bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Corrosion Assessment of Additively Manufactured Porous NiTi Structures for Bone Fixation Applications
Authors: Ibrahim Hamdy , Jahadakbar AhmadReza , Dehghan Amir , Moghaddam Narges , Amerinatanzi Amirhesam , Elahinia Mohammad
Published: March 2018

NiTi alloys possess distinct functional properties (i.e., shape memory effect and superelasticity) and biocompatibility, making them appealing for bone fixation applications. Additive manufacturing offers an alternative method for fabricating NiTi parts, which are known to be very difficult to machine using conventional manufacturing methods. However, poor surface quality, and the presence of impurities and defects, are some of the major concerns associated with NiTi structures manufactured using additive manufacturing. The aim of this study is to assess the in vitro corrosion properties of additively manufactured NiTi structures. NiTi samples (bulk and porous) were produced using selective laser melting (SLM), and their electrochemical corrosion characteristics and Ni ion release levels were measured and compared with conventionally fabricated NiTi parts. The additively manufactured NiTi structures were found to have electrochemical corrosion characteristics similar to those found for the conventionally fabricated NiTi alloy samples. The highest Ni ion release level was found in the case of 50% porous structures, which can be attributed to their significantly higher exposed surface area. However, the Ni ion release levels reported in this work for all the fabricated structures remain within the range of most of values for conventionally fabricated NiTi alloys reported in the literature. The results of this study suggest that the proposed SLM fabrication process does not result in a significant deterioration in the corrosion resistance of NiTi parts, making them suitable for bone fixation applications.
Highly Fluorinated Methacrylates for Optical 3D Printing of Microfluidic Devices
Authors: Kotz Frederik , Risch Patrick , Helmer Dorothea , Rapp Bastian
Published: March 2018

Highly fluorinated perfluoropolyether (PFPE) methacrylates are of great interest for transparent and chemically resistant microfluidic chips. However, so far only a few examples of material formulations for three-dimensional (3D) printing of these polymers have been demonstrated. In this paper we show that microfluidic chips can be printed using these highly fluorinated polymers by 3D stereolithography printing. We developed photocurable resin formulations that can be printed in commercial benchtop stereolithography printers. We demonstrate that the developed formulations can be printed with minimal cross-sectional area of 600 µm for monolithic embedded microfluidic channels and 200 µm for open structures. The printed and polymerized PFPE methacrylates show a good transmittance above 70% at wavelengths between 520–900 nm and a high chemical resistance when being exposed to organic solvents. Microfluidic mixers were printed to demonstrate the great variability of different designs that can be printed using stereolithography.
Characterization of 3D-Printed Moulds for Soft Lithography of Millifluidic Devices
Authors: Mohd Fuad Nurul , Carve Megan , Kaslin Jan , Wlodkowic Donald
Published: March 2018

Increased demand for inexpensive and rapid prototyping methods for micro- and millifluidic lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices has stimulated considerable interest in alternative cost-effective fabrication techniques. Additive manufacturing (AM)—also called three-dimensional (3D) printing—provides an attractive alternative to conventional fabrication techniques. AM has been used to produce LOC master moulds from which positive replicas are made using soft-lithography and a biocompatible elastomer, poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). Here we characterize moulds made using two AM methods—stereolithography (SLA) and material-jetting (MJ)—and the positive replicas produced by soft lithography and PDMS moulding. The results showed that SLA, more than MJ, produced finer part resolution and finer tuning of feature geometry. Furthermore, as assessed by zebrafish (Danio rerio) biotoxicity tests, there was no toxicity observed in SLA and MJ moulded PDMS replicas. We conclude that SLA, utilizing commercially available printers and resins, combined with PDMS soft-lithography, is a simple and easily accessible technique that lends its self particularly well to the fabrication of biocompatible millifluidic devices, highly suited to the in-situ analysis of small model organisms.
Study of the Operational Safety of a Vascular Interventional Surgical Robotic System
Authors: Guo Jian , Jin Xiaoliang , Guo Shuxiang
Published: March 2018

This paper proposes an operation safety early warning system based on LabView (2014, National Instruments Corporation, Austin, TX, USA) for vascular interventional surgery (VIS) robotic system. The system not only provides intuitive visual feedback information for the surgeon, but also has a safety early warning function. It is well known that blood vessels differ in their ability to withstand stress in different age groups, therefore, the operation safety early warning system based on LabView has a vascular safety threshold function that changes in real-time, which can be oriented to different age groups of patients and a broader applicable scope. In addition, the tracing performance of the slave manipulator to the master manipulator is also an important index for operation safety. Therefore, we also transformed the slave manipulator and integrated the displacement error compensation algorithm in order to improve the tracking ability of the slave manipulator to the master manipulator and reduce master–slave tracking errors. We performed experiments “in vitro” to validate the proposed system. According to previous studies, 0.12 N is the maximum force when the blood vessel wall has been penetrated. Experimental results showed that the proposed operation safety early warning system based on LabView combined with operating force feedback can effectively avoid excessive collisions between the surgical catheter and vessel wall to avoid vascular puncture. The force feedback error of the proposed system is maintained between ±20 mN, which is within the allowable safety range and meets our design requirements. Therefore, the proposed system can ensure the safety of surgery.
Fungal Disease Prevention in Seedlings of Rice (Oryza sativa) and Other Grasses by Growth-Promoting Seed-Associated Endophytic Bacteria from Invasive Phragmites australis
Authors: Verma Satish , Kingsley Kathryn , Bergen Marshall , Kowalski Kurt , White James
Published: March 2018

