bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Property changes of caseinate in response to its dityrosine formation induced by horseradish peroxidase, glucose oxidase and d‐glucose
Authors: Li Rui , Chang Chun‐Hui , Ma Dan‐Dan , Zhao Xin‐Huai
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

A ternary system containing horseradish peroxidase (HRP), glucose oxidase and d‐glucose using one‐ or two‐step treatment was evidently able to cross‐link proteins via dityrosine formation and thus was assessed for its possible impact on several properties of a protein ingredient caseinate.

RESULTS

HRP, glucose oxidase and d‐glucose were used at 200 U, 6 U and 0.05 mmol g−1 protein to treat caseinate by one‐ and two‐step methods, producing two cross‐linked caseinates named CLCN‐I and CLCN‐II, respectively. In response to the conducted cross‐linking, both CLCN‐I and CLCN‐II gained slightly reduced dispersibility at pH 5–10, enlarged hydrodynamic radius (particle size distribution, 266.37 and 258.33 versus 226.67 nm) and negative zeta‐potential (−26.60 and −22.27 versus −14.30 mV) in dispersions, increased water‐binding (3.70 and 3.09 versus 2.68 kg kg−1 protein), decreased oil‐binding (1.75 and 2.74 versus 2.87 kg kg−1 protein) and emulsifying activity (76.2 and 82.3 versus 94.3 m2 g−1 protein), increased emulsion stability (84.3% and 82.5% versus 78.6%), and enhanced thermal stability with lower mass loss (58.5% and 59.6% versus 64.3%) or higher decomposition temperatures (331.2 °C and 328.7 °C versus 327.6 °C) upon heating at 105–450 °C. In addition, CLCN‐I and CLCN‐II had decreased gelling temperatures and shortened gelling times when forming acid‐induced gels, and the gels were endowed with increased values in four textural indices and finer microstructure. Moreover, CLCN‐I with a higher cross‐linking extent showed greater property changes than CLCN‐II.

CONCLUSION

This ternary system could be used in caseinate cross‐linking to improve properties such as aggregation, emulsification, gelation and thermal stability. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Nephroprotective effects of chlorogenic acid against sodium arsenite‐induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis
Authors: AL‐Megrin Wafa A , Metwally Dina M , Habotta Ola A , Amin Hatem K , Abdel Moneim Ahmed E , El‐khadragy Manal
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Chronic exposure to arsenic (As) leads to serious renal disorders. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a phenolic compound, has several well known physiological benefits, including antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities. The present study investigated the potential renoprotective effects of CGA on sodium arsenite (NaAsO2)‐induced kidney damage in mice. The mice were randomly allocated into five groups to receive daily treatment with CGA (200 mg kg−1), NaAsO2 (5 mg kg−1), NaAsO2 + CGA (100 mg kg−1), NaAsO2 + CGA (200 mg kg−1), or a control for 28 days.

RESULTS

In the NaAsO2‐treated group, NaAsO2 induced significant renal dysfunction, oxidative damage, inflammation, and apoptosis, as demonstrated by marked increases in urea and creatinine levels accompanied by a decrease in the kidney index. Considerable increases in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels and parallel decreases in various antioxidant markers (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione) levels were also detected in the renal tissues of NaAsO2‐treated mice. NaAsO2 exposure was associated with marked increases in renal inflammatory markers (interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α) and apoptosis indicators including Bax and caspase‐3 levels contaminant, with a marked decrease in Bcl‐2, an anti‐apoptotic protein, in the NaAsO2‐treated group compared with the control group. However, pretreatment with CGA substantially mitigated the renal injury and dysfunction associated with NaAsO2 exposure by reducing tissue inflammation and apoptosis and improving the antioxidant status. The CGA pretreatment also alleviated the NaAsO2‐induced histological alterations in renal tissues.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our results suggest the efficacy of CGA in alleviating As‐mediated renal tissue damage. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of ammonium and nitrate supplies on nitrogen and sucrose metabolism of Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera cv.)
Authors: Yin Haining , Li Bing , Wang Xuefei , Xi Zhumei
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

The quality of wine is highly dependent on the quality of berries. Development of berries is influenced by the type and ratio of different nitrogen supplies in the soil. To understand the impact of varying sources and levels of nitrate and ammonium on sucrose and nitrogen metabolism of Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon, we tested nutrient solutions with four NO3−‐N:NH4+‐N ratios (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 0:100) through the root system.

RESULTS

The form and quantity of nitrogen affected berries and leaves with source–sink relationships. Soluble sugar levels were significantly higher in plants treated with mixed nitrogen sources (75:25 and 50:50) compared to single nitrogen sources (100:0 and 0:100). In particular, treating plants with mixed nitrogen source at a 75:25 ratio resulted in 22% higher fructose levels in berries compared to the 50:50 treatment. In addition, mixed nitrogen treatments resulted in significantly higher amino acid levels and protein content. Mixed nitrogen substrates also increased the expression of enzymes involved in both nitrogen and sucrose metabolism.

