bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Odd Cycles and Hilbert Functions of Their Toric Rings
Authors: Hibi Takayuki , Tsuchiya Akiyoshi
Published: December 2019

Studying Hilbert functions of concrete examples of normal toric rings, it is demonstrated that for each 1 ≤ s ≤ 5 , an O-sequence ( h 0 , h 1 , … , h 2 s − 1 ) ∈ Z ≥ 0 2 s satisfying the properties that (i) h 0 ≤ h 1 ≤ ⋯ ≤ h s − 1 , (ii) h 2 s − 1 = h 0 , h 2 s − 2 = h 1 and (iii) h 2 s − 1 − i = h i + ( − 1 ) i , 2 ≤ i ≤ s − 1 , can be the h-vector of a Cohen-Macaulay standard G-domain.
Characterizations of the Beta Kumaraswamy Exponential Distribution
Authors: Al-saiary Zakeia A. , Bakoban Rana A. , Al-zahrani Areej A.
Published: December 2019

In this article, the five-parameter beta Kumaraswamy exponential distribution (BKw-E) is introduced, and some characterizations of this distribution are obtained. The shape of the hazard function and some other important properties—such as median, mode, quantile function, and mean—are studied. In addition, the moments, skewness, and kurtosis are found. Furthermore, important measures such as Rényi entropy and order statistics are obtained; these have applications in many fields. An example of a real data set is discussed.
Metabolic Profiling of the Soft Coral Erythropodium caribaeorum (Alcyonacea: Anthothelidae) from the Colombian Caribbean Reveals Different Chemotypes
Authors: Molina Sandra L. , Forero Abel M. , Ayala Farja I. , Puyana Mónica , Zea Sven , Castellanos Leonardo , Muñoz Diego , Arboleda Gonzalo , Sandoval-Hernández Adrián G. , Ramos Freddy A.
Published: December 2019

The Caribbean soft coral Erythropodium caribaeorum is a rich source of erythrolides—chlorinated briarane diterpenoids. These compounds have an ecological role as feeding deterrents, with a wide variation in their composition depending on the location where the sample is collected. In Colombia, this soft coral can be found at different locations in the Caribbean Sea including Santa Marta, Islas del Rosario, and Providencia—three environmentally different coral reef areas in the south and southwest Caribbean Sea. In order to evaluate differences in erythrolide composition, the metabolic profiles of samples from each of these locations were analyzed by HPLC-MS. Principal component analysis showed changes in the diterpene composition according to the sample origin. Diterpenes from samples collected at each location were isolated to describe the three chemotypes. The chemotype from Santa Marta was highly diverse, with the new erythrolides W and X together with eight known erythrolides. The sample from Islas del Rosario showed a low diversity chemotype constituted by high amounts of erythrolide A and B. The chemotype from Providencia showed low chemical diversity with only two main compounds—erythrolide V and R. Evaluation of cytotoxic activity against the human cancer cell lines PC-3, MCF7, and A549 showed erythrolides A and B as the more active compounds with IC50 values in the range from 2.45 to 30 μM.
Isolation and Characterization of a Heparin-Like Compound with Potent Anticoagulant and Fibrinolytic Activity from the Clam Coelomactra antiquata
Authors: Du ZhenXing , Jia XueJing , Chen Jing , Zhou SiYi , Chen JianPing , Liu XiaoFei , Cao XiaoHuang , Zhong SaiYi , Hong PengZhi
Published: December 2019

Heparin from mollusks with unique sulfated glycosaminoglycan exhibits strong anti-thrombotic activities. This study reports on a purified heparinoid from Coelomactra antiquata, which shows potent anticoagulant and fibrinolytic abilities. Its structure was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and one-dimensional and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Its fibrinolytic activity was determined in vitro and in vivo. Its anticoagulant activity was determined by activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT). The results indicated that clam heparinoid was a homogeneous glycosaminoglycan with a molecular weight of 30.99 kDa, mainly composed of →4)-α-IdoA2S-(1→4)-α-GlcNS3S6S (or GlcNS6S)-(1→4)-β-GlcA-(1→4)-α-GlcNS6S (or GlcNAC)-(1→. Furthermore, this heparinoid showed a highly anticoagulant titer and fibrinolytic value of 149.63 IU/mg and 1.96 IU/mg, respectively. In summary, clam heparinoid shows great potential for application in the clinic and antithrombotic drugs industry.
Seaweed Secondary Metabolites with Beneficial Health Effects: An Overview of Successes in In Vivo Studies and Clinical Trials
Authors: Rosa Gonçalo P. , Tavares Wilson R. , Sousa Pedro M. C. , Pagès Aida K. , Seca Ana M. L. , Pinto Diana C. G. A.
Published: December 2019

