bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical-Free Extraction of Functional Mitochondria Using a Microfluidic Device
Authors: Hsiao Yu-Han , Li Ching-Wen , Chang Jui-Chih , Chen Sung-Tzu , Liu Chin-San , Wang Gou-Jen
Published: September 2018

This paper proposes the use of a chip-based microfluidic device to extract functional and chemical free mitochondria. A simple microfluidic device was designed and fabricated. An osteosarcoma cybrid cell line was employed to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed microfluidic device. The membrane proteins (mitochondrial complex I-V and Tom20) and morphology of the extracted mitochondria were examined by Western blot and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The purity and mitochondrial membrane potential of the extracted mitochondria were individually measured by 10-N-alkyl acridine orange and tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester staining via flow cytometry. Experimental results revealed that expressed pattern of complex I–V in device-extracted mitochondria was close to that of mitochondria in total cell lysis and device extraction significantly prevented chemical modification of complex IV protein via a conventional kit, although device extract similar amounts of mitochondria to the conventional kit revealed by Tom20 expression. Furthermore, purity of device-extracted mitochondria was above 93.7% and mitochondria still retained normal activity after device extraction proven by expression of mitochondrial membrane potential as well as the entire mitochondrial morphology. These results confirmed that the proposed microfluidic device could obtain functional mitochondria without structural damage.
A Computer-Aided Sustainable Modelling and Optimization Analysis of CNC Milling and Turning Processes
Authors: Singh Karmjit , Sultan Ibrahim A.
Published: September 2018

The sustainability of a manufacturing process can be measured by three main factors which impact both ecological and financial constraints. These factors are the energy required to achieve a specific job, the material utilized for the job, and the time taken to complete that job. These factors have to be quantified and analysed so that a proper manufacturing system can be designed to optimize process sustainability. For this purpose, a computer package, which utilizes life cycle inventory models has been presented for CNC (Computer Numerical Control) milling and turning processes. Based on utilization of resources and production stages, the job completion time for the turning and milling processes can be divided into process (i.e., machining), idle and basic times. As parameters are different for evaluating the process times, i.e., depth and width of cut in case of milling, initial and final diameters for turning, two different case studies are presented, one for each process. The effect of material selection on the sustainability factors has been studied for different processes. Our simulations show that highly dense and hard materials take more time in finishing the job due to low cutting speed and feed rates as compared to soft materials. In addition, face milling takes longer and consumes more power as compared to peripheral milling due to more retraction time caused by over travel distance and lower vertical transverse speeds than the horizontal transverse speed used in a peripheral retraction process.
Mechanism of Magnesium Oxide Hydration Based on the Multi-Rate Model
Authors: Xing Zhibo , Bai Limei , Ma Yuxin , Wang Dong , Li Meng
Published: September 2018

The hydration of different active MgO under an unforced and ultrasonic condition was conducted in this paper to investigate the chemical kinetics model of the apparent reaction and discuss the mechanism combined with the product morphology. The dynamics fitting result shows that both the first-order and multi-rate model describe the hydration process under ultrasound well, while only the multi-rate model was right for the hydration process under an unforced condition. It indicated that the rate order of hydration was different in the hydration process under an unforced condition. The XRD and SEM show that the MgO hydration was a process of dissolution and crystallization. Part of the magnesium ions produced by dissolution of MgO did not diffuse into the solution in time, and adhered to the magnesium oxide surface and grew in situ instead. As a result, the difference in the hydration rate of the remaining MgO particles becomes wider and not in the same order (order of magnitude). The ultrasonic cavitation could prevent the in-situ growth of Mg(OH)2 crystal nuclei on the surface of MgO. It not only greatly improved the hydration rate of MgO and produced monodisperse Mg(OH)2 particles, but also made the first-order kinetics model fit the hydration process of MgO well.
Interplay of Thermo-Optic and Reorientational Responses in Nematicon Generation
Authors: Laudyn Urszula A. , Piccardi Armando , Kwasny Michal , Klus Bartlomiej , Karpierz Miroslaw A. , Assanto Gaetano
Published: September 2018

Employing several nematic liquid crystal mixtures, we investigate how the thermo-optic response of nonlinear birefringent soft-matter affects the propagation of light beams and the features of self-induced waveguides. We address the formation of optical spatial solitons and the control of their trajectories versus temperature, comparing the measurements with the expectations based on a simplified model, showing an excellent agreement. Moreover, in a guest–host mixture with an absorbing dye dopant, we study the competition between reorientational and thermal nonlinearities, demonstrating that the two processes can be adjusted independently in order to tune the soliton properties, i.e., trajectory and confinement strength. Our results are an important contribution to better comprehend the role played by material properties on linear and nonlinear beam propagation, as well as their exploitation for signal processing and addressing.
Tribological Behavior of the 316L Stainless Steel with Heterogeneous Lamella Structure
Authors: Qin Wenbo , Kang Jiajie , Li Jiansheng , Yue Wen , Liu Yaoyao , She Dingshun , Mao Qingzhong , Li Yusheng
Published: September 2018

