bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic dysfunction in a rat model of early‐life scarcity–adversity: Modulatory role of cafeteria diet
Authors: Sagae Sara C. , Zanardini Bárbara , Ribeiro‐Paz Edson D. , Amaral Ana Claudia , Bronczek Gabriela A. , Lubaczeuski Camila , Grassiolli Sabrina , Koehler‐Santos Patrícia , de Oliveira Jarbas Rodrigues , Donadio Márcio Vinícius Fagundes , Raineki Charlis
Published: September 2018

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Early‐life adversity is associated with increased risk for obesity and metabolic dysfunction. However, it is unclear whether obesity and metabolic dysfunction result from coping strategies to deal with adversity‐related emotional dysregulation, a direct programming of systems regulating metabolic function, or a combination of both.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Early‐life adversity increases vulnerability to later‐life obesity and metabolic dysfunction, indicating that genetics and adult lifestyle are not the only determinants of obesity and related metabolic dysfunction. Moreover, consumption of cafeteria diet exacerbated metabolic dysfunction associated with early‐life adversity, suggesting that poor dietary choices might have a bigger impact in the context of early‐life adversity.

Early‐life adversity has become recognized as an important factor contributing to adult obesity and associated metabolic dysfunction. However, it is unclear whether obesity and metabolic dysfunction associated with early‐life adversity result from coping strategies to deal with adversity‐related emotional dysregulation, a direct programming of systems regulating metabolic function, or a combination. Interestingly, both early‐life adversity and later‐life dietary choices affect immune function, favouring pro‐inflammatory mechanisms that are associated with obesity‐related metabolic dysfunction. To investigate the unique and/or interactive effects of early‐life adversity and later‐life dietary choices for increased vulnerability to obesity and metabolic dysfunction, and specifically the role of the immune system in this vulnerability, we combined a naturalistic rat model of early‐life scarcity–adversity with a rat model of obesity, the cafeteria diet. Our results indicate that early‐life adversity alone induces insulin resistance, reduces pancreatic insulin secretion, plasma concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol, and increases fasting glucose and tumour necrosis factor‐α plasma concentrations. Importantly, animals exposed to adverse rearing were more vulnerable to metabolic dysregulation associated with the cafeteria diet, given that they consumed more energy, showed more severe hepatic steatosis and increased concentrations of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐1β than normally reared animals fed the cafeteria diet. Together, our results suggest that early‐life adversity negatively programmes physiological systems that regulate metabolic function and increases vulnerability to obesity and metabolic dysfunction in adulthood. These results highlight the intrinsic relationship between the quality of the early postnatal environment and later‐life dietary choices on adult health outcomes.
Analytical coupled vibro-acoustic modeling of a cavity-backed duct-membrane system with uniform mean flow
Authors: Liu Yang , Du Jingtao , Cheng Li
Published: September 2018

Sound propagation in a flow duct is a complex and technically challenging problem. The presence of flexible vibrating walls inside the duct creates additional difficulties to the problem due to the complex vibro-acoustic and aero-acoustic couplings involved in the system. An accurate prediction of the coupled system response is of great importance for a good understanding of the underlying physics as well as the optimal design of relevant noise suppression devices. In the present work, a unified energy formulation is proposed for the fully coupled structural-acoustic modelling of a duct-mounted membrane backed by an acoustic cavity with a grazing flow. Sufficiently smoothed admissible functions, taking the form of a combination of Fourier series and supplementary polynomials, are constructed to overcome the differential discontinuities for various boundary and/or coupling conditions. The formulation allows the obtention of all relevant vibro-acoustic field information in conjunction with the generalized Lighthill equation and Rayleigh-Ritz procedure. The validation and convergence studies show the accuracy and the efficiency of the proposed model. Results show the strong structural-acoustic interaction in such a duct-membrane-cavity system, and the flow affects resonant amplitude of membrane-dominant modes significantly. Some cross-zones can be observed for the membrane kinetic energy frequency response with low Mach number cases, especially when a higher tension is applied to the membrane. Analyses on the structural-acoustic coupling strength indicate that the coupling between the odd-even structural modes becomes more significant at a higher Mach number compared with odd-odd and even-even mode pairs. It is also shown that adjusting the boundary constraint of the membrane or imposing a higher tensile force allows impairing the adverse influence of the flow in the duct on sound attenuation.
Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of a Teacher-Facilitated High-Intensity Interval Training Intervention for Older Adolescents
Authors: Leahy Angus A. , Eather Narelle , Smith Jordan J. , Hillman Charles H. , Morgan Philip J. , Plotnikoff Ronald C. , Nilsson Michael , Costigan Sarah A. , Noetel Michael , Lubans David R.
Published: September 2018

