bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PENGARUH KEPEMILIKAN INTERNAL, KUALITAS AUDIT DAN KEBIJAKAN HUTANG TERHADAP NILAI PERUSAHAAN PADA PERUSAHAAN MANUFAKTUR YANG TERDAFTAR DI BURSA EFEK INDONESIA
Authors: Nafiah Zumrotun , Sopi Sopi
Published: February 2020

Establishment of a company has a clear goal one of which is to maximize the firm value. There are many factors affecting firm value and this study intends to empirically learning the effect of internal ownership, audit quality, and debt policy to firm value.

The population of this study is manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange for period 2017-2019, amounting to 149 companies. The sample of the study was selected as many as 11 companies with purposive sampling technique. Data collection method of this research is documentation. Data were analyzed using statistical decriptive and multiple regression analysis.

The result shows that there is no positive influence of internal ownership to firm value with p=0.552 (p>0.05), audit quality has significant effect to company value with p=0.035 (p<0.05), debt policy has no significant effect on the firm value with p=0.807 (p> 0.05).

The next study must adding other variables that also could affect the firm value such as leverage, profitability, investment, institutional ownership and others
ANALYSIS OF THE POTENTIAL AND OBSTACLES TO ESTABLISHING A VILLAGE-OWNED ENTERPRISE (BUMDES) IN THE GUNTUR SUBDISTRICT, DEMAK REGENCY
Authors: Rahayu Nugroho Tulus , Indriastuti Ariyani
Published: February 2020

Village-Owned Enterprises or BUMDes are pillars of economic activity in the village, which strengthens the village economy. BUMDes is formed by the village government based on the needs and potential of the village. In the Guntur subdistrict, Demak regency, 2 BUMDes have been established, namely SidorukunBUMDes in Sidokumpul village and SumberlancarBUMDes in Bakalrejo village. Eighteen other villages do not yet have BUMDes. The purpose of this study was to determine the initiative of the village government in establishing BUMDes, find out what the potential of the village to establish BUMDes, determine the obstacles in establishing BUMDes. The population of this research is the village government in the Guntur subdistrict, which consists of 20 villages and BUMDesSidorukun and BUMDesSumberLancar. The method used is the census method. Data obtained by interview. The analytical method used is descriptive analysis. The results of this study found that the initiative of the village government in the Guntur sub-district of Demak district in establishing BUMDes was still low. Potentials that can be managed by BUMDes include potentials in agriculture, rice, corn and green beans, cow and goat farms, village markets, and pure water. The obstacles in establishing BUMDes stem from the village government's understanding of BUMDes that is still low.
Marketable Yield of Potato and Its Quantitative Parameters after Application of Herbicides and Biostimulants
Authors: Zarzecka Krystyna , Gugała Marek , Sikorska Anna , Grzywacz Kornelia , Niewęgłowski Marek
Published: February 2020

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is grown in over 160 countries. Weed competition and environmental stressors during the vegetative growth stage significantly impact crop yields. An experiment was conducted from 2012 to 2014 in Poland to assess the effect of herbicides linuron + clomazone (L+CH) and metribuzin (M) as well as herbicides mixed with biostimulants (linuron + clomazone and algae extract of Ecklonia maxima—auxins and gibberellins (L+CH+E) and metribuzin + sodium p-nitrophenolate, sodium o-nitrophenolate and sodium 5-nitroguaiacolate (M+S)) on weed infestation, marketable yield and yield components of the following three table potato cultivars: Bartek, Gawin and Honorata. In plots where potato had been treated with herbicides and herbicides mixed with biostimulants, a decline in the fresh matter of weeds was observed, ranging from 72.4% to 96.1%, which was followed by an increase in potato marketable yield (from 27.5% to 61%) and improved parameters of S. tuberosum yield components, compared with the control. Linear correlation coefficients indicated that the following characteristics: marketable yield, weight of tubers per plant and average weight per tuber were associated with weed infestation determined prior to potato harvest.
Estimation of Genetic Diversity in Seven Races of Native Maize from the Highlands of Mexico
Authors: Rocandio-Rodríguez Mario , Santacruz-Varela Amalio , Córdova-Téllez Leobigildo , López-Sánchez Higinio , Hernández-Bautista Aurelio , Castillo-González Fernando , Lobato-Ortiz Ricardo , García-Zavala J. Jesús , Antonio López Pedro
Published: February 2020

Characterizing the genetic diversity of maize (Zea mays L.) populations by their morphological and molecular attributes makes it possible to place populations into specific groups; thus, facilitating the design of procedures for their optimum and sustainable use. In this study, data from two lines of evidence were analyzed simultaneously to robustly classify maize populations and to determine their genetic relationships. Seven maize races of the central high plateau of Mexico were characterized using a combined analysis of 13 morphological traits and 31 microsatellite loci. The germplasm assessed included samples of 119 accessions held at Mexican germplasm banks. Cluster and principal component analyses were performed. Also, genetic and geographic relationships among the accessions were determined. Principal component analysis separated the different accessions into well-defined groups using first three principal components. The accessions of Arrocillo Amarillo and Elotes Cónicos races did not exhibit a grouping pattern, indicating greater genetic complexity. Better grounded grouping and phylogenetic relationships were obtained when traits of both lines of evidence were used simultaneously.
Impaired Mitochondrial Function Results from Oxidative Stress in the Full-Term Placenta of Sows with Excessive Back-Fat
Authors: Tian Liang , Huang Jiahe , Wen Aiyou , Yan Peishi
Published: February 2020

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of excessive back-fat (BF) of sows on placental oxidative stress, ATP generation, mitochondrial alterations in content and structure, and mitochondrial function in isolated trophoblasts. Placental tissue was collected by vaginal delivery from BFI (15–20 mm, n = 10) and BFII (21–27 mm, n = 10) sows formed according to BF at mating. Our results demonstrated that excessive back-fat contributed to augmented oxidative stress in term placenta, as evidenced by excessive production of ROS, elevated protein carbonylation, and reduced SOD, GSH-PX, and CAT activities (p < 0.05). Indicative of mitochondrial dysfunction, reduced mitochondrial respiration in cultured trophoblasts was linked to decreased ATP generation, lower mitochondrial Complex I activity and reduced expression of electron transport chain subunits in placenta of BFII sows (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, we observed negative alterations in mitochondrial biogenesis and structure in the placenta from BFII group (p < 0.05). Finally, our in vitro studies showed lipid-induced ROS production resulted in mitochondrial alterations in trophoblasts, and these effects were blocked by antioxidant treatment. Together, these data reveal that excessive back-fat aggravates mitochondrial injury induced by increased oxidative stress in pig term placenta, which may have detrimental consequences on placental function and therefore impaired fetal growth and development.
Review of Stress and Animal Welfare by Donald Broom and Ken G. Johnson
Authors: Grandin Temple
Published: February 2020

In the first chapter [...]
Antibiotics and Antimicrobials for Treatment of the Oral Microbiota: Myths and Facts in Research and Clinical Practice
Authors: Isola Gaetano
Published: February 2020

In the dental field, the most common oral diseases include periodontitis, apical periodontitis, abscesses, phlegmons and pulpits, all of which are determined by the same aetiological factor, bacterial infections. For these reasons, it is important to choose the right approach through a target antibiotic therapy against oral bacteria. More specifically, during periodontitis, antibiotics are used, often in association with periodontal debridement, to reduce disease-associated periodontopathogens. However, international guidelines are not unanimous in recommending the use of local and/or systemic antimicrobials to reduce infection by oral bacteria, especially in cases in which there is a danger of spreading systemic infection such as cellulitis, diffuse swelling, and abscesses. The lack of consensus is mainly due to the side effects of antibiotic therapy in dentistry, maybe due to recent scientific evidence regarding the development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Therefore, the purpose of this editorial is to analyze the therapeutic effects of antibiotics against the main forms of oral and periodontal diseases, and whether there is a significant clinical benefit, especially in the long term, of antimicrobial therapies in dentistry. The most recent evidence regarding antimicrobial agents will also be discussed.
Functional Integration with Process Mining and Process Analyzing for Structural and Behavioral Properness Validation of Processes Discovered from Event Log Datasets
Authors: Kim Kwanghoon Pio
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we propose an integrated approach for seamlessly and effectively providing the mining and the analyzing functionalities to redesigning work for very large-scale and massively parallel process models that are discovered from their enactment event logs. The integrated approach especially aims at analyzing not only their structural complexity and correctness but also their animation-based behavioral properness, and becomes concretized to a sophisticated analyzer. The core function of the analyzer is to discover a very large-scale and massively parallel process model from a process log dataset and to validate the structural complexity and the syntactical and behavioral properness of the discovered process model. Finally, this paper writes up the detailed description of the system architecture with its functional integration of process mining and process analyzing. More precisely, we excogitate a series of functional algorithms for extracting the structural constructs and for visualizing the behavioral properness of those discovered very large-scale and massively parallel process models. As experimental validation, we apply the proposed approach and analyzer to a couple of process enactment event log datasets available on the website of the 4TU.Centre for Research Data.
Growing Biofuel Feedstocks in Copper-Contaminated Soils of a Former Superfund Site
Authors: Sidhu Virinder , Sarkar Dibyendu , Datta Rupali
Published: February 2020

Copper mining in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the mid-19th century generated millions of tons of mining waste, called stamp sand, which was deposited into various offshoots of Lake Superior. The toxic stamp sand converted the area into barren, fallow land. Without a vegetative cover, stamp sand has been eroding into the lakes, adversely affecting aquatic life. Our objective was to perform a greenhouse study, to grow cold-tolerant oilseed crops camelina (Camelina sativa) and field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) on stamp sand, for the dual purpose of biofuel production and providing a vegetative cover, thereby decreasing erosion. Camelina and field pennycress were grown on stamp sands in columns, using compost to supply nutrients. A greenhouse study in wooden panels was also done to evaluate the effectiveness of camelina in reducing erosion. Results show that camelina significantly reduced erosion and can also be used commercially for generating biodiesel. A 25-fold reduction in Cu content in the surface run-off was observed in the panels with camelina compared to those of the control. Stamp sand-grown camelina seeds contained 20% and 22.7% oil and protein respectively, and their fatty acid composition was similar to previous studies performed on uncontaminated soils.
An Intelligent Tutoring System to Facilitate the Learning of Programming through the Usage of Dynamic Graphic Visualizations
Authors: Schez-Sobrino Santiago , Gmez-Portes Cristian , Vallejo David , Glez-Morcillo Carlos , Redondo Miguel Á.
Published: February 2020

The learning of programming is a field of research with relevant studies and publications for more than 25 years. Since its inception, it has been shown that its difficulty lies in the high level of abstraction required to understand certain programming concepts. However, this level can be reduced by using tools and graphic representations that motivate students and facilitate their understanding, associating real-world elements with specific programming concepts. Thus, this paper proposes the use of an intelligent tutoring system (ITS) that helps during the learning of programming by using a notation based on a metaphor of roads and traffic signs represented by 3D graphics in an augmented reality (AR) environment. These graphic visualizations can be generated automatically from the source code of the programs thanks to the modular and scalable design of the system. Students can use them by leveraging the available feedback system, and teachers can also use them in order to explain programming concepts during the classes. This work highlights the flexibility and extensibility of the proposal through its application in different use cases that we have selected as examples to show how the system could be exploited in a multitude of real learning scenarios.
Twin-Robot Dialogue System with Robustness against Speech Recognition Failure in Human-Robot Dialogue with Elderly People
Authors: Iio Takamasa , Yoshikawa Yuichiro , Chiba Mariko , Asami Taichi , Isoda Yoshinori , Ishiguro Hiroshi
Published: February 2020

As agents, social robots are expected to increase opportunities for dialogue with the elderly. However, it is difficult to sustain a dialogue with an elderly user because speech recognition frequently fails during the dialogue. Here, to overcome this problem, regardless of speech recognition failure, we developed a question–answer–response dialogue model. In this model, a robot took initiative in the dialogue by asking the user various questions. Moreover, to improve user experience during dialogue, we extended the model such that two robots could participate in the dialogue. Implementing these features, we conducted a field trial in a nursing home to evaluate the twin-robot dialogue system. The average word error rate of speech recognition was 0.778. Despite the frequently high number of errors, participants talked for 14 min in a dialogue with two robots and felt slightly strange during the dialogue. Although we found no significant difference between a dialogue with one robot and that with two robots, the effect size of the difference in the dialogue time with one robot and that with two robots was medium (Cohen’s d = −0.519). The results suggested that the presence of two robots might likely encourage elderly people to sustain the talk. Our results will contribute to the design of social robots to engage in dialogues with the elderly.
Special Issue “Plasma Technology for Biomedical Applications”
Authors: Martines Emilio
Published: February 2020

The use of plasmas for biomedical applications in encountering a growing interest, especially in the framework of so-called “plasma medicine”, which aims at exploiting the action of low-power, atmospheric pressure plasmas for therapeutic purposes [...]
Impact of Pile Punching on Adjacent Piles: Insights from a 3D Coupled SPH-FEM Analysis
Authors: Jayasinghe Laddu Bhagya , Waldmann Daniele , Shang Junlong
Published: February 2020

Pile punching (or driving) affects the surrounding area where piles and adjacent piles can be displaced out of their original positions, due to horizontal loads, thereby leading to hazardous outcomes. This paper presents a three-dimensional (3D) coupled Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics and Finite Element Method (SPH-FEM) model, which was established to investigate pile punching and its impact on adjacent piles subjected to lateral loads. This approach handles the large distortions by avoiding mesh tangling and remeshing, contributing greatly high computational efficiency. The SPH-FEM model was validated against field measurements. The results of this study indicated that the soil type in which piles were embedded affected the interaction between piles during the pile punching. A comprehensive parametric study was carried out to evaluate the impact of soil properties on the displacement of piles due to the punching of an adjacent pile. It was found that the interaction between piles was comparatively weak when the piles were driven in stiff clays; while the pile-soil interactions were much more significant in sandy soils and soft clays.
Biological Effects of Glucosinolate Degradation Products from Horseradish: A Horse that Wins the Race
Authors: Popović Marijana , Maravić Ana , Čikeš Čulić Vedrana , Đulović Azra , Burčul Franko , Blažević Ivica
Published: February 2020

Horseradish degradation products, mainly isothiocyanates (ITC) and nitriles, along with their precursors glucosinolates, were characterized by GC-MS and UHPLC-MS/MS, respectively. Volatiles from horseradish leaves and roots were isolated using microwave assisted-distillation (MAD), microwave hydrodiffusion and gravity (MHG) and hydrodistillation (HD). Allyl ITC was predominant in the leaves regardless of the isolation method while MAD, MHG, and HD of the roots resulted in different yields of allyl ITC, 2-phenylethyl ITC, and their nitriles. The antimicrobial potential of roots volatiles and their main compounds was assessed against sixteen emerging food spoilage and opportunistic pathogens. The MHG isolate was the most active, inhibiting bacteria at minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) from only 3.75 to 30 µg/mL, and fungi at MIC50 between <0.12 and 0.47 µg/mL. Cytotoxic activity of volatile isolates and their main compounds were tested against two human cancer cell lines using MTT assay after 72 h. The roots volatiles showed best cytotoxic activity (HD; IC50 = 2.62 μg/mL) against human lung A549 and human bladder T24 cancer cell lines (HD; IC50 = 0.57 μg/mL). Generally, 2-phenylethyl ITC, which was tested for its antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities along with two other major components allyl ITC and 3-phenylpropanenitrile, showed the best biological activities.
Evaluating Preschool Visual Attentional Selective-Set: Preliminary ERP Modeling and Simulation of Target Enhancement Homology
Authors: D'Angiulli Amedeo , Pham Dao Anh Thu , Leisman Gerry , Goldfield Gary
Published: February 2020

