bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Information Dynamics of the Brain, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Network during Different Levels of Mental Stress
Authors: Zanetti Matteo , Faes Luca , Nollo Giandomenico , De Cecco Mariolino , Pernice Riccardo , Maule Luca , Pertile Marco , Fornaser Alberto
Published: March 2019

In this study, an analysis of brain, cardiovascular and respiratory dynamics was conducted combining information-theoretic measures with the Network Physiology paradigm during different levels of mental stress. Starting from low invasive recordings of electroencephalographic, electrocardiographic, respiratory, and blood volume pulse signals, the dynamical activity of seven physiological systems was probed with one-second time resolution measuring the time series of the δ , θ , α and β brain wave amplitudes, the cardiac period (RR interval), the respiratory amplitude, and the duration of blood pressure wave propagation (pulse arrival time, PAT). Synchronous 5-min windows of these time series, obtained from 18 subjects during resting wakefulness (REST), mental stress induced by mental arithmetic (MA) and sustained attention induced by serious game (SG), were taken to describe the dynamics of the nodes composing the observed physiological network. Network activity and connectivity were then assessed in the framework of information dynamics computing the new information generated by each node, the information dynamically stored in it, and the information transferred to it from the other network nodes. Moreover, the network topology was investigated using directed measures of conditional information transfer and assessing their statistical significance. We found that all network nodes dynamically produce and store significant amounts of information, with the new information being prevalent in the brain systems and the information storage being prevalent in the peripheral systems. The transition from REST to MA was associated with an increase of the new information produced by the respiratory signal time series (RESP), and that from MA to SG with a decrease of the new information produced by PAT. Each network node received a significant amount of information from the other nodes, with the highest amount transferred to RR and the lowest transferred to δ , θ , α and β . The topology of the physiological network underlying such information transfer was node- and state-dependent, with the peripheral subnetwork showing interactions from RR to PAT and between RESP and RR, PAT consistently across states, the brain subnetwork resulting more connected during MA, and the subnetwork of brain–peripheral interactions involving different brain rhythms in the three states and resulting primarily activated during MA. These results have both physiological relevance as regards the interpretation of central and autonomic effects on cardiovascular and respiratory variability, and practical relevance as regards the identification of features useful for the automatic distinction of different mental states.
Crack Patterns in Heterogenous Rocks Using a Combined Phase Field-Cohesive Interface Modeling Approach: A Numerical Study
Authors: Reinoso José , Durand Percy , Budarapu Pattabhi Ramaiah , Paggi Marco
Published: March 2019

Rock fracture in geo-materials is a complex phenomenon due to its intrinsic characteristics and the potential external loading conditions. As a result, these materials can experience intricate fracture patterns endowing various cracking phenomena such as: branching, coalescence, shielding, and amplification, among many others. In this article, we present a numerical investigation concerning the applicability of an original bulk-interface fracture simulation technique to trigger such phenomena within the context of the phase field approach for fracture. In particular, the prediction of failure patterns in heterogenous rock masses with brittle response is accomplished through the current methodology by combining the phase field approach for intact rock failure and the cohesive interface-like modeling approach for its application in joint fracture. Predictions from the present technique are first validated against Brazilian test results, which were developed using alternative phase field methods, and with respect to specimens subjected to different loading case and whose corresponding definitions are characterized by the presence of single and multiple flaws. Subsequently, the numerical study is extended to the analysis of heterogeneous rock masses including joints that separate different potential lithologies, leading to tortuous crack paths, which are observed in many practical situations.
Experimental Investigation of Fracture Propagation Behavior Induced by Hydraulic Fracturing in Anisotropic Shale Cores
Authors: Chong Zhaohui , Yao Qiangling , Li Xuehua
Published: March 2019

Hydraulic fracturing is a key technology for the development of unconventional resources such as shale gas. Due to the existence of numerous bedding planes, shale reservoirs can be considered typical anisotropic materials. In anisotropic shale reservoirs, the complex hydraulic fracture network (HFN) formed by the interaction of hydraulic fracture (HF) and bedding plane (BP) is the key to fracturing treatment. In this paper, considering the anisotropic angle, stress state and injection rate, a series of hydraulic fracturing experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of anisotropic characteristics of shale reservoirs on HFN formation. The results showed that the breakdown pressure increased first and then decreased when the anisotropic angle changed at 0°–90°, while the circumferential displacement had the opposite trend with a small difference. When θ = 0°, fracturing efficiency of shale specimens was much higher than that under other operating conditions. When θ ≤ 15°, the bedding-plane mode is ubiquitous in all shale reservoirs. While θ ranged from 30°–45°, a comprehensive propagation pattern of bedding-plane and crossing is presented. When θ ≥ 60°, the HFN pattern changes from comprehensive mode to crossing mode. The propagation pattern obtained from physical experiments were verified by theoretical analysis. The closure proportion of the circumferential displacement was the highest when the propagation pattern was the bedding-plane mode (θ ≤ 15°), following by crossing. The closure proportion was minimum only when the bedding-plane and crossing mode were simultaneously presented in the HFN. The results can provide some basic data for the design in hydraulic fracturing of tight oil/gas reservoirs.
Risk Assessment System for Oil and Gas Pipelines Laid in One Ditch Based on Quantitative Risk Analysis
Authors: Zhang Peng , Qin Guojin , Wang Yihuan
Published: March 2019

In view of the vegetation reduction caused by the continuous construction of oil and gas pipelines, the pipelines have been designed to be laid in one ditch to reduce land occupation. However, owing to the small spacing between the pipelines, the fault correlation between pipelines has been proven to increase the potential hazard of adjacent pipelines and routing environments. The neglect of failure correlation in existing risk assessment methods leads to inaccurate results, which will lead to errors in maintenance decisions. Therefore, this paper proposed a risk assessment system for pipelines using this laying method. In the risk assessment, pipelines laid in one ditch (PLOD) were regarded as a series system relative to the routing environment. Therefore, the functional relationship between the total risk of the pipeline system and the risk of each pipeline was obtained by combining the engineering system reliability theory with the mathematical induction method. In addition, fuzzy set theory combined with fault tree analysis was used to calculate the failure probability of each pipeline in the system. Event tree analysis was used to sort out all the possible consequences of pipeline failure, and then the consequences were unified into monetary units to evaluate the severity of failure consequences. Finally, the two parts were merged into a bow-tie diagram to realize the risk management and control of the pipeline. Meanwhile, risk acceptance criteria were formulated to analyze risks and to guide pipeline maintenance. This system provides a complete risk assessment system for the pipeline system laid in one ditch, including the methods of risk identification, risk assessment, and risk analysis, which are of great significance to ensure the safety of the pipeline and the surrounding environment using this laying method.
Monitoring Wind Turbine Gearbox with Echo State Network Modeling and Dynamic Threshold Using SCADA Vibration Data
Authors: Wu Xin , Wang Hong , Jiang Guoqian , Xie Ping , Li Xiaoli
Published: March 2019

Health monitoring of wind turbine gearboxes has gained considerable attention as wind turbines become larger in size and move to more inaccessible locations. To improve the reliability, extend the lifetime of the turbines, and reduce the operation and maintenance cost caused by the gearbox faults, data-driven condition motoring techniques have been widely investigated, where various sensor monitoring data (such as power, temperature, and pressure, etc.) have been modeled and analyzed. However, wind turbines often work in complex and dynamic operating conditions, such as variable speeds and loads, thus the traditional static monitoring method relying on a certain fixed threshold will lead to unsatisfactory monitoring performance, typically high false alarms and missed detections. To address this issue, this paper proposes a reliable monitoring model for wind turbine gearboxes based on echo state network (ESN) modeling and the dynamic threshold scheme, with a focus on supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) vibration data. The aim of the proposed approach is to build the turbine normal behavior model only using normal SCADA vibration data, and then to analyze the unseen SCADA vibration data to detect potential faults based on the model residual evaluation and the dynamic threshold setting. To better capture temporal information inherent in monitored sensor data, the echo state network (ESN) is used to model the complex vibration data due to its simple and fast training ability and powerful learning capability. Additionally, a dynamic threshold monitoring scheme with a sliding window technique is designed to determine dynamic control limits to address the issue of the low detection accuracy and poor adaptability caused by the traditional static monitoring methods. The effectiveness of the proposed monitoring method is verified using the collected SCADA vibration data from a wind farm located at Inner Mongolia in China. The results demonstrated that the proposed method can achieve improved detection accuracy and reliability compared with the traditional static threshold monitoring method.
Protective Behavioral Strategies and Alcohol Consumption: The Moderating Role of Drinking-Group Gender Composition
Authors: Tabernero Carmen , Gutiérrez-Domingo Tamara , Luque Bárbara , García-Vázquez Olaya , Cuadrado Esther
Published: March 2019

Background. There is international concern about the negative consequences for health related to young people’s alcohol consumption. Peer relationships can play a positive and protective role to cope with risky behaviors associated with alcohol consumption. Objective. This study investigated the influence of protective behavioral strategies (PBS) on alcohol consumption and the moderating role of drinking-group gender composition and drinking-group size. Methods. The sample comprised 286 youths (mean age = 23.49; SD = 2.78; 67.5% female). Participants reported their protective behavioral strategies, their alcohol consumption and the size (overall mean = 7.44; SD = 3.83) and gender composition (62.58% mixed; 19.93% all-female; 9.8% all-male) of their social drinking groups. The mean sizes of mixed, all-female, and all-male groups were 8.27, 5.34, and 6.2, respectively. Results. Data showed that women consume less alcohol and use more protective strategies than men, particularly those strategies directed at avoiding negative consequences. Furthermore, the number of men in a group influences protective strategies and consumption, therefore drinking-group gender composition moderates the relationship between protective strategies and alcohol consumption. The more protective strategies that young adults use, the lower their alcohol consumption. This relationship is moderated by the size of the group. Conclusion. Strategies to prevent risky drinking behavior should focus on both PBS shared by drinking-group members and the training in individual PBS associated with drinking behavior. Finally, taking into account the relationship between drinking-group gender composition and protective behavioral strategies for alcohol consumption, a positive protector role for individual and group habits in relation to alcohol consumption is discussed.
Empirical Framework for a Relative Sustainability Evaluation of Urbanization on the Water–Energy–Food Nexus Using Simultaneous Equation Analysis
Authors: Fan Chihhao , Lin Chun-Yueh , Hu Ming-Che
Published: March 2019

The water–energy–food (WEF) nexus attracts much attention due to the elevated public concern regarding environmental conservation and sustainability. As we head into a new era of civilization, population increase and modernized lifestyles have led to an increasing need for water, energy, and food. However, severe hydrological precipitation significantly impacts agricultural harvest, and such influence becomes more apparent under the influence of climate change. Meanwhile, the major method of electricity generation (i.e., fossil fuel burning) has a negative impact on the environment. These inevitable threats are crucial and have to be dealt with for a society on the road towards sustainability. In the present study, an integrated evaluation of the WEF nexus was conducted for two areas with different levels of urbanization using empirical multiple linear regression in a simultaneous equation model (SEM). By incorporating the collected data into the SEM, the weighting coefficient of each identified variable was obtained, and the nexus implication was assessed in model simulation at different scenarios considering the population growth, agro-technology advancement, energy structure improvement, and available water resources. In the simulated results, three observations were found: (1) the rural area is more sustainable than the urban one; (2) the sustainability for both the investigated areas is significantly subject to their water supply and demand; and (3) food production was found to have a less important effect on the sustainable development of the urban area. This study identified the key factors in the WEF nexus exploration, which are economically and environmentally important for resource allocation. An empirical model was developed to correlate sustainable achievement with WEF management, as well as strategic policies that should be implemented under the pressure of urbanization.
Nano-Strategies to Target Breast Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: Rearranging the Tumor Microenvironment to Achieve Antitumor Efficacy
Authors: Truffi Marta , Mazzucchelli Serena , Bonizzi Arianna , Sorrentino Luca , Allevi Raffaele , Vanna Renzo , Morasso Carlo , Corsi Fabio
Published: March 2019

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) are the most abundant cells of the tumor stroma and they critically influence cancer growth through control of the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME). CAF-orchestrated reactive stroma, composed of pro-tumorigenic cytokines and growth factors, matrix components, neovessels, and deregulated immune cells, is associated with poor prognosis in multiple carcinomas, including breast cancer. Therefore, beyond cancer cells killing, researchers are currently focusing on TME as strategy to fight breast cancer. In recent years, nanomedicine has provided a number of smart delivery systems based on active targeting of breast CAF and immune-mediated overcome of chemoresistance. Many efforts have been made both to eradicate breast CAF and to reshape their identity and function. Nano-strategies for CAF targeting profoundly contribute to enhance chemosensitivity of breast tumors, enabling access of cytotoxic T-cells and reducing immunosuppressive signals. TME rearrangement also includes reorganization of the extracellular matrix to enhance permeability to chemotherapeutics, and nano-systems for smart coupling of chemo- and immune-therapy, by increasing immunogenicity and stimulating antitumor immunity. The present paper reviews the current state-of-the-art on nano-strategies to target breast CAF and TME. Finally, we consider and discuss future translational perspectives of proposed nano-strategies for clinical application in breast cancer.
Key Maize Drought-Responsive Genes and Pathways Revealed by Comparative Transcriptome and Physiological Analyses of Contrasting Inbred Lines
Authors: Zenda Tinashe , Liu Songtao , Wang Xuan , Liu Guo , Jin Hongyu , Dong Anyi , Yang Yatong , Duan Huijun
Published: March 2019

To unravel the molecular mechanisms underpinning maize (Zea mays L.) drought stress tolerance, we conducted comprehensive comparative transcriptome and physiological analyses of drought-tolerant YE8112 and drought-sensitive MO17 inbred line seedlings that had been exposed to drought treatment for seven days. Resultantly, YE8112 seedlings maintained comparatively higher leaf relative water and proline contents, greatly increased peroxidase activity, but decreased malondialdehyde content, than MO17 seedlings. Using an RNA sequencing (RNA-seq)-based approach, we identified a total of 10,612 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). From these, we mined out four critical sets of drought responsive DEGs, including 80 specific to YE8112, 5140 shared between the two lines after drought treatment (SD_TD), five DEGs of YE8112 also regulated in SD_TD, and four overlapping DEGs between the two lines. Drought-stressed YE8112 DEGs were primarily associated with nitrogen metabolism and amino-acid biosynthesis pathways, whereas MO17 DEGs were enriched in the ribosome pathway. Additionally, our physiological analyses results were consistent with the predicted RNA-seq-based findings. Furthermore, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis and the RNA-seq results of twenty representative DEGs were highly correlated (R2 = 98.86%). Crucially, tolerant line YE8112 drought-responsive genes were predominantly implicated in stress signal transduction; cellular redox homeostasis maintenance; MYB, NAC, WRKY, and PLATZ transcriptional factor modulated; carbohydrate synthesis and cell-wall remodeling; amino acid biosynthesis; and protein ubiquitination processes. Our findings offer insights into the molecular networks mediating maize drought stress tolerance.
Use of Termites by Farmers as Poultry Feed in Ghana
Authors: Boafo Hettie Arwoh , Affedzie-Obresi Siegfried , Gbemavo Dossou Séblodo Judes Charlemagne , Clottey Victor Attuquaye , Nkegbe Emmanuel , Adu-Aboagye Gabriel , Kenis Marc
Published: March 2019

The aim of the study was to gather information on the use of termites by farmers as feed for indigenous poultry in Ghana and factors affecting its use. We conducted surveys in four regions in Ghana to collect information, by the administration of questionnaires, on the use of termites as poultry feed, termite species collected, species not used and collection methods. Samples of termite species mentioned were collected and identified to the genus level. Twenty-three percent and 19% of farmers mentioned that termites are always or often used to feed poultry whereas 11% never use termites. A binomial regression analysis showed that their utilization was affected by region, sex, education, farm size and income. Termites collected belonged to eight genera, the main ones being Macrotermes, Trinervitermes and Odontotermes. Five collection methods are used to obtain termites and involve either breaking mounds or using containers as traps. Collection methods vary with species and region and the abundance of termite genera varies with season. Farmers identified some species as poisonous to poultry. Termites are important in indigenous poultry production because they are a readily available protein source for local farmers. However, better collection methods need to be developed to aid their optimal use.
Effects of Global Oil Price on Exchange Rate, Trade Balance, and Reserves in Nigeria: A Frequency Domain Causality Approach
Authors: Olayungbo D. O.
Published: March 2019

This study investigated the relative Granger causal effects of oil price on exchange rate, trade balance, and foreign reserve in Nigeria. We used seasonally adjusted quarterly data from 1986Q4 to 2018Q1 to remove predictable changes in the series. Given the non-stationarity of our variables, we found cointegration to exist only between oil price and foreign reserve. The presence of cointegration implied the existence of long run relationship between the variables. The Granger causality result showed that oil price strongly Granger caused foreign reserve in the short period. However, no Granger causal relationships were found between oil price and trade balance and for oil price and exchange rate. The implication of the result is that Nigerian government should not rely solely on oil price to sustain her reserve but to diversify the economy towards non-resource production and export for foreign exchange generation.
Design of Broad Stopband Filters Based on Multilayer Electromagnetically Induced Transparency Metamaterial Structures
Authors: Liu Ziyu , Qi Limei , Shah Syed Mohsin Ali , Sun Dandan , Li Bin
Published: March 2019

Broad stopband filters are proposed, based on multilayer electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) metamaterial structures. The single EIT metamaterial consists of a U-shaped resonator and a strip on a polyimide substrate. The EIT-like spectral feature is firstly utilized to achieve stopband filters by properly coupling two layers of EIT structure. Influences of different rotation angles on the transmission properties of the two-layer EIT structure are investigated. It is found the wider low-transmission band can be obtained for the Transverse Magnetic (TM) polarization when the two EIT metal structures are vertical to each other. Furthermore, the bandwidth of the stopband can be controlled by increasing layers of the EIT structures with the proper architectural design. The design using a coupling effect of multi EIT-like resonances in the metamaterial would provide a new method for broad stopband filters in highly integrated optical circuits.
3D Analysis of Deformation and Porosity of Dry Natural Snow during Compaction
Authors: Eppanapelli Lavan Kumar , Forsberg Fredrik , Casselgren Johan , Lycksam Henrik
Published: March 2019

The present study focuses on three-dimensional (3D) microstructure analysis of dry natural snow during compaction. An X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT) system was used to record a total of 1601 projections of a snow volume. Experiments were performed in-situ at four load states as 0 MPa, 0.3 MPa, 0.6 MPa and 0.8 MPa, to investigate the effect of compaction on structural features of snow grains. The micro-CT system produces high resolution images (4.3 μm voxel) in 6 h of scanning time. The micro-CT images of the investigated snow volume illustrate that grain shapes are mostly dominated by needles, capped columns and dendrites. It was found that a significant number of grains appeared to have a deep hollow core irrespective of the grain shape. Digital volume correlation (DVC) was applied to investigate displacement and strain fields in the snow volume due to the compaction. Results from the DVC analysis show that grains close to the moving punch experience most of the displacement. The reconstructed snow volume is segmented into several cylinders via horizontal cross-sectioning, to evaluate the vertical heterogeneity of porosity distribution of the snow volume. It was observed that the porosity (for the whole volume) in principle decreases as the level of compaction increases. A distinct vertical heterogeneity is observed in porosity distribution in response to compaction. The observations from this initial study may be useful to understand the snow microstructure under applied stress.
Properties of NiTi Shape Memory Alloy Micro-Foils Obtained by Pulsed-Current Sintering of Ni/Ti Foils
Authors: Prendota Witold , Goc Kamil , Strączek Tomasz , Yamada Eisuke , Takasaki Akito , Przewoźnik Janusz , Radziszewska Agnieszka , Uematsu Susumu , Kapusta Czesław
Published: March 2019

Successful one-step manufacturing of micro-foils of NiTi shape memory compound by pulsed-current sintering of nickel and titanium is reported. Sandwich-like starting configurations of Ni/Ti/Ni (ST1, ST4), Ti/Ni/Ti (ST3), and a simple Ni/Ti (ST2) one, were used. XRD and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements revealed multistep martensitic transformation, much more pronounced for ST1 than for ST2 and ST3. SEM/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) measurements showed the predominant NiTi phase in ST1, ST4, and other intermetallic compounds in addition to it, for ST2 and ST3. The temperature dependence of the electrical resistance for ST4 shows a peak corresponding to the R-phase and a high residual resistivity. The shape memory effect of 100% was obtained for ST1 and ST4, with the temperature range of its recovery dependent on the initial strain. The ST2 and ST3 materials revealed brittleness and a lack of plasticity due to the dominancy of the austenite phase and/or the intermetallic compound content.
Delta-Tocotrienol Modulates Glutamine Dependence by Inhibiting ASCT2 and LAT1 Transporters in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Cells: A Metabolomic Approach
Authors: Rajasinghe Lichchavi Dhananjaya , Hutchings Melanie , Gupta Smiti Vaid
Published: March 2019

The growth and development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) primarily depends on glutamine. Both glutamine and essential amino acids (EAAs) have been reported to upregulate mTOR in NSCLC, which is a bioenergetics sensor involved in the regulation of cell growth, cell survival, and protein synthesis. Seen as novel concepts in cancer development, ASCT2 and LAT transporters allow glutamine and EAAs to enter proliferating tumors as well as send a regulatory signal to mTOR. Blocking or downregulating these glutamine transporters in order to inhibit glutamine uptake would be an excellent therapeutic target for treatment of NSCLC. This study aimed to validate the metabolic dysregulation of glutamine and its derivatives in NSCLC using cellular 1H-NMR metabolomic approach while exploring the mechanism of delta-tocotrienol (δT) on glutamine transporters, and mTOR pathway. Cellular metabolomics analysis showed significant inhibition in the uptake of glutamine, its derivatives glutamate and glutathione, and some EAAs in both cell lines with δT treatment. Inhibition of glutamine transporters (ASCT2 and LAT1) and mTOR pathway proteins (P-mTOR and p-4EBP1) was evident in Western blot analysis in a dose-dependent manner. Our findings suggest that δT inhibits glutamine transporters, thus inhibiting glutamine uptake into proliferating cells, which results in the inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis via downregulation of the mTOR pathway.
Study of Catalytic CO2 Absorption and Desorption with Tertiary Amine DEEA and 1DMA-2P with the Aid of Solid Acid and Solid Alkaline Chemicals
Authors: Shi Huancong , Huang Min , Wu Qiming , Zheng Linna , Cui Lifeng , Zhang Shuping , Tontiwachwuthikul Paitoon
Published: March 2019

Studies of catalytic CO2 absorption and desorption were completed in two well-performed tertiary amines: diethylmonoethanolamine (DEEA) and 1-dimethylamino-2-propanol (1DMA-2P), with the aid of CaCO3 and MgCO3 in the absorption process, and with the aid of γ-Al2O3 and H-ZSM-5 in the desorption process. The batch process was used for CO2 absorption with solid alkalis, and the recirculation process was used for CO2 desorption with solid acid catalysts. The CO2 equilibrium solubility and pKa were also measured at 293 K with results comparable to the literature. The catalytic tests discovered that the heterogeneous catalysis of tertiary amines on both absorption and desorption sides were quite different from monoethanolamine (MEA) and diethanolamine (DEA). These results were illustrative as a start-up to further study of the kinetics of heterogeneous catalysis of CO2 to tertiary amines based on their special reaction schemes and base-catalyzed hydration mechanism.
Quality and Authenticity Control of Fruit Juices-A Review
Authors: Dasenaki Marilena E. , Thomaidis Nikolaos S.
Published: March 2019

Food fraud, being the act of intentional adulteration of food for financial advantage, has vexed the consumers and the food industry throughout history. According to the European Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, fruit juices are included in the top 10 food products that are most at risk of food fraud. Therefore, reliable, efficient, sensitive and cost-effective analytical methodologies need to be developed continuously to guarantee fruit juice quality and safety. This review covers the latest advances in the past ten years concerning the targeted and non-targeted methodologies that have been developed to assure fruit juice authenticity and to preclude adulteration. Emphasis is placed on the use of hyphenated techniques and on the constantly-growing role of MS-based metabolomics in fruit juice quality control area.
Protective Effects of Kuding Tea (Ilex kudingcha C. J. Tseng) Polyphenols on UVB-Induced Skin Aging in SKH1 Hairless Mice
Authors: Yi Ruokun , Zhang Jing , Sun Peng , Qian Yu , Zhao Xin
Published: March 2019

In this study, the protective effects of Kuding tea polyphenols (KTPs) on ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin injury of SKH1 hairless mice were studied. The ion precipitation method was used for extraction of polyphenols from Kuding tea. High-performance liquid chromatography showed that KTPs contains chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid B, isochlorogenic acid A, and isochlorogenic acid C. SKH1 hairless mice were induced skin aging using 2.0 mW/s intensity of 90 mJ/cm2 UV light once a day for seven weeks. The 2.5% and 5% KTPs solution was smeared on 2 cm2 of back skin of skin aging mice twice a day. Mouse experiments showed that KTP strongly increased the serum levels of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) and reduced those of malondialdehyde, interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in mice with UVB-induced skin damage. KTP also increased the levels of type 1 collagen (Col I), hydroxyproline, and hyaluronic acid and reduced those of Col III and hydrogen peroxide in the damaged skin tissues of mice. Pathological observations of tissues stained with H & E, Masson’s trichrome, Verhoeff, and toluidine blue showed that KTPs could protect skin cells, collagen, and elastin and decrease the number of mast cells, thus inhibiting skin damage. Quantitative PCR and western blot assays showed that KTP upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), TIMP-2, copper/zinc-SOD, manganese-SOD, CAT, and glutathione peroxidase and downregulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9. In addition, the same concentration of KTP had stronger protective effects than vitamin C. The results of this study demonstrate that KTPs have good skin protective effects, as they are able to inhibit UVB-induced skin damage.
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy on Self-Assembled Au Nanoparticles Arrays for Pesticides Residues Multiplex Detection under Complex Environment
Authors: Ma Yongmei , Huang Zhonghao , Li Siyue , Zhao Chenghao
Published: March 2019

The high reproducibility of trace detection in complex systems is very hard but crucial to analytical technology and science. Here, we present a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platform made by large-scale self-assembly of Au nanoparticle (NP) arrays at the cyclohexane/water interface and its use for pesticides residues trace detection. The analyte molecules spontaneously localize into the Au NPs’ nanogaps during the self-assembly process, yielding excellent Raman signal enhancement by surface effects, and possibly both by the concentration of the analytes into the array and by plasmonic hot-spot formation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images demonstrate a good uniformity of interparticle distances (2–3 nm) in the Au NP arrays. SERS experiments on crystal violet (CV) molecules demonstrated that the relative standard deviations (RSD) of the band intensities at 1173, 1376, and 1618 cm−1 were 6.3%, 6.4%, and 6.9%, respectively, indicating high reproducibility of the substrate. Furthermore, we demonstrate that two pesticides dissolved in organic and aqueous phases could be simultaneously detected, suggesting an excellent selectivity and universality of this method for multiplex detection. Our SERS platform opens vast possibilities for repeatability and sensitivity detection of targets in various complex fields.
Effect of Nb3+ Substitution on the Structural, Magnetic, and Optical Properties of Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 Nanoparticles
Authors: Almessiere Munirah. A. , Slimani Yassine , Sertkol Murat , Nawaz Muhammed , Sadaqat Ali , Baykal Abdulhadi , Ercan Ismail , Ozçelik Bekir
Published: March 2019

Co0.5Ni0.5NbxFe2−xO4 (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using the hydrothermal approach. The X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) pattern confirmed the formation of single-phase spinel ferrite. The crystallite size was found to range from 18 to 26 nm. The lattice parameters were found to increase with greater Niobium ion (Nb3+) concentration, caused by the variance in the ionic radii between the Nb3+ and Fe3+. Fourier transform infrared analysis also proved the existence of the spinal ferrite phase. The percent diffuse reflectance (%DR) analysis showed that the value of the band gap increased with growing Nb3+ content. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed the cubic morphology. The magnetization analyses at both room (300 K, RT) and low (10 K) temperatures exhibited their ferromagnetic nature. The results showed that the Nb3+ substitution affected the magnetization data. We found that Saturation magnetization (Ms), Remanence (Mr), and the Magnetic moment ( n B ) decreased with increasing Nb3+. The squareness ratio (SQR) values at RT were found to be smaller than 0.5, which postulate a single domain nature with uniaxial anisotropy for all produced ferrites. However, different samples exhibited SQRs within 0.70 to 0.85 at 10 K, which suggests a magnetic multi-domain with cubic anisotropy at a low temperature. The obtained magnetic results were investigated in detail in relation to the structural and microstructural properties.
Association of Protein Intake in Three Meals with Muscle Mass in Healthy Young Subjects: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yasuda Jun , Asako Mai , Arimitsu Takuma , Fujita Satoshi
Published: March 2019

Protein intake of >0.24 g/kg of body weight (BW) at a single meal is necessary to maximize muscle protein synthesis in a young population. However, the association between the protein intake rate for three meals and muscle mass in the young population has not been evaluated. We hypothesized that a protein intake of >0.24 g/kg BW at all three meals is effective for maintaining muscle mass. Therefore, we cross-sectionally examined the association between protein intake at all three meals with muscle mass in 266 healthy young subjects (aged 21.4 ± 2.4 years). Subjects were divided into the AP group, which achieved protein intake >0.24 g/kg BW at all three meals; and the NP group, which did not. We calculated total fat-free mass (FFM) and appendicular fat-free mass (AppFFM) with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the percentage of total FFM (TotalFFM%) and appendicular FFM (AppFFM%) were calculated as the percentage of BW (%BW). We demonstrated that TotalFFM% (77.0 ± 0.5 vs. 75.2 ± 0.4%, p = 0.008) and AppFFM% (34.7 ± 0.3 vs. 34.1 ± 0.2%, p = 0.058) were higher in the AP than in the NP group. This finding suggests that achieving protein intake of >0.24 g/kg BW at all three meals is important for muscle mass maintenance in young populations.
Impact Analysis of Standardized GNSS Receiver Testing against Real-World Interferences Detected at Live Monitoring Sites
Authors: Bhuiyan Mohammad Zahidul H. , Ferrara Nunzia Giorgia , Hashemi Amin , Thombre Sarang , Pattinson Michael , Dumville Mark
Published: March 2019

GNSS-based applications are susceptible to different threats, including radio frequency interference. Ensuring that the new applications can be validated against the latest threats supports the wider adoption and success of GNSS in higher value markets. Therefore, the availability of standardized GNSS receiver testing procedures is central to developing the next generation of receiver technologies. The EU Horizon2020 research project STRIKE3 (Standardization of GNSS Threat reporting and Receiver testing through International Knowledge Exchange, Experimentation and Exploitation) proposed standardized test procedures to validate different categories of receivers against real-world interferences, detected at different monitoring sites. This paper describes the recorded interference signatures, their use in standardized test procedures, and analyzes the result for two categories of receivers, namely mass-market and professional grade. The result analysis in terms of well-defined receiver key performance indicators showed that performance of both receiver categories was degraded by the selected interference threats, although there was considerable difference in degree and nature of their impact.
Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Based Sensors for Medical Applications
Authors: Saylan Yeşeren , Akgönüllü Semra , Yavuz Handan , Ünal Serhat , Denizli Adil
Published: March 2019

Sensors have been extensively used owing to multiple advantages, including exceptional sensing performance, user-friendly operation, fast response, high sensitivity and specificity, portability, and real-time analysis. In recent years, efforts in sensor realm have expanded promptly, and it has already presented a broad range of applications in the fields of medical, pharmaceutical and environmental applications, food safety, and homeland security. In particular, molecularly imprinted polymer based sensors have created a fascinating horizon for surface modification techniques by forming specific recognition cavities for template molecules in the polymeric matrix. This method ensures a broad range of versatility to imprint a variety of biomolecules with different size, three dimensional structure, physical and chemical features. In contrast to complex and time-consuming laboratory surface modification methods, molecular imprinting offers a rapid, sensitive, inexpensive, easy-to-use, and highly selective approaches for sensing, and especially for the applications of diagnosis, screening, and theranostics. Due to its physical and chemical robustness, high stability, low-cost, and reusability features, molecularly imprinted polymer based sensors have become very attractive modalities for such applications with a sensitivity of minute structural changes in the structure of biomolecules. This review aims at discussing the principle of molecular imprinting method, the integration of molecularly imprinted polymers with sensing tools, the recent advances and strategies in molecular imprinting methodologies, their applications in medical, and future outlook on this concept.
Effects of Rank-Ordered Feature Perceptions of Energy Sources on the Choice of the Most Acceptable Power Plant for a Neighborhood: An Investigation Using a South Korean Nationwide Sample
Authors: Roh Seungkook , Lee Jin Won , Li Qingchang
Published: March 2019

The present study incorporates a competitive context into an individual’s response to the construction of a power plant in his/her neighborhood and the determinants of this response. The study adopts an individual’s rank-ordered feature perceptions of competing energy sources to reflect the individual’s comparative perceptions of the sources regarding the features, and it investigates the effects of these perceptions on his/her choice of the most acceptable power plant in the area where he/she lives. Our mixed conditional logit analysis of nationwide survey data from South Korea demonstrated the following: among the rank-ordered feature perceptions, the perceptions regarding safety and eco-friendliness significantly predict an individual’s choice of the most acceptable power plant for his/her neighborhood, while those regarding affordability, contribution to economic development, and job creation do not. In addition, among those significant features, safety was found to be a stricter criterion than eco-friendliness. The selective significance of the feature perceptions and the differentiated criteria between the significant features provide practical implications for professionals in energy industries, as well as theoretical implications for researchers.
State Interventionism in Agricultural Land Turnover in Poland
Authors: Stacherzak Agnieszka , Hełdak Maria , Hájek Ladislav , Przybyła Katarzyna
Published: March 2019

