bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mixed Carbon Policies Based on Cooperation of Carbon Emission Reduction in Supply Chain
Authors: Cheng Yongwei , Mu Dong , Zhang Yi
Published: January 2017

This paper established cooperation decision model for a mixed carbon policy of carbon trading-carbon tax (environmental tax) in a two-stageS-Msupply chain. For three different cooperative abatement situations, we considered the supplier driven model, the manufacturer driven model, and the equilibrium game model. We investigated the influence of mixed carbon policy with constraint of reduction targets on supply chain price, productivity, profits, carbon emissions reduction rate, and so on. The results showed that (1) high-strength carbon policies do not necessarily encourage enterprises to effectively reduce emissions, and increasing market acceptance of low carbon products or raising the price of carbon quota can promote the benign reduction; (2) perfect competitive carbon market has a higher carbon reduction efficiency than oligarch carbon market, but their optimal level of cooperation is the same and the realized reduction rate is in line with the intensity of carbon policy; (3) the policy sensitivity of the carbon trading mechanism is stronger than the carbon tax; “paid quota mechanism” can subsidize the cost of abatement and improve reduction initiative. Finally, we use a numerical example to solve the optimal decisions under different market situations, validating the effectiveness of model and the conclusions.
Weather and Climate Manipulation as an Optimal Control for Adaptive Dynamical Systems
Authors: Soldatenko Sergei A.
Published: January 2017

The weather and climate manipulation is examined as an optimal control problem for the earth climate system, which is considered as a complex adaptive dynamical system. Weather and climate manipulations are actually amorphous operations. Since their objectives are usually formulated vaguely, the expected results are fairly unpredictable and uncertain. However, weather and climate modification is a purposeful process and, therefore, we can formulate operations to manipulate weather and climate as the optimization problem within the framework of the optimal control theory. The complexity of the earth’s climate system is discussed and illustrated using the simplified low-order coupled chaotic dynamical system. The necessary conditions of optimality are derived for the large-scale atmospheric dynamics. This confirms that even a relatively simplified control problem for the atmospheric dynamics requires significant efforts to obtain the solution.
Effect of Calcination Temperatures and Mo Modification on Nanocrystalline (γ-χ)-Al2O3 Catalysts for Catalytic Ethanol Dehydration
Authors: Inmanee Tharmmanoon , Pinthong Piriya , Jongsomjit Bunjerd
Published: January 2017

The mixed gamma and chi crystalline phase alumina (M-Al) catalysts prepared by the solvothermal method were investigated for catalytic ethanol dehydration. The effects of calcination temperatures and Mo modification were elucidated. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 physisorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and NH3-temperature programmed desorption (NH3-TPD). The catalytic activity was tested for ethylene production by dehydration reaction of ethanol in gas phase at atmospheric pressure and temperature between 200°C and 400°C. It was found that the calcination temperatures and Mo modification have effects on acidity of the catalysts. The increase in calcination temperature resulted in decreased acidity, while the Mo modification on the mixed phase alumina catalyst yielded increased acidity, especially in medium to strong acids. In this study, the catalytic activity of ethanol dehydration to ethylene apparently depends on the medium to strong acid. The mixed phase alumina catalyst calcined at 600°C (M-Al-600) exhibits the complete ethanol conversion having ethylene yield of 98.8% (at 350°C) and the Mo-modified catalysts promoted dehydrogenation reaction to acetaldehyde. This can be attributed to the enhancement of medium to strong acid with metal sites of catalyst.
Development and Characterization of Carob Flour Based Functional Spread for Increasing Use as Nutritious Snack for Children
Authors: Aydın Sema , Özdemir Yüksel
Published: January 2017

Carob flour enriched functional spread was developed and textural, sensory, colour, and some nutritional properties of the product were investigated. Spread samples were prepared with major ingredients for optimisation and minor ingredients for improving texture and aroma. Major ingredients were carob flour and hydrogenated palm oil (HPO) and minor ingredients were commercial skim milk powder, soya flour, lecithin, and hazelnut puree. The ratio of major ingredients was optimised using sensory scores and instrumental texture values to produce a carob spread that most closely resembles commercial chocolate spread (control), in both spreadability and overall acceptability. The amounts of minor ingredients (milk powder, 10%; soybean flour, 5%; lecithin, 1%; hazelnut puree, 4%) were kept in constant ratio (20%). Addition of hydrogenated palm oil (HPO) decreased the hardness and hardness work done (HWD) values in contrast to carob flour. Higher rates of carob flour were linked to lower lightness, greenness, and yellowness values. Spread was optimised at 38 g carob flour/100 g spread and 42 g hydrogenated palm oil/100 g spread level and the formulation tended to receive the highest sensory scores compared to other spreads and presented closer instrumental spreadability values to control samples. This indicates a strong market potential for optimised carob spreads.
Effect of Red Light-Emitting Diodes Irradiation on Hemoglobin for Potential Hypertension Treatment Based on Confocal Micro-Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Qiu Xuejun , Huang Hanchuan , Huang Zhitong , Zhuang Zhengfei , Guo Zhouyi , Liu Songhao
Published: January 2017

Red light-emitting diodes (LED) were used to irradiate the isolated hypertension hemoglobin (Hb) and Raman spectra difference was recorded using confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy. Differences were observed between the controlled and irradiated Hb by comparing the spectra records. The Raman spectrum at the 1399 cm−1band decreased following prolonged LED irradiation. The intensity of the 1639 cm−1band decreased dramatically in the first five minutes and then gradually increased in a time-dependent manner. This observation indicated that LED irradiation increased the ability of oxygen binding in Hb. The appearance of the heme aggregation band at 1399 cm−1, in addition to the oxygen marker band at 1639 cm−1, indicated that, in our study, 30 min of irradiation with 15.0 mW was suitable for inhibiting heme aggregation and enhancing the oxygen-carrying capacity of Hb. Principal component analysis showed a one-to-one relationship between irradiated Hb at different time points and the corresponding Raman spectra. Our approach could be used to analyze the hemoglobin from patients with confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy and is helpful for developing new nondrug hypertension therapy.
Development of a New Marker System for Identification ofSpirodela polyrhizaandLandoltia punctata
Authors: Feng Bo , Fang Yang , Xu Zhibin , Xiang Chao , Zhou Chunhong , Jiang Fei , Wang Tao , Zhao Hai
Published: January 2017

Lemnaceae (commonly called duckweed) is an aquatic plant ideal for quantitative analysis in plant sciences. Several species of this family represent the smallest and fastest growing flowering plants. Different ecotypes of the same species vary in their biochemical and physiological properties. Thus, selecting of desirable ecotypes of a species is very important. Here, we developed a simple and rapid molecular identification system forSpirodela polyrhizaandLandoltia punctatabased on the sequence polymorphism. First, several pairs of primers were designed and three markers were selected as good for identification. After PCR amplification, DNA fragments (the combination of three PCR products) in different duckweeds were detected using capillary electrophoresis. The high-resolution capillary electrophoresis displayed high identity to the sequencing results. The combination of the PCR products containing several DNA fragments highly improved the identification frequency. These results indicate that this method is not only good for interspecies identification but also ideal for intraspecies distinguishing. Meanwhile, 11 haplotypes were found in both theS. polyrhizaandL. punctataecotypes. The results suggest that this marker system is useful for large-scale identification of duckweed and for the screening of desirable ecotypes to improve the diverse usage in duckweed utilization.
Two Case Reports of Benign Testicular Mesothelioma and Review of the Literature
Authors: Ramirez Sevilla Cristobal , Admella Salvador Carme , Feliu Canaleta Josep , Llopis Manzanera Juan , Barranco Sanz Miguel Angel , Romero Martin Juan Antoni , Bernal Salguero Sergi
Published: January 2017

Mesothelioma is usually diagnosed in people over the age of 50 with large history of asbestos-related exposure. It is frequently located in pleural cavity, peritoneum, and pericardium. At the testicles the mesothelioma had been reported first in 1957 like a malignant non-germ-cells tumor. The objective is to present two case reports of benign testicular mesothelioma and review of the literature.
Currency and Competence of Occupational Therapists and Consumers with Rapidly Changing Technology
Authors: Steel Emily J. , Buchanan Ricky , Layton Natasha , Wilson Erin
Published: January 2017

Assistive technology was once a specialised field of practice, involving products designed for populations with specific impairments or functional goals. In Australia, occupational therapists have, at times, functioned as gatekeepers to public funding, prescribing products from a predefined list. An expanding range of accessible mainstream products available via international and online markets has changed the meaning and application of assistive technology for many people with disability. In the policy context of consumer choice and cost-effectiveness, have occupational therapists been left behind? This paper describes the change in context for access to assistive technology resulting in expanded possibilities for participation and inclusion. A case study of environmental control systems is used to explore the overlap of mainstream and assistive products and the funding and services to support their uptake. The analysis describes a future policy and practice context in which assistive technology includes a spectrum of products decoupled from access to independent advice and support services. A broader scope of occupational therapy practice has potential to enhance the occupational rights of people with disability and the efficiency and effectiveness of assistive technology provision.
Biotechnological Production Process and Life Cycle Assessment of Graphene
Authors: Khanam P. Noorunnisa , Popelka Anton , Alejji Maryam , AlMaadeed M. A.
Published: January 2017

The aim of this study is to compare the graphene produced using a biotechnological method (Escherichia coli) with the graphene produced by Hummers’ method (a chemical method) and to study the effect on the energy consumption and environment. The results indicated that the chemical reduction process has higher energy consumption, approximately 1642 Wh, than the energy consumption of the biotechnological reduction process, which is 5 Wh. The potential of global warming (GWP 100) improved by 71% using the biotechnological route for the production of graphene. Abiotic depletion, the photochemical ozone creation potential, and marine aquatic ecotoxicity potential were improved when the biological route was employed, compared with the chemical route. The eutrophication potential, terrestrial ecotoxicity, and ozone depletion layer changed very little since the main variables involved in the production of graphene oxide and waste management are the same. The biotechnological method can be considered a green technique for the production of graphene, especially given the reduction in the negative effects on global warming, abiotic depletion, the photochemical ozone creation potential, and the marine aquatic ecotoxicity potential.
Biomarkers of Prostatic Cancer: An Attempt to Categorize Patients into Prostatic Carcinoma, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or Prostatitis Based on Serum Prostate Specific Antigen, Prostatic Acid Phosphatase, Calcium, and Phosphorus
Authors: Sarwar Shahana , Adil Mohammed Abdul Majid , Nyamath Parveen , Ishaq Mohammed
Published: January 2017

Prostatitis, BPH, and P.Ca are the most frequent pathologies of the prostate gland that are responsible for morbidity in men. Raised levels of PSA are seen in different pathological conditions involving the prostate. PAP levels are altered in inflammatory or infectious or abnormal growth of the prostate tissue. Serum calcium and phosphorus levels were also found to be altered in prostate cancer and BPH. The present study was carried out to study the levels of PSA, PAP, calcium, and phosphorus in serum of patients with Prostatitis, BPH, or P.Ca and also to evaluate the relationship between them. Males in the age group of 50–85 years with LUTS disease symptoms and with PSA levels more than 4 ng/mL were included. A total of 114 patients were analyzed including 30 controls. Prostatitis in 35.7% of cases, BPH in 35.7% of the cases, and P.Ca in 28.57% of the cases were observed. Thus, the nonmalignant cases constitute a majority. PSA, a marker specific for prostatic conditions, was significantly high in all the diseases compared to controls. A rise in serum PSA and PAP indicates prostatitis or, in combination with these two tests, decreased serum calcium shows advanced disease.
Incidence and Etiology of Surgical Site Infections among Emergency Postoperative Patients in Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, South Western Uganda
Authors: Lubega Abubaker , Joel Bazira , Justina Lucy Najjuka
Published: January 2017

Background. This prospective hospital based study was conducted to determine the incidence, risk factors, and causative agents of surgical site infection their susceptibility to among 114 emergency postoperative patients at the Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital between September 2014 and January 2015. Methods. Consented patients were consecutively enrolled and their preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected. Follow-ups were done in the surgical outpatient clinics. Wound specimens were collected and processed as per Sops; susceptibility testing was done using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. Data was analyzed using STATA 11.0. Results. Overall SSI incidence was 16.4%: 5.9% superficial and 47.1% deep and organ space SSIs each. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most predominant organism (50%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (27.8%). E. coli and P. aeruginosa both accounted for 11.1%. Wound class (p=0.009), anaemia (p=0.024), low serum albumin (p=0.046), and property of suture material used (p=0.006) were significantly associated with SSIs. All organisms had 100% resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline, septrin, and erythromycin. Ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone are highly sensitive to all organisms. Conclusion. The incidence of SSI in this hospital is very high. Klebsiella pneumoniae is the predominant cause. Ciprofloxacin are very potent antibiotics against organisms that cause SSI.
Induction of Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptotic Response of Head and Neck Squamous Carcinoma Cells (Detroit 562) by Caffeic Acid and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Derivative
Authors: Dziedzic Arkadiusz , Kubina Robert , Kabała-Dzik Agata , Tanasiewicz Marta
Published: January 2017

Natural polyphenols have been observed to possess antiproliferative properties. The effects, including apoptotic potential of bioactive phenolic compounds, caffeic acid (CA) and its derivative caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human head and neck squamous carcinoma cells (HNSCC) line (Detroit 562) were investigated and compared. Cancer cells apoptosis rates and cell cycle arrests were analysed by flow cytometry. Exposure to CA and CAPE was found to result in a dose‐dependent decrease in the viability of Detroit 562 cells at different levels. CA/CAPE treatment did significantly affect the viability of Detroit 562 cells (MTT results). CAPE‐mediated loss of viability occurred at lower doses and was more pronounced, with the concentrations which inhibit the growth of cells by 50% estimated at 201.43 μM (CA) and 83.25 μM (CAPE). Dead Cell Assay with Annexin V labelling demonstrated that CA and CAPE treatment of Detroit 562 cells resulted in an induction of apoptosis at 50 μM and 100 μM doses. The rise of mainly late apoptosis was observed for 100 μM dose and CA/CAPE treatment did affect the distribution of cells in G0/G1 phase. A combination of different phenolic compounds, potentially with chemotherapeutics, could be considered as an anticancer drug.
Nutrition and AGE‐ing: Focusing on Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Abate Giulia , Marziano Mariagrazia , Rungratanawanich Wiramon , Memo Maurizio , Uberti Daniela
Published: January 2017

Recently, the role of food and nutrition in preventing or delaying chronic disability in the elderly population has received great attention. Thanks to their ability to influence biochemical and biological processes, bioactive nutrients are considered modifiable factors capable of preserving a healthy brain status. A diet rich in vitamins and polyphenols and poor in saturated fatty acids has been recommended. In the prospective of a healthy diet, cooking methods should be also considered. In fact, cooking procedures can modify the original dietary content, contributing not only to the loss of healthy nutrients, but also to the formation of toxins, including advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These harmful compounds are adsorbed at intestinal levels and can contribute to the ageing process. The accumulation of AGEs in ageing (“AGE‐ing”) is further involved in the exacerbation of neurodegenerative and many other chronic diseases. In this review, we discuss food’s dual role as both source of bioactive nutrients and reservoir for potential toxic compounds—paying particular attention to the importance of proper nutrition in preventing/delaying Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, we focus on the importance of a good education in processing food in order to benefit from the nutritional properties of an optimal diet.
Revealing Traces of Image Resampling and Resampling Antiforensics
Authors: Peng Anjie , Wu Yadong , Kang Xiangui
Published: January 2017

Image resampling is a common manipulation in image processing. The forensics of resampling plays an important role in image tampering detection, steganography, and steganalysis. In this paper, we proposed an effective and secure detector, which can simultaneously detect resampling and its forged resampling which is attacked by antiforensic schemes. We find that the interpolation operation used in the resampling and forged resampling makes these two kinds of image show different statistical behaviors from the unaltered images, especially in the high frequency domain. To reveal the traces left by the interpolation, we first apply multidirectional high-pass filters on an image and the residual to create multidirectional differences. Then, the difference is fit into an autoregressive (AR) model. Finally, the AR coefficients and normalized histograms of the difference are extracted as the feature. We assemble the feature extracted from each difference image to construct the comprehensive feature and feed it into support vector machines (SVM) to detect resampling and forged resampling. Experiments on a large image database show that the proposed detector is effective and secure. Compared with the state-of-the-art works, the proposed detector achieved significant improvements in the detection of downsampling or resampling under JPEG compression.
Rationale, Design, and Baseline Characteristics of Beijing Prediabetes Reversion Program: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Lifestyle Intervention and/or Pioglitazone in Reversion to Normal Glucose Tolerance in Prediabetes
Authors: Luo Yingying , Paul Sanjoy K. , Zhou Xianghai , Chang Cuiqing , Chen Wei , Guo Xiaohui , Yang Jinkui , Ji Linong , Wang Hongyuan
Published: January 2017

Background. Patients with prediabetes are at high risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). No study has explored whether intervention could revert prediabetes to normal glycemic status as the primary outcome. Beijing Prediabetes Reversion Program (BPRP) would evaluate whether intensive lifestyle modification and/or pioglitazone could revert prediabetic state to normoglycemia and improve the risk factors of CVD as well.Methods. BPRP is a randomized, multicenter, 2 × 2 factorial design study. Participants diagnosed as prediabetes were randomized into four groups (conventional/intensive lifestyle intervention and 30 mg pioglitazone/placebo) with a three-year follow-up. The primary endpoint was conversion into normal glucose tolerance. The trial would recruit 2000 participants (500 in each arm).Results. Between March 2007 and March 2011, 1945 participants were randomized. At baseline, the individuals were53±10years old, with median BMI 26.0 (23.9, 28.2) kg/m2and HbA1c 5.8 (5.6, 6.1)%. 85% of the participants had IGT and 15% had IFG. Parameters relevant to glucose, lipids, blood pressure, lifestyle, and other metabolic markers were similar between conventional and intensive lifestyle intervention group at baseline.Conclusion. BPRP was the first study to determine if lifestyle modification and/or pioglitazone could revert prediabetic state to normoglycemia in Chinese population. Major baseline parameters were balanced between two lifestyle intervention groups. This trial is registered with www.chictr.org.cn:ChiCTR-PRC-06000005.
Visible Watermarking Technique Based on Human Visual System for Single Sensor Digital Cameras
Authors: Santoyo-Garcia Hector , Fragoso-Navarro Eduardo , Reyes-Reyes Rogelio , Cruz-Ramos Clara , Nakano-Miyatake Mariko
Published: January 2017

In this paper we propose a visible watermarking algorithm, in which a visible watermark is embedded into the Bayer Colour Filter Array (CFA) domain. The Bayer CFA is the most common raw image representation for images captured by single sensor digital cameras equipped in almost all mobile devices. In proposed scheme, the captured image is watermarked before it is compressed and stored in the storage system. Then this method enforces the rightful ownership of the watermarked image, since there is no other version of the image rather than the watermarked one. We also take into consideration the Human Visual System (HVS) so that the proposed technique provides desired characteristics of a visible watermarking scheme, such that the embedded watermark is sufficiently perceptible and at same time not obtrusive in colour and grey-scale images. Unlike other Bayer CFA domain visible watermarking algorithms, in which only binary watermark pattern is supported, proposed watermarking algorithm allows grey-scale and colour images as watermark patterns. It is suitable for advertisement purpose, such as digital library and e-commerce, besides copyright protection.
Approximate Solution of Perturbed Volterra-Fredholm Integrodifferential Equations by Chebyshev-Galerkin Method
Authors: Issa K. , Salehi F.
Published: January 2017

In this work, we obtain the approximate solution for the integrodifferential equations by adding perturbation terms to the right hand side of integrodifferential equation and then solve the resulting equation using Chebyshev-Galerkin method. Details of the method are presented and some numerical results along with absolute errors are given to clarify the method. Where necessary, we made comparison with the results obtained previously in the literature. The results obtained reveal the accuracy of the method presented in this study.
Photorefractive Keratectomy for Residual Myopia after Myopic Laser In Situ Keratomileusis
Authors: Solaiman Kamal A. M. , Fouda Sameh M. , Bor’i Ashraf , Al-Nashar Haitham Y.
Published: January 2017

