bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Passive Radio-Frequency Identification Tag-Based Indoor Localization in Multi-Stacking Racks for Warehousing
Authors: Park Jaehun , Kim Yong-Jeong , Lee Byung Kwon
Published: May 2020

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology-based real-time indoor location awareness has been widely studied. In this paper, a passive RFID-based indoor inventory localization method for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is proposed to effectively manage their indoor inventory tracking in terms of the multi-stacking racking (MSR). To achieve this, we introduce a concept of reference tags and a calculation of measurement for the distance between the RFID reader and reference tag to improve the accuracy of the item location recognition. To illustrate the efficacy and applicability of the method, an empirical case study that applies it to an electronic device manufacturing company is conducted. It was noted that there was no significant difference in the location awareness rate of the proposed system compared with the existing active RFID-based methods. Also, it is demonstrated that the construction can be relatively inexpensive in terms of identifying the location of the items loaded in MSR and relatively narrow areas using a passive tag. This advantage makes it suitable for SMEs that have issues with large-scale facility investment, applying the method to compare the location difference between the registered location information in the inventory system and the actual location of the item in the rack.
Study of the “Oxidation-Complexation” Coordination Composite Ionic Liquid System for Dissolving Precious Metals
Authors: Feng Feng , Sun Yanxia , Rui Jiayao , Yu Lu , Liu Jiamei , Zhang Ning , Zhao Mingxing , Wei Linwei , Lu Chunshan , Zhao Jia , Zhang Qunfeng , Li Xiaonian
Published: May 2020

The extraction of precious metals is of significant importance for recycling valuable precious metal resources, however, most of the current methods for extraction are inefficient, energy-intensive, or environmentally unfriendly. Herein, we report a new chemical dissolution system for precious metals employing the trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) as an oxidant and tributyl monomethyl ammonium chloride (N4441Cl) as a complexant. The leaching yield was achieving 100 wt% for the metals of Au, Pd, Cu, and Ag at 25 °C, and the average dissolution rate of gold was reaching 375 mg/h, 107.1 times higher than that of traditional cyanide method. Based on the analysis of UV-Vis and XPS results, a possible reaction mechanism was proposed: the precious metals were probably oxidized by TCCA, then the formed precious metal ions coordinate with N4441Cl strongly to promote the dissolution process. Applied to gold dissolution from ores, waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) and waste catalysts, the leaching yield of the TCCA-N4441Cl coordinative composite reached 97, 100, and 100 wt%, respectively, demonstrating that this method is not only efficient and environmentally friendly, but also with great adaptability and high potential for real applications.
Enhanced Phosphorus Removal from Wastewater Using RSPRC and a Novel Reactor
Authors: Liu Yan , Zhang Limin , Singh Rajendra Prasad
Published: May 2020

Fly ash and steel slag both have a good adsorption performance and many researchers have mixed the two to make effective adsorbents. Based on previous knowledge, activated clay is added in this study. In order to deep dephosphorize wastewater, two different industrial wastes (steel slag, fly ash) are blended into activated clay as adsorption substrates, supplemented with a binder and foaming agent to prepare a Residue and Soil Phosphorus Removal Composite (RSPRC). This is prepared to carry out experimental research on the decolorization effect and phosphorus removal characteristics of RSPRC. Meanwhile, a self-developed concentric circular diversion wall adsorption reactor is implemented to study the effect of phosphorus removal. It is found that the addition of activated clay can significantly improve the phosphorus removal performance. The results suggest that the phosphorus concentration in the effluent from the reactor can be stably reduced to below 0.10 mg/L. The concentric circular diversion wall adsorption reactor and RSPRC will have broad application prospects in phosphorus removal.
A Tunable Dual-Passband Microwave Photonic Filter Based on Optically Injected Distributed Feedback Semiconductor Lasers and Dual-Output Mach-Zehnder Modulator
Authors: Zhao Jiayi , Hu Jingjing , Deng Pengcheng , Yu Runze , Liu Ruoxian , Zhao Mingshan , Gu Yiying
Published: May 2020

In this paper, a novel approach to achieving a wideband tunable dual-passband microwave photonic filter (MPF) is proposed based on optical-injected distributed feedback (DFB) semiconductor lasers and a dual-output Mach–Zehnder modulator (DOMZM). The fundamental concepts for realizing the MPF are the wavelength-selective amplification effect and the period-one oscillation state under optically injected DFB lasers. These effects provide a widely tunable range of center frequency, along with high flexibility and low insertion loss. The proposed MPF is experimentally demonstrated, showing that the dual-passband center frequency in the MPF can be tuned independently from 19 to 37 GHz by adjusting the detuning frequency and injection ratio. Meanwhile, the insertion loss of the system is about 15 dB when there is no optical or electrical amplifier in the MPF link. The out-of-band suppression ratio of the MPF is more than 20 dB, which can be improved by adjusting the power of the two optical signals.
Digital Twin and Virtual Reality Based Methodology for Multi-Robot Manufacturing Cell Commissioning
Authors: Pérez Luis , Rodríguez-Jiménez Silvia , Rodríguez Nuria , Usamentiaga Rubén , García Daniel F.
Published: May 2020

Intelligent automation, including robotics, is one of the current trends in the manufacturing industry in the context of “Industry 4.0”, where cyber-physical systems control the production at automated or semi-automated factories. Robots are perfect substitutes for a skilled workforce for some repeatable, general, and strategically-important tasks. However, this transformation is not always feasible and immediate, since certain technologies do not provide the required degree of flexibility. The introduction of collaborative robots in the industry permits the combination of the advantages of manual and automated production. In some processes, it is necessary to incorporate robots from different manufacturers, thus the design of these multi-robot systems is crucial to guarantee the maximum quality and efficiency. In this context, this paper presents a novel methodology for process automation design, enhanced implementation, and real-time monitoring in operation based on creating a digital twin of the manufacturing process with an immersive virtual reality interface to be used as a virtual testbed before the physical implementation. Moreover, it can be efficiently used for operator training, real-time monitoring, and feasibility studies of future optimizations. It has been validated in a use case which provides a solution for an assembly manufacturing process.
Deep Learning-Based Approach to Fast Power Allocation in SISO SWIPT Systems with a Power-Splitting Scheme
Authors: Thien Huynh Thanh , Tuan Pham-Viet , Koo Insoo
Published: May 2020

Recently, simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) systems, which can supply efficiently throughput and energy, have emerged as a potential research area in fifth-generation (5G) system. In this paper, we study SWIPT with multi-user, single-input single-output (SISO) system. First, we solve the transmit power optimization problem, which provides the optimal strategy for getting minimum power while satisfying sufficient signal-to-noise ratio (SINR) and harvested energy requirements to ensure receiver circuits work in SWIPT systems where receivers are equipped with a power-splitting structure. Although optimization algorithms are able to achieve relatively high performance, they often entail a significant number of iterations, which raises many issues in computation costs and time for real-time applications. Therefore, we aim at providing a deep learning-based approach, which is a promising solution to address this challenging issue. Deep learning architectures used in this paper include a type of Deep Neural Network (DNN): the Feed-Forward Neural Network (FFNN) and three types of Recurrent Neural Network (RNN): the Layer Recurrent Network (LRN), the Nonlinear AutoRegressive network with eXogenous inputs (NARX), and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM). Through simulations, we show that the deep learning approaches can approximate a complex optimization algorithm that optimizes transmit power in SWIPT systems with much less computation time.
Numerical Simulation of Vacuum Leak Jet and Jet Noise
Authors: Zhang Ruo-Fan , Chen Yong , Qi Lei , Zhang Xiang , Wu Zong-Yu
Published: May 2020

With the explosive growth of space debris, collisions among space debris and spacecrafts seem to be inevitable, which may greatly threaten the structure of on-orbit spacecrafts as well as astronauts’ safety. It is of crucial importance to locate the leak source and evaluate the corresponding damage quickly and accurately to ensure the safety of astronauts and spacecraft equipment. It is widely accepted that acoustic emission method can be used to detect on-orbit leak for space station; however, accurate prediction of vacuum leak noise in space station is difficult as jet and jet noise in vacuum environments are different from those in terrestrial environment. Therefore, this paper tries to investigate sound generations of vacuum leak jet by numerically analyzing dynamics of unsteady vacuum jet flow. Specifically, numerical simulation based on realizable k-ε model is adopted to study the aerodynamic properties and the aeroacoustic characteristics. Results show that RANS turbulent model can capture the pressure fluctuation with high computation efficiency and acceptable accuracy. Secondly, leak from 1 atm to vacuum forms a supersonic flow with Mach number ranging from 2 to 3, accompanied by obvious gradients of steady density, pressure, and temperature. However, the terrestrial leak from 2 atm to 1 atm forms subsonic jet flow with gradually varying gradients of density, pressure, and temperature. Thirdly, obvious reflections of pressure perturbations at the surface, with the mean free path of air molecule being 0.6 mm, can be found and form cavity-like acoustic resonance. Such resonant mechanism contributes to harmonic acoustic properties of the vacuum jet noises besides the broadband turbulent mixing noises.
The Climatological Analysis of Typhoon Tracks, Steering Flow, and the Pacific Subtropical High in the Vicinity of Taiwan and the Western North Pacific
Authors: Hung Chih-wen , Shih Ming-Fu , Lin Te-Yuan
Published: May 2020

Taiwan frequently suffers from typhoon hits in the boreal summer and fall. The location of Taiwan makes it vulnerable to the pathways of typhoons mainly determined by the position of the Pacific subtropical high. In order to clarify the linkage between typhoon invasion and associated large-scale environments from a climatological perspective, this study counts the historical typhoon invasion days for each month in the typhoon season to establish analyzed cases and then categorizes them with statistical thresholds. Besides, the categorized cases with less typhoon invasion are further sorted to distinguish different movements of tropical cyclones. Therefore, corresponding composites are applied for each category. The results reveal that when the subtropical high retreats eastward, the accompanying steering flow guides typhoons to make an early recurvature toward Japan and South Korea. While the subtropical high further extends its property to the west covering Taiwan, the steering flow on the south transfers typhoons moving westward to the South China Sea. However, when the subtropical high lies in areas between the above two scenarios, the steering flow along the periphery of the subtropical high continuously sends typhoons toward Taiwan and the vicinity, which greatly increases the threat to the island.
A New IL6 Isoform in Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle (Pelodiscus sinesis) Discovered: Its Regulation during Cold Stress and Infection
Authors: Zhang Zuobing , Tian Miao , Song Ruxin , Xing Xiao , Fan Yong , Wang Lan , Niu Cuijuan , Dalmo Roy A.
Published: May 2020