CONCLUSION

Plants did not maximize the nitrogen supply when single form nitrogen was provided, and the mixed nitrogen substrates consistently increased the amount of available carbon and nitrogen in the berries and leaves. We found that NO3−­N:NH4+‐N ratio of 75:25 was the optimum formula for improving nitrogen and sucrose metabolism, and reducing the competition between nitrogen and sucrose. By examining the nutrient utilization of plants cultivated with different nitrogen forms, the present study provides insights into improving cultivation and production practices. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Protocol for parallel proteomic and metabolomic analysis of mouse intervertebral disc tissues
Authors: Veras Matthew A. , Lim Yong J. , Kuljanin Miljan , Lajoie Gilles A. , Urquhart Bradley L. , Séguin Cheryle A.
Published: June 2020

The comprehensiveness of data collected by “omics” modalities has demonstrated the ability to drastically transform our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of chronic, complex diseases such as musculoskeletal pathologies, how biomarkers are identified, and how therapeutic targets are developed. Standardization of protocols will enable comparisons between findings reported by multiple research groups and move the application of these technologies forward. Herein, we describe a protocol for parallel proteomic and metabolomic analysis of mouse intervertebral disc (IVD) tissues, building from the combined expertise of our collaborative team. This protocol covers dissection of murine IVD tissues, sample isolation, and data analysis for both proteomics and metabolomics applications. The protocol presented below was optimized to maximize the utility of a mouse model for “omics” applications, accounting for the challenges associated with the small starting quantity of sample due to small tissue size as well as the extracellular matrix‐rich nature of the tissue.
Preparative isolation of arylbutanoid‐type phenol [(‐)‐rhododendrin] with peak tailing on conventional C18 column using middle chromatogram isolated gel column coupled with reversed‐phase liquid chromatography
Authors: Dang Jun , Du Yurong , Wang Qi , Dawa YangZom , Chen Chengbiao , Wang Qilan , Ma Jianbin , Tao Yanduo
Published: June 2020

Reversed‐phase liquid chromatography coupled with middle chromatogram isolated gel column was employed for the efficient preparative separation of the arylbutanoid‐type phenol [(‐)‐rhododendrin] from Saxifraga tangutica. Universal C18 (XTerra C18) and XCharge C18 columns were compared for (‐)‐rhododendrin fraction analysis and preparation. Although tailing and overloading occurred on the XTerra C18 column, the positively charged reversed‐phase C18 column (XCharge C18) overcame these drawbacks, allowing for favorable separation resolution, even when loading at a on a preparative scale (3.69 mg per injection). The general separation process was as follows. First, 365.0 mg of crude (‐)‐rhododendrin was enriched from 165 g Saxifraga tangutica extract via a middle chromatogram isolated gel column. Second, separation was performed on an XTerra C18 preparative column, from which 73.8 mg of the target fraction was easily obtained. Finally, the 24.0 mg tailing peak of (‐)‐rhododendrin on XTerra C18 column was selectively purified on the XCharge C18 analytical column. These results demonstrate that the tailing nonalkaloid peaks can be effectively used for preparative isolation on XCharge C18 columns.
Beyond Clinical Outcomes: Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Favor Attentional and Memory Control Abilities for Trauma‐Related Words
Authors: Tudorache Andrei‐Cristian , Goutaudier Nelly , El‐Hage Wissam , Clarys David
Published: June 2020

Memory alterations and biases are core features of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Although a large number of studies have investigated memory biases associated with PTSS, some inconsistencies remain regarding the nature of the mechanisms behind the threat‐related biases observed in prior findings. The present study explored the extent to which inhibitory deficits, both for automatic and controlled processes, can account for these biases. Participants (N = 64) took part in a remember/know recognition procedure for positive, neutral, negative, and trauma‐related words associated with negative priming and directed forgetting encoding. Half of the participants had high levels of PTSS (i.e., PCL‐5 score > 40) and half had low levels (i.e., total PCL‐5 score < 20). As both negative priming and directed forgetting effects are posited to depend on inhibitory abilities, we expected these effects to be absent for trauma‐related words in participants with more severe PTSS. Replicating classic memory biases, participants with high levels of PTSS produced more “remember” recognition responses for trauma‐related words, ηp2 = .10. However, contrary to our expectations, directed forgetting, ηp2 = .26; and negative priming effects were observed for trauma‐related words but not for words of other valences, ηp2 = .07 and .06, respectively. Hence, rather than the expected inhibitory deficits, our results suggest that PTSS preserve the ability to inhibit trauma‐related information in both attentional and memory processes. As it appears to occur at the expense of other information, this preserved cognitive functioning for trauma‐related stimuli is discussed with regard to resource reallocation theories.
Change in Event Centrality and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms During Intensive Treatment
Authors: Grau Peter P. , Larsen Sadie E. , Lancaster Steven L. , Garnier‐Villarreal Mauricio , Wetterneck Chad T.
Published: June 2020

