bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Baseline Presence of NAFLD Predicts Weight Loss after Gastric Bypass Surgery for Morbid Obesity
Authors: Rheinwalt Karl Peter , Drebber Uta , Schierwagen Robert , Klein Sabine , Neumann Ulf Peter , Ulmer Tom Florian , Plamper Andreas , Kroh Andreas , Schipper Sandra , Odenthal Margarete , Uschner Frank Erhard , Lingohr Philipp , Trebicka Jonel , Brol Maximilian Joseph
Published: October 2020

Background. Bariatric surgery is a widely used treatment for morbid obesity. Prediction of postoperative weight loss currently relies on prediction models, which mostly overestimate patients’ weight loss. Data about the influence of Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) on early postoperative weight loss are scarce. Methods. This prospective, single-center cohort study included 143 patients receiving laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery (One Anastomosis-Mini Gastric Bypass (OAGB-MGB) or Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)). Liver biopsies were acquired at surgery. NAFLD activity score (NAS) assigned patients to “No NAFLD”, “NAFL” or “NASH”. Follow up data were collected at 3, 6 and 12 months. Results. In total, 49.7% of patients had NASH, while 41.3% had NAFL. Compared with the No NAFLD group, NAFL and NASH showed higher body-mass-index (BMI) at follow-up (6 months: 31.0 kg/m2 vs. 36.8 kg/m2 and 36.1 kg/m2, 12 months: 27.0 kg/m2 vs. 34.4 and 32.8 kg/m2) and lower percentage of total body weight loss (%TBWL): (6 months: 27.1% vs. 23.3% and 24.4%; 12 months: 38.5% vs. 30.1 and 32.6%). Linear regression of NAS points significantly predicts percentage of excessive weight loss (%EWL) after 6 months (Cologne-weight-loss-prediction-score). Conclusions. Histopathological presence of NAFLD might lead to inferior postoperative weight reduction after gastric bypass surgery. The mechanisms underlying this observation should be further studied.
Mitral Valve Repair of Atrial Functional Mitral Regurgitation in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Balogh Zsuzsanna , Mizukami Takuya , Bartunek Jozef , Collet Carlos , Beles Monika , Albano Marzia , Katbeh Asim , Casselman Filip , Vanderheyden Marc , Van Camp Guy , Van Praet Frank , Penicka Martin
Published: October 2020

Our objective was to describe the long-term effects of endoscopic mitral valve (MV) repair on outcome in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR). In patients with HFpEF, even mild AFMR has been associated with poor outcome. The study population consisted of consecutive patients with HFpEF (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 50%, H2FPEF score ≥ 5) and AFMR, who underwent isolated, minimally invasive endoscopic MV repair (MVRepair group) (n = 131) or remained on standard of care (StanCare group) (n = 139). Patients with coronary artery disease or organic mitral regurgitation (MR) were excluded. Patients were matched using inverse probability of treatment weighting. Endpoints were all-cause mortality and a composite of all-cause mortality and HFpEF readmissions. The median follow-up was 5.03 years (interquartile range (IQR) 2.6–7.9 years). In the MVRepair group, the perioperative, 30-day, 1-year, and 5-year mortality were 0, 1%, 1%, and 12%, respectively. Additionally, 13 (10%) patients were readmitted for worsening HFpEF, while 2 (1%) individuals underwent redo MV surgery for recurrent MR. MVRepair compared with StanCare showed 21–29% (Standard Error (SE) 6–8%) and 19–26% (SE 6–8%) absolute risk reduction of all-cause mortality and HFpEF readmissions, respectively (all p < 0.05). MVRepair emerged as the strongest independent predictor of all-cause mortality (Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.16, 95% (Confidence Interval (CI) 0.07–0.34, p < 0.001) and HFpEF readmissions (HR 0.21, 95% CI 0.09–0.51, p < 0.001). At 5-year follow-up, in the MVRepair group, a total of 88% were alive and 80% were alive without readmission for HFpEF. We can conclude that endoscopic MV repair is associated with low perioperative mortality as well as high long-term efficacy, and appears to improve clinical outcome in patients with AFMR and HFpEF.
Allogeneic Hematopoietic Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma in the New Drugs Era: A Platform to Cure
Authors: Mussetti Alberto , Salas Maria Queralt , Montefusco Vittorio
Published: October 2020

