ALBERT

All Library Books, journals and Electronic Records Telegrafenberg

X
feed icon rss

Your email was sent successfully. Check your inbox.

An error occurred while sending the email. Please try again.

Proceed reservation?

Export
Filter
  • Molecular Diversity Preservation International  (1,428)
  • American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  • American Chemical Society (ACS)
  • Nature Publishing Group (NPG)
  • 2020-2024  (1,449)
Collection
Keywords
Publisher
Years
Year
  • 1
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Global and regional temperature change over the past 4.5 million years (2024)
    American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
    In:  EPIC3Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 383(6685), pp. 884-890, ISSN: 0036-8075
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-03-21
    Description: Much of our understanding of Cenozoic climate is based on the record of δ18O measured in benthic foraminifera. However, this measurement reflects a combined signal of global temperature and sea level, thus preventing a clear understanding of the interactions and feedbacks of the climate system in causing global temperature change. Our new reconstruction of temperature change over the past 4.5 million years includes two phases of long-term cooling, with the second phase of accelerated cooling during the Middle Pleistocene Transition (1.5 to 0.9 million years ago) being accompanied by a transition from dominant 41,000-year low-amplitude periodicity to dominant 100,000-year high-amplitude periodicity. Changes in the rates of long-term cooling and variability are consistent with changes in the carbon cycle driven initially by geologic processes, followed by additional changes in the Southern Ocean carbon cycle. 〈/jats:p〉
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , isiRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 2
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Hotspots of Floating Plastic Particles across the North Pacific Ocean (2024)
    American Chemical Society (ACS)
    In:  EPIC3Environmental Science & Technology, American Chemical Society (ACS), 58(9), pp. 4302-4313, ISSN: 0013-936X
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-03-28
    Description: The pollution of the marine environment with plastic debris is expected to increase, where ocean currents and winds cause their accumulation in convergence zones like the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG). Surface-floating plastic (〉330 μm) was collected in the North Pacific Ocean between Vancouver (Canada) and Singapore using a neuston catamaran and identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Baseline concentrations of 41,600–102,700 items km–2 were found, dominated by polyethylene and polypropylene. Higher concentrations (factors 4–10) of plastic items occurred not only in the NPSG (452,800 items km–2) but also in a second area, the Papaha̅naumokua̅kea Marine National Monument (PMNM, 285,200 items km–2). This second maximum was neither reported previously nor predicted by the applied ocean current model. Visual observations of floating debris (〉5 cm; 8–2565 items km–2 and 34–4941 items km–2 including smaller “white bits”) yielded similar patterns of baseline pollution (34–3265 items km–2) and elevated concentrations of plastic debris in the NPSG (67–4941 items km–2) and the PMNM (295–3748 items km–2). These findings suggest that ocean currents are not the only factor provoking plastic debris accumulation in the ocean. Visual observations may be useful to increase our knowledge of large-scale (micro)plastic pollution in the global oceans.
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , peerRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 3
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Significant turning point: common buzzard (Buteo buteo) exposure to second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides in the United Kingdom (2024)
    American Chemical Society (ACS)
    In:  Environmental Science & Technology vol. 2024 no. 3c09052
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-04-04
    Description: Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are widely used to control rodent populations, resulting in the serious secondary exposure of predators to these contaminants. In the United Kingdom (UK), professional use and purchase of SGARs were revised in the 2010s. Certain highly toxic SGARs have been authorized since then to be used outdoors around buildings as resistance-breaking chemicals under risk mitigation procedures. However, it is still uncertain whether and how these regulatory changes have influenced the secondary exposure of birds of prey to SGARs. Based on biomonitoring of the UK Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) collected from 2001 to 2019, we assessed the temporal trend of exposure to SGARs and statistically determined potential turning points. The magnitude of difenacoum decreased over time with a seasonal fluctuation, while the magnitude and prevalence of more toxic brodifacoum, authorized to be used outdoors around buildings after the regulatory changes, increased. The summer of 2016 was statistically identified as a turning point for exposure to brodifacoum and summed SGARs that increased after this point. This time point coincided with the aforementioned regulatory changes. Our findings suggest a possible shift in SGAR use to brodifacoum from difenacoum over the decades, which may pose higher risks of impacts on wildlife.
    Keywords: apex predator ; conditional inference trees ; effectiveness evaluation ; regulatory changes ; seasonal fluctuation
    Repository Name: National Museum of Natural History, Netherlands
    Type: info:eu-repo/semantics/article
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 4
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Direct Analysis of Marine Dissolved Organic Matter Using LC-FT-ICR MS (2024)
    American Chemical Society (ACS)
    In:  EPIC3Environmental Science and Technology, American Chemical Society (ACS), 58(10), pp. 4637-4647, ISSN: 0013-936X
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-04-08
    Description: Marine dissolved organic matter (DOM) is an important component of the global carbon cycle, yet its intricate composition and the sea salt matrix pose major challenges for chemical analysis. We introduce a direct injection, reversed-phase liquid chromatography ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry approach to analyze marine DOM without the need for solid-phase extraction. Effective separation of salt and DOM is achieved with a large chromatographic column and an extended isocratic aqueous step. Postcolumn dilution of the sample flow with buffer-free solvents and implementing a counter gradient reduced salt buildup in the ion source and resulted in excellent repeatability. With this method, over 5,500 unique molecular formulas were detected from just 5.5 nmol carbon in 100 μL of filtered Arctic Ocean seawater. We observed a highly linear detector response for variable sample carbon concentrations and a high robustness against the salt matrix. Compared to solid-phase extracted DOM, our direct injection method demonstrated superior sensitivity for heteroatom-containing DOM. The direct analysis of seawater offers fast and simple sample preparation and avoids fractionation introduced by extraction. The method facilitates studies in environments, where only minimal sample volume is available e.g. in marine sediment pore water, ice cores, or permafrost soil solution. The small volume requirement also supports higher spatial (e.g., in soils) or temporal sample resolution (e.g., in culture experiments). Chromatographic separation adds further chemical information to molecular formulas, enhancing our understanding of marine biogeochemistry, chemodiversity, and ecological processes.
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , isiRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 5
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Iron Promotes the Retention of Terrigenous Dissolved Organic Matter in Subtidal Permeable Sediments (2024)
    American Chemical Society (ACS)
    In:  EPIC3Environmental Science and Technology, American Chemical Society (ACS), ISSN: 0013-936X
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-04-08
    Description: Marine permeable sediments are important sites for organic matter turnover in the coastal ocean. However, little is known about their role in trapping dissolved organic matter (DOM). Here, we examined DOM abundance and molecular compositions (9804 formulas identified) in subtidal permeable sediments along a near- to offshore gradient in the German North Sea. With the salinity increasing from 30.1 to 34.6 PSU, the DOM composition in bottom water shifts from relatively higher abundances of aromatic compounds to more highly unsaturated compounds. In the bulk sediment, DOM leached by ultrapure water (UPW) from the solid phase is 54 ± 20 times more abundant than DOM in porewater, with higher H/C ratios and a more terrigenous signature. With 0.5 M HCl, the amount of leached DOM (enriched in aromatic and oxygen-rich compounds) is doubled compared to UPW, mainly due to the dissolution of poorly crystalline Fe phases (e.g., ferrihydrite and Fe monosulfides). This suggests that poorly crystalline Fe phases promote DOM retention in permeable sediments, preferentially terrigenous, and aromatic fractions. Given the intense filtration of seawater through the permeable sediments, we posit that Fe can serve as an important intermediate storage for terrigenous organic matter and potentially accelerate organic matter burial in the coastal ocean.
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , isiRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 6
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Heatwave responses of Arctic phytoplankton communities are driven by combined impacts of warming and cooling. (2024)
    American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
    In:  EPIC3Sci Adv, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 10(20), pp. eadl5904-eadl5904, ISSN: 2375-2548
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-05-22
    Description: Marine heatwaves are increasing in frequency and intensity as climate change progresses, especially in the highly productive Arctic regions. Although their effects on primary producers will largely determine the impacts on ecosystem services, mechanistic understanding on phytoplankton responses to these extreme events is still very limited. We experimentally exposed Arctic phytoplankton assemblages to stable warming, as well as to repeated heatwaves, and measured temporally resolved productivity, physiology, and composition. Our results show that even extreme stable warming increases productivity, while the response to heatwaves depends on the specific scenario applied and is not predictable from stable warming responses. This appears to be largely due to the underestimated impact of the cool phase following a heatwave, which can be at least as important as the warm phase for the overall response. We show that physiological and compositional adjustments to both warm and cool phases drive overall phytoplankton productivity and need to be considered mechanistically to predict overall ecosystem impacts.
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , isiRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 7
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Driving forces of Antarctic krill abundance (2023)
    American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
    In:  EPIC3Science Advances, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 9(50), ISSN: 2375-2548
    Details
    Publication Date: 2023-12-18
    Description: Antarctic krill, crucial to the Southern Ocean ecosystem and a vital fisheries resource, is endangered by climate change. Identifying drivers of krill biomass is therefore essential for determining catch limits and designating protection zones. We present a modeling approach to pinpointing effects of sea surface temperature, ice cover, chlorophyll levels, climate indices, and intraspecific competition. Our study reveals that larval recruitment is driven by both competition among age classes and chlorophyll levels. In addition, while milder ice and temperature in spring and summer favor reproduction and early larval survival, both larvae and juveniles strongly benefit from heavier ice and colder temperatures in winter. We conclude that omitting top-down control of resources by krill is only acceptable for retrospective or single-year prognostic models that use field chlorophyll data but that incorporating intraspecific competition is essential for longer-term forecasts. Our findings can guide future krill modeling strategies, reinforcing the sustainability of this keystone species.
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , isiRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 8
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    A Review of Arctic–Subarctic Ocean Linkages: Past Changes, Mechanisms, and Future Projections (2023)
    American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
    In:  EPIC3Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Research, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2, ISSN: 2771-0378
    Details
    Publication Date: 2023-08-08
    Description: 〈jats:p〉Arctic Ocean gateway fluxes play a crucial role in linking the Arctic with the global ocean and affecting climate and marine ecosystems. We reviewed past studies on Arctic–Subarctic ocean linkages and examined their changes and driving mechanisms. Our review highlights that radical changes occurred in the inflows and outflows of the Arctic Ocean during the 2010s. Specifically, the Pacific inflow temperature in the Bering Strait and Atlantic inflow temperature in the Fram Strait hit record highs, while the Pacific inflow salinity in the Bering Strait and Arctic outflow salinity in the Davis and Fram straits hit record lows. Both the ocean heat convergence from lower latitudes to the Arctic and the hydrological cycle connecting the Arctic with Subarctic seas were stronger in 2000–2020 than in 1980–2000. CMIP6 models project a continuing increase in poleward ocean heat convergence in the 21st century, mainly due to warming of inflow waters. They also predict an increase in freshwater input to the Arctic Ocean, with the largest increase in freshwater export expected to occur in the Fram Strait due to both increased ocean volume export and decreased salinity. Fram Strait sea ice volume export hit a record low in the 2010s and is projected to continue to decrease along with Arctic sea ice decline. We quantitatively attribute the variability of the volume, heat, and freshwater transports in the Arctic gateways to forcing within and outside the Arctic based on dedicated numerical simulations and emphasize the importance of both origins in driving the variability.〈/jats:p〉
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , isiRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 9
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    High Levels of Microplastics in the Arctic Sea Ice Alga 〈i〉Melosira arctica〈/i〉, a Vector to Ice-Associated and Benthic Food Webs (2023)
    American Chemical Society (ACS)
    In:  EPIC3Environmental Science & Technology, American Chemical Society (ACS), 57(17), pp. 6799-6807, ISSN: 0013-936X
    Details
    Publication Date: 2023-08-16
    Description: Plastic pollution has become ubiquitous with very high quantities detected even in ecosystems as remote as arctic sea ice and deepsea sediments. Ice algae growing underneath sea ice are released upon melting and can form fast-sinking aggregates. In this pilot study, we sampled and analyzed the ice algaeMelosira arcticaand ambient sea water from three locations in the Fram Strait to assess their microplastic content and potential as a temporary sink and pathway to the deep seafloor. Analysis by μ-Raman and fluorescence microscopy detected microplastics (≥2.2 μm) in all samples at concentrations ranging from 1.3 to 5.7 × 104 microplastics (MP) m−3 in ice algae and from 1.4 to 4.5 × 103 MP m−3 in sea water, indicating magnitude higher concentrations in algae. On average, 94% of the total microplastic particles were identified as 10 μm or smaller in size and comprised 16 polymer types without a clear dominance. The high concentrations of microplastics found in our pilot study suggest thatM. arctica could trap microplastics from melting ice and ambient sea water. The algae appear to be a temporary sink and could act as a key vector to food webs near the sea surface and on the deep seafloor, to which its fast-sinking aggregates could facilitate an important mechanism of transport.
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , isiRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 10
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Erratum to “A Review of Arctic–Subarctic Ocean Linkages: Past Changes, Mechanisms, and Future Projections” (2023)
    American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
    In:  EPIC3Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Research, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2, ISSN: 2771-0378
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-01-20
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , peerRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 11
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Structure-informed microbial population genetics elucidate selective pressures that shape protein evolution (2023)
    American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
    In:  EPIC3Science Advances, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 9(8), pp. eabq4632-eabq4632, ISSN: 2375-2548
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-04-03
    Description: 〈jats:p〉Comprehensive sampling of natural genetic diversity with metagenomics enables highly resolved insights into the interplay between ecology and evolution. However, resolving adaptive, neutral, or purifying processes of evolution from intrapopulation genomic variation remains a challenge, partly due to the sole reliance on gene sequences to interpret variants. Here, we describe an approach to analyze genetic variation in the context of predicted protein structures and apply it to a marine microbial population within the SAR11 subclade 1a.3.V, which dominates low-latitude surface oceans. Our analyses reveal a tight association between genetic variation and protein structure. In a central gene in nitrogen metabolism, we observe decreased occurrence of nonsynonymous variants from ligand-binding sites as a function of nitrate concentrations, revealing genetic targets of distinct evolutionary pressures maintained by nutrient availability. Our work yields insights into the governing principles of evolution and enables structure-aware investigations of microbial population genetics.〈/jats:p〉
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , peerRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 12
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Finding the Balance between Research and Monitoring: When Are Methods Good Enough to Understand Plastic Pollution? (2023)
    American Chemical Society (ACS)
    In:  EPIC3Environmental Science and Technology, American Chemical Society (ACS), 57(15), pp. 6033-6039, ISSN: 0013-936X
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-04-17
    Description: Plastic pollution is an international environmental problem. Desire to act is shared from the public to policymakers, yet motivation and approaches are diverging. Public attention is directed to reducing plastic consumption, cleaning local environments, and engaging in citizen science initiatives. Policymakers and regulators are working on prevention and mitigation measures, while international, regional, and national bodies are defining monitoring recommendations. Research activities are focused on validating approaches to address goals and comparing methods. Policy and regulation are eager to act on plastic pollution, often asking questions researchers cannot answer with available methods. The purpose of monitoring will define which method is implemented. A clear and open dialogue between all actors is essential to facilitate communication on what is feasible with current methods, further research, and development needs. For example, some methods can already be used for international monitoring, yet limitations including target plastic types and sizes, sampling strategy, available infrastructure and analytical capacity, and harmonization of generated data remain. Time and resources to advance scientific understanding must be balanced against the need to answer pressing policy issues.
