bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of modified graphene oxide on Cu and phosphorus in eutrophic river sediments
Authors: Lin Zhipeng , Song Lei , Han Baohong , Li Hao , Wang Qian 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Ulansuhai nur is located in the cold and dry area of China, and the management of heavy metals in the sediments is related to water safety in the lower places of the Yellow River. Graphene oxide (GO) is modified to obtain magnetic graphene oxide (G-F) and chitosan grafted graphene oxide (G-N-C) materials, which are used to immobilize Cu in the sediments. The modified materials are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). G-F respectively reduces the concentration of Cu in the overlying and interstitial water by 61.5–66.3% and 22.4–47.1%, which is more effective than GO and G-N-C. Experiments are designed to determine the effect of phosphates concentration on immobilizing Cu in the sediments by modified materials. The results show that a low concentration of phosphates solution is beneficial to the immobilization of Cu in the sediments, and the capability of G-F to immobilize Cu is higher than that of GO and G-N-C. G-F presents a lower increase in organic phosphorus in the sediments than GO and G-N-C. In summary, the modified materials can immobilize Cu in the sediments, potentially reduce the water body eutrophication, and improve the lake ecological environment.
Making urban water smart: the SMART-WATER solution
Authors: Antzoulatos Gerasimos , Mourtzios Christos , Stournara Panagiota , Kouloglou Ioannis-Omiros , Papadimitriou Nikolaos , Spyrou Dimitrios , Mentes Alexandros , Nikolaidis Efstathios , Karakostas Anastasios , Kourtesis Dimitrios , Vrochidis Stefanos , Kompatsiaris Ioannis 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The rise of Internet of Things (IoT), coupled with the advances in Artificial Intelligence technologies and cloud-based applications, have caused fundamental changes in the way societies behave. Enhanced connectivity and interactions between physical and cyber worlds create ‘smart’ solutions and applications to serve society's needs. Water is a vital resource and its management is a critical issue. ICT achievements gradually deployed within the water industry provide an alternative, smart and novel way to improve water management efficiently. Contributing to this direction, we propose a unified framework for urban water management, exploiting state-of-the-art IoT solutions for remote telemetry and control of water consumption in combination with machine learning-based processes. The SMART-WATER platform aims to foster water utility companies by enhancing water management and decision-making processes, providing innovative solutions to consumers for smart water utilisation.
Simultaneous adsorption and reduction of hexavalent chromium on biochar-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) in aqueous solution
Authors: Ma Fengfeng , Philippe Bakunzibake , Zhao Baowei , Diao Jingru , Li Jian 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Flax straw biochar (FSBC)-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) composite (nZVI-FSBC) combining the advantages of nZVI and biochar was synthesized and tested for Cr(VI) removal efficiency from aqueous solution. Surface morphology and structure of FSBC and nZVI-FSBC were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller techniques, which help to clarify the mechanism of Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solution. The adsorption of Cr(VI) onto FSBC and nZVI-FSBC was best described by the pseudo-second-order and the Sips model. Compared with FSBC, nZVI-FSBC remarkably improved the performance in removing Cr(VI) under identical experimental conditions. Due to the collaborative effect of adsorption and reduction of nZVI-FSBC, the adsorption capacity of nZVI-FSBC for Cr(VI) is up to 186.99 mg/g. The results obtained by XPS, XRD, and FTIR confirmed that adsorption and reduction dominated the processes of Cr(VI) removal by nZVI-FSBC. As a supporter, FSBC not only improved the dispersion of nZVI, but also undertook the adsorption task of Cr(VI) removal. The surface oxygen-containing functional groups of nZVI-FSBC mainly participated in the adsorption part, and the nZVI promoted the Cr(VI) removal through the redox reactions. These observations indicated that the nZVI-FSBC can be considered as potential adsorbents to remove Cr(VI) for environment remediation.
Growth Retardation of Poorly Transfectable Tumor by Multiple Injections of Plasmids Encoding PE40 Based Targeted Toxin Complexed with Polyethylenimine
Authors: Khodarovich Yuriy , Rakhmaninova Darya , Kagarlitskiy German , Baryshnikova Anastasia , Deyev Sergey 
Published: August 2020

Background:
One of the approaches to cancer gene therapy relies on tumor transfection
with DNA encoding toxins under the control of tumor-specific promoters.

Methods:
Here, we used DNA plasmids encoding very potent anti-ERBB2 targeted toxin, driven by
the human telomerase promoter or by the ubiquitous CAG promoter (pTERT-ETA and pCAG-ETA)
and linear polyethylenimine to target cancer cells.

Results:
We showed that the selectivity of cancer cell killing by the pTERT-ETA plasmid is highly
dependent upon the method of preparation of DNA-polyethylenimine complexes. After adjustment of
complex preparation protocol, cell lines with high activity of telomerase promoter can be selectively
killed by transfection with the pTERT-ETA plasmid. We also showed that cells transfected with
pTERT-ETA and pCAG-ETA plasmids do not exert any detectable bystander effect in vitro.

Conclusion:
Despite this, three intratumoral injections of a plasmid-polyethylenimine complex resulted
in substantial growth retardation of a poorly transfectable D2F2/E2 tumor in mice. There were no
significant differences in anti-tumor properties between DNA constructs with telomerase or CAG
promoters in vivo.
Stroke History is an Independent Risk Factor for Poor Prognosis in Ischemic Stroke Patients: Results from a Large Nationwide Stroke Registry
Authors: Qin Haiqiang , Wang Penglian , Zhang Runhua , Yu Miaoxin , Zhang Guitao , Liu Gaifen , Wang Yongjun 
Published: August 2020

Background:
There is some controversy whether stroke history is an independent risk
factor for poor prognosis of stroke or not. This study aimed to investigate the difference of mortality,
disability and recurrent rate of ischemic stroke patients without and with stroke history, as well
as to explore the effect of stroke history on stroke prognosis.

Methods:
We analyzed patients with ischemic stroke enrolled in the China National Stroke Registry
which was a nationwide, multicenter, and prospective registry of consecutive patients with
acute cerebrovascular events from 2007 to 2008. Multivariable logistic regression was performed
to assess the risk of worse prognosis of stroke history in patients with ischemic stroke.

Results:
A total of 8181(65.9%) patients without stroke history and 4234(34.1%) patients with
stroke history were enrolled in the study. The mortality, recurrence, modified Rankin Scale (mRS)
3-6 rate was 11.4%, 14.7% and 28.5% respectively at 1 year for patients without stroke history,
which was significantly lower than that of 17.3%, 23.6%, 42.1% in patients with stroke history, respectively.
Multivariable analysis showed that patients with stroke history had higher risk of death
[odds ratio (OR) 1.34,95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-1.54], recurrence (OR 1.47, 95 % CI
1.31-1.65) and mRS 3-6 (OR 1.49,95% CI 1.34-1.66) at 1 year.

Conclusion:
After adjusting for the potential confounders, stroke history was still an independent
risk factor for poor prognosis of ischemic stroke, which further emphasizes the importance of secondary
prevention of ischemic stroke. The specific causes of poor prognosis in patients with history
of stroke need to be furtherly investigated.
Naphthoquinone-based Hydrazone Hybrids: Synthesis and Potent Activity Against Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Guimaráes Délis Galváo , de Assis Gonsalves Arlan , Rolim Larissa Araújo , Araújo Edigênia Cavalcante , dos Anjos Santos Victória Laysna , Silva Maria Francilene Souza , de Cássia Evangelista de Oliveira Fátima , da Costa Marcília Pinheiro , Pessoa Claudia , Fonseca Goulart Marília Oliveira , Silva Thaissa Lucio , Santos Danyelle Cândido , Araújo Cleônia Roberta Melo 
Published: August 2020

Background:
Natural naphthoquinones have shown diversified biological activities including
antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, and cytotoxic activities. However, they are also compounds
with acute cytotoxicity, immunotoxicity, carcinogenesis, and cardio- and hepatotoxicity,
and the modification at their redox center is an interesting strategy to overcome such harmful activity.

Objective:
In this study, four novel semisynthetic hydrazones, derived from the isomers α- and β-
lapachones (α and β, respectively) and coupled with the drugs hydralazine (HDZ) and isoniazid
(ACIL), were prepared, evaluated by electrochemical methods and assayed for anticancer activity.

Methods:
The semisynthetic hydrazones were obtained and had their molecular structures established
by NMR, IR, and MS. Anticancer activity was evaluated by cell viability determined by reduction
of 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazol)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT). The electrochemical
studies, mainly cyclic voltammetry, were performed, in aprotic and protic media.

Results:
The study showed that the compounds 2, 3, and 4 were active against at least one of the
cancer cell lines evaluated, compounds 3 and 4 being the most cytotoxic. Toward HL-60 cells,
compound 3 was 20x more active than β-lapachone, and 3x more cytotoxic than doxorubicin. Furthermore,
3 showed an SI value of 39.62 for HL-60 cells. Compound 4 was active against all cancer
cells tested, with IC50 values in the range 2.90–12.40 μM. Electrochemical studies revealed a profile
typical of self-protonation and reductive cleavage, dependent on the supporting electrolyte.

Conclusion:
These results therefore indicate that compounds 3 and 4 are strong candidates as prototypes
of new antineoplastic drugs.
Cadmium Contamination, Bioavailability, Uptake Mechanism and Remediation Strategies in Soil-Plant-Environment System: a Critical Review
Authors: Riaz Umair , Aslam Ambreen , Qamar uz Zaman  , Javeid Sabiha , Gul Rehman , Iqbal Shazia , Javid Sana , Murtaza Ghulam , Jamil Moazzam 
Published: August 2020

Background:
Cadmium contamination is becoming an important issue globally due to its
high toxicity and carcinogenicity, leading to detrimental effects on both environmental and human
health. This review paper discusses the different sources of cadmium, its toxic effects on the environment
and human health, and the influence of different soil factors in changing the speciation and
bioavailability of cadmium in soil. This paper also covers research on different remediation strategies
currently available for reducing cadmium bioavailability.

Methods:
Previous research and critical comparison of cadmium extent, toxicity, effects and management
were studied

Results:
The carcinogenic nature of Cadmium is of significant human health concern. Cadmium is
found in both free and complexed forms, where its availability depends on its speciation in soil. In
soil, oxidizing conditions and high pH decrease cadmium bioavailability and speciation. Here, organic
matter can also act as both a sink and source of cadmium and microbes perform many mobilization
processes including protonation, chelation, and chemical transformation whereas, sorption or precipitation
decreases cadmium availability. Continuous exposure to cadmium can result in browning, decomposing
and mucilaginous roots, shoot reduction and apical growth of root, chlorosis, and rolling
of leaves. Toxicity may inhibit lateral root formation or can result in rigid, twisted, and browning of
the main root. Toxicity also affects photosynthesis and the availability of mineral nutrients. In this
paper, the remediation techniques of soil polluted by Cd, including biological, chemical and physical
remediation are reviewed. The methods of remediation, developing trends, drawbacks, and strengths
were also reviewed to provide a reference for the research in this field to date.

Conclusion:
Although cadmium toxicity is of great concern, many remediation techniques can be
successfully used to mitigate its adverse effects. Phytoremediation, hyperaccumulation, bioremediation,
and the application of different amendments to the soil have all been successful in alleviating
cadmium bioavailability. Amongst all available techniques, in-situ immobilization with inorganic,
organic or clay amendments is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective strategy to remediate
cadmium contaminated soils and achieve sustainable agriculture production.
Scaling Method for Batch Effect Correction of Gene Expression Data Based on Spectral Clustering
Authors: Matsuda Momo , Ye Xiucai , Sakurai Tetsuya 
Published: August 2020

Background:
Batch effects are usually introduced in gene expression data, which can dramatically reduce the
accuracy of statistical inference in the genomic analysis since samples in different batches cannot be directly comparable.

Objective:
To accurately measure biological variability and obtain correct statistical inference, we considered to correct /
remove the batch effects for merging the samples from different batches into a comparable dataset for high-throughput
genomic analysis.

Methods:
The existing L/S model uses the empirical Bayes methods to find the constant values for multiplication/addition
for each gene. Different from the L/S model, we used the dimensionality reduction method. We proposed an effective
scaling method to scale each gene by multiplying a constant value, which was formulated as an optimization problem
based on spectral clustering. The data samples from different batches can be merged into a comparable dataset with batch
effect correction. Furthermore, we proposed an approximation solution to solve the optimization problem for the scaling
adjustment values.

Results:
We evaluated the proposed method on both artificial and gene expression datasets by comparing it with the
existing well-established batch effect correction methods. Numerical experiments show that the proposed method projects
the data samples from different batches to resemble each other and outperforms the others on both microarray and singlecell RNA-seq datasets.

Conclusion:
The scaling adjustment for genes and dimensionality reduction improved the accuracy and removed the
batch effects, thereby making the proposed method more robust for interfering genes.
Phytochemical Research and Antimicrobial Properties of Lipophylic Extracts of Some Species of Salix L. Genus from Ukraine
Authors: Borodina Natalia , Raal Ain , Kovalyov Volodimir , Osolodchenko Tetiana , Koshovyi Оleh , Nguyen Hoai Thi , Komissarenko Andrey 
Published: August 2020

Background: Willows are indispensable for the creation of anti-erosion plantations, preliminary soil-improving crops in the reclamation of disturbed lands, as well as for energy plantations designed to produce the biomass suitable for biofuels. In the process of care and thinning of these plantations, there are a huge amount of waste remains - young willow branches and leaves, which would be advisable to use in medical and pharmaceutical practice to create new supplements and medicines. They are known to possess antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

Objective:
The aim of the current paper is to determine the chemical composition of lipophylic extracts of some species of Salix L. genus and to study their antimicrobial properties.

Methods:
The lipophylic extracts from Salix cinerea L., S. incana Schrank, S. cаprea L., S. sachalinensis F. Schmidt, S. acutifolia L., S. fragilis L., S. caspica Pall., S. rosmarinifolia L. and S. myrsinifolia Salisb. fresh shoots were obtained using chloroform in the Soxhlet apparatus. The composition of volatile components and carboxylic acids was determined using quantitative content of chlorophylls and carotenoids was measured spectrophotometrically. The antibacterial activity was studied by the agar diffusion method.

Results: The methods used allowed identifying 46 volatile compounds in the lipophylic extracts from the shoots of the plants of Salix L. genus, where eugenol and squalene dominated; as well as 42 organic acids, among which benzoic, methoxybenzoic, salicylic acids prevailed, and palmitic, linoleic and linolenic acids were found to prevail among fatty acids. All lipophylic extracts studied showed antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans.

Conclusion: The results obtained indicate the possibility of the creation of a novel antimicrobial agent using the lipophylic extracts from the shoots of Salix L. genus rich in different biologically active substances.
Predictive Performance of two Measures of Prognostic Mortality of Cancer Patients in Intensive Care Unit in Jordan: A Comparative Single-Centre Study
Authors: Almansour Issa M. , Aldalaykeh Mohammad K. , Saleh Zyad T. , Yousef Khalil M. , Alnaeem Mohammad M. 
Published: August 2020

Background:
Information is presently insufficient about using Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) mortality predicting models for cancer patients in intensive care unit (ICU).

Objective:
To evaluates the performance of APACHE II and IV in predicting mortality for cancer patients in ICU.

Interventions/Methods:
This was a retrospective study including adult patients admitted to an ICU in a medical center in Jordan. Actual mortality rate was determined and compared with mortality rates predicted by APACHE II and IV models. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the sensitivity, specificity and predictive performance of both scores. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect that APACHE II, APACHE IV and other sample characteristics have on predicting mortality.

Results:
251 patients (survived=80; none-survived=171) were included in the study with an actual mortality rate of 68.1%. APACHE II and APACHE IV scores demonstrated similar predicted mortality rates (43.3% vs. 43.0%), sensitivity (52.6% vs. 52.0%), and specificity (76.3%, 76.2%), respectively. The area under (AUC), the ROC curve for APACHE II score was 0.714 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.645–0.783), and AUC for APACHE IV score was 0.665 (95% CI 0.595–0.734).

Conclusions:
As APACHE ӀӀ and ӀV mortality models demonstrate insufficient predicting performance, there is no need to consider APACHE IV in our ICU instead of using APACHE ӀӀ as it has more variables and need longer data extraction time.

Implications for Practice:
We suggest that other approaches in addition to the available models should be attempted to improve the accuracy of cancer prognosis in ICU. Further, it is also required to adjust the available models.
Safety Evaluation of Eucalyptus globulus Essential Oils through Acute and Sub-acute Toxicity and Skin Irritation in Mice and Rats
Authors: Mengiste Berhan , Zenebe Tizazu , Dires Kassahun , Lulekal Ermias , Mekonnen Awol , Zegeye Nigus , Shiferaw Yoseph 
Published: August 2020

Background:
The Eucalyptus globulus extractions have been used by the traditional
healers to treat diseases in the study area. Our previous study revealed that the essential
oil has antimicrobial and antifungal activity. This study determined phytochemical analysis,
skin irritation, acute and subacute toxicity of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil in mice
and rats.

Methods:
The phytochemicals were analyzed using GC-MS mass spectrometry. The acute
toxicity study was determined at three dose levels of 1500 mg/kg, 1750mg/kg, and 2000
mg/kg. The essential oil limit test at a dose of 1000 mg/kg was administered to mice for 28
consecutive days for sub-acute toxicity study. The mice mortality, behavioral change, injury
and other signs of illness were recorded once daily. Biochemical parameters were evaluated.
Liver and kidney were analyzed for histopathological analyses. The 5% ointment formulation
was applied to the rat skin to determine skin irritation effects.

Results:
The Eucalyptus globulus essential oil showed no effect on the mice at a dose of
1500mg/kg and below, but caused signs of toxicity and death at a dose of 1750mg/kg and
above compared to the controls (p<0.05). The LD50 value was 1650 mg/kg. There was no
significant difference (p>0.05) in the body weights, gross abnormalities of the organs and
biochemical parameters compared to the control at 1000 mg/kg subacute toxicity study. No
histopathological changes were detected in the organs tested. The 5% ointment formulation
did not show any abnormal skin reaction.

Discussion:
In the present study, the Eucalyptus globulus essential oil was comparable with
other studies in terms of both chemical composition and its effects on sub-acute and topical
application.

Conclusion:
This toxicity study demonstrated that Eucalyptus globulus essential oil is nontoxic
at a relatively lower concentration.
La prensa escrita y su contribución a la lectura crítica y la escritura argumentada
Authors: Doria Correa Rudy , Calle González Benjamín , Pérez Solipá Juan 
Published: August 2020

Este artículo muestra los resultados de un proyecto de investigación realizado en la Institución Educativa Germán Gómez Peláez, de Puerto Libertador - Córdoba, con el objetivo de establecer la contribución del trabajo con la prensa escrita, desde un enfoque comunicativo del lenguaje, en el desarrollo de la lectura crítica y escritura argumentada de los estudiantes de grado 10º. Teóricamente se sustenta en la concepción comunicativa y discursiva del lenguaje, y se apoya en los postulados de autores como María Cristina Martínez, Daniel Casanny, Carlos Lomas, entre otros. Se asumió una metodología de carácter cualitativo interpretativo que comprendió tres fases: exploratoria, con el objetivo de analizar el enfoque del lenguaje y las estrategias didácticas que aplican los profesores en la enseñanza de la lectura y la escritura, mediante la aplicación de una entrevista semiestructurada a 4 docentes de lenguaje; ejecución, que comprendió el diseño y aplicación de un sistema de secuencias didácticas, desde la perspectiva comunicativa del lenguaje, para el desarrollo de la lectura crítica y la escritura argumentada a 30 estudiantes de grado 10º; valoración, se realizaron grupos de discusión con el fin de evaluar los resultados de la aplicación del sistema de secuencias didácticas, teniendo en cuenta las percepciones de los estudiantes sobre sus prácticas de comprensión y producción escrita. Los resultados de la aplicación de las secuencias didácticas, permitió a los estudiantes leer e identificar las intenciones y propósitos comunicativos de los textos de opinión, sus enunciados e inclinaciones ideológicas y las intenciones de manipulación y manejo del poder. Del mismo modo, se evidenciaron avances en su capacidad de escribir columnas de opinión teniendo en cuenta los elementos micro, macro y superestructurales de los textos, al tiempo que mejoraron sus estrategias de argumentación.