bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From Roots to Rhizomes: Similarity and Difference in Contemporary German Postmigrant Literature
Authors: Twist Joseph
Published: July 2020

There has traditionally been some divergence in the interpretive paradigms used by scholars analysing minority literature in the Germanophone and Anglophone contexts. Whereas the Anglosphere has tended to utilize poststructural and postcolonial approaches, interculturality and transculturality are favoured in the German-speaking world. However, these positions are aligning more closely, as the concept of similarity is gaining ground in Germany, disrupting the self–other binary in what can be regarded as a shift from the idea of roots to rhizomes. In dialogue with Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari’s concept of the rhizome, the paradigm of similarity will be explored in terms of culture in Zafer Şenocak’s essay collection Das Fremde, das in jedem wohnt: Wie Unterschiede unsere Gesellschaft zusammenhalten (The Foreign that Resides in Everyone: How Differences Hold Our Society Together, 2018), which explores the similarities between Turkish and German culture alongside their internal differences; in terms of language in Uljana Wolf’s poetry cycle “DICHTionary” (2009), which seeks out links between German and English through ‘false friends’; and in terms of religion in Feridun Zaimoglu and Günter Senkel’s play Nathan Messias (Nathan Messiah 2006), which raises questions about interreligious dialogue. All three texts challenge binary notions of identity in favour of a more complex, rhizomatic network of relations.
“Good Epidemiology Practice” Guidelines for Pesticide Exposure Assessment
Authors: Goodman Julie E. , Prueitt Robyn L. , Boffetta Paolo , Halsall Crispin , Sweetman Andrew
Published: July 2020

Both toxicology and epidemiology are used to inform hazard and risk assessment in regulatory settings, particularly for pesticides. While toxicology studies involve controlled, quantifiable exposures that are often administered according to standardized protocols, estimating exposure in observational epidemiology studies is challenging, and there is no established guidance for doing so. However, there are several frameworks for evaluating the quality of published epidemiology studies. We previously developed a preliminary list of methodology and reporting standards for epidemiology studies, called Good Epidemiology Practice (GEP) guidelines, based on a critical review of standardized toxicology protocols and available frameworks for evaluating epidemiology study quality. We determined that exposure characterization is one of the most critical areas for which standards are needed. Here, we propose GEP guidelines for pesticide exposure assessment based on the source of exposure data (i.e., biomonitoring and environmental samples, questionnaire/interview/expert record review, and dietary exposures based on measurements of residues in food and food consumption). It is expected that these GEP guidelines will facilitate the conduct of higher-quality epidemiology studies that can be used as a basis for more scientifically sound regulatory risk assessment and policy making.
Measurable Indicators of CRPD for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities within the Quality of Life Framework
Authors: Gómez Laura E. , Monsalve Asunción , Morán Mª Lucía , Alcedo Mª Ángeles , Lombardi Marco , Schalock Robert L.
Published: July 2020

This article proposes the quality of life (QOL) construct as a framework from which to develop useful indicators to operationalize, measure, and implement the Articles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). A systematic review of the scientific literature on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) was carried out, with the aim of identifying personal outcomes that can be translated into specific and measurable items for each of the CRPD Articles aligned to the eight QOL domains. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the systematic review was conducted across the Web of Science Core Collection, Current Contents Connect (CCC), MEDLINE, KCI-Korean Journal Database, Russian Science Citation Index and SciELO Citation Index, for articles published between 2008 and 2020. A total of 65 articles focusing on people with IDD were selected. The results were grouped into four broad categories: conceptual frameworks used to monitor the CRPD; instruments used to assess the rights set out in the CRPD; recommendations on the use of inclusive research; and indicators or personal outcomes associated with specific rights contained in the CRPD.
Parental Factors Associated with Obesity in Korean Adolescents
Authors: Yoon Heun Keung , Kim Gwang Suk , Kim Suhee
Published: July 2020

Parental characteristics can influence adolescent obesity. However, the influence of parental characteristics on obesity may differ depending on the adolescent’s sex. This study evaluated parental characteristics that were associated with obesity in male and female adolescents. This study involved the secondary data analysis of cross-sectional survey data that were collected from June to September 2015. The study subjects included 1621 eighth-grade students. The study variables included sex, age, body mass index, household income, parental weight, parental perceptions of the child’s body, parental lifestyle, and parental social support for healthy eating and physical activity. The association between parental factors and adolescent obesity was analyzed via logistic regression analysis for each sex. Among male students, the fathers’ and mothers’ overweight status, fathers’ underestimation and overestimation of male adolescent weight, mothers’ dietary habits, and the mothers’ physical activity level were identified as obesity-associated factors. Among female students, the mothers’ overweight status, underestimation of female adolescent weight by fathers, dietary habits, and the physical activity level of fathers were significantly associated with adolescent obesity. The mothers’ overweight status and the underestimation of weight by fathers were strongly associated with obesity in male and female adolescents. Parental involvement in obesity-intervention programs could help prevent adolescent obesity.
Impact of Exercises and Chair Massage on Musculoskeletal Pain of Young Musicians
Authors: Cygańska Anna , Truszczyńska-Baszak Aleksandra , Tomaszewski Paweł
Published: July 2020

