bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Menthae piperitae L.
Authors: Marjanović-Balaban Željka , Stanojević Ljiljana , Kalaba Vesna , Stanojević Jelena , Cvetković Dragan , Cakić Milorad , Gojković Vesna
Published: September 2018

The subject of this study was the examination of the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of peppermint oil (Menthae piperitae L.), that was produced from the plant collected from the plantation in the city of Banja Luka. To examine the chemical composition of the Mentha piperita essential oil we used the GC-FID method. On it’s chromatogram it was clearly shown that the main components of the oil were menthole with the content of 43.66%, menthone 20.02%, iso-menthone 7.73%, following by 1,8-cineole with a percentage of 6.49% and menthil-acetate with 3.31%. The content of the previously mentioned components were all in accordance with the suggestions made by Ph.Eur 8.0. For the purpose of examination antimicrobial activity of the peppermint oil we used agar diffusion method. The results have shown that etheric oil of Menthae piperitae reflects very good antimicrobial activity on all bacterial cultures that we used in this study. The inhibiton zones moved from 12 mm for Pseudomonas aeruginosa to 37.66 mm for Staphylococcus aureus. Such an outcome of our study, and many others from all around the world, indicates the future potential use of peppermint oil in the treatment of bacterial infections, maybe even lowering the use of antibiotics.
State of Green Areas and Analysis of Coverage in the Area of Banja Luka
Authors: Maksimović Tanja , Ilić Predrag , Bajić Sanja
Published: September 2018

Urban forests are part of the public city space and have multiple significance. Various roles of greenery (health, social, aesthetic, cultural, educational, etc.) improve the quality of life in the city. Urban forests can play key roles in mitigate stormwater runoff, improve air quality, reduces noise level, store carbon, etc. The system of green areas in a continuous and dynamic interaction with the built structure in a city. Because of the above, subject of the research is determining the state of greenery in the Banja Luka area and the changes that accompany it and to suggest the planning of green areas and protect them.
Scaling up DNA metabarcoding for freshwater macrozoobenthos monitoring
Authors: Elbrecht Vasco , Steinke Dirk
Published: September 2018

The viability of DNA metabarcoding for assessment of freshwater macrozoobenthos has been demonstrated over the past years. It matured to a stage where it can be applied to monitoring at a large scale, keeping pace with increased high throughput sequencing (HTS) capacity. However, workflows and sample tagging need to be optimized to accommodate for hundreds of samples within a single sequencing run. We here conceptualize a streamlined metabarcoding workflow, in which samples are processed in 96-well plates. Each sample is replicated starting with tissue extraction. Negative and positive controls are included to ensure data reliability. With our newly developed fusion primer sets for the BF2+BR2 primer pair up to three 96-well plates (288 wells) can be uniquely tagged for a single Illumina sequencing run. By including Illumina indices, tagging can be extended to thousands of samples. We hope that our metabarcoding workflow will be used as a practical guide for future large-scale biodiversity assessments involving freshwater invertebrates. However, we also want to point out that this is just one possible metabarcoding approach, and that we hope this article will stimulate discussion and publication of alternatives and extensions.
Equivalency of beam scan data collection using a 1D tank and automated couch movements to traditional 3D tank measurements
Authors: Knutson Nels C. , Schmidt Matthew C. , Belley Matthew D. , Nguyen Ngoc , Price Michael , Mutic Sasa , Sajo Erno , Li H. Harold
Published: September 2018

This work shows the feasibility of collecting linear accelerator beam data using just a 1‐D water tank and automated couch movements with the goal to maximize the cost effectiveness in resource‐limited clinical settings. Two commissioning datasets were acquired: (a) using a standard of practice 3D water tank scanning system (3DS) and (b) using a novel technique to translate a commercial TG‐51 complaint 1D water tank via automated couch movements (1DS). The Extensible Markup Language (XML) was used to dynamically move the linear accelerator couch position (and thus the 1D tank) during radiation delivery for the acquisition of inline, crossline, and diagonal profiles. Both the 1DS and 3DS datasets were used to generate beam models (BM1DS and BM3DS) in a commercial treatment planning system (TPS). 98.7% of 1DS measured points had a gamma value (2%/2 mm) < 1 when compared with the 3DS. Static jaw defined field and dynamic MLC field dose distribution comparisons for the TPS beam models BM1DS and BM3DS had 3D gamma values (2%/2 mm) < 1 for all 24,900,000 data points tested and >99.5% pass rate with gamma value (1%/1 mm) < 1. In conclusion, automated couch motions and a 1D scanning tank were used to collect commissioning beam data with accuracy comparable to traditionally acquired data using a 3D scanning system. TPS beam models generated directly from 1DS measured data were clinically equivalent to a model derived from 3DS data.
3D Selenium Sulfide@Carbon Nanotube Array as Long‐Life and High‐Rate Cathode Material for Lithium Storage
Authors: Fan Hai‐Ning , Chen Shan‐Liang , Chen Xiao‐Hua , Tang Qun‐Li , Hu Ai‐Ping , Luo Wen‐Bin , Liu Hua‐Kun , Dou Shi‐Xue
Published: September 2018

A 3D selenium sulfide@carbon nanotube array is designed and synthesized by encapsulating and anchoring a large amount of selenium sulfide (SexS8−x) into boron‐ and nitrogen‐codoped vertically aligned carbon nanotubes. Successfully employed as cathode material for the lithium metal battery, it exhibits long cycling lifetime and high rate capability with high energy density. Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes can not only enable fast migration to realize excellent rate capability and efficient utilization of the SexS8−x loaded inside, but also provide optimal unidirectional void space to significantly reduce volumetric expansion and the polysulfide shuttling phenomenon during the cycling process. Meanwhile, the graphene layers decorated by element doping and held together by COOH‐ and OH‐enriched poly(acrylic acid) binder can efficiently consolidate SexS8−x molecules inside the carbon nanotubes and prevent the separation of the active materials from the current collector during long‐term cycling. Benefiting from these features, the composite presents optimal cycling performance with a high initial Coulombic efficiency of 96% and a high reversible capacity of 818 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g−1. This composite thus represents one of the most promising cathode materials that can give the lithium metal battery long cycle life and remarkable power density.
Combustion Fabrication of Nanoporous Graphene for Ionic Separation Membranes
Authors: Li Zhan , Zhang Xin , Tan Hongxin , Qi Wei , Wang Li , Ali Mohammad Chand , Zhang Haijuan , Chen Jia , Hu Peizhuo , Fan Chunhai , Qiu Hongdeng
Published: September 2018

Porous graphene membranes hold great promise for high‐selectivity separation. Moreover, their practical application is limited by the lack of a simple and efficient method for the synthesis of porous graphene. Here, a rapid and scalable method is developed for the synthesis of porous graphene via partial combustion of graphene oxide imperfectly covered by hydrotalcite. This method is not only less energy‐ and time‐intensive than existing ones, but also allows precise control of pore size. Remarkably, the resulting membrane of porous graphene exhibits high selectivity for K+ and Na+ (α = 3.84) separation. Hence, this facile route for preparing membranes of porous graphene oxide might direct application membranes in environmental, energy, desalination, and biomedical fields.
[4+1] Cycloaddition of Enaminothiones and Aldehyde N‐Tosylhydrazones Toward 3‐Aminothiophenes
Authors: Liu Zhuqing , Wu Ping , He Yuan , Yang Ting , Yu Zhengkun
Published: September 2018

An efficient protocol toward trisubstituted 3‐aminothiophenes has been developed through a [4+1] cycloaddition of enaminothiones and aldehyde N‐tosylhydrazones under transition‐metal‐free conditions. 3‐Aminothiophene derivatives as well as their chiral analogs were obtained in good to excellent yields. Direct interaction of the enaminothiones with the diazo compounds of α‐carbonyl or ester group‐functionalized aldehydes also efficiently afforded the same type of 3‐aminothiophenes. The diversity of the synthetic methodology has been demonstrated by the broad substrate scopes and excellent chemoselectivity in cleavage of the C−S, C−O, and C−N bonds in enaminothiones.

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Unveiling Electrocaloric Potential of Antiferroelectrics with Phase Competition
Authors: Kingsland Maggie , Lisenkov Sergey , Ponomareva Inna
Published: September 2018

Currently, the electrocaloric effect (ECE) is considered for applications in solid‐state refrigeration. Direct semi‐classical first‐principles‐based simulation to the case of ultra‐thin PbZrO3 films in order to unveil the unusual electrocaloric potential of antiferroelectrics with phase competition are applied. Strong enhancement of the ECE in the vicinity of the antiferroelectric–ferroelectric phase transition, the coexistence of electric‐field tunable positive and negative ECE in antiferroelectrics, and a large ECE in the vicinity of lossless antipolar–polar phase transitions are predicted. Direct simulations demonstrate that phase switching, which occurs with hysteretic losses, gives rise to the irreversible heating which is explained using basic thermodynamics. A refrigeration cycle that tames the irreversible heating is proposed, tested in direct simulations, and found to outperform the conventional cycle based on fully reversible processes. Furthermore, direct simulations reveal critical misconceptions in the application of the controversial indirect approach to the case of ferroics with electric hysteresis. The route to overcoming the uncertainties with this dominant ECE investigation approach is proposed.
CFD study and experimental validation of multiphase packed bed hydrodynamics in the context of Rolling Sea conditions
Authors: Motamed Dashliborun Amir , Larachi Faïçal
Published: September 2018

The necessity for a validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD)‐based model to deepen our understanding about the complex hydrodynamics of gas–liquid flows in oscillating porous media has driven this experimental and simulation work. A transient three‐dimensional Euler–Euler porous media CFD model using moving reference frame and sliding mesh techniques was applied to elucidate the dynamic features of gas–liquid flows of cocurrent downflow packed beds subject to tilts and oscillations reminiscent of sea conditions. Incorporation of capillary and mechanical dispersion forces besides interphase momentum exchange terms in the CFD model to achieve reliable predictions was evaluated with respect to experimental data acquired by capacitance wire‐mesh sensors and differential pressure transmitter. In the light of the validated CFD model, a detailed sensitivity analysis was performed to address the interrelations between hydrodynamic parameters, influence of fluid properties and packing size on the model predictions, and additional contribution of column oscillations on multiphase dynamics. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 385–397, 2019
The female ancestor's tale: Long‐term matrilineal continuity in a nonisolated region of Tuscany
Authors: Leonardi Michela , Sandionigi Anna , Conzato Annalisa , Vai Stefania , Lari Martina , Tassi Francesca , Ghirotto Silvia , Caramelli David , Barbujani Guido
Published: September 2018

