bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel and green nanoparticle formation approach to forming low-crystallinity curcumin nanoparticles to improve curcumin’s bioaccessibility
Authors: Ubeyitogullari Ali , Ciftci Ozan N. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractHealth-promoting effects of curcumin are well-known; however, curcumin has a very low bioavailability due to its crystalline structure. The main objective of this study was to develop a novel green nanoparticle formation method to generate low-crystallinity curcumin nanoparticles to enhance the bioavailability of curcumin. Nanoporous starch aerogels (NSAs) (surface area of 60 m2/g, pore size of 20 nm, density of 0.11 g/cm3, and porosity of 93%) were employed as a mold to produce curcumin nanoparticles with the help of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2). The average particle size of the curcumin nanoparticles was 66 nm. Impregnation into NSAs decreased the crystallinity of curcumin and did not create any chemical bonding between curcumin nanoparticles and the NSA matrix. The highest impregnation capacity was 224.2 mg curcumin/g NSA. Curcumin nanoparticles significantly enhanced the bioaccessibility of curcumin by 173-fold when compared to the original curcumin. The concentration of curcumin in the bioaccessible fraction was improved from 0.003 to 0.125 mg/mL by impregnation of curcumin into NSAs (42-fold). This is a novel approach to produce food grade curcumin nanoparticles with reduced crystallinity and maximize the utilization of curcumin due to increased bioaccessibility.
Engineering of self-rectifying filamentary resistive switching in LiNbO3 single crystalline thin film via strain doping
Authors: You Tiangui , Huang Kai , Zhao Xiaomeng , Yi Ailun , Chen Chen , Ren Wei , Jin Tingting , Lin Jiajie , Shuai Yao , Luo Wenbo , Zhou Min , Yu Wenjie , Ou Xin 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe abilities to fabricate wafer scale single crystalline oxide thin films on metallic substrates and to locally engineer their resistive switching characteristics not only contribute to the fundamental investigations of the resistive switching mechanism but also promote the practical applications of resistive switching devices. Here, wafer scale LiNbO3(LNO) single crystalline thin films are fabricated on Pt/SiO2/LNO substrates by ion slicing with wafer bonding. The lattice strain of the LNO single crystalline thin films can be tuned by He implantation as indicated by XRD measurements. After He implantation, the LNO single crystalline thin films show self-rectifying filamentary resistive switching behaviors, which is interpreted by a model that the local conductive filaments only connect/disconnect with the bottom interface while the top interface maintains the Schottky contact. Thanks to the homogeneous distribution of defects in single crystalline thin films, highly reproducible and uniform self-rectifying resistive switching with large on/off ratio over four order of magnitude was achieved. Multilevel resistive switching can be obtained by varying the compliance current or by using different magnitude of writing voltage.
Plasma activity of Thioredoxin Reductase as a Novel Biomarker in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Peng Wei , Zhou Zhaofei , Zhong Yuejiao , Sun Yan , Wang Yajing , Zhu Zili , Jiao Wenxuan , Bai Man , Sun Jing , Lu Jianwei , Yin Hanwei 
Published: December 2019

AbstractGastric cancer (GC) is one of the leading malignancies around the world. Identification of novel and efficient biomarkers for GC diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic efficiency could improve the therapeutic strategy in future clinical application. This study aims to evaluate the levels of plasma thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity in GC patients to confirm its validity and efficacy in GC diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic efficiency. 923 cases were enrolled in the current study. In the group of GC patients before clinical intervention, plasma TrxR activity [9.09 (7.96, 10.45) U/mL] was significantly higher than in healthy controls [3.69 (2.38, 5.32) U/mL]. The threshold of TrxR activity for GC diagnosis was set at 7.34 U/mL with a sensitivity of 85.5% and a specificity of 97.9%. In GC patients after chemotherapy, plasma TrxR activity was remarkably higher in patients with progressive disease or uncontrolled condition [10.07 (8.19, 11.02) U/mL] compared with patients with complete or partial response [7.12 (6.08, 8.37) U/mL] in response to chemotherapy. TrxR activity displayed the higher efficiency to distinguish between GC patients with two distinct clinical outcomes than carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 72-4 (CA72-4) and cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). Moreover, combination of TrxR, CEA, CA72-4 and CA19-9 was demonstrated to be more effective in both GC diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic efficiency than was each biomarker individually. Together, plasma TrxR activity was identified as a novel and efficient biomarker of GC, both in diagnosis and monitoring of therapeutic efficiency in response to chemotherapy.
TiCrN-TiAlN-TiAlSiN-TiAlSiCN multi-layers utilized to increase tillage tools useful lifetime
Authors: Sharifi Malvajerdi Shahab , Sharifi Malvajerdi Ahmad , Ghanaatshoar Majid , Habibi Morteza , Jahdi Hassan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractFor the first time, a hard wear-resistant multi-layer of TiCrN-TiAlN-TiAlSiN-TiAlSiCN was deposited on carbon steel CK45-based tillage tools to increase their useful lifetime. The layers were deposited by using an arc-PVD method without post-annealing procedures. XRD and EDX data indicated that TiCrN, TiAlN, TiAlSiN, and TiAlSiCN formed individually and as a multi-layer of high-quality crystalline layers with mostly cubic structures. The studies on the multi-layers coating morphology, roughness and hardness gave reasonable results as a roughness of 35 nm and a hardness of 32.2 GPa. The coated sweep duck blade tillage tools were tested on the field along with a soil bin to obtain their wear behavior at different traveling distances. The draft force of all blades showed promising results. As the coated layers were worn off, their draft force increased. In comparison with single-layer coatings, the multi-layer structure demonstrated an increase in the useful lifetime of the blades.
Routine free thyroxine reference intervals are suboptimal for monitoring children on thyroxine replacement therapy and target intervals need to be assay-specific
Authors: Wheeler Elizabeth , Choy Kay Weng , Chin Lit Kim , Wijeratne Nilika , McNeil Alan , Yen Tina , Matthews Susan , Deam David , Lu Zhong , Loh Tze Ping , Doery James , Bergman Philip 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCentral hypothyroidism is a condition where there is (qualitatively or quantitatively) TSH deficiency, leading to reduced thyroid hormone production. In such patients, serum TSH does not accurately reflect the adequacy of thyroxine replacement, as the log-linear relationship between thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) is lost. We aimed to prospectively determine the optimal physiological FT4 treatment range for children treated for primary hypothyroidism, based on their serum TSH concentrations. This information could be used to guide optimal therapy for all children on thyroxine replacement, including those with central hypothyroidism. In total, sixty children (median age: 11 years, range: 11 months to 18 years) were recruited over 21 months. They were prescribed a stable dose of thyroxine for at least 6–8 weeks prior to a thyroid function test that consisted of serum TSH, FT4 and free triiodothyronine (FT3) measurements. The serum sample for the thyroid function tests was collected before ingestion of the daily dose, i.e. the trough concentration, and measured using Beckman Coulter UniCel DxI 800 instrument, Siemens Advia Centaur, Roche Cobas, Abbott Architect, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Vitros 5600 (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Raritan, NJ) platforms. The FT4 and FT3 reference intervals showed significant inter-method difference. The lower limit of the FT4 reference intervals were generally shifted mildly higher when the TSH concentration of the children were restricted from 0.5–5.0 mIU/L to 0.5–2.5 mIU/L. By contrast, the upper limit of the FT3 and FT4 reference intervals were relatively stable for the different TSH concentrations. Assay-specific target ranges for optimal thyroxine therapy are required until FT4 assay standardisation is realised.
Update Mammakarzinom 2019 Teil 5 – diagnostische und therapeutische Herausforderungen neuer personalisierter Therapien bei Patientinnen mit fortgeschrittenem Mammakarzinom
Authors: Welslau Manfred , Hartkopf Andreas D. , Müller Volkmar , Wöckel Achim , Lux Michael P. , Janni Wolfgang , Ettl Johannes , Lüftner Diana , Belleville Erik , Schütz Florian , Fasching Peter A. , Kolberg Hans-Christian , Nabieva Naiba , Overkamp Friedrich , Taran Florin-Andrei , Brucker Sara Y. , Wallwiener Markus , Tesch Hans , Schneeweiss Andreas , Fehm Tanja N. 
Published: December 2019

ZusammenfassungBeim fortgeschrittenen Mammakarzinom sind in den letzten Jahren deutliche Fortschritte erzielt worden, fast alle auf dem Gebiet der zielgerichteten Therapie. Pertuzumab und Trastuzumab-Emtansin (T-DM1) konnten beim HER2-positiven Mammakarzinom eingeführt werden. Nun sind weitere Anti-HER2-Therapien in der Entwicklung (z. B. Margetuximab, DS-8201a, Pyrotinib), die weitere Resistenzmechanismen im HER2-Signalweg überwinden können. Auf dem Gebiet des hormonrezeptorpositiven Mammakarzinoms wurden in der Vergangenheit ein mTOR-Inhibitor und CDK4/6-Inhibitoren eingeführt. Nun steht die Einführung des ersten PI3K-Inhibitors bevor, die eine genetische Testung des Tumors auf eine Mutation im Gen PIK3CA mit sich bringen wird. Beim tripel-negativen Mammakarzinom gibt es ebenfalls deutliche Fortschritte: Durch Kombination von Chemo- mit Immuntherapie konnte ein Vorteil für das Gesamtüberleben in einer Subgruppe (Immunzellen PD-L1-positiv) gezeigt werden. Die PARP-Inhibitor-Therapie für HER2-negative Patientinnen mit einer Keimbahnmutation in BRCA1 oder BRCA2 war ebenfalls in einer Subgruppe mit einem verbesserten Gesamtüberleben assoziiert. Diese vielversprechenden, neuen Studienergebnisse werden in dieser Übersichtsarbeit zusammengefasst.
Tumefactive Demyelination Associated with Bilateral Optic Neuritis in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Verma Rajesh , Kumar Chetan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractTumefactive demyelination is an uncommon neurological disorder mimicking tumors. It is one of the rare varieties of demyelinating disorders, often causing diagnostic dilemma among neuroscientists. The literature tells us about approaching these patients added by peculiar neuroimaging findings. Neuromyelitis optica is an immune mediated inflammatory clinical disorder, typically involving optic nerves bilaterally and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. With the revelation of aquaporin four channels, its distribution in the brain and related antibody, the concept of neuromyelitis optica spectra disorders has been evolved. In this case report, our intention is to present a young female who presented with bilateral vision loss with tumor-like mass lesion in cerebral cortex. Such an association of bilateral optic neuropathy involving chiasmatic region, suggestive of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) with tumefactive demyelination is rarely reported in the literature.
Is there a Threshold Preoperative WOMAC Score That Predicts Patient Satisfaction after Total Knee Arthroplasty?
Authors: Clement Nicholas D. , Weir David J. , Holland James , Deehan David J. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe aim of this study was to identify threshold preoperative Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores that were predictive of patient dissatisfaction 1 year after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A retrospective cohort of 3,324 patients undergoing a primary TKA was identified from an established arthroplasty database. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and the WOMAC score were collected preoperatively. Patient satisfaction was assessed at 1 year using four questions that focused on: overall outcome, activity, work, and pain. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to identify threshold values predictive of dissatisfaction. The overall satisfaction rate at 1 year was 89.7% (n = 2982). Patients who were satisfied had a significantly greater preoperative pain (3.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6–5.6, p < 0.001) and functional (4.5, 95% CI 2.6–6.5, p < 0.001) component and total (4.2, 95% CI 2.3–6.0, p < 0.001) WOMAC scores compared with those who were dissatisfied. ROC curve analysis demonstrated the preoperative pain (p = 0.001) and functional (p < 0.001) components and total (p < 0.001) WOMAC scores were significant predictors of satisfaction. Patients scoring < 36 for the pain and function components and < 35 for the total WOMAC score were more likely to be dissatisfied with their overall outcome, but the area under the curves (AUCs) for these predictive threshold values were 0.56, 0.54, and 0.60, respectively, indicating poor prognostic value. A similar finding was observed for satisfaction with pain relief and ability to work and recreational activities; however, in addition the stiffness component was also a significant (p < 0.001) predictor with a threshold value of < 43. Again, these thresholds were of poor prognostic value with an AUC of less than 0.57 for all these satisfaction questions. Threshold values in the preoperative component and total WOMAC scores were not reliable prognostic indicators of overall patient satisfaction or for satisfaction with pain relief, ability to do work, or recreational activities after TKA.
Accounting for firm heterogeneity in global value chains
Authors: Fortanier Fabienne , Miao Guannan , Kolk Ans , Pisani Niccolò 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe growing interest in global value chains (GVCs) has been paired with a greater appreciation of the need for better measurement methods, as reflected by recent initiatives from academia and leading international organizations. This research note focuses on one method to measure GVCs that has been recommended in recent scholarly work, namely input–output models, but goes beyond the industry level of analysis by introducing intra-industry firm heterogeneity. Our illustrative application to multinational enterprises (MNEs) versus domestic firms’ participation in GVCs enhances our understanding of their specific role in GVCs and how such engagement varies across countries and industries. While showing that MNEs’ contribution to value-added exports is considerably smaller than what is suggested by traditional trade statistics, our findings also, interestingly, document that the higher import content of exports of MNEs can go hand in hand with the creation of local backward linkages as a function of their much higher specialization in only parts of the production process vis-à-vis domestic firms. By answering relevant questions on MNEs’ engagement in GVCs that have hitherto been impossible to address comprehensibly and in a cross-country comparative setting, this application illustrates how the methodology has great potential for international business research.
Constructing authorial pseudonyms and authorial identity in online fanfiction communities
Authors: Donlan Lisa 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
This article undertakes the first linguistic analysis of the innovative online pseudonyms (e.g.,
<smollouisandtolharry>, <00Q007Narry>, <b0yfriendsinl0ve>) used by fanfiction authors. Specifically, this
research explores the most frequent lexical formation processes employed when creating pseudonyms, why these processes are used,
and what they reveal about authorial identity in fanfiction communities. The most common formation methods identified across the
600 names analysed are compounding, blending, and variant spellings. All three of these processes allow authors to create
memorable and unique names which distinguish their work from that of other writers in their community. Indeed, despite their use
of pseudonyms, these authors are still highlighting their individual authorial identities, and they do this by turning the process
of creating a pseudonym into a ludic experiment in linguistic innovation. Consequently, future studies should further explore the
relationship between self-selected names and the articulation of identity.
Biological control in Chile.
Authors: Barra-Bucarei L. , Moreno L. D. , Iglesias A. F. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

The first introduction of a predator of olive black scale in 1903 marked the start of biocontrol in Chile. In 1915 the Ministry of Agriculture began a programme of introduction of beneficial organisms and since then approximately 200 species of beneficial insects have been introduced into the country. Many complete and permanent successes were obtained in the period 1900-1969 and examples are control of: olive black scale; scales in grapevine, citrus, berries, avocado and other fruit; mealybugs in citrus, grapevine, avocado and other fruit; and woolly apple aphid in apple. The use of microbial control agents started in the 1950s and numerous microorganisms have since been collected, identified and mass produced to control pests and diseases. Weed biocontrol began in Chile in the 1950s with successful classical biocontrol of St John's wort with a phytophagous weevil, followed in the 1970s by using a plant pathogenic fungus for control of Rubus ulmifolius (zarzamora) and in the 1980s-1990s by releasing phytophagous weevils, moths and mites for control of gorse weed. An important large project executed during the 1970s and 1980s resulted in classical biocontrol of several virus-transmitting aphid species on thousands of hectares of wheat and barley. In forestry, parasitoids have been introduced for classical biocontrol of European pine shoot moth and of the sirex wood wasp in pine, and the eucalyptus psyllid in eucalyptus on vast areas. Currently, there are many commercial and governmental research initiatives for predators, parasitoids, entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes, and with bacteria and fungi for pest and disease control.
Biological control in Costa Rica.
Authors: Blanco-Metzler H. , Morera-Montoya R. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

The first biological control activities in Costa Rica date from around 1915, but it was only in the 1950s that studies were conducted on the introduction, mass rearing and release of biocontrol agents in crops such as fruit trees, coffee, bananas, sugarcane, rice and pineapple. Subsequently, the use of entomopathogens became important in the 1990s as a strategy to be used in integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. From the 1990s, biocontrol laboratories were established and alliances were developed with national and international institutions and universities to strengthen biocontrol activities in the country. Currently, new areas of study have been incorporated in biocontrol research, such as molecular biology, host-plant resistance, identification of new biocontrol agents, the use of X-rays to sterilize hosts of natural enemies and the use of volatile compounds produced by the plant after pest attack to attract natural enemies. All these activities help to develop sustainable pest management. Implementation of biocontrol in Costa Rica will keep increasing, since there is great pressure to reduce the use of chemical pesticides for all the export crops.
Biological control in Dominica.
Authors: Lenteren J. C. van 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Introduction of two tachinid parasitoid species in 1951 for biocontrol of the sugarcane borer resulted in good control. Native and imported parasitoids were evaluated in the 1960s for control of fruit flies and noctuid moths on various fruits in Dominica, but none of them was effective. Several other imports of exotic natural enemies in this period for classical biocontrol of banana weevil, coffee leaf miner and diamondback moth were not successful. Complete island-wide control of the citrus blackfly was obtained after releases of two exotic parasitoids at the end of the 1990s.
Biological control in continental Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
Authors: Castillo C. C. , Gallegos P. G. , Causton C. E. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Biological control has been used against agricultural pests and diseases on mainland Ecuador for over 80 years and its use as a pest management tool is increasing. Classical and augmentative biocontrol techniques are now commonly used for a wide range of crops, fruits and flowers that are grown using traditional or organic farming approaches. The Ecuadorian government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Institute of Agricultural Research, strongly encourages the use of biocontrol, conducts research on potential biocontrol agents, and has helped to establish laboratories for the production of biocontrol agents in different provinces. There are also now at least four Ecuadorian companies that produce entomopathogens, insect predators and parasitoids as well as cooperation agreements set up with international suppliers. It is estimated that augmentative biocontrol was used on over 65,000 ha of farmland in 2017, and conservation biocontrol on 150,000 ha. The area under classical biocontrol was difficult to reliably estimate. The aim of Ecuador is to offer more high-quality commodities that are produced using methods with low negative ecological impact. On the Galapagos Islands, classical biocontrol has been used once to control the invasive cottony cushion scale, which was seriously affecting threatened endemic plant species. Following the success of this programme, it is now being considered as a management tool for invasive plant and insect species, as well for the most damaging agricultural pests.
Biological control in Guatemala.
Authors: Lenteren J. C. van 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Biological control was initiated in Guatemala in the 1990s, after costs for chemicals had increased substantially and had resulted in a drastic decrease in production of, for example, cotton and tomato. Most often, augmentative biocontrol is used in Guatemala. Examples of successful programmes are control of: (i) lepidopterans in cotton and vegetables by microbial agents and egg parasitoids; (ii) cotton leafworm by egg parasitoids and a predator in cotton; (iii) coffee berry borer with a parasitoid and a microbial agent; (iv) sugarcane borer with a parasitoid and a microbial agent; (v) diamondback moth with parasitoids in cruciferous crops; and (vi) white grub in maize with an entomopathogenic nematode. In 1998, populations of Anopheles mosquitoes, which are vectors of malaria, were successfully reduced by killing their larvae with microbial agents, resulting in a 50% lower malaria prevalence. A recently started project concerns classical biocontrol of the Asian citrus psyllid with a parasitoid. Biocontrol is expected to grow because of, inter alia, demands for residue-free food by countries to which Guatemala exports.
Biological control in Guyana.
Authors: Lenteren J. C. van 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Conservation biological control, implemented in the 1910s by erecting perches in rice fields for insectivorous birds, resulted in effective control of the fall armyworm. Guyana is supposed to be the first country where the tachinid parasitoid Lydella minense, which had been collected in 1932 in Brazil, was successfully introduced for sugarcane borer control in the same year. During this period, several native natural enemies of this borer, as well as of other pests, were also identified as a result of prospecting projects. Guyana provided some of these species to other countries in the region. Classical biocontrol projects during the period 1970-2000 were attempted and the pink hibiscus mealybug was brought under complete control in 1998 by a parasitoid and a predator. Current projects concern classical biocontrol of the carambola fruit fly by parasitoids, augmentative control of the red palm mite by predatory mites, augmentative control of the palm castniid by a native entomopathogenic bacterium and conservation biocontrol of pests in rice.