bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tailoring amount of TiO2 doped onto fibrous silica ZSM-5 for enhanced photodegradation of paracetamol
Authors: Aziz F F A , Jalil A A , Hitam C N C , Hassan N S , Rahman A F A , Fauzi A A 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Photocatalytic degradation of paracetamol has received much attention due to its low energy consumption, high efficiency and safety to environment. A simple electrolysis system was used to synthesis a series of titania (1-5 wt%) supported on fibrous silica ZSM-5 (TiO2/FZ). The FESEM images showed the cockscomb-like surface of FZ was preserved even after the addition of TiO2. FTIR results confirmed that TiO2 is successfully incorporated with FZ through the Si-O-Ti bonds. The adsorption edge of TiO2 shifted to the higher wavelength after supported on FZ and lowering the band gap of TiO2. The photodegradation of paracetamol was resulted in the following order: 3 wt% TiO2/FZ (90%) > 5 wt% TiO2/FZ (71%) > 1 wt% TiO2/FZ (65%). 3 wt% TiO2/FZ exhibits excellent photodegradation of paracetamol owing to the highest number of Si-O-Ti bonds and lowest band gap. The result obtained give new insight for other wastewater treatment processes over photodegradation of various pollutants.
Evaluation of Perfluorinated Sulfonic Acid Membranes for Vanadium Redox
Authors: Sha’rani S S , Jusoh N. W. C. , Abouzari-Lotf E , Ahmad A , Ali R R 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe performance and cost of the membranes have always been crucial for the utilization of electrochemical energy devices. This article presents the properties and the performance of two commercially available and low-cost perfluorinated sulfonic acid membranes of GN115 and GN212C for vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) application in comparison with Nafion117 (N117) membrane. The vanadium (IV) permeability of GN115 membrane was found to be close to N117, unlike GN212C membrane which showed 4 times higher vanadium (IV) permeability than N117 under similar conditions. Both GN115 and GN212C membranes showed isotropic conductivity and higher values than N117. The battery test results indicated that the high coulombic efficiency (CE) and high voltage efficiency (VE) followed the vanadium (IV) permeability and proton conductivity trends. Both membranes revealed outstanding stability in long-term charge-discharge testing under various current densities. The energy efficiency was found to be higher than N117 with values of 76.6% and 76.8% for GN115 and GN212C, respectively. The overall results suggest that both lower-cost membranes have a strong potential for VRFB application as the single-cell performance results were close to N117. The high value of proton conductivity of GN212C membrane compensates its vanadium (IV) permeability leaving reasonable battery performance.
Characteristics and carbon dioxide adsorption performance of amine-impregnated KCC-1 with different loading ratio
Authors: Nasir M S R M , Khairunnisa M P , Jusoh N W C , Jalil A A 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
With our climate condition worsening day by day, the effort to mitigate this effect has been intensified. One of the ways to curb this issue is by reducing the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere via CO2 capture. Among all the material used for CO2 capture, amine-impregnated porous silica was observed to be a promising adsorbent. Research has shown its potential, but the accessibility issues caused by its narrow pore opening limits its capabilities. KCC-1, the latest member of the porous silica family, possesses unique fibrous morphology that can solve this problem. In this paper, a series of Tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA)-impregnated KCC-1 (KCC-1/TEPA) synthesized at three different loading ratios (KCC-1 to TEPA 2:1, 1:1 and 1:2) is reported. Characteristics study was conducted to determine the effect of loading ratio on its properties, and its CO2 adsorption capacity was evaluated. FTIR peaks at 3430 cm−1, 3300 cm−1, 2950 cm−1, 2841 cm−1, 1658 cm−1, 1565 cm−1 and 1465 cm−1 revealed that the impregnation was successful, while XRD diffractogram indicated that KCC-1 structure remained preserved in all impregnated samples. Increased surface area and pore volume reduction was observed with the increase of TEPA-loading ratio. KCC-1/T1:2 reported the highest CO2 adsorption value among all three impregnated sample with 141 mg/g, while KCC-1/T2:1 recorded the lowest (82 mg/g). Results indicated that increasing TEPA loading ratio increases the number of active sites for CO2 to attached, hence lead to increase CO2 capture. Overall, it was shown that amount of CO2 adsorbed is related to the amount of TEPA loaded to the sorbent.
Analysis on Physiochemical Properties of Cellulose Fiber from Rice Straw Waste
Authors: Yusefi Mostafa , Rasit Ali Roshafima Bte , Abdullah Ezzat Chan , Shameli Kamyar 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Green biobased polymeric membranes are being increasingly studied for different applications. In this study, freeze dried cellulose fiber with 35% yield was isolated from rice straw. The cellulose fiber was obtained through bleaching and delignification of the rice straw waste using soxhlet instrument and facile method of alkali treatment, respectively. The cellulose fiber was analysed through X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential analyzer and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Compared to the straw, all physicochemical properties of treated cellulose fiber increased with zeta potential up to -33.61 mV. FTIR revealed that the treatments on the straw was successful to obtain cellulose fiber with high purity. In addition, the morphological study illustrated cellulose fiber with organized structure.
Cinnamaldehyde Ameliorates Vascular Dysfunction in Diabetic Mice by Activating Nrf2
Authors: Wang Peijian , Yang Yi , Wang Dan , Yang Qiyuan , Wan Jindong , Liu Sen , Zhou Peng , Yang Yongjian 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Oxidative stress is known to be associated with the development of diabetes. Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is a spice compound in cinnamon that enhances the antioxidant defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS) by activating nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which has been shown to have a cardioprotection effect. However, the relationship between CA and Nrf2 in diabetic vascular complications remains unclear.

METHODS
Leptin receptor-deficient (db/db) mice were fed normal chow or diet containing 0.02% CA for 12 weeks. The vascular tone, blood pressure, superoxide level, nitric oxide (NO) production, renal morphology, and function were measured in each group.

RESULTS
CA remarkably inhibited ROS generation, preserved NO production, increased phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (p-eNOS), attenuated the upregulation of nitrotyrosine, P22 and P47 in aortas of db/db mice, and apparently ameliorated the elevation of type IV collagen, TGF-β1, P22, and P47 in kidney of db/db mice. Feeding with CA improved endothelium-dependent relaxation of aortas and mesenteric arteries, and alleviated the remodeling of mesenteric arteries in db/db mice. Additionally, dietary CA ameliorated glomerular fibrosis and renal dysfunction in diabetic mice. Nrf2 and its targeted genes heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1) were slightly increased in db/db mice and further upregulated by CA. However, these protective effects of CA were reversed in Nrf2 downregulation mice.

CONCLUSIONS
A prolonged diet of CA protects against diabetic vascular dysfunction by inhibiting oxidative stress through activating of Nrf2 signaling pathway in db/db mice.
Modern and Medieval Modal Spaces
Authors: Ahmed Arif 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe interesting question about modality is not about its extension, but about its point. Everyone can agree (for instance) that the past is necessary in the Ockhamist sense but not in some ‘modern’ senses, and that the present is necessary in the Ockhamist sense but not in the Scotist sense. But why should it matter? These comments on Pasnau (2020) first set out a simple-minded explication in modern terms of some of these fourteenth-century ideas. Then I take issue with (a) Pasnau’s claim that the necessity of the past has something to do with the structure of ‘narrative history’, and (b) Duns Scotus’s claim that the contingency of the present has something to do with human freedom.
Climate change and maladaptive wing shortening in a long-distance migratory bird
Authors: Remacha Carolina , Rodríguez César , de la Puente Javier , Pérez-Tris Javier 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Contemporary phenotypic trends associated with global change are widely documented, but whether such trends always denote trait optimization under changed conditions remains obscure. Natural selection has shaped the wings of long-distance migratory birds to minimize the costs of transport, and new optimal wing shapes could be promoted by migration patterns altered due to global change. Alternatively, wing shape could vary as a correlated response to selection on other traits favored in a changing environment, eventually moving away from the optimal shape for migration and increasing transport costs. Data from 20 yr of monitoring 2 Common Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) populations breeding in central Spain, where environmental conditions for breeding have deteriorated during recent decades due to increased summer drought, show that birds have reduced wing length relative to body size over the period 1995–2014. However, long-winged nightingales survived their first round-trip migration better, and the shorter the average wing length of individuals, the stronger the survival-associated natural selection favoring longer wings. Maladaptive short wings may have arisen because the mortality costs of migration are outweighed by reproductive benefits accrued by short-winged nightingales in these populations. Assuming that the phenotypic integration of morphological and reproductive adaptations of migratory birds has a genetic basis, we hypothesize that the maladaptive trend towards shorter wings may be a correlated response to selection for moderate breeding investment in drying habitat. Our results provide evidence that contemporary phenotypic change may deviate average trait values from their optima, thereby increasing our understanding of the ecological constraints underpinning adaptation to rapid global change.
Detection of somatic structural variants from short-read next-generation sequencing data
Authors: Gong Tingting , Hayes Vanessa M , Chan Eva K F 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Somatic structural variants (SVs), which are variants that typically impact &gt;50 nucleotides, play a significant role in cancer development and evolution but are notoriously more difficult to detect than small variants from short-read next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. This is due to a combination of challenges attributed to the purity of tumour samples, tumour heterogeneity, limitations of short-read information from NGS and sequence alignment ambiguities. In spite of active development of SV detection tools (callers) over the past few years, each method has inherent advantages and limitations. In this review, we highlight some of the important factors affecting somatic SV detection and compared the performance of seven commonly used SV callers. In particular, we focus on the extent of change in sensitivity and precision for detecting different SV types and size ranges from samples with differing variant allele frequencies and sequencing depths of coverage. We highlight the reasons for why some SV callers perform well in some settings but not others, allowing our evaluation findings to be extended beyond the seven SV callers examined in this paper. As the importance of large SVs become increasingly recognized in cancer genomics, this paper provides a timely review on some of the most impactful factors influencing somatic SV detection that should be considered when choosing SV callers.
Toxoplasmosis Outbreak Associated With Toxoplasma gondii-Contaminated Venison—High Attack Rate, Unusual Clinical Presentation, and Atypical Genotype
Authors: Schumacher Amy C , Elbadawi Lina I , DeSalvo Traci , Straily Anne , Ajzenberg Daniel , Letzer David , Moldenhauer Ellen , Handly Tammy L , Hill Dolores , Dardé Marie-Laure , Pomares Christelle , Passebosc-Faure Karine , Bisgard Kristine , Gomez Carlos A , Press Cindy , Smiley Stephanie , Montoya José G , Kazmierczak James J 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Background
During 2017, in response to a physician’s report, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, began investigating an outbreak of febrile illness among attendees of a retreat where never frozen, intentionally undercooked, locally harvested venison was served. Preliminary testing tentatively identified the illness as toxoplasmosis.

Methods
Confirmatory human serology panels and testing of the venison to confirm and categorize the presence and type of Toxoplasma gondii were completed by French and American national reference laboratories. All 12 retreat attendees were interviewed; medical records were reviewed.

Results
All attendees were male; median age was 51 years (range: 22–75). After a median incubation period of 7 days, 9 (82%) of 11 exposed persons experienced illness lasting a median of 12 days. All 9 sought outpatient healthcare for symptoms including fever, chills, sweats, and headache (100%) and ocular disturbances (33%). Testing confirmed the illness as toxoplasmosis and venison as the infection source. Multiple laboratory results were atypical for toxoplasmosis, including transaminitis (86%), lymphocytopenia (88%), thrombocytopenia (38%), and leukopenia (63%). One exposed but asymptomatic person was seronegative; the other had immunity from prior infection. The T. gondii strain was identified as closely related to an atypical genotype (haplogroup 12, polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism genotype 5) common in North American wildlife but with previously uncharacterized human clinical manifestations.

Conclusions
The T. gondii strain contaminating the venison might explain the unusual clinical presentations. In North America, clinicians and venison consumers should be aware of risk for severe or unusual presentations of acute toxoplasmosis after consuming undercooked game meat.
Differential Responses of White Adipose Tissue and Brown Adipose Tissue to Calorie Restriction During Aging
Authors: Sheng Yunlu , Xia Fan , Chen Lei , Lv Yifan , Lv Shan , Yu Jing , Liu Juan , Ding Guoxian 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Age-related adipose tissue dysfunction is potentially important in the development of insulin resistance and metabolic disorder. Caloric restriction (CR) is a robust intervention to reduce adiposity, improve metabolic health, and extend healthy life span. Both white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) are involved in energy homeostasis. CR triggers the beiging of WAT in young mice; however, the effects of CR on beiging of WAT and function of BAT during aging are unclear. This study aimed to investigate how age and CR impact the beiging of WAT, the function of BAT, and metabolic health in mice. C57BL/6 mice were fed CR diet (40% less than the ad libitum [AL] diet) for 3 months initiated in young (3 months), middle-aged (12 months), and old (19 months) stage. We found age-related changes in different types of adipose tissue, including adipocyte enlargement, declined beiging of WAT, and declined thermogenic and β-oxidational function of BAT. Moreover, CR attenuated age-associated adipocyte enlargement and prevented the age-related decline in beiging potential of WAT. These protective effects on the beiging potential were significant in inguinal WAT at all three ages, which were significant in epididymal WAT at young and old age. In contrast, thermogenic and β-oxidational function of BAT further declined after CR in the young age group. In conclusion, our findings reveal the contribution of WAT beiging decline to age-related metabolic disorder and suggest nutritional intervention, specifically targeting WAT beiging, as an effective approach to metabolic health during aging.
Recent Public Discourses on Anti-Jewish Violence in Moldovan History, 1991–2019
Authors: Felcher Anastasia 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Efforts to commemorate the victims of the 1903 Chişinǎu (Kishinev) pogrom and the Holocaust in Bessarabia and Transnistria have achieved varying degrees of success in the Republic of Moldova. Gaining public recognition for these experiences has proven a convoluted process. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the local Community has led an enduring memorialization campaign, which has steadily evolved with the shifting political climate. Though Community representatives have at times had a fraught relationship with Moldovan officials, they have continuously sought official acknowledgment of their efforts. This article analyzes how both the government and the Jewish Community have handled memory in public spaces and the local media of Chişinǎu.
Lower and Upper Bounds for Positive Bases of Skein Algebras
Authors: Lê Thang T Q , Thurston Dylan P , Yu Tao 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
We show that if a sequence of normalized polynomials gives rise to a positive basis of the skein algebra of a surface, then it is sandwiched between the two types of Chebyshev polynomials. For the closed torus, we show that the normalized sequence of Chebyshev polynomials of type one $(\hat{T}_n)$ is the only one that gives a positive basis.
A computational bio-chemo-mechanical model of in vivo tissue-engineered vascular graft development
Authors: Khosravi Ramak , Ramachandra Abhay B , Szafron Jason M , Schiavazzi Daniele E , Breuer Christopher K , Humphrey Jay D 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Stenosis is the primary complication of current tissue-engineered vascular grafts used in pediatric congenital cardiac surgery. Murine models provide considerable insight into the possible mechanisms underlying this situation, but they are not efficient for identifying optimal changes in scaffold design or therapeutic strategies to prevent narrowing. In contrast, computational modeling promises to enable time- and cost-efficient examinations of factors leading to narrowing. Whereas past models have been limited by their phenomenological basis, we present a new mechanistic model that integrates molecular- and cellular-driven immuno- and mechano-mediated contributions to in vivo neotissue development within implanted polymeric scaffolds. Model parameters are inferred directly from in vivo measurements for an inferior vena cava interposition graft model in the mouse that are augmented by data from the literature. By complementing Bayesian estimation with identifiability analysis and simplex optimization, we found optimal parameter values that match model outputs with experimental targets and quantify variability due to measurement uncertainty. Utility is illustrated by parametrically exploring possible graft narrowing as a function of scaffold pore size, macrophage activity, and the immunomodulatory cytokine transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1). The model captures salient temporal profiles of infiltrating immune and synthetic cells and associated secretion of cytokines, proteases, and matrix constituents throughout neovessel evolution, and parametric studies suggest that modulating scaffold immunogenicity with early immunomodulatory therapies may reduce graft narrowing without compromising compliance.
On My Own: The Aversion to Being Observed during the Preference-Construction Stage
Authors: Zwebner Yonat , Schrift Rom Y 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Previous research in consumer behavior and decision-making has explored many important aspects of social observation. However, the effect of social observation during the specific time wherein consumers construct their preferences remains relatively understudied. The present work seeks to fill this knowledge gap and adds to this literature by studying how consumers react to being observed during the preference-construction stage (i.e., prior to reaching their decision). While existing research on social observation focuses on accountability and self-presentation concerns, the present study uncovers an additional unique concern. Specifically, eight studies (three additional studies reported in the web appendix) find that being observed prior to reaching the decision threatens consumers’ sense of autonomy in making the decision, resulting in an aversion to being observed. Furthermore, we find that such threats lead consumers to terminate their decision by avoiding purchase or by choosing default options. Given the extent to which consumers are observed in the marketplace by other individuals and by online platforms, and given the rise in consumers’ privacy concerns associated with such practices, understanding consumer reactions to being observed in the pre-decisional stage is an important topic with practical implications.
Ecology of Sand Flies (Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) and Natural Infection of Pintomyia townsendi With Leishmania amazonensis in a Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Focus in Colombia
Authors: Hoyos Juliana , González Ranulfo , Cuellar Maria E , León Cielo 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Humans have influenced the epidemiological patterns of American cutaneous leishmaniasis by habitat disturbance, which has led to the emergence of new transmission foci. In these transmission areas, detecting natural infection of sand fly species with Leishmania parasites is of prime importance in epidemiological studies. In this study, we examined the species composition, spatial distribution, seasonality, and natural infection with Leishmania of the sand fly fauna in an emergent leishmaniasis focus located in Colombia. Sand flies were collected from September 2014 to June 2015 using CDC light traps located in indoor, peridomestic, and outdoor habitats within areas with confirmed clinical patients. In total, 13,488 sand flies of 12 species and seven genera were collected. Among these, Pintomyia townsendi (Ortiz) was the most abundant species comprising 76.3% of total flies collected. The sand fly richness and abundance were influenced by habitat and weather conditions. Outdoor areas harbored the greatest diversity of sand flies. Rainfall negatively affected abundance, whereas increased temperature showed a low positive effect. We detected Leishmania amazonensis parasites in Pi. townsendi for the first time.
Limiting spread of COVID-19 in an orthopaedic department—a perspective from Spain
Authors: Gómez-Barrena Enrique , Rubio-Suárez Juan C , Fernández-Baillo Nicomedes , Antuña Samuel , Cruz-Pardos Ana , Blanco Manuel , Ortiz-Cruz Eduardo , González-Morán Gaspar , Gil-Garay Enrique 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Besides national and international recommendations, orthopaedic departments face significant changes in daily activity and serious issues to maintain their standards in musculoskeletal care during the pandemic Covid-19 crisis that we are facing. This report retrospectively addresses measures that were progressively put in place to modify in a week time the activity of a busy orthopaedic department in a large tertiary university hospital in face of the pandemic. Surgical priorities and surgical outcomes are key aspects to consider. The experience may offer some insight to areas where the spread of the disease may be slower or delayed. Abrupt stop of scheduled surgery and clinics is useful to adapt an orthopaedic department to the overall hospital resource reorganization. Orthopaedic surgeons need to be aware of the risks to patients and personnel in view of underdiagnosed cases, which make pre-operative Covid-19 evaluation mandatory for all surgical cases.