bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arabinoxylan, β‐glucan and pectin in barley and malt endosperm cell walls: a microstructure study using CLSM and cryo‐SEM
Authors: Langenaeken Niels A. , Ieven Pieter , Hedlund Erik G. , Kyomugasho Clare , van de Walle Davy , Dewettinck Koen , Van Loey Ann M. , Roeffaers Maarten B.J. , Courtin Christophe M.
Published: May 2020

The architecture of endosperm cell walls in Hordeum vulgare (barley) differs remarkably from that of other grass species and is affected by germination or malting. Here, the cell wall microstructure is investigated using (bio)chemical analyses, cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo‐SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) as the main techniques. The relative proportions of β‐glucan, arabinoxylan and pectin in cell walls were 61, 34 and 5%, respectively. The average thickness of a single endosperm cell wall was 0.30 µm, as estimated by the cryo‐SEM analysis of barley seeds, which was reduced to 0.16 µm after malting. After fluorescent staining, 3D confocal multiphoton microscopy (multiphoton CLSM) imaging revealed the complex cell wall architecture. The endosperm cell wall is composed of a structure in which arabinoxylan and pectin are colocalized on the outside, with β‐glucan depositions on the inside. During germination, arabinoxylan and β‐glucan are hydrolysed, but unlike β‐glucan, arabinoxylan remains present in defined cell walls in malt. Integrating the results, an enhanced model for the endosperm cell walls in barley is proposed.
A photostable monomeric superfolder green fluorescent protein
Authors: Valbuena Fernando M. , Fitzgerald Ivy , Strack Rita L. , Andruska Neal , Smith Luke , Glick Benjamin S.
Published: May 2020

The green fluorescent protein (GFP) from Aequorea victoria has been engineered extensively in the past to generate variants suitable for protein tagging. Early efforts produced the enhanced variant EGFP and its monomeric derivative mEGFP, which have useful photophysical properties, as well as superfolder GFP, which folds efficiently under adverse conditions. We previously generated msGFP, a monomeric superfolder derivative of EGFP. Unfortunately, compared to EGFP, msGFP and other superfolder GFP variants show faster photobleaching. We now describe msGFP2, which retains monomeric superfolder properties while being as photostable as EGFP. msGFP2 contains modified N‐ and C‐terminal peptides that are expected to reduce nonspecific interactions. Compared to EGFP and mEGFP, msGFP2 is less prone to disturbing the functions of certain partner proteins. For general‐purpose protein tagging, msGFP2 may be the best available derivative of A. victoria GFP.
Evaluation of the procoagulant properties of a newly developed platelet modified lysate product
Authors: Refaai Majed A. , Conley Grace W. , Hudson Chad A. , Spinelli Sherry L. , Phipps Richard P. , Morrell Craig N. , Blumberg Neil , McRae Hannah L.
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Platelet transfusion is associated with logistical problems with the national storage guidelines of platelets. This results in decreased function in vivo as a result of the platelet storage lesion, and complications such as allergic or hemolytic reactions and thrombosis. We evaluated a new, freshly prepared platelet modified lysate (PML) product designed to be more procoagulant than fresh and stored platelets.

METHODS

Fresh platelets were concentrated, sonicated, and centrifuged to produce PML. Samples of both washed and unwashed PML were evaluated for particle size, concentration, and activity, and then tested for clot kinetics and thrombin generation. PML samples were also stored at various temperatures for durations up to 6 months and evaluated for clot kinetics and thrombin generation throughout.

RESULTS

PML showed significantly higher concentration of platelet microparticles, increased procoagulant properties, and increased thrombin generation as compared to fresh and stored platelets. In addition, PML maintained its clot kinetics over a 6‐month storage period with variable storage conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

The newly proposed PML product is more procoagulant, stable, and has additional potential applications than currently available platelet products. Further studies will be performed to assess its functions in vivo and to assess thrombotic potential.
Evaluation of cytology and histopathology for the diagnosis of feline orbital neoplasia: 81 cases (2004‐2019) and review of the literature
Authors: Isaza Daniela , Robinson Nicholas A. , Pizzirani Stefano , Pumphrey Stephanie A.
Published: May 2020

Objective

To provide an updated overview of feline orbital neoplasia, to compare diagnostic utility of cytology and histopathology, and to evaluate minimally invasive sampling modalities.

Procedures

A medical records search was performed to identify cats with orbital neoplasia. Data were collected regarding signalment, diagnosis, vision status, imaging modalities, and sample collection methods. A reference population with orbital neoplasia was also identified via literature search for comparison with regard to final diagnosis.

Results

Eighty‐one cats met selection criteria and 140 cases were identified in the literature. In the study and reference populations, respectively, diagnoses were grouped as follows: round cell tumors 47% and 24%, epithelial tumors 38% and 40%, mesenchymal tumors 14% and 34%, and neurologic origin tumors 1% and 2%. The most common diagnoses in both groups were lymphoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Feline restrictive orbital myofibroblastic sarcoma (FROMS) was common in the reference population but not diagnosed in the study population. Cytology results were available for 41 cats; histopathology results were available for 65 cats. Both cytology and histopathology results were available for 25 cats, in 44% of which cytologic results were overturned. No significant complications were associated with any sampling method. Lack of cats with multiple samples available for histopathology limited comparison between tissue sampling methods.