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) represents a treatment option for multiple myeloma (MM) patients. As shown in several studies, alloHCT is highly effective, but it is hampered by a high toxicity, mainly related to the graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a complex immunological reaction ascribable to the donor’s immune system. The morbidity and mortality associated with GVHD can weaken the benefits of this procedure. On the other side, the high therapeutic potential of alloHCT is also related to the donor’s immune system, through immunological activity known as the graft-versus-myeloma effect. Clinical research over the past two decades has sought to enhance the favorable part of this balance, along with the reduction in treatment-related toxicity. Frontline alloHCT showed promising results and a potential for a cure in the past. Currently, thanks to the improved results of first-line therapies and the availability of effective second- or third-line salvage therapies, alloHCT is reserved for selected high-risk patients and is considered a clinical option. For donor lymphocyte infusion, bortezomib or lenalidomide have been used as consolidation or maintenance therapies post-transplant—none has become standard of care. For those patients who relapse, the best treatment should be evaluated considering the patient’s clinical status and the previous lines of therapy. The use of newer drugs, such as monoclonal antibodies or other immunotherapies in the post-transplant setting, deserves further investigation. However, acceptable toxicity and a synergic effect with the newer immune system could be hopefully expected.
Strong and Weak Formulations of a Mixed Higher-Order Shear Deformation Theory for the Static Analysis of Functionally Graded Beams under Thermo-Mechanical Loads
Authors: Wu Chih-Ping , Xu Zhan-Rong
Published: October 2020

The strong and weak formulations of a mixed layer-wise (LW) higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT) are developed for the static analysis of functionally graded (FG) beams under various boundary conditions subjected to thermo-mechanical loads. The material properties of the FG beam are assumed to obey a power-law distribution of the volume fractions of the constituents through the thickness of the FG beam, for which the effective material properties are estimated using the rule of mixtures, or it is directly assumed that the effective material properties of the FG beam obey an exponential function distribution along the thickness direction of the FG beam. The results shown in the numerical examples indicate that the mixed LW HSDT solutions for elastic and thermal field variables are in excellent agreement with the accurate solutions available in the literature. A parametric study related to various effects on the coupled thermo-mechanical behavior of FG beams is carried out, including the aspect ratio, the material-property gradient index, and different boundary conditions.
Mechanical Strength of Bamboo Filled PLA Composite Material in Fused Filament Fabrication
Authors: Landes Scott , Letcher Todd
Published: October 2020

Through the past two decades, there has been a continued push for renewable resources and future sustainability of materials and processes. This has prompted more developments of providing environmentally friendly practices and products, both in terms of higher recyclability and greater use of renewable resources. An important area of interest are materials for construction and manufacturing purposes, specifically “green” sustainable reinforcement materials for thermoplastic composite materials. During this time, there has also been an evolution in manufacturing methods. Additive manufacturing (AM) has continued to grow exponentially since its inception for its extensive benefits. This study aims to investigate an additive manufactured composite material that is a greener alternative to other composites that are not reinforced by natural fibers. A bamboo filled polylactic acid (PLA) composite manufactured by fused filament fabrication was evaluated in order to gather mechanical strength characteristics by means of tensile, flexure, compression, impact, and shear tests. In this material, the bamboo reinforcing material and the PLA matrix material can both be sourced from highly renewable resources. In this study, a variety of test samples were manufactured at different manufacturing parameters to be used for mechanical testing. The results were recorded with respect to varying manufacturing parameters (raster angle orientation). It was found that the 0° raster angle orientation performed the best in every category except tensile. Additively manufactured bamboo filled PLA was also seen to have comparable strength to certain traditionally manufactured bamboo fiber reinforced plastics.
Platform Optimization and Cost Analysis in a Floating Offshore Wind Farm
Authors: Ghigo Alberto , Cottura Lorenzo , Caradonna Riccardo , Bracco Giovanni , Mattiazzo Giuliana
Published: October 2020

Floating offshore wind represents a new frontier of renewable energies. The absence of a fixed structure allows exploiting wind potential in deep seas, like the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, characterized by high availability and wind potential. However, a floating offshore wind system, which includes an offshore turbine, floating platform, moorings, anchors, and electrical system, requires very high capital investments: one of the most relevant cost items is the floating substructure. This work focuses on the choice of a floating platform that minimizes the global weight, in order to reduce the material cost, but ensuring buoyancy and static stability. Subsequently, the optimized platform is used to define a wind farm located near the island of Pantelleria, Italy in order to meet the island’s electricity needs. A sensitivity analysis to estimate the Levelized Cost Of Energy is presented, analyzing the parameters that influence it most, like Capacity Factor, Weighted Average Capital Cost (WACC) and number of wind turbines.
Simplified Numerical Models to Simulate Hollow Monopile Wind Turbine Foundations
Authors: Lopez-Querol Susana , Spyridis Michail , Moreta Pedro J. M. , Arias-Trujillo Juana
Published: October 2020

The majority of wind turbine foundations consist of hollow monopiles inserted in the soil, requiring high computational effort to be numerically simulated. Alternative simplified models are very often employed instead. Three-dimensional solid models, in which the hollow structure and pile are substituted by solid cylinders with equivalent properties, are the most extended simplifications. Very few 2D models can be found in the literature due to the challenge of finding suitable equivalent properties and loads to fully represent the 3D nature of the problem. So far, very limited attention has been devoted to the accuracy of both 3D and 2D simplified models under dynamic and even static actions. Thus, in this paper, simplified 3D and 2D solid models are proposed and justified. An elasto-plastic constitutive model with accumulative degradation is used to simulate the soil behaviour, and frictional contact elements are implemented between the soil and pile to model their interaction. These simplified approaches are compared with the full 3D hollow model, under static and cyclic loads. The results demonstrate that the proposed simplified approaches are a reasonable alternative to the 3D hollow model, which allows researchers and designers to drastically reduce the computational effort in the simulations under long term conditions.
A Novel Sediment Pressure Sampling Device Carried by a Hadal-Rated Lander
Authors: Chen Jiawang , Huang Yue , Lin Yuan , Zhou Peng , Fang Yuping , Le Xiaoling , Wang Yuhong
Published: October 2020