In this paper, the tribological behavior of 316L stainless steel with heterogeneous lamella structure (HLS), prepared through 85% cold rolling technology and subsequent annealing treatment (750 °C, 10 min), were conducted on a ball-on-disc tribometer under different normal loads in dry ambient air conditions. The morphologies, structures, and compositions of the raw and worn surfaces were analyzed by 3D surface profilometer, XRD, SEM, EDS and TEM. Based on this, the results showed that the HLS 316L stainless steel samples exhibited lower and more steady friction coefficients than coarse-grained samples, especially under higher loads, which can be attributed to the existence of numerous oxidative particles across sliding interfaces. However, the wear resistance of HLS 316L stainless steel sample was a little weakened compared to that of the coarse-grained sample under a normal load of 5 N. When the load increases up to 15 N, an obviously decreased wear resistance was found for the HLS of the 316L stainless steel sample, which was 50% lower than that of coarse-grained sample. This can be ascribed to the more severe oxidative and abrasive wear performance of HLS 316L stainless steel sample under dry sliding conditions.
Effects of PEG1000 and Sol Concentration on the Structural and Optical Properties of Sol–Gel ZnO Porous Thin Films
Authors: Xu Dong , Yu Qian , Chen Taiyun , Zhong Sujuan , Ma Jia , Bao Li , Zhang Lei , Zhao Feiwen , Du Sanming
Published: September 2018

ZnO porous thin films were synthesized as antireflection coatings via a sol–gel dip-coating method with polyethylene glycol (PEG1000) utilized as a polymeric porogen on alumina transparent ceramics. The pore formation mechanism of the ZnO porous thin films was proposed through thermal and Fourier transformation infrared spectrometer (FTIR) analyses. The effect of sol concentrations on crystal structure, microstructure, and optical properties was also discussed. The experiment results indicated that all the ZnO thin films exhibited a hexagonal wurtzite structure with their preferred orientation along a (0 0 2) plane by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. The grain size of the films increased from 30.5 to 37.4 nm with the sol concentration ranging from 0.2 to 1.0 M. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images show that the pores on the surface were observed to first decrease as the sol concentration increased and then to disappear as the sol concentration continued to increase. The UV spectrum presents a maximum transmittance of 93.5% at a wavelength of 600 nm at a concentration of 0.6 M, which will be helpful in the practical applications of ZnO porous film on alumina transparent ceramic substrates. The pore formation mechanism of ZnO porous thin films can be ascribed to ring-like network structures between the PEG1000 and zinc oligomers under the phase separation effect.
Polyurethane Foams: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Gama Nuno V. , Ferreira Artur , Barros-Timmons Ana
Published: September 2018

Polymeric foams can be found virtually everywhere due to their advantageous properties compared with counterparts materials. Possibly the most important class of polymeric foams are polyurethane foams (PUFs), as their low density and thermal conductivity combined with their interesting mechanical properties make them excellent thermal and sound insulators, as well as structural and comfort materials. Despite the broad range of applications, the production of PUFs is still highly petroleum-dependent, so this industry must adapt to ever more strict regulations and rigorous consumers. In that sense, the well-established raw materials and process technologies can face a turning point in the near future, due to the need of using renewable raw materials and new process technologies, such as three-dimensional (3D) printing. In this work, the fundamental aspects of the production of PUFs are reviewed, the new challenges that the PUFs industry are expected to confront regarding process methodologies in the near future are outlined, and some alternatives are also presented. Then, the strategies for the improvement of PUFs sustainability, including recycling, and the enhancement of their properties are discussed.
Cellular Automaton Simulation of the Growth of Anomalous Eutectic during Laser Remelting Process
Authors: Wei Lei , Cao Yongqing , Lin Xin , Huang Weidong
Published: September 2018

Anomalous eutectic morphologies were observed during laser remelting of a Ni-Sn powder bed, where it was sandwiched between a lamellar eutectic at the bottom of melt pool. That is, the anomalous eutectic growth mechanism can be divided into two processes: one is the lamellar to anomalous transition (LAT); the other is the anomalous to lamellar transition (ALT). The thermal distribution at the bottom of melt pool is simulated by the finite difference method. It is found that the cooling rate at the bottom of melt pool is a linear function of time. A cellular automaton (CA) model is developed to simulate the anomalous growth. Simulation results show that the mechanism of the LAT is that one phase overgrows the other followed by subsequent nucleating of the other phase. The mechanism of the ALT is the competitive growth between the anomalous and lamellar eutectic; as the cooling rate increased, the lamellar eutectic is more competitive.
PLA-PEG Nanoparticles Improve the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Rosiglitazone on Macrophages by Enhancing Drug Uptake Compared to Free Rosiglitazone
Authors: Giacalone Giovanna , Tsapis Nicolas , Mousnier Ludivine , Chacun Hélène , Fattal Elias
Published: September 2018

Among cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis remains the first cause of death in the United States of America and Europe, as it leads to myocardial infarction or stroke. The high prevalence of heart diseases is due to the difficulty in diagnosing atherosclerosis, since it can develop for decades before symptoms occur, and to the complexity of the treatment since targets are also important components of the host defenses. The antidiabetics thiazolidinediones, among which is rosiglitazone (RSG), have demonstrated anti-atherosclerotic effect in animal models, and are therefore promising candidates for the improvement of atherosclerosis management. Nevertheless, their administration is hindered by the insurgence of severe side effects. To overcome this limitation, rosiglitazone has been encapsulated into polymeric nanoparticles, which permit efficient delivery to its nuclear target, and selective delivery to the site of action, allowing the reduction of unwanted effects. In the present work, we describe nanoparticle formulation using polylactic acid (PLA) coupled to polyethylene glycol (PEG), their characterization, and their behavior on RAW264.7 macrophages, an important target in atherosclerosis treatment. RSG nanocarriers showed no toxicity on cells at all concentrations tested, an anti-inflammatory effect in a dose-dependent manner, up to 5 times more efficient than the free molecule, and an increased RSG uptake which is consistent with the effect shown. These biodegradable nanoparticles represent a valid tool to be further investigated for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Revisiting the Effect of Slag in Reducing Heat of Hydration in Concrete in Comparison to Other Supplementary Cementitious Materials
Authors: Moon Hoon , Ramanathan Sivakumar , Suraneni Prannoy , Shon Chang-Seon , Lee Chang-Joon , Chung Chul-Woo
Published: September 2018

Blast furnace slag (SL) is an amorphous calcium aluminosilicate material that exhibits both pozzolanic and latent hydraulic activities. It has been successfully used to reduce the heat of hydration in mass concrete. However, SL currently available in the market generally experiences pre-treatment to increase its reactivity to be closer to that of portland cement. Therefore, using such pre-treated SL may not be applicable for reducing the heat of hydration in mass concrete. In this work, the adiabatic and semi-adiabatic temperature rise of concretes with 20% and 40% SL (mass replacement of cement) containing calcium sulfate were investigated. Isothermal calorimetry and thermal analysis (TGA) were used to study the hydration kinetics of cement paste at 23 and 50 °C. Results were compared with those with control cement and 20% replacements of silica fume, fly ash, and metakaolin. Results obtained from adiabatic calorimetry and isothermal calorimetry testing showed that the concrete with SL had somewhat higher maximum temperature rise and heat release compared to other materials, regardless of SL replacement levels. However, there was a delay in time to reach maximum temperature with increasing SL replacement level. At 50 °C, a significant acceleration was observed for SL, which is more likely related to the pozzolanic reaction than the hydraulic reaction. Semi-adiabatic calorimetry did not show a greater temperature rise for the SL compared to other materials; the differences in results between semi-adiabatic and adiabatic calorimetry are important and should be noted. Based on these results, it is concluded that the use of blast furnace slag should be carefully considered if used for mass concrete applications.
Role of Mitochondria in Regulating Lutein and Chlorophyll Biosynthesis in Chlorella pyrenoidosa under Heterotrophic Conditions
Authors: Liu Zhi-hui , Li Tao , He Qing-yu , Sun Zheng , Jiang Yue
Published: September 2018

The green alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa can accumulate lutein and chlorophyll under heterotrophic conditions. We propose that the mitochondrial respiratory electron transport chain (mRET) may be involved in this process. To verify this hypothesis, algal cells were treated with different mRET inhibitors. The biosynthesis of lutein and chlorophyll was found to be significantly stimulated by salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM), whereas their contents substantially decreased after treatment with antimycin A and sodium azide (NaN3). Proteomic studies revealed profound protein alterations related to the redox and energy states, and a network was proposed: The up-regulation of peroxiredoxin reduces oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to reduced glutathione (GSH); phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) catalyzes the conversion of oxaloacetic acid to phosphoenolpyruvate, and after entering the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway, 4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-en-1yl diphosphate synthase reduces 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol-2,4-cyclodiphosphate (ME-Cpp) to 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(E)-butenyl 4-diphosphate (HMBPP), which is closely related to the synthesis of lutein; and coproporphyrinogen III oxidase and ChlI play important roles in the chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway. These results supported that for the heterotrophic C. pyrenoidosa, the signaling, oriented from mRET, may regulate the nuclear genes encoding the enzymes involved in photosynthetic pigment biosynthesis.
Post-Release Deformation and Motion Control of Photonic Waveguide Beams by Tuneable Electrothermal Actuators in Thick SiO2
Authors: Wu Kai , Tichem Marcel
Published: September 2018

Photonic packaging, which includes high-precision assembly of photonic sub-systems, is currently a bottleneck in the development of commercially-available integrated photonic products. In the pursuit of a fully-automated, high-precision, and cost-effective photonic alignment scheme for two multi-channel photonic chips, this paper explores different designs of the on-chip electrothermal actuators for positioning mechanically-flexible waveguide structures. The final alignment goal is ∼100 nm waveguide to waveguide. The on-chip actuators, particularly for out-of-plane actuation, are built in a 16 μm-thick SiO 2 photonic-material stack with 5 μm-thick poly-Si as an electrothermal element. A major challenge of out-of-plane positioning is a 6 μm height difference of the waveguides to be aligned, due to different built-up material stacks, together with a misalignment tolerance of 1 μm–2 μm from the pre-assembly (flip-chip) process. Therefore, the bimorph-actuator design needs to compensate this height difference, and provide sufficient motion to align the waveguides. We propose to exploit the post-release deformation of so-called short-loop bimorph actuator designs to meet these joint demands. We explore different design variants based on the heater location and the integration of actuator beams with waveguide beams. The actuator design (with 30 μm poly-Si and 900 μm SiO 2 in length) has ∼8 μm out-of-plane deflection and is able to generate ∼4 μm motion, which meets the design goal.
Environmentally Friendly Gelatin/β-Cyclodextrin Composite Fiber Adsorbents for the Efficient Removal of Dyes from Wastewater
Authors: Chen Yu , Ma Yanli , Lu Weipeng , Guo Yanchuan , Zhu Yi , Lu Haojun , Song Yeping
Published: September 2018

In this paper, environmentally friendly gelatin/β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) composite fiber adsorbents prepared by electrospinning were used for the removal of dyes from wastewater. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a universal materials tester were employed to characterize the internal structures, surface morphologies and mechanical strength of the composite fiber adsorbents. Additionally, the fiber was evaluated as an adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. The effects of the raw material ratio, pH, temperature, concentration and adsorption time were studied. The results show that the gelatin/β-CD composite fiber adsorbents possess excellent mechanical strength and high adsorption efficiency for MB. The adsorption equilibrium and adsorption kinetics are well-described by the Langmuir isotherm model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, respectively. The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity is 47.4 mg·g−1. Additionally, after nine successive desorption-adsorption cycles, the removal rate is still over 70%. Moreover, the gelatin/β-CD composite fiber adsorbents exhibit excellent adsorption capability for basic fuchsin, gentian violet, brilliant blue R and malachite green dyes. Therefore, owing to the characteristics of degradability, low cost and high-efficiency, the gelatin/β-CD composite fiber can be used as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of dyes from wastewater.
Structural Characterization of Polysaccharides from Dendrobium officinale and Their Effects on Apoptosis of HeLa Cell Line
Authors: Yu Wenxia , Ren Zhiyao , Zhang Xiaofeng , Xing Shangping , Tao Shengchang , Liu Chenxing , Wei Gang , Yuan Yuan , Lei Zhouxi
Published: September 2018

Dendrobium officinale is a widely used medicinal plant in China with numerous bio-activities. However, the main structure and anti-tumor activity of the polysaccharides from this plant have not been investigated. In this study, we elucidated the main structure of polysaccharides purified with DEAE and Sephadex G-25 from Dendrobium officinale grown under different planting conditions. In addition, the anti-tumor activity was tested via MTT assays. The results showed that the polysaccharides of Dendrobium officinale grown under different conditions were almost the same, with slight differences in the branched chain; both polysaccharide fractions consisted of (1→4)-linked mannose and (1→4)-linked glucose, with an O-acetyl group in the mannose. After degradation, the polysaccharide fractions from wild plants showed significant anti-proliferation activity in HeLa cells. The fractions F1 and F3 induced apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of ERK, JNK, and p38. We concluded that polysaccharides from Dendrobium officinale planted in the wild exhibit significant anti-tumor effects only after being degraded to smaller molecular weight species. The planting mode is a significant factor in the pharmacological activity of Dendrobium officinale. We advise that the planting conditions for Dendrobium officinale should be changed.
Genetic Variation and Alleviation of Salinity Stress in Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: El-Esawi Mohamed A. , Alaraidh Ibrahim A. , Alsahli Abdulaziz A. , Ali Hayssam M. , Alayafi Aisha A. , Witczak Jacques , Ahmad Margaret
Published: September 2018

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) represents one of the most important cereals cultivated worldwide. Investigating genetic variability and structure of barley is important for enhancing the crop productivity. This study aimed to investigate the diversity and structure of 40 barley genotypes originated from three European countries (France, the Netherlands, Poland) using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs). It also aimed to study 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) effect on salinity tolerance of six barley genotypes. The expected heterozygosity (He) diverged from 0.126 to 0.501, with a mean of 0.348. Polymorphic information content (PIC) diverged from 0.103 to 0.482 across barley genotypes, with a mean of 0.316, indicating that barley genotypes are rich in a considerable level of genetic diversity. The 40 barley genotypes were further studied based on their geographical origin (Western Europe and Eastern Europe). The Eastern European region (Poland) has a higher barley variability than the Western European region (France and the Netherlands). Nei’s distance-based cluster tree divided the 40 barley accessions into two major clusters; one cluster comprised all the varieties originated from the Eastern European region, while the other major cluster included all accessions originated from the Western European region. Structure analysis results were in a complete concordance with our cluster analysis results. Slaski 2, Damseaux and Urbanowicki genotypes have the highest diversity level, whereas Carmen, Bigo and Cambrinus genotypes have the lowest level. The response of these six varieties to NaCl stress was also investigated. Salt stress (100 mM NaCl) slightly decreased levels of chlorophyll, carotenoid and osmolytes (proteins, soluble sugars, phenolics and flavonoids) in the leaves of Slaski 2, Damseaux and Urbanowicki genotypes at non-significant level, as compared to control samples. However, pigment contents and osmolytes in leaves of Carmen, Bigo and Cambrinus genotypes were significantly decreased by salt stress. Antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly increased in Slaski 2 genotype, but non-significantly increased in Carmen by salt stress. Priming Slaski 2 and Carmen cultivars with ALA under salt stress significantly induced pigment contents, antioxidants enzymes activity and stress-responsive genes expression, relative to NaCl-stressed plants. In conclusion, this study suggested a correlation between variability percentage and degree of salinity resistance. ALA improved salt tolerance in barley.
Biocompatible Nanocomposite Implant with Silver Nanoparticles for Otology—In Vivo Evaluation
Authors: Ziąbka Magdalena , Menaszek Elżbieta , Tarasiuk Jacek , Wroński Sebastian
Published: September 2018

The aim of this work was to investigate of biocompatibility of polymeric implants modified with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Middle ear prostheses (otoimplants) made of the (poly)acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and ABS modified with silver nanoparticles were prepared through extrusion and injection moulding process. The obtained prostheses were characterized by SEM-EDX, micro-CT and mechanical tests, confirming their proper shape, good AgNPs homogenization and mechanical parameters stability. The biocompatibility of the implants was evaluated in vivo on rats, after 4, 12, 24 and 48 weeks of implantation. The tissue-healing process and cytotoxicity of the implants were evaluated on the basis of microscopic observations of the materials morphology after histochemical staining with cytochrome c oxidase (OCC) and acid phosphatase (AP), as well as via micro-tomography (ex vivo). The in vivo studies confirmed biocompatibility of the implants in the surrounding tissue environment. Both the pure ABS and nanosilver-modified ABS implants exhibited a distinct decrease in the area of granulation tissue which was replaced with the regenerating muscle tissue. Moreover, a slightly smaller area of granulation tissue was observed in the surroundings of the silver-doped prosthesis than in the case of pure ABS prosthesis. The kinetics of silver ions releasing from implants was investigated by ICP-MS spectrometry. The measurement confirmed that concentration of the silver ions increased within the implant’s immersion period. Our results showed that middle ear implant with the nanoscale modification is biocompatible and might be used in ossicular reconstruction.
Controlling the Wetting Properties of Superhydrophobic Titanium Surface Fabricated by UV Nanosecond-Pulsed Laser and Heat Treatment
Authors: Dinh The-Hung , Ngo Chi-Vinh , Chun Doo-Man
Published: September 2018

In this study, the effects of nanosecond-pulsed laser and pattern design were researched on the wettability of titanium material. Nanosecond-pulsed laser and heat treatment are used to fabricate superhydrophobic titanium surfaces. The effects of laser power (1–3 W) and step size (50–300 µm) on a microscale patterned titanium surface (line pattern and grid pattern) were investigated to explain the relation between microstructure and superhydrophobicity. The surface morphologies and wettability of the surfaces were analyzed by three-dimensional confocal microscopy and a contact angle meter. The results show that the laser power and pattern design affected the apparent contact angle (CA) and sliding angle (SA). The maximum step size, which could show superhydrophobicity with apparent CA > 150° and SA < 10°, was increased when the laser power increased from 1 to 3 W. Grid pattern showed isotropic wetting behavior, but line pattern showed both isotropic and anisotropic wetting behavior according to step size and laser power. Furthermore, when choosing the proper laser power and step size, the wetting properties of superhydrophobic surface such as lotus effect (apparent CA > 150° and SA < 10°) and petal effect (apparent CA > 150° and no SA) and isotropic/anisotropic behavior can be controlled for applications of water droplet control.
Highly-Ordered PdIn Intermetallic Nanostructures Obtained from Heterobimetallic Acetate Complex: Formation and Catalytic Properties in Diphenylacetylene Hydrogenation
Authors: Mashkovsky Igor S. , Markov Pavel V. , Bragina Galina O. , Baeva Galina N. , Rassolov Alexander V. , Yakushev Ilya A. , Vargaftik Michael N. , Stakheev Alexander Yu.
Published: September 2018

Formation of PdIn intermetallic nanoparticles supported on α-Al2O3 was investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and hydrogen temperature-programmed desorption (H2-TPD) methods. The metals were loaded as heterobimetallic Pd(μ-O2CMe)4In(O2CMe) complex to ensure intimate contact between Pd and In. Reduction in H2 at 200 °C resulted in Pd-rich PdIn alloy as evidenced by XRD and the disappearance of Pd hydride. A minor amount of Pd1In1 intermetallic phase appeared after reduction at 200 °C and its formation was accomplished at 400 °C. Neither monometallic Pd or in nor other intermetallic structures were found after reduction at 400–600 °C. Catalytic performance of Pd1In1/α-Al2O3 was studied in the selective liquid-phase diphenylacetylene (DPA) hydrogenation. It was found that the reaction rate of undesired alkene hydrogenation is strongly reduced on Pd1In1 nanoparticles enabling effective kinetic control of the hydrogenation, and the catalyst demonstrated excellent selectivity to alkene.
DKB114, A Mixture of Chrysanthemum Indicum Linne Flower and Cinnamomum Cassia (L.) J. Presl Bark Extracts, Improves Hyperuricemia through Inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase Activity and Increasing Urine Excretion
Authors: Lee Young-Sil , Kim Seung-Hyung , Yuk Heung Joo , Kim Dong-Seon
Published: September 2018

