bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Model of Indirect Cell Death Caused by Tumor Vascular Damage after High-Dose Radiotherapy
Authors: Rodríguez-Barbeito Pedro , Díaz-Botana Pablo , Gago-Arias Araceli , Feijoo Manuel , Neira Sara , Guiu-Souto Jacobo , López-Pouso Óscar , Gómez-Caamaño Antonio , Pardo-Montero Juan
Published: October 2019

There is increasing evidence that high doses of radiotherapy, like those delivered in stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), trigger indirect mechanisms of cell death. Such effect seems to be two-fold. High doses may trigger an immune response and may cause vascular damage, leading to cell starvation and death. Development of mathematical response models, including indirect death, may help clinicians to design SBRT optimal schedules. Despite increasing experimental literature on indirect tumor cell death caused by vascular damage, efforts on modeling this effect have been limited. In this work, we present a biomathematical model of this effect. In our model, tumor oxygenation is obtained by solving the reaction–diffusion equation; radiotherapy kills tumor cells according to the linear–quadratic model, and also endothelial cells (EC), which can trigger loss of functionality of capillaries. Capillary death will affect tumor oxygenation, driving nearby tumor cells into severe hypoxia. Capillaries can recover functionality due to EC proliferation. Tumor cells entering a predetermined severe hypoxia status die according to a hypoxia-death model. This model fits recently published experimental data showing the effect of vascular damage on surviving fractions. It fits surviving fraction curves and qualitatively reproduces experimental values of percentages of functional capillaries 48 hours postirradiation, and hypoxic cells pre- and 48 hours postirradiation. This model is useful for exploring aspects of tumor and EC response to radiotherapy and constitutes a stepping stone toward modeling indirect tumor cell death caused by vascular damage and accounting for this effect during SBRT planning.

Significance:

A novel biomathematical model of indirect tumor cell death caused by vascular radiation damage could potentially help clinicians interpret experimental data and design better radiotherapy schedules.
Testosterone Therapy in Relation to Prostate Cancer in a U.S. Commercial Insurance Claims Database
Authors: Cook Michael B. , Beachler Daniel C. , Parlett Lauren E. , Cochetti Philip T. , Finkle William D. , Lanes Stephan , Hoover Robert N.
Published: October 2019

Background:

We conducted a study to assess whether testosterone therapy (TT) alters prostate cancer risk using a large U.S. commercial insurance research database.

Methods:

From the HealthCore Integrated Research Database (HIRD), we selected men ages 30 years or greater who were new users of TT during 2007 to 2015. We selected two comparison groups: (i) unexposed (matched 10:1) and (ii) new users of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i). Incident prostate cancer was defined as diagnosis of prostate cancer within 4 weeks following prostate biopsy. Propensity scores and inverse probability of treatment weights were used in Poisson regression models to estimate adjusted incidence rates, incidence rate ratios (IRR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup analyses included stratification by prostate cancer screening, hypogonadism, and follow-up time.

Results:

The adjusted prostate cancer IRR was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.68–0.86) when comparing TT with the unexposed group and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.79–0.91) in comparison with the PDE5i group. Inverse associations between TT and prostate cancer were observed in a majority of subgroup analyses, although in both comparisons estimates generally attenuated with increasing time following initial exposure. Among TT users, duration of exposure was not associated with prostate cancer.

Conclusions:

Men who received TT did not have a higher rate of prostate cancer compared with the unexposed or PDE5i comparison groups. The inverse association between TT and prostate cancer could be the result of residual confounding, contraindication bias, or undefined biological effect.

Impact:

This study suggests that limited TT exposure does not increase risk of prostate cancer in the short term.
Beta-Blocker Use and Lung Cancer Mortality in a Nationwide Cohort Study of Patients with Primary Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Udumyan Ruzan , Montgomery Scott , Fang Fang , Valdimarsdottir Unnur , Hardardottir Hronn , Ekbom Anders , Smedby Karin E. , Fall Katja
Published: October 2019

Background:

β-Adrenergic receptor blockers have been associated with improved survival among patients with different types of malignancies, but available data for patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are contradictory and limited to small hospital-based studies. We therefore aimed to investigate whether β-blocker use at the time of cancer diagnosis is associated with lung cancer mortality in the largest general population-based cohort of patients with NSCLC to date.

Methods:

For this retrospectively defined nationwide cohort study, we used prospectively collected data from Swedish population and health registers. Through the Swedish Cancer Register, we identified 18,429 patients diagnosed with a primary NSCLC between 2006 and 2014 with follow-up to 2015. Cox regression was used to estimate the association between β-blocker use at time of cancer diagnosis ascertained from the Prescribed Drug Register and cancer-specific mortality identified from the Cause of Death Register.

Results:

Over a median follow-up of 10.2 months, 14,994 patients died (including 13,398 from lung cancer). Compared with nonuse, β-blocker use (predominantly prevalent use, 93%) was not associated with lung cancer mortality [HR (95% confidence interval): 1.01 (0.97–1.06)]. However, the possibility that diverging associations for specific β-blockers and some histopathologic subtypes exist cannot be excluded.

Conclusions:

In this nationwide cohort of patients with NSCLC, β-blocker use was not associated with lung cancer mortality when assessed in aggregate in the total cohort, but evidence for some β-blockers is less conclusive.

