bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suplementação com probióticos para intolerância a lactose: uma revisão narrativa
Authors: Marchezan Sinara Terezinha , Mendes Roberta Hack
Published: April 2019

Â A intolerância a lactose (IL) primária costuma se manifestar a partir dos 3-4 anos, com prevalência variando conforme etnia e idade. Lactose é um dissacarí­deo encontrado no leite dos mamí­feros em quantidade variável, em torno de 2-8% do volume de leite, com variações conforme as espécies. O quadro clí­nico conhecido popularmente como IL caracteriza-se por diminuição parcial ou total da atividade da enzima lactase na mucosa do intestino delgado dos indiví­duos acometidos pela doença. Esta revisão tem por objetivo pautar o tratamento adequado para intolerância í  lactose, dando ênfase ao efeito da suplementação com probióticos. O possí­vel papel dos probióticos na IL não é completamente compreendido. As culturas bacterianas podem beneficiar indiretamente o hospedeiro, fornecendo enzima lactase para o intestino delgado. Lise das bactérias por ácidos biliares permite que a lactase seja administrada, o que hidrolisa lactose, permitindo a absorção do componente glicose e açúcares de galactose. Existem evidências na literatura que justificam o uso de algumas cepas especí­ficas na terapia destes pacientes. No entanto, mais estudos clí­nicos randomizados são necessários para verificar as possí­veis interferências do tratamento com probióticos na saúde humana a longo prazo.Palavras-chave: intolerância a lactose, probióticos, microbioma intestinal.
The study of Economic Complexity and GDP Effect on Inflation Rate and Income Inequality in Persian Gulf States 2002 -2015
Authors: Sharif Moghadasi Leila
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of economic complexity and gross domestic product (GDP) on inflation rate and income inequality between 2002 and 2015. The statistical population of this research is Persian Gulf states, and independent variables are economic complexity and GDP and dependent variables are inflation rate and income inequality. The present research is an applied research and is essentially a descriptive research, and also in terms of methodology, it is considered as a correlational research. The theoretical literature and subjective history and research data collection had been done using library method and document mining method, respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistics have been used to describe and summarize the collected data. Firstly, variance heterogeneity pre-tests, F lemmer test, Hausman test and Jarque-Bera test were used to for analyzing data and then multivariate regression test and Eviews software were used to confirm and reject the research hypotheses. The results of the research show that economic complexity and GDP have a positive and significant effect on inflation rate, while economic complexity and GDP have a negative effect on income inequality.
TINJAUAN YURIDIS MENGENAI BATASAN ANTARA PERBUATAN MALADMINISTRASI DENGAN TINDAK PIDANA KORUPSI
Authors: Guslan Odie Faiz
Published: April 2019

The aim of this resecearch is to determine about the limitations between the act of goverment officials (bestuurhandelingen) that inflict state financial loss qualified as a maladministration or a corruption offence. The research method used is Juridical Normative. The result of the study show that, not every act of goverment officials that inflict state financial loss qualified as a corruption offence. In determine of the limits between maladministration act and corruption offence, the government officials must avoid itself from acts of discretion that containing the nuances of criminal law such as: cheating (deceit), manipulation, mispresentation, concealment of facts, breach of trust, subterfuge, or illegal circumvention.
PERBEDAAN PENGETAHUAN, SIKAP DAN KETERAMPILAN SEBELUM DAN SESUDAH PEMBENTUKAN SERDADU JENTIK DI SD NEGERI DALAM PENCEGAHAN DEMAM BERDARAH DENGUE
Authors: Ramadhani Wella Sahrei , . Darwel , . Wijayantono
Published: April 2019

This research is quantitative and carried out using the research design of one group Pre test posttest. The research sample was 4th grade students who became small doctors in 7 elementary schools in Surau Gadang Village. Implementation of research November - December 2018. Primary data obtained directly from filling out the research questionnaire by sample. Based on these results it can be concluded that there are differences in knowledge, attitudes and skills before and after the formation of larvae soldiers in Public Elementary Schools in the Prevention of DHF Cases in Surau Gadang Sub-District, Nanggalo District, Padang City in 2018. It is expected that the school will complete facilities such as flashlights. School Health Business Teachers supervise larva soldiers once a week. For DHF program holders the Health center can continue the DHF counseling activities to schools once a month and provide leaflets and posters about DHF
Growing Trial of Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) Juveniles Fed on Chironomid Meal as a Partial Substitution for Fish Meal
Authors: Roncarati Alessandra , Cappuccinelli Roberto , Meligrana Marina C.T. , Anedda Roberto , Uzzau Sergio , Melotti Paolo
Published: April 2019

Insect meal derived from chironomid larvae and collected from aquatic environments was included in the feed of gilthead sea bream juveniles (75 ± 1.1 g) in a growth trial of 90 days. Three feeds, which were namely one control (L1) and two experimental diets (L2, L3), were analyzed and formulated as isonitrogenous (45%) and isolipidic (13%). In L1, the protein source was mainly soybean meal (32%), followed by fish meal (20%), wheat meal (20%), gluten corn (17%), and hemoglobin (11%). In L2, the proportion of soybean meal was increased (33.5%), followed by gluten corn (21%), wheat meal (14%), and hemoglobin (11%), whereas the fish meal source was reduced (15%) due to the inclusion of chironomids (5%). In L3, the proportion of fish meal was further reduced (8%) and that of chironomid meal was increased to 10% of the protein source. The L2 and L3 groups showed similar growth performances with respect to the L1 group. The feed conversion rate was favorable in all the groups, ranging from 1.18 (L1) to 1.22 (L3). Survival rates varied from 93.62% (L3) to 94.31% (L1). Feed palatability showed similar results for all diets. Although the inclusion of chironomid meal was used in small quantities, our results suggest a significant advantage in replacing 50% of the fish meal with the chironomid meal for growing gilthead sea bream fishes.
Role of the Angiogenic Factors in Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Mancinelli Romina , Mammola Caterina Loredana , Sferra Roberta , Pompili Simona , Vetuschi Antonella , Pannarale Luigi
Published: April 2019

Angiogenesis plays a fundamental role in tumor growth and progression. It is regulated by several growth factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor protein family (VEGF) and its receptors, which are probably the most important factors responsible for the development of new vessels. The VEGF family includes several members: VEGF-A, VEGF-B, VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGF-E, placental growth factor (PlGF), and their receptors VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3. Other relevant factors are represented by angiopoietins, thrombospondin-1, and endothelins. However, since the therapeutic benefit associated with VEGF-targeted therapy is really complex, a better understanding of these pathways will lead to future advances in the use of these agents for clinic management of tumors. Here we present a review regarding the role of angiogenic factors in cholangiocarcinoma, which arise from cholangiocytes, the epithelial cells of bile ducts. They are rare and aggressive neoplasms with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options, classified as intrahepatic, perihilar, and distal cholangiocarcinoma based on their anatomical location. Therefore, the identification of specific signaling pathways or new tumor biomarkers is crucial in order to develop more effective anti-angiogenic therapies.
Analysis of Causal Relationships for Nutrient Removal of Activated Sludge Process Based on Structural Equation Modeling Approaches
Authors: Kim Yejin , Lee Seulah , Cho Yeongdae , Kim Minsoo
Published: April 2019

The removal process of activated sludge in sewage treatment plants is very nonlinear, and removal performance has a complex causal relationship depending on environmental factors, influent load, and operating factors. In this study, how causal relationships are expressed in collected data was identified by structural equation modeling. First, path modeling was attempted as a preliminary step in structural equation model (SEM) construction and, as a result, the nutrient-removal mechanism could not be sufficiently represented as a direct causal relationship between measured variables. However, as a result of the deduced SEMs for effluent total nitrogen (T-N) and total phosphorus (T–P) concentrations, accompanied by exploratory factor analysis to extract latent variables, a causal network was formed that describes the direct or indirect effect of the latent factors and measured variables. Hereby, this study suggests that it is possible to construct an SEM explaining the nutrient-removal mechanism of the activated-sludge process with latent variables. Moreover, nonlinear features embedded in the mechanism could be represented by SEM, which is a model based on linearity, by including causal relations and variables that were not derived by path analysis. This attempt to model the direct and indirect causalities of the process could enhance the understanding of the process, and help decision making such as changing the driving conditions that would be required.
Comparison of the Point-Collocation Non-Intrusive Polynomial (NIPC) and Non-Intrusive Spectral Projection (NISP) Methods for the

γ
−

R
θ

Transition Model
Authors: Nguyen Thanh Hoai , Chang Kyoungsik
Published: April 2019

In the present work, a comparative study of two major non-intrusive polynomial chaos methods, Point-Collocation Non-Intrusive Polynomial Chaos (NIPC) and Non-Intrusive Spectral Projection (NISP), was conducted for the transitional γ − R θ transitional model. Three multiple model coefficients, Ca2, Ce1, and Ce2 were considered with multiple random inputs with the assumption of uniform distributions with ±10% deviation. The target transitional flows were one around a flat plate and Aerospatiale A-airfoil. Deterministic solutions were obtained by employing the open source software OpenFOAM. The results of two methods were compared to the results of Monte Carlo simulation with 500 runs. The order convergence of the mean value and the standard deviation (STD) were compared in terms of the quantities of interest, drag and lift coefficients. Further, the most effective model coefficient for each transitional flow could be found through the calculation of the Sobol index.
On-Orbit Polarization Calibration for Multichannel Polarimetric Camera
Authors: Liu Mingxin , Zhang Xin , Liu Tao , Shi Guangwei , Wang Lingjie , Li Yi
Published: April 2019

In this paper, a new on-orbit polarization calibration method for the multichannel polarimetric camera is presented. A polarization calibration model for the polarimetric camera is proposed by taking analysis of the polarization radiation transmission process. In order to get the polarization parameters in the calibration model, an on-orbit measurement scheme is reported, which uses a solar diffuser and a built-in rotatable linear analyzer. The advantages of this scheme are sharing the same calibration assembly with the radiometric calibration and acquiring sufficient polarization accuracy. The influence of the diffuser for the measurement is analyzed. By using a verification experiment, the proposed method can achieve on-orbit polarization calibration. The experimental results show that the relative deviation for the measured degree of linear polarization is 0.8% at 670 nm, which provides a foundation for the accurate application of polarimetric imaging detection.
Image Recovery with Data Missing in the Presence of Salt-and-Pepper Noise
Authors: Liu Hongqing , Hou Liming , Luo Zhen , Zhou Yi , Jing Xiaorong , Truong Trieu-Kien
Published: April 2019

