bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA methylation of microRNA‐coding genes in non‐small‐cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Heller Gerwin , Altenberger Corinna , Steiner Irene , Topakian Thais , Ziegler Barbara , Tomasich Erwin , Lang György , End‐Pfützenreuter Adelheid , Zehetmayer Sonja , Döme Balazs , Arns Britt‐Madeleine , Klepetko Walter , Zielinski Christoph C , Zöchbauer‐Müller Sabine
Published: March 2018

Deregulated DNA methylation leading to transcriptional inactivation of certain genes occurs frequently in non‐small‐cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). As well as protein‐coding genes, microRNA (miRNA)‐coding genes may be targets for methylation in NSCLCs; however, the number of known methylated miRNA genes is still small. Thus, we investigated methylation of miRNA genes in primary tumour (TU) samples and corresponding non‐malignant lung tissue (NL) samples of 50 NSCLC patients by using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation followed by custom‐designed tiling microarray analyses (MeDIP‐chip), and 252 differentially methylated probes between TU samples and NL samples were identified. These probes were annotated, which resulted in the identification of 34 miRNA genes with increased methylation in TU samples. Some of these miRNA genes were already known to be methylated in NSCLCs (e.g. those encoding miR‐9‐3 and miR‐124), but methylation of the vast majority of them was previously unknown. We selected six miRNA genes (those encoding miR‐10b, miR‐1179, miR‐137, miR‐572, miR‐3150b, and miR‐129‐2) for gene‐specific methylation analyses in TU samples and corresponding NL samples of 104 NSCLC patients, and observed a statistically significant increase in methylation of these genes in TU samples (p < 0.0001). In silico target prediction of the six miRNAs identified several oncogenic/cell proliferation‐promoting factors (e.g. CCNE1 as an miR‐1179 target). To investigate whether miR‐1179 indeed targets CCNE1, we transfected miR‐1179 gene mimics into CCNE1‐expressing NSCLC cells, and observed downregulated CCNE1 mRNA expression in these cells as compared with control cells. Similar effects on cyclin E1 expression were seen in western blot analyses. In addition, we found a statistically significant reduction in the growth of NSCLC cells transfected with miR‐1179 mimics as compared with control cells. In conclusion, we identified many methylated miRNA genes in NSCLC patients, and found that the miR‐1179 gene is a potential tumour cell growth suppressor in NSCLCs. Overall, our findings emphasize the impact of miRNA gene methylation on the pathogenesis of NSCLCs. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
In‐plane response of para‐aramid/phenolic nanostitched and nanoprepreg 3D composites under tensile loading
Authors: Bilisik Kadir , Erdogan Gulhan , Sapanci Erdal
Published: March 2018

The tensile properties of nanostitched and nanoprepreg three dimensional para‐aramid/phenolic composites were studied. The tensile responses of para‐aramid/phenolic composites showed three regions as initial interfiber friction, crimp exchange, and yarn extension regions. Their tensile moduli in each region were defined. It was obtained that stitching and multiwall carbon nanotubes slightly increased the tensile strength of all stitched and stitched/nano composites. Tensile failure on all stitched structure showed brittle matrix and multiple ductile filament breakages in yarn after angular deformation in composite surface layers as well as local restricted delamination. Failure mechanism of carbon stitched composite was interestingly different compared to para‐aramid stitched composite in where carbon stitching yarn was failed in the loop section. It was pulled out thickness direction of the composite and caused large local opening between layers. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:1275–1286, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
The isomerization of cytosine: Intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer mediated through formic acid
Authors: Jin Lingxia , Song Xiaoling , Cao Zhe , Luo LiYang , Zhao Caibin , Lu Jiufu , Zhang Qiang
Published: March 2018

The catalytic ability of H2O and HCOOH to facilitate the tautomerism of KA to KIt isomer has been studied. It is shown that the direct tautomerism (path A) is unlikely because of the high activation free energy, whereas the presence of H2O and HCOOH (paths B and C) significantly contributes to decreasing the activation free energy. Meanwhile, the conventional transition state theory followed by Wigner tunneling correction is applied to estimate the rate constants. The rate constant with Wigner tunneling correction for direct tautomerization is obviously smaller than that of HCOOH‐mediated tautomerization, which is the most plausible mechanism. Finally, another important finding is that the ratio of reaction rates between direct tautomerism reaction and catalyst‐induced tautomerism increases with the increase of the catalyst concentration at a given temperature. The results of the present study demonstrate the feasibility of acid catalysis for DNA bases isomerization reaction that would otherwise be forbidden.
Microstructural evolution underlying the ternary stages of the elastic behaviors for poly(ether‐b‐amide) copolymer elastomers
Authors: Zhu Ping , Dong Xia , Huang Miaoming , Wang Lili , Qi Shunxin , Wang Dujin
Published: March 2018

Three stages of elastic behavior were observed during cyclic deformations for poly(ether‐b‐amide) (PEBA) segmented copolymers based on crystalline hard segments of polyamide 12 (PA12) and amorphous soft segments of poly(tetramethylene oxide) (PTMO). The underlying microstructural evolution was characterized by a combination of in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) technologies. The γ–α″ phase transition of crystalline PA12 occurred upon stretching, and the orientation of the α″ phase was less reversible under larger strains. PTMO chain orientation cannot be restored to the initial state, contributing to plastic deformation. Driven by the entropy effect, the strain‐induced crystallization of PTMO can fuse during sample retarding, exerting little influence on the residual strain. For PEBA with a shore D hardness of 35 D, the long period (L) can be restored to the initial L after the sample was unloaded until system fibrillation. The tie molecules between adjacent oriented lamellae can be by drawn out high stress in a PEBA material with a shore D hardness of 40 D, and the relaxation led to a second long period. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 855–864
A review on the recent progress, challenges, and perspectives of atmospheric‐pressure cold plasma for preparation of supported metal catalysts
Authors: Di Lanbo , Zhang Jingsen , Zhang Xiuling
Published: March 2018

Supported metal catalysts are of great importance in energy and environmental applications. Atmospheric‐pressure (AP) cold plasma, generally generated by dielectric barrier discharge and cold plasma jet, has been proved to be a fast, facile, and energy efficient method for fabricating supported metal catalysts. In this review, the recent progress, challenges, and perspectives of AP cold plasma for synthesizing supported metal catalysts are discussed. Focus is placed on recent work demonstrating the discharge types of AP cold plasma, and the characteristics of the synthesized supported metal catalysts. The reduction mechanism of AP cold plasma is also discussed in light of several possible mechanisms that have been proposed in previous work.
Comparative analysis of nanobody sequence and structure data
Authors: Mitchell Laura S. , Colwell Lucy J.
Published: March 2018

Nanobodies are a class of antigen‐binding protein derived from camelids that achieve comparable binding affinities and specificities to classical antibodies, despite comprising only a single 15 kDa variable domain. Their reduced size makes them an exciting target molecule with which we can explore the molecular code that underpins binding specificity—how is such high specificity achieved? Here, we use a novel dataset of 90 nonredundant, protein‐binding nanobodies with antigen‐bound crystal structures to address this question. To provide a baseline for comparison we construct an analogous set of classical antibodies, allowing us to probe how nanobodies achieve high specificity binding with a dramatically reduced sequence space. Our analysis reveals that nanobodies do not diversify their framework region to compensate for the loss of the VL domain. In addition to the previously reported increase in H3 loop length, we find that nanobodies create diversity by drawing their paratope regions from a significantly larger set of aligned sequence positions, and by exhibiting greater structural variation in their H1 and H2 loops.
The bean α‐amylase inhibitor αAI‐1 in genetically modified chickpea seeds does not harm parasitoid wasps
Authors: Lüthi Christoph , Álvarez‐Alfageme Fernando , Romeis Jörg
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Legumes have been genetically engineered to express α‐amylase inhibitor 1 (αAI‐1) from common bean in their seeds. Whereas the genetically modified (GM) seeds are immune to multiple bruchid pest species, the cosmopolitan bruchid Acanthoscelides obtectus is tolerant to αAI‐1 and their larvae develop normally inside the seeds. Hymenopteran bruchid parasitoids, the most important natural enemies of bruchids, might thus be exposed to αAI‐1 when attacking A. obtectus larvae developing inside GM seeds. Exposure might reduce parasitoid fitness, resulting in a decline in the natural control of A. obtectus, and thus promote the spread of this pest. We investigated the impact of the presence of αAI‐1 in legume seeds on parasitoid fitness in tritrophic experiments with αAI‐1 GM or non‐GM chickpea seeds, A. obtectus, and three parasitoid species. Additionally, we investigated the exposure of parasitoids to αAI‐1 using a fourth, highly sensitive parasitoid species.

RESULTS

Parasitoid fitness was not affected when A. obtectus was used in GM chickpea seeds as hosts, and this lack of effects was probably attributable to the fact that exposure of the parasitoids to αAI‐1 was negligible.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the release of GM chickpeas containing αAI‐1 should not harm this important group of non‐target insects. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Can the salmon bias effect explain the migrant mortality advantage in England and Wales?
Authors: Wallace Matthew , Kulu Hill
Published: March 2018

Despite researchers regularly observing a migrant mortality advantage in high‐income destination countries, it remains unclear whether empirically observed low mortality among foreign‐born relative to natives is genuine or a result of censoring and selection biases inherent in the remigration of foreign‐born individuals. Our aim is to determine whether the main mode of selection bias, the “salmon bias effect” (remigration triggered by poor health), can account for this low foreign‐born mortality. We use the largest longitudinal resource in the United Kingdom, the Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study, to fit discrete‐time survival models and observe which foreign‐born populations experience a migrant mortality advantage and/or salmon bias effect. For foreign‐born groups in which we observe both, we correct their mortality (using an indirect method) to see if the salmon bias can explain the observed mortality advantage. Importantly, we demonstrate that for many foreign‐born groups a mortality advantage exists in the absence of the salmon bias effect. Furthermore, in cases which we observe a mortality advantage and salmon bias (males and females from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, and the Caribbean), the latter cannot sufficiently “explain away” the former. Taken together with previous findings on censoring bias in the United Kingdom and the wider international literature on censoring and selection biases, it becomes clear that remigration biases alone cannot sufficiently explain the migrant mortality advantage.
Snake‐like surgical forceps for robot‐assisted minimally invasive surgery
Authors: Jin Xingze , Zhao Ji , Feng Mei , Hao Liangtian , Li Qiumeng
Published: March 2018

Background

Surgical instruments greatly impact the performance of robot‐assisted minimally invasive surgery (RMIS) because they operate on tissues.

Methods

A snake‐like surgical instrument, designed with 4 degrees of freedom (DOFs), is proposed for RMIS. The DOFs are as follows: opening and closing motions of the forceps, rotation of the forceps and bi‐directional bending of the instrument. The performance of the instrument was evaluated using a prototype in vitro.

Results

All DOFs of the instrument were experimentally evaluated and proven sufficient for RMIS. In vitro testing showed that the operations of the proposed model were powerful and steady.

Conclusions

The position and posture of the surgical instrument could be adjusted in the body of the patient by its bending and rotational movements. The proposed model could therefore work as a competent assistant in multi‐port RMIS and allow surgeons to perform better.
Maternal virus infections in pregnancy and type 1 diabetes in their offspring: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Allen Digby W. , Kim Ki Wook , Rawlinson William D. , Craig Maria E.
Published: March 2018

Virus infections are implicated in the development of type 1 diabetes based on epidemiological, clinical, in vitro cell‐based and molecular studies, and animal models. We reviewed the association between virus infections in pregnant women and development of islet autoimmunity or type 1 diabetes in their offspring. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis, analysed using random effects models, of human studies from Medline and EMBASE without language restriction. Inclusion criteria were as follows: cohort and case‐control studies measuring viral nucleic acid in blood, stool, urine, or tissue, or serological tests for viruses, in pregnant women whose offspring developed islet autoimmunity and/or type 1 diabetes. All studies required sufficient data to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. The 10 studies (4 case control, 6 nested‐case control) that met the eligibility criteria included 2992 participants (953 offspring, 2039 mothers), with varying study design. The 2 outcomes examined were islet autoimmunity (n = 466) and type 1 diabetes (n = 2526). Meta‐analysis showed a significant association between virus infection during pregnancy and clinical type 1 diabetes during childhood (odds ratio 2·16, 95% CI 1·22‐3·80; P = 0·008; heterogeneity X2 = 1·65, I2 = 40%), but no association with islet autoimmunity (1·45, 0·63‐3·31; P = 0·38; X2 = 1·34, I2 = 25%). The increased risk of type 1 diabetes following maternal virus infection is consistent with viraemia involving the fetus during pregnancy and suggests a potential causative link between antenatal infection and type 1 diabetes. Larger prospective birth studies with more frequent sampling, and pathogenesis studies, are required to more clearly establish an aetiological link.
Sequential interfacial reactions of SAC305 solder joints with thin ENEPIG surface finishes
Authors: Yoon Jeong‐Won , Back Jong‐Hoon , Jung Seung‐Boo
Published: March 2018

Sequential interfacial reactions of Sn‐3.0Ag‐0.5Cu solder on a new multilayer metallization, ENEPIG (electroless nickel‐electroless palladium‐immersion gold) with a 0.1‐μm‐thin Ni(P) layer (thin‐ENEPIG), during reflowing were evaluated in this study. After 20‐second reflow process, layer‐shaped (Au,Cu)Sn4 intermetallic compounds formed at the interface, and thin Ni and Pd layers underneath the Au layer remained unreacted on the polycrystalline Cu substrate. On the other hand, Au, Pd, and Ni tri‐layers in the thin ENEPIG layer were exhausted and (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 intermetallic compounds formed at the interface after reflowing for 30 seconds.
Wrinkling of graphene because of the thermal expansion mismatch between graphene and copper
Authors: Ogurtani Omer Tarik , Senyildiz Dogukan , Cambaz Buke Goknur
Published: March 2018

Well‐defined bundles of wrinkles are observed on the graphene‐covered copper by using atomic force microscopy after chemical vapor deposition process. Their numerical analyses are performed by employing a set of formula deduced from classical elasticity theory of bent thin films with clamped boundary conditions. Here they are imposed by the banks of trenches associated with the reconstructed copper substrate surfaces, which suppress lateral movements of graphene monolayers and induce local biaxial stress. The wrinkling wavelength (λ) and amplitude (A) are both measured experimentally (λ = 100‐160 nm and A = 2.5‐3 nm) and calculated numerically (λ = 167 nm and A = 3.0 nm) and found to be in good agreement. Wrinkle formation is attributed to the nonhydrostatic compression stresses induced on the graphene by the linear thermal expansion coefficient difference between graphene and copper during cooling. These mismatch stresses, which are varying strongly with the temperature, create temperature‐dependent wrinkling wave formation that decreases in wavelength and increases in amplitude upon cooling below the cross‐over temperature of 1233 K, at which both values of linear thermal expansion coefficient are equal.
Improved interfacial properties of carbon fiber/UHMWPE composites through surface coating on carbon fiber surface
Authors: Chunzheng Peng
Published: March 2018

Carbon fibers were coated in an attempt to improve the interfacial properties between carbon fibers and ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene resin matrix. Atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy were performed to characterize the changes of carbon fiber surface. Atomic force microscopy results show that the coating of carbon fiber significantly increased the carbon fiber surface roughness. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that silicon containing functional groups obviously increased after modification. Interlaminar shear strength was used to characterize the interfacial properties of the composites.
Interfacial mutations in the Al‐polyimide system
Authors: Putz B. , Milassin G. , Butenko Y. , Völker B. , Gammer C. , Semprimoschnig C. , Cordill M. J.
Published: March 2018

