bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of Flotation Circuits Using Tabu-Search Algorithms: Multispecies, Equipment Design, and Profitability Parameters
Authors: Lucay Freddy , Gálvez Edelmira , Cisternas Luis
Published: March 2019

The design of a flotation circuit based on optimization techniques requires a superstructure for representing a set of alternatives, a mathematical model for modeling the alternatives, and an optimization technique for solving the problem. The optimization techniques are classified into exact and approximate methods. The first has been widely used. However, the probability of finding an optimal solution decreases when the problem size increases. Genetic algorithms have been the approximate method used for designing flotation circuits when the studied problems were small. The Tabu-search algorithm (TSA) is an approximate method used for solving combinatorial optimization problems. This algorithm is an adaptive procedure that has the ability to employ many other methods. The TSA uses short-term memory to prevent the algorithm from being trapped in cycles. The TSA has many practical advantages but has not been used for designing flotation circuits. We propose using the TSA for solving the flotation circuit design problem. The TSA implemented in this work applies diversification and intensification strategies: diversification is used for exploring new regions, and intensification for exploring regions close to a good solution. Four cases were analyzed to demonstrate the applicability of the algorithm: different objective function, different mathematical models, and a benchmarking between TSA and Baron solver. The results indicate that the developed algorithm presents the ability to converge to a solution optimal or near optimal for a complex combination of requirements and constraints, whereas other methods do not. TSA and the Baron solver provide similar designs, but TSA is faster. We conclude that the developed TSA could be useful in the design of full-scale concentration circuits.
A Metastable Fo-III Wedge in Cold Slabs Subducted to the Lower Part of the Mantle Transition Zone: A Hypothesis Based on First-Principles Simulations
Authors: Zhang Yining , Zhang Yanyao , Liu Yun , Liu Xi
Published: March 2019

The metastable olivine (Ol) wedge hypothesis assumes that Ol may exist as a metastable phase at the P conditions of the mantle transition zone (MTZ) and even deeper regions due to inhibition of the phase transitions from Ol to wadsleyite and ringwoodite caused by low T in the cold subducting slabs. It is commonly invoked to account for the stagnation of the descending slabs, deep focus earthquakes and other geophysical observations. In the last few years, several new structures with the forsterite (Fo) composition, namely Fo-II, Fo-III and Fo-IV, were either experimentally observed or theoretically predicted at very low T conditions. They may have important impacts on the metastable Ol wedge hypothesis. By performing first-principles calculations, we have systematically examined their crystallographic characteristics, elastic properties and dynamic stabilities from 0 to 100 GPa, and identified the Fo-III phase as the most likely metastable phase to occur in the cold slabs subducted to the depths equivalent to the lower part of the MTZ (below the ~600 km depth) and even the lower mantle. As disclosed by our theoretical simulations, the Fo-III phase is a post-spinel phase (space group Cmc21), has all cations in sixfold coordination at P < ~60 GPa, and shows dynamic stability for the entire P range from 0 to 100 GPa. Further, our static enthalpy calculations have suggested that the Fo-III phase may directly form from the Fo material at ~22 GPa (0 K), and our high-T phase relation calculations have located the Fo/Fo-III phase boundary at ~23.75 GPa (room T) with an averaged Clapeyron slope of ~−1.1 MPa/K for the T interval from 300 to 1800 K. All these calculated phase transition pressures are likely overestimated by ~3 GPa because of the GGA method used in this study. The discrepancy between our predicted phase transition P and the experimental observation (~58 GPa at 300 K) can be explained by slow reaction rate and short experimental durations. Taking into account the P-T conditions in the cold downgoing slabs, we therefore propose that the Fo-III phase, rather than the Ol, highly possibly occurs as the metastable phase in the cold slabs subducted to the P conditions of the lower part of the MTZ (below the ~600 km depth) and even the lower mantle. In addition, our calculation has showed that the Fo-III phase has higher bulk seismic velocity, and thus may make important contributions to the high seismic speeds observed in the cold slabs stagnated near the upper mantle-lower mantle boundary. Future seismic studies may discriminate the effects of the Fo-III phase and the low T. Surprisingly, the Fo-III phase will speed up, rather than slow down, the subducting process of the cold slabs, if it metastably forms from the Ol. In general, the Fo-III phase has a higher density than the warm MTZ, but has a lower density than the lower mantle, as suggested by our calculations.
Multiple Magma Conduits Model of the Jinchuan Ni-Cu-(PGE) Deposit, Northwestern China: Constraints from the Geochemistry of Platinum-Group Elements
Authors: Mao Xiancheng , Li Longjiao , Liu Zhankun , Zeng Renyu , Dick Jeffrey M. , Yue Bin , Ai Qixing
Published: March 2019

