bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Zeolite and Mineral Fertilizers on Some Soil Properties and Growth of Jew's Mallow in Clayey and Sandy Soils
Authors: H. H. Khalifa T. , S. Elsaka M. , A. Shabana M. , M. Abo-Elsoud H. 
Published: December 2019

Aims: To evaluate the effect of zeolite and mineral fertilizers on some soil properties, availability of soil nutrients and yield of Jew’s mallow (Corchorus olitorius) in clayey and sandy soils.
Study Design: The experimental designed as split plot design with three replicates, the main plots were devoted to zeolite at the rates of 0, 4.76 and 9.52 Mg ha-1 and the sub plots were occupied by mineral fertilizers at the rates of 50% and 100% from the recommended NPK doses.
Place and Duration of Study: During spring and summer seasons of 2018, the field experiments were conducted in Sakha Agricultural Research Station Farm (clayey soil) and private farm at Baltium district (sandy soil).
Methodology: Jew’s mallow grains (Alexandria variety). Soil samples were collected at (0-30 cm depth) in the initial of experiment and after harvesting with the aid of soil auger at random from different parts of the experimental sites to determine the physicochemical and soil moisture characteristics of the soil. Growth characteristics (plant height and fresh mass weight) were studied.
Results: The results showed that ECe, SAR and bulk density values were decreased, while CEC, total porosity, field capacity, permanent wilting point and available water values increased due to application of 9.52 Mg zeolites ha-1 when compared to untreated soil. The maximum stem height and total fresh yield of Jew’s mallow were recorded with the application of 9.52 Mg zeolite ha-1+100% NPK.
Conclusion: It could be concluded that the use of zeolite in clayey and sandy soils improved the soil properties, improved the availability of soil nutrients and consequently decreased the environmental pollution. Also, the obtained results are promising for enhancing the horizontal and/or vertical expansion of agriculture in such problematic soils.
Strategic of Implementation of Ergonomic Positions for Nurses in Healthcare Department with SAST and AHP Methods in Qatar
Authors: Budi Sundoro Ria , Sulistyadi Kohar , Abdulla Syahfirin 
Published: December 2019

Background: Performing ergonomic positions in nursing care both directly and indirectly is very fundamental. However, it need the strategy to implement ergonomic positions for the nurses. Aims of research to determine strategies that can be applied by the Healthcare Department Management in the application of ergonomic positions for nurses in Qatar.
Methods: Data analysis using SAST (Strategic Assumption Surfacing and Testing) and AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) for prioritized the criteria and alternative.
Result: SAST analysis shows all assumptions that appear contained in quadrant I (Certain Planning Region), Process to affect working conditions assumptions with values ​​5.3 - 5.3 (Certainty – Important) are considered as definite and important in apply an ergonomic strategy. In the AHP analysis, Top Down with a value of 0.345 as the most priority choice for criteria level, and Ergonomic Committee Effectiveness being the choice with the highest value 0.231 in alternative level. Both strategies being selected in carrying out an ergonomic position strategy.
Conclusions: In the AHP method, Process to affect working condition has been choose as certainty and important strategy to be implemented. In the SAST method, to achieve the goal, Top Down selected in criteria level and Ergonomic committee effectiveness in the alternative level.
Potential Protective Role of Thymoquinone on Experimentally-induced Alzheimer Rats
Authors: Fiasal Zaher Mohammad , Abdelfattah Bendary Mohamed , Saeed Abd El-Aziz Gamal , Shaker Ali Ahmad 
Published: December 2019

Aim: To evaluate the neuroprotective potential of thymoquinine (TQ) on the oxidative stress status of the brain in aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced AD in rats.
Study Design: Animal research study.
Place and Duration of Study: King Fahd Medical Research Center (KFMRC), King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, April 2018-June 2019.
Methodology: Thirty adult male Sprague Dawley albino rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (Control). Group 2 (AD): supplemented orally with AlCl3 (17 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. Group 3 (TQ/AD): supplemented concomitantly with oral TQ (10 mg/kg/day) and AlCl3 (17 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, spatial working memory was assessed using the Y-maze spontaneous alternation test. Then, serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase enzyme (GPX) were assessed. Then, the rats were sacrificed, and the brain was isolated, and a light microscopic examination of the hippocampus was performed. Finally, the brain homogenate content of Aβ, tau protein and acetylcholine were biochemically determined.
Results: The AD group showed a significant decreased in the spontaneous alteration performance (SAP %) in Y-maze. Also, in the AD group, serum MDA, Aβ and tau protein were significantly increased with a significant decrease of serum GPX and acetylcholine. Examination of H&E-stained sections of the hippocampus of the AD group revealed decreased thickness and disorganization of the pyramidal cell layer of CA1 and CA3 where many pyramidal cells lost their triangular shape and appeared shrunken. The molecular and polymorphic layers showed increased glial cells and congested blood capillaries. The dentate gyrus showed marked disorganization with some cell loss. Co-administration of TQ with AlCl3 in TQ/AD group, improved SAP % and significantly decreased serum MDA, Aβ, tau protein. It also increased serum GPX and acetylcholine levels. Also, TQ partially attenuated the histopathological changes in the hippocampus.
Conclusion: TQ could mitigate the oxidative stress markers, neurodegenerative indices and histopathological alteration encountered in AD that all reflected on improving the cognitive behavior. This may implement TQ as an adjuvant medical strategy in ameliorating AD.
The Unexpected Role of SeVISpecies in Epoxidations with Benzeneseleninic Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Sands Kai N. , Mendoza Rengifo Emerita , George Graham N. , Pickering Ingrid J. , Gelfand Benjamin S. , Back Thomas G. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBenzeneperoxyseleninic acid has been proposed as the key intermediate in the widely used epoxidation of alkenes with benzeneseleninic acid and hydrogen peroxide. However, it reacts sluggishly with cyclooctene and instead rapidly decomposes in solution to a mixed selenonium–selenonate salt that was identified by X‐ray absorption and77Se NMR spectroscopy, as well as by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. This process includes a selenoxide elimination of the peroxyseleninic acid with liberation of oxygen and additional redox steps. The salt is relatively stable in the solid state, but generates the corresponding selenonic acid in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The selenonic acid is inert towards cyclooctene on its own; however, rapid epoxidation occurs when hydrogen peroxide is added. This shows that the selenonic acid must first be activated through further oxidation, presumably to the heretofore unknown benzeneperoxyselenonic acid. The latter is the principal oxidant in this epoxidation.
Enhancing the performance of polypyrrole composites as electrode materials for supercapacitors by carbon nanotubes additives
Authors: Lota Katarzyna , Acznik Ilona , Sierczynska Agnieszka , Lota Grzegorz 
Published: December 2019

ABSTRACTIn the framework of this study, a facile method to obtain polypyrrole (PPy)/carbon nanotubes composites is presented. Chemical polymerization of PPy directly on the carbon nanotubes allows to obtain a homogenous distribution of the polymer. A low amount of carbon additive, varying from 1.5 to 5.5 wt %, is applied in order to prevent the decrease of capacitance value due to the presence of a low‐capacitance component and, at the same time, to protect the electrode material from mechanical changes during cycling electrical measurements. The electrochemical properties, such as capacitance, its retention at different current loads, cycling stability, or self‐discharge, are discussed. Improvement of electrochemical performances of the synthesized materials is observed mostly during cyclic stability measurements and at high current regimes. The obtained results confirm that the addition of only 3% of carbon nanotubes provides the best electrochemical performances as electrode materials for supercapacitor application. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48867.
Simultaneous quantification of ambrisentan, macitentan and sitaxentan in human plasma using UPLC–MS/MS
Authors: van de Velde Daan , Bahmany Soma , Hitzerd Emilie , van Domburg Bart , Versmissen Jorie , Danser A.H. Jan , Koch Birgit C.P. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractEndothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) such as, ambrisentan, macitentan and sitaxentan are primarily used for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Considering the rise in endothelin in pre‐eclampsia, ERAs may also be useful in its treatment. To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of ERAs, a rapid ultra‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated to determine the concentration of ambrisentan, macitentan and sitaxentan in human plasma. Plasma samples were treated with methanol to induce protein precipitation. A chromatographic separation was performed on a C18 column using a gradient of methanol–water containing 0.1% formic acid and 0.013% ammonium acetate and a flow rate of 0.5 ml/min. Multiple reaction monitoring was used for quantification. This method was validated in a linear range of 20.28–2028 μg/l for ambrisentan, 4.052–405.2 μg/l for macitentan and 205.4–10 270 μg/l for sitaxentan. The method was successfully validated according to US Food and Drug Administration guidelines to determine the concentrations of macitentan, ambrisentan and sitaxentan in human plasma. This method is now being used for study samples and clinical patient samples.
Hopkins criteria for residual disease assessment after definitive radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Liu Yang , Long Wen , Wang Guannan , Yang Yuxiang , Liu Biaoshui , Fan Wei 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectivesAssessment of viable tumor residue after definitive radiotherapy is essential in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study aimed to investigate the use of Hopkins criteria on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) for posttreatment response evaluation and whether plasma Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) DNA could bring additional value.Materials and methodsNPC patients who underwent FDG‐PET/CT scan within 26 weeks after definitive radiotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. Residual disease was evaluated by Hopkins 5‐point score. Accuracy of Hopkins criteria before and after incorporating EBV DNA was calculated. Prognostic value for locoregional failure‐free survival (LRFFS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) was analyzed.ResultsOne hundred and sixteen patients were evaluated. Median follow‐up time was 28.3 months (range 3.3‐92.0 months). Residual disease was found in 19 (16.4%) patients. Overall, Hopkins criteria had high specificity (86.6%; 95% CI, 78.2%‐92.7%) and negative prognostic value (NPV) (94.4%; 95% CI, 88.7%‐97.3%), while sensitivity and positive prognostic value (PPV) was 73.7% (95% CI, 48.8%‐90.9%), 51.9% (95% CI, 37.8%‐65.6%), respectively. Posttreatment plasma EBV DNA was not predictive of residual tumor (P = .272). PPV and accuracy were 50.0% (95% CI, 32.1%‐67.9%) and 83.0% (95% CI, 73.8%‐90.0%) after incorporating detectable EBV DNA into the scoring system. Positive PET/CT results were significantly correlated with inferior 3‐year LRFFS (95.7% vs 79.5%, P = .043) and 3‐year DFS (84.6% vs 54.4%, P = .028).ConclusionsThe Hopkins criteria demonstrated high NPV and specificity in posttreatment assessment, with the potential to be a reliable prognostic indicator for locoregional failure. Combining EBV DNA with PET/CT did not improve diagnostic accuracies. PET/CT should not be performed less than 12 weeks after treatment.
Mechanism and Origin of Stereoselectivity in Chiral Phosphoric Acid‐Catalyzed Aldol‐Type Reactions of Azlactones with Vinyl Ethers
Authors: Kanomata Kyohei , Nagasawa Yuki , Shibata Yukihiro , Yamanaka Masahiro , Egawa Fuyuki , Kikuchi Jun , Terada Masahiro 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe precise mechanism of the chiral phosphoric acid‐catalyzed aldol‐type reaction of azlactones with vinyl ethers was investigated. DFT calculations suggested that the reaction proceeds through a Conia‐ene‐type transition state consisting of the vinyl ether and the enol tautomer of the azlactone, in which the catalyst protonates the nitrogen atom of the azlactone to promote enol tautomerization. In addition, the phosphoryl oxygen of the catalyst interacts with the vinyl proton of the vinyl ether. The favorable transition structure features dicoordinating hydrogen bonds. However, these hydrogen bonds are not involved in the bond recombination sequence and hence the catalyst functions as a template for binding substrates. From the results of theoretical studies and experimental supports, the high enantioselectivity is induced by the steric repulsion between the azlactone substituent and the binaphthyl backbone of the catalyst under the catalyst template effect.
Tin(IV) Methylselenolate as a Low Temperature SnSe Precursor and Conductive “Glue” Between Colloidal Nanocrystals
Authors: Vartak Prathamesh B. , Wang Robert Y. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe report the synthesis of a soluble precursor that transforms into crystalline SnSe at 200 °C. This transformation temperature is significantly lower than the 270–350 °C range of previously reported tin selenide precursors. This precursor is synthesized by reacting tin with dimethyl diselenide and we identify the precursor as tin(IV) methylselenolate using a combination of mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We then chemically treat PbSe colloidal nanocrystals with this precursor and subject them to mild annealing. We characterize the chemical and structural changes during this processing using infrared spectroscopy, aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These characterization studies indicate the successful formation of a SnSe‐like material that fills the interstitial space between the PbSe nanocrystal cores. We find that the electrical conductivity of these nanocrystal films is comparable to other excellent treatments used to improve charge transport. This excellent charge transport demonstrates the utility of tin(IV) methylselenolate as a conductive “glue” between nanocrystals.
Singular Abreu Equations and Minimizers of Convex Functionals with a Convexity Constraint
Authors: Le Nam Q. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe study the solvability of second boundary value problems of fourth‐order equations of Abreu type arising from approximation of convex functionals whose Lagrangians depend on the gradient variable, subject to a convexity constraint. These functionals arise in different scientific disciplines such as Newton's problem of minimal resistance in physics and the monopolist's problem in economics. The right‐hand sides of our Abreu‐type equations are quasilinear expressions of second order; they are highly singular and a priori just measures. However, our analysis in particular shows that minimizers of the 2D Rochet‐Choné model perturbed by a strictly convex lower‐order term, under a convexity constraint, can be approximated in the uniform norm by solutions of the second boundary value problems of singular Abreu equations. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanism of the Oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′‐Tetramethylbenzidine Catalyzed by Peroxidase‐Like Pt Nanoparticles Immobilized in Spherical Polyelectrolyte Brushes: A Kinetic Study
Authors: Gu Sasa , Risse Sebastian , Lu Yan , Ballauff Matthias 
Published: December 2019

AbstractExperimental and kinetic modelling studies are presented to investigate the mechanism of 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidation by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) catalyzed by peroxidase‐like Pt nanoparticles immobilized in spherical polyelectrolyte brushes (SPB−Pt). Due to the high stability of SPB−Pt colloidal, this reaction can be monitored precisely in situ by UV/VIS spectroscopy. The time‐dependent concentration of the blue‐colored oxidation product of TMB expressed by different kinetic models was used to simulate the experimental data by a genetic fitting algorithm. After falsifying the models with abundant experimental data, it is found that both H2O2 and TMB adsorb on the surface of Pt nanoparticles to react, indicating that the reaction follows the Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism. A true rate constant k, characterizing the rate‐determining step of the reaction and which is independent on the amount of catalysts used, is obtained for the first time. Furthermore, it is found that the product adsorbes strongly on the surface of nanoparticles, thus inhibiting the reaction. The entire analysis provides a new perspective to study the catalytic mechanism and evaluate the catalytic activity of the peroxidase‐like nanoparticles.
Identification of two arylimides as cholinesterase inhibitors and testing of propranolol addition on impaired rat memory
Authors: Ciprés‐Flores Fabiola J. , Farfán‐García Eunice D. , Andrade‐Jorge Erik , Cuevas‐Hernández Roberto I. , Tamay‐Cach Feliciano , Martínez‐Archundia Marlet , Trujillo‐Ferrara José G. , Soriano‐Ursúa Marvin A. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is clearly linked to the decline of acetylcholine (ACh) effects in the brain. These effects are regulated by the hydrolytic action of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Therefore, a central palliative treatment of AD is the administration of AChE inhibitors although additional mechanisms are currently described and tested for generating advantageous therapeutic strategies. In this work, we tested new arylamides and arylimides as potential inhibitors of AChE using in silico tools. Then, these compounds were tested in vitro, and two selected compounds, C7 and C8, as well as propranolol showed inhibition of AChE. In addition, they demonstrated an advantageous acute toxicity profile compared to that of galantamine as a reference AChE inhibitor. in vivo evaluation of memory performance enhancement was performed in an animal model of cognitive disturbance with each of these compounds and propranolol individually as well as each compound combined with propranolol. Memory improvement was observed in each case, but without a significant additive effect with the combinations.
Quantification of low‐temperature oxidation of light oil and its SAR fractions with TG‐DSC and TG‐FTIR analysis
Authors: Wang Tengfei , Wang Jiexiang , Yang Weipeng , Yang Daoyong 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe oxidation reaction is the key to determining the success of air flooding. In this paper, experimental and theoretical techniques have been developed to identify the low‐temperature oxidation (LTO) mechanisms for light oil during air flooding by comprehensively analyzing thermal stability and oxidation process of the crude oil and its SAR (ie, saturates, aromatics, and resins) fractions. Experimentally, both a thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with differential scanning calorimetry (TG‐DSC) and a thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (TG‐FTIR) are employed to quantify the LTO process of crude oil and each SAR fraction as well as the corresponding oxidation properties. Theoretically, reaction models have been developed to reproduce the experimentally identified reactions. The results show that the oxygen addition reaction and the bond scission reaction occur simultaneously. The former can be initiated when temperature is higher than 50°C, and it is gradually shifted to the latter with the continuous increase in reservoir temperature. The LTO products of light oil include H2O, CO2, carboxylic acids, alcohols, phenols, and ethers. Saturates, aromatics, and resins are all the sources of H2O, CO2, alcohols, and carboxylic acids, whereas ethers are mainly derived from aromatics and resins. At the beginning of an air flooding process, heat is mainly generated from the oxidation of aromatics and resins. Subsequently, oxidizing saturates gradually dominates the air flooding process with an increase in the reservoir temperature.
Effect of an environmental flow on vegetation growth and health using ground and remote sensing metrics
Authors: Gómez‐Sapiens Martha M. , Jarchow Christopher J. , Flessa Karl W. , Shafroth Patrick B. , Glenn Edward P. , Nagler Pamela L. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractUnderstanding the effectiveness of environmental flow deliveries along rivers requires monitoring vegetation. Monitoring data are often collected at multiple spatial scales. For riparian vegetation, optical remote sensing methods can estimate growth responses at the riparian corridor scale, and field‐based measures can quantify species composition; however, the extent to which these different measures are duplicative or complementary is important to understand when planning monitoring programmes with limited resources. In this study, we analysed riparian vegetation growth in the delta of the Colorado River in response to an experimental pulse flow. Our goal was to compare ground‐based measurements of vegetation structure and composition with satellite‐based Landsat radiometric variables, such as the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). We made this comparison in 21 transects following the delivery of 131.8 million cubic meters (mcm) of water in the stream channel during the spring of 2014 as a pulse flow and 38.4 mcm as base flows. Vegetation cover increased 14% and NDVI increased 0.02 (15%) by October 2015, and both variables returned to pre‐pulse flow values in October 2016. Observed changes in vegetation structure and composition did not persist after the second year. The highest increase in vegetation cover in October 2014 and October 2015 resulted from species that could respond rapidly to additional water such as reeds (Arundo donax and Phragmites australis), cattail (Typha domingensis), and herbaceous plants. Dominant shrubs, saltcedar (Tamarix spp.) and arrowweed (Pluchea sericea), both indicative of nonrestored habitats showed variable increases in cover, and native trees (Salicaceae family) presented low increases (1%). The strong NDVI–vegetation cover relationship indicates that NDVI is appropriate to detect changes at the riparian corridor scale but needs to be complemented with ground data to determine the contributions by different species to the observed trends.