bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Antigen-Free, Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell–Targeting Immunotherapy To Bolster Memory CD8+ T Cells in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Masuta Yuji , Yamamoto Takuya , Natsume-Kitatani Yayoi , Kanuma Tomohiro , Moriishi Eiko , Kobiyama Kouji , Mizuguchi Kenji , Yasutomi Yasuhiro , Ishii Ken J. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
The priming, boosting, and restoration of memory cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes by vaccination or immunotherapy in vivo is an area of active research. Particularly, nucleic acid–based compounds have attracted attention due to their ability to elicit strong Ag-specific CTL responses as a vaccine adjuvant. Nucleic acid–based compounds have been shown to act as anticancer monotherapeutic agents even without coadministration of cancer Ag(s); however, so far they have lacked efficacy in clinical trials. We recently developed a second-generation TLR9 agonist, a humanized CpG DNA (K3) complexed with schizophyllan (SPG), K3-SPG, a nonagonistic Dectin-1 ligand. K3-SPG was previously shown to act as a potent monoimmunotherapeutic agent against established tumors in mice in vivo. In this study we extend the monoimmunotherapeutic potential of K3-SPG to a nonhuman primate model. K3-SPG activated monkey plasmacytoid dendritic cells to produce both IFN-α and IL-12/23 p40 in vitro and in vivo. A single injection s.c. or i.v. with K3-SPG significantly increased the frequencies of activated memory CD8+ T cells in circulation, including Ag-specific memory CTLs, in cynomolgus macaques. This increase did not occur in macaques injected with free CpG K3 or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid. Injection of 2 mg K3-SPG induced mild systemic inflammation, however, levels of proinflammatory serum cytokines and circulating neutrophil influx were lower than those induced by the same dose of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid. Therefore, even in the absence of specific Ags, we show that K3-SPG has potent Ag-specific memory CTL response–boosting capabilities, highlighting its potential as a monoimmunotherapeutic agent for chronic infectious diseases and cancer.
TGF-β1 Suppresses the Type I IFN Response and Induces Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Alveolar Macrophages
Authors: Grunwell Jocelyn R. , Yeligar Samantha M. , Stephenson Susan , Ping Xiao Du , Gauthier Theresa W. , Fitzpatrick Anne M. , Brown Lou Ann S. 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
TGF-β1 is a pleiotropic cytokine with an established role in fibrosis; however, the immunosuppressive effects of TGF-β1 are less characterized. Elevated levels of TGF-β1 are found in patients with acute and chronic lung diseases, and the underlying disease processes are exacerbated by respiratory viral infections. The alveolar macrophage is the first line of cellular defense against respiratory viral infections, and its response to infections is dependent on environmental cues. Using the mouse alveolar macrophage line, MH-S, and human CD14+ monocyte-derived macrophages, we examined the effects of TGF-β1 on the type I IFN antiviral response, macrophage polarization, and mitochondrial bioenergetics following a challenge with human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Our results showed that TGF-β1 treatment of macrophages decreased the antiviral and proinflammatory response, and suppressed basal, maximal, spare mitochondrial respiration, and mitochondrial ATP production. Challenge with RSV following TGF-β1 treatment further exacerbated mitochondrial dysfunction. The TGF-β1 and TGF-β1+RSV–treated macrophages had a higher frequency of apoptosis and diminished phagocytic capacity, potentially through mitochondrial stress. Disruption of TGF-β1 signaling or rescue of mitochondrial respiration may be novel therapeutically targetable pathways to improve macrophage function and prevent secondary bacterial infections that complicate viral respiratory infections.
Cutting Edge: Check Your Mice—A Point Mutation in the Ncr1 Locus Identified in CD45.1 Congenic Mice with Consequences in Mouse Susceptibility to Infection
Authors: Jang Youngsoon , Gerbec Zachary J. , Won Taejoon , Choi Bongkum , Podsiad Amy , B. Moore Bethany , Malarkannan Subramaniam , Laouar Yasmina 
Published: February 2018

Abstract
B6.SJL-Ptprca Pepcb/Boy (CD45.1) mice have been used in hundreds of congenic competitive transplants, with the presumption that they differ from C57BL/6 mice only at the CD45 locus. In this study, we describe a point mutation in the natural cytotoxicity receptor 1 (Ncr1) locus fortuitously identified in the CD45.1 strain. This point mutation was mapped at the 40th nucleotide of the Ncr1 locus causing a single amino acid mutation from cysteine to arginine at position 14 from the start codon, resulting in loss of NCR1 expression. We found that these mice were more resistant to CMV due to a hyper innate IFN-γ response in the absence of NCR1. In contrast, loss of NCR1 increased susceptibility to influenza virus, a result that is consistent with the role of NCR1 in the recognition of influenza Ag, hemagglutinin. This work sheds light on potential confounding experimental interpretation when this congenic strain is used as a tool for tracking lymphocyte development.
Toxicity and biodegradability of caffeic acid in anaerobic digesting sludge
Authors: Hernandez JE , Edyvean RGJ 
Published: February 2018

Caffeic acid in waste comes from a variety of industries, and its disposal is likely to increase due to emerging processes such as graphene production and use in healthcare products. The current sustainable option to treat waste caffeic acid and prevent its natural transformation in soil to greenhouse gases, is anaerobic digestion. However, little is known about the toxic and inhibitory effects of caffeic acid on biogas production as well as its ultimate anaerobic biodegradability; or about the reactive adsorptive processes taking place with caffeic acid in sludge, metabolic intermediates, thermodynamic limitations and the effects on extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Standard methods revealed that 80% of biogas production (EC80) from a readily digestible biomass was inhibited at 389 mg caffeic acid·g-1 VSS. Up to 52% of caffeic acid was biodegraded. β-oxidation and reductive dehydroxylation were the initial activation reactions transforming caffeic acid into typical polyphenol structural units (protocatechuic acid and 4HBA). Adsorption of caffeic acid (53.3% and 28.6%) to the sludge occurred even at inhibitory concentrations. The EPS structure remained unchanged regardless of the increase in concentration of caffeic acid. Reasonable concentrations of caffeic acid could be co-digested with a similar readily digestible biomass with an expected reduction in biogas production. It is feasible to treat waste caffeic acid by anaerobic digestion and adsorption of its derivates, in order to reduce the contribution to global warming and to protect the environment.
Development and assessment of rules to parameterise the ACRU model for design flood estimation
Authors: Smithers JC , Rowe TJ , Horan MJC , Schulze RE 
Published: February 2018

Design flood estimation (DFE) is essential in the planning and design of hydraulic structures. In South Africa, outdated methods are widely applied for DFE. In this paper the potential of a continuous simulation modelling (CSM) approach to DFE in South Africa, using the daily time-step ACRU agrohydrological model, is investigated. The paper focuses on the links and similarities between the SCS-SA and ACRU models and the subsequent preliminary investigations that were undertaken to account for and incorporate the land cover classes, including land management practices and hydrological condition, of the SCS-SA model into the ACRU CSM approach. The approach to this study was to investigate how design volumes simulated by the SCS-SA model for various land management practices or conditions could be simulated by the ACRU model. Since peak discharge estimation in both models is directly dependent on simulated volumes, this preliminary study focused only on design runoff volumes, with subsequent investigations on peak discharge required in future research. In the absence of observed data, design runoff volumes and changes in design runoff volumes, as simulated by the SCS-SA model, were used as a substitute for observed data, i.e., as a reference, to achieve similar design runoff volumes and changes in design volumes in the ACRU model. This was achieved by adjusting relevant input parameters in the ACRU model to represent the change in management practice or hydrological condition, as represented in the SCS-SA model. Following a sensitivity analysis of relevant ACRU parameters, calibration of 2 selected parameters against SCS-SA CN values for selected land cover classes was performed. A strong linear relationship (R2 = 0.94) between these ACRU parameters and SCS-SA CNs for selected land cover classes was found and consequently specific rules and equations were developed to represent SCS-SA land cover classes in ACRU. Recommendations are made to further validate and verify the approach and to further the development of a CSM system for DFE in South Africa.
Determination of oestrogen hormones in raw and treated water samples by reverse phase ultra-fast liquid chromatography mass spectrometry – a case study in Johannesburg South, South Africa
Authors: Mnguni SB , Schoeman C , Marais SS , Cukrowska E , Chimuka L 
Published: February 2018

Hormones in water samples have been classified as ‘emerging pollutants’ and may pose a potential risk for humans. Hormones can be found in both surface and ground water at low concentrations. These compounds enter water streams through wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and may elicit endocrine disruption to organisms. As a result of the low concentrations, a suitable analytical methodology is essential for their determination. In the past, residues of oestrogens in aqueous and solid environmental samples have commonly been analysed by gas chromatography (GC) equipped with mass spectrometry (MS). However, the necessary derivatisation steps are not only time consuming and laborious but also tedious. The first part of this case study was to develop a method to determine trace concentrations of the estrone (E1), 17α-estradiol (E2α), 17-β-estradiol (E2β) and 17-α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) hormones using reverse phase ultra-fast liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (RP-UFLC). Using the developed method, the second part of the case study was to determine the concentrations of the hormones in raw and treated potable water samples from the Vaal River catchment area in the south of Johannesburg, South Africa. Analytes were extracted by solid phase extraction (SPE C18 sorbent) cartridges and subsequently injected into ultra-fast liquid chromatography with the reverse phase column coupled to mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS) for analyte determinations. The limits of quantification were in the range of 0.24 to 0.32 ng·L-1 for the analytes. Accuracy was 95.6, 93.8, 97.6 and 100.9% for EE2, E2α, E2β and E1, respectively. In raw water samples taken during the rainy wet season, estrone was detected at concentrations of 0.90 and 4.43 ng·L-1. However, treated potable water samples did not contain detectable levels of hormones. This is potentially due to the ability of a water treatment process to remove endocrine disruptors during water purification.
Effect of landcover/land-use changes on water availability in and around Ruti Dam in Nyazvidzi catchment, Zimbabwe
Authors: Gumindoga W , Rwasoka DT , Ncube N , Kaseke E , Dube T 
Published: February 2018

The aim of this study was to quantify the upstream land-use and landcover changes and assess their effect on Ruti Dam levels and water availability in Nyazvidzi catchment. Remote-sensing techniques, hydrologic modelling and statistical inference were applied. Spatial landcover dynamics were derived from Landsat satellite data for the years 1984, 1990, 1993, 1996, 2003, 2008, and 2013 using the maximum likelihood classification technique. Results showed that forests and shrubs decreased by 36% between 1984 and 2013 whilst cultivated areas increased by 13% over the same period. The HEC-HMS rainfall-runoff model was used to simulate steamflow for the Nyazvidzi catchment, Zimbabwe. For the calibration period (2000–2001), a satisfactory Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) model peformance of 0.71 and relative volume error (RVE) of 10% were obtained. Model validation (1995—1997) gave a NSE of 0.61 and RVE of 12%. We applied the Mann-Kendall trend test to assess for monotonic trends in runoff over the study period and the results showed that there were significant decreases in observed runoff at Station E140 (monthly time scale) and at Stations E62 and E140 (seasonal time scale). Results showed that the wet season (Nov–Feb) had higher mean water balance values with an excess runoff of 8.12 mm/month. The dry season (April—Sept) had lower mean water balance values, with the lowest at 0.04 mm/month. Strong positive relationships (r2) between dam levels and land-use changes were obtained as follows: bare (0.95), cultivation (0.76) and forests (0.98). The relationship between runoff generated and land-use changes was found to be relatively weaker (0.54 for forests, 0.51 for bare and 0.14 for cultivation). Findings of this study underscore the relevance of applying hydrological models, remote sensing and statistical inference in quantifying and detecting environmental changes, as well as how they affect the availability and the quality of water resources in space and time.
Real-time analysis and classification of bioaerosols based on optical scattering properties
Authors: Kaliszewski Miron , Trafny Elżbieta Anna , Włodarski Maksymilian , Lewandowski Rafał , Stępińska Małgorzata , Kwaśny Mirosław , Kostecki Jerzy , Kopczyński Krzysztof 
Published: February 2018

The size and shape of biological particles are important parameters allowing discrimination between various species. We have studied several aerosols of biological origin such as pollens, bacterial spores and vegetative bacteria. All of them presented different morphology. Using optical size and shape analyser we found good correlation between light scattering properties and actual particle features determined by scanning electron and fluorescence microscopy. In this study, we demonstrated that HCA (Hierarchical Cluster Analysis) offers fast and continuous bioaerosol classification based on shape and size data matrices of aerosols. The HCA gives an unequivocal interpretation of particle size vs. asymmetry data. Therefore, it may provide high throughput and reliable screening and classification of bioaerosols using scattering characteristics. Keywords: bioaerosol classification, scattering, particle size and shape analysis, biological warfare agents’ detection, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA)
Technical aspects of circulating tumor cells (CTC) isolation using molecular sieve
Authors: Pastuszka Paweł , Bogdanowicz Zdzisław , Kowalik Artur , Gruszczyński Krzysztof , Łapiński Mariusz 
Published: February 2018

The article presents the characteristics of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in the context of their enrichment. It presents the possibility of the use of molecular sieves in CTC isolation. It shows important technical factors affecting the efficiency of CTC enrichment using molecular sieves and indicates the necessity of compromise choice of these parameters. It shows 2D molecular sieve construction made within the Biomedical Engineering Centre of MUT. It presents the future directions of research which assumes the use of this construction for a molecular filter in the form of sieve stack. Keywords: molecular sieves, circulating tumor cells (CTC) enrichment, laser photolithography, laser ablation
Properties of welded joints made in high strength steel using laser technology
Authors: Ślęzak Tomasz , Śnieżek Lucjan 
Published: February 2018

The usage of high strength steels (HSS) provides numerous benefits in the form of the cross- section area reduction causing weight decrease, improvement in exploitation parameters and in result positive financial effect. The most advantageous results are observed in the parts loaded by tensile stresses. The factors most influencing the fatigue strength of the metals, especially the steels of high value of yield point, are stress concentration in the originated geometrical notches, local changes of the stress state or the microstructure of paternal material. Improvement in the fatigue behaviour of HSS steels can be achieved by changing the commonly used technique for high-energy joining technology, namely laser beam welding. Relatively narrow welds and reduced heat-affected zone (HAZ) have minimized the residual stresses and distortions. The paper presents the results of the studies focused on mechanical properties of welded joints of high strength fine-grained steel S960QL. There was investigated the impact of heat input on the microstructure, microhardness- and residual stresses in the weld and HAZ. The crucial part is devoted to the fatigue research and fractographic investigation of the fatigue ruptures of laser-made welds. There were also found in the origins the cause of crack initiation. Keywords: mechanics, fatigue life, high strength steel, laser welding
Collective protection against contamination
Authors: Harmata Władysław , Szcześniak Zbigniew , Sobiech Marian 
Published: February 2018

The paper describes general rules for the use of collective protection against contamination. There are presented certain recommendations for functional and operational requirements in the case of collective protection measures. The functional and maintenance recommendations are described in the field of the collective protection against modern agents in the concern of the hardened facilities in relation to the ventilation systems and objects themselves. Individual protection is a key element of dealing in the massive destruction weapon (MDW) environment. The protective cloth provides the capability of working in a contaminated area but it makes individuals less operable and effective, also in the lasting. The common collec-tive protection is organized for people (solders or civilians) to be able to operate in a contaminated area. It means, that there are necessary certain facilities which protect personnel against toxics. The point of the collective protection is to keep an environment adequate for defense missions, rest, or decontamination. These facilities give more light feeling in the physical and psychological sense of dealing without the individual protective cloth. There is also a description of the ventilation system’ objects, depending on the type of collective protection systems.
Keywords: construction, chemical toxics, protection of exercising personnel and natural environment
Liquid-crystalline composites for point temperature measurements
Authors: Prusińska-Kurstak Edyta , Garbat Katarzyna , Kołakowska Aleksandra , Kłosowicz Stanisław J. 
Published: February 2018

The application of cholesteric liquid crystals and composites containing them for visualization of thermal field and temperature measurement is very well known. Despite all disadvantages as limited precision and adhesion to the studied surface, this method is still of interest. In this work, we present the results of preliminary studies on polymer-dispersed cholesteric liquid crystal (PDCLC) composites designed for visualization and measurement of point temperature changes which can be used in medical diagnostics. Basing on the results of former studies, the perspective PDCLC preparation method as well as high-performance liquid-crystalline chiral nematics were obtained and applied. The microencapsulation in poly(vinyl, alcohol) has been chosen as the method of PDCLC preparation while as liquid-crystalline materials the chiral nematics were adopted. Keywords: material science, liquid-crystalline composites, medical thermography
Information with diagnostic technical object used to create experts’ knowledge base
Authors: Duer Radosław , Duer Stanisław 
Published: February 2018

The article presents the problem of determining diagnostic information for the purpose of testing a complex technical object. To this end, the essence of the development of the functional-diagnostic model was presented and described on the example of the wind power plant. Based on the developed model of the object, diagnostic information has been determined, which consists of two components: a set of basic elements and a set of diagnostic signals, which are worked out by the designated elements in the functional groups of the object. An important aspect in this paper is the shift in the pro bono definition of a set of diagnostic signals. Knowledge of the set of diagnostic signals and their nominal (master) signals is the basis for determining the range of changes in diagnostic signals that are the basis for the diagnosis of an object using the intelligent diagnostic system (DIAG 2) or using knowledge bases for expert systems. Keywords: technical diagnostics, diagnostic reasoning, multivalent logic, artificial intelligence
The approximate modelling of a “rail vehicle-railway track- substructure” system
Authors: Lewandrowski Tomasz , Muzolf Paweł , Idczak Włodzimierz 
Published: February 2018

A system “railway vehicle–railway track–substructure” was analysed. Rails were modelled as the Bernoulii-Euler beams on an elastic foundation. Two load cases were considered a) static load from the train to the railway track, b) dynamic load from the train moving with the constant velocity. As a result, the fourth-order differential equation was obtained. Both, material data and operating parameters were determined by components of the equation.
To solve this equation, the finite difference method was used. This method was described considering such matters as space step, time step, discretization, and moving load modelling.
Evaluation of usefulness of a selected method in modelling a railway infrastructure was the purpose of the authors. The obtained results were compared with results received by analytical way. The presented, simplified model: railway vehicle–infrastructure–substructure after appropriative validation will be used later on to analyse various technical solutions and materials in designing railway constructions.
Keywords: numerical methods, finite difference method, railway infrastructure, dynamic impact factor
Quality assessment of underwater photogrammetric images for archeology purposes
Authors: Wojtkowska Michalina , Kaczyński Romuald 
Published: February 2018

Archaeological data are usually inherently incomplete, heterogeneous, discontinuous and require frequent updates and possible adjustments. It is important to constantly create detailed documentation, which will precisely represent the actual situation. However, even the most precise figure is only an estimated representation of the documented object. Therefore, it is necessary to collect fully metric documentation and its professional archaeological interpretation. Acquiring correct and valuable underwaterdigital images for the archaeology purposes is not easy due to specific shooting conditions. It should be noted a number of limitations are unique to this type of imaging environment — the apparent extension of the focal length, the “disappearance” of colours, as well as a significant reduction in the transparency of the water environment. Therefore, the authors have made attempts to describe changes, in a much broader sense, in the quality of photogrammetric images that had been taken in various shooting conditions. Underwater and aerial images of two test fields were tested. First, the ground sampling distance of the INTOVA IC500 digital camera and the geometric accuracy of the acquired images were examined. Then, the impact of changes to the imaging conditions on the radio-metric resolution and colour projection were designated. In the last stage, the acquired images were used in practice — to assess the progress of the erosion process of an archaeological object, and also to comply its documentation in the form of vector drawing with the accuracy of mxy = ±0.5 mm. Keywords: photogrammetry and remote sensing, archaeology, underwater photogrammetry, resolution, ground resolved distance