bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Historical overview of methods for sex determination in birds
Authors: Vucicevic Milos , Stevanovic Jevrosima , Sekler Milanko , Resanovic Radmila , Stanimirovic Zoran
Published: January 2017

Determining the sex in birds is very difficult, primarily because over 50% of
species is monomorphic (no morphological differences between the sexes).
Before the application of molecular genetic methods, there were used numerous
methods all of which were un?reliable. Because of the importance of the
analyses, they have to be reliable, economical, safe and prompt. Highly
conserved CHD gene is defined in 1995. on W chromosome in birds, while on Z
chromosome it was defined two years later. The difference in the length of
the intronic sequences of CHD gene of Z and W chromosomes enables the
distinguishing of the sexes after amplification of specific fragments by the
application of specific primers. Molecular genetic methods have the supremacy
over all the other methods because, ex?cept for being safe (both for birds
and people), they provide reliable results, and also can be applied in all
bird species.
Comparative Studies on Effect of Carbon and Nitrogen Sources on L -Asparaginase Production
Authors: Raja M. Mohamed Mahroop , Raja A. , Salique S. Mohamed , Gajalakshmi P.
Published: January 2017

Marine actinomycetes sediment samples were collected from Gulf of Mannar costal region, Kayalpatinam, located at Tuticorin district, Tamilnadu, India. Marine actinomycetes were isolated and evaluated for activity of L-asparaginase production. A total of 10 marine actinomycetes strains were isolated. Among 10 isolates, six were belongs to Streptomyces sp, three were belongs to Micromonospora sp and one was to Micropolyspora sp. Based on phenotypic characteristics, actinomycetes strains were screened for L-asparaginase production. Streptomyces sp KPMS5 and Micromonospora sp KPMS10 were showed large pink coloration on L-asparaginase production medium. The strains were further studied for maximum production and characterizations of culture condition of L-asparaginase enzyme were evaluated. Effect of substrate on L-asparaginase production was evaluated by enzyme assy. Maximum enzyme assay (1.4 mM) was observed on glucose followed by starch (1.12Mm) by Micromonospora sp KPMS10. In Streptomyces sp KPMS5 showed maximum of 1.25mM of enzyme assay on glucose substrate followed by lactose 1.17mM. Yeast extract was effectively used as substrate for maximum production of L-asparaginase by submerged fermentation. Further studies on purification and characterization are required to support the application of enzyme. The finding concludes isolates belongs to non-Streptomyces sp like Micromonospora sp is a potential novel source for L-asparaginase production.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(4): 452-457
Basics of Bioinformatics in Biological Research
Authors: Kamble Ashwini , Khairkar Rajesh
Published: January 2017

The concept of laboratory rat is giving way to the computer mouse arose after the famous handshake between Clinton-Blair for the completion of the human genome in April 2003. Bioinformatics is defined as the application of computational techniques to understand and organize the information associated with biological macromolecules.There is availability of large databases of genomic information which has enabled research efforts for discovering methods for diagnosis and treatment of human diseases using DNA microarrays and proteomics experiments. But there are various problems while doing this like it’s always challenging  to develop proper and sophisticated analysis method  which can properly use genomic data bases considering its and heterogeneity of the data.The main purpose of this first paper is to explore and explain Bioinformatics in a more scientific way, and try highlighting applications of bioinformatics in the medical sector.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(4): 425-429
Effect of burnishing parameters on surface roughness and hardness
Authors: Basak Hudayim , Yücel Murat
Published: January 2017

Burnishing is used as the final operation in machining, and brings along advantages such as increase of hardness, resistance against material fatigue and abrasion resistance on the workpiece on which it is applied. Improving the surface roughness of workpiece, improvements on the surface hardness, increase of the abrasion resistance of the material, decreasing depths on the material surface which may cause cracks, etc., directly depend on parameters such as progression, number of passes, press amount and ball diameter used in burnishing operation. For this study, an apparatus was designed which has different heads for a burnishing operation of rotary pieces. The surface of an Al 6061-T6 alloy was subjected to a respective burnishing operation and the effect of the parameters (i. e., pressure force, progression, number of passes and ball diameter) used in the burnishing operation on the surface roughness and surface hardness was determined. In addition, an artificial neural network (ANN) and an adaptive neuro-fuzzy interference system (ANFIS) model are developed for these parameters. Both models provide accurate results that are comparable to the experimental results. However, the ANFIS based model appears more accurate, compared to the ANN based model with respect to the same conditions for the surface roughness and surface hardness.
Journey Levels in Strategy-Based Transit Assignment: Modeling Integrated Transit Fares and More
Authors: Constantin Isabelle , Florian Daniel
Published: January 2017