The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinesis) is a widely cultured commercial species in East and Southeast Asian countries. The turtles frequently suffer from acute cold stress during farming in China. Stress-induced factor such as Interleukin-6 (IL6) is a multifunctional molecule that plays important roles in innate and adaptive immune response. In the present study, we found that the turtle possessed two IL6 transcripts, where one IL6 transcript contained a signal peptide sequence (psIL6), while the other IL6 transcript (psIL6ns) possessed no such signal peptide gene. To test any differential expression of the two isoforms during temperature and microbial stress, turtles were adapted to optimal environmental water temperature (25 °C), stressed by acute cooling for 24 h, followed with the challenge of Aeromonas hydrophila (1.8 × 108 CFU) or Staphylococcus aureus (5.8 × 108 CFU). Gene characterization revealed that psIL6ns, a splicer without codons encoding a signal peptide and identical to the one predicted from genomic sequence, and psIL6, a splicer with codons encoding a signal peptide, were both present. Inducible expression was documented in primary spleen cells stimulated with ConA and poly I: C. The splenic and intestinal expression of psIL6ns and psIL6 was increased in response to temperature stress and bacterial infection.
Research for the Presence of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle inside Closed Environments with Acoustic Measurements
Authors: Ciaburro Giuseppe , Iannace Gino , Trematerra Amelia
Published: May 2020

Small UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicle) can be used in many sectors such as the acquisition of images or the transport of objects. Small UAVs have also been used for terrorist activities or to disturb the flight of airplanes. Due to the small size and the presence of only rotating parts, drones escape traditional controls and therefore represent a danger. This paper reports a methodology for identifying the presence of small UAVs inside a closed environment by measuring the noise emitted during the flight. Acoustic measurements of the noise emitted by a drone inside a large environment (12.0 × 30.0 × 12.0 m) were performed. The noise was measured with a sound level meter placed at different distances (5, 10, and 15 m), to characterize the noise in the absence of anthropic noise. In this configuration, a typical tonal component of drone noise is highlighted at the frequency of one-third of an octave at 5000 Hz due to the rotation of the blades. This component is also present 15 m away from the source point. Subsequent measurements were performed by introducing into the environment, through a loudspeaker, the anthropogenic noise produced by the buzz of people and background music. It is possible to distinguish the typical tonal component of UAV noise at the frequency of 5000 Hz even when the level of recording of anthropogenic noise emitted by the loudspeaker is at the maximum power tested. It is therefore possible to search for the presence of small UAVs inside a specific closed environment with only acoustic measurements, paying attention to the typical frequency of noise emission equal to 5000 Hz.
Application of Next-Generation Sequencing for the Genomic Characterization of Patients with Smoldering Myeloma
Authors: Manzoni Martina , Marchica Valentina , Storti Paola , Ziccheddu Bachisio , Sammarelli Gabriella , Todaro Giannalisa , Pelizzoni Francesca , Salerio Simone , Notarfranchi Laura , Pompa Alessandra , Baldini Luca , Bolli Niccolò , Neri Antonino , Giuliani Nicola , Lionetti Marta
Published: May 2020

Genomic analysis could contribute to a better understanding of the biological determinants of the evolution of multiple myeloma (MM) precursor disease and an improved definition of high-risk patients. To assess the feasibility and value of next-generation sequencing approaches in an asymptomatic setting, we performed a targeted gene mutation analysis and a genome-wide assessment of copy number alterations (CNAs) by ultra-low-pass whole genome sequencing (ULP-WGS) in six patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and 25 patients with smoldering MM (SMM). Our comprehensive genomic characterization highlighted heterogeneous but substantial values of the tumor fraction, especially in SMM; a rather high degree of genomic complexity, in terms of both mutations and CNAs, and inter-patient variability; a higher incidence of gene mutations and CNAs in SMM, confirming ongoing evolution; intraclonal heterogeneity; and instances of convergent evolution. ULP-WGS of these patients proved effective in revealing the marked genome-wide level of their CNAs, most of which are not routinely investigated. Finally, the analysis of our small SMM cohort suggested that chr(8p) deletions, the DNA tumor fraction, and the number of alterations may have clinical relevance in the progression to overt MM. Although validation in larger series is mandatory, these findings highlight the promising impact of genomic approaches in the clinical management of SMM.
Hakin-1, a New Specific Small-Molecule Inhibitor for the E3 Ubiquitin-Ligase Hakai, Inhibits Carcinoma Growth and Progression
Authors: Martinez-Iglesias Olaia , Casas-Pais Alba , Castosa Raquel , Díaz-Díaz Andrea , Roca-Lema Daniel , Concha Ángel , Cortés Álvaro , Gago Federico , Figueroa Angélica
Published: May 2020

The requirement of the E3 ubiquitin-ligase Hakai for the ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of E-cadherin has been associated with enhanced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), tumour progression and carcinoma metastasis. To date, most of the reported EMT-related inhibitors were not developed for anti-EMT purposes, but indirectly affect EMT. On the other hand, E3 ubiquitin-ligase enzymes have recently emerged as promising therapeutic targets, as their specific inhibition would prevent wider side effects. Given this background, a virtual screening was performed to identify novel specific inhibitors of Hakai, targeted against its phosphotyrosine-binding pocket, where phosphorylated-E-cadherin specifically binds. We selected a candidate inhibitor, Hakin-1, which showed an important effect on Hakai-induced ubiquitination. Hakin-1 also inhibited carcinoma growth and tumour progression both in vitro, in colorectal cancer cell lines, and in vivo, in a tumour xenograft mouse model, without apparent systemic toxicity in mice. Our results show for the first time that a small molecule putatively targeting the E3 ubiquitin-ligase Hakai inhibits Hakai-dependent ubiquitination of E-cadherin, having an impact on the EMT process. This represents an important step forward in a future development of an effective therapeutic drug to prevent or inhibit carcinoma tumour progression.
MAT2A as Key Regulator and Therapeutic Target in MLLr Leukemogenesis
Authors: Secker Kathy-Ann , Bloechl Bianca , Keppeler Hildegard , Duerr-Stoerzer Silke , Schmid Hannes , Schneidawind Dominik , Jeong Johan , Hentrich Thomas , Schulze-Hentrich Julia M. , Schneidawind Corina
Published: May 2020

Epigenetic dysregulation plays a pivotal role in mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) pathogenesis, therefore serving as a suitable therapeutic target. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is the universal methyl donor in human cells and is synthesized by methionine adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A), which is deregulated in different cancer types. Here, we used our human CRISPR/Cas9-MLL-rearranged (CRISPR/Cas9-MLLr) leukemia model, faithfully mimicking MLLr patients’ pathology with indefinite growth potential in vitro, to evaluate the unknown role of MAT2A. Comparable to publicly available patient data, we detected MAT2A to be significantly overexpressed in our CRISPR/Cas9-MLLr model compared to healthy controls. By using non-MLLr and MLLr cell lines and our model, we detected an MLLr-specific enhanced response to PF-9366, a new MAT2A inhibitor, and small interfering (si) RNA-mediated knockdown of MAT2A, by alteration of the proliferation, viability, differentiation, apoptosis, cell cycling, and histone methylation. Moreover, the combinational treatment of PF-9366 with chemotherapy or targeted therapies against the SAM-dependent methyltransferases, disruptor of telomeric silencing 1 like (DOT1L) and protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), revealed even more pronounced effects. In summary, we uncovered MAT2A as a key regulator in MLL leukemogenesis and its inhibition led to significant anti-leukemic effects. Therefore, our study paves the avenue for clinical application of PF-9366 to improve the treatment of poor prognosis MLLr leukemia.
Genomic and Transcriptomic Characteristics According to Size of Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma
Authors: Song Young Shin , Kang Byung-Hee , Lee Seungbok , Yoo Seong-Keun , Choi Young Sik , Park Jungsun , Park Dong Yoon , Lee Kyu Eun , Seo Jeong-Sun , Park Young Joo
Published: May 2020

It is controversial as to whether papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) has some genomic and transcriptomic characteristics that differentiate between an early-stage lesion that would eventually evolve into the larger papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), and an occult indolent cancer in itself. To investigate this, we comprehensively elucidated the genomic and transcriptomic landscapes of PTMCs of different sizes, using a large-scaled database. This study included 3435 PTCs, 1985 of which were PTMCs. We performed targeted next-generation sequencing for 221 PTCs and integrated these data with the data including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project. The frequency of v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF)V600E mutation was higher in PTMCs >0.5 cm than that in very small PTMCs (≤0.5 cm) and decreased again in PTCs >2 cm. Among PTMCs, the prevalence of mutations in rat sarcoma (RAS) and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter was not significantly different according to their size, but lower than in large PTCs. There was no change in the tumor mutational burden, the number of driver mutations, and transcriptomic profiles with tumor size, among PTMCs and all PTCs. Although a few genes with differential expression and TERT promoter mutations were found in a few PTMCs, our findings showed that there were no useful genomic or transcriptomic characteristics for the prediction of the future progression of PTMC.
Pancreatic Cancer Associated Fibroblasts (CAF): Under-Explored Target for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
Authors: Norton Jeffrey , Foster Deshka , Chinta Malini , Titan Ashley , Longaker Michael
Published: May 2020

Pancreatic cancer is the 4th leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The pancreatic cancer phenotype is primarily a consequence of oncogenes disturbing the resident pancreas parenchymal cell repair program. Many solid tumor types including pancreatic cancer have severe tumor fibrosis called desmoplasia. Desmoplastic stroma is coopted by the tumor as a support structure and CAFs aid in tumor growth, invasion, and metastases. This stroma is caused by cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which lay down extensive connective tissue in and around the tumor cells. CAFs represent a heterogeneous population of cells that produce various paracrine molecules such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and platelet derived growth factors (PDGFs) that aid tumor growth, local invasion, and development of metastases. The hard, fibrotic shell of desmoplasia serves as a barrier to the infiltration of both chemo- and immunotherapy drugs and host immune cells to the tumor. Although there have been recent improvements in chemotherapy and surgical techniques for management of pancreatic cancer, the majority of patients will die from this disease. Therefore, new treatment strategies are clearly needed. CAFs represent an under-explored potential therapeutic target. This paper discusses what we know about the role of CAFs in pancreatic cancer cell growth, invasion, and metastases. Additionally, we present different strategies that are being and could be explored as anti-CAF treatments for pancreatic cancer.
Axonal Transport as an In Vivo Biomarker for Retinal Neuropathy
Authors: Le Roux Lucia G. , Qiu Xudong , Jacobsen Megan C. , Pagel Mark D. , Gammon Seth T. , Piwnica-Worms David , Schellingerhout Dawid
Published: May 2020

We illuminate a possible explanatory pathophysiologic mechanism for retinal cellular neuropathy by means of a novel diagnostic method using ophthalmoscopic imaging and a molecular imaging agent targeted to fast axonal transport. The retinal neuropathies are a group of diseases with damage to retinal neural elements. Retinopathies lead to blindness but are typically diagnosed late, when substantial neuronal loss and vision loss have already occurred. We devised a fluorescent imaging agent based on the non-toxic C fragment of tetanus toxin (TTc), which is taken up and transported in neurons using the highly conserved fast axonal transport mechanism. TTc serves as an imaging biomarker for normal axonal transport and demonstrates impairment of axonal transport early in the course of an N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA)-induced excitotoxic retinopathy model in rats. Transport-related imaging findings were dramatically different between normal and retinopathic eyes prior to presumed neuronal cell death. This proof-of-concept study provides justification for future clinical translation.
Protein Phase Separation during Stress Adaptation and Cellular Memory
Authors: Lau Yasmin , Oamen Henry Patrick , Caudron Fabrice
Published: May 2020

Cells need to organise and regulate their biochemical processes both in space and time in order to adapt to their surrounding environment. Spatial organisation of cellular components is facilitated by a complex network of membrane bound organelles. Both the membrane composition and the intra-organellar content of these organelles can be specifically and temporally controlled by imposing gates, much like bouncers controlling entry into night-clubs. In addition, a new level of compartmentalisation has recently emerged as a fundamental principle of cellular organisation, the formation of membrane-less organelles. Many of these structures are dynamic, rapidly condensing or dissolving and are therefore ideally suited to be involved in emergency cellular adaptation to stresses. Remarkably, the same proteins have also the propensity to adopt self-perpetuating assemblies which properties fit the needs to encode cellular memory. Here, we review some of the principles of phase separation and the function of membrane-less organelles focusing particularly on their roles during stress response and cellular memory.
Synthesis and Characterization of Efficient ZnO/g-C3N4 Nanocomposites Photocatalyst for Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue
Authors: Ngullie Renathung C. , Alaswad Saleh O. , Bhuvaneswari Kandasamy , Shanmugam Paramasivam , Pazhanivel Thangavelu , Arunachalam Prabhakarn
Published: May 2020

We examine the photocatalytic activity (PCA) of ZnO/graphitic carbon nitride g-C3N4 (g-CN) composite material for methylene blue (MB) degradation under visible-light irradiation (VLI). The polymeric g-CN materials were fabricated by the pyrolysis of urea and thiourea. More importantly, ZnO/g-CN nanostructured composites were fabricated by adding the different mounts (60, 65, 70, and 75 wt.%) of g-CN into ZnO via the simple hydrothermal process. Among fabricated composites, the 75% ZnO/g-CN nanocomposites displayed a superior PCA for MB degradation, which were ~three-fold an enhancement over the pure ZnO nanoparticles. The fabricated materials have been evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. More importantly, the photodegradation of MB could get 98% in ZnO/g-CN could be credited to efficient separation of photo-induced charge carriers between ZnO and g-CN. Also, the recycling efficiency of the as-prepared composites was studied for multiple cycles, which shows that the photocatalysts are stable and suitable to carry out photocatalytic degradation in the logistic mode. Additionally, the probable photocatalytic mechanism has also discussed. The synthetic procedure of ZnO/g-CN based materials can be used in numerous fields such as environmental and in energy storage applications.
Proteomics-Based Identification of Diagnostic Biomarkers Related to Risk Factors and Pathogenesis of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Lee Jiyeong , Park Arum , Mun Sora , Kim Hyo-Jin , Son Hyunsong , Choi Hyebin , Kim Doojin , Lee Soo Joo , Kim Jae Guk , Kang Hee-Gyoo
Published: May 2020

Ischemic stroke is caused by blood clot formation and consequent vessel blockage. Proteomic approaches provide a cost-effective alternative to current diagnostic methods, including computerized tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To identify diagnostic biomarkers associated with ischemic stroke risk factors, we performed individual proteomic analysis of serum taken from 20 healthy controls and 20 ischemic stroke patients. We then performed SWATH analysis, a data-independent method, to assess quantitative changes in protein expression between the two experimental conditions. Our analysis identified several candidate protein biomarkers, 11 of which were validated by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) analysis as novel diagnostic biomarkers associated with ischemic stroke risk factors. Our study identifies new biomarkers associated with the risk factors and pathogenesis of ischemic stroke which, to the best of our knowledge, were previously unknown. These markers may be effective in not only the diagnosis but also the prevention and management of ischemic stroke.
A Function Reconfigurable Antenna Based on Liquid Metal
Authors: Zhou Yun , Fang Shaojun , Liu Hongmei , Wang Zhongbao , Shao Te
Published: May 2020

To meet the demands of maritime transportation on ships, including satellite positioning, wireless communication, and radio frequency identification (RFID) for cargo handling management, a function reconfigurable antenna based on liquid metal is proposed in this paper. The antenna is composed of 3-D-printed hollow cavities, a two-step impedance feeding sheet, and two feeding probes. The 3-D-printed hollow cavities contain a big hollow helix cavity, a hollow cone loaded cylinder cavity, four hollow cylinder cavities, and four small hollow helix cavities. By filling the liquid metal into different hollow cavities, reconfigurable functions are generated, including right-handed circular polarization (RHCP), omnidirectional linear polarization (O-LP), pattern reconfigurable circular polarization, and omnidirectional left-handed circular polarization (O-LHCP). To illustrate this, a prototype is fabricated using 3-D-printed photopolymer resin and etching technology. The measurement results agree well with the simulated ones in terms of return loss, radiation pattern, gain, and axial ratio (AR). For the five reconfigurable states, the measured relative bandwidths for |S11| < −10 dB are 44.7%, 41.7%, 30.4%, 28.1%, and 10.8%, respectively, which covers the bands of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), wireless communication system, and RFID communication system. Attributing to the advantages of its compact structure, flexible conversion, and good performance, the proposed antenna is a good candidate for maritime transportation applications.
Selective Feature Anonymization for Privacy-Preserving Image Data Publishing
Authors: Kim Taehoon , Yang Jihoon
Published: May 2020

There is a strong positive correlation between the development of deep learning and the amount of public data available. Not all data can be released in their raw form because of the risk to the privacy of the related individuals. The main objective of privacy-preserving data publication is to anonymize the data while maintaining their utility. In this paper, we propose a privacy-preserving semi-generative adversarial network (PPSGAN) that selectively adds noise to class-independent features of each image to enable the processed image to maintain its original class label. Our experiments on training classifiers with synthetic datasets anonymized with various methods confirm that PPSGAN shows better utility than other conventional methods, including blurring, noise-adding, filtering, and generation using GANs.
Use of Mobile Technologies in Personal Learning Environments of Intercultural Contexts: Individual and Group Tasks
Authors: Tomé-Fernández María , Curiel-Marín Elvira , Caraballo Elisabet
Published: May 2020

This paper presents the results of the analysis of the personal learning environments (PLE) used individually and in groups by fifth grade primary education students. The main objective was to determine if the use of mobile technologies in the students’ PLEs encouraged their school integration and learning in intercultural communities. For this, a content analysis of the students’ responses to an ad hoc interview was carried out, with a content validity index of 0.89. The students represented their answers using 41 concept maps in the individual tasks and 5 in the group tasks, which were analyzed with the Nvivo software in its latest version. The results show the categorization of the students’ responses in three dimensions: read, make/reflection and relationship. Among the main conclusions, it was obtained that, in both types of tasks, the strategies and tools that fostered intercultural relationships, intercultural education and communication between the students, and therefore school integration, are mostly linked to the use of mobile technologies applications, such as Wikipedia, the internet, Word, PowerPoint, social networks and YouTube, although it is essential to develop more studies to have more data to understand the phenomenon in depth.
Phylogenetic Relationships between Phlebiopsis gigantea and Selected Basidiomycota Species Inferred from Partial DNA Sequence of Elongation Factor 1-Alpha Gene
Authors: Wit Marcin , Sierota Zbigniew , Żółciak Anna , Mirzwa-Mróz Ewa , Jabłońska Emilia , Wakuliński Wojciech
Published: May 2020

Phlebiopsis gigantea (Fr.) Jülich has been successfully used as a biological control fungus for Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref., an important pathogen of pine and spruce trees. The P. gigantea species has been known for many years, but our understanding of the relationship between various isolates of this fungus has been substantially improved through the application of DNA sequence comparisons. In this study, relationships between P. gigantea and selected Basidiomycota species was determined, based on elongation factor 1-alpha (EF1α) partial DNA sequence and in silico data. A total of 12 isolates, representing the most representatives of P. gigantea, with diverse geographic distributions and hosts, were included in this study. Phylogenetic trees generated for sequences obtained in this research, grouped the European taxa of P. gigantea and partial sequence of the genome deposed in NCBI database, in a strongly supported clade, basal to the rest of the strains included in the study. P. gigantea isolates originating from Poland, Finland, Sweden, Great Britain and partial sequence of genome formed a monophyletic group. Within this group, isolates of P. gigantea constituted two subclades, showing their partial difference like the two SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) between one and the rest of isolates. The intron and exon relationships among P. gigantea isolates were moreover resolved. The results obtained using the EF1α region should be useful in the selection of more efficient P. gigantea isolates for limiting forest tree root pathogens.
Comparison of Canopy Closure Estimation of Plantations Using Parametric, Semi-Parametric, and Non-Parametric Models Based on GF-1 Remote Sensing Images
Authors: Li Jiarui , Mao Xuegang
Published: May 2020

