bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on clinical diseases and disorders of cattle and goat at Gopalgonj District in Bangladesh
Authors: Khan Nidra Boti , Pal Dipa Rani , Mollah Mohammad Lalmoddin
Published: January 2018

This clinical study was undertaken at the sadar Upazilla Livestock Office, Gopalgonj, Bangladesh to determine the general clinical prevalence of clinical diseases and disorders in cattle and goats during the study period from September to December 2016. Total animals were 105, among them cattle were 60 and goats were 45. Diagnosis was performed on the basis of general examination, physical examination and clinical examination. Clinical examinations were detected 60 (48.38% of total animals) different types of diseases and disorders in cattle. Whereas fever 3, anorexia 5, bloat 2, dysentery 3, diarrhoea 4, fascioliasis 2, myiasis 5, FMD 2, papillomatosis 2, ephemeral fever 3, pneumonia 5, mastitis 4, black quarter 1 were recorded. Age wise occurrence in young and adult cattle were 35 (58.33%) & 25 (41.66%) respectively. In goat 45 (36.29% of total animal) different types of diseases and disorders were found. Whereas fever 4, anorexia 4, bloat 1, dysentery 2, diarrhoea 3, corneal opacity 2, mange 3, myiasis 4, PPR 10, pneumonia 8, tetanus 1, mastitis 3 were recorded. Age wise occurrence in young and adult goat were 20 (44.44%) and 15 (33.33%) respectively. Diseases and disorders of cattle and goats which were recorded more or less present in both young and adult animals but some of the specific diseases and disorders were in animals due to age susceptibility such as black quarter in young cattle and PPR in goat. From this study it can be said that proper vaccination, treatment and management should be given to minimize the diseases and disorders of cattle and goat.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2017, 3(4): 412-418
Developmental trajectory of the prenatal lymphoid organs in native chickens: a macro anatomical study
Authors: Islam Md Nabiul , Khan Md Zahirul Islam , Jahan Mir Rubayet , Shinoda Koh
Published: January 2018

Native chickens of Bangladesh are scavenging in nature. In our previous studies, we have histologically and immunohistochemically examined the ontogeny of lymphoid organs of native chickens of Bangladesh in prenatal stages. To date, the study on gross anatomical development of prenatal lymphoid organs is lacking. In the present study, detailed macro-anatomical development of prenatal lymphoid organs of native chickens were examined during different embryonic stages of development, which was conducted in the laboratory of the department of Anatomy and Histology, Bangladesh Agricultural University. In the present study, thymus was first identified by the 10 days of incubation (ED 10) as a chain at the both side of the neck. Bursa of Fabricius and spleen were also first found to develop at ED 10. While comparing with the prenatal development of lymphoid organs of native chickens with that of previously studied hybrid chickens, the native chickens’ lymphoid organs were found to develop earlier. Taken together with our previous results, the developmental trajectory data of the present study are first to clarify that the immune system of native chickens are being prepared earlier to face the scavenging environment after hatching.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2017, 3(4): 432-436
Study on prevalence of bovine diseases at sadar upazila in dinajpur district of Bangladesh
Authors: Mohammed Moktar Omar , Rahman Md Shajedur , Hoque Md Fazlul , Rumi Nazmi Ara , Afrah Osman Hassan
Published: January 2018

The study was conducted to investigate the status of cattle diseases with relation to seasonal variation in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. A total of 11402 clinical cases were registered for the clinical diagnosis and therapeutic purposes at sadar upazila veterinary hospital in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh during the period of March, 2016 to February, 2017. Disease diagnosis was made on the basis of owner’s statement, general examination and clinical signs. Diagnosed diseases were categorized as general clinical disorders, parasitic diseases, viral diseases, bacterial diseases, venereal disease, and metabolic disorders. According to study the highest (64.15%) prevalence was by parasitic disease followed by bacterial diseases (10.67%), viral diseases (8.97%), metabolic disease (7.61%), and venereal disease (6.60%). In respect of seasons, the prevalence of both bacterial diseases and viral diseases were significantly (p<0.01) higher (13.88%) and (12.10%) in summer season respectively. Whereas the parasitic diseases were significantly (p<0.01) higher (68.65%) in winter season. On the basis of season, it was found that the overall prevalence of diseases was highest in summer season (47.87%) followed by rainy season (30.10%) and comparatively lower in winter season (22.03%).Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2017, 3(4): 446-453
Supplementation of 9-cis retinoic acid in the in vitro maturation medium increase blastocyst development rate and quality
Authors: Islam Rabiul , Deb Gautam Kumar , Kabir Md Ahsanul , Miraz Md Faizul Hossain , Nahar Talukder Nurun , Hossain SM Jahangir , Paul Sudip
Published: January 2018

The 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cisRA) enhances early embryonic development in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementation of 9-cisRA in the in vitro maturation (IVM) medium on embryo development efficiency and embryo quality. For this purpose, immature cumulus oocyte complexes (COC) collected from slaughterhouse derived bovine ovaries were matured in three different IVM media (control group, DMSO group and DMSO+RA group). In the control group, base IVM medium were used without supplementation of 9-cisRA and DMSO. In the DMSO group, base IVM medium was supplemented with 0.5 μl DMSO per ml IVM medium without 9-cisRA. In DMSO+RA group, base medium was supplemented with 5 nm 9-cisRA dissolved in 0.5 μl DMSO. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA method and means were compared using Duncan’s multiple range test. Results showed that, supplementation of 9-cisRA in the maturation medium has no effect on embryonic development uptocleavage stage. However, blastocyst development rates (P>0.01), total blastomere number (P> 0.01), number of apoptotic blastomere per blastocyst (P>0.05) and percent of apoptotic blastomere per blastocyst (P>0.05) were significantly influences by 9-cisRA. In conclusion, 9-cisRA may be supplemented into the maturation medium for increasing bovinein vitro blastocyst development efficiency and blastocyst quality.Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2017, 3(4): 516-520
Incidence of Peste des Petits Ruminants in Rangpur sadar of Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md Mamunur , Hassan Md Zakir , Sultana Salma , Uddin Md Karim , Hossain SM Sarwar
Published: January 2018

This epidemiological study was conducted to find out the incidence of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in goat and sheep at Upazilla Veterinary Hospital, Rangpur sadar, Rangpur during the period of January to April, 2014. In this period, 236 clinically infected goat and sheep were examined in which 22 (9.32%) PPR cases were diagnosed on the basis of history, clinical signs and gross pathological lesions. High fever (104-107 oC), mucopurulent oculo-nasal discharge, rapid and labored breathing, mouth lesion and diarrhea were the common clinical sign of PPR infected goat and sheep. The postmortem examination findings were dark red areas and congestion in different lobes of lungs, enlargement of spleen and lymph nodes, erosion of abomasums and characteristics zebra striping in the mucosa of colon. This present study reveals that about 7-12 months aged group of goats were more prone (40.91%) to PPR compare to adult (above 1 year) and Black Bengal goat was more susceptible (72.32%) than Jamunapari (27.78%) goat where the occurrence of PPR disease was more in goat (81.82%) than sheep (18.18%).Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2017, 3(4): 529-533
RELATIONSHIP OF ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF VAGINAL MUCUS DURING OESTRUS WITH POST-AI PREGNANCY IN COWS
Authors: Ahmed M. , Chowdhury M. K. , Rahman M. M. , Bhattacharjee J. , Bhuiyan M. M. U.
Published: January 2018

Accurate detection of oestrus is a common problem for farmers to do AI timely resulting in conception failure in cows. The objective of the present study was to know the electrical resistance of vaginal mucus (ERVM) during oestrus to determine the best time of AI for improvement of conception in cattle. A total of 28 cows were inseminated with frozen thawed semen after detection of ERVM with Draminski estrus detector at Kendua Upazila Livestock Office under Netrakona district of Bangladesh. Pregnancy was diagnosed by per rectal palpation of genital tract 8-10 weeks after insemination. The mean ERVM in pregnant cows was 208.5 ± 31.2 Ω (163.3 to 263.3 Ω) and the ERVM in non-pregnant cows was 214.4 ± 36.6 Ω (153.3 to 280.0 Ω). Moreover, the pregnancy rate was higher in cows (80.0 to 83.3%) when ERVM during oestrus varied from 150 to 220 Ω than that of 221 to 280 Ω counterpart (36.4%). The difference in pregnancy rates between groups was significant (P<0.05). The present study indicates that Dramniski electrical heat detector may be used for prediction of time for AI in cows of Bangladesh. Up to 220 Ω ERVM during oestrus is better for higher conception rate than that of more than 220 Ω counterparts. Further studies with high number of inseminated cows should be conducted before wide application of this electrical heat detector under field conditions in Bangladesh.
Cinema and the Political: Deleuze and the Desire of Documentation in the Third World
Authors: Cybil K. V.
Published: January 2018

This paper attempts to analyse the images that animated a political movement called the Odessa Collective in Kerala since 1984. It produced six films – Amma Ariyan (A Report to Mother, 1986), Ithrayum Yathabhagam (Journey So Far, 2003), Vettayadapetta Manasu (Haunted Mind, 2006), Mortuary of Love (2009), Agnirekha (Line of Fire, 2011) and Holy Cow (2015). This paper tries to argue that the twenty-two years of this movement's politics can be studied as an assemblage of the man and machine in a Deleuzian framework on cinema of the Third World. It tries to conceptualise the linkages between the Cinéma Vérité of Jean Rouch and the Third Cinema of Solanas and Getino or the milieu of the political which creates realistic documentation in cinema. It looks at the concepts like desire and representation that intersect between these two different genres in order to reconceptualise the political in relation to Deleuze on cinema.
Interval Estimations of Building Heating Energy Consumption using the Degree-Day Method and Fuzzy Numbers
Authors: Cheng Xin , Li Simon
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this paper is to propagate the input uncertainties of the degree-day method to estimate the building heating energy consumption as numerical intervals. While it is common to use average or expected values (e.g., Typical Meteorological Year) to address the input uncertainties, this practice can only yield the best estimates as single-point values without informing the possible range of variations. After classifying two types of uncertainty as weather variability and imprecision in the degree-day method, this paper proposes the adoption of fuzzy numbers and their arithmetic as the theoretical approach to handle uncertainty. As the degree-day method mainly involves elementary arithmetic (e.g., addition and multiplication), fuzzy number arithmetic can be directly applied to formally process numerical intervals. The proposed method is demonstrated and verified via a building example in Canada, and the interval results are comparable to the variation of heating energy consumption based on the data of outdoor ambient temperatures in 52 years.
Current Government Actions and Potential Policy Options for Reducing Obesity in Queensland Schools
Authors: Alsharairi Naser
Published: January 2018

School nutrition policies provide promising avenues towards the improvement of children’s eating habits and the prevention of obesity. Childhood obesity rates and related chronic diseases are increasing in Queensland, in part as a result of unhealthy eating habits and lack of physical activity. There is a very high investment by the Queensland government in maintaining healthy weight and promoting nutrition and physical activity among schoolchildren through delivering a range of initiatives across the state. However, there is a lack of evidence concerning the effectiveness of nutrition/physical education and parental involvement programs addressing obesity delivered in Queensland schools. This paper can be used to guide government and policy-makers regarding the most effective policy options that will promote healthy eating and physical activity among Queensland schoolchildren. The aim of this paper is to: (i) summarize current evidence on Queensland government responses to obesity; and (ii) discuss potential policy options that could support healthy eating and regular physical activity, and examine the evidence base for each option and suggest new areas for future research.
Scan-Mode Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Jet Processed Reduced Graphene Oxides for Quasi-Solid-State Gel-Electrolyte Supercapacitors
Authors: Hsu Aliyah , Chien Hung-Hua , Liao Chen-Yu , Lee Chia-Chun , Tsai Jui-Hsuan , Hsu Cheng-Che , Cheng I-Chun , Chen Jian-Zhang
Published: January 2018

A scanning atmospheric-pressure plasma jet (APPJ) is essential for high-throughput large-area and roll-to-roll processes. In this study, we evaluate scan-mode APPJ for processing reduced graphene oxides (rGOs) that are used as the electrodes of quasi-solid-state gel-electrolyte supercapacitors. rGO nanoflakes are mixed with ethyl cellulose (EC) and terpineol to form pastes for screen-printing. After screen-printing the pastes on carbon cloth, a DC-pulse nitrogen APPJ is used to process the pastes in the scan mode. The maximal temperature attained is ~550 °C with a thermal influence duration of ~10 s per scan. The pastes are scanned by APPJ for 0, 1, 3 and 5 times. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicates the reduction of C-O binding content as the number of scan increases, suggesting the oxidation/decomposition of EC. The areal capacitance increases and then decreases as the number of scan increases; the best achieved areal capacitance is 15.93 mF/cm2 with one APPJ scan, in comparison to 4.38 mF/cm2 without APPJ processing. The capacitance retention rate of the supercapacitor with the best performance is ~93% after a 1000-cycle cyclic voltammetry (CV) test. The optimal number of APPJ scans should enable the proper removal of inactive EC and improved wettability while minimizing the damage caused to rGOs by nitrogen APPJ processing.
Incidence and Determinants of Health Care-Associated Blood Stream Infection at a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Ujjain, India: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Dhaneria Mamta , Jain Sachin , Singh Poonam , Mathur Aditya , Lundborg Cecilia , Pathak Ashish
Published: January 2018

Very little is known about laboratory-confirmed blood stream infections (LCBIs) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in resource-limited settings. The aim of this cohort study was to determine the incidence, risk factors, and causative agents of LCBIs in a level-2 NICU in India. The diagnosis of LCBIs was established using the Centre for Disease Control, USA criteria. A predesigned questionnaire containing risk factors associated with LCBIs was filled-in. A total of 150 neonates (43% preterm) were included in the study. The overall incidence of LCBIs was 31%. The independent risk factors for LCBIs were: preterm neonates (relative risk (RR) 2.23), duration of NICU stay more than 14 days (RR 1.75), chorioamnionitis in the mother (RR 3.18), premature rupture of membrane in mothers (RR 2.32), neonate born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (RR 2.32), malpresentation (RR 3.05), endotracheal intubation (RR 3.41), umbilical catheterization (RR 4.18), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (RR 3.17). The initiation of minimal enteral nutrition was protective from LCBIs (RR 0.22). The predominant causative organisms were gram-negative pathogens (58%). The results of the present study can be used to design and implement antibiotic stewardship policy and introduce interventions to reduce LCBIs in resource-limited settings.
RhoB: Team Oncogene or Team Tumor Suppressor?
Authors: Ju Julia , Gilkes Daniele
Published: January 2018

Although Rho GTPases RhoA, RhoB, and RhoC share more than 85% amino acid sequence identity, they play very distinct roles in tumor progression. RhoA and RhoC have been suggested in many studies to contribute positively to tumor development, but the role of RhoB in cancer remains elusive. RhoB contains a unique C-terminal region that undergoes specific post-translational modifications affecting its localization and function. In contrast to RhoA and RhoC, RhoB not only localizes at the plasma membrane, but also on endosomes, multivesicular bodies and has even been identified in the nucleus. These unique features are what contribute to the diversity and potentially opposing functions of RhoB in the tumor microenvironment. Here, we discuss the dualistic role that RhoB plays as both an oncogene and tumor suppressor in the context of cancer development and progression.
Myth
Authors: Frog
Published: January 2018

