bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sorting of Particles Using Inertial Focusing and Laminar Vortex Technology: A Review
Authors: Volpe Annalisa , Gaudiuso Caterina , Ancona Antonio
Published: September 2019

The capability of isolating and sorting specific types of cells is crucial in life science, particularly for the early diagnosis of lethal diseases and monitoring of medical treatments. Among all the micro-fluidics techniques for cell sorting, inertial focusing combined with the laminar vortex technology is a powerful method to isolate cells from flowing samples in an efficient manner. This label-free method does not require any external force to be applied, and allows high throughput and continuous sample separation, thus offering a high filtration efficiency over a wide range of particle sizes. Although rather recent, this technology and its applications are rapidly growing, thanks to the development of new chip designs, the employment of new materials and microfabrication technologies. In this review, a comprehensive overview is provided on the most relevant works which employ inertial focusing and laminar vortex technology to sort particles. After briefly summarizing the other cells sorting techniques, highlighting their limitations, the physical mechanisms involved in particle trapping and sorting are described. Then, the materials and microfabrication methods used to implement this technology on miniaturized devices are illustrated. The most relevant evolution steps in the chips design are discussed, and their performances critically analyzed to suggest future developments of this technology.
Spin Injection and Transport in Organic Materials
Authors: Tian Qipeng , Xie Shijie
Published: September 2019

This review introduces some important spin phenomena of organic molecules and solids and their devices: Organic spin injection and transport, organic spin valves, organic magnetic field effects, organic excited ferromagnetism, organic spin currents, etc. We summarize the experimental and theoretical progress of organic spintronics in recent years and give prospects.
Trajectory Definition with High Relative Accuracy (HRA) by Parametric Representation of Curves in Nano-Positioning Systems
Authors: Díaz Pérez Lucía , Rubio Serrano Beatriz , Albajez García José A. , Yagüe Fabra José A. , Mainar Maza Esmeralda , Torralba Gracia Marta
Published: September 2019

Nanotechnology applications demand high accuracy positioning systems. Therefore, in order to achieve sub-micrometer accuracy, positioning uncertainty contributions must be minimized by implementing precision positioning control strategies. The positioning control system accuracy must be analyzed and optimized, especially when the system is required to follow a predefined trajectory. In this line of research, this work studies the contribution of the trajectory definition errors to the final positioning uncertainty of a large-range 2D nanopositioning stage. The curve trajectory is defined by curve fitting using two methods: traditional CAD/CAM systems and novel algorithms for accurate curve fitting. This novel method has an interest in computer-aided geometric design and approximation theory, and allows high relative accuracy (HRA) in the computation of the representations of parametric curves while minimizing the numerical errors. It is verified that the HRA method offers better positioning accuracy than commonly used CAD/CAM methods when defining a trajectory by curve fitting: When fitting a curve by interpolation with the HRA method, fewer data points are required to achieve the precision requirements. Similarly, when fitting a curve by a least-squares approximation, for the same set of given data points, the HRA method is capable of obtaining an accurate approximation curve with fewer control points.
Effects of Acute and Chronic Exposure to Residual Level Erythromycin on Human Intestinal Epithelium Cell Permeability and Cytotoxicity
Authors: Hao Haihong , Gokulan Kuppan , Piñeiro Silvia A. , Williams Katherine M. , Yuan Zonghui , Cerniglia Carl E. , Khare Sangeeta
Published: September 2019

Residual concentrations of erythromycin in food could result in gastrointestinal tract exposure that potentially poses a health-hazard to the consumer, affecting intestinal epithelial permeability, barrier function, microbiota composition, and antimicrobial resistance. We investigated the effects of erythromycin after acute (48 h single treatment with 0.03 μg/mL to 300 μg/mL) or chronic (repeated treatment with 0.3 µg/mL and 300 µg/mL erythromycin for five days) exposures on the permeability of human colonic epithelial cells, a model that mimics a susceptible intestinal surface devoid of commensal microbiota. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) measurements indicated that erythromycin above 0.3 µg/mL may compromise the epithelial barrier. Acute exposure increased cytotoxicity, while chronic exposure decreased the cytotoxicity. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that only ICAM1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1) was up-regulated during 0.3 μg/mL acute-exposure, while ICAM1, JAM3 (junctional adhesion molecule 3), and ITGA8 (integrin alpha 8), were over-expressed in the 300 μg/mL acute treatment group. However, during chronic exposure, no change in the mRNA expression was observed at 0.3 μg/mL, and only ICAM2 was significantly up-regulated after 300 μg/mL. ICAM1 and ICAM2 are known to be involved in the formation of extracellular matrices. These gene expression changes may be related to the immunoregulatory activity of erythromycin, or a compensatory mechanism of the epithelial cells to overcome the distress caused by erythromycin due to increased permeability.
Antimicrobial and Anti-Inflammatory Lingonberry Mouthwash—A Clinical Pilot Study in the Oral Cavity
Authors: Pärnänen Pirjo , Nikula-Ijäs Pirjo , Sorsa Timo
Published: September 2019

Fermented lingonberry juice was designed to be used as a mouthwash. Our aim was to study the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of the mouthwash in the oral cavity. A clinical study of 30 adult participants was performed. A total of 20 participants used 10 mL of the mouthwash twice daily for two weeks and 10 participants used 20 mL twice daily for one week. Streptococcus mutans, Candida and Lactobacilli were cultivated at the beginning, after the mouthwash period and after a washout period. At the same timepoints an additional oral mouthrinse was collected for chair-side/point-of-care (POC)-PerioSafe®/OraLyzer® aMMP-8 quantitative on-line evaluation, and an oral clinical investigation was performed. Mean Streptococcus mutans and Candida counts, visible plaque index (VPI) and bleeding on probing (BOP) were reduced, and Lactobacilli counts increased during the lingonberry mouthwash period. The aMMP-8 mouthrinses showed reduced values in both test groups when compared to the startpoint. The mouthrinse aMMP-8 reduction correlated with the reductions in microbial counts, VPI and BOP. Based on the results, fermented lingonberry juice seems a promising aid in oral homecare, diminishing the microbial and related proinflammatory burden by balancing the oral microbial flora and gradually lowering the inflammatory load in the oral cavity.
Microbiota, Microbial Metabolites, and Barrier Function in A Patient with Anorexia Nervosa after Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
Authors: Prochazkova Petra , Roubalova Radka , Dvorak Jiri , Tlaskalova-Hogenova Helena , Cermakova Martina , Tomasova Petra , Sediva Blanka , Kuzma Marek , Bulant Josef , Bilej Martin , Hrabak Pavel , Meisnerova Eva , Lambertova Alena , Papezova Hana
Published: September 2019

The change in the gut microbiome and microbial metabolites in a patient suffering from severe and enduring anorexia nervosa (AN) and diagnosed with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome (SIBO) was investigated. Microbial gut dysbiosis is associated with both AN and SIBO, and therefore gut microbiome changes by serial fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a possible therapeutic modality. This study assessed the effects of FMT on gut barrier function, microbiota composition, and the levels of bacterial metabolic products. The patient treatment with FMT led to the improvement of gut barrier function, which was altered prior to FMT. Very low bacterial alpha diversity, a lack of beneficial bacteria, together with a great abundance of fungal species were observed in the patient stool sample before FMT. After FMT, both bacterial species richness and gut microbiome evenness increased in the patient, while the fungal alpha diversity decreased. The total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels (molecules presenting an important source of energy for epithelial gut cells) gradually increased after FMT. Contrarily, one of the most abundant intestinal neurotransmitters, serotonin, tended to decrease throughout the observation period. Overall, gut microbial dysbiosis improvement after FMT was considered. However, there were no signs of patient clinical improvement. The need for an in-depth analysis of the donor´s stool and correct selection pre-FMT is evident.
Mineralogical Imaging for Characterization of the Per Geijer Apatite Iron Ores in the Kiruna District, Northern Sweden: A Comparative Study of Mineral Liberation Analysis and Raman Imaging
Authors: Krolop Patrick , Jantschke Anne , Gilbricht Sabine , Niiranen Kari , Seifert Thomas
Published: September 2019

The Per Geijer iron oxide apatite deposits are important potential future resources for Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag (LKAB) which has been continuously mining magnetite/hematite ores in northern Sweden for over 125 years. Reliable and quantitative characterization of the mineralization is required as these ores inherit complex mineralogical and textural features. Scanning electron microscopy-based analyses software, such as mineral liberation analyzer (MLA) provide significant, time-efficient analyses. Similar elemental compositions of Fe-oxides and, therefore, almost identical backscattered electron (BSE) intensities complicate their discrimination. In this study, MLA and Raman imaging are compared to acquire mineralogical data for better characterization of magnetite and hematite-bearing ores. The different approaches demonstrate advantages and disadvantages in classification, imaging, discrimination of iron oxides, and time consumption of measurement and processing. The obtained precise mineralogical information improves the characterization of ore types and will benefit future processing strategies for this complex mineralization.
Distribution, Enrichment and Transport of Trace Metals in Sediments from the Dagu River Estuary in the Jiaozhou Bay, Qingdao, China
Authors: Liu Jinqing , Yin Ping , Chen Xiaoying , Cao Ke
Published: September 2019

26 river bank sediments and 15 estuary seafloor sediments were sampled from the Dagu River and the estuary of Northwestern Jiaozhou Bay to determine contaminations of heavy metals and metalloids (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, Hg and As). The trace metal contents in sediment from the estuary area were much higher than those of the river. Correlation analysis showed that except for Pb, the metals were mainly controlled by the grain size, and enriched by adsorption of aluminosilicate minerals, Fe/Mn oxides and organic matter in river and estuary sediments. In addition to Cu in some stations, the metals met the requirements of the marine organism and humans for the quality of the marine environment. The concentrations of Cu, Pb, Cr, Hg and As were between the threshold effect level (TEL) and probable effect level (PEL), indicating those metals might have occasional adverse effects. Results of Enrichment Factor values revealed that the entire study area was enriched in Pb and Hg, at moderate environmental risk, but the estuary was more significant. Pb and Hg contaminations in this area were mainly from coal combustion and automobile emissions. River runoff and atmospheric deposition dominated the metals distribution and enrichment in the study area. Contaminants in sediments entering the estuary were further transported to the south and east under the river runoff and reciprocating current in the Jiaozhou Bay.
Evidence for a Carbonatite-Influenced Source Assemblage for Intraplate Basalts from the Buckland Volcanic Province, Queensland, Australia
Authors: Shea Joshua J. , Foley Stephen F.
Published: September 2019

