bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti-Inflammatory Effects by Pharmacological Inhibition or Knockdown of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase in BV2 Microglial Cells
Authors: Tanaka Mikiei , Yagyu Kazuya , Sackett Scott , Zhang Yumin
Published: May 2019

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) has been recognized as a therapeutic target for several neurological diseases because its inhibition can exert neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects by boosting the endogenous levels of N-acylethanolamines. However, previous studies have shown inconsistent results by pharmacological inhibition and genetic deletion of FAAH in response to inflammation. In this study we used two inhibitors, PF3845 and URB597, together with siRNA knockdown to characterize further the effects of FAAH inhibition in BV2 microglial cells. Treatment with PF3845 suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, and down-regulated cyclooxygenase-2 and microsomal PGE synthase. PF3845 reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines but had no effect on the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory effects of URB597 were not as potent as those of PF3845. Knockdown of FAAH also suppressed PGE2 production and pro-inflammatory gene expression. Interestingly, FAAH knockdown enhanced expression of anti-inflammatory molecules in both the absence and presence of LPS treatment. The anti-inflammatory effects of FAAH inhibition and knockdown were not affected by the cannabinoid receptor antagonists or the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) antagonists. Although inhibition and knockdown of FAAH have potent anti-inflammatory effects and possibly lead to the dynamic change of microglial gene regulation, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated.
Improved Antitumor Efficacy of Combined Vaccine Based on the Induced HUVECs and DC-CT26 Against Colorectal Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Qiushuang , Xie Chao , Wang Dongyu , Yang Yi , Liu Hangfan , Liu Kangdong , Zhao Jimin , Chen Xinhuan , Zhang Xiaoyan , Yang Wanjing , Li Xiang , Tian Fang , Dong Ziming , Lu Jing
Published: May 2019

Angiogenesis is essential for the development, growth, and metastasis of solid tumors. Vaccination with viable human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) has been used for antitumor angiogenesis. However, the limited immune response induced by HUVECs hinders their clinical application. In the present study, we found that HUVECs induced by a tumor microenvironment using the supernatant of murine CT26 colorectal cancer cells exerted a better antiangiogenic effect than HUVECs themselves. The inhibitory effect on tumor growth in the induced HUVEC group was significantly better than that of the HUVEC group, and the induced HUVEC group showed a strong inhibition in CD31-positive microvessel density in the tumor tissues. Moreover, the level of anti-induced HUVEC membrane protein antibody in mouse serum was profoundly higher in the induced HUVEC group than in the HUVEC group. Based on this, the antitumor effect of a vaccine with a combination of induced HUVECs and dendritic cell-loading CT26 antigen (DC-CT26) was evaluated. Notably, the microvessel density of tumor specimens was significantly lower in the combined vaccine group than in the control groups. Furthermore, the spleen index, the killing effect of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and the concentration of interferon-γ in the serum were enhanced in the combined vaccine group. Based on these results, the combined vaccine targeting both tumor angiogenesis and tumor cells may be an attractive and effective cancer immunotherapy strategy.
Transformation of the Topological Phase and the Edge Modes of Double-Bilayer Bismuthene with Inter-Bilayer Spacing
Authors: Hu Huanzhi , Shi Zhibin , Wang Peng , Zhou Weiping , Chiang Tai-Chang , Wang Xiaoxiong
Published: May 2019

The transformations of the topological phase and the edge modes of a double-bilayer bismuthene were investigated with first-principles calculations and Green’s function as the inter-bilayer spacing increased from 0 Å to 10 Å. At a critical spacing of 2 Å, a topological phase transition from a topological insulator to a band insulator resulting from a band inversion between the highest valence band and the second lowest conduction band, was observed, and this was understood based on the particular orbital characters of the band inversion involved states. The edge modes of double-bilayer bismuthene survived the phase transition. When d was 2 Å < d < 4 Å, the interaction between the edge modes of two separated bismuthene bilayers induced an anti-crossing gap and resulted in a trivial band connection. At and beyond 4 Å, the two bilayers behavior decoupled entirely. The results demonstrate the transformability of the topological phase and the edge modes with the inter-bilayer spacing in double-bilayer bismuthene, which may be useful for spintronic applications.
The Arbitrarily Varying Relay Channel
Authors: Pereg Uzi , Steinberg Yossef
Published: May 2019

We study the arbitrarily varying relay channel, which models communication with relaying in the presence of an active adversary. We establish the cutset bound and partial decode-forward bound on the random code capacity. We further determine the random code capacity for special cases. Then, we consider conditions under which the deterministic code capacity is determined as well. In addition, we consider the arbitrarily varying Gaussian relay channel with sender frequency division under input and state constraints. We determine the random code capacity, and establish lower and upper bounds on the deterministic code capacity. Furthermore, we show that as opposed to previous relay models, the primitive relay channel has a different behavior compared to the non-primitive relay channel in the arbitrarily varying scenario.
Underwater Robot Detection System Based on Fish’s Lateral Line
Authors: Tang Zhijie , Wang Zhen , Lu Jiaqi , Ma Gaoqian , Zhang Pengfei
Published: May 2019

This paper introduces the near-field detection system of an underwater robot based on the fish lateral line. Inspired by the perception mechanism of fish’s lateral line, the aim is to add near-field detection functionality to an underwater vehicle. To mimic the fish’s lateral line, an array of pressure sensors is developed and installed on the surface of the underwater vehicle. A vibrating sphere is simulated as an underwater pressure source, and the moving mechanism is built to drive the sphere to vibrate at a certain frequency near the lateral line. The calculation of the near-field pressure generated by the vibrating sphere is derived by linearizing the kinematics and dynamics conditions of the free surface wave equation. Structurally, the geometry shape of the detection system is printed by a 3D printer. The pressure data are sent to the computer and analyzed immediately to obtain information of the pressure source. Through the experiment, the variation law of the pressure is generated when the source vibrates near the body, and is consistent with the simulation results of the derived pressure calculation formula. It is found that the direction of the near-field pressure source can distinguished. The pressure amplitude of the sampled signals are extracted to be prepared for the next step to estimate the vertical distance between the center of the pressure source and the lateral line.
Using Text Mining to Estimate Schedule Delay Risk of 13 Offshore Oil and Gas EPC Case Studies During the Bidding Process
Authors: Son Byung-Yun , Lee Eul-Bum
Published: May 2019

Korean offshore oil and gas (O&G) mega project contractors have recently suffered massive deficits due to the challenges and risks inherent to the offshore engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of megaprojects. This has resulted in frequent prolonged projects, schedule delay, and consequently significant cost overruns. Existing literature has identified one of the major causes of project delays to be the lack of adequate tools or techniques to diagnose the appropriateness and sufficiency of the contract deadline proposed by project owners prior to signing the contract in the bid. As such, this paper seeks to propose appropriate or correct project durations using the research methodology of text mining for bid documents. With the emergence of ‘big data’ research, text mining has become an acceptable research strategy, having already been utilized in various industries including medicine, legal, and securities. In this study the scope of work (SOW), as a main part of EPC contracts is analyzed using text mining processes in a sequence of pre-processing, structuring, and normalizing. Lessons learned, collected from 13 executed off shore EPC projects, are then used to reinforce the findings from said process. For this study, critical terms (CT), representing the root of past problems, are selected from the reports of lessons learned. The occurrence of the CT in the SOW are then counted and converted to a schedule delay risk index (SDRI) for the sample projects. The measured SDRI of each sample project are then correlated to the project’s actual schedule delay via regression analysis. The resultant regression model is entitled the schedule delay estimate model (SDEM) for this paper based on the case studies. Finally, the developed SDEM’s accuracy is validated through its use to predict schedule delays on recently executed projects with the findings being compared with actual schedule performance. This study found the relationship between the SDRI, frequency of CTs in the SOW, and delays to be represented by the regression formula. Through assessing its performance with respect to the 13th project, said formula was found to have an accuracy of 81%. As can be seen, this study found that more CTs in the SOW leads to a higher tendency for a schedule delay. Therefore, a higher project SDRI implies that there are more issues on projects which required more time to resolve them. While the low number of projects used to develop the model reduces its generalizability, the text mining research methodology used to quantitatively estimate project schedule delay can be generalized and applied to other industries where contractual documents and information regarding lessons learned are available.
Acoustic Emission Multi-Parameter Analysis of Dry and Saturated Sandstone with Cracks under Uniaxial Compression
Authors: Li Hongru , Shen Rongxi , Li Dexing , Jia Haishan , Li Taixun , Chen Tongqing , Hou Zhenhai
Published: May 2019

In order to study the mechanics and acoustic emission (AE) characteristics of fractured rock under water-rock interaction, dried and saturated sandstone samples with prefabricated double parallel cracks were prepared. Then, uniaxial compression experiments were performed to obtain their AE signals and crack propagation images. The results show that water reduces the strength and fracture toughness of fractured sandstone and enhances plasticity. After saturation, the samples start to crack earlier; the cracks grow slowly; the failure mode is transformed from shear failure along the prefabricated cracks to combined shear and tensile failure; more secondary cracks are produced. The saturated samples release less elastic energy and weaker AE signals in the whole failure process. However, their AE precursor information is more obvious and advanced, and their AE sources are more widely distributed. Compared with dry specimens, the AE frequencies of saturated specimens in the early stage of loading are distributed in a lower frequency domain. Besides, the saturated samples release less complex AE signals which are dominated by small-scale signals with weaker multi-fractal characteristics. After discussion and analysis, it is pointed out that this may be because water makes rock prone to inter-granular fracture rather than trans-granular fracture. The water lubrication also may reduce the amplitude of middle-frequency band signals produced by the friction on the fracture surface. Multi-fractal parameters can provide more abundant precursory information for rock fracture. This is of great significance to the stability of water-bearing fractured rock mass and its monitoring, and is conducive to the safe exploitation of deep energy.
The Viscosity and Combustion Characteristics of Single-Droplet Water-Diesel Emulsion
Authors: Won Jonghan , Baek Seung Wook , Kim Hyemin , Lee Hookyung
Published: May 2019

Diesel fuel exhibits excellent combustion characteristics and stability. However, diesel use is becoming restricted because of its associated environmental problems. Fuel emulsification, which increases efficiency and reduces pollution, became the solution of environmental problem. In this study, five water:diesel emulsions with mass ratios (0.3, 0.6, 1.0, 1.2, and 1.5) via ultrasonication were synthesized with and without surfactant. The optimal water:diesel ratio (=1:1) of an emulsion containing the surfactant was found by analyzing fuel concentration, mixing time, and viscosity. The combustion characteristics of single-droplet optimal emulsions were studied through ignition delay, burning rate, and total droplet lifetime at high temperature (400–700 °C) and pressure (1–15 bar), and micro-explosion phenomenon was observed. Although the ignition delay of emulsion increased, the total lifetime of the emulsion droplet was lower than that of diesel under 5 bar, 600 °C condition.
Three New Integration Vectors and Fluorescent Proteins for Use in the Opportunistic Human Pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Keller Lance E. , Rueff Anne-Stéphanie , Kurushima Jun , Veening Jan-Willem
Published: May 2019

Here, we describe the creation of three integration vectors, pPEPX, pPEPY and pPEPZ, for use with the opportunistic human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. The constructed vectors, named PEP for Pneumococcal Engineering Platform (PEP), employ an IPTG-inducible promoter and BglBrick and BglFusion compatible multiple cloning sites allowing for fast and interchangeable cloning. PEP plasmids replicate in Escherichia coli and harbor integration sites that have homology in a large set of pneumococcal strains, including recent clinical isolates. In addition, several options of antibiotic resistance markers are available, even allowing for selection in multidrug resistant clinical isolates. The transformation efficiency of these PEP vectors as well as their ability to be expressed simultaneously was tested. Two of the three PEP vectors share homology of the integration regions with over half of the S. pneumoniae genomes examined. Transformation efficiency varied among PEP vectors based on the length of the homology regions, but all were highly transformable and can be integrated simultaneously in strain D39V. Vectors used for pneumococcal cloning are an important tool for researchers for a wide range of uses. The PEP vectors described are of particular use because they have been designed to allow for easy transfer of genes between vectors as well as integrating into transcriptionally silent areas of the chromosome. In addition, we demonstrate the successful production of several new spectrally distinct fluorescent proteins (mTurquoise2, mNeonGreen and mScarlet-I) from the PEP vectors. The PEP vectors and newly described fluorescent proteins will expand the genetic toolbox for pneumococcal researchers and aid future discoveries.
Ethical Mimesis and Emergence Aesthetics
Authors: Donovan Josephine
Published: May 2019

In nature the transformation of dead matter (objects) into living matter endowed with green energy or subjectivity is called emergence. Art itself, I argue, is an emergence phenomenon, enacting and replicating in theme and form emergence in nature. Literature thus conceived is about the emergence of spirit. It depicts forces that suppress spirit and enables the spiritual in nature to find expression. It gives voice to spirit rising. Mimesis is thus reconceived as a replication of the natural phenomenon of emergence, which brings to life what has hitherto been seen as object, dead matter. This article outlines the concept of emergence in current philosophical and scientific theories; examines the aesthetic precursors of emergence theory in certain Frankfurt School theorists, notably Theodor Adorno; and applies emergence aesthetic theory to a contemporary novel, Richard Powers’ The Overstory (2018).
Challenges and Opportunities of Anti-Bullying Intervention Programs
Authors: Smith Peter K. , Bauman Sheri , Wong Dennis
Published: May 2019

Over recent decades, bullying, and the more recent version of cyberbullying, have come to be recognized as important social and public health issues, generating an increasing volume of publications [...]
Data-Driven Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance in Foodborne Pathogens from Six States within the US
Authors: Zhang Nina , Liu Emily , Tang Alexander , Ye Martin Cheng , Wang Kevin , Jia Qian , Huang Zuyi
Published: May 2019

Foodborne pathogens cause thousands of illnesses across the US each year. However, these pathogens gain resistance to the antimicrobials that are commonly used to treat them. Typically, antimicrobial resistance is caused by mechanisms encoded by multiple antimicrobial-resistance genes. These are carried through pathogens found in foods such as meats. It is, thus, important to study the genes that are most related to antimicrobial resistance, the pathogens, and the meats carrying antimicrobial-resistance genes. This information can be further used to correlate the antimicrobial-resistance genes found in humans for improving human health. Therefore, we perform the first multivariate statistical analysis of the antimicrobial-resistance gene data provided in the NCBI Pathogen Detection Isolates Browser database, covering six states that are geographically either in close proximity to one another (i.e., Pennsylvania (PA), Maryland (MD), and New York (NY)) or far (i.e., New Mexico (NM), Minnesota (MN), and California (CA)). Hundreds of multidimensional data points were projected onto a two-dimensional space that was specified by the first and second principal components, which were then categorized with a hierarchical clustering approach. It turns out that aadA, aph(3’’), aph(3’’)-Ib, aph(6)-I, aph(6)-Id, bla, blaCMY, tet, tet(A), and sul2 constructed the assembly of ten genes that were most commonly involved in antimicrobial resistance in these six states. While geographically close states like PA, MD and NY share more similar antimicrobial-resistance genes, geographically far states like NM, MN, and CA also contain most of these common antimicrobial-resistance genes. One potential reason for this spread of antimicrobial-resistance genes beyond the geographic limitation is that animal meats like chicken and turkey act as the carriers for the nationwide spread of these genes.
Knowledge and Education as Barriers and Facilitators to Nicotine Replacement Therapy Use for Smoking Cessation in Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study with Health Care Professionals
Authors: Thomson Ross , McDaid Lisa , Emery Joanne , Naughton Felix , Cooper Sue , Dyas Jane , Coleman Tim
Published: May 2019

Smoking during pregnancy is a leading cause of negative pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. While UK guidelines recommend nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation during pregnancy, adherence to NRT is generally low and may partially explain why NRT appears less effective in pregnancy compared to non-pregnant smokers. This study aimed to identify and describe factors associated with NRT adherence from a health professional’s perspective. Two focus groups and one expert group were conducted with 26 professionals involved in antenatal stop smoking services and the data were analysed thematically using a template methodology. From our analyses, we extracted two main themes: (i) ‘Barriers to NRT use in pregnancy’ explores the issues of how misinformation and unrealistic expectations could discourage NRT use, while (ii) ‘Facilitators to NRT use in pregnancy’ describes the different information, and modes of delivery, that stop smoking professionals believe will encourage correct and sustained NRT use. Understanding the barriers and facilitators to improve NRT adherence may aid the development of educational interventions to encourage NRT use and improve outcomes for pregnant women wanting to stop smoking.
How Does Leader Narcissism Influence Employee Voice: The Attribution of Leader Impression Management and Leader-Member Exchange
Authors: Liao Shudi , Zhou Xingchi , Guo Zhiwen , Li Zhifei
Published: May 2019

Recently, the influence of leader’s personality traits on employee behavior has become an emerging research area. Leaders play a crucial role in any organization because team members look up to them for policy and behavioral guidelines. Based on the social exchange theory, this study is focused on the relationship of employee-perceived leader narcissism and employee voice behavior. Through the analysis of 239 questionnaires, we find that leader narcissism has a significant influence on the motivation of leadership impression management. The narcissistic leader uses impression management that is more likely to have self- serving purpose rather than pro-social motivation. This motivation impacts leader-member exchange (LMX) quality which influences employee voice behavior. This study has significant theoretical and practical implications as it is the first study that empirically verifies the stated relationship in this under-researched area.
Direct Enantiomeric Resolution of Seventeen Racemic 1,4-Dihydropyridine-Based Hexahydroquinoline Derivatives by HPLC
Authors: Sun Jiayi , Gözde Gündüz Miyase , Zhang Junyuan , Yu Jia , Guo Xingjie
Published: May 2019

1,4-Dihydropyridine (DHP) scaffold holds an outstanding position with its versatile pharmacological properties among all heterocyclic compounds. Although most of the commercially available DHPs are marketed as a racemic mixture, the chiral center at C-4 can lead to even opposite pharmacological activities between the enantiomers. In the present study, enantioseparation of seventeen DHP structural analogues, consisting of either pharmacologically active or newly synthesized derivatives, (M2-4, MD5, HM2, HM10, CE5, N11, N10, N7, M11, MC6-8, MC13, MD23, and 42IIP) by high-performance liquid chromatography was investigated using immobilized polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phase, Chiralpak IC column. Due to the solvent versatility of the covalently immobilized chiral stationary phase in enantiomer separation, multiple elution modes including standard normal phase, nonstandard mobile phase, and reversed phase were used to expand the possibility to find the optimum enantioselective conditions for the tested analytes. Under appropriate separation conditions, complete enantiomeric separation was obtained for nearly all compounds except MC6-8 and MC13 which contained two chiral centers. Additionally, the effects of the polar modifier, the additive, and column temperature on the chiral recognition were evaluated. The thermodynamic parameters calculated according to the linear van’t Hoff equation indicated that the chiral separations in this study were enthalpy-driven or entropy-driven. Some parameters of method validation such as linearity, limit of quantitation, and repeatability were also measured for all studied compounds to prove the reliability of the method.
An In-Depth View of the Porcine Trabecular Meshwork Proteome
Authors: Funke Sebastian , Beutgen Vanessa M. , Bechter Lea , Schmelter Carsten , Zurawski Vanessa , Perumal Natarajan , Pfeiffer Norbert , Grus Franz H.
Published: May 2019

The house swine (Sus scrofa domestica Linnaeus 1758) is an important model organism regarding the study of neurodegenerative diseases, especially ocular neuropathies such as glaucoma. This is due to the high comparability of the porcine and human eye regarding anatomy and molecular features. In the pathogenesis of glaucoma, the trabecular meshwork (TM) forms a key ocular component in terms of intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation. Thereby, functional TM abnormalities are correlated with distinct proteomic alterations. However, a detailed analysis of the TM proteome has not been realized so far. Since the porcine eye has high potential as a model system to study ocular diseases such as glaucoma, the present study focuses on the in-depth analysis of the porcine TM proteome. By use of a bottom-up (BU) mass spectrometric (MS) platform utilizing electrospray ionization liquid chromatography tandem MS (LC-ESI-MS/MS) considering database-dependent and peptide de novo sequencing, more than 3000 TM proteins were documented with high confidence (FDR < 1%). A distinct number of proteins with neuronal association were revealed. To the best to our knowledge, many of these protein species have not been reported for TM tissue before such as reelin, centlein and high abundant neuroblast differentiation-associated protein AHNAK (AHNAK). Thereby, AHNAK might play a superordinate role in the TM regarding proposed tissue involvement in barrier function. Also, a high number of secretory proteins could be identified. The generated TM proteomic landscape underlines a multifunctional character of the TM beyond representing a simple drainage system. Finally, the protein catalogue of the porcine TM provides an in-depth view of the TM molecular landscape and will serve as an important reference map in terms of glaucoma research utilizing porcine animal models, porcine TM tissues and/or cultured TM cells.
Mitochondrial Gene Sequence (COI) Reveals the Genetic Structure and Demographic History of Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Lymantriinae) in and around China
Authors: Xu Yao , Zhang Sufang , Wang Hongbin , Wang Mei , Li Guohong
Published: May 2019

The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, is among the most destructive quarantine pests of forests. Here, we reconstructed the genetic structure and determined the population differentiation of gypsy moths across its distribution range at different times. This information could be used to both improve the prevention and detection of gypsy moths in the field. Using 31 newly designed species-specific primers targeting fragments of 216–1102 bp, we identified 103 full-length cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences from eight fresh samples and 95 L. dispar specimens collected between 1955 and 1996, mainly in China. Combining 103 full-length COI gene sequences with 146 COI gene sequences from Genbank or DNA barcode libraries, we analyzed the genetic differentiation, gene flow and haplotypes between gypsy moth populations in order to reflect the genetic structure and population dynamics of gypsy moths. We discovered 25 previously unknown haplotypes from old gypsy moth specimens. We found that the genetic diversity among gypsy moth populations (collected in the same region at different time points) was relatively high. Furthermore, the genetic structure of Chinese geographical populations (Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Beijing) in different years was distinct. Our results suggested that some gypsy moths in China showed the genetic affinity with European gypsy moths (a sub-species of gypsy moths found mainly in Europe).
Book-To-Market Decomposition, Net Share Issuance, and the Cross Section of Global Stock Returns
Authors: Blackburn Douglas W. , Cakici Nusret
Published: May 2019

This paper provides global evidence supporting the hypothesis that expected return models are enhanced by the inclusion of variables that describe the evolution of book-to-market—changes in book value, changes in price, and net share issues. This conclusion is supported using data representing North America, Europe, Japan, and Asia. Results are highly consistent across all global regions and hold for small and big market capitalization subsets as well as in different subperiods. Variables measured over the past twelve months are more relevant than variables measured over the past thirty-six months, demonstrating that recent news is more important than old news.
Phosphates as Energy Sources to Expand Metabolic Networks
Authors: Tian Tian , Chu Xin-Yi , Yang Yi , Zhang Xuan , Liu Ye-Mao , Gao Jun , Ma Bin-Guang , Zhang Hong-Yu
Published: May 2019

Phosphates are essential for modern metabolisms. A recent study reported a phosphate-free metabolic network and suggested that thioesters, rather than phosphates, could alleviate thermodynamic bottlenecks of network expansion. As a result, it was considered that a phosphorus-independent metabolism could exist before the phosphate-based genetic coding system. To explore the origin of phosphorus-dependent metabolism, the present study constructs a protometabolic network that contains phosphates prebiotically available using computational systems biology approaches. It is found that some primitive phosphorylated intermediates could greatly alleviate thermodynamic bottlenecks of network expansion. Moreover, the phosphorus-dependent metabolic network exhibits several ancient features. Taken together, it is concluded that phosphates played a role as important as that of thioesters during the origin and evolution of metabolism. Both phosphorus and sulfur are speculated to be critical to the origin of life.
Effect of Temperature on Anti-Corrosive Properties of Diamond-Like Carbon Coating on S355 Steel
Authors: Scendo Mieczyslaw , Staszewska-Samson Katarzyna
Published: May 2019

Influence of temperature on the anti-corrosive properties of a diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, produced using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) on the S355 steel substrate (S355/DLC), was investigated. Corrosion test of the materials were carried out using the electrochemical method. The corrosive environment was an alkaline solution of sodium chloride. The heat treatment of the materials was carried out in air atmosphere, at 400 and 800 °C. It was demonstrated that the DLC coating effectively protected the S355 steel surface from coming into contact with an aggressive corrosive environment. It was found, based on a corrosion test after a heat treatment at 400 °C, that the anti-corrosive properties of the DLC coating did not undergo significant changes. Due to the changes in the surface structure of S355/DLC, the microhardness (HV) of the DLC layer increased. However, after a heat treatment at 800 °C, the carbon coating on the S355 steel surface was destroyed and, thus, lost its protective effect on the substrate.
Effect of Different Surface Conditions on Toughness of Vanadis 6 Cold Work Die Steel—A Review
Authors: Jurči Peter
Published: May 2019

The effects of surface roughness, presence of nitrided diffusion regions, and magnetron sputtering of Cr2N–6Ag thin films on the toughness of Cr–V ledeburitic Vanadis 6 die steel were investigated by using the flexural strength measurement method, which was coupled with careful microstructural investigations and analyses of fractured surfaces. The results undoubtedly show that enhanced surface roughness reduces the material toughness, since the cusps formed on the metallic surface as a result of the machining act as preferential sites for crack nucleation and growth. The presence of nitrided regions on the surface, on the other hand, forms a structural notch there, which has a strong detrimental effect on toughness. Deposition of Cr2N–6Ag thin films has only marginal effect on the steel toughness. Practical recommendations for the designers, heat treaters, and coaters of the tools are thus that they should maintain the surface finish quality of the tools as high as possible, avoid too thick and supersaturated nitrided regions, and that there is almost no risk of tool embrittlement due to physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating.
A Rapid Thermal Nanoimprint Apparatus through Induction Heating of Nickel Mold
Authors: Fu Xinxin , Chen Qian , Chen Xinyu , Zhang Liang , Yang Aibin , Cui Yushuang , Yuan Changsheng , Ge Haixiong
Published: May 2019

Thermal nanoimprint lithography is playing a vital role in fabricating micro/nanostructures on polymer materials by the advantages of low cost, high throughput, and high resolution. However, a typical thermal nanoimprint process usually takes tens of minutes due to the relatively low heating and cooling rate in the thermal imprint cycle. In this study, we developed an induction heating apparatus for the thermal imprint with a mold made of ferromagnetic material, nickel. By applying an external high-frequency alternating magnetic field, heat was generated by the eddy currents and magnetic hysteresis losses of the ferromagnetic nickel mold at high speed. Once the external alternating magnetic field was cut off, the system would cool down fast owe to the small thermal capacity of the nickel mold; thus, providing a high heating and cooling rate for the thermal nanoimprint process. In this paper, nanostructures were successfully replicated onto polymer sheets with the scale of 4-inch diameter within 5 min.
Moiré-Based Alignment Using Centrosymmetric Grating Marks for High-Precision Wafer Bonding
Authors: Huang Boyan , Wang Chenxi , Fang Hui , Zhou Shicheng , Suga Tadatomo
Published: May 2019

High-precision aligned wafer bonding is essential to heterogeneous integration, with the device dimension reduced continuously. To get the alignment more accurately and conveniently, we propose a moiré-based alignment method using centrosymmetric grating marks. This method enables both coarse and fine alignment steps without requiring additional conventional cross-and-box alignment marks. Combined with an aligned wafer bonding system, alignment accuracy better than 300 nm (3σ) was achieved after bonding. Furthermore, the working principle of the moiré-based alignment for the backside alignment system was proposed to overcome the difficulty in bonding of opaque wafers. We believe this higher alignment accuracy is feasible to satisfy more demanding requirements in wafer-level stacking technologies.
Zerumbone Protects against Carbon Tetrachloride (CCl4)-Induced Acute Liver Injury in Mice via Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and the Inflammatory Response: Involving the TLR4/NF-κB/COX-2 Pathway
Authors: Wang Meilin , Niu Jingling , Ou Lina , Deng Bo , Wang Yingyi , Li Sanqiang
Published: May 2019

The natural compound Zerumbone (hereinafter referred to as ZER), a monocyclic sesquiterpenoid, has been reported to possess many pharmacological properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of ZER against acute liver injury (ALI) in CCl4-induced mice models. ICR mice were pretreated intraperitoneally with ZER for five days, then received a CCl4 injection two hours after the last ZER administration and were sacrificed 24 h later. Examination of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities and the histopathological analysis confirmed the hepatoprotective effect of ZER. Biochemical assays revealed that ZER pretreatment recovered the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), restored the glutathione (GSH) reservoir, and reduced the production of malondialdehyde (MDA), all in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, administration of ZER in vivo reduced the release amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and inhibited the increased protein levels of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p-p65, and cyclooxygenase (COX-2). Further studies in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced Raw264.7 inflammatory cellular models verified that ZER could inhibit inflammation via inactivating the TLR4/NF-κB/COX-2 pathway. Thus, our study indicated that ZER exhibited a hepatoprotective effect against ALI through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and the possible mechanism might be mediated by the TLR4/NF-κB/COX-2 pathway. Collectively, our studies indicate ZER could be a potential candidate for chemical liver injury treatment.
Application of Capillary Electrophoresis with Laser-Induced Fluorescence to Immunoassays and Enzyme Assays
Authors: Nguyen Binh Thanh , Kang Min-Jung
Published: May 2019

Capillary electrophoresis using laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF) is one of the most sensitive separation tools among electrical separation methods. The use of CE-LIF in immunoassays and enzyme assays has gained a reputation in recent years for its high detection sensitivity, short analysis time, and accurate quantification. Immunoassays are bioassay platforms that rely on binding reactions between an antigen (analyte) and a specific antibody. Enzyme assays measure enzymatic activity through quantitative analysis of substrates and products by the reaction of enzymes in purified enzyme or cell systems. These two category analyses play an important role in the context of biopharmaceutical analysis, clinical therapy, drug discovery, and diagnosis analysis. This review discusses the expanding portfolio of immune and enzyme assays using CE-LIF and focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of these methods over the ten years of existing technology since 2008.
Cytotoxicity and Transcriptomic Analyses of Biogenic Palladium Nanoparticles in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells (SKOV3)
Authors: Gurunathan Sangiliyandi , Qasim Muhammad , Park Chan Hyeok , Arsalan Iqbal Muhammad , Yoo Hyunjin , Hwang Jeong Ho , Uhm Sang Jun , Song Hyuk , Park Chankyu , Choi Youngsok , Kim Jin-Hoi , Hong Kwonho
Published: May 2019

Ovarian cancer incidence continues to increase at an alarming rate. Although various therapeutic approaches exist for ovarian cancer, they have limitations, including undesired side effects. Therefore, nanoparticle (NP)-mediated therapy may be a viable, biocompatible, and suitable alternative. To the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive analysis has been undertaken on the cytotoxicity and cellular pathways involved in ovarian cancer cells, particularly SKOV3 cells. Here, we investigated the effect of palladium NPs (PdNPs) and the molecular mechanisms and cellular pathways involved in ovarian cancer. We assayed cell viability, proliferation, cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis and performed an RNA-Seq analysis. The results showed that PdNPs elicited concentration-dependent decreases in cell viability and proliferation and induced increasing cytotoxicity at increasing concentrations, as determined by leakage of lactate dehydrogenase, increased levels of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde, and decreased levels of antioxidants like glutathione and superoxide dismutase. Furthermore, our study revealed that PdNPs induce mitochondrial dysfunction by altering mitochondrial membrane potential, reducing adenosine triphosphate levels, inducing DNA damage, and activating caspase 3, all of which significantly induced apoptosis in SKOV3 cells following PdNPs treatment. Gene ontology (GO) term analysis of PdNPs-exposed SKOV3 cells showed various dysregulated pathways, particularly nucleosome assembly, telomere organization, and rDNA chromatin silencing. When genes downregulated by PdNPs were applied to GO term enrichment analysis, nucleosome assembly was the top-ranked biological pathway. We also provide evidence for an association between PdNPs exposure and multiple layers of epigenetic transcriptional control and establish a molecular basis for NP-mediated apoptosis. These findings provide a foundation, potential targets, and novel insights into the mechanism underlying toxicity and pathways in SKOV3 cells, and open new avenues to identify novel targets for ovarian cancer treatment.
Safety of Hyaluronan 35 in Healthy Human Subjects: A Pilot Study
Authors: Bellar Annette , Kessler Sean P. , Obery Dana R. , Sangwan Naseer , Welch Nicole , Nagy Laura E. , Dasarathy Srinivasan , de la Motte Carol
Published: May 2019

Background. Hyaluronan (HA) is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan polymer produced in all vertebrates, and usually present at the high molecular weight (>106 Da). Low molecular weight HA has signaling properties, and fragments ~35 kDa size (HA35) have biological activity in eliciting epithelial β-defensins and tight junction proteins, notably ZO1, important components of innate host defense arsenal of the gut barrier in preclinical models. Safety, tolerability, impact on metabolism, gut permeability, and microbiome composition in healthy human subjects were all evaluated prospectively. Methods. Pharmaceutical grade HA35 (140 mg in water once daily for seven days), was administered orally to 20 healthy subjects (30.7 ± 5.6 years). Demographical, clinical, biochemical laboratory tests, metabolic function and stool microbiome composition were measured on Day 0, 8 and 28. Results. HA35 was tolerated well in all subjects with no serious adverse events in any subjects. No statistical differences in any of the measurements were seen among the study group over the course of the trial. In aggregate there were no changes in demographical, clinical, biochemical laboratory tests, and metabolic function or microbiome composition during the 28-day study. Conclusion. Oral HA35 administration (140 mg/day) is a safe treatment in healthy individuals and does not affect metabolic, inflammatory or microbiome parameters.
Egg Consumption in U.S. Children is Associated with Greater Daily Nutrient Intakes, including Protein, Lutein + Zeaxanthin, Choline, α-Linolenic Acid, and Docosahexanoic Acid
Authors: Papanikolaou Yanni , Fulgoni Victor L.
Published: May 2019

Dietary pattern recommendations include consuming a variety of nutrient-dense foods in children and adolescents to promote optimal growth and development. The current study investigated associations with egg consumption and nutrient intakes, diet quality, and growth outcomes relative to non-egg consumers. The analysis used data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001-2012 in children and adolescents aged 2–18 years (N = 3,299, egg consumers; N = 17,030, egg non-consumers). Daily energy and nutrient intakes were adjusted for the complex sample design of NHANES using appropriate weights. Consuming eggs was associated with increased daily energy intake relative to non-egg consumption. Children and adolescents consuming eggs had elevated daily intake of protein, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and total fat, α-linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), choline, lutein + zeaxanthin, vitamin D, potassium, phosphorus, and selenium. Egg consumers had greater consumption, sodium, saturated fat, with reduced total and added sugar versus egg non-consumers. The analysis also showed that egg consumption was linked with lower intake of dietary folate, iron, and niacin. No associations were determined when examining diet quality and growth-related measures. A sub-analysis considering socioeconomic status showed that egg consumption was positively related with daily lutein + zeaxanthin and DHA intake. The current analysis demonstrated several nutrient-related benefits to support the continued inclusion of eggs in the dietary patterns of children and adolescents.
Use of Analogy in the Development of Intercultural Competence
Authors: Abe Yuko
Published: May 2019

Analogy is defined in many different ways. In this paper it is understood as a process in which the familiar structure of a direct experience in one situation is used to make conclusions regarding an expected experience within another structure. This process is based on the perceived similarity of the structures, not on rational, theoretical analysis of the relations between their components and the mechanisms of their interactions. The use of analogy relies on the engagement of intuitive recognition of the structural similarity between different instances of experience. The engagement of intuition does not preclude rational study and the development of strategies for using analogy, as part of this work focuses on rational learning about our own experience. Analogy plays two very different roles in this paper; as the main subject of this study, which focuses on the development of intercultural competence, and as a methodological instrument for carrying out and sharing the results of this study.
Filling in the Gaps: The Association between Intelligence and Both Color and Parent-Reported Ancestry in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997
Authors: Hu Meng , Lasker Jordan , Kirkegaard Emil , Fuerst John
Published: May 2019

Little research has dealt with intragroup ancestry-related differences in intelligence in Black and White Americans. To help fill this gap, we examined the association between intelligence and both color and parent-reported ancestry using the NLSY97. We used a nationally-representative sample, a multidimensional measure of cognitive ability, and a sibling design. We found that African ancestry was negatively correlated with general mental ability scores among Whites (r = −0.038, N = 3603; corrected for attenuation, rc = −0.245). In contrast, the correlation between ability and parent-reported European ancestry was positive among Blacks (r = 0.137, N = 1788; rc = 0.344). Among Blacks, the correlation with darker skin color, an index of African ancestry, was negative (r = −0.112, N = 1455). These results remained with conspicuous controls. Among Blacks, both color and parent-reported European ancestry had independent effects on general cognitive ability (color: β = −0.104; ancestry: β = 0.118; N = 1445). These associations were more pronounced on g-loaded subtests, indicating a Jensen Effect for both color and ancestry (rs = 0.679 to 0.850). When we decomposed the color results for the African ancestry sample between and within families, we found an association between families, between singletons (β = −0.153; N = 814), and between full sibling pairs (β = −0.176; N = 225). However, we found no association between full siblings (β = 0.027; N = 225). Differential regression to the mean results indicated that the factors causing the mean group difference acted across the cognitive spectrum, with high-scoring African Americans no less affected than low-scoring ones. We tested for measurement invariance and found that strict factorial invariance was tenable. We then found that the weak version of Spearman’s hypothesis was tenable while the strong and contra versions were not. The results imply that the observed cognitive differences are primarily due to differences in g and that the Black-White mean difference is attributable to the same factors that cause differences within both groups. Further examination revealed comparable intraclass correlations and absolute differences for Black and White full siblings. This implied that the non-shared environmental variance components were similar in magnitude for both Blacks and Whites.
Assessment of the Accuracy of Recent Empirical and Assimilated Tidal Models for the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Using Satellite and Coastal Data
Authors: Seifi Fardin , Deng Xiaoli , Baltazar Andersen Ole
Published: May 2019

The latest satellite and in situ data are a fundamental source for tidal model evaluations. In this work, the satellite missions TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1, Jason-2 and Sentinel-3A, together with tide gauge data, were used to investigate the performance of recent regional and global tidal models over the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Ten models, namely, TPXO8, TPXO9, EOT11a, HAMTIDE, FES2012, FES2014, OSUNA, OSU12, GOT 4.10 and DTU10, were considered. The accuracy of eight major tidal constituents (i.e., K1, O1, P1, Q1, M2, S2, N2 and K2) and one shallow water constituent (M4) were assessed based on the analysis of sea-level observations from coastal tide gauges and altimetry data (TOPEX series). The outcome was compared for four different subregions, namely, the coastline, coastal, shelf and deep ocean zones. Sea-level anomaly data from the Sentinel-3A mission were corrected using the tidal heights predicted by each model. The root mean square values of the sea level anomalies were then compared. According to the results, FES2012 compares more favorably to other models with root mean square (RMS) values of 10.9 cm and 7.7 cm over the coastal and shelf zones, respectively. In the deeper sections, the FES2014 model compares favorably at 7.5 cm. In addition, the impact of sudden fluctuations in bottom topography on model performances suggest that a combination of bathymetric variations and proximity to the coast or islands contributes to tidal height prediction accuracies of the models.