bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation of Micro-Patterned CaMn7O12 Ceramic Films via a Photosensitive Sol-Gel Method
Authors: Wang Yunwei , Zhao Gaoyang , Wu Chuanbao , Duan Zongfan
Published: October 2019

Mn/acetylacetone chelate was synthesized using Mn(CH3COO)2·4H2O as raw material, methanol as the solvent, and acetylacetone as the chelating agent. The ultraviolet (UV)-absorption peak of the synthesized chelate was found around 298 nm. CaMn7O12 sol was subsequently prepared using the Mn/AcAc chelate as the Mn source and calcium nitrate as the calcium source. The UV test indicates that the CaMn7O12 sol has the UV-sensitive characteristics. Owing to its photo-sensitivity, micro-patterned CaMn7O12 ceramic film can be prepared without photoresist, only through dip-coating, drying, UV-irradiation, solvent-washing, and heat treatment. The magnetic test result indicates that the micro-patterned CaMn7O12 ceramic film has a saturation magnetization of 112.8 emu/cm3, which is close to that of non-patterned CaMn7O12 ceramic film.
Morphology, Structure, and Properties of Conductive Polylactide Fibers Prepared Using Polyvinyl Acetate and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Liu Qingsheng , Zhou Yuqi , Shen Ying , Li Yuhao , Guo Haiyang , Deng Bingyao , Li Yonggui
Published: October 2019

Two kinds of conductive polylactide fibers—polylactide pre-oriented yarns (PLA-POY) and PLA-drawn textured yarns (PLA-DTY) are prepared by coating method using ethyl acetate as solvent, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as conductive filler, and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) as dispersing agent and coating agent. The PLA fibers are characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), resistance meter, and tensile test. The results show that PLA-POY and PLA-DTY have been coated successfully by PVAc and MWCNTs. After PLA-POY fibers are treated by ethyl acetate, the highly porous structures form because of swelling and the subsequent solvent-induced crystallization of PLA-POY fibers with low crystallinity. This causes the tensile force to decrease. However, PVAc can improve the tensile force of the treated PLA-POY fibers. For PLA-DTY fibers, the effect of ethyl acetate on surface morphology is small. Therefore, the treated PLA-DTY fibers own higher tensile properties than original PLA-DTY fibers due to the existence of PVAc. With the increase of PVAc and MWCNTs, the conductive properties of the PLA fibers will increase. The electrical conductivity of PLA-POY and PLA-DTY fibers can reach 0.53 and 0.13 µs/cm, respectively.
Numerical Investigation of Thermal Buoyancy, the Electromagnetic Force and Forced Convection in Conventional RF Systems for 4-Inch Sic by TSSG
Authors: Liu Botao , Tang Xia , Yu Yue , Gao Bing
Published: October 2019

In this paper, we study thermal buoyancy, the electromagnetic force and forced convection in a conventional radio frequency (RF) furnace for growing large-sized (4-inch) silicon carbide ingots using the top-seeded solution method. The thermal buoyancy and electromagnetic force are analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively under real working conditions, and a method to increase the growth stability of large-sized (4-inch) SiC is proposed through the study of forced convection.
Central Pain Due to Injury of the Spinothalamic Tract Misdiagnosed as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Jang Sung Ho , Kwon Young Hyeon , Lee Sung Jun
Published: October 2019

Objectives: We report on a patient with whiplash injury who had central pain, due to injury of the spinothalamic tract (STT), but who was misdiagnosed as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Case description: While a minivan in which a 43-year-old female was seated in the passenger seat was stopped for a signal, a truck collided with the minivan from behind, and the minivan then repeatedly collided with trucks in front and behind the minivan. Her head repeatedly struck the minivan seat resulting in whiplash injuries. After onset, she felt pain in both legs with mild motor weakness in all four extremities and memory impairment. Eight years after onset, she was diagnosed at a university hospital as CRPS type 1 with the clinical features of hyperalgesia and mild edema and motor weakness of both legs. She visited another university hospital nine years after onset and complained of pain in the right arm and both legs, constant tingling and burning pain along with allodynia and hyperalgesia. She also showed mild weakness in the four extremities, mild edema of both legs, and memory impairment. On diffusion tensor tractography (DTT), the left spinothalamic tract (STT) showed marked narrowing, and the right STT revealed mild narrowing and partial tearing. In addition, partial tears were observed in both corticospinal tracts and the right corticoreticulospinal tract. Discontinuations were observed in the left corticoreticulospinal tract and the left fornical crus. Conclusion: Injury of the STT was demonstrated on DTT in a patient with central pain following whiplash injury. Previously, the patient was misdiagnosed as CRPS.
Self-Tuning High-Voltage and High-Frequency Sinusoidal Power Supply for Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Generation
Authors: Neretti Gabriele , Ricco Mattia
Published: October 2019

In this paper a high-voltage sinusoidal power supply controlled by Arduino DUE micro-controller is described. This generator can feed a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) load with sinusoidal voltages up to 20 kV peak and frequencies in the range 10–60 kHz, with a maximum output power of 200 W. Output voltage can be produced either in a continuous mode, or with on/off modulation cycles, according to treatment/application requirements. This power source is equipped with on-board diagnostics used to measure the output voltage and the charge delivered to the load. With a sample frequency of 500 kHz, Arduino DUE allows to evaluate both the high voltage and the average power feeding the discharge without the use of an expensive external measurement setup. Lissajous techniques are utilized to calculate discharge average power in a quasi-real-time manner. When a load is connected to high-voltage terminals, a self-tuning procedure is carried out to obtain the best working frequency. This parameter allows to minimize power-electronic component stress and to maximize generator efficiency.
PSO/GA Combined with Charge Simulation Method for the Electric Field Under Transmission Lines in 3D Calculation Model
Authors: Wang Ru , Tian Jin , Wu Fei , Zhang Zhenhua , Liu Haishan
Published: October 2019

The accurate calculation of electric field intensity under transmission lines is more and more important with the expansion of high voltage engineering, which largely determines the site selection and design of transmission projects. In order to get more accurate results, a methodology of a charge simulation method (CSM) combined with an intelligent optimization algorithm for a 3D calculation model is proposed in this paper. Three key points are emphasized for special mention in this optimized charge simulation method (OCSM). First, the number of sub-segments on the finite length conductor, the position and number of the simulating charge set on a sub-segment are taken as the optimization parameters for unified calculation. Secondly, the fitness function of optimization algorithm is constructed by two values, voltage relative error and electric field intensity relative error. Thirdly, a finite element method (FEM) was used to obtain the electric field intensities, which are compared with the results of the proposed algorithm. A simulation case is carried out on a 3D calculation model of 220 kV transmission lines, which verify the effectiveness of the optimization algorithm. The proposed OCSM solves the parameter optimization problem of CSM in the 3D computational model, which considers physical shape of wire span, and has the advantages of strong global search ability and higher calculation accuracy.
A Classification of US Wildland Firefighter Entrapments Based on Coincident Fuels, Weather, and Topography
Authors: Page Wesley G. , Freeborn Patrick H. , Butler Bret W. , Jolly W. Matt
Published: October 2019

Previous attempts to identify the environmental factors associated with firefighter entrapments in the United States have suggested that there are several common denominators. Despite the widespread acceptance of the assumed commonalities, few studies have quantified how often entrapments actually meet these criteria. An analysis of the environmental conditions at the times and locations of 166 firefighter entrapments involving 1202 people and 117 fatalities that occurred between 1981 and 2017 in the conterminous United States revealed some surprising results. Contrary to general assumptions, we found that at broad spatial scales firefighter entrapments happen under a wide range of environmental conditions, including during low fire danger and on flat terrain. A cluster-based analysis of the data suggested that entrapments group into four unique archetypes that typify the common environmental conditions: (1) low fire danger, (2) high fire danger and steep slopes, (3) high fire danger and low canopy cover, and (4) high fire danger and high canopy cover. There are at least three important implications from the results of this study; one, fire environment conditions do not need to be extreme or unusual for an entrapment to occur, two, the region and site specific context is important, and, three, non-environmental factors such as human behavior remain a critical but difficult to assess factor in wildland firefighter entrapment potential.
Neighborhood Deprivation and Risks of Autoimmune Disorders: A National Cohort Study in Sweden
Authors: Li Xinjun , Sundquist Jan , Hamano Tsuyoshi , Sundquist Kristina
Published: October 2019

Background: No study to date, as far as we know, has analyzed the potential effect of neighborhood-level deprivation on autoimmune disorders (ADs), when adjusted for individual-level characteristics. Methods: A total of 5.4 million individuals from 8363 neighborhoods, comprising the whole Swedish population (ages 25–74 years), were followed for the period 1 January 2000, until admission due to diagnosis of ADs during the period of the study, or the conclusion of the study (31 December 2010). We used a neighborhood deprivation index, constructed from variables such as low education, low income, unemployment, and social welfare assistance, to assess the level of neighborhood deprivation. Multilevel logistic regression was used in the analysis with individual level characteristics at the first level and level of neighborhood deprivation at the second level. Results: A significant association between level of neighborhood deprivation and ADs was found. The crude odds were 1.32 (95% confidence interval 1.27–1.36) for those residing in the high-deprived neighborhoods compared to those living in low-deprivation neighborhoods. In the full model, where individual level characteristics were taken into account, the odds of ADs were 1.18 (1.14–1.22) in the most deprived neighborhoods. Certain Ads—angiitis hypersensitive (5.14), ankylosing spondylitis (1.66), celiac disease (1.65), Crohn’s disease (1.21), diabetes mellitus type 1 (1.45), Graves’s disease (1.13), Hashimoto thyroiditis (1.51), psoriasis (1.15), rheumatoid arthritis (1.15), sarcoidosis (1.20), and systemic sclerosis (1.27)—remained significantly associated with high level of neighborhood deprivation after adjustment for the individual-level variables. Conclusion: This study is the largest to date analyzing the potential influence of neighborhood deprivation on ADs. Our results indicate that neighborhood deprivation may affect risk of ADs, independent of individual level sociodemographic characteristics. For health care policies, both individual and neighborhood level approaches seem to be of importance.
Prognostic Significance of Sarcopenia in Patients with Unresectable Advanced Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Onishi Sachiyo , Tajika Masahiro , Tanaka Tsutomu , Hirayama Yutaka , Hara Kazuo , Mizuno Nobumasa , Kuwahara Takamichi , Okuno Nozomi , Inaba Yoshitaka , Kodaira Takeshi , Abe Tetsuya , Muro Kei , Shimizu Masahito , Niwa Yasumasa
Published: October 2019