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , isiRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 13
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Chasing iron bioavailability in the Southern Ocean: Insights from Phaeocystis antarctica and iron speciation (2023)
    American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
    In:  EPIC3Science Advances, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 9(26), pp. eadf9696-eadf9696, ISSN: 2375-2548
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-03-01
    Description: Dissolved iron (dFe) availability limits the uptake of atmospheric CO2 by the Southern Ocean (SO) biological pump. Hence, any change in bioavailable dFe in this region can directly influence climate. On the basis of Fe uptake experiments with Phaeocystis antarctica, we show that the range of dFe bioavailability in natural samples is wider (〈1 to ~200% compared to free inorganic Fe′) than previously thought, with higher bioavailability found near glacial sources. The degree of bioavailability varied regardless of in situ dFe concentration and depth, challenging the consensus that sole dFe concentrations can be used to predict Fe uptake in modeling studies. Further, our data suggest a disproportionately major role of biologically mediated ligands and encourage revisiting the role of humic substances in influencing marine Fe biogeochemical cycling in the SO. Last, we describe a linkage between in situ dFe bioavailability and isotopic signatures that, we anticipate, will stimulate future research.
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , peerRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 14
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Improving Arctic sea-ice thickness estimates with the assimilation of CryoSat-2 summer observations (2023)
    American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
    In:  EPIC3Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Research, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 2, ISSN: 2771-0378
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-02-13
    Description: 〈jats:p〉Rapidly shrinking Arctic sea ice has had substantial impacts on the Earth system. Therefore, reliably estimating the Arctic sea-ice thickness (SIT) using a combination of available observations and numerical modeling is urgently needed. Here, for the first time, we assimilate the latest CryoSat-2 summer SIT data into a coupled ice-ocean model. In particular, an incremental analysis update scheme is implemented to overcome the discontinuity resulting from the combined assimilation of biweekly SIT and daily sea-ice concentration (SIC) data. Along with improved estimates of sea-ice volume, our SIT estimates corrected the overestimation of SIT produced by the reanalysis that assimilates only SIC in summer in areas where the sea ice is roughest and experiences strong deformation, e.g., around the Fram Strait and Greenland. This study suggests that the newly developed CryoSat-2 SIT product, when assimilated properly using our approach, has great potential for Arctic sea-ice simulation and prediction.〈/jats:p〉
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , isiRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 15
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Genomic evidence for West Antarctic Ice Sheet collapse during the Last Interglacial (2023)
    American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
    In:  EPIC3Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 382(6677), pp. 1384-1389, ISSN: 0036-8075
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-02-22
    Description: The marine-based West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) is considered vulnerable to irreversible collapse under future climate trajectories, and its tipping point may lie within the mitigated warming scenarios of 1.5° to 2°C of the United Nations Paris Agreement. Knowledge of ice loss during similarly warm past climates could resolve this uncertainty, including the Last Interglacial when global sea levels were 5 to 10 meters higher than today and global average temperatures were 0.5° to 1.5°C warmer than preindustrial levels. Using a panel of genome-wide, single-nucleotide polymorphisms of a circum-Antarctic octopus, we show persistent, historic signals of gene flow only possible with complete WAIS collapse. Our results provide the first empirical evidence that the tipping point of WAIS loss could be reached even under stringent climate mitigation scenarios.
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , isiRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 16
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Caribbean salinity anomalies contributed to variable North Atlantic circulation and climate during the Common Era (2023)
    American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
    In:  EPIC3Science Advances, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 9(44), pp. eadg2639-eadg2639, ISSN: 2375-2548
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-04-24
    Description: Paleoceanographic reconstructions show that the strength of North Atlantic currents decreased during the Little Ice Age. In contrast, the role of ocean circulation in climate regulation during earlier historical epochs of the Common Era (C.E.) remains unclear. Here, we reconstruct sea surface temperature (SST) and salinity in the Caribbean Basin for the past 1700 years using the isotopic and elemental composition of planktic foraminifera tests. Centennial-scale SST and salinity variations in the Caribbean co-occur with (hydro)climate changes in the Northern Hemisphere and are linked to a North Atlantic SST forcing. Cold phases around 600, 800, and 1400 to 1600 C.E. are characterized by Caribbean salinification and Gulf of Mexico freshening that implies reductions in the strength of North Atlantic surface circulation. We suggest that the associated changes in the meridional salt advection contributed to the historical climate variability of the C.E.
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , peerRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 17
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    A Call to Include Plastics in the Global Environment in the Class of Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic (PBT) Pollutants (2023)
    American Chemical Society (ACS)
    In:  EPIC3Environmental Science and Technology, American Chemical Society (ACS), 57(22), pp. 8185-8188, ISSN: 0013-936X
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-05-03
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , isiRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 18
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Antarctic marine life under pressure (2022)
    American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
    In:  EPIC3Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 378(6617), pp. 230-230, ISSN: 0036-8075
    Details
    Publication Date: 2023-05-10
    Description: 〈jats:p〉 Next week, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) convenes in Hobart, Tasmania, to examine the state of marine life in the Southern Ocean. As part of the Antarctic Treaty System, this convention entered into force in 1982, and its focus on the region’s environmental integrity has never been more important, given the increasing effects of climate change and commercial fishing. An important focus over the past 40 years has been Antarctic krill, 〈jats:italic〉Euphausia superba〈/jats:italic〉 (hereafter krill), a keystone species that helps to hold this marine ecosystem together. Climate and fishing stresses should prompt the CCAMLR to address whether management of krill fishing is at a level that protects the Southern Ocean from losing its overall balance of marine life and the oceanic processes that regulate global climate. 〈/jats:p〉
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , isiRev
    Format: application/pdf
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OA)
  • 19
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    A global environmental crisis 42,000 years ago (2021)
    American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-02-07
    Description: Geological archives record multiple reversals of Earth’s magnetic poles, but the global impacts of these events, if any, remain unclear. Uncertain radiocarbon calibration has limited investigation of the potential effects of the last major magnetic inversion, known as the Laschamps Excursion [41 to 42 thousand years ago (ka)]. We use ancient New Zealand kauri trees (Agathis australis) to develop a detailed record of atmospheric radiocarbon levels across the Laschamps Excursion. We precisely characterize the geomagnetic reversal and perform global chemistry-climate modeling and detailed radiocarbon dating of paleoenvironmental records to investigate impacts. We find that geomagnetic field minima ~42 ka, in combination with Grand Solar Minima, caused substantial changes in atmospheric ozone concentration and circulation, driving synchronous global climate shifts that caused major environmental changes, extinction events, and transformations in the archaeological record.
    Type: Article , PeerReviewed
    Format: text
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER (OCEANREP)
  • 20
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    From Asymptotic Series to Self-Similar Approximants (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-09-27
    Description: The review presents the development of an approach of constructing approximate solutions to complicated physics problems, starting from asymptotic series, through optimized perturbation theory, to self-similar approximation theory. The close interrelation of underlying ideas of these theories is emphasized. Applications of the developed approach are illustrated by typical examples demonstrating that it combines simplicity with good accuracy.
    Electronic ISSN: 2624-8174
    Topics: Physics
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 21
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    New Methods for the Synthesis of Spirocyclic Cephalosporin Analogues (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-05
    Description: Spiro compounds provide attractive targets in drug discovery due to their inherent three-dimensional structures, which enhance protein interactions, aid solubility and facilitate molecular modelling. However, synthetic methodology for the spiro-functionalisation of important classes of penicillin and cephalosporin β-lactam antibiotics is comparatively limited. We report a novel method for the generation of spiro-cephalosporin compounds through a Michael-type addition to the dihydrothiazine ring. Coupling of a range of catechols is achieved under mildly basic conditions (K2CO3, DMF), giving the stereoselective formation of spiro-cephalosporins (d.r. 14:1 to 8:1) in moderate to good yields (28−65%).
    Electronic ISSN: 1420-3049
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 22
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Sentinel-2 Cloud Removal Considering Ground Changes by Fusing Multitemporal SAR and Optical Images (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-07
    Description: Publicly available optical remote sensing images from platforms such as Sentinel-2 satellites contribute much to the Earth observation and research tasks. However, information loss caused by clouds largely decreases the availability of usable optical images so reconstructing the missing information is important. Existing reconstruction methods can hardly reflect the real-time information because they mainly make use of multitemporal optical images as reference. To capture the real-time information in the cloud removal process, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images can serve as the reference images due to the cloud penetrability of SAR imaging. Nevertheless, large datasets are necessary because existing SAR-based cloud removal methods depend on network training. In this paper, we integrate the merits of multitemporal optical images and SAR images to the cloud removal process, the results of which can reflect the ground information change, in a simple convolution neural network. Although the proposed method is based on deep neural network, it can directly operate on the target image without training datasets. We conduct several simulation and real data experiments of cloud removal in Sentinel-2 images with multitemporal Sentinel-1 SAR images and Sentinel-2 optical images. Experiment results show that the proposed method outperforms those state-of-the-art multitemporal-based methods and overcomes the constraint of datasets of those SAR-based methods.
    Electronic ISSN: 2072-4292
    Topics: Architecture, Civil Engineering, Surveying , Geography
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 23
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Microstructures and Electrical Conduction Behaviors of Gd/Cr Codoped Bi3TiNbO9 Aurivillius Phase Ceramic (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-09-26
    Description: In this work, a kind of Gd/Cr codoped Bi3TiNbO9 Aurivillius phase ceramic with the formula of Bi2.8Gd0.2TiNbO9 + 0.2 wt% Cr2O3 (abbreviated as BGTN−0.2Cr) was prepared by a conventional solid-state reaction route. Microstructures and electrical conduction behaviors of the ceramic were investigated. XRD and SEM detection found that the BGTN−0.2Cr ceramic was crystallized in a pure Bi3TiNbO9 phase and composed of plate-like grains. A uniform element distribution involving Bi, Gd, Ti, Nb, Cr, and O was identified in the ceramic by EDS. Because of the frequency dependence of the conductivity between 300 and 650 °C, the electrical conduction mechanisms of the BGTN−0.2Cr ceramic were attributed to the jump of the charge carriers. Based on the correlated barrier hopping (CBH) model, the maximum barrier height WM, dc conduction activation energy Ec, and hopping conduction activation energy Ep were calculated with values of 0.63 eV, 1.09 eV, and 0.73 eV, respectively. Impedance spectrum analysis revealed that the contribution of grains to the conductance increased with rise in temperature; at high temperatures, the conductance behavior of grains deviated from the Debye relaxation model more than that of grain boundaries. Calculation of electrical modulus further suggested that the degree of interaction between charge carriers β tended to grow larger with rising temperature. In view of the approximate relaxation activation energy (~1 eV) calculated from Z″ and M″ peaks, the dielectric relaxation process of the BGTN−0.2Cr ceramic was suggested to be dominated by the thermally activated motion of oxygen vacancies as defect charge carriers. Finally, a high piezoelectricity of d33 = 18 pC/N as well as a high resistivity of ρdc = 1.52 × 105 Ω cm at 600 °C provided the BGTN−0.2Cr ceramic with promising applications in the piezoelectric sensors with operating temperature above 600 °C.
    Electronic ISSN: 1996-1944
    Topics: Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 24
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Gas Engine-Driven Heat Pumps for Small-Scale Applications: State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-08-09
    Description: Gas engine-driven heat pumps are an interesting option to satisfy space heating and cooling demands aiming at energy saving, environmental impact and operating costs’ reduction. This work presents (i) a comprehensive review updated on gas engine-driven heat pumps research activities, (ii) the investigation of the central role of this technology in the air conditioning sector and (iii) the future perspectives regarding gas engine heat pumps’ diffusion in the context of the energy sector decarbonisation. The outcomes highlight that gas engine heat pumps could have better environmental performance compared to electric heat pumps both in heating and cooling operations. Moreover, they could play a pivotal role in the fight against climate change and energy security since they can guarantee an energy mix differentiation moving from electricity to natural gas and renewable gases’ usage. Indeed, by 2030, a lower-carbon gas grid could be supported by renewable gases. A further investigation has concerned diffusion of gas heat pumps activated from biofuels produced by local biomass in an energy community scenario based on a low-temperature energy district network. A novel biomass-based GEHP interacting with a low-temperature district heating network is proposed here. This system could save more than 30% of primary energy compared to biomass-fuelled boilers.
    Electronic ISSN: 1996-1073
    Topics: Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 25
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    A Time-Series-Based New Behavior Trace Model for Crowd Workers That Ensures Quality Annotation (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-07-23
    Description: Crowdsourcing is a new mode of value creation in which organizations leverage numerous Internet users to accomplish tasks. However, because these workers have different backgrounds and intentions, crowdsourcing suffers from quality concerns. In the literature, tracing the behavior of workers is preferred over other methodologies such as consensus methods and gold standard approaches. This paper proposes two novel models based on workers’ behavior for task classification. These models newly benefit from time-series features and characteristics. The first model uses multiple time-series features with a machine learning classifier. The second model converts time series into images using the recurrent characteristic and applies a convolutional neural network classifier. The proposed models surpass the current state of-the-art baselines in terms of performance. In terms of accuracy, our feature-based model achieved 83.8%, whereas our convolutional neural network model achieved 76.6%.
    Electronic ISSN: 1424-8220
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology , Electrical Engineering, Measurement and Control Technology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 26
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    A New Perspective on Human Rights in the Use of Physical Restraint on Psychiatric Patients-Based on Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology of the Body (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-09-25
    Description: (1) Background: Physical restraint in psychiatric settings must be determined by health care professionals for ensuring their patients’ safety. However, when a patient cannot participate in the process of deciding what occurs in their own body, can they even be considered as a personal self who lives in and experiences the lifeworld? The purpose of this study is to review the existential capability of the body from Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology to explore ways of promoting human rights in physical restraint. (2) Methods: A philosophical reflection was contemplated regarding notions of the body’s phenomenology. (3) Results: Merleau-Ponty’s body phenomenology can explain bodily phenomena as a source of the personal subject, who perceives and acts in the world, and not as a body alienated from the subject in health and illness. Patients, when they are physically restrained, cannot be the self as a subject because their body loses its subjecthood. They are entirely objectified, becoming objects of diagnosis, protection, and control, according to the treatment principles of health care professionals. (4) Conclusions: The foundation of human rights, human being’s dignity lies in the health professionals’ genuine understanding and response to the existential crisis of the patient’s body in relation to its surrounding environment.
    Print ISSN: 1661-7827
    Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
    Topics: Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering , Medicine
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 27
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    PAI Materials Synthesized by 4,4′-Diaminodiphenyl Ether/2,2′-Bis (Trifluoromethyl)-4,4′-Diaminophenyl Ether and Their Properties (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-25
    Description: In this paper, 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether and 2,2′-bis (trifluoromethyl)-4,4′-diaminophenyl ether are selected for molecular structure design, and PAI materials are synthesized by acyl chloride method. 2,2′-bis (trifluoromethyl)-4,4′-diaminophenyl ether has the same main chain structure as 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether, but the side chain contains two trifluoromethyl groups, which has high fluorine content. PAI terpolymers were prepared by compounding two diamine monomers, and the effects of trifluoromethyl on heat resistance, friction and wear properties, hydrophobic properties and mechanical properties of PAI materials were studied. The results showed that with the increase of trifluoromethyl content, the Tg of PAI material first increased and then changed little, and the Td5% would decrease and the tensile properties would also decrease. The wear mechanism of PAI varied with the content of trifluoromethyl. With the increase of the amount of fluorinated diamine monomer, the adhesive wear degree of PAI materials gradually increased, and reached the maximum when the molar ratio of the two monomers was 5:5, and then decreased gradually. Different trifluoromethyl content had little effect on friction coefficient, and the friction coefficient increased slightly when the molar ratio of 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether to 2,2′-bis (trifluoromethyl)-4,4′-diaminophenyl ether is 1:9. With the increase of trifluoromethyl content, the wear of PAI material would increase. With the increase of the amount of trifluoromethyl, the water absorption of PAI material decreased and the water contact angle increased, which indicated that the hydrophobic property of PAI material was improved. To sum up, the results of this study showed that the introduction of trifluoromethyl into the side chain provided an effective way to prepare PAI materials with low water absorption. Considering the comprehensive properties such as heat resistance, friction and wear, tensile properties, etc., the appropriate addition amount is 10–30%.
