bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethanol Prices and Agricultural Commodities: An Investigation of Their Relationship
Authors: David Sergio Adriani , Inácio Claudio M. C. , Tenreiro Machado José A.
Published: August 2019

Brazil is an important player when it comes to biofuel and agricultural production. The knowledge of the price relationship between these markets has increasing importance. This paper adopts several tools, namely the Bai–Perron test of breakpoints, the Johansen cointegration test and the vector error correction model exploited by the orthogonal impulse response and the forecast error variance decomposition, for investigating the price transmission among the ethanol and the main Brazil’s agricultural commodities (sugar, cotton, arabica coffee, robusta coffee, live cattle, corn and soybean). The data series cover the period from January 2011 up to December 2018. The results suggest a stronger price transmission from the ethanol commodity to the agricultural commodities, rather than the opposite situation.
An Optoelectronic System for Measuring the Range of Motion in Healthy Volunteers: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Medina-Mirapeix Francesc , Martín-San Agustín Rodrigo , Cánovas-Ambit Germán , García-Vidal José A. , Gacto-Sánchez Mariano , Escolar-Reina Pilar
Published: August 2019

Background and Objectives: Within the clinical evaluation of multiple pathologies of the lower limb, the measurement of range of motion (ROM) of its joints is fundamental. To this end, there are various tools, from the goniometer as a reference to more recent devices such as inclinometry-based applications, photo capture applications, or motion capture systems. This study aimed to assess the validity, intra-rater, and inter-rater reliability of the VeloFlex system (VS), which is a new camera-based tool designed for tracking joint trajectories and measuring joint ROM. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five healthy volunteers (16 females; aged 18–61 years) participated in this study. All participants were assessed on two separate occasions, one week apart. During the first assessment session, measurements were obtained using a goniometer and the VS, whereas, in the second session, only the VS was used. In each assessment session, nine active movements were examined. For each movement, three trials were tested, and the mean of these three measures was used for analysis. To evaluate the concurrent validity and agreement, the Pearson correlation coefficient (r) and Bland-Altmann plots were used. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were evaluated using intra-class correlation (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC). Results: Both devices showed excellent correlations for all movements (r ranged from 0.992 to 0.999). The intra-rater reliability of the VS was excellent (ICC ranged from 0.93 to 0.99), SEMs ranged from 0.53% to 2.61% and the MDC ranged from 0.68° to 3.26°. The inter-rater reliability of the VS was also excellent (ICC ranged from 0.88 to 0.98), SEMs ranged from 0.81% to 4.76% and the MDC ranged from 2.27° to 4.42°. Conclusions: The VS is a valid and reliable tool for the measurement of ROM of lower limb joints in healthy subjects.
Organosilica-Based Membranes in Gas and Liquid-Phase Separation
Authors: Ren Xiuxiu , Tsuru Toshinori
Published: August 2019

Organosilica membranes are a type of novel materials derived from organoalkoxysilane precursors. These membranes have tunable networks, functional properties and excellent hydrothermal stability that allow them to maintain high levels of separation performance for extend periods of time in either a gas-phase with steam or a liquid-phase under high temperature. These attributes make them outperform pure silica membranes. In this review, types of precursors, preparation method, and synthesis factors for the construction of organosilica membranes are covered. The effects that these factors exert on characteristics and performance of these membranes are also discussed. The incorporation of metals, alkoxysilanes, or other functional materials into organosilica membranes is an effective and simple way to improve their hydrothermal stability and achieve preferable chemical properties. These hybrid organosilica membranes have demonstrated effective performance in gas and liquid-phase separation.
Carbide Precipitation, Dissolution, and Coarsening in G18CrMo2–6 Steel
Authors: Li Zhenjiang , Jia Pengju , Liu Yujing , Qi Huiping
Published: August 2019

The precipitation, dissolution, and coarsening of different carbides at 680 °C in G18CrMo2–6 steel was investigated experimentally combined with Jmatpro simulation. The G18CrMo2–6 steel was normalized at 940 °C, followed by tempering at different times at a constant temperature of 680 °C. During the tempering process, there are mainly two kinds of carbide, namely M3C and M23C6. Through characterization of microstructural evolution, thermodynamic calculation, and kinetic simulation, it was observed that during the tempering process, the stable M23C6 carbide was growing, whereas the metastable M3C carbide was disappearing. At the end, the M3C carbide was dissolved and the M23C6 carbide was in equilibrium with the matrix.
Developing Improved Mechanical Property and Corrosion Resistance of Mg-9Li Alloy via Solid-Solution Treatment
Authors: Wang Guowei , Song Dan , Li Cheng , Klu Edwin Eyram , Qiao Yanxin , Sun Jiapeng , Jiang Jinghua , Ma Aibin
Published: August 2019

Cast Mg-9Li alloy was successfully solid-solution (SS) treated via heating at 575 °C for 4.5 h and rapidly quenched with ice-water mixture. The mechanical property and corrosion resistance of the SS alloy were simultaneously improved. Rapid bcc/hcp phase transition of the alloy occurred during the quenching process, creating the newly precipitated needle-like fine α-Mg phase, uniformly distributed in the β-Li phase matrix. Dramatic grain refinement and uniform distribution of the α-Mg phase, as well as the massively increased α/β phase interfaces, are factors leading to the improved mechanical property of the SS alloy. Meanwhile, due to the modified duplex-phase structure, the SS alloy has a uniform corrosion-resistant surface film on the β-Li phase, which completely covers the entire alloy surface and efficiently protects the substrate. In addition, the SS alloy has fewer difference in the elements concentration and corrosion activity of the duplex phases, which reduces the pitting sensitivity and improves the corrosion resistance of the alloy matrix. The findings in this binary Mg-Li alloy can also serve as a benchmark for other more practical and complicated Mg-Li alloys.
Diversity and Co-Occurrence Patterns of Soil Bacterial and Fungal Communities of Chinese Cordyceps Habitats at Shergyla Mountain, Tibet: Implications for the Occurrence
Authors: Shao Jun-Li , Lai Bei , Jiang Wei , Wang Jia-Ting , Hong Yue-Hui , Chen Fu-Bin , Tan Shao-Qing , Guo Lian-Xian
Published: August 2019

Chinese Cordyceps is a well-known medicinal larva-fungus symbiote distributed in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and adjacent areas. Previous studies have involved its artificial cultivation but commercial cultivation is difficult to perform because the crucial factors triggering the occurrence of Chinese Cordyceps are not quite clear. The occurrence of Chinese Cordyceps is greatly affected by the soil environment, including the soil’s physicochemical and microecological properties. In this study, the effects of these soil properties on the occurrence of Chinese Cordyceps were investigated. The results show that the physicochemical properties, including easily oxidizable organic carbon (EOC), soil organic carbon (SOC), humic acid carbon (HAC), humin carbon (HMC), and pH, might be negatively related to the occurrence of Chinese Cordyceps, and soil water content (SWC) might be positively related. Several soil physicochemical parameters (pH, SOC, HMC, HAC, available potassium (APO), available phosphorus (APH), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and the ratio of NH4+ to NO3− (NH4+/NO3−)) and microbial properties interact and mix together, which might affect the occurrence of Chinese Cordyceps. Soil microbial community structure was also a possible factor, and a low level of bacterial and fungal diversity was suitable for the occurrence of Chinese Cordyceps. The intra-kingdom network revealed that a closer correlation of the bacterial community might help the occurrence of Chinese Cordyceps, while a closer correlation of the fungal community might suppress it. The inter-kingdom network revealed that the occurrence rate of Chinese Cordyceps might be negatively correlated with the stability of the correlation state of the soil habitat. In conclusion, this study shows that soil physicochemical properties and microbial communities could be greatly related with the occurrence of Chinese Cordyceps. In addition, soil physicochemical properties, the level of bacterial and fungal diversity, and correlations of bacterial and fungal communities should be controlled to a certain level to increase the production of Chinese Cordyceps in artificial cultivation.
The Varied Role of Efflux Pumps of the MFS Family in the Interplay of Bacteria with Animal and Plant Cells
Authors: Pasqua Martina , Grossi Milena , Zennaro Alessandro , Fanelli Giulia , Micheli Gioacchino , Barras Frederic , Colonna Bianca , Prosseda Gianni
Published: August 2019

Efflux pumps represent an important and large group of transporter proteins found in all organisms. The importance of efflux pumps resides in their ability to extrude a wide range of antibiotics, resulting in the emergence of multidrug resistance in many bacteria. Besides antibiotics, multidrug efflux pumps can also extrude a large variety of compounds: Bacterial metabolites, plant-produced compounds, quorum-sensing molecules, and virulence factors. This versatility makes efflux pumps relevant players in interactions not only with other bacteria, but also with plant or animal cells. The multidrug efflux pumps belonging to the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) are widely distributed in microbial genomes and exhibit a large spectrum of substrate specificities. Multidrug MFS efflux pumps are present either as single-component transporters or as tripartite complexes. In this review, we will summarize how the multidrug MFS efflux pumps contribute to the interplay between bacteria and targeted host cells, with emphasis on their role in bacterial virulence, in the colonization of plant and animal host cells and in biofilm formation. We will also address the complexity of these interactions in the light of the underlying regulatory networks required for the effective activation of efflux pump genes.
Carbon Dots-Modified Nanoporous Membrane and Fe3O4@Au Magnet Nanocomposites-Based FRET Assay for Ultrasensitive Histamine Detection
Authors: Mao Yijie , Zhang Yu , Hu Wei , Ye Weiwei
Published: August 2019

Histamine can be formed by enzymatic decarbonylation of histidine, which is an important indicator of seafood quality. A rapid and sensitive assay method is necessary for histamine monitoring. A fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay system based on a carbon dot (CD)-modified nanoporous alumina membrane and Fe3O4@Au magnet nanocomposites has been developed for histamine detection in mackerel fish. CDs immobilized on nanoporous alumina membranes were used as donors, which provided a fluorescence sensing substrate for histamine detection. Fe3O4@Au magnet nanocomposites can not only act as acceptors, but also concentrate histamine from fish samples to increase detection sensitivity. Histamine was detected by the fluorescence signal changes of CDs capturing histamine by an immune reaction. The fluorescence signals of CDs were quenched by Fe3O4@Au magnet nanocomposites via the FRET mechanism. With an increase of histamine, the fluorescence intensity decreased. By recording fluorescence spectra and calculating intensity change, histamine concentration can be determined with a limit of detection (LOD) of 70 pM. This assay system can be successfully applied for histamine determination in mackerel fish to monitor the fish spoilage process in different storage conditions. It shows the potential applications of CDs-modified nanoporous alumina membranes and Fe3O4@Au magnet nanocomposites-based biosensors in the food safety area.
Pd Nanocatalyst Adorned on Magnetic Chitosan@N-Heterocyclic Carbene: Eco-Compatible Suzuki Cross-Coupling Reaction
Authors: Sedghi Roya , Heidari Bahareh , Shahmohamadi Hatef , Zarshenas Pourya , Varma Rajender S.
Published: August 2019

A novel magnetic-functionalized-multi-walled carbon nanotubes@chitosan N-heterocyclic carbene-palladium (M-f-MWCNTs@chitosan-NHC-Pd) nanocatalyst is developed in two steps. The first step entails the fabrication of a three-component cross-linking of chitosan utilizing the Debus–Radziszewski imidazole approach. The second step comprised the covalent grafting of prepared cross-linked chitosan to the outer walls of magnetically functionalized MWCNTs (M-f-MWCNTs) followed by introducing PdCl2 to generate the m-f-MWCNTs@cross-linked chitosan with a novel NHC ligand. The repeated units of the amino group in the chitosan polymer chain provide the synthesis of several imidazole units which also increase the number of Pd linkers thus leading to higher catalyst efficiency. The evaluation of catalytic activity was examined in the expeditious synthesis of biaryl compounds using the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of various aryl halides and aryl boronic acids; ensuing results show the general applicability of nanocatalyst with superior conversion reaction yields, high turnover frequencies (TOFs) and turnover numbers (TON). Meanwhile, nanocatalyst showed admirable potential in reusability tests, being recycled for five runs without losing significant activities under optimum reaction conditions. The successfully synthesis of catalyst and its characterization was confirmed using the Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), spectrometer transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).
Position Impact of Hydroxy Groups on Spectral, Acid–Base Profiles and DNA Interactions of Several Monohydroxy Flavanones
Authors: Łodyga-Chruścińska Elżbieta , Kowalska-Baron Agnieszka , Błazińska Paulina , Pilo Maria , Zucca Antonio , Korolevich Violetta M. , Cheshchevik Vitali T.
Published: August 2019

Structure-related biological activities of flavanones are still considered largely unexplored. Since they exhibit various medicinal activities, it is intriguing to enter deeper into their chemical structures, electronic transitions or interactions with some biomolecules in order to find properties that allow us to better understand their effects. Little information is available on biological activity of flavanone and its monohydroxy derivatives in relation to their physicochemical properties as spectral profiles, existence of protonated/deprotonated species under pH changes or interaction with Calf Thymus DNA. We devoted this work to research demonstrating differences in the physicochemical properties of the four flavanones: flavanone, 2′-hydroxyflavanone, 6-hydroxyflavanone and 7-hydroxyflavanone and linking them to their biological activity. Potentiometric titration, UV–Vis spectroscopy were used to investigate influence of pH on acid–base and spectral profiles and to propose the mode of interaction with DNA. Cyclic voltammetry was applied to evaluate antioxidant potentiality and additionally, theoretical DFT(B3LYP) method to disclose electronic structure and properties of the compounds. Molecular geometries, proton affinities and pKa values have been determined. According to computational and cyclic voltammetry results we could predict higher antioxidant activity of 6-hydroxyflavanone with respect to other compounds. The values of Kb intrinsic binding constants of the flavanones indicated weak interactions with DNA. Structure–activity relationships observed for antioxidant activity and DNA interactions suggest that 6-hydroxyflavanone can protect DNA against oxidative damage most effectively than flavanone, 2′-hydroxyflavanone or 7-hydroxyflavanone.
Anti-Osteoporotic and Anti-Adipogenic Effects of the Water Extract of Drynaria roosii Nakaike in Ovariectomized Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Jang Seon-A , Hwang Youn-Hwan , Kim Taesoo , Lee Ami , Ha Hyunil
Published: August 2019

In traditional oriental medicine, Drynaria roosii Nakaike is widely used in treating bone diseases. Postmenopausal women are strongly associated with osteoporosis and obesity. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the water extract of D. roosii (WDR) on bone loss and obesity in ovariectomized (OVX) mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Body weight, gonadal fat weight, histological findings, and morphometric parameters in trabecular bone were evaluated after OVX mice were treated with WDR and HFD for four weeks. The receptor activator of nuclear κ-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) was examined. Phytochemical identification of WDR using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was performed. WDR reversed the changes in body weight gain, gonadal fat mass, and trabecular bone parameters by ovariectomy. However, ovariectomy-induced uterine atrophy was not affected by WDR. WDR decreased adipocyte size and pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6) in gonadal fats and lipid accumulation in the bone marrow, which were induced by ovariectomy. WDR significantly decreased RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in BMMs. Fifteen phytochemicals were identified in WDR: Seven and nine with anti-osteoporotic and anti-adipogenic activities, respectively. Our findings suggest that WDR may have beneficial effects on postmenopausal osteoporosis and obesity.
Microwave-Assisted Extraction Combined with In-Capillary [Fe(ferrozine)3]2+-CE-DAD to Screen Active Components with the Ability to Chelate Ferrous Ions from Flos Sophorae Immaturus (Flos Sophorae)
Authors: Liu Tao , Wang Shanshan , Ma Huifen , Jin Hua , Li Jin , Yang Xuejing , Gao Xiumei , Chang Yanxu
Published: August 2019

An efficient microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) combined with in-capillary [Fe(ferrozine)3]2+-capillary electrophoresis-Diode Array Detector (in-capillary [Fe(ferrozine)3]2+-CE-DAD) was developed to screen active components with the ability to chelate ferrous ions and determine the total antioxidant activity. The MAE conditions, including methanol concentration, extraction power, extraction time, and the ratio of material to liquid, were optimized by an L9(34) orthogonal experiment. Background buffer, voltage, and cartridge temperature that affect the separation of six compounds were optimized. It was found that rutin and quercetin were the main components chelating ferrous ions in Flos Sophorae Immaturus (Flos Sophorae) by the in-capillary [Fe(ferrozine)3]2+-CE-DAD. The recoveries were ranged from 95.2% to 104%. It was concluded that the MAE combined with in-capillary [Fe(ferrozine)3]2+-CE-DAD method was a simple, reliable, and efficient tool for screening active components from the complex traditional Chinese medicine samples and evaluating their ability to chelate ferrous ions.
Re-Potentiation of β-Lactam Antibiotic by Synergistic Combination with Biogenic Copper Oxide Nanocubes against Biofilm Forming Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria
Authors: Arul Selvaraj Ruby Celsia , Rajendran Mala , Nagaiah Hari Prasath
Published: August 2019

Biofilm-associated tissue and device infection is a major threat to therapy. The present work aims to potentiate β-lactam antibiotics with biologically synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles. The synergistic combination of amoxyclav with copper oxide nanoparticles was investigated by checkerboard assay and time-kill assay against bacteria isolated from a burn wound and a urinary catheter. The control of biofilm formation and extracellular polymeric substance production by the synergistic combination was quantified in well plate assay. The effect of copper oxide nanoparticles on the viability of human dermal fibroblasts was evaluated. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of amoxyclav were 70 μg/mL and 140 μg/mL, respectively, against Proteus mirabilis and 50 μg/mL and 100 μg/mL, respectively, against Staphylococcus aureus. The synergistic combination of amoxyclav with copper oxide nanoparticles reduced the minimum inhibitory concentration of amoxyclav by 16-fold against P. mirabilis and 32-fold against S. aureus. Above 17.5 μg/mL, amoxyclav exhibited additive activity with copper oxide nanoparticles against P. mirabilis. The time-kill assay showed the efficacy of the synergistic combination on the complete inhibition of P. mirabilis and S. aureus within 20 h and 24 h, respectively, whereas amoxyclav and copper oxide nanoparticles did not inhibit P. mirabilis and S. aureus until 48 h. The synergistic combination of amoxyclav with copper oxide nanoparticles significantly reduced the biofilm formed by P. mirabilis and S. aureus by 85% and 93%, respectively. The concentration of proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA in extracellular polymeric substances of the biofilm was significantly reduced by the synergistic combination of amoxyclav and copper oxide nanoparticles. The fibroblast cells cultured in the presence of copper oxide nanoparticles showed normal morphology with 99.47% viability. No cytopathic effect was observed. Thus, the study demonstrated the re-potentiation of amoxyclav by copper oxide nanoparticles.
Simultaneous Quantification and Pharmacokinetic Study of Nine Bioactive Components of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. Extract in Rat Plasma by UHPLC-MS/MS
Authors: Guo Zili , Li Bo , Gu Jinping , Zhu Peixi , Su Feng , Bai Renren , Liang Xianrui , Xie Yuanyuan
Published: August 2019

Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. (OS) is a traditional folk medicine for the treatment of kidney stones and other urinary tract diseases. In this study, a rapid and sensitive Ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-MS/MS approach was established and validated for the simultaneous quantification of nine bioactive components in rat plasma. The nine components from OS extract detected in rat plasma were danshensu, protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid A, salvianolic acid B, cichoric acid, sinensetin and eupatorin. After liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate, the plasma samples were subjected to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer employing electrospray ionization (ESI) technique and operating in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) with both positive and negative ion modes. The standard curves showed good linear regression (r > 0.9915) over the concentration range for the nine analytes. The inter-day and intra-day precision and accuracy were found to be within 15% of the nominal concentration. The recovery and stability of nine compounds were all demonstrated to be within acceptable limits. The approach was successfully applied to investigate the pharmacokinetic analysis of the nine bioactive components after oral administration of OS extract in rats.
Cubic Liquid Crystalline Nanostructures Involving Catalase and Curcumin: BioSAXS Study and Catalase Peroxidatic Function after Cubosomal Nanoparticle Treatment of Differentiated SH-SY5Y Cells
Authors: Rakotoarisoa Miora , Angelov Borislav , Espinoza Shirly , Khakurel Krishna , Bizien Thomas , Angelova Angelina
Published: August 2019

The development of nanomedicines for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders demands innovative nanoarchitectures for combined loading of multiple neuroprotective compounds. We report dual-drug loaded monoolein-based liquid crystalline architectures designed for the encapsulation of a therapeutic protein and a small molecule antioxidant. Catalase (CAT) is chosen as a metalloprotein, which provides enzymatic defense against oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Curcumin (CU), solubilized in fish oil, is co-encapsulated as a chosen drug with multiple therapeutic activities, which may favor neuro-regeneration. The prepared self-assembled biomolecular nanoarchitectures are characterized by biological synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (BioSAXS) at multiple compositions of the lipid/co-lipid/water phase diagram. Constant fractions of curcumin (an antioxidant) and a PEGylated agent (TPEG1000) are included with regard to the lipid fraction. Stable cubosome architectures are obtained for several ratios of the lipid ingredients monoolein (MO) and fish oil (FO). The impact of catalase on the structural organization of the cubosome nanocarriers is revealed by the variations of the cubic lattice parameters deduced by BioSAXS. The outcome of the cellular uptake of the dual drug-loaded nanocarriers is assessed by performing a bioassay of catalase peroxidatic activity in lysates of nanoparticle-treated differentiated SH-SY5Y human cells. The obtained results reveal the neuroprotective potential of the in vitro studied cubosomes in terms of enhanced peroxidatic activity of the catalase enzyme, which enables the inhibition of H2O2 accumulation in degenerating neuronal cells.
gEYEded: Subtle and Challenging Gaze-Based Player Guidance in Exploration Games
Authors: Lankes Michael , Haslinger Andreas , Wolff Christian
Published: August 2019

This paper investigates the effects of gaze-based player guidance on the perceived game experience, performance, and challenge in a first-person exploration game. In contrast to existing research, the proposed approach takes the game context into account by providing players not only with guidance but also granting them an engaging game experience with a focus on exploration. This is achieved by incorporating gaze-sensitive areas that indicate the location of relevant game objects. A comparative study was carried out to validate our concept and to examine if a game supported with a gaze guidance feature triggers a more immersive game experience in comparison to a crosshair guidance version and a solution without any guidance support. In general, our study findings reveal a more positive impact of the gaze-based guidance approach on the experience and performance in comparison to the other two conditions. However, subjects had a similar impression concerning the game challenge in all conditions.
Photoluminescent Hydroxylapatite: Eu3+ Doping Effect on Biological Behaviour
Authors: Andronescu Ecaterina , Predoi Daniela , Neacsu Ionela Andreea , Paduraru Andrei Viorel , Musuc Adina Magdalena , Trusca Roxana , Oprea Ovidiu , Tanasa Eugenia , Vasile Otilia Ruxandra , Nicoara Adrian Ionut , Surdu Adrian Vasile , Iordache Florin , Birca Alexandra Catalina , Iconaru Simona Liliana , Vasile Bogdan Stefan
Published: August 2019

Luminescent europium-doped hydroxylapatite (EuXHAp) nanomaterials were successfully obtained by co-precipitation method at low temperature. The morphological, structural and optical properties were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), UV-Vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The cytotoxicity and biocompatibility of EuXHAp were also evaluated using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide)) assay, oxidative stress assessment and fluorescent microscopy. The results reveal that the Eu3+ has successfully doped the hexagonal lattice of hydroxylapatite. By enhancing the optical features, these EuXHAp materials demonstrated superior efficiency to become fluorescent labelling materials for bioimaging applications.
Flame-Synthesis of Carbon Nanotube Forests on Metal Mesh Structure: Dependence, Morphology, and Application
Authors: Xiong Xuhai , Zhao Pu , Ren Rong , Cui Xu , Ji Shude
Published: August 2019

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in the form of “forests” were synthesized directly on the surface of stainless steel (SS) mesh from ethanol flame volume. The growth dependence of the MWCNT forests on the porosity of SS mesh substrate and the morphologies and growth mechanism of the MWCNT forests were investigated in detail by a combination of turbulent flow simulation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and Raman and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy. The growth height of the MWCNT forests exhibited a strong dependence on the flame gas flow rate controlled by the porosity of SS mesh substrate, and the maximum averaged height of the MWCNT forests reached 34 μm. Most MWCNTs grew perpendicularly on the surface of SS wires, and some branch, welded, and spiral structures were observed by SEM and TEM. The MWCNT-decorated mesh was used as a novel heating element to weld glass-fabric-reinforced polyetherimide (GF/PEI) thermoplastics. We found that the maximum tensile lap-shear strength (LSS) of the welded joints could reach 39.21 MPa, an increase of 41% in comparison with that of conventional SS mesh-based joints.
Biodegradation Potential and Diversity of Diclofenac-degrading Microbiota in an Immobilized Cell Biofilter
Authors: Navrozidou Efstathia , Remmas Nikolaos , Melidis Paraschos , Karpouzas Dimitrios G. , Tsiamis George , Ntougias Spyridon
Published: August 2019

Despite that diclofenac has been embodied to the European watch list of priority substances of concern, studies on diclofenac biodegradation are limited and the diversity of diclofenac-degrading microbiota remains unknown. In this work, an immobilized cell biofilter was constructed and operated to evaluate its effectiveness to depurate high strength diclofenac wastewater and to identify the diclofenac-degrading community accommodated in activated sludge by employing high-throughput sequencing techniques. After a two-month adaptation period, biofilter removal efficiencies reached values as high as 97.63 ± 0.62%, whereas utilization of diclofenac in the immobilized cell biofilter led to a drastic pH decrease. Based on Illumina sequencing, the major bacterial taxa identified in the immobilized cell biofilter were members of the species Granulicella pectinivorans and Rhodanobacter terrae, followed by members of the species Castellaniella denitrificans, Parvibaculum lavamentivorans, Bordetella petrii, Bryocella elongata and Rhodopseudomonas palustris. The ability of such taxa to utilize a wide range of carbon sources and to effectively adapt under acidic conditions seemed to be the main parameters, which favored their prevalence in the immobilized cell biofilter. In addition, Wickerhamiella was the predominant fungal taxon in the immobilized cell biofilter, which appears to be actively involved in diclofenac degradation in activated sludge systems.
The State-of-the-Art of Sensors and Environmental Monitoring Technologies in Buildings
Authors: Hayat Hasan , Griffiths Thomas , Brennan Desmond , Lewis Richard P. , Barclay Michael , Weirman Chris , Philip Bruce , Searle Justin R.
Published: August 2019

Building energy consumption accounts for 30%–45% of the global energy demand. With an ever-increasing world population, it has now become essential to minimize the energy consumption for the future of the environment. One of the most crucial aspects in this regard is the utilization of sensing and environmental monitoring technologies in buildings as these technologies provide stakeholders, such as owners, designers, managers, and occupants, with important information regarding the energy performance, safety and cost-effectiveness of the building. With the global sensors market value predicted to exceed $190 billion by 2021 and the number of sensors deployed worldwide forecasted to reach the ‘1 Trillion’ mark by 2025, a state-of-the-art review of various commercially-viable sensor devices and the wide range of communication technologies that complement them is highly desirable. This paper provides an insight into various sensing and environmental monitoring technologies commonly deployed in buildings by surveying different sensor technologies, wired and wireless communication technologies, and the key selection parameters and strategies for optimal sensor placement. In addition, we review the key characteristics and limitations of the most prominent battery technologies in use today, different energy harvesting sources and commercial off-the-shelf solutions, and various challenges and future perspectives associated with the application of sensing and environmental monitoring technologies within buildings.
Theology and Metaphysics as Scientific Endeavors
Authors: MacGregor Kirk R.
Published: August 2019

