bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selenium deficiency and pregnancy outcome in pregnant women with HIV in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Okunade Kehinde S. , Olowoselu Olusola F. , Osanyin Gbemisola E. , John‐Olabode Sarah , Akanmu Sulaimon A. , Anorlu Rose I.
Published: April 2018

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of maternal selenium deficiency and its effects on pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with HIV in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods

The present descriptive cross‐sectional study enrolled women aged 15–49 years with HIV who were at 14–26 weeks of a singleton pregnancy and were attending Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria, between August 1, 2016, and April 30, 2017. Participants were selected by consecutive sampling and baseline data were collected through interviews. Venous blood samples were obtained to measure selenium concentrations, and associations between low maternal selenium concentrations (defined as <0.89 μmol/L) and pregnancy outcomes were examined using bivariate and multivariate analysis.

Results

The final analysis included 113 patients; selenium deficiency was recorded in 23 (20.4%) patients. Women with selenium deficiency had an approximately eight‐fold higher risk of preterm delivery (adjusted odds ratio 7.61, 95% confidence interval 4.37–18.89; P=0.031) and of delivering a term neonate with a low delivery weight (adjusted odds ratio 8.11, 95% confidence interval 3.27–17.22; P=0.012), compared with women with a normal selenium concentration.

Conclusion

The prevalence of selenium deficiency among pregnant women with HIV in Lagos was relatively high. The significant associations observed between maternal selenium deficiency and adverse pregnancy outcomes could have implications for the future management of HIV in pregnancy.
Cross‐cultural invariance of NPI‐13: Entitlement as culturally specific, leadership and grandiosity as culturally universal
Authors: Żemojtel‐Piotrowska Magdalena , Piotrowski Jarosław , Rogoza Radosław , Baran Tomasz , Hitokoto Hidefumi , Maltby John
Published: April 2018

The current study explores the problem with the lack of measurement invariance for the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI) by addressing two issues: conceptual heterogeneity of narcissism and methodological issues related to the binary character of data. We examine the measurement invariance of the 13‐item version of the NPI in three populations in Japan, Poland and the UK. Analyses revealed that leadership/authority and grandiose exhibitionism dimensions of the NPI were cross‐culturally invariant, while entitlement/exploitativeness was culturally specific. Therefore, we proposed NPI‐9 as indicating scalar invariance, and we examined the pattern of correlations between NPI‐9 and other variables across three countries. The results suggest that NPI‐9 is valid brief scale measuring general levels of narcissism in cross‐cultural studies, while the NPI‐13 remains suitable for research within specific countries.
Measurement of concentrations of four chemical ultraviolet filters in human breast tissue at serial locations across the breast
Authors: Barr L. , Alamer M. , Darbre P. D.
Published: April 2018

The human population is widely exposed to benzophenone‐3 (BP‐3), octylmethoxycinnamate (OMC), 4‐methylbenzilidenecamphor (4‐MBC) and homosalate from their use in consumer goods to absorb ultraviolet (UV) light. Their oestrogenic activity and presence in human milk suggest a potential to influence breast cancer development. In this study, high‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry was used to measure concentrations of these UV filters in human breast tissue from three serial locations across the breast from 40 women undergoing mastectomy for primary breast cancer. One or more of these UV filters were quantifiable in 101 of 120 (84%) of the tissue samples and at least one breast region for 38 of 40 women. BP‐3 was measured in 83 of 120 (69%) tissue samples and at least one breast region for 33 of 40 women (range 0–26.0 ng g–1 tissue). OMC was measured in 89 of 120 (74%) tissue samples and at least one breast region for 33 of 40 women (range 0–58.7 ng g–1 tissue). 4‐MBC was measured in 15 of 120 (13%) tissue samples and at least one breast region for seven of 40 women (range 0–25.6 ng g–1 tissue). Homosalate was not detected in any sample. Spearman's analyses showed significant positive correlations between concentrations of BP‐3 and OMC in each of the three breast regions. For ethical reasons cancerous tissue was not available, but as the location of the cancer was known, Mann–Whitney U‐tests investigated any link between chemical concentration and whether a tumour was present in that region or not. For the lateral region, more BP‐3 was measured when a tumour was present (P = .007) and for OMC the P value was .061. For seven (of 40) women with measurable 4‐MBC, six of seven had measurable 4‐MBC at the site of the tumour.
Metabolomics‐on‐a‐chip approach to study hepatotoxicity of DDT, permethrin and their mixtures
Authors: Jellali Rachid , Gilard Françoise , Pandolfi Vittoria , Legendre Audrey , Fleury Marie‐José , Paullier Patrick , Legallais Cécile , Leclerc Eric
Published: April 2018

Despite the diversity of studies on pesticide toxicities, there is a serious lack of information concerning the toxic effect of pesticides mixtures. Dichlorodiphenyl‐trichloroethane (DDT) and permethrin (PMT) are among the most prevalent pesticides in the environment and have been the subject of several toxicological studies. However, there are no data on the toxicity of their mixtures. In this study, we used an approach combining cell culture in microfluidic biochips with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry metabolomics profiling to investigate the biomarkers of toxicity of DDT, PMT and their mixtures. All parameters observed indicated that no significant effect was observed in hepatocytes cultures exposed to low doses (15 μm) of DDT and PMT. Conversely, combined low doses induce moderate oxidative stress and cell death. The toxic signature of high doses of pesticides (150 μm) was illustrated by severe oxidative stress and cell mortality. Metabolomics profiling revealed that hepatocytes exposure to DDT150, PMT150 and DDT150 and PMT150 cause important modulation in intermediates of glutathione pathway and tricarboxylic acid cycle, amino acids and metabolites associated to hepatic necrosis and inflammation (α‐ketoglutarate, arginine and 2‐hydroxybutyrate). These changes were more striking in the combined group. Finally, DDT150 led to a significant increase of benzoate, decanoate, octanoate, palmitate, stearate and tetradecanoate, which illustrates the estrogen modulation. This study demonstrates the potential of metabolomics‐on‐a‐chip approach to improve knowledge on the mode of action of pesticides.
Mechanistic and structural insights into the in vitro inhibitory action of hypericin on glutathione reductase purified from baker's yeast
Authors: Dalmizrak Ozlem , Teralı Kerem , Abdullah Redwan Kawa , Ozer Nazmi
Published: April 2018

This work aims at studying the interaction between glutathione reductase (GR) and hypericin. The type of inhibition was determined by measuring changes in GR activity at increasing concentrations of hypericin as well as at varying concentrations of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), and the binding pose of hypericin was predicted by molecular docking. Accordingly, hypericin emerges as an effective inhibitor of GR. When the variable substrate is GSSG, the type of inhibition is competitive. When the variable substrate is NADPH, however, the type of inhibition appears to be linear mixed‐type competitive. Our computational analyses suggest that hypericin binds in the large intermonomer cavity of GR, and that it may interfere with the normal positioning/functioning of the redox‐active disulfide center at the enzyme's active site. Overall, besides its contributory role in promoting oxidative stress via the formation of reactive oxygen species in photodynamic therapy, hypericin can also weaken cancer cells through inhibiting GR.
Scale‐up and economic analysis of the production of ligninolytic enzymes from a side‐stream of the organosolv process
Authors: Lú‐Chau Thelmo A , Martínez‐Patiño José C , Gullón Beatriz , García‐Torreiro María , Moreira María T , Lema Juan M , Eibes Gemma
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

Organosolv pretreatment produces a hemicellulose‐rich stream with limited applications due to its toxicity. In this study, beech wood organosolv liquor was valorized through the production of ligninolytic enzymes, the extraction of ganoderic acid and the detoxification of this process stream.

RESULTS

Laccase and manganese peroxidase (MnP) were produced in 30 L bioreactors by the white‐rot fungi Ganoderma lucidum and Irpex lacteus, respectively, using the hemicellulose‐rich liquor as carbon source. Both fungi caused a significant reduction in the hemicellulose stream toxicity (between 6.1 and 8.3 times lower). The extraction of ganoderic acid (24.3 mg g−1 of G. lucidum biomass) as a fungal metabolite with high pharmacological activity greatly increased the profitability of the process. Finally, the economic viability of the proposed valorization strategy was analyzed on the basis of the operational costs estimated for the process scale‐up. The specific costs of MnP and laccase production were €2.27 kU−1and €1.08 kU−1, respectively, which are 1109 and 78 times lower than the average price of commercially available enzymes.

CONCLUSION

It was found that the integration of the proposed valorization strategy into an organosolv‐based biorefinery would help to increase the economic feasibility of this pretreatment technology. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessing plasmid bioprocess reproducibility and C‐source uptake stage through multivariate analysis of offline and online data
Authors: Lopes Marta B , Calado Cecília RC
Published: April 2018

Background

Considerable effort has been made by the biopharmaceutical industry to guarantee high‐quality products and patient safety. Ensuring the reproducibility of microbial cultures is essential to achieve such high standards. Reproducibility is usually assessed by offline, costly and time‐consuming analyses of the final product, disregarding the culture behavior over time, which affects the final product. Online data provided in real time by the bioreactor unit control (e.g. temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen concentration), unlike offline data acquired along the culture, implies no extra cost or contamination risks, thus holding the promise of playing an important role in assessing culture reproducibility.

Results

Eleven batch recombinant Escherichia coli DH5‐α cultures producing the plasmid model pVAX‐LacZ were analyzed by Multivariate Data Analysis (MVDA) of online and offline data. Similarities between the cultures were inspected by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the significance of the differences determined by Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) based on offline data. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) based on the online bioreactor data was also successful in predicting the cell growth stage at each time point regarding the C‐source under consumption.

Conclusion

Multivariate data analysis based on offline and online data has proved to be a valuable tool in assessing the cultures' reproducibility and the metabolic stage regarding the C‐source consumption phase at a given time. These results may certainly impact the biopharmaceutical industry, by drawing attention to the usefulness of combining MVDA and bioprocess data, particularly online data, never used for these purposes. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Enhanced plant growth promoting role of mPEG‐PLGA‐based nanoparticles as an activator protein PeaT1 carrier in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Gao Han , Qin Youcai , Guo Rong , Wu Yan , Qiu Dewen , Fu Yuming
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

Developing new types of bioproducts using innovative nanotechnology is one of the potentially effective options for enhancing agricultural production and reducing environmental agrochemical pollution. As a bioagent derived from fungi, activator protein can promote growth and control diseases by activating the plant immune system. Meanwhile, the nanocarrier can protect the protein within and prolong its efficiency through controlled release.

RESULTS

In our study, a new kind of plant nano‐activator was developed by encapsulating an activator protein PeaT1 using a polymer nanoparticle constructed with monomethoxy‐poly (ethylene glycol)‐poly (lactide‐co‐glycolide) (mPEG‐PLGA). The nanoparticles were spherical with diameter about 200 nm. Morphological and physiological parameters of wheat seedlings, including seed vigor index, root vitality, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic parameters, increased after treatment with the nano‐activator. Further observation under the confocal laser microscope showed a more effective intake of the nano‐activator protein.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that the nano‐activators are effective in enhancing wheat growth. This novel agent provides a promising way to improve crop production in an environmentally friendly manner. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Quantitative susceptibility mapping across two clinical field strengths: Contrast‐to‐noise ratio enhancement at 1.5T
Authors: Ippoliti Matteo , Adams Lisa C. , Winfried Brenner , Hamm Bernd , Spincemaille Pascal , Wang Yi , Makowski Marcus R.
Published: April 2018

Background

Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is an MRI postprocessing technique that allows quantification of the spatial distribution of tissue magnetic susceptibility in vivo. Contributing sources include iron, blood products, calcium, myelin, and lipid content.

Purpose

To evaluate the reproducibility and consistency of QSM across clinical field strengths of 1.5T and 3T and to optimize the contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) at 1.5T through bandwidth tuning.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

Sixteen healthy volunteers (10 men, 6 women; age range 24–37; mean age 27.8 ± 3.2 years).

Field Strengths/Sequences

1.5T and 3T systems from the same vendor. Four spoiled gradient echo (SPGR) sequences were designed with different acquisition bandwidths.

Assessment

QSM reconstruction was achieved through a nonlinear morphology‐enabled dipole inversion (MEDI) algorithm employing L1 regularization. CNR was calculated in seven regions of interest (ROIs), while reproducibility and consistency of QSM measurements were evaluated through voxel‐based and region‐specific linear correlation analyses and Bland–Altman plots.

Statistical Tests

Interclass correlation, Wilcoxon rank sum test, linear regression analysis, Bland–Altman analysis, Welch's t‐test.

Results

CNR analysis showed a statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase in four out of seven ROIs for the lowest bandwidth employed with respect to the highest (25.18% increase in CNR of caudate nucleus). All sequences reported an excellent correlation across field strength and bandwidth variation (R ≥ 0.96, widest limits of agreement from –18.7 to 25.8 ppb) in the ROI‐based analysis, while the correlation was found to be good for the voxel‐based analysis of averaged maps (R ≥ 0.90, widest limits of agreement from –9.3 to 9.1 ppb).

Data Conclusion

CNR of QSM images reconstructed from 1.5T acquisitions can be enhanced through bandwidth tuning. MEDI‐based QSM reconstruction demonstrated to be reproducible and consistent both across field strengths (1.5T and 3T) and bandwidth variation.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1410–1420.
Robust spinal cord resting‐state fMRI using independent component analysis‐based nuisance regression noise reduction
Authors: Hu Yong , Jin Richu , Li Guangsheng , Luk Keith DK , Wu Ed. X.
Published: April 2018

Background

Physiological noise reduction plays a critical role in spinal cord (SC) resting‐state fMRI (rsfMRI).

Purpose

To reduce physiological noise and increase the robustness of SC rsfMRI by using an independent component analysis (ICA)‐based nuisance regression (ICANR) method.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

Ten healthy subjects (female/male = 4/6, age = 27 ± 3 years, range 24–34 years).

Field Strength/Sequence

3T/gradient‐echo echo planar imaging (EPI).

Assessment

We used three alternative methods (no regression [Nil], conventional region of interest [ROI]‐based noise reduction method without ICA [ROI‐based], and correction of structured noise using spatial independent component analysis [CORSICA]) to compare with the performance of ICANR. Reduction of the influence of physiological noise on the SC and the reproducibility of rsfMRI analysis after noise reduction were examined. The correlation coefficient (CC) was calculated to assess the influence of physiological noise. Reproducibility was calculated by intraclass correlation (ICC).

Statistical Tests

Results from different methods were compared by one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post‐hoc analysis.

Results

No significant difference in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pulsation influence or tissue motion influence were found (P = 0.223 in CSF, P = 0.2461 in tissue motion) in the ROI‐based (CSF: 0.122 ± 0.020; tissue motion: 0.112 ± 0.015), and Nil (CSF: 0.134 ± 0.026; tissue motion: 0.124 ± 0.019). CORSICA showed a significantly stronger influence of CSF pulsation and tissue motion (CSF: 0.166 ± 0.045, P = 0.048; tissue motion: 0.160 ± 0.032, P = 0.048) than Nil. ICANR showed a significantly weaker influence of CSF pulsation and tissue motion (CSF: 0.076 ± 0.007, P = 0.0003; tissue motion: 0.081 ± 0.014, P = 0.0182) than Nil. The ICC values in the Nil, ROI‐based, CORSICA, and ICANR were 0.669, 0.645, 0.561, and 0.766, respectively.

Data Conclusion

ICANR more effectively reduced physiological noise from both tissue motion and CSF pulsation than three alternative methods. ICANR increases the robustness of SC rsfMRI in comparison with the other three methods.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1421–1431.
Polyethylene glycol solutions rapidly restore and maintain axonal continuity, neuromuscular structures, and behaviors lost after sciatic nerve transections in female rats
Authors: Mikesh Michelle , Ghergherehchi Cameron L. , Hastings Robert Louis , Ali Amir , Rahesh Sina , Jagannath Karthik , Sengelaub Dale R. , Trevino Richard C. , Jackson David M. , Bittner George D.
Published: April 2018

Complete severance of major peripheral mixed sensory–motor nerve proximally in a mammalian limb produces immediate loss of action potential conduction and voluntary behaviors mediated by the severed distal axonal segments. These severed distal segments undergo Wallerian degeneration within days. Denervated muscles atrophy within weeks. Slowly regenerating (∼1 mm/day) outgrowths from surviving proximal stumps that often nonspecifically reinnervate denervated targets produce poor, if any, restoration of lost voluntary behaviors. In contrast, in this study using completely transected female rat sciatic axons as a model system, we provide extensive morphometric, immunohistochemical, electrophysiological, and behavioral data to show that these adverse outcomes are avoided by microsuturing closely apposed axonal cut ends (neurorrhaphy) and applying a sequence of well‐specified solutions, one of which contains polyethylene glycol (PEG). This “PEG‐fusion” procedure within minutes reestablishes axoplasmic and axolemmal continuity and signaling by nonspecifically fusing (connecting) closely apposed open ends of severed motor and/or sensory axons at the lesion site. These PEG‐fused axons continue to conduct action potentials and generate muscle action potentials and muscle twitches for months and do not undergo Wallerian degeneration. Continuously innervated muscle fibers undergo much less atrophy compared with denervated muscle fibers. Dramatic behavioral recovery to near‐unoperated levels occurs within days to weeks, almost certainly by activating many central nervous system and peripheral nervous system synaptic and other plasticities, some perhaps to a greater extent than most neuroscientists would expect. Negative control transections in which neurorrhaphy and all solutions except the PEG‐containing solution are applied produce none of these remarkably fortuitous outcomes observed for PEG‐fusion.
Polyethylene glycol treated allografts not tissue matched nor immunosuppressed rapidly repair sciatic nerve gaps, maintain neuromuscular functions, and restore voluntary behaviors in female rats
Authors: Mikesh Michelle , Ghergherehchi Cameron L. , Rahesh Sina , Jagannath Karthik , Ali Amir , Sengelaub Dale R. , Trevino Richard C. , Jackson David M. , Tucker Haley O. , Bittner George D.
Published: April 2018

Many publications report that ablations of segments of peripheral nerves produce the following unfortunate results: (1) Immediate loss of sensory signaling and motor control; (2) rapid Wallerian degeneration of severed distal axons within days; (3) muscle atrophy within weeks; (4) poor behavioral (functional) recovery after many months, if ever, by slowly‐regenerating (∼1mm/d) axon outgrowths from surviving proximal nerve stumps; and (5) Nerve allografts to repair gap injuries are rejected, often even if tissue matched and immunosuppressed. In contrast, using a female rat sciatic nerve model system, we report that neurorrhaphy of allografts plus a well‐specified‐sequence of solutions (one containing polyethylene glycol: PEG) successfully addresses each of these problems by: (a) Reestablishing axonal continuity/signaling within minutes by nonspecific ally PEG‐fusing (connecting) severed motor and sensory axons across each anastomosis; (b) preventing Wallerian degeneration by maintaining many distal segments of inappropriately‐reconnected, PEG‐fused axons that continuously activate nerve‐muscle junctions; (c) maintaining innervation of muscle fibers that undergo much less atrophy than otherwise‐denervated muscle fibers; (d) inducing remarkable behavioral recovery to near‐unoperated levels within days to weeks, almost certainly by CNS and PNS plasticities well‐beyond what most neuroscientists currently imagine; and (e) preventing rejection of PEG‐fused donor nerve allografts with no tissue matching or immunosuppression. Similar behavioral results are produced by PEG‐fused autografts. All results for Negative Control allografts agree with current neuroscience data 1‐5 given above. Hence, PEG‐fusion of allografts for repair of ablated peripheral nerve segments expand on previous observations in single‐cut injuries, provoke reconsideration of some current neuroscience dogma, and further extend the potential of PEG‐fusion in clinical practice.
Relationship between neural crest cell specification and rare ocular diseases
Authors: Akula Monica , Park Jeong Won , West‐Mays Judith A.
Published: April 2018

Development of the eye is closely associated with neural crest cell migration and specification. Eye development is extremely complex, as it requires the working of a combination of local factors, receptors, inductors, and signaling interactions between tissues such as the optic cup and periocular mesenchyme (POM). The POM is comprised of neural crest‐derived mesenchymal progenitor cells that give rise to numerous important ocular structures including those tissues that form the optic cup and anterior segment of the eye. A number of genes are involved in the migration and specification of the POM such as PITX2, PITX3, FOXC1, FOXE3, PAX6, LMX1B, GPR48, TFAP2A, and TFAP2B. In this review, we will discuss the relevance of these genes in the development of the POM and how mutations and defects result in rare ocular diseases.
Tremor severity in Parkinson's disease and cortical changes of areas controlling movement sequencing: A preliminary study
Authors: Benito‐León Julián , Serrano J. Ignacio , Louis Elan D. , Holobar Ales , Romero Juan P. , Povalej‐Bržan P. , Bermejo‐Pareja Félix , del Castillo M. Dolores , Posada Ignacio J. , Rocon Eduardo
Published: April 2018

There remains much to learn about the changes in cortical anatomy that are associated with tremor severity in Parkinson's disease (PD). For this reason, we used a combination of structural neuroimaging to measure cortical thickness and neurophysiological studies to analyze whether PD tremor was associated with cortex integrity. Magnetic resonance imaging and neurophysiological assessment were performed in 13 nondemented PD patients (9 women, 69.2%) with a clearly tremor‐dominant phenotype. Cortical reconstruction and volumetric segmentation were performed with the Freesurfer image analysis software. Assessment of tremor was performed by means of high‐density surface electromyography (hdEMG) and inertial measurement units (IMUs). Individual motor unit discharge patterns were identified from surface hdEMG and tremor metrics quantifying motor unit synchronization from IMUs. Increased motor unit synchronization (i.e., more severe tremor) was associated with cortical changes (i.e., atrophy) in wide‐spread cortical areas, including caudal middle frontal regions bilaterally (dorsal premotor cortices), left inferior parietal lobe (posterior parietal cortex), left lateral orbitofrontal cortex, cingulate cortex bilaterally, left posterior and transverse temporal cortex, and left occipital lobe, as well as reduced left middle temporal volume. Given that the majority of these areas are involved in controlling movement sequencing, our results support Albert's classic hypothesis that PD tremor may be the result of an involuntary activation of a program of motor behavior used in the genesis of rapid voluntary alternating movements.
A new measure of the effect of cloud cover on annual/monthly mean global radiation for investigating the cause of secular trends in global radiation
Authors: Kanno Ariyo , Ishida Haruma , Tanaka Yoji
Published: April 2018

The annual to monthly average of short‐term (hourly/minutely) measured global radiation (GR), hereafter called mean global radiation (MGR), has shown large secular trends (decadal or longer term) globally that are only attributable to clouds or aerosols. In order to investigate whether changes in cloud cover (CC) contribute to the MGR trend for a given location and period of interest, many studies compare secular trends of MGR and mean cloud cover (MCC, the annual to monthly average of CC). If these trends have opposite signs, such studies assume that the changes in CC cause the changes in MGR, and vice versa. However, this approach is misleading because MCC is not an appropriate measure of the averaged immediate effect of CC on GR for the year or month due to the solar‐elevation dependency and the inherent nonlinearity in the instantaneous effect. As a practical solution, we derived a more reasonable measure named MRRCC (mean radiation reduction by CC) to replace MCC. This is the annual to monthly average of the immediate reduction in GR arising from CC and is determined using a nonlinear regression model that relates immediate GR to the corresponding CC, solar elevation, and year. We carefully designed the model so that the calculation of MRRCC does not require any other variables (such as aerosol measurements). According to our tests at 42 observation stations with increasing MGR trends from 1990 to 2009, 24 stations had positive trends in MCC, indicating in the conventional approach that CC is not a cause of the MGR increase. However, 14 out of these 24 stations had negative MRRCC trends, indicating that CC is one cause of the MGR increase. This demonstrates that the use of MRRCC instead of MCC can alter our understanding of the causes of MGR trends globally.
Two new sea surface temperature anomalies indices for capturing the eastern and central equatorial Pacific type El Niño‐Southern Oscillation events during boreal summer
Authors: Wang Mei , Guan Zhaoyong , Jin Dachao
Published: April 2018

Using monthly mean data from the Hadley Center and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction‐National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP‐NCAR) reanalysis, we have constructed two new indices ICP and IEP of boreal summer sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) in equatorial Pacific for period of 1963–2016 by employing methods including the six‐order polynomial fitting and pattern correlations. The new indices ICP and IEP are almost independent of each other. Using these two indices, we are able to successfully capture the main features of central Pacific (CP) and eastern Pacific (EP) type SSTA variations in tropical Pacific in both spatial and temporal. The EP‐type SSTA events vary on inter‐annual timescales whereas CP‐type events vary on both inter‐annual and inter‐decadal. For the CP‐type events, stronger positive (negative) SST anomalies are observed in central tropical Pacific while weaker SSTA in the Maritime Continent (MC) and eastern equatorial Pacific during positive (negative) phase of index ICP. However, For EP‐type events, the stronger SSTAs appear in both the equatorial Pacific region east of dateline and Peruvian coastal ocean while weaker SSTAs in MC and western equatorial Pacific regions. Both the anomalous heating induced by CP‐ and EP‐type SSTA may force the atmosphere to respond, resulting in different types of anomalous patterns of circulations, rainfall, and near‐surface air temperatures. These results indicate that the new indexes are useful for our better investigating the CP‐ and EP‐type summer SSTA events as well as their climate impacts, thereby providing a clue to monitoring and predicting strong SSTA events in equatorial Pacific.
Vitamin and mineral supplementation in pregnancy: evidence to practice
Authors: Wilson Rebecca L. , Gummow Jason A. , McAninch Dale , Bianco‐Miotto Tina , Roberts Claire T.
Published: April 2018

Pregnancy is a dynamic state that requires increased nutrient intakes in order to support the growing fetus, placenta and maternal tissues, and hence a successful pregnancy outcome. Although maternal micronutrient deficiencies during pregnancy are often associated with pregnancy complications, as well as adverse fetal growth and development, evidence to support routine vitamin and mineral supplementation is relatively scarce. This review summarises existing evidence and special considerations regarding folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, zinc, iron, selenium and iodine supplementation on pregnancy outcomes. Current practice recommendations are for routine supplementation of folic acid and iodine, but recommendations regarding other vitamins and minerals are based on an individualised approach in pregnancy, with supplementation restricted to women with insufficient dietary intakes or established deficiencies. This review aims to support pharmacists in evaluating the appropriateness of various individual and multicomponent vitamin and mineral supplements and providing balanced and up‐to‐date information to women who are either planning pregnancy or are already pregnant.
Physicochemical Characterization of Chrysin‐Derivative‐Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers with Special Reference to Anticancer Activity
Authors: Karmakar Gourab , Nahak Prasant , Chettri Priyam , Roy Biplab , Guha Pritam , Tsuchiya Koji , Torigoe Kanjiro , Kumar Anoop , Nath Ranendu K. , Bhowmik Sukhen , De Utpal C. , Nag Kaushik , Panda Amiya K.
Published: April 2018

Homologues long‐chain chrysin derivatives (LCD, C
n: 8–18) were synthesized and incorporated into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) with the aim to treat human neuroblastoma. Mutual miscibility and attractive interactions among the NLC components, namely tripalmitin (TP), cetyl palmitate (CP), oleic acid (OA), and the chrysin (CHR) derivatives (LCD) at the air–water interface were assessed by the Langmuir monolayer approach. Optimum combination for the NLC formulations was found to be 2:2:1 (M/M/M) for TP/CP/OA, respectively. NLC formulations, both in the absence and presence of LCD, were characterized by combined dynamic light scattering, electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The size and zeta potential of the NLC formulations were found in the range 200–350 nm and −12 to −18 mV, respectively. Encapsulation efficiency and release kinetics of CHR and LCD when loaded into NLC were also evaluated. LCD exhibited maximum incorporation, drug‐loading capacity, and sustained release because of its enhanced hydrophobicity. Superior incorporation efficiency and sustained‐release profile of LCD were able to enhance their anticancer activity against human neuroblastoma cell lines, compared to CHR, making them promising agents in combating cancer.
Preparation of high‐purity lactulose through efficient recycling of catalyst sodium aluminate and nanofiltration: a pilot‐scale purification
Authors: Wang Mingming , Admassu Habtamu , Gasmalla Mohammed AA , Hua Xiao , Yang Ruijin
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

Lactulose, a valuable lactose‐originated ‘bifidus factor’ product, is exclusively produced by chemical‐based isomerization commercially. A complexing agent of sodium aluminate exhibiting high conversion efficiency and strong recyclable stability is more practical for industrial applications. In this study, efficient purification of high‐purity lactulose through recycling of sodium aluminate and further desalination by nanofiltration (NF) was implemented on a pilot scale.

RESULTS

Over 99.5% of the catalyst was prior recycled in the form of Al(OH)3 precipitate by pH‐induced precipitation and centrifugation; residual aluminum was further absorbed by ion exchange resin to an acceptable level (≤10 mg kg−1). Subsequently, impurities (monosaccharides and NaCl) were ideally separated from lactulose syrup by NF based on their significant retention differences (lactulose 94.8–97.2% > lactose 86.2–93.5% > monosaccharides 36.3–48.7% > NaCl 9.5–31.1%). High‐purity (>95%) lactulose was obtained with >90% yield in both constant and variable volume diafiltration (CVD and VVD) modes when the volume dilution ratio (Vc/Vf) was 4.0 and 2.5 respectively. Both experimental and predicted results showed that the VVD mode was more water‐saving in practice.

CONCLUSION

This is the first trial purification of lactulose syrup from chemical isomerization of lactose catalyzed by sodium aluminate, and the applied methodology is a promising industrial‐scale purification strategy. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Study of virgin olive oil clarification by settling under dynamic conditions
Authors: Gila Abraham , Bejaoui Mohamed Aymen , Beltrán Gabriel , Aguilera María Paz , Jiménez Antonio
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

Vertical centrifugation is the main method for virgin olive oil (VOO) clarification. However, in recent years, settling tanks are also being used to clarify the oils from decanters. They can operate under static or dynamic conditions. In this work, vertical centrifugation and settling under dynamic conditions for VOO clarification and their effects on VOO characteristics were compared.

RESULTS

VOO quality parameters were not affected by the clarification systems studied. The vertical centrifugal separator (VCS) showed higher clarification efficiency, giving clarified oils with higher phenol content and better sensory characteristics. VOOs clarified by dynamic settling showed notable losses of phenols and worse sensory characteristics, since the tank purge system was not efficient, with most of the impurities remaining in the tanks.

CONCLUSION

The VCS with minimal water addition is a quick operation with low water consumption and is a better option to produce VOOs of improved quality, especially in terms of longer shelf life and preservation of positive sensory notes. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
On the thermal behavior of protein isolated from different legumes investigated by DSC and TGA
Authors: Ricci Lucia , Umiltà Eleonora , Righetti Maria C , Messina Tiziana , Zurlini Chiara , Montanari Angela , Bronco Simona , Bertoldo Monica
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

Pea, lentil, faba bean, chickpea and bean proteins are potentially renewable raw materials for bioplastic production that can be obtained from agricultural waste. Plastics are usually processed under heating, and thus thermal stability is a mandatory requirement for the application. In this study, the thermal behavior of several legume protein isolates at different purity degrees was investigated.

RESULTS

The thermal stability of proteins extracted from legumes was maximum for chickpeas and minimum for beans and decreased with decreasing protein purity in the range 30–88%. A similar dependence on purity was observed for the glass transition temperature. On the contrary, the denaturation temperature was found not to depend on sample purity and origin and was lower than the degradation temperature only in the case of protein samples with purity higher than 60%.

CONCLUSION

Proteins from legumes are suitable to produce thermoplastic biopolymeric materials if isolated at purity higher than 60%. In fact, under this circumstance, they can be denaturized without degrading and thus are suitable for extrusion processing. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Multi‐factor accelerated aging of neutral pudding packed in retort pouches determined by instrumental and fluorescence techniques
Authors: Moufle Anne‐Laure , Jamet Julie , Karoui Romdhane
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

Accelerated shelf life tests have been conducted on very few shelf‐stable products. The aim of this study was to reproduce quality changes occurring in neutral pudding packed in retort pouches over a one‐year storage period at room temperature in approximately 100 days. The influence of headspace volume, packaging permeability, combination of packaging permeability and light, iron and copper on the quality changes of pudding throughout storage was investigated at the molecular and macroscopic scales. Analyses were performed from day 15 to 368 for control samples and from day 15 to 99 for pudding samples where one or more accelerating factors were applied.

RESULTS

Retort pouches enriched with iron or copper showed similar trends to control pouches regarding changes in rheological, pH and color parameters during storage. These catalysts could be used as accelerating factors for the last‐mentioned parameters. Riboflavin and tryptophan fluorescence spectra recorded on samples supplemented with iron aged 99 days were the most similar to those of control pudding samples aged 368 days. Neither the headspace volume nor the packaging permeability was found to affect the aging of neutral pudding samples.

CONCLUSION

Samples supplemented with iron were the most appropriate to accelerate the aging of neutral pudding. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
IGZO‐TFT technology for large‐screen 8K display
Authors: Hara Yoshihito , Kikuchi Tetsuo , Kitagawa Hideki , Morinaga Junichi , Ohgami Hiroyuki , Imai Hajime , Daitoh Tohru , Matsuo Takuya
Published: April 2018

We succeeded in G8 factory for mass production of Indium–Gallium–Zink–Oxide thin‐film transistor (IGZO‐TFT) for the first time in the world. The initial TFT process was an etching stop‐type TFT, but now, we are mass producing channel etching‐type TFTs. And, its application range is smartphones, tablets, PCs, monitors, TV, and so on. In particular, because of recent demands for high‐resolution and narrow frame, our IGZO display has been advanced in technology development with gate driver in panel. In this paper, we report development combining low resistance technology and the latest IGZO‐TFT (IGZO5) for large‐screen 8K display.
5.8‐inch QHD flexible AMOLED display with enhanced bendability of LTPS TFTs
Authors: Lee Jaeseob , Nguyen Thanh Tien , Bae Joonwoo , Jo Gyoochul , Lee Yongsu , Yang Sunghoon , Chu Hyeyong , Kwag Jinoh
Published: April 2018

By applying the curve‐type thin film transistor (TFT) with longitudinal strain, TFT parameters do change little down to the 2R bending. The mobility variation range reduces down to 4% compared with 28% of the line‐type channel with transverse strain. The smaller variation is preferred for a high quality display. We clarified that majority carrier's effective mass and scattering rate are dominant factors influencing the bended TFT's performance, which can be controlled by the strain orientation and channel shape. This understanding and improvement was embedded in the 5.8″ flexible QHD active matrix organic light emitting diode panel with multi edge curvature of Galaxy S8. Through this achievement, we made our flexible premium active matrix organic light emitting diode panels more performable, reliable, and highly productive in small R bending circumstance.
Integrating a dynamic capabilities framework into workplace e‐learning process evaluations
Authors: Costello James T. , McNaughton Rod B.
Published: April 2018

The goal of workplace e‐learning programmes is to improve employee capabilities in order to enhance organisations' performance. However, notions of sustained performance in strategic management have moved from measures of production and profit to innovation and adaptation. We therefore suggest that the design and evaluation of e‐learning should also be consistent with the dynamic capabilities framework, which suggests that sustained superior performance results from an organisation's ongoing ability to alter operational routines in line with environmental requirements. With the intent of showing how e‐learning can be configured and evaluated to support the development of dynamic capabilities, we present findings of an exploratory qualitative study that examines e‐learning processes and evaluations in 12 New Zealand organisations. Our analysis reveals that organisations operating in more dynamic environments are likely to use e‐learning to support innovative and adaptive processes, and evaluate their e‐learning accordingly. This study's findings expand our overall understanding of the dynamic capabilities concept, and shows how e‐learning can be aligned to the achievement of more fluid objectives.
Addressing uncertainties in interpreting soil surface changes by multitemporal high‐resolution topography data across scales
Authors: Kaiser Andreas , Erhardt Annelie , Eltner Anette
Published: April 2018

Extensive amounts of water erosion combined with the magnitude of on‐site and off‐site impacts have led to considerable reduction in soil fertility and increased production costs in agriculture. Digital elevation models are a useful and established tool to better understand surface processes and to quantify damages. Ongoing developments in camera‐based 3D reconstruction allow non‐expert users to produce high‐quality elevation models. Multitemporal surveys allow geomorphic change detection serving as a valuable tool for geomorphologists and erosion researchers. Despite various benefits, these recent developments are accompanied by novel challenges in the form of small‐scale nonerosive surface processes (e.g., swelling/shrinking, consolidation/compaction, and aggregate breakdown). If neglected, these alterations can sum up to distinct errors in soil loss quantification.

However, as yet, there have been no studies discussing their influence on surface data sets in erosion research. We present an across‐scales approach of visualising and quantifying detailed soil physical changes and their influence on surface morphology at submillimetre resolution.

The data sets were acquired

at field scale from an unmanned airborne vehicle,

at plot scale during an artificial rainfall simulation on an agricultural site,

and at microplot scale in a laboratory set‐up.

Resulting high‐precision data sets enable the desired insights in soil movements and surface alterations without preceding particle transport and soil loss. Surface changes sum up to 260 m3/ha on an Andalusian test site and could be falsely interpreted as soil loss (of 286 t/ha). These results recommend cautious interpretation of high‐resolution topography in soil erosion research.
Trapping Light in Plain Sight: Embedded Photonic Eigenstates in Zero‐Index Metamaterials
Authors: Monticone Francesco , Doeleman Hugo M. , Den Hollander Wouter , Koenderink A. Femius , Alù Andrea
Published: April 2018

Confining electromagnetic energy is crucial to enhance light‐matter interactions, with important implications for science and technology. Here, the opportunities offered by trapping and confining light in open structures, based on the concept of embedded eigenstates within the radiation continuum enabled by zero‐index metamaterials, are discussed. Building upon the physical insights offered by the analysis, a general platform is put forward that allows the realization of extremely high field enhancements in open structures under external illumination. Structures supporting embedded eigenstates represent a rare example of physical systems in which extreme–in principle unbounded–responses can be tamed. The proposed design recipe to realize bound states in the continuum also offers a simple model that allows testing of important questions that surround the concept of embedded eigenstates, such as their effect on the local density of photonic states. The findings help clarify which nano‐optical and radio‐wave applications may benefit from this unusual and singular response.
Silicone–Epoxy‐Based Hybrid Photopolymers for 3D Printing
Authors: Zhao Tingting , Li Xinpan , Yu Ran , Zhang Ying , Yang Xin , Zhao Xiaojuan , Wang Lei , Huang Wei
Published: April 2018

In the present research, a type of cycloaliphatic silicone–epoxy resin is synthesized and then compounded with acrylates as well as photoinitiators to obtain hybrid photopolymers. The photocuring rate of the hybrid photopolymers, the morphology, thermal and mechanical properties of the cured samples with different silicone–epoxy/acrylate ratios are studied in detail. Scanning electron microscopy images prove that interpenetrating polymer network structure is formed. To improve the mechanical properties, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A is added and finally a type of hybrid photopolymer suitable for stereolithography 3D printing is obtained. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and photo‐differential scanning calorimeter measurements show that the hybrid photopolymer has a high curing rate, while thermal property tests prove that the cured sample has high thermal stability. Mechanical property tests show that the cured samples have a tensile strength of 40.3 MPa with a break elongation of 6.7%. The objects printed with the hybrid photopolymer exhibit high resolution and dimension accuracy.
Polymers Diffusivity Encoded by Stimuli‐Induced Phase Transition: Theory and Application to Poly(N‐Isopropylacrylamide) with Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic End Groups
Authors: Schweizerhof Sjören , Demco Dan Eugen , Mourran Ahmed , Fechete Radu , Möller Martin
Published: April 2018

The self‐diffusion of various nano‐objects investigated by high‐resolution nuclear magnetic resonance diffusometry proves to be an efficient method for the characterization of dynamics, aggregation kinetic, and matrix morphology. This study investigates how the two‐state model and Boltzmann function approach can be used for the evaluation of the thermodynamic parameters of temperature‐induced phase transition encoded in polymer diffusivity. The characteristics of the phase transition given by the transition temperature, change of entropy, and width of transition are obtained for poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) linear polymers with hydrophilic and hydrophobic end‐group functionalization. The effect of end groups upon the polymer diffusivity is investigated as a function of molecular weight (Mn), from which fractal dimensions and hydrodynamic drag coefficients are obtained. The PNIPAm diffusivity is affected strongly by the end groups, and it is reflected in the hydrodynamic radius dependence upon molecular weight that obeys different power‐law relations. In this study, the synthesis of α‐ω‐heterotelechelic PNIPAm of different molecular weights with a thiol end group and a hydrophilic NIPAm‐like as well as a hydrophobic benzyl end group are described by reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization.