bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vegetables and Social Relations in Norway and the Netherlands
Authors: Veen Esther J. , Eiter Sebastian
Published: March 2018

This article aims to explore differences in motivation for and
actual use of allotment gardens. Results from questionnaire surveys and
semistructured interviews in two Norwegian and one Dutch garden show
that growing vegetables
and consuming the harvest is a fundamental part
of gardening. The same is true for the social element—meeting and talking
to other gardeners, and feeling as part of a community. Although gardeners
with different socioeconomic backgrounds experience gardening to some
extent similarly, access to an allotment seems more important for gardeners
with disadvantaged personal backgrounds: both their diets and their social
networks rely more on, and benefit more from, their allotments. This underlines
the importance of providing easy access to gardening opportunities for
all urban residents, and disadvantaged groups in particular. Public officers
and policy makers should consider this when deciding upon new gardening
sites or public investments in urban food gardens.
Reconsidering an important subclass of high-risk dural arteriovenous fistulas for stereotactic radiosurgery
Authors: Tonetti Daniel A. , Gross Bradley A. , Jankowitz Brian T. , Kano Hideyuki , Monaco Edward A. , Niranjan Ajay , Flickinger John C. , Lunsford L. Dade
Published: March 2018

OBJECTIVE

Aggressive dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) with cortical venous drainage (CVD) are known for their relatively high risk of recurrent neurological events or hemorrhage. However, recent natural history literature has indicated that nonaggressive dAVFs with CVD have a significantly lower prospective risk of hemorrhage. These nonaggressive dAVFs are typically diagnosed because of symptomatic headache, pulsatile tinnitus, or ocular symptoms, as in low-risk dAVFs. Therefore, the viability of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) as a treatment for this lesion subclass should be investigated.

METHODS

The authors evaluated their institutional experience with SRS for dAVFs with CVD for the period from 1991 to 2016, assessing angiographic outcomes and posttreatment hemorrhage rates. They subsequently pooled their results with those published in the literature and stratified the results based on the mode of clinical presentation.

RESULTS

In an institutional cohort of 42 dAVFs with CVD treated using SRS, there were no complications or hemorrhages after treatment in 19 patients with nonaggressive dAVFs, but there was 1 radiation-induced complication and 1 hemorrhage among the 23 patients with aggressive dAVFs. In pooling these cases with 155 additional cases from the literature, the authors found that the hemorrhage rate after SRS was significantly lower among the patients with nonaggressive dAVFs (0% vs 6.8%, p = 0.003). Similarly, the number of radiation-related complications was 0/124 in nonaggressive dAVF cases versus 6/73 in aggressive dAVF cases (p = 0.001). The annual rate of hemorrhage after SRS for aggressive fistulas was 3.0% over 164.5 patient-years, whereas none of the nonaggressive fistulas bled after radiosurgery over 279.4 patient-years of follow-up despite the presence of CVD.

CONCLUSIONS

Cortical venous drainage is thought to be a significant risk factor in all dAVFs. In the institutional experience described here, SRS proved to be a low-risk strategy associated with a very low risk of subsequent hemorrhage or radiation-related complications in nonaggressive dAVFs with CVD.
Cerebral autoregulation, cerebrospinal fluid outflow resistance, and outcome following cerebrospinal fluid diversion in normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Lalou Afroditi Despina , Czosnyka Marek , Donnelly Joseph , Pickard John D. , FMedSci  , Nabbanja Eva , Keong Nicole C. , Garnett Matthew , Czosnyka Zofia H.
Published: March 2018

OBJECTIVE

Normal pressure hydrocephalus is not simply the result of a disturbance in CSF circulation, but often includes cardiovascular comorbidity and abnormalities within the cerebral mantle. In this study, the authors have examined the relationship between the global autoregulation pressure reactivity index (PRx), the profile of disturbed CSF circulation and pressure-volume compensation, and their possible effects on outcome after surgery.

METHODS

The authors studied a cohort of 131 patients in whom a clinical suspicion of normal pressure hydrocephalus was investigated. Parameters describing CSF compensation and circulation were calculated during the CSF infusion test, and PRx was calculated from CSF pressure and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) recordings. A simple scale was used to mark the patients’ outcome 6 months after surgery (improvement, temporary improvement, and no improvement).

RESULTS

The PRx was negatively correlated with resistance to CSF outflow (R = −0.18; p = 0.044); patients with normal CSF circulation tended to have worse autoregulation. The correlation for patients who were surgically treated (n = 83) was R = −0.28; p = 0.01, and it was stronger in patients who experienced sustained improvement after surgery (n = 48, R = −0.43; p = 0.002). In patients who did not improve, the correlation was not significantly different from zero (n = 19, R = −0.07; p = 0.97). There was a trend toward higher values for PRx in nonresponders than in responders (0.16 ± 0.04 vs 0.09 ± 0.02, respectively; p = 0.061), associated with higher MAP values (107.2 ± 8.2 in nonresponders vs 89.5 ± 3.5 in responders; p = 0.195). The product of MAP × (1 + PRx), which was proposed as a measure of combined arterial hypertension and deranged autoregulation, showed a significant association with outcome (greater value in nonresponders; p = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