Purpose: This study was designed to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a teacher-facilitated high-intensity interval training intervention for older adolescents (ie, 16–18 y). Methods: Two secondary schools from New South Wales, Australia were recruited, and participants (ie, grade 11 students; 16.2 [0.4] y) were randomized at the school level to the Burn 2 Learn intervention (n = 38), or a wait-list control group (n = 30). Teachers were trained to facilitate the delivery of the novel high-intensity interval training program, which involved 3 sessions per week (∼12–20 min) for 14 weeks. A range of process measures were used to assess intervention feasibility (ie, recruitment, retention, attendance, and program satisfaction). Primary (cardiorespiratory fitness, determined using the progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run shuttle run test) and secondary outcomes were assessed at baseline and posttest (14-wk). Results: Sixty-eight grade 11 students were recruited at baseline (85% of target sample), 61 participants completed posttest assessments (90% retention) and on average, participants performed 1.9 sessions per week. Overall, teachers (4.0/5) and students (4.0/5) were satisfied with the Burn 2 Learn program. Group by time effects were observed for cardiorespiratory fitness (8.9 laps; 95% confidence intervals, 1.7–16.2) and a selection of secondary outcomes. Conclusion: This study provides evidence for the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a teacher-facilitated high-intensity interval training intervention for older adolescents.
Piercing the haze
Authors: Plautz Jason
Published: September 2018

Ammonia, a poorly understood smog ingredient, could be key to limiting deadly particulate pollution.
Windfall
Authors: Amandolare Sarah
Published: September 2018

A catastrophic hurricane gave scientists a rare chance to study how tropical forests will fare in a warmer, stormier future.
Asymmetric phosphoric acid–catalyzed four-component Ugi reaction
Authors: Zhang Jian , Yu Peiyuan , Li Shao-Yu , Sun He , Xiang Shao-Hua , Wang Jun (Joelle) , Houk Kendall N. , Tan Bin
Published: September 2018

Steering together all four Ugi pieces

The nearly 60-year-old Ugi reaction is a remarkably efficient means of linking together four molecular building blocks: an aldehyde, an amine, a carboxylic acid, and an isocyanide. Because each component is independently tunable, the reaction is especially well suited to the assembly of diverse compound libraries. However, stereoselectivity has been a challenge. Zhang
et al.
now show that chiral phosphoric acids can catalyze the four-component coupling with high enantioselectivity (see the Perspective by Riva). Theory suggests that a hydrogen-bonded complex involving the phosphoric acid and carboxylic acid sets the stereochemistry for isocyanide attack on an imine intermediate.

Science
, this issue p.
eaas8707
; see also p.
1072
Quantum entanglement of the spin and orbital angular momentum of photons using metamaterials
Authors: Stav Tomer , Faerman Arkady , Maguid Elhanan , Oren Dikla , Kleiner Vladimir , Hasman Erez , Segev Mordechai
Published: September 2018

Going quantum with metamaterials

Metasurfaces should allow wafer-thin surfaces to replace bulk optical components. Two reports now demonstrate that metasurfaces can be extended into the quantum optical regime. Wang
et al.
determined the quantum state of multiple photons by simply passing them through a dielectric metasurface, scattering them into single-photon detectors. Stav
et al.
used a dielectric metasurface to generate entanglement between spin and orbital angular momentum of single photons. The results should aid the development of integrated quantum optic circuits operating on a nanophotonic platform.

Science
, this issue p.
1104
, p.
1101
Classifying drivers of global forest loss
Authors: Curtis Philip G. , Slay Christy M. , Harris Nancy L. , Tyukavina Alexandra , Hansen Matthew C.
Published: September 2018

Mapping global deforestation patterns

Forest loss is being driven by various factors, including commodity production, forestry, agriculture, wildfire, and urbanization. Curtis
et al.
used high-resolution Google Earth imagery to map and classify global forest loss since 2001. Just over a quarter of global forest loss is due to deforestation through permanent land use change for the production of commodities, including beef, soy, palm oil, and wood fiber. Despite regional differences and efforts by governments, conservationists, and corporations to stem the losses, the overall rate of commodity-driven deforestation has not declined since 2001.

Science
, this issue p.
1108
Evolutionary shift toward protein-based architecture in trypanosomal mitochondrial ribosomes
Authors: Ramrath David J. F. , Niemann Moritz , Leibundgut Marc , Bieri Philipp , Prange Céline , Horn Elke K. , Leitner Alexander , Boehringer Daniel , Schneider André , Ban Nenad
Published: September 2018

Structure of the largest, most complex ribosome

Ribosomes are two-subunit ribonucleoprotein assemblies that catalyze the translation of messenger RNA into protein. Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) play key structural and functional roles. Ramrath
et al.
report the high-resolution structure of mitochondrial ribosomes from the unicellular parasite
Trypanosoma brucei
that contain the smallest known rRNAs. The trypanosomal mitoribosome is the most complex ribosomal assembly characterized, with two rRNAs and 126 proteins. The increased protein subunits have substituted for rRNA as an architectural scaffold. The structure also reveals the minimal core needed for ribosome function.

Science
, this issue p.
eaau7735
Revving up an artificial metalloenzyme
Authors: Lancaster Kyle M.
Published: September 2018

An engineered metalloenzyme shows promising catalytic activity for sulfite reduction
Response to Comment on “Unexpected reversal of C
3
versus C
4
grass response to elevated CO
2
during a 20-year field experiment”
Authors: Reich Peter B. , Hobbie Sarah E. , Lee Tali D. , Pastore Melissa A.
Published: September 2018

Nie and colleagues suggest a key role for interannual climate variation as an explanation for the temporal dynamics of an unexpected 20-year reversal of biomass responses of C
3
-C
4
grasses to elevated CO
2
. However, we had already identified some climate-dependent differences in C
3
and C
4
responses to eCO
2
and shown that these could not fully explain the temporal dynamics we observed.
Distribution, Diversity, and Evolution of Endogenous Retroviruses in Perissodactyl Genomes
Authors: Zhu Henan , Gifford Robert James , Murcia Pablo Ramiro
Published: September 2018

ERVs in the host genome are highly informative about the long-term interactions of retroviruses and hosts. They are also interesting because they have influenced the evolution of mammalian genomes in various ways. In this study, we derive a calibrated timeline describing the process through which ERV diversity has been generated in the equine germ line. We determined the distribution and diversity of perissodactyl ERV lineages and inferred their retrotranspositional activity during evolution, thereby gaining insight into the long-term coevolutionary history of retroviruses and mammals. Our study provides a platform for future investigations to identify equine ERV loci involved in physiological processes and/or pathological conditions.
Switching to normal diet reverses kwashiorkor-induced salivary impairments via increased nitric oxide level and expression of aquaporin 5 in the submandibular glands of male Wistar rats
Authors: Lasisi Taye Jemilat , Shittu Shehu Tijani , Alada Akinola Rasak
Published: September 2018

Kwashiorkor, a form of malnutrition, has been shown to cause impaired salivary secretion. However, there is dearth of information on the mechanism that underlies this complication. Also, whether returning to normal diet after kwashiorkor will reverse these complications or not is yet to be discerned. Thus, this study aimed at assessing the mechanisms that underlie kwashiorkor-induced salivary impairments and to evaluate the effects of switching back to normal-diet on kwashiorkor-induced salivary impairments. Weaning rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (control group, kwashiorkor group (KG), re-fed kwashiorkor group (RKG)) of 7 rats each. The control group had standard rat chow while the KG and RKG were fed 2% protein diet for 6 weeks to induce kwashiorkor. The RKG had their diet changed to standard rat-chow for another 6 weeks. Blood and stimulated saliva samples were collected for the analysis of total protein, electrolytes, amylase, immunoglobulin A (IgA) secretion rate, leptin, and ghrelin. Tissue total protein, nitric oxide level, expressions of Na+/K+-ATPase, muscarinic (M3) receptor, and aquaporin 5 in the submandibular glands were also determined. Data were presented as means ± SEM and compared using ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test. RKG showed improved salivary function evidenced by reduced salivary lag-time and potassium and increased flow rate, sodium, amylase, IgA secretion rate, leptin, submandibular nitric oxide level, and aquaporin 5 expression compared with KG. This study for the first time demonstrated that kwashiorkor caused significant reduction in salivary secretion through reduction of nitric oxide level and aquaporin 5 expression in submandibular salivary glands. Normal-diet re-feeding after kwashiorkor returned salivary secretion to normal.
Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of organic-rich shale and tuff of the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin, China: implications for lacustrine fertilization by volcanic ash
Authors: Yuan Wei , Liu Guangdi , Xu Liming , Niu Xiaobing , Li Chaozheng
Published: September 2018

The Upper Triassic Chang 7 Member lacustrine organic-rich shale of the Yanchang Formation of the Ordos Basin is a significant hydrocarbon source rock containing abundant of tuff intervals ranging from millimeters to tens of centimeters thick. The present study relies upon petrographic and geochemical data of Chang 7 tuff intervals and organic-rich shale to consider fertilization of the lake surface by volcanic debris as a triggering mechanism of black shale sedimentation. Paleoproductivity proxies, including P/Al, Ni/Al, and Cu/Al, display elevated values in association with tuff intervals, suggesting increased productivity induced by volcanic nutrient seeding of the lake surface. Moreover, vertical variations of TOC mimic trends of paleoproductivity proxies, indicating that primary productivity was critical to organic carbon enrichment of the Chang 7 Member. Previous studies have postulated that lake bottom redox conditions were predominantly oxic–suboxic during deposition of the Chang 7 and that these deposits accumulated slowly, neither of which would have favored the export and preservation of organic matter in the absence of enhanced productivity. Accumulation of the organic-rich Chang 7 shale demonstrates the critical role that intensified primary productivity triggered by volcanism can play in the accumulation of carbonaceous sediment.
Deletion of oxyR in Legionella pneumophila causes growth defect on agar
Authors: Mendis Nilmini , Trigui Hana , Saad Mariam , Tsang Adrianna , Faucher Sébastien P.
Published: September 2018

The intracellular pathogen Legionella pneumophila (Lp) is a strict aerobe, surviving and replicating in environments where it frequently encounters reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as the nutrient-poor water environment and its replicative niche inside host cells. In many proteobacteria, the LysR-type regulator OxyR controls the oxidative stress response; however, the importance of the OxyR homologue in Lp is still unclear. Therefore, we undertook the characterization of phenotypes associated with the deletion of oxyR in Lp. Contrary to the wild type, the oxyR deletion mutant exhibits a severe growth defect on charcoal – yeast extract (CYE) agar lacking α-ketoglutarate supplementation. Growth in AYE broth (CYE without agar and charcoal), in amoeba and in human cultured macrophages, and survival in water is unaffected by the deletion. Supplementing CYE agar with antioxidants that neutralize ROS or introducing the oxyR gene in trans rescues the observed growth defect. Moreover, the mutant grows as well as the wild type on CYE plates made with agarose instead of agar, suggesting that a compound present in the latter is responsible for the growth defect phenotype.
Spring Health’s Tryst: Selling Safe Drinking Water
Authors: Sindhi Sumita , Choudhury Pranab Ranjan
Published: September 2018

The case talks about Spring Health Water India Private Limited (referred as SH), a social enterprise delivering safe drinking water to the millions who are earning less than $2 per day. Chairman of Spring Health Paul Polak, took up for-profit business venture as a measure to ensure health and poverty alleviation in rural areas. The idea is to provide affordable drinking water through decentralized delivery and utilizing local resources and grassroot entrepreneurs to keep the drinking water prices low. This venture provided extra income to some of the villagers — as entrepreneurs, business assistants, delivery boys, masons and plumbers, etc.

Many innovative methods are adopted in the process to reach out to all social groups, in least possible time and at highly affordable prices. Effort is made to maximize customer base by using marketing techniques which are culturally and socially sensitive.

Technology used in the process of chlorination is simple and with little knowledge/experience a villager can handle it too. It is a low cost technology and hence utilizes less resources, which are easily available and do not require high costs of handling and managing.

The target is to reach 200 million people in the coming years covering East Indian states of Odisha, Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Jharkhand. To reach such scale, it requires concerted efforts on the part of company and a lot of funding support. Launch at each new village is a new challenge. Convincing rural masses on safe drinking water is a challenge and selling water with a price tag is not readily accepted in rural areas.

Chairman Paul Polak and CEO Kishan Nanavati have a challenging situation of convincing people to buy safe drinking water and to mobilize funds for further expansion.
Impact of rift dynamics on palaeoenvironmental conditions and hydrocarbon system development (northern Upper Rhine Graben, SW Germany)
Authors: Perner M. , Jäger H. , Reinhold C. , Bechstädt T. , Stinnesbeck W.
Published: September 2018

The Upper Rhine Graben (URG), a classical hydrocarbon (HC) province, is part of the European Cenozoic Rift System. The rift graben development has led to a complex basin fill of terrestrial and marine Cenozoic deposits, providing several HC source and reservoir units. The aim of this study is the multidisciplinary analysis of the palaeoenvironmental conditions and source-rock development within the transgressive marine intervals, and the palaeothermal history of the graben system to improve the understanding of the HC system development. Palaeoenvironmental conditions are strongly influenced by rift-related tectonic activity. Transgressive marine intervals in times of major subsidence show high terrestrial input from the graben shoulders, leading to mainly terrigenous gas-prone kerogen, while transgressive marine intervals during weak tectonic activity are dominated by marine–brackish palaeoenvironments and oil-prone kerogen. This differs clearly from the previously suggested HC potential of these intervals. Thermal maturation analysis shows nearly constant maturation with depth, which is atypical for burial-controlled maturation. It indicates significant secondary thermal overprinting related to long-lasting very hot hydrothermal fluid systems, concentrated along fault zones. Therefore the development of the depositional setting, kerogen composition, thermal maturation and the HC potential is directly linked to the dynamics of the rift system development.

Supplementary material:
detailed results of all three wells are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4183106
The Caixa de Pandora Game
Authors: Almeida Luana R. , Machado Liliane S. , Medeiros Ana Tereza , Coelho Hemilio F. C. , Andrade Josemberg M. , Moraes Ronei M.
Published: September 2018

This article presents the development issues and evaluation results of a serious game called Caixa de Pandora (Pandora's Box, in English), developed to train health professionals to care for women in situations of domestic violence. The combat of violence against women in the health sector presupposes a change of attitudes with respect to identified cases, with the exclusion of discriminatory and oppressive practices on the part of care professionals. To change these behaviors and verify postures, Caixa de Pandora uses an approach focused on the affective domain of learning. In the same sense of verifying and guiding changes in behavior, the intelligence module of the game used a model based on psychometric principles in its design. The validation of the game by a statistical sample with health professionals identified changes in their conceptions about the subject after playing the game, thereby demonstrating its pedagogical potential to formulate new knowledge and to change behavior.
Natural Language Explanations for Query Results
Authors: Deutch Daniel , Frost Nave , Gilad Amir
Published: September 2018

Multiple lines of research have developed Natural Language (NL) interfaces for formulating database queries. We build upon this work, but focus on presenting a highly detailed form of the answers in NL. The answers that we present are importantly based on the provenance of tuples in the query result, detailing not only the results but also their explanations. We develop a novel method for transforming provenance information to NL, by leveraging the original NL query structure. Furthermore, since provenance information is typically large and complex, we present two solutions for its effective presentation as NL text: one that is based on provenance factorization, with novel desiderata relevant to the NL case, and one that is based on summarization.
Immunoglobulin-Like Receptors and Their Impact on Wiring of Brain Synapses
Authors: Cameron Scott , McAllister A. Kimberley
Published: September 2018

Synapse formation is mediated by a surprisingly large number and wide variety of genes encoding many different protein classes. One of the families increasingly implicated in synapse wiring is the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF). IgSF molecules are by definition any protein containing at least one Ig-like domain, making this family one of the most common protein classes encoded by the genome. Here, we review the emerging roles for IgSF molecules in synapse formation specifically in the vertebrate brain, focusing on examples from three classes of IgSF members: ( a) cell adhesion molecules, ( b) signaling molecules, and ( c) immune molecules expressed in the brain. The critical roles for IgSF members in regulating synapse formation may explain their extensive involvement in neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders. Solving the IgSF code for synapse formation may reveal multiple new targets for rescuing IgSF-mediated deficits in synapse formation and, eventually, new treatments for psychiatric disorders caused by altered IgSF-induced synapse wiring.
Synthesizing high aspect ratio Aluminum Oxide nanowires from highly-ordered anodic self-assembled templates
Authors: Ghezghapan Seyedeh Mastooreh Seyedi , Saba Mozhdeh
Published: September 2018

Aluminum Oxide and its nanostructures are attracted the attention of researchers due to their special materials properties such as: high electrical insulation, high mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, chemical stability, and low thermal conductivity. Furthermore, Aluminum Oxide nanowires shows large surface area as well as highly electropositive surface, which makes them suitable candidates for water purification technology applications. One of the main challenges, which limited the usage of Aluminum Oxide nanowires, is high cost and complex fabrication methods for Aluminum Oxide synthesizing such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques. On the other hand, electrochemical methods such as anodizing/etching techniques show high controllability over chemical composition, morphology,and crystalline structure of nanowires. In this research, a room temperature two-steps anodization procedure is developed to fabricate a highly-ordered self-assembled templates. Furthermore, the etching method is used to convert this synthesized self-assembled template into Aluminum Oxide nanowires. The results show that the proposed electrochemical method maintains a highly-ordered morphology as well as industrially acceptable controllability over crystalline structure of nanowires, which could be used to optimize the procedure for industrial applications due to low cost and simple experimental setup.
Eosinophilic esophagitis: pathophysiology and its clinical implications
Authors: Inage Eisuke , Furuta Glenn T. , Menard-Katcher Calies , Masterson Joanne C.
Published: September 2018

Classically, eosinophilic esophagitis is an antigen-mediated chronic disease distinct from gastroesophageal reflux disease. Eosinophilic esophagitis is an emerging clinical problem that is growing in recognition. It is characterized clinically by feeding dysfunction, dysphagia, and reflux-like symptoms. Histologically, eosinophilic esophagitis is identifiable by a dense epithelial eosinophilic infiltrate. Experimental modeling and clinical studies over the last decade have greatly improved mechanistic insights and led to improvements in clinical understanding and the assessment of therapeutic options for patients and their clinicians who manage this disease. Here, we review the clinicopathologic diagnostic criteria and our understanding of eosinophilic esophagitis as an allergic disease with genetic and immunological components. We present studies defining the importance of the epithelial barrier and the concept of barrier dysfunction as an initiating or perpetuating factor for this disease. We discuss the relationship between the symptoms of dysphagia and feeding dysfunction, our current knowledge of the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms, and advances in clinical assessment of esophageal distensibility and narrowing in eosinophilic esophagitis patients. Finally, therapeutic implications relating to the advances that have led to our current understanding of the pathophysiology of eosinophilic esophagitis are explored.
Generation of an alveolar epithelial type II cell line from induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Tamò Luca , Hibaoui Youssef , Kallol Sampada , Alves Marco P. , Albrecht Christiane , Hostettler Katrin E. , Feki Anis , Rougier Jean-Sebastien , Abriel Hugues , Knudsen Lars , Gazdhar Amiq , Geiser Thomas
Published: September 2018

Differentiation of primary alveolar type II epithelial cells (AEC II) to AEC type I in culture is a major barrier in the study of the alveolar epithelium in vitro. The establishment of an AEC II cell line derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) represents a novel opportunity to study alveolar epithelial cell biology, for instance, in the context of lung injury, fibrosis, and repair. In the present study, we generated long-lasting AEC II from iPSC (LL-iPSC-AEC II). LL-iPSC-AEC II displayed morphological characteristics of AEC II, including growth in a cobblestone monolayer, the presence of lamellar bodies, and microvilli, as shown by electron microscopy. Also, LL-iPSC-AEC II expressed AEC type II proteins, such as cytokeratin, surfactant protein C, and LysoTracker DND 26 (a marker for lamellar bodies). Furthermore, the LL-iPSC-AEC II exhibited functional properties of AEC II by an increase of transepithelial electrical resistance over time, secretion of inflammatory mediators in biologically relevant quantities (IL-6 and IL-8), and efficient in vitro alveolar epithelial wound repair. Consistent with the AEC II phenotype, the cell line showed the ability to uptake and release surfactant protein B, to secrete phospholipids, and to differentiate into AEC type I. In summary, we established a long-lasting, but finite AEC type II cell line derived from iPSC as a novel cellular model to study alveolar epithelial cell biology in lung health and disease.
UCNPs@Zn0.5Cd0.5S Core-Shell and Yolk-Shell Nanostructures: Selective Synthesis, Characterization, and Near-Infrared-Mediated Photocatalytic Reduction of Cr(VI)
Authors: Wang Wan-Ni , Dong Wang , Huang Chen-Xi , Liu Bo , Cheng Sheng , Qian Haisheng
Published: September 2018

Constructing near-infrared-light-mediated core-shell nanostructures incorporating upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and semiconductors is of great importance for potential applications in photocatalysis, nano-biomedical engineering, solar cell, etc. In this work, we have demonstrated a two-step solution process to synthesize UCNPs@Zn0.5Cd0.5S core-shell nanoparticles (CSN). Firstly, a layer of AA-Zn(Cd)[OH]4− composites was coated on UCNPs to form UCNPs@AA-Zn(Cd)[OH]4− composites, which has been converted to UCNPs@Zn0.5Cd0.5S CSN via sulfidation reaction process using thioacetamide (TAA) as the sulfur source. Moreover, the UCNPs@Zn0.5Cd0.5S yolk-shell nanoparticles (YSN) have been obtained from the UCNPs@Zn0.5Cd0.5S CSN after calcination at 400°C, which show significantly photocatalytic activity for reduction of Cr(VI) under near-infrared light. All these can be attributed to the enhanced crystallization degree, resulting in enhanced energy transfer efficiency and separation efficiency of the photogenerated electrons and holes. An alternative strategy is provided in this study for fabrication of UCNP/semiconductor composites for various applications.
Generation and Meshing Analysis of a New Type of Double Helical Gear Transmission
Authors: Liang Dong , Luo Tianhong , Tan Rulong
Published: September 2018

A study on the double helical gear transmission with curve element constructed tooth pairs is carried out in this paper. Generation and mathematical model of tooth profiles are proposed based on the geometric relationship. Tooth profiles equations are derived considering the developed equidistance-enveloping approach. Design of tooth profiles with point contact is conducted and numerical example is illustrated. And the solid models of double helical gear pair with curve element constructed tooth pairs are established. Computerized design and meshing simulation are also put forward. Furthermore, stress analysis of the gear pair is conducted and gear prototypes are manufactured using CNC machining technology. Further tooth contact analysis, dynamic and experimental studies on transmission properties of gear prototypes will be carried out.
Corticospinal Tract Wiring and Brain Lesion Characteristics in Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: Determinants of Upper Limb Motor and Sensory Function
Authors: Simon-Martinez Cristina , Jaspers Ellen , Mailleux Lisa , Ortibus Els , Klingels Katrijn , Wenderoth Nicole , Feys Hilde
Published: September 2018

Brain lesion characteristics (timing, location, and extent) and the type of corticospinal tract (CST) wiring have been proposed as determinants of upper limb (UL) motor function in unilateral cerebral palsy (uCP), yet an investigation of the relative combined impact of these factors on both motor and sensory functions is still lacking. Here, we first investigated whether structural brain lesion characteristics could predict the underlying CST wiring and we explored the role of CST wiring and brain lesion characteristics to predict UL motor and sensory functions in uCP. Fifty-two participants with uCP (mean age (SD): 11 y and 3 m (3 y and 10 m)) underwent a single-pulse Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation session to determine CST wiring between the motor cortex and the more affected hand (n=17 contralateral, n=19 ipsilateral, and n=16 bilateral) and an MRI to determine lesion timing (n=34 periventricular (PV) lesion, n=18 corticosubcortical (CSC) lesion), location, and extent. Lesion location and extent were evaluated with a semiquantitative scale. A standardized protocol included UL motor (grip strength, unimanual capacity, and bimanual performance) and sensory measures. A combination of lesion locations (damage to the PLIC and frontal lobe) significantly contributed to differentiate between the CST wiring groups, reclassifying the participants in their original group with 57% of accuracy. Motor and sensory functions were influenced by each of the investigated neurological factors. However, multiple regression analyses showed that motor function was predicted by the CST wiring (more preserved in individuals with contralateral CST (p<0.01)), lesion extent, and damage to the basal ganglia and thalamus. Sensory function was predicted by the combination of a large and later lesion and an ipsilateral or bilateral CST wiring, which led to increased sensory deficits (p<0.05). These novel insights contribute to a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of UL function and may be useful to delineate individualized treatment strategies.
Primary Carnitine Deficiency: A Rare, Reversible Metabolic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Tomlinson Stephen , Atherton John , Prasad Sandhir
Published: September 2018

A 24-year-old female with a diagnosis of primary carnitine deficiency, a rare inherited metabolic disorder predominantly described in the paediatric literature that causes cardiomyopathy, presented for evaluation after three months of nonadherence with prescribed carnitine therapy. Initial echocardiography demonstrated severe left ventricular dilation (104 ml/m2) (normal < 76 ml/m2) with moderate systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction 40%) and severe right ventricular dilation with mild systolic dysfunction. Carnitine replacement was commenced, and a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed five days later demonstrated dramatic improvement in biventricular function with normalization of left and right ventricular systolic function. To our knowledge, this is only the second case describing the rapid reversal of cardiomyopathy in an adult patient with this rare condition.
An Ontology and AHP Based Quality Evaluation Approach for Reuse Parts of End-of-Life Construction Machinery
Authors: Xu Fei-xiang , Liu Xin-hui , Chen Wei , Zhou Chen , Cao Bing-wei
Published: September 2018

Effective reuse and recycling of end-of-life (EOL) products are essential for improving resource efficiency and protecting environment. Currently, many parts of construction machinery in EOL stage can still be reused directly because they are designed with extreme high strength to meet the bad working conditions, which minimizes the impact on the environment. In this context, a quality evaluation approach for reuse parts is proposed in this paper. Ontology model is built for representing evaluation information with semantic properties and constructing the semantic relevance among the various concepts involved in parts reusing domain, thus achieving the integrating, sharing, and reusing of evaluating parts knowledge. On that basis, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is put forward to quantify the reusability degree of the parts of EOL construction machinery. Furthermore, combined with ontology, rule-based-reasoning method is utilized to get suggested strategies for reuse parts. In addition, a web-based system is developed to assist manufacturers in managing reuse parts, and a case study is analyzed to demonstrate the proposed quality evaluation approach.
Mummification in Korea and China: Mawangdui, Song, Ming and Joseon Dynasty Mummies
Authors: Shin Dong Hoon , Bianucci Raffaella , Fujita Hisashi , Hong Jong Ha
Published: September 2018

Over the decades, mummy studies have expanded to reconstruct a multifaceted knowledge about the ancient populations’ living conditions, pathologies, and possible cause of death in different spatiotemporal contexts. Mainly due to linguistic barriers, however, the international knowledge of East Asian mummies has remained sketchy until recently. We thus analyse and summarize the outcomes of the studies so far performed in Korea and China in order to provide mummy experts with little-known data on East Asian mummies. In this report, similarities and differences in the mummification processes and funerary rituals in Korea and China are highlighted. Although the historical periods, the region of excavation, and the structures of the graves differ, the cultural aspects, the mechanisms of mummification, and biological evidence appear to be essentially similar to each other. Independently from the way they are called locally, the Korean and Chinese mummies belong to the same group with a shared cultural background.
Targeting YOD1 by RNA Interference Inhibits Proliferation and Migration of Human Oral Keratinocytes through Transforming Growth Factor-β3 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhou Xiao-Long , Chen Gang , Li Meng-Xue , Wang Heng-Xue , Hong Jia-Wei , Shen Jun-Yu , Wang Qi , Ge Xing , Ding Zhen , Xu Li-Chun
Published: September 2018

Objective. We have identified a gene YOD1 encoding deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) responsible for nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P). We aimed to determine the effects of YOD1 RNA interference (RNAi) on cell proliferation and migration, playing an important role in lip and palate formation, and to clarify whether the mechanisms involved TGF-β3 signaling associated with NSCL/P. Methods. RNAi was applied to construct vectors expressing YOD1 small interference RNAs (siRNAs). The vectors were transfected into the human oral keratinocytes (HOK) cells. The cell proliferation and migration were evaluated by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and wound healing assay, respectively. The mRNA levels were detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The protein levels were investigated by western blotting. Results. The proliferation of YOD1 siRNA-transfected HOK cells was remarkably inhibited. The migration rate was significantly decreased in the YOD1 siRNA-transfected HOK cells. The TGF-β3 mRNA and protein levels were decreased significantly by siRNA-mediated knockdown of YOD1. YOD1 RNAi reduced the phosphor-Smad2/3 levels significantly. Conclusions. YOD1 RNAi may inhibit cell proliferation and migration associated with the pathogenesis of NSCL/P through TGF-β3 signaling. The study indicates a novel role of YOD1 in regulating TGF-β3 signaling to affect cell proliferation and migration resulting in NSCL/P.
Experimental Study of an Inflatable Recyclable Anchor
Authors: Xiao Taoli , He Yunlong
Published: September 2018

This paper describes an investigation into the performance and pullout capacity of a new inflatable anchor system embedded in deep excavation engineering. The proposed inflatable recyclable anchor system consists of a rubber pneumatic bag, movable steel plate, and force transmission bar, which can all be recycled after use. By conducting a number of field pullout tests, it is found that the pullout bearing capacity of the proposed anchor is related to the inflation pressure, the length of the rubber pneumatic bag, and the embedment depth. It is found that, with the exponential increase of inflation pressure or length of the rubber pneumatic bag, the pullout bearing capacity of the novel inflatable anchor increases exponentially. The proposed inflatable recyclable anchor can meet the bearing requirements of traditional grouted anchors. Moreover, the proposed anchor not only has better supporting effects than traditional grouted ones, but it also has the advantages of recyclability, repeated use, and rapid formation of anchorage force. It is a new green and low‐carbon anchorage, so it will have good application prospects in temporary foundation pit slope engineering.
Investigating the Relevance of Graph Cut Parameter on Interactive and Automatic Cell Segmentation
Authors: Oyebode Kazeem Oyeyemi , Du Shengzhi , van Wyk Barend Jacobus , Djouani Karim
Published: September 2018

Graph cut segmentation provides a platform to analyze images through a global segmentation strategy, and as a result of this, it has gained a wider acceptability in many interactive and automatic segmentation fields of application, such as the medical field. The graph cut energy function has a parameter that is tuned to ensure that the output is neither oversegmented (shrink bias) nor undersegmented. Models have been proposed in literature towards the improvement of graph cut segmentation, in the context of interactive and automatic cell segmentation. Along this line of research, the graph cut parameter has been leveraged, while in some instances, it has been ignored. Therefore, in this work, the relevance of graph cut parameter on both interactive and automatic cell segmentation is investigated. Statistical analysis, based on F1 score, of three publicly available datasets of cells, suggests that the graph cut parameter plays a significant role in improving the segmentation accuracy of the interactive graph cut than the automatic graph cut.
Goodwill and System Dynamics Modeling for Film Investment Decision by Interactive Efforts
Authors: Feng Jian , Liu Bin
Published: September 2018

Academic research pertaining to the marketing of film industry has identified advertising, film-making, and star power as the important factors influencing a movie’s market performance. Prior research, however, has not investigated the joint influences of these factors. The current study has extended previous research by analyzing the investment decision of studios or investors. In order to analyze the optimal film investment decision in advertising, film-making, and stars power, this paper develops a goodwill model and system dynamic (SD) model, which allow us to disentangle the effects of advertising, film-making, and star power on film market performance. The results show that the film producer should increasingly lay emphasis on investing in advertising to absorb moviegoers’ attention. Then the film producer should focus on investing in film-making when film quality has a great impact on the movie's reputation and audience's viewing decision. Furthermore, the film producer should pay more attention to the higher cost-performance stars who have more reasonable remuneration, better acting skills, and bigger box-office guarantee. Moreover, the numerical analysis reveals that rational audience contribute more than fans to a movie's box-office and bankable stars contribute more than high-profile stars to a movie's returns. Through SD simulation analysis, the film series yields higher profits than new theme movies although the cost of investment is the same.
A New Approach for Advertising CTR Prediction Based on Deep Neural Network via Attention Mechanism
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Liu Fang’ai , Xing Shuning , Zhao Xiaohui
Published: September 2018

Click-through rate prediction is critical in Internet advertising and affects web publisher’s profits and advertiser’s payment. The traditional method of obtaining features using feature extraction did not consider the sparseness of advertising data and the highly nonlinear association between features. To reduce the sparseness of data and to mine the hidden features in advertising data, a method that learns the sparse features is proposed. Our method exploits dimension reduction based on decomposition, takes advantage of the attention mechanism in neural network modelling, and improves FM to make feature interactions contribute differently to the prediction. We utilize stack autoencoder to explore high-order feature interactions and use improved FM for low-order feature interactions to portray the nonlinear associated relationship of features. The experiment shows that our method improves the effect of CTR prediction and produces economic benefits in Internet advertising.
Endowing iPSC-Derived MSCs with Angiogenic and Keratinogenic Differentiation Potential: A Promising Cell Source for Skin Tissue Engineering
Authors: Lin Weimin , Chen Miao , Hu Chen , Qin Siyu , Chu Chenyu , Xiang Lin , Man Yi , Qu Yili
Published: September 2018

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) hold tremendous potential for personalized cell-based therapy for skin regeneration. Aiming to establish human iPSCs as a potential cell source for skin tissue engineering, we expect to obtain an epidermal-like cell line with angiogenic and keratinogenic differentiation potential via inducing iPSC-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iPSC-MSCs) with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and/or keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). The results show that iPSC-MSCs were successfully induced with a positive FGFR/KGFR expression on the cell surface. BFGF/KGF induction could significantly increase the expression of vascularization marker CD31 and keratinization marker CK10, respectively, while when combined together, although CD31 and CK10 were still positively expressed, their expressions were lower than that of the single induction group, suggesting that the effects of the two growth factors interfered with each other. This cell line with angiogenic and keratinogenic differentiation potential provides a promising new source of cells for the construction of well vascularized and keratinized tissue engineered skin, furthermore establishing an effective strategy for iPSC-based therapy in skin tissue engineering.