Reliable sampling technology for deep-sea sediments is a prerequisite for studying the sedimentary environment in the geological history, the mechanical characteristics of sediments and sediment biology. In this study, we develop a new sampling device in order to achieve a convenient and economic pressure sampling for hadal sediments. The overall structure, as well as the key component such as the pressure-holding part, and the sealing structure are designed. The feasibility of the device was verified through field tests. Furthermore, the sampling process is analyzed by the computer simulation. It is found that the sampling length is determined by the open diameter and the installation position of the core keepers. According to the simulation, the structure is optimized, which is beneficial to the further improvement of the sampling length.
Wave and Wind Responses of a Very-Light FOWT with Guy-Wired-Supported Tower: Numerical and Experimental Studies
Authors: Suzuki Hideyuki , Shiohara Hiroki , Schnepf Anja , Houtani Hidetaka , Carmo Lucas H. S. , Hirabayashi Shinichiro , Haneda Ken , Chujo Toshiki , Nihei Yasunori , Malta Edgard B. , Gonçalves Rodolfo T.
Published: October 2020

A floating offshore wind turbine (FOWT) concept with a guy-wire-supported tower was investigated to obtain motion results in waves considering its elastic model characteristics. The FOWT concept studied aims to reduce the construction costs by using a light-weight structure tensioned with guy wires and a downwind type. Wave tank experiments of an elastically similar segmented backbone model in the 1:60 scale were carried out to clarify the dynamic elastic response features of the structure. The experimental results were compared with numerical simulations obtained from NK-UTWind and WAMIT codes. The bending moment measured at the tower and pontoons had two peak values for different wave periods carried out. The short-wave period peak was due to sagging/hogging when the wavelength matched the floater length. The second peak was due to the large tower top acceleration, which caused a large bending moment at the tower base and pontoon to support the inertia force. The wind force was not significant to modify the FOWT response. The sensibility analysis in pontoons and tower rigidities confirmed the importance of the guy wires to support the inertia due to the waves and wind incidence. The new concept of a very-light FOWT with a guy-wire-supported tower may be an option for future FOWT developments.
The Navigator’s Aspect of PNC before and after ECDIS Implementation: Facts and Potential Implications towards Navigation Safety Improvement
Authors: Car Maro , Brčić David , Žuškin Srđan , Svilicic Boris
Published: October 2020

The global maritime digitalization reflects on navigation and paperless vessels with Paper Navigational Charts (PNC) nowadays superseded by Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). Considering the system implementation and its acceptance as a sole navigational means, opinions of navigators differ. Although the ECDIS mandatory implementation ended in 2018, some navigators have been still favouring PNCs, pointing out their advantages over ECDIS navigation. These standpoints may have an impact on the safety of navigation in terms of acceptance, interpretation, and understanding of the system as well as on conflict of standpoints of decisive navigational ranks, the latter reason being found as one of the real problems. The presented study has focused on a specific period, soon after the transitional period completion, aiming to determine the views of traditional navigation advocates, their arguments in the present maritime navigation paperless era and to identify potential problems emerging from the conflict of two navigational means. The research has induced two independent, internationally distributed questionnaires, dedicated to navigational ranks. The first survey has referred to the period from 2012 to 2018, marking the transition to ECDIS navigation. The second survey was conducted after the implementation period completion date. The answers were analysed and discussed from the navigational ranks’ perspective, considering their competitiveness and the level of ECDIS education. The research results have indicated and confirmed that PNCs could not entirely be ruled out, at least at this stage. Besides definitive questionnaire answers, the findings have been supported with categorised comments as interpreted from the first survey questionnaire results. The paper aims to present the future of the PNCs, including possibilities of fusion with modern means. The proposed suggestions have been directed towards the benefits of maritime navigation safety, referring especially to disagreement between navigational ranks in terms of particular means acceptance.
Towards Genomic Criteria for Delineating Fungal Species
Authors: Gostinčar Cene
Published: October 2020