The giant Jinchuan nickel-copper-platinum-group element (PGE) deposit is hosted by two individual sub-vertical intrusions, referred to as the western and eastern intrusions (including segment II-W and segment II-E). Exactly how the Jinchuan deposit was formed by a system of sub-vertical magma conduits is still not well understood. This paper reports new major elements, trace elements and PGEs data from the Jinchuan deposit to study the formation mechanism of sulfide ores with different textures and their relationship with the magma conduit system. Our study shows that the PGE tenors of disseminated and net-textured sulfide in segment II-E are significantly lower than segment II-W and the western intrusion, but the Cu/Pd ratios are opposite. In addition, net-textured sulfides in segment II-W show a negative correlation between IPGE (Ir, Ru and Rh) and PPGE (Pt and Pd) in contrast to the positive correlation in segment II-E and the western intrusion. These features indicate the parental magma sources of the western intrusion, segment II-W and segment II-E were originally three different surges of PGE-depleted magma. Modeling of parental magma in the western intrusion, segment II-W and segment II-E suggests that they were formed by the same initial picritic basalt (100 ppm Cu, 1 ppb Ir and 10 ppb Pd) with different prior sulfide segregations (0.0075%, 0.0085% and 0.011%). The three parts of Jinchuan sulfides show that the Pt/Pd and (Pt + Pd)/(Ir + Ru + Rh) ratios decrease from section III-5 toward both sides in the western intrusion and decrease from section II-14 toward all sides, whereas no regular spatial variations occur in segment II-E, showing the different fractionation processes of sulfide melt. The massive sulfides in the western intrusion and segment II-E experienced a ~20% to 40% and ~40% to 60% fractionation of sulfide melt, respectively. We propose that the Jinchuan deposit was generated in a metallogenic system of multiple magma conduits, where sulfides entrained in parental magma experienced different amounts of prior removal.
Antimycobacterial and Nitric Oxide Production Inhibitory Activities of Triterpenes and Alkaloids from Psychotria nuda (Cham. & Schltdl.) Wawra
Authors: de Carvalho Junior Almir Ribeiro , Oliveira Ferreira Rafaela , de Souza Passos Michel , da Silva Boeno Samyra Imad , Glória das Virgens Lorena de Lima , Ventura Thatiana Lopes Biá , Calixto Sanderson Dias , Lassounskaia Elena , de Carvalho Mario Geraldo , Braz-Filho Raimundo , Curcino Vieira Ivo Jose
Published: March 2019

A phytochemical study of leaves and twigs of Psychotria nuda resulted in 19 compounds, including five indole alkaloids, N,N,N-trimethyltryptamine, lyaloside, strictosamide, strictosidine, and 5α-carboxystrictosidine; two flavonolignans, cinchonain Ia and cinchonain Ib; an iridoid, roseoside; a sugar, lawsofructose; a coumarin, scopoletin; a diterpene, phytol; three triterpenes, pomolic acid, spinosic acid, and rotungenic acid; and five steroids, sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, β-sitosterol-3-O-β-d-glucoside, and β-stigmasterol-3-O-β-d-glucoside. Some compounds were evaluated for their in vitro activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and their ability to inhibit NO production by macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The compounds pomolic acid, spinosic acid, strictosidine, and 5α-carboxystrictosidine displayed antimycobacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 7.1 to 19.2 µg/mL. These compounds showed promising inhibitory activity against NO production (IC50 3.22 to 25.5 μg/mL). 5α-carboxystrictosidine did not show cytotoxicity against macrophages RAW264.7 up to a concentration of 100 µg/mL. With the exception of strictosamide, this is the first report of the occurrence of these substances in P. nuda.
EGCG-Derivative G28 Shows High Efficacy Inhibiting the Mammosphere-Forming Capacity of Sensitive and Resistant TNBC Models
Authors: Giró-Perafita Ariadna , Rabionet Marc , Planas Marta , Feliu Lidia , Ciurana Joaquim , Ruiz-Martínez Santiago , Puig Teresa
Published: March 2019

Recent studies showed that Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN), a lipogenic enzyme overexpressed in several carcinomas, plays an important role in drug resistance. Furthermore, the enrichment of Breast Cancer Stem Cell (BCSC) features has been found in breast tumors that progressed after chemotherapy. Hence, we used the triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line MDA-MB-231 (231) to evaluate the FASN and BCSC population role in resistance acquisition to chemotherapy. For this reason, parental cell line (231) and its derivatives resistant to doxorubicin (231DXR) and paclitaxel (231PTR) were used. The Mammosphere-Forming Assay and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzyme activity assay showed an increase in BCSCs in the doxorubicin-resistant model. Moreover, the expression of some transcription factors involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process that confers BCSC characteristics, was upregulated after chemotherapy treatment. FASN inhibitors C75, (−)-Epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), and its synthetic derivatives G28, G56 and G37 were used to evaluate the effect of FASN inhibition on the BCSC-enriched population in our cell lines. G28 showed a noticeable antiproliferative effect in adherent conditions and, interestingly, a high mammosphere-forming inhibition capacity in all cell models. Our preliminary results highlight the importance of studying FASN inhibitors for the treatment of TNBC patients, especially those who progress after chemotherapy.
Polymeric Co-Delivery Systems in Cancer Treatment: An Overview on Component Drugs’ Dosage Ratio Effect
Authors: Pan Jiayi , Rostamizadeh Kobra , Filipczak Nina , Torchilin Vladimir P.
Published: March 2019