Eastern Australia contains a widespread suite of primitive (MgO ≥ 7.5 wt.%) intraplate basaltic provinces, including those sited along the longest continental hotspot track on Earth (≈2000 km), the Cosgrove track. The Buckland volcanic province is the most southerly basaltic province on the Cosgrove track before a >1600 km stretch that contains only sparse leucitite volcanism. Buckland is also situated just northeast of the edge of thick cratonic lithosphere where it transitions to a thinner continental lithosphere (<110 km) to the east, which may influence the production of plume-derived melts. Here, analysis of minor and trace elements in olivines in alkali basalts and basanites from the Buckland Province are combined with whole-rock compositions to elucidate the mantle source assemblages, and to calibrate minor and trace element indicators in olivine for application to source mineralogy. Olivine xenocrysts show element concentration ranges typical for peridotites; Mn and Al concentrations indicate that the ambient mantle is spinel, rather than garnet, peridotite. High modal pyroxene content is indicated by high Ni, Zn/Fe, and Fe/Mn in olivines, while high Ti/Sc is consistent with amphibole in the source. Residual phlogopite in the source of the basanites is indicated by low K/Nb in whole rocks, while apatite contains high P2O5 and low Rb/Sr (≥0.015) and Sr/La (≥13). The basanite source assemblage probably contains apatite, phlogopite, olivine, clinopyroxene and orthopyroxene, whereas the alkali basalt source assemblage is probably amphibole, olivine, orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene ± phlogopite ± apatite. Both source assemblages correspond broadly to olivine websterite, with the basanite source lying deeper than that for alkali basalt, explaining the occurrence of phlogopite in the source. This mineralogy, along with whole-rock Ti/Eu, Zr/Hf and P2O5/TiO2 values approaching those of natural carbonatites, provide evidence showing that the Buckland source consists of a peridotite that has interacted with a carbonate-rich melt whose origin may be in the deep lithosphere or asthenosphere beneath the craton. Similar enrichment processes are probably common throughout eastern Australia, controlling trace element characteristics in basaltic provinces. The topography of the underside of the lithosphere may play a significant role in determining mantle source assemblages by diverting and concentrating melt flow, and thus influence the location of basaltic provinces.
Normal Mode Analysis as a Routine Part of a Structural Investigation
Authors: Bauer Jacob A. , Pavlović Jelena , Bauerová-Hlinková Vladena
Published: September 2019

Normal mode analysis (NMA) is a technique that can be used to describe the flexible states accessible to a protein about an equilibrium position. These states have been shown repeatedly to have functional significance. NMA is probably the least computationally expensive method for studying the dynamics of macromolecules, and advances in computer technology and algorithms for calculating normal modes over the last 20 years have made it nearly trivial for all but the largest systems. Despite this, it is still uncommon for NMA to be used as a component of the analysis of a structural study. In this review, we will describe NMA, outline its advantages and limitations, explain what can and cannot be learned from it, and address some criticisms and concerns that have been voiced about it. We will then review the most commonly used techniques for reducing the computational cost of this method and identify the web services making use of these methods. We will illustrate several of their possible uses with recent examples from the literature. We conclude by recommending that NMA become one of the standard tools employed in any structural study.
Phenolic Acids in Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.): Plant Organ Dependent Antioxidant Activity and Optimized Extraction from Leaves
Authors: Showkat Muhammad Mir , Falck-Ytter Anne Bergljot , Strætkvern Knut Olav
Published: September 2019

Phenolic acids including chlorogenic acids are major polyphenolic compounds found in Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.). The plant itself is an emerging biorefinery crop due to the inulin-rich tubers, a bioethanol feedstock, but the aerial parts represent a rich source of bioactive compounds. We have determined the level of major phenolic acids in extracts of four plant organs: tuber, leaf, flower, and stem. Employing three heating conditions (20 °C, 60 °C, and microwaving), corrected total phenolic content (TPC) was highest in the leaves (4.5–5.7 mg gallic acid equivalents g−1 dry substance), followed by flower (2.1–2.9), tuber (0.9–1.4), and lowest in stem extracts (0.1–0.2). A previously overlooked interference of the Folin–Ciocalteu assay, namely a signal contribution from ascorbic acid, caused overestimation of TPC in various organs ranging from 65% to 94%. Radical scavenging activity of extracts correlated significantly with TPC, both on corrected (R2 = 0.841) and uncorrected (R2 = 0.884) values. Out of the identified phenolic acids determined by quantitative HPLC-UV analysis, chlorogenic and dicaffeoylquinic acids accounted for 72–82% of corrected TPC in leaf and tuber extracts. Optimization of leaf extraction was tested in a 23-factorial Central Composite Face (CCF) design. Temperature was the most important model term, and a solvent strength of less than 50% ethanol promoted the highest TPC yields. Further developments in extraction processing of crop residues may open avenues for improving the utilization of Jerusalem artichoke in valuable products.
Characterizing Tyrosinase Modulators from the Roots of Angelica keiskei Using Tyrosinase Inhibition Assay and UPLC-MS/MS as the Combinatorial Novel Approach
Authors: Lee Jia-Hao , Mei Hui-Ching , Kuo I-Chih , Lee Tzong-Huei , Chen Yu-Hsin , Lee Ching-Kuo
Published: September 2019

In this study, an in vitro tyrosinase inhibition assay in combination with ultra performance liquid chromatography-orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-orbitrap-MS) was developed for the rapid screening and identification of tyrosinase modulators from roots of Angelica keiskei. Of the 15 candidates considered, nine chalcones, xanthoangelols (1), B (2), D (3), E (4), G (5), H (6), 4-hydroxyderricin (7), xanthokeismin B (8) and (2E)-1-[4-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxy-2-propanyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-7-yl]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-one (9), five coumarins, umbelliferone (10), selinidin (11), isopimpinellin (12), phellopterin (13) and xanthyletin (14), and one other compound, ashitabaol A (15), were distinguished between the test samples and the controls with statistical significance, and the structure of each compound was determined by comparing with in-house standards and the literature. Among these, six compounds, xanthoangelol (1), xanthoangelol D (3), xanthoangelol H (6), 4-hydroxyderricin (7), laserpitin (16) and isolaserpitin (17), were isolated from roots of A. keiskei. Of the compounds isolated, compounds 1, 7 and 16 were subjected to tyrosinase inhibitory assay, and the IC50 values were 15.87 ± 1.21, 60.14 ± 2.29 and >100 μM, respectively. The present study indicated that the combination of in vitro tyrosinase inhibition assay coupled with UPLC-MS/MS could be widely applied to the rapid screening of active substances from various natural resources.
Colorimetric Determination of the Activity of Starch-Debranching Enzyme via Modified Tollens’ Reaction
Authors: Luo Ke , Kim Nack-geun , You Sang-Mook , Kim Young-Rok
Published: September 2019

Nelson–Somogyi and 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) assays are the classical analytical methods for the determination of activity of starch-debranching enzymes, however, they have a narrow detection range and do not adapt to the quantitative measurement of linear polysaccharides. Herein, we developed a simple and accurate colorimetric assay for determining the activity of starch-debranching pullulanase through the modified Tollens’ reaction in combination with UV irradiation. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were formed by reducing aldehyde groups in short-chain glucans (SCGs) generated by debranching of waxy maize starch using pullulanase through the modified Tollens’ reaction. In addition to providing a reducing moiety to the Tollens’ reaction, the debranching product, SCGs, also enhanced the colloidal stability of synthesized AgNPs, of which the amplitude of its surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorbance peak was proportional to the concentration of SCGs ranging from 0.01–10 mg/mL. The detection limit of this system was 0.01 mg/mL, which was found to be 100 times higher than that of the conventional DNS assay. The purification of SCGs by recrystallization and gelatinization improved the selectivity of this colorimetric assay for debranching products, which provides a simple and accurate means of monitoring the debranching process and characterizing the activity of starch-debranching enzymes.
Effect of Repeated Consumption of Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum on Fecal Characteristics and Gut Microbiota: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, and Parallel-Group Clinical Trial
Authors: Yasukawa Zenta , Inoue Ryo , Ozeki Makoto , Okubo Tsutomu , Takagi Tomohisa , Honda Akira , Naito Yuji
Published: September 2019

Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) is a water-soluble dietary fiber and is used in solid and liquid food to regulate gut function. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of PHGG on bowel movements (stool form and frequency), plasma bile acids, quality of life, and gut microbiota of healthy volunteers with a tendency toward diarrhea, i.e., irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea (IBS-D)-like symptoms. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and parallel trial was performed on 44 healthy volunteers (22 males, 22 females, 41.9 ± 6.3 years old (average ± SD)) with minimum 7 bowel movements every week, wherein above 50% of their stool was between the Bristol stool scale (BSS) value of 5 and 6. Intake of the PHGG for 3 months significantly improved stool form, evaluated using BSS, and had no effects on stool frequency. BSS was significantly normalized in the group consuming the PHGG compared with the placebo. Comprehensive fecal microbiome analysis by the 16S rRNA-sequence method detected significant changes in the ratio of some bacteria, such as an increase of Bifidobacterium (p < 0.05) in the PHGG group. Our results suggest that intake of PHGG improves human stool form via regulating intestinal microbiota.
Consumption of Raw Orange, 100% Fresh Orange Juice, and Nectar- Sweetened Orange Juice—Effects on Blood Glucose and Insulin Levels on Healthy Subjects
Authors: Papandreou Dimitrios , Magriplis Emmanouella , Abboud Myriam , Taha Zainab , Karavolia Eleftheria , Karavolias Christos , Zampelas Antonis
Published: September 2019

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of consumption of raw orange (RO), 100% fresh orange juice (FOJ), and nectar-sweetened orange juice (NSOJ) on postprandial glucose and insulin levels in non-diabetic young Emirati women. Research Methods: This is a prospective, three-way, crossover study design. Blood records of thirteen normal weight and seven healthy obese university students were analyzed from Zayed University on three random days with the following three meal samples: 2 ROs, 100% FOJ, and NSOJ. Venous blood was collected at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after the respective meal consumption. Statistical analyses included repeated measures analysis of variance and calculations of the area under the glucose and insulin curves (AUC) for each one of the meal samples. Results: Total fasting glucose and insulin levels did not differ by treatment in the normal versus obese group. All three meals had no significant effects on the plasma glucose levels. However, there was a significant change in plasma insulin concentrations at 120 min compared with that at 0 min for RO: −14 (−27.05, −0.90, P < 0.001); 100% FOJ −13.7 (−28.80, 1.44, P < 0.001); and NSOJ: −9.2 (−28.75, 10.30, P < 0.001). Conclusions: This study shows that whole fresh fruit, 100% fruit juice, and sweetened fruit juice did not have a significant effect on the blood glucose levels in non-diabetic Emirati university students. However, a significant decrease in insulin response and HOMA-IR on all three sample meals was observed.
The Role of Health Information in Consumers’ Willingness to Pay for Canned Crushed Tomatoes Enriched with Lycopene
Authors: Verneau Fabio , La Barbera Francesco , Furno Marilena
Published: September 2019

The paper investigated whether information about the health benefit produced by lycopene could influence consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for canned crushed tomatoes enriched with lycopene. An additional aim was to determine whether the main socio-demographic variables, such as sex, age, income and selected attitudinal factors, affect WTP. To this end, a non-hypothetical experimental auction was carried on with five repeated rounds. Results show a relevant impact of information on WTP in the case of lycopene-enriched products, whereas no difference in bids emerges for the conventional product, either on average or at the quantiles. Previous knowledge seems to have a modest influence upon WTP, but it shows a significant interaction with the information shock provided during the experiment, so that the effect of the latter is more pronounced when previous knowledge is low. In addition, age, sex, food technology neophobia, trust in science and implicit attitudes towards food technology significantly affect participants’ WTP.
Brain Delivery of a Potent Opioid Receptor Agonist, Biphalin during Ischemic Stroke: Role of Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide (OATP)
Authors: Albekairi Thamer H , Vaidya Bhuvaneshwar , Patel Ronak , Nozohouri Saeideh , Villalba Heidi , Zhang Yong , Lee Yeon Sun , Al-Ahmad Abraham , Abbruscato Thomas J
Published: September 2019

Transporters (expressed) at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) can play an essential role in the treatment of brain injury by transporting neuroprotective substance to the central nervous system. The goal of this study was to understand the role of organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP1; OATP1A2 in humans and oatp1a4 in rodents) in the transport of a potent opioid receptor agonist, biphalin, across the BBB during ischemic stroke. Brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) that were differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were used in the present study. The effect of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and reperfusion on the OATP1 expression, uptake, and transport of biphalin was measured in induced pluripotent stem cells differentiated brain microvascular endothelial cells (iPSC–BMECs) in the presence and absence of an OATP1 substrate, estrone-3-sulfate (E3S). Biphalin brain permeability was quantified while using a highly sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. It was found that iPSC-BMECs expressed OATP1. In vitro studies showed that biphalin BBB uptake and transport decreased in the presence of an OATP1 specific substrate. It was also observed that OGD and reperfusion modulate the expression and function of OATP1 in BMECs. This study strongly demonstrates that OATP1 contributes to the transport of biphalin across the BBB and increased expression of OATP1 during OGD-reperfusion could provide a novel target for improving ischemic brain drug delivery of biphalin or other potential neurotherapeutics that have affinity to this BBB transporter.
Infections of the Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca Strain “De Donno” in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Elicits an Overactive Immune Response
Authors: Abou Kubaa Raied , Giampetruzzi Annalisa , Altamura Giuseppe , Saponari Maria , Saldarelli Pasquale
Published: September 2019

Diseases caused by Xylella fastidiosa are among the most destructive for several agricultural productions. A deadly disease of olive, termed olive quick decline syndrome, is one of the most recent examples of the severe impacts caused by the introduction and spread of this bacterium in new ecosystems with favorable epidemiological conditions. Deciphering the cascade of events leading to the development of severe alterations in the susceptible host plants is a priority of several research programs investigating strategies to mitigate the detrimental impacts of the infections. However, in the case of olives, the long latent period (>1 year) makes this pathosystem not amenable for such studies. We have inoculated alfalfa (Medicago sativa) with the olive-infecting strain “De Donno” isolated from a symptomatic olive in Apulia (Italy), and we demonstrated that this highly pathogenic strain causes an overactive reaction that ends up with the necrosis of the inoculated stem, a reaction that differs from the notoriously Alfalfa Dwarf disease, caused by X. fastidiosa strains isolated from grapes and almonds. RNASeq analysis showed that major plant immunity pathways are activated, in particular, several calcium transmembrane transporters and enzymes responsible for the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Signs of the necrotic reaction are anticipated by the upregulation of genes responsible for plant cell death and the hypersensitive reaction. Overall the whole infection process takes four months in alfalfa, which makes this pathosystem suitable for studies involving either the plant response to the infection or the role of Xylella genes in the expression of symptoms.
Distribution and Redistribution of 109Cd and 65Zn in the Heavy Metal Hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L.: Influence of Cadmium and Zinc Concentrations in the Root Medium
Authors: Feller Urs , Anders Iwona , Wei Shuhe
Published: September 2019

Heavy metal redistribution is relevant for the quality of edible crops and the suitability of hyperaccumulators for bioremediation. Root-to-shoot transfer via the xylem and redistribution in the aerial parts via the phloem differ between various heavy metals. In general, cadmium is more slowly released to the shoot than zinc (e.g., in wheat, bean, and lupin). However, rapid cadmium transport to the shoot was detected in the hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. This is a key aspect in this article and might be important for bioremediation. The radionuclides 109Cd and 65Zn were used to investigate the respective influence of elevated cadmium or zinc in the root medium on the dynamics of the two heavy metals in S. nigrum. Although transport via the xylem to the leaves was similar for 109Cd and 65Zn, the further redistribution from older leaves to younger leaves, flowers, and fruits via the phloem was far less efficient for 109Cd than for 65Zn. Furthermore, the redistribution of 109Cd within the shoot was negatively influenced by increased cadmium (but not by increased zinc) concentrations in the nutrient medium. The redistribution of 65Zn in the shoot was selectively decreased by increased zinc concentrations (but generally not by cadmium).
Halogen-Free Flame-Retardant Compounds. Thermal Decomposition and Flammability Behavior for Alternative Polyethylene Grades
Authors: Luyt Adriaan Stephanus , Malik Sarah Shahid , Gasmi Soumia Abderrazak , Porfyris Athanasios , Andronopoulou Anna , Korres Dimitrios , Vouyiouka Stamatina , Grosshauser Michael , Pfaendner Rudolf , Brüll Robert , Papaspyrides Constantine
Published: September 2019

The effect of six halogen-free flame retardant (FR) formulations was investigated on the thermal stability of two low-density polyethylenes (LDPE) and one linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under nitrogen and air atmosphere. The relative data were combined with flammability properties and the overall performance of the FRs was correlated with the type of branching in the polyethylene grades and to their processing behavior. The thermal degradation kinetics was further determined based on the Kissinger and Coats-Redfern methods. In terms of flammability, the addition of a triazine derivative and ammonium polyphosphate at a loading of 35 wt. %. was found to be the most efficient, leading to UL 94 V0 ranking in the case of the LDPE grade produced in an autoclave reactor.
An Approach for Feedforward Model Predictive Control of Continuous Pulp Digesters
Authors: Rahman Moksadur , Avelin Anders , Kyprianidis Konstantinos
Published: September 2019

Kappa number variability at the continuous digester outlet is a major concern for pulp and paper mills. It is evident that the aforementioned variability is strongly linked to the feedstock wood properties, particularly lignin content. Online measurement of lignin content utilizing near-infrared spectroscopy at the inlet of the digester is paving the way for tighter control of the blow-line Kappa number. In this paper, an innovative approach of feedforwarding the lignin content to a model predictive controller was investigated with the help of modeling and simulation studies. For this purpose, a physics-based modeling library for continuous pulp digesters was developed and validated. Finally, model predictive control approaches with and without feedforwarding the lignin measurement were evaluated against current industrial control and proportional-integral-derivative (PID) schemes.
Numerical Investigation of Solid-Fueled Chemical Looping Combustion Process Utilizing Char for Carbon Capture
Authors: Wang Xiaojia , Liu Xianli , Zhang Yong , Zhang Bo , Jin Baosheng
Published: September 2019

The in-depth understanding of the gas–solid flow and reaction behaviors, and their coupling characteristics during the chemical looping combustion (CLC) process has the guiding significance for the operation and optimization of a chemical looping combustor. A three-dimensional numerical model is applied to investigate the char-fueled CLC characteristics in a fuel reactor for efficient CO2 separation and capture. Simulations are carried out in a bubbling fluidized bed fuel reactor with a height of 2.0 m and a diameter of 0.22 m. The initial bed height is 1.1 m, and hence the height–diameter ratio of the slumped bed is five. The oxygen carrier is prepared with 14 wt% of CuO on 86 wt% of inert Al2O3. In the process of mathematical modeling, a Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid model is adopted for both of the gas and solid phases. Gas turbulence is modeled on the basis of a k–ε turbulent model. The reaction kinetics parameters are addressed based upon previous experimental investigations from literature. During the simulation, the gas–solid flow patterns, composition distributions, and reaction characteristics are obtained. Moreover, the effects of solids inventory and fluidizing number on the reaction performance are elucidated in-depth. The results have shown that the reaction rates have close relationship with the flow patterns and the distributions of gas concentrations. Compared to the steam-char gasification over sand, the application of char-fueled CLC can effectively promote the conversion of gasification products. In addition, higher CO2 concentration at the outlet can be achieved by increasing the initial solids inventory or decreasing the fluidizing number. Some calculated values are verified by the previous data, indicating that the current three-dimensional models are reasonable to study the process mechanism of char-fueled CLC.
Handling Constraints and Raw Material Variability in Rotomolding through Data-Driven Model Predictive Control
Authors: Garg Abhinav , Abdulhussain Hassan A. , Mhaskar Prashant , Thompson Michael R.
Published: September 2019

This work addresses the problems of uniquely specifying and robustly achieving user-specified product quality in a complex industrial batch process, which has been demonstrated using a lab-scale uni-axial rotational molding process. In particular, a data-driven modeling and control framework is developed that is able to reject raw material variation and achieve product quality which is specified through constraints on quality variables. To this end, a subspace state-space model of the rotational molding process is first identified from historical data generated in the lab. This dynamic model predicts the evolution of the internal mold temperature for a given set of input move trajectory (heater and compressed air profiles). Further, this dynamic model is augmented with a linear least-squares based quality model, which relates its terminal (states) prediction with key quality variables. For the lab-scale process, the chosen quality variables are sinkhole area, ultrasonic spectra amplitude, impact energy and shear viscosity. The complete model is then deployed within a model-based control scheme that facilitates specifying on-spec products via limits on the quality variables. Further, this framework is demonstrated to be capable of rejecting raw material variability to achieve the desired specifications. To replicate raw material variability observed in practice, in this work, the raw material is obtained by blending the matrix resin with a resin of slightly different viscosity at varying weight fractions. Results obtained from experimental studies demonstrate the capability of the proposed model predictive control (MPC) in meeting process specifications and rejecting raw material variability.
Air-Core–Liquid-Ring (ACLR) Atomization Part II: Influence of Process Parameters on the Stability of Internal Liquid Film Thickness and Resulting Spray Droplet Sizes
Authors: Wittner Marc O. , Ballesteros Miguel A. , Link Frederik J. , Karbstein Heike P. , Gaukel Volker
Published: September 2019

Air-core–liquid-ring (ACLR) atomization presents a specific type of internal mixing pneumatic atomization. It can be used for disintegration of high viscous feed liquids into small droplets at relatively low gas consumptions. However, the specific principle of ACLR atomization is still under research and no guidelines for process and atomizer design are available. Regarding literature on pre-filming atomizers, it can be hypothesized for ACLR atomization that the liquid film thickness inside the exit orifice of the atomizer, as well as the resulting spray droplet sizes decrease with increasing air-to-liquid ratio (ALR) and decreasing feed viscosity. In this study, the time dependent liquid film thickness inside the exit orifice of the atomizer was predicted by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. Results were compared to high speed video images and correlated to measured spray droplet sizes. In conclusion, the hypothesis could be validated by simulation and experimental data, however, at high viscosity and low ALR, periodic gas core breakups were detected in optical measurements. These breakups could not be predicted in CFD simulations, as the simplification of an incompressible gas phase was applied in order to reduce computational costs and time. Nevertheless, the presented methods show good potential for improvement of atomizer geometry and process design as well as for further investigation of the ACLR atomization principle.
Scholarly Journals’ Publication Frequency and Number of Articles in 2018–2019: A Study of SCI, SSCI, CSCD, and CSSCI Journals
Authors: Chen Xiaotian
Published: September 2019

This study used all-journal data and systematic random sampling data to primarily determine the average number of issues per year and the average number of articles per issue among the Science Citation Index (SCI), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Chinese Science Citation Database (CSCD) (China), and Chinese Social Sciences Citation Index (CSSCI) (China) journals. The random sampling data were based on 5% SCI and SSCI samples and 10% CSCD and CSSCI samples. The objectives were to have a 2018–2019 record of the journal publication frequency detailing the number of articles per issue and the number of issues per year for the journals on the lists, as well as to compare Chinese journals’ data with those of international journals, in the perspective of scholarly publishing transformations in the world as well as in China during the past two decades. The study found that the average number of issues per year for SCI, SSCI, CSCD, and CSSCI journals was 10.95, 5.18, 9.17, and 7.87, respectively, and that CSCD/CSSCI journals publish more articles than SCI/SSCI, with CSSCI journals publishing significantly more articles per year than SSCI journals. The author fees for non-OA journals in China could play a role in the higher number of articles. The “mega journal” phenomenon does not seem to be a common practice among all the journal lists studied.
Buddhist Integration of Forest and Farm in Northern Thailand
Authors: Darlington Susan M.
Published: September 2019

Usually seen as incompatible, forests and farms are integrated by Buddhist environmental activists in Thailand. Monks engaged in environmental conservation see the conditions of farmers’ lives as related to how they treat the forests surrounding their farms. If farmers seek their livelihood through cash-cropping and contract farming, they see the forest as a material resource in terms of land for future farms. This attitude contributes to the rapid deforestation occurring across northern Thailand’s mountainous region and a cycle of environmental degradation and economic struggle. Buddhist monks work with non-governmental organizations and sometimes state agents to encourage farmers to shift to integrated agriculture, growing a mix of food crops and raising animals mimicking ecological relations. The monks teach that the forest is part of this eco-system, as it supplies water and other natural resources and must be protected. This paper examines the work of Phrakhru Somkit Jaranathammo, a monk in Nan Province, Thailand, who promotes dhammic agriculture and engages a new interpretation of Right Livelihood, a basic Buddhist principle, to support and protect the well-being of both the forest and farmers.
Online Martyrs: Virtual Tours of the Miguel Agustín Pro Museum, and the José Simeón Cañas Central American University Martyrs
Authors: Lopez-Menendez Marisol
Published: September 2019

This article examines two commemorative projects on 20th-century Jesuit martyrs turned into Internet tours. A comparison between the official online tour of the Father Pro Museum in Mexico City, and two unofficial tours through the Martyrs Memorial Hall at the José Simeón Cañas Central American University in San Salvador, El Salvador, suggests paradoxes regarding a museum’s online representation and ways in which violence and martyrdom are represented.
Special Issue “Risk, Ruin and Survival: Decision Making in Insurance and Finance”
Authors: Ren Jiandong , Sendova Kristina , Zitikis Ričardas
Published: September 2019

It has been six years since Editor-in-Chief Steffensen (2013) wrote in his editorial that “to Risks inclusiveness, inter-disciplinarity, and open-mindedness is the very starting point [...]
Flex Sensor Compensator via Hammerstein–Wiener Modeling Approach for Improved Dynamic Goniometry and Constrained Control of a Bionic Hand
Authors: Syed Mubarak Ali Syed Afdar Ali , Ahmad Nur Syazreen , Goh Patrick
Published: September 2019

In this paper, a new control-centric approach is introduced to model the characteristics of flex sensors on a goniometric glove, which is designed to capture the user hand gesture that can be used to wirelessly control a bionic hand. The main technique employs the inverse dynamic model strategy along with a black-box identification for the compensator design, which is aimed to provide an approximate linear mapping between the raw sensor output and the dynamic finger goniometry. To smoothly recover the goniometry on the bionic hand’s side during the wireless transmission, the compensator is restructured into a Hammerstein–Wiener model, which consists of a linear dynamic system and two static nonlinearities. A series of real-time experiments involving several hand gestures have been conducted to analyze the performance of the proposed method. The associated temporal and spatial gesture data from both the glove and the bionic hand are recorded, and the performance is evaluated in terms of the integral of absolute error between the glove’s and the bionic hand’s dynamic goniometry. The proposed method is also compared with the raw sensor data, which has been preliminarily calibrated with the finger goniometry, and the Wiener model, which is based on the initial inverse dynamic design strategy. Experimental results with several trials for each gesture show that a great improvement is obtained via the Hammerstein–Wiener compensator approach where the resulting average errors are significantly smaller than the other two methods. This concludes that the proposed strategy can remarkably improve the dynamic goniometry of the glove, and thus provides a smooth human–robot collaboration with the bionic hand.
Integrations between Autonomous Systems and Modern Computing Techniques: A Mini Review
Authors: Chen Jerry , Abbod Maysam , Shieh Jiann-Shing
Published: September 2019

The emulation of human behavior for autonomous problem solving has been an interdisciplinary field of research. Generally, classical control systems are used for static environments, where external disturbances and changes in internal parameters can be fully modulated before or neglected during operation. However, classical control systems are inadequate at addressing environmental uncertainty. By contrast, autonomous systems, which were first studied in the field of control systems, can be applied in an unknown environment. This paper summarizes the state of the art autonomous systems by first discussing the definition, modeling, and system structure of autonomous systems and then providing a perspective on how autonomous systems can be integrated with advanced resources (e.g., the Internet of Things, big data, Over-the-Air, and federated learning). Finally, what comes after reaching full autonomy is briefly discussed.
Towards Real-Time Prediction of Freezing of Gait in Patients With Parkinson’s Disease: Addressing the Class Imbalance Problem
Authors: Naghavi Nader , Miller Aaron , Wade Eric
Published: September 2019

Freezing of gait (FoG) is a common motor symptom in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). FoG impairs gait initiation and walking and increases fall risk. Intelligent external cueing systems implementing FoG detection algorithms have been developed to help patients recover gait after freezing. However, predicting FoG before its occurrence enables preemptive cueing and may prevent FoG. Such prediction remains challenging given the relative infrequency of freezing compared to non-freezing events. In this study, we investigated the ability of individual and ensemble classifiers to predict FoG. We also studied the effect of the ADAptive SYNthetic (ADASYN) sampling algorithm and classification cost on classifier performance. Eighteen PD patients performed a series of daily walking tasks wearing accelerometers on their ankles, with nine experiencing FoG. The ensemble classifier formed by Support Vector Machines, K-Nearest Neighbors, and Multi-Layer Perceptron using bagging techniques demonstrated highest performance (F1 = 90.7) when synthetic FoG samples were added to the training set and class cost was set as twice that of normal gait. The model identified 97.4% of the events, with 66.7% being predicted. This study demonstrates our algorithm’s potential for accurate prediction of gait events and the provision of preventive cueing in spite of limited event frequency.