bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New waste‐based clinkers for the preparation of low‐energy cements. A step forward toward circular economy
Authors: Martínez‐Martínez Sergio , Pérez‐Villarejo Luis , Eliche‐Quesada Dolores , Sánchez‐Soto Pedro J. , Christogerou Angeliki , Kanellopoulou Dimitra G. , Angelopoulos George N. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis paper describes the use of industrial wastes arising from different production processes of the ceramic and marble industries as raw materials for the design and formulation of new cement clinkers with a high content of dicalcium silicate (Belite). The aim was to reintroduce these wastes in the industrial sector and take advantage of them for a greater environmental benefit, as indicated by the principles of the circular economy. Formulations containing 2.5, 5 and 10 wt% of chamotte and marble sludge, respectively, and a waste‐free formulation have been designed to obtain clinkers with a content of dicalcium silicate higher than 60 wt%. The different blends have been studied up to a maximum temperature of 1390°C by Thermal Analysis. Other techniques such as XRD, XRF, Modified Bogue Equation, Quality Indexes (LSF, AM, SM) and Optical Microscopy have been used for the study and characterization of industrial wastes, the raw materials and the high belite‐type cement dosages. The results indicate that this type of cements can be designed using different types of wastes and in this way reduce the environmental impacts caused by the extraction of raw materials and the deposition of the wastes in landfills, improving the circular economy of the construction industry.
Simulation of glass furnace with increased production by increasing fuel supply and introducing electric boosting
Authors: Li Luyao , Han Jianjun , Lin Huey‐Jiuan , Ruan Jian , Wang Jing , Zhao Xiujian 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBased on the furnace with production of 600 t/d, two methods of increasing fuel supply and introducing electric boosting are investigated to increase glass production. The heat flux from combustion chamber to glass tank, temperature distribution of glass furnace, and the glass convection flow are presented, which influences the performance of glass furnace. The glass quality is evaluated with the melting index and mixing index, while the efficiencies of batch melting process and fining process are evaluated with the sand dissolution index and fining index, respectively. The results show that the method of increasing fuel supply is appropriate and efficient to increase the production less than 650 t/d. To further increase production about 700 t/d, the method of introducing electric power is preferred on the condition that the glass quality and lifetime of glass furnace are ensured. Optimization of furnace design and electric boosting parameters are required for the production more than 700 t/d. This investigation is expected to guide the optimized design of glass furnace to increase glass production.
Oxidative stability of vegetable purees enriched with n‐3‐LC‐PUFA microalgal biomass: impact of type of vegetable
Authors: Gheysen Lore , Durnez Nicky , Devaere Jolien , Bernaerts Tom , Van Loey Ann , De Cooman Luc , Foubert Imogen 
Published: September 2019

SummaryVegetable purees can be interesting food products to enrich with omega‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3‐LC‐PUFA), since they are important carriers of nutrients and fibres and essential in a healthy diet. Due to their large number of double bounds, n‐3‐LC‐PUFA are highly susceptible to lipid oxidation. Different vegetable purees, containing different types and amounts of endogenous antioxidants, may possibly show differences in oxidative stability. This study contributes to obtain more insight into the impact of the type of vegetable (broccoli, carrot or tomato) on the oxidative stability of purees enriched with heterotrophic (Schizochytrium) n‐3‐LC‐PUFA‐rich microalgal biomass. Therefore, different vegetable purees enriched with microalgae were compared with each other and analysed for their amount lipid oxidation products and antioxidants. Broccoli and tomato puree enriched with Schizochytrium showed a higher oxidative stability compared to enriched carrot puree. However, all of these Schizochytrium‐enriched purees were prone to oxidation.
Effects of malondialdehyde‐induced protein oxidation on the structural characteristics of rice protein
Authors: Li Fang , Wu Xiao‐Juan , Wu Wei 
Published: September 2019

SummaryMalondialdehyde (MDA) was selected to represent a secondary by‐product of lipid peroxidation during rice ageing. This study aimed to investigate the effects of MDA modification on the structural characteristics of rice protein. The results showed that as MDA concentration increased, rice protein carbonyl and disulphide groups increased, but sulphydryl content decreased. The blue shift of maximum fluorescence peak, the decrease of rice protein intrinsic fluorescence intensity and the reduction of surface hydrophobicity indicated the formation of protein aggregates caused by MDA oxidative modification. The results of molecular weight distribution and particle size distribution showed that MDA modification resulted in the formation of soluble protein aggregates, and the decrease of rice protein solubility indicated that insoluble protein aggregates were formed. Results of protein electrophoresis showed that MDA modification contributed to rice protein aggregation via non‐disulphide covalent bonds. The results showed that rice protein gradually aggregated with increasing MDA concentration.
Siglec‐F is induced by granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and enhances interleukin‐4‐induced expression of arginase‐1 in mouse macrophages
Authors: Tateyama Hiroyuki , Murase Yusuke , Higuchi Hiroshi , Inasaka Yui , Kaneoka Hidenori , Iijima Shinji , Nishijima Ken‐ichi 
Published: September 2019

SummarySiglecs are cell surface lectins that recognize sialic acids and are primarily expressed in hematopoietic cells. Previous studies showed that some Siglecs regulate macrophage function. In the present study, we examined the induction and putative roles of mouse Siglec‐F in bone‐marrow‐derived macrophages in mice. A quantitative RT‐PCR analysis showed that the basal expression of Siglec‐F was weak in bone‐marrow‐derived macrophages differentiated by macrophage colony‐stimulating factor. However, a 24‐hr stimulation with granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) enhanced Siglec‐F expression. GM‐CSF also enhanced Siglec‐F expression in thioglycollate‐induced peritoneal macrophages. The inhibition of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5), but not that of phosphoinositide 3‐kinase or mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase, significantly reduced the induction of Siglec‐F. Interleukin‐3, which uses a common β‐chain shared with the GM‐CSF receptor to stimulate the STAT5 pathway, also enhanced Siglec‐F expression. The knockdown of Siglec‐F by a specific small interfering RNA enhanced GM‐CSF‐induced STAT5 phosphorylation, suggesting that Siglec‐F down‐regulates its own expression upon prolonged GM‐CSF stimulation. Furthermore, the knockdown of Siglec‐F reduced the STAT6 phosphorylation and expression of arginase‐1 in interleukin‐4‐stimulated macrophages. These results suggest that Siglec‐F fine‐tunes the immune responses of macrophages.
Returns to scale and asset prices
Authors: Chen Hung‐Kun , Chan Konan , Wang Yanzhi 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe q‐theory of investment is proposed to explain firm growth effects, where previous papers identify a negative effect of firm growth, including asset growth, real investment and net share issuance, on future stock returns. This paper uses returns to scale from the production function to test the dynamic q‐theory, which predicts that the firm growth effect is theoretically weaker for firms with decreasing returns to scale (DRS) than for non‐DRS firms. Our empirical results generally support the prediction of dynamic q‐theory. However, we find that the dynamic q‐theory explains little of the value, momentum and ROE effects from the standpoint of returns to scale.
Forest structure determines spatial changes in avian communities along an elevational gradient in tropical Africa
Authors: Hořák David , Ferenc Michal , Sedláček Ondřej , Motombi Francis Njie , Svoboda Miroslav , Altman Jan , Albrecht Tomáš , Djomo Nana Eric , Janeček Štěpán , Dančák Martin , Majeský Ľuboš , Lltonga Elias Ndive , Doležal Jiří 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAimTo test if tree species richness and forest structure drive spatial variation in avian communities along a tropical elevation gradient and to present information about the role of detailed forest parameters.LocationA 2,000‐m long elevational gradient of tropical forest on Mt. Cameroon, west‐central Africa.TaxonBirds and trees.MethodsWe performed bird censuses and vegetation mapping at the same plots across six forested sites at elevations of 350, 650, 1,100, 1,500, 1,850, and 2,200 m a.s.l., with 16 plots per elevation. We tested the effects of elevation, forest structure and tree diversity on the species richness, functional diversity and β‐diversity of birds (Bray–Curtis dissimilarity). We used conditional inference trees based on random forests (RF) to investigate these relationships across all elevation sites as well as within elevations.ResultsBoth tree and bird species richness declined monotonically with elevation. Vegetation structure correlated with elevation, and all vegetation attributes significantly differed among elevations. The RF explained 70% of the variance in avian species richness, with the most important predictors being elevation, proportion of dead trees, tree species richness and herb layer coverage. We found that elevation (and shrub layer) was a particularly important predictor of avian functional diversity. We identified no important predictor of bird species richness after standardization within elevations, and the proportion of dead trees was the sole important predictor of functional diversity. Within‐elevation β‐diversity in avian community composition was determined by the dissimilarity of the tree community and differences in leaf area index, solar radiation and spatial distance. The functional dissimilarity was best explained by leaf area index.Main conclusionsApart from elevation itself, spatial distance even within elevations correlated with compositional and functional variation among avian assemblages. Forest structural traits can have a significant influence on distribution of birds. Thus, gaps in the spatial distribution of species such as along elevations might be caused by fine‐scale recognition of suitable habitats.