Myth has become a fundamental frame of reference for Western thinking. This paper explores the term and category “myth” from the perspective of folklore studies, with concern for the use of myth as a tool in research. The ways in which myth has been used in both academic and popular discourses are discussed. These are viewed in a historical perspective against the backdrop of the origins of the modern term. Attention is given to how historical patterns of use have encoded “myth” with evaluative stance-taking, building an opposition of “us” versus “them” into myth as something “other people” have, in contrast to us, who know better. Discussion then turns to approaching myth as a type of story. The consequences of such a definition are explored in terms of what it does or does not include; the question of whether, as has often been supposed, myth is a text-type genre, is also considered. Discussion advances to aesthetic evaluation at the root of modern discussions of myth and how this background informs the inclination to identify myth as a type of story on the one hand while inhibiting the extension of the concept to, for example, historical events or theories about the world or its origins, on the other. Approaching myth as a type of modeling system is briefly reviewed—an approach that can be coupled to viewing myth as a type of story. Finally, discussion turns to the more recent trend of approaching mythology through mythic discourse, and the consequences as well as the benefits of such an approach for understanding myth in society or religion. There are many different ways to define myth. The present article explores how different approaches are linked to one another and have been shaped over time, how our definition of myth and the way we frame the concept shape our thinking, and can, in remarkably subtle ways, inhibit the reflexive application of the concept as a tool to better understand ourselves.
Determining Exposure Factors of Anti-Fogging, Dye, Disinfectant, Repellent, and Preservative Products in Korea
Authors: Lee Daeyeop , Kim Joo-Hyon , Kim Taksoo , Yoon Hyojung , Jo Areum , Lee Byeongwoo , Lim Hyunwoo , Kim Pilje , Seo Jungkwan
Published: January 2018

Reliable exposure factors are essential to determine health risks posed by chemicals in consumer products. We analyzed five risk-concerned product categories (anti-fogging, dye, disinfectant, repellent, and preservative products) for 13 products (three car anti-fogging products, a lens anti-fogging product, two car dye products, two drain disinfectants, an air conditioner disinfectant, a chlorine-based disinfectant, a fabric repellent, an insect repellent for food, and a wood preservative) considered to be of high risk in order to determine exposure factors via web surveys and estimation of amount of product. Among the 3000 participants (1482 (49%) men) aged ≥19 years, drain disinfectants were used most frequently (38.2%); the rate of usage of the other products ranged between 1.1–24.0%. The usage rates for the consumer products differed by sex, age, income, and education. Some consumer products such as car and lens anti-fogging products, chlorine-based disinfectants, fabric repellents, and drain disinfectants were regularly used more than once a month, while car dye products, air conditioner disinfectants, insect repellents for food, and wood preservatives were not regularly used owing to the specific product purposes and seasonal needs. Our results could be used for managing or controlling chemical substances in consumer products and conducting accurate exposure assessments.
Molecular Research on Emerging Viruses: Evolution, Diagnostics, Pathogenesis, and Therapeutics
Authors: Lau Susanna
Published: January 2018

Viruses are increasingly recognized as emerging infectious disease agents in both humans and animals.[...]
Advances in the Mechanical Design of Robots
Authors: Ceccarelli Marco
Published: January 2018

Robots are mechatronic systems whose functionalities and tasks are mechanical actions and interactions either with humans or with other systems[...]
CERA Attenuates Kidney Fibrogenesis in the db/db Mouse by Influencing the Renal Myofibroblast Generation
Authors: Fischer Christin , Deininger Natalie , Wolf Gunter , Loeffler Ivonne
Published: January 2018

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) is a pivotal pathophysiological process in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). Multiple profibrotic factors and cell types, including transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and interstitial myofibroblasts, respectively, are responsible for the accumulation of extracellular matrix in the kidney. Matrix-producing myofibroblasts can originate from different sources and different mechanisms are involved in the activation process of the myofibroblasts in the fibrotic kidney. In this study, 16-week-old db/db mice, a model for type 2 DN, were treated for two weeks with continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA), a synthetic erythropoietin variant with possible non-hematopoietic, tissue-protective effects. Non-diabetic and diabetic mice treated with placebo were used as controls. The effects of CERA on tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) as well as on the generation of the matrix-producing myofibroblasts were evaluated by morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular biological methods. The placebo-treated diabetic mice showed significant signs of beginning renal TIF (shown by picrosirius red staining; increased connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), fibronectin and collagen I deposition; upregulated KIM1 expression) together with an increased number of interstitial myofibroblasts (shown by different mesenchymal markers), while kidneys from diabetic mice treated with CERA revealed less TIF and fewer myofibroblasts. The mechanisms, in which CERA acts as an anti-fibrotic agent/drug, seem to be multifaceted: first, CERA inhibits the generation of matrix-producing myofibroblasts and second, CERA increases the ability for tissue repair. Many of these CERA effects can be explained by the finding that CERA inhibits the renal expression of the cytokine TGF-β1.
Robotic-Assisted Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Rationale, Implementation, Case Selection and Limitations of Current Technology
Authors: Ragosta Michael , Singh Kanwar P.
Published: January 2018

Interventional cardiologists have witnessed an explosive growth in the field. A wide array of percutaneous procedures allow us to treat numerous cardiac conditions less invasively. However, the way we work has changed very little over the past decades. We continue to stand at the tableside for prolonged periods of time, exposing ourselves to the very real risks of radiation exposure as well as to the associated orthopedic injuries from radiation protection. The precision of our procedures is limited by the distance from the fluoroscopic images and, furthermore, patients are potentially at risk from operator fatigue caused by a physician standing at the table for prolonged periods while wearing cumbersome radiation protection gear. Robotic-assisted coronary intervention removes the operator from the radiation field and has been shown to markedly reduce operator exposure as well as allow for more precise positioning of balloons and stents. This technology holds great promise for making interventional procedures safer and more comfortable for the operators as well as reducing fatigue, potentially improving patient outcomes. Currently, we are in an ‘early adopter’ phase of this technology and this paper reviews the rationale, methodology, optimal case selection, and limitations of robotic-assisted coronary intervention.
Polylactic Acid (PLA)/Cellulose Nanowhiskers (CNWs) Composite Nanofibers: Microstructural and Properties Analysis
Authors: Liu Wenqiang , Dong Yu , Liu Dongyan , Bai Yuxia , Lu Xiuzhen
Published: January 2018

Polylactic acid (PLA)/cellulose nanowhiskers (CNWs) composite nanofibers were successfully produced by electrospinning mixed PLA solutions with CNWs. Observation by means of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirms the uniform distribution of CNWs within the PLA nanofibers along the direction of the fiber axis. The spectra of composite nanofibers based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) reveal characteristic hydroxyl groups as evidenced by absorption peaks of CNWs. The addition of hydrophilic CNWs is proven to improve the water absorption ability of PLA nanofibers. The initial cold crystallization temperature decreases with the increasing CNW content, implying the nucleating agent role of CNWs as effective nanofillers. The degree of crystallinity increases from 6.0% for as-electrospun pure PLA nanofibers to 14.1% and 21.6% for PLA/5CNWs and PLA/10CNWs composite nanofibers, respectively. The incorporation of CNWs into PLA is expected to offer novel functionalities to electrospun composite nanofibers in the fields of tissue engineering and membranes.
5-Methyl-3,8-di-(2-amino-4-bromophenyl)-4,9-dioxa-1,2,6,7-tetraaza-5λ5-phosphaspiro[4.4]nona-2,7-diene
Authors: Kasperowicz Sławomir , Czerwińska Jolanta , Majchrzak Bartosz , Tudek Barbara , Mieczkowski Adam
Published: January 2018

5-Methyl-3,8-di-(2-amino-4-bromophenyl)-4,9-dioxa-1,2,6,7-tetraaza-5λ5-phosphaspiro[4.4]nona-2,7-diene was obtained by condensation of 2-amino-5-bromobenzohydrazide and methylphosphonyl dichloride in the presence of triethylamine. An initial biological screening was performed for the resulting product. The synthesized compound showed relatively strong cytotoxic activity, which was, however, similar for cancer and non-cancer cell lines.
The Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Refractory High-Entropy Alloys with High Plasticity
Authors: Chen Yiwen , Li Yunkai , Cheng Xingwang , Wu Chao , Cheng Bo , Xu Ziqi
Published: January 2018

Refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) are promising materials used at high temperature, but their low plasticity restricts their application. Based on the valence electron concentration (VEC) principle, four kinds of RHEAs (ZrTiHfV0.5Nb0.5, Zr2.0TiHfVNb2.0, ZrTiHfNb0.5Mo0.5, and ZrTiHfNb0.5Ta0.5) are designed (VEC < 4.5). The experimental results show that the plasticity of these alloys was greatly improved: the static compressive strain was higher than 50% at room temperature (RT), and some elongations were produced in the tensile process. Moreover, the microstructure and phase composition are discussed in detail. The addition of Nb, Mo, and Ta contributed to the high-temperature strength. Finally, the dynamic mechanical properties of these RHEAs with coordination between strength and plasticity are investigated.
Analysis of PFG Anomalous Diffusion via Real-Space and Phase-Space Approaches
Authors: Lin Guoxing
Published: January 2018

Pulsed-field gradient (PFG) diffusion experiments can be used to measure anomalous diffusion in many polymer or biological systems. However, it is still complicated to analyze PFG anomalous diffusion, particularly the finite gradient pulse width (FGPW) effect. In practical applications, the FGPW effect may not be neglected, such as in clinical diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Here, two significantly different methods are proposed to analyze PFG anomalous diffusion: the effective phase-shift diffusion equation (EPSDE) method and a method based on observing the signal intensity at the origin. The EPSDE method describes the phase evolution in virtual phase space, while the method to observe the signal intensity at the origin describes the magnetization evolution in real space. However, these two approaches give the same general PFG signal attenuation including the FGPW effect, which can be numerically evaluated by a direct integration method. The direct integration method is fast and without overflow. It is a convenient numerical evaluation method for Mittag-Leffler function-type PFG signal attenuation. The methods here provide a clear view of spin evolution under a field gradient, and their results will help the analysis of PFG anomalous diffusion.
Research into Plastic Deformation of Double Reduced Sheets
Authors: Spišák Emil , Majerníková Janka , Duľová Spišáková Emília , Kaščák Ľuboš
Published: January 2018

