bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased Intestinal Permeability in Patients With Short Bowel Syndrome is not Affected by Parenteral Nutrition
Authors: CINKAJZLOVÁ A. , LACINOVÁ Z. , KLOUČKOVÁ J. , KAVÁLKOVÁ P. , KRATOCHVÍLOVÁ H. , KŘÍŽOVÁ J. , TRACHTA P. , MRÁZ M. , HALUZÍK M.
Published: November 2019

The aim of our study was to assess the presence and degree of intestinal leakage in subjects suffering from short bowel syndrome (SBS) and its modification by parenteral nutrition. To this end we assessed circulating levels of selected makers of intestinal permeability including zonulin, fatty acid binding protein 2 (FABP-2), citrulline and glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2). We also measured lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) as a marker of circulating levels of lipopolysaccharide acting through the CD14 molecule. Eleven SBS and 10 age- and BMI-matched control subjects were included into the study. The effect of parenteral nutrition was assessed after 14 days, 6 and 12 months from its initiation, respectively. At baseline, SBS patients had increased gut permeability as measured by zonulin (47.24±2.14 vs. 39.48±1.20 ng/ml, p=0.006) and LBP (30.32±13.25 vs. 9.77±0.71 µg/ml, p<0.001) compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, SBS subjects had reduced FABP-2, unchanged citrulline and increased sCD14 and GLP-2 relative to control group. Throughout the whole study period the administered parenteral nutrition had no significant effect on any of the studied parameters. Taken together, our data show that patients with short bowel syndrome have increased intestinal permeability that is not affected by parenteral nutrition.
Intracerebroventricular Endothelin Receptor-A Blockade in Rats Decreases Phase-II Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias During Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: LEKKAS P. , GEORGIOU E. , KONTONIKA M. , MOUCHTOURI E.-T. , MOUROUZIS I. , PANTOS C. , KOLETTIS T.
Published: November 2019

Endothelin alters central sympathetic responses, but the resultant effects on arrhythmogenesis are unknown. We examined ventricular tachyarrhythmias after endothelin receptor-A blockade in the brain of Wistar rats with acute myocardial infarction. For this aim, BQ-123 (n=6) or phosphate-buffered saline (n=6) were injected intracerebroventricularly. After 10 min, the left coronary artery was ligated, followed by implantation of telemetry transmitters. Electrocardiography and voluntary activity
(as a surrogate of acute left ventricular failure) were continuously monitored for 24 h. Infarct-size was similar in the two groups. There were fewer episodes of ventricular tachyarrhythmias of shorter average duration in treated rats, leading to markedly shorter total duration (12.3±8.9 s), when compared to controls (546.2±130.3 s). Voluntary activity increased in treated rats during the last hours of recording, but bradyarrhythmic episodes were comparable between the two groups. Endothelin receptor-A blockade in the brain of rats decreases the incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias post-ligation, without affecting bradyarrhythmic episodes. These findings call for further research on the pathophysiologic role of endothelin during acute myocardial infarction.
Long-Term Peritoneal Dialysis Treatment Provokes Activation of Genes Related to Adaptive Immunity
Authors: PARIKOVA A. , HRUBA P. , KREDIET R. , KREJCIK Z. , STRANECKY V. , STRIZ I. , VIKLICKY O.
Published: November 2019

Permanent irritation of the peritoneum during peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment leads to local chronic inflammation and subsequently activation of processes driving fibrogenesis in the long-term. The aim of the study was to compare the peritoneal effluent transcriptome of 20 patients treated less and 13 patients treated more than 2 years using microarray analysis. An increased expression of genes associated with an immune response was observed in long-term treated patients with well preserved peritoneal function, when compared to patients treated less than 2 years. From 100 genes highly expressed in long-term patients, a significant up-regulation of six was found by RT-qPCR: LY9 (lymphocyte antigen 9), TNSFR4 (tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 4), CD 79A (CD79a molecule), CCR7 (chemokine C-C receptor 7), CEACAM1 (carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1) and IL2RA (interleukin 2 receptor alpha chain). Furthermore, the effluent cell population was analysed. A positive relationship between the number of granulocytes and NK cells on one hand, and duration of PD treatment on the other, was shown. We conclude, that the mechanisms of adaptive immunity promoting T helper 2 cells response are activated in the long-term before functional alterations develop. It consequently might trigger the fibrosis promoting processes.
Distinct Effects of Bosentan on NO-Dependent Vasodilation and Calcium Influx in Heterozygous Ren-2 Transgenic Rats on High-Salt Diet
Authors: VANĚČKOVÁ I. , HOJNÁ S. , KADLECOVÁ M. , KOMPANOWSKA-JEZIERSKA E. , ZICHA J.
Published: November 2019

Our studies in hypertensive Ren-2 transgenic rats (TGR) demonstrated that chronic administration of atrasentan (ETA receptor antagonist) decreased blood pressure by reduced Ca2+ influx through L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (L-VDCC) and attenuated angiotensin II-dependent vasoconstriction. We were interested whether bosentan (nonselective ETA/ETB receptor antagonist) would have similar effects. Young 4-week-old (preventive study) and adult 8-week-old (therapeutic study) heterozygous TGR and their normotensive Hannover Sprague-Dawley (HanSD) controls were fed normal-salt (NS, 0.6 % NaCl) or high-salt (HS, 2 % NaCl) diet for 8 weeks. An additional group of TGR fed HS was treated with bosentan (100 mg/kg/day). Bosentan had no effect on BP of TGR fed high-salt diet in both the preventive and therapeutic studies. There was no difference in the contribution of angiotensin II-dependent and sympathetic vasoconstriction in bosentan-treated TGR compared to untreated TGR under the condition of high-salt intake. However, bosentan significantly reduced NO-dependent vasodilation and nifedipine-sensitive BP component in TGR on HS diet. A highly important correlation of nifedipine-induced BP change and the BP after L-NAME administration was demonstrated. Although bosentan did not result in any blood pressure lowering effects, it substantially influenced NO-dependent vasodilation and calcium influx through L-VDCC in the heterozygous TGR fed HS diet. A significant correlation of nifedipine-induced BP change and the BP after L-NAME administration suggests an important role of nitric oxide in the closure of L-type voltage dependent calcium channels.
IMPLEMENTASI STANDAR ISI DALAM KURIKULUM 2013 DI SEKOLAH DASAR
Authors: Oktaviani Ndaru Mukti , Wulandari Isnaini
Published: November 2019

The curriculum 2013 is a refinement of the previous curriculum KTSP. The curriculum development from KTSP to curriculum2013 had an impact on the changes in most learning systems. Changes in national education standards also affect the implementation of the curriculum 2013. In the implementation of the curriculum 2013 in primary schools, there were obstacles which, based on the results of the FGD with elementary school teachers in Kuningan, West Java, it was found that teachers were still experiencing difficulties in implementing the curriculum 2013. Content standards in the curriculum 2013 which are derived directly from graduate competency standards. This condition certainly hindered the achievement of the overall  curriculum 2013 goals.The research method used in this research is case study. The study was conducted at public elementary schools located in Kuningan Regency, SDN Dukuhdalem, Japara District, SDN 1 Manislor, Jalaksana District, and SDN 1 Purwawinangun, Kuningan District. There are two types of research instruments used, observation sheets and interview guides. Qualitative data analysis is carried out interactively and takes place continuously at each stage of the study so that it is complete, and the data is saturated.The results of the study note that the money scope of the material on the spiritual attitude competence and social attitude competence face obstacles in terms of time in its implementation, the scope of the material on the competency of expertise faces obstacles in terms of costs in its implementation. As well as the scope of the material on knowledge competence faces obstacles in terms of monotonous material, the breadth of the material that is considered to be insufficient so that it does not meet the material requirements in the learning process, as well as the material which is considered incomplete in its implementation
Influence of Blade Aspect Ratio on Axial Compressor Efficiency
Authors: Peters Markus , Schmidt Tobias , Jeschke Peter
Published: November 2019

A numerical study on the influence of compressor blade aspect ratio on profile and secondary loss has been conducted. In order to more accurately estimate the change in secondary loss, a new analytical model has been developed. The aspect ratio has been increased by reducing blade chord while maintaining blade height and solidity. A simplified compressor cascade geometry and an engine-like HPC stage geometry (rotor blade and stator vane) have been analysed with 3D CFD simulations. For these simulations, the solver TRACE has been used together with the k-ω turbulence model and a Low-Reynolds approach. A negative effect of increased aspect ratio on profile loss due to the lower Reynolds number has been observed as expected from literature. Moreover a decrease of secondary loss at increased aspect ratio due to smaller endwall regions has been noticed. While this effect is also well known, a significant influence of the assumptions regarding the incoming boundary layer thickness has been observed based on the cascade simulations. This leads to the conclusion that changing the aspect ratio of all blades and vanes of a multistage compressor causes a much stronger decrease in secondary loss per blade row than changing the aspect ratio of a single rotor or stator within the compressor. In literature so far only the first case is considered in common loss correlations. However considering the latter would increase the accuracy of secondary loss estimation for a non-uniform change in aspect ratio within a compressor.
Long-Term Effects of Biochar-Based Organic Amendments on Soil Microbial Parameters
Authors: Brtnicky Martin , Dokulilova Tereza , Holatko Jiri , Pecina Vaclav , Kintl Antonin , Latal Oldrich , Vyhnanek Tomas , Prichystalova Jitka , Datta Rahul
Published: November 2019

Biochar application to the soil has been recommended as a carbon (C) management approach to sequester C and improve soil quality. Three-year experiments were conducted to investigate the interactive effects of three types of amendments on microbial biomass carbon, soil dehydrogenase activity and soil microbial community abundance in luvisols of arable land in the Czech Republic. Four different treatments were studied, which were, only NPK as a control, NPK + cattle manure, NPK + biochar and NPK + combination of manure with biochar. The results demonstrate that all amendments were effective in increasing the fungal and bacterial biomass, as is evident from the increased values of bacterial and fungal phospholipid fatty acid analysis. The ammonia-oxidizing bacteria population increases with the application of biochar, and it reaches its maximum value when biochar is applied in combination with manure. The overall results suggest that co-application of biochar with manure changes soil properties in favor of increased microbial biomass. It was confirmed that the application of biochar might increase or decrease soil activity, but its addition, along with manure, always promotes microbial abundance and their activity. The obtained results can be used in the planning and execution of the biochar-based soil amendments.
Barley Varieties Stoneham and Sydney Exhibit Mild Antibiosis and Antixenosis Resistance to the Wheat Curl Mite, Aceria tosichella (Keifer)
Authors: Aguirre-Rojas Lina Maria , Khalaf Luaay Kahtan , Smith Charles Michael
Published: November 2019

The wheat curl mite, Aceria tosichella (Keifer), devastates cereal crops worldwide by direct feeding damage and transmission of several deadly viruses. Deployment of cereal crop varieties resistant to A. tosichella is key for reduction of crop yield losses, and management of this mite and associated viruses that it transmits. Barley varieties resistant to A. tosichella are not known to exist. The objectives of this study were to determine if A. tosichella resistance exists in the barley varieties Sydney and Stoneham, which are resistant to the Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurjumov), and, further, to determine which categories mediate the resistance. Categories of resistance to both A. tosichella biotypes were evaluated independently in non-choice and choice experiments using wheat varieties Ike and OK05312 as susceptible and resistant controls, respectively. Sydney barley displays mild antixenosis and antibiosis resistance to A. tosichella biotype 1 and 2, respectively. Stoneham barley exhibits only mild antibiosis to biotype 2. No evidence for plant tolerance was found in either barley variety to either mite biotype.
Soil Physical Properties Spatial Variability under Long-Term No-Tillage Corn
Authors: Awal Ripendra , Safeeq Mohammad , Abbas Farhat , Fares Samira , Deb Sanjit K. , Ahmad Amjad , Fares Ali
Published: November 2019

Spatial variability of soil physical and hydrological properties within or among agricultural fields could be intrinsically induced due to geologic and pedologic soil forming factors, but some of the variability may be induced by anthropogenic activities such as tillage practices. No-tillage has been gaining ground as a successful conservation practice, and quantifying spatial variability of soil physical properties induced by no-tillage practices is a prerequisite for making appropriate site-specific agricultural management decisions and/or reformulating some management practices. In particular, there remains very limited information on the spatial variability of soil physical properties under long-term no-tillage corn and tropical soil conditions. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to quantify the spatial variability of some selected soil physical properties (soil surface temperature (ST), volumetric water content (θv), soil resistance (TIP), total porosity (θt), bulk density (ρb), organic carbon, and saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat)) using classical and geostatistical methods. The study site was a 2 ha field cropped no-tillage sweet corn for nearly 10 years on Oahu, Hawaii. The field was divided into 10 × 10 and 20 × 20 m grids. Soil samples were collected at each grid for measuring ρb, θt, and soil organic carbon (SOC) in the laboratory following standard methods. Saturated hydraulic conductivity, TIP at 10 and 20 cm depths, soil surface temperature, and θv were also measured. Porosity and ρb have low and low to moderate variability, respectively based on the relative ranking of the magnitude of variability drawn from the coefficient of variation. Variability of the SOC, TIP, and Ksat ranges from moderate to high. Based on the best-fitted semivariogram model for finer grid data, 9.8 m and 142.2 m are the cut off beyond which the measured parameter does not show any spatial correlation for SOC, and TIP at 10 cm depth, respectively. Bulk density shows the highest spatial dependence (range = 226.8 m) among all measured properties. Spatial distribution of the soil properties based on kriging shows a high level of variability even though the sampled field is relatively small.
Association of Polymorphisms in Candidate Genes with the Litter Size in Two Sheep Breeds
Authors: Yuan Zehu , Zhang Junxia , Li Wanhong , Wang Weimin , Li Fadi , Yue Xiangpeng
Published: November 2019

Hu sheep and Small-tailed Han sheep are the most widely raised and most famous maternal sheep breeds in China, which are known for precocious puberty, perennial oestrus and high fecundity (1–6 lambs each parity). Therefore, it is crucial to increase litter size of these two breeds for intensive sheep industry. The objective of this study was to identify potential genetic markers linked with sheep litter size located at ten genes. This study collected blood sample of 537 Hu sheep and 420 Small-tailed Han sheep with litter size of first parity. The average litter sizes in Hu sheep and Small-tailed Han sheep were 2.21 and 1.93. DNA-pooling sequencing method was used for detecting the potential single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ten genes related to follicle development and female reproduction. SNPscan® was used for individually genotyping. As a result, a total of 78 putative SNPs in nine out of ten candidate genes (except NOG) were identified. In total, 50 SNPs were successfully genotyped in Hu sheep and Small-tailed Han sheep. After quality control, a total of 42 SNPs in Hu sheep and 44 SNPs in Small-tailed Han sheep were finally used for further analysis. Association analysis revealed that nine SNPs within six genes (KIT: g.70199073A>G, KITLG: g.124520653G>C, ADAMTS1: g.127753565T>C, ADAMTS1: g.127754640G>T, NCOA1: g.31928165C>T, NCOA1: g.32140565G>A, LIFR: g.35862868C>T, LIFR: g.35862947G>T and NGF: g.91795933T>C) were significantly associated with litter size in Hu sheep or Small-tailed Han sheep. A combined haplotypes analysis of the two loci (LIFR: g.35862868C>T and LIFR: g.35862947G>T) revealed that H2H3 (CTTT) combined haplotypes had the largest litter size than the rest combined haplotypes and more than those with either mutation alone in Small-tailed Han sheep. Taken together, our study suggests that nine significant SNPs in six genes can be served as useful genetic markers for MAS in sheep.
Diurnal Concentration of Urinary Nitrogen and Rumen Ammonia Are Modified by Timing and Mass of Herbage Allocation
Authors: Beltran Ignacio E. , Gregorini Pablo , Daza José , Balocchi Oscar A. , Morales Alvaro , Pulido Ruben G.
Published: November 2019

The objective of this work was to evaluate whether changes in time of herbage allocation and herbage mass (HM) (low (L) or medium (M)) modify the diurnal pattern of urinary nitrogen (N) concentration and ruminal ammonia (NH3) of lactating dairy cows. Four Holstein-Friesian cows fitted with rumen cannula were randomly allocated to one of four treatments: 1) low herbage mass in the morning (L-AM) (Access to new herbage allocation after morning milking with a herbage mass (HM) of 2000 kg DM/ha); 2) low herbage mass in the afternoon (L-PM) (Access to new herbage allocation after afternoon milking with a HM of 2000 kg DM/ha); 3) medium herbage mass in the morning (M-AM) (Access to new herbage allocation after morning milking with a HM of 3000 kg DM/ha); and 4) medium herbage mass in the afternoon (M-PM) (Access to new herbage allocation after afternoon milking with a HM of 3000 kg DM/ha). A four by four Latin Square design with four treatments, four cows, and four experimental periods was used to evaluate treatment effects. Rumen NH3 concentration was greater for L-AM compared to L-PM and M-PM at 13:00 and 16:00 h. Urine urea and N concentrations were lower for M-AM compared to L-AM. Urine N concentration was greater for L-AM than other treatments at 10:00 hours and greater for M-PM compared to M-AM at 16:00 hours. Results suggest that maintaining the cows in the holding pen at the milking parlor for two hours after morning grass silage supplementation for L-AM and for two hours after afternoon grass silage supplementation for M-PM, could allow collection of urine from cows at the holding pen and storage of urine in the slurry pit during the time of peak N concentration, returning cows to the pasture at a time of day when urinary N concentration is decreased.
Effects of Alfaxalone or Propofol on Giant-Breed Dog Neonates Viability During Elective Caesarean Sections
Authors: Melandri Monica , Alonge Salvatore , Peric Tanja , Bolis Barbara , Veronesi Maria C
Published: November 2019

Attention must be paid to C-section anesthesia effects on mother and offspring. Alfaxalone induction results in improved puppy viability when compared to propofol. The present study aims to evaluate effects of alfaxalone or propofol induction for elective C-section on newborns, expressed as Apgar score and fetal fluids cortisol concentration. Anesthesia was induced with alfaxalone 3 mg/kg iv in 5 bitches (group A), and propofol 4 mg/kg iv in another 5 (group P), maintained with isoflurane. Amniotic and allantoic fluids were collected to determine cortisol concentration. Apgar score, litter size, newborn gender, birth-weight, maternal age, and parity were recorded. ANOVA, U Mann-Whitney test and ANCOVA assessed the effects of drugs on the Apgar score and fetal fluids cortisol. Thirty-six puppies were randomly selected for the study: 16 from group A and 20 from group P. Only the Apgar score significantly differed between groups. ANCOVA confirmed a significantly higher Apgar score in group A underlining the influence of fetal fluids cortisol concentrations, both resulting in covariates. Present results confirm the effect of anesthesia on the Apgar score of newborns, which is significantly higher for alfaxalone than propofol, suggesting the use of fetal fluids cortisol as a covariate. These findings could be a starting point for further investigations when less viable puppies are detected or expected, such as during an emergency C-section.
Revisiting the Meandering Instability During Step-Flow Epitaxy
Authors: Chen Yue
Published: November 2019

This paper starts with a generalized Burton, Cabrera and Frank (BCF) model by considering the energetic contribution of the adjacent terraces to the step chemical potential. We use the linear stability analysis of the quasistatic free-boundary problem for a two-dimensional step separated by broad terraces to study the step-meandering instabilities. The results show that the equilibrium adatom coverage has influence on the morphological instabilities.
System Reliability Evaluation of Prefabricated RC Hollow Slab Bridges Considering Hinge Joint Damage Based on Modified AHP
Authors: Liu Hanbing , Wang Xirui , Tan Guojin , He Xin , Luo Guobao
Published: November 2019

The prefabricated reinforced concrete (RC) hollow slab bridges, with the advantages of high quality, lower cost and shorter construction period, have been widely used for small-to-medium-span highway bridges in China. Because of environmental deterioration and traffic volume increases, the performance of the bridge system deteriorates gradually. Accurate bridge system evaluation can provide a reliable basis for maintenance and management. A bridge system is composed of multiple interrelated components, which makes the system reliability evaluation become a computationally intractable work. In this paper, an effective method was proposed to evaluate the system reliability of the prefabricated RC hollow slab bridge considering hinge joint damage based on the modified analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Considering the subjectivity of the traditional AHP method in constructing the judgment matrix, this paper proposed an objective construction method of the judgment matrix to modify the traditional AHP. The modified hinge plate method (MHPM) proposed by the previous research was utilized to analyze the effect of hinge joint damage on system reliability. In order to verify the applicability of the proposed system reliability evaluation method, a simply supported RC hollow slab bridge was selected as the case study and the system reliability indexes were compared with the traditional series and parallel methods. The results indicated that the traditional methods were either too conservative or too radical to objectively evaluate the actual system reliability level of the structure. In contrast, the proposed method in this paper was more suitable for evaluating the system reliability of such bridges, and more accurate in providing maintenance decision makers with a relatively reasonable bridge condition information.
Electrically Small Water-Based Hemispherical Dielectric Resonator Antenna
Authors: Jacobsen Rasmus E. , Lavrinenko Andrei V. , Arslanagić Samel
Published: November 2019

Recently, water has been proposed as an interesting candidate for use in applications such as tunable microwave metamaterials and dielectric resonator antennas due to its high and temperature-dependent permittivity. In the present work, we considered an electrically small water-based dielectric resonator antenna made of a short monopole encapsulated by a hemispherical water cavity. The fundamental dipole resonances supported by the water cavity were used to match the short monopole to its feed line as well as the surrounding free space. Specifically, a magnetic (electric) dipole resonance was exploited for antenna designs with a total efficiency of 29.5% (15.6%) and a reflection coefficient of −24.1 dB (−10.9 dB) at 300 MHz. The dipole resonances were effectively excited with different monopole lengths and positions as well as different cavity sizes or different frequencies in the same cavity. The overall size of the optimum design was 18 times smaller than the free-space wavelength, representing the smallest water-based antenna to date. A prototype antenna was characterized, with an excellent agreement achieved between the numerical and experimental results. The proposed water-based antennas may serve as cheap and easy-to-fabricate tunable alternatives for use in very high frequency (VHF) and the low end of ultrahigh frequency (UHF) bands for a great variety of applications.
Narrow Absorption in ITO-Free Perovskite Solar Cells for Sensing Applications Analyzed through Electromagnetic Simulation
Authors: H. Elshorbagy Mahmoud , Cuadrado Alexander , Alda Javier
Published: November 2019

This work reports on a computational analysis of how a modified perovskite cell can work as a refractometric sensor by generating surface plasmon resonances at its front surface. Metal-dielectric interfaces are necessary to excite plasmonic resonances. However, if the transparent conductor (ITO) is replaced by a uniform metal layer, the optical absorption at the active layer decreases significantly. This absorption enhances again when the front metallic surface is nanostructured, adding a periodic extruded array of high aspect-ratio dielectric pyramids. This relief excites surface plasmon resonances through a grating coupling mechanism with the metal surface. Our design allows a selective absorption in the active layer of the cell with a spectral response narrower than 1 nm. The photo-current generated by the cells becomes the signal of the sensor. The device employs an opto-electronic interrogation method, instead of the well-known spectral acquisition scheme. The sensitivity and figure of merit (FOM) parameters applicable to refractometric sensors were adapted to this new situation. The design has been customized to sense variations in the index of refraction of air between 1.0 and 1.1. The FOM reaches a maximum value of 1005 RIU − 1 , which is competitive when considering some other advantages, as the easiness of the acquisition signal procedure and the total cost of the sensing system. All the geometrical and material parameters included in our design were selected considering the applicable fabrication constrains.
Multi-Model Evaluation of Meteorological Drivers, Air Pollutants and Quantification of Emission Sources over the Upper Brahmaputra Basin
Authors: Saikia Arshini , Pathak Binita , Singh Prashant , Bhuyan Pradip Kumar , Adhikary Bhupesh
Published: November 2019

The temporal distributions of meteorological drivers and air pollutants over Dibrugarh, a location in the upper Brahmaputra basin, are studied using observations, models and reanalysis data. The study aims to assess the performance of the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with chemistry (WRF-Chem), the WRF coupled with Sulfur Transport dEposition Model (WRF-STEM), and Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) model over Dibrugarh for the first time. The meteorological variables and air pollutants viz., black carbon(BC), carbon monoxide(CO), sulphur dioxide(SO2), Ozone(O3), and oxides of Nitrogen(NOx) obtained from WRF-Chem, WRF-STEM and CAMS are evaluated with observations. The source region tagged CO simulated by WRF-STEM delineate the regional contribution of CO. The principal source region of anthropogenic CO over Dibrugarh is North-Eastern India with a 59% contribution followed by that from China (17%), Indo-Gangetic Plains (14%), Bangladesh (6%), other parts of India (3%) and other regions (1%). Further, the BC-CO regression analysis is used to delineate the local emission sources. The BC-CO correlations estimated from models (0.99 for WRF-Chem, 0.96 for WRF-STEM, 0.89 for CAMS), and reanalysis (0.8 for Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA2) are maximum in pre-monsoon whereas surface observations show highest correlations (0.81) in winter. In pre-monsoon season, 90% of the modeled CO is due to biomass burning over Dibrugarh.
Cryotolerance of Stallion Spermatozoa Relies on Aquaglyceroporins rather than Orthodox Aquaporins
Authors: Delgado-Bermúdez Ariadna , Noto Federico , Bonilla-Correal Sebastián , Garcia-Bonavila Estela , Catalán Jaime , Papas Marion , Bonet Sergi , Miró Jordi , Yeste Marc
Published: November 2019

Aquaporins (AQPs), a family of ubiquitous water channels divided into orthodox AQPs, aquaglyceroporins (GLPs), and superAQPs, are present in stallion spermatozoa. The aim of this study was to elucidate the functional relevance of each group of AQPs during stallion sperm cryopreservation through the use of three different inhibitors: acetazolamide (AC), phloretin (PHL) and propanediol (PDO). Sperm quality and function parameters were evaluated in the presence or absence of each inhibitor in fresh and frozen–thawed samples. In the presence of AC, different parameters were altered (p < 0.05), but not in a concentration- or time-depending manner. PHL was found to decrease sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity, and the percentages of spermatozoa with low membrane lipid disorder, high mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and high intracellular levels of calcium and superoxides (p < 0.05). Finally, the sperm motility, viability, acrosome integrity, the percentages of spermatozoa with low membrane lipid disorder, high MMP and high intracellular calcium levels were higher (p < 0.05) in PDO treatments than in the control. The sperm response to AC, PHL and PDO indicates that GLPs, rather than orthodox AQPs, play a crucial role during stallion sperm cryopreservation. Furthermore, post-thaw sperm quality was higher in PDO treatments than in the control, suggesting that this molecule is a potential permeable cryoprotectant.
Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of a Low-Molecular-Weight Xanthan Gum
Authors: Hu Xiaolong , Wang Kangli , Yu Miao , He Peixin , Qiao Hanzhen , Zhang Huiru , Wang Zichao
Published: November 2019

In the present work, a low-molecular-weight xanthan gum (LW-XG) was successfully obtained via biodegradation of commercial xanthan by the endophytic fungus Chaetomium globosum CGMCC 6882. The monosaccharide composition of LW-XG was glucose, mannose, and glucuronic acid in a molar ratio of 1.63:1.5:1.0. The molecular weight of LW-XG was 4.07 × 104 Da and much smaller than that of commercial xanthan (2.95 × 106 Da). Antioxidant assays showed that LW-XG had a good scavenging ability on DPPH radicals, superoxide anions, and hydroxyl radicals and good ferric reducing power. Moreover, LW-XG exhibited excellent protective effect on H2O2-injured Caco-2 cells. Results of this work suggested that LW-XG could be used in foods or pharmaceuticals to alleviate and resist the oxidative damage induced by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species.
Nucleocytoplasmic Shuttling of STATs. A Target for Intervention?
Authors: Ernst Sabrina , Müller-Newen Gerhard
Published: November 2019

Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins are transcription factors that in the latent state are located predominantly in the cytoplasm. Activation of STATs through phosphorylation of a single tyrosine residue results in nuclear translocation. The requirement of tyrosine phosphorylation for nuclear accumulation is shared by all STAT family members but mechanisms of nuclear translocation vary between different STATs. These differences offer opportunities for specific intervention. To achieve this, the molecular mechanisms of nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of STATs need to be understood in more detail. In this review we will give an overview on the various aspects of nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of latent and activated STATs with a special focus on STAT3 and STAT5. Potential targets for cancer treatment will be identified and discussed.
Biological Functions of the ING Proteins
Authors: Dantas Arthur , Al Shueili Buthaina , Yang Yang , Nabbi Arash , Fink Dieter , Riabowol Karl
Published: November 2019

The proteins belonging to the inhibitor of growth (ING) family of proteins serve as epigenetic readers of the H3K4Me3 histone mark of active gene transcription and target histone acetyltransferase (HAT) or histone deacetylase (HDAC) protein complexes, in order to alter local chromatin structure. These multidomain adaptor proteins interact with numerous other proteins to facilitate their localization and the regulation of numerous biochemical pathways that impinge upon biological functions. Knockout of some of the ING genes in murine models by various groups has verified their status as tumor suppressors, with ING1 knockout resulting in the formation of large clear-cell B-lymphomas and ING2 knockout increasing the frequency of ameloblastomas, among other phenotypic effects. ING4 knockout strongly affects innate immunity and angiogenesis, and INGs1, ING2, and ING4 have been reported to affect apoptosis in different cellular models. Although ING3 and ING5 knockouts have yet to be published, preliminary reports indicate that ING3 knockout results in embryonic lethality and that ING5 knockout may have postpartum effects on stem cell maintenance. In this review, we compile the known information on the domains of the INGs and the effects of altering ING protein expression, to better understand the functions of this adaptor protein family and its possible uses for targeted cancer therapy.
WWOX Possesses N-Terminal Cell Surface-Exposed Epitopes WWOX7-21 and WWOX7-11 for Signaling Cancer Growth Suppression and Prevention In Vivo
Authors: Wang Wan-Jen , Ho Pei-Chuan , Nagarajan Ganesan , Chen Yu-An , Kuo Hsiang-Ling , Subhan Dudekula , Su Wan-Pei , Chang Jean-Yun , Lu Chen-Yu , Chang Katarina T. , Lin Sing-Ru , Lee Ming-Hui , Chang Nan-Shan
Published: November 2019

Membrane hyaluronidase Hyal-2 supports cancer cell growth. Inhibition of Hyal-2 by specific antibody against Hyal-2 or pY216-Hyal-2 leads to cancer growth suppression and prevention in vivo. By immunoelectron microscopy, tumor suppressor WWOX is shown to be anchored, in part, in the cell membrane by Hyal-2. Alternatively, WWOX undergoes self-polymerization and localizes in the cell membrane. Proapoptotic pY33-WWOX binds Hyal-2, and TGF-β induces internalization of the pY33-WWOX/Hyal-2 complex to the nucleus for causing cell death. In contrast, when pY33 is downregulated and pS14 upregulated in WWOX, pS14-WWOX supports cancer growth in vivo. Here, we investigated whether membrane WWOX receives extracellular signals via surface-exposed epitopes, especially at the S14 area, that signals for cancer growth suppression and prevention. By using a simulated 3-dimentional structure and generated specific antibodies, WWOX epitopes were determined at amino acid #7 to 21 and #286 to 299. Synthetic WWOX7-21 peptide, or truncation to 5-amino acid WWOX7-11, significantly suppressed and prevented the growth and metastasis of melanoma and skin cancer cells in mice. Time-lapse microscopy revealed that WWOX7-21 peptide potently enhanced the explosion and death of 4T1 breast cancer stem cell spheres by ceritinib. This is due to rapid upregulation of proapoptotic pY33-WWOX, downregulation of prosurvival pERK, prompt increases in Ca2+ influx, and disruption of the IkBα/WWOX/ERK prosurvival signaling. In contrast, pS14-WWOX7-21 peptide dramatically increased cancer growth in vivo and protected cancer cells from ceritinib-mediated apoptosis in vitro, due to a prolonged ERK phosphorylation. Further, specific antibody against pS14-WWOX significantly enhanced the ceritinib-induced apoptosis. Together, the N-terminal epitopes WWOX7-21 and WWOX7-11 are potent in blocking cancer growth in vivo. WWOX7-21 and WWOX7-11 peptides and pS14-WWOX antibody are of therapeutic values in suppressing and preventing cancer growth in vivo.
Autophagy and Nutrients Management in Plants
Authors: Chen Qinwu , Shinozaki Daiki , Luo Jie , Pottier Mathieu , Havé Marien , Marmagne Anne , Reisdorf-Cren Michèle , Chardon Fabien , Thomine Sébastien , Yoshimoto Kohki , Masclaux-Daubresse Céline
Published: November 2019

Nutrient recycling and mobilization from organ to organ all along the plant lifespan is essential for plant survival under changing environments. Nutrient remobilization to the seeds is also essential for good seed production. In this review, we summarize the recent advances made to understand how plants manage nutrient remobilization from senescing organs to sink tissues and what is the contribution of autophagy in this process. Plant engineering manipulating autophagy for better yield and plant tolerance to stresses will be presented.
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Proceedings of the INFN-LNF 2018 Conference
Authors: Bellucci Stefano
Published: November 2019

The NEXT Nanotechnology group at INFN-Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati (LNF) has organized, since the year 2000, a yearly series of international meetings in the area of nanotechnology. The 2018 conference has been devoted to recent developments in nanoscience and their manifold technological applications. These consisted of a number of tutorial/keynote lectures, as well as research talks presenting frontier nanoscience research developments and innovative nanotechnologies in the areas of biology, medicine, aerospace, optoelectronics, energy, materials and characterizations, low-dimensional nanostructures and devices. Selected, original papers based on the 2018 conference talks and related discussions have been published, after a careful refereeing process, in the MDPI journal Condensed Matter, and are currently included in the present dedicated issue.
Visceral Origin: An Underestimated Source of Neck Pain. A Systematic Scoping Review
Authors: Oliva-Pascual-Vaca Ángel , González-González Carlos , Oliva-Pascual-Vaca Jesús , Piña-Pozo Fernando , Ferragut-Garcías Alejandro , Fernández-Domínguez Juan Carlos , Heredia-Rizo Alberto Marcos
Published: November 2019

The diagnosis of neck pain is challenging. Many visceral disorders are known to cause it, and clinical practice guidelines recommend to rule them out during neck pain diagnosis. However, the absence of suspicion of any cause impedes one from establishing that specific aetiology as the final diagnosis. To investigate the degree of consideration given to visceral aetiology, a systematic search of trials about neck pain was carried out to evaluate their selection criteria. The search yielded 309 eligible articles, which were screened by two independent reviewers. The PEDro scale score was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. The following information was retrieved: number of authors affiliated to a clinical or non-clinical institution, number of citations in the Web of Science, study aims, characteristics of participants, and eligibility criteria. The top 15 most cited trials, and the 15 most recent studies about treatment efficacy in neck pain, published in first quartile journals of the Journal Citation Reports, were selected. Females represented 67.5% of participants. A single study was of poor methodological quality (4/10). Based on the eligibility criteria of the articles that were systematically reviewed, it would appear that visceral aetiology was not considered in eighty percent of the trials on neck pain, showing a low level of suspicion both in research and clinical settings.
Modeling the Disorder of Closed System by Multi-Agent Based Simulation
Authors: Małecki Krzysztof , Gwizdałła Tomasz M. , Bieńko Paweł
Published: November 2019

Mess (disorder)—there are many different meanings related to this problem. The explicit majority comes from the area of philosophical, social and medical sciences. In our paper, we try to present the engineering aspect of the concept of disorder. We propose a mathematical model which describes the effects and consequences concerning the process of making the mess. We use Multi-Agent Modeling, where there are several independent agents with decision-making ability. Each agent has the ability to communicate and perceive for achieving its own aim. We use square grid n × n with objects which can be moved by agents to another places. The degree of disorder of the system is examined by the value of entropy. Using computer simulation, we investigate the time needed to find the desired thing in an environment in which agents (in real life, people) co-exist and they have different tendencies to tidiness. The cost of mess is counted as the number of attempts to access the object in the analyzed system and the time needed to locate the object.
Hypergraph Contextuality
Authors: Pavičić Mladen
Published: November 2019

Quantum contextuality is a source of quantum computational power and a theoretical delimiter between classical and quantum structures. It has been substantiated by numerous experiments and prompted generation of state independent contextual sets, that is, sets of quantum observables capable of revealing quantum contextuality for any quantum state of a given dimension. There are two major classes of state-independent contextual sets—the Kochen-Specker ones and the operator-based ones. In this paper, we present a third, hypergraph-based class of contextual sets. Hypergraph inequalities serve as a measure of contextuality. We limit ourselves to qutrits and obtain thousands of 3-dim contextual sets. The simplest of them involves only 5 quantum observables, thus enabling a straightforward implementation. They also enable establishing new entropic contextualities.
Measurement Based Quantum Heat Engine with Coupled Working Medium
Authors: Das Arpan , Ghosh Sibasish
Published: November 2019

We consider measurement based single temperature quantum heat engine without feedback control, introduced recently by Yi, Talkner and Kim [Phys. Rev. E 96, 022108 (2017)]. Taking the working medium of the engine to be a one-dimensional Heisenberg model of two spins, we calculate the efficiency of the engine undergoing a cyclic process. Starting with two spin-1/2 particles, we investigate the scenario of higher spins also. We show that, for this model of coupled working medium, efficiency can be higher than that of an uncoupled one. However, the relationship between the coupling constant and the efficiency of the engine is rather involved. We find that in the higher spin scenario efficiency can sometimes be negative (this means work has to be done to run the engine cycle) for certain range of coupling constants, in contrast to the aforesaid work of Yi, Talkner and Kim, where they showed that the extracted work is always positive in the absence of coupling. We provide arguments for this negative efficiency in higher spin scenarios. Interestingly, this happens only in the asymmetric scenarios, where the two spins are different. Given these facts, for judiciously chosen conditions, an engine with coupled working medium gives advantage for the efficiency over the uncoupled one.
Development of Virtual Air Flow Sensor Using In-Situ Damper Performance Curve in VAV Terminal Unit
Authors: Kim Hyo-Jun , Jo Jae-Hun , Cho Young-Hum
Published: November 2019

In this study, we developed a virtual air flow sensor using an in-situ damper performance curve to secure the stability of control of the variable air volume (VAV) terminal unit, and also established the in-situ measurement procedure. The minimum air flow rate of the VAV terminal unit was related to the energy consumption, it was important to determine the minimum air flow rate suitable for the situation of each room in terms of energy saving. However, it was difficult to set the minimum air flow rate low setpoint due to the low accuracy of the air flow sensor of the VAV terminal unit. This paper suggested a virtual air flow sensing method using an in-situ damper performance curve in the VAV terminal unit. The input factors of the virtual sensor were developed on the basis of the supply fan speed and damper opening ratio, which could be easily obtained from the existing control system. In addition, the in-situ measurement procedure of the virtual air flow sensor was developed by dividing the procedure into five steps. Finally, reliability of the virtual air flow sensor was evaluated through uncertainty analysis of input variables and relative error analysis, in comparison with the conventional air flow rate measurement method. The developed virtual air flow sensor was found to have an uncertainty of up to 8.8%, and it was also found that the closer to the maximum the values of the input variables, the lower the uncertainty. In addition, verification of relative error with respect to the measured values by the hot-wire anemometer was conducted by varying operation conditions to a total of 12 cases, and as a result, relative error was found to be up to 5.6%. In addition, the results of long-term experiment showed that relative error was within about 9.5%, and thus, the feasibility for field application and control was confirmed.
Macroeconomic Effects of EU Energy Efficiency Regulations on Household Dishwashers, Washing Machines and Washer Dryers
Authors: Rocchi Paola , Rueda-Cantuche José Manuel , Boyano Alicia , Villanueva Alejandro
Published: November 2019

Testing the relationship between economic performance and energy consumption is of utmost importance in nearly all countries. Taking the European Union as scope, this paper analyses the impacts of energy efficiency legislation on a selection of household appliances. In particular, it analyses the employment and value added impacts of the stricter energy efficiency requirements for dishwashers, washing machines, and washer dryers. To do so, this paper combines a bottom-up stock model with a macro-econometric dynamic general equilibrium model (FIDELIO) to quantify the direct and indirect value added and employment impacts in the European Union. The analysis shows that stricter energy efficiency requirements on household dishwashers, washing machines, and washer dryers have a net negative macroeconomic impact on value added (roughly 0.01 % of the total European Union value added) and a slightly net positive impact on employment. In fact, the regulations cause a shift in the composition of the household consumption basket that seems to favor labor-intensive industries.