bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
REASON, POWER, AND THE PROJECT OF EMANCIPATION
Authors: Shkliarevsky Gennady
Published: June 2018

The focus of this article is the project of emancipation — alternately known as the Enlightenment project, or the project of modernity. The principal goal of this project is the elimination of domination and the emancipation of humanity. Having originated during the period of the Enlightenment, this project has powerfully shaped the course of European and world history. Yet despite centuries of progress, the project has still failed to achieve its goal. The article tries to answer one question: Why has the project of emancipation failed to achieve its goal? In answering this question I focus on the work of Jurgen Habermas — arguably the most important contemporary advocate of the project of emancipation — and his proposed solution of this problem. My analysis shows that Habermas, as many of his predecessors, still fails to solve the problem of exclusion. The failure to solve this problem is the main reason why Habermas and the Enlightenment more generally fail to eliminate domination and achieve emancipation. The article argues that in order to solve the problem of exclusion, our civilization must transcend the paradigm of the Enlightenment. It proposes a new theoretical approach that transcends this paradigm. The distinct feature of this new approach is that it is articulated around the process of creation. According to the new approach, the process of creation should be the main focus of our social practice. It also discusses some general principles of the new social practice. Further research along the lines outlined in this article will be essential for creating and developing new institutional forms that would embody this new social practice.
Development of an Electro-Thermal Model for Electric Vehicles Using a Design of Experiments Approach
Authors: Mathew Manoj , Mastali Mehrdad , Catton John , Samadani Ehsan , Janhunen Stefan , Fowler Michael
Published: June 2018

An accurate and computationally efficient lithium-ion battery model is beneficial when developing state-of-charge (SOC) and state-of-health (SOH) algorithms for battery management systems (BMS). These models allow for software-in-the-loop (SIL) and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, where the battery pack is simulated in software. However, development of these battery models can be time-consuming, especially when trying to model the effects of temperature and SOC on the equivalent circuit model (ECM) parameters. Estimation of this relationship is often accomplished by carrying out many experiments, which can be costly and time consuming for BMS manufacturers. To address these issues, this paper makes two contributions to literature. First, a comprehensive battery model is developed, where the ECM parameter surface is generated using a design of experiments (DOE) approach. Second, replication runs are conducted to accurately estimate the measurement noise and determine which model parameters are significant. The technique is then compared with existing approaches from the literature, and it is shown that, by using the proposed method, the same degree of accuracy can be obtained while requiring significantly fewer experimental runs. This can be advantageous for BMS manufacturers that require a high-fidelity model but cannot afford to carry out many experiments.
Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of Citrus Water-Extracts Obtained by Microwave-Assisted and Conventional Methods
Authors: Caputo Leonardo , Quintieri Laura , Cavalluzzi Maria Maddalena , Lentini Giovanni , Habtemariam Solomon
Published: June 2018

Citrus pomace is a huge agro-food industrial waste mostly composed of peels and traditionally used as compost or animal feed. Owing to its high content of compounds beneficial to humans (e.g., flavonoids, phenol-like acids, and terpenoids), citrus waste is increasingly used to produce valuable supplements, fragrance, or antimicrobials. However, such processes require sustainable and efficient extraction strategies by solvent-free techniques for environmentally-friendly good practices. In this work, we evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of water extracts of three citrus peels (orange, lemon, and citron) against ten different sanitary relevant bacteria. Both conventional extraction methods using hot water (HWE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) were used. Even though no extract fully inhibited the growth of the target bacteria, these latter (mostly pseudomonads) showed a significant reduction in biofilm biomass. The most active extracts were obtained from orange and lemon peel by using MAE at 100 °C for 8 min. These results showed that citrus peel water infusions by MAE may reduce biofilm formation possibly enhancing the susceptibility of sanitary-related bacteria to disinfection procedures.
Fractional Dynamics
Authors: Cattani Carlo , Spigler Renato
Published: June 2018

n/a
Bifurcation Analysis of a Certain Hodgkin-Huxley Model Depending on Multiple Bifurcation Parameters
Authors: Erhardt André H.
Published: June 2018

In this paper, we study the dynamics of a certain Hodgkin-Huxley model describing the action potential (AP) of a cardiac muscle cell for a better understanding of the occurrence of a special type of cardiac arrhythmia, the so-called early afterdepolarisations (EADs). EADs are pathological voltage oscillations during the repolarisation or plateau phase of cardiac APs. They are considered as potential precursors to cardiac arrhythmia and are often associated with deficiencies in potassium currents or enhancements in the calcium or sodium currents, e.g., induced by ion channel diseases, drugs or stress. Our study is focused on the enhancement in the calcium current to identify regions, where EADs related to enhanced calcium current appear. To this aim, we study the dynamics of the model using bifurcation theory and numerical bifurcation analysis. Furthermore, we investigate the interaction of the potassium and calcium current. It turns out that a suitable increasing of the potassium current adjusted the EADs related to an enhanced calcium current. Thus, one can use our result to balance the EADs in the sense that an enhancement in the potassium currents may compensate the effect of enhanced calcium currents.
Mucus-Pathogen Interactions in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Farmed Animals
Authors: Quintana-Hayashi Macarena P. , Padra Médea , Padra János Tamás , Benktander John , Lindén Sara K.
Published: June 2018

