bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of In-Shoe Foot Orthosis Contours on Heel Pain Due to Calcaneal Spurs
Authors: Wibowo Dwi Basuki , Widodo Achmad , Haryadi Gunawan Dwi , Caesarendra Wahyu , Harahap Rudiansyah
Published: February 2019

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of contouring the shoe insole on calcaneal pressure and heel pain in calcaneal spur patients. Calcaneal pressure was measured using three force sensors from 13 patients including three males and 10 females. These patients have plantar heel pain due to calcaneal spurs, and we examined five customized contour insole foot areas (0–100%). Sensors were attached at the central heel (CH), lateral heel (LH) and medial heel (MH) of the foot. The pain was measured using an algometer and evaluated by the pain minimum compressive pressure (PMCP). In this study, it was observed that the calcaneal pressure decreased with increasing insole foot area. In addition, increasing the insole foot area from 25% to 50% can reduce the calcaneal pressure approximately 17.4% at the LH and 30.9% at the MH, which are smaller than the PMCP, while at the MH, pressure reduced 6.9%, which is greater than the PMCP. Therefore, to reduce pain, one can use 50% insole foot area, even though at MH it is still 19.3% greater than the PMCP. Excellent pain relief was observed when using 100% insole foot area, as the pressures in those three areas are lower than the PMCPs, but it is not recommended because it requires large production costs.
PC 12 Pheochromocytoma Cell Response to Super High Frequency Terahertz Radiation from Synchrotron Source
Authors: Perera Palalle G. Tharushi , Appadoo Dominique R. T. , Cheeseman Samuel , Wandiyanto Jason V. , Linklater Denver , Dekiwadia Chaitali , Truong Vi Khanh , Tobin Mark J. , Vongsvivut Jitraporn , Bazaka Olha , Bazaka Kateryna , Croft Rodney J. , Crawford Russell J. , Ivanova Elena P.
Published: February 2019

High frequency (HF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have been widely used in many wireless communication devices, yet within the terahertz (THz) range, their effects on biological systems are poorly understood. In this study, electromagnetic radiation in the range of 0.3–19.5 × 1012 Hz, generated using a synchrotron light source, was used to investigate the response of PC 12 neuron-like pheochromocytoma cells to THz irradiation. The PC 12 cells remained viable and physiologically healthy, as confirmed by a panel of biological assays; however, exposure to THz radiation for 10 min at 25.2 ± 0.4 °C was sufficient to induce a temporary increase in their cell membrane permeability. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed cell membrane permeabilization via visualisation of the translocation of silica nanospheres (d = 23.5 ± 0.2 nm) and their clusters (d = 63 nm) into the PC 12 cells. Analysis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs revealed the formation of atypically large (up to 1 µm) blebs on the surface of PC 12 cells when exposed to THz radiation. Long-term analysis showed no substantial differences in metabolic activity between the PC 12 cells exposed to THz radiation and untreated cells; however, a higher population of the THz-treated PC 12 cells responded to the nerve growth factor (NGF) by extending longer neurites (up to 0–20 µm) compared to the untreated PC12 cells (up to 20 µm). These findings present implications for the development of nanoparticle-mediated drug delivery and gene therapy strategies since THz irradiation can promote nanoparticle uptake by cells without causing apoptosis, necrosis or physiological damage, as well as provide a deeper fundamental insight into the biological effects of environmental exposure of cells to electromagnetic radiation of super high frequencies.
Cordycepin Suppresses Endothelial Cell Proliferation, Migration, Angiogenesis, and Tumor Growth by Regulating Focal Adhesion Kinase and p53
Authors: Lin Yi-Ting , Liang Shu-Man , Wu Ya-Ju , Wu Yi-Ju , Lu Yi-Jhu , Jan Yee-Jee , Ko Bor-Sheng , Chuang Yung-Jen , Shyue Song-Kun , Kuo Cheng-Chin , Liou Jun-Yang
Published: February 2019

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) plays an important role in vascular development, including the regulation of endothelial cell (EC) adhesion, migration, proliferation, and survival. 3’-deoxyadenosine (cordycepin) is known to suppress FAK expression, cell migration, and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, whether cordycepin affects FAK expression and cellular functions in ECs and the specific molecular mechanism remain unclear. In this study, we found that cordycepin suppressed FAK expression and the phosphorylation of FAK (p-FAK) at Tyr397 in ECs. Cordycepin inhibited the proliferation, wound healing, transwell migration, and tube formation of ECs. Confocal microscopy revealed that cordycepin significantly reduced FAK expression and decreased focal adhesion number of ECs. The suppressed expression of FAK was accompanied by induced p53 and p21 expression in ECs. Finally, we demonstrated that cordycepin suppressed angiogenesis in an in vivo angiogenesis assay and reduced HCC tumor growth in a xenograft nude mice model. Our study indicated that cordycepin could attenuate cell proliferation and migration and may result in the impairment of the angiogenesis process and tumor growth via downregulation of FAK and induction of p53 and p21 in ECs. Therefore, cordycepin may be used as a potential adjuvant for cancer therapy.
A Lazy Bailout Approach for Dual-Criticality Systems on Uniprocessor Platforms
Authors: Iacovelli Saverio , Kirner Raimund
Published: February 2019

