bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acid Hydrolyzed Silk Peptide Consumption Improves Anti-Diabetic Symptoms by Potentiating Insulin Secretion and Preventing Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in Non-Obese Type 2 Diabetic Animals
Authors: Park Sunmin , Zhang Ting , Qiu Jing Yi , Wu Xuangao , Lee Jeong-Yong , Lee Boo-Yong
Published: January 2020

Silk fibroin hydrolysates have been reported to reduce hyperglycemia, but the mechanism has not been determined in Asian type 2 diabetes (T2DM). We hypothesized that the consumption of acid hydrolyzed silk peptides (SPs) alleviates hyperglycemia by improving insulin sensitivity and subsequently normalizing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in T2DM. We investigated this hypothesis in a partial pancreatectomized (Px) rat model. Px rats was assigned randomly to the following six groups and fed assigned diet for 8 weeks: the Px-control (0.5 g/kg/day dextrin), the SP-L (0.05 g/kg/day), the SP-M (0.1 g/kg/day), the SP-H (0.5 g/kg/day), the positive-control (40 mg/kg/day metformin), or the normal-control (sham-operated rats; 0.5 g/kg/day dextrin). SPs contained high levels of glycine, alanine, and serine. We found SPs dose-dependently increased food efficiency and body weight gain in Px rats. Animals in the Px-control group rats exhibited lower glucose metabolism, as evidenced by impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion coupled with impaired insulin sensitivity, and reduced bone mineral density (BMD) and lean body mass (LBM), compared to the normal-control. SPs and metformin similarly partially protected against Px-induced BMD loss in the lumbar spine and femur. Px-induced decreases in LBM were dose-dependently prevented by SPs, and muscle forces in the SP-M and SP-H groups were maintained at the normal-control level. Glucose tolerance was dose-dependently improved by SPs as determined by oral glucose tolerance and oral maltose tolerance tests, and glucose tolerances were similar in the SP-H and positive-control groups. Insulin tolerance, an index of insulin sensitivity, was dose-dependently enhanced by SPs, and the SP-H group exhibited better insulin tolerance than the positive-control group as determined by intraperitoneal insulin sensitivity testing. Insulin secretory capacity assessed using a hyperglycemic clamp improved in the following order: Px-control <SA-L <SA-M <positive-control <SA-H <normal-control. SP-M prevented gut microbiota dysbiosis. In conclusion, SPs administered at 0.1–0.5 g/kg/day improved glucose regulation by potentiating both insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in non-obese T2DM rats.
The Color Nutrition Information Paradox: Effects of Suggested Sugar Content on Food Cue Reactivity in Healthy Young Women
Authors: Potthoff Jonas , La Face Annalisa , Schienle Anne
Published: January 2020

Color nutrition information (CNI) based on a traffic light system conveys information about food quality with a glance. The color red typically indicates detrimental food characteristics (e.g., very high sugar content) and aims at inhibiting food shopping and consumption. Red may, however, also elicit cross-modal associations with sweet taste, which is a preferable food characteristic. We conducted two experiments. An eye-tracking study investigated whether CNI has an effect on cue reactivity (dwell time, saccadic latency, wanting/liking) for sweet foods. The participants were presented with images depicting sweets (e.g., cake). Each image was preceded by a colored circle that informed about the sugar content of the food (red = high, green = low, gray = unknown). It was tested whether the red circle would help the participants to direct their gaze away from the ‘high sugar’ item. A second experiment investigated whether colored prime circles (red, green, gray) without nutrition information would influence the assumed sweetness of a food. In Experiment 1, CNI had the opposite of the intended effect. Dwell time and saccadic latency were higher for food items preceded by a red compared to a green circle. This unintended response was positively associated with participants’ liking of sweet foods. CNI did not change the wanting/liking of the displayed foods. In Experiment 2, we found no evidence for color priming on the assumed sweetness of food. Our results question whether CNI is helpful to influence initial cue reactivity toward sweet foods.
Susceptibility of Avian Species to Brucella Infection: A Hypothesis-Driven Study
Authors: Wareth Gamal , Kheimar Ahmed , Neubauer Heinrich , Melzer Falk
Published: January 2020

Brucellosis is a highly contagious bacterial disease affecting a wide range of animals, as well as humans. The existence of the clinically diagnosed brucellosis in avian species is controversially discussed. In the current study, we set to summarize the current knowledge on the presence of brucellae in avian species. Anti-Brucella antibodies were monitored in different avian species using classical diagnostic tools. Experimental infection of chicken embryos induced the disease and resulted in the development of specific lesions. Few empirical studies have been performed in adult poultry. However, the isolation of brucellae from naturally-infected chickens has not been possible yet.
Development and Validation of Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Simple Analysis of Sumatriptan and its Application in Bioequivalence Study
Authors: Wichitnithad Wisut , Nantaphol Siriwan , Vicheantawatchai Petploy , Kiatkumjorn Thanyaporn , Wangkangwan Wachirasak , Rojsitthisak Pornchai
Published: January 2020