Multiple factors are involved in the development of cancers and their effects on survival rate. Many are related to chemo-resistance of tumor cells. Thus, treatment with a single therapeutic agent is often inadequate for successful cancer therapy. Ideally, combination therapy inhibits tumor growth through multiple pathways by enhancing the performance of each individual therapy, often resulting in a synergistic effect. Polymeric nanoparticles prepared from block co-polymers have been a popular platform for co-delivery of combinations of drugs associated with the multiple functional compartments within such nanoparticles. Various polymeric nanoparticles have been applied to achieve enhanced therapeutic efficacy in cancer therapy. However, reported drug ratios used in such systems often vary widely. Thus, the same combination of drugs may result in very different therapeutic outcomes. In this review, we investigated polymeric co-delivery systems used in cancer treatment and the drug combinations used in these systems for synergistic anti-cancer effect. Development of polymeric co-delivery systems for a maximized therapeutic effect requires a deeper understanding of the optimal ratio among therapeutic agents and the natural heterogenicity of tumors.
Alkynes as Synthetic Equivalents of Ketones and Aldehydes: A Hidden Entry into Carbonyl Chemistry
Authors: Alabugin Igor V. , Gonzalez-Rodriguez Edgar , Kawade Rahul Kisan , Stepanov Aleksandr A. , Vasilevsky Sergei F.
Published: March 2019

The high energy packed in alkyne functional group makes alkyne reactions highly thermodynamically favorable and generally irreversible. Furthermore, the presence of two orthogonal π-bonds that can be manipulated separately enables flexible synthetic cascades stemming from alkynes. Behind these “obvious” traits, there are other more subtle, often concealed aspects of this functional group’s appeal. This review is focused on yet another interesting but underappreciated alkyne feature: the fact that the CC alkyne unit has the same oxidation state as the -CH2C(O)- unit of a typical carbonyl compound. Thus, “classic carbonyl chemistry” can be accessed through alkynes, and new transformations can be engineered by unmasking the hidden carbonyl nature of alkynes. The goal of this review is to illustrate the advantages of using alkynes as an entry point to carbonyl reactions while highlighting reports from the literature where, sometimes without full appreciation, the concept of using alkynes as a hidden entry into carbonyl chemistry has been applied.
Evidence for the Formation of Difluoroacetic Acid in Chlorofluorocarbon-Contaminated Ground Water
Authors: Dorgerloh Ute , Becker Roland , Kaiser Melanie
Published: March 2019

The concentrations of difluoroacetic acid (DFA) and trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in rainwater and surface water from Berlin, Germany resembled those reported for similar urban areas, and the TFA/DFA ratio in rainwater of 10:1 was in accordance with the literature. In contrast, nearby ground water historically contaminated with 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (R113) displayed a TFA/DFA ratio of 1:3. This observation is discussed versus the inventory of microbial degradation products present in this ground water along with the parent R113 itself. A microbial transformation of chlorotrifluoroethylene (R1113) to DFA so far has not been reported for environmental media, and is suggested based on well-established mammalian metabolic pathways.
Design of Aerogels, Cryogels and Xerogels of Alginate: Effect of Molecular Weight, Gelation Conditions and Drying Method on Particles’ Micromeritics
Authors: Rodríguez-Dorado Rosalía , López-Iglesias Clara , García-González Carlos A. , Auriemma Giulia , Aquino Rita P. , Del Gaudio Pasquale
Published: March 2019

Processing and shaping of dried gels are of interest in several fields like alginate aerogel beads used as highly porous and nanostructured particles in biomedical applications. The physicochemical properties of the alginate source, the solvent used in the gelation solution and the gel drying method are key parameters influencing the characteristics of the resulting dried gels. In this work, dried gel beads in the form of xerogels, cryogels or aerogels were prepared from alginates of different molecular weights (120 and 180 kDa) and concentrations (1.25, 1.50, 2.0 and 2.25% (w/v)) using different gelation conditions (aqueous and ethanolic CaCl2 solutions) and drying methods (supercritical drying, freeze-drying and oven drying) to obtain particles with a broad range of physicochemical and textural properties. The stability of physicochemical properties of alginate aerogels under storage conditions of 25 °C and 65% relative humidity (ICH-climatic zone II) during 1 and 3 months was studied. Results showed significant effects of the studied processing parameters on the resulting alginate dried gel properties. Stability studies showed small variations in aerogels weight and specific surface area after 3 months of storage, especially, in the case of aerogels produced with medium molecular weight alginate.
Discovery of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1 (IDO-1) Inhibitors Based on Ortho-Naphthaquinone-Containing Natural Product
Authors: Zhao Hongchuan , Sun Pu , Guo Wei , Wang Yi , Zhang Ao , Meng Linghua , Ding Chunyong
Published: March 2019

There is great interest in developing small molecules agents capable of reversing tumor immune escape to restore the body’s immune system. As an immunosuppressive enzyme, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO-1) is considered a promising target for oncology immunotherapy. Currently, none of IDO-1 inhibitors have been launched for clinical practice yet. Thus, the discovery of new IDO-1 inhibitors is still in great demand. Herein, a series of diverse ortho-naphthaquinone containing natural product derivatives were synthesized as novel IDO-1 inhibitors. Among them, 1-ene-3-ketone-17-hydroxyl derivative 12 exhibited significantly improved enzymatic and cellular inhibitory activity against IDO-1 when compared to initial lead compounds. Besides, the molecular docking study disclosed that the two most potent compounds 11 and 12 have more interactions within the binding pocket of IDO-1 via hydrogen-bonding, which may account for their higher IDO-1 inhibitory activity.
Using a Neural Network to Improve the Optical Absorption in Halide Perovskite Layers Containing Core-Shells Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Nelson Michael D. , Di Vece Marcel
Published: March 2019

Core-shells metallic nanoparticles have the advantage of possessing two plasmon resonances, one in the visible and one in the infrared part of the spectrum. This special property is used in this work to enhance the efficiency of thin film solar cells by improving the optical absorption at both wavelength ranges simultaneously by using a neural network. Although many thin-film solar cell compositions can benefit from such a design, in this work, different silver core-shell configurations were explored inside a Halide Perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3) thin film. Because the number of potential configurations is infinite, only a limited number of finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations were performed. A neural network was then trained with the simulation results to find the core-shells configurations with optimal optical absorption across different wavelength ranges. This demonstrates that core-shells nanoparticles can make an important contribution to improving solar cell performance and that neural networks can be used to find optimal results in such nanophotonic systems.
Deciphering the Structural, Textural, and Electrochemical Properties of Activated BN-Doped Spherical Carbons
Authors: Mutuma Bridget K. , Matsoso Boitumelo J. , Momodu Damilola , Oyedotun Kabir O. , Coville Neil J. , Manyala Ncholu
Published: March 2019

In this study, the effect of K2CO3 activation on the structural, textural, and electrochemical properties of carbon spheres (CSs) and boron and nitrogen co-doped carbon spheres (BN-CSs) was evaluated. Activation of the CSs and BN-CSs by K2CO3 resulted in increased specific surface areas and ID/IG ratios. From the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results, the BN-CSs comprised of 64% pyridinic-N, 24% pyrrolic-N and 7% graphitic-N whereas the activated BN-CSs had 19% pyridinic-N, 40% pyrrolic-N and 22% graphitic-N displaying the effect of activation on the type of N configurations in BN-CSs. A possible BN-co-doping and activation mechanism for the BN-CSs is proposed. Electrochemical analysis of the electrode materials revealed that BN doping, carbon morphology, structure, and porosity played a crucial role in enhancing the capacitive behavior of the CSs. As a proof of concept, a symmetric device comprising the activated BN-CSs displayed a specific power of 800 W kg−1 at a specific current of 1 A g−1 within an operating cell potential of 1.6 V in a 3 M KNO3 electrolyte. The study illustrated for the first time the role of K2CO3 activation in influencing the physical and surface properties of template-free activated BN-CSs as potential electrode materials for energy storage systems.
Tunable Graphene-Based Plasmon-Induced Transparency Based on Edge Mode in the Mid-Infrared Region
Authors: Xu Heng , Zhang Zhaojian , Wang Shangwu , Liu Yun , Zhang Jingjing , Chen Dingbo , Ouyang Jianming , Yang Junbo
Published: March 2019

A monolayer-graphene-based concentric-double-rings (CDR) structure is reported to achieve broadband plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) on the strength of edge mode in the mid-infrared regime. The theoretical analysis and simulation results reveal that the structure designed here has two plasmonic resonance peaks at 39.1 and 55.4 THz, and a transparency window with high transmission amplitude at the frequency of 44.1 THz. Based on the edge mode coupling between neighbor graphene ribbons, PIT phenomenon is produced through the interference between different (bright and dark) modes. The frequency and bandwidth of the transparency window and slow light time could be effectively adjusted and controlled via changing geometrical parameters of graphene or applying different gate voltages. Additionally, this structure is insensitive to the polarization and incident angle. This work has potential application on the optical switches and slow light modulators.
Multifunctional Superparamagnetic Stiff Nanoreservoirs for Blood Brain Barrier Applications
Authors: Vargas-Osorio Zulema , Da Silva-Candal Andrés , Piñeiro Yolanda , Iglesias-Rey Ramón , Sobrino Tomas , Campos Francisco , Castillo José , Rivas José
Published: March 2019

Neurological diseases (Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke) are becoming a major concern for health systems in developed countries due to the increment of ageing in the population, and many resources are devoted to the development of new therapies and contrast agents for selective imaging. However, the strong isolation of the brain by the brain blood barrier (BBB) prevents not only the crossing of pathogens, but also a large set of beneficial drugs. Therefore, an alternative strategy is arising based on the anchoring to vascular endothelial cells of nanoplatforms working as delivery reservoirs. In this work, novel injectable mesoporous nanorods, wrapped by a fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles envelope, are proposed as biocompatible reservoirs with an extremely high loading capacity, surface versatility, and optimal morphology for enhanced grafting to vessels during their diffusive flow. Wet chemistry techniques allow for the development of mesoporous silica nanostructures with tailored properties, such as a fluorescent response suitable for optical studies, superparamagnetic behavior for magnetic resonance imaging MRI contrast, and large range ordered porosity for controlled delivery. In this work, fluorescent magnetic mesoporous nanorods were physicochemical characterized and tested in preliminary biological in vitro and in vivo experiments, showing a transversal relaxivitiy of 324.68 mM−1 s−1, intense fluorescence, large specific surface area (300 m2 g−1), and biocompatibility for endothelial cells’ uptake up to 100 µg (in a 80% confluent 1.9 cm2 culture well), with no liver and kidney disability. These magnetic fluorescent nanostructures allow for multimodal MRI/optical imaging, the allocation of therapeutic moieties, and targeting of tissues with specific damage.
The Role of Probiotics and Prebiotics in the Prevention and Treatment of Obesity
Authors: Cerdó Tomás , García-Santos José , G. Bermúdez Mercedes , Campoy Cristina
Published: March 2019

Obesity is a global pandemic complex to treat due to its multifactorial pathogenesis—an unhealthy lifestyle, neuronal and hormonal mechanisms, and genetic and epigenetic factors are involved. Scientific evidence supports the idea that obesity and metabolic consequences are strongly related to changes in both the function and composition of gut microbiota, which exert an essential role in modulating energy metabolism. Modifications of gut microbiota composition have been associated with variations in body weight and body mass index. Lifestyle modifications remain as primary therapy for obesity and related metabolic disorders. New therapeutic strategies to treat/prevent obesity have been proposed, based on pre- and/or probiotic modulation of gut microbiota to mimic that found in healthy non-obese subjects. Based on human and animal studies, this review aimed to discuss mechanisms through which gut microbiota could act as a key modifier of obesity and related metabolic complications. Evidence from animal studies and human clinical trials suggesting potential beneficial effects of prebiotic and various probiotic strains on those physical, biochemical, and metabolic parameters related to obesity is presented. As a conclusion, a deeper knowledge about pre-/probiotic mechanisms of action, in combination with adequately powered, randomized controlled follow-up studies, will facilitate the clinical application and development of personalized healthcare strategies.
Vitamin D Status, Calcium Intake and Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes: An Unresolved Issue
Authors: Muñoz-Garach Araceli , García-Fontana Beatriz , Muñoz-Torres Manuel
Published: March 2019

The relationship between vitamin D status, calcium intake and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a topic of growing interest. One of the most interesting non-skeletal functions of vitamin D is its potential role in glucose homeostasis. This possible association is related to the secretion of insulin by pancreatic beta cells, insulin resistance in different tissues and its influence on systemic inflammation. However, despite multiple observational studies and several meta-analyses that have shown a positive association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and the risk of T2D, no randomized clinical trials supplementing with different doses of vitamin D have confirmed this hypothesis definitively. An important question is the identification of what 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are necessary to influence glycemic homeostasis and the risk of developing T2D. These values of vitamin D can be significantly higher than vitamin D levels required for bone health, but the currently available data do not allow us to answer this question adequately. Furthermore, a large number of observational studies show that dairy consumption is linked to a lower risk of T2D, but the components responsible for this relationship are not well established. Therefore, the importance of calcium intake in the risk of developing T2D has not yet been established. Although there is a biological plausibility linking the status of vitamin D and calcium intake with the risk of T2D, well-designed randomized clinical trials are necessary to answer this important question.
Optimal Time and Target for Evaluating Energy Delivery after Adjuvant Feeding with Small Bowel Enteral Nutrition in Critically Ill Patients at High Nutrition Risk
Authors: Wang Wei-Ning , Yang Mei-Fang , Wang Chen-Yu , Hsu Chiann-Yi , Lee Bor-Jen , Fu Pin-Kuei
Published: March 2019

Small bowel enteral nutrition (SBEN) may improve nutrient delivery to critically ill patients intolerant of gastric enteral nutrition. However, the optimal time and target for evaluating SBEN efficacy are unknown. This retrospective cohort study investigates these parameters in 55 critically ill patients at high nutrition risk (modified NUTRIC score ≥ 5). Daily actual energy intake was recorded from 3 days before SBEN initiation until 7 days thereafter. The energy achievement rate (%) was calculated as follows: (actual energy intake/estimated energy requirement) × 100. The optimal time was determined from the day on which energy achievement rate reached >60% post-SBEN. Assessment results were as follows: median APACHE II score, 27; SOFA score, 10.0; modified NUTRIC score, 7; and median time point of SBEN initiation, ICU day 8. The feeding volume, energy and protein intake, and achievement rate (%) of energy and protein intake increased significantly after SBEN (p < 0.001). An energy achievement rate less than 65% 3 days after SBEN was significantly associated with increased mortality after adjusting for confounding factors (odds ratio, 4.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.44–17.07). SBEN improves energy delivery in critically ill patients who are still at high nutrition risk after 1 week of stomach enteral nutrition.
Homocysteine Metabolism in Children and Adolescents: Influence of Age on Plasma Biomarkers and Correspondent Genotype Interactions
Authors: Caldeira-Araújo Helena , Ramos Ruben , Florindo Cristina , Rivera Isabel , Castro Rita , Tavares de Almeida Isabel
Published: March 2019

Background: Imbalance of homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism links with several pathologies; nevertheless, it is poorly characterized in pediatric populations. This study investigated the impact of age on plasma concentrations of Hcy and relevant biomarkers along with correspondent genotype interactions. Methods: A healthy pediatric cohort aged 9 (n = 195) and 17 (n = 128) years old (yo) was studied. Immunoassays and GC-MS-SIM-mode quantified plasma levels of Hcy and biomarkers. PCR-RFLP or quantitative-PCR assays assessed common variations in related genes. Results: Age impacted on levels of Hcy and metabolic markers: older children presented with the lowest folates and total-cobalamin (tCbl), while with the highest Hcy concentrations, whereas methylmalonic acid (MMA) and holotranscobalamin (Holo-TC) levels remained similar in 9-yo and 17-yo children. The relationships between B-vitamins and metabolic markers were also dependent on age. Only in the older children, MMA correlated with tCbl and Holo-TC, and MMA levels were markedly higher in the 17-yo subjects presenting with the lowest quartiles of Holo-TC concentrations. Lastly, age also impacted on the correlations between genotype and biomarkers. In the 17-yo group, however not in the 9-yo children, tHcy differed between MTHFR 677 genotypes, with subjects who had the MTHFR 677TT genotype displaying the highest tHcy concentrations. Conclusions: Age impacts on the Hcy metabolism dynamics in a pediatric population.
Dietary Diversity Was Positively Associated with Psychological Resilience among Elders: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Yin Zhaoxue , Brasher Melanie Sereny , Kraus Virginia B. , Lv Yuebin , Shi Xiaoming , Zeng Yi
Published: March 2019

The association between dietary diversity (DD) and psychological resilience among older people is an underdeveloped area of research. This cross-sectional study explored the associations of DD with psychological resilience among 8571 community-based elderly individuals. The intake frequencies of food groups were collected, and dietary diversity was assessed based on the mean DD score. Psychological resilience was assessed using a simplified resilience score (SRS). Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression and logistic regression models. Poor DD was significantly associated with psychological resilience, with a β (95% CI) of −0.94 (−1.07, −0.81) for the SRS (p < 0.01) and an odds ratio (95% CI) of 1.83 (1.66, 2.01) for low SRS status. The interaction effects of age with DD were observed for the SRS (p < 0.001) and low SRS status (p < 0.001). Based on separate analyses by age group, the association of a low SRS with poor DD was more prominent in the younger elderly than the oldest old, with OR (95% CI) 2.32 (1.96, 2.74) and 1.61 (1.43, 1.82), respectively. Compared with younger participants with good DD, the risk of a low SRS was greater for younger participants with poor DD, the oldest old with good DD, and the oldest old with poor DD, with OR (95% CI) 2.39 (2.02, 2.81), 1.28 (1.09, 1.51), and 2.03 (1.72, 2.39), respectively. The greatest contribution to DD was from a high consumption of vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Our study suggested that poor DD was associated with a low psychological resilience among the Chinese elderly, especially the younger elderly. These findings suggest that augmentation of DD might promote psychological resilience.
A Mathematical Approach to Consider Solid Compressibility in the Compression of Pharmaceutical Powders
Authors: Wünsch Isabell , Finke Jan Henrik , John Edgar , Juhnke Michael , Kwade Arno
Published: March 2019

In-die compression analysis is an effective method for the characterization of powder compressibility. However, physically unreasonable apparent solid fractions above one or apparent in-die porosities below zero are often calculated for higher compression stresses. One important reason for this is the neglect of solid compressibility and hence the assumption of a constant solid density. In this work, the solid compressibility of four pharmaceutical powders with different deformation behaviour is characterized using mercury porosimetry. The derived bulk moduli are applied for the calculation of in-die porosities. The change of in-die porosity due to the consideration of solid compressibility is for instance up to 4% for microcrystalline cellulose at a compression stress of 400 MPa and thus cannot be neglected for the calculation of in-die porosities. However, solid compressibility and further uncertainties from, for example the measured solid density and from the displacement sensors, are difficult or only partially accessible. Therefore, a mathematic term for the calculation of physically reasonable in-die porosities is introduced. This term can be used for the extension of common mathematical models, such as the models of Heckel and of Cooper & Eaton. Additionally, an extended in-die compression function is introduced to precisely describe the entire range of in-die porosity curves and to enable the successful differentiation and quantification of the compression behaviour of the investigated pharmaceutical powders.
Isoform-Specific NO Synthesis by Arabidopsis thaliana Nitrate Reductase
Authors: Mohn Marie Agatha , Thaqi Besarta , Fischer-Schrader Katrin
Published: March 2019