The discussion of fungal species delineation has yet to reach a consensus, despite the advancements in technology, which helped modernise traditional approaches. In particular, the phylogenetic species concept was one of the tools that has been used with considerable success across the fungal kingdom. The fast rise of fungal genomics provides an unprecedented opportunity to expand measuring the relatedness of fungal strains to the level of whole genomes. However, the use of genomic information in taxonomy has only just begun, and few methodological guidelines have been suggested so far. Here, a simple approach of computationally measuring genomic distances and their use as a standard for species delineation is investigated. A fixed threshold genomic distance calculated by the quick and easy-to-use tools Mash and Dashing proved to be an unexpectedly widely applicable and robust criterion for determining whether two genomes belong to the same or to different species. The accuracy of species delineation in an uncurated dataset of GenBank fungal genomes was close to 90%—and exceeded 90% with minimal curation. As expected, the discriminative power of this approach was lower at higher taxonomic ranks, but still significantly larger than zero. Simple instructions for calculation of a genomic distance between two genomes and species similarity thresholds at different k-mer sizes are suggested. The calculation of genomic distance is identified as a powerful approach for delineating fungal species and is proposed—not as the only criterion—but as an additional tool in the versatile toolbox of fungal taxonomy.
A One Health Approach to Combatting Sporothrix brasiliensis: Narrative Review of an Emerging Zoonotic Fungal Pathogen in South America
Authors: Rossow John A. , Queiroz-Telles Flavio , Caceres Diego H. , Beer Karlyn D. , Jackson Brendan R. , Pereira Jose Guillermo , Ferreira Gremião Isabella Dib , Pereira Sandro Antonio
Published: October 2020

Cat-transmitted sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis has become a major public health concern and presents a distinct divergence from the traditional epidemiology of sporotrichosis. This emerging fungal pathogen spreads readily among cat populations, and human infections occur exclusively via zoonotic transmission. While sporotrichosis is an implantation mycosis that typically manifests as cutaneous lesions in humans and cats, severe extracutaneous manifestations are more common with S. brasiliensis than other Sporothrix species infections. Rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment regimens are critical for successful clinical resolution of sporotrichosis in both cats and humans. Species-level identification of Sporothrix is possible with molecular diagnostics and necessary for tracking the geographic expansion of S. brasiliensis and better understanding its epidemiology. Combatting cat-transmitted sporotrichosis requires a One Health approach to successfully implement public health control measures.
Knowledge and Attitudes of Medical and Health Science Students in the United Arab Emirates toward Genomic Medicine and Pharmacogenomics: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Rahma Azhar T. , Elsheik Mahanna , Elbarazi Iffat , Ali Bassam R. , Patrinos George P. , Kazim Maitha A. , Alfalasi Salma S. , Ahmed Luai A. , Al Maskari Fatma
Published: October 2020

Medical and health science students represent future health professionals, and their perceptions are essential to increasing awareness on genomic medicine and pharmacogenomics. Lack of education is one of the significant barriers that may affect health professional’s ability to interpret and communicate pharmacogenomics information and results to their clients. Our aim was to assess medical and health science students’ knowledge, attitudes and perception for a better genomic medicine and pharmacogenomics practice in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated questionnaire distributed electronically to students recruited using random and snowball sampling methods. A total of 510 students consented and completed the questionnaire between December 2018 and October 2019. The mean knowledge score (SD) for students was 5.4 (±2.7). There were significant differences in the levels of knowledge by the year of study of bachelor’s degree students, the completion status of training or education in pharmacogenomics (PGX) or pharmacogenetics and the completion of an internship or study abroad program (p-values < 0.05. The top two barriers that students identified in the implementation of genomic medicine and pharmacogenomics were lack of training or education (59.7%) and lack of clinical guidelines (58.7%). Concerns regarding confidentiality and discrimination were stated. The majority of medical and health science students had positive attitudes but only had a fair level of knowledge. Stakeholders in the UAE must strive to acquaint their students with up-to-date knowledge of genomic medicine and pharmacogenomics.
Association of an APBA3 Missense Variant with Risk of Premature Ovarian Failure in the Korean Female Population
Authors: Park JeongMan , Park YoungJoon , Koh Insong , Kim Nam Keun , Baek Kwang-Hyun , Yun Bo-Seong , Lee Kyung Ju , Song Jae Yun , Lee Eunil , Kwack KyuBum
Published: October 2020

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a complex disease of which the etiology is influenced by numerous genetic variations. Several POF candidate genes have been reported. However, no causal genes with high odds ratio (OR) have yet been discovered. This study included 564 females of Korean ethnicity, comprising 60 patients with POF and 182 controls in the discovery set and 105 patients with POF and 217 controls in the replication set. We conducted genome-wide association analysis to search for novel candidate genes predicted to influence POF development using Axiom Precision Medicine Research Arrays and additive model logistic regression analysis. One statistically significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs55941146, which encodes a missense alteration (Val > Gly) in the APBA3 gene, was identified with OR values for association with POF of 13.33 and 4.628 in the discovery and replication sets, respectively. No rs55941146 minor allele homozygotes were present in either cases or controls. The APBA3 protein binds FIH-1 that inhibits hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). HIF-1α contributes to granulosa cell proliferation, which is crucial for ovarian follicle growth, by regulating cell proliferation factors and follicle stimulating hormone-mediated autophagy. Our data demonstrate that APBA3 is a candidate novel causal gene for POF.
Ethical Considerations about Genomic Medicine Implementation: Lessons Learned from the eMERGE III Study
Authors: Inamura Kentaro
Published: October 2020

