bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aspirin eugenol ester attenuates oxidative injury of vascular endothelial cells by regulating NOS and Nrf2 signalling pathways
Authors: Huang Mei‐Zhou , Yang Ya‐Jun , Liu Xi‐Wang , Qin Zhe , Li Jian‐Yong 
Published: February 2019

Background and PurposeAspirin eugenol ester (AEE) is a new drug compound synthesized by combining aspirin with eugenol. It was reported to possess anti‐thrombotic, anti‐atherosclerotic, and anti‐oxidative effects. However, its molecular mechanism against oxidative injury is unclear. This study investigated how AEE affected the oxidative injury of vascular endothelial cells in vivo and in vitro.Experimental ApproachA hamster model of atherosclerosis induced by a high fat diet (HFD) and an in vitro model of oxidative stress, H2O2‐induced apoptosis of HUVECs, were used to investigate the anti‐oxidative effects of AEE.Key ResultsAEE significantly reduced the stimulatory effect of HFD on malondialdehyde, the inhibitory effect of HFD on SOD activity and GSH/GSSG ratio, and the overexpression of inducible NOS (iNOS) in the aorta. In vitro, incubation of HUVECs with H2O2 led their apoptosis, dysfunctions of the NO systems (including increased iNOS activity, decreased endothelial NOS activity, and increased production of NO), an imbalance in calcium homeostasis and energy metabolism with an increase in intracellular free calcium and decrease in ATP, and a down‐regulation of Nrf2. In contrast, in the HUVECs pretreated with 1 μM AEE for 24 hr, the above adverse effects induced by H2O2 were significantly ameliorated. Moreover, the decrease in NO production and activity of iNOS induced by AEE was significantly attenuated in Nrf2‐inhibited HUVECs.Conclusion and ImplicationAEE protects vascular endothelial cells from oxidative injury by regulating NOS and Nrf2 signalling pathways. This suggests that AEE is a novel potential agent for the prevention of atherosclerosis.
Quality and potency profile of eight recombinant isoallergens, largely mimicking total Bet v 1‐specific IgE binding of birch pollen
Authors: Seutter von Loetzen Christian , Reuter Andreas , Spiric Jelena , Schulenborg Thomas , Bellinghausen Iris , Völker Elke , Vogel Lothar , Rösch Paul , Schiller Dirk 
Published: February 2019

SummaryBackgroundTo date, only limited information on structure, expression levels and IgE binding of Bet v 1 variants, which are simultaneously expressed in birch pollen, is available.ObjectiveTo analyse and compare structure and serum IgE/IgG binding of rBet v 1 variants to Bet v 1.0101.MethodsRecombinant Bet v 1 variants were studied with sera of 20 subjects allergic to birch pollen. Folding, aggregation and solubility of the rBet v 1 variants were analysed to attribute diverging IgE binding to either allergen structure or methodological features. IgE/IgG binding was studied with rBet v 1 in solution or adsorbed to solid phases. Allergen‐mediated cross‐linking of FcεRI receptors was determined by mediator release of sensitized humanized rat basophil leukaemia cells.ResultsAll variants, except for rBet v 1.0113, were monomeric and had Bet v 1‐type conformation. Serum IgE binding to variants adsorbed to solid phase was reduced to 6.6%‐36.5% compared with Bet v 1.0101. In contrast, inhibition of IgE binding to Bet v 1.0101 by rBet v 1 variants ranged from 62% to 83%. Similarly, mediator release ranged from 30.7% to 55.2% for all variants and was only clearly reduced for rBet v 1.0301 (10.4%). The IgE‐binding potency of rBet v 1 variants representing their native quantities in birch pollen was only slightly lower compared to extract. IgG binding to variants was between 50.9% and 134.5% compared with rBet v 1.0101 (100%).Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceBet v 1 variants previously classified as hypoallergenic can exhibit similar functional IgE binding as Bet v 1.0101. Eight rBet v 1 variants largely reproduce total Bet v 1‐specific IgE binding of birch pollen extracts. Assay format‐dependent variation in IgE‐binding properties needs to be considered in the development of diagnostic or therapeutic products.
Successful repair of kidney graft artery rupture secondary to infection using a preprocessed homologous “Y”‐shaped iliac artery
Authors: Liu Guangjun , Wang Xuliang , Wu Jianyong , Peng Wenhan , Wang Rending , Huang Hongfeng , Chen Jianghua 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectivesThis retrospective study aims to describe novel ways of repair kidney allograft artery rupture secondary to infection using a preprocessed homologous “Y”‐shaped iliac artery.MethodsFive patients' whose course was complicated by graft arterial rupture were included in the rupture group, and patients who received the kidney from the same donor were included in the control group. In the rupture group, the iliac artery used for revascularization was harvested from a DCD donor, pre‐treated with absolute diethyl ether, followed by absolute alcohol, and then preserved in 75% alcohol. A biopsy of the arterial graft was obtained and stained using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Once a patient was diagnosed with kidney allograft arterial rupture by ultrasound, emergency surgery was conducted and the preprocessed “Y”‐shaped iliac artery was used for bridging.ResultsFive patents were included in the rupture group. The “Y”‐shaped iliac artery grafts were successfully preprocessed, H&E staining and electron microscope observation revealed few visible nuclei, with karyorrhexis and karyolysis. There were no significant differences in the long‐term graft survival between two groups.ConclusionsIn conclusion, using preprocessed homologous “Y”‐shaped iliac artery provides a useful method to bridge the vascular defects from kidney graft artery rupture secondary to infection in renal allograft recipients.
Electrophysiological markers of poor versus superior math abilities in healthy individuals
Authors: Proverbio Alice M. , Carminati Manuel 
Published: February 2019

AbstractInterindividual differences in the numerical ability of healthy adults have been previously demonstrated, mainly with tasks involving mental number line or size representation. However, electrophysiological correlates of superior versus poor arithmetic ability (in the healthy population) have been scarcely investigated. We correlated electric potentials with math performance in 13 skilled and 13 poor calculators selected from a sample of 41 graduate students on the basis of their poor or superior math abilities assessed through a timed test. EEG was recorded from 128 channels while participants solved 352 arithmetical operations (additions, subtractions, multiplications, divisions) and decided whether the provided solution was correct or incorrect. Overall skilled individuals correctly solved a higher number of operations than poor calculators and had faster response times. Consistently, the latency of fronto‐central P300 component of event‐related potentials (ERPs) peaked earlier in the skilled than poor group. The P300 was larger in amplitude to correct than incorrect solutions, but just in the skilled group, with a tendency found in poor calculators. Spearman's ρ correlation coefficient analyses showed that the larger P300 response was to correct arithmetic solutions, the better the performance; conversely, the larger the P300 amplitude was to incorrect solutions, the worse the performance. The results suggest that poor calculators had a less clear representation of arithmetic solutions and difficulty in quickly accessing it. This study provides a standard method for directly investigating math abilities throughout ERP recordings that could be useful for assessing acalculia/dyscalculia in the clinical population (children, elderly, brain‐damaged patients).
Dissociating the neural substrates for inhibition and shifting in domain‐general cognitive control
Authors: Sun Xun , Li Le , Mo Ce , Mo Lei , Wang Ruiming , Ding Guosheng 
Published: February 2019

AbstractInhibition and shifting are two key components of domain‐general cognitive control. Numerous studies have investigated the neural substrates of both components, but it is still unclear whether the relevant brain regions are specifically involved in one specific component or commonly engaged in both components. Here, we addressed this question by using functional magnetic resonance imaging and a modified saccade paradigm that was effective to disentangle inhibition and shifting in one experiment. The results showed that both the middle frontal gyrus and left parietal lobe were involved in both components but the middle frontal gyrus was more active for the inhibition while the inferior parietal lobe was more active for the shifting processing. The outcome suggests that, although both regions are engaged in inhibition and shifting, each plays a dominant role in one component. These findings provide a further insight into the neural dissociation in inhibition and shifting, as well as a better explanation on the framework of unity and diversity from a neuropsychological viewpoint.
Microwave absorbing properties of a radar absorbing structure composed of carbon nanotube papers/glass fabric composites
Authors: Chen Shiou‐Huei , Kuo Wen‐Shyong , Yang Ruey‐Bin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn this study, carbon nanotube papers were employed in fabricating thin and broadband radar absorbing structures (RAS). Different concentrations of the CNT papers have been made by using a vacuum filtration method, with 20 × 20 cm in size and 21‐27 μm in thickness. An epoxy resin was added into the CNT paper and then cured to become a composite with 1‐5 wt.% of CNTs and 83‐309 μm in thickness. The complex permittivity and permeability (ε′, ε″, μ′, μ″) of the CNT paper composites were measured using the transmission/reflection method in the frequency range of 2‐18 GHz. The results reveal that the real (ε′) and imaginary (ε″) parts of the complex permittivity are increased with the CNT concentration. The ε′ of 5 wt.% CNT sample reaches 323 at 2 GHz and then decreases to 49.0 at 18 GHz. The ε″ reaches 321 at 2 GHz and decreases to 26.0 at 18 GHz. The CNT paper composite combined with a glass fabric composite used for a dielectric spacer is fabricated for an innovative RAS and the reflection loss is measured using the arch method in a microwave anechoic chamber. The results show that the 5 wt.% CNT paper composite/glass fabric composite absorbers attain maximum reflection loss of −13.3 dB at 12.0 GHz, −13.8 dB at 10.0 GHz, and −16.0 dB at 7.5 GHz for spacer thickness of 1.5, 2.0, and 3.0 mm, respectively.
Fabrication of an ultra‐thick‐oriented 3C‐SiC coating on the inner surface of a graphite tube by high‐frequency induction‐heated halide chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Tu Rong , Zhang Xian , Lai Youfeng , Han Mingxu , Zhang Song , Shi Ji , Li Haiwen , Goto Takashi , Zhang Lianmeng 
Published: February 2019

AbstractCubic SiC (3C‐SiC) is a promising material for nuclear industry applications due to its excellent properties. In this report, a highly oriented thick 3C‐SiC coating with good crystallinity was prepared on the inner surface of a monolithic graphite tube via high‐frequency induction‐heated halide chemical vapor deposition using SiCl4, CH4, and H2 as precursors. The texture coefficient (TC(hkl)), microstructure, and deposition rate along the tube axis was studied. 3C‐SiC coating with a high (111) orientation and crystallinity was obtained. Along the tube axis, TC(111) was consistent with the temperature distribution. The surficial morphology of the 3C‐SiC coating changed from pebble‐like to hexangular facet and then to hemispherical. The deposition rate and coating thickness were 300 μm/h and 615 μm, respectively, which is sufficiently rapid and thick enough to obtain free‐standing SiC tubes for nuclear reactors.
Effect of processing and oil type on carotene bioaccessibility in traditional foods prepared with flour and puree from orange‐fleshed sweetpotatoes
Authors: Chilungo Sarah , Muzhingi Tawanda , Truong Van‐Den , Allen Jonathan C. 
Published: February 2019

SummaryConsumption of Orange‐Fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) and products as source of provitamin A is being promoted to tackle vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in sub‐Saharan Africa. However, limited information is available on β‐carotene retention in foods and delivery after digestion. The study assessed carotene retention and bioaccessibility following in vitro digestion on traditional foods having OFSP among the ingredients. Sunflower oil, margarine and beef fat were evaluated on their effect on β‐carotene bioaccessibility. Porridge and chapatis were prepared with either OFSP puree or flours in the formulations. Carotene retention was highest in chapatis (83%) as compared to porridge (65%). Micerallisation efficiency of all‐trans β‐carotene was comparable between similar products but greater in chapatis (62%) than porridge (11%). Sunflower oil had the highest all‐trans β‐carotene bioaccessibility compared to margarine and beef fat. The results support the promotion of consumption of OFSP‐based products as good source of provitamin A to fight VAD.
A multi‐period multi‐criteria districting problem applied to primary care scheme with gradual assignment
Authors: Yanık Seda , Kalcsics Joerg , Nickel Stefan , Bozkaya Burcin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe present a modeling and optimization approach for the planning of primary healthcare services in order to efficiently direct patient admissions to general practitioners (GP) and to leverage the capacity of the healthcare system. We propose a multi‐period multi‐criteria districting model for the problem of designing GP districts in the presence of six criteria: workload balance, capacity, accessibility, compactness, income equity, and district similarity. We combine the last three criteria into a single objective function and formulate the problem as a mixed integer program with binary location decision variables and relaxed allocation decision variables for gradual assignments. To assess the usefulness of the model, we test it on real‐case scenarios in Istanbul, Turkey.
Modulation of terahertz properties of 3D ceramic photonic crystals via post‐creation non‐metal anion doping treatment
Authors: Wang Rong , Yang Weiyi , Gao Shuang , Ju Xiaojing , Zhu Pengfei , Li Bo , Li Qi 
Published: February 2019

AbstractCeramic photonic crystals have wide application potentials for THz technology due to their characteristic strong chemical stability and high temperature resistance for demanding environment. However, it is still a challenge to modulate the THz properties of as‐prepared ceramic TPCs via post‐creation treatments to satisfy different application requirements. In this work, the THz properties of rutile TiO2 ceramic 3D‐TPCs were modulated by non‐metal anion doping of either carbon or nitrogen, which was firstly created by the direct‐writing technique with a TiO2 sol‐gel ink followed by the high temperature sintering process at 1200°C. Calcination of the pristine rutile TiO2 ceramic 3D‐TPCs in either CO or NH3 atmosphere successfully doped either C or N dopants into rutile TiO2 ceramic 3D‐TPCs, respectively, which changed their dielectric properties and subsequently induced different THz properties on these ceramic 3D‐TPCs with the same structure. Their THz properties were found to be largely affected by the specific nature of the dopant. Compared with the pristine rutile TiO2 ceramic 3D‐TPC, the bandgap positions of both C‐doped and N‐doped rutile TiO2 ceramic 3D‐TPCs largely shifted toward the higher frequency, while the N‐doped sample demonstrated a much broader bandgap. Thus, non‐metal anion doping could be an effective post‐creation approach to modulate the THz properties of ceramic TPCs.
Field cycling‐induced evolution of functional properties in bismuth samarium ferrite ceramics
Authors: Wang Lei , Liang Ruihong , Zhou Zhiyong , Liu Ningtao , Dong Xianlin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe field‐controlled phase transition is a promising concept for the design of novel multiferroic materials. Rare‐earth samarium‐modified bismuth ferrite (Bi1−xSmxFeO3) possesses a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) that has similar free energies between the polar and nonpolar phases, making it an exceptional candidate. In this study, we investigated the electric field cycling‐dependent behavior of ferroelectricity in Bi1−xSmxFeO3 ceramics near MPB. During electric field cycling, a significantly enhanced remanent polarization was observed. Cycled Bi0.86Sm0.14FeO3 and Bi0.84Sm0.16FeO3 exhibited enhanced ferroelectric (remanent polarization >30 μC/cm2) and magnetic (remanent magnetization >0.20 emu/g) properties at room temperature. Through a systematic study of dynamic hysteresis measurements and a structural analysis, these results were attributed to a field cycling‐induced nonpolar‐to‐polar phase transition. In situ high temperature measurements showed a previously unreported sharp anomaly of the piezoelectric coefficient (d33) near the magnetic transition point (TN). These results indicated a strong magnetoelectric coupling in rare earth‐modified bismuth ferrite materials, suggesting the possibility of magnetically modulated piezoelectricity.
“This doesn’t look too hard”: A mixed methods exploration of self‐efficacy and sources of self‐efficacy information in a novel puzzle task
Authors: Shipherd Amber M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractStudies have found self‐efficacy to be a key predictor of performance across domains (e.g., Feltz & Magyar, 2006; Judge & Bono, 2001). However, few studies have examined how self‐efficacy and the sources of self‐efficacy information change over time, and most of these studies utilized tasks participants were familiar or experienced with. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine how participants weighed and interpreted the sources of self‐efficacy information during initial learning of a novel puzzle task. A secondary aim was to explore differences between student‐athletes and non‐athletes in the sources of self‐efficacy information. Sixty‐three college students completed measures of self‐efficacy, sources of self‐efficacy information, and performed trials of the Tower of Hanoi Puzzle, a wooden puzzle solving test requiring participants to move wooden pieces from one point to another in a specific order. Quantitative results revealed hierarchical performance self‐efficacy for the number of moves required and time required to solve the puzzle significantly changed across the four trials. Qualitative results indicated verbal and imaginal experiences were the two most prominent sources of participants’ self‐efficacy information on trial 1, but by trial 4 mastery experiences and verbal information were the most prominent sources, also suggesting that that the influence of self‐efficacy sources may change over time. Implications for practitioners to assist individuals with novel cognitive tasks are discussed.
Electrocardiographic criteria for the diagnosis of abnormal hypertensive cardiac phenotypes
Authors: Jiang Xueli , Quan Xin , Yang Jun , Zhou Xianliang , Hu Aihua , Zhang Yuqing 
Published: February 2019

This article compared the performance of 18 electrocardiographic (ECG) left ventricular hypertrophic (LVH) criteria and four P‐wave indices for the diagnosis of echocardiographic (ECHO) LVH and left atrial enlargement (LAE), including the deepest S‐wave amplitude added to the S‐wave amplitude of lead V4 (SD+SV4) and P‐wave terminal force in lead V1 (PTFV1). A total of 152 middle‐aged hypertensive patients without evident cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) were enrolled. The gold standard for the diagnosis of LVH and LAE was ECHO left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and largest left atrial volume index (LAVI). For the detection of LVH, Sokolow‐Lyon voltage, Cornell voltage, Cornell product, SD+SV4, Manning, and R+S in any precordial lead had relatively higher sensitivity, especially SD+SV4 criteria. Their combination could further increase sensitivity (43% vs 29% [SD+SV4], P = 0.016). PTFV1 was the only criterion that had significant diagnostic value for ECHO LAE (AUC, 0.68; 95% CI: 0.54‐0.73, P = 0.008). For middle‐aged hypertensive patients without evident cardiovascular diseases, SD+SV4 had the highest sensitivity for the diagnosis of LVH and the combination of several ECG LVH criteria might further increase sensitivity. PTFV1 had significant diagnostic value for ECHO LAE.
Application of microwave‐assisted technology: A green process to produce ginger products without waste
Authors: Nguyen Phuc Hoang Duy , Le Nguyen Kim Tran , Nguyen Thi Tuyet Ngan , Duong Nhat Linh , Hoang Tien Cuong , Pham Thi Thuy Phuong , Vo Dai‐Viet N. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis work proposed a zero waste approach based on microwave (MW) extraction combining hydrodiffusion and gravity for preserving all valuable compounds in the form of dried ginger, ginger essential oil (EO), and juice. A rotatable apparatus was developed from a domestic MW oven to ensure a uniform exposure of the material, resulting in a uniform dried ginger product with EO content more than 0.33% and moisture content less than 10%. The optimum conditions of MW density and energy, which were determined using response surface methodology, are 1 W/g and 1 Wh/g, respectively. They are much lower comparing with that required for hydrodistillation (HD). Significant difference in extraction yield obtained by MW extraction (0.6384 ± 0.0195) and HD (1.1939 ± 0.0679) was observed; however, the quality of EO derived from MW extraction in terms of antibacterial activity was higher than that of the one derived from HD, whereas the physical properties of both EOs were similar.Practical applicationsIn this study, the applicability of microwave (MW) extraction combining hydrodiffusion and gravity for ginger processing to produce dried ginger, ginger essential oil (EO), and juice without generating waste was confirmed. Although the EO yield obtained by the proposed extraction method is smaller than that obtained by hydrodistillation (HD), it was proved to be greener and more efficient than HD in terms of extraction time, EO preserving capability, resources’ consumption, and waste generation. In addition, the EO derived from MW extraction was observed to be more active in antibacterial activity due to its high content of oxygenated and monoterpene compounds. Moreover, this modified rotatable apparatus, which was simply developed from a cheap domestic MW oven to ensure uniform dried product, could be considered technically and economically feasible for actual deployment at small‐scale processing unit.
Effect of twin‐screw extrusion on gelatinization characteristics of oat powder
Authors: Wang Jianming , Xia Shuang , Wang Bingyi , Ali Fatma , Li Xueqi 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe effect of extrusion treatments on oat gelatinization, microstructure, and macroproperties were important during twin‐screw extrusion. In this work, single factor and orthogonal experiments were conducted to evaluate gelatinization degree, expansion ratio, water solubility index, and water absorption index of oat powder before and after extrusion. Results indicated that the optimum gelatinization degree was 96.92% under the conditions of 18% moisture content, 155°C barrel temperature, and 150 rpm screw rotating speed. According to appearance by scanning electron micrograph, the extruded oat changed from the original tightly wrapped texture to spongy and porous form with lower gelatinization temperature (88.00°C) than those without extrusion (91.35°C). Rapid viscosity analysis showed that extruded oat became more stable and easier to gelatinization, which was consistent to the in vitro digestion experiment, suggesting extruded oat could be applied as ready‐to‐eat food in the further application.Practical applicationsThe purpose of this research was aimed to optimize the extrusion and ripening process of oat powder, to explore the effect of curing method on the characteristics of oat powder, and to compare the physical and chemical properties of oat powder before and after extrusion. Eventually, the optimized process of oat powder using twin‐screw extrusion technology improved the structural characteristics of oat powder and enhanced the digestibility of the product.