The strategy-based transit assignment has been used extensively and its properties have been well understood since it was first developed. It can be used to model trip-additive generalized user costs, such as those incurred when waiting, boarding, walking, or traveling in-vehicle during a transit journey that can include transit fares. However, the solution algorithm is Markovian and does not directly incorporate the journey-dependent state, such as the sequence of modes used to arrive at a node, which is necessary to model fares in integrated transit fare schemes. In practice, network constructions have been used to add state information to the strategies method; doing so adds complexity to and increases the size of the transit network model. Elaborate network constructions, which duplicate some or all of the transit network and add new transition links, may be necessary for more complicated fare schemes. An extension is proposed to the strategy-based transit assignment in which user costs can be made to vary along a trip according to a journey-dependent state defined by a set of transit journey levels. The journey-level enhanced strategy transit assignment algorithm allows explicit modeling of networkwide integrated fare schemes without network construction and provides a compact and flexible expression for the state transitions and corresponding generalized costs involved. The corresponding algorithm maintains the computational efficiency of the strategies method. Examples are provided together with computation results on small and large networks.
Modeling the Speed, Acceleration, and Deceleration of Bicyclists for Microscopic Traffic Simulation
Authors: Twaddle Heather , Grigoropoulos Georgios
Published: January 2017

Models were developed, calibrated, and evaluated to describe the acceleration and deceleration processes of bicyclists in three states: while they accelerate from a stop, decelerate to a stop, and fluctuate around the desired traveling speed. Such models are necessary to simulate the speed profiles of bicyclists reliably in microscopic traffic simulations. To accomplish this aim, a sample of 1,030 processed trajectories from bicyclists at four intersections in Munich, Germany, was used to analyze the dynamic characteristics of bicyclists. The average crossing speed, the fluctuation in crossing speed, and the minimum and the maximum speeds of uninfluenced bicyclists who crossed at a green light were analyzed, and correlations between these variables were investigated. The acceleration and deceleration profiles of bicyclists who stopped at a red light but were uninfluenced by other bicyclists, were used to evaluate four acceleration–deceleration models: the constant model, the linear decreasing model, the two-term sinusoidal models, and a polynomial model. Two adaptations of the models were developed and evaluated: one to derive acceleration and deceleration as a function of speed rather than time, and the other to account for the observed fluctuation in bicyclist traveling speed. The polynomial model was found to be the most flexible and to produce the overall best estimates of the acceleration profiles. The constant model was found to estimate best the deceleration, acceleration, and deceleration while fluctuation occurred around the desired speed.
Revealed Bicyclist Route Preferences and Street Conditions
Authors: Zacharias John , Zhang Renda
Published: January 2017

In this study, the route choices of cyclists in an urban environment were related to nine variables on street design and dynamics: tree shade, car parking, traffic speed, traffic volume, mixed or segregated traffic, dedicated bicycle facility, number of car lanes, number of restaurants, and number of retail stores. Cycling itineraries were collected with a tracker equipped with GPS and responses from an intercept survey ( n = 212). Distance-equivalent routes were obtained with a geographical information system. All street segments used by cyclists were investigated to obtain original relevant traffic and physical data. Street segments were coded for the nine variables and entered into a multiple linear regression model in which cyclist volume from the revealed preference survey was the dependent variable. Tree shade, traffic speed, mixed traffic, and the presence of restaurants were found to be significant or highly significant, while car parking and traffic volume were nearly significant. The model explained 21% of the variance in route choice in this sample of four kinds of cycling trips in Shenzhen, China. Examination of the distance-equivalent alternative routes revealed that the number of turns was significantly higher, while tree shade and mixed traffic were not significant in choice.
Bicycle Education for Children: Evaluation of a Program in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Authors: van Lierop Dea , Bebronne Magali , El-Geneidy Ahmed
Published: January 2017

The promotion of bicycle use by school-aged children is one way to encourage more active lifestyles. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an on- and off-bicycle education program for school-aged children in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to understand how education influences the cycling behavior and attitudes of children and parents. Qualitative measures and descriptive statistics were used to analyze pre- and postprogram survey results from children who participated in the program and their parents. Results showed that children’s knowledge of bicycle safety increased and that participants made significant improvements in their knowledge of bicycle-specific street signs (before = 83%, after = 92%) and hand signals (before = 68%, after = 96%). Children also became more confident. Before the program, 75% of participants stated that to ride a bicycle was not difficult for them. After the program, this percentage increased to 92%. The parents of the participants also reported improvements in their children’s cycling abilities, and 55% stated that they would allow their children to participate in an organized cycle-to-school program. In addition, half of the parents included in the postprogram survey stated that their behavior, attitudes, or both, toward cycling had become more positive as a result of their child’s involvement in the bicycle education program. To encourage cycling in any region, bicycle educators and advocacy groups can develop school-based bicycle education programs as well as cycle-to-school programs. City planners should consider implementation of policies that encourage the development of bicycle infrastructure and traffic calming measures, especially near schools, to encourage parents to allow their children to bicycle to school.
Revisiting the Four Types of Cyclists: Findings from a National Survey
Authors: Dill Jennifer , McNeil Nathan
Published: January 2017

