bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Discrimination of the Generalisation Model from Learnt Weights in Neural Networks
Authors: Rudd-Ortner Richard N M , Milhaylova Lyudmilla
Published: October 2019

This research demonstrates a method of discriminating the numerical relationships of neural network layer inputs to the layer outputs established from the learnt weights and biases of a neural network's generalisation model. It is demonstrated with a mathematical form of a neural network rather than an image, speech or textual translation application as this provides clarity in the understanding gained from the generalisation model. It is also reliant on the input format but that format is not unlike an image pixel input format and as such the research is applicable to other applications too. The research results have shown that weight and biases can be used to discriminate the mathematical relationships between inputs and make discriminations of what mathematical operators are used between them in the learnt generalisation model. This may be a step towards gaining definitions and understanding for intractable problems that a Neural Network has generalised in a solution. For validating them, or as a mechanism for creating a model used as an alternative to traditional approaches, but derived from a neural network approach as a development tool for solving those problems. The demonstrated method was optimised using learning rate and the number of nodes and in this example achieves a low loss at 7.6e-6, a low Mean Absolute Error at 1e-3 with a high accuracy score of 1.0. But during the experiments a sensitivity to the number of epochs and the use of the random shuffle was discovered, and a comparison with an alternative shuffle using a non-random reordering demonstrated a lower but comparable performance, and is a subject for further research but demonstrated in this "decomposition" class architecture.
Refugee health and religion: Karenni Catholics in Omaha, United States
Authors: Roedlach Alexander
Published: October 2019

This article argues, based on the author’s research and years of engagement with resettled Karenni refugees in Omaha (U.S.) and illustrated by a characteristic case of a health emergency, that refugees’ religious beliefs and networks can increase access to resources needed to boost their resilience, improve their health, and advance their sense of wellbeing, and subsequently encourages agencies working with refugees and other migrants to pay attention to refugees’ religious beliefs and networks and closely collaborate with religious organizations. The author conceptualizes religious values and networks as social capital and calls for qualitative studies to explore the role of religion in improving resilience, health, and wellbeing of refugees and migrants.
Political Socialisation Patterns of Turkish High Skilled Migrants
Authors: Turkan İpek Işıl Zeynep
Published: October 2019

Political socialisation has been studied from different perspectives, such as voting behaviour, the impact of social networks, socialisation types and political culture on voting as well as engagement in political life. This article examines the political socialisation patterns and participation of high-skilled Turkish migrants living in different parts of the world. The main purpose is to shed light on the ways in which these migrants participate in Turkish politics; how much they are engaged or interested in Turkish politics; and how their socialisation patterns are formed. The results show that Turkish high-skilled migrants have a strong interest in Turkish politics; however, their political socialisation and engagement, except for voting, is low. In this article, it is pointed out that there is a strong relationship between the level of education and political participation as well as interest in politics. The data (N=350) were collected by an online survey conducted among Turkish migrants, who had at least a university degree and were living abroad at the time of the survey.
The Effect of Health Environment on Migration Flows
Authors: Nguyen Huyen Thuong
Published: October 2019

International migration has become more popular recently in the globalization context. The recorded number of international migration cases is much fewer than the actual number in the last few decades. Migration is considered to have various consequences in both origin and destination countries. Understanding determinants of migration is necessary for long-term sustainable development policies. This study examines a causal relationship between health environment and migration flows by exploiting a panel country level data set on health indicators and net migration from 1940 to 1987. An increase in life expectancy at birth has led to a decrease in net migration in the whole sample countries as well as in non-poor countries. By using global mortality rate constructed based on information on the reduction in mortality following the epidemiological transition in 1940s as instrumental variable, 2SLS methodology allows controlling for endogeneity problem. The results are robust even applying various additional tests. Overall, health environment has a negative effect on migration flows.
Case Study: Endangered Lithuania
Authors: Kumpikaite-Valiuniene Vilmante
Published: October 2019

Due to a decreased birth rate and increased emigration, Lithuania’s population fell from 3.5 million to 2.8 million during the period 1990 - 2017. This paper presents a picture of the endangered Lithuanian population conditioned by high emigration flows. Four emigration waves and their reasons during the 27 year period in Lithuania are discussed. Economic and social conditions have only shown a slight change for Lithuanian citizens. In addition, no option of dual citizenship is available for emigrants. These reasons, as well as the Brexit consequences, have an impact on the emigration rates and Lithuania’s endangerment generally.
Nepali Women’s Labour Migration: Between Protection and Proscription
Authors: Sijapati Bandita , Mak Joelle , Zimmerman Cathy , Kiss Ligia
Published: October 2019

With the increase in female migration, especially in the domestic sector, and accompanying reports of worker exploitation and abuse, labour-sending countries are grappling with the question of how to protect these workers. Drawing on a critical feminist policy analysis framework, this article analyses the policy and regulatory frameworks of Nepal related to female labour migration and examines their implications. Our analysis indicates that Nepal’s policy regime consist of a set of measures which are simultaneously liberal, protective and restrictive, and as such, they have not altered the structural conditions and economic reasons for women’s migration. Instead, women appear to be largely uninformed about government regulations, and most importantly, working conditions abroad are not affected by sending country policies, including the various migration bans put in place to protect women.
The enigmatic palaeoecology and palaeobiogeography of the giant, horned, fossil turtles of Australasia: a review and reanalysis of the data
Authors: Brown Lauren
Published: October 2019

The distribution pattern of the bizarre Australasian giant, horned, fossil turtles of the clade Meiolaniidae has puzzled biogeographers since their discovery late in the nineteenth century. While their distribution suggests a Gondwanan origin, the lack of fossil evidence from key times and places has inhibited a better understanding of their dispersal pathways to Australia and the south-west Pacific islands in which their fossils have been found. Much palaeoecological speculation related to their dispersal capabilities, ranging from purely terrestrial to freshwater, estuarine, and saltwater lifestyles, has been proposed to explain their enigmatic presence across a wide swath of Oceania. Various lines of fossil, anatomical and ecological evidence now strongly suggest a highly terrestrial lifestyle, and we believe these traits, reinforced by an abundance of marine predators and ever-widening saltwater gaps between land areas during the Late Mesozoic and Tertiary, minimise the importance of saltwater dispersal as an explanation for the observed meiolaniid distribution pattern. Here we propose that the fragmentation of Gondwana provided the main dispersal vehicle for the meiolaniids and that land connections were also used to access suitable habitats and expand their range. The recently recognised continent of Zealandia, along with Australia, South America, and probably Antarctica, transported all known meiolaniid turtles to their present locations. However, ice cover on Antarctica, and the nearly total submergence of Zealandia in essence preclude the current likelihood of fossil discovery in these critical locations. The islands of New Caledonia, Tiga (in the Loyalty Islands), Walpole, and Lord Howe served as refugia for Zealandia meiolaniids as the continent submerged.
Study on infestations and biodiversity of metazoan parasites in Channa punctatus (Bloch), Mymensingh region
Authors: Farzana Naoshin , Naher Jasmin , Zafar Md Abu , Chandra Kirtunia Juran , Ahmed Gias Uddin
Published: October 2019

An investigation was conducted on infestation and reviewed biodiversity of metazoan parasites in Channa punctatus of Mymensingh region from July 2013 to June 2014. A total of 235 fish were examined and 9 species of four groups of parasites were recorded. They were (i) Euclinostomum multicaecum Tubangui and Masilungan, 1935 (ii) Euclinostomum heterostomum (Rudolphi, 1809) (iii) Genarchopsis goppo Ozaki, 1925 (iv) Allocreadium handiai  Pandey, 1937 (v) Senga ophiocephalina (Tseng, 1933) (vi) Porrocaecum sp. (vii) Ascaridia sp. (viii) Contracaecum sp. (ix) Pallisentis ophiocephali (Thapar, 1930).The maximum (86.67%) prevalence was found in  (86.67%) October and minimum (35.00%) in December whereas the maximum mean intensity (10) was observed in June and the minimum (1.42) was recorded from December. The prevalence was observed higher (68.85%) in smaller size of fish and in case of larger fish the prevalence was lower and the value was (53.62%). On the other hand, the mean intensity (5.45) was higher in smaller fish and lower (3.39) in medium sized fish. Both prevalence and mean intensity was found maximum in female fish than male fish. Among the four groups of parasites, infestation of Digenetic trematode is much higher than Nematoda, Cestoda and Acanthocephala. During the study, a list of parasites reported from Channa punctatus of Indian sub-continent was prepared. It was found that 38 species of Digenea, 4 species of Cestoda, 26 species of Nematoda and 5 species Acanthocephala were recorded. The Biodiversity of parasites seemed to be declined day by day. The responsible factors for this declination may be environmental degradation, entry of exotic fish and modernization of aquaculture etc.
J Bangladesh Agril Univ 17(3): 409–416, 2019
Effect of storage temperatures on the quality parameters of fish condiment prepared from Thai pangus (Pangasianodon hypophthalamus)
Authors: Hossain Md Ismail , Shikha Fatema Hoque , Naher Nurun
Published: October 2019

Quality parameters of a fish/food product changes with the storage temperature. Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different storage temperatures on the changes in chemical and microbiological parameters of fish condiment prepared from Thai pangus (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus). The study was conducted in the Department of Fisheries Technology Laboratory from October 2015 to September 2016.Standard methodologies for product preparation and other analyses (chemical and microbiological) with some modifications were followed. The results of the experiment showed that- irrespective of storage temperature the TVB-N value increased progressively with the lapse of storage period. At room temperature (28°C to 32°C), the values increased very rapidly in compare to those of refrigeration (5°C to 8°C) and frozen temperature (-18°C to -20°C). The TVBN value increased from 1.63±0.01 to 3.31±0.06, 3.18±0.02 and 2.02±0.02 mg/100g on day 15th at room, 90th at refrigeration and 120th at frozen storage temperature, respectively. On the other hand, the peroxide values increased from 2.80±0.10 to 6.08±0.10, 6.97±0.20 and 5.40±0.20 meq/kg of oil, on 15th at room, 90th at refrigeration and 120th at frozen storage temperature, respectively. Throughout the storage period, the pH values of fish condiment also changed at different temperatures. The pH value decreased from 5.24±0.01 to 4.75±0.05, 4.51±0.11 and 4.49±0.90, respectively on day 15th at room, day 90th at refrigeration and day 120th at frozen storage temperature. The bacterial load (CFU/g) in condiment was found to increase at room temperatures (from 2.2 ×104 to 2.6×107). However, the growth of bacteria was slower at refrigeration temperature (from 2.2 ×104 to 2.5×107) and at frozen temperature bacterial growth found negative (from 2.2 ×104 to 3.6×102). So, from the observation on the changes in different quality parameters at different storage temperatures, it could be concluded that, the shelf life of Thai pangus fish condiment at room temperature was shorter but at refrigeration temperature fish condiment may remain in acceptable condition more than 90 days and more than 120 days at frozen temperature.
J Bangladesh Agril Univ 17(3): 417–423, 2019
Mapping Mangrove Forest Change in Nijhum Dwip Island
Authors: Rahman MM , Pramanik MAT , Islam MI , Razia S
Published: October 2019

Mangroves have been planting in the coastal belt of Bangladesh to protect the inhabitants of the coastal areas from cyclones and storm surges. Nijhum Dwip is located at the southern part of Hatiya Island. Most part of the island has been planted with the mangroves in the 1970s and 1980s; while parts of the mangroves have been deforested during the past few decades. The objectives of this research were to delineate and quantify the changes in the extent of mangroves in the island. The Landsat data of 1989, 2001, 2010 and 2018 have been utilized in the study. Three major land covers, namely forest, water and other land have been interpreted and delineated by using on-screen digitizing. The quantity of mangrove forest loss in the island is estimated as 1,024 ha, while 395 ha were afforested during 1989-2018. In the decadal change analysis, it was revealed that net forest cover change was higher in 2000s compared to other two decades and it was -425 ha. The result of the study is helpful to understand the extent and pattern of forest conversion in the island and to halt further forest loss and conserve the remaining forest.

J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 11(1-2): 217-225 2018
SOCIABILIDADE E JUVENTUDE RURAL: A FESTA JUNINA COMO ELEMENTO FORTALECEDOR DA CULTURA JUVENIL DO CAMPO (SOCIABILITY AND RURAL YOUTH: THE JUNE PARTY (FESTA JUNINA) AS A STRENGTHENING ELEMENT OF THE JUVENILE CULTURE IN RURAL AREAS)
Authors: Jardim Silvia Regina Marques , Fernandes Zizelda Lima , Bertoni Luci Mara
Published: October 2019

RESUMO:Neste artigo, compartilhamos dados de pesquisa realizada no Assentamento de Reforma Agrária Bela Vista do Chibarro, localizado em Araraquara, São Paulo, cujo objetivo foi desenvolver análises acerca da sociabilidade entre jovens no meio rural, por meio de suas experiências com festividades, dentre elas, a Festa Junina. Para tanto, apresentamos relatos de doze jovens do sexo feminino com idade entre 12 e 16 anos que moram naquela localidade. A pesquisa revela que as práticas de sociabilidade são importantes para as jovens quando, nessas práticas, encontram oportunidade de celebrar o ciclo da vida na qual estão inseridas, considerando que sua juventude é permeada por proibições. Constatamos que a Festa Junina na comunidade surge como um elemento de fortalecimento da identidade e do pertencimento, sobretudo, quando valoriza o espaço rural e as tradições da roça transmitidas pelas gerações, além de favorecer a integração entre espaços urbano e rural.Palavras-chave: Festa Junina. Gênero. Juventude rural. ABSTRACT:We have purposefully tried to share research data, developed in an Agrarian Reform Settlement, in the country of São Paulo state. We have studied the minds and thoughts of female teenagers, concerning issues such as youth, education, future perspectives and social relationships. We have witnessed the June Party, in this settlement, rising as a strengthening element of identity and belonging, valuing the rural environment. The teenagers’ speeches show a cycle of life permeated by prohibition, and the parties within this settlement become means for the young girls to celebrate this cycle of life. The June Party in the area researched preserves and values the rural traditions transmitted through generations, besides being an opportunity of integration between urban and rural areas.Keywords: June Party; culture, youth; gender.
Koreans across the Sea: Migration of Laborers to the Metropole, 1910–1937
Authors: Cho Mikwi
Published: October 2019

This paper is concerned with Korean farmers who were transformed into laborers during the Korean colonial period and migrated to Japan to enhance their living conditions. The author’s research adopts a regional scale to its investigation in which the emergence of Osaka as a global city attracted Koreans seeking economic betterment. The paper shows that, despite an initial claim to permit the free mobility of Koreans, the Japanese empire came to control this mobility depending on political, social, and economic circumstances of Japan and Korea. For Koreans, notwithstanding poverty being a primary trigger for the abandonment of their homes, the paper argues that their migration was facilitated by chain migration and they saw Japan as a resolution to their economic hardships in the process of capital accumulation by the empire.
Rise and Fall of the Microdistrict in Pyongyang, North Korea
Authors: Yim Dongwoo
Published: October 2019

Recent residential developments in Pyongyang (P’yŏngyang) show a pattern distinguished from previous eras in the Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il periods. Since Kim Jong Un’s rise to power, major developments, such as the Mirae Scientist Street and Ryomyong Street developments, resemble real estate developments in other capitalist cities. Instead of repeating the same designs, they provide unique designs in each building, and dedicate more to commercial spaces and residential units, while reducing supporting amenities such as daycares, schools and civic amenities that are not profitable in the market. With signs of the transformation of Pyongyang, this paper addresses how residential developments have been occurring since the reconstruction of the city in relationship to socialist microdistricts, and how recent developments challenge the idea of the socialist microdistrict.
A Novel Microtubule-Tau Association Enhancer and Neuroprotective Drug Candidate: Ac-SKIP
Authors: Ivashko-Pachima Yanina , Gozes Illana
Published: October 2019

Activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) has been initially discovered through its eight amino acid sequence NAPVSIPQ, which shares SIP motif with SALLRSIPA – a peptide derived from activity-dependent neurotrophic factor (ADNF). Mechanistically, both NAPVSIPQ and SALLRSIPA contain a SIP motif that is identified as a variation of SxIP domain, providing direct interaction with microtubule end-binding proteins (EBs). The peptide SKIP was shown before to provide neuroprotection in vitro and protect against Adnp-related axonal transport deficits in vivo. Here we show, for the first time that SKIP enhanced microtubule dynamics, and prevented Tau-microtubule dissociation and microtubule disassembly induced by the Alzheimer’s related zinc intoxication. Furthermore, we introduced, CH3CO-SKIP-NH2 (Ac-SKIP), providing efficacious neuroprotection. Since microtubule – Tau organization and dynamics is central in axonal microtubule cytoskeleton and transport, tightly related to aging processes and Alzheimer’s disease, our current study provides a compelling molecular explanation to the in vivo activity of SKIP, placing SKIP motif as a central focus for MT-based neuroprotection in tauopathies with axonal transport implications.
A Convex Optimization Algorithm for Electricity Pricing of Charging Stations
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhan Xiangpeng , Li Taoyong , Jiang Linru , Yang Jun , Zhang Yuanxing , Diao Xiaohong , Han Sining
Published: October 2019

The problem of electricity pricing for charging stations is a multi-objective mixed integer nonlinear programming. Existing algorithms have low efficiency in solving this problem. In this paper, a convex optimization algorithm is proposed to get the optimal solution quickly. Firstly, the model is transformed into a convex optimization problem by second-order conic relaxation and Karush–Kuhn–Tucker optimality conditions. Secondly, a polyhedral approximation method is applied to construct a mixed integer linear programming, which can be solved quickly by branch and bound method. Finally, the model is solved many times to obtain the Pareto front according to the scalarization basic theorem. Based on an IEEE 33-bus distribution network model, simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can obtain an exact global optimal solution quickly compared with the heuristic method.
A Finite Regime Analysis of Information Set Decoding Algorithms
Authors: Baldi Marco , Barenghi Alessandro , Chiaraluce Franco , Pelosi Gerardo , Santini Paolo
Published: October 2019

Decoding of random linear block codes has been long exploited as a computationally hard problem on which it is possible to build secure asymmetric cryptosystems. In particular, both correcting an error-affected codeword, and deriving the error vector corresponding to a given syndrome were proven to be equally difficult tasks. Since the pioneering work of Eugene Prange in the early 1960s, a significant research effort has been put into finding more efficient methods to solve the random code decoding problem through a family of algorithms known as information set decoding. The obtained improvements effectively reduce the overall complexity, which was shown to decrease asymptotically at each optimization, while remaining substantially exponential in the number of errors to be either found or corrected. In this work, we provide a comprehensive survey of the information set decoding techniques, providing finite regime temporal and spatial complexities for them. We exploit these formulas to assess the effectiveness of the asymptotic speedups obtained by the improved information set decoding techniques when working with code parameters relevant for cryptographic purposes. We also delineate computational complexities taking into account the achievable speedup via quantum computers and similarly assess such speedups in the finite regime. To provide practical grounding to the choice of cryptographically relevant parameters, we employ as our validation suite the ones chosen by cryptosystems admitted to the second round of the ongoing standardization initiative promoted by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Soil N2O Emissions under Different N Rates in an Oil Palm Plantation on Tropical Peatland
Authors: Chaddy Auldry , Melling Lulie , Ishikura Kiwamu , Hatano Ryusuke
Published: October 2019

(1) Background: Nitrogen (N) fertilization on drained tropical peatland will likely stimulate peat decomposition and mineralization, enhancing N2O emission from the peat soil. (2) Methods: A field experiment was conducted to quantify the N2O emissions from soil in an oil palm plantation (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) located in a tropical peatland in Sarawak, Malaysia, under different rates of N fertilizers. The study was conducted from January 2010 to December 2013 and resumed from January 2016 to December 2017. Nitrous oxide (N2O) flux was measured every month using a closed chamber method for four different N rates; control—without N (T1), 31.1 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (T2), 62.2 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (T3), and 124.3 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (T4); (3) Results: Application of the N fertilizer significantly increased annual cumulative N2O emissions for T4 only in the years 2010 (p = 0.017), 2011 (p = 0.012), 2012 (p = 0.007), and 2016 (p = 0.048). The highest average annual cumulative N2O emissions were recorded for T4 (41.5 ± 28.7 kg N ha−1 yr−1), followed by T3 (35.1 ± 25.7 kg N ha−1 yr−1), T1 (25.2 ± 17.8 kg N ha−1 yr−1), and T2 (25.1 ± 15.4 kg N ha−1 yr−1), indicating that the N rates of 62.2 kg N ha−1 yr−1 and 124.3 kg N ha−1 yr−1 increased the average annual cumulative N2O emissions by 39% and 65%, respectively, as compared to the control. The N fertilization had no significant effect on annual oil palm yield (p = 0.994). Alternating between low (deeper than −60 cm) and high groundwater level (GWL) (shallower than −60 cm) enhanced nitrification during low GWL, further supplying NO3− for denitrification in the high GWL, and contributing to higher N2O emissions in high GWL. The emissions of N2O ranged from 17 µg N m−2 hr−1 to 2447 µg N m−2 hr−1 and decreased when the water-filled pore space (WFPS) was between 70% and 96%, suggesting the occurrence of complete denitrification. A positive correlation between N2O emissions and NO3− at 70–96% WFPS indicated that denitrification increased with increased NO3− availability. Based on their standardized regression coefficients, the effect of GWL on N2O emissions increased with increased N rate (p < 0.001). Furthermore, it was found that annual oil palm yields negatively correlated with annual N2O emission and NO3− for all treatments. Both nitrification and denitrification increased with increased N availability, making both processes important sources of N2O in oil palm cultivation on tropical peatland.; and (4) Conclusions: To improve understanding of N2O mitigation strategies, further studies should consider plant N uptake on N2O emissions, at least until the completion of the planting.
Market Awareness and Participation for Cattle Farmers in the Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) Scheme in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa
Authors: Ngarava Saul , Phetshe Mzwanele , Mushunje Abbyssinia
Published: October 2019

The objective of the study was to outline the determinants of market awareness and participation in the Kaonafatso ya Dikgomo (KyD) scheme in South Africa. The study utilised a cross-sectional survey of a randomly selected sample of 116 KyD farmers in KwaZulu-Natal Province. A Logit model was used to analyse the data. The results show that more farmers are aware of farmgate market channels, but however, they tended to utilise auction market channels. Furthermore, gender, marital status, educational level, employment status, farm income, source of income, herd size, labour and training were significant variables in the awareness and use of butcheries, auctions and farm gate markets. The study concludes that the scheme is particularly effective in influencing commercialisation through utilisation of more lucrative market channels such as auctions. Furthermore, socio-economic factors had a bearing on the awareness and use of marketing channels for smallholder farmers in the KyD scheme. Labour was particularly significant across butchery, auction and farm gate market channels. The study recommends that the scheme needs to improve awareness and use of market channels through utilisation of information platforms such as radio, television and direct communication though mobile phones. Furthermore, extension should assist farmers not only in awareness of markets, but also in the utilisation of those markets.
Effect of Feeding Cold-Pressed Sunflower Cake on Ruminal Fermentation, Lipid Metabolism and Bacterial Community in Dairy Cows
Authors: Zubiria Izaro , Garcia-Rodriguez Aser , Atxaerandio Raquel , Ruiz Roberto , Benhissi Hanen , Mandaluniz Nerea , Lavín Jose Luis , Abecia Leticia , Goiri Idoia
Published: October 2019

Cold-pressed sunflower cake (CPSC), by-product of oil-manufacturing, has high crude fat and linoleic acid concentrations, being a promising supplement to modulate rumen fatty acid (FA) profile. This trial studied CPSC effects on ruminal fermentation, biohydrogenation and the bacterial community in dairy cows. Ten cows were used in a crossover design with two experimental diets and fed during two 63-day periods. The cows were group fed forage ad libitum and the concentrate individually. The concentrates, control and CPSC, were isoenergetic, isoproteic and isofat. The ruminal samples collected at the end of each experimental period were analyzed for short-chain fatty acid, FA and DNA sequencing. CPSC decreased butyrate molar proportion (4%, p = 0.005). CPSC decreased C16:0 (28%, p < 0.001) and increased C18:0 (14%, p < 0.001) and total monounsaturated FA, especially C18:1 trans-11 (13%, p = 0.023). The total purine derivative excretion tended to be greater (5%, p = 0.05) with CPSC, resulting in a 6% greater daily microbial N flow. CPSC did not affect the diversity indices but increased the relative abundances of Treponema and Coprococcus, and decreased Enterococcus, Ruminococcus and Succinivibrio. In conclusion, the changes in ruminal fermentation and the FA profile were not associated with changes in microbial diversity or abundance of dominant populations, however, they might be associated with less abundant genera.
Carbon Monoxide Partially Mediates Protective Effect of Resveratrol Against UVB-Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Keratinocytes
Authors: Averilla Janice N. , Oh Jisun , Kim Jong-Sang
Published: October 2019

Based on the antioxidative effect of resveratrol (RES) in mitigating reactive oxygen species (ROS) production through the induction of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2)/heme oxigenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway, we investigated whether the protective activity of RES against ROS-mediated cytotoxicity is mediated by intracellular carbon monoxide (CO), a product of HO-1 activity, in ultraviolet B (UVB)-irradiated human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. The cells were exposed to UVB radiation following treatment with RES and/or CO-releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2). RES and/or CORM-2 upregulated HO-1 protein expression, accompanied by a gradual reduction of UVB-induced intracellular ROS levels. CORM-2 reduced intracellular ROS in the presence of tin protoporphyrin IX, an HO-1 inhibitor, indicating that the cytoprotection observed was mediated by intracellular CO and not by HO-1 itself. Moreover, CORM-2 decreased RES-stimulated mitochondrial quantity and respiration and increased the cytosolic protein expressions of radical-scavenging superoxide dismutases, SOD1 and SOD2. Taken together, our observations suggest that RES and intracellular CO act independently, at least partly, in attenuating cellular oxidative stress by promoting antioxidant enzyme expressions and inhibiting mitochondrial respiration in UVB-exposed keratinocytes.
Beneficial Role of ROS in Cell Survival: Moderate Increases in H2O2 Production Induced by Hepatocyte Isolation Mediate Stress Adaptation and Enhanced Survival
Authors: Miller Izak Patrik , Pavlović Ivan , Poljšak Borut , Šuput Dušan , Milisav Irina
Published: October 2019

High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can lead to impairment of cell structure, biomolecules’ loss of function and cell death and are associated with liver diseases. Cells that survive increased ROS often undergo malignant transformation. Many cancer cells tolerate high levels of ROS. Here we report a transiently increased production of H2O2 and concomitant upregulation of antioxidative enzymes triggered by hepatocyte isolation; the H2O2 levels revert in about two days in culture. Three-day survival rate of the isolated cells in the presence of 2.5-fold increase of H2O2 is almost 80%. Apoptosis activation through the mitochondrial pathway is meanwhile reduced by inhibition of caspase-9 triggering. This reduction depends on the amount of H2O2 production, as decreased production of H2O2 in the presence of an antioxidant results in increased apoptosis triggering. These stress adaptations do not influence urea production, which is unchanged throughout the normal and stress adapted phases. We conclude that hepatocytes’ stress adaptation is mediated by increased ROS production. In this case, high ROS improve cell survival.
Effects of Dietary Supplementation with dl-Methionine and dl-Methionyl-dl-Methionine in Breeding Pigeons on the Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality and Antioxidant Activity of Squabs
Authors: Jiang Shi-Guang , Pan Neng-Xia , Chen Meng-Jie , Wang Xiu-Qi , Yan Hui-Chao , Gao Chun-Qi
Published: October 2019

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with dl-methionine (dl-Met) and dl-methionyl-dl-methionine (dl-Met-Met) in breeding pigeons on the carcass characteristics, meat quality and antioxidant activity of squabs. A total of 324 pairs of breeding pigeons were selected and allotted to 9 treatments in a completely randomized design, and the birds were fed dietary treatments for 45 d, including a Met-deficient basal diet (BD, crude protein = 15%, Met = 0.25%) and BD + 0.15%, 0.30%, 0.45%, or 0.60% dl-Met or dl-Met-Met diets. Compared with the diet fed to the BD group, dietary dl-Met or dl-Met-Met supplementation effectively increased the carcass yield, semieviscerated yield, eviscerated yield, breast muscle yield, thigh muscle yield, a* value, catalase activity, total superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione peroxidase activity, but decreased the L* value, malonaldehyde concentration, drip loss and cooking loss of squabs (p < 0.05). The relative bioavailability values of dl-Met-Met relative to those of dl-Met were 467% and 376% based on carcass yield and breast muscle yield, respectively (p < 0.001). Moreover, dl-Met-Met was more effective than dl-Met in decreasing the drip loss and improving the antioxidant activity of the breast and thigh muscles of squabs (p < 0.05). As a source of Met, dl-Met-Met, rather than dl-Met, was more beneficial to squabs.
Say NO to ROS: Their Roles in Embryonic Heart Development and Pathogenesis of Congenital Heart Defects in Maternal Diabetes
Authors: Engineer Anish , Saiyin Tana , Greco Elizabeth R. , Feng Qingping
Published: October 2019

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most prevalent and serious birth defect, occurring in 1% of all live births. Pregestational maternal diabetes is a known risk factor for the development of CHDs, elevating the risk in the child by more than four-fold. As the prevalence of diabetes rapidly rises among women of childbearing age, there is a need to investigate the mechanisms and potential preventative strategies for these defects. In experimental animal models of pregestational diabetes induced-CHDs, upwards of 50% of offspring display congenital malformations of the heart, including septal, valvular, and outflow tract defects. Specifically, the imbalance of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling is a major driver of the development of CHDs in offspring of mice with pregestational diabetes. NO from endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is crucial to cardiogenesis, regulating various cellular and molecular processes. In fact, deficiency in eNOS results in CHDs and coronary artery malformation. Embryonic hearts from diabetic dams exhibit eNOS uncoupling and oxidative stress. Maternal treatment with sapropterin, a cofactor of eNOS, and antioxidants such as N-acetylcysteine, vitamin E, and glutathione as well as maternal exercise have been shown to improve eNOS function, reduce oxidative stress, and lower the incidence CHDs in the offspring of mice with pregestational diabetes. This review summarizes recent data on pregestational diabetes-induced CHDs, and offers insights into the important roles of NO and ROS in embryonic heart development and pathogenesis of CHDs in maternal diabetes.
In Vitro Antioxidant, Anti-Biofilm, and Solar Protection Activities of Melocactus zehntneri (Britton & Rose) Pulp Extract
Authors: Aquino-Martins Verônica Giuliani de Queiroz , Melo Luciana Fentanes Moura de , Silva Larissa Marina Pereira , Targino de Lima Thales Rodrigo , Fernandes Queiroz Moacir , Viana Rony Lucas Silva , Zucolotto Silvana Maria , Andrade Vania Sousa , Rocha Hugo Alexandre Oliveira , Scortecci Katia Castanho
Published: October 2019

Cactaceae plants are important due to their nutritional and therapeutic values. This study aimed to identify the phytochemical profile and biological activities of six Melocactus zehntneri pulp extracts: hexane extract (HE), chloroform extract (CE), ethanol extract (EE), methanol extract (ME), final water extract (FWE), and water extract (WE). Sugar, phenolic compounds, and protein content of the extracts were determined. Then thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed to detect the presence of terpenes (ursolic and oleanolic acids), saponins, sugars, and glycoproteins. These extracts were analyzed for antioxidant activity via in vitro assay. HE showed 75% ferric chelating activity. All extracts showed 80–100% superoxide and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activities, respectively. Further, all extracts at 25 µg/mL showed 60% activity against DPPH. Moreover, in the 3T3 cells lines, no cytotoxicity was observed; however, therapeutic activity against the effects of the H2O2 treatment was exhibited. Finally, the polar extracts (EE, ME, FWE, and WE), particularly WE, elicited activity against the biofilms of Staphylococcus epidermidis, and HE and CE expressed a capacity for solar protection.
Protein Oxidation Biomarkers and Myeloperoxidase Activation in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Childhood Bacterial Meningitis
Authors: Rugemalira Emilie , Roine Irmeli , Kuligowski Julia , Sánchez-Illana Ángel , Piñeiro-Ramos José David , Andersson Sture , Peltola Heikki , Leite Cruzeiro Manuel , Pelkonen Tuula , Vento Máximo
Published: October 2019

The immunological response in bacterial meningitis (BM) causes the formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS, RNS) and activates myeloperoxidase (MPO), an inflammatory enzyme. Thus, structural oxidative and nitrosative damage to proteins and DNA occurs. We aimed to asses these events in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of pediatric BM patients. Phenylalanine (Phe), para-tyrosine (p-Tyr), nucleoside 2′-deoxiguanosine (2dG), and biomarkers of ROS/RNS-induced protein and DNA oxidation: ortho-tyrosine (o-Tyr), 3-chlorotyrosine (3Cl-Tyr), 3-nitrotyrosine (3NO₂-Tyr) and 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG), concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry in the initial CSF of 79 children with BM and 10 without BM. All biomarkers, normalized with their corresponding precursors, showed higher median concentrations (p < 0.0001) in BM compared with controls, except 8OHdG/2dG. The ratios o-Tyr/Phe, 3Cl-Tyr/p-Tyr and 3NO₂-Tyr/p-Tyr were 570, 20 and 4.5 times as high, respectively. A significantly higher 3Cl-Tyr/p-Tyr ratio was found in BM caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, than by Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Neisseria meningitidis (p = 0.002 for both). In conclusion, biomarkers indicating oxidative damage to proteins distinguished BM patients from non-BM, most clearly the o-Tyr/Phe ratio. The high 3Cl-Tyr/p-Tyr ratio in pneumococcal meningitis suggests robust inflammation because 3Cl-Tyr is a marker of MPO activation and, indirectly, of inflammation.
Flavonoid-Enriched Plant-Extract-Loaded Emulsion: A Novel Phytocosmetic Sunscreen Formulation with Antioxidant Properties
Authors: Cefali Letícia Caramori , Ataide Janaína Artem , Fernandes Ana Rita , Sousa Ilza Maria de Oliveira , Gonçalves Fernanda Cristina da Silva , Eberlin Samara , Dávila José Luis , Jozala Angela Faustino , Chaud Marco Vinicius , Sanchez-Lopez Elena , Marto Joana , d’Ávila Marcos Akira , Ribeiro Helena Margarida , Foglio Mary Ann , Souto Eliana Barbosa , Gava Mazzola Priscila
Published: October 2019

The aim of this study was to develop a phytocosmetic sunscreen emulsion with antioxidant effect, containing a blend of flavonoid-enriched plant extracts. In vitro sun protection factor, antioxidant activity, skin irritation, photostability, cutaneous permeation, and retention of flavonoids were evaluated. Thermodynamically stable emulsions were obtained and tested for sensorial analysis after loading the blend of extracts. The selected emulsion was stable when stored at low temperatures (5 °C), for which after 120 days the concentration of quercetin and rutin were above their limit of quantification, i.e., 2.8 ± 0.39 μg/mL and 30.39 ± 0.39 μg/mL, respectively. Spreadability, low rupture strength and adhesiveness were shown to be similar to a conventional topical product. Higher brittleness, pseudo-plastic, and viscoelastic behaviors were also recorded for the developed phytocosmetic sunscreen. The product presented a critical wavelength of 387.0 nm and ultraviolet rays A and B (UVA/UVB) rate of 0.78, confirming that the developed formulation shows capacity for UVA/UVB protection, protecting skin against damages caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Rutin was shown to permeate the skin barrier and was also quantified in the stratum corneum (3.27 ± 1.92 μg/mL) by tape stripping and retention test (114.68 ± 8.70 μg/mL). The developed flavonoid-enriched phytocosmetic was shown to be non-irritant to skin by an in vitro assay. Our results confirm the antioxidant activity, sun protection, and physical properties of the developed phytocosmetic for topical application.
Compositional Features and Bioactive Properties of Aloe vera Leaf (Fillet, Mucilage, and Rind) and Flower
Authors: Añibarro-Ortega Mikel , Pinela José , Barros Lillian , Ćirić Ana , Silva Soraia P. , Coelho Elisabete , Mocan Andrei , Calhelha Ricardo C. , Soković Marina , Coimbra Manuel A. , Ferreira Isabel C. F. R.
Published: October 2019

This work aimed to characterize compositional and bioactive features of Aloe vera leaf (fillet, mucilage, and rind) and flower. The edible fillet was analysed for its nutritional value, and all samples were studied for phenolic composition and antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, tyrosinase inhibition, and cytotoxic activities. Dietary fibre (mainly mannan) and available carbohydrates (mainly free glucose and fructose) were abundant macronutrients in fillet, which also contained high amounts of malic acid (5.75 g/100 g dw) and α-tocopherol (4.8 mg/100 g dw). The leaf samples presented similar phenolic profiles, with predominance of chromones and anthrones, and the highest contents were found in mucilage (131 mg/g) and rind (105 mg/g) extracts, which also revealed interesting antioxidant properties. On the other hand, the flower extract was rich in apigenin glycoside derivatives (4.48 mg/g), effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC = 0.025 mg/mL and MBC = 0.05 mg/mL) and capable of inhibiting the tyrosinase activity (IC50 = 4.85 mg/mL). The fillet, rind, and flower extracts also showed a powerful antifungal activity against Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Penicillium funiculosum, and Candida albicans, higher than that of ketoconazole. Thus, the studied Aloe vera samples displayed high potential to be exploited by the food or cosmetic industries, among others.
Short-Term Low Temperature Induces Nitro-Oxidative Stress that Deregulates the NADP-Malic Enzyme Function by Tyrosine Nitration in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Begara-Morales Juan C. , Sánchez-Calvo Beatriz , Gómez-Rodríguez María V. , Chaki Mounira , Valderrama Raquel , Mata-Pérez Capilla , López-Jaramillo Javier , Corpas Francisco J. , Barroso Juan B.
Published: October 2019

Low temperature (LT) negatively affects plant growth and development via the alteration of the metabolism of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS). Among RNS, tyrosine nitration, the addition of an NO2 group to a tyrosine residue, can modulate reduced nicotinamide-dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-generating systems and, therefore, can alter the levels of NADPH, a key cofactor in cellular redox homeostasis. NADPH also acts as an indispensable electron donor within a wide range of enzymatic reactions, biosynthetic pathways, and detoxification processes, which could affect plant viability. To extend our knowledge about the regulation of this key cofactor by this nitric oxide (NO)-related post-translational modification, we analyzed the effect of tyrosine nitration on another NADPH-generating enzyme, the NADP-malic enzyme (NADP-ME), under LT stress. In Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings exposed to short-term LT (4 °C for 48 h), a 50% growth reduction accompanied by an increase in the content of superoxide, nitric oxide, and peroxynitrite, in addition to diminished cytosolic NADP-ME activity, were found. In vitro assays confirmed that peroxynitrite inhibits cytosolic NADP-ME2 activity due to tyrosine nitration. The mass spectrometric analysis of nitrated NADP-ME2 enabled us to determine that Tyr-73 was exclusively nitrated to 3-nitrotyrosine by peroxynitrite. The in silico analysis of the Arabidopsis NADP-ME2 protein sequence suggests that Tyr73 nitration could disrupt the interactions between the specific amino acids responsible for protein structure stability. In conclusion, the present data show that short-term LT stress affects the metabolism of ROS and RNS, which appears to negatively modulate the activity of cytosolic NADP-ME through the tyrosine nitration process.
Cancer Chemotherapy and Chemiluminescence Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species in Human Semen
Authors: Takeshima Teppei , Kuroda Shinnosuke , Yumura Yasushi
Published: October 2019

Advanced treatments have improved the prognosis of cancer survivors. Anticancer drugs generate large amounts of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), but their direct effects on sperm ROS production are unclear. We examined 64 semen samples of men who had received cancer chemotherapy, 467 semen samples of men consulting for idiopathic infertility, and 402 semen samples of partners of female patients as a control group. ROS production was calculated as the integrated chemiluminescence between 0 and 200 seconds after the addition of luminol to unwashed semen. We found that their ROS-positive rate of semen samples in the chemotherapy group was significantly higher than that in the control group. We compared the sperm parameters (concentration and motility) and the ROS production levels between chemotherapy subgroups and one of the remaining subgroups with positive ROS, and we found that only sperm motility was significantly lower in the samples in the postchemotherapy subgroup than in the idiopathic infertility subgroup, and that both sperm parameters were significantly lower in those from postchemotherapy subgroup than in the control subgroup. The ROS production level per million spermatozoa in the postchemotherapy subgroup was significantly higher than that in the control subgroup. Additionally, we compared variables, such as age, sperm features, and the duration from the end of the treatment to the first consultation between ROS-positive and ROS-negative subgroups in samples from men in the postchemotherapy group, but we found no significant differences. Of the men in the postchemotherapy group, three underwent a long-term antioxidant therapy, and all of them had low ROS semen levels after that. In conclusion, the production of ROS in semen detected by chemiluminescence from men who undergo cancer chemotherapy is similar to that of men with idiopathic infertility, and long-term oral antioxidant therapy may reduce the amount of ROS in the semen.