bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
De-Ethylation and Cleavage of Rhodamine B by a Zirconium Phosphate/Silver Bromide Composite Photocatalyst
Authors: Pica Monica , Calzuola Silvia , Donnadio Anna , Gentili Pier Luigi , Nocchetti Morena , Casciola Mario
Published: December 2018

A composite heterogeneous photocatalyst based on silver bromide was prepared by a reaction of silver exchanged zirconium phosphate (ZrP) and HBr. The ZrP/AgBr composite containing 53 wt% AgBr was tested in the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and exhibited higher catalytic activity with respect to pure AgBr. As a matter of fact, the time needed to achieve a percentage of chromophore cleavage of about 90% was 3 min for the composite versus the 30 min needed for pure AgBr. The ZrP/AgBr composite turned out to be stable for at least three consecutive cycles. The UV-Vis spectra of the RhB solution, recorded at different irradiation times, were also decomposed and the concentration of the species formed by de-ethylation and cleavage processes during photocatalysis were calculated; the data obtained for the AgBr-based catalysis were also compared with those for the AgCl-based catalysis, and the degradation mechanism was suggested for both catalytic systems.
Effect of Both the Phase Composition and Modification Methods on Structural-Adsorption Parameters of Dispersed Silicas
Authors: Rakitskaya Tatyana , Kiose Tatyana , Golubchik Kristina , Baumer Viacheslav , Volkova Vitaliya
Published: December 2018

Tripoli from two Ukrainian deposits was studied in its natural and modified forms. The investigation of natural and modified tripoli involves the identification of their phase compositions through X-ray diffraction and the analysis of their water vapor adsorption-desorption isotherms. The obtained results are evidence of changes in the structural-adsorption parameters of tripoli as a result of modification. Their treatment in boiling water or acid causes apparent alterations of contents of the main phases and sizes of their crystallites, whereas their calcination causes not only the dehydroxylation of surfaces and the agglomeration of phases, but even phase transformation in the case of carbonate tripoli. After analyzing water vapor adsorption-desorption isotherms of natural and modified tripolis, some correlations between their adsorption parameters, phase compositions, main phase contents and crystallite sizes have been found.
Agent Inaccessibility as a Fundamental Principle in Quantum Mechanics: Objective Unpredictability and Formal Uncomputability
Authors: Walleczek Jan
Published: December 2018

The inaccessibility to the experimenter agent of the complete quantum state is well-known. However, decisive answers are still missing for the following question: What underpins and governs the physics of agent inaccessibility? Specifically, how does nature prevent the agent from accessing, predicting, and controlling, individual quantum measurement outcomes? The orthodox interpretation of quantum mechanics employs the metaphysical assumption of indeterminism—‘intrinsic randomness’—as an axiomatic, in-principle limit on agent–quantum access. By contrast, ontological and deterministic interpretations of quantum mechanics typically adopt an operational, in-practice limit on agent access and knowledge—‘effective ignorance’. The present work considers a third option—‘objective ignorance’: an in-principle limit for ontological quantum mechanics based upon self-referential dynamics, including undecidable dynamics and dynamical chaos, employing uncomputability as a formal limit. Given a typical quantum random sequence, no formal proof is available for the truth of quantum indeterminism, whereas a formal proof for the uncomputability of the quantum random sequence—as a fundamental limit on agent access ensuring objective unpredictability—is a plausible option. This forms the basis of the present proposal for an agent-inaccessibility principle in quantum mechanics.
AC Mains Synchronization Loop for Precalculated- Based PFC Converters Using the Output Voltage Measure
Authors: Sanchez Alberto , Yushkova Marina , De Castro Angel , Martínez-García M. Sofía , Garrido Javier
Published: December 2018

Common implementations of power factor correction include sensors for the input and output voltages and the input current. Many alternatives have been considered to reduce the number of sensors, especially the current sensor. One strategy is to precalculate the duty cycles that must be applied to every ac main, so the system only needs to synchronize them with the input voltage, and include a simple output voltage loop. The main problem with this approach is the sensibility to any synchronization error, because the input current is not measured, so its evolution is not continuously corrected. This paper shows how the synchronization error alters the current and the power factor, and it proposes several methods to detect and correct this error. All methods use the output voltage ADC, which is already used to control the output voltage, so the cost of the system is not increased. This technique can also be applied to any current sensorless PFC converter, because they are usually affected by leading or lagging currents, so the synchronization can be modified to reduce these effects. Results show that the implementation of this synchronization loop keeps a high-power factor under a wide synchronization error range, while the added logic is not significant.
An 11 GHz Dual-Sided Self-Calibrating Dynamic Comparator in 28 nm CMOS
Authors: Ramkaj Athanasios , Strackx Maarten , Steyaert Michiel , Tavernier Filip
Published: December 2018

This paper demonstrates a high-speed, low-noise dynamic comparator, employing self-calibration. The proposed dual-sided, fully-dynamic offset calibration is able to reduce the input-referred offset voltage by a factor of ten compared to the uncalibrated value without any speed or noise penalty and with less than 5% power overhead. Moreover, the implemented multi-stage topology significantly advances the state-of-the-art comparator performance, achieving the highest reported operating frequency, as well as the lowest delay slope and sensitivity to supply and common mode variations compared to existing works, with similar energy/comparison. This makes the proposed self-calibrating comparator an ideal candidate for high resolution (>10 b) multi-GHz Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs). The 28 nm bulk CMOS prototype measures an input-referred noise and calibrated offset of 0.82 mV and 0.99 mV, respectively clocked at 11 GHz, consuming only 0.89 mW from a 1 V supply, for an area of 0.00054 mm2, including calibration.
How Elastic Demand Affects Bidding Strategy in Electricity Market: An Auction Approach
Authors: Fang Debin , Ren Qiyu , Yu Qian
Published: December 2018

The deepening of electricity reform results in increasingly frequent auctions and the surge of generators, making it difficult to analyze generators’ behaviors. With the difficulties to find analytical market equilibriums, approximate equilibriums were obtained instead in previous studies by market simulations, where in some cases the results are strictly bound to the initial estimations and the results are chaotic. In this paper, a multi-unit power bidding model is proposed to reveal the bidding mechanism under clearing pricing rules by employing an auction approach, for which initial estimations are non-essential. Normalized bidding price is introduced to construct generators’ price-related bidding strategy. Nash equilibriums are derived depending on the marginal cost and the winning probability which are computed from bidding quantity, transmission cost and demand distribution. Furthermore, we propose a comparative analysis to explore the impact of uncertain elastic demand on the performance of the electricity market. The result indicates that, there exists market power among generators, which lead to social welfare decreases even under competitive conditions but elastic demand is an effective way to restrain generators’ market power. The feasibility of the models is verified by a case study. Our work provides decision support for generators and a direction for improving market efficiency.
Theoretical Modeling of Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine Wakes
Authors: Abkar Mahdi
Published: December 2018

In this work, two different theoretical models for predicting the wind velocity downwind of an H-rotor vertical-axis wind turbine are presented. The first model uses mass conservation together with the momentum theory and assumes a top-hat distribution for the wind velocity deficit. The second model considers a two-dimensional Gaussian shape for the velocity defect and satisfies mass continuity and the momentum balance. Both approaches are consistent with the existing and widely-used theoretical wake models for horizontal-axis wind turbines and, thus, can be implemented in the current numerical codes utilized for optimization and real-time applications. To assess and compare the two proposed models, we use large eddy simulation as well as field measurement data of vertical-axis wind turbine wakes. The results show that, although both models are generally capable of predicting the velocity defect, the prediction from the Gaussian-based wake model is more accurate compared to the top-hat counterpart. This is mainly related to the consistency of the assumptions used in the Gaussian-based wake model with the physics of the turbulent wake development downwind of the turbine.
A New Transient Frequency Acceptability Margin Based on the Frequency Trajectory
Authors: Xue Ancheng , Cui Jiehao , Wang Jiawei , Chow Joe H. , Yue Lei , Bi Tianshu
Published: December 2018

When the electric power system is disturbed, the transient frequency deviation may be large and harmful to its stable operation, especially in some small power systems. However, there is a lack of transient frequency acceptability margin (TFAM) which could be directly used by dispatchers. In this paper, a new TFAM is proposed based on the transient frequency acceptability index (TFAI). First, based on the frequency trajectory and the philosophy of “different weights to the different frequency offset levels”, a new TFAI is proposed combined with frequency thresholds and time duration limits. The effectiveness of the TFAI is verified, and the critical acceptable disturbance is determined by using the TFAI. Then, a new TFAM is proposed based on the critical acceptability disturbance. The proposed TFAM can quantitatively describe the distance of the operation point from the critical frequency acceptability point, and distinguish the transient frequency acceptability of different disturbances. Finally, with different simulations, the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed TFAM are verified. The TFAM can be used for disturbances with single-parameter and multiple parameters.
Sustainable Renewable Energy by Means of Using Residual Forest Biomass
Authors: Mateos Esperanza , Ormaetxea Leyre
Published: December 2018

The substitution of energy based on fossil fuel by bioenergy could be an effective solution to reduce external energy dependency, thereby promoting sustainable development. This article details a study of the use of biomass residues produced in the forestry sector as a consequence of field operations of the two predominant forest species (Pinus radiata D. Don and Ecualyptus globulus Labill) of Biscay (Spain). The potential of forest residues is estimated to be 66,600 dry Mg year − 1 . These residues would provide 1307 TJ year − 1 . Energy parameters, ultimate and proximate analyses, and the level of emissions of the forest residues are performed in order to estimate their characteristics as fuel. The research done has shown very similar values in terms of the net calorific value of the residues of P. radiata (19.45 MJ kg − 1 ) and E. globulus (19.48 MJ kg − 1 ). The determined emission factors indicate a reduction in gas emissions: CO (23–25%), CO 2 (22–25%), SO 2 (87–91%) and dust (11–38%) and an increase of 11–37% in NO x compared to hard coal. Estimation of the emission factors of the residual biomass allows the environmental impacts, that are potentially produced by biofuel, to be estimated.
Disintegration of Wastewater Activated Sludge (WAS) for Improved Biogas Production
Authors: Wacławek Stanisław , Grübel Klaudiusz , Silvestri Daniele , Padil Vinod V. T. , Wacławek Maria , Černík Miroslav , Varma Rajender S.
Published: December 2018