Gastrointestinal infections cause significant challenges and economic losses in animal husbandry. As pathogens becoming resistant to antibiotics are a growing concern worldwide, alternative strategies to treat infections in farmed animals are necessary in order to decrease the risk to human health and increase animal health and productivity. Mucosal surfaces are the most common route used by pathogens to enter the body. The mucosal surface that lines the gastrointestinal tract is covered by a continuously secreted mucus layer that protects the epithelial surface. The mucus layer is the first barrier the pathogen must overcome for successful colonization, and is mainly composed of densely glycosylated proteins called mucins. The vast array of carbohydrate structures present on the mucins provide an important setting for host-pathogen interactions. This review summarizes the current knowledge on gastrointestinal mucins and their role during infections in farmed animals. We examine the interactions between mucins and animal pathogens, with a focus on how pathogenic bacteria can modify the mucin environment in the gut, and how this in turn affects pathogen adhesion and growth. Finally, we discuss analytical challenges and complexities of the mucus-based defense, as well as its potential to control infections in farmed animals.
Processing of discharge summaries in general practice: a retrospective record review
Authors: Spencer Rachel Ann , Spencer Simon Edward Frank , Rodgers Sarah , Campbell Stephen M , Avery Anthony John
Published: June 2018

Background

There is a need for greater understanding of the epidemiology of primary care patient safety in order to generate solutions to prevent future harm.

Aim

To estimate the rate of failures in processing actions requested in hospital discharge summaries, and to determine factors associated with these failures.

Design and setting

The authors undertook a retrospective records review. The study population was emergency admissions for patients aged ≥75 years, drawn from 10 practices in three areas of England.

Method

One GP researcher reviewed the records for 300 patients after hospital discharge to determine the rate of compliance with actions requested in the discharge summary, and to estimate the rate of associated harm from non-compliance. In cases where GPs documented decision-making contrary to what was requested, these instances did not constitute failures. Data were also collected on time taken to process discharge communications.

Results

There were failures in processing actions requested in 46% (112/246) of discharge summaries (95% confidence interval [CI] = 39 to 52%). Medications changes were not made in 17% (124/750) of requests (95% CI = 14 to 19%). Tests were not completed for 26% of requests (95% CI = 16 to 35%), and 27% of requested follow-ups were not arranged (95% CI = 20 to 33%). The harm rate associated with these failures was 8%. Increased risk of failure to process test requests was significantly associated with the type of clinical IT system, and male patients.

Conclusion

Failures occurred in the processing of requested actions in almost half of all discharge summaries, and with all types of action requested. Associated harms were uncommon and most were of moderate severity.
An Empirical Measurement of the Initial–Final Mass Relation with Gaia White Dwarfs
Authors: El-Badry Kareem , Rix Hans-Walter , Weisz Daniel R.
Published: June 2018

We use data from Gaia’s second data release (DR2) to constrain the initial–final mass relation (IFMR) for field stars with initial masses 0.9 ≲ m
in/M
⊙ ≲ 8. Precise parallaxes have revealed unprecedented substructure in the white dwarf (WD) cooling sequence on the color–magnitude diagram (CMD). Some of this substructure stems from the diversity of WD atmospheric compositions, but the CMD remains bimodal even when only spectroscopically confirmed DA WDs are considered. We develop a generative model to predict the CMD for DA WDs as a function of the initial mass function, stellar age distribution, and a flexibly parameterized IFMR. We then fit the CMD of 1100 bright DA WDs within 100 pc, for which atmospheric composition and completeness are well understood. The resulting best-fit IFMR flattens at 3.5 ≲ m
in/M
⊙ ≲ 5.5, producing a secondary peak in the WD mass distribution at m
WD ∼ 0.8 M
⊙. Our IFMR is broadly consistent with weaker constraints obtained from binaries and star clusters in previous work but represents the clearest observational evidence obtained to date of theoretically predicted nonlinearity in the IFMR. A visibly bimodal CMD is only predicted for mixed-age stellar populations: in single-age clusters, more massive WDs reach the bottom of the cooling sequence before the first lower-mass WDs appear. This may explain why bimodal cooling sequences have thus far evaded detection in cluster CMDs.
'Invisible Obstacle' to Gender Equality: Gender Stereotype Messages in Early Childhood Education Books in Kenya
Authors: Muasya Juliet Njeri , Kahiga Ruth Mugo
Published: June 2018

Globally, research on gender stereotype messages or 'invisible obstacle' in the teaching and learning materials especially for primary and secondary schools is well documented. Findings from studies show illustrations, images, pictures and language that negatively portray males and females, boys and girls in learning materials and which tend to impact on students’ behaviours, aspirations, experiences, participation, achievement and expectations. The aim of the current study was to find out how gender messages are portrayed in 10 purposively selected Science and English language Early Childhood Education course, supplementary and workbooks using a documentary analysis checklist. Findings from the current study reveal that although authors of the analysed books have to some extent made the books gender responsive, however, gender stereotype messages expressed in masculine and feminine discourses are still visible. Two series of the books analysed are gender blind. Use of gender responsive books is likely to help children appreciate each other's gender, thus, create more equitable learning outcomes. Thus, it is important that any gender stereotype messages or information in learning and teaching materials are dealt with during early years of a child’s life.
“the wall of background”: Cultural, Political, and Literary Contexts of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men
Authors: Heavilin Barbara A.
Published: June 2018

