bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prior Exposure to Dry-Cured Meat Promotes Resistance to Simulated Gastric Fluid in Salmonella Typhimurium
Authors: Mutz Yhan S. , Rosario Denes K. A. , Castro Vinicius S. , Bernardes Patricia C. , Paschoalin Vania M. F. , Conte-Junior Carlos A.
Published: November 2019

This study assessed if exposure of foodborne Salmonella enterica in Brazilian dry-cured loin (BDL) affects pathogen inactivation in simulated gastric fluid (SGF). The acid tolerance responses of three Salmonella enterica serovars, Typhimurium, Derby and Panama, were assessed by an acid challenge trial at pH 3.0 for 4 h following pre-adaptation to three conditions: neutral pH, acidic pH (4.5) or BDL matrix. The influence of Salmonella exposure temperature and time in the BDL on pathogen gastric fluid resistance was evaluated by the response surface methodology. The Salmonella serovars acquired acid tolerance when exposed to the BDL matrix and their response to acid stress was strain-dependent, with S. Typhimurium being the most tolerant strain. S. Typhimuirum exposed to temperatures >25 °C in the BDL matrix displayed increased resistance to SGF. By using the response surface methodology, it was determined that S. Typhimurium becomes less resistant against SGF if maintained in the BDL matrix at temperatures <7 °C, reinforcing the recommendation to store dry-cured meat under refrigeration in order to minimize consumer risks. The results presented herein point to a novel aspect of hurdle technology that should be taken into account to further understand the risks associated with hurdle-stable meat product, such as dry-cured meats, concerning foodborne pathogen contamination.
Use of Fermented Hemp, Chickpea and Milling By-Products to Improve the Nutritional Value of Semolina Pasta
Authors: Schettino Rosa , Pontonio Erica , Rizzello Carlo Giuseppe
Published: November 2019

A biotechnological approach including enzymatic treatment (protease and xylanase) and lactic acid bacteria fermentation has been evaluated to enhance the nutritional value of semolina pasta enriched with hemp, chickpea and milling by-products. The intense (up to circa, (ca.) 70%) decrease in the peptide profile area and (up to two-fold) increase in total free amino acids, compared to the untreated raw materials, highlighted the potential of lactic acid bacteria to positively affect their in vitro protein digestibility. Fermented and unfermented ingredients have been characterized and used to fortify pasta made under pilot-plant scale. Due to the high contents of protein (ca. 13%) and fiber (ca. 6%) and according to the Regulation of the European Community (EC) No. 1924/2006 fortified pasta can be labelled as a “source of fiber” and a “source of protein”. The use of non-wheat flours increased the content of anti-nutritional factors as compared to the control pasta. Nevertheless, fermentation with lactic acid bacteria led to significant decreases in condensed tannins (ca. 50%), phytic acid and raffinose (ca. ten-fold) contents as compared to the unfermented pasta. Moreover, total free amino acids and in vitro protein digestibility values were 60% and 70%, respectively, higher than pasta made only with semolina. Sensory analysis highlighted a strong effect of the fortification on the sensory profile of pasta.
Impact of Punicalagin on the Physicochemical and Structural Properties of Wheat Flour Dough
Authors: Peng Hong , Li Bin , Tian Jing
Published: November 2019

The study explored punicalagin (PGN) as a wheat flour enhancer. The impact of PGN on the physicochemical and structural properties of wheat flour have been investigated. It turned out that PGN increased the formation time, stability, tensile resistance, extension, and viscoelasticity of the dough at the concentrations of 0.13 and 0.26 mg/g. Scan electron microscope images of the cross section of the dough displayed a more compact and ordered network structure with the addition of 0.13 and 0.26 mg/g PGN. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra indicated an increase of α-helix and β-sheet content. However, nonlinear enhancing effects of PGN on the stretching properties, rheology, and structural properties of the dough were observed at concentrations of 0.39 and 0.52 mg/g. Correspondingly, cleavages were observed on the cross section of the dough and the content of β-sheet showed a trend of reduction in the dough with addition of PGN at high concentrations. Taken together, these results indicated the potential usage of PGN as a wheat flour enhancer of natural origin at the concentration below 0.39 mg/g in the flour.
The Adjustment Disorder Diagnosis, Its Importance to Liaison Psychiatry, and its Psychobiology
Authors: Strain James J.
Published: November 2019

Adjustment Disorder (AD) is one of the most common psychiatric diagnoses employed. In fact, it is the most frequent diagnosis utilized for psychiatric disorders in the military and in children, and is often utilized in the consultation-liaison medical setting. However, it is acknowledged that the diagnosis is not reliable, it cannot be validated, and it has an important degree of subjective consideration in its use. Commonly used screening tools like the Hamilton and Beck Depression Scales do not give an assessment of AD. Furthermore, its use is accompanied with descriptors of depression, anxiety, mixed affects, etc., so that it crosses over several areas of psychiatric dysfunction. It does allow the placement of a patient within a psychiatric diagnosis when they do not reach criteria for a major psychiatric nomenclature. To date, biological studies have not been reported. It is not known if AD with depression is closer to the biological characteristics of depression, or AD with anxiety would have similar characteristics to that seen with major anxiety. It is also not known if AD has a biological signature that would make them an entity with common features, or if they may be more closely allied biologically with the descriptor that accompanies them. Nevertheless, AD is an important category in any psychiatric lexicon and warrants further study and biological understanding.
Adaptive Support Ventilation Attenuates Ventilator Induced Lung Injury: Human and Animal Study
Authors: Dai Yu-Ling , Wu Chin-Pyng , Yang Gee-Gwo , Chang Hung , Peng Chung-Kan , Huang Kun-Lun
Published: November 2019

