bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Carotenoids, Oligosaccharides and Anthocyanins on Growth Performance, Immunological Parameters and Intestinal Morphology in Broiler Chickens Challenged with Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Csernus Brigitta , Biró Sándor , Babinszky László , Komlósi István , Jávor András , Stündl László , Remenyik Judit , Bai Péter , Oláh János , Pesti-Asbóth Georgina , Czeglédi Levente
Published: February 2020

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of carotenoid, oligosaccharide and anthocyanin supplementation in broiler diets under Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Ross 308 chickens were fed 5 diets: basal diet (control diet), diet supplemented with β-glucan in 0.05% (positive control) and diets with 0.5% carotenoid-, oligosaccharide- or anthocyanin contents. On the 26th days of age, chickens were challenged intraperitoneally 2 mg LPS per kg of body weight. 12 h after injection, birds were euthanized, then spleen and ileum samples were collected. LPS induced increased relative mRNA expression of splenic (p = 0.0445) and ileal (p = 0.0435) interleukin-1β (IL-1β), which was lower in the spleen in carotenoid (p = 0.0114), oligosaccharide (p = 0.0497) and anthocyanin (p = 0.0303)-treated chickens compared to LPS-injected control birds. Dietary supplementation of carotenoids also decreased relative gene expression of splenic interleukin-6 (IL-6) (p = 0.0325). In the ileum, β-glucan supplementation showed lower relative mRNA expression of toll-like receptor 5 (TLR-5) (p = 0.0387) compared to anthocyanin treatment. Gene expression of both splenic and ileal interferon-α (IFN-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) and toll-like receptor 5 (TLR-5) were not influenced by dietary supplements. In conclusion, carotenoids, oligosaccharides and anthocyanins could partially mitigate the immune stress caused by LPS challenge. All of the compounds impacted longer villus height (p < 0.0001), villus height:crypt depth ratios were higher after β-glucan (p < 0.0001) and anthocyanin (p = 0.0063) supplementations and thickened mucosa was observed in β-glucan (p < 0.0001), oligosaccharide (p < 0.0001) and anthocyanin (p = 0.048) treatments. All of these findings could represent a more effective absorption of nutrients.
RETRACTED: Yuan et al. Laplacian Eigenmaps Feature Conversion and Particle Swarm Optimization-Based Deep Neural Network for Machine Condition Monitoring. Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 2611
Authors: Yuan Nanqi , Yang Wenli , Kang Byeong , Xu Shuxiang , Wang Xiaolin ,   Applied Sciences Editorial Office
Published: February 2020

The published article [1] has been retracted at the request of the authors [...]
Roughening in Nonlinear Surface Growth Model
Authors: Bognár Gabriella
Published: February 2020

The aim of this paper is to examine the coarsening process in the evolution of the surface morphology during molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). A numerical approach for modeling the evolution of surface roughening in film growth by MBE is proposed. The model is based on the nonlinear differential equations by Kuramoto–Sivashinsky (KS) namely, KS and CKS (conserved KS). In particular, we propose a “combined version” of KS and CKS equations, which is solved as a function of a parameter r for the 1 + 1 dimensional case. The computation provides film height as a function of space and time. From this quantity the change of the width of the film over time has numerically been studied as a function of r. The main result of the research is that the surface width is exponentially increasing with increasing time and the change in surface width for smaller r values is significantly greater over longer time interval.
An Experimental Study on Milling Titanium Alloy with a Revolving Cycloid Milling Cutter
Authors: Wang Guangyue , Liu Xianli , Chen Tao , Gao Weijie
Published: February 2020

In this paper, a revolving cycloid milling cutter was designed with a larger effective cutting helix angle and rake angle than a ball end milling cutter of the same diameter. This new type of milling cutter can solve the problems of low machining efficiency, severe tool wear, and low surface quality in titanium alloy processing. A comparison of the cutting performance of titanium alloys processed by the revolving cycloid milling cutter and the ball end milling cutter was carried out to obtain the variation laws of the cutting force and the processing surface quality under different tool wear conditions. The result shows that the wear zone of the revolving cycloid milling cutter is shallow and wide compared to that of the ball end milling cutter. As the wear speeds up, the spoon-shaped wear gathering zone found in the ball end milling cutter does not happen with the revolving cycloid milling cutter. The revolving cycloid milling cutter can significantly lower the axial force, the tangential force, and the ratio of the axial force to the tangential force with a stable cutting process.
Compliance Control of Slave Manipulator Using EMG Signal for Telemanipulation
Authors: Ahn Bummo , Ko Seong Young , Yang Gi-Hun
Published: February 2020

