bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pengaruh Persepsi Dukungan Organisasional Dan Komunikasi Organisasional Pada Job Engagement Karyawan Bmt Bus Lasem
Authors: Atieq Muhammad Qoes
Published: July 2019

Job engagement sebagai sebuah  kondisi motivasional positif yang terkait dengan pekerjaan yang  dicirikan  dengan vigor, dedication, dan absorption (Schaufeli, 2002). Hal yang mendasari hubungan antara persepsi dukungan organisasional pada engagement adalah teori dari Kahn (1990 dalam Saks, 2006) yang berpendapat bahwa yang menyediakan keamanan psikologis dalam lingkungan kerja adalah organisasi yang dekat dengan pekerja tersebut. Sedangkan untuk komunikasi organisasional yang mendasari adalah menurut Kahn (1990) menemukan bahwasanya dalam suatu organisasi dimana komunikasi berupa informasi dibagi diantara anggota organisasi dan interaksi komunikasi terjadi secara teratur, anggota organisasi akan dapat menempatkan diri mereka dalam pekerjaannya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pengaruh persepsi dukungan organisasional dan komunikasi organisasional terhadap job engagement karyawan di BMT Bina Ummat Sejahtera Lasem.  Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh karyawan di BMT Bina Ummat Sejahtera yang berjumlah 682 orang, sedangkan sampel dalam penelitian ini yang bisa dipakai sebanyak 101 orang. Pengambilan data dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode kuesioner. Kuesioner yang digunakan adalah untuk mengukur persepsi dukungan organisasional (SPOS), komunikasi organisasional, dan job engagement (UWES-17), ketiga kuesioner tersebut sudah terstandarisasi.  Analisis dalam penelitian ini menggunakan regresi linear berganda.  Hasil hipotesis dalam penelitian ini apabila diuji secara parsial adalah Hipotesis 1 (H1) didukung artinya persepsi dukungan organisasional berpengaruh posistif pada Job engagement, sedangkan Hipotesis 2 (H2) juga didukung artinya komunikasi organisasional berpengaruh positif pada  job engagement
HYDROLYSIS OF RHENIUM(III) CLUSTER COMPOUNDS
Authors: Golichenko Alexander , Shtemenko Alexander
Published: July 2019

Study of hydrolysis of cis-tetrachlorodi-m-carboxylates of dirhenium (III) was carried out due to the electronic adsorption and IR spectroscopy and pHmeter. As a result, itwas shown that the hydrolysis is a multistage process which can be attributed to the reactions of the pseudo-first order. It is also shown that the electronic absorption spectroscopy (EAS) is a reliable method of investigation to study the hydrolysis of rhenium (III) complex compounds. This conclusion is based on the fact that in the systems with halide and carboxylic ligands, each of the five structural types can be clearly identified by the EAS in the region of both d–d* electron transition and charge transfer transition of L*Hal ®Re type. It is shown that with the increase in the length of the alkyl group and in its branching, the hydrolysis rate decreases, as a result of a change in the positive inductive effect of these groups and, consequently, an increase in the strengthening of quadruple Re–Re bond. In addition, with the help of the EAS, a transition of the chloride ligands to OHgroups can be observed. As a result of the study, a hydrolysis route, which initially leds to the gradual replacement of the chloride ligands of a complex compound with OH groups, and subsequently to the conversion of Re(III) compounds into the derivative of Re(IV) was proposed. The dependence of resistance to hydrolysis on the structure of the complex compound, the temperature and pH was determined. It allowed to predict the stability of the investigated compounds while their usage as biologically active substances and reagents in the synthesis of new compounds. The obtained results allow us to presence of anticancer, cytostabilizing and other biological activities is the coordination of Re(III) complex compounds with the components of biomolecules (proteins, DNA).
La dimensión moral en el desarrollo según la óptica cognitivo-constructivista y evolutiva: Un modelo de tres ejes
Authors: Lambruschi Furio
Published: July 2019

El articulo propone un modelo de tres ejes del funcionamiento humano de tipo cognitivo-constructivista y evolutivo sobre cuya base trata de describir como la dimensión moral (tanto en sus implicaciones “normales” como psicopatológicas) encuentra sus raíces subjetivas en la configuración de identidad del individuo, es decir en su sistema organizado de significados personales, tal como se ha ido plasmando en el seno de los vínculos primarios de apego.
Ética y psicoterapia: Una perspectiva sociocultural
Authors: Caro Gabalda Isabel
Published: July 2019

La meta principal de este trabajo busca comprender la ética en psicoterapia desde una perspectiva sociocultural. Para conseguirla, la psicoterapia, al ser una práctica social de cura, se relacionará con los elementos socioculturales a su base. Esta perspectiva permite ofrecer a los terapeutas algunas reflexiones éticas sobre qué (y por qué) es correcto hacer, o no, en el campo de la psicoterapia. Ejemplificar y deconstruir tales elementos facilita la formación de los terapeutas, al igual que nos permite lograr la necesidad ética de pensadores más críticos. Este artículo desarrolla estas metas, situando, en primer lugar, a la psicoterapia en un contexto sociocultural y ejemplificando la influencia bidireccional entre psicoterapia y sociedad. Esto se relacionará con una perspectiva ética puesto que determina qué se permite hacer a terapeutas y clientes y cómo se construyen, socialmente, las metas y los medios adecuados de la psicoterapia. En segundo lugar, el trabajo se centrará en los tres desafíos éticos principales de la psicoterapia, es decir, confianza, cuidado y poder. Existe una gran relación entre estos tres elementos y no se pueden comprender ni desarrollar adecuadamente a menos que se sitúen en el contexto de una práctica socialmente construida.
Proteomic Analysis of Breast Cancer Resistance to the Anticancer Drug RH1 Reveals the Importance of Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Kuciauskas Dalius , Dreize Nadezda , Ger Marija , Kaupinis Algirdas , Zemaitis Kristijonas , Stankevicius Vaidotas , Suziedelis Kestutis , Cicenas Jonas , Graves Lee M. , Valius Mindaugas
Published: July 2019