Left atrial appendage closure: A therapy uniquely suited for specific populations of patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Black‐Maier Eric , Piccini Jonathan P. , Granger Christopher B. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinically relevant arrhythmia and confers a fivefold increased risk for stroke. Cardioembolic stroke secondary to AF is a devastating event, but is largely preventable with appropriate oral anticoagulation (OAC). The PROTECT and PREVAIL trials demonstrated that the WATCHMAN left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device in combination with short‐term warfarin therapy is noninferior to long‐term warfarin with respect to a composite endpoint of stroke, cardiovascular death, and systemic embolism. Importantly, the WATCHMAN confers a significant reduction in life‐threatening bleeding compared to OAC. Although direct‐acting oral anticoagulant (DOAC) are superior to warfarin in eligible patients, several important AF populations exist in whom left atrial appendage (LAA) closure may be preferable to DOAC. Populations warranting strong consideration of LAAC include patients with contraindications to DOAC, end‐stage renal disease, prior intracranial hemorrhage, recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding, and patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement or left atrial electrical isolation. Device‐related thrombosis is an important complication of LAAC, and DOAC may be preferential to warfarin for prevention and treatment of this complication remains unexplored. Prospective clinical trials comparing DOAC to LAAC in these unique populations are either ongoing or needed.
The gut microbiome alterations in allergic and inflammatory skin diseases – an update
Authors: Polkowska‐Pruszyńska B. , Gerkowicz A. , Krasowska D. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe human microbiome is a wide range of microorganisms residing in and on our body. The homeostasis between host immune system and the microbial environment allows mutual benefits and protection. Physiological bacterial colonization is essential for the establishment of organism immunity. The human microbiota ecosystem can be divided into several compartments, out of which intestinal flora strongly affects our health and plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of many diseases. The gastrointestinal tract, being a major guardian of the immune system, maintains the homeostasis with the commensal microorganisms by tolerating the typical flora antigens. The dysbiosis may trigger an inflammatory response followed by tissue damage or autoimmune processes. The gut microbiome alterations are linked to the pathogenesis of the allergic, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, metabolic, neurodevelopmental, psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Moreover, there is increasing evidence connecting the skin condition with the gastrointestinal microbiome, which has been described as the skin–gut axis. The aim of this study was to review the literature regarding the role of the gut microbiome alterations in the pathogenesis of selected allergic and inflammatory skin diseases.
Nodular skin lesions: correlation of reflectance confocal microscopy and optical coherence tomography features
Authors: Garbarino F. , Migliorati S. , Farnetani F. , De Pace B. , Ciardo S. , Manfredini M. , Reggiani Bonetti L. , Kaleci S. , Chester J. , Pellacani G. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundNodular lesions have common clinical appearance but different prognoses. Differential diagnosis between melanoma (MM), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and dermal naevus (DN) poses a challenge in clinical practice. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are promising non‐invasive imaging techniques, potentially able to decrease redundant biopsies. RCM allows in vivo visualization of skin down to the papillary dermis at almost histological resolution, while OCT, particularly dynamic OCT (D‐OCT), provides images deeper within the dermis and reveals the vascular pattern.ObjectivesTo identify correlating features observed with RCM and OCT associated with the different nodular lesion diagnoses.MethodsWe retrospectively assessed 68 nodular lesions (30 MM, 20 BCC and 18 DN) with RCM and subsequently OCT. At the end of the study, evaluations were matched with histopathological diagnosis and statistical analysis was performed.ResultsIn MM, 57% (17/30) evidenced both cerebriform nests at RCM and icicle‐shaped structures at OCT, with higher average Breslow index. In 80% of BCCs with basaloid islands at RCM, OCT showed ovoid structures. More than half of DN (56%) showed hyporeflective nests at OCT and either dense nests or dense and sparse nests at RCM.ConclusionsThe combined use of RCM and OCT offers a better understanding of the morphological architecture of nodular lesions, correlating RCM parameters with OCT and vice versa, assisting in turn with early differential diagnosis of malignant and benign nodular lesions. The correlation between icicle‐shaped structures and cerebriform nests in MM and their association with Breslow index requires future research.
Usefulness of real‐time elastography for diagnosing lymph node metastasis of skin cancer: does elastography potentially eliminate the need for sentinel lymph node biopsy in squamous cell carcinoma?
Authors: Tanaka T. , Kamata M. , Fukaya S. , Hayashi K. , Fukuyasu A. , Ishikawa T. , Ohnishi T. , Tada Y. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe metastatic involvement of regional lymph nodes is the most important prognostic factor for overall survival of skin cancer patients. The sonographic technique of freehand real‐time tissue elastography (RTE), which displays tissue rigidity as a colour overlay of the tissue image, was developed.ObjectiveOur purpose was to evaluate the benefit of RTE for detecting lymph node metastases of skin cancer non‐invasively before operation.MethodsWe first selected lymph nodes of skin cancer patients which had already been diagnosed by biopsy as being reactive or metastatic, and then retrospectively collected images of RTE and B‐mode and colour Doppler ultrasound on those lymph nodes performed preoperatively. Twenty‐one lymph nodes from 12 patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 23 lymph nodes from 14 patients with malignant melanoma (MM) and 14 lymph nodes from six patients with extramammary Paget disease (Paget) were investigated. Elastographic images were assessed on a scale of one to four according to the percentage of high elasticity (hard) area (HEA) in the lymph node.ResultsIn all three skin cancers, lymph nodes evaluated as grade 3 or 4 by RTE were metastatic. All lymph nodes evaluated as grade 1 or 2 by RTE were reactive in SCC, whereas some lymph nodes evaluated as grade 1 or 2 were metastatic in MM and Paget.ConclusionReal‐time tissue elastography may aid in distinguishing reactive lymph nodes from metastatic ones especially in SCC.
A method to simulate the optical image from far‐field scattering numerical data and its application to the total internal reflection microscopy of metallic nanowires
Authors: IGLESIAS IGNACIO , MUÑOZ JUAN , COLCHERO JAIME 
Published: September 2019

SummaryComputational electrodynamics modelling plays an important role in understanding and designing new photonic devices. The results offered by these simulations are usually close‐range field distributions or angular power emission plots. We describe a procedure to compute the optical microscopy image from simulated far‐field scattering data using three‐dimensional discrete Fourier transforms that can be used when the simulation software package do not include proper far‐field to optical imaging projection routines. The method is demonstrated comparing simulated images with real images of nanowires obtained with a total internal reflection microscope.
The activity of the Striatal‐enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase in neuronal cells is modulated by adenosine A2A receptor
Authors: Mallozzi Cinzia , Pepponi Rita , Visentin Sergio , Chiodi Valentina , Lombroso Paul J. , Bader Michael , Popoli Patrizia , Domenici Maria Rosaria 
Published: September 2019

AbstractWe recently demonstrated that a tonic activation of adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs) is required for cocaine‐induced synaptic depression and increase in the activity of STriatal‐Enriched protein tyrosine Phosphatase (STEP). In this study, we elaborated on the relationship between A2AR and STEP using genetic, pharmacological, and cellular tools. We found that the activities of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), and in particular of STEP, are significantly increased in the striatum and hippocampus of a transgenic rat strain over‐expressing the neuronal A2AR (NSEA2A) with respect to wild‐type (WT) rats. Moreover the selective A2AR agonist 4‐[2‐[[6‐Amino‐9‐(N‐ethyl‐β‐d‐ribofuranuronamidosyl)‐9H‐purin‐2‐yl]amino]ethyl]benzenepropanoic acid hydrochloride up‐regulates PTPs and STEP activities in WT but not in NSEA2A rats, while the selective A2AR antagonist 4‐(−2‐[7‐amino‐2‐{2‐furyl}{1,2,4}triazolo{2,3‐a} {1,3,5}triazin‐5‐yl‐amino]ethyl)phenol restores the tyrosine phosphatase activities in NSEA2A, having no effects in WT rats. In addition, while cocaine induced the activation of PTP and STEP in WT rats, it failed to increase phosphatase activity in NSEA2A rats. A2ARs modulate STEP activity also in the SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line, where a calcium‐dependent calcineurin/PP1 pathway was found to play a major role. In summary, the present study identified a novel interaction between A2AR and STEP that could have important clinical implications, since STEP has emerged as key regulator of signaling pathways involved in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases and A2ARs are considered a promising target for the development of therapeutic strategies for different diseases of the central nervous system.
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Salidroside protects dopaminergic neurons by regulating the mitochondrial MEF2D‐ND6 pathway in the MPTP/MPP+‐induced model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Li Tao , Zhang Wei , Kang Xiaogang , Yang Ruixin , Li Ruru , Huang Lu , Chen Jianzong , Yang Qian , Sun Xiaolong 
Published: September 2019

AbstractMitochondrial complex I damage and oxidative stress play critical roles in the degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons during the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Our previous study showed that NADH dehydrogenase 6 (ND6), exclusively regulated by mitochondrial myocyte enhancer factor 2D (MEF2D), was critical for mitochondrial complex I assembly. Recently, we found that Salidroside (Sal), isolated from Rhodiola rosea L., protected DA neurons by regulating oxidative stress‐related mitochondrial pathways. Here, we investigated whether the mitochondrial MEF2D‐ND6 pathway was involved in the neuroprotective effects of Sal. Our results showed that in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+)‐injured SN4741 cells, Sal pretreatment improved cellular viability, inhibited apoptosis, and restored both the mitochondrial membrane potential and complex I activity. Similarly, the protective effects of Sal on mitochondrial complex I activity, DA neurons, and behavior were also confirmed in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1, 2, 3, 6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)‐lesioned mice. Besides, Sal pretreatment restored the expression of mitochondrial MEF2D and ND6 in MPP+‐injured SN4741 cells and MPTP‐lesioned mice. Finally and interestingly, the protective effects of Sal were not observed in cells transfected with Mt2Ddn, a specific blocker of mitochondrial MEF2D function, suggesting that Sal protects DA neurons primarily by regulating the mitochondrial MEF2D‐ND6 pathway. Our study sheds light upon the protective role of Sal through targeting the mitochondrial MEF2D‐ND6 pathway in regulations of mitochondrial function and DA neuronal viability, providing novel mechanistic insights into the neuroprotective effects of Sal against PD.
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Alpha synuclein deficiency increases CD4+ T‐cells pro‐inflammatory profile in a Nurr1‐dependent manner
Authors: Trudler Dorit , Levy‐Barazany Hilit , Nash Yuval , Samuel Liron , Sharon Ronit , Frenkel Dan 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIt has been suggested that extracellular alpha synuclein (αSyn) can mediate neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s disease, and that αSyn affects B‐cell maturation. However, the function of αSyn in T cells is poorly understood. We hypothesized that αSyn can affect CD4+ T‐cell proliferation and activity. We found that αSyn deficiency exacerbates disease progression in 8 weeks old C57BL6/J EAE‐induced mice, and that αSyn‐deficient CD4+ T cells have increased pro‐inflammatory response to myelin antigen relative to wild‐type cells, as measured by cytokine secretion of interleukin IL‐17 and interferon gamma. Furthermore, expression of αSyn on a background of αSyn knockout mitigates the inflammatory responses in CD4+ T cells. We discovered that elevated levels of Nurr1, a transcription factor belonging to the orphan nuclear receptor family, are associated with the pro‐inflammatory profile of αSyn‐deficient CD4+ T cells. In addition, we demonstrated that silencing of Nurr1 expression using an siRNA reduces IL‐17 levels and increases the levels of IL‐10, an anti‐inflammatory cytokine. Study of αSyn‐mediated cellular pathways in CD4+ T cells may provide useful insights into the development of pro‐inflammatory responses in immunity, providing future avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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