bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estrategias metacognitivas y comprensión lectora en los estudiantes de Lenguas, Literatura y Comunicación de la Facultad de Educación de la UNCP.
Authors: Cerrón Lozano Alberto , Pineda Lozano Marilú
Published: August 2017

El problema general de la presente investigación fue: ¿qué relación existe entre el uso de estrategias metacognitivas aplicadas a la lectura y la comprensión lectora de estudiantes de la Escuela Académico Profesional de Lenguas, Literatura y Comunicación de la Facultad de Educación de la UNCP de Huancayo en el año 2011. La investigación es de tipo aplicada, de nivel descriptivo y con diseño descriptivo correlacional. Se aplicó el método científico, como método general y, el descriptivo, como método especifico. La muestra estuvo conformada por 90 estudiantes. Para establecer la correlación entre las variables se utilizó de la “r” de Pearson y para la prueba de hipótesis la “t” de Student. El resultado en relación al problema general indica que existe relación directa y significativa entre el uso de estrategias metacognitivas aplicadas a la lectura y la comprensión lectora de estudiantes de la Escuela Académico Profesional de Lenguas, Literatura y Comunicación de la Facultad de Educación de la UNCP de Huancayo en el año 2011.
Un acercamiento a la moral y a la ética.
Authors: Torres Pianto Rufino
Published: August 2017

Para comprender la ética posmoderna, es necesario revisar los aportes de aquellos que quienes forjaron la modernidad. En este sentido en el presente artículo quisiera repasar sobre el aporte, en la comprensión de la moral y la ética, de pensadores como Adam Smith, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Hegel, y Soren Kierkegaard.
Role of Alfuzosin in Ureteral Stent Related Urinary Symptoms Score: A Comparative Study
Authors: Shrestha Santosh , Adhikari DB , Gurung A , Pradhan S , Gurung NV , Acharya A , Shrestha D , Poudel SR , Chapagain A , Shrestha D , Lamichhane P
Published: August 2017

Background: Ureteral stent placement is a routine urological procedure. However, patients inserted with ureteral stent exhibited increased urinary symptoms that compromise patients’ quality of life.Objective: To assess the efficacy of alpha blockers (Alfuzosin) in the management of ureteral stent related urinary symptoms.Methods: Total of 60 patients after ureteral stent insertion was randomly divided into two equal groups; 30 in alfuzosin group and the remaining 30 in control group. Urinary symptoms questionnaire was filled after two weeks and results were statistically analyzed.Results: Urinary symptoms like urgency, frequency and flank pain were significantly less in the alfuzosin group when compared with control group.Conclusion: Alpha blocker (Alfuzosin) was found to be effective in reducing ureteral stent related urinary symptoms.Journal of Gandaki Medical CollegeVol. 10, No. 1, 2017, page: 28-30
Challenges in Conducting MBBS Program in a Nepalese Medical College
Authors: Reddy K Rajeshwar
Published: August 2017

The medical education in Nepal faces many challenges. Medical education, in order to keep up with the times, needs to adapt to the changing attitudes of society. We need a change for better. The curriculum is outdated to the clinical needs, and the students are rarely taught any skills and innovations or creativity to think for the future, and whoever wishes to change the system will be isolated. A serious shortage of talents, subject knowledge, technical skills and communication skills in teachers is affecting the future of medical students. Many medical teachers teach in local language making students poor communicators.Nepal, a developing country in South Asia is in transition had suffered from a decade long violent conflict and the country is in the implementation of its new constitution and suffers from political instability which may contribute several challenges like general shutdowns, frequent bandhs, shortage of electricity, load shedding, voltage fluctuation and problems with internet in conducting MBBS program in a Medical College.At the moment, there is no foreseeable future effort by parents, teachers, educationists, policy makers and politicians to correct this and courageously bring in radical reforms in medical education. These challenges can be overcome by cooperation and working together to create a peaceful and stable climate. Nepal has been going through tremendous changes in the last few years. Medical teachers have a great role to play and stand against many odds.Journal of Gandaki Medical College Vol. 10, No. 1, 2017, Page: 49-56
Factors Related to the Appearance of Transverse Bumps in Asphalt Overlays Placed over Crack Sealant
Authors: Shuler Scott
Published: August 2017

Crack sealants often are used as a preservation tool in asphalt pavements. These sealants are placed in cracks to prevent water intrusion into the pavement foundation. Through the reduction of water intrusion, the strength of foundation layers is maintained, and acceptable pavement performance is extended. However, when a hot-mix asphalt overlay is placed on top of a pavement that contains crack sealants, a bump and additional transverse cracks sometimes occur in the new overlay asphalt. These bumps and sometimes transverse cracks are initiated during breakdown rolling and become progressively more severe on further compaction. This paper presents the results of a 5-year study designed to identify factors that related to the appearance of these bumps and consequent cracks. The results of the study indicated that vibratory breakdown rolling, pavement gradient, sealant geometry, tack coat application rate, and tack coat adhesivity were factors that contributed most to the occurrence of bumps and transverse cracks during asphalt overlay construction over crack sealants. Observations suggested that transverse bumps and consequent cracks occurred in proportion to the size of the bow wave of asphalt concrete present immediately in front of the breakdown roller. The increase in the bow-wave size depended on asphalt mixture properties, breakdown roller size, speed, vibration characteristics, and pavement gradient. Three pavement test sections also indicated that the tack coat application rate had an effect on reduction in the appearance of transverse bumps.
Monochromatic-beam-based dynamic X-ray microtomography based on OSEM-TV algorithm
Authors: Xu Liang , Chen Rongchang , Yang Yiming , Deng Biao , Du Guohao , Xie Honglan , Xiao Tiqiao
Published: August 2017

