bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication and Characterization of Polylactic Acid Electrospun Scaffolds Modified with Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles
Authors: Kotrotsos Athanasios , Yiallouros Prokopis , Kostopoulos Vassilis
Published: September 2020

The solution electrospinning process (SEP) is a cost-effective technique in which a wide range of polymeric materials can be electrospun. Electrospun materials can also be easily modified during the solution preparation process (prior SEP). Based on this, the aim of the current work is the fabrication and nanomodification of scaffolds using SEP, and the investigation of their porosity and physical and mechanical properties. In this study, polylactic acid (PLA) was selected for scaffold fabrication, and further modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanoparticles. After fabrication, porosity calculation and physical and mechanical characterization for all scaffold types were conducted. More precisely, the morphology of the fibers (in terms of fiber diameter), the surface properties (in terms of contact angle) and the mechanical properties under the tensile mode of the fabricated scaffolds have been investigated and further compared against pristine PLA scaffolds (without nanofillers). Finally, the scaffold with the optimal properties was proposed as the candidate material for potential future cell culturing.
Study on Representation Invariances of CNNs and Human Visual Information Processing Based on Data Augmentation
Authors: Cui Yibo , Zhang Chi , Qiao Kai , Wang Linyuan , Yan Bin , Tong Li
Published: September 2020

Representation invariance plays a significant role in the performance of deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and human visual information processing in various complicated image-based tasks. However, there has been abounding confusion concerning the representation invariance mechanisms of the two sophisticated systems. To investigate their relationship under common conditions, we proposed a representation invariance analysis approach based on data augmentation technology. Firstly, the original image library was expanded by data augmentation. The representation invariances of CNNs and the ventral visual stream were then studied by comparing the similarities of the corresponding layer features of CNNs and the prediction performance of visual encoding models based on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) before and after data augmentation. Our experimental results suggest that the architecture of CNNs, combinations of convolutional and fully-connected layers, developed representation invariance of CNNs. Remarkably, we found representation invariance belongs to all successive stages of the ventral visual stream. Hence, the internal correlation between CNNs and the human visual system in representation invariance was revealed. Our study promotes the advancement of invariant representation of computer vision and deeper comprehension of the representation invariance mechanism of human visual information processing.
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Cardiovascular Toxicity of Specific Uremic Solutes
Authors: Ravid Jonathan D. , Chitalia Vipul C.
Published: September 2020

Mounting evidence strongly suggests a causal link between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Compared with non-CKD patients, patients with CKD suffer disproportionately from CVD and derive suboptimal benefits from interventions targeting conventional CVD risk factors. Uremic toxins (UTs), whose plasma levels rapidly rise as CKD progresses, represent a unique risk factor in CKD, which has protean manifestations on CVD. Among the known UTs, tryptophan metabolites and trimethylamine N-oxide are well-established cardiovascular toxins. Their molecular mechanisms of effect warrant special consideration to draw translational value. This review surveys current knowledge on the effects of specific UTs on different pathways and cell functions that influence the integrity of cardiovascular health, with implication for CVD progression. The effect of UTs on cardiovascular health is an example of a paradigm in which a cascade of molecular and metabolic events induced by pathology in one organ in turn induces dysfunction in another organ. Deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying such cross-organ pathologies will help uncover therapeutic targets to improve the management of CVD in patients with CKD.
Graphene Oxide as a Sensing Material for Gas Detection Based on Nanomechanical Sensors in the Static Mode
Authors: Imamura Gaku , Minami Kosuke , Shiba Kota , Mistry Kissan , Musselman Kevin , Yavuz Mustafa , Yoshikawa Genki , Saiki Koichiro , Obata Seiji
Published: September 2020

Graphene is a key material for gas sensing applications owing to its high specific surface area and vast chemical modification potential. To fully utilize the potential of graphene, a sensing platform independent of conductive properties is required. In this study, we employed membrane-type surface stress sensors (MSS)—A kind of nanomechanical sensor operated in the static mode—As a sensing platform and utilized graphene oxide (GO) as a gas sensing material. MSS detect surface stress caused by gas sorption; therefore, chemically modified graphene with low conductivity can be utilized as a gas sensing material. We evaluated the sensing performance of a GO-coated MSS by measuring its responses to five gases. We demonstrated with the GO-coated MSS the feasibility of GO as a gas sensing material for static mode nanomechanical sensors and revealed its high selectivity to water vapor. Moreover, we investigated the sensing mechanism of the GO-coated MSS by comparing it with the sensing performance of MSS coated with reduced graphene oxide and graphite powder and deduced key factors for sensitivity and selectivity. Considering the high sensitivity of the GO-coated MSS and the compact measurement system that MSS can realize, the present study provides a new perspective on the sensing applications of graphene.
Effect of Sanding Processes on the Surface Properties of Modified Poplar Coated by Primer Compared with Mahogany
Authors: Liu Qingqing , Gao Di , Xu Wei
Published: September 2020

The surface roughness, static and dynamic liquid wettability of modified poplar wood were measured by different surface treatment of brushing primer and sanding. With the increase of the number of grinding paper, the depth parameters Ra, Ry, Rz and Rp of surface roughness of modified poplar decreased, and the density parameter Sm (the average spacing of micro unevenness of contour) decreased at first and then increased. With the increase of number of the grinding paper, the contact angle of water and glycerol for modified poplar wood decreased at first and then increased. After the modified poplar wood was brushed with the primer and sanded with 240# sandpaper, the density parameter Sm was 0.307, the equilibrium contact angle of distilled water was 34.88, and the equilibrium contact angle of glycerin was 36.46, all of which were the lowest number. At this time, the surface roughness was improved, and the modified poplar has the good wettability that is greater than the mahogany wood wettability. Compared with mahogany, the rough depth parameters of the modified poplar are smaller to those of mahogany, but the Sm of modified poplar wood is greater than that of the mahogany. After the same surface pretreatment, the wetting speed of glycerol on the surface of mahogany is higher than that of the modified poplar.
A P4-Enabled RINA Interior Router for Software-Defined Data Centers
Authors: Fernández Carolina , Giménez Sergio , Grasa Eduard , Bunch Steve
Published: September 2020

The lack of high-performance RINA (Recursive InterNetwork Architecture) implementations to date makes it hard to experiment with RINA as an underlay networking fabric solution for different types of networks, and to assess RINA’s benefits in practice on scenarios with high traffic loads. High-performance router implementations typically require dedicated hardware support, such as FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) or specialized ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). With the advance of hardware programmability in recent years, new possibilities unfold to prototype novel networking technologies. In particular, the use of the P4 programming language for programmable ASICs holds great promise for developing a RINA router. This paper details the design and part of the implementation of the first P4-based RINA interior router, which reuses the layer management components of the IRATI Linux-based RINA implementation and implements the data-transfer components using a P4 program. We also describe the configuration and testing of our initial deployment scenarios, using ancillary open-source tools such as the P4 reference test software switch (BMv2) or the P4Runtime API.
Diagnostic Use of Post-therapy 131I-Meta-Iodobenzylguanidine Scintigraphy in Consolidation Therapy for Children with High-Risk Neuroblastoma
Authors: Wakabayashi Hiroshi , Kayano Daiki , Inaki Anri , Araki Raita , Kuroda Rie , Akatani Norihito , Yamase Takafumi , Watanabe Satoru , Hiromasa Tomo , Kunita Yuji , Mori Hiroshi , Saito Shintaro , Ikawa Yasuhiro , Fujiki Toshihiro , Kinuya Seigo
Published: September 2020

123I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (123I-mIBG) scintigraphy is used for evaluating disease extent in children with neuroblastoma. 131I-mIBG therapy has been used for evaluation in children with high-risk neuroblastoma, and post-therapy 131I-mIBG scintigraphy may detect more lesions compared with diagnostic 123I-mIBG scintigraphy. However, no studies have yet revealed the detection rate of hidden mIBG-avid lesions on post-therapy 131I-mIBG whole-body scan (WBS) and SPECT images in neuroblastoma children without mIBG-avid lesions as demonstrated by diagnostic 123I-mIBG scintigraphy. We retrospectively examined the diagnostic utility of post-therapy 131I-mIBG scintigraphy in children who received 131I-mIBG as consolidation therapy. Nineteen children with complete response to primary therapy were examined. Post-therapy 131I-mIBG scintigraphy was performed four days after injection. The post-therapy 131I-mIBG scintigraphy, 4 children exhibited abnormal uptake on the WBS. Post-therapy 131I-mIBG SPECT/CT provided additional information in 2 cases. In total, 6 children exhibited abnormal uptake. The site of abnormal accumulation was on the recurrence site in one case, operation sites in five cases, and bone metastasis in one case. Post-therapy 131I-mIBG scintigraphy could detect residual disease that was not recognized using diagnostic 123I-mIBG scintigraphy in 32% of children with high-risk neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroblastoma. The diagnostic use of post-therapy 131I-mIBG scintigraphy can provide valuable information for detecting residual disease.
Dynamic and Renormalization-Group Extensions of the Landau Theory of Critical Phenomena
Authors: Grmela Miroslav , Klika Václav , Pavelka Michal
Published: September 2020

We place the Landau theory of critical phenomena into the larger context of multiscale thermodynamics. The thermodynamic potentials, with which the Landau theory begins, arise as Lyapunov like functions in the investigation of the relations among different levels of description. By seeing the renormalization-group approach to critical phenomena as inseparability of levels in the critical point, we can adopt the renormalization-group viewpoint into the Landau theory and by doing it bring its predictions closer to results of experimental observations.
Analysis of Contact Reaction Phenomenon between Aluminum–Silver and p+ Diffused Layer for n-Type c-Si Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Park Cheolmin , Chung Sungyoon , Balaji Nagarajan , Ahn Shihyun , Lee Sunhwa , Park Jinjoo , Yi Junsin
Published: September 2020

In this study, the contact mechanism between Ag–Al and Si and the change in contact resistance (Rc) were analyzed by varying the firing profile. The front electrode of an n-type c-Si solar cell was formed through a screen-printing process using Ag–Al paste. Rc was measured by varying the belt speed and peak temperature of the fast-firing furnace. Rc value of 6.98 mΩ-cm−2 was obtained for an optimal fast-firing profile with 865 °C peak temperature and 110 inches per min belt speed. The contact phenomenon and the influence of impurities between the front-electrode–Si interface and firing conditions were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The EDS analysis revealed that the peak firing temperature at 865 °C exhibited a low atomic weight percentage of Al (0.72 and 0.36%) because Al was involved in the formation of alloy of Si with the front electrode. Based on the optimal results, a solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 19.46% was obtained.
The Method of Combating Coal Spontaneous Combustion Hazard in Goafs—A Case Study
Authors: Szurgacz Dawid , Tutak Magdalena , Brodny Jarosław , Sobik Leszek , Zhironkina Olga
Published: September 2020

One of the major natural hazards occurring during the process of mining exploitation are endogenous fires. They cause very large material losses and constitute a threat to the health and life of the workers. Such fires usually start and develop in the goafs. The remaining coal and the oxygen-containing air flowing at a certain rate may lead to endogenous fires. The basic element of the assessment of the occurrence of an endogenous fire and the degree of its development is the chemical composition of the air flowing out of the longwall and the goafs. The monitoring of this composition also makes it possible to assess the severity of such a fire. The damage that can be caused by the endogenous fire requires scientific and experimental research being carried out on a wide scale in order to limit its occurrence and development. All papers and research mentioned in the paper aim to find a tool that will help to control the fires. The paper discusses the development of a new and original method of combating the threat of endogenous fires. It is based on the installation designed to feed an ash and water mixture or an ash and water mixture with carbon dioxide to goafs. The foundation of the paper is a method based on a vast depth of expertise and knowledge gained by the authors in the field of combating endogenous fires. The developed installation prepares and transports ash and water mixtures together with carbon dioxide to the zones with high probability of endogenous fires. The mixture is a preparation of the surface of a mine, and later, it is transported underground by pipelines to the goafs where a high level of the fire hazard was identified. The construction of the system and the composition of the mixture used are both original solutions; their practical application limited the process of spontaneous heating of coal. Monitoring the chemical composition of gases in the air of the goafs made it possible to control the effects of applied measures; it proved that carbon dioxide used as an inert gas disturbs the process of carbon oxidation, and the water and ash mixture limits the inflow of the air with oxygen. The advantage of the method is particularly evident in the case of the exploitation of deposits where coal has a short incubation time. This original approach allows for a better and more effective response to endogenous fires.
Thermal Analysis of Dry-Type Air-Core Coils for the Optimization of Passive Filtering Systems
Authors: Rodríguez D. Josué , Alonso Orcajo G. , Cano José M. , G. Norniella Joaquín , Vicente Asier
Published: September 2020

The analysis of harmonic currents in distribution networks of industrial facilities and the associated filtering stages is essential to optimize the production of these installations. Dry-type air-core reactors are one of the main elements of harmonic filter banks. A thermal analysis of these reactors in conventional steel plants and an evaluation of the criteria used to adjust the corresponding thermal protections are proposed in this paper. Accordingly, harmonic currents through the different filter branches are assessed. The proposed methodology builds a thermal magnetic model using the finite element method (FEM) whereby electromagnetic fields, currents and losses are emulated, to allow for recreating the actual coil temperature. The study aims at increasing the reliability of filtering systems by lowering the number of unscheduled shutdowns due to conservative adjustments of thermal protections.
Degradation Mechanism Due to Water Ingress Effect on the Top Contact of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells
Authors: Poudel Deewakar , Karki Shankar , Belfore Benjamin , Rajan Grace , Atluri Sushma Swaraj , Soltanmohammad Sina , Rockett Angus , Marsillac Sylvain
Published: September 2020

The impact of moisture ingress on the surface of copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar cells was studied. While industry-scale modules are encapsulated in specialized polymers and glass, over time, the glass can break and the encapsulant can degrade. During such conditions, water can potentially degrade the interior layers and decrease performance. The first layer the water will come in contact with is the transparent conductive oxide (TCO) layer. To simulate the impact of this moisture ingress, complete devices were immersed in deionized water. To identify the potential sources of degradation, a common window layer for CIGS devices—a bilayer of intrinsic zinc oxide (i-ZnO) and conductive indium tin oxide (ITO)—was deposited. The thin films were then analyzed both pre and post water soaking. To determine the extent of ingress, dynamic secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) was performed on completed devices to analyze impurity diffusion (predominantly sodium and potassium) in the devices. The results were compared to device measurements, and indicated a degradation of device efficiency (mostly fill factor, contrary to previous studies), potentially due to a modification of the alkali profile.
Synergistic Co-Digestion of Microalgae and Primary Sludge to Enhance Methane Yield from Temperature-Phased Anaerobic Digestion
Authors: Damtie Mekdimu Mezemir , Shin Jingyeong , Jang Hyun Min , Kim Young Mo
Published: September 2020

A two-stage temperature-phased mesophilic anaerobic digestion assay was carried out to study the interaction between various biological pretreatment conditions and the possible synergistic co-digestion of microalgae and primary sludge. The study of growth kinetics of the biochemical methane potential test revealed that a maximum of 36% increase in methane yield was observed from co-digestion of a substrate pretreated by thermophilic aerobic conditions (55 °C and HRT = 2 days) and an 8.3% increase was obtained from the anaerobic pretreated substrate (55 °C and HRT = 3 days). Moreover, no synergistic effects on methane yields were observed in co-digesting the substrate pretreated with high temperature (85 °C). The study also identified specific conditions in which interaction between biological pretreatment and co-digestion might substantially reduce methane yield. Careful optimization of operating conditions, both aerobic and anaerobic pretreatment at moderate thermophilic conditions, can be used as a biological pretreatment to enhance methane yield from the co-digestion of microalgae and primary sludge.
Inelastic Material Models of Type 316H for Elevated Temperature Design of Advanced High Temperature Reactors
Authors: Koo Gyeong-Hoi , Yoon Ji-Hyun
Published: September 2020

In this paper, the inelastic material models for Type 316H stainless steel, which is one of the principal candidate materials for elevated temperature design of the advanced high temperature reactors (HTRs) pressure retained components, are investigated and the required material parameters are identified to be used for both elasto-plastic models and unified viscoplastic models. In the constitutive equations of the inelastic material models, the kinematic hardening behavior is expressed with the Chaboche model with three backstresses, and the isotropic hardening behavior is expressed by the Voce model. The required number of material parameters is minimized to be ten in total. For the unified viscoplastic model, which can express both the time-independent plastic behavior and the time-dependent viscous behavior, the constitutive equations have the same kinematic and isotropic hardening parameters of the elasto-plastic material model with two additional viscous parameters. To identify the material parameters required for these constitutive equations, various uniaxial tests were carried out at isothermal conditions at room temperature and an elevated temperature range of 425–650 °C. The identified inelastic material parameters were validated through the comparison between tests and calculations.
A New Cross-Correlation Algorithm Based on Distance for Improving Localization Accuracy of Partial Discharge in Cables Lines
Authors: Rao Xianjie , Zhou Kai , Li Yuan , Zhu Guangya , Meng Pengfei
Published: September 2020

Locating the partial discharge (PD) source is one of the most effective means to locate local defects in power cable lines. The sampling rate and the frequency-dependent characteristic of phase velocity have an obvious influence on localization accuracy based on the times of arrival (TOA) evaluation algorithm. In this paper, we present a cross-correlation algorithm based on propagation distance to locate the PD source in cable lines. First, we introduce the basic principle of the cross-correlation function of propagation distance. Then we verify the proposed method through a computer simulation model and investigate the influences of propagation distance, sampling rate, and noise on localization accuracy. Finally, we perform PD location experiments on two 250 m 10 kV XLPE power cables using the oscillation wave test system. The simulation and experiment results indicate that compared with traditional TOA evaluation methods, the proposed method has superior locating precision.
Effect of Conical Strip Inserts and ZrO2/DI-Water Nanofluid on Heat Transfer Augmentation: An Experimental Study
Authors: Shajahan Mohamed Iqbal , Michael Jee Joe , Arulprakasajothi M. , Suresh Sivan , Nasr Emad Abouel , Hussein H. M. A.
Published: September 2020

There is a significant enhancement of the heat transfer rate with the usage of nanofluid. This article describes a study of the combination of using nanofluid with inserts, which has proved itself in attaining higher benefits in a heat exchanger, such as the radiator in automobiles, industries, etc. Nanofluids are emerging as alternative fluids for heat transfer applications due to enhanced thermal properties. In this paper, the thermal hydraulic performance of ZrO2, awater-based nanofluid with various volume concentrations of 0.1%, 0.25%, and 0.5%, and staggered conical strip inserts with three different twist ratios of 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 in forward and backward flow patterns were experimentally tested under a fully developed laminar flow regime of 0–50 lphthrough a horizontal test pipe section with a length of 1 m with a constant wall heat flux of 280 W as the input boundary condition. The temperatures at equidistant position and across the test section were measured using K-type thermocouples. The pressure drop across the test section was measured using a U-tube manometer. The observed results showed that the use of staggered conical strip inserts improved the heat transfer rates up to that of 130.5%, 102.7%, and 64.52% in the forward arrangement, and similarly 145.03%, 116.57%, and 80.92% in the backward arrangement with the twist ratios of 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 at the 0.5% volume concentration of ZrO2 nanofluid. It was also seen that the improvement in heat transfer was comparatively lower for the other two volume concentrations considered in this study. The twist ratio generates more swirl flow, disrupting the thermal hydraulic boundary layer. Nanofluids with a higher volume concentration lead to higher heat transfer due to higher effective thermal conductivity of the prepared nanofluid. The thermal performance factor (TPF) with conical strip inserts at all volume concentrations of nanofluids was perceived as greater than 1. A sizable thermal performance ratio of 1.62 was obtained for the backward-arranged conical strip insert with 2.5 as the twist ratio and a volume concentration of 0.5% ZrO2/deionized water nanofluid. Correlations were developed for the Nusselt number and friction factor based on the obtained experimental data with the help of regression analysis.
Theoretical Comparison of Test Performance of Different Pulse Decay Methods for Unconventional Cores
Authors: Han Guofeng , Liu Xiaoli , Huang Jin
Published: September 2020

