bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant properties of selected mango varieties and correlation with the shelf-life of their products
Authors: Kabir SMM , Alam A , Uddin B
Published: December 2017

The study is concentrated with the role of inherent antioxidants content of selected mango varieties on the quality and shelf life of developed mango products. Three mango varieties as gutti, ashina, and langda and two mango products; mango bar and mango fruit drinks were used in this study. Antioxidant contents of three varieties of mango pulp and microbial loads of mango bar and mango fruit drinks were assessed. All three varieties contained vitamin A, beta carotene, and vitamin C as an antioxidant and their contents were higher in gutti variety than other two varieties; Asina and Langda. Antioxidants were made an effective role to resist microbial load in the mango products. No microbial growth was observed within three months in the products (mango bar and mango fruit drink) of gutti mango variety except total plate count (TPC), which showed slight growth after four months of storage. The other two products from Asina and Langda were affected by microbial growth as TPC within one and two months consecutively. The study discloses that the antioxidant content of mango varieties had significant effect on the quality and shelf life in mango products.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 52(4), 303-308, 2017
Modification of chlorine dioxide bleaching of Gmelina arborea (gamar) pulp
Authors: Jahan M Sarwar , Uddin MM , Kashem MA
Published: December 2017

Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) pulp bleaching is now the dominant pulp bleaching process in globally. In most bleachery, chlorine dioxide is over-consumed. About two thirds of the chlorine dioxide is wasted in useless side reactions. In the study, kraft pulp from Gmelina arborea (gamar wood) was bleached by ECF bleaching in modified sequences. Oxygen prebleaching was carried out to decrease ClO2 requirement, which reduced kappa number of kraft pulp by 47.6% and increased pulp brightness by 21.7 percent points. Several sequences were tested based on the application of limited charges of ClO2 during successive ClO2and extraction stage. Application of this concept allowed a 33% reduction of ClO2 to reach target brightness. The kraft pulp could not reach target brightness of 80% in DED sequences using even 30 kg ClO2/ton of pulp, while splitting of same amount of ClO2 charge into DEDED sequences reached the pulp brightness to 81.1%. But oxygen delignified kaft pulp reached 79.6% brightness using 25 kg ClO2/ton of pulp in DED sequences. In the splitting of ClO2 charge into DEDED sequences, Oxygen pulp reached to 85% brightness by using only 20 kg ClO2/ton pulp.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 52(4), 247-252, 2017
Heavy metals in soil and vegetables grown with municipal wastewater in Lahore
Authors: Hamid A , Mushtaq A , Nazir R , Asghar S
Published: December 2017

Heavy metals contamination of fruits and vegetables as a consequence of wastewater irrigation is most important concern today. Present study measures heavy metals concentration (Cr, Cu and Pb) in soil and vegetable samples collected from agriculture area around four major drains of Lahore (Hudiara drain, BabuSabu drain, Chota Ravi drain and Kharak drain). Results show that concentration of Cu, Cr and Pb in soil samples were in compliance with WHO and EU standards, with an average of 2.221 ± 1.184, 5.314 ± 1.0511 and 3.864 ± 1.6095 mg/kg respectively. Cu content in vegetables ranged from 0.4-18.9 mg/Kg (average of 4.11 ± 6.639 mg/kg), was within limits while Cr in Lady Finger, from Chota Ravi drain area, was 13.2 mg/Kg which is higher than permissible limit (2.4 mg/Kg). While Pb concentration in vegetables samples varied between 0.7 -8.1 mg/Kg (Mean 2.329 ± 2.592 mg/kg), which was also higher than the standard (0.3 mg/Kg).Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 52(4), 331-336, 2017
C.S. Lewis and the Anscombe Debate: from analogia entis to analogia fidei
Authors: Brazier P.H.
Published: December 2017

Noted for its impact by supporters and detractors alike, the Anscombe-Lewis debate was about the fundamental philosophical propositions that underpin Christianity; but more than that, it illustrates and defines a point where Lewis’s work changes, a shift in his theological method. From a philosophical perspective the debate centres on Lewis’s censure of Naturalism and Scientism. Anscombe’s criticism of Lewis’s key argument against Naturalism (the argument from reason) revealed a minefield in terms of causation and our use of language, however, Lewis’s response (the rewriting of Miracles, 2nd edition, 1960) illustrates his mature theological understanding of revelation and reason, and thereby foundationalism. Underpinning Lewis’s work is a symbiotic relationship between revelation and reason; Lewis did not see a dichotomy between the two: religion is rational, and reason is religious—importantly, reason precedes nature, it does not issue from nature. It is intended to demonstrate how Lewis’s championing of apologetics through the analogia entis (the analogy of being) in the 1930s and 1940s takes a more cautious, reflective and nuanced line in the 1950s; reason is complemented by wisdom though his use of the analogia fidei (the analogy of faith). Essentially this contradicts the critics who assert that, following the debate, Lewis abandoned rational apologetics for children’s stories. This shift in method is gradual, a development from the analogia entis to the analogia fidei, not necessarily triggered by the debate alone (perhaps accelerated), but a fuller development and use of a method already present. Reason and imagination now reveal of God’s purposes and truth through word pictures and narrative—faith leads to understanding (fides quaerens intellectum), faith is the ground from which reason can work. This relates closely to a concern for Christlikeness (which is consistently evidenced in his mature work): can analogical narrative tell us more of the truth of revelation than philosophical discourse?
How to Craft a Just Economy (not Enforce a Mad Utopia): Response to Michael Black
Authors: Powell Bill
Published: December 2017

Most people see ‘capitalism’ and ‘socialism’ as opposed, but for ‘distributists’, like G. K. Chesterton and Hilaire Belloc, they are both fatally flawed. Instead, distributists ‘believe that ownership in the means of livelihood is normal to man, and necessary to liberty.’ At present, the ownership of productive property is concentrated in too few hands, which causes all sorts of problems, including the latest round of Wall Street failures and bailouts. The question is, how can we achieve a better distribution of property without going down the Utopian road of coercion (and nightmare)?

At the heart of distributist theory is the conviction that widespread ownership is what most people actually want. Distributists don’t want to coerce anyone into becoming owners; we want to remove the coercions that currently prevent most people from becoming owners. In theory, all adults in Western societies are already free to become their own economic masters; in reality, a myriad of coercive tactics keep most economic control in a few hands. Although we should work on the political side to end these coercions (for instance, the current government tax breaks, bailouts, and outright subsidies to large corporations), the main distributist focus is always on widespread, personal action. We can do much more than we’re doing with the freedoms we still have, especially our choices in how we shop and how we work.
C. S. Lewis’s Use of Scripture in the ‘Liar, Lunatic, Lord’ Argument
Authors: Baynes Leslie
Published: December 2017

C. S. Lewis’s ‘Liar, Lunatic, Lord’ argument elicits important questions about Jesus and scriptural interpretation that need addressing, not least because of its immense popularity in some Christian circles. Did Jesus really go about saying that he was God, or the Son of God, or that he had always existed? After examining the biblical record, must one conclude that Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, or God? Are there really no alternatives? The point of this paper is most emphatically not to attempt to disprove Jesus’ divinity, but rather to demonstrate that Lewis’s use of the gospels is insufficient to prove it. The paper argues that even without deeming the gospels ‘legends,’ but rather accepting them as a reliable portrayal of the words of Jesus, Lewis’s argument falls short because he fails to put the gospels into their first-century context. He instead reads post-Nicene Christology into Hellenistic Judeo-Christian documents.
The Science of Saruman: Nature, structure and a mind of metal and wheels
Authors: Simpson William M.R.
Published: December 2017

Saruman sought to understand things mechanically by breaking them apart in his quest for power. The spirit of Saruman has cast a long shadow over the modern era of the West, imprisoning our notions of nature within the metaphor of the machine. If we are to encounter persons in a material cosmos we must exorcise the Sarumanic suggestion that the human (or hobbit) whole is no more than the sum of its mechanical parts.
The First Inkling: Edward Tangye Lean
Authors: Gilliver Peter
Published: December 2017

This article gathers together previously little-known information about Edward Tangye Lean, the undergraduate who founded the original Oxford literary society which gave its name to the later and more famous Inklings. Drawing on research into archival and published sources, it explores the literary and other activities of Lean during his time as an undergraduate at University College, and the ways in which he would have interacted with the two members of the later Inklings who are known to have had contact with him, C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien.
Inter-Comparison of Carbon Content in PM2.5 and PM10 Collected at Five Measurement Sites in Southern Italy
Authors: Dinoi Adelaide , Cesari Daniela , Marinoni Angela , Bonasoni Paolo , Riccio Angelo , Chianese Elena , Tirimberio Giuseppina , Naccarato Attilio , Sprovieri Francesca , Andreoli Virginia , Moretti Sacha , Gullì Daniel , Calidonna Claudia , Ammoscato Ivano , Contini Daniele
Published: December 2017

A field campaign was performed simultaneously at five measurement sites, having different characteristics, to characterize the spatial distribution of the carbonaceous content in atmospheric aerosol in Southern Italy during the winter season. Organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) were measured at urban (Naples), suburban (Lecce), coastal/marine (Lamezia Terme and Capo Granitola), and remote (Monte Curcio) locations. OC and EC mass concentrations were quantified by the thermal-optical transmission (TOT) method, in 24-h PM10 and PM2.5 samples collected on quartz fiber filters, from 25 November 2015 to 1 January 2016. The different sites showed marked differences in the average concentrations of both carbonaceous species. Typically, OC average levels (±standard deviation) were higher at the sites of Naples (12.8 ± 5.1 and 11.8 ± 4.6 μg/m3) and Lecce (10.7 ± 5.8 and 9.0 ± 4.7 μg/m3), followed by Lamezia Terme (4.3 ± 2.0 and 4.0 ± 1.9 μg/m3), Capo Granitola (2.3 ± 1.2 and 1.7 ± 1.1 μg/m3), and Monte Curcio (0.9 ± 0.3 and 0.9 ± 0.3 μg/m3) in PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. Similarly, EC average levels (±standard deviation) were higher at the urban sites of Naples (2.3 ± 1.1 and 1.8 ± 0.5 μg/m3) and Lecce (1.5 ± 0.8 and 1.4 ± 0.7 μg/m3), followed by Lamezia Terme (0.6 ± 0.3 and 0.6 ± 0.3 μg/m3), Capo Granitola (0.3 ± 0.3 and 0.3 ± 0.2 μg/m3), and Monte Curcio (0.06 ± 0.04 and 0.05 ± 0.03 μg/m3) in PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. An opposite trend was observed for the OC/EC ratios ranging from 6.4 to 15.9 in PM10 and from 6.4 to 15.5 in PM2.5 with lower values in urban sites compared to remote sites. Different OC-EC correlations, 0.36 < R2 < 0.90, were found in four observation sites. This behavior suggests the contributions of similar sources and common atmospheric processes in both fractions. No correlations were observed between OC and EC at the site of Naples. The average secondary organic carbon (SOC) concentrations, quantified using the minimum OC/EC ratio method, ranged from 0.4 to 7.6 μg/m3 in PM10 and from 0.4 to 7.2 μg/m3 in PM2.5, accounting from 37 to 59% of total OC in PM10 and from 40 to 57% in PM2.5 with higher percentages in the urban and suburban sites of Naples and Lecce.
Challenging Notions of Academic Entitlement and Its Rise among Liberal Arts College Students
Authors: Lemke Debra , Marx Jeff , Dundes Lauren
Published: December 2017

