bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety Evaluation of Illuminance Transition at Highway Tunnel Portals on Basis of Visual Load
Authors: Du Zhigang , Huang Faming , Ran Bin , Pan Xiaodong
Published: January 2015

Highway tunnel entrances and exits are accident-prone locations, especially in the daytime, primarily because of the sharp transitions in lighting in these areas. Therefore, a rational assessment of lighting transitions at tunnel portals is the key to ensuring traffic safety. This study used the EMR-8B eye-tracker system to monitor the pupil changes of eight selected drivers as they drove through 26 typical highway tunnels. The test results showed a power function relationship between drivers’ pupil areas and pupil illuminance at highway tunnel portals. A quantitative relationship between the pupil area and its critical velocity was also established, and the ratio ( k) of the pupil area's changing rate in relation to its critical velocity was used to assess the visual load and to further evaluate the lighting transitions. The results demonstrated that ( a) the relationship between pupil illuminance at the tunnel portal and the driver's pupil area conformed to Stevens’ law from experimental psychology, ( b) the relationship between the driver's pupil area and its critical velocity followed the quadratic function, ( c) the visual load at a tunnel entrance was heavier than that at the tunnel exit, and ( d) the severe transitions in pupil illuminance within 10 m of some existing highway tunnel entrances caused a great visual load, and thus are urgently in need of improvement.
Human Perceptions of Vehicle Turning Intention
Authors: Hamilton Andrew , Waterson Ben , Snell Ian
Published: January 2015

All pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists regularly make predictions about where they think an oncoming vehicle is intending to travel so that they can successfully and safely navigate road systems. Despite the importance of these predictions, the effectiveness of this process is currently poorly understood, as all existing research has been focused on predictions from in-vehicle technologies. This study investigated how well observers were able to predict a vehicle's turning intention as it approached an intersection. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the explanatory variables involved in the success of this process. An interactive touch screen experiment was developed, and more than 100 participants attempted to predict the turning intention of several vehicles. The participants were very good overall at predicting turning intention, with a median success rate of approximately 90% when the vehicle was 0 to 20 m (0 to 21.9 yd) away from the intersection; however, the median success rate fell substantially to approximately 70% when the vehicle was 30 to 50 m (32.8 to 54.7 yd) away. Other key explanatory variables included both vehicle-specific factors (e.g., use of indicator lights) and, crucially, the intersection layout, which together provided valuable information on the relationship between intersection design and road safety.
Method for Road Lighting Audit and Safety Screening at Urban Intersections
Authors: Niaki Matin S. Nabavi , Saunier Nicolas , Miranda-Moreno Luis F. , Amador Luis , Bruneau Jean-François
Published: January 2015

The importance of road lighting in improving nighttime safety is evident; however, the lack of actual field measurements of illuminance results in a gap in knowledge about the adequacy of installed road lighting for clear nighttime visibility. Previous studies have considered the effect of the presence or absence of road lighting on safety, but few have measured actual illuminance. This study tested a uniform method for performing a simple road lighting audit and safety screening for any area. To perform the proposed audit, a photometric sensor, data logger, and information on the city lighting standards, georeferenced accident data, and traffic flow data were used. To collect field measurements, data collectors crossed each side of an intersection with a sensor. On the basis of the collected data, the following values were calculated: the average illuminance of each approach to an intersection and of the whole intersection and the uniformity ratio of the intersection. These results were used to compare the intersection illuminance with the city lighting standard to see if the installed road lighting was performing adequately. This method was applied to a case study in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where the lighting at 59% of the selected sample intersections was found to be substandard. Statistical analysis showed that the number of night accidents was correlated with traffic flow and substandard illuminance. The factors contributing to average illuminance were clear sky, hour of night, and presence of light poles and commercial lights.
Impact of Work Zone Lighting on Driver's Detection of Objects
Authors: Finley Melisa D. , Weimert Kayla D. , Miles Jeffrey D.
Published: January 2015

Researchers conducted a closed-course study to evaluate the impact of work zone lighting on the ability of drivers to detect low-contrast objects and workers wearing high-visibility vests. Three lighting conditions were set up: no lights (dark or base condition); a portable, trailer-mounted light tower; and a portable balloon light. The dark scenario treatments confirmed that a worker wearing a retroreflective vest could be detected at significantly longer distances than a low-contrast object (a box, a target, and a tire). Researchers also confirmed that drivers tended to overdrive their headlights, especially in rural, dark scenarios. Compared with the results for the dark scenarios, the results for the illuminated roadway section showed that properly installed temporary work zone lighting could increase the distance at which workers and low-contrast objects could be detected. The results also confirmed that improper positioning of portable light towers had a negative impact on the distance at which workers and low-contrast objects could be detected and supported the theory that direct illumination by portable light towers could visually wash out workers and thus could make them more difficult to detect.
Evaluation of Cost-Effectiveness of Steady-Burn Warning Lights in Work Zones
Authors: Theiss LuAnn , Pratt Michael P. , Ullman Gerald L. , Maxwell Stefanie D.
Published: January 2015

