bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Nasal Lipid Nanocarriers Containing Curcumin for Brain Targeting
Authors: Vaz Gustavo Richter , Hädrich Gabriela , Bidone Juliana , Rodrigues Jamile Lima , Falkembach Mariana Corrêa , Putaux Jean-Luc , Hort Mariana Appel , Monserrat José Maria , Varela Junior Antônio Sergio , Teixeira Helder Ferreira , Muccillo-Baisch Ana Luiza , Horn Ana Paula , Dora Cristiana Lima
Published: July 2017

Background:

Curcumin (CUR) has properties that can be useful for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Such properties are the inhibition of amyloid-β-protein (Aβ) aggregation, Aβ-induced inflammation, and activities of β-secretase and acetylcholinesterase. However, previous studies have revealed that CUR exhibited low bioavailability and difficulties in reaching the brain.

Objective:

To overcome such drawbacks, this study aims at developing nasal lipid nanocarriers loaded with CUR to effectively target the brain.

Methods:

The lipid nanocarriers (NE) were prepared using the hot solvent diffusion associated with the phase inversion temperature methods. Physico-chemical and morphological characterizations and in vitro drug release of the nanocarriers were carried out. The CUR permeation/retention was analyzed in Franz-type diffusion cell using porcine nasal mucosa. Confocal laser scan and histopathological studies were also performed.

Results:

The results showed that the NE sizes ranged between 18 nm and 44 nm with negative zeta potential. The CUR content ranged from 0.24 to 1.50 mg/mL with an encapsulation efficiency of 99%. The profiles of CUR release indicated a biphasic kinetics. CUR-NE permeation across the porcine nasal mucosa was higher when compared to free CUR. These results have also been validated through an analysis on a confocal microscopy. In addition, no toxicity on the nasal mucosa has been observed in a histopathological analysis.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that it is possible to develop NEs with a high content of CUR and small particle size. Such an encapsulation increases the potential of CUR permeation across the porcine nasal mucosa.
The Distinction of Amyloid-β Protein Precursor (AβPP) Ratio in Platelet Between Alzheimer’s Disease Patients and Controls: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shi Yachen , Gu Lihua , Alsharif Abdul Azeez , Zhang Zhijun
Published: July 2017

To systematically assess the clinical significance of platelet amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) ratio between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients and controls. 14 articles were selected in this analysis by search of databases including PubMed and Web of Science up to December 2016. Random effects models were used to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD). Subgroup analyses were used to detect the cause of heterogeneity. The result showed a significant drop in platelet AβPP ratio in AD patients compared to controls [SMD: –1.871; 95% CI: (–2.33, –1.41); p < 0.001; I2 = 88.0% ]. Subgroup analysis revealed races or the quality of studies may be the cause of high heterogeneity. This meta-analysis concluded that there is a close association between platelet AβPP ratio and AD. It is necessary to design a sizable sample study to further support that platelet AβPP ratio can be a biomarker of AD.
A Hybrid Algorithm for Optimal Wireless Sensor Network Deployment with the Minimum Number of Sensor Nodes
Authors: El Khamlichi Yasser , Tahiri Abderrahim , Abtoy Anouar , Medina-Bulo Inmaculada , Palomo-Lozano Francisco
Published: July 2017

Wireless sensor network (WSN) applications are rapidly growing and are widely used in various disciplines. Deployment is one of the key issues to be solved in WSNs, since the sensor nodes’ positioning affects highly the system performance. An optimal WSN deployment should maximize the collection of the desired interest phenomena, guarantee the required coverage and connectivity, extend the network lifetime, and minimize the network cost in terms of energy consumption. Most of the research effort in this area aims to solve the deployment issue, without minimizing the network cost by reducing unnecessary working nodes in the network. In this paper, we propose a deployment approach based on the gradient method and the Simulated Annealing algorithm to solve the sensor deployment problem with the minimum number of sensor nodes. The proposed algorithm is able to heuristically optimize the number of sensors and their positions in order to achieve the desired application requirements.
Do Movement Patterns of GPS-Tracked Cattle on Extensive Rangelands Suggest Independence among Individuals?
Authors: Stephenson Mitchell , Bailey Derek
Published: July 2017

In behavioral studies, cattle within the same pasture are not considered as independent experimental units because of the potential confounding effects of the herd’s social interactions. However, evaluating cattle behavior on extensive rangelands is logistically challenging for researchers, and treating individual animals as independent experimental units may be beneficial for answering specific research questions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association patterns among global positioning system (GPS)-tracked cattle at six different study sites in the western United States. A Half-Weight Index (HWI) association value was calculated for each pair of GPS-tracked cows (i.e., dyad) to determine the proportion of time that cattle were within 75 m and 500 m of each other. Cattle at two study sites exhibited relatively low mean HWI-association values (i.e., less than 0.23 HWI); whereas, cattle at other study sites tended to have greater mean HWI associations (i.e., greater than 0.35 HWI). Distinguishing features between study sites with low and high association values were the management of cattle prior to the study, herd size, pasture size, and the number of watering points. However, at all ranches except one, at least 75% of all dyadic associations had HWI values of less than 0.5 at 500 m, indicating that most of the GPS-tracked cows were greater than 500 m from each other for over 50% of tracking period. While interactions among cattle in the same pasture are often inevitable, our data suggests that under some situations, movement patterns of a sub-set of individual GPS-tracked cows may have levels of independence that are sufficient for analysis as individual experimental units. Understanding the level of independence among GPS-tracked cattle may provide options for analysis of grazing behavior for individual cattle within the same pasture.
The Lack of Alignment among Environmental Research Infrastructures May Impede Scientific Opportunities
Authors: Chabbi Abad , Loescher Henry W.
Published: July 2017