Non-cultivated plants carry microbial endophytes that may be used to enhance development and disease resistance of crop species where growth-promoting and protective microbes may have been lost. During seedling establishment, seedlings may be infected by several fungal pathogens that are seed or soil borne. Several species of Fusarium, Pythium and other water moulds cause seed rots during germination. Fusarium blights of seedlings are also very common and significantly affect seedling development. In the present study we screened nine endophytic bacteria isolated from the seeds of invasive Phragmites australis by inoculating onto rice, Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon), or annual bluegrass (Poa annua) seeds to evaluate plant growth promotion and protection from disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum. We found that three bacteria belonging to genus Pseudomonas spp. (SLB4-P. fluorescens, SLB6-Pseudomonas sp. and SY1-Pseudomonas sp.) promoted seedling development, including enhancement of root and shoot growth, and stimulation of root hair formation. These bacteria were also found to increase phosphate solubilization in in vitro experiments. Pseudomonas sp. (SY1) significantly protected grass seedlings from Fusarium infection. In co-culture experiments, strain SY1 strongly inhibited fungal pathogens with 85.71% growth inhibition of F. oxysporum, 86.33% growth inhibition of Curvularia sp. and 82.14% growth inhibition of Alternaria sp. Seedlings previously treated with bacteria were found much less infected by F. oxysporum in comparison to non-treated controls. On microscopic observation we found that bacteria appeared to degrade fungal mycelia actively. Metabolite products of strain SY1 in agar were also found to inhibit fungal growth on nutrient media. Pseudomonas sp. (SY1) was found to produce antifungal volatiles. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using specific primers for pyrrolnitirin synthesis and HCN (hydrogen cyanide) production suggested presence of genes for both compounds in the genome of SY1. HCN was detected in cultures of SY1. We conclude that microbes from non-cultivated plants may provide disease protection and promote growth of crop plants.
Fossilized Bacteria in Fe-Mn-Mineralization: Evidence from the Legrena Valley, W. Lavrion Mine (Greece)
Authors: Vasilatos Charalampos , Economou-Eliopoulos Maria
Published: March 2018

The primary mineralization in the famous Lavrion mine in the Lavreotiki area, Attica (Greece), associated with a granodiorite intrusion of Upper Miocene age and composed of massive sulphide Pb-Zn-Ag ores [sphalerite, pyrite and galena (B.P.G)], has been extensively studied. The present study is focused on thin, hard, dark brown to black Fe-Mn crusts (a few mm to cm in thickness) in the Legrena valley, SW Lavreotiki, aiming to provide new insights on that type of Fe-Mn-mineralization. The scanning electron microscope (SEM)/energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) data presented revealed the presence of fine rounded fragments, resembling nodules (up to 200 μm) and fossilized bacteriomorphic Fe-Mn-oxides/hydroxides, within brecciated and foliated zones of carbonate rocks. They exhibit unusual features when compared to the common massive Fe-Mn mineralization with regards the following: (a) the extensive occurrence of bacteriomorphic Fe-oxides/hydroxides and their micro-textures; and (b) the minor elements (K, Na, P, S, Ca, As and Cl). The occurrence of abundant bacteriomophic Fe-Mn-oxides/hydroxides in the samples from the Legrena valley may reflect their catalytic role in the redox reactions during ore-forming processes. The characteristic features of that type of Fe-Mn mineralization seems to be the result of multistage supergene processes superimposed over initial hydrothermal stages. Such a multistage remobilization and precipitation of metals along open space surfaces on karstified carbonates during a subsequent stage of their initial precipitation may be widespread in the Attica region, Greece.
Mineralogy and Physico-Chemical Data of Two Newly Discovered Halloysite in China and Their Contrasts with Some Typical Minerals
Authors: Ouyang Jing , Mu Dawei , Zhang Yi , Yang Huaming
Published: March 2018

We report in this article the systematical acquisition of physico-chemical parameters for two newly discovered halloysite (Hal) minerals from Shiyan and Tongling in China. As the comparative reference, the data from Hal in Linfen, Chenxi, and the salt lake in Australia (samples were abbreviated as Hal-AU, Hal-SY, Hal-LF, Hal-CX and Hal-TL, respectively) were also investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry-thermogravimetry (DSC-TG), X-ray fluorescence, surface zeta potential measurements and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms. The newly found minerals were probably formed in hydrothermal leaching and sedimentary circumstances. The Hal-SY contains 7 Å-halloysite and dickite, while Hal-TL contains 10 Å-halloysite with some alunite (similar with Hal-CX). Other impurities found in the samples include quartz, gibbsite, iron oxide and anatase. All of them showed tubular morphology with diameter in the range of 30–90 nm and a length of 300–2500 nm, while the Hal-SY has the largest inner diameter to about 150 nm. Specific surface areas varied from 26.0~59.0 m2·g−1. In addition, maximum CEC (cation exchange capacity) of the newly found Hal was about 40 cmol/kg, while that of Hal-AU was relatively low (8 cmol/kg) due to the sedimentary nature of Salt Lake circumstances. The surface charge was predominantly negative over most of the relevant pH range (>2.0). It can be concluded that the different morphology and impurity content of halloysite will greatly affect the surface area, pore volume, and cationic exchange capacity (CEC) of the minerals.
New Mineral with Modular Structure Derived from Hatrurite from the Pyrometamorphic Rocks of the Hatrurim Complex: Ariegilatite, BaCa12(SiO4)4(PO4)2F2O, from Negev Desert, Israel
Authors: Galuskin Evgeny , Krüger Biljana , Galuskina Irina , Krüger Hannes , Vapnik Yevgeny , Wojdyla Justyna , Murashko Mikhail
Published: March 2018

Ariegilatite, BaCa12(SiO4)4(PO4)2F2O (R 3 ¯ m, a = 7.1551(6) Å, c = 41.303(3) Å, V = 1831.2(3) Å3, Z = 3), is a new member of the nabimusaite group exhibiting a modular intercalated antiperovskite structure derived from hatrurite. It was found in a few outcrops of pyrometamorphic rocks of the Hatrurim Complex located in the territories of Israel, Palestine and Jordan. The holotype specimen is an altered spurrite marble from the Negev Desert near Arad city, Israel. Ariegilatite is associated with spurrite, calcite, brownmillerite, shulamitite, CO3-bearing fluorapatite, fluormayenite-fluorkyuygenite and a potentially new mineral, Ba2Ca18(SiO4)6(PO4)3(CO3)F3O. Ariegilatite is overgrown and partially replaced by stracherite, BaCa6(SiO4)2[(PO4)(CO3)]F. The mineral forms flat disc-shaped crystals up to 0.5 mm in size. It is colorless, transparent, with white steaks and vitreous luster. Optically, ariegilatite is uniaxial, negative: ω = 1.650(2), ε = 1.647(2) (λ = 589 nm). The mean composition of the holotype ariegilatite, (Ba0.98K0.01Na0.01)Σ1(Ca11.77Na0.08Fe2+0.06Mn2+0.05Mg0.04)Σ12(Si3.95Al0.03Ti0.02)Σ4(P1.70C0.16Si0.10S6+0.03V0.01)Σ2F2.04O0.96, is close to the end-member formula. The structure of ariegilatite is described as a stacking of the two modules {F2OCa12(SiO4)4}4+ and {Ba(PO4)2}4− along (001). Ariegilatite, as well as associated stracherite, are high-temperature alteration products of minerals of an early clinker-like association. These alterations took place under the influence of pyrometamorphism by-products, such as gases and fluids generated by closely-spaced combustion foci.
The Effects of Aronia melanocarpa ‘Viking’ Extracts in Attenuating RANKL-Induced Osteoclastic Differentiation by Inhibiting ROS Generation and c-FOS/NFATc1 Signaling
Authors: Ghosh Mithun , Kim In , Lee Young , Hong Seong , Lee Taek , Lim Ji , Debnath Trishna , Lim Beong
Published: March 2018

This study aimed to determine the anti-osteoclastogenic effects of extracts from Aronia melanocarpa ‘Viking’ (AM) and identify the underlying mechanisms in vitro. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are signal mediators in osteoclast differentiation. AM extracts inhibited ROS production in RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner and exhibited strong radical scavenging activity. The extracts also attenuated the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated osteoclasts. To attain molecular insights, the effect of the extracts on the signaling pathways induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) were also investigated. RANKL triggers many transcription factors through the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and ROS, leading to the induction of osteoclast-specific genes. The extracts significantly suppressed RANKL-induced activation of MAPKs, such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 and consequently led to the downregulation of c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) protein expression which ultimately suppress the activation of the osteoclast-specific genes, cathepsin K, TRAP, calcitonin receptor and integrin β3. In conclusion, our findings suggest that AM extracts inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation by downregulating ROS generation and inactivating JNK/ERK/p38, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)-mediated c-Fos and NFATc1 signaling pathway.
Electrospun Zein Fibers Incorporating Poly(glycerol sebacate) for Soft Tissue Engineering
Authors: Vogt Lena , Liverani Liliana , Roether Judith , Boccaccini Aldo
Published: March 2018

For biomedical applications such as soft tissue engineering, plant proteins are becoming increasingly attractive. Zein, a class of prolamine proteins found in corn, offers excellent properties for application in the human body, but has inferior mechanical properties and lacks aqueous stability. In this study, electrospun scaffolds from neat zein and zein blended with prepolymer and mildly cross-linked poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) were fabricated. Less toxic solvents like acetic acid and ethanol were used. The morphological, physiochemical and degradation properties of the as-spun fiber mats were determined. Neat zein and zein-PGS fiber mats with high zein concentration (24 wt % and 27 wt %) showed defect-free microstructures. The average fiber diameter decreased with increasing PGS amount from 0.7 ± 0.2 µm to 0.09 ± 0.03 µm. The addition of PGS to zein resulted in a seven-fold increase in ultimate tensile strength and a four-fold increase in failure strain, whereas the Young’s Modulus did not change significantly. Degradation tests in phosphate buffered saline revealed the morphological instability of zein containing fiber mats in contact with aqueous media. Therefore, the fibers were in situ cross-linked with N-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide (EDC)/N-Hydroxysuccinimide (NHS), which led to improved morphological stability in aqueous environment. The novel fibers have suitable properties for application in soft tissue engineering.
Effects of 12-Week Low or Moderate Dietary Acid Intake on Acid–Base Status and Kidney Function at Rest and during Submaximal Cycling
Authors: Hietavala Enni-Maria , Ihalainen Johanna , Frassetto Lynda , Schumann Moritz , Eklund Daniela , Pitkänen Hannu , Häkkinen Keijo , Mero Antti
Published: March 2018

