bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rhodium-catalyzed regioselective ortho-allylation of 2,4-diarylquinazolines with allylic acetate
Authors: Gao Wei , Yu Dongbo , Liu Deming , Xu Linchu , Ding Qiuping , Peng Yiyuan
Published: February 2019

In this paper, a rhodium-catalyzed regioselective reaction of 2,4-diarylquinazolines with allylic acetate is described, leading to allylated quinazoline derivatives with high efficiency and good tolerance of functional groups. By switching to 2-arylquinazolin-4-ones, tandem C–H activation and aza-Michael addition are involved, leading to 1,6-dimethyl-5H-isoquinolino[1,2-b]quinazolin-8(6H)-one derivatives with high efficiency.
The “twin paradox”: the role of acceleration
Authors: Gamboa J. , Mendez F. , Paranjape M.B. , Sirois Benoit
Published: February 2019

The “twin paradox” corresponds to the situation where two twins begin at rest in an inertial reference frame, one of them takes a journey, normally very fast and to a distant place, and then returns to the twin at rest. The “twin paradox” evokes the idea that each twin would say that it should be the other who is younger because of their relative motion. A complete resolution of the paradox corresponds to the calculation of the elapsed proper time of each twin, by each twin, and the subsequent observation that they actually get the same answer, that the travelling twin is indeedthe younger twin. Acceleration has a role to play; indeed, if one tries to calculate the age difference from the point of the view of the travelling twin, then the role of the acceleration is crucial and cannot be dismissed. In this tutorial, we show in complete and pedagogical detail, how to do the necessary calculations according to each twin using simple transformations of coordinates.
Water-assisted production of late-orogenic trondhjemites at magmatic and subsolidus conditions
Authors: Fiannacca Patrizia , Basei Miguel A. S. , Cirrincione Rosolino , Pezzino Antonino , Russo Damiano
Published: February 2019

Peraluminous granites and trondhjemites make up small plutonic bodies intruded into high-grade paragneisses in the Peloritani Mountains, marking the beginning of late Variscan granitoid magmatism in southernmost Italy. The granites range from low-Ca monzogranites to alkali feldspar granites, while the trondhjemites vary from trondhjemites
s.s
. to low-Ca trondhjemites. Relatively high radiogenic (
87
Sr/
86
Sr)
i
ratios (mostly from 0.7073 to 0.7125) and negative
ε
Nd values (mostly from −5.66 to −8.73) point to crustal sources for all the granitoids. Major and trace element compositions indicate an absence of genetic relationships between the trondhjemites
s.s
. and the low-Ca granitoids, but possible relationships between the low-Ca trondhjemites and the granites. All of the studied granitoids have near-pure melts compositions, consistent with H
2
O-fluxed and dehydration melting of metasediments for the trondhjemites and the granites, respectively. However, the unusual compositions of the low-Ca trondhjemites and microstructural evidence in these rocks for pervasive subsolidus replacement of magmatic feldspars by secondary sodic plagioclase indicate that they were derived instead from metasomatic alteration of the granites. Thus, water may be involved in the production of trondhjemites in two different ways, driving water-fluxed melting in the magma source and driving alkali metasomatism at the sites of granite emplacement in the upper crust.
Measuring Performance in Knowledge-intensive Processes
Authors: Estrada-Torres Bedilia , Richetti Pedro Henrique Piccoli , Del-Río-Ortega Adela , Baião Fernanda Araujo , Resinas Manuel , Santoro Flávia Maria , Ruiz-Cortés Antonio
Published: February 2019

Knowledge-intensive Processes (KIPs) are processes whose execution is heavily dependent on knowledge workers performing various interconnected knowledge-intensive decision-making tasks. Among other characteristics, KIPs are usually non-repeatable, collaboration-oriented, unpredictable, and, in many cases, driven by implicit knowledge, derived from the capabilities and previous experiences of participants. Despite the growing body of research focused on understanding KIPs and on proposing systems to support these KIPs, the research question on how to define performance measures thereon remains open. In this article, we address this issue with a proposal to enable the performance management of KIPs. Our approach comprises an ontology that allows us to define process performance indicators (PPIs) in the context of KIPs, and a methodology that builds on the ontology and the concepts of lead and lag indicators to provide process participants with actionable guidelines that help them conduct the KIP in a way that fulfills a set of performance goals. Both the ontology and the methodology have been applied to a case study of a real organization in Brazil to manage the performance of an Incident Troubleshooting Process within an ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Outsourcing Company.
Radiation Constrained Fair Charging for Wireless Power Transfer
Authors: Li Lanlan , Dai Haipeng , Chen Guihai , Zheng Jiaqi , Dou Wanchun , Wu Xiaobing
Published: February 2019

Recently, wireless power transfer technology (WPT) has attracted considerable attention and become a promising technology to prolong the lifetime of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) by providing perpetual energy to sensors. However, electromagnetic radiation (EMR) incurred by WPT is largely overlooked in most of the existing literature. In this article, we first propose and study the radiation constrained fair charging problem for WPT, i.e., maximizing the minimum utility of sensors by adjusting the power of wireless chargers with no EMR intensity at any location in the field exceeding a given threshold R
t
. To address this problem, we first adopt an area discretization method to transform it from nonlinear to linear. Then, we propose four algorithms to deal with the reformulated problem, i.e., 1/3 and 1/4 Approximation Algorithms, Primal-Dual algorithm, and area division algorithm. In particular, the area division algorithm is not only fully distributed but also provably achieves an approximation ratio of (1 − ϵ). Further, we conduct extensive simulations and build a field testbed to verify our theoretical findings. Our simulation results show that the approximation ratios of the proposed algorithms hold; the Primal-Dual and area division algorithms have comparable performance of the optimal results and outperform baseline algorithms obviously.
A Multi-View–Based Collective Entity Linking Method
Authors: Liu Ming , Gong Gu , Qin Bing , Liu Ting
Published: February 2019

Facing lots of name mentions appearing on the web, entity linking is essential for many information processing applications. To improve linking accuracy, the relations between entities are usually considered in the linking process. This kind of method is called collective entity linking and can obtain high-quality results. There are two kinds of information helpful to reveal the relations between entities, i.e., contextual information and structural information of entities. Most traditional collective entity linking methods consider them separately. In fact, these two kinds of information represent entities from specific and diverse views and can enhance each other, respectively. Besides, if we look into each view closely, it can be separated into sub-views that are more meaningful. For this reason, this article proposes a multi-view–based collective entity linking algorithm, which combines several views of entities into an objective function for entity linking. The importance of each view can be valued and the linking results can be obtained along with resolving this objective function. Experimental results demonstrate that our linking algorithm can acquire higher accuracy than many state-of-the-art entity linking methods. Besides, since we simplify the entity's structure and change the entity linking to a sub-matrix searching problem, our algorithm also obtains high efficiency.
An Efficient Memory Partitioning Approach for Multi-Pattern Data Access via Data Reuse
Authors: Li Wensong , Yang Fan , Zhu Hengliang , Zeng Xuan , Zhou Dian
Published: February 2019

Memory bandwidth has become a bottleneck that impedes performance improvement during the parallelism optimization of the datapath. Memory partitioning is a practical approach to reduce bank-level conflicts and increase the bandwidth on a field-programmable gate array. In this work, we propose a memory partitioning approach for multi-pattern data access. First, we propose to combine multiple patterns into a single pattern to reduce the complexity of multi-pattern. Then, we propose to perform data reuse analysis on the combined pattern to find data reuse opportunities and the non-reusable data pattern. Finally, an efficient bank mapping algorithm with low complexity and low overhead is proposed to find the optimal memory partitioning solution. Experimental results demonstrated that compared to the state-of-the-art method, our proposed approach can reduce the number of block RAMS by 58.9% on average, with 79.6% reduction in SLICEs, 85.3% reduction in LUTs, 67.9% in reduction Flip-Flops, 54.6% reduction in DSP48Es, 83.9% reduction in SRLs, 50.0% reduction in storage overhead, 95.0% reduction in execution time, and 77.3% reduction in dynamic power consumption on average. Meanwhile, the performance can be improved by 14.0% on average.
Tissue-Resident T Cells and Other Resident Leukocytes
Authors: Masopust David , Soerens Andrew G.
Published: February 2019

Resident memory T (Trm) cells stably occupy tissues and cannot be sampled in superficial venous blood. Trm cells are heterogeneous but collectively constitute the most abundant memory T cell subset. Trm cells form an integral part of the immune sensing network, monitor for local perturbations in homeostasis throughout the body, participate in protection from infection and cancer, and likely promote autoimmunity, allergy, and inflammatory diseases and impede successful transplantation. Thus Trm cells are major candidates for therapeutic manipulation. Here we review CD8+and CD4+Trm ontogeny, maintenance, function, and distribution within lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues and strategies for their study. We briefly discuss other resident leukocyte populations, including innate lymphoid cells, macrophages, natural killer and natural killer T cells, nonclassical T cells, and memory B cells. Lastly, we highlight major gaps in knowledge and propose ways in which a deeper understanding could result in new methods to prevent or treat diverse human diseases.
Galectin-3 is expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells and promotes pulmonary hypertension through changes in proliferation, apoptosis, and fibrosis
Authors: Barman Scott A. , Li Xueyi , Haigh Stephen , Kondrikov Dmitry , Mahboubi Keyvan , Bordan Zsuzsanna , Stepp David W. , Zhou Jiliang , Wang Yusi , Weintraub Daniel S. , Traber Peter , Snider William , Jonigk Danny , Sullivan Jennifer , Crislip G. Ryan , Butcher Joshua T. , Thompson Jennifer , Su Yunchao , Chen Feng , Fulton David J. R.
Published: February 2019

A defining characteristic of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is the extensive remodeling of pulmonary arteries (PAs), which results in progressive increases in vascular resistance and stiffness and eventual failure of the right ventricle. There is no cure for PH and identification of novel molecular mechanisms that underlie increased proliferation, reduced apoptosis, and excessive extracellular matrix production in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) is a vital objective. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a chimeric lectin and potent driver of many aspects of fibrosis, but its role in regulating PASMC behavior in PH remains poorly understood. Herein, we evaluated the importance of increased Gal-3 expression and signaling on PA vascular remodeling and cardiopulmonary function in experimental models of PH. Gal-3 expression was quantified by qRT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence imaging, and its functional role was assessed by specific Gal-3 inhibitors and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of Gal-3 in the rat. In rat models of PH, we observed increased Gal-3 expression in PASMCs, which stimulated migration and resistance to apoptosis, whereas silencing or genetic deletion reduced cellular migration and PA fibrosis and increased apoptosis. Gal-3 inhibitors attenuated and reversed PA remodeling and fibrosis, as well as hemodynamic indices in monocrotaline (MCT)-treated rats in vivo. These results were supported by genetic deletion of Gal-3 in both MCT and Sugen Hypoxia rat models. In conclusion, our results suggest that elevated Gal-3 levels contribute to inappropriate PA remodeling in PH by enhancing multiple profibrotic mechanisms. Therapeutic strategies targeting Gal-3 may be of benefit in the treatment of PH.
Fourth generation e-cigarette vaping induces transient lung inflammation and gas exchange disturbances: results from two randomized clinical trials
Authors: Chaumont Martin , van de Borne Philippe , Bernard Alfred , Van Muylem Alain , Deprez Guillaume , Ullmo Julien , Starczewska Eliza , Briki Rachid , de Hemptinne Quentin , Zaher Wael , Debbas Nadia
Published: February 2019

When heated by an electronic cigarette, propylene glycol and glycerol produce a nicotine-carrying-aerosol. This hygroscopic/hyperosmolar aerosol can deposit deep within the lung. Whether these deposits trigger local inflammation and disturb pulmonary gas exchanges is not known. The aim of this study was to assess the acute effects of high-wattage electronic cigarette vaping with or without nicotine on lung inflammation biomarkers, transcutaneous gas tensions, and pulmonary function tests in young and healthy tobacco smokers. Acute effects of vaping without nicotine on arterial blood gas tensions were also assessed in heavy smokers suspected of coronary artery disease. Using a single-blind within-subjects study design, 25 young tobacco smokers underwent three experimental sessions in random order: sham-vaping and vaping with and without nicotine at 60 W. Twenty heavy smokers were also exposed to sham-vaping ( n = 10) or vaping without nicotine ( n = 10) in an open-label, randomized parallel study. In the young tobacco smokers, compared with sham-vaping: 1) serum club cell protein-16 increased after vaping without nicotine (mean ± SE, −0.5 ± 0.2 vs. +1.1 ± 0.3 µg/l, P = 0.013) and vaping with nicotine (+1.2 ± 0.3 µg/l, P = 0.009); 2) transcutaneous oxygen tension decreased for 60 min after vaping without nicotine (nadir, −0.3 ± 1 vs. −15.3 ± 2.3 mmHg, P < 0.001) and for 80-min after vaping with nicotine (nadir, −19.6 ± 2.8 mmHg, P < 0.001). Compared with sham vaping, vaping without nicotine decreased arterial oxygen tension for 5 min in heavy-smoking patients (+5.4 ± 3.3 vs. −5.4 ± 1.9 mmHg, P = 0.012). Acute vaping of propylene glycol/glycerol aerosol at high wattage with or without nicotine induces airway epithelial injury and sustained decrement in transcutaneous oxygen tension in young tobacco smokers. Intense vaping conditions also transiently impair arterial oxygen tension in heavy smokers.
Chemogenetic activation of orexin/hypocretin neurons ameliorates aging-induced changes in behavior and energy expenditure
Authors: Stanojlovic Milos , Pallais Yllescas Jean Pierre , Mavanji Vijaya , Kotz Catherine
Published: February 2019

Aging affects numerous physiological processes, as well as behavior. A large number of these processes are regulated, at least partially, by hypothalamic orexin neurons, and orexin tone may decrease with normal aging. In this study, we hypothesized that designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD) stimulation of orexin neuronal activity will ameliorate the effect of aging on behavioral and metabolic alterations in young and middle-aged mice. DREADD targeting was achieved by stereotaxic injection of AAV vectors (AAV2-hSyn-DIO-hM3D(Gq)-mCherry) into the lateral hypothalamus of 5- and 12-mo old orexin-cre female mice and was confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of orexin A and mCherry expression. After recovery, animals were subjected to a behavioral test battery consisting of the elevated plus maze (EPM), open field (OFT), and novel object recognition tests (NORT) to assess effects of aging on anxiety-like behavior, general locomotion, and working memory. A comprehensive laboratory animal monitoring system (CLAMS) was used to measure spontaneous physical activity (SPA) and energy expenditure (EE). The results indicate that activation of orexin neurons mitigates aging-induced reductions in anxiety-like behavior in middle-aged mice ( P < 0.005) and increases locomotion in both young and middle-aged mice ( P < 0.05). Activation of orexin neurons increases SPA ( P < 0.01) and EE ( P < 0.005) in middle-aged mice, restoring the levels to that observed in young animals. Results from this study identify orexin neurons as potential therapeutic targets for age-related impairments in cognitive and anxiety-related behavior, and energy balance.
Endothelial cell-specific collagen type IV-α3expression does not rescue Alport syndrome inCol4a3−/−mice
Authors: Funk Steven D. , Bayer Raymond H. , Miner Jeffrey H.
Published: February 2019

The glomerular basement membrane (GBM) is a critical component of the kidney’s blood filtration barrier. Alport syndrome, a hereditary disease leading to kidney failure, is caused by the loss or dysfunction of the GBM’s major collagen type IV (COL4) isoform α3α4α5. The constituent COL4 α-chains assemble into heterotrimers in the endoplasmic reticulum before secretion into the extracellular space. If any one of the α3-, α4-, or α5-chains is lost due to mutation of one of the genes, then the entire heterotrimer is lost. Patients with Alport syndrome typically have mutations in the X-linked COL4A5 gene or uncommonly have the autosomal recessive form of the disease due to COL4A3 or COL4A4 mutations. Treatment for Alport syndrome is currently limited to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition or angiotensin receptor blockers. Experimental approaches in Alport mice have demonstrated that induced expression of COL4A3, either widely or specifically in podocytes of Col4a3−/−mice, can abrogate disease progression even after establishment of the abnormal GBM. While targeting podocytes in vivo for gene therapy is a significant challenge, the more accessible glomerular endothelium could be amenable for mutant gene repair. In the present study, we expressed COL4A3 in Col4a3−/−Alport mice using an endothelial cell-specific inducible transgenic system, but collagen-α3α4α5(IV) was not detected in the GBM or elsewhere, and the Alport phenotype was not rescued. Our results suggest that endothelial cells do not express the Col4a3/a4/a5 genes and should not be viewed as a target for gene therapy.
Dopamine D1 receptor activation reduces local inner retinal inhibition to light-adapted levels
Authors: Mazade Reece E. , Flood Michael D. , Eggers Erika D.
Published: February 2019

During adaptation from dim to bright environments, changes in retinal signaling are mediated, in part, by dopamine. Dopamine is released with light and can modulate retinal receptive fields, neuronal coupling, inhibitory receptors, and rod pathway inhibition. However, it is unclear how dopamine affects inner retinal inhibition to cone bipolar cells, which relay visual information from photoreceptors to ganglion cells and are important signal processing sites. We tested the hypothesis that dopamine (D)1 receptor activation is sufficient to elicit light-adapted inhibitory changes. Local light-evoked inhibition and spontaneous activity were measured from OFF cone bipolar cells in dark-adapted mouse retinas while stimulating D1 receptors, which are located on bipolar, horizontal, and inhibitory amacrine cells. The D1 agonist SKF38393 reduced local inhibitory light-evoked response magnitude and increased response transience, which mimicked changes measured with light adaptation. D1-mediated reductions in local inhibition were more pronounced for glycinergic than GABAergic inputs, comparable with light adaptation. The effects of D1 receptors on light-evoked input were similar to the effects on spontaneous input. D1 receptor activation primarily decreased glycinergic spontaneous current frequency, similar to light adaptation, suggesting mainly a presynaptic amacrine cell site of action. These results expand the role of dopamine to include signal modulation of cone bipolar cell local inhibition. In this role, D1 receptor activation, acting primarily through glycinergic amacrine cells, may be an important mechanism for the light-adapted reduction in OFF bipolar cell inhibition since the actions are similar and dopamine is released during light adaptation.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Retinal adaptation to different luminance conditions requires the adjustment of local circuits for accurate signaling of visual scenes. Understanding mechanisms behind luminance adaptation at different retinal levels is important for understanding how the retina functions in a dynamic environment. In the mouse, we show that dopamine pathways reduce inner retinal inhibition similar to increased background luminance, suggesting the two are linked and highlighting a possible mechanism for light adaptation at an early retinal processing center.
Engineering Human Stasis for Long-Duration Spaceflight
Authors: Nordeen Claire A. , Martin Sandra L.
Published: February 2019

Suspended animation for deep-space travelers is moving out of the realm of science fiction. Two approaches are considered: the first elaborates the current medical practice of therapeutic hypothermia; the second invokes the cascade of metabolic processes naturally employed by hibernators. We explore the basis and evidence behind each approach and argue that mimicry of natural hibernation will be critical to overcome the innate limitations of human physiology for long-duration space travel.
Central and Peripheral Inflammation Link Metabolic Syndrome and Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Chan Kenny L. , Cathomas Flurin , Russo Scott J.
Published: February 2019

Metabolic syndrome and major depression are two of the most common and debilitating disorders worldwide, occurring with significant rates of comorbidity. Recent studies have uncovered that each of these conditions is associated with chronic, low-grade inflammation. This is characterized by increased circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, altered leukocyte population frequencies in blood, accumulation of immune cells in tissues including the brain, and activation of these immune cells. Cytokines that become elevated during obesity can contribute to the progression of metabolic syndrome by directly causing insulin resistance. During chronic stress, there is evidence that these cytokines promote depression-like behavior by disrupting neurotransmitter synthesis and signal transduction. Animal models of obesity and depression have revealed a bi-directional relationship whereby high-fat feeding and chronic stress synergize and exacerbate metabolic dysregulation and behavioral abnormalities. Although far from conclusive, emerging evidence suggests that inflammation in the central and peripheral immune system may link metabolic syndrome to major depressive disorder. In this review, we will synthesize available data supporting this view and identify critical areas for future investigation.
Peptides from Cauliflower By-Products, Obtained by an Efficient, Ecosustainable, and Semi-Industrial Method, Exert Protective Effects on Endothelial Function
Authors: Caliceti C. , Capriotti A. L. , Calabria D. , Bonvicini F. , Zenezini Chiozzi R. , Montone C. M. , Piovesana S. , Zangheri M. , Mirasoli M. , Simoni P. , Laganà A. , Roda A.
Published: February 2019

The large amount of cauliflower industry waste represents an unexplored source of bioactive compounds. In this work, peptide hydrolysates from cauliflower leaves were characterized by combined bioanalytical approaches. Twelve peptide fractions were studied to evaluate unexplored biological activities by effect-based cellular bioassays. A potent inhibition of intracellular xanthine oxidase activity was observed in human vascular endothelial cells treated with one fraction, with an IC50 = 8.3±0.6 μg/ml. A different fraction significantly induced the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase 1 and decreased the tumor necrosis factorα-induced VCAM-1 expression, thus leading to a significant improvement in the viability of human vascular endothelial cells. Shotgun peptidomics and bioinformatics were used to retrieve the most probable bioactive peptide sequences. Our study shows that peptides from cauliflower waste should be recycled for producing valuable products useful for the prevention of endothelial dysfunction linked to atherogenesis progression.
Analysis of the Seismic Demand of High‐Performance Buckling‐Restrained Braces under a Strong Earthquake and Its Aftershocks
Authors: Xie Luqi , Wu Jing , Huang Qing , Tong Chao
Published: February 2019

The analysis of the ductility and cumulative plastic deformation (CPD) demand of a high‐performance buckling‐restrained brace (HPBRB) under a strong earthquake and its aftershocks is conducted in this paper. A combination of three continuous excitations with the same ground motion is used to simulate the affection of a strong earthquake and its aftershocks. A six‐story HPBRB frame (HPBRBF) is taken as an example to conduct the incremental dynamic analysis (IDA). The seismic responses of the HPBRBF under one, two, and three constant continuous ground motions are compared. The IDA result indicates that the ductility and CPD demand of the BRBs under the three constant continuous ground motions are significantly larger than that excited by only one. Probabilistic seismic demand analysis (PSDA) is performed using seven near‐fault ground motions and seven far‐fault ground motions to consider the indeterminacy of ground motion. The probabilistic seismic demand curves (PSDCs) for the ductility and CPD demand for the HPBRB under the strong earthquake and its aftershocks are obtained in combining the probabilistic seismic hazard analysis. The results indicate that the AISC threshold value of the CPD with 200 is excessively low for a HPBRBF which suffers the continuous strong aftershocks with near‐fault excitations, and a stricter threshold value should be suggested to ensure the ductility and plastic deformation capacity demand of the HPBRB.
On the Relationship between the Inhomogeneous Wave and Helmholtz Equations in a Fractional Setting
Authors: Dulce Mateo , Getmanenko Alexander
Published: February 2019

We study convergence of solutions of a space and time inhomogeneous fractional wave equation on the quarter-plane to the stationary regime described by solutions of the Helmholtz equation.
Reversible MR Findings in Marchiafava-Bignami Disease
Authors: Muccio Carmine Franco , De Lipsis Luca , Belmonte Rossella , Cerase Alfonso
Published: February 2019

Marchiafava-Bignami Disease (MBD) is a toxic demyelinating disease often diagnosed in chronic alcoholics. The disease process typically involves the corpus callosum and clinically presents with various manifestations resulting in MBD type A and type B on the basis of clinical condition, extent of callosal involvement and extracallosal involvement at brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and prognosis. The death rate is high. We report a patient affected by MBD type B, who presented an isolated reversible splenial lesion at brain MRI and achieved a favorable recovery.
Advantageous Extraction, Cleanup, and UHPLC-MS/MS Detection of Patulin Mycotoxin in Dietary Supplements and Herbal Blends Containing Hawberry from Crataegus spp.
Authors: Przybylska Anna , Bazylak Grzegorz , Kosicki Robert , Altyn Iwona , Twaruzek Magdalena , Grajewski Jan , Soltys-Lelek Anna
Published: February 2019

Patulin (PAT) is a highly genotoxic mycotoxin still found as the common contaminant of various kinds of spoiled fruits and related commodities which are often endorsed as the health-enhancing products. Thus, a fast and convenient liquid-solid extraction followed by a solid-phase cleanup with the MycoSep®228 AflaPat multifunctional column was used for the highly efficient isolation of PAT with an average recovery of 112.7% from commercial dietary supplements and herbal blends formulated with dried hawberry. Analysis of the PAT content was carried out using gradient elution with a Synergi Polar C18 column (150 × 2 mm, 4 μm) and UHPLC system equipped with a mass spectrometer. PAT was detected in all (n=14) commercial single-component dietary supplements formulated with dried hawberry belonging to Crataegus monogyna and/or Crataegus laevigata. Similarly, PAT was detected in 67% of the studied multicomponent commercial herbal blends (n=6) that contained—in addition to hawberry—different amounts of apple, chokeberry, elderberry, hibiscus, or mallow. Moreover, the PAT content was determined in the hawberry collected from the mature wild hawthorn trees belonging to three botanical species, Crataegus monogyna Jacq., Crataegus laevigata (Poiret) DC, and Crataegus rhipidophylla Gand, growing in the recreational forest areas and in the law-protected state national forest park in Poland. In conclusion, to prevent PAT accumulation and reduce the health risk of consumers in globalizing markets, the implementation of improved cultivation/processing practices of hawthorn trees and hawberry as well as increased analytical control related to the presence of PAT in dietary supplements and herbal blends formulated with fresh, dried, or frozen hawberry should be urgently recommended.
Melanin-Mediated Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles and Preparation of Functional Agar/CuO NP Nanocomposite Films
Authors: Roy Swarup , Rhim Jong-Whan
Published: February 2019

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NP) were prepared using melanin as a stabilizing agent, and the CuO NP was used to prepare functional agar/CuO NP nanocomposite films using a solution casting method. The CuO NP was roughly spherical and was stable in aqueous solution. The CuO NP was homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix to form agar/CuO NP composite films. Incorporation of CuO NP increased the UV light barrier property with a little sacrifice of the film transparency. The mechanical properties of the films did not change significantly by the addition of CuO NP. Incorporation of CuO NP reduced the water barrier property, while increasing the surface hydrophobicity of the nanocomposite films. The agar/CuO NP nanocomposite films exhibited potent antibacterial activity against food-borne pathogens, E. coli and L. monocytogenes.
Exploring EFL Teachers’ Socioaffective and Pedagogic Strategies and Students’ Willingness to Communicate with a Focus on Iranian Culture
Authors: Zarei Nahid , Saeidi Mahnaz , Ahangari Saeideh
Published: February 2019

One of the most important factors related to learners’ willingness to communicate (WTC) is teachers’ use of socioaffective and pedagogic strategies, which are tightly related to cultural context of education. The present qualitative study, using focus group interview, investigated 19 EFL (English as a foreign language) teachers’ perspectives about their socioaffective and pedagogic strategy use in intermediate classes, with a focus on Iranian culture, as an effort to understand to what extent these strategies are facilitating or debilitating of students’ WTC. Using Creswell’s six steps of inductive analysis, two main themes of facilitating and hindering factors emerged. The findings are suggestive in terms of contribution of several cultural and social factors related to the interaction between EFL teachers and students and its relation to WTC. It also discusses the implications of the study for EFL teachers.
Endovascular Treatment of Ruptured Renal Artery Aneurysm: A Case-Based Literature Review
Authors: Sedhai Yub Raj , Basnyat Soney , Dar Tawseef , Acharya Deepak
Published: February 2019

Renal artery aneurysms are extremely uncommon with a reported incidence of less than one percent in general population. They are being more frequently detected due to increasing availability and use of abdominal imaging. Renal artery aneurysm rupture is an extremely unusual cause of acute flank pain with hemodynamic instability. Given the rarity of diagnoses, clinicians may not consider and address this ruptured renal artery aneurysm early which can potentially lead to adverse clinical outcomes. We report the case of a 55-year-old male who presented with retroperitoneal bleeding from a ruptured aneurysm of the interlobular branch of renal artery. He was endovascularly treated with coil embolization. We have also reviewed the inherent literature.
Changing Trend of Neonatal Septicemia and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Isolates in Nepal
Authors: Thapa Sangita , Sapkota Lokendra Bahadur
Published: February 2019

Background. Neonatal septicemia is one of the most common leading reasons for neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Frequent monitoring on pathogens with recent updates and their antimicrobial sensitivity pattern is mandatory for the better treatment. The aim of the study was to determine the bacteriological profile of neonatal septicemia and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern.Methods. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Outpatient Department (OPD), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and Pediatrics Ward of Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital (CMCTH), Bharatpur, Nepal. Blood cultures were performed on all suspected neonates attending to the hospital with a clinical analysis of neonatal septicemia. Isolated organism was identified by the standard microbiological protocol and antibiotic sensitivity testing was done by Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.Results. Out of 516 specimens, bacterial growth was obtained in 56 specimens (10.8%). Prevalence of early onset sepsis was higher 35 (62.5%) in neonates compared to late onset sepsis 21 (37.5%). Majority of neonatal septicemia were caused by gram-negative isolates 39 (69.6%).Acinetobacterspecies 18 (32.1%) was most commonly isolated organism followed byStaphylococcus aureus11 (19.6%). The predominant isolate in early onset septicemia wasAcinetobacterspecies 18 (32.1%) andStaphylococcus aureus9 (16%) and in late onset septicemia wasStaphylococcus aureus11 (19.6%) andAcinetobacterspecies 5 (8.9%).Staphylococcus aureusand coagulase-negativeStaphylococcidisplayed highest susceptibility towards vancomycin, amikacin, teicoplanin, and meropenem. Gram-negative isolates showed susceptibility towards amikacin, piperacillin/tazobactam, meropenem, ofloxacin, and gentamicin.Conclusions.Acinetobacterspecies andStaphylococcus aureusremain the most predominant organisms responsible for neonatal septicemia in a tertiary care setting and demonstrate a high resistance to the commonly used antibiotics. Above all, since the rate ofAcinetobacterspecies causing sepsis is distressing, inspiring interest to control the excess burden ofAcinetobacterspecies infection is mandatory.
Jejunal Varices Bleeding in a Patient with Extensive Portomesenteric Thrombosis Secondary to Factor V Leiden Mutation: A Management Dilemma
Authors: Ayash Ahmad , Mushtaq Kamran , Abdul Qader Mohamed Emad , Al-Ejji Khalid Mohsin , Al Kaabi Saad Rashid , Khelfa Shadi J. S.
Published: February 2019

Ectopic varices are portosystemic collaterals that occur away from the gastroesophageal junction and account for 1-5% of all variceal bleeding. Its occurrence in the jejunum is rare. Most common cause of ectopic jejunal varices is portal hypertension especially in those patients who have undergone prior abdominal surgery. Portomesenteric thrombosis is a rare cause of ectopic jejunal varices. Ectopic varices are rare cause of obscure GI bleeding and hence should be always suspected in patients with history of portal hypertension who present with GI bleeding and have negative upper and lower GI endoscopies. Management of patients with ectopic varices is often very challenging and requires multidisciplinary approach. Therapeutic options include endoscopic therapy, interventional radiologic procedures, surgically creating shunting, or surgical resection. We present the case of a 52-year-old patient who was on anticoagulation for extensive portomesenteric thrombosis secondary to factor V Leiden heterozygous mutation and presented with melena and symptomatic anemia. Investigations showed bleeding jejunal varices as the cause of anemia. We discuss the therapeutic options and dilemma in the management of such cases.
Smartphone-Based Remote Self-Management of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Yang Jingyi , Wei Quan , Ge Yanlei , Meng Lijiao , Zhao Meidan
Published: February 2019

Objective. To assess the additional effect of self-management on physiotherapy via the use of APPS on management of chronic low back pain. Method. A single-blinded randomized control trial was conducted. 8 participants (male: 4; female: 4) were recruited from the Rehabilitation Clinic of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Participants in the treatment group received self-management plus physiotherapy and the control group received physiotherapy only. Assessment was carried out pretreatment, midterm (week 2), and posttreatment (week 4), including Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ), Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and SF36. Results. Compared with the physiotherapy group, the self-management plus physiotherapy group had significance in PSEQ (p=0.035), RMDQ (p=0.035), SF36-Bodily Pain (p=0.008), and SF36-Mental Health (p=0.013). VAS showed a positive trend although there was no significant difference. Conclusion. This pilot study indicated that smartphone APPS-based self-management program appears to bring additional benefits to physiotherapy for patients with CLBP. Self-management is a potential approach for people with CLBP.
Electrochemical Removal of Humic Acids from Water Using Aluminum Anode: Influence of Chloride Ion and Current Parameters
Authors: Capasso Sante , Salvestrini Stefano , Roviello Valentina , Trifuoggi Marco , Iovino Pasquale
Published: February 2019

The removal by electrochemical treatment in batch of humic acids (HA) extracted from leonardite has been analyzed using aluminum electrodes at 25°C and neutral pH, under galvanostatic conditions. HA removal, inferred from UV-Vis spectra and total organic carbon determination, occurred within few minutes of treatment under the experimental conditions tested, and no electrode passivation was observed. The removal rate increased with NaCl concentration and electric current density. Our data indicate that energy consumption per unit weight of HA removed can be significantly reduced by operating at low current density under galvanostatic conditions and/or high salt concentration, thus confirming electrochemical treatment as a powerful technology for wastewater treatment.
Research on Dynamic Evaluation Model of Slope Risk Based on Improved VW‐UM
Authors: Xiao Haiping , Guo Guangli , Chen Lanlan
Published: February 2019

There are many accidents of slope failure due to rainfall at home and abroad, which have caused heavy casualties and property losses. Stability analysis and evaluation of slope have become a research hotspot. Aiming at the slope stability under different rainfall, this paper takes Yuebao Open‐pit Mine slope as an example, has constructed a dynamic variable weight (VW) model of influencing factors on slope stability, and has analyzed the dynamic change and correlation of the slope indexes weights under different monthly maximum rainfall. On this basis, the dynamic evaluation model of slope stability has been established based on uncertainty measurement (UM), and the risk importance (RI) q which is proposed has quantitatively evaluated the risk degree of slope. The results show that under different monthly maximum rainfall the weight of each index is no longer a fixed value but a nonlinear and dynamic change law, and there is a strong correlation among the monthly maximum rainfall, internal friction angle, and cohesion. In addition, the q increases gradually with the increase of the monthly maximum rainfall, and the stability evaluation results are highly consistent with the HP1 slope, which have verified the reliability of the dynamic evaluation model. So, it can provide technical support for the safety production and management of open‐pit slope and can also provide reference for related research.
B and NK Cells Closely Correlate with the Condition of Patients with Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Wei Xin , Yao Weifeng , Li Huiping , Qian Jingjing , Xie Yaosheng , Zhang Zhuo , Lu Hong , Shi Liang , Lin Xiangyang
Published: February 2019

Purpose. Pancreatitis can lead to systemic inflammatory response, but the relationship between lymphocyte changes and patients with pancreatitis remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the feedback function of changes in peripheral lymphocyte subsets on the condition of patients with pancreatitis. Materials and Methods. 131 acute pancreatitis (AP) patients and 11 chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients constituted the patients’ group; 20 healthy individuals were enrolled as healthy controls (HC). Serum concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP), amylase, and lipase and the frequency and absolute number of many types of peripheral lymphocytes (including T, B, NK, CD16+/CD56+ T, CD4+ T, CD8+ T, CD4+CD8+ T, and CD4−CD8− T cells) were detected on admission and the seventh day of standard treatment. Besides, the length of hospital stay was recorded. Results. The absolute number of all lymphocytes we studied decreased in patients with CP and in patients with almost all types of AP. The frequency change of lymphocytes varies among the different types of AP. During disease onset, B cell frequency correlated positively with CRP concentration and NK cell frequency correlated positively with amylase and lipase concentration. B cell frequency and CD4+ T cell absolute number were recovering towards normal after short-term treatment. The frequency of B cells and NK cells correlated positively with the length of hospital stay. Conclusions. B cells and NK cells closely correlate with patients’ condition and may help to diagnose AP more accurately and reflect treatment effect of AP in time, affecting the recovery speed of patients with M-AP, which may help physicians to better understand the pathophysiology of pancreatitis.
Oral Health Knowledge and Behavior among Adults in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Abu-Gharbieh Eman , Saddik Basema , El-Faramawi Mohammed , Hamidi Samer , Basheti Mohammad
Published: February 2019

Background. The prevalence of periodontal diseases is increasing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) despite a worldwide decline in the prevalence of dental caries among children and adolescents. The aims of this study were to determine the levels of oral health knowledge and health-related behavior in adult UAE residents, and the relationship between these variables and oral health. Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional survey with nonprobability sampling was used in this study. A sample of 630 adults residing in the UAE completed an oral health survey to assess their oral health knowledge and behavior. Mean oral health knowledge and behavior scores were calculated and correlated with population demographic and behavioral variables. Results. Participants were found to have an acceptable oral health knowledge score (OHKS) of 10.50 (2.36) where 62 % of participants answered the questions correctly. Results showed that age, gender, nationality, smoking, and physical activity were significantly associated with the knowledge score. However, only gender, nationality, and smoking predicted oral health knowledge scores after further regression analysis. On the other hand, the mean oral health behavior score (OHBS) for all participants was 8.91 (2.29); 98% of all participants practiced at least an acceptable level of oral behavior and 53% practiced a good to perfect level. Age, gender, educational level, employment status, insurance status, marital status, nationality, smoking, and physical activity showed significant statistical association with the score of behaviors related to oral health. Only gender, number of diabetes sessions attended, and health information sources used remained significant after further regression analysis. Conclusion. Further efforts are required to spread awareness about oral health and encourage the UAE population to develop healthy oral habits. Such programs will decrease the occurrence and burden of many chronic oral diseases especially periodontal diseases.
Scalable Culture Strategies for the Expansion of Patient-Derived Cancer Stem Cell Lines
Authors: Serra Ana Teresa , Serra Margarida , Silva Ana Carina , Brckalo Tamara , Seshire Anita , Brito Catarina , Wolf Michael , Alves Paula M.
Published: February 2019

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have recently raised great interest as a promising biological system for designing effective cancer therapies. The scarcity of CSCs in vivo and the consequent low numbers obtained from biopsies represent a major hurdle to the development of such strategies. It is therefore necessary to design robust scalable methods to enable efficient expansion of bona fide CSCs in vitro. Here, we evaluated the applicability of computer-controlled bioreactors combined with 3D aggregate culture and microcarrier technology, widely used in stem cell bioprocessing, for the expansion and enrichment of CSCs isolated from different types of solid tumors—colorectal cancer (CRC) and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) from two patients. Results show that these culture strategies improved cell expansion and CSC enrichment. Both patient-derived CSC lines were able to grow on microcarriers, the best results being achieved for PPlus 102-L, Pro-F 102-L, Fact 102-L, and CGEN 102-L beads (5-fold and 40-fold increase in total cell concentration for CRC and NSCLC cells, respectively, in 6 days). As for 3D aggregate culture strategy, the cell proliferation profile was donor dependent. NSCLC cells were the only cells able to form aggregates and proliferate, and the flat-bottom bioreactor vessel equipped with a trapezoid-shaped paddle impeller was the most efficient configuration for cell growth (21-fold increase in cell concentration achieved in 8 days). Serum-free medium promotes CSC enrichment in both 3D aggregate and microcarrier cultures. The protocols developed herein for CSC expansion have the potential to be transferred to clinical and industrial settings, providing key insights to guide bioprocess design towards the production of enriched CSC cultures in higher quantity and improved quality.