A challenge in the design of cyber-physical systems is to integrate the scheduling of tasks of different criticality, while still providing service guarantees for the higher critical tasks in the case of resource-shortages caused by faults. While standard real-time scheduling is agnostic to the criticality of tasks, the scheduling of tasks with different criticalities is called mixed-criticality scheduling. In this paper, we present the Lazy Bailout Protocol (LBP), a mixed-criticality scheduling method where low-criticality jobs overrunning their time budget cannot threaten the timeliness of high-criticality jobs while at the same time the method tries to complete as many low-criticality jobs as possible. The key principle of LBP is instead of immediately abandoning low-criticality jobs when a high-criticality job overruns its optimistic WCET estimate, to put them in a low-priority queue for later execution. To compare mixed-criticality scheduling methods, we introduce a formal quality criterion for mixed-criticality scheduling, which, above all else, compares schedulability of high-criticality jobs and only afterwards the schedulability of low-criticality jobs. Based on this criterion, we prove that LBP behaves better than the original Bailout Protocol (BP). We show that LBP can be further improved by slack time exploitation and by gain time collection at runtime, resulting in LBPSG. We also show that these improvements of LBP perform better than the analogous improvements based on BP.
Succession and the Relationship between Vegetation and Soil in the Marl Quarries of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Authors: Valdez-Hernández Mirna , Gil-Medina Rossana , López-Martínez Jorge O. , Torrescano-Valle Nuria , Cabanillas-Terán Nancy , Islebe Gerald A.
Published: February 2019

Open-pit mining is a common activity in the Yucatan Peninsula for the extraction of limestone. These areas are characterized by the total removal of the natural vegetation cover and soil in order to access calcareous material. The present study shows the composition and structure of the vegetation in five quarries after approximately ten years of abandonment, and the target vegetation near to the quarries in southeastern Mexico. A linear mixed model showed that P availability is one of the limiting factors for species establishment in the quarries. Using a canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), the distribution of the species was determined in relation to the edaphic variables: soil depth, the percentage of organic matter (OM), cationic exchange capacity (CEC), pH and texture. Twenty-six families, 46 genera and 50 species were recorded in the quarries, and 25 families, 45 genera and 47 species were recorded in the conserved areas. The dominant species in the quarries belong to the families Poaceae, Fabaceae, Rubiaceae and Anacardiaceae. The quarries with higher values of OM (2%), CEC (24 Cmol/kg), depth (11 cm) and sand percentage (31%) include the following species Lysiloma latisiliquum (L.) Benth., Metopium brownei (Jacq.) Urb. and Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg., which are common in secondary forests. Quarries with lower values of OM (0.4%), CEC (17 Cmol/kg) and depth (5.02), and with a higher percentage of silt (42%) were dominated by herbs belonging to Poaceae and by Borreria verticillate (L.) G. Mey., which are typical in disturbed areas of southeastern Mexico. In all cases, the pH was slightly alkaline due to the content of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), characteristic of the soils of the region.
Examination of Sediment Dynamics Based on the Distribution of Silica Fluxes and Flood Sediments in the Otoishi River Related to the Northern Kyushu Heavy Rain Disaster, July 2017
Authors: Nakanishi Ryunosuke , Baba Akira , Tsuyama Takahiro , Ikemi Hiro , Mitani Yasuhiro
Published: February 2019

The heavy rain disaster occurred in July 2017, in northern Kyushu, Japan. The river environment greatly changed due to sediment moving accompanied by erosion. It is important regarding disaster prevention to localize watersheds where sediment transportation is active. In this study, the sediment dynamics were discussed on the basis of our investigation about the stored sediment, water-flow, and silica fluxes from sub-basins. As a result, the sediment survey revealed that many sediments consist of sand or gravel and were moved secondarily by water-flow. By the hydrological survey, it was confirmed that the trend of the dissolved silica concentrations varied between the right and the left bank tributaries. It was suggested that the left bank tributaries have a various process of water-flow. Considering the distribution of collapsed slopes, the right bank tributaries have more collapsed slopes than the left bank tributaries. As suggested by the results, the range of the silica flux is wider at the left bank tributaries because the sedimentation shows various distributions. On the other hand, the right bank tributaries were estimated topographically stable since the value of the silica flux is about the same.
Norwegian Artist Names Authority List of Artists in Norwegian Art Collections
Authors: Brenden Hansen Yvonne , Hensten Dag , Pedersen Gro Benedikte , Bognerud Magnus
Published: February 2019

How can one best transform a paper-based publication into a living online resource? This is the theme of a project at The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design in Norway, supported by the Arts Council Norway. The National Museum aims to create, publish and maintain an authority list of Norwegian artists, architects, designers and craftsmen. The objective is to ease the digitisation process for other museums, scholars and the public in general and contribute to better data quality in Norwegian online collections. The list will in part be based on the Norsk Kunstnerleksikon (Encyclopaedia of Norwegian Artists in English), published in 1982–1986 and subsequently digitised in 2013. With the help of other public collections in Norway, the purpose is to make the new resource as complete as possible and available in both human- and machine-readable formats. Although the original paper publication contains biographical texts as well as lists of exhibitions, education, travels, publications and more, the data in the new authority list will be constrained to a set of core biographical data. It will however carry references to online biographical resources such as Norsk Kunstnerleksikon (NKL), Wikidata, Union List of Artist Names (ULAN) and Virtual International Authority File (VIAF). This article discusses the process of defining the scope of and setting constraints for the list, how to enrich and reconcile existing data, as well as strategies to ensure that other institutions contribute both as content publishers and end users. It will also shed light on issues concerning keeping such a resource updated and maintained.
Left-Behind Children and Risk of Unintentional Injury in Rural China—A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Ma Sha , Jiang Minmin , Wang Feng , Lu Jingjing , Li Lu , Hesketh Therese
Published: February 2019

Unintentional injury is the leading cause of childhood death and disability in many countries worldwide. This study aimed to quantify rates and risk factors for childhood unintentional injury in areas of rural China, where many children are left behind by migrant worker parents. We administered a questionnaire to children aged 9 to 15, in 56 schools in five counties in Zhejiang and Guizhou provinces. Of the 3791 respondents, 44% lived with both parents, 23% with one parent, and 33% with neither. Around half the children (47.9%) had suffered at least one unintentional injury in the past year, with burns (26%), animal bites (20%) and mechanical injury (18%) the most common. Left-behind children had no increased risk of unintentional injury, but children living in poorer Guizhou (p = 0.001), of divorced parents (p = 0.02), and less well-educated mothers (p = 0.02) were associated with higher risk. Virtual absence of personal level risk factors highlights the importance of addressing environmental risk to reduce childhood injury. The findings have informed a community-based intervention to reduce injury risk through raising awareness of environmental hazards, and through removal of specific hazards. Importantly, the Chinese government should ensure that known effective interventions are subject to legislation and enforcement.
A Qualitative Study to Understand the Potential Efficacy of an Information-Based Sugar Reduction Intervention among Low Socioeconomic Individuals in the UK
Authors: Forde Hannah , Solomon-Moore Emma
Published: February 2019

Sugar consumption in the UK consistently exceeds recommendations, despite the association it has with poor health outcomes. Low socioeconomic groups are most likely to over-consume sugar, which could exacerbate existing health disparities. Various interventions attempt to reduce the amount of sugar consumed, but their effectiveness is still unclear. This study qualitatively explored the sugar consumption behaviours of individuals experiencing food poverty, and examined how an information-based sugar reduction intervention might influence these behaviours. Eight clients and six volunteers from a food bank in Bristol (UK) completed semi-structured, one-to-one interviews that were thematically analysed. Food bank clients appeared to heavily consume sugar, with little understanding of the associated health effects and limited awareness of the intervention. Consumption behaviours were particularly influenced by personal and psychological factors, such as mental health; in addition to social factors, like familial behaviours and food access issues. It emerged that food bank clients’ often-challenging personal circumstances were likely to promote their sugar consumption. Making intervention materials visually appealing and easily comprehendible were found to be important for improving an intervention’s reception. Recommendations were developed to improve the efficacy of similar information-based sugar reduction interventions among socioeconomically deprived groups.
New Polymer Inclusion Membrane Containing β-Cyclodextrin Polymer: Application for Pharmaceutical Pollutant Removal from Waste Water
Authors: Moulahcene Lamia , Skiba Mohamed , Bounoure Frederic , Benamor Mohamed , Milon Nicolas , Hallouard Francois , Lahiani-Skiba Malika
Published: February 2019

We present herein the preparation of novel polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) containing insoluble β-CD polymer as a carrier, polyvinyl chloride as a base polymer, and dibuthylphtalate (DBP) as a plasticizer in varying proportions. The prepared PIMs can be obtained by a simple, fast, and high-yield preparation process. Physicochemical characterizations of such membranes occurred in a homogeneous structure. In addition, Fourier-transform infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis found that DBP was inserted between these polymeric chains by non-covalent interactions. This led to a spacing of PVC/poly(β-cyclodextrin) chains inducing a better access of guest molecules to PIM cyclodextrins. To achieve the elimination of ibuprofen and progesterone, two examples of emerging environmental contaminants that can lead to possible alterations to aquatic environments and affect human health, the effect of three operating parameters was studied (pH, the proportion of β-cyclodextrin polymer, and wastewater agitation). The proportion of β-cyclodextrin polymer and wastewater agitation had a favorable influence on drug extraction at 10 ppm. The PIMs containing β-cyclodextrin polymer was unstable in basic conditions and was more effective at acidic pH. These initial results demonstrate the high potential for drug extraction of this polymer.
Water Environmental Capacity Calculated Based on Point and Non-Point Source Pollution Emission Intensity under Water Quality Assurance Rates in a Tidal River Network Area
Authors: Chen Lina , Han Longxi , Tan Junyi , Zhou Mengtian , Sun Mingyuan , Zhang Yi , Chen Bo , Wang Chenfang , Liu Zixin , Fan Yubo
Published: February 2019

A mathematical model for simulating hydrodynamics and pollutants migration in a tidal river network was constructed, which takes the temporal and spatial distribution of rainfall runoff and non-point pollutants into consideration. Under the design hydrologic conditions of a typical hydrological year, the daily concentration change process for the control section is obtained. Aiming at the uncertainty of hydrology and water quality parameters such as flow direction, flow rate and concentration change in tidal river network area, a statistical analysis method is used to obtain the maximum allowable concentration of pollutants in the control section under the condition of the water quality standard assurance rate of. Then, a formula for calculating the pollutions emission intensity of point and non-point sources is derived. The method was applied to the pollution source control in a typical region like Taihu in China.
Has ‘Too Big To Fail’ Been Solved? A Longitudinal Analysis of Major U.S. Banks
Authors: Thosar Satish , Schwandt Bradley
Published: February 2019

In the wake of the global financial crisis that erupted in 2008, there has been extensive commentary and regulatory focus on the ‘Too Big to Fail’ issue. In this paper, we survey the proposed solutions and regulatory initiatives that have been undertaken. We conduct a longitudinal analysis of major U.S. banks in four discrete time periods: pre-crisis (2005–2007), crisis (2008–2010), post-crisis (2011–2013) and normalcy (2014–2016). We find that risk metrics such as leverage and volatility which spiked during the crisis have reverted to pre-crisis levels and there has been improvement in the proportion of equity capital available to cushion against asset value deterioration. However, banks have grown in size and it does not appear as if their business models have been redirected toward more traditional lending activities. We believe that it is premature to conclude that ‘Too Big to Fail” has been solved, but macro-prudential regulation is now much more effective and, consequently, banks are on a considerably sounder footing since the depths of the crisis.
Atomic-Approach to Predict the Energetically Favored Composition Region and to Characterize the Short-, Medium-, and Extended-Range Structures of the Ti-Nb-Al Ternary Metallic Glasses
Authors: Cai Bei , Liu Jianbo , Li Jiahao , Yang Menghao , Liu Baixin
Published: February 2019

Ab initio calculations were conducted to assist the construction of the n-body potential of the Ti-Nb-Al ternary metal system. Applying the constructed Ti-Nb-Al interatomic potential, molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations were performed to predict a quadrilateral composition region, within which metallic glass was energetically favored to be formed. In addition, the amorphous driving force of those predicted possible glassy alloys was derived and an optimized composition around Ti15Nb45Al40 was pinpointed, implying that this alloy was easier to be obtained. The atomic structure of Ti-Nb-Al metallic glasses was identified by short-, medium-, and extended-range analysis/calculations, and their hierarchical structures were responsible to the formation ability and unique properties in many aspects.
Investigation of the Impacts of Thermal Shock on Carbon Composite Materials
Authors: Wei Wenfu , Song Yijun , Yang Zefeng , Gao Guoqiang , Xu Pan , Lu Ming , Tu Chuanjun , Chen Mingli , Wu Guangning
Published: February 2019

Carbon composite is widely used in various fields, including the aerospace industry, electrical engineering, transportation engineering, etc. For electrified railways, the pantograph strip utilizes carbon composite as the current collector, which might bear multiple impacts from electrical, mechanical, or thermal aspects, from unwanted arcing, rain, and other diverse operation conditions. In this paper, a thermal shock damage experiment on the carbon composite of a pantograph strip was carried out. The thermal shock processes were realized by the adoption of muffle furnace heating and water cooling. The effect of thermal shock processes on carbon strip porosity, compressive strength, electrical resistivity, and surface topography were studied. In order to verify the mechanism of thermal shock damage to the pantograph strip, the porosity of the pantograph strip is discussed in detail. The results showed that the thermal shock process increased the porosity of the carbon strip and caused reductions in compressive strength and electrical resistivity. The multiple thermal shock processes caused irreversible damage to the pantograph strip, which was attributed to the spillover and scouring of large quantities of water vapor in the pores.
Investigation of Self-Assembly and Charge-Transport Property of One-dimensional PDI8-CN2 Nanowires by Solvent-Vapor Annealing
Authors: Xu Haixiao , Jin Jianqun , Zhang Jing , Sheng Peng , Li Yu , Yi Mingdong , Huang Wei
Published: February 2019

One-dimensional (1D) nanowires have attracted great interest, while air-stable n-type 1D nanowires still remain scarce. Herein, we present solvent-vapor annealing (SVA) made nanowires based on perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI) derivative. It was found that the spin-coated thin films reorganized into nanowires distributed all over the substrate, as a result of the following solvent-vapor annealing effect. Cooperating with the atomic force microscopy and fluorescence microscopy characterization, the PDI8-CN2 molecules were supposed to conduct a long-range and entire transport to form the 1D nanowires through the SVA process, which may guarantee its potential morphology tailoring ability. In addition, the nanowire-based transistors displayed air stable electron mobility reaching to 0.15 cm2 V−1 s−1, attributing to effective in situ reassembly. Owing to the broader application of organic small-molecule nanowires, this work opens up an attractive approach for exploring new high-performance micro- and nanoelectronics.
Experimental Investigation on Columns of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete with Recycled Aggregates under Large Eccentric Compression Load
Authors: Li Changyong , Geng Haibin , Deng Caiheng , Li Bingchen , Zhao Shunbo
Published: February 2019

To improve the structural application of steel fiber-reinforced concrete with recycled aggregates (SFRC-RA) composited in gradation by large-particle natural coarse aggregate and small-particle recycled coarse aggregate, the large eccentric compression behavior of eight SFRC-RA columns was experimentally investigated in this paper. The main parameters considered were the strength of the SFRC-RA and the volume fraction of the steel fiber. Details about the sectional concrete strain, the longitudinal steel bar strain, the lateral displacement, the cracking load, the crack distribution and crack width, and the ultimate load of the SFRC-RA columns were measured. The beneficial effects of steel fiber on these attributes were discussed, and the ductility corresponding to the lateral displacement of the SFRC-RA columns was also analyzed. Based on the test results and design principles, formulas were proposed for predicting the cracking resistance, crack width, and lateral displacement of SFRC-RA columns in a normal service state. The ultimate loads of the SFRC-RA columns under a large eccentric compression load were calculated, considering the second-order effects.
Hybrid Composite-Metal Stack Drilling with Different Minimum Quantity Lubrication Levels
Authors: Fernández-Pérez J. , Cantero J. L. , Díaz-Álvarez J. , Miguélez M. H.
Published: February 2019

Hybrid stack drilling is a very common operation used in the assembly of high-added-value components, which combines the use of composite materials and metallic alloys. This process entails the complexity of machining very dissimilar materials, simultaneously, on account of the interactions that are produced between them, during machining. This study analyzed the influence of Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) on the performance of diamond-coated carbide tools when drilling Ti/carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP)/Ti stacks. The main wear mechanism observed was diamond-coating detachment, followed by fragile breaks in the main cutting-edge. The tests done with the lower lubrication levels have shown an important adhesion of titanium (mainly on the secondary cutting-edge) and a higher friction between the tool and the workpiece, producing higher temperatures on the cutting region and a thermal softening effect on the workpiece. These phenomena affect the evolution of cutting power consumption with tool wear in the titanium layer. Regarding the quality of the test specimen, no significant differences were observed between the lubrication levels tested.
Comparison of the Cracking Behavior of Powder Metallurgy and Ingot Metallurgy Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-3Cr Alloys during Hot Deformation
Authors: Zhao Qinyang , Yang Fei , Torrens Rob , Bolzoni Leandro
Published: February 2019

The hot workability of metallic materials is significantly dependent on its ability to form plastic without cracking and fracturing. In this work, the cracking behavior of powder metallurgy (PM) Ti-5Al-5Mo-5V-3Cr (Ti-5553) alloy, consolidated from powder mixture, at a deformation temperature range of 600 °C–850 °C and strain rate of 0.1 s−1–10 s−1, was investigated through isothermal compression tests. The cracking behavior of the as-cast ingot metallurgy (IM) Ti-5553 alloy, at a deformation temperature of 700 °C was also investigated for comparison. Results suggested that the PM Ti-5553 alloy had a better hot workability, with a larger cracking-free processing window, and a lower deformation resistance than the IM counterpart. 45° shear fracture occurred in the PM alloy, compressed at the condition of 600 °C/10 s−1, and edge cracking was observed at the 700 °C/10 s−1. 45° shear fracture was also significant in the IM alloy specimen tested at 700 °C/10 s−1, and all the other IM alloy specimens compressed at 700 °C displayed longitudinal cracking. Moreover, the microscopic cracking observation showed that ductile dimple cracking can be found in the IM alloy, but brittle cleavage fracture was dominant in the cracking surface of PM alloy with a relatively low cracking ductility.
Characteristics of a Novel Manganese Superoxide Dismutase of a Hadal Sea Cucumber (Paelopatides sp.) from the Mariana Trench
Authors: Li Yanan , Kong Xue , Zhang Haibin
Published: February 2019

A novel, cold-adapted, and acid-base stable manganese superoxide dismutase (Ps-Mn-SOD) was cloned from hadal sea cucumber Paelopatides sp. The dimeric recombinant enzyme exhibited approximately 60 kDa in molecular weight, expressed activity from 0 °C to 70 °C with an optimal temperature of 0 °C, and resisted wide pH values from 2.2–13.0 with optimal activity (> 70%) at pH 5.0–12.0. The Km and Vmax of Ps-Mn-SOD were 0.0329 ± 0.0040 mM and 9112 ± 248 U/mg, respectively. At tested conditions, Ps-Mn-SOD was relatively stable in divalent metal ion and other chemicals, such as β-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, Tween 20, Triton X-100, and Chaps. Furthermore, the enzyme showed striking stability in 5 M urea or 4 M guanidine hydrochloride, resisted digestion by proteases, and tolerated a high hydrostatic pressure of 100 MPa. The resistance of Ps-Mn-SOD against low temperature, extreme acidity and alkalinity, chemicals, proteases, and high pressure make it a potential candidate in biopharmaceutical and nutraceutical fields.
Micro-Surface and -Interfacial Tensions Measured Using the Micropipette Technique: Applications in Ultrasound-Microbubbles, Oil-Recovery, Lung-Surfactants, Nanoprecipitation, and Microfluidics
Authors: Needham David , Kinoshita Koji , Utoft Anders
Published: February 2019

This review presents a series of measurements of the surface and interfacial tensions we have been able to make using the micropipette technique. These include: equilibrium tensions at the air-water surface and oil-water interface, as well as equilibrium and dynamic adsorption of water-soluble surfactants and water-insoluble and lipids. At its essence, the micropipette technique is one of capillary-action, glass-wetting, and applied pressure. A micropipette, as a parallel or tapered shaft, is mounted horizontally in a microchamber and viewed in an inverted microscope. When filled with air or oil, and inserted into an aqueous-filled chamber, the position of the surface or interface meniscus is controlled by applied micropipette pressure. The position and hence radius of curvature of the meniscus can be moved in a controlled fashion from dimensions associated with the capillary tip (~5–10 μm), to back down the micropipette that can taper out to 450 μm. All measurements are therefore actually made at the microscale. Following the Young–Laplace equation and geometry of the capillary, the surface or interfacial tension value is simply obtained from the radius of the meniscus in the tapered pipette and the applied pressure to keep it there. Motivated by Franklin’s early experiments that demonstrated molecularity and monolayer formation, we also give a brief potted-historical perspective that includes fundamental surfactancy driven by margarine, the first use of a micropipette to circuitously measure bilayer membrane tensions and free energies of formation, and its basis for revolutionising the study and applications of membrane ion-channels in Droplet Interface Bilayers. Finally, we give five examples of where our measurements have had an impact on applications in micro-surfaces and microfluidics, including gas microbubbles for ultrasound contrast; interfacial tensions for micro-oil droplets in oil recovery; surface tensions and tensions-in-the surface for natural and synthetic lung surfactants; interfacial tension in nanoprecipitation; and micro-surface tensions in microfluidics.
Association of Nutritional Factors with Hearing Loss
Authors: Jung Su Young , Kim Sang Hoon , Yeo Seung Geun
Published: February 2019

Hearing loss (HL) is a major public health problem. Nutritional factors can affect a variety of diseases, such as HL, in humans. Thus far, several studies have evaluated the association between nutrition and hearing. These studies found that the incidence of HL was increased with the lack of single micro-nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, D and E, and zinc, magnesium, selenium, iron and iodine. Higher carbohydrate, fat, and cholesterol intake, or lower protein intake, by individuals corresponded to poorer hearing status. However, higher consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids corresponded to better hearing status of studied subjects. In addition to malnutrition, obesity was reported as a risk factor for HL. In studies of the relationship between middle ear infection and nutrition in children, it was reported that lack of vitamins A, C and E, and zinc and iron, resulted in poorer healing status due to vulnerability to infection. These studies indicate that various nutritional factors can affect hearing. Therefore, considering that multifactorial nutritional causes are responsible, in part, for HL, provision of proper guidelines for maintaining a proper nutritional status is expected to prevent some of the causes and burden of HL.
A Newly Integrated Model for Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption and Efflux Reappraises How Plant Sterol Intake Reduces Circulating Cholesterol Levels
Authors: Nakano Takanari , Inoue Ikuo , Murakoshi Takayuki
Published: February 2019

Cholesterol homeostasis is maintained through a balance of de novo synthesis, intestinal absorption, and excretion from the gut. The small intestine contributes to cholesterol homeostasis by absorbing and excreting it, the latter of which is referred to as trans-intestinal cholesterol efflux (TICE). Because the excretion efficiency of endogenous cholesterol is inversely associated with the development of atherosclerosis, TICE provides an attractive therapeutic target. Thus, elucidation of the mechanism is warranted. We have shown that intestinal cholesterol absorption and TICE are inversely correlated in intestinal perfusion experiments in mice. In this review, we summarized 28 paired data sets for absorption efficiency and fecal neutral sterol excretion, a surrogate marker of TICE, obtained from 13 available publications in a figure, demonstrating the inverse correlation were nearly consistent with the assumption. We then offer a bidirectional flux model that accommodates absorption and TICE occurring in the same segment. In this model, the brush border membrane (BBM) of intestinal epithelial cells stands as the dividing ridge for cholesterol fluxes, making the opposite fluxes competitive and being coordinated by shared BBM-localized transporters, ATP-binding cassette G5/G8 and Niemann-Pick C1-like 1. Furthermore, the idea is applied to address how excess plant sterol/stanol (PS) intake reduces circulating cholesterol level, because the mechanism is still unclear. We propose that unabsorbable PS repeatedly shuttles between the BBM and lumen and promotes concomitant cholesterol efflux. Additionally, PSs, which are chemically analogous to cholesterol, may disturb the trafficking machineries that transport cholesterol to the cell interior.
Protein Intake Estimated from Brief-Type Self-Administered Diet History Questionnaire and Urinary Urea Nitrogen Level in Adolescents
Authors: Okuda Masayuki , Asakura Keiko , Sasaki Satoshi
Published: February 2019

Our aim was to assess the validity of the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ15y) to estimate the protein intake in 248 Japanese secondary school students (mean age = 14.2 years), using urinary biomarkers as references. Participants provided three samples of overnight urine for measurement of urea nitrogen and creatinine levels, underwent anthropometric measurements, and answered the questionnaires. Additionally, 58 students provided 24-h urine specimens. A significant correlation was observed between excretion of urea nitrogen in overnight and 24-h urine specimens (ρ = 0.527; p < 0.001), with biases ≤5.8%. The mean daily protein intake estimated from urinary biomarkers was 76.4 ± 20.4 g/d in males and 65.4 ± 16.9 g/d in females, and the mean protein intake estimated from the BDHQ15y (PRTbdhq) was 89.3 ± 33.7 g/d in males and 79.6 ± 24.6 g/d in females. Crude and energy-adjusted coefficients of correlation between PRTbdhq and protein intake estimated from urinary biomarkers were 0.205 (p = 0.001; 0.247 for males and 0.124 for females), and 0.204 (p = 0.001; 0.302 for males and 0.109 for females), respectively. The BDHQ15y is a low-cost tool to assess protein intake of a large population, instead of a weakness of overestimation.
Improved Dissolution and Oral Bioavailability of Valsartan Using a Solidified Supersaturable Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery System Containing Gelucire® 44/14
Authors: Shin Dong Jun , Chae Bo Ram , Goo Yoon Tae , Yoon Ho Yub , Kim Chang Hyun , Sohn Se Il , Oh Dongho , Lee Ahram , Song Seh Hyon , Choi Young Wook
Published: February 2019

To improve the dissolution and oral bioavailability of valsartan (VST), we previously formulated a supersaturable self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SuSMED) composed of Capmul® MCM (oil), Tween® 80 (surfactant), Transcutol® P (cosurfactant), and Poloxamer 407 (precipitation inhibitor) but encountered a stability problem (Transcutol® P-induced weight loss in storage) after solidification. In the present study, replacing Transcutol® P with Gelucire® 44/14 resulted in a novel SuSMED formulation, wherein the total amount of surfactant/cosurfactant was less than that of the previous formulation. Solidified SuSMED (S-SuSMED) granules were prepared by blending VST-containing SuSMED with selective solid carriers, L-HPC and Florite® PS-10, wherein VST existed in an amorphous state. S-SuSMED tablets fabricated by direct compression with additional excipients were sufficiently stable in terms of drug content and impurity changes after 6 months of storage at accelerated conditions (40 ± 2 °C and 75 ± 5% relative humidity). Consequently, enhanced dissolution was obtained (pH 1.2, 2 h): 6-fold for S-SuSMED granules against raw VST; 2.3-fold for S-SuSMED tablets against Diovan® (reference tablet). S-SuSMED tablets increased oral bioavailability in rats (10 mg/kg VST dose): approximately 177–198% versus raw VST and Diovan®. Therefore, VST-loaded S-SuSMED formulations might be good candidates for practical development in the pharmaceutical industry.
Electrostatic-Interaction-Driven Assembly of Binary Hybrids towards Fire-Safe Epoxy Resin Nanocomposites
Authors: Liu Lu , Wang Wei , Shi Yongqian , Fu Libi , Xu Lulu , Yu Bin
Published: February 2019

Manganese dioxide (MnO2), as a promising green material, has recently attracted considerable attention of researchers from various fields. In this work, a facile method was introduced to prepare binary hybrids by fabricating three-dimensional (3D) zinc hydroxystannate (ZHS) cubes on two-dimensional (2D) MnO2 nanosheets towards excellent flame retardancy and toxic effluent elimination of epoxy (EP) resin. Microstructural analysis confirmed that the morphologies and structures of MnO2@ZHS binary hybrids were well characterized, implying the successful synthesis. Additionally, the morphological characterization indicated that MnO2@ZHS binary hybrids could achieve satisfactory interfacial interaction with the EP matrix and be well dispersed in nanocomposites. Cone calorimeter test suggested that MnO2@ZHS binary hybrids effectively suppressed the peak of heat release rate and total heat release of EP nanocomposites, performing better than MnO2 or ZHS alone. Condensed-phase analysis revealed that MnO2@ZHS binary hybrids could promote the char density and graphitization degree of char residues and thereby successfully retard the permeation of oxygen and flammable gases. Moreover, through the analysis of gas phase, it can be concluded that MnO2@ZHS binary hybrids could efficiently suppress the production of toxic gases during the degradation of EP nanocomposites. This work implies that the construction of 2D/3D binary hybrids with an interfacial interaction is an effective way to fabricate high-performance flame retardants for EP.
Eco-Innovation in Reusing Food By-Products: Separation of Ovalbumin from Salted Egg White Using Aqueous Two-Phase System of PEG 1000/(NH4)2SO4
Authors: Jiang Bin , Na Jiaxin , Wang Lele , Li Dongmei , Liu Chunhong , Feng Zhibiao
Published: February 2019

For the purpose of reducing pollution and the rational use of salted egg white, which is a byproduct of the manufacturing process of salted egg yolk, an aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) composed of polyethylene glycols (PEG 1000) and (NH4)2SO4 was investigated to selectively separate ovalbumin (OVA) from salted egg white. With the aim of optimizing the selective separation of OVA using ATPS, a response surface method (RSM) experiment was carried out on the basis of a single-factor experiment. The OVA was characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE), reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), liquid chromatography-nano electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (Nano LC-ESI-MS/MS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Under the optimal conditions, the recovery yield of OVA through ATPS (Y) and the purity of OVA (P) could reach 89.25% and 96.28%, respectively. In conclusion, OVA was successfully separated from the salted egg white by PEG/(NH4)2SO4 ATPS.
Design and Synthesis of a Cyclic Double-Grafted Polymer Using Active Ester Chemistry and Click Chemistry via A “Grafting onto” Method
Authors: Liu Meng , Yin Lu , Zhang Shuangshuang , Zhang Zhengbiao , Zhang Wei , Zhu Xiulin
Published: February 2019

Combing active ester chemistry and click chemistry, a cyclic double-grafted polymer was successfully demonstrated via a “grafting onto” method. Using active ester chemistry as post-functionalized modification approach, cyclic backbone (c-P2) was synthesized by reacting propargyl amine with cyclic precursor (poly(pentafluorophenyl 4-vinylbenzoate), c-PPF4VB6.5k). Hydroxyl-containing polymer double-chain (l-PS-PhOH) was prepared by reacting azide-functionalized polystyrene (l-PSN3) with 3,5-bis(propynyloxy)phenyl methanol, and further modified by azide group to generate azide-containing polymer double-chain (l-PS-PhN3). The cyclic backbone (c-P2) was then coupled with azide-containing polymer double-chain (l-PS-PhN3) via CuAAC reaction to construct a novel cyclic double-grafted polymer (c-P2-g-Ph-PS). This research realized diversity and complexity of side chains on cyclic-grafted polymers, and this cyclic double-grafted polymer (c-P2-g-Ph-PS) still exhibited narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn < 1.10).
John Muir and the Botanical Oversoul
Authors: Powell Russell C.
Published: February 2019

