bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Caliche Nodules on Soil Water Storage in the Northern Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Gong Tiexiong , Zhu Yuanjun , Wang Yunqiang , Hu Wei , Shao Ming'an
Published: May 2019

Knowledge of water absorbed by caliche nodules is important for accurate soil water estimation. Simulated soil column experiments are used to investigate the effects of caliche nodules on soil profile water distribution and soil water estimation under given water supply conditions. The results indicate that for the treatments with five caliche nodules contents (CNC = 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40%), except for the top 0–0.1 m soil layer, the soil water content (SWC) of other layers is significantly different between the treatments (P < 0.05). The SWC is positively correlated to CNC. There are significant differences (P < 0.05) in caliche nodule water content (CWC) in the top three soil layers for all treatments. For soils with less than 10% caliche nodules, the soil water storage (SWS) in deeper soil layer (0.3–0.4 m) is significantly higher than that in surface soil layers (P < 0.05). Caliche nodule water storage (CWS) and available caliche nodule water storage (ACWS) both increase with increasing CNC. Water storage in the caliche nodules increases with the increase in CNC. There are significant differences in ACWS among soil layers in all soils (P < 0.05). The total ACWS significantly increases with the increase in CNC (P < 0.01). If water is absorbed by caliche nodules, then the total water storage of soils with CNCs of 10, 20, 30, and 40% would be underestimated by 3, 8, 10, and 17%, respectively. This study contributes to accurate soil water estimation in soils with caliche nodules and provide a scientific basis for rational utilization of soil and water resources.
A Robust Fungal Allomelanin Mimic: An Antioxidant and Potent π‐Electron Donor with Free‐Radical Properties that can be Tuned by Ionic Liquids
Authors: Manini Paola , Lino Valeria , Franchi Paola , Gentile Gennaro , Sibillano Teresa , Giannini Cinzia , Picardi Emanuela , Napolitano Alessandra , Valgimigli Luca , Chiappe Cinzia , d'Ischia Marco
Published: May 2019

Developing effective strategies to increase the chemical stability and to fine‐tune the physico‐chemical properties of melanin biopolymers by rational control of π‐electron conjugation is an important goal in materials science for biomedical and technological applications. Herein we report that poly‐1,8‐dihydroxynaphthalene (pDHN), a non‐nitrogenous, catechol‐free fungal melanin mimic, displays a high degree of structural integrity (from MALDI‐MS and CP/MAS 13C NMR analysis), a strong radical scavenging capacity (DPPH and FRAP assays), and an unusually intense EPR signal (g=2.0030). Morphological and spectral characterization of pDHN, along with deassembly experiments in ionic liquids, indicated amorphous aggregates of small globular structures with an estimated stacking distance of 3.9 Å and broadband absorption throughout the visible range. These results indicate that DHN‐based melanins exhibit a high structural integrity and enhanced antioxidant and free‐radical properties of potentially greater biomedical and technological relevance than for typical indole‐based eumelanins.
The Palladium‐Catalyzed Carboxytelomerization of Butadiene with Agrobased Alcohols and Polyols
Authors: Wilson Emma , Dumont Clément , Drelon Mathieu , Suisse Isabelle , Penverne Christophe , Sauthier Mathieu
Published: May 2019

The palladium catalyzed carboxytelomerization reaction of alcohols with butadiene allows for efficient and atom‐economical access to unsaturated alkyl nona‐3,8‐dienoate esters. The study focused on the nature of the catalyst (phosphine and acid) with ethanol. Commercially available triarylphosphines and carboxylic acids associated with a simple palladium precursor appear to be the best combination for in situ generation of the catalyst. The reaction conditions were further optimized and the carboxytelomerization reaction was efficiently applied to the full transformation of several industrially relevant agro‐based monoalcohols and polyols.
Concatenation of polar codes with three‐dimensional parity check (3D‐PC) codes to improve error performance over fading channels
Authors: Jasim Ibrahim Beram , Bayat Oguz , Ucan Osman N.
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we concatenated of three‐dimensional parity check (3D‐PC) block and polar codes for improving error correction performance and bit error rate (BER). Three different sizes of 3D parity check blocks (4 × 4 × 4, 8 × 8 × 8, and 16 × 16 × 16) are used for polar code concatenation. The 4 × 4 × 4 block returns the best performance, but higher complexity of decoder is needed unlikely. The 8 × 8 × 8 has returned acceptable complexity and good performacne. The complexity of decoder is less in the case of 16 × 16 × 16 with slight performance. The performance of the 3D‐PC is reduced when the codewords length is increased. The experiment considered the presence of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) with Rayleigh and Rician fading environments. 3D‐PC and polar code concatenation is more precise with codewords of short length, whereas there is insufficient concatenation accuracy with longer codewords. The outcomes of this study contain comparison between AWGN, Rayleigh, and Rician environments. The AWGN is noticed to have a lesser negative impact on the performance of code. Furthermore, increasing the code length may slightly fill the gap of performance between the concatenated and none concatenated polar codes due to the impact of code length on parity check code performance. Simulation results showed the coding performance in case of the polar code with concatenation and without concatenation for different code lengths. Generally, the 3D‐PC polar code concatenation is drawn the optimal result in AWGN environments.
A cognitive network management system to improve QoE in stereoscopic IPTV service
Authors: Cánovas Alejandro , Taha Miran , Lloret Jaime , Tomas Jesús
Published: May 2019

New Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services are including new technologies such as Stereoscopic TV and three‐dimensions (3D) HDTV. As well, increased ubiquitous networking and promoting in smart devices have led to high demand IPTV (over networks). Stereoscopic content required higher data flow to support these emerging TV services, and there are higher requirements at the network layer to provide good quality of service and quality of experience to the end users in delivering stereoscopic IPTV. In this paper, we propose a new concept of cognitive network management algorithm and protocol based on 3D coding techniques for delivering of stereoscopic IPTV service. The proposed approach explains how the management algorithm observes the network performance to guarantee the quality of the stereoscopic IPTV services, by measuring the performance of quality of service (QoS) parameters (delay, jitter, and packets loss) and quality of experience (QoE) metrics such as Peak Signal‐to‐Noise Ratio (PSNR), Moving Image Videography (MIV), and Mean Opinion Score (MOS). Those parameters are monitored in order to take appropriate codification decision for IPTV service provider. Moreover, the codification decision uses K‐mean classification to select the better codification for the end users. Therefore, both kinds of 3D coding formats such as Stereo Video Coding (SVC) format and 2D + Z Coding format (2D‐plus‐Depth) are selected in our experiments. As a result, our proposal successfully ensures the appropriate quality of service and quality of experience to the end users when the service of stereoscopic IPTV is being delivered.
Phenological mismatch in Arctic‐breeding shorebirds: Impact of snowmelt and unpredictable weather conditions on food availability and chick growth
Authors: Saalfeld Sarah T. , McEwen Daniel C. , Kesler Dylan C. , Butler Malcolm G. , Cunningham Jenny A. , Doll Andrew C. , English Willow B. , Gerik Danielle E. , Grond Kirsten , Herzog Patrick , Hill Brooke L. , Lagassé Benjamin J. , Lanctot Richard B.
Published: May 2019

The ecological consequences of climate change have been recognized in numerous species, with perhaps phenology being the most well‐documented change. Phenological changes may have negative consequences when organisms within different trophic levels respond to environmental changes at different rates, potentially leading to phenological mismatches between predators and their prey. This may be especially apparent in the Arctic, which has been affected more by climate change than other regions, resulting in earlier, warmer, and longer summers. During a 7‐year study near Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska, we estimated phenological mismatch in relation to food availability and chick growth in a community of Arctic‐breeding shorebirds experiencing advancement of environmental conditions (i.e., snowmelt). Our results indicate that Arctic‐breeding shorebirds have experienced increased phenological mismatch with earlier snowmelt conditions. However, the degree of phenological mismatch was not a good predictor of food availability, as weather conditions after snowmelt made invertebrate availability highly unpredictable. As a result, the food available to shorebird chicks that were 2–10 days old was highly variable among years (ranging from 6.2 to 28.8 mg trap−1 day−1among years in eight species), and was often inadequate for average growth (only 20%–54% of Dunlin and Pectoral Sandpiper broods on average had adequate food across a 4‐year period). Although weather conditions vary among years, shorebirds that nested earlier in relation to snowmelt generally had more food available during brood rearing, and thus, greater chick growth rates. Despite the strong selective pressure to nest early, advancement of nesting is likely limited by the amount of plasticity in the start and progression of migration. Therefore, long‐term climatic changes resulting in earlier snowmelt have the potential to greatly affect shorebird populations, especially if shorebirds are unable to advance nest initiation sufficiently to keep pace with seasonal advancement of their invertebrate prey.
Deposition of Zinc Species in 3D Structured Zinc Anodes in Nonstirred Alkaline Systems Observed by X‐Ray Micro Tomography
Authors: Titscher Paul , Helmers Laura , Diener Alexander , Kwade Arno
Published: May 2019

This work focuses on the deposition mechanism of zinc within nonstirred alkaline cells. A zinc anode based on zinc particles and a 3D copper foam is examined with X‐ray micro tomography to visualize its structural changes after discharging and recharging. To this end, zinc and zinc oxide components of the anode are distinguished in the tomography images, and a 3D model is reconstructed to investigate zinc deposition. The results contribute to the general understanding of structural changes during cycling to develop new concepts to stabilize the zinc anode and enhance the performance of zinc–air batteries.
Using lake sediment archives to improve understanding of flood magnitude and frequency: Recent extreme flooding in northwest UK
Authors: Chiverrell R.C. , Sear D.A. , Warburton J. , Macdonald N. , Schillereff D.N. , Dearing J.A. , Croudace I.W. , Brown J. , Bradley J.
Published: May 2019

We present the first quantitative reconstruction of palaeofloods using lake sediments for the UK and show that for a large catchment in NW England the cluster of devastating floods from 1990 to present is without precedent in this 558‐year palaeo‐record. Our approach augments conventional flood magnitude and frequency (FMF) analyses with continuous lake sedimentary data to provide a longer‐term perspective on flood magnitude recurrence probabilities. The 2009 flood, the largest in >558 years, had a recurrence interval larger (1:2,200 year) than revealed by conventional flood estimation using shorter duration gauged single station records (1:1,700 year). Flood‐rich periods are non‐stationary in their correlation with climate indices, but the 1990‐2018 cluster is associated with warmer Northern Hemisphere Temperatures and positive Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation. Monitored records rarely capture the largest floods and our palaeoflood series shows, for this catchment, such omissions undermine evaluations of future risk. Our approach provides an exemplar of how to derive centennial palaeoflood reconstructions from lakes coupled well with their catchments around the world. © 2019 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Associations of Community Structure and Functions of Benthic Invertebrates with Nickel Concentrations: Analyses from Field Surveys
Authors: Takeshita Kazutaka M. , Misaki Takahiro , Hayashi Takehiko I. , Yokomizo Hiroyuki
Published: May 2019