To understand the makeup of a population in terms of how people view bicycling can help in planning bicycle facilities and programs. Roger Geller, bicycle coordinator for the City of Portland, Oregon, proposed a typology that characterized people as one of four types—strong and fearless, enthused and confident, interested but concerned, and no way, no how—with respect to their attitudes toward bicycling. The research presented here sought to find out how applicable the typology was nationally and explored motivating factors, barriers, and the appeal of various bicycle facility types for each type of cyclist or potential cyclist. This study followed up on an earlier study that tested Geller’s typology with Portland data. In this new study, a sample involved 3,000 adults who lived in the 50 largest U.S. metropolitan areas. On the basis of respondents’ ( a) stated level of comfort when they bicycled in different environments, ( b) their interest in bicycling, and ( c) their recent behavior, the study estimated that about one-third of adults were in the no way, no how group, and about half were in the interested but concerned group. The distribution was similar to that of the earlier findings for Portland. Several demographic differences emerged, with women less likely to be enthusiastic and confident or to be interested but concerned. Few differences appeared in whether respondents had ridden a bike at all in the past 30 days. Differences emerged as to where they bicycled and how often. The interested but concerned group was least likely to ride for transportation and rode less frequently. Barriers included not having a bicycle to ride; needing a vehicle for work, school, or other reasons; destinations too far to reach by bicycle; too few bike lanes or trails; and traffic.
Perioperative outcomes for pediatric neurosurgical procedures: analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program–Pediatrics
Authors: Kuo Benjamin J. , Vissoci Joao Ricardo N. , Egger Joseph R. , Smith Emily R. , Grant Gerald A. , Haglund Michael M. , Rice Henry E.
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

Existing studies have shown a high overall rate of adverse events (AEs) following pediatric neurosurgical procedures. However, little is known regarding the morbidity of specific procedures or the association with risk factors to help guide quality improvement (QI) initiatives. The goal of this study was to describe the 30-day mortality and AE rates for pediatric neurosurgical procedures by using the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program–Pediatrics (NSQIP-Peds) database platform.

METHODS

Data on 9996 pediatric neurosurgical patients were acquired from the 2012–2014 NSQIP-Peds participant user file. Neurosurgical cases were analyzed by the NSQIP-Peds targeted procedure categories, including craniotomy/craniectomy, defect repair, laminectomy, shunts, and implants. The primary outcome measure was 30-day mortality, with secondary outcomes including individual AEs, composite morbidity (all AEs excluding mortality and unplanned reoperation), surgical-site infection, and unplanned reoperation. Univariate analysis was performed between individual AEs and patient characteristics using Fischer's exact test. Associations between individual AEs and continuous variables (duration from admission to operation, work relative value unit, and operation time) were examined using the Student t-test. Patient characteristics and continuous variables associated with any AE by univariate analysis were used to develop category-specific multivariable models through backward stepwise logistic regression.

RESULTS

The authors analyzed 3383 craniotomy/craniectomy, 242 defect repair, 1811 laminectomy, and 4560 shunt and implant cases and found a composite overall morbidity of 30.2%, 38.8%, 10.2%, and 10.7%, respectively. Unplanned reoperation rates were highest for defect repair (29.8%). The mortality rate ranged from 0.1% to 1.2%. Preoperative ventilator dependence was a significant predictor of any AE for all procedure groups, whereas admission from outside hospital transfer was a significant predictor of any AE for all procedure groups except craniotomy/craniectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis of NSQIP-Peds, a large risk-adjusted national data set, confirms low perioperative mortality but high morbidity for pediatric neurosurgical procedures. These data provide a baseline understanding of current expected clinical outcomes for pediatric neurosurgical procedures, identify the need for collecting neurosurgery-specific risk factors and complications, and should support targeted QI programs and clinical management interventions to improve care of children.
Validation of effectiveness of keyhole clipping in nonfrail elderly patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Mori Kentaro , Wada Kojiro , Otani Naoki , Tomiyama Arata , Toyooka Terushige , Fujii Kazuya , Kumagai Kosuke , Takeuchi Satoru , Tomura Satoshi , Yamamoto Takuji , Nakao Yasuaki , Arai Hajime
Published: January 2017

OBJECTIVE

Advanced age is known to be associated with a poor prognosis after surgical clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). Keyhole clipping techniques have been introduced for less invasive treatment of UIAs. In this study, the authors compared the complications and clinical and radiological outcomes after keyhole clipping between nonfrail elderly patients (≥ 70 years) and nonelderly patients.

METHODS

Keyhole clipping (either supraorbital or pterional) was performed to treat 260 cases of relatively small (≤ 10 mm) anterior circulation UIAs. There were 62 cases in the nonfrail elderly group (mean age 72.9 ± 2.6 years [± SD]) and 198 cases in the nonelderly group (mean age 59.5 ± 7.6 years). The authors evaluated mortality and morbidity (modified Rankin Scale score > 2 or Mini–Mental State Examination [MMSE] score < 24) at 3 months and 1 year after the operation, the general cognitive function by MMSE at 3 months and 1 year, anxiety and depression by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) at 3 months, and radiological abnormalities and recurrence at 1 year.

