bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of unwoven roving and woven fabric carbon fiber reinforcements on reaction‐to‐fire properties of polymer matrix composites
Authors: Eibl Sebastian 
Published: March 2020

SummaryThe influence of carbon fiber orientation on reaction‐to‐fire characteristics of layered polymer matrix composites is investigated in detail. M18‐1/G939 as woven fabric and M18‐1/G947 as unwoven roving prepregs with identical, epoxy based matrix composition were laid‐up to give 1 to 8 mm thick unidirectional and quasi‐isotropic laminates. Fundamental reaction‐to‐fire properties of these composites are interpreted on basis of the matrix components: epoxy resin and polyetherimide, as well as contained flame retardants magnesium hydroxide and zinc borate. Cone calorimetry and temperature distributions through the laminate show, that the velocity of combustion is influenced by fiber orientation for a given resin. For an unwoven roving it is confirmed that a quasi‐isotropic fiber orientation leads to faster ignition, due to preferred delaminations, but retards burning processes more effectively than a unidirectional lay‐up. This fundamental principle is extended to woven fabric reinforcements, however with less pronounced effects. Migration velocities of the pyrolysis zone are measured and additionally, decomposition of carbon fibers is considered. A comparison with a similar epoxy based matrix system without toughener and flame retardants: RTM6/G939 is carried out, in order to assess the effects by fiber orientation.
Pomegranate peel methanolic‐extract improves the shelf‐life of edible‐oils under accelerated oxidation conditions
Authors: El‐Hadary Abdalla E. , Taha Mohamed 
Published: March 2020

AbstractNatural antioxidants extracted from agri‐waste resources have gained increased economic, sustainable, and health attention due to their sustainability, safer food‐applications, and beneficial components. Pomegranate peel extracts (Punica Granatum L.) have natural phytochemicals with superior protective effects stabilizing a variety of the most common vegetable oils consumed globally. Among five different pomegranate peel extracts, methanolic extract has maximum total phenolic content of 18.89%, a total flavonoid content of 13.95 mg QE kg−1, and a relative antioxidant activity of 93% when compared to other pomegranate peel extracts. Additionally, the HPLC analysis of pomegranate peel methanolic extract exhibited the maximum number of phenolic and flavonoid fractions. HPLC fractions showed that pyrogallol and ellagic acids were the most abundant phenolic compounds with 453 and 126 mg kg−1, respectively. In terms of flavonoid fractions, hesperidine and quercetrin were the highest detected‐flavonoids with about 50 and 35 mg kg−1, respectively, from HPLC flavonoids fractions. Therefore, pomegranate peel methanolic extract was selected at different concentrations (100, 200, 400, and 600 ppm) for the stabilizing experiment of Egyptian freshly refined edible oils (sunflower, soybean, and corn oils) in comparison with synthetic antioxidant (tert‐butyl hydroquinone TBHQ‐200 ppm) during accelerated storage at 70°C for 10 days. The results from the accelerated storage experiment indicated that pomegranate peel methanolic extract (at different concentrations: 200, 400, and 600 ppm) exhibited stronger antioxidant capability in all tested oils rather than negative controls (without antioxidant) and synthetic antioxidant TBHQ‐200. Under accelerated oxidation conditions, pomegranate peel methanolic extract have the potential capability to improve the shelf life of edible oils in comparison with the most powerful synthetic antioxidant (TBHQ‐200 ppm).
Numerical research of double‐diffusive natural convection in elliptical cylinders: Effect of thermal Rayleigh number
Authors: Taloub Djedid , Bouras Abdelkarim , Djezzar Mahfoud , Driss Zied 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis paper is the first part of a two‐part study, and it presented numerical research of double‐diffusive natural convection within an annulus area, situated in two horizontal confocal elliptic solids charged by a Newtonian fluid. The elliptical coordinates were used to transform the physical domain into a rectangular one. To resolve the governing equations and the boundary layer conditions, a calculator code based on the finite volume approach was developed. The details of the influences of thermal Rayleigh number on heat and mass transfer were investigated. Results obtained were compared with those existing in other reasearch works.
