bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection and Geometrical Characterization of a Buried Landfill Site by Integrating Land Use Historical Analysis, Digital Photogrammetry and Airborne Lidar Data
Authors: Esposito Giuseppe , Matano Fabio , Sacchi Marco
Published: September 2018

Abandoned quarries are frequently used as sites of illegal dumping of solid urban waste. These sites often occur nearby or within urban areas so that their detection may turn out to be quite difficult from the surface. This study focuses on the detection and geometrical characterization of a hidden landfill site located along the coastline of the Campi Flegrei, near Naples, Italy. Our approach is based on the analysis of historical topographic maps and aerial photographs, coupled with quantitative comparison of multitemporal digital elevation models obtained by digital photogrammetry and lidar techniques. The comparative analysis of topographic maps and aerial photos clearly shows modifications of the landscape associated with the urban development and quarrying activity, as well as the later filling of the quarry. The change detection analysis reveals that remarkable elevation changes occurred in the study area between 1956 and 2008. The average thickness of the landfill deposits is ca. 8 m, whereas the average volume is ca. 100,000 m3. The results of this work confirm the suitability of the used methodological approach that combines both qualitative and quantitative techniques for the detection of buried landfill sites. The geometric characterization of a landfill represents a fitting starting point for the further planning of geophysical site surveys and direct investigations aimed at the assessment of environmental hazards.
Occupational Health and Safety Vulnerability of Recent Immigrants and Refugees
Authors: Yanar Basak , Kosny Agnieszka , Smith Peter M.
Published: September 2018

Recent immigrants and refugees have higher rates of work-related injuries and illnesses compared to Canadian-born workers. As a result, they are often labelled as vulnerable workers. This study explored the factors that contribute to occupational health and safety (OHS) vulnerability of recent immigrants and refugees with a focus on modifiable factors such as exposure to hazards and access to workplace protections, awareness of OHS and worker rights, and empowerment to act on those rights. Eighteen focus groups were conducted with 110 recent immigrants and refugees about their experiences looking for work and in their first jobs in Canada. A thematic content analysis was used to organize the data and to identify and report themes. The jobs described by participants typically involved poor working conditions and exposure to hazards without adequate workplace protections. Most participants had limited knowledge of OHS and employment rights and tended to not voice safety concerns to employers. Understanding OHS vulnerability from the lens of workplace context can help identify modifiable conditions that affect the risk of injury and illness among recent immigrants and refugees. Safe work integration depends on providing these workers with information about their rights, adequate job training, and opportunities for participating in injury prevention.
Implementation Efficiency of Corporate Social Responsibility in the Construction Industry: A China Study
Authors: Wang Xuetong , Lai Wenyong , Song Xiangnan , Lu Chen
Published: September 2018

Corporate social responsibility (CSR), as companies’ commitment to the sustainable development of the whole society, is an important approach for construction companies to respond to the emerging social and environmental issues. As the improvement of CSR efficiency leads to the reduction of CSR cost, CSR efficiency is becoming increasingly prominent for construction companies. In this research, the three-stage data envelopment analysis (DEA) model is adopted to analyze the CSR efficiency of Chinese construction companies in the period of 2012–2016. The findings of this research are as follows: (1) the efficiency of the Chinese construction companies in fulfilling CSR has not yet reached an optimal level; (2) the effect of institutional factors on CSR efficiency is complex and non-linear; and (3) the improvement of the CSR efficiency in the Chinese construction industry relies on both optimizing the institutional environment and enhancing the management capacity of CSR efficiency. These findings can not only provide empirical evidence for the government to formulate targeted policy-making regarding marketization to promote construction companies’ efficient commitment of CSR, but also provide construction company managers a valuable reference to benchmarking the CSR efficiency to help them find self-improvement ways to improve CSR efficiency performance.
Is Sleep Duration Associated with Biological Age (BA)?: Analysis of (2010–2015) South Korean NHANES Dataset South Korea
Authors: Han Kyu-Tae , Kim Dong Wook , Kim Sun Jung
Published: September 2018

(1) Background: South Korea ranked worst in sleep duration compared to other countries, but there are no clear healthcare programs to guarantee sufficient sleep. Studies are needed to suggest evidence and arouse public awareness of the negative effects of abnormal sleep duration. In this study, we investigated the relationship between biological age (BA) and sleep duration. (2) Methods: We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES V-VI; 2010–2015, which is an annually cross-sectional study including 29,309 participants). We performed multiple linear regression to investigate the associations between sleep duration and differences in BA and chronological age (CA). (3) Results: A total of 14.22% of respondents had short sleep duration (less than 6 h per day) and 7.10% of respondents had long sleep duration (more than 8 h per day). People with long sleep duration had a positive correlation with difference between BA and CA (>8 h per day, β = 1.308, p-value = 0.0001; ref = 6~8 h per day, normal). Short sleep duration had an inverse trend with the difference, although the result was not statically significant. Associations were greater in vulnerable populations, such as low income, obese, or people with chronic diseases. (4) Conclusions: Excess sleep duration that is greater than the normal range was associated with increased BA. In particular, such relationships that are related to worsening BA were greater in patients with low income, obesity, and chronic diseases. Based on our findings, healthcare professionals should also consider the negative effects of excess sleep, not only insufficient sleep. Alternatives for controlling optimal sleep duration should be reviewed, especially with vulnerable populations.
“Sacbe”, a Comprehensive Intervention to Decrease Body Mass Index in Children with Adiposity: A Pilot Study
Authors: Rodriguez-Ventura Ana , Parra-Solano Arturo , Illescas-Zárate Daniel , Hernández-Flores Minerva , Paredes Carolina , Flores-Cisneros Carmen , Sánchez Bernarda , Tolentino Maricruz , Sámano Reyna , Chinchilla Daniela
Published: September 2018

Interventions in children with adiposity decrease less than 0.2 the body mass index (BMI) z-score less than 0.2 and only in 21–23% of cases. Experts recommend focusing on the habits of a healthy lifestyle (HLS) but considering the sociocultural context of children and their parents. Our objective was to achieve a higher percentage of success in lowering the BMI z-score in children with adiposity and their parents through a pilot program “Sacbe” based on HLS, sensitive to the sociocultural context previously explored and with the active participation of parents. This is a pilot study in children aged 8 to 18 years with adiposity according to the BMI z-score. The program consisted of two workshops on HLS and nutrition given by the pediatric endocrinologist in group sessions with 3–5 families and reinforcements in each visit by registered dietitians. We recorded lifestyle habits and anthropometric characteristics of children and their parents at the baseline visit and every month for 3–4 months. Forty-nine families, 55 children and 64 parents participated, 60% of the children were female, the average age was 13.95 ± 3.3 years, 72.7% and 86.7% lowered the z score of the BMI due to intention to treat and protocol analysis (p < 0.001), respectively; BMI z-score decreased by 0.22 ± 0.21, from 2.13 ± 0.57 to 1.91 ± 0.58 (p < 0.001). In total, 83% of the parents involved were mothers, the average age was 45.8 ± 9.4 years, 77% lost weight and body fat (p < 0.001), the frequency of unhealthy habits decreased. The results of “Sacbe” exceeded expectations by combining the active participation of parents, sessions in groups, and the education on various components of an HLS inside sociocultural context. The main challenge will be to standardize and reproduce this type of complex interventions, as well as to assure long-term success.
Application of Industrial Risk Management Practices to Control Natural Hazards, Facilitating Risk Communication
Authors: Lee Jongook , Lee Dong Kun
Published: September 2018

Establishing a comprehensive management framework to manage the risk from natural hazards is challenging because of the extensive affected areas, uncertainty in predictions of natural disasters, and the involvement of various stakeholders. Applying risk management practices proven in the industrial sector can assist systematic hazard identification and quantitative risk assessment for natural hazards, thereby promoting interactive risk communication to the public. The objective of this study is to introduce methods of studying risk commonly used in the process industry, and to suggest how such methods can be applied to manage natural disasters. In particular, the application of Hazard and Operability (HAZOP), Safety Integrated Level (SIL), and Quantitative Risk Analysis (QRA) was investigated, as these methods are used to conduct key studies in industry. We present case studies of the application of HAZOP to identify climate-related natural hazards, and of SIL and QRA studies that were performed to provide quantitative risk indices for landslide risk management. The analyses presented in this study can provide a useful framework for improving the risk management of natural hazards through establishing a more systematic context and facilitating risk communication.
Beyond Spatial Proximity—Classifying Parks and Their Visitors in London Based on Spatiotemporal and Sentiment Analysis of Twitter Data
Authors: Kovacs-Györi Anna , Ristea Alina , Kolcsar Ronald , Resch Bernd , Crivellari Alessandro , Blaschke Thomas
Published: September 2018

Parks are essential public places and play a central role in urban livability. However, traditional methods of investigating their attractiveness, such as questionnaires and in situ observations, are usually time- and resource-consuming, while providing less transferable and only site-specific results. This paper presents an improved methodology of using social media (Twitter) data to extract spatial and temporal patterns of park visits for urban planning purposes, along with the sentiment of the tweets, focusing on frequent Twitter users. We analyzed the spatiotemporal park visiting behavior of more than 4000 users for almost 1700 parks, examining 78,000 tweets in London, UK. The novelty of the research is in the combination of spatial and temporal aspects of Twitter data analysis, applying sentiment and emotion extraction for park visits throughout the whole city. This transferable methodology thereby overcomes many of the limitations of traditional research methods. This study concluded that people tweeted mostly in parks 3–4 km away from their center of activity and they were more positive than elsewhere while doing so. In our analysis, we identified four types of parks based on their visitors’ spatial behavioral characteristics, the sentiment of the tweets, and the temporal distribution of the users, serving as input for further urban planning-related investigations.
Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of Apple NITRATE TRANSPORTER 1/PEPTIDE TRANSPORTER Family (NPF) Genes Reveals MdNPF6.5 Confers High Capacity for Nitrogen Uptake under Low-Nitrogen Conditions
Authors: Wang Qian , Liu Changhai , Dong Qinglong , Huang Dong , Li Cuiying , Li Pengmin , Ma Fengwang
Published: September 2018

The NITRATE TRANSPORTER 1/PEPTIDE TRANSPORTER family (NPF) proteins play important roles in moving substrates such as nitrate, peptides, amino acids, dicarboxylates, malate, glucosinolates, indole acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), and jasmonic acid. Although a unified nomenclature of NPF members in plants has been reported, this gene family has not been studied as thoroughly in apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) as it has in other species. Our objective was to provide general information about apple MdNPFs and analyze the transcriptional responses of some members to different levels of nitrate supplies. We identified 73 of these genes from the apple genome and used phylogenetic analysis to organize them into eight major groups. These apple NPFs are structurally conserved, based on alignment of amino acid sequences and analyses of phylogenetics and conserved domains. Examination of their genomic structures indicated that these genes are highly conserved among other species. We monitored 14 cloned MdNPFs that showed varied expression patterns under different nitrate concentrations and in different tissues. Among them, NPF6.5 was significantly induced by both low and high levels of nitrate. When compared with the wild type, 35S:MdNPF6.5 transgenic apple calli were more tolerant to low-N stress, which demonstrated that this gene confers greater capacity for nitrogen uptake under those conditions. We also analyzed the expression patterns of those 73 genes in various tissues. Our findings benefit future research on this family of genes.
TOP2B: The First Thirty Years
Authors: Austin Caroline A. , Lee Ka C. , Swan Rebecca L. , Khazeem Mushtaq M. , Manville Catriona M. , Cridland Peter , Treumann Achim , Porter Andrew , Morris Nick J. , Cowell Ian G.
Published: September 2018

Type II DNA topoisomerases (EC 5.99.1.3) are enzymes that catalyse topological changes in DNA in an ATP dependent manner. Strand passage reactions involve passing one double stranded DNA duplex (transported helix) through a transient enzyme-bridged break in another (gated helix). This activity is required for a range of cellular processes including transcription. Vertebrates have two isoforms: topoisomerase IIα and β. Topoisomerase IIβ was first reported in 1987. Here we review the research on DNA topoisomerase IIβ over the 30 years since its discovery.
Telocinobufagin and Marinobufagin Produce Different Effects in LLC-PK1 Cells: A Case of Functional Selectivity of Bufadienolides
Authors: Amaral Luciana S. , Martins Ferreira Jainne , Predes Danilo , Abreu José Garcia , Noël François , Quintas Luis Eduardo M.
Published: September 2018

Bufadienolides are cardiotonic steroids (CTS) identified in mammals. Besides Na+/K+-ATPase inhibition, they activate signal transduction via protein–protein interactions. Diversity of endogenous bufadienolides and mechanisms of action may indicate the presence of functional selectivity and unique cellular outcomes. We evaluated whether the bufadienolides telocinobufagin and marinobufagin induce changes in proliferation or viability of pig kidney (LLC-PK1) cells and the mechanisms involved in these changes. In some experiments, ouabain was used as a positive control. CTS exhibited an inhibitory IC50 of 0.20 (telocinobufagin), 0.14 (ouabain), and 3.40 μM (marinobufagin) for pig kidney Na+/K+-ATPase activity and concentrations that barely inhibited it were tested in LLC-PK1 cells. CTS induced rapid ERK1/2 phosphorylation, but corresponding proliferative response was observed for marinobufagin and ouabain instead of telocinobufagin. Telocinobufagin increased Bax:Bcl-2 expression ratio, sub-G0 cell cycle phase and pyknotic nuclei, indicating apoptosis. Src and MEK1/2 inhibitors blunted marinobufagin but not telocinobufagin effect, which was also not mediated by p38, JNK1/2, and PI3K. However, BIO, a GSK-3β inhibitor, reduced proliferation and, as telocinobufagin, phosphorylated GSK-3β at inhibitory Ser9. Combination of both drugs resulted in synergistic antiproliferative effect. Wnt reporter activity assay showed that telocinobufagin impaired Wnt/β-catenin pathway by acting upstream to β-catenin stabilization. Our findings support that mammalian endogenous bufadienolides may exhibit functional selectivity.
Mackerel-Derived Fermented Fish Oil Promotes Hair Growth by Anagen-Stimulating Pathways
Authors: Kang Jung-Il , Yoon Hoon-Seok , Kim Sung Min , Park Jeong Eon , Hyun Yu Jae , Ko Ara , Ahn Yong-Seok , Koh Young Sang , Hyun Jin Won , Yoo Eun-Sook , Kang Hee-Kyoung
Published: September 2018

Hair growth is regulated by the interaction between dermal papilla cells (DPC) and other cells inside the hair follicle. Here, we show the effect and action mechanism of mackerel-derived fermented fish oil (FFO) extract and its component docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the control of hair growth. The hair growth effect of FFO extract was evaluated by the culture method of vibrissa follicles and in vivo dotmatrix planimetry method. FFO extract increased the length of hair-fibers and enabled stimulated initiation into the anagen phase of the hair cycle. As expected, FFO extract significantly increased DPC proliferation. FFO extract induced the progression of the cell cycle and the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 and Akt. FFO extract induced nuclear translocation of β-catenin, a stimulator of anagen phase, through an increase of phospho-glycogen synthase kinase3β (GSK3β) level. Since various prostaglandins are known to promote hair growth in humans and mice, we examined the effect of DHA, a main omega-3 fatty acid of FFO, on DPC proliferation. DHA not only increased DPC proliferation but also upregulated levels of cell cycle-associated proteins such as cyclin D1 and cdc2 p34. These results show that FFO extract and DHA promote hair growth through the anagen-activating pathways in DPC.
Insight into the Self-Assembling Properties of Peptergents: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study
Authors: Crowet Jean Marc , Nasir Mehmet Nail , Dony Nicolas , Deschamps Antoine , Stroobant Vincent , Morsomme Pierre , Deleu Magali , Soumillion Patrice , Lins Laurence
Published: September 2018

By manipulating the various physicochemical properties of amino acids, the design of peptides with specific self-assembling properties has been emerging for more than a decade. In this context, short peptides possessing detergent properties (so-called “peptergents”) have been developed to self-assemble into well-ordered nanostructures that can stabilize membrane proteins for crystallization. In this study, the peptide with “peptergency” properties, called ADA8 and extensively described by Tao et al., is studied by molecular dynamic simulations for its self-assembling properties in different conditions. In water, it spontaneously forms beta sheets with a β barrel-like structure. We next simulated the interaction of this peptide with a membrane protein, the bacteriorhodopsin, in the presence or absence of a micelle of dodecylphosphocholine. According to the literature, the peptergent ADA8 is thought to generate a belt of β structures around the hydrophobic helical domain that could help stabilize purified membrane proteins. Molecular dynamic simulations are here used to image this mechanism and provide further molecular details for the replacement of detergent molecules around the protein. In addition, we generalized this behavior by designing an amphipathic peptide with beta propensity, which was called ABZ12. Both peptides are able to surround the membrane protein and displace surfactant molecules. To our best knowledge, this is the first molecular mechanism proposed for “peptergency”.
Therapeutic Peptide Amphiphile as a Drug Carrier with ATP-Triggered Release for Synergistic Effect, Improved Therapeutic Index, and Penetration of 3D Cancer Cell Spheroids
Authors: Lu Sheng , Zhao Feng , Zhang Qiuxin , Chen P.
Published: September 2018

Despite the great progress in the field of drug delivery systems for cancer treatment over the last decade, many challenges still lie ahead, such as low drug loading, deep penetration of tumors, side effects, and the development of drug resistance. A class of cationic membrane lytic peptides has shown potential as an anticancer agent by inducing cancer cell death via membrane disruption; meanwhile, their intrinsic selectivity renders them as having low cytotoxicity towards noncancerous cells. Here, we report the use of a cationic peptide amphiphile (PA), named PAH6, to load doxorubicin (Dox) that is intercalated in an ATP-binding aptamer-incorporated DNA scaffold. The PA contains a cationic lytic sequence, (KLAKLAK)2, a polyhistidine segment for the “proton sponge” effect, and a hydrophobic alkyl tail to drive the self-assembly. Dox-loaded DNA was found to form a spherical nanocomplex (NC) with PAH6 with particle sizes below 100 nm at various ratios. Since the carrier PAH6 is also a therapeutic agent, the drug loadings of the NC reached up to ~86% within the ratios we tested, and Dox was released from the NC in an ATP-rich environment. In vitro studies indicate that the presence of PAH6 could permeabilize cell membranes and kill cells through fast membrane disruption and depolarization of mitochondrial membranes. The cytotoxicity tests were conducted using A549 nonsmall cell lung cancer cells and NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells. PAH6 showed selectivity towards A549 cells. Significantly, the Dox-DNA/PAH6 NC exhibited a synergistic effect against A549 cells, with the IC50 decreased up to ~90% for Dox and ~69% for PAH6 when compared to the IC50 values of the two components, respectively. Furthermore, the selectivity of PAH6 conferred to the complex an improved therapeutic index between A549 and NIH-3T3 cells. A 3D-cultured A549 spheroid model was adopted to test the capability of Dox-DNA/PAH6 for tumor penetration. The PAH6 or Dox-DNA/PAH6 complex was found to break the spheroids into pieces, while Dox-treated spheroids maintained their shapes. In summary, this work provides a new strategy for constructing nanomedicines using therapeutic agents to meet the features required by anticancer treatment.
Can the Fact That Myelin Proteins Are Old and Break down Explain the Origin of Multiple Sclerosis in Some People?
Authors: Truscott Roger J. W. , Friedrich Michael G.
Published: September 2018

Recent discoveries may change the way that multiple sclerosis (MS) is viewed, particularly with regard to the reasons for the untoward immune response. The fact that myelin proteins are long-lived, and that by the time we are adults, they are extensively degraded, alters our perspective on the reasons for the onset of autoimmunity and the origin of MS. For example, myelin basic protein (MBP) from every human brain past the age of 20 years, is so greatly modified, that it is effectively a different protein from the one that was laid down in childhood. Since only a subset of people with such degraded MBP develop MS, a focus on understanding the mechanism of immune responses to central nervous system (CNS) antigens and cerebral immune tolerance appear to be worthwhile avenues to explore. In accord with this, it will be productive to examine why all people, whose brains contain large quantities of a “foreign antigen”, do not develop MS. Importantly for the potential causation of MS, MBP from MS patients breaks down differently from the MBP in aged controls. If the novel structures formed in these MS-specific regions are particularly antigenic, it could help explain the origin of MS. If verified, these findings could provide an avenue for the rational synthesis of drugs to prevent and treat MS.
Hierarchical Growing Neural Gas Network (HGNG)-Based Semicooperative Feature Classifier for IDS in Vehicular Ad Hoc Network (VANET)
Authors: Ayoob Ayoob Azeez , Su Gang , Al Gaith
Published: September 2018

In this research, new modeling strategy based hierarchical growing neural gas network (HGNG)-semicooperative for feature classifier of intrusion detection system (IDS) in a vehicular ad hoc network (VANET). The novel IDS mainly presents a new design feature for an extraction mechanism and a HGNG-based classifier. Firstly, the traffic flow features and vehicle location features were extracted in the VANET model. In order to effectively extract location features, a semicooperative feature extraction is used for collecting the current location information for the neighboring vehicles through a cooperative manner and the location features of the historical location information. Secondly, the HGNG-based classifier was designed for evaluating the IDS by using a hierarchy learning process without the limitation of the fix lattice topology. Finally, an additional two-step confirmation mechanism is used to accurately determine the abnormal vehicle messages. In the experiment, the proposed IDS system was evaluated, observed, and compared with the existing IDS. The proposed system performed a remarkable detection accuracy, stability, processing efficiency, and message load.
Core-Shell-Structured Particle Reinforced A356 Matrix Composite Prepared by Powder-Thixoforming: Effect of Reheating Temperature
Authors: Chen Tijun , Geng Libo , Qin He , Gao Min
Published: September 2018

A novel core-shell-structured Ti-(Al-Si-Ti) particle (Ti-(Al-Si-Ti)p) reinforced A356 matrix composite was fabricated by a new method, powder thixoforming, which combines the merits of both powder metallurgy and semisolid thixoforming. The effects of reheating temperature on the microstructure and tensile properties of the resulting composite were investigated. The results indicated that the thickening of the Al-Si-Ti compound shells, with rising the reheating temperature, significantly enhanced the strengthening role, but the fracture and peeling of the shells, at higher than 600 °C, impaired the strengthening effect. The composite formed at 600 °C had a favorable tensile elongation of 8.3% besides high tensile strengths. During tensile testing, the Ti@(Al-Si-Ti)p frequently fractured across the Ti cores and occasionally cracked around the Ti cores, but preferentially fractured between the outer cracked shells and the inner cores for the composites thixoformed at higher than 600 °C. The delayed formation of cracks in the Ti-(Al-Si-Ti)p and the small size of the cracks contributed to ductility improvement. The MSL model, modified according to the Ti@(Al-Si-Ti)p characteristics, was essentially suitable for predicting the yield strength of such composites. The largest contribution to the strength was resulted from solid solution strengthening of Ti element, but the strengthening role from geometrically necessary dislocations was significantly improved as the reheating temperature rose from 590 °C to 600 °C.
Microstructure and Tribological Properties of Laser Forming Repaired 34CrNiMo6 Steel
Authors: Huang Chunping , Lin Xin , Yang Haiou , Liu Fencheng , Huang Weidong
Published: September 2018

Laser forming repair (LFR) technology has considerable potential in high strength steel structure repair. 34CrNiMo6 steel has been widely used in high-value components, and it is imperative to repair these damaged components. In this study, two different thicknesses of repaired layers are deposited on the 34CrNiMo6 wrought substrate with five layers and 20 layers via LFR technology. The microstructure, phases, microhardness, and tribological properties are analyzed using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Vickers hardness testing, and dry sliding wear testing. These results show that the 34CrNiMo6 repaired layers were successfully deposited on the substrate. The microstructure of the laser-repaired layers in the five-layer sample included bainite and retained austenite. For the 20-layer sample, the microstructure in the top of the repaired layers was still bainite and retained austenite, whereas that in the bottom of the repaired layers was transformed into ferrite and cementite. The average coefficients of friction of repaired layers is not significantly different from the substrate. The wear rate of the five LFR layers, 20-layer LFR, and substrate samples were 12.89 × 10−6, 15 × 10−6, and 23.87 × 10−6 mm3/N·m, respectively. The laser forming repaired samples had better wear resistance compared to the substrate. The wear mechanism of laser forming repaired samples is abrasive wear; whereas that of the substrate is abrasive wear and fatigue wear.
Optimization of Coconut Fiber in Coconut Shell Concrete and Its Mechanical and Bond Properties
Authors: Sekar Anandh , Kandasamy Gunasekaran
Published: September 2018

Coconut shell concrete is one of the recently established lightweight concretes. This paper discusses the optimization of adding coconut fibers in both coconut shell concrete and conventional concrete. Coconut fibers at different aspect ratios of 16.67, 33.33, 50, 66.67, 83.33, and 100 and volume fractions of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5% were tried. The maximum compressive strength was attained at an aspect ratio of 83.33 and volume fraction of 3% for conventional concrete, and aspect ratio 66.67 and volume fraction 3% for coconut shell concrete. Flexural strength increased by 30.63% (conventional concrete) and 53.66% (coconut shell concrete) on the addition of coconut fibers. Similarly, the split tensile strength increased by 19.44% and 30%, respectively. The number of blows needed for failure of specimen in impact resistance test was more for concrete mixed with fibers. The experimental bond stresses were higher than the theoretical values recommended by IS 456: 2000 (Indian Standard) and BS 8110 (British Standard). This study shows that the addition of coconut fiber enhances the properties of both conventional and coconut shell concrete.
Origin of the Low Magnetic Moment in Fe2AlTi: An Ab Initio Study
Authors: Friák Martin , Slávik Anton , Miháliková Ivana , Holec David , Všianská Monika , Šob Mojmír , Palm Martin , Neugebauer Jörg
Published: September 2018

The intermetallic compound Fe 2 AlTi (alternatively Fe 2 TiAl) is an important phase in the ternary Fe-Al-Ti phase diagram. Previous theoretical studies showed a large discrepancy of approximately an order of magnitude between the ab initio computed magnetic moments and the experimentally measured ones. To unravel the source of this discrepancy, we analyze how various mechanisms present in realistic materials such as residual strain effects or deviations from stoichiometry affect magnetism. Since in spin-unconstrained calculations the system always evolves to the spin configuration which represents a local or global minimum in the total energy surface, finite temperature spin effects are not well described. We therefore turn the investigation around and use constrained spin calculations, fixing the global magnetic moment. This approach provides direct insight into local and global energy minima (reflecting metastable and stable spin phases) as well as the curvature of the energy surface, which correlates with the magnetic entropy and thus the magnetic configuration space accessible at finite temperatures. Based on this approach, we show that deviations from stoichiometry have a huge impact on the local magnetic moment and can explain the experimentally observed low magnetic moments.
Cytotoxic Tetrahydroxanthone Dimers from the Mangrove-Associated Fungus Aspergillus versicolor HDN1009
Authors: Yu Guihong , Wu Guangwei , Sun Zichao , Zhang Xiaomin , Che Qian , Gu Qianqun , Zhu Tianjiao , Li Dehai , Zhang Guojian
Published: September 2018

Three new tetrahydroxanthone dimers, 5-epi-asperdichrome (1), versixanthones N (2), and O (3), were isolated from the mangrove-derived fungus Aspergillus versicolor HDN1009. Their structures, including the absolute configurations, were elucidated by NMR, HRMS, and circular dichroism (CD) experiments. Among them, compound 1 was the second example of tetrahydroxanthone dimers, which dimerized by a rare diaryl ether linkage and showed promising antibacterial activities against Vibrio parahemolyticus, Bacillus subtilis, Mycobacterium phlei, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with MIC values ranging from 100 μM to 200 μM; whilst compounds 2 and 3 exhibited extensive cytotoxicities against five cancer cell lines (HL-60, K562, H1975, MGC803, and HO-8910), with IC50 values ranging from 1.7 μM to 16.1 μM.
Relationship between Sleep and Psychosis in the Pediatric Population: A Brief Review
Authors: Bordoloi Meelie , Ramtekkar Ujjwal
Published: September 2018

Sleep disorders are common in several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. In the pediatric population, the relationship between sleep and psychosis is not completely understood due to limited research studies investigating the link. Insomnia is noted to be a predictor of psychosis, especially in ultrahigh risk adolescents. Sleep difficulties are also associated with a two to three-fold increase in paranoid thinking. Biological factors, such as decrease in thalamic volume, have been observed in children with schizophrenia and ultrahigh risk adolescents with associated sleep impairment. Objective studies have indicated possible actigraphy base measures to be the predictor of psychosis after a one year follow-up. The studies using polysomnography have rare and inconsistent results. In this brief review, we provide an overview of existing literature. We also posit that future research will be beneficial in understanding the initiation, course and progression of sleep disturbance in the high risk pediatric population with the goal of implementing interventions to alter the development of psychosis.
Apolipoprotein E Epsilon 4 Genotype, Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, and the Development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Authors: Deng Hansen , Ordaz Angel , Upadhyayula Pavan S. , Gillis-Buck Eva M. , Suen Catherine G. , Melhado Caroline G. , Mohammed Nebil , Lam Troy , Yue John K.
Published: September 2018

The annual incidence of mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is 3.8 million in the USA with 10–15% experiencing persistent morbidity beyond one year. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease characterized by accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau, can occur with repetitive MTBI. Risk factors for CTE are challenging to identify because injury mechanisms of MTBI are heterogeneous, clinical manifestations and management vary, and CTE is a postmortem diagnosis, making prospective studies difficult. There is growing interest in the genetic influence on head trauma and development of CTE. Apolipoprotein epsilon 4 (APOE-ε4) associates with many neurologic diseases, and consensus on the ε4 allele as a risk factor is lacking. This review investigates the influence of APOE-ε4 on MTBI and CTE. A comprehensive PubMed literature search (1966 to 12 June 2018) identified 24 unique reports on the topic (19 MTBI studies: 8 athletic, 5 military, 6 population-based; 5 CTE studies: 4 athletic and military, 1 leucotomy group). APOE-ε4 genotype is found to associate with outcomes in 4/8 athletic reports, 3/5 military reports, and 5/6 population-based reports following MTBI. Evidence on the association between APOE-ε4 and CTE from case series is equivocal. Refining modalities to aid CTE diagnosis in larger samples is needed in MTBI.
Microfluidic-Based Technique for Measuring RBC Aggregation and Blood Viscosity in a Continuous and Simultaneous Fashion
Authors: Kang Yang Jun
Published: September 2018

Hemorheological properties such as viscosity, deformability, and aggregation have been employed to monitor or screen patients with cardiovascular diseases. To effectively evaluate blood circulating within an in vitro closed circuit, it is important to quantify its hemorheological properties consistently and accurately. A simple method for measuring red blood cell (RBC) aggregation and blood viscosity is proposed for analyzing blood flow in a microfluidic device, especially in a continuous and simultaneous fashion. To measure RBC aggregation, blood flows through three channels: the left wide channel, the narrow channel and the right wide channel sequentially. After quantifying the image intensity of RBCs aggregated in the left channel () and the RBCs disaggregated in the right channel (), the RBC aggregation index (AIPM) is obtained by dividing  by . Simultaneously, based on a modified parallel flow method, blood viscosity is obtained by detecting the interface between two fluids in the right wide channel. RBC aggregation and blood viscosity were first evaluated under constant and pulsatile blood flows. AIPM varies significantly with respect to blood flow rate (for both its amplitude and period) and the concentration of the dextran solution used. According to our quantitative comparison between the proposed aggregation index (AIPM) and the conventional aggregation index (AICM), it is found that AIPM provides consistent results. Finally, the suggested method is employed to obtain the RBC aggregation and blood viscosity of blood circulating within an in vitro fluidic circuit. The experimental results lead to the conclusion that the proposed method can be successfully used to measure RBC aggregation and blood viscosity, especially in a continuous and simultaneous fashion.
Structural Control on Clay Mineral Authigenesis in Faulted Arkosic Sandstone of the Rio do Peixe Basin, Brazil
Authors: Maciel Ingrid B. , Dettori Angela , Balsamo Fabrizio , Bezerra Francisco H.R. , Vieira Marcela M. , Nogueira Francisco C.C. , Salvioli-Mariani Emma , Sousa Jorge André B.
Published: September 2018

Clay minerals in structurally complex settings influence fault zone behavior and characteristics such as permeability and frictional properties. This work aims to understand the role of fault zones on clay authigenesis in arkosic, high-porosity sandstones of the Cretaceous Rio do Peixe basin, northeast Brazil. We integrated field, petrographic and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations with X-ray diffraction data (bulk and clay-size fractions). Fault zones in the field are characterized by low-porosity deformation bands, typical secondary structures developed in high-porosity sandstones. Laboratory results indicate that in the host rock far from faults, smectite, illite and subordinately kaolinite, are present within the pores of the Rio do Peixe sandstones. Such clay minerals formed after sediment deposition, most likely during shallow diagenetic processes (feldspar dissolution) associated with meteoric water circulation. Surprisingly, within fault zones the same clay minerals are absent or are present in amounts which are significantly lower than those in the undeformed sandstone. This occurs because fault activity obliterates porosity and reduces permeability by cataclasis, thus: (1) destroying the space in which clay minerals can form; and (2) providing a generally impermeable tight fabric in which external meteoric fluid flow is inhibited. We conclude that the development of fault zones in high-porosity arkosic sandstones, contrary to other low-porosity lithologies, inhibits clay mineral authigenesis.
The Effect of Long-Term Administration of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Inhibitor URB597 on Oxidative Metabolism in the Heart of Rats with Primary and Secondary Hypertension
Authors: Biernacki Michał , Łuczaj Wojciech , Jarocka-Karpowicz Iwona , Ambrożewicz Ewa , Toczek Marek , Skrzydlewska Elżbieta
Published: September 2018

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor [3-(3-carbamoylphenyl)phenyl] N-cyclohexylcarbamate (URB597) may influence redox balance and blood pressure through the modulation of endocannabinoids levels. Therefore, this study aimed to compare changes in oxidative metabolism and apoptosis in the hearts of rats with spontaneous hypertension (SHR) and secondary hypertension (11-deoxycorticosterone acetate; DOCA-salt rats) treated by URB597 via intraperitoneal injection for 14 days. The results showed that URB597 decreased the activity of NADPH and xanthine oxidases in both groups of rats. Moreover, in the heart of SHR rats, URB597 led to an increase of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant activity and levels (catalase, vitamin C, glutathione/glutathione disulfide [GSH/GSSG]) and upregulation of the thioredoxin system; however, NRf2 expression was downregulated. The opposite effect in relation to Nrf2 activity and the thioredoxin system was observed in DOCA-salt rats after URB597 administration. Despite improvement in antioxidant parameters, URB597 enhanced oxidative modifications of phospholipids (4-hydroxynonenal and isoprostanes) and proteins (carbonyl groups) in SHR heart, whereas 4-hydroxynonenal and carbonyl groups levels decreased in the heart of DOCA-salt rats. Obtained results suggest that examined lipid mediators are involved in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)-independent and PPAR-dependent modulation of cardiac inflammatory reactions. Furthermore, decreased expression of pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax and caspase 3 and 9) was observed after URB597 administration in the heart of both groups of hypertensive rats, whereas expression of the antiapoptotic protein (Bcl-2) increased in SHR rats. Long-term administration of URB597 altered cardiac redox status depending on the type of hypertension. URB597 enhanced oxidative metabolism and reduced pro-apoptotic factors in the heart of SHR rats, increasing the probability of heart metabolic disorders occurrence or progression.
Melatonin and Its Effects on Plant Systems
Authors: Sharif Rahat , Xie Chen , Zhang Haiqiang , Arnao Marino B. , Ali Muhammad , Ali Qasid , Muhammad Izhar , Shalmani Abdullah , Nawaz Muhammad Azher , Chen Peng , Li Yuhong
Published: September 2018

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a nontoxic biological molecule produced in a pineal gland of animals and different tissues of plants. It is an important secondary messenger molecule, playing a vital role in coping with various abiotic and biotic stresses. Melatonin serves as an antioxidant in postharvest technology and enhances the postharvest life of fruits and vegetables. The application of exogenous melatonin alleviated reactive oxygen species and cell damage induced by abiotic and biotic stresses by means of repairing mitochondria. Additionally, the regulation of stress-specific genes and the activation of pathogenesis-related protein and antioxidant enzymes genes under biotic and abiotic stress makes it a more versatile molecule. Besides that, the crosstalk with other phytohormones makes inroads to utilize melatonin against non-testified stress conditions, such as viruses and nematodes. Furthermore, different strategies have been discussed to induce endogenous melatonin activity in order to sustain a plant system. Our review highlighted the diverse roles of melatonin in a plant system, which could be useful in enhancing the environmental friendly crop production and ensure food safety.
Effect of Lachancea thermotolerans on the Formation of Polymeric Pigments during Sequential Fermentation with Schizosaccharosmyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Escott Carlos , Morata Antonio , Ricardo-da-Silva Jorge , Callejo María , González María , Suarez-Lepe José
Published: September 2018

Anthocyanins in red grape musts may evolve during the winemaking process and wine aging for several different reasons; colour stability and evolution is a complex process that may depend on grape variety, winemaking technology, fermentative yeast selection, co-pigmentation phenomena and polymerization. The condensation of flavanols with anthocyanins may occur either with the flavylium ion or with the hemiacetal formation in order to produce oligomers and polymers. The kinetics of the reaction are enhanced by the presence of metabolic acetaldehyde, promoting the formation of pyranoanthocyanin-type dimers or flavanol-ethyl-anthocyanin structures. The experimental design carried out using white must corrected with the addition of malvidin-3-O-glucoside and flavanols, suggests that non-Saccharomyces yeasts are able to provide increased levels of colour intensity and larger polymeric pigment ratios and polymerization indexes. The selection of non-Saccharomyces genera, in particular Lachancea thermotolerans and Schizosaccharomyces pombe in sequential fermentation, have provided experimental wines with increased fruity esters, as well as producing wines with potential pigment compositions, even though there is an important reduction of total anthocyanins.
Novel Alkylimidazolium Ionic Liquids as an Antibacterial Alternative to Pathogens of the Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
Authors: Forero Doria Oscar , Castro Ricardo , Gutierrez Margarita , Gonzalez Valenzuela Diego , Santos Leonardo , Ramirez David , Guzman Luis
Published: September 2018

Keeping in mind the concept of green chemistry, this research aims to synthesize and characterize new ionic liquids (ILs) derived from N-cinnamyl imidazole with different sizes of alkyl chains (1, 6, 8, and 10 carbon atoms), and evaluate their antibacterial activity against Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) causative bacteria. The antibacterial screening was carried out by agar well diffusion and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Half Maximum Inhibitory Concentration (IC50) of the different ILs were determined by microdilution in broth, also Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to study the interaction mechanism between ILs and membranes. The MIC value in Gram-positive bacteria showed that as the hydrocarbon chain increases, the MIC value decreases with a dose-dependent effect. Furthermore, Gram-negative bacteria showed high MIC values, which were also evidenced in the antibacterial screening. The molecular dynamics showed an incorporation of the ILs with the longer chain (10 C), corresponding to a passive diffusion towards the membrane surface, for its part, the ILs with the shorter chain due to its lack of hydrophobicity was not incorporated into the bilayer. Finally, the new ILs synthesized could be an alternative for the treatment of Gram-positive bacteria causative of SSTIs.
Exploring Peptide–Solvent Interactions: A Computational Study
Authors: Elghobashi-Meinhardt Nadia
Published: September 2018

The dilemma of reconciling the contradictory evidence regarding the conformation of long solvated peptide chains is the so-called “reconciliation problem”. Clues regarding the stability of certain conformations likely lie in the electronic structure at the peptide–solvent interface, but the peptide–solvent interaction is not fully understood. Here, we study the influence of aqueous solvent on peptide conformations by using classical molecular dynamics (MD) and quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) energy calculations. The model systems include an 11-residue peptide, X 2 A 7 O 2 (XAO), where X, A, and O denote diaminobutyric acid, alanine, and ornithine, respectively, and a 9-mer (Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe-Ser-Ala-Phe-Lys). Spectroscopic and MD data present conflicting evidence regarding the structure of XAO in water; some results indicate that XAO adopts a polyproline II (P II ) conformation, whereas other findings suggest that XAO explores a range of conformations. To investigate this contradiction, we present here the results of MD simulations of XAO and the 9-mer in aqueous solution, combined with QM/MM energy calculations.