This article contends that theology is a scientific endeavor if it 1) makes correlations between humanity’s deepest existential questions and the answers provided by any given religious tradition and/or 2) it describes the beliefs and practices of various religious traditions as accurately as possible. The correlations in methodology are made by psychology, sociology, anthropology, and/or neurobiology. The descriptions in method are also collectively furnished by archaeology, history, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and other cognate disciplines. The article further maintains that metaphysics is a scientific endeavor if it explains 3) the constituent elements of reality as a whole, as well as 4) explains the presuppositions used to detect these elements. I take a scientific endeavor as one that requires empirical and/or logical verification of its claims. Since my conceptions of theology and metaphysics demand such verification, they should be considered scientific.
Hirudoterapi ve Cerrahide Kullanımı
Authors: TRAK Gülay
Published: August 2019

Sülükler ile
tedavi (Hirudoterapi), yüzyıllar boyunca hastalar tarafından kullanılmış, enflamatuar
hastalıklar, osteoartrit veya cerrahi sonrası gelişen komplikasyonlar
üzerindeki muhtemel etkileri birçok araştırmacı tarafından da incelenmiş ve
denenmiştir. Sülük tedavisinin kullanılabileceği
endikasyonların başında plastik ve rekonstrüktif cerrahi operasyonlarında
serbest ve pediküllü flep uygulamalarında post operatif gelişen venöz
yetersizlikler gelir. Özellikle serbest flep uygulamalarında venöz problemler
arteryel problemlere oranla çok daha sık görülmektedir. Hirudoterapi, venöz
yetersizlik tedavisinde cerrahi eksplorasyona iyi bir alternatif
oluşturmaktadır. Avrupa tıbbi sülük türlerinden olan Hirudo medicinalis, birçok
hekim tarafından, daha küçük, yüzeysel kesik meydana getirmesi ve daha az kan
emmesi nedeni ile özellikle tercih edilmektedir. Sülüklerin tükrük bezlerindeki
salgılarında 100’ün üzerinde farklı özelliklere sahip biyoaktif maddeler
vardır. Bu salgılar vazodilatasyona, analjeziye, antienflamasyona, kanda
antikoagülasyonun arttırılmasına, bakteriyel çoğalımın engellenmesine, ödemin
çözülmesine, mikrosirkülasyonun hızlanmasına, organ ve dokuların hasarlı vasküler
yapılardaki permeabilitenin ve canlılığın tekrar artmasına, hipoksinin
düzeltilmesine, kan basıncının düşürülmesine, ağrının azaltılmasına ve
immünitenin tekrar arttırmasına etkili oldukları gösterilmiştir. Tekniği ucuz,
etkili ve kullanımı kolaydır. ABD İlaç ve Gıda Dairesi (Food and Drug
Administration of USA-FDA) sülüklerin satışına, genel amaçlı ve plastik
cerrahi ve mikrocerrahide kullanımına 2004 yılında izin vermiştir. Türkiye’de
de sülük uygulaması ile beraber onaltı uygulamayı kapsayan “Geleneksel ve
Tamamlayıcı Tıp Uygulamaları Yönetmeliği” 2014’de yürürlüğe girmiştir. Geleneksel
tıpta uzun bir geçmişi olan sülük tedavisini uygulaması kolay, yan etkileri
az ve uygun maliyettedir. Son yıllarda hem ülkemizde hem de dünyada modern tıp
alanında yerini almaya başladığı görülmekte ve tedavilerde etkinliği
arttırdığı görüldükçe kullanım alanları genişleyecektir.
Yeni Tıp Teknolojilerinin Kullanımı ve Etik Sorunlar
Authors: HAYRAN Osman
Published: August 2019

Nanoteknolojiler, bilişim teknolojileri, genetik teknoloji, sentetik biyoloji, regeneratif tıp, robotik uygulamalar, nöroteknoloji ve yapay zeka son yıllarda hızlı gelişen ve tıbbi uygulamalara yenilikler getiren teknolojilerden bazılarıdır. Bunlar sayesinde pek çok sağlık sorununa daha kolay tanı koymak ve daha iyi tedavi etmek mümkün hale gelmiştir. Yeni tıp teknolojilerinin asıl amacı hastalıkların tanı ve tedavisini sağlamak olsa da aynı teknolojiler sayesinde daha güçlü, daha sağlıklı, daha uzun yaşama olasılığı olan insan haline gelme olanağı da sağlanmış olmaktadır. Bu durum gelişen teknolojilerinin hızla kullanıma girmelerine, amacına uygun olmayan şekilde tüketilmelerine ve pek çok etik soruna yol açabilmektedir.  Ortaya çıkabilen etik sorunlar üç ana başlık altında toplanmaktadır: Hasta güvenliği sorunları, kaynakların adil kullanımı sorunları ve norm değişikliği sorunları. Yeni teknolojilerin özellikle ilk kullanım dönemlerinde kullanıcıların beceri eksikliğine bağlı olarak ölümlere kadar gidebilen önemli komplikasyonlar görülebilmektedir. Yeni teknolojilerin kullanımı konusunda toplumun varlıklı ve güçlü kesimleri daha ayrıcalıklı olduğundan hakkaniyetli bir paylaşım söz konusu olmamakta, bu da yeni insani sorunlara yol açabilmektedir. Bazı yeni teknolojiler ise hastalık tedavisi dışında daha güzel ve daha genç görünmek, daha keskin bir hafızaya sahip olmak, fit olmak gibi tıp dışı nedenlerle kullanılabildiğinden bireysel normları değiştirmekte ve hizmet sunanlar üzerinde bu doğrultuda bir toplumsa baskıya neden olmaktadır. Öte yandan bu teknolojilerin gelişmesinin ve yaygın kullanımının iyi ve gerekli olduğunu savunan görüşler de bulunmaktadır. Söz konusu etik sorunların hiç birisi teknolojinin kendisi ile ilgili olmayıp, onu kullananların bilgi, tutum ve becerilerinden kaynaklanmaktadır. Bu durum tıp eğitiminde ve uygulamalarında etik konulara daha fazla yer verilmesinin önemini göstermektedir.
Geleneksel Tıbba Etik ve Hukuk Yönü ile Bakış
Authors: TOKAÇ Mahmut
Published: August 2019

