bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Tree Growth in Reclaimed Mine Soils in Appalachia USA
Authors: Dallaire Kara , Skousen Jeffrey
Published: July 2019

Surface mining disturbs hundreds of hectares of land every year in many areas of the world, thereby altering valuable, ecologically-diverse forests. Reforestation of these areas after mining helps to restore ecosystem functions and land value. In Appalachia, native topsoil is normally replaced on the surface during reclamation, but waivers allow for brown and gray sandstone materials to be used as topsoil substitutes. Numerous studies report the growth of trees in these substitute mine soil materials, but few studies have compared the height of trees grown in reclaimed mine soils to the heights of trees grown in native soils. This study determined the growth of red oak (Q. rubra L.), white oak (Quercus alba L.), and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) in two mine soil types which were compared to projected growth in native soils. Heights of tree seedlings in native soils at 11 years were estimated from site indices (SI) from USDA Soil Survey data. At the mine sites, areas with brown and gray mine soils (one site with a mulch treatment) had 12 tree species planted and growth was measured annually for 11 years. Mine soil pH after 11 years was 5.3 for brown mine soils, 6.6 for gray mine soils, 7.0 for mulched mine soils, and 4.1 to 5.2 for native forest soils. After 11 years, tree heights in gray mine soils were significantly lower (0.5 m) than tree heights in brown mine soils (2.8 to 4 m) for all three species. Trees in mulched mine soils were up to 0.7 m taller than trees in un-mulched brown mine soils. After 11 years, red oak height was 6.3 m in native soils and 3 m in brown and mulched mine soils (52% lower); white oak was 7.3 m tall in native soils compared to 3.6 m in brown mine soils (50% lower); and tulip poplar was 11.5 m tall in native soils and 3.5 to 4 m tall in brown and mulched mine soils (70% lower). In gray mine soils, trees were not growing at all. While the trees in brown mine soils are growing, tree growth has not reached projected levels of tree growth in native soils during the first 11 years after planting. The purpose of forestry reclamation is to restore ecosystem diversity and function. This study showed that one measure of ecosystem function, tree growth, was 50% lower on reclaimed mine soils than native forest soils. Maturing mine soils may develop properties over time that are similar to native soils and, with the increased rooting depth, may provide conditions where increased tree growth rates and height may be attained during the next several decades.
Goat Milk with Different Alpha-s1 Casein Genotype (CSN1S1) Fermented by Selected Lactobacillus paracasei as Potential Functional Food
Authors: Mangia Nicoletta P. , Saliba Leacady , Zoumpopoulou Georgia , Chessa Stefania , Anastasiou Rania , Karayiannis Ιοannis , Sgouras Dionyssios , Tsakalidou Effie , Nudda Anna
Published: July 2019

The characteristics of fermented milk are affected by the type of milk used and the microorganisms involved in the fermentation process. Goat milk has been widely suggested as a possible alternative to cow milk in allergic subjects, because of the high genetic variability in alpha-s1 casein (CSN1S1) content, which is associated with different technological and nutritional properties of milk. The aim of the study was to evaluate the suitability of goat milk with low and high CSN1S1 to produce fermented milk. In addition, the performance as starter of selected Lactobacillus paracasei FS109 strain compared to no-selected L. paracasei strains was investigated. Initially, the selected L. paracasei FS109 strain was tested for adhesion ability to HT-29 and Caco-2 cells and immunomodulation effect. Then, the strain was used to produce fermented milk from goat milk with a low and high casein CSN1S1 genotype. The results indicated that greater acidifying activity was obtained for L. paracasei FS109 after 24 h of fermentation than the other two strains tested independently by the CSN1S1 genotype. L. paracasei FS109 grew well during fermentation, reaching a higher value (>8.5 log CFU/mL). Interestingly, the same strain maintained a high viable population (about 9 log CFU/mL) during the 30-day cold storage of the product. The present study shows for the first time the suitability of the goat milk with low CSN1S1 genotypes to produce fermented milk and highlight the importance of strain selection in determination of technological and beneficial traits. Combining goat milk with low CSN1S1 and selected strains could be a strategy of improving traditional and functional fermented milk market.
Service Level Agreement Violations in Cloud Storage: Insurance and Compensation Sustainability
Authors: Mastroeni Loretta , Mazzoccoli Alessandro , Naldi Maurizio
Published: July 2019

Service Level Agreements are employed to set availability commitments in cloud services. When a violation occurs as in an outage, cloud providers may be called to compensate customers for the losses incurred. Such compensation may be so large as to erode cloud providers’ profit margins. Insurance may be used to protect cloud providers against such a danger. In this paper, closed formulas are provided through the expected utility paradigm to set the insurance premium under different outage models and QoS metrics (no. of outages, no. of long outages, and unavailability). When the cloud service is paid through a fixed fee, we also provide the maximum unit compensation that a cloud provider can offer so as to meet constraints on its profit loss. The unit compensation is shown to vary approximately as the inverse square of the service fee.
Influence of Salting Method on the Chemical and Texture Characteristics of Ovine Halloumi Cheese
Authors: Kaminarides Stelios , Moschopoulou Ekaterini , Karali Fotini
Published: July 2019

The effects of dry salting for 24 h, or brine salting under different conditions (i.e., 7%, 10%, or 13% NaCl (w/w) at 4 or 20 °C for 3, 6, 24, or 48 h) on ovine Halloumi cheese composition and textural properties were studied. In the brine-salted cheeses, the moisture content, ranging from 45.53 ± 0.7 to 53.55 ± 0.6 g/100 g, was decreased as the concentration and temperature of brine and salting time were increased. In contrast, the salt content, ranging from 2.17 ± 0.01 to 4.97 ± 0.10 g/100 g, increased by increasing the salting time and brine concentration, and the increased sodium content of cheeses was correlated with their decreased potassium content. Cheeses dry-salted for 24 h contained higher levels of calcium (1064–1093 mg/100 g) than brine-salted cheeses kept for 24 or 48 h (751–922 mg/100 g). The same trend was observed for phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium content. In addition, dry-salted cheeses showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower hardness and fracturability values, compared to cheeses brine salted at 13% brine for more than 24 h, independently of the brine temperature. It was concluded that dry salting of Halloumi cheese for one day was the most appropriate salting method for dietary and nutritious reasons.
Myrtus Communis Liquor Byproduct as a Source of Bioactive Compounds
Authors: Correddu Fabio , Maldini Mariateresa , Addis Roberta , Petretto Giacomo Luigi , Palomba Michele , Battacone Gianni , Pulina Giuseppe , Nudda Anna , Pintore Giorgio
Published: July 2019

The fatty acid (FA), polyphenol content and evaluation of the antioxidant capacity of exhausted Myrtus communis berries (EMB) resulting from the production of myrtle liqueur were assessed. All parts of the exhausted berries exhibited high concentrations of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and phenolic compounds. The lipid fraction contained a high amount of poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), mainly represented by linoleic acid (>70%). Of the phenolic acids evaluated by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, ellagic acid was the most predominant (>50%), followed by gallic and quinic acids. Quercetin and quercetin3-O-rhamnoside were the most abundant flavonoids. The seed extracts showed a higher antioxidant potential than the pericarp extracts; the same trend was observed for total phenolic compounds evaluated by spectrophotometric assay. The overall high content of bioactive compounds and the high antioxidant potential of this byproduct sustain its suitability for a number of industrial applications, such as a food ingredient in novel foods, an additive in cosmetic formulations or a component of animal feed formulations.
Halo Substructure Boosts to the Signatures of Dark Matter Annihilation
Authors: Ando Shin’ichiro , Ishiyama Tomoaki , Hiroshima Nagisa
Published: July 2019

The presence of dark matter substructure will boost the signatures of dark matter annihilation. We review recent progress on estimates of this subhalo boost factor—a ratio of the luminosity from annihilation in the subhalos to that originating the smooth component—based on both numerical N-body simulations and semi-analytic modelings. Since subhalos of all the scales, ranging from the Earth mass (as expected, e.g., the supersymmetric neutralino, a prime candidate for cold dark matter) to galaxies or larger, give substantial contribution to the annihilation rate, it is essential to understand subhalo properties over a large dynamic range of more than twenty orders of magnitude in masses. Even though numerical simulations give the most accurate assessment in resolved regimes, extrapolating the subhalo properties down in sub-grid scales comes with great uncertainties—a straightforward extrapolation yields a very large amount of the subhalo boost factor of ≳100 for galaxy-size halos. Physically motivated theoretical models based on analytic prescriptions such as the extended Press-Schechter formalism and tidal stripping modeling, which are well tested against the simulation results, predict a more modest boost of order unity for the galaxy-size halos. Giving an accurate assessment of the boost factor is essential for indirect dark matter searches and thus, having models calibrated at large ranges of host masses and redshifts, is strongly urged upon.
Child Abandonment in England, 1741–1834: The Case of the London Foundling Hospital
Authors: Phillips Claire
Published: July 2019

The prevailing view of abandoned children in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries comes from Dickens’ Oliver Twist. Twist was born and raised in a workhouse in nineteenth-century London. However, the workhouse was not the only, or even, the main place to which children were abandoned. The London Foundling Hospital opened in 1741 and, although admission rules were often strict, between the years 1756 and 1760, any child presented to the Hospital was admitted. This article examines the ways in which children were abandoned to the Foundling Hospital and how these children were cared for in the period 1741–1834. It charts the children’s journeys through the Hospital, from their initial abandonment and admission to their eventual discharge—either through death, apprenticeship, or marriage—or their continued residence at the institution. This article provides insights into the multiple experiences of childhood abandonment and details the utility of the Hospital’s surviving records. It argues that children admitted to the London Foundling Hospital received life chances they would otherwise not have received. The Hospital provided nursing, clothing, medical care, both an academic and vocational education, and a living space for those unable to survive alone in adulthood.
“I Have an Accent in Every Language I Speak!”: Shadow History of One Chinese Family’s Multigenerational Transnational Migrations
Authors: Banh Jenny
Published: July 2019

According to scholar and Professor Wang Gungwu, there are three categories of Chinese overseas documents: formal (archive), practical (print media), and expressive (migrant writings such as poetry). This non-fiction creative essay documents what Edna Bonacich describes as an “middleman minority” family and how we have migrated to four different nation-city states in four generations. Our double minority status in one country where we were discriminated against helped us psychologically survive in another country. My family history ultimately exemplifies the unique position “middleman minority” families have in the countries they migrate to and how the resulting discrimination that often accompanies this position can work as a psychological advantage when going to a new country. We also used our cultural capital to survive in each new country. In particular, this narrative highlights the lasting psychological effects of the transnational migration on future generations. There is a wall of shame, fear, and traumas in my family’s migration story that still pervades today. My family deals with everything with silence, obfuscation, and anger. It has taken me twenty years to recollect a story so my own descendants can know where we came from. Thus, this is a shadow history that will add to the literature on Sino-Southeast Asian migration and remigration out to the United States. Specifically, my family’s migration began with my grandfather leaving Guangdong, China to Saigon, Vietnam (1935), to Hong Kong, (1969) (then a British Colony), and eventually to the United States (1975). This article explains why my family migrated multiple times across multiple generations before eventually ending up in California. Professor Wang urges librarians, archivists, and scholars to document and preserve the Chinese migrants’ expressive desires of migrant experiences and this expressive memoir piece answers that call.
A Validation of ERA5 Reanalysis Data in the Southern Antarctic Peninsula—Ellsworth Land Region, and Its Implications for Ice Core Studies
Authors: Tetzner Dieter , Thomas Elizabeth , Allen Claire
Published: July 2019

Climate reanalyses provide key information to calibrate proxy records in regions with scarce direct observations. The climate reanalysis used to perform a proxy calibration should accurately reproduce the local climate variability. Here we present a regional scale evaluation of meteorological parameters using ERA-Interim and ERA5 reanalyses compared to in-situ observations from 13 automatic weather stations (AWS), located in the southern Antarctic Peninsula and Ellsworth Land, Antarctica. Both reanalyses seem to perform better in the escarpment area (>1000 m a.s.l) than on the coast. A significant improvement is observed in the performance of ERA5 over ERA-Interim. ERA5 is highly accurate, representing the magnitude and variability of near-surface air temperature and wind regimes. The higher spatial and temporal resolution provided by ERA5 reduces significantly the cold coastal biases identified in ERA-Interim and increases the accuracy representing the wind direction and wind speed in the escarpment. The slight underestimation in the wind speed obtained from the reanalyses could be attributed to an interplay of topographic factors and the effect of local wind regimes. Three sites in this region are highlighted for their potential for ice core studies. These sites are likely to provide accurate proxy calibrations for future palaeoclimatic reconstructions.
Seafloor Characterization Using Multibeam Echosounder Backscatter Data: Methodology and Results in the North Sea
Authors: Amiri-Simkooei Alireza R. , Koop Leo , van der Reijden Karin J. , Snellen Mirjam , Simons Dick G.
Published: July 2019

Seafloor characterization using multibeam echosounder (MBES) backscatter data is an active field of research. The observed backscatter curve (OBC) is used in an inversion algorithm with available physics-based models to determine the seafloor geoacoustic parameters. A complication is that the OBC cannot directly be coupled to the modeled backscatter curve (MBC) due to the correction of uncalibrated sonars. Grab samples at reference areas are usually required to estimate the angular calibration curve (ACC) prior to the inversion. We first attempt to estimate the MBES ACC without grab sampling by using the least squares cubic spline approximation method implemented in a differential evolution optimization algorithm. The geoacoustic parameters are then inverted over the entire area using the OBCs corrected for the estimated ACC. The results indicate that a search for at least three geoacoustic parameters is required, which includes the sediment mean grain size, roughness parameter, and volume scattering parameter. The inverted mean grain sizes are in agreement with grab samples, indicating reliability and stability of the proposed method. Furthermore, the interaction between the geoacoustic parameters and Bayesian acoustic classes is investigated. It is observed that higher backscatter values, and thereby higher acoustic classes, should not only be attributed to (slightly) coarser sediment, especially in a homogeneous sedimentary environment such as the Brown Bank, North Sea. Higher acoustic classes should also be attributed to larger seafloor roughness and volume scattering parameters, which are not likely intrinsic to only sediment characteristics but also to other contributing factors.
End-of-Life Care Challenges from Staff Viewpoints in Emergency Departments: Systematic Review
Authors: Alqahtani Ali J. , Mitchell Geoffrey
Published: July 2019

The hospital emergency department (ED) is the place where people most commonly seek urgent care. The initial diagnosis of an end-of-life (EOL) condition may occur in the ED. In this review we described the challenges; from the staff members’ perspectives, to safe, appropriate, and high quality end-of-life care (EOLC) for people who are diagnosed with non-malignant diseases who present to ED settings internationally. We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature. PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Medline, and Web of Science were searched from 2007 to 2017. In this review the challenges in providing quality EOLC from staff viewpoints, for EOL people who are diagnosed with non-malignant progressive diseases in ED settings, were classified into eight themes: (1) EOLC education and training, (2) ED design, (3) Lack of family support, (4) Work Load, (5) ED staff communication and decision making, (6) EOLC quality in ED, (7) resource availability (time, space, appropriate interdisciplinary personnel) and (8) integrating palliative care (PC) in ED. The formulation of EOLC using this review result may help to improve the quality of life for dying people by providing ED staff with clear guidelines that can guide them in their daily practice
Effect of Agricultural and Urban Infrastructure on River Basin Delineation and Surface Water Availability: Case of the Culiacan River Basin
Authors: Rentería-Guevara Sergio A. , Rangel-Peraza Jesús G. , Rodríguez-Mata Abraham E. , Amábilis-Sosa Leonel E. , Sanhouse-García Antonio J. , Uriarte-Aceves Perla Marysol
Published: July 2019

River basin delineation can be inappropriate to determine surface water availability in a country, even if it is established by its water authority. This is because the effect of agricultural and urban infrastructure in runoff direction is ignored, and the anthropogenic changes in hydrography and topography features distort the runoff. This situation is really important because water rights are granted based on volumes that are not physically accessible. The existence of this problem is demonstrated through a case of study: the Culiacan River Basin in Mexico. To overcome such a situation, this study poses criteria to revise official river basin configurations and to delineate new river basins based on digital elevation models, vector files of agricultural infrastructure, and extensive field verification. Significant differences were noticed in surface water availability calculated under distinct river basin delineations.
Risk Riding Behaviors of Urban E-Bikes: A Literature Review
Authors: Ma Changxi , Yang Dong , Zhou Jibiao , Feng Zhongxiang , Yuan Quan
Published: July 2019

In order to clearly understand the risky riding behaviors of electric bicycles (e-bikes) and analyze the riding characteristics, we review the research results of the e-bike risky riding behavior from three aspects: the characteristics and causes of e-bike accidents, the characteristics of users’ traffic behavior, and the prevention and intervention of traffic accidents. The analysis results show that the existing research methods on risky riding behavior of e-bikes mainly involve questionnaire survey methods, structural equation models, and binary probability models. The illegal occupation of motor vehicle lanes, over-speed cycling, red-light running, and illegal manned and reverse cycling are the main risky riding behaviors seen with e-bikes. Due to the difference in physiological and psychological characteristics such as gender, age, audiovisual ability, responsiveness, patience when waiting for a red light, congregation, etc., there are differences in risky cycling behaviors of different users. Accident prevention measures, such as uniform registration of licenses, the implementation of quasi-drive systems, improvements of the riding environment, enhancements of safety awareness and training, are considered effective measures for preventing e-bike accidents and protecting the traffic safety of users. Finally, in view of the shortcomings of the current research, the authors point out three research directions that can be further explored in the future. The strong association rules between risky riding behavior and traffic accidents should be explored using big data analysis. The relationships between risk awareness, risky cycling, and traffic accidents should be studied using the scales of risk perception, risk attitude, and risk tolerance. In a variety of complex mixed scenes, the risk degree, coupling characteristics, interventions, and the coupling effects of various combination intervention measures of e-bike riding behaviors should be researched using coupling theory in the future.
American Masters Road Running Records—The Performance Gap Between Female and Male Age Group Runners from 5 Km to 6 Days Running
Authors: Sousa Caio Victor , da Silva Aguiar Samuel , Rosemann Thomas , Nikolaidis Pantelis Theodoros , Knechtle Beat
Published: July 2019

Recent studies investigating elite and master athletes in pool- and long-distance open-water swimming showed for elite swimmers that the fastest women were able to outperform the fastest men, and for master athletes that elderly women were able to achieve a similar performance to elderly men. The present study investigating age group records in runners from 5 km to 6 days aimed to test this hypothesis for master runners. Data from the American Master Road Running Records were analyzed, for 5 km, 8 km, 10 km, 10 miles, 20 km, half-marathon, 25 km, 30 km, marathon, 50 km, 50 miles, 100 km, 100 miles, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 144 h, for athletes in age groups ranging from 40 to 99 years old. The performance gap between men and women showed higher effects in events lengthening from 5 km to 10 miles (d = 0.617) and lower effects in events lengthening from 12 to 144 h (d = 0.304) running. Both other groups showed similar effects, being 20 km to the marathon (d = 0.607) and 50 km to 100 miles (d = 0.563). The performance gap between men and women showed higher effects in the age groups 85 years and above (d = 0.953) followed by 55 to 69 years (d = 0.633), and lower effects for the age groups 40 to 54 years (d = 0.558) and 70 to 84 years (d = 0.508). In summary, men are faster than women in American road running events, however, the sex gap decreases with increasing age but not with increasing event length.
The Impacts of Prescribed Fire on PM2.5 Air Quality and Human Health: Application to Asthma-Related Emergency Room Visits in Georgia, USA
Authors: Huang Ran , Hu Yongtao , Russell Armistead G. , Mulholland James A. , Odman M. Talat
Published: July 2019

Short-term exposure to fire smoke, especially particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5), is associated with adverse health effects. In order to quantify the impact of prescribed burning on human health, a general health impact function was used with exposure fields of PM2.5 from prescribed burning in Georgia, USA, during the burn seasons of 2015 to 2018, generated using a data fusion method. A method was developed to identify the days and areas when and where the prescribed burning had a major impact on local air quality to explore the relationship between prescribed burning and acute health effects. The results showed strong spatial and temporal variations in prescribed burning impacts. April 2018 exhibited a larger estimated daily health impact with more burned areas compared to Aprils in previous years, likely due to an extended burn season resulting from the need to burn more areas in Georgia. There were an estimated 145 emergency room (ER) visits in Georgia for asthma due to prescribed burning impacts in 2015 during the burn season, and this number increased by about 18% in 2018. Although southwestern, central, and east-central Georgia had large fire impacts on air quality, the absolute number of estimated ER asthma visits resulting from burn impacts was small in these regions compared to metropolitan areas where the population density is higher. Metro-Atlanta had the largest estimated prescribed burn-related asthma ER visits in Georgia, with an average of about 66 during the reporting years.
Differences in Cardiorespiratory Fitness between Chinese and Japanese Children and Adolescents
Authors: Yang Xiaofang , Yin Xiaojian , Ji Liu , Song Ge , Wu Huipan , Li Yuqiang , Wang Guodong , Bi Cunjian , Sun Yi , Li Ming , Zhang Ting , Kato Hiroshi , Suzuki Akira
Published: July 2019

Background: This study aimed to compare the difference in cardiorespiratory fitness between Chinese and Japanese children and adolescents. Methods: Participants comprised 9025 children and adolescents aged 7–18 years from China and Japan. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was measured by performance in the 20 m shuttle run test (20mSRT) and estimated maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Differences in CRF between countries were evaluated by t-tests. Centile curves for the 20mSRT and VO2max values were constructed for Chinese and Japanese children and adolescents, respectively, using the Lambda Mu and Sigma (LMS) method. Results: (1) For most of the age groups, the 20mSRT and VO2max performances among Chinese participants were lower than among Japanese participants. (2) Japanese children had the most apparent gains in P10, P50, and P90 VO2max values in primary school; however, they gradually decreased in middle school. For Chinese girls, the P10, P50, and P90 VO2max values decreased gradually with age. (3) The VO2max value among Japanese children increased; however, it decreased or remained flat among Chinese children in primary school. Conclusions: CRF among Chinese participants was lower than among Japanese participants while the VO2max value showed different trends in primary school. Effective measures should be taken to improve CRF among children and adolescents.
The Association between Demographic Characteristics, Lifestyle Health Behaviours, and Quality of Life among Adolescents in Asia Pacific Region
Authors: Lee Regina L.T. , Chien Wai Tong , Tanida Keiko , Takeuchi Sachi , Rutja Phuphaibul , Kwok Stephen W. H. , Lee Paul H.
Published: July 2019

Background: Given the risk of physical and psychosocial health that emerge in adolescents that are continuing into adulthood, identifying and addressing early signs of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) decline provides an opportunity to ensure that young people have a healthier progression through adolescence. Aim: To investigate the association between demographic characteristics, lifestyle health behaviours, and HRQoL of adolescents who live in Asia Pacific region, including Hong Kong in China, Beijing in China, Akashi in Japan, Seoul in South Korea, and Bangkok in Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional self-reported survey carried out in a sample of 2296 adolescents that were aged 9–16 years (mean= 12.0; standard deviation [SD] = 1.63) was conducted in the five cities of the Asia Pacific region between January and August 2017. Demographic characteristics, adolescent lifestyle behaviours, and HRQoL were measured with demographic questionnaire, Adolescent Lifestyle Questionnaire’s (ALQ) seven domains and Paediatric Quality of Life’s (PedsQL 4.0) global score, respectively. Mixed multilevel model (MMLM) was used to fit the data. Results: After adjusting the demographic variables, one score increase in ALQ physical participation, nutrition, social support, and identity awareness are associated with an increase in PedsQL global score. On the contrary, one score increase in ALQ health practices is associated with a decrease in the PedsQL global score. The estimated mean of PedsQL global score of South Korea, Beijing, and Japan were better, while the score of Thailand and Hong Kong were poorer. Conclusions: Differentiating the impacts of promoting health behaviours among different countries can help in better understanding the health needs of adolescents in each country, especially in the Asia Pacific region, so that adequate and relevant resources can be allocated to reduce health-risk taking behaviours among this vulnerable group for health-promoting strategies.
Empowering Women through Microcredit in Bangladesh: An Empirical Study
Authors: Debnath Dalia , Rahman Md. Sadique , Acharjee Debasish Chandra , Latif Waqas Umar , Wang Linping
Published: July 2019

The present study was carried out to identify the determinants of microcredit accessibility by rural women households and its impact on rural women empowerment in Bangladesh. A face-to-face survey was conducted during 2018, interviewing 300 women households in two locations in Bangladesh. Descriptive statistics and econometric modeling were used to achieve the objectives. The results of the study showed that the higher annual income inversely related with the accessibility to the microcredit program, whereas family size (P < 0.05) was positive and significantly influenced the accessibility to the microcredit program. The empirical results indicate that borrowers of microcredit have greater control over their own savings. The regression outcome also exposes that microcredit has a positive and significant impact on enhancing participation in household decision making process and women’s legal awareness. The study suggested that microcredit providers in Bangladesh should be encouraged to review their program planning and redesign loan products by putting more emphasis on higher income group women.
Lipidomics Conquers a Niche, Consolidates Growth
Authors: Touboul David , Ollero Mario
Published: July 2019

Sixteen years after the first published article in which the term “lipidomics” was stated [...]
The Effects of Spaceflight Factors on the Human Plasma Proteome, Including Both Real Space Missions and Ground-Based Experiments
Authors: Brzhozovskiy Alexander G. , Kononikhin Alexey S. , Pastushkova Lyudmila Ch. , Kashirina Daria N. , Indeykina Maria I. , Popov Igor A. , Custaud Marc-Antoine , Larina Irina M. , Nikolaev Evgeny N.
Published: July 2019

The aim of the study was to compare proteomic data on the effects of spaceflight factors on the human body, including both real space missions and ground-based experiments. LC–MS/MS-based proteomic analysis of blood plasma samples obtained from 13 cosmonauts before and after long-duration (169–199 days) missions on the International Space Station (ISS) and for five healthy men included in 21-day-long head-down bed rest (HDBR) and dry immersion experiments were performed. The semi-quantitative label-free analysis revealed significantly changed proteins: 19 proteins were significantly different on the first (+1) day after landing with respect to background levels; 44 proteins significantly changed during HDBR and 31 changed in the dry immersion experiment. Comparative analysis revealed nine common proteins (A1BG, A2M, SERPINA1, SERPINA3, SERPING1, SERPINC1, HP, CFB, TF), which changed their levels after landing, as well as in both ground-based experiments. Common processes, such as platelet degranulation, hemostasis, post-translational protein phosphorylation and processes of protein metabolism, indicate common pathogenesis in ground experiments and during spaceflight. Dissimilarity in the lists of significantly changed proteins could be explained by the differences in the dynamics of effective development in the ground-based experiments. Data are available via ProteomeXchange using the identifier PXD013305.
Artificial Saliva: Challenges and Future Perspectives for the Treatment of Xerostomia
Authors: Łysik Dawid , Niemirowicz-Laskowska Katarzyna , Bucki Robert , Tokajuk Grażyna , Mystkowska Joanna
Published: July 2019

The chronic sensation of a dry mouth is a disease condition called xerostomia and affects a large part of the population. Xerostomia is associated with decreased secretion, or more often, qualitative changes in saliva proteins and immunoglobulin concentrations that develop as a result of salivary gland dysfunction. Several reasons causing dry mouth were described, and usually, they include taking medications, diseases or radiotherapy. In some situations, when it is difficult to use salivary stimulants or salivary gland damage is irreversible, the only option might seem to be saliva substitutes. The paper presents the most important aspects considering saliva preparations. The rheological and lubricating properties and the reconstruction of the complex saliva structure has been the main purpose of research. The biological properties of saliva preparations were also widely discussed. As part of the work, the antimicrobial effect of three commercial saliva preparations was tested. Finally, inadequate antimicrobial properties against the strains isolated from the oral cavity were demonstrated. The development of salivary substitutes, in particular, the improvement of antimicrobial properties, can be achieved using nanotechnology, including drug delivery systems containing nanocarriers.
How to Modify Drug Release in Paediatric Dosage Forms? Novel Technologies and Modern Approaches with Regard to Children’s Population
Authors: Trofimiuk Monika , Wasilewska Katarzyna , Winnicka Katarzyna
Published: July 2019

In the pharmaceutical technology, paediatric population still presents the greatest challenge in terms of developing flexible and appropriate drug dosage forms. As for many medicines, there is a lack of paediatric dosage forms adequate for a child’s age; it is a prevailing practice to use off label formulations. Children need balanced and personalized treatment, patient-friendly preparations, as well as therapy that facilitates dosing and thus eliminates frequent drug administration, which can be ensured by modified release (MR) forms. MR formulations are commonly used in adult therapy, while rarely available for children. The aim of this article is to elucidate how to modify drug release in paediatric oral dosage forms, discuss the already accessible technologies and to introduce novel approaches of manufacturing with regard to paediatric population.
Genetic Defects in Mitochondrial Dynamics in Caenorhabditis elegans Impact Ultraviolet C Radiation- and 6-hydroxydopamine-Induced Neurodegeneration
Authors: Hartman Jessica H. , Gonzalez-Hunt Claudia , Hall Samantha M. , Ryde Ian T. , Caldwell Kim A. , Caldwell Guy A. , Meyer Joel N.
Published: July 2019

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders involving devastating loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Early steps in PD pathogenesis include mitochondrial dysfunction, and mutations in mitochondrial genes have been linked to familial forms of the disease. However, low penetrance of mutations indicates a likely important role for environmental factors in PD risk through gene by environment interactions. Herein, we study how genetic deficiencies in mitochondrial dynamics processes including fission, fusion, and mitophagy interact with environmental exposures to impact neurodegeneration. Methods: We utilized the powerful model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to study ultraviolet C radiation (UVC)- and 6-hydroxydopamine-induced degeneration of fluorescently-tagged dopaminergic neurons in the background of fusion deficiency (MFN1/2 homolog, fzo-1), fission deficiency (DMN1L homolog, drp-1), and mitochondria-specific autophagy (mitophagy) deficiency (PINK1 and PRKN homologs, pink-1 and pdr-1). Results: Overall, we found that deficiency in either mitochondrial fusion or fission sensitizes nematodes to UVC exposure (used to model common environmental pollutants) but protects from 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neurodegeneration. By contrast, mitophagy deficiency makes animals more sensitive to these stressors with an interesting exception—pink-1 deficiency conferred remarkable protection from 6-hydroxydopamine. We found that this protection could not be explained by compensatory antioxidant gene expression in pink-1 mutants or by differences in mitochondrial morphology. Conclusions: Together, our results support a strong role for gene by environment interactions in driving dopaminergic neurodegeneration and suggest that genetic deficiency in mitochondrial processes can have complex effects on neurodegeneration.
NB-LRRs Not Responding Consecutively to Fusarium oxysporum Proliferation Caused Replant Disease Formation of Rehmannia glutinosa
Authors: Chen Aiguo , Gu Li , Xu Na , Feng Fajie , Chen Dexin , Yang Chuyun , Zhang Bao , Li Mingjie , Zhang Zhongyi
Published: July 2019

Consecutive monoculture practice facilitates enrichment of rhizosphere pathogenic microorganisms and eventually leads to the emergence of replant disease. However, little is known about the interaction relationship among pathogens enriched in rhizosphere soils, Nucleotide binding-leucine-rich repeats (NB-LRR) receptors that specifically recognize pathogens in effector-triggered immunity (ETI) and physiological indicators under replant disease stress in Rehmannia glutinosa. In this study, a controlled experiment was performed using different kinds of soils from sites never planted R. glutinosa (NP), replanted R. glutinosa (TP) and mixed by different ration of TP soils (1/3TP and 2/3TP), respectively. As a result, different levels of TP significantly promoted the proliferation of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. R. glutinosa (FO). Simultaneously, a comparison between FO numbers and NB-LRR expressions indicated that NB-LRRs were not consecutively responsive to the FO proliferation at transcriptional levels. Further analysis found that NB-LRRs responded to FO invasion with a typical phenomenon of “promotion in low concentration and suppression in high concentration”, and 6 NB-LRRs were identified as candidates for responding R. glutinosa replant disease. Furthermore, four critical hormones of salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene (ET) and abscisic acid (ABA) had higher levels in 1/3TP, 2/3TP and TP than those in NP. Additionally, increasing extents of SA contents have significantly negative trends with FO changes, which implied that SA might be inhibited by FO in replanted R. glutinosa. Concomitantly, the physiological indexes reacted alters of cellular process regulated by NB-LRR were affected by complex replant disease stresses and exhibited strong fluctuations, leading to the death of R. glutinosa. These findings provide important insights and clues into further revealing the mechanism of R. glutinosa replant disease.
Preventive Effects of Tryptophan–Methionine Dipeptide on Neural Inflammation and Alzheimer’s Pathology
Authors: Ano Yasuhisa , Yoshino Yuka , Uchida Kazuyuki , Nakayama Hiroyuki
Published: July 2019

Preventive approaches for age-related memory decline and dementia have become a high priority in the aging society because of the lack of therapeutic approaches. Recent epidemiological studies have reported that fermented dairy products can help prevent dementia. Previously, we identified tryptophan–tyrosine (WY) and tryptophan–methionine (WM) peptides as the suppressants of activation of the primary microglia and showed that WY peptide consumption suppresses inflammation in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease model mice. However, the effects of the WM peptide on inflammation in the brain and Alzheimer’s pathology have not been investigated. Here, we evaluated the effect of WM peptide consumption on Alzheimer’s disease model (5×FAD) mice. In 5×FAD mice, intake of WM peptide suppressed the production of inflammatory cytokines, activation of microglia, and infiltration of activated microglia around β amyloid (Aβ) depositions. WM peptide intake reduced Aβ deposition in the cortex and hippocampus and then improved the object recognition memory. Taken together with previous reports, the current findings indicate that ingestion of tryptophan-related peptides or food material rich in tryptophan-related peptides, thereby regulating microglial activity, represents a potential preventive approach for cognitive decline and dementia related to inflammation.
Potential Utility of Biased GPCR Signaling for Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Komatsu Hidetoshi , Fukuchi Mamoru , Habata Yugo
Published: July 2019

Tremendous advances have been made recently in the identification of genes and signaling pathways associated with the risks for psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. However, there has been a marked reduction in the pipeline for the development of new psychiatric drugs worldwide, mainly due to the complex causes that underlie these disorders. G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the most common targets of antipsychotics such as quetiapine and aripiprazole, and play pivotal roles in controlling brain function by regulating multiple downstream signaling pathways. Progress in our understanding of GPCR signaling has opened new possibilities for selective drug development. A key finding has been provided by the concept of biased ligands, which modulate some, but not all, of a given receptor’s downstream signaling pathways. Application of this concept raises the possibility that the biased ligands can provide therapeutically desirable outcomes with fewer side effects. Instead, this application will require a detailed understanding of the mode of action of antipsychotics that drive distinct pharmacologies. We review our current understanding of the mechanistic bases for multiple signaling modes by antipsychotics and the potential of the biased modulators to treat mental disorders.
A Chronic Ocular-Hypertensive Rat Model induced by Injection of the Sclerosant Agent Polidocanol in the Aqueous Humor Outflow Pathway
Authors: Blanco Román , Martinez-Navarrete Gema , Pérez-Rico Consuelo , Valiente-Soriano Francisco J. , Avilés-Trigueros Marcelino , Vicente Javier , Fernandez Eduardo , Vidal-Sanz Manuel , de la Villa Pedro
Published: July 2019

Background: To induce a moderate chronic ocular hypertension (OHT) by injecting polidocanol, a foamed sclerosant drug, in the aqueous humor outflow pathway. Methods: Intraocular pressure (IOP) was monitored for up to 6 months. Pattern and full-field electroretinogram (PERG and ERG) were recorded and retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness were assessed in vivo with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ex vivo using Brn3a immunohistochemistry. Results: In the first 3 weeks post-injection, a significant IOP elevation was observed in the treated eyes (18.47 ± 3.36 mmHg) when compared with the control fellow eyes (12.52 ± 2.84 mmHg) (p < 0.05). At 8 weeks, 65% (11/17) of intervention eyes had developed an IOP increase >25% over the baseline. PERG responses were seen to be significantly reduced in the hypertensive eyes (2.25 ± 0.24 µV) compared to control eyes (1.44 ± 0.19 µV) (p < 0.01) at week 3, whereas the ERG components (photoreceptor a-wave and bipolar cell b-wave) remained unaltered. By week 24, RNFL thinning and cell loss in the ganglion cell layer was first detected (2/13, 15.3%) as assessed by OCT and light microscopy. Conclusions: This novel OHT rat model, with moderate levels of chronically elevated IOP, and abnormal PERG shows selective functional impairment of RGC.
Mangifera indica L. Leaf Extract Induces Adiponectin and Regulates Adipogenesis
Authors: Sferrazzo Giuseppe , Palmeri Rosa , Vanella Luca , Parafati Lucia , Ronsisvalle Simone , Biondi Antonio , Basile Francesco , Li Volti Giovanni , Barbagallo Ignazio
Published: July 2019

Natural bioactive compounds may be used in obese patients because of their ability to impact on various key mechanisms involved in the complex pathophysiological mechanisms of such condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a Mangifera indica L. leaf extract (MLE) on adipogenic differentiation of murine preadipocyte cells. 3T3-L1 cells were treated during their differentiation with various concentrations of (Mangifera indica L.) leaves extract (MLE) (750, 380, 150, 75 and 35 μg) in order to assess their lipid content, adiponectin production, expression profile of genes involved in lipid metabolism, oxidative stress and inflammation. Our results showed that MLE was particularly enriched in polyphenols (46.30 ± 0.083 mg/g) and that pharmacological treatment of cells resulted in a significant increase of adiponectin levels and reduction of intracellular lipid content. Consistently with these results, MLE resulted in a significant decrease of the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism (FAS, PPARG, DGAT1, DGAT2, and SCD-1). In conclusion, our results suggest that MLE may represent a possible pharmacological tool for obese or metabolic syndrome patients.
Absence of MCP-induced Protein 1 Enhances Blood–Brain Barrier Breakdown after Experimental Stroke in Mice
Authors: Jin Zhuqing , Liang Jian , Li Jiaqi , Kolattukudy Pappachan E.
Published: July 2019

Focal cerebral ischemia can cause blood–brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, which is implicated in neuroinflammation and progression of brain damage. Monocyte chemotactic protein 1–induced protein 1 (MCPIP1) is a newly identified zinc-finger protein that negatively regulates inflammatory signaling pathways. We aimed to evaluate the impact of genetic MCPIP1 deletion on BBB breakdown and expression of BBB-related matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tight junction proteins after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) using MCPIP1-deficient (MCPIP1–/–) mice. Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion was induced in the MCPIP1–/– mice and their wild-type littermates for 2 h followed by reperfusion for 24 h. The degree of BBB breakdown was evaluated by injection of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and immunohistochemistry were performed to compare the expression of MMPs and claudin-5 and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). MCPIP1 deficiency in mice resulted in enhanced leakage of FITC-dextran, increased expression of MMP-9/3, and reduced expression of claudin-5 and ZO-1 in the brain compared to that seen in their wild-type littermates subjected to cerebral I/R. These results demonstrate that absence of MCPIP1 exacerbates cerebral I/R-induced BBB disruption by enhancing the expression of MMP-9/3 and the degradation of claudin-5 and ZO-1, providing novel insights into the mechanisms underlying BBB breakdown after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion