bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Panel of 80 RNA Biomarkers with Differential Expression in Multiple Human Solid Tumors against Healthy Blood Samples
Authors: Delmonico Lucas , Obenauer John C. , Qureshi Fatir , Alves Gilda , Costa Mauricio Augusto Silva Magalhães , Martin Katherine J. , Fournier Marcia V.
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study was to identify genes with higher expression in solid tumor cells by comparing human tumor biopsies with healthy blood samples using both in silico statistical analysis and experimental validations. This approach resulted in a novel panel of 80 RNA biomarkers with high discrimination power to detect circulating tumor cells in blood samples. To identify the 80 RNA biomarkers, Affymetrix HG-U133 plus 2.0 microarrays datasets were used to compare breast tumor tissue biopsies and breast cancer cell lines with blood samples from patients with conditions other than cancer. A total of 859 samples were analyzed at the discovery stage, consisting of 417 mammary tumors, 41 breast lines, and 401 control samples. To confirm this discovery, external datasets of eight types of tumors were used, and experimental validation studies (NanoString n-counter gene expression assay) were performed, totaling 5028 samples analyzed. In these analyses, the 80 biomarkers showed higher expression in all solid tumors analyzed relative to healthy blood samples. Experimental validation studies using NanoString assay confirmed the results were not dependent of the gene expression platform. A panel of 80 RNA biomarkers was described here, with the potential to detect solid tumor cells present in the blood of multiple tumor types.
Antiseptic Effect of Ps-K18: Mechanism of Its Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Activities
Authors: Jang Mihee , Kim Jieun , Choi Yujin , Bang JeongKyu , Kim Yangmee
Published: October 2019

Recently, bioactive peptides have attracted attention for their therapeutic applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Among them, antimicrobial peptides are candidates for new antibiotic drugs. Since pseudin-2 (Ps), isolated from the skin of the paradoxical frog Pseudis paradoxa, shows broad-spectrum antibacterial activity with high cytotoxicity, we previously designed Ps-K18 with a Lys substitution for Leu18 in Ps, which showed high antibacterial activity and low toxicity. Here, we examined the potency of Ps-K18, aiming to develop antibiotics derived from bioactive peptides for the treatment of Gram-negative sepsis. We first investigated the antibacterial mechanism of Ps-K18 based on confocal micrographs and field emission scanning electron microscopy, confirming that Ps-K18 targets the bacterial membrane. Anti-inflammatory mechanism of Ps-K18 was investigated by secreted alkaline phosphatase reporter gene assays and RT-PCR, which revealed that Ps-K18 activates innate defense via Toll-like receptor 4-mediated nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathways. Moreover, we investigated the antiseptic effect of Ps-K18 using a lipopolysaccharide or Escherichia coli K1-induced septic shock mouse model. Ps-K18 significantly reduced bacterial growth and inflammatory responses in the septic shock model. Ps-K18 showed low renal and liver toxicity and attenuated lung damage effectively. This study suggests that Ps-K18 is a potent peptide antibiotic that could be applied therapeutically to Gram-negative sepsis.
Multimodal Sequential Fashion Attribute Prediction
Authors: Arslan Hasan Sait , Sirts Kairit , Fishel Mark , Anbarjafari Gholamreza
Published: October 2019

We address multimodal product attribute prediction of fashion items based on product images and titles. The product attributes, such as type, sub-type, cut or fit, are in a chain format, with previous attribute values constraining the values of the next attributes. We propose to address this task with a sequential prediction model that can learn to capture the dependencies between the different attribute values in the chain. Our experiments on three product datasets show that the sequential model outperforms two non-sequential baselines on all experimental datasets. Compared to other models, the sequential model is also better able to generate sequences of attribute chains not seen during training. We also measure the contributions of both image and textual input and show that while text-only models always outperform image-only models, only the multimodal sequential model combining both image and text improves over the text-only model on all experimental datasets.
AgCl-ZnAl Layered Double Hydroxides as Catalysts with Enhanced Photodegradation and Antibacterial Activities
Authors: Nocchetti Morena , Pica Monica , Ridolfi Berardo , Donnadio Anna , Boccalon Elisa , Zampini Giulia , Pietrella Donatella , Casciola Mario
Published: October 2019

Surface-modified ZnAl layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were prepared by reaction of AgNO3, with both ZnAlCl (LDH1) and ZnAlCO3 exchanged on the surface with chloride anions (LDH3). In this way, AgCl nanoparticles with crystalline domains ranging from 40 to 100 nm were grown on the LDH surface. An additional sample was prepared by partial reduction of silver to obtain Ag@AgCl-LDH (LDH2). The composites were tested as catalysts in Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation, wherein LDH2 showed complete cleavage of RhB after 45 min of irradiation versus 70 min needed in the presence of AgCl. This time decreased to 35 min for LDH1 and 15 min for LDH3, underlining the role of the AgCl dimensions and anion in the interlayer region. Studies on the reactive species involved in the degradation process revealed that, for all catalysts, O2·− was the main active species, while, to some extent, holes contribute to the activity of the LDH3. Finally, the composites showed high bactericidal activity, under irradiation, against Escherichia coli, comparable with that of Gentamicin, the positive control. A synergic effect of silver released from the composites and the production of reactive oxygen species was considered.
Investigation of Mixed Convection in a Cylindrical Lid Driven Cavity Filled with Water-Cu Nanofluid
Authors: Niazmand Amirreza , Fathi Sola Jalal , Alinejad Farhad , Rahimi Dehgolan Foad
Published: October 2019