Due to the occurrence among musicians of musculoskeletal problems associated with playing a musical instrument, it is necessary to use prophylaxis. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of two physioprophylaxis methods: chair massage and an original set of exercises. The study lasted four weeks and consisted of eight 15-min meetings (chair massage/exercises). The study was conducted on 44 music students assigned to three groups (chair massage/exercise program/control group). The algometric measurements and questionnaire were conducted. Health problems associated with playing an instrument was reported by 86.4% of the participants. The largest changes in pain threshold concerned the trigger points of the muscles with the highest pain sensitivity, i.e., upper part of trapezius ones, and reached 25–34% in relation to the initial values. For the trigger points of the levator scapulae and lower part of trapezius, the increase in the pain threshold was between 20 and 28%. Raising the pain threshold was observed both after each session and meeting by meeting, and these differences were most visible in the massage group. This effect was particularly visible from the fourth treatment. Chair massage and exercise should be used regularly, and significant results can be obtained after two weeks.
Exploring Associations between Susceptibility to the Use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and E-Cigarette Use among School-Going Adolescents in Rural Appalachia
Authors: Mamudu Hadii M. , Nwabueze Christen , Weierbach Florence M. , Yang Joshua , Jones Antwan , McNabb Michelle , Adeniran Esther , Liu Ying , Wang Liang , Blair Cynthia J. , Awujoola Adeola , Wood David L.
Published: July 2020

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use, including e-cigarettes, has surpassed the use of conventional tobacco products. Emerging research suggests that susceptibility to e-cigarette use is associated with actual use among adolescents. However, few studies exist involving adolescents in high-risk, rural, socioeconomically distressed environments. This study examines susceptibility to and subsequent usage in school-going adolescents in a rural distressed county in Appalachian Tennessee using data from an online survey (N = 399). Relying on bivariate analyses and logistic regression, this study finds that while 30.6% of adolescents are ever e-cigarette users, 15.5% are current users. Approximately one in three adolescents are susceptible to e-cigarettes use, and susceptibility is associated with lower odds of being a current e-cigarette user (OR = 0.03; CI: 0.01–0.12; p < 0.00). The age of tobacco use initiation was significantly associated with decreased current use of e-cigarettes (OR = 0.89; CI: 0.83–0.0.97; p < 0.01). Overall, the results of this exploratory study suggest the need for larger studies to identify unique and generalizable factors that predispose adolescents in this high-risk rural, socioeconomically disadvantaged region to ENDS use. Nevertheless, this study offers insight into e-cigarette usage among U.S adolescents in rural, socioeconomically disadvantaged environments and provides a foundation for a closer examination of this vulnerable population.
Non-Price Criteria for the Evaluation of the Tender Offers in Public Procurement of Ukraine
Authors: Baranovsky Alexander , Tkachenko Nataliia , Glonti Vladimer , Levchenko Valentyna , Bogatyrova Kateryna , Beridze Zaza , Belinskaja Larisa , Zelenitsa Iryna
Published: July 2020

Traditionally, public procurement has been associated with the measurement of achieving savings. However, recent research shows that the economic impact of public procurement is not limited only to savings, but by measuring the impact of four capitals—natural, human, social, and economic—on sustainable well-being over time. Ukraine is a country with a very low gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, which exacerbates the problem of the impact of public procurement results on the population’s welfare. Ukrainian public procurement legislation allows customers to apply non-price criteria (the share of non-price criteria cannot be more than 70%), which, together, are taken into account in the formula of the quoted price. The studies show that the effect of the use of non-price criteria depends on the relevance of the method of the evaluation of non-price criteria. The most important non-price criteria for Ukrainian customers by product categories and the methods of their evaluation are analyzed according to the Bi.prozorro.org analytics module. Therefore, it is concluded that the quoted price method, which is used in Ukrainian practice, is not relevant in comparison with the method used in the EU. A survey of the government buyers on the practice of applying non-price criteria was conducted, and the areas of their use were identified.
Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Sensor for Poly-ADP-Ribose
Authors: Serebrovskaya Ekaterina O. , Podvalnaya Nadezda M. , Dudenkova Varvara V. , Efremova Anna S. , Gurskaya Nadya G. , Gorbachev Dmitry A. , Luzhin Artem V. , Kantidze Omar L. , Zagaynova Elena V. , Shram Stanislav I. , Lukyanov Konstantin A.
Published: July 2020

Poly-(ADP-ribosyl)-ation (PARylation) is a reversible post-translational modification of proteins and DNA that plays an important role in various cellular processes such as DNA damage response, replication, transcription, and cell death. Here we designed a fully genetically encoded fluorescent sensor for poly-(ADP-ribose) (PAR) based on Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). The WWE domain, which recognizes iso-ADP-ribose internal PAR-specific structural unit, was used as a PAR-targeting module. The sensor consisted of cyan Turquoise2 and yellow Venus fluorescent proteins, each in fusion with the WWE domain of RNF146 E3 ubiquitin ligase protein. This bipartite sensor named sPARroW (sensor for PAR relying on WWE) enabled monitoring of PAR accumulation and depletion in live mammalian cells in response to different stimuli, namely hydrogen peroxide treatment, UV irradiation and hyperthermia.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor during Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Predicts Cardiovascular Outcomes
Authors: Lee I-Te , Li Yu-Hsuan , Sheu Wayne Huey-Herng
Published: July 2020

