bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative evaluation of global and local chromium contents with the EPR test on ferritic and martensitic stainless steels
Authors: Heyn A , Rosemann P 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The cause of localised corrosion phenomena in stainless steels is often related to the element chromium, which is essential for the formation and resistance of the passive layer. A lower than nominally stated content of chromium occurs when the element is highly concentrated and locally bound in chromium-rich phases or precipitates, mostly carbides, and thus locally or globally absent for passivation. The method of electrochemical potentiodynamic reactivation (EPR) is uniquely suited to demonstrate the effect of chromium depletion on the passivation. Here, the steel surface is initially active in sulfuric acid and passivation is achieved by external dynamic polarization. After passivation, the polarization direction is reversed and in chromium-depleted areas a reactivation takes place, which is detected by an increase in current. The detection limit for a reduced chromium content depends largely on the strength of the sulfuric acid used in the EPR test and the polarization speed. The relationship between the sulfuric acid concentration and the electrochemical parameters from the EPR test is shown here using the example of ferritic Fe-Cr alloys with graded Cr contents in the range of approx. 6 to 18 %. From the passivation and reactivation current densities of the EPR data, models for the detection of global and local chromium contents (detection limits) are derived. The developed models are applied to the martensitic stainless steel X20Cr13 in different heat treatment conditions and the influence on the distribution of chromium in the microstructure, which is responsible for the passivation and thus the corrosion resistance, is shown.
Microstructure-property relations of eutectic V-Si and V-B alloys
Authors: Regenberg M , Hasemann G , Müller C , Krüger M 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Subject of the present work are principle studies on V-Si and V-B alloys with hypo-and hypereutectic compositions, regarding the effects of primary phase solidification and the formation of binary microstructures on the resulting mechanical properties. For this purpose, button shaped samples were produced by arc-melting, metallographically prepared and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, room temperature compression tests have been carried out and the resulting deformations were subsequently analyzed by using electron backscatter diffraction. As a conclusion, the materials’ failure behavior was characterized and discussed with respect to the developed microstructure. The main goal of the experiments conducted is to critically discuss previously published works on the V-Si and V-B alloying systems and to obtain more profound insights on microstructure-property relations with respect to the strengthening effects and plastic deformability.
Measuring technology and quality assurance in packaging steel production
Authors: Schwarzmann J 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Tinplate, being used primarily for packaging purposes, went through a considerable development over the last decades. Its quality was continuously improved enabling significant savings in material consumption and production economy and ecology. A premise for that progress is the development of advanced measurement and inspection equipment. It utilizes different physical principles to allow an online monitoring of important material parameters for regulation feedback or quality control. One of the latest developments is an online inspection system for non-metallic inclusions. It is based on magnetic flux leakage which is contactless detected by arrays of differential GMR sensors. The sensors are mounted to compact sensor modules containing all required peripheral equipment. Multiple sensor modules are connected to hubs which convert their data stream to the GigE camera standard. The resulting device resembles a magnetic line camera covering the whole surface of the inspected strip. The recorded images are processed by a software to detect and classify defects from the material noise.
Manufacturing of Open-Cell Metal Foams by the Sponge Replication Technique
Authors: Sutygina A , Betke U , Hasemann G , Scheffler M 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Different manufacturing techniques for open-cell metal foams, such as investment casting and space holder casting, are compared with the sponge replication technique that is originally used for the preparation of ceramic foams. Processing of aluminum foams by the sponge replication technique has been reviewed. Based on the results obtained for aluminum open-cell foams, the feasibility of copper foam manufacturing with the sponge replica technique using an aqueous copper dispersion was demonstrated.
Tungsten inert gas bead-on-plate weld chemical composition analysis by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Taparli U A , Kannengiesser T , Griesche A 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Chemical compositions of a weld can be varying locally as a result of the welding process. These local variations can be due to the vaporization of individual alloying elements. In this work, tungsten inert gas (TIG) bead-on-plate stainless steel welds of EN grade 1.4404 and 1.4435 were investigated using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) on the completed welds. This study aims to reveal the welding parameters’ influence on the resulting local chemical compositions of the stainless steel welds. We demonstrated Mn vaporize before Cr due to its lower latent enthalpy of vaporization. Hence, Mn accumulates on the heat-affected zone (HAZ) both sides across the weld bead by being swept away through the circulation flow of the welding plasma. Additionally, increasing the heat input tends to enhance the accumulated Mn content on the HAZ as well as increasing the shielding gas flow rate. The results are in good agreement with the literature and proved that LIBS is an effective method to inspect completed welds.
A Comparison of Five SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Assays With Clinical Correlations
Authors: Procop Gary W , Brock Jay E , Reineks Edmunds Z , Shrestha Nabin K , Demkowicz Ryan , Cook Eleanor , Ababneh Emad , Harrington Susan M 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Objectives
Comparative assessments of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) molecular assays that have been operationalized through the US Food and Drug Administration’s Emergency Use Authorization process are warranted to assess real-world performance. Characteristics such as sensitivity, specificity, and false-negative rate are important to inform clinical use.

Methods
We compared five SARS-CoV-2 assays using nasopharyngeal and nasal swab specimens submitted in transport media; we enriched this cohort for positive specimens, since we were particularly interested in the sensitivity and false-negative rate. Performance of each test was compared with a composite standard.

Results
The sensitivities and false-negative rates of the 239 specimens that met inclusion criteria were, respectively, as follows: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2019 nCoV Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel, 100% and 0%; TIB MOLBIOL/Roche z 480 Assay, 96.5% and 3.5%; Xpert Xpress SARS-CoV-2 (Cepheid), 97.6% and 2.4%; Simplexa COVID-19 Direct Kit (DiaSorin), 88.1% and 11.9%; and ID Now COVID-19 (Abbott), 83.3% and 16.7%.

Conclusions
The assays that included a nucleic acid extraction followed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were more sensitive than assays that lacked a full extraction. Most false negatives were seen in patients with low viral loads, as extrapolated from crossing threshold values.
Surface sculpturing in the skull of gecko lizards (Squamata: Gekkota)
Authors: Glynne Elizabeth , Daza Juan D , Bauer Aaron M 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
It has previously been stated that geckos are characterized by smooth cranial bones bearing no sculpturing; however, there are many exceptions. Here we systematically characterize variation in sculpturing in cranial bones across all seven gekkotan families and examine patterns of evolutionary transitions in these traits on a multigene molecular gekkotan phylogeny to elucidate trends in phenotypic diversification in bone sculpturing. Over 195 species were reviewed using specimens where smooth, grooved, pitted and rugose sculpturing patterns were found. Of the 26 cranial bones, only seven (premaxilla, maxilla, nasal, prefrontal, frontal, parietal and postorbitofrontal) were found to bear sculpturing across more than three species. Sculpturing was found to extend beyond these seven bones onto either the dentary, surangular and/or quadrate within five species. Phylogenetic analysis showed that sculpturing evolved recently and repeatedly in several distinct lineages. The remaining 19 skull bones were smooth, except in the five species above, supporting the suggestion that smooth skull bones were ancestral in gekkotans. There is no apparent relationship between body size and the presence of bone sculpturing. The functional significance, if any, of sculpturing requires further investigation.
Limited seed dispersability in a megadiverse OCBIL grassland
Authors: Arruda Andre J , Junqueira Patricia A , Rodrigues Hanna T S , Yvanez Florian , Poschlod Peter , Silveira Fernando A O , Buisson Elise 
Published: August 2020

AbstractSpecies from OCBILs (old, climatically buffered, infertile landscapes) are expected to exhibit reduced dispersability, linked to long-term stable environmental conditions. We tested the prediction of limited dispersability in plant communities in campo rupestre, a megadiverse OCBIL grassland. In a field experiment, we sampled sticky and funnel traps for 12 months along paired preserved and disturbed plots to estimate and compare annual seed density and richness. Our community-level seed rain assessment suggested widespread seed limitation in both preserved and disturbed areas, expressed by the low seed density in traps (average of 2.6 seeds/m2/day) and remarkably low seed density found for 90% of the morphospecies. Although seed density in campo rupestre was much lower than for other grasslands, species richness (92 seed morphospecies) was the highest reported in the literature. Higher seed density and species richness were captured in funnel traps, especially during the rainy season. Approximately 32% of morphospecies were registered exclusively in disturbed plots and 25% exclusively in preserved plots. This limited seed dispersability is of particular relevance for a better understanding of seed ecology and resilience in campo rupestre and may partially explain the poor recovery of these disturbed areas after soil removal.
Vouchers and Consumer-Directed Care: Implications for Community Care Services in Hong Kong
Authors: Kan Wing Shan , Chui Ernest 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
There has been considerable interest in the concept of consumer-directed care (CDC) for ageing populations. One type of CDC employs vouchers that older people can use to procure a panel of social services that best fits their needs. The voucher-based strategy has been institutionalised in Hong Kong as the Community Care Service Voucher for the Elderly (CCSV). Using a qualitative, semi-structured interview method, researchers probed the experiences of two groups (twenty-six CCSV users and twenty-seven CCSV non-users) with the voucher programme between March 2014 and September 2015 during the first phase of CCSV. The interviews revealed a set of social and institutional supports needed to empower clients to effectively utilise the voucher. These supports (or forms of capital) were consistently present amongst active CCSV users and deficient amongst non-users. The research demonstrates that instituting a voucher does not, by itself, lead to optimised choices but, rather, that a network of institutional and social resources must be assembled in support of the voucher programme. In some instances, a case management approach may be needed, as older people (and family) need to combine different forms of institutional and social support to comprehend the voucher programme and utilise it for their particular needs.
Neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio predicts short-term outcome of COVID-19 in haemodialysis patients
Authors: Mutinelli-Szymanski Prisca , Hude Iulia , Merle Emilie , Lombardi Yannis , Seris Pascal , Abtahi Medhi , Azeroual Latifa , Bourgain Cecile , Ensergueix Gael , Katerinis Ioannis , Kolko Anne , Kolta Amir , Maheas Catherine , Mehrbanian Saeed , Morel Pauline , Ossman Rim , Préneuf Hélène de , Roux Arthur , Saltiel Claudine , Vendé Florence , Verhoeven Anne-Sophie , Viron Béatrice , Laplanche Sophie , Le Monnier Alban , Ridel Christophe , Ureña-Torres Pablo , Touzot Maxime 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
Information regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in haemodialysis (HD) patients is limited and early studies suggest a poor outcome. We aimed to identify clinical and biological markers associated with severe forms of COVID-19 in HD patients.

Methods
We conducted a prospective, observational and multicentric study. Sixty-two consecutive adult HD patients with confirmed COVID-19 from four dialysis facilities in Paris, France, from 19 March to 19 May 2020 were included.
Blood tests were performed before diagnosis and at Days 7 and 14 after diagnosis. Severe forms of COVID-19 were defined as requiring oxygen therapy, admission in an intensive care unit or death. Cox regression models were used to compute adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs). Kaplan–Meier curves and log-rank tests were used for survival analysis.

Results
Twenty-eight patients (45%) displayed severe forms of COVID-19. Compared with non-severe forms, these patients had more fever (93% versus 56%, P &lt; 0.01), cough (71% versus 38%, P = 0.02) and dyspnoea (43% versus 6%, P &lt; 0.01) at diagnosis. At Day 7 post-diagnosis, neutrophil counts, neutrophil:lymphocyte (N:L) ratio, C-reactive protein, ferritin, fibrinogen and lactate dehydrogenase levels were significantly higher in severe COVID-19 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed an N:L ratio &gt;3.7 was the major marker associated with severe forms, with an aHR of 4.28 (95% confidence interval 1.52–12.0; P = 0.006). After a median follow-up time of 48 days (range 27–61), six patients with severe forms died (10%).

Conclusions
HD patients are at increased risk of severe forms of COVID-19. An elevated N:L ratio at Day 7 was highly associated with the severe forms. Assessing the N:L ratio could inform clinicians for early treatment decisions.
Methanol and methyl group conversion in acetogenic bacteria: biochemistry, physiology and application
Authors: Kremp Florian , Müller Volker 
Published: August 2020

ABSTRACTThe production of bulk chemicals mostly depends on exhausting petroleum sources and leads to emission of greenhouse gases. Within the last decades the urgent need for alternative sources has increased and the development of bio-based processes received new attention. To avoid the competition between the use of sugars as food or fuel, other feedstocks with high availability and low cost are needed, which brought acetogenic bacteria into focus. This group of anaerobic organisms uses mixtures of CO2, CO and H2 for the production of mostly acetate and ethanol. Also methanol, a cheap and abundant bulk chemical produced from methane, is a suitable substrate for acetogenic bacteria. In methylotrophic acetogens the methyl group is transferred to the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, a pathway to reduce CO2 to acetate via a series of C1-intermediates bound to tetrahydrofolic acid. Here we describe the biochemistry and bioenergetics of methanol conversion in the biotechnologically interesting group of anaerobic, acetogenic bacteria. Further, the bioenergetics of biochemical production from methanol is discussed.
lncRNA-PACER upregulates COX-2 and PGE2 through the NF-κB pathway to promote the proliferation and invasion of colorectal-cancer cells
Authors: Sun Peng , Quan Ji-Chuan , Wang Song , Zhuang Meng , Liu Zheng , Guan Xu , Wang Gui-Yu , Wang Hong-Ying , Wang Xi-Shan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
p50-associated cyclooxygenase-2 extragenic RNA (PACER) is a recently identified antisense long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) located on the upstream of the promoter region of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Preliminary studies have suggested that PACER is involved in the regulation of COX-2 expression in macrophagocyte and osteosarcoma cells. However, the role of this lncRNA in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains elusive. Here, we investigated the expression of PACER and its effect on cell proliferation and invasion to explore the role of PACER in CRC.

Methods
Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis was used to evaluate the expression of PACER in CRC tissues and cells. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) analysis was then used to investigate the inhibition effect of PACER knock-down in cell proliferation. The promoting role of this lncRNA on invasion by CRC cells was analysed by wound-healing assays, colony-formation assay, and transwell assays. We then used fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to establish the subcellular localization of PACER. COX-2 protein levels were quantified by Western blot analysis and grayscale scanning analysis following the knock-down of PACER. Luciferase assay was carried out to monitor the modulation of the COX-2 promoter region by PACER. Tumor xenografts models were used to investigate the impact of PACER on the tumorigenesis of CRC cells in vivo. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was then used to quantify prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production upon knock-down of PACER.

Results
RT-qPCR analysis revealed that PACER was highly expressed in CRC tissues and cells, and a high PACER-expression level was associated with poor prognosis. MTT assay, wound-healing assay, colony-formation assay, and transwell assay revealed that PACER enhanced CRC-cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis in vitro. Analysis of lncRNA localization by FISH showed that it mainly resided in the nucleus. RT-qPCR showed that PACER increased mRNA levels of COX-2. Western blot analysis demonstrated, under normal circumstances, that knock-down of PACER decreased the COX-2 protein level. In the case of p50 absence, COX-2 protein increased rapidly and remained highly expressed after knocking down PACER. Luciferase assay revealed that PACER modulated the COX-2 promoter region. Mouse xenograft models of CRC revealed that PACER promoted colorectal tumorigenesis in vivo. ELISA revealed that PACER knock-down inhibited PGE2 production.

Conclusions
PACER modulates COX-2 expression through the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway in CRC. An increased level of PACER enhances proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumor cells by increasing COX-2 and PGE2 synthesis.
Simultaneous Preconcentration and Spectrophotometric Determination of Two Colorants (E110 and E133) in Some Foodstuffs Using a New Mussel-Inspired Adsorbent
Authors: Bişgin Abdullah Taner , Nalvuran Zeynep , Gezici Orhan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
A naturally occurring material, namely sporopollenin (SP), was subjected to an easy physical surface modification process called a polydopamine coating. The treatment changed the acid-base properties of the surface, so that in the new form the SP surface gained a very attractive character for anionic dyes.

Objective
The aim of the study was to develop preconcentration and subsequent spectrophotometric determination methods for two anionic colorants, brilliant blue (BB) and sunset yellow (SY), using polydopamine-coated (PDC) SP.

Method
The experiments were carried out in a column system, and the effects of experimental parameters were studied to determine optimal conditions for the quantitative, simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of the dyes.

Results
The dyes could be detected at µg/L levels in their binary mixtures, so the detection limits were found to be 1.5 and 4.3 µg/L in the linear dynamic ranges of 0.0–3.5 and 0–8 µg/mL for BB and SY, respectively. The proposed material and procedure led to quantitative recoveries of between 95 and 100% for the dyes.

Conclusions
The procedure was applied to real food samples containing BB and SY and both dyes were successfully determined in liquid and solid foodstuffs. The mussel-inspired surface modification is proposed as a useful process to modify the surface of SP.

Highlights
The mussel-inspired polydopamine dip-coating method was adopted to modify the surface of SP for the first time. The PDCSP was successfully used to create a new adsorptive preconcentration method for simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of BB and SY in foodstuffs.
Human Shielding, Subjective Intent, and Harm to the Enemy
Authors: Kis Kelemen Bence 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The weaker party in asymmetrical conflicts often attempts to protect itself from attack in a fashion prohibited by international law, particularly by using human shields. This article examines whether the traditional characterization of shielding based on subjective intent (the voluntary or involuntary nature of shielding) has any legal consequence and if so, how subjective intent can result in a change of status under international humanitarian law. This article argues that protective status cannot be altered solely through the intent of protected persons. In light of a careful analysis of treaty law, the author proposes a new understanding of the threshold of harm requirement of direct participation in hostilities and suggests that all human shields should be considered persons directly participating in hostilities, even when they do not possess a legally relevant will. Consequently, this article calls for an equal treatment of human shields due to their status as direct participants in hostilities. The article also calls for clarification of law by states on this issue, for there are inherent tensions within the law of armed conflict between the applicable law and state policies, in light of the relevant legal norms regulating the consequences of human shielding.
Multimodal channel cancer chemotherapy by 2D functional gadolinium metal–organic framework
Authors: Xia Jiale , Xue Yumeng , Lei Bo , Xu Lingling , Sun Mingzi , Li Na , Zhao Hongyang , Wang Min , Luo Meng , Zhang Chao , Huang Bolong , Du Yaping , Yan Chun-Hua 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
2D nanomaterials generally exhibit enhanced physiochemical and biological functions in biomedical applications due to their high surface-to-volume ratio and surface charge. Conventional cancer chemotherapy based on nanomaterials has been hindered by their low drug loading and poor penetration in tumor tissue. To overcome these difficulties, novel materials systems are urgently needed. Hereby, the lanthanide-based porphyrin metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheets (NSs) with promising cancer imaging/chemotherapy capacities are fabricated, which display superior performance in the drug loading and tumor tissue penetration. The biodegradable PPF-Gd NSs deliver an ultrahigh drug loading (&gt;1500%) and demonstrate the stable and highly sensitive stimuli-responsive degradation/release for multimodal tumor imaging and cancer chemotherapy. Meanwhile, PPF-Gd NSs also exhibit excellent fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging capability in vitro and in vivo. Compared to the traditional doxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy, the in vivo results confirm the evident suppression of the tumor growth by the PPF-Gd/DOX drug delivery system with negligible side effects. This work further supports the potential of lanthanide-based MOF nanomaterials as biodegradable systems to promote the cancer theranostics technology development in the future.