bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carbon Nanotubes Enabling Highly Efficient Cell Apoptosis by Low‐Intensity Nanosecond Electric Pulses via Perturbing Calcium Handling
Authors: Mao Zheng , Zhang Youyu , Lu Nan , Cheng Shun , Hong Ronghan , Liu Qing Huo 
Published: December 2019

AbstractEffective induction of targeted cancer cells apoptosis with minimum side effects has always been the primary objective for anti‐tumor therapy. In this study, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are employed for their unique ability to target tumors and amplify the localized electric field due to the high aspect ratio. Highly efficient and cancer cell specific apoptosis is finally achieved by combining carbon nanotubes with low intensity nanosecond electric pulses (nsEPs). The underlying mechanism may be as follows: the electric field produced by nsEPs is amplified by CNTs, causing an enhanced plasma membrane permeabilization and Ca2+ influx, simultaneously triggering Ca2+ release from intracellular storages to cytoplasm in a direct/indirect manner. All the changes above lead to excessive mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake. Substructural damage and obvious mitochondria membrane potential depolarization are caused subsequently with the combined action of numerously reactive oxygen species production, ultimately initiating the apoptotic process through the translocation of cytochrome c to the cytoplasm and activating apoptotic markers including caspase‐9 and ‐3. Thus, the combination of nanosecond electric field with carbon nanotubes can actually promote HCT116 cell death via mitochondrial signaling pathway‐mediated cell apoptosis. These results may provide a new and highly efficient strategy for cancer therapy.
Feasibility of producing two‐stage (preplaced aggregate) concrete by gravity process
Authors: Das Kunal K. , Lam Eddie S. S. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractTwo‐stage concrete or Preplaced aggregate concrete (“PAC”) is produced by first preplacing the coarse aggregates into the formwork and then injecting a grout to fill in the voids between the aggregates. The involvement of unique and complex machinery for injecting grout has resulted in underutilization of PAC despite its high potential. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of producing PAC using simple construction technique.A suitable grout mix with a desired flowability and strength was applied via gravity process and pumping process to produce PAC using four different sizes of coarse aggregates that is, 45 mm, 37 mm, 20 mm and 14 mm. 20 mm coarse aggregate size was found to be the optimum size for the production of PAC by both gravity process and pumping process displaying compatible performance. Pumping process is recommended for aggregates smaller than 20 mm as it ensures better penetrability of the grout through the aggregates. PAC displays better dimensional stability with drying shrinkage less than half of that produced by conventional concrete.
Pregnancies following long luteal phases in southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum)
Authors: Pennington Parker M. , Marshall Kira L. , Capiro Jonnie M. , Howard Lauren , Durrant Barbara S. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAll extant species in the Rhinocerotidae family are experiencing escalating threats in the wild, making self‐sustaining captive populations essential genetic reservoirs for species survival. Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) will become increasingly important for achieving and maintaining ex situ population sustainability and genetic diversity. Previous reports have shown that a large proportion of captive southern white rhinoceros (SWR) females are irregularly cyclic or acyclic, and that cycling females display two different estrous cycle lengths of approximately 30 or 70 days. It has been suggested that the longer estrous cycle length is infertile or subfertile, as no term pregnancies have been observed following long cycles. Here we report the achievement of two pregnancies following long luteal phases, using ovulation induction and artificial insemination with either fresh or frozen‐thawed semen. One female SWR conceived on the first insemination attempt and gave birth to a live offspring. A second female conceived twice in consecutive long cycles although the first embryo was resorbed by 33 days post‐insemination. A pregnancy from this female's second insemination is ongoing with expected parturition in November 2019. Whether prolonged estrous cycles in SWR are subfertile or infertile in natural breeding situations remains unclear. However, our findings demonstrate that the application of ARTs following prolonged cycles can result the successful establishment of pregnancies in SWR. Therefore, with ARTs, female SWR otherwise considered nonreproductive due to long estrous cycles may still have the potential for representation and contribution to the ex situ population.
Postnatal pelvic floor muscle stiffness measured by vaginal elastometry in women with obstetric anal sphincter injury: a pilot study
Authors: Anumba Dilly O. C. , Gillespie Siobhán , Jha Swati , Abdi Shahram , Kruger Jenny , Taberner Andrew , Nielsen Poul M. F. , Li Xinshan 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Introduction and hypothesis
Vaginal childbirth is associated with pelvic floor muscle (PFM) damage in a third of women. The biomechanics prediction, detection and management of PFM damage remain poorly understood. We sought in this pilot study to determine whether quantifying PFM stiffness postnatally by vaginal elastometry, in women attending a perineal trauma clinic (PTC) within 6 months of obstetric anal sphincter injury, correlates with their antecedent labour characteristics, pelvic floor muscle damage, or urinary/bowel/sexual symptoms, to inform future definitive prospective studies.

Methods
In this pilot study, we measured postnatal PFM stiffness by vaginal elastometry in 54 women. A subset of participants (n = 14) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to define any levator ani (LA) muscle defects from vaginal childbirth. We investigated the association of PFM stiffness with demographics, labour and delivery characteristics, clinical features and MRI evidence of LA damage.

Results
Raised maternal BMI was associated with reduced pelvic floor stiffness (r = −0.4; p < 0.01). Higher stiffness values were associated with forceps delivery for delayed second stage of labour (n = 14) vs non-forceps vaginal delivery (n = 40; 630 ± 40 N/m vs 500 ± 30 N/m; p < 0.05), and a non-significant trend towards longer duration of the second stage of labour. Women with urinary, bowel or sexual symptoms (n = 37) demonstrated higher pelvic floor stiffness values than those without (570 ± 30 N/m vs 450 ± 40 N/m; p < 0.05).

Conclusions
A history of delayed second stage of labour and forceps delivery was associated with higher PFM stiffness values in the postnatal period. Whether high pelvic muscle stiffness antenatally is a risk factor for instrumental vaginal delivery and LA avulsion is unknown.
Optimization of protein isolation by proteomic qualification from Cutaneotrichosporon oleaginosus
Authors: Awad Dania , Brueck Thomas 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn the last decades, microbial oils have been extensively investigated as a renewable platform for biofuel and oleochemical production. Offering a potent alternative to plant-based oils, oleaginous microorganisms have been the target of ongoing metabolic engineering aimed at increasing growth and lipid yields, in addition to specialty fatty acids. Discovery proteomics is an attractive tool for elucidating lipogenesis and identifying metabolic bottlenecks, feedback regulation, and competing biosynthetic pathways. One prominent microbial oil producer isCutaneotrichosporon oleaginosus, due to its broad feedstock catabolism and high lipid yield. However, this yeast has a recalcitrant cell wall and high cell lipid content, which complicates efficient and unbiased protein extraction for downstream proteomic analysis. Optimization efforts of protein sample preparation fromC. oleaginosusin the present study encompasses the comparison of 8 lysis methods, 13 extraction buffers, and 17 purification methods with respect to protein abundance, proteome coverage, applicability, and physiochemical properties (pI, MW, hydrophobicity in addition to COG, and GO analysis). The optimized protocol presented in this work entails a one-step extraction method utilizing an optimal lysis method (liquid homogenization), which is augmented with a superior extraction buffer (50 mM Tris, 8/2 M Urea/Thiourea, and 1% C7BzO), followed by either of 2 advantageous purification methods (hexane/ethanol or TCA/acetone), depending on subsequent applications and target studies. This work presents a significant step forward towards implementation of efficientC. oleaginosusproteome mining for the identification of potential targets for genetic optimization of this yeast to improve lipogenesis and production of specialty lipids.
Multiresistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae: a new threat in second decade of the XXI century
Authors: Młynarczyk-Bonikowska Beata , Majewska Anna , Malejczyk Magdalena , Młynarczyk Grażyna , Majewski Sławomir 
Published: December 2019

AbstractNeisseria gonorrhoeaeis an etiologic agent of gonorrhoea, one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases caused by bacteria. For many years, infections caused byN. gonorrhoeaewere considered to be relatively easy to treat; however, resistance has emerged successively to all therapeutic agents used in treatment of the disease, e.g., penicillin, ciprofloxacin or azithromycin. Currently, the global problem is the emergence and a threat of spread ofN. gonorrhoeaestrains resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESC), such as injectable ceftriaxone and oral-used cefixime. Especially, dangerous are multi-resistant strains resistant simultaneously to ESC and azithromycin. Three strains with high-level resistance to azithromycin and resistant to ESC were first time isolated in 2018. Moreover, in 2018, the first ESBL was described inN. gonorrhoeaeand that makes the threat of appearing the ESBL mechanism of resistance inN. gonorrhoeaemore real, even though the strain was sensitive to ceftriaxone. Molecular typing revealed that variants resistant to ESC occurred also among strains belonging to epidemic clonal complex CC1 (genogroup G1407) distinguished in NG-MAST typing system. The G1407 genogroup, in particular the ST1407 sequence type, is currently dominant in most European countries. The presence of different mechanisms of drug resistance significantly affects clinical practice and force changes in treatment regimens and introduction of new drugs.
Lumbar disc extrusions reduce faster than bulging discs due to an active role of macrophages in sciatica
Authors: Djuric N. , Yang X. , el Barzouhi A. , Ostelo R. , van Duinen S. G. , Lycklama à Nijeholt G. J. , van der Kallen B. F. W. , Peul W. C. , Vleggeert-Lankamp C. L. A. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Objective
This retrospective observational histological study aims to associate the size and type of disc herniation with the degree of macrophage infiltration in disc material retrieved during disc surgery in patients with sciatica.

Methods
Disc tissue of 119 sciatica patients was embedded in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin and CD68. Tissue samples were categorized as mild (0–10/cm2), moderate (10–100/cm2), and considerable (> 100/cm2) macrophage infiltration. All 119 patients received an MRI at baseline, and 108 received a follow-up MRI at 1-year. MRIs were reviewed for the size and type of the disc herniations, and for Modic changes in the vertebral endplates.

Results
Baseline characteristics and duration of symptoms before surgery were comparable in all macrophage infiltration groups. The degree of macrophage infiltration was not associated with herniation size at baseline, but significantly associated with reduction of size of the herniated disc at 1-year post surgery. Moreover, the degree of macrophage infiltration was higher in extrusion in comparison with bulging (protrusion) of the disc. Results were comparable in patients with and without Modic changes.

Conclusion
Macrophage infiltration was positively associated with an extruded type of disc herniation as well as the extent of reduction of the herniated disc during 1-year follow-up in patients with sciatica. This is an indication that the macrophages play an active role in reducing herniated discs. An extruded disc herniation has a larger surface for the macrophages to adhere to, which leads to more size reduction.
Layer Growth in Co(W)-Zn Systems at Hard Metal Recycling
Authors: Koerbler Nadine , Ebner Tamara , Luidold Stefan , Antrekowitsch Helmut , Czettl Christoph , Storf Christian , Clarke Amy , Clarke Kester 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe influence of W content on the Co(W)Zn system and the behavior of individual elements was investigated. Cobalt is a so-called critical element and is one of the main parts in hard metal products. Because of its toxicity, it requires special care in handling. Further optimization of hard metal recycling, especially by the zinc process, is needed to use scrap as a secondary resource. In this work, Co(W) materials were put in contact with liquid zinc and held at specific temperatures, giving insight into the formation of intermetallic Co-Zn phases by varying the temperature, duration,
and W content. Lower temperatures led to a minimum layer width, and increasing temperatures and W contents resulted in greater thicknesses of the intermetallic phases. The element distribution analyses show that W diffuses from the base material through the intermetallic Co-Zn layer and accumulates at detached Co-Zn phases, forming thin, enriched filaments. This can be attributed to the fact that the intermetallic Co-Zn phases and Zn have no solubility in W. Consequently, the latter is located on the outside of these phases. The combination of practical experiments and statistical analyses will ultimately provide a possibility for improving recycling processes.
Decision support method for early-phase design of offshore hydrocarbon fields using model-based optimization
Authors: González Diana , Stanko Milan , Hoffmann Arnaud 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis paper presents the development of a method to provide decision support in the feasibility studies and concept planning phases of oil and gas field development. The objective in developing the methodology was to provide an easy-to-use facility to integrate the production-governing elements of oil and gas fields that capture the integrated production and economic performance of the system. This in a modular and scalable manner includes numerical optimization and uncertainty analyses needed to support engineering decisions. The method follows a series of steps that allow determining the optimal field production profile, drilling schedule, type of offshore structure, pressure support method and selection of artificial lift. The first step consists of creating efficient (low running time) proxy models of the production performance of the field and the costs figures associated with the project. The proxy model of the production performance is based on curves of maximum production rates versus cumulative production and contains all relevant field design features and computation of the most relevant performance indicators to consider in the evaluation. The proxy model to estimate the costs associated with the project is based on linear equations function of production rates and number of wells. The second step is to perform numerical optimization to find optimal production profile and drilling schedule that maximize the net present value of the specific development strategies considered. For the last step, an evaluation of the effect of uncertainties on the results of the numerical optimization using probabilistic methods is performed. The method was applied in a synthetic production system based on public data of Wisting field (currently under development). The field is a remote low-energy oil reservoir located in the Barents Sea. Nine strategies, obtained from the combination of three recovery support methods and three processing facilities, were compared using the net present value as decision factor. The best strategy consists of using a tension leg platform as processing facility and multiphase boosting plus water injection as recovery support method. This strategy generated the highest production and required the lowest costs, resulting in the highest profitability. It was demonstrated that the methodology successfully finds optimal field design features while quantifying the effect of uncertainties.
Adaptive Operator-Based Spectral Deconvolution With the Levenberg-Marquardt Algorithm