We investigated if brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) accumulation after glucose intake could predict cardiovascular outcomes. We enrolled patients admitted for angiography due to angina. After their conditions stabilized, serum BDNF levels were detected at 0, 30, and 120 min during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Area under the curve (AUC) of BDNF was calculated. The first occurrence of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and all-cause mortality served as the primary composite endpoint. Of 480 enrolled patients, 428 completed the follow-up, and 36 primary endpoint events occurred during a median follow-up of 4.4 years. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve significantly increased from 0.61 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52–0.73) for the Framingham risk score (FRS) alone model to 0.72 (95%CI: 0.63–0.81) for the AUC of BDNF plus FRS model (p = 0.016) for predicting the primary endpoint, but not to 0.65 (95%CI: 0.55–0.75) for the fasting BDNF plus FRS model (p = 0.160). Grouped by median AUC of BDNF of 38.0 (ng/mL) × h, the low BDNF group had a significantly higher risk of the endpoint than the high BDNF group (hazard ratio = 3.410, 95%CI: 1.520–7.653, p = 0.003). In conclusion, AUC of BDNF during OGTT could be superior to fasting BDNF for predicting a low cardiovascular risk.
Immunotherapies and Combination Strategies for Immuno-Oncology
Authors: Barbari Cody , Fontaine Tyler , Parajuli Priyanka , Lamichhane Narottam , Jakubski Silvia , Lamichhane Purushottam , Deshmukh Rahul R.
Published: July 2020

The advent of novel immunotherapies in the treatment of cancers has dramatically changed the landscape of the oncology field. Recent developments in checkpoint inhibition therapies, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapies, chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies, and cancer vaccines have shown immense promise for significant advancements in cancer treatments. Immunotherapies act on distinct steps of immune response to augment the body’s natural ability to recognize, target, and destroy cancerous cells. Combination treatments with immunotherapies and other modalities intend to activate immune response, decrease immunosuppression, and target signaling and resistance pathways to offer a more durable, long-lasting treatment compared to traditional therapies and immunotherapies as monotherapies for cancers. This review aims to briefly describe the rationale, mechanisms of action, and clinical efficacy of common immunotherapies and highlight promising combination strategies currently approved or under clinical development. Additionally, we will discuss the benefits and limitations of these immunotherapy approaches as monotherapies as well as in combination with other treatments.
Egg Allergy: Diagnosis and Immunotherapy
Authors: Dona Dulashi Withanage , Suphioglu Cenk
Published: July 2020

Hypersensitivity or an allergy to chicken egg proteins is a predominant symptomatic condition affecting 1 in 20 children in Australia; however, an effective form of therapy has not yet been found. This occurs as the immune system of the allergic individual overreacts when in contact with egg allergens (egg proteins), triggering a complex immune response. The subsequent instantaneous inflammatory immune response is characterized by the excessive production of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody against the allergen, T-cell mediators and inflammation. Current allergen-specific approaches to egg allergy diagnosis and treatment lack consistency and therefore pose safety concerns among anaphylactic patients. Immunotherapy has thus far been found to be the most efficient way to treat and relieve symptoms, this includes oral immunotherapy (OIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). A major limitation in immunotherapy, however, is the difficulty in preparing effective and safe extracts from natural allergen sources. Advances in molecular techniques allow for the production of safe and standardized recombinant and hypoallergenic egg variants by targeting the IgE-binding epitopes responsible for clinical allergic symptoms. Site-directed mutagenesis can be performed to create such safe hypoallergens for their potential use in future methods of immunotherapy, providing a feasible standardized therapeutic approach to target egg allergies safely.
The Regulatory Role of T Cell Responses in Cardiac Remodeling Following Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Kino Tabito , Khan Mohsin , Mohsin Sadia
Published: July 2020

Ischemic injury to the heart causes cardiomyocyte and supportive tissue death that result in adverse remodeling and formation of scar tissue at the site of injury. The dying cardiac tissue secretes a variety of cytokines and chemokines that trigger an inflammatory response and elicit the recruitment and activation of cardiac immune cells to the injury site. Cell-based therapies for cardiac repair have enhanced cardiac function in the injured myocardium, but the mechanisms remain debatable. In this review, we will focus on the interactions between the adoptively transferred stem cells and the post-ischemic environment, including the active components of the immune/inflammatory response that can mediate cardiac outcome after ischemic injury. In particular, we highlight how the adaptive immune cell response can mediate tissue repair following cardiac injury. Several cell-based studies have reported an increase in pro-reparative T cell subsets after stem cell transplantation. Paracrine factors secreted by stem cells polarize T cell subsets partially by exogenous ubiquitination, which can induce differentiation of T cell subset to promote tissue repair after myocardial infarction (MI). However, the mechanism behind the polarization of different subset after stem cell transplantation remains poorly understood. In this review, we will summarize the current status of immune cells within the heart post-MI with an emphasis on T cell mediated reparative response after ischemic injury.
An Intact Cell Bioluminescence-Based Assay for the Simple and Rapid Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Reyes Sherwin , Le Nga , Fuentes Mary Denneth , Upegui Jonathan , Dikici Emre , Broyles David , Quinto Edward , Daunert Sylvia , Deo Sapna K.
Published: July 2020

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infections, accounting for a substantial portion of outpatient hospital and clinic visits. Standard diagnosis of UTI by culture and sensitivity can take at least 48 h, and improper diagnosis can lead to an increase in antibiotic resistance following therapy. To address these shortcomings, rapid bioluminescence assays were developed and evaluated for the detection of UTI using intact, viable cells of Photobacterium mandapamensis USTCMS 1132 or previously lyophilized cells of Photobacterium leiognathi ATCC 33981™. Two platform technologies—tube bioluminescence extinction technology urine (TuBETUr) and cellphone-based UTI bioluminescence extinction technology (CUBET)—were developed and standardized using artificial urine to detect four commonly isolated UTI pathogens—namely, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Besides detection, these assays could also provide information regarding pathogen concentration/level, helping guide treatment decisions. These technologies were able to detect microbes associated with UTI at less than 105 CFU/mL, which is usually the lower cut-off limit for a positive UTI diagnosis. Among the 29 positive UTI samples yielding 105–106 CFU/mL pathogen concentrations, a total of 29 urine specimens were correctly detected by TuBETUr as UTI-positive based on an 1119 s detection window. Similarly, the rapid CUBET method was able to discriminate UTIs from normal samples with high confidence (p ≤ 0.0001), using single-pot conditions and cell phone-based monitoring. These technologies could potentially address the need for point-of-care UTI detection while reducing the possibility of antibiotic resistance associated with misdiagnosed cases of urinary tract infections, especially in low-resource environments.
Resolvin D1 and D2 Inhibit Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 and Ankyrin 1 Ion Channel Activation on Sensory Neurons via Lipid Raft Modification
Authors: Payrits Maja , Horváth Ádám , Biró-Sütő Tünde , Erostyák János , Makkai Géza , Sághy Éva , Pohóczky Krisztina , Kecskés Angéla , Kecskés Miklós , Szolcsányi János , Helyes Zsuzsanna , Szőke Éva
Published: July 2020

Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 and Ankyrin 1 (TRPV1, TRPA1) cation channels are expressed in nociceptive primary sensory neurons and regulate nociceptor and inflammatory functions. Resolvins are endogenous lipid mediators. Resolvin D1 (RvD1) is described as a selective inhibitor of TRPA1-related postoperative and inflammatory pain in mice acting on the G protein-coupled receptor DRV1/GPR32. Resolvin D2 (RvD2) is a very potent TRPV1 and TRPA1 inhibitor in DRG neurons, and decreases inflammatory pain in mice acting on the GPR18 receptor, via TRPV1/TRPA1-independent mechanisms. We provided evidence that resolvins inhibited neuropeptide release from the stimulated sensory nerve terminals by TRPV1 and TRPA1 activators capsaicin (CAPS) and allyl-isothiocyanate (AITC), respectively. We showed that RvD1 and RvD2 in nanomolar concentrations significantly decreased TRPV1 and TRPA1 activation on sensory neurons by fluorescent calcium imaging and inhibited the CAPS- and AITC-evoked 45Ca-uptake on TRPV1- and TRPA1-expressing CHO cells. Since CHO cells are unlikely to express resolvin receptors, resolvins are suggested to inhibit channel opening through surrounding lipid raft disruption. Here, we proved the ability of resolvins to alter the membrane polarity related to cholesterol composition by fluorescence spectroscopy. It is concluded that targeting lipid raft integrity can open novel peripheral analgesic opportunities by decreasing the activation of nociceptors.
Detection of a G-Quadruplex as a Regulatory Element in Thymidylate synthase for Gene Silencing Using Polypurine Reverse Hoogsteen Hairpins
Authors: Aubets Eva , J. Félix Alex , Garavís Miguel , Reyes Laura , Aviñó Anna , Eritja Ramón , Ciudad Carlos J. , Noé Véronique
Published: July 2020

Thymidylate synthase (TYMS) enzyme is an anti-cancer target given its role in DNA biosynthesis. TYMS inhibitors (e.g., 5-Fluorouracil) can lead to drug resistance through an autoregulatory mechanism of TYMS that causes its overexpression. Since G-quadruplexes (G4) can modulate gene expression, we searched for putative G4 forming sequences (G4FS) in the TYMS gene that could be targeted using polypurine reverse Hoogsteen hairpins (PPRH). G4 structures in the TYMS gene were detected using the quadruplex forming G-rich sequences mapper and confirmed through spectroscopic approaches such as circular dichroism and NMR using synthetic oligonucleotides. Interactions between G4FS and TYMS protein or G4FS and a PPRH targeting this sequence (HpTYMS-G4-T) were studied by EMSA and thioflavin T staining. We identified a G4FS in the 5’UTR of the TYMS gene in both DNA and RNA capable of interacting with TYMS protein. The PPRH binds to its corresponding target dsDNA, promoting G4 formation. In cancer cells, HpTYMG-G4-T decreased TYMS mRNA and protein levels, leading to cell death, and showed a synergic effect when combined with 5-fluorouracil. These results reveal the presence of a G4 motif in the TYMS gene, probably involved in the autoregulation of TYMS expression, and the therapeutic potential of a PPRH targeted to the G4FS.
p62: Friend or Foe? Evidences for OncoJanus and NeuroJanus Roles
Authors: Emanuele Sonia , Lauricella Marianna , D’Anneo Antonella , Carlisi Daniela , De Blasio Anna , Di Liberto Diana , Giuliano Michela
Published: July 2020

p62 is a versatile protein involved in the delicate balance between cell death and survival, which is fundamental for cell fate decision in the context of both cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. As an autophagy adaptor, p62 recognizes polyubiquitin chains and interacts with LC3, thereby targeting the selected cargo to the autophagosome with consequent autophagic degradation. Beside this function, p62 behaves as an interactive hub in multiple signalling including those mediated by Nrf2, NF-κB, caspase-8, and mTORC1. The protein is thus crucial for the control of oxidative stress, inflammation and cell survival, apoptosis, and metabolic reprogramming, respectively. As a multifunctional protein, p62 falls into the category of those factors that can exert opposite roles in the cells. Chronic p62 accumulation was found in many types of tumors as well as in stress granules present in different forms of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the protein seems to have a Janus behaviour since it may also serve protective functions against tumorigenesis or neurodegeneration. This review describes the diversified roles of p62 through its multiple domains and interactors and specifically focuses on its oncoJanus and neuroJanus roles.
Tau and Alpha Synuclein Synergistic Effect in Neurodegenerative Diseases: When the Periphery Is the Core
Authors: Vacchi Elena , Kaelin-Lang Alain , Melli Giorgia
Published: July 2020

In neuronal cells, tau is a microtubule-associated protein placed in axons and alpha synuclein is enriched at presynaptic terminals. They display a propensity to form pathologic aggregates, which are considered the underlying cause of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Their functional impairment induces loss of axonal transport, synaptic and mitochondrial disarray, leading to a “dying back” pattern of degeneration, which starts at the periphery of cells. In addition, pathologic spreading of alpha-synuclein from the peripheral nervous system to the brain through anatomical connectivity has been demonstrated for Parkinson’s disease. Thus, examination of the extent and types of tau and alpha-synuclein in peripheral tissues and their relation to brain neurodegenerative diseases is of relevance since it may provide insights into patterns of protein aggregation and neurodegeneration. Moreover, peripheral nervous tissues are easily accessible in-vivo and can play a relevant role in the early diagnosis of these conditions. Up-to-date investigations of tau species in peripheral tissues are scant and have mainly been restricted to rodents, whereas, more evidence is available on alpha synuclein in peripheral tissues. Here we aim to review the literature on the functional role of tau and alpha synuclein in physiological conditions and disease at the axonal level, their distribution in peripheral tissues, and discuss possible commonalities/diversities as well as their interaction in proteinopathies.
Two Clubroot-Resistance Genes, Rcr3 and Rcr9wa, Mapped in Brassica rapa Using Bulk Segregant RNA Sequencing
Authors: Karim Md. Masud , Dakouri Abdulsalam , Zhang Yan , Chen Qilin , Peng Gary , Strelkov Stephen E. , Gossen Bruce D. , Yu Fengqun
Published: July 2020

Genetic resistance is widely used to manage clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae) in brassica crops, but new pathotypes have recently been identified on canola (Brassica napus) on the Canadian prairies. Resistance effective against both the most prevalent pathotype (3H, based on the Canadian Clubroot Differential system) and the new pathotypes is needed. BC1 plants of Brassica rapa from a cross of line 96-6990-2 (clubroot resistance originating from turnip cultivar ‘Waaslander’) and a susceptible doubled-haploid line, ACDC, exhibited a 1:1 segregation for resistance against pathotypes 3H and 5X. A resistance gene designated as Rcr3 was mapped initially based on the percentage of polymorphic variants using bulked segregant RNA sequencing (BSR-Seq) and further mapped using Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR. DNA variants were identified by assembling short reads against a reference genome of B. rapa. Rcr3 was mapped into chromosome A08. It was flanked by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) markers (A90_A08_SNP_M12 and M16) between 10.00 and 10.23 Mb, in an interval of 231.6 Kb. There were 32 genes in the Rcr3 interval. Three genes (Bra020951, Bra020974, and Bra020979) were annotated with disease resistance mechanisms, which are potential candidates for Rcr3. Another resistance gene, designated as Rcr9wa, for resistance to pathotype 5X was mapped, with the flanking markers (A90_A08_SNP_M28 and M79) between 10.85 and 11.17 Mb using the SNP sites identified through BSR-Seq for Rcr3. There were 44 genes in the Rcr9wa interval, three of which (Bra020827, Bra020828, Bra020814) were annotated as immune-system-process related genes, which are potential candidates for Rcr9wa.
The Requirement of Inorganic Fe-S Clusters for the Biosynthesis of the Organometallic Molybdenum Cofactor
Authors: Mendel Ralf R. , Hercher Thomas W. , Zupok Arkadiusz , Hasnat Muhammad A. , Leimkühler Silke
Published: July 2020

Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are essential protein cofactors. In enzymes, they are present either in the rhombic [2Fe-2S] or the cubic [4Fe-4S] form, where they are involved in catalysis and electron transfer and in the biosynthesis of metal-containing prosthetic groups like the molybdenum cofactor (Moco). Here, we give an overview of the assembly of Fe-S clusters in bacteria and humans and present their connection to the Moco biosynthesis pathway. In all organisms, Fe-S cluster assembly starts with the abstraction of sulfur from l-cysteine and its transfer to a scaffold protein. After formation, Fe-S clusters are transferred to carrier proteins that insert them into recipient apo-proteins. In eukaryotes like humans and plants, Fe-S cluster assembly takes place both in mitochondria and in the cytosol. Both Moco biosynthesis and Fe-S cluster assembly are highly conserved among all kingdoms of life. Moco is a tricyclic pterin compound with molybdenum coordinated through its unique dithiolene group. Moco biosynthesis begins in the mitochondria in a Fe-S cluster dependent step involving radical/S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) chemistry. An intermediate is transferred to the cytosol where the dithiolene group is formed, to which molybdenum is finally added. Further connections between Fe-S cluster assembly and Moco biosynthesis are discussed in detail.
Agricultural-Grade Apple Cider Vinegar Is Remarkably Attractive to Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophiliadae) in Mexico
Authors: Lasa Rodrigo , Aguas-Lanzagorta Saide , Williams Trevor
Published: July 2020

Due to its availability and low cost, apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a frequently used as an attractant for monitoring the invasive spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii. In laboratory cage experiments, the attraction of ACV alone was compared with ACV in mixtures with different concentrations of acetic acid, propionic acid, different hydrolyzed proteins, synthetic fruit flavors (strawberry, blackberry and apple) and the addition of fruit nectars (grape, pineapple and apple). The addition of 5% apple nectar to ACV significantly increased fly captures, whereas other combinations were similar to or less attractive than ACV alone. Apple flavored vinegar was not attractive to flies. Captures did not vary significantly among the brands of ACV commonly sold in Mexico, except for one poorly-performing brand, but cup traps baited with an agricultural-grade ACV unfit for human consumption captured approximately two-fold more flies than the commercial attractants Suzukii Trap, Suzukii Trap Max Captures or ACV alone in cage experiments. Field trials performed in polytunnels planted with raspberry crops in Mexico resulted in two-fold to ten-fold higher numbers of D. suzukii captured by the agricultural-grade ACV compared to Droskidrink (a mixture of ACV, red wine and sugar), Suzukii Trap, Suzukii Trap Max Captures or edible grade ACV alone. The species selectivity of the agricultural grade ACV was similar to that of other attractants tested. Agricultural-grade ACV also captured higher numbers of female than male flies in field trials. We conclude that the remarkably high attractiveness and low cost of agricultural-grade ACV makes it a useful tool for monitoring D. suzukii populations in berry crops.
Molecular Identification and Geometric Morphometric Analysis of Haematobosca aberrans (Diptera: Muscidae)
Authors: Changbunjong Tanasak , Ruangsittichai Jiraporn , Duvallet Gerard , Pont Adrian C.
Published: July 2020

The genus Haematobosca Bezzi, 1907 (Diptera: Muscidae) contains haematophagous flies of veterinary importance. A new fly species of this genus was recognised from northern Thailand based on morphological characters and described as Haematobosca aberrans Pont, Duvallet & Changbunjong, 2020. In the present study, the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene was used to confirm the morphological identification of H. aberrans. In addition, landmark-based geometric morphometrics was used to determine sexual dimorphism. The molecular analysis was conducted with 10 COI sequences. The results showed that all sequences were 100% identical. The sequence was not highly similar to reference sequences from GenBank and did not match any identified species from Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD). Phylogenetic analysis clearly differentiated this species from other species within the subfamily Stomoxyinae. For geometric morphometric analysis, a total of 16 wing pictures were analysed using the landmark-based approach. The results showed significant differences in wing shape between males and females, with a cross-validated classification score of 100%. The allometric analysis showed that wing shape has no correlation with size. Therefore, the COI gene is effective in species identification of H. aberrans, and geometric morphometrics is also effective in determining sexual dimorphism.
Why Some Patients Undergoing Lipoprotein Apheresis Therapy Develop New Cardiovascular Events?
Authors: Julius Ulrich , Kuss Solveig , Tselmin Sergey , Schatz Ulrike , Bornstein Stefan R.
Published: July 2020

Lipoprotein apheresis (LA) is an effective tool to reduce cardiovascular events (CVEs) in high-risk patients with elevations of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and/or Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)). All patients included into this retrospective analysis had experienced CVEs before the start of the LA therapy. We compared personal and lab data in two groups: CVEx/0 (n 60) with no new events during LA therapy, CVEx/1+ (n 48) with at least one new event. Patients of Group CVEx/1+ were about 5 years older when they had started the extracorporeal therapy, and they experienced more CVEs prior to that timepoint. There was a positive correlation between the number of CVEs before and during LA therapy. No differences were seen with respect to lipid concentrations, even after a correction of LDL-C concentrations for the LDL-C transported with Lp(a) particles. LA sessions effectively reduced both LDL-C and Lp(a). Lp(a) levels measured before LA sessions were lower than those measured initially. It appeared difficult to reach the target values for LDL-C published in the ESC/EAS Guideline in 2019, although all patients were maximally treated including drugs when tolerated. In conclusion, it will be important to initiate an LA therapy earlier, at least after a second CVE and at a younger age.
Strength Prediction Sensitivity of Foamed Recycled Polymer Composite Structures due to the Localized Variability of the Cell Density Distribution
Authors: Pulipati Daniel P. , Jack David A.
Published: July 2020