Canopy closure (CC) is an important parameter in forest ecosystems and has diverse applications in a wide variety of fields. Canopy closure estimation models, using a combination of measured data and remote sensing data, can largely replace traditional survey methods for CC. However, it is difficult to estimate the forest CC based on high spatial resolution remote sensing images. This study used China Gaofen-1 satellite (GF-1) images, and selected China’s north temperate Wangyedian Forest Farm (WYD) and subtropical Gaofeng Forest Farm (GF) as experimental areas. A parametric model (multiple linear regression (MLR)), non-parametric model (random forest (RF)), and semi-parametric model (generalized additive model (GAM)) were developed. The ability of the three models to estimate the CC of plantations based on high spatial resolution remote sensing GF-1 images and their performance in the two experimental areas was analyzed and compared. The results showed that the decision coefficient (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and relative root mean square error (rRMSE) values of the parametric model (MLR), semi-parametric model (GAM), and non-parametric model (RF) for the WYD forest ranged from 0.45 to 0.69, 0.0632 to 0.0953, and 9.98% to 15.05%, respectively, and in the GF forest the R2, RMSE, and rRMSE values ranged from 0.40 to 0.59, 0.0967 to 0.1152, and 16.73% to 19.93%, respectively. The best model in the two study areas was the GAM and the worst was the RF. The accuracy of the three models established in the WYD was higher than that in the GF area. The RMSE and rRMSE values for the MLR, GAM, and RF established using high spatial resolution GF-1 remote sensing images in the two test areas were within the scope of existing studies, indicating the three CC estimation models achieved satisfactory results.
Impact of Number of Operators and Distance to Branch Piles on Woodchipper Operation
Authors: Warguła Łukasz , Kukla Mateusz , Krawiec Piotr , Wieczorek Bartosz
Published: May 2020

Branch chipping machines with low-power engines are distinguished with an intermittent operation due to a periodical supply of branches. A conventional drive speed control of these machines is not adapted to adjust the operating mode depending on frequency of material supply for shredding. This article discusses the issues related to the assessment of the application of adaptive systems similar in design to start–stop systems used in vehicles, as necessary in the driving of this type machine. During testing, an impact of a distance between a branch pile from the woodchipper, a number of operators on frequency of drive unit operating condition changes, and the mass and volume output (productivity) were considered. A percentage ratio of the active and passive (idle) operation in selected conditions of use was also determined. A low-power 9.5 kW engine-powered cylindrical-type woodchipper was used for testing. Material chopped in the chipper was freshly cut branches of oaks (Quercus L. Sp. Pl. 994. 1753) with a diameter in the largest cross-section ca. 80 mm and moisture content ca. 25%. Piles of branches were located at three different distances from the chipper, i.e., 3 m, 9 m and 15 m. Branches to the chipper were fed by one or two operators. It was demonstrated that the idle run time in tested conditions with one operator could be from 43% to 71% of the entire operating time. Frequency of operating condition changes when only one operator worked and fluctuated from ca. 6 to 2 times per minute. Increasing the number of operators from one to two had a slight impact on the frequency of operating condition changes (by ca. 7%) at the shortest distance from the chipper (3 m). However, at larger distances, the additional operator may increase the frequency of operating condition changes of the chipper by 77% for 9 m distance and 85% for 15 m distance. The mass and volumetric output of the cylindrical chipper in the most advantageous case is equal to 0.66 t/h and 3.5 m3/h, respectively. The increase of the branch pile distance from the chipper causes a drop in mass output by 32%, and volumetric output by 33.5%. The results of the tests confirmed the necessity for the development of low-power chipping machines designed for clearing operations rather than industrial production of biomass. A direction for development could be systems that adapt driving units to operating conditions, depending on a demand for the chipping process.
The Climatic Response of Tree Ring Width Components of Ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) and Common Oak (Quercus robur L.) from Eastern Europe
Authors: Roibu Cătălin-Constantin , Sfeclă Victor , Mursa Andrei , Ionita Monica , Nagavciuc Viorica , Chiriloaei Francisca , Leșan Ilarie , Popa Ionel
Published: May 2020