Adaptive support ventilation (ASV) is a closed-loop ventilation, which can make automatic adjustments in tidal volume (VT) and respiratory rate based on the minimal work of breathing. The purpose of this research was to study whether ASV can provide a protective ventilation pattern to decrease the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury in patients of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In the clinical study, 15 ARDS patients were randomly allocated to an ASV group or a pressure-control ventilation (PCV) group. There was no significant difference in the mortality rate and respiratory parameters between these two groups, suggesting the feasible use of ASV in ARDS. In animal experiments of 18 piglets, the ASV group had a lower alveolar strain compared with the volume-control ventilation (VCV) group. The ASV group exhibited less lung injury and greater alveolar fluid clearance compared with the VCV group. Tissue analysis showed lower expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and higher expression of claudin-4 and occludin in the ASV group than in the VCV group. In conclusion, the ASV mode is capable of providing ventilation pattern fitting into the lung-protecting strategy; this study suggests that ASV mode may effectively reduce the risk or severity of ventilator-associated lung injury in animal models.
The Role of Maresins in Inflammatory Pain: Function of Macrophages in Wound Regeneration
Authors: Hwang Sung-Min , Chung Gehoon , Kim Yong Ho , Park Chul-Kyu
Published: November 2019

Although acute inflammatory responses are host-protective and generally self-limited, unresolved and delayed resolution of acute inflammation can lead to further tissue damage and chronic inflammation. The mechanism of pain induction under inflammatory conditions has been studied extensively; however, the mechanism of pain resolution is not fully understood. The resolution of inflammation is a biosynthetically active process, involving specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs). In particular, maresins (MaRs) are synthesized from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by macrophages and have anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving capacities as well as tissue regenerating and pain-relieving properties. A new class of macrophage-derived molecules—MaR conjugates in tissue regeneration (MCTRs)—has been reported to regulate phagocytosis and the repair and regeneration of damaged tissue. Macrophages not only participate in the biosynthesis of SPMs, but also play an important role in phagocytosis. They exhibit different phenotypes categorized as proinflammatory M1-like phenotypes and anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes that mediate both harmful and protective functions, respectively. However, the signaling mechanisms underlying macrophage functions and phenotypic changes have not yet been fully established. Recent studies report that MaRs help resolve inflammatory pain by enhancing macrophage phagocytosis and shifting cytokine release to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes. Consequently, this review elucidated the characteristics of MaRs and macrophages, focusing on the potent action of MaRs to enhance the M2 macrophage phenotype profiles that possess the ability to alleviate inflammatory pain.
In Human and Mouse Spino-Cerebellar Tissue, Ataxin-2 Expansion Affects Ceramide-Sphingomyelin Metabolism
Authors: Sen Nesli-Ece , Arsovic Aleksandar , Meierhofer David , Brodesser Susanne , Oberschmidt Carola , Canet-Pons Júlia , Kaya Zeynep-Ece , Halbach Melanie-Vanessa , Gispert Suzana , Sandhoff Konrad , Auburger Georg
Published: November 2019

Ataxin-2 (human gene symbol ATXN2) acts during stress responses, modulating mRNA translation and nutrient metabolism. Ataxin-2 knockout mice exhibit progressive obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. Conversely, the progressive ATXN2 gain of function due to the fact of polyglutamine (polyQ) expansions leads to a dominantly inherited neurodegenerative process named spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) with early adipose tissue loss and late muscle atrophy. We tried to understand lipid dysregulation in a SCA2 patient brain and in an authentic mouse model. Thin layer chromatography of a patient cerebellum was compared to the lipid metabolome of Atxn2-CAG100-Knockin (KIN) mouse spinocerebellar tissue. The human pathology caused deficits of sulfatide, galactosylceramide, cholesterol, C22/24-sphingomyelin, and gangliosides GM1a/GD1b despite quite normal levels of C18-sphingomyelin. Cerebellum and spinal cord from the KIN mouse showed a consistent decrease of various ceramides with a significant elevation of sphingosine in the more severely affected spinal cord. Deficiency of C24/26-sphingomyelins contrasted with excess C18/20-sphingomyelin. Spinocerebellar expression profiling revealed consistent reductions of CERS protein isoforms, Sptlc2 and Smpd3, but upregulation of Cers2 mRNA, as prominent anomalies in the ceramide–sphingosine metabolism. Reduction of Asah2 mRNA correlated to deficient S1P levels. In addition, downregulations for the elongase Elovl1, Elovl4, Elovl5 mRNAs and ELOVL4 protein explain the deficit of very long-chain sphingomyelin. Reduced ASMase protein levels correlated to the accumulation of long-chain sphingomyelin. Overall, a deficit of myelin lipids was prominent in SCA2 nervous tissue at prefinal stage and not compensated by transcriptional adaptation of several metabolic enzymes. Myelination is controlled by mTORC1 signals; thus, our human and murine observations are in agreement with the known role of ATXN2 yeast, nematode, and mouse orthologs as mTORC1 inhibitors and autophagy promoters.
Inter-Species Differences in Regulation of the Progranulin–Sortilin Axis in TDP-43 Cell Models of Neurodegeneration
Authors: Gumina Valentina , Onesto Elisa , Colombrita Claudia , Maraschi AnnaMaria , Silani Vincenzo , Ratti Antonia
Published: November 2019

Cytoplasmic aggregates and nuclear depletion of the ubiquitous RNA-binding protein TDP-43 have been described in the autoptic brain tissues of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTLD) patients and both TDP-43 loss-of-function and gain-of-function mechanisms seem to contribute to the neurodegenerative process. Among the wide array of RNA targets, TDP-43 regulates progranulin (GRN) mRNA stability and sortilin (SORT1) splicing. Progranulin is a secreted neurotrophic and neuro-immunomodulatory factor whose endocytosis and delivery to the lysosomes are regulated by the neuronal receptor sortilin. Moreover, GRN loss-of-function mutations are causative of a subset of FTLD cases showing TDP-43 pathological aggregates. Here we show that TDP-43 loss-of-function differently affects the progranulin–sortilin axis in murine and human neuronal cell models. We demonstrated that although TDP-43 binding to GRN mRNA occurs similarly in human and murine cells, upon TDP-43 depletion, a different control of sortilin splicing and protein content may determine changes in extracellular progranulin uptake that account for increased or unchanged secreted protein in murine and human cells, respectively. As targeting the progranulin–sortilin axis has been proposed as a therapeutic approach for GRN-FTLD patients, the inter-species differences in TDP-43-mediated regulation of this pathway must be considered when translating studies from animal models to patients.
Metal Hydride Compressors with Gas-Gap Heat Switches: Concept, Development, Testing, and Space Flight Operation for the Planck Sorption Cryocoolers
Authors: Bowman Robert C.
Published: November 2019

Two closed-cycle cryogenic refrigerators were used to generate temperatures of ~18 K via evaporation of liquid hydrogen at the interfaces with radiofrequency and infrared sensors on an Earth-orbiting spacecraft that measured the anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) during the European Space Agency (ESA) Planck Mission from June 2009 until October 2013. The liquid hydrogen phase was continuously generated in each Planck Sorption Cryocooler (PSC) by coupling a Joule–Thomson (J–T) expander to hydrogen gas initially pressurized to nominally 3000 kPa (i.e., ~30 bar) and subsequently discharged at pressure of 30 kPa (i.e., ~0.3 bar) by desorption and absorption using LaNi4.78Sn0.22Hx contained in six individual sorbent beds. The pressures were varied by alternately heating and cooling this hydride that included temperature modulation with an integrated Gas-Gap Heat Switch (GGHS). The novel GGHS used the low-pressure hydride ZrNiHx to vary thermal conductance between the bed containing the LaNi4.78Sn0.22Hx sorbent and the rest of the compressor system. The design features and development of these hydride components are described along with details of fabrication and assembly. The results obtained during extended laboratory testing are also summarized. The predictions from this preflight testing are compared to the performance observed while operating in orbit during the Planck Mission. This review ends with a summary of lessons learned and recommendations for improved systems.
On Some New Neighborhood Degree-Based Indices for Some Oxide and Silicate Networks
Authors: Mondal Sourav , De Nilanjan , Pal Anita
Published: November 2019

Topological indices are numeric quantities that describes the topology of molecular structure in mathematical chemistry. An important area of applied mathematics is the chemical reaction network theory. Real-world problems can be modeled using this theory. Due to its worldwide applications, chemical networks have attracted researchers since their foundation. In this report, some silicate and oxide networks are studied, and exact expressions of some newly-developed neighborhood degree-based topological indices named as the neighborhood Zagreb index ( M N ), the neighborhood version of the forgotten topological index ( F N ), the modified neighborhood version of the forgotten topological index ( F N ∗ ), the neighborhood version of the second Zagreb index ( M 2 ∗ ), and neighborhood version of the hyper Zagreb index ( H M N ) are obtained for the aforementioned networks. In addition, a comparison among all the indices is shown graphically.
Public Water Supply and Sanitation Authorities for Strategic Sustainable Domestic Water Management. A Case of Iringa Region In Tanzania
Authors: Lufingo Mesia
Published: November 2019

Water supply is a mandatory service for the majority from respective legal public water utilities, and its sustainability reflects implementations of best management strategies at a local level. The objectives of this study were (i) to assess current approaches used in water quality and quantity management and (ii) propose a sustainable domestic water management strategy. This was achieved through secondary water data trends, on-site water quality assessments, visits of water supply and sanitation authorities, and assessment of their performances. It was observed that water supplied in rural-based authorities was quite different from that supplied in an urban setting as far as quality and quantity are concerned; urban-based supplies are more affordable to users than rural ones. A new strategy on water management is presented for sustainable water supply; it is based on controlling groundwater abstractions and preference of surface water in public water supplies. Rural water supply management must learn several practices realized in urban supplies for the betterment of services for the majority of the users.
Intersession-Online: A Smartphone Application for Systematic Recording and Controlling of Intersession Experiences in Psychotherapy
Authors: Gablonski Thorsten-Christian , Pryss Rüdiger , Probst Thomas , Vogel Carsten , Andreas Sylke
Published: November 2019

Mobile health technologies have become more and more important in psychotherapy research and practice. The market is being flooded by several psychotherapeutic online services for different purposes. However, mobile health technologies are particularly suitable for data collection and monitoring, as data can be recorded economically in real time. Currently, there is no appropriate method to assess intersession experiences systematically in psychotherapeutic practice. The aim of our project was the development of a smartphone application framework for systematic recording and controlling of intersession experiences. Intersession-Online, an iOS- and Android-App, offers the possibility to collect data on intersession experiences easily, to provide the results to therapists in an evaluated form and, if necessary, to induce or interrupt intersession experiences with the primary aim to improve outcome of psychotherapy. In general, the smartphone application could be a helpful, evidence-based tool for research and practice. Overall speaking, further research to investigate the efficacy of Intersession-Online is necessary.
Serum Zinc Level Classification System: Usefulness in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Nishikawa Hiroki , Enomoto Hirayuki , Yoh Kazunori , Iwata Yoshinori , Sakai Yoshiyuki , Kishino Kyohei , Ikeda Naoto , Takashima Tomoyuki , Aizawa Nobuhiro , Takata Ryo , Hasegawa Kunihiro , Ishii Noriko , Yuri Yukihisa , Nishimura Takashi , Iijima Hiroko , Nishiguchi Shuhei
Published: November 2019

Currently, the Japanese society of clinical nutrition (JSCN) defines serum zinc (Zn) level < 60 μg/dL as Zn deficiency and 60 μg/dL ≤ serum Zn level < 80 μg/dL as subclinical Zn deficiency, and 80 μg/dL ≤ serum Zn level < 130 μg/dL as normal Zn range. We aimed to elucidate the prognostic impact of this Zn classification system in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) compared to the Child–Pugh classification and the albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) grading system (n = 441, median age = 66 years). The Akaike information criterion (AIC) with each evaluation method was tested in order to compare the overall survival (OS). The median serum Zn level was 65 μg/dL. There were 56 patients with normal Zn level, 227 with subclinical Zn deficiency and 158 with Zn deficiency. OS was well stratified among three groups of serum Zn level (p < 0.0001). The AIC value for survival by the Zn classification system was the lowest among three prognostic models (AIC: 518.99 in the Child–Pugh classification, 502.411 in ALBI grade and 482.762 in the Zn classification system). Multivariate analyses of factors associated with OS revealed that serum Zn classification by JSCN was an independent factor. In conclusion, the serum Zn classification proposed by JSCN appears to be helpful for estimating prognosis in LC patients.
Intelligence and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Authors: Kanaya Tomoe
Published: November 2019

One of the stated purposes of this Special Issue is to “discuss when and why intelligence has disappeared” in education. In this paper, I argue that intelligence is still heavily involved in public education in the United States due to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Moreover, due to several factors, including high-profile court cases, intelligence tests are legally used in an inconsistent manner in special education decision-making throughout the U.S. These cases illustrate the complex issues surrounding the psychometric properties of intelligence tests, historical conflicts surrounding racial equity, differences in federal versus state policies, and methodological concerns surrounding special education policies are discussed.
SPH Modelling of Hydrodynamic Lubrication along Rough Surfaces
Authors: Paggi Marco , Amicarelli Andrea , Lenarda Pietro
Published: November 2019

Rough and textured surfaces are of paramount importance for lubrication, both in nature and in technology. While surface roughness relevantly influences both friction and wear, artificial surface texturing improves the performance of slider bearings as an energy efficiency action. The simulation of hydrodynamic lubrication by taking into account complex surfaces as boundaries requires the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software able to predict the pressure and the velocity profile through the thickness of the fluid and at any point within the 3D domain. In the present study, a CFD–smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) code is applied to simulate hydrodynamic lubrication for a linear slider bearing in the presence of a 3D rough surface, showing the capabilities of CFD–SPH in modelling such complex interaction phenomena. Numerical assessments involve the load capacity, the 3D fields of the velocity vector, and the pressure 3D field (both within the fluid domain and at the fluid–plate interface).
The Effect of Equal-Channel Angular Pressing on the Microstructure, the Mechanical and Corrosion Properties and the Anti-Tumor Activity of Magnesium Alloyed with Silver
Authors: Estrin Yuri , Martynenko Natalia , Anisimova Natalia , Temralieva Diana , Kiselevskiy Mikhail , Serebryany Vladimir , Raab Georgy , Straumal Boris , Wiese Björn , Willumeit-Römer Regine , Dobatkin Sergey
Published: November 2019

The effect of equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) on the microstructure, texture, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and cytotoxicity of two magnesium-silver alloys, Mg-2.0%Ag and Mg-4.0%Ag, was studied. Their average grain size was found to be reduced to 3.2 ± 1.4 μm and 2.8 ± 1.3 μm, respectively. Despite the substantial grain refinement, a drop in the strength characteristics of the alloys was observed, which can be attributed to the formation of inclined basal texture. On a positive side, an increase in tensile ductility to ~34% for Mg-2.0%Ag and ~27% for Mg-4.0%Ag was observed. This effect can be associated with the activity of basal and prismatic slip induced by ECAP. One of the ECAP regimes tested gave rise to a drop in the corrosion resistance of both alloys. An interesting observation was a cytotoxic effect both alloys had on tumor cells in vitro. This effect was accompanied with the release of lactate dehydrogenase, an increase in oxidative stress, coupled with the induction of NO-ions and an increase in the content of such markers of apoptosis as Annexin V and Caspase 3/7. Differences in the chemical composition and the processing history-dependent microstructure of the alloys did not have any significant effect on the magnitude of their antiproliferative effect.
The Effect of Chitosan’s Addition to Resorcinol/Formaldehyde Xerogels on the Characteristics of Resultant Activated Carbon
Authors: Awadallah-F Ahmed , Al-Muhtaseb Shaheen A.
Published: November 2019

Hybrid chitosan-resorcinol/formaldehyde xerogels were synthesized, and the effect of including minor quantities of chitosan on the consequent activated carbon was investigated. The resulting activated carbon were characterized by different techniques. Clear changes were found in the structure of activated carbon as a result of including chitosan in the synthesis. The results showed that the disorder ratio of crystal lattice decreased from 0.750 to 0.628 when increasing the concentration of chitosan from 0 to 0.037 wt%. The micropores increased from ~0.3% to ~1.0%, mesopores increased from ~11.2% to ~32.9% and macropores decreased from ~88.4% to ~66.1%. The total pore volume decreased from 1.040 to 0.238 cm3/g and the total pore surface area decreased from 912.3 to 554.4 m2/g. On the other hand, the average pore width decreased from 2.3 to 0.8 nm and the average particle size decreased from 224 to 149 nm. Nano-scale Scanning Electron Microscope (NanoSEM) morphology indicated a critical composition of chitosan (0.022 wt%) that affects the structure and thermal stability of activated carbon produced.
Determination of Construction Temperatures of Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen Mixture Based on CRMB Mastic
Authors: Li Yanan , Lyu Yuchao , Xu Meng , Fan Liang , Zhang Yuzhen
Published: November 2019

Crumb rubber modified bitumen (CRMB) has been widely used in pavement construction and provides an effective way to recycle waste tires and helps alleviate the “black pollution” problem. There are no current specifications regarding the appropriate mixing and compaction temperatures of the CRMB mixture. There is a direct relationship between the mixing and the compaction temperatures of the CRMB mixture and the viscosity of the CRMB mastic. In this study, we first prepared CRMB using crumb rubber powder and penetration grade 70 neat bitumen, then prepared the CRMB mastic using CRMB and fillers (limestone mineral powder and cement). Finally, we used the CRMB mastic and aggregate to make mixture specimens. The best air void of the specimens was subsequently used to demarcate the viscosity of the CRMB mastic, and the construction temperatures (including the mixing temperature and the compaction temperature) were calculated based on the viscosity of the CRMB mastic from the viscosity–temperature curves. Test results indicated that the best viscosity of the CRMB mastic was 2.7 ± 0.2 Pa·s and 3.9 ± 0.3 Pa·s that corresponded to the mixing and compaction temperatures, respectively.
Electrical Transport and Thermoelectric Properties of SnSe–SnTe Solid Solution
Authors: Cho Jun-Young , Siyar Muhammad , Jin Woo Chan , Hwang Euyheon , Bae Seung-Hwan , Hong Seong-Hyeon , Kim Miyoung , Park Chan
Published: November 2019

SnSe is considered as a promising thermoelectric (TE) material since the discovery of the record figure of merit (ZT) of 2.6 at 926 K in single crystal SnSe. It is, however, difficult to use single crystal SnSe for practical applications due to the poor mechanical properties and the difficulty and cost of fabricating a single crystal. It is highly desirable to improve the properties of polycrystalline SnSe whose TE properties are still not near to that of single crystal SnSe. In this study, in order to control the TE properties of polycrystalline SnSe, polycrystalline SnSe–SnTe solid solutions were fabricated, and the effect of the solid solution on the electrical transport and TE properties was investigated. The SnSe1−xTex samples were fabricated using mechanical alloying and spark plasma sintering. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses revealed that the solubility limit of Te in SnSe1−xTex is somewhere between x = 0.3 and 0.5. With increasing Te content, the electrical conductivity was increased due to the increase of carrier concentration, while the lattice thermal conductivity was suppressed by the increased amount of phonon scattering. The change of carrier concentration and electrical conductivity is explained using the measured band gap energy and the calculated band structure. The change of thermal conductivity is explained using the change of lattice thermal conductivity from the increased amount of phonon scattering at the point defect sites. A ZT of ~0.78 was obtained at 823 K from SnSe0.7Te0.3, which is an ~11% improvement compared to that of SnSe.
Ultra-Wide Band and Multifunctional Polarization Converter Based on Dielectric Metamaterial
Authors: Gao Ju , Zhang Yiming , Sun Yang , Wu Qiang
Published: November 2019

Polarization has always been an important issue in modern communication systems, especially in sensitive measurements. Conventional polarization converters show limited applications due to their large size and narrow bandwidth. In this paper, we demonstrate an ultra-wide band, multifunctional, and highly efficient metamaterial-based polarization converter that is capable of converting a linearly polarized wave into its cross-polarized wave and circularly polarized wave over different frequency bands. The design principle is based on the field transformation theory and the anisotropic plate is made with high/low permittivity strip metamaterials. The simulation results show that the metamaterial-based polarization converter is able to achieve linear-to-linear conversion over 11.5–12.6 GHz, and linear-to-circular conversion over two frequency bands, 3.0–11.5 GHz and 12.6–17.0 GHz, with an average polarization conversion efficiency over 90%. The polarization converter proposed in this paper provides an important stepping stone for future communication systems’ polarization control and can also be extended to higher frequency bands.
Niobium-Treated Titanium Implants with Improved Cellular and Molecular Activities at the Tissue–Implant Interface
Authors: Falanga Aude , Laheurte Pascal , Vahabi Henri , Tran Nguyen , Khamseh Sara , Saeidi Hoda , Khodadadi Mohsen , Zarrintaj Payam , Saeb Mohammad Reza , Mozafari Masoud
Published: November 2019

There have been several attempts to improve the cellular and molecular interactions at the tissue–implant interface. Here, the biocompatibility of titanium-based implants (e.g., Grade 2 Titanium alloy (Ti-40) and titanium–niobium alloy (Ti-Nb)) has been assessed using different cellular and molecular examinations. Cell culture experiments were performed on three substrates: Ti-40, Ti-Nb, and tissue culture polystyrene as control. Cells number and growth rate were assessed by cell counting in various days and cell morphology was monitored using microscopic observations. The evaluation of cells’ behavior on the surface of the implants paves the way for designing appropriate biomaterials for orthopedic and dental applications. It was observed that the cell growth rate on the control sample was relatively higher than that of the Ti-40 and Ti-Nb samples because of the coarse surface of the titanium-based materials. On the other hand, the final cell population was higher for titanium-based implants; this difference was attributed to the growth pattern, in which cells were not monolayered on the surface. Collagen I was not observed, while collagen III was secreted. Furthermore, interleukin (IL)-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion were enhanced, and IL-8 secretion decreased. Moreover, various types of cells can be utilized with a series of substrates to unfold the cell behavior mechanism and cell–substrate interaction.
Numerical Estimation and Experimental Verification of Optimal Parameter Identification Based on Modern Optimization of a Three Phase Induction Motor
Authors: Rezk Hegazy , Elghany Asmaa A. , Al-Dhaifallah Mujahed , El Sayed Abo Hashema M. , Ibrahim Mohamed N.
Published: November 2019

The parameters of electric machines play a substantial role in the control system which, in turn, has a great impact on machine performance. In this paper, a proposed optimal estimation method for the electrical parameters of induction motors is presented. The proposed method uses the particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique. Further, it also considers the influence of temperature on the stator resistance. A complete experimental setup was constructed to validate the proposed method. The estimated electrical parameters of a 3.8-hp induction motor are compared with the measured values. A heat run test was performed to compare the effect of temperature on the stator resistance based on the proposed estimation method and the experimental measurements at the same conditions. It is shown that acceptable accuracy between the simulated results and the experimental measurements has been achieved.
Temporal Variation of the Profile and Concentrations of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins and Tetrodotoxin in the Scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis, Cultured in a Bay of East Japan
Authors: Numano Satoshi , Kudo Yuta , Cho Yuko , Konoki Keiichi , Yotsu-Yamashita Mari
Published: November 2019

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) are the major neurotoxic contaminants of edible bivalves in Japan. Tetrodotoxin (TTX) was recently detected in bivalve shellfish around the world, drawing widespread attention. In Japan, high levels of TTX were reported in the digestive gland of the scallop, Patinopecten yessoensis, in 1993; however, no new data have emerged since then. In this study, we simultaneously analyzed PSTs and TTX in scallops cultured in a bay of east Japan using hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC)-MS/MS. These scallops were temporally collected from April to December 2017. The highest concentration of PSTs (182 µmol/kg, total congeners) in the hepatopancreas was detected in samples collected on May 23, lined to the cell density of the dinoflagellate, Alexandrium tamarense, in seawater around the scallops, whereas the highest concentration of TTX (421 nmol/kg) was detected in samples collected on August 22. Contrary to the previous report, temporal variation of the PSTs and TTX concentrations did not coincide. The highest concentration of TTX in the entire edible tissues was 7.3 µg/kg (23 nmol/kg) in samples obtained on August 22, which was lower than the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)-proposed threshold, 44 µg TTX equivalents/kg shellfish meat. In addition, 12β-deoxygonyautoxin 3 was firstly identified in scallops.
Dietary Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 Positively Affects Performance and Intestinal Ecosystem in Broilers during a Campylobacter jejuni Infection
Authors: Massacci Francesca Romana , Lovito Carmela , Tofani Silvia , Tentellini Michele , Genovese Domenica Anna , De Leo Alessia Arcangela Pia , Papa Paola , Magistrali Chiara Francesca , Manuali Elisabetta , Trabalza-Marinucci Massimo , Moscati Livia , Forte Claudio
Published: November 2019

In poultry production, probiotics have shown promise to limit campylobacteriosis at the farm level, the most commonly reported zoonosis in Europe. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effects of Saccharomyces supplementation in Campylobacter jejuni challenged chickens on performance and intestinal ecosystem. A total of 156 day old male Ross 308 chicks were assigned to a basal control diet (C) or to a Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 supplemented diet (S). All the birds were orally challenged with C. jejuni on day (d) 21. Live weight and growth performance were evaluated on days 1, 21, 28 and 40. The histology of intestinal mucosa was analyzed and the gut microbiota composition was assessed by 16S rRNA. Performance throughout the trial as well as villi length and crypt depth were positively influenced by yeast supplementation. A higher abundance of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) annotated as Lactobacillus reuteri and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and a lower abundance of Campylobacter in fecal samples from S compared to the C group were reported. Supplementation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii can effectively modulate the intestinal ecosystem, leading to a higher abundance of beneficial microorganisms and modifying the intestinal mucosa architecture, with a subsequent improvement of the broilers’ growth performance.
Environmental Filtering Drives the Assembly of Habitat Generalists and Specialists in the Coastal Sand Microbial Communities of Southern China
Authors: Hu Anyi , Wang Hongjie , Cao Meixian , Rashid Azhar , Li Mingfeng , Yu Chang-Ping
Published: November 2019

Coastal sands harbor diverse microbial assemblages that play a critical role in the biogeochemical cycling of beach ecosystems. However, little is known about the relative importance of the different ecological processes underlying the assembly of communities of sand microbiota. Here, we employed 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing to investigate the sand microbiota of two coastal beaches, in southern China. The results showed that sand microbial assemblages at intertidal and supratidal zones exhibited contrasting compositions that can be attributed to environmental filtering by electric conductivity. A consistent pattern of habitat generalists and specialists of sand microbiota was observed among different beach zones. Null and neutral model analyses indicated that the environmental filtering was mainly responsible for supratidal microbial communities, while the neutral processes could partially influence the assembly of intertidal communities. Moreover, environmental filtering was found to shape the habitat specialists, while random dispersal played a major role in shaping generalists. The neutral model analysis revealed that the habitat generalists exceeding the neutral prediction harbored a relatively higher proportion of microbial taxa than the specialist counterparts. An opposite pattern was observed for taxa falling below the neutral prediction. Collectively, these findings offer a novel insight into the assembly mechanisms of coastal sand microbiota.
Purification and Characterization of a Novel Antifungal Flagellin Protein from Endophyte Bacillus methylotrophicus NJ13 against Ilyonectria robusta
Authors: Jiang Yun , Ran Chao , Chen Lin , Yin Wang , Liu Yang , Chen Changqing , Gao Jie
Published: November 2019

Endophyte Bacillus methylotrophicus NJ13 was isolated from Panax ginseng. Its sterile fermentation liquid showed a significant inhibitory effect against Ilyonectria robusta, causing the rusty root rot of P. ginseng and P. quinquefolius. The antifungal protein was obtained after precipitation by 20% saturated ammonium sulfate, desalted by Sephadex G-25, weak anion exchange chromatography, and gel filtration chromatography. SDS-PAGE showed that the purified protein was approximately 29 KDa. The antifungal protein after desalting was not resistant to temperatures higher than 100 °C, resistant to acid conditions, and did not tolerate organic solvents and protease K. The amino acid sequence of purified antifungal protein had an identity of 76% to flagellin from Bacillus velezensis. The isoelectric point of the protein was 4.97 and its molecular mass was 27 KDa. Therefore, a specific primer G1 was designed based on the flagellin gene sequence, and a 770 bp gene sequence was cloned in NJ13 genomic DNA, which shared the same size of flagellin. There were ten base differences between the gene sequences of flagellin and the cloned gene, however, the amino acid sequence encoded by the cloned gene was identical to the flagellin. In conclusion, the antifungal protein produced by biocontrol agent NJ13 contained a flagellin protein.
Comparative Analysis of the Conversion of Mandelonitrile and 2-Phenylpropionitrile by a Large Set of Variants Generated from a Nitrilase Originating from Pseudomonas fluorescens EBC191
Authors: Stolz Andreas , Eppinger Erik , Sosedov Olga , Kiziak Christoph
Published: November 2019

The arylacetonitrilase from the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens EBC191 has been intensively studied as a model to understand the molecular basis for the substrate-, reaction-, and enantioselectivity of nitrilases. The nitrilase converts various aromatic and aliphatic nitriles to the corresponding acids and varying amounts of the corresponding amides. The enzyme has been analysed by site-specific mutagenesis and more than 50 different variants have been generated and analysed for the conversion of (R,S)-mandelonitrile and (R,S)-2-phenylpropionitrile. These comparative analyses demonstrated that single point mutations are sufficient to generate enzyme variants which hydrolyse (R,S)-mandelonitrile to (R)-mandelic acid with an enantiomeric excess (ee) of 91% or to (S)-mandelic acid with an ee-value of 47%. The conversion of (R,S)-2-phenylpropionitrile by different nitrilase variants resulted in the formation of either (S)- or (R)-2-phenylpropionic acid with ee-values up to about 80%. Furthermore, the amounts of amides that are produced from (R,S)-mandelonitrile and (R,S)-2-phenylpropionitrile could be changed by single point mutations between 2%–94% and <0.2%–73%, respectively. The present study attempted to collect and compare the results obtained during our previous work, and to obtain additional general information about the relationship of the amide forming capacity of nitrilases and the enantiomeric composition of the products.
UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS Quantitative Analyses of Multicomponent Hu Gan Tablets
Authors: Liang Jun , Guo Xin-Dong , Han Fang
Published: November 2019

Nowadays, the analysis of the multi-components in Chinese patent medicine prescriptions is being paid more attention. Therefore, in this study for the first time, a simple, rapid ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method was established for simultaneous determination of 18 active compounds in a Chinese patent medicine of Hu Gan tablets (HGT) from different pharmaceutical factories in China. This task has met great emerging challenges from not only structural complexities and similarities but also co-occurrence of water-soluble and fat-soluble components in HGT. UPLC-ESI-MS/MS was put forward to solve the problems. It was operated in both positive and negative mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The mobile phase was 0.1% formic acid in water (A) −0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile (B) with linear gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min, run for a total of 12.0 min. The optimized method used provided short analysis time and good linearity (R2 > 0.99), and intra- and inter-day precision (relative standard deviation (RSD) < 4.00%) with good accuracy (94.89–110.03%) and recovery (70.00–126.09%). The results indicate the method could be practically used for quality guarantee of HGT and might also be useful for further studies.
Volatiles of Black Pepper Fruits (Piper nigrum L.)
Authors: Dosoky Noura S. , Satyal Prabodh , Barata Luccas M. , da Silva Joyce Kelly R. , Setzer William N.
Published: November 2019

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) is historically one of the most important spices and herbal medicines, and is now cultivated in tropical regions worldwide. The essential oil of black pepper fruits has shown a myriad of biological activities and is a commercially important commodity. In this work, five black pepper essential oils from eastern coastal region of Madagascar and six black pepper essential oils from the Amazon region of Brazil were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major components of the essential oils were α-pinene, sabinene, β-pinene, δ-3-carene, limonene, and β-caryophyllene. A comparison of the Madagascar and Brazilian essential oils with black pepper essential oils from various geographical regions reported in the literature was carried out. A hierarchical cluster analysis using the data obtained in this study and those reported in the literature revealed four clearly defined clusters based on the relative concentrations of the major components.
Formation of Prenylated Chalcone Xanthohumol Cocrystals: Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction, Vibrational Spectroscopic Study Coupled with Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Budziak Iwona , Arczewska Marta , Kamiński Daniel M.
Published: November 2019

Four novel xanthohumol (XN) cocrystals with pharmaceutically acceptable coformers, such as nicotinamide (NIC), glutarimide (GA), acetamide (AC), and caffeine (CF) in the 1:1 stoichiometry were obtained by the slow evaporation solution growth technique. The structure of the cocrystals was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The analysis of packing and interactions in the crystal lattice revealed that molecules in the target cocrystals were packed into almost flat layers, formed by the O–H⋅⋅⋅O, O–H⋅⋅⋅N, and N–H⋅⋅⋅O-type contacts between the xanthohumol and coformer molecules. The results provided details about synthons responsible for crystal net stabilization and all hydrogen bonds observed in the crystal lattice. The main synthon was formed via the hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl group in the B ring of XN and coformers. The three-dimensional crystal lattice was stabilized by the hydrogen XN−XN interactions whereas the π–π stacking interactions played an additional role in layer binding, with the exception of low quality cocrystals formed with caffeine. Application of FTIR and Raman spectroscopy confirmed that the crystalline phase of obtained cocrystals was not a simple combination of individual components and completely different crystal phases resulted from the effect of intermolecular interactions. The multivariate analysis showed the changes in the spectra, and this technique can be applied in a combination with vibrational spectroscopy for fast screening of new crystal phases. Additionally, the solubility studies of pure XN and its cocrystals exhibited a 2.6-fold enhancement in XN solubility in aqueous solution for XN–AC and, to a lesser extent, for other cocrystals.
Phytofabrication of Nanoparticles as Novel Drugs for Anticancer Applications
Authors: Wei Qi-Yao , He Kai-Ming , Chen Jin-Ling , Xu Yan-Ming , Lau Andy T. Y.
Published: November 2019

Cancer is one of the foremost causes of death globally and also the major stumbling block of increasing life expectancy. Although the primary treatment of surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy have greatly reduced the mortality of cancer, the survival rate is still low because of the metastasis of tumor, a range of adverse drug reactions, and drug resistance. For all this, it is relevant to mention that a growing amount of research has shown the anticarcinogenic effect of phytochemicals which can modulate the molecular pathways and cellular events include apoptosis, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. However, their pharmacological potential is hindered by their low water solubility, low stability, poor absorption, and rapid metabolism. In this scenario, the development of nanotechnology has created novel formulations to maximize the potential use of phytochemicals in anticancer treatment. Nanocarriers can enhance the solubility and stability of phytochemicals, prolong their half-life in blood and even achieve site-targeting delivery. This review summarizes the advances in utilizing nanoparticles in cancer therapy. In particular, we introduce several applications of nanoparticles combined with apigenin, resveratrol, curcumin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, 6-gingerol, and quercetin in cancer treatment.