Chrysanthemum indicum Linne flower (CF) and Cinnamomum cassia (L.) J. Presl bark (CB) extracts have been used as the main ingredients in several prescriptions to treat the hyperuricemia and gout in traditional medicine. In the present study, we investigated the antihyperuricemic effects of DKB114, a CF, and CB mixture, and the underlying mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. DKB114 markedly reduced serum uric acid levels in normal rats and rats with PO-induced hyperuricemia, while increasing renal uric acid excretion. Furthermore, it inhibited the activity of xanthine oxidase (XOD) in vitro and in the liver in addition to reducing hepatic uric acid production. DKB114 decreased cellular uric acid uptake in oocytes and HEK293 cells expressing human urate transporter (hURAT)1 and decreased the protein expression levels of urate transporters, URAT1, and glucose transporter, GLUT9, associated with the reabsorption of uric acid in the kidney. DKB114 exerts antihyperuricemic effects and uricosuric effects, which are accompanied, partially, by a reduction in the production of uric acid and promotion of uric acid excretion via the inhibition of XOD activity and reabsorption of uric acid. Therefore, it may have potential as a treatment for hyperuricemia and gout.
Diet-Modulated Lipoprotein Metabolism and Vascular Inflammation Evaluated by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography
Authors: Lee You-Bin , Choi Kyung Mook
Published: September 2018

Vascular inflammation plays a central role in atherosclerosis, from initiation and progression to acute thrombotic complications. Modified low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and apoB-containing particles stimulate plaque inflammation by interacting with macrophages. Loss of function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) for preventing LDL particles from oxidative modification in dyslipidemic states may amplify modified LDL actions, accelerating plaque inflammation. Diets are one of the most important factors that can affect these processes of lipoprotein oxidation and vascular inflammation. Recently, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) has emerged as a reliable noninvasive imaging modality for identifying and quantifying vascular inflammation within atherosclerotic lesions based on the high glycolytic activity of macrophages infiltrating active atherosclerotic plaques. Vascular inflammation evaluated by FDG PET has been positively related to metabolic syndrome components and traditional risk factors of cardiovascular disease, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, body mass index, and insulin resistance. A positive association of vascular inflammation with endothelial dysfunction, resistin levels, pericardial adipose tissue, and visceral fat area has also been reported. In contrast, HDL cholesterol and adiponectin have been inversely related to vascular inflammation detected by FDG PET. Because of its reproducibility, serial FDG PET shows potential for tracking the effects of dietary interventions and other systemic and local antiatherosclerotic therapies for plaque inflammation.
Molecular Application of Aptamers in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cancer and Communicable Diseases
Authors: Molefe Philisiwe Fortunate , Masamba Priscilla , Oyinloye Babatunji Emmanuel , Mbatha Londiwe Simphiwe , Meyer Mervin , Kappo Abidemi Paul
Published: September 2018

Cancer and infectious diseases such as Ebola, HIV, tuberculosis, Zika, hepatitis, measles and human schistosomiasis are serious global health hazards. The increasing annual morbidities and mortalities of these diseases have been blamed on drug resistance and the inefficacy of available diagnostic tools, particularly those which are immunologically-based. Antibody-based tools rely solely on antibody production for diagnosis and for this reason they are the major cause of diagnostic delays. Unfortunately, the control of these diseases depends on early detection and administration of effective treatment therefore any diagnostic delay is a huge challenge to curbing these diseases. Hence, there is a need for alternative diagnostic tools, discovery and development of novel therapeutic agents. Studies have demonstrated that aptamers could potentially offer one of the best solutions to these problems. Aptamers are short sequences of either DNA or RNA molecules, which are identified in vitro through a SELEX process. They are sensitive and bind specifically to target molecules. Their promising features suggest they may serve as better diagnostic agents and can be used as drug carriers for therapeutic purposes. In this article, we review the applications of aptamers in the theranostics of cancer and some infectious diseases.
Is Research Experience Detrimental to a Clinical Pharmacist’s Career?
Authors: Mohammed Roxanna S. D. , Yeung Eugene Y. H.
Published: September 2018

A recent article in the Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy discussed pharmacists’ perception of clinical research. The article illustrated that pharmacists lack the time, resources, and skills to conduct research. In the current paper, two ex-pharmacists, who now work as physicians, commented on the prejudice towards pharmacy researchers. Pharmacy researchers face obstacles such as being mislabeled as “non-clinical” and lacking opportunities to be involved in high-impact publications. The current paper discussed ways to improve pharmacy research, including collaboration with well-established researchers, putting less emphasis on the “clinical” pharmacist title, and changing the pharmacy culture.
Love Thy Extra-Terrestrial Neighbour: Charity and Compassion in Luc Besson’s Space Operas The Fifth Element (1997) and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)
Authors: Magerstädt Sylvie
Published: September 2018