Conclusions

Orbital neoplasia is common in cats, with round cell and epithelial tumors diagnosed most commonly in the study population. Histopathology is superior to cytology in providing a definitive diagnosis. Minimally invasive tissue biopsy techniques appear to be safe and effective.
Clinical findings and outcomes of 153 dogs surgically treated for intestinal intussusceptions
Authors: Larose Philippe Chagnon , Singh Ameet , Giuffrida Michelle A. , Hayes Galina , Moyer James Franklin , Grimes Janet A. , Runge Jeffrey , Curcillo Chiara , Thomson Christopher B. , Mayhew Philipp D. , Bernstein Ross , Dominic Christopher , Mankin Kelley Thieman , Regier Penny , Case J. Brad , Arai Shiori , Gatineau Mathieu , Liptak Julius M. , Bruce Charles
Published: May 2020

Objective

To describe perioperative characteristics and outcomes of dogs surgically treated for intestinal intussusception.

Study design

Multi‐institutional, retrospective study.

Animals

One hundred fifty‐three client‐owned dogs with intestinal intussusception.

Methods

Dogs were included when they had undergone surgical treatment of a confirmed intestinal intussusception. Medical records were reviewed for demographics and clinical data, including surgical complications (graded 1‐4). Follow‐up was obtained via telephone interview with owners and referring veterinarians.

Results

Dogs had a median age of 10 months (range, 2‐156), and the most common location for intussusception was ileocolic (66/153 [43%]). Most cases had no identifiable cause (104/155 [67%]). Intestinal resection and anastomosis (IRA) was performed in 129 of 153 (84%) dogs; enteroplication was performed in 28 of 153 (18%) dogs, including 13 with and 15 without IRA. Intraoperative complications occurred in 10 of 153 (7%) dogs, all involving intestinal damage during attempted manual reduction. The median duration of follow‐up after discharge was 334 days (interquartile range, 15‐990; range, 1‐3302). Postoperative complications occurred in 53 of 153 (35%) dogs, including 22 of 153 (14%) with severe (grade 3 or 4) events. Diarrhea, regurgitation, and septic peritonitis were the most common postoperative complications; intussusception recurred in four of 153 (3%) dogs, all within 72 hours postoperatively. Fourteen‐day postoperative mortality rate was 6%.

Conclusion

Surgical treatment of intestinal intussusception was curative in most dogs, even when an underlying cause was not identified. Surgical complications were common, including a 14% risk of life‐threatening short‐term complications.

Clinical significance

Surgical treatment of intestinal intussusception offers an excellent prognosis, but the potential life‐threatening complications should be considered.
An experimental study on reactive filter bed for aluminium removal from water
Authors: Chowdhury Saidur Rahman , Yanful Ernest K.
Published: May 2020

In this study, batch and column experiments were conducted to adsorb Aluminium (Al3+) from aqueous solution. The study examined the possibility of using proposed reactive filter bed media (packed with hematite or hematite sand mixture) for contaminated water treatment. Batch experiments were carried out at pH 7 ± 0.5 and initial Al3+ concentration of 1.5 mg/L. Adsorption equilibrium was achieved in more than 2 hours for hematite and 1 hour for hematite coated sand while conducting batch experiment and the maximum adsorption qm was found to be 3.38 mg/g for hematite mixture sand. From column experiment, the maximum Al adsorption capacity from four different columns was calculated to be approximately 2.2 mg/g and it was found in columns 1 and 3 packed with hematite sand mixture particles. The results indicated that both electrostatic attraction and chemical sorption could be the mechanism for Al3+ removal by hematite sand mixture particles from aqueous solution. Redox values (250 to 300 mV) inside column 3 suggested oxidizing condition during column operation. The continuous changes in redox potential (Eh) and pH indicated the occurrence of redox reactions between Al3+ and reactive media under the prevailing experimental conditions.
Relative water quality index (ReWQI) – a new method for aggregate water quality assessment
Authors: Pham Ho Ngoc
Published: May 2020

Water quality index (WQI) is used for aggregate assessment of water pollution level. The method is used in the United States of America (USA) and some other countries including Vietnam, but it has several limitations: the weight of a parameter is subjectively defined by the experts' criteria; the hierarchical rating scale is self‐regulated and fixed; the individual index of WQI is calculated based on the segmented linear function, which are not convenient to apply in reality when expanding to an arbitrary number of selected survey parameters. In addition, in some cases, WQI results in ambiguity and eclipse (collectively called ‘Virtual effect’). To overcome these disadvantages, the author proposes Relative Water Quality Index (ReWQI). ReWQI's calculation is simple and it does not encounter ‘Virtual effect’. Results of ReWQI have been compared with results of the traditional method used by Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Hai Duong in 2016–2018.
Identification and classification of interstitial cells in the mouse renal pelvis
Authors: Grainger Nathan , Freeman Ryan S. , Shonnard Cameron C. , Drumm Bernard T. , Koh Sang Don , Ward Sean M. , Sanders Kenton M.
Published: May 2020

Key points

Platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐α (PDGFRα) is a novel biomarker along with smooth myosin heavy chain for the pacemaker cells (previously termed ‘atypical’ smooth muscle cells) in the murine and cynomolgus monkey pelvis–kidney junction.

PDGFRα+ cells present in adventitial and urothelial layers of murine renal pelvis do not express smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (smMHC) but are in close apposition to nerve fibres.

Most c‐Kit+ cells in the renal pelvis are mast cells. Mast cells (CD117+/CD45+) are more abundant in the proximal renal pelvis and pelvis–kidney junction regions whereas c‐Kit+ interstitial cells (CD117+/CD45−) are found predominantly in the distal renal pelvis and ureteropelvic junction.

PDGFRα+ cells are distinct from c‐Kit+ interstitial cells.

A subset of PDGFRα+ cells express the Ca2+‐activated Cl− channel, anoctamin‐1, across the entire renal pelvis.

