bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In-vivo Anti-typhoid Activities of Ethanol Stem Bark Extract of Bridelia ferruginea (Wild) in Albino Rats Infected with Salmonella typhi
Authors: Dada Ebenezer Oluyemi , Akinyele Busayo Temitope 
Published: June 2020

Aims: To study the In-vivo anti-typhoid activities of ethanol stem bark extract of Bridelia ferruginea in albino rats infected with Salmonella typhi.
Study Design: Experimental design.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. Between January, 2019 and June, 2019.
Methodology: Fresh stem bark of Bridelia ferruginea were collected, dried, powered and extracted using 70% ethanol. Twenty – seven rats of same age between 90 -120 g in weight were selected and divided into 9 groups containing three each. The infectivity dose (ID) was determined with the clinical S. typhi. After which the rats were infected and orally administered various standard doses of the B. ferruginea stem bark extract (50-5000 mg/kg) accordingly for 7 days. During the treatment period, the fecal samples were collected to monitor the ability of the extract to reduce the fecal shedding of S. typhi. Also, the rats were weighed daily to establish the effect of treatment on their metabolism.
Results: Ethanol extract of B. ferruginea Stem bark at concentrations of 50 mg/ml – 100 mg/ml, didn’t produce any zone of inhibition but from 300-5000mg/ml produce zone of inhibition (ZI) at 2.00-18.33 mm (P< 0.05) on culture of clinical S. typhi isolate and on typed S. typhi isolate zones of inhibitions were seen at concentrations 50mg/ml-5000mg/ml, it produced ZI of 8.00 – 26.19 mm(P< 0.05). Minimum inhibitory concentration of the ethanol extract on the clinical S. typhiis 300mg/ml while on the typed isolate the minimum inhibitory concentration of the ethanol extract was 2600 mg/ml on ethanol extract respectively. The MBC for the two S. typhi isolates were 300 mg/ml and 1000 mg/ml respectively. The in-vivo investigation showed the ethanol extract of B. ferruginea stem bark on S. typhi colony forming units per ml (cfu/ml) of suspensions of faeces of infected rats and treated with the ethanol extract of B. ferruginea stem bark decreased significantly (P< 0.05) as the days of the treatment increased while the cfu/ml of the infected but untreated group significantly (P< 0.05) increased. There were no significant (P< 0.05) difference between weights of S. typhi un-infected, infected rats treated with Ciprofloxacin and ethanol extract of B. ferruginea stem bark but weight of the untreated group significantly (P< 0.05) decreased. Preliminary phytochemical screening of stem bark of Bridelia ferruginea ethanol extract revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides and terpenoid were pharmacological importance.
Conclusion: The in-vivo anti- typhoid activity of stem-bark ethanol extract of Bridelia ferruginea was found to be relatively safe against Salmonella typhi.
Mitigating Wafer Edge Cut Defect through Tensionless Tape Lamination Technique
Authors: Bacquian Bryan Christian S. , Gomez Frederick Ray I. 
Published: June 2020

Thinner and smaller packages require thinner vertical structure of the integrated circuit (IC) design with the wafer playing essential role in package thinning. As the wafer goes thinner, problems may occur in the pre-assembly or wafer preparation. With the introduction of new pre-assembly technology such as laser die attach film (DAF) cut and dicing before grinding, technical challenges were expected. The paper focused on eliminating the edge cutting issue by considering the appropriate taping lamination technique. Tensionless lamination helped eliminate the horizontal pressure applied into the tape thus mitigating the edge cutting problem. For future works, the configuration shared in this paper could be applied on wafers with comparable technology.
Prevalence and Histopathological Effects of Fascioliasis in Cattle Slaughtered in Ikot Eneobong Abattoir, Calabar, Nigeria
Authors: Ukam Usang Anok , Enogiomwan Imalele Edema , Offiong Effanga Emmanuel , Chinyere Osondu-Anyanwu 
Published: June 2020

Aims: Studies were carried out to determine the prevalence, intensity, economic loss and histopathological effects of fascioliasis in cattle slaughtered in Ikot Eneobong abattoir, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
Study Design: The study involved Post-Mortem examination of 384 liver samples from slaughtered cattle.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, between April – July, 2015.
Methodology: A total of384 liver samples were examined for individuals of Fasciola gigantica by making length-wise incision on the ventral side of the liver. Recovered flukes were counted and grouped into different levels of intensity. Infected livers recovered were subjected to histopathological analysis using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining technique. The economic loss due to the infection was determined based on the current market price per kg weight of cattle liver.
Results: Out of the 384 livers examined, 64 (16.67%) were found positive for fascioliasis. The month of July had the highest prevalence of infected livers (25.64%) while the month of April which had the lowest prevalence of infected livers (11.02%) (P=.05). Out of the 64 diseased livers, 58 (90.6%) had light worm load, 5 (7.8%) had moderate worm load and 1 (1.6%) had heavy worm load with numbers significantly higher in July compared with April, May and June (P=.05). In the four months study period, 320kg of livers from 64 cattle valued at ₦256,000 were lost due to infection. Histological examination of infected livers revealed necrosis, fibrosis, degenerated hepatocytes, proliferation of the bile ductules and marked infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells.
Conclusion: This study has established the prevalence, economic loss and histopathological consequences of fascioliasis in Ikot Eneobong abattoir. As such it is important that the routine examination of slaughtered ruminants be conducted prior to their presentation for public consumption.
Detecting early warnings of pressure on an African lion (Panthera leo) population in the Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area, Uganda
Authors: Braczkowski Alexander , Gopalaswamy Arjun M. , Nsubuga Mustafa , Allan James , Biggs Duan , Maron Martine 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
African lions are declining across much of their range, yet robust measures of population densities remain rare. The Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area (QECA; 2,400 km2) in East Africa's Albertine Rift has potential to support a significant lion population. However, QECA lions are threatened, and information on the status of lions in the region is lacking.

Here, we use a spatially explicit search encounter approach to estimate key population parameters of lions in the QECA. We then compare home range sizes estimated from our models to those from a radio‐collaring study implemented a decade earlier.

We recorded 8,243.5 km of search effort over 93 days, detecting 30 individual lions (16 female and 14 male) on 165 occasions at a rate of 2 lion detections/100 km2. Lion density in the QECA was 2.70 adult lions/100 km2 (SD = 0.47), while mean abundance was 71 individuals (SD = 11.05).

Worryingly, the movement parameter for male lions was 3.27 km and 2.22 km for females, suggesting > 400%, and > 100% increases in home range size, respectively, compared to a decade earlier. Sex ratio of lions in the QECA was lower (1 male: 0.75 females), when compared to a previously published review (mean = 1:2.33).

The large movements and skewed sex ratios we report on in this paper are likely a result of human‐driven prey depletion. Our results suggest lions in the QECA are in a precarious state, and the lion densities are significantly lower than what they could be.

As lions are under pressure throughout much of Africa, our study presents the utility of a census technique that could be used elsewhere as an early warning of lion declines.
An adaptive dynamic surface control of output constrained stochastic nonlinear systems with unknown control directions
Authors: Shen Fei , Wang Xinjun , Yin Xinghui , Jin Lingling 
Published: June 2020

SummaryThis article is concerned about an adaptive dynamic surface control (DSC) of output constrained stochastic nonlinear systems with unknown control directions and unmodeled dynamics. Nonlinear mapping‐based backstepping control design is presented for stochastic nonlinear systems with output constraint. The explosion of complexity exists in tradition backstepping method is avoided by using the DSC technique. The radial basis function neural networks are employed to deal with unknown nonlinear functions. Nussbaum gain technique is employed to handle the unknown control directions. And a dynamic signal is employed to dominate the unmodeled dynamics. The adaptive controller is designed can ensure that the tracking error converges on a small region of the origin. And all signals of the closed‐loop systems are semiglobal uniformly ultimately bounded. Finally, the results of the simulation cases are provided to show the effectivity of the designed controller scheme.
Recent Advancements of Nanomedicine in Neurodegenerative Disorders Theranostics
Authors: Mukherjee Sudip , Madamsetty Vijay Sagar , Bhattacharya Dwaipayan , Roy Chowdhury Sayan , Paul Manash Kumar , Mukherjee Anubhab 
Published: June 2020

AbstractRecent times have witnessed an upsurge in the incidence of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Prion disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The treatment of the same remains a daunting challenge due to the limited access of therapeutic moieties across the blood–brain barrier. Engineered nanoparticles with a size less than 100 nm provide multifunctional abilities for solving these biomedical and pharmacological issues due to their unique physico‐chemical properties along with capability to cross the blood–brain barrier. Needless to mention, there is a scarcity of review articles summarizing recent developments of various nanomaterials including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, metal nanoparticles, and bio‐nanoparticles toward the therapeutic and theranostics applications for various neurodegenerative disorders. Here, a broad spectrum of nanomedicinal approaches to eradicate neurodegenerative disorders is provided, along with a brief account of neuroprotection and neuronal tissue regeneration, current clinical status, issues related to safety, toxicity, challenges, and future outlook.
Biodegradable MRI Visible Drug Eluting Stent Reinforced by Metal Organic Frameworks
Authors: Hamideh Rezvani Alanagh , Akbari Babak , Fathi Parinaz , Misra Santosh K. , Sutrisno Andre , Lam Fan , Pan Dipanjan 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMetal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have applications in numerous fields. However, the development of MOF‐based “theranostic” macroscale devices is not achieved. Here, heparin‐coated biocompatible MOF/poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) “theranostic” stents are developed, where NH2‐Materials of Institute Lavoisier (MIL)‐101(Fe) encapsulates and releases rapamycin (an immunosuppressive drug). These stents also act as a remarkable source of contrast in ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to the invisible polymeric stent. The in vitro release patterns of heparin and rapamycin respectively can ensure a type of programmed model to prevent blood coagulation immediately after stent placement in the artery and stenosis over a longer term. Due to the presence of hydrolysable functionalities in MOFs, the stents are shown to be highly biodegradable in degradation tests under various conditions. Furthermore, there is no compromise of mechanical strength or flexibility with MOF compositing. The system described here promises many biomedical applications in macroscale theranostic devices. The use of MOF@PCL can render a medical device MRI‐visible while simultaneously acting as a carrier for therapeutic agents.
Antagomir‐155 Attenuates Acute Cardiac Rejection Using Ultrasound Targeted Microbubbles Destruction
Authors: Yi Luyang , Chen Yihan , Jin Qiaofeng , Deng Cheng , Wu Ya , Li Huiling , Liu Tianshu , Li Yuman , Yang Yali , Wang Jing , Lv Qing , Zhang Li , Xie Mingxing 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAntagomir‐155 is an artificial inhibitor of miRNA‐155, which is expected to be a promising therapeutic target to attenuate acute cardiac rejection (ACR). However, its vulnerability of being degraded by endogenous nuclease and potential off‐target effect make the authors seek for a more suitable way to delivery it. In attribution of efficiency and safety, ultrasound targeted microbubbles destruction (UTMD) turns out to be an appropriate method to deliver gene to target tissues. Here, cationic microbubbles to deliver antagomir‐155 downregulating miRNA‐155 in murine allograft hearts triggered by UTMD are synthesized. The viability of this therapy is verified by fluorescent microscopy. The biodistribution of antagomir‐155 is analyzed by optical imaging system. The results show antagomir‐155 delivered by UTMD which significantly decreases the levels of miR‐155. Also, this therapy downregulates the expression of cytokines and inflammation infiltration. And allograft survival time is significantly prolonged. Therefore, antagomir‐loaded microbubbles trigged by UTMD may provide a novel platform for ACR target treatment.
Humidity‐Triggered Relaxation of Polyelectrolyte Complexes as a Robust Approach to Generate Extracellular Matrix Biomimetic Films
Authors: Wang Jing , Xue Yun‐Fan , Chen Xia‐Chao , Hu Mi , Ren Ke‐Feng , Ji Jian 
Published: June 2020

AbstractGenerating a biofunctional film that can mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) in an efficient and robust technique that may have great potential for medical devices, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicines. Herein, a facile approach to generate ECM biomimetic films based on the humidity‐triggered relaxation of polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) nanoparticles is reported. The poly(l‐lysine) and hyaluronan are precomplexed and sprayed onto a substrate, which, via a trigger of vaporous water, can be transformed into an even and stable film. The spontaneous polymer chain interfusion (diffusion coefficient ≈1.01 × 10−9 cm2 s−1) under saturated humidity, allowing for the rapid reorganization (within 30 min) of film morphology and structure is demonstrated. A controllable and scalable way for the loading of diversified bioactive agents, as well as on‐demand modulation of stiffness is further presented. Moreover, the high‐throughput arrays and programmed patterns can be easily completed, suggesting huge potentials that surpass those of state‐of‐the‐art methods. Combined with high efficiency and flexible functionalization, it is believed that this approach should be beneficial for extending the practical applications of PEC films, such as medical implants, chip detectors, and so on.
Nucleolus‐Targeted Photodynamic Anticancer Therapy Using Renal‐Clearable Carbon Dots
Authors: Pang Wen , Jiang Pengfei , Ding Shihui , Bao Zhouzhou , Wang Ningtao , Wang Hongxia , Qu Junle , Wang Dan , Gu Bobo , Wei Xunbin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT), which utilizes light excited photosensitizers (PSs) to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and consequently ablate cancer cells or diseased tissue, has attracted a great deal of attention in the last decades due to its unique advantages. In order to further enhance PDT effect, PSs are functionalized to target specific sub‐cellular organelles, but most PSs cannot target nucleolus, which is demonstrated as a more efficient and ideal site for cancer treatment. Here, an effective carbon dots (C‐dots) photosensitizer with intrinsic nucleolus‐targeting capability, for the first time, is synthesized, characterized, and employed for in vitro and in vivo image‐guided photodynamic anticancer therapy with enhanced treatment performance at a low dose of PS and light irradiation. The C‐dots possess high ROS generation efficiency and fluorescence quantum yield, excellent in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility, and rapid renal clearance, endowing it with a great potential for future translational research.
Modification of Mesoporous LiMn2O4 and LiMn2−xCoxO4 by SILAR Method for Highly Efficient Water Oxidation Electrocatalysis
Authors: Karakaya Irmak , Karadas Ferdi , Ulgut Burak , Dag Ömer 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIridium, ruthenium, and cobalt oxides are target materials as efficient and stable mesoporous metal oxide electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, they are costly, toxic, and not practical for an efficient OER process. Here, a two‐step method is introduced, based on earth‐abundant manganese; molten salt‐assisted self‐assembly process to prepare mesoporous LiMn2−xCoxO4 (x = 0–0.5) modified electrodes, in which a systematic incorporation of Co(II) into the structure is performed using successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction followed by an annealing (SILAR‐AN) process. Applying SILAR‐AN over a stable m‐LiMn1.6Co0.4O4 electrode improves the OER performance; the Tafel slope and overpotential drop from 66 to 46 mV dec−1 and 304 to 265 mV (at 1.0 mA cm−2), respectively. The performance of the modified electrodes is comparable to benchmark IrO2 and RuO2 catalysts and much better than cobalt oxide electrodes. Electronic interactions between the neighboring Mn and Co sites synergistically amplify the OER performance of the m‐LiMn2−xCoxO4 electrodes. The data are compatible with an eight steps nucleophilic acid‐base reaction mechanism during OER.
Carbon Dots@rGO Paper as Freestanding and Flexible Potassium‐Ion Batteries Anode
Authors: Zhang Erjin , Jia Xinxin , Wang Bin , Wang Jue , Yu Xinzhi , Lu Bingan 
Published: June 2020

AbstractCarbonaceous materials, especially with graphite‐layers structure, as anode for potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs), are the footstone for industrialization of PIBs. However, carbonaceous materials with graphite‐layers structure usually suffer from poor cycle life and inferior stability, not to mention freestanding and flexible PIBs. Here, a freestanding and flexible 3D hybrid architecture by introducing carbon dots on the reduced graphene oxide surface (CDs@rGO) is synthesized as high performance PIBs anode. The CDs@rGO paper has efficient electron and ion transfer channels due to its unique structure, thus enhancing reaction kinetics. In addition, the CDs provide abundant defects and oxygen‐containing functional groups, which can improve the electrochemical performance. This freestanding and flexible anode exhibits the high capacity of 310 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1, ultra‐long cycle life (840 cycles with a capacity of 244 mAh g−1 at 200 mA g−1), and excellent rate performance (undergo six consecutive currents changing from 100 to 500 mA g−1, high capacity 185 mAh g−1 at 500 mA g−1), outperforming many existing carbonaceous PIB anodes. The results may provide a starting point for high‐performance freestanding and flexible PIBs and promote the rapid development of next‐generation flexible batteries.
Facile Production of Large‐Area Cell Arrays Using Surface‐Assembled Microdroplets
Authors: Perez‐Toralla Karla , Olivera‐Torres Angel , Rose Mark A. , Esfahani Amir Monemian , Reddy Keerthana , Yang Ruiguo , Morin Stephen A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTechniques that enable the spatial arrangement of living cells into defined patterns are broadly applicable to tissue engineering, drug screening, and cell–cell investigations. Achieving large‐scale patterning with single‐cell resolution while minimizing cell stress/damage is, however, technically challenging using existing methods. Here, a facile and highly scalable technique for the rational design of reconfigurable arrays of cells is reported. Specifically, microdroplets of cell suspensions are assembled using stretchable surface‐chemical patterns which, following incubation, yield ordered arrays of cells. The microdroplets are generated using a microfluidic‐based aerosol spray nozzle that enables control of the volume/size of the droplets delivered to the surface. Assembly of the cell‐loaded microdroplets is achieved via mechanically induced coalescence using substrates with engineered surface‐wettability patterns based on extracellular matrices. Robust cell proliferation inside the patterned areas is demonstrated using standard culture techniques. By combining the scalability of aerosol‐based delivery and microdroplet surface assembly with user‐defined chemical patterns of controlled functionality, the technique reported here provides an innovative methodology for the scalable generation of large‐area cell arrays with flexible geometries and tunable resolution.
Redox‐Active Organic Compounds for Future Sustainable Energy Storage System
Authors: Lee Sechan , Hong Jihyun , Kang Kisuk 
Published: June 2020

AbstractUtilizing redox‐active organic compounds for future energy storage system (ESS) has attracted great attention owing to potential cost efficiency and environmental sustainability. Beyond enriching the pool of organic electrode materials with molecular tailoring, recent scientific efforts demonstrate the innovations in various cell chemistries and configurations. Herein, recent major strategies to build better organic batteries, are highlighted: diversifying charge‐carrying ions, modifying electrolytes, and utilizing liquid‐type organic electrodes. Each approach is summarized along with their advantages over Li‐ion batteries (LIBs). An outlook is also provided on the practical realization of organic battery systems, which hints at possible solutions for future sustainable ESSs.
Manganese adsorption, availability, and uptake in citrus under microsprinkler irrigation
Authors: Uthman Q. O. , Kadyampakeni D. M. , Nkedi‐Kizza P. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractManganese deficiencies have been observed in shallow soils with high water tables and in well‐drained sandy soils of Florida. This study investigated Mn leaf uptake in citrus trees on a Florida sandy soil through modified Mn fertilization methods and rates. Tree rows were supplied with three N rates and Mn at single and double the recommended rates (recommended rate: 10.08 kg ha−1) using foliar and soil application methods. The double foliar application rate increased leaf Mn by 20% over the single application rate. The leaf concentration of Mn was within the optimum concentration, according to the IFAS guidelines for optimal leaf Mn concentration, for summer 2018 and winter 2019. The Mn sorption coefficient was 22 times higher at the 0‐ to 15‐cm depth compared with the 15‐ to 60‐cm soil depths. Thus, Mn would be retained in the top 0‐ to 15‐cm soil depth. An increase in the foliar application improved Mn concentration in leaves, whereas soil application limited Mn availability in the root zone for plant uptake.