Autoregulation proves to associate with CSF circulation and appears strongest in shunt responders. Outcome following CSF diversion is possibly most favorable when CSF outflow resistance is increased and global cerebral autoregulation is intact, in combination with arterial normotension.
Usefulness of the convexity apparent hyperperfusion sign in 123I-iodoamphetamine brain perfusion SPECT for the diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Ohmichi Takuma , Kondo Masaki , Itsukage Masahiro , Koizumi Hidetaka , Matsushima Shigenori , Kuriyama Nagato , Ishii Kazunari , Mori Etsuro , Yamada Kei , Mizuno Toshiki , Tokuda Takahiko
Published: March 2018

OBJECTIVE

The gold standard for the diagnosis of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is the CSF removal test. For elderly patients, however, a less invasive diagnostic method is required. On MRI, high-convexity tightness was reported to be an important finding for the diagnosis of iNPH. On SPECT, patients with iNPH often show hyperperfusion of the high-convexity area. The authors tested 2 hypotheses regarding the SPECT finding: 1) it is relative hyperperfusion reflecting the increased gray matter density of the convexity, and 2) it is useful for the diagnosis of iNPH. The authors termed the SPECT finding the convexity apparent hyperperfusion (CAPPAH) sign.

METHODS

Two clinical studies were conducted. In study 1, SPECT was performed for 20 patients suspected of having iNPH, and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) of the high-convexity area was examined using quantitative analysis. Clinical differences between patients with the CAPPAH sign (CAP) and those without it (NCAP) were also compared. In study 2, the CAPPAH sign was retrospectively assessed in 30 patients with iNPH and 19 healthy controls using SPECT images and 3D stereotactic surface projection.

RESULTS

In study 1, rCBF of the high-convexity area of the CAP group was calculated as 35.2–43.7 ml/min/100 g, which is not higher than normal values of rCBF determined by SPECT. The NCAP group showed lower cognitive function and weaker responses to the removal of CSF than the CAP group. In study 2, the CAPPAH sign was positive only in patients with iNPH (24/30) and not in controls (sensitivity 80%, specificity 100%). The coincidence rate between tight high convexity on MRI and the CAPPAH sign was very high (28/30).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with iNPH showed hyperperfusion of the high-convexity area on SPECT; however, the presence of the CAPPAH sign did not indicate real hyperperfusion of rCBF in the high-convexity area. The authors speculated that patients with iNPH without the CAPPAH sign, despite showing tight high convexity on MRI, might have comorbidities such as Alzheimer’s disease.
An Efficient Heterogeneous Palladium(0)-Catalysed Cross-Coupling between 1-Bromoalkynes and Terminal Alkynes Leading to Unsymmetrical 1,3-Diynes
Authors: Xu Zhaotao , Ai Jinting , Cai Mingzhong
Published: March 2018

An efficient heterogeneous palladium(0)-catalysed cross-coupling of 1-bromoalkynes with terminal alkynes was achieved in DMF at room temperature in the presence of 5 mol% of MCM-41-immobilised bidentate phosphine palladium(0) complex [MCM-41-2P-Pd(0)] and 2 mol% of CuI with Et3N as base, yielding a variety of unsymmetrical 1,3-diynes in moderate to good yields. This heterogeneous palladium(0) complex could be easily recovered by a simple filtration of the reaction solution and recycled at least seven times without significant decrease in activity.
Efficient immortalization of rheumatoid synovial tissue B-Iymphocytes. A comparison between the techniques of electric field-induced and PEG fusion
Authors: Krenn V. , von Landenberg P. , Wozniak E. , Kißler C. , Müller Hermelink H.-K. , Zimmermannt U. , Vollmers H.P.
Published: March 2018

In this study, B-cells isolated from rheumatoid synovial tissue were immortalized, without prior in vitro stimulation, by means of electric-field induced fusion and conventional PEG fusion in order to compare the efficiency of these methods. Two myeloma cell lines were used as fusion partners, the murine myeloma Ag8 and the murine-human heteromyeloma HAB-1. The results of seven fusion experiments performed simultaneously with identical cell populations showed that fusion frequencies obtained by electro fusion were 4 to 35 times higher than by the P EGfusion technique. The morphological and immunohistochemical evaluation of synovial tissues used for fusion showed that only tissues exhibiting a follicular distribution of B-cells with a high percentage of CD 22-positive lymphocytes gave rise to high fusion yields and produced B-cell clones, whereas synovial tissues with the same percentage of plasma cells but lower percentages of CD 22 lymphocytes yielded very low fusion rates. In conclusion, electro fusion is more efficient for immortalizing small amounts of synovial tissue B-Iymphocytes than PEG fusion, since high fusion frequencies could be obtained by this technique without the need for prior in vitro stimulation, Synovial tissue exhibiting a follicular distribution of B-lymphocytes with high percentages of CD 22-positive lymphocytes gave rise to high hybridoma yields and therefore an ideal source of human rheumatoid B-cell clones.
Generation of a human monoclonal antibody to hepatitis C virus, JRA1 by activation of peripheral blood lymphocytes and hypo-osmolar electrofusion
Authors: Zimmermann Ulrich , Love-Homan Laurie , Gessner Petra , Clark Deborah , Klöck Gerd , Johlin Frederick C. , Neil Garry A.
Published: March 2018

