bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in the Development of Internal Reproductive Organs, Feeding Amount and Nutrient Storage between Pre-Diapause and Pre-Reproductive Harmonia axyridis Adults
Authors: Gao Qiao , Wei Bing-Xin , Liu Wen , Wang Jia-Lu , Zhou Xing-Miao , Wang Xiao-Ping
Published: August 2019

Diapause control is one of the successful methods for long-term cold storage of biological control organisms without decreasing their fitness. Sufficient preparation before diapause is essential for successful diapause initiation and maintenance. Harmonia axyridis, an important biocontrol agent in its native place, can enter reproductive diapause for overwintering. However, the key preparatory events before diapause in H. axyridis, such as specific developmental trajectory, timing, and physiological changes, remain unclear. We compared differences in the development of internal reproductive organs, feeding amount and nutrient storage between pre-diapause and pre-reproductive adult H. axyridis which had been reared at 20 °C under a short-day (10L:14D) and long-day (14L:10D) condition, respectively. The results showed that there were obvious morphological differences in internal reproductive organs of diapause and reproductive H. axyridis. The development of internal reproductive organs was suppressed at early adult stage in pre-diapause beetles compared to pre-reproductive beetles. Feeding amount in both pre-diapause and pre-reproductive beetles increased for more than ten days after eclosion. The feeding amount of pre-diapause beetles sharply decreased from the 15th day after eclosion in females and the 14th day after eclosion in males, which implied the initiation of diapause. During the pre-diapause stage, carbohydrates and lipids were mainly accumulated by females, whereas males mainly accumulated carbohydrates. Our results not only provide basic information about the diapause process of pre-diapause stage, but also give tips to better utilization of diapause strategy during mass production and storage of H. axyridis.
Absorbed Dose Evaluation in Radioiodine Therapy with Different Approaches
Authors: Mazzaglia Stefania , Stella Giuseppe , Barone Tonghi Letizia , Tuvé Cristina N. , Politi Giuseppe , Pellegriti Gabriella , Gueli Anna M.
Published: August 2019

The main approach to differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) therapy is still empiric, consisting of the administration of fixed activities. Repeated treatments, however, may have a stunning effect. An individualized dosimetric study may represent an important tool to determine the best activity to prescribe, in particular for patients with distant metastases or when therapy with recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH) stimulation is deemed necessary. This study provides a practical operational example for carrying out a dosimetric study, according to the European Directive EURATOM/59/13. Starting from the case of a patient who underwent rhTSH stimulation before radioiodine ablation, we illustrate the necessity of measuring both red marrow (RM) and blood (BL) absorbed dose during the treatment in order to not exceed the dose limit of 2 Gy to the RM, so as to avoid repeating radioiodine treatment several times. Dosimetry to the RM and BL was performed during the treatments, after administration of therapeutic activity without modifying the fixed activity schema, using different approaches. The results suggest the possibility of restricting the number of treatments, reducing thus the risk of stunning effect and, where possible, eliminating an additional source of stress and dejection for patients.
Cardiac Fibroblast p38 MAPK: A Critical Regulator of Myocardial Remodeling
Authors: Turner Neil A. , Blythe Nicola M.
Published: August 2019

The cardiac fibroblast is a remarkably versatile cell type that coordinates inflammatory, fibrotic and hypertrophic responses in the heart through a complex array of intracellular and intercellular signaling mechanisms. One important signaling node that has been identified involves p38 MAPK; a family of kinases activated in response to stress and inflammatory stimuli that modulates multiple aspects of cardiac fibroblast function, including inflammatory responses, myofibroblast differentiation, extracellular matrix turnover and the paracrine induction of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. This review explores the emerging importance of the p38 MAPK pathway in cardiac fibroblasts, describes the molecular mechanisms by which it regulates the expression of key genes, and highlights its potential as a therapeutic target for reducing adverse myocardial remodeling.
The Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Crocetin for Myopia Control in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Mori Kiwako , Torii Hidemasa , Fujimoto Satoko , Jiang Xiaoyan , Ikeda Shin-ichi , Yotsukura Erisa , Koh Shizuka , Kurihara Toshihide , Nishida Kohji , Tsubota Kazuo
Published: August 2019

The prevalence of myopia has been increasing in recent years. The natural carotenoid crocetin has been reported to suppress experimental myopia in mice. We evaluated the effects of crocetin on myopia suppression in children. A multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed with 69 participants aged 6 to 12 years, whose cycloplegic spherical equivalent refractions (SER) were between −1.5 and −4.5 diopter (D). The participants were randomized to receive either a placebo or crocetin and followed up for 24 weeks. Axial length (AL) elongation and changes in SER were evaluated for 24 weeks. Both written informed assent from the participants and written informed consent from legal guardians were obtained in this study because the selection criteria of this trial included children aged between 6 and 12 years old. This trial was approved by the institutional review boards. A mixed-effects model was used for analysis, using both eyes. Two participants dropped out and 67 children completed this trial. The change in SER in the placebo group, −0.41 ± 0.05 D (mean ± standard deviation), was significantly more myopic compared to that in the crocetin group, −0.33 ± 0.05 D (p = 0.049). The AL elongation in the placebo group, 0.21 ± 0.02 mm, was significantly bigger than that in the crocetin group, 0.18 ± 0.02 mm (p = 0.046). In conclusion, dietary crocetin may have a suppressive effect on myopia progression in children, but large-scale studies are required in order to confirm this effect.
Correlation of Rh Particle Size with CO Chemisorption: Effect on the Catalytic Oxidation of MTBE
Authors: Cervantes Uribe Adrián , Del Angel Montes Gloria Alicia , Torres-Torres Gilberto , Vázquez-Zavala Armando , González-García Federico , Cordero-García Adrián , Ojeda-López Reyna
Published: August 2019

This study was conducted to identify the correlation between the CO chemisorption (linear interaction and gem dicarbonyl) and the specific size of rhodium particles, and further to determine the influence of this relationship on the catalytic oxidation reaction of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE). During the synthesis, first, TiO2 was developed by the sol-gel method under acidic conditions. Second, Rh was deposited (1 wt %) by the incipient wetness impregnation method. Later, with the aim of controlling the particle size, the Rh/TiO2 materials were crystallized at different reduction conditions during 3 h heat treatment. The results obtained by TEM micrographs indicated that the average particle size varies between 1.0 and 8.1 nm, depending on the conditions of heat treatment. From the histogram analysis of each TEM micrograph, two correlations were made: (i) the gem-dicarbonyl interaction was typical of Rh particles ≤ 1.5 nm, and (ii) a linear interaction, bridged interaction and dentate interaction were observed in particles ≥ 1.6 nm. The gem-dicarbonyl interaction (particle size ≤ 1.5 nm) was the most active in the oxidation reaction of MTBE.
Inversion of HF Radar Doppler Spectra Using a Neural Network
Authors: Hardman Rachael L. , Wyatt Lucy R.
Published: August 2019

For a number of decades, coastal HF radar has been used to remotely measure ocean surface parameters, including waves, at distances exceeding 100 km. The information, which has value in many ocean engineering applications, is obtained using the HF radar cross-section, which relates the directional ocean spectrum to the received radar signal, through a nonlinear integral equation. The equation is impossible to solve analytically, for the ocean spectrum, and a number of numerical methods are currently used. In this study, a neural network is trained to infer the directional ocean spectrum from HF radar Doppler spectra. The neural network is trained and tested on simulated radar data and then validated with data collected off the coast of Cornwall, where there are two HF radars and a wave buoy to provide the sea-truth. Key ocean parameters are derived from the estimated directional spectra and then compared with the values measured by both the wave buoy and an existing inversion method. The results are encouraging; for example, the RMSE of the obtained mean wave direction decreases from 20.6° to 15.7°. The positive results show that neural networks may be a viable solution in certain situations, where existing methods struggle.
Buried Depth of a Submarine Pipeline Based on Anchor Penetration
Authors: Zhu Xueyuan , Hao Qinglong , Zhang Jie
Published: August 2019

Anchor penetration is an important issue involved in the study of submarine pipeline damage accidents. To explore the penetration of a ship’s anchor under certain conditions, this study investigated the motion and force of an anchor and formulated a calculation method for the bottoming speed of an anchor. Meanwhile, the depth of anchor penetration was calculated under different conditions according to bottoming speed through programming. Finally, the reliability of the calculation method for the penetration depth was verified by comparing the actual measurement and the numerical simulation. On the basis of the findings, the calculation results were further analyzed, and conclusions were derived regarding the relationship between anchor mass, the horizontal projected area of the anchor, the anchor height on the water surface, and water depth. The conclusions provide suggestions for the application of anchor penetration in terms of seabed depth with certain reference values.
Pharmacogenomic Testing: Clinical Evidence and Implementation Challenges
Authors: Hippman Catriona , Nislow Corey
Published: August 2019

Pharmacogenomics can enhance patient care by enabling treatments tailored to genetic make-up and lowering risk of serious adverse events. As of June 2019, there are 132 pharmacogenomic dosing guidelines for 99 drugs and pharmacogenomic information is included in 309 medication labels. Recently, the technology for identifying individual-specific genetic variants (genotyping) has become more accessible. Next generation sequencing (NGS) is a cost-effective option for genotyping patients at many pharmacogenomic loci simultaneously, and guidelines for implementation of these data are available from organizations such as the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) and the Dutch Pharmacogenetics Working Group (DPWG). NGS and related technologies are increasing knowledge in the research sphere, yet rates of genomic literacy remain low, resulting in a widening gap in knowledge translation to the patient. Multidisciplinary teams—including physicians, nurses, genetic counsellors, and pharmacists—will need to combine their expertise to deliver optimal pharmacogenomically-informed care.
3D Printing of Conductive Tissue Engineering Scaffolds Containing Polypyrrole Nanoparticles with Different Morphologies and Concentrations
Authors: Ma Chunyang , Jiang Le , Wang Yingjin , Gang Fangli , Xu Nan , Li Ting , Liu Zhongqun , Chi Yongjie , Wang Xiumei , Zhao Lingyun , Feng Qingling , Sun Xiaodan
Published: August 2019

Inspired by electrically active tissues, conductive materials have been extensively developed for electrically active tissue engineering scaffolds. In addition to excellent conductivity, nanocomposite conductive materials can also provide nanoscale structure similar to the natural extracellular microenvironment. Recently, the combination of three-dimensional (3D) printing and nanotechnology has opened up a new era of conductive tissue engineering scaffolds exhibiting optimized properties and multifunctionality. Furthermore, in the case of two-dimensional (2D) conductive film scaffolds such as periosteum, nerve membrane, skin repair, etc., the traditional preparation process, such as solvent casting, produces 2D films with defects of unequal bubbles and thickness frequently. In this study, poly-l-lactide (PLLA) conductive scaffolds incorporated with polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles, which have multiscale structure similar to natural tissue, were prepared by combining extrusion-based low-temperature deposition 3D printing with freeze-drying. Furthermore, we creatively integrated the advantages of 3D printing and solvent casting and successfully developed a 2D conductive film scaffold with no bubbles, uniform thickness, and good structural stability. Subsequently, the effects of concentration and morphology of PPy nanoparticles on electrical properties and mechanical properties of 3D conductive scaffolds and 2D conductive films scaffolds have been studied, which provided a new idea for the design of both 2D and 3D electroactive tissue engineering scaffolds.
From Local Structure to Overall Performance: An Overview on the Design of an Acoustic Coating
Authors: Bai Hongbai , Zhan Zhiqiang , Liu Jinchun , Ren Zhiying
Published: August 2019

Based on the requirements of underwater acoustic stealth, the classification and research background of acoustic coatings are introduced herein. The research significance of acoustic coatings is expounded from the perspective of both the military and civilian use. A brief overview of the conventional design process of acoustic coatings is presented, which describes the substrates used in different countries. Aimed at the local design of acoustic coatings, research progress on passive and semi-active/active sound absorption structure is summarized. Focused on the passive acoustic coatings; acoustic cavity design and optimization, acoustic performance of acoustic coatings with rigid inclusions or scatterers, and acoustic coatings with a hybrid structure are discussed. Moreover, an overview of the overall design of acoustic coatings based on the sound field characteristics of the submarine is also presented. Finally, the shortcomings of the research are discussed, breakthroughs in acoustic coating design research are forecast, and the key technical issues to be solved are highlighted.
A Comparative Study on the Effects of Au, ZnO and AZO Seed Layers on the Performance of ZnO Nanowire-Based Piezoelectric Nanogenerators
Authors: Justeau Camille , Slimani Tlemcani Taoufik , Poulin-Vittrant Guylaine , Nadaud Kevin , Alquier Daniel
Published: August 2019

In this study, different seed layers like gold (Au), zinc oxide (ZnO) and aluminum-doped ZnO (AZO) have been associated to ZnO nanowires (NWs) for the development of mechanical energy harvesters. ZnO NWs were grown by using a low temperature hydrothermal method. The morphological properties were investigated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and the analysis of crystalline quality and growth orientation was studied using X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The obtained ZnO NWs are found to be highly dense, uniformly distributed and vertically well aligned on the ZnO and AZO seed layers, while ZnO NWs grown on Au possess a low density and follow a non-uniform distribution. Moreover, the NWs exhibited good crystal quality over the seed layers. The piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) consists of ZnO NWs grown on the three different seed layers, parylene-C matrix, Ti/Al top electrode and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) encapsulated polymer composite. The measurements of the open circuit voltage (VOC) were around 272 mV, 36 mV for ZnO, AZO seed layers while the PENG including Au seed layer presented a short-circuited state. This study is an important step in order to investigate the effect of different seed layers influencing the magnitude of the generated electrical performances under identical growth and measurement conditions. It will also help identify the most suitable seed layers for energy harvesting devices and their future integration in industrial applications.
Amazing Types, Properties, and Applications of Fibres in Construction Materials
Authors: Mohajerani Abbas , Hui Siu-Qun , Mirzababaei Mehdi , Arulrajah Arul , Horpibulsuk Suksun , Abdul Kadir Aeslina , Rahman Md Tareq , Maghool Farshid
Published: August 2019

Fibres have been used in construction materials for a very long time. Through previous research and investigations, the use of natural and synthetic fibres have shown promising results, as their presence has demonstrated significant benefits in terms of the overall physical and mechanical properties of the composite material. When comparing fibre reinforcement to traditional reinforcement, the ratio of fibre required is significantly less, making fibre reinforcement both energy and economically efficient. More recently, waste fibres have been studied for their potential as reinforcement in construction materials. The build-up of waste materials all around the world is a known issue, as landfill space is limited, and the incineration process requires considerable energy and produces unwanted emissions. The utilisation of waste fibres in construction materials can alleviate these issues and promote environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions that work in the industry. This study reviews the types, properties, and applications of different fibres used in a wide range of materials in the construction industry, including concrete, asphalt concrete, soil, earth materials, blocks and bricks, composites, and other applications.
Impact of Application of Selected Composite Materials on the Weight and Vibroactivity of the Upper Gearbox Housing
Authors: Figlus Tomasz , Kozioł Mateusz , Kuczyński Łukasz
Published: August 2019

In this paper, exploratory studies on the application of fibre-reinforced polymer composites in the construction of gearbox housing elements that are used for transport means, as an alternative to traditionally used materials, were undertaken. Composite materials with three types of reinforcement were used: a glass-chopped strand mat, glass fabric, and carbon fabric. The manufactured elements were subjected to weight assessment and vibroactivity tests, including the recording of vibration and noise. The obtained results were compared to the values recorded for housings made of steel. It has been found that composite housings, while maintaining geometric similarity, are characterised by at least 60% lower weight compared to steel housings. It has been shown that in the frequency range below 1 kHz, composite housings are characterised by the presence of resonant frequencies with higher amplitudes than steel housings. At higher frequency ranges—above 1 kHz—composite housings had a lower vibroactivity level than steel housing. They allowed a significant reduction in the level of vibration and noise in this frequency range. The results obtained indicate that composite gearbox housings can be a good alternative to steel-based solutions.
Advanced Photocatalysts Based on Reduced Nanographene Oxide–TiO2 Photonic Crystal Films
Authors: Diamantopoulou Angeliki , Sakellis Elias , Gardelis Spiros , Tsoutsou Dimitra , Glenis Spyridon , Boukos Nikolaos , Dimoulas Athanasios , Likodimos Vlassis
Published: August 2019

Surface functionalization of TiO2 inverse opals by graphene oxide nanocolloids (nanoGO) presents a promising modification for the development of advanced photocatalysts that combine slow photon-assisted light harvesting, surface area, and mass transport of macroporous photonic structures with the enhanced adsorption capability, surface reactivity, and charge separation of GO nanosheets. In this work, post-thermal reduction of nanoGO–TiO2 inverse opals was investigated in order to explore the role of interfacial electron transfer vs. pollutant adsorption and improve their photocatalytic activity. Photonic band gap-engineered TiO2 inverse opals were fabricated by the coassembly technique and were functionalized by GO nanosheets and reduced under He at 200 and 500 °C. Comparative performance evaluation of the nanoGO–TiO2 films on methylene blue photodegradation under UV-VIS and visible light showed that thermal reduction at 200 °C, in synergy with slow photon effects, improved the photocatalytic reaction rate despite the loss of nanoGO and oxygen functional groups, pointing to enhanced charge separation. This was further supported by photoluminescence spectroscopy and salicylic acid UV-VIS photodegradation, where, in the absence of photonic effects, the photocatalytic activity increased, confirming that fine-tuning of interfacial coupling between TiO2 and reduced nanoGO is a key factor for the development of highly efficient photocatalytic films.
Deep Learning Based Object Recognition Using Physically-Realistic Synthetic Depth Scenes
Authors: Baimukashev Daulet , Zhilisbayev Alikhan , Kuzdeuov Askat , Oleinikov Artemiy , Fadeyev Denis , Makhataeva Zhanat , Varol Huseyin Atakan
Published: August 2019

Recognizing objects and estimating their poses have a wide range of application in robotics. For instance, to grasp objects, robots need the position and orientation of objects in 3D. The task becomes challenging in a cluttered environment with different types of objects. A popular approach to tackle this problem is to utilize a deep neural network for object recognition. However, deep learning-based object detection in cluttered environments requires a substantial amount of data. Collection of these data requires time and extensive human labor for manual labeling. In this study, our objective was the development and validation of a deep object recognition framework using a synthetic depth image dataset. We synthetically generated a depth image dataset of 22 objects randomly placed in a 0.5 m × 0.5 m × 0.1 m box, and automatically labeled all objects with an occlusion rate below 70%. Faster Region Convolutional Neural Network (R-CNN) architecture was adopted for training using a dataset of 800,000 synthetic depth images, and its performance was tested on a real-world depth image dataset consisting of 2000 samples. Deep object recognizer has 40.96% detection accuracy on the real depth images and 93.5% on the synthetic depth images. Training the deep learning model with noise-added synthetic images improves the recognition accuracy for real images to 46.3%. The object detection framework can be trained on synthetically generated depth data, and then employed for object recognition on the real depth data in a cluttered environment. Synthetic depth data-based deep object detection has the potential to substantially decrease the time and human effort required for the extensive data collection and labeling.
On the Parametrization of Caputo-Type Fractional Differential Equations with Two-Point Nonlinear Boundary Conditions
Authors: Mahmudov Nazım I. , Emin Sedef , Bawanah Sameer
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we offer a new approach of investigation and approximation of solutions of Caputo-type fractional differential equations under nonlinear boundary conditions. By using an appropriate parametrization technique, the original problem with nonlinear boundary conditions is reduced to the equivalent parametrized boundary-value problem with linear restrictions. To study the transformed problem, we construct a numerical-analytic scheme which is successful in relation to different types of two-point and multipoint linear boundary and nonlinear boundary conditions. Moreover, we give sufficient conditions of the uniform convergence of the successive approximations. Also, it is indicated that these successive approximations uniformly converge to a parametrized limit function and state the relationship of this limit function and exact solution. Finally, an example is presented to illustrate the theory.
Modified Proximal Algorithms for Finding Solutions of the Split Variational Inclusions
Authors: Suantai Suthep , Kesornprom Suparat , Cholamjiak Prasit
Published: August 2019

We investigate the split variational inclusion problem in Hilbert spaces. We propose efficient algorithms in which, in each iteration, the stepsize is chosen self-adaptive, and proves weak and strong convergence theorems. We provide numerical experiments to validate the theoretical results for solving the split variational inclusion problem as well as the comparison to algorithms defined by Byrne et al. and Chuang, respectively. It is shown that the proposed algorithms outrun other algorithms via numerical experiments. As applications, we apply our method to compressed sensing in signal recovery. The proposed methods have as a main advantage that the computation of the Lipschitz constants for the gradient of functions is dropped in generating the sequences.
Exact Time-Dependent Queue-Length Solution to a Discrete-Time Geo/D/1 Queue
Authors: Baek Jung Woo , Bae Yun Han
Published: August 2019

Time-dependent solutions to queuing models are beneficial for evaluating the performance of real-world systems such as communication, transportation, and service systems. However, restricted results have been reported due to mathematical complexity. In this study, we present a time-dependent queue-length formula for a discrete-time G e o / D / 1 queue starting with a positive number of initial customers. We derive the time-dependent formula in closed form.
Tendinopathy: Pathophysiology, Therapeutic Options, and Role of Nutraceutics. A Narrative Literature Review
Authors: Loiacono Carlo , Palermi Stefano , Massa Bruno , Belviso Immacolata , Romano Veronica , Di Gregorio Ada , Sirico Felice , Sacco Anna Maria
Published: August 2019

Tendinopathies are very common in general population and a huge number of tendon-related procedures take place annually worldwide, with significant socio-economic repercussions. Numerous treatment options are commonly used for tendon disorders. Besides pharmacological and physical therapy, nutrition could represent an additional tool for preventing and treating this complex pathology that deserve a multidisciplinary approach. In recent years, nutraceutical products are growing up in popularity since these seem to favor the prevention and the healing processes of tendon injuries. This narrative literature review aims to summarize current understanding and the areas of ongoing research about the management of tendinopathies with the help of oral supplementation.
Re Sulfides from Zhelos and Tokty-Oi Intrusions (East Sayan, Russia)
Authors: Kolotilina Tatiana , Mekhonoshin Aleksey , Orsoev Dmitriy
Published: August 2019

Re sulfides were discovered in Cu–Ni–platinum-group elements (PGE) ores of the Zhelos and Tokty-Oi intrusions. These intrusions can be considered as products of the mantle superplume responsible for Rodinia’s break-up. The mineral compositions were determined in situ in polished samples. Electron microprobe analyses were mostly consistent with a general formula of (Cu,Fe,Mo,Os,Re)5S8, (Cu,Fe,Mo,Os,Re)4S7, and (Cu,Fe,Mo,Re)S2. One of the major features of Re sulfide from the Zhelos intrusion is its high osmium content. The ΣMe/S ratio for a part of our data is consistent with that of the tarkianite. Re sulfides from the Tokty-Oi have a ΣMe/S ratio similar to those in rheniite or dzeskazganite, but differ from them by the presence of Fe and Cu and the metal-to-metal ratio. The localization of the Re sulfide within the chalcopyrite suggests its crystallization from the residual Cu-rich liquid.
Theoretical Analysis of Efficiency of Multi-Layer Core-Shell Stationary Phases in the High Performance Liquid Chromatography of Large Biomolecules
Authors: Horváth Szabolcs , Gritti Fabrice , Kormány Róbert , Horváth Krisztián
Published: August 2019

Modern analytical applications of liquid chromatography require columns with higher and higher efficiencies. In this work, the general rate model (GRM) of chromatography is used for the analysis of the efficiency of core-shell phases having two porous layers with different structures and/or surface chemistries. The solution of the GRM in the Laplace domain allows for the calculation of moments of elution curves (retention time and peak width), which are used for the analysis of the efficiency of bi-layer particles with and without a non-porous core. The results demonstrate that bi-layer structures can offer higher separation power than that of the two layers alone if the inner layer has smaller surface coverage (retentivity) and the pore size and pore diffusion of the outer layer is either equal to or higher than that of the inner layer. Even in the case of core-shell phases, there is an increase in resolution by applying the bi-layer structure; however, we can always find a mono-layer core-shell particle structure with a larger core size that provides better resolution. At the optimal core size, the resolution cannot be further improved by applying a bi-layer structure. However, in case of the most widely produced general-purpose core-shell particles, where the core is ∼70% of the particle diameter, a 15–20% gain of resolution can be obtained by using well-designed and optimized bi-layer core-shell phases.
X-Ray Crystal Structures and Organogelator Properties of (R)-9-Hydroxystearic Acid
Authors: Asaro Fioretta , Boga Carla , Demitri Nicola , De Zorzi Rita , Drioli Sara , Gigli Lara , Micheletti Gabriele , Nitti Patrizia , Zangrando Ennio
Published: August 2019

(R)-9-hydroxystearic acid, (R)-9-HSA, is a chiral nonracemic hydroxyacid of natural origin possessing interesting properties as an antiproliferative agent against different cancer types. Considering its potential application for medical and pharmaceutical purposes, the structures and rheological properties of (R)-9-HSA were investigated. Oscillatory rheology measurements reveal that (R)-9-HSA gels only paraffin oil, with less efficiency and thermal stability than its positional isomer (R)-12-HSA. Conversely, (R)-9-HSA affords crystals from methanol, acetonitrile, and carbon tetrachloride. The single crystal structures obtained both at 293 K and 100 K show non-centrosymmetric twisted carboxylic acid dimers linked at the midchain OHs into long, unidirectional chains of hydrogen bonds, owing to head-tail ordering of the molecules. Synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction experiments, performed on the solids obtained from different solvents, show the occurrence of polymorphism in paraffin oil and through thermal treatment of the solid from methanol.
Effect of H2O on the Pressure-Induced Amorphization of Hydrated AlPO4-17
Authors: Alabarse Frederico G. , Joseph Boby , Lausi Andrea , Haines Julien
Published: August 2019

The incorporation of guest species in zeolites has been found to strongly modify their mechanical behavior and their stability with respect to amorphization at high pressure (HP). Here we report the strong effect of H2O on the pressure-induced amorphization (PIA) in hydrated AlPO4-17. The material was investigated in-situ at HP by synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction in diamond anvil cells by using non- and penetrating pressure transmitting media (PTM), respectively, silicone oil and H2O. Surprisingly, in non-penetrating PTM, its structural response to pressure was similar to its anhydrous phase at lower pressures up to ~1.4 GPa, when the amorphization was observed to start. Compression of the structure of AlPO4-17 is reduced by an order of magnitude when the material is compressed in H2O, in which amorphization begins in a similar pressure range as in non-penetrating PTM. The complete and irreversible amorphization was observed at ~9.0 and ~18.7 GPa, respectively, in non- and penetrating PTM. The present results show that the insertion of guest species can be used to strongly modify the stability of microporous material with respect to PIA, by up to an order of magnitude.
Morphology, Photocatalytic and Antimicrobial Properties of TiO2 Modified with Mono- and Bimetallic Copper, Platinum and Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Wysocka Izabela , Kowalska Ewa , Ryl Jacek , Nowaczyk Grzegorz , Zielińska-Jurek Anna
Published: August 2019

Noble metal nanoparticles (NMNPs) enhanced TiO2 response and extended its activity under visible light. Photocatalytic activity of TiO2 modified with noble metal nanoparticles strongly depends on the physicochemical properties of NMNPs. Among others, the differences in the size of NMNPs seems to be one of the most important factors. In this view, the effect of the metal’s nanoparticles size, type and amount on TiO2 photocatalytic and biocidal activity was investigated. TiO2 modified with mono- and bimetallic nanoparticles of Pt, Cu and Ag were prepared using chemical and thermal reduction methods. Obtained nanocomposites were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and diffuse-reflectance spectroscopy (DR/UV-Vis) techniques. The photocatalytic activity was examined in 2-propanol oxidation and hydrogen generation processes. The mechanism of modified TiO2 excitation was evaluated in action spectrum measurements during phenol oxidation. A possibility of using less energy-consuming light sources as a set of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) selected based on action spectrum results was examined. It was found that the differences in NMNPs size were the result of the reduction method. Moreover, coupling with a second metal strongly affected and differentiated the photocatalytic and biocidal activity of the obtained TiO2-based photocatalysts.
New Perspectives on the Electronic and Geometric Structure of Au70S20(PPh3)12 Cluster: Superatomic-Network Core Protected by Novel Au12(µ3-S)10 Staple Motifs
Authors: Tian Zhimei , Xu Yangyang , Cheng Longjiu
Published: August 2019

In order to increase the understanding of the recently synthesized Au70S20(PPh3)12 cluster, we used the divide and protect concept and superatom network model (SAN) to study the electronic and geometric of the cluster. According to the experimental coordinates of the cluster, the study of Au70S20(PPh3)12 cluster was carried out using density functional theory calculations. Based on the superatom complex (SAC) model, the number of the valence electrons of the cluster is 30. It is not the number of valence electrons satisfied for a magic cluster. According to the concept of divide and protect, Au70S20(PPh3)12 cluster can be viewed as Au-core protected by various staple motifs. On the basis of SAN model, the Au-core is composed of a union of 2e-superatoms, and 2e-superatoms can be Au3, Au4, Au5, or Au6. Au70S20(PPh3)12 cluster should contain fifteen 2e-superatoms on the basis of SAN model. On analyzing the chemical bonding features of Au70S20(PPh3)12, we showed that the electronic structure of it has a network of fifteen 2e-superatoms, abbreviated as 15 × 2e SAN. On the basis of the divide and protect concept, Au70S20(PPh3)12 cluster can be viewed as Au4616+[Au12(µ3-S)108−]2[PPh3]12. The Au4616+ core is composed of one Au2212+ innermost core and ten surrounding 2e-Au4 superatoms. The Au2212+ innermost core can either be viewed as a network of five 2e-Au6 superatoms, or be considered as a 10e-superatomic molecule. This new segmentation method can properly explain the structure and stability of Au70S20(PPh3)12 cluster. A novel extended staple motif [Au12(µ3-S)10]8− was discovered, which is a half-cage with ten µ3-S units and six teeth. The six teeth staple motif enriches the family of staple motifs in ligand-protected Au clusters. Au70S20(PPh3)12 cluster derives its stability from SAN model and aurophilic interactions. Inspired by the half-cage motif, we design three core-in-cage clusters with cage staple motifs, Cu6@Au12(μ3-S)8, Ag6@Au12(μ3-S)8 and Au6@Au12(μ3-S)8, which exhibit high thermostability and may be synthesized in future.
Flocculant-Assisted Synthesis of Graphene-Like Carbon Nanosheets for Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Supercapacitor
Authors: Zhang Yinglin , Shi Yulin , Yan Bo , Wei Tingting , Lv Yin , Chen Long , Yu Feng , Guo Xuhong
Published: August 2019

The rational treatment of hazardous textile sludge is critical and challenging for the environment and a sustainable future. Here, a water-soluble chitosan derivative was synthesized and used as an effective flocculant in removal of reactive dye from aqueous solution. Employing these chitosan-containing textile sludges as precursors, graphene-like carbon nanosheets were synthesized through simple one-step carbonization with the use of Fe (III) salt as graphitization catalyst. It was found that the resultant graphene-like carbon nanosheets material at thickness near 3.2 nm (NSC-Fe-2) showed a high graphitization degree, high specific surface area, and excellent bifunctional electrochemical performance. As-prepared NSC-Fe-2 catalyst exhibited excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity (onset potential 1.05 V) and a much better methanol tolerance than that of commercial Pt/C (onset potential 0.98 V) in an alkaline medium. Additionally, as electrode materials for supercapacitors, NSC-Fe-2 also displayed an outstanding specific capacitance of 195 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and superior cycling stability (loss of 3.4% after 2500 cycles). The good electrochemical properties of the as-prepared NSC-Fe materials could be attributed to the ultrathin graphene-like nanosheets structure and synergistic effects from codoping of iron and nitrogen. This work develops a simple but effective strategy for direct conversion of textile sewage sludge to value-added graphene-like carbon, which is considered as a promising alternative to fulfill the requirements of environment and energy.
Ethynylation of Formaldehyde over CuO/SiO2 Catalysts Modified by Mg Species: Effects of the Existential States of Mg Species
Authors: Wang Zhipeng , Ban Lijun , Meng Pingfan , Li Haitao , Zhao Yongxiang
Published: August 2019

The highly effective catalytic synthesis of 1,4-butynediol (BD) from the Reppe process is a fascinating technology in modern chemical industry. In this work, we reported the effects of the existential states of Mg species in the CuO/silica-magnesia catalysts for the ethynylation of formaldehyde in a simulative slurry reactor. The physichemical properties of the supports and the corresponding catalysts were extensively characterized by various techniques. The experimental results indicated that the introduced Mg species in the form of MgO particles, MgO microcrystals, or Si-O-Mg structures effectively resulted in an abundance of medium-strong basic sites, which can synergize with the active Cu+ species, facilitate the activation of acetylene, and improve the ethynylation activity. For the CuO/MgO-SiO2 catalyst, the existence of Si-O-Mg structures strengthened the Cu–support interaction, which were beneficial to improving the dispersion and the valence stability of the active Cu+ species. The highly dispersed Cu+ species, its stable valence state, and the abundant medium-strong basic sites enhanced the synergistic effect significantly, leading to the superior activity and stability of CuO/MgO-SiO2. The insights into the role of the existential states of Mg species and the revelation of the synergistic effect between active Cu+ species and basic sites can provide theoretic guidance for future rational design of catalysts for the ethynylation reation.
Consumers’ Responses to Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling: Results from a Sample from The Netherlands
Authors: Egnell Manon , Talati Zenobia , Gombaud Marion , Galan Pilar , Hercberg Serge , Pettigrew Simone , Julia Chantal
Published: August 2019

Front-of-pack labels (FoPLs) are efficient tools for helping consumers identify healthier food products. Although discussions on nutritional labelling are currently ongoing in Europe, few studies have compared the effectiveness of FoPLs in European countries, including the Netherlands. This study aimed to compare five FoPLs among Dutch participants (the Health Star Rating (HSR) system, Multiple Traffic Lights (MTL), Nutri-Score, Reference Intakes (RIs), and Warning symbols) in terms of perception and understanding of the labels and food choices. In 2019, 1032 Dutch consumers were recruited and asked to select one product from among a set of three foods with different nutritional profiles, and then rank the products within the sets according to their nutritional quality. These tasks were performed with no label and then with one of the five FoPLs on the package, depending on the randomization arm. Finally, participants were questioned on their perceptions regarding the label to which they were exposed. Regarding perceptions, all FoPLs were favorably perceived but with only marginal differences between FoPLs. While no significant difference across labels was observed for food choices, the Nutri-Score demonstrated the highest overall performance in helping consumers rank the products according to their nutritional quality.
The Microbial Metabolite Trimethylamine N-Oxide Links Vascular Dysfunctions and the Autoimmune Disease Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Chan Marion M. , Yang Xiaofeng , Wang Hong , Saaoud Fatma , Sun Yu , Fong Dunne
Published: August 2019

Diet and microbiota each have a direct impact on many chronic, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases. As the field develops, a new perspective is emerging. The effects of diet may depend on the microbiota composition of the intestine. A diet that is rich in choline, red meat, dairy, or egg may promote the growth, or change the composition, of microbial species. The microbiota, in turn, may produce metabolites that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. This article reviews our current understanding of the effects of the molecule trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) obtained from food or produced by the microbiota. We review the mechanisms of actions of TMAO, and studies that associate it with cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases. We introduce a novel concept: TMAO is one among a group of selective uremic toxins that may rise to high levels in the circulation or accumulate in various organs. Based on this information, we evaluate how TMAO may harm, by exacerbating inflammation, or may protect, by attenuating amyloid formation, in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Oleacein Prevents High Fat Diet-Induced Adiposity and Ameliorates Some Biochemical Parameters of Insulin Sensitivity in Mice
Authors: Lepore Saverio Massimo , Maggisano Valentina , Bulotta Stefania , Mignogna Chiara , Arcidiacono Biagio , Procopio Antonio , Brunetti Antonio , Russo Diego , Celano Marilena
Published: August 2019

Oleacein is one of the most abundant polyphenolic compounds of olive oil, which has been shown to play a protective role against several metabolic abnormalities, including dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance. Herein, we investigated the effects of oleacein on certain markers of adipogenesis and insulin-resistance in vitro, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and in vivo in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. During the differentiation process of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes, oleacein strongly inhibited lipid accumulation, and decreased protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), while increasing Adiponectin levels. In vivo, treatment with oleacein of C57BL/6JOlaHsd mice fed with HFD for 5 and 13 weeks prevented the increase in adipocyte size and reduced the inflammatory infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes in adipose tissue. These effects were accompanied by changes in the expression of adipose tissue-specific regulatory elements such as PPARγ, FAS, sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1 (SREBP-1), and Adiponectin, while the expression of insulin-sensitive muscle/fat glucose transporter Glut-4 was restored in HFD-fed mice treated with oleacein. Collectively, our findings indicate that protection against HFD-induced adiposity by oleacein in mice is mediated by the modulation of regulators of adipogenesis. Protection against HFD-induced obesity is effective in improving peripheral insulin sensitivity.
Oxaliplatin–Biomimetic Magnetic Nanoparticle Assemblies for Colon Cancer-Targeted Chemotherapy: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Jabalera Ylenia , Garcia-Pinel Beatriz , Ortiz Raul , Iglesias Guillermo , Cabeza Laura , Prados José , Jimenez-Lopez Concepcion , Melguizo Consolación
Published: August 2019

Conventional chemotherapy against colorectal cancer (CRC), the third most common cancer in the world, includes oxaliplatin (Oxa) which induces serious unwanted side effects that limit the efficiency of treatment. Therefore, alternative therapeutic approaches are urgently required. In this work, biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles (BMNPs) mediated by MamC were coupled to Oxa to evaluate the potential of the Oxa–BMNP nanoassembly for directed local delivery of the drug as a proof of concept for the future development of targeted chemotherapy against CRC. Electrostatic interactions between Oxa and BMNPs trigger the formation of the nanoassembly and keep it stable at physiological pH. When the BMNPs become neutral at acidic pH values, the Oxa is released, and such a release is greatly potentiated by hyperthermia. The coupling of the drug with the BMNPs improves its toxicity to even higher levels than the soluble drug, probably because of the fast internalization of the nanoassembly by tumor cells through endocytosis. In addition, the BMNPs are cytocompatible and non-hemolytic, providing positive feedback as a proof of concept for the nanoassembly. Our study clearly demonstrates the applicability of Oxa–BMNP in colon cancer and offers a promising nanoassembly for targeted chemotherapy against this type of tumor.
Constructing a Reference Genome in a Single Lab: The Possibility to Use Oxford Nanopore Technology
Authors: Lee Yun , Choi Sang , Kang Yuna , Kim Kyeong , Kang Chon-Sik , Kim Changsoo
Published: August 2019

The whole genome sequencing (WGS) has become a crucial tool in understanding genome structure and genetic variation. The MinION sequencing of Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) is an excellent approach for performing WGS and it has advantages in comparison with other Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS): It is relatively inexpensive, portable, has simple library preparation, can be monitored in real-time, and has no theoretical limits on reading length. Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench is diploid (2n = 2x = 20) with a genome size of about 730 Mb, and its genome sequence information is released in the Phytozome database. Therefore, sorghum can be used as a good reference. However, plant species have complex and large genomes when compared to animals or microorganisms. As a result, complete genome sequencing is difficult for plant species. MinION sequencing that produces long-reads can be an excellent tool for overcoming the weak assembly of short-reads generated from NGS by minimizing the generation of gaps or covering the repetitive sequence that appears on the plant genome. Here, we conducted the genome sequencing for S. bicolor cv. BTx623 while using the MinION platform and obtained 895,678 reads and 17.9 gigabytes (Gb) (ca. 25× coverage of reference) from long-read sequence data. A total of 6124 contigs (covering 45.9%) were generated from Canu, and a total of 2661 contigs (covering 50%) were generated from Minimap and Miniasm with a Racon through a de novo assembly using two different tools and mapped assembled contigs against the sorghum reference genome. Our results provide an optimal series of long-read sequencing analysis for plant species while using the MinION platform and a clue to determine the total sequencing scale for optimal coverage that is based on various genome sizes.