Nitrate reductase (NR) is important for higher land plants, as it catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the nitrate assimilation pathway, the two-electron reduction of nitrate to nitrite. Furthermore, it is considered to be a major enzymatic source of the important signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO), that is produced in a one-electron reduction of nitrite. Like many other plants, the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana expresses two isoforms of NR (NIA1 and NIA2). Up to now, only NIA2 has been the focus of detailed biochemical studies, while NIA1 awaits biochemical characterization. In this study, we have expressed and purified functional fragments of NIA1 and subjected them to various biochemical assays for comparison with the corresponding NIA2-fragments. We analyzed the kinetic parameters in multiple steady-state assays using nitrate or nitrite as substrate and measured either substrate consumption (nitrate or nitrite) or product formation (NO). Our results show that NIA1 is the more efficient nitrite reductase while NIA2 exhibits higher nitrate reductase activity, which supports the hypothesis that the isoforms have special functions in the plant. Furthermore, we successfully restored the physiological electron transfer pathway of NR using reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and nitrate or nitrite as substrates by mixing the N-and C-terminal fragments of NR, thus, opening up new possibilities to study NR activity, regulation and structure.
Selenium Biofortification Differentially Affects Sulfur Metabolism and Accumulation of Phytochemicals in Two Rocket Species (Eruca Sativa Mill. and Diplotaxis Tenuifolia) Grown in Hydroponics
Authors: Dall’Acqua Stefano , Ertani Andrea , Pilon-Smits Elizabeth A.H. , Fabrega-Prats Marta , Schiavon Michela
Published: March 2019

Biofortification can be exploited to enrich plants in selenium (Se), an essential micronutrient for humans. Selenium as selenate was supplied to two rocket species, Eruca sativa Mill. (salad rocket) and Diplotaxis tenuifolia (wild rocket), at 0–40 μM in hydroponics and its effects on the content and profile of sulphur (S)-compounds and other phytochemicals was evaluated. D. tenuifolia accumulated more total Se and selenocysteine than E. sativa, concentrating up to ~300 mg Se kg−1 dry weight from 10–40 μM Se. To ensure a safe and adequate Se intake, 30 and 4 g fresh leaf material from E. sativa grown with 5 and 10–20 μM Se, respectively or 4 g from D. tenuifolia supplied with 5 μM Se was estimated to be optimal for consumption. Selenium supplementation at or above 10 μM differentially affected S metabolism in the two species in terms of the transcription of genes involved in S assimilation and S-compound accumulation. Also, amino acid content decreased with Se in E. sativa but increased in D. tenuifolia and the amount of phenolics was more reduced in D. tenuifolia. In conclusion, selenate application in hydroponics allowed Se enrichment of rocket. Furthermore, Se at low concentration (5 μM) did not significantly affect accumulation of phytochemicals and plant defence S-metabolites.
Water Absorption, Hydrothermal Expansion, and Thermomechanical Properties of a Vinylester Resin for Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites Subjected to Water or Alkaline Solution Immersion
Authors: Yin Xiaoli , Liu Yancong , Miao Yufei , Xian Guijun
Published: March 2019

In the present paper, a vinyl ester (VE) resin, potentially used as a resin matrix for fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite sucker rods in oil drilling, FRP bridge cables, or FRP marine structures, was investigated on its resistance to water and alkaline solution immersion in terms of water uptake, hydrothermal expansion, and mechanical properties. A two-stage diffusion model was applied to simulate the water uptake processes. Alkaline solution immersion led to a slightly higher mass loss (approx. 0.4%) compared to water immersion (approx. 0.23%) due to the hydrolysis and leaching of uncured small molecules (e.g., styrene). Water immersion caused the expansion of VE plates monitored with Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG). With the same water uptake, the expansion increased with immersion temperatures, which is attributed to the increased relaxation extent of the resin molecular networks. Although an obvious decrease of the glass transition temperatures (Tg) of VE due to water immersion (5.4 to 6.1 °C/1% water uptake), Tg can be recovered almost completely after drying. Tensile test results indicate that a short-term immersion (less than 6 months) enhances both the strength and elongation at break, while the extension of the immersion time degrades both the strength and elongation. The modulus of VE shows insensitive to the immersion even at elevated temperatures.
Quaternized Polysulfone Cross-Linked N,N-Dimethyl Chitosan-Based Anion-Conducting Membranes
Authors: Das Gautam , Kim Chae Yeon , Kang Dong Ho , Kim Bo Hyeon , Yoon Hyon Hee
Published: March 2019

Anion-conducting membranes were obtained following the cross-linking of 1,4-diazoniabicycle[2.2.2]octane functionalized-polysulfone with N,N-dimethyl chitosan (DMC). The ionic conductivity of the composite membranes was controlled by the amount of DMC. The influence of the amount of DMC on water uptake, swelling ratio, and ionic conductivity of the obtained membrane was studied. The membrane with 2 wt% DMC exhibited an ionic conductivity of 54 mS/cm and 94 mS/cm at 25 °C and 70 °C, respectively. The membrane showed good dimensional stability under hydrated conditions. A urea/O2 fuel cell, built using the composite membrane, exhibited a peak power density of 4.4 mW/cm2 with a current density of 16.22 mA/cm2 at 70 °C.
The Temple of Solomon in Iron Age Context
Authors: Garfinkel Yosef , Mumcuoglu Madeleine
Published: March 2019

1 Kings preserves a long and detailed description of the construction of a temple and palace in Jerusalem by King Solomon in the 10th century BCE. Previous generations of scholars accepted this description as an authentic account. Accordingly, much literature on this text and the relevant archeological discoveries has accumulated. Since the 1980s, skeptical approaches to the early part of the Kingdom of Judah, the biblical text, and the archaeological record have been expressed. Some scholars doubt whether any temple at all was constructed in Jerusalem in the 10th century BCE. In the last few years, the picture has been changed by new discoveries from two Judean sites: a building model of the early 10th century BCE from Khirbet Qeiyafa and an actual temple building of the 9th century BCE from Motza. In this article, we present the history of research, some aspects of the biblical text and the contribution of the new discoveries. These enable us to place in context both the biblical text and the building it describes.
Interculturalism and Responsive Reflexivity in a Settler Colonial Context
Authors: Kearney Amanda
Published: March 2019

This article explores interculturalism in Australia, a nation marked by the impact of coloniality and deep colonising. Fostering interculturalism—as a form of empathic understanding and being in good relations with difference—across Indigenous and non-Indigenous lived experiences has proven difficult in Australia. This paper offers a scoping of existing discourse on interculturalism, asking firstly, ‘what is interculturalism’, that is, what is beyond the rhetoric and policy speak? The second commitment is to examine the pressures that stymy the articulation of interculturalism as a broad-based project, and lastly the article strives to highlight possibilities for interculturalism through consideration of empathic understandings of sustainable futures and land security in Australia. Legislative land rights and land activism arranged around solidarity movements for sustainable futures are taken up as the two sites of analysis. In the first instance, a case is made for legislative land rights as a form of coloniality that maintains the centrality of state power, and in the second, land activism, as expressed in the campaigns of Seed, Australia’s first Indigenous youth-led climate network and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, are identified as sites for plurality and as staging grounds for intercultural praxis.
R-CNN-Based Ship Detection from High Resolution Remote Sensing Imagery
Authors: Zhang Shaoming , Wu Ruize , Xu Kunyuan , Wang Jianmei , Sun Weiwei
Published: March 2019

Offshore and inland river ship detection has been studied on both synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and optical remote sensing imagery. However, the classic ship detection methods based on SAR images can cause a high false alarm ratio and be influenced by the sea surface model, especially on inland rivers and in offshore areas. The classic detection methods based on optical images do not perform well on small and gathering ships. This paper adopts the idea of deep networks and presents a fast regional-based convolutional neural network (R-CNN) method to detect ships from high-resolution remote sensing imagery. First, we choose GaoFen-2 optical remote sensing images with a resolution of 1 m and preprocess the images with a support vector machine (SVM) to divide the large detection area into small regions of interest (ROI) that may contain ships. Then, we apply ship detection algorithms based on a region-based convolutional neural network (R-CNN) on ROI images. To improve the detection result of small and gathering ships, we adopt an effective target detection framework, Faster-RCNN, and improve the structure of its original convolutional neural network (CNN), VGG16, by using multiresolution convolutional features and performing ROI pooling on a larger feature map in a region proposal network (RPN). Finally, we compare the most effective classic ship detection method, the deformable part model (DPM), another two widely used target detection frameworks, the single shot multibox detector (SSD) and YOLOv2, the original VGG16-based Faster-RCNN, and our improved Faster-RCNN. Experimental results show that our improved Faster-RCNN method achieves a higher recall and accuracy for small ships and gathering ships. Therefore, it provides a very effective method for offshore and inland river ship detection based on high-resolution remote sensing imagery.
Pansharpening Using Guided Filtering to Improve the Spatial Clarity of VHR Satellite Imagery
Authors: Choi Jaewan , Park Honglyun , Seo Doochun
Published: March 2019

Pansharpening algorithms are designed to enhance the spatial resolution of multispectral images using panchromatic images with high spatial resolutions. Panchromatic and multispectral images acquired from very high resolution (VHR) satellite sensors used as input data in the pansharpening process are characterized by spatial dissimilarities due to differences in their spectral/spatial characteristics and time lags between panchromatic and multispectral sensors. In this manuscript, a new pansharpening framework is proposed to improve the spatial clarity of VHR satellite imagery. This algorithm aims to remove the spatial dissimilarity between panchromatic and multispectral images using guided filtering (GF) and to generate the optimal local injection gains for pansharpening. First, we generate optimal multispectral images with spatial characteristics similar to those of panchromatic images using GF. Then, multiresolution analysis (MRA)-based pansharpening is applied using normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)-based optimal injection gains and spatial details obtained through GF. The algorithm is applied to Korea multipurpose satellite (KOMPSAT)-3/3A satellite sensor data, and the experimental results show that the pansharpened images obtained with the proposed algorithm exhibit a superior spatial quality and preserve spectral information better than those based on existing algorithms.