bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Trends in the Application of Carbon-Bearing Materials in Blast Furnace Iron-Making
Authors: Ahmed Hesham
Published: December 2018

The iron and steel industry is still dependent on fossil coking coal. About 70% of the total steel production relies directly on fossil coal and coke inputs. Therefore, steel production contributes by ~7% of the global CO2 emission. The reduction of CO2 emission has been given highest priority by the iron- and steel-making sector due to the commitment of governments to mitigate CO2 emission according to Kyoto protocol. Utilization of auxiliary carbonaceous materials in the blast furnace and other iron-making technologies is one of the most efficient options to reduce the coke consumption and, consequently, the CO2 emission. The present review gives an insight of the trends in the applications of auxiliary carbon-bearing material in iron-making processes. Partial substitution of top charged coke by nut coke, lump charcoal, or carbon composite agglomerates were found to not only decrease the dependency on virgin fossil carbon, but also improve the blast furnace performance and increase the productivity. Partial or complete substitution of pulverized coal by waste plastics or renewable carbon-bearing materials like waste plastics or biomass help in mitigating the CO2 emission due to its high H2 content compared to fossil carbon. Injecting such reactive materials results in improved combustion and reduced coke consumption. Moreover, utilization of integrated steel plant fines and gases becomes necessary to achieve profitability to steel mill operation from both economic and environmental aspects. Recycling of such results in recovering the valuable components and thereby decrease the energy consumption and the need of landfills at the steel plants as well as reduce the consumption of virgin materials and reduce CO2 emission. On the other hand, developed technologies for iron-making rather than blast furnace opens a window and provide a good opportunity to utilize auxiliary carbon-bearing materials that are difficult to utilize in conventional blast furnace iron-making.
Effect of New Thiophene-Derived Aminophosphonic Derivatives on Growth of Terrestrial Plants. Part 2. Their Ecotoxicological Impact and Phytotoxicity Test Toward Herbicidal Application in Agriculture
Authors: Rogacz Diana , Lewkowski Jarosław , Malinowski Zbigniew , Matusiak Agnieszka , Morawska Marta , Rychter Piotr
Published: December 2018

Background: The aim of this work was to evaluate phytotoxicity of the thiophene derivatives against three persistent weeds of a high degree of resistance (Galinsoga parviflora Cav., Rumex acetosa L., and Chenopodium album) as well as their ecotoxicological impact on Heterocypris incongruens. In addition, Aliivibrio fischeri was measured. Two of eight described aminophosphonates, namely dimethyl N-(2-methoxyphenyl)amino(2-thienyl)methylphosphonate (2d) and dimethyl N-(tert-butyl)- (2-thienyl)methylphosphonate (2h), have never been reported before. Methods: The phytotoxicity of tested aminophosphonates toward their potential application as soil-applied herbicides was evaluated according to the OECD 208 Guideline. Ecotoxicological properties of investigated compounds were made using the OSTRACODTOXKITTM and Microtox® tests. Results: Obtained results showed that four aminophosphonates have interesting herbicidal properties and N-(2-methylphenyl)amino- (2-thienyl)methylphosphonate (2a) was found to kill efficiently the most resistant plant Chenopodium album. None of the tested compounds showed important toxicity against Aliivibrio fischeri. However, their toxic impact on Heterocypris incongruens was significantly elevated. Conclusions: The aminophosphonate 2a showed herbicidal potential and it is not toxic against tested bacteria (EC50 over 1000 mg/L). It was found to be moderately toxic against ostracods [mortality 48% at 10 mg/kg of soil dry weight (s.d.w.)] and this problem should be solved by the use of the controlled release from a polymeric carrier.
An Application of Fit Quality to Screen MDM2/p53 Protein-Protein Interaction Inhibitors
Authors: Xue Xin , Bao Gang , Zhang Hai-Qing , Zhao Ning-Yi , Sun Yuan , Zhang Yue , Wang Xiao-Long
Published: December 2018

The judicious application of ligand or binding efficiency (LE) metrics, which quantify the molecular properties required to obtain binding affinity for a drug target, is gaining traction in the selection and optimization of fragments, hits and leads. Here we report for the first time the use of LE based metric, fit quality (FQ), in virtual screening (VS) of MDM2/p53 protein-protein interaction inhibitors (PPIIs). Firstly, a Receptor-Ligand pharmacophore model was constructed on multiple MDM2/ligand complex structures to screen the library. The enrichment factor (EF) for screening was calculated based on a decoy set to define the screening threshold. Finally, 1% of the library, 335 compounds, were screened and re-filtered with the FQ metric. According to the statistical results of FQ vs. activity of 156 MDM2/p53 PPIIs extracted from literatures, the cut-off was defined as FQ = 0.8. After the second round of VS, six compounds with the FQ > 0.8 were picked out for assessing their antitumor activity. At the cellular level, the six hits exhibited a good selectivity (larger than 3) against HepG2 (wt-p53) vs. Hep3B (p53 null) cell lines. On the further study, the six hits exhibited an acceptable affinity (range of Ki from 102 to 103 nM) to MDM2 when comparing to Nutlin-3a. Based on our work, FQ based VS strategy could be applied to discover other PPIIs.
DNA-Assisted Assembly of Gold Nanostructures and Their Induced Optical Properties
Authors: Ou Jiemei , Tan Huijun , Chen Xudong , Chen Zhong
Published: December 2018

Gold nanocrystals have attracted considerable attention due to their excellent physical and chemical properties and their extensive applications in plasmonics, spectroscopy, biological detection, and nanoelectronics. Gold nanoparticles are able to be readily modified and arranged with DNA materials and protein molecules, as well as viruses. Particularly DNA materials with the advantages endowed by programmability, stability, specificity, and the capability to adapt to functionalization, have become the most promising candidates that are widely utilized for building plenty of discrete gold nanoarchitectures. This review highlights recent advances on the DNA-based assembly of gold nanostructures and especially emphasizes their resulted superior optical properties and principles, including plasmonic extinction, plasmonic chirality, surface enhanced fluorescence (SEF), and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS).
Multifaceted Effect of Rubus Occidentalis on Hyperglycemia and Hypercholesterolemia in Mice with Diet-Induced Metabolic Diseases
Authors: Kim Jiyeon , An Jinho , Lee Heetae , Kim Kyungjae , Lee Su Jung , Choi Hye Ran , Kwon Ji-Wung , Lee Tae-Bum , Song Youngcheon , Kong Hyunseok
Published: December 2018

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a combination of several metabolic disorders, including obesity, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. A simultaneous occurrence is one of the most crucial features of metabolic syndrome; therefore, we selected an animal model in which this would be reflected. We fed C57BL/6N mice a high-fat diet for 23 weeks to develop metabolic syndrome and examined the efficacy of Rubus occidentalis (RO) for hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia. Oral administration of RO for 16 weeks improved hyperglycemia as indicated by significantly decreased fasting glucose levels and a glucose tolerance test. Improvements were also observed in hypercholesterolemia, in which significant decreases in serum total cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-1, and apolipoprotein B levels were observed. The time comparison of major biomarkers, observed at the initiation and termination of the experimental period, consistently supported the beneficial effects of RO on each metabolic phenotype. In addition, RO treatment attenuated the excessive fat accumulation in hepatic and adipose tissue by decreasing the size and number of lipid droplets. These results suggested that RO simultaneously exerted antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects in mice with diet-induced metabolic syndrome.
Assessment of Muscle Wasting in Long-Stay ICU Patients Using a New Ultrasound Protocol
Authors: Hernández-Socorro Carmen Rosa , Saavedra Pedro , López-Fernández Juan Carlos , Ruiz-Santana Sergio
Published: December 2018

There is currently no standardized procedure to assess sarcopenia in long-stay catabolic patients. Our aim is to analyze a novel ultrasound muscle assessment protocol in these patients versus healthy controls, by carrying out a prospective observational study. We designed a new ultrasound protocol that assesses quadriceps rectus femoris (QRF) muscle quality in real-time B-mode, color-Doppler, and M-mode ultrasound, and evaluates QRF intramuscular central tendon thickness, cross-sectional area, and muscle thickness in ultrasound B-mode. Logistic regression was performed as a multivariable analysis on 29 cases and 19 controls. The QRF muscle area and thickness were shown to significantly decrease (p ≤ 0.001), and the central tendon thickness significantly increased (p = 0.047) in cases versus controls. The QRF muscle echogenicity and angiogenic activity fasciculations, subcutaneous edema, and intramuscular fluid were also significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.001). The selected variables in the multivariate logit analysis were the muscle area (OR per cm2 = 0.07; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.012–0.41) and the central tendon thickness (OR per mm 1.887; 95% CI = 2.66–13.38).
Altered Red Blood Cell Membrane Fatty Acid Profile in Cancer Patients
Authors: Amézaga Javier , Arranz Sara , Urruticoechea Ander , Ugartemendia Gurutze , Larraioz Aitziber , Louka Maria , Uriarte Matxalen , Ferreri Carla , Tueros Itziar
Published: December 2018

The fatty acid (FA) composition of red blood cell (RBC) membrane phospholipids of cancer patients can reflect tumor status, dietary intakes, and cancer type or therapy. However, the characteristic membrane profiles have so far not yet defined as a potential biomarker to monitor disease evolution. The present work provides the first evidence of cancer metabolic signatures affecting cell membranes that are independent of nutritional habits. From the Oncology Outpatient Unit of the Onkologikoa hospital, two groups of cancer patients (n = 54) and healthy controls (n = 37) were recruited, and mature RBCs membrane phospholipids were analyzed for FA profiling (GC-MS). Dietary habits were evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. The adjusted Analysis of Covariance Test (ANCOVA) model revealed cancer patients to have a lower relative percentage of saturated fatty acids (SFA) (C16:0 (5.7%); C18:0 (15.9%)), and higher monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (9c-C18:1 (12.9%) and 11c-C18:1 (54.5%)), compared to controls. In line with this, we observe that the desaturase enzymatic index (delta-9 desaturase (Δ9D), +28.3%) and the membrane saturation index (SI = SFA/MUFA; −27.3%) were similarly modulated. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) families showed an increase of n-6 C18:2 and C20:3 (15.7% and 22.2% respectively), with no differences in n-6 C20:4 and n-3 PUFA (docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)). Importantly, these changes were found independent of foods and fat intakes from the diet. The membrane lipid profile in RBC was useful to ascertain the presence of two main metabolic signatures of increased desaturation activity and omega-6 in cancer patients, statistically independent from dietary habits.
The Effect of Place of Residence on Physical Fitness and Adherence to Mediterranean Diet in 3–5-Year-Old Girls and Boys: Urban vs. Rural
Authors: Torres-Luque Gema , Hernández-García Raquel , Ortega-Toro Enrique , Nikolaidis Pantelis
Published: December 2018