Antitumor drug resistance remains a major challenge in cancer chemotherapy. Here we investigated the mechanism of acquired resistance to a novel anticancer agent RH1 designed to be activated in cancer cells by the NQO1 enzyme. Data show that in some cancer cells RH1 may act in an NQO1-independent way. Differential proteomic analysis of breast cancer cells with acquired resistance to RH1 revealed changes in cell energy, amino acid metabolism and G2/M cell cycle transition regulation. Analysis of phosphoproteomics and protein kinase activity by multiplexed kinase inhibitor beads showed an increase in the activity of protein kinases involved in the cell cycle and stemness regulation and downregulation of proapoptotic kinases such as JNK in RH1-resistant cells. Suppression of JNK leads to the increase of cancer cell resistance to RH1. Moreover, resistant cells have enhanced expression of stem cell factor (SCF) and stem cell markers. Inhibition of SCF receptor c-KIT resulted in the attenuation of cancer stem cell enrichment and decreased amounts of tumor-initiating cells. RH1-resistant cells also acquire resistance to conventional therapeutics while remaining susceptible to c-KIT-targeted therapy. Data show that RH1 can be useful to treat cancers in the NQO1-independent way, and targeting of the cancer stem cells might be an effective approach for combating resistance to RH1 therapy.
A Review of the Classical Canonical Ensemble Treatment of Newton’s Gravitation
Authors: Pennini Flavia , Plastino Angel , Rocca Mario , Ferri Gustavo
Published: July 2019

It is common lore that the canonical gravitational partition function Z associated with the classical Boltzmann-Gibbs (BG) exponential distribution cannot be built up because of mathematical pitfalls. The integral needed for writing up Z diverges. We review here how to avoid this pitfall and obtain a (classical) statistical mechanics of Newton’s gravitation. This is done using (1) the analytical extension treatment obtained of Gradshteyn and Rizhik and (2) the well known dimensional regularization technique.
Time–Energy and Time–Entropy Uncertainty Relations in Nonequilibrium Quantum Thermodynamics under Steepest-Entropy-Ascent Nonlinear Master Equations
Authors: Beretta Gian Paolo
Published: July 2019

In the domain of nondissipative unitary Hamiltonian dynamics, the well-known Mandelstam–Tamm–Messiah time–energy uncertainty relation τ F Δ H ≥ ℏ / 2 provides a general lower bound to the characteristic time τ F = Δ F / | d ⟨ F ⟩ / d t | with which the mean value of a generic quantum observable F can change with respect to the width Δ F of its uncertainty distribution (square root of F fluctuations). A useful practical consequence is that in unitary dynamics the states with longer lifetimes are those with smaller energy uncertainty Δ H (square root of energy fluctuations). Here we show that when unitary evolution is complemented with a steepest-entropy-ascent model of dissipation, the resulting nonlinear master equation entails that these lower bounds get modified and depend also on the entropy uncertainty Δ S (square root of entropy fluctuations). For example, we obtain the time–energy-and–time–entropy uncertainty relation ( 2 τ F Δ H / ℏ ) 2 + ( τ F Δ S / k B τ ) 2 ≥ 1 where τ is a characteristic dissipation time functional that for each given state defines the strength of the nonunitary, steepest-entropy-ascent part of the assumed master equation. For purely dissipative dynamics this reduces to the time–entropy uncertainty relation τ F Δ S ≥ k B τ , meaning that the nonequilibrium dissipative states with longer lifetime are those with smaller entropy uncertainty Δ S .
Thermodynamics of Fatigue: Degradation-Entropy Generation Methodology for System and Process Characterization and Failure Analysis
Authors: Osara Jude A. , Bryant Michael D.
Published: July 2019

Formulated is a new instantaneous fatigue model and predictor based on ab initio irreversible thermodynamics. The method combines the first and second laws of thermodynamics with the Helmholtz free energy, then applies the result to the degradation-entropy generation theorem to relate a desired fatigue measure—stress, strain, cycles or time to failure—to the loads, materials and environmental conditions (including temperature and heat) via the irreversible entropies generated by the dissipative processes that degrade the fatigued material. The formulations are then verified with fatigue data from the literature, for a steel shaft under bending and torsion. A near 100% agreement between the fatigue model and measurements is achieved. The model also introduces new material and design parameters to characterize fatigue.
Integrated Ecosystem Design: An Evaluation Model to Support the Choice of Eco-Compatible Technological Solutions for Residential Building
Authors: Guarini Maria Rosaria , Morano Pierluigi , Sica Francesco
Published: July 2019

The technological components regarding building cladding are designed for ensuring thermo-hygrometric comfort conditions within habitable spaces and realising smart buildings. Often the solutions adopted are identified referring only to the characteristics of mechanical and energy materials without considering the ecological–environmental properties in an urban context. Thus, it is appropriate to choose technological components not only according to material type, but also ecological aspects pursued through presence and/or structured integration of natural elements. The technical-design forms based on “building–nature” integration allows, on one hand, the sustainable soil use with multiple benefits (ecosystem services) that natural systems produce, on the other hand, the identification of technological solutions sized referring environmental quality levels achieved through appropriate natural species use. In this way, it can be obtained lower buildings investment and maintenance costs, and greater energetic–environmental benefits. So, it is proposed an evaluation protocol for settlement transformation interventions structured considering environmental effects obtained with Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) into the project. According to ecological–environmental quality level achieved with NBSs, the technological component is sized according to preliminary design parameters (noise reduction and solar irradiation degree) obtained through NBSs. The total performance level of technological solutions is expressed using Economic–Environmental Indicators. The protocol is tested on social housing case in Anagnina district of Rome (Italy).
An ANFIS-Based Modeling Comparison Study for Photovoltaic Power at Different Geographical Places in Mexico
Authors: Pitalúa-Díaz Nun , Arellano-Valmaña Fernando , Ruz-Hernandez Jose A. , Matsumoto Yasuhiro , Alazki Hussain , Herrera-López Enrique J. , Hinojosa-Palafox Jesús Fernando , García-Juárez A. , Pérez-Enciso Ricardo Arturo , Velázquez-Contreras Enrique Fernando
Published: July 2019

In this manuscript, distinct approaches were used in order to obtain the best electrical power estimation from photovoltaic systems located at different selected places in Mexico. Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Gradient Descent Optimization (GDO) were applied as statistical methods and they were compared against an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) as an intelligent technique. The data gathered involved solar radiation, outside temperature, wind speed, daylight hour and photovoltaic power; collected from on-site real-time measurements at Mexico City and Hermosillo City, Sonora State. According to our results, all three methods achieved satisfactory performances, since low values were obtained for the convergence error. The GDO improved the MLR results, minimizing the overall error percentage value from 7.2% to 6.9% for Sonora and from 2.0% to 1.9% for Mexico City; nonetheless, ANFIS overcomes both statistical methods, achieving a 5.8% error percentage value for Sonora and 1.6% for Mexico City. The results demonstrated an improvement by applying intelligent systems against statistical techniques achieving a lesser mean average error.
Allocation of Ontario’s Surplus Electricity to Different Power-to-Gas Applications
Authors: Al-Zakwani Suaad S. , Maroufmashat Azadeh , Mazouz Abdelkader , Fowler Michael , Elkamel Ali
Published: July 2019

Power-to-Gas (PtG) is a potential means of managing intermittent and weather-dependent renewable energies to create a storable chemical energy form. Power-to-Gas is not only a storage technology; its role can be extended to many other applications including energy distribution, transportation, and industrial use. This study quantifies the hydrogen volumes upon utilizing Ontario, Canada’s surplus electricity baseload and explores the allocation of the hydrogen produced to four Power-to-Gas pathways in terms of economic and environmental benefits, focusing on the following Power-to-Gas pathways: Power-to-Gas to mobility fuel, Power-to-Gas to industry, Power-to-Gas to natural gas pipelines for use as hydrogen-enriched natural gas, and Power-to-Gas to renewable natural gas (i.e., Methanation). The study shows that the Power-to-Gas to mobility fuel pathway has the potential to be implemented. Utilization of hydrogen for refueling light-duty vehicles is a profitable business case with an average positive net present value of $4.5 billions, five years payback time, and 20% internal rate of return. Moreover, this PtG pathway promises a potential 2,215,916 tonnes of CO2 reduction from road travel.
An Experimental Analysis of Entropic Coefficient of a Lithium Titanate Oxide Battery
Authors: Madani Seyed Saeed , Schaltz Erik , Knudsen Kær Søren
Published: July 2019

In order to understand the thermal behaviour of a lithium-ion battery, the heat generation within the cell should be determined. The entropic heat coefficient is necessary to determine for the heat generation calculation. The entropic heat coefficient is one of the most important factors, which affects the magnitude of the reversible heat. The purpose of this research is to analyze and investigate the effect of different parameters on the entropic coefficient of lithium titanate oxide batteries. In this research, a lithium ion pouch cell was examined in both charging and discharging situations. The state of charge levels range was considered from 10% to 90%, and vice versa, in 10% increments. The temperature levels vary from 5 °C to 55 °C and the voltage levels vary from 1.5 V to 2.8 V. The effect of different parameters such as initial temperature, state of charge, thermal cycle, time duration for thermal cycles, and procedure prior to the thermal cycle on the entropic coefficient of lithium titanate oxide batteries were investigated. It was concluded that there is a strong influence of the battery cell state of charge on the entropic heat coefficient compared with other parameters.
Schooled for Servitude: The Education of African Children in British Colonies, 1910–1990
Authors: Malisa Mark , Missedja Thelma Quardey
Published: July 2019

Our paper examines the education of African children in countries that were colonized by Britain, including Ghana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. We show how education plays an important role in shaping and transforming cultures and societies. Although the colonies received education, schools were segregated according to race and ethnicity, and were designed to produce racially stratified societies, while loyalty and allegiance to Britain were encouraged so that all felt they belonged to the British Empire or the Commonwealth. In writing about the education of African children in British colonies, the intention is not to convey the impression that education in Africa began with the arrival of the colonizers. Africans had their own system and history of education, but this changed with the incursion by missionaries, educators as well as conquest and colonialism.
Implications of Soil Pollution with Diesel Oil and BP Petroleum with ACTIVE Technology for Soil Health
Authors: Borowik Agata , Wyszkowska Jadwiga , Kucharski Mirosław , Kucharski Jan
Published: July 2019

