bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of Dietary Advanced Glycation End Products with Metabolic Syndrome in Young Mexican Adults
Authors: Mendoza-Herrera Kenny , Aradillas-García Celia , Mejía-Diaz Miguel A. , Alegría-Torres Jorge A. , Garay-Sevilla Ma. Eugenia , Luevano-Contreras Claudia
Published: December 2018

Background: Consumption of dietary advanced glycation end products is linked to metabolic syndrome. The objective was to describe the association between dietary advanced glycation end products intake and metabolic syndrome in young Mexican adults. Methods: The present was a cross-sectional study in 126 Mexican adults 18–35 years old evaluating metabolic syndrome through the harmonized criteria. Macronutrients and dietary advanced glycation end products intake were estimated through three 24-hour dietary recalls and food composition tables. Association between metabolic syndrome and high advanced glycation end products intake (≥10,000 kU/day) was evaluated through three logistic regression models adjusted by sex, age, family history of cardiometabolic diseases and energy intake. Results: Subjects with a higher advanced glycation end products intake were more likely to have impaired fasting glucose (OR: 4.91, 95% CI 1.29–18.60, p < 0.05) and metabolic syndrome (OR: 2.67, 95% CI 0.96–7.44, p = 0.059) than those participants with low consumption of these products after adjustment of sex, age, family history of cardiovascular disease and energy intake. Conclusions: High intake of dietary advanced glycation end products was significantly associated with impaired fasting glucose and marginally with metabolic syndrome in young Mexican adults regardless of sex, age, family history of cardiovascular disease and energy intake.
Research on Reaction Mechanism of Vacuum Carbon Thermal Reduction and Dephosphorization in High Phosphate Iron Ore
Authors: Zhao Jun , Chen Zhijie , Zuo Haibin , Wang Jingsong , Xue Qingguo
Published: December 2018

According to the mineral composition characteristics of high-phosphorus iron ore, the reaction mechanism of fluorapatite was investigated using pure substance and gangue under vacuum carbon thermal reduction (VCTR) conditions. The effects of reduction temperature, basicity, and C/O ratio on the metallization ratio, dephosphorization ratio, and phosphorus content of pellets were studied. The reaction process of fluorapatite in high-phosphorus iron ore was investigated. The results showed that when the metallization ratio of pellets reached maximum (95%), the dephosphorization ratio was only 5.6%, thus indicating adverse result. The reduction processes of high-phosphorus iron ore under vacuum and nitrogen environment were, respectively, compared under the optimal condition. It was found that the metallization ratio of pellets in the vacuum condition was higher than that under the nitrogen condition, while the dephosphorization ratio showed an opposite result. This indicated that in the process of vacuum reduction, fluorapatite not only reacted with carbon to form gaseous phosphide, but also with iron to form compounds containing the Fe–P bond. Therefore, a new mechanism of reduction of fluorapatite was proposed as follows: 2Ca5(PO4)3F + 12Fe + 9SiO2 + 15C = 9CaSiO3 + 6Fe2P + 15CO + CaF2.
Long-Life Fatigue of Carburized 12Cr2Ni Alloy Steel: Evaluation of Failure Characteristic and Prediction of Fatigue Strength
Authors: Deng Hailong , Liu Qichen , Liu Hang , Yu Huan
Published: December 2018

In this study, the fatigue failure behaviors of carburized 12Cr2Ni alloy steel were examined in the long-life regime between 104 and 108 cycles with about 100 Hz under R = 0. Results showed that this alloy steel exhibited the double S-N characteristics with surface failure and interior failure. From a statistical point of view, the correlation coefficient further proved that the fine granular area (FGA) governed the fatigue performance of carburized 12Cr2Ni alloy steel. Based on the generalized extreme values (GEV) distribution and test data, the predicted maximum defect size was about 23.4 μm. Considering the effect of tensile limit, material hardness, and crack size characteristics, the fatigue strength prediction model under stress ratio of 0 could be established. The predicted fatigue limit for carburized 12Cr2Ni alloy steel at 108 cycles under R = 0 was 507.86 MPa, and the prediction error of fatigue limit was within 0.04. Therefore, the results were extremely accurate.
The Macroscopic Flow direction and Microscopic Distribution of Mg in Sintered Products and Its Influence
Authors: Wu Shengli , Zhang Weili , Kou Mingyin , Zhou Heng
Published: December 2018

Magnesium flux is an indispensable part of sintering materials. Its distribution and reaction behavior have an important influence on the quality of the sinter. Studying the macroscopic flow direction and microscopic distribution of MgO in sintered products is important for guiding the matching of ore for sintering and adjusting sintering technical parameters. The macroscopic flow direction situation of MgO in all sintered products was studied using X-Ray diffractometer and X-Ray fluorescence analyzer. In addition, the microscopic distribution characteristics of Mg element in the main sintered products were studied using scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrometer. The results of this research are as follows. The Mg contents of sintered products are in the following increasing order: sinter ore, sinter internal return ore, and blast furnace return ore. The Mg content of the 1 to 2 mm grain size is the highest in the sinter internal return ore and blast furnace return ore, which is related to the granular distribution of magnesium flux. Moreover, the Mg content of sintered minerals are in the following decreasing order: magnetite; silico-ferrites of calcium and aluminium (SFCA); and silicate and hematite, and the Mg dissolving in the SFCA has a tendency to make the SFCA morphology coarse. The diffusion range of Mg in a large dolomite particle is much narrower, and it mainly stays at the position where the dolomite is located. In the actual sintering process, Mg increases the viscosity of the sintering liquid phase and prevents the oxidation of magnetite, which is not conducive to the improvement of the strength of the sinter.
Thermo-Mechanical Modelling of Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) of Semi-Finished Products
Authors: Graf Marcel , Hälsig Andre , Höfer Kevin , Awiszus Birgit , Mayr Peter
Published: December 2018

Additive manufacturing processes have been investigated for some years, and are commonly used industrially in the field of plastics for small- and medium-sized series. The use of metallic deposition material has been intensively studied on the laboratory scale, but the numerical prediction is not yet state of the art. This paper examines numerical approaches for predicting temperature fields, distortions, and mechanical properties using the Finite Element (FE) software MSC Marc. For process mapping, the filler materials G4Si1 (1.5130) for steel, and AZ31 for magnesium, were first characterized in terms of thermo-physical and thermo-mechanical properties with process-relevant cast microstructure. These material parameters are necessary for a detailed thermo-mechanical coupled Finite Element Method (FEM). The focus of the investigations was on the numerical analysis of the influence of the wire feed (2.5–5.0 m/min) and the weld path orientation (unidirectional or continuous) on the temperature evolution for multi-layered walls of miscellaneous materials. For the calibration of the numerical model, the real welding experiments were carried out using the gas-metal arc-welding process—cold metal transfer (CMT) technology. A uniform wall geometry can be produced with a continuous welding path, because a more homogeneous temperature distribution results.
Age and Formation Conditions of U Mineralization in the Litsa Area and the Salla-Kuolajarvi Zone (Kola Region, Russia)
Authors: Kaulina Tatiana V. , Kalinin Arkady A. , Il’chenko Vadim L. , Gannibal Marja A. , Avedisyan Anaid A. , Elizarov Dmitry V. , Nerovich Lyudmila I. , Nitkina Elena A.
Published: December 2018

The Kola region (NE of Fennoscandian Shield) has high uranium potential. The most promising structures within the Kola region in respect to uranium enrichment are the Litsa area and the Salla-Kuolajarvi zone. The principal objective of the present study was to define sequence and timing of uranium deposition within these areas. Isotopic (U-Pb and Rb-Sr) exploration of the rocks from Skal’noe and Dikoe U occurrences of the Litsa area and Ozernoe occurrences of the Salla-Kuolajarvi zone was carried out. As it follows from isotopic dating, the principal stages of uranium mineralization had taken place 2.3–2.2, 1.75–1.65, and 0.40–0.38 Ga ago, simultaneously with the stages of alkaline magmatism in the Kola region, which provided the uranium input. Uranium mineralization was related to hydrothermal and metasomatic events under medium to low temperature of ~550 °С at 2.3 Ga to ~280 °С at 0.4 Ga.
Characterization of Endocannabinoid-Metabolizing Enzymes in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells under Inflammatory Conditions
Authors: Szafran Brittany N. , Lee Jung Hwa , Borazjani Abdolsamad , Morrison Peter , Zimmerman Grace , Andrzejewski Kelly L. , Ross Matthew K. , Kaplan Barbara L.F.
Published: December 2018

Endocannabinoid-metabolizing enzymes are downregulated in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in mice, which may serve as a negative feedback mechanism to increase endocannabinoid levels and reduce inflammation. Increased plasma levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) and decreased fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) activity in peripheral lymphocytes from individuals diagnosed with Huntington’s disease (HD) suggests that a similar negative feedback system between inflammation and the endocannabinoid system operates in humans. We investigated whether CpG- (unmethylated bacterial DNA) and LPS-induced IL-6 levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from non-HD and HD individuals modulated the activities of endocannabinoid hydrolases monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and carboxylesterase (CES). Baseline plasma IL-6 levels and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) hydrolytic activity in PBMC lysates were not different in HD and non-HD individuals. Inhibition of MAGL and CES1 activity in PBMCs using the inhibitors JZL184 and WWL113, respectively, demonstrated that MAGL was the dominant 2-AG hydrolytic enzyme in PBMCs, regardless of disease state. Correlative analyses of 2-AG hydrolytic activity versus enzyme abundance confirmed this conclusion. Flow cytometric analysis of PBMCs showed that MAGL and CES1 were primarily expressed in monocytes and to a lesser extent in lymphocytes. In conclusion, these data suggest that IL-6 did not influence 2-AG hydrolytic activity in human PBMCs; however, monocytic MAGL was shown to be the predominant 2-AG hydrolytic enzyme.
Evaluation of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TCTP-1 for the Detection of Metalloproteinase 2/9 Expression in Mouse Atherosclerotic Plaques
Authors: Kiugel Max , Hellberg Sanna , Käkelä Meeri , Liljenbäck Heidi , Saanijoki Tiina , Li Xiang-Guo , Tuomela Johanna , Knuuti Juhani , Saraste Antti , Roivainen Anne
Published: December 2018

Background: The expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2/9 (MMP-2/9) has been implicated in arterial remodeling and inflammation in atherosclerosis. We evaluated a gallium-68 labeled peptide for the detection of MMP-2/9 in atherosclerotic mouse aorta. Methods: We studied sixteen low-density lipoprotein receptor deficient mice (LDLR-/-ApoB100/100) kept on a Western-type diet. Distribution of intravenously-injected MMP-2/9-targeting peptide, [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TCTP-1, was studied by combined positron emission tomography (PET) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). At 60 min post-injection, aortas were cut into cryosections for autoradiography analysis of tracer uptake, histology, and immunohistochemistry. Zymography was used to assess MMP-2/9 activation and pre-treatment with MMP-2/9 inhibitor to assess the specificity of tracer uptake. Results: Tracer uptake was not visible by in vivo PET/CT in the atherosclerotic aorta, but ex vivo autoradiography revealed 1.8 ± 0.34 times higher tracer uptake in atherosclerotic plaques than in normal vessel wall (p = 0.0029). Tracer uptake in plaques correlated strongly with the quantity of Mac-3-positive macrophages (R = 0.91, p < 0.001), but weakly with MMP-9 staining (R = 0.40, p = 0.099). Zymography showed MMP-2 activation in the aorta, and pre-treatment with MMP-2/9 inhibitor decreased tracer uptake by 55% (p = 0.0020). Conclusions: The MMP-2/9-targeting [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TCTP-1 shows specific uptake in inflamed atherosclerotic lesions; however, a low target-to-background ratio precluded in vivo vascular imaging. Our results suggest, that the affinity of gelatinase imaging probes should be steered towards activated MMP-2, to reduce the interference of circulating enzymes on the target visualization in vivo.
Computational Characterization of Bidentate P-Donor Ligands: Direct Comparison to Tolman’s Electronic Parameters
Authors: Kégl Tímea R. , Pálinkás Noémi , Kollár László , Kégl Tamás
Published: December 2018

The applicability of two types of transition-metal carbonyl complexes as appropriate candidates for computationally derived Tolman’s ligand electronic parameters were examined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations employing the B97D3 functional. Both Pd(0)L2(CO) and HRh(I)L2(CO) complexes correlated well with the experimental Tolman Electronic Parameter scale. For direct comparison of the electronic effects of diphosphines with those of monophosphines, the palladium-containing system is recommended. The t r a n s influence of various phosphines did not show a major difference, but the decrease of the H-Rh-P angle from linear can cause a significant change.
Combination of Roll Grinding and High-Pressure Homogenization Can Prepare Stable Bicelles for Drug Delivery
Authors: Matsuo Seira , Higashi Kenjirou , Moribe Kunikazu , Kimura Shin-ichiro , Itai Shigeru , Kondo Hiromu , Iwao Yasunori
Published: December 2018

To improve the solubility of the drug nifedipine (NI), NI-encapsulated lipid-based nanoparticles (NI-LNs) have been prepared from neutral hydrogenated soybean phosphatidylcholine and negatively charged dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol at a molar ratio of 5/1 using by roll grinding and high-pressure homogenization. The NI-LNs exhibited high entrapment efficiency, long-term stability, and enhanced NI bioavailability. To better understand their structures, cryo transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were performed in the present study. Imaging from both instruments revealed that the NI-LNs were bicelles. Structures prepared with a different drug (phenytoin) or with phospholipids (dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, and distearoylphosphatidylcholine) were also bicelles. Long-term storage, freeze-drying, and high-pressure homogenization did not affect the structures; however, different lipid ratios, or the presence of cholesterol, did result in liposomes (5/0) or micelles (0/5) with different physicochemical properties and stabilities. Considering the result of long-term stability, standard NI-LN bicelles (5/1) showed the most long-term stabilities, providing a useful preparation method for stable bicelles for drug delivery.
The Dietary Inflammatory Index and All-Cause, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cancer Mortality in the Multiethnic Cohort Study
Authors: Park Song-Yi , Kang Minji , Wilkens Lynne R. , Shvetsov Yurii B. , Harmon Brook E. , Shivappa Nitin , Wirth Michael D. , Hébert James R. , Haiman Christopher A. , Le Marchand Loïc , Boushey Carol J.
Published: December 2018

Diet quality based on inflammatory potential, assessed by the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®), has been related to mortality, but studies from racially/ethnically diverse populations are scarce. Using data from the Multiethnic Cohort Study in Hawaii and California, we investigated the association of the DII with all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer mortality, both overall and by race/ethnicity. The analysis included 150,405 African Americans, Native Hawaiians, Japanese Americans, Latinos, and Whites aged 45–75 years, with 47,436 deaths during an average follow-up of 18.2 ± 4.9 years. In multivariable-adjusted Cox models, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the highest vs. lowest quintile of the DII in men and women were 1.15 (1.09–1.21) and 1.22 (1.14–1.28) for all-cause, 1.13 (1.03–1.23) and 1.29 (1.17–1.42) for CVD, and 1.10 (1.00–1.21) and 1.13 (1.02–1.26) for cancer mortality. In men, an increased risk of all-cause mortality with higher DII scores was found in all racial/ethnic groups except for Native Hawaiians (P for heterogeneity < 0.001). Similarly, in women, an increased risk of CVD mortality was found in the four racial/ethnic groups, but not in Native Hawaiians. These findings support the association of a pro-inflammatory diet with a higher risk of mortality and suggest the association may vary by race/ethnicity.
Modulating Sterol Concentrations in Infant Formula Influences Cholesterol Absorption and Synthesis in the Neonatal Piglet
Authors: Babawale Elizabeth A , Jones Peter JH , Mercer Kelly E , Lin Haixia , Yeruva Laxmi , Bar Yoseph Fabiana , Rutherfurd Shane M
Published: December 2018

Formula-fed infants present higher cholesterol synthesis rates and lower circulating cholesterol during the postnatal feeding period compared to breast-fed infants, though the mechanisms underlying this phenotype are not fully understood. Typical infant formulas contain vegetable-based fats, inherently including phytosterols (PS), which are structurally similar to cholesterol and may interfere with their absorption. A seven-day old piglets model was used to test the inhibitory effects of PS on cholesterol absorption during postnatal feeding. Following feeding for 21 days with milk-based formulas containing PS and cholesterol levels resembling those in formulas or human-milk, apparent cholesterol digestibility was analyzed in ileal digesta, and cholesterol, PS, and cholesterol synthesis markers were analyzed in plasma and liver samples. Ileal cholesterol digestibility content was increased in the piglets fed low PS formulas and the rate of the hepatic cholesterol synthesis, as determined by the lathosterol-to-cholesterol ratios (L:C), was decreased in the piglets fed LP-formulas and corresponded to reduced nuclear expression of SREBP2 relative to those fed HP-formulas. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that PS in formula can inhibit cholesterol absorption and enhance cholesterol synthesis. Whether or not this leads to entrainment of cholesterol synthesis later in life via early programming awaits further research.
The Effects of Flavonoids on Cardiovascular Health: A Review of Human Intervention Trials and Implications for Cerebrovascular Function
Authors: Rees Amy , Dodd Georgina , Spencer Jeremy
Published: December 2018

Research has suggested a number of beneficial effects arising from the consumption of dietary flavonoids, found in foods such as cocoa, apples, tea, citrus fruits and berries on cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and endothelial dysfunction. These effects are thought to have a significant impact upon both vascular and cerebrovascular health, ultimately with the potential to prevent cardiovascular and potentially neurodegenerative disease with a vascular component, for example vascular dementia. This review explores the current evidence for the effects of flavonoid supplementation on human endothelial function and both peripheral and cerebral blood flow (CBF). Evidence presented includes their potential to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive individuals, as well as increasing peripheral blood perfusion and promoting CBF in both healthy and at-risk populations. However, there is great variation in the literature due to the heterogeneous nature of the randomised controlled trials conducted. As such, there is a clear need for further research and understanding within this area in order to maximise potential health benefits.
Complementary Feeding Practices in a Cohort of Italian Late Preterm Infants
Authors: Giannì Maria L. , Bezze Elena , Colombo Lorenzo , Rossetti Camilla , Pesenti Nicola , Roggero Paola , Sannino Patrizio , Muscolo Salvatore , Plevani Laura , Mosca Fabio
Published: December 2018

Limited data are available on complementary feeding in preterm infants, who show increased nutritional needs and are at risk of altered postnatal growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the timing and content of complementary feeding in a cohort of late preterm infants. We conducted a prospective, observational study, including mothers who had given birth to infants admitted to level I or II of care with a gestational age between 34 and 36 weeks. Mothers were contacted at 3, 6 and 12 months after delivery by phone calls and were asked about their infant’s mode of feeding and the timing and schedule of the introduction of different solid foods types. A total of 49 mothers and 57 infants completed the study. The mean postnatal age of the introduction of complementary foods was 5.7 ± 0.7 months. Low energy and/or low protein-dense foods were first introduced in most infants. Fruit as the first type of complementary food in the infant’s diet was associated with a 1.6-month advance in initiating complementary feeding. The present findings provide further insight into complementary feeding practices in late preterm infants and underline the need for specific recommendations addressing this vulnerable population.
A Bronze-Tomato Enriched Diet Affects the Intestinal Microbiome under Homeostatic and Inflammatory Conditions
Authors: Liso Marina , De Santis Stefania , Scarano Aurelia , Verna Giulio , Dicarlo Manuela , Galleggiante Vanessa , Campiglia Pietro , Mastronardi Mauro , Lippolis Antonio , Vacca Mirco , Sobolewski Anastasia , Serino Grazia , Butelli Eugenio , De Angelis Maria , Martin Cathie , Santino Angelo , Chieppa Marcello
Published: December 2018

