bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Antihyperlipidaemic Activities of Hydromethanolic Extracts of Dioscorea bulbifera
Authors: Chinko Bruno Chukwuemeka , Dapper Datonye Victor , Adienbo Olaghaguo Maestephen 
Published: February 2020

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia is a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases (CHDs) with treatment ranging from dietary management and the use of antihyperlipidaemic drugs. The desire for anti-hyperlipidaemic drugs with less side effects has led to the screening of medical with anti-hyperlipidaemic properties.
Aim: The present study is aimed at evaluating the effects of hydromethanolic extracts of Dioscorea bulbifera on high fat diet, tyloxapol and dexamethasone induced hyperlipidaemia using Wistar rat models.
Methodology: Fifty five (55) adult male Wistar rats weighing 180-250 g were used for the study. Natural induction of hyperlipidaemia was done using a formulated High fat diet made from commercial rat chow and rendered cow fat while chemical induction of hyperlipidaemia was done using tyloxapol (200 mg/kg) and dexamethasone (20 mg/kg). The Wistar rats where divided into eleven (11) groups comprising four (5) control groups and seven (6) experimental groups. The extracts were used to treat the hyperlipidaemic rats at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg while Simvastatin was used as a standard. Blood samples of the animals were analyzed for Total cholesterol (TC), Triglycerides (TG), High density lipoproteins (HDL), Low density lipoproteins (LDL), Very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and Serum glucose were determined by standard enzymatic methods.
Results: The results indicate that the hyperlipidaemic rats treated with extracts of Dioscorea bulbifera had significantly reduced TC, TG, LDL, VLDL and serum glucose compared with the control (untreated hyperlipidaemic rats) (P<0.05). In the same way, the HDL was found to be significantly higher among the treated hyperlipidaemic rats compared with the untreated controls.
Conclusion: The present study shows that hydromethanolic extracts of Dioscorea bulbifera has a possible antihyperlipidaemic potentials as demonstrated by its ability to significantly improve lipid profile and lower serum glucose levels in hyperlipidaemic rat models.
Effect of seeding date, environment and cultivar on soybean seed yield, yield components, and seed quality in the Northern Great Plains
Authors: MacMillan Kristen P. , Gulden Robert H. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWestern Canada grows more than 25% of Canadian soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and is the new northern extent of the North American soybean‐growing region. Canada is the seventh largest soybean‐exporting country, yet little information on yield and quality in modern cultivars exists for that region. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of delayed seeding on soybean seed yield, yield components, maturity, and seed quality in Manitoba, located in the eastern northern Great Plains, and provide the first characterization of the relative influence of environment, seeding date and cultivar on those variables. Field studies were conducted from 2015 to 2017 at three locations in southern Manitoba to evaluate the performance of three soybean cultivars at three seeding dates from 24 May to 24 June. Up to 90% of total variation in the response variables was explained by environment, seeding date, cultivar and their interactions, with environment often consuming the majority of total sums of squares. Among environments, seed yield ranged from 1610 to 3590 kg ha−1, seed number from 1719 to 3828 seeds m−2, seed weight from 125 to 169 g 1000 seeds−1, oil concentration from 16.1 to 18.7% and protein concentration from 32.8 to 35.3%. Overall, very late seeding reduced yield, seed weight, and oil but did not affect protein. This study demonstrates that environmental conditions in Manitoba have a large influence on soybean performance compared to seeding date or pedigree and that protein concentration varies at a finer geographical scale than previously reported.
Catechol‐Functionalized Polyolefins
Authors: Na Yinna , Chen Changle 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe incorporation of comonomers during ethylene polymerization can efficiently modulate important material properties of the polyolefins. Utilizing bioresourced comonomers for the generation of high‐performance polyolefin materials is attractive from a sustainability point of view. In this contribution, bioresourced eugenol and related comonomers were incorporated into polyolefins through palladium‐catalyzed copolymerization and terpolymerization reactions. Importantly, high‐molecular‐weight catechol‐functionalized polyolefins can be generated. The introduction of different metal ions induces efficient interactions with the incorporated catechol groups, leading to enhanced mechanical properties and self‐healing properties. Moreover, the catechol functionality can greatly improve other properties such as surface properties, adhesion properties, and compatibilizing properties. The catechol‐functionalized polyolefin was demonstrated as a versatile platform polymer for accessing various materials with dramatically different properties.
Molten‐Salt‐Mediated Synthesis of an Atomic Nickel Co‐catalyst on TiO2 for Improved Photocatalytic H2 Evolution
Authors: Xiao Mu , Zhang Lei , Luo Bin , Lyu Miaoqiang , Wang Zhiliang , Huang Hengming , Wang Songcan , Du Aijun , Wang Lianzhou 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAtomic co‐catalysts offer high potential to improve the photocatalytic performance, of which the preparation with earth‐abundant elements is challenging. Here, a new molten salt method (MSM) is designed to prepare atomic Ni co‐catalyst on widely studied TiO2 nanoparticles. The liquid environment and space confinement effect of the molten salt leads to atomic dispersion of Ni ions on TiO2, while the strong polarizing force provided by the molten salt promotes formation of strong Ni−O bonds. Interestingly, Ni atoms are found to facilitate the formation of oxygen vacancies (OV) on TiO2 during the MSM process, which benefits the charge transfer and hydrogen evolution reaction. The synergy of atomic Ni co‐catalyst and OV results in 4‐time increase in H2 evolution rate compared to that of the Ni co‐catalyst on TiO2 prepared by an impregnation method. This work provides a new strategy of controlling atomic co‐catalyst together with defects for efficient photocatalytic water splitting.
Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Aggregation‐Induced Emission Enhancement Controlled by Optical Manipulation
Authors: Wang Shun‐Fa , Lin Jhao‐Rong , Ishiwari Fumitaka , Fukushima Takanori , Masuhara Hiroshi , Sugiyama Teruki 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWe present spatiotemporal control of aggregation‐induced emission enhancement (AIEE) of a protonated tetraphenylethene derivative by optical manipulation. A single submicrometer‐sized aggregate is initially confined by laser irradiation when its fluorescence is hardly detectable. The continuous irradiation of the formed aggregate leads to sudden and rapid growth, resulting in bright yellow fluorescence emission. The fluorescence intensity at the peak wavelength of 540 nm is tremendously enhanced with growth, meaning that AIEE is activated by optical manipulation. Amazingly, the switching on/off of the activation of AIEE is arbitrarily controlled by alternating the laser power. This result means that optical manipulation increases the local concentration, which overcomes the electrostatic repulsion between the protonated molecules, namely, optical manipulation changes the aggregate structure. The dynamics and mechanism in AIEE controlled by optical manipulation will be discussed from the viewpoint of molecular conformation and association depending on the laser power.
“Arbequina” Olive Oil Composition Is Affected by the Application of Regulated Deficit Irrigation during Pit Hardening Stage
Authors: Sánchez‐Rodríguez Lucía , Kranjac Marina , Marijanović Zvonimir , Jerković Igor , Pérez‐López David , Carbonell‐Barrachina Ángel A. , Hernández Francisca , Sendra Esther 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThree new regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) treatments were applied to “Arbequina” olive orchards during pit hardening. Oil quality was determined by measuring analytical parameters for olive oil grading, antioxidant activity, total phenol content, fatty acid profile, volatile compounds profile, and sensory analysis. Oils from RDI were classified as “extra virgin olive oil” and their quality was improved due to their higher antioxidant potential (ABTS+ [increased ~75%] and DPPH˙ [increased ~25%] assays) and phenols (increased ~53%) than control. Concentration of total volatile compounds decreased (~27%) but RDI olive oils showed a more balanced profile (alcohols, aldehydes, and esters). Monounsaturated fatty acid content increased (~5%) and atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes decreased (~8.5%) in RDI olive oil. Regarding sensory analysis, RDI provided more balanced oils with higher fruit aroma than control. Other benefits of RDI olive oil, when compared with oil from full irrigated orchards are reduced use of water and improved functional and sensory quality.
Effects of Crosslinker Concentration in Poly(Acrylic Acid)‐KOH Gel Electrolyte on Performance of Zinc‐Air Batteries
Authors: Tran Thuy Nguyen Thanh , Clark Michael P. , Chung Hyun‐Joong , Ivey Douglas G. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractZinc‐air batteries (ZABs) using gel polymer electrolytes suffer from low energy efficiency and poor cyclability. This issue is not only associated with the air electrode, as early failure of the battery is often due to the Zn electrode. Here, the cycle life of ZABs using alkaline poly(acrylic acid) (PAA‐KOH) as the electrolyte is shown to vary by changing its crosslinking density. For ZABs using hydrogel electrolytes, understanding the failure mechanism and optimization of the hydrogel composition are key to achieving better utilization of the Zn electrode and battery rechargeability. In addition, the effects of crosslinker concentration on rheological properties, sol‐gel fraction, ionic conductivity, and water retention ability of the hydrogel are discussed. PAA‐KOH gels with lower crosslinking concentrations are weaker, but they have higher conductivity and better water retention, whereas gels with higher crosslinking concentrations affect the diffusion of zincate ions and facilitate passivation of the Zn electrode, resulting in early failure of the battery.
Ermüdungsverhalten von Carbonbeton unter Zugschwellbelastung
Authors: Wagner Juliane , Spelter Arne , Hegger Josef , Curbach Manfred 
Published: February 2020

AbstractSeit einigen Jahren werden vermehrt Brücken aus und mit Carbonbeton gebaut und verstärkt. Somit gewinnt dessen Zugtragverhalten unter Ermüdungsbelastung immer mehr an Relevanz. Systematische Untersuchungen hierzu liegen bislang nicht vor. Nachfolgend werden Ermüdungsuntersuchungen an zwei unterschiedlichen Materialkombinationen mit epoxid‐ bzw. polyachrylatgetränkten Carbontextilien in Dehnkörperversuchen vorgestellt. Diese wurden unter Zugschwellbelastung an den Instituten für Massivbau der RWTH Aachen und der TU Dresden getestet. Mithilfe der Versuchsergebnisse konnten für beide Carbonbewehrungen Spannungs‐Schwingspiel(S‐N)‐Kurven erstellt und Aussagen zur Dauerschwingfestigkeit getroffen werden. Auch wenn sich beide Materialkombinationen sehr unterschiedlich verhalten, können die erzielten Ergebnisse durchaus positiv bewertet werden.
Process intensification for production of Streptococcus pneumoniae whole‐cell vaccine
Authors: Campos Ivana B. , Cardoso Celso P. , Fratelli Fernando , Herd Muriel , Moffitt Kristin L. , Lu Ying‐Jie , Malley Richard , Leite Luciana C. C. , Gonçalves Viviane M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe available pneumococcal conjugate vaccines provide protection against only those serotypes that are included in the vaccine, which leads to a selective pressure and serotype replacement in the population. An alternative low‐cost, safe and serotype‐independent vaccine was developed based on a nonencapsulated pneumococcus strain. This study evaluates process intensification to improve biomass production and shows for the first time the use of perfusion‐batch with cell recycling for bacterial vaccine production. Batch, fed‐batch, and perfusion‐batch were performed at 10 L scale using a complex animal component‐free culture medium. Cells were harvested at the highest optical density, concentrated and washed using microfiltration or centrifugation to compare cell separation methods. Higher biomass was achieved using perfusion‐batch, which removes lactate while retaining cells. The biomass produced in perfusion‐batch would represent at least a fourfold greater number of doses per cultivation than in the previously described batch process. Each strategy yielded similar vaccines in terms of quality as evaluated by western blot and animal immunization assays, indicating that so far, perfusion‐batch is the best strategy for the intensification of pneumococcal whole‐cell vaccine production, as it can be integrated to the cell separation process keeping the same vaccine quality.
LncRNA growth arrest‐specific transcript 5 targets miR‐21 gene and regulates bladder cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis through PTEN
Authors: Chen Dong , Guo Yihong , Chen Yaqiu , Guo Qiaonan , Chen Junyi , Li Yining , Zheng Qiuping , Jiang Minyao , Xi Ming , Cheng Lu 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism by which growth arrest‐specific transcript 5 (GAS5) regulates bladder cancer cells. Bladder cancer samples were collected and tested for experiment. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the downstream target genes for GAS5 and miR‐21. The expression level of GAS5 was decreased and that of miR‐21 was increased, indicating a negative correlation between the two. Patients with high GAS5 level and low miR‐21 level had relatively longer survival rates. GAS5 inhibited bladder cancer cells proliferation and promoted apoptosis, and miR‐21 had the opposite effects. MiR‐21 was a direct target for GAS5, whereas phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was a direct target gene of miR‐21. Low expression of miR‐21 could reverse the proliferative and antiapoptotic effects caused by GAS5 silencing. High levels of GAS5 and low levels of miR‐21 might be associated with a higher survival rate in bladder cancer patients. GAS5 could exert antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects on bladder cancer cells through miR‐21 and PTEN.
Anti‐leukemic effect of PI3K inhibition on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells: shedding new light on the mitigating effect of c‐Myc and autophagy on BKM120 cytotoxicity
Authors: Shiri Heris Reza , Safaroghli‐Azar Ava , Yousefi Amir‐Mohammad , Hamidpour Mohsen , Bashash Davood 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe success in the identification of BCR/ABL tyrosine kinase role in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) went as far as to find a path to cure this leukemia; however, compensatory activation of leukomogenic signals get across the message that the small molecule inhibitors of oncogenic pathways, along with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, might be a beneficial approach in CML treatment. The results of the present study showed that the abrogation of the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) pathway using pan‐PI3K inhibitor BKM120 exerted a cytotoxic effect against CML‐derived K562 cells through both the induction of p21‐mediated G2/M arrest and the stimulation of apoptosis. Notably, the apoptotic effect of the inhibitor was further confirmed by the molecular analysis showing that BKM120 significantly increased the expression of pro‐apoptotic genes. To the best of our knowledge, the involvement of autophagy in resistance to BKM120 has not been yet described and our study suggests for the first time that the elevation of autophagy‐related genes might serve as a compensatory pathway to cease the anti‐leukemic effect of BKM120 in K562; since we found a reinforced anti‐survival event when the cells were treated with BKM120 in combination with autophagy inhibitor. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that the abrogation of PI3K using BKM120 might be a befitting approach in CML treatment, either as a single agent or in a combined‐modal strategy; however, further evaluations including clinical trials and in vivo investigations are demanded to ascertain the safety and the efficacy of the inhibitor in treatment strategies.
Preprocedure Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade: Has its time come and gone?
Authors: Yildiz Mehmet , Henry Timothy D. 
Published: February 2020

Key Points
Preprocedure TIMI flow grade has been an important predictor of clinical outcomes including mortality in patients with STEMI.
Results from a substudy of the ATLANTIC trial indicate that while the unadjusted preprocedure TIMI flow grade was related to composite ischemic events at 30 days, it was an independent predictor of only stent thrombosis.
TIMI flow grade is a simple but incomplete measure of coronary perfusion in STEMI patients. TIMI frame count, TIMI myocardial perfusion grade, and the index of microvascular resistance provide more complete insight into myocardial reperfusion in STEMI patients.
Long‐term effectiveness of biodegradable patent foramen ovale closure: Are we there yet?
Authors: Parikh Puja B. , Reilly John P. 
Published: February 2020

Key Points
Given increasing performance of left‐sided structural heart interventions, transseptal puncture following prior patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure can be challenging.
The biodegradable BioSTAR, an attractive alternative to permanent PFO closure devices, demonstrated comparable long‐term closure rates compared to the Amplatzer PFO device.
Long‐term peri‐device left‐to‐right shunt and nitinol strut protrusion with the BioSTAR must be taken into account in design of future PFO devices with biodegradable capabilities.
Ready for PRIME time: What we can learn from the Wyoming and friends experience
Authors: Patel Nachiket J. , Heuser Richard R. 
Published: February 2020

Key Points
If a major amputation occurs in patients with critical limb ischemia the 30‐day mortality is 10–12%
The tibio‐pedal arterial minimally invasive (TAMI) technique was used more often with re‐interventions in this series
The TAMI approach seems to result in the best outcome in this large series of patients from the PRIME registry.
Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide on Co−Ce‐Modified ZSM‐5 Zeolites: Impact of Mixed Oxo‐Species
Authors: Shilina Marina , Udalova Olga , Krotova Irina , Ivanin Igor , Boichenko Anton 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe main idea of the present work is the creation of new types of redox active sites by using zeolite as a matrix. Structure and catalytic activity in CO oxidation were studied for catalysts based on Co−Ce‐modified ZSM‐5 synthesized by sequential incipient wetness impregnation. Synergy of action of the two additives is observed. The most active is the catalyst with the ratio Co : Ce=3 : 1. According to TEM, XPS, UV‐vis‐DRS, DRIFTS and in situ CO‐reduction studies, the interaction of metals occurs in the channels of the zeolite with the formation of previously unknown joint structures in which CoIII and CeIII are stabilized. Apparently, these structures are represented by mixed Co−Ce oxo‐cations [CoxCeOy]n+. A new absorption band at 2179 cm−1 appearing in the DRIFT spectra of adsorbed CO is associated with mixed species. The catalytic activity in the oxidation of CO correlates with amount of these structures.
Solid‐state synthesis of cyclo LD‐diphenylalanine: A chiral phase built from achiral subunits
Authors: Pérez‐Mellor Ariel , Le Barbu‐Debus Katia , Zehnacker Anne 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe solid‐state structure of LL/DD or LD/DL diphenylalanine diluted in KBr pellets is studied by infrared (IR) absorption and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy. The structure depends on the absolute configuration of the residues. The natural LL diphenylalanine exists as a mixture of neutral and zwitterionic structures, depending on the humidity of the sample, while mostly the zwitterion is observed for LD diphenylalanine whatever the experimental conditions. The system undergoes spontaneous cyclization upon heating at 125°C, resulting to the formation of a diketopiperazine (DKP) dipeptide as the only product. The reaction is faster for LD than for LL diphenylalanine. As expected, LL and DD diphenylalanine react to form the LL and DD enantiomers of cyclo diphenylalanine. Interestingly, the DKP dipeptides formed from the LD or DL diphenylalanine show unexpected optical activity, with opposite VCD spectra for the products formed from the LD and DL reagents. This is explained in terms of chirality synchronization between the monomers within the crystal, which retain the symmetry of the reagent, resulting to the formation of a new chiral phase made from transiently chiral molecules.
Revisiting the relationship between corporate social responsibility and organizational performance: The mediating role of team outcomes
Authors: Latif Khawaja Fawad , Sajjad Aymen , Bashir Rabia , Shaukat Muhammad Bilal , Khan Muhammad Bilal , Sahibzada Umar Farooq 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to examine the mediating role of team outcomes on the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and organizational performance. The study utilized partial least squares structural equation modeling to test the direct and mediation effect based on 225 employees from the cement sector. Fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was used to identify the causal recipes leading to higher organizational performance. The results revealed a significant direct effect of CSR on performance, whereas team performance mediated the relationship; the mediating role of team identity and team efficacy was partially significant. fsQCA showed that a varied combination of CSR and team outcomes can lead to improved organizational performance. Our results contribute to the earlier studies that have predominantly examined the direct relationship between CSR and organizational performance by demonstrating that team outcomes mediate the relationship between CSR and organizational performance.
Enhanced fair earliest due date first scheduling strategy for multimedia applications in LTE downlink framework
Authors: Elhadad Mohamad I. , El‐Shafai Walid , El‐Rabaie El‐Sayed M. , Abd‐Elnaby Mohammed , Abd El‐Samie Fathi E. 
Published: February 2020

SummaryGuaranteeing a certain delay threshold for delay‐sensitive applications in long term evolution (LTE) cellular communication system is a very challenging mission. By implementing an optimal scheduling strategy, this mission will be achieved. In this article, a novel scheduler is introduced in order to meet a predefined level of service quality by guaranteeing a specific delay threshold for delay‐sensitive applications in LTE cellular systems. The proposed scheduler assigns the available resource blocks (RBs) to active user equipments (UEs) tacking into consideration several attributes. The expiration date of each packet, the channel quality, the average data rate previously achieved by each UE, and the number of dropped packets for each UE compared with the average number of packets totally dropped are all considered in the proposed scheduler working mechanism. Consequently, the proposed scheduling strategy reduces the number of packets dropped for multimedia applications, and at the same time maximizes the overall throughput of the network. Simulation results are provided to study and evaluate the performance of the proposed scheduling strategy. A comparative study is presented between the proposed strategy and the most recent scheduling techniques. The obtained results prove that the proposed scheduling strategy has considerably acceptable and appreciated results compared with the results of the state‐of‐the‐art scheduling techniques.