The prognostic significance of sarcopenia in unresectable advanced esophageal cancer remains unclear. Our study retrospectively evaluated 176 consecutive Japanese patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who had been diagnosed with unresectable advanced cancer in Aichi Cancer Center Hospital between January 2007 and December 2014. Skeletal muscle mass was calculated from abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans before treatment, and patients were divided into sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic groups. Sarcopenia was present in 101 patients (57.4%). Eighty-two patients in the sarcopenic group and 63 patients in the non-sarcopenic group died during follow-up (mean: 20.3 months). The overall survival (OS) rate was significantly lower in the sarcopenic group compared to the non-sarcopenic group (2-year OS: 9.8% vs. 23.7%, p < 0.01). Cox regression analysis revealed only pretreatment sarcopenia as an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio (HR): 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–2.10, p = 0.03). In the sarcopenic group, withdrawn cases, for whom the planned treatment was discontinued for some reason, showed a significantly lower OS rate compared to complete cases (1-year OS: 11.0% vs. 59.9%, p < 0.01). The most common reason for discontinuation was aspiration pneumonia (64.5%). Presence of sarcopenia was an independent prognostic factor for unresectable advanced esophageal cancer. Identifying the presence of sarcopenia prior to treatment may improve the prognosis.
Direct Measurements of Bed Shear Stress under Swash Flows on Steep Laboratory Slopes at Medium to Prototype Scales
Authors: Howe Daniel , Blenkinsopp Chris E. , Turner Ian L. , Baldock Tom E. , Puleo Jack A.
Published: October 2019

Robust measurements of bed shear stress under wave runup flows are necessary to inform beachface sediment transport modelling. In this study, direct measurements of swash zone bed shear stress were obtained in medium and prototype-scale laboratory experiments on steep slopes. Peak shear stresses coincided with the arrival of uprush swash fronts and high-resolution measurement of swash surface profiles indicated a consistently seaward sloping swash surface with minimal evidence of a landward sloping swash front. The quadratic stress law was applied to back-calculate time-varying friction factors, which were observed to decrease with increasing Reynolds number on smooth slopes, consistent with theory for steady flows. Additionally, friction factors remained relatively constant throughout the swash cycle (except around flow reversal), with a variation of approximately ±20% from the mean value and with only small differences between uprush and backwash. Measured friction factors were observed to be larger than expected when plotted on the Moody or wave friction diagram for a given Reynolds number and relative roughness, consistent with previous field and laboratory studies at various scales.
Surface, Microstructural, and Mechanical Characterization of Prefabricated Pediatric Zirconia Crowns
Authors: Diener Valeria , Polychronis Georgrios , Erb Juliane , Zinelis Spiros , Eliades Theodore
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this study was to characterize the surface roughness, the microstructure, and mechanical properties of four prefabricated zirconia pediatric crowns. Ten prefabricated crowns from four different manufacturers (Cheng Crowns Zirconia), (EZCrowns), (NuSmile ZR), and (Zirconia Pediatric Crowns) were included in this study. The surface roughness parameters (Sa, Sq, Sz, Sc, and Sv) of all samples were studied by optical profilometry and then the microstructure was studied by Raman spectroscopy. Then, all samples were embedded in epoxy resin and after metallographic polishing, the Martens hardness (HM), indentation modulus (EIT), elastic index (ηIT), Vickers hardness (HV), and fracture toughness (KIC) were identified by the Instrumented Indentation Testing (IIT). All data were statistically analyzed by a one-way ANOVA and a Tukey multiple comparison test at α = 0.05. Only the tetragonal phase of zirconia for all materials tested was identified after Raman analysis. However, statistically significant differences were found among the surface roughness parameters, HV and KIC, while no differences were allocated for HΜ, EIT, and ηΙΤ. Although the materials tested shared a similar microstructure, significant differences in surface roughness parameters HV and KIC were identified and, thus, differences in their clinical performance were anticipated.
Analytically Embedding Differential Equation Constraints into Least Squares Support Vector Machines Using the Theory of Functional Connections
Authors: Leake Carl , Johnston Hunter , Smith Lidia , Mortari Daniele
Published: October 2019

Differential equations (DEs) are used as numerical models to describe physical phenomena throughout the field of engineering and science, including heat and fluid flow, structural bending, and systems dynamics. While there are many other techniques for finding approximate solutions to these equations, this paper looks to compare the application of the Theory of Functional Connections (TFC) with one based on least-squares support vector machines (LS-SVM). The TFC method uses a constrained expression, an expression that always satisfies the DE constraints, which transforms the process of solving a DE into solving an unconstrained optimization problem that is ultimately solved via least-squares (LS). In addition to individual analysis, the two methods are merged into a new methodology, called constrained SVMs (CSVM), by incorporating the LS-SVM method into the TFC framework to solve unconstrained problems. Numerical tests are conducted on four sample problems: One first order linear ordinary differential equation (ODE), one first order nonlinear ODE, one second order linear ODE, and one two-dimensional linear partial differential equation (PDE). Using the LS-SVM method as a benchmark, a speed comparison is made for all the problems by timing the training period, and an accuracy comparison is made using the maximum error and mean squared error on the training and test sets. In general, TFC is shown to be slightly faster (by an order of magnitude or less) and more accurate (by multiple orders of magnitude) than the LS-SVM and CSVM approaches.
Therapies from Fucoidan: New Developments
Authors: Fitton J. Helen , Stringer Damien N. , Park Ah Young , Karpiniec Samuel S.
Published: October 2019

Since our last review in 2015, the study and use of fucoidan has extended in several research areas. Clinical use of fucoidan for the treatment of renal disease has become available and human safety studies have been undertaken on radiolabeled fucoidan for the purpose of imaging thrombi. Fucoidan has been incorporated into an increasing number of commercially available supplements and topical treatments. In addition, new measuring techniques are now available to assess the biologically relevant uptake of fucoidans and to assist in production. Microbiome modulation and anti-pathogenic effects are increasingly promising applications for fucoidans, due to the need for alternative approaches to antibiotic use in the food chain. This review outlines promising new developments in fucoidan research, including potential future therapeutic use.
Psychological Factors in Dental Patient Care: Odontophobia
Authors: De Stefano Rosa
Published: October 2019

Dentistry and oral health are at the heart of the systemic health of humans. Often this branch of medicine is underestimated either due to socioeconomic reasons or due to fear. In fact, in dentistry, there is often a widespread condition of odontophobia among patients. A clinician’s knowledge of this condition, and an accompanying understanding of how to successfully manage it, is surely one of the first steps to gaining a patient’s trust and maintaining his or her patronage. Being able to manage a dental phobic patient in the best way is the key to successful therapy. Psychological techniques often have to work alongside dentistry in managing these patients. A future perspective concerns precisely the implementation of non-invasive practices such as hypnosis in the management of the latter.
Vacuum Brazing Ti–15–3 with a TiNiNb Braze Alloy
Authors: Kao Chuan-Sheng , Tsay Leu-Wen , Wang Shan-Bo , Shiue Ren-Kae
Published: October 2019

Among all types of brazing fillers, Ti-based fillers show satisfactory joint strengths in brazing titanium alloys. However, the major concern in using such fillers is the formation of Cu/Ni/Ti intermetallic compound(s) in the joint. In this study, a Ti–15–3 alloy was vacuum brazed with a clad Ti–35Ni–25Nb foil. The brazed zone consisted of a Ti2Ni intermetallic compound in a (β-Ti,Nb)-rich matrix for specimen brazing at 1000 °C/600 s. Raising brazing temperature and time resulted in the Ti2Ni dissolving into the (β-Ti,Nb)-rich matrix. For the specimen brazing at 1100 °C/600s, Ti2Ni could only be observed at the grain boundaries of the (β-Ti,Nb)-rich matrix. After further raising it to 1200 °C/600 s, the Ti2Ni intermetallic compound was all dissolved into the (β-Ti,Nb)-rich phase. The average shear strength was significantly raised from 140 (1000 °C/600 s) to 620 MPa (1100 °C/3600 s). Crack initiation/propagation in the brittle Ti2Ni compound with the cleavage fractograph were changed into the Ti–15–3 base metal with a ductile dimple fractograph. The advantage of using Nb in the TiNiNb filler foil was its ability to stabilize β-Ti, and most of the Ni in the braze alloy was dissolved into the β-Ti matrix. The brazed joint could be free of any intermetallic phases with a proper brazing cycle applied, and the joint was suitable for a few harsh applications, e.g., repeated stresses and impact loadings.
A Modified Duhem Model for Rate-Dependent Hysteresis Behaviors
Authors: Gan Jinqiang , Mei Zhen , Chen Xiaoli , Zhou Ye , Ge Ming-Feng
Published: October 2019

Hysteresis behaviors are inherent characteristics of piezoelectric ceramic actuators. The classical Duhem model (CDM) as a popular hysteresis model has been widely used, but cannot precisely describe rate-dependent hysteresis behaviors at high-frequency and high-amplitude excitations. To describe such behaviors more precisely, this paper presents a modified Duhem model (MDM) by introducing trigonometric functions based on the analysis of the existing experimental data. The MDM parameters are also identified by using the nonlinear least squares method. Six groups of experiments with different frequencies or amplitudes are conducted to evaluate the MDM performance. The research results demonstrate that the MDM can more precisely characterize the rate-dependent hysteresis behaviors comparing with the CDM at high-frequency and high-amplitude excitations.
Periodontal Pathogens as Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Cancer, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease—Is There Cause for Consideration?
Authors: Bourgeois Denis , Inquimbert Camille , Ottolenghi Livia , Carrouel Florence
Published: October 2019

Cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer are the most common noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). These NCDs share risk factors with periodontal disease (PD), a preventable risk factor linked to lifestyle. The discussion regarding the association between these chronic diseases is more complex. There is still a significant knowledge gap particularly of the causal relationship between PD and NCDs. In this paper, we present fundamental knowledge of the mechanisms and roles of putative periodontal bacteria to gather several hypotheses, evidence that clinical studies thus far have not produced. Although the causal hypotheses are not yet clearly established on a biological basis, prevention and prophylactic measures are recommended to prevent even the possibility of such potential risk factors.
Prevalence of Resistance to β-Lactam Antibiotics and bla Genes Among Commensal Haemophilus parainfluenzae Isolates from Respiratory Microbiota in Poland
Authors: Andrzejczuk Sylwia , Kosikowska Urszula , Chwiejczak Edyta , Stępień-Pyśniak Dagmara , Malm Anna
Published: October 2019