Impact:

Our results do not indicate that β-blocker use at lung cancer diagnosis reduces the cancer-specific mortality rate in patients with NSCLC.
Validation of the OncoMasTR Risk Score in Estrogen Receptor–Positive/HER2-Negative Patients: A TransATAC study
Authors: Buus Richard , Sestak Ivana , Barron Stephen , Loughman Tony , Fender Bozena , Ruiz Cesar Lopez , Dynoodt Peter , Wang Chan-Ju Angel , O'Leary Des , Gallagher William M. , Dowsett Mitch , Cuzick Jack
Published: October 2019

Purpose:

To test the validity of OncoMasTR Molecular Score (OMm), OMclin1, and OncoMasTR Risk Score (OMclin2) prognostic scores for prediction of distant recurrence (DR) in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer treated with 5 years' endocrine therapy only and compare their performance with the Oncotype DX Recurrence Score (RS).

Experimental Design:

OMm incorporates three master transcription regulator genes. OMclin1 combines OMm, tumor size, grade, and nodal status; OMclin2 incorporates OMm, tumor size, and nodal status. OMclin1 and OMclin2 were evaluated for 646 postmenopausal patients with ER-positive/HER2-negative primary breast cancer with 0–3 involved lymph nodes in TransATAC. Patients were randomized to 5 years' anastrozole or tamoxifen without chemotherapy. RS was available in all cases. We used likelihood ratio-χ2, C-index, and Kaplan–Meier analyses to assess prognostic information.

Results:

OMm, OMclin1, and OMclin2 were highly prognostic for prediction of DR in years 0–10 among all patients [likelihood ratio (LR)-χ2 = 25.4, 48.7, and 45.0, respectively, all P < 0.001; C-index = 0.67, 0.71, and 0.71, respectively], compared with RS (LR-χ2 = 18.8; P < 0.001; C-index = 0.63). All three scores provided significant additional prognostic value beyond clinical treatment score, Nottingham Prognostic Index, and Ki67. OMclin1 and OMclin2 categorized 190 and 267 node-negative patients as low risk (DR rates: 2.9% and 4.9%, respectively). In comparison, RS categorized 296 node-negative patients as low-risk and 128 patients as intermediate-risk (DR rate: 6.6% and 17.3%, respectively).

Conclusions:

OMm, OMclin1, and OMclin2 were highly prognostic for early and late DR in women with early-stage ER-positive breast cancer receiving 5 years' endocrine therapy. In TransATAC, OMclin1 and the OncoMasTR Risk Score (OMclin2) were superior to RS in identifying patients at increased risk of DR.
Responsabilidad Social Corporativa en las Pérdidas y Desperdicios de Alimentos en México
Authors: Aguilar Gutierrez Genaro
Published: October 2019

El objetivo de esta investigación es desarrollar un índice de pérdidas y desperdicios de alimentos e investigar el grado de compromiso de las empresas mexicanas para disminuir los desechos de alimentos. El índice muestra que al menos 35.3% de los alimentos se pierden o desperdician anualmente en México, un país con más de 19 millones de personas en condiciones de pobreza e inseguridad alimentaria. Se aplicó una encuesta a 3 grupos de empresarios, los resultados muestran que 23% de las grandes empresas mexicanas desarrolla cotidianamente actividades contra el desperdicio de alimentos, pero 79% de las medianas empresas y 96% de las pequeñas y micro empresas no tienen ningún plan ni realizan actividades cotidianas contra las pérdidas y desperdicios de alimentos. Proponemos la tarea de reducir desechos de alimentos como una gran área de oportunidad para la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa en México.
O debate literário e intelectual latino-americano na produção de José Carlos Mariátegui
Authors: Pereira Bernardo Soares
Published: October 2019

O presente artigo tem como objetivo analisar a obra de José Carlos Mariátegui, em especial sua reflexão acerca da questão nacional, através da contendas literárias e intelectuais em que autor esteve envolvido. Nesse sentido, serão valorizados não somente seus textos, como também o diálogo existente entre seus contemporâneos e, além disso, o debate existente na intelectualidade latino-americana que o precedeu, inserindo a obra do autor dentro de um contexto mais amplo do pensamento social latino-americano, afim de ressaltar tanto o caldo político e cultural no qual esteve submerso quanto identificar o impacto de sua contribuição naquela época.
Hieróglifo: um conceito à luz da semiótica
Authors: Lima Andrei Fernando Ferreira
Published: October 2019

Este artigo procura discutir os processos semióticos de ressignificação e transfiguração do signo a partir do caso específico dos hieróglifos, os quais ilustram, em sua recepção histórica no Ocidente, um tipo de interpretação narrativa baseada em certa percepção de não-arbitrariedade na relação entre o signo e seu objeto. Falaremos, portanto, em deslocamentos do signo em contextos históricos e culturais, e nos novos revestimentos semânticos que possam adquirir além de suas tradicionais esferas de utilização e das práticas sociais que denotam. Veremos, ao cabo, como esse conceito revisitado se aplica à leitura de diferentes processos poéticos, aos fenômenos estéticos próprios à linguagem verbal e aos usos da retórica estendida ao campo da significação.
O fazer verdadeiro e a transição de governo na construção da Base Nacional Comum Curricular: um documento também político
Authors: Merith-Claras Sônia
Published: October 2019

Estudar o jogo de persuasão entre enunciador e enunciatário nos possibilita reconhecer, nos discursos, o fazer verdadeiro que se quer produzir por meio de estratégias, dos recursos de linguagem utilizados. Nesse sentido, tomando as versões publicadas da Base Nacional Comum Curricular (BNCC) como objeto de estudo - três versões apresentadas para consulta pública (2015, 2016, 2017a), mais a versão homologada (2017b) – nosso intuito é reconhecer como o enunciador se apropria da linguagem no jogo de manipulação estabelecido entre ele e seu enunciatário, buscando, em cada versão, estabelecer um fazer crer, por meio de um fazer verdadeiro. Nosso propósito, ainda, é evidenciar como a transição de governo vai resultar em modificações na estrutura, perspectivas adotadas em cada versão apresentada, levando-nos a reconhecer a BNCC como fruto de posicionamentos políticos, e não apenas o resultado de uma construção coletiva, como o enunciador busca convencer seu enunciatário.  Assim, para ancorar nossas discussões, recorremos à Semiótica, de linha francesa, a fim de estudarmos como se projetam e se relacionam os sujeitos da enunciação, enunciador e enunciatário do discurso.
Sobre o conceito de ator coletivo: a construção discursiva do manifestante de rua em postagens do Facebook da Mídia Ninja
Authors: Costa Marcos Rogério Martins
Published: October 2019

Em março de 2015, aconteceram os protestos contrários e em prol das políticas da recém reeleita presidente Dilma Rousseff. A mobilização popular foi intensa e incentivou o Congresso Nacional a iniciar o processo de impeachment. A partir das postagens na plataforma Facebook publicadas pelo grupo Mídia Narrativas Independentes, Jornalismo e Ação (Mídia Ninja), durante o referido período, este estudo desenvolve o conceito de ator coletivo. A noção de actante coletivo foi, primeiramente, proposta por Greimas e Landowski (1981), em uma análise sobre o discurso jurídico. Desde então, é um conceito que não foi explorado com maior profundidade pelos teóricos do texto e do discurso. Por meio da construção discursiva da Mídia Ninja, desenvolvemos a noção de ator coletivo a partir do ator manifestante de rua. Como arcabouço teórico, retomamos as premissas teóricas de Greimas e Courtés (2008) e os desdobramentos tensivos de Fontanille e Zilberberg (2001) e Zilberberg (2011). A metodologia aplicada é uma revisão bibliográfica apoiada pela análise semiótica de duas postagens do Facebook selecionadas. Os resultados apontam que existem dois perfis para o ator coletivo manifestante de rua: o generalizado e o personalizado.
A placenta clariciana: o it vivo e seu instante-já-aleluia
Authors: Moreira Fernando De Freitas
Published: October 2019

O artigo discute a abstração linguística em Água Viva, de Clarice Lispector, à luz da semiótica de orientação francesa. Parte-se da estratégia da autora de deixar, na enunciação-enunciada, as marcas de um processo criativo que resultou em uma grade de leitura contínua, sem divisões em capítulos. Um simulacro da enunciação sendo enunciada. A autora faz isso ao escrever por esboços: criando efeitos de sentido mais abertos a interpretações, circundando-os, ao negar a cristalização compartilhada erigida pela tradição dicionarista que relega as palavras à clausura. A oposição semântica fundamental entre vida e morte deixa de existir. Ambos se fundem em um só objeto com estatuto de sujeito - que toma o ator da enunciação numa metáfora da ressignificação das palavras. A narrativa interessa-se por tudo que é, pelo ser daquilo que ela descreve como it, que não é a coisa ontológica e não pode ser nomeado. A obra é tomada, neste trabalho, como rica fonte de reflexão semiótica acerca de um projeto geral e abstrato que garante à língua possibilidades de ultrapassagem semântica de quaisquer limites, mostrando a força das construções sintagmáticas do discurso no percurso da significação no qual o afeto é subjacente, em face da categorização do lexema.
Nuclear miR-320 Mediates Diabetes-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction by Activating Transcription of Fatty Acid Metabolic Genes to Cause Lipotoxicity in the Heart
Authors: Li Huaping , Fan Jiahui , Zhao Yanru , Zhang Xiaorong , Dai Beibei , Zhan Jiabing , Yin Zhongwei , Nie Xiang , Fu Xiang-Dong , Chen Chen , Wang Dao Wen
Published: October 2019

Rationale:

Diabetes mellitus is often associated with cardiovascular complications, which is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with diabetes mellitus, but little is known about the mechanism that connects diabetes mellitus to the development of cardiovascular dysfunction.

Objective:

We aim to elucidate the mechanism underlying hyperglycemia-induced cardiac dysfunction on a well-established db/db mouse model for diabetes mellitus and diabetic complications that lead to heart failure.

Methods and Results:

We first profiled the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) by microarray and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction on db/db mice and identified miR-320 as a key miRNA associated with the disease phenotype. We next established the clinical relevance of this finding by showing the upregulation of the same miRNA in the failing heart of patients with diabetes mellitus. We demonstrated the causal role of miR-320 in inducing diabetic cardiomyopathy, showing that miR-320 overexpression exacerbated while its inhibition improved the cardiac phenotype in db/db mice. Unexpectedly, we found that miR-320 acts as a small activating RNA in the nucleus at the level of transcription. By chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitive polymerase chain reaction analysis of Ago2 (argonaute RISC catalytic component 2) and RNA polymerase II in response to miR-320 induction, we identified
CD36
(fatty acid translocase) as a key target gene for this miRNA and showed that the induced expression of CD36 is responsible for increased fatty acid uptake, thereby causing lipotoxicity in the heart.

Conclusions:

These findings uncover a novel mechanism for diabetes mellitus–triggered cardiac dysfunction, provide an endogenous case for small activating RNA that has been demonstrated to date only with synthetic RNAs in transfected cells, and suggest a potential strategy to develop a miRNA-based therapy to treat diabetes mellitus–associated cardiovascular complications.
Intensive Blood Pressure Treatment Reduced Stroke Risk in Patients With Albuminuria in the SPRINT Trial
Authors: Leitão Lia , Soares-dos-Reis Ricardo , Neves João Sérgio , Baptista Rute Baeta , Bigotte Vieira Miguel , Mc Causland Finnian R.
Published: October 2019

Background and Purpose—

Albuminuria is associated with stroke risk among individuals with diabetes. However, the association of albuminuria with incident stroke among nondiabetic patients is less clear.

