bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Faunal Remains from Torre Velha 12 (Serpa, Beja, Southwest of Portugal): Relationship between Animals and Bronze Age Communities
Authors: Senra Marta , Costa Cláudia , Bettencourt Ana M.S. , Baptista Lídia , Gomes Sérgio
Published: January 2019

Torre Velha 12 is located in Serpa (Beja) and was excavated and directed by two of the authors (LB and SG), during an emergency intervention within the Alqueva Project. This site is characterized by negative structures filled with pottery sherds and other materials dating to the 3rd and 2nd millennia BCE. The aim of this paper is to publish the study of the faunal remains dated from Bronze Age (2nd millennium BCE). The faunal assemblage is small and comes from non-funerary pits and from funerary hypogea. Other than a bone artefact and an undetermined shell fragment, all of the remains integrated in the pits were classified as mammals. Sheep/goat is was frequently found while other species such as cattle and swines had lower frequencies. Fragments of cattle limbs are the only faunal remains associated with human burials and reveal a clear taxonomical and anatomical pattern that may be an indicator of a careful and structured anthropogenic behavior. The aim of this paper is to understand the social relationship between animals and the Bronze Age communities.
Irrigation of Greenhouse Crops
Authors: Nikolaou Georgios , Neocleous Damianos , Katsoulas Nikolaos , Kittas Constantinos
Published: January 2019

Precision agricultural greenhouse systems indicate considerable scope for improvement of irrigation management practices, since growers typically irrigate crops based on their personal experience. Soil-based greenhouse crop irrigation management requires estimation on a daily basis, whereas soilless systems must be estimated on an hourly or even shorter interval schedule. Historically, irrigation scheduling methods have been based on soil or substrate monitoring, dependent on climate or time with each having both strengths and weaknesses. Recently, plant-based monitoring or plant reflectance-derived indices have been developed, yet their potential is limited for estimating the irrigation rate in order to apply proper irrigation scheduling. Optimization of irrigation practices imposes different irrigation approaches, based on prevailing greenhouse environments, considering plant-water-soil relationships. This article presents a comprehensive review of the literature, which deals with irrigation scheduling approaches applied for soil and soilless greenhouse production systems. Irrigation decisions are categorized according to whether or not an automatic irrigation control has the ability to support a feedback irrigation decision system. The need for further development of neural networks systems is required.
Spatiotemporal Surface Moisture Variations on a Barred Beach and their Relationship with Groundwater Fluctuations
Authors: Smit Yvonne , Donker Jasper J. A. , Ruessink Gerben
Published: January 2019

Understanding the spatiotemporal variability of surface moisture on a beach is a necessity to develop a quantitatively accurate predictive model for aeolian sand transport from the beach into the foredune. Here, we analyze laser-derived surface moisture maps with a 1 × 1 m spatial and a 15-min temporal resolution and concurrent groundwater measurements collected during falling and rising tide at the barred Egmond beach, the Netherlands. Consistent with earlier studies, the maps show that the beach can be conceptualized into three surface moisture zones. First, the wet zone just above the low tide level: 18–25%; second, the intertidal zone: 5–25% with large fluctuations. In this zone, surface moisture can decrease with a rate varying between ∼2.5–4% per hour, and cumulatively with 16% during a single falling tide; and, third, the back beach zone: 3–7% (dry). The bar–trough system perturbs this overall zonation, with the moisture characteristics on the bar similar to the upper intertidal beach and the trough always remaining wet. Surface moisture fluctuations are strongly linked to the behavior of groundwater depth and can be described by a ’Van Genuchten-type’ retention curve without hysteresis effects. Applying the Van Genuchten relationship with measured groundwater data allows us to predict surface moisture maps. Results show that the predictions capture the overall surface moisture pattern reasonably well; however, alongshore variability in groundwater level should be improved to refine the predicted surface moisture maps, especially near the sandbar.
A Geospatial Application Framework for Directional Relations
Authors: Clementini Eliseo , Bellizzi Giampaolo
Published: January 2019

Geographic data analysis is based on the use of spatial relations as a means of selecting and processing geometric data associated with geographic features. Starting from 1990, topological relations have been recognized as fundamental criteria in geographic data processing, leaving out other kinds of spatial relations, such as directional relations. The latter ones, despite having quite an important role in geospatial applications, have been developed as theoretical models but very little implemented in systems. We refer in this paper to the 5-intersection model for expressing projective relations that can be used to implement directional relations in various frames of reference. We design an application framework in Java and use the framework for answering various categories of queries involving directions. We finally outline how to use the framework for validating the cognitive adequacy of relations with user tests.
Taming Disruption? Pervasive Data Analytics, Uncertainty and Policy Intervention in Disruptive Technology and its Geographic Spread
Authors: Brackin Roger C. , Jackson Michael J. , Leyshon Andrew , Morley Jeremy G.
Published: January 2019

