bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Outcomes of Carbon-Ion Radiotherapy for Malignant Gynecological Melanoma
Authors: Murata Hiroto , Okonogi Noriyuki , Wakatsuki Masaru , Kato Shingo , Kiyohara Hiroki , Karasawa Kumiko , Ohno Tatsuya , Nakano Takashi , Kamada Tadashi , Shozu Makio , The Working Group of Gynecological Tumors
Published: April 2019

Surgical resection is considered a standard therapy for malignant melanoma (MM). However, it has not yet been established as an optimal treatment strategy for gynecological MMs, particularly owing to their very low incidence rates. We retrospectively analyzed clinical outcomes of carbon-ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) for gynecological MMs. The eligibility criterion was the presence of histologically confirmed gynecological MM. Patients with pelvic or inguinal lymph node metastases were included, while those with distant metastases were excluded. The pelvic and inguinal lymph node regions were irradiated with up to 36 gray relative biological effectiveness (Gy (RBE)) followed by a gross tumor volume boost of up to 57.6 Gy (RBE) or 64 Gy (RBE) in 16 fractions over 4 weeks. Thirty-seven patients (median age: 71 years) were examined. In total, 22 patients had vaginal tumors, 12 had vulval tumors, and 3 had cervical uterine tumors. The median follow-up periods were 23 months (range: 5–103 months) for all patients and 53 months (range: 16–103 months) for survivors. Thirty of 37 patients (81%) achieved complete tumor disappearance. The 2-year local control, overall survival, and progression-free survival rates were 71%, 53%, and 29%, respectively. C-ion RT may be a definitive treatment option for patients with gynecological MM.
Review of the Isolation, Characterization, Biological Function, and Multifarious Therapeutic Approaches of Exosomes
Authors: Gurunathan Sangiliyandi , Kang Min-Hee , Jeyaraj Muniyandi , Qasim Muhammad , Kim Jin-Hoi
Published: April 2019

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that contain a specific composition of proteins, lipids, RNA, and DNA. They are derived from endocytic membranes and can transfer signals to recipient cells, thus mediating a novel mechanism of cell-to-cell communication. They are also thought to be involved in cellular waste disposal. Exosomes play significant roles in various biological functions, including the transfer of biomolecules such as RNA, proteins, enzymes, and lipids and the regulation of numerous physiological and pathological processes in various diseases. Because of these properties, they are considered to be promising biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases and may contribute to the development of minimally invasive diagnostics and next generation therapies. The biocompatible nature of exosomes could enhance the stability and efficacy of imaging probes and therapeutics. Due to their potential use in clinical applications, exosomes have attracted much research attention on their roles in health and disease. To explore the use of exosomes in the biomedical arena, it is essential that the basic molecular mechanisms behind the transport and function of these vesicles are well-understood. Herein, we discuss the history, biogenesis, release, isolation, characterization, and biological functions of exosomes, as well as the factors influencing their biogenesis and their technical and biological challenges. We conclude this review with a discussion on the future perspectives of exosomes.
Management of Congenital Heart Disease: State of the Art—Part II—Cyanotic Heart Defects
Authors: Rao P. Syamasundar
Published: April 2019

In this review management of the most common cyanotic congenital heart defects (CHDs) was discussed; the management of acyanotic CHD was reviewed in Part I of this series. While the need for intervention in acyanotic CHD is by and large determined by the severity of the lesion, most cyanotic CHDs require intervention, mostly by surgery. Different types of tetralogy of Fallot require different types of total surgical corrective procedures, and some may require initial palliation, mainly by modified Blalock–Taussig shunts. Babies with transposition of the great arteries with an intact ventricular septum as well as those with ventricular septal defects (VSD) need an arterial switch (Jatene) procedure while those with both VSD and pulmonary stenosis should be addressed by Rastelli procedure. These procedures may need to be preceded by prostaglandin infusion and/or balloon atrial septostomy in some babies. Infants with tricuspid atresia require initial palliation either with a modified Blalock–Taussig shunt or banding of the pulmonary artery and subsequent staged Fontan (bidirectional Glenn and fenestrated Fontan with extra-cardiac conduit). Neonates with total anomalous pulmonary venous connection are managed by anastomosis of the common pulmonary vein with the left atrium either electively in non-obstructed types or as an emergency procedure in the obstructed types. Babies with truncus arteriosus are treated by surgical closure of VSD along with right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit. The other defects, namely, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum, double-outlet right ventricle, double-inlet left ventricle and univentricular hearts largely require multistage surgical correction. The currently existing medical, trans-catheter and surgical techniques to manage cyanotic CHD are safe and effective and can be performed at a relatively low risk.
Thin-Film Optical Devices Based on Transparent Conducting Oxides: Physical Mechanisms and Applications
Authors: Jang Jiung , Kang Yeonsu , Cha Danyoung , Bae Junyoung , Lee Sungsik
Published: April 2019

This paper provides a review of optical devices based on a wide band-gap transparent conducting oxide (TCO) while discussing related physical mechanisms and potential applications. Intentionally using a light-induced metastability mechanism of oxygen defects in TCOs, it is allowed to detect even visible lights, eluding to a persistent photoconductivity (PPC) as an optical memory action. So, this PPC phenomenon is naturally useful for TCO-based optical memory applications, e.g., optical synaptic transistors, as well as photo-sensors along with an electrical controllability of a recovery speed with gate pulse or bias. Besides the role of TCO channel layer in thin-film transistor structure, a defective gate insulator can be another approach for a memory operation with assistance for gate bias and illuminations. In this respect, TCOs can be promising materials for a low-cost transparent optoelectronic application.
Estimating Internal Migration in Contemporary Mexico and its Relevance in Gridded Population Distributions
Authors: Jones Bryan , Riosmena Fernando , Simon Daniel H. , Balk Deborah
Published: April 2019

Given downward trends in fertility and mortality, population dynamics –and thus theestimation of spatially-explicit population dynamics and gridded population and derivativeproducts– are increasingly sensitive to mobility processes and their changes in spatiality. In thispaper, we present a procedure to produce origin-destination intermunicipal/intercounty andinterstate migration matrices, briefly discussing their use and application in gridded populationproducts. To illustrate our approach, we produce total and sex-specific matrices with informationfrom the 2000 and 2010 Mexican Census long-form 10% surveys. We share the code required toreproduce the extraction of these and for potentially at least another 122 country-periods based onharmonized publicly-available data from IPUMS International, which allow for the addition ofancillary social and economic data and individual and household levels, or IPUMS Terra, whichfurther allow for GIS-based mapping, visualization, and manipulation and for the merging ofimportant contextual, e.g., environmental, data. Besides discussing the likely limitations of thesemeasures, using official projections from the Mexican government, we illustrate howmigration/mobility data improve the estimation of spatial/gridded population dynamics. We wrapup with a call for the collection of more adequate, spatially-explicit data on residential mobility andmigration globally.
Study on Protective Coal Pillar Size Design for Ultra High Voltage Line Tower Mining in Mountain Areas
Authors: Xu Feiya , Guo Wenbing , Li Jianli
Published: April 2019

High voltage line towers in mining areas are sensitive to surface deformation caused by mining. Protective coal pillar design for high voltage towers is one of the commonly-used technical measures. Aiming to solve the coal mining safety problem under the Ultra High Voltage transmission line in Sihe Coal Mine of Shanxi Province, the angle and size of protective coal pillars with the vertical line method were analyzed in this paper. The effect of additional displacement caused by landslide or slippage mining in mountain areas and repeated mining was considered. Based on the principle of the vertical line method, the protective coal pillar range and size were calculated. The amount of coal deposited in coal pillars for high voltage line towers was compared and analyzed between the vertical line method and the linear structure method. The results showed that the angle of critical deformation decreased by 2~10° caused by slippage due to mining in a mountainous area, and the angle in the uphill direction of building decreased more than that in the downhill direction; when multi-seams were mined repeatedly, the angle of critical deformation in the lower seam coal mining was reduced by 5~10° compared with that of the upper seam. The protective coal pillar design with the vertical line method can protect the high voltage line towers more effectively, and the amount of protective coal pillars with the vertical line method was 5.8 million tons less, which avoided the waste of coal resources.
Progressive Immunodeficiency with Gradual Depletion of B and CD4+ T Cells in Immunodeficiency, Centromeric Instability and Facial Anomalies Syndrome 2 (ICF2)
Authors: Sogkas Georgios , Dubrowinskaja Natalia , Bergmann Anke K. , Lentes Jana , Ripperger Tim , Fedchenko Mykola , Ernst Diana , Jablonka Alexandra , Geffers Robert , Baumann Ulrich , Schmidt Reinhold E. , Atschekzei Faranaz
Published: April 2019

Immunodeficiency, centromeric instability and facial anomalies syndrome 2 (ICF2) is a rare autosomal recessive primary immunodeficiency disorder. So far, 27 patients have been reported. Here, we present three siblings with ICF2 due to a homozygous ZBTB24 gene mutation (c.1222 T>G, p. (Cys408Gly)). Immune deficiency in these patients ranged from late-onset combined immunodeficiency (CID) with severe respiratory tract infections and recurrent shingles to asymptomatic selective antibody deficiency. Evident clinical heterogeneity manifested despite a common genetic background, suggesting the pathogenic relevance of epigenetic modification. Immunological follow-up reveals a previously unidentified gradual depletion of B and CD4+ T cells in all three presented patients with transition of a common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)-like disease to late-onset-CID in one of them. Considering all previously published cases with ICF2, we identify inadequate antibody responses to vaccines and reduction in CD27+ memory B cells as prevalent immunological traits. High mortality among ICF2 patients (20%) together with the progressive course of immunodeficiency suggest that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) should be considered as a treatment option in due time.
A Mesoscopic Traffic Data Assimilation Framework for Vehicle Density Estimation on Urban Traffic Networks Based on Particle Filters
Authors: Wang Song , Xie Xu , Ju Rusheng
Published: April 2019

Traffic conditions can be more accurately estimated using data assimilation techniques since these methods incorporate an imperfect traffic simulation model with the (partial) noisy measurement data. In this paper, we propose a data assimilation framework for vehicle density estimation on urban traffic networks. To compromise between computational efficiency and estimation accuracy, a mesoscopic traffic simulation model (we choose the platoon based model) is employed in this framework. Vehicle passages from loop detectors are considered as the measurement data which contain errors, such as missed and false detections. Due to the nonlinear and non-Gaussian nature of the problem, particle filters are adopted to carry out the state estimation, since this method does not have any restrictions on the model dynamics and error assumptions. Simulation experiments are carried out to test the proposed data assimilation framework, and the results show that the proposed framework can provide good vehicle density estimation on relatively large urban traffic networks under moderate sensor quality. The sensitivity analysis proves that the proposed framework is robust to errors both in the model and in the measurements.
Entropy Generation in MHD Conjugate Flow with Wall Shear Stress over an Infinite Plate: Exact Analysis
Authors: Khan Arshad , ul Karim Faizan , Khan Ilyas , Alkanhal Tawfeeq Abdullah , Ali Farhad , Khan Dolat , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy
Published: April 2019

The current work will describe the entropy generation in an unsteady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow with a combined influence of mass and heat transfer through a porous medium. It will consider the flow in the XY plane and the plate with isothermal and ramped wall temperature. The wall shear stress is also considered. The influences of different pertinent parameters on velocity, the Bejan number and on the total entropy generation number are reported graphically. Entropy generation in the fluid is controlled and reduced on the boundary by using wall shear stress. It is observed in this paper that by taking suitable values of pertinent parameters, the energy losses in the system can be minimized. These parameters are the Schmitt number, mass diffusion parameter, Prandtl number, Grashof number, magnetic parameter and modified Grashof number. These results will play an important role in the heat flow of uncertainty and must, therefore, be controlled and managed effectively.
From Entropy Generation to Exergy Efficiency at Varying Reference Environment Temperature: Case Study of an Air Handling Unit
Authors: Streckienė Giedrė , Martinaitis Vytautas , Bielskus Juozas
Published: April 2019

The continuous energy transformation processes in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems of buildings are responsible for 36% of global final energy consumption. Tighter thermal insulation requirements for buildings have significantly reduced heat transfer losses. Unfortunately, this has little effect on energy demand for ventilation. On the basis of the First and the Second Law of Thermodynamics, the concepts of entropy and exergy are applied to the analysis of ventilation air handling unit (AHU) with a heat pump, in this paper. This study aims to develop a consistent approach for this purpose, taking into account the variations of reference temperature and temperatures of working fluids. An analytical investigation on entropy generation and exergy analysis are used, when exergy is determined by calculating coenthalpies and evaluating exergy flows and their directions. The results show that each component of the AHU has its individual character of generated entropy, destroyed exergy, and exergy efficiency variation. However, the evaporator of the heat pump and fans have unabated quantities of exergy destruction. The exergy efficiency of AHU decreases from 45–55% to 12–15% when outdoor air temperature is within the range of −30 to +10 °C, respectively. This helps to determine the conditions and components of improving the exergy efficiency of the AHU at variable real-world local climate conditions. The presented methodological approach could be used in the dynamic modelling software and contribute to a wider application of the Second Law of Thermodynamics in practice.
The Effects of Padé Numerical Integration in Simulation of Conservative Chaotic Systems
Authors: Butusov Denis , Karimov Artur , Tutueva Aleksandra , Kaplun Dmitry , Nepomuceno Erivelton G.
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we consider nonlinear integration techniques, based on direct Padé approximation of the differential equation solution, and their application to conservative chaotic initial value problems. The properties of discrete maps obtained by nonlinear integration are studied, including phase space volume dynamics, bifurcation diagrams, spectral entropy, and the Lyapunov spectrum. We also plot 2D dynamical maps to enlighten the features introduced by nonlinear integration techniques. The comparative study of classical integration methods and Padé approximation methods is given. It is shown that nonlinear integration techniques significantly change the behavior of discrete models of nonlinear systems, increasing the values of Lyapunov exponents and spectral entropy. This property reduces the applicability of numerical methods based on Padé approximation to the chaotic system simulation but it is still useful for construction of pseudo-random number generators that are resistive to chaos degradation or discrete maps with highly nonlinear properties.
Indices of Informational Association and Analysis of Complex Socio-Economic Systems
Authors: dos Santos Paulo L. , Wiener Noé
Published: April 2019

This paper is motivated by a distinctive appreciation of the difficulties posed by quantitative observational inquiry into complex social and economic systems. It develops ordinary and piecewise indices of joint and incremental informational association that enable robust approaches to a common problem in social inquiry: grappling with associations between a quantity of interest and two distinct sets of co-variates taking values over large numbers of individuals. The distinct analytical usefulness of these indices is illustrated with their application to inquiry into the systemic economic effects of patterns of discrimination by social identity in the U.S. economy.
Economic Reforms, Labour Markets and Formal Sector Employment: Evidence from India
Authors: Shembavnekar Nihar
Published: April 2019

Development economists generally concur that the implications of economic reform for employment are influenced by an economy’s institutional framework. This paper examines the extent to which differences in regional labour market flexibility shaped the impact of unanticipated economic reforms on employment in formal manufacturing firms in India in the 1990s, using pooled cross-sectional firm survey data. It employs a difference-in-differences strategy for this analysis and finds that, on average and ceteris paribus in the 1990–1997 period, declines in input tariffs were associated with increased employment in formal firms across all Indian states, while FDI reform was associated with increased (reduced) formal firm employment in states with flexible (inflexible) labour markets. Supporting analysis indicates that these results were underpinned, at least in part, by product market competition within the formal sector. As policy makers in developing economies increasingly emphasise increases in formal employment as a key policy objective, these findings are of general interest. They underline the relevance of market structure and geographical variation in institutional characteristics to a study of the effects of economic reform. Furthermore, this paper highlights the continuing relevance of formal sector analysis, notwithstanding the persistent primacy of informal enterprises in developing economies.
Advanced Adaptive Fault Diagnosis and Tolerant Control for Robot Manipulators
Authors: Piltan Farzin , Kim Cheol-Hong , Kim Jong-Myon
Published: April 2019

In this paper, an adaptive Takagi–Sugeno (T–S) fuzzy sliding mode extended autoregressive exogenous input (ARX)–Laguerre proportional integral (PI) observer is proposed. The proposed T–S fuzzy sliding mode extended-state ARX–Laguerre PI observer adaptively improves the reliability, robustness, estimation accuracy, and convergence of fault detection, estimation, and identification. For fault-tolerant control in the presence of uncertainties and unknown conditions, an adaptive fuzzy sliding mode estimation technique is introduced. The sliding surface slope gain is significant to improve the system’s stability, but the sliding mode technique increases high-frequency oscillation (chattering), which reduces the precision of the fault diagnosis and tolerant control. A fuzzy procedure using a sliding surface and actual output position as inputs can adaptively tune the sliding surface slope gain of the sliding mode fault-tolerant control technique. The proposed robust adaptive T–S fuzzy sliding mode estimation extended-state ARX–Laguerre PI observer was verified with six degrees of freedom (DOF) programmable universal manipulation arm (PUMA) 560 robot manipulator, proving qualified efficiency in detecting, isolating, identifying, and tolerant control for faults inherent in sensors and actuators. Experimental results showed that the proposed technique improves the reliability of the fault detection, estimation, identification, and tolerant control.
Optimization of Dispatching Electricity Market with Consideration of a Solar-Assisted Coal-Fired Power Generation System
Authors: Zhai Rongrong , Feng Lingjie , Yu Hai , Li Chao , Yang Yongping
Published: April 2019

This study investigates the multi-objective optimization of load dispatch of a solar-assisted coal-fired power generation system. The improved environmental/economic load dispatch model considers coal consumption, NOx emissions, and power purchase cost. The singular weighted method is utilized to solve this multi-objective and multi-constraint optimization problem. A power system that includes five power generators, one of which is retrofitted to a solar-assisted coal-fired unit, is also analyzed. It can be concluded that the loads of solar-assisted coal-fired units are higher than the original coal-fired unit, and with the increase of solar radiation, the gap between the loads of two units also increases. In addition, after retrofitting, the coal consumption, the NOx emission, and power costs of units reduce by about 2.05%, 0.45%, and 0.14%, respectively. From the study on the on-grid power tariff, where the tariff drops from 16.29 cents/kWh to 3.26 cents/kWh, NOx emissions drop from 12.31 t to 11.28 t per day, a reduction of about 8.38%. The cost of purchasing electricity decreases from $ 2,982,161.8 to $ 2,020,505.0 per day, a decrease of 32.25%. Therefore, when both coal-fired units and solar-assisted coal-fired units exist in a region, the use of solar-assisted coal-fired power generation units should be prioritized.
Review of Heat Recovery Technologies for Building Applications
Authors: Xu Qi , Riffat Saffa , Zhang Shihao
Published: April 2019

In recent years, interest in heat recovery systems for building applications has resurged due to concerns about the energy crisis and global climate changes. This review presents current developments in four kinds of heat recovery systems for residential building applications. A extensive investigation into the heat recovery integrated in energy-saving systems of residential buildings is also covered, including passive systems for building components, mechanical/natural ventilation systems, dehumidification systems, and the thermoelectric module (TE) system. Based on this review, key issues have been identified as follows: (1) The combination of heat recovery and energy-efficient systems could be considered as a promising approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make residential buildings meet high performance and comfort requirements. However, real-life evaluation of these systems with economic analysis is insufficient; (2) When heat recovery is applied to mechanical ventilation systems, issues such as pressure leakages and air shortcuts should be addressed; (3) The heat pipe heat recovery system enjoys more potential in being combined with other sustainable technologies such as thermoelectric modules and solar energy systems due to its advantages, which include handy manufacturing and convenient maintenance, a lack of cross contamination, and greater thermal conductance.
Calculation of Distance Protection Settings in Mutually Coupled Transmission Lines: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Jaramillo Serna José de Jesús , López-Lezama Jesús M.
Published: April 2019

Protection of mutually coupled transmission lines poses special challenges to protection engineers, since the general principles outlining the expected performance of the protection elements are based on simplified versions of the issues affecting them. Distance protection elements are among the most commonly accepted methods for protecting mutually coupled transmission lines, however, the calculation of settings and the validation of their performance is a complex task, involving lots of simulations and analysis of results to come up with an acceptable solution. Though various methods have been proposed to deal with the problem of calculating the optimal settings of distance protection elements, there is still room for improvement, since these methods have been formulated for the general case considering simple transmission lines. In this paper, a variation of one of these methods is introduced to enhance the computing times and reliability of the solutions for the specific application of quadrilateral distance protection to mutually coupled transmission lines, through the characterization of the expected performance of the operating characteristic, and the formulation of the optimization problem and the solution method. The obtained results show the improvements in computing times and quality of the solution provided by the proposed algorithm.
Drying Characteristics of Biogas Digestate in a Hybrid Waste-Heat/Solar Dryer
Authors: Maurer Claudia , Müller Joachim
Published: April 2019

The use of biogas plants has increased sharply in recent years. A typical biogas plant of 500 kWel produces approx. 10,000 t of digestate per year, with a moisture content of more than 90%. For the purpose of reducing the transport mass and increasing the nutrient concentration, the digestate has to be dried. Using renewable energy is a way to treat biogas digestate without any additional fossil energy requirement for drying. In this study a solar greenhouse dryer was modified to use additional waste-heat from the combined heat and power unit (variant S-CHP), as well as the exhaust gas from a micro turbine (variant S-CHP-MT). The hybrid waste-heat/solar dryer achieved a moisture content for the digestate of 10.9%, and 10.5%, after 13 d of drying for variant S-CHP-MT and S-CHP-MT, respectively. Due to the higher energy input by additional use of the micro turbine, the specific energy consumption is higher for the variant S-CHP-MT. In general, the results showed that the combination of solar energy and waste-heat from electricity generation of a biogas plant is a suitable way to reduce the moisture content of the digestate to a safe level for further handling and storage.
Data Analytics-Based Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization for Determination of Congestion Thresholds in LV Networks
Authors: Leiva Javier , Carmona Pardo Rubén , Aguado José A.
Published: April 2019

A growing presence of distributed energy resources (DER) and the increasingly diverse nature of end users at low-voltage (LV) networks make the operation of these grids more and more challenging. Particularly, congestion and voltage management strategies for LV grids have usually been limited to some elemental criteria based on human experience, asset oversizing, or grid reinforcement. However, with the current massive deployment of sensors in modern LV grids, new approaches are feasible for distribution network assets operation. This article proposes a multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) approach, combined with data analytics through affinity propagation clustering, for congestion threshold determination in LV grids. A real case study from the smart grid of Smartcity Malaga Living Lab is used to illustrate the proposed approach. Within this approach, distribution system operators (DSOs) can take decisions in order to prevent situations of risk or potential failure at LV grids.
A Hybrid Technique for Day-Ahead PV Generation Forecasting Using Clear-Sky Models or Ensemble of Artificial Neural Networks According to a Decision Tree Approach
Authors: Massucco Stefano , Mosaico Gabriele , Saviozzi Matteo , Silvestro Federico
Published: April 2019

PhotoVoltaic (PV) plants can provide important economic and environmental benefits to electric systems. On the other hand, the variability of the solar source leads to technical challenges in grid management as PV penetration rates increase continuously. For this reason, PV power forecasting represents a crucial tool for uncertainty management to ensure system stability. In this paper, a novel hybrid methodology for the PV forecasting is presented. The proposed approach can exploit clear-sky models or an ensemble of artificial neural networks, according to day-ahead weather forecast. In particular, the selection among these techniques is performed through a decision tree approach, which is designed to choose the best method among those aforementioned. The presented methodology has been validated on a real PV plant with very promising results.
Chemical Characterization of Two Seasonal PM2.5 Samples in Nanjing and Its Toxicological Properties in Three Human Cell Lines
Authors: Zhang Kai , Nie Dongyang , Chen Mindong , Wu Yun , Ge Xinlei , Hu Jianlin , Ge Pengxiang , Li Wenjing , Huang Bingbo , Yuan Yue , Li Zhirao , Ma Xiaoyun
Published: April 2019

PM2.5 pollution is of great concern in China due to its adverse health effects. Many diseases have been proven to be associated with PM2.5 components, but the effects of chemical characteristics of PM2.5 on toxicological properties, especially in different human organs, are poorly understood. In this study, two seasonal PM2.5 samples (summer and winter) were collected in Nanjing, and their chemical compositions (heavy metals, water-soluble ions, organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC)) were analyzed. Human lung epithelial carcinoma cells (A549), human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cells (HepG2), and human neuroblastoma cells (Sh-Sy5y) were employed to evaluate the toxicological properties of the collected PM2.5. The results showed that the average mass concentrations of PM2.5 were lower in summer (51.3 ± 21.4 μg/m3) than those in winter (62.1 ± 21.5 μg/m3). However, the mass fractions of heavy metals, OC, and EC exhibited an opposite seasonal difference. Among all tested fractions, water-soluble ions were the major compositions of particles in both summer and winter, especially the secondary ions (SO42−, NO3− and NH4+). Besides, the ratio of OC/EC in PM2.5 was greater than two, indicating serious secondary pollution in this area. The NO3–/SO42− ratio (< 1) suggested that fixed sources made important contributions. The toxicological results showed that PM2.5 in the summer and winter significantly inhibited cell viability (p < 0.01) and induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (p < 0.01). Moreover, the viability inhibition in A549, Sh-Sy5y, and HepG2 cells was more prominent in summer, especially at high PM2.5 (400 μg/mL) (p < 0.05), and the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in A549 and Sh-Sy5y cells was also more evident in summer. Such seasonal differences might be related to the variations of PM2.5 components.
A Useful Technical Application of the Identification of Nucleotide Sequence Polymorphisms and Gene Resources for Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kaneh. (Lauraceae)
Authors: Hsu Wen-Kuang , Lee Shih-Chieh , Lu Pei-Luen
Published: April 2019

The plant genus Cinnamomum contains economically important evergreen aromatic trees and shrubs belonging to the laurel family, Lauraceae. Our study tree species Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kaneh. (CO) has high economic value in Taiwan. The present study attempts to identify the gene resources of Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kaneh. by analyzing the nucleotide sequences of the partial noncoding internal transcribed spacer 2 (pITS2) of the ribosomal DNA and the trnL-trnF chloroplast genome. Seventy-three geographical strains of Cinnamomum osmophloeum, preserved in the Lien Hua-Chin Research Center of the Forestry Research Institute and the Hua-Lin Forestry Center of Chinese Culture University, were collected and analyzed by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing to study the genetic diversity and nucleotide sequence polymorphisms of the tested specimens. Our results allowed us to accurately identify the lineage of Cinnamomum osmophloeum and to conclude that the strains belonging to the Lien Hua-Chin Research Center had much higher genetic diversity than those preserved in the Hua-Lin Forestry Center. Multiple sequence alignments demonstrated that the variability of the nucleotide sequence polymorphisms for the pITS2 region was higher than those of the trnL intron and trnL-trnF intergenic spacer (IGS) regions among the 73 tested specimens of Cinnamomum osmophloeum. Cluster analyses, using the neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony methods, for the 73 tested geographical strains of Cinnamomum osmophloeum and species of Cinnamomum registered in the GenBank and EMBL databases were performed to demonstrate the genus and species distribution of the samples. Here, we describe the use of pITS2 polymorphisms as a genetic classifier and report the establishment of a DNA sequence database for CO gene resource identification. The sequence database described in this study can be used to identify CO specimens at the inter- or intraspecies level using pITS2 DNA sequences, which illustrates its value in gene resource identification. Our study results can be used further for correctly identifying the true Cinnamomum osmophloeum Kaneh.
Response of Soil Surface Respiration to Storm and Ips typographus (L.) Disturbance in Boreal Norway Spruce Stands
Authors: Kosunen Maiju , Lyytikäinen-Saarenmaa Päivi , Ojanen Paavo , Blomqvist Minna , Starr Mike
Published: April 2019

Disturbances such as storm events and bark beetle outbreaks can have a major influence on forest soil carbon (C) cycling. Both autotrophic and heterotrophic soil respiration may be affected by the increase in tree mortality. We studied the effect of a storm in 2010 followed by an outbreak of the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) on the soil surface respiration (respiration by soil and ground vegetation) at two Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) dominated sites in southeastern Finland. Soil surface respiration, soil temperature, and soil moisture were measured in three types of plots—living trees (undisturbed), storm-felled trees, and standing dead trees killed by I. typographus—during the summer–autumn period for three years (2015–2017). Measurements at storm-felled tree plots were separated into dead tree detritus-covered (under storm-felled trees) and open-vegetated (on open areas) microsites. The soil surface total respiration for 2017 was separated into its autotrophic and heterotrophic components using trenching. The soil surface total respiration rates at the disturbed plots were 64%–82% of those at the living tree plots at one site and were due to a decrease in autotrophic respiration, but there was no clear difference in soil surface total respiration between the plots at the other site, due to shifts in either autotrophic or heterotrophic respiration. The soil surface respiration rates were related to plot basal area (living and all trees), as well as to soil temperature and soil moisture. As storm and bark beetle disturbances are predicted to become more common in the future, their effects on forest ecosystem C cycling and CO2 fluxes will therefore become increasingly important.
Leaf Age Compared to Tree Age Plays a Dominant Role in Leaf δ13C and δ15N of Qinghai Spruce (Picea crassifolia Kom.)
Authors: Li Caijuan , Wang Bo , Chen Tuo , Xu Guobao , Wu Minghui , Wu Guoju , Wang Jinxiu
Published: April 2019

Leaf stable isotope compositions (δ13C and δ15N) are influenced by various abiotic and biotic factors. Qinghai spruce (Picea crassifolia Kom.) as one of the dominant tree species in Qilian Mountains plays a key role in the ecological stability of arid region in the northwest of China. However, our knowledge of the relative importance of multiple factors on leaf δ13C and δ15N remains incomplete. In this work, we investigated the relationships of δ13C and δ15N to leaf age, tree age and leaf nutrients to examine the patterns and controls of leaf δ13C and δ15N variation of Picea crassifolia. Results showed that 13C and 15N of current-year leaves were more enriched than older ones at each tree age level. There was no significant difference in leaf δ13C values among trees of different ages, while juvenile trees (<50 years old) were 15N depleted compared to middle-aged trees (50–100 years old) at each leaf age level except for 1-year-old leaves. Meanwhile, relative importance analysis has demonstrated that leaf age was one of the most important indicators for leaf δ13C and δ15N. Moreover, leaf N concentrations played a dominant role in the variations of δ13C and δ15N. Above all, these results provide valuable information on the eco-physiological responses of P. crassifolia in arid and semi-arid regions.
Chemical Fingerprinting of Seeds of Some Salvia Species in Turkey by Using GC-MS and FTIR
Authors: Tulukcu Eray , Cebi Nur , Sagdic Osman
Published: April 2019

Six species of Salvia seeds cultivated and grown in Cumra/Konya (Turkey) were evaluated using headspace gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) combined chemometrics of hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). The major volatile compounds in the Salvia species are determined as n-hexanal (present in seven samples), sabinene (present in three samples), α-pinene (present in 13 samples), α-thujone (present in four samples), borneol (present in 11 samples), linalyl acetate (present in 10 samples), β-pinene (present in 13 samples), camphene (present in 13 samples), α-thujene (present in four samples), 2,4(10)-thujadien (present in two samples), β-myrcene (present in seven samples), limonen (present in 12 samples), 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) (present in 13 samples) and camphor (present in nine samples). The most abundant (%) volatile compounds among all were detected as α-pinene, camphene, β-pinene and eucalyptol. For the first time, chemometrics of HCA and PCA is applied to FTIR and GC-MS data. The classification of all samples is performed on the basis of their chemical similarities and differences.
Fluorescent Light Incites a Conserved Immune and Inflammatory Genetic Response within Vertebrate Organs (Danio rerio, Oryzias latipes and Mus musculus)
Authors: Boswell Mikki , Lu Yuan , Boswell William , Savage Markita , Hildreth Kim , Salinas Raquel , Walter Christi A. , Walter Ronald B.
Published: April 2019

Fluorescent light (FL) has been utilized for ≈60 years and has become a common artificial light source under which animals, including humans, spend increasing amounts of time. Although the solar spectrum is quite dissimilar in both wavelengths and intensities, the genetic consequences of FL exposure have not been investigated. Herein, we present comparative RNA-Seq results that establish expression patterns within skin, brain, and liver for Danio rerio, Oryzias latipes, and the hairless mouse (Mus musculus) after exposure to FL. These animals represent diurnal and nocturnal lifestyles, and ≈450 million years of evolutionary divergence. In all three organisms, FL induced transcriptional changes of the acute phase response signaling pathway and modulated inflammation and innate immune responses. Our pathway and gene clustering analyses suggest cellular perception of oxidative stress is promoting induction of primary up-stream regulators IL1B and TNF. The skin and brain of the three animals as well as the liver of both fish models all exhibit increased inflammation and immune responses; however, the mouse liver suppressed the same pathways. Overall, the conserved nature of the genetic responses observed after FL exposure, among fishes and a mammal, suggest the presence of light responsive genetic circuitry deeply embedded in the vertebrate genome.
Disentangling Race, Poverty, and Place in Disparities in Physical Activity
Authors: Hawes Armani M. , Smith Genee S. , McGinty Emma , Bell Caryn , Bower Kelly , LaVeist Thomas A. , Gaskin Darrell J. , Thorpe Roland J.
Published: April 2019

Significant racial disparities in physical activity—a key protective health factor against obesity and cardiovascular disease—exist in the United States. Using data from the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the 2000 United States (US) Census, we estimated the impact of race, individual-level poverty, neighborhood-level poverty, and neighborhood racial composition on the odds of being physically active for 19,678 adults. Compared to whites, blacks had lower odds of being physically active. Individual poverty and neighborhood poverty were associated with decreased odds of being physically active among both whites and blacks. These findings underscore the importance of social context in understanding racial disparities in physical activity and suggest the need for future research to determine specific elements of the social context that drive disparities.
Cyberbullying across the Lifespan of Education: Issues and Interventions from School to University
Authors: Myers Carrie-Anne , Cowie Helen
Published: April 2019

Research on cyberbullying amongst students has tended to be conducted separately within specific education institutional contexts, schools, further education (FE) and higher education (HE), neglecting a view that takes account of the entire educational lifespan. The present article addresses this gap in the literature, providing a novel take on examining its nature, social environments, legal consequences and potentially helpful interventions. To facilitate this, the article conceptualises cyberbullying in broad terms, recognising that it can take multiple forms of online and digital practice including: spreading rumours, ridiculing and/or demeaning another person, casting aspirations on the grounds of race, disability, gender, religion or sexual orientation; seeking revenge or deliberately embarrassing a person by posting intimate photos or videos about them without their consent; accessing another’s social networking profiles with malicious intent and socially excluding a person from a social network or gaming site. This article demonstrates that harm from cyberbullying is a cause for concern for students at each developmental stage and that there are continuities in its appearance that need to be challenged at each point in the educational lifespan. And inaccurately, by university, the idea that ‘nothing can be done’ still is one of the main concerns for the victims. The article concludes with five key recommendations for future research and practice across the educational lifespan.
Graphene Nanoplatelet- and Hydroxyapatite-Doped Supramolecular Electrospun Fibers as Potential Materials for Tissue Engineering and Cell Culture
Authors: Kostopoulos Vassilis , Kotrotsos Athanasios , Fouriki Kalliopi
Published: April 2019

Porous and fibrous artificial extracellular matrices (ECM) called scaffolds are considered to be promising avenues of research in the field of biomedical engineering, including tissue fabrication through cell culture. The current work deals with the fabrication of new matrix-type scaffolds through electrospinning, in order to support future three-dimensional tissue formation. The selected material for the fabrication of these scaffolds was a supramolecular polymer (SP) that is based on ureiodypyrimidone hydrogen bonding units (UPy). More precisely, pure SP and modified electrospun scaffolds with (a) graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), (b) hydroxyapatite (HA), and (c) a mixture of both were fabricated for the needs of the current study. The aim of this work is to engineer and to characterize SP electrospun scaffolds (with and without fillers) and study whether the introduction of the fillers improve the physical and mechanical properties of them. The obtained results indicate that doping the SP scaffolds with GNPs led to improved apparent mechanical properties while HA seems to slightly deteriorate them. For all cases, doping provided thinner fibers with a more hydrophilic surface. Taking together, these types of SP scaffolds can be further studied as potential candidate for cell culture.
Investigating the Role of BATF3 in Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) Immune Modulation: A Fundamental Functional Analysis
Authors: Zhu Denghui , Huang Rong , Fu Peipei , Chen Liangming , Luo Lifei , Chu Pengfei , He Libo , Li Yongming , Liao Lanjie , Zhu Zuoyan , Wang Yaping
Published: April 2019

Basic leucine zipper transcription factor ATF-like (BATF)-3, belonging to activator protein 1 (AP-1) superfamily transcription factors, is essential for homeostatic development of CD8α+ classical dendritic cells activating CD8 T-cell responses to intracellular pathogens. In this study, the characteristics and cDNA cloning of the CiBATF3 molecule were described in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). CiBATF3 had abundant expression in immune-related organizations, including liver, spleen and gill, and grass carp reovirus (GCRV) infection had significantly changed its expression level. After Ctenopharyngodon idella kidney (CIK) cells were challenged with pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) stimulation induced higher mRNA levels of CiBATF3 than that of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Subcellular localization showed that CiBATF3-GFP was entirely distributed throughout cells and nuclear translocation of CiBATF3 was found after poly(I:C) treatment. Additionally, the interaction between CiBATF3 and interleukin 10 (IL-10) was proven by bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) system. The small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated CiBATF3 silencing showed that the mRNA of CiBATF3 and its downstream genes were down-regulated in vitro and in vivo. CiBATF3 played a negative regulatory role in the transcriptional activities of AP-1 and NF-κB reporter gene. In summary, the results may provide valuable information on fundamental functional mechanisms of CiBATF3.
Targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Kammerer-Jacquet Solène-Florence , Deleuze Antoine , Saout Judikaël , Mathieu Romain , Laguerre Brigitte , Verhoest Gregory , Dugay Frédéric , Belaud-Rotureau Marc-Antoine , Bensalah Karim , Rioux-Leclercq Nathalie
Published: April 2019

Renal cell carcinoma encompass distinct diseases with different pathologic features and distinct molecular pathways. Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1)/programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1) pathway alone or in combination have greatly changed clinical management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma, now competing with antiangiogenic drugs in monotherapy for first-line treatment. However, long-term response rates are low, and biomarkers are needed to predict treatment response. Quantification of PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry was developed as a promising biomarker in clinical trials, but with many limitations (different antibodies, tumour heterogeneity, specimens, and different thresholds of positivity). Other biomarkers, including tumour mutational burden and molecular signatures, are also developed and discussed in this review.