Field surveys provide valuable empirical information about the effects of heavy metals on the biological integrity of river ecosystems. To evaluate the effect of nickel (Ni) on aquatic organisms, we conducted field surveys of benthic invertebrates and Ni concentrations at 45 sites in 19 rivers in Japan. We examined the relationships between 11 structural or functional measures of benthic invertebrate communities and free Ni ion concentrations with a 90th quantile regression model. Among the measures, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) richness, total wet biomass of all invertebrates, and total abundance of filter feeders were negatively associated with free Ni ion concentrations. The total abundance of mud burrowers and their percentage contribution to the abundance of all invertebrates as well as the total abundances of collector-gatherers and predators were positively associated with the Ni ion concentrations. The free ion concentrations of Ni associated with a 5% reduction of one of the 3 measures from its 90th quantile value at reference sites (EC5) were estimated to be 0.2 to 7.6 µg/L. The point estimates of EC5 were similar in order of magnitude to the environmental quality standard for Ni in the European Union. However, the usefulness of simple point estimates of effective concentrations based on quantile regression lines should be carefully examined because the uncertainties in our EC5 values were large. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:1728–1737. © 2019 SETAC
Machine learning for wearable IoT‐based applications: A survey
Authors: Al‐Turjman Fadi , Baali Ilyes
Published: May 2019

This paper gives an overview about applying machine learning (ML) in wearable Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN). It highlights the main challenges and open issues for deploying ML models in such sensitive networks. The WBAN is an emerging technology in the last few years, which attracts lots of interest from the academic and industrial communities. It enables a wide range of IoT‐based applications in medical, lifestyle, sport, and entertainment. WBAN are constrained in many aspects such as those related to power resources, communication capabilities, and computation power. Moreover, these networks generate ample amount of sensory data. To overcome the limitations of these networks and make use of the big data generated, artificial intelligence is the best way to deal with gigantic data and help in automating several aspects of the network and its applications. This survey paper aims at reporting numerous ways ML is used to benefit these networks, the design factors that are considered when implementing the ML algorithms, and the communication technologies used in connecting wearable WBAN in the IoT era. The reported studies are based on real overviewed experiment and extensive simulation results.
Level set function–based immersed interface method and benchmark solutions for fluid flexible‐structure interaction
Authors: Thekkethil Namshad , Sharma Atul
Published: May 2019

Using a hybrid Lagrangian‐Eulerian approach, a level set function–based immersed interface method (LS‐IIM) is proposed for the interaction of a flexible body immersed in a fluid flow. The LS‐IIM involves finite volume method for the fluid solver, Galerkin finite element method for the structural solver, and a block‐iterative partitioned method–based fully implicit coupling between the two solvers. The novelty of the proposed method is a level set function–based direct implementation of fluid‐solid interface boundary conditions in both the solvers. Another novelty is the computation of the level set function from a geometric method instead of differential equations commonly used in level set methods—the novel geometric as compared to the traditional method is found to be more accurate and less time‐consuming. The LS‐IIM is demonstrated as second‐order accurate. Verification study is presented first separately for both the solvers and then together for four fluid‐structure interaction (FSI) problems, with different levels of complexity including lid‐driven flow, channel flow, and free‐stream flow. Benchmark solutions are presented for two class of FSI problems: first, easy to set up and less time‐consuming and, second, a reasonably challenging and complex FSI problem involving sharp edges and forced‐motion of the flexible structure. The benchmark solutions are proposed at steady state for the first problem, after a verification study with two open‐source solvers and, at periodic state, after a validation with published experimental results for the second problem. Our benchmark solutions may be useful for verification study in future.
Chemical compound identification and antibacterial activity evaluation of cinnamon extracts obtained by subcritical n‐butane and ethanol extraction
Authors: Liang Ying , Li Yi , Sun Aidong , Liu Xianjin
Published: May 2019

Four important Cinnamomum species in China including C. cassia, C. loureiroi, C. wilsonii, and C. burmannii were chosen to be extracted by subcritical n‐butane and ethanol. The chemical compounds of extracts were identified by GC‐MS and HPLC‐MS, and the antibacterial activities were evaluated by agar‐well diffusion assay and twofold microdilution broth method. There were 47 compounds identified in n‐butane extracts and 11 compounds in ethanol extracts totally. The major compounds in n‐butane extracts varied significantly among different Cinnamomum species, and (E)‐cinnamaldehyde and coumarin were major compounds for C. cassia with area percentage of 74.32%; (E)‐cinnamaldehyde and α‐copaene for C. loureiroi with area percentage of 67.83%; linalool, (E)‐cinnamaldehyde, and citral for C. wilsonii with area percentage of 58.74%; and eugenol, (E)‐cinnamaldehyde, and coumarin for C. burmannii with area percentage of 76.43%. The maximum compounds in ethanol extracts were (E)‐cinnamaldehyde and (Z)‐cinnamaldehyde, and others varied among the Cinnamomum species. All cinnamon extracts showed antibacterial activities that n‐butane extracts were much more sensitive than ethanol extracts. The inhibition zone for N‐butane extracts against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella anatum was from 18.98 to 37.45 mm while for ethanol extracts from 7.11 to 10.11 mm. The minimum bactericidal concentrations for n‐butane extracts were ranged from 0.31 to 2.50 mg/ml and for ethanol extracts ranged from 20.00 to 160.00 mg/ml. N‐butane extracts of C. cassia and C. loureiroi processed much higher antibacterial activities than C. wilsonii and C. burmannii. N‐butane extracts of C. cassia and C. loureiroi have the potential to be used as food biopreservative.
Alleviating Peak Demand Challenges and Improving Customer Affordability With Time‐Varying Rates
Authors: Aweh Amanda , Goldstein Adam
Published: May 2019

