bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lightweight investigation of long chain branching polypropylene/cellulose nanofiber composite foams
Authors: Nobe Rie , Qiu Jianhui , Kudo Makoto , Zhang Guohong 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLong chain branching polypropylene (LCBPP)/cellulose nanofiber (CNF) composite foams were prepared by short shot foam injection molding method and their morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties were also investigated. The cellular structure of LCBPP/CNF composite foams was improved with weight reduction (WR) ratios increasing. The cell densities of LCBPP/CNF composite foams were dramatically increasing with WR ratios rising. More, the fine and uniform cellular structures were obtained due to the incorporation of CNF. The highest cell density, specific flexural strength, and modulus could achieved 20 × 103 cell/cm2, 65 MPa/(g/cm3) and 2.7 GPa/(g/cm3), respectively. Furthermore, the specific Charpy impact strengths were also higher than the ones of solid samples. At last, the thermal insulation properties were discussed accordingly.
Enhancing gas barrier performance of polylactic acid/lignin composite films through cooperative effect of compatibilization and nucleation
Authors: Wang Ningning , Zhang Caili , Weng Yunxuan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this work, lignin was used as a heterogeneous nucleating agent to increase polylactic acid (PLA) crystallinity. To enhance the gas barrier performance of PLA/LG composite films, two graft copolymers, polylactide‐graft‐glycidyl methacrylate (PLA‐g‐GMA) and polylactide‐graft‐poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PLA‐g‐PEGMA) were successfully synthesized and separately used as compatibilizers to modify PLA/LG composite properties such as interfacial adhesion, crystallinity, and mechanical properties. Since crystallites can act as obstacles to gas diffusion, the higher the crystallinity of the polymer matrix, the better gas barrier performance of the composite film will be. The crystallinity and crystalline structure of the PLA matrix was demonstrated by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry results. Since LG particles can act as efficient heterogeneous crystal nucleating agents, a roughly 50% reduction in oxygen permeability (PO2) was obtained by adding 1 phr LG to the PLA matrix (PLA/1LG). Following addition of 10 phr PLA‐g‐GMA to the PLA/LG composite, PLA/PLA‐g‐GMA/LG composite films showed lower gas barrier properties than PLA/LG composites without added compatibilizer. Moreover, the interfacial adhesion of PLA/LG composites was significantly improved after addition of PLA‐g‐GMA. Therefore, PLA/PLA‐g‐GMA/3LG showed the highest tensile strength, 33% higher than that of neat PLA. Following addition of 10 phr PLA‐g‐PEGMA to the PLA/LG composite, the long liner side chains of PLA‐g‐PEGMA were able to act as nucleating agents for PLA to promote the crystallization of PLA. Accordingly, PLA/PLA‐g‐PEGMA/3LG with 3 phr LG showed a roughly 86% reduction in PO2 when compared with neat PLA film.
Synthesis and characterization of dialdehyde cellulose/amino‐functionalizedMCM‐41 core‐shellmicrospheres as a new eco‐friendly flame‐retardant nanocomposite
Authors: Abboud Mohamed , Bondock Samir , El‐Zahhar Adel A. , Alghamdi Majed M. , Keshk Sherif M. A. S. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractUsing proper flame‐retardant materials when constructing buildings or fabricating devices is the most important fire safety guidelines. The halogen and phosphorus‐based compounds are among the most effective flame retardants. However, most of these compounds are recognized to have a harmful effect on human body and the environment during combustion. In this context, we designed and synthesized a new eco‐friendly flame‐retardant nanocomposite by combining dialdehyde cellulose (DAC) and amino‐functionalized mesoporous silica MCM‐41 (N‐M41). Spherical N‐M41 nanoparticles have been successfully prepared in one‐pot reaction using tetraethyl orthosilicate and (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES), and then coated with different amounts of DAC through Schiff base reaction between the carbonyl group of DAC and NH2of APTES. The resulted DAC@N‐M41 nanocomposite was characterized by XRD, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). TEM micrographs revealed that this nanocomposite was made up of core‐shell nanospheres structure with narrow size distribution (ca. 140 nm). DTA and TGA analysis revelated that the presence of silica within the nanocomposite can effectively increase the char yield, decrease the heat release, and improve the fire performance of the prepared nanocomposite. A mechanism of the reduction in flammability of this nanocomposite has been proposed.
Temperature tele‐connections between the tropical and polar middle atmosphere in the Southern Hemisphere during the 2010 minor sudden stratospheric warming
Authors: Eswaraiah Sunkara , Lee Changsup , Lee Wonseok , Kim Yong Ha , Kumar Kondapalli Niranjan , Medineni Venkat Ratnam 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSouthern Hemispheric (SH) sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) are relatively rare compared to their Northern Hemisphere counterparts. No study has so far investigated the impacts of the SH minor SSWs on the tropical atmosphere and connection between the tropical and polar atmospheres. Here, we analyze the MERRA‐2 and ERA‐interim datasets, and Microwave Limb Sounder satellite temperature measurements to investigate the tropical and polar atmosphere tele‐connections during the SH minor SSW that occurred in 2010. Our analysis shows the strong anti‐correlation between the polar and tropical temperatures during the 2010 minor SSW in the stratosphere and mesosphere. This is the first observational study over the SH that reveals the tele‐connection between the tropical and polar middle atmospheres through the temperature during a minor SSW. We verified this tele‐connection, using simulations of the Ground‐to‐topside model of Atmosphere and Ionosphere for Aeronomy (GAIA) model during the 2010 minor SSW. GAIA model simulations show the temperature anti‐correlation between the tropical and polar middle atmosphere and zonal wind variations. The feature of meridional circulation changes was also observed during the SSW period. Hence, the present study strongly suggests that even minor SSW in the SH can affect the meridional circulation in the middle atmosphere via planetary wave activity.
A Critical Review on the Voltage Requirement in Hybrid Cells with Solar Energy Harvesting and Energy Storage Capability
Authors: Takshi Arash , Aljafari Belqasem , Kareri Tareq , Stefanakos Elias 
Published: October 2020

AbstractEnergy storage is essential in many electrical and electronic applications powered through solar cells. This has motivated many research groups around the world to design single hybrid cells with the capability of both energy harvesting and charge storage. Despite the general perception of being able to make more compact and lower‐cost solar panels with hybrid cells, as compared to conventional energy systems with separated panels and batteries, there are drawbacks in the series connection of hybrid cells in a panel form. These drawbacks are discussed in this review. The focus of the current manuscript is on the application of single hybrid cells in low‐voltage and low‐power electronics and wearable electronics. The voltage requirements in those applications are discussed and two‐terminal and three‐terminal hybrid cells are reviewed. Promising technologies are highlighted in the conclusions.
A novel method of cell culture based on the microfluidic chip for regulation of cell density
Authors: Zhang Fei , Zhang Rongbiao , Wei Mingji , Zhang Yecheng 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe regulation of cell density is an important segment in microfluidic cell culture, particularly in the repeated assays. Traditionally, consistent cell density is difficult to achieve, owing to the inaccurate regulation of cell density with manual feedback. A novel cell culture method with automatic feedback is proposed for real‐time regulation of cell density based on microfluidic chip in this paper. Here, an integrated microfluidic system combining cell culture, density detection, and control of proliferation rate was developed. Interdigital electrode structures were sputtered on the microchannel automatically to provide the real‐time feedback information of impedance. The most sensitive frequency was studied to improve the detection resolution of the sensing chip. Cells were cultured on the chip surface and cell density was detected by monitoring the alternation of the impedance. The feedback controller was established by the least squares support vector machines. Then, the cell proliferation rate was automatically controlled using the feedback controller to achieve the desired cell density in the repeated assays. The results show that the standard error of this method is 2.8% indicating that the method can keep a consistency of cell density in the repeated assays. This study provides a basis for improving the accuracy and repeatability in the further assays of finding the optimal drug concentration.
Identification of cattle poisoning by Bifenthrin via earwax analysis by HS/GC–MS
Authors: Gonçalves Barbosa João Marcos , Machado Botelho Ana Flávia , Santana da Silva Rayanne Henrique , Ferreira de Almeida Sara Sueli , Ferreira Elci Rincon , Caetano David Lurian , Alves Fortuna Lima Danielly , Cavalcante e Silva Taynara , Jorge da Cunha Paulo Henrique , Roberto Antoniosi Filho Nelson 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe use of pyrethroids has increased over recent years, and corresponds to a higher exposure of animals to pesticide residues in the environment and diet. Here, an outbreak of pyrethroid poisoning in beef cattle was reported occurring in Midwestern Brazil. After veterinary evaluation, it was observed that the bovines presented common pyrethroid intoxication symptoms. Aiming to identify the cattle poising by pyrethroid, earwax samples were collected from two groups: exposed and nonexposed animals from the same farm. Blind earwax analyses of the bovines were carried out using headspace/gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS/GC–MS). The HS/GC–MS analysis detected the presence of bifenthrin in the earwax analysis of the exposed animals, confirmed by the comparison of its MS fragments with a bifenthrin standard, and also by its retention time relative to the internal standard. In summary, HS/GC–MS analysis of earwax emerges as a tool that can be used in the detection and monitoring of bifenthrin poisoning in cattle, as a useful veterinary diagnosis that ensures animal health and the safety of their products.
Development and validation of HPLC method for simultaneous quantification of alpha‐tocopherol (free or encapsulated) and cholesterol in semen cryopreservation media
Authors: Taouzinet Lamia , Fatmi Sofiane , Salhi‐Amrani Yasmina , Lahiani‐Skiba Malika , Skiba Mohamed , Iguer‐Ouada Mokrane 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe HPLC method was developed and validated for assaying alpha‐tocopherol and cholesterol in cryopreservation media. Chromatographic separation was performed on an isocratic system, using a C‐18 column. The mobile phase was composed of a mixture of methanol:acetonitrile:water 68:28:4 (v/v/v), using a flow rate of 1.5 mL/min and 20 μL injection volume, at a wavelength of 208 nm. The method was validated according to International Conference on Harmonization guidelines. The method proved to be specific, accurate, precise, and linear with correlation coefficients greater than 0.996 over a wide concentration range of both analytes. Vitamin E and cholesterol presented limits of detection of 0.002 mg/mL, 0.026 mg/mL and limits of quantitation of 0.006 mg/mL, 0.086 mg/mL, respectively. This method is simple and rapid, shows high precision and accuracy, and offers the advantage of simultaneous assaying of vitamin E and cholesterol (alone, in cyclodextrins complexes or in liposome loaded) on semen cryopreservation media.
Semiautomatic generation and assessment of Java exercises in engineering education
Authors: Insa David , Pérez Sergio , Silva Josep , Tamarit Salvador 
Published: October 2020

AbstractContinuous assessment is essential in education. It should be an integral part of education that provides immediate feedback to students. Unfortunately, the assessment of programming source code is still a hand‐operated and error‐prone task, and can take weeks before the student gets feedback. This study presents a semiautomatic code assessment method able to automatically apply black‐box assessment (which relies on the comparison of input‐output pairs) and white‐box assessment (which relies on checking different source code properties). The method proposed is a general‐purpose assessment system that was originally designated to be used in engineering education, but that can be used in other educational contexts to assist the assessment of any Java programming assignments or exams. The main advantage of this system is that the assessment made is quicker, exhaustive, and objective; and it does not produce false positives. After the application of this method over two years in several real university courses, we have released a public and free implementation. An empirical evaluation of this system estimates that the amount of assessment work automatically done by the tool is over 48%. Additionally, the system has been used to measure the average subjective influence (i.e., assessment errors) introduced by teachers when they assess exams manually.
Ultra‐mutated colorectal cancer patients withPOLEdriver mutations exhibit distinct clinical patterns
Authors: Hu Hanguang , Cai Wen , Wu Dehao , Hu Wangxiong , Dong Wang Li , Mao Jianshan , Zheng Shu , Ge Weiting 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPOLEmutations, which lead to an ultramutated phenotype in colorectal cancer (CRC), have been reported as a promising marker in immunotherapy. We performed sequencing of CRC cases in Zhejiang University (ZJU) and extracted obtainable data from recently published results, including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Japanese studies and clinical trials, to present clinical patterns ofPOLEdriver‐mutated CRC and reveal its heterogeneity. The rate of somaticPOLEdriver mutations has been reported as 2.60% (ZJU cohort), 1.50% (TCGA cohort), 1.00% (Japan cohort), and 1.00% (Lancet cohort).POLEdriver mutations show a clearly increased mutation burden (mean TMB: 217.98 mut/Mb in ZJU; 203.13 mut/Mb in TCGA). Based on pooled data, more than 70.00% of patients withPOLEdriver mutations were diagnosed before they were 55 years old and at an early disease stage (Stage 0–II >70.00%), and more than 70.00% were male. Among Asian patients, 68.40% developedPOLEdriver mutations in the left‐side colon, whereas 64.00% of non‐Asian patients developed them in the right‐side colon (p < 0.01). The top three amino acid changes due toPOLEdriver mutations are P286R, V411L, and S459F. Investigators and physicians should ascertain the heterogeneity and clinical patterns ofPOLEdriver mutations to be better equipped to design clinical trials and analyze the data.
Metastatic cutaneous apocrine adenocarcinoma successfully treated with systemic anti‐androgen therapy—A case report
Authors: Collette Fanny , Hamoir Marc , Van Eeckhout Pascal , D’Abadie Philippe , Duprez Thierry , Schmitz Sandra , Machiels Jean‐Pascal 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPrimary cutaneous apocrine adenocarcinoma (PCAC) is an extremely rare neoplasm involving the sweat glands. Due to a lack of cases, there is no consensus for the systemic treatment of locally advanced or metastatic PCAC. Anti‐androgen therapy may have activity in inoperable or metastatic PCAC with high androgen receptor (AR) expression.
The mineralogy of air granulated converter slag
Authors: Schollbach Katrin , Ahmed Muhammad J. , van der Laan Sieger R. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractConverter slag, also known as Basic Oxygen Furnace slag, is a by‐product of steelmaking that is produced in large quantities worldwide. It currently has few applications, because the presence of free lime often prevents the use as aggregate, while the low reactivity makes it undesirable as a cement replacement. Air granulation is a promising way to increase the reactivity of converter slag and enable recycling as a cement replacement and this is the first in‐depth characterization of air granulated steel slag. In this study converter slag was separated into different fractions (0.25‐0.5 mm, 0.5‐1 mm, 1‐2 mm, 2‐4 mm) after air granulation to study the influence of size and therefore cooling speed on its mineralogy. The air granulated slag fractions were characterized using X‐ray fluorescence, quantitative X‐Ray diffraction, large area phase mapping based on scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy as well as leaching behavior. The results show that the main minerals in air granulated converter slag are the same as in industrially cooled slag, but that additional perovskite was formed, which has not been reported before. All fractions contained large phenocrysts of Ca2SiO4 and Mg‐wuestite surrounded by a dense matrix containing the other minerals. The three largest fractions are very similar to each other in chemical composition and microstructure, while the smallest fraction (0.25‐0.5 mm) contains a higher content of Mg‐wuestite even though the starting composition was the same. Free lime is only present at the detection limit (0.1 ± 0.1 wt%) in all size fractions. The leaching of chromium and vanadium is greatly increased compared to standard cooled converter slag indicating that air granulation results in the greater dissolution of phases containing these elements, which also indicates a greater hydraulic reactivity of granulated slag despite very little amorphous content.
Synthesis and Structure‐Activity Relationships of Ring‐Opened Bengamide Analogues against Methicillin‐ResistantStaphylococcus aureus†
Authors: Yu Chen‐Xi , Wei Bing‐Yan , Kong Xue‐Qing , Yang Cai‐Guang , Nan Fa‐Jun 
Published: October 2020

Main observation and conclusionMethicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major threat on public health because of the increase of clinically isolated strains that exhibit resistance to many antibiotics. Therefore, development of new antibiotics for the treatment of MRSA infection is a sustained challenge. We have previously identified a ring‐opened bengamide analogue L472‐2 that displays moderate activity against the growth of S. aureus. In our previous work, we started from L472‐2 and identified a class of analogues containing alkynyl groups which have the potential to activate SaClpP activity but moderate antibacterial activity. Herein, we focused on the antibacterial activity of L472‐2, and a novel series of ring‐opened bengamide analogues were synthesized and their activities were evaluated against MRSA. By conducting a compact analysis of the structure‐activity relationships (SAR) of these analogues, we found that an adamantane ethanol ester bengamide 2j showed excellent antibacterial activity towards six S. aureus strains, including MRSA, while it does not activate ClpP. Therefore, these bengamide analogues represent a new class of candidates that suppress MRSA viability.
A Phase 1 Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial to Assess the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of a Respiratory Syncytial Virus Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody MK‐1654 in Healthy Adults
Authors: Aliprantis Antonios O. , Wolford Dennis , Caro Luzelena , Maas Brian M. , Ma Hua , Montgomery Diana L. , Sterling Laura M. , Hunt Allen , Cox Kara S. , Vora Kalpit A. , Roadcap Brad A. , Railkar Radha A. , Lee Andrew W. , Stoch S. Aubrey , Lai Eseng 
Published: October 2020

AbstractRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection and related morbidity and mortality in infants. Passive immunization with an RSV‐neutralizing antibody can provide rapid protection to this vulnerable population. Proof‐of‐concept for this approach has been demonstrated by palivizumab; however, the use of this antibody is generally restricted to the highest‐risk infants due to monthly dosing requirements and its cost. To address the large unmet medical need for most infants, we are evaluating MK‐1654, a fully human RSV‐neutralizing antibody with half‐life extending mutations targeting site IV of the fusion protein. In this 2‐part, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, first‐in‐human study, 152 healthy adults were randomized 3:1 to receive a single dose of MK‐1654 or placebo in 5 cohorts (100 or 300 mg as an intramuscular dose or 300, 1000, or 3000 mg as an intravenous dose). Safety, pharmacokinetics, antidrug antibodies, and RSV serum‐neutralizing antibody titers were evaluated through 1 year. MK‐1654 serum concentrations increased proportionally with dose and resulted in corresponding elevations in RSV serum‐neutralizing antibody titers. The antibody displayed a half‐life of 73 to 88 days and an estimated bioavailability of 69% at the 300‐mg dose. The overall safety profile of MK‐1654 was similar to placebo, and treatment‐emergent antidrug antibodies were low (2.6%) with no associated adverse events. These data support the continued development of MK‐1654 for the prevention of RSV disease in infants.
Risk of incident cardiovascular disease in people with periodontal disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Larvin Harriet , Kang Jing , Aggarwal Vishal R. , Pavitt Sue , Wu Jianhua 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectivesCardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of mortality; periodontal disease (PD) affects up to 50% of the world's population. Observational evidence has demonstrated association between CVD and PD. Absent from the literature is a systematic review and meta‐analysis of longitudinal cohort studies quantifying CVD risk in PD populations compared to non‐PD populations. To examine the risk of incident CVD in people with PD in randomised controlled trials and longitudinal cohort studies.Material and MethodsWe searched Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane databases up to 9th Oct 2019 using keywords and MeSH headings using the following concepts: PD, CVD, longitudinal and RCT study design. CVD outcomes included but were not restricted to any CVD, myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. Diagnosis method and severity of PD were measured either clinically or by self‐report. Studies comparing incident CVD in PD and non‐PD populations were included. Meta‐analysis and meta‐regression was performed to determine risk of CVD in PD populations and examine the effects of PD diagnosis method, PD severity, gender and study region.ResultsThirty‐two longitudinal cohort studies were included after full text screening; 30 were eligible for meta‐analysis. The risk of CVD was significantly higher in PD compared to non‐PD (relative risk [RR]: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.14–1.26). CVD risk did not differ between clinical or self‐reported PD diagnosis (RR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.87–1.07,). CVD risk was higher in men (RR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.08–1.25) and severe PD (RR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.15–1.35). Among all types of CVD, the risk of stroke was highest (RR = 1.24; 95% CI:1.12–1.38), the risk of CHD was also increased (RR = 1.14; 95% CI:1.08–1.21).ConclusionThis study demonstrated modest but consistently increased risk of CVD in PD populations. Higher CVD risk in men and people with severe PD suggests population‐targeted interventions could be beneficial.