We reanalyzed, modeled and simulated Event-Related Potential (ERP) data from 13 healthy children (Mean age = 5.12, Standard Deviation = 0.75) during a computerized visual sustained target detection task. Extending an ERP-based ACT–R (Adaptive Control of Thought–Rational) neurocognitive modeling approach, we tested whether visual sustained selective-set attention in preschool children involves the enhancement of neural response to targets, and it shows key adult-like features (neurofunctional homology). Blinded automatic peaks analysis was conducted on vincentized binned grand ERP averages. Time-course and distribution of scalp activity were detailed through topographic mapping and paths analysis. Reaction times and accuracy were also measured. Adult Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based mapping using ACT–R dipole source modeling and electric-field spiking simulation provided very good fit with the actual ERP data (R2 > 0.70). In most electrodes, between 50 and 400 ms, ERPs concurrent with target presentation were enhanced relative to distractor, without manual response confounds. Triangulation of peak analysis, ACT–R modeling and simulation for the entire ERP epochs up to the moment of manual response (~700 ms, on average) suggested converging evidence of distinct but interacting processes of enhancement and planning for response release/inhibition, respectively. The latter involved functions and structures consistent with adult ERP activity which might correspond to a large-scale network, implicating Dorsal and Ventral Attentional Networks, corticostriatal loops, and subcortical hubs connected to prefrontal cortex top-down working memory executive control. Although preliminary, the present approach suggests novel directions for further tests and falsifiable hypotheses on the origins and development of visual selective attention and their ERP correlates.
PBX3 in Cancer
Authors: Morgan Richard , Pandha Hardev S
Published: February 2020

PBX3 is a homeodomain-containing transcription factor of the pre-B cell leukemia (PBX) family, members of which have extensive roles in early development and some adult processes. A number of features distinguish PBX3 from other PBX proteins, including the ability to form specific and stable interactions with DNA in the absence of cofactors. PBX3 has frequently been reported as having a role in the development and maintenance of a malignant phenotype, and high levels of PBX3 tumor expression have been linked to shorter overall survival in cancer. In this review we consider the similarities and differences in the function of PBX3 in different cancer types and draw together the core signaling pathways involved to help provide a better insight into its potential as a therapeutic target.
Novel Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis Patient-Derived Orthotopic Xenograft Model for Preclinical Studies
Authors: Oshi Masanori , Okano Maiko , Maiti Aparna , Rashid Omar M. , Saito Katsuharu , Kono Koji , Matsuyama Ryusei , Endo Itaru , Takabe Kazuaki
Published: February 2020

The vast majority of mortality in breast cancer results from distant metastasis. Brain metastases occur in as many as 30% of patients with advanced breast cancer, and the 1-year survival rate of these patients is around 20%. Pre-clinical animal models that reliably reflect the biology of breast cancer brain metastasis are needed to develop and test new treatments for this deadly condition. The patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model maintains many features of a donor tumor, such as intra-tumor heterogeneity, and permits the testing of individualized treatments. However, the establishment of orthotopic PDXs of brain metastasis is procedurally difficult. We have developed a method for generating such PDXs with high tumor engraftment and growth rates. Here, we describe this method and identify variables that affect its outcomes. We also compare the brain-orthotopic PDXs with ectopic PDXs grown in mammary pads of mice, and show that the responsiveness of PDXs to chemotherapeutic reagents can be dramatically affected by the site that they are in.
Cold Atmospheric Plasma and Gold Quantum Dots Exert Dual Cytotoxicity Mediated by the Cell Receptor-Activated Apoptotic Pathway in Glioblastoma Cells
Authors: Kaushik Nagendra Kumar , Kaushik Neha , Wahab Rizwan , Bhartiya Pradeep , Linh Nguyen Nhat , Khan Farheen , Al-Khedhairy Abdulaziz A. , Choi Eun Ha
Published: February 2020

Brain cancer malignancies represent an immense challenge for research and clinical oncology. Glioblastoma is the most lethal form of primary malignant brain cancer and is one of the most aggressive forms commonly associated with adverse prognosis and fatal outcome. Currently, combinations of inorganic and organic nanomaterials have been shown to improve survival rates through targeted drug delivery systems. In this study, we developed a dual treatment approach using cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) and gold quantum dots (AuQDs) for brain cancer. Our results showed that CAP and AuQDs induced dual cytotoxicity in brain cancer cells via Fas/TRAIL-mediated cell death receptor pathways. Moreover, combination treatment with CAP and AuQDs suppressed the motility and sphere-formation of brain cancer cells, which are recognized indicators of cancer aggressiveness. Taken together, the application of AuQDs can improve the efficiency of CAP against brain cancer cells, posing an excellent opportunity for advancing the treatment of aggressive glioblastomas.
Cytokine-Induced Guanylate Binding Protein 1 (GBP1) Release from Human Ovarian Cancer Cells
Authors: Carbotti Grazia , Petretto Andrea , Naschberger Elisabeth , Stürzl Michael , Martini Stefania , Mingari Maria Cristina , Filaci Gilberto , Ferrini Silvano , Fabbi Marina
Published: February 2020

We showed that IL-27 shares several effects with IFN-γ in human cancer cells. To identify novel extracellular mediators, potentially involved in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) biology, we analyzed the effect of IL-27 or IFN-γ on the secretome of cultured EOC cells by mass-spectrometry (nano-UHPLC-MS/MS). IL-27 and IFN-γ modulate the release of a limited fraction of proteins among those induced in the whole cell. We focused our attention on GBP1, a guanylate-binding protein and GTPase, which mediates several biological activities of IFNs. Cytokine treatment induced GBP1, 2, and 5 expressions in EOC cells, but only GBP1 was secreted. ELISA and immunoblotting showed that cytokine-stimulated EOC cells release full-length GBP1 in vitro, through non-classical pathways, not involving microvesicles. Importantly, full-length GBP1 accumulates in the ascites of most EOC patients and ex-vivo EOC cells show constitutive tyrosine-phosphorylated STAT1/3 proteins and GBP1 expression, supporting a role for Signal Transducer And Activator Of Transcription (STAT)-activating cytokines in vivo. High GBP1 gene expression correlates with better overall survival in the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) dataset of EOC. In addition, GBP1 transfection partially reduced EOC cell viability in an MTT assay. Our data show for the first time that cytokine-stimulated tumor cells release soluble GBP1 in vitro and in vivo and suggest that GBP1 may have anti-tumor effects in EOC.
Stiffer Matrix Accelerates Migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells through Enhanced Aerobic Glycolysis Via the MAPK-YAP Signaling
Authors: Liu Qiu-Ping , Luo Qing , Deng Bin , Ju Yang , Song Guan-Bin
Published: February 2020

Increased extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness and metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells are two fundamental mediators of tumor progression, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Yet, the correlation between ECM stiffness and excessive aerobic glycolysis in promoting the development of HCC remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated that stiffer ECM promotes HCC cell migration depending on their accelerated aerobic glycolysis. Our results also indicated that stiffer ECM-induced YAP activation plays a major role in promoting aerobic glycolysis of HCC cells. Moreover, we showed that JNK and p38 MAPK signaling are critical for mediating YAP activation in HCC cells. Together, our findings established that the MAPK-YAP signaling cascade that act as a mechanotransduction pathway is essential for promoting HCC cell aerobic glycolysis and migration in response to ECM stiffness.
Synthesis and Reactivity of Poly(propyleneimine) Dendrimers Functionalized with Cyclopentadienone N-Heterocyclic-Carbene Ruthenium(0) Complexes
Authors: Cesari Cristiana , Conti Riccardo , Cingolani Andrea , Zanotti Valerio , Cassani Maria Cristina , Rigamonti Luca , Mazzoni Rita
Published: February 2020

Ligand design in metal chemistry is a fundamental step when pursuing compounds with specific reactivity. In this paper, the functionalization of the OH group in the lateral chain of the N-heterocyclic-carbene (NHC) ligand bound to a bis-carbonyl cyclopentadienone NHC ruthenium(0) complex allowed the decoration of five generations of poly(propyleneimine) (PPIs) dendrimers with up to 64 organometallic moieties. The coupling was achieved by employing carbonyldiimidazole and the formation of carbamate linkages between dendritic peripheral NH2 and lateral OH groups on ruthenium complexes. The synthetic procedure, chemical purification, and spectroscopic characterization of the five generations of dendrimers (3g1–5) are here described. The ruthenium-modified dendrimers were activated as catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of the model compound 4-fluoroacetophenone in the presence of cerium ammonium nitrate as their mononuclear congeners. The catalytic activity, being similar for the five generations, shows a decrease if compared to mononuclear complexes. This detrimental effect might be ascribed to the –CH2NH– functionalization, largely present in dendrimer skeleton and that can compete with the hydrogen transfer mechanism, but also partially to a dendritic effect caused by steric encumbrance.
Selective Catalytic Oxidation of Benzyl Alcohol by MoO2 Nanoparticles
Authors: Gaspar Filipe , Nunes Carla D.
Published: February 2020

Selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde was carried out with MoO2 nanoparticles (MoO2 NPs). MoO2 NPs were synthesized by two different approaches and characterized by several techniques. The synthesis was done by a hydrothermal procedure using ethylenediamine and either Fe2O3 or hydroquinone. In the latter case, an additional calcination step under N2 was performed to eliminate passivating agents at the surface of the nanoparticles. The synthesized nanocatalysts showed similar catalytic properties, being efficient catalysts in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol. High substrate conversion and product selectivity were achieved under all tested conditions. Studies were conducted using two different oxidants: tert-butyl hydroperoxide and hydrogen peroxide, in our continuous effort to obtain more efficient catalysts for more sustainable catalytic processes. When H2O2 was used as the oxidant, 94% yield was achieved with 100% selectivity for benzaldehyde, which was a very promising result to undergo other studies with this system. Moreover, to elucidate some aspects of the reaction mechanism, a study was conducted, and it was possible to conclude that the reaction undergoes, to some extent, through a radical mechanism with both oxidants.
Acrylic Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Reinforced with Aluminum Nitride and Its Thermal Properties: Effect of Surface Treatment and Particle Size
Authors: Mittal Garima , Park Soo Jin , Rhee Kyong Yop
Published: February 2020

Thermal interface materials (TIMs) are very crucial for better heat-transfer in electronics working as an interfacial connection between heat generators and heat sinks. This study is focused on the pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive tape reinforced with micron-sized and nano-sized aluminum nitride (AlN) particles where the surface modification of AlN particles is done using (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (3-APTES). The physicochemical analysis of the silanized AlN particles is done using FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, thermal properties along with thermal conductivity and thermal diffusion are also studied. The main outcome of this study shows that the sample containing surface-treated AlN particles exhibits better thermal conductivity than that of the samples containing µ and nano-sized of AlN due to the comparatively better interactions with the matrix.
Production of High Silicon-Doped Hydroxyapatite Thin Film Coatings via Magnetron Sputtering: Deposition, Characterisation, and In Vitro Biocompatibility
Authors: Coe Samuel C. , Wadge Matthew D. , Felfel Reda M. , Ahmed Ifty , Walker Gavin S. , Scotchford Colin A. , Grant David M.
Published: February 2020

In recent years, it has been found that small weight percent additions of silicon to HA can be used to enhance the initial response between bone tissue and HA. A large amount of research has been concerned with bulk materials, however, only recently has the attention moved to the use of these doped materials as coatings. This paper focusses on the development of a co-RF and pulsed DC magnetron sputtering methodology to produce a high percentage Si containing HA (SiHA) thin films (from 1.8 to 13.4 wt.%; one of the highest recorded in the literature to date). As deposited thin films were found to be amorphous, but crystallised at different annealing temperatures employed, dependent on silicon content, which also lowered surface energy profiles destabilising the films. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to explore the structure of silicon within the films which were found to be in a polymeric (SiO2; Q4) state. However, after annealing, the films transformed to a SiO44−, Q0, state, indicating that silicon had substituted into the HA lattice at higher concentrations than previously reported. A loss of hydroxyl groups and the maintenance of a single-phase HA crystal structure further provided evidence for silicon substitution. Furthermore, a human osteoblast cell (HOB) model was used to explore the in vitro cellular response. The cells appeared to prefer the HA surfaces compared to SiHA surfaces, which was thought to be due to the higher solubility of SiHA surfaces inhibiting protein mediated cell attachment. The extent of this effect was found to be dependent on film crystallinity and silicon content.
Development of Apatite Nuclei Precipitated Carbon Nanotube-Polyether Ether Ketone Composite with Biological and Electrical Properties
Authors: Ishizaki Chihiro , Yabutsuka Takeshi , Takai Shigeomi
Published: February 2020

We aimed to impart apatite-forming ability to carbon nanotube (CNT)-polyether ether ketone (PEEK) composite (CNT-PEEK). Since CNT possesses electrical conductivity, CNT-PEEK can be expected to useful not only for implant materials but also biosensing devices. First of all, in this study, CNT-PEEK was treated with sulfuric acid to form fine pores on its surface. Then, the hydrophilicity of the substrate was improved by oxygen plasma treatment. After that, the substrate was promptly immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) which was adjusted at pH 8.40, 25.0 °C (alkaline SBF) and held in an incubator set at 70.0 °C for 1 day to deposit fine particles of amorphous calcium phosphate, which we refer to as ‘apatite nuclei’. When thus-treated CNT-PEEK was immersed in SBF, its surface was spontaneously covered with hydroxyapatite within 1 day by apatite nuclei deposited in the fine pores and high apatite-forming ability was successfully demonstrated. The CNT-PEEK also showed conductivity even after the above treatment and showed smaller impedance than that of the untreated CNT-PEEK substrate.
Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity—Compressive Strength Relationship for Portland Cement Mortars Cured at Different Conditions
Authors: Estévez Esteban , Martín Domingo Alfonso , Argiz Cristina , Sanjuán Miguel Ángel
Published: February 2020

The purpose of this paper is to establish some correlations between the main technical parameter with regard to the cement-based materials technology, the 28-day compressive strength, and ultrasonic pulse velocity of standard mortar samples cured at three different conditions—(i) under water at 22 °C; (ii) climatic chamber at 95% RH and 22 °C; (iii) lab ambient, 50% RH, and 22 °C—and after five curing periods of 1, 2, 7, 14, and 28 days. Good correlations for each curing conditions were obtained. All the positive linear relationships showed better R2 than exponential ones. These findings may promote the use of ultrasonic pulse velocity for the estimation of the 28-day compressive strength of standard Portland cement samples within the factory internal quality control.
Olaparib Combined with an ATR or Chk1 Inhibitor as a Treatment Strategy for Acquired Olaparib-Resistant BRCA1 Mutant Ovarian Cells
Authors: Burgess Brian T. , Anderson Abigail M. , McCorkle J. Robert , Wu Jianrong , Ueland Frederick R. , Kolesar Jill M.
Published: February 2020

Objective: Despite the promise of PARP inhibitors (PARPi) for treating BRCA1/2 mutated ovarian cancer (OC), drug resistance invariably develops. We hypothesized rationale drug combinations, targeting key molecules in DNA repair pathways and the cell cycle may be synergistic and overcome acquired PARPi resistance. Methods: Drug sensitivity to PARPi alone and in combination with inhibitors of key DNA repair and cell cycle proteins, including ATR (VE-821), Chk1 (MK-8776), Wee1 (MK-1775), RAD51 (RI-1) was assessed in PARPi-sensitive (UWB1) and -resistant (UWB1-R) gBRCA1 mutant OC cell lines using a cell proliferation assay. The Bliss synergy model was used to estimate the two-drug combination effect and pharmacologic synergy (Bliss score ≥ 0) or antagonistic (Bliss score ≥ 0) response of the PARPi in combination with the inhibitors. Results: IC50 for olaparib alone was 1.6 ± 0.9 µM compared to 3.4 ± 0.6 µM (p = 0.05) for UWB1 and UWB1-R cells, respectively. UWB1-R demonstrated increased sensitivity to ATRi (p = 0.04) compared to UWB1. Olaparib (0.3–1.25 µM) and ATRi (0.8–2.5 µM) were synergistic with Bliss scores of 17.2 ± 0.2, 11.9 ± 0.6 for UWB1 and UWB1-R cells, respectively. Olaparib (0.3–1.25 µM) and Chk1i(0.05–1.25 µM) were synergistic with Bliss scores of 8.3 ± 1.6, 5.7 ± 2.9 for UWB1 and UWB1-R cells, respectively. Conclusions: Combining an ATRi or Chk1i with olaparib is synergistic in both PARPi-sensitive and -resistant BRCA1 mutated OC cell models, and are rationale combinations for further clinical development.
(1,0)-Super Solutions of (k,s)-CNF Formula
Authors: Fu Zufeng , Xu Daoyun , Wang Yongping
Published: February 2020

A (1,0)-super solution is a satisfying assignment such that if the value of any one variable is flipped to the opposite value, the new assignment is still a satisfying assignment. Namely, every clause must contain at least two satisfied literals. Because of its robustness, super solutions are concerned in combinatorial optimization problems and decision problems. In this paper, we investigate the existence conditions of the (1,0)-super solution of ( k , s ) -CNF formula, and give a reduction method that transform from k-SAT to (1,0)- ( k + 1 , s ) -SAT if there is a ( k + 1 , s )-CNF formula without a (1,0)-super solution. Here, ( k , s ) -CNF is a subclass of CNF in which each clause has exactly k distinct literals, and each variable occurs at most s times. (1,0)- ( k , s ) -SAT is a problem to decide whether a ( k , s ) -CNF formula has a (1,0)-super solution. We prove that for k > 3 , if there exists a ( k , s ) -CNF formula without a (1,0)-super solution, (1,0)- ( k , s ) -SAT is NP-complete. We show that for k > 3 , there is a critical function φ ( k ) such that every ( k , s ) -CNF formula has a (1,0)-super solution for s ≤ φ ( k ) and (1,0)- ( k , s ) -SAT is NP-complete for s > φ ( k ) . We further show some properties of the critical function φ ( k ) .
Design Strategies to Mitigate Slope Instabilities in Structurally Complex Formations
Authors: Ruggeri Paolo , Fruzzetti Viviene M. E. , Scarpelli Giuseppe
Published: February 2020

Stiff jointed clays (SJC) belong to so-called structurally complex formations in which the macroscale features of the deposit, that is the pattern of discontinuities affecting the soil mass, influence its response at the scale of engineering works. Such peculiar response was largely recognized during the excavation works carried out for the construction of two new road segments in southern Italy, where several structurally conditioned instability processes were triggered during excavation works. These phenomena mainly involved the Plio-Pleistocene marine clayey formation outcropping along the East coast of the Calabria region, where it constitutes most of the hills interested by construction works. Under a geotechnical perspective, the SJC-formation exhibits good mechanical characteristics at the scale of samples but, if considered as a whole, its behaviour is governed by the presence of discontinuities along which strength is typically at residual. Building on the author’s experience of some exemplary failure events, this paper aims at defining possible design strategies to minimize the risk of adverse and unexpected instability phenomena during construction in structurally complex formations. Design strategies oriented at reducing and possibly avoiding stress releases in the zone of influence were found to be most effective at preventing failures or restoring safety after the occurrence of a failure event.
A Graph-Based Spatiotemporal Data Framework for 4D Natural Phenomena Representation and Quantification–An Example of Dust Events
Authors: Yu Manzhu
Published: February 2020

Natural phenomena are intrinsically spatiotemporal and often highly dynamic. The increasing availability of simulation and observation datasets has provided us a great opportunity to better capture and understand the complexity and dynamics of natural phenomena. Challenges are posed by the formalization of the representation of such phenomena in terms of their non-rigid boundaries and the quantification of event dynamics over space and time. The objectives of this research are to (1) conceptually represent the natural phenomenon as an event, and (2) quantify the dynamic movements and evolutions of events using a graph-based approach. This proposed data framework is applied to a dust simulation dataset to represent the 4D dynamic dust events. Dust events are identified, and movements are tracked to reconstruct dust events in the Northern Africa region from December 2013 to November 2014. Quantified dynamics of different dust events are demonstrated and verified to be in alignment with observations.
Depicting More Information in Enriched Squarified Treemaps with Layered Glyphs
Authors: Soares Anderson Gregório Marques , Miranda Elvis Thermo Carvalho , Lima Rodrigo Santos do Amor Divino , Resque dos Santos Carlos Gustavo , Meiguins Bianchi Serique
Published: February 2020

The Treemap is one of the most relevant information visualization (InfoVis) techniques to support the analysis of large hierarchical data structures or data clusters. Despite that, Treemap still presents some challenges for data representation, such as the few options for visual data mappings and the inability to represent zero and negative values. Additionally, visualizing high dimensional data requires many hierarchies, which can impair data visualization. Thus, this paper proposes to add layered glyphs to Treemap’s items to mitigate these issues. Layered glyphs are composed of N partially visible layers, and each layer maps one data dimension to a visual variable. Since the area of the upper layers is always smaller than the bottom ones, the layers can be stacked to compose a multidimensional glyph. To validate this proposal, we conducted a user study to compare three scenarios of visual data mappings for Treemaps: only Glyphs (G), Glyphs and Hierarchy (GH), and only Hierarchy (H). Thirty-six volunteers with a background in InfoVis techniques, organized into three groups of twelve (one group per scenario), performed 8 InfoVis tasks using only one of the proposed scenarios. The results point that scenario GH presented the best accuracy while having a task-solving time similar to scenario H, which suggests that representing more data in Treemaps with layered glyphs enriched the Treemap visualization capabilities without impairing the data readability.
Nutritional Status and the Influence of the Vegan Diet on the Gut Microbiota and Human Health
Authors: Sakkas Hercules , Bozidis Petros , Touzios Christos , Kolios Damianos , Athanasiou Georgia , Athanasopoulou Eirini , Gerou Ioanna , Gartzonika Constantina
Published: February 2020

The human gut microbiota is considered a well-known complex ecosystem composed of distinct microbial populations, playing a significant role in most aspects of human health and wellness. Several factors such as infant transitions, dietary habits, age, consumption of probiotics and prebiotics, use of antibiotics, intestinal comorbidities, and even metabolic diseases may continously alter microbiota diversity and function. The study of vegan diet–microbiota interactions is a rapidly evolving field, since plenty of research has been focused on the potential effects of plant-based dietary patterns on the human gut microbiota. It has been reported that well-planned vegan diets and their associated components affect both the bacterial composition and metabolic pathways of gut microbiota. Certain benefits associated with medical disorders but also limitations (including nutritional deficiencies) have been documented. Although the vegan diet may be inadequate in calorific value, it is rich in dietary fiber, polyphenols, and antioxidant vitamins. The aim of the present study was to provide an update of the existing knowledge on nutritional status of vegan diets and the influence of their food components on the human gut microbiota and health.
Influence of Elastomer Layers in the Quality of Aluminum Parts on Finishing Operations
Authors: Rubio-Mateos Antonio , Rivero Asuncion , Ukar Eneko , Lamikiz Aitzol
Published: February 2020

In finishing processes, the quality of aluminum parts is mostly influenced by static and dynamic phenomena. Different solutions have been studied toward a stable milling process attainment. However, the improvements obtained with the tuning of process parameters are limited by the system stiffness and external dampers devices interfere with the machining process. To deal with this challenge, this work analyzes the suitability of elastomer layers as passive damping elements directly located under the part to be machined. Thus, exploiting the sealing properties of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), a suitable flexible vacuum fixture is developed, enabling a proper implementation in the manufacturing process. Two different compounds are characterized under axial compression and under finishing operations. The compression tests present the effect of the feed rate and the strain accumulative effect in the fixture compressive behavior. Despite the higher strain variability of the softer rubber, different milling process parameters, such as the tool feed rate, can lead to a similar compressive behavior of the fixture regardless the elastomer hardness. On the other hand, the characterization of these flexible fixtures is completed over AA2024 floor milling of rigid parts and compared with the use of a rigid part clamping. These results show that, as the cutting speed and the feed rate increases, due to the strain evolution of the rubber, the part quality obtained tend to equalize between the flexible and the rigid clamping of the workpiece. Due to the versatility of the NBR for clamping different part geometries without new fixture redesigns, this leads to a competitive advantage of these flexible solutions against the classic rigid vacuum fixtures. Finally, a model to predict the grooving forces with a bull-nose end mill regardless of the stiffness of the part support is proposed and validated for the working range.
Effect of SLM Processing Parameters on Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Al0.5CoCrFeNi High Entropy Alloys
Authors: Sun Kun , Peng Weixiang , Yang Longlong , Fang Liang
Published: February 2020

Selective laser melting (SLM) to fabricate Al0.5CoCrFeNi high entropy alloys with pre-mixed powders was studied in this paper. The influences of process parameters including laser power, scanning speed, and hatch spacing on the relative density of high-entropy alloys (HEAs) were investigated. A relative density of 99.92% can be achieved by optimizing the SLM process parameters with laser power 320 W, scanning speed 800 mm/s, and hatch spacing of 60 μm, respectively. Moreover, the microstructure of the HEAs was also studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that the microstructure of the HEAs was only composed of face-centered cubic and body-centered cubic phases, without complex intermetallic compounds. The mechanical properties of the HEAs were also characterized. At ambient temperature, the alloys had a high yield strength of about 609 MPa, tensile strength about 878 MPa, and hardness about 270 HV. Through a comparison with the corresponding alloys fabricated by vacuum induction melting, it can be concluded that the high entropy alloys fabricated by SLM had fine microstructures and improved mechanical properties.