bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Designing and teaching of an effective engineering continuing education course: Modeling and simulation of HVAC systems
Authors: Rampazzo Mirco , Beghi Alessandro
Published: June 2018

Rapid methodological and technological progresses motivate the implementation of continuing education programs. In this scenario, collaboration between universities and industries plays an important role. Universities can offer the theoretical knowledge and the best teaching practices while industries can provide equipment, use cases, and other key resources. In this paper, we present a cooperative university–industry approach to satisfy the continuing education needs of a Research and Development department that operates in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) sector. In particular, strategies and guidelines for continuing education in modeling and simulation practices are presented, with particular emphasis on HVAC systems. In the paper, the learning needs, learning outcomes definition, course contents design, instructional methods, participants performance assessment, and course evaluation are discussed.
Traditional versus hypertextual index in an online course on Oscillation and Wave Physics
Authors: Pejuan Arcadi , López Víctor
Published: June 2018

An online course on Oscillation and Wave Physics (https://ocw.upc.edu/webs/42254/Acustica_EN/) was implemented. As the first objective, this article describes its main features, especially the two types of indexes for accessing the different items (a traditional linear index, and a hypertextual index based on a concept map). The second objective is to describe the students’ response to the one index in comparison to the other. As a qualitative response (perception), obtained from the students’ free comments, some advantages of the hypertextual index were found, for example, the ability to raise curiosity about physics contents, or the building of a convenient attitude for learning autonomously. Some drawbacks perceived, which are put into perspective, were the possible equivocal interpretation of the guiding questions, or the uncertainty about following the optimal order of items. As a quantitative response (performance in exams), a small but significant difference was found only for two subtopics related to cross‐linked relationships between different conceptual aspects. This can be explained by a deeper internalization of these relationships through the concept map underlying the hypertextual index.
Automatic argument assessment of final project reports of computer engineering students
Authors: García‐Gorrostieta Jesús M. , López‐López Aurelio , González‐López Samuel
Published: June 2018

Arguments in final course project reports written by engineering students are an essential feature of academic texts. Further revisions of instructors reveal to the students their mistakes, such as a lack of argumentation. However, the depth of revisions is often limited by the time availability of the instructor. In this paper, we present a system for argument assessment embedded in an Internet‐based Moodle course with Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) standard, to help students improve argumentation in the problem statement, justification and conclusion sections of their final project report. The system identifies argumentative paragraphs along with argumentation level and provides recommendations to improve their writing. The analysis is achieved employing machine learning techniques with lexical features trained using an annotated collection of student writings. We performed a pilot test to compare control and experimental groups. Both groups consisted of undergraduate students of computer engineering programs from two different universities. We observed that using the argument assessment system increased the number of arguments in the experimental group. We discuss some further improvements for the system.
Web‐based experiment for teaching the electrical characteristics of a solar cell and module
Authors: Cvjetkovic Vladimir M. , Kovacevic Milan S.
Published: June 2018

In this paper, an experiment involving a solar module consisting of serially connected solar cells remotely controlled by a web application is presented. The described experiment is fully automated and is accessed and controlled remotely using a web‐based user interface; a new generation of inexpensive SBC (single‐board computer) devices; flat, light LED sources; and some electronic components. Basically, the experiment consists of a solar module illuminated by a flat LED light source and a programmed electronic variable resistor, which enables collecting the solar module current‐voltage (I–V) characteristics. We found that remote access to lab equipment and experiments has many advantages over traditional scheduled supervised access because it provides a safe virtual environment for work and experimentation using real equipment. Promoting interest in solar cells by introducing students at an early stage of their undergraduate curriculum to the basics (fundamentals) of photovoltaic devices is beneficial in many aspects.
Value of incorporating newly identified risk factors into risk prediction for chemotherapy‐induced febrile neutropenia
Authors: Li Yanli , Family Leila , Chen Lie H. , Page John H. , Klippel Zandra , Xu Lanfang , Chao Chun R.
Published: June 2018

Several comorbidities have recently been shown to affect risk of chemotherapy‐induced febrile neutropenia (FN). Here, we evaluated the added predictive value of these comorbidities beyond established FN risk factors. A retrospective cohort study was conducted among adult patients diagnosed with cancer and treated with chemotherapy at Kaiser Permanente Southern California between 2000 and 2009. The study cohort was equally split into training and validation datasets to develop and evaluate the performance of FN risk prediction models in the first chemotherapy cycle. A reference model was developed based on the model proposed by Lyman et al (Cancer 2011;117:1917). A new model was developed by incorporating the newly identified comorbidities such as rheumatoid conditions and thyroid disorders into the reference model. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC), risk reclassification, and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) were used to evaluate the potential improvement of FN risk prediction by incorporating comorbidities. A total of 15 279 patients were included; 4.2% experienced FN in the first chemotherapy cycle. Including comorbidities in FN risk prediction did not improve AUROCC (reference model 0.71 vs new model 0.72). A significant improvement in individual‐level FN risk prediction was indicated by IDI (P = .02). However, significant improvement in risk reclassification was not observed overall (although 6% of all patients were more accurately classified for their FN risk level, 5% were less accurately classified) or when examining predicted FN risk among patients who did and did not develop FN. Incorporating several new comorbidities into FN prediction led to improved FN risk prediction in the first chemotherapy cycle, although the observed improvements were small and might not be clinically relevant.
Risk factors for upper tract urothelial recurrence following local excision of bladder cancer
Authors: Lin Ning , Wu Yu‐Peng , Lin Yun‐Zhi , Tao Xuan , Chen Shao‐Hao , Ke Zhi‐Bin , Wei Yong , Zheng Qing‐Shui , Xue Xue‐Yi , Xu Ning
Published: June 2018