Geleneksel ve Tamamlayıcı Tıp (GETAT) uygulamaları 40 yıldan fazladır. ‘’DSÖ’’ aracılığıyla modern batı ülkelerinin gündeminde yer almasına karşın ülkemizde bu alan ancak 2014 yılında mevzuat düzenlemesi yapıldıktan sonra gündem olabilmiştir. Bu mevzuat düzenlemeleriyle birlikte etik ve hukuki yönü ile GETAT uygulamalarına bakılması gerekmektedir. Bu makalemizde GETAT uygulamalarında karşılaşılabilecek etik sorunlar ile hukuksal sorumluluklar irdelenecektir.
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) and Its Current Applicatıons in Microbial Diagnosis
Authors: TAŞKIN Emre , KUTLU Özlem , KURU Cüneyt , ESKİ Yeliz
Published: August 2019

Conventional
diagnostic methods have been used successfully for a long time in infectious
diseases. Besides conventional microbiologic diagnosis methods, new methods are
being developed for advanced accuracy, cost-effectiveness and ease of
application. Prokaryotic immune system has defense types of innate, adaptive
and cell suicide (programmed death). A part of prokaryotic adaptive immune
system named CRISPR-Cas is under intensive research recently as a novel
bacterial diagnostic system. CRISPR-Cas system can be used as a
biotechnological method and can be classified in genetic based bacterial
diagnostic methods. CRISPR-Cas system classification is based on included Cas
protein type and the target nucleic acid type (DNA or RNA). CRISPR-Cas locus in
prokaryotic cells consists of two main parts which are repeat sequences and
spacer sequences. Sequences which constitutes the adaptive immunity are spacer
sequences that are acquired from invading agents after survival of the prokaryote
from the attack. In CRISPR-Cas system cas genes are in charge of
cleaving foreign nucleic acid to defense prokaryotic cell itself. Currently new
systems like SHERLOCK, DETECTR and HUDSON are developed as variations of CRISPR-Cas
system by different research groups. Also, as a gene editing tool CRISPR-Cas
system is highly effective in setting up knock-out and knock-in systems and in
experiments which require gene regulation either in the transcriptional and
post-transcriptional level. CRISPR-Cas system is planned to be used in
producing therapeutic antiviral drugs. Considering current data, CRISPR-Cas is
a promising bacterial diagnostic system with all its advantages of rapidity,
lower cost, accuracy and simple application protocol.
Üç Aylık Bebekte Tüberküloz Lenfadenit
Authors: ELMAS Bahri , BİRCAN Onur , AY Gizem , ÖZDEMİR Öner , BÜYÜKAVCI Mustafa
Published: August 2019

Tüberküloz
lenfadenit ülkemiz gibi tüberkülozun sık görüldüğü ülkelerde çocukluk çağında
akciğer dışı tüberkülozun en sık rastlanan formu olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır.
Çocuklarda sıklığının %35-67 arasında değiştiği ve en sık servikal lenf
nodlarında tutulum olduğu bildirilmektedir. 3 aylık kız hasta ateş, solunum
sıkıntısı ve boyunda şişlik nedeni ile çocuk servisine yatırıldı. Akut
lenfadenit ön tanısıyla ampirik antibiyotik tedavisi başlandı. Ampirik
antibiyotik tedavisine yanıt vermeyen hastaya yapılan TDT endürasyon çapı 18 mm
ölçüldü. Aynı dönemde anne de tüberküloz tanısı aldı. Açlık mide suyunda ARB
pozitif değerlendirildi. Tüberküloz PCR ile mycobacterium tuberclosis saptandı. Anti tüberküloz tedavi
başlanan hasta da tedavi sonrası tam remisyon sağlanmıştır. Servikal
lenfadenopati ayırıcı tanısında özellikle erken süt çocukluğu döneminde
tüberküloz öncelikli olarak düşünülmeyebilir. 
Sık görülen bir form olması nedeni ile lenfadenopatili hastalarda her yaşta
tüberküloz düşünülmelidir.
The Ovistatic Effect of Saprotrophic Soil Fungi on Ascaris suum Eggs
Authors: Kołodziejczyk Lidia , Mazurkiewicz-Zapałowicz Kinga , Twarużek Magdalena , Grajewski Jan , Łopusiewicz Łukasz , Rybińska Aleksandra , Dzika Ewa , Pilarczyk Bogumiła
Published: August 2019

The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential use of selected species of soil fungi (Fusarium oxysporum, F. sulphureum, F. verticillioides, and Penicillium expansum) for the bioregulation of the dispersive stages of a parasitic nematode – the large
roundworm of pig (Ascaris suum). Experimental cultures containing A. suum eggs with soil fungi and control cultures without fungi were incubated at 26°C for 28 days. Microscopic observations of the developmental stages of the A. suum eggs (zygote, 2-8 blastomeres,
morula/blastula, gastrula, and larva) were performed at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The API-ZYM test was used to semi-quantitatively determine the activity of 19 hydrolytic fungal enzymes. The cytotoxicity of the fungi was determined with a tetrazole salt MTT assay. Microscopic observations of
A. suum eggs incubated in the presence of fungi up to day 28 did not show any signs of destruction to egg shells and/or penetration of the fungi into the eggs. The ovistatic effect of all tested fungi (F. sulphureum, P. expansum, F. verticillioides, and F. oxysporum;
p<0.05) was seen only on the 7th day of incubation, whereas on the 14th day, only F. verticillioides and F. oxysporum showed an inhibitory effect on the embryogenesis of A. suum, and by the 28th day, only P. expansum. The API-ZYM test showed differences in the
hydrolytic activity of the tested strains, while the MTT assay showed the high cytotoxicity of F. sulphureum, the moderate cytotoxicity of F. verticillioides and P. expansum, and the low cytotoxicity of F. oxysporum. Among the fungal strains studied, F. sulphureum
showed the highest ovistatic effect, which may be related to its enzymatic activity and cytotoxicity.
Insights into the Systematics of Tribe Duranteae (Verbenaceae): A Taxonomic Revision of the New World Genus Bouchea
Authors: Moroni Pablo , O’Leary Nataly
Published: August 2019

A taxonomic revision of Bouchea Cham. (Duranteae, Verbenaceae) is presented, updating the last formal revision of the genus by Moldenke from 1940, with a more comprehensive and profound study of herbarium material. The analyses of the morphological features support the recognition of 13 Bouchea species. A new combination is proposed for Stachytarpheta bifurca Benth. (≡ B. bifurca (Benth.) P. Moroni & N. O'Leary), and B. boyacana Moldenke var. glabrata Moldenke is elevated to the species rank. Eight taxa are here synonymized: B. inopinata Moldenke (= B. agrestis Schauer), B. prismatica (L.) Kuntze var. brevirostra Grenzeb. (= B. bifurca), B. beckii Moldenke (= B. boliviana (Kuntze) Moldenke), B. flabelliformis M. E. Jones (= B. dissecta S. Watson), B. prismatica var. laciniata Grenzeb. (= B. dissecta), S. kingii Moldenke (= B. nelsonii Grenzeb.), B. boyacana Moldenke (= B. prismatica), and B. spathulata Torr. var. longiflora Moldenke (= B. spathulata). Lectotypes are designated for the names B. incrassata Lange (second-step), B. rusbyi Moldenke (second-step), and S. laxiflora Turcz. Furthermore, B. boliviana is reported for the first time growing in Argentina, B. notabilis Moldenke in Ecuador, and B. rusbyi in Brazil and Peru.
ANALISA PENERAPAN LEAN WAREHOUSE DAN 5S+SAFETY DI GUDANG PT. NICHIRIN INDONESIA
Authors: Kusnadi Kusnadi , Nugraha Asep Erik , Wahyudin Wahyudin
Published: August 2019

Abstract—The company has a problem in warehouse layout arrangement so it will cause some kind of waste in the warehouse such as long searching time when searching spare parts in warehouse, transportation time when bringing material to warehouse or from warehouse to outside warehouse and transportation time at time of arrangement of material to storage shelf. Besides the problem that is noticed is the handling of discontinue material and the completeness of safety for warehouse operators. The purpose of this study can know the whole activity and the kinds of waste that occurred, so that can be done to the improvement of activity in the storage. The method used in measurement using fishbone diagram, and use Tools 5S + Safety. Based on the calculation that utility use of warehouse space owned raw material PT. Nichirin Indonesia is close to 70%. Layout raw material for now 77% of raw material is already used for material storage. After the layout improvements, the utility of raw material usage is reduced to 37.11%. various wastes that occur among others, Waiting time on goods delivery activities from suppliers, Transportation time on activities to bring goods from outside to the receiving area, Waiting time because the material must wait arranged by the admin / operator who works, Transportation time at the time of setting goods to shelf and Searching time on activities to find material for production needs. To reduce the waste that occurred among others, Add material handling in the form of trolley goods and ladder to shorten the transportation time, Make changes to warehouse layout and Provide labeling / coding on each area of the material rackKeywords: Waste; Layout raw material; Fishbone diagram; Tools 5S + Safety
Analisis Evaluasi Usability Web Akademik Fakultas Teknik Unsika dengan Model UWIS
Authors: Herwanto Dene , Hadining Aulia Fashanah , Puspasari Rianita
Published: August 2019

Abstract— Utilization of information and communication technology (ICT) in education becomes an absolute thing to do, in order to improve the quality of education, service effectiveness and become a strength for higher education institutions. One application of aspects of ICT in college is academic web. In the Faculty of Engineering University Singaperbangsa Karawang, academic information system is known by the web SIAKAD (Academic Information System) Faculty of Engineering Unsika. Web SIAKAD FT Unsika aims to manage data and facilitate the integration associated with academic information, but on its application may occur mismatch between procedures established in the web with its implementation. Therefore, please note the behavior of SIAKAD web users, also conducted testing of the academic web interface. This is considering that the web SIAKAD FT Unsika is still in development stage. Stages in this study started from a preliminary study of the use of the web SIAKAD and continued with research on the usability of the web SIAKAD. From the results of the study note that there are five dimensions that affect web usability SIAKAD FT Unsika that must be repaired by the web developers, namely Responsiveness (RS), Web design (WD), Assurance (A), Readability (RD), and Navigation (N).Keywords— academic web; usability; university