bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Linking demographic transitions to population dynamics in a fluctuating environment
Authors: Gatto John V. , Kline Jeffrey L. , Loftus William F. , Trexler Joel C.
Published: January 2021

Recruitment has been linked to decreases in the ratio of age-specific mortality (M′) to mass-specific growth (G′), and year-class strength may be predicted by the age when M′/G′ = 1. Hydrological stress adversely affects these parameters for species inhabiting floodplains; however, the relationship between M′ and G′ in hydrologically variable environments is poorly understood. We evaluated age-specific mortality for six species from a 20-year time series and growth curves from otolith length-at-age data. We assessed the effect of hydrology on the transitional age (age M′/G′ = 1) at 21 sites representing a hydrological gradient. Disturbance intensity influenced age-specific mortality but had no effect on mass-specific growth. The transitional age was inversely correlated with annual density, but weakly associated with population biomass. Hydrological disturbance shifted the transitional age to older ages, reducing recruitment overall. We demonstrated that the M′/G′ transition was affected adversely by hydrological stress and can be applied to a diverse group of taxa. Growth, survivorship, and the transitional age should be evaluated to improve population modelling efforts used to predict the influence of future restoration actions.
Interior solutions of relativistic stars with anisotropic matter in scale-dependent gravity
Authors: Panotopoulos Grigoris , Rincón Ángel , Lopes Ilídio
Published: January 2021

We obtain well behaved interior solutions describing hydrostatic equilibrium of anisotropic relativistic stars in scale-dependent gravity, where Newton’s constant is allowed to vary with the radial coordinate throughout the star. Assuming (1) a linear equation-of-state in the MIT bag model for quark matter, and (2) a certain profile for the energy density, we integrate numerically the generalized structure equations, and we compute the basic properties of the strange quark stars, such as mass, radius and compactness. Finally, we demonstrate that stability criteria as well as the energy conditions are fulfilled. Our results show that a decreasing Newton’s constant throughout the objects leads to slightly more massive and more compact stars.
Testing the relationship between marine transgression and evolving island palaeogeography using 3D GIS: an example from the Late Triassic of SW England
Authors: Lovegrove Jack , Newell Andrew J. , Whiteside David I. , Benton Michael J.
Published: January 2021

The Rhaetian transgression marked a major change in landscape. The Permian and Triassic had been a time of terrestrial conditions across Europe, including much of mainland UK, as well as the North Sea and Irish Sea, represented by red bed clastic successions. Seas flooded across Europe at 205.7 Ma and the shift from terrestrial to marine environments is marked in the UK by the switch from the red beds of the Mercia Mudstone Group to the black mudstones and shelly limestones and sandstones of the Penarth Group. The area around Bristol was marked by a complex landscape in which an archipelago of islands of Carboniferous limestone was formed in the new shallow seas. The application of new methods in geographical information systems allows a detailed exploration of a number of conformable surfaces, the unconformity between the underlying Paleozoic rocks and the overlying Mesozoic strata, as well as levels within the latest Triassic sediments, marking the advance of the sea and interactions with the coeval tectonics, which caused some islands to rise and some basins to descend. The new geographical information system models show a sequence of palaeogeographical reconstructions of the archipelago and relate this to the island tetrapod faunas, which show strong evidence of the species–area effect.

Supplementary material:
Supplementary tables S1-S6 and 2D island map GIS files are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5273256
Wudalianchi volcanic field, NE China: tectonic setting, eruptive history, and geophysical insights
Authors: Chen Zhengquan , Zhao Yongwei , Bai Xiang , Wei Wei , Liu Yongshun , Bai Zhida
Published: January 2021

Combined geological, geochronological and geophysical data demonstrate that the evolution of the Wudalianchi volcanic field is closely linked to the most recent tectonic movements affecting the Songliao Basin, driven by dynamics associated with the subducting slab of the Pacific Plate. Intense volcanic activity has occurred in the Wudalianchi since the middle Pleistocene, including historical eruptions in 1720, 1721 and 1776. Together with radiometric age data, variations in the geomorphology of the volcanic cones reflect the effects of multiple eruptions at the same locations but during different periods. Geophysical data – including seismic images, tomography and magneto-telluric profiles – suggest the existence of subsurface low-resistivity bodies beneath some of the volcanoes, posing the potential that these could reactivate and erupt again in the future. To better characterize and elucidate the magmatic and volcanic processes operative in the Wudalianchi volcanic field over geological time, it is essential to conduct systematic geochemical and isotopic studies of many more samples of eruptive product, especially those from the older, single volcanoes.
Investigation of Multiple-valued Logic Technologies for Beyond-binary Era
Authors: Sandhie Zarin Tasnim , Patel Jill Arvindbhai , Ahmed Farid Uddin , Chowdhury Masud H.
Published: January 2021