Prolonged effects of dietary acid intake on acid–base status and kidney function have not yet been studied in an intervention study in healthy subjects. Dietary acid load can be estimated by calculating the potential renal acid load (PRAL) of foods. Effects of low-PRAL and moderate-PRAL diets on acid–base status and kidney function were investigated during a 12-week exercise training period. Healthy, 20–50-year-old men (n = 21) and women (n = 25) participated in the study and were randomly divided into low-PRAL and moderate-PRAL groups. Before (PRE), mid-phase (MID) and after the intervention (POST), the subjects participated in measurement sessions, where a 12-h urine sample and fasting blood samples were collected, and a submaximal cycle ergometer test was performed. Net acid excretion was significantly lower after 12 weeks of the low-PRAL diet as compared to the moderate-PRAL diet, both in men and women. In low-PRAL females, capillary pH and bicarbonate were significantly higher at 75% of VO2max at POST as compared to PRE. Glomerular filtration rate decreased over the study period in moderate-PRAL men and women. The results of the present study suggest that an acidogenic diet and regularly training together may increase the acidic load of the body and start to impair the kidney function in recreationally active subjects.
Iodine Intake Estimation from the Consumption of Instant Noodles, Drinking Water and Household Salt in Indonesia
Authors: Sutrisna Aang , Knowles Jacky , Basuni Abas , Menon Ravi , Sugihantono Anung
Published: March 2018

The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of iodine intake from iodised household salt, iodised salt in instant noodles, and iodine in ground water in five regions of Indonesia. Secondary data analysis was performed using the 2013 Primary Health Research Survey, the 2014 Total Diet Study, and data from food industry research. Iodine intake was estimated among 2719 children, 10–12 years of age (SAC), 13,233 women of reproductive age (WRA), and 578 pregnant women (PW). Combined estimated iodine intake from the three stated sources met 78%, 70%, and 41% of iodine requirements for SAC, WRA and PW, respectively. Household salt iodine contributed about half of the iodine requirements for SAC (49%) and WRA (48%) and a quarter for PW (28%). The following variations were found: for population group, the percentage of estimated dietary iodine requirements met by instant noodle consumption was significantly higher among SAC; for region, estimated iodine intake was significantly higher from ground water for WRA in Java, and from household salt for SAC and WRA in Kalimantan and Java; and for household socio-economic status (SES), iodine intake from household salt was significantly higher in the highest SES households. Enforcement of clear implementing regulations for iodisation of household and food industry salt will promote optimal iodine intake among all population groups with different diets.
Fatty Acids Dietary Supplements Exert Anti-Inflammatory Action and Limit Ganglion Cell Degeneration in the Retina of the EAE Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Dal Monte Massimo , Cammalleri Maurizio , Locri Filippo , Amato Rosario , Marsili Stefania , Rusciano Dario , Bagnoli Paola
Published: March 2018

Optic neuritis is an acute inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the optic nerve (ON) and is an initial symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). Optic neuritis is characterized by ON degeneration and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss that contributes to permanent visual disability and lacks a reliable treatment. Here, we used the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of MS, a well-established model also for optic neuritis. In this model, C57BL6 mice, intraperitoneally injected with a fragment of the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), were found to develop inflammation, Müller cell gliosis, and infiltration of macrophages with increased production of oncomodulin (OCM), a calcium binding protein that acts as an atypical trophic factor for neurons enabling RGC axon regeneration. Immunolabeling of retinal whole mounts with a Brn3a antibody demonstrated drastic RGC loss. Dietary supplementation with Neuro-FAG (nFAG®), a balanced mixture of fatty acids (FAs), counteracted inflammatory and gliotic processes in the retina. In contrast, infiltration of macrophages and their production of OCM remained at elevated levels thus eventually preserving OCM trophic activity. In addition, the diet supplement with nFAG exerted a neuroprotective effect preventing MOG-induced RGC death. In conclusion, these data suggest that the balanced mixture of FAs may represent a useful form of diet supplementation to limit inflammatory events and death of RGCs associated to optic neuritis. This would occur without affecting macrophage infiltration and the release of OCM thus favoring the maintenance of OCM neuroprotective role.
Poor Dietary Guidelines Compliance among Low-Income Women Eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed)
Authors: Jun Shinyoung , Thuppal Sowmyanarayanan , Maulding Melissa , Eicher-Miller Heather , Savaiano Dennis , Bailey Regan
Published: March 2018

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) program aims to improve nutritional intakes of low-income individuals (<185% poverty threshold). The objective of this study was to describe the compliance with Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommendations for fruits, vegetables, and whole grains among SNAP-Ed eligible (n = 3142) and ineligible (n = 3168) adult women (19–70 years) nationwide and SNAP-Ed participating women in Indiana (n = 2623), using the NHANES 2007–2012 and Indiana SNAP-Ed survey data, respectively. Sensitivity analysis further stratified women by race/ethnicity and by current SNAP participation (<130% poverty threshold). Nationally, lower-income women were less likely to meet the fruit (21% vs. 25%) and vegetable (11% vs. 19%) guidelines than higher-income women, but did not differ on whole grains, which were ~5% regardless of income. The income differences in fruit and vegetable intakes were driven by non-Hispanic whites. Fewer SNAP-Ed-eligible U.S. women met fruit (21% vs. 55%) and whole grain (4% vs. 18%) but did not differ for vegetable recommendations (11% vs. 9%) when compared to Indiana SNAP-Ed women. This same trend was observed among current SNAP participants. Different racial/ethnic group relationships with DGA compliance were found in Indiana compared to the nation. Nevertheless, most low-income women in the U.S. are at risk of not meeting DGA recommendations for fruits (79%), vegetables (89%), and whole grains (96%); SNAP-Ed participants in Indiana had higher compliance with DGA recommendations. Increased consumption of these three critical food groups would improve nutrient density, likely reduce calorie consumption by replacing high calorie choices, and improve fiber intakes.
20(S)-Ginsenoside Rh2 Induce the Apoptosis and Autophagy in U937 and K562 Cells
Authors: Zhuang Jianjian , Yin Juxin , Xu Chaojian , Mu Ying , Lv Shaowu
Published: March 2018

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) are common leukemia in adults. 20(S)-GRh2 is an important bioactive substance that is present in Panax ginseng. However, there are no investigations that deal with the comparison of apoptosis, the occurrence of autophagy, and the relationship between apoptosis and autophagy after being treated with 20(S)-GRh2 in AML and CML. In this study, we explored the effect of 20(S)-GRh2 on the AML and CML (U937 and K562). Fluorescence microscopy, CCK-8, Quantitative realtime PCR, Western blot, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and flow cytometric analysis were used to detect the occurrence of cell proliferation inhibition, apoptosis, and autophagy. By using the above methods, it was determined that apoptosis induced by 20(S)-GRh2 was more obvious in K562 than U937 cells and 20(S)-GRh2 could generate autophagy in K562 and U937 cells. When pretreated by a specific inhibitor of autophagy, (3-methyladenine), the 20(S)-GRh2-induced apoptosis was enhanced, which indicated that 20(S)-GRh2-induced autophagy may protect U937 and K562 cells from undergoing apoptotic cell death. On the other hand, pretreated by an apoptosis suppressor (Z-VAD-FMK), it greatly induced the autophagy and partially prevented 20(S)-GRh2 induced apoptosis. This phenomenon indicated that 20(S)-GRh2-induced autophagy may serve as a survival mechanism and apoptosis and autophagy could act as partners to induce cell death in a cooperative manner. These findings may provide a rationale for future clinical application by using 20(S)-GRh2 combined autophagy inhibitors for AML and CML.
Control of Bovine Viral Diarrhea
Authors: Moennig Volker , Becher Paul
Published: March 2018

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is one of the most important infectious diseases of cattle with respect to animal health and economic impact. Its stealthy nature, prolonged transient infections, and the presence of persistently infected (PI) animals as efficient reservoirs were responsible for its ubiquitous presence in cattle populations worldwide. Whereas it was initially thought that the infection was impossible to control, effective systematic control strategies have emerged over the last 25 years. The common denominators of all successful control programs were systematic control, removal of PI animals, movement controls for infected herds, strict biosecurity, and surveillance. Scandinavian countries, Austria, and Switzerland successfully implemented these control programs without using vaccination. Vaccination as an optional and additional control tool was used by e.g., Germany, Belgium, Ireland, and Scotland. The economic benefits of BVD control programs had been assessed in different studies.
Absolute Oral Bioavailability of Creatine Monohydrate in Rats: Debunking a Myth
Authors: Alraddadi Eman , Lillico Ryan , Vennerstrom Jonathan , Lakowski Ted , Miller Donald
Published: March 2018

Creatine is an ergogenic compound used by athletes to enhance performance. Supplementation with creatine monohydrate (CM) has been suggested for musculoskeletal and neurological disorders. Until now, little is known about its pharmacokinetic profile. Our objective was to determine the oral bioavailability of CM and the influence of dose on oral absorption. Rats were dosed orally with low dose (10 mg/kg) or high dose (70 mg/kg) 13C-labeled CM. Blood samples were removed at various time points. Muscle and brain tissue were collected at the conclusion of the study. Plasma and tissue levels of 13C-labeled creatine were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models of CM were built using GastroPlus™. These models were used to predict the plasma concentration–time profiles of creatine hydrochloride (CHCL), which has improved aqueous solubility compared to CM. Absolute oral bioavailability for low dose CM was 53% while high dose CM was only 16%. The simulated Cmax of 70 mg/kg CHCL was around 35 μg/mL compared to 14 μg/mL for CM with a predicted oral bioavailability of 66% with CHCL compared to 17% with CM. Our results suggest that the oral bioavailability of CM is less than complete and subject to dose and that further examination of improved dosage formulations of creatine is warranted.
Humidity-Induced Phase Transitions of Surfactants Embedded in Latex Coatings Can Drastically Alter Their Water Barrier and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Gonzalez-Martinez Juan , Znamenskaya Falk Yana , Björklund Sebastian , Erkselius Stefan , Rehnberg Nicola , Sotres Javier
Published: March 2018

