bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and Causes of Neonatal Mortality in Hospitalized Cases at Benghazi Children's Hospital (2013-2014)
Authors: Rajab Ashraf , Elnasfi Suad F. , Elfakhri Amal , Elfakhri Raja , Elgetaany Hind K. , Eltigane Abeer , Lawgaly Sami A. 
Published: June 2020

Background: Neonatal morbidity and mortality are major global public health challenges with approximately 3.1 million babies worldwide dying each year in the first month of life. The vast majority of neonatal death occurs in developing countries.
Aims: This study was undertaken to assess the magnitude of neonatal mortality and identify the main causes and associated factors of neonatal mortality.
Methodology: A retrospective study of 5791 neonates was conducted in Benghazi children hospital from 1st January 2013 up to December 2014.
Results: During the two years of the study there were 5791 neonates admitted to neonatal unit of Benghazi hospital, out of them 389 died (6.7% of total neonatal admissions) accounting for 59.6% of the total Paediatric deaths within the same period, moreover approximately one neonate died every 48 hours throughout the study period. There was a slight predominance of male deaths 225 (57.5%) over females 164 (42.5%). The majority of neonates were Libyan 365 (94%), 212 of them were born in Benghazi, while the remaining 177 from other cities. Preterm neonate accounted for 35% (138) of deceased neonates. The most common causes were lung diseases of prematurity (29%), sepsis (25%), Congenital Heart Diseases (12.5%), post-operative intestinal obstruction (7%), multiple congenital anomalies (7%), intractable convulsions (6.5%).
Conclusion: This study indicated that neonatal mortality represented the highest portion of all deaths reported at Benghazi children hospital during the study period. Lung diseases of prematurity was found to be the top leading cause followed by sepsis then congenital heart diseases. Male showed marginal predominance over female in this study. More than one third of deceased neonates were preterm.
Comparative Phytochemical and in vitro Antioxidant Screening of the Root and Stem Bark of Annona muricata Linn
Authors: Anarado C. E. , Chukwubueze F. M. , Anarado C. J. O. , Umedum N. L. , Nwanya C. B. 
Published: June 2020

Aim: To compare the phytochemicals and antioxidant activities of stem bark and root extracts of Annona muricata.
Methodology: The stem bark and root of Annona muricata were collected, washed, air-dried, ground and each extracted with methanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane. The extracts were analysed for the presence of phytochemicals. Antioxidant screening was also carried out on the samples.
Results: Cardiac glycosides were present in all the extracts of both root and stem bark. Alkaloids were present in moderate abundance in all the extracts except the ethyl acetate stem bark extract. Saponins and tannins were found in methanol extracts of both parts and also in very high abundance but the stem contained higher amount of saponins while alkaloids and tannins were found more in the root. Flavonoids were only found in the ethyl acetate stem bark extract. Steroids were absent in all the extracts except n-hexane root extract. The root showed greater enzymatic antioxidant activities than the stem bark. The solvent polarity affected the phytochemical found in each extract. The antioxidant activities of the catalase, superoxidase dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly higher in the root of Annona muricata than in the stem. Conversely, peroxidase showed a significantly higher activity in the stem than in the root.
Conclusion: The stem bark and root exhibited good antioxidant properties, so there is need to isolate the compounds responsible for antioxidant property exhibited by the plant parts.
Is Ethylene the Ripening Hormone
Authors: Pholoma Senewa Bobby 
Published: June 2020

The fruits constitute a commercially important and nutritionally indispensable food commodity since they play a vital role in human nutrition by supplying the necessary growth factors essential for maintaining normal health. One of the limiting factors that influence their economic value is the relatively short ripening period and reduced post-harvest life. The fruit ripening involves a wide spectrum of coordinated biochemical and physiological processes that eventually leads to development of soft edible fruit with desirable qualities such as carotenoids, anthocyanin, color, sweetness, texture, firmness, flavor and aroma. The ripening is the phase of fruit development just before senescence, therefore the excessive tissues softening due to the high ethylene exposure leads to the spoilage upon the storage. Ethylene, a fruit ripening hormone can trigger many events of cell metabolism including ripening particularly in climacteric fruits even in minute amounts. As fruit mature, the rate of ACC and ethylene biosynthesis increases as well as the enzyme activities for ACC oxidase and ACC synthase enhance. However, the application of ethylene inhibitors such as 1-MCP, AVG and the ethylene remover proved to reduce the ripening where some quality attributes of ripening were reduced due to suppressed expression of the ripening hormone.