Monochromatic-beam-based dynamic X-ray computed microtomography (CT) was developed to observe evolution of microstructure inside samples. However, the low flux density results in low efficiency in data collection. To increase efficiency, reducing the number of projections should be a practical solution. However, it has disadvantages of low image reconstruction quality using the traditional filtered back projection (FBP) algorithm. In this study, an iterative reconstruction method using an ordered subset expectation maximization-total variation (OSEM-TV) algorithm was employed to address and solve this problem. The simulated results demonstrated that normalized mean square error of the image slices reconstructed by the OSEM-TV algorithm was about 1/4 of that by FBP. Experimental results also demonstrated that the density resolution of OSEM-TV was high enough to resolve different materials with the number of projections less than 100. As a result, with the introduction of OSEM-TV, the monochromatic-beam-based dynamic X-ray microtomography is potentially practicable for the quantitative and non-destructive analysis to the evolution of microstructure with acceptable efficiency in data collection and reconstructed image quality.
Keywords, semantic domains and intercultural competence in the British and Taiwanese Teenage Intercultural Communication Corpus
Authors: Lin Yen-Liang (Eric)
Published: August 2017

This paper reports on a corpus analysis of samples of intercultural discourse among a group of British and Taiwanese adolescents, exploring the statistically salient lexical features in online and spoken communication based on the British and Taiwanese Teenage Intercultural Communication Corpus (batticc). I employ a frequency-driven approach throughout the study to obtain insights into how language is used in these two different communicative settings. By the analysis of a keyword method and an extension to a semantic level using the Wmatrix corpus analysis tool, this study highlights the linguistic domains which deserve particular attention. Specifically, the key semantic domain analysis revealed the themes adolescent participants are mainly concerned with, and it revealed particular lexical choices with a great number of cultural and social differences between different groups of participants in the two modes of intercultural communication. The examination of the concordances within the key semantic categories further showed intercultural competence exhibited in batticc, including attitudes of curiosity and openness, relational knowledge, skills of discovery and interaction, and critical culture awareness. This study demonstrates the merit of key domain analysis in the understanding of intercultural competence and intercultural discourse in online and face-to-face settings.
Seed Coating with Hydro-Absorbers as Potential Mitigation of Early Season Drought in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench)
Authors: Gorim Linda , Asch Folkard
Published: August 2017

Climate change poses a threat to sorghum production systems by shifting the onset of the rainy season to a later date, increasing the risk of crop failure during crop establishment. The effects of drought on sorghum during seedling establishment have not been determined. Coating seeds with a water absorbing substance offers a way to buffer the seed against insufficient moisture in the surrounding soil. Seeds of two different sorghum varieties were coated with one of two commercially available hydro-absorbers: Stokosorb® and Geohumus®. These hydro-absorbers have the capacity to store water several times their own weight. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of the cited hydro-absorbers on early seedling growth of two sorghum landraces under different levels of soil water deficit. Seedlings were grown for 12 days under three water availability levels (Field capacity (FC), 50% of FC, and 25% of FC). The seedlings under water limited treatments were subsequently re-watered. Biomass, root length, plant height, leaf area, and leaf extension rate were monitored in two-day intervals for 24 days. Coating strongly affected seedling growth both under fully watered and water deficit conditions. Sorghum varieties differed in their responses to both soil water deficit and coating materials. In general, Stockosorb improved seedling performance under water limited conditions particularly by promoting root growth, whereas Geohumus did not.
Metal Binding Properties of the N-Terminus of the Functional Amyloid Orb2
Authors: Bajakian Thalia H. , Cervantes Silvia A. , Soria Maria A. , Beaugrand Maïwenn , Kim Ji Yun , Service Rachel J. , Siemer Ansgar B.
Published: August 2017

The cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein (CPEB) homologue Orb2 is a functional amyloid that plays a key regulatory role for long-term memory in Drosophila. Orb2 has a glutamine, histidine-rich (Q/H-rich) domain that resembles the Q/H-rich, metal binding domain of the Hpn-like protein (Hpnl) found in Helicobacter pylori. In the present study, we used chromatography and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to show that the Q/H-rich domain of Orb2 binds Ni2+ and other transition metals ions with μM affinity. Using site directed mutagenesis, we show that several histidine residues are important for binding. In particular, the H61Y mutation, which was previously shown to affect the aggregation of Orb2 in cell culture, completely inhibited metal binding of Orb2. Finally, we used thioflavin T fluorescence and electron microscopy images to show that Ni2+ binding induces the aggregating of Orb2 into structures that are distinct from the amyloid fibrils formed in the absence of Ni2+. These data suggest that transition metal binding might be important for the function of Orb2 and potentially long-term memory in Drosophila.
Fast and Large-Scale Anodizing Synthesis of Pine-Cone TiO2 for Solar-Driven Photocatalysis
Authors: Liu Yan , Zhang Yanzong , Wang Lilin , Yang Gang , Shen Fei , Deng Shihuai , Zhang Xiaohong , He Yan , Hu Yaodong , Chen Xiaobo
Published: August 2017

Anodization has been widely used to synthesize nanostructured TiO2 films with promising photocatalytic performance for solar hydrogen production and pollution removal. However, it usually takes a few hours to obtain the right nanostructures even on a small scale (e.g., 10 mm × 20 mm). In order to attract interest for industrial applications, fast and large-scale fabrication is highly desirable. Herein, we demonstrate a fast and large-scale (e.g., 300 mm × 360 mm) synthesis of pine-cone TiO2 nanostructures within two min. The formation mechanism of pine-cone TiO2 is proposed. The pine-cone TiO2 possesses a strong solar absorption, and exhibits high photocatalytic activities in photo-oxidizing organic pollutants in wastewater and producing hydrogen from water under natural sunlight. Thus, this study demonstrates a promising method for fabricating TiO2 films towards practical photocatalytic applications.
What Can We Learn from the Crystal Structures of Metallacarboranes?
Authors: Welch Alan
Published: August 2017

The determination of the molecular structures of metallacarboranes by X-ray diffraction remains critical to the development of the field, in some cases being the only viable way in which the overall architecture and the isomeric form of the molecule can be established. In such studies one problem frequently met is how to distinguish correctly {BH} and {CH} vertices, and this review begins by describing two relatively new methods, the Vertex-Centroid Distance (VCD) and Boron-Hydrogen Distance (BHD) methods, that have been developed to overcome the problem. Once the cage C atoms are located correctly, the resulting metallacarborane structure can frequently be analysed on the basis that cage B has a greater Structural Trans Effect (STE) than does cage C. In the absence of significant competing effects this gives rise to unequal M–L distances for a homogeneous ligand set and to a preferred Exopolyhedral Ligand Orientation (ELO) for a heterogeneous ligand set. ELO considerations can be used, amongst other things, to rank order the STEs of ligands and to identify suspect (in terms of cage C atom positions) metallacarborane structures.
On the Derivation of Boundary Conditions for Continuum Dislocation Dynamics
Authors: Hochrainer Thomas
Published: August 2017

Continuum dislocation dynamics (CDD) is a single crystal strain gradient plasticity theory based exclusively on the evolution of the dislocation state. Recently, we derived a constitutive theory for the average dislocation velocity in CDD in a phase field-type description for an infinite domain. In the current work, so-called rational thermodynamics is employed to obtain thermodynamically consistent boundary conditions for the dislocation density variables of CDD. We find that rational thermodynamics reproduces the bulk constitutive equations as obtained from irreversible thermodynamics. The boundary conditions we find display strong parallels to the microscopic traction conditions derived by Gurtin and Needleman (M.E. Gurtin and A. Needleman, J. Mech. Phys. Solids 53 (2005) 1–31) for strain gradient theories based on the Kröner–Nye tensor.
A Noninformative Prior on a Space of Distribution Functions
Authors: Terenin Alexander , Draper David
Published: August 2017

In a given problem, the Bayesian statistical paradigm requires the specification of a prior distribution that quantifies relevant information about the unknowns of main interest external to the data. In cases where little such information is available, the problem under study may possess an invariance under a transformation group that encodes a lack of information, leading to a unique prior—this idea was explored at length by E.T. Jaynes. Previous successful examples have included location-scale invariance under linear transformation, multiplicative invariance of the rate at which events in a counting process are observed, and the derivation of the Haldane prior for a Bernoulli success probability. In this paper we show that this method can be extended, by generalizing Jaynes, in two ways: (1) to yield families of approximately invariant priors; and (2) to the infinite-dimensional setting, yielding families of priors on spaces of distribution functions. Our results can be used to describe conditions under which a particular Dirichlet Process posterior arises from an optimal Bayesian analysis, in the sense that invariances in the prior and likelihood lead to one and only one posterior distribution.
A Thermodynamic Point of View on Dark Energy Models
Authors: Cardone Vincenzo F. , Radicella Ninfa , Troisi Antonio
Published: August 2017