Computing technologies are currently based on the binary logic/number system, which is dependent on the simple on and off switching mechanism of the prevailing transistors. With the exponential increase of data processing and storage needs, there is a strong push to move to a higher radix logic/number system that can eradicate or lessen many limitations of the binary system. Anticipated saturation of Moore’s law and the necessity to increase information density and processing speed in the future micro and nanoelectronic circuits and systems provide a strong background and motivation for the beyond-binary logic system. In this review article, different technologies for Multiple-valued-Logic (MVL) devices and the associated prospects and constraints are discussed. The feasibility of the MVL system in real-world applications rests on resolving two major challenges: (i) development of an efficient mathematical approach to implement the MVL logic using available technologies, and (ii) availability of effective synthesis techniques. This review of different technologies for the MVL system is intended to perform a comprehensive investigation of various MVL technologies and a comparative analysis of the feasible approaches to implement MVL devices, especially ternary logic.
The Origin and Dispersal of Uralic: Distributional Typological View
Authors: Nichols Johanna
Published: January 2021

Recent progress in comparative linguistics, distributional typology, and linguistic geography allows a unified model of Uralic prehistory to take shape. Proto-Uralic first introduced an eastern grammatical profile to central and western Eurasia, where it has remained quite stable. Proto-Indo-European and Proto-Uralic had no connection, either genealogical or areal, until the spreading Indo-Iranian branch of Indo-European came into contact with the already-diverged branches of Uralic about 4,000 years ago. A severe and widespread drought beginning about 4,200 years ago cleared the way for a rapid spread of Uralic-speaking people along the Volga and across southwestern Siberia. It also contributed to the sudden rise of the Seima-Turbino bronze-trading complex, one component of the Uralic spread mechanism. After the initial spread, the Uralic daughter languages retained their Volga homelands remarkably stably while also extending far to the north in a recurrent Eurasian pattern.
Ionomer Optimization for Water Uptake and Swelling in Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer: Hydrogen Evolution Electrode
Authors: Huang Garrett , Mandal Mrinmay , Hassan Noor Ul , Groenhout Katelyn , Dobbs Alexandra , Mustain William E. , Kohl Paul A.
Published: January 2021

Green hydrogen produced through anion exchange membrane water electrolysis is a promising, low-cost chemical storage solution for intermittent renewable energy sources. Low-temperature electrolysis using anion exchange membranes (AEM) combines the benefits of established water electrolysis technologies based on alkaline electrolysis and proton exchange membrane electrolysis. The anion conductive ionomers (ACI) used in the AEM electrolyzer (AEMEL) electrodes has been investigated. The ACI serves two primary purposes: (i) facilitate hydroxide conduction between the catalyst and bulk electrolyte and (ii) bind the catalyst to the porous transport layer and membrane. High ion exchange capacity (IEC) ACIs are desired, however, high IEC can cause excessive water uptake (WU) and detrimental ACI swelling. Proper water management is a key factor in obtaining maximum performance in AEM-based devices. In this study, a series of poly(norbornene)-based ACIs were synthesized and deployed in hydrogen evolving AEMEL cathode electrodes. A balance between ionic conductivity, WU and ionomer swelling was achieved in the ACI by varying the IEC and degree of polymer cross-linking. It was found that higher IEC ACIs with light crosslinking are preferred in the HER electrode. Such a configuration fine-tuned the WU and ionomer swelling to achieve optimum cell performance and reduce cell operating voltages.
Do Deep Eutectic Solvents Behave Like Ionic Liquid Electrolytes? A Perspective from the Electrode-Electrolyte Interface
Authors: Dean William , Klein Jeffrey , Gurkan Burcu
Published: January 2021

The differential capacitance as a function of potential and composition for choline chloride (ChCl) and ethylene glycol (EG) at 1:2, 1:4, 1:6, and 1:20 molar ratios were studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) on glassy carbon. In addition, ChCl:EG at the known ethaline DES composition (1:2) and 1:20 molar ratio were studied on Au and Pt electrodes, and compared to glyceline (ChCl:glycerol, 1:2). The capacitance-potential curves on glassy carbon were best interpreted by the modified Gouy-Chapman model. A dampened U-shape was observed similar to dilute electrolytes, however, the non-negligible ionic and H-bonding interactions in these electrolytes resulted in ambiguity about the point of zero charge where capacitance was weakly dependent on potential. Additionally, the differential capacitance was independent of composition on glassy carbon due to limited availability of mobile free ions and constraints by solvated ion sizes within the interface. Increases in capacitance are observed with Au as a result of desolvation and specific adsorption of Cl, and with Pt upon decreased Cl concentrations. These results indicate DESs and H-bonded electrolytes with high salt concentrations are distinct from ionic liquids and present no pronounced overscreening or crowding with applied potential.
Closing volume detection by single-breath gas washout and forced oscillation technique
Authors: Veneroni Chiara , Van Muylem Alain , Malinovschi Andrei , Michils Alain , Dellaca’ Raffaele L.
Published: January 2021

The forced oscillation technique can identify a surrogate of closing volume (CVFOT). We investigated its relationship with the one measured by single-breath washout (CVSBW). CVFOT weakly correlates with CVSBW. The respective closing capacities were correlated, but their increases after methacholine challenge in asthmatics did not. Our results suggest that CVFOT is less sensitive than CVSBW to few flow-limited/closed airways but more specific in detecting increases in flow-limited/closed airways involving the majority of the lung.
No Amplifications of Hypoxia‐Inducible Factor‐1α Gene in Invasive Breast Cancer: A Tissue Microarray Study
Authors: Vleugel Marije M. , Bos Reinhard , Buerger Horst , van der Groep Petra , Saramäki Outi R. , Visakorpi Tapio , van der Wall Elsken , van Diest Paul J.
Published: January 2021

Objective: Hypoxia Inducible Factor‐1 (HIF‐1) is an important transcription factor that stimulates tumour growth and metastases via several pathways, including angiogenesis and altered metabolism. Activation of HIF‐1 depends on the levels of its α‐subunit, which increase during hypoxia. Recent studies showed that the HIF‐1α gene was amplified in prostate cancer, leading to overexpression of HIF‐1α at normoxia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of HIF‐1α gene amplifications in invasive breast cancer as an explanation for HIF‐1α protein overexpression. Methods: Protein and gene expression of HIF‐1α were analyzed on a tissue microarray of 94 breast cancers by immunohistochemistry and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), respectively. Results: Overexpression of HIF‐1α protein was found in 58/94 (62%) of patients. No amplifications of the HIF‐1α gene were detected. Conclusion: Increased protein levels of HIF‐1α are not associated with amplification of the HIF‐1α gene in human breast cancer. Therefore, other mechanisms than gene amplification must be responsible for HIF‐α overexpression at normoxia.
Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes in Metastatic and Non‐Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells by Suppression Subtractive Hybridization
Authors: Yang Xu-Yu , Ren Cai-Ping , Wang Lei , Li Hui , Jiang Chun-Jie , Zhang Hong-Bo , Zhao Ming , Yao Kai-Tai
Published: January 2021

Background & Objective: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial neoplasm with high occurrence rates in southern China. The disease often metastasizes to regional lymphnodes at a very early stage. Local recurrences and metastasis occur frequently in patients with NPC and are a leading cause of death, despite improvements on treatment modalities. The molecular mechanism underlying the metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma remains poorly understood, however, and requires additional elucidation. The aim of this study was to explore possible NPC gene candidates that may play key roles in NPC metastasis. Methods: Subtractive suppression hybridization (SSH) was performed to isolate differentially expressed clones between the metastatic 5‐8F and non‐metastatic 6‐10B nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines. Differentially expressed clones were screened and confirmed by reverse Northern blotting. The sequences of cDNA fragments were subsequently analyzed and compared to known sequences in Genbank. Results & Discussion: The SSH library contained thousands of positive clones. Random analysis of 300 clones by PCR demonstrated that 269 clones contained inserted fragments. Reverse Northern blot confirmed that 20 out of 192 clones examined were significantly up‐regulated in the 5‐8F cell line. Among these 20 clones, 16 were previously identified genes (flotilin-2, ezrin, pim-3, fli-1, mel, neugrin, znf216, ASB1, raly, UBE2A, keratin6A, TMED7, EIF3S9, FTL, two ribosomal proteins RPL21 and RPL16), two were predicted genes (c9orf74 and MDS006), and two sequences shared no homology with known genes listed in GenBank and may represent novel genes. The proposed functions of the genes identified in this study include cell signal transduction, cell survival, transcription regulation, cell mobility, protein synthesis, and DNA damage repair. Flotillin-2, fli-1, pim-3 and ezrin have previously been reported to be associated with tumor metastasis and progression. The remaining up‐regulated genes identified in this study have not been reported to be markers of metastasis and may represent new candidates of NPC metastasis‐related genes. The Results of this study may provide novel points of therapeutic intervention for NPC.
NMD Microarray Analysis for Rapid Genome‐Wide Screen of Mutated Genes in Cancer
Authors: Wolf Maija , Edgren Henrik , Muggerud Aslaug , Kilpinen Sami , Huusko Pia , Sørlie Therese , Mousses Spyro , Kallioniemi Olli
Published: January 2021

Gene mutations play a critical role in cancer development and progression, and their identification offers possibilities for accurate diagnostics and therapeutic targeting. Finding genes undergoing mutations is challenging and slow, even in the post‐genomic era. A new approach was recently developed by Noensie and Dietz to prioritize and focus the search, making use of nonsense‐mediated mRNA decay (NMD) inhibition and microarray analysis (NMD microarrays) in the identification of transcripts containing nonsense mutations. We combined NMD microarrays with array‐based CGH (comparative genomic hybridization) in order to identify inactivation of tumor suppressor genes in cancer. Such a “mutatomics” screening of prostate cancer cell lines led to the identification of inactivating mutations in the EPHB2 gene. Up to 8% of metastatic uncultured prostate cancers also showed mutations of this gene whose loss of function may confer loss of tissue architecture. NMD microarray analysis could turn out to be a powerful research method to identify novel mutated genes in cancer cell lines, providing targets that could then be further investigated for their clinical relevance and therapeutic potential.
Quantitative Analysis of Chemotherapeutic Effects in Tumors Using In Vivo Staining and Correlative Histology
Authors: Choi Heung Kook , Yessayan Doreen , Choi Hyun Ju , Schellenberger Eyk , Bogdanov Alex , Josephson Lee , Weissleder Ralph , Ntziachristos Vasilis
Published: January 2021

