayed by cyclosporin A (CsA), possibly by inhibiting cyclophilin D (Cyp D), a key regulator of mPTP. Here, we report on a novel mechanism by which CsA delays mPTP opening by enhanced sequestration of matrix free Ca2+. Cardiac-isolated mitochondria were challenged with repetitive CaCl2 boluses under Na+-free buffer conditions with and without CsA. CsA significantly delayed mPTP opening primarily by promoting matrix Ca2+ sequestration, leading to sustained basal [Ca2+]m levels for an extended period. The preservation of basal [Ca2+]m during the CaCl2 pulse challenge was associated with normalized NADH, matrix pH (pHm), and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Notably, we found that in PO43− (Pi)-free buffer condition, the CsA-mediated buffering of [Ca2+]m was abrogated, and mitochondrial bioenergetics variables were concurrently compromised. In the presence of CsA, addition of Pi just before pore opening in the Pi-depleted condition reinstated the Ca2+ buffering system and rescued mitochondria from mPTP opening. This study shows that CsA promotes Pi-dependent mitochondrial Ca2+ sequestration to delay mPTP opening and, concomitantly, maintains mitochondrial function.
The Redox Role of G6PD in Cell Growth, Cell Death, and Cancer
Authors: Yang Hung-Chi , Wu Yi-Hsuan , Yen Wei-Chen , Liu Hui-Ya , Hwang Tsong-Long , Stern Arnold , Chiu Daniel Tsun-Yee
Published: September 2019

The generation of reducing equivalent NADPH via glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is critical for the maintenance of redox homeostasis and reductive biosynthesis in cells. NADPH also plays key roles in cellular processes mediated by redox signaling. Insufficient G6PD activity predisposes cells to growth retardation and demise. Severely lacking G6PD impairs embryonic development and delays organismal growth. Altered G6PD activity is associated with pathophysiology, such as autophagy, insulin resistance, infection, inflammation, as well as diabetes and hypertension. Aberrant activation of G6PD leads to enhanced cell proliferation and adaptation in many types of cancers. The present review aims to update the existing knowledge concerning G6PD and emphasizes how G6PD modulates redox signaling and affects cell survival and demise, particularly in diseases such as cancer. Exploiting G6PD as a potential drug target against cancer is also discussed.
Discovery of a Novel MHC Class I Lineage in Teleost Fish which Shows Unprecedented Levels of Ectodomain Deterioration while Possessing an Impressive Cytoplasmic Tail Motif
Authors: Grimholt Unni , Tsukamoto Kentaro , Hashimoto Keiichiro , Dijkstra Johannes M.
Published: September 2019

A unique new nonclassical MHC class I lineage was found in Teleostei (teleosts, modern bony fish, e.g., zebrafish) and Holostei (a group of primitive bony fish, e.g., spotted gar), which was designated “H” (from “hexa”) for being the sixth lineage discovered in teleosts. A high level of divergence of the teleost sequences explains why the lineage was not recognized previously. The spotted gar H molecule possesses the three MHC class I consensus extracellular domains α1, α2, and α3. However, throughout teleost H molecules, the α3 domain was lost and the α1 domains showed features of deterioration. In fishes of the two closely related teleost orders Characiformes (e.g., Mexican tetra) and Siluriformes (e.g., channel catfish), the H ectodomain deterioration proceeded furthest, with H molecules of some fishes apparently having lost the entire α1 or α2 domain plus additional stretches within the remaining other (α1 or α2) domain. Despite these dramatic ectodomain changes, teleost H sequences possess rather large, unique, well-conserved tyrosine-containing cytoplasmic tail motifs, which suggests an important role in intracellular signaling. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a group of MHC class I molecules in which, judging from the sequence conservation pattern, the cytoplasmic tail is expected to have a more important conserved function than the ectodomain.
Biopolymer Coatings as Alternative to Modified Atmosphere Packaging for Shelf Life Extension of Minimally Processed Apples
Authors: Volpe Stefania , Cavella Silvana , Torrieri Elena
Published: September 2019

The effect of caseinate/chitosan blend on the shelf life of minimally processed apples was studied. In the first phase of the work, the effect of the biopolymer coating on the respiration rate of the minimally processed apples was studied as function of gas composition (5%, 10%, 21% of O2 with N2 as balance at 5 °C) and temperature (5 °C, 10 °C at 5% of O2 with N2 as balance). In the second phase, the shelf life of the packed product was studied during storage at 5 °C. The gas composition (O2%-CO2%) in the package headspace, relative humidity, pH, hardness, color and antioxidant capacity of the product were monitored after 0, 1, 4, 7, 11, and 14 days. The coating effectively reduced respiration rate of the product when oxygen was over 10%. In the presence of the coating, the reduction of oxygen did not affect the respiration rate. At 5% of O2, the respiration rate decreased by 50% by changing the temperature from 10 °C to 5 °C. Shelf life study showed that the chitosan—caseinate coating was able to preserve the mechanical properties and the antioxidant capacity of the product during storage by increasing the shelf life by 7 days to 11 days at 5 °C.
Effect of Deposition Pressure on the Microstructure and Optical Band Gap of Molybdenum Disulfide Films Prepared by Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Gong Chenyang , Xiao Jianrong , Zhu Liwen , Wang Zhiyong , Ma Songshan
Published: September 2019

MoS2 films were prepared via magnetron sputtering under different deposition pressures, and the effects of deposition pressure on the crystal structure, surface morphology, and optical properties of the resulting films were investigated. The results show that the crystallinity of the films first increases and then decreases with increasing pressure. The surface of the films prepared by magnetron sputtering is dense and uniform with few defects. The deposition pressure affects the grain size, surface morphology, and optical band gap of the films. The films deposited at a deposition pressure of 1 Pa revealed remarkable crystallinity, a 30.35 nm grain size, and a 1.67 eV optical band gap. Given the large electronegativity difference between MoS2 molecules and weak van der Waals forces between layers, the MoS2 films are prone to defects at different deposition pressures, causing the exciton energy near defects to decrease and the modulation of the surrounding band.
Synthesis and Deposition of Ag Nanoparticles by Combining Laser Ablation and Electrophoretic Deposition Techniques
Authors: Fernández-Arias Mònica , Zimbone Massimo , Boutinguiza Mohamed , Del Val Jesús , Riveiro Antonio , Privitera Vittorio , Grimaldi Maria G. , Pou Juan
Published: September 2019

Silver nanostructured thin films have been fabricated on silicon substrate by combining simultaneously pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) and electrophoretic deposition (ED) techniques. The composition, topography, crystalline structure, surface topography, and optical properties of the obtained films have been studied by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-visible spectrophotometry. The coatings were composed of Ag nanoparticles ranging from a few to hundred nm. The films exhibited homogenous morphology, uniform appearance, and a clear localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) around 400 nm.
Synthesis and Characterization of a New Aluminum-Doped Bismuth Subcarbonate
Authors: Álvarez Loisangela , Rojas de Gascue Blanca , Tremont Rolando J. , Márquez Edgar , Velazco Euclides J.
Published: September 2019

A new compound, Bi2O2CO3:Al, was synthesized by the coprecipitation method. The characterization was done by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electronic scanning microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The characterization methods allowed to identify the Bi2O2CO3:Al compound, such as the Al-doped Bi2O2CO3 by XRD, the anionic part (CO32−) by FTIR, and the presence of aluminum in the compound by XPS and EDX. It was confirmed to have a nanostructure like a nanosheet and a microstructure that resembles a type sponge by SEM.
High Magnetic Field ESR in S = 1 Skew Chain Antiferromagnet Ni2V2O7 Single Crystal
Authors: Yin Lei , Ouyang Zhongwen , Yue Xiaoyu , Wang Zhenxing , Xia Zhengcai
Published: September 2019

We report electron spin resonance (ESR) in S = 1 skew chain antiferromagnet Ni2V2O7, which exhibits a spin-flop transition and a well-defined 1/2 magnetization plateau. The antiferromagnetic (AFM) ordering at TN = 7 K can be reflected by the temperature-dependent ESR spectra at low frequency for the easy axis. At 2 K, at the spin-flop transition fields along the easy a and b axes, anomalies are observed from the frequency‒field relationship. However, these modes cannot be understood by the conventional two-sublattice AFM resonance theory with uniaxial anisotropy. For the easy b axis, an unusual resonance mode is observed and its resonance field increases with decreasing frequency. This ESR mode becomes softening at ~8 T, corresponding to the onset of the 1/2 magnetization plateau.
Incorporating a Model-Driven Approach into an Embedded Software Course
Authors: Lim Dong-Jin
Published: September 2019

The model-driven method has recently attracted considerable attention as a means of improving the reliability and efficiency of embedded software design. This paper describes an embedded software course incorporating a model-driven method. In this course, students learn both a new model-driven approach for embedded software design and a conventional programming method. Even though they initially find it difficult to learn and apply the new concepts, most of the students find the model-driven method attractive due to its visual design. Our teaching experience indicates that the model-driven method can be incorporated into an embedded software course without compromising conventional content.
Time Domain Performance of Reconfigurable Filter Antenna for IR-UWB, WLAN, and WiMAX Applications
Authors: Zhang Zhuohang , Pan Zhongming
Published: September 2019

A novel reconfigurable filter antenna with three ports for three dependent switchable states for impulse radio-ultrawideband (IR-UWB)/wireless local area network (WLAN)/worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) applications is presented in this paper. Three positive-intrinsic-negative diodes, controlled by direct current, are employed to realize frequency reconfiguration of one ultra-wideband state and two narrowband states (2.4 GHz and 3.5 GHz). The time domain characteristic of the proposed antenna in the ultra-wideband state is studied, because of the features of the IR-UWB system. The time domain analysis shows that the reconfigurable filtering antenna in the wideband state performs similarly to the original UWB antenna. The compact size, low cost, and expanded reconfigurable filtering features make it suitable for IR-UWB systems that are integrated with WLAN/WiMAX communications.
An Energy-Efficient and Fault-Tolerant Topology Control Game Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Du Yongwen , Xia Jinzong , Gong Junhui , Hu Xiaohui
Published: September 2019

Due to resource constraints and severe conditions, wireless sensor networks should be self-adaptive to maintain certain desirable properties, such as energy efficiency and fault tolerance. In this paper, we design a practical utility function that can effectively balance transmit power, residual energy, and network connectivity, and then we investigate a topology control game model based on non-cooperative game theory. The theoretical analysis shows that the topology game model is a potential game and can converge to a state of the Nash equilibrium. Based on this model, an energy-efficient and fault-tolerant topology control game algorithm, EFTCG, is proposed to adaptively constructs a network topology. In turn, we present two subalgorithms: EFTCG-1 and EFTCG-2. The former just guarantees network single connectivity, but the latter can guarantee network biconnectivity. We evaluate the energy-efficient effect of EFTCG-1. Meanwhile, we also analyze the fault-tolerant performance of EFTCG-2. The simulation results verify the validity of the utility function. EFTCG-1 can efficiently prolong the network lifetime compared with other game-based algorithms, and EFTCG-2 performs better in robustness, although does not significantly reduce the network lifetime.
Targeting HDAC Complexes in Asthma and COPD
Authors: Zwinderman Martijn R. H. , de Weerd Sander , Dekker Frank J.
Published: September 2019

Around three million patients die due to airway inflammatory diseases each year. The most notable of these diseases are asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, new therapies are urgently needed. Promising targets are histone deacetylases (HDACs), since they regulate posttranslational protein acetylation. Over a thousand proteins are reversibly acetylated, and acetylation critically influences aberrant intracellular signaling pathways in asthma and COPD. The diverse set of selective and non-selective HDAC inhibitors used in pre-clinical models of airway inflammation show promising results, but several challenges still need to be overcome. One such challenge is the design of HDAC inhibitors with unique selectivity profiles, such as selectivity towards specific HDAC complexes. Novel strategies to disrupt HDAC complexes should be developed to validate HDACs further as targets for new anti-inflammatory pulmonary treatments.
On Wood–Water Interactions in the Over-Hygroscopic Moisture Range—Mechanisms, Methods, and Influence of Wood Modification
Authors: Fredriksson Maria
Published: September 2019

Wood is a hygroscopic material that absorbs and desorbs water to equilibrate to the ambient climate. Within material science, the moisture range from 0 to about 95–98% relative humidity is generally called the hygroscopic moisture range, while the exceeding moisture range is called the over-hygroscopic moisture range. For wood, the dominating mechanisms of moisture sorption are different in these two moisture ranges; in the hygroscopic range, water is primarily bound by hydrogen bonding in cell walls, and, in the over-hygroscopic range, water uptake mainly occurs via capillary condensation outside cell walls in macro voids such as cell lumina and pit chambers. Since large volumes of water can be taken up here, the moisture content in the over-hygroscopic range increases extensively in a very narrow relative humidity range. The over-hygroscopic range is particularly relevant for durability applications since fungal degradation occurs primarily in this moisture range. This review describes the mechanisms behind moisture sorption in the over-hygroscopic moisture range, methods that can be used to study the interactions between wood and water at these high humidity levels, and the current state of knowledge on interactions between modified wood and water. A lack of studies on interactions between modified wood and water in the over-hygroscopic range was identified, and the possibility of combining different methods to acquire information on amount, state, and location of water in modified wood at several well-defined high moisture states was pointed out. Since water potential is an important parameter for fungal growth, such studies could possibly give important clues concerning the mechanisms behind the increased resistance to degradation obtained by wood modification.
Size Effect on the Elastic Mechanical Properties of Beech and Its Application in Finite Element Analysis of Wood Structures
Authors: Hu Wengang , Wan Hui , Guan Huiyuan
Published: September 2019

Elastic constants of wood are fundamental parameters used in finite element analysis of wood structures. However, few studies and standards regulate the dimensions of sample used to measure elastic constants of wood. The size effect on mechanical properties (i.e., elastic constants and proportional limit stresses) of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) wood was studied with five different sizes samples. The data of experiments were inputted into a finite element model of self-designed chair and the loading capacity of chair was investigated by finite element method (FEM) and experiment. The results showed that nonlinear relationships were found between proportional limit stresses, cross-sectional area, and height of specimen by response surface method with R2 greater than 0.72 in longitudinal, radial, and tangential directions. Elastic moduli and shear moduli increased with the height of specimen when cross-sectional area was kept constant, and decreased with an increased cross-sectional area of specimen, when the height was a constant, while the trends of Poisson’s ratio were not as expected. The comparisons between experiment and FEM suggested that the accuracy of FEM simulation increase with the raise of width-height ratio (≤1) of specimens used to determine the elastic constants. It is recommended to use small cubic wood specimen to determine the elastic mechanical properties used for finite element analysis of beech wood structures. Further research to find optimized wood specimen dimensions to get mechanical properties for FEM is quite necessary.
Unstable Density-Driven Flow in Fractured Porous Media: The Fractured Elder Problem
Authors: Shafabakhsh Paiman , Fahs Marwan , Ataie-Ashtiani Behzad , Simmons Craig T.
Published: September 2019

The Elder problem is one of the well-known examples of an unstable density-driven flow (DDF) and solute transport in porous media. The goal of this research is to investigate the influence of fracture networks on this benchmark problem due to the great importance of the fractured heterogeneity effect on unstable DDF. For this aim, the fractured Elder problem is solved using COMSOL Multiphysics, which is a finite element method simulator. Uniform and orthogonal fracture networks are embedded to analyze free convective flow and development of unstable salt plumes. The results indicate that the mesh sensitivity of the fractured Elder problem is greater than the homogeneous case. Furthermore, it has been shown that in the fractured cases, the onset of instability and free convection occur with lower critical Rayleigh number, which means that fracture networks have a destabilizing effect. Also, we examined the structural properties of fracture networks that control convective flow patterns, and the simulation results show that the strength of convection and instability at the beginning of the intrusion is proportional to the aperture size of the fractures. Moreover, the increase of the fracture’s density leads different modes of transient convective modes, until a specific fracture density after which the transient convective modes become similar to the homogenous case.
Extraction and Characterization of Self-Assembled Collagen Isolated from Grass Carp and Crucian Carp
Authors: He Li , Lan Wenting , Wang Yue , Ahmed Saeed , Liu Yaowen
Published: September 2019

Collagens were extracted from grass carp skin (GCC), grass carp scales (GSC), and crucian carp skin (CCC) using an acid-enzyme combination method, and their characteristics and self-assembly properties were analyzed. Electrophoretic patterns characterized all three as type I collagens. An ultraviolet analysis identified the optimal wavelengths for collagen detection, while a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the triple-helical structure of the collagens. The GCC, GSC, and CCC had denaturation temperatures of 39.75, 34.49, and 39.05 °C, respectively. All three were shown to self-assemble into fibrils at 30 °C in the presence of NaCl, but the fibril formation rate of CCC (40%) was slightly higher than those of GCC (28%) and GSC (27%). The GSC were shown to form a more strongly intertwined fibril network with a characteristic D-periodicity. The fish collagens extracted in this study have potential applications in the development of functionalized materials.
Lime (Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle) Essential Oils: Volatile Compounds, Antioxidant Capacity, and Hypolipidemic Effect
Authors: Lin Li-Yun , Chuang Cheng-Hung , Chen Hsin-Chun , Yang Kai-Min
Published: September 2019

Lime peels are mainly obtained from the byproducts of the juice manufacturing industry, which we obtained and used to extract essential oil (2.3%) in order to examine the antioxidant and hypolipidaemic effects. We identified 60 volatile compounds of lime essential oil (LEO) with GC/MS, of which the predominant constituents were limonene, γ-terpinene, and β-pinene. Lime essential oil was measured according to the DPPH assay and ABTS assay, with IC50 values of 2.36 mg/mL and 0.26 mg/mL, respectively. This study also explored the protective effects of LEO against lipid-induced hyperlipidemia in a rat model. Two groups of rats received oral LEO in doses of 0.74 g/100 g and 2.23 g/100 g with their diets. Eight weeks later, we found that the administration of LEO improved the serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate transaminase levels in the hyperlipidemic rats (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, the LEO improved the health of the rats in terms of obesity, atherogenic index, and fatty liver.
Microbiological Profile and Bioactive Properties of Insect Powders Used in Food and Feed Formulations
Authors: Messina Concetta Maria , Gaglio Raimondo , Morghese Maria , Tolone Marco , Arena Rosaria , Moschetti Giancarlo , Santulli Andrea , Francesca Nicola , Settanni Luca
Published: September 2019

Microbiological, nutritional and bioactive properties of edible powders obtained from Acheta domesticus (house cricket) and Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) were investigated. Except for the enterobacteria, viable bacteria were at a higher concentration in mealworm flour. The diversity evaluation carried out using MiSeq Illumina that mainly identified Citrobacter and Enterobacteriaceae in mealworm powder and members of the Porphyromonadaceae family in house cricket powder. Enterococci were identified and characterized for their safety characteristics in terms of the absence of antibiotic resistance and virulence. Both powders represent a good source of proteins and lipids. The fatty acid profile of mealworm powder was characterized by the predominance of the monounsaturated fatty acids and house cricket powder by saturated fatty acids. The enzymatic hydrolysis produced the best results in terms of percentage of degree of hydrolysis with the enzyme Alcalase, and these data were confirmed by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. Furthermore, the results showed that the protein hydrolysate of these powders produces a significant antioxidant power.
The Flatness Problem and the Variable Physical Constants
Authors: Gupta Rajendra P.
Published: September 2019

We have used the varying physical constant approach to resolve the flatness problem in cosmology. Friedmann equations are modified to include the variability of speed of light, gravitational constant, cosmological constant, and the curvature constant. The continuity equation obtained with such modifications includes the scale factor-dependent cosmological term as well as the curvature term, along with the standard energy-momentum term. The result is that as the scale factor tends to zero (i.e., as the Big Bang is approached), the universe becomes strongly curved rather than flatter and flatter in the standard cosmology. We have used the supernovae 1a redshift versus distance modulus data to determine the curvature variation parameter of the new model, which yields a better fit to the data than the standard ΛCDM model. The universe is found to be an open type with a radius of curvature R c = 1.64   ( 1 + z ) − 3.3 c 0 / H 0 , where z is the redshift, c 0 is the current speed of light, and H 0 is the Hubble constant.
Predicting miRNA-Disease Associations by Incorporating Projections in Low-Dimensional Space and Local Topological Information
Authors: Xuan Ping , Zhang Yan , Zhang Tiangang , Li Lingling , Zhao Lianfeng
Published: September 2019

Predicting the potential microRNA (miRNA) candidates associated with a disease helps in exploring the mechanisms of disease development. Most recent approaches have utilized heterogeneous information about miRNAs and diseases, including miRNA similarities, disease similarities, and miRNA-disease associations. However, these methods do not utilize the projections of miRNAs and diseases in a low-dimensional space. Thus, it is necessary to develop a method that can utilize the effective information in the low-dimensional space to predict potential disease-related miRNA candidates. We proposed a method based on non-negative matrix factorization, named DMAPred, to predict potential miRNA-disease associations. DMAPred exploits the similarities and associations of diseases and miRNAs, and it integrates local topological information of the miRNA network. The likelihood that a miRNA is associated with a disease also depends on their projections in low-dimensional space. Therefore, we project miRNAs and diseases into low-dimensional feature space to yield their low-dimensional and dense feature representations. Moreover, the sparse characteristic of miRNA-disease associations was introduced to make our predictive model more credible. DMAPred achieved superior performance for 15 well-characterized diseases with AUCs (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve) ranging from 0.860 to 0.973 and AUPRs (area under the precision-recall curve) ranging from 0.118 to 0.761. In addition, case studies on breast, prostatic, and lung neoplasms demonstrated the ability of DMAPred to discover potential disease-related miRNAs.
Gene Expression Profiles and microRNA Regulation Networks in Tiller Primordia, Stem Tips, and Young Spikes of Wheat Guomai 301
Authors: Li Junchang , Jiao Zhixin , He Ruishi , Sun Yulong , Xu Qiaoqiao , Zhang Jing , Jiang Yumei , Li Qiaoyun , Niu Jishan
Published: September 2019

Tillering and spike differentiation are two key events for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A study on the transcriptomes and microRNA group profiles of wheat at the two key developmental stages will bring insight into the molecular regulation mechanisms. Guomai 301 is a representative excellent new high yield wheat cultivar in the Henan province in China. The transcriptomes and microRNA (miRNA) groups of tiller primordia (TPs), stem tips (STs), and young spikes (YSs) in Guomai 301 were compared to each other. A total of 1741 tillering specifically expressed and 281 early spikes differentiating specifically expressed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Six major expression profile clusters of tissue-specific DEGs for the three tissues were classified by gene co-expression analysis using K-means cluster. The ribosome (ko03010), photosynthesis-antenna proteins (ko00196), and plant hormone signal transduction (ko04075) were the main metabolic pathways in TPs, STs, and YSs, respectively. Similarly, 67 TP specifically expressed and 19 YS specifically expressed differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, 65 of them were novel. The roles of 3 well known miRNAs, tae-miR156, tae-miR164, and tae-miR167a, in post-transcriptional regulation were similar to that of other researches. There were 651 significant negative miRNA–mRNA interaction pairs in TPs and YSs, involving 63 differentially expressed miRNAs (fold change > 4) and 416 differentially expressed mRNAs. Among them 12 key known miRNAs and 16 novel miRNAs were further analyzed, and miRNA–mRNA regulatory networks during tillering and early spike differentiating were established.
The Genomics of Streptococcus pneumoniae Carriage Isolates from UK Children and Their Household Contacts, Pre-PCV7 to Post-PCV13
Authors: Sheppard Carmen L. , Groves Natalie , Andrews Nicholas , Litt David J. , Fry Norman K. , Southern Jo , Miller Elizabeth
Published: September 2019

We used whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis to investigate the population structure of 877 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from five carriage studies from 2002 (N = 346), 2010 (N = 127), 2013 (N = 153), 2016 (N = 187) and 2018 (N = 64) in UK households which covers the period pre-PCV7 to post-PCV13 implementation. The genomic lineages seen in the population were determined using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) and PopPUNK (Population Partitioning Using Nucleotide K-mers) which was used for local and global comparisons. A Roary core genome alignment of all the carriage genomes was used to investigate phylogenetic relationships between the lineages. The results showed an influx of previously undetected sequence types after vaccination associated with non-vaccine serotypes. A small number of lineages persisted throughout, associated with both non-vaccine and vaccine types (such as ST199), or that could be an example of serotype switching from vaccine to non-vaccine types (ST177). Serotype 3 persisted throughout the study years, represented by ST180 and Global Pneumococcal Sequencing Cluster (GPSC) 12; the local PopPUNK analysis and core genome maximum likelihood phylogeny separated them into two clades, one of which is only seen in later study years. The genomic data showed that serotype replacement in the carriage studies was mostly due to a change in genotype as well as serotype, but that some important genetic lineages, previously associated with vaccine types, persisted.
Genomic Analysis of γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane-Degrading Sphingopyxis lindanitolerans WS5A3p Strain in the Context of the Pangenome of Sphingopyxis
Authors: Kaminski Michal A. , Sobczak Adam , Dziembowski Andrzej , Lipinski Leszek
Published: September 2019

Sphingopyxis inhabit diverse environmental niches, including marine, freshwater, oceans, soil and anthropogenic sites. The genus includes 20 phylogenetically distinct, valid species, but only a few with a sequenced genome. In this work, we analyzed the nearly complete genome of the newly described species, Sphingopyxis lindanitolerans, and compared it to the other available Sphingopyxis genomes. The genome included 4.3 Mbp in total and consists of a circular chromosome, and two putative plasmids. Among the identified set of lin genes responsible for γ-hexachlorocyclohexane pesticide degradation, we discovered a gene coding for a new isoform of the LinA protein. The significant potential of this species in the remediation of contaminated soil is also correlated with the fact that its genome encodes a higher number of enzymes potentially involved in aromatic compound degradation than for most other Sphingopyxis strains. Additional analysis of 44 Sphingopyxis representatives provides insights into the pangenome of Sphingopyxis and revealed a core of 734 protein clusters and between four and 1667 unique proteins per genome.
Population Genetics of the Highly Polymorphic RPP8 Gene Family
Authors: MacQueen Alice , Tian Dacheng , Chang Wenhan , Holub Eric , Kreitman Martin , Bergelson Joy
Published: September 2019

Plant nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat containing (NLR) genes provide some of the most extreme examples of polymorphism in eukaryotic genomes, rivalling even the vertebrate major histocompatibility complex. Surprisingly, this is also true in Arabidopsis thaliana, a predominantly selfing species with low heterozygosity. Here, we investigate how gene duplication and intergenic exchange contribute to this extraordinary variation. RPP8 is a three-locus system that is configured chromosomally as either a direct-repeat tandem duplication or as a single copy locus, plus a locus 2 Mb distant. We sequenced 48 RPP8 alleles from 37 accessions of A. thaliana and 12 RPP8 alleles from Arabidopsis lyrata to investigate the patterns of interlocus shared variation. The tandem duplicates display fixed differences and share less variation with each other than either shares with the distant paralog. A high level of shared polymorphism among alleles at one of the tandem duplicates, the single-copy locus and the distal locus, must involve both classical crossing over and intergenic gene conversion. Despite these polymorphism-enhancing mechanisms, the observed nucleotide diversity could not be replicated under neutral forward-in-time simulations. Only by adding balancing selection to the simulations do they approach the level of polymorphism observed at RPP8. In this NLR gene triad, genetic architecture, gene function and selection all combine to generate diversity.
Genetic Variations Associated with Drug Resistance Markers in Asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum Infections in Myanmar
Authors: Zhao Yan , Liu Ziling , Soe Myat Thu , Wang Lin , Soe Than Naing , Wei Huanping , Than Aye , Aung Pyae Linn , Li Yuling , Zhang Xuexing , Hu Yubing , Wei Haichao , Zhang Yangminghui , Burgess Jessica , Siddiqui Faiza A. , Menezes Lynette , Wang Qinghui , Kyaw Myat Phone , Cao Yaming , Cui Liwang
Published: September 2019

The emergence and spread of drug resistance is a problem hindering malaria elimination in Southeast Asia. In this study, genetic variations in drug resistance markers of Plasmodium falciparum were determined in parasites from asymptomatic populations located in three geographically dispersed townships of Myanmar by PCR and sequencing. Mutations in dihydrofolate reductase (pfdhfr), dihydropteroate synthase (pfdhps), chloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt), multidrug resistance protein 1 (pfmdr1), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (pfmrp1), and Kelch protein 13 (k13) were present in 92.3%, 97.6%, 84.0%, 98.8%, and 68.3% of the parasites, respectively. The pfcrt K76T, pfmdr1 N86Y, pfmdr1 I185K, and pfmrp1 I876V mutations were present in 82.7%, 2.5%, 87.5%, and 59.8% isolates, respectively. The most prevalent haplotypes for pfdhfr, pfdhps, pfcrt and pfmdr1 were 51I/59R/108N/164L, 436A/437G/540E/581A, 74I/75E/76T/220S/271E/326N/356T/371I, and 86N/130E/184Y/185K/1225V, respectively. In addition, 57 isolates had three different point mutations (K191T, F446I, and P574L) and three types of N-terminal insertions (N, NN, NNN) in the k13 gene. In total, 43 distinct haplotypes potentially associated with multidrug resistance were identified. These findings demonstrate a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant P. falciparum in asymptomatic infections from diverse townships in Myanmar, emphasizing the importance of targeting asymptomatic infections to prevent the spread of drug-resistant P. falciparum.
Proposed Lyme Disease Guidelines and Psychiatric Illnesses
Authors: Bransfield Robert , Cook Michael , Bransfield Douglas
Published: September 2019

The Infectious Disease Society of America, American Academy of Neurology, and American Academy of Rheumatology jointly proposed Lyme disease guidelines. Four areas most relevant to psychiatry were reviewed—the disclaimer, laboratory testing, and adult and pediatric psychiatric sections. The disclaimer and the manner in which these guidelines are implemented are insufficient to remove the authors and sponsoring organizations from liability for harm caused by these guidelines. The guidelines and supporting citations place improper credibility upon surveillance case definition rather than clinical diagnosis criteria. The guidelines fail to address the clear causal association between Lyme disease and psychiatric illnesses, suicide, violence, developmental disabilities and substance abuse despite significant supporting evidence. If these guidelines are published without very major revisions, and if the sponsoring medical societies attempt to enforce these guidelines as a standard of care, it will directly contribute to increasing a national and global epidemic of psychiatric illnesses, suicide, violence, substance abuse and developmental disabilities and the associated economic and non-economic societal burdens. The guideline flaws could be improved with a more appropriate disclaimer, an evidence-based rather than an evidence-biased approach, more accurate diagnostic criteria, and recognition of the direct and serious causal association between Lyme disease and psychiatric illnesses.
The Relationship between Shape and Size of Diaspores Depends on Being Seeds or Fruits
Authors: Dias Luís Silva , Dias Alexandra Soveral
Published: September 2019

The relationship between the size and shape of diaspores was investigated in angiosperms and gymnosperms including determining if being a seed or fruit was a factor. Size was expressed as volume and shape as the departure from a perfect idealized sphere. Departure from sphericity in seeds was found to be independent from volume. Conversely, an inverse relationship was found between departure from sphericity and volume in fruits. Therefore, whether a diaspore is a seed or a fruit should be considered and included in analyses when ecological, functional or evolutionary correlates of diaspore morphology are under investigation.
The Impact of Activity-Based Mobility Pattern on Assessing Fine-Grained Traffic-Induced Air Pollution Exposure
Authors: Wu Yizheng , Song Guohua
Published: September 2019

Quantifying the air pollution and health impacts of transportation plans provides decision makers with valuable information that can help to target interventions. However, a large number of environmental epidemiological research assumes exposures of static populations at residential locations and does not consider the human activity patterns, which may lead to significant estimation errors. This study uses an integrated modeling framework to predict fine-grained air pollution exposures occurring throughout residents’ activity spaces. We evaluate concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) under a regional transportation plan for Sacramento, California, using activity-based travel demand model outputs, vehicle emission, and air dispersion models. We use predicted air pollution exposures at the traffic analysis zone (TAZ) level to estimate residents’ exposure accounting for their movements throughout the day to assess the impact of activity-based mobility pattern on air pollution exposure. Results of PM2.5 exposures estimated statically (at residential locations) versus dynamically (over residents’ activity-based mobility) demonstrates that the two methods yield statistically significant different results (p < 0.05). In addition, the comparison conducted in different age groups shows that the difference between these two approaches is greater among youth and working age residents, whereas seniors show a similar pattern using both approaches due to their lower rates of travel activity.
The Role of International Databases in Understanding the Aetiology and Consequences of Differences/Disorders of Sex Development
Authors: Ali Salma , Lucas-Herald Angela , Bryce Jillian , Ahmed Syed
Published: September 2019

The International Disorders of Sex Development (I-DSD) and International Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia registry (I-CAH) Registries were originally developed over 10 years ago and have since supported several strands of research and led to approximately 20 peer-reviewed publications. In addition to acting as an indispensable tool for monitoring clinical and patient-centered outcomes for improving clinical practice, the registries can support a wide nature of primary and secondary research and can also act as a platform for pharmacovigilance, given their ability to collect real world patient data within a secure, ethics approved virtual research environment. The challenge for the future is to ensure that the research community continues to use the registries to improve our understanding of Disorders of Sex Development (DSD).
Factors Influencing Online Hotel Booking: Extending UTAUT2 with Age, Gender, and Experience as Moderators
Authors: Chang Chia-Ming , Liu Li-Wei , Huang Hsiu-Chin , Hsieh Huey-Hong
Published: September 2019

As people feel more comfortable using the Internet, online hotel bookings has become popular in recent years. Understanding the drivers of online booking intention and behavior can help hotel managers to apply corresponding strategies to increase hotel booking rates. Thus the purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing the use intention and behavioral intention of online hotel booking. The proposed model has assimilated factors from the extended Unified theory of Acceptance and use of Technology (UTAUT2) along with age, gender, and experience as moderators. Data were collected by conducting a field survey questionnaire completed by 488 participants. The results showed that behavioral intention is significantly and positively influenced by performance expectancy, social influence, facilitating condition, hedonic motivation, price value, and habit behavior. Use behavior is positively influenced by facilitating condition and hedonic motivation. As for moderators, gender moderates the relationships between performance expectancy, social influence, and behavioral intention. Age moderates the relationships between effort expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation, and behavioral intention. Experience moderates the relationships between social influence, price value, and behavioral intention and between habit behavior and use behavior. Based on the results, recommendations for hotel managers are proposed. Furthermore, research limitations and future directions are discussed.
The First-Row Transition Metals in the Periodic Table of Medicine
Authors: Van Cleave Cameron , Crans Debbie C.
Published: September 2019

In this manuscript, we describe medical applications of each first-row transition metal including nutritional, pharmaceutical, and diagnostic applications. The 10 first-row transition metals in particular are found to have many applications since there five essential elements among them. We summarize the aqueous chemistry of each element to illustrate that these fundamental properties are linked to medical applications and will dictate some of nature’s solutions to the needs of cells. The five essential trace elements—iron, copper, zinc, manganese, and cobalt—represent four redox active elements and one redox inactive element. Since electron transfer is a critical process that must happen for life, it is therefore not surprising that four of the essential trace elements are involved in such processes, whereas the one non-redox active element is found to have important roles as a secondary messenger.. Perhaps surprising is the fact that scandium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, and nickel have many applications, covering the entire range of benefits including controlling pathogen growth, pharmaceutical and diagnostic applications, including benefits such as nutritional additives and hardware production of key medical devices. Some patterns emerge in the summary of biological function andmedical roles that can be attributed to small differences in the first-row transition metals.
Passive Animal Surveillance to Identify Ticks in Wisconsin, 2011–2017
Authors: Lee Xia , Murphy Darby S. , Hoang Johnson Diep , Paskewitz Susan M.
Published: September 2019

The introduction of new tick species poses a risk to human and animal health. Systematic active surveillance programs are expensive and uncommon. We evaluated a passive animal surveillance program as a monitoring tool to document the geographic distribution and host associations of ticks in Wisconsin. Passive surveillance partners included veterinary medical clinics, domestic animal shelters, and wildlife rehabilitation centers from 35 of the 72 Wisconsin counties. A total of 10,136 tick specimens were collected from 2325 animals from July 2011 to November 2017 and included Dermacentor variabilis Say (29.7% of all ticks), Ixodes texanus Banks (25.5%), Ixodes scapularis Say (19.5%), Haemaphysalis leporispalustris Packard (13.8%), Ixodes cookei Packard (4.4%), and Dermacentor albipictus Packard (1.7%). Less common species (<1% of collection) included Ixodes dentatus Marx, Ixodes sculptus Neumann, Ixodes marxi Banks, Amblyomma americanum Linnaeus, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latreille. Of the 2325 animals that were examined, most were domestic dogs (53%), eastern cottontail rabbits (16%), domestic cats (15%), and North American raccoons (11%). An additional 21 mammal and 11 bird species were examined at least once during the six years of the study. New county records are summarized for each species. Public health, academic, and veterinary and animal care partners formed a community of practice enabling effective statewide tick surveillance.