The need for novel methods for the reuse of post-industrial/post-consumer polymer solid wastes (PSW) is of increasing societal importance. Unfortunately, this objective is often limited due to material stream variability or insufficient load-carrying capacity of the fabricated goods. This study investigates a large format fiber-reinforced structural member that contains spatially varying material properties, specifically density. The application is focused on the unique features of closed-cell foamed composite structures made from recycled post-industrial/post-consumer PSW composed of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Glass Fiber Polypropylene (GFPP). The structures in this research are manufactured using a hybrid extrusion process, which involves foaming enabled by chemical blowing agents that form a fully consolidated solid outer shell and a closed-cell core. The cell distribution is inhomogeneous, in size distribution and spatial distribution, leading to significant spatial variations of the local effective stiffness. To understand the correlation between density variations and effective stiffness and strength, a low-cost method using digital imaging is introduced and integrated into a finite element subroutine. The imaging approach includes sectioning the structural member and analyzing the resulting image using various custom imaging processing techniques in the MATLAB environment. The accuracy of the imaging technique was experimentally verified using a Keyence digital microscope, and the error was found to be 3% in any given spatial feature. The processed image is then correlated to a localized density map of the cross-section using a weighted spatial averaging technique, and the local effective material properties of the foamed region are predicted using the presented micromechanical approach. The local stiffness is a function of void density, local fiber orientation, constitutive behavior of both the fiber and the matrix blend, and the non-linear response of the matrix blend. The spatially varying stiffness and nonlinear strength response at each spatial location are then integrated into a finite element subroutine within the COMSOL multiphysics environment, and results are presented for the deflection and internal stress state of the composite structure. Results indicate that the internal microstructural variations have a nominal impact on the bulk deflection profile. Conversely, results show the peak of the internal stress is increased by ∼11% as compared to the uniform core assumption, thus safe designs must consider core density spatial variations in the final product design.
Edge-Based Color Image Segmentation Using Particle Motion in a Vector Image Field Derived from Local Color Distance Images
Authors: Phornphatcharaphong Wutthichai , Eua-Anant Nawapak
Published: July 2020

This paper presents an edge-based color image segmentation approach, derived from the method of particle motion in a vector image field, which could previously be applied only to monochrome images. Rather than using an edge vector field derived from a gradient vector field and a normal compressive vector field derived from a Laplacian-gradient vector field, two novel orthogonal vector fields were directly computed from a color image, one parallel and another orthogonal to the edges. These were then used in the model to force a particle to move along the object edges. The normal compressive vector field is created from the collection of the center-to-centroid vectors of local color distance images. The edge vector field is later derived from the normal compressive vector field so as to obtain a vector field analogous to a Hamiltonian gradient vector field. Using the PASCAL Visual Object Classes Challenge 2012 (VOC2012), the Berkeley Segmentation Data Set, and Benchmarks 500 (BSDS500), the benchmark score of the proposed method is provided in comparison to those of the traditional particle motion in a vector image field (PMVIF), Watershed, simple linear iterative clustering (SLIC), K-means, mean shift, and J-value segmentation (JSEG). The proposed method yields better Rand index (RI), global consistency error (GCE), normalized variation of information (NVI), boundary displacement error (BDE), Dice coefficients, faster computation time, and noise resistance.
Analysis of Typhoon-Induced Waves along Typhoon Tracks in the Western North Pacific Ocean, 1998–2017
Authors: Hu Yuyi , Shao Weizeng , Wei Yongliang , Zuo Juncheng
Published: July 2020

In this study, Version 5.16 of the WAVEWATCH-III (WW3) model is used to simulate parameters of typhoon-generated wave fields in the Western North Pacific Ocean during the period 1998–2017. From a database of more than 300 typhoons, typhoon tracks are partitioned into six groups by their direction of motion and longitude of recurvature track. For typhoons that recurve east of 140° E, or track toward mainland Asia, regions of high significant wave height (SWH) values are separated by a minimum in SWH near 30° N. Partitioning SWH into wind sea and swell components demonstrates that variations in typhoon tracks produce a much stronger signal in the wind sea component of the wave system. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis is used to compute the four leading modes of variation in average SWH simulated by the WW3 model. The first EOF mode contributes to 17.3% of the total variance; all other modes contribute less than 10%. The first EOF mode also oscillates on an approximately 1-year cycle during the period 1998–2017. Overall, typhoon-induced wave energy dominates north of 30° N. Temporal analysis of the leading principal component of SWH indicates that (a) the intensity of the wave pattern produced by westward-tracking typhoons decreased during the last 20 years, and (b) typhoons that recurve east of 140° E and those that track westward toward southeast Asia are largely responsible for the decadal variability of typhoon-induced wave distribution.
A Comparison of Numerical Approaches for the Design of Mooring Systems for Wave Energy Converters
Authors: Touzon Imanol , Nava Vincenzo , de Miguel Borja , Petuya Victor
Published: July 2020

