bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐destructive determination of strawberry fruit and juice quality parameters using ultraviolet, visible, and near‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Włodarska Katarzyna , Szulc Julia , Khmelinskii Igor , Sikorska Ewa 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe development of rapid methods for the determination of the soluble solids content (SSC) and total phenolic content (TPC) in fruit juices is of great interest. Soluble solids content is related to sensory attributes, whereas TPC is related to the antioxidant capacity of juices. The aim of this study was to develop and optimize the calibration models for the prediction of the SSC and TPC of strawberry juices from the spectra of fruit and juices.RESULTSNear infrared (NIR) spectra were measured for strawberry fruit and ultraviolet (UV), visible (VIS), and NIR spectra were measured for juices. The partial least squares regression models were validated using the test sample set and their predictive ability was evaluated on the basis of determination coefficients (R2P) and root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP). For SSC the models with high predictive ability were obtained using spectra of fruit (R2P = 0.929, RMSEP = 0.46%) or juices (R2P = 0.979, RMSEP = 0.25%) in the NIR range. The optimal models for TPC were obtained using NIR spectra of fruit (R2P = 0.834, RMSEP = 130.8 mg GA L−1) or UV–VIS–NIR spectra of juices (R2P = 0.844, RMSEP = 126.7 mg GA L−1).CONCLUSIONThe results show the potential of spectroscopy for predicting quality parameters of strawberry juices from the juice spectra itself or non‐destructively from the fruit spectra. They may contribute to the development of fruit sorting systems to optimize their use in juice production, as well as fast‐screening methods for quality control of juices. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Changes in chemical profile of Cascade hop cones according to the growing area
Authors: Rodolfi Margherita , Chiancone Benedetta , Liberatore Claudia Maria , Fabbri Andrea , Cirlini Martina , Ganino Tommaso 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe growing area has a substantial effect on plants, affecting secondary metabolism. For hops, different authors have studied the effect of growing area on the chemical composition of cones with the aim of verifying and understanding the changes in hop characters. Despite the scant literature the subject receives increasing attention by brewers and hop growers. The present study aimed to characterize, using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC‐UV), cones of hop (Humulus lupulus L.) cultivar Cascade. Plant material was obtained from nine different areas of Italy and compared with Cascade samples grown in the United States, Germany and Slovenia.RESULTSDifferences in bitter acids and xanthohumol content were observed. Nevertheless, no correlation between bitter acids and xanthohumol production, on the one hand, and rainfall, temperatures and latitude, on the other hand, were observed in our samples. The Slovenia samples were richer in molecules that confer hoppy, woody and flower notes; USA2 samples were more characterized by woody, earthy, grassy and floral aroma, quite different characters if compared to USA1, which had the lowest presence of grassy aromatic compounds. In the Italian samples, TRENTINO was the genotype most characterized by limonene presence.CONCLUSIONThe results of this study are indicative of the importance for hop users to know and characterize hops coming from different growing regions. The study pays special attention to the characterization of the differences in chemical characters of Cascade hop in Italy, where hop cultivation has developed only recently, but is in continuous expansion. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of tree fostering on soil health and microbial biomass under different land use systems in the Central Himalayas
Authors: Bargali Surendra Singh , Padalia Kirtika , Bargali Kiran 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis study evaluated the impact of predominant land uses on the physico‐chemical and biological properties of soils along an altitudinal gradient in Indian Central Himalaya to enhance the scientific knowledge and identify suitable land use pattern. Soil samples were collected from six predominant agricultural land uses including (a) open cropland, (b) cropland with multiple tree species (C + mT), (c) cropland with single tree species, (d) crop near rhizosphere of trees, (e) home gardens (HGs), and (f) agriculturally discarded land (ADL). The physico‐chemical properties showed the significant differences with land use systems and altitude. Soil texture varied from sandy loam to clayey loam with altitude. The minimum bulk density and higher porosity were recorded for the HG system whereas water holding capacity, moisture, pH, C, oil carbon stock, N, soil nitrogen stock, and P in the C + mT system. Soil microbial biomass carbon (16–397 μg g−1) and soil microbial biomass nitrogen (28–68 μg g−1) were significantly higher in C + mT and lowest under open cropland. The highest microbial biomass was recorded in the lower altitudinal region of Tarai, and the lowest was recorded in the higher altitudinal region. Across the seasons, soil microbial biomass was maximum during the rainy season and minimum during the winter season. Interestingly, ADL also showed significant contribution in soil microbial biomass carbon and soil microbial biomass nitrogen and could be used for crop production in the future. This study concludes that good soil health, higher amount of microbial biomass, and better soil qualities occurred in tree planted soils than in open crop lands, mainly attributed to the greater availability of organic matter, litter diversity, and fine roots.
Changing views of the pathophysiology of Parkinsonism
Authors: Wichmann Thomas 
Published: June 2019

ABSTRACTStudies of the pathophysiology of parkinsonism (specifically akinesia and bradykinesia) have a long history and primarily model the consequences of dopamine loss in the basal ganglia on the function of the basal ganglia/thalamocortical circuit(s). Changes of firing rates of individual nodes within these circuits were originally considered central to parkinsonism. However, this view has now given way to the belief that changes in firing patterns within the basal ganglia and related nuclei are more important, including the emergence of burst discharges, greater synchrony of firing between neighboring neurons, oscillatory activity patterns, and the excessive coupling of oscillatory activities at different frequencies. Primarily focusing on studies obtained in nonhuman primates and human patients with Parkinson's disease, this review summarizes the current state of this field and highlights several emerging areas of research, including studies of the impact of the heterogeneity of external pallidal neurons on parkinsonism, the importance of extrastriatal dopamine loss, parkinsonism‐associated synaptic and morphologic plasticity, and the potential role(s) of the cerebellum and brainstem in the motor dysfunction of Parkinson's disease. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Frequency and phenotypic spectrum of KMT2B dystonia in childhood: A single‐center cohort study
Authors: Carecchio Miryam , Invernizzi Federica , Gonzàlez‐Latapi Paulina , Panteghini Celeste , Zorzi Giovanna , Romito Luigi , Leuzzi Vincenzo , Galosi Serena , Reale Chiara , Zibordi Federica , Joseph Agnel P. , Topf Maya , Piano Carla , Bentivoglio Anna Rita , Girotti Floriano , Morana Paolo , Morana Benedetto , Kurian Manju A. , Garavaglia Barbara , Mencacci Niccolò E. , Lubbe Steven J. , Nardocci Nardo 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundChildhood‐onset dystonia is often genetically determined. Recently, KMT2B variants have been recognized as an important cause of childhood‐onset dystonia.ObjectiveTo define the frequency of KMT2B mutations in a cohort of dystonic patients aged <18 years at onset, the associated clinical and radiological phenotype, and the natural history of disease.MethodsWhole‐exome sequencing or customized gene panels were used to screen a cohort of 65 patients who had previously tested negative for all other known dystonia‐associated genes.ResultsWe identified 14 patients (21.5%) carrying KMT2B variants, of which 1 was classified as a variant of unknown significance. We also identified 2 additional patients carrying pathogenic mutations in GNAO1 and ATM. Overall, we established a definitive genetic diagnosis in 23% of cases. We observed a spectrum of clinical manifestations in KMT2B variant carriers, ranging from generalized dystonia to short stature or intellectual disability alone, even within the same family. In 78.5% of cases, dystonia involved the lower limbs at onset, with later caudocranial generalization. Eight patients underwent pallidal DBS with a median decrease of Burke‐Fahn‐Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale‐Motor score of 38.5% in the long term. We also report on 4 asymptomatic carriers, suggesting that some KMT2B mutations may be associated with incomplete disease penetrance.Conclusions
KMT2B mutations are frequent in childhood‐onset dystonia and cause a complex neurodevelopmental syndrome, often featuring growth retardation and intellectual disability as additional phenotypic features. A dramatic and long‐lasting response to DBS is characteristic of DYT‐KMT2B dystonia. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A novel homozygous initiation codon variant associated with infantile alpha‐Bcrystallinopathy in a Chinese family
Authors: Ma Keze , Luo Dong , Tian Tian , Li Ning , He Xiaoguang , Rao Chunbao , Zhong Baimao , Lu Xiaomei 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundDue to inconsistencies with reported myofibrillar myopathy (MFM), including autosomal dominant inheritance, late onset and a slowly progressive course, the severe, recessively inherited form of CRYAB (alpha‐B crystallin) gene‐related infantile MFM has been suggested. Here, we report an infant in a Chinese family with fatal neonatal‐onset hypertonic MFM with a novel CRYAB homozygous variant (c.3G > A (p.Met1?)).MethodsMuscle biopsy indicated that muscle fibers showed a uniformly small diameter, cell atrophy, and visible focal muscle fiber degeneration and necrosis consistent with myogenic myopathy. We performed the whole exome sequencing of pathogenic genes and identified it as MFM.ResultsThe proband presented with profound muscle stiffness, progressive respiratory distress and a concurrent abnormal increase in myocardial enzymogram, and the patient died in the 17th month of life. Muscle biopsy and electron microscopy results were consistent with ultramicroscopic myogenic damage and pathological changes. Mutation analysis of the proband identified a novel rare homozygous mutation in the initiation codon of the CRYAB gene, which was inherited from currently asymptomatic, heterozygous carrier parents, and his heterozygous biological brother is unaffected.ConclusionsThis article reports one infant with CRYAB‐related neonatal onset MFM with a novel homozygous variant in CRYAB. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of infantile alpha‐Bcrystallinopathy in the Chinese population.
A novel antipodal Vivaldi antenna loaded by linear array of sandglass‐type directors for wideband radiation characteristics improvement
Authors: Mao Jing‐Yao , Peng Lin , Ma Jing , Shi Bin , Zhao Qi‐Xiang , Deng Xiao‐Fang , Li Xiao‐Feng , Jiang Xing , Li Si‐Min 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAntipodal Vivaldi antenna (AVA) with five sandglass‐type director elements is proposed in this research for radiation characteristics improvement. The impedance bandwidth of the proposed antenna ranges from 2.85 to 12 GHz (9.15 GHz, 123.2%). The five director elements have different sizes and they form a symmetrical linear array in front of the antipodal Vivaldi antenna. Therefore, the director elements are responsible for secondary radiations of different frequencies, thereafter, the gain improvement of the AVA is achieved in a broad frequency band. In the 2.85 to 12 GHz frequency band, the antenna gain is increased by 1 to 2.65 dBi and the 3 dB beamwidths are reduced. Thus, a high gain AVA is achieved with gains of 6.52 to 11.55 dBi in the whole frequency band. A prototype of the proposed antenna is fabricated and measured, and the simulated and measured results agree well with each other.
Ultrawideband elliptical microstrip antenna for terahertz applications
Authors: Singhal Sarthak 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAn elliptical microstrip antenna for ultrawideband applications in terahertz (THz) frequency range is proposed. It comprises a microstrip feedline and a partial rectangular ground plane. It has an operating bandwidth of 0.46‐5.46 THz and a peak realized gain of 12 dB. It is simulated by using both high‐frequency structure simulator (HFSS) and Computer Simulation Technology Microwave Studio (CST MWS) simulators. It has distorted omnidirectional radiation patterns across the entire band of operation.
Intra‐laminar toughening mechanisms to enhance impact damage tolerance of 2D woven composite laminates via yarn‐level fiber hybridization and fiber architecture
Authors: Dalfi Hussein , Katnam Kali B. , Potluri Prasad 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAdvanced composites are widely used in primary and secondary structural applications, for example, aerospace, automotive, marine, and renewable energy sectors. But it is well recognized that the impact resistance and damage tolerance of composite laminates are in general poor, which is a major challenge for optimizing structural designs. In this regard, an experimental study is conducted for enhancing the damage tolerance of 2D woven composite laminates by exploring yarn‐level fiber hybridization. Hybrid yarns are produced by combing high‐strength fibers, that is, S‐glass, and high‐toughness fibers, that is, polypropylene [PP], and using commingling and core‐wrapping processes. Using the hybrid yarns, 2D fabrics, that is, with 5H satin, 2/2 twill, and 2/2 basket architectures, are weaved, and subsequently hybrid S‐glass/PP/epoxy laminates are manufactured via vacuum assisted resin infusion. The low velocity impact response and energy absorption of the hybrid laminates are investigated by drop‐weight impact tests at different energy levels, that is, 15 J, 25 J, 35 J, and 50 J. The damage tolerance is studied by compression‐after‐impact (CAI) tests, measuring the residual compressive strength of the damaged laminates. Furthermore, the failure modes are investigated using scanning electron microscopy for identifying damage mechanisms in the hybrid laminates after the impact and CAI tests. The impact response and damage tolerance of the 5H satin, 2/2 twill, and 2/2 basket fabric laminates are compared with that of noncrimp‐fabric laminates produced with (ie, S‐glass/PP yarns) and without (ie, S‐glass yarns) yarn‐level hybridization. It is shown that yarn‐level hybridization and fiber architecture significantly affect the impact behavior and damage tolerance of the 2D woven S‐glass/PP/epoxy hybrid laminates investigated. The microscopy studies show that intra‐yarn, inter‐yarn, inter‐lamina failure mechanisms can in general be introduced by combining yarn‐level fiber hybridization and fiber architecture for modifying failure and energy dissipation mechanisms under low velocity impact and hence the damage tolerance of composite laminates.
Thymoquinone alleviates renal interstitial fibrosis and kidney dysfunction in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction
Authors: Hosseinian Sara , Shahraki Samira , Ebrahimzadeh Bideskan Alireza , Shafei Mohammad Naser , Sadeghnia Hamid Reza , Soukhtanloo Mohammad , Rahmani Farzad , Khajavi Rad Abolfazl 
Published: June 2019

Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) causes severe renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Because of many pharmacologic properties of thymoquinone (TQ), in this study, the effects of TQ against kidney fibrosis and dysfunction were investigated in rats with UUO. Forty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups: Sham operated, UUO, and the animals with UUO treated with losartan, captopril, or TQ. Collagen IV and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 expressions, interstitial fibrosis, histological changes, and kidney function were assessed. UUO markedly increased renal expression of TGF‐β1 and collagen I and induced interstitial fibrosis (p < .001). Losartan, captopril, or TQ significantly downregulated the expression of these fibrotic markers and interstitial fibrosis (p < .01–p < .001). In UUO group, serum levels of urea and creatinine and protein excretion rate significantly increased, but glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urine osmolarity showed a significant decrease (p < .001–p < .05). Administration of captopril and TQ caused no significant change in serum urea and protein excretion rate. Unlike losartan and captopril, TQ caused no significant alteration in GFR compared with Day 1. Losartan caused significant increases in serum urea and creatinine but significant decrease in urine osmolarity. TQ could be regarded as a potent therapeutic agent for treatment of UUO‐induced kidney fibrosis and dysfunction.
Fixed‐time output‐feedback consensus tracking control for second‐order multiagent systems
Authors: Zou An‐Min , Li Wenhua 
Published: June 2019

SummaryThis paper is concerned with the problem of fixed‐time consensus tracking control for a class of second‐order multiagent systems under an undirected communication graph. A distributed output‐feedback fixed‐time consensus tracking control scheme is proposed to make the states of all individual agents simultaneously track a time‐varying reference state even when the reference state is available only to a subset of the group members and only output measurements are available for feedback. Homogeneous Lyapunov function and homogeneity property are employed to show that the control scheme can guarantee the consensus tracking errors converging the origin in finite time which is bounded by a fixed constant independent of initial conditions. Numerical simulations are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control law.
Composite adaptive control with fast convergence for multilayer neural network
Authors: Jiang Tao , Lin Defu , Song Tao 
Published: June 2019

SummaryA composite adaptive control (CAC) that combines the benefits of direct and indirect adaptive controls has better parameter adaptation and control response. Multilayer neural networks (NNs) can be employed to enhance a model's representation capacity, but previous composite adaptive approaches cannot easily train the model due to its nonlinearities. A novel CAC is therefore developed in this study to tackle the above limitations. A modified robust version is adopted by focusing on the direct adaptive part to enhance robustness of adaption. Then, the indirect parameter adaptive law is improved by adopting a small learning rate in which a multistep adaption update is executed in one control interval. Moreover, multistep prediction errors are implemented to guarantee the consistency of the approximation errors, and an experience replay technique is adopted to attenuate the requirement of persistent excitation conditions. These improvements not only accelerate the convergence process but also smoothen the updating of NN parameters. Given that a nonlinear plant with MIMO strict‐feedback structure is considered, the proposed CAC is integrated into the backstepping framework. The uniformly bounded property of the tracking errors and the approximation errors is proven by Lyapunov theory. The superiority of the proposed method and the roles of these improvements are demonstrated by comparative simulations.
The combinatorics of the colliding bullets
Authors: Broutin Nicolas , Marckert Jean‐François 
Published: June 2019

The finite colliding bullets problem is the following simple problem: consider a gun, whose barrel remains in a fixed direction; let (Vi)1 ≤ i ≤ n be an i.i.d. family of random variables with uniform distribution on [0,1]; shoot n bullets one after another at times 1,2,…,n, where the ith bullet has speed Vi. When two bullets collide, they both annihilate. We give the distribution of the number of surviving bullets, and in some generalization of this model. While the distribution is relatively simple (and we found a number of bold claims online), our proof is surprisingly intricate and mixes combinatorial and geometric arguments; we argue that any rigorous argument must very likely be rather elaborate.
A green ideology in Asian emerging economies: From environmental policy and sustainable development
Authors: Khan Syed Abdul Rehman , Sharif Arshian , Golpîra Hêriş , Kumar Anil 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis panel study investigates the relationship between green logistics indices, economic, environmental, and social factors in the perspective of Asian emerging economies. This study adopted Fully Modified OLS (FMOLS) Model and Dynamic OLS (DOLS) Model methods to test the research hypothesis, catering the problem of endogeneity and serial correlation. The results suggest that logistics operations, particularly LPI2 (efficiency of customs clearance processes), LPI4 (quality of logistics services), and LPI5 (trade and transport‐related infrastructure), are positively and significantly correlated with per capita income, manufacturing value added and trade openness, whereas greater logistics operations are negatively associated with social and environmental problems including, climate change, global warming, carbon emissions, and poisoning atmosphere. In addition, human health is badly affected by heavy smog, acid rainfall, and water pollution. The findings further extend and reveal that political instability, natural disaster, and terrorism are also a primary cause of poor economic growth and environmental sustainability with poor trade and logistics infrastructure. There is very limited empirical work presented in the literature using renewable energy and green ideology to solve macro‐level social and environmental problems, and this study will assist the policy makers and researchers to understand the importance of the green concept in improving countries' social, economic, and environmental performance.
Novel Amphiphiles and Their Applications for Different Purposes with Special Emphasis on Polymeric Surfactants
Authors: Chowdhury Suman , Rakshit Atanu , Acharjee Animesh , Saha Bidyut 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAmphiphiles or surfactants are widely known for its reducing power of interfacial tension and extraordinary rheological properties. Among the various classes of surfactants gemini surfactants, biosurfactants and polymeric surfactants are remarkable and distinguishable among the others for their structural diversity and profitable usefulness. Primarily, the performance of any surfactant can be determined by HLB (Hydrophile Lipophile Balance) value, an empirical parameter. This review attempts to clarify some of the terminology used in literature by providing illustration of classification, features and diverse applications of different surfactants.
Fabrication of Layered Double Hydroxide/Silica Foam Nanocomposites and Their Application for Removing Pb(II) and Cr(VI) from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Zhang Fengrong , Han Dandan , Guo Qianqian , Hou Wanguo 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIn the current work, nanocomposites of Mg−Al and Mg−Fe layered double hydroxides (LDHs) anchored on silica foam (SF), denoted as MAL/SF and MFL/SF, respectively, were fabricated using a two‐step route. The obtained LDHs/SF nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM, EDS, elemental mapping, and N2 adsorption‐desorption techniques. Sorption of the heavy‐metal Pb(II) and Cr(VI) on the LDHs/SF was determined at 25 °C and pH 5.5 using a batch technique. In comparison with bulk Mg−Al and Mg−Fe LDHs, the LDHs in the MAL/SF and MFL/SF exhibit significantly enhanced sorption capacities. In addition, the LDHs/SF nanocomposites show a good recyclability for removing heavy metals. The construction of LDHs/SF nanocomposites is an effective strategy for improving the sorption capacity of LDHs, and the nanocomposites are potential sorbents for wastewater treatment.