bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real World Patterns of Antimicrobial Use and Microbiology Investigations in Patients with Sepsis outside the Critical Care Unit: Secondary Analysis of Three Nation-Wide Point Prevalence Studies
Authors: Kopczynska Maja , Sharif Ben , Unwin Harry , Lynch John , Forrester Andrew , Zeicu Claudia , Cleaver Sian , Kulikouskaya Svetlana , Chandy Tom , Ang Eshen , Murphy Emily , Asim Umair , Payne Bethany , Nicholas Jessica , Waller Alessia , Owen Aimee , Tan Zhao Xuan , Ross Robert , Wellington Jack , Amjad Yahya , Unadkat Vidhi , Hussain Faris , Smith Jessica , Ganesananthan Sashiananthan , Penney Harriet , Inns Joy , Gilbert Carys , Doyle Nicholas , Kurani Amit , Grother Thomas , McNulty Paul , Sharma Angelica , Szakmany Tamas
Published: August 2019

Recent description of the microbiology of sepsis on the wards or information on the real-life antibiotic choices used in sepsis is lacking. There is growing concern of the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and omission of microbiological investigations in the management of septic patients. We performed a secondary analysis of three annual 24-h point-prevalence studies on the general wards across all Welsh acute hospitals in years 2016–2018. Data were collected on patient demographics, as well as radiological, laboratory and microbiological data within 48-h of the study. We screened 19,453 patients over the three 24 h study periods and recruited 1252 patients who fulfilled the entry criteria. 775 (64.9%) patients were treated with intravenous antibiotics. Only in 33.65% (421/1252) of all recruited patients did healthcare providers obtain blood cultures; in 25.64% (321/1252) urine cultures; in 8.63% (108/1252) sputum cultures; in 6.79% (85/1252) wound cultures; in 15.25% (191/1252) other cultures. Out of the recruited patients, 59.1% (740/1252) fulfilled SEPSIS-3 criteria. Patients with SEPSIS-3 criteria were significantly more likely to receive antibiotics than the non-septic cohort (p < 0.0001). In a multivariable regression analysis increase in SOFA score, increased number of SIRS criteria and the use of the official sepsis screening tool were associated with antibiotic administration, however obtaining microbiology cultures was not. Our study shows that antibiotics prescription practice is not accompanied by microbiological investigations. A significant proportion of sepsis patients are still at risk of not receiving appropriate antibiotics treatment and microbiological investigations; this may be improved by a more thorough implementation of sepsis screening tools.
Importance of Virulence Factors for the Persistence of Oral Bacteria in the Inflamed Gingival Crevice and in the Pathogenesis of Periodontal Disease
Authors: Dahlen Gunnar , Basic Amina , Bylund Johan
Published: August 2019

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammation that develops due to a destructive tissue response to prolonged inflammation and a disturbed homeostasis (dysbiosis) in the interplay between the microorganisms of the dental biofilm and the host. The infectious nature of the microbes associated with periodontitis is unclear, as is the role of specific bacterial species and virulence factors that interfere with the host defense and tissue repair. This review highlights the impact of classical virulence factors, such as exotoxins, endotoxins, fimbriae and capsule, but also aims to emphasize the often-neglected cascade of metabolic products (e.g., those generated by anaerobic and proteolytic metabolism) that are produced by the bacterial phenotypes that survive and thrive in deep, inflamed periodontal pockets. This metabolic activity of the microbes aggravates the inflammatory response from a low-grade physiologic (homeostatic) inflammation (i.e., gingivitis) into more destructive or tissue remodeling processes in periodontitis. That bacteria associated with periodontitis are linked with a number of systemic diseases of importance in clinical medicine is highlighted and exemplified with rheumatoid arthritis, The unclear significance of a number of potential “virulence factors” that contribute to the pathogenicity of specific bacterial species in the complex biofilm–host interaction clinically is discussed in this review.
Podocyte Injury in Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Sakhi Hamza , Moktefi Anissa , Bouachi Khedidja , Audard Vincent , Hénique Carole , Remy Philippe , Ollero Mario , El Karoui Khalil
Published: August 2019

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by a broad spectrum of renal lesions. In lupus glomerulonephritis, histological classifications are based on immune-complex (IC) deposits and hypercellularity lesions (mesangial and/or endocapillary) in the glomeruli. However, there is compelling evidence to suggest that glomerular epithelial cells, and podocytes in particular, are also involved in glomerular injury in patients with SLE. Podocytes now appear to be not only subject to collateral damage due to glomerular capillary lesions secondary to IC and inflammatory processes, but they are also a potential direct target in lupus nephritis. Improvements in our understanding of podocyte injury could improve the classification of lupus glomerulonephritis. Indeed, podocyte injury may be prominent in two major presentations: lupus podocytopathy and glomerular crescent formation, in which glomerular parietal epithelial cells play also a key role. We review here the contribution of podocyte impairment to different presentations of lupus nephritis, focusing on the podocyte signaling pathways involved in these lesions.
2D CFD Simulation of Water Injection Strategies in a Large Marine Engine
Authors: Senčić Tomislav , Mrzljak Vedran , Blecich Paolo , Bonefačić Igor
Published: August 2019

A two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (2D CFD) simulation of a low-speed two-stroke marine engine simulation was performed in order to investigate the performance of 2D meshes that allow the use of more complex chemical schemes and pollutant formation analysis. Various mesh density simulations were compared with a 3D mesh simulation and with the experimentally obtained cylinder pressure. A heavy fuel model and a soot model were implemented in the software. Finally, the influences of three water injection strategies were simulated and evaluated in order to investigate the capability of the model and the influence of water injection on NOx formation, soot formation, and engine performance. We conclude that the direct water injection strategy reduces NOx emissions without adversely affecting the engine performance or soot emissions. The other two strategies—Intake air humidification and direct injection of fuel–water emulsion—reduced NOx emissions but at the cost of higher soot emissions or reduced engine performance.
Forecasting Realized Volatility Using a Nonnegative Semiparametric Model
Authors: Eriksson Anders , Preve Daniel P. A. , Yu Jun
Published: August 2019

This paper introduces a parsimonious and yet flexible semiparametric model to forecast financial volatility. The new model extends a related linear nonnegative autoregressive model previously used in the volatility literature by way of a power transformation. It is semiparametric in the sense that the distributional and functional form of its error component is partially unspecified. The statistical properties of the model are discussed and a novel estimation method is proposed. Simulation studies validate the new method and suggest that it works reasonably well in finite samples. The out-of-sample forecasting performance of the proposed model is evaluated against a number of standard models, using data on S&P 500 monthly realized volatilities. Some commonly used loss functions are employed to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the alternative models. It is found that the new model generally generates highly competitive forecasts.
The Stability of Factor Sensitivities of German Stock Market Sector Indices: Empirical Evidence and Some Thoughts about Practical Implications
Authors: Wegener Christoph , Basse Tobias
Published: August 2019

This empirical study estimates 18 single and 18 three-factor models and then tests for structural change. Break dates are identified where possible. In general, there is some empirical evidence for parameter instabilities of the estimated beta coefficients. In most cases there is no or one break point, and in some cases, there are two structural breaks examining the three factor models. The estimated factor sensitivities of single beta models seem to be even less strongly affected by structural change. Consequently, beta factors are probably more stable than some observers might believe. The break dates that have been identified generally seem to coincide with crises or recoveries after stock market slumps. This empirical finding is compatible with the point of view that bull-markets or bear-markets could matter when estimating beta coefficients. In general, the timing of structural change often seems to coincide with either the bursting of the dot-com bubble or the recovery of stock prices thereafter. The banking industry is the most notable exception. In this sector of the German economy, the global financial meltdown and the sovereign debt crisis in Europe have been of high relevance. Consequently, the internet hype of the late 1990s and the early 2000s seems to be more important for the German stock market than the US subprime debacle and the accompanying European sovereign debt crisis.
Language and Math: What If We Have Two Separate Naming Systems?
Authors: Martínez Alejandro
Published: August 2019

The role of language in numerical processing has traditionally been restricted to counting and exact arithmetic. Nevertheless, the impact that each of a bilinguals’ languages may have in core numerical representations has not been questioned until recently. What if the language in which math has been first acquired (LLmath) had a bigger impact in our math processing? Based on previous studies on language switching we hypothesize that balanced bilinguals would behave like unbalanced bilinguals when switching between the two codes for math. In order to address this question, we measured the brain activity with magneto encephalography (MEG) and source estimation analyses of 12 balanced Basque-Spanish speakers performing a task in which participants were unconscious of the switches between the two codes. The results show an asymmetric switch cost between the two codes for math, and that the brain areas responsible for these switches are similar to those thought to belong to a general task switching mechanism. This implies that the dominances for math and language could run separately from the general language dominance.
Effect of Fiber Hybridization, Strain Rate and w/c Ratio on the Impact Behavior of Hybrid FRC
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhang Hua , Bai Lingyu , Hong Heang , Tao Jie , Addae Maxwell
Published: August 2019

Concrete in practical applications has to inevitably suffer various impact loads. Recent research indicates that the hybrid fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) has better dynamic mechanical properties compared to the mono FRC under impact loading. Based on macro-experimentation and micro-observation, the impact behavior of the hybrid basalt-macro synthetic polypropylene FRC (BSFRC) was investigated by using ∅74 mm SHPB, SEM, and EDS. The effects of fiber hybridization, strain rate, and w/c ratio were analyzed simultaneously. The results show that the dynamic mechanical properties of BSFRC are strain-rate sensitive. Both basalt and macro synthetic polypropylene fibers (BF, SF) have a strengthening and toughening effect on concrete. Their hybridization has a similar enhancement effect but the impact toughness of concrete is further improved and the best hybrid ratio is 0.05%(BF)–0.25%(SF). BSFRC with higher w/c ratio has a higher strain rate effect while the fiber hybridization effect is weakened. Besides, the proposed constitutive model can well describe the impact behavior of BSFRC. The hydration of cement in the interface transition zones is lower with more Calcium Silicate Hydrate and less Ca ( OH ) 2 than that in the common mortar. However, the addition of BF and SF contributes to the hydration of cement and improves the performance of concrete eventually.
Sublingual Delivery of Astaxanthin through a Novel Ascorbyl Palmitate-Based Nanoemulsion: Preliminary Data
Authors: Fratter Andrea , Biagi Damiano , Cicero Arrigo F. G.
Published: August 2019

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid extracted from several seaweeds with ascertained therapeutic activity. With specific reference, astaxanthin is widely used in clinical practice to improve ocular tissue health and skin protection from UV ray damages. Despite its well-documented pleiotropic actions and demonstrated clinical efficacy, its bioavailability in humans is low and limited because of its hydrophobicity and poor dissolution in enteric fluids. Furthermore, astaxanthin is very unstable molecule and very sensitive to light exposure and thermal stress. Taken together, these pharmacological and chemical–physical features strongly limit pharmaceutical and nutraceutical development of astaxanthin-based products and as a consequence its full clinical usage. This work describes the preliminary in vitro investigation of sublingual absorption of astaxanthin through a novel ascorbyl palmitate (ASP) based nanoemulsion.
Two New Cytotoxic Compounds from a Deep-Sea Penicillum citreonigrum XT20-134
Authors: Tang Xi-Xiang , Liu Shun-Zhi , Yan Xia , Tang Bo-Wen , Fang Mei-Juan , Wang Xiu-Min , Wu Zhen , Qiu Ying-Kun
Published: August 2019

Penicillum citreonigrum XT20-134 (MCCC 3A00956) is a fungus with cytotoxic activity, derived from deep-sea sediment. Five new compounds, adeninylpyrenocine (1), 2-hydroxyl-3-pyrenocine-thio propanoic acid (2), ozazino-cyclo-(2,3-dihydroxyl-trp-tyr) (3), 5,5-dichloro-1-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,4-dihydroxypentan-2-one (4), and 2,3,4-trihydroxybutyl cinnamate (5), together with 19 known compounds (6–24), were isolated from an ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of its fermentation. The structures of the new compounds were comprehensively characterized by high-resolution electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). All isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities. The heteroatom-containing new compounds 2 and 4 showed potent cytotoxicity to the human hepatoma tumor cell Bel7402 with IC50 values of 7.63 ± 1.46, 13.14 ± 1.41 μM and the human fibrosarcoma tumor cell HT1080 with IC50 values of 10.22 ± 1.32, 16.53 ± 1.67 μM, respectively.
Movement Control Impairment and Low Back Pain: State of the Art of Diagnostic Framing
Authors: Salvioli Soleika , Pozzi Andrea , Testa Marco
Published: August 2019

Background and objectives: Low back pain is one of the most common health problems. In 85% of cases, it is not possible to identify a specific cause, and it is therefore called Non-Specific Low Back Pain (NSLBP). Among the various attempted classifications, the subgroup of patients with impairment of motor control of the lower back (MCI) is between the most studied. The objective of this systematic review is to summarize the results from trials about validity and reliability of clinical tests aimed to identify MCI in the NSLBP population. Materials and Methods: The MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and MedNar databases have been searched until May 2018. The criteria for inclusion were clinical trials about evaluation methods that are affordable and applicable in a usual clinical setting and conducted on populations aged > 18 years. A single author summarized data in synoptic tables relating to the clinical property; a second reviewer intervened in case of doubts about the relevance of the studies. Results: 13 primary studies met the inclusion criteria: 10 investigated inter-rater reliability, 4 investigated intra-rater reliability, and 6 investigated validity for a total of 23 tests (including one cluster of tests). Inter-rater reliability is widely studied, and there are tests with good, consistent, and substantial values (waiter’s bow, prone hip extension, sitting knee extension, and one leg stance). Intra-rater reliability has been less investigated, and no test have been studied for more than one author. The results of the few studies about validity aim to discriminate only the presence or absence of LBP in the samples. Conclusions: At the state of the art, results related to reliability support the clinical use of the identified tests. No conclusions can be drawn about validity.
Scaffold-Free Bioprinter Utilizing Layer-By-Layer Printing of Cellular Spheroids
Authors: LaBarge Wesley , Morales Andrés , Pretorius Daniëlle , Kahn-Krell Asher , Kannappan Ramaswamy , Zhang Jianyi
Published: August 2019

Free from the limitations posed by exogenous scaffolds or extracellular matrix-based materials, scaffold-free engineered tissues have immense clinical potential. Biomaterials may produce adverse responses, interfere with cell–cell interaction, or affect the extracellular matrix integrity of cells. The scaffold-free Kenzan method can generate complex tissues using spheroids on an array of needles but could be inefficient in terms of time, as it moves and places only a single spheroid at a time. We aimed to design and construct a novel scaffold-free bioprinter that can print an entire layer of spheroids at once, effectively reducing the printing time. The bioprinter was designed using computer-aided design software and constructed from machined, 3D printed, and commercially available parts. The printing efficiency and the operating precision were examined using Zirconia and alginate beads, which mimic spheroids. In less than a minute, the printer could efficiently pick and transfer the beads to the printing surface and assemble them onto the 4 × 4 needles. The average overlap coefficient between layers was measured and found to be 0.997. As a proof of concept using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived spheroids, we confirmed the ability of the bioprinter to place cellular spheroids onto the needles efficiently to print an entire layer of tissue. This novel layer-by-layer, scaffold-free bioprinter is efficient and precise in operation and can be easily scaled to print large tissues.
Z/I1 Hybrid Virulence Plasmids Carrying Antimicrobial Resistance genes in S. Typhimurium from Australian Food Animal Production
Authors: Wyrsch Ethan R. , Hawkey Jane , Judd Louise M. , Haites Ruth , Holt Kathryn E. , Djordjevic Steven P. , Billman-Jacobe Helen
Published: August 2019

Knowledge of mobile genetic elements that capture and disseminate antimicrobial resistance genes between diverse environments, particularly across human–animal boundaries, is key to understanding the role anthropogenic activities have in the evolution of antimicrobial resistance. Plasmids that circulate within the Enterobacteriaceae and the Proteobacteria more broadly are well placed to acquire resistance genes sourced from separate niche environments and provide a platform for smaller mobile elements such as IS26 to assemble these genes into large, complex genomic structures. Here, we characterised two atypical Z/I1 hybrid plasmids, pSTM32-108 and pSTM37-118, hosting antimicrobial resistance and virulence associated genes within endemic pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i:-, sourced from Australian swine production facilities during 2013. We showed that the plasmids found in S. Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i:- are close relatives of two plasmids identified from Escherichia coli of human and bovine origin in Australia circa 1998. The older plasmids, pO26-CRL125 and pO111-CRL115, encoded a putative serine protease autotransporter and were host to a complex resistance region composed of a hybrid Tn21-Tn1721 mercury resistance transposon and composite IS26 transposon Tn6026. This gave a broad antimicrobial resistance profile keyed towards first generation antimicrobials used in Australian agriculture but also included a class 1 integron hosting the trimethoprim resistance gene dfrA5. Genes encoding resistance to ampicillin, trimethoprim, sulphonamides, streptomycin, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines and mercury were a feature of these plasmids. Phylogenetic analyses showed very little genetic drift in the sequences of these plasmids over the past 15 years; however, some alterations within the complex resistance regions present on each plasmid have led to the loss of various resistance genes, presumably as a result of the activity of IS26. These alterations may reflect the specific selective pressures placed on the host strains over time. Our studies suggest that these plasmids and variants of them are endemic in Australian food production systems.
Effects of Temperature, Alkali Source, and Mg/Al Ratio on Phase Purity and Yield of Hydrothermal Synthesized Smectites
Authors: Yu Bing-Sheng , Wang Yuh-Ruey , Lo Wei , Liu Yi-Yu
Published: August 2019

Smectites are a major type of clay minerals. Hydrothermally synthesized smectites have become a major research topic because of the unstable quality or excessive impurity of natural smectites. The high-phase purity and yield of hydrothermally synthesized smectites are vital in advanced industries and materials applications. In this study, a Taguchi orthogonal array was integrated with eight factors to avoid biased experimental results, thus creating relatively robust factor portfolios to investigate the effects of temperature, alkali sources, and the magnesium (Mg)/aluminum (Al) ratio on the phase purity and yield of hydrothermally synthesized smectites. The synthesized environment was mainly established using trioctahedral smectites based on the formula Na2x(Al2(1−x)Mg2x□)Si4O10(OH)2X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement were used for the quantitative analysis of the products’ mineral facies and calculating the synthesized smectites’ phase purity and yield. The Taguchi method was employed to calculate each factor’s effect on the product quality. The results indicated that among the numerous factor portfolios, a relatively high temperature, ammonia solution as the alkali source, and a relatively high Mg/Al ratio were conducive to enhanced phase purity and yield of synthesized smectites. The optimized products of the synthesized smectites achieved a phase purity of 92.5% and a yield of 88.3%.
Prediction of Structure and Molecular Interaction with DNA of BvrR, a Virulence-Associated Regulatory Protein of Brucella
Authors: Ramírez-González Edgar A. , Moreno-Lafont Martha C. , Méndez-Tenorio Alfonso , Cancino-Díaz Mario E. , Estrada-García Iris , López-Santiago Rubén
Published: August 2019

Brucellosis, also known as “undulant fever” is a zoonotic disease caused by Brucella, which is a facultative intracellular bacterium. Despite efforts to eradicate this disease, infection in uncontrolled domestic animals persists in several countries and therefore transmission to humans is common. Brucella evasion of the innate immune system depends on its ability to evade the mechanisms of intracellular death in phagocytic cells. The BvrR-BvrS two-component system allows the bacterium to detect adverse conditions in the environment. The BvrS protein has been associated with genes of virulence factors, metabolism, and membrane transport. In this study, we predicted the DNA sequence recognized by BvrR with Gibbs Recursive Sampling and identified the three-dimensional structure of BvrR using I-TASSER suite, and the interaction mechanism between BvrR and DNA with Protein-DNA docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Based on the Gibbs recursive Sampling analysis, we found the motif AAHTGC (H represents A, C, and T nucleotides) as a possible sequence recognized by BvrR. The docking and EMD simulation results showed that C-terminal effector domain of BvrR protein is likely to interact with AAHTGC sequence. In conclusion, we predicted the structure, recognition motif, and interaction of BvrR with DNA.
Derivatization of Natural Compound β-Pinene Enhances Its In Vitro Antifungal Activity against Plant Pathogens
Authors: Shi Yunfei , Si Hongyan , Wang Peng , Chen Shangxing , Shang Shibin , Song Zhanqian , Wang Zongde , Liao Shengliang
Published: August 2019

Background: The development of new antifungal agents has always been a hot research topic in pesticide development. In this study, a series of derivatives of natural compound β-pinene were prepared, and the antifungal activities of these derivatives were evaluated. The purpose of this work is to develop some novel molecules as promising new fungicides. Methods: Through a variety of chemical reactions, β-pinene was transformed into a series of β-pinene-based derivatives containing amide moieties and acylthiourea moieties. The antifungal activities of these derivatives against five plant pathogens including Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium proliferatum, Alternaria kikuchiana, Phomopsis sp. and Phytophthora capsici were tested; preliminary structure–activity relationship was discussed. Results: Some derivatives exhibited moderate or significant antifungal activity due to the fusion of the amide moiety or the acylthiourea moiety with the pinane skeleton. The structure–activity relationship analysis showed that the fluorine atom and the strong electron withdrawing nitro group, or trifluoromethyl group on the benzene ring of the derivatives had a significant effect on the improvement of the antifungal activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium proliferatum, Alternaria kikuchiana and Phomopsis sp. Meanwhile, the introduction of an ethyl group at the meta-position on the benzene ring of the derivatives could improve the antifungal activity against Phytophthora capsici. Compounds 4e, 4h, 4q, 4r exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity against the tested strains. Compound 4o had significant antifungal activity against Phytophthora capsici (IC50 = 0.18 μmol/L). These derivatives were expected to be used as precursor molecules for novel pesticide development in further research.
Identification of Potential Auxin-Responsive Small Signaling Peptides through a Peptidomics Approach in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Luo Weigui , Xiao Yuan , Liang Qiwen , Su Yi , Xiao Langtao
Published: August 2019

Small signaling peptides (SSPs) are a class of short peptides playing critical roles in plant growth and development. SSPs are also involved in the phytohormone signaling pathway. However, identification of mature SSPs is still a technical challenge because of their extremely low concentrations in plant tissue and complicated interference by many other metabolites. Here, we report an optimized protocol to extract SSPs based on protoplast extraction and to analyze SSPs based on tandem mass spectrometry peptidomics. Using plant protoplasts as the material, soluble peptides were directly extracted into phosphate buffer. The interference of non-signaling peptides was significantly decreased. Moreover, we applied the protocol to identify potential SSPs in auxin treated wild type and auxin biosynthesis defective mutant yuc2yuc6. Over 100 potential SSPs showed a response to auxin in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Fabrication of Crystalline Microresonators of High Quality Factors with a Controllable Wedge Angle on Lithium Niobate on Insulator
Authors: Zhang Jianhao , Fang Zhiwei , Lin Jintian , Zhou Junxia , Wang Min , Wu Rongbo , Gao Renhong , Cheng Ya
Published: August 2019

We report the fabrication of crystalline microresonators of high quality (Q) factors with a controllable wedge angle on lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI). Our technique relies on a femtosecond laser assisted chemo-mechanical polish, which allows us to achieve ultrahigh surface smoothness as critically demanded by high Q microresonator applications. We show that by refining the polish parameters, Q factors as high as 4.7 × 107 can be obtained and the wedge angle of the LNOI can be continuously tuned from 9° to 51°.
Multipole Resonance in Arrays of Diamond Dielectric: A Metamaterial Perfect Absorber in the Visible Regime
Authors: Li Chenhui , Fan Haihua , Dai Qiaofeng , Wei Zhongchao , Lan Sheng , Liu Haiying
Published: August 2019

Excellent characteristics and promising application prospects promote the rapid development of metamaterials. We have numerically proposed and demonstrated a novel subwavelength broadband metamaterial perfect absorber (BMPA) based on diamond dielectric arrays. The proposed absorber is composed of an ultra-thin two-layer structure covering the dielectric periodic array on a metal substrate. The materials of dielectric silicon (Si) and gold (Au) substrate are discussed in detail. In addition, different dielectric and refractory materials are also applied to achieve broadband absorption, which will make the proposed absorber greatly broaden the application field. A perfect absorption window (i.e., absorption rate exceeding 90%) can be obtained from near-ultraviolet to the visible range. The average absorption rate of 93.3% is achieved in the visible range. The results of multipole decomposition show that broadband absorption is mainly caused by electromagnetic dipole resonance and lattice resonance in a periodic array of Si. The proposed absorber can be extended freely by adjusting the structural parameters. The polarization-independent and incident angle insensitivity are proved. The proposed absorber may well be used in light energy acquisition, as well as for the scalability of optoelectronic and sensing devices.
SERS-Active Cu Nanoparticles on Carbon Nitride Support Fabricated Using Pulsed Laser Ablation
Authors: Dizajghorbani-Aghdam Hossein , Miller Thomas S. , Malekfar Rasoul , McMillan Paul F.
Published: August 2019

We report a single-step route to co-deposit Cu nanoparticles with a graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) support using nanosecond Ce:Nd:YAG pulsed laser ablation from a Cu metal target coated using acetonitrile (CH3CN). The resulting Cu/gCN hybrids showed strong optical absorption in the visible to near-IR range and exhibited surface-enhanced Raman or resonance Raman scattering (SERS or SERRS) enhancement for crystal violet (CV), methylene blue (MB), and rhodamine 6G (R6G) used as probe analyte molecules adsorbed on the surface. We have characterized the Cu nanoparticles and the nature of the gCN support materials using a range of spectroscopic, structural, and compositional analysis techniques.
Design of Plasmonic-Waveguiding Structures for Sensor Applications
Authors: Vlček Jaroslav , Pištora Jaromír , Lesňák Michal
Published: August 2019

Surface plasmon resonance has become a widely accepted optical technique for studying biological and chemical interactions. Among others, detecting small changes in analyte concentration in complex solutions remains challenging, e.g., because of the need of distinguishing the interaction of interest from other effects. In our model study, the resolution ability of plasmonic sensing element was enhanced by two ways. Besides an implementation of metal-insulator-metal (MIM) plasmonic nanostructure, we suggest concatenation with waveguiding substructure to achieve mutual coupling of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) with an optical waveguiding mode. The dependence of coupling conditions on the multilayer parameters was analyzed to obtain optimal field intensity enhancement.
Isoflavone Aglycones Attenuate Cigarette Smoke-Induced Emphysema via Suppression of Neutrophilic Inflammation in a COPD Murine Model
Authors: Kojima Kazuya , Asai Kazuhisa , Kubo Hiroaki , Sugitani Arata , Kyomoto Yohkoh , Okamoto Atsuko , Yamada Kazuhiro , Ijiri Naoki , Watanabe Tetsuya , Hirata Kazuto , Kawaguchi Tomoya
Published: August 2019

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung disease caused by chronic exposure to cigarette smoke, increases the number of inflammatory cells such as macrophages and neutrophils and emphysema. Isoflavone is a polyphenolic compound that exists in soybeans. Daidzein and genistein, two types of isoflavones, have been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects in various organs. We hypothesized that the daidzein-rich soy isoflavone aglycones (DRIAs) attenuate cigarette smoke-induced emphysema in mice. Mice were divided into four groups: the (i) control group, (ii) isoflavone group, (iii) smoking group, and (iv) isoflavone + smoking group. The number of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the airspace enlargement using the mean linear intercept (MLI) were determined 12 weeks after smoking exposure. Expressions of neutrophilic inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were also examined. In the isoflavone + smoking group, the number of neutrophils in BALF and MLI was significantly less than that in the smoking group. Furthermore, the gene-expressions of TNF-α and CXCL2 (MIP-2) in the isoflavone + smoking group were significantly less than those in the smoking group. Supplementation of the COPD murine model with DRIAs significantly attenuates pathological changes of COPD via suppression of neutrophilic inflammation.
Use of Proteomics in the Study of Mastitis in Ewes
Authors: Katsafadou Angeliki I. , Vasileiou Natalia G. C. , Fthenakis George C.
Published: August 2019

The objective of this review is to describe the usage and applicability of proteomics technologies in the study of mastitis in ewes. In ewes, proteomics technologies have been employed for furthering knowledge in mastitis caused by various agents (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus chromogenes, Mannheimia haemolytica, Streptococcus uberis, Mycoplasma agalactiae). Studies have focused on improving knowledge regarding pathogenesis of the infections and identifying biomarkers for its diagnosis. Findings have revealed that ewes with mastitis mount a defence response, controlled by many proteins and over various mechanisms and pathways, which are interdependent at various points. Many proteins can participate in this process. Moreover, as the result of proteomics studies, cathelicidins and serum amyloid A have been identified as proteins that can be used as biomarkers for improved diagnosis of the disease. In the long term, proteomics will contribute to improvements in the elucidation of the pathogenesis of mastitis. Further in-depth investigations into the various proteomes and application of new methodological strategies in experimental and clinical studies will provide information about mastitis processes, which will be of benefit in controlling the disease. Improvement of diagnostic techniques, establishment of prognostic tools and development of vaccines are key areas for targeted research.
Polypharmacy Definitions for Multimorbid Older Adults Need Stronger Foundations to Guide Research, Clinical Practice and Public Health
Authors: Sirois Caroline , Domingues Nelia Sofia , Laroche Marie-Laure , Zongo Arsène , Lunghi Carlotta , Guénette Line , Kröger Edeltraut , Émond Valérie
Published: August 2019

There are numerous definitions of polypharmacy to describe the use of many medications among older adults, but there is a need to clarify if they are purposive and meaningful. By means of a systematic review, we identified definitions of polypharmacy used in multimorbid older adults (≥65 years). We evaluated if the definitions align among the domains of research, clinical practice, and public health and appraised whether concepts of polypharmacy are based on strong foundations. More than 46 definitions of polypharmacy were retrieved from 348 publications (research: n = 243; clinical practice: n = 88; public health: n = 17). Several thresholds based on the number of medications were mentioned. The majority of the publications (n = 202, 58%) used a minimal threshold of five medications. Heterogeneous qualitative definitions were identified, mostly stating that polypharmacy is “more drugs than needed”. There was no significant divergence between domains as to the type of definitions used, although qualitative definitions were more common in clinical practice. Nearly half (n = 156, 47%) of the publications provided no justification for the polypharmacy definition used. The wide variety of definitions for polypharmacy precludes comparisons, appropriate identification and management of polypharmacy in multimorbid older adults. Standardized definitions would allow more coherent judgments regarding the individual and collective stakes of polypharmacy.
Influence of Nano Titanium Dioxide and Clove Oil on Chitosan–Starch Film Characteristics
Authors: Li Wei , Zheng Kewang , Chen Hujian , Feng Shirong , Wang Wei , Qin Caiqin
Published: August 2019

The combined effects of nano titanium dioxide (TiO2-N) and clove oil (CO) on the physico-chemical, biological and structural properties of chitosan (CH)/starch (ST) films were investigated by using a solvent casting method. Results indicated that the incorporation of TiO2-N could improve the compactness of the film, increase the tensile strength (TS) and antioxidant activity, and decrease the water vapour permeability (WVP). As may be expected, the incorporation of CO into the film matrix decreased TS but increased the hydrophobicity as well as water vapour barrier antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) data supported intermolecular interactions between TiO2-N, CO and the film matrix. Use of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that TiO2-N and CO were well dispersed and emulsified in the film network. Thermogravimetric (TG) and derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) curves demonstrated that TiO2-N and CO were well embedded in the film matrix, hence this blend film system could provide new formulation options for food packaging materials in the future.
Applications of Hydrogels with Special Physical Properties in Biomedicine
Authors: Chen Gong , Tang Wenwei , Wang Xiaohui , Zhao Xueling , Chen Cheng , Zhu Zhigang
Published: August 2019

As a polymer matrix containing a large amount of water, hydrogels have been widely used in many fields such as biology and medicine due to its similarity to extracellular matrix components, and its contact with blood, body fluids, and human tissue does not affect the metabolic processes of living organisms. However, due to the lack of unique physical properties of traditional polymer hydrogels, its further application in the high-end field is limited. With the progress of study, a series of hydrogels with special structures, such as double network hydrogel, composite hydrogel, Tetra-PEG gel, and topological gel, have improved the situation to a large extent. At the same time, the progress of research on the biocompatibility and biodegradability of hydrogels, which are expected to be used in biomedical fields, is also worthy of attention. This review introduces four such types of high-strength polymeric hydrogels and the mechanisms for improving their mechanical strength. Moreover, a discussion will be made around specific methods for imparting special physical properties to hydrogels and applications in the field of biomedicine such as cell culture, medical surgery, tissue engineering, and biosensing. At the end of the review, the main reasons and contradictions for the limits of the current applications are explained. An outlook on the future research in related fields and the importance of carrying out research in this area to promote medical progress are emphasized.
Bio-Based PBT–DLA Copolyester as an Alternative Compatibilizer of PP/PBT Blends
Authors: Ignaczak Wojciech , Sobolewski Peter , El Fray Miroslawa
Published: August 2019

The aim of this work was to assess whether synthesized random copolyester, poly(butylene terephthalate-r-butylene dilinoleate) (PBT–DLA), containing bio-based components, can effectively compatibilize polypropylene/poly(butylene terephthalate) (PP/PBT) blends. For comparison, a commercial petrochemical triblock copolymer, poly(styrene-b-ethylene/butylene-b-styrene) (SEBS) was used. The chemical structure and block distribution of PBT–DLA was determined using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. PP/PBT blends with different mass ratios were prepared via twin-screw extrusion with 5 wt% of each compatibilizer. Thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic mechanical analysis were used to assess changes in phase structure of PP/PBT blends. Static tensile testing demonstrated marked improvement in elongation at break, to ~18% and ~21% for PBT–DLA and SEBS, respectively. Importantly, the morphology of PP/PBT blends compatibilized with PBT–DLA copolymer showed that it is able to act as interphase modifier, being preferentially located at the interface. Therefore, we conclude that by using polycondensation and monomers from renewable resources, it is possible to obtain copolymers that efficiently modify blend miscibility, offering an alternative to widely used, rubber-like petrochemical styrene compatibilizers.
Molecular Mechanisms of Antitumor Activity of PAMAM Dendrimer Conjugates with Anticancer Drugs and a Monoclonal Antibody
Authors: Marcinkowska Monika , Stanczyk Maciej , Janaszewska Anna , Gajek Arkadiusz , Ksiezak Malgorzata , Dzialak Paula , Klajnert-Maculewicz Barbara
Published: August 2019

Taxanes are considered fundamental drugs in the treatment of breast cancer, but despite the similarities, docetaxel (doc) and paclitaxel (ptx) work differently. For this reason, it is interesting to identify mechanisms of antitumor activity of PAMAM dendrimer conjugates that carry docetaxel or paclitaxel and monoclonal antibody trastuzumab, specifically targeted to cells which overexpressed HER-2. For this purpose, the impact on the level of reactive oxygen species, the mitochondrial membrane potential, cell cycle distribution and the activity of caspases-3/7, -8 and -9 of PAMAM-doc-trastuzumab and PAMAM-ptx-trastuzumab conjugates was determined and compared with free docetaxel and paclitaxel toward HER-2-positive (SKBR-3) and negative (MCF-7) human breast cancer cell lines. Moreover, apoptosis and necrosis were studied using flow cytometry and confocal microscopy, respectively. Our studies show the complexity of the potential mechanism of cytotoxic action of PAMAM-drug-trastuzumab conjugates that should be sought as a resultant of oxidative stress, mitochondrial activation of the caspase cascade and the HER-2 receptor blockade.
Brightness Temperature Sensitivity to Whitecap Fraction at Millimeter Wavelengths
Authors: Bettenhausen Michael H. , Anguelova Magdalena D.
Published: August 2019

Accurate representation of the ocean-atmosphere coupling in weather, wave and climate models requires reliable estimates of air-sea surface fluxes of momentum, heat and mass. Whitecap fraction (W) usually quantifies the enhancement of the surface fluxes due to wave breaking. Satellite-based passive remote sensing of W from ocean surface brightness temperatures ( T B s) observes open ocean surface fluxes at low spatial resolution. Radiometric surface observations at higher resolution are necessary to monitor the complex environment in the coastal zone and in polar regions. We assess the feasibility of using the millimeter-wave frequencies (89 to 150 GHz) to observe whitecaps. We evaluate the derivative of the T B with respect to W as a measure for the observation of W. We describe the models and data used to evaluate the T B sensitivity to W for different instrumental and environmental conditions. Atmospheric absorption limits the ability to observe the surface at millimeter-wave frequencies. We find that the T B sensitivity to W at 89 GHz may be sufficient to support limited W retrieval from observations at altitudes below 1 km and that the T B sensitivity at 113 and 150 GHz is not sufficient. Clear skies, and low to moderate atmospheric humidity favor whitecap observations.
Fabrication of Au Nanorods by the Oblique Angle Deposition Process for Trace Detection of Methamphetamine with Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering
Authors: Li Baini , Wang Tianran , Su Qingqing , Wu Xuezhong , Dong Peitao
Published: August 2019

Oblique angle deposition (OAD) is a simple, low cost, effective, and maskless nanofabrication process. It can offer a reliable method for the mass fabrication of uniform metal nanorods which can be used as the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate with an excellent enhancing performance. Up to now, Ag nanorods SERS substrates have been extensively studied. However, Ag is chemically active and easy to oxidize under atmospheric conditions. Comparatively, Au is chemically stable and has better biocompatibility than Ag. In this paper, we in detail, studied the electromechanical (EM) field distribution simulation, fabrication, and application of Au nanorods (AuNRs) on trace detection of methamphetamine. According to the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) calculation results, the maximum EM intensity can be obtained with the length of AuNRs to be 800 nm and the tilting angle of AuNRs to be 71° respectively. The aligned Au nanorod array substrate was fabricated by the OAD process. The two key process parameters, deposition angle, and deposition rate were optimized by experiments, which were 86° and 2 Å/s, respectively. Using 1,2-bis (4-pyridyl) ethylene (BPE) as the probe molecule, the limit of detection (LOD) was characterized to be 10−11 M. The AuNRs were also used to detect methamphetamine. The LOD can be down to M (i.e., 14.92 pg/ml), which meet the requirements of the on-site rapid detection of the methamphetamine in human urine (500 ng/ml).
Wavenumber Imaging of Near-Surface Defects in Rails using Green’s Function Reconstruction of Ultrasonic Diffuse Fields
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhang Haiyan , Zhang Jiayan , Liu Jianquan , Zhu Wenfa , Fan Guopeng , Zhu Qi
Published: August 2019

Wavenumber imaging with Green’s function reconstruction of ultrasonic diffuse fields is used to realize fast imaging of near-surface defects in rails. Ultrasonic phased array has been widely used in industries because of its high sensitivity and strong flexibility. However, the directly measured signal is always complicated by noise caused by physical limitations of the acquisition system. To overcome this problem, the cross-correlations of the diffuse field signals captured by the probe are performed to reconstruct the Green’s function. These reconstructed signals can restore the early time information from the noise. Experiments were conducted on rails with near-surface defects. The results confirm the effectiveness of the cross-correlation method to reconstruct the Green’s function for the detection of near-surface defects. Different kinds of ultrasonic phased array probes were applied to collect experimental data on the surface of the rails. The Green’s function recovery is related to the number of phased array elements and the excitation frequency. In addition, the duration and starting time of the time-windowed diffuse signals were explored in order to achieve high-quality defect images.
The Role of Public Participation in Environmental Governance: Empirical Evidence from China
Authors: Guo Jin , Bai Junhong
Published: August 2019

As an essential stakeholder of environmental resources, the public has become the third force which assists in promoting environmental governance, together with local governments and polluting enterprises. In this paper, we construct a mediation model and a 2SLS (Two Stage Least Square) model to illustrate the role of public participation based on inter-provincial panel data of China from 2011 to 2015. The results indicate that the advantages of handling informational asymmetry and enhancing social supervision are the two logical starting points of involving public participation in environmental governance. As the public has no executive power, they can participate in environmental governance in an indirect way by lobbying local governments’ environmental enforcement of polluting enterprises. In addition, their deterrent of polluting enterprises can also generate effects similar to local governments’ environmental enforcement, and such a deterrent will help promote environmental governance directly. At the present time in China, the effects of public participation in environmental governance are mainly reflected in the form of back-end governance, while the effects of front-end governance are not remarkable enough. This research is of great significance in perfecting China’s environmental governance system by means of arousing and expanding the public’s rights to participate in environmental governance.