bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ameliorative Activity of Pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) Fruit and Seeds Powders on Diabetic, Oxidative and Pancreatic Status in Rats
Authors: Gabal Alyae, M. S.
Published: June 2019

Background: Diabetes mellitus is the one of the most common endocrine diseases that is characterized by hyperglycemia, altered metabolism with an increased risk of much complications. Besides drugs classically used for the treatment of diabetes several species of plants have been described as having a hypoglycemic activity with decreased side effects.

Aim of the Work: This work aimed to investigate the possible anti-diabetic effect of oral administration of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima) fruit flesh and seeds powders on Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats via studying blood glucose levels, oxidative biomarkers as well as islets of Langerhans structure changes.

Materials and Methods: 60 adult albino rats of Sprague-Dawely strains (200±5 gm) were classified into five groups of ten animals each except diabetic control group was composed of twenty rats as follow Group I: healthy control; Group II: diabetic control ,Group III, IV and V: diabetic rats received 2 g pumpkin fruit, seeds, fruit and seeds mixture powders respectively /kg body weight daily by oral intubation.

Results: The results of present study showed that pumpkin powders caused significant improvements (P≤0.05) in blood glucose, insulin levels and glycated hemoglobin percent compared to diabetic control group. Also pumpkin powders improved antioxidants activities and healed Langerhans islets by increasing their number and size in comparison with diabetic control group. Conclusion: The present study showed that pumpkin powders may normalize the various biochemical and pancreatic tissues abnormalities resulted due to diabetes metabolic disorders and it is a source of potent anti-diabetic agent. The diabetic rats that were administered with the pumpkin fruit powder, exhibited the highest improvements.
Distribution of Available Sulfur in Some Soils of South Chad Irrigation Project Area, Lake Chad Basin, Borno State, Nigeria
Authors: Makinta Goni , Ngala Adam Lawan , Sandabe Mohammed Kyari
Published: June 2019

Aims: A field study was carried out to evaluate the content and distribution of available sulfur in soils underlain by the Chad Formation under the South Chad Irrigation Project area, Borno State.

Study Design: Purposive sampling technique was employed based on homogeneity in general surface features especially vegetation, topography and morphology.

Place and Duration of Study: The study site includes the clay plains of the Lake Chad Basin where the South Chad Irrigation Project is located. The study was carried out in 2016.

Methodology: Seven profile pits were sunk at selected locations across the study areas and samples collected in each pedogenic horizons of the profiles. Surface and sub-surface samples were also collected for physico-chemical analyses using standard procedures. The available sulfur was determined turbidimetrically after extracting with calcium phosphate solution.

Results: Textural classes were generally clayey with islands of sandy loam. The soil reaction ranged from moderately acid to slightly alkaline. The percentage organic matter content was generally low, being higher in clay than sandy soil texture.  The available sulfur content was low with a range of 2.0 to 6.9 mg/kg. The distribution of available S content decreased with depth. The results also indicated that available P in profile P6 is positively correlated (r = 0.989**) with the available sulfur content. There was little or no correlation between the available sulfur and soil pH in all the profiles, except profile P1 (r = 0.531*). Significant negative correlation between organic matter content and the available sulfur in profiles P1 (r = -0.817**), P5 (r = -0.527*) and P7 (r = -0.989**) were observed. Significant negative correlation (r = -0.562*) was also observed between available sulfur and clay content in profile P1. The significant negative correlation of available sulfur with clay and organic matter could be due to adsorptive properties of clay and organic matter fractions.

Conclusion: The soils were observed to be deficient in available sulfur. The low available sulfur status of the soils indicated that supplemental application of sulfur containing fertilizer and manure would be required for maximum cereals and vegetable crop production in the study area.
Evaluation of Antimicrobial Potential of the Marine Cyanobacterium, Rivularia mesenterica
Authors: Skočibušić Mirjana , Lacić Sandra , Rašić Zorica
Published: June 2019

Background: Antibiotic resistance is becoming a pivotal concern for public health accelerating the search for new antimicrobial molecules from nature. The prevention and treatment of infectious diseases by applying products from marine organisms, especially Cyanobacteria as a potential and promising source of antimicrobial agents appears as a possible alternative.

Aims: To evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial potential of different extracts derived from marine cyanobacterium Rivularia mesenterica against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including multidrug resistant bacteria, by comparison with clinically relevant antibiotics.  

Methodology: The secondary metabolites were extracted from fresh and dried cyanobacterial biomass in water and different organic solvents. Antimicrobial efficacy of different extracts was evaluated by the disc diffusion assay. Additionally, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the ethanol extracts obtained from fresh and dried biomass was also determined.

Results: The ethanol extracts obtained from fresh and dried biomass of R. mesenterica showed significant antimicrobial activity against five Gram-positive and five antibiotic resistant Gram-negative bacteria and four fungal strains in comparison with the clinically relevant antibiotics. The inhibitory effect of the ethanol extracts was observed, with MIC values in the range 0.06 to 32.00 μg/ml against tested strains. Furthermore, the water extract was inactive against of the tested bacteria and fungi.

Conclusion: These results suggest that the ethanol extracts of R. mesenterica possess potent broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, which can serve as an interesting source for antimicrobial compounds and promising alternative to synthetic antimicrobial drugs discovery.
Effect of the Storage Period and Fungicide Treatment on the Physiological and Sanitary Quality of Soybean Seeds
Authors: Alexandre Xavier Pereira Thalles , Silvério Xavier Pereira Pedro , Vieira de Araújo Dejânia , Pallaoro Dryelle Sifuentes , Bianchini Aloisio , Machado Rosana Sifuentes
Published: June 2019

This study evaluated the effect of storage period on the physiological and health quality of soybean seeds. The experiment was arranged in a factorial scheme (4 x 2 x 2) with four periods of storage (0, 2, 4 and 6 months), two soybean cultivars (‘BRS Pintado’ and ‘MSOY 8866’) and treated and untreated seeds with the formulated mixture of active ingredients pyraclostrobine (25 g i.a L-1) + Methyl-Thiophanate (225 g i.a L-1) + fipronil (250 g i.a L-1) in a 0,1 L.ha-1 dosage of the commercial product. Concerning health, there was a reduction of Aspergillus spp., Cercospora kikuchii, Colletotrichum dematium var. truncata and Fusarium spp fungus when periods of storage were increased independently if storage interactions occurred due to cultivar, treatment and/or all analyzed factors. cv. ‘BRS Pintado’ stood out by presenting lower results on the occurrence of fungi. The isolated cultivar factor presented a significant result concerning the physiological quality and c.v. ‘BRS Pintado’ showed better results in the variables: germination of seeds from the speed aging test, germination, shoot lenght from the speed emergence test, and both shoot dry matter and root dry matter of germination. There was an interaction for the speed emergence index variable between storage versus cultivar, in which cv. ‘BRS Pintado’ achieved better average results in all periods of storage. The storage factor alone was significant for shoot length of plants from the speed emergence index, the shoot plant dry matter from the emergency speed index, root dry matter of seedling germination and germination of seeds subjected to accelerated aging. The isolated treatment factor was significant in the germination variable and the untreated seeds showed better results in relation to the treated ones. However, the difference of these values would not be significant at the field. Treated seeds showed better results compared to untreated ones in most of the analyzed variables and their association with seeds storage did not affect the physiological quality evaluation during six months of evaluation, enabling the maintenance of the health quality of seeds.
Geology, Palynomorphs Distribution, Stratigraphy and Depositional Environments of Lewumeji and Idogun Wells, Eastern Dahomey Basin Southwestern, Nigeria
Authors: Adeigbe O. C. , Oyekola C. B.
Published: June 2019

Selected composited samples from Lewumeji (0-111m) and Idogun (0- 54m) wells,  from Abeokuta Group, Eastern Dahomey Basin, Nigeria, were subjected to detailed lithologic and palynological studies. The studies aimed at determining the lithological sequence, relative age, palynological zone and paleoenvironments of deposition. The core samples were subjected to lithological description and palynological analysis using standard procedure in order to determine palynomorphs contents such as pollen, spore and dinoflagellates. The lithologies from both wells consist of reddish to brown clay, reddish to brown colour, rounded to sub rounded sandstone, dark grey shale denoting  possibly fluvial, brackish, lagoonal and marine environments. A total of 31 well preserved low to moderate diverse palynomorphs were recovered from the studied area. The palynomorphs frequency percentage distribution shows that both wells have a higher ratio of land-derived pollen and spores to the marine dinoflagellates; (75%, 25% and 61%, 39%) for Lewumeji and Idogun wells respectively. The microfloral assemblages include abundant Cyathidites sp., Cyathidites minor, Tubistephanocolpites cylindricus, Proteacidites sp., Trilete spore, Foveotriletes margaritae, Monocolpites marginatus, Monoporites annulatus, Pteris sp, Distaverrusporites simplex and Laevigatosporites sp. The dinoflagellates recovered were characterized by the likes of Leiosphaeridia sp., Senegalinium sp., Oligosphaeridinium sp., Paleocytodinium sp., Cerodinium sp. and Subtilisphaera sp.  The wells fall within Cyathidites Minor zone, characterized by the diagnostic occurrence of Cyathidites minor, Cyathidites sp. and Monocolpites marginatus dated Upper Maastrichtian to early Paleocene. Paleoenvironmental interpretations based on the abundance of freshwater swamps pollen and Spores, diagnostic dinoflagellates cyst and the Palynomorphs Marine Index (PMI) are suggestive of environmental settings that vary from continental to brackish water and shallow marine.
Board of Commisioners Composition, Governance Committee, and Stock Price Synchronicity
Authors: Butar Butar Sansaloni
Published: June 2019

Market returns do not fully explain individual stock return changes, suggesting insynchronous movement between the two types of returns. The phenomena is widely called stock price synchronicity. Stock price synchronicity refers to the extent to which firm-specific information incorporated in stock prices. Prior studies suggest that price synchronicity is negatively associated with information quality. Firms with poor informational environment is likely to produce unreliable financial reports. Hence, it is a necessity for a firm to establish internal mechanisms, reflected in its corporate governance system, to promote conducive informational environment. One pillar of good corporate governance is the existence of effective Board of Commissioner. This study examines the association between Board of Commissioner composition and stock price synchronicity. Board of Commissioners composition includes Board independence, Board size, and gender diversity. In addition, this study also examine the role of Governance Committee in lowering stock price synchronicity. Regression analysis show that Board size and Board independence are negatively associated with stock price synchronicity. But no significant result were found for gender diversity. These findings suggest that larger Board size and more independent Board play significant role in improving the quality of financial reporting. And the presence of female commsioners do not affect financial reporting quality.
Discretionary Accounting Choice and Management Opportunistic Behavior to Manage Income
Authors: Trisanti Theresia
Published: June 2019

Income smoothing (IS) practice is "the smoothing of fluctuations company income levels that are considered normal for company". IS manipulation has a clear goal, which is to generate income flows that continue increase stably. There are several ways that companies can use to do IS practice for example: changes in accounting methods. In this research, income smoothing practices of Indonesian listed manufacturing firms were detected through empirical tests using changes in discretionary accounting (DAC). Samples of listed manufacturing companies classified as smoothing and non-smoothing using Moses smoothing behavior index. The results show that the possible motivation of DAC transactions is income smoothing. Two independent variables such as institutional ownership and external audit quality have a significant positive effect on IS practice but the company size has no influence on IS practice.
REPRESENTASI WHITENESS DALAM FILM DOCTOR STRANGE
Authors: Hindrawan Feliks , Irawan Agusly , Lesmana Fanny
Published: June 2019

Penelitian semiotika pada film Doctor Strange yang mengalami perubahan jalan cerita serta pemerannya dilakukan dengan pendekatan kualitatif deskriptif untuk melihat penggambaran Whiteness sebagai permasalahan yang terjadi di masyarakat Amerika. Melalui analisis menggunakan kode-kode televisi John Fiske ditemukan bahwa film Doctor Strange mengukuhkan permasalahan Whiteness terkait hegemoni kulit putih atas kulit hitam. Secara intelektual dan akademik kulit putih lebih cerdas dan logis, dalam perekonomian kulit putih lebih kaya dan makmur, secara sosial kulit putih lebih diterima, dan dalam aspek politik kulit putih berpeluang lebih akan hak kekuasaan dibanding kulit hitam.
BINGKAI PEMBERITAAN PEREMPUAN DI MAJALAH TEMPO EDISI KHUSUS “PEREMPUAN-PEREMPUAN PENEMBUS BATAS”
Authors: Mandiriani Natalia , Lesmana Fanny , Yoanita Desi
Published: June 2019

Fenomena perempuan yang bekerja di bidang publik biasanya mendapat stereotipe yang merugikan. Pandangan budaya ketimuran menempatkan perempuan seharusnya berada di wilayah domestik untuk mengurus rumah tangga, melayani suami dan merawat anak. Pandangan yang merugikan perempuan ini terjadi salah satunya karena media yang mengukuhkannya. Majalah Tempo pada April 2016 mengeluarkan sebuah edisi khusus yang membahas mengenai perempuan yang bekerja. Melalui analisis framing Pan&Kosicki, ditemukan bahwa Majalah Tempo membingkai perempuan dari pandangan feminisme liberal, dengan menonjolkan perempuan sebagai agen perubahan, sosok pejuang, membutuhkan dukungan, memiliki kemampuan bekerja yang baik, dan terlibat dalam kemajuan bangsa
PENGARUH PRODUCT PLACEMENT TERHADAP BRAND AWARENESS “BMW” PADA FILM MISSION IMPOSSIBlE: FALLOUT
Authors: Steven Steven , Sudrajat Ratih Hasanah
Published: June 2019

Film Mission Impossible: Fallout adalah salah satu film yang menerapkan penggunaan Product Placement. Product Placement yang paling dominan dalam film ini adalah brand automotive BMW. BMW telah melakukan kerja sama dengan Paramount Pictures sebagai exclusive automotive cars marketing partners untuk film Mission Impossible franchise sejak tahun 2011. Setiap global campaign dari seri film Mission Impossible ini bertujuan untuk mempromosikan launching produk terbaru yang akan dirilis oleh BMW nantinya, Dengan adanya situasi penggunaan product placement secara berturut-turut sebagai sarana promosi menjadi permasalahan yang layak diteliti mengenai bagaimana product placement mempengaruhi brand awareness audience yang menonton film Mission Impossible: Fallout.  Variabel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini terdiri dari variable independen yaitu product placement. Variable dependen yaitu brand awareness. Jenis penelitian ini menggunakan deskriptif kausal dengan metode penelitian kuantitatif. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah masyarakat Kota Bandung yang berusia ≥ 20 tahun dan sudah pernah menonton film Mission Impossible: Fallout. Dengan sample sebanyak 100 orang yang telah dihitung menggunakan rumus Slovin. Pengumpulan data yang digunakan adalah dengan menyebarkan kuesioner dengan tehnik Purposive Sampling dan diuji dengan tehnik regresi linear sedeharana. Hasil yang diperoleh dalam penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa tanggapan audience terhadap product placement memiliki pengaruh yang tinggi sebesar 76,53% dan tanggapan audience terhadap brand awareness juga menunjukan kategori tinggi dengan skor sebesar 73,47% dah skor pengaruh hubungan product placement terhadap brand awareness yang diuji dengan analisis regresi linear sederhana bernilai positif dengan perolehan skor sebesar 62,3%
Ammonia
Authors: Pattabathula Venkat
Published: June 2019

Ammonia is produced and used extensively around the globe, with approximately 85% being used in the manufacture of fertilizers for crop growth.

Synthesis routes for commercial production of ammonia, including the steam reforming of methane, are the focus of this article. Current technologies from Haldor Topsoe, KBR and Uhde along with other such as Casale, Linde etc. are discussed in detail. The largest use of Ammonia is in the production of fertilizers such as urea, mono and diammonium phosphate (MAP/DAP), NPK and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) solutions. Those and other uses including the production of nitric acid, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), caprolactam, acrylonitrile, hydrogen cyanide, are also mentioned.
Abundance of d‐2‐hydroxyglutarate in G2/M is determined by FOXM1 in mutant IDH1‐expressing cells
Authors: Bala Bhaskara Rao Kancharana , Katragunta Kumar , Sarma Uma Maheswara , Jain Nishant
Published: June 2019

Isocitrate dehydrogenases (IDHs) are metabolic enzymes that are mutated in several cancers, resulting in overproduction of d‐2‐hydroxyglutarate (D‐2HG). However, the signalling pathways and factors that regulate mutant IDHs or their metabolites remain elusive. Here, we report that in synchronized cells and cells treated with anti‐mitotic agents, wild‐type and mutant IDH proteins are induced maximally in G2/M. Moreover, mutant IDH1‐expressing cells arrested in G2/M harbour high D2HG levels. Genetic or pharmacological perturbation of Forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1) abrogates the levels of IDH1 mRNA, protein and D2HG in G2/M. Conversely, overexpression of FOXM1 or hyperactive FOXM1 activates the IDH1 promoter and increases the abundance of its protein levels. In summary, our results show that in G2/M, higher D2HG levels are dependent on FOXM1‐mediated transcription of IDH1.
The New Vistas of Adult and Continuing Education for Change in Asian Context: Themes and Implications
Authors: Sun Qi , Kang Haijun
Published: June 2019

Adult education, lifelong education, and lifelong learning have been playing critical roles in responding to contemporary, economic, political, social, and cultural challenges in many parts of the world. This article looks at the new vistas of adult and lifelong education/learning from Eastern perspectives, which highlights the state of adult and continuing education from some Asian countries. It especially focuses on some current themes these countries present. From this material, some implications for the field of adult and continuing education are shared.
Electron‐Beam Manipulation of Silicon Impurities in Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Mustonen Kimmo , Markevich Alexander , Tripathi Mukesh , Inani Heena , Ding Er‐Xiong , Hussain Aqeel , Mangler Clemens , Kauppinen Esko I. , Kotakoski Jani , Susi Toma
Published: June 2019

The recent discovery that impurity atoms in crystals can be manipulated with focused electron irradiation has opened novel perspectives for top‐down atomic engineering. These achievements have been enabled by advances not only in electron optics and microscope stability but also in the preparation of suitable materials with impurity elements incorporated via ion and electron‐beam irradiation or chemical means. Here it is shown that silicon heteroatoms introduced via plasma irradiation into the lattice of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) can be manipulated using a focused 55–60 keV electron probe aimed at neighboring carbon sites. Moving the silicon atom mainly along the longitudinal axis of large 2.7 nm diameter tubes, more than 90 controlled lattice jumps are recorded and the relevant displacement cross sections are estimated. Molecular dynamics simulations show that even in 2 nm diameter SWCNTs, the threshold energies for out‐of‐plane dynamics are different than in graphene, and depend on the orientation of the silicon‐carbon bond with respect to the electron beam as well as the local bonding of the displaced carbon atom and its neighbors. Atomic‐level engineering of SWCNTs where the electron wave functions are more strictly confined than in 2D materials may enable the fabrication of tunable electronic resonators and other devices.
Gradually Crosslinking Carbon Nanotube Array in Mimicking the Beak of Giant Squid for Compression‐Sensing Supercapacitor
Authors: Zhao Yang , Cao Jingyu , Zhang Ye , Peng Huisheng
Published: June 2019

Portable and wearable electronics are undergoing rapid development, but these flexible devices may break and fail to work under high compressive strains. Here, presented is a new free‐standing compressible carbon nanotube array (CCNA) with a unique gradually crosslinking structure, which mimics the gradient structure of the beak of the giant squid. The CCNAs can tolerate various compressive strains and demonstrate high reversible compressibility up to 1 00 000 cycles with high electrical conductivities. On the basis of the CCNA, a novel all‐solid‐state compression‐sensing supercapacitor (CSS) that can store energy and tolerate and sense the external strain change is produced. It demonstrates a high capacitance of 93.2 mF cm−2 and can be maintained by 94% even after 3000 continuous compressing cycles at a strain of 60%. In addition, it also shows superior strain sensing capability and stability up to 1900 compressive cycles. These flexible CSSs promise a wide range of applications including electronic skins and advanced bioelectronic devices.
Total Synthesis of 1‐Hydroxytaxinine
Authors: Imamura Yusuke , Yoshioka Shun , Nagatomo Masanori , Inoue Masayuki
Published: June 2019

1‐Hydroxytaxinine (1) is a cytotoxic taxane diterpenoid. Its central eight‐membered B‐ring possesses four oxygen‐functionalized centers (C1, C2, C9, and C10) and two quaternary carbon centers (C8 and C15), and is fused with six‐membered A‐ and C‐rings. The densely functionalized and intricately fused structure of 1 makes it a highly challenging synthetic target. Reported here is an efficient radical‐based strategy for assembling 1 from A‐ and C‐ring fragments. The A‐ring bearing an α‐alkoxyacyl telluride moiety underwent intermolecular coupling with the C‐ring fragment by a Et3B/O2‐promoted decarbonylative radical formation. After construction of the C8‐quaternary stereocenter, a pinacol coupling reaction using a low‐valent titanium reagent formed the B‐ring with stereoselective installation of the C1,C2‐diol. Subsequent manipulations at the A‐ and C‐rings furnished 1 in 26 total steps.
Enhancement of azo dyes removal efficiency by using LDH/Tris/Pd catalyst: Kinetic studies
Authors: Sarmast Narges , Ghorbani‐Vaghei Ramin , Merati Zohreh
Published: June 2019

LDH/Tris/Pd (CaAl‐layered double hydroxide/tris (hydroxymethyl)aminomethane/palladium) was synthesized and appraised for its catalytic activity towards the degradation of two selected azo dyes. The decolorization of azo dyes, acid red 18 (AR 18) and reactive yellow 15 (RY 15), requires considerably small amounts of synthesized catalyst. Kinetic studies show that the catalytic decolorization of these azo dyes follows the first order kinetic model. The reported method is simple and applicable; in addition, the stable catalyst can efficiently decolorize model azo dyes with good recyclability. Therefore, LDH/Tris/Pd can be accepted as the possible component for the utilization in wastewater treatment.
Naphthyl End‐Capped Terthiophene‐Based Chemiresistive Sensors for Biogenic Amine Detection and Meat Spoilage Monitoring
Authors: Liu Quan , Mukherjee Somnath , Huang Rongrong , Liu Ke , Liu Taihong , Liu Kaiqiang , Miao Rong , Peng Haonan , Fang Yu
Published: June 2019

A reliable and sensitive detection of biogenic amines (BAs) is essential to ensure food safety and maintain public health. In this study, two naphthyl end‐capped terthiophene derivatives, namely, 5‐(naphthalen‐1‐yl)‐2,2′:5′,2′′‐terthiophene (NA‐3T) and 5,5′′‐di(naphthalen‐1‐yl)‐2,2′:5′,2′′‐terthiophene (NA‐3T‐NA), were employed to develop chemiresistive sensors for detecting gaseous BAs. In contrast toNA‐3T, theNA‐3T‐NA‐based sensor showed a higher sensitivity for trimethylamine (TMA) with an experimental detection limit lower than 22 ppm, and for aromatic BAs, including dopamine, histamine, tryptamine, and tyramine. Additionally, the recovery time for TMA was found to be shorter than 23 s. In addition, both sensors were successfully used for an in situ evaluation of meat freshness by monitoring the concentration of relevant volatile BAs. The difference in the sensing performances of the two chemiresistive sensors was tentatively ascribed to different packing structures of the derivatives and the adlayer structures of the films developed with the compounds.
Motional Dynamics of Halogen‐Bonded Complexes Probed by Low‐Field NMR Relaxometry and Overhauser Dynamic Nuclear Polarization
Authors: Banerjee Abhishek , Dey Arnab , Chandrakumar N.
Published: June 2019

Halogen bonding is a subject of considerable interest owing to wide‐ranging chemical, materials and biological applications. The motional dynamics of halogen‐bonded complexes play a pivotal role in comprehending the nature of the halogen‐bonding interaction. However, not many attempts appear to have been made to shed light on the dynamical characteristics of halogen‐bonded species. For the first time, we demonstrate here that the combination of low‐field NMR relaxometry and Overhauser dynamic nuclear polarization (ODNP) makes it possible to obtain a cogent picture of the motional dynamics of halogen‐bonded species. We discuss here the advantages of this combined approach. Low‐field relaxometry allows us to infer the hydrodynamic radius and rotational correlation time, whereas ODNP probes the molecular translational correlation times (involving the substrate as well as the organic radical) with high sensitivity at low field.
Ellagic acid supports neuron by regulating astroglia Nrf2
Authors: Wang Guo‐Qing , He Xue‐Mei , Zhu Guo‐Fu , Li Dai‐Di , Shi Jing‐Shan , Zhang Feng
Published: June 2019

Astroglia support neuron by providing substrates for neuronal metabolism, glutamate clearance, and antioxidative protection. Nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) participates in the antioxidative defense response. Also, Nrf2 signaling is recognized to activate the neurotrophic pathway to replace/protect damaged organelles. Ellagic acid (EA), an extraction component of fruits and nuts, presents many pharmacological activities such as anti‐inflammation, antioxidation, and neuroprotection. However, few studies have been focused on the neurotrophic properties of EA. Our study investigated whether EA could increase neuronal survival and the target cells. Thus, primary neuron‐enriched cultures and primary astroglia‐enriched cultures were applied to detect whether EA‐elicited neurotrophic effects were mediated by astroglia Nrf2. This study indicated that EA promoted neuronal survival. Further, astroglia Nrf2 participate in EA‐elicited neuronal survival with the following scenarios. First, EA elicited astroglia proliferation, glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) release, and Nrf2 activation. Second, after silencing astroglia Nrf2, EA‐induced astrogliosis, GDNF release, and neuronal survival disappeared. Thus, EA‐mediated astroglia Nrf2 activation is important to enhance neurotrophic effects on neurons, which might provide new insights for neurodegenerative disease.
Nistplätze für Gebäudebrüter – Untersuchung bestehender und Entwicklung optimierter Fassadennistkästen
Authors: Blaha Alexander , Hollands Jutta , Korjenic Azra
Published: June 2019

Als Folge zunehmender Urbanisierung, steigender Verdichtung der Städte und Fassaden‐ und Dachsanierungen an Bestandsgebäuden finden Gebäudebrüter immer weniger Nistplätze bzw. verlieren ihre vorhandenen Plätze. Daher ist es notwendig, zusätzliche Nistplätze an Gebäuden zur Verfügung zu stellen. Im Rahmen eines Forschungsprojekts der TU Wien im Auftrag der Wiener Umweltschutzabteilung MA 22 werden drei verschiedene Modelle von Fassadennistplätzen näher untersucht. Anhand von Simulationsberechnungen werden mögliche Wärmebrücken, die durch in die Fassade integrierte Nistplätze verursacht werden, betrachtet und in weiterer Folge optimiert. Für eine detaillierte Simulation wurden die Abmessungen, die Wärmeleitfähigkeit etc. der einzelnen Materialien messtechnisch bestimmt. Simuliert wurden Nistkästen, die direkt an der Außenwand befestigt sind und in der optimierten Variante eine Dämmschicht zwischen Wand und Nistkästen aufweisen. Diese Simulationen wurden sowohl für Varianten der Außenwand aus Stahlbeton als auch aus Mauerwerk durchgeführt. Im Gegensatz zu direkt an der Wand befestigten Nistplätzen, gibt es bei den jeweiligen optimierten Varianten keine hygienisch kritischen Oberflächentemperaturzustände. In einem weiteren Schritt wurde eine mögliche direkte Integration der Nistkästen in ein Wärmedämmverbundsystem verfolgt, erste Varianten hierzu entwickelt und diese bezüglich ihrer bauphysikalischen Parameter untersucht.
Reduzieren des Nutzkältebedarfs durch Fensternachtlüftung
Authors: Knissel Jens , Dettner Maximilian , Lichtmeß Markus , Schöberlein Fritz
Published: June 2019

Die aus Klimaschutzgründen stetig steigenden Effizienzanforderungen an Gebäude erfordern einerseits technisch und ökonomisch sinnvolle Effizienzmaßnahmen. Andererseits müssen diese auch in den normativen Nachweisverfahren quantifizierbar sein, um die Effizienzsteigerung zu belegen. Im Beitrag wird ein Berechnungsansatz vorgestellt, um die Reduzierung des Nutzkältebedarfs durch Fensternachtlüftung bei Nicht‐Wohngebäuden zu quantifizieren. Dieser Ansatz kann in die Bilanzberechnungen nach DIN V 18599 integriert werden. Es wird zwischen einer vereinfachten und einer variablen Methode unterschieden. Die vereinfachte Methode eignet sich insbesondere für den gesetzlichen Energieeffizienznachweis, da der zusätzliche Eingabeaufwand für den Anwender sehr gering ist. Mit der variablen Methode kann der Einfluss der Fensternachtlüftung für variable Randbedingungen ermittelt werden. Die Berechnung ist komplexer und der Eingabeaufwand für den Anwender höher, so dass der Anwendungsfall eher bei der Energieberatung oder Gebäudeplanung gesehen wird.
Facile, Solvent‐Free Preparation of High Density, High Mass Loading Sulfur Cathodes Enabled by Dry‐Pressable Holey Graphene Scaffolds
Authors: Lin Yi , Jones Kobi J. , Greenburg Louisa C. , Kim Jae‐Woo , Hu Liangbing , Connell John W.
Published: June 2019

For lithium‐sulfur (Li−S) batteries to be practically applicable in large scale, high mass loading and high S content are required for the sulfur (S) cathodes. Most reported S cathode preparation procedures, such as melt infiltration of S into carbon scaffolds followed by conventional solvent‐based slurry casting, are time‐consuming, costly, and lack control with respect to the electrode composition and quality. Here we report the use of a facile room‐temperature procedure that is especially useful in the preparation of high density, high mass loading S cathodes with convenient control of S content and electrode architecture. The solvent‐free and binder‐free procedure is enabled by the use of holey graphene (hG) as a unique dry‐pressable electrode scaffold host to effectively encapsulate S in the conductive matrix. The entire process can be completed within just a few minutes at room temperature, in comparison to much longer time required for most other methods. With effective S utilization, the high mass loadings and high densities of the dry‐pressed hG‐hosted S cathodes result in excellent areal (up to 20 mAh/cm2) and volumetric performance (1787 mAh/cm3 is the highest reported to date), respectively. The hG‐enabled dry‐press method therefore offers an attractive processing option for S composite cathode fabrication toward practical applications.
The impact of mesenchymal stem cells on doxorubicin‐induced testicular toxicity and progeny outcome of male prepubertal rats
Authors: Abdelaziz Mennatallah H. , Salah EL‐Din Eman Y. , El‐Dakdoky Mai H. , Ahmed Tawfik A.
Published: June 2019

Background

Many therapies to treat cancer are gonadotoxic and can lead to infertility. New strategies to diminish the side effects and protective plans during and after chemotherapy are needed. Therefore, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) as a novel solution were investigated against doxorubicin (Dox)‐induced toxicity in rat testes.

Methods

Forty male albino prepubertal rats were divided into four groups, 10 rats per each group. The first was injected intraperitoneally with saline as control. The second group was injected intravenously with a single dose of BM‐MSCs (2 × 106 cells). The third was injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of Dox (5 mg/kg b.wt). The fourth was injected with both Dox and BM‐MSCs as previously mentioned. Rats were cohabited each separately with an untreated adult female after 8 weeks of treatment to examine Dox effects on male's fertility.

Results

BM‐MSCs counteract the deleterious effects of Dox on body, testicular weight as well as sperm quality by increasing sperm concentration and reducing the rate of abnormal sperm. BM‐MSCs reduced significantly the testicular oxidative stress by reducing the elevated level of malondialdehyde and increasing the antioxidant capacity. Histologically, the testicular atrophy, severe damage of spermatogenesis and the significant reduction of the diameter and germinative cell layer thickness of the seminiferous tubules caused by Dox were significantly recovered after administration of the BM‐MSCs.

Conclusion

BM‐MSCs have a significant role in restoring the structural efficiency of male reproductive system in rats after Dox treatment.
Reptilian Cognition: A More Complex Picture via Integration of Neurological Mechanisms, Behavioral Constraints, and Evolutionary Context
Authors: Roth Timothy C. , Krochmal Aaron R. , LaDage Lara D.
Published: June 2019

Unlike birds and mammals, reptiles are commonly thought to possess only the most rudimentary means of interacting with their environments, reflexively responding to sensory information to the near exclusion of higher cognitive function. However, reptilian brains, though structurally somewhat different from those of mammals and birds, use many of the same cellular and molecular processes to support complex behaviors in homologous brain regions. Here, the neurological mechanisms supporting reptilian cognition are reviewed, focusing specifically on spatial cognition and the hippocampus. These processes are compared to those seen in mammals and birds within an ecologically and evolutionarily relevant context. By viewing reptilian cognition through an integrative framework, a more robust understanding of reptile cognition is gleaned. Doing so yields a broader view of the evolutionarily conserved molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie cognitive function and a better understanding of the factors that led to the evolution of complex cognition.
Dynamic Behavior of C60 Fullerene in Carbon Nanopeapods: Tight‐Binding Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Lee Jangwon , Lee Changhoon , Osawa Eiji , Lee Kee Hag
Published: June 2019

We have studied the fragmentation of C60 fullerenes in a single wall carbon nanotube using the molecular dynamic simulations combined with the empirical‐tight‐binding total‐energy‐calculation method. We show the chemical binding structure of carbon nanopeapod (CNP) comprised of single‐wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) and C60 fullerene molecule and the geometrical spatial positioning structure of C60 inside in the SWNT as a function of dynamic time for 2 ps at each temperature of 4000, 5000, and 6000 K. Therefore, using the snapshots, it could be shown that one is consistent with a previous study that the passage of thermal conductivity in the CNP is mainly transmitted through C60 rather than CNT, and the other is to carefully suggest that the scenario in which C60@SWNT forms a double‐walled carbon nanotube is followed by the destruction of C60 after the combination of C60 and SWNT is made in the early stages.
MGMT autoantibodies as a potential prediction of recurrence and treatment response biomarker for glioma patients
Authors: Wu Haibin , Deng Zhitong , Wang Hao , Li Xuetao , Sun Ting , Tao Zhennan , Yao Lin , Jin Yanping , Wang Xiaoying , Yang Lan , Ma Hongwei , Huang Yulun , Zhou Youxin , Du Ziwei
Published: June 2019

Background

Cancer‐specific autoantibodies found in serum of cancer patients have been characterized as potential predictors of the high risk of recurrence and treatment response. The objective of this study is to investigate the clinical utility of serum O‐6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) autoantibodies as novel biomarkers for prediction of recurrence and treatment response for glioma through MGMT peptides microarray.

Methods

A total of 201 serum samples of glioma patients with various WHO grade and 311 serum samples of healthy donors were examined for the detection of MGMT autoantibodies by peptides microarray. The clinical value of MGMT autoantibodies was studied through univariable and multivariable analyses.

Results

Autoantibodies to MGMT peptides were detected in sera from glioma patients and five highly responsive autoantibodies to peptides were identified in the glioma group. The positive rate of MGMT autoantibody to 20 peptides in glioma groups is compared with healthy individuals, the positive rate of MGMT‐02 (45%), MGMT‐04 (27%), MGMT‐07 (21%), MGMT‐10 (13%), and MGMT‐18 (24%) were significantly elevated in patients with glioma. MGMT autoantibody and its protein expression exhibited a significant correlation. The levels of MGMT autoantibodies decreased on the 30th day after operation, reaching preoperative levels, similar to those when tumor recurrence developed. Univariable and multivariable analyses revealed that the only preoperative autoantibodies to MGMT‐02 peptide were independently correlated with recurrence‐free survival. Preoperative seropositive patients were more likely than seronegative patients to have shorter recurrence times and to be resistant to chemoradiotherapy or chemotherapy with temozolomide.

Conclusion

Monitoring the levels of preoperative serum autoantibodies to MGMT‐02 peptide was useful for predicting patients at high risk of recurrence and treatment response.
Antecedents of consumers' citizenship behaviour towards organic foods
Authors: Chiu Tao‐Sheng , Ortiz Jaime , Chih Wen‐Hai , Pang Li‐Chin , Huang Jiun‐Jen
Published: June 2019

Within the consumer behaviour literature, there has been little research on factors that influence customers' choices for organic foods. This study investigates three aspects of the Taiwanese organic food market. The first aspect considers how argument quality, source credibility, and social comparison affect consumer‐social venture identification. The second aspect examines how identity attractiveness, social media engagement, and self‐determination affect personal relevance. The third and final aspect investigates how consumer‐social venture identification and personal relevance influence customer citizenship behaviour. The results show that consumer‐social venture identification and personal relevance have significant and positive effects on customer citizenship behaviour. Furthermore, argument quality, source credibility, and social comparison all have significant and positive effects on consumer‐social venture identification. Finally, identity attractiveness, social media engagement, and self‐determination have significant and positive effects on personal relevance. This study makes three contributions regarding consumers' behaviour of purchasing organic foods. First, it explores whether consumer‐social venture identification and personal relevance are antecedents of customer citizenship behaviour. Second, it investigates whether argument quality, source credibility, and social comparison are antecedents of consumer‐social venture identification. Last, it examines whether identity attractiveness, social media engagement, and self‐determination are antecedents of personal relevance. The practical implications of this study indicate that firms must pay more attention to consumers' information search/sharing and perceptions of a credible environment for sharing information and their awareness about healthy items and personal images on social networking sites.
Roles for VEGF‐C/NRP–2 axis in regulating renal tubular epithelial cell survival and autophagy during serum deprivation
Authors: Chang Xiaoyan , Yang Qian , Zhang Conghui , Zhang Ying , Liang Xinjun , Liu Yanyan , Xu Gang
Published: June 2019

Vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF‐C) is an angiogenic and lymphangiogenic growth factor. Recent research has revealed the role for VEGF‐C in regulating autophagy by interacting with a nontyrosine kinase receptor, neuropilin‐2 (NRP–2). However, whether VEGF‐C participates in regulating cell survival and autophagy in renal proximal tubular cells is unknown. To address this question, we employed a cell modal of serum deprivation to verify the role of VEGF‐C and its receptor NRP–2 in regulating cell survival and autophagy in NRK52E cell lines. The results show that VEGF‐C rescued the loss of cell viability induced by serum deprivation in a concentration‐dependent manner. Furthermore, endogenous VEGF‐C was knocked down in NRK52E cells by using specific small‐interfering RNAs (siRNA), cells were more sensitive to serum deprivation–induced cell death. A similar increase in cell death rate was observed following NRP–2 depletion in serum‐starved NRK52E cells. Autophagy activity in serum‐starved NRK52E cells was confirmed by western blot analysis of microtubule‐associated protein‐1 chain 3 (LC3), immunofluorescence staining of endogenous LC3, and the formation of autophagosomes by electron microscopy. VEGF‐C or NRP–2 depletion further increased LC3 expression induced by serum deprivation, suggesting that VEGF‐C and NRP–2 were involved in controlling autophagy in NRK52E cells. We further performed autophagic flux experiments to identify that VEGF‐C promotes the activation of autophagy in serum‐starved NRK52E cells. Together, these results suggest for the first time that VEGF‐C/NRP–2 axis promotes survival and autophagy in NRK52E cells under serum deprivation condition.

Significance of the study

More researchers had focused on the regulation of autophagy in kidney disease. The effect of VEGF‐C on cell death and autophagy in renal epithelial cells has not been examined. We first identified the VEGF‐C as a regulator of cell survival and autophagy in NRK52E cell lines. And VEGF‐C/NRP–2 may mediate autophagy by regulating the phosphorylation of 4EBP1 and P70S6K. VEGF‐C treatment may be identified as a therapeutic target in renal injury repair due to its capacity to promote tubular cell survival in the future.
Postallogeneic stem cell transplant Hodgkin lymphoma: Rare presentation of an uncommon occurrence
Authors: iftikhar Raheel , Un nisa Chaudhry Qamar , Satti Tariq Mehmood , Kamran Mahmood Syed , Ghafoor Tariq
Published: June 2019

Key Clinical Message

Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders are rare but potentially life‐threatening complication of HSCT. Although not frequently reported but PTLD can occur as a late post‐transplant complication in HSCT recipients. A high index of suspicion should be kept for early diagnosis of these disorders as delay in diagnosis can have catastrophic implications.
Ultrasonic‐Assisted Linker Exchange (USALE): A Novel Post‐Synthesis Method for Controlling the Functionality, Porosity, and Morphology of MOFs
Authors: Razavi Sayed Ali Akbar , Morsali Ali
Published: June 2019

The introduction of organic ligands into metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with a specific topology and that cannot be attained by direct synthesis is a big challenge. To meet this challenge, different ligand exchange/incorporation methods have been employed. Here, a new method, called ultrasonic‐assisted linker exchange (USALE), has been developed to overcome the above‐mentioned problems. USALE is a novel method for ligand exchange based on the use of ultrasonic waves. The temperature and pressure caused by the USALE method in microscopic zones are so intense that the linker exchange process is much faster than with other methods. In addition to saving time during synthesis, the use of the USALE method leads to a higher surface area and pore volume compared with other methods such as solvent‐assisted linker exchange (SALE). In this way, improved gas adsorption capacity has been achieved for daughter frameworks synthesized by the USALE method. By using the USALE method, we have transformed a nonporous and easy‐to‐synthesize TMU framework ([Zn(OBA)(BPDB)0.5]n⋅2DMF (TMU‐4), in which H2OBA=4,4′‐oxybis(benzoic acid) and BPDB=1,4‐di(4‐pyridyl)‐2,3‐diaza‐1,3‐butadiene) into another porous framework ([Zn(OBA)(H2DPT)0.5]n⋅DMF (TMU‐34), in which H2DPT=3,6‐di(4‐pyridyl)‐1,4‐dihydro‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine) that otherwise requires a relatively long time to synthesize. In addition to reducing the synthesis time for TMU‐34 (in comparison with both direct sonochemical synthesis and the indirect SALE method), the data obtained revealed that the daughter TMU‐34 framework synthesized by the USALE method has a higher surface area and accessible pore volume than TMU‐34 frameworks synthesized by SALE and direct methods. The application of SALE‐TMU‐34 and USALE‐TMU‐34 in a catalytic Henry condensation reaction and Congo Red adsorption experiments showed that the higher porosity of USALE‐TMU‐34 leads to a higher turn‐over frequency and saturation capacity compared with SALE‐TMU‐34.
Z‐bpy, a New C2‐Symmetric Bipyridine Ligand and Its Application in Enantioselective Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Cyclopropanation of Olefins
Authors: Ouyang Yizhao , Zhan Miao , Zhou Jing , Jiao Jiao , Hu Hao , Yamada Yoichi M. A. , Li Pengfei
Published: June 2019

Summary of main observation and conclusion

A rigid C2‐symmetric chiral bipyridine ligand Z‐bpy with a triptycene‐like backbone was designed and synthesized from simple chemicals in a scalable route. Using this new ligand, copper(I) catalyzed cyclopropanation of styrenes with commercial ethyl diazoacetate produced various corresponding cyclopropanes in high yields, diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity up to 97% ee.
External‐Oxidant‐Free Electrochemical Oxidative Trifluoromethylation of Arenes Using CF3SO2Na as the CF3 Source
Authors: Deng Yong , Lu Fangling , You Siqi , Xia Tianrui , Zheng Yifan , Lu Cuifen , Yang Guichun , Chen Zuxing , Gao Meng , Lei Aiwen
Published: June 2019

Summary of main observation and conclusion

An efficient and environmentally benign electrochemical oxidative radical C—H trifluoromethylation of arenes by employing Langlois reagent as the CF3 source was developed in this work. Neither transition metal catalysts nor external chemical oxidants were required in this trifluoromethylation process. The reaction could be conducted in gram scale with high reaction efficiency.