The development of high-throughput techniques has permitted the accumulation of enormous amounts of genomic information. As increasing numbers of studies aim to utilize individual genomic information for diagnostic, preventive, or therapeutic purposes, Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) have a greater opportunity to review such types of study protocols. An article published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine titled, “Ethical Considerations Related to Return of Results from Genomic Medicine Projects: The eMERGE Network (Phase III) Experience” identified the common concerns of IRBs in the process of reviewing such studies, and some concerns included the readability of informed consent materials, potential risks to participants, information sharing with family members, options for withdrawal or receiving limited results, and provisions to clear participant questions. Since there is an increase in the number of genomic medicine implementation studies worldwide, the insights provided by this study would assist future researchers in protocol preparation as well as aid project review by IRB members.
Global Open Data Remote Sensing Satellite Missions for Land Monitoring and Conservation: A Review
Authors: Radočaj Dorijan , Obhođaš Jasmina , Jurišić Mladen , Gašparović Mateo
Published: October 2020

The application of global open data remote sensing satellite missions in land monitoring and conservation studies is in the state of rapid growth, ensuring an observation with high spatial and spectral resolution over large areas. The purpose of this study was to provide a review of the most important global open data remote sensing satellite missions, current state-of-the-art processing methods and applications in land monitoring and conservation studies. Multispectral (Landsat, Sentinel-2, and MODIS), radar (Sentinel-1), and digital elevation model missions (SRTM, ASTER) were analyzed, as the most often used global open data satellite missions, according to the number of scientific research articles published in Web of Science database. Processing methods of these missions’ data consisting of image preprocessing, spectral indices, image classification methods, and modelling of terrain topographic parameters were analyzed and demonstrated. Possibilities of their application in land cover, land suitability, vegetation monitoring, and natural disaster management were evaluated, having high potential in broad use worldwide. Availability of free and complementary satellite missions, as well as the open-source software, ensures the basis of effective and sustainable land use management, with the prerequisite of the more extensive knowledge and expertise gathering at a global scale.
Youth and the Future of Community Forestry
Authors: Robson James P. , Wilson Sarah J. , Sanchez Constanza Mora , Bhatt Anita
Published: October 2020

Forests managed by Indigenous and other local communities generate important benefits for livelihood, and contribute to regional and global biodiversity and carbon sequestration goals. Yet, challenges to community forestry remain. Rural out-migration, for one, can make it hard for communities to maintain broad and diverse memberships invested in local forest commons. This includes young people, who can contribute critical energy, ideas, and skills and are well positioned to take up community forest governance and work, but often aspire to alternative livelihoods and lifestyles. Through an initiative called the Future of Forest Work and Communities, we sought to connect researchers and practitioners with young people living in forest regions, and explore whether community forestry is, or could be, a viable option for them in a globalising world. We achieved this through two phases of qualitative research: youth visioning workshops and questionnaires conducted in 14 forest communities and regions across 9 countries, and a more in-depth case study of two forest communities in Oaxaca, Mexico, using participant observation and semi-structured interviews. We found important synergies across sites. Youth held strong connections with their communities and local forests, but work and/or study aspirations meant many would likely leave their home communities (at least for a time). Community forestry was not seen as an obvious livelihood pathway by a majority of youth, although interest in forest work was evident through participation in several workshop activities. As community leadership and support organisations consider community forestry as an engine of local development, the research highlights the importance of engaging local youth to understand their interests and ideas, and thus identify practical and meaningful ways to empower them as community and territorial actors.
The Role of the Cyanobacterial Type IV Pilus Machinery in Finding and Maintaining a Favourable Environment
Authors: Conradi Fabian D. , Mullineaux Conrad W. , Wilde Annegret
Published: October 2020

Type IV pili (T4P) are proteinaceous filaments found on the cell surface of many prokaryotic organisms and convey twitching motility through their extension/retraction cycles, moving cells across surfaces. In cyanobacteria, twitching motility is the sole mode of motility properly characterised to date and is the means by which cells perform phototaxis, the movement towards and away from directional light sources. The wavelength and intensity of the light source determine the direction of movement and, sometimes in concert with nutrient conditions, act as signals for some cyanobacteria to form mucoid multicellular assemblages. Formation of such aggregates or flocs represents an acclimation strategy to unfavourable environmental conditions and stresses, such as harmful light conditions or predation. T4P are also involved in natural transformation by exogenous DNA, secretion processes, and in cellular adaptation and survival strategies, further cementing the role of cell surface appendages. In this way, cyanobacteria are finely tuned by external stimuli to either escape unfavourable environmental conditions via phototaxis, exchange genetic material, and to modify their surroundings to fit their needs by forming multicellular assemblies.
2-Propyl-N′-[1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ylidene]pentanehydrazide
Authors: Nesterkina Mariia , Barbalat Dmytro , Rakipov Ildar , Kravchenko Iryna
Published: October 2020

2-Propyl-N′-[1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ylidene]pentanehydrazide was obtained in 80% yield via the Einhorn variation of the Schotten–Baumann method by (+)-camphor hydrazide condensation with valproic acid (VPA) chloride. The structure of the titled compound was verified by Raman, FTIR, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR spectral analysis along with FAB-mass spectrometry. Thermal properties of synthesized derivative were elucidated by DSC and its purity by HPLC. The compound was successfully tested as a potential anticonvulsant agent based on models of chemically- and electrically-induced seizures.
Objective Diagnosis for Histopathological Images Based on Machine Learning Techniques: Classical Approaches and New Trends
Authors: Elazab Naira , Soliman Hassan , El-Sappagh Shaker , Islam S. M. Riazul , Elmogy Mohammed
Published: October 2020

Histopathology refers to the examination by a pathologist of biopsy samples. Histopathology images are captured by a microscope to locate, examine, and classify many diseases, such as different cancer types. They provide a detailed view of different types of diseases and their tissue status. These images are an essential resource with which to define biological compositions or analyze cell and tissue structures. This imaging modality is very important for diagnostic applications. The analysis of histopathology images is a prolific and relevant research area supporting disease diagnosis. In this paper, the challenges of histopathology image analysis are evaluated. An extensive review of conventional and deep learning techniques which have been applied in histological image analyses is presented. This review summarizes many current datasets and highlights important challenges and constraints with recent deep learning techniques, alongside possible future research avenues. Despite the progress made in this research area so far, it is still a significant area of open research because of the variety of imaging techniques and disease-specific characteristics.
An Application of the SRA Copulas Approach to Price-Volume Research
Authors: Martín Cervantes Pedro Antonio , Cruz Rambaud Salvador , Valls Martínez María del Carmen
Published: October 2020

The objective of this study was to apply the Sadegh, Ragno, and AghaKouchak (SRA) approach to the field of quantitative finance by analyzing, for the first time, the relationship between price and trading volume of the securities using four stock market indices: DJIA, FOOTSIE100, NIKKEI225, and IBEX35. This procedure is a completely new methodology in finance that consists of the application of a Bayesian framework and the development of a hybrid evolution algorithm of the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method to analyze a large number (26) of parametric copulas. With respect to the DJIA, the Joe’s copula is the one that most efficiently models its succinct dependence structures. One of the copulas included in the SRA approach, the Tawn’s copula, is jointly adjusted to the FOOTSIE100, NIKKEI225, and IBEX 35 indices to analyze the asymmetric relationship between price and trading volume. This adjustment can be considered almost perfect for the NIKKEI225, and a relatively different characterization for the IBEX35 seems to indicate the existence of endogenous patterns in the price and volume.
A Class of Sixth Order Viscous Cahn-Hilliard Equation with Willmore Regularization in ℝ3
Authors: Zhao Xiaopeng , Duan Ning
Published: October 2020

The main purpose of this paper is to study the Cauchy problem of sixth order viscous Cahn–Hilliard equation with Willmore regularization. Because of the existence of the nonlinear Willmore regularization and complex structures, it is difficult to obtain the suitable a priori estimates in order to prove the well-posedness results, and the large time behavior of solutions cannot be shown using the usual Fourier splitting method. In order to overcome the above two difficulties, we borrow a fourth-order linear term and a second-order linear term from the related term, rewrite the equation in a new form, and introduce the negative Sobolev norm estimates. Subsequently, we investigate the local well-posedness, global well-posedness, and decay rate of strong solutions for the Cauchy problem of such an equation in R3, respectively.
Differential Evolution in Robust Optimization Over Time Using a Survival Time Approach
Authors: Guzmán-Gaspar José-Yaír , Mezura-Montes Efrén , Domínguez-Isidro Saúl
Published: October 2020

This study presents an empirical comparison of the standard differential evolution (DE) against three random sampling methods to solve robust optimization over time problems with a survival time approach to analyze its viability and performance capacity of solving problems in dynamic environments. A set of instances with four different dynamics, generated by two different configurations of two well-known benchmarks, are solved. This work also introduces a comparison criterion that allows the algorithm to discriminate among solutions with similar survival times to benefit the selection process. The results show that the standard DE holds a good performance to find ROOT solutions, improving the results reported by state-of-the-art approaches in the studied environments. Finally, it was found that the chaotic dynamic, disregarding the type of peak movement in the search space, is a source of difficulty for the proposed DE algorithm.
Direct Measurements of Electroviscous Phenomena in Nafion Membranes
Authors: Østedgaard-Munck David Nicolas , Catalano Jacopo , Bentien Anders
Published: October 2020

Investigation of electroviscous effects is of interest to technologies that exploit transport of ions through ion exchange membranes, charged capillaries, and porous media. When ions move through such media due to a hydrostatic pressure difference, they interact with the fixed charges, leading to an increased hydraulic resistance. Experimentally this is observed as an apparent increase in the viscosity of the solution. Electroviscous effects are present in all electrochemical membrane-based processes ranging from nanofiltration to fuel-cells and redox flow batteries. Direct measurements of electroviscous effects varying the applied ionic current through Nafion membranes have, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, not yet been reported in literature. In the current study, electroviscous phenomena in different Nafion ion exchange membranes are measured directly with a method where the volume permeation is measured under constant trans-membrane pressure difference while varying the ion current density in the membrane. The direct measurement of the electroviscous effect is compared to the one calculated from the phenomenological transport equations and measured transport coefficients. Within the experimental uncertainty, there is a good agreement between the two values for all membranes tested. We report here an electroviscous effect for all Nafion membranes tested to be κH?κH−1=1.15−0.052+0.035.
An Ultra-High Frequency Vibration-Based Fatigue Test and Its Comparative Study of a Titanium Alloy in the VHCF Regime
Authors: Xu Wei , Zhao Yanguang , Chen Xin , Zhong Bin , Yu Huichen , He Yuhuai , Tao Chunhu
Published: October 2020

This paper proposes an ultra-high frequency (UHF) fatigue test of a titanium alloy TA11 based on electrodynamic shaker in order to develop a feasible testing method in the VHCF regime. Firstly, a type of UHF fatigue specimen is designed to make its actual testing frequency reach as high as 1756 Hz. Then the influences of the loading frequency and loading types on the testing results are considered separately, and a series of comparative fatigue tests are hence conducted. The results show the testing data from the present UHF fatigue specimen agree well with those from the conventional vibration fatigue specimen with the loading frequency of 240 Hz. Furthermore, the present UHF testing data show good consistency with those from the axial-loading fatigue and rotating bending fatigue tests. But the obtained fatigue life from ultrasonic fatigue test with the loading frequency of 20 kHz is significantly higher than all other fatigue test results. Thus the proposed ultra-high frequency vibration-based fatigue test shows a balance of high efficiency and similarity with the conventional testing results.
Selective Recovery of Molybdenum over Rhenium from Molybdenite Flue Dust Leaching Solution Using PC88A Extractant
Authors: Entezari-Zarandi Ali , Azizi Dariush , Nikolaychuk Pavel Anatolyevich , Larachi Faïçal , Pasquier Louis-César
Published: October 2020

Selective solvent extraction of molybdenum over rhenium from molybdenite (MoS2) flue dust leaching solution was studied. In the present work, thermodynamic calculations of the chemical equilibria in aqueous solution were first performed, and the potential–pH diagram for the Mo–Re–SO42−–H2O system was constructed. With the gained insight on the system, 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-ester (PC88A) diluted in kerosene was used as the extractant agent. Keeping constant the reaction temperature and aqueous-to-organic phase ratio (1:1), organic phase concentration and pH were the studied experimental variables. It was observed that by increasing the acidity of the solution and extractant concentration, selectivity towards Mo extraction increased, while the opposite was true for Re extraction. Selective Mo removal (+95%) from leach solution containing ca. 9 g/L Mo and 0.5 g/L Re was achieved when using an organic phase of 5% PC88A at pH = 0. No rhenium was coextracted during 10 min of extraction time at room temperature. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed in order to study the interactions of organic extractants with Mo and Re ions, permitting a direct comparison of calculation results with the experimental data to estimate selectivity factors in Mo–Re separation. For this aim, PC88A and D2EHPA (di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid) were simulated. The interaction energies of D2EHPA were shown to be higher than those of PC88A, which could be due to its stronger capability for complex formation. Besides, it was found that the interaction energies of both extractants follow this trend considering Mo species: MoO22+ > MoO42−. It was also demonstrated through DFT calculations that the interaction energies of D2EHPA and PC88A with species are based on these trends, respectively: MoO22+ > MoO42− > ReO4− and MoO22+ > ReO4− > MoO42−, in qualitative agreement with the experimental findings.
Effects of Intestinal Microbiota on Pharmacokinetics of Crocin and Crocetin in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats
Authors: Shakya Rajina , Nepal Mahesh R. , Kang Mi Jeong , Jeong Tae Cheon
Published: October 2020

In addition to the hepatic metabolism, the role of intestinal microbiota in drug metabolism has been considered important in the biotransformation of xenobiotics. Crocin and its aglycone, crocetin, isolated from many plants, including the dried stigma of Crocus sativus and the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides, have been used in treatment of inflammation, cancer, and metabolic disorders. In this study, the effect of intestinal microbiota on the pharmacokinetics of crocin was studied following single oral treatment with 600 mg/kg crocin to male rats pre-treated with a mixture of antibiotics, such as cefadroxil, oxytetracycline, and erythromycin, for three consecutive days. Following crocin treatment, blood, urine, and feces were collected at various time points for evaluating pharmacokinetic characteristics of crocin and crocetin by using LC-MS. Results showed that intestinal absorption of crocin was relatively marginal when compared with that of crocetin, and that crocin metabolism to crocetin by intestinal microbiota would be a critical step for absorption. The present results clearly suggested that the in vivo pharmacological effects of crocin might be considered as the effects by its aglycone, crocetin, mainly, and that the metabolism of glycosidic natural products by intestinal microbiota should be considered to understand their pharmacodynamic actions.
Profiling of Metabolic Differences between Hematopoietic Stem Cells and Acute/Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Song Byung Hoo , Son Su Young , Kim Hyun Kyu , Ha Tae Won , Im Jeong Suk , Ryu Aeli , Jeon Hyeji , Chung Hee Yong , Oh Jae Sang , Lee Choong Hwan , Lee Man Ryul
Published: October 2020