(1) Background: Beta-lactams are the most frequently used antimicrobials, and are the first-line drugs in many infectious diseases, e.g., pneumonia, otitis media. Due to this fact, various bacteria have developed resistance to this group of drugs. (2) Methods: Eighty-seven Haemophilus parainfluenzae isolates were obtained from adults 18–70 years old in eastern Poland. The presence of 10 bla genes and 2 substitutions in ftsI reported as the most frequent in H. parainfluenzae were analyzed. (3) Results: Among 57 beta-lactam-resistant isolates, 63.2% encoded bla genes; blaTEM-1 predominated (54.4%), followed by blaOXA (19.3%), blaDHA (12.3%), blaSHV (10.5%), blaGES (7.0%), blaCMY (5.3%), blaVEB (1.8%) and blaROB-1 (1.8%). Lys-526 was the most common substitution in ftsI gene. The resistance genotypes were as follows: gBLNAS (17.5%), low-gBLNAR I (1.8%), low-gBLNAR II (1.8%), gBLNAR II (15.8%), gBLPAS (15.8%), gBLPAR (19.3%), gBLPBS I (8.8%) and gBLPBS II (1.8%); (4) Conclusions: This has been the first study to report on the high diversity of bla genes in H. parainfluenzae isolates in Poland. High sensitivity and specificity of benzylpenicillin test, as well as PCR of bla genes were shown, indicating that these methods may be useful as tools for the rapid screening of beta-lactamase prevalence and resistance to beta-lactams among H. parainfluenzae isolated from respiratory microbiota.
Cyanobacterial Growth in Minimally Amended Anaerobic Digestion Effluent and Flue-Gas
Authors: Beyl Talita , Louw Tobias M. , Pott Robert W. M.
Published: October 2019

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is an important industrial process, particularly in a biorefinery approach. The liquid effluent and carbon dioxide in the off-gas, can be used to produce high-value products through the cultivation of cyanobacteria. Growth on AD effluent is often limited due to substrate limitation or inhibitory compounds. This study demonstrates the successful cultivation of Synechococcus on minimally amended AD effluent, supplemented with MgSO4 and diluted with seawater. An 8 L airlift reactor illustrated growth in a pilot scale setup. Higher biomass yields were observed for cyanobacteria grown in diluted AD effluent compared to minimal medium, with 60% total nitrogen removal in the effluent. It was demonstrated that controlling the pH, increasing dissolved salt concentrations and adding MgSO4 to the effluent allowed for the successful cultivation of the cyanobacterium, circumventing the addition of clean water for effluent dilution. This could ultimately increase the feasibility of anaerobic digestion-microalgae integrated biorefineries.
Geochronological Study of the Jiashengpan Zn–Pb Deposit in Northern China: Implications for Base Metal Mineralization in Collisional Orogens
Authors: Yu Chang , Zhong Ri-Chen , Xie Yu-Ling , Li Wen-Bo
Published: October 2019

The Jiashengpan Zn–Pb deposit is located in the Langshan-Zhaertai region of the North China Craton. Zinc-lead mineralization at the Jiashengpan shows characteristics of shear-zone controlled syn-metamorphic mineralization. The 39Ar/40Ar ages of syn-ore hydrothermal muscovite averages at ~380 Ma, suggesting that the Zn–Pb mineralization took place in the Devonian. These results agree with zircon U–Pb ages of post-ore granite, which constrain the ore formation to be older than 277 ± 2 Ma. Ore formation was coeval with the emplacement of regional orogenic belts that formed as result of subduction associated with the closure of the eastern Paleo-Asian Ocean (~400 Ma). The Jiashengpan deposit provides evidence for base metal mineralization associated with metamorphogenic and shear-zone controlled characteristics during continental-continental collision, stressing the significance of orogenic activities for enrichment of base metals.
Red Wine Consumption and Cardiovascular Health
Authors: Castaldo Luigi , Narváez Alfonso , Izzo Luana , Graziani Giulia , Gaspari Anna , Di Minno Giovanni , Ritieni Alberto
Published: October 2019

Wine is a popular alcoholic beverage that has been consumed for hundreds of years. Benefits from moderate alcohol consumption have been widely supported by the scientific literature and, in this line, red wine intake has been related to a lesser risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). Experimental studies and meta-analyses have mainly attributed this outcome to the presence in red wine of a great variety of polyphenolic compounds such as resveratrol, catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, and anthocyanin. Resveratrol is considered the most effective wine compound with respect to the prevention of CHD because of its antioxidant properties. The mechanisms responsible for its putative cardioprotective effects would include changes in lipid profiles, reduction of insulin resistance, and decrease in oxidative stress of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The aim of this review is to summarize the accumulated evidence correlating moderate red wine consumption with prevention of CHD by focusing on the different mechanisms underlying this relationship. Furthermore, the chemistry of wine as well as chemical factors that influence the composition of the bioactive components of red wine are also discussed.
UHPLC-HR-MS/MS-Guided Recovery of Bioactive Flavonol Compounds from Greco di Tufo Vine Leaves
Authors: Piccolella Simona , Crescente Giuseppina , Volpe Maria Grazia , Paolucci Marina , Pacifico Severina
Published: October 2019

