bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fused Transparent Visualization of Point Cloud Data and Background Photographic Image for Tangible Cultural Heritage Assets
Authors: Li Liang , Hasegawa Kyoko , Nii Itaru , Tanaka Satoshi
Published: July 2019

Digital archiving of three-dimensional cultural heritage assets has increased the demand for visualization of large-scale point clouds of cultural heritage assets acquired by laser scanning. We proposed a fused transparent visualization method that visualizes a point cloud of a cultural heritage asset in an environment using a photographic image as the background. We also proposed lightness adjustment and color enhancement methods to deal with the reduced visibility caused by the fused visualization. We applied the proposed method to a laser-scanned point cloud of a high-valued cultural festival float with complex inner and outer structures. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method enables high-quality transparent visualization of the cultural asset in its surrounding environment.
Investigating the Spatiotemporally Varying Correlation between Urban Spatial Patterns and Ecosystem Services: A Case Study of Nansihu Lake Basin, China
Authors: Li Cheng , Zhao Jie
Published: July 2019

Ecosystem services are the benefits obtained from an ecosystem that have great significance in sustainable development. Urbanization has triggered significant changes on urban spatial patterns, which have had a great impact on the ecosystem services. However, studies on the spatiotemporally varying relationship between urban spatial patterns and ecosystem services are lacking. Taking as a case study, the Nansihu Lake Basin in China, this study aimed to explore the spatiotemporally varying relationship between urban spatial patterns and ecosystem services. Urban spatial patterns were derived by integrating remote sensing and spatial metrics. Ecosystem service values were calculated using ecosystem service models. The spatiotemporally varying impact of urban spatial patterns on ecosystem services was quantified using the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model. The findings indicate that urban spatial patterns and ecosystem services have dramatically varied with the urbanization process. The estimated parameters indicate that urban spatial patterns have significant impacts on ecosystem services. The GWR revealed a spatiotemporally varying correlation and improved the explanatory ability in comparison with the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model. The investigation of the impact of urban spatial patterns on ecosystem services can provide more practical support for effective urban planning and ecosystem management.
Overexpression of Peroxidase Gene GsPRX9 Confers Salt Tolerance in Soybean
Authors: Jin Ting , Sun Yangyang , Zhao Ranran , Shan Zhong , Gai Junyi , Li Yan
Published: July 2019

Peroxidases play prominent roles in antioxidant responses and stress tolerance in plants; however, their functions in soybean tolerance to salt stress remain unclear. Here, we investigated the role of a peroxidase gene from the wild soybean (Glycine soja), GsPRX9, in soybean tolerance to salt stress. GsPRX9 gene expression was induced by salt treatment in the roots of both salt-tolerant and -sensitive soybean varieties, and its relative expression level in the roots of salt-tolerant soybean varieties showed a significantly higher increase than in salt-sensitive varieties after NaCl treatment, suggesting its possible role in soybean response to salt stress. GsPRX9-overexpressing yeast (strains of INVSc1 and G19) grew better than the control under salt and H2O2 stress, and GsPRX9-overexpressing soybean composite plants showed higher shoot fresh weight and leaf relative water content than control plants after NaCl treatment. Moreover, the GsPRX9-overexpressing soybean hairy roots had higher root fresh weight, primary root length, activities of peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, and glutathione level, but lower H2O2 content than those in control roots under salt stress. These findings suggest that the overexpression of the GsPRX9 gene enhanced the salt tolerance and antioxidant response in soybean. This study would provide new insights into the role of peroxidase in plant tolerance to salt stress.
Lipid Reshaping and Lipophagy Are Induced in a Modeled Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury of Blood Brain Barrier
Authors: Lonati Elena , Corsetto Paola Antonia , Montorfano Gigliola , Zava Stefania , Carrozzini Tatiana , Brambilla Anna , Botto Laura , Palestini Paola , Rizzo Angela Maria , Bulbarelli Alessandra
Published: July 2019

Ischemic-reperfusion (I/R) injury induced a remodeling of protein and lipid homeostasis, under oxidative stress and inflammatory status. Starvation occurring during I/R is a condition leading to autophagy activation, which allows abnormal material clearance or amino acid, or both, and fatty acid (FA) recycling essential for survival. This study investigated the lipid reshaping, peroxidation, and related-signaling pathways, in rat brain endothelial cells (RBE4) subjected to 3 h of oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) and restoration of standard condition (I/R in vitro model). Lipids and proteins were analyzed after 1 or 24 h of oxygen and nutrient restoration. Together with the oxidative stress and inflammatory status, I/R injury induced a reshaping of neutral lipids and biogenesis of lipid droplets (LD) with excessive lipid storage. The increase of LC3-II/LC3-I ratio, an autophagy marker, and LC3 co-localization with LD suggest the activation of lipophagy machinery to counteract the cell engulfment. Lipophagy leads to cholesterol ester (CE) hydrolysis, increasing free cholesterol (FC) secretion, which occurred by specific transporters or unconventional exocytosis pathways, or both. Here, we propose that an unconventional spreading of FC and other lipid metabolites may influence the neurovascular unit (NVU) cells, contributing to Blood brain barrier (BBB) alteration or adaptation, or both, to the cumulative effects of several transient ischemia.
Synthesis of Known and New Host Plant Records of the Fijian Ginger Weevil, Elytroteinus geophilus (Lucas) (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Cryptorhynchinae) Suggests a Preference for Starch-storing Plant Organs
Authors: Whitehouse Ryan J. , Chamorro M. Lourdes
Published: July 2019