This contribution focuses on examining properties of thin steel sheets, which have been used to produce packages. Thin steel sheets for producing packages have been created with a different method (considering their thickness) than other thin steel sheets, such as sheets for the automobile industry. Steel sheets thinner than circa 0.18 mm are produced with a simple rolling and followed by annealing. Annealing can be completed through a batch process or a continuous process. Steel sheets with a thickness less than 0.13 mm are produced using a second reduction. Taking into account the considerably different strength and plastic properties of the sheets produced with simple rolling and the sheets produced with a second reduction, two types of materials are evaluated and analyzed in this contribution. Examined materials have been produced with different methods: The first material was continuously annealed after being rolled; the second was deformed using a second reduction without any subsequent annealing. Both used materials possess different final properties. The research focused on evaluation of the strength and plastic properties of the packaging sheets during various stress-strain states (uniaxial tensile test and biaxial tensile test—bulge test). The analysis also focused on the factors that led to a lack of inhomogeneity in the plastic deformation, mainly during the uniaxial tensile test causing the localization of the plastic deformation.
Calcium Chloride-Assisted Segregation Reduction of Chromite: Influence of Reductant Type and the Mechanism
Authors: Yu Dawei , Paktunc Dogan
Published: January 2018

This paper describes an innovative process for the production of ferrochromium alloy via segregation reduction of chromite at 1300 °C in the presence of calcium chloride. Both charcoal and petroleum coke were used as the reductant. Individual polycrystalline ferrochrome carbide particles were produced, with their particle size and shape resembling that of the starting carbon particles. Interactions among calcium chloride, clinochlore, and chromite resulted in the formation of Ca-bearing chromite, wadalite, and gaseous chlorides. Monocrystalline ferrochrome carbide whiskers were formed only when charcoal in the presence of calcium chloride was used to reduce the chromite fraction containing large amounts of siliceous gangue. Incorporating thermodynamic evaluations, a possible segregation reduction mechanism is suggested based on the characterization of the products using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and electron probe microanalysis, combined with thermogravimetric analysis. Metallization within chromite particles was minimized, which is suggested to be due to the ubiquitous presence of molten and gaseous calcium chloride between the chromite and carbon particles, and especially in the porous rim of the chromite particles during reduction, resulting in restricted metallization only on the carbon particles.
Rapid Characterization and Identification of Non-Diterpenoid Constituents in Tinospora sinensis by HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MSn
Authors: Jiao Qi-Shu , Xu Lu-Lu , Zhang Jia-Yu , Wang Zi-Jian , Jiang Yan-Yan , Liu Bin
Published: January 2018

Tinospora sinensis, a kind of Chinese folk medicine, has functions of harmonizing qi and blood, dredging the channels and collaterals, calming and soothing the nerves. In the present study, a method based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap) was developed for the systematical characterization of the non-diterpenoid constituents which possessed remarkable biological activities in T. sinensis, like anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic activity and immunomodulatory activity. Based on the accurate mass measurement (<5 ppm), retention times and MS fragmentation ions, 60 non-diterpenoid constituents were unambiguously or tentatively characterized from T. sinensis extract, including 27 alkaloids, 23 phenylpropanoids, seven sesquiterpenoids and three other constituents. Among them, 13 compounds were tentatively identified as new compounds. Finally, three of the non-diterpenoid constituents were purified and identified, which further confirmed the validity of the results. This study demonstrated that the HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MSn platform was a useful and efficient analytical tool to screen and identify constituents in natural medicine.
Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Chiral Cylindrical Molecular Complexes: Functional Heterogeneous Liquid-Solid Materials Formed by Helicene Oligomers
Authors: Saito Nozomi , Yamaguchi Masahiko
Published: January 2018

Chiral cylindrical molecular complexes of homo- and hetero-double-helices derived from helicene oligomers self-assemble in solution, providing functional heterogeneous liquid-solid materials. Gels and liotropic liquid crystals are formed by fibril self-assembly in solution; molecular monolayers and fibril films are formed by self-assembly on solid surfaces; gels containing gold nanoparticles emit light; silica nanoparticles aggregate and adsorb double-helices. Notable dynamics appears during self-assembly, including multistep self-assembly, solid surface catalyzed double-helix formation, sigmoidal and stairwise kinetics, molecular recognition of nanoparticles, discontinuous self-assembly, materials clocking, chiral symmetry breaking and homogeneous-heterogeneous transitions. These phenomena are derived from strong intercomplex interactions of chiral cylindrical molecular complexes.
Efficient OLEDs Fabricated by Solution Process Based on Carbazole and Thienopyrrolediones Derivatives
Authors: Lozano-Hernández Luis-Abraham , Maldonado José-Luis , Garcias-Morales Cesar , Espinosa Roa Arian , Barbosa-García Oracio , Rodríguez Mario , Pérez-Gutiérrez Enrique
Published: January 2018

Four low molecular weight compounds—three of them new, two of them with carbazole (Cz) as functional group and the other two with thienopyrroledione (TPD) group—were used as emitting materials in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Devices were fabricated with the configuration ITO/PEDOT:PSS/emitting material/LiF/Al. The hole injector layer (HIL) and the emitting sheet were deposited by spin coating; LiF and Al were thermally evaporated. OLEDs based on carbazole derivatives show luminances up to 4130 cd/m2, large current efficiencies about 20 cd/A and, cautiously, a very impressive External Quantum Efficiency (EQE) up to 9.5%, with electroluminescence peaks located around 490 nm (greenish blue region). Whereas, devices manufactured with TPD derivatives, present luminance up to 1729 cd/m2, current efficiencies about 4.5 cd/A and EQE of 1.5%. These results are very competitive regarding previous reported materials/devices.
MiR200 and miR302: Two Big Families Influencing Stem Cell Behavior
Authors: Balzano Francesca , Cruciani Sara , Basoli Valentina , Santaniello Sara , Facchin Federica , Ventura Carlo , Maioli Margherita
Published: January 2018

In this review, we described different factors that modulate pluripotency in stem cells, in particular we aimed at following the steps of two large families of miRNAs: the miR-200 family and the miR-302 family. We analyzed some factors tuning stem cells behavior as TGF-β, which plays a pivotal role in pluripotency inhibition together with specific miRNAs, reactive oxygen species (ROS), but also hypoxia, and physical stimuli, such as ad hoc conveyed electromagnetic fields. TGF-β plays a crucial role in the suppression of pluripotency thus influencing the achievement of a specific phenotype. ROS concentration can modulate TGF-β activation that in turns down regulates miR-200 and miR-302. These two miRNAs are usually requested to maintain pluripotency, while they are down-regulated during the acquirement of a specific cellular phenotype. Moreover, also physical stimuli, such as extremely-low frequency electromagnetic fields or high-frequency electromagnetic fields conveyed with a radioelectric asymmetric conveyer (REAC), and hypoxia can deeply influence stem cell behavior by inducing the appearance of specific phenotypes, as well as a direct reprogramming of somatic cells. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying the complex interplay between externally applied stimuli and epigenetic events could disclose novel target molecules to commit stem cell fate.
Peptides as Potential Therapeutics for Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Ribarič Samo
Published: January 2018

Intracellular synthesis, folding, trafficking and degradation of proteins are controlled and integrated by proteostasis. The frequency of protein misfolding disorders in the human population, e.g., in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is increasing due to the aging population. AD treatment options are limited to symptomatic interventions that at best slow-down disease progression. The key biochemical change in AD is the excessive accumulation of per-se non-toxic and soluble amyloid peptides (Aβ(1-37/44), in the intracellular and extracellular space, that alters proteostasis and triggers Aβ modification (e.g., by reactive oxygen species (ROS)) into toxic intermediate, misfolded soluble Aβ peptides, Aβ dimers and Aβ oligomers. The toxic intermediate Aβ products aggregate into progressively less toxic and less soluble protofibrils, fibrils and senile plaques. This review focuses on peptides that inhibit toxic Aβ oligomerization, Aβ aggregation into fibrils, or stabilize Aβ peptides in non-toxic oligomers, and discusses their potential for AD treatment.
Liposomes: Clinical Applications and Potential for Image-Guided Drug Delivery
Authors: Lamichhane Narottam , Udayakumar Thirupandiyur , D’Souza Warren , Simone II Charles , Raghavan Srinivasa , Polf Jerimy , Mahmood Javed
Published: January 2018

Liposomes have been extensively studied and are used in the treatment of several diseases. Liposomes improve the therapeutic efficacy by enhancing drug absorption while avoiding or minimizing rapid degradation and side effects, prolonging the biological half-life and reducing toxicity. The unique feature of liposomes is that they are biocompatible and biodegradable lipids, and are inert and non-immunogenic. Liposomes can compartmentalize and solubilize both hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials. All these properties of liposomes and their flexibility for surface modification to add targeting moieties make liposomes more attractive candidates for use as drug delivery vehicles. There are many novel liposomal formulations that are in various stages of development, to enhance therapeutic effectiveness of new and established drugs that are in preclinical and clinical trials. Recent developments in multimodality imaging to better diagnose disease and monitor treatments embarked on using liposomes as diagnostic tool. Conjugating liposomes with different labeling probes enables precise localization of these liposomal formulations using various modalities such as PET, SPECT, and MRI. In this review, we will briefly review the clinical applications of liposomal formulation and their potential imaging properties.
Besides Pathology: Long Non-Coding RNA in Cell and Tissue Homeostasis
Authors: Salviano-Silva Amanda , Lobo-Alves Sara , Almeida Rodrigo , Malheiros Danielle , Petzl-Erler Maria
Published: January 2018

A significant proportion of mammalian genomes corresponds to genes that transcribe long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Throughout the last decade, the number of studies concerning the roles played by lncRNAs in different biological processes has increased considerably. This intense interest in lncRNAs has produced a major shift in our understanding of gene and genome regulation and structure. It became apparent that lncRNAs regulate gene expression through several mechanisms. These RNAs function as transcriptional or post-transcriptional regulators through binding to histone-modifying complexes, to DNA, to transcription factors and other DNA binding proteins, to RNA polymerase II, to mRNA, or through the modulation of microRNA or enzyme function. Often, the lncRNA transcription itself rather than the lncRNA product appears to be regulatory. In this review, we highlight studies identifying lncRNAs in the homeostasis of various cell and tissue types or demonstrating their effects in the expression of protein-coding or other non-coding RNA genes.
Serum Antioxidant Associations with Metabolic Characteristics in Metabolically Healthy and Unhealthy Adolescents with Severe Obesity: An Observational Study
Authors: Stenzel Ana , Carvalho Roberta , Jesus Patricia , Bull Aline , Pereira Silvia , Saboya Carlos , Ramalho Andrea
Published: January 2018

Considering the inadequacy of some antioxidant nutrients in severely obese adolescents, this study aimed to assess the relationship between antioxidant micronutrients status and metabolic syndrome components in metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and unhealthy obesity (MUO). We performed an observational study in severely obese adolescents (body mass index > 99th percentile) and they were classified into MHO or MUO, according to the criteria adapted for adolescents. Anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical variables were analyzed to characterize the sample of adolescents. The serum antioxidant nutrients assessed were retinol, β-carotene, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, zinc and selenium. A total of 60 adolescents aged 17.31 ± 1.34 years were enrolled. MHO was identified in 23.3% of adolescents. The MHO group showed lower frequency of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (14.3% vs. 78.3%, p < 0.001) when compared to MUO. A correlation was found between retinol and β-carotene concentrations with glycemia (r = −0.372; p = 0.011 and r = −0.314; p = 0.034, respectively) and between Vitamin E with waist circumference (r = −0.306; p = 0.038) in the MUO group. The current study shows that some antioxidant nutrients status, specifically retinol, β-carotene, and Vitamin E, are negatively associated with metabolic alterations in MUO. Further studies are necessary to determine the existing differences in the serum antioxidant profile of metabolically healthy and unhealthy obese adolescents.
Database Analysis of Depression and Anxiety in a Community Sample—Response to a Micronutrient Intervention
Authors: Kimball Samantha , Mirhosseini Naghmeh , Rucklidge Julia
Published: January 2018

Background: Depression and anxiety are common mental health concerns worldwide. Broad-spectrum multi-vitamin/mineral approaches have been found to alleviate a number of psychiatric symptoms. We investigated the effects of a nutrient intervention program, which includes optimizing vitamin D levels, on depression and anxiety outcomes from community-based program. Methods: We evaluated self-reported health measures of depression and anxiety collected as part of a community-based program focused on optimizing overall health through nutritional supplementation, education and lifestyle advice. Results: Data were collected from 16,020 participants, with measures including European Quality of Life Five Dimensions (EQ-5D) and Targeted Symptoms List (TSL) providing self-reported depression and anxiety. More than 56% of participants were identified as having elevated levels of depression and anxiety at baseline as reported on the EQ-5D. After one year in the program, 49.2% (n = 7878) of participants who reported any level of depression or anxiety at baseline reported improvement at follow-up. Of those who reported severe/extreme depression at baseline (n = 829), 97.2% reported improvement after one year. Regression analyses revealed a significant association of improvement in depression and anxiety with higher vitamin D status (>100 nmol/L) and more strenuous physical activity. Conclusion: Overall, people from the general population who suffer from mood and anxiety problems may benefit from improved nutritional status achieved with nutritional supplements.
An Automatic Monitoring System for High-Frequency Measuring and Real-Time Management of Cyanobacterial Blooms in Urban Water Bodies
Authors: Tran Khac Viet , Hong Yi , Plec Denis , Lemaire Bruno , Dubois Philippe , Saad Mohamed , Vinçon-Leite Brigitte
Published: January 2018

Urban lakes mitigate the negative impacts on the hydrological cycle and improve the quality of life in cities. Worldwide, the concern increases for the protection and management of urban water bodies. Since the physical-chemical and biological conditions of a small aquatic ecosystem can vary rapidly over time, traditional low frequency measurement approaches (weekly or monthly sampling) limits the knowledge and the transfer of research outcomes to management decision-making. In this context, this paper presents an automatic monitoring system including a full-scale experimental site and a data transfer platform for high-frequency observations (every 5 min) in a small and shallow urban lake (Lake Champs-sur-Marne, Paris, France, 10.3 ha). Lake stratification and mixing periods can be clearly observed, these periods are compared with the dynamic patterns of chlorophyll-a, phycocyanin, dissolved oxygen and pH. The results indicate that the phytoplankton growth corresponds with dissolved oxygen cycles. However, thermal stratification cannot totally explain the entire dynamic patterns of different physical-chemical and ecological variables. Besides, the cyanobacteria is one of the dominating groups of phytoplankton blooms during the lake stratification periods (8 August–29 September 2016). During the cooling mixed period (29 September–19 October 2016), the high concentration of chlorophyll-a is mainly caused by the other phytoplankton species, such as diatoms. Perspectives are discussed in order to apply this observation system for real-time management of water bodies and lakes.
Comparison as Conversation and Craft
Authors: McClymond Kathryn
Published: January 2018

This essay argues that comparison as a method of study within religious studies is best thought of in two terms: conversation and craft. As a conversation, comparison has its own history, which has included several major shifts. At present, comparative work would benefit from addressing the fact that Euro-Americans dominate the comparative conversation. This dominance limits conversational data, topics, strategies, and participants. At risk is the relevance of comparative work within religious studies. As a craft, comparative work is creative and idiosyncratic, reflecting the apprenticeship lineage in which the comparative scholar has been trained as well as her individual personality.