We present a conjugate analysis of two different dark energy models, namely the Barboza–Alcaniz parameterization and the phenomenologically-motivated Hobbit model, investigating both their agreement with observational data and their thermodynamical properties. We successfully fit a wide dataset including the Hubble diagram of Type Ia Supernovae, the Hubble rate expansion parameter as measured from cosmic chronometers, the baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) standard ruler data and the Planck distance priors. This analysis allows us to constrain the model parameters, thus pointing at the region of the wide parameters space, which is worth focusing on. As a novel step, we exploit the strong connection between gravity and thermodynamics to further check models’ viability by investigating their thermodynamical quantities. In particular, we study whether the cosmological scenario fulfills the generalized second law of thermodynamics, and moreover, we contrast the two models, asking whether the evolution of the total entropy is in agreement with the expectation for a closed system. As a general result, we discuss whether thermodynamic constraints can be a valid complementary way to both constrain dark energy models and differentiate among rival scenarios.
Optimal Multiuser Diversity in Multi-Cell MIMO Uplink Networks: User Scaling Law and Beamforming Design
Authors: Jung Bang Chul , Kim Su Min , Shin Won-Yong , Yang Hyun Jong
Published: August 2017

We introduce a distributed protocol to achieve multiuser diversity in a multicell multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) uplink network, referred to as a MIMO interfering multiple-access channel (IMAC). Assuming both no information exchange among base stations (BS) and local channel state information at the transmitters for the MIMO IMAC, we propose a joint beamforming and user scheduling protocol, and then show that the proposed protocol can achieve the optimal multiuser diversity gain, i.e., KMlog(SNRlog N), as long as the number of mobile stations (MSs) in a cell, N, scales faster than SNR K M − L 1 − ϵ for a small constant ϵ > 0, where M, L, K, and SNR denote the number of receive antennas at each BS, the number of transmit antennas at each MS, the number of cells, and the signal-to-noise ratio, respectively. Our result indicates that multiuser diversity can be achieved in the presence of intra-cell and inter-cell interference even in a distributed fashion. As a result, vital information on how to design distributed algorithms in interference-limited cellular environments is provided.
Design, Implementation and Demonstration of Embedded Agents for Energy Management in Non-Residential Buildings
Authors: Constantin Ana , Löwen Artur , Ponci Ferdinanda , Müller Dirk , Monti Antonello
Published: August 2017

With the building sector being responsible for 30% of the total final energy consumption, great interest lies in implementing adequate policies and deploying efficient technologies that would decrease this number. However, building comfort and energy management systems (BCEM) are challenging to manage on account of their increasing complexity with regard to the integration of renewable energy sources or the connection of electrical, thermal and gas grids. Multi-agent~systems (MAS) deal well with such complex issues. This paper presents an MAS for non-residential buildings from the design, implementation and demonstration, both simulation based and in a field test. Starting from an ontology and an attached data model for BCEM application, we elaborated use cases for developing and testing the MAS framework. The building and technical equipment are modeled using the modeling language Modelica under Dymola. The agents are programmed in JADE and communicate with Dymola via TCP/IP and with the real devices via BACnet. Operatively, the~agents can take on different control strategies: normal operation with no optimization, optimization of energy costs, where energy is delivered through the room through the devices that have the lowest operating costs, and relaxation of the comfort constraint, where the costs of the productivity loss under sub-optimal comfort conditions is taken into account during optimization. Comfort is expressed as a function of indoor air temperature. Simulation, including a comparison with a benchmark system, and field test results are presented to demonstrate the features of the proposed BCEM.
Optimal Dynamic Analysis of Electrical/Electronic Components in Wind Turbines
Authors: García Márquez Fausto , Pliego Marugán Alberto , Pinar Pérez Jesús , Hillmansen Stuart , Papaelias Mayorkinos
Published: August 2017

Electrical and electronic components are very important subcomponents in modern industrial wind turbines. Complex multimegawatt wind turbines are continuously being installed both onshore and offshore, continuously increasing the demand for sophisticated electronic and electrical components. In this work, most critical electrical and electronic components in industrial wind turbines have been identified and the applicability of appropriate condition monitoring processes simulated. A fault tree dynamic analysis has been carried out by binary decision diagrams to obtain the system failure probability over time and using different time increments to evaluate the system. This analysis allows critical electrical and electronic components of the converters to be identified in different conditions. The results can be used to develop a scheduled maintenance that improves the decision making and reduces the maintenance costs.
The Concept of Segmented Wind Turbine Blades: A Review
Authors: Peeters Mathijs , Santo Gilberto , Degroote Joris , Paepegem Wim
Published: August 2017

There is a trend to increase the length of wind turbine blades in an effort to reduce the cost of energy (COE). This causes manufacturing and transportation issues, which have given rise to the concept of segmented wind turbine blades. In this concept, multiple segments can be transported separately. While this idea is not new, it has recently gained renewed interest. In this review paper, the concept of wind turbine blade segmentation and related literature is discussed. The motivation for dividing blades into segments is explained, and the cost of energy is considered to obtain requirements for such blades. An overview of possible implementations is provided, considering the split location and orientation, as well as the type of joint to be used. Many implementations draw from experience with similar joints such as the joint at the blade root, hub and root extenders and joints used in rotor tips and glider wings. Adhesive bonds are expected to provide structural and economic efficiency, but in-field assembly poses a big issue. Prototype segmented blades using T-bolt joints, studs and spar bridge concepts have proven successful, as well as aerodynamically-shaped root and hub extenders.
Electret Length Optimization of Output Power for Double-End Fixed Beam Out-of-Plane Electret-Based Vibration Energy Harvesters
Authors: Gao Chunhui , Gao Shiqiao , Liu Haipeng , Jin Lei , Lu Junhu
Published: August 2017

Thanks to miniaturization, it is now possible to imagine self-powered systems that can harvest energy from the environment to produce electrical energy. Out-of-plane electret-based vibration energy harvesters (E-EVHs) are an effective and inexpensive energy harvester type that has attracted much attention. Increasing the capacitance of variable capacitors is an effective way to improve the output power of E-EVHs. In this paper, firstly an accurate capacitance theoretical model of a double-ended fixed beam out-of-plane E-EVHs which has 97% reliability compared with FEM (COMSOL Multiphysics) results is presented. A comparison of capacitance between the double-ended fixed beam structure and a cantilever structure of the same size indicates that the double-ended fixed beam structure has greater capacitance and capacitance variation. We apply this theoretical capacitance model to the mechanical-electrical coupling model of double-ended fixed beam out-of-plane E-EVHs and study harvesters’ output performances for different electret lengths by numerical and experimental method, respectively. There exists an optimal electret length to harvest maximum power in our simulation results. Enhanced electrostatic forces with increasing the electret length emphasizes the soft spring effect, which widens the half power bandwidth and lowers the resonance frequency. Increasing the length of the electret can reduce the resistance of the optimum load. The experimental results show trend consistent with the numerical predictions. The maximum output power can reach 404 µW (134.66 µW/cm2/g) at the electret length of 40 mm when the external acceleration and the frequency were 5 m/s2 and 74 Hz, respectively. The maximum bandwidth reaches 2.5 Hz at the electret length of 60 mm. Therefore, the electret length should be placed between 40 mm and 60 mm, while ensuring a higher output power and also get a larger bandwidth in practical applications.
The Performance of a Direct Borohydride/Peroxide Fuel Cell Using Graphite Felts as Electrodes
Authors: Lee Heng-Yi , Hsu Yi-Hsuan , Tsai Po-Hong , Lee Jiunn-Yih , Chen Yong-Song
Published: August 2017

A direct borohydride/peroxide fuel cell (DBPFC) generates electrical power by recirculating liquid anolyte and catholyte between the stack and reservoirs, which is similar to the operation of flow batteries. To enhance the accessibility of the catalyst layer to the liquid anolyte/catholyte, graphite felts are employed as the porous diffusion layer of a single-cell DBPFC instead of carbon paper/cloth. The effects of the type of anode alkaline solution and operating conditions, including flow rate and temperature of the anolyte/catholyte, on DBPFC performance are investigated and discussed. The durability of the DBPFC is also evaluated by galvanostatic discharge at 0.1 A∙cm−2 for over 50 h. The results of this preliminary study show that a DBPFC with porous graphite electrodes can provide a maximum power density of 0.24 W∙cm−2 at 0.8 V. The performance of the DBPFC drops slightly after 50 h of operation; however, the discharge capacity shows no significant decrease.
Study on a Quality Evaluation Method for College English Classroom Teaching
Authors: Sun Mao-hua , Li Yuan-gang , He Bing
Published: August 2017

A quality evaluation method is an important means and the main basis on which to evaluate the college English classroom teaching quality of teachers. To overcome the one-sided subjectivity and resulting imprecision of the traditional classroom teaching quality evaluation method, a scientific and reasonable quality evaluation index system for college English classroom teaching is constructed. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method and the analytic hierarchy process method are combined to propose an improved multi-level fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model for obtaining a new college English classroom teaching quality evaluation method. In the proposed method, according to the fuzzy characteristics of a college English classroom teaching quality evaluation, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is used to transform the qualitative evaluation indexes into limited quantitative evaluation indexes, then a judgment matrix is constructed to determine the weights among different levels by using the analytic hierarchy process method. Additionally, the college English classroom teaching quality is evaluated in detail. Finally, an actual case of college English classroom teaching is used to verify the effectiveness of the college English classroom teaching quality evaluation method. The results show that the proposed college English classroom teaching method can overcome the subjectivity and randomness shortcomings of the traditional classroom teaching quality evaluation methods, and improve the reliability, accuracy, and objectivity of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. It is an effective method to evaluate college English classroom teaching quality.
Rheological, Chemical and Physical Characteristics of Golden Berry (Physalis peruviana L.) after Convective and Microwave Drying
Authors: Nawirska-Olszańska Agnieszka , Stępień Bogdan , Biesiada Anita , Kolniak-Ostek Joanna , Oziembłowski Maciej
Published: August 2017

Studies on methods for fixing foods (with a slight loss of bioactive compounds) and obtaining attractive products are important with respect to current technology. The drying process allows for a product with highly bioactive properties. Drying of Physalis fruit was carried out in a conventional manner, and in a microwave under reduced pressure at 120 W and 480 W. After drying, the fruits were subjected to strength and rheological tests. Water activity, content of carotenoids and polyphenols and antioxidant activity as well as colour were also examined. The study showed that Physalis is a difficult material for drying. The best results were obtained using microwave drying at a power of 480 W. Physalis fruit microwave-dried by this method is characterized by higher resistance to compression than the fruit dried by convection. Dried fruit obtained in this way was characterized by higher contents of bioactive compounds, better antioxidant properties, and at the same time the lowest water activity.
Unusual Onset of Celiac Disease and Addison’s Disease in a 12-Year-Old Boy
Authors: Miconi Francesco , Savarese Emanuela , Miconi Giovanni , Cabiati Gabriele , Rapaccini Valentina , Principi Nicola , Esposito Susanna
Published: August 2017

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder deriving from an aberrant adaptive immune response against gluten-containing grains in genetically predisposed subjects. In a number of patients, CD is associated with one or more other autoimmune diseases. Primary Addison’s disease (AD) and CD may co-exist, although this association is relatively uncommon in children. In addition, it is not precisely defined whether a gluten-free diet influences the course of AD. Case presentation: A case of CD in a 12-year-old boy presenting as acute adrenal insufficiency is described here. A gluten-free diet had a significant therapeutic role in this case, wherein most of the clinical signs and symptoms of AD disappeared in a few days. In addition, the dosage of cortisol acetate, initially administered to treat the AD, was able to be rapidly reduced. Conclusion: This case highlights that CD can be associated with AD in children, and a gluten-free diet seems to positively influence the course of AD.
Conditioned Medium from Malignant Breast Cancer Cells Induces an EMT-Like Phenotype and an Altered N-Glycan Profile in Normal Epithelial MCF10A Cells
Authors: Guo Jia , Liu Changmei , Zhou Xiaoman , Xu Xiaoqiang , Deng Linhong , Li Xiang , Guan Feng
Published: August 2017

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process in cancer development and progression. Communication (crosstalk) between cancer cells and normal (nonmalignant) cells may facilitate cancer progression. Conditioned medium (CM) obtained from cultured cancer cells contains secreted factors capable of affecting phenotypes and the behaviors of normal cells. In this study, a culture of normal breast epithelial MCF10A cells with CM from malignant breast cancer cells (termed 231-CM and 453-CM) resulted in an alteration of morphology. CM-treated MCF10A, in comparison with control cells, showed a reduced expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin, increased expression of the mesenchymal markers fibronectin, vimentin, N-cadherin, and TWIST1, meanwhile cell proliferation and migration were enhanced while cell apoptosis was decreased. N-glycan profiles of 231-CM-treated and control MCF10A cells were compared by MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/ Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry) and a lectin microarray analysis. The treated cells showed lower levels of high-mannose-type N-glycan structures, and higher levels of complex-type and hybrid-type structures. Altered N-glycan profiles were also detected in 453-CM-treated and non-treated MCF10A cells by MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS, and we found that the expression of five fucosylated N-glycan structures (m/z 1406.663, 1590.471, 1668.782, 2421.141, and 2988.342) and one high-mannose structure m/z 1743.722 have the same pattern as 231-CM-treated MCF10A cells. Our findings, taken together, show that CM derived from breast cancer cells induced an EMT-like process in normal epithelial cells and altered their N-glycan profile.
Interactions between the Kynurenine and the Endocannabinoid System with Special Emphasis on Migraine
Authors: Nagy-Grócz Gábor , Zádor Ferenc , Dvorácskó Szabolcs , Bohár Zsuzsanna , Benyhe Sándor , Tömböly Csaba , Párdutz Árpád , Vécsei László
Published: August 2017

Both the kynurenine and the endocannabinoid systems are involved in several neurological disorders, such as migraine and there are increasing number of reports demonstrating that there are interactions of two systems. Although their cooperation has not yet been implicated in migraine, there are reports suggesting this possibility. Additionally, the individual role of the endocannabinoid and kynurenine system in migraine is reviewed here first, focusing on endocannabinoids, kynurenine metabolites, in particular kynurenic acid. Finally, the function of NMDA and cannabinoid receptors in the trigeminal system—which has a crucial role in the pathomechanisms of migraine—will also be discussed. The interaction of the endocannabinoid and kynurenine system has been demonstrated to be therapeutically relevant in a number of pathological conditions, such as cannabis addiction, psychosis, schizophrenia and epilepsy. Accordingly, the cross-talk of these two systems may imply potential mechanisms related to migraine, and may offer new approaches to manage the treatment of this neurological disorder.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Increases in Visceral Lipogenesis and Storage and Activation of the Antigen Processing and Presentation Pathway during the Mouth-Opening Stage in Zebrafish Larvae
Authors: Xu Hao , Liu Enxiu , Li Yun , Li Xiaojie , Ding Chenyu
Published: August 2017

The larval phase of the fish life cycle has the highest mortality, particularly during the transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding. However, the transcriptional events underlying these processes have not been fully characterized. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying mouth-opening acclimation, RNA-seq was used to investigate the transcriptional profiles of the endogenous feeding, mixed feeding and exogenous feeding stages of zebrafish larvae. Differential expression analysis showed 2172 up-regulated and 2313 down-regulated genes during this stage. Genes associated with the assimilation of exogenous nutrients such as the arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, fat digestion and absorption, and lipogenesis were activated significantly, whereas dissimilation including the cell cycle, homologous recombination, and fatty acid metabolism were inhibited, indicating a physiological switch for energy storage occurred during the mouth-opening stage. Moreover, the immune recognition involved in the antigen processing and presentation pathway was activated and nutritional supply seemed to be required in this event confirmed by qPCR. These results suggested the energy utilization during the mouth-opening stage is more tended to be reserved or used for some important demands, such as activity regulation, immune defense, and lipid deposition, instead of rapid growth. The findings of this study are important for understanding the physiological switches during the mouth-opening stage.
Transcriptome Profiling in Human Diseases: New Advances and Perspectives
Authors: Casamassimi Amelia , Federico Antonio , Rienzo Monica , Esposito Sabrina , Ciccodicola Alfredo
Published: August 2017

In the last decades, transcriptome profiling has been one of the most utilized approaches to investigate human diseases at the molecular level. Through expression studies, many molecular biomarkers and therapeutic targets have been found for several human pathologies. This number is continuously increasing thanks to total RNA sequencing. Indeed, this new technology has completely revolutionized transcriptome analysis allowing the quantification of gene expression levels and allele-specific expression in a single experiment, as well as to identify novel genes, splice isoforms, fusion transcripts, and to investigate the world of non-coding RNA at an unprecedented level. RNA sequencing has also been employed in important projects, like ENCODE (Encyclopedia of the regulatory elements) and TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas), to provide a snapshot of the transcriptome of dozens of cell lines and thousands of primary tumor specimens. Moreover, these studies have also paved the way to the development of data integration approaches in order to facilitate management and analysis of data and to identify novel disease markers and molecular targets to use in the clinics. In this scenario, several ongoing clinical trials utilize transcriptome profiling through RNA sequencing strategies as an important instrument in the diagnosis of numerous human pathologies.
A Different Microbiome Gene Repertoire in the Airways of Cystic Fibrosis Patients with Severe Lung Disease
Authors: Bacci Giovanni , Mengoni Alessio , Fiscarelli Ersilia , Segata Nicola , Taccetti Giovanni , Dolce Daniela , Paganin Patrizia , Morelli Patrizia , Tuccio Vanessa , De Alessandri Alessandra , Lucidi Vincenzina , Bevivino Annamaria
Published: August 2017

In recent years, next-generation sequencing (NGS) was employed to decipher the structure and composition of the microbiota of the airways in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. However, little is still known about the overall gene functions harbored by the resident microbial populations and which specific genes are associated with various stages of CF lung disease. In the present study, we aimed to identify the microbial gene repertoire of CF microbiota in twelve patients with severe and normal/mild lung disease by performing sputum shotgun metagenome sequencing. The abundance of metabolic pathways encoded by microbes inhabiting CF airways was reconstructed from the metagenome. We identified a set of metabolic pathways differently distributed in patients with different pulmonary function; namely, pathways related to bacterial chemotaxis and flagellar assembly, as well as genes encoding efflux-mediated antibiotic resistance mechanisms and virulence-related genes. The results indicated that the microbiome of CF patients with low pulmonary function is enriched in virulence-related genes and in genes encoding efflux-mediated antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Overall, the microbiome of severely affected adults with CF seems to encode different mechanisms for the facilitation of microbial colonization and persistence in the lung, consistent with the characteristics of multidrug-resistant microbial communities that are commonly observed in patients with severe lung disease.
Toll-Like Receptor-4 Inhibitor TAK-242 Attenuates Motor Dysfunction and Spinal Cord Pathology in an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mouse Model
Authors: Fellner Avi , Barhum Yael , Angel Ariel , Perets Nisim , Steiner Israel , Offen Daniel , Lev Nirit
Published: August 2017

Neuroinflammation contributes to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progression. TLR4, a transmembrane protein that plays a central role in activation of the innate immune system, has been shown to induce microglial activation in ALS models. TLR4 is up-regulated in the spinal cords of hSOD1G93A mice. We aimed to examine the effects of specific TLR4 inhibition on disease progression and survival in the hSOD1G93A mouse model of ALS. Immunologic effect of TLR4 inhibition in vitro was measured by the effect of TAK-242 treatment on LPS-induced splenocytes proliferation. hSOD1G93A transgenic mice were treated with TAK-242, a selective TLR4 inhibitor, or vehicle. Survival, body weight, and motor behavior were monitored. To evaluate in vivo immunologic modifications associated with TAK-242 treatment, we measured serum IL-1β in the plasma, as well as IL-1β and TNF-α mRNAs in the spinal cord in wild-type mice and in TAK-242-treated and vehicle-treated early symptomatic hSOD1G93A mice. Immunohistochemical analysis of motor neurons, astrocytes, and microglial reactivity in the spinal cords were performed on symptomatic (100 days old) TAK-242-treated and vehicle-treated hSOD1G93A mice. In vitro, splenocytes taken from 100 days old hSOD1G93A mice showed significantly increased proliferation when exposed to LPS (p = 0.0002), a phenomenon that was reduced by TAK-242 (p = 0.0179). TAK-242 treatment did not attenuate body weight loss or significantly affect survival. However, TAK-242-treated hSOD1G93A mice showed temporary clinical delay in disease progression evident in the ladder test and hindlimb reflex measurements. Plasma IL-1β levels were significantly reduced in TAK-242-treated compared to vehicle-treated hSOD1G93A mice (p = 0.0023). TAK-242 treatment reduced spinal cord astrogliosis and microglial activation and significantly attenuated spinal cord motor neuron loss at early disease stage (p = 0.0259). Compared to wild-type animals, both IL-1β and TNF-α mRNAs were significantly upregulated in the spinal cords of hSOD1G93A mice. Spinal cord analysis in TAK-242-treated hSOD1G93A mice revealed significant attenuation of TNF-α mRNA (p = 0.0431), but no change in IL-1β mRNA. TLR4 inhibition delayed disease progression, attenuated spinal cord astroglial and microglial reaction, and reduced spinal motor neuron loss in the ALS hSOD1G93A mouse model. However, this effect did not result in increased survival. To our knowledge, this is the first report on TAK-242 treatment in a neurodegenerative disease model. Further studies are warranted to assess TLR4 as a therapeutic target in ALS.
Modulation of Astrocyte Activity by Cannabidiol, a Nonpsychoactive Cannabinoid
Authors: Kozela Ewa , Juknat Ana , Vogel Zvi
Published: August 2017

The astrocytes have gained in recent decades an enormous interest as a potential target for neurotherapies, due to their essential and pleiotropic roles in brain physiology and pathology. Their precise regulation is still far from understood, although several candidate molecules/systems arise as promising targets for astrocyte-mediated neuroregulation and/or neuroprotection. The cannabinoid system and its ligands have been shown to interact and affect activities of astrocytes. Cannabidiol (CBD) is the main non-psychotomimetic cannabinoid derived from Cannabis. CBD is devoid of direct CB1 and CB2 receptor activity, but exerts a number of important effects in the brain. Here, we attempt to sum up the current findings on the effects of CBD on astrocyte activity, and in this way on central nervous system (CNS) functions, across various tested models and neuropathologies. The collected data shows that increased astrocyte activity is suppressed in the presence of CBD in models of ischemia, Alzheimer-like and Multiple-Sclerosis-like neurodegenerations, sciatic nerve injury, epilepsy, and schizophrenia. Moreover, CBD has been shown to decrease proinflammatory functions and signaling in astrocytes.
Influenza A Virus–Host Protein Interactions Control Viral Pathogenesis
Authors: Zhao Mengmeng , Wang Lingyan , Li Shitao
Published: August 2017

The influenza A virus (IAV), a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family, is a highly transmissible respiratory pathogen and represents a continued threat to global health with considerable economic and social impact. IAV is a zoonotic virus that comprises a plethora of strains with different pathogenic profiles. The different outcomes of viral pathogenesis are dependent on the engagement between the virus and the host cellular protein interaction network. The interactions may facilitate virus hijacking of host molecular machinery to fulfill the viral life cycle or trigger host immune defense to eliminate the virus. In recent years, much effort has been made to discover the virus–host protein interactions and understand the underlying mechanisms. In this paper, we review the recent advances in our understanding of IAV–host interactions and how these interactions contribute to host defense and viral pathogenesis.
Strategies towards Improved Feed Efficiency in Pigs Comprise Molecular Shifts in Hepatic Lipid and Carbohydrate Metabolism
Authors: Reyer Henry , Oster Michael , Magowan Elizabeth , Dannenberger Dirk , Ponsuksili Siriluck , Wimmers Klaus
Published: August 2017

Due to the central role of liver tissue in partitioning and metabolizing of nutrients, molecular liver-specific alterations are of considerable interest to characterize an efficient conversion and usage of feed in livestock. To deduce tissue-specific and systemic effects on nutrient metabolism and feed efficiency (FE) twenty-four animals with extreme phenotypes regarding residual feed intake (RFI) were analyzed. Transcriptome and fatty acid profiles of liver tissue were complemented with measurements on blood parameters and thyroid hormone levels. Based on 803 differentially-abundant probe sets between low- and high-FE animals, canonical pathways like integrin signaling and lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, were shown to be affected. Molecular alterations of lipid metabolism show a pattern of a reduced hepatic usage of fatty acids in high-FE animals. Complementary analyses at the systemic level exclusively pointed to increased circulating triglycerides which were, however, accompanied by considerably lower concentrations of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the liver of high-FE pigs. These results are in accordance with altered muscle-to-fat ratios usually ascribed to FE animals. It is concluded that strategies to improve FE might favor a metabolic shift from energy storage towards energy utilization and mobilization.