bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Resveratrol modulates the gut microbiota to prevent murine colitis development through induction of Tregs and suppression of Th17 cells
Authors: Alrafas Haider Rasheed , Busbee Philip B , Nagarkatti Mitzi , Nagarkatti Prakash S 
Published: March 2019

Abstract
Inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are often associated with microbial dysbiosis. Thus, dietary interactions with intestinal microbiota, to maintain homeostasis, play a crucial role in regulation of clinical disorders such as colitis. In the current study, we investigated if resveratrol, a polyphenol found in a variety of foods and beverages, would reverse microbial dysbiosis induced during colitis. Administration of resveratrol attenuated colonic inflammation and clinical symptoms in the murine model of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. Resveratrol treatment in mice with colitis led to an increase in CD4+FOXP3+ and CD4+IL-10+ T cells, and a decrease in CD4+IFN-γ+ and CD4+IL-17+ T cells. 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate alterations in the gut microbiota revealed that TNBS caused significant dysbiosis, which was reversed following resveratrol treatment. Analysis of cecal flush revealed that TNBS administration led to an increase in species such as Bacteroides acidifaciens, but decrease in species such as Ruminococcus gnavus and Akkermansia mucinphilia, as well as a decrease in SCFA i-butyric acid. However, resveratrol treatment restored the gut bacteria back to homeostatic levels, and increased production of i-butyric acid. Fecal transfer experiments confirmed the protective role of resveratrol-induced microbiota against colitis inasmuch as such recipient mice were more resistant to TNBS-colitis and exhibited polarization toward CD4+FOXP3+ T cells and decreases in CD4+IFN-γ+ and CD4+IL-17+ T cells. Collectively, these data demonstrate that resveratrol-mediated attenuation of colitis results from reversal of microbial dysbiosis induced during colitis and such microbiota protect the host from colonic inflammation by inducing Tregs while suppressing inflammatory Th1/Th17 cells.
The influence of the winemaking process on the elemental composition of the Marselan red wine
Authors: dos Santos Carla EI , Debastiani Rafaela , Souza Vanessa S , Peretti Débora E , Jobim Paulo FC , Yoneama Maria L , Amaral Livio , Dias Johnny F 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe elemental profile of the Marselan wine cycle was studied with a single ion‐beam technique, namely particle‐induced X‐ray emission (PIXE). Samples were collected from all of the major stages involved in the wine cycle, including soil, vine plant, grape, and different stages of wine processing.RESULTSThe results show the influence of field practices on the elemental composition of leaves, branches, grapes, and soil. Mechanisms of element precipitation and elimination from the wine were identified through the changes in the elemental concentrations measured during the post‐harvesting processes. The concentrations of some elements, such as Al, Si, K, and Ni, did not vary for grapes collected at different maturation stages. On the other hand, changes in the concentrations of Si, Cl, Ca, Cu, and K were observed right after the maceration and pressing processes in young wine. Finally, the reduction in the Cu concentration during the last stages of the wine cycle is related to its precipitation in the storage tanks.CONCLUSIONSIt was found that field practices and winemaking processes played distinct roles in the elemental composition of grapes and wine from different preparation stages. Moreover, PIXE proved to be a suitable analytical tool for the analysis of the whole wine cycle because it handles solid and liquid samples in a clean and straightforward manner. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
High performance color‐converted micro‐LED displays
Authors: Gou Fangwang , Hsiang En‐Lin , Tan Guanjun , Lan Yi‐Fen , Tsai Cheng‐Yeh , Wu Shin‐Tson 
Published: March 2019

AbstractA full‐color micro‐LED display can be achieved by red, green, and blue (RGB) chips or by a blue/ultraviolet (UV) micro‐LED array to pump downconverters. The latter helps relieve the burden of epitaxial growth of tri‐color micro‐LED chips. However, such a color‐converted micro‐LED system usually suffers from color crosstalk and low efficiency due to limited optical density of color converters. With funnel‐tube array and reflective coating on its inner surface, the crosstalk is eliminated, and the optical efficiency can be improved by more than two times. In addition, the ambient contrast ratio is also improved because of higher light intensity. The color gamut of this device is approximately 92% of DCI‐P3 standard.
Effects of curved computer displays on visual performance, visual fatigue, and emotional image quality
Authors: Lim Kyongho , Li Xiaohua , Tu Yan 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis study investigated the effects of the curvature of curved computer displays on the visual performance, fatigue, and emotional image quality experienced by users during the performance of visual tasks. The characteristics of curved displays were compared and analyzed for different curvatures to investigate whether the curved displays showed improvements in terms of convenience of use when compared with flat displays. The visual performance results for the evaluated displays can be classified into three groups according to their response times, as (2000R = 2500R) > (3000R) > (3800R = 4500R = Flat). The visual fatigue results for average pupil size during a search task was 3.468 mm for flat and 3.355 mm for 2000R. This means that a 2000R curved display was found to be easier to use and thus generated less visual fatigue than a flat display when performing the same visual search task. Further, the results indicated that visual performance improved and visual fatigue decreased significantly as curvature increased. In this study, a curvature limit of 1700R was derived, when considering the image distortion of a 34‐in 21:9 curved display, and there was found to be no difference in the emotional image quality at curvatures greater than 2000R.
MicroRNA‐26a inhibits multiple myeloma cell growth by suppressing cyclin‐dependent kinase 6 expression
Authors: Xu Ying‐Ying , Song Ya‐Qi , Huang Zi‐Ming , Zhang Hai‐Bing , Chen Ming 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMicroRNA‐26a (miR‐26a) has been reported to be involved in the tumorigenesis of several tumors, but its biological function and molecular mechanism in multiple myeloma (MM) are still unknown. In this study, we found that overexpression of miR‐26a obviously inhibited MM cell growth, and delayed tumor growth in xenografts. Further studies showed that overexpression of miR‐26a induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in MM cells. MiR‐26a mimic down‐regulated the expression levels of CDK6 and E2F1, but up‐regulated p53 and p21 expression. In contrast, overexpression of CDK6 decreased the effect of miR‐26a mimic on MM cell survival. Moreover, miR‐26a targeted CDK6 mRNA and thus suppressed CDK6 protein expression. Overexpression of miR‐26a also enhanced the cytotoxic action of doxorubicin against MM. These results demonstrated that miR‐26a was involved in the development of MM through regulating CDK6 signaling pathway, and indicated that miR‐26a could be as a novel target for anti‐tumor therapy in clinic as a single strategy or in combination with other anti‐tumor drugs in MM.
Effects of esophageal acid infusion vs mosapride on distension‐induced secondary peristalsis in humans
Authors: Lei Wei‐Yi , Hung Jui‐Sheng , Yi Chih‐Hsun , Liu Tso‐Tsai , Wong Ming‐Wun , Chen Chien‐Lin 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSecondary peristalsis contributes to the clearance of the refluxate from the esophagus. Acute administration of 5‐hydroxytryptamine 4 (5‐HT4) receptors agonist, mosapride or esophageal infusion of hydrochloric acid (HCl) facilitates secondary peristalsis. The aim of this study was to determine whether esophageal acid infusion and administration of mosapride had different effects on secondary peristalsis. Secondary peristalsis was performed with esophageal distension with rapid and slow air injections in 16 healthy subjects. We performed two separate sessions with HCl (0.1 N) and 40 mg oral mosapride to compare their influence on secondary peristaltic parameters. The threshold volume of secondary peristalsis was significantly lower with HCl infusion than mosapride (P = 0.01) by slow air injections. The threshold volume to generate secondary peristalsis was significantly lower with HCl infusion than mosapride (P = 0.002) by rapid air injections. More secondary peristalsis was trigged by rapid air injections after HCl infusion than mosapride (P = 0.003). Infusion of HCl or mosapride administration has similar effects on peristaltic wave amplitude and duration of primary and secondary peristalsis. Acute esophageal acid infusion can induce greater mechanosensitivity to distension‐induced secondary peristalsis than 5‐HT4 receptors agonist mosapride. The data suggest that acid‐sensitive afferents are more likely to contribute to sensory modulation of esophageal secondary peristalsis; however, the motility aspects of secondary peristalsis are comparable between acute esophageal acidification and 5‐HT4 receptors activation via mosapride.
3D focusing of micro‐scale entities in dielectrophoretic microdevice
Authors: Alnaimat Fadi , Krishna Salini , Hilal‐Alnaqbi Ali , Alazzam Anas , Dagher Sawsan , Mathew Bobby 
Published: March 2019

AbstractHerein, we report a dielectrophoretic microdevice mathematical model to achieve 3D focusing for micro‐scale entities. The device has two pairs of independently controllable electrodes with each pair positioned on the microchannel's sides; every electrode of each pair protrudes slightly into the microchannel. The model is composed of equations describing voltage, electric field, fluid flow and equations of motion. The model took consideration of different forces including dielectrophoresis, drag, gravity, buoyancy, virtual mass and inertia to the motion of the micro‐scale entity. The model is solved specifically by finite difference methods. The micro‐scale entity is 3D focused at microchannel centre for equal applied voltage and focused away from the channel for unequal applied voltage. Steady‐state vertical position is dependent on applied voltages, electrode protrusion width and microchannel height while being independent of volumetric flow rate, initial positions and radius of micro‐scale entity. No increase in vertical position occurs beyond the threshold values of microchannel height and applied voltage. The model is validated with experimental results from literature.
Association between IL‐1R2 polymorphisms and lung cancer risk in the Chinese Han population: A case–control study
Authors: Wang Chaoying , Zhang Chengsheng , Xu Junnv , Li Yongfu , Wang Jie , Liu Hui , Liu Yueli , Chen Zhong , Lin Haifeng 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundInterleukin‐1 receptor 2 (IL‐1R2), as an anti‐inflammatory cytokine, is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of lung cancer. However, the role of IL‐1R2 polymorphisms in patients with lung cancer has yet to be fully elucidated.MethodsSix single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL‐1R2 were genotyped in 259 patients and 346 healthy controls. We used the chi‐squared test, genetic model analysis, Haploview analysis, and multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) to evaluate the potential association between IL‐1R2 polymorphisms and lung cancer susceptibility. Bioinformatics analyses were conducted to analyze the expression level of IL‐1R2 and its association with the overall survival of lung cancer.ResultsOur results found that rs3218977‐GG was associated with a decreased risk of lung cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17–0.87; p = 0.023), and rs2072472 had a significant risk‐increasing effect in the dominant model (AG + GG vs. AA: OR = 1.54; 95% CI: 1.09–2.20; p = 0.015). The MDR model also revealed that rs2072472 is the most influential risk factor of lung cancer (testing accuracy = 0.543; cross‐validation consistency = 10/10; p = 0.032). In addition, our results indicated that the IL‐1R2 mRNA level was downregulated in lung cancer patients, whereas the high expression of IL‐1R2 was related to a poor prognosis in lung cancer.ConclusionsOur results suggest that genetic variants of IL‐1R2 may play a role in lung cancer susceptibility. Further population and functional validations of our findings are warranted.
Technical Note: Density correction to improve CT number mapping in thoracic deformable image registration
Authors: Yang Jinzhong , Zhang Yongbin , Zhang Zijian , Zhang Lifei , Balter Peter , Court Laurence 
Published: March 2019

PurposeTo improve the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) number mapping inside the lung in deformable image registration with large differences in lung volume for applications in vertical CT imaging and adaptive radiotherapy.MethodsThe deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) CT image and the end of exhalation (EE) phase image in four‐dimensional CT of 14 thoracic cancer patients were used in this study. Lung volumes were manually delineated. A Demons‐based deformable registration was first applied to register the EE CT to the DIBH CT for each patient, and the resulting deformation vector field deformed the EE CT image to the DIBH CT space. Given that the mass of the lung remains the same during respiration, we created a mass‐preserving model to correlate lung density variations with volumetric changes, which were characterized by the Jacobian derived from the deformation field. The Jacobian determinant was used to correct the lung CT numbers transferred from the EE CT image. The absolute intensity differences created by subtracting the deformed EE CT from the DIBH CT with and without density correction were compared.ResultsThe ratio of DIBH CT to EE CT lung volumes was 1.6 on average. The deformable registration registered the lung shape well, but the appearance of voxel intensities inside the lung was different, demonstrating the need for density correction. Without density correction, the mean and standard deviation of the absolute intensity difference between the deformed EE CT and the DIBH CT inside the lung were 54.5 ± 45.5 for all cases. After density correction, these numbers decreased to 18.1 ± 34.9, demonstrating greater accuracy. The cumulative histogram of the intensity difference also showed that density correction improved CT number mapping greatly.ConclusionDensity correction improves CT number mapping inside the lung in deformable image registration for difficult cases with large lung volume differences.
Magnetic resonance elastography of skeletal muscle deep tissue injury
Authors: Nelissen Jules L. , Sinkus Ralph , Nicolay Klaas , Nederveen Aart J. , Oomens Cees W.J. , Strijkers Gustav J. 
Published: March 2019

The current state‐of‐the‐art diagnosis method for deep tissue injury in muscle, a subcategory of pressure ulcers, is palpation. It is recognized that deep tissue injury is frequently preceded by altered biomechanical properties. A quantitative understanding of the changes in biomechanical properties preceding and during deep tissue injury development is therefore highly desired. In this paper we quantified the spatial–temporal changes in mechanical properties upon damage development and recovery in a rat model of deep tissue injury.Deep tissue injury was induced in nine rats by two hours of sustained deformation of the tibialis anterior muscle. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), T2‐weighted, and T2‐mapping measurements were performed before, directly after indentation, and at several timepoints during a 14‐day follow‐up.The results revealed a local hotspot of elevated shear modulus (from 3.30 ± 0.14 kPa before to 4.22 ± 0.90 kPa after) near the center of deformation at Day 0, whereas the T2 was elevated in a larger area. During recovery there was a clear difference in the time course of the shear modulus and T2. Whereas T2 showed a gradual normalization towards baseline, the shear modulus dropped below baseline from Day 3 up to Day 10 (from 3.29 ± 0.07 kPa before to 2.68 ± 0.23 kPa at Day 10, P < 0.001), followed by a normalization at Day 14.In conclusion, we found an initial increase in shear modulus directly after two hours of damage‐inducing deformation, which was followed by decreased shear modulus from Day 3 up to Day 10, and subsequent normalization. The lower shear modulus originates from the moderate to severe degeneration of the muscle. MRE stiffness values were affected in a smaller area as compared with T2. Since T2 elevation is related to edema, distributing along the muscle fibers proximally and distally from the injury, we suggest that MRE is more specific than T2 for localization of the actual damaged area.
On greedy randomized coordinate descent methods for solving large linear least‐squares problems
Authors: Bai Zhong‐Zhi , Wu Wen‐Ting 
Published: March 2019

SummaryFor solving large scale linear least‐squares problem by iteration methods, we introduce an effective probability criterion for selecting the working columns from the coefficient matrix and construct a greedy randomized coordinate descent method. It is proved that this method converges to the unique solution of the linear least‐squares problem when its coefficient matrix is of full rank, with the number of rows being no less than the number of columns. Numerical results show that the greedy randomized coordinate descent method is more efficient than the randomized coordinate descent method.
An algorithm for stress and mixed control in Galerkin‐based FFT homogenization
Authors: Lucarini S. , Segurado J. 
Published: March 2019

SummaryA new algorithm is proposed to impose a macroscopic stress or mixed stress/deformation gradient history in the context of nonlinear Galerkin‐based fast Fourier transform homogenization. The method proposed is based on the definition of a modified projection operator in which the null frequencies enforce the type of control (stress or strain) for each component of either the macroscopic first Piola stress or the deformation gradient. The resulting problem is solved exactly as the original variational method, and it does not require additional iterations compared to the strain control version, neither in the linear iterative solver nor in the Newton scheme. The efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated with a series of numerical examples, including a polycrystal and a particle‐reinforced hyperelastic material.
Zooarchaeological evidence for meat consumption at Zita, Tunisia, during the Punic to Roman occupations (2nd century BCE to 3rd century CE)
Authors: Moses Victoria , Kaufman Brett , Drine Ali , Barnard Hans , Tahar Sami Ben , Jerray Elyssa , Daniels Megan 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAlthough Roman North Africa is known for its production of cereals, faunal evidence from the Neo‐Punic urban mound of Zita in South East Tunisia shows that meat was an important part of the diet. Similarly to other North African sites, sheep and goat contributed the most to meat consumption in all time periods. The proportions of cattle, sheep/goat, and pig (the most common sources of meat in most Roman influenced sites) are closer to the nearby site of Meninx than to Carthage. This research uses the complete collection of faunal material from one feature at Zita to analyse pre‐Roman and Roman meat consumption. Because data from few comparable sites are available, this analysis adds new understanding to diet over time in the region, but further studies at Zita and in the region more broadly would help confirm these findings. Zooarchaeological remains show a diet heavily dependent on sheep and goat, with fish, molluscs, cattle, pig, and chicken also commonly consumed. Wild animals in the diet include hare and birds. Other fauna recovered were indirectly related to human activities; small terrestrial animals like amphibians, snakes, and rodents were likely attracted to refuse and increased as the site became more industrialised in the Roman period. The data show that the diet at Zita remains consistent across time, indicating a strong and ongoing local influence on cuisine despite transitions in the political infrastructure from Carthaginian to Neo‐Punic/Roman periods.
Look back lest you fail to mark the path ahead
Authors: Lovejoy Thomas E. 
Published: March 2019

Societal Impact StatementThe need for immediate action to avoid further climate change and biodiversity loss is upon us. Plant scientists have the tools to initiate the first steps of this action, but we face challenges in ensuring that our message is transferred clearly and concisely to non‐scientists. We must ensure that our research is rooted in reality, with reference to our current situation.SummaryThe devastating impacts of historical changes in atmospheric conditions demonstrate to scientists how precarious our current situation is, underscoring the need for immediate action to prevent further climate change. Humans are inherently adaptable creatures however, and we have so far managed to alter the planet to meet our own needs, cleverly exceeding natural limits and ignoring future consequences. We act as fugitive species, moving on to new resources rather than preventing their exhaustion, and attempting to treat the symptoms rather than the cause of ecological problems. To counteract this natural apathy in the face of relatively slow‐burning but devastating issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss, we as scientists must highlight dramatic current issues, and put future problems in a contemporary context to demonstrate the urgency of these problems to non‐scientists. Here, I discuss how we must make our arguments with reference to current reality, clearly, and unequivocally explaining the implications of our research, and proposing technological and ecological approaches to deal with the root cause of the issues we face.
The Dual Graviton in Duality Covariant Theories
Authors: Hohm Olaf , Samtleben Henning 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWe review (and elaborate on) the ‘dual graviton problem’ in the context of duality covariant formulations of M‐theory (exceptional field theories). These theories require fields that are interpreted as components of the dual graviton in order to build complete multiplets under the exceptional groups E, . Circumventing no‐go arguments, consistent theories for such fields have been constructed by incorporating additional covariant compensator fields. The latter fields are needed for gauge invariance but also for on‐shell equivalence with and type IIB supergravity. Moreover, these fields play a non‐trivial role in generalized Scherk‐Schwarz compactifications, as for instance in consistent Kaluza‐Klein truncation on AdS4 × S7.
Observers and observability for uncertain nonlinear systems: A necessary and sufficient condition
Authors: Bai Wenyan , Chen Sen , Huang Yi , Guo Bao‐Zhu , Wu Ze‐Hao 
Published: March 2019

SummaryIn this paper, observers and observability for uncertain nonlinear systems are systematically discussed. It is shown that for the convergence of a large class of observers, featured with the augment state to estimate the uncertainty, it requires not only the observability condition for the augment matrix pair but, more importantly, requires a structural condition first proposed in this paper. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the combination of this structural condition and the observability of the augment matrix pair is a necessary and sufficient condition for the convergence of the observers and the observability of the original uncertain nonlinear systems. This implies that both the structural condition and the observability condition of the augment matrix pair reveal essential feature of the observing problems for uncertain nonlinear systems. In addition, for unobservable uncertain nonlinear systems, which do not satisfy this necessary and sufficient condition, the biased estimation error is explicitly presented, which can be used to evaluate the estimation performance of this class of observers. The numerical simulations for three typical examples are carried out to validate our theoretical analysis.