This paper aims to develop the first differentiated (earlywood—EW, latewood—LW, and total ring width—RW) dendrochronological series for ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) and oak (Quercus robur L.) trees from the Republic of Moldova, and to analyze their climatic response and their spatio-temporal stability. For this, 18 ash and 26 oak trees were cored from the Dobrușa protected area, Republic of Moldova, Eastern Europe, and new EW, LW, and RW chronologies were developed for ash and oak covering the last century. The obtained results showed that the RW and LW have a similar climatic response for both species, while EW is capturing interannual climate variations and has a different reaction. The analyses performed with monthly climatic data revealed a significant and negative correlation with the mean air temperature and a significant and positive correlation with precipitation and the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) for both ash and oak. The temperature during the vegetation period has a strong influence on all tree-ring components of ash, while for oak the strong correlation was found only for LW. The positive and significant correlation between LW and RW with precipitation for both species, suggests that ash and oak are sensitive to the hydrological component and the precipitation is the main tree growth-limiting factor. Despite the significant correlation with precipitation and temperature for the whole analyzed period, the 25-year moving correlation analyses show that they are not stable in time and can switch from positive to negative or vice versa, while the correlation with SPEI3 drought index, which is a integration of both climatic parameters, is stable in time. By employing the stability map analysis, we show that oak and ash tree ring components, from the eastern part of the Republic of Moldova, have a stable and significant correlation with SPEI3 and scPDSI drought indices from February (January) until September, over the eastern part of Europe.
Non-Saccharomyces Yeasts and Organic Wines Fermentation: Implications on Human Health
Authors: Vilela Alice
Published: May 2020

A relevant trend in winemaking is to reduce the use of chemical compounds in both the vineyard and winery. In organic productions, synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms must be avoided, aiming to achieve the production of a “safer wine”. Safety represents a big threat all over the world, being one of the most important goals to be achieved in both Western society and developing countries. An occurrence in wine safety results in the recovery of a broad variety of harmful compounds for human health such as amines, carbamate, and mycotoxins. The perceived increase in sensory complexity and superiority of successful uninoculated wine fermentations, as well as a thrust from consumers looking for a more “natural” or “organic” wine, produced with fewer additives, and perceived health attributes has led to more investigations into the use of non-Saccharomyces yeasts in winemaking, namely in organic wines. However, the use of copper and sulfur-based molecules as an alternative to chemical pesticides, in organic vineyards, seems to affect the composition of grape microbiota; high copper residues can be present in grape must and wine. This review aims to provide an overview of organic wine safety, when using indigenous and/or non-Saccharomyces yeasts to perform fermentation, with a special focus on some metabolites of microbial origin, namely, ochratoxin A (OTA) and other mycotoxins, biogenic amines (BAs), and ethyl carbamate (EC). These health hazards present an increased awareness of the effects on health and well-being by wine consumers, who also enjoy wines where terroir is perceived and is a characteristic of a given geographical area. In this regard, vineyard yeast biota, namely non-Saccharomyces wine-yeasts, can strongly contribute to the uniqueness of the wines derived from each specific region.
Evaluation of Pesticide Residue Dynamics in Lettuce, Onion, Leek, Carrot and Parsley
Authors: Horská Tereza , Kocourek František , Stará Jitka , Holý Kamil , Mráz Petr , Krátký František , Kocourek Vladimír , Hajšlová Jana
Published: May 2020

The dynamics of 32 active substances contained in pesticide formulations (15 fungicides and 17 insecticides) were analyzed in iceberg lettuce, onion, leek, carrot, and parsley. Pesticide residues were monitored from the time of application until harvest. In total, 114 mathematical models of residue dissipation were developed using a first-order kinetic equation. Based on these models, it was possible to predict the action pre-harvest interval (the time between the last pesticide application and crop harvest) needed to attain a targeted action threshold (value significantly lower than the maximum limit) for low-residue vegetable production. In addition, it was possible to determine an action pre-harvest interval based on an action threshold of 0.01 mg kg−1 to produce vegetables intended for zero-residue production. The highest amount of pesticide residues were found in carrot and parsley leaves several days after treatment, and pesticide dissipation was generally slow. Lower amounts were found in leeks and lettuce, but pesticide dissipation was faster in lettuce. According to our findings, it seems feasible to apply reduced pesticide amounts to stay below unwanted residue levels. However, understanding the effectivity of reduced pesticide application for controlling relevant pest organisms requires further research.
Interplay between Type 2 Transglutaminase (TG2), Gliadin Peptide 31-43 and Anti-TG2 Antibodies in Celiac Disease
Authors: Martucciello Stefania , Sposito Silvia , Esposito Carla , Paolella Gaetana , Caputo Ivana
Published: May 2020

Celiac disease (CD) is a common intestinal inflammatory disease involving both a genetic background and environmental triggers. The ingestion of gluten, a proteic component of several cereals, represents the main hexogen factor implied in CD onset that involves concomitant innate and adaptive immune responses to gluten. Immunogenicity of some gluten sequences are strongly enhanced as the consequence of the deamidation of specific glutamine residues by type 2 transglutaminase (TG2), a ubiquitous enzyme whose expression is up-regulated in the intestine of CD patients. A short gluten sequence resistant to intestinal proteases, the α-gliadin peptide 31-43, seems to modulate TG2 function in the gut; on the other hand, the enzyme can affect the biological activity of this peptide. In addition, an intense auto-immune response towards TG2 is a hallmark of CD. Auto-antibodies exert a range of biological effects on several cells, effects that in part overlap with those induced by peptide 31-43. In this review, we delineate a scenario in which TG2, anti-TG2 antibodies and peptide 31-43 closely relate to each other, thus synergistically participating in CD starting and progression.