Event centrality, defined as the extent to which a traumatic event becomes a core component of a person's identity (Berntsen & Rubin, 2006), is both a correlate and predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, over and above event severity. These findings suggest that decreasing the perceived centrality of a traumatic event to one's identity might result in decreases in PTSD symptom severity. To date, few studies have examined how centrality is affected by PTSD treatment. The present study tested the hypotheses that change in centrality would be associated with both change in PTSD symptom severity and discharge PTSD symptom severity in an exposure‐based PTSD partial hospitalization program (N = 132; 86.0% White; 85.2% female; M age = 36 years). At discharge (i.e., after approximately 6 weeks of treatment), both PTSD symptoms and centrality had significantly decreased, ds = .70 and .98, respectively, with large effect sizes. Decreases in Centrality of Events Scale (CES) scores at posttreatment, baseline CES scores, and baseline PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5 (PCL‐5) scores were associated with change (i.e., decrease) in PCL‐5 scores, p < .001, as well as with posttreatment PCL‐5 scores, p < .001. Decreases in CES scores over time, baseline CES scores, and baseline PCL‐5 scores explained 31% of the variance in PCL‐5 change and 34% of the variance in posttreatment PCL‐5 scores. The results indicate the potential importance of decreasing the centrality of a traumatic event in PTSD treatment and recovery.
Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Host Cells in Tracheal Graft Implantation
Authors: Danielson Alex , Liu Lumei , Shontz Kimberly M. , Syed Hassan , Dharmadhikari Sayali , Reynolds Susan D. , Breuer Christopher K. , Chiang Tendy
Published: June 2020

Objectives/Hypothesis

The ideal trachea replacement would be a living graft that is genetically identical to the host, avoiding the need for immunosuppression. We have developed a mouse model of syngeneic tracheal transplant that results in long‐term survival without graft stenosis or delayed healing. To understand how host cells contribute to tracheal transplant integration, we quantified the populations of host cells in the graft and native trachea following implant.

Study Design: Tracheal transplant, tracheal replacement, regenerative medicine, animal model.

Methods

Tracheal grafts were obtained from female C57BL/6 mice and orthotopically transplanted into syngeneic male recipients. Cohorts were euthanized on day 14, day 45, and day 90 post‐transplantation. Host and graft tracheas were explanted and analyzed by histology. Male host cells were quantified using fluorescence in situ hybridization, and macrophages were quantified with immunofluorescence.

Results

Evidence of host‐derived cells was found in the midgraft at the earliest time point (14 days). Host‐derived cells transiently increased in the graft on day 45 and were predominantly found in the submucosa. By day 90, the population of host‐derived cells population declined to a similar level on day 14. Macrophage infiltration of host and graft tissue was observed at all time points and was greatest on day 90.

Conclusions

Tracheal graft integration occurs by way of subacute transient host‐cell infiltration and is primarily inflammatory in nature. Host‐cell contribution to the graft epithelium is limited. These data indicate that creation of living, nonimmunogenic tracheal graft could serve as a viable solution for long‐segment tracheal defects.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 131:E340–E345, 2021
A Review of Efforts to Improve Lipid Stability during Sample Preparation and Standardization Efforts to Ensure Accuracy in the Reporting of Lipid Measurements
Authors: Ulmer Candice Z. , Koelmel Jeremy P. , Jones Christina M. , Garrett Timothy J. , Aristizabal‐Henao Juan J. , Vesper Hubert W. , Bowden John A.
Published: June 2020

Lipidomics is a rapidly growing field, fueled by developments in analytical instrumentation and bioinformatics. To date, most researchers and industries have employed their own lipidomics workflows without a consensus on best practices. Without a community‐wide consensus on best practices for the prevention of lipid degradation and transformations through sample collection and analysis, it is difficult to assess the quality of lipidomics data and hence trust results. Clinical studies often rely on samples being stored for weeks or months until they are analyzed, but inappropriate sampling techniques, storage temperatures, and analytical protocols can result in the degradation of complex lipids and the generation of oxidized or hydrolyzed metabolite artifacts. While best practices for lipid stability are sample dependent, it is generally recommended that strategies during sample preparation capable of quenching enzymatic activity and preventing oxidation should be considered. In addition, after sample preparation, lipid extracts should be stored in organic solvents with antioxidants at −20 °C or lower in an airtight container without exposure to light or oxygen. This will reduce or eliminate sublimation, and chemically and physically induced molecular transformations such as oxidation, enzymatic transformation, and photon/heat‐induced degradation. This review explores the available literature on lipid stability, with a particular focus on human health and/or clinical lipidomic applications. Specifically, this includes a description of known mechanisms of lipid degradation, strategies, and considerations for lipid storage, as well as current efforts for standardization and quality insurance of protocols.
Ultra‐Compact and Ultra‐Broadband Guided‐Mode Exchangers on Silicon
Authors: Guo Jingshu , Ye Chaochao , Liu Chaoyue , Zhang Ming , Li Chenlei , Li Jiang , Shi Yaocheng , Dai Daoxin
Published: June 2020

On‐chip mode exchangers play very important roles for multimode photonics, which has drawn much attention for many applications. However, it is still very challenging to achieve compact mode exchangers with high performances in an ultra‐broad bandwidth. Here a universal approach of on‐chip mode manipulations is proposed by manipulating the multimode excitations/interferences, and ultra‐compact mode exchangers are realized with low excess losses (ELs) and high extinction ratios (ERs) using special metamaterial structures. The presented TEi–j mode exchangers enable the exchange between the TEi and TEj modes in an ultra‐broad bandwidth. The designed TE0–1 and TE0–2 mode exchangers have footprints of 1.3 × 2.7 µm2 and 1.9 × 2.9 µm2, respectively. Theoretically, they have ELs ≈ 0.2 dB and ERs = 19–32 dB at 1550 nm, while their bandwidths for achieving ER > 10 dB reach 340–400 nm. The fabricated devices have measured ELs of 0.2–0.3 dB and ERs above 12.0–13.2 dB in the setup‐limited wavelength range of 1520–1607 nm. The proposed approach is flexibly extendable to enable on‐chip mode exchanges, which are promising for multimode silicon photonics in many applications.
Morphological Characteristics of Amylose‐Poly(tetrahydrofuran) Inclusion Complexes Depending on Temperature and Concentration
Authors: Kumar Kamlesh , Loos Katja
Published: June 2020