The mechanism of upper tract recurrence after local excision of bladder cancer remains unknown. This study was designed to identify risk factors for upper tract urothelial recurrence following local tumor excision of bladder cancer. To identify 76 597 bladder cancer patients, comprising 76 537 nonrecurrence and 60 recurrence patients, the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used. Kaplan‐Meier analysis and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine the risk factors. Compared with the nonrecurrence group, the recurrence group was associated with older age, higher grade, high T stage, and higher proportional squamous cell carcinomas. Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression model showed that age, grades III and IV, T stage, and pathology were significantly associated with worse upper tract urothelial recurrence (UTUR) survival. However, after adjusting for prognostic factors, grade was no longer an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis. This study demonstrates that clinical prognosis of UTUR after local bladder tumor excision has significant independent risk factors that include age ≥60 years, T1 and T2 stage, and squamous cell carcinoma, and will require more careful consideration during follow‐up.
Single‐Atom Catalysts for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Liu Haoxuan , Peng Xianyun , Liu Xijun
Published: June 2018

Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is recognized as a promising way to generate clean hydrogen energy. However, its large‐scale application requires the development of cheap and efficient catalysts. An increasing number of reports have been published lately on the HER over single atom catalysts (SACs) owing to the high catalytic activity, stability and maximum atom utilization of SACs, of which the final point endows noble‐metal catalysts with low costs. In this Review, we highlight the electrochemical applications of all reported SACs in the HER, with a particular focus on the discussion of their catalytic properties and mechanisms at the atomic level. The main advantages and challenges of SACs are also summarized. This Review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of current and future applications of SACs in the HER.
Enhancement of Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Glycerol by Plasmonics
Authors: Rasmussen Michelle , Serov Alexey , Artyushkova Kateryna , Chen Dayi , Rose Timothy C. , Atanassov Plamen , Harris Joel M. , Minteer Shelley D.
Published: June 2018

Direct alcohol fuel cells have attracted interest as an alternative energy conversion device, but most systems use either methanol or ethanol. Glycerol, a chemical byproduct of biodiesel production, is a more desirable fuel, because it is safer and has a higher energy density. With this aim, binary Ag−Au plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) were immobilized onto electrodes and evaluated in a glycerol fuel cell. When illuminated with visible light, the power output of the fuel cell increased 100 %. The output at varying wavelengths and light intensities indicates that the enhanced oxidation was related to the catalyst's plasmonic properties. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) showed that the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of the catalyst did not cause heating at the electrode surface, so the enhancement must be a result of either hot electron transfer or breakdown of the fuel into simpler molecules by photogenerated reactive oxygen species. This is the first report of the photoelectrocatalytic oxidation of a complex alcohol fuel by a plasmonic material.
The Identity of “Ternary” A/Tl/Pb or K/Tl/Bi Solid Mixtures and Binary Zintl Anions Isolated From Their Solutions
Authors: Lichtenberger Niels , Franzke Yannick J. , Massa Werner , Weigend Florian , Dehnen Stefanie
Published: June 2018

Investigations of solid mixtures of the elemental combinations A/Tl/Pb (A=Na, K) and K/Tl/Bi indicate the presence of multiple binary and ternary Zintl phases, among them new ones containing Tl and Pb or Bi, respectively. Extractions with en/crypt‐222 afford single crystals of several novel binary anions, including [Tl@Tl4Pb8]4− and (Tl4Bi3)3−. [Tl@Tl4Pb8]4− adopts a closo‐type cage structure despite possessing one additional electron; it is therefore isostructural, yet not isoelectronic, with homoatomic [Tl@Tl12]11− obtained by solid state reactions. (Tl4Bi3)3− is a rare case of a pentagonal bipyramidal Zintl anion, yet the first binary one, and (unlike Tl77−) the first one with a proper closo‐type electron count. Assignment of the numbers and positions of the Tl/Pb or Tl/Bi atoms within the anionic clusters, indistinguishable in classical X‐ray diffraction experiments, was achieved by means of quantum chemistry. The studies shed light on the complex situation in solid heavy element mixtures and their substantial differences from the composition of the Zintl anions obtained from them by extraction.
The Nature of Stable Char Radicals: An ESR and DFT Study of Structural and Hydrogen Bonding Requirements
Authors: Trubetskaya Anna , Larsen Andersen Mogens , Talbro Barsberg Søren
Published: June 2018

Pyrolysis is a promising way to convert biomass into fuels and chemicals. This reaction is complex and inevitably involves a cascade of radical reactions that lead to char formation, in which some radicals become trapped and stabilized. Their nature is difficult to characterize, and in this respect computational chemistry can be a strong supplementary tool to electron spin resonance spectroscopy and other experimental methods. Here biomass char radicals and oxidation reactivity are studied experimentally, and density functional theory is used to predict the thermodynamic stability and g‐values of carbon‐ and oxygen‐centered radicals of polyaromatic char models including defect structures. Hydroxylated and especially certain dihydroxylated structures provide exceptional stabilization of oxygen‐centered radicals. Hydrogen bonding plays a crucial role, and it is proposed that hydrogen atom transfer couples radical localizations. This is a new proposal on the structural requirements for stabilization of char radicals, which impacts our understanding of pyrolysis mechanisms and char reactivity.
Using Genetic Variants in the Targets of Lipid Lowering Therapies to Inform Drug Discovery and Development: Current and Future Treatment Options
Authors: Ference Brian A.
Published: June 2018

Mendelian randomization studies and “human knock‐out” studies of rare loss‐of‐function coding variants suggest that plasma levels of low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol LDL‐C, triglycerides (TGs), and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) are causally associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease, and, therefore, therapies directed against these targets should reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. However, several therapies directed against these targets have failed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in large‐scale randomized trials, thus suggesting that causality is not sufficient evidence to establish genetic target validation. Instead, the critical question that needs to be answered to improve drug discovery and development is how much a causal biomarker needs to be changed to produce a clinically meaningful benefit in a short‐term trial. This review describes how to use naturally randomized genetic evidence to accurately anticipate the results of randomized trials evaluating current and future lipid lowering therapies, inform the design of randomized trials, and transform the drug discovery and development process.
A Novel Method to Estimate Long‐Term Chronological Changes From Fragmented Observations in Disease Progression
Authors: Ishida Takaaki , Tokuda Keita , Hisaka Akihiro , Honma Masashi , Kijima Shinichi , Takatoku Hiroyuki , Iwatsubo Takeshi , Moritoyo Takashi , Suzuki Hiroshi ,   The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: June 2018

Clinical observations of patients with chronic diseases are often restricted in terms of duration. Therefore, obtaining a quantitative and comprehensive understanding of the chronology of chronic diseases is challenging, because of the inability to precisely estimate the patient's disease stage at the time point of observation. We developed a novel method to reconstitute long‐term disease progression from temporally fragmented data by extending the nonlinear mixed‐effects model to incorporate the estimation of “disease time” of each subject. Application of this method to sporadic Alzheimer's disease successfully depicted disease progression over 20 years. The covariate analysis revealed earlier onset of amyloid‐β accumulation in male and female apolipoprotein E ε4 homozygotes, whereas disease progression was remarkably slower in female ε3 homozygotes compared with female ε4 carriers and males. Simulation of a clinical trial suggests patient recruitment using the information of precise disease time of each patient will decrease the sample size required for clinical trials.
Harvesting invasive plants to reduce nutrient loads and produce bioenergy: an assessment of Great Lakes coastal wetlands
Authors: Carson Brendan D. , Lishawa Shane C. , Tuchman Nancy C. , Monks Andrew M. , Lawrence Beth A. , Albert Dennis A.
Published: June 2018

In Laurentian Great Lakes coastal wetlands (GLCWs), dominant emergent invasive plants are expanding their ranges and compromising the unique habitat and ecosystem service values that these ecosystems provide. Herbiciding and burning to control invasive plants have not been effective in part because neither strategy addresses the most common root cause of invasion, nutrient enrichment. Mechanical harvesting is an alternative approach that removes tissue‐bound phosphorus and nitrogen and can increase wetland plant diversity and aquatic connectivity between wetland and lacustrine systems. In this study, we used data from three years of Great Lakes‐wide wetland plant surveys, published literature, and bioenergy analyses to quantify the overall areal extent of GLCWs, the extent and biomass of the three most dominant invasive plants, the pools of nitrogen and phosphorus contained within their biomass, and the potential for harvesting this biomass to remediate nutrient runoff and produce renewable energy. Of the approximately 212,000 ha of GLCWs, three invasive plants (invasive cattail, common reed, and reed canary grass) dominated 76,825 ha (36%). The coastal wetlands of Lake Ontario exhibited the highest proportion of invasive dominance (57%) of any of the Great Lakes, primarily from cattail. A single growing season's biomass of these invasive plants across all GLCWs was estimated at 659,545 metric tons: 163,228 metric tons of reed canary grass, 270,474 metric tons of common reed, and 225,843 metric tons of invasive cattail, and estimated to contain 10,805 and 1144 metric tons of nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively. A one‐time harvest and utilization for energy of this biomass would provide the gross equivalent of 1.8 million barrels of oil if combusted, or 0.9 million barrels of oil if converted to biogas in an anaerobic digester. We discuss the potential for mitigating non‐point source nutrient pollution with invasive wetland plant removal, and other potential uses for the harvested biomass, including compost and direct application to agricultural soils. Finally, we describe the research and adaptive management program we have built around this concept, and point to current limitations to the implementation of large‐scale invasive plant harvesting.
Ruthenium(II) Complexes of 4′‐(Aryl)‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridyl Ligands as Simple Catalysts for the Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones
Authors: Maity Apurba , Sil Amit , Patra Sanjib K.
Published: June 2018

A series of cationic [Ru(L)(PPh3)2Cl]+ (1–3) and neutral [Ru(L)(PPh3)Cl2] (4–6) RuII complexes were synthesized by reacting [RuCl2(PPh3)2] with 4′‐(aryl)‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridyl‐based ligands (L1–L3) with various aryl groups (tolyl, phenyl and 4‐fluorophenyl). The synthesized RuII complexes were unambiguously characterized by various spectroscopic techniques such as FTIR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy as well as HRMS. The neutral complexes (4–6) were also structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. Photophysical and electrochemical studies of the RuII complexes were performed to elucidate the effects of the 4′‐aryl substituents of L1–L3. These RuII complexes show good catalytic activities in the transfer hydrogenation (TH) of ketones with a wide substrates scope in 2‐propanol under reflux. An optimization study revealed that the neutral RuII complexes are better catalysts than the cationic RuII complexes for TH reactions. Finally, [Ru(L1)(PPh3)2H]+ (7) with a [RuII–H] functionality was successfully synthesized and isolated and is proposed as the catalytically active species. A control experiment with the [RuII–H] complex in the absence of base was performed to establish the mechanism for the catalytic TH of ketones.
Expedient Synthesis of Thioether‐Functionalized Hydrotris(indazolyl)borate as an Anchoring Platform for Rotary Molecular Machines
Authors: Erbland Guillaume , Gisbert Yohan , Rapenne Gwénaël , Kammerer Claire
Published: June 2018

Major improvements in the synthesis of surface‐mounted rotary molecular machines based on ruthenium(II) complexes are reported. The development of a one‐pot indium(III)‐mediated “N‐deprotection/ester reductive sulfidation” sequence allowed step economy, reproducibility and high efficiency in the synthesis of the thioether‐functionalized tripodal ligand. Switching to the thallium salt of hydrotris(indazolyl)borate and to microwave heating further optimized the preparation of the common intermediate in the modular synthesis of symmetric and dissymmetric molecular motors and gears. The penta(4‐bromophenyl)cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) key precursor is now reproducibly synthesized in 5 steps and 31 % overall yield on the longest linear sequence. Subsequent fivefold Suzuki–Miyaura coupling with ferroceneboronic acid led to a new C5‐symmetric pentaferrocenyl molecular motor.
The effect of intermittent drying on the cracking ratio of soybeans (Glycine max) at different relative humidity using reaction engineering approach modeling
Authors: Jung Hwabin , Yoon Won Byong
Published: June 2018

Intermittent drying (ID) was applied to reduce soybean cracking because of the low moisture gradient and little thermal stress on soybeans during their tempering period. The drying temperature and relative humidity (RH) for the drying and tempering periods were 35°C and 20% and 25°C and 43%, respectively. The intermittency (α) of the drying was defined as the ratio of the drying period to the duration of the drying and tempering periods, and it varied at α = 1, 0.5, 0.4, and 0.25 to evaluate the drying characteristics and the soybeans’ quality. Intermittency processes redistributed the moisture in the soybean so that the low thermal stress was applied to the soybeans. The percentage of cracked grains increased with increasing the duration of drying period and decreasing tempering period. The moisture content and temperature changes during drying of soybeans were well fitted by reaction engineering approach (REA) modeling. Additionally, the physics that describe the soybeans’ drying behavior during ID were explained by the model parameters obtained from the REA modeling, such as the surface relative humidity and the surface water vapor concentration. ID showed the highest drying efficiency at α = 0.25 regarding the total drying time (13,800 s, i.e., the shortest drying time) and the lowest cracking ratio (<2.18%).
Geochemistry of Byzantine and Early Islamic glass from Jerash, Jordan: Typology, recycling, and provenance
Authors: Barfod Gry Hoffmann , Freestone Ian C. , Lichtenberger Achim , Raja Rubina , Schwarzer Holger
Published: June 2018

Twenty‐two objects of glass from the Decapolis city of Gerasa, N. Jordan, with characteristic vessel forms ranging from Hellenistic to Early Islamic (2nd century BCE to 8th century CE) were analyzed for major and trace elements, and 16 samples for Sr‐isotopes. The majority were produced in the vicinity of Apollonia on the Palestine coast in the 6th–7th centuries CE, and strong inter‐element correlations for Fe, Ti, Mn, Mg, Nb reflect local variations in the accessory minerals in the Apollonia glassmaking sand. The ubiquity of recycling is reflected in elevated concentrations and high coefficients of variation of colorant‐related elements as well as a strong positive correlation between K and P. The high level of K contamination is attributed to the use of pomace (olive processing residue) as fuel, and a negative correlation with Cl, due to volatilization as the glass was reheated. This points to an efficient system for the collection of glass for recycling in Jerash during the latter part of the first millennium CE. Differences in elemental behavior at different sites in the Levant may reflect the context of the recycling system, for example, glass from secular contexts may contain less colorants derived from mosaics than glass associated with churches.
Chronic depressive symptomatology and CSF amyloid beta and tau levels in mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Gonzales Mitzi M. , Insel Philip S. , Nelson Craig , Tosun Duygu , Schöll Michael , Mattsson Niklas , Sacuiu Simona , Bickford David , Weiner Michael W. , Mackin R. Scott ,   the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: June 2018

Objectives

To investigate the association between chronic subsyndromal symptoms of depression (SSD), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, and neuropsychological performance in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods

Participants included 238 older adults diagnosed with MCI from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative repository with cognitive and CSF amyloid beta (Aβ1–42), total tau (t‐tau), and phosphorylated tau (p‐tau) data. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory identified individuals with chronic endorsement (SSD group N = 80) or no endorsement (non‐SSD group N = 158) of depressive symptoms across timepoints. CSF biomarker and cognitive performance were evaluated with linear regression models adjusting for age, education, gender, APOE genotype, global cognitive status, and SSD group.