Faced with growing stakeholder attention to climate change-related societal impacts, Environmental Research Infrastructures (ERIs) find it difficult to engage beyond their initial user base, which calls for an overarching governance scheme and transnational synergies. Forced by the enormity of tackling climate change, ERIs are indeed broaching collaborative venues, based on the assumption that no given institution can carry out this agenda alone. While strategic, this requires that ERIs address the complexities and barriers towards aligning multiple organizations, national resources and programmatic cultures, including science.
Nonlinear Effects of Remittances on Per Capita GDP Growth in Bangladesh
Authors: Hassan Gazi , Shakur Shamim
Published: July 2017

This paper examines the impact of inward remittances flows on per capita gross domestic product (GDP) growth in Bangladesh during 1976–2012. We find that the growth effect of remittances is negative at first but becomes positive at a later stage, evidence of a non-linear relationship. Unproductive use of remittances was rampant in the beginning when they were received by migrant families, but better social and economic investments led to more productive utilization of remittances receipts at later periods. This suggests a U-shaped relationship between remittances and per capita GDP growth. Unlike what is suggested in the literature, that the effect of remittances is more pronounced in a less financially developed economy, our evidence does not show that the effect of remittances on per capita GDP growth in Bangladesh is conditional on the level of financial development.
From Clusters to Smart Specialization: Tourism in Institution-Sensitive Regional Development Policies
Authors: Benner Maximilian
Published: July 2017

In the European Union and its neighborhood, regional development has increasingly come to focus on agglomerations during the last three decades. Notably, during the 1990s and early 2000s, clustering was the major policy focus in regional development. Currently, the concept of smart specialization is applied all over the European Union and is attracting interest in the EU’s neighborhood. The tourism sector particularly tends to agglomerate regionally and even locally. While there is a large body of literature describing tourism clusters and while tourism features as a priority sector in many regional development strategies such as smart specialization strategies, there is a research gap on policy approaches applying agglomeration-oriented policy concepts to tourism destinations in an institution-sensitive way. This article argues that both cluster policy and smart specialization can be of considerable value for institution-sensitive tourism development, either when adapted to the specificities of the tourism sector or when integrating tourism development into wider, cross-sectoral strategies of regional development. Such a policy can be a valuable tool for local and regional development, provided that policies are designed in an institution-sensitive manner and respond to the particular institutional context prevailing in a tourist destination. The article illustrates some preliminary thoughts for institution-sensitive tourism development through cluster policy and smart specialization in Cyprus, Israel, and Tunisia.
Numerical Modelling of Mechanical Behavior of Coal Mining Hard Roofs in Different Backfill Ratios: A Case Study
Authors: Li Meng , Zhou Nan , Zhang Jixiong , Liu Zhicheng
Published: July 2017

In coal mining hard roofs are one of the main factors causing the occurrence of rock bursts in working panels. To solve this problem, the solid backfill coal mining (SBCM) technique is proposed and used as an effective measure to prevent the rock bursts induced by hard roofs. However, due to the different backfill ratios of working planes, the control effects on hard roofs are quite unique. By using a numerical simulation, this study simulates the deformation of hard roofs and distributions of stress and strain energies in different roof-control backfill ratios, so as to reveal the control mechanisms of SBCM on hard roofs. The results show that, when the roof-controlled backfill ratio are 0, 40% and 60%, the ratio exerts no influence on the distributions of advanced abutment stress and strain energies. While for roof-control backfill ratios of 82.5%, 91% and 93%, the advanced abutment stress and strain energies decrease significantly, but the increment of the ratio exerts little influence on the decrease. When the roof-control backfill ratio reaches 97%, the advanced abutment stress and strain energies again decrease. In this context, the stress concentration factor is only 1.5 and the peak strain energy is 544 kJ/m3, the stress concentration factor and peak strain energy decrease by 45.7% and 63.9%, respectively, compared with the caving method. As the roof-controlled backfill ratio rises, backfill materials tend to support hard roofs, thus significantly preventing dynamic hazards.
Efficient Model Predictive Control Strategies for Resource Management in an Islanded Microgrid
Authors: Oh Seaseung , Chae Suyong , Neely Jason , Baek Jongbok , Cook Marvin
Published: July 2017