Latex coatings are environmentally friendly i.e., they are formed from aqueous polymer dispersions, are cheap to produce and provide exceptional mechanical properties. Therefore, they are ubiquitous and can be found in a wide range of different applications such as paints and varnishes, pressure-sensitive adhesives, textiles, construction materials, paper coatings and inks. However, they also have weaknesses and their surfactant content is among them. Surfactants are often needed to stabilize polymer particles in the aqueous latex dispersions. These surfactants also form part of the coatings formed from these dispersions, and it is well-known that they can lower their performance. This work further explores this aspect and focuses on the role that embedded surfactant domains play in the response of latex coatings to humid environments. For this purpose, we made use of several experimental techniques where humidity control was implemented: quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation, atomic force microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. By means of this multimethodological approach, we report that surfactants embedded in latex coatings can undergo humidity-induced transitions towards more hydrated and softer phases, and that this results in a drastic decrease of the mechanical and water barrier properties of the whole coatings. Subsequently, this work highlights the potential of taking into account the phase behavior of surfactants when choosing which ones to use in the synthesis of latex dispersions as this would help in predicting their performance under different environmental conditions.
3D Printing and Electrospinning of Composite Hydrogels for Cartilage and Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: De Mori Arianna , Peña Fernández Marta , Blunn Gordon , Tozzi Gianluca , Roldo Marta
Published: March 2018

Injuries of bone and cartilage constitute important health issues costing the National Health Service billions of pounds annually, in the UK only. Moreover, these damages can become cause of disability and loss of function for the patients with associated social costs and diminished quality of life. The biomechanical properties of these two tissues are massively different from each other and they are not uniform within the same tissue due to the specific anatomic location and function. In this perspective, tissue engineering (TE) has emerged as a promising approach to address the complexities associated with bone and cartilage regeneration. Tissue engineering aims at developing temporary three-dimensional multicomponent constructs to promote the natural healing process. Biomaterials, such as hydrogels, are currently extensively studied for their ability to reproduce both the ideal 3D extracellular environment for tissue growth and to have adequate mechanical properties for load bearing. This review will focus on the use of two manufacturing techniques, namely electrospinning and 3D printing, that present promise in the fabrication of complex composite gels for cartilage and bone tissue engineering applications.
Evaluation of Strength Properties of Sand Modified with Organic Polymers
Authors: Liu Jin , Bai Yuxia , Song Zezhuo , Lu Yi , Qian Wei , Kanungo Debi
Published: March 2018

Due to weak physical properties of sand, chemical reinforcement methods are widely used to improve sand properties to meet the engineering requirements. However, most of the traditional additives cause environmental problems. Therefore, non-traditional additives such as liquid polymers, enzymes, ions, and lignin derivatives have been studied extensively. In this study, organic polymer is used as a soil stabilizer to reinforce the sand. To evaluate the effectiveness of the organic polymer as soil stabilizer, a series of unconfined compression strength (UCS) tests, direct shear tests, and tensile tests were carried out on reinforced sand with different polymer concentrations and dry densities of sand. The reinforcement mechanism was analysed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. The results indicated that the polymer concentration and dry density of sand had significant effects on the strength characteristics of reinforced sand specimens. The unconfined compressive strength, cohesion, and tensile strength of specimens with the same dry density increased with the increasing polymer concentration. The polymer membranes—formed by the mixture of polymer and water—enwrap the sand particles and interlink them to form a stable structure. The efficiency of this stabilization changed with dry sand density.
Development of Crystalline Morphology and Its Relationship with Mechanical Properties of PP/PET Microfibrillar Composites Containing POE and POE-g-MA
Authors: Kuzmanović Maja , Delva Laurens , Mi Dashan , Martins Carla Isabel , Cardon Ludwig , Ragaert Kim
Published: March 2018

The main goal of this research is to study the development of crystalline morphology and compare it to various mechanical properties of microfibrillar composites (MFCs) based on polypropylene (PP) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), by adding a functional compatibilizer and a non-functional rubber in two different steps in the processing sequence. The MFCs were prepared at a weight ratio of 80/20 PP/PET by twin screw extrusion followed by cold drawing and injection moulding. The non-functionalized polyolefin-based elastomer (POE) and the functional compatibilizer (i.e., POE grafted with maleic anhydride (POE-g-MA)) were added in a fixed weight percentage at two stages: during extrusion or during injection moulding. The morphology observations showed differences in crystalline structure, and the PP spherulite size was reduced in all MFCs due to the presence of PET fibrils. Their relationship with the mechanical performances of the composite was studied by tensile and impact tests. Adding the functional compatibilizer during extrusions showed better mechanical properties compared to MFCs. Overall, a clear relationship was identified between processing, structure and properties.
Thoughts on Publishing the Research Article over the Centuries
Authors: Banks David
Published: March 2018

The first academic periodical was the Journal des Sçavans, which first appeared in January 1665. It was followed two months later by the Philosophical Transactions. The Journal des Sçavans was sponsored by the state and was made up mainly of book reviews and covered all the known disciplines of the time. The Philosophical Transactions was a private venture based on Oldenburg’s correspondence and was restricted to science and technology. Scientific writers were motivated by personal reputation, the desire to improve the human condition, and, sometimes, priority. The “publish or perish” syndrome is a recent development. Among the factors that have influenced it are the increasing professionalization of science, the development of the peer-review system, and, towards the end of the twentieth century, a desire for rapid publication. The fact that English has (recently) become the lingua franca of scientific publishing creates additional difficulties for non-Anglophone scientists, which their Anglophone colleagues do not have to face. Scientific language, similar to all languages, evolves constantly. One area that seems to be changing at the moment is that of passive use, which is the subject of ongoing research. Cultural differences may also have a role to play. For example, French scientists may have to overcome a basically Cartesian education.
Comparison of Machine Learning Techniques in Inferring Phytoplankton Size Classes
Authors: Hu Shuibo , Liu Huizeng , Zhao Wenjing , Shi Tiezhu , Hu Zhongwen , Li Qingquan , Wu Guofeng
Published: March 2018

The size of phytoplankton not only influences its physiology, metabolic rates and marine food web, but also serves as an indicator of phytoplankton functional roles in ecological and biogeochemical processes. Therefore, some algorithms have been developed to infer the synoptic distribution of phytoplankton cell size, denoted as phytoplankton size classes (PSCs), in surface ocean waters, by the means of remotely sensed variables. This study, using the NASA bio-Optical Marine Algorithm Data set (NOMAD) high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) database, and satellite match-ups, aimed to compare the effectiveness of modeling techniques, including partial least square (PLS), artificial neural networks (ANN), support vector machine (SVM) and random forests (RF), and feature selection techniques, including genetic algorithm (GA), successive projection algorithm (SPA) and recursive feature elimination based on support vector machine (SVM-RFE), for inferring PSCs from remote sensing data. Results showed that: (1) SVM-RFE worked better in selecting sensitive features; (2) RF performed better than PLS, ANN and SVM in calibrating PSCs retrieval models; (3) machine learning techniques produced better performance than the chlorophyll-a based three-component method; (4) sea surface temperature, wind stress, and spectral curvature derived from the remote sensing reflectance at 490, 510, and 555 nm were among the most sensitive features to PSCs; and (5) the combination of SVM-RFE feature selection techniques and random forests regression was recommended for inferring PSCs. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of machine learning techniques in selecting sensitive features and calibrating models for PSCs estimations with remote sensing.
Automatic Kernel Size Determination for Deep Neural Networks Based Hyperspectral Image Classification
Authors: Ding Chen , Li Ying , Xia Yong , Zhang Lei , Zhang Yanning
Published: March 2018

Considering kernels in Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) as detectors for local patterns, K-means neural network proposes to cluster local patches extracted from training images and then fixate those kernels as the representative patches in each cluster without further training. Thus the amount of labeled samples necessitated for training can be greatly reduced. One key property of those kernels is their spatial size which determines their capacity in detecting local patterns and is expected to be task-specific. However, most of literatures determine the spatial size of those kernels in a heuristic way. To address this problem, we propose to automatically determine the kernel size in order to better adapt the K-means neural network for hyperspectral imagery classification. Specifically, a novel kernel-size determination scheme is developed by measuring the clustering performance of local patches with different sizes. With the kernel of determined size, more discriminative local patterns can be detected in the hyperspectral imagery, with which the classification performance of K-means neural network can be obviously improved. Experimental results on two datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Assessment of Water Management Changes in the Italian Rice Paddies from 2000 to 2016 Using Satellite Data: A Contribution to Agro-Ecological Studies
Authors: Ranghetti Luigi , Cardarelli Elisa , Boschetti Mirco , Busetto Lorenzo , Fasola Mauro
Published: March 2018

The intensive rice cultivation area in northwestern Italy hosts the largest surface of rice paddies in Europe, and it is valued as a substantial habitat for aquatic biodiversity, with the paddies acting as a surrogate for the lost natural wetlands. The extent of submerged paddies strictly depends on crop management practices: in this framework, the recent diffusion of rice seeding in dry conditions has led to a reduction of flooded surfaces during spring and could have contributed to the observed decline of the populations of some waterbird species that exploit rice fields as foraging habitat. In order to test the existence and magnitude of a decreasing trend in the extent of submerged rice paddies during the rice-sowing period, MODIS remotely-sensed data were used to estimate the extent of the average flooded surface and the proportion of flooded rice fields in the years 2000–2016 during the nesting period of waterbirds. A general reduction of flooded rice fields during the rice-sowing season was observed, averaging − 0.86 ± 0.20 % per year (p-value < 0.01). Overall, the loss in submerged surface area during the sowing season reached 44 % of the original extent in 2016, with a peak of 78 % in the sub-districts to the east of the Ticino River. Results highlight the usefulness of remote sensing data and techniques to map and monitor water dynamics within rice cropping systems. These techniques could be of key importance to analyze the effects at the regional scale of the recent increase of dry-seeded rice cultivations on watershed recharge and water runoff and to interpret the decline of breeding waterbirds via a loss of foraging habitat.
A Randomized Subspace Learning Based Anomaly Detector for Hyperspectral Imagery
Authors: Sun Weiwei , Tian Long , Xu Yan , Du Bo , Du Qian
Published: March 2018