Leaves of Vitis vinifera cv. Greco di Tufo, a precious waste made in the Campania Region (Italy), after vintage harvest, underwent reduction, lyophilization, and ultrasound-assisted maceration in ethanol. The alcoholic extract, as evidenced by a preliminary UHPLC-HR-MS analysis, showed a high metabolic complexity. Thus, the extract was fractionated, obtaining, among others, a fraction enriched in flavonol glycosides and glycuronides. Myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin derivatives were tentatively identified based on their relative retention time and TOF-MS2 data. As the localization of saccharidic moiety in glycuronide compounds proved to be difficult due to the lack of well-established fragmentation pattern and/or the absence of characteristic key fragments, to obtain useful MS information and to eliminate matrix effect redundancies, the isolation of the most abundant extract’s compound was achieved. HR-MS/MS spectra of the compound, quercetin-3-O-glucuronide, allowed us to thoroughly rationalize its fragmentation pattern, and to unravel the main differences between MS/MS behavior of flavonol glycosides and glycuronides. Furthermore, cytotoxicity assessment on the (poly)phenol rich fraction and the pure isolated compound was carried out using central nervous system cell lines. The chemoprotective effect of both the (poly)phenol fraction and quercetin-3-O-glucuronide was evaluated.
Effects of High-Intensity Ultrasound Pretreatment on Structure, Properties, and Enzymolysis of Soy Protein Isolate
Authors: Zhao Fei , Liu Xuemei , Ding Xiuzhen , Dong Haizhou , Wang Wentao
Published: October 2019

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different high-intensity ultrasonication (HIU) pretreatment on the structure and properties of soybean protein isolate (SPI) as well as enzymatic hydrolysis of SPI by bromelain and antioxidant activity of hydrolysates. The HIU-treated SPI fractions showed a decrease in the proportion of α-helices and β-turns and an increase in the content of β-sheets and random coils based on Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Near-infrared spectra and fluorescence spectra analyses provided support for the changes in secondary and tertiary structures of SPI after ultrasound treatment. The particle size of SPI decreased from 217.20 nm to 141.23 nm and the absolute zeta potential increased. Scanning electron microscopy showed that HIU treatment changed apparent morphology. Dynamic and static light scattering of ultrasonicated samples showed that SPI structure had changed from hard-sphere to hollow-sphere or polydisperse and monodisperse gaussian coils. HIU pretreatment significantly increased the hydroxyl-radical scavenging and the degree of hydrolysis of the SPI hydrolysates.
One-Pot Two-Step Synthesis of 2-Aryl benzimidazole N-oxides Using Microwave Heating as a Tool
Authors: Politano Fabrizio , Gran-Magano Ana K. , Leadbeater Nicholas E.
Published: October 2019

A methodology is reported for the preparation of 2-aryl-benzimidazole-3-oxide derivatives. By means of a one-pot two-step protocol, a library of 42 new compounds has been prepared. Reactions were performed in a total time of 40 min using microwave heating as a tool. A streamlined work-up process was also developed, allowing for facile isolation of the products. The methodology offers a more sustainable approach than previous routes, with only water and ethanol being used as solvents, and the products being isolated by means of a simple filtration without the need for any further purification.
Synthesis and Modification of Nanostructured Thin Films
Authors: Mihailescu Ion N.
Published: October 2019

The idea of nanomaterials, nanoscience, and nanotechnologies was formulated by Richard Feynman in 1959 in his famous lecture “There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom” [...]
Prevalence and Treatment of Vitamin D Deficiency in Young Male Russian Soccer Players in Winter
Authors: Bezuglov Eduard , Tikhonova Aleksandra , Zueva Anastasiya , Khaitin Vladimir , Waśkiewicz Zbigniew , Gerasimuk Dagmara , Żebrowska Aleksandra , Rosemann Thomas , Nikolaidis Pantelis , Knechtle Beat
Published: October 2019

Vitamin D (25(OH)D) insufficiency and deficiency are highly prevalent in adult soccer players and can exceed 80% even in regions with high insolation; however, the treatment of this condition is often complicated. The aim of the present study was to examine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in youth Russian soccer players and the efficacy of its treatment. Participants were 131 young male football players (age 15.6 ± 2.4 years). Low vitamin D levels (below 30 ng/mL) were observed in 42.8% of the analyzed participants. These athletes were split in two groups composed of persons with vitamin D deficiency (serum vitamin D below 21 ng/mL) and insufficiency (serum vitamin D in range of 21–29 ng/mL). A dietary supplement of 5000 IU cholecalciferol per day was administered for two months. After the treatment, an average 92% increase in vitamin D concentration was observed (before treatment—19.7 ± 5.4 ng/mL, after treatment—34.7 ± 8.6 ng/mL, p < 0.001) and 74% of the post-treatment values were within the reference range (30–60 ng/mL). Serum concentration of vitamin D increased by 200% ± 98% (p < 0.001) during the first month of treatment with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency being successfully treated in 83% of the football players. In summary, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was high in young Russian soccer players. Furthermore, it was indicated that the daily usage of cholecalciferol in a dose 5000 IU was an effective and well-tolerated treatment for vitamin D insufficiency. No linear dependency between the duration of treatment and increase in vitamin 25(OH)D concentration was observed.
Sugar–Acetic Acid–Ethanol–Water Mixture as a Potent Attractant for Trapping the Oriental Fruit Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in Peach–Apple Mixed-Planting Orchards
Authors: Zhai Hao , Yu Xianmei , Ma Yanan , Zhang Yong , Wang Dan
Published: October 2019

Sugar–acetic acid–ethanol–water mixture (SAEWM) trapping has initially shown the potential efficacy for monitoring or trapping insects. It is unknown how SAEWM-baited traps affect field number of oriental fruit moth (OFM), Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), the female/male ratio trapped, and the type of natural-enemy insects captured. This study investigated changes in seasonal population dynamics and diurnal flight rhythm of OFM, the number and female/male ratio of OFM and the numbers of Coccinellidae and Chrysopidae trapped by SAEWM in peach–apple mixed-planting orchards. The SAEWM performed well in trapping OFM, most of which were adult females, with the maximum trapping at 2.5 m above ground. The daily trapping peak occurred between 18:00 and 20:00, during each continuous monitoring period, with another peak occurring at 4:00–8:00, after the second monitoring period (2–5 July). However, the use of SAEWM also resulted in the trapping of Coccinellidae and Chrysopidae, of which peak trapping time partially overlapped with the second and third peak trapping times of OFM. We suggest the cessation of SAEWM trapping during the peak activity time of Coccinellidae and Chrysopidae, or application of alternative attractive mixture that do not trap the natural enemy insects, in order to protect the ecological balance in the field.
Leaf Age, Canopy Position, and Habitat Affect the Carbon Isotope Discrimination and Water-Use Efficiency in Three C3 Leguminous Prosopis Species from a Hyper-Arid Climate
Authors: Hussain M. Iftikhar , El-Keblawy Ali , Mitterand Tsombou François
Published: October 2019

The present study involved measurements of the stable carbon isotope composition (δ13C) and intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) of three C3 leguminous Prosopis spp. (P. juliflora, P. cineraria, and P. pallida) foliage at different canopy positions (east and west) from saline (SLH) and non-saline habitats (NSH). Integrated measurements of the stable carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of plant tissue were broadly used to study iWUE, taking into consideration the effect of leaf age and canopy position on C isotope discrimination. Mature foliage of P. pallida from an SLH with a west canopy position had significantly higher δ13C (less negative) than that from NSH. On the west side, Δ13C values ranged from 17.8‰ (P. pallida) to 22.31‰ (P. juliflora) for a west canopy position, while they varied from 18.05‰ (P. pallida) to 22.4‰ (P. cineraria) on the east canopy side. Because the patterns are similar for the three Prosopis species, the difference in carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C) between the canopy position (west and east) is relatively consistent among species and sites, ranging between 17.8 ± 4.43‰ for the young foliage in the west and 18.05 ± 4.35‰ for the east canopy position. The iWUE of P. pallida was twice that of P. cineraria. The iWUE of P. juliflora was higher from NSH than SLH. Mature leaves possessed a higher iWUE than the young leaves. We concluded that exotic P. juliflora and P. pallida have higher iWUE values than the native P. cineraria, which might be due to the rapid below-ground development of plant roots in the Arabian deserts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This could enable the alien species access to deeper humid soil layers or water resources.
Clarithromycin-Loaded Poly (Lactic-co-glycolic Acid) (PLGA) Nanoparticles for Oral Administration: Effect of Polymer Molecular Weight and Surface Modification with Chitosan on Formulation, Nanoparticle Characterization and Antibacterial Effects
Authors: Öztürk A. Alper , Yenilmez Evrim , Özarda Mustafa Güçlü
Published: October 2019

Clarithromycin (CLR) is a member of the macrolide antibiotic group. CLR has low systemic oral bioavailability and is a drug of class II of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System. In many studies, using nanoparticles (NPs) as a drug delivery system has been shown to increase the effectiveness and bioavailability of active drug substances. This study describes the development and evaluation of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs and chitosan (CS)-coated PLGA NPs for oral delivery of CLR. NPs were obtained by nanoprecipitation technique and characterized in detail, and the effect of three molecular weights (Mw1: 7.000–17.000, Mw2: 38.000–54.000, Mw3: 50.000–190.000) of PLGA and CS coating on particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), entrapment efficiency (EE%), and release properties etc. were elucidated. Gastrointestinal stability and cryoprotectant effect tests were performed on the NPs. The PS of the prepared NPs were in the range of 178 to 578 nm and they were affected by the Mw and CS coating. In surface-modified formulations with CS, the ZP of the NPs increased significantly to positive values. EE% varied from 62% to 85%, depending upon the Mw and CS coating. In vitro release studies of CLR-loaded NPs showed an extended release up to 144 h. Peppas–Sahlin and Weibull kinetic model was found to fit best for CLR release from NPs. By the broth microdilution test method, the antibacterial activity of the formulations was determined on Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 1911), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 700603). The structures of the formulations were clarified by thermal (DSC), FT-IR, and 1H-NMR analysis. The results showed that PS, ZP, EE%, and dissolution rates of NPs were directly related to the Mw of PLGA and CS coating.
EAGLE—A Scalable Query Processing Engine for Linked Sensor Data
Authors: Nguyen Mau Quoc Hoan , Serrano Martin , Mau Nguyen Han , G. Breslin John , Le-Phuoc Danh
Published: October 2019

