bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the Epigenetic Status of Human Telomeres
Authors: Vaquero-Sedas María I. , Vega-Palas Miguel A.
Published: September 2019

The epigenetic modifications of human telomeres play a relevant role in telomere functions and cell proliferation. Therefore, their study is becoming an issue of major interest. These epigenetic modifications are usually analyzed by microscopy or by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). However, these analyses could be challenged by subtelomeres and/or interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs). Whereas telomeres and subtelomeres cannot be differentiated by microscopy techniques, telomeres and ITSs might not be differentiated in ChIP analyses. In addition, ChIP analyses of telomeres should be properly controlled. Hence, studies focusing on the epigenetic features of human telomeres have to be carefully designed and interpreted. Here, we present a comprehensive discussion on how subtelomeres and ITSs might influence studies of human telomere epigenetics. We specially focus on the influence of ITSs and some experimental aspects of the ChIP technique on ChIP analyses. In addition, we propose a specific pipeline to accurately perform these studies. This pipeline is very simple and can be applied to a wide variety of cells, including cancer cells. Since the epigenetic status of telomeres could influence cancer cells proliferation, this pipeline might help design precise epigenetic treatments for specific cancer types.
The Importance of Oral Health in Immigrant and Refugee Children
Authors: Crespo Eileen
Published: September 2019

According to the Migration Policy Institute, 2017 data revealed that a historic high 44.5 million people living in the United States (US) were foreign-born [1], more than double the number from 1990 [2]. Since the creation of the Refugee Resettlement Program in 1980, refugee families have settled in the US more than in any other country in the world [3]. In 2018, for the first time, Canada overtook the US in numbers of refugees accepted [1]. Foreign-born people now account for 13.7% of the total US population [1]. Further, a quarter of children in the United States currently live in households with at least one foreign-born parent [4]. These population shifts are important to note because immigrant and refugee families bring cultural influences and health experiences from their home countries which can greatly affect the overall health and well-being of children. For these new arrivals, oral health is often a significant health issue. The severity of dental disease varies with country of origin as well as cultural beliefs that can hinder access to care even once it is available to them [5,6]. As pediatricians and primary care providers, we should acknowledge that oral health is important and impacts overall health. Healthcare providers should be able to recognize oral health problems, make appropriate referrals, and effectively communicate with families to address knowledge gaps in high-risk communities.
Poly (Lactic Acid)/Thermoplastic Starch Films: Effect of Cardoon Seed Epoxidized Oil on Their Chemicophysical, Mechanical, and Barrier Properties
Authors: Turco Rosa , Ortega-Toro Rodrigo , Tesser Riccardo , Mallardo Salvatore , Collazo-Bigliardi Sofia , Chiralt Boix Amparo , Malinconico Mario , Rippa Massimo , Di Serio Martino , Santagata Gabriella
Published: September 2019

In this work, biodegradable films based on poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and corn thermoplastic starch (TPS), additivated with epoxidized cardoon oil plasticizer (ECO) at 3% by weight with respect to PLA mass fraction, were prepared by melt extrusion process and compression molding. The effect of ECO on structural, thermal, mechanical, barrier, and spectral optical properties of the films was investigated. Spectroscopic analysis evidenced the development of physical interaction between oil and polymers, mainly PLA. In addition, no oil migration occurrence was detected after six months of film preparation, as evidenced by oil mass evaluation by precipitation as well as by 1H-NMR methods, thus highlighting the good inclusion of oil inside the polymeric network. The plasticizing action of the oil induced a lean improvement of the interfacial adhesion between hydrophobic PLA and hydrophilic TPS, particularly accentuated in PLA80_ECO composition, as evidenced by morphological analysis of blend fracture surfaces. TGA data underlined that, differently from TPS-based films, PLA-based systems followed one degradative thermal profile suggesting a slight compatibilization effect of epoxidized oil in these films. The shifting of Tg values, by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, indicated a weak miscibility at molecular level. Generally, in the investigated blends, the phase separation between PLA and TPS polymers was responsible for the mechanical properties failing; in particular, the tensile strength evidenced a negative deviation from the rule of mixtures, particularly marked in TPS-based blends, where no physical entanglements occurred between the polymers since their immiscibility even in presence of ECO. The epoxidized oil strongly improved the barrier properties (water vapor permeability (WVP) and oxygen permeability (O2P)) of all the films, likely developing a physical barrier to water and oxygen diffusion and solubilization. With respect to neat PLA, PL80 and PL80_ECO films evidenced the improvement of surface wettability, due to the presence of polar groups both in TPS (hydroxyl residues) and in epoxidized oil (oxirane rings). Finally, following to the conditioning in climatic chamber at T = 25 °C and RH = 50%, PLA80 film became opaque due to TPS water absorption, causing a light transmittance decreasing, as evidenced by spectral optical analysis.
Site Selectivity of Halogen Oxygen Bonding in 5- and 6-Haloderivatives of Uracil
Authors: Portalone Gustavo
Published: September 2019