We have generated a human monoclonal antibody with binding specificity for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific peptides using peripheral blood lymphocytes isolatedfrom a HCV antibody positive patient. The B-lymphocytes were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 72 hours prior to the fusion. A recently described high efficiency hypo-osmolar electro fusion technique was employed, allowing generation of a large number of human hybridomas. The hybridomas were screenedfor human immunoglobulin and HCV-specific peptide binding by EIA. A single HCV-positive clone, JRA1, was detected and sub-cloned. Isotype analysis showed it to secrete an IgM λ monoclonal antibody. The antibody was positive on both first and second generation HCV antibody analysis. This study confirms that viable pathogen-specific B-cells may be recoveredfrom the peripheral blood. Although such cells are likely to be relatively uncommon in the circulating B-cell pool, they may be successfully immortalized by high efficiency electro fusion techniques. This technique might be valuable for the generation of human monoclonal antibodies with specificity for other human pathogens.
Differential Effect of APOE ɛ4 Status and Elevated Pulse Pressure on Functional Decline in Cognitively Normal Older Adults
Authors: Werhane Madeleine L. , Thomas Kelsey R. , Edmonds Emily C. , Bangen Katherine J. , Tran My , Clark Alexandra L. , Nation Daniel A. , Gilbert Paul E. , Bondi Mark W. , Delano-Wood Lisa ,   and for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: March 2018

Background/Objective:

The APOE ɛ4 allele and increased vascular risk have both been independently linked to cognitive impairment and dementia. Since few studies have characterized how these risk factors affect everyday functioning, we investigated the relationship between APOE ɛ4 genotype and elevated pulse pressure (PP) on functional change in cognitively normal participants from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI).

Methods:

738 normally aging participants underwent APOE genotyping, and baseline PP was calculated from blood pressure indices. The Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) was completed by participants’ informant at baseline and 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48-month follow-up visits. Multiple linear regression and multilevel modeling were used to examine the effects of PP and APOE ɛ4 genotype on cross-sectional and longitudinal FAQ scores, respectively.

Results:

Adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates, results showed that both APOE ɛ4 status and elevated PP predicted greater functional difficulty trajectories across four years of follow-up. Interestingly, however, elevated PP was associated with greater functional decline over time in ɛ4 non-carriers versus carriers.

Conclusion:

Results show that, although APOE ɛ4 status is the prominent predictor of functional difficulty for ɛ4 carriers, an effect of arterial stiffening on functional difficulty was observed in non-carriers. Future studies are needed in order to clarify the etiology of the association between PP and different brain aging processes, and further explore its utility as a marker of dementia risk. The present study underscores the importance of targeting modifiable risk factors such as elevated PP to prevent or slow functional decline and pathological brain aging.
Revolution of Alzheimer Precision Neurology. Passageway of Systems Biology and Neurophysiology
Authors: Hampel Harald ,   for the Alzheimer Precision Medicine Initiative (APMI), Toschi Nicola , Babiloni Claudio , Baldacci Filippo , Black Keith L. , Bokde Arun L.W. , Bun René S. , Cacciola Francesco , Cavedo Enrica , Chiesa Patrizia A. , Colliot Olivier , Coman Cristina-Maria , Dubois Bruno , Duggento Andrea , Durrleman Stanley , Ferretti Maria-Teresa , George Nathalie , Genthon Remy , Habert Marie-Odile , Herholz Karl , Koronyo Yosef , Koronyo-Hamaoui Maya , Lamari Foudil , Langevin Todd , Lehéricy Stéphane , Lorenceau Jean , Neri Christian , Nisticò Robert , Nyasse-Messene Francis , Ritchie Craig , Rossi Simone , Santarnecchi Emiliano , Sporns Olaf , Verdooner Steven R. , Vergallo Andrea , Villain Nicolas , Younesi Erfan , Garaci Francesco , Lista Simone
Published: March 2018