The price consumers pay for electricity may vary from what a neighbor, shop owner, or others might pay. Utility rates are composed of many components and vary by customer type (residential, commercial agriculture, etc.), amount of energy used, income level, location, and other factors. Until recently, the time of day a customer uses energy has not affected a customer's bill, even though the cost to produce and deliver electricity varies significantly throughout the day.
Environmental and Agricultural Gains From Renewable Natural Gas
Authors: Foxen Robert , Fitzgerald James
Published: May 2019

Renewable natural gas (RNG), also known as biomethane, is produced by “purification” of biogas generated by the anaerobic decomposition of organic material. The difference between renewable natural gas (RNG) and fossil natural gas is the source of methane. Fossil natural gas is produced over millions of years by decay of organic matter in underground deposits, while RNG is a by‐product of anaerobic digestion of organic wastes generated from various human, industrial, or agricultural activities. Feedstocks for RNG include municipal waste water, landfill deposits, digestion of manure from dairies and hog farms, and digestion of food wastes, to name a few. Like fossil natural gas, RNG can be used to power trucks, buses, and cars, or to power electric generation. It is estimated that RNG could displace 16–25 percent of all the diesel fuel currently used in the United States.
New York's Green Policy Dreams Hitting Reality of Energy Demand
Authors: Hook Michelle
Published: May 2019

There are state‐level debates taking place across the country over preferred policy solutions to address climate change, while simultaneously maintaining energy system reliability. While New York is no exception in this regard, the state has reached somewhat of an impasse when it comes to ensuring that residents will have access to low‐cost, cleaner energy supplies needed to support continued economic growth. For more than a decade, New York has broadly focused its efforts on reducing the state's reliance on coal and oil to reduce emissions, with the state increasingly relying on natural gas and renewables to make up the difference in electric power supply. These efforts have been largely successful, resulting in a 20 percent decline in carbon dioxide emissions statewide between 2005 and 2015.
Innovations in Utility‐Rate Regulation
Authors: DeCotis Paul A.
Published: May 2019

The changes and pace of change in the utility industry are bumping up against regulatory barriers that, if not dealt with, might ultimately hinder widespread adoption of new grid‐edge technologies and related grid‐modernization investments. Regulation of electricity rates, asset ownership, and concerns over intergenerational equity, customer class cross‐subsidization, and retail competition and the suite of service offerings available do not easily lend themselves to traditional “cost‐of‐service” regulation.
Gründungsertüchtigungen/Neugründungen im historischen, sensitiven Gefüge des Pergamonmuseums auf der Museumsinsel in Berlin‐Mitte
Authors: Patron Josef‐A. , Keller Ralph
Published: May 2019

Das zwischen 1910 und 1936 errichtete Dreiflügelgebäude zur Präsentation vorwiegend antiker Großobjekte bedarf nach 100jähriger Standzeit einer Grundinstandsetzung. Für die Wiedererlangung einer vollen Museumsfunktionalität und Herstellung der den Ausstellungsobjekten gerechten klimatischen Randbedingungen sind umfangreiche Ertüchtigungsmaßnahmen, Neugründungen und Tieferlegungen der Kellergeschosssohlen unabdingbar.

Die Auswertung der Archivunterlagen ergab, dass die Gründung des Pergamonmuseums auf mehreren Ebenen in einer Tiefe zwischen 6 und 18 m unter Gelände erfolgte. Die in der Gründungsfläche vorhandene tiefe geologische Einkolkung führte zu großen Problemen bei der konzipierten Flachgründung nach Bodenaustausch im Schutz einer Wasserhaltung. Die erst 1912 vorliegenden Ergebnisse der Bodenerkundungen im Bereich des bis dato überbauten Südflügels zeigten, dass die organische Einkolkung bis ca. –12 m NHN reichte. Dies erforderte eine grundlegende Veränderung der Gründung in diesem Bauabschnitt. Sowohl die 1912 zur Verfügung stehenden Wasserhaltungsanlagen als auch die Tiefgründungselemente waren nicht in der Lage, den ca. 45 m unter Gelände liegenden tragfähigen Baugrund zu erreichen.

Die hohen Anforderungen an das Verformungsverhalten der Bestandsstrukturen und insbesondere der während der Sanierung noch in musealer Nutzung befindliche Südflügel des Pergamonmuseums bedingten ein entsprechendes Reaktionsmonitoring, das mit dem Baugeschehen permanent abgeglichen werden musste. Es wurden sowohl Erschütterungs‐ als auch Setzungsverläufe erfasst und als entscheidendes Kriterium bei der Wahl der noch möglichen Sanierungstechnologien des Spezialtiefbaus eingesetzt. Die gewählten Lösungsansätze vor Ort, sowohl in der Errichtungsphase als auch während der jetzigen Instandsetzung werden im Beitrag dargestellt und diskutiert.
Spatial Econometrics and Network Analysis as Means to Assess the Assumption of Independence in Higher Education Research
Authors: González Canché Manuel S.
Published: May 2019

A common and truly relevant question that many institutional researchers commonly ask is why are so many students dropping out of their declared major? This chapter guides institutional research professionals through the rationale and steps to identify and address one of such factors: outcome dependence, a pragmatically and timely relevant endeavor when considering the current emphasis on outcome‐based or performance‐based funding policies.
A Fresh Look at the Debate on the Causes of Poor Performance of Certain Irrigation Schemes: The Complexity of Hydraulic Behaviour of Canal Systems
Authors: Plusquellec Hervé
Published: May 2019

The paper starts with a retrospective review of the debate on the causes of poor performance of irrigation schemes in the 1990s which resulted in a sharp decline in the interest of financing agencies in the irrigation sector and a shift to a new model of irrigation projects focusing on participatory irrigation management associated with rehabilitation works. Evidence is overwhelming that many new‐type projects have had mixed results. It is evident that improved management alone cannot boost the performance of poorly designed irrigation systems. Design flaws should be corrected.

This paper goes on to discuss the complexity of the hydraulics of irrigation canals and the intricate behaviour of a hierarchy of canal systems with innumerable numbers of nodes that should respond to changes in demand and supply. Minor differences at the head of main canals may result in serious deviations from the planned operation and even extreme differences in delivery or chaos at the tail ends. It was only in the mid‐1980s that hydraulic academics studied these phenomena of instability related to the sensitivity of control structures and their interaction. Admittedly occasional observers from other disciplines could not identify the technical causes of the poor performance of some irrigation schemes. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Automatic skin lesion area determination of basal cell carcinoma using optical coherence tomography angiography and a skeletonization approach: Preliminary results
Authors: Meiburger Kristen M. , Chen Zhe , Sinz Christoph , Hoover Erich , Minneman Michael , Ensher Jason , Kittler Harald , Leitgeb Rainer A. , Drexler Wolfgang , Liu Mengyang
Published: May 2019

Cutaneous blood flow plays a key role in numerous physiological and pathological processes and has significant potential to be used as a biomarker to diagnose skin diseases such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The determination of the lesion area and vascular parameters within it, such as vessel density, is essential for diagnosis, surgical treatment and follow‐up procedures. Here, an automatic skin lesion area determination algorithm based on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images is presented for the first time. The blood vessels are segmented within the OCTA images and then skeletonized. Subsequently, the skeleton is searched over the volume and numerous quantitative vascular parameters are calculated. The vascular density is then used to segment the lesion area. The algorithm is tested on both nodular and superficial BCC, and comparing with dermatological and histological results, the proposed method provides an accurate, non‐invasive, quantitative and automatic tool for BCC lesion area determination.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging of wear and corrosion products within joint capsule tissue from total hip replacements patients
Authors: Liu Songyun , Hall Deborah J. , McCarthy Stephanie M. , Jacobs Joshua J. , Urban Robert M. , Pourzal Robin
Published: May 2019

Implant debris generated by wear and corrosion is a prominent cause of joint replacement failure. This study utilized Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging (FTIR‐I) to gain a better understanding of the chemical structure of implant debris and its impact on the surrounding biological environment. Therefore, retrieved joint capsule tissue from five total hip replacement patients was analyzed. All five cases presented different implant designs and histopathological patterns. All tissue samples were formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded. Unstained, 5 μm thick sections were prepared. The unstained sections were placed on BaF2 windows and deparaffinized with xylene prior to analysis. FTIR‐I data were collected at a spectral resolution of 4 cm−1 using an Agilent Cary 670 spectrometer coupled with Cary 620 FTIR microscope. The results of study demonstrated that FTIR‐I is a powerful tool that can be used complimentary to the existing histopathological evaluation of tissue. FTIR‐I was able to distinguish areas with different cell types (macrophages, lymphocytes). Small, but distinct differences could be detected depending on the state of cells (viable, necrotic) and depending on what type of debris was present (polyethylene [PE], suture material, and metal oxides). Although, metal oxides were mainly below the measurable range of FTIR‐I, the infrared spectra of tissues exhibited noticeable difference in their presence. Tens of micrometer sized polyethylene particles could be easily imaged, but also accumulations of submicron particles could be detected within macrophages. FTIR‐I was also able to distinguish between PE debris, and other birefringent materials such as suture. Chromium‐phosphate particles originating from corrosion processes within modular taper junctions of hip implants could be identified and easily distinguished from other phosphorous materials such as bone. In conclusion, this study successfully demonstrated that FTIR‐I is a useful tool that can image and determine the biochemical information of retrieved tissue samples over tens of square millimeters in a completely label free, nondestructive, and objective manner. The resulting chemical images provide a deeper understanding of the chemical nature of implant debris and their impact on chemical changes of the tissue within which they are embedded.
Magnetic resonance imaging and photothermal conversion properties of Gd‐C nanocomposites for interstitial lymphography
Authors: Yao Yaqi , Suo Lulu , Liu Shien , Zeng Wenxia , Shan Jun , Zhang Canying , Wu Daxiong , Shang Wei , Zhu Haitao
Published: May 2019

Dual‐functional agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided photothermal therapy (PTT) of lymph cancer are highly desired. Signal enhancement, selectivity between lymphatic nodes/vessels and blood vessels, and photothermal conversion property are the criteria for such dual‐functional agent. In the current work, we demonstrated the potential of Gd‐C nanocomposites as dual‐functional agents for the MRI and PTT of lymph node cancer. Gd‐C nanocomposites were synthesized via a hydrothermal carbonization approach with gadolinium chloride as Gd source and citric acid (CA) as C source. The particle size of the nanocomposites ranges from 40 to 100 nm which is smaller than the intercellular space of lymphatic vessels but much larger than that of the blood vessels. The nanocomposites were successfully applied to the MRI of cervical lymph nodes of rabbits. The signal enhancement of the lymph nodes reached the maximum value of 434% at 10 min after injection, without displaying any blood vessel. The Gd‐C nanocomposites also exhibited strong photothermal conversion effect. Under the illumination of an 808 nm laser, the aqueous suspension containing 1.0 wt % Gd‐C nanocomposites gave a maximum temperature rise of 28.2 °C and a light utilization efficiency of 30.4%. The results indicate that Gd‐C nanocomposites have significant potential in MRI guided PTT of lymph cancer.
Glucocorticoids Decrease Longitudinal Bone Growth in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients by Stimulating the FGF23/FGFR3 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Delucchi Ángela , Toro Luis , Alzamora Rodrigo , Barrientos Victor , González Magdalena , Andaur Rodrigo , León Pablo , Villanueva Francisco , Galindo Mario , Las Heras Facundo , Montecino Martín , Moena Daniel , Lazcano Andrea , Pinto Viola , Salas Paulina , Reyes María Loreto , Mericq Verónica , Michea Luis
Published: May 2019

Renal transplantation (RTx) is an effective therapy to improve clinical outcomes in pediatric patients with terminal chronic kidney disease. However, chronic immunosuppression with glucocorticoids (GCs) reduces bone growth and BMD. The mechanisms causing GC-induced growth impairment have not been fully clarified. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a peptide hormone that regulates phosphate homeostasis and bone growth. In pathological conditions, FGF23 excess or abnormal FGF receptors (FGFR) activity leads to bone growth impairment. Experimental data indicate that FGF23 expression is induced by chronic GC exposure. Therefore, we hypothesize that GCs impair bone growth by increasing FGF23 expression, which has direct effects on bone growth plate. In a post hoc analysis of a multicentric randomized clinical trial of prepubertal RTx children treated with early GC withdrawal or chronic GC treatment, we observed that GC withdrawal was associated with improvement in longitudinal growth and BMD, and lower plasma FGF23 levels as compared with a chronic GC group. In prepubertal rats, GC-induced bone growth retardation correlated with increased plasma FGF23 and bone FGF23 expression. Additionally, GC treatment decreased FGFR1 expression whereas it increased FGFR3 expression in mouse tibia explants. The GC-induced bone growth impairment in tibiae explants was prevented by blockade of FGF23 receptors using either a pan-FGFR antagonist (PD173074), a C-terminal FGF23 peptide (FGF23180-205) which blocks the binding of FGF23 to the FGFR-Klotho complex or a specific FGFR3 antagonist (P3). Finally, local administration of PD173074 into the tibia growth plate ameliorated cartilage growth impairment in GC-treated rats. These results show that GC treatment partially reduces longitudinal bone growth via upregulation of FGF23 and FGFR3 expression, thus suggesting that the FGF23/Klotho/FGFR3 axis at the growth plate could be a potential therapeutic target for the management of GC-induced growth impairment in children.
Molecular cloning, expression, purification, and functional characterization of SP‐22 gene from Bombyx mori
Authors: Salah Eldein Elshareef , Abdalla Mohnad , Eltayb Wafa Ali , El‐Arabey Amr Ahmed , Ganash Magdah , Alshammari Fawaz D. , Barreto George , Ashraf Ghulam Md
Published: May 2019

Serine protease (SPs) is one of the immune enzyme's molecules that play a main role in the variation of a physiological process by controlling protease actions in vertebrates. For example, signaling cells, protector and improvement, which are included in melanization, are utilized to cascade with the meddling pathogens and defense the harmed tissue in insects. In this study, we explore the biochemical process of (SP‐22) from Bombyx mori. Reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) discloses that BmSP‐22 is expressed in all tissues including the fat body. The formative expression profile of BmSP‐22 reveal that BmSP‐22 messenger RNA is expressed constitutively in larvae. Injection of recombinant BmSP‐22 into B. mori larvae reduces significantly the transcript levels of antimicrobial peptides in the fat body. Our results suggest that BmSP‐22 plays an important role in the innate immunity of B. mori and possibly in other insects.
LncRNA CRNDE promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by upregulating SIX1 through modulating miR‐337‐3p
Authors: Tang Dan , Zhao Lijin , Peng Cijun , Ran Kaiqiong , Mu Rui , Ao Yu
Published: May 2019

Background

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is emerging as a vital regulator in various cancers. Recently, it was found that lncRNA colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) plays an oncogenic role, promoting cell proliferation and migration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underlying regulatory mechanism of lncRNA CRNDE remains unclear.