The energy research community is continuously pursuing improvements in power system resiliency and reliability. Microgrids offer a unique opportunity for enhanced reliability and resiliency by utilizing localized generation and energy storage when grid power is unavailable or too expensive. Energy management is a critical aspect of these systems to ensure proper balancing of sources and ensuring power supply to critical loads with minimum cost, especially in an islanded microgrid. This paper presents a hierarchical real-time optimization with mathematical formulations to achieve optimal operation for an islanded microgrid. The optimization is implemented using simple numerically tractable model predictive control strategies and enables appropriate decisions in response to constantly changing conditions. The optimization method is extended for experimentation within the real-time simulation. Simulation results show that the proposed resource management algorithm shows near-optimal performance while effectively dealing with uncertainties in forecasting.
Geothermal Resource Exploration by Stream pH Mapping in Mutsu Hiuchi Dake Volcano, Japan
Authors: Suzuki Yota , Ioka Seiichiro , Muraoka Hirofumi
Published: July 2017

Although pH measurements of hot spring water are taken in conventional geothermal resource research, previous studies have seldom created pH distribution maps of stream and spring waters for an entire geothermal field as a technique for geothermal exploration. In this study, a pH distribution map was created by measuring stream and spring water pH at 75 sites in the Mutsu Hiuchi Dake geothermal field, Japan. Areas of abnormally high pH were detected in midstream sections of the Ohaka and Koaka rivers; these matched the location of the Mutsu Hiuchi Dake East Slope Fault, which is believed to have formed a geothermal reservoir. The abnormally high pH zone is attributed to the trapping of rising volcanic gases in a mature geothermal reservoir with neutral geothermal water. This causes the gas to dissolve and prevents it from reaching the surface. Thus, the mapping of stream water pH distribution in a geothermal field could provide a new and effective method for estimating the locations of geothermal reservoirs. As the proposed method does not require laboratory analysis, and is more temporally and economically efficient than conventional methods, it might help to promote geothermal development in inaccessible and remote regions.
Multi-Objective Optimization of Building Energy Design to Reconcile Collective and Private Perspectives: CO2-eq vs. Discounted Payback Time
Authors: Hamdy Mohamed , Mauro Gerardo
Published: July 2017

Building energy design is a multi-objective optimization problem where collective and private perspectives conflict each other. For instance, whereas the collectivity pursues the minimization of environmental impact, the private pursues the maximization of financial viability. Solving such trade-off design problems usually involves a big computational cost for exploring a huge solution domain including a large number of design options. To reduce that computational cost, a bi-objective simulation-based optimization algorithm, developed in a previous study, is applied in the present investigation. The algorithm is implemented for minimizing the CO2-eq emissions and the discounted payback time (DPB) of a single-family house in cold climate, where 13,456 design solutions including building envelope and heating system options are explored and compared to a predefined reference case. The whole building life is considered by assuming a calculation period of 30 years. The results show that the type of heating system significantly affects energy performance; notably, the ground source heat pump leads to the highest reduction in CO2-eq emissions, around 1300 kgCO2-eq/m2, with 17 year DPB; the oil fire boiler can provide the lowest DPB, equal to 8.5 years, with 850 kgCO2-eq/m2 reduction. In addition, it is shown that using too high levels of thermal insulation is not an effective solution as it causes unacceptable levels of summertime overheating. Finally a multi-objective decision making approach is proposed in order to enable the stakeholders to choice among the optimal solutions according to the weight given to each objective, and thus to each perspective.
Combustion, Performance, and Emission Evaluation of a Diesel Engine with Biodiesel Like Fuel Blends Derived From a Mixture of Pakistani Waste Canola and Waste Transformer Oils
Authors: Qasim Muhammad , Ansari Tariq Mahmood , Hussain Mazhar
Published: July 2017

The aim of this work was to study the combustion, performance, and emission characteristics of a 5.5 kW four-stroke single-cylinder water-cooled direct-injection diesel engine operated with blends of biodiesel-like fuel (BLF15, BLF20 & BLF25) obtained from a 50:50 mixture of transesterified waste transformer oil (TWTO) and waste canola oil methyl esters (WCOME) with petroleum diesel. The mixture of the waste oils was named as biodiesel-like fuel (BLF).The engine fuelled with BLF blends was evaluated in terms of combustion, performance, and emission characteristics. FTIR analysis was carried out to know the functional groups in the BLF fuel. The experimental results revealed the shorter ignition delay and marginally higher brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), brake thermal efficiency (BTE) and exhaust gas temperature (EGT) values for BLF blends as compared to diesel. The hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions were decreased by 10.92–31.17% and 3.80–6.32%, respectively, as compared to those of diesel fuel. Smoke opacity was significantly reduced. FTIR analysis has confirmed the presence of saturated alkanes and halide groups in BLF fuel. In comparison to BLF20 and BLF25, the blend BLF15 has shown higher brake thermal efficiency and lower fuel consumption values. The HC, CO, and smoke emissions of BLF15 were found lower than those of petroleum diesel. The fuel blend BLF15 is suggested to be used as an alternative fuel for diesel engines without any engine modification.
Upregulation of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (PI3K) Enhances Ethylene Biosynthesis and Accelerates Flower Senescence in Transgenic Nicotiana tabacum L.
Authors: Dek Mohd Sabri Pak , Padmanabhan Priya , Sherif Sherif , Subramanian Jayasankar , Paliyath and Gopinadhan
Published: July 2017