Objectives

With the advent of ancient DNA analyses, it has been possible to disentangle the contribution of ancient populations to the genetic pool of the modern inhabitants of many regions. Reconstructing the maternal ancestry has often highlighted genetic continuity over several millennia, but almost always in isolated areas. Here we analyze North‐western Tuscany, a region that was a corridor of exchanges between Central Italy and the Western Mediterranean coast.

Materials and methods

We newly obtained mitochondrial HVRI sequences from 28 individuals, and after gathering published data, we collected genetic information for 119 individuals from the region. Those span five periods during the last 5,000 years: Prehistory, Etruscan age, Roman age, Renaissance, and Present‐day. We used serial coalescent simulations in an approximate Bayesian computation framework to test for continuity between the mentioned groups.

Results

Our analyses always favor continuity over discontinuity for all groups considered, with the Etruscans being part of the genealogy. Moreover, the posterior distributions of the parameters support very small female effective population sizes.

Conclusions

The observed signals of long‐term genetic continuity and isolation are in contrast with the history of the region, conquered several times (Etruscans, Romans, Lombards, and French). While the Etruscans appear as a local population, intermediate between the prehistoric and the other samples, we suggest that the other conquerors—arriving from far—had a consistent social or sex bias, hence only marginally affecting the maternal lineages. At the same time, our results show that long‐term genealogical continuity is not necessarily linked to geographical isolation.
Comparing apples and oranges: Why infant bone collagen may not reflect dietary intake in the same way as dentine collagen
Authors: Beaumont Julia , Atkins Elizabeth‐Craig , Buckberry Jo , Haydock Hannah , Horne Pennie , Howcroft Rachel , Mackenzie Kevin , Montgomery Janet
Published: September 2018

Objectives

Recent developments in incremental dentine analysis allowing increased temporal resolution for tissues formed during the first 1,000 days of life have cast doubt on the veracity of weaning studies using bone collagen carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope ratio data from infants. Here, we compare published bone data from the well‐preserved Anglo‐Saxon site of Raunds Furnells, England, with co‐forming dentine from the same individuals, and investigate the relationship of these with juvenile stature. The high‐resolution isotope data recorded in dentine allow us to investigate the relationship of diet with juvenile stature during this critical period of life.

Materials and methods

We compare incremental dentine collagen δ13C and δ15N data to published bone collagen data for 18 juveniles and 5 female adults from Anglo Saxon Raunds Furnells alongside new data for juvenile skeletal and dental age. An improvement in the method by sampling the first 0.5 mm of the sub‐cuspal or sub‐incisal dentine allows the isotopic measurement of dentine formed in utero.

Results and discussion

δ13C profiles for both dentine and bone are similar and more robust than δ15N for estimating the age at which weaning foods are introduced. Our results suggest δ15N values from dentine can be used to evaluate the maternal/in utero diet and physiology during pregnancy, and that infant dentine profiles may reflect diet PLUS an element of physiological stress. In particular, bone collagen fails to record the same range of δ15N as co‐forming dentine, especially where growth is stunted, suggesting that infant bone collagen is unreliable for weaning studies.
Stability Assessment of Virgin Coconut Oil‐Based Emulsion Products
Authors: Khor Yih Phing , Koh Soo Peng , Long Kamariah , Chong Gun Hean , Tan Chin Ping
Published: September 2018

In recent years, there has been dramatic growth in the market for virgin coconut oil (VCO). VCO, a promising functional food oil, has gained popularity and captured public attention worldwide. Two VCO‐based emulsion products were developed as a new nutritional food supplement with the aim of increasing the consumption of VCO. The stability of VCO‐based emulsion products was assessed during a storage period of 3 months to gauge the quality of the optimized VCO‐based emulsions. The particle‐size distributions of the VCO‐based emulsions remained stable throughout the 3‐month storage period at 25 and at 50°C. However, a slight increase in the particle sizes was observed in the VCO‐based emulsions samples after 2 months of storage at 4 °C. Nevertheless, phase separation did not occur in either of the VCO‐based emulsions products throughout the storage‐stability assessment period. No signs of microbial growth were detected in the emulsion products during the storage period. Furthermore, no significant changes in the free fatty acid contents of the emulsion products were observed during storage at 4 or 25°C throughout the storage period. The VCO‐based emulsion products possessed sufficient emulsion stability to withstand changes at different storage temperatures.
Missed Druggable Cancer Hallmark: Cancer–Stroma Symbiotic Crosstalk as Paradigm and Hypothesis for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Sverdlov Eugene
Published: September 2018

During tumor evolution, cancer cells use the tumor‐stroma crosstalk to reorganize the microenvironment for maximum robustness of the tumor. The success of immune checkpoint therapy foretells a new cancer therapy paradigm: an effective cancer treatment should not aim to influence the individual components of super complex intracellular interactomes (molecular targeting), but try to disrupt the intercellular interactions between cancer and stromal cells, thus breaking the tumor as a whole. Arguments are provided in favor of a hypothesis that such interactions include formation of synapse‐like structures (interfaces) where the interacting cells are located at a distance of ∼10–15 nm. Within these interfaces, molecules initiating and strengthening the interaction are organized, and allow optimum cross‐signaling; a very confined intercellular space facilitates the concentration of secreted cytokines, enhancing the paracrine cross‐communication. These features of tumors form a druggable cancer hallmark the tumor‐stroma symbiotic crosstalk—which represents a new target for efficient cancer drug discovery.
Plant‐wide optimization for gold hydrometallurgy based on the fuzzy qualitative model and interval number
Authors: Liu Yadong , Chang Yuqing , Niu Dapeng , Wang Fuli
Published: September 2018

Since the difficulty of obtaining accurate online‐measurement of some key variables in hydrometallurgy plant‐wide production process causes that the quantitative models of some procedures are difficult to establish and the plant‐wide optimization based on quantitative model is difficult to realize, a plant‐wide optimization method based on interval numbers is proposed in this work. First, based on the information of expert knowledge and the experience of field workers, a fuzzy qualitative model is constructed, and outputs of the qualitative model are reasonably divided into multiple modes simultaneously. By analyzing the process properties, an optimal control problem for hydrometallurgy plant‐wide production process in the steady state is proposed to achieve process requirements which is to obtain the lowest cost of sodium cyanide and zinc as well as high gold quality. Then, by using interval numbers to represent the key variables that cannot be measured, an optimization method based on interval numbers is proposed for every output mode of the qualitative model. Finally, the hydrometallurgy process is carried in industrial simulation experiment. The results demonstrate that the proposed optimization scheme has much wider applicability than conventional optimization methods, especially for its improved performance of solving optimization problem with uncertainty.
Reversible Manipulation of Supramolecular Chirality using Host–Guest Dynamics between β‐Cyclodextrin and Alkyl Amines
Authors: Wang Xuejiao , Li Maodong , Song Pengbo , Lv Xiaolin , Liu Zhirong , Huang Jianbin , Yan Yun
Published: September 2018

Host–guest interactions are widely employed in constructing responsive materials, although less is known to manipulate the chiral property of materials using such host–guest dynamics. With the supramolecular self‐assembly based on β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and alkyl amines (CH3(CH2)n‐1NH2), we report that faster host–guest dynamics induces a dipole located above the cavity of β‐CD, whereas slower dynamics create in‐cavity dipole. These two scenarios correspond to negative and positive chiral signals, respectively. Considering that a larger fraction of amines facilitates faster exchange between the threaded and unthreaded amines, the chiral signal for the right‐handed helical ribbons can be manipulated simply by alternatively increasing the fraction of amines and β‐CD. Excitingly, enzyme responsive supramolecular chirality is obtained as a result of shifting the molar ratio by enzyme triggered hydrolysis of β‐CD. We expect that this strategy may open up an area of rationally designed chiral supramolecular materials based on host–guest chemistry.
Multi‐authority attribute‐based encryption scheme with constant‐size ciphertexts and user revocation
Authors: Zhang Xiao , Wu Faguo , Yao Wang , Wang Zhao , Wang Wenhua
Published: September 2018

Ciphertext‐policy attribute‐based encryption (CP‐ABE) is regarded as one of the most suitable technologies for data access control in cloud storage system. It gives data owners direct and flexible control on access policies. However, there still exists practicality concerns in CP‐ABE applications, for example, the key escrow problem, user revocability, and large ciphertext size. Considering these problems, we propose a multi‐authority attribute‐based encryption scheme with constant‐size ciphertexts and user revocation for threshold access policy in this paper. The security proof shows that the proposed scheme is selectively secure under the augmented multi‐sequence of exponents decisional Diffie‐Hellman assumption, and it also achieves forward security, backward security, and collusion‐resistance.
A new privacy‐preserving authentication protocol for anonymous web browsing
Authors: Yang Xu , Yi Xun , Khalil Ibrahim , Cui Hui , Yang Xuechao , Nepal Surya , Huang Xinyi , Zeng Yali
Published: September 2018

Anonymous authentication technique receives wide attention in recent years since it can protect users' privacy. Anonymous web browsing refers to utilization of the World Wide Web that hides a user's personally identifiable information from the websites visited. Even if a user can hide the IP address and other physical information with anonymity programs such as Tor, the web server can always monitor the user on the basis of the identity. In this paper, we firstly give an overview and cryptanalysis on the protocol of Yang et al and point out the security weaknesses of their protocol. Then, we propose a new authentication protocol for anonymous web browsing. In the proposed protocol, we take the advantages of a pseudo identity mechanism and an identity‐based elliptic curve cryptography algorithm to achieve user anonymity, robust security, and high efficiency. The result of security analysis and performance evaluation indicate the feasibility and practicality of our proposed anonymous authentication protocol.
A decision‐making solution for cloud storage system
Authors: Gao Yang , Qi Heng , Jin Yingwei , Li Keqiu
Published: September 2018

Enterprise IT departments must decide whether to build a private cloud themselves or lease space in a cloud instead. Actually, most enterprise cloud systems are heterogeneous simultaneously consisting partly of private cloud and partly of public cloud. An enterprise needs to know the optimal mixing ratio to achieve the lowest cost. However, the optimal ratio is a dynamic value because the popularity of data changes constantly and the data increases rapidly. In this paper, we formulate maximizing the net present value (NPV) of the investment revenue as a dynamic decision‐making problem and propose a model to simplify the decision‐making problem. We use the K‐means algorithm to cluster the devices into groups. In addition, we also provide a solution with the kNN algorithm for locating data. Furthermore, our system provides a cost‐saving solution that requires no additional devices or investment. Subsequently, as the system grows larger, the decision‐making solution can be employed again to determine how to best extend the cloud system at the lowest cost.
A novel automated MOALO algorithm aided RF low‐noise amplifier design for wireless applications
Authors: Suvitha Sundar , Mathana J.M.
Published: September 2018

This paper presents a Novel automated Multi Objective Ant Lion Optimization Algorithm (MOALO) aided Radio Frequency Low Noise Amplifier (RFLNA) design for wireless applications. This MO‐ALO algorithm has been used to resolve numerous nonlinear engineering problems with exceptional results. In regard of this, the MOALO algorithm is used to optimize the performance parameters of RF LNA. The RF LNA topology has a cascode structure with inductive source degeneration topology using 0.18 μm CMOS technology for wireless applications. This optimization using the MOALO algorithm is implemented using the Xilinx tool, which optimizes the active and passive parameters of RF LNA, and the optimized RF LNA is simulated using the Agilent ADS and Cadence OrCAD Capture 17.2 tools; the results are compared with the existing works. This optimized RF LNA provides high Gain, Low Noise Figure, and better Stability with less power and low circuit complexity.
Evaluation of samidorphan, a μ‐opioid antagonist, in a drug discrimination assay in rats
Authors: Sgro Mario P. , Modlin Deah L. , Deaver Daniel R. , Kallman Mary J. , Todtenkopf Mark S.
Published: September 2018

Preclinical Research & Development

Background: Samidorphan, a μ‐opioid receptor antagonist, is in clinical development for central nervous system related diseases. The discriminative stimulus effects of samidorphan were assessed in rats trained to discriminate the effects of a known morphinan of abuse, morphine, from that of saline.

Methods: Escalating doses of samidorphan were substituted for morphine and rats were allowed to respond on two levers for food reward. Doses of samidorphan were chosen based on other pharmacodynamic assays in which samidorphan blocked the effects of morphine (such as blocking analgesia in a hot plate test; data not shown). In addition, a pharmacokinetic study was conducted to determine if these doses would reflect predicted exposure levels that translate to human equivalent doses.

Results: Rats discriminating morphine from vehicle responded predominantly on the vehicle lever after receiving samidorphan. In addition, samidorphan was rapidly absorbed, and plasma concentrations of the doses tested in this study bracket therapeutically relevant concentrations.

Conclusions: In summary, samidorphan produced saline‐like behavioral responses over a wide dose range.
Synergistic interaction between docosahexaenoic acid and diclofenac on inflammation, nociception, and gastric security models in rats
Authors: Miranda‐Lara Christopher Allan , Ortiz Mario I. , Rodríguez‐Ramos Fernando , Chávez‐Piña Aracely Evangelina
Published: September 2018

Preclinical Research & Development

The addition of polyunsaturated fatty acids to nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs can increase their antinociceptive activity and produce a gastroprotective effect. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of the interaction between docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and diclofenac on inflammation (fixed ratios 1:1, 1:3, and 3:1), nociception (fixed ratio 1:3), and gastric injury in rats. DHA, diclofenac, or combinations of DHA and diclofenac produced anti‐inflammatory and antinociceptive effects in rat. The administration of diclofenac produced significant gastric damage, but this effect was not observed with either DHA or the DHA–diclofenac combinations. Effective dose (ED30) values were estimated for each individual drug and analyzed isobolographically. The anti‐inflammatory experimental ED30 values were 6.97 mg/kg (1:1 fixed ratio), 1.1 mg/kg (1:3 fixed ratio), and 11.34 mg/kg (3:1 fixed ratio). These values were significantly lower (p < .05) than the theoretical ED30 values: 67.94 mg/kg (1:1), 35.37 mg/kg (1:3), and 100.51 mg/kg (3:1). The antinociceptive experimental value was 1.25 mg/kg (1:3 fixed ratio). This value was lower (p < .05) than the theoretical ED30, which was predicted to be 15.92 mg/kg. These data indicate that the DHA–diclofenac combinations interact at the systemic level, produce minor gastric damage, and potentially have therapeutic advantages for the clinical treatment of inflammatory pain.
A path to defining excellence in intensive treatment for eating disorders
Authors: Guarda Angela S. , Wonderlich Stephen , Kaye Walter , Attia Evelyn
Published: September 2018

In the United States, the past decade has seen rapid growth in treatment centers providing specialty care to patients with eating disorders. Much of this growth has been in higher levels of care, including hospital‐based and residential treatment. Despite this expansion, there remains lack of agreement regarding the most important components of care, such as staff training or specifics of treatment delivery. Additionally there is no consensus on how best to assess outcome and compare performance across programs. This leaves patients, families, public and private insurance programs, and policy makers with limited information to help facilitate treatment decisions. The present paper considers implications of these changes in the eating disorder treatment landscape and examines two ideas that, if implemented, may enhance the quality of eating disorder care. First, we explore the proposal to develop a network of centers of excellence in eating disorder treatment and the value this may have for improving overall treatment quality. This idea was discussed at an expert meeting held at SAMSHA in 2017 regarding issues important to the field following passage of the 21st Century Cures Act. Second, we consider the potential utility of a study using the Delphi method to promote expert consensus regarding clinical outcome assessments.
Optimization‐based minimum‐cost seismic retrofitting of hysteretic frames with nonlinear fluid viscous dampers
Authors: Pollini Nicolò , Lavan Oren , Amir Oded
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we discuss an optimization‐based approach for minimum‐cost seismic retrofitting of hysteretic frames with nonlinear fluid viscous dampers. The proposed approach accounts also for moment‐axial interaction in the structural elements, to consider a more realistic coupling between added dampers and retrofitted structure. The design variables of the problem are the damping coefficients of the dampers. Indirectly, the design involves also the stiffness coefficients of the supporting braces. In the optimization analysis, we minimize a realistic retrofitting cost function with constraints on inter‐story drifts under a suite of ground motion records. The cost function includes costs related to the topological and mechanical properties of the dampers' designs. The structure is modeled with a mixed finite element approach, where the hysteretic behavior is defined at the beams' and columns' cross sections level. We consider damper‐brace elements with a visco‐elastic behavior characterized by the Maxwell model. The dampers' viscous behavior is defined by a fractional power law. Promising results obtained for a two‐story, a nine‐story, and a 20‐story 2‐D frames are presented and discussed.
General retrospective mega‐analysis framework for rare variant association tests
Authors: Chien Li‐Chu , Chiu Yen‐Feng
Published: September 2018

Here, we describe a retrospective mega‐analysis framework for gene‐ or region‐based multimarker rare variant association tests. Our proposed mega‐analysis association tests allow investigators to combine longitudinal and cross‐sectional family‐ and/or population‐based studies. This framework can be applied to a continuous, categorical, or survival trait. In addition to autosomal variants, the tests can be applied to conduct mega‐analyses on X‐chromosome variants. Tests were built on study‐specific region‐ or gene‐level quasiscore statistics and, therefore, do not require estimates of effects of individual rare variants. We used the generalized estimating equation approach to account for complex multiple correlation structures between family members, repeated measurements, and genetic markers. While accounting for multilevel correlations and heterogeneity across studies, the test statistics were computationally efficient and feasible for large‐scale sequencing studies. The retrospective aspect of association tests helps alleviate bias due to phenotype‐related sampling and type I errors due to misspecification of phenotypic distribution. We evaluated our developed mega‐analysis methods through comprehensive simulations with varying sample sizes, covariates, population stratification structures, and study designs across multiple studies. To illustrate application of the proposed framework, we conducted a mega‐association analysis combining a longitudinal family study and a cross‐sectional case–control study from Genetic Analysis Workshop 19.
Tight oil sandstones in Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin, N. China: Reservoir quality destruction in a closed diagenetic system
Authors: Liu Mingjie , Gluyas Jon , Wang Weibin , Liu Zhen , Liu Junbang , Tan Xiucheng , Zeng Wei , Xiong Yi
Published: September 2018

An investigation of the Triassic Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin, N. China, revealed that the diagenesis and quality of tight oil sandstone reservoirs (with an average porosity of 9.83% and an average permeability of 0.96 mD) were controlled by a closed diagenetic system. The carbonate cements observed in the sandstone were derived from decarboxylation of organic matter that occurred in the adjacent mudstones. These reactions supplied CO32−, which reacted with cations derived from grain dissolution in the sandstones. The average size of the diagenetic geochemical system with respect to carbonate cements was small (<6 × 10−2 m3), comprising sandstone and its adjacent mudstone(s). The carbonate cements tend to concentrate in the marginal sandstone, which is taken to indicate that the flux of CO32− into the sandstones limited the quantity of carbonate precipitated. In addition, the mass is near balance between the amount of feldspar dissolution and its by‐products in the central sandstone (distance to the sandstone/mudstone interface is mainly more than 1 m), where the permeability of sandstone will present a decreasing trend with the increase of feldspar dissolution pores. The pore space of central sandstone will be just redistributed, with primary intergranular pores converting to feldspar dissolution pores and clay mineral micropores. Thus, the best part of the sandstone reservoirs tends to be the central part of sandstone. In particular, sandstones that are more than 2 m thick could be the potential hydrocarbon reservoirs because they retain the best porosity (average of 13.6%) and permeability (average of 1.8 mD). The results of our study provide an important guide for the exploration of tight oil sandstones in other petroliferous basins over the world.
Modification of silicone elastomers with Bioglass 45S5® increases in ovo tissue biointegration
Authors: Cohrs Nicholas H. , Schulz‐Schönhagen Konstantin , Mohn Dirk , Wolint Petra , Meier Bürgisser Gabriella , Stark Wendelin J. , Buschmann Johanna
Published: September 2018

Silicone is an important material family used for various medical implants. It is biocompatible, but its bioinertness prevents cell attachment, and thus tissue biointegration of silicone implants. This often results in constrictive fibrosis and implant failure. Bioglass 45S5® (BG) could be a suitable material to alter the properties of silicone, render it bioactive and improve tissue integration. Therefore, BG micro‐ or nanoparticles were blended into medical‐grade silicone and 2D as well as 3D structures of the resulting composites were analyzed in ovo by a chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. The biomechanical properties of the composites were measured and the bioactivity of the composites was verified in simulated body fluid. The bioactivity of BG‐containing composites was confirmed visually by the formation of hydroxyapatite through scanning electron microscopy as well as by infrared spectroscopy. BG stiffens as prepared non‐porous composites by 13% and 36% for micro‐ and nanocomposites respectively. In particular, after implantation for 7 days, the Young's modulus had increased significantly from 1.20 ± 0.01 to 1.57 ± 0.03 MPa for microcomposites and 1.44 ± 0.03 to 1.69 ± 0.29 MPa to for nanocpmosites. Still, the materials remain highly elastic and are comparably soft. The incorporation of BG into silicone overcame the bioinertness of the pure polymer. Although the overall tissue integration was weak, it was significantly improved for BG‐containing porous silicones (+72% for microcomposites) and even further enhanced for composites containing nanoparticles (+94%). These findings make BG a suitable material to improve silicone implant properties. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1180–1188, 2019.
Absence of effect of the antiretrovirals Duovir and Viraday on mitochondrial bioenergetics
Authors: Fadel Jessy J. , Bahr Georges M. , Echtay Karim S.
Published: September 2018

Most toxicity associated with antiretroviral drugs is thought to result from disruption of mitochondrial function. Unfortunately, there are no validated laboratory markers for clinically assessing the onset of mitochondrial toxicity associated with antiretroviral therapy. In a previous study on mitochondrial hepatocytes, the protease inhibitor lopimune was shown to induce mitochondrial toxicity by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and decreasing respiratory control ratio (RCR) reflecting compromised mitochondrial efficiency in adenosine triphosphate production. Mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS production were directly correlated with the expression of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). In the current study we aim to determine the toxicity of nucleoside or nucleotide and nonnucleoside reverse‐transcriptase inhibitors, Duovir and Viraday on liver mitochondria isolated from treated mice by monitoring UCP2 expression. Our results showed that both Duovir and Viraday had no effect on mitochondrial respiration states 2, 3, 4, and on RCR. In addition, ROS generation and UCP2 expression were not affected. In conclusion, our results indicate the difference in the mechanism of action of distinct classes of antiretroviral drugs on mitochondrial functions and may associate UCP2 expression with subclinical mitochondrial damage as marker of cellular oxidative stress.
Silence of long intergenic noncoding RNA HOTAIR ameliorates oxidative stress and inflammation response in ox‐LDL‐treated human macrophages by upregulating miR‐330‐5p
Authors: Liu Jie , Huang Guang‐Qing , Ke Zun‐Ping
Published: September 2018

Evidence of the involvement of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in atherosclerosis is growing but still not well characterized. Here, we concentrated on the biological roles of lncRNA HOX transcription antisense RNA (HOTAIR) in atherosclerosis. In our study, we found that oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) induced human macrophages THP‐1 cells apoptosis dose dependently and time dependently. Meanwhile, HOTAIR was significantly increased in THP‐1 cells treated with ox‐LDL. Then, HOTAIR was modulated by infection of LV‐short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and LV‐HOTAIR into THP‐1 cells. As displayed, CD36, Oil Red O staining levels, total cholesterol, triglyceride levels and dil‐ox‐LDL uptake rate were greatly repressed by the silence of HOTAIR while triggered by overexpression of HOTAIR. Moreover, knockdown of HOTAIR suppressed reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde levels, increased superoxide dismutase activity and cell apoptosis were also restrained. Reversely, overexpression of HOTAIR exhibited an opposite phenomenon. In addition, interleukin 6 (IL‐6), IL‐1β, cyclo‐oxygenase 2, and tumor necrosis factor α protein levels were significantly depressed by LV‐shRNA) of HOTAIR while increased by upregulation of HOTAIR in THP‐1 cells. By carrying out bioinformatics analysis, miR‐330‐5p was predicted as a target of HOTAIR and the correlation between them was validated in our current study. MiR‐330‐5p was greatly decreased in THP‐1 cells incubated with ox‐LDL and overexpression of miR‐330‐5p was able to inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation process. Taken together, it was implied that HOTAIR contributed to atherosclerosis development by downregulating miR‐330‐5p in human macrophages.
Forecasting the Probability of Recessions in South Africa: the Role of Decomposed Term Spread and Economic Policy Uncertainty
Authors: Aye Goodness C. , Christou Christina , Gil‐Alana Luis A. , Gupta Rangan
Published: September 2018

This paper decomposes the term spread into the expectation and the term premium components using a fractional integration approach and subsequently uses same with the economic policy uncertainty index to forecast the probability of recession in South Africa. We use different specifications of the probit model and quarterly data from 1990:1 to 2012:1. Our out‐of‐sample results show that the model that incorporates the expectation component and economic policy uncertainty provides the best forecast of recession. All three recession periods in our sample were accurately dictated by the prediction models and the best forecast occurred at the four quarters ahead horizon. A robustness check with a longer sample from 1946q1 to 2017q4 but excluding the factors and economic policy uncertainty due to data limitation provided justification for decomposing the term spread as the model with the expected spread turned out to be the best. We draw the implications of these findings. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design of an ultralow power CNTFET based 9T SRAM with shared BL and half select free techniques
Authors: Patel Pramod Kumar , Malik Manzar , Gupta Tarun Kumar
Published: September 2018

In this paper, we propose a new design of high‐performance ultralow power carbon nanotube field effect transistor (CNTFET)‐based nine‐transistor static random access memory (SRAM) cell and its implementation using shared bitline (BL) and half‐select free techniques. Simulations of the 9T SRAM design, using CNTFET compact model, have presented merits over the silicon‐complementary‐metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) SRAM cell in terms of leakage current, power consumption, and stability. Uses of the half‐select free technique eliminate the conflict between read and write operations and shared BL technique offers reduced physical layout area and enhanced data access speed. Further, uses of the increased number of tubes or say CNT array in the CNTFET device increases the probability of functionality (>95%) with a high yield SRAM cell.
Effect of chitosan pre‐soaking on the growth and quality of yellow soybean sprouts
Authors: Yang Rui , Jiang Yu , Xiu Lili , Huang Jianying
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

Soybeans are popularly known as a healthy food in many Asian countries and are mostly consumed as sprouts. The present study aimed to investigate the potential applications of chitosan as a natural growth regulator of soybean sprouts, as well as to determine the variation and composition of nutrients and anti‐nutrients of soybean sprouts pre‐soaked in different concentrations of chitosan solutions.

RESULTS

The hypocotyl length and fresh weight of the soybean sprouts could be positively affected by chitosan treatment. The content changes of bioactive products in chitosan‐soaked soybean sprouts were dependent on the concentration of chitosan and germination time. Additionally, the lowest phytic acid content was observed in 8 g kg−1 chitosan‐treated soybean sprouts, and the phytic acid content values after 5 days of germination was 1.56 g kg−1, which was decreased by 79.0% compared to the value in ungerminated soybean.

CONCLUSION

Chitosan pre‐soaking can increase the hypocotyl length and fresh weight of soybean sprouts and also positively effect the content of bioactive products in sprouts, whereas phytic acid can be partially removed, thereby leading to the enhancement of product quality. Chitosan pre‐soaking is an alternative technology for the production of low‐cost functional foods, where the dose of chitosan is a key factor. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Detection and Evaluation of Anti‐Cancer Efficiency of Astragalus Polysaccharide Via a Tissue Engineered Tumor Model
Authors: Li Wenfang , Hu Xueyan , Wang Shuping , Wang Hai , Parungao Roxanne , Wang Yiwei , Liu Tianqing , Song Kedong
Published: September 2018

Polysaccharides have been known to display their anti‐cancer activity via immunomodulation. The immunomodulation of RAW 246.7 macrophages by astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is herein studied in human breast cancer cells. Apart from traditional 2D culture, a novel tissue‐engineered tumor model is prepared based on decellularized porcine lung scaffold. Decellularized lung scaffolds exhibit preferable biocompatibility that promote the formation and enlargement of tumor spheroids. The conditioned medium (CM, the supernatant liquid of APS‐treated RAW264.7 macrophages) shows anti‐cancer activity by inhibiting cell proliferation, demonstrated by a 39.25 ± 5.04% decrease in tumoroid size and 20.96 ± 2.43% reduction in cell viability, and promoting cell apoptosis by the nuclear fragmentation and increasing apoptotic‐stage proportion. The cytotoxicity of CM is associated with the upregulated production of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor‐α from RAW 246.7 cells stimulated by APS. Overall, by using this 3D tumor model to study CM, there is convincing evidence that APS can modulate macrophage function to further mediate anti‐cancer activity.
Stiffening by Osmotic Swelling Constraint in Cartilage‐Like Cell Culture Scaffolds
Authors: Offeddu Giovanni S. , Tanase Constantin E. , Toumpaniari Sotiria , Oyen Michelle L. , Cameron Ruth E.
Published: September 2018

Cartilage wounds result in chronic pain and degradation of the quality of life for millions of people. A synthetic cellular scaffold able to heal the damage by substituting the natural tissue is of great potential value. Here, it is shown for the first time that the unique interplay between the molecular components of cartilage can be reproduced in composite materials made of a polyelectrolyte hydrogel embedding a collagen scaffold. These composites possess a mechanical response determined by osmotic and electrostatic effects, comparable to articular cartilage in terms of elastic modulus, time‐dependent response, and permeability to interstitial fluid flow. Made entirely from biocompatible materials, the cartilage‐like composite materials developed permit 3D culture of chondrocyte‐like cells through their microporosity. The biomimetic materials presented here constitute an entirely new class of osmotically stiffened composites, which may find use outside of biomedical applications.