Grass Elymus elongatus has a potential in phytoremediation and was used in this study in a potted experiment, which was performed to determine the effect of polluting soil (Eutric Cambisol) with diesel oil (DO) and unleaded petroleum (P) on the diversity of soil microorganisms, activity of soil enzymes, physicochemical properties of soil, and on the resistance of Elymus elongatus to DO and P, which altogether allowed evaluating soil health. Both petroleum products were administered in doses of 0 and 7 cm3 kg−1 soil d.m. Vegetation of Elymus elongatus spanned for 105 days. Grasses were harvested three times, i.e., on day 45, 75, and 105 of the experiment. The study results demonstrated a stronger toxic effect of DO than of P on the growth and development of Elymus elongatus. Diesel oil caused greater changes in soil microbiome compared to unleaded petroleum. This hypothesis was additionally confirmed by Shannon and Simpson indices computed based on operational taxonomic unit (OTU) abundance, whose values were the lowest in the DO-polluted soil. Soil pollution with DO reduced the counts of all bacterial taxa and stimulated the activity of soil enzymes, whereas soil pollution with P diminished the diversity of bacteria only at the phylum, class, order, and family levels, but significantly suppressed the enzymatic activity. More polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were degraded in the soil polluted with P compared to DO, which may be attributed to the stimulating effect of Elymus elongatus on this process, as it grew better in the soil polluted with P than in that polluted with DO.
Self-Reported Oral Health Related Behaviour and Gum Bleeding of Adolescents in Slovakia in Relation to Socioeconomic Status of Their Parents: Cross-Sectional Study Based on Representative Data Collection
Authors: Timková Silvia , Kolarčik Peter , Gecková Andrea Madarasová
Published: July 2019

Background: Oral health strongly affects overall health and is related to many factors. The aim of our study was to analyse oral health related behaviours (OHRBs) and gum bleeding among Slovak adolescents and assess the effect of socioeconomic factors on the outcomes. Methods: Data from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (HBSC) were used (N = 8896, age range = 10–16 years, M = 13.4; SD = 1.4; 50.9% boys). Sociodemographic and socioeconomic indicators and frequency of OHRBs (dental hygiene, toothbrush changing, preventive check-up) and gum bleeding were collected. Effects of sociodemographic and socioeconomic variables on outcome variables were analysed by binary logistic regression. Results: We found that prevalence of OHRBs slightly decreases with age, and worse outcomes were reported by boys compared to girls (OHRB odds ratio range 0.45–0.75, (95% C.I. range 0.40–0.91), gum bleeding 1.38 (95% C.I. 1.19–1.61), p < 0.05). OHRBs were in most cases significantly associated with socioeconomic variables, lower affluence predicts worse outcomes (odds ratio range 0.76–0.88 (95% C.I. range 0.68–0.96), p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study provides representative findings on ORHBs in Slovakia and shows important associations of socioeconomic factors related to adolescents’ oral health issues.
Association between Ambient Particulate Matter 2.5 Exposure and Mortality in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Lee Chern-Horng , Hsieh Sen-Yung , Huang Wen-Hung , Wang I-Kuan , Yen Tzung-Hai
Published: July 2019

Air pollution is a severe public health problem in Taiwan. Moreover, Taiwan is an endemic area for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study examined the effect of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) exposure on mortality in this population. A total of 1003 patients with HCC treated at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital between 2000 and 2009 were included in this study. At the end of the analysis, 288 (28.7%) patients had died. Patients with HCC living in environments with PM2.5 concentrations of ≥36 µg/m3 had a higher mortality rate than patients living in environments with PM2.5 concentrations of <36 µg/m3 (36.8% versus 27.5%, p = 0.034). The multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that PM2.5 ≥ 36 µg/m3 was a significant risk factor for mortality (1.584 (1.162–2.160), p = 0.004). A nonlinear relationship was observed between the odds ratio and PM2.5. The odds ratio was 1.137 (1.015–1.264) for each increment of 5 µg/m3 in PM2.5 or 1.292 (1.030–1.598) for each increment of 10 µg/m3 in PM2.5. Therefore, patients with HCC exposed to ambient PM2.5 concentrations of ≥36 µg/m3 had a 1.584-fold higher risk of death than those exposed to PM2.5 concentrations of <36 µg/m3. Further studies are warranted.
N-Methylparoxetine Blocked Autophagic Flux and Induced Apoptosis by Activating ROS-MAPK Pathway in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Wang Kun , Chen Bonan , Yin Ting , Zhan Yujuan , Lu Yuhua , Zhang Yilin , Chen Jiawei , Wu Weijie , Zhou Shikun , Mao Wenli , Tan Yuhui , Du Biaoyan , Liu Xiaodong , HO Hiuting Idy , Xiao Jianyong
Published: July 2019

The main mechanistic function of most chemotherapeutic drugs is mediated by inducing mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Tumor cells usually respond to upregulate autophagy to eliminate impaired mitochondria for survival. Hypothetically, inhibiting autophagy might promote mitochondria-dependent apoptosis, thus enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapeutic therapies. We previously identified N-methylparoxetine (NMP) as an inducer of mitochondrial fragmentation with subsequent apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. We discovered that ROS was accumulated in NMP-treated NSCLC cells, followed by c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAP kinase (p38) activation. This was reversed by the application of a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), leading to a reduction in apoptosis. Our data suggested that NMP induced apoptosis in NSCLC cells by activating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. We further speculated that the remarkable increase of ROS in NMP-treated NSCLC cells might result from an inhibition of autophagy. Our current data confirmed that NMP blocked autophagy flux at late stage wherein lysosomal acidification was inhibited. Taken together, this study demonstrated that NMP could exert dual apoptotic functions—mitochondria impairment and, concomitantly, autophagy inhibition. NMP-related excessive ROS accumulation induced apoptosis by activating the MAPK pathway in NSCLC cells.
Human DNA Virus Exploitation of the MAPK-ERK Cascade
Authors: DuShane Jeanne K. , Maginnis Melissa S.
Published: July 2019

The extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) comprise a particular branch of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades (MAPK) that transmits extracellular signals into the intracellular environment to trigger cellular growth responses. Similar to other MAPK cascades, the MAPK-ERK pathway signals through three core kinases—Raf, MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK), and ERK—which drive the signaling mechanisms responsible for the induction of cellular responses from extracellular stimuli including differentiation, proliferation, and cellular survival. However, pathogens like DNA viruses alter MAPK-ERK signaling in order to access DNA replication machineries, induce a proliferative state in the cell, or even prevent cell death mechanisms in response to pathogen recognition. Differential utilization of this pathway by multiple DNA viruses highlights the dynamic nature of the MAPK-ERK pathway within the cell and the importance of its function in regulating a wide variety of cellular fates that ultimately influence viral infection and, in some cases, result in tumorigenesis.
Cerebrovascular and Neurological Disorders: Protective Role of NRF2
Authors: Sivandzade Farzane , Bhalerao Aditya , Cucullo Luca
Published: July 2019

Cellular defense mechanisms, intracellular signaling, and physiological functions are regulated by electrophiles and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recent works strongly considered imbalanced ROS and electrophile overabundance as the leading cause of cellular and tissue damage, whereas oxidative stress (OS) plays a crucial role for the onset and progression of major cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative pathologies. These include Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s disease (HD), stroke, and aging. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (NRF2) is the major modulator of the xenobiotic-activated receptor (XAR) and is accountable for activating the antioxidative response elements (ARE)-pathway modulating the detoxification and antioxidative responses of the cells. NRF2 activity, however, is also implicated in carcinogenesis protection, stem cells regulation, anti-inflammation, anti-aging, and so forth. Herein, we briefly describe the NRF2–ARE pathway and provide a review analysis of its functioning and system integration as well as its role in major CNS disorders. We also discuss NRF2-based therapeutic approaches for the treatment of neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular disorders.
Sphingolipid/Ceramide Pathways and Autophagy in the Onset and Progression of Melanoma: Novel Therapeutic Targets and Opportunities
Authors: Lai Michele , La Rocca Veronica , Amato Rachele , Freer Giulia , Pistello Mauro
Published: July 2019

Melanoma is a malignant tumor deriving from neoplastic transformation of melanocytes. The incidence of melanoma has increased dramatically over the last 50 years. It accounts for most cases of skin cancer deaths. Early diagnosis leads to remission in 90% of cases of melanoma; conversely, for melanoma at more advanced stages, prognosis becomes more unfavorable also because dvanced melanoma is often resistant to pharmacological and radiological therapies due to genetic plasticity, presence of cancer stem cells that regenerate the tumor, and efficient elimination of drugs. This review illustrates the role of autophagy in tumor progression and resistance to therapy, focusing on molecular targets for future drugs.
A Density Functional Theory (DFT) Study of the Acyl Migration Occurring during Lipase-Catalyzed Transesterifications
Authors: Mao Jinyuan , Hu Zhenying , Hu Jiangning , Zhu Xuemei , Xiong Hua
Published: July 2019

Acyl migration (AM) is the main side reaction in the large-scale, regio-specific lipase catalyzed production of structural triglycerides (STs). A detailed understanding of the mechanism of AM was obtained during the process of lipase-catalyzed schemes (LCSs), which play a vital role in improving the quality and total yield of STs. However, currently, the mechanism of AM remains controversial. Herein, the two mechanisms (non-catalyzed (NCM) and lipase-catalyzed (LCM)) of AM have been analyzed in detail by the density functional theory (DFT) at the molecular level. Based on the computational results, we concluded that the energy barrier of the rate-limiting step in the LCM was 18.8 kcal/mol, which is more in agreement with the available experimental value (17.8 kcal/mol), indicating that LCM could significantly accelerate the rate of AM, because it has an energy barrier ~2 times lower than that of the NCM. Interestingly, we also found that the catalytic triad (Asp-His-Ser) of the lipase and water could effectively drop the reaction barrier, which served as the general acid or base, or shuttle of the proton.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 Testing through Next Generation Sequencing in a Small Cohort of Italian Breast/Ovarian Cancer Patients: Novel Pathogenic and Unknown Clinical Significance Variants
Authors: Concolino Paola , Gelli Gianfranco , Rizza Roberta , Costella Alessandra , Scambia Giovanni , Capoluongo Ettore
Published: July 2019