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is a key enzyme that phosphorylates phosphatidylinositol at 3’-hydroxyl position of the inositol head group initiating the generation of several phosphorylated phosphatidylinositols, collectively referred to as phosphoinositides. The function of PI3K in plant senescence and ethylene signal transduction process was studied by expression of Solanum lycopersicum PI3K in transgenic Nicotiana tabacum, and delineating its effect on flower senescence. Detached flowers of transgenic tobacco plants with overexpressed Sl-PI3K (OX) displayed accelerated senescence and reduced longevity, when compared to the flowers of wild type plants. Flowers from PI3K-overexpressing plants showed enhanced ethylene production and upregulated expression of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase 1 (ACO1). Real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed that PI3K was expressed at a higher level in OX flowers than in the control. Seedlings of OX-lines also demonstrated a triple response phenotype with characteristic exaggerated apical hook, shorter hypocotyls and increased sensitivity to 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate than the control wild type seedlings. In floral tissue from OX-lines, Solanum lycopersicum phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase green fluorescent protein (PI3K-GFP) chimera protein was localized primarily in stomata, potentially in cytoplasm and membrane adjacent to stomatal pores in the guard cells. Immunoblot analysis of PI3K expression in OX lines demonstrated increased protein level compared to the control. Results of the present study suggest that PI3K plays a crucial role in senescence by enhancing ethylene biosynthesis and signaling.
The Interplay between the Host Receptor and Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase
Authors: Byrd-Leotis Lauren , Cummings Richard D. , Steinhauer David A.
Published: July 2017

The hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) glycoproteins of influenza A virus are responsible for the surface interactions of the virion with the host. Entry of the virus is mediated by functions of the HA: binding to cellular receptors and facilitating fusion of the virion membrane with the endosomal membrane. The HA structure contains receptor binding sites in the globular membrane distal head domains of the trimer, and the fusion machinery resides in the stem region. These sites have specific characteristics associated with subtype and host, and the differences often define species barriers. For example, avian viruses preferentially recognize α2,3-Sialic acid terminating glycans as receptors and mammalian viruses recognize α2,6-Sialic acid. The neuraminidase, or the receptor-destroying protein, cleaves the sialic acid from cellular membrane constituents and viral glycoproteins allowing for egress of nascent virions. A functional balance of activity has been demonstrated between the two glycoproteins, resulting in an optimum level of HA affinity and NA enzymatic cleavage to allow for productive infection. As more is understood about both HA and NA, the relevance for functional balance between HA and NA continues to expand, with potential implications for interspecies transmission, host adaptation, and pathogenicity.
Prediction of Protein Hotspots from Whole Protein Sequences by a Random Projection Ensemble System
Authors: Jiang Jinjian , Wang Nian , Chen Peng , Zheng Chunhou , Wang Bing
Published: July 2017

Hotspot residues are important in the determination of protein-protein interactions, and they always perform specific functions in biological processes. The determination of hotspot residues is by the commonly-used method of alanine scanning mutagenesis experiments, which is always costly and time consuming. To address this issue, computational methods have been developed. Most of them are structure based, i.e., using the information of solved protein structures. However, the number of solved protein structures is extremely less than that of sequences. Moreover, almost all of the predictors identified hotspots from the interfaces of protein complexes, seldom from the whole protein sequences. Therefore, determining hotspots from whole protein sequences by sequence information alone is urgent. To address the issue of hotspot predictions from the whole sequences of proteins, we proposed an ensemble system with random projections using statistical physicochemical properties of amino acids. First, an encoding scheme involving sequence profiles of residues and physicochemical properties from the AAindex1 dataset is developed. Then, the random projection technique was adopted to project the encoding instances into a reduced space. Then, several better random projections were obtained by training an IBk classifier based on the training dataset, which were thus applied to the test dataset. The ensemble of random projection classifiers is therefore obtained. Experimental results showed that although the performance of our method is not good enough for real applications of hotspots, it is very promising in the determination of hotspot residues from whole sequences.
Zebrafish as a Model Organism for the Development of Drugs for Skin Cancer
Authors: Bootorabi Fatemeh , Manouchehri Hamed , Changizi Reza , Barker Harlan , Palazzo Elisabetta , Saltari Annalisa , Parikka Mataleena , Pincelli Carlo , Aspatwar Ashok
Published: July 2017

Skin cancer, which includes melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma, represents the most common type of cutaneous malignancy worldwide, and its incidence is expected to rise in the near future. This condition derives from acquired genetic dysregulation of signaling pathways involved in the proliferation and apoptosis of skin cells. The development of animal models has allowed a better understanding of these pathomechanisms, with the possibility of carrying out toxicological screening and drug development. In particular, the zebrafish (Danio rerio) has been established as one of the most important model organisms for cancer research. This model is particularly suitable for live cell imaging and high-throughput drug screening in a large-scale fashion. Thanks to the recent advances in genome editing, such as the clustered regularly-interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) methodologies, the mechanisms associated with cancer development and progression, as well as drug resistance can be investigated and comprehended. With these unique tools, the zebrafish represents a powerful platform for skin cancer research in the development of target therapies. Here, we will review the advantages of using the zebrafish model for drug discovery and toxicological and phenotypical screening. We will focus in detail on the most recent progress in the field of zebrafish model generation for the study of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), including cancer cell injection and transgenic animal development. Moreover, we will report the latest compounds and small molecules under investigation in melanoma zebrafish models.
Enriching Diet with n-3 PUFAs to Help Prevent Cardiovascular Diseases in Healthy Adults: Results from Clinical Trials
Authors: Manuelli Matteo , Della Guardia Lucio , Cena Hellas
Published: July 2017

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) are believed to be important for cardiovascular health. Many investigations have been carried out in an attempt to examine the effect of n-3 PUFAs intake, in the form of supplementation or fortified foods, for the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and risk factors for CVD, whereas less is known about the effect on healthy individuals. The present study reviews the available literature in order to examine the relationship between n-3 PUFAs intake, either via supplementation or enriched food, and the prevention of CVD among healthy adults. Interventional clinical trials on subjects aged >18 years old with none of the established risk factors for CVD have been considered for review. n-3 PUFAs supplementation or enriched food may positively regulate triglycerides and some lipoprotein subsets, as well as several vascular and coagulation parameters, even in healthy patients, presenting no risk factors for CVD, suggesting a protective effect. Diet enrichment with omega-3 is likely to be useful in helping to lower the risk of developing CVD in healthy individuals, but still offers no strong evidence of a tangible benefit on a population level. Additional studies are needed to determine the optimal daily intake, especially to prevent the unfavorable effects of PUFAs over-consumption.
Co-Expression Network and Pathway Analyses Reveal Important Modules of miRNAs Regulating Milk Yield and Component Traits
Authors: Do Duy , Dudemaine Pier-Luc , Li Ran , Ibeagha-Awemu Eveline
Published: July 2017

Co-expression network analyses provide insights into the molecular interactions underlying complex traits and diseases. In this study, co-expression network analysis was performed to detect expression patterns (modules or clusters) of microRNAs (miRNAs) during lactation, and to identify miRNA regulatory mechanisms for milk yield and component traits (fat, protein, somatic cell count (SCC), lactose, and milk urea nitrogen (MUN)) via miRNA target gene enrichment analysis. miRNA expression (713 miRNAs), and milk yield and components (Fat%, Protein%, lactose, SCC, MUN) data of nine cows at each of six different time points (day 30 (D30), D70, D130, D170, D230 and D290) of an entire lactation curve were used. Four modules or clusters (GREEN, BLUE, RED and TURQUOISE) of miRNAs were identified as important for milk yield and component traits. The GREEN and BLUE modules were significantly correlated (|r| > 0.5) with milk yield and lactose, respectively. The RED and TURQUOISE modules were significantly correlated (|r| > 0.5) with both SCC and lactose. In the GREEN module, three abundantly expressed miRNAs (miR-148a, miR-186 and miR-200a) were most significantly correlated to milk yield, and are probably the most important miRNAs for this trait. DDR1 and DDHX1 are hub genes for miRNA regulatory networks controlling milk yield, while HHEX is an important transcription regulator for these networks. miR-18a, miR-221/222 cluster, and transcription factors HOXA7, and NOTCH 3 and 4, are important for the regulation of lactose. miR-142, miR-146a, and miR-EIA17-14144 (a novel miRNA), and transcription factors in the SMAD family and MYB, are important for the regulation of SCC. Important signaling pathways enriched for target genes of miRNAs of significant modules, included protein kinase A and PTEN signaling for milk yield, eNOS and Noth signaling for lactose, and TGF β, HIPPO, Wnt/β-catenin and cell cycle signaling for SCC. Relevant enriched gene ontology (GO)-terms related to milk and mammary gland traits included cell differentiation, G-protein coupled receptor activity, and intracellular signaling transduction. Overall, this study uncovered regulatory networks in which miRNAs interacted with each other to regulate lactation traits.
Olive Mill Waste Enhances α-Glucan Content in the Edible Mushroom Pleurotus eryngii
Authors: Avni Sharon , Ezove Nirit , Hanani Hilla , Yadid Itamar , Karpovsky Michal , Hayby Hilla , Gover Ofer , Hadar Yitzhak , Schwartz Betty , Danay Ofer
Published: July 2017

Mushroom polysaccharides are edible polymers that have numerous reported biological functions; the most common effects are attributed to β-glucans. In recent years, it became apparent that the less abundant α-glucans also possess potent effects in various health conditions. Here we explore several Pleurotus species for their total, β and α-glucan content. Pleurotus eryngii was found to have the highest total glucan concentrations and the highest α-glucans proportion. We also found that the stalks (stipe) of the fruit body contained higher glucan content then the caps (pileus). Since mushrooms respond markedly to changes in environmental and growth conditions, we developed cultivation methods aiming to increase the levels of α and β-glucans. Using olive mill solid waste (OMSW) from three-phase olive mills in the cultivation substrate. We were able to enrich the levels mainly of α-glucans. Maximal total glucan concentrations were enhanced up to twice when the growth substrate contained 80% of OMSW compared to no OMSW. Taking together this study demonstrate that Pleurotus eryngii can serve as a potential rich source of glucans for nutritional and medicinal applications and that glucan content in mushroom fruiting bodies can be further enriched by applying OMSW into the cultivation substrate.
Generalized GW+Boltzmann Approach for the Description of Ultrafast Electron Dynamics in Topological Insulators
Authors: Battiato Marco , Aguilera Irene , Sánchez-Barriga Jaime
Published: July 2017