Aims: To microscopically analyze the chemotherapeutic response of tumors using in vivo staining based on an annexinV‐Cy5.5 probe and independently asses their apoptotic count using quantitative histological analysis. Methods: Lewis Lung Carcinomas cells, that are sensitive (CS‐LLC) and resistant (CR‐LLC) to chemotherapy were implanted in nude mice and grown to tumours. Mice were treated with cyclophosphamide and injected with a Cy5.5‐annexinV fluorescent probe. In vivo imaging was performed using Fluorescence Molecular Tomography. Subsequently tumours were excised and prepared for histology. The histological tumour sections were stained for apoptosis using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. A minimum of ten tissue sections were analyzed per tumour for apoptosis quantification by TUNEL staining and corresponding Cy5.5 distribution. Results: We detected higher levels of apoptosis and corresponding higher levels of Cy5.5 fluorescence in the CS‐LLC vs. the CR‐LLC tumours. The cell count rate on CS‐LLC sections over CR‐LLC was found to be ∼2 :1 where the corresponding area observed on Cy5.5 distribution measurements revealed a ∼1.7 :1 ratio of CS‐LLC over CR‐LLC. These observations are consistent with the higher apoptotic index expected from the CS‐LLC cell line. Conclusions: Quantitative analysis of histological slices revealed higher fluorescence and higher apoptotic count in the CS‐LLC tumour images compared to the CR‐LLC tumour images. These observations demonstrate that the annexinV‐Cy5.5 probe sensed the chemotherapeutic effect of cyclophospamide and further confirmed in vivo FMT measurements.
Usefulness of Immunological Detection of the Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase
Authors: Volpi Annalisa , Bravaccini Sara , Medri Laura , Cerasoli Serenella , Gaudio Michele , Amadori Dino
Published: January 2021

Objective: Recent years have seen a considerable wealth of studies conducted on the potential usefulness of telomerase determination in diagnosis, prognosis and targeted cancer therapy. The frequently used Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol assay suffers from some drawbacks, the most important being the rate of false positives. In situ analysis using well characterised antibodies directed against the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) would therefore appear to be important to morphologically identify the nature of telomerase positive cells. Methods: We performed immunostaining in a series of cultured cells and in normal, preneoplastic and tumour tissues from different organs using a monoclonal antibody directed against the catalytic subunit of telomerase. Results: Immunoreactivity was not observed in perennial cells of terminally differentiated cardiac and skeletal muscular tissues or in small pyramidal cells of the cerebral cortex. Conversely, it was found in other normal somatic tissues as well as in precancerous lesions and in all tumour histotypes. Conclusions: Immunohistochemistry with a well characterised hTERT‐specific monoclonal antibody permitted the identification of hTERT immunopositive cells in normal somatic tissues. Whether hTERT protein detected by immunostaining with hTERT‐specific Tel 3 36‐10 antibody is actually the degraded form of the protein that retains hTERT antigenicity but not enzymatic function, or whether it represents the real, potentially functional catalytic subunit of the enzyme, immunohistochemistry would not seem to represent a useful tool to investigate the role of telomerase and the mechanisms involved in its regulation.
Cytology Microarrays
Authors: Korbelik J. , Cardeno M. , Matisic J. P. , Carraro A. C. , MacAulay C.
Published: January 2021

The use of high throughput genetic and expression platforms are generating many candidate diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for a wide variety of clinical conditions. Tissue microarrays can be used for the evaluation of the utility of many of these markers. However, tissue microarrays can suffer from the limitations associated with sampling and sectioning tissues. We introduce a novel microarray technique based on cell suspensions. Multiple slides can be made, all of which are equally representative of the initial sample. A robotic device was designed that can deposit 60 distinct spots of cytological material on a glass slide. Each spot of cells deposited in this manner may correspond to a unique source. Controlling the number of cells per spot, their distribution within the spot and the size of the spot can be achieved by modifying the viscosity of the cell solution or regulating the amount of fluid deposited. A fully automated analysis of quantitatively stained microarray samples has been performed to quantify the number of cells per spot, the size of spots and the DNA amount per cell in each spot. The reproducibility of these parameters was found to be high.
Overexpression of Gastrin‐Releasing Peptide Receptors in Tumor‐Associated Blood Vessels of Human Ovarian Neoplasms
Authors: Fleischmann Achim , Waser Beatrice , Reubi Jean Claude
Published: January 2021

Background: Peptide receptors, overexpressed in specific cancers, represent new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. In this study, receptors for the gastrin‐releasing peptide (GRP), and other members of the bombesin‐family of peptides, were evaluated in ovarian neoplasms. Methods: 75 primary, secondary and metastatic ovarian tumors were investigated for their bombesin‐receptor subtype expression, incidence, localization and density using in vitro autoradiography on tissue sections with the universal radioligand 125I‐[D‐Tyr6, ß‐Ala11, Phe13, Nle14]‐bombesin(6‐14) and the GRP‐receptor subtype‐preferring 125I‐[Tyr4]‐bombesin. Results: GRP‐receptors were detected in 42/61 primary ovarian tumors; other bombesin‐receptor subtypes (BB1, bb3) were rarely present (3/61). Two different tissue compartments expressed GRP‐receptors: the tumoral vasculature was the predominant site of GRP‐receptor expression (38/61), whereas neoplastic cells more rarely expressed GRP‐receptors (14/61). GRP‐receptor positive vessels were present in the various classes of ovarian tumors; generally, malignant tumors had a higher incidence of GRP‐receptor positive vessels compared to their benign counterparts. The prevalence of such vessels was particularly high in ovarian carcinomas (16/19) and their metastases (5/5). The GRP‐receptors were expressed in high density in the muscular vessel wall. Normal ovary (n=10) lacked GRP‐receptors. Conclusions: The large amounts of GRP‐receptors in ovarian tumor vessels suggest a role in tumoral vasculature and possibly angiogenesis. Further, these vessels might be targeted in vivo with bombesin analogs for diagnosis or for therapy.
Response of Cantilever Model with Inertia Nonlinearity under Transverse Basal Gaussian Colored Noise Excitation
Authors: Li Bo , Hu Kai , Jin Guoguang , Song Yanyan , Ge Gen
Published: January 2021

Considering the curvature nonlinearity and longitudinal inertia nonlinearity caused by geometrical deformations, a slender inextensible cantilever beam model under transverse pedestal motion in the form of Gaussian colored noise excitation was studied. Present stochastic averaging methods cannot solve the equations of random excited oscillators that included both inertia nonlinearity and curvature nonlinearity. In order to solve this kind of equations, a modified stochastic averaging method was proposed. This method can simplify the equation to an Itô differential equation about amplitude and energy. Based on the Itô differential equation, the stationary probability density function (PDF) of the amplitude and energy and the joint PDF of the displacement and velocity were studied. The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified by numerical simulation.
Expression of MicroRNAs in Periodontal Disease: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cuevas-González María Verónica , Suaste-Olmos Fernando , García-Calderón Alma Graciela , Tovar-Carrillo Karla Lizette , Espinosa-Cristóbal León Francisco , Nava-Martínez Salvador David , Cuevas-González Juan Carlos , Zambrano-Galván Graciela , Saucedo-Acuña Rosa Alicia , Donohue-Cornejo Alejandro
Published: January 2021

Introduction. Periodontal disease (PD) is a chronic inflammation of the soft tissues that support the structure of the tooth, and miRNAs are highly dynamic molecules that participate in the regulation of gene expression interfering with multiple genetic targets. The dysregulation of the expression of miRNAs has been associated with different types of pathologies; therefore, they are excellent molecules to be studied as biomarkers. Material and Methods. A search was made in the electronic databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct. The following key words were used: “microRNAs,” “miRNAs,” “periodontal disease,” “periodontitis,” and “biomarker”; employee independent search strategies with the Boolean operators “OR” and “AND”; a further search of the references of the selected studies was performed to detect potential studies that met the selection criteria. The data recollected from each article were author, country, year of publication, sample size, type of sample used to identify miRNAs, methodology used to identify miRNAs, type of periodontal disease, and miRNAs identified. Results. Of the 13 selected studies, 6 used gingival tissue as a sample for the identification of miRNAs, 3 used gingival fluid, 2 used saliva, 1 used serum, and another used periodontal tissue. Chronic periodontitis was the most studied periodontal disease in 9 of the 13 selected articles; 7 used microarrays as the main technique for the identification of miRNAs. qRT‐PCR was the assay choice to validate the identified miRNAs. Conclusion. The main type of periodontal disease on which most studies are focused is chronic periodontitis, with the main miRNAs being hsa‐miR‐146a, hsa‐miR‐146b, hsa‐miR‐155, and hsa‐miR‐200. This systematic review is one of the first to carry out an analysis of the current role of miRNAs in PD as biomarkers.
Potential Protective Activities of Extracts of Phellinus linteus and the Altered Expressions of GSTM3 on Age-Related Cataract
Authors: Lin Cheng-Hsiu , Shih Chun-Ching
Published: January 2021

Age-related cataract (ARC) is one of the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness worldwide among the elderly. Here, we used sodium selenite-induced cataract mouse model, which shares with similarities with human senile cataract to investigate whether the extracts of Phellinus linteus (PLE) could have the potential protective effects of ARC or not. The mice pups were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups (n = 7): (1) normal saline on postpartum day 26; (2) Na selenite injected s.c on day 26; (3) Na selenite s.c on day 26+ gavaged PLE (40 mg/kg) on days 26–47; and (4) Na selenite s.c on day 26 + resveratrol on days 26–47. On day 47, encapsulated lenses and plasma were analyzed for the levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation. Lens epithelial cells (LECs) were also analyzed for the mRNA and protein expressions of glutathione S-transferase Mu (GSTM3). We demonstrated that PLE could prevent selenite-induced oxidative stress and cataract formation in mice by higher GSH and SOD and lower MDA in LECs, plasma, and liver tissues and the increases in the mRNA and protein expressions of GSTM3 in LECs. Our data show the increasing oxidative stress in selenite-induced cataract mice. Our data reveal the benefits of PLE for preventive activity in selenite-induced cataract in mice and there is a good possibility that PLE could ameliorate human senile cataract.
Systematically Deciphering the Pharmacological Mechanism of Fructus Aurantii via Network Pharmacology
Authors: Jin Qionglong , Lu Jie , Gao Renhui , Xu Jiaying , Pan Xiaoyan , Wang Lichang
Published: January 2021

Fructus Aurantii (FA) is a traditional herbal medicine that has been widely used for thousands of years in China and possesses a variety of pharmacological effects. However, the active ingredients in FA and the potential mechanisms of its therapeutic effects have not been fully explored. Here, we applied a network pharmacology approach to explore the potential mechanisms of FA. We identified 5 active compounds from FA and a total of 209 potential targets to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 (PTGS2), heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), cell division protein kinase 6 (CDK6), caspase 3 (CASP3), apoptosis regulator Bcl-2 (Bcl-2), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) were identified as key targets of FA in the treatment of multiple diseases. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment demonstrated that FA was highly related to transcription initiation from RNA polymerase II promoter, DNA-templated transcription, positive regulation of transcription, regulation of apoptosis process, and regulation of cell proliferation. Various signaling pathways involved in the treatment of FA were identified, including pathways in cancer and pathways specifically related to prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, PI3K-Akt, apoptosis, and non-small-cell lung cancer. TP53, AKT1, caspase 3, MAPK3, PTGS2, and BAX/BCL2 were related key targets in the identified enriched pathways and the PPI network. In addition, our molecular docking results showed that the bioactive compounds in FA can tightly bind to most target proteins. This article reveals via network pharmacology research the possible mechanism(s) by which FA exerts its activities in the treatment of various diseases and lays a foundation for further experiments and the development of a rational clinical application of FA.
Dynamic Brittle Instability Characteristics of 2000 m Deep Sandstone Influenced by Mineral Composition
Authors: Hao XianJie , Chen Zeyu , Wei Yingnan , Sun Zhuowen , Zhang Qian , Jin Duoxiang
Published: January 2021

The study of dynamic brittleness and failure characteristics is of guiding significance for promoting the full exploitation and utilization of deep sandstone reservoirs. At present, there have been more comprehensive studies on the mechanical properties of deep sandstone reservoirs, but the study of mineral composition on the dynamic brittleness and failure characteristics of deep sandstone reservoirs is relatively weak. In this paper, XRD mineral composition analysis, uniaxial compression experiment, and Brazilian splitting are used to study the influence of mineral composition on mechanical properties and failure characteristics of deep sandstone reservoirs. It was concluded that (1) the mineral compositions of deep sandstone reservoirs are mainly three kinds of oxides: SiO2, Al2O3, and CaO. The failure modes of deep sandstone reservoir samples under uniaxial compression are more complicated, with tension failure and shear failure each accounting for half. In the Brazilian split test, the failure modes of sandstone samples are mainly shear failure. (2) The compressive strength decreases obviously with the increase of CaO content. The contents of SiO2, Al2O3, and CaO all have a great influence on the residual strength of deep sandstone reservoirs. The deformation modulus decreases gradually with the increase of Al2O3 content. (3) The brittleness increases slightly when the content of SiO2 increases, while the brittleness decreases slightly when the content of Al2O3 increases. Considering factors such as strength, modulus, brittleness, and failure characteristics, SiO2 content has the greatest influence on the mechanical properties of deep sandstone reservoirs, followed by Al2O3 content, and CaO content has the least influence. The research results have a guiding role in the utilization and development of oil and gas resources in deep sandstone reservoirs and promote oil and gas development from the middle to deeper layers.
Parameter Optimization of Ultrafine Comminution Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process: Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation
Authors: Zhu Zaisheng , Zhu Jinbo , Liu Yin , Shao Huaizhi , Zhu Hongzheng , Wang Chuanzhen , Wang Jingyu , Fan Yang
Published: January 2021

This paper proposes a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation of ultrafine powders, namely, yield and quality value-based feature selection. Three indicators reflecting product yield and quality were selected to construct a simple and practical fuzzy comprehensive evaluation protocol. The weight set of the indices and the fuzzy evaluation set were calculated based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation value was worked out as the only comprehensive index for the evaluation of product. The best ultrafine comminution condition will be established through the comparison of the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation values. Single-factor experiments and orthogonal experiments of the main influencing factors of ultrafine comminution were conducted. It was concluded that the importance of each factor is sequentially the concentration, specific surface area (SSA) of the media, and percentage of critical speed (PCS). Moreover, the concentration and SSA of the media were equally important. Ultrafine comminution by ball mill had the best overall performance under the PCS of 85%, the SSA of the media of 0.24 m2/kg, and the concentration of 75%.
Mechanisms on the Injection Conformance Reversion during Polymer Flooding of Offshore Heterogeneous Heavy-Oil Reservoirs
Authors: Wei Zhijie , Kang Xiaodong , Liu Yuyang , Yang Hanxu
Published: January 2021

Injection conformance reversion commonly observed during polymer flooding in offshore heterogeneous heavy-oil reservoirs weakens the volumetric sweep of polymer solution and compromises its EOR results. To investigate its mechanisms and impact factors, one mathematical model to predicate injection conformance behavior is constructed for heterogeneous reservoirs based on the Buckley-Leverett function. The different suction capability of each layer to polymer solution results in distinct change law of the flow resistance force, which in turn reacts upon the suction capability and creates dynamic redistribution of injection between layers. Conformance reversion takes place when the variation ratio of flow resistance force of different layers tends to be the same. The peak value and scope of conformance reversion decrease and reversion timing is advanced as oil viscosity or permeability contrast increases, or polymer concentration or relative thickness of low permeable layer decreases, which compromises the ability of polymer flooding to improve the volumetric sweep and lower suction of the low permeable layer. The features of offshore polymer flooding tend to make the injection conformance V-type and create low-efficiency circulation of polymer in a high permeable layer more easily. These results can provide guidance to improve the production performance of polymer flooding in offshore heterogeneous heavy-oil reservoirs.
The Calculations of Topological Indices on Certain Networks
Authors: Liu Jia-Bao , Zhang Ting , Hayat Sakander
Published: January 2021

It is one of the core problems in the study of chemical graph theory to study the topological index of molecular graph and the internal relationship between its structural properties and some invariants. In recent years, topological index has been gradually applied to the models of

QSAR

and

QSPR

. In this work, using the definition of the

ABC

index,

AZI

index,

GA

index, the multiplicative version of ordinary first Zagreb index, the second multiplicative Zagreb index, and Zagreb index, we calculate the degree-based topological indices of some networks. Then, the above indices’ formulas are obtained.
The Beneficial Effects of Saffron Extract on Potential Oxidative Stress in Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Su Xin , Yuan Chao , Wang Li , Chen Runqi , Li Xiangying , Zhang Yijun , Liu Can , Liu Xu , Liang Wanping , Xing Yanwei
Published: January 2021

Saffron is commonly used in traditional medicines and precious perfumes. It contains pharmacologically active compounds with notably potent antioxidant activity. Saffron has a variety of active components, including crocin, crocetin, and safranal. Oxidative stress plays an important role in many cardiovascular diseases, and its uncontrolled chain reaction is related to myocardial injury. Numerous studies have confirmed that saffron exact exhibits protective effects on the myocardium and might be beneficial in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. In view of the role of oxidative stress in cardiovascular disease, people have shown considerable interest in the potential role of saffron extract as a treatment for a range of cardiovascular diseases. This review analyzed the use of saffron in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases through antioxidant stress from four aspects: antiatherosclerosis, antimyocardial ischemia, anti‐ischemia reperfusion injury, and improvement in drug‐induced cardiotoxicity, particularly anthracycline‐induced. Although data is limited in humans with only two clinically relevant studies, the results of preclinical studies regarding the antioxidant stress effects of saffron are promising and warrant further research in clinical trials. This review summarized the protective effect of saffron in cardiovascular diseases and drug‐induced cardiotoxicity. It will facilitate pharmacological research and development and promote utilization of saffron.
A Short‐Term Resistance Training Circuit Improved Antioxidants in Sedentary Adults with Down Syndrome
Authors: Rosety-Rodriguez M. , Bernardi M. , Elosegui S. , Rosety I. , Diaz A. J. , Rosety M. A. , Brenes F. , Oliva-Pascual-Vaca A. , Alvero-Cruz J. R. , Ordonez F. J.
Published: January 2021

Previous studies have found aerobic training improved oxidative damage in people with Down syndrome (DS). However, there is a lack of information regarding the influence of resistance training on redox imbalance in this population. Accordingly, this study was conducted to determine the effect of resistance training (RT) on antioxidant defence system in sedentary adults with DS. Thirty‐six male adults with DS were recruited through different community support groups. Eighteen were randomly assigned to perform a circuit RT program with 6 stations, 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), reduced glutathione (GHS), ascorbate, serum α‐tocopherol, and erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity were assessed. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl groups (CG) were assessed as markers of oxidative damage. Muscle strength was also measured. Dynamic torque of knee extensors and flexors as well as maximal handgrip strength was significantly improved after the completion of the training program. Plasma levels of TAS and erythrocyte glutathione reductase (GR) activity were significantly increased. Conversely, MDA and CG levels were significantly reduced. It was concluded RT improved antioxidant defence system and reduced oxidative damage in adults with DS. Further, long‐term studies are required to determine whether the increased antioxidant system may improve clinical outcomes of adults with DS.
Green Synthesis of Magnetic Nanoparticles Using Satureja hortensis Essential Oil toward Superior Antibacterial/Fungal and Anticancer Performance
Authors: Ahmadi Shahram , Fazilati Mohammad , Nazem Habibollah , Mousavi Seyyed Mojtaba
Published: January 2021

The biological synthesis of nanoparticles, due to their environmental and biomedical properties, has been of particular interest to scientists and physicians. Here, iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) were synthesized using Satureja hortensis essential oil. Then, the chemical, functional, and morphological properties of these nanoparticles were characterized by typical experiments such as Uv‐Vis, FTIR, XRD, FE‐SEM, PSA, zeta potential, EDX, and EDX mapping. The results indicated Fe nanoparticles’ formation with a cubic morphological structure and a particle size in the range of 9.3‐27 nm. The antimicrobial effects of these nanoparticles were further evaluated using disc diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimum fungal concentration (MFC) against two gram‐positive bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus and Corynebacterium glutamicum), two gram‐negative bacterial strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli), and one fungus species Candida albicans. The results showed that green‐synthesized Fe nanoparticles possessed higher antimicrobial properties than Satureja hortensis essential oil against selected pathogenic microorganisms, especially Gram‐negative bacteria. Finally, the anticancer effect of these Fe nanoparticles was investigated on human cancer cells, K‐562, and MCF‐7, by the MTT assay. The results showed the anticancer effect of these nanoparticles against selected cell lines.
Characterization, Functional Properties, and Resistant Starch of Freshwater Macrophytes
Authors: Syed Farahin N. N. , Zakaria Muta H. , Bujang Japar S. , Christianus Annie
Published: January 2021

Several aquatic macrophytes such as Colocasia esculenta, Eleocharis dulcis, Nelumbo nucifera, Sagittaria sagittifolia, Trapa bispinosa, and Typha angustifolia possessed carbohydrate mainly in their storage and reproductive parts. Starch morphology, total starch, and amylose content of these six freshwater plant species were determined. Their functional properties, i.e., starch crystallinity, thermal properties, and rheological behaviour were assessed. Large starch granules were in N. nucifera rhizome (>15 μm), medium-sized was N. nucifera seed (8-18 μm), while the rest of the starches were small starch granules (<8 μm). Shapes of the starch granules varied from oval and irregular with centric hilum to elongated granules with the eccentric hilum. Eleocharis dulcis corm starch had significantly higher total starch content (90.87%), followed by corms of C. esculenta (82.35%) and S. sagittifolia (71.71%). Nelumbo nucifera seed starch had significantly higher amylose content (71.45%), followed by T. angustifolia pollen (36.47%). In comparison, the waxy starch was in N. nucifera rhizome (7.63%), T. bispinosa seed (8.83%), C. esculenta corm (10.61%), and T. angustifolia rhizome (13.51%). Higher resistant starch was observed mostly in rhizomes of N. nucifera (39.34%)>T. angustifolia (37.19%) and corm parts of E. dulcis (37.41%)>S. sagittifolia (35.09%) compared to seed and pollen starches. The XRD profiles of macrophytes starches displayed in all the corms and N. nucifera seed had A-type crystallinity. The T. bispinosa seed had CA-type, whereas the rest of the starches exhibited CB-type crystallinity. Waxy starches of C. esculenta corm had higher relative crystallinity (36.91%) and viscosity (46.2 mPa s) than regular starches. Based on thermal properties, high-amylose of N. nucifera seed and T. angustifolia pollen resulted in higher gelatinization enthalpy (19.93 and 18.66 J g-1, respectively). Starch properties showed equally good potential as commercial starches in starch-based food production based on their starch properties and functionality.
Acoustics Source Identification of Diesel Engines Based on Variational Mode Decomposition, Fast Independent Component Analysis, and Hilbert Transformation
Authors: Chen Xieqi , Lin Jianhui , Jin Hang , Tan Andy , Yan Lei
Published: January 2021

Diesel engines are widely used in railway systems, particularly in freight trains. Despite their high efficiency in energy conversion, they usually generate high levels of acoustics pollution during operation. In order to mitigate this problem, a series of active/passive acoustics control methods are used to reduce noise. Most of these methods are only effective if the prior knowledge of sources is given. In other words, it is essential to recognize the acoustics source. Variational mode decomposition (VMD) is a signal processing method that enhances the signal corrupted by background noise. However, the decomposed results of VMD depend on their mode parameter and penalty parameter. Therefore, an evaluation method based on system modal parameters (natural frequency and damping ratio) is proposed to select the mode parameter, and the penalty parameter can be selected from the power spectra of signals. In order to increase the accuracy of decomposition for diesel engines and find out the sources of acoustics, a method combining VMD, fast independent component analysis, and Hilbert transformation (VMD‐FastICA‐HT) is proposed for the separation and identification of different sources for diesel engines. The optimization results indicate that when the penalty parameter value is 1.5 to 16 times the maximum signal amplitude, better decomposition results can be achieved. Therefore, the separated independent acoustics are more accurate in source identification. Furthermore, both simulation data and in situ operational data of diesel engines for vehicles are used to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Group Consensus of Heterogeneous Multiagent Systems with Time Delay
Authors: Li Weixun , Zhang Liqiong
Published: January 2021

In this paper, a neighbour-based control algorithm of group consensus is designed for a class of hybrid-based heterogeneous multiagent systems with communication time delay. We consider the statics leaders and active leaders, respectively. The original systems are transformed into new error systems by transformation. On the basis of the systems, applying Lyapunov stability theory and adopting the linear matrix inequality method, sufficient conditions which guarantee the heterogeneous multiagent systems stability are obtained. To illustrate the validity of theoretical results, some numerical simulations are given at the end of the paper.