The Precision Neurology development process implements systems theory with system biology and neurophysiology in a parallel, bidirectional research path: a combined hypothesis-driven investigation of systems dysfunction within distinct molecular, cellular, and large-scale neural network systems in both animal models as well as through tests for the usefulness of these candidate dynamic systems biomarkers in different diseases and subgroups at different stages of pathophysiological progression. This translational research path is paralleled by an “omics”-based, hypothesis-free, exploratory research pathway, which will collect multimodal data from progressing asymptomatic, preclinical, and clinical neurodegenerative disease (ND) populations, within the wide continuous biological and clinical spectrum of ND, applying high-throughput and high-content technologies combined with powerful computational and statistical modeling tools, aimed at identifying novel dysfunctional systems and predictive marker signatures associated with ND. The goals are to identify common biological denominators or differentiating classifiers across the continuum of ND during detectable stages of pathophysiological progression, characterize systems-based intermediate endophenotypes, validate multi-modal novel diagnostic systems biomarkers, and advance clinical intervention trial designs by utilizing systems-based intermediate endophenotypes and candidate surrogate markers. Achieving these goals is key to the ultimate development of early and effective individualized treatment of ND, such as Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer Precision Medicine Initiative (APMI) and cohort program (APMI-CP), as well as the Paris based core of the Sorbonne University Clinical Research Group “Alzheimer Precision Medicine” (GRC-APM) were recently launched to facilitate the passageway from conventional clinical diagnostic and drug development toward breakthrough innovation based on the investigation of the comprehensive biological nature of aging individuals. The APMI movement is gaining momentum to systematically apply both systems neurophysiology and systems biology in exploratory translational neuroscience research on ND.
Value of three dimensional-speckle tracking imaging for predicting left ventricular function after non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Luo Yongjuan , Liu Yujie , Guan Xin , Zhang Ying , Li Jing
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND:

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the recommended treatment for high risk patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the application of three dimensional-speckle tracking imaging (3D-STI) on patients diagnosed with NSTEMI undergoing PCI.

METHODS:

Forty-four NSTEMI patients and 20 healthy subjects that received basic clinical and laboratory examinations were included in our study. NSTEMI patients were divided into three groups: heart failure (HF) with normal ejection fraction (HF-NEF group, n = 19), heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HF-PEF group, n = 14) and heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF group, n = 11). The global longitudinal peak systolic strain (GLS), global circumferential peak systolic strain (GCS), global radial peak systolic strain (GRS) and left ventricular (LV) torsion of all subjects were measured by 3D-STI before PCI and 1 month, 3 months after PCI. The high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TNT), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) were measured in each group. Correlations between these parameters and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were tested by Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTS:

GLS, GCS and torsion were significantly decreased in the 3 NSTEMI groups compared with control group ( P < 0.05). GLS, torsion were significantly improved in the three NSTEMI groups at postoperative 1 and 3 months ( P < 0.05). HF-REF group showed improved GCS on postoperative 1 and 3 month compared with preoperative data, and improved GLS at 3-month follow-up compared with 1-month follow-up ( P < 0.05). The hs-TNT, hs-CRP and NT-pro BNP increased in the three NSTEMI groups before PCI ( P < 0.05), and decreased at postoperative 1 and 3 month ( P < 0.05). LVEF has the positive correlations with LV endsystolic volume (LVESV) and torsion, as well as the negative correlations with LVGLS, LVGCS, NT-pro BNP ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

The combinative detection of 3D-STI and NT-pro BNP is an efficient way to assess the cardiac function in patients diagnosed with NSTEMI undergoing PCI.
Antibacterial characteristics of thermal plasma spray system
Authors: Goudarzi M. , Saviz Sh. , Ghoranneviss M. , Salar Elahi A.
Published: March 2018

The objective of this study is to investigate antibacterial characteristics of a thermal plasma spray system. For this purpose, copper powder was coated on a handmade atmospheric plasma spraying system made by the stainless steel 316 substrate, which is preheated at different temperatures before spraying. A number of deposition characteristics such as antibacterial characteristics, adhesion strength and hardness of coating, was investigated. All of the spray parameters are fixed except the substrate temperature. The chemical composition was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and back scattering electron microscopy (BSE) were used to show the coating microstructure, its thickness and also the powder micrograph. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was used to analyze the coating particles. Hardness of the deposition was examined by Vickers tester (HV0.1). Its adhesion strength was declared by cross cut tester (TQC). In addition, the percentage of bactericidal coating was evidenced with Staphylococcus aurous and Escherichia coli bacteria. Study results show that as the substrates temperature increases, the number of splats in the shape of pancake increases, the greatness and percentage of the deposition porosity both decrease. The increment of the substrate temperature leads to more oxidation and makes thicker dendrites on the splat. The enhancement of the substrate temperature also enlarges thickness and efficiency of coating. The interesting results are that antibacterial properties of coatings against the Escherichia coli are more than Staphylococcus aurous bacteria. However the bactericidal percentage of the coatings against Staphylococcus aurous and Escherichia coli bacteria roughly does not change with increasing the substrate temperature. Furthermore, by increment of the substrate temperature, coatings with both high adhesion and hardness are obtained. Accordingly, the temperature of substrate can be an important parameter for progressing mechanical properties of the antiseptic deposition.
Markov random field segmentation for industrial computed tomography with metal artefacts
Authors: Jaiswal Avinash , Williams Mark A. , Bhalerao Abhir , Tiwari Manoj K. , Warnett Jason M.
Published: March 2018

X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) has become an important tool for industrial measurement and quality control through its ability to measure internal structures and volumetric defects. Segmentation of constituent materials in the volume acquired through XCT is one of the most critical factors that influence its robustness and repeatability. Highly attenuating materials such as steel can introduce artefacts in CT images that adversely affect the segmentation process, and results in large errors during quantification. This paper presents a Markov Random Field (MRF) segmentation method as a suitable approach for industrial samples with metal artefacts. The advantages of employing the MRF segmentation method are shown in comparison with Otsu thresholding on CT data from two industrial objects.
A three-dimensional analysis of skeletal and dental characteristics in skeletal class III patients with facial asymmetry
Authors: Yu Jinfeng , Hu Yun , Huang Mingna , Chen Jun , Ding Xiaoqian , Zheng Leilei
Published: March 2018

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the skeletal and dental characteristics in skeletal class III patients with facial asymmetry and to analyse the relationships among various parts of the stomatognathic system to provide a theoretical basis for clinical practice.

METHODS:

Asymmetric cone-beam computed tomography data acquired from 56 patients were evaluated using Mimics 10.0 and 3-Matic software. Skeletal and dental measurements were performed to assess the three-dimensional differences between two sides. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the correlations among measurements.

RESULTS:

Linear measurements, such as ramal height, mandible body length, ramal height above the sigmoid notch (RHASN), maxillary height, condylar height, buccal and total cancellous bone thickness, and measurements of condylar size, were significantly larger on the nondeviated side than on the deviated side ( P < 0.05). Crown root ratio and buccolingual angle of mandibular first molar were found to be significantly smaller on the nondeviated side than on the deviated side ( P < 0.05). A negative correlation was also discovered between the buccolingual angle of mandibular first molar and the ramal height ( P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

In patients with facial asymmetry, asymmetries in the mandible, maxilla and condylar morphology, and skeletal canting served as major components of skeletal asymmetry. Furthermore, a reduced thickness of buccal cancellous bone and a larger crown root ratio were found on the deviated side, indicating that orthodontic camouflage has limitations and potential risks. A combination of orthodontics and orthognathic surgery may be the advisable choice in patients with a menton deviation greater than 4 mm. An important association between vertical skeletal disharmony and dental compensation was also observed.
Transmission of High Frequency Vibrations in Rotating Systems. Application to Cavitation Detection in Hydraulic Turbines
Authors: Valentín David , Presas Alexandre , Egusquiza Mònica , Valero Carme , Egusquiza Eduard
Published: March 2018

One of the main causes of damage in hydraulic turbines is cavitation. While not all cavitation appearing in a turbine is of a destructive type, erosive cavitation can severely affect the structure, thus increasing maintenance costs and reducing the remaining useful life of the machine. Of all types of cavitation, the maximum erosion occurs when clouds of bubbles collapse on the runner surface (cloud cavitation). When this occurs it is associated with a substantial increase in noise, and vibrations that are propagated everywhere throughout the machine. The generation of these cavitation clouds may occur naturally or it may be the response to a periodic pressure fluctuation, like the rotor/stator interaction in a hydraulic turbine. Erosive bubble cavitation generates high-frequency vibrations that are modulated by the shedding frequency. Therefore, the methods for the detection of erosive cavitation in hydraulic turbines are based on the measurement and demodulation of high-frequency vibrations. In this paper, the feasibility of detecting erosive cavitation in hydraulic turbines is investigated experimentally in a rotating disk system, which represents a simplified hydraulic turbine structure. The test rig used consists of a rotating disk submerged in a tank of water and confined with nearby axial and radial rigid surfaces. The excitation patterns produced by cloud cavitation are reproduced with a PZT (piezoelectric patch) located on the disk. These patterns include pseudo-random excitations of different frequency bands modulated by one low carrier frequency, which model the erosive cavitation characteristics. Different types of sensors have been placed in the stationary and in the rotating parts (accelerometers, acoustic emission (AE), and a microphone) in order to detect the excitation pattern. The results obtained for all the sensors tested have been compared in detail for the different excitation patterns applied to the disk. With this information, the best location and type of sensor to detect the different excitations have been identified. This study permits improving the actual technique of detecting erosive cavitation in hydraulic turbines and, therefore, to avoid operation under these circumstances.
Fabrication of SrTiO3 Layer on Pt Electrode for Label-Free Capacitive Biosensors
Authors: Malvano Francesca , Maritato Luigi , Carapella Giovanni , Orgiani Pasquale , Pilloton Roberto , Di Matteo Marisa , Albanese Donatella
Published: March 2018

Due to their interesting ferroelectric, conductive and dielectric properties, in recent years, perovskite-structured materials have begun to attract increasing interest in the biosensing field. In this study, a strontium titanate perovskite layer (SrTiO3) has been synthesized on a platinum electrode and exploited for the development of an impedimetric label-free immunosensor for Escherichia coli O157:H7 detection. The electrochemical characterization of the perovskite-modified electrode during the construction of the immunosensor, as well as after the interaction with different E. coli O157:H7 concentrations, showed a reproducible decrease of the total capacitance of the system that was used for the analytical characterization of the immunosensor. Under optimized conditions, the capacitive immunosensor showed a linear relationship from to 1 to 7 log cfu/mL with a low detection limit of 1 log cfu/mL. Moreover, the atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique underlined the increase in roughness of the SrTiO3-modified electrode surface after antibody immobilization, as well as the effective presence of cells with the typical size of E. coli.
Stereotactic Radiotherapy and Particle Therapy for Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Ng Sweet , Herman Joseph
Published: March 2018