Results

As compared to the non‐SSD group, the SSD group displayed lower CSF Aβ1–42 levels (β = −24.293, S.E. = 6.345, P < 0.001). No group differences were observed for CSF t‐tau (P = 0.497) or p‐tau levels (P = 0.392). Lower CSF Aβ1–42 levels were associated with poorer performance on learning (β = 0.041, S.E. = 0.018, P = 0.021) and memory (β = −0.012, S.E. = 0.005, P = 0.031) measures, whereas higher CSF t‐tau levels were associated with poorer performance on measures of global cognition (β = 0.022, S.E = 0.008, P = 0.007) and language (β = −0.010, S.E = 0.004, P = 0.019). SSD was independently associated with diminished global cognition, learning and memory, language, and executive function performance over and above the effects of CSF biomarkers (all P < 0.05).

Conclusions

MCI participants with SSD displayed diminished CSF Aβ1–42 levels but did not differ from non‐SSD controls in CSF tau levels. Additionally, CSF biomarkers and SSD independently accounted for variance in cognitive performance, suggesting that these factors may uniquely confer cognitive risk in MCI.
The influence of aging on the methylation status of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor gene in blood
Authors: Ihara Kazushige , Fuchikami Manabu , Hashizume Masahiro , Okada Satoshi , Kawai Hisashi , Obuchi Shuichi , Hirano Hirohiko , Fujiwara Yoshinori , Hachisu Mitsugu , Hongyong Kim , Morinobu Shigeru
Published: June 2018

Objective

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders in adults and elderly individuals, and as a result, the DNA methylation (DNAm) of the BDNF gene in peripheral tissues including blood has been extensively examined to develop a useful biomarker for psychiatric disorders. However, studies to date have not previously investigated the effect of age on DNAm of the BDNF gene in blood. In this context, we measured DNAm of 39 CpG units in the CpG island at the promoter of exon I of the BDNF gene.

Methods

We analyzed genomic DNA from peripheral blood of 105 health Japanese women 20 to 80 years of age to identify aging‐associated change in DNAm of the BDNF gene. In addition, we examined the relationship between total MMSE scores, numbers of stressful life events, and serum BDNF levels on DNAm of the BDNF gene. The DNAm rate at each CpG unit was measured using a MassArray® system (Agena Bioscience), and serum BDNF levels were measured by ELISA.

Results

There was a significant correlation between DNAm and age in 13 CpGs. However, there was no significant correlation between DNAm and total MMSE scores, numbers of life events, or serum BDNF levels.

Conclusion

Despite the small number of subjects and the inclusion of only female subjects, our results suggest that DNAm of 13 CpGs of the BDNF gene may be an appropriate biomarker for aging and useful for predicting increased susceptibility to age‐related psychiatric disorders.
Longitudinal white matter microstructural change in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Pozorski Vincent , Oh Jennifer M. , Adluru Nagesh , Merluzzi Andrew P. , Theisen Frances , Okonkwo Ozioma , Barzgari Amy , Krislov Stephanie , Sojkova Jitka , Bendlin Barbara B. , Johnson Sterling C. , Alexander Andrew L. , Gallagher Catherine L.
Published: June 2018

Postmortem studies of Parkinson's disease (PD) suggest that Lewy body pathology accumulates in a predictable topographical sequence, beginning in the olfactory bulb, followed by caudal brainstem, substantia nigra, limbic cortex, and neocortex. Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) is sensitive, if not specific, to early disease‐related white matter (WM) change in a variety of traumatic and degenerative brain diseases. Although numerous cross‐sectional studies have reported DWI differences in cerebral WM in PD, only a few longitudinal studies have investigated whether DWI change exceeds that of normal aging or coincides with regional Lewy body accumulation. This study mapped regional differences in the rate of DWI‐based microstructural change between 29 PD patients and 43 age‐matched controls over 18 months. Iterative within‐ and between‐subject tensor‐based registration was completed on motion‐ and eddy current‐corrected DWI images, then baseline versus follow‐up difference maps of fractional anisotropy, mean, radial, and axial diffusivity were analyzed in the Biological Parametric Mapping toolbox for MATLAB. This analysis showed that PD patients had a greater decline in WM integrity in the rostral brainstem, caudal subcortical WM, and cerebellar peduncles, compared with controls. In addition, patients with unilateral clinical signs at baseline experienced a greater rate of WM change over the 18‐month study than patients with bilateral signs. These findings suggest that rate of WM microstructural change in PD exceeds that of normal aging and is maximal during early stage disease. In addition, the neuroanatomic locations (rostral brainstem and subcortical WM) of accelerated WM change fit with current theories of topographic disease progression.
Reaction‐based AIE‐active Fluorescent Probes for Selective Detection and Imaging
Authors: Gao Xiaoying , Sun Jing Zhi , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: June 2018

Fluorescent probes have been widely investigated for their features of rapid response, easy operation and high sensitivity. Among them, reaction‐based fluorescent probes, for their unique reaction‐based nature, guarantee them with excellent selectivity, effectively avoiding the possible interference from other chemical and biological species in physiological environment. Conventional reaction‐based fluorescent probes are aggregation‐caused quenching (ACQ) fluorophores. The application of these kinds of probes are limited for their poor photostability and narrow Stokes shifts. Compared with ACQ fluorophores, aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) fluorophores become emissive in aggregation states with higher signal‐to‐noise ratio, better photostability and larger Stokes shifts. In this review, we summarize the latest developed reaction‐based AIE‐active probes, including the design principle and application in various sensing systems and give an outlook for the future development of this kind of promising fluorescent probes.
Evaluation of neonicotinoid insecticides for oestrogenic, thyroidogenic and adipogenic activity reveals imidacloprid causes lipid accumulation
Authors: Mesnage Robin , Biserni Martina , Genkova Dilyana , Wesolowski Ludovic , Antoniou Michael N.
Published: June 2018

Few studies have investigated non‐target effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on mammalian physiology. This is largely due to the widespread perception that their weak affinity for nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes in vertebrates makes mammalian exposures unlikely to pose health risks. To the best of our knowledge, we describe the first investigation evaluating the interaction of seven principal neonicotinoid insecticides (thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, clothianidin, flupyradifurone, dinotefuran, nitenpyram, thiacloprid) with oestrogen and thyroid hormone receptors, as well as their adipogenic effects, in mammalian cell culture assay systems. An E‐Screen with MCF‐7 and T‐Screen with GH3 cells respectively showed a lack of oestrogen and thyroid hormone receptor agonist effects for any of the neonicotinoids tested. Adipogenicity was assessed by the ability to stimulate lipid accumulation in adipocyte differentiated 3T3‐L1 cells, with only imidacloprid scoring positive in this assay causing triglyceride accumulation from a concentration of 50 mg l−1. Data mining of ToxCast high‐throughput screening assays revealed that this adipogenic effect of imidacloprid is probably mediated via the pregnane X receptor.
Photothermal therapy enhanced the effectiveness of imiquimod against refractory cutaneous warts through boosting immune responses
Authors: Shi Lei , Luo Min , Zhang Fuhe , Zhang Linglin , Wang Bo , Liu Pei , Zhang Yunfeng , Zhang Haiyan , Yang Degang , Zhang Guolong , Zhou Feifan , Stepp Herbert , Sroka Ronald , Chen Wei R. , Wang Xiuli
Published: June 2018

Refractory cutaneous warts are difficult to eliminate. In situ photo‐immunotherapy (ISPI) is an innovative treatment concept combining local photothermal therapy (PTT) and topical immunotherapy using imiquimod. To compare the efficacy of ISPI vs topical imiquimod alone, a prospective randomized controlled trial was performed with patients suffering from refractory cutaneous warts. In both groups, approximately 50% of the skin surface containing warts was treated for 6 weeks. On the basis of topical imiquimod, ISPI includes an additional 808 nm laser irradiation. Treatment response, temperatures during irradiation and histopathologic examination were evaluated. The complete response rate in the ISPI‐group (22/36, 61.1%) was significantly higher than in the imiquimod alone group (11/34, 32.4%). In the ISPI‐group, the mean maximum temperature was 44.5 ± 5.1°C, and obvious lymphocytic infiltration was found in the perivasculature of the dermis. There was no recurrence or worsening in both groups during the 12‐month follow‐up. No obvious adverse reaction was observed. This study demonstrates that ISPI can be used as an effective and safe treatment modality for refractory cutaneous warts.
Comparison of Methods for Improving Fracture Risk Assessment in Diabetes: The Manitoba BMD Registry
Authors: Leslie William D , Johansson Helena , McCloskey Eugene V , Harvey Nicholas C , Kanis John A , Hans Didier
Published: June 2018

Type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for fracture independent of FRAX (fracture risk assessment) probability. We directly compared four proposed methods to improve the performance of FRAX for type 2 diabetes by: (1) including the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) input to FRAX; (2) making a trabecular bone score (TBS) adjustment to FRAX; (3) reducing the femoral neck T-score input to FRAX by 0.5 SD; and (4) increasing the age input to FRAX by 10 years. We examined major osteoporotic fractures (MOFs) and hip fractures (HFs) over a mean of 8.3 years observation among 44,543 women and men 40 years of age or older (4136 with diabetes) with baseline lumbar spine and hip DXA from 1999 through 2016. Controlled for unadjusted FRAX probability, diabetes was associated with an increased risk for MOFs and HFs. All four FRAX adjustments attenuated the effect of diabetes, but a residual effect of diabetes was seen on MOF risk after TBS adjustment, and on HF risk after the RA and TBS adjustments. Among those with diabetes, unadjusted FRAX risk underestimated MOF (observed/predicted ratio 1.15; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.28), but this was no longer significant after applying the diabetes adjustments. HF risk was more severely underestimated (observed/predicted ratio 1.85; 95% CI, 1.51 to 2.20) and was only partially corrected with the diabetes adjustments (still significant for the RA and TBS adjustments). Among those with diabetes, there was moderate reclassification based upon a fixed MOF cut-off of 20% (4.1% to 7.1%) or fixed HF cut-off of 3% (5.7% to 16.5%). Net reclassification improvement increased for MOF with each of the diabetes adjustments (range 3.9% to 5.6% in the diabetes subgroup). In conclusion, each of the proposed methods for addressing limitations in the ability of FRAX to assess fracture risk in individuals with diabetes was found to improve performance, though no single method was optimal in all settings. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Bone and bone marrow disruption by endocrine‐active substances
Authors: Agas Dimitrios , Lacava Giovanna , Sabbieti Maria Giovanna
Published: June 2018

Bone is a multifaceted dynamic tissue, involved in mobility, mineral metabolism, and mesenchymal or stromal and hematopoietic progenitor or stem cells breading. Recently, an endocrine role has been attributed to bone due to its ability to produce at least two hormones (osteocalcin and fibroblast growth factor 23) and to participate directly or indirectly in leptin, insulin, estrogens, and serotonin signaling; regulation; and action. Also, bearing in mind the enormous amounts of substances secreted by the different bone marrow cell types, it becomes understandable the contribution of bone tissue to systemic homeostasis. Besides, bone is a well‐known estrogen‐responsive tissue, reacting to environmental influences. Thus, it has been coined as a critical target of environmental xenoestrogens, known as endocrine‐disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The exposure to EDCs results to disruption or imbalance of the systemic hormonal regulation of the skeleton including bone modeling and remodeling, local hormones, and cytokine or chemokine release. The present report highlights the harmful EDCs effects on bone tissue and provides up‐to‐date information of xenoestrogen action on proliferation, maturation, and homing of bone marrow inhabitants.
Bone morphogenetic protein‐2 is a stronger inducer of osteogenesis within muscle tissue than heterodimeric bone morphogenetic protein‐2/6 and ‐2/7: Implications for expedited gene‐enhanced bone repair
Authors: Betz Volker M. , Ren Bin , Messmer Carolin , Jansson Volkmar , Betz Oliver B. , Müller Peter E.
Published: June 2018

Background

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)‐2 gene‐activated muscle tissue fragments can regenerate large bone defects in preclinical animal models. The use of tissue fragments instead of isolated cells expedites gene‐enhanced tissue engineering and may increase the possibility of clinical translation. The present in vitro study investigated whether the osteoinductive effect of BMP‐2 on muscle tissue fragments can be enhanced using the heterodimers BMP‐2/6 or BMP‐2/7.

Methods

Skeletal muscle tissue fragments from rats were cultured in vitro for up to 20 days in normal medium, osteogenic medium or osteogenic medium supplemented with either a low (50 ng/ml) or high (200 ng/ml) concentration of recombinant human BMP‐2, BMP‐2/6 or BMP‐2/7. Osteoinduction was evaluated by a quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction, Alizarin red S staining, immunohistology and histomorphometry.

Results

Interestingly, BMP‐2 was a significantly stronger inducer of osteogenic differentiation within muscle tissue than both heterodimers. Even the low concentration of BMP‐2 elicited significantly higher levels of calcium deposition, bone‐specific gene expression and protein production than the high concentration of both heterodimers. At the high concentration, BMP‐2/7 had a significantly stronger osteogenic effect on muscle than BMP‐2/6.

Conclusions

The homodimer BMP‐2 induced osteoblastogenesis in muscle faster, at a lower concentration and with a higher potency than the heterodimers BMP‐2/6 or BMP‐2/7. The findings of this in vitro study encourage bone repair by muscle implants in combination with BMP‐2 single growth factor delivery, which might be beneficial with respect to clinical translation.
DNA physical interaction mediated b‐lymphoma treatment offered by tetra benzimidazole‐substituted zinc (ii) phthalocyanine derivative
Authors: Muhammad Bushra Taj , Ullah Azeem , Muhammad Munira Taj , Arshad Tanzila
Published: June 2018

Role of heterocyclic compounds with nitrogen substitution in therapeutic frontiers is well established. The efforts made in this study are directed to dissect the biological significance of benzimidazole‐substituted zinc phthalocyanine derivative. Its capacity to act as an anticancer agent against the 2 B‐lymphoma cell lines (low‐grade and high‐grade malignancy) was found out by recording florescence using Alamar blue dye. Further cytotoxic effect at the DNA level was analyzed by performing agarose gel electrophoresis. Molecular docking studies made mechanistic details crystal clear by showing potential dual binding modes employed for interaction with DNA that include minor groove binding and intercalation between bases. This advocates this derivative as potential anticancer agent and deserves further rounds of mechanistic study for its final journey to serve as a marketed drug.
Egg product freshness evaluation: A metabolomic approach
Authors: Cavanna Daniele , Catellani Dante , Dall'Asta Chiara , Suman Michele
Published: June 2018

Egg products' freshness is a crucial issue for the production of safe and high‐quality commodities. Up to now, this parameter is assessed with the quantification of few compounds, but the possibility to evaluate more molecules simultaneously could help to provide robust results.

In this study, 31 compounds responsible of freshness and not freshness of egg products were selected with a metabolomic approach. After an ultrahigh‐pressure liquid chromatography–high‐resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐HRMS) analysis, different chemometric models were created to select gradually the most significant features that were finally extracted and identified through HRMS data.

Sample lots were collected directly from their arrival at the production plant sites, extracted immediately after, then left at room temperature, and extracted again after 24 and 48 hours (first day and second day, respectively). A total amount of 79 samples was used for the model creation.

Furthermore, the same compounds were detected in seven new egg products sample lots not used for the model creation and treated with the same experimental design (total amount of samples, 21).

The results obtained clearly demonstrate that these 31 molecules can be considered real freshness or not freshness chemical markers.

Furthermore, this UHPLC‐HRMS metabolomic approach allows for the detection of a larger set of metabolites clearly related to possible microbial growth over time, which is a relevant point for also ensuring food safety.
Camu‐camu (Myrciaria dubia) from commercial cultivation has higher levels of bioactive compounds than native cultivation (Amazon Forest) and presents antimutagenic effects in vivo
Authors: Azevedo Luciana , de Araujo Ribeiro Paula F , de Carvalho Oliveira Jéssica A , Correia Maryana G , Ramos Flávia M , de Oliveira Eduardo B , Barros Frederico , Stringheta Paulo C
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Camu‐camu (Myrciaria dubia) is a typical Amazonian fruit and has high antioxidant capacity due to its high levels of vitamin C and phenolic compounds. This study aimed to determine the phytochemicals, antioxidant capacity and antimutagenic effects of camu‐camu fruits with different maturity stages grown in dry (commercial cultivation) or flooded environments (native cultivation, Amazon).

RESULTS

Total polyphenols, ascorbic acid and in vitro antioxidant capacity levels were higher in ripe fruits grown in a commercial cultivation. The extracts from ripe camu‐camu grown in a commercial cultivation exerted antioxidant effects and high percentage of protection against doxorubicin and 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine in all tested systems (liver, bone marrow and gut), for three camu‐camu extract concentrations (17, 85 and 170 mg kg−1 body weight), as follows: bone marrow minocronucleus (37.91%, 41.75%, 43.95%); micronucleus gut test (61.01%, 64.40%, 50.28%); apoptosis index (60.26%, 62.44%, 58.22%); comet assay through the tail moment (71.64%, 72.31%, 70.70%), percent DNA in the tail (64.54%, 68.75%, 76.79%) and tail intensity (76.43%, 81.02%, 68.33%).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study contribute to increasing the production of camu‐camu fruits grown in dry environments and their use as a health‐promoting food. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Dose rates of electron beam and gamma ray irradiation affect microbial decontamination and quality changes in dried red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) powder
Authors: Kyung Hyun‐Kyu , Ramakrishnan Sudha Rani , Kwon Joong‐Ho
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Due to differences in radiation sources (electron beam from electron accelerator, gamma ray from 60Co radionuclide) and energy delivery time (dose rate, kGy/time), the effects on foods are expected to be different with regard to chemical quality change and microbial decontamination. To better understand this impact, effects of variable dose rates of electron beam (EB, kGy s−1) and gamma rays (GR, kGy h−1) on microbial reduction, capsanthin content, and color parameters of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) powders (RPP) were determined. RPP samples were irradiated with 3 kGy absorbed dose, at variable dose rates of 1 and 5 kGy s−1 of EB (10 MeV/10 kW), and 1.8 and 9 kGy h−1 of GR (60Co).

RESULTS

Aerobic plate counts (APC) as well as yeast and mold counts of non‐irradiated samples were 7.12 log CFU g−1 and 6.62 log CFU g−1, respectively. EB and GR reduced these by 2–3 log CFU g−1. A lower dose rate (1 kGy s−1) of EB was more effective for microbial reduction than a higher dose rate (5 kGy s−1). In contrast, a higher dose rate (9 kGy h−1) of GR efficiently decreased APC compared to a lower dose rate (1.8 kGy h−1). Higher EB and GR dose rates significantly decreased the capsanthin content and Hunter's red color (a* value).

CONCLUSION

Low EB (kGy s−1) and high GR (kGy h−1) dose rates are recommended for microbiological safety of RPP with negligible changes in color attributes visible to the human eye, in contrast to the measured values. Thus the study demonstrates that the influence of absorbed dose is dependent on the applied dose rates. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Investigation on characteristics of 3D printing using Nostoc sphaeroides biomass
Authors: An Yan‐Jun , Guo Chao‐Fan , Zhang Min , Zhong Ze‐Ping
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Gel‐like constructs can be produced using an extrusion‐based 3D food printing (3D‐FP) technique. Nostoc sphaeroides biomass is a natural gel material. Considering its good nutrition and rheological properties, these algae were chosen in this study as supply material (ink) for 3D‐FP. With this gel material, the extrusion‐based 3D printing system was set as a model, and the printing behavior was investigated. Furthermore, the 3D‐FP mechanisms were explained through low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance and rheological measurements.

RESULTS

Results indicated that although fresh biomass gel was printable, non‐uniformity and instability occurred during printing. Blanched inks showed non‐smooth printing behavior, which was associated with a decrease in elasticity and viscosity. Printability was improved by increasing the rehydration time to 24 h when rehydrated powder was used. Increasing the rehydration time increased the water‐binding degree. Pre‐gelatinized potato starch was added to the mixture at ratios ranging from 1 to 100 g kg−1. The best printing outcome was observed at 40 g kg−1 potato starch.

CONCLUSION

We emphasize that elasticity and viscosity balance is an essential parameter to achieve printability. The strategies adopted in this work provide new insights into the development of personalized food regarding texture and nutritional additive content. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry