bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations between Clinical Symptoms and Degree of Ossification in Patients with Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: A Prospective Multi-Institutional Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Hirai Takashi , Yoshii Toshitaka , Ushio Shuta , Hashimoto Jun , Mori Kanji , Maki Satoshi , Katsumi Keiichi , Nagoshi Narihito , Takeuchi Kazuhiro , Furuya Takeo , Watanabe Kei , Nishida Norihiro , Nishimura Soraya , Watanabe Kota , Kaito Takashi , Kato Satoshi , Nagashima Katsuya , Koda Masao , Ito Kenyu , Imagama Shiro , Matsuoka Yuji , Wada Kanichiro , Kimura Atsushi , Ohba Tetsuro , Katoh Hiroyuki , Watanabe Masahiko , Matsuyama Yukihiro , Ozawa Hiroshi , Haro Hirotaka , Takeshita Katsushi , Matsumoto Morio , Nakamura Masaya , Yamazaki Masashi , Yuasa Masato , Inose Hiroyuki , Okawa Atsushi , Kawaguchi Yoshiharu
Published: December 2020

This study aimed to clarify whether ossification predisposition influences clinical symptoms including pain, restriction of activities of daily living, and quality of life in patients with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Cervical ossification predisposition potentially causes neurologic dysfunction, but the relationship between clinical symptoms and radiologic severity of OPLL has not yet been investigated. Data were prospectively collected from 16 institutions across Japan. We enrolled 239 patients with cervical OPLL. The primary outcomes were patient-reported outcomes, including visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores and other questionnaires. Whole-spine computed tomography images were obtained, and correlations were investigated between clinical symptoms and radiologic findings, including the distribution of OPLL, the sum of the levels where OPLL was present (OP-index), and the canal narrowing ratio (CNR) grade. The cervical OP-index was Grade 1 in 113 patients, Grade 2 in 90, and Grade 3 in 36. No significant correlations were found between radiologic outcomes and VAS pain scores. The cervical OP-index was associated with lower extremity function, social dysfunction, and locomotive function. The CNR grade was not correlated with clinical symptoms, but Grade 4 was associated with lower extremity dysfunction. Thickness and extension of ossified lesions may be associated with lower extremity dysfunction in cervical OPLL.
Review of Colonic Anastomotic Leakage and Prevention Methods
Authors: Fang Alex H. , Chao Wilson , Ecker Melanie
Published: December 2020

Although surgeries involving anastomosis are relatively common, anastomotic leakages are potentially deadly complications of colorectal surgeries due to increased risk of morbidity and mortality. As a result of the potentially fatal effects of anastomotic leakages, a myriad of techniques and treatments have been developed to treat these unfortunate cases. In order to better understand the steps taken to treat this complication, we have created a composite review involving some of the current and best treatments for colonic anastomotic leakage that are available. The aim of this article is to present a background review of colonic anastomotic leakage, as well as current strategies to prevent and treat this condition, for a broader audience, including scientist, engineers, and especially biomedical engineers.
Flexural Performance of FRP-Reinforced Geopolymer Concrete Beam
Authors: Goonewardena Janeshka , Ghabraie Kazem , Subhani Mahbube
Published: December 2020

Fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) rebar and geopolymer concrete (GPC) are relatively new construction materials that are now been increasingly used in the construction sectors. Both materials exhibit superior structural and durability properties that also make them a sustainable alternative solution. Due to the absence of any design standard for an FRP-reinforced GPC beam, it is important to validate the efficacy of available standards and literature related to other materials, e.g., FRP-reinforced conventional concrete or GPC alone. Four theories/design standards are considered for this comparison—ACI440.1R-15, CAN/CSA S806-12, parabolic stress block theory, and equivalent rectangular stress block theory for GPC under compression. The accuracy of these four approaches is also examined by studying the flexural performance of both the glass FRP (GFRP) and carbon FRP (CFRP). The FRP-reinforced beams are designed against the actual load they will be subjected to in a real-world scenario. It is concluded that parabolic stress block theory over-estimates the capacity, whereas CSA S806-12 yields the most accurate and conservative results. In addition, the flexural performance of the FRP-reinforced beams is evaluated in terms of ultimate, cracking, and service moment capacity, along with serviceable, ultimate, and residual deflection.
Integrated Seismic and Energy Retrofitting System for Masonry Walls Using Textile-Reinforced Mortars Combined with Thermal Insulation: Experimental, Analytical, and Numerical Study
Authors: Karlos Kyriakos , Tsantilis Aristomenis , Triantafillou Thanasis
Published: December 2020

Taking into consideration the seismic vulnerability of older buildings and the increasing need for reducing their carbon footprint and energy consumption, the application of an innovative system is investigated; the system is based on the use of textile-reinforced mortar (TRM) and thermal insulation as a means of combined seismic and energy retrofitting of existing masonry walls. Medium-scale tests were carried out on masonry walls subjected to out-of-plane cyclic loading. The following parameters were investigated experimentally: placement of the TRM in a sandwich form (over and under the insulation) or outside the insulation, one-sided or two-sided TRM jacketing and/or insulation, and the displacement amplitude of the loading cycles. A simple analytical method is developed and found in good agreement with the test results. Additionally, numerical modeling is carried out and also found in good agreement with the test results. From the results obtained in this study, the authors believe that TRM jacketing may be combined effectively with thermal insulation, increasing the overall strength and energy efficiency of the masonry panels in buildings.
What Is Lost in the Weismann Barrier?
Authors: Bline Abigail P. , Le Goff Anne , Allard Patrick
Published: December 2020

The Weismann barrier has long been regarded as a basic tenet of biology. However, upon close examination of its historical origins and August Weismann’s own writings, questions arise as to whether such a status is warranted. As scientific research has advanced, the persistence of the concept of the barrier has left us with the same dichotomies Weismann contended with over 100 years ago: germ or soma, gene or environment, hard or soft inheritance. These dichotomies distract from the more important questions we need to address going forward. In this review, we will examine the theories that have shaped Weismann’s thinking, how the concept of the Weismann barrier emerged, and the limitations that it carries. We will contrast the principles underlying the barrier with recent and less recent findings in developmental biology and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance that have profoundly eroded the oppositional view of germline vs. soma. Discarding the barrier allows us to examine the interactive processes and their response to environmental context that generate germ cells in the first place, determine the entirety of what is inherited through them, and set the trajectory for the health status of the progeny they bear.
A Survey on Anti-Spoofing Methods for Facial Recognition with RGB Cameras of Generic Consumer Devices
Authors: Ming Zuheng , Visani Muriel , Luqman Muhammad Muzzamil , Burie Jean-Christophe
Published: December 2020

The widespread deployment of facial recognition-based biometric systems has made facial presentation attack detection (face anti-spoofing) an increasingly critical issue. This survey thoroughly investigates facial Presentation Attack Detection (PAD) methods that only require RGB cameras of generic consumer devices over the past two decades. We present an attack scenario-oriented typology of the existing facial PAD methods, and we provide a review of over 50 of the most influenced facial PAD methods over the past two decades till today and their related issues. We adopt a comprehensive presentation of the reviewed facial PAD methods following the proposed typology and in chronological order. By doing so, we depict the main challenges, evolutions and current trends in the field of facial PAD and provide insights on its future research. From an experimental point of view, this survey paper provides a summarized overview of the available public databases and an extensive comparison of the results reported in PAD-reviewed papers.
Storm Surge Inundation Analysis with Consideration of Building Shape and Layout at Ise Bay by Maximum Potential Typhoon
Authors: Nimura Masaki , Nishida Shuzo , Kawasaki Koji , Murakami Tomokazu , Shimokawa Shinya
Published: December 2020

Global warming is feared to cause sea-level rise and intensification of typhoons, and these changes will lead to an increase in storm surge levels. For that reason, it is essential to predict the inundation areas for the maximum potential typhoon and evaluate the disaster mitigation effect of seawalls. In this study, we analyzed storm surge inundation of the inner part of Ise Bay (coast of Aichi and Mie Prefecture, Japan) due to the maximum potential typhoon in the future climate with global warming. In the analysis, a high-resolution topographical model was constructed considering buildings’ shape and arrangement and investigated the inundation process inside the seawall in detail. The results showed that buildings strongly influence the storm surge inundation process inside the seawall, and a high-velocity current is generated in some areas. It is also found that closing the seawall door delays the inundation inside the seawall, but the evacuation after inundation is more difficult under the seawall doors closed condition than opened condition when the high tide level exceeds the seawall.
Component Velocities and Turbulence Intensities within Ship Twin-Propeller Jet Using CFD and ADV
Authors: Cui Yonggang , Lam Wei Haur , Puay How Tion , Ibrahim Muhammad S. I. , Robinson Desmond , Hamill Gerard
Published: December 2020

This study presents the decays of three components of velocity for a ship twin-propeller jet associated with turbulence intensities using the Acoustic Doppler Velocimetry (ADV) measurement and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods. Previous research has shown that a single-propeller jet consists of a zone of flow establishment and a zone of established flow. Twin-propeller jets are more complex than single-propeller jets, and can be divided into zones with four peaks, two peaks, and one peak. The axial velocity distribution is the main contributor and can be predicted using the Gaussian normal distribution. The axial velocity decay is described by linear equations using the maximum axial velocity in the efflux plane. The tangential and radial velocity decays show linear and nonlinear distributions in different zones. The turbulence intensity increases locally in the critical position of the noninterference zone and the interference zone. The current research converts the axial momentum theory of a single propeller into twin-propeller jet theory with a series of equations used to predict the overall twin-propeller jet structure.
The Issue of Using Ordinal Quantities to Estimate the Vulnerability of Seabirds to Oil Spills
Authors: Shavykin Anatoly , Karnatov Andrey
Published: December 2020

Oil spills can have a serious negative effect on seabirds. Numerous studies have been carried out for relative vulnerability assessment of seabirds to oil, with the majority of such works based on ordinal quantities. This study aims to assess (from the aspect of measurement theory) the methodological approaches used for calculating the vulnerability of seabirds to oil spills, and corresponding conclusions. We assess several well-known works on the vulnerability of seabirds (1979–2004). We consider the effect on derived conclusions of (a) monotonic initial data transformations on an ordinal scale, (b) multiplication operations on the same scale, and (c) the replacement of initial metric data to ordinal. Our results show the following: (a) the conclusions for arithmetic operations may not be saved with permissible monotonic transformations of ordinal quantities; (b) partially uncertain results can be obtained with arithmetic operations on an ordinal scale as compared with metric; (c) the replacement of metric values to scores changes the real relationships among initial data and affects the final result. Thus, conclusions in works which use arithmetic operations with ordinal quantities cannot be considered to be justified and correct, since they are based on unacceptable operations and, quite often, on the distorted original data.
Option Pricing Incorporating Factor Dynamics in Complete Markets
Authors: Hu Yuan , Shirvani Abootaleb , Lindquist W. Brent , Fabozzi Frank J. , Rachev Svetlozar T.
Published: December 2020

Using the Donsker–Prokhorov invariance principle, we extend the Kim–Stoyanov–Rachev–Fabozzi option pricing model to allow for variably-spaced trading instances, an important consideration for short-sellers of options. Applying the Cherny–Shiryaev–Yor invariance principles, we formulate a new binomial path-dependent pricing model for discrete- and continuous-time complete markets where the stock price dynamics depends on the log-return dynamics of a market influencing factor. In the discrete case, we extend the results of this new approach to a financial market with informed traders employing a statistical arbitrage strategy involving trading of forward contracts. Our findings are illustrated with numerical examples employing US financial market data. Our work provides further support for the conclusion that any option pricing model must preserve valuable information on the instantaneous mean log-return, the probability of the stock’s upturn movement (per trading interval), and other market microstructure features.
Deagrarianisation of the Economic Structure and the Evolution of Rural Settlement Patterns in Poland
Authors: Rosner Andrzej , Wesołowska Monika
Published: December 2020

Since the Second World War, Poland has been undergoing an intensive process of transformation of the economic structure of rural areas, manifested, among other things, in the change in the occupational make-up of its inhabitants. The development of non-agricultural methods of management in rural areas has led to the emergence of multifunctional rural areas, where the role of agriculture as a source of income for the inhabitants is decreasing. There is a process of deagrarianisation of the economic structure, which has been indicated by many researchers as an unavoidable process, connected with the changes taking place in rural areas. One of the effects of this process are changes in rural settlement patterns. The aim of this article is to present the spatial effects of the deagrarianisation process in the Polish countryside, expressed in the changes in the rural settlement network. The authors used the statistical database of the Central Statistical Office (over 41 thousand records) to draw up the classification of rural areas by the nature of changes in population numbers in the period 1950–2011, which was compared with the research carried out as part of the Monitoring of Rural Development in Poland. The study confirmed that the factor behind the evolution of the rural settlement network is the process of decreasing agricultural demand for labour. As a consequence, there is a polarisation of localities into multifunctional rural localities, mainly headquarter villages and local government offices, and those with a predominantly agricultural function. On a supra-local scale, a process of polarisation of rural areas between a growing suburban population and a reducing peripheral location around large and medium-sized towns has been observed.
Pore Structure, Morphology, and Strength of Self-Compacting Foam Material Backfilled Behind the Underground Pipe-Wall of Yellow River
Authors: Zhao Jian , Deng Yansong , Gao Peiwei , Lu Xiaolin , Zhang Jun , Zong Jianjun
Published: December 2020

The backfill material for the underground pipe wall of Yellow River embankment was developed to avoid the high settlement and environmental damage caused by high filling and excavation. The interrelation between microstructure and compressive strength of the self-compacting foam backfill material with different water–binder ratios and density grades was investigated. The results indicated that the average pores size of the foam backfill material increased with increasing the water–binder ratio. Moreover, the compressive strength of the foam backfill material first increased and then decreased with continuously increasing the water–binder ratio. Based on the observation and the analysis of the computed tomography (CT) image, it can be found that the pore size of the foam backfill material decreased with the increment of the density grade. The overall findings demonstrated that the pore size and volume played an important role in affecting the performance of the foam backfill material used for the construction of the underground pipe wall of Yellow River embankment.
Clean-Room Lithographical Processes for the Fabrication of Graphene Biosensors
Authors: Cabral Patrícia D. , Domingues Telma , Machado George , Chicharo Alexandre , Cerqueira Fátima , Fernandes Elisabete , Athayde Emília , Alpuim Pedro , Borme Jérôme
Published: December 2020

This work is on developing clean-room processes for the fabrication of electrolyte-gate graphene field-effect transistors at the wafer scale for biosensing applications. Our fabrication process overcomes two main issues: removing surface residues after graphene patterning and the dielectric passivation of metallic contacts. A graphene residue-free transfer process is achieved by using a pre-transfer, sacrificial metallic mask that protects the entire wafer except the areas around the channel, source, and drain, onto which the graphene film is transferred and later patterned. After the dissolution of the mask, clean gate electrodes are obtained. The multilayer SiO2/SiNx dielectric passivation takes advantage of the excellent adhesion of SiO2 to graphene and the substrate materials and the superior impermeability of SiNx. It hinders native nucleation centers and breaks the propagation of defects through the layers, protecting from prolonged exposition to all common solvents found in biochemistry work, contrary to commonly used polymeric passivation. Since wet etch does not allow the required level of control over the lithographic process, a reactive ion etching process using a sacrificial metallic stopping layer is developed and used for patterning the passivation layer. The process achieves devices with high reproducibility at the wafer scale.
Research into the Effect of Grain and the Content of Alundum on Tribological Properties and Selected Mechanical Properties of Polymer Composites
Authors: Krzyzak Aneta , Kosicka Ewelina , Szczepaniak Robert
Published: December 2020

The subject of the research is a polymer composite with a matrix base of epoxy resin L285 cured with H285 hardener, and a physical modifier of friction in the form of alundum. The article presents an analysis of findings of tribological examinations. The authors evaluated the influence of the modifier properties in the form of alundum, i.e., mass share and grain size, on the abrasive wear of a composite, defined as loss of weight as well as on roughness parameters and selected mechanical properties. The tribological examinations have been extended by measurements of hardness and density of the prepared composites. The obtained results of tribological examinations showed an increase in the average value of weight loss in relation to the loss of sample weight loss between the cycles. The influence of both the grain size and the mass percentage share of alundum upon the increase in the longitudinal modulus of elasticity was also observed. On the basis of the obtained results, it was found that alundum of grain sizes equal to F220 and F240 exerted the best influence on the reduction of abrasive wear of the tested samples. In the case of F220, it was 14.04% of the average value of the weight loss between the cycles for all percentage shares of the used grains.
Deep Regression Prediction of Rheological Properties of SIS-Modified Asphalt Binders
Authors: Ji Bongjun , Lee Soon-Jae , Mazumder Mithil , Lee Moon-Sup , Kim Hyun Hwan
Published: December 2020

The engineering properties of asphalt binders depend on the types and amounts of additives. However, measuring engineering properties is time-consuming, requires technical expertise, specialized equipment, and effort. This study develops a deep regression model for predicting the engineering property of asphalt binders based on analysis of atomic force microscopy (AFM) image analysis to test the feasibility of replacing traditional measuring estimate techniques. The base asphalt binder PG 64-22 and styrene–isoprene–styrene (SIS) modifier were blended with four different polymer additive contents (0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) and then tested with a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) to evaluate the rheological data, which indicate the rutting properties of the asphalt binders. Different deep regression models are trained for predicting engineering property using AFM images of SIS binders. The mean absolute percentage error is decisive for the selection of the best deep regression architecture. This study’s results indicate the deep regression architecture is found to be effective in predicting the G*/sin δ value after the training and validation process. The deep regression model can be an alternative way to measure the asphalt binder’s engineering property quickly. This study would encourage applying a deep regression model for predicting the engineering properties of the asphalt binder.
Strategies to Improve the Energy Storage Properties of Perovskite Lead-Free Relaxor Ferroelectrics: A Review
Authors: Veerapandiyan Vignaswaran , Benes Federica , Gindel Theresa , Deluca Marco
Published: December 2020

Electrical energy storage systems (EESSs) with high energy density and power density are essential for the effective miniaturization of future electronic devices. Among different EESSs available in the market, dielectric capacitors relying on swift electronic and ionic polarization-based mechanisms to store and deliver energy already demonstrate high power densities. However, different intrinsic and extrinsic contributions to energy dissipations prevent ceramic-based dielectric capacitors from reaching high recoverable energy density levels. Interestingly, relaxor ferroelectric-based dielectric capacitors, because of their low remnant polarization, show relatively high energy density and thus display great potential for applications requiring high energy density properties. In this study, some of the main strategies to improve the energy density properties of perovskite lead-free relaxor systems are reviewed, including (i) chemical modification at different crystallographic sites, (ii) chemical additives that do not target lattice sites, and (iii) novel processing approaches dedicated to bulk ceramics, thick and thin films, respectively. Recent advancements are summarized concerning the search for relaxor materials with superior energy density properties and the appropriate choice of both composition and processing routes to match various applications’ needs. Finally, future trends in computationally-aided materials design are presented.
Band Gaps Characteristics Analysis of Periodic Oscillator Coupled Damping Beam
Authors: Tang Li , Yao Xiongliang , Wu Guoxun , Tang Dong
Published: December 2020

The vibration of the periodic oscillator coupled damping beam model is reduced through the band gaps designing method, which can be applied in equivalent engineering structures. In this paper, the flexural wave dispersion relations of the infinite long periodic oscillator coupled damping beam were calculated using the reverberation-ray matrix method combined with the Bloch theorem. The flexural wave vibration frequency response function of the finite long periodic oscillator coupled damping beam was carried out using the finite element method. The flexural wave vibration band gaps occur in the infinite long periodic oscillator coupled damping beam model in both the analytical and numerical results. In these band gaps, flexural waves’ propagation is prohibited, and flexural vibration is significantly suppressed. Furthermore, the effects of structure and material parameters on the flexural wave vibration band gaps characteristics are studied. Thus, the structural vibration reduction design can be realized by adjusting the related parameters of the periodic coupled damping beam structures and the equivalent 2D periodic stiffened plate structures.
Effect of Chromium and Molybdenum Addition on the Microstructure of In Situ TiC-Reinforced Composite Surface Layers Fabricated on Ductile Cast Iron by Laser Alloying
Authors: Janicki Damian
Published: December 2020

In situ TiC-reinforced composite surface layers (TRLs) were produced on a ductile cast iron substrate by laser surface alloying (LA) using pure Ti powder and mixtures of Ti-Cr and Ti-Mo powders. During LA with pure Ti, the intensity of fluid flow in the molten pool, which determines the TRL’s compositional uniformity, and thus Ti content in the alloyed zone, was directly affected by the fraction of synthesized TiC particles in the melt—with increasing the TiC fraction, the convection was gradually reduced. The introduction of additional Cr or Mo powders into the molten pool, due to their beneficial effect on the intensity of the molten pool convection, elevated the Ti concentration in the melt, and, thus, the TiC fraction in the TRL. It was found that the melt enrichment of Cr, in conjunction with non-equilibrium cooling conditions, suppressed the martensitic transformation of the matrix, which lowered the total hardness of the TRL. Moreover, the presence of Cr in the melt (~3 wt%) altered the growth morphology of the synthesized primary TiC precipitates compared with that obtained using pure Ti. The addition of Mo in the melt produced (Ti, Mo)C primary precipitates that exhibited a nonuniform Mo distribution (coring structure). The dissolution of Mo in the primary TiC precipitates did not affect its growth morphology.
Finitistic Homological Dimensions Relative to Subcategories
Authors: Huang Yuntao , Wu Xia , Song Weiling
Published: December 2020

Let C⊆T be subcategories of an abelian category A. Under some certain conditions, we show that the C-finitistic and T-finitistic global dimensions of A are identical. Some applications are given; in particular, some known results are obtained as corollaries.
Synergistic Effect of 2-Acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic Acid on the Enhanced Conductivity for Fuel Cell at Low Temperature
Authors: Manohar Murli , Kim Dukjoon
Published: December 2020

This present work focused on the aromatic polymer (poly (1,4-phenylene ether-ether-sulfone); SPEES) interconnected/ cross-linked with the aliphatic monomer (2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic; AMPS) with the sulfonic group to enhance the conductivity and make it flexible with aliphatic chain of AMPS. Surprisingly, it produced higher conductivity than that of other reported work after the chemical stability was measured. It allows optimizing the synthesis of polymer electrolyte membranes with tailor-made combinations of conductivity and stability. Membrane structure is characterized by 1H NMR and FT-IR. Weight loss of the membrane in Fenton’s reagent is not too high during the oxidative stability test. The thermal stability of the membrane is characterized by TGA and its morphology by SEM and SAXS. The prepared membranes improved proton conductivity up to 0.125 Scm−1 which is much higher than that of Nafion N115 which is 0.059 Scm−1. Therefore, the SPEES-AM membranes are adequate for fuel cell at 50 °C with reduced relative humidity (RH).
Special Issue “Advances in Artificial and Biological Membranes: Mechanisms of Ionic Sensitivity, Ion-Sensor Designs, and Applications for Ion Measurement”
Authors: Lewenstam Andrzej , Dołowy Krzysztof
Published: December 2020

Ion sensors, conventionally known as ion-selective membrane electrodes, were devised 100 years ago with the invention of a pH electrode with a glass membrane (in 1906 Cremer, in 1909 Haber and Klemensiewicz) [...]
Acidic Gases Solubility in Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) Sulfosuccinate Based Ionic Liquids Using the Predictive Thermodynamic Model
Authors: Mechergui Amal , Akhmetshina Alsu I. , Kazarina Olga V. , Atlaskina Maria E. , Petukhov Anton N. , Vorotyntsev Ilya V.
Published: December 2020

To properly design ionic liquids (ILs) adopted for gases separation uses, a knowledge of ILs thermodynamic properties as well their solubilities with the gases is essential. In the present article, solubilities of CO2 and H2S in bis(2-Ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate based ILs were predicted using the conductor like screening model for real solvents COSMO-RS. According to COSMO-RS calculations, the influence of the cation change was extensively analyzed. The obtained data are used for the prediction of adequate solvent candidates. Moreover, to understand the intrinsic behavior of gases solubility the free volume of the chosen ILs and their molecular interactions with respectively CO2 and H2S were computed. The results suggest that hydrogen bonding interactions in ILs and between ILs and the gases have a pivotal influence on the solubility.
The Metabolomics of Childhood Atopic Diseases: A Comprehensive Pathway-Specific Review
Authors: Schjødt Mette S. , Gürdeniz Gözde , Chawes Bo
Published: December 2020

Asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergy, and atopic dermatitis are common childhood diseases with several different underlying mechanisms, i.e., endotypes of disease. Metabolomics has the potential to identify disease endotypes, which could beneficially promote personalized prevention and treatment. Here, we summarize the findings from metabolomics studies of children with atopic diseases focusing on tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism, lipids (particularly, sphingolipids), polyunsaturated fatty acids, microbially derived metabolites (particularly, short-chain fatty acids), and bile acids. We included 25 studies: 23 examined asthma or wheezing, five examined allergy endpoints, and two focused on atopic dermatitis. Of the 25 studies, 20 reported findings in the pathways of interest with findings for asthma in all pathways and for allergy and atopic dermatitis in most pathways except tyrosine metabolism and short-chain fatty acids, respectively. Particularly, tyrosine, 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, N-acetyltyrosine, tryptophan, indolelactic acid, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, p-Cresol sulfate, taurocholic acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid, glycohyocholic acid, glycocholic acid, and docosapentaenoate n-6 were identified in at least two studies. This pathway-specific review provides a comprehensive overview of the existing evidence from metabolomics studies of childhood atopic diseases. The altered metabolic pathways uncover some of the underlying biochemical mechanisms leading to these common childhood disorders, which may become of potential value in clinical practice.
Enhancement of Fluid Mixing with U-Shaped Channels on a Rotating Disc
Authors: Hsu Chi-Wei , Shih Po-Tin , Chen Jerry M.
Published: December 2020

In this study, centrifugal microfluidics with a simple geometry of U-shaped structure was designed, fabricated and analyzed to attain rapid and efficient fluid mixing. Visualization experiments together with numerical simulations were carried out to investigate the mixing behavior for the microfluidics with single, double and triple U-shaped structures, where each of the U-structures consisted of four consecutive 90° bends. It is found that the U-shaped structure markedly enhances mixing by transverse secondary flow that is originated from the Coriolis-induced vortices and further intensified by the Dean force generated as the stream turns along the 90° bends. The secondary flow becomes stronger with increasing rotational speed and with more U-shaped structures, hence higher mixing performance. The mixing efficiency measured for the three types of mixers shows a sharp increase with increasing rotational speed in the lower range. As the rotational speed further increases, nearly complete mixing can be achieved at 600 rpm for the triple-U mixer and at 720 rpm for the double-U mixer, while a maximum efficiency level of 83–86% is reached for the single-U mixer. The simulation results that reveal detailed characteristics of the flow and concentration fields are in good agreement with the experiments.
Functional Analysis Validation of Micro and Conventional Injection Molding Machines Performances Based on Process Precision and Accuracy for Micro Manufacturing
Authors: Calaon Matteo , Baruffi Federico , Fantoni Gualtiero , Cirri Ilenia , Santochi Marco , Hansen Hans Nørgaard , Tosello Guido
Published: December 2020

Micro polymer parts can be usually manufactured either by conventional injection moulding (IM) or by micro-injection moulding (µIM). In this paper, functional analysis was used as a tool to investigate the performances of IM and µIM used to manufacture the selected industrial component. The methodology decomposed the production cycle phases of the two processes and attributed functions to parts features of the two investigated machines. The output of the analysis was aimed to determine casual chains leading to the final outcome of the process. Experimental validation of the functional analysis was carried out moulding the same micro medical part in thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material using the two processes by means of multi-cavity moulds. The produced batches were assessed using a precision scale and a high accuracy optical instrument. The measurement results were compared using capability indexes. The data-driven comparison identified and quantified the correlations between machine design and part quality, demonstrating that the µIM machine technology better meets the accuracy and precision requirements typical of micro manufacturing productions.
Inteins in Science: Evolution to Application
Authors: Nanda Ananya , Nasker Sourya Subhra , Mehra Ashwaria , Panda Sunita , Nayak Sasmita
Published: December 2020

Inteins are mobile genetic elements that apply standard enzymatic strategies to excise themselves post-translationally from the precursor protein via protein splicing. Since their discovery in the 1990s, recent advances in intein technology allow for them to be implemented as a modern biotechnological contrivance. Radical improvement in the structure and catalytic framework of cis- and trans-splicing inteins devised the development of engineered inteins that contribute to various efficient downstream techniques. Previous literature indicates that implementation of intein-mediated splicing has been extended to in vivo systems. Besides, the homing endonuclease domain also acts as a versatile biotechnological tool involving genetic manipulation and control of monogenic diseases. This review orients the understanding of inteins by sequentially studying the distribution and evolution pattern of intein, thereby highlighting a role in genetic mobility. Further, we include an in-depth summary of specific applications branching from protein purification using self-cleaving tags to protein modification, post-translational processing and labelling, followed by the development of intein-based biosensors. These engineered inteins offer a disruptive approach towards research avenues like biomaterial construction, metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Therefore, this linear perspective allows for a more comprehensive understanding of intein function and its diverse applications.
Impact of Helicobacter pylori Infection and Its Major Virulence Factor CagA on DNA Damage Repair
Authors: Kontizas Eleftherios , Tastsoglou Spyros , Karamitros Timokratis , Karayiannis Yiannis , Kollia Panagoula , Hatzigeorgiou Artemis G. , Sgouras Dionyssios N.
Published: December 2020

Helicobacter pylori infection induces a plethora of DNA damages. Gastric epithelial cells, in order to maintain genomic integrity, require an integrous DNA damage repair (DDR) machinery, which, however, is reported to be modulated by the infection. CagA is a major H. pylori virulence factor, associated with increased risk for gastric carcinogenesis. Its pathogenic activity is partly regulated by phosphorylation on EPIYA motifs. Our aim was to identify effects of H. pylori infection and CagA on DDR, investigating the transcriptome of AGS cells, infected with wild-type, ΔCagA and EPIYA-phosphorylation-defective strains. Upon RNA-Seq-based transcriptomic analysis, we observed that a notable number of DDR genes were found deregulated during the infection, potentially resulting to base excision repair and mismatch repair compromise and an intricate deregulation of nucleotide excision repair, homologous recombination and non-homologous end-joining. Transcriptome observations were further investigated on the protein expression level, utilizing infections of AGS and GES-1 cells. We observed that CagA contributed to the downregulation of Nth Like DNA Glycosylase 1 (NTHL1), MutY DNA Glycosylase (MUTYH), Flap Structure-Specific Endonuclease 1 (FEN1), RAD51 Recombinase, DNA Polymerase Delta Catalytic Subunit (POLD1), and DNA Ligase 1 (LIG1) and, contrary to transcriptome results, Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endodeoxyribonuclease 1 (APE1) upregulation. Our study accentuates the role of CagA as a significant contributor of H. pylori infection-mediated DDR modulation, potentially disrupting the balance between DNA damage and repair, thus favoring genomic instability and carcinogenesis.
Comparative Pathogenomics of Aeromonas veronii from Pigs in South Africa: Dominance of the Novel ST657 Clone
Authors: Ramsamy Yogandree , Mlisana Koleka P. , Amoako Daniel G. , Abia Akebe Luther King , Allam Mushal , Ismail Arshad , Singh Ravesh , Essack Sabiha Y.
Published: December 2020

The pathogenomics of carbapenem-resistant Aeromonas veronii (A. veronii) isolates recovered from pigs in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, was explored by whole genome sequencing on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Genomic functional annotation revealed a vast array of similar central networks (metabolic, cellular, and biochemical). The pan-genome analysis showed that the isolates formed a total of 4349 orthologous gene clusters, 4296 of which were shared; no unique clusters were observed. All the isolates had similar resistance phenotypes, which corroborated their chromosomally mediated resistome (blaCPHA3 and blaOXA-12) and belonged to a novel sequence type, ST657 (a satellite clone). Isolates in the same sub-clades clustered according to their clonal lineages and host. Mobilome analysis revealed the presence of chromosome-borne insertion sequence families. The estimated pathogenicity score (Pscore ≈ 0.60) indicated their potential pathogenicity in humans. Furthermore, these isolates carried several virulence factors (adherence factors, toxins, and immune evasion), in different permutations and combinations, indicating a differential ability to establish infection. Phylogenomic and metadata analyses revealed a predilection for water environments and aquatic animals, with more recent reports in humans and food animals across geographies, making A. veronii a potential One Health indicator bacterium.
Detection of Single Molecules Using Stochastic Resonance of Bistable Oligomers
Authors: Markina Anastasia , Muratov Alexander , Petrovskyy Vladislav , Avetisov Vladik
Published: December 2020

Ultra-sensitive elements for nanoscale devices capable of detecting single molecules are in demand for many important applications. It is generally accepted that the inevitable stochastic disturbance of a sensing element by its surroundings will limit detection at the molecular level. However, a phenomenon exists (stochastic resonance) in which the environmental noise acts abnormally: it amplifies, rather than distorts, a weak signal. Stochastic resonance is inherent in non-linear bistable systems with criticality at which the bistability emerges. Our computer simulations have shown that the large-scale conformational dynamics of a short oligomeric fragment of thermosrespective polymer, poly-N-isopropylmethacrylamid, resemble the mechanical movement of nonlinear bistable systems. The oligomers we have studied demonstrate spontaneous vibrations and stochastic resonance activated by conventional thermal noise. We have observed reasonable shifts of the spontaneous vibrations and stochastic resonance modes when attaching an analyte molecule to the oligomer. Our simulations have shown that spontaneous vibrations and stochastic resonance of the bistable thermoresponsive oligomers are sensitive to both the analyte molecular mass and the binding affinity. All these effects indicate that the oligomers with mechanic-like bistability may be utilized as ultrasensitive operational units capable of detecting single molecules.
Direct and Label-Free Monitoring of Albumin in 2D Fatty Liver Disease Model Using Plasmonic Nanogratings
Authors: Lopez-Muñoz Gerardo A. , Ortega Maria Alejandra , Ferret-Miñana Ainhoa , De Chiara Francesco , Ramón-Azcón Javier
Published: December 2020

Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) is a metabolic disorder related to a chronic lipid accumulation within the hepatocytes. This disease is the most common liver disorder worldwide, and it is estimated that it is present in up to 25% of the world’s population. However, the real prevalence of this disease and the associated disorders is unknown mainly because reliable and applicable diagnostic tools are lacking. It is known that the level of albumin, a pleiotropic protein synthesized by hepatocytes, is correlated with the correct function of the liver. The development of a complementary tool that allows direct, sensitive, and label-free monitoring of albumin secretion in hepatocyte cell culture can provide insight into NAFLD’s mechanism and drug action. With this aim, we have developed a simple integrated plasmonic biosensor based on gold nanogratings from periodic nanostructures present in commercial Blu-ray optical discs. This sensor allows the direct and label-free monitoring of albumin in a 2D fatty liver disease model under flow conditions using a highly-specific polyclonal antibody. This technology avoids both the amplification and blocking steps showing a limit of detection within pM range (≈0.26 ng/mL). Thanks to this technology, we identified the optimal fetal bovine serum (FBS) concentration to maximize the cells’ lipid accumulation. Moreover, we discovered that the hepatocytes increased the amount of albumin secreted on the third day from the lipids challenge. These data demonstrate the ability of hepatocytes to respond to the lipid stimulation releasing more albumin. Further investigation is needed to unveil the biological significance of that cell behavior.
Luminescent Ionogels with Excellent Transparency, High Mechanical Strength, and High Conductivity
Authors: Tao Lumi , Liu Yuchuan , Wu Dan , Wei Qiao-Hua , Taubert Andreas , Xie Zailai
Published: December 2020

The paper describes a new kind of ionogel with both good mechanical strength and high conductivity synthesized by confining the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide ([Bmim][NTf2]) within an organic–inorganic hybrid host. The organic–inorganic host network was synthesized by the reaction of methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), and methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of a coupling agent, offering the good mechanical strength and rapid shape recovery of the final products. The silane coupling agent 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH-570) plays an important role in improving the mechanical strength of the inorganic–organic hybrid, because it covalently connected the organic component MMA and the inorganic component SiO2. Both the thermal stability and mechanical strength of the ionogel significantly increased by the addition of IL. The immobilization of [Bmim][NTf2] within the ionogel provided the final ionogel with an ionic conductivity as high as ca. 0.04 S cm−1 at 50 °C. Moreover, the hybrid ionogel can be modified with organosilica-modified carbon dots within the network to yield a transparent and flexible ionogel with strong excitation-dependent emission between 400 and 800 nm. The approach is, therefore, a blueprint for the construction of next-generation multifunctional ionogels.
Three-Dimensional Technology Applications in Maxillofacial Reconstructive Surgery: Current Surgical Implications
Authors: Ghantous Yasmin , Nashef Aysar , Mohanna Aladdin , Abu-El-naaj Imad
Published: December 2020

Defects in the oral and maxillofacial (OMF) complex may lead to functional and esthetic impairment, aspiration, speech difficulty, and reduced quality of life. Reconstruction of such defects is considered one of the most challenging procedures in head and neck surgery. Transfer of different auto-grafts is still considered as the “gold standard” of regenerative and reconstructive procedures for OMF defects. However, harvesting of these grafts can lead to many complications including donor-site morbidity, extending of surgical time, incomplete healing of the donor site and others. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is an innovative technique that allows the fabrication of personalized implants and scaffolds that fit the precise anatomy of an individual’s defect and, therefore, has attracted significant attention during the last few decades, especially among head and neck surgeons. Here we discuss the most relevant applications of the 3D printing technology in the oral and maxillofacial surgery field. We further show different clinical examples of patients who were treated at our institute using the 3D technology and discuss the indications, different technologies, complications, and their clinical outcomes. We demonstrate that 3D technology may provide a powerful tool used for reconstruction of various OMF defects, enabling optimal clinical results in the suitable cases.
Surface Superconductivity Changes of Niobium Sheets by Femtosecond Laser-Induced Periodic Nanostructures
Authors: Cubero Álvaro , Martínez Elena , Angurel Luis A. , de la Fuente Germán F. , Navarro Rafael , Legall Herbert , Krüger Jörg , Bonse Jörn
Published: December 2020

Irradiation with ultra-short (femtosecond) laser beams enables the generation of sub-wavelength laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) over large areas with controlled spatial periodicity, orientation, and depths affecting only a material layer on the sub-micrometer scale. This study reports on how fs-laser irradiation of commercially available Nb foil samples affects their superconducting behavior. DC magnetization and AC susceptibility measurements at cryogenic temperatures and with magnetic fields of different amplitude and orientation are thus analyzed and reported. This study pays special attention to the surface superconducting layer that persists above the upper critical magnetic field strength Hc2, and disappears at a higher nucleation field strength Hc3. Characteristic changes were distinguished between the surface properties of the laser-irradiated samples, as compared to the corresponding reference samples (non-irradiated). Clear correlations have been observed between the surface nanostructures and the nucleation field Hc3, which depends on the relative orientation of the magnetic field and the surface patterns developed by the laser irradiation.