In this paper, an image recovery problem under the case of salt-and-pepper noise and data missing that degrade image quality is addressed if they are not effectively handled, where the salt-and-pepper noise as the impulsive noise is remodeled as a sparse signal due to its impulsiveness and the data missing pattern, denoted by a sparse vector, contains only zeros and ones to formulate the data missing. In particular, the salt-and-pepper noise and data missing are reformatted by their sparsity, respectively. The wavelet and framelet domains are explored to sparsely represent the image in order to accurately reconstruct the clean image. From the reformulations conducted and to recover the image, under one optimization framework, a joint estimation is developed to perform the image recovery, the salt-and-pepper noise suppression, and the missing patter estimation. To solve the optimization problem, two efficient solvers are developed to obtain the joint estimation solution, and they are based on the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) and accelerated proximal gradient (APG). Finally, numerical studies verify that the joint estimation algorithm outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches in terms of both objective and subjective evaluation standards.
Recent Advances in Ultrafast Structural Techniques
Authors: Sciaini Germán
Published: April 2019

A review that summarizes the most recent technological developments in the field of ultrafast structural dynamics with focus on the use of ultrashort X-ray and electron pulses follows. Atomistic views of chemical processes and phase transformations have long been the exclusive domain of computer simulators. The advent of femtosecond (fs) hard X-ray and fs-electron diffraction techniques made it possible to bring such a level of scrutiny to the experimental area. The following review article provides a summary of the main ultrafast techniques that enabled the generation of atomically resolved movies utilizing ultrashort X-ray and electron pulses. Recent advances are discussed with emphasis on synchrotron-based methods, tabletop fs-X-ray plasma sources, ultrabright fs-electron diffractometers, and timing techniques developed to further improve the temporal resolution and fully exploit the use of intense and ultrashort X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) pulses.
Investigation on Smoke Flow in Stairwells induced by an Adjacent Compartment Fire in High Rise Buildings
Authors: Zhang Jun , Weng Jingwen , Zhou Tiannian , Ouyang Dongxu , Chen Qinpei , Wei Ruichao , Wang Jian
Published: April 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the transport phenomena of smoke flow and vertical temperature distribution in a 21-story stairwell with multiple fire locations and openings. A large eddy simulation (LES) method was used to model the smoke flow in a stairwell model with a set of simulation parameters, wherein the fire heat release rate (HRR) and fire location were varied. Based on the results, a wall attachment effect was found in three-dimensional figures. Moreover, with an increase in the fire HRR, the effects were more pronounced. The simulation results verified that the vertical temperature distribution is an index model with a natural logarithm, where the pre-finger factor and attenuation coefficient increase considerably in accordance with an increase in the fire HRR. Moreover, there was a decrease in the maximum temperature (Tm) with an increase in the fire location factor (h*) due to the upward thermal smoke. Moreover, heat mainly accumulates in the area above a fire source. However, h* has a slight influence on the time required to reach Tm within the range of 53–64 s. Furthermore, the direction of the airflow at each side opening in the stairwell varied in accordance with the variation in the fire location changes, and a regular calculation was carried out.
Chemical Characteristics of PM2.5 and Water-Soluble Organic Nitrogen in Yangzhou, China
Authors: Chen Yuntao , Chen Yanfang , Xie Xinchun , Ye Zhaolian , Li Qing , Ge Xinlei , Chen Mindong
Published: April 2019

Chemical characterization of fine atmospheric particles (PM2.5) is important for effective reduction of air pollution. This work analyzed PM2.5 samples collected in Yangzhou, China, during 2016. Ionic species, organic matter (OM), elemental carbon (EC), and trace metals were determined, and an Aerodyne soot-particle aerosol mass spectrometer (SP-AMS) was introduced to determine the OM mass, rather than only organic carbon mass. We found that inorganic ionic species was dominant (~52%), organics occupied about 1/4, while trace metals (~1%) and EC (~2.1%) contributed insignificantly to the total PM2.5 mass. Water-soluble OM appeared to link closely with secondary OM, while water-insoluble OM correlated well with primary OM. The PM2.5 concentrations were relatively low during summertime, while its compositions varied little among different months. Seasonal variations of water-soluble organic nitrogen (WSON) concentrations were not significant, while the mass contributions of WSON to total nitrogen were remarkably high during summer and autumn. WSON was found to associate better with secondary sources based on both correlation analyses and principle component analyses. Analyses of potential source contributions to WSON showed that regional emissions were dominant during autumn and winter, while the ocean became relatively important during spring and summer.
Generalized Z-Grid Model for Numerical Weather Prediction
Authors: Xie Yuanfu
Published: April 2019

Z-grid finite volume models conserve all-scalar quantities as well as energy and potential enstrophy and yield better dispersion relations for shallow water equations than other finite volume models, such as C-grid and C-D grid models; however, they are more expensive to implement. During each time integration, a Z-grid model must solve Poisson equations to convert its vorticity and divergence to a stream function and velocity potential, respectively. To optimally utilize these conversions, we propose a model in which the stability and possibly accuracy on the sphere are improved by introducing more stencils, such that a generalized Z-grid model can utilize longer time-integration steps and reduce computing time. Further, we analyzed the proposed model’s dispersion relation and compared it to that of the original Z-grid model for a linearly rotating shallow water equation, an important property for numerical models solving primitive equations. The analysis results suggest a means of balancing stability and dispersion. Our numerical results also show that the proposed Z-grid model for a shallow water equation is more stable and efficient than the original Z-grid model, increasing the time steps by more than 1.4 times.
New Solar Metallicity Measurements
Authors: Vagnozzi Sunny
Published: April 2019

In the past years, a systematic downward revision of the metallicity of the Sun has led to the “solar modeling problem”, namely the disagreement between predictions of standard solar models and inferences from helioseismology. Recent solar wind measurements of the metallicity of the Sun, however, provide once more an indication of a high-metallicity Sun. Because of the effects of possible residual fractionation, the derived value of the metallicity Z ⊙ = 0.0196 ± 0.0014 actually represents a lower limit to the true metallicity of the Sun. However, when compared with helioseismological measurements, solar models computed using these new abundances fail to restore agreement, owing to the implausibly high abundance of refractory (Mg, Si, S, Fe) elements, which correlates with a higher core temperature and hence an overproduction of solar neutrinos. Moreover, the robustness of these measurements is challenged by possible first ionization potential fractionation processes. I will discuss these solar wind measurements, which leave the “solar modeling problem” unsolved.
Pricing Compound and Extendible Options under Mixed Fractional Brownian Motion with Jumps
Authors: Shokrollahi Foad
Published: April 2019

This study deals with the problem of pricing compound options when the underlying asset follows a mixed fractional Brownian motion with jumps. An analytic formula for compound options is derived under the risk neutral measure. Then, these results are applied to value extendible options. Moreover, some special cases of the formula are discussed, and numerical results are provided.
A Multifunctional Wearable Device with a Graphene/Silver Nanowire Nanocomposite for Highly Sensitive Strain Sensing and Drug Delivery
Authors: Shi Ge , Liu Tianqing , Kopecki Zlatko , Cowin Allison , Lee Ivan , Pai Jing-Hong , Lowe Sean E. , Zhong Yu Lin
Published: April 2019

Advances in wearable, highly sensitive and multifunctional strain sensors open up new opportunities for the development of wearable human interface devices for various applications such as health monitoring, smart robotics and wearable therapy. Herein, we present a simple and cost-effective method to fabricate a multifunctional strain sensor consisting of a skin-mountable dry adhesive substrate, a robust sensing component and a transdermal drug delivery system. The sensor has high piezoresisitivity to monitor real-time signals from finger bending to ulnar pulse. A transdermal drug delivery system consisting of polylactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles and a chitosan matrix is integrated into the sensor and is able to release the nanoparticles into the stratum corneum at a depth of ~60 µm. Our approach to the design of multifunctional strain sensors will lead to the development of cost-effective and well-integrated multifunctional wearable devices.
Pathological and Molecular Features of Glioblastoma and Its Peritumoral Tissue
Authors: D’Alessio Alessio , Proietti Gabriella , Sica Gigliola , Scicchitano Bianca Maria
Published: April 2019

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and lethal human brain tumors. At present, GBMs are divided in primary and secondary on the basis of the mutational status of the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) genes. In addition, IDH1 and IDH2 mutations are considered crucial to better define the prognosis. Although primary and secondary GBMs are histologically indistinguishable, they retain distinct genetic alterations that account for different evolution of the tumor. The high invasiveness, the propensity to disperse throughout the brain parenchyma, and the elevated vascularity make these tumors extremely recidivist, resulting in a short patient median survival even after surgical resection and chemoradiotherapy. Furthermore, GBM is considered an immunologically cold tumor. Several studies highlight a highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that promotes recurrence and poor prognosis. Deeper insight into the tumor immune microenvironment, together with the recent discovery of a conventional lymphatic system in the central nervous system (CNS), led to new immunotherapeutic strategies. In the last two decades, experimental evidence from different groups proved the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), also known as tumor-initiating cells, that may play an active role in tumor development and progression. Recent findings also indicated the presence of highly infiltrative CSCs in the peritumoral region of GBM. This region appears to play a key role in tumor growing and recurrence. However, until recently, few studies investigated the biomolecular characteristics of the peritumoral tissue. The aim of this review is to recapitulate the pathological features of GBM and of the peritumoral region associated with progression and recurrence.
Immunology of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Solid Tumors: A Brief Review
Authors: Koucký Vladimír , Bouček Jan , Fialová Anna
Published: April 2019

The immune response, both innate and adaptive, is a key player in cancer development and progression. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are a subset of dendritic cells that play one of the central roles in the immune system. They are known mostly as the major IFN type I-producing cells upon stimulation of Toll-like receptors 7 and 9. However, based on current knowledge, the functionality of pDCs is very complex, as they have the ability to affect many other cell types. In the context of the tumor tissue, pDCs were mostly described to show substantial functional defects and therefore contribute to the establishement of immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Immunotherapeutic approaches have proven to be one of the most promising treatment strategies in the last decade. In view of this fact, it is crucial to map the complexity of the tumor microenvironment in detail, including less numerous cell types. This review focuses on pDCs in relation to solid tumors. We provide a summary of current data on the role of pDCs in different tumor types and suggest their possible clinical applications.
Combined Targeting of Estrogen Receptor Alpha and XPO1 Prevent Akt Activation, Remodel Metabolic Pathways and Induce Autophagy to Overcome Tamoxifen Resistance
Authors: Kulkoyluoglu-Cotul Eylem , Smith Brandi Patrice , Wrobel Kinga , Chen Zhao Yiru , Chen Karen Lee Ann , Hieronymi Kadriye , Imir Ozan Berk , Duong Kevin , O’Callaghan Caitlin , Mehta Aditi , Sahoo Sunati , Haley Barbara , Chang Hua , Landesman Yosef , Madak-Erdogan Zeynep
Published: April 2019

A majority of breast cancer specific deaths in women with ERα (+) tumors occur due to metastases that are resistant to endocrine therapy. There is a critical need for novel therapeutic approaches to resensitize recurrent ERα (+) tumors to endocrine therapies. The objective of this study was to elucidate mechanisms of improved effectiveness of combined targeting of ERα and the nuclear transport protein XPO1 in overcoming endocrine resistance. Selinexor (SEL), an XPO1 antagonist, has been evaluated in multiple late stage clinical trials in patients with relapsed and/or refractory hematological and solid tumor malignancies. Our transcriptomics analysis showed that 4-Hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT), SEL alone or their combination induced differential Akt signaling- and metabolism-associated gene expression profiles. Western blot analysis in endocrine resistant cell lines and xenograft models validated differential Akt phosphorylation. Using the Seahorse metabolic profiler, we showed that ERα-XPO1 targeting changed the metabolic phenotype of TAM-resistant breast cancer cells from an energetic to a quiescent profile. This finding demonstrated that combined targeting of XPO1 and ERα rewired the metabolic pathways and shut down both glycolytic and mitochondrial pathways that would eventually lead to autophagy. Remodeling metabolic pathways to regenerate new vulnerabilities in endocrine resistant breast tumors is novel, and given the need for better strategies to improve therapy response in relapsed ERα (+) tumors, our findings show great promise for uncovering the role that ERα-XPO1 crosstalk plays in reducing cancer recurrences.
Synthesis and Characterization of Te Nanotubes Decorated with Pt Nanoparticles for a Fuel Cell Anode/Cathode Working at a Neutral pH
Authors: Guascito Maria Rachele , Chirizzi Daniela , Filippo Emanuela , Milano Francesco , Tepore Antonio
Published: April 2019

In fuel-cell technology development, one of the most important objectives is to minimize the amount of Pt, the most employed material as an oxygen reduction and methanol oxidation electro-catalyst. In this paper, we report the synthesis and characterization of Te nanotubes (TeNTs) decorated with Pt nanoparticles, readily prepared from stirred aqueous solutions of PtCl2 containing a suspension of TeNTs, and ethanol acting as a reducing agent, avoiding the use of any hydrophobic surfactants such as capping stabilizing substance. The obtained TeNTs decorated with Pt nanoparticles (TeNTs/PtNPs) have been fully characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area diffraction patterns (SAD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). We demonstrated that the new material can be successfully employed in fuel cells, either as an anodic (for methanol oxidation reaction) or a cathodic (for oxygen reduction reaction) electrode, with high efficiency in terms of related mass activities and on-set improvement. Remarkably, the cell operates in aqueous electrolyte buffered at pH 7.0, thus, avoiding acidic or alkaline conditions that might lead to, for example, Pt dissolution (at low pH), and paving the way for the development of biocompatible devices and on-chip fuel cells.
Differences in the Catalytic Behavior of Au-Metalized TiO2 Systems During Phenol Photo-Degradation and CO Oxidation
Authors: Laguna Oscar H. , Murcia Julie J. , Rojas Hugo , Jaramillo-Paez Cesar , Navío Jose A. , Hidalgo Maria C.
Published: April 2019

For this present work, a series of Au-metallized TiO2 catalysts were synthesized and characterized in order to compare their performance in two different catalytic environments: the phenol degradation that occurs during the liquid phase and in the CO oxidation phase, which proceeds the gas phase. The obtained materials were analyzed by different techniques such as XRF, SBET, XRD, TEM, XPS, and UV-Vis DRS. Although the metallization was not totally efficient in all cases, the amount of noble metal loaded depended strongly on the deposition time. Furthermore, the differences in the amount of loaded gold were important factors influencing the physicochemical properties of the catalysts, and consequently, their performances in the studied reactors. The addition of gold represented a considerable increase in the phenol conversion when compared with that of the TiO2, despite the small amount of noble metal loaded. However, this was not the case in the CO oxidation reaction. Beyond the differences in the phase where the reaction occurred, the loss of catalytic activity during the CO oxidation reaction was directly related to the sintering of the gold nanoparticles.
Segregation of Nickel/Iron Bimetallic Particles from Lanthanum Doped Strontium Titanates to Improve Sulfur Stability of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Anodes
Authors: Steiger Patrick , Burnat Dariusz , Kröcher Oliver , Heel Andre , Ferri Davide
Published: April 2019

Perovskite derived Ni catalysts offer the remarkable benefit of regeneration after catalyst poisoning or Ni particle growth through the reversible segregation of Ni from the perovskite-type oxide host. Although this property allows for repeated catalyst regeneration, improving Ni catalyst stability towards sulfur poisoning by H2S is highly critical in solid oxide fuel cells. In this work Mn, Mo, Cr and Fe were combined with Ni at the B-site of La0.3Sr0.55TiO3±δ to explore possible benefits of segregation of two transition metals towards sulfur tolerance. Catalytic activity tests towards the water gas shift reaction were carried out to evaluate the effect of the additional metal on the catalytic activity and sulfur stability of the Ni catalyst. The addition of Fe to the Ni perovskite catalyst was found to increase sulfur tolerance. The simultaneous segregation of Fe and Ni from La0.3Sr0.55Ti0.95-xNi0.05FexO3±δ (x ≤ 0.05) was investigated by temperature programmed reduction, X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy and catalytic tests after multiple redox cycles. It is shown that catalytic properties of the active phase were affected likely by the segregation of Ni/Fe alloy particles and that the reversible segregation of Ni persisted, while it was limited in the case of Fe under the same conditions.
Multiple Lines of Evidences Reveal Mechanisms Underpinning Mercury Resistance and Volatilization by Stenotrophomonas sp. MA5 Isolated from the Savannah River Site (SRS), USA
Authors: Agarwal Meenakshi , Rathore Rajesh Singh , Jagoe Charles , Chauhan Ashvini
Published: April 2019

A largely understudied microbially mediated mercury (Hg) bioremediative pathway includes the volatilization of Hg2+ to Hg0. Therefore, studies on Hg resistant bacteria (HgR), isolated from historically long-term contaminated environments, can serve as models to understand mechanisms underpinning Hg cycling. Towards this end, a mercury resistant bacterial strain, identified as Stenotrophomonas sp., strain MA5, was isolated from Mill Branch on the Savannah River Site (SRS); an Hg-impacted ecosystem. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) analysis showed Hg resistance of up to 20 µg/mL by MA5 with 95% of cells retaining viability. Microcosm studies showed that the strain depleted more than 90% of spiked Hg2+ within the first 24 h of growth and the detection of volatilized mercury indicated that the strain was able to reduce Hg2+ to Hg0. To understand molecular mechanisms of Hg volatilization, a draft whole genome sequence was obtained, annotated and analyzed, which revealed the presence of a transposon-derived mer operon (merRTPADE) in MA5, known to transport and reduce Hg2+ into Hg0. Based on the whole genome sequence of strain MA5, qRT-PCR assays were designed on merRTPADE, we found a ~40-fold higher transcription of mer T, P, A, D and E when cells were exposed to 5 µg/mL Hg2+. Interestingly, strain MA5 increased cellular size as a function of increasing Hg concentrations, which is likely an evolutionary response mechanism to cope with Hg stress. Moreover, metal contaminated environments are shown to co-select for antibiotic resistance. When MA5 was screened for antibiotic resistance, broad resistance against penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, ampicillin, rifampicin, and erythromycin was found; this correlated with the presence of multiple gene determinants for antibiotic resistance within the whole genome sequence of MA5. Overall, this study provides an in-depth understanding of the underpinnings of Stenotrophomonas-mercury interactions that facilitate cellular survival in a contaminated soil habitat.
Small-Molecule Host-Defense Peptide Mimetic Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents Activate Human and Mouse Mast Cells via Mas-Related GPCRs
Authors: Alkanfari Ibrahim , Freeman Katie B. , Roy Saptarshi , Jahan Tahsin , Scott Richard W. , Ali Hydar
Published: April 2019

Host-defense peptides (HDPs) have an important therapeutic potential against microbial infections but their metabolic instability and cellular cytotoxicity have limited their utility. To overcome these limitations, we utilized five small-molecule, nonpeptide HDP mimetics (smHDPMs) and tested their effects on cytotoxicity, antimicrobial activity, and mast cell (MC) degranulation. None of the smHDPMs displayed cytotoxicity against mouse 3T3 fibroblasts or human transformed liver HepG2 cells. However, one compound had both antifungal and antibacterial activity. Surprisingly, all five compounds induced degranulation in a human MC line, LAD2, and this response was substantially reduced in Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-X2 (MRGPRX2)-silenced cells. Furthermore, all five compounds induced degranulation in RBL-2H3 cells expressing MRGPRX2 but this response was abolished in cells expressing naturally occurring loss-of-function missense variants G165E (rs141744602) and D184H (rs372988289). Mrgprb2 is the likely mouse ortholog of human MRGPRX2, which is expressed in connective tissue MCs (CTMCs) such as cutaneous and peritoneal MCs (PMCs). All five smHDPMs induced degranulation in wild-type PMCs but not in cells derived from Mrgprb2−/− mice. These findings suggest that smHDPMs could serve as novel targets for the treatment of drug-resistant fungal and bacterial infections because of their ability to harness CTMCs’ host defense functions.
Mathematical Modeling of The Challenge to Detect Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Early with Biomarkers
Authors: Root Alex
Published: April 2019

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive tumor type and is usually detected at late stage. Here, mathematical modeling is used to assess the feasibility of two-step early detection with biomarkers, followed by confirmatory imaging. A one-compartment model of biomarker concentration in blood was parameterized and analyzed. Tumor growth models were generated from two competing genomic evolution models: gradual tumor evolution and punctuated equilibrium. When a biomarker is produced by the tumor at moderate-to-high secretion rates, both evolutionary models indicate that early detection with a blood-based biomarker is feasible and can occur approximately one and a half years before the limit of detection by imaging. Early detection with a blood-based biomarker is at the borderline of clinical utility when biomarker secretion rates by the tumor are an order of magnitude lower and the fraction of biomarker entering the blood is also lower by an order of magntidue. Regardless of whether tumor evolutionary dynamics follow the gradual model or punctuated equilibrium model, the uncertainty in production and clearance rates of molecular biomarkers is a major knowledge gap, and despite significant measurement challenges, should be a priority for the field. The findings of this study provide caution regarding the feasibility of early detection of pancreatic cancer with blood-based biomarkers and challenge the community to measure biomarker production and clearance rates.
Design Considerations of a Simplified Multiple Dividing Wall Column Pilot Plant
Authors: Preißinger Ulrich , Ränger Lena-Marie , Grützner Thomas
Published: April 2019

This contribution elaborates the design considerations of a simplified version of a four-product multiple dividing wall column in pilot plant scale that will be built at Ulm University. This will be the first realization of a multiple dividing wall column worldwide. A detailed simulation approach, starting from the initialization by Vmin-method, is presented to obtain a feasible design of the column, taking into account the constraints of the operation within a university environment. The operating point was found by simulation studies, using the integrated optimization tool of AspenPlus© V10. It is shown that an NQ-curve can be applied on simplified multiple dividing wall columns. Based on the determined operating point, the thermodynamic and the fluid dynamic design of the pilot plant are discussed in detail. It is shown that the designed column can be operated to obtain all products with a purity of at least 98 mol%.
Trends in Food Insecurity and SNAP Participation among Immigrant Families of U.S.-Born Young Children
Authors: Bovell-Ammon Allison , Ettinger de Cuba Stephanie , Coleman Sharon , Ahmad Nayab , Black Maureen M. , Frank Deborah A. , Ochoa Eduardo , Cutts Diana B.
Published: April 2019

Immigrant families are known to be at higher risk of food insecurity compared to non-immigrant families. Documented immigrants in the U.S. <5 years are ineligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Immigration enforcement, anti-immigrant rhetoric, and policies negatively targeting immigrants have increased in recent years. Anecdotal reports suggest immigrant families forgo assistance, even if eligible, related to fear of deportation or future ineligibility for citizenship. In the period of January 2007–June 2018, 37,570 caregivers of young children (ages 0–4) were interviewed in emergency rooms and primary care clinics in Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, and Little Rock. Food insecurity was measured using the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Security Survey Module. Overall, 21.4% of mothers were immigrants, including 3.8% in the U.S. <5 years (“<5 years”) and 17.64% ≥ 5 years (“5+ years”). SNAP participation among <5 years families increased in the period of 2007–2017 to 43% and declined in the first half of 2018 to 34.8%. For 5+ years families, SNAP participation increased to 44.7% in 2017 and decreased to 42.7% in 2018. SNAP decreases occurred concurrently with rising child food insecurity. Employment increased 2016–2018 among U.S.-born families and was stable among immigrant families. After steady increases in the prior 10 years, SNAP participation decreased in all immigrant families in 2018, but most markedly in more recent immigrants, while employment rates were unchanged.
Modeling the Impact of Climate Change on Water Availability in the Zarrine River Basin and Inflow to the Boukan Dam, Iran
Authors: Emami Farzad , Koch Manfred
Published: April 2019

The impacts of climate change on the water availability of Zarrine River Basin (ZRB), the headwater of Lake Urmia, in western Iran, with the Boukan Dam, are simulated under various climate scenarios up to year 2029, using the SWAT hydrological model. The latter is driven by meteorological variables predicted from MPI-ESM-LR-GCM (precipitation) and CanESM2-GCM (temperature) GCM models with RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 climate scenarios, and downscaled with Quantile Mapping (QM) bias-correction and SDSM, respectively. From two variants of QM employed, the Empirical-CDF-QM model decreased the biases of raw GCM- precipitation predictors particularly strongly. SWAT was then calibrated and validated with historical (1981–2011) ZR-streamflow, using the SWAT-CUP model. The subsequent SWAT-simulations for the future period 2012–2029 indicate that the predicted climate change for all RCPs will lead to a reduction of the inflow to Boukan Dam as well as of the overall water yield of ZRB, mainly due to a 23–35% future precipitation reduction, with a concomitant reduction of the groundwater baseflow to the main channel. Nevertheless, the future runoff-coefficient shows a 3%, 2% and 1% increase, as the −2% to −26% decrease of the surface runoff is overcompensated by the named precipitation decrease. In summary, based on these predictions, together with the expecting increase of demands due to the agricultural and other developments, the ZRB is likely to face a water shortage in the near future as the water yield will decrease by −17% to −39%, unless some adaptation plans are implemented for a better management of water resources.
Macrophage in vitro Response on Hybrid Coatings Obtained by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation
Authors: Icriverzi Madalina , Rusen Laurentiu , Brajnicov Simona , Bonciu Anca , Dinescu Maria , Cimpean Anisoara , Evans Robert W. , Dinca Valentina , Roseanu Anca
Published: April 2019

The improvement in the research area of the implant by surface functionalization when correlated with the biological response is of major interest in the biomedical field. Based on the fact that the inflammatory response is directly involved in the ultimate response of the implant within the body, it is essential to study the macrophage-material interactions. Within this context, we have investigated the composite material-macrophage cell interactions and the inflammatory response to these composites with amorphous hydroxyapatite (HA), Lactoferrin (Lf), and polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone (PEG-PCL) copolymer. All materials are obtained by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) technique and characterized by Atomic Force Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Macrophage-differentiated THP-1 cells proliferation and metabolic activity were assessed by qualitative and quantitative methods. The secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) cytokine, in the presence and absence of the inflammatory stimuli (bacterial endotoxin; lipopolysaccharide (LPS)), was measured using an ELISA assay. Our results revealed that the cellular response depended on the physical-chemical characteristics of the coatings. Copolymer-HA-Lf coatings led to low level of pro-inflammatory TNF-α, the increased level of anti-inflammatory IL-10, and the polarization of THP-1 cells towards an M2 pro-reparative phenotype in the presence of LPS. These findings could have important potential for the development of composite coatings in implant applications.
Using the Data-Compression Method for Studying Hunting Behavior in Small Mammals
Authors: Reznikova Zhanna , Levenets Jan , Panteleeva Sofia , Novikovskaya Anna , Ryabko Boris , Feoktistova Natalia , Gureeva Anna , Surov Alexey
Published: April 2019

Using the data-compression method we revealed a similarity between hunting behaviors of the common shrew, which is insectivorous, and several rodent species with different types of diet. Seven rodent species studied displayed succinct, highly predictable hunting stereotypes, in which it was easy for the data compressor to find regularities. The generalist Norway rat, with its changeable manipulation of prey and less predictable transitions between stereotype elements, significantly differs from other species. The levels of complexities of hunting stereotypes in young and adult rats are similar, and both groups had no prior experience with the prey, so one can assume that it is not learning, but rather the specificity of the organization of the stereotype that is responsible for the nature of the hunting behavior in rats. We speculate that rodents possess different types of hunting behaviors, one of which is based on a succinct insectivorous standard, and another type, perhaps characteristic of generalists, which is less ordered and is characterized by poorly predictable transitions between elements. We suggest that the data-compression method may well be more broadly applicable to behavioral analysis.
Nonlinear Effects of Three-Level Neutral-Point Clamped Inverter on Speed Sensorless Control of Induction Motor
Authors: Li Peifei , Zhang Lei , Ouyang Bin , Liu Yong
Published: April 2019

In the model reference adaptive speed observer, the induction motor supply voltage is used as the input of the reference model. However, measuring the supply voltage complicates the system and increases the cost, so the command voltage calculated by the controller is generally used instead of the actual supply voltage in the drive system. However, due to the nonlinear effects of the inverter, the voltage calculated by the controller is different from the actual supply voltage, resulting in a speed observation deviation. This paper analyzes the multiple effects that cause the three-level neutral-point clamped (TL-NPC) inverter output voltage and command voltage deviation. A voltage deviation compensation measure based on the volt-second balance principle is proposed. In this context, the expression of the rotational speed deviation caused by the voltage deviation is derived rigorously and in detail. Finally, the effectiveness of the voltage compensation measure is verified by experiments. The experimental results are basically consistent with the theoretical derivation expressions. The method and analysis in this paper is applicable to induction motor speed sensorless control systems driven by two-level and other multilevel inverters.
Exact Performance Analysis of Amplify-and-Forward Bidirectional Relaying over Nakagami-m Fading Channels with Arbitrary Parameters
Authors: Qin Dong , Wang Yuhao , Zhou Tianqing
Published: April 2019

The exact performance of amplify-and-forward (AF) bidirectional relay systems is studied in generalized and versatile Nakagami-m fading channels, where the parameter m is an arbitrary positive number. We consider three relaying modes: two, three, and four time slot bidirectional relaying. Closed form expressions of the moment generating function (MGF), higher order moments of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), ergodic capacity, and average signal error probability (SEP) are derived, which are different from previous works. The obtained expressions are very concise, easy to calculate, and evaluated instantaneously without a complex summation operation, in contrast to the nested multifold numerical integrals and truncated infinite series expansions used in previous work, which lead to computational inefficiency, especially when the fading parameter m increases. Simulation results corroborate the correctness and tightness of the theoretical analysis.