Although many studies have been conducted on leukemia, only a few have analyzed the metabolomic profiles of various leukemic cells. In this study, the metabolomes of THP-1, U937, KG-1 (acute myelogenous leukemia, AML), K562 (chronic myelogenous leukemia, CML), and cord blood-derived CD34-positive hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and specific metabolic alterations were found using multivariate statistical analysis. Compared to HSCs, leukemia cell metabolomes were found to have significant alterations, among which three were related to amino acids, three to sugars, and five to fatty acids. Compared to CML, four metabolomes were observed specifically in AML. Given that overall more metabolites are present in leukemia cells than in HSCs, we observed that the activation of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) metabolism facilitated the incidence of leukemia and the proliferation of leukemic cells. Analysis of metabolome profiles specifically present in HSCs and leukemia cells greatly increases our basic understanding of cellular metabolic characteristics, which is valuable fundamental knowledge for developing novel anticancer drugs targeting leukemia metabolism.
Transcriptomic and Phenotypic Analyses of the Sigma B-Dependent Characteristics and the Synergism between Sigma B and Sigma L in Listeria monocytogenes EGD-e
Authors: Mattila Mirjami , Somervuo Panu , Korkeala Hannu , Stephan Roger , Tasara Taurai
Published: October 2020

Numerous gene expression and stress adaptation responses in L. monocytogenes are regulated through alternative sigma factors σB and σL. Stress response phenotypes and transcriptomes were compared between L. monocytogenes EGD-e and its ΔsigB and ΔsigBL mutants. Targeted growth phenotypic analysis revealed that the ΔsigB and ΔsigBL mutants are impaired during growth under cold and organic-acid stress conditions. Phenotypic microarrays revealed increased sensitivity in both mutants to various antimicrobial compounds. Genes de-regulated in these two mutants were identified by genome-wide transcriptome analysis during exponential growth in BHI. The ΔsigB and ΔsigBL strains repressed 198 and 254 genes, respectively, compared to the parent EGD-e strain at 3 °C, whereas 86 and 139 genes, respectively, were repressed in these mutants during growth at 37 °C. Genes repressed in these mutants are involved in various cellular functions including transcription regulation, energy metabolism and nutrient transport functions, and viral-associated processes. Exposure to cold stress induced a significant increase in σB and σL co-dependent genes of L. monocytogenes EGD-e since most (62%) of the down-regulated genes uncovered at 3 °C were detected in the ΔsigBL double-deletion mutant but not in ΔsigB or ΔsigL single-deletion mutants. Overall, the current study provides an expanded insight into σB and σL phenotypic roles and functional interactions in L. monocytogenes. Besides previously known σB- and σL-dependent genes, the transcriptomes defined in ΔsigB and ΔsigBL mutants reveal several new genes that are positively regulated by σB alone, as well as those co-regulated through σB- and σL-dependent mechanisms during L. monocytogenes growth under optimal and cold-stress temperature conditions.
Outbreak of Tularemia in a Group of Hunters in Germany in 2018—Kinetics of Antibody and Cytokine Responses
Authors: Jacob Daniela , Barduhn Anne , Tappe Dennis , Rauch Jessica , Heuner Klaus , Hierhammer Daniela , vom Berge Katharina , Riehm Julia M. , Hanczaruk Matthias , Böhm Stefanie , Böhmer Merle M. , Konrad Regina , Bouschery Berit , Dauer Marc , Schichtl Elisabeth , Hossain Hamid , Grunow Roland
Published: October 2020

In November 2018, an outbreak of tularemia occurred among hare hunters in Bavaria, Germany. At least one infected hare was confirmed as the source of infection. A number of hunting dogs showed elevated antibody titers to Francisella tularensis, but the absence of titer increases in subsequent samples did not point to acute infections in dogs. Altogether, 12 persons associated with this hare hunt could be diagnosed with acute tularemia by detection of specific antibodies. In nine patients, the antibody and cytokine responses could be monitored over time. Eight out of these nine patients had developed detectable antibodies three weeks after exposure; in one individual the antibody response was delayed. All patients showed an increase in various cytokines and chemokines with a peak for most mediators in the first week after exposure. Cytokine levels showed individual variations, with high and low responders. The kinetics of seroconversion has implications on serological diagnoses of tularemia.