bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of incident light intensity and light path length on cell growth and oil accumulation in Botryococcus braunii (Chlorophyta)
Authors: Wang Shi‐Kai , Guo Chen , Wu Wei , Sui Kun‐Yan , Liu Chun‐Zhao
Published: November 2018

Botryococcus braunii was cultured in different light path length under different incident light intensity to investigate the effect of light on alga growth as well as hydrocarbon and fatty acid accumulation. Results indicated that longer light path length required higher incident light intensity in order to meet the light requirement of algal growth and hydrocarbon accumulation during the course of cultivation. However, hydrocarbon profile was only affected by the incident light intensity and not influenced by the light path length. High incident light intensity enhanced the accumulation of hydrocarbons with longer carbon chains. Besides, the fatty acid content and profiles were significantly influenced by both incident light intensity and light path. Higher fatty acid content and higher percentage of C18 and monounsaturated fatty acid components were achieved at the higher incident light intensity and lower light path length. Taken together, these results are benefit to improve its biomass and oil productivity through the optimization of light and photobioreactor design.
Ice cap erosion patterns from bedrock 10Be and 26Al, southeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Fu Ping , Stroeven Arjen P. , Harbor Jonathan M. , Heyman Jakob , Hättestrand Clas , Caffee Marc W.
Published: November 2018

Quantifying glacial erosion contributes to our understanding of landscape evolution and topographic relief production in high altitude and high latitude areas. Combining in situ 10Be and 26Al analysis of bedrock, boulder, and river sand samples, geomorphological mapping, and field investigations, we examine glacial erosion patterns of former ice caps in the Shaluli Shan of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau. The general landform pattern shows a zonal pattern of landscape modification produced by ice caps of up to 4000 km2 during pre‐LGM (Last Glacial Maximum) glaciations, while the dating results and landforms on the plateau surface imply that the LGM ice cap further modified the scoured terrain into different zones. Modeled glacial erosion depth of 0–0.38 m per 100 ka bedrock sample located close to the western margin of the LGM ice cap, indicates limited erosion prior to LGM and Late Glacial moraine deposition. A strong erosion zone exists proximal to the LGM ice cap marginal zone, indicated by modeled glacial erosion depth >2.23 m per 100 ka from bedrock samples. Modeled glacial erosion depths of 0–1.77 m per 100 ka from samples collected along the edge of a central upland, confirm the presence of a zone of intermediate erosion in‐between the central upland and the strong erosion zone. Significant nuclide inheritance in river sand samples from basins on the scoured plateau surface also indicate restricted glacial erosion during the last glaciation. Our study, for the first time, shows clear evidence for preservation of glacial landforms formed during previous glaciations under non‐erosive ice on the Tibetan Plateau. As patterns of glacial erosion intensity are largely driven by the basal thermal regime, our results confirm earlier inferences from geomorphology for a concentric basal thermal pattern for the Haizishan ice cap during the LGM. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Erythropoietin reduces nerve demyelination, neuropathic pain behavior and microglial MAPKs activation through erythropoietin receptors on Schwann cells in a rat model of peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Huang Chun‐Ta , Chen Seu‐Hwa , Lin Shih‐Chang , Chen Wei‐Ting , Lue June‐Horng , Tsai Yi‐Ju
Published: November 2018

Neuroprotective effects of erythropoietin (EPO) on peripheral nerve injury remain uncertain. This study investigated the efficacy of EPO in attenuating median nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI)‐induced neuropathy. Animals received an intraneural injection of EPO at doses of 1,000, 3,000, or 5,000 units/kg 15 min before median nerve CCI. Afterwards, the behavioral and electrophysiological tests were conducted. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of microglial and mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including p38, JNK, and ERK, activation. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and microdialysis were applied to measure pro‐inflammatory cytokine and glutamate responses, respectively. EPO pre‐treatment dose‐dependently ameliorated neuropathic pain behavior, decreased microglial and MAPKs activation, and diminished the release of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and glutamate in the ipsilateral cuneate nucleus after CCI. Moreover, EPO pre‐treatment preserved myelination of the injured median nerve on morphological investigation and suppressed injury‐induced discharges. We also observed that EPO receptor (EPOR) expression was up‐regulated in the injured nerve after CCI. Double immunofluorescence showed that EPOR was localized to Schwann cells. Furthermore, siRNA‐mediated knockdown of EPOR expression eliminated the therapeutic effects of EPO on attenuating the microglial and MAPKs activation, pro‐inflammatory cytokine responses, injury discharges, and neuropathic pain behavior in CCI rats. In conclusion, binding of EPO to its receptors on Schwann cells maintains myelin integrity and blocks ectopic discharges in the injured median nerve, that in the end contribute to attenuation of neuropathic pain via reducing glutamate release from primary afferents and inhibiting activation of microglial MAPKs and production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines.
Six‐month prevalence and correlates of generalized anxiety disorder among primary care patients aged 70 years and above: Results from the ESA‐services study
Authors: Grenier Sébastien , Desjardins Frédérique , Raymond Béatrice , Payette Marie‐Christine , Rioux Marie‐Ève , Landreville Philippe , Gosselin Patrick , Richer Marie‐Josée , Gunther Bruno , Fournel Mélanie , Vasiliadis Helen‐Maria
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To estimate the 6‐month prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in primary care patients aged 70 years and above and to describe their clinical profile, including types of worries.

Methods/Design

Participants (N = 1193) came from the Étude sur la Santé des Aînés (ESA) services study conducted in Quebec, Canada. An in‐person structured interview was used to identify GAD and other anxiety/depressive disorders as well as to identify types of worries. Three groups were created (ie, patients with GAD, patients with another anxiety disorder, and patients without anxiety disorders) and compared on several sociodemographic and clinical characteristics using multinomial logistic regression analyses.

Results

The 6‐month prevalence of GAD was 2.7%. Findings also indicated that the most common types of worries were about health, being a burden for loved ones, and losing autonomy. Compared with respondents without anxiety disorders, older patients with GAD were more likely to be women, be more educated, suffer from depression, use antidepressants, be unsatisfied with their lives, and use health services. In comparison with respondents with another anxiety disorder, those with GAD were 4.5 times more likely to suffer from minor depression.

Conclusions

GAD has a high prevalence in primary care patients aged 70 years and above. Clinicians working in primary care settings should screen for GAD, since it remains underdiagnosed. In addition, it may be associated with depression and life dissatisfaction. Screening tools for late‐life GAD should include worry themes that are specific to aging.
Intestinal Immune Dysregulation Driven by Dysbiosis Promotes Barrier Disruption and Bacterial Translocation in Rats With Cirrhosis
Authors: Muñoz Leticia , Borrero María‐José , Úbeda María , Conde Elisa , del Campo Rosa , Rodríguez‐Serrano Macarena , Lario Margaret , Sánchez‐Díaz Ana‐María , Pastor Oscar , Díaz David , García‐Bermejo Laura , Monserrat Jorge , Álvarez‐Mon Melchor , Albillos Agustín
Published: November 2018

In cirrhosis, intestinal dysbiosis, intestinal barrier impairment, and systemic immune system abnormalities lead to gut bacterial translocation (GBT) and bacterial infection. However, intestinal immune system dysfunction and its contribution to barrier damage are poorly understood. This study correlates immune system dysregulation in the intestines of rats at different stages of CCl4‐induced cirrhosis with barrier function and pathogenic microbiota. The following variables were addressed in the small intestine: intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) and lamina propria lymphocyte (LPL) activation status and cytokine production (flow cytometry), cytokine mRNA and protein expression (quantitative real‐time PCR and immunofluorescence), microbiota composition of ileum content (16S recombinant DNA massive sequencing), permeability (fecal albumin loss), and epithelial junctions (immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence). The intestinal mucosa in rats with cirrhosis showed a proinflammatory pattern of immune dysregulation in IELs and LPLs, which featured the expansion of activated lymphocytes, switch to a T helper 1 (Th1) regulatory pattern, and Th17 reduction. In rats with cirrhosis with ascites, this state was associated with epithelial junction protein disruption, fecal albumin loss, and GBT. Direct correlations (P < 0.01) were observed between elevated interferon gamma (IFNγ)‐expressing T cytotoxic LPLs and fecal albumin and between inflammatory taxa abundance and IFNγ‐producing immune cells in the ileum. Bowel decontamination led to redistributed microbiota composition, reduced proinflammatory activation of mucosal immune cells, normalized fecal albumin levels, and diminished GBT; but there were no modifications in Th17 depletion. Conclusion: The intestinal mucosa of rats with cirrhosis acquires a proinflammatory profile of immune dysregulation that parallels the severity of cirrhosis; this impaired intestinal immune response is driven by gut dysbiosis and leads to disrupted barrier function, promoting GBT.
The hippocampus is critical for value‐based decisions guided by dissociative inference
Authors: Gilboa Asaf , Sekeres Melanie , Moscovitch Morris , Winocur Gordon
Published: November 2018

The hippocampus supports flexible decision‐making through memory integration: bridging across episodes and inferring associations between stimuli that were never presented together (‘associative inference’). A pre‐requisite for memory integration is flexible representations of the relationships between stimuli within episodes (AB) but also of the constituent units (A,B). Here we investigated whether the hippocampus is required for parsing experienced episodes into their constituents to infer their re‐combined within‐episode associations (‘dissociative inference’). In three experiments male rats were trained on an appetitive conditioning task using compound auditory stimuli (AB+, BA+, CD−, DC−). At test either the compound or individual stimuli were presented as well as new stimuli. Rats with hippocampal lesions acquired and retained the compound discriminations as well as controls. Single constituent stimuli (A, B, C, D) were presented for the first time at test, so the only value with which they could be associated was the one from the compound to which they belonged. Controls inferred constituent tones’ corresponding values while hippocampal rats did not, treating them as merely familiar stimuli with no associated value. This finding held whether compound training occurred before or after hippocampal lesions, suggesting that hippocampus‐dependent inferential processes more likely occur at retrieval. The findings extend recent discoveries about the role of the hippocampus in intrinsic value representation, demonstrating hippocampal contributions to allocating value from primary rewards to individual stimuli. Importantly, we discovered that dissociative inferences serve to restructure or reparse patterns of directly acquired associations when animals are faced with environmental changes and need to extract relevant information from a multiplex memory. The hippocampus is critical for this fundamental flexible use of associations.
Newly developed anti‐S100A8/A9 monoclonal antibody efficiently prevents lung tropic cancer metastasis
Authors: Kinoshita Rie , Sato Hiroki , Yamauchi Akira , Takahashi Yuta , Inoue Yusuke , Sumardika I Wayan , Chen Youyi , Tomonobu Nahoko , Araki Kota , Shien Kazuhiko , Tomida Shuta , Torigoe Hidejiro , Namba Kei , Kurihara Eisuke , Ogoshi Yusuke , Murata Hitoshi , Yamamoto Ken‐ichi , Futami Junichiro , Putranto Endy Widya , Ruma I Made Winarsa , Yamamoto Hiromasa , Soh Junichi , Hibino Toshihiko , Nishibori Masahiro , Kondo Eisaku , Toyooka Shinichi , Sakaguchi Masakiyo
Published: November 2018

The metastatic dissemination of cancer cells to remote areas of the body is the most problematic aspect in cancer patients. Among cancers, melanomas are notoriously difficult to treat due to their significantly high metastatic potential even during early stages. Hence, the establishment of advanced therapeutic approaches to regulate metastasis is required to overcome the melanoma disease. An accumulating mass of evidence has indicated a critical role of extracellular S100A8/A9 in melanoma distant metastasis. Lung S100A8/A9 is induced by melanoma cells from distant organs and it attracts these cells to its enriched lung environment since melanoma cells possess several receptors that sense the S100A8/A9 ligand. We hence aimed to develop a neutralizing antibody against S100A8/A9 that would efficiently block melanoma lung metastasis. Our protocol provided us with one prominent antibody, Ab45 that efficiently suppressed not only S100A8/A9‐mediated melanoma mobility but also lung tropic melanoma metastasis in a mouse model. This prompted us to make chimeric Ab45, a chimera antibody consisting of mouse Ab45‐Fab and human IgG2‐Fc. Chimeric Ab45 also showed significant inhibition of the lung metastasis of melanoma. From these results, we have high hopes that the newly produced antibody will become a potential biological tool to block melanoma metastasis in future clinical settings.
A dynamic threshold‐based local mesh ternary pattern technique for biomedical image retrieval
Authors: Srivastava Varun , Purwar Ravindra K. , Jain Anchal
Published: November 2018

Many content‐based image retrieval techniques like local binary pattern (LBP), local ternary pattern (LTP), local mesh peak valley edge pattern (LMePVEP), local mesh ternary pattern (LMeTerP), etc. extract texture features of an image for retrieval purposes. These techniques use fixed threshold to encode the input image and selection of such threshold value is not guided, that is, a chosen threshold may not be optimal for all images in the database. Moreover the performance of these texture‐based static threshold algorithms also decreases if the input images are noisy. In this paper, a dynamic threshold value‐based local mesh ternary pattern method is proposed in which the threshold value is chosen from the neighborhood of a central pixel using median of all pixels. The proposed modification reduces the overall effect of noise component and thereby improves the average retrieval rate (ARR) and average retrieval precision (ARP) of the original technique. The proposed modified technique has been compared with five other image retrieval approaches to prove its worthiness ‐ the original local mesh ternary pattern technique (LMeTerP), a local ternary pattern technique (LTP), a Best ensemble technique, a multi‐label classification CNN model and a CNN‐based model of the proposed approach using a VIA ELCAP lung database and an Emphysema database. An improvement of 3.92% in ARR and 2.53% in ARP is observed over the basic local mesh ternary pattern method. Further the proposed modification has been combined with CNN concept and its results have also been analyzed.
National assessment of renal estimation for drug dosing among pharmacists
Authors: McConachie Sean M. , Hanni Claudia M. , Raub Joshua N. , Kucemba Megan , Wilhelm Sheila M.
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Creatinine‐based equations used to estimate renal function are inaccurate in certain clinical contexts; however, there are limited resources to guide pharmacists in these situations.

Objectives

To assess current renal function estimation and subsequent drug dosing practices among American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) members via an electronic survey.

Methods

A 21‐item survey was emailed to the listservs of four ACCP Practice‐Research Networks: Adult Medicine, Nephrology, Critical Care, and Infectious Diseases. The survey included pharmacist demographics, practice site information, and case‐based clinical application scenarios requiring the respondent to choose a renal function estimate for overweight, underweight, and elderly patients (≥65 years). Four patient cases captured respondents' enoxaparin dosing decisions in patients with an estimated creatinine clearance of around 30 mL/min. Estimates of renal function were provided based on Cockcroft‐Gault (C‐G), Modification of Diet in Renal Disease, and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology equations.

Results

There were 299 survey responses. The majority of respondents were pharmacists (98%) who practiced in the hospital setting (96%) as clinical specialists (69%). The C‐G equation was chosen to estimate renal function most commonly (85%). Total and adjusted body weights were used in C‐G estimates most commonly in patients who were underweight (80%) and overweight (75%), respectively. Given an elderly patient with low serum creatinine (Scr), 34% of respondents used actual Scr, 30% rounded Scr to 0.8, and 29% rounded Scr to 1.0 for use in C‐G. Enoxaparin renal dose adjustment differed based on clinical indication. Respondents chose more frequent (every 12 hour) dosing in patients with pulmonary embolism vs atrial fibrillation. Of the 79% of respondents whose practice site utilizes pharmacist‐driven renal dose adjustment policies, 94% indicated they deviated from the policy.

Conclusion

Large variation exists among clinical pharmacists in the application of renal function estimating equations which may impact dosing strategies and patient care.
Retracted: Long noncoding RNA THRIL contributes in lipopolysaccharide‐induced HK‐2 cells injury by sponging miR‐34a
Authors: Deng Yao , Luan Sen , Zhang Qi , Xiao Ying
Published: November 2018

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease with unknown etiology. Nowadays, several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported as molecular alterations involved in SLE. This study aimed to reveal the function of TNF‐related and HNRNPL‐related immunoregulatory lncRNA (THRIL) in SLE. Human epithelial HK‐2 cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic an in vitro SLE model. Then, the functions of THRIL, miR‐34a, and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), as well as their correlations were detected. LncRNA THRIL was highly expressed in the LPS‐stimulated cells, and THRIL overexpression aggravated LPS‐induced cell damage as cell viability was decreased, and apoptosis and the release of proinflammatory cytokines were increased. THRIL worked as a sponge of microRNA‐34a (miR‐34a) and it could directly target MCP‐1. Furthermore, MCP‐1–activated JNK and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathways. In conclusion, this study suggested that lncRNA THRIL might be a key regulator participating in LPS‐induced injury in HK‐2 cells. THRIL overexpression aggravated LPS‐induced injury possibly via sponging miR‐34a, and thus preventing MCP‐1 from degradation by miR‐34a. The THRIL/miR‐34a/MCP‐1 axis might play critical roles in SLE.
Massively parallelization strategy for material simulation using high‐dimensional neural network potential
Authors: Shang Cheng , Huang Si‐Da , Liu Zhi‐Pan
Published: November 2018

The potential energy surface (PES) calculation is the bottleneck for modern material simulation. The high‐dimensional neural network (HDNN) technique emerged recently appears to be a problem solver for fast and accurate PES computation. The major cost of the HDNN lies at the computation of the structural descriptors that capture the geometrical environment of atoms. Here, we introduce a massive parallelization strategy optimized for our recently developed power‐type structural descriptor. The method involves three‐levels: from the top to the bottom the parallelization is over atoms first, then, over structural descriptors and finally over the n‐body functions. We illustrate the parallelization method in a boron crystal system and show that the parallelization efficiency is maximally 100%, 58%, and 34% at each level. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhanced sampling method in molecular simulations using genetic algorithm for biomolecular systems
Authors: Sakae Yoshitake , Straub John E. , Okamoto Yuko
Published: November 2018

We propose a molecular simulation method using genetic algorithm (GA) for biomolecular systems to obtain ensemble averages efficiently. In this method, we incorporate the genetic crossover, which is one of the operations of GA, to any simulation method such as conventional molecular dynamics (MD), Monte Carlo, and other simulation methods. The genetic crossover proposes candidate conformations by exchanging parts of conformations of a target molecule between a pair of conformations during the simulation. If the candidate conformations are accepted, the simulation resumes from the accepted ones. While conventional simulations are based on local update of conformations, the genetic crossover introduces global update of conformations. As an example of the present approach, we incorporated genetic crossover to MD simulations. We tested the validity of the method by calculating ensemble averages and the sampling efficiency by using two kinds of peptides, ALA3 and (AAQAA)3. The results show that for ALA3 system, the distribution probabilities of backbone dihedral angles are in good agreement with those of the conventional MD and replica‐exchange MD simulations. In the case of (AAQAA)3 system, our method showed lower structural correlation of α‐helix structures than the other two methods and more flexibility in the backbone ψ angles than the conventional MD simulation. These results suggest that our method gives more efficient conformational sampling than conventional simulation methods based on local update of conformations. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Martini coarse‐grained model for polyethylenimine
Authors: Mahajan Subhamoy , Tang Tian
Published: November 2018

As a polycation with diverse applications in biomedical and environmental engineering, polyethylenimine (PEI) can be synthesized with varying degrees of branching, polymerization, and can exist in different protonation states. There have been some interests in molecular modeling of PEI at all‐atom or coarse‐grained (CG) levels, but present CG models are limited to linear PEIs. Here we present the methodology to systematically categorize bond lengths, bond angles and dihedral angles, which allows us to model branched PEIs. The CG model was developed under the Martini scheme based on eight ~600 Da PEIs, with four different degree of branching at two different protonation states. Comparison of the CG model with all‐atom simulations shows good agreement for both local (distributions for bonded interactions) and global (end‐to‐end distance, radius of gyration) properties, with and without salt. Compatibility of the PEI model with other CG bio‐molecules developed under the Martini scheme will allow for large‐scale simulations of many PEI‐enabled processes. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of [18F]2FP3 in pigs and non‐human primates
Authors: Hansen Hanne D. , Constantinescu Cristian C. , Barret Olivier , Herth Matthias M. , Magnussen Janus H. , Lehel Szabolcs , Dyssegaard Agnete , Colomb Julie , Billard Thierry , Zimmer Luc , Tamagnan Gilles , Knudsen Gitte M.
Published: November 2018

So far, no suitable 5‐HT7R radioligand exists for clinical positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. [18F]2FP3 was first tested in vivo in cats, and the results were promising for further evaluations. Here, we evaluate the radioligand in pigs and non‐human primates (NHPs). Furthermore, we investigate species differences in 5‐HT7R binding with [3H]SB‐269970 autoradiography in post‐mortem pig, NHP, and human brain tissue. Specific binding of [18F]2FP3 was investigated by intravenous administration of the 5‐HT7R specific antagonist SB‐269970. [3H]SB‐269970 autoradiography was performed as previously described. [18F]2FP3 was synthesized in an overall yield of 35% to 45%. High brain uptake of the tracer was found in both pigs and NHPs; however, pretreatment with SB‐269970 only resulted in decreased binding of 20% in the thalamus, a 5‐HT7R–rich region. Autoradiography on post‐mortem pig, NHP, and human tissues revealed that specific binding of [3H]SB‐269970 was comparable in the thalamus of pig and NHP. Despite the high uptake of [18F]2FP3 in both species, the binding could only be blocked to a limited degree with the 5‐HT7R antagonists. We speculate that the affinity of the radioligand is too low for imaging the 5‐HT7Rs in vivo and that part of the PET signal arises from targets other than the 5‐HT7R.
JIT and supply chain disruptions following a major disaster: A case study from the auto industry
Authors: Lim Amelia Hsern Yong , Tan Cheng Ling
Published: November 2018

The just‐in‐time approach is widely regarded as an efficient and cost‐effective way to manage inventory. It may have quite the opposite effect, however, if there is an unforeseen disruption in the supply chain. A delay in one part of the supply chain can have a domino effect, affecting production and delivery commitments further down the chain, leading to significant losses for the companies involved. An analysis of a Malaysian manufacturer's response after an earthquake disrupted its supply chain shows other companies what they can do to minimize losses and curb the impact of both major and minor disruptions.
The microfoundations of value creation in the biotech industry
Authors: Ciao Biagio
Published: November 2018

The biotech industry is a highly competitive sector producing vast wealth. Interviews with the founders of five European biotech companies explore the underpinnings of the value creation process at their firms: the microfoundations. The results of this inquiry reveal the most essential drivers of value in the biotech sector and highlight the importance of two groups of microfoundations—past experience in the field and professional ties—and how they support the others. In bolstering these two elements, senior team leaders can strengthen all the other essential elements of value creation, helping to ensure the long‐term success of their enterprise.
Triticum aestivum ethanolic extract improves non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice fed a choline‐deficient or high‐fat diet
Authors: Oh Hyun‐Seok , Cho Woojae , Tak Sang‐Bum , Kim Sukjoon , Hong Sun Pyo , Kim Soo‐Ok
Published: November 2018

Background

Although non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become more prevalent with the rapid increase of obesity worldwide, no specific treatment has been developed. Several studies have shown that wheatgrass extract Triticum aestivum (TA) improves lipid metabolism. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of GM‐T (an ethanolic TA extract) in a murine NAFLD model. Mice were separated into 12 groups (n = 10): two groups of normal diet, choline‐deficient diet (CDD) or high‐fat diet (HFD) with vehicle, CCD or HFD with silymarin (400 mg kg−1 day−1), and CCD or HFD with GM‐T (100, 200 or 400 mg kg−1 day−1). The study was performed for 8 weeks for the CDD groups and 12 weeks for the HFD groups.

Results

In the CDD‐fed mice, GM‐T improved serum liver enzyme activities and liver inflammation score compared to vehicle. In the HFD‐fed mice, GM‐T improved blood lipid profiles, liver inflammation score, steatosis score and obesity compared to vehicle.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that GM‐T effectively improved NAFLD in mice via a mechanism that improved insulin resistance and lipid metabolism, suggesting the possibility of a functional dietary supplement to improve liver health, overall metabolic syndrome and obesity. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Mixed hemimicelle magnetic dispersive solid‐phase extraction using carbon‐coated magnetic nanoparticles for the determination of tramadol in urine samples
Authors: Taghvimi Arezou , Hamidi Samin , Javadzadeh Yousef
Published: November 2018

Ionic liquid carbon‐coated magnetic nanoparticles were successfully applied as an adsorbent in a mixed hemimicelle magnetic dispersive solid‐phase extraction method for the determination of tramadol from urine samples coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV‐vis detection. The significant parameters affect the extraction efficiency including type and amount of adsorbent, sample volume, pH, ionic strength, type and amount of elution solvent, time of extraction and desorption, time of ionic liquid loading on the adsorbent and stirring rate were studied and optimized. The proposed method provided a fast, straightforward, environmentally friendly and adsorbent recyclable approach for tramadol analysis. The linear range for the tramadol determination was from 100 to 1500 ng/mL. Precisions and accuracies were within 6%. The applicability of the proposed method in clinical trial was tried successfully on determination of tramadol in addicted subjects under tramadol therapy. The mean percent recovery of the patient samples was 94%. The results proved that the proposed method could be applied in clinical and forensic laboratories for determination of tramadol from biological urine samples.
The gap‐two cardinal problem for uncountable languages
Authors: Villegas Silva Luis Miguel
Published: November 2018

In this paper we prove some cases of the gap‐2 cardinal transfer theorem for uncountable languages assuming the axiom of constructibility. Consider uncountable cardinals , with λ regular, a first order language with at least one unary predicate symbol U, with . Given an ‐structure , where and , we find an ‐structure such that , and .
Time estimations by network of beta globin gene cluster haplotypes linked with Hb D‐Los Angeles [β121 (GH4) Glu → Gln GAA → CAA] mutation in the world populations
Authors: Ozturk Onur , Arikan Sanem , Atalay Ayfer , Atalay Erol O.
Published: November 2018

Background

β‐Globin gene cluster haplotypes associated with the Hb D‐Los Angeles mutation have been reported in many different locations in different populations including Italy, Iran, Thailand, Belgium, Mexico, Holland, and Turkey. In this study, we have identified genetic relationships and formation periods between the haplotypes reported in the world regarding the Hb D‐Los Angeles.

Methods

We comparatively analyzed the RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) data in Denizli region and world populations using Arlequin 3.5 statistical software program. The data obtained from the Arlequin software were then entered into the Phylogenetic Network software to calculate the age estimates and to discover possible links between the haplotypes.

Results

We observed the frequencies of the β‐globin gene haplotypes for the seven polymorphic restriction sites around the world and calculated the estimated time of haplotypes using Network software on the basis of ancestral haplotypes. We performed the phylogenetic network analysis of the haplotypes linked with Hb D‐Los Angeles mutation by processing the data of frequency and age estimations with Network software.

Conclusion

Our period of time results suggests that HAP1 was formed before modern human migration to Asia and/or independent origin of the Hb D‐Los Angeles mutation from other populations. Considering that the population in Denizli region started the Hb D‐Los Angeles mutation past about 40,000 years ago, it can be said that HAP1, HAP15, and HAP21 belong to the gene pool with an external effect. Our period of time results of HAP6 is compatible with published dating results.
Multiple‐input and multiple‐output antenna system with self‐isolated antenna element for fifth‐generation mobile terminals
Authors: Zhao Anping , Ren Zhouyou
Published: November 2018

A multi‐antenna system based on an antenna element that has the self‐isolated property for the fifth‐generation (5G) multiple‐input and multiple‐output (MIMO) operation in mobile terminals is presented. The proposed antenna has one T‐shaped feeding element and two identical L‐shaped radiating elements and they are symmetrically located along the central line of the antenna. In particular, the two L‐shaped elements act as not only the antenna radiating element but also the decoupling element between two adjacent antenna units. It is demonstrated that very good isolation (better than 20 dB) for the 8‐antenna MIMO system can be achieved without using any additional decoupling elements or decoupling techniques. Envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) and channel capacity (CC) are also used to evaluate the MIMO performances of the proposed MIMO antenna system. Antenna prototypes are fabricated and measured; and quite good agreement between simulation and measurement is obtained.
Performance comparison of high temperature sensor based on non‐adiabatic silica microfiber and single mode‐multimode‐single mode fiber structure
Authors: Yusof Nur Hotimah , Razak Hashim A. , Arof Hamzah , Harun Sulaiman W.
Published: November 2018

A fiber‐based temperature sensor operating at high temperature was demonstrated using multimode interference effect and its performance was compared with that of two different probes based on a non‐adiabatic microfiber and singlemode‐multimode‐singlemode (SMS) fiber structure. Interference fringes of the output red‐shifted as the temperature increased due to the change in the effective refractive index of the multiple modes inside both structures. The sensor probes were able to measure the temperature variation up to 400°C with a linearity of more than 90%. The temperature sensitivity of the microfiber and SMS sensors is 6.0 pm/°C and 11.1 pm/°C, respectively. Our proposed sensors are simple, relatively cheap to be fabricated, and could operate at high temperatures above 300°C.
T1, T1 contrast, and Ernst‐angle images of four rat‐lung pathologies
Authors: Kuethe Dean O. , Hix Jeremy M. , Fredenburgh Laura E.
Published: November 2018

Purpose

To initiate the archive of relaxation‐weighted images that may help discriminate between pulmonary pathologies relevant to acute respiratory distress syndrome. MRI has the ability to distinguish pathologies by providing a variety of different contrast mechanisms. Lungs have historically been difficult to image with MRI but image quality is sufficient to begin cataloging the appearance of pathologies in T1‐ and T2‐weighted images. This study documents T1 and the use of T1 contrast with four experimental rat lung pathologies.

Methods

Inversion‐recovery and spoiled steady state images were made at 1.89 T to measure T1 and document contrast in rats with atelectasis, lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammation, ventilator‐induced lung injury (VILI), and injury from saline lavage. Higher‐resolution Ernst‐angle images were made to see patterns of lung infiltrations.

Results

T1‐weighted images showed minimal contrast between pathologies, similar to T1‐weighted images of other soft tissues. Images taken shortly after magnetization inversion and displayed with inverted contrast highlight lung pathologies. Ernst‐angle images distinguish the effects of T1 relaxation and spin density and display distinctive patterns. T1 for pathologies were: atelectasis, 1.25 ± 0.046 s; inflammation from instillation of lipopolysaccharide, 1.24 ± 0.015 s; VILI, 1.55 ± 0.064 s (p = 0.0022 vs. normal lung); and injury from saline lavage, 1.90±0.080 s (p = 0.0022 vs. normal lung; p = 0.0079 vs. VILI). T1 of normal lung and erector spinae muscle were 1.25 ± 0.028 s and 1.02 ± 0.027 s, respectively (p = 0.0022).

Conclusions

Traditional T1‐weighting is subtle. However, images made with inverted magnetization and inverted contrast highlight the pathologies and Ernst‐angle images aid in distinguishing pathologies.
Effects of treadmill training on microvascular remodeling in the rat after spinal cord injury
Authors: Kissane Roger W. P. , Wright Oliver , Al'Joboori Yazi D. , Marczak Paulina , Ichiyama Ronaldo M. , Egginton Stuart
Published: November 2018

Introduction: The morphological characteristics of skeletal muscles innervated caudal to a spinal cord injury (SCI) undergo dramatic phenotypic and microvascular changes.

Method: Female Sprague–Dawley rats received a severe contusion at thoracic level 9/10 and were randomly assigned to locomotor training, epidural stimulation, or a combination of the treatment groups (CB). Fiber type composition and capillary distribution were assessed in phenotypically distinct compartments of the tibialis anterior.

Results: Spinal cord injury induced a shift in type II fiber phenotype from oxidative to glycolytic (P < 0.05) as well as capillary loss within the oxidative core and glycolytic cortex; the CB treatment best maintained capillary supply within both compartments.

Discussion: The angiogenic response of CB training improved capillary distribution across the muscle; capillary distribution became spatially more homogeneous and mean capillary supply area decreased, potentially improving oxygenation. There is an important role for weight‐bearing training in maintaining the oxidative phenotype of muscle after SCI. Muscle Nerve 59:370–379, 2019
Needle electromyography and histopathologic correlation in myopathies
Authors: Sener Ugur , Martinez‐Thompson Jennifer , Laughlin Ruple S. , Dimberg Elliot L. , Rubin Devon I.
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Needle electromyography (EMG) findings help confirm myopathy and may indicate specific pathologic changes on muscle biopsy.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of 218 consecutive patients referred for muscle biopsy. Presence of specific needle EMG findings was correlated with pathologic findings of inflammation, necrosis, splitting, and vacuolar changes. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of specific EMG findings for pathologic changes were calculated.

Results

Short‐duration motor unit potentials (MUP) were sensitive (83%–94%) but not specific (34%–49%) for pathologic changes. Fibrillation potentials were 65%–74% sensitive and 58%–81% specific for inflammation, necrosis, splitting, or vacuolar changes. The absence of fibrillation potentials had high negative predictive value (82%–93%) for inflammation, splitting, or vacuolar changes.

Discussion

Fibrillation potentials and short‐duration MUPs predict pathologic changes of muscle fiber necrosis, splitting, and/or vacuolar changes (as seen with inflammatory myopathies and muscular dystrophies). Absence of fibrillation potentials suggests other myopathologic changes (e.g., congenital myopathy). Muscle Nerve 59:315–320, 2019
The application of an extrusion slit die in the rheological measurements of polyethylene composites with calcium carbonate using an in‐line rheometer
Authors: Kloziński Arkadiusz , Jakubowska Paulina
Published: November 2018

This article has reported the results of rheological testing of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and its calcium carbonate composites containing 7, 14, 21, and 28 wt% filler, respectively. The polymer composites were produced in a twin‐screw extrusion process. The assessment of the rheological properties of the polymeric materials was made under extrusion process conditions, using an in‐line rheometer with an extrusion slit die (W = 20, H = 2, L = 150 mm), at temperatures of 170°C, 180°C, and 190°C, respectively. The rheological parameters were determined based on the Ostwald‐de‐Waele power law model. The employed testing stand enabled the assessment of the effect of filler addition and slit die temperature on the variations in viscosity, power law index (n), consistency index (K), maximum flow velocity (Vmax), and maximum flow profiles (Vz), under the conditions of technological processing (extrusion) of plastics. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E16–E24, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Fire retardancy effect of phosphorus‐modified halloysite on polyamide‐11 nanocomposites
Authors: Sahnoune Mohamed , Taguet Aurélie , Otazaghine Belkacem , Kaci Mustapha , Lopez‐Cuesta José‐Marie
Published: November 2018

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were successfully incorporated as flame retardants in polyamide‐11 (PA11) after their modification with methyl phosphonic acid. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry were used to evidence the functionalization of the clay. Raw and modified HNTs were then incorporated by melt mixing in PA11 at 20 wt%. Compositions containing both ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and HNTs were also prepared. TGA and pyrolysis combustion flow calorimeter exhibited enhancement in thermal stability upon incorporation of both raw and modified halloysite nanotubes while APP causes degradation at lower temperature. Cone calorimeter data showed that modified halloysite acts by forming an insulating barrier during the combustion, which limits heat and mass transfers. Moreover, elemental analysis of sample residues after cone test evidenced that a part of the phosphorus of the modified halloysite was transferred to the gaseous phase. These results suggest the full potential of halloysite as fire retardant agent for polyamides. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:526–534, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
3D numerical investigations of the effect of fill factor on dispersive and distributive mixing of rubber under non‐isothermal conditions
Authors: Ahmed Istiaque , Chandy Abhilash J.
Published: November 2018

Three‐dimensional, non‐isothermal, transient computational fluid dynamics simulations are conducted for rubber mixing with a set of two‐wing rotors in a partially filled chamber. The main objective is to analyze the effect of different fill factors of rubber on dispersive and distributive mixing characteristics by simulating 15 revolutions of the rotors rotating at 20 rpm. 60%, 70%, 75%, and 80% are the four different fill factors chosen for the study. An Eulerian multiphase model is employed to simulate two different phases, rubber and air, and the volume of fluid technique is used to calculate the free surface between two phases, in addition to the continuity, momentum and Energy equations. To characterize non‐Newtonian, highly viscous rubber, shear rate and temperature dependent Carreau‐Yasuda model has been used. A set of more than 3,600 massless particles are injected after a certain period of time to calculate several quantities in terms of dispersive and distributive mixing. Both the Eulerian and Lagrangian results showed that, fill factors between 70% and 80% presented the most reasonable and efficient mixing scenario, thus exhibiting the best dispersive and distributive mixing characteristics combined. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:535–546, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Biocomposite films based on poly(lactic acid) and chitosan nanoparticles: Elaboration, microstructural and thermal characterization
Authors: Hijazi Nibal , Le Moigne Nicolas , Rodier Elisabeth , Sauceau Martial , Vincent Thierry , Benezet Jean‐Charles , Fages Jacques
Published: November 2018

Structured and fully bio‐based polymer assemblies based on chitosan micro‐ and nano‐particles and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were developed using a continuous cast‐film extrusion process. The microstructure and thermal properties of the resulting biocomposite films are studied. Dispersion and size distribution of chitosan particles within the films were analyzed by optical microscopy and laser diffraction. Results show a homogeneous dispersion with no particles agglomeration, due to favorable physico–chemical interactions between chitosan particles and PLA and weak particle cohesion within the agglomerates. Differential scanning calorimetry experiments evidence a pronounced nucleating effect as well as an enhanced crystal growth rate, and a great increase in crystallinity of PLA in the presence of chitosan particles. Furthermore, in the case of chitosan nanoparticles, no reduction of PLA molecular weight occurred as revealed by gel permeation chromatography. The dispersion of nanosized chitosan particles in PLA thus appears to be an efficient way to control its crystallization behavior without degrading its molecular characteristics. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E350–E360, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Microphase separation and mechanical properties of the polyurethanes based on the high soft segment poly(bis‐azidomethyl oxetane)/tetrahydrofuran binder
Authors: Jian Xiaoxia , Song Yufang , Zhou Weiliang , Xiao Leqin
Published: November 2018

The correlation of diisocyanate structure with hydrogen bonding and microphase separation and further their influence on mechanical property was investigated in high soft segment (about 90 wt%) energetic poly(bis‐azidomethyl oxetane/tetrahydrofuran) polyurethane binder. The hydrogen bonding analysis from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that the limited intersegmental hydrogen bonding can occur in the hard domain, and small‐angle X‐ray scattering results also showed that the absence of high‐order peaks in synthesized high soft segment polyurethanes. However, coplanar and symmetric diisocyanate and its inner benzene ring are favorable to ordered arrangement of hard segment, and further mircophase seperation enhance the tensile strength. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:724–729, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Novel biopesticide based onErinnyis ellobetabaculovirus: characterization and preliminary field evaluation to controlErinnyis elloin rubber plantations
Authors: Cuartas Paola E , Villamizar Laura F , Barrera Gloria P , Ruiz Jenny C , Campos Juan C , León‐Martínez Guillermo , Gómez‐Valderrama Juliana
Published: November 2018

Background

The hornwornErinnyis ellois the major pest of natural rubber crops in Colombia, mainly controlled using toxic chemical insecticides. The use ofE. elloBetabaculovirus is an environmentally sustainable alternative for its control. The aim of the present work was to characterize a prototype biopesticide formulation and evaluate its efficacy under different conditions.

Results

Quality control evaluations of formulated biopesticide revealed that all the parameters evaluated were under the permissible level. The lethal concentrations LC50and LC90of the biopesticide were 4.3 × 103and 5.5 × 104occlusion bodies (OBs) mL−1, respectively. Biopesticide efficacies against second and fourth instar larvae under greenhouse conditions were higher than 80%. Evaluation of two application rates in a clonal garden resulted in 84% and 88% efficacy, comparable to that obtained with the chemical. The biopesticide in a commercial plantation showed efficacies between 74% and 82%. Biopesticide post‐application persistence was estimated at least in 1 week under field natural conditions. Results allowed selection of the lowest evaluated dose (1 × 1011 OBs ha−1) as the basis for further field evaluations.

Conclusion

Formulated ErelGV showed high efficacy to control the hornworm in rubber crops and high potential to be included in integrated pest management programs, thus it could be an interesting alternative to replace agrochemicals. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry