bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mimicking exercise in three‐dimensional bioengineered skeletal muscle to investigate cellular and molecular mechanisms of physiological adaptation
Authors: Kasper Andreas M. , Turner Daniel C. , Martin Neil R. W. , Sharples Adam P.
Published: February 2017

Bioengineering of skeletal muscle in vitro in order to produce highly aligned myofibres in relevant three dimensional (3D) matrices have allowed scientists to model the in vivo skeletal muscle niche. This review discusses essential experimental considerations for developing bioengineered muscle in order to investigate exercise mimicking stimuli. We identify current knowledge for the use of electrical stimulation and co‐culture with motor neurons to enhance skeletal muscle maturation and contractile function in bioengineered systems in vitro. Importantly, we provide a current opinion on the use of acute and chronic exercise mimicking stimuli (electrical stimulation and mechanical overload) and the subsequent mechanisms underlying physiological adaptation in 3D bioengineered muscle. We also identify that future studies using the latest bioreactor technology, providing simultaneous electrical and mechanical loading and flow perfusion in vitro, may provide the basis for advancing knowledge in the future. We also envisage, that more studies using genetic, pharmacological, and hormonal modifications applied in human 3D bioengineered skeletal muscle may allow for an enhanced discovery of the in‐depth mechanisms underlying the response to exercise in relevant human testing systems. Finally, 3D bioengineered skeletal muscle may provide an opportunity to be used as a pre‐clinical in vitro test‐bed to investigate the mechanisms underlying catabolic disease, while modelling disease itself via the use of cells derived from human patients without exposing animals or humans (in phase I trials) to the side effects of potential therapies.
Complementary cereals and legumes for health: Synergistic interaction of sorghum flavones and cowpea flavonols against LPS‐induced inflammation in colonic myofibroblasts
Authors: Agah Shima , Kim Hyemee , Mertens‐Talcott Susanne U. , Awika Joseph M.
Published: February 2017

Scope

Cereals and legumes are traditionally consumed together in many cultures, and may provide complementary health benefits beyond what is known about improved indispensable amino acid intake. Here, we use an in vitro model of inflammatory pathways to investigate whether the different flavonoids in sorghum and cowpea could synergistically reduce inflammation.

Methods and results

Interactive effect of combining apigenin and quercetin, as well as extracts (70% acetone, v/v) from a flavone‐dominated white sorghum and flavonol‐dominated white cowpea, against LPS‐induced NF‐κB and downstream cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐8) gene and protein expression was evaluated using the CCD18Co colon myofibroblasts. Combination of apigenin and quercetin, and sorghum and cowpea extracts synergistically downregulated LPS‐induced NF‐κB gene and protein expression in a dose‐dependent manner, with additive effect producing IC50 values that were 14.6 and 14.0 times, respectively, higher than 1:1 combined treatments. Similar strong synergistic interactions were observed for the downstream cytokines (IC50 values for additive effect 8.3–21 times higher than combined treatments). Furthermore, the ratios of the different combined treatments significantly affected the magnitude of synergy.

Conclusion

Combining the structurally related cereal flavones and legume flavonols elicit strong synergistic anti‐inflammatory response in LPS‐stimulated nonmalignant colonocytes, likely by targeting interdependent mechanisms.
Flexible and stretchable electrode based on multiwalled carbon nanotube/deproteinized natural rubber composites
Authors: Tangkitthanachoke Paweenuch , Petcharoen Karat , Paradee Nophawan , Sangwan Watchara , Sirivat Anuvat
Published: February 2017

One of stretchable electronic devices is known as the compliant electrode which can retain good electrical conductivity under deformation. Compliant electrodes from MWCNTs and DPNR were prepared by using a UV‐curing process and Triton X‐100 as a dispersing agent. The effect of Triton X‐100/MWCNTs volume ratio was investigated by transmission electron microscopy indicating the highest dispersion was obtained at the volume ratio of 15.6. The mechanical and electrical properties were investigated by a melt rheometer in a tension mode. The 3%v/v MWCNTs composite possessed an excellent mechanical behavior (Young's modulus = 1.27 × 106 Pa) and a high electrical conductivity (1.03 S/cm) relative to previous works. Under the same experimental conditions, a commercial compliant electrode named Danfoss exhibited the Young's modulus and electrical conducivity values of 7.56 × 106 Pa and 2.54 × 10−2 S/cm, respectively, which were inferior to the 3%v/v MWCNTs/DPNR. Moreover, the composite film still retained good electrical behaviors under 100% strain, high extentional strain rate of 1 s−1, high flexed angle, and repeated stretching cycles (40% strain, 50 times) due to the intimate compatibility between the MWCNTs and the elastomer matrix. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:1356–1366, 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Evaluation of a decision support strategy for the control of powdery mildew, Erysiphe necator (Schw.) Burr., in grapevine in the central region of Chile
Authors: Valdés‐Gómez Héctor , Araya‐Alman Miguel , Pañitrur‐De la Fuente Carolina , Verdugo‐Vásquez Nicolás , Lolas Mauricio , Acevedo‐Opazo César , Gary Christian , Calonnec Agnès
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

The primary strategy to control powdery mildew in Chilean vineyards involves periodic fungicide spraying, which may lead to many environmental and human health risks. This study aimed to implement and evaluate the effectiveness and economic feasibility of a novel decision support strategy (DSS) to limit the number of treatments against this pathogen. An experiment was conducted between the 2010 and 2013 seasons in two irrigated vine fields, one containing a cultivar of Cabernet Sauvignon (CS) and the other a cultivar of Chardonnay (CH).

RESULTS

The results showed that the DSS effectively controlled powdery mildew in CS and CH vine fields, as evidenced by a disease severity lower than 3%, which was lower than that observed in untreated vines (approximately 10 and 40% for CS and CH respectively). The DS strategy required the application of only 2–3 fungicide treatments per season in key vine phenological stages, and the cost fluctuated between $US 322 and 415 ha−1, which was 40–60% cheaper than the traditional strategy employed by vine growers.

CONCLUSION

The decision support strategy evaluated in this trial allows a good control of powdery mildew for various types of epidemic with an early and late initiation. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Novel gene‐sequence markers for isolate tracking within Monilinia fructicola lesions
Authors: Dowling Madeline E , Schnabel Guido , Boatwright Harriet G , Everhart Sydney E
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

Monilinia fructicola is a diverse pathogen of pome and stone fruits that causes severe economic losses each year. However, little is known about inoculum flow within or between orchards and pathogen establishment in an orchard, because few methods exist for detecting diversity or tracking isolates over time. SSR loci are an effective option, but may be confounded by a high degree of mutability and potential sensitivity to abiotic stress.

RESULTS

Through transcriptome analysis, we identified novel markers mrr1, DHFR and MfCYP01 and validated stability of these markers under fungicide stress in natural infection sites. Nucleotide variation within mrr1, DHFR and MfCYP01 sequences differentiated isolates at all spatial scales: within the same infection site, between trees and between two farms. Sequenced regions were also effective for matching isolates collected from blossoms at the beginning of the season to progeny in cankers obtained at the end of the season.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, results show that mrr1, DHFR and MfCYP01 are able to accurately differentiate M. fructicola isolates at the population level, can be used to track isolates over time, and are more stable than SSRs under external stresses. Either by themselves or combined with SSR markers, these gene‐encoding regions are a much‐needed tool for better understanding M. fructicola population dynamics. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Reliability Optimization by Considering Time‐Dependent Reliability for Components
Authors: Abouei Ardakan Mostafa , Mirzaei Zahra , Zeinal Hamadani Ali , Elsayed Elsayed A.
Published: February 2017

Reliability optimization is an important and challenging topic both in engineering and industrial situations as its objective is to design a highly reliable system that operates more safely and efficiently under constraints. Redundancy allocation problem (RAP), as one of the most well‐known problems in reliability optimization, has been the subject of many studies over the past few decades. RAP aims to find the best structure and the optimal redundancy level for each subsystem. The main goal in RAP is to maximize the overall system reliability considering some constraints. In all the previous RAP studies, the reliability of the components is considered constant during the system's mission time. However, reliability is time‐dependent and needs to be considered and monitored during the system's lifetime. In this paper, the reliability of components is considered as a function of time, and the RAP is reformulated by introducing a new criterion called ‘mission design life’ defined as the integration of the system reliability function during the mission time. We propose an efficient algorithm for this problem and demonstrate its performance using two examples. Furthermore, we demonstrate the importance of the new approach using a benchmark problem in RAP. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Observer‐based leader‐following consensus of uncertain nonlinear multi‐agent systems
Authors: Shi P. , Shen Q. K.
Published: February 2017

In this paper, the leader‐following consensus problem of uncertain high‐order nonlinear multi‐agent systems on directed graph with a fixed topology is studied, where it is assumed that the relative states of a follower and its neighbors are immeasurable and only the relative outputs are available. Nonlinear adaptive observers are firstly proposed for each follower to estimate the states of it and its neighbors, and an observer‐based distributed adaptive control scheme is constructed to guarantee that all followers asymptotically synchronize to a leader with tracking errors being semi‐globally uniform ultimate bounded. On the basis of algebraic graph theory and Lyapunov theory, the closed‐loop system stability analysis is conducted. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the effectiveness and potential of the proposed new design techniques. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TeenySec: a new data link layer security protocol for WSNs
Authors: Dener Murat , Bay Omer Faruk
Published: February 2017

A Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) link layer security protocol called TeenySec is proposed in this paper. WSNs are caused by a lot of vulnerability because of factors such as hardware constraints of the sensor nodes, wireless communication medium, real‐time computing, heterogeneous structure, large number of nodes, scalability, mobility, weight and cost requirements of application environment. In sensitive WSN applications like surveillance of enemy lines or border areas, security protocols must be used which provide confidential data transfer from sensors to base station. In this study, a new data link layer protocol is developed which is called TeenySec. The TeenySec combines the advantageous aspects of the Corrected Block Tea Algorithm (XXTEA) with the Offset Codebook Mode (OCB) approaches. TeenySec provides data confidentiality, data integrity, data freshness and data authentication and is also energy efficient. Moreover, proposed protocol has been implemented on the TelosB nodes. The security has been increased in the developed protocol. Also, better results have been obtained than TinySec, MiniSec and SNEP in energy consumption and memory usage which are very important for WSNs. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation reduces exercise-induced perceived pain and improves endurance exercise performance
Authors: Astokorki Ali H. Y. , Mauger Alexis R.
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Muscle pain is a natural consequence of intense and prolonged exercise and has been suggested to be a limiter of performance. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and interferential current (IFC) have been shown to reduce both chronic and acute pain in a variety of conditions. This study sought to ascertain whether TENS and IFC could reduce exercise-induced pain (EIP) and whether this would affect exercise performance. It was hypothesised that TENS and IFC would reduce EIP and result in an improved exercise performance.

Methods

In two parts, 18 (Part I) and 22 (Part II) healthy male and female participants completed an isometric contraction of the dominant bicep until exhaustion (Part I) and a 16.1 km cycling time trial as quickly as they could (Part II) whilst receiving TENS, IFC, and a SHAM placebo in a repeated measures, randomised cross-over, and placebo-controlled design. Perceived EIP was recorded in both tasks using a validated subjective scale.

Results

In Part I, TENS significantly reduced perceived EIP (mean reduction of 12%) during the isometric contraction (P = 0.006) and significantly improved participants’ time to exhaustion by a mean of 38% (P = 0.02). In Part II, TENS significantly improved (P = 0.003) participants’ time trial completion time (~2% improvement) through an increased mean power output.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that TENS can attenuate perceived EIP in a healthy population and that doing so significantly improves endurance performance in both submaximal isometric single limb exercise and whole-body dynamic exercise.
High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over the left DLPFC for major depression: Session-dependent efficacy: A meta-analysis
Authors: Teng S. , Guo Z. , Peng H. , Xing G. , Chen H. , He B. , McClure M.A. , Mu Q.
Published: February 2017

Background

Depression is a major debilitating psychiatric disorder. Current antidepressant drugs are often associated with side effects or treatment resistance. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate therapeutic effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) in major depression (MD).

Methods

The medical data bases of PubMed, Medline, Embase and Cochrane Central Register were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the therapeutic effects of high-frequency rTMS for depression, which were published in English between January 1990 and June 2016. The index terms were “depress*”, “depression” and “transcranial magnetic stimulation”. Depression outcome data of different sessions (5, 10, 15, and 20 sessions of rTMS treatment) were extracted and synthesized by calculating standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) by using a random-effect model. Within each session group, the subgroup analyses based on the number of pulses (≤ 1000, 1200–1500, 1600–1800, and 2000–3000) were also conducted.

Results

Thirty RCTs with a total of 1754 subjects including 1136 in the rTMS group and 618 in the sham group were included in this meta-analysis. rTMS had a significant overall therapeutic effect on depression severity scores (SMD = −0.73,P< 0.00001). The five, 10, 15, 20 sessions of rTMS treatments yielded the significant mean effect sizes of −0.43, −0.60, −1.13, and −2.74, respectively. In the four groups (5, 10, 15, 20 sessions), the maximal mean effect size was all obtained in the subgroup of 1200–1500 pulses per day (−0.97, −1.14, −1.91, −5.47;P< 0.05).

Conclusions

The increasing of HF-rTMS sessions is associated with the increased efficacy of HF-rTMS in reducing depressed patients’ symptom severity. A total number of pulses of 1200–1500 per day appear to deliver the best antidepressant effects of HF-rTMS.
Measuring stigma in children receiving mental health treatment: Validation of the Paediatric Self-Stigmatization Scale (PaedS)
Authors: Kaushik A. , Papachristou E. , Dima D. , Fewings S. , Kostaki E. , Ploubidis G.B. , Kyriakopoulos M.
Published: February 2017

Background:

Research on the impact of stigma associated with mental illness in children is scarce. Considering the known negative effects of stigma associated with mental illness in adults, it is crucial to explore the stigma experienced by children who access mental health treatment. However, no scale measuring self-stigmatization in younger children is available to date. This study aimed to develop and validate such a scale, the Paediatric Self-Stigmatization Scale (PaedS).

Methods:

A total of 156 children (119 receiving outpatient and 37 receiving inpatient treatment), aged 8–12 years, completed the PaedS, the Self-Perception Profile for Children and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL – Child Report, ages 8–12). In addition, parents completed the PedsQL (Parent Report for Children, ages 8–12), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and a modified subscale of the PaedS measuring the children's rejection by others due to their mental health difficulties.

Results:

A confirmatory factor analysis showed that a four-factor structure, comprising Societal Devaluation, Personal Rejection, Self-Stigma and Secrecy scales, had excellent fit to the data (CFI = 0.95; TLI = 0.95; RMSEA = 0.05). Child-reported PaedS scores were positively correlated with parental-reported PaedS scores and negatively with PedsQL, the SDQ, and 5 out of 6 subscales of the Self-Perception Profile for Children, suggesting adequate convergent validity (all P-values < 0.05).