In this study, inclusion complexes of amylose using poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTHF) as a guest molecule are studied. The effect of PTHF inclusion into the hydrophobic cavity of amylose is studied with different concentrations of PTHF. Attenuated total reflection fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry are used to confirm the formation of inclusion complexes and the structural properties of inclusion complexes are analyzed with synchrotron small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and wide angle X‐ray scattering. SAXS patterns show that the complex does not display any self‐assembled lamellar structures due to the lower mobility of PTHF chains as compared to fatty acids. Different crystalline structures of inclusion complexes and arrangements of the PTHF molecules inside the amylose cavity are obtained at different temperatures. The results can play an effective role to understand the structural information of host–guest complexes with different physical and chemical properties of the guest compounds.
Filling of Nanometric Pores with Polymer by Initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Van‐Straaten Manon , Ben Hadj Mabrouk Amal , Veillerot Marc , Licitra Christophe , D’Agosto Franck , Jousseaume Vincent
Published: June 2020

The integration of porous thin films using microelectronic compatible processes sometimes requires the protection of the interior of the pores during the critical integration steps. In this paper, the polymerization of neo‐pentyl methacrylate (npMA) is performed via initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) on a porous organosilicate (SiOCH) and on a dense SiOCH. The characterizations by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, spectroscopic ellipsometry, and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry of the different stacks show that iCVD is a powerful technique to polymerize npMA in the nanometric pores and thus totally fill them with a polymer. The study of the pore filling for very short iCVD durations shows that the polymerization in the pores is complete in less than ten seconds and is uniform in depth. Then, the poly(npMA) film growth continues on top of the filled SiOCH layer. These characteristics make iCVD a straightforward and very promising alternative to other infiltration techniques in order to fill the porosity of microporous thin films.
Monodisperse Micelles with Aggregation Numbers Related to Platonic Solids
Authors: Lee Ji Ha , Fujii Shota , Takahashi Rintaro , Sakurai Kazuo
Published: June 2020

Recent studies show that calix[4]arene‐based micelles are monodisperse with defined Nagg values chosen from 4, 6, 8, 12, 20, and 32. Interestingly, all these numbers coincide with the face numbers of Platonic solids, so they are called “Platonic micelles.” As long as a certain geometric condition is fulfilled, any amphiphilic molecule can form a Platonic micelle. The preferred Nagg values are explained in relation to the mathematical Tammes problem, namely, how to obtain the best coverage of a sphere's surface with multiple identical circles. The coverage ratio can be calculated and produces maxima at 4, 6, 12, 20, and 32, coinciding with the observed Nagg values. In this feature article, Platonic micelles as well as their morphological transition by controlling pH, salt, temperature, and electrostatic interactions are summarized.
Markovian modeling for dependent interrecurrence times in bladder cancer
Authors: García‐Mora B. , Santamaría C. , Rubio G.
Published: June 2020

A methodology to model a process in which repeated events occur is presented. The context is the evolution of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder carcinoma (NMIBC), characterized by recurrent relapses. It is based on the statistical flowgraph approach, a technique specifically suited for semi‐Markov processes. A very useful feature of the flowgraph framework is that it naturally incorporates the management of censored data. However, this approach presents two difficulties with the process to be modeled. On one hand, the management of covariates is not straightforward. However, it is of great interest to know how the characteristics of a certain patient influence the evolution of the disease. On the other hand, repeated events on the same subject are generally not independent, in which case the semi‐Markov framework is not sufficient because the semi‐Markov assumption implies independence among waiting time distributions. We solve this issue by extending the flowgraph methodology using the Markovian arrival process (MAP), which does successfully model the dependence between events. Along the way, we provide a procedure to consider covariates and censored times in MAPs, a pending task needed in this field. In short, we have managed to extend the flowgraph methodology beyond the semi‐Markovian framework, simplifying the incorporation of covariates and keeping the management of censored times. All of which has allowed us to build a multistate model of the evolution of NMIBC. The developed model allows us to compute the Survival function for any evolution of a patient with specific clinic‐pathological characteristics in this primary tumor.
High spatial resolution whole‐neck MR angiography using thin‐slab stack‐of‐stars quiescent interval slice‐selective acquisition
Authors: Koktzoglou Ioannis , Huang Rong , Ong Archie L. , Aouad Pascale J. , Walker Matthew T. , Edelman Robert R.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To report a 3D multi‐echo thin‐slab stack‐of‐stars (tsSOS) quiescent‐interval slice‐selective (QISS) strategy for high‐resolution magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the entire neck in under seven minutes.

Methods

The neck arteries of eight subjects were imaged at 3 Tesla. Multi‐echo 3D tsSOS QISS using a FLASH readout was compared with 3D tsSOS FLASH, 2D QISS, 2D TOF, and 3D TOF. A root‐mean‐square (RMS) combination of echo time images was tested. Evaluation metrics included arterial signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), arterial‐to‐muscle contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), and image quality.