Seven 5-and 6-halogenated derivatives of uracil or 1-methyluracil (halogen = Cl, Br, I) were studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In contrast with pure 5-halouracils, where the presence of N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds prevents the formation of other intermolecular interactions, the general ability of pyrimidine nucleobases to provide electron donating groups to halogen bonding was confirmed in three crystals and cocrystals containing uracil with the halogen atom at the C6 position. In the latter compounds, among the two nucleophilic oxygen atoms in the C=O moiety, only the urea carbonyl oxygen O1 can act as halogen bond acceptor, being not saturated by conventional hydrogen bonds. The halogen bonds in pure 6-halouracils are all rather weak, as supported by Hirshfeld surface analysis. The strongest interaction was found in the structure of 6-iodouracil, which displayed the largest (13%) reduction of the sum of van der Waals (vdW) radii for the contact atoms. Despite this, halogen bonding plays a role in determining the crystal packing of 6-halouracils, acting alongside conventional hydrogen bonds.
Thirty-Five Years of Computerized Cognitive Assessment of Aging—Where Are We Now?
Authors: Sternin Avital , Burns Alistair , Owen Adrian M.
Published: September 2019

Over the past 35 years, the proliferation of technology and the advent of the internet have resulted in many reliable and easy to administer batteries for assessing cognitive function. These approaches have great potential for affecting how the health care system monitors and screens for cognitive changes in the aging population. Here, we review these new technologies with a specific emphasis on what they offer over and above traditional ‘paper-and-pencil’ approaches to assessing cognitive function. Key advantages include fully automated administration and scoring, the interpretation of individual scores within the context of thousands of normative data points, the inclusion of ‘meaningful change’ and ‘validity’ indices based on these large norms, more efficient testing, increased sensitivity, and the possibility of characterising cognition in samples drawn from the general population that may contain hundreds of thousands of test scores. The relationship between these new computerized platforms and existing (and commonly used) paper-and-pencil tests is explored, with a particular emphasis on why computerized tests are particularly advantageous for assessing the cognitive changes associated with aging.
Test Your Memory (TYM) and Test Your Memory for Mild Cognitive Impairment (TYM-MCI): A Review and Update Including Results of Using the TYM Test in a General Neurology Clinic and Using a Telephone Version of the TYM Test
Authors: Brown Jeremy M. , Wiggins Julie , Dawson Kate , Rittman Timothy , Rowe James B.
Published: September 2019

This paper summarises the current status of two novel short cognitive tests (SCT), known as Test Your Memory (TYM) and Test Your Memory for Mild Cognitive Impairment (TYM-MCI). The history of and recent research on the TYM and TYM-MCI are summarised in applications for Alzheimer’s and non-Alzheimer’s dementia and mild cognitive impairment. The TYM test can be used in a general neurology clinic and can help distinguish patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) from those with no neurological cause for their memory complaints. An adapted tele-TYM test administered by telephone to patients produces scores which correlate strongly with the clinic-administered Addenbrookes Cognitive Examination revised (ACE-R) test and can identify patients with dementia. Patients with AD decline on the TYM test at a rate of 3.6–4.1 points/year.
DC-AC Isolated Power Converter Array. Focus on Differential Mode Conducted EMI
Authors: CREBIER Jean-Christophe , PHUNG Thanh-Hai , NGUYEN Van-Sang , LAMORELLE Theo , ANDRETA Andre , KẺACHEV Lyubomir , LEMBEYE Yves
Published: September 2019

This paper introduces the implementation of a DC–AC step up isolated converter from associations of bidirectional Conversion Standard Cells (CSCs). The designed multi-cell converter is an array of standardized converter cells. It is described and then compared to a reference converter with respect to differential mode conducted electro-magnetic interference (EMI). The paper outlines the motivation for developing a generic multi-cell approach before underlining the benefits from the point of view of conducted EMI when implementing power converter arrays (PCAs). In particular, it is shown that in PCAs, the differential mode (DM) EMI filter can advantageously utilize distributed CSCs, making it possible to use very low value AC inductors to filter the AC current ripple. Experimental results are provided to validate the analysis carried out in the paper.
Balancing Distributed Key-Value Stores with Efficient In-Network Redirecting
Authors: Shi Yang , Fei Jiawei , Wen Mei , Zhang Chunyuan
Published: September 2019

Today’s cloud-based online services are underpinned by distributed key-value stores (KVSs). Keys and values are distributed across back-end servers in such scale-out systems. One primary real-life performance bottleneck occurs when storage servers suffer from load imbalance under skewed workloads. In this paper, we present KVSwitch, a centralized self-managing load balancer that leverages the power and flexibility of emerging programmable switches. The balance is achieved by dynamically predicting the hot items and by creating replication strategies according to KVS loading. To overcome the challenges in realizing KVSwitch given the limitations of the switch hardware, we decompose KVSwitch’s functions and carefully design them for the heterogeneous processors inside the switch. We prototype KVSwitch in a Tofino switch. Experimental results show that our solution can effectively keep the KVS servers balanced even under highly skewed workloads. Furthermore, KVSwitch only replicates 70 % of hot items and consumes 9.88 % of server memory rather than simply replicating all hot items to each server.
Environmental Controls of Diurnal and Seasonal Variations in the Stem Radius of Platycladus orientalis in Northern China
Authors: Dong Manyu , Wang Bingqin , Jiang Yuan , Ding Xinyuan
Published: September 2019