Due to rapid urbanization, the number of wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) has increased, and so has the associated waste generated by them. Sustainable management of this waste can lead to the creation of energy-rich biogas via fermentation processes. This review presents recent advances in the anaerobic digestion processes that have led to greater biogas production. Disintegration techniques for enhancing the fermentation of waste activated sludge can be apportioned into biological, physical and chemical means, which are included in this review; they were mainly compared and contrasted in terms of the ensuing biogas yield. It was found that ultrasonic- and microwave-assisted disintegration provides the highest biogas yield (>500%) although they tend to be the most energy demanding processes (>10,000 kJ kg−1 total solids).
A Review of Carbon Capture and Storage Project Investment and Operational Decision-Making Based on Bibliometrics
Authors: Li Jiaquan , Hou Yunbing , Wang Pengtao , Yang Bo
Published: December 2018

The research on carbon capture and storage (CCS) project planning and investment and operational decision-making can provide a reference for enterprises to invest in CCS and for policy-makers to formulate policies to promote CCS development. So what are the current research hotspots in this field and the gaps that still need to be further studied in the future? This paper reviews the research in the field by a bibliometric analysis. The results show that the research in this field first focus on cost analysis, followed by project investment evaluation, project planning (cost curve and pipeline network), and project operation. In particular, fossil fuel power plants, pipeline transportation, and oil fields are the most crucial objects in the three technical links of CCS projects, respectively. Policies, carbon pricing, and uncertainty in cost and benefits are factors that are mainly discussed in this field. The methods used for CCS project planning are cost curve model and optimization model. The real option approach is suitable for the evaluation of investment decision-making. The evaluation of operational decision is mostly based on optimization model. The future research directions can be summarized as five points: (1) continuously and systematically update the calculated costs in the current research to the unified price of the latest year; (2) calculate the cost curve from the perspective of emission sources; (3) expand the planning region of pipeline network to the country, continent, and even the entire world; (4) pay more attention to the investment assessment of the CCS project that may be implemented with low cost and high return; and (5) analyze the optimal operation mode of CCS in the low-load power system.
Oxalate Contents of Raw, Boiled, Wok-Fried and Pesto and Juice Made from Fat Hen (Chenopodium album) Leaves
Authors: Savage Geoffrey , Vanhanen Leo
Published: December 2018

The total, soluble, and insoluble oxalate contents of fresh and wok-fried fat hen (Chenopodium album) leaves were extracted and measured using High pressure liquid chromatography. The total oxalate content of the raw leaves was 1112.4 mg/100 g dry matter (DM), and the levels were significantly reduced by boiling (682.8 mg/100 g DM) or cooking the leaves in a wok (883.6 mg/100 g DM). The percentages of soluble oxalate contents in the total oxalates of the raw and boiled leaves were similar (mean 75%), while the proportion of soluble oxalate content in the wok-fried leaves was reduced to 53.4% of the total, giving a significant increase in the insoluble oxalate content of the wok-fried leaves. The percentage of insoluble calcium in the total calcium was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) when the leaves were boiled, but the insoluble oxalate content significantly increased (67.2%) in the wok-fried leaves when compared to the content of the original raw leaves. Processing the cooked leaves into pesto or extracting the juice gave final products that contained significantly reduced total and soluble oxalate contents. The addition of calcium chloride to the juice caused a very small reduction in the soluble oxalate content in the juice.
Environmental Change-Dependent Inherited Epigenetic Response
Authors: Weyrich Alexandra , Lenz Dorina , Fickel Jörns
Published: December 2018

Epigenetic modifications are a mechanism conveying environmental information to subsequent generations via parental germ lines. Research on epigenetic responses to environmental changes in wild mammals has been widely neglected, as well as studies that compare responses to changes in different environmental factors. Here, we focused on the transmission of DNA methylation changes to naive male offspring after paternal exposure to either diet (~40% less protein) or temperature increase (10 °C increased temperature). Because both experiments focused on the liver as the main metabolic and thermoregulation organ, we were able to decipher if epigenetic changes differed in response to different environmental changes. Reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) revealed differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in annotated genomic regions in sons sired before (control) and after the fathers’ treatments. We detected both a highly specific epigenetic response dependent on the environmental factor that had changed that was reflected in genes involved in specific metabolic pathways, and a more general response to changes in outer stimuli reflected by epigenetic modifications in a small subset of genes shared between both responses. Our results indicated that fathers prepared their offspring for specific environmental changes by paternally inherited epigenetic modifications, suggesting a strong paternal contribution to adaptive processes.
Care Home Research: Future Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Johnstone Alexandra M. , Donaldson Alison I. C.
Published: December 2018

The historical view of care homes as isolated communities is fading, with a new strong focus on offering person-centred care for residents that keeps them integrated in their community [...]
Evaluating the Usability and the Personal and Social Acceptance of a Participatory Digital Platform for Cultural Heritage
Authors: Koukopoulos Zois , Koukopoulos Dimitrios
Published: December 2018

Nowadays, through the Internet, cultural heritage reaches broader audiences via digital platforms that manage and disseminate cultural content formulating a common sense in societies and supporting society’s cohesion. Various cultural heritage digital platforms embraced the idea of user participation in contributing cultural content. In this work, we evaluate the usability and the personal and social acceptance of a specific participatory platform (Culture Gate) that manages, disseminates and exploits cultural content and services. We associate platform usability with the level of engagement platform’s content and services bring on users. Personal acceptance is related to specific factors like the users’ disposal to disseminate and exploit platform content and services or to actively participate in a digital community. We relate social acceptance to specific factors like the promotion of users’ responsibility towards the online community and the society, the support of intergenerational dialogue and the amplification of a user’s sense of belonging to a society. Evaluation methodology applies a research model based on hypotheses, deriving from the ideas of widely accepted sociological and economic theories, which reflect each of the aforementioned factors. Evaluation results suggest that the test-bed platform is considered usable and acceptable, in a personal and social level, by the users.
Perceptions of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) at a Mental Health Outpatient Treatment Provider in Minnesota
Authors: Brown Jerrod , Harr Diane
Published: December 2018

Resulting from prenatal exposure to alcohol, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is characterized by deficits in adaptive and cognitive functioning. This disorder is typically accompanied by co-occurring disorders and conditions (e.g., mood, anxiety, psychosis, and substance use disorders). This complicated presentation of diverse symptoms makes the process of screening, assessing, and diagnosing FASD very difficult, limiting the likelihood that clients receive the treatment and services that they need. Although mental health care providers have an opportunity to intervene on behalf of clients with FASD, professionals may not be very familiar or comfortable with this complicated and life-altering disorder. The present study explores the familiarity of 79 mental health outpatient treatment professionals’ personal knowledge and training about FASD. Findings suggest that the majority of respondents had received at least some FASD training, understood the basic symptoms of FASD, and were realistic about FASD’s impact on treatment.
Geographic Variations in the Risk of Emergency First Dialysis for Patients with End Stage Renal Disease in the Bretagne Region, France
Authors: Padilla Cindy M. , Raffray Maxime , Pladys Adélaïde , Vigneau Cécile , Bayat Sahar
Published: December 2018

Emergency first dialysis start considerably increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. Our objective was to identify the geographic variations of emergency first dialysis risk in patients with end-stage renal disease in the Bretagne region, France. The spatial scan statistic approach was used to determine the clusters of municipalities with significantly higher or lower risk of emergency first dialysis. Patient data extracted from the REIN registry (sociodemographic, clinical, and biological characteristics) and indicators constructed at the municipality level, were compared between clusters. This analysis identified a cluster of municipalities in western Bretagne with a significantly higher risk (RR = 1.80, p = 0.044) and one cluster in the eastern part of the region with a significantly lower risk (RR = 0.59, p < 0.01) of emergency first dialysis. The degree of urbanization (the proportion of rural municipalities: 76% versus 66%, p < 0.001) and socio-demographic characteristics (the unemployment rate: 11% versus 8%, p < 0.001, the percentage of managers in the labor force was lower: 9% versus 13% p < 0.001) of the municipalities located in the higher-risk cluster compared with the lower-risk cluster. Our analysis indicates that the patients’ clinical status cannot explain the geographic variations of emergency first dialysis incidence in Bretagne. Conversely, where patients live seems to play an important role.
Structural Determinants of the Prion Protein N-Terminus and Its Adducts with Copper Ions
Authors: Sánchez-López Carolina , Rossetti Giulia , Quintanar Liliana , Carloni Paolo
Published: December 2018

The N-terminus of the prion protein is a large intrinsically disordered region encompassing approximately 125 amino acids. In this paper, we review its structural and functional properties, with a particular emphasis on its binding to copper ions. The latter is exploited by the region’s conformational flexibility to yield a variety of biological functions. Disease-linked mutations and proteolytic processing of the protein can impact its copper-binding properties, with important structural and functional implications, both in health and disease progression.
Mast Cell-Specific Expression of Human Siglec-8 in Conditional Knock-in Mice
Authors: Wei Yadong , Chhiba Krishan D. , Zhang Fengrui , Ye Xujun , Wang Lihui , Zhang Li , Robida Piper A. , Moreno-Vinasco Liliana , Schnaar Ronald L. , Roers Axel , Hartmann Karin , Lee Chang-Min , Demers Delia , Zheng Tao , Bochner Bruce S. , Zhu Zhou
Published: December 2018

Sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin 8 (Siglec-8) is expressed on the surface of human eosinophils, mast cells, and basophils—cells that participate in allergic and other diseases. Ligation of Siglec-8 by specific glycan ligands or antibodies triggers eosinophil death and inhibits mast cell degranulation; consequences that could be leveraged as treatment. However, Siglec-8 is not expressed in murine and most other species, thus limiting preclinical studies in vivo. Based on a ROSA26 knock-in vector, a construct was generated that contains the CAG promoter, a LoxP-floxed-Neo-STOP fragment, and full-length Siglec-8 cDNA. Through homologous recombination, this Siglec-8 construct was targeted into the mouse genome of C57BL/6 embryonic stem (ES) cells, and chimeric mice carrying the ROSA26-Siglec-8 gene were generated. After cross-breeding to mast cell-selective Cre-recombinase transgenic lines (CPA3-Cre, and Mcpt5-Cre), the expression of Siglec-8 in different cell types was determined by RT-PCR and flow cytometry. Peritoneal mast cells (dual FcεRI+ and c-Kit+) showed the strongest levels of surface Siglec-8 expression by multicolor flow cytometry compared to expression levels on tissue-derived mast cells. Siglec-8 was seen on a small percentage of peritoneal basophils, but not other leukocytes from CPA3-Siglec-8 mice. Siglec-8 mRNA and surface protein were also detected on bone marrow-derived mast cells. Transgenic expression of Siglec-8 in mice did not affect endogenous numbers of mast cells when quantified from multiple tissues. Thus, we generated two novel mouse strains, in which human Siglec-8 is selectively expressed on mast cells. These mice may enable the study of Siglec-8 biology in mast cells and its therapeutic targeting in vivo.
Lgr5 Does Not Vary Throughout the Menstrual Cycle in Endometriotic Human Eutopic Endometrium
Authors: Vallvé-Juanico Júlia , Barón Cristian , Suárez-Salvador Elena , Castellví Josep , Ballesteros Agustín , Gil-Moreno Antonio , Santamaria Xavier
Published: December 2018

Endometriosis is characterized by the abnormal presence of endometrium outside of the uterus, resulting in pelvic pain and infertility. The leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) has been postulated to be a marker of stem cells in the endometrium. However, LGR5+ cells have a macrophage-like phenotype in this tissue, so it is unclear what role LGR5+ cells actually play in the endometrium. Macrophages serve an important function in the endometrium to maintain fertility, while LGR5+ cells generally have a role in tumor progression and are involved in invasion in some cancers. We sought to determine whether LGR5+ cells vary across the menstrual cycle in women with endometriosis and whether there are implications for LGR5 in the aggressiveness of endometriosis and reproductive outcomes. We performed immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and primary culture in vitro experiments on eutopic and ectopic endometrium from healthy and endometriosis patients and observed that neither LGR5+ cells nor LGR5 expression varied throughout the cycle. Interestingly, we observed that LGR5+ cell percentage overexpressing CD163 (anti-inflammatory marker) was higher in healthy endometrium, suggesting that in endometriosis, endometrium presents a more pro-inflammatory phenotype that likely leads to poor obstetric outcomes. We also observed higher levels of LGR5+ cells in ectopic lesions compared to eutopic endometrium and specifically in deep infiltrating endometriosis, indicating that LGR5 could be involved in progression and aggressiveness of the disease.
Role of Green Macroalgae Enteromorpha Prolifera Polyphenols in the Modulation of Gene Expression and Intestinal Microflora Profiles in Type 2 Diabetic Mice
Authors: Lin Guopeng , Liu Xiaoyan , Yan Xin , Liu Dan , Yang Chengfeng , Liu Bin , Huang Yifan , Zhao Chao
Published: December 2018

Effects of green macroalgae 55% ethanolic extract Enteromorpha prolifera through an ultrafiltration membrane of 3 kDa (EPE3k) on antidiabetic activity, gut microbiota, and regulation mechanism were investigated in high-fat/high-sucrose diet and streptozocin-induced diabetic mice. The structural characterizations of its major compounds in EPE3k were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/time of flight mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the intestinal microflora modulation in diabetic mice was also investigated with high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The proposed presence of polyphenols in EPE3k was confirmed. EPE3k could significantly decrease the fasting blood glucose and improve fasting glucose tolerance. The hypoglycemic effect of EPE3k was via activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and suppression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase in liver. EPE3k treatment significantly increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia and decreased the proportion of Alistipes and Turicibacter. The above results indicated that EPE3k could be provided as a new potential therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetic mellitus.
Oxyresveratrol Increases Energy Expenditure through Foxo3a-Mediated Ucp1 Induction in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese Mice
Authors: Choi Jin Hee , Song No-Joon , Lee A Reum , Lee Dong Ho , Seo Min-Ju , Kim Suji , Chang Seo-Hyuk , Yang Dong Kwon , Hwang Yu-Jin , Hwang Kyung-A , Ha Tal Soo , Yun Ui Jeong , Park Kye Won
Published: December 2018

The phytochemical oxyresveratrol has been shown to exert diverse biological activities including prevention of obesity. However, the exact reason underlying the anti-obese effects of oxyresveratrol is not fully understood. Here, we investigated the effects and mechanism of oxyresveratrol in adipocytes and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. Oxyresveratrol suppressed lipid accumulation and expression of adipocyte markers during the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 and C3H10T1/2 cells. Administration of oxyresveratrol in HFD-fed obese mice prevented body-weight gains, lowered adipose tissue weights, improved lipid profiles, and increased glucose tolerance. The anti-obese effects were linked to increases in energy expenditure and higher rectal temperatures without affecting food intake, fecal lipid content, and physical activity. The increased energy expenditure by oxyresveratrol was concordant with the induction of thermogenic genes including Ucp1, and the reduction of white adipocyte selective genes in adipose tissue. Furthermore, Foxo3a was identified as an oxyresveratrol-induced gene and it mimicked the effects of oxyresveratrol for induction of thermogenic genes and suppression of white adipocyte selective genes, suggesting the role of Foxo3a in oxyresveratrol-mediated anti-obese effects. Taken together, these data show that oxyresveratrol increases energy expenditure through the induction of thermogenic genes in adipose tissue and further implicates oxyresveratrol as an ingredient and Foxo3a as a molecular target for the development of functional foods in obesity and metabolic diseases.
Discovery of Potent Inhibitors for the Large Neutral Amino Acid Transporter 1 (LAT1) by Structure-Based Methods
Authors: Singh Natesh , Scalise Mariafrancesca , Galluccio Michele , Wieder Marcus , Seidel Thomas , Langer Thierry , Indiveri Cesare , Ecker Gerhard F.
Published: December 2018

The large neutral amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is a promising anticancer target that is required for the cellular uptake of essential amino acids that serve as building blocks for cancer growth and proliferation. Here, we report a structure-based approach to identify chemically diverse and potent inhibitors of LAT1. First, a homology model of LAT1 that is based on the atomic structures of the prokaryotic homologs was constructed. Molecular docking of nitrogen mustards (NMs) with a wide range of affinity allowed for deriving a common binding mode that could explain the structure−activity relationship pattern in NMs. Subsequently, validated binding hypotheses were subjected to molecular dynamics simulation, which allowed for extracting a set of dynamic pharmacophores. Finally, a library of ~1.1 million molecules was virtually screened against these pharmacophores, followed by docking. Biological testing of the 30 top-ranked hits revealed 13 actives, with the best compound showing an IC50 value in the sub-μM range.
Potent Anti-Cancer Properties of Phthalimide-Based Curcumin Derivatives on Prostate Tumor Cells
Authors: Belluti Silvia , Orteca Giulia , Semeghini Valentina , Rigillo Giovanna , Parenti Francesca , Ferrari Erika , Imbriano Carol
Published: December 2018

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer is commonly treated with chemotherapy, whose effect is less than satisfactory. This raised the need for novel agents for the treatment of prostate cancer. In the present study, five phthalimide-based curcumin derivatives were synthesized and completely characterized to assess improved stability, pharmacodynamics, and radical scavenging ability. To investigate the potential application in anti-cancer therapy, the anti-proliferative activity of the synthesized molecules was determined on aggressive prostate tumor cells. We demonstrated that the K3F21 derivative has increased potency compared to curcumin, in terms of GI50, anti-proliferative and anti-migrating activities. K3F21 inhibits anchorage-dependent and -independent growth of prostate cancer cells by altering the expression of key genes controlling cell proliferation, such as Cylins D1, B1 and B2, and apoptosis, among which Puma, Noxa, and Bcl-2 family members. Finally, the anti-cancer activity of K3F21 was demonstrated by the analysis of cancer-associated PI3K/AKT, ERK, and p38 signaling pathways.
Rapid Identification of Functional Pyrrolysyl-tRNA Synthetases via Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting
Authors: Lin Andrew E. , Lin Qing
Published: December 2018

The orthogonal pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNACUA pair and their variants have provided powerful tools for expanding the genetic code to allow for engineering of proteins with augmented structure and function not present in Nature. To expedite the discovery of novel pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS) variants that can charge non-natural amino acids into proteins site-specifically, herein we report a streamlined protocol for rapid construction of the pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase library, selection of the functional PylRS mutants using fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and subsequent validation of the selected PylRS mutants through direct expression of the fluorescent protein reporter using a single bacterial strain. We expect that this protocol should be generally applicable to rapid identification of the functional PylRS mutants for charging a wide range of non-natural amino acids into proteins.
Radioprotective Activity and Preliminary Mechanisms of N-oxalyl-d-phenylalanine (NOFD) In Vitro
Authors: Meng Yuanyuan , Yang Fujun , Long Wei , Xu Wenqing
Published: December 2018

The radiation-induced damage to the human body is primarily caused by excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production after irradiation. Therefore, the removal of the increase of ROS caused by ionizing radiation (IR) has been the focus of research on radiation damage protective agents. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) is a transcription factor in human and plays an important role in regulating the body metabolism. Factor inhibiting HIF (FIH) is an endogenous inhibitor factor of HIF protein under normoxia conditions. It has been shown that the high expression of HIF protein has a certain repair effect on radiation-induced intestinal injury and hematopoietic system damage in mice; however, it is not clear about the effect of HIF on the level of ROS after radiation. In this study, the role of N-oxalyl-d-phenylalanine (NOFD), an FIH inhibitor, for its effect on alleviating ROS level is investigated in the cells. Our results indicate that pretreatment with NOFD can mitigate ROS level and alleviate IR-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in vitro. Therefore, HIF can be used as a target on scavengers. Furthermore, in order to explore the relevant mechanism, we also test the expression of relevant HIF downstream genes in the cells, finding that Notch-2 gene is more sensitive to NOFD treatment. This experiment result is used to support the subsequent mechanism experiments.
Extracellular Vesicles: New Players in Lymphomas
Authors: Navarro-Tableros Victor , Gomez Yonathan , Camussi Giovanni , Brizzi Maria Felice
Published: December 2018

Lymphomas are heterogeneous diseases, and the term includes a number of histological subtypes that are characterized by different clinical behavior and molecular phenotypes. Valuable information on the presence of lymphoma cell-derived extracellular vesicles (LCEVs) in the bloodstream of patients suffering from this hematological cancer has recently been provided. In particular, it has been reported that the number and phenotype of LCEVs can both change as the disease progresses, as well as after treatment. Moreover, the role that LCEVs play in driving tumor immune escape has been reported. This makes LCEVs potential novel clinical tools for diagnosis, disease progression, and chemoresistance. LCEVs express surface markers and convey specific molecules in accordance with their cell of origin, which can be used as targets and thus lead to the development of specific therapeutics. This may be particularly relevant since circulating LCEVs are known to save lymphoma cells from anti-cluster of differentiation (CD)20-induced complement-dependent cytotoxicity. Therefore, effort should be directed toward investigating the feasibility of using LCEVs as predictive biomarkers of disease progression and/or response to treatment that can be translated to clinical use. The use of liquid biopsies in combination with serum EV quantification and cargo analysis have been also considered as potential approaches that can be pursued in the future. Upcoming research will also focus on the identification of specific molecular targets in order to generate vaccines and/or antibodies against LCEVs. Finally, the removal of circulating LCEVs has been proposed as a simple and non-invasive treatment approach. We herein provide an overview of the role of LCEVs in lymphoma diagnosis, immune tolerance, and drug resistance. In addition, alternative protocols that utilize LCEVs as therapeutic targets are discussed.
Newborn Screening for Lysosomal Storage Disorders: Methodologies for Measurement of Enzymatic Activities in Dried Blood Spots
Authors: Gelb Michael H. , Lukacs Zoltan , Ranieri Enzo , Schielen Peter C. J. I.
Published: December 2018

All worldwide newborn screening (NBS) for lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) is performed as a first-tier test by measurement of lysosomal enzymatic activities in dried blood spots (DBS). The currently two available methodologies used for measurement of enzymatic activities are tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and digital microfluidics fluorimetry (DMF-F). In this chapter we summarize the workflows for the two platforms. Neither platform is fully automated, but the relative ease of workflow will be dependent upon the specific operation of each newborn screening laboratory on a case-by-case basis. We provide the screen positive rate (the number of below cutoff newborns per 100,000 newborns) from all NBS laboratories worldwide carrying out MS/MS-based NBS of one or more LSDs. The analytical precision of the MS/MS method is higher than that for DMF-F as shown by analysis of a common set of quality control DBS by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Both the MS/MS and DMF-F platforms enable multiplexing of the LSD enzymes. An advantage of MS/MS over DMF-F is the ability to include assays of enzymatic activities and biomarkers for which no fluorimetric methods exist. Advantages of DMF-F over MS/MS are: (1) simple to use technology with same-day turn-around time for the lysosomal enzymes with the fastest rates compared to MS/MS requiring overnight analytical runs.; (2) the DMF-F instrumentation, because of its simplicity, requires less maintenance than the MS/MS platform.
What’s in a Smile? Initial Analyses of Dynamic Changes in Facial Shape and Appearance
Authors: Farnell Damian J. J. , Galloway Jennifer , Zhurov Alexei I. , Richmond Stephen , Marshall David , Rosin Paul L. , Al-Meyah Khtam , Pirttiniemi Pertti , Lähdesmäki Raija
Published: December 2018

Single-level principal component analysis (PCA) and multi-level PCA (mPCA) methods are applied here to a set of (2D frontal) facial images from a group of 80 Finnish subjects (34 male; 46 female) with two different facial expressions (smiling and neutral) per subject. Inspection of eigenvalues gives insight into the importance of different factors affecting shapes, including: biological sex, facial expression (neutral versus smiling), and all other variations. Biological sex and facial expression are shown to be reflected in those components at appropriate levels of the mPCA model. Dynamic 3D shape data for all phases of a smile made up a second dataset sampled from 60 adult British subjects (31 male; 29 female). Modes of variation reflected the act of smiling at the correct level of the mPCA model. Seven phases of the dynamic smiles are identified: rest pre-smile, onset 1 (acceleration), onset 2 (deceleration), apex, offset 1 (acceleration), offset 2 (deceleration), and rest post-smile. A clear cycle is observed in standardized scores at an appropriate level for mPCA and in single-level PCA. mPCA can be used to study static shapes and images, as well as dynamic changes in shape. It gave us much insight into the question “what’s in a smile?”.
Hydration of Ordinary Portland Cement in Presence of Lead Sorbed on Ceramic Sorbent
Authors: Keppert Martin , Scheinherrová Lenka , Jerman Miloš , Doušová Barbora , Kobera Libor , Brus Jiří , Černý Robert
Published: December 2018

Lead, a highly toxic element, is frequently present in various solid wastes as well as in industrial effluents. Sorption with a low cost sorbent is a simple way of Pb removal from liquid streams, but stabilization of spent sorbent has to be ensured in order to prevent Pb leaching out and possible environmental contamination. In previous research, ceramic sorbent, generated as waste product in brick industry, was tested as sorbent and proved high sorption capacity for lead. Lead was sorbed partially as hydrocerussite and partially as adsorbed surface layer. The Pb leaching from sorbent was very high and thus further immobilization of sorbent was necessary. Lead, as well as other heavy metals, is known as retarder of the hydration process of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), used for the immobilization. In this paper, influence of sorbed Pb and PbO, as reference compound, on cement hydration was studied by calorimetry, thermogravimetry and Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MAS NMR). The sorbed lead was found to be less detrimental to hydration retardation due to the lower solubility of precipitated hydrocerussite in basic environment compared to PbO, which forms plumbate anion.
Thickening of T1 Precipitates during Aging of a High Purity Al–4Cu–1Li–0.25Mn Alloy
Authors: Häusler Ines , Kamachali Reza Darvishi , Hetaba Walid , Skrotzki Birgit
Published: December 2018

The age hardening response of a high-purity Al–4Cu–1Li–0.25Mn alloy (wt. %) during isothermal aging without and with an applied external load was investigated. Plate shaped nanometer size T1 (Al2CuLi) and θ′ (Al2Cu) hardening phases were formed. The precipitates were analyzed with respect to the development of their structure, size, number density, volume fraction and associated transformation strains by conducting transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) studies in combination with geometrical phase analysis (GPA). Special attention was paid to the thickening of T1 phase. Two elementary types of single-layer T1 precipitate, one with a Li-rich (Type 1) and another with an Al-rich (Defect Type 1) central layer, were identified. The results show that the Defect Type 1 structure can act as a precursor for the Type 1 structure. The thickening of T1 precipitates occurs by alternative stacking of these two elementary structures. The thickening mechanism was analyzed based on the magnitude of strain associated with the precipitation transformation normal to its habit plane. Long-term aging and aging under load resulted in thicker and structurally defected T1 precipitates. Several types of defected precipitates were characterized and discussed. For θ′ precipitates, a ledge mechanism of thickening was observed. Compared to the normal aging, an external load applied to the peak aged state leads to small variations in the average sizes and volume fractions of the precipitates.
Improved 19F{1H} Saturation Transfer Difference Experiments for Sensitive Detection to Fluorinated Compound Bound to Proteins
Authors: Furihata Kazuo , Tashiro Mitsuru
Published: December 2018

The 19F{1H} saturation transfer difference (STD) method was improved for sensitive 19F detection using a human serum albumin-diflunisal complex. Because NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) experiments with 19F detection are feasible for the selective detection of fluorinated compounds, more sensitive NMR methods are required to be developed for purposes of practicality. The present research focused on the investigations of 19F{1H} STD pulse techniques and experimental parameters, leading to the development of detection methods with higher sensitivity.
On Approximation by Linear Combinations of Modified Summation Operators of Integral Type in Orlicz Spaces
Authors: Han Ling-Xiong , Qi Feng
Published: December 2018

In this paper, the authors introduce the Orlicz spaces corresponding to the Young function and, by virtue of the equivalent theorem between the modified K-functional and modulus of smoothness, establish the direct, inverse, and equivalent theorems for linear combinations of modified summation operators of integral type in the Orlicz spaces.
Dynamic Analysis of a Particle Motion System
Authors: Cui Ning , Li Junhong
Published: December 2018

This paper formulates a new particle motion system. The dynamic behaviors of the system are studied including the continuous dependence on initial conditions of the system’s solution, the equilibrium stability, Hopf bifurcation at the equilibrium point, etc. This shows the rich dynamic behaviors of the system, including the supercritical Hopf bifurcations, subcritical Hopf bifurcations, and chaotic attractors. Numerical simulations are carried out to verify theoretical analyses and to exhibit the rich dynamic behaviors.
Magnetocaloric Effect Caused by Paramagnetic Austenite–Ferromagnetic Martensite Phase Transformation
Authors: Kosogor Anna , L’vov Victor A. , Lázpita Patricia , Seguí Concepció , Cesari Eduard
Published: December 2018

In the present work, the magnetization of Ni50Mn17.5Ga25Cu7.5 alloy undergoing the first-order phase transition from paramagnetic austenite to ferromagnetic martensite was measured to evaluate the magnetic-field-induced entropy change (MFIEC) and refrigerant capacity (RC) of the alloy. A standard method (SM) of evaluation of MFIEC is based on thermodynamic Maxwell relation. In view of the criticism of SM expressed by some scientists, the alternative method (AM), which is based on thermodynamic relationships for free energy, was proposed recently for the determination of MFIEC. We developed this method and computed MFIEC in two ways—by AM and SM. The values of MFIEC obtained for Ni50Mn17.5Ga25Cu7.5 alloy by these methods appeared to be large but very different from each other. Moreover, AM reveals the possibility of both normal and inverse magnetocaloric effects in the adjoining temperature ranges, while SM results only in the normal magnetocaloric effect.