Various pulse decay methods are proposed to test tight cores. These methods can be divided into three types. This study compares the performance of these methods to test the permeability of unconventional cores in terms of homogeneous cores, dual-medium cores, and gas adsorption, including the pressure equilibrium time, possible errors caused by conventional analysis methods, and reflections on the characteristics of dual-media. Studies shows that the two test methods with an antisymmetric relationship in the boundary conditions have basically identical test performance. When testing homogeneous cores, regardless of whether the gas is adsorptive or not, the pressure equilibrium time of the first type of method is approximately half of that of the second type of method. The dual-medium parameters seriously affect the pressure equilibrium time of different methods, which may cause the difference of order of magnitude. For homogeneous cores, the permeability errors of the first and second types of methods caused by porosity errors are similar and larger than that of the third type of method. For dual media, the fracture permeability obtained by the third type of method using the conventional analysis method may differ from the actual value by tens of times. No method can significantly eliminate the sorption effect. When the core is a dual-medium, only the pressure curves of the upstream positive-pulse method, downstream negative-pulse method and one-chamber method can reflect the characteristics of dual media. The pressure derivative of the one-chamber method cannot reflect the characteristics of dual media at the early time. The pressure derivative of the second type and the upstream positive-pulse downstream negative-pulse method can reflect the complete characteristics of dual media, but their pressure derivative of the constant-slope segment is small, and the interporosity flow parameter may not be identified.
Classification of Coal Structure Combinations and Their Influence on Hydraulic Fracturing: A Case Study from the Qinshui Basin, China
Authors: Liu Du , Wang Yanbin , Ni Xiaoming , Tao Chuanqi , Fan Jingjing , Wu Xiang , Zhao Shihu
Published: September 2020

Coal structure directly correlates to permeability and hydraulic fracturing effects. Underground coal mining indicates that a single coal section generally contains multiple coal structures in superposition, making how to recognise the coal structure combination and predict its influence on coal permeability a challenging problem. Based on well-drilling sampled cores, the geological strength index (GSI), and well-logging data, the DEN, GR, CALX, and CALY were selected to establish a model to predict GSI by multiple regression to identify coal structure from 100 coalbed methane wells. Based on fitting GSI and corresponding permeability test values, injection fall-off (IFO) testing, and hydraulic fracturing results, permeability prediction models for pre- and post-fracturing behaviour were established, respectively. The fracturing effect was evaluated by the difference in permeability. The results show that a reservoir can be classified into one of nine types by different coal structure thickness proportion (and combinations thereof) and the fracturing curves can be classified into four categories (and eight sub-categories) by the pressure curve. Up-down type I and type II reservoirs (proportion of hard coal >60%) and intervening interval type I reservoir (proportion of hard coal >70%) are prone to form stable and descending fracturing curves and the fracturing effects are optimal. Intervening interval type II (hard coal:soft coal:hard coal or soft coal:hard coal:soft coal ≈1:1:1) and up-down type III (hard coal:soft coal =1:1) form descending type II, rising type I and fluctuating type I fracturing curves and fracturing effect ranks second; up-down type IV and V (proportion of hard coal <40%), interval type III (proportion of hard coal <30%), and multi-layer superposition-type reservoirs readily form fluctuating and rising fracturing curves and fracturing effects therein are poor. The research results provide guidance for the targeted stimulation measured under different coal structure combinations.
Investigation of the Possibilities to Improve Hydrodynamic Performances of Micro-Hydrokinetic Turbines
Authors: Barbarić Marina , Guzović Zvonimir
Published: September 2020

Horizontal axis turbines are commonly used for harnessing renewable hydrokinetic energy, contained in marine and river currents. In order to encourage the expansion of electricity generation using micro-hydrokinetic turbines, several design improvements are investigated. Firstly, optimization-based design of rotor blade is used to get as close as possible to the efficiency limit of 59.3% (known as Betz limit), that counts for bare turbine rotors, placed in the free flow. Additional diffuser elements are further added to examine the potential to overcome the theoretical efficiency limit by accelerating water at the axial direction. Various diffuser geometrical configurations are investigated using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to obtain insight into hydrodynamics of augmented micro-hydrokinetic turbines. Moreover, the turbines are compared from the energy conversion efficiency point of view. The highest maximum power coefficient increase of 81% is obtained with brimmed (flanged) diffuser. Diffusers with foil-shaped cross-sections have also been analyzed but power augmentation is not significantly greater than in the case of simple cross-section designs of the same dimensions. The power coefficients’ comparison indicate that considerable power augmentation is achievable using brimmed diffuser with higher value of length-to-diameter ratio. However, the impact of diffuser length increase on the power coefficient enhancement becomes weaker as the length-to-diameter ratio reaches a value of 1.
The Importance of Renewable Energy Sources in Poland’s Energy Mix
Authors: Marks-Bielska Renata , Bielski Stanisław , Pik Katarzyna , Kurowska Krystyna
Published: September 2020

Exploitation of renewable energy sources for power generation has been more and more important in recent years. This results from the economic issues and the measures taken to ensure the energy security. The aim of this research was to determine the significance of renewable energy sources (RES) in the energy mix of Poland, and to elicit the opinions and the level of knowledge of the society on the use and development of non-conventional energy. The article also presents advantages and disadvantages of types of RES, the obstacles which hinder the progress of green energy in Poland, and the proposed measures to expand the share of the RES in the overall energy mix. The research relied on the statistical data gathered by Statistics Poland. The opinions of respondents were elicited through a diagnostic survey based on a questionnaire. The research has demonstrated that the respondents support the development of RES in Poland. However, they also maintain that the purchase and installation of devices for the production of non-conventional energy are too expensive. The respondents believe that in order to increase the number of green power plants, subsidies to encourage RES investment and tax reliefs related to this investment should be bigger.
The Experimental Proteome of Leishmania infantum Promastigote and Its Usefulness for Improving Gene Annotations
Authors: Sanchiz África , Morato Esperanza , Rastrojo Alberto , Camacho Esther , González-de la Fuente Sandra , Marina Anabel , Aguado Begoña , Requena Jose M.
Published: September 2020

Leishmania infantum causes visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar), the most severe form of leishmaniasis, which is lethal if untreated. A few years ago, the re-sequencing and de novo assembling of the L. infantum (JPCM5 strain) genome was accomplished, and now we aimed to describe and characterize the experimental proteome of this species. In this work, we performed a proteomic analysis from axenic cultured promastigotes and carried out a detailed comparison with other Leishmania experimental proteomes published to date. We identified 2352 proteins based on a search of mass spectrometry data against a database built from the six-frame translated genome sequence of L. infantum. We detected many proteins belonging to organelles such as glycosomes, mitochondria, or flagellum, as well as many metabolic enzymes and many putative RNA binding proteins and molecular chaperones. Moreover, we listed some proteins presenting post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylations, acetylations, and methylations. On the other hand, the identification of peptides mapping to genomic regions previously annotated as non-coding allowed for the correction of annotations, leading to the N-terminal extension of protein sequences and the uncovering of eight novel protein-coding genes. The alliance of proteomics, genomics, and transcriptomics has resulted in a powerful combination for improving the annotation of the L. infantum reference genome.
Psychic Unhomings, Amnesia, and the Risk of Decosmopolitanization in Damon Galgut’s The Impostor (2008)
Authors: Borzaga Michela
Published: September 2020

The apartheid regime has left behind a range of chronic and structural disturbances of home/lands in contemporary South Africa. This article examines the representation of housing in Damon Galgut’s The Impostor. In this post-apartheid novel, houses feature prominently; they are not only the axle around which the plot revolves, but characters in their own right. Houses are depicted as relational and dynamic sites, invested with traumatic repressed material. By drawing on critical house studies, psychoanalysis, memory, and postcolonial studies, it will be shown that there is a strong intersection that needs to be unpacked between inhabited spaces, the mnemonic economy of the self, its displacements and unexpected flights, and the larger socio-economic and political sphere. This article argues that houses in Galgut’s novel emerge as psychological and affective contents, as symptoms of historical amnesia and displaced whiteness; characters’ psychic disturbances find fertile terrain in a country which, while parading itself as “new” and “open”, risks regressing towards new forms of “decosmopolitanization” (Appadurai).
The Effects of the Dynamic Thermophysical Properties of Clothing and the Walking Speed Input Parameter on the Heat Strain of a Human Body Predicted by the PHS Model
Authors: Huang Qianqian , Li Jun
Published: September 2020

The prediction accuracy of the Predicted Heat Strain (PHS) model is affected by the correction approaches of static thermophysical properties of clothing considering the pumping effects of wind and body movement. In this study, a comparison of different correction algorithms for three types of clothing and their influence on the heat strain predicted by the PHS model was carried out with experimental data obtained from the literature. Results show that the dynamic insulation values calculated by ISO 9920 corrections are larger than those obtained by ISO 7933 when the static insulation values are higher than 0.4 clo, but when the static values are lower than 0.4 clo, it varies contrarily. The dynamic evaporative resistance values calculated with ISO 9920 equations are larger than those with ISO 7933. The prediction accuracy of the PHS model with ISO 9920 corrections and the addition of the walking speed input parameter can be improved for normal clothing (NC) in a hot environment and high clothing insulation. For specialized, insulating, cold weather clothing (SC), ISO 7933 corrections with an added walking speed input parameter to the PHS model have a good prediction precision.
Assessing Lysosomal Disorders in the NGS Era: Identification of Novel Rare Variants
Authors: Encarnação Marisa , Coutinho Maria Francisca , Silva Lisbeth , Ribeiro Diogo , Ouesleti Souad , Campos Teresa , Santos Helena , Martins Esmeralda , Cardoso Maria Teresa , Vilarinho Laura , Alves Sandra
Published: September 2020

Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders with variable degrees of severity and a broad phenotypic spectrum, which may overlap with a number of other conditions. While individually rare, as a group LSDs affect a significant number of patients, placing an important burden on affected individuals and their families but also on national health care systems worldwide. Here, we present our results on the use of an in-house customized next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel of genes related to lysosome function as a first-line molecular test for the diagnosis of LSDs. Ultimately, our goal is to provide a fast and effective tool to screen for virtually all LSDs in a single run, thus contributing to decrease the diagnostic odyssey, accelerating the time to diagnosis. Our study enrolled a group of 23 patients with variable degrees of clinical and/or biochemical suspicion of LSD. Briefly, NGS analysis data workflow, followed by segregation analysis allowed the characterization of approximately 41% of the analyzed patients and the identification of 10 different pathogenic variants, underlying nine LSDs. Importantly, four of those variants were novel, and, when applicable, their effect over protein structure was evaluated through in silico analysis. One of the novel pathogenic variants was identified in the GM2A gene, which is associated with an ultra-rare (or misdiagnosed) LSD, the AB variant of GM2 Gangliosidosis. Overall, this case series highlights not only the major advantages of NGS-based diagnostic approaches but also, to some extent, its limitations ultimately promoting a reflection on the role of targeted panels as a primary tool for the prompt characterization of LSD patients.
How Long Are Reperfusion Therapies Beneficial for Patients after Stroke Onset? Lessons from Lethal Ischemia Following Early Reperfusion in a Mouse Model of Stroke
Authors: Nakagomi Takayuki , Tanaka Yasue , Nakagomi Nami , Matsuyama Tomohiro , Yoshimura Shinichi
Published: September 2020

Ischemic stroke caused by cerebral artery occlusion induces neurological deficits because of cell damage or death in the central nervous system. Given the recent therapeutic advances in reperfusion therapies, some patients can now recover from an ischemic stroke with no sequelae. Currently, reperfusion therapies focus on rescuing neural lineage cells that survive in spite of decreases in cerebral blood flow. However, vascular lineage cells are known to be more resistant to ischemia/hypoxia than neural lineage cells. This indicates that ischemic areas of the brain experience neural cell death but without vascular cell death. Emerging evidence suggests that if a vascular cell-mediated healing system is present within ischemic areas following reperfusion, the therapeutic time window can be extended for patients with stroke. In this review, we present our comments on this subject based upon recent findings from lethal ischemia following reperfusion in a mouse model of stroke.
A Novel KRAS Antibody Highlights a Regulation Mechanism of Post-Translational Modifications of KRAS during Tumorigenesis
Authors: Assi Mohamad , Pirlot Boris , Stroobant Vincent , Thissen Jean-Paul , Jacquemin Patrick
Published: September 2020

KRAS is a powerful oncogene responsible for the development of many cancers. Despite the great progress in understanding its function during the last decade, the study of KRAS expression, subcellular localization, and post-translational modifications remains technically challenging. Accordingly, many facets of KRAS biology are still unknown. Antibodies could be an effective and easy-to-use tool for in vitro and in vivo research on KRAS. Here, we generated a novel rabbit polyclonal antibody that allows immunolabeling of cells and tissues overexpressing KRAS. Cell transfection experiments with expression vectors for the members of the RAS family revealed a preferential specificity of this antibody for KRAS. In addition, KRAS was sensitively detected in a mouse tissue electroporated with an expression vector. Interestingly, our antibody was able to detect endogenous forms of unprenylated (immature) and prenylated (mature) KRAS in mouse organs. We found that KRAS prenylation was increased ex vivo and in vivo in a model of KRASG12D-driven tumorigenesis, which was concomitant with an induction of expression of essential KRAS prenylation enzymes. Therefore, our tool helped us to put the light on new regulations of KRAS activation during cancer initiation. The use of this tool by the RAS community could contribute to discovering novel aspects of KRAS biology.
Tissue Adaptation to Environmental Cues by Symmetric and Asymmetric Division Modes of Intestinal Stem Cells
Authors: Joly Aurélia , Rousset Raphaël
Published: September 2020

Tissues must adapt to the different external stimuli so that organisms can survive in their environments. The intestine is a vital organ involved in food processing and absorption, as well as in innate immune response. Its adaptation to environmental cues such as diet and biotic/abiotic stress involves regulation of the proliferative rate and a switch of division mode (asymmetric versus symmetric) of intestinal stem cells (ISC). In this review, we outline the current comprehension of the physiological and molecular mechanisms implicated in stem cell division modes in the adult Drosophila midgut. We present the signaling pathways and polarity cues that control the mitotic spindle orientation, which is the terminal determinant ensuring execution of the division mode. We review these events during gut homeostasis, as well as during its response to nutrient availability, bacterial infection, chemical damage, and aging. JNK signaling acts as a central player, being involved in each of these conditions as a direct regulator of spindle orientation. The studies of the mechanisms regulating ISC divisions allow a better understanding of how adult stem cells integrate different signals to control tissue plasticity, and of how various diseases, notably cancers, arise from their alterations.
Levels of Interleukin-6 in Saliva, but Not Plasma, Correlate with Clinical Metrics in Huntington’s Disease Patients and Healthy Control Subjects
Authors: Corey-Bloom Jody , Fischer Ryan S. , Kim Aeri , Snell Chase , Parkin Georgia M. , Granger Douglas A. , Granger Steven W. , Thomas Elizabeth A.
Published: September 2020

Growing evidence suggests that inflammatory responses, in both the brain and peripheral tissues, contribute to disease pathology in Huntington’s disease (HD), an inherited, progressive neurodegenerative disorder typically affecting adults in their 30–40 s. Hence, studies of inflammation-related markers in peripheral fluids might be useful to better characterize disease features. In this study, we measured levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1B), and alpha-amylase (AA) in saliva and plasma from n = 125 subjects, including n = 37 manifest HD patients, n = 36 premanifest patients, and n = 52 healthy controls, using immunoassays. We found increases in salivary levels of IL-6, IL-1B and CRP across different disease groups and increased levels of IL-6 in the plasma of HD patients as compared to premanifest patients and controls. The levels of salivary IL-6 were significantly correlated with each of the other salivary markers, as well as with IL-6 levels measured in plasma. Further, salivary IL-6 and IL-1B levels were significantly positively correlated with Total Motor Score (TMS) and chorea scores and negatively correlated with Total Functional Capacity (TFC) in HD patients, whereby in healthy control subjects, IL-6 was significantly negatively correlated with Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Symbol Digit Modalities test (SDM). Interestingly, the plasma levels of IL-6 did not show similar correlations to any clinical measures in either HD or control subjects. These findings suggest that salivary IL-6 is particularly relevant as a potential non-invasive biomarker for HD symptoms. The advent of an effective, dependable salivary biomarker would meet the urgent need for a less invasive means of identifying and monitoring HD disease progression.
Prediction Power on Cardiovascular Disease of Neuroimmune Guidance Cues Expression by Peripheral Blood Monocytes Determined by Machine-Learning Methods
Authors: Zhang Huayu , Bredewold Edwin O. W. , Vreeken Dianne , Duijs Jacques. M. G. J. , de Boer Hetty C. , Kraaijeveld Adriaan O. , Jukema J. Wouter , Pijls Nico H. , Waltenberger Johannes , Biessen Erik A.L. , van der Veer Eric P. , van Zonneveld Anton Jan , van Gils Janine M.
Published: September 2020

Atherosclerosis is the underlying pathology in a major part of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of mortality in developed countries. The infiltration of monocytes into the vessel walls of large arteries is a key denominator of atherogenesis, making monocytes accountable for the development of atherosclerosis. With the development of high-throughput transcriptome profiling platforms and cytometric methods for circulating cells, it is now feasible to study in-depth the predicted functional change of circulating monocytes reflected by changes of gene expression in certain pathways and correlate the changes to disease outcome. Neuroimmune guidance cues comprise a group of circulating- and cell membrane-associated signaling proteins that are progressively involved in monocyte functions. Here, we employed the CIRCULATING CELLS study cohort to classify cardiovascular disease patients and healthy individuals in relation to their expression of neuroimmune guidance cues in circulating monocytes. To cope with the complexity of human datasets featured by noisy data, nonlinearity and multidimensionality, we assessed various machine-learning methods. Of these, the linear discriminant analysis, Naïve Bayesian model and stochastic gradient boost model yielded perfect or near-perfect sensibility and specificity and revealed that expression levels of the neuroimmune guidance cues SEMA6B, SEMA6D and EPHA2 in circulating monocytes were of predictive values for cardiovascular disease outcome.
Challenges in Promoting Mitochondrial Transplantation Therapy
Authors: Yamada Yuma , Ito Momo , Arai Manae , Hibino Mitsue , Tsujioka Takao , Harashima Hideyoshi
Published: September 2020

Mitochondrial transplantation therapy is an innovative strategy for the treatment of mitochondrial dysfunction. The approach has been reported to be useful in the treatment of cardiac ischemic reperfusion injuries in human clinical trials and has also been shown to be useful in animal studies as a method for treating mitochondrial dysfunction in various tissues, including the heart, liver, lungs, and brain. On the other hand, there is no methodology for using preserved mitochondria. Research into the pharmaceutical formulation of mitochondria to promote mitochondrial transplantation therapy as the next step in treating many patients is urgently needed. In this review, we overview previous studies on the therapeutic effects of mitochondrial transplantation. We also discuss studies related to immune responses that occur during mitochondrial transplantation and methods for preserving mitochondria, which are key to their stability as medicines. Finally, we describe research related to mitochondrial targeting drug delivery systems (DDS) and discuss future perspectives of mitochondrial transplantation.