Fine-resolution studies of stem radial variation over short timescales throughout the year can provide insight into intra-annual stem dynamics and improve our understanding of climate impacts on tree physiology and growth processes. Using data from high-resolution point dendrometers collected from Platycladus orientalis (Linn.) trees between September 2013 and December 2014, this study investigated the daily and seasonal patterns of stem radial variation in addition to the relationships between daily stem radial variation and environmental factors over the growing season. Two contrasting daily cycle patterns were observed for warm and cold seasons. A daily mean air temperature of 0 °C was a critical threshold that was related to seasonal shifts in stem diurnal cycle patterns, indicating that air temperature critically influences diurnal stem cycles. The annual variation in P. orientalis stem radius variation can be divided into four distinct periods including (1) spring rehydration, (2) the summer growing season, (3) autumn stagnation, and (4) winter contraction. These periods reflect seasonal changes in tree water status that are especially pronounced in spring and winter. During the growing season, the maximum daily shrinkage (MDS) of P. orientalis was positively correlated with air temperature (Ta) and negatively correlated with soil water content (SWC) and precipitation (P). The vapor pressure deficit (VPD) also exhibited a threshold-based control on MDS at values below or above 0.8 kPa. Daily radial changes (DRC) were negatively correlated with Ta and VPD but positively correlated with relative air humidity (RH) and P. These results suggest that the above environmental factors are associated with tree water status via their influence on moisture availability to trees, which in turn affects the metrics of daily stem variation including MDS and DRC.
Towards the Development of Agenda 2063 Geo-Portal to Support Sustainable Development in Africa
Authors: Mhangara Paidamwoyo , Lamba Asanda , Mapurisa Willard , Mudau Naledzani
Published: September 2019

The successful implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 strategic development blueprint is critical for the attainment of economic development, social prosperity, political stability, protection, and regional integration in Africa. Agenda 2063 is a strategic and endogenous development plan that seeks to strategically and competitively reposition the African continent to ensure poverty eradication and equitable people-centric socio-economic and technological transformation. Its impact areas include wealth creation, shared prosperity, sustainable environment, and transformative capacities. Monitoring and evaluation systems play a critical role in collecting, recording, storing, integrating, and evaluating and tracking performance information in the implementation of longer-term strategic plans. The usage of the geographic information system (GIS) as a monitoring and evaluation tool has gained traction in the last few decades due to its ability to support the collection, integration, storage, analysis, output, and distribution of location-based data. The advent of web-based GIS provides a powerful online platform to collect, integrate, discover, use and share geospatial data, information, and services related to sustainable development. In this paper, we aim to describe the implementation, architectural structural design, and the functionality of the pilot Agenda 2063 geoportal. The live prototype internet-based geoportal is intended to facilitate data collection, management, integration, analysis, and visualization of Agenda 2063 development indicators. This geoportal is meant to support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the Agenda 2063 goals at the continental, regional, and national levels. As our results show, we successfully demonstrated that a web-geoportal is a powerful interactive platform to upload, access, explore, visualize, analyse, and disseminate geospatial data related to the sustainable development of the African continent. Although in the pilot phase, the geoportal demonstrates the primary functionality of geoportals in terms of its capability to discover, analyse, share, and download geospatial datasets.
Comparing Residents’ Fear of Crime with Recorded Crime Data—Case Study of Ostrava, Czech Republic
Authors: Pánek Jiří , Ivan Igor , Macková Lucie
Published: September 2019

The fear of crime is an established research topic, not only in sociology, environmental psychology and criminology, but also in GIScience. Using spatial analysis to analyse patterns, explore hotspots and determine the significance of respective surveys is one reason for the increase in popularity of such research topics for geographers, cartographers and spatial data scientists. This paper presents the results of an intensive online map-based questionnaire with 1551 respondents from the city of Ostrava, Czech Republic. The respondents marked 3792 points associated with the fear of crime over a ten week period. The perception data were compared with recorded crime data acquired from police department records for the years 2015–2018. This paper explores the spatial autocorrelation from perceived hotspots and from recorded crime hotspots. Our findings fit into the literature confirming results about the locations that most frequently attract fear, but there is still room for more investigations regarding the links between recorded crime and the fear of crime.
Wisconsin’s Screening Algorithm for the Identification of Newborns with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Authors: Bialk Eric R. , Lasarev Michael R. , Held Patrice K.
Published: September 2019

Newborn screening for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) has one of the highest false positive rates of any of the diseases on the Wisconsin panel. This is largely due to the first-tier immune assay cross-reactivity and physiological changes in the concentration of 17-hydroxyprogesterone during the first few days of life. To improve screening for CAH, Wisconsin developed a second-tier assay to quantify four different steroids (17-hydroxyprogesterone, 21-deoxycortisol, androstenedione, and cortisol) by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MSMS) in dried blood spots. From validation studies which included the testing of confirmed CAH patients, Wisconsin established its own reporting algorithm that incorporates steroid concentrations as well as two different ratios—the birth weight and the collection time—to identify babies at risk for CAH. Using the newly developed method and algorithm, the false positive rate for the CAH screening was reduced by 95%. Patients with both classical forms of CAH, salt-wasting and simple virilizing, were identified. This study replicates and expands upon previous work to develop a second-tier LC–MSMS steroid profiling screening assay for CAH. The validation and prospective study results provide evidence for an extensive reporting algorithm that incorporates multiple steroids, birth weight, and collection times.
Tolerance of High Oral Doses of Nonradioactive and Radioactive Caesium Chloride in the Pale Grass Blue Butterfly Zizeeria maha
Authors: Gurung Raj D. , Taira Wataru , Sakauchi Ko , Iwata Masaki , Hiyama Atsuki , Otaki Joji M.
Published: September 2019

The biological effects of the Fukushima nuclear accident have been examined in the pale grass blue butterfly, Zizeeria maha (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). In previous internal exposure experiments, larvae were given field-collected contaminated host plant leaves that contained up to 43.5 kBq/kg (leaf) of radioactive caesium. Larvae ingested up to 480 kBq/kg (larva), resulting in high mortality and abnormality rates. However, these results need to be compared with the toxicological data of caesium. Here, we examined the toxicity of both nonradioactive and radioactive caesium chloride on the pale grass blue butterfly. Larvae were fed a caesium-containing artificial diet, ingesting up to 149 MBq/kg (larva) of radioactive caesium (137Cs) or a much higher amount of nonradioactive caesium. We examined the pupation rate, eclosion rate, survival rate up to the adult stage, and the forewing size. In contrast to previous internal exposure experiments using field-collected contaminated leaves, we could not detect any effect. We conclude that the butterfly is tolerant to ionising radiation from 137Cs in the range tested but is vulnerable to radioactive contamination in the field. These results suggest that the biological effects in the field may be mediated through ecological systems and cannot be estimated solely based on radiation doses.
Management and Treatment of Varicocele in Children and Adolescents: An Endocrinologic Perspective
Authors: Cannarella Rossella , Calogero Aldo E. , Condorelli Rosita A. , Giacone Filippo , Aversa Antonio , La Vignera Sandro
Published: September 2019

Pediatric varicocele has an overall prevalence of 15%, being more frequent as puberty begins. It can damage testicular function, interfering with Sertoli cell proliferation and hormone secretion, testicular growth and spermatogenesis. Proper management has a pivotal role for future fertility preservation. The aim of this review was to discuss the diagnosis, management and treatment of childhood and adolescent varicocele from an endocrinologic perspective, illustrating the current evidence of the European Society of Pediatric Urology (ESPU), the European Association of Urology (EAU), the American Urological Association (AUA) and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) scientific societies. According to the ASRM/ESPU/AUA practice committee, the treatment of adolescent varicocele is indicated in the case of decreased testicular volume or sperm abnormalities, while it is contraindicated in subclinical varicocele. The recent EAS/ESPU meta-analysis reports that moderate evidence exists on the benefits of varicocele treatment in children and adolescents in terms of testicular volume and sperm concentration increase. No specific phenotype in terms of testicular volume cut-off or peak retrograde flow (PRF) is indicated. Based on current evidence, we suggest that conservative management may be suggested in patients with PRF < 30 cm/s, testicular asymmetry < 10% and no evidence of sperm and hormonal abnormalities. In patients with 10–20% testicular volume asymmetry or 30 < PRF ≤ 38 cm/s or sperm abnormalities, careful follow-up may ensue. In the case of absent catch-up growth or sperm recovery, varicocele repair should be suggested. Finally, treatment can be proposed at the initial consultation in painful varicocele, testicular volume asymmetry ≥ 20%, PRF > 38 cm/s, infertility and failure of testicular development.
The Risky Health Behaviours of Male Adolescents in the Southern Italian Region: Implications for Sexual and Reproductive Disease
Authors: Perri Anna , Lofaro Danilo , Izzo Giulia , Aquino Benedetta , Bitonti Massimo , Ciambrone Giuseppe , La Vignera Sandro , Pozza Carlotta , Gianfrilli Daniele , Aversa Antonio
Published: September 2019

Recent epidemiological studies suggest an increase of sexual and reproductive chronic diseases caused by problematic behaviours acquired during peri-pubertal age. The aims of our study were: (i) to investigate awareness of sexual transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents; (ii) to describe the close relationship between possibly incorrect lifestyles during adolescence and reproductive and sexual disturbances during adulthood. The “Amico-Andrologo” survey is a permanent nationwide surveillance program supported by the Italian Ministry of Health. We administered a validated structured interview to investigate the lifestyle of adolescents and their knowledge of STIs. We selected a cohort of 360 male high-school students aged ≥18 years old. In this cohort, 150 (41.5%) were smokers while 59 (19.7%) smoked more than 10 cigarettes/day; 25 (9.3%) declared a consumption ≥6 drinks/weekend; and 65 (19.7%) were habitual cannabis consumers (at least twice/week). Among the sample of students selected, the main sources of sexual disease information were the internet and friends. The perceived level of knowledge on STIs was the same between students that used contraceptive methods and students that did not. The present results demonstrate that adolescents in Calabria do not receive appropriate information about risky health behaviours. Therefore, there is a necessity for specific educational programs to increase awareness of dangerous behaviours during the transitional age that is relevant for a safe sexual and reproductive adult life.
Physiological and Pathological Role of Circadian Hormones in Osteoarthritis: Dose-Dependent or Time-Dependent?
Authors: Hossain Farhad Md. , Hong Yunkyung , Jin Yunho , Choi Jeonghyun , Hong Yonggeun
Published: September 2019

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, may be triggered by improper secretion of circadian clock-regulated hormones, such as melatonin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), or cortisol. The imbalance of these hormones alters the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cartilage degenerative enzymes in articular cartilage, resulting in cartilage erosion, synovial inflammation, and osteophyte formation, the major hallmarks of OA. In this review, we summarize the effects of circadian melatonin, TSH, and cortisol on OA, focusing on how different levels of these hormones affect OA pathogenesis and recovery with respect to the circadian clock. We also highlight the effects of melatonin, TSH, and cortisol at different concentrations both in vivo and in vitro, which may help to elucidate the relationship between circadian hormones and OA.
Deep Learning-Based Stroke Volume Estimation Outperforms Conventional Arterial Contour Method in Patients with Hemodynamic Instability
Authors: Moon Young-Jin , Moon Hyun S. , Kim Dong-Sub , Kim Jae-Man , Lee Joon-Kyu , Shim Woo-Hyun , Kim Sung-Hoon , Hwang Gyu-Sam , Choi Jae-Soon
Published: September 2019

Although the stroke volume (SV) estimation by arterial blood pressure has been widely used in clinical practice, its accuracy is questionable, especially during periods of hemodynamic instability. We aimed to create novel SV estimating model based on deep-learning (DL) method. A convolutional neural network was applied to estimate SV from arterial blood pressure waveform data recorded from liver transplantation (LT) surgeries. The model was trained using a gold standard referential SV measured via pulmonary artery thermodilution method. Merging a gold standard SV and corresponding 10.24 seconds of arterial blood pressure waveform as an input/output data set with 2-senconds of sliding overlap, 484,384 data sets from 34 LT surgeries were used for training and validation of DL model. The performance of DL model was evaluated by correlation and concordance analyses in another 491,353 data sets from 31 LT surgeries. We also evaluated the performance of pre-existing commercialized model (EV1000), and the performance results of DL model and EV1000 were compared. The DL model provided an acceptable performance throughout the surgery (r = 0.813, concordance rate = 74.15%). During the reperfusion phase, where the most severe hemodynamic instability occurred, DL model showed superior correlation (0.861; 95% Confidence Interval, (CI), 0.855–0.866 vs. 0.570; 95% CI, 0.556–0.584, P < 0.001) and higher concordance rate (90.6% vs. 75.8%) over EV1000. In conclusion, the DL-based model was superior for estimating intraoperative SV and thus might guide physicians to precise intraoperative hemodynamic management. Moreover, the DL model seems to be particularly promising because it outperformed EV1000 in circumstance of rapid hemodynamic changes where physicians need most help.
The Effects of Regulatory Capital Requirements and Ownership Structure on Bank Lending in Emerging Asian Markets
Authors: Akhtar Yasmeen , Kayani Ghulam Mujtaba , Yousaf Tahir
Published: September 2019

This study examines the impact of regulatory capital requirements and ownership structure on bank lending in Emerging Asian Markets. The findings of the study imply that banks with excess capital are less affected by capital constraints and enjoy opportunities to extend their credit portfolios. The monitory policy indicator has the expected negative and significant impact on bank lending. In case of well-capitalized banks, the interaction between the excess capital and monetary policy indicator has a significant positive relation with bank lending, which means that banks with excess capital have capability to raise uninsured financing and shield their loan portfolios as compared to less-capitalized banks that reduce their lending in the period of monetary tightening. In the case of bank ownership structure, banks with excess capital ratios and ownership concentration lead towards an increase in lending activity. The findings also show that well-capitalized banks with managerial ownership tend to reduce lending which validates agency theory of corporate governance.
Field Investigation of Clay Balls in Full-Depth Asphalt Pavement
Authors: Zhang Weiguang , Lee Jusang , Ahn Hyung Jun , Le Qiqi , Wu Meng , Zhu Haoran , Zhang Jing
Published: September 2019

Clay ball is a pavement surface defect which refers to a clump in which clay or dirt is mixed with hot asphalt mixture. Clay ball is typically caused by a combination of aggregate contamination of clay or soil, high aggregate moisture, and low production temperature at the asphalt plant. It usually appears a few weeks or months after paving under traffic load, after being liquefied and knocked from the pavement surface. Clay balls can be the source of potholing, raveling, and other issues such as moisture infiltration and reduced ride quality. This paper presents an investigation of the clay balls on US-31 one winter after construction in Hamilton County, Indiana. In order to understand the pavement condition, their severity was measured using both visual observation and infrared image collection system. In addition, a clay ball amount, its distribution pattern, and cores condition were evaluated. A precipitation effect on clay ball formation was investigated for finding a cause of the clay balls. The investigation found that infrared image collection system was appropriate in detecting the clay balls. The clay balls were elliptic in shape with 2.5 cm to 10 cm in diameter, and the maximum clay ball depth was almost penetrating the entire surface course. It was also found that the asphalt paving on the raining days or right after raining could increase the potential of clay balls. Monitoring of aggregate moisture during construction on or after raining days should be able to reduce the risk of clay balls.
Analysis of the Oscillating Motion of a Solid Body on Vibrating Bearers
Authors: Bissembayev Kuatbay , Jomartov Assylbek , Tuleshov Amandyk , Dikambay Tolegen
Published: September 2019

This article considers the oscillation of a solid body on kinematic foundations, the main elements of which are rolling bearers bounded by high-order surfaces of rotation at horizontal displacement of the foundation. Equations of motion of the vibro-protected body have been obtained. It is ascertained that the obtained equations of motion are highly nonlinear differential equations. Stationary and transitional modes of the oscillatory process of the system have been investigated. It is determined that several stationary regimes of the oscillatory process exist. Equations of motion have been investigated also by quantitative methods. In this paper the cumulative curves in the phase plane are plotted, a qualitative analysis for singular points and a study of them for stability are performed. In the Hayashi plane a cumulative curve of a body protected against vibration forms a closed path which does not tend to the stability of a singular point. This means that the vibration amplitude of a body protected against vibration does not remain constant in a steady state, but changes periodically.
Cardiovascular Risk/Benefit Profile of MHT
Authors: Villa Paola , Amar Inbal Dona , Shachor Maayan , Cipolla Clelia , Ingravalle Fabio , Scambia Giovanni
Published: September 2019

Background and Objectives: Data emerging from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study point toward an association between menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and cardiovascular (CV) risk. However, post hoc subgroup analyses stratifying participants according to their age and time since menopause, have opened the way to a better understanding of the relationship between estrogen and CV risk. The aim of this review was to revise the current literature and evaluate the CV risk or benefit following administration of MHT considering several factors such as MHT timing, dose, route of administration, and formulation. Materials and Methods: An electronic databases search of MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, SCOPUS, congress abstracts, and Grey literature (Google Scholar; British Library) was performed, with the date range from each database’s inception until June 2019. All the studies evaluating MHT and cardiovascular risk, including thromboembolism or stroke, were selected. Results: Timing of MHT initiation was shown to be a critical factor in CV risk assessment. In concordance with the “timing hypothesis”, healthy symptomatic women who initiated MHT when aged younger than 60 years, or who were within 10 years of menopause onset, have demonstrated a reduction in both coronary heart disease (CHD) risk and all-cause mortality. In particular, MHT therapy was associated with improvement of subclinical signs of atherosclerosis. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk is reduced when low doses of oral estrogen are used. Moreover, transdermal hormonal application significantly reduces CV risk compared with oral administration. MHT impact on the CV system is influenced by either factors inherent to the specific regimen, or factors inherent to the specific patient. Hence, individualization of care is necessary. Conclusion: CV risk calculation should be considered by clinicians in order to exclude patients with high CV risk, in whom MHT is contraindicated. Assessing risks and benefits in a patient-centered approach according to individual’s features, health status, and personal preferences is important in order to realize a safe and effective treatment.
A Study on the Effect of Ambient Air Plasma Treatment on the Properties of Methylammonium Lead Halide Perovskite Films
Authors: Shekargoftar Masoud , Jurmanová Jana , Homola Tomáš
Published: September 2019

Organic-inorganic halide perovskite materials are considered excellent active layers in the fabrication of highly efficient and low-cost photovoltaic devices. This contribution demonstrates that rapid and low-temperature air-plasma treatment of mixed organic-inorganic halide perovskite film is a promising technique, controlling its opto-electrical surface properties by changing the ratio of organic-to-inorganic components. Plasma treatment of perovskite films was performed with high power-density (25 kW/m2 and 100 W/cm3) diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge (DCSBD) at 70 °C in ambient air. The results show that short plasma treatment time (1 s, 2 s, and 5 s) led to a relatively enlargement of grain size, however, longer plasma treatment time (10 s and 20 s) led to an etching of the surface. The band-gap energy of the perovskite films was related to the duration of plasma treatment; short periods (≤5 s) led to a widening of the band gap from ~1.66 to 1.73 eV, while longer exposure (>5 s) led to a narrowing of the band gap to approx. 1.63 eV and fast degradation of the film due to etching. Surface analysis demonstrated that the film became homogeneous, with highly oriented crystals, after short plasma treatment; however, prolonging the plasma treatment led to morphological disorders and partial etching of the surface. The plasma treatment approach presented herein addresses important challenges in current perovskite solar cells: tuning the optoelectronic properties and manufacturing homogeneous perovskite films.
Tungsten Matrix Composite Reinforced with CoCrFeMnNi High-Entropy Alloy: Impact of Processing Routes on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Satyanarayana P. V. , Sokkalingam R. , Jena P. K. , Sivaprasad K. , Prashanth K. G.
Published: September 2019

Tungsten heavy alloy composite was developed by using novel CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy as the binder/reinforcement phase. Elemental tungsten (W) powder and mechanically alloyed CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy were mixed gently in high energy ball mill and consolidated using different sintering process with varying heating rate (in trend of conventional sintering < microwave sintering < spark plasma sintering). Mechanically alloyed CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy have shown a predominant face-centered cubic (fcc) phase with minor Cr-rich σ-phase. Consolidated tungsten heavy high-entropy alloys (WHHEA) composites reveal the presence of Cr–Mn-rich oxide phase in addition to W-grains and high-entropy alloys (HEA) phase. An increase in heating rate restricts the tungsten grain growth with reduces the volume fraction of the Cr–Mn-rich phase. Finally, spark plasma sintering with a higher heating rate and shorter sintering time has revealed higher compressive strength (~2041 MPa) than the other two competitors (microwave sintering: ~1962 MPa and conventional sintering: ~1758 MPa), which may be attributed to finer W-grains and reduced fraction of Cr–Mn rich oxide phase.
Editorial for the Special Issue on Nanostructure Based Sensors for Gas Sensing: from Devices to Systems
Authors: Donato Nicola , Grassini Sabrina
Published: September 2019

The development of solid state gas sensors based on microtransducers and nanostructured sensing materials is the key point in the design of new portable measurement systems with sensing and identification performances comparable with those of most sophisticated analytical techniques. In such a context, a lot of effort must be spent of course in the development of the sensing material, but also in the choice of the transducer mechanism and structure, in the electrical characterization of the sensor prototypes, as well as in the design of suitable measurement setups. [...]
The Relationship between the Structure and Properties of Amino Acid Ionic Liquids
Authors: Ossowicz Paula , Klebeko Joanna , Roman Barbara , Janus Ewa , Rozwadowski Zbigniew
Published: September 2019

Ionic liquids based on different l-amino acids (glycine, l-valine, l-leucine, l-isoleucine, l-histidine, l-methionine, l-tyrosine, l-tryptophan, l-arginine, and l-threonine) and different cations (tetrabutylammonium (TBA), tributylmethylammonium (tBMA), didecyldimethylammonium (DDA), (2-hydroxyethyl)trimethylammonium (choline) (Chol), alkyl(C12-C14) dimethylbenzylammonium (benzalkonium) (BA), dodecyltrimethylammonium (DDTMA), hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA), octadecyltrimethylammonium (ODTMA) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium (EMIM)) have been synthesized and characterized by NMR and FTIR. Viscosity, specific rotation, surface activity, thermal stability (TG), and phase transformations (DSC) have been determined and compared with available data. Furthermore, benzalkonium, didecyldimethylammonium, dodecyltrimethylammonium, hexadecyltrimethylammonium, and octadecyltrimethylammonium amino acid ionic liquids have been shown to exhibit surface activity. The dissolution of cellulose in amino acid ionic liquids (AAILs) composed of various cations was also investigated. Cellulose was only dissolved in EMIM salts of amino acids. In particular, the influence of the cation type on selected physicochemical and spectroscopic properties were discussed. The article is a mini review on amino acid ionic liquids.
Design and Synthesis of Benzimidazole-Chalcone Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents
Authors: Hsieh Cheng-Ying , Ko Pi-Wen , Chang Yu-Jui , Kapoor Mohit , Liang Yu-Chuan , Chu Hsueh-Liang , Lin Hui-Hsien , Horng Jia-Cherng , Hsu Ming-Hua
Published: September 2019

Numerous reports have shown that conjugated benzimidazole derivatives possess various kinds of biological activities, including anticancer properties. In this report, we designed and synthesized 24 new molecules comprising a benzimidazole ring, arene, and alkyl chain-bearing cyclic moieties. The results showed that the N-substituted benzimidazole derivatives bearing an alkyl chain and a nitrogen-containing 5- or 6-membered ring enhanced the cytotoxic effects on human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and human ovarian carcinoma (OVCAR-3) cell lines. Among the 24 synthesized compounds, (2E)-1-(1-(3-morpholinopropyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2 -yl)-3-phenyl-2-propen-1-one) (23a) reduced the proliferation of MCF-7 and OVCAR-3 cell lines demonstrating superior outcomes to those of cisplatin.
Methyl Salicylate Glycosides in Some Italian Varietal Wines
Authors: Carlin Silvia , Masuero Domenico , Guella Graziano , Vrhovsek Urska , Mattivi Fulvio
Published: September 2019

Glycosides are ubiquitous plant secondary metabolites consisting of a non-sugar component called an aglycone, attached to one or more sugars. One of the most interesting aglycones in grapes and wine is methyl salicylate (MeSA), an organic ester naturally produced by many plants, particularly wintergreens. To date, nine different MeSA glycosides from plants have been reported, mainly spread over the genera Gaultheria, Camellia, Polygala, Filipendula, and Passiflora. From a sensorial point of view, MeSA has a balsamic-sweet odor, known as Wintergreen. MeSA was found in Vitis riparia grapes, in Vitis vinifera sp. and in the Frontenac interspecific hybrid. We found that the MeSA glycosides content in Verdicchio wines and in some genetically related varieties (Trebbiano di Soave and Trebbiano di Lugana) was very high. In order to understand which glycosides were present in wine, the methanolic extract of Verdicchio wine was injected into a UPLC-Q-TOF-HDMS and compared to the extracts of different plants rich in such glycosides. Using pure standards, we confirmed the existence of two glycosides in wine: MeSA 2-O-β-d-glucoside and MeSA 2-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl (1-6) β-d-glucopyranoside (gaultherin). For the first time, we also tentatively identified other diglycosides in wine: MeSA 2-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl (1-6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (violutoside) and MeSA 2-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl (1-6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (canthoside A), MeSA 2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl (1-6)-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (gentiobioside) and MeSA 2-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl (1-6)-β-d-glucopyranoside (rutinoside). Some of these glycosides have been isolated from Gaultheria procumbens leaves by preparative liquid chromatography and structurally annotated by 1H- and 13C-NMR analysis. Two of the peaks isolated from Gaultheria procumbens leaves, namely MeSA sambubioside and MeSA sophoroside, were herein observed for the first time. Six MeSA glycosides were quantified in 64 Italian white wines, highlighting the peculiar content and pattern in Verdicchio wines and related cultivars. The total concentration in bound and free MeSA in Verdicchio wines varied in the range of 456–9796 μg/L and 5.5–143 μg/L, respectively, while in the other wines the bound and free MeSA was below 363 μg/L and 12 μg/L, respectively. As this compound’s olfactory threshold is between 50 and 100 μg/L, our data support the hypothesis that methyl salicylate can contribute to the balsamic scent, especially in old Verdicchio wines.
Mechanistic and Structural Insights on the IL-15 System through Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Sousa Rui P. , Laurent Adèle D. , Quéméner Agnès , Mortier Erwan , Le Questel Jean-Yves
Published: September 2019

Interleukin 15 (IL-15), a four-helix bundle cytokine, is involved in a plethora of different cellular functions and, particularly, plays a key role in the development and activation of immune responses. IL-15 forms receptor complexes by binding with IL-2Rβ- and common γ (γc)-signaling subunits, which are shared with other members of the cytokines family (IL-2 for IL-2Rβ- and all other γc- cytokines for γc). The specificity of IL-15 is brought by the non-signaling α-subunit, IL-15Rα. Here we present the results of molecular dynamics simulations carried out on four relevant forms of IL-15: its monomer, IL-15 interacting individually with IL-15Rα (IL-15/IL-15Rα), with IL-2Rβ/γc subunits (IL-15/IL-2Rβ/γc) or with its three receptors simultaneously (IL-15/IL-15Rα/IL-2Rβ/γc). Through the analyses of the various trajectories, new insights on the structural features of the interfaces are highlighted, according to the considered form. The comparison of the results with the experimental data, available from X-ray crystallography, allows, in particular, the rationalization of the importance of IL-15 key residues (e.g., Asp8, Lys10, Glu64). Furthermore, the pivotal role of water molecules in the stabilization of the various protein-protein interfaces and their H-bonds networks are underlined for each of the considered complexes.
Identification and Allelopathy of Green Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Volatiles on Scavenging of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Yang Fan , Liu Xiaoxue , Wang Hui , Deng Rui , Yu Hanhan , Cheng Zhihui
Published: September 2019

Garlic and formulations containing allicin are used widely as fungicides in modern agriculture. However, limited reports are available on the allelopathic mechanism of green garlic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and its component allelochemicals. The aim of this study was to investigate VOCs of green garlic and their effect on scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cucumber. In this study, green garlic VOCs were collected by HS-SPME, then analyzed by GS-MS. Their biological activity were verified by bioassays. The results showed that diallyl disulfide (DADS) is the main allelochemical of green garlic VOCs and the DADS content released from green garlic is approximately 0.08 mg/g. On this basis, the allelopathic effects of green garlic VOCs in vivo and 1 mmol/L DADS on scavenging of ROS in cucumber seedlings were further studied. Green garlic VOCs and DADS both reduce superoxide anion and increase the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide of cucumber seedlings. They can also regulate active antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, POD), antioxidant substances (MDA, GSH and ASA) and genes (CscAPX, CsGPX, CsMDAR, CsSOD, CsCAT, CsPOD) responding to oxidative stress in cucumber seedlings.
Supramolecular Fuzziness of Intracellular Liquid Droplets: Liquid–Liquid Phase Transitions, Membrane-Less Organelles, and Intrinsic Disorder
Authors: Uversky Vladimir N.
Published: September 2019

Cells are inhomogeneously crowded, possessing a wide range of intracellular liquid droplets abundantly present in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic and bacterial cells, in the mitochondrial matrix and nucleoplasm of eukaryotes, and in the chloroplast’s stroma of plant cells. These proteinaceous membrane-less organelles (PMLOs) not only represent a natural method of intracellular compartmentalization, which is crucial for successful execution of various biological functions, but also serve as important means for the processing of local information and rapid response to the fluctuations in environmental conditions. Since PMLOs, being complex macromolecular assemblages, possess many characteristic features of liquids, they represent highly dynamic (or fuzzy) protein–protein and/or protein–nucleic acid complexes. The biogenesis of PMLOs is controlled by specific intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and hybrid proteins with ordered domains and intrinsically disordered protein regions (IDPRs), which, due to their highly dynamic structures and ability to facilitate multivalent interactions, serve as indispensable drivers of the biological liquid–liquid phase transitions (LLPTs) giving rise to PMLOs. In this article, the importance of the disorder-based supramolecular fuzziness for LLPTs and PMLO biogenesis is discussed.