Recently, many approaches have been proposed to manage sensor data using semantic web technologies for effective heterogeneous data integration. However, our empirical observations revealed that these solutions primarily focused on semantic relationships and unfortunately paid less attention to spatio–temporal correlations. Most semantic approaches do not have spatio–temporal support. Some of them have attempted to provide full spatio–temporal support, but have poor performance for complex spatio–temporal aggregate queries. In addition, while the volume of sensor data is rapidly growing, the challenge of querying and managing the massive volumes of data generated by sensing devices still remains unsolved. In this article, we introduce EAGLE, a spatio–temporal query engine for querying sensor data based on the linked data model. The ultimate goal of EAGLE is to provide an elastic and scalable system which allows fast searching and analysis with respect to the relationships of space, time and semantics in sensor data. We also extend SPARQL with a set of new query operators in order to support spatio–temporal computing in the linked sensor data context.
Chemiluminescent Receptor Binding Assay for Ciguatoxins and Brevetoxins Using Acridinium Brevetoxin-B2
Authors: Murata Kazuya , Yasumoto Takeshi
Published: October 2019

Ciguatera is the term for poisoning resulting from eating fish from tropical or subtropical regions. The causative toxins collectively named ciguatoxins (CTXs) widely differ in structures depending on their geographic origins, which range from the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) is caused by the ingestion of bivalve shellfish contaminated with brevetoxins (BTXs). Structurally, both CTXs and BTXs consist of fused ether rings aligned in a ladder shape. Pharmacologically, they bind at the same site (site-5) of voltage-gated sodium channels. However, the great structural diversity and the rare availability of reference toxins hinder LC-MS and ELISA methods, which operate on structure-based recognition. In this study, we prepared a chemiluminescent ligand, acridinium BTXB2 (ABTX), and tested its suitability for use in competitive binding assays to detect CTXs and BTXs. The affinity of ABTX to the rat brain synaptosome estimated by Ki (1.66 pM) was approximately two-fold higher than that of PbTx-3 (BTX3). In addition, the equilibrium dissociation constant (KD) was 0.84 nM, the maximum number of binding was 6.76 pmol toxin/mg protein, and the detection limit was 1.4 amol. The assays performed on samples spiked with CTX3C or BTXB4 (N-palmitoylBTXB2) at 0.2–1.0 ng CTX/g fish flesh, and 200–800 ng BTXB4/g shellfish showed a linear relationship between the theoretical and observed toxin amounts.
Holographic Entanglement in Group Field Theory
Authors: Chirco Goffredo
Published: October 2019

This work is meant as a review summary of a series of recent results concerning the derivation of a holographic entanglement entropy formula for generic open spin network states in the group field theory (GFT) approach to quantum gravity. The statistical group-field computation of the Rényi entropy for a bipartite network state for a simple interacting GFT is reviewed, within a recently proposed dictionary between group field theories and random tensor networks, and with an emphasis on the problem of a consistent characterisation of the entanglement entropy in the GFT second quantisation formalism.
Metabolomic Profiling of the Immune Stimulatory Effect of Eicosenoids on PMA-Differentiated THP-1 Cells
Authors: Alqarni Abdulmalik M. , Dissanayake Tharushi , Nelson David J. , Parkinson John A. , Dufton Mark J. , Ferro Valerie A. , Watson David G.
Published: October 2019

Honey bee venom has been established to have significant effect in immunotherapy. In the present study, (Z)-11-eicosenol-a major constituent of bee venom, along with its derivations methyl cis-11-eicosenoate and cis-11-eicosenoic acid, were synthesised to investigate their immune stimulatory effect and possible use as vaccine adjuvants. Stimuli that prime and activate the immune system have exerted profound effects on immune cells, particularly macrophages; however, the effectiveness of bee venom constituents as immune stimulants has not yet been established. Here, the abilities of these compounds to act as pro-inflammatory stimuli were assessed, either alone or in combination with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), by examining the secretion of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and the cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and IL-10 by THP-1 macrophages. The compounds clearly increased the levels of IL-1β and decreased IL-10, whereas a decrease in IL-6 levels suggested a complex mechanism of action. A more in-depth profile of macrophage behaviour was therefore obtained by comprehensive untargeted metabolic profiling of the cells using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to confirm the ability of the eicosanoids to trigger the immune system. The level of 358 polar and 315 non-polar metabolites were changed significantly (p < 0.05) by all treatments. The LPS-stimulated production of most of the inflammatory metabolite biomarkers in glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, the pentose phosphate pathway, purine, pyrimidine and fatty acids metabolism were significantly enhanced by all three compounds, and particularly by methyl cis-11-eicosenoate and cis-11-eicosenoic acid. These findings support the proposed actions of (Z)-11-eicosenol, methyl cis-11-eicosenoate and cis-11-eicosenoic acid as immune system stimulators.