The aim of this report is to describe results of BRCA1 and BRCA2 Next Generation Sequencing Analysis (NGS) analysis in 132 selected Italian patients with breast/ovarian cancer. A NGS pipeline with a reliable Copy Number Variation (CNV) prediction algorithm was applied. In addition, VarSome and Priors V2.0 Software were employed for in silico analysis of novel missense variants. A total of 37 BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic variants were found in 34 unrelated subjects with a frequency of positive patients of 25.7% (34/132). Twenty-four deleterious variants were detected in BRCA1 (representing the 64.9% of all identified pathogenic defects) and thirteen (35.1% of all identified pathogenic variants) in BRCA2 gene. The percentage of patients carrying a variant of unknown significance (VUS) was 7.5% (10/132). In addition, seven novel variants (five in BRCA2 and two in BRCA1 gene), never previously reported, were identified. Our approach represents a robust and easy-to-use method for full BRCA1/2 screening. However, a consistent number of our high-risk families still remained without a satisfying answer. Necessarily, further collective efforts must be directed to a definitive classification of VUSs. The future auspice is that the use of multi-gene panel and more advanced screenings, such as whole exome sequencing and/or RNA seq, in routine diagnostics increases the detection rate.
Nonlinear Fatigue Damage Model of Asphalt Mixture Based on Dynamic Modulus and Residual Strength Decay
Authors: Liu Hongfu , Yang Xinyu , Xia Chengdong , Zheng Jianlong , Huang Tuo , Lv Songtao
Published: July 2019

In order to describe the fatigue damage state of asphalt mixture more reasonably, direct tensile tests of the fatigue and the residual strength under stress levels of 1.00 MPa, 0.50 MPa and 0.25 MPa with five parallel tests were carried out. The trabecular specimens of AC-13C asphalt mixture (25 cm × 5 cm × 5 cm) were manufactured with Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) modified asphalt, aggregate basalt and limestone mineral filler. The optimum asphalt-aggregate ratio was 5.2%. The dynamic modulus decay and the residual strength decay were termed as the damage variables to evaluate the fatigue damage process of asphalt mixtures, respectively. Based on the test results, the decay patterns of the dynamic modulus and the residual strength during fatigue tests under different stress states were revealed, and the model and the parameters of fatigue damage according to the corresponding decay patterns were obtained. Then, based on the assumption that the residual strength and dynamic modulus depend on the same damage state, the relationship between the two damage definitions was given, and the residual strength-dynamic modulus coupled model was established. The results showed that the residual strength-dynamic modulus coupled model could better describe the fatigue damage evolution law of asphalt mixture, and the parameter of this coupled model could be obtained by less residual strength tests. A modified formula for calculating the damage variables associated with residual strength and dynamic modulus was proposed based on the relationship between two kinds of damage variables.
Prediction and Optimization of Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile Fiber Diameter Based on Grey System Theory
Authors: Zhou Qihong , Lin Liqun , Chen Ge , Du Zhaoqun
Published: July 2019

This paper provides a new method for predicting the diameter of electrospun nanofibers. Based on the grey system theory, the effects of polyacrylonitrile mass fraction, voltage, flow rate, and receiving distance on fiber diameter were studied. The GM(1,1) (grey model) model and DNGM(1,1) (The DNGM (1,1) model is based on the whitening differential equation using parameters to Directly estimate the approximate Non-homogeneous sequence Grey prediction Model) model were established to predict fiber diameter by a single-factor change, and the results showed high prediction accuracy. The multi-variable grey model MGM(1,n) (MGM(1,n) is a Multivariate Grey prediction Model) was used for prediction of fiber diameter when multiple factors change simultaneously. The results showed that the average modeling fitting error is 8.62%. The background value coefficients of the MGM(1,n) model were optimized, the average modeling fitting error was reduced to 1.01%, and the average prediction error was reduced to 1.33%. Combining the fractional optimization with the background-value coefficient optimization, the optimal background-value coefficient α and the order r were selected. The results showed that the average modeling fitting error is 0.85%, and the average prediction error is 0.38%. The results demonstrate that the grey system theory can effectively predict the diameter of polyacrylonitrile electrospinning fibers with high prediction accuracy. This theory can increase the control of nanofiber diameters in production.
Durability of Gadolinium Zirconate/YSZ Double-Layered Thermal Barrier Coatings under Different Thermal Cyclic Test Conditions
Authors: Mahade Satyapal , Curry Nicholas , Björklund Stefan , Markocsan Nicolaie , Joshi Shrikant
Published: July 2019

Higher durability in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) is constantly sought to enhance the service life of gas turbine engine components such as blades and vanes. In this study, three double layered gadolinium zirconate (GZ)-on-yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) TBC variants with varying individual layer thickness but identical total thickness produced by suspension plasma spray (SPS) process were evaluated. The objective was to investigate the role of YSZ layer thickness on the durability of GZ/YSZ double-layered TBCs under different thermal cyclic test conditions i.e., thermal cyclic fatigue (TCF) at 1100 °C and a burner rig test (BRT) at a surface temperature of 1400 °C, respectively. Microstructural characterization was performed using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) and porosity content was measured using image analysis technique. Results reveal that the durability of double-layered TBCs decreased with YSZ thickness under both TCF and BRT test conditions. The TBCs were analyzed by SEM to investigate microstructural evolution as well as failure modes during TCF and BRT test conditions. It was observed that the failure modes varied with test conditions, with all the three double-layered TBC variants showing failure in the TGO (thermally grown oxide) during the TCF test and in the ceramic GZ top coat close to the GZ/YSZ interface during BRT. Furthermore, porosity analysis of the as-sprayed and TCF failed TBCs revealed differences in sintering behavior for GZ and YSZ. The findings from this work provide new insights into the mechanisms responsible for failure of SPS processed double-layered TBCs under different thermal cyclic test conditions.
Multicolor and Warm White Emissions with a High Color Rendering Index in a Tb3+/Eu3+-Codoped Phosphor Ceramic Plate
Authors: Desirena Haggeo , Molina-González Jorge , Meza Octavio , Castillo Priscilla , Bujdud-Pérez Juan
Published: July 2019