Conclusions:

The PaedS is a valid instrument, which is hoped to advance the understanding of self-stigmatization in children with mental health difficulties and contribute to its prevention.
Early Jurassic Caenogastropoda and Architectibranchia from the Neuquén Basin, Argentina
Authors: Ferrari Mariel
Published: February 2017

Early Jurassic marine gastropods are well represented in Argentina by three major taxa: Vetigastropoda, Caenogastropoda and Architectibranchia (=Opisthobranchia). The present paper aims at the description of six new caenogastropod species and one new architectibranch species from the Early Jurassic marine deposits of the Neuquén Basin, namelyProcerithium subimbricatumn. sp.,Microschiza weaverin. sp.,Naricopsina aequabilisn. sp.,Naricopsina ballentaen. sp.,Pictavia rothin. sp.,Oonia acutan. sp., andCylindrobullina brevispiran. sp. Seven other caenogastropods are reported for the first time in the area, includingCryptaulax redeliiFerrari,Procerithium nulloi(Ferrari),Rhabdocolpus patagoniensis(Ferrari),Rhabdocolpus? sp.,Pseudomelania feruglioiFerrari,Pseudomelaniaaff.baugieriana(d’Orbigny), andAnulifera chubutensisFerrari, extending their palaeobiogeographical distribution to the Andean region of Argentina during the Early Jurassic. Caenogastropods such asGlobularia catanlilensis(Weaver) andMicroschiza?americana(Möricke), and the architectibranch speciesStriactaeonina transatlantica(Behrendsen) andCylindrobullina ovata(Behrendsen) are redescribed and discussed based on new specimens from the type and other localities. The new fossils described here expand the known diversity of the gastropod faunas in the Early Jurassic of Argentina and contribute to the paleontological knowledge of the group in the Mesozoic of South America.
Integrals evaluated in terms of Catalan's constant
Authors: Jameson Graham , Lord Nick
Published: February 2017

Catalan's constant, named after E. C. Catalan (1814-1894) and usually denoted by G, is defined by

It is, of course, a close relative of

The numerical value is G ≈ 0.9159656. It is not known whether G is irrational: this remains a stubbornly unsolved problem. The best hope for a solution might appear to be the method of Beukers [1] to prove the irrationality of ζ (2) directly from the series, but it is not clear how to adapt this method to G.
Open questions on Tantrix graphs
Authors: Burgiel Heidi , El-Hashash Mahmoud
Published: February 2017

TantrixTM tiles are black hexagons imprinted with three coloured paths [1] joining pairs of edges. There are three different kinds of path. One is a straight line going from an edge to the opposite edge, one a circular arc joining adjacent edges and one an arc of larger radius joining alternate edges (or two apart). Tiles can be rotated but, since they are opaque, they cannot be turned over. A careful enumeration would indicate that, identifying tiles under rotation but not under reflection, there are 16 such tiles. However, the two tiles consisting of three straight lines (meeting at the centre of the hexagon) are not part of the set, so actually there are only 14 different tiles. The game is played by matching tiles to connect paths of the same colour; the goal is to create loops or long paths of a single colour This easy to learn yet hard to master game has inspired research on strategy (e.g. [2]) and complexity (e.g. [3]).
How to Breathe Life into Cultural Heritage 3D Reconstructions
Authors: Rizvić Selma
Published: February 2017

Virtual 3D reconstructions of destroyed or disappeared cultural heritage enable viewers to effectively travel back through time and visualize monuments whose fragments they can see in museums or archaeological sites. A powerful way to convey information through three-dimensional geometry is to add interactive digital storytelling to virtual models. In this paper we present our work on interactive virtual cultural heritage applications with storytelling and show how users appreciate this presentation form, considering it as breathing life into 3D geometry. We describe the Tašlihan project, which consists of a documentary, interactive digital story and serious game about this valuable cultural monument from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, of which only one wall remains as a memento to its existence.
The pathogenesis of proventricular dilatation disease
Authors: Tizard Ian , Shivaprasad H. L. , Guo Jianhua , Hameed Samer , Ball Judith , Payne Susan
Published: February 2017

Bornaviruses cause neurologic diseases in several species of birds, especially parrots, waterfowl and finches. The characteristic lesions observed in these birds include encephalitis and gross dilatation of the anterior stomach — the proventriculus. The disease is thus known as proventricular dilatation disease (PDD). PDD is characterized by extreme proventricular dilatation, blockage of the passage of digesta and consequent death by starvation. There are few clinical resemblances between this and the bornaviral encephalitides observed in mammals. Nevertheless, there are common virus-induced pathogenic pathways shared across this disease spectrum that are explored in this review. Additionally, a review of the literature relating to gastroparesis in humans and the control of gastric mobility in mammals and birds points to several plausible mechanisms by which bornaviral infection may result in extreme proventricular dilatation.
Volkswagen: Bugs and Outlooks in Car Industry Regulation, Governance and Liability
Authors: Arbour Marie-Eve
Published: February 2017

The scandal involving the Volkswagen group broke out last Fall, at the dawn of the very delicate UN Conference on Climate Change (COP21) held in Paris, and the posting of an unofficial version of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). This so, just when a leaked version Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) ran through the veins of the Internet and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was just about to be signed in New Zealand, fostering market integration by pushing further national treatment and mutual recognition, against the backdrop -albeit one small step at a time- of an increasing demand for environmental protection through the setting, among other regulation tools, of emission thresholds.
Harmonizing Car Emissions, Air Quality, and Fuel Quality Standards in the Wake of the VW Scandal
Authors: de Sadeleer Nicolas
Published: February 2017

Given that cars have become icons for flexibility, individuality, and freedom, it comes as no surprise that the passenger car fleet in almost all of the EU Member States is constantly growing. In 2010 there were about 239 million heavy-duty vehicles and 35 million light-duty vehicles in the then 27 Member States, more than a quarter of the cars and trucks on the road worldwide. It is expected that this number will grow by 31%by 2030. Not only has the number of vehicles grown constantly over recent decades, but the distance travelled by each has increased as well. Cars, and the industries producing them, do however have significant impacts on the environment ranging from smog to climate change.
Handling Uncertain Risks: An Inconsistent Application of Standards?
Authors: Janssen Anne-May J.P. , Rosenstock Nele F.
Published: February 2017

The problematic application of the precautionary principle by the European Courts has led Janssen and Van Asselt to identify patterns and inconsistencies in the Courts’ use of the principle. As a consequence, the principle runs the risk of becoming an empty tool. This paper examines new case law to determine whether these patterns have continued in the rulings of the Courts and discusses what can be done to stop the degradation of the precautionary principle.
Identification and expression analysis of the apple (Malus × domestica) basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor family
Authors: Yang Jinhua , Gao Min , Huang Li , Wang Yaqiong , van Nocker Steve , Wan Ran , Guo Chunlei , Wang Xiping , Gao Hua
Published: February 2017

Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins, which are characterized by a conserved bHLH domain, comprise one of the largest families of transcription factors in both plants and animals, and have been shown to have a wide range of biological functions. However, there have been very few studies of bHLH proteins from perennial tree species. We describe here the identification and characterization of 175 bHLH transcription factors from apple (Malus × domestica). Phylogenetic analysis of apple bHLH (MdbHLH) genes and their Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) orthologs indicated that they can be classified into 23 subgroups. Moreover, integrated synteny analysis suggested that the large-scale expansion of the bHLH transcription factor family occurred before the divergence of apple and Arabidopsis. An analysis of the exon/intron structure and protein domains was conducted to suggest their functional roles. Finally, we observed that MdbHLH subgroup III and IV genes displayed diverse expression profiles in various organs, as well as in response to abiotic stresses and various hormone treatments. Taken together, these data provide new information regarding the composition and diversity of the apple bHLH transcription factor family that will provide a platform for future targeted functional characterization.
Predictors of facial attractiveness and health in humans
Authors: Foo Yong Zhi , Simmons Leigh W. , Rhodes Gillian
Published: February 2017

Facial attractiveness has been suggested to provide signals of biological quality, particularly health, in humans. The attractive traits that have been implicated as signals of biological quality include sexual dimorphism, symmetry, averageness, adiposity, and carotenoid-based skin colour. In this study, we first provide a comprehensive examination of the traits that predict attractiveness. In men, attractiveness was predicted positively by masculinity, symmetry, averageness, and negatively by adiposity. In women, attractiveness was predicted positively by femininity and negatively by adiposity. Skin colour did not predict attractiveness in either sex, suggesting that, despite recent interest in the literature, colour may play limited role in determining attractiveness. Male perceived health was predicted positively by averageness, symmetry, and skin yellowness, and negatively by adiposity. Female perceived health was predicted by femininity. We then examined whether appearance predicted actual health using measures that have been theoretically linked to sexual selection, including immune function, oxidative stress, and semen quality. In women, there was little evidence that female appearance predicted health. In men, we found support for the phenotype-linked fertility hypothesis that male masculinity signalled semen quality. However, we also found a negative relationship between averageness and semen quality. Overall, these results indicate weak links between attractive facial traits and health.
iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis of the global response to 17β-estradiol in estrogen-degradation strain Pseudomonas putida SJTE-1
Authors: Xu Jing , Zhang Lei , Hou Jingli , Wang Xiuli , Liu Huan , Zheng Daning , Liang Rubing
Published: February 2017

Microorganism degradation is efficient to remove the steroid hormones like 17β-estradiol (E2); but their degradation mechanism and metabolic network to these chemicals are still not very clear. Here the global responses of the estrogen-degradation strain Pseudomonas putida SJTE-1 to 17β-estradiol and glucose were analyzed and compared using the iTRAQ (isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantization) strategy combined with LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry). 78 proteins were identified with significant changes in expression; 45 proteins and 33 proteins were up-regulated and down-regulated, respectively. These proteins were mainly involved in the processes of stress response, energy metabolism, transportation, chemotaxis and cell motility, and carbon metabolism, considered probably responding to 17β-estradiol and playing a role in its metabolism. The up-regulated proteins in electron transfer, energy generation and transport systems were thought crucial for efficient uptake, translocation and transformation of 17β-estradiol. The over-expression of carbon metabolism proteins indicated cells may activate related pathway members to utilize 17β-estradiol. Meanwhile, proteins functioning in glucose capture and metabolism were mostly down-regulated. These findings provide important clues to reveal the 17β-estradiol degradation mechanism in P. putida and promote its bioremediation applications.
Sintering-Resistant Nanoparticles in Wide-Mouthed Compartments for Sustained Catalytic Performance
Authors: Liu Jia , Ji Qingmin , Imai Tsubasa , Ariga Katsuhiko , Abe Hideki
Published: February 2017

Particle sintering is one of the most significant impediments to functional nanoparticles in many valuable applications especially catalysis. Herein, we report that sintering-resistant nanoparticle systems can be realized through a simple materials-design which maximizes the particle-to-particle traveling distance of neighbouring nanoparticles. As a demonstration, Pt nanoparticles were placed apart from each other in wide-mouthed compartments tailored on the surface of self-assembled silica nanosheets. These Pt nanoparticles retained their particle size after calcination at elevated temperatures because the compartment wall elongates the particle-to-particle traveling distance to preclude the possibility of sintering. Moreover, these Pt nanoparticles in wide-mouthed compartments were fully accessible to the environment and exhibited much higher catalytic activity for CO oxidation than the nanoparticles confined in the nanochannels of mesoporous silica. The proposed materials-design strategy is applicable not only to industrial catalysts operating in harsh conditions, but also opens up possibilities in developing advanced nanoparticle-based materials with sustained performance.
An effective and novel pore sealing agent to enhance the corrosion resistance performance of Al coating in artificial ocean water
Authors: Lee Han-Seung , Singh Jitendra Kumar , Ismail Mohamed A.
Published: February 2017

A new technique was accepted to fill the porosity of Al coating applied by arc thermal spray process to enhance corrosion resistance performance in artificial ocean water. The porosity is the inherent property of arc thermal spray coating process. In this study, applied coating was treated with different concentrations of ammonium phosphate mono basic (NH4H2PO4: AP) solution thereafter dried at room temperature and kept in humidity chamber for 7d to deposit uniform film. The corrosion resistance of Al coating and treated samples have been evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic techniques with exposure periods in artificial ocean water. Electrochemical techniques, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) indicated that phosphate ion would have been retarding corrosion of Al coating effectively. The formation of AHP (Ammonium Aluminum Hydrogen Phosphate Hydrate: NH4)3Al5H6(PO4)8.18H2O) on Al coating surface after treatment with AP is nano sized, crystalline and uniformly deposited but after exposure them in artificial ocean water, they form AHPH (Aluminum hydroxide phosphate hydrate Al3(PO4)2(OH)3(H2O)5) that is very protective, adherent, uniform and plate like morphology of corrosion products. The AHPH is sparingly soluble and adherent to surface and imparted improved corrosion resistance.
Toxicity of iron oxide nanoparticles to grass litter decomposition in a sandy soil
Authors: Rashid Muhammad Imtiaz , Shahzad Tanvir , Shahid Muhammad , Imran Muhammad , Dhavamani Jeyakumar , Ismail Iqbal M. I. , Basahi Jalal M. , Almeelbi Talal
Published: February 2017

We examined time-dependent effect of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) at a rate of 2000 mg kg−1 soil on Cynodon dactylon litter (3 g kg−1) decomposition in an arid sandy soil. Overall, heterotrophic cultivable bacterial and fungal colonies, and microbial biomass carbon were significantly decreased in litter-amended soil by the application of nanoparticles after 90 and 180 days of incubation. Time dependent effect of nanoparticles was significant for microbial biomass in litter-amended soil where nanoparticles decreased this variable from 27% after 90 days to 49% after 180 days. IONPs decreased CO2 emission by 28 and 30% from litter-amended soil after 90 and 180 days, respectively. These observations indicated that time-dependent effect was not significant on grass-litter carbon mineralization efficiency. Alternatively, nanoparticles application significantly reduced mineral nitrogen content in litter-amended soil in both time intervals. Therefore, nitrogen mineralization efficiency was decreased to 60% after 180 days compared to that after 90 days in nanoparticles grass-litter amended soil. These effects can be explained by the presence of labile Fe in microbial biomass after 180 days in nanoparticles amendment. Hence, our results suggest that toxicity of IONPs to soil functioning should consider before recommending their use in agro-ecosystems.
First On-Site True Gamma-Ray Imaging-Spectroscopy of Contamination near Fukushima Plant
Authors: Tomono Dai , Mizumoto Tetsuya , Takada Atsushi , Komura Shotaro , Matsuoka Yoshihiro , Mizumura Yoshitaka , Oda Makoto , Tanimori Toru
Published: February 2017

We have developed an Electron Tracking Compton Camera (ETCC), which provides a well-defined Point Spread Function (PSF) by reconstructing a direction of each gamma as a point and realizes simultaneous measurement of brightness and spectrum of MeV gamma-rays for the first time. Here, we present the results of our on-site pilot gamma-imaging-spectroscopy with ETCC at three contaminated locations in the vicinity of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plants in Japan in 2014. The obtained distribution of brightness (or emissivity) with remote-sensing observations is unambiguously converted into the dose distribution. We confirm that the dose distribution is consistent with the one taken by conventional mapping measurements with a dosimeter physically placed at each grid point. Furthermore, its imaging spectroscopy, boosted by Compton-edge-free spectra, reveals complex radioactive features in a quantitative manner around each individual target point in the background-dominated environment. Notably, we successfully identify a “micro hot spot” of residual caesium contamination even in an already decontaminated area. These results show that the ETCC performs exactly as the geometrical optics predicts, demonstrates its versatility in the field radiation measurement, and reveals potentials for application in many fields, including the nuclear industry, medical field, and astronomy.
Age, but not anthelmintic treatment, is associated with urinary neopterin levels in semi-free ranging Barbary macaques
Authors: Müller Nadine , Heistermann Michael , Strube Christina , Schülke Oliver , Ostner Julia
Published: February 2017

Studying host parasite interactions and their implications for evolution and ecology recently received increasing attention, particularly with regard to host physiology and immunity. Here we assess variation of urinary neopterin (uNEO), a marker of cellular immune activation and iummunosenescence, in response to age and anthelmintic treatment in semi-free ranging Barbary macaques (Macaca sylvanus). Urinary NEO levels were measured via enzyme-immunoassay from 179 urine samples of 43 individuals between 5–29 years of age. Efficiency of treatment was assessed by Mc Master flotation on repeated faecal samples, including 18 untreated individuals as control group. We used linear mixed models with age and parasite status as main effects, controlling for sex and physical condition, assessed through urinary C-Peptide-levels, with social group and ID as random factors. Urinary NEO levels significantly increased with age, suggesting that changes in aging Barbary macaque immune responses are consistent with immunosenescence described in human and nonhuman primates and can be detected via uNEO measurements. Anthelmintic treatment, however, had no influence on uNEO levels, potentially due to quick reinfections or attenuated immune responses in repeated infections. We conclude that uNEO is a potential non-invasive marker for immune function and particularly immunosenescence in wildlife.
Development of a nanocomposite ultrafiltration membrane based on polyphenylsulfone blended with graphene oxide
Authors: Shukla Arun Kumar , Alam Javed , Alhoshan Mansour , Dass Lawrence Arockiasamy , Muthumareeswaran M. R.
Published: February 2017

In the present study, graphene oxide (GO) was incorporated as a nanoadditive into a polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) to develop a PPSU/GO nanocomposite membrane with enhanced antifouling properties. A series of membranes containing different concentrations (0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 wt.%) of GO were fabricated via the phase inversion method, using N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) as the solvent, deionized water as the non-solvent, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a pore forming agent. The prepared nanocomposite membranes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and were also characterized with respect to contact angle, zeta potential and porosity, mean pore radius, tortuosity and molecular weight cut-off (MWCO). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and tensile testing were used to measure thermal and mechanical properties. The membrane performance was evaluated by volumetric flux and rejection of proteins, and antifouling properties. According to the results, the optimum addition of 0.5 wt% GO resulted in a membrane with an increased flux of 171 ± 3 Lm−2h−1 with a MWCO of ~40 kDa. In addition, the GO incorporation efficiently inhibited the interaction between proteins and the membrane surface, thereby improving the fouling resistance ability by approximately 58 ± 3%. Also, the resulting membranes showed a significant improvement in mechanical and thermal properties.
High-performance varistors simply by hot-dipping zinc oxide thin films in Pr6O11: Influence of temperature
Authors: Wang Yang , Peng Zhijian , Wang Qi , Wang Chengbiao , Fu Xiuli
Published: February 2017

High-performance ZnO-Pr6O11 thin-film varistors were fabricated simply by hot-dipping oxygen-deficient zinc oxide thin films in Pr6O11 powder. The films had a composition of ZnO0.81 and a thickness of about 200 nm, which were deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering a sintered zinc oxide ceramic target. Special attention was paid on the temperature dependence of the varistors. In 50 min with hot-dipping temperature increased from 300–700 °C, the nonlinear coefficient (α) of the varistors increased, but with higher temperature it decreased again. Correspondingly, the leakage current (IL) decreased first and then increased, owing mainly to the formation and destroying of complete zinc oxide/Pr6O11 grain boundaries. The breakdown field (E1mA) decreased monotonously from 0.02217 to 0.01623 V/nm with increasing temperature (300–800 °C), due to the decreased number of effective grain boundaries in the varistors. The varistors prepared at 700 °C exhibited the optimum nonlinear properties with the highest α = 39.29, lowest IL = 0.02736 mA/cm2, and E1mA = 0.01757 V/nm. And after charge-discharge at room temperature for 1000 times, heating at 100 or 250 °C for up to 100 h, or applying at up to 250 °C, the varistors still performed well. Such nanoscaled thin-film varistors will be very promising in electrical/electronic devices working at low voltage.
Platelets protect lung from injury induced by systemic inflammatory response
Authors: Luo Shuhua , Wang Yabo , An Qi , Chen Hao , Zhao Junfei , Zhang Jie , Meng Wentong , Du Lei
Published: February 2017

Systemic inflammatory responses can severely injure lungs, prompting efforts to explore how to attenuate such injury. Here we explored whether platelets can help attenuate lung injury in mice resulting from extracorporeal circulation (ECC)-induced systemic inflammatory responses. Mice were subjected to ECC for 30 min, then treated with phosphate-buffered saline, platelets, the GPIIb/IIIa inhibitor Tirofiban, or the combination of platelets and Tirofiban. Blood and lung tissues were harvested 60 min later, and lung injury and inflammatory status were assessed. As expected, ECC caused systemic inflammation and pulmonary dysfunction, and platelet transfusion resulted in significantly milder lung injury and higher lung function. It also led to greater numbers of circulating platelet-leukocyte aggregates and greater platelet accumulation in the lung. Platelet transfusion was associated with higher production of transforming growth factor-β and as well as lower levels of tumour necrosis factor-α and neutrophil elastase in plasma and lung. None of these platelet effects was observed in the presence of Tirofiban. Our results suggest that, at least under certain conditions, platelets can protect lung from injury induced by systemic inflammatory responses.
Thermal expansion in BaRuO3 perovskites – an unusual case of bond strengthening at high temperatures
Authors: Kayser Paula , Injac Sean , Kennedy Brendan J. , Menezes de Oliveira Andre L. , Shirako Yuichi , Hasegawa Masashi
Published: February 2017

The temperature dependences of the structures of three polytypes of BaRuO3 have been investigated between room temperature and 1000 °C using high resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction.
Decision-making scheme for disinfection by-product monitoring intended for small drinking water systems
Authors: Guilherme Stéphanie , Dorea Caetano C. , Rodriguez Manuel J.
Published: February 2017

Trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs) are the most prevalent disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water and their occurrence is regulated in several countries.
Effects of vitamin D combined with pioglitazone hydrochloride on bone mineral density and bone metabolism in Type 2 diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Wang Ling-Xu , Wang Na , Xu Qing-Li , Yan Wei , Dong Li , Li Bao-Lin
Published: February 2017

The study aims to investigate the effect of vitamin D (VD) combined with pioglitazone hydrochloride (PIO) on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism in patients with Type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN). T2DN patients were selected and assigned into mild, moderate, and severe groups. In each group, three therapy regimens (VD, PIO, and VD plus PIO) were administered. X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure BMD. Intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH-VD3) were measured by chemiluminescence meter. ELISA was applied to detect levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG), bone gla protein (BGP), C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (β-CTX), procollagen type I N-propeptide (PINP), pyridinoline (Pyr), and deoxypyridinoline (D-Pyr). Compared with the mild group, T2DN patients in the moderate and severe groups had longer course of disease and higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), serum phosphorus, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc) and creatine (Cr), and lower blood calcium. The BMD in different parts increased among the mild, moderate, and severe groups, and the highest BMD was found after VD plus PIO treatment. OPG, iPTH, BGP, β-CTX, Pyr/Cr, and D-Pyr/Cr levels were reduced, while 25-OH-VD3 and PINP levels were elevated among three groups after different treatments, and the most obvious change was observed after VD plus PIO treatment. Our findings indicate that VD combined with PIO may be more effective in improving BMD and bone metabolism than VD or PIO alone in the treatment of T2DN patients, especially for T2DN patients with mild disease.
Approach to fitting parameters and clustering for characterising measured voltage dips based on two‐dimensional polarisation ellipses
Authors: García‐Sánchez Tania , Gómez‐Lázaro Emilio , Muljadi E. , Kessler Mathieu , Molina‐García Angel
Published: February 2017

An alternative approach to characterise real voltage dips is proposed and evaluated in this study. The proposed methodology is based on voltage‐space vector solutions, identifying parameters for ellipses trajectories by using the least‐squares algorithm applied on a sliding window along the disturbance. The most likely patterns are then estimated through a clustering process based on the k‐means algorithm. The objective is to offer an efficient and easily implemented alternative to characterise faults and visualise the most likely instantaneous phase‐voltage evolution during events through their corresponding voltage‐space vector trajectories. This novel solution minimises the data to be stored but maintains extensive information about the dips including starting and ending transients. The proposed methodology has been applied satisfactorily to real voltage dips obtained from intensive field‐measurement campaigns carried out in a Spanish wind power plant up to a time period of several years. A comparison to traditional minimum root mean square‐voltage and time‐duration classifications is also included in this study.