Purpose. To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and predictability of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) on the corneal flap for correction of residual myopia following myopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).Patients and Methods. A retrospective study on eyes retreated by PRK on the corneal flap for residual myopia after LASIK. All eyes had no enough stroma after LASIK sufficient for LASIK enhancement. Data included spherical equivalent (SE), uncorrected and best corrected visual acuity (UCVA and BCVA), central pachymetry, corneal higher order aberrations (HOAs), corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), and corneal haze.Results. The study included 64 eyes. Before PRK, the mean central pachymetry was400.21±7.8 μm, the mean SE was −1.74±0.51 D, and the mean UCVA and BCVA were0.35±0.18and0.91±0.07, respectively. 12 months postoperatively, the mean central corneal thickness was382.41±2.61 μm, the mean SE was −0.18±0.32 D (P<0.01), and the mean UCVA and BCVA were0.78±0.14(P=0.01) and0.92±0.13(P>0.5), respectively. The safety index was 1.01 and the efficacy index was 0.86. No significant change was observed in corneal HOAs.Conclusions. Residual myopia less than 3 D after LASIK could be safely and effectively treated by PRK and mitomycin C with a high predictability. This prevents postoperative ectasia and avoids the flap related complications but has no significant effect on HOAs.
Production and Partial Characterization of α-Amylase Enzyme from Bacillus sp. BCC 01-50 and Potential Applications
Authors: Simair Altaf Ahmed , Qureshi Abdul Sattar , Khushk Imrana , Ali Chaudhry Haider , Lashari Safia , Bhutto Muhammad Aqeel , Mangrio Ghulam Sughra , Lu Changrui
Published: January 2017

Amylase is an industrially important enzyme and applied in many industrial processes such as saccharification of starchy materials, food, pharmaceutical, detergent, and textile industries. This research work deals with the optimization of fermentation conditions for α-amylase production from thermophilic bacterial strain Bacillus sp. BCC 01-50 and characterization of crude amylase. The time profile of bacterial growth and amylase production was investigated in synthetic medium and maximum enzyme titer was observed after 60 h. In addition, effects of different carbon sources were tested as a substrate for amylase production and molasses was found to be the best. Various organic and inorganic compounds, potassium nitrate, ammonium chloride, sodium nitrate, urea, yeast extract, tryptone, beef extract, and peptone, were used and beef extract was found to be the best among the nitrogen sources used. Temperature, pH, agitation speed, and size of inoculum were also optimized. Highest enzyme activity was obtained when the strain was cultured in molasses medium for 60 h in shaking incubator (150 rpm) at 50°C and pH 8. Crude amylase showed maximal activity at pH 9 and 65°C. Enzyme remained stable in alkaline pH range 9-10 and 60–70°C. Crude amylase showed great potential for its application in detergent industry and saccharification of starchy materials.
Experimental Results on Chiral Magnetic and Vortical Effects
Authors: Wang Gang , Wen Liwen
Published: January 2017

Various novel transport phenomena in chiral systems result from the interplay of quantum anomalies with magnetic field and vorticity in high-energy heavy-ion collisions and could survive the expansion of the fireball and be detected in experiments. Among them are the chiral magnetic effect, the chiral vortical effect, and the chiral magnetic wave, the experimental searches for which have aroused extensive interest. The goal of this review is to describe the current status of experimental studies at Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider at BNL and the Large Hadron Collider at CERN and to outline the future work in experiment needed to eliminate the existing uncertainties in the interpretation of the data.
Semiautomated Alignment of High-Throughput Metabolite Profiles with Chemometric Tools
Authors: Wu Ze-ying , Zeng Zhong-da , Xiao Zi-dan , Mok Daniel Kam-Wah , Liang Yi-zeng , Chau Foo-tim , Chan Hoi-yan
Published: January 2017

The rapid increase in the use of metabolite profiling/fingerprinting techniques to resolve complicated issues in metabolomics has stimulated demand for data processing techniques, such as alignment, to extract detailed information. In this study, a new and automated method was developed to correct the retention time shift of high-dimensional and high-throughput data sets. Information from the target chromatographic profiles was used to determine the standard profile as a reference for alignment. A novel, piecewise data partition strategy was applied for the determination of the target components in the standard profile as markers for alignment. An automated target search (ATS) method was proposed to find the exact retention times of the selected targets in other profiles for alignment. The linear interpolation technique (LIT) was employed to align the profiles prior to pattern recognition, comprehensive comparison analysis, and other data processing steps. In total, 94 metabolite profiles of ginseng were studied, including the most volatile secondary metabolites. The method used in this article could be an essential step in the extraction of information from high-throughput data acquired in the study of systems biology, metabolomics, and biomarker discovery.
Exercise Training Attenuates the Dysregulated Expression of Adipokines and Oxidative Stress in White Adipose Tissue
Authors: Sakurai Takuya , Ogasawara Junetsu , Shirato Ken , Izawa Tetsuya , Oh-ishi Shuji , Ishibashi Yoshinaga , Radák Zsolt , Ohno Hideki , Kizaki Takako
Published: January 2017

Obesity‐induced inflammatory changes in white adipose tissue (WAT), which caused dysregulated expression of inflammation‐related adipokines involving tumor necrosis factor‐α and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, contribute to the development of insulin resistance. Moreover, current literature reports state that WAT generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the enhanced production of ROS in obese WAT has been closely associated with the dysregulated expression of adipokines in WAT. Therefore, the reduction in excess WAT and oxidative stress that results from obesity is thought to be one of the important strategies in preventing and improving lifestyle‐related diseases. Exercise training (TR) not only brings about a decrease in WAT mass but also attenuates obesity‐induced dysregulated expression of the adipokines in WAT. Furthermore, some reports indicate that TR affects the generation of oxidative stress in WAT. This review outlines the impact of TR on the expression of inflammation‐related adipokines and oxidative stress in WAT.
Serum Trimethylamine N-oxide, Carnitine, Choline, and Betaine in Relation to Colorectal Cancer Risk in the Alpha Tocopherol, Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention Study
Authors: Guertin Kristin A. , Li Xinmin S. , Graubard Barry I. , Albanes Demetrius , Weinstein Stephanie J. , Goedert James J. , Wang Zeneng , Hazen Stanley L. , Sinha Rashmi
Published: January 2017

Background: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a choline-derived metabolite produced by gut microbiota, and its biomarker precursors have not been adequately evaluated in relation to colorectal cancer risk.

Methods: We investigated the relationship between serum concentrations of TMAO and its biomarker precursors (choline, carnitine, and betaine) and incident colorectal cancer risk in a nested case–control study of male smokers in the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study. We measured biomarker concentrations in baseline fasting serum samples from 644 incident colorectal cancer cases and 644 controls using LC/MS-MS. Logistic regression models estimated the ORs and 95% confidence interval (CI) for colorectal cancer by quartile (Q) of serum TMAO, choline, carnitine, and betaine concentrations.

Results: Men with higher serum choline at ATBC baseline had approximately 3-fold greater risk of developing colorectal cancer over the ensuing (median ± IQR) 14 ± 10 years (in fully adjusted models, Q4 vs. Q1, OR, 3.22; 95% CI, 2.24–4.61; Ptrend < 0.0001). The prognostic value of serum choline for prediction of incident colorectal cancer was similarly robust for proximal, distal, and rectal colon cancers (all P < 0.0001). The association between serum TMAO, carnitine, or betaine and colorectal cancer risk was not statistically significant (P = 0.25, 0.71, and 0.61, respectively).

Conclusions: Higher serum choline concentration (but not TMAO, carnitine, or betaine) was associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Impact: Serum choline levels showed strong prognostic value for prediction of incident colorectal cancer risk across all anatomical subsites, suggesting a role of altered choline metabolism in colorectal cancer pathogenesis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(6); 945–52. ©2017 AACR.
Aneuploidy Detection and mtDNA Quantification in Bovine Embryos with Different Cleavage Onset Using a Next-Generation Sequencing-Based Protocol
Authors: Hornak Miroslav , Kubicek David , Broz Petr , Hulinska Pavlina , Hanzalova Katerina , Griffin Darren , Machatkova Marie , Rubes Jiri
Published: January 2017

Bovine embryos are now routinely used in agricultural systems as a means of disseminating superior genetics worldwide, ultimately with the aim of feeding an ever-growing population. Further investigations, common for human IVF embryos, thus have priority to improve cattle IVF, as has screening for aneuploidy (abnormal chromosome number). Although the incidence and consequences of aneuploidy are well documented in human preimplantation embryos, they are less well known for the embryos of other animals. To address this, we assessed aneuploidy levels in thirty-one 2-cell bovine embryos derived from early- and late-cleaving zygotes. Contemporary approaches ( Whole Genome Amplification and next-generation sequencing) allowed aneuploidy assessment for all chromosomes in oocytes from donors aged 4-7 years. We also quantified mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels in all blastomeres assessed, thereby testing the hypothesis that they are related to levels of aneuploidy. The overall incidence of aneuploidy in this cohort of bovine embryos was 41.1% and correlated significantly with the timing of cleavage (77.8% in late-cleaving vs. 31.8% in early-cleaving embryos). Moreover, based on mtDNA sequence read counts, we observed that the median mtDNA quantity is significantly lower in late-cleaving embryos. These findings further reinforce the use of the bovine system as a model for human IVF studies.
Antipathy of Trichoderma against Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc.: Evaluation of Cell Wall-Degrading Enzymatic Activities and Molecular Diversity Analysis of Antagonists
Authors: Hirpara Darshna G. , Gajera Harsukh P. , Hirpara Hitesh Z. , Golakiya Balubhai A.
Published: January 2017

The fungus Trichoderma is a teleomorph of the Hypocrea genus and associated with biological control of plant diseases. The microscopic, biochemical, and molecular characterization of Trichoderma was carried out and evaluated for in vitro antagonistic activity against the fungal pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii causing stem rot disease in groundnut. In total, 11 isolates of Trichoderma were examined for antagonism at 6 and 12 days after inoculation (DAI). Out of 11, T. virens NBAII Tvs12 evidenced the highest (87.91%) growth inhibition of the test pathogen followed by T. koningii MTCC 796 (67.03%), T. viride NBAII Tv23 (63.74%), and T. harzianum NBAII Th1 (60.44%). Strong mycoparasitism was observed in the best antagonist Tvs12 strain during 6-12 DAI. The specific activity of cell wall-degrading enzymes - chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase - was positively correlated with growth inhibition of the test pathogen. In total, 18 simple sequence repeat (SSR) polymorphisms were reported to amplify 202 alleles across 11 Trichoderma isolates. The average polymorphism information content for SSR markers was found to be 0.80. The best antagonist Tvs 12 was identified with 7 unique SSR alleles amplified by 5 SSR markers. Clustering patterns of 11 Trichoderma strains showed the best antagonist T. virens NBAII Tvs 12 outgrouped with a minimum 3% similarity from the rest of Trichoderma.
EEG Monitoring Technique Influences the Management of Hypoxic-Ischemic Seizures in Neonates Undergoing Therapeutic Hypothermia
Authors: Jan Saber , Northington Frances J. , Parkinson Charlamaine M. , Stafstrom Carl E.
Published: January 2017

Electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring techniques for neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) are evolving over time, and the specific type of EEG utilized could influence seizure diagnosis and management. We examined whether the type of EEG performed affected seizure treatment decisions (e.g., the choice and number of antiseizure drugs [ASDs]) in therapeutic hypothermia-treated neonates with HI from 2007 to 2015 in the Johns Hopkins Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. During this period, 3 different EEG monitoring protocols were utilized: Period 1 (2007-2009), single, brief conventional EEG (1 h duration) at a variable time during therapeutic hypothermia treatment, i.e., ordered when a seizure was suspected; Period 2 (2009-2013), single, brief conventional EEG followed by amplitude-integrated EEG for the duration of therapeutic hypothermia treatment and another brief conventional EEG after rewarming; and Period 3 (2014-2015), continuous video-EEG (cEEG) for the duration of therapeutic hypothermia treatment (72 h) plus for an additional 12 h during and after rewarming. One hundred and sixty-two newborns were included in this retrospective cohort study. As a function of the type and duration of EEG monitoring, we assessed the risk (likelihood) of receiving no ASD, at least 1 ASD, or ≥2 ASDs. We found that the risk of a neonate being prescribed an ASD was 46% less during Period 3 (cEEG) than during Period 1 (brief conventional EEG only) (95% CI 6-69%, p = 0.03). After adjusting for initial EEG and MRI results, compared with Period 1, there was a 38% lower risk of receiving an ASD during Period 2 (95% CI: 9-58%, p = 0.02) and a 67% lower risk during Period 3 (95% CI: 23-86%, p = 0.01). The risk ratio of receiving ≥2 ASDs was not significantly different across the 3 periods. In conclusion, in addition to the higher sensitivity and specificity of continuous video-EEG monitoring, fewer infants are prescribed an ASD when undergoing continuous forms of EEG monitoring (aEEG or cEEG) than those receiving conventional EEG. We recommend that use of continuous video-EEG be considered whenever possible, both to treat seizures more specifically and to avoid overtreatment.
Alterations of the platelet proteome in type I Glanzmann thrombasthenia caused by different homozygous delG frameshift mutations in ITGA2B
Authors: Loroch Stefan , Trabold Katharina , Gambaryan Stepan , Reiß Cora , Schwierczek Kathrin , Fleming Ingrid , Sickmann Albert , Behnisch Wolfgang , Zieger Barbara , Zahedi René P. , Walter Ulrich , Jurk Kerstin
Published: January 2017

Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is one of the best characterised inherited platelet function disorders but global platelet proteome has not been determined in these patients. We investigated the proteome and function of platelets from two patients with type I GT, caused by different homozygous ITGA2b mutations, from family members and unrelated controls. The global proteome of highly purified washed platelets was quantified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and targeted MS-methods. Platelet function was analysed by flow cytometry, light transmission aggregometry and flow-based as-says. Platelets from GT patients showed less than 5 % relative levels of the integrin subunit αIIb and 5–9 % fibrinogen compared to controls. These patients demonstrated loss of αIIbβ3-dependent platelet function, but normal platelet granule secretion induced by physiological agonists. Platelets from heterozygous family members of a patient expressed 50–60 % of control αIIb levels which were sufficient for normal αIIbβ3-dependent platelet function. Studying type I GT as model disease we established quantitative LC-MS to detect and clearly distinguish normal platelets, platelets from GT heterozygotes and platelets from GT patients. Diminished levels of factor XIIIB chain, plasminogen and carboxypeptidase 2B were identified in thrombasthenic platelets. Additionally, GT platelets showed up to 2.5-fold increased levels of FcγRIIA and laminin-α4 chain. Elevated levels of platelet FcγRIIA was associated with increased CD63-surface expression after FcγRIIA-crosslinking in one GT-patient which might present a compensatory mechanism of platelet activation in GT. We demonstrate that quantitative LC-MS based proteomics is suitable to validate known but also to identify previously unknown protein level changes of dysfunctional platelets.

Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Efficacy and safety of extended thromboprophylaxis for medically ill patients
Authors: Dentali Francesco , Mumoli Nicola , Prisco Domenico , Dario Di Minno Matteo Nicola , Fontanella Andrea
Published: January 2017

Compelling evidence suggests that the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) persists after hospital discharge in acutely-ill medical patients. However, no studies consistently supported the routine use of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis (ET) in this setting. We performed a meta-analysis to assess efficacy and safety of ET in acutely-ill medical patients. Efficacy outcome was defined by the prevention of symptomatic DVT, PE, venous thromboembolism (VTE) and VTE-related mortality. Safety outcome was the occurrence of major bleeding (MB) and fatal bleeding (FB). Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 %CI) were calculated for each outcome using a random effects model. Four RCTs for a total of 28,105 acutely-ill medical patients were included. ET was associated with a significantly lower risk of DVT (0.3 % vs 0.6 %, OR 0.504, 95 %CI: 0.287–0.885) and VTE (0.5 % vs 1.0 %, OR: 0.544, 95 %CI: 0.297–0.997); a non-significantly lower risk of PE (0.3 % vs 0.4 %, OR 0.633, 95 %CI: 0.388–1.034) and of VTE-related mortality (0.2 % vs 0.3 %, OR 0.687, 95 %CI: 0.445–1.059) and with a significantly higher risk of MB (0.8 % vs 0.4 %, OR 2.095, 95 %CI: 1.333–3.295). No difference in FB was found (0.06 % vs 0.03 %, OR 1.79, 95 %CI: 0.384–8.325). The risk benefit analysis showed that the NNT for DVT was 339, for VTE was 239, and the NNH for MB was 247. Results of our meta-analyses focused on clinical important outcomes did not support a general use of antithrombotic prophylaxis beyond the period of hospitalization in acutely-ill medical patients.
Stroke and Mortality Risk in Patients With Various Patterns of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Link Mark S. , Giugliano Robert P. , Ruff Christian T. , Scirica Benjamin M. , Huikuri Heikke , Oto Ali , Crompton Andrea E. , Murphy Sabina A. , Lanz Hans , Mercuri Michele F. , Antman Elliott M. , Braunwald Eugene
Published: January 2017

Background—

Whether the pattern of atrial fibrillation (AF) modifies the risk/benefit of anticoagulation is controversial. In ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial (Effective Anticoagulation with Factor Xa Next Generation in Atrial Fibrillation–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 48), the factor Xa inhibitor edoxaban was noninferior to warfarin in preventing stroke or systemic embolic events and significantly reduced bleeding and cardiovascular mortality. However, detailed analyses by AF pattern have not been reported.

Methods and Results—

The 21 105 patients were categorized as having paroxysmal (<7 days duration), persistent (≥7 days but <1 year), or permanent (≥1 year or failed cardioversion) AF patterns at randomization. Efficacy and safety outcomes were evaluated during the 2.8 years median follow-up and compared by AF pattern. The primary end point of stroke/systemic embolic event was lower in those patients with paroxysmal AF (1.49%/year), compared with persistent (1.83%/year;
P
-adj =0.015) and permanent AF (1.95%/year;
P
-adj =0.004). Overall, all-cause mortality also was lower with paroxysmal (3.0%/year) compared with persistent (4.4%/year;
P
-adj <0.001) and permanent AF (4.4%/year;
P
-adj <0.001). Annualized major bleeding rates were similar across AF patterns (2.86% versus 2.65% versus 2.73%). There was no effect modification by treatment assignment.

Conclusions—

In ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial, patients with paroxysmal AF suffered fewer thromboembolic events and deaths compared with those with persistent and permanent AF. The efficacy and safety profile of edoxaban as compared with warfarin was consistent across the 3 patterns of AF.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00781391.
Bears, Gates, and Solstices
Authors: Bilić Tomislav
Published: January 2017

After a short discussion of selected approaches to myth it is maintained that, rather than representing allegories or encoded scientific truths, myths can best be understood as incorporating narrative models accounting for specific phenomena in objective reality. In consequence, the existence of a class of myths that include considerations of astronomical/meteorological phenomena is recognised. The paper analyses two such mythic narratives, Homer’s Laestrygonian episode from theOdysseyand Apollonius’ Cyzicus episode from theArgonautica, and interprets them in terms of mythic astronomy or cosmology. A mythic island in the north, associated with the solstices and either the always visible or fixed arctic circle, is recognised as the cosmological location of both narratives. This is also interpreted as the myth’s secondary reference to a phenomenon of common reality and collective importance verbalized by the application of a traditional tale. Finally, both narratives are associated with a pre-Homeric Argonautic tradition.
Iris ferdowsii (Iridaceae), a new species of section Regelia from northeast of Iran
Authors: MEMARIANI FARSHID , JOHARCHI MOHAMMAD REZA
Published: January 2017

Iris ferdowsii is described and illustrated as a new species from Khorassan-Kopet Dagh floristic province in NE Iran. It is closely related to the rhizomatous bearded irises of I. sect. Regelia. The species of this section are distributed mainly in the east of Iran, Afghanistan, west of Pakistan and Middle Asia. Diagnostic morphological characters, and notes on distribution, habitat and conservation status of the new species are provided.
A new species of Arpedium from Kyrgyzstan (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Omaliinae)
Authors: ASSING VOLKER
Published: January 2017

The omaliine genus Arpedium Erichson, 1839 currently includes six species in the Holarctic region. Two of them occur in the Palaearctic region, A. quadrum (Gravenhorst, 1806) with a trans-Palaearctic distribution and A. nepalicum Coiffait, 1982 from Nepal (Herman 2001; Smetana 2004).
Corrections to species names recently placed in Kinyongia and Nadzikambia (Reptilia: Chamaeleonidae)
Authors: TILBURY COLIN R. , TOLLEY KRYSTAL A. , Branch William R.
Published: January 2017

In accordance with the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, 1999) , the gender of the species names must be the same as that of the genus name.