Quantum-phase transitions between trivial insulators and topological insulators differ from ordinary metal-insulator transitions in that they arise from the inversion of the bulk band structure due to strong spin–orbit coupling. Such topological phase transitions are unique in nature as they lead to the emergence of topological surface states which are characterized by a peculiar spin texture that is believed to play a central role in the generation and manipulation of dissipationless surface spin currents on ultrafast timescales. Here, we provide a generalized G W +Boltzmann approach for the description of ultrafast dynamics in topological insulators driven by electron–electron and electron–phonon scatterings. Taking the prototypical insulator Bi 2 Te 3 as an example, we test the robustness of our approach by comparing the theoretical prediction to results of time- and angle-resolved photoemission experiments. From this comparison, we are able to demonstrate the crucial role of the excited spin texture in the subpicosecond relaxation of transient electrons, as well as to accurately obtain the magnitude and strength of electron–electron and electron–phonon couplings. Our approach could be used as a generalized theory for three-dimensional topological insulators in the bulk-conducting transport regime, paving the way for the realization of a unified theory of ultrafast dynamics in topological materials.
Linear Static Behavior of Damaged Laminated Composite Plates and Shells
Authors: Tornabene Francesco , Fantuzzi Nicholas , Bacciocchi Michele
Published: July 2017

A mathematical scheme is proposed here to model a damaged mechanical configuration for laminated and sandwich structures. In particular, two kinds of functions defined in the reference domain of plates and shells are introduced to weaken their mechanical properties in terms of engineering constants: a two-dimensional Gaussian function and an ellipse shaped function. By varying the geometric parameters of these distributions, several damaged configurations are analyzed and investigated through a set of parametric studies. The effect of a progressive damage is studied in terms of displacement profiles and through-the-thickness variations of stress, strain, and displacement components. To this end, a posteriori recovery procedure based on the three-dimensional equilibrium equations for shell structures in orthogonal curvilinear coordinates is introduced. The theoretical framework for the two-dimensional shell model is based on a unified formulation able to study and compare several Higher-order Shear Deformation Theories (HSDTs), including Murakami’s function for the so-called zig-zag effect. Thus, various higher-order models are used and compared also to investigate the differences which can arise from the choice of the order of the kinematic expansion. Their ability to deal with several damaged configurations is analyzed as well. The paper can be placed also in the field of numerical analysis, since the solution to the static problem at issue is achieved by means of the Generalized Differential Quadrature (GDQ) method, whose accuracy and stability are proven by a set of convergence analyses and by the comparison with the results obtained through a commercial finite element software.
Low-Temperature Preparation of Tungsten Oxide Anode Buffer Layer via Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis Method for Large-Area Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Ji Ran , Zheng Ding , Zhou Chang , Cheng Jiang , Yu Junsheng , Li Lu
Published: July 2017

Tungsten oxide (WO3) is prepared by a low-temperature ultrasonic spray pyrolysis method in air atmosphere, and it is used as an anode buffer layer (ABL) for organic solar cells (OSCs). The properties of the WO3 transition metal oxide material as well as the mechanism of ultrasonic spray pyrolysis processes are investigated. The results show that the ultrasonic spray pyrolysized WO3 ABL exhibits low roughness, matched energy level, and high conductivity, which results in high charge transport efficiency and suppressive recombination in OSCs. As a result, compared to the OSCs based on vacuum thermal evaporated WO3, a higher power conversion efficiency of 3.63% is reached with low-temperature ultrasonic spray pyrolysized WO3 ABL. Furthermore, the mostly spray-coated OSCs with large area was fabricated, which has a power conversion efficiency of ~1%. This work significantly enhances our understanding of the preparation and application of low temperature-processed WO3, and highlights the potential of large area, all spray coated OSCs for sustainable commercial fabrication.
Accumulation of Microcystin (LR, RR and YR) in Three Freshwater Bivalves in Microcystis aeruginosa Bloom Using Dual Isotope Tracer
Authors: Kim Min-Seob , Lee Yeon-Jung , Ha Sun-Yong , Kim Baik-Ho , Hwang Soon-Jin , Kwon Jung-Taek , Choi Jong-Woo , Shin Kyung-Hoon
Published: July 2017

Abstract: Stable isotope tracers were first applied to evaluate the Microcystis cell assimilation efficiency of Sinanodonta bivalves, since the past identification method has been limited to tracking the changes of each chl-a, clearity, and nutrient. The toxicity profile and accumulation of MC-LR, -RR and -YR in different organs (foot and digestive organs) from the three filter-feeders (Sinanodonta woodina, Sinanodonta arcaeformis, and Unio douglasiae) were assessed under the condition of toxigenic cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa) blooms through an in situ pond experiment using 13C and 15N dual isotope tracers. Chl-a concentration in the manipulated pond was dramatically decreased after the beginning of the second day, ranging from 217.5 to 15.6 μg·L−1. The highest amount of MCs was incorporated into muscle and gland tissues in U. douglasiae during the study period, at nearly 2 or 3 times higher than in S.woodiana and S. arcaeformis. In addition, the incorporated 13C and 15N atom % in the U. douglasiae bivalve showed lower values than in other bivalves. The results demonstrate that U. douglasiae has less capacity to assimilate toxic cyanobacteria derived from diet. However, the incorporated 13C and 15N atom % of S. arcaeformis showed a larger feeding capacity than U. douglasiae and S. wodiana. Our results therefore also indicate that S. arcaeformis can eliminate the toxin more rapidly than U. douglasiae, having a larger detoxification capacity.
Antiviral Lipopeptide-Cell Membrane Interaction Is Influenced by PEG Linker Length
Authors: Augusto Marcelo , Hollmann Axel , Porotto Matteo , Moscona Anne , Santos Nuno
Published: July 2017