    Electronic ISSN: 1996-1944
    Topics: Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 28
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Electronic and Optical Properties of Polythiophene Molecules and Derivatives (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-25
    Description: The electronic and optical properties of polythiophene (PT) for polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) were calculated using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT. We calculated the electronic and optical properties of thiophene and PT polymers with degrees of polymerization (DP) from 2 to 30 monomers (T1–T30) and their derivatives. The associated highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy, band gaps, electron orbitals, and molecular structures were determined. As the DP increased, the LUMO energy gradually decreased, and the HOMO energy gradually increased. The band gap of PT approached 2 eV as the DP of the PT polymer increased from 1 to 30. The calculations and exchange–correlation functional were verified against values in the literature and experimental data from cyclic voltammetry (redox potential) and ultraviolet-visible, photoluminescence, and ultraviolet photoelectron spectra. The color of PT PLEDs can be adjusted by controlling the DP of the polymer and the substituents.
    Electronic ISSN: 2073-4352
    Topics: Physics
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 29
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Behavioural Biases Distorting the Demand for Environmentally Friendly Freight Transport Modes: An Overview and Potential Measures (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-25
    Description: A basic assumption of many scientific theories on the topic of decision making is rational behaviour. However, previous authors assume the existence of behavioural biases in freight transport which impede rational decision making. Hardly any research exists on behavioural biases in freight transport. To address this gap, we carry out a systematic literature review on the influencing factors of freight mode choice and provide empirical evidence for the occurrence of behavioural biases in the logistics sector. Fifteen logistics service providers and six shippers are involved in interviews and a focus group to understand their mode choice process and derive information on the existence of behavioural biases. Several biases showed to exist in the practical decision-making process. For example, decision makers tend to avoid complex options (principle of least effort), they stick to already tried and tested options (status quo bias, zero-risk bias) and they tend to make decisions based on immediate and easily accessible information (availability bias). These biases distort the demand for sustainable freight transport. We therefore conclude with several motivational, cognitive and technological debiasing strategies to reduce the negative impact of behavioural biases in freight transport.
    Electronic ISSN: 2071-1050
    Topics: Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 30
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Rejuvenating the Aging Heart by Enhancing the Expression of the Cisd2 Prolongevity Gene (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-25
    Description: Aging is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of mortality worldwide among aging populations. Cisd2 is a prolongevity gene that mediates lifespan in mammals. Previously, our investigations revealed that a persistently high level of Cisd2 expression in mice is able to prevent age-associated cardiac dysfunction. This study was designed to apply a genetic approach that induces cardiac-specific Cisd2 overexpression (Cisd2 icOE) at a late-life stage, namely a time point immediately preceding the onset of old age, and evaluate the translational potential of this approach. Several discoveries are pinpointed. Firstly, Cisd2 is downregulated in the aging heart. This decrease in Cisd2 leads to cardiac dysfunction and impairs electromechanical performance. Intriguingly, Cisd2 icOE prevents an exacerbation of age-associated electromechanical dysfunction. Secondly, Cisd2 icOE ameliorates cardiac fibrosis and improves the integrity of the intercalated discs, thereby reversing various structural abnormalities. Finally, Cisd2 icOE reverses the transcriptomic profile of the aging heart, changing it from an older-age pattern to a younger pattern. Intriguingly, Cisd2 icOE modulates a number of aging-related pathways, namely the sirtuin signaling, autophagy, and senescence pathways, to bring about rejuvenation of the heart as it enters old age. Our findings highlight Cisd2 as a novel molecular target for developing therapies targeting cardiac aging.
    Print ISSN: 1661-6596
    Electronic ISSN: 1422-0067
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 31
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    BMP7 Increases UCP1-Dependent and Independent Thermogenesis with a Unique Gene Expression Program in Human Neck Area Derived Adipocytes (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-25
    Description: White adipocytes contribute to energy storage, accumulating lipid droplets, whereas brown and beige adipocytes mainly function in dissipating energy as heat primarily via the action of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). Bone morphogenic protein 7 (BMP7) was shown to drive brown adipocyte differentiation in murine interscapular adipose tissue. Here, we performed global RNA-sequencing and functional assays on adipocytes obtained from subcutaneous (SC) and deep-neck (DN) depots of human neck and differentiated with or without BMP7. We found that BMP7 did not influence differentiation but upregulated browning markers, including UCP1 mRNA and protein in SC and DN derived adipocytes. BMP7 also enhanced mitochondrial DNA content, levels of oxidative phosphorylation complex subunits, along with PGC1α and p-CREB upregulation, and fragmentation of mitochondria. Furthermore, both UCP1-dependent proton leak and UCP1-independent, creatine-driven substrate cycle coupled thermogenesis were augmented upon BMP7 addition. The gene expression analysis also shed light on the possible role of genes unrelated to thermogenesis thus far, including ACAN, CRYAB, and ID1, which were among the highest upregulated ones by BMP7 treatment in both types of adipocytes. Together, our study shows that BMP7 strongly upregulates thermogenesis in human neck area derived adipocytes, along with genes, which might have a supporting role in energy expenditure.
    Electronic ISSN: 1424-8247
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 32
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Novel Botrytis and Cladosporium Species Associated with Flower Diseases of Macadamia in Australia (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-25
    Description: Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) is endemic to eastern Australia and produces an edible nut that is widely cultivated in commercial orchards globally. A survey of fungi associated with the grey and green mold symptoms of macadamia flowers found mostly species of Botrytis (Sclerotiniaceae, Leotiomycetes) and Cladosporium (Cladosporiaceae, Dothideomycetes). These isolates included B. cinerea, C. cladosporioides, and unidentified isolates. Amongst the unidentified isolates, one novel species of Botrytis and three novel species of Cladosporium were delimited and characterized by molecular phylogenetic analyses. The new species are Botrytis macadamiae, Cladosporium devikae, C. macadamiae, and C. proteacearum.
    Electronic ISSN: 2309-608X
    Topics: Biology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 33
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Effect of RF Power on the Physical Properties of Sputtered ZnSe Nanostructured Thin Films for Photovoltaic Applications (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-25
    Description: Zinc selenide (ZnSe) thin films were deposited by RF magnetron sputtering in specific conditions, onto optical glass substrates, at different RF plasma power. The prepared ZnSe layers were afterwards subjected to a series of structural, morphological, optical and electrical characterizations. The obtained results pointed out the optimal sputtering conditions to obtain ZnSe films of excellent quality, especially in terms of better optical properties, lower superficial roughness, reduced micro-strain and a band gap value closer to the one reported for the ZnSe bulk semiconducting material. Electrical characterization were afterwards carried out by measuring the current–voltage (I-V) characteristics at room temperature, of prepared “sandwich”-like Au/ZnSe/Au structures. The analysis of I-V characteristics have shown that at low injection levels there is an Ohmic conduction, followed at high injection levels, after a well-defined transition voltage, by a Space Charge Limited Current (SCLC) in the presence of an exponential trap distribution in the band gap of the ZnSe thin films. The results obtained from all the characterization techniques presented, demonstrated thus the potential of ZnSe thin films sputtered under optimized RF plasma conditions, to be used as alternative environmentally-friendly Cd-free window layers within photovoltaic cells manufacturing.
    Electronic ISSN: 2079-4991
    Topics: Physics
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 34
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Characterization of G-Quadruplexes Folding/Unfolding Dynamics and Interactions with Proteins from Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-25
    Description: G-quadruplexes (G4s) are stable secondary nucleic acid structures that play crucial roles in many fundamental biological processes. The folding/unfolding dynamics of G4 structures are associated with the replication and transcription regulation functions of G4s. However, many DNA G4 sequences can adopt a variety of topologies and have complex folding/unfolding dynamics. Determining the dynamics of G4s and their regulation by proteins remains challenging due to the coexistence of multiple structures in a heterogeneous sample. Here, in this mini-review, we introduce the application of single-molecule force-spectroscopy methods, such as magnetic tweezers, optical tweezers, and atomic force microscopy, to characterize the polymorphism and folding/unfolding dynamics of G4s. We also briefly introduce recent studies using single-molecule force spectroscopy to study the molecular mechanisms of G4-interacting proteins.
    Electronic ISSN: 2218-273X
    Topics: Biology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 35
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Community-Based Rehabilitation Indicators: Validation and Preliminary Evidence for Disability in Italy (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-26
    Description: Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) is a multi-sectorial community strategy for guaranteeing that people with disabilities enjoy the same rights and opportunities as all other community members. CBR is organized in a five-component matrix—namely, health, education, social, livelihood, and empowerment. To measure the effectiveness of CBR, the World Health Organization (WHO) has developed standardized indicators. The objective of the present study is to translate and validate the CBR indicators (CBR-Is), providing preliminary evidence of their use for disability in Italy. After obtaining permission from the WHO, the CBR-Is followed a process of translation and cross-cultural adaptation according to international guidelines. An examination of internal consistency and reliability was than performed. The intra-rater reliability was estimated using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient with a 95% confidence interval. In order to measures the differences between people with and without disabilities, an independent sample t-test was used for quantitative indicators. The Italian version of the CBR-Is (IT-CBR-Is) was administered to 234 people. The internal consistency showed a good value, with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.862, and the intra-rater reliability analysis showed solid values for each domain (range: 0.723–0.882). Statistically significant differences between people with and without disabilities were found for each domain of the CBR matrix—namely, health, social, education, livelihood, and empowerment. The IT-CBR-Is are consistent and reliable measures when used to investigate disability in a community-based inclusive development perspective. National stakeholders can now have specific indicators to implement services and actions for people with disabilities.
    Print ISSN: 1661-7827
    Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
    Topics: Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering , Medicine
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 36
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Effects of the Manufacturing Methods on the Mechanical Properties of a Medical-Grade Copolymer Poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide) and Poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) Blend (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-25
    Description: Biocompatible and biodegradable polymers represent the future in the manufacturing of medical implantable solutions. As of today, these are generally manufactured with metallic components which cannot be naturally absorbed within the human body. This requires performing an additional surgical procedure to remove the remnants after complete rehabilitation or to leave the devices in situ indefinitely. Nevertheless, the biomaterials used for this purpose must satisfy well-defined mechanical requirements. These are difficult to ascertain at the design phase since they depend not only on their physicochemical properties but also on the specific manufacturing methods used for the target application. Therefore, this research was focused on establishing the effects of the manufacturing methods on both the mechanical properties and the thermal behavior of a medical-grade copolymer blend. Specifically, Injection and Compression Molding were considered. A Poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide)/Poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) blend was considered for this investigation, with a ratio of 50/50 (w/w), aimed at the manufacturing of implantable devices for tendon repair. Interesting results were obtained.
    Electronic ISSN: 1996-1944
    Topics: Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 37
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Chronic Oil Pollution from Vessels and Its Role in Background Pollution in the Southeastern Baltic Sea (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-26
    Description: The results of long-term satellite monitoring of oil pollution of the sea surface in the southeastern Baltic Sea (SEB) are discussed in this paper. From June 2004 to December 2020, in total, 2780 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images from different satellites were received and analyzed. There were 788 oil spills detected in the study area. The oil spills were concentrated along the main shipping routes in the SEB. The volume of the detected oil spills was estimated. The average size of the spill was about 2 km2 or 0.8 m3. Seasonal variability of oil pollution shows a decrease in the number of oil detections in the autumn–winter period, which is associated with the prevalence of unfavorable wind conditions that limit the use of SAR technology for oil spill detection and navigation for small ships. In situ measurements show that seasonal variation in the concentration of oil products in seawater is characterized by a maximum in April and a minimum in July. Since 2007, a decrease in oil detections has been observed for the entire Baltic Sea, including the study area. The interannual variability also shows a decrease in the concentration of oil products in the water column. In the southeastern Baltic Sea, the volume of oil products released yearly to the sea surface from ships does not exceed 0.1% of the average instantaneous presence of oil products in the water column.
    Electronic ISSN: 2072-4292
    Topics: Architecture, Civil Engineering, Surveying , Geography
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 38
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Effective Energy Management via False Data Detection Scheme for the Interconnected Smart Energy Hub–Microgrid System under Stochastic Framework (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-26
    Description: During the last few years, attention has overwhelmingly focused on the integrated management of urban services and the demand of customers for locally-based supply. The rapid growth in developing smart measuring devices has made the underlying systems more observable and controllable. This exclusive feature has led the system designers to pursue the implementation of complex protocols to provide faster services based on data exchanges. On the other hand, the demands of consumers for locally-based supply could cause a disjunction and islanding behavior that demands to be dealt with by precise action. At first, keeping a centralization scheme was the main priority. However, the advent of distributed systems opened up new solutions. The operation of distributed systems requires the implementation of strong communication links to boost the existing infrastructure via smart control and supervision, which requires a foundation and effective investigations. Hence, necessary actions need to be taken to frustrate any disruptive penetrations into the system while simultaneously benefiting from the advantages of the proposed smart platform. This research addresses the detection of false data injection attacks (FDIA) in energy hub systems. Initially, a multi-hub system both in the presence of a microgrid (the interconnected smart energy hub-based microgrid system) and without it has been modeled for energy management in a way that allows them to cooperate toward providing energy with each other. Afterward, an FDIA is separately exerted to all three parts of the energy carrier including the thermal, water, and electric systems. In the absence of FDIA detection, the impact of FDIA is thoroughly illustrated on energy management, which considerably contributes to non-optimal operation. In the same vein, the intelligent priority selection based reinforcement learning (IPS-RL) method is proposed for FDIA detection. In order to model the uncertainty effects, the unscented transformation (UT) is applied in a stochastic framework. The results on the IEEE standard test system validate the system’s performance.
    Electronic ISSN: 2071-1050
    Topics: Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 39
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Modelling Aboveground Biomass Carbon Stock of the Bohai Rim Coastal Wetlands by Integrating Remote Sensing, Terrain, and Climate Data (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Remotely sensed vegetation indices (VIs) have been widely used to estimate the aboveground biomass (AGB) carbon stock of coastal wetlands by establishing Vis-related linear models. However, these models always have high uncertainties due to the large spatial variation and fragmentation of coastal wetlands. In this paper, an efficient coastal wetland AGB model for the Bohami Rim coastal wetlands was presented based on multiple data sets. The model was developed statistically with 7 independent variables from 23 metrics derived from remote sensing, topography, and climate data. Compared to previous models, it had better performance, with a root mean square error and r value of 188.32 g m−2 and 0.74, respectively. Using the model, we firstly generated a regional coastal wetland AGB map with a 10 m spatial resolution. Based on the AGB map, the AGB carbon stock of the Bohai Rim coastal wetland was 2.11 Tg C in 2019. The study demonstrated that integrating emerging high spatial resolution multi-remote sensing data and several auxiliary metrics can effectively improve VIs-based coastal wetland AGB models. Such models with emerging freely available data sets will allow for the rapid monitoring and better understanding of the special role that “blue carbon” plays in global carbon cycle.
    Electronic ISSN: 2072-4292
    Topics: Architecture, Civil Engineering, Surveying , Geography
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 40
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Circ_0092367 Inhibits EMT and Gemcitabine Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer via Regulating the miR-1206/ESRP1 Axis (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-26
    Description: Gemcitabine is the first-line treatment for patients with pancreatic cancer (PC), yet most patients develop resistance to gemcitabine. Recent studies showed that circular RNAs (circRNAs) have important regulatory roles in PC progression and chemoresistance. In this study, the ability of circRNA circ_0092367 to enhance gemcitabine efficacy was tested and the underlying molecular mechanism of circ_0092367 was investigated. The expression levels of circ_0092367, miR-1206, and ESRP1 were measured using qRT-PCR experiments. The effects of circ_0092367, miR-1206, and ESRP1 on PC cell lines exposed to gemcitabine were examined by CCK-8 assays. We performed luciferase assays to determine the relationship between circ_0092367 and miR-1206 and between miR-1206 and ESRP1. We demonstrated that circ_0092367 was significantly downregulated in PC tissues and cell lines, and a high expression of circ_0092367 was associated with improved survival in patients with PC. Gain- and loss-of-function assays revealed that circ_0092367 inhibited epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotypes and sensitized PC cells to gemcitabine treatment in vitro and in vivo. Cytoplasmic circ_0092367 could directly repress the levels of miR-1206 and thus upregulate the expression of ESRP1, thereby inhibiting EMT and enhancing the sensitivity of PC cells to gemcitabine treatment. Our findings show that circ_0092367 plays a crucial role in sensitizing PC cells to gemcitabine by modulating the miR-1206/ESRP1 axis, highlighting its potential as a valuable therapeutic target in PC patients.
    Electronic ISSN: 2073-4425
    Topics: Biology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 41
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    A Robust Observer-Based Control Strategy for n-DOF Uncertain Robot Manipulators with Fixed-Time Stability (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-26
    Description: In this paper, a robust observer-based control strategy for n-DOF uncertain robot manipulators with fixed-time stability was developed. The novel fixed-time nonsingular sliding mode surface enables control errors to converge to the equilibrium point quickly within fixed time without singularity. The development of the novel fixed-time disturbance observer based on a uniform robust exact differentiator also allows uncertain terms and exterior disturbances to be proactively addressed. The designed observer can accurately approximate uncertain terms within a fixed time and contribute to significant chattering reduction in the traditional sliding mode control. A robust observer-based control strategy was formulated, according to a combination of the fixed-time nonsingular terminal sliding mode control method and the designed observer, to yield global fixed time stability for n-DOF uncertain robot manipulators. The proposed controller proved definitively that it was able to obtain global stabilization in fixed time. The approximation capability of the proposed observer, the convergence of the proposed sliding surface, and the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy in fixed time were fully confirmed by simulation performance on an industrial robot manipulator.
    Electronic ISSN: 1424-8220
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology , Electrical Engineering, Measurement and Control Technology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 42
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    A Control Algorithm for Sea–Air Cooperative Observation Tasks Based on a Data-Driven Algorithm (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: There is tremendous demand for marine environmental observation, which requires the development of a multi-agent cooperative observation algorithm to guide Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to observe isotherm data of the mesoscale vortex. The task include two steps: firstly, USVs search out the isotherm, navigate independently along the isotherm, and collect marine data; secondly, a UAV takes off, and in its one round trip, the UAV and USVs jointly perform the task of the UAV reading the observation data from USVs. In this paper, aiming at the first problem of the USV following the isotherm in an unknown environment, a data-driven Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) control algorithm is designed that allows USVs to navigate independently along isotherms in unknown environments. In addition, a hybrid cooperative control algorithm based on a multi-agent DDPG is adopted to solve the second problem, which enables USVs and a UAV to complete data reading tasks with the shortest flight distance of the UAV. The experimental simulation results show that the trained system can complete this tas, with good stability and accuracy.
    Electronic ISSN: 2077-1312
    Topics: Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 43
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Therapeutic Approach of Flavonoid in Ameliorating Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Targeting Mitochondrial-Induced Oxidative Stress (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Diabetes cardiomyopathy is one of the key factors of mortality among diabetic patients around the globe. One of the prior contributors to the progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy is cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction. The cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction can induce oxidative stress in cardiomyocytes and was found to be the cause of majority of the heart morphological and dynamical changes in diabetic cardiomyopathy. To slow down the occurrence of diabetic cardiomyopathy, it is crucial to discover therapeutic agents that target mitochondrial-induced oxidative stress. Flavonoid is a plentiful phytochemical in plants that shows a wide range of biological actions against human diseases. Flavonoids have been extensively documented for their ability to protect the heart from diabetic cardiomyopathy. Flavonoids’ ability to alleviate diabetic cardiomyopathy is primarily attributed to their antioxidant properties. In this review, we present the mechanisms involved in flavonoid therapies in ameliorating mitochondrial-induced oxidative stress in diabetic cardiomyopathy.
    Print ISSN: 1661-6596
    Electronic ISSN: 1422-0067
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 44
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Contributions of Machine Learning Models towards Student Academic Performance Prediction: A Systematic Review (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-26
    Description: Machine learning is emerging nowadays as an important tool for decision support in many areas of research. In the field of education, both educational organizations and students are the target beneficiaries. It facilitates the educational sector in predicting the student’s outcome at the end of their course and for the students in deciding to choose a suitable course for them based on their performances in previous exams and other behavioral features. In this study, a systematic literature review is performed to extract the algorithms and the features that have been used in the prediction studies. Based on the search criteria, 2700 articles were initially considered. Using specified inclusion and exclusion criteria, quality scores were provided, and up to 56 articles were filtered for further analysis. The utmost care was taken in studying the features utilized, database used, algorithms implemented, and the future directions as recommended by researchers. The features were classified as demographic, academic, and behavioral features, and finally, only 34 articles with these features were finalized, whose details of study are provided. Based on the results obtained from the systematic review, we conclude that the machine learning techniques have the ability to predict the students’ performance based on specified features as categorized and can be used by students as well as academic institutions. A specific machine learning model identification for the purpose of student academic performance prediction would not be feasible, since each paper taken for review involves different datasets and does not include benchmark datasets. However, the application of the machine learning techniques in educational mining is still limited, and a greater number of studies should be carried out in order to obtain well-formed and generalizable results. We provide future guidelines to practitioners and researchers based on the results obtained in this work.
    Electronic ISSN: 2076-3417
    Topics: Natural Sciences in General
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 45
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Response to Antimony Toxicity in Dittrichia viscosa Plants: ROS, NO, H2S, and the Antioxidant System (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Dittrichia viscosa plants were grown hydroponically with different concentrations of Sb. There was preferential accumulation of Sb in roots. Fe and Cu decreased, while Mn decreased in roots but not in leaves. Chlorophyll content declined, but the carotenoid content increased, and photosynthetic efficiency was unaltered. O2●− generation increased slightly, while lipid peroxidation increased only in roots. H2O2, NO, ONOO−, S-nitrosothiols, and H2S showed significant increases, and the enzymatic antioxidant system was altered. In roots, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDAR) activities declined, dehydroscorbate reductase (DHAR) rose, and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POX), and glutathione reductase (GR) were unaffected. In leaves, SOD and POX increased, MDAR decreased, and APX was unaltered, while GR increased. S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) and l-cysteine desulfhydrilase (l-DES) increased in activity, while glutathione S-transferase (GST) decreased in leaves but was enhanced in roots. Components of the AsA/GSH cycle decreased. The great capacity of Dittrichia roots to accumulate Sb is the reason for the differing behaviour observed in the enzymatic antioxidant systems of the two organs. Sb appears to act by binding to thiol groups, which can alter free GSH content and SOD and GST activities. The coniferyl alcohol peroxidase activity increased, possibly to lignify the roots’ cell walls. Sb altered the ROS balance, especially with respect to H2O2. This led to an increase in NO and H2S acting on the antioxidant system to limit that Sb-induced redox imbalance. The interaction NO, H2S and H2O2 appears key to the response to stress induced by Sb. The interaction between ROS, NO, and H2S appears to be involved in the response to Sb.
    Electronic ISSN: 2076-3921
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 46
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Impact of Annealing Temperature on the Morphological, Optical and Photoelectrochemical Properties of Cauliflower-Like CdSe0.6Te0.4 Photoelectrodes; Enhanced Solar Cell Performance (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: We are reporting on the impact of air annealing temperatures on the physicochemical properties of electrochemically synthesized cadmium selenium telluride (CdSe0.6Te0.4) samples for their application in a photoelectrochemical (PEC) solar cell. The CdSe0.6Te0.4 samples were characterized with several sophisticated techniques to understand their characteristic properties. The XRD results presented the pure phase formation of the ternary CdSe0.6Te0.4 nanocompound with a hexagonal crystal structure, indicating that the annealing temperature influences the XRD peak intensity. The XPS study confirmed the existence of Cd, Se, and Te elements, indicating the formation of ternary CdSe0.6Te0.4 compounds. The FE-SEM results showed that the morphological engineering of the CdSe0.6Te0.4 samples can be achieved simply by changing the annealing temperatures from 300 to 400 °C with intervals of 50 °C. The efficiencies (ƞ) of the CdSe0.6Te0.4 photoelectrodes were found to be 2.0% for the non-annealed and 3.1, 3.6, and 2.5% for the annealed at 300, 350, and 400 °C, respectively. Most interestingly, the PEC cell analysis indicated that the annealing temperatures played an important role in boosting the performance of the photoelectrochemical properties of the solar cells.
    Print ISSN: 1661-6596
    Electronic ISSN: 1422-0067
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 47
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Coffee Infusions: Can They Be a Source of Microelements with Antioxidant Properties? (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Coffee is a beverage that is very popular all over the world. Its pro-health effect has been demonstrated in many publications. This drink can counteract the effects of oxidative stress thanks to its antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to collect data on the content of microelements with antioxidant activity (manganese, zinc, copper, iron) in coffee infusions, taking into account various factors. The study considered publications from the years 2000–2020 found in Google Scholar and PubMed databases. It was noted that coffee can provide up to 13.7% of manganese requirements per serving, up to 4.0% and 3.1% of zinc requirements for women and men, up to 2.7% and 2.1% of copper requirements for women and men, and up to 0.4% and 0.6% of iron requirements for women and men. Coffee infusions can also be a source of fluoride (up to 2.5%), chromium (up to 0.4% of daily intake for women and 0.2% for men), and cobalt (up to 0.1%). There are no data in the literature regarding the content of selenium in coffee infusions. The origin of coffee beans and the type of water used (especially regarding fluoride) may have an impact on the content of minerals in infusions. The brewing method does not seem to play an important role. As it is a very popular beverage, coffee can additionally enrich the diet with such micronutrients as manganese, zinc, and copper. This seems beneficial due to their antioxidant properties, however the bioavailability of these elements of coffee should be taken into account. It seems necessary to carry out more research in this area.
    Electronic ISSN: 2076-3921
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 48
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    The Bacterial Amyloids Phenol Soluble Modulins from Staphylococcus aureus Catalyze Alpha-Synuclein Aggregation (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Aggregated α-synuclein (α-syn) is the main constituent of Lewy bodies, which are a pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Environmental factors are thought to be potential triggers capable of initiating the aggregation of the otherwise monomeric α-syn. Braak’s seminal work redirected attention to the intestine and recent reports of dysbiosis have highlighted the potential causative role of the microbiome in the initiation of pathology of PD. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium carried by 30–70% of the general population. It has been shown to produce functional amyloids, called phenol soluble modulins (PSMαs). Here, we studied the kinetics of α-syn aggregation under quiescent conditions in the presence or absence of four different PSMα peptides and observed a remarkable shortening of the lag phase in their presence. Whereas pure α-syn monomer did not aggregate up to 450 h after initiation of the experiment in neither neutral nor mildly acidic buffer, the addition of different PSMα peptides resulted in an almost immediate increase in the Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence. Despite similar peptide sequences, the different PSMα peptides displayed distinct effects on the kinetics of α-syn aggregation. Kinetic analyses of the data suggest that all four peptides catalyze α-syn aggregation through heterogeneous primary nucleation. The immunogold electron microscopic analyses showed that the aggregates were fibrillar and composed of α-syn. In addition of the co-aggregated materials to a cell model expressing the A53T α-syn variant fused to GFP was found to catalyze α-syn aggregation and phosphorylation in the cells. Our results provide evidence of a potential trigger of synucleinopathies and could have implications for the prevention of the diseases.
    Print ISSN: 1661-6596
    Electronic ISSN: 1422-0067
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 49
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Genomic Marks Associated with Chromatin Compartments in the CTCF, RNAPII Loop and Genomic Windows (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: The nature of genome organization into two basic structural compartments is as yet undiscovered. However, it has been indicated to be a mechanism of gene expression regulation. Using the classification approach, we ranked genomic marks that hint at compartmentalization. We considered a broad range of marks, including GC content, histone modifications, DNA binding proteins, open chromatin, transcription and genome regulatory segmentation in GM12878 cells. Genomic marks were defined over CTCF or RNAPII loops, which are basic elements of genome 3D structure, and over 100 kb genomic windows. Experiments were carried out to empirically assess the whole set of features, as well as the individual features in classification of loops/windows, into compartment A or B. Using Monte Carlo Feature Selection and Analysis of Variance, we constructed a ranking of feature importance for classification. The best simple indicator of compartmentalization is DNase-seq open chromatin measurement for CTCF loops, H3K4me1 for RNAPII loops and H3K79me2 for genomic windows. Among DNA binding proteins, this is RUNX3 transcription factor for loops and RNAPII for genomic windows. Chromatin state prediction methods that indicate active elements like promoters, enhancers or heterochromatin enhance the prediction of loop segregation into compartments. However, H3K9me3, H4K20me1, H3K27me3 histone modifications and GC content poorly indicate compartments.
    Print ISSN: 1661-6596
    Electronic ISSN: 1422-0067
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 50
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Endothelial Contribution to Warfarin-Induced Arterial Media Calcification in Mice (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Arterial media calcification (AMC) is predominantly regulated by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which transdifferentiate into pro-calcifying cells. In contrast, there is little evidence for endothelial cells playing a role in the disease. The current study investigates cellular functioning and molecular pathways underlying AMC, respectively by, an ex vivo isometric organ bath set-up to explore the interaction between VSMCs and ECs and quantitative proteomics followed by functional pathway interpretation. AMC development, which was induced in mice by dietary warfarin administration, was proved by positive Von Kossa staining and a significantly increased calcium content in the aorta compared to that of control mice. The ex vivo organ bath set-up showed calcified aortic segments to be significantly more sensitive to phenylephrine induced contraction, compared to control segments. This, together with the fact that calcified segments as compared to control segments, showed a significantly smaller contraction in the absence of extracellular calcium, argues for a reduced basal NO production in the calcified segments. Moreover, proteomic data revealed a reduced eNOS activation to be part of the vascular calcification process. In summary, this study identifies a poor endothelial function, next to classic pro-calcifying stimuli, as a possible initiator of arterial calcification.
    Print ISSN: 1661-6596
    Electronic ISSN: 1422-0067
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 51
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Unfairness of Random Access with Collision Avoidance in Industrial Internet of Things Networks (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: This paper is focused on the analysis of unfairness of random media access in Local Operating Networks (LON), which is one of the commercial platforms of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The unfairness in accessing the LON channel is introduced by a collision avoidance mechanism in the predictive p-persistent CSMA protocol adopted at the media access control layer. The study on the bandwidth share in predictive p-persistent CSMA calls for the analysis of multiple memoryless backoff. In this paper, it is shown that the channel access in LON systems is unfair in the short term for medium traffic load conditions, and in the long term for heavy loaded networks. Furthermore, it is explained that the average bandwidth allocated to a particular node is determined implicitly by the load scenario, while an actual node bandwidth fluctuates in time according to stochastic dynamics of the predictive p-persistent CSMA. Next, it is formally proven that the average bandwidth available to a node is a linear function of its backoff state and does not depend on backoff states of the other stations. Finally, it is demonstrated that possibly unfair bandwidth share in LON networks determined implicitly by load scenario is stable because, with lowering a fraction of actual network bandwidth accessible by a given station, the probability to decrease it in the future also drops.
    Electronic ISSN: 1424-8220
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology , Electrical Engineering, Measurement and Control Technology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 52
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Plicosepalus acacia Extract and Its Major Constituents, Methyl Gallate and Quercetin, Potentiate Therapeutic Angiogenesis in Diabetic Hind Limb Ischemia: HPTLC Quantification and LC-MS/MS Metabolic Profiling (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Plicosepalus acacia (Fam. Loranthaceae) has been reported to possess hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis revealed the presence of a high content of polyphenolic compounds that are attributed to the therapeutic effects of the crude extract. In addition, methyl gallate and quercetin were detected as major phytomedicinal agents at concentrations of 1.7% and 0.062 g%, respectively, using high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). The present study investigated the effect of the P. acacia extract and its isolated compounds, methyl gallate and quercetin, on hind limb ischemia induced in type 1 diabetic rats. Histopathological examination revealed that treatment with P. acacia extract, methyl gallate, and quercetin decreased degenerative changes and inflammation in the ischemic muscle. Further biochemical assessment of the hind limb tissue showed decreased oxidative stress, increased levels of nitric oxide and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and enhancement of the levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the groups treated with methyl gallate and quercetin. Expression levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), VEGF, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and miR-146a were upregulated in the muscle tissue of methyl gallate- and quercetin-treated groups along with downregulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). In conclusion, P. acacia extract and its isolated compounds, methyl gallate and quercetin, mediated therapeutic angiogenesis in diabetic hind limb ischemia.
    Electronic ISSN: 2076-3921
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 53
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Residual Stress and Tribological Performance of ZrN Coatings Produced by Reactive Bipolar Pulsed Magnetron Sputtering (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-28
    Description: In the past few decades, ZrN thin films have been identified as wear resistant coatings for tribological applications. The mechanical and tribological properties of ZrN thin layers depend on internal stress induced by the adopted deposition techniques and deposition parameters such as pressure, temperature, and growth rate. In sputtering deposition processes, the selected target voltage waveform and the plasma characteristics also play a crucial influence on physical properties of produced coatings. In present work, ZrN thin films, obtained setting different values of duty cycle in a reactive bipolar pulsed dual magnetron sputtering plant, were investigated to evaluate their residual stress through the substrate curvature method. A considerable progressive increase of residual stress values was measured at decreasing duty cycle, attesting the significant role of voltage waveform in stress development. An evident correlation was also highlighted between the values of the duty cycle and those of wear factor. The performed analysis attested an advantageous effect of internal stress, having the samples with high compressive stress, higher wear resistance. A downward trend for wear rate with the increase of internal residual stress was observed. The choice of suitable values of duty cycle allowed to produce ceramic coatings with improved tribological performance.
    Electronic ISSN: 1996-1944
    Topics: Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 54
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Evaluation of Deep Learning for Automatic Multi-View Face Detection in Cattle (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-28
    Description: Individual identification plays an important part in disease prevention and control, traceability of meat products, and improvement of agricultural false insurance claims. Automatic and accurate detection of cattle face is prior to individual identification and facial expression recognition based on image analysis technology. This paper evaluated the possibility of the cutting-edge object detection algorithm, RetinaNet, performing multi-view cattle face detection in housing farms with fluctuating illumination, overlapping, and occlusion. Seven different pretrained CNN models (ResNet 50, ResNet 101, ResNet 152, VGG 16, VGG 19, Densenet 121 and Densenet 169) were fine-tuned by transfer learning and re-trained on the dataset in the paper. Experimental results showed that RetinaNet incorporating the ResNet 50 was superior in accuracy and speed through performance evaluation, which yielded an average precision score of 99.8% and an average processing time of 0.0438 s per image. Compared with the typical competing algorithms, the proposed method was preferable for cattle face detection, especially in particularly challenging scenarios. This research work demonstrated the potential of artificial intelligence towards the incorporation of computer vision systems for individual identification and other animal welfare improvements.
    Electronic ISSN: 2077-0472
    Topics: Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 55
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    A Collection of Designed Peptides to Target SARS-CoV-2 Spike RBD—ACE2 Interaction (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the receptor used by SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 coronaviruses to attach to cells via the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of their viral spike protein. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, several structures of protein complexes involving ACE2 and RBD as well as monoclonal antibodies and nanobodies have become available. We have leveraged the structural data to design peptides to target the interaction between the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2 and SARS-CoV and ACE2, as contrasting exemplar, as well as the dimerization surface of ACE2 monomers. The peptides were modelled using our original method: PiPreD that uses native elements of the interaction between the targeted protein and cognate partner(s) that are subsequently included in the designed peptides. These peptides recapitulate stretches of residues present in the native interface plus novel and highly diverse conformations surrogating key interactions at the interface. To facilitate the access to this information we have created a freely available and dedicated web-based repository, PepI-Covid19 database, providing convenient access to this wealth of information to the scientific community with the view of maximizing its potential impact in the development of novel therapeutic and diagnostic agents.
    Print ISSN: 1661-6596
    Electronic ISSN: 1422-0067
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 56
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Major Stressors Favoring Cholera Trigger and Dissemination in Guinea-Bissau (West Africa) (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Cholera remains a heavy burden worldwide, especially in Sub-Saharan African countries, which account for the majority of the reported cases on the continent. In this study, a 27-year retrospective analysis of cholera epidemics in Guinea-Bissau was performed in order to highlight major stressors fueling the trigger and dissemination of the disease. Although the role of environmental factors did not always have the same degree of importance for the onset of epidemics, a cholera seasonal pattern was clearly perceived, with most of the reported cases occurring during the wet season. The generated theoretical hypothesis indicated rainfall above climatological average, associated with a lack of WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) infrastructure, and the occurrence of concomitant epidemics in neighboring countries as the key indicators for optimal conditions for cholera to thrive in Guinea-Bissau. Warmer air temperature, the increase in sea surface temperature, and the decrease in salinity in the coastal areas may also contribute to the emergence and/or aggravation of cholera events. Prediction of the conditions favorable for cholera growth and identification of risk pathways will allow the timely allocation of resources, and support the development of alert tools and mitigation strategies.
    Print ISSN: 1661-7827
    Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
    Topics: Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering , Medicine
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 57
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Conical Statistical Optimal Near-Field Acoustic Holography with Combined Regularization (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-28
    Description: For the sound field reconstruction of large conical surfaces, current statistical optimal near-field acoustic holography (SONAH) methods have relatively poor applicability and low accuracy. To overcome this problem, conical SONAH based on cylindrical SONAH is proposed in this paper. Firstly, elementary cylindrical waves are transformed into those suitable for the radiated sound field of the conical surface through cylinder-cone coordinates transformation, which forms the matrix of characteristic elementary waves in the conical spatial domain. Secondly, the sound pressure is expressed as the superposition of those characteristic elementary waves, and the superposition coefficients are solved according to the principle of superposition of wave field. Finally, the reconstructed conical pressure is expressed as a linear superposition of the holographic conical pressure. Furthermore, to overcome ill-posed problems, a regularization method combining truncated singular value decomposition (TSVD) and Tikhonov regularization is proposed. Large singular values before the truncation point of TSVD are not processed and remaining small singular values representing high-frequency noise are modified by Tikhonov regularization. Numerical and experimental case studies are carried out to validate the effectiveness of the proposed conical SONAH and the combined regularization method, which can provide reliable evidence for noise monitoring and control of mechanical systems.
    Electronic ISSN: 1424-8220
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology , Electrical Engineering, Measurement and Control Technology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 58
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Quality Control Approach for the Detection of Internal Lower Density Areas in Composite Disks in Industrial Conditions Based on a Combination of NDT Techniques (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-28
    Description: Voids in polymer matrix composites are one of the most common manufacturing defects, which may influence the mechanical properties and structural behavior of the final parts made of composites by various manufacturing methods. Therefore, numerous non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques were developed and applied for quality control and in-service testing of such structures. In this paper, the authors analyzed various alternatives to the reference technique, X-ray computed tomography (XCT) NDT, which is used for industrial testing of composite disks having defects in the form of the lower density areas. Different candidates, namely: vibration-based testing, infrared thermography, vibro-thermography, as well as ultrasonic testing were analyzed in terms of their sensitivity and technical feasibility. The quality of the results, the complexity of the testing procedure, time and labor consumption, and the cost of the equipment were analyzed and compared with the reference technique. Based on the conducted research the authors finally proposed a hybrid approach to quality control, using a combination of two NDT techniques–infrared thermography (for initial scanning and detection of near-surface defects) and ultrasonic testing (for a more detailed analysis of products that pass the first testing procedure). It allowed for replacing the costly XCT diagnostics with a much cheaper, but almost equally effective, alternative.
    Electronic ISSN: 1424-8220
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology , Electrical Engineering, Measurement and Control Technology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 59
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Selection of Renewable Energy in Rural Area Via Life Cycle Assessment-Analytical Hierarchy Process (LCA-AHP): A Case Study of Tatau, Sarawak (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: With a growing global population and energy demand, there is increasing concern about the world’s reliance on fossil fuels, which have a negative impact on the climate, necessitating the immediate transition to a cleaner energy resource. This effort can be initiated in the rural areas of developing countries for a sustainable, efficient and affordable energy source. This study evaluated four types of renewable energy (solar, wind, biomass, and mini-hydro energy) using the integrated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) approaches to select the best renewable energy source in Tatau, Sarawak. The criteria under consideration in this study included the environment, engineering and economics. The LCA was used to assess the environmental impact of renewable energies from gate-to-grave boundaries based on 50 MJ/day of electricity generation. The AHP results showed that solar energy received the highest score of 0.299 in terms of the evaluated criteria, followed by mini-hydro, biomass and wind energy, which received scores of 0.271, 0.230 and 0.200, respectively. These findings can be used to develop a systematic procedure for determining the best form of renewable energy for rural areas. This approach could be vital for the authorities that are responsible for breaking down multi-perspective criteria for future decision making in the transition into renewable energy.
    Electronic ISSN: 2071-1050
    Topics: Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 60
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    BAl4Mg−/0/+: Global Minima with a Planar Tetracoordinate or Hypercoordinate Boron Atom (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: We have explored the chemical space of BAl4Mg−/0/+ for the first time and theoretically characterized several isomers with interesting bonding patterns. We have used chemical intuition and a cluster building method based on the tabu-search algorithm implemented in the Python program for aggregation and reaction (PyAR) to obtain the maximum number of possible stationary points. The global minimum geometries for the anion (1a) and cation (1c) contain a planar tetracoordinate boron (ptB) atom, whereas the global minimum geometry for the neutral (1n) exhibits a planar pentacoordinate boron (ppB) atom. The low-lying isomers of the anion (2a) and cation (3c) also contain a ppB atom. The low-lying isomer of the neutral (2n) exhibits a ptB atom. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations carried out at 298 K for 2000 fs suggest that all isomers are kinetically stable, except the cation 3c. Simulations carried out at low temperatures (100 and 200 K) for 2000 fs predict that even 3c is kinetically stable, which contains a ppB atom. Various bonding analyses (NBO, AdNDP, AIM, etc.) are carried out for these six different geometries of BAl4Mg−/0/+ to understand the bonding patterns. Based on these results, we conclude that ptB/ppB scenarios are prevalent in these systems. Compared to the carbon counter-part, CAl4Mg−, here the anion (BAl4Mg−) obeys the 18 valence electron rule, as B has one electron fewer than C. However, the neutral and cation species break the rule with 17 and 16 valence electrons, respectively. The electron affinity (EA) of BAl4Mg is slightly higher (2.15 eV) than the electron affinity of CAl4Mg (2.05 eV). Based on the EA value, it is believed that these molecules can be identified in the gas phase. All the ptB/ppB isomers exhibit π/σ double aromaticity. Energy decomposition analysis predicts that the interaction between BAl4−/0/+ and Mg is ionic in all these six systems.
    Electronic ISSN: 2218-2004
    Topics: Physics
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 61
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Vibrational Study on Structure and Bioactivity of Protein Fibers Grafted with Phosphorylated Methacrylates (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: In the last decades, silk fibroin and wool keratin have been considered functional materials for biomedical applications. In this study, fabrics containing silk fibers from Bombyx mori and Tussah silk fibers from Antheraea pernyi, as well as wool keratin fabrics, were grafted with phosmer CL and phosmer M (commercial names, i.e., methacrylate monomers containing phosphate groups in the molecular side chain) with different weight gains. Both phosmers were recently proposed as flame retarding agents, and their chemical composition suggested a possible application in bone tissue engineering. IR and Raman spectroscopy were used to disclose the possible structural changes induced by grafting and identify the most reactive amino acids towards the phosmers. The same techniques were used to investigate the nucleation of a calcium phosphate phase on the surface of the samples (i.e., bioactivity) after ageing in simulated body fluid (SBF). The phosmers were found to polymerize onto the biopolymers efficiently, and tyrosine and serine underwent phosphorylation (monitored through the strengthening of the Raman band at 1600 cm−1 and the weakening of the Raman band at 1400 cm−1, respectively). In grafted wool keratin, cysteic acid and other oxidation products of disulphide bridges were detected together with sulphated residues. Only slight conformational changes were observed upon grafting, generally towards an enrichment in ordered domains, suggesting that the amorphous regions were more prone to react (and, sometimes, degrade). All samples were shown to be bioactive, with a weight gain of up to 8%. The most bioactive samples contained the highest phosmers amounts, i.e., the highest amounts of phosphate nucleating sites. The sulphate/sulphonate groups present in grafted wool samples appeared to increase bioactivity, as shown by the five-fold increase of the IR phosphate band at 1040 cm−1.
    Electronic ISSN: 1420-3049
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 62
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    The Framework for Measuring Port Resilience in Korean Port Case (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Port resilience has become a crucial topic to achieve port sustainability. To assist ports to successfully develop policies to improve resilience, this study aims to develop a framework for measuring port resilience. This paper conceptualizes the framework to assess port resilience based on relevant literature by conducting exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis using 199 samples collected from port stakeholders in South Korea. As a result, it is validated that the framework is a multi-hierarchical structure based on nine factors, i.e., robustness, redundancy, visibility, flexibility, collaboration, agility, information sharing, response, and recovery. Our findings would serve as a theoretical footstep for further studies on the relations between port resilience and sustainability and also contribute to implement policies to strengthen port resilience.
    Electronic ISSN: 2071-1050
    Topics: Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 63
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Solution and Parameter Identification of a Fixed-Bed Reactor Model for Catalytic CO2 Methanation Using Physics-Informed Neural Networks (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-28
    Description: In this study, we develop physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) to solve an isothermal fixed-bed (IFB) model for catalytic CO2 methanation. The PINN includes a feed-forward artificial neural network (FF-ANN) and physics-informed constraints, such as governing equations, boundary conditions, and reaction kinetics. The most effective PINN structure consists of 5–7 hidden layers, 256 neurons per layer, and a hyperbolic tangent (tanh) activation function. The forward PINN model solves the plug-flow reactor model of the IFB, whereas the inverse PINN model reveals an unknown effectiveness factor involved in the reaction kinetics. The forward PINN shows excellent extrapolation performance with an accuracy of 88.1% when concentrations outside the training domain are predicted using only one-sixth of the entire domain. The inverse PINN model identifies an unknown effectiveness factor with an error of 0.3%, even for a small number of observation datasets (e.g., 20 sets). These results suggest that forward and inverse PINNs can be used in the solution and system identification of fixed-bed models with chemical reaction kinetics.
    Electronic ISSN: 2073-4344
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 64
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Inadequate Intake of Dietary Fibre in Adolescents, Adults, and Elderlies: Results of Slovenian Representative SI. Menu Study (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Dietary fibre has proven to promote healthy body mass and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases. To date, in Slovenia, there were only a few outdated studies of dietary fibre intake; therefore, we explored the dietary fibre intake using food consumption data collected in the SI.Menu project. Following the EU Menu methodology, data were collected on representative samples of adolescents, adults, and elderlies using a general questionnaire, a food propensity questionnaire, and two 24 h recalls. The results indicate that the intake of dietary fibre in Slovenia is lower than recommended. The proportion of the population with inadequate fibre intakes (
    Electronic ISSN: 2072-6643
    Topics: Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition , Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 65
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Exploring the Impacts of Genotype-Management-Environment Interactions on Wheat Productivity, Water Use Efficiency, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency under Rainfed Conditions (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Wheat production under rainfed conditions is restrained by water scarcity, elevated temperatures, and lower nutrient uptake due to possible drought. The complex genotype, management, and environment (G × M × E) interactions can obstruct the selection of suitable high yielding wheat cultivars and nitrogen (N) management practices prerequisite to ensure food security and environmental sustainability in arid regions. The agronomic traits, water use efficiency (WUE), and N use efficiencies were evaluated under favorable and unfavorable weather conditions to explore the impacts of G × M × E on wheat growth and productivity. The multi-N rate (0, 70, 140, 210, and 280 kg N ha−1) field experiment was conducted under two weather conditions (favorable and unfavorable) using three wheat cultivars (AUR-809, CHK-50, and FSD-2008) in the Pothowar region of Pakistan. The experiments were laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD), with split plot arrangements having cultivars in the main plot and N levels in the subplot. The results revealed a significant decrease in aboveground biomass, grain yield, crop N-uptake, WUE, and N use efficiency (NUE) by 15%, 22%, 21%, 18%, and 8%, respectively in the unfavorable growing season (2014–2015) as compared to favorable growing season (2013–2014) as a consequence of less rainfall and heat stress during the vegetative and reproductive growth phases, respectively. FSD-2008 showed a significantly higher aboveground biomass, grain yield, crop N-uptake, WUE, and NUE as compared to other wheat cultivars in both years. Besides, N140 appeared as the most suitable dose for wheat cultivars during the favorable growing season. However, any further increase in N application rates beyond N140 showed a non-significant effect on yield and yield components. Conversely, the wheat yield increased significantly up to 74% from N0 to N70 during the unfavorable growing season, and there was no substantial difference between N70–N280. The findings provide opportunities for maximizing yield while avoiding excessive N loss by selecting suitable cultivars and N application rates for rainfed areas of Pothowar Plateau by using meteorological forecasting, amount of summer rainfall, and initial soil moisture content.
    Electronic ISSN: 2223-7747
    Topics: Biology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 66
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Suppression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR/c-Myc/mtp53 Positive Feedback Loop Induces Cell Cycle Arrest by Dual PI3K/mTOR Inhibitor PQR309 in Endometrial Cancer Cell Lines (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Gene mutations in PIK3CA, PIK3R1, KRAS, PTEN, and PPP2R1A commonly detected in type I endometrial cancer lead to PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway activation. Bimiralisib (PQR309), an orally bioavailable selective dual inhibitor of PI3K and mTOR, has been studied in preclinical models and clinical trials. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anticancer effect of PQR309 on endometrial cancer cells. PQR309 decreased cell viability in two-dimensional and three-dimensional cell culture models. PQR309 induced G1 cell cycle arrest and little cell death in endometrial cancer cell lines. It decreased CDK6 expression and increased p27 expression. Using the Proteome Profiler Human XL Oncology Array and Western blot assay, the dual inhibitor could inhibit the expressions of c-Myc and mtp53. KJ-Pyr-9, a c-Myc inhibitor, was used to prove the role of c-Myc in endometrial cancer survival and regulating the expression of mtp53. Knockdown of mtp53 lowered cell proliferation, Akt/mTOR pathway activity, and the expressions of c-Myc. mtp53 silence enhanced PQR309-inhibited cell viability, spheroid formation, and the expressions of p-Akt, c-Myc, and CDK6. This is the first study to reveal the novel finding of the PI3K/mTOR dual inhibitor in lowering cell viability by abolishing the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/c-Myc/mtp53 positive feedback loop in endometrial cancer cell lines.
    Electronic ISSN: 2073-4409
    Topics: Biology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 67
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Outcomes of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of the SoMe Social Media Literacy Program for Improving Body Image-Related Outcomes in Adolescent Boys and Girls (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Although the negative effect of social media use among youth on body image and eating concerns has been established, few classroom-based resources that can decrease these effects through targeting social media literacy skills have been developed. This study aimed to test the efficacy of SoMe, a social media literacy body image, dieting, and wellbeing program for adolescents, through a cluster randomized controlled trial. Participants (n = 892; Mage = 12.77, SD = 0.74; range 11–15; 49.5% male) were randomized by school (n = 8) to receive either weekly SoMe (n = 483) or control sessions (lessons as usual; n = 409) over 4 weeks in their classroom. Participants completed surveys at four timepoints (baseline, 1-week post-intervention, and 6- and 12-month follow-up) assessing body dissatisfaction, dietary restraint, strategies to increase muscles (primary outcomes), self-esteem and depressive symptoms (secondary outcomes), and internalization of appearance ideals and appearance comparison (exploratory outcomes). Modest positive intervention effects were found in dietary restraint and depressive symptoms at 6-month follow-up in girls but few positive effects emerged for boys. The findings provide only preliminary support for a social media literacy intervention, but suggest the usefulness of both identifying those who benefit most from a universally delivered intervention and the need to refine the intervention to maximize intervention effects.
    Electronic ISSN: 2072-6643
    Topics: Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition , Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 68
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Short-Term Aerobic Exercise Did Not Change Telomere Length While It Reduced Testosterone Levels and Obesity Indexes in PCOS: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Study (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Metabolic and hormonal outcomes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have implications on telomere biology and physical activity may prevent telomere erosion. We sought to observe the effects of continuous (CAT) and intermittent (IAT) aerobic training on telomere length, inflammatory biomarkers, and its correlation with metabolic, hormonal, and anthropometric parameters of PCOS. This randomized controlled clinical trial study included 87 PCOS randomly stratified according to body mass index (BMI) in CAT (n = 28), IAT (n = 29) and non-training control group (CG, n = 30). The exercises were carried out on a treadmill, three times per week for 16 weeks. The participants’ anthropometric characteristics and biochemical and hormonal concentrations were measured before and after aerobic training or observation period, as the telomere length that was evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR. Four months of aerobic exercises (CAT or IAT) did not alter telomere length and inflammatory biomarkers in PCOS women. Obesity index as BMI and waist circumference (WC), and inflammatory biomarkers negatively affect telomeres. The hyper-andro-genism measured by testosterone levels was reduced after both exercises (CAT, p ≤ 0.001; IAT, p = 0.019). In particular, the CAT reduced WC (p = 0.045), hip circumference (p = 0.032), serum cholesterol (p ≤ 0.001), and low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.030). Whereas, the IAT decreased WC (p = 0.014), waist-to-hip ratio (p = 0.012), free androgen index (FAI) (p = 0.037). WC (p = 0.049) and body fat (p = 0.015) increased in the non-training group while total cholesterol was reduced (p = 0.010). Booth exercises reduced obesity indices and hyperandrogenism on PCOS women without changes in telomere length or inflammatory biomarkers.
    Print ISSN: 1661-7827
    Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
    Topics: Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering , Medicine
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 69
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    IoT Blockchain Data Veracity with Data Loss Tolerance (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-25
    Description: Recent years have witnessed the advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT) and its emergence as a technology that could revolutionize many businesses. It helps considerably in creating data-driven business models with the insights it provides. IoT systems are deployed in data collection, monitor processes, provide insights and allow businesses to make data-driven productivity improvements. However, IoT systems are often experiencing data loss due to inevitable failures ranging from devices, networks, to the application layer, especially in scarce infrastructure resources environments. Data loss might be unrecoverable in many circumstances. As such, this research presents a blockchain based IoT model (framework) with the aim of circumventing data loss. We envisioned IoT blockchain technology in enhancing data veracity with data loss tolerance. That is, to have blockchain enhancing the IoT data veracity by leveraging on the features existed in its peer-to-peer network (P2P) and distributed ledger storage technology (DLT). Additionally, the edge computing of IoT blockchain technology is also conceptually workable; with intelligent small computing resources, it opens up a new era of bringing the intelligence of data collection, connectivity, computation and storage into the edge/device layer. A novel IoT blockchain strength monitoring system is also been studied to further enhance data veracity; this is achieved through a capacitance monitoring on the IoT blockchain system. The empirical results show that the proposed IoT blockchain with a strength monitoring model can alleviate data loss and thus enhance data veracity with data loss tolerance.
    Electronic ISSN: 2076-3417
    Topics: Natural Sciences in General
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 70
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Cost-Effectiveness of Conventional Compaction (CC) and Intelligent Compaction (IC) Methods of Asphalt Pavement Overlay (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-26
    Description: The use of intelligent compaction (IC) in asphalt overlay includes the use of double-drum IC rollers, a roller measurement system, global position system (GPS) radio/receiver/base station, infrared temperature sensors, and an onboard computer reporting system. GPS based mapping and optional feedback control help to overcome the drawbacks associated with conventional compaction such as identifying soft spots, achieving consistent roller patterns, and monitoring asphalt surface temperature and levels of compaction with adequate quality control or quality assurance (QC/QA). Cost-effectiveness of both compaction types was measured in terms of initial and roadway lifecycle cost based on the cost inputs received from South Korea and other published literatures. Roadway lifecycle cost was reported based on the improvement in in-place density, smoothness, and fatigue life. The results of this study showed that: (1) with IC an approximate 4.1% initial cost reduction can be achieved compared to conventional compaction; (2) QC/QA cost is found to have the most significant effect on the higher initial cost of conventional compaction compared to other associated costs whereas intelligent roller cost is the vital cost category for IC; (3) improvement of in-place air voids and density due to the IC has shown that at 97% field density (or at 3% air void content) the State Highway Agency can save approximately 44% over a 20-year service period; and (4) agency cost is observed to be reduced by approximately 62% with the IC method based on the 25-year analysis period due to the increase in fatigue life.
    Electronic ISSN: 2071-1050
    Topics: Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 71
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    How Maize Seed Systems Can Contribute to the Control of Mycotoxigenic Fungal Infection: A Perspective (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-28
    Description: Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi on agricultural produce. Mycotoxins can be cytotoxic, genotoxic, mutagenic, and teratogenic, and they are persistent threats to human and animal health. Consumption of mycotoxin-contaminated maize can cause cancer and even sudden death. Health hazards can also occur from consuming products from animals fed with mycotoxin-contaminated feed or forage. The main mode of spread of mycotoxigenic fungi is through air-borne spores originating from soil or plant debris, although some fungi can also spread through infected seed-to-seedling transmission, ultimately followed by contamination of the harvestable product. This perspective assesses opportunities to prevent mycotoxigenic fungal infection in maize seeds produced for sowing as an important starting point of crop contamination. A case study of Nigeria showed infection in all tested farmer-produced, seed company, and foundation seed samples. A schematic overview of the formal and informal seed systems is presented to analyze their contribution to fungal infection and mycotoxin contamination in the maize value chain, as well as to set criteria for successful control. We recommend an integrated approach to control mycotoxigenic fungal infection, including resistant varieties and other control methods during seed production, grain production, and grain storage, with an important role in maintaining seed health.
    Electronic ISSN: 2073-4395
    Topics: Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition , Economics
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 72
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Carbon Neutral Roadmap of Commercial Building Operations by Mid-Century: Lessons from China (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-28
    Description: Carbon neutrality has positive impacts on people, nature and the economy, and buildings represent the “last mile” sector in the transition to carbon neutrality. Carbon neutrality is characterized by the decarbonization of operations and maintenance, in addition to zero emissions in electricity and other industry sectors. Taking China’s commercial buildings as an example, this study is the first to perform an extensive data analysis for a step-wise carbon neutral roadmap of building operations via the analysis of a dynamic emission scenario. The results reveal that the carbon emissions abatement of commercial building operations from 2001 to 2018 was 1460.85 (±574.61) mega-tons of carbon dioxide (Mt CO2). The carbon emissions of commercial building operations will peak in the year 2039 (±5) at 1364.31 (±258.70) Mt, with emission factors and energy intensity being the main factors influencing the carbon peak. To move toward carbon neutral status, an additional 169.73 Mt CO2 needs to be cut by 2060, and the low emission path toward carbon neutrality will lead to the realization of the carbon peak of commercial buildings in 2024, with total emissions of 921.71 Mt. It is believed that cutting emissions from the operation of buildings in China will require a multi-sectoral synergistic strategy. It is suggested that government, residents, enterprises, and other stakeholders must better appreciate the challenges to achieve a substantial carbon reduction and the need for urgent action in the building sector in order to achieve carbon neutrality.
    Electronic ISSN: 2075-5309
    Topics: Architecture, Civil Engineering, Surveying
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 73
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Nanotechnology-Based Delivery Systems for Antimicrobial Peptides (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-26
    Description: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant threat to global health. The conventional antibiotic pool has been depleted, forcing the investigation of novel and alternative antimicrobial strategies. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have shown potential as alternative diagnostic and therapeutic agents in biomedical applications. To date, over 3000 AMPs have been identified, but only a fraction of these have been approved for clinical trials. Their clinical applications are limited to topical application due to their systemic toxicity, susceptibility to protease degradation, short half-life, and rapid renal clearance. To circumvent these challenges and improve AMP’s efficacy, different approaches such as peptide chemical modifications and the development of AMP delivery systems have been employed. Nanomaterials have been shown to improve the activity of antimicrobial drugs by providing support and synergistic effect against pathogenic microbes. This paper describes the role of nanotechnology in the targeted delivery of AMPs, and some of the nano-based delivery strategies for AMPs are discussed with a clear focus on metallic nanoparticle (MNP) formulations.
    Electronic ISSN: 1999-4923
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 74
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Lebesgue Points of Besov and Triebel–Lizorkin Spaces with Generalized Smoothness (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: In this article, the authors study the Lebesgue point of functions from Hajłasz–Sobolev, Besov, and Triebel–Lizorkin spaces with generalized smoothness on doubling metric measure spaces and prove that the exceptional sets of their Lebesgue points have zero capacity via the capacities related to these spaces. In case these functions are not locally integrable, the authors also consider their generalized Lebesgue points defined via the γ-medians instead of the classical ball integral averages and establish the corresponding zero-capacity property of the exceptional sets.
    Electronic ISSN: 2227-7390
    Topics: Mathematics
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 75
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Are Resistance Training-Induced BDNF in Hemodialysis Patients Associated with Depressive Symptoms, Quality of Life, Antioxidant Capacity, and Muscle Strength? An Insight for the Muscle–Brain–Renal Axis (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Background: Hemodialysis patients are suffering from depressive symptoms. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels are negatively associated with depressive symptoms and decrease during a single hemodialysis session. Resistance training (RT) might be an additional non-pharmacological tool to increase BDNF and promote mental health. Methods: Two randomized groups of hemodialysis patients: control (CTL, n = 76/F36; 66.33 ± 3.88 years) and RT (n = 81/F35; 67.27 ± 3.24 years). RT completed six months of training thrice a week under the supervision of strength and conditioning professional immediately before the dialysis session. Training loads were adjusted using the OMNI rating of perceived exertion. The total antioxidant capacity (TROLOX), glutathione (GSH), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and BDNF levels were analyzed in serum samples. Quality of life (assessed through Medical Outcomes—SF36), and Beck Depression Inventory was applied. Results: RT improved handgrip strength (21.17 ± 4.38 vs. 27.17 ± 4.34; p = 0.001) but not for CTL (20.09 ± 5.19 vs. 19.75 ± 5.54; p = 0.001). Post-training, RT group had higher values as compared to CTL related to TROLOX (RT,680.8 ± 225.2 vs. CTL,589.5 ± 195.9; p = 0.001) and GSH (RT, 9.33 ± 2.09 vs. CTL,5.00 ± 2.96; p = 0.001). RT group had lower values of TBARS as compared to CTL at post-training (RT, 11.06 ± 2.95 vs. CTL, 13.66 ± 2.62; p = 0.001). BDNF increased for RT (11.66 ± 5.20 vs. 19.60 ± 7.23; p = 0.001), but decreased for CTL (14.40 ± 4.99 vs. 10.84 ± 5.94; p = 0.001). Quality of life and mental health increased (p = 0.001) for RT, but did not change for CTL (p = 0.001). BDNF levels were associated with emotional dimensions of SF36, depressive symptoms, and handgrip (p = 0.001). Conclusions: RT was effective as a non-pharmacological tool to increased BDNF levels, quality of life, temper the redox balance and decrease depressive symptoms intensity in hemodialysis patients.
    Print ISSN: 1661-7827
    Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
    Topics: Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering , Medicine
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 76
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Ferulic Acid as Building Block for the Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Biobased Aromatic Polyesters (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Enzymatic synthesis of aromatic biobased polyesters is a recent and rapidly expanding research field. However, the direct lipase-catalyzed synthesis of polyesters from ferulic acid has not yet been reported. In this work, various ferulic-based monomers were considered for their capability to undergo CALB-catalyzed polymerization. After conversion into diesters of different lengths, the CALB-catalyzed polymerization of these monomers with 1,4-butanediol resulted in short oligomers with a DPn up to 5. Hydrogenation of the double bond resulted in monomers allowing obtaining polyesters of higher molar masses with DPn up to 58 and Mw up to 33,100 g·mol−1. These polyesters presented good thermal resistance up to 350 °C and Tg up to 7 °C. Reduction of the ferulic-based diesters into diols allowed preserving the double bond and synthesizing polyesters with a DPn up to 19 and Mw up to 15,500 g·mol−1 and higher Tg (up to 21 °C). Thus, this study has shown that the monomer hydrogenation strategy proved to be the most promising route to achieve ferulic-based polyester chains of high DPn. This study also demonstrates for the first time that ferulic-based diols allow the synthesis of high Tg polyesters. Therefore, this is an important first step toward the synthesis of competitive biobased aromatic polyesters by enzymatic catalysis.
    Electronic ISSN: 2073-4360
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology , Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics , Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 77
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Correlating Time Series Signals and Event Logs in Embedded Systems (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: In many embedded systems, we face the problem of correlating signals characterising device operation (e.g., performance parameters, anomalies) with events describing internal device activities. This leads to the investigation of two types of data: time series, representing signal periodic samples in a background of noise, and sporadic event logs. The correlation process must take into account clock inconsistencies between the data acquisition and monitored devices, which provide time series signals and event logs, respectively. The idea of the presented solution is to classify event logs based on the introduced similarity metric and deriving their distribution in time. The identified event log sequences are matched with time intervals corresponding to specified sample patterns (objects) in the registered signal time series. The matching (correlation) process involves iterative time offset adjustment. The paper presents original algorithms to investigate correlation problems using the object-oriented data models corresponding to two monitoring sources. The effectiveness of this approach has been verified in power consumption analysis using real data collected from the developed Holter device. It is quite universal and can be easily adapted to other device optimisation problems.
    Electronic ISSN: 1424-8220
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology , Electrical Engineering, Measurement and Control Technology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 78
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Triggering Active Communities for Cultural Creative Cities: The “Hack the City” Play ReCH Mission in the Salerno Historic Centre (Italy) (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: According to the current European scenario, cultural, creative, and community-led policies play an increasingly important role in influencing local resources, systems, and infrastructures management and demand a novel approach in governing, financing, and monitoring urban regeneration processes. Therefore, cities become contexts where cultural and creative practices can be implemented, integrating social cohesion principles based on communities, shared values, and collaborative decision-making approaches, with particular attention to enhancing cultural heritage, mainly unused or underutilised. The purpose of this research is to explore how the Cultural and Creative Cities Monitor (CCCM) methodological framework, developed by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, can be integrated at the local scale to assess the impacts of urban regeneration processes in an interactive and dynamic way, through the data emerging from the monitoring of urban regeneration experiences activated with the communities. The paper describes the “Play ReCH (Re-use Cultural Heritage)” approach, that promotes a process of collaboration, gamification, and innovation in cultural heritage reuse, as an opportunity to test how cultural, creative, and community-led urban strategies can support the enhancement of heritage generating enabling environments and culturally vibrant contexts. The Play ReCH approach and the “Hack the City Salerno” mission, activated in the Salerno historic centre (Italy), open the reflection on some relevant issues related to how citizens become makers of cultural and creative cities’ policies, and contribute to evaluating and monitoring their implementation at diverse urban scales. The Play ReCH mission underlines how new evidence suggests declining the CCCM conceptual framework and related urban policies assessment, co-defining suitable community-based indicators.
    Electronic ISSN: 2071-1050
    Topics: Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 79
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Modification of SiO2, ZnO, Fe2O3 and TiN Films by Electronic Excitation under High Energy Ion Impact (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: It has been known that the modification of non-metallic solid materials (oxides, nitrides, etc.), e.g., the formation of tracks, sputtering representing atomic displacement near the surface and lattice disordering are induced by electronic excitation under high-energy ion impact. We have investigated lattice disordering by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) of SiO2, ZnO, Fe2O3 and TiN films and have also measured the sputtering yields of TiN for a comparison of lattice disordering with sputtering. We find that both the degradation of the XRD intensity per unit ion fluence and the sputtering yields follow the power-law of the electronic stopping power and that these exponents are larger than unity. The exponents for the XRD degradation and sputtering are found to be comparable. These results imply that similar mechanisms are responsible for the lattice disordering and electronic sputtering. A mechanism of electron–lattice coupling, i.e., the energy transfer from the electronic system into the lattice, is discussed based on a crude estimation of atomic displacement due to Coulomb repulsion during the short neutralization time (~fs) in the ionized region. The bandgap scheme or exciton model is examined.
    Electronic ISSN: 2412-382X
    Topics: Physics
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 80
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Research of ZnO Arrester Deterioration Mechanism Based on Electrical Performance and Micro Material Test (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: The traction power supply system of an Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) often suffers from overvoltage impact. As an important protection device for on-board electrical equipment, the working environment of a roof arrester is worse than that of a power system. In recent years, the explosion failure of the roof arresters of an EMU has occurred from time to time, which seriously endangers the safe operation of high-speed railways. In this paper, the electrical performance test and material micro test of roof arrester in three states of normal, defect, and exploded, are carried out in order to study the internal causes of roof arrester explosion and clarify its deterioration mechanism. Using the DC reference voltage test and leakage current test, the electrical performance differences of normal, defective, and exploded arresters are obtained. By studying the disassembly of an arrester, the appearance characteristics of arrester varistor in three states are obtained. The micro morphology and chemical elements of the varistor are analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer. The deterioration mechanism of the arrester varistor is then revealed, and preventive measures for the explosion failure of the roof arrester are put forward. The obtained results show that, during the long-term operation of the roof arrester of an EMU, the varistor may be damp, and therefore the aluminum electrode layer and side insulation layer of the varistor may deteriorate. After the deterioration of the aluminum electrode layer, the content of the O element increases, and multiple film structures are formed on the surface. After the deterioration of the side insulating layer, the content of the O element increases, and the surface becomes uneven. Improving the sealing performance requirements of the roof arrester and optimizing the maintenance process can reduce its explosion failure.
    Electronic ISSN: 2079-9292
    Topics: Electrical Engineering, Measurement and Control Technology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 81
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Development of Lutein-Containing Eye Drops for the Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Dry eye syndrome (DES) is a common ophthalmological disease that decreases tear secretion and causes dryness, photophobia, pain, severe corneal rupture, and even blindness. Ocular and lacrimal gland inflammation is one of the pathological mechanisms underlying DES. Therefore, effective suppression of inflammation is a crucial strategy for the treatment of DES. Lutein, commonly found in healthy foods, has anti-inflammatory effects in corneal or retina-related cells and may be a potential therapy for DES. The addition of lutein to artificial tears (AT) as an eye-drop formulation for DES treatment in a mouse model was studied in the present work. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was used as a thickener to increase the viscosity of eye drops to prolong drug retention on the ocular surface. A WST-8 assay in human corneal epithelial cells (HCE-2) showed that a concentration of
    Electronic ISSN: 1999-4923
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 82
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Disordered Eating among People with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Disordered eating, or abnormal eating behaviours that do not meet the criteria for an independent eating disorder, have been reported among people with schizophrenia. We aimed to systemati-cally review literature on disordered eating among people with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD). Seven databases were systematically searched for studies that described the prevalence and correlates of disordered eating among patients with SSD from January 1984 to 15 February 2021. Qualitative analysis was performed using the National Institutes of Health scales. Of 5504 records identified, 31 studies involving 471,159 subjects were included in the systematic review. The ma-jority of studies (17) rated fair on qualitative analysis and included more men, and participants in their 30s and 40s, on antipsychotics. The commonest limitations include lack of sample size or power calculations, poor sample description, not using valid tools, or not adjusting for con-founders. The reported rates were 4.4% to 45% for binge eating, 16.1% to 64%, for food craving, 27% to 60.6% for food addiction, and 4% to 30% for night eating. Positive associations were re-ported for binge eating with antipsychotic use and female gender, between food craving and weight gain, between food addiction and increased dietary intake, and between disordered eating and female gender, mood and psychotic symptoms. Reported rates for disordered eating among people with SSD are higher than those in the general population. We will discuss the clinical, treatment and research implications of our findings.
    Electronic ISSN: 2072-6643
    Topics: Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition , Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 83
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Nutraceuticals and Cancer: Potential for Natural Polyphenols (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally, associated with multifactorial pathophysiological components. In particular, genetic mutations, infection or inflammation, unhealthy eating habits, exposition to radiation, work stress, and/or intake of toxins have been found to contribute to the development and progression of cancer disease states. Early detection of cancer and proper treatment have been found to enhance the chances of survival and healing, but the side effects of anticancer drugs still produce detrimental responses that counteract the benefits of treatment in terms of hospitalization and survival. Recently, several natural bioactive compounds were found to possess anticancer properties, capable of killing transformed or cancerous cells without being toxic to their normal counterparts. This effect occurs when natural products are associated with conventional treatments, thereby suggesting that nutraceutical supplementation may contribute to successful anticancer therapy. This review aims to discuss the current literature on four natural bioactive extracts mostly characterized by a specific polyphenolic profile. In particular, several activities have been reported to contribute to nutraceutical support in anticancer treatment: (1) inhibition of cell proliferation, (2) antioxidant activity, and (3) anti-inflammatory activity. On the other hand, owing to their attenuation of the toxic effect of current anticancer therapies, natural antioxidants may contribute to improving the compliance of patients undergoing anticancer treatment. Thus, nutraceutical supplementation, along with current anticancer drug treatment, may be considered for better responses and compliance in patients with cancer. It should be noted, however, that when data from studies with bioactive plant preparations are discussed, it is appropriate to ensure that experiments have been conducted in accordance with accepted pharmacological research practices so as not to disclose information that is only partially correct.
    Electronic ISSN: 2072-6643
    Topics: Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition , Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 84
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Aquatic Environment Exposure and Toxicity of Engineered Nanomaterials Released from Nano-Enabled Products: Current Status and Data Needs (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Rapid commercialisation of nano-enabled products (NEPs) elevates the potential environmental release of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) along the product life cycle. The current review examined the state of the art literature on aquatic environment exposure and ecotoxicity of product released (PR) engineered nanomaterials (PR–ENMs). Additionally, the data obtained were applied to estimate the risk posed by PR–ENMs to various trophic levels of aquatic biota as a means of identifying priority NEPs cases that may require attention with regards to examining environmental implications. Overall, the PR–ENMs are predominantly associated with the matrix of the respective NEPs, a factor that often hinders proper isolation of nano-driven toxicity effects. Nevertheless, some studies have attributed the toxicity basis of observed adverse effects to a combination of the released ions, ENMs and other components of NEPs. Notwithstanding the limitation of current ecotoxicology data limitations, the risk estimated herein points to an elevated risk towards fish arising from fabrics’ PR–nAg, and the considerable potential effects from sunscreens’ PR–nZnO and PR–nTiO2 to algae, echinoderms, and crustaceans (PR–nZnO), whereas PR–nTiO2 poses no significant risk to echinoderms. Considering that the current data limitations will not be overcome immediately, we recommend the careful application of similar risk estimation to isolate/prioritise cases of NEPs for detailed characterisation of ENMs’ release and effects in aquatic environments.
    Electronic ISSN: 2079-4991
    Topics: Physics
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 85
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    New Frontiers on Adjuvants Drug Strategies and Treatments in Periodontitis (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-22
    Description: Causes of the progression of periodontitis such as an imbalance between the immune response by the host by the release of inflammatory mediators in the response of the oral pathogenic dysbiotic biofilm have been identified. New insights on specific cell signaling pathways that appear during periodontitis have attracted the attention of researchers in the study of new personalised approaches for the treatment of periodontitis. The gold standard of non-surgical therapy of periodontitis involves the removal of supra and subgingival biofilm through professional scaling and root planing (SRP) and oral hygiene instructions. In order to improve periodontal clinical outcomes and overcome the limitations of traditional SRP, additional adjuvants have been developed in recent decades, including local or systemic antibiotics, antiseptics, probiotics, anti-inflammatory and anti-resorptive drugs and host modulation therapies. This review is aimed to update the current and recent evolution of therapies of management of periodontitis based on the adjunctive and target therapies. Moreover, we discuss the advances in host modulation of periodontitis and the impact of targeting epigenetic mechanisms approaches for a personalised therapeutic success in the management of periodontitis. In conclusion, the future goal in periodontology will be to combine and personalise the periodontal treatments to the colonising microbial profile and to the specific response of the individual patient.
    Print ISSN: 0036-8709
    Electronic ISSN: 2218-0532
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 86
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Alternative Herbicides for Controlling Herbicide-Resistant Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua L.) in Turf (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-26
    Description: Poa annua is a cosmopolitan, cool-season grass species regarded as one of the most significant weeds of turfgrass. It is mainly controlled by herbicides; however, repeated use of herbicides in golf turf has resulted in the evolution of multiple-herbicide resistant P. annua. Four field experiments were performed in autumn and spring in golf turf to identify effective herbicide options to control multiple herbicide-resistant P. annua. In herbicide resistance screening, the trial site population (SA1) was found to be susceptible to amicarbazone and terbuthylazine, but resistant to simazine and metribuzin at the field rate of each herbicide. Consistent with the results of the pot study, the PSII-inhibiting herbicides amicarbazone and terbuthylazine provided the best control (80–100%) of P. annua in both autumn and spring trials with minimal damage to the turf. In contrast, the other two PSII-inhibiting herbicides, metribuzin and simazine, were relatively ineffective in controlling P. annua in the field. Indaziflam also performed well in both autumn trials and reduced P. annua occurrence by 〉75%. Pyroxasulfone and s-metolachlor only provided moderate weed control in both the autumn and spring trials, reducing P. annua occurrence by 50%. Among the nine different herbicides, amicarbazone and terbuthylazine were found to be most effective for spring and autumn application in turf. As resistance to some PSII-inhibiting herbicides has already evolved in this field population, the use of amicarbazone and terbuthylazine needs to be integrated with other herbicide modes of action and non-chemical tactics to delay the onset of resistance to them.
    Electronic ISSN: 2073-4395
    Topics: Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition , Economics
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 87
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Can Social Cognitive Theory Influence Breakfast Frequency in an Institutional Context: A Qualitative Study (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Breakfast is considered an important meal, especially for people who are about to commence a long or demanding workday, and for roles that may involve physical tasks and a requirement to remain alert and vigilant in potentially high-risk situations. This study looks at breakfast consumption influences within two workplace institutional settings, namely military and mining. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with military personnel (n = 12) and mining employees (n = 12) to understand their breakfast consumption behaviour at work and at home, and the associated behavioural influences. The interview questions were framed by social cognitive theory. Overall, cognitive and environmental influences were the most prominent influences on breakfast consumption, less evident were behavioural influences. A negative stereotype of workplace institutional food services emerged as one of the most significant barriers to breakfast consumption for those already at work. Considerations of environmental influences on behaviour may need to be broadened beyond physical barriers and social influences, to include perceptions of the behavioural environment. Programs that aim to increase breakfast consumption must create areas where their employees want to go. Food systems need to ensure nutritious, quality, and appealing food is available. Interventions need to increase participants’ knowledge, improve their attitudes, and create positive expectations for breakfast.
    Print ISSN: 1661-7827
    Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
    Topics: Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering , Medicine
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 88
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Failure Analysis and the Evaluation of Forced-in Joint Reliability for Selected Operation Conditions (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: In this article, sample damage and wear of forced-in joints is presented, and their reliability evaluated. Compared were shafts without additional finish treatment, rolled shafts and those with a TiSiN coating. Tribological samples under investigation operated in rotational bending conditions. Recorded was the number of fatigue cycles at which damage might occur. Reliability indicators were plotted, which demonstrated that coated shafts are distinguished by the highest reliability and low damage intensity. Macroscopic observations of shaft surfaces demonstrated the traces of adhesive wear and, in the case of shafts without additional treatment and in the case of rolled shafts, fretting wear traces in the form of a ring comprising the entire shaft circumference. Microscopic observations showed numerous build-ups on the surface, microcracks, and the occurrence of wear products in the gap between the shaft and sleeve. The highest fatigue strength was demonstrated by shafts with a TiSiN coating. The shaft section change area was the place where fatigue wear occurred.
    Electronic ISSN: 2079-6412
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology , Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 89
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Prospects and Challenges of the Study of Anti-Glycan Antibodies and Microbiota for the Monitoring of Gastrointestinal Cancer (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Over the past decades, a large amount of data has been accumulated in various subfields of glycobiology. However, much clinically relevant data and many tools are still not widely used in medicine. Synthetic glycoconjugates with the known structure of glycans are an accurate tool for the study of glycan-binding proteins. We used polyacrylamide glycoconjugates (PGs) including PGs with tumour-associated glycans (TAGs) in immunoassays to assess the prognostic potential of the serum level of anti-glycan antibodies (AG Abs) in gastrointestinal cancer patients and found an association of AG Abs with survival. The specificity of affinity-isolated AG Abs was investigated using synthetic and natural glycoconjugates. AG Abs showed mainly a low specificity to tumour-associated and tumour-derived mucins; therefore, the protective role of the examined circulating AG Abs against cancer remains a challenge. In this review, our findings are analysed and discussed in the context of the contribution of bacteria to the AG Abs stimulus and cancer progression. Examples of the influence of pathogenic bacteria colonising tumours on cancer progression and patient survival through mechanisms of interaction with tumours and dysregulated immune response are considered. The possibilities and problems of the integrative study of AG Abs and the microbiome using high-performance technologies are discussed.
    Print ISSN: 1661-6596
    Electronic ISSN: 1422-0067
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 90
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Forest Management, Conflict and Social–Ecological Systems in a Changing World (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-26
    Description: Conflicts are ubiquitous in forest management because of several overlapping temporal and spatial issues (see examples in tropical and temperate areas [...]
    Electronic ISSN: 1999-4907
    Topics: Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 91
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Dimensional Accuracy and Surface Quality of AZ91D Magnesium Alloy Components after Precision Milling (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: This study investigates a precision milling process conducted with the use of conventional end mills and a standard CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine tool. Milling tests were performed on samples of AZ91D magnesium alloy using TiB2- and TiAlN-coated three-edge end mills measuring 16 mm in diameter. The following technological parameters were made variable: cutting speed, feed per tooth and axial depth of cut. The effects of precision milling were evaluated by analysing the scatter of dimension values obtained in successive tool passes. In addition to that, deviations from the assumed nominal depth as well as obtained ranges of dimension varation were analysed. The study also examined surface quality obtained in the precision milling process, based on the basic surface roughness parameters: Ra, Rz and RSm. Results have confirmed that the use of conventional cutting tools and a standard CNC machine tool makes it possible to manufacture components characterized by relatively small scatter of dimension values and high accuracy classes. Additionally, the results have shown that the type of tool coating and variations of individual technological parameters exert impact on the dimensional accuracy and surface quality obtained.
    Electronic ISSN: 1996-1944
    Topics: Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 92
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Decentralized Platoon Join-in-Middle Protocol Considering Communication Delay for Connected and Automated Vehicle (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Cooperative driving is an essential component of intelligent transport systems (ITSs). It promises greater safety, reduced accidents, efficient traffic flow, and fuel consumption reduction. Vehicle platooning is a representative service model for ITS. The principal sub-systems of platooning systems for connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) are cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) systems and platoon management systems. Based on vehicle state information received through vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, the CACC system allows platoon vehicles to maintain a narrower safety distance. In addition, the platoon management system using V2V communications allows vehicles to perform platoon maneuvers reliably and accurately. In this paper, we propose a CACC system with a variable time headway and a decentralized platoon join-in-middle maneuver protocol with a trajectory planning system considering the V2V communication delay for CAVs. The platoon join-in-middle maneuver is a challenging research subject as the research must consider the requirement of a more precise management protocol and lateral control for platoon safety and string stability. These CACC systems and protocols are implemented on a simulator for a connected and automated vehicle system, PreScan, and we validated our approach using a realistic control system and V2V communication system provided by PreScan.
    Electronic ISSN: 1424-8220
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology , Electrical Engineering, Measurement and Control Technology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 93
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Breast Cancer CAFs: Spectrum of Phenotypes and Promising Targeting Avenues (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Activation of the tumor-associated stroma to support tumor growth is a common feature observed in different cancer entities. This principle is exemplified by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which are educated by the tumor to shape its development across all stages. CAFs can alter the extracellular matrix (ECM) and secrete a variety of different molecules. In that manner they have the capability to affect activation, survival, proliferation, and migration of other stromal cells and cancer cell themselves. Alteration of the ECM, desmoplasia, is a common feature of breast cancer, indicating a prominent role for CAFs in shaping tumor development in the mammary gland. In this review, we summarize the multiple roles CAFs play in mammary carcinoma. We discuss experimental and clinical strategies to interfere with CAFs function in breast cancer. Moreover, we highlight the issues arising from CAFs heterogeneity and the need for further research to identify CAFs subpopulation(s) that can be targeted to improve breast cancer therapy.
    Print ISSN: 1661-6596
    Electronic ISSN: 1422-0067
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 94
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    The Role of Nrf2 in Skeletal Muscle on Exercise Capacity (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 Nfe2l2 (Nrf2) is believed to play a crucial role in protecting cells against oxidative stress. In addition to its primary function of maintaining redox homeostasis, there is emerging evidence that Nrf2 is also involved in energy metabolism. In this review, we briefly discuss the role of Nrf2 in skeletal muscle metabolism from the perspective of exercise physiology. This article is part of a special issue “Mitochondrial Function, Reactive Oxygen/Nitrogen Species and Skeletal Muscle” edited by Håkan Westerblad and Takashi Yamada.
    Electronic ISSN: 2076-3921
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 95
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Investigating Students’ Digital Literacy Levels during Online Education Due to COVID-19 Pandemic (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-27
    Description: COVID-19 has brought serious challenges to education and many other sectors. Within the educational context, the main difficulties experienced have been reported as challenges related to not only mechanical impediments—such as technology or infrastructure—but also to methodological and personal features, such as lack of motivation or online learning/teaching experiences. The abrupt transition from face-to-face to online education has created the need for some specific abilities, such as digital literacy on the side of the learners at all educational levels. In this context, this mixed-method study aims to determine the digital literacy levels of learners belonging to different school levels and whether age, gender and school degree were significant variables. This study also investigates the technology-related challenges students experienced during COVID-19 pandemic. The sample consisted of 510 participants representing different school levels, age groups, and genders; in addition, a smaller representative group (n = 30) revealed their own evaluations related to their levels of digital literacy and the technology-related challenges they had about online learning. The findings suggest that there is a statistically significant relationship between students’ digital literacy and their gender and school degree, while age was not found to be a statistically significant variable. The qualitative self-reported data suggested that learners have sufficient levels of digital literacy, and that the major technology-related challenges were reported to be lack of the necessary technologies and difficulties in adapting to a new approach to learning.
    Electronic ISSN: 2071-1050
    Topics: Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 96
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Cross-Hedging Portfolios in Emerging Stock Markets: Evidence for the LATIBEX Index (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-28
    Description: We consider alternative possibilities for hedging spot positions on the FTSE LATIBEX Index, the index of the only international market exclusively for Latin American firms that is denominated by the euro. Since there is not a futures market on the index, it is unclear whether a relatively successful hedge can be found. We explore the plausibility of employing futures on four stock market indices: EUROSTOXX 50, S&P500, BOVESPA, and IPC, and simulate the results that could be obtained by a hedge position based on either unconditional or conditional second order moments estimated from different asymmetric GARCH models. Several criteria for hedging effectiveness suggest that futures contracts on BOVESPA should be preferred, and that a salient reduction in risk can be achieved over the unhedged LATIBEX portfolio. The evidence in favor of a better performance of conditional moments is very clear, without significant differences among the alternative GARCH specifications.
    Electronic ISSN: 2227-7390
    Topics: Mathematics
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 97
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Melatonin Confers Plant Cadmium Tolerance: An Update (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-28
    Description: Cadmium (Cd) is one of the most injurious heavy metals, affecting plant growth and development. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) was discovered in plants in 1995, and it is since known to act as a multifunctional molecule to alleviate abiotic and biotic stresses, especially Cd stress. Endogenously triggered or exogenously applied melatonin re-establishes the redox homeostasis by the improvement of the antioxidant defense system. It can also affect the Cd transportation and sequestration by regulating the transcripts of genes related to the major metal transport system, as well as the increase in glutathione (GSH) and phytochelatins (PCs). Melatonin activates several downstream signals, such as nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and salicylic acid (SA), which are required for plant Cd tolerance. Similar to the physiological functions of NO, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is also involved in the abiotic stress-related processes in plants. Moreover, exogenous melatonin induces H2S generation in plants under salinity or heat stress. However, the involvement of H2S action in melatonin-induced Cd tolerance is still largely unknown. In this review, we summarize the progresses in various physiological and molecular mechanisms regulated by melatonin in plants under Cd stress. The complex interactions between melatonin and H2S in acquisition of Cd stress tolerance are also discussed.
    Print ISSN: 1661-6596
    Electronic ISSN: 1422-0067
    Topics: Chemistry and Pharmacology
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 98
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Effects of Multi-Bacteria Solid-State Fermented Diets with Different Crude Fiber Levels on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, and Microbial Flora of Finishing Pigs (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-28
    Description: This study aimed to investigate the effects of multi-bacteria solid-state fermented diets with different crude fiber (CF) levels on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and microbial flora of finishing pigs. The multi-bacteria solid-state fermented diets were made up of Lactobacillus amylovorus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, and Candida utilis. According to a 2 (factors) × 2 (levels) design, with the two factors being multi-bacteria solid-state fermentation (fed non-fermented diet or multi-bacteria fermentation) or CF levels (fed a basal diet containing 2.52% CF or 7.00% CF), a total of 36 finishing pigs (70.80 ± 5.75 kg) were divided into 4 treatments with 9 barrows per group: (1) pigs fed a diet containing 7.00% CF (HF), (2) pigs fed a multi-bacteria fermentation diet containing 7.00% CF (HFM), (3) pigs fed a diet containing 2.52% CF (LF), and (4) piglets fed a multi-bacteria fermentation diet containing 2.52% CF (LFM). This experiment lasted 28 days. The multi-bacteria solid-state fermented diet increased the backfat thickness (p 〈 0.05) and apparent total tract nutrient digestibility (ATTD) of CF, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP), 8 amino acids (Trp, Asp, Gly, Cys, Val, Met, Ile, and Leu), total essential amino acids (EAA), total non-essential amino acids (NEEA), and total amino acids (TAA) (p 〈 0.05). Multi-bacteria solid-state fermented diet increased serum concentrations of HDL-c, ABL, TP, and GLU, the serum enzyme activities of GSH-Px, T-AOC, SOD, and CAT (p 〈 0.05), the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Oscillospira, and Coprococcus (p 〈 0.05), and the abundance of YAMINSYN3-PWY, PWY-7013, GOLPDLCAT-PWY, ARGORNPROST-PWY, and PWY-5022 pathways (p 〈 0.05). The multi-bacteria solid-state fermented diet reduced the digestion amount of CF, NDF, and ADF (p 〈 0.05), the serum concentrations of TC, TG, LDL-c, BUN, and MDA (p 〈 0.05), the relative abundance of Streptococcaceae (p 〈 0.05), and the abundance of PWY-6470, PWY0-862, HSERMETANA-PWY, LACTOSECAT-PWY, MET-SAM-PWY, PWY-6700, PWY-5347, PWY0-1061, and LACTOSECAT-PWY pathways (p 〈 0.05). The high-fiber diet increased average daily feed intake (p 〈 0.05), the serum concentrations of TC, TG, LDL-c, BUN, and MDA (p 〈 0.05), the relative abundance of Clostridiaceae_Clostridium and Coprococcus (p 〈 0.05), and the abundance of TCA-GLYOX-BYPASS, GLYCOLYSIS-TCA-GLYOX-BYPASS, and PWY-6906 pathways (p 〈 0.05). The high-fiber diet reduced chest circumference (p 〈 0.05) and ATTD of ether extract (EE), CF, NDF, ADF, Ca, CP, 18 amino acids (Trp, Thr, Val, Met, Ile, Leu, Phe, Lys, His, Arg Asp, Ser, Glu, Gly, Ala, Cys, Tyr, and Pro), EAA, NEAA, and TAA (p 〈 0.05). The high-fiber diet also reduced the serum concentrations of HDL-c, TP, ABL, and GLU, the serum enzyme activities of T-AOC, GSH-Px, SOD, and CAT (p 〈 0.05), and the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Oscillospira (p 〈 0.05). There was no significant effect of the interaction between multi-bacteria fermentation and dietary CF levels, except on the digestion amount of CF (p 〈 0.05). The 7.00% CF had a negative effect on the digestion of nutrients, but multi-bacteria solid-state fermentation diets could relieve this negative effect and increase backfat thickness. High-fiber diets and multi-bacteria solid-state fermentation improved the diversity and abundance of fecal microorganisms in finishing pigs.
    Electronic ISSN: 2076-2615
    Topics: Biology , Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 99
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Fear of Infection and the Common Good: COVID-19 and the First Italian Lockdown (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-28
    Description: In the first quarter of 2020, Italy became one of the earliest hotspots of COVID-19 infection, and the government imposed a lockdown. During the lockdown, an online survey of 2053 adults was conducted that asked about health behaviors and about the psychological and overall impact of COVID-19. The present study is a secondary analysis of that data. We hypothesized that self-control, higher socio-economic status, existing health conditions, and fear of infection were all inversely related to actions (or intentions) that violated the lockdown (i.e., infractions). Using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), we found that only the fear of infection significantly dissuaded people from violating lockdown rules. Since it is not practical or ethical to sow a fear of infection, our study indicates that enacting rules and enforcing them firmly and fairly are important tools for containing the infection. This may become more important as vaccines become more widely available and people lose their fear of infection.
    Print ISSN: 1661-7827
    Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
    Topics: Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering , Medicine
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
  • 100
    facet.materialart.
    Unknown
    Tensile Capacity of Adhesive Anchors in Damaged Masonry (2021)
    Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-28
    Description: In Europe, the qualification of injection anchors in masonry under static and quasi-static actions is based on an assessment of tests performed in undamaged masonry. Nevertheless, in seismic prone countries like Italy the influences deriving from earthquake actions cannot be disregarded. Masonry elements are very sensitive to cyclic/seismic action and research on the behavior of anchors in damaged masonry is rather limited. The paper presents the results of an experimental campaign aimed at evaluating the residual tensile strength of adhesive anchors installed into undamaged walls that were subsequently subjected to cyclic in-plane loading to simulate seismic actions before. Consequently, the anchors experienced different stresses depending on their location within the walls. Overall, 29 tests were performed with anchors placed both, in undamaged and damaged areas. The results showed that there is a correlation between residual tensile strength and masonry initial conditions, and therefore the installation of anchors in masonry elements should be carefully planned avoiding areas that could be heavily damaged during seismic events or considering redundant connections in critical areas. In particular, it seems that the width of the crack (created by cyclic actions) that passes nearby/into the anchor borehole is the main parameter that affects the ultimate resistance of the anchors.
    Electronic ISSN: 2076-3417
    Topics: Natural Sciences in General
    Published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International
    Location Call Number Expected Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
    PAPER CURRENT
Close ⊗
This website uses cookies and the analysis tool Matomo. More information can be found here...