bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contributions of burning incense on indoor air pollution levels and on the health status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Guo Su-Er , Chi Miao-Ching , Lin Chieh-Mo , Yang Tsung-Ming 
Published: August 2020

Background
Among Buddhist or Taoist Taiwanese residents, burning incense is a common source of indoor particulate matter (PM), including PM10 and PM2.5, and can adversely affect the health status of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). However, few studies have focused on the effects of intermittent burning of incense on PM concentration levels and the health status of patients with COPD. This correlational cohort study aimed to investigate the association between burning incense exposure duration, indoor air pollution levels, and lung function in patients with COPD in Taiwan.

Methods
We assessed 18 outpatients at seven time points with moderate-to-severe COPD using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT), and lung function tests. PM level changes were assessed at seven intervals using generalized estimating equations.

Results
Participants were primarily male (84%), with a mean age of 72.1 (standard deviation (SD) ± 9.3) years, and with a mean COPD duration of 3.7 (SD ± 3.1) years. Both PM10 and PM2.5 levels were the same as the background levels 1 h after incense burning. Burning incense may not influence lung function or symptom severity in patients with COPD in a short-time period. Air quality returned to baseline levels 1 h after burning incense.

Conclusion
Patients with COPD should avoid staying in rooms where incense is burnt, for up to 1 h. The small sample size and short study period may have influenced our results. Future longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-ups are recommended.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Chromium Picolinate Mediated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle
Authors: Aathira C. M. , Arivarasu Lakshminarayanan , Rajeshkumar S. 
Published: August 2020

Aim: To study the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of chromium Picolinate mediated Zinc oxide nanoparticles.
Introduction: Chromium is required by the body in a noticeable amount, even though it’s mechanism and required dietary allowance is not known clearly. It is found in supplements. It is expected to enhance insulin production and weight loss. Zinc oxide also has its own beneficial role in various biomedical applications. In the present study the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of the chromium picolinate mediated Zinc oxide nanoparticle is evaluated. Nanoparticles are of great interest nowadays in research and study. The outcomes of using metal nanoparticles were fascinating as color pigments in luster and glass technology.
Materials and Methods: DPPH assay for antioxidant activity and Protein denaturation assay was performed for anti-inflammatory activity.
Results and Discussion: Chromium Picolinate mediated Zinc oxide nanoparticles showed good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity at higher concentration against standard.
Effect of Three Different Dentifrices on Enamel by Automated Brushing Simulator- In vitro Profilometric Study
Authors: Keerthana T. , Ramesh Sindhu 
Published: August 2020

Bacterial plaque control is critical in maintenance of oral health because dental plaque is the primary etiological factor for both caries and periodontal disease. Toothbrush and dentifrices play an integral part in accomplishing plaque removal. The aim of the study was to assess the enamel surface abrasion caused by three different dentifrices using automated brushing simulator and profilometer. A total of 24 samples (N=24) which are extracted for orthodontic purposes were divided into three groups based on the dentifrices used. They are Group 1-Colgate Swarnavedsakthi (n=8), Group 2-Dabur Herbal(n=8),Group 3-Ayush(n=8). Samples were subjected to take pre profilometric readings and brushing was done by an automated brushing simulator. A Laser 3D profilometer was used to detect the wear in the enamel surface. Pre and Post profilometric readings were compared. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in the values of enamel abrasion among the Group 1(Colgate Swarnavedsakthi) and Group 3(Ayush). After analysing the profilometric values, significant differences were found among the Ayush group while comparing with other groups such as Colgate Swarnavedsakthi and Dabur herbal. This indicates the higher enamel surface abrasion in the ayush group.
Cytotoxicity and Antimicrobial Activity of Chromium Picolinate Mediated Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle
Authors: Shree M. Kavya , Arivarasu Lakshminarayanan , Rajeshkumar S. 
Published: August 2020

Aim: To study the chromium picolinate mediated with zinc oxide nanoparticle and its cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity
Introduction: Chromium can alleviate glucose intolerance and insulin resistance and it is involved in the metabolism of glucose, lipid, protein, and nucleic acid .Chromium picolinate [CrPic], also named as picolinic acid chromium and several studies have proved that CrPic, as the source of Chromium, can alleviate the high level of blood glucose, blood lipid, insulin, and cholesterol in the patients with metabolic syndrome and zinc oxide [ZnO] has also gained momentum due to their unique properties in the process of nanotechnology. Chromium picolinate works together with insulin that produced by the pancreas to metabolize carbohydrates. It's made by combining chromium with picolinic acid. The acid helps the body absorb chromium. Randomized controlled trials have failed to demonstrate a link between chromium supplementation and the prevention or treatment of type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. Chromium supplementation of young men and women does not promote muscle accretion, fat loss, or gains in strength. Physically active individuals with concerns about meeting guidelines for nutrient intake should be counseled to select and consume foods with high nutrient densities rather than to rely on nutritional supplements.
Materials and Methods: Chromium picolinate mediated with ZnO nanoparticles were evaluated for its antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity potential using brine shrimp lethality assay.
Results: Chromium picolinate mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles show good results in antimicrobial activity as well as in cytotoxicity.
Conclusion: Chromium picolinate mediated Zn nanoparticles is an efficient antibacterial and a potential cytotoxicity agent.
Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Potential of Hyaluronic Acid Mediated Zinc Nanoparticles
Authors: Akash N. , Arivarasu Lakshminarayanan , Rajeshkumar S. 
Published: August 2020

Aim: The aim of the study is to interpret the hyaluronic acid mediated with zinc oxide nanoparticle and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity.
Introduction: Hyaluronic acid has a role as ‘physiological selector’ for spermatozoa prior to intracy to plasmic sperm injection (icsi). They are mostly seen in the synovial joints and act as a shock absorber. The objective of this study is to analyse the results achievable by the introduction of a routine HA. Hyaluronic acid is an immune neutral polysaccharide that is ubiquitous in the human body, and it is crucial for many cellular and tissue functions. Nanoparticles are the compounds which respond to the applied magnetic fields, magnetic separation labelled cells, therapeutic drug, gene and radionuclide delivery and other biological entities.
Materials and Methods: Hyaluronic acid mediated with zno nanoparticles were evaluated for its anti inflammatory activity and antioxidant potential using photometry analysis.
Results and Discussion: Zinc nanoparticles shows a higher efficiency of antibacterial activity, but sublethal concentration causes adverse effects and results in increased biofilm formation of V. cholerae Hyaluronic acid mediated zinc oxide nanoparticle show good result in anti inflammatory activity as well as in antioxidant activity. The biosynthesis of the nanoparticle was done by addition of hyaluronic acid with zinc nanoparticles in a scarese amount. This was kept in the orbital shaker, hence they take a long time for the synthesis. The colour change was observed, hence the synthesized nanoparticles proceeded with the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant tests.
Assessment of Nicotine Dependence, Cotinine Level and Carbon Monoxide Levels among Tobacco Users Employed in Private Automobile Companies in Chennai
Authors: Barma Manali Deb , Kumar R. Pradeep 
Published: August 2020

Background and Aim: Tobacco is a leading preventable cause of death which causes death of six millions each year worldwide. One of the most effective methods of preventing this are tobacco counseling sessions as it provides a platform for the patient and the dental professionals to map out a plan for the patient to lead a tobacco free life. Therefore, the study was conducted to assess nicotine dependence, cotinine level and carbon monoxide levels among tobacco users employed in private automobile companies in Chennai.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Subject and Methods: A cross sectional study of 53 males was conducted among automobile company employees, using simple random sampling technique in Chennai, India. A detailed questionnaire assessing their demographic data, pattern of usage of tobacco, Fagerstrom test for Nicotine Dependence was recorded, carbon monoxide levels were recorded using Smokerlyzer, and presence of urine cotinine was recorded. Descriptive statistics and Chi square test were used to analyze the data.
Results: The mean age of the study participants was 31.7±11.32. Prevalence of smoking tobacco (64.20%) was higher among the study participants. Majority of the smoker study participants were highly dependent on tobacco, according to the FNTD scale. No statistical significance was found between dependency on nicotine and carbon monoxide levels among users of smoking tobacco (p <0.05). A statistical significant association (p <0.05) was found between dependency on nicotine and presence of urine cotinine among smokers.
Conclusion: High level of nicotine dependence was observed in the smoker participants, and cotinine in urine was found to be a prominent marker of nicotine among users of smoking tobacco. Carbon monoxide levels were high among people with higher dependency on smoking.
Gene Therapy Based on Nucleic Acid Nanostructure
Authors: Wu Xiaohui , Wu Tiantian , Liu Jianbing , Ding Baoquan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractDuring the past decades, nucleic acids have been employed for the construction of versatile nanostructures with well‐defined shapes and sizes. Owing to the remarkable programmability, addressability, and biocompatibility, nucleic acid nanostructures are extensively applied in biomedical researches, such as bioimaging, biosensing, and drug delivery. In particular, nucleic acid nanostructures can act as promising candidates for the delivery of gene‐related nucleic acid drugs based on the inherent homology. In this review, the recent progress in the design of multifunctional nucleic acid nanocarriers for gene therapy through antisense, RNA interference, gene editing, and gene expression is summarized. Furthermore, the challenges and future opportunities of nucleic acid nanotechnology in biomedical applications will be discussed.
Multistate Switching of Photonic Angular Momentum Coupling in Phase‐Change Metadevices
Authors: Zhang Fei , Xie Xin , Pu Mingbo , Guo Yinghui , Ma Xiaoliang , Li Xiong , Luo Jun , He Qiong , Yu Honglin , Luo Xiangang 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThe coupling between photonic spin and orbital angular momenta is significantly enhanced at the subwavelength scale and has found a plethora of applications in nanophotonics. However, it is still a great challenge to make such kind of coupling tunable with multiple sates. Here, a versatile metasurface platform based on polyatomic phase‐change resonators is provided to realize multiple‐state switching of photonic angular momentum coupling. As a proof of concept, three coupling modes, namely, symmetric coupling, asymmetric coupling, and no coupling, are experimentally demonstrated at three different crystallization levels of structured Ge2Sb2Te5 alloy. In practical applications, coded information can be encrypted in asymmetric mode using the spin degree of freedom, while revealing misleading one without proper phase change or after excessive crystallinity. With these findings, this study may open an exciting direction for subwavelength electromagnetics with unprecedented compactness, allowing to envision applications in active nanophotonics and information security engineering.
Printable CsPbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells with PCE of 19% via an Additive Strategy
Authors: Chang Xiaoming , Fang Junjie , Fan Yuanyuan , Luo Tao , Su Hang , Zhang Yalan , Lu Jing , Tsetseris Leonidas , Anthopoulos Thomas D. , Liu Shengzhong (Frank) , Zhao Kui 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAll‐inorganic CsPbI3 holds promise for efficient tandem solar cells, but reported fabrication techniques are not transferrable to scalable manufacturing methods. Herein, printable CsPbI3 solar cells are reported, in which the charge transporting layers and photoactive layer are deposited by fast blade‐coating at a low temperature (≤100 °C) in ambient conditions. High‐quality CsPbI3 films are grown via introducing a low concentration of the multifunctional molecular additive Zn(C6F5)2, which reconciles the conflict between air‐flow‐assisted fast drying and low‐quality film including energy misalignment and trap formation. Material analysis reveals a preferential accumulation of the additive close to the perovskite/SnO2 interface and strong chemisorption on the perovskite surface, which leads to the formation of energy gradients and suppressed trap formation within the perovskite film, as well as a 150 meV improvement of the energetic alignment at the perovskite/SnO2 interface. The combined benefits translate into significant enhancement of the power conversion efficiency to 19% for printable solar cells. The devices without encapsulation degrade only by ≈2% after 700 h in air conditions.
Particulate Alum via Pickering Emulsion for an Enhanced COVID‐19 Vaccine Adjuvant
Authors: Peng Sha , Cao Fengqiang , Xia Yufei , Gao Xiao‐Dong , Dai Lianpan , Yan Jinghua , Ma Guanghui 
Published: August 2020

AbstractFor rapid response against the prevailing COVID‐19 (coronavirus disease 19), it is a global imperative to exploit the immunogenicity of existing formulations for safe and efficient vaccines. As the most accessible adjuvant, aluminum hydroxide (alum) is still the sole employed adjuvant in most countries. However, alum tends to attach on the membrane rather than entering the dendritic cells (DCs), leading to the absence of intracellular transfer and process of the antigens, and thus limits T‐cell‐mediated immunity. To address this, alum is packed on the squalene/water interphase is packed, forming an alum‐stabilized Pickering emulsion (PAPE). “Inheriting” from alum and squalene, PAPE demonstrates a good biosafety profile. Intriguingly, with the dense array of alum on the oil/water interphase, PAPE not only adsorbs large quantities of SARS‐CoV‐2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) antigens, but also harbors a higher affinity for DC uptake, which provokes the uptake and cross‐presentation of the delivered antigens. Compared with alum‐treated groups, more than six times higher antigen‐specific antibody titer and three‐fold more IFN‐γ‐secreting T cells are induced, indicating the potent humoral and cellular immune activations. Collectively, the data suggest that PAPE may provide potential insights toward a safe and efficient adjuvant platform for the enhanced COVID‐19 vaccinations.
Injectable Biomaterials for Treatment of Glioblastoma
Authors: Anderson Alexa R. , Segura Tatiana 
Published: August 2020

AbstractDespite ongoing advancements in the field of medicine, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is presently incurable, making this advanced brain tumor the deadliest tumor type in the central nervous system. The primary treatment strategies for GBM (i.e., surgical resection, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and newly incorporated targeted therapies) fail to overcome the challenging characteristics of highly aggressive GBM tumors and are presently given with the goal of increasing the quality of life for patients. With the aim of creating effective treatment solutions, research has shifted toward utilizing injectable biomaterial adjuncts to minimize invasiveness of treatment, provide spatiotemporal control of therapeutic delivery, and engage with cells through material‐cell interfaces. This review aims to summarize the limitations of the current standard of care for GBM, discuss how these limitations can be addressed by local employment of injectable biomaterial systems, and highlight developments in the field of biomaterials for these applications.
Monolayer Nanoparticle‐Covered Liquid Marble Production with Low Surface Tension Liquids
Authors: Shi Haixiao , Li Xiaoguang 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAs an emerging droplet system, monolayer nanoparticle‐covered (mNPc) liquid marbles have shown fascinating properties and application values. Their formation process has been clear, but liquid availability for production has yet to be clarified. This study addresses this issue from the angle of surface tension, revealing critical surface tension and contact angle values for mNPc liquid marble production with both rolling and compression methods. Water‐ethanol and water‐surfactant systems are employed as testing liquids. With irreversible pinning as criterion, critical surface tension values that allow mNPc liquid marble formation are obtained with the two kinds of liquids, forming ranges from 38.6 to 31.8 mN m−1, and from 36.7 to 27.6 mN m−1, for the rolling and compression methods, respectively. Correspondingly, contact angles in the ranges from 132° to 126° and from 116–124° are regarded as the lower limits for mNPc liquid marble production with the rolling and compression methods, respectively. In addition, rupture and deformation behaviors under low surface tension are systematically investigated and a depinning approach that facilitates marble formation is proposed. This study could provide important guidance for various applications that require low surface tension liquids to produce mNPc liquid marbles.
Defect Tolerance and Intolerance in Metal‐Halide Perovskites
Authors: Kim Guan‐Woo , Petrozza Annamaria 
Published: August 2020

AbstractMetal‐halide perovskites present exceptional optoelectronic properties such as large light absorption coefficients, long free charge carrier diffusion lengths with ambipolar character. They are apparently protected by what is often described as a “defect tolerance” which has allowed to achieve, relatively quickly, highly performing devices. Nevertheless, there also exists a “defect intolerance” when it is dealt with stability. Further rationalization of the passivation strategies, especially for complex chemical systems, will be beneficial to achieve a full materials library which can be the platform for an efficient and reliable technology.
Intra‐specific competition affects the density tolerance and grain yield of maize hybrids
Authors: Zhai Lichao , Li Haishan , Song Shijia , Zhai Lifang , Ming Bo , Li Shaokun , Xie Ruizhi , Jia Xiuling , Zhang Lihua 
Published: August 2020

AbstractIncreasing plant density usually increases the intra‐specific competition of maize plants. This study was conducted to determine whether maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid density tolerance is related to intra‐specific competition. Field experiments were conducted using a split‐plot design, the main plots contained four maize hybrids, and subplots were 12 plant densities varied from 1.5 to 18 × 104 plants ha−1. This study focused on dry matter accumulation, grain yield (GY), competition intensity (CI), and absolute severity of competition (ASC) based on the above treatments. Among all tested hybrids, GY exhibited a curvilinear response to plant density, which was well characterized by the Steinhart–Hart equation. Maize hybrids differed in optimum GY in descending order as follows: Zhongdan909 (ZD909) > Xianyu335 (XY335) = Yedan13 (YD13) > Zhongdan2 (ZD2). The CI and ASC of tested maize hybrids indicated that intra‐specific competition increased with increasing plant density. In most cases, the CI and ASC of older maize hybrids were higher than those of modern maize hybrids when plant density exceeded 9.0 × 104 plants ha−1. The results showed that the slope of the linear regression of ASC and plant density (i.e., the k‐value) could be used to compare the intra‐specific CI of maize hybrids, and there were significant negative correlations of k‐value with optimum plant density and GY. Intra‐specific competition is negatively correlated with the density tolerance of maize hybrids. This relationship may provide new insights for determining future maize breeding targets.
Isotopic and morphologic proxies for reconstructing light environment and leaf function of fossil leaves: a modern calibration in the Daintree Rainforest, Australia
Authors: Cheesman Alexander W. , Duff Heather , Hill Kathryn , Cernusak Lucas A. , McInerney Francesca A. 
Published: August 2020

PremiseWithin closed‐canopy forests, vertical gradients of light and atmospheric CO2drive variations in leaf carbon isotope ratios, leaf mass per area (LMA), and the micromorphology of leaf epidermal cells. Variations in traits observed in preserved or fossilized leaves could enable inferences of past forest canopy closure and leaf function and thereby habitat of individual taxa. However, as yet no calibration study has examined how isotopic, micro‐ and macromorphological traits, in combination, reflect position within a modern closed‐canopy forest or how these could be applied to the fossil record.MethodsLeaves were sampled from throughout the vertical profile of the tropical forest canopy using the 48.5 m crane at the Daintree Rainforest Observatory, Queensland, Australia. Carbon isotope ratios, LMA, petiole metric (i.e., petiole‐width2/leaf area, a proposed proxy for LMA that can be measured from fossil leaves), and leaf micromorphology (i.e., undulation index and cell area) were compared within species across a range of canopy positions, as quantified by leaf area index (LAI).ResultsIndividually, cell area, δ13C, and petiole metric all correlated with both LAI and LMA, but the use of a combined model provided significantly greater predictive power.ConclusionsUsing the observed relationships with leaf carbon isotope ratio and morphology to estimate the range of LAI in fossil floras can provide a measure of canopy closure in ancient forests. Similarly, estimates of LAI and LMA for individual taxa can provide comparative measures of light environment and growth strategy of fossil taxa from within a flora.