Methods

The expression levels of lncRNA CRNDE and miR‐337‐3p were analyzed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and sineoculis homeobox homolog 1 (SIX1) expression was determined by Western blot analysis. RNA pull‐down, luciferase and Western blot analysis assays were used to examine the target relationship between lncRNA CRNDE and miR‐337‐3p as well as between miR‐337‐3p and SIX1. The functional effects of lncRNA CRNDE and miR‐337‐3p were examined in vitro by using cell viability, colony formation, wound scratch, transwell assays, and in vivo in a xenograft tumor mouse model.

Results

LncRNA CRNDE was overexpressed in tumor tissues of patients with HCC. LncRNA CRNDE downregulation significantly suppressed cell proliferation and migration. Mechanistic investigations demonstrated that lncRNA CRNDE interacted with miR‐337‐3p and decreased its expression, thereby increasing the protein expression of miR‐337‐3p's target, SIX1. In addition, in vivo experiments using a xenograft tumor mouse model revealed that lncRNA CRNDE served as an oncogene, partly through sponging miR‐337‐3p and upregulating SIX1 in HCC.

Conclusions

In this study, we report a newly identified regulatory mechanism lncRNA CRNDE/miR‐337‐3p/SIX1 axis, suggesting a promising therapeutic target in HCC.
Evodiamine alleviates kidney ischemia reperfusion injury in rats: A biochemical and histopathological study
Authors: Eraslan Ersen , Tanyeli Ayhan , Polat Elif , Yetim Zeliha
Published: May 2019

Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury resulting in acute renal failure, is a major clinical problem due to its high mortality rate. Renal I/R increases the reactive oxygen species, secretion of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and other factors. This suggests that initiating the apoptosis process in the presence of oxidative stress may play a role in life‐threatening conditions, such as ischemia. Ischemia reperfusion‐induced renal damage can result in renal failure and death. Although many treatment procedures have been carried out to reduce or destroy renal I/R damage in experimental models, so far, a routine method of treatment has not yet been found. For this reason, the current study was planned to investigate the possible protective effects of evodiamine on tissue damage caused by ischemia‐reperfusion in kidney tissue in rats and an experimental renal I/R model was used for this purpose. Four groups were formed in the study: the control, sham control, ischemia reperfusion (I/R), and evodiamine (10 mg/kg) + I/R groups. The effects of evodiamine against kidney I/R injury were investigated. TAS (total oxidant status), TOS (total oxidant status), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), IL‐6, IL‐10 and tumor necrosis factor‐α levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The oxidative stress index was calculated from TAS and TOS levels. In addition, the renal ischemia reperfusion injury was examined histopathologically. The IL‐10 and TAS levels in the I/R group decreased when compared with the control and Sham groups, while these levels increased in the evodiamine group. Histopathologic examination revealed that caspase 3 and nuclear factor‐κB levels decreased in the evodiamine group compared with the I/R group. The application of evodiamine significantly reduced ischemia reperfusion‐induced kidney damage due to its antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and antiapoptotic properties.
Vibrational echo spectroscopy of aqueous sodium bromide solutions from first principles simulations
Authors: Ojha Deepak , Chandra Amalendu
Published: May 2019

A theoretical study of the time‐dependent vibrational echo spectroscopy of sodium bromide solutions in deuterated water at two different concentrations of 0.5 and 5.0 M and at temperatures of 300 and 350 K is presented using the method of ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. The instantaneous fluctuations in frequencies of local OD stretch modes are calculated using time‐series analysis of the simulated trajectories. The third‐order polarization and intensities of three pulse photon‐echo are calculated from ab initio simulations. The timescales of vibrational spectral diffusion are determined from the frequency time correlation functions (FTCF) and short‐time slope of three pulse photon echo (S3PE) calculated within the second‐order cumulant and Condon approximations. It is found that under ambient conditions, the rate of vibrational spectral diffusion becomes slower with increase in ionic concentration. Decay of S3PE calculated for different systems give timescales, which are in close agreement with those of FTCF and also with the results of experimental time‐dependent vibrational spectroscopic experiments. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Altered expression of microRNA‐365 is related to the occurrence and development of non‐small‐cell lung cancer by inhibiting TRIM25 expression
Authors: Han Qian , Cheng Peng , Yang Hongjie , Liang Hengpo , Lin Fengchun
Published: May 2019

The purpose of this current study is to elucidate whether altered microRNA‐365 (miR‐365) has an association with the initiation and development of non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by targeting TRIM25 expression. The expression of miR‐365 and TRIM25 in NSCLC tissues, adjacent normal tissues, and NSCLC cell lines were detected. The relationship between miR‐365 expression and TRIM25 with the clinicopathological characteristics of NSCLC was analyzed. The putative binding site between miR‐365 and TRIM25 was determined by luciferase activity assay. miR‐365 inhibitors and miR‐365 mimics were transfected to human NSCLC A549 cells, and the cell viability was detected by cell counting kit‐8 assay; flow cytometry was carried out to determine cell cycle and apoptosis rate. Poorly expressed miR‐365 and overexpressed TRIM25 was found in NSCLC tissues. TRIM25 was determined as a target gene of miR‐365. The miR‐365 and TRIM25 expression were related to the clinicopathological features of NSCLC, such as pathological classification, differentiation degree, TNM stage as well as lymph node metastasis. miR‐365 suppressed the expression of TRIM25 and elevated the expression of the proapoptotic protein in NSCLC cells. Our study demonstrates that altered expression of miR‐365 has a close association with the occurrence and development of NSCLC by inhibiting TRIM25 expression.
The small molecule SI113 hinders epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition and subverts cytoskeletal organization in human cancer cells
Authors: Abbruzzese Claudia , Matteoni Silvia , Persico Michele , Ascione Barbara , Schenone Silvia , Musumeci Francesca , Amato Rosario , Perrotti Nicola , Matarrese Paola , Paggi Marco G.
Published: May 2019

The small molecule SI113 is an inhibitor of the kinase activity of SGK1, a key biological regulator acting on the PI3K/mTOR signal transduction pathway. Several studies demonstrate that this compound is able to strongly restrain cancer growth in vitro and in vivo, alone or in associative antineoplastic treatments, being able to elicit an autophagic response, either cytotoxic or cytoprotective. To elucidate more exhaustively the molecular mechanisms targeted by SI113, we performed activity‐based protein profiling (ABPP) proteomic analysis using a kinase enrichment procedure. This technique allowed the identification via mass spectrometry of novel targets of this compound, most of them involved in functions concerning cell motility and cytoskeletal architecture. Using a glioblastoma multiforme, hepatocarcinoma and colorectal carcinoma cell line, we recognized an inhibitory effect of SI113 on cell migration, invading, and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition. In addition, these cancer cells, when exposed to this compound, showed a remarkable subversion of the cytoskeletal architecture characterized by F‐actin destabilization, phospho‐FAK delocalization, and tubulin depolimerization. These results were definitely concordant in attributing to SI113 a key role in hindering cancer cell malignancy and, due to its negligible in vivo toxicity, can sustain performing a Phase I clinical trial to employ this drug in associative cancer therapy.
Membrane‐Spanning Protein Genetic Polymorphisms Related to Methotrexate Therapeutic Outcomes in a Chinese Rheumatoid Arthritis Population
Authors: Lv Shuang , Fan Huizhen , Yang Hui , Huang Jing , Li Jiang , Shu Xiaoming , Zhang Lu , Xu Yuan , Li Xiaoya , Zuo Jieyu , Lv Cheng , Kong Xiaomu , Xiao Cheng
Published: May 2019

Methotrexate (MTX) is a first‐line disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but individual variation in treatment response remains unexplained. The differences in drug efficacy and adverse drug reactions may be caused by genetic variations. We investigated the effects of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 2 genes encoding membrane‐spanning proteins, namely, reduced folate carrier‐1 RFC‐1/SLC19A1 (G>A [rs7499], A>G [rs2838956] and 180G>A [rs1051266]) and adenosine triphosphate–binding cassette B1 (rs1045642). Tagged SNPs were genotyped in 162 patients with RA in China. Then, we analyzed the relationships between these SNPs and therapeutic outcomes related to MTX in Chinese RA patients. No significant associations were found between the RFC‐1/SLC19A1 (G>A [rs7499] and A>G [rs2838956]) and adenosine triphosphate–binding cassette B1 (rs1045642) gene polymorphisms and the response to MTX in RA patients. However, MTX‐related toxicity was associated with one SNP, RFC‐1 rs1051266 AA vs GG (odds ratio, 6.523; 95% confidence interval, 1.596–26.565;P= .009). SLC19A1 A>G rs2838956 showed a trend toward a significant association (odds ratio, 0.377; 95% confidence interval, 0.124–1.143;P= .085) with toxicity. Our results suggest that the RFC‐1 80G>A (rs1051266) SNP exerts a potentially protective effect against the risk of adverse drug reactions in Chinese RA patients treated with MTX. Further studies are required to validate these findings.
Identification of effective membrane efflux transporters against β‐amyrin through molecular docking approach
Authors: Ahmed Muhammad Saad , Sehgal Sheikh Arslan , Tahir Rana Adnan , Li Chun
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Metabolic engineering techniques in microorganisms can produce high‐value complex metabolites. However, this efficiency was frequently hampered by toxic‐compounds produced due to the engineering of foreign genes. Comparatively, to other strategies, the efflux transporter engineering strategy is efficient to create a pulling effect at the downstream of the biosynthetic pathway, generally enhancing the cultural vitality and the total production yields due to which wild strains can withstand toxic compounds. However, it was difficult to select hundreds of transporters for the possible efflux of β‐amyrin. Thus, in silico approaches were used to explore the binding sites of the transporters and identify the stable binding patterns of transporters for the possible efflux of β‐amyrin.

RESULTS

A total 111 transporters were shortlisted having the ability to transport different compounds. Molecular docking analyses elucidated that YajR, UraA, GlcPse, and LeuT, transporters have strong binding affinities against β‐amyrin having least binding energies of −13.6, −13.4, −12.2, and − 11.9 kcal/mol, respectively.

CONCLUSION

For the first time, it was observed that the mentioned top‐ranked transporters might be the better option to efflux β‐amyrin for being effectively bound within the enclosed active site. These novel findings based on computational docking analyses may be momentous to enhance the metabolites production in the microorganism. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry