bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial VDAC1 Silencing Leads to Metabolic Rewiring and the Reprogramming of Tumour Cells into Advanced Differentiated States
Authors: Arif Tasleem , Paul Avijit , Krelin Yakov , Shteinfer-Kuzmine Anna , Shoshan-Barmatz Varda
Published: December 2018

Oncogenic properties, along with the metabolic reprogramming necessary for tumour growth and motility, are acquired by cancer cells. Thus, tumour metabolism is becoming a target for cancer therapy. Here, cancer cell metabolism was tackled by silencing the expression of voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1), a mitochondrial protein that controls cell energy, as well as metabolic and survival pathways and that is often over-expressed in many cancers. We demonstrated that silencing VDAC1 expression using human-specific siRNA (si-hVDAC1) inhibited cancer cell growth, both in vitro and in mouse xenograft models of human glioblastoma (U-87MG), lung cancer (A549), and triple negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231). Importantly, treatment with si-hVDAC1 induced metabolic rewiring of the cancer cells, reversing their oncogenic properties and diverting them towards differentiated-like cells. The si-hVDAC1-treated residual “tumour” showed reprogrammed metabolism, decreased proliferation, inhibited stemness and altered expression of genes and proteins, leading to cell differentiation toward less malignant lineages. These VDAC1 depletion-mediated effects involved alterations in master transcription factors associated with cancer hallmarks, such as highly increased expression of p53 and decreased expression of HIF-1a and c-Myc that regulate signalling pathways (e.g., AMPK, mTOR). High expression of p53 and the pro-apoptotic proteins cytochrome c and caspases without induction of apoptosis points to functions for these proteins in promoting cell differentiation. These results clearly show that VDAC1 depletion similarly leads to a rewiring of cancer cell metabolism in breast and lung cancer and glioblastoma, regardless of origin or mutational status. This metabolic reprogramming results in cell growth arrest and inhibited tumour growth while encouraging cell differentiation, thus generating cells with decreased proliferation capacity. These results further suggest VDAC1 to be an innovative and markedly potent therapeutic target.
Stem Cells Derived from Lipoma and Adipose Tissue—Similar Mesenchymal Phenotype but Different Differentiation Capacity Governed by Distinct Molecular Signature
Authors: Stojanović Sanja , Najman Stevo , Korać Aleksandra
Published: December 2018

Lipomas are benign adipose tissue tumors of unknown etiology, which can vary in size, number, body localization and cell populations within the tissue. Lipoma-derived stem cells (LDSCs) are proposed as a potential tool in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering due to their similar characteristics with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) reported so far. Our study is among the first giving detailed insights into the molecular signature and differences in the differentiation capacity of LDSCs in vitro compared to ADSCs. Mesenchymal stem cell phenotype was analyzed by gene expression and flow cytometric analysis of stem cell markers. Adipogenesis and osteogenesis were analyzed by microscopic analysis, cytochemical and immunocytochemical staining, gene and protein expression analyses. We showed that both LDSCs and ADSCs were mesenchymal stem cells with similar phenotype and stemness state but different molecular basis for potential differentiation. Adipogenesis-related genes expression pattern and presence of more mature adipocytes in ADSCs than in LDSCs after 21 days of adipogenic differentiation, indicated that differentiation capacity of LDSCs was significantly lower compared to ADSCs. Analysis of osteogenesis-related markers after 16 days of osteogenic differentiation revealed that both types of cells had characteristic osteoblast-like phenotype, but were at different stages of osteogenesis. Differences observed between LDSCs and ADSCs are probably due to the distinct molecular signature and their commitment in the tissue that governs their different capacity and fate during adipogenic and osteogenic induction in vitro despite their similar mesenchymal phenotype.
Objective Definition of Climatologically Homogeneous Areas in the Southern Balkans Based on the ERA5 Data Set
Authors: Lolis Christos J. , Kotsias Georgios , Bartzokas Aristides
Published: December 2018

An objective definition of climatologically homogeneous areas in the southern Balkans is attempted with the use of daily 0.25° × 0.25° ERA5 meteorological data of air temperature, dew point, zonal and meridional wind components, Convective Available Potential Energy, Convective Inhibition, and total cloud cover. The classification of the various grid points into climatologically homogeneous areas is carried out by applying Principal Component Analysis and K-means Cluster Analysis on the mean spatial anomaly patterns of the above parameters for the 10-year period of 2008 to 2017. According to the results, 12 climatologically homogenous areas are found. From these areas, eight are mainly over the sea and four are mainly over the land. The mean intra-annual variations of the spatial anomalies of the above parameters reveal the main climatic characteristics of these areas for the above period. These characteristics refer, for example, to how much warmer or cloudy the climate of a specific area is in a specific season relatively to the rest of the geographical domain. The continentality, the latitude, the altitude, the orientation, and the seasonal variability of the thermal and dynamic factors affecting the Mediterranean region are responsible for the climate characteristics of the 12 areas and the differences among them.
Layer Formation from Polymer Carbon-Black Dispersions
Authors: Scheepers Fabian , Stähler Andrea , Stähler Markus , Carmo Marcelo , Lehnert Werner , Stolten Detlef
Published: December 2018

It has been well-established that effects such as cracking are observable when wet layers are dried. In particular, the layer thickness, as well as the surface tension of the liquid, is responsible for this behavior. The layer formation of polymer electrolyte fuel cells and electrolyzer electrodes, however, has not yet been analyzed in relation to these issues, even though the effect of cracks on cell performance and durability has been frequently discussed. In this paper, water propanol polymer-containing carbon-black dispersions are analyzed in situ with regard to their composition during drying. We demonstrate that crack behavior can be steered by slight variations in the initial dispersion when the solvent mixture is near the dynamic azeotropic point. This minor adjustment may strongly affect the drying behavior, leading to either propanol or water-enriched liquid phases at the end of the drying process. If the evaporation of the solvent results in propanol enrichment, the critical layer thickness at which cracks occur will be increased by about 30% due to a decrease in the capillary pressure. Microscopic images indicate that the crack area ratio and width depend on the wet layer thickness and initial liquid phase composition. These results are of much value for future electrode fabrication, as cracks affect electrode properties.
From Waste to Valuable Resource: Lignin as a Sustainable Anti-Corrosion Coating
Authors: Dastpak Arman , Yliniemi Kirsi , De Oliveira Monteiro Mariana Cecilio , Höhn Sarah , Virtanen Sannakaisa , Lundström Mari , Wilson Benjamin P.
Published: December 2018

In this study, a waste of biorefinery—lignin—is investigated as an anticorrosion coating on stainless steel. Corrosion behavior of two lignin types (hardwood beech and softwood spruce) was studied by electrochemical measurements (linear sweep voltammetry, open circuit potential, potentiostatic polarization, cyclic potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance measurements) during exposure to simulated body fluid (SBF) or phosphate buffer (PBS). Results from linear sweep voltammetry of lignin-coated samples, in particular, demonstrated a reduction in corrosion current density between 1 and 3 orders of magnitude cf. blank stainless steel. Furthermore, results from cross cut adhesion tests on lignin-coated samples demonstrated that the best possible adhesion (grade 0) of ISO 2409 standard was achieved for the investigated novel coatings. Such findings suggest that lignin materials could transform the field of organic coatings towards more sustainable alternatives by replacing non-renewable polymer coatings.
Development of PVC Dispensers for Long-Lasting Release of Attractants for the Control of Invasive Crayfish Populations
Authors: Solari Paolo , Peddio Stefania , Sollai Giorgia , Masala Carla , Podda Cinzia , Frau Giacomo , Palmas Francesco , Sabatini Andrea , Crnjar Roberto
Published: December 2018

Invasive alien species (IAS) are considered one of the major threats to biodiversity worldwide, thus requiring severe control strategies. Based on the promising results obtained in the field of insect pest management with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for long-lasting release of attractants, the main aim of this study was to ascertain the efficacy of PVC/attractant dispensers also in the aquatic environment. Therefore, we developed PVC/food dispensers and evaluated their attractiveness, by means of behavioural bioassays on whole animals, over a 60-day period of continuous use towards the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii, one of the top 100 worst IAS. The attractiveness in PVC of trehalose, leucine and taurocholic acid was also tested. Our results show that the PVC dispensers release the food and are strongly attractive for crayfish over a prolonged time, even if their effectiveness depends on the storage conditions: From 18 days when stored underwater at 23 °C up to 50 days when stored out of the water at −20 °C. Besides, trehalose, leucine and taurocholic acid in PVC resulted in reliable attractants for P. clarkii. The development of PVC dispensers for long-lasting release of attractants may help improve the efficiency of mass trapping strategies in the management and control of invasive crayfish.
A Novel Neuro-Fuzzy Model for Multivariate Time-Series Prediction
Authors: Vlasenko Alexander , Vlasenko Nataliia , Vynokurova Olena , Peleshko Dmytro
Published: December 2018

Time series forecasting can be a complicated problem when the underlying process shows high degree of complex nonlinear behavior. In some domains, such as financial data, processing related time-series jointly can have significant benefits. This paper proposes a novel multivariate hybrid neuro-fuzzy model for forecasting tasks, which is based on and generalizes the neuro-fuzzy model with consequent layer multi-variable Gaussian units and its learning algorithm. The model is distinguished by a separate consequent block for each output, which is tuned with respect to the its output error only, but benefits from extracting additional information by processing the whole input vector including lag values of other variables. Numerical experiments show better accuracy and computational performance results than competing models and separate neuro-fuzzy models for each output, and thus an ability to implicitly handle complex cross correlation dependencies between variables.
Virtual Network Embedding Based on Topology Potential
Authors: Liu Xinbo , Wang Buhong , Yang Zhixian
Published: December 2018

To improve the low acceptance ratio and revenue to cost ratio caused by the poor match between the virtual nodes and the physical nodes in the existing virtual network embedding (VNE) algorithms, we established a multi-objective optimization integer linear programming model for the VNE problem, and proposed a novel two-stage virtual network embedding algorithm based on topology potential (VNE-TP). In the node embedding stage, the field theory once used for data clustering was introduced and a node embedding function designed to find the optimal physical node. In the link embedding stage, both the available bandwidth and hops of the candidate paths were considered, and a path embedding function designed to find the optimal path. Extensive simulation results show that the proposed algorithm outperforms other existing algorithms in terms of acceptance ratio and revenue to cost ratio.
Morphological Computation: Nothing but Physical Computation
Authors: Miłkowski Marcin
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this paper is to argue against the claim that morphological computation is substantially different from other kinds of physical computation. I show that some (but not all) purported cases of morphological computation do not count as specifically computational, and that those that do are solely physical computational systems. These latter cases are not, however, specific enough: all computational systems, not only morphological ones, may (and sometimes should) be studied in various ways, including their energy efficiency, cost, reliability, and durability. Second, I critically analyze the notion of “offloading” computation to the morphology of an agent or robot, by showing that, literally, computation is sometimes not offloaded but simply avoided. Third, I point out that while the morphology of any agent is indicative of the environment that it is adapted to, or informative about that environment, it does not follow that every agent has access to its morphology as the model of its environment.
The Effect of Organic Acid, Trisodium Phosphate and Essential Oil Component Immersion Treatments on the Microbiology of Cod (Gadus morhua) during Chilled Storage
Authors: Smyth Conor , Brunton Nigel P. , Fogarty Colin , Bolton Declan J.
Published: December 2018

Spoilage is a major issue for the seafood sector with the sale and exportation of fish limited by their short shelf-life. The immediate and storage effects of immersion (30 s at 20 °C) with 5% (w/v) citric acid (CA), 5% (v/v) lactic acid (LA), 5% (w/v) capric acid (CP) and 12% trisodium phosphate (TSP) (experiment 1) and essential oil components (EOC) (1% (v/v) citral (CIT), 1% (v/v) carvacrol (CAR), 1% (w/v) thymol (THY) and 1% (v/v) eugenol (EUG)) (experiment 2) on the concentrations of indicator (total viable counts (TVC) (mesophilic and psychrophilic) and total Enterobacteriaceae counts (TEC)), and spoilage organisms (Pseudomonas spp., lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Brochothrix thermosphacta, Photobacterium spp. and hydrogen sulphide producing bacteria (HSPB)) on cod (Gadus morhua) (stored aerobically at 2 °C) was investigated. There was no significant reduction for most treatment-bacteria combinations, with the following exceptions; TSP and TVCm (time t = 6), TSP and TVCp (t = 6), CP and LAB (t = 6, 8 and 10), CP and Br. thermosphacta (t = 4, 6, 8, 10, 14 and 16), TSP and Photobacterium spp. (t = 4), CAR and Br. thermosphacta (t = 6) and CAR and HSPB (t = 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18). Although the majority of treatments did not significantly (P > 0.05) reduce bacterial counts, the limited success with CP and CAR warrants further investigation.
DNA Damage Tolerance Mechanisms Revealed from the Analysis of Immunoglobulin V Gene Diversification in Avian DT40 Cells
Authors: Abe Takuya , Branzei Dana , Hirota Kouji
Published: December 2018

DNA replication is an essential biochemical reaction in dividing cells that frequently stalls at damaged sites. Homologous/homeologous recombination (HR)-mediated template switch and translesion DNA synthesis (TLS)-mediated bypass processes release arrested DNA replication forks. These mechanisms are pivotal for replication fork maintenance and play critical roles in DNA damage tolerance (DDT) and gap-filling. The avian DT40 B lymphocyte cell line provides an opportunity to examine HR-mediated template switch and TLS triggered by abasic sites by sequencing the constitutively diversifying immunoglobulin light-chain variable gene (IgV). During IgV diversification, activation-induced deaminase (AID) converts dC to dU, which in turn is excised by uracil DNA glycosylase and yields abasic sites within a defined window of around 500 base pairs. These abasic sites can induce gene conversion with a set of homeologous upstream pseudogenes via the HR-mediated template switch, resulting in templated mutagenesis, or can be bypassed directly by TLS, resulting in non-templated somatic hypermutation at dC/dG base pairs. In this review, we discuss recent works unveiling IgV diversification mechanisms in avian DT40 cells, which shed light on DDT mode usage in vertebrate cells and tolerance of abasic sites.
Sun Exposure Public Health Directives
Authors: Hoel David G. , De Gruijl Frank R.
Published: December 2018

There have been many public health recommendations for avoiding UV radiation exposures. This is primarily due to concerns about skin cancer and especially melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. However, UV radiation is also known as the primary source of vitamin D and other compounds needed for good health. This brief commentary lists several of the many important recent studies of adverse health effects associated with low sun exposure, including some specific cancers, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, and age-related macular degeneration. Our conclusion is that non-burning UV exposure is a health benefit and—in moderation—should be recommended as such.
A Quick Algorithm for Binary Discernibility Matrix Simplification using Deterministic Finite Automata
Authors: Zhang Nan , Li Baizhen , Zhang Zhongxi , Guo Yanyan
Published: December 2018

The binary discernibility matrix, originally introduced by Felix and Ushio, is a binary matrix representation for storing discernible attributes that can distinguish different objects in decision systems. It is an effective approach for feature selection, knowledge representation and uncertainty reasoning. An original binary discernibility matrix usually contains redundant objects and attributes. These redundant objects and attributes may deteriorate the performance of feature selection and knowledge acquisition. To overcome this shortcoming, row relations and column relations in a binary discernibility matrix are defined in this paper. To compare the relationships of different rows (columns) quickly, we construct deterministic finite automata for a binary discernibility matrix. On this basis, a quick algorithm for binary discernibility matrix simplification using deterministic finite automata (BDMSDFA) is proposed. We make a comparison of BDMR (an algorithm of binary discernibility matrix reduction), IBDMR (an improved algorithm of binary discernibility matrix reduction) and BDMSDFA. Finally, theoretical analyses and experimental results indicate that the algorithm of BDMSDFA is effective and efficient.
Hibernation Leads to Altered Gut Communities in Bumblebee Queens (Bombus terrestris)
Authors: Bosmans Lien , Pozo María I. , Verreth Christel , Crauwels Sam , Wäckers Felix , Jacquemyn Hans , Lievens Bart
Published: December 2018

Many reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and insects practice some form of hibernation during which their metabolic rate is drastically reduced. This allows them to conserve energy and survive the harsh winter conditions with little or no food. While it can be expected that a reduction in host metabolism has a substantial influence on the gut microbial community, little is known about the effects of hibernation on the composition of the microbial gut community, especially for insects. In this study, we assessed and compared the bacterial gut community composition within the midgut and ileum of indoor-reared queens of Bombus terrestris before and after an artificial hibernation period of 16 weeks. Deep sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicons and clustering of sequence reads into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at a similarity threshold of 97% revealed several bacterial taxa that are known to be strongly associated with corbiculate bees. Bacterial community composition after hibernation compared to before hibernation was characterized by higher OTU richness and evenness, with decreased levels of the core bacteria Gilliamella (Proteobacteria, Orbaceae) and Snodgrassella (Proteobacteria, Neisseriaceae), and increased relative abundance of non-core bacteria, including several psychrophilic and psychrotrophic taxa.
Exploiting Nonlinear Photoacoustic Signal Generation in Gold Nanospheres for Selective Detection in Serial 3D PA Tomography
Authors: Schrof Susanne , Pang Genny , Buchmann Jens , Laufer Jan
Published: December 2018

The photoacoustic (PA) signal amplitude measured in gold nanosphere suspensions has been shown to increase nonlinearly with the incident excitation fluence. In this work, this effect is exploited to recover the spatial distribution of gold nanoparticles in tomographic 3D photoacoustic (PA) images against the background contrast provided by absorbers that exhibit a linear relationship between the PA signal amplitude and the fluence. Serial tomographic PA images of a tissue phantom containing gold nanospheres and a tissue-mimicking absorber were acquired. By assessing the linearity of the PA intensity voxel by voxel, the spatial distribution of the gold nanosphere suspension was recovered. The method is shown to enable the robust detection of gold nanoparticles.
Pre-Existing Liver Disease and Toxicity of Antifungals
Authors: Spernovasilis Nikolaos , Kofteridis Diamantis P.
Published: December 2018

Pre-existing liver disease in patients with invasive fungal infections further complicates their management. Altered pharmacokinetics and tolerance issues of antifungal drugs are important concerns. Adjustment of the dosage of antifungal agents in these cases can be challenging given that current evidence to guide decision-making is limited. This comprehensive review aims to evaluate the existing evidence related to antifungal treatment in individuals with liver dysfunction. This article also provides suggestions for dosage adjustment of antifungal drugs in patients with varying degrees of hepatic impairment, after accounting for established or emerging pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic relationships with regard to antifungal drug efficacy in vivo.
Transforming Culture on an Insula Portunalis: Port Cities as Central Places in Early Roman Cyprus
Authors: Gordon Jody Michael
Published: December 2018

During the Early Roman period in the Mediterranean (ca. 30 BC–330 AD), the key central places that distinguished socio-political landscapes were towns. These urban centers functioned as economic and administrative focal points that were controlled by local elites who oversaw wealth redistribution and maintained a dialectical relationship with Rome that mutually benefitted both parties. Yet, beyond providing such rudimentary observations, central place theory has recently been revised to examine how local factors, such as a place’s long-term geography and history, intersect with globalizing ones to transform settlement hierarchies as well as economic, political, and cultural landscapes. This article’s goal is to explore such intersections through a study of how port towns functioned as central places that connected globalized imperial networks to localized provincial ones within island contexts. It examines a range of material culture including, ceramics, architecture, prestige goods, and coinage from ports in Early Roman Cyprus in order to investigate how the island’s integration into Roman networks created central places that altered existing settlement types, hierarchies, and thus, local identities. Overall, this study shows how the reanalysis of central places within their unique geohistorical contexts can shed new light on both regional and state-level processes of cultural change.
Kempe-Locking Configurations
Authors: Tilley James
Published: December 2018

The 4-color theorem was proved by showing that a minimum counterexample cannot exist. Birkhoff demonstrated that a minimum counterexample must be internally 6-connected. We show that a minimum counterexample must also satisfy a coloring property that we call Kempe-locking. The novel idea explored in this article is that the connectivity and coloring properties are incompatible. We describe a methodology for analyzing whether an arbitrary planar triangulation is Kempe-locked. We provide a heuristic argument that a fundamental Kempe-locking configuration must be of low order and then perform a systematic search through isomorphism classes for such configurations. All Kempe-locked triangulations that we discovered have two features in common: (1) they are Kempe-locked with respect to only a single edge, say x y , and (2) they have a Birkhoff diamond with endpoints x and y as a subgraph. On the strength of our investigations, we formulate a plausible conjecture that the Birkhoff diamond is the only fundamental Kempe-locking configuration. If true, this would establish that the connectivity and coloring properties of a minimum counterexample are indeed incompatible. It would also imply the appealing conclusion that the Birkhoff diamond configuration alone is responsible for the 4-colorability of planar triangulations.
Effect of Marine Microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa Ethanol Extract on Lipid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota Composition in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats
Authors: Wan Xuzhi , Li Tiantian , Liu Dan , Chen Yihan , Liu Yuanyuan , Liu Bin , Zhang Huiying , Zhao Chao
Published: December 2018

Effects of marine microalga Chlorella pyrenoidosa 55% ethanol extract (CPE55) on lipid metabolism, gut microbiota and regulation mechanism in high fat diet-fed induced hyperlipidaemia rats were investigated. Structure characterizations of major compounds in CPE55 were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). The compositions of gut microbiota in rats were analyzed by high-throughput next-generation 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Oral administration with CPE55 markedly alleviated dyslipidemia through improving adverse blood lipid profile and inhibiting hepatic lipid accumulation and steatosis. CPE55 has downregulated the gene expression levels of acetyl CoA carboxylase, sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1c, and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase and upregulated adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase-α. It has also improved the abundance of bacteria Alistipes, Prevotella, Alloprevotella, and Ruminococcus1 and decreased the abundances of Turicibacter and Lachnospira. Turicibacter and Lachnospira were both positive correlations of metabolic phenotypes. The findings above illustrated that CPE55 might be developed as food ingredients to ameliorate lipid metabolic disorders and hyperlipidaemia.
New Insights in Bladder Cancer Diagnosis: Urinary miRNAs and Proteins
Authors: Güllü Amuran Gökçe , Peker Eyuboglu Irem , Tinay Ilker , Akkiprik Mustafa
Published: December 2018

Bladder cancer is the 10th-most common cancer worldwide. The diagnosis and follow-up of patients require costly invasive methods and due to these expenses, bladder cancer continues to be one of the expensive malignancies. Early diagnosis is crucial in bladder cancer as it is in other cancers; therefore, non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis are very important. In this review, we aimed to focus on the most recent investigations on potential urinary micro RNA (miRNA) and protein biomarkers for bladder cancer diagnosis and their associated pathways. Studies performed by different groups were compiled and the biomarker properties of various proteins and miRNAs in the urine of bladder cancer patients were evaluated. Key studies were obtained by searching keywords “bladder cancer, urinary miRNA, urinary protein, urinary biomarker”. Targets and the pathways of the miRNAs and proteins were analyzed according to mirBase Catalogue and Panther Database. The major pathways that are targeted by aberrantly expressed miRNAs are Cholecystokinin receptor (CCKR), p53, Wnt signaling pathway, and feedback loops. We hereby conclude that urinary micro RNAs and proteins are promising candidates for bladder cancer diagnosis. It should be noted that urine collection, storage conditions, choice of fraction, and normalization strategies should be standardized.
Characterization of Microstructural Evolution for a Near-α Titanium Alloy with Different Initial Lamellar Microstructures
Authors: Li Hui , Zhao Zhanglong , Ning Yongquan , Guo Hongzhen , Yao Zekun
Published: December 2018

The effects of initial lamellar thickness on microstructural evolution and deformation behaviors of a near-α Ti-5.4Al-3.7Sn-3.3Zr-0.5Mo-0.4Si alloy were investigated during isothermal compression in α + β phase field. Special attention was paid to microstructural conversion mechanisms for α lamellae with different initial thicknesses. The deformation behaviors, including flow stress, temperature sensitivity, and strain rate sensitivity, and processing maps and their dependence on initial lamellar thickness were discussed. The detailed microstructural characterizations in different domains of the developed processing maps were analyzed. The results showed that the peak efficiency of power dissipation decreased with increasing initial lamellar thickness. The interaction effects with different extents of globularization, elongating, kinking, and phase transformation of lamellar α accounted for the variation in power dissipation. The flow instability region appeared to expand more widely for thicker initial lamellar microstructures during high strain rate deformation due to flow localization and local lamellae kinking. The electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analyses revealed that the collaborative mechanism of continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) and discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX) promoted the rapid globularization behavior for the thinnest acicular initial microstructure, whereas in case of the initial thick lamellar microstructure, CDRX leading to the fragmentation of lamellae was the dominant mechanism throughout the deformation process.
Fabrication of Stable Carbon Nanotube Cold Cathode Electron Emitters with Post-Growth Electrical Aging
Authors: Kim Jung Hyun , Kang Jung Su , Park Kyu Chang
Published: December 2018

We fabricated carbon nanotube (CNT) cold cathode emitters with enhanced and stable electron emission properties and long-time stability with electrical aging as a post-treatment. Our CNT field emitters showed improved electrical properties by electrical aging. We set the applied bias for effective electrical aging, with the bias voltage defined at the voltage where Joule heating appeared. At the initial stage of aging, the electron emission current started to increase and then was saturated within 3 h. We understood that 5 h aging time was enough at proper aging bias. If the aging bias is higher, excessive heating damages CNT emitters. With the electrical aging, we obtained improved electron emission current from 3 mA to 6 mA. The current of 6 mA was steadily driven for 9 h.
Characterisation of Mineralised Material from the Loki’s Castle Hydrothermal Vent on the Mohn’s Ridge
Authors: Snook Ben , Drivenes Kristian , Rollinson Gavyn K. , Aasly Kurt
Published: December 2018

Loki’s Castle on the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge (AMOR) is an area of possible seafloor massive sulphide (SMS)-style mineralisation under Norwegian jurisdiction, which, due to mounting social pressure, may be a strategic future source of base and precious metals. The purpose of this study is to characterise mineralised material from a hydrothermal vent system on the AMOR in detail for the first time, and to discuss the suitability of methods used; reflected light microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), whole rock geochemistry, electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA), and QEMSCAN. The primary sulphide phases, identifiable by microscopy, are pyrite and marcasite with minor pyrrhotite and galena, but multiple samples from the Loki’s Castle contain economically interesting quantities of copper (hosted in isocubanite and chalcopyrite) and zinc (hosted in sphalerite), as well as silver and gold. This reinforces the notion that slow spreading ridges may host significant base metal deposits. Micro-textures (chalcopyrite inclusions and exsolutions in sphalerite and isocubanite respectively) are typically undefinable by QEMSCAN, and require quantitative measurement by EPMA. QEMSCAN can be used to efficiently generate average grain size and mineral association data, as well as composition data, and is likely to be a powerful tool in assessing the effectiveness of SMS mineral processing.
Multiple Kinetic Parameterization in a Reactive Transport Model Using the Exchange Monte Carlo Method
Authors: Oyanagi Ryosuke , Okamoto Atsushi , Tsuchiya Noriyoshi
Published: December 2018

Water–rock interaction in surface and subsurface environments occurs in complex multicomponent systems and involves several reactions, including element transfer. Such kinetic information is obtained by fitting a forward model into the temporal evolution of solution chemistry or the spatial pattern recorded in the rock samples, although geochemical and petrological data are essentially sparse and noisy. Therefore, the optimization of kinetic parameters sometimes fails to converge toward the global minimum due to being trapped in a local minimum. In this study, we simultaneously present a novel framework to estimate multiple reaction-rate constants and the diffusivity of aqueous species from the mineral distribution pattern in a rock by using the reactive transport model coupled with the exchange Monte Carlo method. Our approach can estimate both the maximum likelihood and error of each parameter. We applied the method to the synthetic data, which were produced using a model for silica metasomatism and hydration in the olivine–quartz–H2O system. We tested the robustness and accuracy of our method over a wide range of noise intensities. This methodology can be widely applied to kinetic analyses of various kinds of water–rock interactions.
The Fate of Platinum-Group Minerals in the Exogenic Environment—From Sulfide Ores via Oxidized Ores into Placers: Case Studies Bushveld Complex, South Africa, and Great Dyke, Zimbabwe
Authors: Oberthür Thomas
Published: December 2018

Diverse studies were performed in order to investigate the behavior of the platinum-group minerals (PGM) in the weathering cycle in the Bushveld Complex of South Africa and the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe. Samples were obtained underground, from core, in surface outcrops, and from alluvial sediments in rivers draining the intrusions. The investigations applied conventional mineralogical methods (reflected light microscopy) complemented by modern techniques (scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mineral liberation analysis (MLA), electron-probe microanalysis (EPMA), and LA-ICPMS analysis). This review aims at combining the findings to a coherent model also with respect to the debate regarding allogenic versus authigenic origin of placer PGM. In the pristine sulfide ores, the PGE are present as discrete PGM, dominantly PGE-bismuthotellurides, -sulfides, -arsenides, -sulfarsenides, and -alloys, and substantial though variable proportions of Pd and Rh are hosted in pentlandite. Pt–Fe alloys, sperrylite, and most PGE-sulfides survive the weathering of the ores, whereas the base metal sulfides and the (Pt,Pd)-bismuthotellurides are destroyed, and ill-defined (Pt,Pd)-oxides or -hydroxides develop. In addition, elevated contents of Pt and Pd are located in Fe/Mn/Co-oxides/hydroxides and smectites. In the placers, the PGE-sulfides experience further modification, whereas sperrylite largely remains a stable phase, and grains of Pt–Fe alloys and native Pt increase in relative proportion. In the Bushveld/Great Dyke case, the main impact of weathering on the PGM assemblages is destruction of the unstable PGM and PGE-carriers of the pristine ores and of the intermediate products of the oxidized ores. Dissolution and redistribution of PGE is taking place, however, the newly-formed products are thin films, nano-sized particles, small crystallites, or rarely µm-sized grains primarily on substrates of precursor detrital/allogenic PGM grains, and they are of subordinate significance. In the Bushveld/Great Dyke scenario, and in all probability universally, authigenic growth and formation of discrete, larger PGM crystals or nuggets in the supergene environment plays no substantial role, and any proof of PGM “neoformation” in a grand style is missing. The final PGM suite which survived the weathering process en route from sulfide ores via oxidized ores into placers results from the continuous elimination of unstable PGM and the dispersion of soluble PGE. Therefore, the alluvial PGM assemblage represents a PGM rest spectrum of residual, detrital grains.
Synthesis and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Phloroglucinol-Based Derivatives
Authors: Li Ning , Khan Shabana I. , Qiu Shi , Li Xing-Cong
Published: December 2018

The natural product phloroglucinol-based derivatives representing monoacyl-, diacyl-, dimeric acyl-, alkylated monoacyl-, and the nitrogen-containing alkylated monoacylphloro- glucinols were synthesized and evaluated for inhibitory activities against the inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB). The diacylphloroglucinol compound 2 and the alkylated acylphloroglucinol compound 4 inhibited iNOS with IC50 values of 19.0 and 19.5 µM, respectively, and NF-κB with IC50 values of 34.0 and 37.5 µM, respectively. These compounds may serve as leads for the synthesis of more potent anti-inflammatory compounds for future drug discovery.
Hydration and Ion Pair Formation in Aqueous Lu3+- Solution
Authors: Rudolph Wolfram , Irmer Gert
Published: December 2018

Aqueous solutions of Lu3+- perchlorate, triflate and chloride were measured by Raman spectroscopy. A weak, isotropic mode at 396 cm−1 (full width at half height (fwhh) at 50 cm−1) was observed in perchlorate and triflate solutions. This mode was assigned to the totally symmetric stretching mode of [Lu(OH2)8]3+, ν1LuO8. In Lu(ClO4)3 solutions in heavy water, the ν1LuO8 symmetric stretch of [Lu(OD2)8]3+ appears at 376.5 cm−1. The shift confirms the theoretical isotopic effect of this mode. In the anisotropic scattering of aqueous Lu(ClO4)3, five bands of very low intensity were observed at 113 cm−1, 161.6 cm−1, 231 cm−1, 261.3 cm−1 and 344 cm−1. In LuCl3 (aq) solutions measured over a concentration range from 0.105–3.199 mol·L−1 a 1:1 chloro-complex was detected. Its equilibrium concentration, however, disappeared rapidly with dilution and vanished at a concentration < 0.5 mol·L−1. Quantitative Raman spectroscopy allowed the detection of the fractions of [Lu(OH2)8]3+, the fully hydrated species and the mono-chloro complex, [Lu(OH2)7Cl]2+. In a ternary LuCl3/HCl solution, a mixtrure of chloro-complex species of the type [Lu(OH2)8−nCln]+3−n (n = 1 and 2) were detected. DFT geometry optimization and frequency calculations are reported for Lu3+- water cluster in vacuo and with a polarizable dielectric continuum (PC) model including the bulk solvent implicitly. The bond distance and angle for [Lu(OH2)8]3+ within the PC are in good agreement with data from structural experiments. The DFT frequencies for the Lu-O modes of [Lu(OH2)8]3+ and its deuterated analog [Lu(OD2)8]3+ in a PC are in fair agreement with the experimental ones. The calculated hydration enthalpy of Lu3+ (aq) is slightly lower than the experimental value.
Structural Moieties Required for Cinnamaldehyde-Related Compounds to Inhibit Canonical IL-1β Secretion
Authors: Ho Su-Chen , Chang Yi-Huang , Chang Ku-Shang
Published: December 2018

Suppressing canonical NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated interleukin (IL)-1β secretion is a reliable strategy for the development of nutraceutical to prevent chronic inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to find out the functional group responsible for the inhibitory effects of cinnamaldehyde-related compounds on the canonical IL-1β secretion. To address this, the suppressing capacities of six cinnamaldehyde-related compounds were evaluated and compared by using the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-primed and adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP)-activated macrophages. At concentrations of 25~100 μM, cinnamaldehyde and 2-methoxy cinnamaldehyde dose-dependently inhibited IL-1β secretion. In contrast, cinnamic acid, cinnamyl acetate, cinnamyl alcohol and α-methyl cinnamaldehyde did not exert any inhibition. Furthermore, cinnamaldehyde and 2-methoxy cinnamaldehyde diminished expressions of NLRP3 and pro-IL-1β. Meanwhile, cinnamaldehyde and 2-methoxy cinnamaldehyde prevented the ATP-induced reduction of cytosolic pro-caspase-1 and increase of secreted caspase-1. In conclusion, for cinnamaldehyde-related compounds to suppress NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated IL-1β secretion, the propenal group of the side chain was essential, while the substituted group of the aromatic ring played a modifying role. Cinnamaldehyde and 2-methoxy cinnamaldehyde exerted dual abilities to inhibit canonical IL-1β secretion at both stages of priming and activation. Therefore, there might be potential to serve as complementary supplements for the prevention of chronic inflammatory diseases.
Spectroscopic Methods in the Evaluation of Modified Vegetable Base Oils from Crambe abyssinica
Authors: Szmatoła Michał , Chrobak Justyna , Grabowski Rafał , Iłowska Jolanta , Woch Julia , Szwach Iwona , Semeniuk Izabela , Drabik Jolanta , Wrona Małgorzata , Kozdrach Rafał , Orlińska Beata , Grymel Mirosława
Published: December 2018

Raw vegetable oil from Crambe abyssinica was subjected to oxidative treatment to enhance its viscosity. The oxidation processes were carried out in the presence of N-hydroxyphthalimide with or without supercritical CO2 as a solvent. Four spectroscopic techniques (Raman, UV-VIS, FT-IR, NMR) were applied to assess the chemical changes taking place during the oxidation. Raman and NMR spectroscopy proved best in the assessment of the chemical transformations leading to increased viscosity of the modified vegetable oil.
Effects of Rich-Polyphenols Extract of Dendrobium loddigesii on Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Oxidant, and Gut Microbiota Modulation in db/db Mice
Authors: Li Xue-Wen , Chen Hui-Ping , He Ying-Yan , Chen Wei-Li , Chen Jian-Wen , Gao Lu , Hu Hai-Yan , Wang Jun
Published: December 2018

Dendrobium is a traditional Chinese herb with anti-diabetic effects and has diverse bibenzyls as well as phenanthrenes. Little is known about Dendrobium polyphenols anti-diabetic activities, so, a rich-polyphenols extract of D. loddigesii (DJP) was used for treatment of diabetic db/db mice; the serum biochemical index and tissue appearance were evaluated. In order to gain an insight into the anti-diabetic mechanism, the oxidative stress index, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and gut microbiota modulation were determined by ELISA, immunohistochemistry or high throughput sequencing 16S rRNA gene. The results revealed that DJP had the effects to decrease the blood glucose, body weight, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and increase insulin (INS) level in the mice. DJP improved the mice fatty liver and diabetic nephropathy. DJP showed the anti-oxidative abilities to reduce the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and increase the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) as well as glutathione (GSH). DJP exerted the anti-inflammatory effects of decreasing expression of IL-6 and TNF-α. After treatment of DJP, the intestinal flora balance of the mice was ameliorated, increasing Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratios as well as the relative abundance of Prevotella/Akkermansia and reducing the relative abundance of S24-7/Rikenella/Escherichia coli. The function’s prediction of gut microbiota indicated that the microbial compositions involved carbohydrate metabolism or lipid metabolism were changed. This study revealed for the first time that DJP improves the mice symptoms of diabetes and complications, which might be due to the effects that DJP induced the decrease of inflammation as well as oxidative stress and improvement of intestinal flora balance.
Comparison of Physicochemical Properties of Starches from Nine Chinese Chestnut Varieties
Authors: Zhang Long , Liu Tianxiang , Hu Guanglong , Guo Ke , Wei Cunxu
Published: December 2018

Chestnut is a popular food in many countries and is also an important starch source. In previous studies, physicochemical properties of starches have been compared among different Chinese chestnut varieties growing under different conditions. In this study, nine Chinese chestnut varieties from the same farm were investigated for starch physicochemical properties to exclude the effects of growing conditions. The dry kernels had starch contents from 42.7 to 49.3%. Starches from different varieties had similar morphologies and exhibited round, oval, ellipsoidal, and polygonal shapes with a central hilum and smooth surface. Starch had bimodal size distribution and the volume-weighted mean diameter ranged from 7.2 to 8.2 μm among nine varieties. The starches had apparent amylose contents from 23.8 to 27.3% but exhibited the same C-type crystalline structure and similar relative crystallinity, ordered degree, and lamellar structure. The gelatinization onset, peak, and conclusion temperatures ranged from 60.4 to 63.9 °C, from 64.8 to 68.3 °C, and from 70.5 to 74.5 °C, respectively, among nine starches; and the peak, hot, breakdown, final, and setback viscosities ranged from 5524 to 6505 mPa s, from 3042 to 3616 mPa s, from 2205 to 2954 mPa s, from 4378 to 4942 mPa s, and from 1326 to 1788 mPa s, respectively. The rapidly digestible starch, slowly digestible starch, and resistant starch ranged from 2.6 to 3.7%, from 5.7 to 12.7%, and from 84.4 to 90.7%, respectively, for native starch, and from 79.6 to 89.5%, from 1.3 to 3.8%, and from 7.1 to 17.4%, respectively, for gelatinized starch.
Mechanoresponsive Material of AIE-Active 1,4-Dihydropyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole Luminophores Bearing Tetraphenylethylene Group with Rewritable Data Storage
Authors: Ma Yuqing , Zhang Yuyang , Kong Lin , Yang Jiaxiang
Published: December 2018

A new tetraphenylethylene (TPE) functionalized 1,4-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole derivative (APPTPECN) was synthesized with obvious aggregation-induced emission (AIE) active by simple synthetic method. APPTPECN exhibited reversible mechanofluorochromic (MFC) behavior. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations exhibited that the MFC nature is originated through a conversion from the microcrystalline to amorphous phase under the stimulus of external force. The results obtained would be of major help in understanding the MFC mechanism and designing new MFC materials. Compound APPTPECN has the potential possibility to employ in rewritable data storage and is of assistance in the rational design of smart luminescent materials.
Role of Si and C Impurities in Yellow and Blue Luminescence of Unintentionally and Si-Doped GaN
Authors: Liang Feng , Zhao Degang , Jiang Desheng , Liu Zongshun , Zhu Jianjun , Chen Ping , Yang Jing , Liu Shuangtao , Xing Yao , Zhang Liqun
Published: December 2018

Both yellow luminescence (YL) and blue luminescence (BL) bands of GaN films have been investigated for decades, but few works report the relationship between them. In this study, two sets of GaN samples grown via metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) were investigated. A close relationship was found between the YL and BL bands for unintentionally doped GaN and Si-doped GaN samples, both of which were grown without intentional acceptor doping. It was found that the intensity ratio of blue luminescence to yellow luminescence (IBL/IYL) decreases sharply with the increase in carbon impurity concentration, even though both IBL and IYL increase obviously. It was also found that IBL/IYL decreases sharply with the increase in Si doping concentration. It is suggested that the C and Si impurities play important role in linkage and competition of the blue and yellow luminescence.