Carbamate derivatives of colchicine show potent activity towards primary acute lymphoblastic leukemia and primary breast cancer cells—in vitro and ex vivo study
Authors: Urbaniak Alicja , Jousheghany Fariba , Piña‐Oviedo Sergio , Yuan Youzhong , Majcher‐Uchańska Urszula , Klejborowska Greta , Moorjani Anika , Monzavi‐Karbassi Behjatolah , Huczyński Adam , Chambers Timothy C. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractColchicine (COL) shows strong anticancer activity but due to its toxicity towards normal cells its wider application is limited. To address this issue, a library of 17 novel COL derivatives, namely N‐carbamates of N‐deacetyl‐4‐(bromo/chloro/iodo)thiocolchicine, has been tested against two types of primary cancer cells. These included acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and human breast cancer (BC) derived from two different tumor subtypes, ER+ invasive ductal carcinoma grade III (IDCG3) and metastatic carcinoma (MC). Four novel COL derivatives showed higher anti‐proliferative activity than COL (IC50 = 8.6 nM) towards primary ALL cells in cell viability assays (IC50 range of 1.1‐6.4 nM), and several were more potent towards primary IDCG3 (IC50 range of 0.1 to 10.3 nM) or MC (IC50 range of 2.3‐9.1 nM) compared to COL (IC50 of 11.1 and 11.7 nM, respectively). In addition, several derivatives were selectively active toward primary breast cancer cells compared to normal breast epithelial cells. The most promising derivatives were subsequently tested against the NCI panel of 60 human cancer cell lines and seven derivatives were more potent than COL against leukemia, non–small‐cell lung, colon, CNS and prostate cancers. Finally, COL and two of the most active derivatives were shown to be effective in killing BC cells when tested ex vivo using fresh human breast tumor explants. The present findings indicate that the select COL derivatives constitute promising lead compounds targeting specific types of cancer.
Combining serum calcitonin, carcinoembryonic antigen, and neuron‐specific enolase to predict lateral lymph node metastasis in medullary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Ye Liuqing , Zhou Xi , Lu Jie , Wang Yanzhong , Xie Xinyou , Zhang Jun 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the clinical application of combined detection of serum calcitonin (Ctn), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and neuron‐specific enolase (NSE) in predicting lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).MethodsSeventy‐four consecutive patients with MTC were enrolled. The relationship between serum Ctn, CEA, and NSE and LLNM was retrospectively analyzed by univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, the clinical application of serum Ctn, CEA, and NSE combined detection in prediction of LLNM in MTC was also evaluated.ResultsThe rate of LLNM in this study was 48.64% (36/74).The expression levels of serum Ctn, CEA, and NSE in MTC with LLNM were significantly higher than those without LLNM (all P < .01). The area under the curve (AUC) predicted by serum Ctn, CEA, and NSE for LLNM in MTC patients was 0.867, 0.831, and 0.726, respectively, and the AUC of serum Ctn, CEA, and NSE combined detection was up to 0.890, higher than using a single biomarker. The sensitivity and specificity of serum Ctn, CEA, and NSE combined detection in prediction of LLNM were 88.89% and 81.57%, respectively.ConclusionsThe concentrations of serum Ctn, CEA, and NSE are closely related to LLNM in MTC, and the combined detection of all three biomarkers has a higher clinical value in the evaluation of MTC patients with LLNM. With more perspective study in the future, it would be an indicator of influencing personalized surgical strategy for different MTC patients.
Mercury dynamics in the pore water of peat columns during experimental freezing and thawing
Authors: Sirota Jennie I. , Kolka Randall K. , Sebestyen Stephen D. , Nater Edward A. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBiogeochemical processes in northern peatland ecosystems are influenced by seasonal temperature fluctuations that are changing with the climate. Methylmercury (MeHg), commonly produced in peatlands, affects downstream waters; therefore, it is important to understand how temperature transitions affect mercury (Hg) dynamics. We investigated how the freeze–thaw cycle influences belowground peat pore water total Hg (THg), MeHg, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Four large, intact peat columns were removed from an ombrotrophic peat bog and experimentally frozen and thawed. Pore water was sampled across seven depths in the peat columns during the freeze–thaw cycle and analyzed for THg, MeHg, and DOC concentrations. Freezing results showed increased concentrations of THg below the ice layers and limited change in MeHg concentrations. During thawing, THg concentrations significantly increased, whereas MeHg concentrations decreased. Limited bromide movement and depth decreases in THg and DOC concentrations were associated with increased bulk density and degree of humification in the peat. The experiment demonstrates the effects of the freeze–thaw cycle on Hg concentrations in northern peatlands. Changes to freeze–thaw cycles with climate change may exacerbate Hg cycling and transport processes in peatland environments.
Education of Biological and Fostered Children in Ghana: The Influence of Relationships with the Household Head and Household Structure
Authors: Darko Christian Kweku , Carmichael Fiona 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThis study investigates how household structure and relationship with head of household impact on the education of children in Ghana. We estimate educational participation and selectivity‐corrected educational progress conditional on participation and find that fostered children are less likely to participate in education. Fostered children in dual‐parent‐headed households also make less educational progress compared with biological children. In single‐parent‐headed households, there is no significant equivalent difference in educational progress for fostered children and biological children. However, in single‐parent‐headed households with a high female‐to‐male labour force participation ratio, fostered children have lower educational progress than biological children. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modulation of Notch1 signaling regulates bone fracture healing
Authors: Novak Sanja , Roeder Emilie , Sinder Benjamin P. , Adams Douglas J. , Siebel Chris W. , Grcevic Danka , Hankenson Kurt D. , Matthews Brya G. , Kalajzic Ivo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractFracture healing involves interactions of different cell types, driven by various growth factors, and signaling cascades. Periosteal mesenchymal progenitor cells give rise to the majority of osteoblasts and chondrocytes in a fracture callus. Notch signaling has emerged as an important regulator of skeletal cell proliferation and differentiation. We investigated the effects of Notch signaling during the fracture healing process. Increased Notch signaling in osteochondroprogenitor cells driven by overexpression of Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD1) (αSMACreERT2 mice crossed with Rosa‐NICD1) during fracture resulted in less cartilage, more mineralized callus tissue, and stronger and stiffer bones after 3 weeks. Periosteal cells overexpressing NICD1 showed increased proliferation and migration in vitro. In vivo data confirmed that increased Notch1 signaling caused expansion of alpha‐smooth muscle actin (αSMA)‐positive cells and their progeny including αSMA‐derived osteoblasts in the callus without affecting osteoclast numbers. In contrast, anti‐NRR1 antibody treatment to inhibit Notch1 signaling resulted in increased callus cartilage area, reduced callus bone mass, and reduced biomechanical strength. Our study shows a positive effect of induced Notch1 signaling on the fracture healing process, suggesting that stimulating the Notch pathway could be beneficial for fracture repair.
Resveratrol treatment promotes titanium implant osseointegration in diabetes mellitus rats
Authors: Hua Yunwei , Bi Ruiye , Li Zheru , Li Yunfeng 
Published: March 2020

AbstractType II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the most common metabolic disorder; it is characterized by hyperglycemia and causes implant failure by influencing implant osseointegration. Resveratrol promotes bone formation, but it is unclear if resveratrol improves implant osseointegration. Thirty 12‐week‐old Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into control (CTL), diabetes mellitus (DM), and resveratrol treatment (DM + Res) groups. In the DM and DM + Res groups (n = 10 each), T2DM was induced via streptozotocin injections; the remaining 10 rats were considered the CTL group. Eight weeks after the insertion of a rod‐like Ti implant with a 12‐mm length and 1‐mm diameter in the left leg, the rats were euthanized. We analyzed implant osseointegration using microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT), histological analyses, and biomechanical tests. The parameters showed that T2DM negatively influenced implant osseointegration in the tibia. Compared to that in the DM group, the bone loss of peri‐implant bone mass in the DM + Res group was decreased significantly. However, resveratrol still did not induce the same level of implant osseointegration as that observed in the CTL group according to the histological and micro‐CT analyses. These results indicated that resveratrol reduced the influence of DM in implant osseointegration, resulting in increased peri‐implant bone density, improved trabecular architecture, and enhanced biomechanical fixation.
Soil loss tolerance in calcareous soils of a semiarid region: evaluation, prediction, and influential parameters
Authors: Ostovari Yaser , Moosavi Ali Akbar , Pourghasemi Hamid Reza 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPredicting soil loss tolerance (T‐value) as a first and crucial step in assessing soil erosion using pedotransfer functions (PTFs) could save time and cost. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluateT‐value and its influential parameters for calcareous soils of the Dorudzan Watershed, Fars Province, Iran, and to develop PTFs for its prediction using easily measureable soil properties.T‐value was determined in 60 soil profiles based on the soil thickness method. Various basic soil properties were used to develop five PTFs using stepwise multiple linear regression.T‐value varied from 3.5 to 22.5 with a mean value of 10.4 t ha−1yr−1, which is approximately equal to the proposed value by US Department of Agriculture (11 t ha−1yr−1).T‐value in Inceptisols located in the dam shore and agricultural lands was significantly higher than that of Entisols located in the forest and rangelands. Organic matter (OM) with a correlation coefficient of .77 withT‐value was the most influential variable in prediction ofT‐value. The PTF 5, which used OM, soil aggregate stability, and permeability, with the highestR2(0.72 and 0.79), the lowest mean error (−0.44 and 1.75 t ha−1yr−1), the lowest root mean square error (2.98 and 2.75 t ha−1yr−1) and the minimum Akaike information criterion (51.1 and 17.2) provided the best predictions forT‐value. However, when considering the acceptable indices and easier measureable soil properties (OM, soil erodibility, and pH) in PTF 3, we concluded that it was the best model to predictT‐value. Generally, the application of thickness method is recommended to determineT‐value in semiarid regions.
Strong Exciton–Plasmon Coupling in a WS2 Monolayer on Au Film Hybrid Structures Mediated by Liquid Ga Nanoparticles
Authors: Deng Fu , Liu Hongfeng , Xu Lei , Lan Sheng , Miroshnichenko Andrey E. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractRealizing and manipulating strong light–matter coupling in 2D monolayer semiconductors is of paramount importance in the development of novel photonic devices. Here, it is revealed by numerical simulation that strong coupling between the excitons in a WS2 monolayer and the surface plasmon polaritons propagating on the surface of a thin Au film can be realized when the surface plasmon polaritons are generated via the Kretschmann–Raether configuration. The use of liquid Ga nanoparticles, which exhibit broad scattering spectra in visible light, is proposed to identify the strong exciton–plasmon coupling. It is demonstrated numerically and experimentally that the exciton–plasmon coupling strength, which is manifested in Rabi splitting, can be further enhanced by the in‐plane localization of the electric field provided by liquid Ga nanoparticles. Anti‐crossing of the scattering spectra can be observed by tuning the angle of the incident light and Rabi splitting exceeding 120 meV can be obtained. The results open new horizons for realizing strong exciton‐plasmon coupling in hybrid structures composed of monolayer semiconductors and thin metal films and pave the way for the practical applications of strong light–matter interaction in nanoscale photonic devices.
Self‐Detecting and Self‐Healing Reinforce Elastomer Doped with Aggregation‐Induced Emission Molecules
Authors: Yin Quanyi , Tu Shuhua , Chen Min , Wu Limin 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMost of elastomers for fabrication of comfortable epidermal devices and smart actuators produce responsive signals by the stimuli‐induced deformation. Herein, a dynamic visualization of external stimuli rather than the deformation through synthesis of a self‐healing poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS)‐based elastomer doped with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) molecules is reported. The self‐healing PDMS‐based elastomer is designed and synthesized through molecule integration of reversible multi‐strength H‐bonds and permanent covalent crosslink sites. The adjustment of the weight ratio of elastic cross‐linker offers tunable mechanical properties of the resultant elastomer. After doping such an elastomer with AIE molecules of 1,1,2,2‐tetrakis(4‐nitrophenyl)ethane, the elastomer composite displays strong on–off fluorescence depending upon mechanical damage and temperatures, which can be used to detect the breaking and self‐healing performances, as well as the temperature change. The strategy described here provides another way to develop smart polymeric elastomers for practical applications.