Understanding the thermal stability of metal‐polymer interfaces is essential for the reliability of innovative high‐tech devices, including flexible electronics or satellite insulation. In this study, the interfacial stability of aluminum‐polyimide (Al‐PI) is investigated as a function of thermal cycling (±150°C) and thermal annealing treatments (150°C‐300°C) with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements performed after peeling and cross‐sectional transmission electron microscopy analysis. Small mutations in the interface chemistry and structure were detected and identified after annealing at 225°C for 140 hours, including the thickness increase of an amorphous interlayer between Al and PI of about 2 nm and a change in the failure mechanism during the peeling. Being able to trace subcritical mutations before they become fatal is essential to predict the reliability and lifetime of metal‐polymer composites.
Adjustable Intermolecular Interactions Allowing 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides with Prolonged Scavenging Activity for Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Yim DaBin , Kim Ji Eun , Kim Hye‐In , Yang Jin‐Kyoung , Kang Tae‐Woog , Nam Jin , Han Sang Hoon , Jun Byeongsun , Lee Chi Ho , Lee Sang Uck , Kim Jin Woong , Kim Jong‐Ho
Published: March 2018

There is an increasing demand for control over the dimensions and functions of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) in aqueous solution toward biological and medical applications. Herein, an approach for the exfoliation and functionalization of TMDs in water via modulation of the hydrophobic interaction between poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐b‐poly(ethylene glycol) (PCL‐b‐PEG) and the basal planes of TMDs is reported. Decreasing the hydrophobic PCL length of PCL‐b‐PEG from 5000 g mol−1 (PCL5000) to 460 g mol−1 (PCL460) significantly increases the exfoliation efficiency of TMD nanosheets because the polymer–TMD hydrophobic interaction becomes dominant over the polymer–polymer interaction. The TMD nanosheets exfoliated by PCL460‐b‐PEG5000 (460‐WS2, 460‐WSe2, 460‐MoS2, and 460‐MoSe2) show excellent and prolonged scavenging activity for reactive oxygen species (ROS), but each type of TMD displays a different scavenging tendency against hydroxyl, superoxide, and 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) radicals. A mechanistic study based on electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and density functional theory simulations suggests that radical‐mediated oxidation of TMDs and hydrogen transfer from the oxidized TMDs to radicals are crucial steps for ROS scavenging by TMD nanosheets. As‐prepared 460‐TMDs are able to effectively scavenge ROS in HaCaT human keratinocytes, and also exhibit excellent biocompatibility.
Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Protect Islet Grafts Against Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Apoptosis During the Early Stage After Transplantation
Authors: He Ying , Zhang Dongmei , Zeng Yi , Ma Junlei , Wang Jing , Guo Hui , Zhang Ji , Wang Mengqin , Zhang Weijie , Gong Nianqiao
Published: March 2018

Early loss of grafted islets is the main obstacle to achieve favorable outcomes of islet transplantation. Mesenchymal stem cells are known to have a protective effect; however, its mechanism remains unclear. We hypothesized that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can protect grafted islets against endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-induced apoptosis. In syngeneic streptozocin-induced diabetic BALB/c mice, islet grafts decreased blood glucose levels; however, the effect was not fully functional from the immediate post-transplant phase. β-Cell apoptosis was proven on days 1 and 3 after transplantation. Ultra-structural evidence of ERS was observed along with increased expressions of marker protein BIP and apoptosis-related protein CHOP. In contrast, BMSC co-transplantation maintained glucose hemostasis, inhibited apoptosis and alleviated ERS. In ex vivo culture, BMSCs improved viability of islets and decreased apoptosis. Increased ERS were observed in cultured islets exposed to hypoxia, but not in the islets cocultured with BMSCs. Furthermore, cocultured BMSCs protected islets against ERS-induced apoptosis as well as improved their insulin secretion, and BMSCs alleviated ERS by improving Myc expression through both stromal cell-derived factor 1 signal and contact effect. In conclusion, BMSCs protected the grafted islets against ERS-induced apoptosis during the early stage after transplantation. This study opens a new arena for ERS-targeted therapy to improve outcomes of islet transplantation.
Variation of trace elements in snow during starting and ending of snowfall in Kyoto city measured by low power total reflection X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry
Authors: Damdinsuren Bolortuya , Kawai Jun
Published: March 2018

This paper reports the variation of trace element concentrations in snow samples during the starting and ending of snowfalls in Kyoto, Japan, using a low power total reflection X‐ray fluorescence spectrometer to analyze trace elements (having atomic numbers from 13 to 28) in a sample with detection limits of ppb to ppm in concentration. The difference in concentrations indicates how much the urban air is refreshed due to falling snow. Cl, K, Ca, and Fe were determined in the snow samples, and their concentrations during snow starting were higher than at snow ending.
The flavor-locked flavorful two Higgs doublet model
Authors: Altmannshofer Wolfgang , Gori Stefania , Robinson Dean J. , Tuckler Douglas
Published: March 2018

Abstract

We propose a new framework to generate the Standard Model (SM) quark flavor hierarchies in the context of two Higgs doublet models (2HDM). The ‘flavorful’ 2HDM couples the SM-like Higgs doublet exclusively to the third quark generation, while the first two generations couple exclusively to an additional source of electroweak symmetry breaking, potentially generating striking collider signatures. We synthesize the flavorful 2HDM with the ‘flavor-locking’ mechanism, that dynamically generates large quark mass hierarchies through a flavor-blind portal to distinct flavon and hierarchon sectors: dynamical alignment of the flavons allows a unique hierarchon to control the respective quark masses. We further develop the theoretical construction of this mechanism, and show that in the context of a flavorful 2HDM-type setup, it can automatically achieve realistic flavor structures: the CKM matrix is automatically hierarchical with |V

cb
| and |V

ub
| generically of the observed size. Exotic contributions to meson oscillation observables may also be generated, that may accommodate current data mildly better than the SM itself.
“I Heard That Voice at Troy”: Resonance at The Other Place in Derek Walcott’s The Odyssey: A Stage Version
Authors: Reed Ethan
Published: March 2018

I examine the international structures of collaboration behind the first theatrical production of Derek Walcott’s The Odyssey: A Stage Version with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, July 1992. Reconsidering this play’s production in the context of colonial history, I argue, reveals ways in which The Odyssey foregrounds the constraints of its initial production circumstances in moments of meta-theatrical dissonance. In an effort to account for the temporality of production, diachronic literary object, and the trans-historical preoccupations of the work itself, I adopt Wai Chee Dimock’s “theory of resonance” to the context of postcolonial theatrical production. Through this lens, theatrical spaces like The Other Place become resonance chambers where resonances of all sorts—be they literary, as with allusions to Joyce’s Ulysses, historical, colonial, spatial, or even physical—reverberate not only with the institutions that structure them, but the affective dimensions of performance through which they are staged and embodied.
Browsers and phone girls: the intricate socialities of friendship, trust and cyberlove in Nima (Accra)
Authors: Cassiman Ann
Published: March 2018

The young men of Nima, a popular neighbourhood in Accra, organize themselves in small age groups that meet almost daily in a specific spot, to chat, play and ‘wait’, while dreaming together of a better future in a distant elsewhere. The friendships that find root in these so-called bases, which often have names such as ‘Chicago’ or ‘Brooklyn’, lead to hope and specific modes of action through which these young people engage with the city, the wider world and their own aspirations. Taking these bases as an ethnographic vantage point, this article looks into relations of proximity, friendship and trust and the agency of the young men. The article's focus then turns to the virtual world of the same young men – and their girlfriends – in order to analyse the new modes of friendship that are shaped by their internet browsing. It shows how the modalities and intricacies of online, often deceitful, friendship and love rely on vital localized friendship bonds, defined by trust, of browsers in the zongo. Browsing opens up new possibilities but also challenges, and erodes existing moral socialities between friends.
Innate differences and colostrum-induced alterations of jejunal mucosal proteins in piglets with intra-uterine growth restriction
Authors: Wang Xiaoqiu , Zhu Yuhua , Feng Cuiping , Lin Gang , Wu Guoyao , Li Defa , Wang Junjun
Published: March 2018

Mammalian neonates undergo rapid transitions from a sterile uterine environment with a continuous intravenous supply of nutrients to a microbe-rich environment with intermittent ingesting of colostrum/milk via the gut. Currently, little is known about the colostrum-induced alterations of intestinal mucosal proteins in piglets with intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR). In this study, we sought to investigate the innate differences and effects of colostrum on alterations in small-intestinal proteomes of IUGR piglets. Two IUGR (approximately 0·9 kg) and two normal-birth weight (NBW; approximately 1·3 kg) piglets were obtained from each of six sows at birth. One half (n12; 6 IUGRv. 6 NBW) of the selected newborn piglets were killed to obtain jejunum samples, and the other half (n12; 6 IUGRv. 6 NBW) of the newborn piglets were allowed to suckle colostrum from their own mothers for 24 h before jejunum sample collection. On the basis of proteomic analysis, we identified thirty-one differentially expressed proteins in the jejunal mucosa between IUGR and normal neonates before or after colostrum consumption. The intestinal proteins altered by colostrum feeding play important roles in the following: (1) increasing intestinal integrity, transport of nutrients, energy metabolism, protein synthesis, immune response and, therefore, cell proliferation; and (2) decreasing oxidative stress, and therefore cell apoptosis, in IUGR neonates. However, colostrum only partially ameliorated the inferior status of the jejunal mucosa in IUGR neonates. These findings provide the first evidence in intestinal protein alterations of IUGR neonates in response to colostrum ingestion, and thus render new insights into the mechanisms responsible for impaired growth in IUGR neonates and into new nutritional intervention strategies.
Deciphering molecular interaction of binaphthyl compounds withPenicillium expansumlipase: enantioselectivity and reactivity prediction for lipase
Authors: Liu Yan , Jiang Longguang , Song Ling , Tu Datao , Zheng Wei , Huang Ping , Chen Mingmao , Chen Xueyuan
Published: March 2018

The affinity and specificity of binding interactions between lipase and binaphthyl compounds dominate the enantioselectivity and reactivity of lipase.
Electrospun ZrO2 nanofibers: precursor controlled mesopore ordering and evolution of garland-like nanocrystal arrays
Authors: Chattopadhyay Shreyasi , Bysakh Sandip , Saha Jony , De Goutam
Published: March 2018

Ordered mesoporous electrospun ZrO2 nanofibers were synthesised and their evolution towards extremely thin mesoporous and garland-like nanocrystal arrays was studied.
Formation of bimetallic metal–organic framework nanosheets and their derived porous nickel–cobalt sulfides for supercapacitors
Authors: Chen Chen , Wu Meng-Ke , Tao Kai , Zhou Jiao-Jiao , Li Yan-Li , Han Xue , Han Lei
Published: March 2018

Bimetallic metal–organic frameworks (Ni/Co-MOFs) with nanosheet-assembled flower-like structures as well as their derived Ni–Co–S electrode showed higher specific capacitances and excellent cycling stability.
Total synthesis of the isoquinoline alkaloid decumbenine BviaRu(iii)-catalyzed C–H activation
Authors: Zhang Yong , Yang Zhongzhen , Guo Lingmei , Li Weijian , Cheng Xu , Wang Xiaolong , Wang Qiantao , Hai Li , Wu Yong
Published: March 2018

Decumbenine B could be easily synthesized from commercially available materials by only five steps with an overall yield of 26.1%.
Nicotine enhances mesangial cell proliferation and fibronectin production in high glucose milieu via activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway
Authors: Lan Xiqian , Wen Hongxiu , Aslam Rukhsana , Shoshtari Seyedeh Shadafarin Marashi , Mishra Abheepsa , Kumar Vinod , Wang Haichao , Wu Guisheng , Luo Huairong , Malhotra Ashwani , Singhal Pravin C.
Published: March 2018

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major complication of diabetes mellitus. Clinic reports indicate cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease including DN; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clear. Recent studies have demonstrated that nicotine, one of the active compounds in cigarette smoke, contributes to the pathogenesis of the cigarette smoking-accelerated chronic kidney disease. One of the characteristics of DN is the expansion of mesangium, a precursor of glomerular sclerosis. In the present study, we examined the involvement of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in nicotine-mediated mesangial cell growth in high glucose milieu. Primary human renal mesangial cells were treated with nicotine in the presence of normal (5 mM) or high glucose (30 mM) followed by evaluation for cell growth. In the presence of normal glucose, nicotine increased both the total cell numbers and Ki-67 positive cell ratio, indicating that nicotine stimulated mesangial cell proliferation. Although high glucose itself also stimulated mesangial cell proliferation, nicotine further enhanced the mitogenic effect of high glucose. Similarly, nicotine increased the expression of Wnts, β-catenin, and fibronectin in normal glucose medium, but further increased mesangial cell expression of these proteins in high glucose milieu. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic knockdown of β-catenin activity or expression with specific inhibitor FH535 or siRNA significantly impaired the nicotine/glucose-stimulated cell proliferation and fibronectin production. We conclude that nicotine may enhance renal mesangial cell proliferation and fibronectin production under high glucose milieus partly through activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Our study provides insight into molecular mechanisms involved in DN.
Automatic classification of ovarian cancer types from cytological images using deep convolutional neural networks
Authors: Wu Miao , Yan Chuanbo , Liu Huiqiang , Liu Qian
Published: March 2018

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynecologic malignancies. Accurate classification of ovarian cancer types (serous carcinoma, mucous carcinoma, endometrioid carcinoma, transparent cell carcinoma) is an essential part in the different diagnosis. Computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) can provide useful advice for pathologists to determine the diagnosis correctly. In our study, we employed a Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (DCNN) based on AlexNet to automatically classify the different types of ovarian cancers from cytological images. The DCNN consists of five convolutional layers, three max pooling layers, and two full reconnect layers. Then we trained the model by two group input data separately, one was original image data and the other one was augmented image data including image enhancement and image rotation. The testing results are obtained by the method of 10-fold cross-validation, showing that the accuracy of classification models has been improved from 72.76 to 78.20% by using augmented images as training data. The developed scheme was useful for classifying ovarian cancers from cytological images.
Fast adaptive and selective mean filter for the removal of high‐density salt and pepper noise
Authors: Sheik Fareed Samsad Beagum , Khader Sheeja Shaik
Published: March 2018

A fast adaptive and selective mean filter is presented to remove salt and pepper noise effectively from images corrupted with higher noise densities. The algorithm achieves better results in terms of visual quality and in terms of peak signal‐to‐noise ratio, mean absolute error, mean structural similarity index measure, image enhancement factor, and edge preservation ratio than many existing state‐of‐the‐art algorithms at all noise densities. Adaptive filters that use variable window size produce better restoration of salt and pepper noise at higher noise densities than filters that use fixed window size, but they consume more time. This makes them practically impossible to implement them in digital image acquisition devices. Hence, reducing the execution time of adaptive filters is vital. The proposed algorithm consumes around 90% less time for lower noise densities and 50% less time for higher noise densities than the adaptive weighted mean filter, one of the best available adaptive filters in the literature for high‐density salt and pepper noise removal.
Multidimensional Analysis of Copper Ore Flotation in Terms of Applied Hydrophobizing Agents
Authors: Pięta Paulina , Niedoba Tomasz , Surowiak Agnieszka
Published: March 2018

Flotation is a method of enrichment used to distribute particles, which differ in their surface properties. Hydrophobic solids intrinsically create contact at the solid-liquid-gas interface. However, not all minerals, including copper minerals, can be characterized by this crucial ability. In that case it is necessary to use the collector reagents which guarantees a high efficiency of the enrichment process. The main aim of the paper was to examine the impact of selected collector types and dosages on the results of Polish sandstone copper ore flotation and to find optimal parameter values for products that meet quality and quantity requirements. The laboratory tests were carried out with an application of two types of collectors (Hostaflot, sodium ethyl xanthate aqueous solution) in dosages 100 and 150 g/Mg. Data analysis was based on the use of the taxonomy methods in order to select optimal conditions of collector dosage and type. Based on the indexes, it was found that the best enrichment effects were obtained with a sodium ethyl xanthate aqueous solution 150 g/Mg.
Can Satellite Remote Sensing be Applied in Geological Mapping in Tropics?
Authors: Magiera Janusz
Published: March 2018