This work demonstrated a sensitive, selective, and simple liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for quantitation of sumatriptan in human plasma samples. Terazosin was used as an internal standard to minimize the variability during sample processing and detection. Sample cleanup prior to chromatographic analysis was accomplished by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) with tert-butyl methyl ether (t-BME). The separation was performed on a reversed-phase Symmetry® C18 column (150 × 4.6 mm i.d., 5 µm) under a gradient mode, using a 0.2% formic acid aqueous solution and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. Sumatriptan (m/z 296.26→251.05) and terazosin (m/z 388.10→290.25) were quantified using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, operating in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) under the positive ion mode. The method was fully validated following US-FDA and EMA guidelines. The LC-MS/MS assay had a calibration range of 0.5–50.0 ng/mL. The assay was precise and accurate with a between-run precision of <9.51%, and between-run accuracy between −7.27 to 8.30%. The developed method was subsequently applied in the determination of plasma concentration-time profile of a sumatriptan 50-mg tablet following oral administration in healthy volunteers.
Pectin and Zinc Alginate: The Right Inner/Outer Polymer Combination for Core-Shell Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Auriemma Giulia , Cerciello Andrea , Aquino Rita P. , Del Gaudio Pasquale , Fusco Bruno M. , Russo Paola
Published: January 2020

Core-shell beads loaded with betamethasone were developed using co-axial prilling as production technique and pectin plus alginate as polymeric carriers. During this study, many operative conditions were intensively investigated to find the best ones necessary to produce uniform core-shell particle systems in a reproducible way. Particularly, feed solutions’ composition, polymers mass ratios and the effect of the main process parameters on particles production, micromeritics, inner structure, drug loading and drug-release/swelling profiles in simulated biological fluids were studied. The optimized core-shell formulation F5 produced with a pectin core concentration of 4.0% w/v and an alginate shell concentration of 2.0% w/v (2:1 core:shell ratio) acted as a sustained drug delivery system. It was able to reduce the early release of the drug in the upper part of the gastro-intestinal tract for the presence of the zinc-alginate gastro-resistant outer layer and to specifically deliver it in the colon, thanks to the selectivity of amidated low methoxy pectin core for this district. Therefore, these particles may be proposed as colon targeted drug delivery systems useful for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) therapy.
Arsenic Uptake and Accumulation Mechanisms in Rice Species
Authors: Abedi Tayebeh , Mojiri Amin
Published: January 2020

Rice consumption is a source of arsenic (As) exposure, which poses serious health risks. In this study, the accumulation of As in rice was studied. Research shows that As accumulation in rice in Taiwan and Bangladesh is higher than that in other countries. In addition, the critical factors influencing the uptake of As into rice crops are defined. Furthermore, determining the feasibility of using effective ways to reduce the accumulation of As in rice was studied. AsV and AsIII are transported to the root through phosphate transporters and nodulin 26-like intrinsic channels. The silicic acid transporter may have a vital role in the entry of methylated As, dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), into the root. Amongst As species, DMA(V) is particularly mobile in plants and can easily transfer from root to shoot. The OsPTR7 gene has a key role in moving DMA in the xylem or phloem. Soil properties can affect the uptake of As by plants. An increase in organic matter and in the concentrations of sulphur, iron, and manganese reduces the uptake of As by plants. Amongst the agronomic strategies in diminishing the uptake and accumulation of As in rice, using microalgae and bacteria is the most efficient.
NADH-GOGAT Overexpression Does Not Improve Maize (Zea mays L.) Performance Even When Pyramiding with NAD-IDH, GDH and GS
Authors: Cañas Rafael A. , Yesbergenova-Cuny Zhazira , Belanger Léo , Rouster Jacques , Brulé Lenaïg , Gilard Françoise , Quilleré Isabelle , Sallaud Christophe , Hirel Bertrand
Published: January 2020

Maize plants overexpressing NADH-GOGAT were produced in order to determine if boosting 2-Oxoglurate production used as a carbon skeleton for the biosynthesis of amino acids will improve plant biomass and kernel production. The NADH-GOGAT enzyme recycles glutamate and incorporates carbon skeletons into the ammonium assimilation pathway using the organic acid 2-Oxoglutarate as a substrate. Gene pyramiding was then conducted with NAD-IDH and NADH-GDH, two enzymes also involved in the synthesis of 2-Oxoglurate. NADH-GOGAT overexpression was detrimental for shoot biomass production but did not markedly affect kernel yield. Additional NAD-IDH and NADH-GDH activity did not improve plant performance. A decrease in kernel production was observed when NADH-GDH was pyramided to NADH-GOGAT and NAD-IDH. This decrease could not be restored even when additional cytosolic GS activity was present in the plants overexpressing the three enzymes producing 2-Oxoglutarate. Detailed leaf metabolic profiling of the different transgenic plants revealed that the NADH-GOGAT over-expressors were characterized by an accumulation of amino acids derived from glutamate and a decrease in the amount of carbohydrates further used to provide carbon skeletons for its synthesis. The study suggests that 2-Oxoglutarate synthesis is a key element acting at the interface of carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism and that its accumulation induces an imbalance of primary carbon and nitrogen metabolism that is detrimental for maize productivity.
Physiological, Biochemical and Reproductive Studies on Valeriana wallichii, a Critically Endangered Medicinal Plant of the Himalayan Region Grown under In-Situ and Ex-Situ Conditions
Authors: Asgher Mohd , Verma Susheel , Khan Nafees A. , Vyas Dhiraj , Kumari Priyanka , Rashid Shaista , Khan Sajid , Qadir Shaista , Ajmal Ali Mohammad , Ahmad Parvaiz
Published: January 2020

Valeriana wallichii, a perennial herb belonging to family Valerianaceae, is an important medicinal herb of the Himalayan region. The incessant exploitation of nature for meeting the demands of the pharmaceutical industry has put unbearable pressure on its natural habitats. A study on its physiological, biochemical, growth and reproductive attributes was planned. Physiological study revealed that ex-situ (outside their natural habitat) populations faced severe stress as compared to in-situ (natural habitat) plants. The difference in the performance of these habitat plants was related to superoxide and H2O2 in the leaves. Photosynthetic attributes were increased in in-situ populations. Proline content and its biosynthetic enzymes ornithine aminotransferase, and pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase showed an increase in ex-situ plants; proline oxidase decreased. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, shikimic acid dehydrogenese, phenylalanine lyase, and flavonoids content showed an increment in ex-situ plants. Antioxidants enzyme superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and reduced glutathione showed an increment in ex-situ conditions. Growth and reproductive attributes were more in ex-situ plants. The observations made are suggestive that a comprehensive conservation programme involving in-situ as well as ex-situ strategies will be effective for the conservation and long term survival of the species.
Comparative Chloroplast Genomics of Fritillaria (Liliaceae), Inferences for Phylogenetic Relationships between Fritillaria and Lilium and Plastome Evolution
Authors: Huang Jiao , Yu Yan , Liu Yan-Mei , Xie Deng-Feng , He Xing-Jin , Zhou Song-Dong
Published: January 2020

Fritillaria is a genus that has important medicinal and horticultural values. The study involved the most comprehensive chloroplast genome samples referring to Old and New World clades of Fritillaria for marker selection and phylogenetic studies. We reported and compared eleven newly sequenced whole-plastome sequences of Fritillaria which proved highly similar in overall size (151,652–152,434 bp), genome structure, gene content, and order. Comparing them with other species of Liliales (6 out of 10 families) indicated the same similarity but showed some structural variations due to the contraction or expansion of the inverted repeat (IR) regions. A/T mononucleotides, palindromic, and forward repeats were the most common types. Six hypervariable regions (rps16-trnQ, rbcL-accD, accD-psaI, psaJ-rpl33, petD-rpoA, and rpl32-trnL) were discovered based on 26 Fritillaria whole-plastomes to be potential molecular markers. Based on the plastome data that were collected from 26 Fritillaria and 21 Lilium species, a phylogenomic study was carried out with three Cardiocrinum species as outgroups. Fritillaria was sister to Lilium with a high support value, and the interspecies relationships within subgenus Fritillaria were resolved very well. The six hypervariable regions can be used as candidate DNA barcodes of Fritillaria and the phylogenomic framework can guide extensive genomic sampling for further phylogenetic analyses.
Role of Jasmonic Acid Pathway in Tomato Plant-Pseudomonas syringae Interaction
Authors: Scalschi Loredana , Llorens Eugenio , García-Agustín Pilar , Vicedo Begonya
Published: January 2020

The jasmonic acid pathway has been considered as the backbone of the response against necrotrophic pathogens. However, a hemi-biotrophic pathogen, such as Pseudomonas syringae, has taken advantage of the crosstalk between the different plant hormones in order to manipulate the responses for its own interest. Despite that, the way in which Pseudomonas syringae releases coronatine to activate jasmonic acid-derived responses and block the activation of salicylic acid-mediated responses is widely known. However, the implication of the jasmonic intermediates in the plant-Pseudomonas interaction is not studied yet. In this work, we analyzed the response of both, plant and bacteria using SiOPR3 tomato plants. Interestingly, SiOPR3 plants are more resistant to infection with Pseudomonas. The gene expression of bacteria showed that, in SiOPR3 plants, the activation of pathogenicity is repressed in comparison to wild type plants, suggesting that the jasmonic acid pathway might play a role in the pathogenicity of the bacteria. Moreover, treatments with JA restore the susceptibility as well as activate the expression of bacterial pathogenicity genes. The observed results suggest that a complete jasmonic acid pathway is necessary for the susceptibility of tomato plants to Pseudomonas syringae.
Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids of Different Structural Types from Narcissus L. cv. Professor Einstein and Their Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Breiterová Kateřina , Koutová Darja , Maříková Jana , Havelek Radim , Kuneš Jiří , Majorošová Martina , Opletal Lubomír , Hošťálková Anna , Jenčo Jaroslav , Řezáčová Martina , Cahlíková Lucie
Published: January 2020

In this detailed phytochemical study of Narcissus cv. Professor Einstein, we isolated 23 previously known Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (1–23) of several structural types and one previously undescribed alkaloid, 7-oxonorpluviine. The chemical structures were identified by various spectroscopic methods (GC-MS, LC-MS, 1D, and 2D NMR spectroscopy) and were compared with literature data. Alkaloids which had not previously been isolated and studied for cytotoxicity before and which were obtained in sufficient amounts were assayed for their cytotoxic activity on a panel of human cancer cell lines of different histotype. Above that, MRC-5 human fibroblasts were used as a control noncancerous cell line to determine the general toxicity of the tested compounds. The cytotoxicity of the tested alkaloids was evaluated using the WST-1 metabolic activity assay. The growth of all studied cancer cell lines was inhibited by pancracine (montanine-type alkaloid), with IC50 values which were in the range of 2.20 to 5.15 µM.
Gibberellins and Heterosis in Crops and Trees: An Integrative Review and Preliminary Study with Brassica
Authors: Zanewich Karen P. , Rood Stewart B.
Published: January 2020

Heterosis, or hybrid vigor, has contributed substantially to genetic improvements in crops and trees and its physiological basis involves multiple processes. Four associations with the phytohormone gibberellin (GA) indicate its involvement in the regulation of heterosis for shoot growth in maize, sorghum, wheat, rice, tomato and poplar. (1) Inbreds somewhat resemble GA-deficient dwarfs and are often highly responsive to exogenous GA3. (2) Levels of endogenous GAs, including the bioeffector GA1, its precursors GA19 and GA20, and/or its metabolite GA8, are higher in some fast-growing hybrids than parental genotypes. (3) Oxidative metabolism of applied [3H]GAs is more rapid in vigorous hybrids than inbreds, and (4) heterotic hybrids have displayed increased expression of GA biosynthetic genes including GA 20-oxidase and GA 3-oxidase. We further investigated Brassica rapa, an oilseed rape, by comparing two inbreds (AO533 and AO539) and their F1 hybrid. Seedling emergence was faster in the hybrid and potence ratios indicated dominance for increased leaf number, area and mass, and stem mass. Overdominance (heterosis) was displayed for root mass, leading to slight heterosis for total plant mass. Stem contents of GA19,20,1 were similar across the Brassica genotypes and increased prior to bolting; elongation was correlated with endogenous GA but heterosis for shoot growth was modest. The collective studies support a physiological role for GAs in the regulation of heterosis for shoot growth in crops and trees, and the Brassica study encourages further investigation of heterosis for root growth.
Phenolic Profile, Toxicity, Enzyme Inhibition, In Silico Studies, and Antioxidant Properties of Cakile maritima Scop. (Brassicaceae) from Southern Portugal
Authors: Placines Chloé , Castañeda-Loaiza Viana , João Rodrigues Maria , G. Pereira Catarina , Stefanucci Azzurra , Mollica Adriano , Zengin Gokhan , Llorent-Martínez Eulogio J. , Castilho Paula C. , Custódio Luísa
Published: January 2020

Cakile maritima Scop. (sea rocket) is an edible halophyte plant with several ethnomedicinal uses. This work reports the chemical profile and bioactivities of food grade extracts from sea rocket organs. Toxicity was determined on mammalian cells, and phenolic profiling and the quantitation of the main metabolites were made by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Enzymatic inhibition was determined towards acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase (AChE, BuChE), α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and tyrosinase. Docking studies were performed to tyrosinase, on the major metabolites, and samples were tested for antioxidant properties. Extracts were not toxic, were constituted mainly by flavonoids, and some compounds (roseoside and oleuropein) are here described for the first time in the species. The aerial organs’ ethanol extract had relevant activity towards 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH, half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 0.59 mg/mL], and ferric-reducing activity power (FRAP, IC50 = 0.99 mg/mL). All samples were more active towards AChE than on BuChE. The ethanol fruits’ extract inhibited α-glucosidase [2.19 mmol of equivalent of acarbose (ACAE)/g]. Samples were active against tyrosinase, especially the aerial organs’ ethanol extracts [25.9 mg of equivalent of kojic acid (KAE)/g]. Quercetin and kaempferol glycosides fit well into the enzymatic pocket of tyrosinase. Our results suggest sea rocket as a candidate to be further explored as a source of bioactive products.
The Phytochemical Composition of Melia volkensii and Its Potential for Insect Pest Management
Authors: Jaoko Victor , Nji Tizi Taning Clauvis , Backx Simon , Mulatya Jackson , Van den Abeele Jan , Magomere Titus , Olubayo Florence , Mangelinckx Sven , Werbrouck Stefaan P.O. , Smagghe Guy
Published: January 2020

Due to potential health and environmental risks of synthetic pesticides, coupled with their non-selectivity and pest resistance, there has been increasing demand for safer and biodegradable alternatives for insect pest management. Botanical pesticides have emerged as a promising alternative due to their non-persistence, high selectivity, and low mammalian toxicity. Six Meliaceae plant species, Azadirachta indica, Azadirachta excelsa, Azadirachta siamens, Melia azedarach, Melia toosendan, and Melia volkensii, have been subject to botanical pesticide evaluation. This review focuses on Melia volkensii, which has not been intensively studied. M. volkensii, a dryland tree species native to East Africa, has shown activity towards a broad range of insect orders, including dipterans, lepidopterans and coleopterans. Its extracts have been reported to have growth inhibiting and antifeedant properties against Schistocerca gregaria, Trichoplusia ni, Pseudaletia unipuncta, Epilachna varivestis, Nezara viridula, several Spodoptera species and other insect pests. Mortality in mosquitoes has also been reported. Several limonoids with a wide range of biological activities have been isolated from the plant, including volkensin, salannin, toosendanin, trichilin-class limonoids, volkendousin, kulactone among others. This paper presents a concise review of published information on the phytochemical composition and potential of M. volkensii for application in insect pest management.
Factors Affecting Organelle Genome Stability in Physcomitrella patens
Authors: Odahara Masaki
Published: January 2020

Organelle genomes are essential for plants; however, the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of organelle genomes are incompletely understood. Using the basal land plant Physcomitrella patens as a model, nuclear-encoded homologs of bacterial-type homologous recombination repair (HRR) factors have been shown to play an important role in the maintenance of organelle genome stability by suppressing recombination between short dispersed repeats. In this review, I summarize the factors and pathways involved in the maintenance of genome stability, as well as the repeats that cause genomic instability in organelles in P. patens, and compare them with findings in other plant species. I also discuss the relationship between HRR factors and organelle genome structure from the evolutionary standpoint.
Genotypic Differences in the Effect of P Fertilization on Phytic Acid Content in Rice Grain
Authors: Fukushima Ayaka , Perera Ishara , Hosoya Koki , Akabane Tatsuki , Hirotsu Naoki
Published: January 2020

Phytic acid (PA) prevents the absorption of minerals in the human intestine, and it is regarded as an antinutrient. Low PA rice is beneficial because of its higher Zn bioavailability and it is suggested that the gene expression level of myo-inositol 3-phosphate synthase 1 (INO1) in developing grain is a key factor to explain the genotypic difference in PA accumulation among natural variants of rice. P fertilization is also considered to affect the PA content, but it is not clear how it affects INO1 gene expression and the PA content in different genotypes. Here, we investigated the effect of P fertilization on the PA content in two contrasting rice genotypes, with low and high PA accumulation, respectively. Based on the results of the analysis of the PA content, inorganic P content, INO1 gene expression, and xylem sap inorganic P content, we concluded that the effect of P fertilization on PA accumulation in grain differed with the genotype, and it was regulated by multiple mechanisms.
Sphingolipid Effects on the Plasma Membrane Produced by Addition of Fumonisin B1 to Maize Embryos
Authors: Gutiérrez-Nájera Nora A. , Saucedo-García Mariana , Noyola-Martínez Liliana , Vázquez-Vázquez Christian , Palacios-Bahena Silvia , Carmona-Salazar Laura , Plasencia Javier , El-Hafidi Mohammed , Gavilanes-Ruiz Marina
Published: January 2020

Fumonisin B1 is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium verticillioides that modifies the membrane properties from animal cells and inhibits complex sphingolipids synthesis through the inhibition of ceramide synthase. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of Fumonisin B1 on the plant plasma membrane when the mycotoxin was added to germinating maize embryos. Fumonisin B1 addition to the embryos diminished plasma membrane fluidity, increased electrolyte leakage, caused a 7-fold increase of sphinganine and a small decrease in glucosylceramide in the plasma membrane, without affecting phytosphingosine levels or fatty acid composition. A 20%–30% inhibition of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity was observed when embryos were germinated in the presence of the mycotoxin. Such inhibition was only associated to the decrease in glucosylceramide and the addition of exogenous ceramide to the embryos relieved the inhibition of Fumonisin B1. These results indicate that exposure of the maize embryos for 24 h to Fumonisin B1 allowed the mycotoxin to target ceramide synthase at the endoplasmic reticulum, eliciting an imbalance of endogenous sphingolipids. The latter disrupted membrane properties and inhibited the plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity. Altogether, these results illustrate the mode of action of the pathogen and a plant defense strategy.
Enhancing Gas Permeation Properties of Pebax® 1657 Membranes via Polysorbate Nonionic Surfactants Doping
Authors: Bernardo Paola , Clarizia Gabriele
Published: January 2020

Composite membranes were prepared by co-casting, incorporating two nonionic surfactants in a poly(ether-block-amide), Pebax® 1657 up to 50 wt %. These polysorbate nonionic surfactants contain many ethylene oxide units and are very CO2-philic agents; thereby, they can be exploited as membrane additives for gas separation involving carbon oxide. Dynamic light scattering analysis proved a higher stability of additionated Pebax® 1657 solutions with respect to those containing only the copolymer. Scanning electron microscopy showed a regular membrane morphology without pores or defects for all investigated samples. If on the one hand the addition of the additive has depressed the mechanical properties, on the other, it has positively influenced the gas transport properties of Pebax® 1657 films. CO2 permeability increased up to two or three times after the incorporation of 50 wt % additive in copolymer matrix, while the selectivity was not significantly affected. The effect of temperature on permanent gas transport properties was studied in the range of 15–55 °C.
Community-Based Link-Addition Strategies for Mitigating Cascading Failures in Modern Power Systems
Authors: Hu Po , Lee Lily
Published: January 2020

The propagation of cascading failures of modern power systems is mainly constrained by the network topology and system parameter. In order to alleviate the cascading failure impacts, it is necessary to adjust the original network topology considering the geographical factors, construction costs and requirements of engineering practice. Based on the complex network theory, the power system is modeled as a directed graph. The graph is divided into communities based on the Fast–Newman algorithm, where each community contains at least one generator node. Combined with the islanding characteristics and the node vulnerability, three low-degree-node-based link-addition strategies are proposed to optimize the original topology. A new evaluation index combining with the attack difficulty and the island ratio is proposed to measure the impacts on the network under sequential attacks. From the analysis of the experimental results of three attack scenarios, this study adopts the proposed strategies to enhance the network connectivity and improve the robustness to some extent. It is therefore helpful to guide the power system cascading failure mitigation strategies and network optimization planning.
Curcumin Prevents Cyclophosphamide-Induced Lung Injury in Rats by Suppressing Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis
Authors: Saghir Sultan A. M. , Alharbi Sulaiman A. , Al-Garadi Maged A. , Al-Gabri Naif , Rady Hagar Y. , Olama Nouran K. , Abdulghani Mahfoudh A. M. , Al Hroob Amir M. , Almaiman Amer A. , Bin-Jumah May , Mahmoud Ayman M. , Taha Medhat
Published: January 2020

Curcumin (CUR) has been used since ancient times to treat several ailments as it possesses many pharmacological activities. This study intended to explore the mechanism underlying the protective effects of CUR in remodeling oxidative stress and apoptotic signals in cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced pulmonary injury in albino rats. CUR was administered at a dose of 300 mg/kg/day for 7 days and on the seventh day a single dose of CP (200 mg/kg) was given. Histopathological and ultrastructural examinations of CP-intoxicated rats showed complete alveolar obstruction, thickened inter-alveolar septa, enlarged blood vessels, severe inflammatory edema with pyknotic nuclei, and disappearance of cytoplasmic organelles. Significant increases in caspase-3, malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyl (PCO) and significant decreases in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were observed. In contrast, rats that received CUR showed clear and empty lumina with single row of pneumocytes, disappearance of edema, and no interstitial electron dense bodies in rats’ lung tissues. Additionally, CUR significantly reduced caspase-3, MDA, and PCO and increased SOD and GPx. In conclusion, these findings revealed the protective effects of CUR against CP-induced pulmonary injury in rats through suppressing oxidative damage and apoptosis.
The Impact of Local Hydrodynamics on High-Rate Activated Sludge Flocculation in Laboratory and Full-Scale Reactors
Authors: Balemans Sophie , Vlaeminck Siegfried E. , Torfs Elena , Hartog Leonie , Zaharova Laura , Rehman Usman , Nopens Ingmar
Published: January 2020

High rate activated sludge (HRAS) processes have a high potential for carbon and energy recovery from sewage, yet they suffer frequently from poor settleability due to flocculation issues. The process of flocculation is generally optimized using jar tests. However, detailed jar hydrodynamics are often unknown, and average quantities are used, which can significantly differ from the local conditions. The presented work combined experimental and numerical data to investigate the impact of local hydrodynamics on HRAS flocculation for two different jar test configurations (i.e., radial vs. axial impellers at different impeller velocities) and compared the hydrodynamics in these jar tests to those in a representative section of a full scale reactor using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The analysis showed that the flocculation performance was highly influenced by the impeller type and its speed. The axial impeller appeared to be more appropriate for floc formation over a range of impeller speeds as it produced a more homogeneous distribution of local velocity gradients compared to the radial impeller. In contrast, the radial impeller generated larger volumes (%) of high velocity gradients in which floc breakage may occur. Comparison to local velocity gradients in a full scale system showed that also here, high velocity gradients occurred in the region around the impeller, which might significantly hamper the HRAS flocculation process. As such, this study showed that a model based approach was necessary to translate lab scale results to full scale. These new insights can help improve future experimental setups and reactor design for improved HRAS flocculation.
Recognition of Emotion According to the Physical Elements of the Video
Authors: Zhang Jing , Wen Xingyu , Whang Mincheol
Published: January 2020

The increasing interest in the effects of emotion on cognitive, social, and neural processes creates a constant need for efficient and reliable techniques for emotion elicitation. Emotions are important in many areas, especially in advertising design and video production. The impact of emotions on the audience plays an important role. This paper analyzes the physical elements in a two-dimensional emotion map by extracting the physical elements of a video (color, light intensity, sound, etc.). We used k-nearest neighbors (K-NN), support vector machine (SVM), and multilayer perceptron (MLP) classifiers in the machine learning method to accurately predict the four dimensions that express emotions, as well as summarize the relationship between the two-dimensional emotion space and physical elements when designing and producing video.
Towards Building Sustainable Consumption: A Study of Second-Hand Buying Intentions
Authors: Borusiak Barbara , Szymkowiak Andrzej , Horska Elena , Raszka Natalia , Żelichowska Elżbieta
Published: January 2020

As the natural resources of the Earth are rapidly depleting, there is an urgent need to encourage people to adopt self-restrictive behaviors, one of which is giving products a second life. The aim of this study is to examine the consumers’ intention to buy used products and to visit a second-hand shop using the extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Additional variables were adopted to give a better insight into the nature of the personal norm. Two variables derived from the Norm Activation Model (NAM) were included in the research model: the awareness of consequences and the ascription of responsibility. In order to collect the data, an online survey was conducted in Poland on 333 participants. SEM was applied for data analysis. The research revealed that the following constructs are positively related to second-hand buying (SHB) intention: the attitude towards the positive impact of SHB on sustainable consumption, and the perceived behavioral control over SHB and the personal norm regarding SHB. Subjective norms regarding SHB are negatively related to SHB intention. An awareness of the consequences of SHB and the ascription of responsibility for the environmental issues are positively related to the personal norm regarding SHB. The intention to buy second-hand products (SHP) is positively related to the intention to visit a second-hand shop.
Thorough Multianalytical Characterization and Quantification of Micro- and Nanoplastics from Bracciano Lake’s Sediments
Authors: Corti Andrea , Vinciguerra Virginia , Iannilli Valentina , Pietrelli Loris , Manariti Antonella , Bianchi Sabrina , Petri Antonella , Cifelli Mario , Domenici Valentina , Castelvetro Valter
Published: January 2020

Lake basins can behave as accumulators of microplastics released in wastewaters as such or resulting from degradation of larger items before and/or during their journey toward the marine environment as a final sink. A novel multianalytical approach was adopted for the detection and quantification of microplastics with size < 2 mm in the sediments of the volcanic lake of Bracciano, Italy. Simple analytical techniques such as solvent extraction/fractionation (for polyolefins and polystyrene) or depolymerization (for polyethylene terephthalate, PET), along with chromatographic detection (SEC and HPLC), allowed quantitative and qualitative determination of the main synthetic polymer contaminants. In particular, PET microplastic concentrations of 0.8–36 ppm were found, with variability related to the sampling site (exposure to incoming winds and wave action). Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) and Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transformed InfraRed (ATR-FTIR spectroscopic investigations supported the identification and chemical characterization of plastic fragments and polymer extracts. The average molecular weight of solvent extractable polymers was evaluated from 2D 1H-NMR diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) experiments. The proposed, easily accessible multianalytical approach can be considered as a useful tool for improving our knowledge on the nature and the concentration of microplastics in sediments, giving insights on the impact of human activities on the health status of aquatic ecosystems.
Tackling Regional Climate Change Impacts and Food Security Issues: A Critical Analysis across ASEAN, PIF, and SAARC
Authors: Islam Md Saidul , Kieu Edson
Published: January 2020

Climate change and food security issues are multi-faceted and transcend across national boundaries. Therefore, this paper begins with the premise that regional organizations are optimally positioned to address climate change and food security issues while actively engaging global partners to slow down or reverse current trajectories. However, the potential of regional organizations to play a central role in mitigating these vital concerns has not been realized. In this paper, we focus on three regional organizations—the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and set out to investigate the multifaceted obstacles that impede regional organizations’ ability to effectively cope with these problems. We qualitatively review the efficacy of policies and examine the connections between politico-economic processes that affect the development, cooperation, and execution of regional policies. In doing so, we review regional policies using five key criteria: (i) planning, (ii) implementation, (iii) cooperation, (iv) legal obligation and (v) international contribution. Our findings suggest that regional organizations face fundamental problems in the implementation of extensive policies due to the lack of cooperation and legal obligation between member nation-states that stems from fundamental prioritization of national development agendas over regional cooperation.
New Approach for Sewage Sludge Stabilization with Ozone
Authors: Kosowski Patryk , Szostek Małgorzata , Pieniążek Rafał , Antos Piotr , Skrobacz Karol , Piechowiak Tomasz , Żaczek Anna , Józefczyk Radosław , Balawejder Maciej
Published: January 2020

Due to a variety of physicochemical properties of the sewage sludge the selection of proper methods for its stabilization is difficult. In this work, the effect of ozone treatment on physico-chemical and microbiological parameters of sludge was investigated. Ozonation was carried out using a counter-current bed reactor, which ensures optimal mass transfer and the contact time of ozone with excessive sediment. The ozonation process was carried out for 15, 30, 45 and 60 min at an ozone concentration of 90–110 ppm. As a result of the ozone treatment it was possible to reduce the number of colony forming units. Also the potential for dewatering of the sludge improved while the total solids of the sludge did not change. The values of COD and BOD5 increased with time of the process.
Constructing Models for Systems Resilience: Challenges, Concepts, and Formal Methods
Authors: Madni Azad M. , Erwin Dan , Sievers Michael
Published: January 2020

As systems continue to grow in scale and complexity and have to operate safely in challenging disruptive environments, system safety and resilience has become a critical requirement. This recognition has drawn attention to the concept of resilience, which has different definitions and several different interpretations that tend to be domain specific. For example, resilience in health care clinics means something quite different than resilience in self-driving cars, or energy grids. This paper reviews the different characterizations of resilience and assesses their value proposition in realizing engineered resilient systems. This paper emphasizes the importance of systems modeling in engineering resilient systems and presents an overarching methodology that employs different modeling approaches for operational tasks as a function of problem context. This paper specifically focuses on systems modeling in partially observable and potentially hostile environments. It discusses the need for system model verification, which is key to safety, and system flexibility and adaptability, which are key to resilience. It introduces a formal, probabilistic modeling construct called the “resilience contract.” This construct employs a state-based representation that formalizes the concept of resilience while enabling system model verification and affording requisite flexibility for adaptation and learning. The key findings of our research are that different system modeling approaches and algorithms are needed based on mission tasks and operational context; adaptive capacity and continual adaptability are the two promising characterizations of resilience that can be cost-effectively realized in real-world systems; and the resilience contract construct is an effective means for probabilistic verification of system model correctness while affording flexibility needed for adaptation and learning. Collectively, these findings contribute to the body of knowledge in both model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and engineered resilient systems.
Return of the Coronavirus: 2019-nCoV
Authors: Gralinski Lisa E. , Menachery Vineet D.
Published: January 2020

The emergence of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has awakened the echoes of SARS-CoV from nearly two decades ago. Yet, with technological advances and important lessons gained from previous outbreaks, perhaps the world is better equipped to deal with the most recent emergent group 2B coronavirus.
Cell Surface Proteins in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: From Bench to Bedside
Authors: Siracusano Gabriel , Tagliamonte Maria , Buonaguro Luigi , Lopalco Lucia
Published: January 2020

Cell surface proteins act as the go-between in carrying the information from the extracellular environment to the intracellular signaling proteins. However, these proteins are often deregulated in neoplastic diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma. This review discusses several recent studies that have investigated the role of cell surface proteins in the occurrence and progression of HCC, highlighting the possibility to use them as biomarkers of the disease and/or targets for vaccines and therapeutics.
Sustainable Crop Protection, Global Climate Change, Food Security and Safety—Plant Immunity at the Crossroads
Authors: Iriti Marcello , Vitalini Sara
Published: January 2020

The development of novel strategies of plant disease management is crucial in view of the growing demand of sustainability in agri-food chains. The use of agrochemicals is not without risk for the consumer and environment in terms of their residues in food, feed, water bodies and harmful effects on nontarget organisms. However, because of the high global annual yield losses attributable to plant diseases and also due to global climate changes that have exacerbated some phytosanitary emergences, chemical input in agriculture is mandatory. In this complex scenario, the use of agrochemicals that boost the plant immune system represents a relatively novel approach in crop protection. These plant protection products are not antimicrobial or fungicidal agents, but include both natural and synthetic elicitors and plant activators that only target the host immune system, with no biocide mechanism of action. In general, these products present a number of strengths: they leave no residue and should not select resistant pathogen strains, they can be used to control virus diseases, and can increase the levels of bioactive phytochemicals in plant foods.
Influenza Anti-Stalk Antibodies: Development of a New Method for the Evaluation of the Immune Responses to Universal Vaccine
Authors: Manenti Alessandro , Maciola Agnieszka Katarzyna , Trombetta Claudia Maria , Kistner Otfried , Casa Elisa , Hyseni Inesa , Razzano Ilaria , Torelli Alessandro , Montomoli Emanuele
Published: January 2020

Growing interest in universal influenza vaccines and novel administration routes has led to the development of alternative serological assays that are able to detect antibodies against conserved epitopes. We present a competitive ELISA method that is able to accurately determine the ratio of serum immunoglobulin G directed against the different domains of the hemagglutinin, the head and the stalk. Human serum samples were treated with two variants of the hemagglutinin protein from the A/California/7/2009 influenza virus. The signals detected were assigned to different groups of antibodies and presented as a ratio between head and stalk domains. A subset of selected sera was also tested by hemagglutination inhibition, single radial hemolysis, microneutralization, and enzyme-linked lectin assays. Pre-vaccination samples from adults showed a quite high presence of anti-stalk antibodies, and the results were substantially in line with those of the classical serological assays. By contrast, pre-vaccination samples from children did not present anti-stalk antibodies, and the majority of the anti-hemagglutinin antibodies that were detected after vaccination were directed against the head domain. The presented approach, when supported by further assays, can be used to assess the presence of specific anti-stalk antibodies and the potential boost of broadly protective antibodies, especially in the case of novel universal influenza vaccine approaches.