This paper proposes a randomized subspace learning based anomaly detector (RSLAD) for hyperspectral imagery (HSI). Improved from robust principal component analysis, the RSLAD assumes that the background matrix is low-rank, and the anomaly matrix is sparse with a small portion of nonzero columns (i.e., column-wise). It also assumes the anomalies do not lie in the column subspace of the background and aims to find a randomized subspace of the background to detect the anomalies. First, random techniques including random sampling and random Hadamard projections are implemented to construct a coarse randomized columns subspace of the background with reduced computational cost. Second, anomaly columns are searched and removed from the coarse randomized column subspace by solving a series of least squares problems, resulting in a purified randomized column subspace. Third, the nonzero columns in the anomaly matrix are located by projecting all the pixels on the orthogonal subspace of the purified subspace, and the anomalies are finally detected based on the L2 norm of the columns in the anomaly matrix. The detection performance of RSLAD is compared with four state-of-the-art methods, including global Reed-Xiaoli (GRX), local RX (LRX), collaborative-representation based detector (CRD), and low-rank and sparse matrix decomposition base anomaly detector (LRaSMD). Experimental results show good detection performance of RSLAD with lower computational cost. Therefore, the proposed RSLAD offers an alternative option for hyperspectral anomaly detection.
Detection of Internal Metal Loss in Steel Pipes and Storage Tanks via Magnetic-Based Fiber Optic Sensor
Authors: Almahmoud Safieh , Shiryayev Oleg , Vahdati Nader , Rostron Paul
Published: March 2018

A monitoring solution was developed for detection of material loss in metals such as carbon steel using the force generated by permanent magnets in addition to the optical strain sensing technology. The working principle of the sensing system is related to the change in thickness of a steel plate, which typically occurs due to corrosion. As thickness decreases, the magnetostatic force between the magnet and the steel structure also decreases. This, in turn, affects the strain measured using the optical fiber. The sensor prototype was designed and built after verifying its sensitivity using a numerical model. The prototype was tested on steel plates of different thicknesses to establish the relationship between the metal thickness and measured strain. The results of experiments and numerical models demonstrate a strong relationship between the metal thickness and the measured strain values.
4-Methyl-2,2-dioxo-1H-2λ6,1-benzothiazine-3-carboxylic Acid. Peculiarities of Preparation, Structure, and Biological Properties
Authors: Ukrainets Igor V. , Hamza Ganna M. , Burian Anna A. , Shishkina Svitlana V. , Voloshchuk Natali I. , Malchenko Oxana V.
Published: March 2018

In order to determine the regularities of the structure–analgesic activity relationship, the peculiarities of obtaining, the spatial structure, and biological properties of 4-methyl-2,2-dioxo-1H-2λ6,1-benzothiazine-3-carboxylic acid and some of its derivatives have been studied. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis, it has been proven that varying the reaction conditions using alkaline hydrolysis of methyl 4-methyl-2,2-dioxo-1H-2λ6,1-benzothiazine-3-carboxylate makes it possible to successfully synthesize a monohydrate of the target acid, its sodium salt, or 4-methyl-2,2-dioxo-1H-2λ6,1-benzothiazine. The derivatographic study of the thermal stability of 4-methyl-2,2-dioxo-1H-2λ6,1-benzothiazine-3-carboxylic acid monohydrate has been carried out; based on this study, the optimal conditions completely eliminating the possibility of unwanted decomposition have been proposed for obtaining its anhydrous form. It has been shown that 4-methyl-2,2-dioxo-1H-2λ6,1-benzothiazine is easily formed during the decarboxylation of not only 4-methyl-2,2-dioxo-1H-2λ6,1-benzothiazine-3-carboxylic acid, but also its sodium salt, which is capable of losing СО2 both in rather soft conditions of boiling in an aqueous solution, and in more rigid conditions of dry heating. The NMR spectra of the compounds synthesized are given; their spatial structure is discussed. To study the biological properties of 4-methyl-2,2-dioxo-1H-2λ6,1-benzothiazine-3-carboxylic acid and its sodium salt, the experimental model of inflammation caused by subplantar introduction of the carrageenan solution in one of the hind limbs of white rats was used. The anti-inflammatory activity and analgesic effect were assessed by the degree of edema reduction and the ability to affect the pain response compared to the animals of control groups. According to the results of the tests performed, it has been found that after intraperitoneal injection, the substances synthesized demonstrate a moderate anti-inflammatory action and simultaneously increase the pain threshold of the experimental animals very effectively, exceeding Lornoxicam and Diclofenac in a similar dose by their analgesic activity.