A series of Tb3+/Eu3+-codoped phosphor ceramic plates with a high color rendering index (CRI) for a near-ultraviolet light emitting diode (LED) were fabricated. Color emission can be tuned from green to reddish as a function of Eu3+ concentration. By doping only 0.15 mol% of Eu3+ concentration, a comfortable warm white emission is promoted as a result of simultaneous emissions of Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions. A theoretical model is proposed to calculate the contributions of the emitted color of the donor (Tb3+) and acceptor (Eu3+) ions in terms of europium concentration. The energy transfer from Tb3+ to Eu3+ ions is corroborated by the luminescence spectra and decay time of Tb3+, with a maximum energy transfer efficiency of 76% for 28 mol% of Tb3+ and 14 mol% of Eu3+. Warm white LEDs were constructed using a 380 nm UV chip and showed a CRI of 82.5, which was one of highest values reported for Tb3+/Eu3+-codoped samples. Color-correlated temperature (CCT), color coordinate (CC), and luminous efficacy (LE) were utilized to know the potentials as a phosphor converter in solid-state lighting.
Investigation of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) in MoS2- and WS2-Protected Titanium Side-Polished Optical Fiber as a Humidity Sensor
Authors: Zakaria Rozalina , Zainuddin Nur , Leong Tan , Rosli Rosnadiya , Rusdi Muhammad , Harun Sulaiman , Sadegh Amiri Iraj
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we report the effects of a side-polished fiber (SPF) coated with titanium (Ti) films in different thicknesses, namely 5 nm, 13 nm, and 36 nm, protected by a thin layer of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and tungsten disulfide (WS2), which provide ultra-sensitive sensor-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) covering from the visible to mid-infrared region. The SPF deposited with Ti exhibits strong evanescent field interaction with the MoS2 and WS2, and good optical absorption, hence resulting in high-sensitivity performance. Incremental increases in the thickness of the Ti layer contribute to the enhancement of the intensity of transmission with redshift and broad spectra. The findings show that the optimum thickness of Ti with 36 nm combined with MoS2 causes weak redshifts of the longitudinal localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) mode, while the same thickness of Ti with WS2 causes large blueshifts. The redshifts are possibly due to a reduced plasmon-coupling effect with the excitonic region of MoS2. The observed blueshifts of the LSPR peak position are possibly due to surface modification between WS2 and Ti. Changing the relative humidity from 58% to 88% only elicited a response in Ti/MoS2. Thus, MoS2 shows more sensitivity on 36-nm thickness of Ti compared with WS2. Therefore, the proposed fiber-optic sensor with integration of 2D materials is capable of measuring humidity in any environment.
Dietary Factors and Modulation of Bacteria Strains of Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii: A Systematic Review
Authors: Verhoog Sanne , Taneri Petek Eylul , Roa Díaz Zayne M. , Marques-Vidal Pedro , Troup John P. , Bally Lia , Franco Oscar H. , Glisic Marija , Muka Taulant
Published: July 2019

Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii are highly abundant human gut microbes in healthy individuals, and reduced levels are associated with inflammation and alterations of metabolic processes involved in the development of type 2 diabetes. Dietary factors can influence the abundance of A. muciniphila and F. prausnitzii, but the evidence is not clear. We systematically searched PubMed and Embase to identify clinical trials investigating any dietary intervention in relation to A. muciniphila and F. prausnitzii. Overall, 29 unique trials were included, of which five examined A. muciniphila, 19 examined F. prausnitzii, and six examined both, in a total of 1444 participants. A caloric restriction diet and supplementation with pomegranate extract, resveratrol, polydextrose, yeast fermentate, sodium butyrate, and inulin increased the abundance of A. muciniphila, while a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols decreased the abundance of A. muciniphila. For F. prausnitzii, the main studied intervention was prebiotics (e.g. fructo-oligosaccharides, inulin type fructans, raffinose); seven studies reported an increase after prebiotic intervention, while two studies reported a decrease, and four studies reported no difference. Current evidence suggests that some dietary factors may influence the abundance of A. muciniphila and F. prausnitzii. However, more research is needed to support these microflora strains as targets of microbiome shifts with dietary intervention and their use as medical nutrition therapy in prevention and management of chronic disease.
The Preparation of Green Fluorescence-Emissioned Carbon Dots/Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) Temperature-Sensitive Hydrogels and Research on Their Properties
Authors: Zhao Dan , Ma Wenting , Wang Rong , Yang Xinzhou , Li Jun , Qiu Ting , Xiao Xincai
Published: July 2019

Fluorescence/temperature-sensitive hydrogels, thanks to their properties in fluorescence and temperature sensitivity, have shown a promising outlook in the fields of drug delivery, cell imaging, etc., and thus become the focus of present research. This paper reports the preparation of green-fluorescence/temperature-sensitive hydrogels through one-step radical polymerization with green fluorescence-emissioned carbon dots as fluorescence probes and N-isopropylacrylamide as a monomer. UV-vis spectra, fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence microscope imaging have been used to characterize the prepared hydrogel, and to study their optical and temperature-sensitive properties. It was discovered that the emission of prepared hydrogel is excitation wavelength-dependent, pH responding, and excellent temperature-sensitive, as well as having good biocompatibility. The prepared hydrogel can also be applied as fluorescence ink in the fields of anti-counterfeit identification and appraisal.
Living toto corde: Monastic Vows and the Knowledge of God
Authors: Bayer O. Cist. John
Published: July 2019

Monastic vows have been a source of religious controversy at least since the Reformation. Today, new monastic movements recover many elements of the tradition (e.g., community life and prayer, material solidarity and poverty), but vows—understood as a lifelong or binding commitment to obedience, stability and conversion to the monastic way of life—do not appear to capture much enthusiasm. Even the Benedictine tradition in the Catholic Church appears, at least in certain regions, to struggle to attract young men and women to give themselves away through vows. In this context, I ask whether vows should belong to the “future of Christian monasticisms”. I will look at Anselm of Canterbury for inspiration regarding their meaning. For him, monastic vows enact the “total” gift of self or the “total” belonging to God. I will suggest, following Anselm, that such vows enable an existential commitment that is in a unique way morally and intellectually enlivening, and that such vows should remain an element in any future monasticism wanting to stand in continuity with the “Christian monasticism” of the past. During my conclusion, I acknowledge that our imagination regarding the concrete forms the total gift could take may develop.
Sensitivity of Seven MODIS Vegetation Indices to BRDF Effects during the Amazonian Dry Season
Authors: Petri Caio Arlanche , Galvão Lênio Soares
Published: July 2019

We used Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, processed by the multi–angle implementation of atmospheric correction (MAIAC) algorithm, to investigate the sensitivity of seven vegetation indices (VIs) to bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) effects in the dry season (June–September) of the Brazilian Amazon. The analysis was first performed over three sites, located from north to south of the Amazon, and then extended into the entire region. We inspected for differences in viewing–illumination parameters and pixel quality retrievals during MODIS data acquisition over the region. By comparing and correlating corrected and non–corrected data for bidirectional effects, we evaluated monthly changes in reflectance and VIs (2000–2014). Finally, we computed the effect size of the BRDF correction using non–parametric Mann–Whitney tests and Cohen’s r metrics. The results showed that the most anisotropic VIs were the enhanced vegetation index (EVI), photochemical reflectance index (PRI), and shortwave infrared normalized difference (SWND). These VIs presented the largest relative changes and the lowest correlation coefficients, between corrected and non–corrected data, because of the large effect size of the BRDF. The least anisotropic VI was the normalized difference water index (NDWI). The anisotropy of these VIs was stronger in the northern Amazon. It increased from the beginning to the end of the dry season, following changes in the relative azimuth angle (RAA) toward the BRDF hotspot in September. The modifications in the relative proportions of backscattering observations used in composite products caused a reflectance increase in all MODIS bands at the end of the dry season, especially in the near infrared (NIR). The reflectance decreased after BRDF correction. Because of the atmospheric effects, the view zenith angle (VZA) of the pixels selected in composite products decreased toward the south of the Amazon. In the southern Amazon, the seasonal amplitude in the solar zenith angle (SZA) reached values close to 18°. For the most anisotropic index, the BRDF correction removed, on average, 30% of the EVI signal in June, and 60% of the EVI signal in September, reducing dry season variations over time. The results reinforce the need for bidirectional correction of MODIS data before the seasonal and inter–annual analyses of the most anisotropic VIs.
Radiometric Calibration of ‘Commercial off the Shelf’ Cameras for UAV-Based High-Resolution Temporal Crop Phenotyping of Reflectance and NDVI
Authors: Holman Fenner H. , Riche Andrew B. , Castle March , Wooster Martin J. , Hawkesford Malcolm J.
Published: July 2019

Vegetation indices, such as the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), are common metrics used for measuring traits of interest in crop phenotyping. However, traditional measurements of these indices are often influenced by multiple confounding factors such as canopy cover and reflectance of underlying soil, visible in canopy gaps. Digital cameras mounted to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles offer the spatial resolution to investigate these confounding factors, however incomplete methods for radiometric calibration into reflectance units limits how the data can be applied to phenotyping. In this study, we assess the applicability of very high spatial resolution (1 cm) UAV-based imagery taken with commercial off the shelf (COTS) digital cameras for both deriving calibrated reflectance imagery, and isolating vegetation canopy reflectance from that of the underlying soil. We present new methods for successfully normalising COTS camera imagery for exposure and solar irradiance effects, generating multispectral (RGB-NIR) orthomosaics of our target field-based wheat crop trial. Validation against measurements from a ground spectrometer showed good results for reflectance (R2 ≥ 0.6) and NDVI (R2 ≥ 0.88). Application of imagery collected through the growing season and masked using the Excess Green Red index was used to assess the impact of canopy cover on NDVI measurements. Results showed the impact of canopy cover artificially reducing plot NDVI values in the early season, where canopy development is low.