The role of romantic love in cinema–and its redeeming aspects–has been extensively explored in film studies and beyond. However, non-romantic aspects of love, especially love for the neighbour, have not yet received as much attention. This is particularly true when looking at mainstream science fiction cinema. This is surprising as the interstellar outlook of many of these films and consequently the interaction with a whole range of new ‘neighbours’ raises an entirely new set of challenges. In this article, the author explores these issues with regard to Luc Besson’s science fiction spectacles The Fifth Element (1997) and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017). Both films have divided fans and critics and it is indeed easy to dismiss them as mere spectacle with little depth or message, as many reviewers have done. Yet, as this article demonstrates, beneath their shiny, colourful surface, both films make a distinct contribution to the theme of neighbourly love. What is more, Besson’s films often seem to develop a close link between more common notions of romantic love and agapic forms of love and thus offer a perspective of exploring our relationship to the alien as our neighbour.
Islām and Genesis 17: A Study in Scriptural Intertextuality
Authors: Mohammed Khaleel
Published: September 2018

Abraham Geiger’s 1833 essay launched a particular genre of research that posits foreign etymology for many terms in the Qur’ān. Whereas some work has been erudite, others have posited far-fetched concepts to the point where at least one author opines that Aramaic was the original language of the Qur’ān. Muslim exegetes have compounded the problem by seeking to interpret the Qur’ān on its own, without reference to other Abrahamic scriptures. I argue that Muhammad’s audience understood him clearly since he was using terms that had become part of the Arabic language long before his time. I examine three terms: islām, imān, and dīn, showing that the meaning of these words in the Qur’ān can be deciphered by reliance on context of usage and intertextuality. To this end, I refer to several verses of the Qur’ān as well as of the Hebrew Bible and Talmudic literature. A proper understanding of these words allows us to see Q3:19 and Q5:3 as pluralistic instead of the particularistic interpretation that most exegetes proffer.
Fifteen Years of Cal/Val Service to Reference Altimetry Missions: Calibration of Satellite Altimetry at the Permanent Facilities in Gavdos and Crete, Greece
Authors: Mertikas Stelios P. , Donlon Craig , Féménias Pierre , Mavrocordatos Constantin , Galanakis Demitris , Tripolitsiotis Achilles , Frantzis Xenophon , Tziavos Ilias N. , Vergos George , Guinle Thierry
Published: September 2018

Satellite altimetry provides exceptional means for absolute and undisputable monitoring of changes in sea level and inland waters (rivers and lakes), over regional to global scales, with accuracy and with respect to the center of mass of the Earth. Altimetry system’s responses have to be continuously monitored for their quality, biases, errors, drifts, etc. with calibration. Absolute calibration of altimeters is achieved by external and independent to satellite facilities on the ground. This is the mainstay for a continuous, homogenous, and reliable monitoring of the earth and its oceans. This paper describes the development of the Permanent Facility for Altimetry Calibration in Gavdos/Crete, Greece, as of 2001 along with its infrastructure and instrumentation. Calibration results are presented for the reference missions of Jason-1, Jason-2, and Jason-3. Then, this work continues with the determination of relative calibrations with respect to reference missions for Sentinel-3A, HY-2A, and SARAL/AltiKa. Calibration results are also given for Jason-2 and Jason-3 altimeters using the transponder at the CDN1 Cal/Val site on the mountains of Crete, with simultaneous comparisons against sea-surface calibration and during their tandem mission. Finally, the paper presents procedures for estimating uncertainties for altimeter calibration to meet the Fiducial Reference Measurement standards.
Google Earth as a Powerful Tool for Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Applications: A Review
Authors: Luo Lei , Wang Xinyuan , Guo Huadong , Lasaponara Rosa , Shi Pilong , Bachagha Nabil , Li Li , Yao Ya , Masini Nicola , Chen Fulong , Ji Wei , Cao Hui , Li Chao , Hu Ningke
Published: September 2018

Google Earth (GE), a large Earth-observation data-based geographical information computer application, is an intuitive three-dimensional virtual globe. It enables archaeologists around the world to communicate and share their multisource data and research findings. Different from traditional geographical information systems (GIS), GE is free and easy to use in data collection, exploration, and visualization. In the past decade, many peer-reviewed articles on the use of GE in the archaeological cultural heritage (ACH) research field have been published. Most of these concern specific ACH investigations with a wide spatial coverage. GE can often be used to survey and document ACH so that both skilled archaeologists and the public can more easily and intuitively understand the results. Based on geographical tools and multi-temporal very high-resolution (VHR) satellite imagery, GE has been shown to provide spatio-temporal change information that has a bearing on the physical, environmental, and geographical character of ACH. In this review, in order to discuss the huge potential of GE, a comprehensive review of GE and its applications to ACH in the published scientific literature is first presented; case studies in five main research fields demonstrating how GE can be deployed as a key tool for studying ACH are then described. The selected case studies illustrate how GE can be used effectively to investigate ACH at multiple scales, discover new archaeological sites in remote regions, monitor historical sites, and assess damage in areas of conflict, and promote virtual tourism. These examples form the basis for highlighting current trends in remote sensing archaeology based on the GE platform, which could provide access to a low-cost and easy-to-use tool for communicating and sharing ACH geospatial data more effectively to the general public in the era of Digital Earth. Finally, a discussion of the merits and limitations of GE is presented along with conclusions and remaining challenges.
The Effects of Higher-Order Ionospheric Terms on GPS Tropospheric Delay and Gradient Estimates
Authors: Zhang Zhiyu , Guo Fei , Zhang Xiaohong
Published: September 2018

