bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LATIN BORROWINGS DENOTING AN INHABITED PLACE IN ENGLISH AND GERMAN: HISTORICAL ASPECT
Authors: Kodubovska Oksana
Published: April 2019

The article deals with Latin borrowings denoting an inhabited place and the ways they enter the West Germanic languages, namely
English and German. The notion of an inhabited place reflects the realia, which is connected with the compact living of a group
of individuals on a certain territory. The research is based on the principles of anthropocentrism, lexical semantics, etymology and
historical linguistics. The paper argues that etymological aspect is one of the most important in understanding the development
and evolution of the lexeme. The paper aims at singling out and classifying Latin borrowings with the seme ‘inhabited place’ in
the West Germanic Languages. Etymological analysis used in the research helped to characterize borrowed appellatives. Contrasting
method singled out common and divergent features in the development of Latin borrowings in English and German. It is stated
that English and German are prominent for the enriching their vocabulary due to borrowings from Latin. A great deal of Latin
elements entered the languages at different historical stages. Several groups of Latin borrowings were singled out in the research
according to their evolution in the analyzed languages and the period they were borrowed. These groups combined borrowings
with the following features: Common Germanic lexemes which show both the modification of form and meaning saving the seme
‘inhabited place’ in one of the languages at present; early Latin borrowings which lose the meaning of an inhabited place in both
languages; words which demonstrate the different evolution of their semantic structure and develop the meaning of an inhabited
place in one of the languages; borrowings which save the seme ‘inhabited place’ with certain modifications of meaning in both
English and German; lexemes which have the seme at the time of borrowing but lose it later in one of the languages; appellatives
which enter German directly and English via French; English appellatives that do not have correspondences in German and enter
the language via Old and Middle French.
Shape Effect of Fractures on Intensity and Density of Discreet Fracture Networks
Authors: Esmaeilzadeh Akbar , Shahriar Kourosh
Published: April 2019

Fractures are amongst the most important factors determining the behavior of rock masses. The lack of direct access to the real fractures’ distribution leads to the use of indirect methods for their study. The generation of the discrete fracture network is one of the most common indirect methods. Fractures’ shape is one of the most important properties that the simulation of which is of great help in studying the fracture network. A wide range of shapes which include from infinite plates to elliptical shape have been suggested for the simulation of fractures. The present paper makes use of the data collected from the pumped-storage power plant and dam project in Roudbar, Lorestan Province, to provide circular and elliptical network of discrete fractures; moreover, the parameters as density, intensity and the real mean value of the length of the fracture traces have been used to evaluate the effect and accuracy of the selected shapes. Following the implementation of the proposed method, it was made clear that the elliptical discrete fracture network, with a mean error value of 13.5 %, outperforms the circular disk discrete fracture network, with a mean error value of 27.5 %; hence, it was found providing more accurate results for the description of the fractures network in the aforementioned region.
Bordering Practices Across Europe: The Rise of “Walls” and “Fences”
Authors: Koca Burcu Togral
Published: April 2019

This article explores the recent bordering practices across and around Europe, with a specific focus on the construction of walls and fences. Since the outbreak of the Syrian war in 2011, thousands of refugees fleeing persecution have risked their lives crossing dangerous maritime and land borders while attempting to reach Europe. In the face of this intensification of refugee movements and the subsequent mass death around the borders, European countries have decided to erect more walls and fences instead of offering a protection to refugees.  Rather than a novel theoretical and conceptual framework, this article seeks to subject these bordering practices and their material and discursive underpinnings to critical–analytical scrutiny, drawing on the frameworks offered by critical border studies. Concomitantly, it reflects on the detrimental impacts these practices are having on the rights of refugees and problematizes the approaches of European countries vis-à-vis present-day refugee movements.
Repatriation of War Orphans in Bosnia: Narratives of Nationhood and Care in Refugee Crises
Authors: Ellis Burcu Akan
Published: April 2019

This study highlights the plight of children in state orphanages during conditions of war and its aftermath, in order to explore how state narratives trap children between contested notions of the best interests of the child, national belonging, and familial rights. This longitudinal study focuses on international media narratives covering a group of Bosnian orphans who were removed from the Bjelave orphanage in Sarajevo through a controversial German rescue mission in 1992. The orphans were provided temporary protection in Germany for five years but were repatriated to Bosnia in 1997 upon the Bosnian government’s request. In Bosnia, they were reintroduced into the national orphanage system, and eventually to the care of international NGOs. Their plight shows that narratives of care, national belonging and family rights are fundamental tools used to sustain state identities in the process of repatriation of refugees, leaving no voice or choice to the resilient children in question.
Property Rights in the Syrian Conflict: Remedy for the Displaced
Authors: Sert Deniz Ş.
Published: April 2019

Since the beginning of the Syrian uprising in March 2011, Turkey has been the leading host country for the displaced. As of December 2017, 3.3 million Syrians reside in Turkey under a temporary protection regime and there is an expanding discussion on the future of these people. Despite sporadic reports of individual or family groups returning, measures have evolved around themes of their more or less permanent integration in Turkey. Issues of property rights have barely featured in these discussions. Based on findings from previous research, the article argues that whether Syrians in Turkey return or not, it is in the interest of the displaced as well as the host country to work towards a scheme where their property rights in Syria are restored, or in cases where they did not exist prior to the conflict, granted.
CONFERENCE REPORT: Politics, Policies and Diplomacy of Diaspora Governance: New Directions in Theory and Research
Authors: Aytug Rana , Daly Lee
Published: April 2019

On December 6, 2018, academics from across Europe and beyond gathered at London’s Freud Museum for a conference on the politics, policies and diplomacy of diaspora governance. This conference was organized by Senior Research Fellow Dr Bahar Baser from the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations (CTPSR), Coventry University, UK and Dr Henio Hoyo, Research Professor from the Department of Social Sciences/School of Law and Social Sciences, Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM) Monterrey, Mexico.
Reviewing the Case History of ‘The Young Homosexual Woman’: Two Different Settings — Two Case Histories?
Authors: Moguillansky Rodolfo , Vorchheimer Mónica
Published: April 2019

The authors attempt to explore an imagined family consultation, based on the referral that the parents of the ‘young homosexual woman’ presented to Freud, where the daughter caused her parents so much concern, and that gave birth to his The Psychogenesis of a Case of Homosexuality in a Woman (Freud, 1920a).

The authors show the different observational vertices unfolding in the minds of two analysts, as case material is explored in individual or in a family therapy setting, and describe the possible family configurations and the unconscious motivation that might be underlying the family consultation, and thus allow us to discern the family's suffering.
Thinking in Terms of Links
Authors: Nicolò Anna Maria
Published: April 2019

Using Freud's metaphor of the light-sensitive plate that makes the final part of spectrum visible, the author suggests that complementary, mutually reverberating aspects of two personalities trigger the mutual influencing and amplification of contained affects or parts of the self, which would otherwise remain hidden. The relevant feature is mainly that of highlighting of new aspects that had always belonged to that person. This process can, in extreme cases, overwhelm what had, up to that moment, been the identity known by that individual and by others. The folie à deux is located at the pathological end of the spectrum, but it can be viewed as a universal model of a dyadic psychological functioning where the link is the central element. In this case, the link itself can activate and induce aspects in each of the personalities as they interact. A link is the third object coconstructed by two or more mutually interdependent members of a family. It is a shared unconscious co-construction by its members. It influences the partners and is powerful enough to prevent the development of personality disorders.
Aids Based on Speech Recognition Technology for People with Motor Disabilities and Reduced Mobility
Authors: Armas Elizabeth , Álvarez Robin , Romero Geovanny
Published: April 2019

For a person without any physical limitation, it is easy to perform daily activities, but not for people with disabilities. In order to solve this problem, the present system allows a person with disabilities to control household electrical devices only using voice commands. This system is based on a commercial voice recognition software; the orders issued by the user are fulfilled in a reliable way. In addition, a user located in a wheelchair can control the movements of it. To reduce the complexity of the system and avoiding additional wiring, our system sends voice commands through the electric network, facilitating its implementation and reducing costs. For the operation of equipment controlled by infrared signals (R), an X10 to IR converter module was designed. The final system allows the person with motor disability to increase his independence and wellbeing.
PREDICTIVE ASSESSMENT OF INDIVIDUAL HUMAN SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DAMAGING COLD EXPOSURE
Authors: Chashchin V P , Gudkov A B , Chashchin M V , Popova O N
Published: April 2019

According to a systematic review of published data in both the national and international scientific indexing systems, including the results of our own researches, there have been selected evidence-based criteria and internal genotype-phenotype risk determinants for assessing the individual susceptibility to the acute cold exposure. In accordance with these criteria, the list of cold-related health conditions was defined. This list includes 33 classes and groups of diseases and conditions by ICD-10 codes, arising from or tightly associated with the cold exposure. According to the comorbidity principles, the novel quantitative predictive model for assessing the individual susceptibility to the acute cold exposure was developed and validated. This assessment takes into account, in addition to the meteorological risk factors, also internal risk determinants, including physical status, behavioral, pathogenic and functional disorders, as well as receiving thermoregulation-altering pharmaceuticals prescribed by recommended therapeutic doses. The algorithm for calculating the individual health risk and recommended time limits based on the use of suggested comorbidity index for the acute exposure to cold in an open area or in unheated premises without special active thermal protection is described.
WAVELET ANALYSIS OF CLIMATE FACTORS VARIATIONS OF KHANTY-MANSIYSK CITY
Authors: Ragozin O N , Korchin V I , Shalamova E Yu , Ragozina E R
Published: April 2019

The aim of this study is to identify the complex temporary cycles in fluctuations of climatic factors in Khanty-Mansiysk using wavelet analysis. The dynamics of temperature fluctuations in the period 2001 and 2014 shows a significant circannual cycle. Variations of barometric pressure are polycyclic. Descending capacity of rhythms with a period of 5.57 years; 1.02 years and rhythms close to the semiannual, seasonal and cirradian: 173.4 days; 109.3 days; 37.2 days are observed. Humidity varies in circumannual rhythm, intraannual dynamic is the following: 173.4 days; 127.5 days; 68.9 days. Barometric tendency except circannual rhythm is characterized by the rhythm with a period of 3.01 years, and intra-annual intercalary: 173.4 days; 109.3 days; 59.1 days and 20.1 days. Changes of wind speed do not have circannual rhythm, but there are intra-annual variations with a period of 81.1 days and 40.2 days. The oxygen volume being calculated maintains the basic rhythm of such components as temperature, barometric pressure and humidity, namely circannual: two years, five years; two- one month. Indicators of air temperature, wind speed and barometric tendency show the greatest amplitude of oscillation. Visual analysis of coherence of individual rhythms with the same period reveals a florid desynchronosis, which explains negative correlation between the climatic parameters. Use of wavelet analysis to assess the short-term component of the climate processes allows to reveal periodical and aperiodical intercalary rhythms. These rhythms interfering with the steady beat identified by Fourier transform allow us to explain unsteady rhythmic changes implemented in climatic time series.
ANTIBODIES, SPECIFIC TO BENZO[A]PYRENE AND ESTRADIOL, IN HEALTHY MEN AND LUNG CANCER PATIENTS
Authors: Glushkov A N , Polenok E G , Kostyanko M V , Titov V A , Vafin I A , Ragozhina S E
Published: April 2019

It is known that the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, particularly benzo[a]pyrene (Bp), are the most common initiators of carcinogenesis, and estradiol (Es) is the most studied endogenous promoter. However, specific immune responses to exogenous and endogenous carcinogenic factors are still insufficiently studied. This paper presents the results of research of antibodies class A and G (IgA and IgG), specific to Bp and Es, in serum of 272 healthy men and 380 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using a semi-quantitative immunoassay. The purpose of research - to identify the features of antibodies to Bp and Es in NSCLC patients according to the possible individual combinations of their levels in serum. The separated increasing of IgA and IgG antibodies to BP or to Es were found in NSCLC patients more often then in healthy donors (OR = 1,6-1,8). These differences were more significant at the simultaneous increasing of IgA and IgG antibodies to Bp and Es. Probably, induction of specific immunity against exogenous chemical carcinogens and endogenous steroids take part in initiation and promotion of carcinogenesis in human. The method used in this study is recommended for inclusion to the laboratory complex for cancer risk detection, first of all, in the workers of carcinogenic hazardous enterprises.
PENERAPAN MODEL WATERFALL DALAM SISTEM UJIAN SEKOLAH BERBASIS WEB PADA SMK WIRA BUANA I BOGOR
Authors: Jayusman Jayusman , Wasiyanti Sri
Published: April 2019

Examination and repetition of activities such as midterm tests, semester tests and class increase examinations at SMK Wira Buana 1  Bogor are still manual, namely using paper, this is felt to be less effective because it takes a lot of costs, time, place and personnel in its implementation and still exists cheating students in carrying out the exam. In addition, the development of information technology and systems in the world of education is increasing, one example is the Computer Based National Examination (UNBK) also called the Computer Based Test (CBT), which is a system of implementing national examinations using computers as a test medium. This is the background of the author to make a web-based school exam information system there is SMK Wira Buana 1 Bogor. The method used in designing this web-based examination system is the waterfall method which is expected to be one of the breakthroughs in the running of the School Examination, both the Mid-Semester Examination and the Semester Final Examination which can reduce the operational costs of activities. The School Examination Information System becomes a medium for students to practice computer-based exams that can be accessed by all students of Bogor Wira Buana 1 Vocational School so that they can improve readiness and familiarize students in facing Computer-Based National Exams and provide convenience for schools in conducting examinations and providing speed in getting the test result score.
Shock Value: Audiences on the Censorship ofA Serbian Film
Authors: Smith Martin Ian
Published: April 2019

This article argues that censorship studies must concern themselves with matters beyond the actions of the censors if they are to understand how an instance of censorship occurs. It is based on a new study of the experiences of English-speaking audiences of A Serbian Film (2010), which was heavily censored by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). It employs discourse analysis of responses to a mixed-methods survey to examine how audiences discuss media violence and censorship. This article identifies four key competing discourses used by respondents, all of which have very different implications, along with the relationships between these discourses. It demonstrates the complexity of the reception of A Serbian Film and theorises the workings of the censorship debate more widely. The invocation of ‘public opinion’ by the BBFC to justify censorship decisions necessitates a better understanding of how everyday audiences talk about censorship.
“Já tá chegando a festa de Nossa Senhora do Carmo”: Memórias e vivências na cidade de Borda da Mata – MG
Authors: Da Costa Cleyton Antônio
Published: April 2019

Recebido:   06/05/2017 Aprovado:  17/07/2017Publicado: 10/12/2017O presente artigo visa discutir os elementos presentes na festa religiosa de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, padroeira da cidade de Borda da Mata, Sul de Minas Gerais. Busca-se entender como os homens e mulheres deste espaço social se agenciam com o festejo religioso uma das práticas culturais e sociais mais esperadas pela comunidade. É a partir desse recorte cultural que pode-se compreender as diferentes memórias e sentidos relacionados à festa. Metodologicamente utilizamos a técnica da História Oral, que possibilitou dialogar com muitas memórias e outras histórias de diferentes gerações e significados dos festejos, bem como as permanências e rupturas desta prática cultural, que é permeada de valores, sentimentos e tensões. Palavras-chave: Festa, Cidade, Memória.
Model-Free Robotic Architecture with Task-Multiplexer and Discrete-Time Adaptive Control
Authors: Treesatayapun Chidentree
Published: April 2019

Robotic systems equipped with a task-multiplexer unit are considered as a class of unknown non-linear discrete-time systems, where the input is a command voltage of the driver unit and the output is the feedback signal obtained by the multiplexer unit. With only the input and output data available, an equivalent identification is formulated by a multi-input fuzzy rule emulated network. An online-learning algorithm is proposed to tune all adjustable parameters by using convergence analysis. Using the equivalent model, a controller is developed when the convergence of the tracking error and internal signals can be guaranteed. An experimental system validates the performance of the proposed scheme. Furthermore, the comparative results are also included, to demonstrate the advantage of the proposed controller.
Epsilon-Globin HBE1 Enhances Radiotherapy Resistance by Down-Regulating BCL11A in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Authors: Park Sang Yoon , Lee Seon-Jin , Cho Hee Jun , Kim Jong-Tae , Yoon Hyang Ran , Lee Kyung Ho , Kim Bo Yeon , Lee Younghee , Lee Hee Gu
Published: April 2019

Resistance to radiotherapy is considered an important obstacle in the treatment of colorectal cancer. However, the mechanisms that enable tumor cells to tolerate the effects of radiation remain unclear. Moreover, radiotherapy causes accumulated mutations in transcription factors, which can lead to changes in gene expression and radiosensitivity. This phenomenon reduces the effectiveness of radiation therapy towards cancer cells. In the present study, radiation-resistant (RR) cancer cells were established by sequential radiation exposure, and hemoglobin subunit epsilon 1 (HBE1) was identified as a candidate radiation resistance-associated protein based on RNA-sequencing analysis. Then, compared to radiosensitive (RS) cell lines, the overexpression of HBE1 in RR cell lines was used to measure various forms of radiation-induced cellular damage. Consequently, HBE1-overexpressing cell lines were found to exhibit decreased radiation-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell mortality. Conversely, HBE1 deficiency in RR cell lines increased intracellular ROS production, G2/M arrest, and apoptosis, and decreased clonogenic survival rate. These effects were reversed by the ROS scavenger N-acetyl cysteine. Moreover, HBE1 overexpression was found to attenuate radiation-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis via an inositol-requiring enzyme 1(IRE1)—Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway. In addition, increased HBE1 expression induced by γ-irradiation in RS cells attenuated expression of the transcriptional regulator BCL11A, whereas its depletion in RR cells increased BCL11A expression. Collectively, these observations indicate that the expression of HBE1 during radiotherapy might potentiate the survival of radiation-exposed colorectal cancer cells.
Use of Vegetable Oils to Improve the Sun Protection Factor of Sunscreen Formulations
Authors: Montenegro Lucia , Santagati Ludovica Maria
Published: April 2019

Some vegetable oils have many biological properties, including UV-absorbing capacity. Therefore, their use has been suggested to reduce the content of organic UV-filters in sunscreen products. In this work, we investigated the feasibility of developing oil-based vehicles with a high sun protection factor (SPF) using pomegranate oil (PMG) and shea oil (BPO) in association with different percentages of organic UV-filters (octyl– methoxycinnamate, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, and bemotrizinol). We characterized the spreadability, occlusion factor, pH, and required hydrophilic lipophilic balance of the resulting formulations, and did not observe relevant differences due to the incorporation of vegetable oils. The in vitro spectrophotometric determinations of SPF values highlighted that the addition of BPO (1% (w/w)) and PMG (1% (w/w)) resulted in an increase in SPF in comparison with the same formulations that contained only organic UV-filters. The SPF increase was more significant for the formulations that contained lower amounts of organic UV-filters. The results of this study supported the hypothesis that including suitable vegetable oils in sunscreen formulations could be a promising strategy to design products with a lower content of organic UV-filters.
Saliency Detection Based on the Combination of High-Level Knowledge and Low-Level Cues in Foggy Images
Authors: Zhu Xin , Xu Xin , Mu Nan
Published: April 2019

A key issue in saliency detection of the foggy images in the wild for human tracking is how to effectively define the less obvious salient objects, and the leading cause is that the contrast and resolution is reduced by the light scattering through fog particles. In this paper, to suppress the interference of the fog and acquire boundaries of salient objects more precisely, we present a novel saliency detection method for human tracking in the wild. In our method, a combination of object contour detection and salient object detection is introduced. The proposed model can not only maintain the object edge more precisely via object contour detection, but also ensure the integrity of salient objects, and finally obtain accurate saliency maps of objects. Firstly, the input image is transformed into HSV color space, and the amplitude spectrum (AS) of each color channel is adjusted to obtain the frequency domain (FD) saliency map. Then, the contrast of the local-global superpixel is calculated, and the saliency map of the spatial domain (SD) is obtained. We use Discrete Stationary Wavelet Transform (DSWT) to fuse the cues of the FD and SD. Finally, a fully convolutional encoder–decoder model is utilized to refine the contour of the salient objects. Experimental results demonstrate that the presented model can remove the influence of fog efficiently, and the performance is better than 16 state-of-the-art saliency models.
Bounded Rational Decision-Making from Elementary Computations That Reduce Uncertainty
Authors: Gottwald Sebastian , Braun Daniel
Published: April 2019

In its most basic form, decision-making can be viewed as a computational process that progressively eliminates alternatives, thereby reducing uncertainty. Such processes are generally costly, meaning that the amount of uncertainty that can be reduced is limited by the amount of available computational resources. Here, we introduce the notion of elementary computation based on a fundamental principle for probability transfers that reduce uncertainty. Elementary computations can be considered as the inverse of Pigou–Dalton transfers applied to probability distributions, closely related to the concepts of majorization, T-transforms, and generalized entropies that induce a preorder on the space of probability distributions. Consequently, we can define resource cost functions that are order-preserving and therefore monotonic with respect to the uncertainty reduction. This leads to a comprehensive notion of decision-making processes with limited resources. Along the way, we prove several new results on majorization theory, as well as on entropy and divergence measures.
A Survey on Optimization Techniques Applied to Magnetic Field Mitigation in Power Systems
Authors: Bravo-Rodríguez Juan Carlos , del-Pino-López Juan Carlos , Cruz-Romero Pedro
Published: April 2019

With the continuous increase in the number and relevance of electric transmission lines and distribution networks, there is a higher exposure to the magnetic fields generated by them, leading to more cases of human electrosensitivity, which greatly necessitates the design and development of magnetic field mitigation procedures and, at the same time, the need to minimize both performance degradation and deterioration in the efficiency as well. During the last four decades, fruitful results have been reported about extremely low frequency magnetic field mitigation, giving a wide variety of solutions. This survey paper aims to give a comprehensive overview of cost-effective optimization techniques destined to magnetic field mitigation in power systems, with particular attention to the results reported in the last decade.
Numerical Study of Simultaneous Multiple Fracture Propagation in Changning Shale Gas Field
Authors: Xie Jun , Huang Haoyong , Sang Yu , Fan Yu , Chen Juan , Wu Kan , Yu Wei
Published: April 2019

Recently, the Changning shale gas field has been one of the most outstanding shale plays in China for unconventional gas exploitation. Based on the more practical experience of hydraulic fracturing, the economic gas production from this field can be optimized and gradually improved. However, further optimization of the fracture design requires a deeper understanding of the effects of engineering parameters on simultaneous multiple fracture propagation. It can increase the effective fracture number and the well performance. In this paper, based on the Changning field data, a complex fracture propagation model was established. A series of case studies were investigated to analyze the effects of engineering parameters on simultaneous multiple fracture propagation. The fracture spacing, perforating number, injection rate, fluid viscosity and number of fractures within one stage were considered. The simulation results show that smaller fracture spacing implies stronger stress shadow effects, which significantly reduces the perforating efficiency. The perforating number is a critical parameter that has a big impact on the cluster efficiency. In addition, one cluster with a smaller perforating number can more easily generate a uniform fracture geometry. A higher injection rate is better for promoting uniform fluid volume distribution, with each cluster growing more evenly. An increasing fluid viscosity increases the variation of fluid distribution between perforation clusters, resulting in the increasing gap between the interior fracture and outer fractures. An increasing number of fractures within the stage increases the stress shadow among fractures, resulting in a larger total fracture length and a smaller average fracture width. This work provides key guidelines for improving the effectiveness of hydraulic fracture treatments.
A State of Health Estimation Method for Lithium-Ion Batteries Based on Voltage Relaxation Model
Authors: Fang Qiaohua , Wei Xuezhe , Lu Tianyi , Dai Haifeng , Zhu Jiangong
Published: April 2019

The state of health estimation for lithium-ion battery is a key function of the battery management system. Unlike the traditional state of health estimation methods under dynamic conditions, the relaxation process is studied and utilized to estimate the state of health in this research. A reasonable and accurate voltage relaxation model is established based on the linear relationship between time coefficient and open circuit time for a Li1(NiCoAl)1O2-Li1(NiCoMn)1O2/graphite battery. The accuracy and effectiveness of the model is verified under different states of charge and states of health. Through systematic experiments under different states of charge and states of health, it is found that the model parameters monotonically increase with the aging of the battery. Three different capacity estimation methods are proposed based on the relationship between model parameters and residual capacity, namely the α-based, β-based, and parameter–fusion methods. The validation of the three methods is verified with high accuracy. The results indicate that the capacity estimation error under most of the aging states is less than 1%. The largest error drops from 3% under the α-based method to 1.8% under the parameter–fusion method.
Spatially Filtered Multilevel Analysis on Spatial Determinants for Malaria Occurrence in Korea
Authors: Kim Sehyeong , Kim Youngho
Published: April 2019

Since its re-emergence in 1993, the spatial patterns of malaria outbreaks in South Korea have drastically changed. It is well known that complicated interactions between humans, nature, and socio-economic factors lead to a spatial dependency of vivax malaria occurrences. This study investigates the spatial factors determining malaria occurrences in order to understand and control malaria risks in Korea. A multilevel model is applied to simultaneously analyze the variables in different spatial scales, and eigenvector spatial filtering is used to explain the spatial autocorrelation in the malaria occurrence data. The results show that housing costs, average age, rice paddy field ratio, and distance from the demilitarized zone (DMZ) are significant on the level-1 spatial scale; health budget per capita and military base area ratio are significant on the level-2 spatial scale. The results show that the spatially filtered multilevel model provides better analysis results in handling spatial issues.
Lack of Cathepsin D in the Renal Proximal Tubular Cells Resulted in Increased Sensitivity against Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Suzuki Chigure , Tanida Isei , Ohmuraya Masaki , Oliva Trejo Juan Alejandro , Kakuta Soichiro , Sunabori Takehiko , Uchiyama Yasuo
Published: April 2019

Cathepsin D is one of the major lysosomal aspartic proteases that is essential for the normal functioning of the autophagy-lysosomal system. In the kidney, cathepsin D is enriched in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells, and its levels increase during acute kidney injury. To investigate how cathepsin D-deficiency impacts renal proximal tubular cells, we employed a conditional knockout CtsDflox/−; Spink3Cre mouse. Immunohistochemical analyses using anti-cathepsin D antibody revealed that cathepsin D was significantly decreased in tubular epithelial cells of the cortico-medullary region, mainly in renal proximal tubular cells of this mouse. Cathepsin D-deficient renal proximal tubular cells showed an increase of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3; a marker for autophagosome/autolysosome)-signals and an accumulation of abnormal autophagic structures. Renal ischemia/reperfusion injury resulted in an increase of early kidney injury marker, Kidney injury molecule 1 (Kim-1), in the cathepsin D-deficient renal tubular epithelial cells of the CtsDflox/−; Spink3Cre mouse. Inflammation marker was also increased in the cortico-medullary region of the CtsDflox/−; Spink3Cre mouse. Our results indicated that lack of cathepsin D in the renal tubular epithelial cells led to an increase of sensitivity against ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Safety Assessment of Compounds after In Vitro Metabolic Conversion Using Zebrafish Eleuthero Embryos
Authors: Giusti Arianna , Nguyen Xuan-Bac , Kislyuk Stanislav , Mignot Mélanie , Ranieri Cecilia , Nicolaï Johan , Oorts Marlies , Wu Xiao , Annaert Pieter , De Croze Noémie , Léonard Marc , Ny Annelii , Cabooter Deirdre , de Witte Peter
Published: April 2019

Zebrafish-based platforms have recently emerged as a useful tool for toxicity testing as they combine the advantages of in vitro and in vivo methodologies. Nevertheless, the capacity to metabolically convert xenobiotics by zebrafish eleuthero embryos is supposedly low. To circumvent this concern, a comprehensive methodology was developed wherein test compounds (i.e., parathion, malathion and chloramphenicol) were first exposed in vitro to rat liver microsomes (RLM) for 1 h at 37 °C. After adding methanol, the mixture was ultrasonicated, placed for 2 h at −20 °C, centrifuged and the supernatant evaporated. The pellet was resuspended in water for the quantification of the metabolic conversion and the detection of the presence of metabolites using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-Ultraviolet-Mass (UHPLC-UV-MS). Next, three days post fertilization (dpf) zebrafish eleuthero embryos were exposed to the metabolic mix diluted in Danieau’s medium for 48 h at 28 °C, followed by a stereomicroscopic examination of the adverse effects induced, if any. The novelty of our method relies in the possibility to quantify the rate of the in vitro metabolism of the parent compound and to co-incubate three dpf larvae and the diluted metabolic mix for 48 h without inducing major toxic effects. The results for parathion show an improved predictivity of the toxic potential of the compound.
Polyphenols as Immunomodulatory Compounds in the Tumor Microenvironment: Friends or Foes?
Authors: Focaccetti Chiara , Izzi Valerio , Benvenuto Monica , Fazi Sara , Ciuffa Sara , Giganti Maria Gabriella , Potenza Vito , Manzari Vittorio , Modesti Andrea , Bei Roberto
Published: April 2019

Polyphenols are natural antioxidant compounds ubiquitously found in plants and, thus, ever present in human nutrition (tea, wine, chocolate, fruits and vegetables are typical examples of polyphenol-rich foods). Widespread evidence indicate that polyphenols exert strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-cancer activities, and thus, they are generally regarded to as all-purpose beneficial nutraceuticals or supplements whose use can only have a positive influence on the body. A closer look to the large body of results of years of investigations, however, present a more complex scenario where polyphenols exert different and, sometimes, paradoxical effects depending on dose, target system and cell type and the biological status of the target cell. Particularly, the immunomodulatory potential of polyphenols presents two opposite faces to researchers trying to evaluate their usability in future cancer therapies: on one hand, these compounds could be beneficial suppressors of peri-tumoral inflammation that fuels cancer growth. On the other hand, they might suppress immunotherapeutic approaches and give rise to immunosuppressive cell clones that, in turn, would aid tumor growth and dissemination. In this review, we summarize knowledge of the immunomodulatory effects of polyphenols with a particular focus on cancer microenvironment and immunotherapy, highlighting conceptual pitfalls and delicate cell-specific effects in order to aid the design of future therapies involving polyphenols as chemoadjuvants.
Bioreactor-Controlled Physoxia Regulates TGF-β Signaling to Alter Extracellular Matrix Synthesis by Human Chondrocytes
Authors: Jahr Holger , Gunes Seval , Kuhn Annika-Ricarda , Nebelung Sven , Pufe Thomas
Published: April 2019

Culturing articular chondrocytes under physiological oxygen tension exerts positive effects on their extracellular matrix synthesis. The underlying molecular mechanisms which enhance the chondrocytic phenotype are, however, still insufficiently elucidated. The TGF-β superfamily of growth factors, and the prototypic TGF-β isoforms in particular, are crucial in maintaining matrix homeostasis of these cells. We employed a feedback-controlled table-top bioreactor to investigate the role of TGF-β in microtissues of human chondrocytes over a wider range of physiological oxygen tensions (i.e., physoxia). We compared 1%, 2.5%, and 5% of partial oxygen pressure (pO2) to the ‘normoxic’ 20%. We confirmed physoxic conditions through the induction of marker genes (PHD3, VEGF) and oxygen tension-dependent chondrocytic markers (SOX9, COL2A1). We identified 2.5% pO2 as an oxygen tension optimally improving chondrocytic marker expression (ACAN, COL2A1), while suppressing de-differentiation markers (COL1A1, COL3A1). Expression of TGF-β isoform 2 (TGFB2) was, relatively, most responsive to 2.5% pO2, while all three isoforms were induced by physoxia. We found TGF-β receptors ALK1 and ALK5 to be regulated by oxygen tension on the mRNA and protein level. In addition, expression of type III co-receptors betaglycan and endoglin appeared to be regulated by oxygen tension as well. R-Smad signaling confirmed that physoxia divergently regulated phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 and Smad2/3. Pharmacological inhibition of canonical ALK5-mediated signaling abrogated physoxia-induced COL2A1 and PAI-1 expression. Physoxia altered expression of hypertrophy markers and that of matrix metalloproteases and their activity, as well as expression ratios of specific proteins (Sp)/Krüppel-like transcription factor family members SP1 and SP3, proving a molecular concept of ECM marker regulation. Keeping oxygen levels tightly balanced within a physiological range is important for optimal chondrocytic marker expression. Our study provides novel insights into transcriptional regulations in chondrocytes under physoxic in vitro conditions and may contribute to improving future cell-based articular cartilage repair strategies.
Elucidation of Novel Therapeutic Targets for Acute Myeloid Leukemias with RUNX1-RUNX1T1 Fusion
Authors: Yun Jae Won , Bae Yoon Kyung , Cho So Yeong , Koo Harim , Kim Hee-Jin , Nam Do-Hyun , Kim Sun-Hee , Chun Sejong , Joo Kyeung Min , Park Woong-Yang
Published: April 2019

The RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion is a frequent chromosomal alteration in acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs). Although RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion protein has pivotal roles in the development of AMLs with the fusion, RUNX1-RUNX1T1, fusion protein is difficult to target, as it lacks kinase activities. Here, we used bioinformatic tools to elucidate targetable signaling pathways in AMLs with RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion. After analysis of 93 AML cases from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we found expression of 293 genes that correlated to the expression of the RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion gene. Based on these 293 genes, the cyclooxygenase (COX), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) pathways were predicted to be specifically activated in AMLs with RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion. Moreover, the in vitro proliferation of AML cells with RUNX1-RUNX1T1 fusion decreased significantly more than that of AML cells without the fusion, when the pathways were inhibited pharmacologically. The results indicate that novel targetable signaling pathways could be identified by the analysis of the gene expression features of AMLs with non-targetable genetic alterations. The elucidation of specific molecular targets for AMLs that have a specific genetic alteration would promote personalized treatment of AMLs and improve clinical outcomes.
Prophylactic Ketamine Treatment Promotes Resilience to Chronic Stress and Accelerates Recovery: Correlation with Changes in Synaptic Plasticity in the CA3 Subregion of the Hippocampus
Authors: Krzystyniak Adam , Baczynska Ewa , Magnowska Marta , Antoniuk Svitlana , Roszkowska Matylda , Zareba-Koziol Monika , Das Nirmal , Basu Subhadip , Pikula Michal , Wlodarczyk Jakub
Published: April 2019

Ketamine is an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist that has gained wide attention as a potent antidepressant. It has also been recently reported to have prophylactic effects in animal models of depression and anxiety. Alterations of neuroplasticity in different brain regions; such as the hippocampus; prefrontal cortex; and amygdala; are a hallmark of stress-related disorders; and such changes may endure beyond the treatment of symptoms. The present study investigated whether a prophylactic injection of ketamine has effects on structural plasticity in the brain in mice that are subjected to chronic unpredictable stress followed by an 8-day recovery period. Ketamine administration (3 mg/kg body weight) 1 h before stress exposure increased the number of resilient animals immediately after the cessation of stress exposure and positively influenced the recovery of susceptible animals to hedonic deficits. At the end of the recovery period; ketamine-treated animals exhibited significant differences in dendritic spine density and dendritic spine morphology in brain regions associated with depression compared with saline-treated animals. These results confirm previous findings of the prophylactic effects of ketamine and provide further evidence of an association between the antidepressant-like effect of ketamine and alterations of structural plasticity in the brain
Identification and Characterization of the DMRT11E Gene in the Oriental River Prawn Macrobrachium nipponense
Authors: Wang Yabing , Jin Shubo , Fu Hongtuo , Qiao Hui , Sun Shengming , Zhang Wenyi , Jiang Sufei , Gong Yongsheng , Xiong Yiwei , Wu Yan
Published: April 2019

The doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor (DMRT) gene family involvement in sex development is widely conserved from invertebrates to humans. In this study, we identified a DM (Doublesex/Mab-3)-domain gene in Macrobrachium nipponense, which we named MniDMRT11E because it has many similarities to and phylogenetically close relationships with the arthropod DMRT11E. Amino acid alignments and structural prediction uncovered conservation and putative active sites of the DM domain. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the MniDMRT11E was highly expressed in the ovary and testis in both males and females. Cellular localization analysis showed that DMRT11E was mainly located in the oocytes of the ovary and the spermatocyte of the testis. During embryogenesis, the expression level of MniDMRT11E was higher at the cleavage stage than at other stages. During the different stages of ovarian development, MniDMRT11E expression gradually increased from OI to OIII and decreased to the lowest level at the end of OIV. The results indicated that MniDMRT11E probably played important roles in embryonic development and sex maturity in M. nipponense. MniDMRT11E dsRNA injection also significantly reduced vitellogenin (VG) expression and significantly increased insulin-like androgenic gland factor (IAG) expression, indicating a close relationship in gonad development.
Hyers–Ulam Stability and Existence of Solutions for Differential Equations with Caputo–Fabrizio Fractional Derivative
Authors: Liu Kui , Fečkan Michal , O’Regan D. , Wang JinRong
Published: April 2019

In this paper, the Hyers–Ulam stability of linear Caputo–Fabrizio fractional differential equation is established using the Laplace transform method. We also derive a generalized Hyers–Ulam stability result via the Gronwall inequality. In addition, we establish existence and uniqueness of solutions for nonlinear Caputo–Fabrizio fractional differential equations using the generalized Banach fixed point theorem and Schaefer’s fixed point theorem. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate our main results.
Soritesidine, a Novel Proteinous Toxin from the Okinawan Marine Sponge Spongosorites sp.
Authors: Sakai Ryuichi , Tanano Kota , Ono Takumi , Kitano Masaya , Iida Yusuke , Nakano Koji , Jimbo Mitsuru
Published: April 2019

A novel protein, soritesidine (SOR) with potent toxicity was isolated from the marine sponge Spongosorites sp. SOR exhibited wide range of toxicities over various organisms and cells including brine shrimp (Artemia salina) larvae, sea hare (Aplysia kurodai) eggs, mice, and cultured mammalian cells. Toxicities of SOR were extraordinary potent. It killed mice at 5 ng/mouse after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection, and brine shrimp and at 0.34 µg/mL. Cytotoxicity for cultured mammalian cancer cell lines against HeLa and L1210 cells were determined to be 0.062 and 12.11 ng/mL, respectively. The SOR-containing fraction cleaved plasmid DNA in a metal ion dependent manner showing genotoxicity of SOR. Purified SOR exhibited molecular weight of 108.7 kDa in MALDI-TOF MS data and isoelectric point of approximately 4.5. N-terminal amino acid sequence up to the 25th residue was determined by Edman degradation. Internal amino acid sequences for fifteen peptides isolated from the enzyme digest of SOR were also determined. None of those amino acid sequences showed similarity to existing proteins, suggesting that SOR is a new proteinous toxin.