Methods—

We performed a post hoc analysis of the SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial), which examined the effect of higher versus lower intensity blood pressure management on mortality in 8913 participants without diabetes. We fit unadjusted and adjusted Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the association of baseline albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g versus<30 mg/g) with stroke risk. We also assessed effect modification according to treatment arms.

Results—

Mean age was 68±9 years, 35% were female, and 30% were black. Median follow-up was 3.2 years, and 19% patients had baseline albuminuria. Incident stroke occurred in 129 individuals during follow-up. Albuminuria was associated with increased stroke risk (unadjusted hazard ratio, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.55–3.23; adjusted hazard ratio 1.73; 95% CI, 1.17–2.56). The association of albuminuria with incident stroke differed according to the randomized treatment arm (
P
interaction=0.03). In the intensive treatment arm, the association of albuminuria and stroke was nonsignificant (unadjusted hazard ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.69–2.28), whereas, in the standard treatment arm, it was significant (unadjusted hazard ratio, 3.44; 95% CI, 2.11–5.61).

Conclusions—

In a post hoc analysis of SPRINT, baseline albuminuria (versus not) was associated with a higher risk of incident stroke, but this relationship appeared to be restricted to those in the standard treatment arm. Further studies are required to conclusively determine if reduction of albuminuria in itself is beneficial in reducing stroke risk.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT01206062.
Apokatastasis as “Twin Mission”: Understanding the Concurrence of the Universality and Particularity of Logos and Ruach in the Economy of Salvation
Authors: Sivasubramanian David Muthukumar
Published: October 2019

Universal salvation (apokatastasis), once considered as an anathema, has recently gained a lot of currency in theological reflections. This paper will attempt to explore the possibilities for such a universal restitution of all creation using Irenaeus’ conception of the double mission of the Son and the Spirit in relation to creation as “the two hands with which God creates and perfects.” Toward this purpose, it will try to address the inherent limitations within the traditional notion of conceiving Christ as the Redeemer and the Spirit as the Sanctifier that has often resulted in a binary understanding of the role of Christ as “objective” and that of the Spirit as “subjective.” It will argue for a complementary understanding of the “twin mission” through a dialectical-chiastic pattern that will balance the subjective-objective and particular-universal aspects of the Logos and the Ruach.
The Role of Janus Kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription Signalling on Preventing Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury with Dexmedetomidine
Authors: Zhang Xuekang , Zhou Jun , Hu Qian , Liu Zhengren , Chen Qiuhong , Wang Wenxiang , Zhang Huaigen , Zhang Qin , Huang Yuanlu
Published: October 2019

Dexmedetomidine (Dex) works as a crucial agent for the treatment of intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), but its mechanism remains unclear. Recent articles demonstrated the pivotal role of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK2/STAT3) signalling in I/R.
Therefore, it is reasonable to explore the associated mechanism of JAK2/STAT3 signalling in Dex treatment. The study purpose was to evaluate the JAK2/STAT3 signalling regulatory mechanisms of Dex in preventing I/R. Anaesthetized rats were subjected to superior mesenteric artery occlusion consisting
of 1 h of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion while served as controls. Animals received subcutaneous administration of 50 μg/kg Dex, JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor, Ruxolitinib, selective JAK2 inhibitor, 10 mg/kg AG490 or STAT inhibitor and 0.4 mg/kg rapamycin; or Dex-treatment in the presence
of α2-adrenoceptor antagonists Atip or Dex-treatment alone after I/R. Injury was scored histologically, apoptosis was detected via the apoptotic mediators caspase-3 and Bcl-2/Bax and the degree of activation of the JAK/STAT pathway was evaluated. Dex inhibited I/R injury by decreasing
apoptosis significantly with rescue of cleaved caspase-3 and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Furthermore, phosphorylation of JAK2, STAT1 and STAT3 was affected, suggesting the involvement of activated JAK/STAT in response to Dex. Meanwhile, the JAK2 or STAT inhibitors AG490 and rapamycin, but not Ruxolitinib,
exhibited a similar but even greater JAK2 and STAT3 regulatory effect, thus leading to a greater benefit. JAK2/STAT3 activation is crucial to the diminishing effect of Dex on mesenteric I/R injury; however, the efficacy and timing of Dex administration should be considered in clinical practice.
Reduced Graphene Oxide/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Composite Decorated with Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanoparticles for Electrochemical Determination of Hydrazine in Environmental Water
Authors: Nehru S. , Sakthinathan Subramanian , Tamizhdurai P. , Chiu Te-Wei , Shanthi K.
Published: October 2019

In the present work, a reduced graphene oxide and multiwalled carbon nanotube (RGO/MWCNTFe3O4) composite decorated with Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles was prepared as an electrochemical sensor. The surface morphology of the prepared composite
was identified by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical properties of the GCE/RGO/MWCNT-Fe3O4 electrode were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. The GCE/RGO/MWCNT-Fe3O4
electrode exhibited higher electrocatalytic performance towards the oxidation of hydrazine. In the optimal conditions, the GCE/RGO/MWCNT-Fe3O4 electrode showed a wide linear range (0.15–220 μM), low limit of detection (LOD) (0.75 μM), and high
sensitivity (2.868 μA μM−1 cm−2). The prepared GCE/RGO/MWCNT-Fe3O4 electrode also had excellent repeatability, selectivity, and reproducibility. The practical application of the electrode was confirmed with various
spiked water samples and demonstrated acceptable recovery.
Development of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles of Tunable Pore Diameter for Superior Gemcitabine Drug Delivery in Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Saini Kusum , Prabhuraj R. S. , Bandyopadhyaya Rajdip
Published: October 2019

Superior delivery of anticancer drug gemcitabine has been achieved with mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN), by addressing three challenges in MSN synthesis: (i) MSN was synthesized with particle diameter between 42 to 64 nm, to utilize enhanced permeability and retention effect of
small particles, (ii) MSN of larger internal pore diameter (2.5–5.2 nm) was made as a tunable morphological parameter to optimize both drug loading and its release rate, in a controlled, differential manner and (iii) higher drug release at extracellular cancer-cell pH (5.5) was achieved,
compared to physiological pH (7.4) of healthy cells. MSN with above features was made by the sol–gel route, with trimethylmethoxysilane as a size-quencher and hexane or decane as a pore expander. Highest gemcitabine loading of 14.92% and a cumulative release of 58% at pH 5.5 could be
obtained with the optimum sample having pore diameter of 5.2 nm, in comparison to the desirably low 22% release at pH 7.4. Consequently, we obtained 60% cell growth-inhibition of pancreatic cancer cell-line (MIA Paca-2), via gemcitabine loaded MSN. This was possible because of increased gemcitabine
release from MSN with larger pore diameter of 5.2 nm, simultaneously demonstrating good target-selectivity of MSN as a drug-carrier, due to engineering of its pore-size.
Solvothermal Synthesis of Humic Acid-Supported CeO2 Nanosheets Composite as High Performance Adsorbent for Congo Red Removal
Authors: Ling Qiang , Wei Junsheng , Chen Ling-Yu , Zhao Hui-Juan , Lei Zhao , Zhao Zhi-Gang , Xie Rui-Lun , Ke Qing-Ping , Cui Ping
Published: October 2019

Surface properties and structures of materials are essential for their adsorption of pollutants in water. Humic acids (HA)-supported CeO2 nanosheet composites are synthesised by solvothermal method. The size of CeO2 nanosheets are approximately 100–500 nm.
The obtained composite exhibits superior adsorption ability for Congo Red (CR) in water, which can be attributed to its unique structure and highly dispersed CeO2 nanosheet. The composite’s adsorption behaviour of CR follows a pseudo-second-order mode and Langmuir adsorption
model well, and the maximum adsorptive capacity for CR achieves 260 mg g−1. The presence of CeO2 nanosheets enhances surface area and enriches the mesoporous structure of the composites, thereby promoting CR adsorption capacity.
Effective Cocatalyst Pt/PtO Nanodots on La2O3 Microspheres for Degradation of Methyl Orange
Authors: Zhao Zehao , Liu Jiaolong , Qin Ming , Kou Kaichang , Wu Guanglei , Wu Hongjing
Published: October 2019

Platinum (Pt) has been intensively studied as an effective cocatalyst for photocatalysis, but most reports have focused on metallic Pt rather than PtO. Here, Pt/PtO nanodots were deposited on porous yolk–shell La2O3 microspheres. XRD patterns and XPS analysis
demonstrated the coexistence of Pt and PtO, which was beneficial for photocatalytic performance. SEM images showed the yolk–shell structure of La2O3, and TEM images demonstrated that the Pt/PtO nanodots were uniformly distributed on the La2O3
microspheres. The rate constant of the hybrid was calculated to be 0.00656 min−1 for methyl orange (MO) degradation, while that of bare La2O3 was only 0.00303 min−1. This work suggests that the use of the deposited cocatalyst Pt/PtO on
La2O3 microspheres is a promising strategy for the degradation of organic pollutants.
Large-Scale Sonochemical Synthesis of Bi–Sn Eutectic Alloy Nanoparticles
Authors: Kang Yeo Kyung , Kim Jumi , Darko Kwabena , Park Sung Kyu , Kim Myung-Gil
Published: October 2019

Lead-free Bi–Sn alloy is an alternative solder material with a low eutectic melting temperature and environmental compatibility. Although extensive research has been conducted on this Bi–Sn eutectic alloy, a lack of facile synthetic methods with scalability hinders the implementation
of finepatterned interconnectors for emerging electronic applications. In this study, we employed a facile sonochemical synthetic method to synthesize Bi–Sn alloy nanoparticles in large quantities. Highenergy ultrasonication treatment of Bi–Sn bimetallic particles resulted in nanoparticle
formation with repeated formation, growth, and collapse of induced gas bubbles. The size of the nanoparticles was controlled from 92 to 506 nm of the mean diameter with variations in ultrasonication power and irradiation time. The nanoparticles exhibited a stable eutectic melting point at
139.8 °C. Interestingly, the sonochemically synthesized nanoparticles exhibited coexistence of metastable Bi2Sn and stable Bi–Sn phases. Finally, we demonstrated that Bi–Sn eutectic nanoparticles could be synthesized at a gram scale of approximately 1.7 g for future mass production.
Morphology Dependent Photocatalytic Activity of CuO/CuO–TiO2 Nanocatalyst for Degradation of Methyl Orange Under Sunlight
Authors: Bathla Aadil , Rather Rayees Ahmad , Poonia Tamanna , Pal Bonamali
Published: October 2019

CuO nanoparticles have been extensively used as a photocatalyst because of their superior activity, selectivity and stability properties. The catalytic efficiency of these oxide nanoparticles can be improved by varying the size and shape of nanoparticles. Here, we report the synthesis
of different shaped CuO nanoparticles and their impregnation on TiO2. Optical analysis revealed that a considerable red shift (420 nm to 550 nm) in absorption spectra of CuO–TiO2 nanocomposites was observed compared to bare CuO nanoparticles. DLS measurements showed
that the average hydrodynamic size of CuO nanostars was increased from 160 nm to 584 nm after deposition on TiO2. These nanocomposites were examined for photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange under sunlight radiation. It was observed that CuO–TiO2 nanostars
exhibited superior photocatalytic efficiency compared to CuO-nanoneedles, nanocrumbles and bare CuO nanoparticles. The CuO nanoparticles act as co-catalyst on the surface of TiO2 and alter the physicochemical properties of TiO2. The higher activity arises due to the fact
that the doping of CuO reduces the recombination of charge carries (e−−h+) and creates the intra-gap states which result in higher absorption of light radiations. Therefore, CuO nanoparticles impregnated on TiO2 found to be an effective
and ideal catalyst for the photodegradation of methyl orange dye.
Photodynamic Therapy Activity of Phthalocyanine-Silver Nanoparticles on Melanoma Cancer Cells
Authors: Khoza Phindile , Ndhundhuma Ivy , Karsten Aletta , Nyokong Tebello
Published: October 2019

The synthesis, characterization and photodynamic therapy activity of a novel metal free phthalocyanine (complex 3), with or without silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), are reported. The in vitro photodynamic activity of this complex was investigated using metastatic melanoma
cancer cell line. In the presence of different concentrations of complex 3 or 3 in combination with silver nanoparticles, the viability of the cells showed a concentration dependent decrease upon irradiation with red light. The photodynamic activity of complex 3 showed
an increase in the presence of the AgNPs. Although complex showed a high degree of aggregation in water, it still demonstrated reasonable potency towards the melanoma cancer cell line.
Preparation of Pt/TiO2/Graphene/Polyethylene Sheets via a Facile Molding Process for Azo Dye Electrodegradation
Authors: Zhang Qian , Yao Chang , Hong Jun-Ming , Chang Chang-Tang
Published: October 2019

As the characterizations of electrode are meaningful for electric catalytic efficiency and mechanism, the improvement of electrode have raised considerable public concern in recent decades. However, the metal electrode have the drawbacks of high price and easy for toxicity, nano electrode
restricted by difficulties for electrode coating, possibility of agglomeration, and abscission during reactions. Focus on those defects, the proposed study is going to establish a useful technique for polymer combined nano-electrode preparation. The morphology, functional groups, and other
characterization of the Pt/TiO2/graphene particles and organic composite nano Pt/TiO2/graphene sheets were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
(EIS). To identify the stability of self-prepared electrodes, parameters such as catalysts dosage, current density and pH will be analyzed by using RBK5 as target pollutions. The results shows that after treatment for 50 min under optimized conditions (20 mA, 1 g/L NaCl), the degradation rate
of acetaminophen almost reached 100%. After five times recycle, the self-prepared electrode could still maintained a high removal rate of 90%.
Facile Synthesis of Bio-Templated Tubular Co3O4 Microstructure and Its Electrochemical Performance in Aqueous Electrolytes
Authors: Guragain D. , Zequine C. , Poudel T. , Neupane D. , Gupta R. K. , Mishra S. R.
Published: October 2019

Template-assisted facile synthesis of tubular Co3O4 microstructures and its electrochemical performance was studied to understand its use as a potential electrode material for supercapacitors. Tubular porous Co3O4 microstructures were synthesized
using cotton fibers as bio-template. The as-obtained templated Co3O4 structure inherits the morphology and microstructure of cotton fiber. The electrochemical performance of the electrode made up of tubular Co3O4 structure was evaluated in 3 M KOH,
NaOH, and LiOH aqueous electrolytes. The large-surface-area of tubular Co3O4 microstructure has a noticeable pseudocapacitive performance with a capacitance of 401 F/g at 1 A/g and 828 F/g at 2 mV/s, a Coulombic efficiency averaging ~100%, and excellent cycling stability
with capacitance retention of about 80% after 5,000 cycles. Overall, the tubular Co3O4 microstructure displayed superior electrochemical performance in 3 M KOH electrolyte with peak power density reaching 5,500 W/kg and energy density exceeding 22 Wh/kg. The superior
performance of tubular Co3O4 microstructure electrode is attributed to its high surface area and adequate pore volume distribution, which allows effective redox reaction and diffusion of hydrated ions. The facile synthesis method can be adapted for preparing various metal
oxide microstructures for possible applications in catalysis, electrochemical, sensors, and fuel cells applications.
Enhanced Resistance Switching of Ga2O3 Thin Films by Ultraviolet Radiation
Authors: An Yuehua , Shen Xia , Hao Yuying , Guo Pengfei , Tang Weihua
Published: October 2019

Conductive filament mechanism can explain major resistance switching behaviors. The forming/deforming of the filaments define the high/low resistance states. The ratio of high/low resistance depends on the characterization of the filaments. In many oxide systems, the oxygen vacancies
are important to forming the conductive filaments for the resistance switching behaviors. As ultrawide band gap semiconductor, Ga2O3 has very high resistance for its high resistance state, while its low resistive state has relative high resistance, which normally results
in low ratio of high/low resistance. In this letter, we report a high ratio of high/low resistance by ultraviolet radiation. The I–V characteristics of Au/Ti/β-Ga2O3/W sandwich structure device shows that the HRS to LRS ratio of 5 orders is achieved.
Novel Nanoarchitechtonics Olive-Like Pd/BiVO4 for the Degradation of Gaseous Formaldehyde Under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Zhu Zhen , Hong Wei-Gang , Chen Chin-Yuan , Wu Ren-Jang
Published: October 2019

In this research, olive-like Pd/BiVO4 was successfully prepared through a facile hydrothermal coreduction method for the photocatalytic degradation of formaldehyde under visible light irradiation. The structure, composition, and optical properties of the as-prepared Pd/BiVO4
were characterized through X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and photoluminescence. In addition, the photocatalytic activities of Pd/BiVO4 were evaluated through the photodegradation of formaldehyde.
The experimental results demonstrated that the degradation efficiency of formaldehyde increased with increasing irradiation time. Moreover, 1.0 wt% Pd/BiVO4 exhibited the highest photocatalytic performance for formaldehyde degradation in 180 min, with the formaldehyde degradation
rate as high as 87.5%.
Solvent-Free Environmentally Benign Approach for the Selective Olefin Epoxidation Catalyzed by Mn(III)-Immobilized Mesoporous Nanoarchitectonics
Authors: Paul Luna , Banerjee Biplab , Bhaumik Asim , Ali Mahammad
Published: October 2019

Immobilization of transition metal complexes at the surface of 2D-hexagonal functionalized SBA-15 material is one of the promising strategies in designing an efficient catalytic system for the olefin epoxidation reaction. Here we have immobilized Mn(III) on the Schiff-base anchore 2D-hexagonally
ordered functionalised mesoporous SBA-15 material. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), N2-sorption and high resolution transmission electron microscopic (HRTEM) studies of the resulting SBA-15-SB-Mn material suggested 2D-hexagonally ordered porous nanostructure and X-ray photoelectron
spectroscopy (XPS) analysis suggested the presence of surface bound Mn(III) species in this nanomaterial. This mesoporous material showed excellent performance in the selective catalytic oxidation of various alkenes to the corresponding epoxides in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide
(TBHP, 70% aqueous solution) as oxidant under solvent-free mild reaction conditions together with high recycling efficiency.
One-Pot Hydrothermal Synthesis of g-C3N4/BiPO4 Nanocomposites with Significant Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Pei Zhen-Zhao , Wang Pei , Li Chao-Yang , Li Xiao-Liang , He Yong-Wu , Liu Ya-Bao , Jia Heng
Published: October 2019

The g-C3N4/BiPO4 composites have been successfully synthesized via a one-pot hydrothermal process, which can be used to degrade the organic dyes (rhodamine B and methylene blue) under simulated sunlight irradiation. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning
electron microscope (SEM), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy have been employed to characterize the samples. The g-C3N4/BiPO4 composites exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than pure BiPO4. And the optimum
photocatalyst shows the outstanding photocatalytic activity, which exhibited 99.0% and 86.6% decolorization rate of RhB and MB, respectively.
Synthesis of MoO3/V2O5/C Composite as Novel Anode for Li-Ion Battery Application
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Chen Xiao , Zhang Guangxue , Feng Chuanqi
Published: October 2019

The MoO3/V2O5/C, MoO3/C and V2O5/C are synthesized by electrospinning combined with heat treatment. These samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) techniques. The results show that sample MoO3/V2O5/C is a composite composed from MoO3, V2O5 and carbon. It takes
on morphology of the nanofibers with the diameter of 200~500 nm. The TG analysis result showed that the carbon content in the composite is about 40.63%. Electrochemical properties for these samples are studied. When current density is 0.2 A g−1, the MoO3/V2O5/C
could retain the specific capacity of 737.6 mAh g−1 after 200 cycles and its coulomb efficiency is 92.99%, which proves that MoO3/V2O5/C has better electrochemical performance than that of MoO3/C and V2O5/C.
The EIS and linear Warburg coefficient analysis results show that the MoO3/V2O5/C has larger Li+ diffusion coefficient and superior conductivity than those of MoO3/C or V2O5/C. So MoO3/V2O5/C
is a promising anode material for lithium ion battery application.
Preparation, Surface Modification, and Characteristic of α-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles
Authors: Yuan Jin-Tao , Wang Zhou , Wang Lan , Liu Rui-Jiang
Published: October 2019

The α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were prepared via the co-precipitation process, and they were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED).
The effect of the water bath temperature on the average grain size of the α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles was investigated. The minimum grain size of the α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles was 19.6 nm when the water bath temperature was 40 °C.
Furthermore, the α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were successfully modified with silica (SiO2) and chitosan (CTS) using the idea of nanoarchitectonics. the experimental results showed that, the average diameter of the as-prepared α-Fe2O3/SiO2
nanocomposites was around 65 nm; while, the average hydrodynamic diameter of the α-Fe2O3/CTS nanocomposites increased gradually with the increase of chitosan in solution. When the mass ratio of chitosan and the α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles
reached 40:1, the diameter distribution range of the α-Fe2O3/CTS nanocomposites was very wide of 100– 900 nm, so the mass ratio of chitosan and the α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles was selected from 10:1 to 20:1 to be applied.
A Convenient One-Pot and Rapid Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Biologically Active s-Triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]Thiadiazine and s-Triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]Thiadiazole Nanoarchitectonics
Authors: EL-Mahdy Ahmed F. M. , EL-Sherief Hassan A. H. , Hozien Zeinab A. , Kuo Shiao-Wei
Published: October 2019

A rapid and efficient one-pot protocol has been developed for the synthesis of s-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazine and s-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole nanoarchitectonics through the reaction of s-triazoles with ketones and nitriles in acetic acid containing a catalytic amount of
sulfuric acid under microwave irradiation in excellent yields. With this catalytic reaction, the cheap sulfuric acid as well as other acids were examined as catalysts and the highly toxic and irritating haloketones and halonitriles were avoided to form. The effects of microwave power, temperature,
time, solvent and catalyst were examined. This method achieved a better performance; e.g., higher yields, shorter reaction time and easier work-up as compared to other conventional methods. Therefore, the proposed method will be readily applicable to the synthesis of biologically important
compounds containing s-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazine and s-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole framework.
Green Synthetic Nanoarchitectonics of Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Prepared Using Quercetin and Their Cytotoxicity and Catalytic Applications
Authors: Lee You Jeong , Park Youmie
Published: October 2019

Quercetin is a flavonoid and is abundant in the plant kingdom. Green nanoparticles (gold and silver) were synthesized by using quercetin as a reductant via a green route for their potential nanoarchitechtonic applications. There were no toxic chemicals involved during the synthesis.
The gold and silver nanoparticles exhibited surface plasmon resonance at 527 nm and 401 nm, respectively. Both nanoparticle solutions retained excellent colloidal shelf stability for 7 days and in cell culture medium. The crystal structure of the nanoparticles was observed by X-ray diffraction
analysis. Field emission transmission electron microscopy images revealed that spherical nanoparticles were synthesized, with an average size of 20.2±4.8 nm for gold nanoparticles and 32.4±14.0 nm for silver nanoparticles. Observation of clear lattice fringes in the microscopic
images suggested that both types of nanoparticles possessed a face-centered cubic structure. Catalytic activity was evaluated with respect to 4-nitrophenol reduction and methyl orange degradation. When increasing the amount of gold or silver nanoparticles used as a catalyst, the rate constant
of the catalytic reaction was also increased. Cytotoxicity assessment on cancer cells demonstrated that both types of nanoparticles can be appropriate candidates for delivery vehicles of biologically active molecules, such as anticancer agents.
Fabrication of Nanoarchitectonic AgOx/BiPO4 Electrochemical Sensor for Detection of Resveratrol
Authors: Zhu Zhen , Han Yan-Wei , Hsieh Chia-Ying , Tsai Suh-Jen Jane , Syu An-Kai , Wu Ren-Jang
Published: October 2019

In the present study, a novel AgOx/BiPO4 sensor was successfully prepared and used for detecting trans-resveratrol. Prepared samples were characterized using methods including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy,
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results demonstrate that the AgOx/BiPO4 is composed of AgO, Ag2O, and BiPO4. In addition, a cyclic voltammetry method was used to measure resveratrol concentration using the electrochemical sensor based on AgOx/BiPO4.
AgOx/BiPO4 presents a well-defined voltammetric peak at approximately +460 mV versus Ag/AgCl in phosphate-buffered saline solution. In addition, the sensor exhibits a detection limit of 1.0×10−7 M, and the wide dynamic concentration ranges
from 2.0×10−7 to 12.5×10−6 M. Stability and interference tests were performed for 20 days. A possible mechanism for AgOx/BiPO4 detection of trans-resveratrol detection is proposed.
Facile Synthesis of Phase Tunable MoO3 Nanostructures and Their Electrochemical Sensing Properties
Authors: Muthamizh S. , Sengottaiyan C. , Jayavel R. , Narayanan V.
Published: October 2019

MoO3 nanostructures with tunable phases such as α-MoO3, β-MoO3 and their mixed phases were synthesized via a simple solid state decomposition method and employed as electrocatalyst for the detection of biomolecule. The phase
and crystal structure of the synthesized MoO3 nanostructures were confirmed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The MoO3 nanostructures were also characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
(XPS), and UV-Vis spectroscopy for their structural, chemical state and optical properties, respectively. The observed results confirmed the successful formation of phase tunable MoO3 nanostructures. The surface texture and morphology of the samples was characterized by field emission
scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The obtained images showed the formation of hexagons, cubes and rods morphology of MoO3. The synthesized MoO3 nanostructures were used to modify the surface of glassy carbon electrode (GCE)
to detect biomolecule (quercetin).
Nanoarchitectonics Composites of Thermoplastic Starch and Montmorillonite Modified with Low Molecular Weight Polylactic Acid
Authors: Li Peixian , Guo Huimin , Yang Kaixiong , Yu Xiaoyan , Qu Xiongwei , Naito Kimiyoshi , Zhang Qingxin
Published: October 2019

Nano montmorillonite (MMT) was modified by low molecular weight polylactic acid (PLA), then, the PLA modified MMT and raw MMT were added into thermoplastic starch (TPS) to prepare biodegradable nanocomposite films, respectively. For both nanocomposite films with raw MMT and modified
MMT, the Tmax of degradation was enhanced and the mechanical properties were improved. The composite films containing 4 wt.% MMT displayed tensile strength of 5.06 MPa, approximately 1.4 times of that for the pure TPS films. The tensile strength of composite films containing
4 wt.% modified MMT is 6.74 MPa approximately 2 times of those for pure starch films. On the other hand, the composite film containing 4 wt.% modified MMT displayed elongation at break as high as 34.25%, which is 1.3 times of that of the pure starch film, while the composite films containing
raw MMT had reduced elongation at break. This study showed that the MMT modified with PLA could significantly enhance the mechanical properties of TPS, and provides a new method to prepare fully biodegradable starch-based nanocomposites.