Atmospheric delays, e.g., ionospheric delay and tropospheric delay, are the dominant error sources for the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), especially for Precise Point Positioning (PPP). The common method for eliminating ionospheric delay is to form an ionosphere-free (IF) observable, which is a linear combination of observables on two frequencies such as GPS L1 and L2. As for the tropospheric delay, the dry component can be precisely corrected by empirical models, while the wet component is usually estimated as unknowns. However, the higher-order ionospheric (HOI) terms are not totally cancelled out in the (first-order) IF observable and as such, when not accounted for, they degrade the accuracy of other parameters. The impact of HOI corrections is well documented in the literature. This paper investigates the temporal effects of HOI terms on estimated tropospheric parameters, i.e., zenith tropospheric wet delay (ZWD) and north and east gradients. For this purpose, observations from over 100 stations with good global coverage were used considering various geographic and geophysical conditions. The results of numerical experiments show that HOI effects have a significant impact on the estimated tropospheric parameters, and the influence is dependent on location and time. The maximum differences of ZWD estimates reach over 20 mm during periods of activity such as solar storms and geomagnetic storms. Additionally, the north gradients are more likely to be affected by HOI effects compared with east gradients. In particular, the tropospheric gradient component is most affected for low latitude station during daytime. Additionally, the effects of bending errors and HOI terms on slant tropospheric delay at low elevation angles are much larger than those at high elevation angles.
Weighted Measurement Fusion Particle Filter for Nonlinear Systems with Correlated Noises
Authors: Zhang Ke Wei , Hao Gang , Sun Shu Li
Published: September 2018

The multi-sensor information fusion particle filter (PF) has been put forward for nonlinear systems with correlated noises. The proposed algorithm uses the Taylor series expansion method, which makes the nonlinear measurement functions have a linear relationship by the intermediary function. A weighted measurement fusion PF (WMF-PF) was put forward for systems with correlated noises by applying the full rank decomposition and the weighted least square theory. Compared with the augmented optimal centralized fusion particle filter (CF-PF), it could greatly reduce the amount of calculation. Moreover, it showed asymptotic optimality as the Taylor series expansion increased. The simulation examples illustrate the effectiveness and correctness of the proposed algorithm.
Consumer Grade Weather Stations for Wooden Structure Fire Risk Assessment
Authors: Log Torgrim
Published: September 2018

During January 2014, Norway experienced unusually cold and dry weather conditions leading to very low indoor relative humidity (RH) in inhabited (heated) wooden homes. The resulting dry wood played an important role in the two most severe accidental fires in Norway recorded since 1923. The present work describes testing of low cost consumer grade weather stations for recording temperature and relative humidity as a proxy for dry wood structural fire risk assessment. Calibration of the weather stations relative humidity (RH) sensors was done in an atmosphere stabilized by water saturated LiCl, MgCl2 and NaCl solutions, i.e., in the range 11% RH to 75% RH. When calibrated, the weather station results were well within ±3% RH. During the winter 2015/2016 weather stations were placed in the living room in eight wooden buildings. A period of significantly increased fire risk was identified in January 2016. The results from the outdoor sensors compared favorably with the readings from a local meteorological station, and showed some interesting details, such as higher ambient relative humidity for a home close to a large and comparably warmer sea surface. It was also revealed that a forecast predicting low humidity content gave results close to the observed outdoor weather station data, at least for the first 48 h forecast.
Damage Detection of Concrete-Filled Square Steel Tube (CFSST) Column Joints under Cyclic Loading Using Piezoceramic Transducers
Authors: Zhang Juan , Xu Jindong , Guan Wenqiang , Du Guofeng
Published: September 2018

Concrete-filled square steel tube column (CFSSTC) joints are the most important parts of concrete-filled steel tube frame structures. It is of great significance to study the damage of CFSSTC joints under the seismic loads. In this paper, embedded piezoceramic transducers are used to monitor the damage of core concrete of CFSSTC joints under cyclic loading and surface-bonded piezoceramic disks are used to monitor the debonding damage of the steel tube and core concrete of two specimens. The damages of the joints under different loading levels and different loading cycles are evaluated by the received signal of the piezoceramic transducers. The experimental results show that the amplitude of the signal attenuates obviously with the appearance of damage in the joints, and the degree of attenuation increases with the development of the damage. The monitoring results from piezoceramic transducers are basically consistent with the hysteresis loops and skeleton curves of the CFSSTC joints during the cyclic loading. The effectiveness of the piezoceramic transducers are verified by the experimental results in structural health monitoring of the CFSSTC joint under cyclic loading.