Remote sensing (RS) techniques are based on spectral data registered by RS scanners as energy reflected from the Earth’s surface or emitted by it. In “geological” RS the reflectance (or emittence) should come from rock or sediment. The problem in tropical and subtropical areas is a dense vegetation. Spectral response from the rocks and sediments is gathered only from the gaps among the trees and shrubs. Images of high resolution are appreciated here, therefore. New generation of satellites and scanners (Digital Globe WV2, WV3 and WV4) yield imagery of spatial resolution of 2 m and up to 16 spectral bands (WV3). Images acquired by Landsat (TM, ETM+, OLI) and Sentinel 2 have good spectral resolution too (6–12 bands in visible and infrared) and, despite lower spatial resolution (10–60 m of pixel size) are useful in extracting lithological information too. Lithological RS map may reveal good precision (down to a single rock or outcrop of a meter size). Supplemented with the analysis of Digital Elevation Model and high resolution ortophotomaps (Google Maps, Bing etc.) allows for quick and cheap mapping of unsurveyed areas.
Comprehensive Interpretation of the Laboratory Experiments Results to Construct Model of the Polish Shale Gas Rocks
Authors: Jarzyna Jadwiga A. , Krakowska Paulina I. , Puskarczyk Edyta , Wawrzyniak-Guz Kamila , Zych Marcin
Published: March 2018

More than 70 rock samples from so-called sweet spots, i.e. the Ordovician Sa Formation and Silurian Ja Member of Pa Formation from the Baltic Basin (North Poland) were examined in the laboratory to determine bulk and grain density, total and effective/dynamic porosity, absolute permeability, pore diameters size, total surface area, and natural radioactivity. Results of the pyrolysis, i.e., TOC (Total Organic Carbon) together with S1 and S2 – parameters used to determine the hydrocarbon generation potential of rocks, were also considered. Elemental composition from chemical analyses and mineral composition from XRD measurements were also included. SCAL analysis, NMR experiments, Pressure Decay Permeability measurements together with water immersion porosimetry and adsorption/ desorption of nitrogen vapors method were carried out along with the comprehensive interpretation of the outcomes. Simple and multiple linear statistical regressions were used to recognize mutual relationships between parameters. Observed correlations and in some cases big dispersion of data and discrepancies in the property values obtained from different methods were the basis for building shale gas rock model for well logging interpretation. The model was verified by the result of the Monte Carlo modelling of spectral neutron-gamma log response in comparison with GEM log results.
Modeling and Analysis of Integrated Bathymetric and Geodetic Data for Inventory Surveys of Mining Water Reservoirs
Authors: Ochałek Agnieszka , Lipecki Tomasz , Jaśkowski Wojciech , Jabłoński Mateusz
Published: March 2018

The significant part of the hydrography is bathymetry, which is the empirical part of it. Bathymetry is the study of underwater depth of waterways and reservoirs, and graphic presentation of measured data in form of bathymetric maps, cross-sections and three-dimensional bottom models. The bathymetric measurements are based on using Global Positioning System and devices for hydrographic measurements – an echo sounder and a side sonar scanner. In this research authors focused on introducing the case of obtaining and processing the bathymetrical data, building numerical bottom models of two post-mining reclaimed water reservoirs: Dwudniaki Lake in Wierzchosławice and flooded quarry in Zabierzów. The report includes also analysing data from still operating mining water reservoirs located in Poland to depict how bathymetry can be used in mining industry. The significant issue is an integration of bathymetrical data and geodetic data from tachymetry, terrestrial laser scanning measurements.
Analysis the Transient Process of Wind Power Resources when there are Voltage Sags in Distribution Grid
Authors: Nhu Y Do
Published: March 2018

Vietnam has many advantages of wind power resources. Time by time there are more and more capacity as well as number of wind power project in Vietnam. Corresponding to the increase of wind power emitted into national grid, It is necessary to research and analyze in order to ensure the safety and reliability of win power connection. In national distribution grid, voltage sag occurs regularly, it can strongly influence on the operation of wind power. The most serious consequence is the disconnection. The paper presents the analysis of distribution grid’s transient process when voltage is sagged. Base on the analysis, the solutions will be recommended to improve the reliability and effective operation of wind power resources.
Knowledge Exchange between Poland and Vietnam in Mining and Geology – the Status Quo and Future Development
Authors: Nguyen Nga , Pham Nguyet
Published: March 2018

From the beginning of the 21st century, knowledge exchange between Poland and Vietnam in mining and geology has been focusing in technology, education and training. Since years, Polish academic and commercial partners have been developing a close collaboration with Vietnam National Coal – Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited. Major outcomes of the collaboration are installations and operation of mining equipments and machines in Vietnamese mining companies, and excellent training programs for graduate and post graduate students and mining staff for both countries, etc. From aspects of knowledge management in globalization, the article highlights the outstanding outcomes of knowledge exchanges between the two countries, outlines cultural and economic challenges for the exchange and proposes some improvement in the future.
Motivierende Orientierungsgruppe für forensische Patienten
Authors: Amann Daniel
Published: March 2018

Interventionskoffer, die Dreizehnte Um forensische Patienten in die Gesellschaft einzugliedern ist es wichtig, dass sie motiviert an den Therapien
teilnehmen. Jedoch können oder wollen sich einige Patienten nicht auf eine Behandlung einlassen. Abhilfe schaffen kann der Austausch in einer Gruppe, mit
Patienten, die bereits positive Therapieerfahrungen gemacht haben. Unser Autor stellt das Gruppenkonzept vor und gibt nützliche Tipps für die Motivation zur
Therapietreue.
Wohlfühlfaktor Freiheit
Authors: Messerschmidt Julia
Published: March 2018

Lebensqualität Bei Menschen, die in einer Heimeinrichtung leben, hängt die Lebensqualität stark vom Angebot und den Dienstleistungen der Einrichtung ab.
Doch was brauchen die Bewohner, um sich wohlzufühlen? Was können Pflegende tun, um ihre Lebensqualität zu verbessern? Diesen und weiteren Fragen ist unsere
Autorin nachgegangen und lädt dazu ein, vorhandene Strukturen, aber auch die eigene Haltung zu überprüfen.
Auf der Suche nach dem Inneren Team
Authors: Illichmann Ulrike
Published: March 2018

Beratungsmethoden Bei der Beratung von Patienten geht es vorrangig darum, Probleme lösungsorientiert anzugehen. Ausgehend von der zwischenmenschlichen
Kommunikation, als Grundlage für eine erfolgreiche Beratung, erläutert unsere Autorin Kompetenzen, die ein professionell Beratender mitbringen sollte und stellt
Beratungsmethoden am Beispiel des Inneren Teams vor.
Versorgung zur sexuellen Gesundheit unter dem Prostituiertenschutzgesetz – mehr Fragen als Antworten?
Authors: Langanke Harriet
Published: March 2018

Ein Gesetz, dessen Name „Gesetz zum Schutz von in der Prostitution tätigen Personen“ (ProstSchG) das Versprechen birgt, Prostituierte zu schützen, legt die Frage nahe, ob und wie sich dieser Schutz auf die sexuelle Gesundheit der genannten Zielgruppe auswirkt. Der Beitrag betrachtet zum einen den grundlegenden Ansatz des Gesetzes und stellt einen Zusammenhang her mit anderen gesetzlichen Regelungen, die der gesundheitlichen Versorgung in der Sexarbeit dienen. Zum anderen erläutert der Beitrag am Beispiel von drei ausdrücklich im ProstSchG benannten Bereichen (Anmeldepflicht, Beratungspflicht und Kondompflicht), inwiefern das Gesetz strukturelle Risiken für die Menschen in der Sexarbeit birgt. Er kommt zu dem Ergebnis, dass die stigmatisierenden Kontrollen, die mit dem ProstSchG verbunden sind, die Vulnerabilität der betroffenen Menschen erhöhen, statt ihre sexuelle Gesundheit zu schützen.
Das Prostitutiertenschutzgesetz aus Perspektive der Sozialarbeit: Wen schützt das ProstSchG?
Authors: Greb Gudrun , Schrader Kathrin
Published: March 2018

Im Juli 2017 trat das Prostituiertenschutzgesetz (ProstSchG) in Kraft, welches 2016 gegen den Rat der Expert*innen vom Bundestag
verabschiedet wurde. Im Artikel werden die relevanten Inhalte und Widersprüche des Gesetzes kurz dargelegt und am Beispiel ihrer Auswirkungen auf das Leben von
Sexarbeiter*innen bewertet. Dabei werden die neuen gesetzlichen Auflagen für Sexarbeiter*innen hinsichtlich gesundheitlicher Beratung, Anmeldung und
Ausweispflicht am Arbeitsort in den Mittelpunkt gestellt. Die Erkenntnis, dass die Regierung ein Gesetz verabschiedet hat, das keinerlei Hilfeangebote für
Sexarbeiter*innen in prekären Lebenssituationen anbietet, und dass die Zwangsberatung keine Hilfe, sondern eine Disziplinarmaßnahme ist, deren Auflagen gerade
von prekär lebenden Sexarbeiter*innen nicht erfüllt werden können, mündet im Fazit, dass das ProstSchG ein Gesetz zum Schutz der Gesellschaft vor legaler
Sexarbeit ist und dass es politisch nicht akzeptabel ist, eine große Gruppe von Bürger*innen in ihren Rechten einzuschränken und mit diskriminierenden Auflagen
zu traktieren, nur um die moralischen Vorstellungen einer vermeintlichen Mehrheit zu bedienen.
Incommensurately modulated phase and charge ordering transition in nanocrystalline Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 perovskite
Authors: Shankar Uma , Pandey Rishikesh , Singh Akhilesh Kumar
Published: March 2018

We report here the “incommensurate modulated” phase along with the ferromagnetic character in nanocrystalline Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 perovskite. The Rietveld analysis of powder X-ray diffraction data reveals that the structure of nanocrystalline Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 ceramic can be described as a modulated phase in the monoclinic structure with space group Pm and lattice parameters am ≈ 2ao, bm ≈ bo, and cm ≈ 3co, where ao, bo, and co correspond to the lattice parameters of the parent orthorhombic structure for the bulk sample at room temperature. Increasing the crystallite size converts the modulated monoclinic structure to an orthorhombic structure with the Imma space group for the bulk Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 sample. The magnetic measurements on nanocrystalline samples reveal ferromagnetic behaviour and the absence of charge ordering transition at low temperatures. The nanocrystalline samples also exhibit Griffith phase like behaviour near the paramagnetic to ferromagnetic phase transition. The Powder X-ray diffraction study of bulk Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3 in the temperature range of 13 K–300 K reveals the transition from the orthorhombic to the monoclinic structure in the P21/m space group with the coexistence of the two phases in a wide temperature range below room temperature.