bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neuroprotective Effects of 7-Geranyloxycinnamic Acid from Melicope lunu ankenda Leaves
Authors: Abdulwanis Mohamed Zeinab , Mohamed Eliaser Enas , Jaafaru Mohammed Sani , Nordin Norshariza , Ioannides Costas , Abdull Razis Ahmad Faizal
Published: August 2020

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are chronic conditions that have drawn robust interest from the scientific community. Phytotherapeutic agents are becoming an important source of chemicals for the treatment and management of NDDs. Various secondary metabolites have been isolated from Melicope lunu-ankenda plant leaves, including phenolic acid derivatives. However, their neuroprotective activity remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study is to elucidate the in vitro neuroprotective activity of 7-geranyloxycinnamic acid isolated from Melicope lunu-ankenda leaves. The neuroprotective activity was evaluated in differentiated human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells by monitoring cell viability using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). Moreover, the potential to impair apoptosis in differentiated cells was investigated employing the Annexin V-FITC assay, acridine orange and propidium iodide (AO/PI) staining, and fluorescence microscopy. Morphological assessment and ultrastructural analysis were performed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy to evaluate the effect of 7-geranyloxycinnamic acid on surface morphology and internal features of the differentiated cells. Pre-treatment of neuronal cells with 7-geranyloxycinnamic acid significantly protected the differentiated SH-SY5Y cells against H2O2-induced apoptosis. Cytoskeleton and cytoplasmic inclusion were similarly protected by the 7-geranyloxycinnamic acid treatment. The present findings demonstrate the neuroprotective potential of 7-geranyloxycinnamic acid against H2O2-induced neurotoxicity in neuronal cells, which is an established hallmark of neuronal disorders.
A Natural Flavone Tricin from Grains Can Alleviate Tumor Growth and Lung Metastasis in Colorectal Tumor Mice
Authors: Yue Grace , Gao Si , Lee Julia , Chan Yuk-Yu , Wong Eric , Zheng Tao , Li Xiao-Xiao , Shaw Pang-Chui , Simmonds Monique , Lau Clara
Published: August 2020

Tricin, a flavone isolated from rice bran, has been shown to be chemopreventive in a colorectal cancer (CRC) mouse model. This study aimed to illustrate the inhibitory activities of tricin in colon cancer cells and in a metastatic CRC mouse model. BALB/c mice injected with mouse Colon26-Luc cells into the rectum wall were treated with tricin (37.5 mg/kg) daily for 18 days. Orthotopic colon tumor growth and metastasis to lungs were assessed by in vivo bioluminescence imaging. Results showed that tricin suppressed Colon-Luc cells motility and downregulated phosphorylated Akt, Erk1/2 and NF-κB expressions of human colon cancer HT-29 cells. While tricin treatment suppressed tumor growth and lung metastasis as well as altered the populations of myeloid-derived suppressor cells and regulatory T cells in spleens. In summary, the tumor microenvironment modulatory and anti-metastatic effects of tricin in colon cancer mouse model were shown for the first time, suggesting the potential development of tricin-containing food supplements for CRC patients.
Polymeric Nanoparticles: Production, Characterization, Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
Authors: Zielińska Aleksandra , Carreiró Filipa , Oliveira Ana M. , Neves Andreia , Pires Bárbara , Venkatesh D. Nagasamy , Durazzo Alessandra , Lucarini Massimo , Eder Piotr , Silva Amélia M. , Santini Antonello , Souto Eliana B.
Published: August 2020

Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are particles within the size range from 1 to 1000 nm and can be loaded with active compounds entrapped within or surface-adsorbed onto the polymeric core. The term “nanoparticle” stands for both nanocapsules and nanospheres, which are distinguished by the morphological structure. Polymeric NPs have shown great potential for targeted delivery of drugs for the treatment of several diseases. In this review, we discuss the most commonly used methods for the production and characterization of polymeric NPs, the association efficiency of the active compound to the polymeric core, and the in vitro release mechanisms. As the safety of nanoparticles is a high priority, we also discuss the toxicology and ecotoxicology of nanoparticles to humans and to the environment.
Oxalic Acid as a Hydrogen Donor for the Hydrodesulfurization of Gas Oil and Deoxygenation of Rapeseed Oil Using Phonolite-Based Catalysts
Authors: Herrador José Miguel Hidalgo , Fratczak Jakub , Tišler Zdeněk , de Paz Carmona Hector , Velvarská Romana
Published: August 2020