The 2009 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices recognizes the potential safety benefit of providing enhanced delineation on temporary traffic control devices and allows for warning light enhancements on channelizing devices and temporary barrier walls. The argument for using warning lights in work zones is that they provide an incremental benefit to safety. Ideally, the additional costs of using warning lights should be offset by that safety benefit; in other words, the reduction in crash costs should equal or exceed the costs of the devices. In this study, the researchers collected and analyzed data on the cost of steady-burn warning lights, computed the increases in crash costs that could be expected to occur in two types of work zones, and computed the reductions in crash costs (i.e., safety benefits) that would have to occur from the use of the steady-burn warning lights to justify their use on a benefit–cost basis. On the basis of the results of this cost-effectiveness evaluation, the researchers recommend that the use of steady-burn warning lights in work zones be discontinued.
Analysis of Expected Crash Reduction Benefits and Costs of Truck-Mounted Attenuator Use in Work Zones
Authors: Ullman Gerald L. , Iragavarapu Vichika
Published: January 2015

A truck-mounted attenuator (TMA) is a device that attaches to the back of a work truck to help protect work crews and the traveling public from the severe consequences of rear-end crashes between motorists and slow-moving or stopped work vehicles. Although TMAs have been used by most highway agencies and contractors for many years, there are few data on the actual in-field performance of TMAs and on reductions in crash costs attributable to their use by agencies and contractors. Such data would be useful in establishing criteria on when and where TMAs must be used. An analysis of potential rear-end crashes of motorists with work vehicles in mobile and short-duration operations found that TMAs were highly effective in reducing the severity of rear-end crashes and the costs of crashes. Each crash involving a TMA resulted in a savings of $196,855 in crash costs relative to the costs that would have been incurred had no TMA been present. On the basis of current TMA prices, agencies can recoup the cost of the TMA in terms of reduced rear-end crash costs in less than a year of daytime work shifts on facilities serving 20,000 vehicles per day or more and of nighttime work shifts on facilities serving 50,000 vehicles per day or more.
Investigation of Train Warning Times and Gate Violations
Authors: Khattak Aemal
Published: January 2015

The objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between train warning times and instances of motorists driving around fully deployed crossing gates at a highway–rail grade crossing equipped with median barriers (lane separators). The purpose of the median barriers is to deter motorists from driving around fully deployed gates. The premise for this research was the expectation that longer train warning times were accompanied by more numerous occurrences of driving around fully deployed crossing gates, notwithstanding the presence of median barriers. Data on motorists’ opportunities to drive around fully deployed crossing gates, actual instances of driving around those gates, warning times experienced by motorists, and some additional variables were collected at a study site during a 2-month period. The study site was equipped with median barriers on both sides of the crossing to discourage driving around fully deployed gates. Data analysis showed that after violation opportunities and certain other variables were controlled for, longer train warning times were indeed associated with more frequent instances of motorists driving around gates. The finding emphasizes the provision of adequate but not excessively long warning times at highway–rail grade crossings equipped with dual-quadrant gates. On the basis of the research findings, the paper provides options for improving safety at highway–rail grade crossings.
Evaluation of CIMMYT maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm by tropical inbred testers
Authors: Chandel Uttam , Mankotia BS , Thakur KS
Published: January 2015

Twenty five CIMMYT inbreds were crossed with four elite tropical maize testers. Results exhibited that one inbred line tester can select the top best lines from a large number of CIMMYT lines and two testers gave more reliable results than one tester did. However, when line × environment interaction was significant, selected lines by one tester in one environment were not necessarily same as those selected at another environment indicating thereby that different testers should be used for selecting best inbreds at different environments. This study also showed that inbred lines from different maize heterotic groups did not show any significant differences in identifying best CIMMYT germplasm DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v43i2.21661 Bangladesh J. Bot. 43(2): 131-139, 2014 (September)
Epizoophyte composition on spotted turtle Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) in Turkey
Authors: Ersanli Elif Tezel , Gonulol Arif
Published: January 2015

A total of 59 species of epizoic algae were recorded from the carapace of Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Testudinata, Emydidae). Division wise distribution of the recorded algae were Cyanophyta 26, Chlorophyta 13, Euglenophyta 5 and Chrysophyta 15. Among the recorded species Phormidium ambiguum, Pseudanabaena limnetica, Chroococcus spp. and Microcystis spp. were observed intensively. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v43i2.21667 Bangladesh J. Bot. 43(2): 157-161, 2014 (September)
Molecular variation among isolates of Fusarium species
Authors: Al-Daoude A , Shoaib A , Arabi Mie , Jawhar M
Published: January 2015

Twelve different isolates of Fusarium spp. collected from wheat grown in Syria were analyzed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. AFLP analysis allowed differentiation between species on the basis of banding patterns. A total of 654 scorable DNA bands were scored, of which 296 (44.54 %) were polymorphic. UPGMA dendrogram, based on Nei's genetic distances, showed that isolates formed three phylogenetic groups; one of them did not fall into clades correlated to the origin or colour of the isolate, which suggests a regional dispersal of these species. However, isolates belonging to F. culmorum and F. equiseti collected from north-west of Syria and ICARDA, respectively fell into two separate sub-clusters. The level of genetic variability detected within Fusarium isolates by AFLP analysis confirmed that it is a reliable, efficient, and effective marker technology for determining genetic relationships in Fusarium spp. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v43i2.21674 Bangladesh J. Bot. 43(2): 207-212, 2014 (September)
Effects of micronutrients on seed yield and oil content of Brassica napus L. cv. Talayeh
Authors: Bahrani Abdollah , Pourreza Jafar
Published: January 2015

Foliar application of micronutrients like iron, zinc and manganese significantly increased 1000-kernel weight, grain yield, oil content of seed and harvest index of Brassica napus L. cv. Talayeh. Changes in grain yield was primarily due to the number of pod per plant and that of oil yield was due to grain yield. In general, applying two parts per thousand of the micronutrient was the best treatment to obtain high qualitative and quantitative yield in cv. Talayeh in this region. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v43i2.21679 Bangladesh J. Bot. 43(2): 231-233, 2014 (September)
‘Bombed into Stardom!’ – Roddy McDowall, ‘British Evacuee Star’ in Hollywood
Authors: Lawrence Michael
Published: January 2015

This article considers the beginnings of the British actor Roddy McDowall's career as a child star in Hollywood. Following his relocation to the United States in October 1940 and signing a contract with Twentieth Century-Fox, McDowall quickly became one of Hollywood's most popular juvenile actors. For the duration of the Second World War, McDowall's star image was indissoluble from his status as a war guest: he was ‘a British evacuee star’. McDowall thus became an unofficial ambassador for the British nation, much like his fellow evacuees, who were widely recognised for their work improving Anglo-American relations. In the management of McDowall's image, and in his screen performances, there is a discernible effort to substantiate certain attitudes about the character and attributes of the British nation but also to challenge certain prejudices about English sissy boys. McDowall's star text was carefully managed so that the image of the actor presented by the media and the fictional characters he played on screen congealed in a productive way to inspire among American audiences specific sentiments about the British and America's relationship with the British nation during wartime. Analysing the representation of McDowall in American film magazines during the early 1940s, as well as his performances in three war-themed productions – Confirm or Deny (1941), On the Sunny Side (1942) and The White Cliffs of Dover (1944) – I explore the ways McDowall's star text functioned in its geopolitical and bio-political contexts.
The Accented American: The New Voices of British Stardom on US Television
Authors: Holliday Christopher
Published: January 2015

This article investigates the cycle of British performers in contemporary American television drama and what is at stake in their adoption of a US accent. British actors have been increasingly heralded for their ability to adopt credible foreign accents, marking a negotiation of ‘Britishness’ and assumed vocal ‘foreignness’. By examining several pilot episodes of contemporary US dramas, this article poses the hybrid voice of the ‘accented American’ as a privileged and self-reflexive form of sonic spectacle. This is a voice narratively ‘othered’ to reinforce the screen presence of the British actor-as-American, soliciting spectators’ attention to their extra-textual identities as non-natives, while paradoxically consecrating ‘Britishness’ through the individual actor's assured command of American language. The article concludes by scrutinising the post-9/11 captive narrative of successful US drama Homeland (Showtime, 2011–). Through its themes of dubious patriotic allegiance, Homeland inscribes the cultural discourses surrounding Damian Lewis's starring role and falsified Americanness. The series also operates as a valuable commentary upon the wider proliferation of British talent across American television, revealing the ways in which such small-screen dramas are helping to regenerate prior conceptions of British stardom.
Lipo-oxytocin-1, a Novel Oxytocin Analog Conjugated with Two Palmitoyl Groups, Has Long-Lasting Effects on Anxiety-Related Behavior and Social Avoidance in CD157 Knockout Mice
Authors: Mizuno Akira , Cherepanov Stanislav , Kikuchi Yusuke , Fakhrul Azam , Akther Shirin , Deguchi Kisaburo , Yoshihara Toru , Ishihara Katsuhiko , Shuto Satoshi , Higashida Haruhiro
Published: January 2015

Oxytocin (OT) is a nonapeptide hormone that is secreted into the brain and blood circulation. OT has not only classical neurohormonal roles in uterine contraction and milk ejection during the reproductive phase in females, but has also been shown to have new pivotal neuromodulatory roles in social recognition and interaction in both genders. A single administration of OT through nasal spray increases mutual recognition and trust in healthy subjects and psychiatric patients, suggesting that OT is a potential therapeutic drug for autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and some other psychiatric disorders. Although the mechanism is not well understood, it is likely that OT can be transported into the brain where it activates OT receptors to exert its function in the brain. However, the amount transported into the brain may be low. To ensure equivalent effects, an OT analog with long-lasting and effective blood-brain barrier penetration properties would be beneficial for use as a therapeutic drug. Here, we designed and synthesized a new oxytocin analog, lipo-oxytocin-1 (LOT-1), in which two palmitoyl groups are conjugated at the amino group of the cysteine9 residue and the phenolic hydroxyl group of the tyrosine8 residue of the OT molecule. To determine whether LOT-1 actually has an effect on the central nervous system, we examined its effects in a CD157 knockout model mouse of the non-motor psychiatric symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Similar to OT, this analog rescued anxiety-like behavior and social avoidance in the open field test with the social target in a central arena 30 min after intraperitoneal injection in CD157 knockout mice. When examined 24 h after injection, the mice treated with LOT-1 displayed more recovery than those given OT. The results suggest that LOT-1 has a functional advantage in recovery of social behavioral impairment, such as those caused by neurodegenerative diseases, autism spectrum disorders, and schizophrenia.
Changes in Average Annual Precipitation in Argentina’s Pampa Region and Their Possible Causes
Authors: Pérez Silvia , Sierra Eduardo , Momo Fernando , Massobrio Marcelo
Published: January 2015

Changes in annual rainfall in five sub-regions of the Argentine Pampa Region (Rolling, Central, Mesopotamian, Flooding and Southern) were examined for the period 1941 to 2010 using data from representative locations in each sub-region. Dubious series were adjusted by means of a homogeneity test and changes in mean value were evaluated using a hydrometeorological time series segmentation method. In addition, an association was sought between shifts in mean annual rainfall and changes in large-scale atmospheric pressure systems, as measured by the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). The results indicate that the Western Pampas (Central and Southern) are more vulnerable to abrupt changes in average annual rainfall than the Eastern Pampas (Mesopotamian, Rolling and Flooding). Their vulnerability is further increased by their having the lowest average rainfall. The AMO showed significant negative correlations with all sub-regions, while the PDO and SOI showed significant positive and negative correlations respectively with the Central, Flooding and Southern Pampa. The fact that the PDO and AMO are going through the phases of their cycles that tend to reduce rainfall in much of the Pampas helps explain the lower rainfall recorded in the Western Pampas sub-regions in recent years. This has had a significant impact on agriculture and the environment.
Correction: Jastrzebski, R.P.; Smirnov, A.; Mystkowski, A.; Pyrhönen, O. Cascaded Position-Flux Controller for an AMB System Operating at Zero Bias. Energies 2014, 7, 3561–3575
Authors: Jastrzebski Rafal , Smirnov Alexander , Mystkowski Arkadiusz , Pyrhönen Olli
Published: January 2015

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [1]: Figure 7 on page 3573 should be changed from:[...]
Horticulturae — An International, Multidisciplinary, Open Access Journal
Authors: Archbold Douglas
Published: January 2015

Horticulture plays an integral role in human existence. As foods, in interior surroundings and exterior landscapes, and in forms of artistic expression, there is no social group worldwide for whom horticulture has not played a profound role [1]. Horticultural plants and their products provide critical nutrition and nutraceutical compounds which sustain life, provide environments for leisure, recreation, and improved mental health, and play essential roles in ecology and biodiversity. As the population grows, horticulture is destined to play increasingly critical roles in maintaining human health and happiness.[...]
The Healthy Lifestyles Programme (HeLP) — An Overview of and Recommendations Arising from the Conceptualisation and Development of an Innovative Approach to Promoting Healthy Lifestyles for Children and Their Families
Authors: Lloyd Jenny , Wyatt Katrina
Published: January 2015

Despite the rise in childhood obesity, there remains a paucity of evidence for effective interventions that engage children and parents sufficiently to make and sustain lifestyle behaviour change. The Healthy Lifestyles Programme (HeLP) is a school-located obesity prevention programme, which has been developed with teachers, families and healthcare professionals. The underpinning assumption in the development of HeLP was to take a relational approach to changing behaviour, building relationships with the schools, children and their families to create supportive environments for healthy lifestyle choices. Thus, HeLP was conceptualised as a complex intervention within a complex system and developed as a dynamic, evolving set of processes to support and motivate children towards healthy behaviours. The delivery methods used are highly interactive and encourage identification with and ownership of the healthy lifestyle messages so that the children are motivated to take them home to their parents and effect change within the family. We have good evidence that HeLP engages schools and children such that they want to participate in the Programme. Results from an exploratory trial showed that the Programme is feasible and acceptable and has the potential to change behaviours and affect weight status. This paper presents an overview of and recommendations arising from the conceptualization; development and evaluation of the Healthy Lifestyles Programme as part of a special issue focusing on novel approaches to the global problem of childhood obesity.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Best Paper Award 2015
Authors: Tchounwou Paul , Zhou Joyce
Published: January 2015

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health started to institute an annual award in 2013 to recognize outstanding papers related to environmental health sciences and public health that meet the aims, scope and high standards of this journal. We are pleased to announce the third “International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Best Paper Awards” for 2015. Nominations were solicited from the Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Board members, with all papers published in 2011 eligible for consideration. The following nine papers were selected for recognition awards:[...]
Transgenic Plants as Low-Cost Platform for Chemotherapeutic Drugs Screening
Authors: Vergara Daniele , De Domenico Stefania , Maffia Michele , Piro Gabriella , Sansebastiano Gian-Pietro
Published: January 2015

In this work we explored the possibility of using genetically modified Arabidopsis thaliana plants as a rapid and low-cost screening tool for evaluating human anticancer drugs action and efficacy. Here, four different inhibitors with a validated anticancer effect in humans and distinct mechanism of action were screened in the plant model for their ability to interfere with the cytoskeletal and endomembrane networks. We used plants expressing a green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagged microtubule-protein (TUA6-GFP), and three soluble GFPs differently sorted to reside in the endoplasmic reticulum (GFPKDEL) or to accumulate in the vacuole through a COPII dependent (AleuGFP) or independent (GFPChi) mechanism. Our results demonstrated that drugs tested alone or in combination differentially influenced the monitored cellular processes including cytoskeletal organization and endomembrane trafficking. In conclusion, we demonstrated that A. thaliana plants are sensitive to the action of human chemotherapeutics and can be used for preliminary screening of drugs efficacy. The cost-effective subcellular imaging in plant cell may contribute to better clarify drugs subcellular targets and their anticancer effects.
Experimental Confirmation of a Whole Set of tRNA Molecules in Two Archaeal Species
Authors: Watanabe Yoh-ichi , Kawarabayasi Yutaka
Published: January 2015

Based on the genomic sequences for most archaeal species, only one tRNA gene (isodecoder) is predicted for each triplet codon. This observation promotes analysis of a whole set of tRNA molecules and actual splicing patterns of interrupted tRNA in one organism. The entire genomic sequences of two Creanarchaeota, Aeropyrum pernix and Sulfolobus tokodaii, were determined approximately 15 years ago. In these genome datasets, 47 and 46 tRNA genes were detected, respectively. Among them, 14 and 24 genes, respectively, were predicted to be interrupted tRNA genes. To confirm the actual transcription of these predicted tRNA genes and identify the actual splicing patterns of the predicted interrupted tRNA molecules, RNA samples were prepared from each archaeal species and used to synthesize cDNA molecules with tRNA sequence-specific primers. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of cDNA clones representing unspliced and spliced forms of interrupted tRNA molecules indicated that some introns were located at positions other than one base 3' from anticodon region and that bulge-helix-bulge structures were detected around the actual splicing sites in each interrupted tRNA molecule. Whole-set analyses of tRNA molecules revealed that the archaeal tRNA splicing mechanism may be essential for efficient splicing of all tRNAs produced from interrupted tRNA genes in these archaea.
De Novo Assembly and Characterization of Narrow-Ridged Finless Porpoise Renal Transcriptome and Identification of Candidate Genes Involved in Osmoregulation
Authors: Ruan Rui , Guo Ai-Huan , Hao Yu-Jiang , Zheng Jin-Song , Wang Ding
Published: January 2015

During the evolutionary transition from land to water, cetaceans have undergone numerous critical challenges, with osmoregulation being the major one. Two subspecies of the narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis), the freshwater Yangtze finless porpoise (N. a. asiaeorientalis, NAA) and the marine East Asian finless porpoise (N. a. sunameri, NAS), provide excellent subjects to understand the genetic basis of osmoregulatory divergence between freshwater and marine mammals. The kidney plays an important and well-established role in osmoregulation in marine mammals and thus, herein, we utilized RNA-seq to characterize the renal transcriptome and preliminarily analyze the divergence between the NAA and the NAS. Approximately 48.98 million clean reads from NAS and 49.40 million clean reads from NAA were obtained by RNA-Seq. And 73,449 (NAS) and 68,073 (NAA) unigenes were assembled. Among these annotations, 22,231 (NAS) and 21,849 (NAA) unigenes were annotated against the NCBI nr protein database. The ion channel complex GO term and four pathways were detected as relevant to osmoregulation by GO and KEGG pathway classification of these annotated unigenes. Although the endangered status of the study species prevented analysis of biological replicates, we identified nine differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that may be vital in the osmoregulation of the narrow-ridged finless porpoise and worthwhile for future studies. Of these DEGs, the differential expression and distribution of the aquaporin-2 (AQP2) in the collecting duct were verified using immunohistochemical experiments. Together, this work is the first report of renal transcriptome sequencing in cetaceans, and it will provide a valuable resource for future molecular genetics studies on cetacean osmoregulation.
Inhibition of the IgE-Mediated Activation of RBL-2H3 Cells by TIPP, a Novel Thymic Immunosuppressive Pentapeptide
Authors: Lian Qianqian , Cheng Yanna , Zhong Chuanqing , Wang Fengshan
Published: January 2015

TIPP is a novel thymic immunosuppressive pentapeptide originally obtained from calf thymic immunosuppressive extract. The present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory activity of TIPP on IgE-mediated activation of RBL-2H3 cells. Release of β-hexosaminidase and histamine, intracellular calcium, membrane ruffling, mRNA levels of cytokines, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAP kinases) and NF-κB were determined by colorimetric assay, fluorescence spectrophotometer, confocal fluorescence microscope, quantification PCR, and Western blot, respectively. The results showed that TIPP significantly inhibited the degranulation in IgE-antigen complex-stimulated RBL-2H3 cells without cytotoxicity. TIPP significantly suppressed the increase of intracellular calcium and the rearrangement of F-actin, attenuated the transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-3, -4, -6, -13, TNF-α, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1)), and decreased the expression of COX-2. Western blot analysis showed that TIPP had an inhibitory activity on the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and ERK kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2), and inhibited the activation of NF-κB. The data suggested that TIPP effectively suppressed IgE-mediated activation of RBL-2H3 cells via blocking MEK/ERK and NF-κB signaling pathways.
The Kalman Filtering Blind Adaptive Multi-user Detector Based on Tracking Algorithm of Signal Subspace
Authors: Zhou Liqing , Leung Henry , Xu Peng , Ru Guobao , Zhao Quansheng , Xu Da
Published: January 2015

Multi-user detection is an effective method to reduce multiple access interference in code division multiple access (CDMA) systems. This paper discusses a signal subspace based blind adaptive multiuser detector and a Kalman filtering blind adaptive multiuser detector. Combining them together, a new Kalman filtering blind adaptive multiuser detector based on a tracking algorithm of the signal subspace is proposed. Analysis and simulation show that the proposed blind multiuser detector achieves better suppression of multiple access interference and has a higher convergence rate.
RNA Synthesis by in Vitro Selected Ribozymes for Recreating an RNA World
Authors: Martin Lyssa , Unrau Peter , Müller Ulrich
Published: January 2015

The RNA world hypothesis states that during an early stage of life, RNA molecules functioned as genome and as the only genome-encoded catalyst. This hypothesis is supported by several lines of evidence, one of which is the in vitro selection of catalytic RNAs (ribozymes) in the laboratory for a wide range of reactions that might have been used by RNA world organisms. This review focuses on three types of ribozymes that could have been involved in the synthesis of RNA, the core activity in the self-replication of RNA world organisms. These ribozyme classes catalyze nucleoside synthesis, triphosphorylation, and the polymerization of nucleoside triphosphates. The strengths and weaknesses regarding each ribozyme’s possible function in a self-replicating RNA network are described, together with the obstacles that need to be overcome before an RNA world organism can be generated in the laboratory.
Squid Pen Chitin Chitooligomers as Food Colorants Absorbers
Authors: Liang Tzu-Wen , Huang Chih-Ting , Dzung Nguyen , Wang San-Lang
Published: January 2015

One of the most promising applications of chitosanase is the conversion of chitinous biowaste into bioactive chitooligomers (COS). TKU033 chitosanase was induced from squid pen powder (SPP)-containing Bacillus cereus TKU033 medium and purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and column chromatography. The enzyme was relatively more thermostable in the presence of the substrate and had an activity of 93% at 50 °C in a pH 5 buffer solution for 60 min. Furthermore, the enzyme used for the COS preparation was also studied. The enzyme products revealed various mixtures of COS that with different degrees of polymerization (DP), ranging from three to nine. In the culture medium, the fermented SPP was recovered, and it displayed a better adsorption rate (up to 96%) for the disperse dyes than the water-soluble food colorants, Allura Red AC (R40) and Tartrazne (Y4). Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopic (FT-IR) analysis proved that the adsorption of the dyes onto fermented SPP was a physical adsorption. Results also showed that fermented SPP was a favorable adsorber and could be employed as low-cost alternative for dye removal in wastewater treatment.
Contact Toxicity and Repellency of the Essential Oil of Liriope muscari (DECN.) Bailey against Three Insect Tobacco Storage Pests
Authors: Wu Yan , Zhang Wen-Juan , Wang Ping-Juan , Yang Kai , Huang Dong-Ye , Wei Jian-Yu , Tian Zhao-Fu , Bai Jia-Feng , Du Shu-Shan
Published: January 2015

In order to find and develop new botanical pesticides against tobacco storage pests, bioactivity screening was performed. The essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of Liriope muscari was investigated by GC/MS and GC/FID. A total of 14 components representing 96.12% of the oil were identified and the main compounds in the oil were found to be methyl eugenol (42.15%) and safrole (17.15%), followed by myristicin (14.18%) and 3,5-dimethoxytoluene (10.60%). After screening, the essential oil exhibit potential insecticidal activity. In the progress of assay, it showed that the essential oil exhibited potent contact toxicity against Tribolium castaneum, Lasioderma serricorne and Liposcelis bostrychophila adults, with LD50 values of 13.36, 11.28 µg/adult and 21.37 µg/cm2, respectively. The essential oil also exhibited strong repellency against the three stored product insects. At the same concentrations, the essential oil was more repellent to T. castaneum than to L. serricorne adults. The results indicate that the essential oil of Liriope muscari has potential to be developed into a natural insecticide or repellent for controlling insects in stored tobacco and traditional Chinese medicinal materials.
Synthesis and in Silico Evaluation of Novel Compounds for PET-Based Investigations of the Norepinephrine Transporter
Authors: Neudorfer Catharina , Seddik Amir , Shanab Karem , Jurik Andreas , Rami-Mark Christina , Holzer Wolfgang , Ecker Gerhard , Mitterhauser Markus , Wadsak Wolfgang , Spreitzer Helmut
Published: January 2015

Since the norepinephrine transporter (NET) is involved in a variety of diseases, the investigation of underlying dysregulation-mechanisms of the norepinephrine (NE) system is of major interest. Based on the previously described highly potent and selective NET ligand 1-(3-(methylamino)-1-phenylpropyl)-3-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidaz- ol-2-one (Me@APPI), this paper aims at the development of several fluorinated methylamine-based analogs of this compound. The newly synthesized compounds were computationally evaluated for their interactions with the monoamine transporters and represent reference compounds for PET-based investigation of the NET.
Glutathione-Garlic Sulfur Conjugates: Slow Hydrogen Sulfide Releasing Agents for Therapeutic Applications
Authors: Bhuiyan Ashif , Papajani Vilma , Paci Maurizio , Melino Sonia
Published: January 2015

Natural organosulfur compounds (OSCs) from Allium sativum L. display antioxidant and chemo-sensitization properties, including the in vitro inhibition of tumor cell proliferation through the induction of apoptosis. Garlic water- and oil-soluble allyl sulfur compounds show distinct properties and the capability to inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells. In the present study, we optimized a new protocol for the extraction of water-soluble compounds from garlic at low temperatures and the production of glutathionyl-OSC conjugates during the extraction. Spontaneously, Cys/GSH-mixed-disulfide conjugates are produced by in vivo metabolism of OSCs and represent active molecules able to affect cellular metabolism. Water-soluble extracts, with (GSGaWS) or without (GaWS) glutathione conjugates, were here produced and tested for their ability to release hydrogen sulfide (H2S), also in the presence of reductants and of thiosulfate:cyanide sulfurtransferase (TST) enzyme. Thus, the TST catalysis of the H2S-release from garlic OSCs and their conjugates has been investigated by molecular in vitro experiments. The antiproliferative properties of these extracts on the human T-cell lymphoma cell line, HuT 78, were observed and related to histone hyperacetylation and downregulation of GAPDH expression. Altogether, the results presented here pave the way for the production of a GSGaWS as new, slowly-releasing hydrogen sulfide extract for potential therapeutic applications.
Recent Advances on Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Reinforced Ceramics Nanocomposites
Authors: Ahmad Iftikhar , Yazdani Bahareh , Zhu Yanqiu
Published: January 2015

Ceramics suffer the curse of extreme brittleness and demand new design philosophies and novel concepts of manufacturing to overcome such intrinsic drawbacks, in order to take advantage of most of their excellent properties. This has been one of the foremost challenges for ceramic material experts. Tailoring the ceramics structures at nanometre level has been a leading research frontier; whilst upgrading via reinforcing ceramic matrices with nanomaterials including the latest carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene has now become an eminent practice for advanced applications. Most recently, several new strategies have indeed improved the properties of the ceramics/CNT nanocomposites, such as by tuning with dopants, new dispersions routes and modified sintering methods. The utilisation of graphene in ceramic nanocomposites, either as a solo reinforcement or as a hybrid with CNTs, is the newest development. This article will summarise the recent advances, key difficulties and potential applications of the ceramics nanocomposites reinforced with CNTs and graphene.
13C-Enrichment of Urinary Uric Acid after l-[Ring-2-13C]Histidine Dose in Adult Humans
Authors: Tamura Tsunenobu , Baggott Joseph
Published: January 2015

We determined whether ring-2 carbon of histidine is folate-dependently transferred to carbons 8 (C8) and/or 2 (C2) in urinary uric acid in humans. Two adults collected each urine void for four days. Aliquots of urine for the first day were used for baseline values; then the subjects ingested 0.7 g (3.3 mmol) of l-[ring-2-13C]histidine and collected urine for three experimental days. Aliquots were analyzed for percentage 13C-content at C2 and C8 by a liquid-chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Percentage enrichment was determined by subtracting time-of-day paired baseline percentage 13C-content from experimental percentage 13C-content for each void. C2 was predominantly 13C-enriched in the majority of voids. The percentage enrichments at C2 for two subjects were 0.14 (±0.028 [SEM], n = 26) and 0.18 (±0.049, n = 21), whereas at C8, they were 0.008 (±0.006) and −0.005 (±0.008), respectively. The mean C2-enrichments were significantly greater than zero (p < 0.01), whereas those of C8 were not (p > 0.2). The enrichment had a diurnal rhythm peaking in the morning. Our results may be useful in the estimation of the timing for the administration of drugs that interfere with purine nucleotide biosynthesis in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease.
Egg and Egg-Derived Foods: Effects on Human Health and Use as Functional Foods
Authors: Miranda Jose , Anton Xaquin , Redondo-Valbuena Celia , Roca-Saavedra Paula , Rodriguez Jose , Lamas Alexandre , Franco Carlos , Cepeda Alberto
Published: January 2015

Eggs are sources of protein, fats and micronutrients that play an important role in basic nutrition. However, eggs are traditionally associated with adverse factors in human health, mainly due to their cholesterol content. Nowadays, however, it is known that the response of cholesterol in human serum levels to dietary cholesterol consumption depends on several factors, such as ethnicity, genetic makeup, hormonal factors and the nutritional status of the consumer. Additionally, in recent decades, there has been an increasing demand for functional foods, which is expected to continue to increase in the future, owing to their capacity to decrease the risks of some diseases and socio-demographic factors such as the increase in life expectancy. This work offers a brief overview of the advantages and disadvantages of egg consumption and the potential market of functional eggs, and it explores the possibilities of the development of functional eggs by technological methods.
Soil Drought Anomalies in MODIS GPP of a Mediterranean Broadleaved Evergreen Forest
Authors: Liu Jia , Rambal Serge , Mouillot Florent
Published: January 2015

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) yields global operational estimates of terrestrial gross primary production (GPP). In this study, we compared MOD17A2 GPP with tower eddy flux-based estimates of GPP from 2001 to 2010 over an evergreen broad-leaf Mediterranean forest in Southern France with a significant summer drought period. The MOD17A2 GPP shows seasonal variations that are inconsistent with the tower GPP, with close-to-accurate winter estimates and significant discrepancies for summer estimates which are the least accurate. The analysis indicated that the MOD17A2 GPP has high bias relative to tower GPP during severe summer drought which we hypothesized caused by soil water limitation. Our investigation showed that there was a significant correlation (R2 = 0.77, p < 0.0001) between the relative soil water content and the relative error of MOD17A2 GPP. Therefore, the relationship between the error and the measured relative soil water content could explain anomalies in MOD17A2 GPP. The results of this study indicate that careful consideration of the water conditions input to the MOD17A2 GPP algorithm on remote sensing is required in order to provide accurate predictions of GPP. Still, continued efforts are necessary to ascertain the most appropriate index, which characterizes soil water limitation in water-limited environments using remote sensing.
PET and PVC Separation with Hyperspectral Imagery
Authors: Moroni Monica , Mei Alessandro , Leonardi Alessandra , Lupo Emanuela , Marca Floriana
Published: January 2015

Traditional plants for plastic separation in homogeneous products employ material physical properties (for instance density). Due to the small intervals of variability of different polymer properties, the output quality may not be adequate. Sensing technologies based on hyperspectral imaging have been introduced in order to classify materials and to increase the quality of recycled products, which have to comply with specific standards determined by industrial applications. This paper presents the results of the characterization of two different plastic polymers—polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)—in different phases of their life cycle (primary raw materials, urban and urban-assimilated waste and secondary raw materials) to show the contribution of hyperspectral sensors in the field of material recycling. This is accomplished via near-infrared (900–1700 nm) reflectance spectra extracted from hyperspectral images acquired with a two-linear-spectrometer apparatus. Results have shown that a rapid and reliable identification of PET and PVC can be achieved by using a simple two near-infrared wavelength operator coupled to an analysis of reflectance spectra. This resulted in 100% classification accuracy. A sensor based on this identification method appears suitable and inexpensive to build and provides the necessary speed and performance required by the recycling industry.
Shiga Toxin 2-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Is Minimized by Activated Protein C but Does Not Correlate with Lethal Kidney Injury
Authors: Parello Caitlin , Mayer Chad , Lee Benjamin , Motomochi Amanda , Kurosawa Shinichiro , Stearns-Kurosawa Deborah
Published: January 2015

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli produce ribotoxic Shiga toxins (Stx), which are responsible for kidney injury and development of hemolytic uremic syndrome. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response is hypothesized to induce apoptosis contributing to organ injury; however, this process has been described only in vitro. ER stress marker transcripts of spliced XBP1 (1.78-fold), HSP40 (4.45-fold) and CHOP (7.69-fold) were up-regulated early in kidneys of Stx2 challenged mice compared to saline controls. Anti-apoptotic Bcl2 decreased (−2.41-fold vs. saline) and pro-apoptotic DR5 increased (6.38-fold vs. saline) at later time points. Cytoprotective activated protein C (APC) reduced early CHOP expression (−3.3-fold vs. untreated), increased later Bcl2 expression (5.8-fold vs. untreated), and had early effects on survival but did not alter DR5 expression. Changes in kidney ER stress and apoptotic marker transcripts were observed in Stx2-producing C. rodentium challenged mice compared to mice infected with a non-toxigenic control strain. CHOP (4.14-fold) and DR5 (2.81-fold) were increased and Bcl2 (−1.65-fold) was decreased. APC reduced CHOP expression and increased Bcl2 expression, but did not alter mortality. These data indicate that Stx2 induces renal ER stress and apoptosis in murine models of Stx2-induced kidney injury, but decreasing these processes alone was not sufficient to alter survival outcome.
Modeling of the Ebola Virus Delta Peptide Reveals a Potential Lytic Sequence Motif
Authors: Gallaher William , Garry Robert
Published: January 2015

Filoviruses, such as Ebola and Marburg viruses, cause severe outbreaks of human infection, including the extensive epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa in 2014. In the course of examining mutations in the glycoprotein gene associated with 2014 Ebola virus (EBOV) sequences, a differential level of conservation was noted between the soluble form of glycoprotein (sGP) and the full length glycoprotein (GP), which are both encoded by the GP gene via RNA editing. In the region of the proteins encoded after the RNA editing site sGP was more conserved than the overlapping region of GP when compared to a distant outlier species, Tai Forest ebolavirus. Half of the amino acids comprising the “delta peptide”, a 40 amino acid carboxy-terminal fragment of sGP, were identical between otherwise widely divergent species. A lysine-rich amphipathic peptide motif was noted at the carboxyl terminus of delta peptide with high structural relatedness to the cytolytic peptide of the non-structural protein 4 (NSP4) of rotavirus. EBOV delta peptide is a candidate viroporin, a cationic pore-forming peptide, and may contribute to EBOV pathogenesis.