Authors: Huang Chan , Chen Feinan , Chang Yuyang , Han Lin , Li Shuang , Hong Jin 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSpectral distortion often occurs in spectral data due to the influence of the bandpass function of the spectrometer. Spectral deconvolution is an effective restoration method to solve this problem. Based on the theory of the maximum posteriori estimation, this paper transforms the spectral deconvolution problem into a multi-parameter optimization problem, and a novel spectral deconvolution method is proposed on the basis of Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. Furthermore, a spectral adaptive operator is added to the method, which improves the effect of the regularization term. The proposed methods, Richardson-Lucy (R-L) method and Huber-Markov spectroscopic semi-blind deconvolution (HMSBD) method, are employed to deconvolute the white light-emitting diode (LED) spectra with two different color temperatures, respectively. The correction errors, root mean square errors, noise suppression ability, and the computation speed of above methods are compared. The experimental results prove the superiority of the proposed algorithm.
Revitalisation endodontic treatment of traumatised immature teeth: a prospective long-term clinical study
Authors: Nazzal H. , Ainscough S. , Kang J. , Duggal M. S. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPurposeContinuation of root development following revitalisation endodontics (RET) has been shown to be unpredictable with lower success rates in traumatised teeth. This study reports the outcomes for RET in traumatised teeth over a review period of 4 years.MethodsA prospective uncontrolled study, where RET was performed on traumatised upper immature anterior teeth with necrotic pulps in 15 children (mean age = 8.3 years), was conducted. Patients were reviewed at 3, 9, 12, 24, and 48 months, where clinical and radiographic assessments were performed. At the last review appointment, patients and parents answered questions assessing their perception and acceptance of tooth colour change over time. McNemar’s Exact test and linear mixed model assessment were used to assess changes in pulpal electrical response and radiographic evidence of continuation of root development over time, respectively.ResultsThere was 83.3% healing with no significant changes in EPT responses, and no significant changes in root lengths, while significant changes in root widths (p < 0.05) and root apex widths (p < 0.001) were found over time. Twenty-five percent of patients and 33% of parents felt that there were changes in tooth colour following RET over time.ConclusionWithin the limitations of this study, traumatised teeth treated using RET showed no significant root lengthening, however, acceptable periapical healing, slow thickening of root dentinal walls, and rapid development of apical closure were evident over a period of 43 months. Using Portland cement and omitting minocycline, did not eliminate crown colour change following RET.
Mathematics Graduate Student Instructor Observation Protocol (GSIOP): Development and Validation Study
Authors: Rogers Kimberly Cervello , Petrulis Robert , Yee Sean P. , Deshler Jessica 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis paper presents the development and validation of the 17-item mathematics Graduate Student Instructor Observation Protocol (GSIOP) at two universities. The development of this instrument attended to some unique needs of novice undergraduate mathematics instructors while building on an existing instrument that focused on classroom interactions particularly relevant for students’ development of conceptual understanding, called the Mathematical Classroom Observation Protocol for Practices (MCOP2). Instrument validation involved content input from mathematics education researchers and upper-level mathematics graduate student instructors at two universities, internal consistency analysis, interrater reliability analysis, and structure analyses via scree plot analysis and exploratory factor analysis. A Cronbach-Alpha level of 0.868 illustrated a viable level for internal consistency. Crosstabulation and correlations illustrate high level of interrater reliability for all but one item, and high levels across all subsections. Collaborating a scree plot with the exploratory factor analysis illustrated three critical groupings aligning with the factors from the MCOP2(student engagement and teacher facilitation) while adding a third factor, lesson design practices. Taken collectively, these results indicate that the GSIOP measures the degree to which instructors’ and students’ actions in undergraduate mathematics classrooms align with practices recommended by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) using a three-factor structure of teacher facilitation, student engagement, and design practices.
Leapfrogging of electrical solitons in coupled nonlinear transmission lines: effect of an imperfect varactor
Authors: Akem Nkongho Achere , Dikandé Alain M. , Essimbi B. Z. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe leapfrogging dynamics of a pair of electrical solitons is investigated, by considering two capacitively coupled nonlinear transmission lines with and without intraline resistances. We discuss two distinct transmission line set-ups: in the first, we assume two RLC ladder lines with intraline varactors and a coupling linear capacitor, and in the second, we consider two capacitively coupled lossless lines with a varactor carrying impurity (imperfect diode) in one of the two interacting transmission lines. In the first context, we find that the soliton-pair leapfrogging mimics the motion of a damped harmonic oscillator, the frequency and damping coefficient of which are obtained analytically. Numerical simulations predict leapfrogging of the soliton pair when the differences in the initial values of the amplitude and phase are reasonably small, and the resistance is not too large. In the second context, leapfrogging occurs when the impurity rate is small enough and the differences in the initial values of the amplitude as well as phase are also small. As the impurity rate increases, the soliton signal in the imperfect line gets accelerated upon approaching the defective diode, causing only this specific soliton signal to move faster than its counterpart, leading to the suppression of leapfrogging.