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease with poor survival outcomes. Recent studies have shown that the addition of radiotherapy to chemotherapy in the setting of locally advanced pancreatic cancer did not improve overall survival outcome. These studies commonly utilize conventional radiotherapy treatment fractionation and technique (typically 3-D conformal radiotherapy or intensity modulated radiotherapy). Although no clear benefit in overall survival was demonstrated in those studies, those who received radiotherapy did have a clear benefit in terms of local control. Therefore, there is increasing interest in exploring different techniques and/or modality of radiotherapy and dose/fractionation. Stereotactic radiotherapy, which employs a hypofractionated regimen, has the potential advantage of delivering a high dose of radiation to the tumor in a short period of time (typically over 5 days) with minimal dose to the surrounding normal structures. Particle therapy such as proton and carbon ion therapy are being explored as potential radiation modality that could cause greater biological damage to the tumor compared to photon treatment, with rapid dose falloff resulting in minimal to no dose to adjacent structures. This review will discuss the current literature and emerging roles of stereotactic radiotherapy and particle therapy in pancreatic cancer.
Crystal Structure, Hydration, and Two-Fold/Single-Fold Diffusion Kinetics in Proton-Conducting Ba0.9La0.1Zr0.25Sn0.25In0.5O3−a Oxide
Authors: Skubida Wojciech , Niemczyk Anna , Zheng Kun , Liu Xin , Świeczek Konrad
Published: March 2018

In this work, hydration kinetics related to the incorporation of water into proton-conducting Ba0.9La0.1Zr0.25Sn0.25In0.5O3−a perovskite-type oxide are presented, with a recorded transition on temperature from a single-fold to a two-fold behavior. This can be correlated with an appearance of the electronic hole component of the conductivity at high temperatures. The collected electrical conductivity relaxation data allowed to calculate chemical diffusion coefficient D and surface exchange reaction coefficient k, as well as respective activation energies of their changes on temperature. Presented results are supplemented with a systematic characterization of the structural properties of materials synthesized at different temperatures, amount of incorporated water after hydration in different conditions, influence of water content on the crystal structure, as well as electrical conductivity in dry, H2O- and D2O-containing air, which enabled to evaluate proton (deuterium) conductivity.
Cholesterol-Lowering Effects of Plant Sterols in One Serve of Wholegrain Wheat Breakfast Cereal Biscuits—A Randomised Crossover Clinical Trial
Authors: Clifton Peter , Keogh Jennifer
Published: March 2018

The meta-analysis of plant sterol supplement studies suggests an 8% lowering of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol for 2 to 2.5 g/day of plant sterols. Cereal foods have been rarely tested, and one study showed a lower LDL lowering of 5.4% with 1.6 g of plant sterol in breakfast cereal. We aimed to test a breakfast wheat biscuit with 2 g of plant sterols in a single serve of two wholegrain wheat breakfast cereal biscuits. Fifty volunteers with a total cholesterol of >5.5 mmol/L were recruited for a randomised crossover study with two 4-week periods with no washout, of which 45 successfully completed the study. After exclusion of four outliers, the difference in LDL cholesterol between standard wholegrain wheat breakfast cereal biscuit and plant sterol-enriched wholegrain wheat breakfast cereal biscuit was 0.23 mmol/L or 5.6% (p = 0.001) with a 95% confidence interval of 2.4–8.9%. Men and daily cereal consumers had greater responses 9.8% vs. 3.6% and 7.2% vs. 3.8% respectively (p < 0.05). The LDL lowering effect of 2 g of plant sterol enriched from one serve of wholegrain wheat breakfast cereal biscuit was not significantly different from other food products delivering 2–2.5 g of plant sterols daily. Regular cereal consumers have a better response.
Volatile Profile of Raw Lamb Meat Stored at 4 ± 1 °C: The Potential of Specific Aldehyde Ratios as Indicators of Lamb Meat Quality
Authors: Karabagias Ioannis
Published: March 2018

The objectives of the present study were: (a) to evaluate the aroma evolution of raw lamb packaged in multi-layer coating film and stored at 4 ± 1 °C, with respect to storage time and (b) to investigate whether specific aldehyde ratios could serve as markers of lamb meat freshness and degree of oxidation. Volatile compounds were determined using headspace solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results showed that the most dominant volatiles were 2,2,4,6,6-pentamethyl-heptane, hexanal, 1-octen-3-ol, 1-hexanol, carbon disulfide and p-cymene. Volatile compound content was increased during storage time. However, statistically significant differences were recorded only for hexanal, heptanal, and nonanal (p < 0.05). Additionally, the evolution of aldehydes during storage recorded a positive Pearson’s correlation (r) (p < 0.05), whereas hexanal to nonanal, heptanal to nonanal, octanal to nonanal ratios, along with the sum of aldehydes to nonanal ratio, were positively correlated (r = 0.83–1.00) with the degree of oxidation (mg malonic dialdehyde per kg of lamb meat). A perfect Pearson’s correlation (r = 1) was obtained for the ratio hexanal to nonanal. Therefore, this ratio is proposed as an indicator of lamb meat freshness and overall quality.
Endogenous Selenoprotein P, a Liver-Derived Secretory Protein, Mediates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Mice
Authors: Chadani Hiroshi , Usui Soichiro , Inoue Oto , Kusayama Takashi , Takashima Shin-ichiro , Kato Takeshi , Murai Hisayoshi , Furusho Hiroshi , Nomura Ayano , Misu Hirofumi , Takamura Toshinari , Kaneko Shuichi , Takamura Masayuki
Published: March 2018

Selenoprotein P (SeP), a liver-derived secretory protein, functions as a selenium supply protein in the body. SeP has been reported to be associated with insulin resistance in humans through serial analysis of gene expression. Recently, SeP has been found to inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor-stimulated cell proliferation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and impair angiogenesis in a mouse hind limb model. In this study, the role of SeP in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury has been investigated. SeP knockout (KO) and littermate wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to 30 min of myocardial ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion. The myocardial infarct area/area at risk (IA/AAR), evaluated using Evans blue (EB) and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, was significantly smaller in SeP KO mice than in WT mice. The number of terminal de-oxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive nuclei was significantly lower in SeP KO mice than in WT mice. In addition, caspase-3 activation was reduced in SeP KO mice compared to that in WT mice. Furthermore, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt and Erk levels were examined for the reperfusion injury salvage kinase (RISK) pathway. Interestingly, SeP KO significantly increased the phosphorylation of IGF-1, Akt, and Erk compared to that in WT mice after I/R. Finally, I/R-induced myocardial IA/AAR was significantly increased in SeP KO mice overexpressing SeP in the liver compared to other SeP KO mice. These results, together, suggest that inhibition of SeP protects the heart from I/R injury through upregulation of the RISK pathway.
The Oncogenic Relevance of miR-17-92 Cluster and Its Paralogous miR-106b-25 and miR-106a-363 Clusters in Brain Tumors
Authors: Gruszka Renata , Zakrzewska Magdalena
Published: March 2018

The fundamental function of ribonucleic acids is to transfer genetic information from DNA to protein during translation process, however, this is not the only way connecting active RNA sequences with essential biological processes. Up until now, many RNA subclasses of different size, structure, and biological function were identified. Among them, there are non-coding single-stranded microRNAs (miRNAs). This subclass comprises RNAs of 19–25 nucleotides in length that modulate the activity of well-defined coding RNAs and play a crucial role in many physiological and pathological processes. miRNA genes are located both in exons, introns, and also within non-translated regions. Several miRNAs that are transcribed from the adjacent miRNA genes are called cluster. One of the largest ones is miR-17-92 cluster known as OncomiR-1 due to its strong link to oncogenesis. Six miRNAs from the OncomiR-1 have been shown to play important roles in various physiological cellular processes but also through inhibition of cell death in many cancer-relevant processes. Due to the origin and similarity of the sequence, miR-17-92 cluster and paralogs, miR-106b-25 and miR-106a-363 clusters were defined. Here we discuss the oncogenic function of those miRNA subgroups found in many types of cancers, including brain tumors.
Optoelectronic Properties of X-Doped (X = O, S, Te) Photovoltaic CSe with Puckered Structure
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Xin Tianyuan , Lu Xiaoke , Wang Yuexia
Published: March 2018

We exploited novel two-dimensional (2D) carbon selenide (CSe) with a structure analogous to phosphorene, and probed its electronics and optoelectronics. Calculating phonon spectra using the density functional perturbation theory (DFPT) method indicated that 2D CSe possesses dynamic stability, which made it possible to tune and equip CSe with outstanding properties by way of X-doping (X = O, S, Te), i.e., X substituting Se atoms. Then systematic investigation on the structural, electronic, and optical properties of pristine and X-doped monolayer CSe was carried out using the density functional theory (DFT) method. It was found that the bonding feature of C-X is intimately associated with the electronegativity and radius of the doping atoms, which leads to diverse electronic and optical properties for doping different group VI elements. All the systems possess direct gaps, except for O-doping. Substituting O for Se atoms in monolayer CSe brings about a transition from a direct Γ-Γ band gap to an indirect Γ-Y band gap. Moreover, the value of the band gap decreases with increased doping concentration and radius of doping atoms. A red shift in absorption spectra occurs toward the visible range of radiation after doping, and the red-shift phenomenon becomes more obvious with increased radius and concentration of doping atoms. The results can be useful for filtering doping atoms according to their radius or electronegativity in order to tailor optical spectra efficiently.
Effect of Heating Mode on Sinterability of YSZ+CeO2 Ceramics
Authors: Raja Annamalai A. , Nagaraju Nidhi , Agrawal Dinesh , Muthuchamy A.
Published: March 2018

In the current research work, a comparative study on densification and microstructural evolution of CeO2 particle reinforced 8 mol % yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) sintered ceramics has been carried out. The ceramic compacts were fabricated via microwave and conventional sintering methods. The sintering conditions that were used for microwave and conventional methods are 1400 °C for 20 min and 1400 °C for 5 h, respectively. The sintered samples were characterized for densification, microstructural behavior, and hardness. Microwave sintering method of sintering resulted in high sintered densities as compared to the conventional counter parts. Microwave sintered samples exhibited finer grains as compared to conventionally sintered specimens. The grain size of the 8YSZ+CeO2 sintered ceramics was found to decrease with CeO2 addition. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed no phase change because of CeO2 addition. The Vickers hardness was found to increase with increasing amount of CeO2.
Azimuthal Fermionic Current in the Cosmic String Spacetime Induced by a Magnetic Tube
Authors: Maior de Sousa Mikael , Freire Ribeiro Rubens , Bezerra de Mello Eugênio
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we calculate the vacuum expectation value of the azimuthal fermionic current, associated with a massive fermionic quantum field in the spacetime of an idealized cosmic string, considering the presence of a magnetic tube of radius a, coaxial to the string. In this analysis three distinct configurations of magnetic field are considered: (i) a magnetic field concentrated on a surface of the tube; (ii) a magnetic field presenting a 1 / r radial dependence; and (iii) an homogeneous magnetic field. In order to develop this analysis , we construct the complete set of normalized solution of the Dirac equation in the region outside the tube. By using the mode-sum formula, we show that the azimuthal induced current is formed by two contributions: the first being the current induced by a line of magnetic flux running along the string, and the second, named core-induced current, is induced by the non-vanishing extension of the magnetic tube. The first contribution depends only on the fractional part of the ration of the magnetic flux inside the tube by the quantum one; as to the second contribution, it depends on the total magnetic flux. We specifically analyze the core-induced current in several limits of the parameters and distance to the tube.
Comparative Theology: An Alternative to Religious Studies or Theology of Religions?
Authors: AVCI Betül
Published: March 2018

This paper examines the relationship between Comparative Theology, Religious Studies and Theology of Religions and questions whether Comparative Theology is an alternative to the last two. Comparative Theology, a faith seeking understanding practice, may be viewed as an alternative to the Enlightenment ideal of Religious Studies, which seeks “impartiality” and “scientific objectivity” in contrast to Comparative Theology’s enquiry into “truth” and “meaning.” I suggest, however, that the comparative method employed by both Religious Studies and Comparative Theology is not a neutral space. Hence, the new comparativism in Religious Studies reinstates its search for understanding and its political stand, which blurs the boundaries between Comparative Theology and Religious Studies. Likewise, while Comparative Theology is distinct from the Theology of Religions, it does not pose an alternative to it because Comparative Theology, too, often embodies either a pluralist or an inclusivist approach.
Critical Success Factors for Project Planning and Control in Prefabrication Housing Production: A China Study
Authors: Li Long , Li Zhongfu , Wu Guangdong , Li Xiaodan
Published: March 2018

The process of prefabrication housing production (PHP) has been inevitably faced with diverse challenges. A number of factors affect the successful implementation of PHP. However, the critical success factors (CSFs) remain unrevealed. This paper aims to examine the CSFs for the planning and control of PHP projects. A total of 23 factors were identified as a result of literature review, in-depth interviews and pilot studies with experts in the construction industry. A questionnaire survey was conducted with designers, manufacturers, and contractors in China. The result showed that the top five CSFs were: (1) designers’ experience of PHP, (2) manufacturer’s experience of PHP, (3) project manager’s ability to solve problems, (4) maturity of techniques used in the detailed design phase, and (5) persistent policies and incentives. The 23 CSFs were further categorized into five groups via exploratory factor analysis, namely: (1) technology and method, (2) information, communication and collaboration, (3) external environment, (4) experience and knowledge, and (5) competence of the project manager. In particular, “technology and method” played the dominant role. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge via a holistic approach covering the key actors of PHP such as designers, manufacturers as well as contractors to examine CSFs of PHP. These findings provided designers and project managers with a useful set of criteria for the effective project planning and control of PHP and facilitated the successful implementation PHP.
Agricultural Land vs. Urbanisation in Chosen Polish Metropolitan Areas: A Spatial Analysis Based on Regression Trees
Authors: Sroka Wojciech , Mikolajczyk Jaroslaw , Wojewodzic Tomasz , Kwoczynska Boguslawa
Published: March 2018

The goal of this paper is to explore intra-regional differences in factors determining land use. We built spatial regression tree models to assess the factors determining the share of agricultural area in municipalities of selected Polish metropolitan areas in 2010. The analyses are static, with the value of exogenous variables presented as an average for the longest possible period preceding the year 2010. We analysed the impact of socio-economic processes, natural conditions, and farming characteristics on the share of agricultural land in the surface area of particular municipalities in metropolitan areas. Based on the concept of economic rents that says that the way land is used is determined by economic rent, we have shown that the most important factor with an impact on the share of agricultural land is the number of enterprises per 10,000 people of working age. Other very important factors have been found to be the quality of environmental conditions of agricultural production, population density, and net migration. It was noted that with an increase in the rate of enterprises, as well as an increase in population density and net migration, the share of agricultural land falls, and a high quality of agricultural production comes with a relatively high share of agricultural land in the surface area of the municipalities analysed.