While the historical and social contexts are not overtly provided in Of Mice and Men, in “The Long Valley Ledger” Steinbeck enticingly suggests there is a “wall of background” behind this novel that readers may approach only by subtle indirection. This implied background may be observed in forebodings of World War II and in portrayals of euthanasia, racism, feminist issues, and stereotypes of the mentally handicapped.
Suzy's Gold Star: A Holistic Education in Steinbeck's Sweet Thursday
Authors: Amiro Kristen D.
Published: June 2018

In this article, I analyze Suzy and Fauna's pedagogical relationship in Sweet Thursday as an example of holistic education. I argue that through this relationship, Steinbeck's holistic worldview is illuminated, a worldview consistent with the ideas of Jiddu Krishnamurti, an educator, thinker, and Steinbeck contemporary. Steinbeck and Krishnamurti's core beliefs about the importance of relationships and the development of the self are central themes of holistic education. Holistic education is informed by ecological thinking and takes into account the student as a whole person in relation to others. In this light I examine Fauna's teaching style and the content of her lessons, which relate to awareness. Once Suzy's awareness is ignited, she grows holistically, extending her potential and becoming more integrated into the community. As she evolves, Suzy personifies Krishnamurti's ideal of developing awareness in relation to the environment. To a lesser extent, but still through a Krishnamurti lens, I examine the character of Doc as another teacher-figure and learner, whose nagging problem of loneliness is resolved through community, reflection, and self-awareness.
Objetos ordinarios: su estado actual en museos de arte. Diseño exposiciones práctica curatorial y abordaje
Authors: Castaneda López Camila María
Published: June 2018

Este artículo discute las prácticas curatoriales que se utilizan para la exposición de “objetos ordinarios”, es decir, todos aquellos artefactos que utilizan las personas en el diario vivir, los cuales constituyen ahora muestras museográficas. Los museos de arte, empiezan a recolectar objetos de la actualidad relevantes en una variedad de contextos, ya sea; sociales, políticos o económicos.Este artículo presenta ideas sobre la experiencia que involucra este tipo de exhibiciones, basadas en un visita realizada por la autora al museo Victoria and Albert, en Londres, que en la actualidad desarrolla una colección de objetos diseñados.Revista de Museología "Kóot" No.9 2018: 9-24
El puente de arco de Tarco de Titihuapa cantón Llano de La Hacienda
Authors: Rivas Arévalo Ernersto
Published: June 2018

En el presente artículo, el autor nos habla de la bella obra del puente de Titihuapa del cantón Llano de La Hacienda (San Isidro Cabañas). Además nos describe su elegancia, la simpleza y durabilidad de su construcción, la que a pesar de las inclemencias del clima, el abandono institucional, aún sigue en pie. Cabe señalar que presenta la obra como “un enlace con el mundo clásico romano”, un vínculo histórico con otras construcciones que siguen principios básicos de la arquitectura romana y que fácilmente se pueden encontrar en la península ibérica y otros países como Francia e Italia. Una aseveración bastante atrevida, pero sólo por el simple hecho de no existe documentación al respecto, nos invita a adentrarnos en el tema y a teorizar al respecto.Revista de Museología "Kóot" No.9 2018: 38-43
Desarrollo urbanístico, control social e higiene en El Salvador (1859, 1861-1863)
Authors: Urbina Gaitán Chester
Published: June 2018

El desarrollo urbanístico de San Salvador durante los gobiernos del ex presidente Gerardo Barrios en 1859 y 1861 a 1863, señala que los principales locales profesionales y establecimientos comerciales que se abrieron fueron las oficinas de abogados. Esto se debe a la necesidad de contar con profesionales que legalizaran las transacciones de privatización de la tierra. La ebriedad y los juegos prohibidos fueron las principales entretenciones de los sectores populares que se trataron de controlar. Las principales enfermedades de los salvadoreños a mediados del siglo XIX eran las fiebres, la disentería, el catarro, los dolores agudos de estómago y las afecciones reumáticas. El poco apoyo a la morigeración de las costumbres de los sectores populares y al combate de las enfermedades antes mencionadas radica en que las finanzas públicas se dedicaron a la construcción de caminos, elementos necesarios para la economía agroexportadora añilera.Revista de Museología "Kóot" No.9 2018: 45-61
El impresionismo en los pintores salvadoreños de inicios del siglo XX en El Salvador
Authors: Regalado Leonardo
Published: June 2018

El Impresionismo, movimiento artístico nacido en la séptima década del siglo XIX, influyó de alguna manera en las primeras generaciones de pintores salvadoreños a principios del siglo XX. Estos pintores nacionales estudiaron con becas proporcionadas por el gobierno salvadoreño en países como Francia, España, Italia y México, que ya habían visto el desarrollo del movimiento impresionista y se encontraban viviendo las consecuencias de la desintegración de la forma en las artes plásticas en el ámbito cultural.Al concluir sus estudios estos pintores salvadoreños regresan al país con un estilo traído de la Europa de finales del siglo XIX y principios del XX a comenzar sus carreras profesionales produciendo una interesante obra plástica que en su iconografía se unen distintas tradiciones culturales resueltas con una técnica pictórica que irá evolucionando con el tiempo y que gracias al esfuerzo de estudiosos en el campo de la historia de las artes no ha caído en el olvido sino que se ha puesto en mesa de discusión periódicamente.Revista de Museología "Kóot" No.9 2018: 132-144
OXIDIZING REACTIVATION OF COPPER CATALYST FOR METHANOL SYNTHESIS
Authors: Morozov L.N. , Pavlov Yu.L. , Timoshin E.S. , Alekperov O.Yu.
Published: June 2018

The change in phase composition and catalytic properties of a copper-containing catalyst for methanol synthesis which was deactivated under industrial operation was studied at its redox treatment. The possibility of catalyst partial reactivation was shown. Conditions of reactivation were choosen at the increase in catalyst running time.
Individual-based simulation of the spatial and temporal dynamics of macroinvertebrate functional groups provides insights into benthic community assembly mechanisms
Authors: Alexandridis Nikolaos , Bacher Cédric , Desroy Nicolas , Jean Fred
Published: June 2018

The complexity and scales of the processes that shape communities of marine benthic macroinvertebrates has limited our understanding of their assembly mechanisms and the potential to make projections of their spatial and temporal dynamics. Individual-based models can shed light on community assembly mechanisms, by allowing observed spatiotemporal patterns to emerge from first principles about the modeled organisms. Previous work in the Rance estuary (Brittany, France) revealed the principal functional components of its benthic macroinvertebrate communities and derived a set of functional relationships between them. These elements were combined here for the development of a dynamic and spatially explicit model that operates at two spatial scales. At the fine scale, modeling each individual’s life cycle allowed the representation of recruitment, inter- and intra-group competition, biogenic habitat modification and predation mortality. Larval dispersal and environmental filtering due to the tidal characteristics of the Rance estuary were represented at the coarse scale. The two scales were dynamically linked and the model was parameterized on the basis of theoretical expectations and expert knowledge. The model was able to reproduce some patterns of α- and β-diversity that were observed in the Rance estuary in 1995. Model analysis demonstrated the role of local and regional processes, particularly early post-settlement mortality and spatially restricted dispersal, in shaping marine benthos. It also indicated biogenic habitat modification as a promising area for future research. The combination of this mechanism with different substrate types, along with the representation of physical disturbances and more trophic categories, could increase the model’s realism. The precise parameterization and validation of the model is expected to extend its scope from the exploration of community assembly mechanisms to the formulation of predictions about the responses of community structure and functioning to environmental change.
Intein-mediated backbone cyclization of entolimod confers enhanced radioprotective activity in mouse models
Authors: Ye Bingyu , Shen Wenlong , Shi Minglei , Zhang Yan , Xu Cunshuan , Zhao Zhihu
Published: June 2018

Background

Entolimod is a Salmonella enterica flagellin derivate. Previous work has demonstrated that entolimod effectively protects mice and non-human primates from ionizing radiation. However, it caused a “flu-like” syndrome after radioprotective and anticancer clinical application, indicating some type of immunogenicity and toxicity. Cyclization is commonly used to improve the in vivo stability and activity of peptides and proteins.

Methods

We designed and constructed cyclic entolimod using split Nostoc punctiforme DnaE intein with almost 100% cyclization efficiency. We adopted different strategies to purify the linear and circular entolimod due to their different topologies. Both of linear and circular entolimod were first purified by Ni-chelating affinity chromatography, and then the linear and circular entolimod were purified by size-exclusion and ion-exchange chromatography, respectively.

Results

The circular entolimod showed significantly increased both the in vitro NF-κB signaling and in vivo radioprotective activity in mice.

Conclusion

Our data indicates that circular entolimod might be a good candidate for further clinical investigation.
Comparative demography of commercially-harvested snappers and an emperor from American Samoa
Authors: Taylor Brett M. , Oyafuso Zack S. , Pardee Cassandra B. , Ochavillo Domingo , Newman Stephen J.
Published: June 2018

The age-based life history of two commercially-important species of snapper (Lutjanidae) and one emperor (Lethrinidae) were characterized from the nearshore fishery of Tutuila, American Samoa. Examination of sagittal otoliths across multiple months and years confirmed the annual deposition of increments and highlighted marked variation in life-history patterns among the three meso-predator species. The humpback red snapperLutjanus gibbusis a medium-bodied gonochoristic species which exhibits striking sexual dimorphism in length-at-age and consequent growth trajectories and has a life span estimated to be at least 27 years. The yellow-lined snapperLutjanus rufolineatusis a small-bodied gonochore with weak sexual dimorphism, early maturation, and a short life span of at least 12 years. The yellow-lip emperorLethrinus xanthochilusis a large-bodied species with a moderate life span (estimated to be at least 19 years in this study), rapid initial growth, and a more complex sexual ontogeny likely involving pre- or post-maturational sex change, although this remains unresolved at present. Ratios of natural to fishing mortality indicate a low level of prevailing exploitation for all three species, which is supported by low proportions of immature female length classes captured by the fishery. However, considerable demographic variability among the three species highlights the value of detailed age-based information as a necessary component for informing monitoring efforts and future management decisions.
Transcriptomic evidence for involvement of reactive oxygen species in Rhizoctonia solani AG1 IA sclerotia maturation
Authors: Liu Bo , Wang Haode , Ma Zhoujie , Gai Xiaotong , Sun Yanqiu , He Shidao , Liu Xian , Wang Yanfeng , Xuan Yuanhu , Gao Zenggui
Published: June 2018

Rhizoctonia solani AG1 IA is a soil-borne fungal phytopathogen that can significantly harm crops resulting in economic loss. This species overwinters in grass roots and diseased plants, and produces sclerotia that infect future crops. R. solani AG1 IA does not produce spores; therefore, understanding the molecular mechanism of sclerotia formation is important for crop disease control. To identify the genes involved in this process for the development of disease control targets, the transcriptomes of this species were determined at three important developmental stages (mycelium, sclerotial initiation, and sclerotial maturation) using an RNA-sequencing approach. A total of 5,016, 6,433, and 5,004 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the sclerotial initiation vs. mycelial, sclerotial maturation vs. mycelial, and sclerotial maturation vs. sclerotial initiation stages, respectively. Moreover, gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analyses showed that these DEGs were enriched in diverse categories, including oxidoreductase activity, carbohydrate metabolic process, and oxidation-reduction processes. A total of 12 DEGs were further verified using reverse transcription quantitative PCR. Among the genes examined, NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were highly induced in the stages of sclerotial initiation and maturation. In addition, the highest reactive oxygen species (ROS) production levels were detected during sclerotial initiation, and enzyme activities of NOX1, SOD, and catalase (CAT) matched with the gene expression profiles. To further evaluate the role of ROS in sclerotial formation, R. solani AG1 IA was treated with the CAT inhibitor aminotriazole and H2O2, resulting in the early differentiation of sclerotia. Taken together, this study provides useful information toward understanding the molecular basis of R. solani AG1 IA sclerotial formation and maturation, and identified the important role of ROS in these processes.
Polymer‐Bound Supramolecular J‐Aggregates: Optical Properties and Applications
Authors: Sorokin Alexander V. , Yefimova Svitlana L. , Malyukin Yuriy V.
Published: June 2018

Luminescent molecular aggregates, called J‐aggregates, are an interesting example of supramolecular structures with a number of unique spectral properties. Their optical properties are governed by the excitonic nature resulting from high‐order molecular packing in the J‐aggregate chains. The J‐aggregate characteristic feature is the bathochromically shifted narrow excitonic band termed the J‐band. The optical properties of J‐aggregates are markedly distinct from those of the individual molecules forming the aggregate, namely narrow absorption band, high oscillator strength, giant third‐order susceptibility, resonant luminescence, and effective exciton diffusion. Although solutions of J‐aggregates often possess low photostability for practical usage, their solid samples are more convenient, especially different polymer films due to their ease of preparation and availability of application. J‐aggregate formation in polymer films has both advantages and disadvantages: Some spectral characteristics could degrade, whereas composites creation could modify and improve their optical properties. This article aims to demonstrate how the interaction of J‐aggregates with polymers in both solution and solid film state affects their spectral properties. In addition, examples of composites and devices based on polymer‐bound J‐aggregates are discussed.
Teaching of Pragmatics
Authors: Bardovi‐Harlig Kathleen
Published: June 2018

Pragmatics—the rules of how to say what to whom, when, and in what context—is often not included in second or foreign language classrooms, leaving learners without preparation for everyday interactions in the target language. This entry reviews potential obstacles to teaching pragmatics and suggests ways to overcome them. One major obstacle is that information about pragmatics is rarely found in commercial textbooks, either as input (as examples or models) or as explanations of language use or what might be expected in the target culture. However, some materials have been developed for teaching pragmatics, but they are still largely limited to the professional development literature. This entry concludes by suggesting what teachers can do to develop materials and activities and how they can be shared with other teachers in order to promote curricular innovation.
Intentional Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: Is More Better?
Authors: Messier Stephen P. , Resnik Allison E. , Beavers Daniel P. , Mihalko Shannon L. , Miller Gary D. , Nicklas Barbara J. , deVita Paul , Hunter David J. , Lyles Mary F. , Eckstein Felix , Guermazi Ali , Loeser Richard F.
Published: June 2018

Objective

To determine the dose response effect of weight loss on clinical and mechanistic outcomes in overweight and obese adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of the diet‐induced weight loss only (D) and diet‐induced weight loss plus exercise (D + E) groups in the Intensive Diet and Exercise for Arthritis randomized controlled clinical trial. The 240 participants were overweight and obese older community‐dwelling adults with pain and radiographic knee OA. Participants were assigned to 1 of 4 groups according to weight loss achieved over an 18‐month period: <5% (<5% group), 5–10% (≥5% group), 10–20% (≥10% group), and >20% (≥20% group).

Results

There were significant dose responses to weight loss for pain (P = 0.01), function (P = 0.0006), 6‐minute walk distance (P < 0.0001), physical (P = 0.0004) and mental (P = 0.03) health‐related quality of life (HRQoL), knee joint compressive force (P < 0.0001), and interleukin‐6 (P = 0.002). Greater weight loss resulted in superior clinical and mechanstic outcomes, with the highest weight loss group (≥20% group) distinguishing itself on all measures compared with the <5% and ≥5% groups; the ≥20% group had 25% less pain and better function compared with the ≥10% group and significantly (P = 0.006) better physical HRQoL.

Conclusion

Long‐term weight loss of 10–19.9% of baseline body weight has substantial clinical and mechanistic benefits compared with less weight loss. The value of an additional 10% weight loss includes significantly improved physical HRQoL and a clinically important reduction of pain and improvement in function.
Bridging Systemic Immunity with Gastrointestinal Immune Responses via Oil‐in‐Polymer Capsules
Authors: Xia Yufei , Wu Jie , Du Yiqun , Miao Chunyu , Su Zhiguo , Ma Guanghui
Published: June 2018

As peripheral lymphocytes are typically excluded from the gastrointestinal lymph tissues, current parenteral vaccinations fail to simultaneously induce systemic and mucosal responses. To break the natural barrier, “immunoticket” capsules are developed and heralded, which are designed with positive charged shells and oily core to spatiotemporally deliver antigens and all‐trans retinoic acid (RA). After intramuscular vaccinations, these capsules function as an immunoticket to cultivate peripheral dendritic cells (DCs) with gut‐homing receptors (CCR9). By hitchhiking on the concentration gradient of the CC‐motif chemokine ligand 25 (CCL25), the primed DCs would home to the gut associated lymphoid tissues (GALTs) and induce antigen‐specific IgA secretion and T cell engagements. Compared with the currently employed RA‐involving formulations, the immunoticket capsules stimulate enhanced RA‐mediated gut‐tropism by mounting the inflammatory innate immunity. Through controlling the RA payload, the potential regulatory T cell engagement is circumvented. In ovalbumin (OVA) and EV71 vaccinations, the immunoticket capsules induce potent serum IgG titer and antigen‐specific cytotoxic T cells in the peripheral lymph tissues, as well as robust IgA secretion and T cell engagements on gastrointestinal sites. The data suggest the potential of the immunotickets to serve as a facile, effective, and safe strategy to provide comprehensive immune responses against gastrointestinal infections and diseases
Bias‐Polarity Dependent Bidirectional Modulation of Photonic Bandgap in a Nanoengineered 3D Blue Phase Polymer Scaffold for Tunable Laser Application
Authors: Wang Meng , Zou Cheng , Li Chenyue , Sun Jian , Wang Ling , Hu Wei , Zhang Cuihong , Zhang Lanying , He Wanli , Yang Huai
Published: June 2018

Transferring self‐assembly liquid‐crystalline blue phase structure to polymers is emerging as a promising bottom‐up strategy in the nanofabrication of 3D photonic materials and devices. Here a polymer scaffold in blue phase I structure is fabricated with cubic symmetry and its potential application is demonstrated as an electrically tunable mirrorless laser by refilling the scaffold with laser dye‐doped nematic liquid crystal mixture. The templated blue phase exhibits immense thermal stability and sensitive responsive behavior to external electric fields with blueshift of the reflection band under negative bias voltage whereas redshift under positive bias. Moreover, bias‐polarity dependent bidirectional tuning of the laser emission with wavelength range of about 48 nm is achieved in the study. The nanoengineered 3D polymer scaffold with splendid electrical tunability might provide impetus for the preparation of functional hybrid materials and novel device architectures, which have diversified potential applications in reflective full‐color displays, tunable optical devices, and photonic integrated circuits.
A Polyketide Synthase Component for Oxygen Insertion into Polyketide Backbones
Authors: Meoded Roy A. , Ueoka Reiko , Helfrich Eric J. N. , Jensen Katja , Magnus Nancy , Piechulla Birgit , Piel Jörn
Published: June 2018

Enzymatic core components from trans‐acyltransferase polyketide synthases (trans‐AT PKSs) catalyze exceptionally diverse biosynthetic transformations to generate structurally complex bioactive compounds. Here we focus on a group of oxygenases identified in various trans‐AT PKS pathways, including those for pederin, oocydins, and toblerols. Using the oocydin pathway homologue (OocK) from Serratia plymuthica 4Rx13 and N‐acetylcysteamine (SNAC) thioesters as test surrogates for acyl carrier protein (ACP)‐tethered intermediates, we show that the enzyme inserts oxygen into β‐ketoacyl moieties to yield malonyl ester SNAC products. Based on these data and the identification of a non‐hydrolyzed oocydin congener with retained ester moiety, we propose a unified biosynthetic pathway of oocydins, haterumalides, and biselides. By providing access to internal ester, carboxylate pseudostarter, and terminal hydroxyl functions, oxygen insertion into polyketide backbones greatly expands the biosynthetic scope of PKSs.
Enhancement of Peroxidase Activity in Artificial Mimochrome VI Catalysts through Rational Design
Authors: Caserta Giorgio , Chino Marco , Firpo Vincenzo , Zambrano Gerardo , Leone Linda , D'Alonzo Daniele , Nastri Flavia , Maglio Ornella , Pavone Vincenzo , Lombardi Angela
Published: June 2018

Rational design provides an attractive strategy to tune and control the reactivity of bioinspired catalysts. Although there has been considerable progress in the design of heme oxidase mimetics with active‐site environments of ever‐growing complexity and catalytic efficiency, their stability during turnover is still an open challenge. Herein, we show that the simple incorporation of two 2‐aminoisobutyric acids into an artificial peptide‐based peroxidase results in a new catalyst (FeIII‐MC6*a) with higher resistance against oxidative damage and higher catalytic efficiency. The turnover number of this catalyst is twice as high as that of its predecessor. These results point out the protective role exerted by the peptide matrix and pave the way to the synthesis of robust bioinspired catalysts.
Quinoline–Glycomimetic Conjugates Reducing Lipogenesis and Lipid Accumulation in Hepatocytes
Authors: Palit Subhadeep , Mukherjee Sanghamitra , Niyogi Sougata , Banerjee Anindyajit , Patra Dipendu , Chakraborty Amit , Chakrabarti Saikat , Chakrabarti Partha , Dutta Sanjay
Published: June 2018

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is characterized by excess accumulation of triglyceride in hepatocytes, is the major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and no approved drug is available. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complexes has been implicated in promoting lipogenesis and fat accumulation in the liver, and thus, serve as attractive drug targets. The generation of non‐ or low cytotoxic mTOR inhibitors is required because existing cytotoxic mTOR inhibitors are not useful for NAFLD therapy. New compounds based on the privileged adenosine triphosphate (ATP) site binder quinoline scaffold conjugated to glucose and galactosamine derivatives, which have significantly low cytotoxicity, but strong mTORC1 inhibitory activity at low micromolar concentrations, have been synthesized. These compounds also effectively inhibit the rate of lipogenesis and lipid accumulation in cultured hepatocytes. This is the first report of glycomimetic–quinoline derivatives that reduce lipid load in hepatocytes.
Median arcuate ligament syndrome and aneurysm in the pancreaticoduodenal artery detected by retroperitoneal hemorrhage: A case report
Authors: Hanaki Takehiko , Fukuta Shiori , Okamoto Masaru , Tsuda Ayumi , Yagyu Takuki , Urushibara Shoichi , Endo Kanenori , Suzuki Kazunori , Nakamura Seiichi , Ikeguchi Masahide
Published: June 2018

Key Clinical Massage

Here, we report a case with successful treatment of inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery aneurysm rupture due to celiac artery trunk compression caused by the median arcuate ligament. When clinicians see visceral aneurysms, the possibility of arcuate midline ligament compression syndrome (MALS) and ligamentectomy for MALS should be considered.
Shape‐Persistent Tetrahedral [4+6] Boronic Ester Cages with Different Degrees of Fluoride Substitution
Authors: Elbert Sven M. , Regenauer Nicolas I. , Schindler Dorothee , Zhang Wen‐Shan , Rominger Frank , Schröder Rasmus R. , Mastalerz Michael
Published: June 2018

In recent years the interest of shape‐persistent organic cage compounds synthesized by dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC) has risen, because these cages are potentially interesting for gas sorption or ‐separation. One such reaction in DCC is the condensation of boronic acids with diols to form boronic esters. Most interestingly, the variety of geometries and sizes for boronic ester cages is much lower than that of, for example, imine‐based cages. Here, a small series of shape‐persistent [4+6] tetrahedral boronic ester cages is introduced. One cage has a high specific surface area of 511 m2 g−1 and selectively adsorbs ethane over ethylene and acetylene.
Pd‐Catalyzed Vinylation of Aryl Halides with Inexpensive Organosilicon Reagents Under Mild Conditions
Authors: Yang Chu‐Ting , Han Jun , Liu Jun , Li Yi , Zhang Fan , Yu Hai‐Zhu , Hu Sheng , Wang Xiaolin
Published: June 2018

Pd‐catalyzed Hiyama vinylation reaction of non‐activated aryl chlorides and bromides under mild conditions was developed. The use of efficient vinyl donors and electron‐rich sterically hindered phosphine ligands was critical for the success of the reaction. The products of this transformation can be used for Am/Cm separation, an important challenge in nuclear fuel reprocessing. The substituent effect on Am/Cm separating selectivity was also achieved, which could contribute to the development of new chromatographic materials for the separation of Am and Cm.
Implementation of depth‐based routing and its enhancement in AquaSim–Next Generation for underwater wireless sensor networks
Authors: Jafri Mohsin , Balsamo Simonetta , Marin Andrea , Martin Robert
Published: June 2018

In the last decade, underwater wireless sensor networks have been widely studied because of their peculiar aspects that distinguish them from common terrestrial wireless networks. Their applications range from environmental monitoring to military defense. The definition of efficient routing protocols in underwater sensor networks is a challenging topic of research because of the intrinsic characteristics of these networks, such as the need of handling the node mobility and the difficulty in balancing the energy consumed by the nodes. Depth‐based routing protocol is an opportunistic routing protocol for underwater sensor networks, which provides good performance both under high and low node mobility scenarios. The main contribution of our work is presenting a novel simulator for studying depth‐based routing protocol and its variants as well as novel routing protocols. Our simulator is based on AquaSim–Next Generation, which is a specialized tool for studying underwater networks. With our work, we improve the state of the art of underwater routing protocol simulators by implementing, among other features, a detailed cross‐layer communication and an accurate model of the operational modes of acoustic modem and their energy consumption. The simulator is open source and freely downloadable. Moreover, we propose a novel and completely distributed routing protocol, named residual energy–depth‐based routing. It takes into account the residual energy at the nodes' batteries to select the forwarder nodes and improve the network lifetime by providing a more uniform energy consumption among them. We compare its performance with that of depth‐based routing protocol and a receiver‐based routing protocol implementing a probabilistic opportunistic forwarding scheme.
Laccase‐Based Oxidative Catalytic Systems for the Aerobic Aromatization of Tetrahydroquinazolines and Related N‐Heterocyclic Compounds under Mild Conditions
Authors: Saadati Shaghayegh , Ghorashi Nadya , Rostami Amin , Kobarfard Farzad
Published: June 2018

In this work, for the first time, laccase (metalloenzyme)/3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol (DTBC) as a new class of bioinspired quinone‐based cooperative catalytic oxidation system and laccase/2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO) catalyst system were used for the aerobic oxidative synthesis of 2‐substituted quinazolines through cascade reaction of structurally divers aldehydes with 2‐aminobenzylamine. The products were obtained in good to high yields in phosphate buffer (0.1 m, 12.5 mL, pH = 4.5) and acetonitrile (4 vol.‐%) mixture as solvent at 45 °C. Other N‐heterocycles are also successfully oxidized to their aromatic counterparts.
Geochronological, geochemical, and Nd–Hf isotopic constraints on the origin of magmatism in the Dabaoshan ore district of South China
Authors: Lei Wang , Xinbiao Jin , Deming Xu , Jinhui Cai , Yaowu Wang
Published: June 2018

SHRIMP and LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating, Nd and Hf isotope analyses, 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, and whole‐rock geochemistry indicate three episodes of magmatism in the Dabaoshan ore district, South China: (1) Caledonian dacites (ca. 438 Ma); (2) Indosinian dolerites (ca. 210 Ma); and (3) Yanshanian granodiorites/porphyries (ca. 165 Ma) and basalts (ca. 147 Ma). Episode 1 dacites and episode 3 granodiorites/porphyries are enriched in Rb, Th, U, and LREEs and depleted in Nb, Ta, Sr, P, and Ti. The dacites may have been derived from partial melting of Mesoproterozoic–Paleoproterozoic crustal material, whereas the granodiorites/porphyries were derived mainly from partial melting of a late Mesoproterozoic crustal source with minor inputs of mantle material, according to whole‐rock εNd(t) and zircon εHf(t) values. The geochemical characteristics of episode 2 dolerites and episode 3 basalts, as well as their positive εNd(t) values (3.3–5.9 and 3.5–4.0, respectively), suggest a depleted mantle source. Taking into account the tectonic evolution of the South China Block, we suggest episode 1 dacites and episode 2 dolerites formed in an extensional setting that resulted from lithospheric delamination during the Caledonian intraplate orogeny and orogenic collapse during the Indosinian intraplate orogeny. Episode 3 granodiorites/porphyries and basalts formed in a back‐arc extensional setting in response to the westwards subduction of the Palaeo‐Pacific Plate beneath the South China Block. The timing of the three episodes of magmatism coincides roughly with the published ages of mineralization in the Dabaoshan ore district, suggesting a genetic relationship.
Molecular and biophysical analysis of apoptosis using a combined quantitative phase imaging and fluorescence resonance energy transfer microscope
Authors: Eldridge Will J. , Hoballah Jawad , Wax Adam
Published: June 2018

Apoptotic mechanisms are often dysregulated in cancerous phenotypes. Additionally, many anticancer treatments induce apoptosis and necrosis, and the monitoring of this apoptotic activity can allow researchers to identify therapeutic efficiency. Here, we introduce a microscope which combines quantitative phase imaging (QPI) with the ability to detect molecular events via fluorescence (or Förster) resonance energy transfer (FRET). The system was applied to study cells undergoing apoptosis to correlate the onset of apoptotic enzyme activity as observed using a FRET‐based apoptosis sensor with whole cell morphological changes analyzed via QPI. The QPI data showed changes in cell disorder strength during the initiation of apoptotic enzymatic activity.
Control on rheological behavior of collagen 1 dispersions for efficient electrospinning
Authors: Tenchurin Timur Kh. , Belousov Sergey I. , Kiryukhin Yury I. , Istranov Leonid P. , Istranova Elena V. , Shepelev Alexey D. , Mamagulashvili Vissarion G. , Kamyshinsky Roman A. , Chvalun Sergei N.
Published: June 2018

For efficient manufacturing of fibrous collagen‐based materials by electrospinning, the search on optimal rheological parameters is of the great importance. Rheological characteristics and denaturation of collagen in aqueous dispersions were studied as a function of shear rate and acetic acid concentration in the range of 3–9% w/w at temperature from 20 to 40°C. It was shown that an increase in temperature, acetic acid concentration of the collagen dispersion leads to a significant decrease in its viscosity. It was found that helical conformation of the collagen macromolecules is preserved up to 31°C. An increase in acetic acid concentration leads to a reduction of denaturation temperature. The complex viscosity of collagen dispersions exhibits a sharp drop, followed by a rapid growth of damping factor in the temperature range from 22 to 35°C. Both storage (G′) and loss (G″) moduli increase with frequency and collagen concentration. It was revealed that optimal parameters for electrospinning of highly concentrated collagen dispersions can be achieved by adjusting of the concentration of acetic acid, temperature, and stirring speed. As a result, collagen nonwoven materials with diameter from 100 to 700 nm were obtained. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 312–318, 2019.