A set of lipopeptides was recently reported for their broad-spectrum antiviral activity against viruses belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family, including human parainfluenza virus type 3 and Nipah virus. Among them, the peptide with a 24-unit PEG linker connecting it to a cholesterol moiety (VG-PEG24-Chol) was found to be the best membrane fusion inhibitory peptide. Here, we evaluated the interaction of the same set of peptides with biomembrane model systems and isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). VG-PEG24-Chol showed the highest insertion rate and it was among the peptides that induced a larger change on the surface pressure of cholesterol rich membranes. This peptide also displayed a high affinity towards PBMC membranes. These data provide new information about the dynamics of peptide-membrane interactions of a specific group of antiviral peptides, known for their potential as multipotent paramyxovirus antivirals.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Vitisinol A and Four Other Oligostilbenes from Ampelopsis brevipedunculata var. Hancei
Authors: Chang Chi-I , Chien Wei-Chu , Huang Kai-Xin , Hsu Jue-Liang
Published: July 2017

In this study, the cytotoxicities and anti-inflammatory activities of five resveratrol derivatives—vitisinol A, (+)-ε-viniferin, (+)-vitisin A, (−)-vitisin B, and (+)-hopeaphenol—isolated from Ampelopsis brevipedunculata var. hancei were evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, respectively. The result from MTT assay analysis indicated that vitisinol A has lower cytotoxicity than the other four well-known oligostilbenes. In the presence of vitisinol A (5 μM), the significant reduction of inflammation product (nitric oxide, NO) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells was measured using Griess reaction assay. In addition, the under-expressed inflammation factors cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells monitored by Western blotting simultaneously suggested that vitisinol A has higher anti-inflammatory effect compared with other resveratrol derivatives. Finally, the anti-inflammatory effect of vitisinol A was further demonstrated on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced ear edema in mice. As a preliminary functional evaluation of natural product, the anti-inflammatory effect of vitisinol A is the first to be examined and reported by this study.
Application of An Improved HPLC-FL Method to Screen Serine Palmitoyl Transferase Inhibitors
Authors: Bertini Simone , Saccomanni Giuseppe , Carlo Sara Del , Digiacomo Maria , Gargini Claudia , Piano Ilaria , Campisi Giuseppe Matteo , Ghidoni Riccardo , Macchia Marco , Manera Clementina
Published: July 2017

In this work, we reported the application and validation of an improved high-performance liquid chromatography method coupled with a fluorimetric detector (HPLC-FL) to screen the activity of two heterocyclic derivatives reported as serine palmitoyl transferase (SPT) inhibitors. The analytical conditions were optimized in terms of the derivatization procedure, chromatographic condition, extraction procedure, and method validation according to EMEA guidelines. Once fully optimized, the method was applied to assess the SPT-inhibitory activity of the above-mentioned derivatives and of the reference inhibitor myriocin. The obtained results, expressed as a percentage of residual SPT activity, were compared to those obtained with the reference radio immune assay (RIA). The good correlation between the two types of assay demonstrated that the improved HPLC-FL method is suitable for a preliminary and rapid screening of potential SPT-inhibitors.
Effect of Alkali Metal Atoms Doping on Structural and Nonlinear Optical Properties of the Gold-Germanium Bimetallic Clusters
Authors: Li Xiaojun , Li Shuna , Ren Hongjiang , Yang Juxiang , Tang Yongqiang
Published: July 2017

A new series of alkali-based complexes, AM@GenAu (AM = Li, Na, and K), have been theoretically designed and investigated by means of the density functional theory calculations. The geometric structures and electronic properties of the species are systematically analyzed. The adsorption of alkali metals maintains the structural framework of the gold-germanium bimetallic clusters, and the alkali metals prefer energetically to be attached on clusters’ surfaces or edges. The high chemical stability of Li@Ge12Au is revealed by the spherical aromaticity, the hybridization between the Ge atoms and Au-4d states, and delocalized multi-center bonds, as well as large binding energies. The static first hyperpolarizability (βtot) is related to the cluster size and geometric structure, and the AM@GenAu (AM = Na and K) clusters exhibit the much larger βtot values up to 13050 a.u., which are considerable to establish their strong nonlinear optical (NLO) behaviors. We hope that this study will promote further application of alkali metals-adsorbed germanium-based semiconductor materials, serving for the design of remarkable and tunable NLO materials.
Nutrition and Allergic Diseases
Authors: Neerven R.J.J. van , Savelkoul Huub
Published: July 2017