The use of renewable local raw materials to produce fuels is an important step toward optimal environmentally friendly energy consumption. In addition, the use of these sources together with fossil fuels paves the way to an easier transition from fossil to renewable fuels. The use of simple organic acids as hydrogen donors is another alternative way to produce fuel. The present work reports the use of oxalic acid as a hydrogen donor for the catalytic hydrodesulfurization of atmospheric gas oil and the deoxygenation of rapeseed oil at 350 °C. For this process, one commercial NiW/SiO2–Al2O3 solid and two NiW/modified phonolite catalysts were used, namely Ni (5%) W (10%)/phonolite treated with HCl, and Ni (5%) W (10%)/phonolite treated with oxalic acid. The fresh phonolite catalysts were characterized by Hg porosimetry and N2 physisorption, ammonia temperature programmed desorption (NH3-TPD), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The sulfided metal phonolite catalysts were characterized by XRD and XRF. Hydrodesulfurization led to a decrease in sulfur content from 1 to 0.5 wt% for the phonolite catalysts and to 0.8 wt% when the commercial catalyst was used. Deoxygenation led to the production of 15 and 65 wt% paraffin for phonolite and commercial solids, respectively. The results demonstrate the potential of using oxalic acid as a hydrogen donor in hydrotreating reactions.
Cause of Color Modification in Tanzanite after Heat Treatment
Authors: Pluthametwisute Teerarat , Wanthanachaisaeng Bhuwadol , Saiyasombat Chatree , Sutthirat Chakkaphan
Published: August 2020

Natural tanzanites usually show strongly trichroic coloration from violet to blue, and brown colors in different directions. However, this characteristic is easily changed to violet-blue dichroism after heat treatment. Moreover, the cause of color modification after heating is still controversial. A few researchers have previously suggested that trace amounts of either vanadium or titanium substituted in aluminum site should be the main determinant of color after the heat treatment. Alteration of either V3+ to V4+ or Ti3+ to Ti4+ may relate to light absorption around 450–460 nm, which is the main cause. UV/vis/NIR absorption spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), a utility of synchrotron radiation, were applied for this experiment. As a result, the violet-blue absorption band (centered around 450–460 nm) as well as green absorption band (centered around 520 nm) were obviously decreased along the c-axis after heating, and XAS analysis indicated the increasing of the oxidation state of vanadium. This result was well supported by the chemical composition of samples. Consequently, vanadium was strongly suggested as the significant coloring agent in tanzanite after heat treatment.
Putative SARS-CoV-2 Mpro Inhibitors from an In-House Library of Natural and Nature-Inspired Products: A Virtual Screening and Molecular Docking Study
Authors: Mazzini Stefania , Musso Loana , Dallavalle Sabrina , Artali Roberto
Published: August 2020

A novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2) has been the cause of a recent global pandemic. The highly contagious nature of this life-threatening virus makes it imperative to find therapies to counteract its diffusion. The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is a promising drug target due to its indispensable role in viral replication inside the host. Using a combined two-steps approach of virtual screening and molecular docking techniques, we have screened an in-house collection of small molecules, mainly composed of natural and nature-inspired compounds. The molecules were selected with high structural diversity to cover a wide range of chemical space into the enzyme pockets. Virtual screening experiments were performed using the blind docking mode of the AutoDock Vina software. Virtual screening allowed the selection of structurally heterogeneous compounds capable of interacting effectively with the enzymatic site of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. The compounds showing the best interaction with the protein were re-scored by molecular docking as implemented in AutoDock, while the stability of the complexes was tested by molecular dynamics. The most promising candidates revealed a good ability to fit into the protein binding pocket and to reach the catalytic dyad. There is a high probability that at least one of the selected scaffolds could be promising for further research
Partial Reversibility of the Cytotoxic Effect Induced by Graphene-Based Materials in Skin Keratinocytes
Authors: Pelin Marco , Lin Hazel , Gazzi Arianna , Sosa Silvio , Ponti Cristina , Ortega Amaya , Zurutuza Amaia , Vázquez Ester , Prato Maurizio , Tubaro Aurelia , Bianco Alberto
Published: August 2020

In the frame of graphene-based material (GBM) hazard characterization, particular attention should be given to the cutaneous effects. Hence, this study investigates if HaCaT skin keratinocytes exposed to high concentrations of few-layer graphene (FLG) or partially dehydrated graphene oxide (d-GO) for a short time can recover from the cytotoxic insult, measured by means of cell viability, mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress, after GBM removal from the cell medium. When compared to 24 or 72 h continuous exposure, recovery experiments suggest that the cytotoxicity induced by 24 h exposure to GBM is only partially recovered after 48 h culture in GBM-free medium. This partial recovery, higher for FLG as compared to GO, is not mediated by autophagy and could be the consequence of GBM internalization into cells. The ability of GBMs to be internalized inside keratinocytes together with the partial reversibility of the cellular damage is important in assessing the risk associated with skin exposure to GBM-containing devices.
Sulfide and Oxide Inorganic Solid Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Li Batteries: A Review
Authors: Reddy Mogalahalli V. , Julien Christian M. , Mauger Alain , Zaghib Karim
Published: August 2020

Energy storage materials are finding increasing applications in our daily lives, for devices such as mobile phones and electric vehicles. Current commercial batteries use flammable liquid electrolytes, which are unsafe, toxic, and environmentally unfriendly with low chemical stability. Recently, solid electrolytes have been extensively studied as alternative electrolytes to address these shortcomings. Herein, we report the early history, synthesis and characterization, mechanical properties, and Li+ ion transport mechanisms of inorganic sulfide and oxide electrolytes. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of the fabrication technology and experimental conditions, such as the effects of pressure and operating parameters, on the electrochemical performance of all-solid-state Li batteries. In particular, we emphasize promising electrolyte systems based on sulfides and argyrodites, such as LiPS5Cl and β-Li3PS4, oxide electrolytes, bare and doped Li7La3Zr2O12 garnet, NASICON-type structures, and perovskite electrolyte materials. Moreover, we discuss the present and future challenges that all-solid-state batteries face for large-scale industrial applications.
Developmental Neurotoxicity Screening for Nanoparticles Using Neuron-Like Cells of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Example with Magnetite Nanoparticles
Authors: Coccini Teresa , Pignatti Patrizia , Spinillo Arsenio , De Simone Uliana
Published: August 2020

Metallic nanoparticles (NPs), as iron oxide NPs, accumulate in organs, cross the blood-brain barrier and placenta, and have the potential to elicit developmental neurotoxicity (DNT). Human stem cell-derived in vitro models may provide more realistic platforms to study NPs effects on neural cells, and to obtain relevant information on the potential for early or late DNT effects in humans. Primary neuronal-like cells (hNLCs) were generated from mesenchymal stem cells derived from human umbilical cord lining and the effects caused by magnetite (Fe3O4NPs, 1–50 μg/mL) evaluated. Neuronal differentiation process was divided into stages: undifferentiated, early, mid- and fully-differentiated (from day-2 to 8 of induction) based on different neuronal markers and morphological changes over time. Reduction in neuronal differentiation induction after NP exposure was observed associated with NP uptake: β-tubulin III (β-Tub III), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2), enolase (NSE) and nestin were downregulated (10–40%), starting from 25 μg/mL at the early stage. Effects were exacerbated at higher concentrations and persisted up to 8 days without cell morphology alterations. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and caspase-3/7 activity data indicated Fe3O4NPs-induced cell mortality in a concentration-dependent manner and increases of apoptosis: effects appeared early (from day-3), started at low concentrations (≥5 μg/mL) and persisted. This new human cell-based model allows different stages of hNLCs to be cultured, exposed to NPs/chemicals, and analyzed for different endpoints at early or later developmental stage.
Agricultural Food Production Diversity and Dietary Diversity among Female Small Holder Farmers in a Region of the Ecuadorian Andes Experiencing Nutrition Transition
Authors: Melby Christopher L , Orozco Fadya , Averett Jenni , Muñoz Fabián , Romero Maria José , Barahona Amparito
Published: August 2020

Some rural areas of Ecuador, including the Imbabura Province of the Andes Highlands, are experiencing a double burden of malnutrition where micronutrient deficiencies persist at the same time obesity is increasing as many traditional home-grown foods are being replaced with more commercially prepared convenience foods. Thus, the relationships among agricultural food production diversity (FPD), dietary diversity (DD), and household food insecurity (HFI) of the rural small holder farmers need further study. Therefore, we examined these associations in small holder farmers residing in this Province in the Andes Highlands (elevation > 2500 m). Non-pregnant maternal home managers (n = 558, x age = 44.1, SD = 16.5 y) were interviewed regarding the number of different agricultural food crops cultivated and domestic animals raised in their family farm plots. DD was determined using the Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women Score (MDD-W) based on the number of 10 different food groups consumed, and household food insecurity (HFI) was determined using the 8-item Household Food Insecurity Experience Scale. The women reported consuming an average of 53% of their total food from what they cultivated or raised. Women with higher DD [MMD-W score ≥ 5 food groups (79% of total sample)] were on farms that cultivated a greater variety of crops (x = 8.7 vs. 6.7), raised more animals (x = 17.9 vs. 12.7, p < 0.05), and reported lower HFI and significantly higher intakes of energy, protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin A (all p < 0.05). Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that FPD was only modestly related to DD, which together with years of education, per capita family income, and HFI accounted for 26% of DD variance. In rural areas of the Imbabura Province, small holder farmers still rely heavily on consumption of self-cultivated foods, but greater diversity of crops grown in family farm plots is only weakly associated with greater DD and lower HFI among the female caretakers.
Sinensetin Induces Autophagic Cell Death through p53-Related AMPK/mTOR Signaling in Hepatocellular Carcinoma HepG2 Cells
Authors: Kim Seong Min , Ha Sang Eun , Lee Ho Jeong , Rampogu Shailima , Vetrivel Preethi , Kim Hun Hwan , Venkatarame Gowda Saralamma Venu , Lee Keun Woo , Kim Gon Sup
Published: August 2020

Sinensetin (SIN) has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity. However, the cellular and molecular mechanism by which SIN promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell death remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the induction of cell death by SIN and its underlying mechanism in HepG2 cells, an HCC cell line. We found that SIN significantly induced cell death in HepG2 cells, whereas the proliferation rate of Thle2, human liver epithelial cells, was unaffected by SIN. SIN-treated HepG2 cells were not affected by apoptotic cell death; instead, autophagic cell death was induced through the p53-mediated AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway. Inhibition of p53 degradation led to both autophagy and apoptosis in HepG2 cells. p53 translocation led to SIN-induced autophagy, whereas p53 translocation inhibited SIN-induced apoptosis. However, SIN showed apoptosis in the p53-mutant Hep3B cell line. Molecular docking simulation of the p53 core domain showed effective binding with SIN, which was found significant compared with the known p53 activator, RITA. Collectively, these data suggest that SIN may be a potential anti-cancer agent targeting autophagic cell death in human liver cancer.
Losing Weight after Menopause with Minimal Aerobic Training and Mediterranean Diet
Authors: Lombardo Mauro , Perrone Marco Alfonso , Guseva Elena , Aulisa Giovanni , Padua Elvira , Bellia Chiara , Della-Morte David , Iellamo Ferdinando , Caprio Massimiliano , Bellia Alfonso
Published: August 2020

Objective: It is a common belief that menopausal women have greater difficulty losing weight. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a Mediterranean diet (MD) to promote weight loss in postmenopausal women. All participants were prescribed a hypocaloric traditional MD, tailored to the individual. Subjects were asked not to begin any kind of physical activity. Body composition was measured at the beginning and after 8 weeks of treatment. In total, 89 women (age 52.8 ± 4.5 years, BMI 30.0 ± 5.2 kg/m2, fat mass 31.6 ± 10.5 kg) were divided into two groups: the first group consisted of fertile women over 45 years of age, the second group consisted of those diagnosed as menopausal. All women had an improvement in body composition (fat mass −2.3 ± 2.1 kg, p < 0.001; protein −0.1 ± 0.7 kg, p = 0.190) and blood pressure values. No differences were found between the two groups except for a higher reduction of low-density lipoprotein in the menopausal group (p = 0.035). A positive significant correlation between plant to animal protein ratio and fat-free mass variation was found in the menopausal group. These data suggest that a high adherence to a traditional MD would enable menopausal women to lose fat mass and maintain muscle mass with no significant difference to younger women. Fat mass reduction provides menopausal women with improved cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors.
The Effect of Long-Term Aronia melanocarpa Extract Supplementation on Cognitive Performance, Mood, and Vascular Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Healthy, Middle-Aged Individuals
Authors: Ahles Sanne , Stevens Yala R. , Joris Peter J. , Vauzour David , Adam Jos , de Groot Eric , Plat Jogchum
Published: August 2020

Cognitive decline is associated with lifestyle-related factors such as overweight, blood pressure, and dietary composition. Studies have reported beneficial effects of dietary anthocyanins on cognition in older adults and children. However, the effect of anthocyanin-rich Aronia melanocarpa extract (AME) on cognition is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of long-term supplementation with AME on cognitive performance, mood, and vascular function in healthy, middle-aged, overweight adults. In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel study, 101 participants either consumed 90 mg AME, 150 mg AME, or placebo for 24 weeks. The grooved pegboard test, number cross-out test, and Stroop test were performed as measures for psychomotor speed, attention, and cognitive flexibility. Mood was evaluated with a visual analogue scale, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was determined, and vascular function was assessed by carotid ultrasounds and blood pressure measurements. AME improved psychomotor speed compared to placebo (90 mg AME: change = −3.37; p = 0.009). Furthermore, 150 mg AME decreased brachial diastolic blood pressure compared to 90 mg AME (change = 2.44; p = 0.011), but not compared to placebo. Attention, cognitive flexibility, BDNF, and other vascular parameters were not affected. In conclusion, AME supplementation showed an indication of beneficial effects on cognitive performance and blood pressure in individuals at risk of cognitive decline.
Spontaneous In Situ Formation of Liposomes from Inert Porous Microparticles for Oral Drug Delivery
Authors: Farzan Maryam , Québatte Gabriela , Strittmatter Katrin , Hilty Florentine Marianne , Schoelkopf Joachim , Huwyler Jörg , Puchkov Maxim
Published: August 2020

Despite the wide-spread use of liposomal drug delivery systems, application of these systems for oral purposes is limited due to their large-scale formulation and storage issues. Proliposomes are one of the formulation approaches for achieving solid powders that readily form liposomes upon hydration. In this work, we investigated a dry powder formulation of a model low-soluble drug with phospholipids loaded in porous functionalized calcium carbonate microparticles. We characterized the liposome formation under conditions that mimic the different gastrointestinal stages and studied the factors that influence the dissolution rate of the model drug. The liposomes that formed upon direct contact with the simulated gastric environment had a capacity to directly encapsulate 25% of the drug in situ. The emerged liposomes allowed complete dissolution of the drug within 15 min. We identified a negative correlation between the phospholipid content and the rate of water uptake. This correlation corroborated the results obtained for the rate of dissolution and liposome encapsulation efficiency. This approach allows for the development of solid proliposomal dosage formulations, which can be scaled up with regular processes.
A GATA Transcription Factor from Soybean (Glycine max) Regulates Chlorophyll Biosynthesis and Suppresses Growth in the Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Zhang Chanjuan , Huang Yi , Xiao Zhiyuan , Yang Hongli , Hao Qingnan , Yuan Songli , Chen Haifeng , Chen Limiao , Chen Shuilian , Zhou Xinan , Huang Wenjun
Published: August 2020

Chlorophyll plays an essential role in photosynthetic light harvesting and energy transduction in green tissues of higher plants and is closely related to photosynthesis and crop yield. Identification of transcription factors (TFs) involved in regulating chlorophyll biosynthesis is still limited in soybean (Glycine max), and the previously identified GmGATA58 is suggested to potentially modulate chlorophyll and nitrogen metabolisms, but its complete function is still unknown. In this study, subcellular localization assay showed that GmGATA58 was localized in the nucleus. Histochemical GUS assay and qPCR assay indicated that GmGATA58 was mainly expressed in leaves and responded to nitrogen, light and phytohormone treatments. Overexpression of GmGATA58 in the Arabidopsis thaliana ortholog AtGATA21 (gnc) mutant complemented the greening defect, while overexpression in Arabidopsis wild-type led to increasing chlorophyll content in leaves through up-regulating the expression levels of the large of chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway genes, but suppressing plant growth and yield, although the net photosynthetic rate was slightly improved. Dual-luciferase reporter assay also supported that GmGATA58 activated the transcription activities of three promoters of key chlorophyll biosynthetic genes of soybean in transformed protoplast of Arabidopsis. It is concluded that GmGATA58 played an important role in regulating chlorophyll biosynthesis, but suppressed plant growth and yield in transgenic Arabidopsis.
Molecular Mechanisms Supporting Rice Germination and Coleoptile Elongation under Low Oxygen
Authors: Pucciariello Chiara
Published: August 2020

Rice germinates under submergence by exploiting the starch available in the endosperm and translocating sugars from source to sink organs. The availability of fermentable sugar under water allows germination with the protrusion of the coleoptile, which elongates rapidly and functions as a snorkel toward the air above. Depending on the variety, rice can produce a short or a long coleoptile. Longer length entails the involvement of a functional transport of auxin along the coleoptile. This paper is an overview of rice coleoptiles and the studies undertaken to understand its functioning and role under submergence.
Autophagy Dances with Phytohormones upon Multiple Stresses
Authors: Li Yifan , Lin Yanni , Li Xi , Guo Shaoying , Huang Yifeng , Xie Qingjun
Published: August 2020

Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved process for turning over unwanted cellular components, thus promoting nutrient recycling and maintaining cellular homeostasis, which eventually enables plants to survive unfavorable growth conditions. In addition to plant growth and development, previous studies have demonstrated that autophagy is involved in the responses to various environmental challenges through interplaying with multiple phytohormones, including abscisic acid (ABA), jasmonic acid (JA), and salicylic acid (SA). In this review, we summarize the advances made in their synergistic interactions in response to multiple abiotic and biotic stresses; we also discuss the remaining issues and perspectives regarding their crosstalk.
Canthaxanthin, a Red-Hot Carotenoid: Applications, Synthesis, and Biosynthetic Evolution
Authors: Rebelo Bárbara A. , Farrona Sara , Ventura M. Rita , Abranches Rita
Published: August 2020

Carotenoids are a class of pigments with a biological role in light capture and antioxidant activities. High value ketocarotenoids, such as astaxanthin and canthaxanthin, are highly appealing for applications in human nutraceutical, cosmetic, and animal feed industries due to their color- and health-related properties. In this review, recent advances in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology towards the production of ketocarotenoids, in particular the red-orange canthaxanthin, are highlighted. Also reviewed and discussed are the properties of canthaxanthin, its natural producers, and various strategies for its chemical synthesis. We review the de novo synthesis of canthaxanthin and the functional β-carotene ketolase enzyme across organisms, supported by a protein-sequence-based phylogenetic analysis. Various possible modifications of the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway and the present sustainable cost-effective alternative platforms for ketocarotenoids biosynthesis are also discussed.
Effect of Ultraviolet C Irradiation on Isoflavone Concentrations in Different Cultivars of Soybean (Glycine max)
Authors: Karki Krishna Bahadur , Mishra Awdhesh Kumar , Choi Seong-Jin , Baek Kwang-Hyun
Published: August 2020

Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring plant polyphenolic compounds present in high concentrations in soybean products. Phytoestrogens are divided into three classes: lignans, isoflavones, and coumestans. Nine types of glycoside isoflavones and three types of aglycoside isoflavones are reported in soybean. Soy isoflavones can reduce the risk of a certain type of cancer, cardiovascular problems, osteoporosis, and menopausal symptoms. We irradiated the leaves of five cultivars of soybean with UV-C (260 nm) and determined the effect on concentrations of isoflavone compounds using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Isoflavone concentrations were significantly higher following irradiation, particularly in the cultivar Daepung, which was selected as the best cultivar for high isoflavone induction with UV-C irradiation. Further experimentation with the cultivar Daepung revealed that 20 min UV-C irradiation was the best treatment for the induction of aglycone compounds, and 5 min with the dorsal surface facing the UV-C irradiation source was the best treatment for the induction of glycoside isoflavone compounds.
Late Quaternary Climate Variability and Change from Aotearoa New Zealand Speleothems: Progress in Age Modelling, Oxygen Isotope Master Record Construction and Proxy-Model Comparisons
Authors: Lorrey Andrew M. , Williams Paul W. , Woolley John-Mark , Fauchereau Nicolas C. , Hartland Adam , Bostock Helen , Eaves Shaun , Lachniet Matthew S. , Renwick James A. , Varma Vidya
Published: August 2020

We re-evaluated speleothem isotope series from Aotearoa New Zealand that were recently contributed to the Speleothem Isotopes Synthesis and AnaLysis (SISAL) database. COnstructing Proxy Records from Age Models (COPRA) software was used to produce Bayesian age models for those speleothems. The new age modelling helped us examine Late Quaternary temporal coverage for the national speleothem network, and also supported our exploration of three different isotope master record generation techniques using Holocene δ18O data from Waitomo. We then applied the output from one of the isotope master record techniques to test an application case of how climate transfer functions can be developed using climate model simulated temperatures. Our results suggest Holocene δ18O trends at Waitomo capture air temperature variations weighted toward the primary season of soil moisture (and epikarst) recharge during winter. This interpretation is consistent with the latest monitoring data from the Waitomo region. Holocene δ18O millennial-scale trends and centennial-scale variability at Waitomo likely reflect atmospheric circulation patterns that concomitantly vary with surface water temperature and the isotopic composition of the Tasman Sea. A climate model simulation context for the Holocene millennial-scale trends in the Waitomo δ18O isotope master record suggest that site is sensitive to changes in the subtropical front (STF) and the Tasman Front. Our comparison of isotope master record techniques using Waitomo δ18O data indicate that caution is needed prior to merging δ18O data series from different caves in order to avoid time series artefacts. Future work should incorporate more high-resolution cave monitoring and climate calibration studies, and develop new speleothem data from northern and eastern regions of the country.
Unique Ethical Insights Gained from Integrating Gradual Practice with Sudden Enlightenment in the Platform Sutra—An Interpretation from the Perspective of Daoism
Authors: Zhang Rongkun
Published: August 2020

Since sudden enlightenment in the Platform Sutra is over-emphasized and gradual practice is comparatively ignored by quite a number of scholars, this article is primarily intended to illustrate that for Huineng, gradual practice and sudden enlightenment are practically integrated, which has profound ethical implications. Furthermore, it goes a step further to explore how gradual practice is made possible, by using original material in the text and by introducing relevant theory from Daoism. It also addresses the question about transcendence of morality that some scholars raise. Through exploring the topics of virtue and knowledge in Huineng’s thought with the help of Daoist wisdom, I aim to show that, as sudden enlightenment is accompanied by gradual practice, virtue together with knowledge appear hand in hand in a “perfect” form, which also strengthens the feature of perfection revealed in Huineng’s ethical doctrine.
Object Tracking in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Videos via Multifeature Discrimination and Instance-Aware Attention Network
Authors: Zhang Shiyu , Zhuo Li , Zhang Hui , Li Jiafeng
Published: August 2020

Visual object tracking in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) videos plays an important role in a variety of fields, such as traffic data collection, traffic monitoring, as well as film and television shooting. However, it is still challenging to track the target robustly in UAV vision task due to several factors such as appearance variation, background clutter, and severe occlusion. In this paper, we propose a novel two-stage UAV tracking framework, which includes a target detection stage based on multifeature discrimination and a bounding-box estimation stage based on the instance-aware attention network. In the target detection stage, we explore a feature representation scheme for a small target that integrates handcrafted features, low-level deep features, and high-level deep features. Then, the correlation filter is used to roughly predict target location. In the bounding-box estimation stage, an instance-aware intersection over union (IoU)-Net is integrated together with an instance-aware attention network to estimate the target size based on the bounding-box proposals generated in the target detection stage. Extensive experimental results on the UAV123 and UAVDT datasets show that our tracker, running at over 25 frames per second (FPS), has superior performance as compared with state-of-the-art UAV visual tracking approaches.
Restoration and Calibration of Tilting Hyperspectral Super-Resolution Image
Authors: Zhang Xizhen , Zhang Aiwu , Li Mengnan , Liu Lulu , Kang Xiaoyan
Published: August 2020

Tilting sampling is a novel sampling mode for achieving a higher resolution of hyperspectral imagery. However, most studies on the tilting image have only focused on a single band, which loses the features of hyperspectral imagery. This study focuses on the restoration of tilting hyperspectral imagery and the practicality of its results. First, we reduced the huge data of tilting hyperspectral imagery by the p-value sparse matrix band selection method (pSMBS). Then, we restored the reduced imagery by optimal reciprocal cell combined modulation transfer function (MTF) method. Next, we built the relationship between the restored tilting image and the original normal image. We employed the least square method to solve the calibration equation for each band. Finally, the calibrated tilting image and original normal image were both classified by the unsupervised classification method (K-means) to confirm the practicality of calibrated tilting images in remote sensing applications. The results of classification demonstrate the optimal reciprocal cell combined MTF method can effectively restore the tilting image and the calibrated tiling image can be used in remote sensing applications. The restored and calibrated tilting image has a higher resolution and better spectral fidelity.
Design and Implementation of Fast Fault Detection in Cloud Infrastructure for Containerized IoT Services
Authors: Yang Hyunsik , Kim Younghan
Published: August 2020

The container-based cloud is used in various service infrastructures as it is lighter and more portable than a virtual machine (VM)-based infrastructure and is configurable in both bare-metal and VM environments. The Internet-of-Things (IoT) cloud-computing infrastructure is also evolving from a VM-based to a container-based infrastructure. In IoT clouds, the service availability of the cloud infrastructure is more important for mission-critical IoT services, such as real-time health monitoring, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, and industrial IoT, than for general computing services. However, in the container environment that runs on a VM, the current fault detection method only considers the container’s infra, thus limiting the level of availability necessary for the performance of mission-critical IoT cloud services. Therefore, in a container environment running on a VM, fault detection and recovery methods that consider both the VM and container levels are necessary. In this study, we analyze the fault-detection architecture in a container environment and designed and implemented a Fast Fault Detection Manager (FFDM) architecture using OpenStack and Kubernetes for realizing fast fault detection. Through performance measurements, we verified that the FFDM can improve the fault detection time by more than three times over the existing method.
Reviewing Magnetic Particle Preparation: Exploring the Viability in Biosensing
Authors: Kappe Daniel , Bondzio Laila , Swager Joris , Becker Andreas , Büker Björn , Ennen Inga , Schröder Christian , Hütten Andreas
Published: August 2020

In this review article, we conceptually investigated the requirements of magnetic nanoparticles for their application in biosensing and related them to example systems of our thin-film portfolio. Analyzing intrinsic magnetic properties of different magnetic phases, the size range of the magnetic particles was determined, which is of potential interest for biosensor technology. Different e-beam lithography strategies are utilized to identify possible ways to realize small magnetic particles targeting this size range. Three different particle systems from 500 μm to 50 nm are produced for this purpose, aiming at tunable, vertically magnetized synthetic antiferromagnets, martensitic transformation in a single elliptical, disc-shaped Heusler Ni50Mn32.5Ga17.5 particle and nanocylinders of Co2MnSi-Heusler compound. Perspectively, new applications for these particle systems in combination with microfluidics are addressed. Using the concept of a magnetic on–off ratchet, the most suitable particle system of these three materials is validated with respect to magnetically-driven transport in a microfluidic channel. In addition, options are also discussed for improving the magnetic ratchet for larger particles.
Wireless Technologies for Implantable Devices
Authors: Nelson Bradley D. , Karipott Salil Sidharthan , Wang Yvonne , Ong Keat Ghee
Published: August 2020

Wireless technologies are incorporated in implantable devices since at least the 1950s. With remote data collection and control of implantable devices, these wireless technologies help researchers and clinicians to better understand diseases and to improve medical treatments. Today, wireless technologies are still more commonly used for research, with limited applications in a number of clinical implantable devices. Recent development and standardization of wireless technologies present a good opportunity for their wider use in other types of implantable devices, which will significantly improve the outcomes of many diseases or injuries. This review briefly describes some common wireless technologies and modern advancements, as well as their strengths and suitability for use in implantable medical devices. The applications of these wireless technologies in treatments of orthopedic and cardiovascular injuries and disorders are described. This review then concludes with a discussion on the technical challenges and potential solutions of implementing wireless technologies in implantable devices.
Speech Compressive Sampling Using Approximate Message Passing and a Markov Chain Prior
Authors: Jia Xiaoli , Liu Peilin , Jiang Sumxin
Published: August 2020

By means of compressive sampling (CS), a sparse signal can be efficiently recovered from its far fewer samples than that required by the Nyquist–Shannon sampling theorem. However, recovering a speech signal from its CS samples is a challenging problem, as it is not sparse enough on any existing canonical basis. To solve this problem, we propose a method which combines the approximate message passing (AMP) and Markov chain that exploits the dependence between the modified discrete cosine transform (MDCT) coefficients of a speech signal. To reconstruct the speech signal from CS samples, a turbo framework, which alternately iterates AMP and belief propagation along the Markov chain, is utilized. In addtion, a constrain is set to the turbo iteration to prevent the new method from divergence. Extensive experiments show that, compared to other traditional CS methods, the new method achieves a higher signal-to-noise ratio, and a higher perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ) score. At the same time, it maintaines a better similarity of the energy distribution to the original speech spectrogram. The new method also achieves a comparable speech enhancement effect to the state-of-the-art method.
Cooperative Mobile Learning for the Investigation of Natural Science Courses in Elementary Schools
Authors: Huang Po-Sen , Chiu Po-Sheng , Huang Yueh-Min , Zhong Hua-Xu , Lai Chin-Feng
Published: August 2020

The rapid development of technologies such as tablet PCs and 4G/5G networks has further enhanced the benefits of mobile learning. Although mobile devices are convenient and provide a variety of learning benefits, they are unable to improve students’ learning outcomes without an appropriate learning strategy. Furthermore, little research has been conducted to examine the effects of using collaborative learning on mobile devices. This study proposed a cooperative learning framework using Google Docs to explore the learning outcomes of students of natural science in an elementary curriculum. The study was of a quasi-experimental design with an experimental group (cooperative learning) and a control group (personal learning). The results show that a cooperative learning approach using Google Docs improved learning outcomes, teaching interest, and understanding of campus plants, and reduced cognitive load. One conclusion of the study is that the collaborative learning approach associated with mobile learning is more effective than personal learning. In addition, this paper also provides brief recommendations to expand on the study’s limitations. Future work should investigate the impact of collaborative learning on different environments for mobile learning.
Evaluation of Food Waste Prevention Measures—The Use of Fish Products in the Food Service Sector
Authors: Goossens Yanne , Schmidt Thomas G. , Kuntscher Manuela
Published: August 2020

This study presents two food waste prevention measures focusing on the interface between the food service sector and its food suppliers. Through a case study on procuring salmon by a hotel kitchen, the use of food products with different convenience grades is examined. The convenience grade of the fish bought (whole salmon, fillets or portions) determines where along the food chain filleting and/or portioning takes place and thus where food waste from cut-offs occurs. To reduce food waste, we propose purchasing filleted or portioned salmon rather than whole salmon. For both measures, effectiveness is calculated by looking at food waste reductions along the food chain, achieved by a better use of filleting and portioning cut-offs. Next, sustainability across the environmental, economic and social dimension is evaluated by calculating (a) avoided embodied environmental impacts and economic costs, (b) avoided food waste disposal environmental impacts and economic costs and (c) environmental, economic and social impacts and costs associated with implementing the measures. Purchasing fillets or portions instead of whole salmon leads to food waste reductions of −89% and −94%, respectively. The interventions further lead to net climate change impact savings along the salmon chain of −16% (fillets) and −18% (portions). Whereas the kitchen saves costs when switching to fillets (−13%), a switch to portions generates additional net costs (+5%). On a social level, no effects could be determined based on the information available. However, good filleting skills would no longer be needed in the kitchen and a time consuming preparation can be sourced out.
Universities That Learn to Tackle the Challenges of Sustainability: Case Study of the University of Córdoba (Spain)
Authors: Gomera Antonio , Antúnez Miguel , Villamandos Francisco
Published: August 2020

On their path to sustainability, universities must consider both individual and organizational components. Universities are organizations that also have the capacity to learn and evolve. By means of an analysis conducted over the past 20 years at the University of Córdoba (Spain), this article identifies the variables present in the University’s environmental sustainability process, characterizing its evolution through different stages and proposing an organizational model that orders these variables into a system within the framework of complexity. This model highlights the importance of a scientific-technical structure as catalyst, facilitator, and attractor of transformative flows within the organization, which could be a key component of its evolution towards sustainability. It also underscores the possibility of using environmental awareness and the perceived norm as indicators of the system. This characterization reveals the potential of these variables as indicators of progress and anchoring points for the permanent monitoring of the system, and it will also help to design potentially more effective and forceful actions and could prove valuable as a comparison indicator between universities.
Linking Ecosystem Services and the SDGs to Farm-Level Assessment Tools and Models
Authors: MacPherson Joseph , Paul Carsten , Helming Katharina
Published: August 2020

A number of tools and models have been developed to assess farm-level sustainability. However, it is unclear how well they potentially incorporate ecosystem services (ES), or how they may contribute to attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Understanding how farm-level assessment tools and models converge on these new paradigms of sustainability is important for drawing comparison on sustainability performances of farming systems, conducting meta-analyses and upscaling local responses to global driving forces. In this study, a coverage analysis was performed for several farm-level sustainability assessment (SA) tools (SAFA, RISE, KSNL, DLG) and models (MODAM, MONICA, APSIM), in regard to their potential for incorporating ES and contribution to attaining the SDGs. Lists of agricultural-relevant CICES classes and SDG targets were compiled and matched against the indicators of the tools and models. The results showed that SAFA possessed the most comprehensive coverage of ES and SDGs, followed by RISE and KSNL. In comparison to models, SA tools were observed to have a higher degree of potential for covering ES and SDGs, which was attributed to larger and broader indicators sets. However, this study also suggested that, overall, current tools and models do not sufficiently articulate the concept of ecosystem services.
How does the Traditional Heavy Industry Use Ecotechnology to Achieve the Ecological Innovation Goal? Analysis Based on Expert Survey in China’s Shipbuilding Industry
Authors: Shen Huayan , Bi Kexin , Gao Yu , Wang Meisha
Published: August 2020

The traditional heavy industry creates not only economic value for societies and countries but also serious ecological and cultural damage. This type of industry is not easy to transform and upgrade because of its large-scale and complex characteristics, and its traditional management mode is being challenged. This study focused on the relation between China’s current ecotechnology and ecological innovation goals. This was investigated to research a new technology and goal management method, which would promote the transformation and upgradation of traditional heavy industry. We investigated 11 shipbuilding companies with strong comprehensive capacity in China’s shipbuilding bases, analyzed the viewpoints of 331 senior managers and designers with more than a decade of shipbuilding experience, and referred to the industry technical standards and literature to define types of shipbuilding ecotechnology and ecological innovation goals. Structural equation modeling was conducted to analyze the relation between them. The simulation results demonstrated that four types of ecotechnology (i.e., energy technology, shipbuilding technology, digital technology, and strategic management) represent the key factors affecting the shipbuilding ecological innovation goals. This study is of theoretical significance for traditional heavy industry, and its outcomes encourage the achievement of ecological innovation goals through the application of ecotechnology.