The study discusses the problem of land grabbing and state interventionism in agricultural land transactions in Poland, and presents the effects of active policy implemented by the state on limiting the flow of agricultural land. The research covers the period from the time of country’s accession to the European Union, starting from 2004. Poland introduced restrictions on the purchase of agricultural land for fear of mass land grabbing, and has currently tightened the restrictions on agricultural land purchase by foreigners and by non-owners of a family farm. The analyses concern the number of permits issued for foreigners to turn over agricultural land in Poland, the area of property eventually purchased by foreigners, the right of pre-emption exercised by the National Support Centre for Agriculture (NSCA), and the number of transactions concluded in an open market and in the form of a tender. Based on the collected data and their in-depth analyses, the following phenomena were interpreted: an extensive impact of interventionism exercised by the Polish state on restricting the sale of agricultural land to foreigners is observed, and interventionism of the Polish state affects the suspension of functional changes in rural areas and agricultural land transition to non-agricultural purposes. The research shows that the majority of property turnover by foreigners in Poland required permits issued by the Minister of the Interior Affairs and Administration. Moreover, priority is given to owners of family farms, which results in a reduction of the total number of transactions concerning agricultural land in Poland after introducing changes in legal transactions of agricultural land in 2016.
Urban Watercourses in Peril: Implications of Phthalic Acid Esters on Aquatic Ecosystems Caused by Urban Sprawl
Authors: Jayaweera Mahesh , Danushika Gimhani , Bandara Nilanthi , Dissanayake Janith , Gunawardana Buddhika , Manatunge Jagath , Zoysa Kasun
Published: March 2019

Urban sprawl worldwide warrants the use of large quantities of industrial and household products containing phthalic acid esters (PAEs) resulting in adverse impacts on the quality of aquatic life in urban watercourses. The presence of six PAEs (dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di(n-butyl) phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and di(n-octyl) phthalate (DnOP)) in 22 shallow urban watercourses in Colombo and suburbs of Sri Lanka was investigated. The average concentrations of DEP, DBP, BBP, and DEHP in all watercourses varied between 2.5–265.0, 1.0–32.0, 61–108, and 12–165 µg/L, respectively. DMP and DnOP were below the limits of quantification (DMP-0.5 µg/L, DnOP-1.0 µg/L) for all watercourses. DEHP was the most abundant PAE in many watercourses. The significant factors affecting the ubiquitous presence of PAEs in watercourses are the inherent properties of each PAE, presence of industrial and household products with great potential for the migration of PAEs in the sub-catchments, and quality of the receiving water. The contamination levels of PAEs in most of the watercourses are alarmingly high, as evidenced by higher concentrations of DEHP and DBP than those of Canadian permissible levels for the protection of aquatic life (16 and 19 µg/L). This study was the first effort in Sri Lanka to investigate the presence of PAEs in urban watercourses.
Assessing Temporal and Spatial Inequality of Water Footprint Based on Socioeconomic and Environmental Factors in Jilin Province, China
Authors: Wang Jianqin , Qin Lijie , He Hongshi
Published: March 2019

Freshwater resources are limited and uneven in their spatiotemporal distribution, and substantial increases in water demand from rapidly developing economies and concentrated populations place pressure on the available water. Research on the inequality of water footprint (WF) could provide countermeasures for the rational use and allocation of water resources. We evaluated the temporal and spatial inequality of WF using the Gini coefficient and imbalance index based on socioeconomic and environmental factors in Jilin Province. The results showed that from 2008 to 2015, the overall inequality of WF in Jilin Province was “relative equality”, and the inequalities between the WF and population, cultivated area were “high equality”; between the WF and gross domestic product (GDP) was “relative equality”; and between the WF and natural water endowment was “high inequality”. With respect to space, the differences of WF inequality were significant. In the west, the WF inequality changed greatly, from “relative equality” to “relative inequality” driven by population, GDP, cultivated area, and natural water endowment. In the middle, the WF inequality showed large internal differences with “high inequality” or “high equality” caused by GDP and natural water endowment. In the east, the WF inequality was relatively stable, at “high equality” or “neutral” affected by natural water endowment and population. The varied impact factors reflected the differences in natural resources and socioeconomic conditions in the various regions, and the results might provide a theoretical basis for guiding the rational allocation of water resources.
Editorial for the Special Issue: Filters in Drinking Water Treatment
Authors: Noubactep Chicgoua
Published: March 2019

Slow sand filters were first used for safe drinking water provision during the 19th century. The technology has been gradually improved and utilized at several scales. Based on their intrinsic limitations other filtration systems have been developed, including membrane technologies. The universal applicability of filtration in drinking water supply makes filters a device of choice to facilitate the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (‘drinking water for all by 2030’). Available strategies to rationally design efficient and sustainable water filters are scattered in the literature and are difficult to access and evaluate by starting researchers. The present Special Issue summarizes knowledge on two key filtration systems for drinking water supply: (i) membrane technology and (ii) metallic iron based filters. The five (5) accepted articles are being briefly presented herein.