Macroalgae are increasingly viewed as a source of secondary metabolites with great potential for the development of new drugs. In this development, in vitro studies are only the first step in a long process, while in vivo studies and clinical trials are the most revealing stages of the true potential and limitations that a given metabolite may have as a new drug. This literature review aims to give a critical overview of the secondary metabolites that reveal the most interesting results in these two steps. Phlorotannins show great pharmaceutical potential in in vivo models and, among the several examples, the anti-dyslipidemia activity of dieckol must be highlighted because it was more effective than lovastatin in an in vivo model. The IRLIIVLMPILMA tridecapeptide that exhibits an in vivo level of activity similar to the hypotensive clinical drug captopril should still be stressed, as well as griffithsin which showed such stunning results over a variety of animal models and which will probably move onto clinical trials soon. Regarding clinical trials, studies with pure algal metabolites are scarce, limited to those carried out with kahalalide F and fucoxanthin. The majority of clinical trials currently aim to ascertain the effect of algae consumption, as extracts or fractions, on obesity and diabetes.
Soluble Sugar and Lipid Readjustments in the Yarrowia lipolytica Yeast at Various Temperatures and pH
Authors: Sekova Varvara Yu , Dergacheva Daria I. , Isakova Elena P. , Gessler Natalya N. , Tereshina Vera M. , Deryabina Yulia I.
Published: December 2019

Microorganisms cope with a wide range of environmental challenges using different mechanisms. Their ability to prosper at extreme ambient pH and high temperatures has been well reported, but the adaptation mechanism often remains unrevealed. In this study, we addressed the dynamics of lipid and sugar profiles upon different cultivation conditions. The results showed that the cells grown at various pH and optimal temperature contained mannitol as the major cytosol sugar alcohol. The elevated temperature of 38 °C led to a two- to three-fold increase in total cytosol sugars with concurrent substitution of mannitol for trehalose. Lipid composition in the cells at optimal temperature changed insignificantly at any pH tested. The increase in the temperature caused some drop in the storage and membrane lipid levels, remarkable changes in their composition, and the degree of unsaturated fatty acids. It was shown that the fatty acid composition of some membrane phospholipids varied considerably at changing pH and temperature values. The data showed a pivotal role and flexibility of the sugar and lipid composition of Y. lipolytica W29 in adaptation to unfavorable environmental conditions.
High Kanamycin Concentration as Another Stress Factor Additional to Temperature to Increase pDNA Production in E. coli DH5α Batch and Fed-Batch Cultures
Authors: Grijalva-Hernández Fernando , Vega-Estrada Jesús , Escobar-Rosales Montserrat , Ortega-López Jaime , Aguilar-López Ricardo , Lara Alvaro R. , Montes-Horcasitas Ma. del Carmen
Published: December 2019

Plasmid DNA (pDNA) vaccines require high supercoiled-pDNA doses (milligrams) to achieve an adequate immune response. Therefore, processes development to obtain high pDNA yields and productivity is crucial. pDNA production is affected by several factors including culture type, medium composition, and growth conditions. We evaluated the effect of kanamycin concentration and temperature on pDNA production, overflow metabolism (organic acids) and metabolic burden (neomycin phosphotransferase II) in batch and fed-batch cultures of Escherichia coli DH5α-pVAX1-NH36. Results indicated that high kanamycin concentration increases the volumetric productivity, volumetric and specific yields of pDNA when batch cultures were carried out at 42 °C, and overflow metabolism reduced but metabolic burden increased. Micrographs taken with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) were analyzed, showing important morphological changes. The high kanamycin concentration (300 mg/L) was evaluated in high cell density culture (50 gDCW/L), which was reached using a fed-batch culture with temperature increase by controlling heating and growth rates. The pDNA volumetric yield and productivity were 759 mg/L and 31.19 mg/L/h, respectively, two-fold greater than the control with a kanamycin concentration of 50 mg/L. A stress-based process simultaneously caused by temperature and high kanamycin concentration can be successfully applied to increase pDNA production.
Complete Genome Sequence of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans YNTRS-40, a Strain of the Ferrous Iron- and Sulfur-Oxidizing Acidophile
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhang Shuang , Zhao Dan , Ni Yongqing , Wang Weidong , Yan Lei
Published: December 2019

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans YNTRS-40 (A. ferrooxidans) is a chemolithoautotrophic aerobic bacterium isolated from Tengchong hot springs, Yunnan Province, China, with a broad growth pH range of 1.0–4.5. This study reports the genome sequence of this strain and the information of genes related to the adaptation of diverse stresses and the oxidation of ferrous iron and sulfur. Results showed that YNTRS-40 possesses chromosomal DNA (3,209,933-bp) and plasmid DNA (47,104-bp). The complete genome of 3,257,037-bp consists of 3,349 CDS genes comprising 6 rRNAs, 52 tRNAs, and 6 ncRNAs. There are many encoded genes associated with diverse stresses adaptation and ferrous iron and sulfur oxidation such as rus operon, res operon, petI, petII, sqr, doxDA, cydAB, and cyoABCD. This work will provide essential information for further application of A. ferrooxidans YNTRS-40 in industry.
First Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in Migratory Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus) in China
Authors: Wang Ke , Gazizova Azhar , Wang Yuexin , Zhang Kaihui , Zhang Yifan , Chang Yankai , Cui Yuan , Zhang Yuxi , Zhang Sumei , Zhang Longxian
Published: December 2019

Cryptosporidium is an important protozoan parasite that can cause gastrointestinal diseases in humans and that also causes respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases in birds. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of Cryptosporidium species in migratory whooper swans in China. Fecal samples (n = 467) from whooper swans were collected from Sanmenxia Swan Lake National Urban Wetland Park, China. The samples were analyzed for Cryptosporidium species and genotypes with PCR along a sequence analysis of the small subunit rRNA. Cryptosporidium was detected in eight of the 467 (1.7%) samples. The analysis of the small subunit rRNA sequence data revealed two zoonotic species (Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium andersoni) and one genotype (Cryptosporidium goose genotype II). These are the first data on the positive rate of Cryptosporidium spp. in whooper swans in China, and they suggest that whooper swans can harbor the zoonotic species C. parvum and C. andersoni in China.
Fungal Diversity of Deteriorated Sparkling Wine and Cork Stoppers in Catalonia, Spain
Authors: Rodríguez-Andrade Ernesto , Stchigel Alberto M. , Guarro Josep , Cano-Lira José F.
Published: December 2019

Filamentous fungi are rarely reported as responsible for spoiling wine. Cork taint was detected in sparkling wine; therefore, we investigated fungal contamination as a possible cause of organoleptic alteration. Spoiled wine was filtered and membranes were plated onto potato dextrose agar (PDA). The cork stoppers used for sealing bottles were cut and also plated onto PDA. Fungal strains were phenotypically characterized and molecularly identified by sequencing of a fragment of the 28S nrRNA gene (LSU) and (occasionally) by other additional molecular markers. Twenty-seven strains were isolated and sixteen species were identified, all of them belonging to the phylum Ascomycota. The fungi isolated from wine were three species of Aspergillus section Nidulantes, a species of Penicillium section Exicaulis and Beauveria bassiana. Candida patagonica was isolated from both sort of samples, and the fungi isolated from cork stoppers were Altenaria alternata and Cladosporium cladosporioides. Surprisingly, most of the taxa recovered from the cork stoppers and/or wine were new to the science: a new genus (Dactylodendron) and seven new species belonging to the genera Cladophialophora, Dactylodendron, Kirschsteiniothelia, Rasamsonia, and Talaromyces. Future studies could let us know if these fungi would be able to produce compounds responsible for cork taint.
PYHIN Proteins and HPV: Role in the Pathogenesis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Riva Giuseppe , Biolatti Matteo , Pecorari Giancarlo , Dell’Oste Valentina , Landolfo Santo
Published: December 2019

In the last decades, the human papillomavirus (HPV) emerged as an etiological cause of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), especially in the oropharynx. The role of two intracellular DNA sensors, which belong to the PYHIN family (interferon-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) and absent in melanoma 2 protein (AIM2)), has been analyzed in relation to HPV infection and head and neck carcinogenesis. In particular, IFI16 and AIM2 expression depends on HPV infection in HNSCC. They represent viral restriction factors and are key components of the intrinsic immunity activated against different viruses, including HPV. This review analyzed and summarized the recent findings about the role of PYHIN proteins in HPV+ and HPV− HNSCC.
Epibiotic Fungal Communities of Three Tomicus spp. Infesting Pines in Southwestern China
Authors: Wang Hui-Min , Liu Fu , Zhang Su-Fang , Kong Xiang-Bo , Lu Quan , Zhang Zhen
Published: December 2019

The association between insects and fungi has evolved over millions of years and is ubiquitous in nature. This symbiotic relationship holds critical implications for both partners, the insects and the associated microbes. Numerous fungi are externally allied with bark beetles and form a close symbiosis, but the community structures of these fungi are largely unknown. In Yunnan Province in southwestern China, the beetles Tomicus yunnanensis, T. minor, and T. brevipilosus are major forest pests that cause large losses of two indigenous pines, Pinus yunnanensis and P. kesiya. In this study, we used the Illumina MiSeq PE300 platform to process 48 samples of epibiotic fungal communities pooled from 1348 beetles; the beetles were collected during both the branch- and trunk-infection sections from five locations across Yunnan Province. Considerably greater species richness was detected using high-throughput sequencing of amplified internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) libraries than previously documented by using culture-dependent methods. In total, 1,413,600 reads were generated, and a 97% sequence-similarity cutoff produced eight phyla, 31 classes, 83 orders, 181 families, 331 genera, 471 species, and 1157 operational taxonomic units (OTUs), with 659, 621, and 609 OTUs being confined to T. yunnanensis, T. minor, and T. brevipilosus, respectively. Tomicus yunnanensis, T. minor, and T. brevipilosus had the similar OTUs richness and evenness of fungal communities in Yunnan Province; nevertheless, the two fungal community compositions associated with T. yunnanensis and T. minor were structurally similar to each other but distinct from that associated with T. brevipilosus. Lastly, the results of principal co-ordinates analysis suggested that epibiotic fungal community structures of the three Tomicus spp. were conditioned strongly by the locations and pine hosts but weakly by beetle species and infection sections. Our findings provide baseline knowledge regarding the epibiotic fungal communities of three major Tomicus spp. in southwestern China.
Listeria monocytogenes in Export-approved Beef from Mato Grosso, Brazil: Prevalence, Molecular Characterization and Resistance to Antibiotics and Disinfectants
Authors: Teixeira Larrayane A.C. , Carvalho Fernanda T. , Vallim Deyse C. , Pereira Rodrigo C.L. , Cunha Neto Adelino , Vieira Bruno S. , Carvalho Ricardo C.T. , Figueiredo Eduardo E.S.
Published: December 2019

The Brazilian state of Mato Grosso is the largest producer and exporter of beef in the country, but few studies of relevance have been conducted to evaluate the microbiological safety of its products. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) in export-approved beef from Mato Grosso and to characterize the isolates in terms of molecular properties and antimicrobial resistance. From a total of 50 samples analyzed, Listeria sp. was isolated in 18 (36% prevalence). Listeria monocytogenes was confirmed in 6 (12% prevalence). Among the serotype groups assessed by multiplex PCR, serotype 4 (4b, 4d or 4e) was the most prevalent. Although antibiotic resistance was not an issue, two strains isolated from different plants showed high resistance to sodium hypochlorite. Overall, this scenario causes concern because it puts at risk not only the Brazilian customer, but also the population of countries that import beef from Mato Grosso.
Electrodeposition of Ti-Doped Hierarchically Mesoporous Silica Microspheres/Tungsten Oxide Nanocrystallines Hybrid Films and Their Electrochromic Performance
Authors: Song Ya , Zhang Zhiyu , Yan Lamei , Zhang Ling , Liu Simin , Xie Shaowen , Xu Lijian , Du Jingjing
Published: December 2019

In this paper, a novel Ti-doped hierarchically mesoporous silica microspheres/tungsten oxide (THMS/WO3) hybrid film was prepared by simultaneous electrodeposition of Ti-doped hierarchically mesoporous silica microspheres (THMSs) and WO3 nanocrystallines onto the fluoride doped tin dioxide (FTO) coated glass substrate. It is demonstrated that the incorporation of THMSs resulted in the hybrid film with improved electrochromic property. Besides, the content of THMSs plays an important role on the electrochromic property of the hybrid film. An excellent electrochromic THMS/WO3 hybrid film with good optical modulation (52.00% at 700 nm), high coloration efficiency (88.84 cm2 C−1 at 700 nm), and superior cycling stability can be prepared by keeping the weight ratio of Na2WO4·2H2O (precursor of WO3):THMSs at 15:1. The outstanding electrochromic performances of the THMS/WO3 hybrid film were mainly attributed to the porous structure, which facilitates the charge-transfer, promotes the electrolyte infiltration and alleviates the expansion of the film during Li+ insertion. This kind of porous THMS/WO3 hybrid film is promising for a wide range of applications in smart homes, green buildings, airplanes, and automobiles.
Selenium Supplementation and Prostate Health in a New Zealand Cohort
Authors: Karunasinghe Nishi , Ng Lance , Wang Alice , Vaidyanathan Venkatesh , Zhu Shuotun , Ferguson Lynnette R.
Published: December 2019

Background: There is variable reporting on the benefits of a 200 μg/d selenium supplementation towards reducing prostate cancer impacts. The current analysis is to understand whether stratified groups receive supplementation benefits on prostate health. Methods: 572 men were supplemented with 200 µg/d selenium as selinized yeast for six months, and 481 completed the protocol. Selenium and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were measured in serum at pre- and post-supplementation. Changes in selenium and PSA levels subsequent to supplementation were assessed with and without demographic, lifestyle, genetic and dietary stratifications. Results: The post-supplementation selenium (p = 0.002) and the gain in selenium (p < 0.0001) by supplementation were significantly dependent on the baseline selenium level. Overall, there was no significant correlation between changes in PSA and changes in selenium levels by supplementation. However, stratified analyses showed a significant inverse correlation between changes in PSA and changes in selenium in men below the median age (p = 0.048), never-smokers (p = 0.031), men carrying the GPX1 rs1050450 T allele (CT, p = 0.022 and TT, p = 0.011), dietary intakes above the recommended daily intake (RDI) for zinc (p < 0.05), and below the RDI for vitamin B12 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The current analysis shows the influence of life factors on prostate health benefits of supplemental selenium.
Prevention of Acute Upper Respiratory Infections by Consumption of Catechins in Healthcare Workers: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Furushima Daisuke , Nishimura Takuma , Takuma Norikata , Iketani Ryo , Mizuno Tomohito , Matsui Yuji , Yamaguchi Tohru , Nakashima Yu , Yamamoto Shinji , Hibi Masanobu , Yamada Hiroshi
Published: December 2019

Catechins, phytochemicals contained mainly in green tea, exhibit antiviral activity against various acute infectious diseases experimentally. Clinical evidence supporting these effects, however, is not conclusive. We performed a placebo-controlled, single-blind, randomized control trial to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of consumption of catechins-containing beverage for preventing acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Two hundred and seventy healthcare workers were randomly allocated to high-catechin (three daily doses of 57 mg catechins and 100 mg xanthan gum), low-catechin (one daily dose of 57 mg catechins and 100 mg xanthan gum), or placebo (0 mg catechins and 100 mg xanthan gum) group. Subjects consumed a beverage with or without catechins for 12 weeks from December 2017 through February 2018. The primary endpoint was incidence of URTIs compared among groups using a time-to-event analysis. A total of 255 subjects were analyzed (placebo group n = 86, low-catechin group n = 85, high catechin group n = 84). The URTI incidence rate was 26.7% in the placebo group, 28.2% in the low-catechin group, and 13.1% in the high-catechin group (log rank test, p = 0.042). The hazard ratio (95% confidence interval (CI)) with reference to the placebo group was 1.09 (0.61–1.92) in the low-catechin group and 0.46 (0.23–0.95) in the high-catechin group. These findings suggest that catechins combined with xanthan gum protect against URTIs.
Current Data on Dietary Sodium, Arterial Structure and Function in Humans: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tsirimiagkou Christiana , Basdeki Eirini D. , Argyris Antonios , Manios Yannis , Yannakoulia Maria , Protogerou Athanase D. , Karatzi Kalliopi
Published: December 2019

Background: Subclinical arterial damage (SAD) (arteriosclerosis, arterial remodeling and atheromatosis) pre-exists decades before cardiovascular disease (CVD) onset. Worldwide, sodium (Na) intake is almost double international recommendations and has been linked with CVD and death, although in a J-shape manner. Studies regarding dietary Na and major types of SAD may provide pathophysiological insight into the association between Na and CVD. Objectives: Systematic review of data derived from observational and interventional studies in humans, investigating the association between dietary Na with (i) atheromatosis (arterial plaques); (ii) arteriosclerosis (various biomarkers of arterial stiffness); (iii) arterial remodeling (intima–media thickening and arterial lumen diameters). Data sources: Applying the PRISMA criteria, the PubMed and Scopus databases were used. Results: 36 studies were included: 27 examining arteriosclerosis, four arteriosclerosis and arterial remodeling, three arterial remodeling, and two arterial remodeling and atheromatosis. Conclusions: (i) Although several studies exist, the evidence does not clearly support a clinically meaningful and direct (independent from blood pressure) effect of Na on arterial wall stiffening; (ii) data regarding the association of dietary Na with arterial remodeling are limited, mostly suggesting a positive trend between dietary Na and arterial hypertrophy but still inconclusive; (iii) as regards to atheromatosis, data are scarce and the available studies present high heterogeneity. Further state-of-the-art interventional studies must address the remaining controversies.
Minimum Determinants of Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus Enteric Tropism Are Located in the N-Terminus of Spike Protein
Authors: Sanchez Carlos M. , Pascual-Iglesias Alejandro , Sola Isabel , Zuñiga Sonia , Enjuanes Luis
Published: December 2019

Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) is an enteric coronavirus causing high morbidity and mortality in porcine herds worldwide, that possesses both enteric and respiratory tropism. The ability to replicate in the enteric tract directly correlates with virulence, as TGEVs with an exclusive respiratory tropism are attenuated. The tissue tropism is determined by spike (S) protein, although the molecular bases for enteric tropism remain to be fully characterized. Both pAPN and sialic acid binding domains (aa 506–655 and 145–155, respectively) are necessary but not sufficient for enteric tract infection. Using a TGEV infectious cDNA and enteric (TGEV-SC11) or respiratory (TGEV-SPTV) isolates, encoding a full-length S protein, a set of chimeric recombinant viruses, with a sequential modification in S protein amino terminus, was engineered. In vivo tropism, either enteric, respiratory or both, was studied by inoculating three-day-old piglets and analyzing viral titers in lung and gut. The data indicated that U655>G change in S gene (S219A in S protein) was required to confer enteric tropism to a respiratory virus that already contains the pAPN and sialic acid binding domains in its S protein. Moreover, an engineered virus containing U655>G and a 6 nt insertion at position 1124 (Y374-T375insND in S protein) was genetically stable after passage in cell cultures, and increased virus titers in gut by 1000-fold. We postulated that the effect of these residues in enteric tropism may be mediated by the modification of both glycosaminoglycan binding and S protein structure.
Giardiasis Alters Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein (I-FABP) and Plasma Cytokines Levels in Children in Brazil
Authors: Cascais-Figueiredo Tiara , Austriaco-Teixeira Phelipe , Fantinatti Maria , Silva-Freitas Maria Luciana , Santos-Oliveira Joanna Reis , Coelho Camila H. , Singer Steven M. , Da-Cruz Alda Maria
Published: December 2019

Giardiasis is an intestinal infection caused by ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts of Giardia lamblia. Susceptibility is higher in children and overall prevalence can reach up to 90% in low-income areas, although outbreaks are also reported in developed countries. Both parasite and immune-mediated epithelial damage has been observed in vitro and in animal models. However, whether enterocytes are directly damaged during infection is not entirely known. Our goal was to identify whether plasma levels of intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP), a marker of enterocyte damage, are related to the immune response in giardiasis. Blood plasma was collected from 31 children (19 Giardia-positive) from a public day care in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The levels of I-FABP were increased in Giardia-infected children compared to children without detectable infection. There was no difference in I-FABP levels in giardiasis caused by different genetic assemblages of Giardia. Levels of IL-8 were decreased, while there was a trend to elevated IL-17 in the Giardia-positive children. A positive correlation was observed between I-FABP and IL-17 levels as well as TNF, suggesting that epithelial damage can be related to cytokine production during giardiasis. These results help elucidate the relationship between the disruption of the intestinal mucosal barrier and immune responses to G. lamblia in children.
Transcriptomic Analysis of Dark-Induced Senescence in Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon)
Authors: Fan Jibiao , Lou Yanhong , Shi Haiyan , Chen Liang , Cao Liwen
Published: December 2019

Leaf senescence induced by prolonged light deficiency is inevitable whenever turfgrass is cultivated in forests, and this negatively influences the survival and aesthetic quality of the turfgrass. However, the mechanism underlying dark-induced senescence in turfgrass remained obscure. In this study, RNA sequencing was performed to analyze how genes were regulated in response to dark-induced leaf senescence in bermudagrass. A total of 159,207 unigenes were obtained with a mean length of 948 bp. The differential expression analysis showed that a total of 59,062 genes, including 52,382 up-regulated genes and 6680 down-regulated genes were found to be differentially expressed between control leaves and senescent leaves induced by darkness. Subsequent bioinformatics analysis showed that these differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly related to plant hormone (ethylene, abscisic acid, jasmonic acid, auxin, cytokinin, gibberellin, and brassinosteroid) signal transduction, N-glycan biosynthesis, and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum. In addition, transcription factors, such as WRKY, NAC, HSF, and bHLH families were also responsive to dark-induced leaf senescence in bermudagrass. Finally, qRT-PCR analysis of six randomly selected DEGs validated the accuracy of sequencing results. Taken together, our results provide basic information of how genes respond to darkness, and contribute to the understanding of comprehensive mechanisms of dark-induced leaf senescence in turfgrass.
Soil Mesofauna Respond to the Upward Expansion of Deyeuxia purpurea in the Alpine Tundra of the Changbai Mountains, China
Authors: Tao Yan , Wang Zhongqiang , Ma Chen , He Hongshi , Xu Jiawei , Jin Yinghua , Wang Haixia , Zheng Xiaoxue
Published: December 2019

Deyeuxia purpurea, a low-altitude species, has been expanding upwards into alpine tundra, and this upward expansion is causing serious ecological consequences. However, few studies have been performed regarding its effects on soil faunal communities. We examine how the upward expansion of D. purpurea affects the abundance, richness, and diversity of soil mesofauna, and evaluate how different taxa of soil mesofauna respond to the upward expansion of D. purpurea in the alpine tundra of Changbai Mountains, northeast China. A total of 128 soil mesofaunal samples were collected from four treatments, namely high upward expansion (HU), medium upward expansion (MU), low upward expansion (LU), and native plant habitats (NP). The results revealed that the abundance of soil mesofauna was increased with the rise of D. purpurea upward expansion, and the taxonomic composition varied with the different levels of D. purpurea upward expansion in the alpine tundra of the Changbai Mountains. No unique taxa were collected in the native plant habitats, and the upward expansion of D. purpurea promoted the colonization of predatory invertebrates. Isotomidae and Gamasida responded positively to the herbaceous plant upward expansion, and thus they were considered to be a positive indicator of upward expansion. Hypogastruridae and Enchytraeidae responded relatively negatively, while Oribatida, Actinedida, and Pseudachorutidae had ambivalent responses to the upward expansion. Overall, the abundance of soil mesofauna can indicate the levels of the upward expansion of D. purpurea. Soil mesofaunal guild characteristics were altered by the upward expansion. The different taxa of soil mesofauna responded to herbaceous plants’ upward expansion to various degrees. Therefore, this study provide evidence supporting the fact that the abundance of soil mesofauna can indicate the levels of upward expansion of D. purpurea, but the responses of soil mesofauna to the upward expansion of D. purpurea differ among their taxa.
Intelligence, Income and Their Relation to Nutrition
Authors: Focosi Mazzei Rodrigo , Antonelli-Ponti Mayra , Almeida Sebastião de Sousa , Riul Tania Regina , Da Silva José Aparecido
Published: December 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intelligence and income on nutrition in Brazil, by means of large-scale secondary data. The cognitive abilities of students were used as a measure of intelligence. In order to evaluate the nutritional quality of the population, the state hunger and undernutrition index (SHUI) was created. The intelligence explained 34% of the SHUI variation in the country. The development of the population’s intelligence influences the decrease in the rates of hunger and undernutrition.
Between Innovation and Standardization, Is There Still a Room for Scientific Reports? The Rise of a Formatting Tradition in Periodontal Research
Authors: Galli Carlo , Sala Roberto , Colangelo Maria Teresa , Guizzardi Stefano
Published: December 2019

Everybody, regardless of their role, is aware that biomedical research is rapidly evolving, and the demand for reproducibility is increasing together with the amount of novel information. “Before reproducibility must come pre-producibility” “Checklists work to improve science”, just to quote some of the articles querying how to find a new bridge between ethics in science and the urgency for publishing. Looking for papers on anti-inflammatory compounds in periodontics, we came across a significant number of articles that could be considered a prototype of a consistent study format. The literature on the testing of active compounds on lipopolysaccharides- (LPS)-induced inflammation in gingival fibroblasts was searched to identify studies that followed a consistent format, to better understand their similarities and assess the appropriateness of their methods. Several studies were identified with a degree of similarity in their methods and formatting that was so high that it was possible to rule out that it was due to chance, and a format template common to these studies was outlined. Although this was most likely beyond the intentions of their authors, these studies may pose the basis for an in-vitro testing standard for anti-inflammatory compounds; however, the dangers of acritical uniformity are also apparent.
“El entendimiento con el qual me conoscan”: Intellectual Mysticism in the Visión Deleitable
Authors: Hamilton Michelle M.
Published: December 2019

Visión deleytable is a fictional tale based in the Aristotelian philosophical and Neoplatonic mystical beliefs of the Judeo-Arabic tradition of medieval Iberia. This fifteenth-century work of imaginative fiction, a “best-seller” among Iberian readers, tells of the ascent of the active intellect to the celestial spheres and an experience of God. In this narrative, knowledge of the Latin trivium and quadrivium are combined with that of the Arabo-Andalusi philosophic traditions. Particularly noteworthy is the author, De la Torre’s extensive use of Maimonides’ work, the Guide of the Perplexed, as a source for the wisdom revealed in the Visión deleytable. While Maimonides’ position on the mystic experience is debated by contemporary scholars, in the present study I explore how the concept of intellectual mysticism, applied to the Neoplatonic/Aristotelian model of the intellect’s conjunction with the divine as found in Maimonides’ work, also describes the goal toward which the protagonist (and reader) of the Visión deleytable strive. As such, the Visión deleytable reveals how this notion of human-divine union (most notably in the concept of the “prophet-angel”) from the Judeo-Andalusi tradition, transmitted in Arabic and Hebrew, was translated into Spanish and adopted into the Catholic and converso frameworks of the Visión deleytable in fifteenth-century Iberia.
The Impact of Primary Sludge on the Physical Features of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Composites
Authors: Mustonen Kati , Lahtela Ville , Kärki Timo
Published: December 2019

The cost-efficient reutilization of byproduct materials is a significant global goal, contributing towards the sustainable use of resources. In this study, the effects of including primary sludge in composite materials on their physical performance are examined, in order to achieve more effective reuse. The studied materials were made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), anhydride-grafted polyethylene (MAPE), lubricants, and either wood flour from spruce (Picea abies) or primary sludge from the side-stream of forest industry processes as a filler. The materials were compounded by agglomeration, followed by manufacturing with a conical twin-screw extruder. The physical properties of the materials were characterized by water absorption and thickness swelling tests; furthermore, impact strength was characterized after the stress of a cyclic freeze-thawing test. The elemental compositions of the materials were also analyzed by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Primary sludge, as a component in the structure of the composite material, resulted in a significant improvement of moisture behaviors in the water absorption and thickness swelling tests. The identified results demonstrate that primary sludge is a technically applicable material for utilization in composite materials.
A Review of RFI Mitigation Techniques in Microwave Radiometry
Authors: Querol J. , Perez A. , Camps A.
Published: December 2019

Radio frequency interference (RFI) is a well-known problem in microwave radiometry (MWR). Any undesired signal overlapping the MWR protected frequency bands introduces a bias in the measurements, which can corrupt the retrieved geophysical parameters. This paper presents a literature review of RFI detection and mitigation techniques for microwave radiometry from space. The reviewed techniques are divided between real aperture and aperture synthesis. A discussion and assessment of the application of RFI mitigation techniques is presented for each type of radiometer.
A Generic Approach toward Indoor Navigation and Pathfinding with Robust Marker Tracking
Authors: Khan Dawar , Ullah Sehat , Nabi Syed
Published: December 2019

Indoor navigation and localization has gained a key attention of the researchers in the recent decades. Various technologies such as WiFi, Bluetooth, Ultra Wideband (UWB), and Radio-frequency identification (RFID) have been used for indoor navigation and localization. However, most of these existing methods often fail in providing a reasonable solution to the key challenges such as implementation cost, accuracy and extendibility. In this paper, we proposed a low-cost, and extendable framework for indoor navigation. We used simple markers printed on the paper, and placed on ceilings of the building. These markers are detected by a smartphone’s camera, and the audio and visual information associated with these markers are used as a user guidance. The system finds shortest path between any two arbitrary nodes for user navigation. In addition, it is extendable having the capability to cover new sections by installing new nodes at any place in the building. The system can be used for guidance of the blind people, tourists and new visitors in an indoor environment. The evaluation results reveal that the proposed system can guide users toward their destination in an efficient and accurate manner.
Land Use versus Land Cover: Geo-Analysis of National Roads and Synchronisation Algorithms
Authors: Kocur-Bera Katarzyna , Dawidowicz Agnieszka
Published: December 2019

Technological progress in Earth surface observation provides a vast range of information on the land and methods of its use. This enables property owners, users and administrators to monitor the state of the boundaries of the land they own/administer. The land cover, monitored directly on the ground, is not always consistent with the land use entered in the Land and Property Registry (LPR). Discrepancies between these data are often found in former communist countries. One of the reasons for this was the rapid process of land privatisation, which took place in Poland, without updating information on the plot geodetic boundaries. The study examined and compared the land use (entered in the LPR) with the land cover (on the ground) for national roads (acr. LU-LC). The most frequent discrepancies were selected, using CLC2018, digital orthophotomaps (using the Web Map Service (WMS) browsing service compliant with Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards), cadastral data, statistical modelling and an updated survey of the right-of-way. Subsequently, six algorithms were proposed to synchronise the land use and land cover when the right-of-way was used by unauthorised persons, and two algorithms for cases of unauthorised use of land by the road administrator. Currently, it is difficult to synchronise the land cover with the land use from the administrative, legal and social points of view. The results of analyses show that full synchronisation of land use and land cover is complicated and time-consuming, although desired.
A 120-ke− Full-Well Capacity 160-µV/e− Conversion Gain 2.8-µm Backside-Illuminated Pixel with a Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor
Authors: Takayanagi Isao , Miyauchi Ken , Okura Shunsuke , Mori Kazuya , Nakamura Junichi , Sugawa Shigetoshi
Published: December 2019

In this paper, a prototype complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor with a 2.8-μm backside-illuminated (BSI) pixel with a lateral overflow integration capacitor (LOFIC) architecture is presented. The pixel was capable of a high conversion gain readout with 160 μV/e− for low light signals while a large full-well capacity of 120 ke− was obtained for high light signals. The combination of LOFIC and the BSI technology allowed for high optical performance without degradation caused by extra devices for the LOFIC structure. The sensor realized a 70% peak quantum efficiency with a normal (no anti-reflection coating) cover glass and a 91% angular response at ±20° incident light. This 2.8-μm pixel is potentially capable of higher than 100 dB dynamic range imaging in a pure single exposure operation.
Pedestrian Dead Reckoning-Assisted Visual Inertial Odometry Integrity Monitoring
Authors: Wang Yuqin , Peng Ao , Lin Zhichao , Zheng Lingxiang , Zheng Huiru
Published: December 2019

Visual inertial odometers (VIOs) have received increasing attention in the area of indoor positioning due to the universality and convenience of the camera. However, the visual observation of VIO is more susceptible to the environment, and the error of observation affects the final positioning accuracy. To address this issue, we analyzed the causes of visual observation error that occur under different scenarios and their impact on positioning accuracy. We propose a new method of using the short-time reliability of pedestrian dead reckoning (PDR) to aid in visual integrity monitoring and to reduce positioning error. The proposed method selects optimized positioning by automatically switching between outputs from VIO and PDR. Experiments were carried out to test and evaluate the proposed PDR-assisted visual integrity monitoring. The sensor suite of experiments consisted of a stereo camera and an inertial measurement unit (IMU). Results were analyzed in detailed and indicated that the proposed system performs better for indoor positioning within an environment that contains low illumination, little background texture information, or few moving objects.
Low-Voltage Low-Pass and Band-Pass Elliptic Filters Based on Log-Domain Approach Suitable for Biosensors
Authors: Prommee Pipat , Wongprommoon Natapong , Kumngern Montree , Jaikla Winai
Published: December 2019

This research proposes bipolar junction transistor (BJT)-based log-domain high-order elliptic ladder low-pass (LPF) and band-pass filters (BPF) using a lossless differentiator and lossless and lossy integrators. The log-domain lossless differentiator was realized by using seven BJTs and one grounded capacitor, the lossy integrator using five BJTs and one grounded capacitor, and the lossless integrator using seven BJTs and one grounded capacitor. The simplified signal flow graph (SFG) of the elliptic ladder LPF consisted of two lossy integrators, one lossless integrator, and one lossless differentiator, while that of the elliptic ladder BPF contained two lossy integrators, five lossless integrators, and one lossless differentiator. Log-domain cells were directly incorporated into the simplified SFGs. Simulations were carried out using PSpice with transistor array HFA3127. The proposed filters are operable in a low-voltage environment and are suitable for mobile equipment and further integration. The log-domain principle enables the frequency responses of the filters to be electronically tunable between 10k Hz–10 MHz. The proposed filters are applicable for low-frequency biosensors by reconfiguring certain capacitors. The filters can efficiently remove low-frequency noise and random noise in the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal.
Water Table Dynamics Control Carbon Losses from the Destabilization of Soil Organic Matter in a Small, Lowland Agricultural Catchment
Authors: Jeanneau Laurent , Buysse Pauline , Denis Marie , Gruau Gérard , Petitjean Patrice , Jaffrézic Anne , Flechard Chris , Viaud Valérie
Published: December 2019

The biogeochemistry of soil organic matter (SOM) is driven by a combination of stabilization and destabilization mechanisms. Among the various ways in which SOM is lost, soil moisture controls the leaching of dissolved organic and inorganic carbon (DOC and DIC) and CO2 fluxes (FCO2). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of naturally occurring water table dynamics on the couplings between these three types of C losses. The DIC and DOC concentrations in the soil solutions and the FCO2 values at the soil surface were collected fortnightly over a nine-month period at four sampling points located along two topographic transects characterized by different water table dynamics. The water table depth, soil temperature and water-filled pore space (WFPS) were monitored at each site. Linear and nonlinear regressions were used to explore the couplings between C losses, WFPS and soil temperature. The dynamics of the water table seem to drive DOC solubilization, diffusion, and export mechanisms in addition to microbial processes and the equilibrium between DIC and CO2. The main descriptors of this water table dynamic were the residence time, return time and number of oscillations of the water table. Considering both transects, FCO2 was positively correlated with DOC, which highlights the importance of substrate accessibility for SOM mineralization. This paper emphasizes the importance of the water table dynamic for the coupling between SOM carbon losses.
Urban Rail Transit Passenger Flow Forecasting Method Based on the Coupling of Artificial Fish Swarm and Improved Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithms
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Shao Chunfu , Cao Zhichao , Chen Wenxin , Yin Anteng , Yue Hao , Xie Binglei
Published: December 2019

Urban rail transit passenger flow forecasting is an important basis for station design, passenger flow organization, and train operation plan optimization. In this work, we combined the artificial fish swarm and improved particle swarm optimization (AFSA-PSO) algorithms. Taking the Window of the World station of the Shenzhen Metro Line 1 as an example, subway passenger flow prediction research was carried out. The AFSA-PSO algorithm successfully preserved the fast convergence and strong traceability of the original algorithm through particle self-adjustment and dynamic weights, and it effectively overcame its shortcomings, such as the tendency to fall into local optimum and lower convergence speed. In addition to accurately predicting normal passenger flow, the algorithm can also effectively identify and predict the large-scale tourist attractions passenger flow as it has strong applicability and robustness. Compared with single PSO or AFSA algorithms, the new algorithm has better prediction effects, such as faster convergence, lower average absolute percentage error, and a higher correlation coefficient with real values.