This paper analyses the numerical outcome of applying three different well-known mooring design approaches to a floating wave energy converter, moored by means of four catenary lines. The approaches include: a linearized frequency domain based on a quasistatic model of the mooring lines, a time domain approach coupled with an analytic catenary model of the mooring system, and a fully coupled non-linear time domain approach, considering lines’ drag and inertia forces. Simulations have been carried out based on a set of realistic combinations of lines pretension and linear mass, subject to extreme environmental conditions. Obtained results provide realistic cost and performance indicators, presenting a comparison in terms of total mooring mass and required footprint, as well as the design line tension and structure offset. It has been found that lines’ viscous forces influence significantly the performance of the structure with high pretensions, i.e., >1.2, while there is acceptable agreement between the modelling approaches with lower pretensions. Line tensions are significantly influenced by drag and inertia forces because of the occurrence of snap loads due to the heaving of the floater. However, the frequency domain approach provides an insight towards the optimal design of the mooring system for preliminary designs.
Research on the Reasonable Grouting Strength of Rock-Like Samples in Different Strengths
Authors: Wang Yan , Xiong Zu-qiang , Wang Chun , Su Cheng-dong , Li Xue-feng
Published: July 2020

One of the key points to make grouting reinforcement technology efficient and economical in engineering is to find out the optimal match relationship between different strengthsofrock mass and strength ofgrouting material. It can be called areasonable grouting strength. To explore that, 5 kinds of N (compressive strength of cement mortar) were used to make samples to simulate the different rock strengths. Five kinds of M (compressive strength of inorganic double-fluid material) were used to grout the structural plane of samples. Then the shearing experiment was carried out under the same normal stress conditions. Finally, based on the analyses of experimental results, the C (the reasonable range of grouting parameters) was proposed. The result shows that when M is the same, the smaller N is, the higher the τ(shearing strength of samples) growth rate is. When N is the same, with the increase of M, the growth rate of τ tends to zero. According to the shearing failure process and morphology of the samples, when N is the same, with the increase of M, the failure typeofsamples change from plastic flow failure to brittle sliding failure which is the same as the samples without the structural plane. C is equal to the ratio of M to N, and then the evaluation criteria of C is established by judging that if it is in the range from 1.19 to CMAX(CMAX = 0.0095N2 − 0.43N + 5.83). It will provide a certain basis to select the M in engineering in which N is known.
Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition of Carvacrol Thin Films on Stainless Steel to Reduce the Formation of E. Coli and S. Aureus Biofilms
Authors: Getnet Tsegaye Gashaw , da Silva Gabriela F. , S. Duarte Iolanda , Kayama Milton E. , Rangel Elidiane C. , Cruz Nilson C.
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we have investigated the deposition of thin films from natural carvacrol extract using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma polymerization, aiming at the inhibition of bacteria adhesion and proliferation. The films deposited on stainless steel samples have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy, infrared reflectance-absorbance spectroscopy, profilometry, and contact angle measurements. Films with thicknesses ranging from 1.5 μm to 3.5 μm presented a chemical structure similar to that of carvacrol. While the formation of biofilm was observed on untreated samples, the coating completely inhibited the adhesion of E. coli and reduced the adhesion of S. aureus biofilm in more than 90%.
Separation of Water/Oil Emulsions by an Electrospun Copolyamide Mat Covered with a 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene
Authors: Moghaddasi AbdolAli , Sobolčiak Patrik , Popelka Anton , Krupa Igor
Published: July 2020

Purpose: Copolyamide 6,10 (coPA) electrospun mats were covered with multilayered (ML) and single-layered (SL) MXene (Ti3C2Tx) as a membrane for the separation of water/vegetable oil emulsions. Methods: Prepared membranes were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), profilometry, the contact angle measurements of various liquids in air, and the underwater contact angle of vegetable oil. The separation efficiency was evaluated by measuring the UV transmittance of stock solutions compared to the UV transmittance of the filtrate. Results: The MXene coating onto coPA mats led to changes in the permeability, hydrophilicity, and roughness of the membranes and enhanced the separation efficiency of the water/vegetable oil emulsions containing 10, 100, and 1000 ppm of sunflower vegetable oil. It was found that membranes were highly oleophobic (>124°) under water, unlike in air, where the membranes showed high oleophobicity (<5°). The separation efficiency of water/oil emulsions for both types of covered membranes reached over 99%, with a surface coverage of 3.2 mg/cm2 Ti3C2Tx (for ML-Ti3C2Tx) and 2.9 mg/cm2 (for SL-Ti3C2Tx). Conclusions: The separation efficiency was greater than 98% for membranes covered with 2.65 mg/cm2 of ML-Ti3C2Tx, whereas the separation efficiency for membranes containing 1.89 and 0.77 mg/cm2 was less than 90% for all studied emulsion concentrations.