bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supercritical CO2 Extraction of Waste Citrus Seeds: Chemical Composition, Nutritional and Biological Properties of Edible Fixed Oils
Authors: Rosa Antonella , Era Benedetta , Masala Carla , Nieddu Mariella , Scano Paola , Fais Antonella , Porcedda Silvia , Piras Alessandra
Published: May 2019

Seeds of Citrus plants (Rutaceae), an major agro‐industrial waste, are a potential source of valuable by‐products. The chemical composition, the antioxidant profile, and the biological/nutritional properties of fixed oils (SFE oils) obtained by supercritical CO2 extraction (at 300 bar and 40 °C) from seeds of mandarin (Citrus reticulata), lemon (Citrus limon), and grapefruit (Citrus paradisi), discarded by a local agro‐alimentary industry are studied. The yields and compositions of SFE oils are compared to oils obtained by n‐hexane extraction of Citrus seeds in a Soxhlet apparatus (SoxE oils). Linoleic (35–42%), oleic (22–28%), palmitic (21–25%), α‐linolenic (4–10%), and stearic (4–7%) are the main oil fatty acids, while monolinolein and dilinolein derivatives represent the main triacylglycerols in SFE oils, determined by GC‐FID and HPLC‐DAD/ELSD techniques. Citrus SFE oils show lower yields than SoxE oils but similar chemical profiles. Principal components analysis applied to fatty acid and triacylglycerol data indicates that the oils from different seeds are tightly clustered. Moreover, SFE oils show radical scavenging activities (ABTS assays), an inhibitory effect on the growth of murine B16F10 melanoma cells and on the mushroom tyrosinase activity. Citrus SFE oils and de‐coated seeds are also evaluated for their attractant effect on the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata by behavioral assays. The results qualify Citrus SFE oils as a potential natural, environmentally‐friendly, resource for food/pharmaceutical applications.

Practical Applications: The environmentally‐friendly supercritical CO2 extraction of waste lemon, mandarin, and grapefruit seeds gives edible fixed oils a richness in essential fatty acids, suitable for human nutrition and the preparation of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.

Edible fixed oils obtained from lemon, mandarin, and grapefruit seeds by SFE‐CO2 extraction show high levels of essential fatty acids, antioxidant, anticancer, and antityrosinase activity.
Fabrication of an Advanced Symmetric Supercapattery Based on Nanostructured Bismuth‐Cobalt‐Zinc Ternary Oxide Anchored on Silicon Carbide Hybrid Composite Electrode
Authors: Punde Ninad S. , Rajpurohit Anuja S. , Srivastava Ashwini K.
Published: May 2019

Herein, a novel nanostructure hybrid electrode based on silicon carbide supports a bismuth‐cobalt‐zinc ternary oxide composite (SiC/BiCoZnO) material that is designed for a high‐performance supercapattery device. The hybrid microstructure SiC/BiCoZnO is synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method subsequently followed by a calcination process. The mesoporous BiCoZnO nanoparticles (with specific surface area of 154.5 m2 g−1) are linked on the large surface of SiC structures in a SiC/BiCoZnO nanocomposite. The hybrid electrode possesses a high specific capacity of 841.1 C g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 in a mixed electrolyte of 1 m KOH + 1 m Na2SO4 due to synergistic effects of high conduction as well as large SiC structures and redox active metals present in the BiCoZnO nanoparticles. Moreover, the SiC/BiCoZnO nanocomposite displays excellent rate performance in a symmetric supercapattery device, which offers an excellent energy density of 76.25 Wh kg−1 at 1 A g−1 and maximum power output of 19 000 W kg−1 at 20 A g−1 with an outstanding capacity retention of 84.2% after 10 000 charge–discharge cycles. Thus, the hybrid architecture of the SiC/BiCoZnO nanocomposite with superior electrochemical properties can make it highly beneficial for the fabrication of energy and power devices.
Ruthenium oxide/tungsten oxide composite nanofibers as anode catalysts for the green energy generation of Chlorella vulgaris mediated biophotovoltaic cells
Authors: Karthikeyan C. , Raj kumar T. , Pannipara Mehboobali , Al‐Sehemi Abdullah G. , Senthilkumar N. , Angelaalincy M. J. , Varalakshmi P. , Phang Siew‐Moi , Periasamy Vengadesh , Gnana kumar G.
Published: May 2019

The development of electrochemically active and stable anode catalysts for the photoelectrochemical splitting of water molecules via biophotovoltaic cells (BPVs) utilizing microalgae receives a prime importance in green energy sector. Herein, we report the ruthenium oxide (RuO2)/tungsten oxide (WO3) composite nanofibers based photoanode for the application of high performance and durable BPV. The sequential arrangement of 6 nm sized RuO2/WO3 spherical particles constitutes the nanofibrous morphology and a number of surface active sites and structural integrity of nanofibers demonstrate the excellent and stable photo‐oxidation currents. Under the light regime, RuO2/WO3/carbon cloth photoanode exhibits the substantial BPV power and current densities with an excellent durability. Thus this systematic study evokes the fundamental understanding on the electron generation and transference mechanisms, which offers new dimensions in the development of high performance and durable BPVs.
The Early Permian active continental margin at the eastern margin of the Jiamusi Block, NE China: Evidenced by zircon U–Pb chronology and geochemistry of the Erlongshan andesites
Authors: Li Gong‐Yu , Zhou Jian‐Bo , Li Long
Published: May 2019

The Jiamusi Block is an important tectonic unit in the Chinese segment of the CAOB. Its eastern margin became an active continental margin in the period of Late Carboniferous. However, the tectonic affinity of this section has not been resolved yet. The Early Permian andesites within the Erlongshan Formation in the eastern Jiamusi Block provide a critical record for the active continental margin setting. Precise LA‐ICP‐MS U–Pb zircon dating on four andesite samples gave ages of 280 ± 3 Ma, 282 ± 3 Ma, 286 ± 4, and 284 ± 2 Ma, respectively, defining an Early Permian age for the crystallization of the andesites. The andesites have medium‐K and calc‐alkaline compositions, with variable SiO2(54.70–57.46 wt%), TiO2(0.87–1.12 wt%), TFe2O3(6.52–8.13 wt%), MgO (2.62–3.33 wt%), Al2O3(15.96–17.83 wt%), Na2O (3.28–4.10 wt%), and K2O (1.16–1.95 wt%) contents. They are relatively enriched in LREEs ((La/Yb)N = 5.0–7.1) and LILEs (e.g., Ba, Th, Sr, and U), deleted in HREEs and HFSEs (e.g., Nb, Ta, Zr, and Y) and have weak or no Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu* = 0.87–1.02). These geochemical features indicate that the andesites within the Erlongshan Formation originated from an active continental margin setting, and their magma source was produced by partial melting of a mantle material that had been metasomatized by subduction‐related melts and subsequently underwent the removal of mafic minerals and accumulation of plagioclase. Integrated with previous studies on the igneous and sedimentary rocks, we thus propose that the Jiamusi Block was in an active continental margin setting in the period of the Late Carboniferous to Early Permian (310–280 Ma), and it is more likely related to the subduction of the Mongol‐Okhotsk Ocean.
Building financial management capacity for community ownership of development initiatives in rural Zambia
Authors: Sakanga Viviane I.R. , Chastain Parker S. , McGlasson Kathleen L. , Kaiser Jeanette L. , Bwalya Misheck , Mwansa Melvin , Mataka Kaluba , Kalaba David , Scott Nancy A. , Vian Taryn
Published: May 2019

Background

Building financial management capacity is increasingly important in low‐ and middle‐income countries to help communities take ownership of development activities. Yet, many community members lack financial knowledge and skills.

Methods

We designed and conducted financial management trainings for 83 members from 10 community groups in rural Zambia. We conducted pre‐training and post‐training tests and elicited participant feedback. We conducted 28 in‐depth interviews over 18 months and reviewed financial records to assess practical application of skills.

Results

The training significantly improved knowledge of financial concepts, especially among participants with secondary education. Participants appreciated exercises to contextualize financial concepts within daily life and liked opportunities to learn from peers in small groups. Language barriers were a particular challenge. After trainings, sites successfully adhered to the principles of financial management, discussing the benefits they experienced from practicing accountability, transparency, and accurate recordkeeping.

Conclusion

Financial management trainings need to be tailored to the background and education level of participants. Trainings should relate financial concepts to more tangible applications and provide time for active learning. On‐site mentorship should be considered for a considerable time. This training approach could be used in similar settings to improve community oversight of resources intended to strengthen developmental initiatives.
Central bank independence and inflation—Old story told anew
Authors: Kokoszczyński Ryszard , Mackiewicz‐Łyziak Joanna
Published: May 2019

Central bank independence (CBI) and its link to inflation have become a part of conventional wisdom. However, the literature shows that there is a lack of a stable general pattern for the relation between CBI and inflation, even for relatively homogenous groups of countries. In this study, we use two indexes for CBI proposed in the literature. For the panel of 51 countries (24 advanced and 27 nonadvanced economies), we estimate two regression models—one with inflation as a dependent variable and another with inflation gap in this role. We use two estimation methods: the panel fixed effects model with serial autocorrelation in the error term and the Arellano‐Bond difference generalized method of moments estimator. In addition, we use disaggregated indices to check what aspects of independence are of highest importance. Our results suggest that CBI has a negative significant impact on inflation mostly by results for nonadvanced economies and that this relationship did not change during the recent crisis.
Foregrounding Collaboration in Disciplinary Literacy: Implications From JAAL, 2008–2017
Authors: Hinton KaaVonia , Suh Yonghee
Published: May 2019

In this review, the authors examined articles on collaboration within the context of disciplinary literacy that appeared in the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy between October 2008, when Moje published “Foregrounding the Disciplines in Secondary Literacy Teaching and Learning: A Call for Change,” and December 2017. Findings suggest that the definition of disciplinary literacy has expanded, collaboration is important for both teacher and student learning, and tension surfaces when collaboration happens. The authors propose that greater attention needs to be given to the role of collaboration as a space to engage and enhance disciplinary literacy practices.
An epigenome‐wide DNA methylation study of workers with an occupational exposure to lead
Authors: Zhang Xing‐xu , He Zhen , Feng Bin , Shao Hua
Published: May 2019

Using the Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip (850 K), we report genome‐wide differences in DNA methylation between occupational workers with high blood Pb levels (BLL) and low BLL. We observed 356 significant CpG sites. In particular, GSTM1 methylation was negatively associated with high BLL. Gene ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed to determine the complex biological systems of Pb exposure. Enriched gene sets were involved in the oxidation‐reduction process, glutathione derivative biosynthetic process and nervous system development. To our knowledge, this is the first study to employ an 850 K array to examine whether workers with occupational exposure to high levels of Pb can have an epigenetic effect on the DNA methylation pattern.
Prediction of potential drugs and targets based on meibomian gland dysfunction module classification to guide individualized treatment
Authors: Ni Qingfeng , Zhao Jingcong , Gao Yingying , Qin Dongju , Chen Xiaomei , Ainiwaer Xiamuxiya
Published: May 2019

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is an epidemic chronic ocular inflammation. However, little is known about its effective treatment. Here, this study identified important MGD‐related genes, core regulators, and potential drugs and their targets though integrating a series of bioinformational analyses. First, there were 665 differentially expression genes (DEGs) were identified. Then, 56 coexpression modules were exacted based on the expression of DEGs and their interactors. Moreover, core transcription factors (TF) significantly regulated modules were identified, including RELA, HIF1A, SIRT1, and MYC, which related to variety of eye diseases. Finally, the prediction of potential drugs and the identification of their target were performed. The results showed that artenimol, copper, and glutathione may have the remarkable curative effect or the toxicology to MGD. Moreover, their targets module gene LDHA (lactate dehydrogenase A), ENO1 (enolase 1), ALB (albumin), and PKM (pyruvate kinase M) are play important role in eye diseases. It suggests that these potential drugs may be useful for the treatment of MGD by acting on their targets. It provides valuable references for drug redirection and new drug development for drug developers, and provides individualized treatment strategies for tarsal gland dysfunction.
The hopeful anticancer role of oleuropein in breast cancer through histone deacetylase modulation
Authors: Mansouri Neda , Alivand Mohammad Reza , Bayat Sahar , Khaniani Mahmoud Shekari , Derakhshan Sima Mansoori
Published: May 2019

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers among women worldwide. Genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors play a crucial role in BC development. Because epigenetic imbalance occurs earlier than expression in carcinogenesis and is reversible, epigenetic reprogramming strategies could be more useful for cancer prevention and therapy. There is evidence indicating that the use of herbal compounds with low toxicity can offer a real benefit in the prevention or treatment of cancer. Oleuropein (OLE), as a natural polyphenol, has shown the anticancer property in cancers. In this study, we investigated for the first time the link between histone deacetylase (HDAC) and OLE to have an anticancer effect in BC. The potential apoptotic and anti‐invasive effects of OLE were tested using MCF‐7 cells. Transcript expression of HDAC1 and HDAC4 genes after treatment was determined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. OLE obviously reduced invasiveness and cell viability and simultaneously induced cell apoptosis in MCF‐7 cancer cells. Dose‐dependent reduction of HDAC4 was observed, whereas apparent changes could not be observed in HDAC1 expression. The current research indicated that OLE can inhibit proliferation and invasion of cells by inducing apoptosis likely through modulation of an important epigenetic factor, HDAC4, in MCF‐7 cells. OLE has the potential to be a therapeutic drug for BC prevention and treatment.
Overexpression of the long noncoding RNA TRHDE‐AS1 inhibits the progression of lung cancer via the miRNA‐103/KLF4 axis
Authors: Zhuan Bing , Lu Yuting , Chen Qian , Zhao Xia , Li Ping , Yuan Qun , Yang Zhao
Published: May 2019

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore the role and molecular basis of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) TRHDE‐AS1 in lung cancer.

Methods

We used real‐time polymerase chain reaction to analyze the messenger RNA expression levels of TRHDE‐AS1, miR‐103, and KLF4. The cell viability, proliferation, and invasion rates were assessed via 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide, Cell Counting Kit‐8, and Transwell assays to elucidate the role of TRHDE‐AS1.

Results

Our results demonstrated that the lncRNA TRHDE‐AS1 is mainly located in the cytoplasm and that the cell proliferation and invasion were suppressed in the group of overexpressed TRHDE‐AS1. We also showed that miR‐103 could directly bind to TRHDE‐AS1 and provided evidence of the oncogenic function of miR‐103. Besides, we proved that miR‐103 exerted its function by adjusting the expression level of the tumor‐suppressor gene KLF4, and the expression level was negatively associated with miR‐103.

Conclusion

In summary, we determined that the effects of TRHDE‐AS1 on proliferation, invasion, and cell death could be rescued by the overexpression of miR‐103. Our experiments demonstrate that the TRHDE‐AS1/miR‐103/KLF4 axis may provide new evidence for understanding the molecular basis of lung cancer.
Bradykinin protects cardiac c‐kit positive cells from high‐glucose‐induced senescence through B2 receptor signaling pathway
Authors: Fu Cong , Cao Yuhan , Li Bing , Xu Rongfeng , Sun Yuning , Yao Yuyu
Published: May 2019

Cardiac c‐kit positive cells are cardiac‐derived cells that exist within the heart and have a great many protective effects. The senescence of cardiac c‐kit positive cells probably leads to cell dysfunction. Bradykinin plays a key role in cell protection. However, whether bradykinin prevents cardiac c‐kit positive cells from high‐glucose‐induced senescence is unknown. Here, we found that glucose treatment causes the premature senescence of cardiac c‐kit positive cells. Bradykinin B2 receptor (B2R) expression was declined by glucose‐induced senescence. Bradykinin treatment inhibited senescence and reduced intracellular oxygen radicals according to senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase staining and 2′,7′‐dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate staining. Moreover, the mitochondrial membrane potential was damaged, as measured by JC‐1 staining. The mitochondrial membrane potential was preserved under bradykinin treatment. The concentration of superoxide was decreased, and the concentration of intracellular adenosine triphosphate was increased after bradykinin treatment. Western blot showed that bradykinin leads to AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) phosphorylation and decreased levels of P53 and P16 when compared with glucose treatment alone. Antagonists of B2R, phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K), mTOR, and B2R small interfering RNA prevented the protective effect of bradykinin. P53 antagonist also inhibited the glucose‐induced senescence of cardiac c‐kit positive cells. In conclusion, bradykinin prevents the glucose‐induced premature senescence of cardiac c‐kit positive cells through the B2R/PI3K/AKT/mTOR/P53 signal pathways.
KoBra: A rate constant method for prediction of the diffusion of sorbates inside nanoporous materials at different loadings
Authors: Kolokathis Panagiotis D. , Braun Oleg M.
Published: May 2019

We present a new method for calculating the diffusion tensor for the systems of sorbates inside nanoporous materials at different loadings by just using transition rate constants. In addition, a user‐friendly program with graphical user interface has been developed and is freely provided to be used (https://sourceforge.net/projects/kobra/). It needs from the user just to provide the values of the unit cell lengths and angles, the transition rate constants for each sorbate, and any spatial constraint between these sorbates. This program is shown to be about 30 times faster than kinetic Monte Carlo method. Application of the method to the problem of diffusion of aromatics in silicalite‐1 at different loadings is presented too. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel ternary GO@SiO2‐HPW nanocomposite as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of benzazoles in aqueous media
Authors: Habibzadeh Setareh , Firouzzadeh Pasha Ghasem , Tajbakhsh Mahmood , Amiri Andi Nasim , Alaee Ehsan
Published: May 2019

A new solid acid catalyst, consisting of 12‐phosphotungstic heteropoly acid (HPW) supported on graphene oxide/silica nanocomposite (GO@SiO2), has been developed via immobilizing HPW onto an amine‐functionalized GO/SiO2 surface through coordination interaction (GO@SiO2‐HPW). The GO@SiO2‐HPW nanocomposite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The prepared nanocomposite could be dispersed homogeneously in water and further used as a heterogeneous, reusable, and efficient catalyst for the synthesis of benzimidazoles and benzothiazoles by the reaction of 1,2‐phenelynediamine or 2‐aminothiophenol with different aldehydes.
Thyroid autoimmune diseases and thyroid tumors: Would EBV infection be the link?
Authors: de Almeida Jacqueline Fátima Martins , Ward Laura Sterian
Published: May 2019

The role of EBV in thyroid cancer development and the patient's outcome is still unclear. Using nested‐PCR, Moghoofei et al. reported a high incidence of a virus in thyroid tumor samples, different from our results, obtained by quantitative real‐time PCR and confirmed by in situ hybridization. Because lymphocytes are the main reservoir of the virus and tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes are commonly observed in thyroid cancer, it is important to distinguish follicular cells infection from lymphoid tissue infection. The association between autoimmune diseases and thyroid cancer raises the importance of continuing to investigate the role of ubiquitous pathogens in thyroid tumorigenesis.
Knockdown of lncRNA NEAT1 inhibits Th17/CD4+ T cell differentiation through reducing the STAT3 protein level
Authors: Shui Xiaolong , Chen Shaomin , Lin Jinti , Kong Jianzhong , Zhou Chengwei , Wu Jiaozhen
Published: May 2019

CD4+ T cells differentiated into Th17 cells are a main cause for occurrence and development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aims to define the role of long noncoding RNA nuclear‐enriched abundant transcript 1 (lncRNA NEAT1) and its downstream molecule in Th17 cell differentiation. Determination of lncRNA NEAT1 expression in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with RA and in Th17 cells induced differentiation in vitro used quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Lentivirus‐constructed short hairpin RNA interference for NEAT1 (Lenti‐siRNA‐NEAT1) was pretransfected into CD4+ T cells before inducing treatment of Th17 cell differentiation. NEAT1 targets STAT3 protein was proved by RNA pull down. Lenti‐siRNA‐NEAT1 was injected into the joint of the mice arthritis model to verify the function of NEAT1 knockdown. Our results showed that NEAT1 is significantly upregulated in the PBMCs of RA patients, as well as in Th17 cells in vitro induced from CD4+ T cells. The knockdown of NEAT1 restrains CD4+ T cells differentiate into Th17 cells. STAT3 protein, a critical molecule for Th17 cell differentiation, is a downstream molecule for NEAT and its cellular level can be positively targeted and regulated by NEAT via reducing the ubiquitination level. Moreover, the cotreatment of NEAT1 knockdown and STAT3 overexpression promotes Th17 cell differentiation compared with NEAT1 knockdown alone. Knockdown of Th17 by in vivo injection of lenti‐siRNA‐NEAT1 relieves arthritis degree in II type collagen induced mice arthritis model. These data concluded that NEAT1 is auxo‐active molecule for CD4+ T cells differentiating into Th17 cells and knockdown of NEAT1 positively inhibits Th17/CD4+ T cell differentiation through reducing the STAT3 protein level.
miR‐139‐5p reverses stemness maintenance and metastasis of colon cancer stem‐like cells by targeting E2‐2
Authors: Ma Xiaoying , Liu Jiajun , Li Jiyu , Li Yueqi , Le Van Minh , Li Shaoyu , Liang Xin , Liu Lingshuang , Liu Jianwen
Published: May 2019

Colon cancer stem cells (CCSCs) stand for a critical subpopulation of colon cancer cells that possess self‐renewal and multilineage differentiation potentials and drive tumorigenicity. Due to their impact on treatment tolerance, CCSCs have been a hot research topic in the past few years. We have previously reported that miR‐139‐5p is a vital tumor repressive noncoding RNA whose level decreases in the clinical colon cancer samples with the increase of tumor malignancy. This research discovered that miR‐139‐5p targets the Wnt/β‐catenin/TCF7L2 downstream effector E2‐2 in CCSCs. E2‐2 is a pivot molecule in the negative feedback loop of miR‐139‐5p/Wnt/β‐catenin/TCF7L2. Its small interfering RNA reverses the stemness maintenance and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of colon cancer CSCs. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the clinical diagnosis and medical treatment of recurrent or metastatic colon cancer with miR‐139‐5p and its target E2‐2.
Microbial community‐assisted water quality control and nutrients recovery: emerging technologies for the sustainable development of aquaponics
Authors: Yang Limin , Chen Fufeng , Xiao Yan , Li Huankai , Li Jun , Leng Lijian , Liu Hui , Zhong Yuming , Li Kun , Lu Qian , Zhou Wenguang
Published: May 2019

Aquaponics is considered as a possible method to produce aquatic animals and plants in an environmentally‐friendly way, but its commercialization is seriously hindered owing to some technical and economic problems. Recently, the integration of microbial community with aquaponics is on the way to becoming the next‐generation technology for the sustainable development and commercialization of the aquaponics industry. This article provides an authoritative discussion on the novel microbial community‐assisted aquaponics, which will be emerging from the research environment to industrial application in the coming future. Principles and key technologies of this novel aquaponics, as well as the potential challenges to its commercialization, are discussed. It is expected that the emerging technologies discussed in this work could address the existed technical problems and further promote the commercialization of aquaponics. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
A quality control approach to better characterize the spatial distribution of snow depth over New Brunswick, Canada
Authors: Baronetti Alice , Fratianni Simona , Acquaotta Fiorella , Fortin Guillaume
Published: May 2019

The aim of this work is to develop, from a high‐resolution climate analysis, a quality control standard methodology applied to manual snow cover (HS) series managed by the Snow Survey Database in New Brunswick (Canada). The database collected snow depth data biweekly starting at the end of January until the end of April. A 30‐year (1981–2010) analysis of 60 weather stations belonging to two independent meteorological networks was performed. A quality control of the climatic series was performed to evaluate the homogeneity. Three snow depth climatic areas were defined by means of two geostatistical methods (Kriging and Cluster analyses) applied on monthly snow depth, precipitation and temperature data series. Then, for each cluster, the climatological thresholds that characterize a snow fall event during the cold months were detected. Subsequently, a quality control on the daily snow depth series recorded during the January to April period was performed. For each daily series, outlier values were identified by checking both the sudden day‐to‐day changes and extreme thresholds (95th percentile). The quality control was then carried out to the manual series and the observed doubtful events were compared with the snow depth values recorded in the nearby stations. The results show that for the daily snow depth series, the highest number of suspect events was recorded during the months of March and April, and the analysis also shows that there are rain‐on‐snow events. As for the manual records, questionable snow depth errors randomly distributed in the series were highlighted. Finally, in order to improve the spatial distribution of stations located in the Canadian territory, the results give evidence that, thanks to the high‐resolution climatic analysis, the proposed approach provides all the benchmarks required to conduct a quality control of snow depth series in absence of other auxiliary variables.
Absence of Proteoglycan 4 (Prg4) Leads to Increased Subchondral Bone Porosity Which Can Be Mitigated Through Intra‐Articular Injection of PRG4
Authors: Abubacker Saleem , Premnath Priyatha , Shonak Anchita , Leonard Catherine , Shah Sophia , Zhu Ying , Jay Gregory D. , Schmidt Tannin A. , Boyd Steven , Krawetz Roman
Published: May 2019

Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) is a mucin‐like glycoprotein important for joint health. Mice lacking Prg4 demonstrate degeneration of the cartilage and altered skeletal morphology. The purpose of this study was to examine if Prg4 deficiency leads to subchondral bone defects and if these defects could be mitigated through intra‐articular injection of recombinant human PRG4 (rhPRG4). Mice deficient in Prg4 expression demonstrated increased cartilage thickness and increased subchondral bone porosity compared with C57BL/6 controls. While the porosity of the subchondral bone of Prg4−/− mice decreased over time with maturation, intra‐articular injection of rhPRG4 was able to forestall the increase in porosity. In contrast, neither hyaluronan (HA) nor methylprednisolone injections had beneficial effects on the subchondral bone porosity in the Prg4 knockout mice. Bone marrow progenitor cells from Prg4−/− mice demonstrated reduced osteogenic differentiation capacity at 4 weeks of age, but not at 16 weeks of age. While most studies on PRG4/lubricin focus on the health of the cartilage, this study demonstrates that PRG4 plays a role in the maturation of the subchondral bone. Furthermore, increasing joint lubrication/viscosupplementation through injection of HA or controlling joint inflammation through injection of methylprednisolone may help maintain the cartilage surface, but had no positive effect on the subchondral bone in animals lacking Prg4. Therefore, alterations in the subchondral bone in models with absent or diminished Prg4 expression should not be overlooked when investigating changes within the articular cartilage regarding the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis/arthrosis. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2077–2088, 2019
Using a shifted Grünwald‐Letnikov scheme for the Caputo derivative to study anomalous solute transport in porous medium
Authors: Mascarenhas Pedro Victor Serra , de Moraes Ricardo Mendonça , Cavalcante André Luís Brasil
Published: May 2019

We propose an extension of the shifted Grünwald‐Letnikov method to solve fractional partial differential equations in the Caputo sense with arbitrary fractional order derivative α and with an advective term. The method uses the relation between Caputo and Riemann‐Liouville definitions, the shifted Grünwald‐Letnikov, and the traditional backward and forward finite difference method. The stability of the method is investigated for the implicit and explicit scheme with homogeneous boundary conditions, and a stability criterion is found for the advective‐dispersive equation. An application of the method is used to solve contaminant diffusion and advective‐dispersive problems. The numerical solution for the fractional diffusion and fractional advection‐dispersion is compared with their respective analytical solutions for different time and space grid refinements. The diffusion simulation exhibited a good fit between the analytical and numerical solutions, with the explicit scheme going from stable to unstable as the time and space refinement changes. The fractional advection‐dispersion application produced small deviations from the analytical solution. These deviations, however, are analogous to the numerical dispersions encountered in conventional finite difference solutions of the advection‐dispersion equation. The new method is also compared with the traditional L2 method. Notably, an example that involves asymmetrical fractional conditions, a fractional diffusivity that depends on time, and a source term show how the methods compare. Overall, this study assesses the quality and easiness of use of the numerical method.
Optimal control strategy for the immunotherapeutic treatment of HIV infection with state constraint
Authors: Biswas Md. Haider Ali , Haque Md. Mohidul , Mallick Uzzwal Kumar
Published: May 2019

This paper deals with a nonlinear model of HIV immunology which describes the interactions between the human immune system and the virus. The optimal immunotherapeutic strategies are obtained using the Pontryagin maximum principle where the state constraint is active. The aim is to find the optimal treatment strategy such that the number of uninfected CD4+T cells count at the end of treatment is maximized while minimizing the hazardous side effects of the antiretroviral drug doses as well as the systematic cost. The novelty of this work is the introduction of a state constraint in the dynamics to modify the model. The model is investigated analytically and the result is verified with numerical findings. The result of our state‐constrained optimal control model shows the better effective treatment strategy for HIV infection.
Development of multifunctional polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)‐epoxy‐zinc oxide nanocomposite coatings for marine applications
Authors: Verma Shatakshi , Das Sonalee , Mohanty Smita , Nayak Sanjay Kumar
Published: May 2019

Multifunctional epoxy‐polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposite coatings with antifouling and anticorrosion characteristics have been developed via in situ polymerization method at different loading (1, 3, and 6.5 wt.%) of ZnO nanoparticles to cater marine applications. A detailed comparative analysis has been carried out between epoxy‐polydimethylsiloxane control (EPC) and ZnO‐reinforced coatings to determine the influence of ZnO loading on various properties. The incorporation of ZnO in EPC led to increase in root mean square (RMS) roughness to 126.75 nm and improved hydrophobicity showing maximum contact angle of 123.5° with low surface energy of 19.75 mN/m of nanocomposite coating as compared with control coating. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) result indicated improved glass transition temperature of nanocomposite coatings with highest Tg obtained at 83.69°C in case of 1 wt.% loading of ZnO. The increase in hydrophobicity of the system was accompanied by upgraded anticorrosion performance exhibiting 98.8% corrosion inhibition efficiency (CIE) as compared with control coating and lower corrosion rate of 0.12 × 10−3 mm/year. The Taber abrasion resistance and pull‐off adhesion strength results indicated an increment of 34.7% and 150.7%, respectively, in case of nanocomposite coating as compared with the control coating. The hardness of nanocomposite coatings was also improved, and maximum hardness was found to be 65.75 MPa for nanocomposite coating with 1 wt.% of ZnO. Our study showed that the nanocomposite coating was efficient in inhibiting accumulation of marine bacteria and preventing biofouling for more than 8 months. The developed environment‐friendly and efficient nanocomposite material has a promising future as a high‐performance anticorrosive and antifouling coating for marine applications.
Distinct mutational landscape of inverted urothelial papilloma
Authors: Akgul Mahmut , MacLennan Gregory T , Cheng Liang
Published: May 2019

A recent study has identified gene mutations involving the MAPK/ERK pathway, particularly the HRAS gene, in all inverted urothelial papillomas (IUPs), in the absence of pathway mutations in TERT promoter, FGFR3, and TP53/RB1genes. Neither recurrence nor progression was observed in IUPs. These data support several longstanding hypotheses: (1) IUPs are benign and do not recur or progress; (2) they harbor mutations that are different from those of urothelial carcinoma; and (3) they arise through different molecular mechanisms than low‐ or high‐grade urothelial carcinoma. As the most critical differential diagnosis in this context is inverted‐type urothelial carcinoma, more comprehensive studies are needed to compare and contrast these entities. © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low‐pressure additive manufacturing of continuous fiber‐reinforced polymer composites
Authors: O'Connor Heather J. , Dowling Denis P.
Published: May 2019

Continuous fiber‐reinforced polymer composites have found a wide range of applications in the automotive and aerospace industry due to their lightweight properties. Recently the use of additive manufacturing (AM) has been developed for the fabrication of these composites. This study investigates the use of both atmospheric and, for the first time, low‐pressure (1 Pa) processing conditions for the AM of continuous carbon, glass, and Kevlar fiber‐reinforced nylon composites. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to compare the thermal properties of the three types of fiber‐reinforced filament prior to printing. It was found that the melting peak was dependent on filament type, which can be related to the polymer processing conditions used during their fabrication. Based on computed tomography measurements, it was found that the use of low‐pressure printing conditions yielded a reduction in porosity for the carbon, glass, and Kevlar printed composites of 5.7%, 1.0%, and 1.7%, respectively. The mechanical properties of the composites were compared, using a short beam shear test, which assisted in the measurement of interlaminar properties. An increase in interlaminar shear strength of 33%, 22%, and 12% was obtained for the carbon, glass, and Kevlar fiber‐reinforced polymer composites, respectively, when printed under low pressure, compared with that obtained at atmospheric pressure.
Well‐functioned photovoltaics based on nanofibers composed of PBDT‐TIPS‐DTNT‐DT and graphenic precursors thermally modified by polythiophene, polyaniline and polypyrrole
Authors: Agbolaghi Samira
Published: May 2019

Reduced graphene oxide nanosheets modified by conductive polymers including polythiophene (GPTh), polyaniline (GPANI) and polypyrrole (GPPy) were prepared using the graphene oxide as both substrate and chemical oxidant. UV–visible and Raman analyses confirmed that the graphene oxide simultaneously produced the reduced graphene oxide and polymerized the conjugated polymers. The prepared nanostructures were subsequently electrospun in mixing with poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT)/phenyl‐C71‐butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) and poly[bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)benzodithiophene‐bis(decyltetradecylthien)naphthobisthiadiazole] (PBDT‐TIPS‐DTNT‐DT)/PC71BM components and embedded in the active layers of photovoltaic devices to improve the charge mobility and efficiency. The GPTh/PBDT‐TIPS‐DTNT‐DT/PC71BM devices demonstrated better photovoltaic features (Jsc = 11.72 mA cm−2, FF = 61%, Voc = 0.68 V, PCE = 4.86%, μh = 8.7 × 10−3 cm2 V–1 s−1 and μe = 1.3 × 10−2 cm2 V–1 s−1) than the GPPy/PBDT‐TIPS‐DTNT‐DT/PC71BM (Jsc = 10.30 mA cm−2, FF = 60%, Voc = 0.66 V, PCE = 4.08%, μh = 1.4 × 10−3 cm2 V–1 s−1 and μe = 8.9 × 10−3 cm2 V–1 s−1) and GPANI/PBDT‐TIPS‐DTNT‐DT/PC71BM (Jsc = 10.48 mA cm−2, FF = 59%, Voc = 0.65 V, PCE = 4.02%, μh = 8.6 × 10−4 cm2 V–1 s−1 and μe = 7.8 × 10−3 cm2 V–1 s−1) systems, assigned to the greater compatibility of PTh in the nano‐hybrids and the thiophenic conjugated polymers in the bulk of the nanofibers and active thin films. Furthermore, the PBDT‐TIPS‐DTNT‐DT polymer chains (3.35%–5.04%) acted better than the P3HT chains (2.01%–3.76%) because of more complicated conductive structures. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
A Genome‐Wide Association Study of Non‐Photochemical Quenching in response to local seasonal climates in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Rungrat Tepsuda , Almonte Andrew A. , Cheng Riyan , Gollan Peter J. , Stuart Tim , Aro Eva‐Mari , Borevitz Justin O. , Pogson Barry , Wilson Pip B.
Published: May 2019

Field‐grown plants have variable exposure to sunlight as a result of shifting cloud‐cover, seasonal changes, canopy shading, and other environmental factors. As a result, they need to have developed a method for dissipating excess energy obtained from periodic excessive sunlight exposure. Non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ) dissipates excess energy as heat, however, the physical and molecular genetic mechanics of NPQ variation are not understood. In this study, we investigated the genetic loci involved in NPQ by first growing different Arabidopsis thaliana accessions in local and seasonal climate conditions, then measured their NPQ kinetics through development by chlorophyll fluorescence. We used genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) to identify 15 significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) for a range of photosynthetic traits, including a QTL co‐located with known NPQ gene PSBS (AT1G44575). We found there were large alternative regulatory segments between the PSBS promoter regions of the functional haplotypes and a significant difference in PsbS protein concentration. These findings parallel studies in rice showing recurrent regulatory evolution of this gene. The variation in the PSBS promoter and the changes underlying other QTLs could give insight to allow manipulations of NPQ in crops to improve their photosynthetic efficiency and yield.
In Situ Liquid SAXS Studies on the Early Stage of Calcium Carbonate Formation
Authors: Mohammed Ahmed S. A. , Carino Agnese , Testino Andrea , Andalibi Mohammad Reza , Cervellino Antonio
Published: May 2019

Calcium carbonate is a model system to investigate the mechanism of solid formation by precipitation from solutions, and it is often considered in the debated classical and nonclassical nucleation mechanism. Despite the great scientific relevance of calcium carbonate in different scientific areas, little is known about the early stage of its formation. Therefore, contactless devices are designed that are capable of providing informative investigations on the early stages of the precipitation pathway of calcium carbonate in supersaturated solutions using classical scattering methods such as wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS) and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) techniques. In particular, SAXS is exploited for investigating the size of entities formed from supersaturated solutions before the critical conditions for amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) nucleation are attained. The saturation level is controlled and kept constant by mixing four diluted solutions (i.e., NaOH, CaCl2, NaHCO3, H2O) at constant T and pH. The scattering data are collected on a liquid jet generated about 75 s after the mixing point. The data are modeled using parametric statistical models providing insight about the size distribution of denser matter in the liquid jet. Theoretical implications on the early stage of solid formation pathway are inferred.
Molecular and clinical characteristics of severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children
Authors: Yan Chao , Xue Guanhua , Zhao Hanqing , Feng Yanling , Li Shaoli , Cui Jinghua , Ni Shanshan , Sun Hongmei
Published: May 2019

Objectives

To analyze the molecular and the clinical characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) pneumonia (MPP) and to explore the related factors predicting severe MPP (SMPP).

Methods

A total of 423 pediatric cases of MPP were retrospectively analyzed, in 2013‐2017, in Beijing, China. Clinical information was collected from the medical records. Mp‐positive specimens were characterized using P1 typing and multiple locus variable‐number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). The macrolide resistance‐associated mutations were also detected.

Results

The predominant genotype was P1‐1 (88.2%) and M4‐5‐7‐2 (87.5%), whereas percentages of type P1‐2 and M3‐5‐6‐2 increased across the 5‐year period. The mutation rate of genotype M4‐5‐7‐2 (365/370, 98.6%) was significantly higher than that of the genotype M3‐5‐6‐2 (15/48, 32.25%; P = 0.000). Overall, 180 (42.6%) of the 423 Mp‐positive patients were coinfected with other pathogens. Respiratory syncytial virus coinfection (24/180, 13.3%) was more common in cases typed M3‐5‐6‐2 (4/23, 17.4%) than that of M4‐5‐7‐2 (20/155, 12.9%; P = 0.038). Pleural effusion accounted for 52.6% (169/321) of the observed complications. In the mono‐infection cases, cases typed M3‐5‐6‐2 (56%, 14/25) were significantly (P = 0.020) associated with pleural effusion compared with those typed M4‐5‐7‐2 (32.6%, 70/215); 84% (21/25) of specimens typed M3‐5‐6‐2 were diagnosed as SMPP, whereas 63.7% (137/215) of specimens typed M4‐5‐7‐2 were diagnosed as SMPP (P = 0.043).

Conclusions

In our study, we proposed for the first time that the mono‐infection patients with Mp typed M3‐5‐6‐2 appear to have a higher risk for progressing to SMPP. MLVA typing can provide hints on the clinical characteristics of Mpp.
Identification of Predictive Proteins and Biological Pathways for the Tumorigenicity of Vestibular Schwannoma by Proteomic Profiling
Authors: Xu Jianhui , Zhang Yang , Shi Yuxuan , Yin Dongming , Dai Peidong , Zhao Weidong , Zhang Tianyu
Published: May 2019

Purpose

Vestibular schwannomas (VSs) are benign tumors that account for 8–10% of all intracranial tumors. So far, the tumorigenesis of VS has not been fully elucidated. This study is designed to identify differently expressed proteins involved in VS tumorigenesis.

Experimental Design

An isobaric tag is used for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) approach to characterize the protein expression profiles from pooled VS tissues (n = 12) and pooled matched normal vestibular tissues (n = 12).

Results

A total of 933 differentially expressed proteins are identified between VS and the matched normal vestibular tissues, with 489 being upregulated and 444 being downregulated. Bioinformatics analyses are performed according to Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses. Several of the differentially expressed proteins are validated by western blotting analyses, and upregulation of LGALS1, ANXA1, GRB2, and STAT1 is validated in VS tissue by immunohistochemistry.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

The study represents the successful application of iTRAQ technology to an investigation of VS. Many of the differentially expressed proteins identified here have not been linked to VS before, and these dysregulated proteins may provide potential biomarkers for human VS diagnosis.
Much‐needed tools to reduce the experimental burden for determining the gas flammability parameters, Pmax and KG
Authors: Tao Gang , Crowl Daniel A.
Published: May 2019

This article provides much‐needed analytical tools to reduce the experimental burden for determining the maximum pressure for flammable gas combustion, Pmax, and the deflagration index, KG, as a function of the gas concentration. Both of these parameters are important for risk assessment, process design, and design of preventive and mitigative safeguards. A very large experimental database for hydrogen/oxygen/nitrogen mixtures in a 20 L spherical vessel was used to validate the tools for Pmax and KG. The first tool considered was an equilibrium code to estimate the maximum combustion pressure, Pmax. The calculated equilibrium pressure agreed very well with the experimental pressures in a broad range around the stoichiometric concentration. An increasing difference occurred as the concentration approached the flammable limits. This result is consistent with homogeneous and complete combustion near the stoichiometric concentration and upward partial combustion near the flammable limits. The ratio of these two pressures is likely representative of the total volume combusted. The second tool was the application of a commercial computer program, TableCurve 2D, to fit experimental data for Pmax and KG. A set of simple empirical equations were identified to estimate Pmax and KG using just a few experimental data points. Methods of application are presented. Reliable experimental data is always preferred, but these tools should help reduce the experimental data burden.