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of place of residence on physical fitness and adherence to Mediterranean Diet (AMD) in 3–5-year-old children, i.e., whether those who live in urban areas differ than those in rural and whether any difference varied by age. Participants were 363 preschoolers (age 3–5 years old), who performed a series of anthropometric, physical fitness tests and measured their nutritional habits through a 16-item Mediterranean Diet (KIDMED) questionnaire. The main findings of the present study were that (a) boys had better performance in ball bouncing, Medicine Ball Throw Test (MBTT), 25 m sprint, Standing Broad Jump (SBJ), crawling, and shuttle run test (SRT) than girls, and the magnitude of these differences was small; (b) preschoolers in urban residence were taller than those in rural and had better performance in SRT; (c) older preschoolers had larger anthropometric characteristics and better performance than younger preschoolers; (d) the magnitude of the effect of age was larger than the effect of residence; and (e) good AMD was more prevalent in boys than in girls and in 3-year-old participants than in their older peers, but was not related to place of residence. Therefore, these findings identified the need to develop exercise and nutrition intervention programs in preschoolers considering sex, age, and place of residence.
Study of Potential Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Red Wine Extract and Resveratrol through a Modulation of Interleukin-1-Beta in Macrophages
Authors: Chalons Pauline , Amor Souheila , Courtaut Flavie , Cantos-Villar Emma , Richard Tristan , Auger Cyril , Chabert Philippe , Schni-Kerth Valérie , Aires Virginie , Delmas Dominique
Published: December 2018

Inflammation has been described as an initiator event of major diseases with significant impacts in terms of public health including in cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, eye diseases, age-related diseases, and the occurrence of cancers. A preventive action to reduce the key processes leading to inflammation could be an advantageous approach to reducing these associated pathologies. Many studies have reported the value of polyphenols such as resveratrol in counteracting pro-inflammatory cytokines. We have previously shown the potential of red wine extract (RWE) and the value of its qualitative and quantitative polyphenolic composition to prevent the carcinogenesis process. In this study, we addressed a new effect of RWE in inflammation through a modulation of IL-1β secretion and the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. NLRP3 inflammasome requires two signals, priming to increase the synthesis of NLRP3 and pro-IL-1β proteins and activation, which activates NLRP3. Inflammasome formation is triggered by a range of substances such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Using two different macrophages, one of which does not express the adaptor protein ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD), which is essential to form active inflammasome complexes that produce IL-1β, we show that RWE decreases IL-1 β secretion and gene expression whatever line is used. Moreover, this strong reduction of pro-inflammatory IL-1β is associated with a decrease of NLRP3 and, in J774A, ASC protein expression, which depends on the choice of activator ATP or nigericin.
Influence of Oral Administration of Lactic Acid Bacteria Metabolites on Skin Barrier Function and Water Content in a Murine Model of Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Tokudome Yoshihiro
Published: December 2018

The effects of orally administered lactic acid bacteria metabolites on skin were studied using an atopic dermatitis-like murine model generated by feeding HR-AD to mice. Lactic acid bacteria metabolites were obtained by inoculating and culturing soy milk with 35 strains of 16 species of lactic acid bacteria. The atopic dermatitis-like murine model was generated by feeding HR-AD to HR-1 mice for 40 days. The skin condition of HR-AD-fed mice worsened compared with normal mice, showing reduced water content in the stratum corneum, increased transepidermal water loss (TEWL), reduced ceramide AP content in the stratum corneum, and increased epidermis thickness. When HR-AD-fed mice were orally administered a raw liquid containing lactic acid bacteria metabolites, water content in the stratum corneum, TEWL, ceramide AP content in the stratum corneum, and epidermis thickness improved. To determine the active components responsible for these effects, filtrate, residue, and lipid components extracted from the raw liquid containing lactic acid bacteria metabolites were examined. While water-soluble components and residue obtained after filtration had no effects, the lipid fraction showed similar effects to the raw liquid. These findings suggest that lactic acid bacteria metabolites improve skin injury in an atopic dermatitis-like murine model.
Association between the Portion Sizes of Traditional Japanese Seasonings—Soy Sauce and Miso—and Blood Pressure: Cross-Sectional Study Using National Health and Nutrition Survey, 2012–2016 Data
Authors: Okada Emiko , Saito Aki , Takimoto Hidemi
Published: December 2018

While previous studies have reported the association between food portion size and health outcomes, the association between food seasonings and blood pressure (BP) has not been clarified. This study aimed to investigate the association between the portion sizes of traditional Japanese seasonings and BP. Data on 25,738 Japanese participants (10,154 men and 15,584 women) aged ≥20 years registered in the 2012–2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHNS) were used for this cross-sectional study. The portion sizes of soy sauce or miso were calculated from the reported weight of soy sauce or miso, and the number of dishes. Regression models were used to estimate BP and prevalence of hypertension, and their 95% confidence intervals according to the portion size of soy sauce or miso. We did not observe an association between the portion sizes of soy sauce or miso and BP. A larger portion size of soy sauce or miso was associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension in the crude model among women, but no significant associations were observed in the multivariate model in both sexes. Our findings suggest that the portion sizes of soy sauce or miso are not associated with BP among Japanese adults.
Simultaneous miRNA and mRNA Transcriptome Profiling of Differentiating Equine Satellite Cells Treated with Gamma-Oryzanol and Exposed to Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Chodkowska Karolina A. , Ciecierska Anna , Majchrzak Kinga , Ostaszewski Piotr , Sadkowski Tomasz
Published: December 2018

Gamma-oryzanol (GO) is a popular supplement for performance horses, dogs, and humans. Previous studies indicated that GO supplementation decreases creatine kinase activity and lactate level after exercise and may affect oxidative stress in Thoroughbred horses. GO may change genes expression in equine satellite cells (ESC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of GO on miRNA, gene expression, oxidative stress, and cell damage and viability in differentiating ESC pretreated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). ESCs were obtained from a young horse’s skeletal muscle. ESCs were pre-incubated with GO (24 h) and then exposed to H2O2 for one hour. For the microRNA and gene expression assessment, the microarray technique was used. Identified miRNAs and genes were validated using real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Several tests related to cell viability, cell damage, and oxidative stress were performed. The microarray analysis revealed differences in 17 miRNAs and 202 genes between GO-treated and control ESC. The tests related to apoptosis, cell viability, and oxidative stress showed that GO affects these processes to varying degrees. Our results suggest that GO can change miRNA and gene expression and may impact the processes involved in tissue repairing after an injury.
The Zinc-Metallothionein Redox System Reduces Oxidative Stress in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells
Authors: Rodríguez-Menéndez Sara , García Montserrat , Fernández Beatriz , Álvarez Lydia , Fernández-Vega-Cueto Andrés , Coca-Prados Miguel , Pereiro Rosario , González-Iglesias Héctor
Published: December 2018

Oxidative stress affects all the structures of the human eye, particularly the retina and its retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The RPE limits oxidative damage by several protective mechanisms, including the non-enzymatic antioxidant system zinc-metallothionein (Zn-MT). This work aimed to investigate the role of Zn-MT in the protection of RPE from the oxidative damage of reactive oxygen intermediates by analytical and biochemical-based techniques. The Zn-MT system was induced in an in vitro model of RPE cells and determined by elemental mass spectrometry with enriched isotopes and mathematical calculations. Induced-oxidative stress was quantified using fluorescent probes. We observed that 25, 50 or 100 μM of zinc induced Zn-MT synthesis (1.6-, 3.6- and 11.9-fold, respectively), while pre-treated cells with zinc (25, 50, and 100 μM) and subsequent 2,2′-Azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH) treatment increased Zn-MT levels in a lesser extent (0.8-, 2.1-, 6.1-fold, respectively), exerting a stoichiometric transition in the Zn-MT complex. Moreover, AAPH treatment decreased MT levels (0.4-fold), while the stoichiometry remained constant or slightly higher when compared to non-treated cells. Convincingly, induction of Zn-MT significantly attenuated oxidative stress produced by free radicals’ generators. We conclude that the stoichiometry of Zn-MT plays an important role in oxidative stress response, related with cellular metal homeostasis.
Sources of Dietary Sodium in Food and Beverages Consumed by Spanish Schoolchildren between 7 and 11 Years Old by the Degree of Processing and the Nutritional Profile
Authors: Cuadrado-Soto Esther , Peral-Suarez África , Aparicio Aránzazu , Perea Jose M. , Ortega Rosa M. , López-Sobaler Ana M.
Published: December 2018

Excessive salt intake has negative effects on health and persists as a dietary problem in Spanish children. However, the analysis of dietary sodium sources has not been extensively studied. A group of 321 children between 7 and 11 years old from five Spanish regional communities was studied. A three-day dietary record was used to determine the contribution of food and beverages to dietary sodium intake. The food consumed was classified based on the level of processing (NOVA classification) and the nutritional profile. Boys consumed more dietary sodium and sodium from ultra-processed food (UPF) than girls (p < 0.05). The main sources of dietary sodium from discretionary food were meat and meat products (25.1%), some ready-to-eat and pre-cooked dishes (7.4%) and sugars and sweets (6.3%). More than 4/5 of the total dietary sodium consumed came from processed foods (PF) and UPF. Ready-to-eat and pre-cooked dishes (14.4%), meat and meat products (10.6%), and cereals (10.2%) were the most relevant UPF. These results demonstrate that a key point for Spanish children is a reduction in the sodium content in PF and UPF, whether these foods are for basic or discretionary consumption. Furthermore, a decrease in the frequency and the quantity of discretionary food consumption should be encouraged.
Moisture-Resistant Co-Spray-Dried Netilmicin with l-Leucine as Dry Powder Inhalation for the Treatment of Respiratory Infections
Authors: Cui Yingtong , Zhang Xuejuan , Wang Wen , Huang Zhengwei , Zhao Ziyu , Wang Guanlin , Cai Shihao , Jing Hui , Huang Ying , Pan Xin , Wu Chuanbin
Published: December 2018

Netilmicin (NTM) is one of the first-line drugs for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) therapy, but its nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity caused by intravenous injection restrict its clinical application. Dry powder inhalation (DPI) is a popular local drug delivery system that is introduced as a solution. Due to the nature of NTM hygroscopicity that hinders its direct use through DPI, in this study, L-leucine (LL) was added into NTM dry powder to reduce its moisture absorption rate and improve its aerosolization performance. NTM DPIs were prepared using spray-drying with different LL proportions. The particle size, density, morphology, crystallinity, water content, hygroscopicity, antibacterial activity, in vitro aerosolization performance, and stability of each formulation were characterized. NTM DPIs were suitable for inhalation and amorphous with a corrugated surface. The analysis indicated that the water content and hygroscopicity were decreased with the addition of LL, whilst the antibacterial activity of NTM was maintained. The optimal formulation ND2 (NTM:LL = 30:1) showed high fine particle fraction values (85.14 ± 8.97%), which was 2.78-fold those of ND0 (100% NTM). It was stable after storage at 40 ± 2 °C, 75 ± 5% relative humidity (RH). The additional LL in NTM DPI successfully reduced the hygroscopicity and improved the aerosolization performance. NTM DPIs were proved to be a feasible and desirable approach for the treatment of LRTI.
Formulation and Characterization of Native and Crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid Microspheres for Dermal Delivery of Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate: A Comparative Study
Authors: Fallacara Arianna , Marchetti Filippo , Pozzoli Michele , Citernesi Ugo Raffaello , Manfredini Stefano , Vertuani Silvia
Published: December 2018

The present work evaluates for the first time the use of urea-crosslinked hyaluronic acid (HA-CL), a novel derivative of native hyaluronic acid (HA), to produce microspheres (MS) by emulsification-solvent evaporation, for dermal delivery of sodium ascorbyl phosphate (SAP). As the term of comparison, HA MS were prepared. A pre-formulation study—investigation of the effects of polymers solutions properties (pH, viscosity) and working conditions—led to the production of optimized HA-CL MS and HA-CL—SAP MS with: almost unimodal size distributions; mean diameter of 13.0 ± 0.7 and 9.9 ± 0.8 µm, respectively; spherical shape and rough surface; high yield, similar to HA MS and HA–SAP MS (≈ 85%). SAP was more efficiently encapsulated into HA-CL MS (78.8 ± 2.6%) compared to HA MS (69.7 ± 4.6%). Physical state, thermal properties, relative moisture stability of HA-CL MS and HA-CL–SAP MS were comparable to those of HA MS and HA–SAP MS. However, HA-CL–SAP MS exhibited an extended drug release compared to HA–SAP MS, despite the same kinetic mechanism—contemporaneous drug diffusion and polymer swelling/dissolution. Therefore, HA-CL formulation showed a greater potential as microcarrier (for encapsulation efficiency and release kinetic), that could be improved, in future, using suitable excipients.
Novel Findings about Double-Loaded Curcumin-in-HPβcyclodextrin-in Liposomes: Effects on the Lipid Bilayer and Drug Release
Authors: Fernández-Romero Ana-María , Maestrelli Francesca , Mura Paola Angela , Rabasco Antonio María , González-Rodríguez María Luisa
Published: December 2018

In this study, the encapsulation of curcumin (Cur) in “drug-in-cyclodextrin-in-liposomes (DCL)” by following the double-loading technique (DL) was proposed, giving rise to DCL–DL. The aim was to analyze the effect of cyclodextrin (CD) on the physicochemical, stability, and drug-release properties of liposomes. After selecting didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) as the cationic lipid, DCL–DL was formulated by adding 2-hydroxypropyl-α/β/γ-CD (HPβCD)–Cur complexes into the aqueous phase. A competitive effect of cholesterol (Cho) for the CD cavity was found, so cholesteryl hemisuccinate (Chems) was used. The optimal composition of the DCL–DL bilayer was obtained by applying Taguchi methodology and regression analysis. Vesicles showed a lower drug encapsulation efficiency compared to conventional liposomes (CL) and CL containing HPβCD in the aqueous phase. However, the presence of HPβCD significantly increased vesicle deformability and Cur antioxidant activity over time. In addition, drug release profiles showed a sustained release after an initial burst effect, fitting to the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model. Moreover, a direct correlation between the area under the curve (AUC) of dissolution profiles and flexibility of liposomes was obtained. It can be concluded that these “drug-in-cyclodextrin-in-deformable” liposomes in the presence of HPβCD may be a promising carrier for increasing the entrapment efficiency and stability of Cur without compromising the integrity of the liposome bilayer.
Importance of Binding Affinity for the Activity of a Metallodendritic Chemical Nuclease
Authors: Tang Yi-Hsuan , Hsu Sodio C. N. , Chen Po-Yu , Liou Si-ting , Chen Hui-Ting , Wu Carol Hsin-Yi , Kao Chai-Lin
Published: December 2018

A family of bis(2-pyridyl)amino-modified poly(amidoamine) dendrimer Cu complexes was prepared, and their chemical nuclease activities and binding affinity (Kb) levels for DNA plasmid were investigated. The Kb values of the G2 to G6 apodendrimers for DNA plasmid were found to be 7.4, 23, 48, 70, and 280 µM−1, respectively, using ethidium bromide (EtBr) displacement experiments. The chemical nuclease activities of the corresponding complexes were determined by gel electrophoresis, and a clear positive dendritic effect was observed. Further analysis indicated a linear correlation between the Kb values of the G2 to G5 apodendrimers and the nuclease activity of the corresponding complexes. This observation indicated the importance of substrate binding affinity for macromolecular nuclease activity. In addition, an experiment using 3′-(p-hydroxyphenyl) fluorescein suggested that hydroxyl radicals formed under the tested conditions. Subsequently performed inhibition studies indicated that the hydroxyl radical was the active species responsible for the plasmid cleavage.
Erratum: Shore, L. et al., Technology Acceptance and User-Centred Design of Assistive Exoskeletons for Older Adults: A Commentary. Robotics, 2018, 7, 3
Authors: Shore Linda , Power Valerie , De Eyto Adam , O’Sullivan Leonard W.
Published: December 2018

The authors wish to make the following correction to a citation to paper [1]:[...]
Ocean Wind Retrieval Models for RADARSAT Constellation Mission Compact Polarimetry SAR
Authors: Sun Tianqi , Zhang Guosheng , Perrie William , Zhang Biao , Guan Changlong , Khurshid Shahid , Warner Kerri , Sun Jian
Published: December 2018

We propose two new ocean wind retrieval models for right circular-vertical (RV) and right circular-horizontal (RH) polarizations respectively from the compact-polarimetry (CP) mode of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM), which is scheduled to be launched in 2019. For compact RV-polarization (right circular transmit and vertical receive), we build the wind retrieval model (denoted CoVe-Pol model) by employing the geophysical model function (GMF) framework and a sensitivity analysis. For compact RH polarization (right circular transmit and horizontal receive), we build the wind retrieval model (denoted the CoHo-Pol model) by using a quadratic function to describe the relationship between wind speed and RH-polarized normalized radar cross-sections (NRCSs) along with radar incidence angles. The parameters of the two retrieval models are derived from a database including wind vectors measured by in situ National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) buoys and simulated RV- and RH-polarized NRCSs and incidence angles. The RV- and RH-polarized NRCSs are generated by a RCM simulator using C-band RADARSAT-2 quad-polarized synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. Our results show that the two new RCM CP models, CoVe-Pol and CoHo-POL, can provide efficient methodologies for wind retrieval.
A New Algorithm for the Characterization of Thermal Infrared Anomalies in Tectonic Activities
Authors: Song Dongmei , Xie Ruihuan , Zang Lin , Yin Jingyuan , Qin Kai , Shan Xinjian , Cui Jianyong , Wang Bin
Published: December 2018

The monitoring of earthquake events is a very important and challenging task. Remote sensing technology has been found to strengthen the monitoring abilities of the Earth’s surface at a macroscopic scale. Therefore, it has proven to be very helpful in the exploration of some important anomalies, which cannot be seen in a small scope. Previously, thermal infrared (TIR) anomalies have been widely regarded as indications of early warnings for earthquake events. At the present time, some classic algorithms exist, which have been developed to extract TIR anomaly signals before the onset of large earthquakes. In this research study, with the aim of addressing some of the deficiencies of the classic algorithm, which is currently used for noise filtering during the process of extracting tectonic TIR anomalies signals, a novel TTIA (tectonic thermal infrared anomalies) algorithm was proposed to characterize earthquake TIR anomalies using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) land surface temperature dataset (MOD11A2). Then, for the purpose of determining the rule of the TIR anomalies prior to large earthquake events, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China was chosen as the study area. It is known that tectonic movements are very active in the study area, and major earthquakes often occur. The following conclusions were obtained from the experimental results of this study: (1) The TIR anomalies extracted using the proposed TTIA method showed a very obvious spatial distribution characteristic along the tectonic faults, which indicated that the proposed algorithm had distinctive advantages in removing or weakening the disturbances of the atectonic TIR anomalies signals; (2) The seismogenic zone was observed to be a more effective observation scale for assisting in the deeper understanding and investigations of the mid- and short-term seismogenic and crust stress change processes; (3) The movement trace of the centroids of the TIR anomalies on the Tibetan Plateau three years prior to earthquake events contributed to improved judgments of dangerous regions where major earthquakes may occur in the future.
Identity Management Systems for the Internet of Things: A Survey Towards Blockchain Solutions
Authors: Zhu Xiaoyang , Badr Youakim
Published: December 2018

The Internet of Things aims at connecting everything, ranging from individuals, organizations, and companies to things in the physical and virtual world. The digital identity has always been considered as the keystone for all online services and the foundation for building security mechanisms such as authentication and authorization. However, the current literature still lacks a comprehensive study on the digital identity management for the Internet of Things (IoT). In this paper, we firstly identify the requirements of building identity management systems for IoT, which comprises scalability, interoperability, mobility, security and privacy. Then, we trace the identity problem back to the origin in philosophy, analyze the Internet digital identity management solutions in the context of IoT and investigate recent surging blockchain sovereign identity solutions. Finally, we point out the promising future research trends in building IoT identity management systems and elaborate challenges of building a complete identity management system for the IoT, including access control, privacy preserving, trust and performance respectively.
Field Performance of Open-Ended Prestressed High-Strength Concrete Pipe Piles Jacked into Clay
Authors: Kou Hai-Lei , Diao Wen-Zhou , Liu Tao , Yang Dan-Liang , Horpibulsuk Suksun
Published: December 2018

The behavior of open-ended pipe piles is different from that of closed-ended pipe piles due to the soil plugging effect. In this study, a series of field tests were conducted to investigate the behavior of open-ended prestressed high-strength concrete (PHC) pipe piles installed into clay. Two open-ended PHC pipe piles were instrumented with Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors and jacked into clay for subsequent static loading tests. Soil plug length of the test piles was continuously measured during installation, allowing for calculation of the incremental filling ratio. The recorded data in static loading test were reported and analyzed. The distribution of residual forces after installation and the effect on the bearing capacity were also discussed in detail. The test piles were observed to be in partially plugged condition during installation. The measured ultimate shaft resistance and total resistance of the test piles were 639 and 1180 kN, respectively. The residual forces locked in the test piles after installation significantly affected the evaluation of the axial forces, and thus the shaft and end resistances. It tended to underestimate the end resistances and overestimate the shaft resistances if the residual forces were not considered in the loading test. However, the residual forces did not affect the total bearing capacity of open-ended PHC pipe piles in this study.
An Improved BAQ Encoding and Decoding Method for Improving the Quantized SNR of SAR Raw Data
Authors: Ji Wei , Qiu Xiaolan , Wen Xuejiao , Huang Lijia
Published: December 2018

When the original echo data of SAR are saturated for quantization, the performance of the commonly used block adaptive quantization (BAQ) algorithm will be degraded, which will degrade the imaging quality. This article proposes an improved Llody-Max codec method, which only needs to change the codec look-up table to get better quantization performance when the original echo is saturated. The simulation results show that the proposed method can reduce the quantization power loss, improve the echo signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and reduce the influence of quantization saturation on the scattering mechanism of polarized SAR data, which have good practical application value.
An Iterative Nonlinear Filter Using Variational Bayesian Optimization
Authors: Hu Yumei , Wang Xuezhi , Lan Hua , Wang Zengfu , Moran Bill , Pan Quan
Published: December 2018

We propose an iterative nonlinear estimator based on the technique of variational Bayesian optimization. The posterior distribution of the underlying system state is approximated by a solvable variational distribution approached iteratively using evidence lower bound optimization subject to a minimal weighted Kullback-Leibler divergence, where a penalty factor is considered to adjust the step size of the iteration. Based on linearization, the iterative nonlinear filter is derived in a closed-form. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with several nonlinear filters in the literature using simulated target tracking examples.
Nanostructured Bismuth Film Electrode for Detection of Progesterone
Authors: Zidarič Tanja , Jovanovski Vasko , Hočevar Samo B.
Published: December 2018

Progesterone is an important hormone responsible, among others, for maintaining pregnancy via inhibition of uterus muscles activity; thus, following its concentration levels in pregnant women is of immense importance in the endeavor to prevent premature birth. In this work, the nanostructured bismuth film electrode (nsBiFE) was studied for detection of progesterone in neutral medium. Due to the ability to accumulate progesterone at the nsBiFE, the adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry was beneficially exploited. The nsBiFE was prepared on the surface of a glassy carbon supporting electrode and several parameters influencing the detection of progesterone were investigated. The nsBiFE exhibited superior electroanalytical characteristics in comparison to other bismuth-based electrodes and unmodified glassy carbon electrode together with satisfactory response toward low concentrations of progesterone, which are consistent with clinically significant levels.
Analyzing Large Workers’ Compensation Claims Using Generalized Linear Models and Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Davoudi Kakhki Fatemeh , Freeman Steven A. , Mosher Gretchen A.
Published: December 2018

Insurance practitioners rely on statistical models to predict future claims in order to provide financial protection. Proper predictive statistical modeling is more challenging when analyzing claims with lower frequency, but high costs. The paper investigated the use of predictive generalized linear models (GLMs) to address this challenge. Workers’ compensation claims with costs equal to or more than US$100,000 were analyzed in agribusiness industries in the Midwest of the USA from 2008 to 2016. Predictive GLMs were built with gamma, Weibull, and lognormal distributions using the lasso penalization method. Monte Carlo simulation models were developed to check the performance of predictive models in cost estimation. The results show that the GLM with gamma distribution has the highest predictivity power (R2 = 0.79). Injury characteristics and worker’s occupation were predictive of large claims’ occurrence and costs. The conclusions of this study are useful in modifying and estimating insurance pricing within high-risk agribusiness industries. The approach of this study can be used as a framework to forecast workers’ compensation claims amounts with rare, high-cost events in other industries. This work is useful for insurance practitioners concerned with statistical and predictive modeling in financial risk analysis.
Climatic Impacts and Responses of Migratory and Non-Migratory Fishers of the Padma River, Bangladesh
Authors: Khan Makidul Islam , Kundu Goutam Kumar , Akter Mosammat Salma , Mallick Bishawjit , Islam Md. Monirul
Published: December 2018

This study empirically assesses the impacts of climatic events on the inland fishers (i.e., migratory and non-migratory) in Bangladesh and explores their responses to those events. Here, the migratory refers to the fishers who change their fishing location seasonally and voluntarily, whereas the non-migratory fishers fish in the same area. It is assumed that there exist differences in both the impacts of an event and the responses to the event between migratory and non-migratory fishers and therefore, a ‘difference triangle’ conceptual framework is developed and tested empirically under this research. Employing mix-method (qualitative and quantitative), a field study was conducted during July–October 2015 from the Padma River depended fishers. Identified climatic events under this study are: storms, changes in rainfall and temperature and riverbank erosion. The migratory and non-migratory fishers were affected quite similarly by storms and changes in rainfall and temperature. However, riverbank erosion affected only non-migratory fishers. Both the migratory and non-migratory fishers adopted different strategies to cope with different climatic events, like, they took shelter in safe places, sold productive assets, reduced food consumption, took credit from informal sources and employed their school-going children. As adaptation strategies, they modernized their fishing boats, intensified fishing, built embankments and diversified livelihoods. Unlike the impacts, considerable differences were found in their coping and adaptation strategies. Comparing to non-migratory fishers, a smaller number of migratory fishers sold their assets, took informal credit and intensified fishing and diversified their livelihoods. The result of this study indicates the significance of differences in the impacts of climatic events for the migratory and non-migratory fishers and therefore, this research has policy implication for the betterment of fishers’ community in general.
The Evaluation of Green Investments in Urban Areas: A Proposal of an eco-social-green Model of the City
Authors: Sturiale Luisa , Scuderi Alessandro
Published: December 2018

The new and more conscious sensibility towards the environmental sphere supports the idea of “green city”, promotes initiatives of structural integration of the green with the built environment and involves a considerable number of disciplines in a cultural and social debate. The literature reports different experiences of collaborative governance, between administrations and citizens, which tend to enhance the interaction between the different social actors involved in the investments of Green Infrastructures, to share objectives and management methods and to assess the extent of ecosystem services. The objective of this article is to propose a methodological approach to assessing green investments in the urban area, which is able to internalize the social perception of citizens regarding this important component for the urban landscape, with a view to guiding the city’s government towards a new urban eco-social-green planning and evaluation model. It presents a concise framework of the scientific debate on climate change and on the effects of urban planning issues; some relevant experiences of Green Infrastructures; and the proposed methodology, applied to the reality of the “urban green system” of Catania, based on an integrated approach between participatory planning and the method NAIADE (Novel Approach to Imprecise Assessment and Decision Environments).
Does Corporate Social Responsibility Influence Corporate Tax Avoidance of Chinese Listed Companies?
Authors: Gulzar M.A. , Cherian Jacob , Sial Muhammad Safdar , Badulescu Alina , Thu Phung Anh , Badulescu Daniel , Khuong Nguyen Vinh
Published: December 2018

The primary objective of this paper is to empirically examine whether corporate social responsibility (CSR) influences corporate tax avoidance (CTA) of Chinese listed companies. The study is based on a sample of 3481 firm-year observations from 2009 to 2015 using CSR ratings from the Rankins (RKS) corporate social responsibility ratings agency in China, and all financial data extracted from the China Stock Market and Accounting Research (CSMAR). The authors foundthat CSR is negatively related to the current and cash effective tax rate (proxies of corporate tax avoidance), suggesting that responsible firms are more involved in tax avoidance as compared to less responsible firms. Their findings are robust against different control variables. Additionally, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the paper is one of the first to document an empirical association between CSR and corporate tax avoidance of Chinese listed companies.
Environmental Protection in School Curricula: Polish Context
Authors: Mróz Anna , Ocetkiewicz Iwona , Walotek-Ściańska Katarzyna
Published: December 2018

Properly planned and effectively implemented education provides an opportunity to change human behavior, which in turn may lead to an improved quality of life worldwide, including by means of realizing a cleaner environment. This article presents the results of research on the integration of environmental protection issues into curricula by Polish teachers. It was assumed that the environmental protection issues included the challenges related to the sustainable management of natural resources. The sample consisted of 337 teachers of general subjects who were employed in schools in the Małopolska region (southern Poland) and working with students in lower-secondary (13–16 years old) and upper-secondary (16–20 years old) schools. The results of the research show that many teachers know how to integrate environmental protection issues into their curricula. However, there are still many teachers who ignore key issues in the education of sustainable development in their teaching process.