The topic of technology development and its disruptive effects has been the subject of much debate over the last 20 years with numerous theories at both macro and micro scales offering potential models of technology progression and disruption. This paper focuses on how theories of technology progression may be integrated and considers whether suitable indicators of this progression and any subsequent disruptive effects might be derived, based on the use of big data analytic techniques. Given the magnitude of the economic, social, and political implications of many disruptive technologies, the ability to quantify disruptive change at the earliest possible stage could deliver major returns by reducing uncertainty, assisting public policy intervention, and managing the technology transition through disruption into deployment. However, determining when this stage has been reached is problematic because small random effects in the timing, direction of development, the availability of essential supportive technologies or “platform” technologies, market response or government policy can all result in failure of a technology, its form of adoption or optimality of implementation. This paper reviews key models of technology evolution and their disruptive effect including the geographical spread of disruption. The paper then describes a use case and an experiment in disruption prediction, looking at the geographical spread of disruption using internet derived historic data. The experiment, although limited to one specific aspect of the integrated model outlined in the paper, provides an initial example of the type of analysis envisaged. This example offers a glimpse into the potential indicators and how they might be used to measure disruption hinting at what might be possible using big data approaches.
Fumaric Acids Directly Influence Gene Expression of Neuroprotective Factors in Rodent Microglia
Authors: Kronenberg Jessica , Pars Kaweh , Brieskorn Marina , Prajeeth Chittappen K. , Heckers Sandra , Schwenkenbecher Philipp , Skripuletz Thomas , Pul Refik , Pavlou Andreas , Stangel Martin
Published: January 2019

Dimethylfumarate (DMF) has been approved the for treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. The mode of action of DMF and its assumed active primary metabolite monomethylfumarate (MMF) is still not fully understood, notably for brain resident cells. Therefore we investigated potential direct effects of DMF and MMF on microglia and indirect effects on oligodendrocytes. Primary rat microglia were differentiated into M1-like, M2-like and M0 phenotypes and treated in vitro with DMF or MMF. The gene expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors such as growth factors (IGF-1), interleukins (IL-10, IL-1β), chemokines (CCl3, CXCL-10) as well as cytokines (TGF-1β, TNFα), iNOS, and the mannose receptor (MRC1) was examined by determining their transcription level with qPCR, and on the protein level by ELISA and FACS analysis. Furthermore, microglia function was determined by phagocytosis assays and indirect effects on oligodendroglial proliferation and differentiation. DMF treatment of M0 and M1-like polarized microglia demonstrated an upregulation of gene expression for IGF-1 and MRC1, but not on the protein level. While the phagocytic activity remained unchanged, DMF and MMF treated microglia supernatants led to an enhanced proliferation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPC). These results suggest that DMF has anti-inflammatory effects on microglia which may result in enhanced proliferation of OPC.
Molecular Pathways and Respiratory Involvement in Lysosomal Storage Diseases
Authors: Faverio Paola , Stainer Anna , De Giacomi Federica , Gasperini Serena , Motta Serena , Canonico Francesco , Pieruzzi Federico , Monzani Anna , Pesci Alberto , Biondi Andrea
Published: January 2019

Lysosomal storage diseases (LSD) include a wide range of different disorders with variable degrees of respiratory system involvement. The purpose of this narrative review is to treat the different types of respiratory manifestations in LSD, with particular attention being paid to the main molecular pathways known so far to be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. A literature search was conducted using the Medline/PubMed and EMBASE databases to identify studies, from 1968 through to November 2018, that investigated the respiratory manifestations and molecular pathways affected in LSD. Pulmonary involvement includes interstitial lung disease in Gaucher’s disease and Niemann-Pick disease, obstructive airway disease in Fabry disease and ventilatory disorders with chronic respiratory failure in Pompe disease due to diaphragmatic and abdominal wall muscle weakness. In mucopolysaccharidosis and mucolipidoses, respiratory symptoms usually manifest early in life and are secondary to anatomical malformations, particularly of the trachea and chest wall, and to accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in the upper and lower airways, causing, for example, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Although the molecular pathways involved vary, ranging from lipid to glycogen and glycosaminoglycans accumulation, some clinical manifestations and therapeutic approaches are common among diseases, suggesting that lysosomal storage and subsequent cellular toxicity are the common endpoints.
Molecular Mechanisms of Chitosan Interactions with Fungi and Plants
Authors: Lopez-Moya Federico , Suarez-Fernandez Marta , Lopez-Llorca Luis Vicente
Published: January 2019

Chitosan is a versatile compound with multiple biotechnological applications. This polymer inhibits clinically important human fungal pathogens under the same carbon and nitrogen status as in blood. Chitosan permeabilises their high-fluidity plasma membrane and increases production of intracellular oxygen species (ROS). Conversely, chitosan is compatible with mammalian cell lines as well as with biocontrol fungi (BCF). BCF resistant to chitosan have low-fluidity membranes and high glucan/chitin ratios in their cell walls. Recent studies illustrate molecular and physiological basis of chitosan-root interactions. Chitosan induces auxin accumulation in Arabidopsis roots. This polymer causes overexpression of tryptophan-dependent auxin biosynthesis pathway. It also blocks auxin translocation in roots. Chitosan is a plant defense modulator. Endophytes and fungal pathogens evade plant immunity converting chitin into chitosan. LysM effectors shield chitin and protect fungal cell walls from plant chitinases. These enzymes together with fungal chitin deacetylases, chitosanases and effectors play determinant roles during fungal colonization of plants. This review describes chitosan mode of action (cell and gene targets) in fungi and plants. This knowledge will help to develop chitosan for agrobiotechnological and medical applications.
Acute Exposure to Indoxyl Sulfate Impairs Endothelium-Dependent Vasorelaxation in Rat Aorta
Authors: Matsumoto Takayuki , Takayanagi Keisuke , Kojima Mihoka , Taguchi Kumiko , Kobayashi Tsuneo
Published: January 2019

Gut microbiota are emerging as potential contributors to the regulation of host homeostasis. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota associated with increased intestinal permeability facilitates the passage of endotoxins and other microbial products, including indoxyl sulfate in the circulation. Although an emerging body of evidence has suggested that indoxyl sulfate is a key substance for the development of chronic kidney disease, few studies have investigated the direct association of indoxyl sulfate with vascular function. We hypothesized that indoxyl sulfate adversely affects vascular function. Aortas isolated from male Wistar rat were examined in the presence or absence of indoxyl sulfate to assess the vascular function, including vasorelaxation and vasocontraction. Indoxyl sulfate (vs. vehicle) (1) decreased vasorelaxation induced by acetylcholine (ACh) but not by sodium nitroprusside; (2) had no significant alterations of noradrenaline-induced vasocontraction in the absence and presence of endothelium; (3) decreased adenylyl cyclase activator (forskolin)-induced vasorelaxation, while such a difference was eliminated by endothelial denudation; and (4) decreased vasorelaxations induced by calcium ionophore (A23187) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 agonist (GSK1016790A). The indoxyl sulfate-induced decrease in the vasorelaxations induced by ACh and A23187 increased by cell-permeant superoxide dismutase or by organic anion transporter inhibitor. However, apocynin, an inhibitor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, had no effects on vasorelaxations induced by ACh, A23187, forskolin, and GSK1016790A in the presence of indoxyl sulfate. These results suggest that indoxyl sulfate directly affects the vascular function, particularly, endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, and this effect may be attributable to increased oxidative stress after cell transportion via organic anion transporter, and such increased oxidative stress may not be attributable to activation of NADPH oxidase activation.
Short and Long-Term Changes in Social Odor Recognition and Plasma Cytokine Levels Following Oxygen (16O) Ion Radiation Exposure
Authors: Jones Carli B. , Mange Ami , Granata Lauren , Johnson Benjamin , Hienz Robert D. , Davis Catherine M.
Published: January 2019

Future long-duration space missions will involve travel outside of the Earth’s magnetosphere protection and will result in astronauts being exposed to high energy and charge (HZE) ions and protons. Exposure to this type of radiation can result in damage to the central nervous system and deficits in numerous cognitive domains that can jeopardize mission success. Social processing is a cognitive domain that is important for people living and working in groups, such as astronauts, but it has received little attention in terms of HZE ion exposure. In the current study, we assessed the effects of whole-body oxygen ion (16O; 1000 MeV/n) exposure (1 or 10 cGy) on social odor recognition memory in male Long-Evans rats at one and six months following exposure. Radiation exposure did not affect rats’ preferences for a novel social odor experienced during Habituation at either time point. However, rats exposed to 10 cGy displayed short and long-term deficits in 24-h social recognition. In contrast, rats exposed to 1 cGy only displayed long-term deficits in 24-h social recognition. While an age-related decrease in Ki67+ staining (a marker of cell proliferation) was found in the subventricular zone, it was unaffected by radiation exposure. At one month following exposure, plasma KC/GRO (CXCL1) levels were elevated in the 1 cGy rats, but not in the 10 cGy rats, suggesting that peripheral levels of this cytokine could be associated with intact social recognition at earlier time points following radiation exposure. These results have important implications for long-duration missions and demonstrate that behaviors related to social processing could be negatively affected by HZE ion exposure.
Genome-Wide Identification of Cyclophilin Gene Family in Cotton and Expression Analysis of the Fibre Development in Gossypium barbadense
Authors: Chen Qin , Chen Quan-Jia , Sun Guo-Qing , Zheng Kai , Yao Zheng-Pei , Han Yu-Hui , Wang Li-Ping , Duan Ya-Jie , Yu Dao-Qian , Qu Yan-Ying
Published: January 2019

Cyclophilins (CYPs) are a member of the immunophilin superfamily (in addition to FKBPs and parvulins) and play a significant role in peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase (PPIase) activity. Previous studies have shown that CYPs have important functions in plants, but no genome-wide analysis of the cotton CYP gene family has been reported, and the specific biological function of this gene is still elusive. Based on the release of the cotton genome sequence, we identified 75, 78, 40 and 38 CYP gene sequences from G. barbadense, G. hirsutum, G. arboreum, and G. raimondii, respectively; 221 CYP genes were unequally located on chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 231 CYP genes clustered into three major groups and eight subgroups. Collinearity analysis showed that segmental duplications played a significant role in the expansion of CYP members in cotton. There were light-responsiveness, abiotic-stress and hormone-response elements upstream of most of the CYPs. In addition, the motif composition analysis revealed that 49 cyclophilin proteins had extra domains, including TPR (tetratricopeptide repeat), coiled coil, U-box, RRM (RNA recognition motif), WD40 (RNA recognition motif) and zinc finger domains, along with the cyclophilin-like domain (CLD). The expression patterns based on qRT-PCR showed that six CYP expression levels showed greater differences between Xinhai21 (long fibres, G. barbadense) and Ashmon (short fibres, G. barbadense) at 10 and 20 days postanthesis (DPA). These results signified that CYP genes are involved in the elongation stage of cotton fibre development. This study provides a valuable resource for further investigations of CYP gene functions and molecular mechanisms in cotton.
Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Castor (Ricinus communis L.) Seeds During Early Imbibition Provided Novel Insights into Cold Stress Response
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Li Min , Liu Xuming , Zhang Lixue , Duan Qiong , Zhang Jixing
Published: January 2019

Early planting is one of the strategies used to increase grain yield in temperate regions. However, poor cold tolerance in castor inhibits seed germination, resulting in lower seedling emergence and biomass. Here, the elite castor variety Tongbi 5 was used to identify the differential abundance protein species (DAPS) between cold stress (4 °C) and control conditions (30 °C) imbibed seeds. As a result, 127 DAPS were identified according to isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) strategy. These DAPS were mainly involved in carbohydrate and energy metabolism, translation and posttranslational modification, stress response, lipid transport and metabolism, and signal transduction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) demonstrated that the quantitative proteomics data collected here were reliable. This study provided some invaluable insights into the cold stress responses of early imbibed castor seeds: (1) up-accumulation of all DAPS involved in translation might confer cold tolerance by promoting protein synthesis; (2) stress-related proteins probably protect the cell against damage caused by cold stress; (3) up-accumulation of key DAPS associated with fatty acid biosynthesis might facilitate resistance or adaptation of imbibed castor seeds to cold stress by the increased content of unsaturated fatty acid (UFA). The data has been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD010043.
Emerging Roles for Immune Cells and MicroRNAs in Modulating the Response to Cardiac Injury
Authors: Rodriguez Adriana M. , Yin Viravuth P.
Published: January 2019

Stimulating cardiomyocyte regeneration after an acute injury remains the central goal in cardiovascular regenerative biology. While adult mammals respond to cardiac damage with deposition of rigid scar tissue, adult zebrafish and salamander unleash a regenerative program that culminates in new cardiomyocyte formation, resolution of scar tissue, and recovery of heart function. Recent studies have shown that immune cells are key to regulating pro-inflammatory and pro-regenerative signals that shift the injury microenvironment toward regeneration. Defining the genetic regulators that control the dynamic interplay between immune cells and injured cardiac tissue is crucial to decoding the endogenous mechanism of heart regeneration. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of the extent that macrophage and regulatory T cells influence cardiomyocyte proliferation and how microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate their activity in the injured heart.
Online Porn Addiction: What We Know and What We Don’t—A Systematic Review
Authors: de Alarcón Rubén , de la Iglesia Javier I. , Casado Nerea M. , Montejo Angel L.
Published: January 2019

In the last few years, there has been a wave of articles related to behavioral addictions; some of them have a focus on online pornography addiction. However, despite all efforts, we are still unable to profile when engaging in this behavior becomes pathological. Common problems include: sample bias, the search for diagnostic instrumentals, opposing approximations to the matter, and the fact that this entity may be encompassed inside a greater pathology (i.e., sex addiction) that may present itself with very diverse symptomatology. Behavioral addictions form a largely unexplored field of study, and usually exhibit a problematic consumption model: loss of control, impairment, and risky use. Hypersexual disorder fits this model and may be composed of several sexual behaviors, like problematic use of online pornography (POPU). Online pornography use is on the rise, with a potential for addiction considering the “triple A” influence (accessibility, affordability, anonymity). This problematic use might have adverse effects in sexual development and sexual functioning, especially among the young population. We aim to gather existing knowledge on problematic online pornography use as a pathological entity. Here we try to summarize what we know about this entity and outline some areas worthy of further research.
Human iPSC-Chimera Xenotransplantation and the Non-Identity Problem
Authors: Casal Paula , Williams Andrew
Published: January 2019

Xenotransplantation is often deemed morally objectionable because of the costs it imposes on the organ donor and the risks it imposes on the recipient. For some, involving human–pig chimeras as donors makes the practice more objectionable or even abhorrent from the start. For others, by contrast, using such chimeras weakens recipient-based objections because it reduces the risk of organ rejection and malfunctioning, and cancels donor-based objections because the practice does not harm chimeras but instead gives them valuable lives they would not otherwise have. The paper examines and eventually rejects the latter defense. It also discusses the additional risks of chimeric xenotourism in countries with less demanding procedural guidelines and reflects on two very different futures for humanity that may emerge from supporting or rejecting chimeric xenotransplantation.
Modularity for Paralleling Different Rated Power Supplies Using Multi-Phase Switching Methods
Authors: Lee Ping-Hui , Chiang Yi-Te , Chang Fan-Ren
Published: January 2019

This paper proposes a modularity for paralleling different rated power supplies without adding a circuit in the feedback loop by using direct and overlapped switching methods. Unlike an isolated output diode, the use of an isolated output switch composed of two Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) can reduce power dissipation. The control module includes switches and a micro-programmed controlled unit that realizes the modularity by using multi-phase switching methods. The proposed module was studied, and experiments of two rated power supplies (60 and 45 W) were conducted to verify the studied results.
Cash Use of the Taiwan Dollar: Is It Efficient? †
Authors: Franses Philip Hans , Welz Max
Published: January 2019

Two banknotes and two coins of the New Taiwan Dollar are infrequently (if at all) used in Taiwan when people make cash payments. This note examines the effect of this behavior on the efficiency of cash payments. The results are compared with the Euro, where the two highest and two lowest tokens are also rarely used. We find for Taiwan that inefficiency increases with 60.7%, while for the Euro it is only 25.3%. The main reason is that two of the rarely used coins and notes in Taiwan are in the middle of the denominational range, whereas for the Euro, these tokens concern the ends of that range.
A Model for Estimating the Vegetation Cover in the High-Altitude Wetlands of the Andes (HAWA)
Authors: Soto Jorge , Román-Figueroa Celián , Paneque Manuel
Published: January 2019

The natural salt meadows of Tilopozo in the hyperarid, Atacama Desert of northern Chile, which are located at approximately 2800 m above sea level, are under pressure from industrial activity, and cultivation and grazing by local communities. In this research, the land surface covered by salt meadow vegetation was estimated from normalized difference vegetation indices (NDVI) derived from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM), Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) and Operational Land Imager (OLI) data from 1985 to 2016. The vegetated area of the Tilopozo salt meadows decreased by 34 ha over the 32-year period studied. Multiple regression models of the area covered by vegetation and climate data and groundwater depths were derived on an annual basis, as well as for both the dry and wet seasons and had R2 values of 83.0%, 72.8% and 92.4% respectively between the vegetated areas modeled and those estimated from remotely sensed data. These models are potentially useful tools for studies into the conservation of the Tilopozo salt meadows, as they provide relevant information on the state of vegetation and enable changes in vegetation in response to fluctuations in climate parameters and groundwater depths to be predicted.
Thermodynamics of Duplication Thresholds in Synthetic Protocell Systems
Authors: Corominas-Murtra Bernat
Published: January 2019

Understanding the thermodynamics of the duplication process is a fundamental step towards a comprehensive physical theory of biological systems. However, the immense complexity of real cells obscures the fundamental tensions between energy gradients and entropic contributions that underlie duplication. The study of synthetic, feasible systems reproducing part of the key ingredients of living entities but overcoming major sources of biological complexity is of great relevance to deepen the comprehension of the fundamental thermodynamic processes underlying life and its prevalence. In this paper an abstract—yet realistic—synthetic system made of small synthetic protocell aggregates is studied in detail. A fundamental relation between free energy and entropic gradients is derived for a general, non-equilibrium scenario, setting the thermodynamic conditions for the occurrence and prevalence of duplication phenomena. This relation sets explicitly how the energy gradients invested in creating and maintaining structural—and eventually, functional—elements of the system must always compensate the entropic gradients, whose contributions come from changes in the translational, configurational, and macrostate entropies, as well as from dissipation due to irreversible transitions. Work/energy relations are also derived, defining lower bounds on the energy required for the duplication event to take place. A specific example including real ternary emulsions is provided in order to grasp the orders of magnitude involved in the problem. It is found that the minimal work invested over the system to trigger a duplication event is around ~ 10 − 13 J , which results, in the case of duplication of all the vesicles contained in a liter of emulsion, in an amount of energy around ~ 1 kJ . Without aiming to describe a truly biological process of duplication, this theoretical contribution seeks to explicitly define and identify the key actors that participate in it.
Optimizing Weight of Housing Elements of Two-stage Reducer by Using the Topology Management Optimization Capabilities Integrated in SOLIDWORKS: A Case Study
Authors: Slavov Stoyan , Konsulova-Bakalova Mariya
Published: January 2019

This paper presents the results of a conducted topology management optimization study based on the finite element analysis on a two-stage spur gear reducer housing body and cover using the SOLIDWORKS Simulation module. The main goal of the study is to optimize the overall weight of the reducer by thinning specific areas of the casted gearbox housing elements according to the calculated minimal strain energy. The topology optimization algorithm that is used in current research gives an optimal structural shape of the housing elements of the reducer with the largest stiffness, considering the given amount of mass that will be removed from the initial design space. The complete sequence of steps for conducting the topology management optimization study is shown, taking into account the constraints arising from the construction features and the method of manufacturing the housing elements of the gear reducer. Conclusions on the use of the topology optimization results are given and potential directions for further development of the approach are also identified.
The Extremal Cacti on Multiplicative Degree-Kirchhoff Index
Authors: He Fangguo , Zhu Zhongxun
Published: January 2019

For a graph G, the resistance distance r G ( x , y ) is defined to be the effective resistance between vertices x and y, the multiplicative degree-Kirchhoff index R ∗ ( G ) = ∑ { x , y } ⊂ V ( G ) d G ( x ) d G ( y ) r G ( x , y ) , where d G ( x ) is the degree of vertex x, and V ( G ) denotes the vertex set of G. L. Feng et al. obtained the element in C a c t ( n ; t ) with first-minimum multiplicative degree-Kirchhoff index. In this paper, we first give some transformations on R ∗ ( G ) , and then, by these transformations, the second-minimum multiplicative degree-Kirchhoff index and the corresponding extremal graph are determined, respectively.
On the Zeros of the Differential Polynomial φ(z)f2(z)f′(z)2 − 1
Authors: Xu Junfeng , Ye Shuichao
Published: January 2019

In this study, the value distribution of the differential polynomial φ f 2 f ′ 2 − 1 is considered, where f is a transcendental meromorphic function, φ ( ≢ 0 ) is a small function of f by the reduced counting function. This result improves the existed theorems which obtained by Jiang (Bull Korean Math Soc 53: 365-371, 2016) and also give a quantitative inequality of φ f f ′ − 1 .
Cytotoxic Nitrogenous Terpenoids from Two South China Sea Nudibranchs Phyllidiella pustulosa, Phyllidia coelestis, and Their Sponge-Prey Acanthella cavernosa
Authors: Wu Qihao , Chen Wen-Ting , Li Song-Wei , Ye Jian-Yu , Huan Xia-Juan , Gavagnin Margherita , Yao Li-Gong , Wang Hong , Miao Ze-Hong , Li Xu-Wen , Guo Yue-Wei
Published: January 2019

A detailed chemical investigation of two South China Sea nudibranchs Phyllidiella pustulosa and Phyllidia coelestis, as well as their possible sponge-prey Acanthella cavernosa, led to the isolation of one new nitrogenous cadinane-type sesquiterpenoid xidaoisocyanate A (1), one new naturally occurring nitrogen-containing kalihinane-type diterpenoid bisformamidokalihinol A (16), along with 17 known nitrogenous terpenoids (2–15, 17–19). The structures of all the isolates were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis and by the comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. In addition, the absolute stereochemistry of the previously reported axiriabiline A (5) was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. In a bioassay, the bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoids 8, 10, and 11 exhibited cytotoxicity against several human cancer cell lines.
Pacing of Women and Men in Half-Marathon and Marathon Races
Authors: Nikolaidis Pantelis T. , Ćuk Ivan , Knechtle Beat
Published: January 2019

Background and objective: Half-marathon is the most popular endurance running race in terms of number of races and runners competing annually; however, no study has compared pacing strategies for this race distance with marathon. The aim of the present study was to profile pacing in half-marathon, compare half-marathon and marathon for pacing, and estimate sex differences in pacing. Materials and methods: A total of 9137 finishers in the half-marathon (n = 7258) and marathon race (n = 1853) in Ljubljana 2017 were considered for their pacing in five race segments (0–23.7%, 23.7–47.4%, 47.4–71.1%, 71.1–94.8%, and 94.8–100% of the race. Results: Half-marathon runners followed a positive pacing with every segment being slower than its previous one without the presence of an endspurt. Compared to marathon (where the average percent of change in speed (ACS) was 5.71%), a more even pacing was observed in half-marathon (ACS = 4.10%). Moreover, women (ACS = 4.11%) had similar pacing as men (ACS = 4.09%) in half-marathons. Conclusions: In summary, running a half-marathon followed a unique pattern that differentiated this race distance from marathon, with the former showing a more even pacing with an absence of endspurt, and sex difference compared to the latter. Consequently, runners should be advised to adopt a less variable pacing when competing in a half-marathon, regardless of their sex. To the best of our knowledge, the more even pacing in half-marathon, than in marathon, was a novel finding, as it was the first study to compare the two race distances for this characteristic.
The Quality of Anticoagulation Therapy among Warfarin-Treated Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in a Primary Health Care Setting
Authors: Urbonas Gediminas , Valius Leonas , Šakalytė Gintarė , Petniūnas Kęstutis , Petniūnienė Inesa
Published: January 2019

Background and objectives: Long-term therapy with oral anticoagulants is recommended for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). This study evaluated the quality of anticoagulation therapy among warfarin-treated AF patients in selected primary health care centres in Lithuania. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted in nine primary health care centres in Lithuania. Existing medical records of randomly selected adult patients with AF who were treated with warfarin for at least 12 months were reviewed and analysed. Physicians’ decisions to adjust warfarin dose were considered as consistent with the approved warfarin posology if warfarin dose was increased in case of international normalized ratio (INR) <2.0, decreased in case of INR >3.0 or unchanged in case of INR within 2.0 to 3.0. Results: The study population included 406 patients. The mean duration of treatment with warfarin was 5.4 years. The median number of INR measurements per patient per year was 8.0. More than half (57.3%) of available INR values were outside the target range, with 13.6% INR values being above 3.0 and 43.7% INR values—below 2.0. The median time in therapeutic range (TTR) was 40.0%; only 20% of patients had TTR of ≥65%. In about 40% of the cases with INR values outside the target range, no dose corrections were implemented. About 27% of decisions on warfarin dose adjustment were not consistent with the recommended warfarin posology. The median number of INR measurements was lower among patients living in urban areas, while the median TTR was significantly higher in urban patients than in rural patients. In the multivariate regression model, gender, HAS-BLED score and warfarin treatment duration were associated with a TTR of ≥65%. Conclusions: Anticoagulation control is suboptimal in routine clinical practice with a median TTR of 40%. Our findings suggest that there might be a room for improvement of anticoagulation control in primary care.
1D “Spikelet” Projections from Heteronuclear 2D NMR Data—Permitting 1D Chemometrics While Preserving 2D Dispersion
Authors: Tabatabaei Anaraki Maryam , Bermel Wolfgang , Dutta Majumdar Rudraksha , Soong Ronald , Simpson Myrna , Monnette Martine , Simpson André J.
Published: January 2019

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for the non-targeted metabolomics of intact biofluids and even living organisms. However, spectral overlap can limit the information that can be obtained from 1D 1H NMR. For example, magnetic susceptibility broadening in living organisms prevents any metabolic information being extracted from solution-state 1D 1H NMR. Conversely, the additional spectral dispersion afforded by 2D 1H-13C NMR allows a wide range of metabolites to be assigned in-vivo in 13C enriched organisms, as well as a greater depth of information for biofluids in general. As such, 2D 1H-13C NMR is becoming more and more popular for routine metabolic screening of very complex samples. Despite this, there are only a very limited number of statistical software packages that can handle 2D NMR datasets for chemometric analysis. In comparison, a wide range of commercial and free tools are available for analysis of 1D NMR datasets. Overtime, it is likely more software solutions will evolve that can handle 2D NMR directly. In the meantime, this application note offers a simple alternative solution that converts 2D 1H-13C Heteronuclear Single Quantum Correlation (HSQC) data into a 1D “spikelet” format that preserves not only the 2D spectral information, but also the 2D dispersion. The approach allows 2D NMR data to be converted into a standard 1D Bruker format that can be read by software packages that can only handle 1D NMR data. This application note uses data from Daphnia magna (water fleas) in-vivo to demonstrate how to generate and interpret the converted 1D spikelet data from 2D datasets, including the code to perform the conversion on Bruker spectrometers.
n-6 Linoleic Acid Induces Epigenetics Alterations Associated with Colonic Inflammation and Cancer
Authors: Romagnolo Donato F. , Donovan Micah G. , Doetschman Tom C. , Selmin Ornella I.
Published: January 2019

The farnesoid-X-receptor (FXR) protects against inflammation and cancer of the colon through maintenance of intestinal bile acid (BA) homeostasis. Conversely, higher levels of BA and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) are risk factors for inflammation and cancer of the colon. In the United States, n-6 linoleic acid (LA) is the most commonly used dietary vegetable fat. Metabolism of n-6 fatty acids has been linked to a higher risk of intestinal cancer. The objectives of this study were to investigate in colonic mucosa the effects of a high-fat diet rich in LA (n-6HFD) on CpG methylation of Fxr and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase-2 (Ptsg-2) genes, and the impact on the expression of tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis Coli (Apc) and proliferative cyclin D1 (Ccnd1) genes. Weaned C57BL/6J male mice were fed for 6 weeks either an n-6HFD containing 44% energy (44%E) from 22% safflower oil (SO, 76% LA by weight) or a 13% energy (13%E) control diet (Control) from SO (5% by weight). Mice fed the n-6HFD had reduced (60%) Fxr promoter CpG methylation and increased (~50%) Fxr mRNA. The expression of FXR-target ileal bile acid-binding protein (Ibabp), small heterodimer protein (Shp), and anti-inflammatory peroxisome proliferator-activated-γ1 genes was increased. The n-6HFD reduced Ptgs-2 CpG methylation, increased the expression of Cox-2, and increased Apc CpG methylation in colonic mucosa. Accordingly, reduced expression of Apc was coupled to accumulation of c-JUN and Ccnd1, respectively cofactor and gene targets for the β-catenin/Wnt signaling pathway. Finally, the n-6HFD reduced the expression of histone deacetylase-1 while favoring the accumulation of acetylated histone 3. We conclude that an n-6HFD epigenetically modifies Fxr, leading to the activation of downstream factors that participate in BA homeostasis. However, epigenetic activation of Ptsg-2 coupled with silencing of Apc and accumulation of C-JUN and Ccnd1 may increase the risk of inflammation and cancer of the colon.
Women Remain at Risk of Iodine Deficiency during Pregnancy: The Importance of Iodine Supplementation before Conception and Throughout Gestation
Authors: Hynes Kristen L. , Seal Judy A. , Otahal Petr , Oddy Wendy H. , Burgess John R.
Published: January 2019

In Australia, pregnant women are advised to take an iodine supplement (I-supp) (150 µg/day) to reduce risks to the foetus associated with iodine deficiency (ID). To examine the impact of this recommendation on iodine status, and to identify factors that contribute to adequacy during gestation, supplement use and Urinary Iodine Concentration (UIC) was measured in 255 pregnant women (gestation range 6 to 41 weeks) in Tasmania. The median UIC (MUIC) of 133 µg/L (Inter-quartile range 82–233) was indicative of ID, being below the 150–249 µg/L range for adequacy during pregnancy. Women taking an iodine-containing-supplement (I-supp) had a significantly higher MUIC (155 µg/L) (n = 171) compared to the combined MUIC (112.5 µg/L) (n = 84) of those who had never (120 µg/L) (n = 61) or were no longer taking an I-supp (90 µg/L) (n = 23) (p = 0.017). Among women reporting I-supp use, the MUIC of those commencing the recommended 150 µg/day prior to conception was significantly higher than those starting supplementation following pregnancy confirmation: 196 (98–315) µg/L (n = 45) versus 137.5 (82.5–233.5) µg/L (n = 124), p = 0.032. Despite recommendations for iodine supplementation pregnant Tasmanian women remain at risk of ID. Commencing an I-supp of 150 µg/day prior to conception and continuing throughout pregnancy is required to ensure adequacy. Timely advice regarding the importance of adequate iodine nutrition, including supplementation is needed to reduce the risk of irreversible in utero neurocognitive damage to the foetus.
Effects of Lifestyle Intervention on Plasma Trimethylamine N-Oxide in Obese Adults
Authors: Erickson Melissa L. , Malin Steven K. , Wang Zeneng , Brown J. Mark , Hazen Stanley L. , Kirwan John P.
Published: January 2019

Accumulating evidence linking trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has prompted interest in developing therapeutic strategies to reduce its production. We compared two lifestyle intervention approaches: hypocaloric versus eucaloric diet, combined with exercise, on TMAO levels in relation to CVD risk factors. Sixteen obese adults (66.1 ± 4.4 years, BMI (body mass index): 35.9 ± 5.3 kg/m2, fasting glucose: 106 ± 16 mg/dL, 2-h PPG (postprandial glucose): 168 ± 37 mg/dL) were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of exercise (5 days/week, 80–85% HRmax (maximal heart rate)) plus either a hypocaloric (HYPO) (−500 kcal) or a eucaloric (EU) diet. Outcomes included plasma TMAO, glucose metabolism (oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps for glucose disposal rates (GDR)), exercise capacity (VO2max, maximal oxygen consumption), abdominal adiposity (computed tomography scans), cholesterol, and triglycerides. Results showed that body composition (body weight, subcutaneous adiposity), insulin sensitivity, VO2max, and cholesterol all improved (p < 0.05). HYPO decreased the percentage change in TMAO compared to an increase after EU (HYPO: −31 ± 0.4% vs. EU: 32 ± 0.6%, p = 0.04). Absolute TMAO levels were not impacted (HYPO: p = 0.09 or EU: p = 0.53 group). The change in TMAO after intervention was inversely correlated with baseline visceral adipose tissue (r = −0.63, p = 0.009) and GDR (r = 0.58, p = 0.002). A hypocaloric diet and exercise approach appears to be effective in reducing TMAO. Larger trials are needed to support this observation.
Optimization of the Melting Performance of a Thermal Energy Storage Unit with Fractal Net Fins
Authors: Zheng Jiayi , Yu Cheng , Chen Taotao , Yu Yanshun , Wang Fang
Published: January 2019

In this study, fractal net fins were introduced to improve the melting performance of a thermal energy storage unit. A transient model for melting heat transfer for phase change material (PCM) was presented and numerically analyzed, to study the melting performance in a thermal energy storage unit using fractal net fins. The melting phase change process was modelled using the apparent heat capacity method. The evolutions of temperature and the liquid fraction in the thermal energy storage unit were investigated and discussed. The effects of the length and width ratios of the fractal net on melting performance were analyzed to obtain the optimal fin configuration. The results indicated that the fractal net fins significantly enhanced the melting heat transfer performance of the PCM in a thermal energy storage unit. The fractal net fins configuration was optimal when the length and width ratios of the fractal net were 0.5. The temperature response at the corner points of the fractal net fins was faster than that in the central points.
A Review of the Potential for the Recovery of Wind Turbine Blade Waste Materials
Authors: Psomopoulos Constantinos S. , Kalkanis Konstantinos , Kaminaris Stavros , Ioannidis George Ch. , Pachos Pavlos
Published: January 2019

A successful circular economy can only exist when it relies solely on renewable energy sources. The adoption of resilient business models and the consequent redesign of legislation on all sectors are essential to ensure sustainable economic growth. Wind energy can offer clean and renewable energy with a low environmental impact. Nevertheless, waste in end of life composite materials resulting from wind turbines is a problem that needs to be addressed. Composite materials are commonly used in wind turbines due to their excellent mechanical properties, matched by low weight. Notably, the recycling technologies of such materials is limited. Material flows and estimations of end of life materials are of great importance and will convince stakeholders that markets for recycling composites are viable investments.