bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physiological Responses to Basic Tastes for Sensory Evaluation of Chocolate Using Biometric Techniques
Authors: Gunaratne Thejani M. , Fuentes Sigfredo , Gunaratne Nadeesha M. , Torrico Damir D. , Gonzalez Viejo Claudia , Dunshea Frank R.
Published: July 2019

Facial expressions are in reaction to basic tastes by the response to receptor stimulation. The objective of this study was to assess the autonomic nervous system responses to basic tastes in chocolates and to identify relationships between conscious and unconscious responses from participants. Panelists (n = 45) tasted five chocolates with either salt, citric acid, sugar, or monosodium glutamate, which generated four distinctive basic tastes plus bitter, using dark chocolate. An integrated camera system, coupled with the Bio-Sensory application, was used to capture infrared thermal images, videos, and sensory responses. Outputs were used to assess skin temperature (ST), facial expressions, and heart rate (HR) as physiological responses. Sensory responses and emotions elicited during the chocolate tasting were evaluated using the application. Results showed that the most liked was sweet chocolate (9.01), while the least liked was salty chocolate (3.61). There were significant differences for overall liking (p < 0.05) but none for HR (p = 0.75) and ST (p = 0.27). Sweet chocolate was inversely associated with angry, and salty chocolate positively associated with sad. Positive emotion-terms were associated with sweet samples and liking in self-reported responses. Findings of this study may be used to assess novel tastes of chocolate in the industry based on conscious and emotional responses more objectively.
The Impact of Pulsed Electric Field on the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Beetroot
Authors: Nowacka Malgorzata , Tappi Silvia , Wiktor Artur , Rybak Katarzyna , Miszczykowska Agnieszka , Czyzewski Jakub , Drozdzal Kinga , Witrowa-Rajchert Dorota , Tylewicz Urszula
Published: July 2019

Beetroot is a root vegetable rich in different bioactive components, such as vitamins, minerals, phenolics, carotenoids, nitrate, ascorbic acids, and betalains, that can have a positive effect on human health. The aim of this work was to study the influence of the pulsed electric field (PEF) at different electric field strengths (4.38 and 6.25 kV/cm), pulse number 10–30, and energy input 0–12.5 kJ/kg as a pretreatment method on the extraction of betalains from beetroot. The obtained results showed that the application of PEF pre-treatment significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the efficiency of extraction of bioactive compounds from beetroot. The highest increase in the content of betalain compounds in the red beet’s extract (betanin by 329%, vulgaxanthin by 244%, compared to the control sample), was noted for 20 pulses of electric field at 4.38 kV/cm of strength. Treatment of the plant material with a PEF also resulted in an increase in the electrical conductivity compared to the non-treated sample due to the increase in cell membrane permeability, which was associated with leakage of substances able to conduct electricity, including mineral salts, into the intercellular space.
Bioactive Compounds and Biological Functions of Garlic (Allium sativum L.)
Authors: Shang Ao , Cao Shi-Yu , Xu Xiao-Yu , Gan Ren-You , Tang Guo-Yi , Corke Harold , Mavumengwana Vuyo , Li Hua-Bin
Published: July 2019

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a widely consumed spice in the world. Garlic contains diverse bioactive compounds, such as allicin, alliin, diallyl sulfide, diallyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, ajoene, and S-allyl-cysteine. Substantial studies have shown that garlic and its bioactive constituents exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, immunomodulatory, cardiovascular protective, anticancer, hepatoprotective, digestive system protective, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, neuroprotective, and renal protective properties. In this review, the main bioactive compounds and important biological functions of garlic are summarized, highlighting and discussing the relevant mechanisms of actions. Overall, garlic is an excellent natural source of bioactive sulfur-containing compounds and has promising applications in the development of functional foods or nutraceuticals for the prevention and management of certain diseases.
Morin Protects Human Respiratory Cells from PM2.5 Induced Genotoxicity by Mitigating ROS and Reverting Altered miRNA Expression
Authors: Veerappan Indhumathi , Sankareswaran Senthil Kumar , Palanisamy Rajaguru
Published: July 2019

Chronic fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure causes oxidative stress and leads to many diseases in human like respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, and lung cancer. It is known that toxic responses elicited by PM2.5 particles depend on its physical and chemical characteristics that are greatly influenced by the source. Dietary polyphenolic compounds that possess antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties could be used for therapeutic or preventive approaches against air pollution related health hazards. This study evaluates characteristics and toxicity of PM2.5 collected from rural, urban, industrial, and traffic regions in and around Coimbatore City, Tamilnadu, India. Traffic PM2.5 particles contained higher amounts of metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It also possessed higher levels of oxidative potential, induced more intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and caused more levels of cell death and DNA damage in human respiratory cells. Its exposure up regulated DNA damage response related miR222, miR210, miR101, miR34a, and miR93 and MycN and suppressed Rad52. Pre-treatment with morin significantly decreased the PM2.5 induced toxicity and conferred protection against PM2.5 induced altered miRNA expression. Results of this study showed that cytoprotective effect of morin is due to its antioxidative and free radical scavenging activity.
Contribution of Physical Education to the Daily Physical Activity of Schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aljuhani Osama , Sandercock Gavin
Published: July 2019

The positive contribution of physical education (PE) to daily physical activity (PA) has been documented in past studies. However, little is known about the contribution of PE to inactive and unfit schoolchildren’s PA. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine the contribution of PE to the daily PA of schoolchildren, especially for inactive and unfit schoolchildren. Accelerometers were used to measure the PA of 111 boys (Mage = 13.6 ± 0.8 years) across 7 days. Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was measured during PE classes and on school days with and without PE classes. To measure the time that schoolchildren spent on MVPA, the accelerometer count (i.e., ≥2296 counts/minute) was used. Schoolchildren spent 22% of PE class time in MVPA. Times spent in MVPA were 12.9, 14.7 and 14.8 minutes higher on PE days than on days without PE for all, inactive, and unfit schoolchildren, respectively. Results showed that 40% percent and 24% of the schoolchildren met the recommended levels of PA on PE days and days without PE, respectively. It is concluded that, since PE classes increase daily engagement in MVPA, especially among inactive and unfit schoolchildren, PE classes should be conducted on all school days.
Cardiomyopathy Associated with Diabetes: The Central Role of the Cardiomyocyte
Authors: Filardi Tiziana , Ghinassi Barbara , Di Baldassarre Angela , Tanzilli Gaetano , Morano Susanna , Lenzi Andrea , Basili Stefania , Crescioli Clara
Published: July 2019

The term diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) labels an abnormal cardiac structure and performance due to intrinsic heart muscle malfunction, independently of other vascular co-morbidity. DCM, accounting for 50%–80% of deaths in diabetic patients, represents a worldwide problem for human health and related economics. Optimal glycemic control is not sufficient to prevent DCM, which derives from heart remodeling and geometrical changes, with both consequences of critical events initially occurring at the cardiomyocyte level. Cardiac cells, under hyperglycemia, very early undergo metabolic abnormalities and contribute to T helper (Th)-driven inflammatory perturbation, behaving as immunoactive units capable of releasing critical biomediators, such as cytokines and chemokines. This paper aims to focus onto the role of cardiomyocytes, no longer considered as “passive” targets but as “active” units participating in the inflammatory dialogue between local and systemic counterparts underlying DCM development and maintenance. Some of the main biomolecular/metabolic/inflammatory processes triggered within cardiac cells by high glucose are overviewed; particular attention is addressed to early inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, representing potential therapeutic targets for a prompt early intervention when no signs or symptoms of DCM are manifesting yet. DCM clinical management still represents a challenge and further translational investigations, including studies at female/male cell level, are warranted.
The Link between Gaucher Disease and Parkinson’s Disease Sheds Light on Old and Novel Disorders of Sphingolipid Metabolism
Authors: Indellicato Rossella , Trinchera Marco
Published: July 2019

Sphingolipid metabolism starts with the biosynthesis of ceramide, a bioactive lipid and the backbone for the biosynthesis of complex sphingolipids such as sphingomyelin and glycosphingolipids. These are degraded back to ceramide and then to sphingosine, which enters the ceramide–sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling pathway or is further degraded. Several enzymes with multiple catalytic properties and subcellular localizations are thus involved in such metabolism. Hereditary defects of lysosomal hydrolases have been known for several years to be the cause of lysosomal storage diseases such as gangliosidoses, Gaucher disease, Niemann–Pick disease, Krabbe disease, Fabry disease, and Farber disease. More recently, many other inborn errors of sphingolipid metabolism have been recognized, involving enzymes responsible for the biosynthesis of ceramide, sphingomyelin, and glycosphingolipids. Concurrently, epidemiologic and biochemical evidence has established a link between Gaucher disease and Parkinson’s disease, showing that glucocerebrosidase variants predispose individuals to α-synuclein accumulation and neurodegeneration even in the heterozygous status. This appears to be due not only to lysosomal overload of non-degraded glucosylceramide, but to the derangement of vesicle traffic and autophagy, including mitochondrial autophagy, triggered by both sphingolipid intermediates and misfolded proteins. In this review, old and novel disorders of sphingolipid metabolism, in particular those of ganglioside biosynthesis, are evaluated in light of recent investigations of the link between Gaucher disease and Parkinson’s disease, with the aim of better understanding their pathogenic mechanisms and addressing new potential therapeutic strategies.
Preparation and In Vitro/In Vivo Characterization of Polymeric Nanoparticles Containing Methotrexate to Improve Lymphatic Delivery
Authors: Jang Ji-Hun , Jeong Seung-Hyun , Lee Yong-Bok
Published: July 2019

Methotrexate (MTX) is a folic acid antagonist used as an effective drug to treat various kinds of cancers. However, MTX has limited use in cancer chemotherapy due to its adverse effects such as poor bioavailability, low specificity, drug resistance, and dose-dependent side effects. To improve lymphatic delivery and reduce toxicity of MTX, MTX-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared in the present study. NPs were prepared with double emulsion solvent evaporation method using poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA). NPs were assessed for size, encapsulation efficiency, morphology, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermal characterization. In vitro release profiles and cytotoxicity of these NPs were also evaluated. Prepared NPs and free MTX were administered orally or intravenously (5 mg/kg as MTX) to rats to evaluate their pharmacokinetic characteristics and lymphatic delivery effects. Mean particle size and encapsulation efficiency of NPs were 163.7 ± 10.25 nm and 93.3 ± 0.5%, respectively. Prepared NPs showed a sustained release profile of MTX in vitro and may be effective to cancer cells. Area under the blood concentration-time curve, total clearance, half-life, and lymphatic targeting efficiency were significantly different (p < 0.05) between prepared NPs and free MTX. These results demonstrate that MTX-loaded PLGA NPs are good candidates for targeted delivery of MTX to the lymphatic system.
3′-UTR Polymorphisms in the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene (VEGF) Contribute to Susceptibility to Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL)
Authors: An Hui Jeong , Kim Ji Hyang , Ahn Eun Hee , Kim Young Ran , Kim Jung Oh , Park Han Sung , Ryu Chang Soo , Kim Eun-Gyo , Cho Sung Hwan , Lee Woo Sik , Kim Nam Keun
Published: July 2019

Numerous studies have examined the genetic association of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). However, of the four known SNPs in the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of VEGF, three SNPs—namely rs3025040 (1451C>T), rs10434 (1612G>A), and rs3025053 (1725G>A)—remain poorly characterized with regard to RPL. Herein, we evaluated the association between these three SNPs in the VEGF 3′-UTR and RPL susceptibility. We analyzed VEGF 3′-UTR gene variants in with and without RPL using TaqMan allelic discrimination. There were significant differences in the genotype frequencies of 1612G>A (GA: adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 0.652; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.447–0.951; p = 0.026) and 1725G>A (GA: AOR, 0.503; 95% CI, 0.229–0.848; p = 0.010) in RPL patients vs. controls. Our results indicate that the 1612G>A and 1725G>A polymorphisms in the 3′-UTR of VEGF are associated with RPL susceptibility in Korean women. These data suggest that VEGF 3′-UTR polymorphisms may be utilized as biomarkers for the detection of RPL risk and prevention.
Susceptibility of Field Populations of Eggplant Fruit and Shoot Borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenée) to Cry1Ac, the Protein Expressed in Bt Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) in Bangladesh
Authors: Prodhan Md. Zulfikar Haider , Shirale Dattatray K. , Islam Md. Zaherul , Hossain Md. Jahangir , Paranjape Vijay , Shelton Anthony M.
Published: July 2019

Eggplant (Solanum melongena Linn.), or brinjal, was engineered to express an insecticidal protein (Cry1Ac) from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and commercialized in Bangladesh on a limited basis in 2014. As part of an insect resistance management strategy, studies were conducted to determine the susceptibility of the targeted insect pest, the eggplant fruit and shoot borer, Leucinodes orbonalis (Guenée), to Cry1Ac using a diet-incorporation bioassay method. Eighteen populations of L. orbonalis were collected from the main brinjal growing areas in 17 districts of Bangladesh during 2018–2019 and assayed. Larvae from each population were reared to adults and allowed to mate. Eggs from the matings were allowed to hatch, and neonates were used for bioassays. Bioassays were performed with different concentrations of Cry1Ac and an untreated control. Median lethal concentrations (LC50) ranged between 0.035 and 0.358 ppm and molt inhibitory concentration (MIC50) values ranged from 0.008 to 0.181 ppm. Variation in susceptibility among field populations was 10.22-fold for LC50 and 22.63-fold for MIC50. These results were compared to values from 73 populations in India. Overall, the results showed similar natural variation and suggest that these Bangladeshi values can be used as benchmarks for resistance monitoring as Bt brinjal becomes more widely adopted in Bangladesh.
Dispelling Myths about Antenatal TAPS: A Call for Action for Routine MCA-PSV Doppler Screening in the United States
Authors: Nicholas Lauren , Fischbein Rebecca , Aultman Julie , Ernst-Milner Stephanie
Published: July 2019

In the United States, routine middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) Doppler screening for the detection of antenatal twin anemia-polycythemia sequence (TAPS) is not recommended. The current and only national clinical guideline from the highly-influential Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine states that, “There is no evidence that monitoring for TAPS with MCA PSV Doppler at any time, including > 26 weeks, improves outcomes, so that this additional screening cannot be recommended at this time.” We argue this recommendation has disproportionate influence on patients and the care they are offered and receive. We use current evidence to highlight and dispel pervasive myths surrounding antenatal TAPS and the value of routine MCA-PSV screening. An ethical framework that illustrates the importance of giving patients the opportunity for routine screening is presented. Findings demonstrate that: (1) both spontaneous and post-laser TAPS is a serious, potentially life-threatening complication, (2) treatment for TAPS is effective and includes expectant management, intrauterine transfusion (IUT), or surgery, (3) and routine MCA-PSV, which has satisfactory diagnostic accuracy, is currently the only way to provide early detection of TAPS. We conclude that routine TAPS screening is a medically proven valuable resource that should be offered to patients in need and to the clinicians who are trying to act toward their benefit.
The Effects of Iloprost on Oxygenation During One-Lung Ventilation for Lung Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Choi Hoon , Jeon Joonpyo , Huh Jaewon , Koo Jungmin , Yang Sungwon , Hwang Wonjung
Published: July 2019

Hypoxemia can occur during one-lung ventilation (OLV) in thoracic surgery, leading to perioperative complications. Inhaled iloprost is a selective pulmonary vasodilator with efficacy in patients with pulmonary hypertension. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of off-label inhaled iloprost on oxygenation during OLV in patients undergoing lung surgery. Seventy-two patients who were scheduled for elective video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy were assigned to receive an inhaled nebulizer of distilled water (control group), 10 μg iloprost (IL10 group), or 20 μg iloprost (IL20 group). Arterial and venous blood gas and hemodynamic analyses were obtained. Changes in partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2), after the initiation of OLV and the resumption two-lung ventilation (TLV), were similar in all three groups. However, PaO2 in the IL10 group was comparable to that in the control group, whereas PaO2 in the IL20 group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 10, 20, and 30 min after administration of iloprost (275.1 ± 50.8 vs. 179.3 ± 38.9, p < 0.0001; 233.9 ± 39.7 vs. 155.1 ± 26.5, p < 0.0001; and 224.6 ± 36.4 vs. 144.0 ± 22.9, p < 0.0001, respectively). The shunt fraction in the IL20 group was significantly higher than that in the control group after administration of iloprost (26.8 ± 3.1 vs. 32.2 ± 3.4, p < 0.0001; 24.6 ± 2.2 vs. 29.9 ± 3.4, p < 0.0001; and 25.3 ± 2.0 vs. 30.8 ± 3.1, p < 0.0001, respectively). Administration of inhaled iloprost during OLV improves oxygenation and decreases intrapulmonary shunt.
The Interpretation of Biogeochemical Growths on Gold Coins from the SS Central America Shipwreck: Applications for Biogeochemistry and Geoarchaeology
Authors: Melchiorre Erik B. , Seymour Bryan H. , Evans Robert D.
Published: July 2019

Black crusts that formed on gold coins recovered from the 1857 shipwreck of the SS Central America played a key role in their preservation in a near original state. Within a few years of the sinking, the significant quantities of iron and steel on the shipwreck produced laminar geochemical precipitates of fine-grained iron minerals on the coins. This coating served to armor the coins from future chemical or biological attacks. Once coated, the coins were colonized by at least two distinct populations of gold-tolerant bacteria that precipitated abundant nanoparticulate gold in the black crust material and produced biomineralized bacteria in a web-like mat. Above this middle layer of black crust, the outer layer consisted of a geochemical reaction front of euhedral crystals of iron sulfate and iron oxy-hydroxide species, formed by the interaction of seawater with the chemical wastes of the bacterial mat. Understanding this process has application for assessing the diverse and extreme conditions under which nano-particulate gold may form through biological processes, as well as understanding the conditions that contribute to the preservation or degradation of marine archaeological materials.
The Indentation Rolling Resistance in Belt Conveyors: A Model for the Viscoelastic Friction
Authors: Menga Nicola , Bottiglione Francesco , Carbone Giuseppe
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we study the steady-state rolling contact of a linear viscoelastic layer of finite thickness and a rigid indenter made of a periodic array of equally spaced rigid cylinders. The viscoelastic contact model is derived by means of Green’s function approach, which allows solving the contact problem with the sliding velocity as a control parameter. The contact problem is solved by means of an accurate numerical procedure developed for general two-dimensional contact geometries. The effect of geometrical quantities (layer thickness, cylinders radii, and cylinders spacing), material properties (viscoelastic moduli, relaxation time) and operative conditions (load, velocity) are all investigated. Physical quantities typical of contact problems (contact areas, deformed profiles, etc.) are calculated and discussed. Special emphasis is dedicated to the viscoelastic friction force coefficient and to the energy dissipated per unit time. The discussion is focused on the role played by the deformation localized at the contact spots and the one in the bulk of the thin layer, due to layer bending. The model is proposed as an accurate solution for engineering applications such as belt conveyors, in which the energy dissipated on the rolling contact of idle rollers can, in some cases, be by far the most important contribution to their energy consumption.
Analysis of the Machining Process of Inconel 718 Parts Manufactured by Laser Metal Deposition
Authors: Ostra Txomin , Alonso Unai , Veiga Fernando , Ortiz Mikel , Ramiro Pedro , Alberdi Amaia
Published: July 2019

Laser metal deposition (LMD) is an additive manufacturing process that allows the manufacturing of near-net-shape products. This could mean significant savings in terms of materials and costs in the manufacturing of high-performance components for the aeronautical industry. In this work, an analysis of how the LMD processing of alloy 718 affects the final machining has been carried out. For this purpose, a comparative study has been done by means of the monitoring of the end milling process of a part manufactured by LMD and a rough-milled part from forged material. Differences between process outputs such as chip morphology and cutting forces were studied. Material characteristics such as microstructure, hardness and mechanical properties were also analyzed.
Effect of Layer-Wise Varying Parameters on the Microstructure and Soundness of Selective Laser Melted INCONEL 718 Alloy
Authors: Wang Xiang , Kang Jinwu , Wang Tianjiao , Wu Pengyue , Feng Tao , Zheng Lele
Published: July 2019

Selective laser melting (SLM) is a promising powder bed fusion additive manufacturing technique for metal part fabrication. In this paper, varying scanning speed in the range of 500 mm/s to 1900 mm/s, and laser power in the range of 100 W to 200 W, were realized from layer to layer in a cycle of 56 layers in a single cuboid Inconel 718 alloy specimen through SLM. Layer-wise variation of microstructure and porosity were acquired, showing the layer-wise controlling capability of microstructural soundness. The melt pool size and soundness are closely linked with the energy input. High energy density led to sound regions with larger, orderly stacked melt pools and columnar grains, while low energy density resulted in porous regions with smaller, mismatched melt pools, un-melted powder, and equiaxed grains with finer dendrites. With the increase of laser energy density, the specimen shifts from porous region to sound region within several layers.
A Mixed Finite Volume Element Method for Time-Fractional Reaction-Diffusion Equations on Triangular Grids
Authors: Zhao Jie , Li Hong , Fang Zhichao , Liu Yang
Published: July 2019

In this article, the time-fractional reaction-diffusion equations are solved by using a mixed finite volume element (MFVE) method and the L 1 -formula of approximating the Caputo fractional derivative. The existence, uniqueness and unconditional stability analysis for the fully discrete MFVE scheme are given. A priori error estimates for the scalar unknown variable (in L 2 ( Ω ) -norm) and the vector-valued auxiliary variable (in ( L 2 ( Ω ) ) 2 -norm and H ( div , Ω ) -norm) are derived. Finally, two numerical examples in one-dimensional and two-dimensional spatial regions are given to examine the feasibility and effectiveness.
Quantitative Proteome Reveals Variation in the Condition Factor of Sea Urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus during the Fishing Season Using an iTRAQ-based Approach
Authors: Shang Wen-Hui , Han Jia-Run , Yan Jia-Nan , Du Yi-Nan , Xu Yun-Sheng , Xue Chang-Feng , Zhang Tie-Tao , Wu Hai-Tao , Zhu Bei-Wei
Published: July 2019

To investigate the variation in the condition factor of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus (S. nudus), gonads were collected in May (MAY), June (JUN), and July (JUL), at the beginning (AUG-b) and end of August (AUG-e). Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) detection of the gonads revealed an obvious enhancement of the band at about 37 kDa from July, which was identified as transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3 (TGFBI) by nanoLC-ESI-MS/MS. Gonadal proteins were identified by isobaric tagging for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ), and regulation of the identified proteins in pairs of the collected groups was observed. A total of 174 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified. Seven of the DEPs showed significant correlations with both the gonad index (GI) and protein content. These correlations included 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, decarboxylating isoform X2 (6PGD), CAD protein, myoferlin isoform X8, ribosomal protein L36 (RL36), isocitrate dehydrogenase [NADP], mitochondrial isoform X2 (IDH), multifunctional protein ADE2 isoform X3, sperm-activating peptides (SAPs) and aldehyde dehydrogenase, and mitochondrial (ALDH). However, TGFBI had no correlation with gonad index (GI) or protein content. 6PGD, IDH, multifunctional protein ADE2 isoform X3, and ALDH were shown to interact with each other and might play key roles in changing the condition factor of S. nudus gonads.
Analysis of Laser Tracker-Based Volumetric Error Mapping Strategies for Large Machine Tools
Authors: Iñigo Beñat , Ibabe Ander , Aguirre Gorka , Urreta Harkaitz , López de Lacalle Luis Norberto
Published: July 2019

The measurement and compensation of volumetric error in milling machines of medium and large size is a key aspect to meeting the precision requirements of the most demanding applications. There are several solutions for volumetric error measurement—usually based on laser or in calibrated artifacts—that offer different specifications and lead to a variety of levels of precision, complexity of implementation and automation, cost of equipment, and measurement time, amongst others. Therefore, it is essential to have tools that allow, in each case, analysis as to which is the optimal calibration strategy, providing the criteria for evaluating different measurement equipment and strategies. To respond to this need, several tools have been developed which are able to simulate the entire calibration and compensation process (machine, measurement, model adjustment, etc.) and apply optimization methods to find the best measurement strategy for each application. For a given machine architecture and expected error ranges, the compensation error for each strategy is obtained by propagating measurement uncertainties and expected machine errors through the measurement and compensation model fitting process by Monte Carlo simulations. The use of this tool will be demonstrated through the analysis of the influence of the main design parameters of a measurement strategy for the calibration of a 3-axis machine tool, based on the measurement of tool position with a laser tracker.
Effects of Gut Microbiota on the Bioavailability of Bioactive Compounds from Ginkgo Leaf Extracts
Authors: Choi Min Sun , Kim Jeon-Kyung , Kim Dong-Hyun , Yoo Hye Hyun
Published: July 2019

Ginkgo leaf extract (GLE) is a popular herbal medicine and dietary supplement for the treatment of various diseases, including cardiovascular disease. GLE contains a variety of secondary plant metabolites, such as flavonoids and terpenoids, as active components. Some of these phytochemicals have been known to be metabolized by gut microbial enzymes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the gut microbiota on the pharmacokinetics of the main constituents of GLE using antibacterial-treated mice. The bilobalide, ginkgolide A, ginkgolide B, ginkgolide C, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, and quercetin pharmacokinetic profiles of orally administered GLE (600 mg/kg), with or without ciprofloxacin pretreatment (150 mg/kg/day for 3 days), were determined. In the antibacterial-treated mice, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC) of isorhamnetin were significantly (p < 0.05) increased when compared with the control group. The Cmax and AUC of kaempferol and quercetin (other flavonol glycosides) were slightly higher than those of the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant, while both parameters for terpenoids of GLE showed no significant difference between the antibacterial-treated and control groups. These results showed that antibacterial consumption may increase the bioavailability of isorhamnetin by suppressing gut microbial metabolic activities.
Metal-Bearing Nanoparticles Observed in Soils and Fault Gouges over the Shenjiayao Gold Deposit and Their Significance
Authors: Zhang Bimin , Han Zhixuan , Wang Xueqiu , Liu Hanliang , Wu Hui , Feng Hui
Published: July 2019

Mineral deposits concealed by thick cover sequences present special problems for geochemical exploration. A variety of penetrating geochemical methods have been developed in the last few decades to explore for buried deposits. The theoretical basis of the mechanism by which metals migrate upward from buried deposits through the cover to the surface is still not fully understood. One hypothesis is that metal particles or metal elements could be carried onto bubbles or micro-flow of geogas and migrate upward to the surface. After years of study, nano-scale metal-bearing particles have been widely observed in geogas samples from different kinds of concealed deposits. However, the occurrence of these metal-bearing particles carried by geogases in near-surface media, such as soil, has not been studied in detail. In this study, metal-bearing nanoparticles were observed in samples from soils and fault gouges over the Shenjiayao gold deposit. The results indicate that (1) the ore-forming elements in soils can only come from deep-seated ore bodies and they occur in nanoparticles in the study area; (2) there is an obvious relationship between metal nanoparticles in fault gouges and soils; (3) the metallic nanoparticles in fault gouges represent a transitional phase along the whole vertical migration process. In addition, the observation results show that the metal-bearing nanoparticles tend to be adsorbed on the surface of clay minerals, which provide theoretical support for using fine fraction soils as sampling media to carry out geochemical exploration in sediment-covered terrains. Based on the results and discussion, a simple migration model was built in this paper.
Dihydroartemisinin Regulates the Th/Treg Balance by Inducing Activated CD4+ T cell Apoptosis via Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction in Mouse Models of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Yan Si Chao , Wang Ya Jie , Li Yu Jie , Cai Wei Yan , Weng Xiao Gang , Li Qi , Chen Ying , Yang Qing , Zhu Xiao Xin
Published: July 2019

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is a derivative of the herb Artemisia annua L. that has prominent immunomodulatory activity; however, its underlying mechanism remains elusive. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic inflammatory condition characterized as an autoimmune disorder that includes dysfunctions in the T helper (Th)/T regulatory cell (Treg) balance, which normally plays pivotal roles in immune homeostasis. The aim of this study was to explore the potential of DHA to ameliorate IBD by restoring the Th/Treg cell balance. To this end, we established mouse models of colitis induced by oxazolone (OXA) and 2,4,6-trinitro-benzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). We then treated mice with DHA at 4, 8, or 16 mg/kg/day. DHA treatment ameliorated colitis signs and reduced lymphocyte infiltration and tissue fibrosis. Moreover, DHA decreased the numbers of Th1 and Th17 cells and Th9 and Th22 cells in TNBS- or OXA-induced colitis, respectively, and increased Tregs in both models. DHA (0.8 mg/mL) also inhibited activated CD4+ T lymphocytes, which was accompanied by apoptosis induction. Moreover, it promoted heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) production in vitro and in vivo, concomitant with CD4+ T cell apoptosis and restoration of the Th/Treg balance, and these effects were blocked by treatment with the HO-1 inhibitor Sn-protoporphyrin IX. Overall, these results suggest that DHA is a novel and valuable candidate for IBD therapy or Th/Treg immunoregulation.
The Contribution of Preschool Meals to the Diet of Finnish Preschoolers
Authors: Korkalo Liisa , Nissinen Kaija , Skaffari Essi , Vepsäläinen Henna , Lehto Reetta , Kaukonen Riikka , Koivusilta Leena , Sajaniemi Nina , Roos Eva , Erkkola Maijaliisa
Published: July 2019

Preschool meals may influence the formation of children’s dietary habits and health. We assessed the contribution of preschool meals to the diet of Finnish children. We used food record data from the cross-sectional DAGIS survey and selected recording days which included all three meals (breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack) at preschool. We analyzed the diet of three- to four-year-olds (n = 324) and five- to six-year-olds (n = 233). Preschool meals accounted for 54% of the weekday’s energy intake in both age groups, and provided ≥60% of total fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vitamins D and E. More than 60% of fish dishes but only one third of total daily fresh fruit were consumed at preschool. The mean (SD) percentages of energy from protein and fat at preschool were 17% (3%) and 30% (7%) in the younger and 17% (3%) and 31% (6%) in the older age group, respectively. The mean proportions of energy from added sugar at preschool were below 5% in both age groups. On average, salt intake exceeded recommendations and 60% of salt came from preschool food. Tackling high salt intake should be a future goal of guidance for early childhood education and care food services.
Disordered Mechanical Stress and Tissue Engineering Therapies in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Authors: Zhao Runze , Liu Wanqian , Xia Tingting , Yang Li
Published: July 2019

Low back pain (LBP), commonly induced by intervertebral disc degeneration, is a lumbar disease with worldwide prevalence. However, the mechanism of degeneration remains unclear. The intervertebral disc is a nonvascular organ consisting of three components: Nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, and endplate cartilages. The disc is structured to support our body motion and endure persistent external mechanical pressure. Thus, there is a close connection between force and intervertebral discs in LBP. It is well established that with aging, disordered mechanical stress profoundly influences the fate of nucleus pulposus and the alignment of collagen fibers in the annulus fibrosus. These support a new understanding that disordered mechanical stress plays an important role in the degeneration of the intervertebral discs. Tissue-engineered regenerative and reparative therapies are being developed for relieving disc degeneration and symptoms of lower back pain. In this paper, we will review the current literature available on the role of disordered mechanical stress in intervertebral disc degeneration, and evaluate the existing tissue engineering treatment strategies of the current therapies.
Effect of Porosity on Mechanical Properties of 3D Printed Polymers: Experiments and Micromechanical Modeling Based on X-ray Computed Tomography Analysis
Authors: Wang Xue , Zhao Liping , Fuh Jerry Ying Hsi , Lee Heow Pueh
Published: July 2019

Additive manufacturing (commonly known as 3D printing) is defined as a family of technologies that deposit and consolidate materials to create a 3D object as opposed to subtractive manufacturing methodologies. Fused deposition modeling (FDM), one of the most popular additive manufacturing techniques, has demonstrated extensive applications in various industries such as medical prosthetics, automotive, and aeronautics. As a thermal process, FDM may introduce internal voids and pores into the fabricated thermoplastics, giving rise to potential reduction on the mechanical properties. This paper aims to investigate the effects of the microscopic pores on the mechanical properties of material fabricated by the FDM process via experiments and micromechanical modeling. More specifically, the three-dimensional microscopic details of the internal pores, such as size, shape, density, and spatial location were quantitatively characterized by X-ray computed tomography (XCT) and, subsequently, experiments were conducted to characterize the mechanical properties of the material. Based on the microscopic details of the pores characterized by XCT, a micromechanical model was proposed to predict the mechanical properties of the material as a function of the porosity (ratio of total volume of the pores over total volume of the material). The prediction results of the mechanical properties were found to be in agreement with the experimental data as well as the existing works. The proposed micromechanical model allows the future designers to predict the elastic properties of the 3D printed material based on the porosity from XCT results. This provides a possibility of saving the experimental cost on destructive testing.
Performance Improvement and Energy Cost Reduction under Different Scenarios for a Parabolic Trough Solar Power Plant in the Middle-East Region
Authors: Soomro Mujeeb , Mengal Abdullah , Shafiq Qadir , Ur Rehman Syed , Soomro Shakir , Harijan Khanji
Published: July 2019

Concentrated solar power (CSP) is a leading renewable energy technology, and the parabolic trough (PT) is one of the most used configurations of CSP. In the present study, the performance improvement and energy cost reduction of a 50 MWe PT plant for Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) is presented. The simulations were carried out using the System Advisor Model software. The analyses of a PT plant with different technologies/parameters are undertaken in the first instance for seven cases. These cases include solar multiple, solar collectors, receivers, heat transfer fluid, cooling system (evaporative and air-cooled), thermal energy storage system (4–12 h), and fossil dispatch mode (0.25 to 1.0). Based on these analysis, the eighth case, which is found to be the best-case scenario in this study, was considered by taking into account the best of preceding case results and was determined to be the most suitable both in terms of performance and cost reduction. It is, therefore, concluded from this study that the utilization of CSP plants with a proper selection of technology could help reduce energy costs and environmental pollution, enhance system performance, and meet energy demands effectively.
Solid Waste Management on a Campus in a Developing Country: A Study of the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee
Authors: Parvez Nikhat , Agrawal Avlokita , Kumar Akhilesh
Published: July 2019

The rates of waste generation in India have been increasing with increasing population and urbanization. Since higher education campuses are like mini autonomous cities, they can act as a model for solid waste management (SWM) and enhance sustainable development. SWM is the controlled generation, storage, collection, transport, processing, and disposal of solid waste considering public health, conservation, economics, and environmental conditions. A SWM program on campus will benefit the campus through reduced resource consumption and waste diversion. Developing countries like India are lacking behind in SWM from the developed countries which are using advanced technologies along with efficient management. This paper will analyze the issues related to SWM at IITR (Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee) campus and provide feasible solutions to be implemented at IITR campus for becoming zero waste campus. The SWM at the IITR campus is disorganized and incompetent. Lack of awareness and improper collection, imprecise segregation, exposed transportation, inefficient processing and disorganized disposal of solid waste are the major reasons for it. IITR has the potential to manage its waste properly through various techniques discussed in this paper. These would reduce the amount of waste diverted to landfills and the problems arising on campus due to solid waste, thus leading to a zero waste campus. Other campuses like IITR with similar context and issues can learn from this case study and work towards a zero-waste campus. This paper identifies a need to implement a robust SWM at the IITR campus in India.
Estimating Subsurface Thermohaline Structure of the Global Ocean Using Surface Remote Sensing Observations
Authors: Su Hua , Yang Xin , Lu Wenfang , Yan Xiao-Hai
Published: July 2019

Retrieving multi-temporal and large-scale thermohaline structure information of the interior of the global ocean based on surface satellite observations is important for understanding the complex and multidimensional dynamic processes within the ocean. This study proposes a new ensemble learning algorithm, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), for retrieving subsurface thermohaline anomalies, including the subsurface temperature anomaly (STA) and the subsurface salinity anomaly (SSA), in the upper 2000 m of the global ocean. The model combines surface satellite observations and in situ Argo data for estimation, and uses root-mean-square error (RMSE), normalized root-mean-square error (NRMSE), and R2 as accuracy evaluations. The results show that the proposed XGBoost model can easily retrieve subsurface thermohaline anomalies and outperforms the gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) model. The XGBoost model had good performance with average R2 values of 0.69 and 0.54, and average NRMSE values of 0.035 and 0.042, for STA and SSA estimations, respectively. The thermohaline anomaly patterns presented obvious seasonal variation signals in the upper layers (the upper 500 m); however, these signals became weaker as the depth increased. The model performance fluctuated, with the best performance in October (autumn) for both STA and SSA, and the lowest accuracy occurred in January (winter) for STA and April (spring) for SSA. The STA estimation error mainly occurred in the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) region in the upper ocean and the boundary of the ocean basins in the deeper ocean; meanwhile, the SSA estimation error presented a relatively even distribution. The wind speed anomalies, including the u and v components, contributed more to the XGBoost model for both STA and SSA estimations than the other surface parameters; however, its importance at deeper layers decreased and the contributions of the other parameters increased. This study provides an effective remote sensing technique for subsurface thermohaline estimations and further promotes long-term remote sensing reconstructions of internal ocean parameters.
Influence of Scanner Position and Plot Size on the Accuracy of Tree Detection and Diameter Estimation Using Terrestrial Laser Scanning on Forest Inventory Plots
Authors: Gollob Christoph , Ritter Tim , Wassermann Clemens , Nothdurft Arne
Published: July 2019

This research tested how different scanner positions and sample plot sizes affect the tree detection and diameter measurement in forest inventories. For this, a multistage density-based clustering approach was further developed for the automatic mapping of tree positions and simultaneously applied with automatic measurements of tree diameters. This further development of the algorithm reduced the proportion of falsely detected tree locations by about 64%. The algorithms were tested in different settings with respect to the number and spatial alignment of scanner positions and under manifold forest conditions, covering different age classes and a mixture of scenarios, and representing a broad gradient of structural complexity. For circular sample plots with a maximum radius of 20 m, the tree mapping algorithm showed a detection rate of 82.4% with seven scanner positions at the vertices of a hexagon plus the center coordinates, and 68.3% with four scanner positions aligned in a triangle plus the center. Detection rates were significantly increased with smaller maximum radii. Thus, with a maximum radius of 10 m, the hexagon setting yielded a detection rate of 90.5% and the triangle 92%. Other alignments of scanner positions were also tested, but proved to be either unfavorable or too labor-intensive. The commission rates were on average less than 3%. The root mean square error (RMSE) of the dbh (diameter at breast height) measurement was between 2.66 cm and 4.18 cm for the hexagon and between 3.0 cm and 4.7 cm for the triangle design. The robustness of the algorithm was also demonstrated via tests by means of an international benchmark dataset. It has been shown that the number of stems per hectare had a significant impact on the detection rate.
Correction: Z. Liu and Y. Liu. Does Anthropogenic Land Use Change Play a Role in Changes of Precipitation Frequency and Intensity over the Loess Plateau of China? Remote Sens. 2018, 10, 1818
Authors: Liu Zhengjia , Liu Yansui
Published: July 2019

The original version of the paper [...]
An End-to-End Conditional Random Fields and Skip-Connected Generative Adversarial Segmentation Network for Remote Sensing Images
Authors: He Chu , Fang Peizhang , Zhang Zhi , Xiong Dehui , Liao Mingsheng
Published: July 2019

Semantic segmentation is an important process of scene recognition with deep learning frameworks achieving state of the art results, thus gaining much attention from the remote sensing community. In this paper, an end-to-end conditional random fields generative adversarial segmentation network is proposed. Three key factors of this algorithm are as follows. First, the network combines generative adversarial network and Bayesian framework to realize the estimation from the prior probability to the posterior probability. Second, the skip connected encoder-decoder network is combined with CRF layer to implement end-to-end network training. Finally, the adversarial loss and the cross-entropy loss guide the training of the segmentation network through back propagation. The experimental results show that our proposed method outperformed FCN in terms of mIoU for 0.0342 and 0.11 on two data sets, respectively.