bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In Situ Environmental Cell–Transmission Electron Microscopy Study of Microbial Reduction of Chromium(VI) Using Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy
Authors: Daulton Tyrone L. , Little Brenda J. , Lowe Kristine , Jones-Meehan Joanne 
Published: June 2020

AbstractReduction of Cr(VI) by the bacterium, Shewanella oneidensis (previously classified Shewanella putrefaciens strain MR-1), was studied by absorption spectrophotometry and in situ, environmental cell–transmission electron microscopy (EC-TEM) coupled with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Bacteria from rinsed cultures were placed directly in the environmental cell of the transmission electron microscope and examined under 100 Torr pressure. Bright field EC-TEM images show two distinct populations of S. oneidensis in incubated cultures containing Cr(VI)O42−: those that exhibit low image contrast and heavily precipitateencrusted cells exhibiting high image contrast. Several EELS techniques were applied to determine the oxidation state of Cr associated with encrusted cells. The encrusted cells are shown to contain a reduced form of Cr in oxidation state +3 or lower. These results demonstrate the capability to determine the chemistry and valence state of reduction products associated with unfixed, hydrated bacteria in an environmental cell transmission electron microscope.
Verification of Layered Structures in SnO2/Metal-based Gas Sensors by X-ray Microanalysis: Comparison with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Authors: Bemporad Edoardo , Carassiti Fabio , Kaciulis Saulius , Mattogno Giulia 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe depth profile of thin film layers on bulk substrate, avoiding the cross-sectioning of samples, is commonly performed by techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS). Techniques based on X-ray emission intensity measurements by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), with conventional matrix or ZAF correction, are normally applied to cross-sectioned samples. This article compares XPS with surface X-ray intensity measurements by EDS, carried out with a more realistic X-ray generation and absorption model, known as the ϕ(ρ Z) model. The ϕ(ρ Z) approach has been adopted together with Monte Carlo simulation for the proper selection of SEM accelerating voltages, in conjunction with the analysis of SEM morphological images for thin film density correction. The method discussed hereafter and compared with the XPS technique, has advantages of higher lateral resolution, non-destructive elemental analyses, morphological visualization, low cost, and faster performance. This methodology has been followed to verify the layered structure of SnO2/metal-based gas sensors. X-ray intensities were measured using an EDS ultra-thin window detector. Two different porous layers, 25-nm thick of SnO2 and 10-nm thick of Cu, were detected, showing better agreement with their nominal thickness compared to results obtained using XPS measurements where porosity affects XPS data. If confirmed to be reliable and as effective as XPS depth profiling, this technique may be adopted for process quality control purposes.
Electron Spectroscopic Imaging of Magnetotactic Bacteria: Magnetosome Morphology and Diversity
Authors: Lins Ulysses , Freitas Flávia , Keim Carolina N. , Farina Marcos 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMagnetotactic bacteria from aquatic environments were analyzed with the electron spectroscopic imaging technique. Rod-shaped bacteria and cocci were present in most of the samples observed. Magnetotactic multicellular aggregates were also observed at some of the sampling sites. The use of electron spectroscopic imaging allowed the observation of magnetosomes inside magnetotactic microorganisms with exceptional clarity. The number, size, and morphology of magnetosomes, as well as their ultrastructural spatial disposition inside the bacterial cell, could be directly observed and associated with the disposition of flagella of the respective cells.This allowed us to examine the structural relationships between magnetosomes and flagella, which are important components in the mechanisms of magnetotaxis. In disrupted magnetotactic multicellular aggregates, connections between cells were also visualized. We believe this technique will be useful in studying not only magnetotactic bacteria but also other uncultured microorganisms from natural environments.
Force Modulation Elasticity Mapping of Plastic-embedded, Thin-sectioned Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Akhremitchev Boris B. , Brown Henry G. , Graner Scott R. , Walker Gilbert C. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWe have been researching the capability of atomic force microscopy to reveal nontopographic properties of tissue embedded in plastic and sectioned with standard electron microscopic techniques. We present topography and elasticity maps of plastic-embedded, thin sections of muscle tissue. The images show topography correlated with the normal repeating structure of the sarcomere. Elasticity mapping using force modulation revealed contrast between the actin- and myosin-rich areas. We attribute the observed contrast in elasticity to the difference in local concentrations of biological material in embedding plastic.
Microprobe Design in the 1950s: Some Examples in Europe
Authors: Duncumb Peter 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The early days of the electron microprobe were characterized by the
variety of designs emerging from different laboratories in Europe, the
United States, and the USSR. Examples from Europe illustrate well the
diverging trends in the evolutionary process at that time. Later, commercial
pressures and a better understanding of user needs forced a rationalization
on both sides of the Atlantic, to the point where only few variants have
survived. These were memorable days, with scope for healthy rivalry and
vigorous debate.
Chemical Etching Technique for the Investigation of Melt-crystallized Isotactic Polypropylene Spherulite and Lamellar Morphology by Scanning Electron Microscopy
Authors: Park Jemyung , Eom Kyuyoung , Kwon Ohjun , Woo Sangsun 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe spherulitic and lamellar morphologies of melt crystallized isotactic polypropylene (iPP) have been investigated according to various crystallization temperatures and times. In this study, an appropriate chemical etching condition for the observation of iPP morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is determined. The optimum etchant formulation is 3 wt% potassium permanganate with the mixed solvent of sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid. The morphologies after etching reveal the microstructure of iPP clearly, such as the characterization of α/β spherulites and the different lamellar growth patterns.
Application of Electron Probe Microanalysis to the Study of Geological
and Planetary Materials
Authors: McGee James J. , Keil Klaus 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
The impact of electron probe microanalysis on the study of geological
and planetary materials has been tremendous. Electron microprobes evolved
into routine analytical instruments in geological research laboratories as
instrument capabilities improved and applications to geologic/planetary
materials expanded. The contributions of electron probe microanalysis to the
characterization of minerals, both terrestrial and extraterrestrial, and to
other significant geological research, such as light element analysis, trace
element analysis, and element mapping, is described.
Is consonance attractive to budgerigars? No evidence from a place preference study
Authors: Wagner Bernhard , Bowling Daniel L. , Hoeschele Marisa 
Published: June 2020

AbstractConsonant tone combinations occur naturally in the overtone series of harmonic sounds. These include sounds that many non-human animals produce to communicate. As such, non-human animals may be attracted to consonant intervals, interpreting them, e.g., as a feature of important social stimuli. There is preliminary evidence of attraction to consonance in various bird species in the wild, but few experimental studies with birds. We tested budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) for attraction to consonant over dissonant intervals in two experiments. In Experiment 1, we tested humans and budgerigars using a place preference paradigm in which individuals could explore an environment with multiple sound sources. Both species were tested with consonant and dissonant versions of a previously studied piano melody, and we recorded time spent with each stimulus as a measure of attraction. Human females spent more time with consonant than dissonant stimuli in this experiment, but human males spent equal time with both consonant and dissonant stimuli. Neither male nor female budgerigars spent more time with either stimulus type. In Experiment 2, we tested budgerigars with more ecologically relevant stimuli comprised of sampled budgerigar vocalizations arranged into consonant or dissonant chords. These stimuli, however, also failed to produce any evidence of preference in budgerigar responses. We discuss these results in the context of ongoing research on the study of consonance as a potential general feature of auditory perception in animals with harmonic vocalizations, with respect to similarities and differences between human and budgerigar vocal behaviour, and future methodological directions.
The impact of cigarette smoking in predicting stroke using CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc schemas
Authors: Zuo Ming-Liang , Li Chun-Mei , Deng Yan , Bhattacharyya Sanjib , Shuai Ping , Tse Hung-Fat , Siu Chung-Wah , Yin Li-Xue 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Objective
To determine the impact of smoking status in the prediction of stroke using CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc schemes.

Methods
Five hundred twenty-eight consecutive patients with arrhythmic symptoms and without any documented arrhythmia from Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, were followed up to determine the incidence of ischemic stroke, new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), or all-cause mortality. Smoking status was classified into nonsmokers and smokers. The pairwise comparisons of C-statistics for outcomes were performed.

Results
During a median follow-up period of 6.2 years, 65 (12.3%) individuals developed ischemic stroke. Smokers experienced higher annual incidence of stroke, a new-onset AF, and all-cause death compare to nonsmokers, with corresponding hazard ratio (HR) of stroke, AF, and all-cause death being 2.51 (95% confidence intervals, CI 1.36als, CIse death bein 1.15a3.24), and 1.95 (95% CI 1.161.95 (95% CIath being 2.51 (95% confidence corr2 and CHA2DS2-VASc for stroke were 0.60 (95% CI 0.51 for stp = 0.09) and 0.59 (95% CI 0.50 (95%, p = 0.15) respectively, whereas the C-statistics of CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc were 0.66 (95% CI 0.61 were 0p = 0.005), 0.75 (95% CI 0.7 CI 0.7p < 0.0001), respectively among nonsmokers. After incorporating smoking, both the CHADS2-smoking and CHA2DS2-VASc-smoking achieved better C-statistics for new-onset ischemic stroke prediction superior to baseline score systems in male groups.

Conclusion
Cigarette smoking status has impact on stroke stratification using CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scheme. The discrimination of the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scheme for stroke can be significantly improved if smoking status is additionally considered.
Endogenous calcitonin gene-related peptide in cerebrospinal fluid and early quality of life and mental health after good-grade spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage—a feasibility series
Authors: Bründl Elisabeth , Proescholdt Martin , Störr Eva-Maria , Schödel Petra , Bele Sylvia , Höhne Julius , Zeman Florian , Brawanski Alexander , Schebesch Karl-Michael 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe vasodilatory calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is excessively released after spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (sSAH) and modulates psycho-behavioral function. In this pilot study, we prospectively analyzed the treatment-specific differences in the secretion of endogenous CGRP into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during the acute stage after good-grade sSAH and its impact on self-reported health-related quality of life (hrQoL). Twenty-six consecutive patients (f:m = 13:8; mean age 50.6 years) with good-grade sSAH were enrolled (drop out 19% (n = 5)): 35% (n = 9) underwent endovascular aneurysm occlusion, 23% (n = 6) microsurgery, and 23% (n = 6) of the patients with perimesencephalic SAH received standardized intensive medical care. An external ventricular drain was inserted within 72 h after the onset of bleeding. CSF was drawn daily from day 1–10. CGRP levels were determined via competitive enzyme immunoassay and calculated as “area under the curve” (AUC). All patients underwent a hrQoL self-report assessment (36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), ICD-10-Symptom-Rating questionnaire (ISR)) after the onset of sSAH (t1: day 11–35) and at the 6-month follow-up (t2). AUC CGRP (total mean ± SD, 5.7 ± 1.8 ng/ml/24 h) was excessively released into CSF after sSAH. AUC CGRP levels did not differ significantly when dichotomizing the aSAH (5.63 ± 1.77) and pSAH group (5.68 ± 2.08). aSAH patients revealed a higher symptom burden in the ISR supplementary item score (p = 0.021). Multiple logistic regression analyses corroborated increased mean levels of AUC CGRP in CSF at t1 as an independent prognostic factor for a significantly higher symptom burden in most ISR scores (compulsive-obsessive syndrome (OR 5.741, p = 0.018), anxiety (OR 7.748, p = 0.021), depression (OR 2.740, p = 0.005), the supplementary items (OR 2.392, p = 0.004)) and for a poorer performance in the SF-36 physical component summary score (OR 0.177, p = 0.001). In contrast, at t2, CSF AUC CGRP concentrations no longer correlated with hrQoL. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to correlate the levels of endogenous CSF CGRP with hrQoL outcome in good-grade sSAH patients. Excessive CGRP release into CSF may have a negative short-term impact on hrQoL and emotional health like anxiety and depression. While subacutely after sSAH, higher CSF levels of the vasodilator CGRP are supposed to be protective against vasospasm-associated cerebral ischemia, from a psychopathological point of view, our results suggest an involvement of CSF CGRP in the dysregulation of higher integrated behavior.
The impact of loneliness on healthcare use in older people: evidence from a nationally representative cohort
Authors: Burns Annette , Leavey Gerard , Ward Mark , O’Sullivan Roger 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Aim
Concerns around loneliness leading to increased healthcare use persist in spite of a mixed evidence base and lack of adjustment for key potential confounders. We investigated the associations among loneliness, health and healthcare use in older adults including stratification to investigate whether these associations differ by gender.

Subject and methods
Secondary analysis of a nationally representative sample of 8175 community-dwelling adults aged 50 years and over from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Primary outcomes were self-reported general practitioner (GP) and emergency department (ED) visits in the past 12 months. Negative binomial and logistic regression analysis was used to investigate associations between loneliness and healthcare use, later adjusting for potential mediators (health and health behaviours).

Results
Loneliness was consistently positively associated with number of GP visits according to both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, with incidence rate ratios (IRRs) ranging from 1.08 to 1.33 in the sample overall. Associations with ED visits were less consistent. After adjusting for health and health behaviours, male loneliness does not appear to influence ED or GP visits. However, women who reported loneliness had an elevated risk of an ED visit at wave 1 (W1; odds ratio (OR) 1.08 [1.01–1.16]), as well as increased GP visits at both waves (IRRs ranging from 1.05 [1.02–1.07] to 1.16 [1.07–1.26]).

Conclusion
Older women experiencing loneliness visit their GP more often irrespective of health, health behaviours or social isolation. While effect sizes were small, there are implications for health service resources at a population level. Importantly, however, this may also be a useful opportunity to redirect towards appropriate services and tailored resources.
Prognostic potential of automated Ki67 evaluation in breast cancer: different hot spot definitions versus true global score
Authors: Robertson Stephanie , Acs Balazs , Lippert Michael , Hartman Johan 
Published: June 2020

AbstractPurposeThe proliferation-associated biomarker Ki67 has potential utility in breast cancer, including aiding decisions based on prognosis, but has unacceptable inter- and intralaboratory variability. The aim of this study was to compare the prognostic potential for Ki67 hot spot scoring and global scoring using different digital image analysis (DIA) platforms.MethodsAn ER+/HER2− breast cancer cohort (n = 139) with whole slide images of sequential sections stained for hematoxylin–eosin, pancytokeratin and Ki67, was analyzed using two DIA platforms. For hot spot analysis virtual dual staining was applied, aligning pancytokeratin and Ki67 images and 22 hot spot algorithms with different features were designed. For global Ki67 scoring an automated QuPath algorithm was applied on Ki67-stained whole slide images. Clinicopathological data included overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) along with PAM50 molecular subtypes.ResultsWe show significant variations in Ki67 hot spot scoring depending on number of included tumor cells, hot spot size, shape and location. The higher the number of scored tumor cells, the higher the reproducibility of Ki67 proliferation values. Hot spot scoring had greater prognostic potential for RFS in high versus low Ki67 subgroups (hazard ratio (HR) 6.88, CI 2.07–22.87,p = 0.002), compared to global scoring (HR 3.13, CI 1.41–6.96,p = 0.005). Regarding OS, global scoring (HR 7.46, CI 2.46–22.58,p < 0.001) was slightly better than hot spot scoring (HR 6.93, CI 1.61–29.91,p = 0.009). In adjusted multivariate analysis, only global scoring was an independent prognostic marker for both RFS and OS. In addition, global Ki67-based surrogate subtypes reached higher concordance with PAM50 molecular subtype for luminal A and B tumors (66.3% concordance rate,κ = 0.345), than using hot spot scoring (55.8% concordance rate,κ = 0.250).ConclusionsWe conclude that the automated global Ki67 scoring is feasible and shows clinical validity, which, however, needs to be confirmed in a larger cohort before clinical implementation.
Higher education contributing to local, national, and global development: new empirical and conceptual insights
Authors: Chankseliani Maia , Qoraboyev Ikboljon , Gimranova Dilbar 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHigher education offers the potential to support glonacal (global, national, and local) development. This study presents new empirical and conceptual insights into the ways in which higher education can help to achieve and exceed the outcomes enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals. Open-ended online surveys were used to learn how academics in Georgia and Kazakhstan view the contributions of universities to addressing self-identified development challenges; and how universities work with the government and the private sector for realising their glonacal development potential. While the study provides ample evidence on the national manifestations of the developmental role of universities, it also shows that limited academic freedom and institutional autonomy impede the full realisation of the potential of higher education. The assumptions underpinning the academics’ views on how higher education can support development are discussed in the light of an innovative framework of essentialist and anti-essentialist approaches. Juxtaposing the national with the global development missions of universities, the paper raises questions on the possibility of delinking higher education from the immediate human capital and modernisation needs of the nation-state and becoming concerned with the global, on promoting freedom to cultivate intellectual curiosity through education and research, and stimulating a more holistic imaginary of the developmental purposes of higher education.
Seeking Information on Social Commerce: An Examination of the Impact of User- and Marketer-generated Content Through an Eye-tracking Study
Authors: Mikalef Patrick , Sharma Kshitij , Pappas Ilias O. , Giannakos Michail 
Published: June 2020

AbstractFollowing the growing popularity of social commerce sites, there is an increased interest in understanding how consumers decide what products to purchase based on the available information. Consumers nowadays are confronted with the task of assessing marketer-generated (MGC) as well as user-generated information (UGC) in a range of different forms to make informed purchase-related decisions. This study examines the information types and forms that influence consumers in their decision-making process on social commerce. Building on uses and gratifications and dual-process theories, we distinguish between marketer and user generated content, and differentiate formats into informational and normative. Using a mixed methods approach that builds on an eye-tracking study, followed by semi-structured interviews with 23 participants, our results indicate significant differences in the types and format of information consumed for selected versus eliminated products. Specifically, we looked at engagement, cognitive processing, and observation of consumers, since they reveal information about the mental and processing mechanisms during decision making. We find that consumers present a number of differences in terms of these measures among the different types of content, and with respect to selected versus eliminated products. The outcomes of the interviews also serve to complement these findings, providing more detailed information about the processes and emotional states of consumers during the selection process.
Recycling of Bioplastics: Routes and Benefits
Authors: Lamberti Fabio M. , Román-Ramírez Luis A. , Wood Joseph 
Published: June 2020

AbstractContinual reduction of landfill space along with rising CO2levels and environmental pollution, are global issues that will only grow with time if not correctly addressed. The lack of proper waste management infrastructure means gloablly commodity plastics are disposed of incorrectly, leading to both an economical loss and environmental destruction. The bioaccumulation of plastics and microplastics can already be seen in marine ecosystems causing a negative impact on all organisms that live there, ultimately microplastics will bioaccumulate in humans. The opportunity exists to replace the majority of petroleum derived plastics with bioplastics (bio-based, biodegradable or both). This, in conjunction with mechanical and chemical recycling is a renewable and sustainable solution that would help mitigate climate change. This review covers the most promising biopolymers PLA, PGA, PHA and bio-versions of conventional petro-plastics bio-PET, bio-PE. The most optimal recycling routes after reuse and mechanical recycling are: alcoholysis, biodegradation, biological recycling, glycolysis and pyrolysis respectively.
Entanglement concentration service for the quantum Internet
Authors: Gyongyosi Laszlo , Imre Sandor 
Published: June 2020

AbstractHere, we define the entanglement concentration service for the quantum Internet. The aim of the entanglement concentration service is to provide reliable, high-quality entanglement for a dedicated set of strongly connected quantum nodes in the quantum Internet. The objectives of the service are to simultaneously maximize the entanglement throughput of all entangled connections and to minimize the hop distance between the high-priority quantum nodes. We propose a method for the resolution of the entanglement concentration problem and provide a performance analysis.