Microbial composition of enigmatic bird parasites:WolbachiaandSpiroplasmaare the most important bacterial associates of quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae)
Authors: Glowska Eliza , Filutowska Zuzanna Karolina , Dabert Miroslawa , Gerth Michael 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe microbiome is an integral component of many animal species, potentially affecting behavior, physiology, and other biological properties. Despite this importance, bacterial communities remain vastly understudied in many groups of invertebrates, including mites. Quill mites (Acariformes: Syringophilidae) are a poorly known group of permanent bird ectoparasites that occupy quills of feathers and feed on bird subcutaneous tissue and fluids. Most of the known species have strongly female‐biased sex ratio, and it was hypothesized that this is caused by endosymbiotic bacteria. Previously,Anaplasma phagocytophilum(Foggie) and a high diversity ofWolbachiastrains were detected in quill mites via targeted PCR screens. Here, we use an unbiased 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing approach to determine other bacteria that potentially impact quill mite biology.ResultsWe performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of 126 quill mite individuals from eleven species parasitizing twelve species (four families) of passeriform birds. In addition toWolbachia, we foundSpiroplasmaas potential symbiont of quill mites. Consistently, highSpiroplasmatiters were only found in individuals of two mite species associated with finches of the genusCarduelis, suggesting a history of horizontal transfers ofSpiroplasmavia the bird host. Furthermore, there was evidence forSpiroplasmanegatively affectingWolbachiatiters. We found no evidence for the previously reportedAnaplasmain quill mites, but detected sequences of high similarity to the potential pathogensBrucellaandBartonellaat low abundances. Other amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) could be assigned to a diverse number of bacterial taxa, including several that were previously isolated from bird skin. Further, many frequently found ASVs were assigned to taxa that show a very broad distribution with no strong prior evidence for symbiotic association with animals. We interpret these findings as evidence for a scarcity of resident microbial associates (other than inherited symbionts) in quill mites.
Operating a treatment planning system using a deep‐reinforcement learning‐based virtual treatment planner for prostate cancer intensity‐modulated radiation therapy treatment planning
Authors: Shen Chenyang , Nguyen Dan , Chen Liyuan , Gonzalez Yesenia , McBeth Rafe , Qin Nan , Jiang Steve B. , Jia Xun 
Published: March 2020

PurposeIn the treatment planning process of intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), a human planner operates the treatment planning system (TPS) to adjust treatment planning parameters, for example, dose volume histogram (DVH) constraints’ locations and weights, to achieve a satisfactory plan for each patient. This process is usually time‐consuming, and the plan quality depends on planer’s experience and available planning time. In this study, we proposed to model the behaviors of human planners in treatment planning by a deep reinforcement learning (DRL)‐based virtual treatment planner network (VTPN), such that it can operate the TPS in a human‐like manner for treatment planning.Methods and MaterialsUsing prostate cancer IMRT as an example, we established the VTPN using a deep neural network developed. We considered an in‐house optimization engine with a weighted quadratic objective function. Virtual treatment planner network was designed to observe an intermediate plan DVHs and decide the action to improve the plan by changing weights and threshold dose in the objective function. We trained the VTPN in an end‐to‐end DRL process in 10 patient cases. A plan score was used to measure plan quality. We demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of the trained VTPN in another 64 patient cases.ResultsVirtual treatment planner network was trained to spontaneously learn how to adjust treatment planning parameters to generate high‐quality treatment plans. In the 64 testing cases, with initialized parameters, quality score was 4.97 (±2.02), with 9.0 being the highest possible score. Using VTPN to perform treatment planning improved quality score to 8.44 (±0.48).ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this was the first time that intelligent treatment planning behaviors of human planner in external beam IMRT are autonomously encoded in an artificial intelligence system. The trained VTPN is capable of behaving in a human‐like way to produce high‐quality plans.