The development of IgE-mediated allergic diseases is influenced by many factors, including genetic and environmental factors such as pollution and farming, but also by nutrition. In the last decade, substantial progress has been made in our understanding of the impact that nutrition can have on allergic diseases. Many studies have addressed the effect of breastfeeding, pre-, pro- and synbiotics, vitamins and minerals, fiber, fruit and vegetables, cow’s milk, and n-3 fatty acids, on the development of allergies. In addition, nutrition can also have indirect effects on allergic sensitization. This includes the diet of pregnant and breastfeeding women, which influences intrauterine development, as well as breastmilk composition. These include the diet of pregnant and breastfeeding women that influences intrauterine development as well as breastmilk composition, effects of food processing that may enhance allergenicity of foods, and effects via modulation of the intestinal microbiota and their metabolites. This editorial review provides a brief overview of recent developments related to nutrition and the development and management of allergic diseases.
Beta Palmitate Improves Bone Length and Quality during Catch-Up Growth in Young Rats
Authors: Bar-Maisels Meytal , Gabet Yankel , Shamir Raanan , Hiram-Bab Sahar , Pasmanik-Chor Metsada , Phillip Moshe , Bar-Yoseph Fabiana , Gat-Yablonski Galia
Published: July 2017

Palmitic acid (PA) is the most abundant saturated fatty acid in human milk, where it is heavily concentrated in the sn-2-position (termed beta palmitate, BPA) and as such is conserved in all women, regardless of their diet or ethnicity, indicating its physiological and metabolic importance. We hypothesized that BPA improves the efficiency of nutrition-induced catch up growth as compared to sn-1,3 PA, which is present in vegetable oil. Pre-pubertal male rats were subjected to a 17 days food restriction followed by re-feeding for nine days with 1,3 PA or BPA-containing diets. We measured bone length, epiphyseal growth plate height (EGP, histology), bone quality (micro-CT and 3-point bending assay), and gene expression (Affymetrix). The BPA-containing diet improved most growth parameters: humeri length and EGP height were greater in the BPA-fed animals. Further analysis of the EGP revealed that the hypertrophic zone was significantly higher in the BPA group. In addition, Affymetrix analysis revealed that the diet affected the expression of several genes in the liver and EGP. Despite the very subtle difference between the diets and the short re-feeding period, we found a small but significant improvement in most growth parameters in the BPA-fed rats. This pre-clinical study may have important implications, especially for children with growth disorders and children with special nutritional needs.
Three Carbazole-Based Polymers as Potential Anodically Coloring Materials for High-Contrast Electrochromic Devices
Authors: Su Yuh-Shan , Wu Tzi-Yi
Published: July 2017

Three carbazole-based conjugated polymers (poly(3,6-di(2-thienyl)carbazole) (PDTC), poly(2,7-bis(carbazol-9-yl)-9,9-spirobifluorene) (PS2CBP), and poly(3,6-bis(N-carbazole)-N-ethylcarbazole) (PCEC)) are synthesized using electrochemical polymerization. The spectroelectrochemical studies indicate that the PDTC, PS2CBP, and PCEC films show reversible electrochromic behaviors in their redox states, and the PS2CBP film shows a distinct color transition with four various colors (gray at 0 V, grayish-green at 1.0 V, moss green at 1.2 V, and foliage green at 1.4 V). The maximum optical contrast of the PS2CBP and PCEC films is 39.83% at 428 nm and 32.41% at 420 nm, respectively, in an ionic liquid solution. Dual-type electrochromic devices (ECDs) that employ PDTC, PS2CBP, or PCEC film as an anodic layer, and PProDOT-Et2 film as a cathodic layer, were constructed. The as-prepared PCEC/PProDOT-Et2 ECD shows high optical contrast (38.25% at 586 nm) and high coloration efficiency (369.85 cm2 C−1 at 586 nm), and the PS2CBP/PProDOT-Et2 ECD shows high optical contrast (34.45% at 590 nm), good optical memory, and good long-term cycling stability.
A Multiscale Approach to the Smart Deployment of Micro-Sensors over Lightweight Structures
Authors: Capellari Giovanni , Caimmi Francesco , Bruggi Matteo , Mariani Stefano
Published: July 2017

A topology optimization approach has been recently proposed to maximize the sensitivity to damage of measurements, collected through a network of sensors to be deployed over thin plates for structural health monitoring purposes. Within such a frame, damage is meant as a change in the structural health characterized by a reduction of relevant stiffness and load-carrying properties. The sensitivity to a damage of unknown amplitude and location is computed by comparing the response to the external actions of the healthy structure and of a set of auxiliary damaged structures, each one featuring reduced mechanical properties in a small region only. The topology optimization scheme has been devised to properly account for the information coming from all of the sensors to be placed on the structure and for damage depending on its location. In this work, we extend the approach within a multiscale frame to account for three different length scales: a macroscopic one, linked to the dimensions of the whole structure to be monitored; a mesoscopic one, linked to the characteristic size of the damaged region; a microscopic one, linked to the size of inertial microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to be used within a marginally-invasive health monitoring system. Results are provided for a square plate and for a section of fuselage with stiffeners, to show how the micro-sensors have to be deployed to maximize the capability to detect a damage, to assess the sensitivity of the results to the measurement noise and to also discuss the speedup in designing the network topology against a standard single-scale approach.