Spontaneous Ca2+ transients were observed in c‐Kit+ interstitial cells, smMHC+ PDGFRα cells and smMHC− PDGFRα cells using mice expressing genetically encoded Ca2+ sensors.

Rhythmic contractions of the renal pelvis transport urine from the kidneys into the ureter. Specialized pacemaker cells, termed atypical smooth muscle cells (ASMCs), are thought to drive the peristaltic contractions of typical smooth muscle cells (TSMCs) in the renal pelvis. Interstitial cells (ICs) in close proximity to ASMCs and TSMCs have been described, but the role of these cells is poorly understood. The presence and distributions of platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐α+ (PDGFRα+) ICs in the pelvis–kidney junction (PKJ) and distal renal pelvis were evaluated. We found PDGFRα+ ICs in the adventitial layers of the pelvis, the muscle layer of the PKJ and the adventitia of the distal pelvis. PDGFRα+ ICs were distinct from c‐Kit+ ICs in the renal pelvis. c‐Kit+ ICs are a minor population of ICs in murine renal pelvis. The majority of c‐Kit+ cells were mast cells. PDGFRα+ cells in the PKJ co‐expressed smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (smMHC) and several other smooth muscle gene transcripts, indicating these cells are ASMCs, and PDGFRα is a novel biomarker for ASMCs. PDGFRα+ cells also express Ano1, which encodes a Ca2+‐activated Cl− conductance that serves as a primary pacemaker conductance in ICs of the GI tract. Spontaneous Ca2+ transients were observed in c‐Kit+ ICs, smMHC+ PDGFRα cells and smMHC− PDGFRα cells using genetically encoded Ca2+ sensors. A reporter strain of mice with enhanced green fluorescent protein driven by the endogenous promotor for Pdgfra was shown to be a powerful new tool for isolating and characterizing the phenotype and functions of these cells in the renal pelvis.
Lower body negative pressure protects brain perfusion in aviation gravitational stress induced by push–pull manoeuvre
Authors: Xing Changyang , Wang Xinpei , Gao Yuan , Zhang Jiaxin , Liu Yunnan , Guo Yitong , Wang Chen , Feng Yang , Lei Yujia , Zhang Xing , Li Jia , Hu Wendong , Zhang Shu , Yuan Lijun , Gao Feng
Published: May 2020

Key points

Rapid alterations of gravitational stress during high‐performance aircraft push–pull manoeuvres induce dramatic shifts in volume and pressure within the circulation system, which may result in loss of consciousness due to the rapid and significant reduction in cerebral perfusion. There are still no specific and effective countermeasures so far.

We found that lower body negative pressure (LBNP), applied prior to and during −Gz and released at the subsequent transition to +Gz, could effectively counteract gravitational haemodynamic stress induced by a simulated push–pull manoeuvre and improve cerebral diastolic perfusion in human subjects.

We developed a LBNP strategy that effectively protects cerebral perfusion at rapid −Gz to +Gz transitions via improving cerebral blood flow and blood pressure during push–pull manoeuvres and highlight the importance of the timing of the intervention.

Our findings provide a systemic link of integrated responses between the peripheral and cerebral haemodynamic changes during push–pull manoeuvres.

The acute negative (−Gz) to positive (+Gz) gravity stress during high‐performance aircraft push–pull manoeuvres dramatically reduces transient cerebral perfusion, which may lead to loss of vision or even consciousness. The aim of this study was to explore a specific and effective counteractive strategy. Twenty‐three healthy young male volunteers (age 21 ± 1 year) were subjected to tilting‐simulated push–pull manoeuvres. Lower body negative pressure (LBNP) of −40 mmHg was applied prior to and during −Gz stress (−0.50 or −0.87 Gz) and released at the subsequent transition to +1.00 Gz stress. Beat‐to‐beat cerebral and systemic haemodynamics were continuously recorded during the simulated push–pull manoeuvre in LBNP bouts and corresponding control bouts. During the rapid gravitational transition from −Gz to +Gz, the mean cerebral blood flow velocity decreased significantly in control bouts, while it increased in LBNP bouts (control vs. LBNP bouts, −6.6 ± 4.6 vs. 5.1 ± 6.8 cm s−1 for −0.50 Gz, and −7.4 ± 4.8 vs. 3.4 ± 4.6 cm s−1 for −0.87 Gz, P < 0.01), which was attributed mainly to the elevation of diastolic flow. The LBNP bouts showed much smaller reduction of mean arterial blood pressure at the brain level than control bouts (control bouts vs. LBNP bouts, −38 ± 12 vs. −23 ± 10 mmHg for −0.50 to +1.00 Gz, and −62 ± 16 vs. −43 ± 11 mmHg for −0.87 to +1.00 Gz, P < 0.01). LBNP applied at −Gz and released at subsequent +Gz had biphasic counteractive effects against the gravitational responses to the push–pull manoeuvre. These data demonstrate that this LBNP strategy could effectively protect cerebral perfusion with dominant improvement of diastolic flow during push–pull manoeuvres.
Intermittent hypercapnic hypoxia induces respiratory hypersensitivity to fentanyl accompanied by tonic respiratory depression by endogenous opioids
Authors: Brackley Allison D. , Andrade Mary Ann , Toney Glenn M.
Published: May 2020

Key points

Sleep apnoea increases susceptibility to opioid‐induced respiratory depression (OIRD).

Endogenous opioids are implicated as a contributing factor in sleep apnoea.

Rats exposed to sleep‐phase chronic intermittent hypercapnic hypoxia (CIHH) for 7 days exhibited exaggerated OIRD to systemic fentanyl both while anaesthetized and artificially ventilated and while conscious and breathing spontaneously, implicating heightened CNS inhibitory efficacy of fentanyl.

CIHH also induced tonic endogenous opioid suppression of neural inspiration.

Sleep‐related episodes of hypercapnic hypoxia, as in sleep apnoea, promote hypersensitivity to OIRD, with tonic respiratory depression by endogenous opioids implicated as a potential underlying cause.

Sleep apnoea (SA) increases opioid‐induced respiratory depression (OIRD) and lethality. To test the hypothesis that this results from chronic intermittent bouts of hypercapnic hypoxia (CIHH) accompanying SA, we compared OIRD across continuously normoxic control rats and rats exposed to sleep‐phase (8 h/day) CIHH for 1 week. OIRD sensitivity was first assessed in anaesthetized (urethane/α‐chloralose), vagotomized and artificially ventilated rats by recording phrenic nerve activity (PNA) to index neural inspiration and quantify PNA burst inhibition to graded doses (0, 2, 20, 50 μg kg‐1, i.v.) of the synthetic opioid fentanyl. Fentanyl dose‐dependently reduced PNA burst frequency (P = 0.0098–0.0001), while increasing the duration of burst quiescence at 50 μg kg‐1 (P < 0.0001, n = 5–6/group/dose). CIHH shifted the fentanyl dose–phrenic burst frequency response curve to the left (P = 0.0163) and increased the duration of burst quiescence (P < 0.0001). During fentanyl recovery, PNA burst width was increased relative to baseline in normoxic and CIHH rats. Systemic naloxone (1 mg kg‐1, i.v.) reversed fentanyl‐induced PNA arrest in both groups (P = 0.0002), and increased phrenic burst amplitude above baseline (P = 0.0113) in CIHH rats only. Differential sensitivity to anaesthesia as a cause of CIHH‐related OIRD hypersensitivity was excluded by observing in conscious spontaneously breathing rats that fentanyl at 20 μg kg‐1 (i.v.), which silenced PNA in anaesthetized rats, differentially increased breathing variability in normoxic versus CIHH rats (P = 0.0427), while significantly reducing breathing frequency (P < 0.0001) and periodicity (P = 0.0003) in CIHH rats only. Findings indicate that CIHH increased OIRD sensitivity, with tonic inspiratory depression by endogenous opioids as a likely contributing cause.
Evaluation of Deformation and Failure Behaviors of Nuclear Piping Components Under Beyond Design Basis Seismic Loads Using a Simulated Specimen
Authors: Kim Jin Weon , Song Ik Hyun , Kweon Heong Do , Kim Jong Sung , Kim Yun Jae
Published: May 2020

This study designed a specimen that simulates the deformation and failure behaviors of the piping components in nuclear power plants (NPPs) under excessive seismic loads beyond the design basis, and conducted ultimate-strength tests using this specimen at room temperature (RT) and 316 °C. SA312 TP316 stainless steel (SS) and SA508 Gr.3 Cl.1 low-alloy steel (LAS) were used in the experiments. Displacement-controlled cyclic loads with constant and random amplitudes of load-line displacement (LLD) were applied as input loads. A set of input cyclic loads consisted of 20 cycles, and the LLD amplitudes of the cyclic load were determined to induce the maximum membrane plus bending stress intensity of 6–42Sm on the specimen, where Sm is the allowable design stress intensity. Multiple sets of input cyclic loads, with increasing amplitude of LLD, were applied to the specimen until cracking initiated. The results demonstrate that the simulated specimen adequately showed the ratcheting deformation and fatigue-induced cracking of piping components under displacement-controlled excessive seismic loads. In addition, samples of both materials failed under displacement-controlled cyclic load levels that were several times higher than those of the design basis earthquake (DBE). The SA316 TP316 SS had greater resistance to failure under large-amplitude cyclic loads than did SA508 Gr.3 Cl.1 LAS. For both materials, resistance to failure was lower at 316 °C than at RT. This study confirmed that the evaluation procedure of the ASME design code predicted the fatigue failure of specimens very conservatively under large-amplitude cyclic loads simulating displacement-controlled excessive seismic loads.
Climate-driven aerobic habitat loss in the California Current System
Authors: Howard Evan M. , Penn Justin L. , Frenzel Hartmut , Seibel Brad A. , Bianchi Daniele , Renault Lionel , Kessouri Fayçal , Sutula Martha A. , McWilliams James C. , Deutsch Curtis
Published: May 2020

Aerobic habitat mediates species responses to historical and future climate change in the California Current System.
Electrochemical oxidation-induced etherification via C(sp
3
)─H/O─H cross-coupling
Authors: Wang Huamin , Liang Kailun , Xiong Wenpeng , Samanta Supravat , Li Wuqin , Lei Aiwen
Published: May 2020

An electrochemical oxidation-induced C(sp3)─H etherification strategy by using nonsolvent alcohols has been disclosed.
A multistage assembly/disassembly strategy for tumor-targeted CO delivery
Authors: Meng Jin , Jin Zhaokui , Zhao Penghe , Zhao Bin , Fan Mingjian , He Qianjun
Published: May 2020

Nano-mediated tumor tissue–cell–mitochondria–targeted multistage delivery and controlled release of CO augment therapy outcomes.
Bioinorganic hybrid bacteriophage for modulation of intestinal microbiota to remodel tumor-immune microenvironment against colorectal cancer
Authors: Dong Xue , Pan Pei , Zheng Di-Wei , Bao Peng , Zeng Xuan , Zhang Xian-Zheng
Published: May 2020

A strain of bioinorganic hybrid bacteriophage was screened to enhance the antitumor immune response of colorectal cancer.
Origin and evolution of the Grenvillian Oaxacan Complex, southern Mexico: Hf isotopic and U-Pb geochronologic constraints
Authors: Solari* Luigi A. , Ortega-Obregón C. , Ortega-Gutiérrez F. , Elías-Herrera M.
Published: May 2020

The Oaxacan Complex is the largest outcrop of Grenville-age rocks in Mexico, constituting the main crustal fragment in the backbone of Oaxaquia. It is mainly composed of scarce metasediments, intruded by arc, alkalic, and tholeiitic magmas (ca. 1.3 to ca. 1.01 Ga) and later affected (ca. 0.99 Ga) by granulite-facies metamorphism. A detailed study, combining U-Pb geochronology by laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry, with in situ Hf isotopes in zircon grains, allowed comparison of the age and isotopic patterns of the Oaxacan Complex granulite rocks with those from other similar outcrops in Mexico (Huiznopala and Novillo Gneisses, Guichicovi Complex) and with the neighboring orogens such as the Grenville Province of the eastern United States and Canada, the Sveconorwegian orogen of SW Baltica, and some of the localities in which Mesoproterozoic rocks border the Amazonian craton of South America (Colombia, Peru, Brazil). Detrital zircon ages show that most metasedimentary rocks are younger than 1.4 Ga (only three samples contained zircon grains between 1.6 and 1.4 Ga), whereas U-Pb dating of igneous rocks (1245–1161 Ma) confirmed previous findings. Hf isotopes of dated zircon grains show that few crystals have negative εHf(t) values, indicating a recycling component from an older crust, but most of them are moderately primitive, with εHf(t) values of up to +12, and linear arrays parallel to the 176Lu/177Hf average crustal evolution model. Those Hf values are indicative of partial assimilation of an older crustal component, with Hf model ages of ca. 1.65–1.50 Ga. Comparison of these data helps to constrain possible Mesoproterozoic conjugate margins of Oaxaquia and propose a paleogeographic model in which Oaxaquia acted as the leading edge of Amazonia, together with the Colombian terranes, and received sedimentary input from different sources such as the southern Sveconorwegian orogen, the U.S.–Canada eastern Grenville Province, and some of the Mesoproterozoic belts bordering the Amazon craton.
Early Cretaceous to Paleogene sandstone provenance and sediment-dispersal systems of the Cuicateco terrane, Mexico
Authors: Sierra-Rojas* Maria Isabel , Lawton Timothy F. , Martens Uwe , von Quadt Albrecht , Beltrán-Triviño Alejandro , Coombs Henry , Stockli Daniel F.
Published: May 2020

Sandstone petrography, detrital zircon geochronology, and sedimentology of Lower Cretaceous to Paleocene strata in the Cuicateco terrane of southern Mexico indicate an evolution from extensional basin formation to foreland basin development. The Early Cretaceous extensional basin is characterized by deposition of deep-marine fans and channels, which were mainly sourced from Mesoproterozoic and Permian crystalline rocks of the western shoulder of the rift basin. Some submarine fans, especially in the northern Cuicateco terrane, record an additional source in the Early Cretaceous (ca. 130 Ma) continental arc. The fans were fed by fluvial systems in updip parts of the extensional basin system. The transition from middle Cretaceous tectonic quiescence to Late Cretaceous shortening is recorded by the Turonian–Coniacian Tecamalucan Formation. The Tecamalucan Formation is interpreted as pre-orogenic deposits that represent submarine-fan deposits sourced from Aptian–Albian carbonate platform and pre-Mesozoic basement. The foreland basin in the Cuicateco terrane was established by the Maastrichtian, when foredeep strata of the Méndez Formation were deposited in the Cuicateco terrane, Veracruz basin, and across the western Gulf of Mexico, from Tampico to Tabasco. In the Zongolica region, these strata were derived from a contemporaneous volcanic arc (100–65 Ma) located to the west of the basin, the accreted Guerrero terrane (145–120 Ma), and the fold belt itself. By the Paleocene, sediments were transported to the foreland basin by drainages sourced in southwestern Mexico, such as the Late Cretaceous magmatic rocks of the Sierra Madre del Sur, and the Chortis block.
Evaluation of the Microbial Load and Heavy Metal Content of Two Polyherbal Antimalarial Products on the Ghanaian Market
Authors: Turkson Bernard K. , Mensah Merlin L. K. , Sam George H. , Mensah Abraham Y. , Amponsah Isaac K. , Ekuadzi Edmund , Komlaga Gustav , Achaab Emmanuel
Published: May 2020

The use of herbal products has increased and become more popularized globally; however, limited studies coupled with questions related to the quality and safety of these herbal products have been raised. Herbal products with hope of their nontoxicity may play a role of alternative to overcome the problems of multi‐drug resistant pathogens. Medicinal plants used as raw materials for production may have quality and safety issues due to proximity to wastewater application of fungicides and pesticides, which may be directly deposited superficially or absorbed by the plant system. Therefore, possible contamination of some Ghanaian herbal products cannot be ignored, as it may severely affect human life in the process of treatment. Aim. To evaluate the microbial load and the presence of toxic heavy metals in Mist Amen Fevermix and Edhec Malacure, two polyherbal products used in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Ghana. Methods. Thermo Elemental M5 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) fitted with graphite furnace and an auto sampler was used to determine the heavy metal contents of the herbal products. The herbal samples were evaluated for the microbial load by using the appropriate culture media. Results and Analysis. Mist Amen Fevermix and Edhec Malacure complied with the safety limits evaluated for all different microbial counts and contamination. The following heavy metals were present in Mist Amen Fevermix and Edhec Malacure Mixture: Fe, Ni, K, Zn, Hg, Cu, Mn, Cr, Cd, Pb, Fe, Cu, K, and Na. Ni was below detectable limit in Edhec Malacure. Conclusion. Mist Amen Fevermix and Edhec Malacure may be assured of safety. The products contained heavy metals, but all were within acceptable limit established by the FAO/WHO. The levels of microbial contamination were below the maximum acceptable limit.
Structural and In Silico Characterization of Small Molecules Isolated from Eichhornia crassipes
Authors: Mtewa Andrew , Sesaazi Duncan C. , Lampiao Fanuel
Published: May 2020

Eichhornia crassipes has been reported to have various medicinal properties including anticancer activities. The plant was collected from the Shire river in Malawi, and two cytotoxic compounds, benzene‐1,4‐diol and nonanedioic acid, were isolated and characterized for the first time in the leaves and roots of the plant. 1H NMR, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, 13‐C, and LCMS spectroscopic experimental techniques were used to identify the compounds in their pure forms. In silico experiments showed that both compounds do not have AMES toxicity and do not inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes, but nonanedioic acid acts as a CYP2D6 substrate. This work showed that Eichhornia crassipes can be considered to have a role as a source of potential hits and leads to drug development that can be rationally optimized for drugs.
The Numerical Solution of Fractional Black-Scholes-Schrodinger Equation Using the RBFs Method
Authors: Nualsaard Naravadee , Luadsong Anirut , Aschariyaphotha Nitima
Published: May 2020

In this paper, radial basis functions (RBFs) method was used to solve a fractional Black-Scholes-Schrodinger equation in an option pricing of financial problems. The RBFs method is applied in discretizing a spatial derivative process. The approximation of time fractional derivative is interpreted in the Caputo’s sense by a simple quadrature formula. This RBFs approach was theoretically proved with different problems of two numerical examples: time step arbitrage bubble case and time linear arbitrage bubble case. Then, the numerical results were compared with the semiclassical solution in case of fractional order close to 1. As a result, both numerical examples showed that the option prices from RBFs method satisfy the semiclassical solution.
A Review of the Phenotype of Synpolydactyly Type 1 in Homozygous Patients: Defining the Relatively Long and Medially Deviated Big Toe with/without Cupping of the Forefoot as a Pathognomonic Feature in the Phenotype
Authors: Al-Qattan Mohammad M.
Published: May 2020

Synpolydactyly type 1 (SPD1, OMIM 186000) is inherited as autosomal dominant and is caused by HOXD13 mutations. The condition is rare and is known for its phenotypic heterogeneity. In the homozygous state, the phenotype is generally more severe and is characterized by three main features: a more severe degree of syndactyly, a more severe degree of brachydactyly, and the frequent loss of the normal tubular shape of the metacarpals/metatarsals. Due to the phenotypic heterogeneity and the phenotypic overlap with other types of syndactyly, no pathognomonic feature has been described for the homozygous phenotype of SPD1. In the current communication, the author reviews the literature on the phenotypes of SPD1 in homozygous patients. The review documents that not all homozygous patients show a severe hand phenotype. The review also defines the “relatively long and medially deviated big toe with/without cupping of the forefoot” as a pathognomonic feature in the phenotype. Illustration of this feature is done through a demonstrative clinical report in a multigeneration family with SPD1 and HOXD13 polyalanine repeat expansion. Finally, the pathogenesis of the clinical features is reviewed.
Treatment Principle Based on the Clinical Staging of Pharyngocutaneous Fistula
Authors: Sun Wei , Ma Ren-Qiang , Wen Wei-Ping , Zhu Xiao-Lin
Published: May 2020

Objective. Studies on factors affecting pharyngocutaneous fistulas (PCFs) and PCF repair methods have been widely reported. However, the healing phases of PCF are unclear, and their elucidation could guide clinical treatment. Methods. Clinical stages of the PCF healing process were identified by a retrospective study of 39 patients with head and neck cancer who developed a PCF. Results. Different conservative treatments were performed in turn according to three defined stages of the PCF healing process: stage I (drainage and debriding period), stage II (pressure dressing period), and stage III (healing period). A 7-day course of antibiotic therapy was only performed in stage I in 23 patients. The PCF was cured in 30 (76.9%) of 39 patients; the remaining 9 patients underwent subsequent surgical interventions for PCF healing. Conclusion. The three stages of PCF healing have a certain reference value in guiding clinical treatments. Moreover, antibiotics should be used in stage I when signs of infection are present, but they should not be used in all three phases of conservative treatment.
Molecular Sex Identification in the Hardy Rubber Tree (Eucommia ulmoides Oliver) via ddRAD Markers
Authors: Wang Wencai , Yang Guoqian , Deng Xin , Shao Fengqing , Li Yongquan , Guo Wei , Liang Hong , Zhang Xianzhi
Published: May 2020

Eucommia ulmoides, also known as the industrially and medicinally important hardy rubber tree, is the sole species of Eucommiaceae. Nevertheless, its dioecious property hinders sex recognition by traditional morphological observation at very early developmental stages, thus inhibiting breeding and economic cropping. In this study, double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) was applied to screen sex-linked molecular markers for sex identification and investigation of the sex determination system in 20 male and female E. ulmoides individual plants, respectively. In consequence, five candidate male-specific loci but no female-specific loci were predicated among the 183,752 male and 147,122 female catalogue loci by bioinformatics analysis. Subsequent PCR (polymerase chain reaction) amplification and Sanger sequencing examinations were performed on another 24 individuals, 12 for each sex, from a separate population. One ideal sex-linked locus, MSL4, was identified among the five putative male-specific loci that were found using ddRAD data. MSL4 is 479 bp in length and highly conserved in all the male individuals, suggesting its feature of being stable and repeatable. Our results also indicated that the sex of E. ulmoides is likely determined genetically. In short, this study provides a consistent and reproducible ddRAD marker (MSL4) that is able to discriminate male from female seedlings in E. ulmoides, which will be valuable for rapid breeding practice and better commercial production of this economically important tree.
Minimum Clinically Important Difference of Gross Motor Function and Gait Endurance in Children with Motor Impairment: A Comparison of Distribution‐Based Approaches
Authors: Storm Fabio Alexander , Petrarca Maurizio , Beretta Elena , Strazzer Sandra , Piccinini Luigi , Maghini Cristina , Panzeri Daniele , Corbetta Claudio , Morganti Roberta , Reni Gianluigi , Castelli Enrico , Frascarelli Flaminia , Colazza Alessandra , Cordone Giampietro , Biffi Emilia
Published: May 2020

Objective. The minimum clinically important difference (MCID) is a standard way of measuring clinical relevance. The objective of this work was to establish the MCID for the 6‐minute walking test (6minWT) and the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM‐88) in pediatric gait disorders. Methods. A cohort, pretest‐posttest study was conducted in a hospitalized care setting. A total of 182 patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) or cerebral palsy (CP) performed 20 robot‐assisted gait training sessions complemented with 20 sessions of physical therapy over 4 weeks. Separate MCIDs were calculated using 5 distribution‐based approaches, complemented with an anonymized survey completed by clinical professionals. Results. The MCID range for the 6minWT was 20‐38 m in the ABI cohort, with subgroup ranges of 20‐36 m for GMFCS I‐II, 23‐46 m for GMFCS III, and 24‐46 m for GMFCS IV. MCIDs for the CP population were 6‐23 m, with subgroup ranges of 4‐28 m for GMFCS I‐II, 9‐19 m for GMFCS III, and 10‐27 m for GMFCS IV. For GMFM‐88 total score, MCID values were 1.1%‐5.3% for the ABI cohort and 0.1%‐3.0% for the CP population. For dimension “D” of the GMFM, MCID ranges were 2.3%‐6.5% and 0.8%‐5.2% for ABI and CP populations, respectively. For dimension “E,” MCID ranges were 2.8%‐6.5% and 0.3%‐4.9% for ABI and CP cohorts, respectively. The survey showed a large interquartile range, but the results well mimicked the distribution‐based methods. Conclusions. This study identified for the first time MCID ranges for 6minWT and GMFM‐88 in pediatric patients with neurological impairments, offering useful insights for clinicians to evaluate the impact of treatments. Distribution‐based methods should be used with caution: methods based on pre‐post correlation may underestimate MCID when applied to patients with small improvements over the treatment period. Our results should be complemented with estimates obtained using consensus‐ and anchor‐based approaches.
Multisensor Distributed Dynamic Programming Method for Collaborative Warning and Tracking
Authors: Ni Peng , Zhang Bo , Song Yafei , Zhang Mingliang
Published: May 2020

Multisensor distributed dynamic programming for collaborative warning and tracking during antimissile combat serves to meet the tracking accuracy requirements of all ballistic targets in the battlefield under the circumstance of a limited total amount of sensor resources. This paper proposes a method of multisensor distributed dynamic programming for collaborative warning and tracking based on game theory. First, starting from the target tracking algorithm, according to the characteristics of antimissile multisensor combat planning, the box particle filter (BPF) theory capable of distributed filtering and inaccurate measurement is introduced. Using the flight phase characteristics of ballistic targets, a variable structure adaptive multimodel box-based particle filter tracking method is constructed. A box particle filter with the variable structure adaptive interacting multiple model (VSAIMM-BPF) is proposed. The method solves the continuous real-time tracking problem of the ballistic target in all the phases and achieves high tracking accuracy while reducing computational complexity. Then, the motion state of each ballistic target in combat is recursively evaluated by the filtering algorithm, and the calculated sensor information gain is used as a measure to obtain more or better sensor resources for the community of interest to track the corresponding ballistic target through the game. Ultimately, the method achieves distributed dynamic programming.
Experimental Research on Parameters of a Late-Model Hydraulic-Electromotor Hybrid Pumping Unit
Authors: Zhang Chunyou , Wang Liang , Li Hong , Wang Lihua
Published: May 2020

Beam pumping unit is widely applied in the oilfield area. However, the falling process of the pumping unit horsehead causes large-amplitude variations of the motor torque and greatly reduces the efficiency of the system. This paper proposes a late-model hydraulic-electromotor hybrid system which can realize energy recovery and assist electromotor work. The hybrid system can improve the matching characteristics between the electromotor and the pumping unit. A mathematical model is built and verified by experiment studies. According to the experimental and simulation results, it can be concluded that energy recovery function of the designed hydraulic-electromotor hybrid system is demonstrated to be effective, and the electromotor can keep the output power stable. As the efficiency of the hybrid power system affects the energy-saving effect, this paper establishes the efficiency model of the system and studies the key parameters affecting the efficiency of the system through experiments and simulation. The key parameters include the minimum displacement ratio of the pump and hydraulic motor, working pressure, and transmission ratio. This paper proposes a parameter optimization design method of the hydraulic-electromotor hybrid system. Under the optimal parameter combination, the hydraulic-electromotor hybrid system efficiency can reach 92%, and the electric power transmission efficiency of the system can be raised to 75%.
tBHQ Induces a Hormetic Response That Protects L6 Myoblasts against the Toxic Effect of Palmitate
Authors: Posadas-Rodríguez Pedro , Posadas-Rodríguez Natalia Esmeralda , González-Puertos Viridiana Yazmín , Toledo-Pérez Rafael , Ventura-Gallegos José Luis , Zentella Alejandro , Gómez-Quiroz Luis Enrique , Königsberg Mina , Luna-López Armando
Published: May 2020