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are debilitating chronic inflammatory disorders that develop as a result of a defective immune response toward intestinal bacteria. Intestinal dysbiosis is associated with the onset of IBD and has been reported to persist even in patients in deep remission. We investigated the possibility of a dietary-induced switch to the gut microbiota composition using Winnie mice as a model of spontaneous ulcerative colitis and chow enriched with 1% Bronze tomato. We used the near isogenic tomato line strategy to investigate the effects of a diet enriched in polyphenols administered to mild but established chronic intestinal inflammation. The Bronze-enriched chow administered for two weeks was not able to produce any macroscopic effect on the IBD symptoms, although, at molecular level there was a significant induction of anti-inflammatory genes and intracellular staining of T cells revealed a mild decrease in IL17A and IFNγ production. Analysis of the microbial composition revealed that two weeks of Bronze enriched diet was sufficient to perturb the microbial composition of Winnie and control mice, suggesting that polyphenol-enriched diets may create unfavorable conditions for distinct bacterial species. In conclusion, dietary regimes enriched in polyphenols may efficiently support IBD remission affecting the intestinal dysbiosis.
The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Setting of Coronary Artery Disease and COPD: A Review
Authors: Pizzini Alex , Lunger Lukas , Sonnweber Thomas , Weiss Guenter , Tancevski Ivan
Published: December 2018

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a growing healthcare concern and will represent the third leading cause of death worldwide within the next decade. COPD is the result of a complex interaction between environmental factors, especially cigarette smoking, air pollution, and genetic preconditions, which result in persistent inflammation of the airways. There is growing evidence that the chronic inflammatory state, measurable by increased levels of circulating cytokines, chemokines, and acute phase proteins, may not be confined to the lungs. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and especially coronary artery disease (CAD) are common comorbidities of COPD, and low-grade systemic inflammation plays a decisive role in its pathogenesis. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) exert multiple functions in humans and are crucially involved in limiting and resolving inflammatory processes. n-3 PUFAs have been intensively studied for their ability to improve morbidity and mortality in patients with CVD and CAD. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the effects of n-3 PUFA on inflammation and its impact on CAD in COPD from a clinical perspective.
Are Gluten-Free Diets More Nutritious? An Evaluation of Self-Selected and Recommended Gluten-Free and Gluten-Containing Dietary Patterns
Authors: Taetzsch Amy , Das Sai Krupa , Brown Carrie , Krauss Amy , Silver Rachel E. , Roberts Susan B.
Published: December 2018

Gluten-free (GF) eating patterns are frequently perceived to be healthier than gluten-containing (GC) ones, but there has been very little research to evaluate this viewpoint. The effect of GF eating patterns on dietary composition was assessed using two independent approaches. One approach compared macronutrients and typical shortfall nutrients between MyPlate example menus developed with either GC or equivalent GF foods. In this analysis, the GF menus were significantly lower in protein, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, folate, and sodium (p = 0.002–0.03), with suggestive trends towards lower calcium and higher fat (p = 0.06–0.08). The second approach was a meta-analysis of seven studies comparing information on the nutrient intakes of adults with celiac disease following a GF diet with control subjects eating a GC diet, and differences were evaluated using paired t-tests or Wilcoxon Signed rank tests. In this analysis, consuming a GF diet was associated with higher energy and fat intakes, and lower fiber and folate intakes compared to controls (p < 0.001 to p = 0.03). After adjusting for heterogeneity and accounting for the large mean effect size (−0.88 ± 0.09), the lower fiber remained significant (p < 0.001). These combined analyses indicate that GF diets are not nutritionally superior except for sodium, and in several respects are actually worse.
The Healing-Promoting Properties of Selected Cyclitols—A Review
Authors: Owczarczyk-Saczonek Agnieszka , Lahuta Lesław Bernard , Ligor Magdalena , Placek Waldemar , Górecki Ryszard Józef , Buszewski Bogusław
Published: December 2018

Introduction: Myo-inositol and its derivatives cyclitols play an important role in the processes of cell regulation, signal transduction, osmoregulation, and ion channel physiology, and are a component of the cell membrane. Free cyclitols present in food or released during the degradation of galactosyl cyclitols by bacteria (in digestive tract) show some physiological benefits. Aim: The aim of this paper is to present and analyze the documented data about curative and healing properties of cyclitols. Results and discussion: Cyclitols are well known compounds in the treatment of an accompanied diabetes insulin resistance, and also obesity and polycystic ovarian syndrome. d-chiro-Inositol deficiency exacerbates insulin resistance in the liver, muscles, and fat, while depletion of myo-inositol results in the development of diabetic complications. Cyclitols are successfully applied in treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome, simultaneous are observed effective reducing of BMI, improving the hormonal profile, and increasing fertility. Moreover, cyclitols have anti-atherogenic, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Conclusion: The properties of cyclitols may be a good therapeutic option in the reduction of metabolically induced inflammation. Due to well drugs tolerance and low toxicity of these compounds, cyclitols are recommend for pregnant women and also for children. Another advantage is their widespread presence and easy availability, which encourages their use in medicine.
l-Cysteine and l-Serine Modified Dendrimer with Multiple Reduced Thiols as a Kidney-Targeting Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenger to Prevent Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Matsuura Satoru , Katsumi Hidemasa , Suzuki Hiroe , Hirai Natsuko , Takashima Rie , Morishita Masaki , Sakane Toshiyasu , Yamamoto Akira
Published: December 2018

l-cysteine (Cys)- and l-serine (Ser)-modified, third-generation polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer with multiple reduced thiols (Ser-PAMAM-Cys) was synthesized as a kidney-targeting reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger to help prevent renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. Ser-PAMAM-Cys effectively scavenged 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and ROS (hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical) in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). In addition, ~64% of 111In-labeled Ser-PAMAM-Cys accumulated in mouse kidney 3 h after intravenous administration. An in vivo imaging system (IVIS) study indicated that near-infrared fluorescence dye (NIR)-labeled Ser-PAMAM-Cys specifically accumulated in the kidney. In a mouse renal ischemia/reperfusion injury model, increases in the kidney damage markers creatinine (Cre) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly inhibited by intravenous Ser-PAMAM-Cys administration. In contrast, Cys injection had no statistically significant effect of preventing Cre or BUN elevation relative to the control. Ser-PAMAM-Cys also effectively downregulated the inflammatory factors NGAL, IL-18, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 in the renal ischemia/reperfusion injury model. These results indicate that Ser-PAMAM-Cys is a promising kidney-targeting ROS scavenger which could prevent ischemia/reperfusion-induced renal failure.
Effect of Potassium Permanganate Modification on Plasticized Spinning Polyacrylonitrile Fibers with Different Diameters
Authors: Li Xiang , Dang Xiaonan
Published: December 2018

Plasticized spinning polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers with different diameters were chemically modified by potassium permanganate (KMnO4). The modification effects of different diameter fibers were studied for the first time. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results show that, compared with the large diameter ones, small diameter modified fibers show lower cyclization starting temperature (Ti) and activation energy (E). Both kinds of fibers exhibit better modification effects compared with solution-spun fibers. For the small diameter fibers, chemical modification can occur at low treatment temperature, even at 70 °C. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) results show that modification not only occurs in the amorphous region of the fibers but also in the crystalline region.
Fluoroalkyl POSS with Dual Functional Groups as a Molecular Filler for Lowering Refractive Indices and Improving Thermomechanical Properties of PMMA
Authors: Ueda Kazunari , Tanaka Kazuo , Chujo Yoshiki
Published: December 2018

The dual-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) derivatives, which have the seven fluorinated alkanes and the single acrylate ester on the silica cube, were designed as a filler for lowering the refractive index (RI) and improving thermomechanical properties in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The desired dual-functionalized POSS fillers were prepared, and because of its high miscibility, homogeneous films were readily obtained, by the casting method, with the mixture solutions containing the modified POSS and the polymers. From optical measurements, it was found that the larger effects of lowering the RIs of the PMMA matrices were observed from the modified POSS than those of the octa-substituted POSS derivatives with the homogeneous substituents. It should be mentioned that the degradation temperatures and the storage moduli were able to be greatly elevated by loading the present POSS fillers. Finally, it was demonstrated that the methacrylate ester-tethered POSS should be the most effective filler for modulating PMMA (Δn = −0.020, ΔTd20 = +53 °C, ΔE’/E’ = +72%).
Polyelectrolyte-Coated Gold Nanoparticles: The Effect of Salt and Polyelectrolyte Concentration on Colloidal Stability
Authors: Fuller Melanie , Kӧper Ingo
Published: December 2018

Gold nanoparticles are widely used in biomedical applications. Their ease of surface modification, biocompatibility and the presence of surface plasmons makes them ideal tools for a variety of investigations. Polyelectrolyte-coated gold nanoparticles are employed in areas such as imaging, drug delivery and gene therapy; however, it is not well understood how different factors such as the polyelectrolyte and salt concentration affect the coating on the nanoparticles and hence their performance. Here, these parameters were systematically varied and their effect on the stability of the colloidal nanoparticle suspension was monitored. An increase in the polyelectrolyte concentration from 0 to 30 mg/mL led to a red shift of the surface plasmon peak and an increase in the zeta potential. Concentrations between 5 mg/mL and 30 mg/mL resulted in the most stable systems, with 1 mg/mL being the most unstable. Stable nanoparticle suspensions were formed in salt concentrations below 50 mM, while higher concentrations caused colloidal instability and irreversible aggregation.
Temporal Variability and Geographical Origins of Airborne Pollen Grains Concentrations from 2015 to 2018 at Saclay, France
Authors: Sarda Estève Roland , Baisnée Dominique , Guinot Benjamin , Petit Jean-Eudes , Sodeau John , O’Connor David , Besancenot Jean-Pierre , Thibaudon Michel , Gros Valérie
Published: December 2018

The study of the origin and dispersion processes associated with airborne pollen grains are important to understand due to their impacts on health. In this context, a Hirst-type spore trap was utilized over the period 2015–2018 to monitor ambient pollen grains at Saclay, France, a receptor site influenced by both clean air masses originating from the Atlantic Ocean and polluted air masses under anticyclonic conditions. The objective of this work was to use ZeFir (a user-friendly, software tool recently-developed to investigate the geographical origin and point sources of atmospheric pollution) as a method to analyse total and allergenic airborne pollen grain concentrations. Strong interannual variability was exhibited for the total pollen grains concentrations and it was determined that this was mainly driven by Betulaceae pollen, with a general increasing trend displayed. The start of the pollen season was seen to be triggered by particular synoptic conditions after a period of dormancy and two maximums were displayed, one in April and a second in June. Results from the ZeFir tool, fed with on-site hourly meteorological and pollen measurements, demonstrate that the dominant pollen grains inputs to Saclay are favoured by non-prevailing winds originating from East and North in association with dry air, moderate winds, mild temperature and enhanced insolation.
Mesospheric Bore Observations Using Suomi-NPP VIIRS DNB during 2013–2017
Authors: Su Yucheng , Yue Jia , Liu Xiao , Miller Steven D. , Straka William C. , Smith Steven M. , Guo Dong , Guo Shengli
Published: December 2018

This paper reports mesospheric bore events observed by Day/Night Band (DNB) of the Visible/Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NOAA/NASA) Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) environmental satellite over five years (2013–2017). Two types of special mesospheric bore events were observed, enabled by the wide field of view of VIIRS: extremely wide bores (>2000 km extension perpendicular to the bore propagation direction), and those exhibiting more than 15 trailing crests and troughs. A mesospheric bore event observed simultaneously from space and ground was investigated in detail. DNB enables the preliminary global observation of mesospheric bores for the first time. DNB mesospheric bores occurred more frequently in March, April and May. Their typical lengths are between 300 km and 1200 km. The occurrence rate of bores at low latitudes is higher than that at middle latitudes. Among the 61 bore events, 39 events occurred in the tropical region (20°S–20°N). The high occurrence rate of mesospheric bores during the spring months in the tropical region coincides with the reported seasonal and latitudinal variations of mesospheric inversion layers.
Hyperspectral Image Super-Resolution Inspired by Deep Laplacian Pyramid Network
Authors: He Zhi , Liu Lin
Published: December 2018

Existing hyperspectral sensors usually produce high-spectral-resolution but low-spatial-resolution images, and super-resolution has yielded impressive results in improving the resolution of the hyperspectral images (HSIs). However, most of the super-resolution methods require multiple observations of the same scene and improve the spatial resolution without fully considering the spectral information. In this paper, we propose an HSI super-resolution method inspired by the deep Laplacian pyramid network (LPN). First, the spatial resolution is enhanced by an LPN, which can exploit the knowledge from natural images without using any auxiliary observations. The LPN progressively reconstructs the high-spatial-resolution images in a coarse-to-fine fashion by using multiple pyramid levels. Second, spectral characteristics between the low- and high-resolution HSIs are studied by the non-negative dictionary learning (NDL), which is proposed to learn the common dictionary with non-negative constraints. The super-resolution results can finally be obtained by multiplying the learned dictionary and its corresponding sparse codes. Experimental results on three hyperspectral datasets demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method in enhancing the spatial resolution of the HSI with preserving the spectral information simultaneously.
Kinematic and Kinetic Patterns Related to Free-Walking in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Martínez Martín , Villagra Federico , Castellote Juan Manuel , Pastor María A.
Published: December 2018

The aim of this study is to compare the properties of free-walking at a natural pace between mild Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients during the ON-clinical status and two control groups. In-shoe pressure-sensitive insoles were used to quantify the temporal and force characteristics of a 5-min free-walking in 11 PD patients, in 16 young healthy controls, and in 12 age-matched healthy controls. Inferential statistics analyses were performed on the kinematic and kinetic parameters to compare groups’ performances, whereas feature selection analyses and automatic classification were used to identify the signature of parkinsonian gait and to assess the performance of group classification, respectively. Compared to healthy subjects, the PD patients’ gait pattern presented significant differences in kinematic parameters associated with bilateral coordination but not in kinetics. Specifically, patients showed an increased variability in double support time, greater gait asymmetry and phase deviation, and also poorer phase coordination. Feature selection analyses based on the ReliefF algorithm on the differential parameters in PD patients revealed an effect of the clinical status, especially true in double support time variability and gait asymmetry. Automatic classification of PD patients, young and senior subjects confirmed that kinematic predictors produced a slightly better classification performance than kinetic predictors. Overall, classification accuracy of groups with a linear discriminant model which included the whole set of features (i.e., demographics and parameters extracted from the sensors) was 64.1%.
Cuffless Blood Pressure Estimation Using Pressure Pulse Wave Signals
Authors: Liu Zeng-Ding , Liu Ji-Kui , Wen Bo , He Qing-Yun , Li Ye , Miao Fen
Published: December 2018

Pulse transit time (PTT) has received considerable attention for noninvasive cuffless blood pressure measurement. However, this approach is inconvenient to deploy in wearable devices because two sensors are required for collecting two-channel physiological signals, such as electrocardiogram and pulse wave signals. In this study, we investigated the pressure pulse wave (PPW) signals collected from one piezoelectric-induced sensor located at a single site for cuffless blood pressure estimation. Twenty-one features were extracted from PPW that collected from the radial artery, and then a linear regression method was used to develop blood pressure estimation models by using the extracted PPW features. Sixty-five middle-aged and elderly participants were recruited to evaluate the performance of the constructed blood pressure estimation models, with oscillometric technique-based blood pressure as a reference. The experimental results indicated that the mean ± standard deviation errors for the estimated systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were 0.70 ± 7.78 mmHg and 0.83 ± 5.45 mmHg, which achieved a decrease of 1.33 ± 0.37 mmHg in systolic blood pressure and 1.14 ± 0.20 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure, compared with the conventional PTT-based method. The proposed model also demonstrated a high level of robustness in a maximum 60-day follow-up study. These results indicated that PPW obtained from the piezoelectric sensor has great feasibility for cuffless blood pressure estimation, and could serve as a promising method in home healthcare settings.
Environmental Monitoring of Ancient Buildings Based on a Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Lin Qijing , Zhang Fuzheng , Jiang Weile , Wu Hao
Published: December 2018

Environmental monitoring plays an important role in the preventive protection of ancient buildings, although it is still in the prototype stage. In order to provide data support for the protection of ancient buildings, an environmental monitoring system with multi-sensor and multi-node for the interior and exterior of ancient buildings is designed and realized, based on ZigBee, TCP/IP, and intranet penetration technology. The new type of indoor node package box and outdoor package device are designed to meet the needs of different types of sensors. The monitoring platform is developed on the strength of the LabView so as to obtain real-time display, storage, and over-limit warning functions for local and remote monitoring data. It also proves that the monitoring system is stable and reliable by monitoring the actual ancient building with a brick (stone) structure.
Road Safety Analysis of Urban Roads: Case Study of an Italian Municipality
Authors: Demasi Francesca , Loprencipe Giuseppe , Moretti Laura
Published: December 2018

Attention to the most vulnerable road users has grown rapidly over recent decades. The experience gained reveals an important number of fatalities due to accidents in urban branch roads. In this study, an analytical methodology for the calculation of urban branch road safety is proposed. The proposal relies on data collected during road safety inspections; therefore, it can be implemented even when historical data about traffic volume or accidents are not available. It permits us to identify geometric, physical, functional, and transport-related defects, and elements which are causal factors of road accidents, in order to assess the risk of death or serious injuries for users. Traffic volume, average speed, and expected consequences on vulnerable road users in case of an accident allow us to calculate both the level of danger of each homogeneous section which composes the road, and the hazard index of the overall branch. A case study is presented to implement the proposed methodology. The strategy proposed by the authors could have a significant impact on the risk management of urban roads, and could be used in decision-making processes to design safer roads and improve the safety of existing roads.
Young People’s Citizen Identities: A Q-Methodological Analysis of English Youth Perceptions of Citizenship in Britain
Authors: Hylton Patrick , Kisby Ben , Goddard Paul
Published: December 2018

Since the late 1980s, successive United Kingdom (UK) governments have sought to develop initiatives designed to promote forms of “active citizenship” among young people. But despite the substantial amount of work done by social scientists on the topic of citizenship in recent decades, relatively little research work has been done in social psychology to analyse citizens’ actual understandings of citizenship, viewed in terms of membership of a political community. This article presents the findings of a Q-methodological study of how teenagers (n = 75) from different parts of England (M = 17.25 years; SD = 1.41) regard citizenship and construct their own identities as citizens. It sets out the three factors and four distinct stances on what it means to be a citizen that emerged in the research: The active citizen, the rooted citizen, the cosmopolitan citizen, and the secure citizen. Understanding the multiple ways in which young people construct citizenship is essential for effectively engaging with them. In this way, young citizens can be enabled to make an impact on, rather than simply being at the receiving end of, the development of citizenship policy in Britain.
Capability Deprivation, and the Intergenerational Transmission of Social Disadvantages—Empirical Evidence from Selected Countries
Authors: Eberharter Veronika V.
Published: December 2018

Based on longitudinal data from the Cross-National Equivalent File 1980–2016 (CNEF 1980–2016) the paper analyzes the extent of income inequality and capability deprivation and the driving forces of the intergenerational transmission of social and economic status of two birth cohorts in Germany, and the United States. In both the countries the empirical results show increasing inequality of the real equivalent household income, and younger cohorts experience a higher persistence of social and economic status. In the United States income inequality is more expressed than in Germany, which is in accordance with lower intergenerational income mobility. The contribution of individual and family background characteristics and capability deprivation indicators to intergenerational income mobility is more pronounced in the United States than in Germany. The significant impact of capability deprivation in childhood on the intergenerational transmission of economic chances emphasizes the importance of economic and social policy designated to guarantee the equality of opportunity.
Pollution Assessment of Trace Elements in Agricultural Soils around Copper Mining Area
Authors: Cheng Xianfeng , Drozdova Jarmila , Danek Tomas , Huang Qianrui , Qi Wufu , Yang Shuran , Zou Liling , Xiang Yungang , Zhao Xinliang
Published: December 2018

Agricultural soils from Dongchuan copper mining area were sampled and analyzed to determine the concentrations of selected trace elements, namely As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn. The main objectives of this study were: (1) To determine the levels of trace elements and their spatial distribution in soils; (2) to evaluate the potential ecological risk; and (3) to identify the main sources of risk element pollution. The environmental risks were assessed using five different contamination and pollution indexes. Descriptive and exploratory statistical analyses were performed to identify the relations among the trace elements in soils and possible sources of pollution. Although the values of As, Cu and Zn in the soils were significantly higher than Yunnan background values and exceeded the limits of the Chinese national standards in several sampling points, the most serious threat for the ecosystem and human health was represented by Cd. The main sources of Cu and As were identified mining activities, airborne particulates from smelters and the weathering of tailings, and partly also agricultural fertilizers. The major source of Cd was agricultural fertilizers and partly sources associated with mining and smelting activities.