The present numerical research studies the effect of nano-materials in a lid-driven cylindrical cavity with rotation of circumferential top wall. The heat is transferred from two lateral walls to the domain by constant temperature conditions while other walls are kept isolated. The non-dimensional equations are solved by Finite Volume Method (FVM) and SIMPLEC method. The effect of Reynolds (Re = 100, 400, 1000), Ryleigh (Ra = 104, 105, 106) numbers are studied. In addition, the effect of concentration of nano materials ( ϕ = 0%, 1%, 5%), the Height Ratio (HR = 1, 0.5, 2) on Nusselt number, isotherm lines and streamlines are studied. The results show that Reynolds number also can change the effect of nano particles on the heat transfer rate. It is observed that the height ratio increase can improve the Nusselt number since the number and the size of vortices inside the cavity changes. In addition, increase of Ra number can change the flow structure inside the cavity which can help in increasing of Nusselt number.
Enhanced Performance of a Visible Light Detector Made with Quasi-Free-Standing Graphene on SiC
Authors: Li Xiaomeng , Chen Xiufang , Xu Xiangang , Hu Xiaobo , Zuo Zhiyuan
Published: October 2019

The excellent optoelectronic properties of graphene give it great potential for applications in optical detection. Among the graphenes obtained through many synthetic methods, epitaxial graphene obtained by thermal decomposition on silicon carbide has remarkable advantages for preparing photodetectors. In this research, epitaxial graphene has been successfully prepared on a silicon surface (0001) of semi-insulating 4H-SiC substrate with a size of 10 mm × 10 mm and epitaxial graphene has been converted to quasi-free-standing graphene by hydrogen passivation. Two metal-graphene-metal photodetectors were fabricated using the two types of graphenes above and the photo-absorption properties of detectors have been investigated under 650-nm laser illumination with different illumination powers. From a comparison of the performances between the two detectors, it was found that a photodetector fabricated with quasi-free-standing graphene shows enhanced performance under a light power of 0.018 mW. Responsivity and external quantum efficiency reach maxima of 5.11 A/W and 9.74%, respectively. This dramatic improvement is mainly due to the disappearance of the buffer layer in epitaxial graphene, providing a new method to achieve optimization of graphene-based opto-electrical devices.
Systematic Control of Anodic Aluminum Oxide Nanostructures for Enhancing the Superhydrophobicity of 5052 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Jeong Chanyoung , Ji Hyejeong
Published: October 2019

The recent increased interest in the various applications of superhydrophobic surfaces necessitates investigating ways of how this property can be enhanced further. Thus, this study investigated how superhydrophobic properties can be enhanced through the formation of anodic alumina nanostructures on 5052 aluminum alloy. A multistep anodizing process that alternates two different anodizing modes, mild anodization (MA) and hard anodization (HA), with an intermediate pore-widening (PW) process was employed. Multistep anodization was employed in two different ways: an MA → PW → HA process and an HA → PW → MA process. Both routes were conducted with PW durations of 40, 50, and 60 min. The well-defined nanostructures were coated with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of FDTS (1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane). The contact angle values of water droplets were maximized in the pillar-like nanostructures, as they have a less solid fraction than porous nanostructures. With this, the study demonstrated the formation mechanism of both nanoscale pillar and nanoscale hierarchical structures, the wettability of the superhydrophobic surfaces, and the relationship between PW duration time with wettability and the solid fraction of the superhydrophobic surfaces.
Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Plasma Sprayed Al2O3–ZrO2–SiO2 Amorphous Coatings by Surface Crystallization
Authors: Medricky Jan , Lukac Frantisek , Csaki Stefan , Houdkova Sarka , Barbosa Maria , Tesar Tomas , Cizek Jan , Musalek Radek , Kovarik Ondrej , Chraska Tomas
Published: October 2019

Ceramic Al2O3−ZrO2−SiO2 coatings with near eutectic composition were plasma sprayed using hybrid water stabilized plasma torch (WSP-H). The as-sprayed coatings possessed fully amorphous microstructure which can be transformed to nanocrystalline by further heat treatment. The amorphous/crystalline content ratio and the crystallite sizes can be controlled by a specific choice of heat treatment conditions, subsequently leading to significant changes in the microstructure and mechanical properties of the coatings, such as hardness or wear resistance. In this study, two advanced methods of surface heat treatment were realized by plasma jet or by high energy laser heating. As opposed to the traditional furnace treatments, inducing homogeneous changes throughout the material, both approaches lead to a formation of gradient microstructure within the coatings; from dominantly amorphous at the substrate–coating interface vicinity to fully nanocrystalline near its surface. The processes can also be applied for large-scale applications and do not induce detrimental changes to the underlying substrate materials. The respective mechanical response was evaluated by measuring coating hardness profile and wear resistance. For some of the heat treatment conditions, an increase in the coating microhardness by factor up to 1.8 was observed, as well as improvement of wear resistance behaviour up to 6.5 times. The phase composition changes were analysed by X-ray diffraction and the microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscopy.
Effect of Curing Condition on Resistance to Chloride Ingress in Concrete Using Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag
Authors: Park JangHyun , Park Cheol , Joh SungHyung , Lee HanSeung
Published: October 2019

Changes in the salt attack resistance of concrete using ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) were examined based on different curing conditions. These conditions were divided into air and underwater curing. Three concrete mixes with GGBFS replacement ratios of 0% (control group), 30% and 60% were fabricated. Then, evaluation of concrete compressive strength, evaluation of chloride ion diffusion coefficient and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were performed. As the GGBFS replacement ratio increased, the concrete compressive strength of the air cured specimens decreased compared to the underwater cured specimens. With respect to the chloride ion diffusion coefficient measurements, the coefficient decreased as the GGBFS replacement ratio increased. However, the diffusion coefficient of the air cured specimen relative to the underwater cured ones increased up to two times. The EIS results showed that as the GGBFS replacement ratio increased, |Z| increased in every frequency range. However, the |Z| of the air cured specimen was lower than the underwater cured one. This showed the same tendency as the evaluation results of the chloride ion diffusion coefficient.
Balancing Purification and Ultrastructure of Naturally Derived Bone Blocks for Bone Regeneration: Report of the Purification Effort of Two Bone Blocks
Authors: Barbeck Mike , Jung Ole , Xiong Xin , Krastev Rumen , Korzinskas Tadas , Najman Stevo , Radenković Milena , Wegner Nils , Knyazeva Marina , Walther Frank
Published: October 2019

The present publication reports the purification effort of two natural bone blocks, that is, an allogeneic bone block (maxgraft®, botiss biomaterials GmbH, Zossen, Germany) and a xenogeneic block (SMARTBONE®, IBI S.A., Mezzovico-Vira, Switzerland) in addition to previously published results based on histology. Furthermore, specialized scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and in vitro analyses (XTT, BrdU, LDH) for testing of the cytocompatibility based on ISO 10993-5/-12 have been conducted. The microscopic analyses showed that both bone blocks possess a trabecular structure with a lamellar subarrangement. In the case of the xenogeneic bone block, only minor remnants of collagenous structures were found, while in contrast high amounts of collagen were found associated with the allogeneic bone matrix. Furthermore, only island-like remnants of the polymer coating in case of the xenogeneic bone substitute seemed to be detectable. Finally, no remaining cells or cellular remnants were found in both bone blocks. The in vitro analyses showed that both bone blocks are biocompatible. Altogether, the purification level of both bone blocks seems to be favorable for bone tissue regeneration without the risk for inflammatory responses or graft rejection. Moreover, the analysis of the maxgraft® bone block showed that the underlying purification process allows for preserving not only the calcified bone matrix but also high amounts of the intertrabecular collagen matrix.
Multi-Attribute Decision-Making Methods as a Part of Mathematical Optimization
Authors: Vinogradova Irina
Published: October 2019

Optimization problems are relevant to various areas of human activity. In different cases, the problems are solved by applying appropriate optimization methods. A range of optimization problems has resulted in a number of different methods and algorithms for reaching solutions. One of the problems deals with the decision-making area, which is an optimal option selected from several options of comparison. Multi-Attribute Decision-Making (MADM) methods are widely applied for making the optimal solution, selecting a single option or ranking choices from the most to the least appropriate. This paper is aimed at providing MADM methods as a component of mathematics-based optimization. The theoretical part of the paper presents evaluation criteria of methods as the objective functions. To illustrate the idea, some of the most frequently used methods in practice—Simple Additive Weighting (SAW), Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), Complex Proportional Assessment Method (COPRAS), Multi-Objective Optimization by Ratio Analysis (MOORA) and Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE)—were chosen. These methods use a finite number of explicitly given alternatives. The research literature does not propose the best or most appropriate MADM method for dealing with a specific task. Thus, several techniques are frequently applied in parallel to make the right decision. Each method differs in the data processing, and therefore the results of MADM methods are obtained on different scales. The practical part of this paper demonstrates how to combine the results of several applied methods into a single value. This paper proposes a new approach for evaluating that involves merging the results of all applied MADM methods into a single value, taking into account the suitability of the methods for the task to be solved. Taken as a basis is the fact that if a method is more stable to a minor data change, the greater importance (weight) it has for the merged result. This paper proposes an algorithm for determining the stability of MADM methods by applying the statistical simulation method using a sequence of random numbers from the given distribution. This paper shows the different approaches to normalizing the results of MADM methods. For arranging negative values and making the scales of the results of the methods equal, Weitendorf’s linear normalization and classical and author-proposed transformation techniques have been illustrated in this paper.
Metabolomic Markers for the Early Selection of Coffea canephora Plants with Desirable Cup Quality Traits
Authors: Gamboa-Becerra Roberto , Hernández-Hernández María Cecilia , González-Ríos Óscar , Suárez-Quiroz Mirna L. , Gálvez-Ponce Eligio , Ordaz-Ortiz José Juan , Winkler Robert
Published: October 2019

Genetic improvement of coffee plants represents a great challenge for breeders. Conventional breeding takes a too long time for responding timely to market demands, climatic variations and new biological threads. The correlation of genetic markers with the plant phenotype and final product quality is usually poor. Additionally, the creation and use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are often legally restricted and rejected by customers that demand natural products. Therefore, we developed a non-targeted metabolomics approach to accelerate conventional breeding. Our main idea was to identify highly heritable metabolites in Coffea canephora seedlings, which are linked to coffee cup quality. We employed a maternal half-sibs approach to estimate the metabolites heritability in open-pollinated plants in both leaves and fruits at an early plant development stage. We evaluated the cup quality of roasted beans and correlated highly heritable metabolites with sensory quality traits of the coffee beverage. Our results provide new insights about the heritability of metabolites of C. canephora plants. Furthermore, we found strong correlations between highly heritable metabolites and sensory traits of coffee beverage. We revealed metabolites that serve as predictive metabolite markers at an early development stage of coffee plants. Informed decisions can be made on plants of six months old, compared to 3.5 to 5 years using conventional selection methods. The metabolome-wide association study (MWAS) drastically accelerates the selection of C. canephora plants with desirable characteristics and represents a novel approach for the focused breeding of crops.
Influence of Human Activities on Broad-Scale Estuarine-Marine Habitats Using Omics-Based Approaches Applied to Marine Sediments
Authors: Shah Rohan M. , Crosswell Joseph , Metcalfe Suzanne S. , Carlin Geoffrey , Morrison Paul D. , Karpe Avinash V. , Palombo Enzo A. , Steven Andy D.L. , Beale David J.
Published: October 2019

Rapid urban expansion and increased human activities have led to the progressive deterioration of many marine ecosystems. The diverse microbial communities that inhabit these ecosystems are believed to influence large-scale geochemical processes and, as such, analyzing their composition and functional metabolism can be a means to assessing an ecosystem’s resilience to physical and chemical perturbations, or at the very least provide baseline information and insight into future research needs. Here we show the utilization of organic and inorganic contaminant screening coupled with metabolomics and bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing to assess the microbial community structure of marine sediments and their functional metabolic output. The sediments collected from Moreton Bay (Queensland, Australia) contained low levels of organic and inorganic contaminants, typically below guideline levels. The sequencing dataset suggest that sulfur and nitrite reduction, dehalogenation, ammonia oxidation, and xylan degradation were the major metabolic functions. The community metabolites suggest a level of functional homogeneity down the 40-cm core depth sampled, with sediment habitat identified as a significant driver for metabolic differences. The communities present in river and sandy channel samples were found to be the most active, with the river habitats likely to be dominated by photoheterotrophs that utilized carbohydrates, fatty acids and alcohols as well as reduce nitrates to release atmospheric nitrogen and oxidize sulfur. Bioturbated mud habitats showed overlapping faunal activity between riverine and sandy ecosystems. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria and lignin-degrading bacteria were most abundant in the sandy channel and bioturbated mud, respectively. The use of omics-based approaches provide greater insight into the functional metabolism of these impacted habitats, extending beyond discrete monitoring to encompassing whole community profiling that represents true phenotypical outputs. Ongoing omics-based monitoring that focuses on more targeted pathway analyses is recommended in order to quantify the flux changes within these systems and establish variations from these baseline measurements.
Formation Sequence of Different Spinel Species in Megacrystalline Peridotites of the Udachnaya-East Kimberlite Pipe (Yakutia): Evidence for the Metasomatism of Depleted Mantle
Authors: Pokhilenko Lyudmila
Published: October 2019

The large compositional variations in spinels from extremely depleted, megacrystalline harzburgite–dunites in the Udachnaya-East kimberlite pipe, Yakutia, apparently reflect multistage metasomatism. Changes in the redox regime are reflected in the compositions of different parts of mineral grains. From most reduced to most oxidized, spinel compositions divide into: (1) primary (rock-forming) Cr-spinel and spinel from the central parts of sulfide grains, (2) spinel from microcracks in olivine, (3) spinel in kelyphitic rim around garnet between garnet and olivine (Rim1 and Rim2 spinel), and (4) spinel in transformed kelyphitic rim around garnet between garnet and kimberlite (Rim3 spinel). P-T conditions for the vast majority of samples, calculated using the composition of primary Cr-spinel, fall in the diamond stability field. A change in the composition of spinels of different generations occurs along the sides of the classical triangle of spinel compositions Al–Cr–Fe3+: (1) Rim2 to Rim1 spinel—Al–Cr trend, (2) primary Cr-spinel to magnetite rim in the edge—Cr–Fe3+ (kimberlite) trend, (3) replacing Rim1 to Rim3—Al–Fe3+ trend.
Facile Synthesis of GNPs@NixSy@MoS2 Composites with Hierarchical Structures for Microwave Absorption
Authors: Zhu Wenfeng , Zhang Li , Zhang Weidong , Zhang Fan , Li Zhao , Zhu Qing , Qi Shuhua
Published: October 2019

Graphene-based powder absorbers have been used to attain excellent microwave absorption. However, it is not clear if inferior microwave absorption by pure graphene materials can be attributed to impedance mismatching or inadequate attenuation capability. In this comparative study, we focus on these aspects. Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) multi-component composites (GNPs@NixSy@MoS2) were prepared by hydrothermal reaction with different S and Mo molar ratios. The morphologies, phase crystals, elemental composition, and magnetic properties of the composites were also analyzed. In addition, microwave absorption of the as-prepared samples was investigated and it revealed that the impedance mismatching could be responsible for inferior microwave absorption; higher conductivity can lead to skin effect that inhibits the further incidence of microwaves into the absorbers. Furthermore, the optimum reflection loss (RL) of GNPs@NixSy@MoS2-2 can reach −43.3 dB at a thickness of 2.2 mm and the corresponding bandwidth with effective attenuation (RL < −10 dB) of up to 3.6 GHz (from 7.0 to 10.6 GHz). Compared with the GNPs, the enhanced microwave absorption can be assigned to the synergistic effects of conductive and dielectric losses.
Functional Layered Double Hydroxide Nanohybrids for Biomedical Imaging
Authors: Jin Wenji , Park Dae-Hwan
Published: October 2019

Biomedical investigations using layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles have attracted tremendous attentions due to their advantages such as biocompatibility, variable-chemical compositions, anion-exchange capacity, host–guest interactions, and crystallization-dissolution characters. Bio-imaging becomes more and more important since it allows theranostics to combine therapy and diagnosis, which is a concept of next-generation medicine. Based on the unique features mentioned above, LDHs create novel opportunities for bio-imaging and simultaneous therapy with LDHs-based nanohybrids. This review aims to explore the recent advances in multifunctional LDH nanohybrids ranging from synthesis to practical applications for various bio-imaging with therapeutic functions. Furthermore, their potential both as diagnostic agents and drug delivery carriers will be discussed with the improvement in noninvasive bio-imaging techniques.
Immobilization of Polyiodide Redox Species in Porous Carbon for Battery-Like Electrodes in Eco-Friendly Hybrid Electrochemical Capacitors
Authors: Abbas Qamar , Fitzek Harald , Schröttner Hartmuth , Dsoke Sonia , Gollas Bernhard
Published: October 2019

Hybrid electrochemical capacitors have emerged as attractive energy storage option, which perfectly fill the gap between electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) and batteries, combining in one device the high power of the former and the high energy of the latter. We show that the charging characteristics of the positive carbon electrode are transformed to behave like a battery operating at nearly constant potential after it is polarized in aqueous iodide electrolyte (1 mol L−1 NaI). Thermogravimetric analysis of the positive carbon electrode confirms the decomposition of iodides trapped inside the carbon pores in a wide temperature range from 190 °C to 425 °C, while Raman spectra of the positive electrode show characteristic peaks of I3− and I5− at 110 and 160 cm−1, respectively. After entrapment of polyiodides in the carbon pores by polarization in 1 mol L−1 NaI, the positive electrode retains the battery-like behavior in another cell, where it is coupled with a carbon-based negative electrode in aqueous NaNO3 electrolyte without any redox species. This new cell (the iodide-ion capacitor) demonstrates the charging characteristics of a hybrid capacitor with capacitance values comparable to the one using 1 mol L−1 NaI. The constant capacitance profile of the new hybrid cell in aqueous NaNO3 for 5000 galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles at 0.5 A g−1 shows that iodide species are confined to the positive battery-like electrode exhibiting negligible potential decay during self-discharge tests, and their shuttling to the negative electrode is prevented in this system.
The Antimicrobial and Antiviral Activity of Polyphenols from Almond (Prunus dulcis L.) Skin
Authors: Musarra-Pizzo Maria , Ginestra Giovanna , Smeriglio Antonella , Pennisi Rosamaria , Sciortino Maria Teresa , Mandalari Giuseppina
Published: October 2019

Due to their antimicrobial and antiviral activity potential in vitro, polyphenols are gaining a lot of attention from the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. A novel antiviral and antimicrobial approach could be based on the use of polyphenols obtained from natural sources. Here, we tested the antibacterial and antiviral effect of a mix of polyphenols present in natural almond skin (NS MIX). The antimicrobial potential was evaluated against the standard American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains, by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Herpes simplex virus type I was used for the antiviral assessment of NS MIX by plaque assay. Furthermore, we evaluated the expression of viral cascade antigens. NS MIX exhibited antimicrobial (MIC values of 0.31–1.25 mg/ml) and antiviral activity (decrease in the viral titer ** p < 0.01, and viral DNA accumulation * p < 0.05) against Staphylococcus aureus and HSV-1, respectively. Amongst the isolated compounds, the aglycones epicatechin and catechin showed the greatest activity against S. aureus ATCC 6538P (MIC values of 0.078–0.15 and 0.15 mg/ml, respectively), but were not active against all the other strains. These results could be used to develop novel products for topical use.
The Association between Milk and Dairy Products Consumption and Nutrient Intake Adequacy among Japanese Adults: Analysis of the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey
Authors: Saito Aki , Okada Emiko , Tarui Iori , Matsumoto Mai , Takimoto Hidemi
Published: October 2019

Consumption of dairy products in the usual diet may be important for improving the overall quality of dietary intake. This study aimed to assess the difference in nutrient intake adequacy according to the intake of dairy products based on a 1-day weighed dietary record of Japanese adults from the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey. Nutritional adequacy was determined based on the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese 2015, with 2 goals: Tentative dietary goals (DG) for preventing lifestyle-related diseases, and the estimated average requirement (EAR). According to the dairy products consumption, participants were categorized into three groups (milk, other dairy product, or non-dairy), and the total number of those not meeting DG and EAR was compared. Non-dairy consumers were less likely to meet both DG and EAR compared to dairy consumers. Dairy consumers were more likely to exceed the DG for saturated fat than non-dairy consumers. Japanese adult dairy consumers were more likely to have adequate nutritional intake than non-dairy consumers, especially for calcium. We also observed a higher saturated fat intake in dairy consumers, which might be due to a certain dietary pattern in this group. Further investigation is needed to determine dairy intake and its influence on dietary quality among the Japanese population.
Changes in Weight and Substrate Oxidation in Overweight Adults Following Isomaltulose Intake During a 12-Week Weight Loss Intervention: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial
Authors: Lightowler Helen , Schweitzer Lisa , Theis Stephan , Henry Christiani Jeyakumar
Published: October 2019

Low-glycemic compared to high-glycemic diets have been shown to improve metabolic status and enhance fat oxidation. The randomized, double-blind, controlled intervention study aimed to evaluate the effects of an energy-reduced diet containing isomaltulose (ISO, Palatinose™) versus sucrose (SUC) on body weight loss. Sixty-four healthy overweight/obese adults were allocated to consume either 40 g/day ISO or SUC added to an energy-reduced diet for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, and energy metabolism were assessed at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Fifty participants (age: 40.7 ± 11.7 y; BMI: 29.4 ± 2.7 kg/m²) completed the study. During the 12 weeks, both groups significantly lost weight (p < 0.001), which was more pronounced following ISO (−3.2 ± 2.9 vs. −2.1 ± 2.6 kg; p = 0.258). Moreover, for participants in the ISO group, this was accompanied by a significant reduction in fat mass (ISO: −1.9 ± 2.5, p = 0.005; SUC: −0.9 ± 2.6%, p = 0.224). The overall decrease in energy intake was significantly higher in the ISO compared to that in the SUC group (p = 0.022). In addition, breakfast containing ISO induced a significantly lower increase in postprandial respiratory quotient (RQ) (mean incremental area under the curve (iAUC)2h for ISO vs. SUC: 4.8 ± 4.1 vs. 6.9 ± 3.1, p = 0.047). The results suggest that ISO in exchange for SUC may help to facilitate body weight reduction, lower postprandial RQ associated with higher fat oxidation, and reduce energy intake.
Development of a Mucoadhesive In Situ Gelling Formulation for the Delivery of Lactobacillus gasseri into Vaginal Cavity
Authors: Vigani Barbara , Faccendini Angela , Rossi Silvia , Sandri Giuseppina , Bonferoni Maria Cristina , Grisoli Pietro , Ferrari Franca
Published: October 2019

Local administration of vaginal probiotics, especially lactobacilli, has been recently proposed as an effective prevention strategy against candidosis recurrences, which affect 40–50% of women. In this context, the aim of the present work was the development of a mucoadhesive in situ gelling formulation for the vaginal administration of Lactobacillus gasseri. Mixtures of poloxamer 407 (P407) and methylcellulose (MC), two thermosensitive polymers, were prepared and subjected to rheological analyses for the assessment of their sol/gel transition temperature. The association of P407 (15% w/w) with MC (1.5% w/w) produced an increase in gelation extent at 37 °C even after dilution in simulated vaginal fluid (SVF). The presence of 0.5% w/w pectin (PEC) produced a reduction of vehicle pH and viscosity at 25 °C that is the vehicle resistance to flow during administration. The presence of a low concentration of xyloglucan (XYL) (0.25% w/w) increases the mucoadhesive properties and the capability to gelify at 37 °C of the formulation after dilution with SVF. A three-component (P407/MC/PEC; 3cM) and a four-component (P407/MC/PEC/XYL; 4cM) mixture were selected as promising candidates for the delivery of L. gasseri to the vaginal cavity. They were able to preserve L. gasseri viability and were cytocompatible towards the HeLa cell line.
Using Optical Water Types to Monitor Changes in Optically Complex Inland and Coastal Waters
Authors: Uudeberg Kristi , Ansko Ilmar , Põru Getter , Ansper Ave , Reinart Anu
Published: October 2019

The European Space Agency’s Copernicus satellites Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 provide observations with high spectral, spatial, and temporal resolution which can be used to monitor inland and coastal waters. Such waters are optically complex, and the water color may vary from completely clear to dark brown. The main factors influencing water color are colored dissolved organic matter, phytoplankton, and suspended sediments. Recently, there has been a growing interest in the use of the optical water type (OWT) classification in the remote sensing of ocean color. Such classification helps to clarify relationships between different properties inside a certain class and quantify variation between classes. In this study, we present a new OWT classification based on the in situ measurements of reflectance spectra for boreal region lakes and coastal areas without extreme optical conditions. This classification divides waters into five OWT (Clear, Moderate, Turbid, Very Turbid, and Brown) and shows that different OWTs have different remote sensing reflectance spectra and that each OWT is associated with a specific bio-optical condition. Developed OWTs are distinguishable by both the MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) and the Ocean and Land Color Instrument (OLCI) sensors, and the accuracy of the OWT assignment was 95% for both the MSI and OLCI bands. To determine OWT from MSI images, we tested different atmospheric correction (AC) processors, namely ACOLITE, C2RCC, POLYMER, and Sen2Cor and for OLCI images, we tested AC processors ALTNNA, C2RCC, and L2. The C2RCC AC processor was the most accurate and reliable for use with MSI and OLCI images to estimate OWTs.
Satellite Remote Sensing of Precipitation and the Terrestrial Water Cycle in a Changing Climate
Authors: Levizzani Vincenzo , Cattani Elsa
Published: October 2019

The water cycle is the most essential supporting physical mechanism ensuring the existence of life on Earth. Its components encompass the atmosphere, land, and oceans. The cycle is composed of evaporation, evapotranspiration, sublimation, water vapor transport, condensation, precipitation, runoff, infiltration and percolation, groundwater flow, and plant uptake. For a correct closure of the global water cycle, observations are needed of all these processes with a global perspective. In particular, precipitation requires continuous monitoring, as it is the most important component of the cycle, especially under changing climatic conditions. Passive and active sensors on board meteorological and environmental satellites now make reasonably complete data available that allow better measurements of precipitation to be made from space, in order to improve our understanding of the cycle’s acceleration/deceleration under current and projected climate conditions. The article aims to draw an up-to-date picture of the current status of observations of precipitation from space, with an outlook to the near future of the satellite constellation, modeling applications, and water resource management.
Cost-efficient and Custom Electrode-holder Assembly Infrastructure for EEG Recordings
Authors: Lin Yuan-Pin , Chen Ting-Yu , Chen Wei-Jen
Published: October 2019

Mobile electroencephalogram (EEG)-sensing technologies have rapidly progressed and made the access of neuroelectrical brain activity outside the laboratory in everyday life more realistic. However, most existing EEG headsets exhibit a fixed design, whereby its immobile montage in terms of electrode density and coverage inevitably poses a great challenge with applicability and generalizability to the fundamental study and application of the brain-computer interface (BCI). In this study, a cost-efficient, custom EEG-electrode holder infrastructure was designed through the assembly of primary components, including the sensor-positioning ring, inter-ring bridge, and bridge shield. It allows a user to (re)assemble a compact holder grid to accommodate a desired number of electrodes only to the regions of interest of the brain and iteratively adapt it to a given head size for optimal electrode-scalp contact and signal quality. This study empirically demonstrated its easy-to-fabricate nature by a low-end fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer and proved its practicability of capturing event-related potential (ERP) and steady-state visual-evoked potential (SSVEP) signatures over 15 subjects. This paper highlights the possibilities for a cost-efficient electrode-holder assembly infrastructure with replaceable montage, flexibly retrofitted in an unlimited fashion, for an individual for distinctive fundamental EEG studies and BCI applications.
Rapid Acquisition and Identification of Structural Defects of Metro Tunnel
Authors: Ai Qing , Yuan Yong
Published: October 2019

Metro systems in urban cities demand rapid inspection methods, in order to identify critical structural defects in a timely manner. However, traditional inspection methods are only specific to one kind of structural defect, which reduces the overall efficiency of inspection. This study proposes an integrated solution for rapidly acquiring and identifying two kinds of structural defects (surface defects and cross-sectional deformation) in a metro tunnel, using a cart equipped with non-metric cameras. The integrity and rapidity are considered in formulating a systematic design for the development of the acquisition device. Methodologies based on image processing and photogrammetry are proposed to identify the structural defects of the metro tunnel. A series of on-site tests validate that the proposed method has enough speed and has acceptable accuracy in detecting critical structural defects of metro tunnels. The cost and efficiency analysis shows that the proposed method is competitive, which will greatly improve the efficiency and reduce the costs of the inspection of metro tunnels.
On the Relationship between Pro-Environmental Behavior, Experienced Monetary Costs, and Psychological Gains
Authors: Zannakis Mathias , Molander Sverker , Johansson Lars-Olof
Published: October 2019

Drawing on the emerging scarcity, abundance, and sufficiency (SAS) framework, this study explores how various consumer behaviors with potential environmental impacts relate to subjective evaluations of psychological resources such as economic resources, time, social networks, and emotional support. Assuming that individuals may “trade” the costs and efforts of green consumption, including the buying of eco-labeled goods, altered eating habits, and choice of transportation mode, against such psychological resources, we investigate the relationships between green consumer choices and resource evaluations using hierarchical regression analysis of data from an online panel survey. The results suggest that green consumer behaviors are positively related to subjectively evaluated resources such as feelings of economic sufficiency and other, more “relational” resources, including social networks and emotional support. Performing such behaviors may therefore lead to psychological gains. These findings do paint a rather positive picture of environmental behaviors, since they may thus be viewed as having a personal positive trade-off. Although directional effects cannot be firmly established, our study suggests that pro-environmental behavior may increase wellbeing and experienced prosperity. Future studies should further investigate these causalities and implications of these suggested relationships.
The Impacts of Task- and Relationship-oriented Personal Initiative on Entrepreneurial Intention
Authors: Hu Lingyu , Wu Jianlin , Gu Jibao
Published: October 2019

Previous research indicates an unclear relationship between personal initiative (PI) and entrepreneurial intention. Drawing upon existing literature, this study proposes that the two forms of PI (i.e., task- and relationship-oriented PI) influence entrepreneurial intention differently, and that such effects are transited through entrepreneurial self-efficacy. An analyses of 210 employees showed that task-oriented PI is negatively related to entrepreneurial intention, whereas relationship-oriented PI is positively related to entrepreneurial intention. It was further found that the effect of relationship-oriented PI on entrepreneurial intention is mediated by entrepreneurial self-efficacy, whereas the effect of task-oriented PI on entrepreneurial intention is not. Finally, the theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed.
Recovering Subsidized Housing Developments in Northern México: The Critical Role of Public Space in Community Building in the Context of a Crime and Violence Crisis
Authors: Díaz Montemayor Gabriel
Published: October 2019

México has subsidized and built millions of low-income homes and thousands of subdivisions in the period of 2000–2012. These occupied and expanded urban peripheries far away from work, learn, service, commerce, and recreational amenity centers. These communities had no chance to offer a high quality of life. They were rapidly abandoned and deteriorated physically and socially. Amid the still ongoing crime and violence, inhabitants experienced a loss of trust in their neighbors, a deep sense of insecurity, and consequently reduced public life and activity to a minimum. This article describes and reflects on a project implemented in two neighborhoods of two northern México cities, with the objective of mitigating crime and violence, while recovering public spaces in these communities. The project implemented a hybridized methodology, including Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), attention to Youth at Risk, and the prevention of Gender Based Violence. All these were integrated transversally with a community participation approach incorporated throughout the project actions. This article reflects on the successes and failures of this pilot project, as demonstrated by differentiated results between a neighborhood located in Chihuahua City and another in the municipality of Guadalupe, within Monterrey’s Metro Area. The lessons learned, include the relevance of local political timing and interests, the importance of accurate and manageable geographic definitions for the areas of implementation, the role of NGOs, the importance of local educational institutions—in particular schools of architecture and the need for community oriented strategic consultants, to appropriately advise local governments in the implementation of projects of this nature. The article demonstrates the effort to make it accessible, and to anticipate the issues and opportunities as many Mexican, and other Latin American countries and cities engage in the spatial and social recovery of public spaces, neighborhoods, communities, and cities after years of high crime and violence.
Chiroptical Symmetry Analysis of Trianglimines: A Case Study
Authors: Ozcelik Ani , Pereira-Cameselle Raquel , Mosquera Ricardo , Peña-Gallego Ángeles , Alonso-Gómez J.
Published: October 2019

It is well established that chiroptical responses, based on the unique reaction to circularly polarized light by chiral non-racemic systems, are sensitive to the stereochemistry of the featuring systems. This behavior has promoted the use of chiroptical spectroscopies as a mandatory tool in the structure determination of molecules for decades. Recently, the higher sensitivity of chiroptical techniques compared to the conventional UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies or electrochemistry has awakened much interest in the development of chiroptical everyday applications. While chiroptical responses could be predicted by ab initio calculations, large systems calculated at a high level of theory may have an important computational cost; therefore, more intuitive methods are desired to design systems with tailored chiroptical responses. In this regard, the exciton chirality method has been often used in conformationally stable systems incorporating at least two independent chromophores. Taking this method into consideration, in our previous work, we described the chiroptical symmetry analysis (CSA) based on symmetry selection rules. To explore the scope of the CSA, herein we perform the chiroptical symmetry analysis of diverse trianglimines and draw general conclusions to assist on the design of chiroptical systems with high symmetry.
An Emerging Human Parechovirus Type 5 Causing Sepsis-Like Illness in Infants in Australia
Authors: Chamings Anthony , Liew Kwee Chin , Reid Emily , Athan Eugene , Raditsis Amy , Vuillermin Peter , Yoga Yano , Caly Leon , Druce Julian , Alexandersen Soren
Published: October 2019

Human parechovirus (HPeV), particularly type 3 (HPeV3), is an important cause of sepsis-/meningitis-like illness in young infants. Laboratory records identified a total of ten HPeV-positive cases in Southeastern Australia between January and July 2019. The HPeV present in these cases were typed by Sanger sequencing of the partial viral capsid protein 1 (VP1) region and selected cases were further characterised by additional Sanger or Ion Torrent near-full length virus sequencing. In seven of the ten cases, an HPeV type 5 (HPeV5) was identified, and in the remaining three cases, an HPeV type 1 was identified. The HPeV5-positive cases were infants under the age of 3 months admitted to hospital with fever, rash, lethargy and/or sepsis-like clinical signs. Near full-length virus sequencing revealed that the HPeV5 was most likely a recombinant virus, with structural genes most similar to an HPeV5 from Belarus in 2018, and a polymerase gene most similar to an HPeV3 from Australia in 2013/14. While HPeV5 is not typically associated with severe clinical signs, the HPeV5 identified here may have been able to cause more severe disease in young infants through the acquisition of genes from a more virulent HPeV.