The relation of influence between Ralph Waldo Emerson and John Muir helps to illuminate Muir’s characteristic brand of nature religion, namely his mysticism. This relation is especially clear, I argue, in both Emerson and Muir’s writing on their mystical affinities for plant life. Applying Harold Bloom’s renowned theory of literary influence, I draw lessons from Emerson and Muir’s mystical writings to highlight the ways in which Muir acquired from Emerson the plant-related vocabularies and practices that came to mediate his nature-inspired mysticism and also how Muir can be said to have surpassed Emerson’s own mystical example, thus opening new vistas of consciousness in human–plant relations in the nineteenth-century American religious experience.
An Overall Evaluation of Water Transparency in Lake Malawi from MERIS Data
Authors: Vundo Augusto , Matsushita Bunkei , Jiang Dalin , Gondwe Mangaliso , Hamzah Rossi , Setiawan Fajar , Fukushima Takehiko
Published: February 2019

Lake Malawi is an important water resource in Africa. However, there is no routine monitoring of water quality in the lake due to financial and institutional constraints in the surrounding countries. A combination of satellite data and a semi-analytical algorithm can provide an alternative for routine monitoring of water quality, especially in developing countries. In this study, we first compared the performance of two semi-analytical algorithms, Doron11 and Lee15, which can estimate Secchi disk depth (SD) from satellite data in Lake Malawi. Our results showed that even though the SD estimations from the two algorithms were very highly correlated, the Lee15 outperformed the Doron11 in Lake Malawi with high estimation accuracy (RMSE = 1.17 m, MAPE = 18.7%, R = 0.66, p < 0.05). We then evaluated water transparency in Lake Malawi using the SD values estimated from nine years of Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) data (2003–2011) with the Lee15 algorithm. Results showed that Lake Malawi maintained four water transparency levels throughout the study period (i.e., level 1: SD > 12 m; level 2: SD between 6–12 m; level 3: SD between 3–6 m; level 4: SD between 1.5–3 m). The level 1 and 2 water areas tended to shift or trade places depending on year or season. In contrast, level 3 and 4 water areas were relatively stable and constantly distributed along the southwestern and southern lakeshores. In general, Lake Malawi is dominated by waters with SD values larger than 6 m (>95%). This study represents the first overall and comprehensive analysis of water transparency status and spatiotemporal variation in Lake Malawi.
Satellite-Based Assessment of Grassland Conversion and Related Fire Disturbance in the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
Authors: Hess Katherine A. , Cullen Cheila , Cobian-Iñiguez Jeanette , Ramthun Jacob S. , Lenske Victor , Magness Dawn R. , Bolten John D. , Foster Adrianna C. , Spruce Joseph
Published: February 2019

Spruce beetle-induced (Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby)) mortality on the Kenai Peninsula has been hypothesized by local ecologists to result in the conversion of forest to grassland and subsequent increased fire danger. This hypothesis stands in contrast to empirical studies in the continental US which suggested that beetle mortality has only a negligible effect on fire danger. In response, we conducted a study using Landsat data and modeling techniques to map land cover change in the Kenai Peninsula and to integrate change maps with other geospatial data to predictively map fire danger for the same region. We collected Landsat imagery to map land cover change at roughly five-year intervals following a severe, mid-1990s beetle infestation to the present. Land cover classification was performed at each time step and used to quantify grassland encroachment patterns over time. The maps of land cover change along with digital elevation models (DEMs), temperature, and historical fire data were used to map and assess wildfire danger across the study area. Results indicate the highest wildfire danger tended to occur in herbaceous and black spruce land cover types, suggesting that the relationship between spruce beetle damage and wildfire danger in costal Alaskan forested ecosystems differs from the relationship between the two in the forests of the coterminous United States. These change detection analyses and fire danger predictions provide the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (KENWR) ecologists and other forest managers a better understanding of the extent and magnitude of grassland conversion and subsequent change in fire danger following the 1990s spruce beetle outbreak.
Multilayer Soil Moisture Mapping at a Regional Scale from Multisource Data via a Machine Learning Method
Authors: Zeng Linglin , Hu Shun , Xiang Daxiang , Zhang Xiang , Li Deren , Li Lin , Zhang Tingqiang
Published: February 2019

Soil moisture mapping at a regional scale is commonplace since these data are required in many applications, such as hydrological and agricultural analyses. The use of remotely sensed data for the estimation of deep soil moisture at a regional scale has received far less emphasis. The objective of this study was to map the 500-m, 8-day average and daily soil moisture at different soil depths in Oklahoma from remotely sensed and ground-measured data using the random forest (RF) method, which is one of the machine-learning approaches. In order to investigate the estimation accuracy of the RF method at both a spatial and a temporal scale, two independent soil moisture estimation experiments were conducted using data from 2010 to 2014: a year-to-year experiment (with a root mean square error (RMSE) ranging from 0.038 to 0.050 m3/m3) and a station-to-station experiment (with an RMSE ranging from 0.044 to 0.057 m3/m3). Then, the data requirements, importance factors, and spatial and temporal variations in estimation accuracy were discussed based on the results using the training data selected by iterated random sampling. The highly accurate estimations of both the surface and the deep soil moisture for the study area reveal the potential of RF methods when mapping soil moisture at a regional scale, especially when considering the high heterogeneity of land-cover types and topography in the study area.