Nutritional status, in particular overweight and obesity, as well as sedentarism and high-fat diet consumption, are important risk factors to develop chronic diseases, which have a higher impact on the elderly’s health. Therefore, these nutritional problems have become a concern to human healthspan and longevity. The fatty acids obtained thru the diet or due to fatty acid synthesis during obesity accumulate within the body generating toxicity and cell death. Fat is not only stored in adipose tissue, but it can also be stored in skeletal muscle. Palmitic acid (PA) has been reported as one of the most important saturated free fatty acids; it is associated to chronic oxidative stress and increased mitochondrial ROS production causing cell death by apoptosis. In skeletal muscle, palmitate has been associated with various pathophysiological consequences, which lead to muscle deterioration during aging and obesity. Since molecules that modify redox state have been proven to prevent cellular damage by inducing a hormetic response, the aim of this study was to evaluate if tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) could activate an antioxidant hormetic response that would be able to protect L6 myoblasts from palmitate toxic effect. Our results provide evidence that tBHQ is able to protect L6 myoblasts against the toxicity induced by sodium palmitate due to a synergistic activation of different signaling pathways such as Nrf2 and NF-κB.
Two-Parameter Modified Ridge-Type M-Estimator for Linear Regression Model
Authors: Lukman Adewale F. , Ayinde Kayode , Golam Kibria B. M. , Jegede Segun L.
Published: May 2020

The general linear regression model has been one of the most frequently used models over the years, with the ordinary least squares estimator (OLS) used to estimate its parameter. The problems of the OLS estimator for linear regression analysis include that of multicollinearity and outliers, which lead to unfavourable results. This study proposed a two-parameter ridge-type modified M-estimator (RTMME) based on the M-estimator to deal with the combined problem resulting from multicollinearity and outliers. Through theoretical proofs, Monte Carlo simulation, and a numerical example, the proposed estimator outperforms the modified ridge-type estimator and some other considered existing estimators.
Research on Rolling Bearing Fault Diagnosis Using Improved Majorization-Minimization-Based Total Variation and Empirical Wavelet Transform
Authors: Ou Yangli , He Shuilong , Hu Chaofan , Bao Jiading , Li Wenjie
Published: May 2020

Bearings are among the most widely used core components in mechanical equipment. Their failure creates the potential for serious accidents and economic losses. Vibration signature analyses are the most common approach to assess the viability of bearings due to its ease of measurement and high correlation with structural dynamics. However, the collected vibration signals of rolling bearings are usually nonstationary and are inevitably accompanied by noise interference. This makes it difficult to extract the feature frequency for the failed bearing and affects the diagnosis accuracy. The majorization-minimization-based total variation (TV-MM) denoising algorithm effectively removes the noise interference from the signal and highlights the related feature information. The value of its main parameter λ determines the quality of the denoising effect. However, manually selecting parameters requires professional experience in a process that it is time-consuming and laborious, while the use of genetic algorithms is cumbersome. Therefore, an improved particle swarm algorithm (IPSO) is used to find the optimal solution of λ. The IPSO utilises the mutation concept in genetic algorithms to reinitialise the particles with a certain probability after each update. In addition, the empirical wavelet transform (EWT) is an adaptive signal processing method suitable for processing nonlinear and nonstationary signals. Therefore, this paper presents an ensemble analysis method that combines the IPSO, TV-MM, and EWT. First, IPSO is used to optimise the denoising parameter λ. The TV-MM under this parameter effectively removes the background noise interference and improves the accuracy of the subsequent modal decomposition. Then, the EWT is used for the adaptive division to produce a set of sequences. Finally, Hilbert envelope demodulation is performed on each component to realise fault diagnosis. The results from simulations and signals received from defective bearings with outer race fault, inner race fault, and rolling element fault demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for fault diagnosis of rolling bearings.
An Air Quality Prediction Model Based on a Noise Reduction Self-Coding Deep Network
Authors: Cai Jianxian , Dai Xun , Hong Li , Gao Zhitao , Qiu Zhongchao
Published: May 2020

Aiming at remedying the problem of low prediction accuracy of existing air pollutant prediction models, a denoising autoencoder deep network (DAEDN) model that is based on long short-term memory (LSTM) networks was designed. This model created a noise reduction autoencoder with an LSTM network to extract the inherent air quality characteristics of original monitoring data and to implement noise reduction processing on monitoring data to improve the accuracy of air quality predictions. The LSTM network structure in the DAEDN model was designed as bidirectional LSTM (Bi-LSTM) to solve the problem of a lag in the unidirectional LSTM prediction results and thereby to further improve the prediction accuracy of the prediction model. Using air pollutant time series data, the DAEDN model was trained using hourly PM2.5 concentration data collected in Beijing over 5 years. The experimental results show that the DAEDN model can extract more stable features from the noisy input after training was completed. The models were evaluated using RMSE and MAE, and the results show that the indexes are 15.504 and 6.789; compared with unidirectional LSTM, it is reduced by 7.33% and 5.87%, respectively. In addition, the new prediction model essentially considered the time series properties of the prediction of the concentration of spatial pollutants and the fully integrated environmental big data, such as air quality monitoring, meteorological monitoring, and forecasting.