Elytroteinus geophilus (Lucas) is a polyphagous weevil that is widespread in the South Pacific islands and is known to cause damage to various crops with large nutrient storage structures such as kava, ginger, yellow passion fruit, yams and sweet potatoes. More significantly, E. geophilus, the Fijian Ginger Weevil, has been linked, along with two wound invading fungal pathogens, to a passion fruit collar rot in Samoa. This species is considered a high-risk insect pest and it is included in the USDA’s prioritized offshore pest list. We report on new plant hosts and behavior of this weevil. The first new host record resulted from interception of this weevil in bulbs of Tropical Spider Lily (Crinum sp.) in Alabama. This interception initiated an examination of museum specimens and the literature that resulted in a second previously unreported host record (vanilla (Orchidaceae)) and a new behavioral trait for this weevil: the use of plant fibers to spin a cocoon for pupation. A synthesis of known host plants records is reported here and suggests a preference by this weevil of starch-storing plant organs. A distribution map and a differential diagnosis of the species is also provided.
Acupuncture for Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Armour Mike , Smith Caroline , Wang Li-Qiong , Naidoo Dhevaksha , Yang Guo-Yan , MacPherson Hugh , Lee Myeong , Hay Phillipa
Published: July 2019

Background: Depression is commonly treated with anti-depressant medication and/or psychological interventions. Patients with depression are common users of complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, either as a replacement for, or adjunct to, their conventional treatments. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effectiveness of acupuncture in major depressive disorder. Methods: A search of English (Medline, PsychINFO, Google Scholar, and CINAL), Chinese (China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI) and Wanfang Database), and Korean databases was undertaken from 1980 to November 2018 for clinical trials using manual, electro, or laser acupuncture. Results: Twenty-nine studies including 2268 participants were eligible and included in the meta-analysis. Twenty-two trials were undertaken in China and seven outside of China. Acupuncture showed clinically significant reductions in the severity of depression compared to usual care (Hedges (g) = 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18 to 0.63), sham acupuncture (g = 0.55, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.79), and as an adjunct to anti-depressant medication (g = 0.84, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.07). A significant correlation between an increase in the number of acupuncture treatments delivered and reduction in the severity of depression (p = 0.015) was found. Limitations: The majority of the included trials were at a high risk of bias for performance blinding. The applicability of findings in Chinese populations to other populations is unclear, due to the use of a higher treatment frequency and number of treatments in China. The majority of trials did not report any post-trial follow-up and safety reporting was poor. Conclusions: Acupuncture may be a suitable adjunct to usual care and standard anti-depressant medication.
Shock Index Predicts Outcome in Patients with Suspected Sepsis or Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Middleton David J. , Smith Toby O. , Bedford Rachel , Neilly Mark , Myint Phyo Kyaw
Published: July 2019

Background: To improve outcomes for patients who present to hospital with suspected sepsis, it is necessary to accurately identify those at high risk of adverse outcomes as early and swiftly as possible. To assess the prognostic accuracy of shock index (heart rate divided by systolic blood pressure) and its modifications in patients with sepsis or community-acquired pneumonia. Methods: An electronic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Allie and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Open Grey, ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ITRP) was conducted from conception to 26th March 2019. Eligible studies were required to assess the prognostic accuracy of shock index or its modifications for outcomes of death or requirement for organ support either in sepsis or pneumonia. The methodological appraisal was carried out using the Downs and Black checklist. Evidence was synthesised using a narrative approach due to heterogeneity. Results: Of 759 records screened, 15 studies (8697 patients) were included in this review. Shock index ≥ 1 at time of hospital presentation was a moderately accurate predictor of mortality in patients with sepsis or community-acquired pneumonia, with high specificity and low sensitivity. Only one study reported outcomes related to organ support. Conclusions: Elevated shock index at time of hospital presentation predicts mortality in sepsis with high specificity. Shock index may offer benefits over existing sepsis scoring systems due to its simplicity.
Stimuli-Responsive Drug Release from Smart Polymers
Authors: Wells Carlos M. , Harris Michael , Choi Landon , Murali Vishnu Priya , Guerra Fernanda Delbuque , Jennings J. Amber
Published: July 2019

Over the past 10 years, stimuli-responsive polymeric biomaterials have emerged as effective systems for the delivery of therapeutics. Persistent with ongoing efforts to minimize adverse effects, stimuli-responsive biomaterials are designed to release in response to either chemical, physical, or biological triggers. The stimuli-responsiveness of smart biomaterials may improve spatiotemporal specificity of release. The material design may be used to tailor smart polymers to release a drug when particular stimuli are present. Smart biomaterials may use internal or external stimuli as triggering mechanisms. Internal stimuli-responsive smart biomaterials include those that respond to specific enzymes or changes in microenvironment pH; external stimuli can consist of electromagnetic, light, or acoustic energy; with some smart biomaterials responding to multiple stimuli. This review looks at current and evolving stimuli-responsive polymeric biomaterials in their proposed applications.
Relationships among Trait EI, Need Fulfilment, and Performance Strategies
Authors: Barberis Nadia , Calaresi Danilo , Gugliandolo Maria Cristina
Published: July 2019

Performance strategies used in sport have been the focus of many sport enhancement interventions, and are considered important factors for describing behavior in sport. Several studies have shown that both trait emotion intelligence (trait EI) and satisfaction of basic needs in sport are relevant aspects of performance strategies used by athletes; however, it seems these two aspects were never tested concurrently, in an integrated framework. The aim of this study was to test a mediational model of psychological basic needs in the relationship between trait EI and performance strategies in sports. In a sample of 187 participants, aged between 16 and 25 years old (Mage = 20.55; SD = 3.39), instruments were administered to measure trait EI, satisfaction of basic needs, and performance strategies in sport. Results of this study showed that trait EI was related to performance strategies in sport and to satisfaction of basic needs, as well as that satisfaction of basic needs was related to performance strategies in sport. Furthermore, satisfaction of basic needs has shown a mediational role in the relation between trait EI and performance strategies in sport.
Experimental Study on Extreme Hydrodynamic Loading on Pipelines. Part 1: Flow Hydrodynamics
Authors: Ghodoosipour Behnaz , Stolle Jacob , Nistor Ioan , Mohammadian Abdolmajid , Goseberg Nils
Published: July 2019

Over the past two decades, extreme flood events generated by tsunamis or hurricanes have caused massive damage to nearshore infrastructures and coastal communities. Utility pipelines are part of such infrastructure and need to be protected against potential extreme hydrodynamic loading. Therefore, to address the uncertainties and parameters involved in extreme hydrodynamic loading on pipelines, a comprehensive experimental program was performed using an experimental facility which is capable of generating significant hydraulic forcing, such as dam-break waves. The study presented herein examines the dam-break flow characteristics and influence of the presence of pipelines on flow conditions. To simulate conditions of coastal flooding under tsunami-induced inundation, experiments were performed on both dry and wet bed conditions to assess the influence of different impoundment depths and still water levels on the hydrodynamic features.
Preparation of Carbon-Silicon Doping Composite Adsorbent Material for Removal of VOCs
Authors: Han Zhenwei , Kong Shunli , Sui Hong , Li Xingang , Zhang Zisheng
Published: July 2019

The adsorption-desorption combined process has been considered as a promising method for the industrial VOCs (volatile organic compounds) treatment. Herein, a carbon-silicon composite adsorbent material has been prepared for the removal of VOCs at lower potential flammable risk. The preparation involves two main steps: Extrusion forming and thermal treatment. The carboxymethyl cellulose and silicate were adopted as binder and fire retardant respectively. The molding and inflaming retarding mechanisms were proposed and discussed. Results show that the newly prepared doping combined material is micro-mesoporous with a specific surface area of 729 m2/g. The maximum adsorption capacity of carbon-silicon doping combined material to p-xylene is observed to be 292 mg/g. The adsorption is found to be favorable, which is well described by the Yoon-Nelson model and Freundlich isotherm. The combined material is also found to possess reversible adsorption to p-xylene; without sacrificing (<2%) too much adsorption capacity after five adsorption-desorption cycles. The composite materials have an increased ignition temperature of at least 40 °C compared with raw carbon material. These findings suggest that the obtained composite material possesses good adsorption capacity and flame-retardant properties.
Some (p, q)-Estimates of Hermite-Hadamard-Type Inequalities for Coordinated Convex and Quasi- Convex Functions
Authors: Kalsoom Humaira , Amer Muhammad , Junjua Moin-ud-Din , Hussain Sabir , Shahzadi Gullnaz
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we present the preliminaries of ( p , q ) -calculus for functions of two variables. Furthermore, we prove some new Hermite-Hadamard integral-type inequalities for convex functions on coordinates over [ a , b ] × [ c , d ] by using the ( p , q ) -calculus of the functions of two variables. Furthermore, we establish an identity for the right-hand side of the Hermite-Hadamard-type inequalities on coordinates that is proven by using the ( p , q ) -calculus of the functions of two variables. Finally, we use the new identity to prove some trapezoidal-type inequalities with the assumptions of convexity and quasi-convexity on coordinates of the absolute values of the partial derivatives defined in the ( p , q ) -calculus of the functions of two variables.
Fuzzy Counterparts of Fischer Diagonal Condition in ⊤-Convergence Spaces
Authors: Jin Qiu , Li Lingqiang , Jiang Jing
Published: July 2019

Fischer diagonal condition plays an important role in convergence space since it precisely ensures a convergence space to be a topological space. Generally, Fischer diagonal condition can be represented equivalently both by Kowalsky compression operator and Gähler compression operator. ⊤-convergence spaces are fundamental fuzzy extensions of convergence spaces. Quite recently, by extending Gähler compression operator to fuzzy case, Fang and Yue proposed a fuzzy counterpart of Fischer diagonal condition, and proved that ⊤-convergence space with their Fischer diagonal condition just characterizes strong L-topology—a type of fuzzy topology. In this paper, by extending the Kowalsky compression operator, we present a fuzzy counterpart of Fischer diagonal condition, and verify that a ⊤-convergence space with our Fischer diagonal condition precisely characterizes topological generated L-topology—a type of fuzzy topology. Hence, although the crisp Fischer diagonal conditions based on the Kowalsky compression operator and the on Gähler compression operator are equivalent, their fuzzy counterparts are not equivalent since they describe different types of fuzzy topologies. This indicates that the fuzzy topology (convergence) is more complex and varied than the crisp topology (convergence).
Exercise and Episodic Specificity Induction on Episodic Memory Function
Authors: Loprinzi Paul D. , McRaney Kyle , De Luca Kathryn , McDonald Aysheka
Published: July 2019

Background and objectives: Episodic specific induction (ESI) is a manipulation shown to enhance episodic memory function. Episodic specificity induction involves thoroughly unpacking a recently encoded memory, with this enhanced retrieval-induced process helping to facilitate subsequent cognitions. In addition to ESI, emerging work suggests that acute exercise may also help to facilitate episodic memory function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential individual and combined effects of acute exercise and ESI on subsequent episodic memory performance. Materials and Methods: Participants (n = 120) were randomly assigned into one of four groups, (1) ESI and exercise (ESI + E), (2) ESI only (ESI), (3) exercise only (E), and (4) no ESI and no exercise (Control; C). The ESI protocol involved watching a short video and then recalling details about the setting, people, and actions in the video. The exercise protocol involved an acute bout (15 min) of treadmill exercise. After these tasks, episodic memory function was evaluated with an autobiographical interview assessment and a computerized episodic memory task involving what–where–when integration. Results: We did not observe significant main effects for exercise or ESI on memory function but did observe some suggestive evidence of an interaction effect of these two parameters on episodic memory. That is, for the exercise group, memory performance was higher when combined with ESI as opposed to without ESI. Conclusions: Acute exercise and ESI may interact to influence episodic memory function.
Effect of Auto-Tuning on Serrated Flow Behavior
Authors: Mohammed S.M.A.K. , Chen D.L.
Published: July 2019

The mechanical response of a servo-hydraulic testing system is affected by the stiffness of test specimens. An adaptive controller helps in auto-tuning the system by setting the optimal proportional-integral-derivative values for the subsequent test as the stiffness changes. This paper presents the effect of auto-tuning of various channels on the flow response of several commercial Al and Mg alloys and a mild steel. Strain-controlled monotonic tensile tests were performed at a given strain rate of 1 × 10−4 s−1 after auto-tuning of position, load, and strain channels in different combinations. Serrated flow or Portevin–Le Chatelier effect was observed in the Al alloys after auto-tuning of either position channel only or position and load channels. However, the serrations of Al alloys were shielded after further auto-tuning of strain channel. The stress-strain curves of Mg alloys and mild steel were observed to be basically free of serrations under any combinations of auto-tuning, which confirms that the serrated flow is a property of specific materials rather than a machine system noise.
Formation of Metallic Glass Coatings by Detonation Spraying of a Fe66Cr10Nb5B19 Powder
Authors: Kuchumova Ivanna D. , Batraev Igor S. , Ulianitsky Vladimir Yu. , Shtertser Alexandr A. , Gerasimov Konstantin B. , Ukhina Arina V. , Bulina Natalia V. , Bataev Ivan A. , Koga Guilherme Yuuki , Guo Yaofeng , Botta Walter José , Kato Hidemi , Wada Takeshi , Bokhonov Boris B. , Dudina Dina V. , Moreira Jorge Alberto
Published: July 2019

The present work was aimed to demonstrate the possibility of forming Fe66Cr10Nb5B19 metallic glass coatings by detonation spraying and analyze the coating formation process. A partially amorphous Fe66Cr10Nb5B19 powder with particles ranging from 45 µm to 74 µm in diameter was used to deposit coatings on stainless steel substrates. The deposition process was studied for different explosive charges (fractions of the barrel volume filled with an explosive mixture (C2H2 + 1.1O2)). As the explosive charge was increased from 35% to 55%, the content of the crystalline phase in the coatings, as determined from the X-ray diffraction patterns, decreased. Coatings formed at explosive charges of 55–70% contained as little as 1 wt.% of the crystalline phase. In these coatings, nanocrystals in a metallic glass matrix were only rarely found; their presence was confined to some inter-splat boundaries. The particle velocities and temperatures at the exit of the barrel were calculated using a previously developed model. The particle temperatures increased as the explosive charge was increased from 35% to 70%; the particle velocities passed through maxima. The coatings acquire an amorphous structure as the molten particles rapidly solidify on the substrate; cooling rates of the splats were estimated. The Fe66Cr10Nb5B19 metallic glass coatings obtained at explosive changes of 55–60% showed low porosity (0.5–2.5%), high hardness (715–1025 HV), and high bonding strength to the substrate (150 MPa).
Serum Adipocyte Fatty Acid-Binding Protein Level is Negatively Associated with Vascular Reactivity Index Measured by Digital Thermal Monitoring in Kidney Transplant Patients
Authors: Chen Tai-Li , Lee Ming-Che , Ho Ching-Chung , Hsu Bang-Gee , Tsai Jen-Pi
Published: July 2019

Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) is abundantly found in mature adipocytes and is involved in cardiovascular disease. Our aim is to investigate the association between serum A-FABP levels and endothelial function among kidney transplant (KT) patients. Fasting blood samples were obtained from 80 KT patients. Serum A-FABP levels were measured using a commercially available enzyme immunoassay kit. Endothelial function and vascular reactivity index (VRI) were measured using digital thermal monitoring test. In this study, VRI < 1.0, VRI 1.0–1.9, and VRI ≥ 2.0 were defined as poor, intermediate, and good vascular reactivity, respectively. There were 12 (15.0%), 30 (37.5%), and 38 (47.5%) KT patients categorized as having poor, intermediate, and good vascular reactivity, respectively. Increased serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (p = 0.012), γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT; p = 0.032), and A-FABP (p < 0.001) were associated with decreased vascular reactivity. Multivariable forward stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that age (β = −0.283, adjusted R2 change = 0.072; p = 0.003) and serum log-A-FABP level (β = −0.514, adjusted R2 change = 0.268; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with VRI values in KT patients. We concluded that serum fasting A-FABP level is negatively associated with VRI values and plays a role in endothelial dysfunction of KT patients.
A Contactless and Biocompatible Approach for 3D Active Microrobotic Targeted Drug Delivery
Authors: Ongaro Federico , Niehoff Dennis , Mohanty Sumit , Misra Sarthak
Published: July 2019

As robotic tools are becoming a fundamental part of present day surgical interventions, microrobotic surgery is steadily approaching clinically-relevant scenarios. In particular, minimally invasive microrobotic targeted drug deliveries are reaching the grasp of the current state-of-the-art technology. However, clinically-relevant issues, such as lack of biocompatibility and dexterity, complicate the clinical application of the results obtained in controlled environments. Consequently, in this work we present a proof-of-concept fully contactless and biocompatible approach for active targeted delivery of a drug-model. In order to achieve full biocompatiblity and contacless actuation, magnetic fields are used for motion control, ultrasound is used for imaging, and induction heating is used for active drug-model release. The presented system is validated in a three-dimensional phantom of human vessels, performing ten trials that mimic targeted drug delivery using a drug-coated microrobot. The system is capable of closed-loop motion control with average velocity and positioning error of 0.3 mm/s and 0.4 mm, respectively. Overall, our findings suggest that the presented approach could augment the current capabilities of microrobotic tools, helping the development of clinically-relevant approaches for active in-vivo targeted drug delivery.
Fabrication of Micro- and Nanopillars from Pyrolytic Carbon and Tetrahedral Amorphous Carbon
Authors: Heikkinen Joonas J. , Peltola Emilia , Wester Niklas , Koskinen Jari , Laurila Tomi , Franssila Sami , Jokinen Ville
Published: July 2019

Pattern formation of pyrolyzed carbon (PyC) and tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) thin films were investigated at micro- and nanoscale. Micro- and nanopillars were fabricated from both materials, and their biocompatibility was studied with cell viability tests. Carbon materials are known to be very challenging to pattern. Here we demonstrate two approaches to create biocompatible carbon features. The microtopographies were 2 μ m or 20 μ m pillars (1:1 aspect ratio) with three different pillar layouts (square-grid, hexa-grid, or random-grid orientation). The nanoscale topography consisted of random nanopillars fabricated by maskless anisotropic etching. The PyC structures were fabricated with photolithography and embossing techniques in SU-8 photopolymer which was pyrolyzed in an inert atmosphere. The ta-C is a thin film coating, and the structures for it were fabricated on silicon substrates. Despite different fabrication methods, both materials were formed into comparable micro- and nanostructures. Mouse neural stem cells were cultured on the samples (without any coatings) and their viability was evaluated with colorimetric viability assay. All samples expressed good biocompatibility, but the topography has only a minor effect on viability. Two μ m pillars in ta-C shows increased cell count and aggregation compared to planar ta-C reference sample. The presented materials and fabrication techniques are well suited for applications that require carbon chemistry and benefit from large surface area and topography, such as electrophysiological and -chemical sensors for in vivo and in vitro measurements.
A Novel Bismuth-Chitosan Nanocomposite Sensor for Simultaneous Detection of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) in Wastewater
Authors: Hwang Jae-Hoon , Pathak Pawan , Wang Xiaochen , Rodriguez Kelsey L. , Cho Hyoung J. , Lee Woo Hyoung
Published: July 2019

A novel bismuth (Bi)-biopolymer (chitosan) nanocomposite screen-printed carbon electrode was developed using a Bi and chitosan co-electrodepositing technique for detecting multiple heavy metal ions. The developed sensor was fabricated with environmentally benign materials and processes. In real wastewater, heavy metal detection was evaluated by the developed sensor using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The nanocomposite sensor showed the detection limit of 0.1 ppb Zn2+, 0.1 ppb Cd2+ and 0.2 ppb Pb2+ in stock solutions. The improved sensitivity of the Bi-chitosan nanocomposite sensor over previously reported Bi nanocomposite sensors was attributed to the role of chitosan. When used for real wastewater samples collected from a mining site and soil leachate, similar detection limit values with 0.4 ppb Cd2+ and 0.3 ppb Pb2+ were obtained with relative standard deviations (RSD) ranging from 1.3% to 5.6% (n = 8). Temperature changes (4 and 23 °C) showed no significant impact on sensor performance. Although Zn2+ in stock solutions was well measured by the sensor, the interference observed while detecting Zn2+ in the presence of Cu2+ was possibly due to the presence of Cu-Zn intermetallic species in mining wastewater. Overall, the developed sensor has the capability of monitoring multiple heavy metals in contaminated water samples without the need for complicated sample preparation or transportation of samples to a laboratory.
Femtosecond Laser Micro-/nano-texturing of Stainless Steels for Surface Property Control
Authors: Aizawa Tatsuhiko , Inohara Tadahiko , Wasa Kenji
Published: July 2019

Surface geometry has had an influence on the surface property, in addition to the intrinsic surface energy, of materials. Many physical surface modification methods had been proposed to control the solid surface geometry for modification of surface properties. Recently, short-pulse lasers were utilized to perform nano-texturing onto metallic and polymer substrates for the improvement of surface properties. Most of the papers reported that the hydrophilic metallic surface was modified to have a higher contact angle than 120–150°. Little studies explained the relationship between surface geometry and surface properties. In the present study, the laser micro-/nano-texturing was developed to describe this surface-geometric effect on the static contact angles for pure water. Micropatterns with multi spatial frequencies are designed and synthesized into a microtexture. This tailored microtexture was utilized to prepare for computer aided machining (CAM) data to control the femtosecond laser beams. The nano-length ripples by laser induced periodic surface structuring (LIPSS) supposed onto this microtexture to form the micro-/nano-texture on the AISI304 substrate surface. Computational geometry was employed to describe this geometric profile. The fractal dimension became nearly constant by 2.26 and insensitive to increase of static contact angle (θ) for θ > 150°. Under this defined self-similarity, the micro-/nano-textured surface state was controlled to be super-hydrophobic by increasing the ratio of the highest spatial frequency in microtextures to the lowest one. This controllability of surface property on the stainless steels was supported by tailoring the wavelength and pitch of microtextures. Exposure testing was also used to evaluate the engineering durability of this micro-/nano-textured surface. Little change of the measured fractal dimension during the testing proved that this physically modified AISI304 surface had sufficient stability for its long-term usage in air.
A Milled Microdevice to Advance Glia-Mediated Therapies in the Adult Nervous System
Authors: Peña Juan S. , Robles Denise , Zhang Stephanie , Vazquez Maribel
Published: July 2019

Neurodegenerative disorders affect millions of adults worldwide. Neuroglia have become recent therapeutic targets due to their reparative abilities in the recycling of exogenous neurotoxins and production of endogenous growth factors for proper functioning of the adult nervous system (NS). Since neuroglia respond effectively to stimuli within in vivo environments on the micron scale, adult glial physiology has remarkable synergy with microscale systems. While clinical studies have begun to explore the reparative action of Müller glia (MG) of the visual system and Schwann Cells (ShC) of the peripheral NS after neural injury, few platforms enable the study of intrinsic neuroglia responses to changes in the local microenvironment. This project developed a low-cost, benchtop-friendly microfluidic system called the glia line system, or gLL, to advance the cellular study needed for emerging glial-based therapies. The gLL was fabricated using elastomeric kits coupled with a metal mold milled via conventional computer numerical controlled (CNC) machines. Experiments used the gLL to measure the viability, adhesion, proliferation, and migration of MG and ShC within scales similar to their respective in vivo microenvironments. Results illustrate differences in neuroglia adhesion patterns and chemotactic behavior significant to advances in regenerative medicine using implants and biomaterials, as well as cell transplantation techniques. Data showed highest survival and proliferation of MG and ShC upon laminin and illustrated a four-fold and two-fold increase of MG migration to dosage-dependent signaling from vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), respectively, as well as a 20-fold increase of ShC migration toward exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), compared to media control. The ability to quantify these biological parameters within the gLL offers an effective and reliable alternative to photolithography study neuroglia in a local environment ranging from the tens to hundreds of microns, using a low-cost and easily fabricated system.
Necrotic Enteritis in Broiler Chickens: The Role of Tight Junctions and Mucosal Immune Responses in Alleviating the Effect of the Disease
Authors: Emami Nima K. , Calik Ali , White Mallory B. , Young Mark , Dalloul Rami A.
Published: July 2019

Necrotic enteritis (NE) continues to present major challenges to the poultry industry, and the etiologic agent Clostridium perfringens is the fourth leading cause of bacterially-induced food- borne illnesses in the US. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a probiotic during naturally occurring NE. On day of hatch, 1080 Cobb 500 male broilers were randomly allocated to three groups (12 replicate pens/treatment, 30 birds/pen) including (1) negative control (NC): corn-soybean meal diet; (2) positive control (PC): NC + 20 mg virginiamycin/kg diet (0.450 kg Stafac®20/ton); and (3) NC + PrimaLac (1.36 and 0.91 kg/ton from 1–21 and 22–42 days, respectively). One day (d) post placement, all birds were challenged by a commercial live oocyst coccidia vaccine as a predisposing factor to NE. Body weight and feed intake were measured at the onset of NE (d 8) and end of each feeding phase. On d 8, small intestines of two birds/pen were examined for NE lesions, and jejunum samples from one bird were collected for mRNA gene expression analysis of tight junction proteins, cytokines, and nutrient transporters. Data were analyzed using the JMP software and significance between treatments identified by LSD (p < 0.05). Compared to NC, supplementation of probiotic reduced d 1–42 mortality; however, PC was the only group with significantly lower mortality. Despite significantly improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) in PC and probiotic groups during d 1–42, average daily gain was only higher in PC (77.69 g/bird) compared with NC (74.99 g/bird). Furthermore, probiotic and PC groups had significantly reduced lesion scores in the duodenum and jejunum compared to NC. Expression of claudin-3 was higher, while expression of zonula occluden-2 tended (p = 0.06) to be higher in probiotic-supplemented birds compared to NC. Moreover, birds fed the probiotic diet had significantly higher expression of IL-10, IL-17, AMPK-α1, and SGLT1 mRNA compared to NC birds. The expression of PepT1 was higher for the probiotic-supplemented group compared to PC. IFN-γ expression was lower in PC compared to NC, while there was no difference between probiotic and NC. There were no differences in gene expression of sIgA, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-22 among treatments. Collectively, these data indicate that in a naturally occurring NE model, supplementation of a probiotic helps to improve FCR and reduce lesions, potentially due to the improvements in mRNA expression of tight junctions, cytokines, and nutrient transporters.
The Potential for REE and Associated Critical Metals in Coastal Sand (Placer) Deposits of Greece: A Review
Authors: Papadopoulos Argyrios , Tzifas Ioannis T. , Tsikos Harilaos
Published: July 2019

The rare earth elements (REEs) are characterized by the European Union (EU) as critical raw materials with a significant risk of supply because of their broad utility in both traditional and emerging technological applications. The growing demand for REE has caused a flurry in the search for new REE deposits in Europe and elsewhere in the world, and is also linked to rising exploitation efforts in a variety of geological settings. To this end, Greece appears to be a promising candidate to become a leading EU country in terms of REE by virtue of its natural endowment in sedimentary heavy mineral deposits (placers) along its long coastline. The present review focuses on the distribution, abundance, and bulk geochemistry of REEs and other critical metals (Ta, Nb, Co) associated with placer deposits of Greece, and specifically with geologically young heavy mineral sand accumulations developed proximal to felsic plutonic source rocks. These deposits are also enriched in the actinides uranium (U) and thorium (Th), as both of these metals are typically associated with REE-rich minerals such as xenotime, monazite, thorite, allanite, and zircon. Previous studies have employed a variety of analytical techniques down to nano-meter scale with the aim to elucidate the mineralogy and distribution of REE and associated actinides in Greek beach placers. In view of this mineralogically-intensive background, the present review focuses chiefly on bulk geochemical characteristics of the same deposits and the variations thereof between two major geographical regions (northern Greece, southern Aegean) and across individual placer occurrences within them. In this framework, we present comprehensive compositional comparisons between the different deposits, highlighting the geological sub-environments wherein they occur, their distinctive sources and geochemical signatures, and their potential economic significance in terms of REE and other critical metal enrichments where applicable.
The Poopó Polymetallic Epithermal Deposit, Bolivia: Mineralogy, Genetic Constraints, and Distribution of Critical Elements
Authors: Torres Belén , Melgarejo Joan-Carles , Torró Lisard , Camprubí Antoni , Castillo-Oliver Montgarri , Artiaga David , Campeny Marc , Tauler Esperança , Jiménez-Franco Abigail , Alfonso Pura , Arce-Burgoa Osvaldo
Published: July 2019

The tin-rich polymetallic epithermal deposit of Poopó, of plausible Late Miocene age, is part of the Bolivian Tin Belt. As an epithermal low sulfidation mineralisation, it represents a typological end-member within the “family” of Bolivian tin deposits. The emplacement of the mineralisation was controlled by the regional fault zone that constitutes the geological border between the Bolivian Altiplano and the Eastern Andes Cordillera. In addition to Sn and Ag, its economic interest resides in its potential in critical elements as In, Ga and Ge. This paper provides the first systematic characterisation of the complex mineralogy and mineral chemistry of the Poopó deposit with the twofold aim of identifying the mineral carriers of critical elements and endeavouring to ascertain plausible metallogenic processes for the formation of this deposit, by means of a multi-methodological approach. The poor development of hydrothermal alteration assemblage, the abundance of sulphosalts and the replacement of löllingite and pyrrhotite by arsenopyrite and pyrite, respectively, indicate that this deposit is ascribed to the low-sulphidation subtype of epithermal deposits, with excursions into higher states of sulphidation. Additionally, the occurrence of pyrophyllite and topaz has been interpreted as the result of discrete pulses of high-sulphidation magmatic fluids. The δ34SVCDT range in sulphides (−5.9 to −2.8‰) is compatible either with: (i) hybrid sulphur sources (i.e., magmatic and sedimentary or metasedimentary); or (ii) a sole magmatic source involving magmas that derived from partial melting of sedimentary rocks or underwent crustal assimilation. In their overall contents in critical elements (In, Ga and Ge), the key minerals in the Poopó deposit, based on their abundance in the deposit and compositions, are rhodostannite, franckeite, cassiterite, stannite and, less importantly, teallite, sphalerite and jamesonite.
Harvesting at the Right Time: Maturity and its Effects on the Aromatic Characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon Wine
Authors: Zhao Ting , Wu Jiaying , Meng Jiangfei , Shi Pengbao , Fang Yulin , Zhang Zhenwen , Sun Xiangyu
Published: July 2019

The aim of this paper was to investigate how maturity affects the aroma characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon wine. A series of four Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon wines were produced from grapes of different harvest dates. The berries of sequential harvest treatments showed an increase in total soluble solids and anthocyanin and a decrease in titratable acidity. Berry shriveling was observed as berry weight decreased. In the wines, anthocyanin, dry extract, alcoholic strength, and pH were enhanced with the sequential harvest, whereas polyphenol and tannin were decreased. The concentrations of volatile compounds in sequential harvests were found to be at higher levels. Isopentanol, phenylethyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, ethyl lactate, benzaldehyde, citronellol, and linalool significantly increased when harvest was delayed by one or two weeks. Through a principal component analysis, the volatile compounds and phenols characterizing each harvest date were clearly differentiated. These results suggest that sequential harvest may be an optional strategy for winemakers to produce high-quality wine.
Two-Step Elution Recovery of Cyanide Platinum Using Functional Metal Organic Resin
Authors: Chen Muhan , Ye Qun , Jiang Shaosong , Shao Min , Jin Ci , Huang Zhangjie
Published: July 2019

A novel functional ion-exchange/adsorption metal organic resin (MOR), TEBAC-HKUST-1, was prepared and characterized. Ethanedithiol was used as the grafting agent to introduce thiol groups onto HKUST-1, and 4-vinylbenzyl chloride was then grafted onto SH-HKUST-1 using thiol groups. Finally, the quaternary ammonium functional group was immobilized onto the carrier by performing a quaternization reaction. The structure and property of TEBAC-HKUST-1 MOR were characterized by TGA, N2 adsorption–desorption, FTIR, SEM, and XRD. TEBAC-HKUST-1 MOR was used to remove metal cyanide complexes from wastewater. The adsorption was rapid, and the metal cyanide complexes including Pt(CN)42−, Co(CN)63−, Cu(CN)32−, and Fe(CN)63− were removed in 30 min. TEBAC-HKUST-1 MOR exhibited a high stability in neutral and weak basic aqueous solutions. Furthermore, Pt(II) could be efficiently recovered through two-step elution. The recovery rate of Pt(II) for five cycles were over 92.0% in the mixture solution containing Pt(CN)42−, Co(CN)63−, Cu(CN)32−, and Fe(CN)63−. The kinetic data were best fitted with the pseudo second-order model. Moreover, the isothermal data were best fitted with the Langmuir model. The thermodynamic results show that the adsorption is a spontaneous and exothermic process. TEBAC-HKUST-1 MOR not only exhibited excellent ability for the rapid removal of metal cyanide complexes, but also provided a new idea for the extraction of noble metals from cyanide-contaminated water.
Comprehensive Chemical Profiling in the Ethanol Extract of Pluchea indica Aerial Parts by Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Its Silica Gel Column Chromatography Fractions
Authors: Ruan Jingya , Yan Jiejing , Zheng Dandan , Sun Fan , Wang Jianli , Han Lifeng , Zhang Yi , Wang Tao
Published: July 2019

Pluchea indica Less. is a medicine and food dual-use plant, which belongs to the Pluchea genus, Asteraceae family. Its main constituents are quinic acids, flavonoids, thiophenes, phenolic acids, as well as sesquiterpenes. In order to provide a comprehensive chemical profiling of P. indica, an orthogonal chromatography combining reverse-phase chromatography BEHC18 column with a normal-phase chromatography silica column as the separation system and a ESI-Q-Orbitrap MS as the detector in both positive and negative ion modes were used. According to the retention time (tR) and the exact mass-to-charge ratio (m/z), 67 compounds were unambiguously identified by comparing to the standard references. Moreover, 47 compounds were tentatively speculated on the basis of the rules of MS/MS fragmentation pattern and chromatographic elution order generalized from the above-mentioned reference standards. Among them, 10 of them were potentially novel.
Grafting of Polypyrrole-3-carboxylic Acid to the Surface of Hexamethylene Diisocyanate-Functionalized Graphene Oxide
Authors: Luceño-Sánchez José Antonio , Díez-Pascual Ana Maria
Published: July 2019

A polypyrrole-carboxylic acid derivative (PPy-COOH) was covalently anchored on the surface of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI)-modified graphene oxide (GO) following two different esterification approaches: activation of the carboxylic acids of the polymer by carbodiimide, and conversion of the carboxylic groups to acyl chloride. Microscopic observations revealed a decrease in HDI-GO layer thickness for the sample prepared via the first strategy, and the heterogeneous nature of the grafted samples. Infrared and Raman spectroscopies corroborated the grafting success, demonstrating the emergence of a peak associated with the ester group. The yield of the grafting reactions (31% and 42%) was roughly calculated from thermogravimetric analysis, and it was higher for the sample synthesized via formation of the acyl chloride-functionalized PPy. The grafted samples showed higher thermal stability (~30 and 40 °C in the second decomposition stage) and sheet resistance than PPy-COOH. They also exhibited superior stiffness and strength both at 25 and 100 °C, and the reinforcing efficiency was approximately maintained at high temperatures. Improved mechanical performance was attained for the sample with higher grafting yield. The developed method is a valuable approach to covalently attach conductive polymers onto graphenic nanomaterials for application in flexible electronics, fuel cells, solar cells, and supercapacitors.