RESULTS

Basic characteristics including comorbidities, frailty, and BDI and HAM-D scores were not significantly different between the 2 groups, whereas the MMSE score was slightly but significantly lower in the elderly group. Aneurysm location, largest diameter, type of keyhole surgery, neck clipping rate, and hospitalization period were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The incidence of chronic subdural hematoma was not significantly higher in the elderly group than in the nonelderly group (8.1% vs 4.5%, p = 0.332); rates of other complications including stroke and epilepsy were not significantly different. Lacunar infarction occurred in 3.2% of the elderly group and 3.0% of the nonelderly group. No patient in the elderly group required re-treatment or demonstrated recurrence of clipped aneurysms. The MMSE score at 3 months significantly improved in the nonelderly group but did not change in the elderly group. The BDI and HAM-D scores at 3 months were significantly improved in both groups. No patient died in either group. The morbidity at 3 months and 1 year in the elderly group (1.6% and 4.8%, respectively) was not significantly different from that in the nonelderly group (2.0% and 1.5%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Keyhole clipping for nonfrail elderly patients with relatively small anterior circulation UIAs did not significantly increase the complication, mortality, or morbidity rate; hospitalization period; or aneurysm recurrence compared with nonelderly patients, and it was associated with improvement in anxiety and depression. Keyhole clipping to treat UIAs in the nonfrail elderly is an effective and long-lasting treatment.
Neurons Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells of Patients with Down Syndrome Reproduce Early Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease Type Pathology in vitro
Authors: Dashinimaev Erdem B. , Artyuhov Alexander S. , Bolshakov Alexey P. , Vorotelyak Ekaterina A. , Vasiliev Andrey V.
Published: January 2017

People with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk of developing pathology similar to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Modeling of this pathology in vitro may be useful for studying this phenomenon. In this study, we analyzed three different cultures of neural cells carrying trisomy of chromosome 21, which were generated by directed differentiation from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). We report here that in vitro generated DS neural cells have abnormal metabolism of amyloid-β (Aβ) manifested by increased secretion and accumulation of Aβ granules of Aβ42 pathological isoform with upregulated expression of the APP gene. Additionally, we found increased expression levels of genes that are considered to be associated with AD (BACE2, RCAN1, ETS2, TMED10), as compared to healthy controls. Thus, the neural cells generated from induced pluripotent stem cells with DS reproduce initial cellular signs of AD-type pathology and can be useful tools for modeling and studying this variant of AD in vitro.
Core-Shell Structured Ni@SiO2 Catalysts Exhibiting Excellent Catalytic Performance for Syngas Methanation Reactions
Authors: Han Yang , Wen Bo , Zhu Mingyuan
Published: January 2017

In this study, we prepared core-shell structured Ni@SiO2 catalysts using chemical precipitation and modified Stöber methods. The obtained Ni@SiO2 samples exhibited excellent catalysis performances, including high CO conversion of 99.0% and CH4 yield of 89.8%. Moreover, Ni@SiO2 exhibited excellent catalytic stability during a 100 h lifetime test, which was superior to that of the Ni/SiO2 catalyst. The prepared samples were characterized using a series of techniques, and the results indicated that the catalytic performance for syngas methanation reaction of the Ni@SiO2 sample was markedly improved owing to its nanoreactor structure. The strong interaction between the Ni core and the SiO2 shell effectively restrained the growth of particles, and the deposition of C species.
Battery Internal Temperature Estimation for LiFePO4 Battery Based on Impedance Phase Shift under Operating Conditions
Authors: Zhu Jiangong , Sun Zechang , Wei Xuezhe , Dai Haifeng
Published: January 2017

An impedance-based temperature estimation method is investigated considering the electrochemical non-equilibrium with short-term relaxation time for facilitating the vehicular application. Generally, sufficient relaxation time is required for battery electrochemical equilibrium before the impedance measurement. A detailed experiment is performed to investigate the regularity of the battery impedance in short-term relaxation time after switch-off current excitation, which indicates that the impedance can be measured and also has systematical decrement with the relaxation time growth. Based on the discussion of impedance variation in electrochemical perspective, as well as the monotonic relationship between impedance phase shift and battery internal temperature in the electrochemical equilibrium state, an exponential equation that accounts for both measured phase shift and relaxation time is established to correct the measuring deviation caused by electrochemical non-equilibrium. Then, a multivariate linear equation coupled with ambient temperature is derived considering the temperature gradients between the active part and battery surface. Equations stated above are all identified with the embedded thermocouple experimentally. In conclusion, the temperature estimation method can be a valuable alternative for temperature monitoring during cell operating, and serve the functionality as an efficient implementation in battery thermal management system for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).
Effect of the Fiber Type and Axial Stiffness of FRCM on the Flexural Strengthening of RC Beams
Authors: Jabr Abdulla , El-Ragaby Amr , Ghrib Faouzi
Published: January 2017

The use of externally-bonded fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) sheets has been successfully used in the repair and strengthening of both the shear and flexural capacities of reinforced concrete (RC) beams, slabs and columns since the 1990s. However, the externally-bonded FRP reinforcements still present many disadvantages, such as poor performance in elevated temperature and fire, lack of permeability and strength degradation when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. To remedy such drawbacks, the fiber-/fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) has been recently introduced. The FRCM system consists of a fiber mesh or grid embedded in a cementitious bonding material. The present research investigates the flexural strengthening of reinforced concrete (RC) beams with FRCM. The experimental testing included eight large-scale concrete beams, 150 mm × 250 mm × 2400 mm, internally reinforced with steel bars and strengthened in flexure with FRCM. The investigated parameters were the internal steel reinforcement ratio and the FRCM systems. Two steel reinforcement ratios of 0.18 and 0.36 of the balanced reinforcement ratio, as well as three FRCM systems using glass, carbon and PBO fibers were investigated. Test results are presented in terms of load-deflection, load-strain and load-crack width relationships. The test results indicated that the PBO FRCM significantly increased the ultimate capacity of the strengthened RC beams with both low and moderate internal reinforcement ratios compared to the glass and carbon FRCM.
Progress for Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology in 2016
Authors: Musumeci Giuseppe
Published: January 2017

Welcome back to the new Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology (JFMK), providing an advanced forum for research studies on functional morphology and kinesiology and the regulatory functions of movement.[...]
Biological Importance of Cotton By-Products Relative to Chemical Constituents of the Cotton Plant
Authors: Egbuta Mary , McIntosh Shane , Waters Daniel , Vancov Tony , Liu Lei
Published: January 2017

Although cultivated for over 7000 years, mainly for production of cotton fibre, the cotton plant has not been fully explored for potential uses of its other parts. Despite cotton containing many important chemical compounds, limited understanding of its phytochemical composition still exists. In order to add value to waste products of the cotton industry, such as cotton gin trash, this review focuses on phytochemicals associated with different parts of cotton plants and their biological activities. Three major classes of compounds and some primary metabolites have been previously identified in the plant. Among these compounds, most terpenoids and their derivatives (51), fatty acids (four), and phenolics (six), were found in the leaves, bolls, stalks, and stems. Biological activities, such as anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activities, are associated with some of these phytochemicals. For example, β-bisabolol, a sesquiterpenoid enriched in the flowers of cotton plants, may have anti-inflammatory product application. Considering the abundance of biologically active compounds in the cotton plant, there is scope to develop a novel process within the current cotton fibre production system to separate these valuable phytochemicals, developing them into potentially high-value products. This scenario may present the cotton processing industry with an innovative pathway towards a waste-to-profit solution.
An Integrated View of the Effects of Wine Polyphenols and Their Relevant Metabolites on Gut and Host Health
Authors: Cueva Carolina , Gil-Sánchez Irene , Ayuda-Durán Begoña , González-Manzano Susana , González-Paramás Ana , Santos-Buelga Celestino , Bartolomé Begoña , Moreno-Arribas M.
Published: January 2017

Over the last few decades, polyphenols, and flavonoids in particular, have attracted the interest of researchers, as they have been associated with the health-promoting effects derived from diets rich in vegetables and fruits, including moderate wine consumption. Recent scientific evidence suggests that wine polyphenols exert their effects through interactions with the gut microbiota, as they seem to modulate microbiota and, at the same time, are metabolized by intestinal bacteria into specific bioavailable metabolites. Microbial metabolites are better absorbed than their precursors and may be responsible for positive health activities in the digestive system (local effects) and, after being absorbed, in tissues and organs (systemic effects). Differences in gut microbiota composition and functionality among individuals can affect polyphenol activity and, therefore, their health effects. The aim of this review is to integrate the understanding of the metabolism and mechanisms of action of wine polyphenols at both local and systemic levels, underlining their impact on the gut microbiome and the inter-individual variability associated with polyphenols’ metabolism and further physiological effects. The advent of promising dietary approaches linked to wine polyphenols beyond the gut microbiota community and metabolism are also discussed.
Content Validation and Semantic Evaluation of a Check-List Elaborated for the Prevention of Gluten Cross-Contamination in Food Services
Authors: Farage Priscila , Puppin Zandonadi Renata , Cortez Ginani Verônica , Gandolfi Lenora , Pratesi Riccardo , De Medeiros Nóbrega Yanna
Published: January 2017

Conditions associated to the consumption of gluten have emerged as a major health care concern and the treatment consists on a lifelong gluten-free diet. Providing safe food for these individuals includes adapting to safety procedures within the food chain and preventing gluten cross-contamination in gluten-free food. However, a gluten cross-contamination prevention protocol or check-list has not yet been validated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to perform the content validation and semantic evaluation of a check-list elaborated for the prevention of gluten cross-contamination in food services. The preliminary version of the check-list was elaborated based on the Brazilian resolution for food safety Collegiate Board Resolution 216 (RDC 216) and Collegiate Board Resolution 275 (RDC 275), the standard 22000 from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 22000) and the Canadian Celiac Association Gluten-Free Certification Program documents. Seven experts with experience in the area participated in the check-list validation and semantic evaluation. The criteria used for the approval of the items, as to their importance for the prevention of gluten cross-contamination and clarity of the wording, was the achievement of a minimal of 80% of agreement between the experts (W-values ≥ 0.8). Moreover, items should have a mean ≥4 in the evaluation of importance (Likert scale from 1 to 5) and clarity (Likert scale from 0 to 5) in order to be maintained in the instrument. The final version of the check-list was composed of 84 items, divided into 12 sections. After being redesigned and re-evaluated, the items were considered important and comprehensive by the experts (both with W-values ≥ 0.89). The check-list developed was validated with respect to content and approved in the semantic evaluation.
Hederagenin Supplementation Alleviates the Pro-Inflammatory and Apoptotic Response to Alcohol in Rats
Authors: Kim Gyeong-Ji , Song Da , Yoo Han , Chung Kang-Hyun , Lee Kwon , An Jeung
Published: January 2017

In this study, we determined the effects of hederagenin isolated from Akebia quinata fruit on alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Specifically, we investigated the hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects of hederagenin, as well as the role of AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways in ethanol-induced liver injury. Experimental animals were randomly divided into three groups: normal (sham), 25% ethanol, and 25% ethanol + hederagenin (50 mg/kg/day). Each group was orally administered the respective treatments once per day for 21 days. Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase-2 mRNA expression was higher and alcohol dehydrogenase mRNA expression was lower in the ethanol + hederagenin group than those in the ethanol group. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, and cyclooxygenase-2, significantly increased in the ethanol group, but these increases were attenuated by hederagenin. Moreover, Western blot analysis showed increased expression of the apoptosis-associated protein, Bcl-2, and decreased expression of Bax and p53 after treatment with hederagenin. Hederagenin treatment attenuated ethanol-induced increases in activated p38 MAPK and increased the levels of phosphorylated AKT and ERK. Hederagenin alleviated ethanol-induced liver damage through anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities. These results suggest that hederagenin is a potential candidate for preventing alcoholic liver injury.
Effects of Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Cardiorespiratory Endurance in Athletes. A Systematic Review
Authors: Domínguez Raúl , Cuenca Eduardo , Maté-Muñoz José , García-Fernández Pablo , Serra-Paya Noemí , Estevan María , Herreros Pablo , Garnacho-Castaño Manuel
Published: January 2017

Athletes use nutritional supplementation to enhance the effects of training and achieve improvements in their athletic performance. Beetroot juice increases levels of nitric oxide (NO), which serves multiple functions related to increased blood flow, gas exchange, mitochondrial biogenesis and efficiency, and strengthening of muscle contraction. These biomarker improvements indicate that supplementation with beetroot juice could have ergogenic effects on cardiorespiratory endurance that would benefit athletic performance. The aim of this literature review was to determine the effects of beetroot juice supplementation and the combination of beetroot juice with other supplements on cardiorespiratory endurance in athletes. A keyword search of DialNet, MedLine, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases covered publications from 2010 to 2016. After excluding reviews/meta-analyses, animal studies, inaccessible full-text, and studies that did not supplement with beetroot juice and adequately assess cardiorespiratory endurance, 23 articles were selected for analysis. The available results suggest that supplementation with beetroot juice can improve cardiorespiratory endurance in athletes by increasing efficiency, which improves performance at various distances, increases time to exhaustion at submaximal intensities, and may improve the cardiorespiratory performance at anaerobic threshold intensities and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). Although the literature shows contradictory data, the findings of other studies lead us to hypothesize that supplementing with beetroot juice could mitigate the ergolytic effects of hypoxia on cardiorespiratory endurance in athletes. It cannot be stated that the combination of beetroot juice with other supplements has a positive or negative effect on cardiorespiratory endurance, but it is possible that the effects of supplementation with beetroot juice can be undermined by interaction with other supplements such as caffeine.
Optical Analysis of the Oils Obtained from Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd: Mapping Absorption-Emission Profiles in an Induced Oxidation Process
Authors: De Oliveira Ivan , Correa Willian , Neves Priscila , Silva Perla , Lescano Caroline , Michels Flávio , Passos Wilson , Muzzi Rozanna , Oliveira Samuel , Caires Anderson
Published: January 2017

Acrocomia aculeata is a palm tree typical of the Brazilian savanna. Oils extracted from the pulp and kernel of Acrocomia aculeata fruits have gained considerable attention mainly due to their nutritional and medicinal features. Despite their potential applications, a detailed analysis of their oxidative stability is still needed. The present study shows a close analysis of the oxidative stability of the oils obtained from the kernel and pulp of Acrocomia aculeata fruits, evaluating the influence of the intrinsic antioxidants and the fatty acid composition on the oil’s thermal stability. A complete characterization of the physical-chemical and optical properties of the oils was performed. The results showed that 66% of the fatty acids present in the pulp oil are unsaturated, while 75% are saturated in the kernel oil. A higher content of intrinsic antioxidants was obtained in the pulp oil, and an induction period (at 110 °C) of 65 and 43 h was determined for the pulp and kernel oil, respectively. Additionally, oil absorption increases due to the formation of degradation products, and a new fluorescent compound was formed during the oil oxidation process at 110 °C. Even though the pulp presented a high content of unsaturated fatty acids, the pulp oil was more stable than the kernel oil due to its higher content of intrinsic antioxidant, especially carotenoids. The results also demonstrated that oil oxidation can be optically determined by analyzing the absorption at 232 and 270 nm, as well as the emission at 424 nm.
A Strategic Framework for Working toward Zero Waste Societies Based on Perceptions Surveys
Authors: Zaman Atiq
Published: January 2017

The visionary concept of zero waste advocates a systematic process of designing out waste and recovering resources from waste. A strategic zero waste framework (ZWF) is essential for developing and executing systematic waste management activities to achieve the overarching goals. This study identifies the key principles for the development of a strategic ZWF based on a waste experts’ survey analysis. Around 68 experts from different regions responded and provided their views on the key elements of a strategic ZWF though an online questionnaire survey. Eighteen strategic elements of waste prevention, management, treatment and assessment were identified as the key principles of the zero waste framework. As the study followed a generalized approach, it is important to acknowledge that all identified and proposed strategic elements may need to be contextualized based on the local conditions in order to achieve zero waste goals. Based on the findings, the study suggests the following three fundamental strategic action plans that need to be implemented simultaneously for moving towards zero waste societies: (i) sustainable production through a cradle-to-cradle design and product stewardship; (ii) collaborative and responsible consumption of natural resources; and (iii) zero waste management through conservation of resources. In addition, a constant evaluation of progress towards zero waste goals is essential. It is anticipated that by considering local circumstances, the proposed strategic guidelines would be beneficial for local authorities and relevant stakeholders while developing their zero waste strategy.
The Spatiotemporal Pattern of Urban Expansion in China: A Comparison Study of Three Urban Megaregions
Authors: Yu Wenjuan , Zhou Weiqi
Published: January 2017

Urban megaregions have emerged as a new urbanized form. However, previous studies mostly focused on urban expansion at the city scale, particularly for large cities. Understanding urban expansion at the regional scale including cities having different sizes is important for extending current knowledge of urban growth and its environmental and ecological impacts. Here, we addressed two questions: (1) How do the extent, rate, and morphological model of urban expansion vary at both the regional and city scales? (2) How do factors, such as city size and expansion rate, influence urban expansion models? We focused on the three largest urban megaregions in China, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH), Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and Pearl River Delta (PRD). We quantified and compared the spatiotemporal pattern of urban expansion during 2000–2010 at both the regional and city scales based on remote sensing data. We used correlation analysis and linear regressions to address our research questions. We found that (1) the three urban megaregions experienced rapid and massive urban growth, but the spatiotemporal pattern varied greatly. Urban expansion was dominated by edge-expansion in the BTH, edge-expansion and infilling in the YRD, and infilling in the PRD. Cities in the same megaregion tended to have similar expansion morphology; (2) geographical location influenced the model of urban expansion the most, followed by city size and by its expansion rate. Small-sized cities were more likely to develop in a leapfrogging model, while cities with relatively rapid expansion tended to grow in an edge-expansion model.
Maturity Models in Supply Chain Sustainability: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Correia Elisabete , Carvalho Helena , Azevedo Susana , Govindan Kannan
Published: January 2017

A systematic literature review of supply chain maturity models with sustainability concerns is presented. The objective is to give insights into methodological issues related to maturity models, namely the research objectives; the research methods used to develop, validate and test them; the scope; and the main characteristics associated with their design. The literature review was performed based on journal articles and conference papers from 2000 to 2015 using the SCOPUS, Emerald Insight, EBSCO and Web of Science databases. Most of the analysed papers have as main objective the development of maturity models and their validation. The case study is the methodology that is most widely used by researchers to develop and validate maturity models. From the sustainability perspective, the scope of the analysed maturity models is the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) and environmental dimension, focusing on a specific process (eco-design and new product development) and without a broad SC perspective. The dominant characteristics associated with the design of the maturity models are the maturity grids and a continuous representation. In addition, results do not allow identifying a trend for a specific number of maturity levels. The comprehensive review, analysis, and synthesis of the maturity model literature represent an important contribution to the organization of this research area, making possible to clarify some confusion that exists about concepts, approaches and components of maturity models in sustainability. Various aspects associated with the maturity models (i.e., research objectives, research methods, scope and characteristics of the design of models) are explored to contribute to the evolution and significance of this multidimensional area.
Long Noncoding RNA GAS5 Suppresses Tumorigenesis by Inhibiting miR-23a Expression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Mei Yongcheng , Si Jinchun , Wang Yun , Huang Zhuangshi , Zhu Haiwen , Feng Shijun , Wu Xuezhi , Wu Liwen
Published: January 2017

Previous studies reported that elevated expression of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) GAS5 led to the arrest of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell growth and a promotion of apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo. However, its underlying molecular mechanism in NSCLC is still unclear. In
the present study, we noted that GAS5 was downregulated in NSCLC tissues and cells and was negatively correlated with miR-23a expression. Luciferase reporter assay and qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that GAS5 directly interacted with miR-23a and reversely regulated its expression. miR-23a overexpression
markedly promoted NSCLC cell proliferation and invasion, while GAS5 overexpression dramatically inhibited NSCLC cell proliferation and invasion and promoted apoptosis. Functional analysis indicated that miR-23a overexpression significantly abolished GAS5 overexpression-induced inhibition of
proliferation and invasion, as well as promotion of apoptosis in NSCLC cells. Moreover, xenograft experiments further revealed that upregulation of GAS5 notably impaired the growth of transplanted tumors by suppressing miR-23a in nude mice. These results suggested that overexpression of lncRNA
GAS5 inhibits tumorigenesis of NSCLC by inhibiting miR-23a in vitro and in vivo, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with NSCLC.
Gastrin Enhances Autophagy and Promotes Gastric Carcinoma Proliferation via Inducing AMPKα
Authors: Kun Zhuang , Hanqing Guo , Hailing Tang , Yuan Yan , Jun Zhang , Lingxia Zhang , Kun Han , Xin Zhang
Published: January 2017

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most frequent epithelial malignancies worldwide. The gastrointestinal (GI) peptide gastrin is an important regulator of the secretion and release of gastric acid from stomach parietal cells, and it also plays a vital role in the development and progression
of GC. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of gastrin and autophagy in regulating GC tumorigenesis. Gastrin-17 amide (G-17) was applied in the GC cell lines SGC7901 and MGC-803. The results showed that G-17 maintained the high viability of SGC7901
and MGC-803. The expression of autophagy marker proteins LC3II and Beclin1 was significantly increased, while the autophagy substrate p62 was obviously decreased in the gastrin group compared with the control group. Moreover, G-17 strengthened the expressions of AMPKα, Ras, Raf, MEK,
and ERK1/2. Additionally, administration of AMPKα siRNA counteracted the effect of gastrin in SGC7901 cells. Finally, in an in vivo study of the tumor growth and survival rate of rats, the levels of AMPKα/Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK were significantly increased in the gastrin group and decreased
following AMPKα shRNA injection. In conclusion, these findings indicate that gastrin plays a tumorigenic role by promoting autophagy in GC and may provide a novel therapeutic target for GC treatment.
MicroRNA-133b Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Invasion in Osteosarcoma by Targeting Sirt1
Authors: Ying Shi , Jianjun Huang , Xue Yi , Shuwei Yu , Liyuan Zhang , Jie Wang , Lixian Cheng
Published: January 2017

MicroRNAs are a class of small noncoding RNAs that function as critical gene regulators through targeting mRNAs for translational repression or degradation. In this study, we showed that the miR-133b expression level was decreased while the Sirt1 mRNA expression level was increased
in osteosarcoma tissue and cell lines. A low expression of miR-133b was significantly associated with tumor size, distant metastasis, and advanced clinical stage. In addition, osteosarcoma patients with a low miR-133b expression showed a worse prognosis when compared to those with a high level
of miR-133b expression. Thus, we identified Sirt1 as a novel direct target of miR-133b. Overexpression of miR-133b suppressed Sirt1 expression and attenuated cell proliferation and invasion. Forced expression of Sirt1 could partly rescue the inhibitory effect of miR-133b in osteosarcoma cells.
Our finding also suggested that the inhibitory effects of the miR-133b/Sirt1 axis on osteosarcoma progression were involved in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Taken together, these findings will shed light on the role and mechanism of miR-133b in regulating osteosarcoma cell growth via the
miR-133b/Sirt1 axis, and miR-133b may serve as a potential therapeutic target in osteosarcoma in the future.
SUNSPOT AND STARSPOT LIFETIMES IN A TURBULENT EROSION MODEL
Authors: Litvinenko Yuri E. , Wheatland M. S.
Published: January 2017

Quantitative models of sunspot and starspot decay predict the timescale of magnetic diffusion and may yield important constraints in stellar dynamo models. Motivated by recent measurements of starspot lifetimes, we investigate the disintegration of a magnetic flux tube by nonlinear diffusion. Previous theoretical studies are extended by considering two physically motivated functional forms for the nonlinear diffusion coefficient D: an inverse power-law dependence D ∝ B
−ν
and a step-function dependence of D on the magnetic field magnitude B. Analytical self-similar solutions are presented for the power-law case, including solutions exhibiting “superfast” diffusion. For the step-function case, the heat-balance integral method yields approximate solutions, valid for moderately suppressed diffusion in the spot. The accuracy of the resulting solutions is confirmed numerically, using a method which provides an accurate description of long-time evolution by imposing boundary conditions at infinite distance from the spot. The new models may allow insight into the differences and similarities between sunspots and starspots.