Piezocatalytic Tumor Therapy by Ultrasound‐Triggered and BaTiO3‐Mediated Piezoelectricity
Authors: Zhu Piao , Chen Yu , Shi Jianlin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractUltrasound theranostics features non‐invasiveness, minor energy attenuation, and high tissue‐penetrating capability, and is playing ever‐important roles in the diagnosis and therapy of diseases in clinics. Herein, ultrasound is employed as a microscopic pressure resource to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) for piezocatalytic tumor therapy under catalytic mediation by piezoelectric tetragonal BaTiO3 (T‐BTO). Under the ultrasonic vibration, the electrons and holes are unpaired and they are separated by the piezoelectricity, resulting in the establishment of a strong built‐in electric field, which subsequently catalyzes the generation of ROS such as toxic hydroxyl (•OH) and superoxide radicals (•O2−) in situ for tumor eradication. This modality shows intriguing advantages over typical sonoluminescence‐activated sonodynamic therapy, such as more stable sensitizers and dynamical control of redox reaction outcomes. Furthermore, according to the finite element modeling simulation, the built‐in electric field is capable of modulating the band alignment to make the toxic ROS generation energetically favorable. Both detailed in vitro cellular level evaluation and in vivo tumor xenograft assessment have demonstrated that an injectable T‐BTO‐nanoparticles‐embedded thermosensitive hydrogel will substantially induce ultrasound irradiation‐triggered cytotoxicity and piezocatalytic tumor eradication, accompanied by high therapeutic biosafety in vivo.
Biodegradable Laser Arrays Self‐Assembled from Plant Resources
Authors: Guo Jiaqi , Haehnle Bastian , Hoenders Daniel , Creusen Guido , Jiao Dejin , Kuehne Alexander J. C. , Walther Andreas 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe transition toward future sustainable societies largely depends on disruptive innovations in biobased materials to substitute nonsustainable advanced functional materials. In the field of optics, advanced devices (e.g., lasers or metamaterial devices) are typically manufactured using top‐down engineering and synthetic materials. This work breaks with such concepts and switchable lasers self‐assembled from plant‐based cellulose nanocrystals and fluorescent polymers at room temperature and from water are shown. Controlled structure formation allows laser‐grade cholesteric photonic bandgap materials, in which the photonic bandgap is matched to the fluorescence emission to function as an efficient resonator for low threshold multimode lasing. The lasers can be switched on and off using humidity, and can be printed into pixelated arrays. Additionally, the materials exhibit stiffness above typical thermoplastic polymers and biodegradability in soil. The concept showcases that highly advanced functions can be encoded into biobased materials, and opens the design space for future sustainable optical devices of unprecedented function.
Metallic Waveguide Arrays for Metasurface‐Like Control with High Simplicity in Design
Authors: Liang Huawei , Li Jiaqi , Wu Zhiyong , Zhang Lei , Ruan Shuangchen 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMetallic waveguide arrays, consisting of regularly arranged holes, are proposed for metasurface‐like control of phase, polarization, and amplitude, while the design procedure is greatly simplified. In a sharp contrast to the existing metasurface working principles, the phase delay is dependent on the waveguide dimension perpendicular to the polarization direction, but not on the dimension parallel to the polarization direction. Due to the negligible cross‐polarization effect, the phase can be completely independently controlled for two orthogonally polarized waves with either the same or the different frequencies using one waveguide array. Notably, the analytical relationship between the phase delay and hole dimensions can be presented explicitly, which greatly simplifies the design process to select the waveguide array for a desired phase distribution. Furthermore, the amplitude and polarization can be completely controlled by tuning the dimension and the orientation angle of metal holes. Based on the control over phase, polarization, and amplitude, several control functionalities are theoretically and experimentally demonstrated at the terahertz frequency. A control efficiency of up to 70% is experimentally obtained. The freestanding waveguide array with features of both easy availability and high durability may significantly push forward the development of various photonic devices.
A Biomimetic Approach toward Enhancing Angiogenesis: Recombinantly Expressed Domain V of Human Perlecan Is a Bioactive Molecule That Promotes Angiogenesis and Vascularization of Implanted Biomaterials
Authors: Lin Xiaoting , Tang Fengying , Jiang Shouyuan , Khamis Heba , Bongers Andre , Whitelock John M. , Lord Megan S. , Rnjak‐Kovacina Jelena 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAngiogenic therapy involving delivery of pro‐angiogenic growth factors to stimulate new blood vessel formation in ischemic disease is promising but has seen limited clinical success due to issues associated with the need to deliver supra‐physiological growth factor concentrations. Bio‐inspired growth factor delivery utilizing the native growth factor signaling roles of the extracellular matrix proteoglycans has the potential to overcome many of the drawbacks of angiogenic therapy. In this study, the potential of the recombinantly expressed domain V (rDV) of human perlecan is investigated as a means of promoting growth factor signaling toward enhanced angiogenesis and vascularization of implanted biomaterials. rDV is found to promote angiogenesis in established in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis assays by potentiating endogenous growth factor signaling via its glycosaminoglycan chains. Further, rDV is found to potentiate fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) signaling at low concentrations that in the absence of rDV are not biologically active. Finally, rDV immobilized on 3D porous silk fibroin biomaterials promotes enhanced vascular ingrowth and integration of the implanted scaffolds with the surrounding tissue. Together, these studies demonstrate the important role of this biologically active perlecan fragment and its potential in the treatment of ischemia in both native and bioengineered tissues.
3D‐Printed Soft Lithography for Complex Compartmentalized Microfluidic Neural Devices
Authors: Kajtez Janko , Buchmann Sebastian , Vasudevan Shashank , Birtele Marcella , Rocchetti Stefano , Pless Christian Jonathan , Heiskanen Arto , Barker Roger A. , Martínez‐Serrano Alberto , Parmar Malin , Lind Johan Ulrik , Emnéus Jenny 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCompartmentalized microfluidic platforms are an invaluable tool in neuroscience research. However, harnessing the full potential of this technology remains hindered by the lack of a simple fabrication approach for the creation of intricate device architectures with high‐aspect ratio features. Here, a hybrid additive manufacturing approach is presented for the fabrication of open‐well compartmentalized neural devices that provides larger freedom of device design, removes the need for manual postprocessing, and allows an increase in the biocompatibility of the system. Suitability of the method for multimaterial integration allows to tailor the device architecture for the long‐term maintenance of healthy human stem‐cell derived neurons and astrocytes, spanning at least 40 days. Leveraging fast‐prototyping capabilities at both micro and macroscale, a proof‐of‐principle human in vitro model of the nigrostriatal pathway is created. By presenting a route for novel materials and unique architectures in microfluidic systems, the method provides new possibilities in biological research beyond neuroscience applications.
The Stabilization Effect of CO2 in Lithium–Oxygen/CO2 Batteries
Authors: Chen Kai , Huang Gang , Ma Jin‐Ling , Wang Jin , Yang Dong‐Yue , Yang Xiao‐Yang , Yu Yue , Zhang Xin‐Bo 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe lithium (Li)–air battery has an ultrahigh theoretical specific energy, however, even in pure oxygen (O2), the vulnerability of conventional organic electrolytes and carbon cathodes towards reaction intermediates, especially O2−, and corrosive oxidation and crack/pulverization of Li metal anode lead to poor cycling stability of the Li‐air battery. Even worse, the water and/or CO2 in air bring parasitic reactions and safety issues. Therefore, applying such systems in open‐air environment is challenging. Herein, contrary to previous assertions, we have found that CO2 can improve the stability of both anode and electrolyte, and a high‐performance rechargeable Li–O2/CO2 battery is developed. The CO2 not only facilitates the in situ formation of a passivated protective Li2CO3 film on the Li anode, but also restrains side reactions involving electrolyte and cathode by capturing O2−. Moreover, the Pd/CNT catalyst in the cathode can extend the battery lifespan by effectively tuning the product morphology and catalyzing the decomposition of Li2CO3. The Li–O2/CO2 battery achieves a full discharge capacity of 6628 mAh g−1 and a long life of 715 cycles, which is even better than those of pure Li–O2 batteries.
Welding and reprocessing of disulfide‐containing thermoset epoxy resin exhibiting behavior reminiscent of a thermoplastic
Authors: Memon Hafeezullah , Wei Yi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThermoset resins generally lack the ability to be welded or reprocessed like thermoplastics because of their cross‐links. Increasing use of fiber‐reinforced composites in large structures, such as rail and aircraft parts, as well as wind blades, calls for better ways to repair damages and be compliant with recycling and environmental regulations. In this article, an epoxy resin containing disulfide bonds was prepared and characterized by Fourier transform infrared, 1H‐NMR, and 13C‐NMR. The dynamic nature of the disulfide bonds allowed the cured epoxy resin to be welded like thermoplastics, and the welded joints had strength that matched the resin's cohesive strength. It could also be reprocessed with 90% tensile strength retention after three reprocessing cycles, allowing the parts to be repaired instead of being replaced. In addition, the cured resin was chemically degradable in a thiol‐based solvent, allowing it to be recycled in closed‐loop processes. Moreover, the cured epoxy resin showed a glass transition temperature of 116°C, demonstrating its potential for advanced composite applications.
Occupancy dynamics of rare cyprinids after invasive fish eradication
Authors: Castañeda Rowshyra A. , Mandrak Nicholas E. , Barrow Stuart , Weyl Olaf L. F. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract

The eradication of invasive species is a management strategy implemented to eliminate adverse impacts of invaders on native species communities. After eradications, follow‐up studies are done to confirm eradication of the invasive species and the short‐term recovery of the native species, but long‐term monitoring to confirm full population recovery and stability is often not completed.
In this study, long‐term monitoring of native fishes was carried out over 5 years after the eradication of an invasive fish from the Rondegat River, South Africa. Forty‐six sites distributed along four river sections were sampled for presence/absence using underwater cameras and snorkel surveys. Density data were collected by snorkel surveys.
Using multi‐season occupancy models, the annual probability of colonization and local extinction of the native fishes and annual rate of change in occupancy along the river were estimated. Changes in native fish densities across time and across the control and treatment sections were analysed using Kruskal–Wallis analysis, followed by Dunn's post‐hoc test.
Probability of colonization and local extinction differed for each native fish species and may have been affected by extrinsic factors, such as rainfall, and intrinsic density‐dependent factors, hypothesized from the density data. The occupancy rates of change revealed that the two Near Threatened fish species have reached an occupancy dynamic equilibrium but the Endangered fish has not, suggesting that other conservation efforts may be needed.
Long‐term monitoring of native fishes after an eradication programme has confirmed the successful removal of the invader and the recovery and stability of the community. However, successful eradication was not sufficient for full recovery of all species; additional conservation management strategies are needed to secure the population stability and persistence of endangered fishes. We recommend that eradication programmes, regardless of locality, should employ long‐term monitoring to ensure full recovery of a native fish community.
The value of contemporary social significance in archaeological assessment and its implications for current legislative reform: a case study from the Esperance region, Western Australia
Authors: MITCHELL MYLES B. , GUILFOYLE DAVID R. 
Published: June 2020

ABSTRACTThis paper presents a case study of an Aboriginal heritage assessment conducted with the Esperance Nyungars in southern Western Australia. The study incorporates contemporary social significance with archaeological assessment to form a holistic cultural significance statement for the landscapes surrounding the Munglinup River. The results are analysed with reference to the currently proposed legislative reform of the Western Australian Aboriginal Heritage Act. The analysis has relevance for archaeological assessment methodologies, cultural heritage management, legislation reform and administration of the current and future Western Australian Aboriginal Heritage Act. This case study demonstrates the value of incorporating social significance into archaeological assessments, including custodial responsibilities, cultural landscapes and the links between ecology and cultural heritage.
Dissection versus Prosection: A Comparative Assessment of the Course Experiences, Approaches to Learning, and Academic Performance of Non‐medical Undergraduate Students in Human Anatomy
Authors: McWatt Sean C. , Newton Genevieve S. , Umphrey Gary J. , Jadeski Lorraine C. 
Published: June 2020

Many institutions rely upon prosection‐based laboratories as more resource‐efficient and time‐effective alternatives to traditional cadaver dissection for human anatomy education. To facilitate growing enrollment numbers despite resource limitations, the University of Guelph (a non‐medical institution) introduced a modified “stepwise” prosection‐based laboratory cohort to supplement a dissection‐based course. In this design, all students attended the same lectures, but those in the dissection‐based cohort learned by performing regional dissections and students in the prosection‐based cohort studied from those dissections. Prosection students thereby witnessed a “slow reveal” of structures throughout the course. This study compared the perceived course experiences, student approaches to learning, and academic performance between the two groups. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to isolate the effect of the laboratory environment on student approaches to learning and academic performance from demographic and situational covariates. Both groups reported positive course experience ratings and high average final grades that were not statistically dissimilar (P > 0.05), increased reliance on deep approaches to learning (P = 0.002), and decreased reliance on surface approaches to learning (P = 0.023). When controlling for covariates, participation in dissection had small but statistically significant positive associations with deep approaches to learning (P = 0.043), performance on laboratory oral assessments (P < 0.001), and average final grades (P = 0.039). Ultimately, both designs promoted meaningful learning and desirable performance outcomes, indicating that both dissection and stepwise prosection have the potential to facilitate high quality human anatomy instruction.
Neural‐network‐embedded distributed average tracking of agents with matching unknown nonlinearities
Authors: Yue Dongdong , Li Qi , Chong Kil To , Cao Jinde 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis paper studies a distributed average tracking problem for a class of networked agents subject to heterogeneous unknown nonlinearities. The object is to design distributed protocols so as to drive these dynamic agents cooperatively tracking the average of multiple unknown signals. First, an initialize‐free robust algorithm is designed for each agent incorporating a local filter, a neural network (NN) compensator, and state‐dependent coupling gains with its neighbors. Here the filter is crucial for seeking the average of multiple references signals and is necessary due to the existence of uncertainties in the agents' dynamics. Then, by using adaption schemes, the algorithm is extended to a dynamic version releasing the requirement of certain global information such as the eigenvalues of the network Laplacian and the NN approximation errors. Both algorithms are rigorously proved to guarantee asymptotical average tracking with the help of well‐designed Lyapunov candidates. Finally, two illustrative examples are provided to validate the theoretical results.
Organic solvent stability and long‐term storage of myoglobin‐based carbene transfer biocatalysts
Authors: Pineda‐Knauseder Alfons J. , Vargas David A. , Fasan Rudi 
Published: June 2020

AbstractRecent years have witnessed a rapid increase in the application of enzymes for chemical synthesis and manufacturing, including the industrial‐scale synthesis of pharmaceuticals using multienzyme processes. From an operational standpoint, these bioprocesses often require robust biocatalysts capable of tolerating high concentrations of organic solvents and possessing long shelflife stability. In this work, we investigated the activity and stability of myoglobin (Mb)‐based carbene transfer biocatalysts in the presence of organic solvents and after lyophilization. Our studies demonstrate that Mb‐based cyclopropanases possess remarkable organic solvent stability, maintaining high levels of activity and stereoselectivity in the presence of up to 30%–50% (v/v) concentrations of various organic solvents, including ethanol, methanol, N,N‐dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, and dimethyl sulfoxide. Furthermore, they tolerate long‐term storage in lyophilized form, both as purified protein and as whole cells, without significant loss in activity and stereoselectivity. These stability properties are shared by Mb‐based carbene transferases optimized for other type of asymmetric carbene transfer reactions. Finally, we report on simple protocols for catalyst recycling as whole‐cell system and for obviating the need for strictly anaerobic conditions to perform these transformations. These findings demonstrate the robustness of Mb‐based carbene transferases under operationally relevant conditions and should help guide the application of these biocatalysts for synthetic applications.