To assess academic entitlement, we employed a repeated cross-sectional design to compare survey data from two systematic random samples collected eight years apart, in 2009 (n = 225) and 2017 (n = 159), at a small, private, mid-Atlantic liberal arts college. According to an entitlement scale (based on Greenberger et al., 2008), students were less likely to be entitled in 2017 (27%) than in 2009 (41%) (p = 0.02). In 2009, a higher proportion of males than females felt entitled (50% versus 34%, p = 0.05), a sex difference that disappeared by 2017. To explore academic entitlement further, we developed the “PIE” scale to measure the extent to which students believe “participation,” “improvement” and “effort” should help determine their course grades. Although the proportion of above average PIE scorers was stable from 2009 (36%) to 2017 (34%), in 2017, more females than males were above average on PIE (26% of males versus 44% of females, p = 0.02). PIE, or the desire for recognition of “academic sweat equity,” could reflect students’ support for a learning model that goes beyond mastery and is more developmental and process oriented. These data challenge common conceptions of what constitutes academic entitlement, the belief that it is rising, and suggest continued discussions of what factors should determine grades.
Supraphysiologic Testosterone Therapy in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer: Models, Mechanisms and Questions
Authors: Mohammad Osama , Nyquist Michael , Schweizer Michael , Balk Stephen , Corey Eva , Plymate Stephen , Nelson Peter , Mostaghel Elahe
Published: December 2017

Since Huggins defined the androgen-sensitive nature of prostate cancer (PCa), suppression of systemic testosterone (T) has remained the most effective initial therapy for advanced disease although progression inevitably occurs. From the inception of clinical efforts to suppress androgen receptor (AR) signaling by reducing AR ligands, it was also recognized that administration of T in men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) could result in substantial clinical responses. Data from preclinical models have reproducibly shown biphasic responses to T administration, with proliferation at low androgen concentrations and growth inhibition at supraphysiological T concentrations. Many questions regarding the biphasic response of PCa to androgen treatment remain, primarily regarding the mechanisms driving these responses and how best to exploit the biphasic phenomenon clinically. Here we review the preclinical and clinical data on high dose androgen growth repression and discuss cellular pathways and mechanisms likely to be involved in mediating this response. Although meaningful clinical responses have now been observed in men with PCa treated with high dose T, not all men respond, leading to questions regarding which tumor characteristics promote response or resistance, and highlighting the need for studies designed to determine the molecular mechanism(s) driving these responses and identify predictive biomarkers.
Tracking Functional Tumor Cell Subpopulations of Malignant Glioma by Phasor Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy of NADH
Authors: Trinh Andrew , Chen Hongtao , Chen Yumay , Hu Yuanjie , Li Zhenzhi , Siegel Eric , Linskey Mark , Wang Ping , Digman Michelle , Zhou Yi-Hong
Published: December 2017

Intra-tumoral heterogeneity is associated with therapeutic resistance of cancer and there exists a need to non-invasively identify functional tumor subpopulations responsible for tumor recurrence. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) is a metabolic coenzyme essential in cellular respiration. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) of NADH has been demonstrated to be a powerful label-free indicator for inferring metabolic states of living cells. Using FLIM, we identified a significant shift towards longer NADH fluorescence lifetimes, suggesting an increase in the fraction of protein-bound NADH, in the invasive stem-like tumor-initiating cell (STIC) subpopulation relative to the tumor mass-forming cell (TMC) subpopulation of malignant gliomas. By applying our previously studied model to transition glioma from a majority of STIC to a majority of TMC in serum-adherent culture conditions following serial passages, we compared changes in NADH states, cellular respirations (oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis), EGFR expression, and cell-growth speed over passages. We identified a significant positive correlation between free-NADH fraction and cell growth, which was related to an increase of TMC fraction. In comparison, the increase of EGFR and cellular respirations preceded all these changes. In conclusion, FLIM of NADH provides a non-invasive method to monitor the dynamics of tumor heterogeneity before and after treatment.
Preparation of Ag4Bi2O5/MnO2 Corn/Cob Like Nano Material as a Superior Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Solution
Authors: Zeng Xun , Pan Junqing , Sun Yanzhi
Published: December 2017

Ag4Bi2O5/MnO2 nano-sized material was synthesized by a co-precipitation method in concentrated KOH solution. The morphology characterization indicates that MnO2 nanoparticles with a size of 20 nm are precipitated on the surface of nano Ag4Bi2O5, forming a structure like corn on the cob. The obtained material with 60% Mn offers slightly higher initial potential (0.098 V vs. Hg/HgO) and limiting current density (−5.67 mA cm−2) at a rotating speed of 1600 rpm compared to commercial Pt/C (−0.047 V and −5.35 mA cm−2, respectively). Furthermore, the obtained material exhibits superior long-term durability and stronger methanol tolerance than commercial Pt/C. The remarkable features suggest that the Ag4Bi2O5/MnO2 nano-material is a very promising oxygen reduction reaction catalyst.
Latching and Declutching Control of the Solo Duck Wave-Energy Converter with Different Load Types
Authors: Wu Jinming , Yao Yingxue , Zhou Liang , Göteman Malin
Published: December 2017

The solo duck wave-energy converter (WEC) captures power in a point absorber manner, hence it exhibits high power-capture efficiency within only a narrow bandwidth. Passive control is characterized by a unidirectional power flow, and thus its engineering implementation can be simplified. In this paper, two typical passive control strategies, latching and declutching control, are applied to the solo duck WEC to improve its power-capture performance at wave periods larger and smaller than the natural period of the WEC, respectively. Special attention is paid to the peak value of instantaneous WEC performance parameters, including the peak motion excursion, the peak power take-off (PTO) moment, and the peak-to-average power ratio, when the captured power is maximized. Performance differences between the linear and coulomb loads are also investigated. Results show that both latching and declutching control can effectively improve captured power, but also incidentally increase the peak motion excursion and peak-to-average power ratio. When under latching and declutching control, the coulomb load leads to the same maximum relative capture width and peak motion excursion as the linear load, but presents smaller peak PTO moment and peak-to-average power ratio than the linear load, hence making the coulomb load the better choice for the solo duck WEC.
Numerical Simulation about Reconstruction of the Boundary Layer
Authors: Li Yan , Li Chuan , Wu Yajie , Liu Cong , Yuan Han , Mei Ning
Published: December 2017

In this paper, the reconstruction mechanism of the boundary layer in the channel is studied using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). By comparing the distribution of velocity in the channel, the conclusion that LBM has feasibility and superiority is obtained. Based on this, a physical model of square cylinders is set up to simulate the velocity distribution and the effect on the thickness of boundary layer. When the square cylinder moves at a certain speed, the velocity distribution in the flow field changes drastically. As well, it is found that the thickness of the boundary layer decreases with the cylinders’ height increasing in the given range. Furthermore, double cylinders model is also set up, and the results show that the optimal interval distance of the cylinders is between 90 and 140 lattice units. It is found that the moving cylinders have a significant effect on the thickness of the boundary layer, which will change the fluid flow and enhance the heat transfer.
An Emulated PV Source Based on an Unilluminated Solar Panel and DC Power Supply
Authors: Zhou Zhongfu , Macaulay John
Published: December 2017

This paper provides a review on various PV simulator technologies as well as presents a novel equivalent photovoltaic (PV) source that was constructed by using un-illuminated solar panels and a DC power supply that operates in current source mode. The constructed PV source was used for testing photovoltaic converters and various maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms required for capturing the maximum possible output power. The mathematical model and electrical characteristics of the constructed PV source were defined and analyzed in detail in the paper. The constructed PV source has the advantages of high bandwidth over the switching circuit based PV simulators. The constructed PV source has been used for testing various power electronics converters and various control techniques effectively in laboratory environments for researchers and university students.
What Do Users Really Need? Participatory Development of Decision Support Tools for Environmental Management Based on Outcomes
Authors: Hewitt Richard , Macleod Christopher
Published: December 2017

There is increasing demand from stakeholders for tools to support outcomes-based approaches in environmental management. For such tools to be useful, understanding user requirements is key. In Scotland, UK, stakeholders were engaged in the development of an Environmental Decision Support System (EDSS) to support the management of land and freshwater resources for multiple policy outcomes. A structured participatory engagement process was employed to determine stakeholder requirements, establish development principles to fulfil these requirements and road-test prototypes. The specification that emerged from this bottom-up process was for an EDSS to be spatially-explicit, free at the point of use, and mobile device compatible. This application, which is under development, does not closely resemble most existing published EDSS. We suggest that there is a mismatch between the way scientists typically conceptualise EDSS and the kinds of applications that are likely to be useful to decision-makers on the ground. Interactive mobile and web-based geospatial information services have become ubiquitous in our daily lives, but their importance is not reflected in the literature on EDSS. The current focus in environmental management on adaptive, stakeholder-centred strategies based on outcomes offers an opportunity to make better use of these new technologies to aid decision-making processes.
Negotiating Proximity and Distance to Holocaust Memory through Narrativity and Photography in Monika Maron’s Pawels Briefe (Pavel’s Letters) (1999)
Authors: Hansen Lauren
Published: December 2017

Germany’s unification in 1989 triggered a public and literary confrontation with WWII, the Holocaust and the East-West German past. The years following the “Wende” of 1989/90 witnessed an increase in autobiographical family novels that explore how historical events of the twentieth century impacted upon individual and family pasts and continue to do so. Monika Maron, in claiming Pawels Briefe (Pavel’s Letters) (1999) as a family story/history, rather than novel, raises questions about the ethics of intertwinement between autobiographical memory and family memory, specifically postmemory. By analyzing narrative and photographic engagement, I argue that Maron resists over-identification by engendering critical distance between family memory and autobiographical memory that are both situated in a particular moment of German national memory.
Evaluation of Conceptual Hydrological Models in Data Scarce Region of the Upper Blue Nile Basin: Case of the Upper Guder Catchment
Authors: Wakigari Shimelis
Published: December 2017

The prediction of dominant hydrological processes is imperative with the available information in data scarce regions by means of the lumped hydrological models for the purpose of water resource management. This study is aims at an intercomparison of the performances of the conceptual hydrological models in predicting streamflow. The Veralgemeend Conceptueel Hydrologisch (VHM) and NedborAfstromnings Model (NAM) lumped rainfall–runoff models were manually calibrated and validated for periods of 1 January 1990–31 December 2000 and 1 January 2001–31 December 2005, respectively. Some of the parameters of the models (i.e., recession constants of subflow components) were estimated from the preprocessing of the streamflow data using the Water Engineering Time Series PROcessing tool (WETSPRO). These parameters were used for the initial model setup and subjected to slight adjustments during calibration. The performances of the models were evaluated by graphical and statistical means. The results depicted that the models reproduced the streamflow in a good way and that the overall shape of the hydrograph was properly captured. A Nash Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) of 0.71 and 0.67 were obtained during calibration, whereas, for the validation period, NSE of 0.6 and 0.58 were obtained for VHM and NAM, respectively. The water balance discrepancy (WBD) of −0.1% and −13.7% were achieved for calibration, while −17% and −9% were acquired during validation for VHM and NAM, respectively. Though the models underestimated the high flows, the low flows were relatively well simulated. From the overall evaluation of the models, it is noted that the NAM model performed better than the VHM model in predicting the flow. In conclusion, the models can be used for water resource management and planning with precautions for extreme flow.
How to Obtain Forty Percent Less Environmental Impact by Healthy, Protein-Optimized Snacks for Older Adults
Authors: Saxe Henrik , Loftager Okkels Signe , Jensen Jørgen
Published: December 2017

It is well known that meals containing less meat are more sustainable, but little is known about snack-meals, which typically do not contain meat. This study investigates the diversity in environmental impacts associated with snack production based on 20 common recipes optimized for protein content, energy content and sensory aspects for older adults. The purpose is to improve sustainability of public procurement by serving more sustainable snack-meals. Public procurement serves Danish older adults over millions of snack-meals every year, and millions more are served in countries with a similar social service. The environmental impact of snack production was estimated by consequential life cycle assessment. The average impact of producing the 10 least environmentally harmful snacks was 40% less than the average impact of producing the 10 most harmful snacks. This is true whether the functional unit was mass, energy, or protein content, and whether the environmental impact was measured as global warming potential or the monetized value of 16 impact categories. We conclude that large-scale public procurement of snack-meals by private and municipal kitchens can be reduced by up to 40% if the kitchens evaluate the environmental impact of all their snacks and serve the better half more frequently.
Impacts of Small-Scale Industrialized Swine Farming on Local Soil, Water and Crop Qualities in a Hilly Red Soil Region of Subtropical China
Authors: Zhang Di , Wang Xingxiang , Zhou Zhigao
Published: December 2017

Industrialized small-scale pig farming has been rapidly developed in developing regions such as China and Southeast Asia, but the environmental problems accompanying pig farming have not been fully recognized. This study investigated 168 small-scale pig farms and 29 example pig farms in Yujiang County of China to examine current and potential impacts of pig wastes on soil, water and crop qualities in the hilly red soil region, China. The results indicated that the small-scale pig farms produced considerable annual yields of wastes, with medians of 216, 333 and 773 ton yr−1 per pig farm for manure, urine and washing wastewater, respectively, which has had significant impact on surface water quality. Taking NH4+-N, total nitrogen (TN) or total phosphorus (TP) as a criterion to judge water quality, the proportions of Class III and below Class III waters in the local surface waters were 66.2%, 78.7% and 72.5%. The well water (shallow groundwater) quality near these pig farms met the water quality standards by a wide margin. The annual output of pollutants from pig farms was the most important factor correlated with the nutrients and heavy metals in soils, and the relationship can be described by a linear equation. The impact on croplands was marked by the excessive accumulation of available phosphorus and heavy metals such as Cu and Zn. For crop safety, the over-limit ratio of Zn in vegetable samples reached 60%, other heavy metals in vegetable and rice samples tested met the food safety standard at present.
Adverse Intrauterine Environment and Cardiac miRNA Expression
Authors: Lock Mitchell , Botting Kimberley , Tellam Ross , Brooks Doug , Morrison Janna
Published: December 2017

Placental insufficiency, high altitude pregnancies, maternal obesity/diabetes, maternal undernutrition and stress can result in a poor setting for growth of the developing fetus. These adverse intrauterine environments result in physiological changes to the developing heart that impact how the heart will function in postnatal life. The intrauterine environment plays a key role in the complex interplay between genes and the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate their expression. In this review we describe how an adverse intrauterine environment can influence the expression of miRNAs (a sub-set of non-coding RNAs) and how these changes may impact heart development. Potential consequences of altered miRNA expression in the fetal heart include; Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) activation, dysregulation of angiogenesis, mitochondrial abnormalities and altered glucose and fatty acid transport/metabolism. It is important to understand how miRNAs are altered in these adverse environments to identify key pathways that can be targeted using miRNA mimics or inhibitors to condition an improved developmental response.
An Updated View of Translocator Protein (TSPO)
Authors: Denora Nunzio , Natile Giovanni
Published: December 2017

Decades of study on the role of mitochondria in living cells have evidenced the importance of the 18 kDa mitochondrial translocator protein (TSPO), first discovered in the 1977 as an alternative binding site for the benzodiazepine diazepam in the kidneys. This protein participates in a variety of cellular functions, including cholesterol transport, steroid hormone synthesis, mitochondrial respiration, permeability transition pore opening, apoptosis, and cell proliferation. Thus, TSPO has become an extremely attractive subcellular target for the early detection of disease states that involve the overexpression of this protein and the selective mitochondrial drug delivery. This special issue was programmed with the aim of summarizing the latest findings about the role of TSPO in eukaryotic cells and as a potential subcellular target of diagnostics or therapeutics. A total of 9 papers have been accepted for publication in this issue, in particular, 2 reviews and 7 primary data manuscripts, overall describing the main advances in this field.
Lewis Base Complexes of Magnesium Borohydride: Enhanced Kinetics and Product Selectivity upon Hydrogen Release
Authors: Chong Marina , Autrey Tom , Jensen Craig
Published: December 2017

Tetrahydofuran (THF) complexed to magnesium borohydride has been found to have a positive effect on both the reactivity and selectivity, enabling release of H2 at <200 °C and forms Mg(B10H10) with high selectivity.
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for Monitoring the Formation of Hydroxyapatite Porous Layers
Authors: Sola Daniel , Paulés Daniel , Grima Lorena , Anzano Jesús
Published: December 2017

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is applied to characterize the formation of porous hydroxyapatite layers on the surface of 0.8CaSiO3-0.2Ca3(PO4)2 biocompatible eutectic glass immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF). Compositional and structural characterization analyses were also conducted by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and micro-Raman spectroscopy.
Metabolites with Insecticidal Activity from Aspergillus fumigatus JRJ111048 Isolated from Mangrove Plant Acrostichum specioum Endemic to Hainan Island
Authors: Guo Zhikai , Gai Cuijuan , Cai Caihong , Chen Liangliang , Liu Shoubai , Zeng Yanbo , Yuan Jingzhe , Mei Wenli , Dai Haofu
Published: December 2017

Fungi residing in mangroves are considered to be a bank of novel bioactive natural products. In the screening for bioactive metabolites from mangrove-derived fungi, the ethyl acetate extract of the fermentation broth of Aspergillus fumigatus JRJ111048, a fungus isolated from the leaves of the mangrove plant Acrostichum specioum endemic to Hainan island, was found to possess insecticidal activity against Spodoptera litura. Bioactivity-guided isolation lead to the discovery of seven metabolites 1–7, including one new anhydride derivative aspergide (1), one new lipid amide 11-methyl-11-hydroxyldodecanoic acid amide (2), and five known compounds; α-ethyl glucoside (3), spiculisporic acid B (4), spiculisporic acid C (5), spiculisporic acid (6), and secospiculisporic acid B (7). Their structures were established by NMR spectroscopic and MS analyses, and by comparison of previously reported data. Insecticidal activity against S. litura and antifungal activity of these compounds were investigated. As a result, the new compound 1 showed potent insecticidal activity against newly hatched larvae of S. litura, and compound 4 displayed weak antifungal activity against Candida albicans.
Fiber Laser Welding of Dissimilar 2205/304 Stainless Steel Plates
Authors: Ridha Mohammed Ghusoon , Ishak Mahadzir , Ahmad Syarifah , Abdulhadi Hassan
Published: December 2017

In this study, an attempt on pulsed-fiber laser welding on an austenitic-duplex stainless steel butt joint configuration was investigated. The influence of various welding parameters, such as beam diameter, peak power, pulse repetition rate, and pulse width on the weld beads geometry was studied by checking the width and depth of the welds after each round of welding parameters combination. The weld bead dimensions and microstructural progression of the weld joints were observed microscopically. Finally, the full penetration specimens were subjected to tensile tests, which were coupled with the analysis of the fracture surfaces. From the results, combination of the selected weld parameters resulted in robust weldments with similar features to those of duplex and austenitic weld metals. The weld depth and width were found to increase proportionally to the laser power. Furthermore, the weld bead geometry was found to be positively affected by the pulse width. Microstructural studies revealed the presence of dendritic and fine grain structures within the weld zone at low peak power, while ferritic microstructures were found on the sides of the weld metal near the SS 304 and austenitic-ferritic microstructure beside the duplex 2205 boundary. Regarding the micro-hardness tests, there was an improvement when compared to the hardness of duplex and austenitic stainless steels base metals. Additionally, the tensile strength of the fiber laser welded joints was found to be higher when compared to the tensile strength of the base metals (duplex and austenitic) in all of the joints.
Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. and Rosmarinus officinalis (L.) Essential Oils: In Vitro Effects and Toxicity on Swine Spermatozoa
Authors: Elmi Alberto , Ventrella Domenico , Barone Francesca , Filippini Gianfranco , Benvenuti Stefania , Pisi Annamaria , Scozzoli Maurizio , Bacci Maria
Published: December 2017

Essential oils possess a variety of biological properties (i.e., antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic) that could possibly be applied in reproductive medicine, but their effects on spermatozoa are still partially unknown. The aim of the study was to describe the effects of Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. and Rosmarinus officinalis (L.) essential oils on the main morpho-functional parameters of swine spermatozoa. Essential oils were preliminary characterized by gas chromatography and added with emulsifiers to facilitate diffusion. Experimental samples were prepared by suspending a fixed number of spermatozoa in 5 mL of medium with 10 different concentrations of essential oil (0.2–2 mg/mL, at intervals of 0.2). After 3 h of incubation, samples were analyzed for pH, viability, objective motility, and acrosome status. Results showed that the effects of the essential oils are concentration-dependent and that R. officinalis is well tolerated up to 0.6 mg/mL. T. capitata impaired the spermatozoa starting from the lowest concentration, with complete spermicidal effect from 0.4 mg/mL. The patterns of damage, confirmed by SEM, were different and quite distinct. As expected, spermatozoa proved to be sensitive to external stimuli and capable of showing different functional patterns, providing interesting insights to the action/toxicity mechanisms. The results of the present work represent the first step towards the systematic characterization of the effects of these compounds on spermatozoa. This kind of studies are necessary to strengthen the idea of future applications of essential oils in the reproductive field due to their antioxidant, antibacterial, or spermicidal properties.
Novel Mesoporous Flowerlike Iron Sulfide Hierarchitectures: Facile Synthesis and Fast Lithium Storage Capability
Authors: Ma Quanning , Zhuang Qianyu , Liang Jun , Zhang Zhonghua , Liu Jing , Peng Hongrui , Mao Changming , Li Guicun
Published: December 2017

The 3D flowerlike iron sulfide (F-FeS) is successfully synthesized via a facile one-step sulfurization process, and the electrochemical properties as anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are investigated. Compared with bulk iron sulfide, we find that the unique structural features, overall flowerlike structure, composed of several dozen nanopetals and numerous small size iron sulfide particles embedded within the fine nanopetals, and hierarchical pore structure features provide signification improvements in lithium storage performance, with a high-rate discharge capacity of 779.0 mAh g−1 at a rate of 5 A g−1, due to effectively alleviating the volume expansion during the lithiation/delithiation process, and shorting the diffusion length of both lithium ion and electron. Especially, an excellent cycling stability are achieved, a high discharge capacity of 890 mAh g−1 retained at a rate of 1.0 A g−1, suggesting its promising applications in lithium ion batteries (LIBs).
Bioavailability of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) Flavanones and Biological Activity of Their Circulating Metabolites in Human Pro-Angiogenic Cells
Authors: Spigoni Valentina , Mena Pedro , Fantuzzi Federica , Tassotti Michele , Brighenti Furio , Bonadonna Riccardo , Del Rio Daniele , Dei Cas Alessandra
Published: December 2017

Myeloid angiogenic cells (MACs) play a key role in endothelial repairing processes and functionality but their activity may be impaired by the lipotoxic effects of some molecules like stearic acid (SA). Among the dietary components potentially able to modulate endothelial function in vivo, (poly)phenolic compounds represent serious candidates. Here, we apply a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to shed light on the prospects of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), a citrus fruit rich in flavanones and other phenolic compounds, in the framework of lipotoxicity-induced MACs impairment. The flavanone profile of bergamot juice was characterized and 16 compounds were identified, with a new 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG) flavanone, isosakuranetin-7-O-neohesperidoside-6″-O-HMG, described for the first time. Then, a pilot bioavailability study was conducted in healthy volunteers to assess the circulating flavanone metabolites in plasma and urine after consumption of bergamot juice. Up to 12 flavanone phase II conjugates (sulfates and glucuronides of hesperetin, naringenin and eriodyctiol) were detected and quantified. Finally, the effect of some of the metabolites identified in vivo, namely hesperetin-7-O-glucuronide, hesperetin-3′-O-glucuronide, naringenin-7-O-glucuronide and naringenin-4′-O-glucuronide, was tested, at physiological concentrations, on gene expression of inflammatory markers and apoptosis in MACs exposed to SA. Under these conditions, naringenin-4′-O-glucuronide and hesperetin-7-O-glucuronide were able to modulate inflammation, while no flavanone glucuronide was effective in curbing stearate-induced lipoapoptosis. These results demonstrate that some flavanone metabolites, derived from the in vivo transformation of bergamot juice phenolics in humans, may mitigate stearate-induced inflammation in MACs.
A Chitosan—Based Liposome Formulation Enhances the In Vitro Wound Healing Efficacy of Substance P Neuropeptide
Authors: Mengoni Tamara , Adrian Manuela , Pereira Susana , Santos-Carballal Beatriz , Kaiser Mathias , Goycoolea Francisco
Published: December 2017

Currently, there is considerable interest in developing innovative biodegradable nanoformulations for controlled administration of therapeutic proteins and peptides. Substance P (SP) is a neuropeptide of 11 amino acids that belongs to the tachykinins family and it plays an important role in wound healing. However, SP is easily degradable in vivo and has a very short half-life, so the use of chitosan-based nanocarriers could enhance its pharmaceutical properties. In light of the above, the aim of this work was to produce and characterize chitosan-coated liposomes loaded with SP (SP-CH-LP) as novel biomaterials with potential application in mucosal wound healing. The loaded system’s biophysical properties were characterized by dynamic light scattering with non-invasive back scattering (DLS-NIBS), mixed mode measurements and phase analysis light scattering (M3-PALS) and high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet/visible light detection (HPLC-UV/VIS). Then, the efficacy of the obtained nanoformulations was examined via proof-of-principle experiments using in vitro cell assays. These assays showed an increment on cell motility and proliferation after treatment with free and encapsulated neuropeptides. Additionally, the effect of SP on wound healing was enhanced by the entrapment on CH-LP. Overall, the amenability of chitosan-based nanomaterials to encapsulate peptides and proteins constitutes a promising approach towards potential novel therapies to treat difficult wounds.
Morphological Variation and Inter-Relationships of Quantitative Traits in Enset (Ensete ventricosum (welw.) Cheesman) Germplasm from South and South-Western Ethiopia
Authors: Yemataw Zerihun , Chala Alemayehu , Ambachew Daniel , Studholme David , Grant Murray , Tesfaye Kassahun
Published: December 2017

Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) is Ethiopia’s most important root crop. A total of 387 accessions collected from nine different regions of Ethiopia were evaluated for 15 quantitative traits at Areka Agricultural Research Centre to determine the extent and pattern of distribution of morphological variation. The variations among the accessions and regions were significant (p ≤ 0.01) for all the 15 traits studied. Mean for plant height, central shoot weight before grating, and fermented squeezed kocho yield per hectare per year showed regional variation along an altitude gradient and across cultural differences related to the origin of the collection. Furthermore, there were significant correlations among most of the characters. This included the correlation among agronomic characteristics of primary interest in enset breeding such as plant height, pseudostem height, and fermented squeezed kocho yield per hectare per year. Altitude of the collection sites also significantly impacted the various characteristics studied. These results reveal the existence of significant phenotypic variations among the 387 accessions as a whole. Regional differentiations were also evident among the accessions. The implication of the current results for plant breeding, germplasm collection, and in situ and ex situ genetic resource conservation are discussed.
Confinement Effects on Polymer Dynamics: Thermo-Responsive Behaviours of Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Polymers in Phospholipid-Coated Droplets (Water-in-Oil Emulsion)
Authors: Yoshida Kazunari , Horii Keitaro , Saito Azusa , Takashima Akito , Nishio Izumi
Published: December 2017

In order to construct the artificial cells and to understand the physicochemical properties of living cells, it is important to clarify the cell-sized confinement effect on the behaviours of bio-inspired polymers. We report the dynamic behaviours of aqueous hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) solution coated with phospholipids in oil (water-in-oil droplets, W/O droplets), accompanied by an increase in the temperature. We directly observed the beginning of phase separation of HPC solution using a fluorescence microscope and confirmed the dependence of such phenomena on droplet size. The results indicate that the start time of phase separation is decreased with an increase in droplet size. The experimental results suggest that the confinement situation accelerates the phase separation of aqueous HPC solutions.
Carboxyl-Functionalized Polymeric Microspheres Prepared by One-Stage Photoinitiated RAFT Dispersion Polymerization
Authors: Tan Jianbo , Li Xueliang , He Jun , Xu Qin , Zhang Yuxuan , Dai Xiaocong , Yu Liangliang , Zeng Ruiming , Zhang Li
Published: December 2017

Herein, we report a photoinitiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) dispersion copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methyl methacrylic (MAA) for the preparation of highly monodisperse carboxyl-functionalized polymeric microspheres. High rates of polymerization were observed, with more than 90% particle yields being achieved within 3 h of UV irradiation. Effects of reaction parameters (e.g., MAA concentration, RAFT agent concentration, photoinitiator concentration, and solvent composition) were studied in detail, and highly monodisperse polymeric microspheres were obtained in most cases. Finally, silver (Ag) composite microspheres were prepared by in situ reduction of AgNO3 using the carboxyl-functionalized polymeric microspheres as the template. The obtained Ag composite microspheres were able to catalyze the reduction of methylene blue (MB) with NaBH4 as a reductant.