Results

3D multi‐echo tsSOS QISS using a RMS combination of echo time images increased SNR and CNR by 60% and 63% with respect to the reconstruction obtained with the shortest echo time. 3D tsSOS QISS showed superior CNR with respect to 3D tsSOS FLASH imaging, and more than 3‐fold higher SNR and CNR with respect to 2D radial QISS when normalized for voxel size. 3D tsSOS QISS provided good to excellent image quality that exceeded the image quality of 2D QISS, 2D TOF, and 3D TOF (P < .05).

Conclusion

Whole‐neck high‐resolution nonenhanced MRA is feasible using 3D tsSOS QISS, and produced image quality that exceeded those of competing nonenhanced MRA protocols at 3 Tesla.
Discrete embedded boundary method with smooth dependence on the evolution of a fluid‐structure interface
Authors: Ho Jonathan , Farhat Charbel
Published: June 2020

Embedded boundary methods (EBMs) are robust solution methods for highly nonlinear fluid‐structure interaction (FSI) problems. They suffer, however, some disadvantages because they perform their computations on embedding, nonbody‐fitted fluid meshes. In particular, they tend to generate discrete events that introduce discontinuities in the semi‐discretization process and lead to numerical solutions that are insufficiently smooth for differentiation with respect to the evolution of a discrete, fluid/structure interface . This hinders their application to the gradient‐based solution of fluid‐structure optimization problems. Discrete events also promote spurious oscillations in the post‐processing of time‐dependent results computed at .z This paper addresses these issues in the context of Finite Volume method with Exact two‐material Riemann problems (FIVER), a comprehensive framework for developing EBMs for highly nonlinear, compressible, FSI problems. It revisits the concept of the status of a node of an embedding fluid mesh and introduces that of a smoothness indicator nodal function, to eliminate discrete events and achieve smoothness in the semi‐discretization process. It also introduces a moving least squares approach in the loads evaluation algorithm, to suppress spurious oscillations from integral quantities computed on . Equipped with these enhancements, FIVER is shown to deliver, for three different FSI applications, smooth results that are differentiable with respect to evolutions of .
Long‐Run Labor Market Effects of the Job Corps Program: Evidence from a Nationally Representative Experiment
Authors: Schochet Peter Z.
Published: June 2020

Job Corps is the nation's largest and most comprehensive career technical training and education program for at‐risk youth ages 16 to 24. Using the sample from a large‐scale experiment of the program from the mid‐1990s, this article uses tax data through 2015 (20 years later) to examine long‐term labor market impacts. The study finds some long‐term beneficial effects for the older students, with employment gains of 4 percentage points, 40 percent reductions in disability benefit receipt, and 10 percent increases in tax filing rates in 2015. For these students, program benefits exceeded program costs from the social perspective. This study is the first to establish that a national program for disconnected youth can produce long‐term labor market gains, and can be a positive investment made for society. The results suggest that intensive, comprehensive services that focus on developing both cognitive and noncognitive skills are important for improving labor market prospects for this population.
Molecular evidence of herbal formula: a network‐based analysis of Si‐Wu decoction
Authors: Zuo Hua‐Li , Zhang Qian‐Ru , Chen Cen , Yang Feng‐Qing , Yu Hua , Hu Yuan‐Jia
Published: June 2020

Introduction

Emerging network pharmacology (NP) combines phytochemical information with bioinformatics tools allowing herbal formulae to be illustrated holistically in the context of phytochemical basis and therapeutic mechanisms.

Objective

This study attempted to explore the holistic molecular evidence of herbal formula Si‐Wu decoction (SWD) by using the method of NP.

Material and method

Databases of traditional medicines combined with PubChem, SciFinder, SEA, STRING, and KEGG were employed to gather information for establishing the “compound similarity” (CS) network and the “target–(pathway)–target” (TPT) network. Gephi software was applied to visualise the networks, with further module‐based and node‐based network topological analysis. Moreover, the approved drugs and shortest path analysis were used to validate the TPT network.

Results

The CS network presented the phytochemical profile of SWD, including the major compound groups of iridoid glycosides, glycosides, phthalide lactones, phenylpropanoids, and monoterpenoids. Furthermore, the topological analysis of TPT network depicted the holistic property of SWD in interpretable neuroendocrine immunomodulation (NIM) perspective, and the node degree analysis indicated a closer connection of SWD with endocrine or metabolism system. Moreover, by combing the analysis of the CS network and TPT network, potential active ingredients could be primarily identified.

Conclusion

The phytochemical profile and molecular target profile, which might pave the way for an understanding of SWD in modern science and provide a reference for relevant quality research and evaluation, were demonstrated by network analysis. Moreover, the methods could be further applied to discover the phytochemical or biomolecular evidence with distinct advantages in dealing with the tremendous separated information.
Novel strategy for encapsulation and targeted delivery of poorly water‐soluble active substances
Authors: Markovic Maja D. , Panic Vesna V. , Seslija Sanja I. , Milivojevic Ana D. , Spasojevic Pavle M. , Boskovic‐Vragolovic Nevenka M. , Pjanovic Rada V.
Published: June 2020

Carriers for targeted delivery and controlled release of poorly water‐soluble active substances (PWSAS) are facing three challenges: (a) the encapsulation issues, (b) limitations of PWSAS water solubility, and (c) burst drug release which can be pharmacologically dangerous and economically inefficient. The present study brings a novel strategy for encapsulation and controlled release of PWSAS—caffeine in concentrations which are higher than its maximal water solubility without the possibility of burst effect. The modification of hydrophilic carrier based on poly(methacylic acid) was done using casein and liposomes. To further increase the maximal caffeine loading inside the carrier nicotinamide was used. The release study of the encapsulated PWSAS was elaborated with respect to morphology of the carriers and interactions that could be established between its structural components. The carriers swelling and the release of caffeine and nicotinamide were also investigated depending on caffeine concentration, the presence of different liposomal formulations and the volume ratio of liposomal formulation, in three media with different pH simulating the path of the carrier through the human gastrointestinal tract. The synthesized carriers are promising candidates for encapsulation of PWSAS in concentrations which are higher than its maximal water solubility and for the targeted delivery of those dosages.
New facets of larger Nest motifs in proteins
Authors: Pal Debnath , Sahu Subhankar , Banerjee Raja
Published: June 2020

The Nest is a concave‐shaped structural motif in proteins formed by consecutive enantiomeric left‐handed (L) and right‐handed (R) helical conformation of the backbone. This important motif subsumes many turn and helix capping structures and binds electron‐rich ligands. Simple Nests are either RL or LR. Larger Nests (>2 residues long) may be RLR, LRL, RLRL, and so forth, being considered as composed of overlapping simple Nests. The larger Nests remain under‐explored despite their widely known contributions to protein function. In our study, we address whether the recurrence of enantiomeric geometry in the larger Nests constrains the peptide backbone such that distinct compositional and conformational preferences are seen compared to simple Nests. Our analysis reveals the critical role of the L helical torsion angle in the formation of larger Nests. This can be observed through the higher propensity of residue or secondary structure combinations in LR and LRL backbone conformation in comparison to RL or RLR, although LR/LRL is considerably lower by occurrence. We also find that the most abundant doublets and triplets in Nests have a propensity for particular secondary structures, suggesting a strong sequence‐structure relationship in the larger Nest. Overall, our analysis corroborates distinct features of simple and the larger Nests. Such insights would be helpful towards in‐vitro design of peptides and peptidomimetic studies.
Sensitivity of idealized mixed‐phase stratocumulus to climate perturbations
Authors: Zhang Xiyue , Schneider Tapio , Kaul Colleen M.
Published: June 2020

Large‐eddy simulations (LESs) that explicitly resolve boundary layer (BL) turbulence and clouds are used to explore the sensitivity of idealized Arctic BL clouds to climate perturbations. The LESs focus on conditions resembling springtime, when surface heat fluxes over sea ice are weak, and the cloud radiative effect is dominated by the long‐wave effect. In the LES, the condensed water path increases with BL temperature and free‐tropospheric relative humidity, but it decreases with inversion strength. The dependencies of cloud properties on environmental variables exhibited by the LES can largely be reproduced by a mixed‐layer model. Mixed‐layer model analysis shows that the liquid water path increases with warming because the liquid water gradient increase under warming overcompensates for geometric cloud thinning. This response contrasts with the response of subtropical stratocumulus to warming, whose liquid water path decreases as the clouds thin geometrically under warming. The results suggest that methods used to explain the response of lower‐latitude BL clouds to climate change can also elucidate changes in idealized Arctic BL clouds, although subtropical and Arctic clouds occupy different thermodynamic regimes.
Phenome–Genome Profiling of Single Bacterial Cell by Raman‐Activated Gravity‐Driven Encapsulation and Sequencing
Authors: Xu Teng , Gong Yanhai , Su Xiaolu , Zhu Pengfei , Dai Jing , Xu Jian , Ma Bo
Published: June 2020

The small size and low DNA amount of bacterial cells have hindered establishing phenome–genome links in a precisely indexed, one‐cell‐per‐reaction manner. Here, Raman‐Activated Gravity‐driven single‐cell Encapsulation and Sequencing (RAGE‐Seq) is presented, where individual cells are phenotypically screened via single‐cell Raman spectra (SCRS) in an aquatic, vitality‐preserving environment, then the cell with targeted SCRS is precisely packaged in a picoliter microdroplet and readily exported in a precisely indexed, “one‐cell‐one‐tube” manner. Such integration of microdroplet encapsulation to Raman‐activated sorting ensures high‐coverage one‐cell genome sequencing or cultivation that is directly linked to metabolic phenotype. For clinical Escherichia coli isolates, genome assemblies derived from precisely one cell via RAGE‐Seq consistently reach >95% coverage. Moreover, directly from a urine sample of urogenital tract infection, metabolic‐activity‐based antimicrobial susceptibility phenotypes and genome sequence of 99.5% coverage are obtained simultaneously from precisely one cell. This single‐cell global mutation map corroborates resistance phenotype and genotype, and unveils epidemiological features with high specificity and sensitivity. The ability to profile and correlate bacterial metabolic phenome and high‐quality genome sequences at one‐cell resolution suggests broad application of RAGE‐Seq.
The Synergetic Effect of Lithium Bisoxalatodifluorophosphate and Fluoroethylene Carbonate on Dendrite Suppression for Fast Charging Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Shi Pengcheng , Liu Fanfan , Feng YueZhan , Zhou Jiafeng , Rui Xianhong , Yu Yan
Published: June 2020

Fluorinated solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) derived from fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) is particularly favored for dendrite suppression in lithium metal batteries because of the high Young's modulus (≈64.9 Gpa) and low electronic conductivity (10−31 S cm−1) of LiF. However, the transportation ability of Li+ in this fluorinated SEI under high current densities is limited by the low ionic conductivity of LiF (≈10−12 S cm−1). Herein, by rational design, 0.1 m lithium bisoxalatodifluorophosphate (LiDFBOP) is adopted to modify fluorinated SEI in FEC based electrolyte for fast charging lithium metal batteries. Benefiting from the synergetic effect of LiDFBOP and FEC, a fluorinated SEI rich in LiF and LixPOyFz species can be yielded, which can further improve the stability and ionic conductivity of SEI for fast Li+ transportation. Meanwhile, the average coulombic efficiency for Li plating/stripping is improved from 92.0% to 96.7%, thus promoting stable cycling of Li||Li symmetrical batteries with dendrite free morphologies, even at high current densities (3.0 mA cm−2) and high plating/stripping capacities (3.0 mAh cm−2). More attractively, in practical Li||LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 batteries, the cycling life at 1C and rate capacities at 6C are also significantly improved. Therefore, the synergetic effect of LiDFBOP and FEC provides great potential for achieving advanced lithium metal batteries with fast charging ability.
Porous Carbon Membrane‐Supported Atomically Dispersed Pyrrole‐Type FeN4 as Active Sites for Electrochemical Hydrazine Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Wang Yu‐Cheng , Wan Li‐Yang , Cui Pei‐Xin , Tong Lei , Ke Yu‐Qi , Sheng Tian , Zhang Miao , Sun Shu‐Hui , Liang Hai‐Wei , Wang Yue‐Sheng , Zaghib Karim , Wang Hong , Zhou Zhi‐You , Yuan Jiayin
Published: June 2020

The rational design of catalytically active sites in porous materials is essential in electrocatalysis. Herein, atomically dispersed Fe‐Nx sites supported by hierarchically porous carbon membranes are designed to electrocatalyze the hydrazine oxidation reaction (HzOR), one of the key techniques in electrochemical nitrogen transformation. The high intrinsic catalytic activity of the Fe‐Nx single‐atom catalyst together with the uniquely mixed micro‐/macroporous membrane support positions such an electrode among the best‐known heteroatom‐based carbon anodes for hydrazine fuel cells. Combined with advanced characterization techniques, electrochemical probe experiments, and density functional theory calculation, the pyrrole‐type FeN4 structure is identified as the real catalytic site in HzOR.
Intelligent manufacturing in industry 4.0: A case study of Sany heavy industry
Authors: Shan Siqing , Wen Xin , Wei Yigang , Wang Zijin , Chen Yong
Published: June 2020

Industrial Internet is an important component of Industry 4.0. It aims to help manufacturers achieve intelligent management and decision making. In information era, manufacturing is becoming increasingly sophisticated and intelligent. Traditional manufacturers are exploring approaches to improve their competitiveness. Industrial Internet appears to be the solution for them to achieve their goals. However, they lack the guidelines to implement Industrial Internet. As such, this paper reviews Industry 4.0 and Industrial Internet and presents a case study about how Sany Heavy Industry applying systems thinking in implementing Industrial Internet and transforming itself into intelligent manufacturing. The growth path of intelligent manufacturing in Sany Heavy Industry is outlined. The directions for future development of intelligent manufacturing are discussed.
EFL vocabulary teaching beliefs and practices: The case of two teachers in Argentina
Authors: López‐Barrios Mario , San Martín Maria Gimena , Villanueva de Debat Elba
Published: June 2020

EFL teachers’ beliefs, a constituent of teacher cognition, influence their instructional practices. In vocabulary teaching, the relationship between teachers’ beliefs and practices has not been much studied so far, so further research in a variety of geographical and educational contexts is necessary to compare findings and observe both established and emerging trends. In this article the researchers analyze two teachers’ vocabulary teaching beliefs and their pedagogical procedures based on data from two different educational settings in Argentina, collected by a questionnaire and classroom observations, and from class materials and the progress tests used in class. Data triangulation allowed insights into the characteristics of both teachers’ vocabulary instruction, whereby the choice and amount of vocabulary taught, the aspects of lexical knowledge promoted, and the teaching and assessment techniques deployed revealed different degrees of coincidence with the stated beliefs. Results are in line with studies conducted in other geographical contexts and provide further evidence for the influence of the context of the lesson and the class on teachers’ decisions.
A rapid method for quantification of persistent and mobile organic substances in water using supercritical fluid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Schulze Stefanie , Paschke Heidrun , Meier Till , Muschket Matthias , Reemtsma Thorsten , Berger Urs
Published: June 2020

Persistent and mobile organic substances (PM substances) are a threat to the quality of our water resources. While screening studies revealed widespread occurrence of many PM substances, rapid trace analytical methods for their quantification in large sample sets are missing. We developed a quick and generic analytical method for highly mobile analytes in surface water, groundwater, and drinking water samples based on enrichment through azeotrope evaporation (4 mL water and 21 mL acetonitrile), supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), and quantification using a compound-specific correction factor for apparent recovery. The method was validated using 17 PM substances. Sample preparation recoveries were between 60 and 110% for the vast majority of PM substances. Strong matrix effects (most commonly suppressive) were observed, necessitating a correction for apparent recoveries in quantification. Apparent recoveries were neither concentration dependent nor dependent on the water matrix (surface or drinking water). Method detection and quantification limits were in the single- to double-digit ng L−1 ranges, precision expressed as relative standard deviation of quadruplicate quantifications was on average < 10%, and trueness experiments showed quantitative results within ± 30% of the theoretical value in 77% of quantifications. Application of the method to surface water, groundwater, raw water, and finished drinking water revealed the presence of acesulfame and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid up to 70 and 19 μg L−1, respectively. Melamine, diphenylguanidine, p-dimethylbenzenesulfonic acid, and 4-hydroxy-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine were found in high ng L−1 concentrations.
Comparison of ethanol concentrations in the human brain determined by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and serum ethanol concentrations
Authors: Thierauf-Emberger Annette , Echle Judith , Dacko Michael , Lange Thomas
Published: June 2020

Aims

Ethanol is a widespread substance that inherits desired effects, but also negative consequences with regard to DUI or battery. Where required, the ethanol concentration is usually determined in peripheral venous blood samples, while the brain is the target organ of the ethanol effects. The aim of this study with three participants was the determination of the ethanol concentration in functionally relevant regions of the brain and the comparison with serum ethanol concentrations.

Design

After the uptake of ethanol in a calculated amount, leading to a serum ethanol concentration of 0.99 g/L, the ethanol concentrations in the brain were directly analyzed by means of magnetic resonance spectroscopy on a 3 Tesla human MRI system and normalized to the water content. The measurement voxels were located in the occipital cortex, the cerebellum, the frontal cortex, and the putamen and successively examined. Intermittently blood samples were taken, and serum was analyzed for ethanol using HS-GC-FID.

Findings and conclusions

Ethanol concentrations in brain regions normalized to the water content were lower than the measured serum ethanol results and rather homogenous within the three participants and the various regions of the brain. The maximum ethanol concentration in the brain (normalized to water content) was 0.68 g/L. It was measured in the frontal cortex, in which the highest results were gained. The maximum serum concentration was 1.19 g/L. The course of the brain ethanol curve seems to be flatter than the one of the serum ethanol concentrations.
Empfehlungen für ECMO bei COVID-19-Patienten
Authors: Wiedemann Dominik , Bernardi Martin H. , Distelmaier Klaus , Goliasch Georg , Hengstenberg Christian , Hermann Alexander , Holzer Michael , Hoetzenecker Konrad , Klepetko Walter , Lang György , Lassnigg Andrea , Laufer Günther , Magnet Ingrid A. M. , Markstaller Klaus , Röggla Martin , Rössler Bernhard , Schellongowski Peter , Simon Paul , Tschernko Edda , Ullrich Roman , Zimpfer Daniel , Staudinger Thomas ,   COVID-19 ECMO Arbeitsgruppe Medizinische Universität Wien
Published: June 2020

Die aktuelle COVID-19-Pandemie, die durch das SARS-CoV‑2 ausgelöst wird, hat bereits in vielen betroffenen Ländern zu gravierenden Ressourcenengpässen der jeweiligen Gesundheitssysteme geführt. Obwohl sehr viele COVID-19-Patienten nur moderate Symptome zeigen, entwickelt eine Subgruppe ein schweres respiratorisches oder auch kardiales Versagen. Die extrakorporale Membranoxygenierung (ECMO) stellt eine wertvolle Therapieoption für Patienten mit therapierefraktärem Lungen- oder Herzversagen dar. Es bedarf klarer Empfehlungen, die den ECMO-Einsatz in dieser zahlenmäßig stetig steigenden Patientenpopulation regeln. Die ECMO-Arbeitsgruppe der Medizinischen Universität Wien hat daher die folgenden Empfehlungen für eine ECMO-Unterstützung bei COVID-19-Patienten formuliert.
Thermo-acoustic Instabilities in the PRECCINSTA Combustor Investigated Using a Compressible LES-pdf Approach
Authors: Fredrich Daniel , Jones William P. , Marquis Andrew J.
Published: June 2020

This work predicts the evolution of self-excited thermo-acoustic instabilities in a gas turbine model combustor using large eddy simulation. The applied flow solver is fully compressible and comprises a transported sub-grid probability density function approach in conjunction with the Eulerian stochastic fields method. An unstable operating condition in the PRECCINSTA test case—known to exhibit strong flame oscillations driven by thermo-acoustic instabilities—is the chosen target configuration. Good results are obtained in a comparison of time-averaged flow statistics against available measurement data. The flame’s self-excited oscillatory behaviour is successfully captured without any external forcing. Power spectral density analysis of the oscillation reveals a dominant thermo-acoustic mode at a frequency of 300 Hz; providing remarkable agreement with previous experimental observations. Moreover, the predicted limit-cycle amplitude is found to closely match its respective measured value obtained from experiments with rigid metal combustion chamber side walls. Finally, a phase-resolved study of the oscillation cycle is carried out leading to a detailed description of the physical mechanisms that sustain the closed feedback loop.