Telemanipulation systems have been widely utilized in industrial, surgical, educational, and even military fields. One of the important issues is that when a robot interacts with environment or objects, it can damage the robot itself or the objects due to hard contact. To address this problem, we propose a novel compliance control of a slave robot using the electromyography (EMG) signal, which is measured by the sensors attached onto the master operator’s arm. The EMG signal is used since it is easy to process and it provides humans with an intuitive capability to perform the operational work. Furthermore, it has been proved that the EMG signal is useful in the control of the stiffness of the slave robot. This research identifies the muscle that is the best suitable to a precision-grip operation, and a series of experiments were performed. A compliance control algorithm with a variable stiffness of a slave robot is proposed, where the stiffness is changed based on the EMG signal, and it is confirmed by a series of experiments using a two-channel force/position teleoperation architecture.
Preparation of a Biofunctionalized Surface on Titanium for Biomedical Applications: Surface Properties, Wettability Variations, and Biocompatibility Characteristics
Authors: Huang Mao-Suan , Wu Chia-Yu , Ou Keng-Liang , Huang Bai-Hung , Chang Tien-Hsin , Endo Kazuhiko , Cho Yung-Chieh , Lin Hsing-Yu , Liu Chung-Ming
Published: February 2020

This study developed a promising approach (low-temperature plasma polymerization with allylamine) to modify the titanium (Ti) surface, which helps the damaged tissue to heal faster. The Ti surface was first cleaned by argon (Ar) plasma, and then the functional amino-groups were coated on the Ti surface via plasma polymerization. The topography characteristics, wettability, and optimal plasma modification parameters were investigated through atomic force spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, and response surface methodology (RSM). Analytical results showed that the formation of a porous surface was found on the Ar plasma-modified Ti surfaces after Ar plasma modification with different parameters. The Ar plasma modification is an effective approach to remove surface contaminants and generate a porous topography on the Ti surface. As the Ti with Ar plasma modification was at 100 W and 190 m Torr for 12 min, the surface exhibited the maximum hydrophilic performance. In the allylamine plasma modifications, the contact angle values of the allylamine plasma-modified Ti surfaces varied between 70.15° and 88.26° in the designed parameters. The maximum concentration of amino-groups (31.58 nmole/cm2) can be obtained from the plasma-polymerized sample at 80 W and 150 mTorr for 22 min. Moreover, the cell response also demonstrated that the allylamine plasma-modified Ti sample with an optimal modification parameter (80 W, 22 min, and 150 mTorr) possessed great potential to increase cell adhesion ability. Thus, the optimal parameters of the low-temperature plasma polymerization with allylamine can be harvested using the RSM design. These data could provide new scientific information in the surface modification of Ti implant.
Kinematic Modelling and Experimental Validation of a Foldable Pneumatic Soft Manipulator
Authors: Liu Zhuoqun , Zhang Xiang , Liu Hongwei , Chen Yong , Huang Yiyong , Chen Xiaoqian
Published: February 2020

A foldable pneumatic soft manipulator, which has the foldability to switch between a contraction state and an expanded state, is proposed in this investigation. The soft manipulator is a structure composed of pneumatic actuators and inflatable straight arms. The directional movement is driven by the pneumatic actuators and the foldability is realized by the inflatable straight arms. Based on this design, the kinematic model of one foldable pneumatic module is developed and presented. The shape deformation and workspace of the pneumatic module is numerically calculated and analyzed. To validate the correctness of the kinematic model, the prototype of one foldable pneumatic module, as well as the relevant pneumatic control system, is designed and developed. The repeatability of the pneumatic module and the model prediction accuracy are tested and validated by the experiment.
Behavior Analysis of Active and Proactive Headrest during Low-Velocity Rear-End Collisions
Authors: Yang Yun Sik , Kim Young Shin , Jeon Euy Sik
Published: February 2020

The accidents caused by car collisions can be categorized into front collision, side collision, and rear-end collision, among which the fatal accident incidence rate of rear-end collisions is the highest. Because neck injury is the most common injury associated with rear-end collision, the car headrest should be redesigned to minimize such injuries. In this study, we investigated the neck injury indices in active and proactive headrests using a sled test. The predictability of injury indices was examined through the behavior analysis of the head and seat. The characteristics of the head–neck behavior and the structure of the headrest were studied. Furthermore, the neck injury indices corresponding to the two headrests were compared. The predictability of major neck injury indices was examined, which may be used as a reference for developing an active deployment system to complement the existing headrest deployment characteristics.
The Generalized Skin Depth for Polarized Porous Media Based on the Cole–Cole Model
Authors: Ji Yanju , Meng Xiangdong , Shao Jingya , Wu Yanqi , Wu Qiong
Published: February 2020

In the field of frequency-domain electromagnetic detection, skin depth is an important parameter for electromagnetic data interpretation and imaging. The classic skin depth formula is calculated based only on conductivity; the induced-polarization effect in real earth is not considered, so the imaging results have obvious errors. To solve these problems, based on plane wave theory and the Cole–Cole conductivity model, a generalized skin depth formula of polarized media is derived in the frequency domain. The accuracy of the generalized skin depth is verified through comparison with the classical skin depth. To show the practicability of this study, the theoretical data with induced polarization (IP) effects are used to explain the generalized skin depth for polarized porous media. The generalized skin depth calculation for a typical porous polarization model is related not only to conductivity, but also to polarization parameters, such as chargeability, characteristic time constant, and frequency dependence. At low-frequency excitation, the generalized skin depth formula can be used to calculate the propagation depth of electromagnetic waves relatively accurately for porous polarized media. This method can be applied to the calculation of electromagnetic wave propagation depths in complex dispersive media. Compared with non-polarized media, in porous polarized media, under low-frequency excitation, the electromagnetic wave propagates deeper, allowing the detection of deeper objects. The data interpretation and imaging of polarized porous media by the generalized skin depth formula have higher accuracy.
An Experimental Investigation of Streamwise and Vertical Wind Fields on a Typical Three-Dimensional Hill
Authors: Shen Guohui , Yao Jianfeng , Lou Wenjuan , Chen Yong , Guo Yong , Xing Yuelong
Published: February 2020

To study the streamwise and vertical wind fields on a typical three-dimensional hill, wind tunnel tests were performed. The mean values and turbulence intensities of the streamwise and vertical wind speeds of the typical positions above the hill were measured, and they are presented in the form of contour maps for design. Furthermore, the speed-up of the mean wind speeds in the streamwise direction was compared with codes. Finally, the windage yaw of a jumper cable was examined as an example of how to take into account the streamwise and vertical wind field influence on the wind load in the analysis of wind-induced responses. The results show that the most significant speed-up effect in the streamwise direction occurs on the hill crest, and the wind speed-up decreases with the increase of the height. Overall, the wind speed-up along the crosswind center line is larger than that along the along-wind center line of the hill. In the codes, the speed-up effect specified for the structure at half the height of the upstream side of the hill is relatively conservative. With regard to the mean wind speed in the vertical direction, the wind climbing effect located at half the height of the upstream side of the hill is the most significant. The area with the stronger turbulence intensity appears at the foot of the upstream and downstream sides of the hill. The influence of the vertical wind on the jumper cable is remarkable where the wind climbing effect is the most significant, which is worthy of attention in the design of the structure immersed in a hilly terrain-disturbed wind field.
Optimization and Experiment of Mass Compensation Strategy for Built-In Mechanical On-Line Dynamic Balancing System
Authors: Wang Zhan , Zhang Bo , Zhang Ke , Yue Guodong
Published: February 2020

In order to solve the problem of low precision and efficiency in the balancing process due to the movement of balance counterweights in a built-in mechanical on-line dynamic balance system, an optimization strategy for the mass compensation of the mechanical on-line dynamic balancing system is proposed, and a mass compensation optimization model is established. The optimization model takes the phase of counterweight movement as the optimization variable and the residual stress under dynamic balance as the optimization objective. Through the optimization model, the movement phase of the counterweight can be calculated, and the counterweight can be moved to a balanced position that significantly reduces the degree of unbalance. An experiment platform was built to carry out comparison experiments under different rotating speeds and unbalance levels. By comparing the residual stress, amplitude, and dynamic balancing time of the spindle before and after the balance, the accuracy of the phase of the counterweight that is calculated by the optimization model is verified. The optimized dynamic balance compensation strategy and the unoptimized were compared by experiments at different rotating speeds. The experimental results showed that, compared to the unoptimized balance, the amplitude of the spindle after optimizing balance with a dynamic balancing device can decrease by 30.39% on average, with its maximum amplitude decreasing by up 50.18%, and the balancing time can decrease by 31.72% on average, with its maximum balancing time decreasing by up to 43.86%. The research results showed that an optimization strategy can effectively improve dynamic balance efficiency and greatly reduce vibration amplitude, which provides the necessary theoretical basis for improving the running precision of the spindle system.
The Relationship between the Facial Expression of People in University Campus and Host-City Variables
Authors: Wei Hongxu , Hauer Richard J. , Zhai Xuquan
Published: February 2020

Public attitudes towards local university matters for the resource investment to sustainable science and technology. The application of machine learning techniques enables the evaluation of resource investments more precisely even at the national scale. In this study, a total number of 4327 selfies were collected from the social network services (SNS) platform of Sina Micro-Blog for check-in records of 92 211-Project university campuses from 82 cities of 31 Provinces across mainland China. Photos were analyzed by the FireFACETM-V1.0 software to obtain scores of happy and sad facial expressions and a positive response index (PRI) was calculated (happy-sad). One-way analysis of variance indicated that both happy and PRI scores were highest in Shandong University and lowest in Harbin Engineering University. The national distribution of positive expression scores was highest in Changchun, Jinan, and Guangzhou cities. The maximum likelihood estimates from general linear regression indicated that the city-variable of the number of regular institutions of higher learning had the positive contribution to the happy score. The number of internet accesses and area of residential housing contributed to the negative expression scores. Therefore, people tend to show positive expression at campuses in cities with more education infrastructures but fewer residences and internet users. The geospatial analysis of facial expression data can be one approach to supply theoretical evidence for the resource arrangement of sustainable science and technology from universities.
Effect of Bentonite Addition on the Properties of Fly Ash as a Material for Landfill Sealing Layers
Authors: Wasil Mariola
Published: February 2020

Landfill sealing layers protect groundwater and soil against contamination from waste leachate. Fly ash, which is a coal combustion by-product, might be used as a substitute material for natural soils to build sealing layers. To improve its properties, different additives can be used. In this study, bentonite in the amounts of 5%, 10% and 15% of the dry mass of fly ash was used as an addition. Compacted fly ash and fly ash-bentonite mixtures were tested in order to verify how bentonite and the amount of addition affect the properties of the materials. Therefore, hydraulic conductivity, as the most important parameter, which determines the suitability of a material for construction landfill sealing layers, were tested. Results indicate that bentonite changes the properties of fly ash and allows the achievement of smaller hydraulic conductivity values. To provide a comparison to the natural soil, sandy silty clay that meets the criteria for natural soils for sealing layers was tested and the differences are presented. Fly ash with 15% of bentonite addition reached a value of hydraulic conductivity for the material suitable to build compacted landfill sealing layers.
Localisation of Vertical Auditory Phantom Image with Band-limited Reductions of Vertical Interchannel Crosstalk
Authors: Wallis Rory , Lee Hyunkook
Published: February 2020

Direct sound that is captured by the upper layer of a three-dimensional (3D) microphone array is typically regarded as vertical interchannel crosstalk (VIC), since it tends to produce an undesired effect of the sound source image being elevated from the ear-level loudspeaker layer position (0°) in reproduction. The present study examined the effectiveness of band-limited VIC attenuation methods on preventing the vertical image shift problem. In a subjective experiment, five natural sound sources were presented as vertically-oriented phantom images while using two stereophonic loudspeaker pairs elevated at 0° and 30° in front of the listener. The upper layer signal (i.e., VIC) was attenuated in various octave-band-dependent conditions that were based on vertical localisation thresholds obtained from previous studies. The results showed that it was possible to achieve the goal of panning the phantom image at the same height as the image produced by the main loudspeaker layer by attenuating only a single octave band with the centre frequency of 4 kHz or 8 kHz or multiple bands at 1 kHz and above. This has a useful practical implication in 3D sound recording and mixing where a vertically oriented phantom image is rendered.
A Synergistic Effect of Blockings on a Persistent Strong Cold Surge in East Asia in January 2018
Authors: Dong Wei , Zhao Liang , Zhou Shunwu , Shen Xinyong
Published: February 2020

A persistent strong cold surge occurred in East Asia in late January 2018, causing mean near-surface air temperature in China to hit the second lowest since 1984. Moreover, the daily mean air temperature remained persistently negative for more than 20 days. Here, we find that a synergistic effect of double blockings in Western Europe and North America plays an important accelerating role in the rapid phase transition of Arctic Oscillation and an amplifying role in the strength of cold air preceding to the cold surge outbreaks by the use of an isentropic potential vorticity analysis. In mid-January, an Atlantic mid-latitude anticyclone merged with Western Europe blocking, which led to a strengthening of the blocking. Simultaneously, the Pacific-North American blocking was also significantly strengthened. The two blockings synchronously deeply stretched towards the Arctic, which resulted in, on the one hand, warm and moist air of the Pacific and the Atlantic being excessively transported into the Arctic, and on the other hand, the polar vortex being split and cold air being squeezed southwards and accumulating extensively on the West Siberian Plain. After the breakdown of the double blocking pattern, which lasted for about 10 days, the record-breaking cold surge broke out in East Asia. It was discovered that the synergistic effect of double blockings extending into the Arctic, which is conducive to extreme cold events, has been rapidly increasing in recent years.
Uncertainties in the Annual Cycle of Rainfall Characteristics over West Africa in CMIP5 Models
Authors: Sow Magatte , Diakhaté Moussa , Dixon Ross D. , Guichard Françoise , Dieng Diarra , Gaye Amadou T.
Published: February 2020

We analyse uncertainties associated with the main features of the annual cycle of West African rainfall (amplitude, timing, duration) in 15 CMIP5 simulations over the Sahelian and Guinean regions with satellite daily precipitation estimates. The annual cycle of indices based on daily rainfall such as the frequency and the intensity of wet days, the consecutive dry (CDD) and wet (CWD) days, the 95th percentile of daily rainfall (R95), have been assessed. Over both regions, satellite datasets provide more consistent results on the annual cycle of monthly precipitation than on higher-frequency rainfall indices, especially over the Guinean region. By contrast, CMIP5 simulations display much higher uncertainties in both the mean precipitation climatology and higher-frequency indices. Over both regions, most of them overestimate the frequency of wet days. Over the Guinean region, the difficulty of models to represent the bimodality of the annual cycle of precipitation involves systematic biases in the frequency of wet days. Likewise, we found strong uncertainties in the simulation of the CWD and the CDD over both areas. Finally, models generally provide too early (late) onset dates over the Sahel (the Guinean region) and overestimate rainfall during the early and late monsoon phases. These errors are strongly coupled with errors in the latitudinal position of the ITCZ and do not compensate at the annual scale or when considering West Africa as a whole.
Influence of Internal Structure and Composition on Head’s Local Thermal Sensation and Temperature Distribution
Authors: He Shuai , Zhang Yinghua , Huang Zhian , Zhang Ge , Gao Yukun
Published: February 2020

A personalized thermal environment is an effective way to ensure a good thermal sensation for individuals. Since local thermal sensation and temperature distribution are affected by individual physiological differences, it is necessary to study the effects of physiological parameters. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of internal structures and tissue composition on head temperature distribution and thermal sensation. A new mathematical model based on fuzzy logic control was established, the internal structure and tissue composition of the head were obtained by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the local thermal sensation (LTS) index was used to evaluate the thermal sensation. Based on the mathematical model and the real physiological data, the head temperature and local sensation changes under different parameters were investigated, and the sensitivity of thermal sensation relative to the differences in tissue thickness was analyzed. The results show that skin tissue had the highest influence ( C s k i n = 0.0180 ) on head temperature, followed by muscle tissue ( C m u s c l e = 0.0127 ), and the influence of adipose tissue ( C f a t = 0.0097 ) was the lowest. LTS was most sensitive to skin thickness variation, with an average sensitivity coefficient of 1.58, while the muscle tissue had an average sensitivity coefficient of 0.2, and the sensitivity coefficient of fat was relatively small, at a value of 0.04.
A Review of Diatom Lipid Droplets
Authors: Leyland Ben , Boussiba Sammy , Khozin-Goldberg Inna
Published: February 2020

The dynamic nutrient availability and photon flux density of diatom habitats necessitate buffering capabilities in order to maintain metabolic homeostasis. This is accomplished by the biosynthesis and turnover of storage lipids, which are sequestered in lipid droplets (LDs). LDs are an organelle conserved among eukaryotes, composed of a neutral lipid core surrounded by a polar lipid monolayer. LDs shield the intracellular environment from the accumulation of hydrophobic compounds and function as a carbon and electron sink. These functions are implemented by interconnections with other intracellular systems, including photosynthesis and autophagy. Since diatom lipid production may be a promising objective for biotechnological exploitation, a deeper understanding of LDs may offer targets for metabolic engineering. In this review, we provide an overview of diatom LD biology and biotechnological potential.
The Reliability of Iodine Concentration in Diaper-Retrieved Infant Urine Using Urine Collection Pads, and in Their Mothers’ Breastmilk
Authors: Bakken Kjersti Sletten , Oma Ingvild , Groufh-Jacobsen Synne , Stokke Solvik Beate , Mosand Lise Mette , Marthinsen Langfjord Mina , Folven Gjengedal Elin Lovise , Henjum Sigrun , Strand Tor Arne
Published: February 2020

Mild to moderate iodine deficiency is common among women of childbearing age. Data on iodine status in infants are sparse, partly due to the challenges in collecting urine. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) is considered a good marker for recent dietary iodine intake and status in populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of iodine concentration measured in two spot-samples from the same day of diaper-retrieved infant urine and in their mothers’ breastmilk. We collected urine and breastmilk from a sample of 27 infants and 25 mothers participating in a cross-sectional study at two public healthcare clinics in Norway. The reliability of iodine concentration was assessed by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and the coefficient of variation (CV). The ICC for infants’ urine was 0.64 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36–0.82), while the ICC for breastmilk was 0.83 (95% CI 0.65–0.92) Similarly, the intraindividual CV for UIC was 0.25 and 0.14 for breastmilk iodine concentration (BIC). Compared to standard methods of collecting urine for measuring iodine concentration, the diaper-pad collection method does not substantially affect the reliability of the measurements.
Cyclic Dipeptides Mediating Quorum Sensing and Their Biological Effects in Hypsizygus Marmoreus
Authors: Sun Shu-Jing , Liu Yun-Chao , Weng Cai-Hong , Sun Shi-Wei , Li Fan , Li Hui , Zhu Hu
Published: February 2020

A novel quorum sensing (QS) system was discovered in Serratia odorifera, the symbiotic bacterium of Hypsizygus marmoreus. This system uses cyclo(Pro-Phe), cyclo(Pro-Tyr), cyclo(Pro-Val), cyclo(Pro-Leu), cyclo(Tyr-Leu), and cyclo(Tyr-Ile) as autoinducers. This discovery is the first attempt to characterize cyclic dipeptides as QS signaling molecules in S. odorifera and improves the classical QS theory. Significantly, except for cyclo(Tyr-Leu), these QS autoinducers can increase the transcription level of lignin-degrading enzyme genes of H. marmoreus. The cyclo(Pro-Phe) can increase the activity of extracellular laccase (1.32-fold) and manganese peroxidase (20%), which may explain why QS potentially regulates the hyphal growth, primordium formation, and fruit body development of H. marmoreus. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the cyclo(Tyr-Ile) biosynthesis in S. odorifera was catalyzed by the nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS). This study supports exploring the growth and development of H. marmoreus promoted by its symbiotic bacteria at QS signal transduction level.
Biochemical and Behavioral Characterization of IN14, a New Inhibitor of HDACs with Antidepressant-Like Properties
Authors: Martínez-Pacheco Heidy , Picazo Ofir , López-Torres Adolfo , Morin Jean-Pascal , Castro-Cerritos Karla Viridiana , Zepeda Rossana Citlali , Roldán-Roldán Gabriel
Published: February 2020

Evidence suggests that histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitors could be used as an effective treatment for some psychiatric and neurological conditions such as depression, anxiety and age-related cognitive decline. However, non-specific HDAC inhibiting compounds have a clear disadvantage regarding their efficacy and safety, thus the need to develop more selective ones. The present study evaluated the toxicity, the capacity to inhibit HDAC activity and antidepressant-like activity of three recently described class I HDAC inhibitors IN01, IN04 and IN14, using A. salina toxicity test, in vitro fluorometric HDAC activity assay and forced-swimming test, respectively. Our data show that IN14 possesses a better profile than the other two. Therefore, the pro-cognitive and antidepressant effects of IN14 were evaluated. In the forced-swimming test model of depression, intraperitoneal administration of IN14 (100 mg/Kg/day) for five days decreased immobility, a putative marker of behavioral despair, significantly more than tricyclic antidepressant desipramine, while also increasing climbing behavior, a putative marker of motivational behavior. On the other hand, IN14 left the retention latency in the elevated T-maze unaltered. These results suggest that novel HDAC class I inhibitor IN14 may represent a promising new antidepressant with low toxicity and encourages further studies on this compound.
System-Based Differential Gene Network Analysis for Characterizing a Sample-Specific Subnetwork
Authors: Tanaka Yoshihisa , Tamada Yoshinori , Ikeguchi Marie , Yamashita Fumiyoshi , Okuno Yasushi
Published: February 2020

Gene network estimation is a method key to understanding a fundamental cellular system from high throughput omics data. However, the existing gene network analysis relies on having a sufficient number of samples and is required to handle a huge number of nodes and estimated edges, which remain difficult to interpret, especially in discovering the clinically relevant portions of the network. Here, we propose a novel method to extract a biomedically significant subnetwork using a Bayesian network, a type of unsupervised machine learning method that can be used as an explainable and interpretable artificial intelligence algorithm. Our method quantifies sample specific networks using our proposed Edge Contribution value (ECv) based on the estimated system, which realizes condition-specific subnetwork extraction using a limited number of samples. We applied this method to the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) data set that is related to the process of metastasis and thus prognosis in cancer biology. We established our method-driven EMT network representing putative gene interactions. Furthermore, we found that the sample-specific ECv patterns of this EMT network can characterize the survival of lung cancer patients. These results show that our method unveils the explainable network differences in biological and clinical features through artificial intelligence technology.
Fatty Acid Content and Composition of the Yakutian Horses and Their Main Food Source: Living in Extreme Winter Conditions
Authors: Petrov Klim A. , Dudareva Lyubov V. , Nokhsorov Vasiliy V. , Stoyanov Kirill N. , Makhutova Olesia N.
Published: February 2020

For the first time, seasonal changes in the content of total lipids (TLs) and phospholipids (PLs) were studied in fodder plants growing in Central Yakutia—a perennial cereal, smooth brome (Bromopsis inermis L.), and an annual cereal, common oat (Avena sativa L.). Both species have concentrated TLs and PLs in autumn under cold hardening. In addition, a significant increase in the content of fatty acids (FAs) of B. inermis was observed during the autumn decrease in temperature. The Yakutian horses, which fed on cereals enriched with nutrients preserved by natural cold (green cryo-fodder), accumulated significant amounts of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, the total content of which in cereals was 75% of the total FA content. We found differences in the distribution of these two FAs in different tissues of the horses. Thus, liver was rich in 18:2n-6, while muscle and adipose tissues accumulated mainly 18:3n-3. Such a distribution may indicate different roles of these FAs in the metabolism of the horses. According to FA content, meat of the Yakutian horses is a valuable dietary product.
Seasonal and Antioxidant Evaluation of Essential Oil from Eugenia uniflora L., Curzerene-Rich, Thermally Produced in Situ
Authors: da Costa Jamile S. , Barroso Adenilson S. , Mourão Rosa Helena V. , da Silva Joyce Kelly R. , Maia José Guilherme S. , Figueiredo Pablo Luis B.
Published: February 2020

The essential oil of Eugenia uniflora has been attributed anti-depressive, antinociceptive, antileishmanial, larvicidal, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. It is known that the cultivation of this plant can be affected by seasonality, promoting alteration in the oil composition and its biological activities. This study aims to perform the annual evaluation of the curzerene-type oil of E. uniflora and determine its antioxidant activity. The oil yield from the dry season (1.4 ± 0.6%) did not differ statistically from that of the rainy season (1.8 ± 0.8%). Curzerene, an oxygenated sesquiterpene, was the principal constituent, and its percentage showed no significant difference between the two periods: dry (42.7% ± 6.1) and rainy (40.8 ± 5.9%). Principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses presented a high level of similarity between the monthly samples of the oils. Also, in the annual study, the yield and composition of the oils did not present a significant correlation with the climatic variables. The antioxidant activity of the oils showed inhibition of DPPH radicals with an average value of 55.0 ± 6.6%. The high curzerene content in the monthly oils of E. uniflora suggests their potential for use as a future phytotherapeutic alternative.
The Challenge of Disease-Modifying Therapies in Parkinson’s Disease: Role of CSF Biomarkers
Authors: Paolini Paoletti Federico , Gaetani Lorenzo , Parnetti Lucilla
Published: February 2020

The development of disease modifying strategies in Parkinson’s disease (PD) largely depends on the ability to identify suitable populations after accurate diagnostic work-up. Therefore, patient molecular profiling and disease subtyping are mandatory. Thus far, in clinical trials, PD has been considered to be a “single entity”. Conversely, in front of the common feature of nigro-striatal degeneration, PD is pathogenically heterogeneous with a series of several biological and molecular pathways that differently contribute to clinical development and progression. Currently available diagnostic criteria for PD mainly rely on clinical features and imaging biomarkers, thus missing to identify the contribution of pathophysiological pathways, also failing to catch abnormalities occurring in the early stages of disease. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a promising source of biomarkers, with the high potential for reflecting early changes occurring in PD brain. In this review, we provide an overview on CSF biomarkers in PD, discussing their association with different molecular pathways involved either in pathophysiology or progression in detail. Their potential application in the field of disease modifying treatments is also discussed.
New Lipidyl-Cyclodextrins Obtained by Ring Opening of Methyl Oleate Epoxide Using Ball Milling
Authors: Oliva Estefania , Mathiron David , Rigaud Sébastien , Monflier Eric , Sevin Emmanuel , Bricout Hervé , Tilloy Sébastien , Gosselet Fabien , Fenart Laurence , Bonnet Véronique , Pilard Serge , Djedaini-Pilard Florence
Published: February 2020

Bearing grafts based on fatty esters derivatives, lipidyl-cyclodextrins (L-CDs) are compounds able to form water-soluble nano-objects. In this context, bicatenary biobased lipidic-cyclodextrins of low DS were easily synthesized from a fatty ester epoxide by means of alternative methods (ball-milling conditions, use of enzymes). The ring opening reaction of methyl oleate epoxide needs ball-milling and is highly specific of cyclodextrins in solventless conditions. L-CDs are thus composed of complex mixtures that were deciphered by an extensive structural analysis using mainly mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. In addition, as part of their potential use as vectors of active drugs, these products were submitted to an integrity study on in vitro model of the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) and the intestinal epithelium. No toxicity has been observed, suggesting that applications for the vectorization of active ingredients can be expected.
Optimum Inhibition of Amphotericin-B-Resistant Candida albicans Strain in Single- and Mixed-Species Biofilms by Candida and Non-Candida Terpenoids
Authors: Touil Hidaya F. Z. , Boucherit Kebir , Boucherit-Otmani Zahia , Kohder Ghalia , Madkour Mohamed , Soliman Sameh S. M.
Published: February 2020

Candida albicans is one of the most common human fungal pathogens and represents the most important cause of opportunistic mycoses worldwide. Surgical devices including catheters are easily contaminated with C. albicans via its formation of drug-resistant biofilms. In this study, amphotericin-B-resistant C. albicans strains were isolated from surgical devices at an intensive care center. The objective of this study was to develop optimized effective inhibitory treatment of resistant C. albicans by terpenoids, known to be produced naturally as protective signals. Endogenously produced farnesol by C. albicans yeast and plant terpenoids, carvacrol, and cuminaldehyde were tested separately or in combination on amphotericin-B-resistant C. albicans in either single- or mixed-infections. The results showed that farnesol did not inhibit hyphae formation when associated with bacteria. Carvacrol and cuminaldehyde showed variable inhibitory effects on C. albicans yeast compared to hyphae formation. A combination of farnesol with carvacrol showed synergistic inhibitory activities not only on C. albicans yeast and hyphae, but also on biofilms formed from single- and mixed-species and at reduced doses. The combined terpenoids also showed biofilm-penetration capability. The aforementioned terpenoid combination will not only be useful in the treatment of different resistant Candida forms, but also in the safe prevention of biofilm formation.
Electrophysiological Differentiation of the Effects of Stress and Accent on Lexical Integration in Highly Fluent Bilinguals
Authors: Lewendon Jennifer , Foltz Anouschka , Thierry Guillaume
Published: February 2020

Individuals who acquire a second language (L2) after infancy often retain features of their native language (L1) accent. Cross-language priming studies have shown negative effects of L1 accent on L2 comprehension, but the role of specific speech features, such as lexical stress, is mostly unknown. Here, we investigate whether lexical stress and accent differently modulate semantic processing and cross-language lexical activation in Welsh–English bilinguals, given that English and Welsh differ substantially in terms of stress realisation. In an L2 cross-modal priming paradigm, we manipulated the stress pattern and accent of spoken primes, whilst participants made semantic relatedness judgments on visual word targets. Event-related brain potentials revealed a main effect of stress on target integration, such that stimuli with stress patterns compatible with either the L1 or L2 required less processing effort than stimuli with stress incompatible with both Welsh and English. An independent cross-language phonological overlap manipulation revealed an interaction between accent and L1 access. Interestingly, although it increased processing effort, incorrect stress did not significantly modulate semantic priming effects or covert access to L1 phonological representations. Our results are consistent with the concept of language-specific stress templates, and suggest that accent and lexical stress affect speech comprehension mechanisms differentially.
Electrochemical Oxidation of an Organic Dye Adsorbed on Tin Oxide and Antimony Doped Tin Oxide Graphene Composites
Authors: Sharif Farbod , Roberts Edward P. L.
Published: February 2020

Electrochemical regeneration suffers from low regeneration efficiency due to side reactions like oxygen evolution, as well as oxidation of the adsorbent. In this study, electrically conducting nanocomposites, including graphene/SnO2 (G/SnO2) and graphene/Sb-SnO2 (G/Sb-SnO2) were successfully synthesized and characterized using nitrogen adsorption, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Thereafter, the adsorption and electrochemical regeneration performance of the nanocomposites were tested using methylene blue as a model contaminant. Compared to bare graphene, the adsorption capacity of the new composites was ≥40% higher, with similar isotherm behavior. The adsorption capacity of G/SnO2 and G/Sb-SnO2 were effectively regenerated in both NaCl and Na2SO4 electrolytes, requiring as little charge as 21 C mg−1 of adsorbate for complete regeneration, compared to >35 C mg−1 for bare graphene. Consecutive loading and anodic electrochemical regeneration cycles of the nanocomposites were carried out in both NaCl and Na2SO4 electrolytes without loss of the nanocomposite, attaining high regeneration efficiencies (ca. 100%).
Mannosylerythritol Lipid B Enhances the Skin Permeability of the Water-Soluble Compound Calcein via OH Stretching Vibration Changes
Authors: Tokudome Yoshihiro , Tsukiji Haruna
Published: February 2020

We confirmed that mannosylerythritol lipid B (MEL-B), a biosurfactant, enhances the skin permeability of the model water-soluble compound calcein. MEL-B liposomes were prepared by the thin-layer evaporation technique, and then applied to the skin. Although we attempted to adjust the size by extrusion, we could not control the particle diameter of the liposomes. However, the MEL-B liposome particle diameter remained the same over the 7-day study period. We observed an endothermic peak, with 74.7 °C as the transition temperature by differential scanning calorimetry. We also performed a fusion experiment with a fluorescence resonance energy transfer. A high amount of fusion of intercellular lipid liposomes and MEL-B liposomes occurred in a short period of time. After applying the MEL-B liposomes containing calcein to the skin, we measured the degree of calcein permeation and the amount of calcein within the skin. The resulting values were higher than those of an aqueous solution. The results obtained using a confocal laser scanning microscope suggested that calcein had been delivered deeply into the skin. Using the attenuation of total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, we observed that the OH stretching vibration had shifted to a higher wavenumber; however, this did not affect the CH stretching vibration. The measurement of transepidermal water loss after four days of continuous application of 1% MEL-B to animals revealed no changes. Our results suggest that MEL-B increases the skin permeability of compounds (calcein) that are difficult to deliver transdermally by changing the OH stretching vibration, which shifts to a higher wavenumber.
Spectroscopic and Microscopic Correlation of SRO-HFCVD Films on Quartz and Silicon
Authors: Martínez Hernández Haydee , Luna López José , Hernández de la Luz José , Luna Flores Adan , Monfil Leyva Karim , García Salgado Godofredo , Carrillo López Jesús , Ordoñez Flores Rafael , Pérez García Sergio , Hernández Simón Zaira , Mendoza Conde Gabriel , Ramírez Amador Raquel
Published: February 2020

This work is focused on making a correlation between results obtained by using spectroscopy and microscopy techniques from single and twofold-layer Silicon-Rich Oxide (SRO) films. SRO films single-layer and twofold-layer characterizations were compared considering the conditions as-grown and with thermal treatment at 1100 °C for 60 min in a nitrogen atmosphere. The thickness of the single-layer film is 324.7 nm while for the twofold-layer film it is 613.2 nm; after heat-treated, both thicknesses decreased until 28.8 nm. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy shows changes in the excess-silicon in single-layer SRO films, with 10% in as-grown films and decreases to 5% for the heat-treated films. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) exhibits three characteristic vibrational modes of SiO2, as well as, the vibrating modes associated with the Si-H bonds, which disappear after the heat treatment. With UV–Vis spectroscopy results we obtained the absorbance and the absorption coefficient for the SRO films in order to calculate the optical bandgap energy (Egopt), which increased with heat-treatment. The energy peaks of the photoluminescence spectra were used to calculate the silicon nanocrystal size, obtaining thus an average size of 1.89 ± 0.32 nm for the as-grown layer, decreasing the size to 1.64 ± 0.01 nm with the thermal treatment. On the other hand, scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images confirm the thickness of the twofold-layer SRO films as 628 nm for the as-grown layer and 540 nm for the layer with heat-treatment, and the silicon nanocrystal size of 2.3 ± 0.6 nm for the films with thermal treatment.
MOVPE-Grown Quantum Cascade Laser Structures Studied by Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy
Authors: Ladutenko Konstantin , Evtikhiev Vadim , Revin Dmitry , Krysa Andrey
Published: February 2020

A technique for direct study of the distribution of the applied voltage within a quantum cascade laser (QCL) has been developed. The detailed profile of the potential in the laser claddings and laser core region has been obtained by gradient scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) across the cleaved facets for two mid-infrared quantum cascade laser structures. An InGaAs/InAlAs quantum cascade device with InP claddings demonstrates a linear potential distribution across the laser core region with constant voltage drop across the doped claddings. By contrast, a GaAs/AlGaAs device with AlInP claddings has very uneven potential distribution with more than half of the voltage falling across the claddings and interfaces around the laser core, greatly increasing the overall voltage value necessary to achieve the lasing threshold. Thus, KPFM can be used to highlight design and fabrication flaws of QCLs.