bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Pollution Status of Lagos Coastal Waters and Sediments, using Physicochemical Characteristics, Contamination Factor, Nemerow Pollution Index, Ecological Risk and Potential Ecological Risk Index
Authors: Ajani Gloria Ekaete , Popoola Samuel Olatunde , Oyatola Otolorin Opeyemi 
Published: May 2021

The heavy metals and physicochemical properties of Lagos coastal waters and sediments, Southwestern Nigeria were investigated in 5 stations (station 1-5), to determine their levels, distributions and pollution index. The observed ranges of physicochemical characteristics from the study area are: dissolved oxygen (DO): 2.15-11.3 mg/L; pH: 6-7.7; temperature (Temp): 28.05-29.25°C; biochemical oxygen demand (BOD): 1.6-110.1 mg/L; electrical conductivity (EC): 1.8-29.8 mS/cm; salinity (SAL): 0.02-2.05ppt; total dissolved solids (TDS): 211.8-1210.2 mg/L and total suspended solids (TSS): 12.13-117.95 mg/L. The analyzed physicochemical properties from all the stations are within the desired values for healthy marine ecosystems when compared with Federal ministry of environment (FMENV) Nigeria and World Health organization permissible limits (DO:>5 mg/L; pH:6.5-9; TEMP:<40°C; BOD: 50 mg/L; EC:900 mS/cm; TDS:1000mg/L and TSS:600 mg/L), with the exception of low DO at station 1 and station 5; and high BOD at; station 2 and station 3 respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals present in the water samples followed the sequence: Fe > Pb > Cu > Cr > Zn > Cd, and showed high values for Pb, Cd and Cr, relative to the standard permissible limits according to FMENV (Pb 0.001; Zn 50 mg/L; Cd < 0.0018; Cu 2-4 mg/L and Cr 0.02-2.0 mg/L). The calculated contamination factor (CF) in the sediment samples showed low-moderate contamination for the analyzed heavy metals (Cr, Zn, Cu and Pb), except for cadmium (Cd) that showed extremely severe contamination (CF > 6) values across the sampling stations. The calculated Nemerow pollution index (NPI) and ecological risk index (RI) showed heavily polluted (NPI > 10) values and very high ecological risk (RI > 380) values at Apapa (location 1), Iddo (location 2) and Makoko (location 3). The potential ecological risk factor (Eir) confirmed Cd as the highest polluted heavy metals (Eir >320), with the greatest potential threat to the marine ecosystems in the Lagos coastal waters. The study highlights the impacts of anthropogenic pollutions on the coastal ecosystems and human health.
Hepatitis C Treatment by Directly Acting Antiviral Agents and Its Impact on Glycemic Control
Authors: Kumar Darshan , Mobin Ahsan , Shaikh Hafeezullah , Kashif Syed Mohammad , Nawaz Zunaira , Iqbal Muhammad Arif , Shaikh Ubedullah 
Published: May 2021

Objective: To evaluate Hepatitis C treatment by directly acting antiviral agents and its impact on glycemic control.
Study Design: This is an observational study.
Setting: This study was conducted in Medicine department Civil Hospital Karachi from March 2018 to December 2019.
Materials and Methods: Patients visiting the outpatient department of the hospital having documented HCV infection having type 2 diabetes mellitus were included in the study. All participants were given directly acting antiviral treatment for 12 weeks. After treatment they were assessed for achievement of sustained virological response (SVR). Pre-treatment and post treatment fasting blood glucose levels and HbA1c levels were checked. SVR is defined as serum HCV RNA which is undetectable (<50IU/ml) after 12 weeks of antiviral treatment.
Results: Around 332 patients matched our inclusion criteria. Amongst these there were 219 males and 113 females. The mean age of patients was 39.44 ± 2.19 years. All the selected participants started therapy on Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir (pangenotypic NS5A-NS5B inhibitor single-pill combination regimen that has potent activity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.) plus ribavirin. After treatment with directly acting antiviral therapy 231 (69.57%) patients achieved sustained virological response. Patients who achieved SVR showed improved glycaemic control than those who didn’t. Patients with cirrhosis showed decreased chances of attainment of SVR. Fasting blood glucose levels and HbA1c were also decreased, decreasing the amount of insulin required for diabetes control.
Conclusion: Our study showed that treatment with directly acting antiviral treatment improved glycaemic control in HCV infected patients. Other factors like BMI, presence of cirrhosis, mean serum HCV RNA levels and adherence to treatment were major predictors for achievement of SVR.
Substrate‐Independent Design of Liquid‐Infused Slippery Surfaces via Mussel‐Inspired Chemistry
Authors: Chiera Salvatore , Bittner Carina , Vogel Nicolas 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSelf‐cleaning and repellent coatings ensure enduring performance of surfaces in many areas of technology and everyday life. An ideal repellent coating is efficient in removing contaminations, yet easy to apply on a wide range of surface materials. To devise such a coating, two bioinspirations are combined that show opposing interfacial properties: the peristome of a pitcher plant and the versatile mussel‐inspired chemistry of polydopamine (PDA). The possibility of PDA to bind to different surface materials is taken to provide a material‐independent coating strategy. Its reactivity toward amines to cofunctionalize the coating with monoaminopropyl‐polydimethylsiloxane is utilized to control the surface chemistry. This process, in effect, adheres silicone polymer chains to any desired surface material. Finally, inert silicone oil is added to the reaction mixture to provide in situ lubrication of the coating. Together, the process creates lubricant‐infused surfaces in a one‐step process independent of the underlying substrate. It is shown that the reaction mixture can be deposited by dip or spray coating, providing procedures to coat large surfaces and complex samples such as textiles and wood. The combination of the mussel‐inspired chemistry with the pitcher plant‐inspired control of wettability provides an experimentally simple coating process to impart efficient repellency and self‐cleaning characteristics to virtually any surface material.
Tunable Drop Splashing on Magnetoactive Elastomers
Authors: Kravanja Gaia , Belyaeva Inna A. , Hribar Luka , Drevenšek‐Olenik Irena , Jezeršek Matija , Shamonin Mikhail 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe significant effect of an external dc magnetic field on the splashing behavior of ethanol drops impacting on the unstructured (flat) surface of soft magnetoactive elastomers (MAEs) is reported. The Weber number corresponding to the transition between the deposition and the splashing regime is reduced by ≈20% in a moderate magnetic field of ≈300 mT. Alongside this effect, a two‐fold increase of the initial deceleration of the ejection sheet is observed for the softest sample. The main underlying mechanism for the observed phenomena is believed to be the magnetic‐field‐induced stiffening of the MAEs. Further possible mechanisms are magnetically induced changes in the surface roughness and magnetic‐field‐induced plasticity (magnetic shape memory effect). The potential application areas are magnetically regulable wetting and magneto‐responsive surfaces for controlling the drop splashing.
Balancing the Transmittance and Carrier‐Collection Ability of Ag Nanowire Networks for High‐Performance Self‐Powered Ga2O3 Schottky Photodiode
Authors: Tan Pengju , Zhao Xiaolong , Hou Xiaohu , Yu Yangtong , Yu Shunjie , Ma Xiaolan , Zhang Zhongfang , Ding Mengfan , Xu Guangwei , Hu Qin , Gao Nan , Sun Haiding , Mu Wenxiang , Jia Zhitai , Tao Xutang , Long Shibing 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSelf‐powered solar‐blind photodiodes with convenient operation, easy fabrication, and weak‐light sensitivity, are highly desired in environmental monitoring and deep space exploration. Ga2O3 with its bandgap directly corresponding to solar‐blind waveband is a promising candidate material for solar‐blind photodetection. However, ever‐reported self‐powered Ga2O3 photodiodes suffer unsatisfactory photoresponse performance, owing to unideal interface and electrode transmittance. Here, Ag nanowire (AgNW) networks with excellent solar‐blind ultraviolet transmittance are introduced to form self‐powered AgNW–Ga2O3 photodiodes with sharp Schottky interfaces. The tradeoff between solar‐blind ultraviolet transmittance and carrier‐collection ability of the sparse AgNW network is systematically studied and the AgNW density is optimized for the best photoresponse. Expansion of depletion region outwards the AgNW–Ga2O3 contact and the field crowding effect facilitate the high photoresponse. As a result, the champion AgNW–Ga2O3 Schottky photodiode exhibits excellent sensitivity for weak‐light detection, including considerable responsivity of 14.8 mA W–1, ultrahigh photo‐to‐dark‐current ratio above 1.2 × 105, high rejection ratio (R254 nm/R365 nm) of 2.6 × 103, and fast response speed (rise/decay time of 20/24 ms) under self‐powered mode. Balancing the transmittance and carrier‐collection ability of elaborate electrode provides an alternative strategy to achieve high‐performance self‐powered Ga2O3 photodetectors for future weak‐light‐sensitive optoelectronic systems.
Energetic Arguments on the Microstructural Analysis in Ionic Liquids
Authors: Kobayashi Takeshi , Smiatek Jens , Fyta Maria 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe interaction of ionic liquids (ILs) with additives or impurities is crucial for the performance of ILs in technological applications. In order to understand the interaction between these, an insight onto the microscopic arrangement of molecules is needed. As a representative case, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium dicyanamide ([EMIM]+[DCA]−) mixtures are studied with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and water in bulk phase using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Different molar fractions of DMSO and water are studied to elucidate the influence of the molecular solute concentration on the structuring of the ILs. The results indicate that DMSO‐[EMIM]+[DCA] and water‐[EMIM]+[DCA]− mixtures are defined by quite distinct molecular interactions between the species. By increasing the DMSO or water concentration, in the former the solute molecules are repelled from the ions, while in the latter they accumulate closer to the ions. The differences arise from the weakening of the interactions between the ions imposed by the presence of the water molecules whereas DMSO promotes a strengthening of these interactions. Accordingly, this study provides a deep understanding of the IL behavior in combination with neutral solute molecules and allows for a proper selection of IL‐solute combinations in view of specific technological applications.
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva: Diagnosis with ultrasound
Authors: Piotto Lino , Taranath Ajay 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an extremely rare connective tissue disease, diagnosed by genetic testing. This is the first report in English literature wherein an ultrasound examination suggested this specific diagnosis. In this case, a two month old girl presented with bi‐parieto‐occipital swellings that were being managed as subgaleal
haematoma. The parents were anxious that there was no resolution of the swellings. The suspicion of FOP was raised during the ultrasound examination where a review of the images prompted a questioning of the parents about other lesions in the body. Ultrasound examination of a lump in the thigh revealed calcifications in the vastus lateralis muscle. The appearances on the ultrasound combined with the presence of hallucis valgi suggested a diagnosis of FOP. The diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by genetic studies. This case highlights the need for good communication between the physician, patient and the imaging department.
Long‐term renal functional outcomes following ureteroureterostomy performed during multi‐organ resection for non‐urothelial cancers
Authors: Pisters Phillip W. , Ranasinghe Weranja , Wei Wei , Wood Christopher G. , Matin Surena F. , Ward John F. , Pisters Louis L. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the long‐term renal function outcomes after ureteroureterostomy (UU) in patients undergoing multi‐organ resection for non‐urothelial cancers. The secondary aim was to examine the length of ureteric defect that can be successfully bridged with UU.Patients and methodsWe retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who underwent UU between 1995 and 2012 at our institution. Renal imaging studies performed before and after UU were used to determine whether hydronephrosis was present. Renal function was assessed by comparing estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) before and at the last follow‐up after UU.ResultsNineteen patients underwent UU during multi‐organ resection for non‐urothelial cancers. Median follow‐up time was 62 months. Overall, UU had a high success rate, with one patient (5.2%) developing progressive hydronephrosis with a >20% drop in eGFR from baseline due to UU failure. Four additional patients developed progressive hydronephrosis due to cancer recurrence involving the UU. There were no statistically significant differences between pre‐ and post‐UU eGFR in these patient cohort. All patients with a ureteric defect of ≤5 cm underwent successful reconstruction.ConclusionsUU maintains long‐term renal function in the majority of patients undergoing multi‐organ resection for non‐urothelial cancers and can be successfully utilized if the resected ureteric length is ≤5 cm.
Temporal lobe epilepsy alters neural responses to human and avatar facial expressions in the face perception network
Authors: Kegel Lorena Chantal , Frühholz Sascha , Grunwald Thomas , Mersch Dieter , Rey Anton , Jokeit Hennric 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveAlthough avatars are now widely used in advertisement, entertainment, and business today, no study has investigated whether brain lesions in neurological patients interfere with brain activation in response to dynamic avatar facial expressions. The aim of our event‐related fMRI study was to compare brain activation differences in people with epilepsy and controls during the processing of fearful and neutral dynamic expressions displayed by human or avatar faces.MethodsUsing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we examined brain responses to dynamic facial expressions of trained actors and their avatar look‐alikes in 16 people with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and 26 controls. The actors' fearful and neutral expressions were recorded on video and conveyed onto their avatar look‐alikes by face tracking.ResultsOur fMRI results show that people with TLE exhibited reduced response differences between fearful and neutral expressions displayed by humans in the right amygdala and the left superior temporal sulcus (STS). Further, TLE was associated with reduced response differences between human and avatar fearful expressions in the dorsal pathway of the face perception network (STS and inferior frontal gyrus) as well as in the medial prefrontal cortex.ConclusionsTaken together, these findings suggest that brain responses to dynamic facial expressions are altered in people with TLE compared to neurologically healthy individuals—regardless of whether the face is human or computer‐generated. In TLE, areas sensitive to dynamic facial features and associated with processes relating to the self and others are particularly affected when processing dynamic human and avatar expressions. Our findings highlight that the impact of TLE on facial emotion processing must be extended to artificial faces and should be considered when applying dynamic avatars in the context of neurological conditions.
Hypopituitarism secondary to a pituitary metastasis in a young woman with an invasive breast carcinoma
Authors: Oueslati Ibtissem , Ayari Sabrina , Yazidi Meriem , Bouali Sofiene , Khessairi Nadia , Chihaoui Melika 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHypopituitarism secondary to a pituitary metastasis is rare and difficult to diagnose since its symptoms are nonspecific. The presence of visual deficits and nerve palsies should suggest the presence of a pituitary metastasis in a cancer patient.
Highly Sensitive Hydrogen Peroxide Biosensor Based on Tobacco Peroxidase Immobilized on p‐Phenylenediamine Diazonium Cation Grafted Carbon Nanotubes: Preventing Fenton‐like Inactivation at Negative Potential
Authors: Ciogli Leonardo , Zumpano Rosaceleste , Poloznikov Andrey A. , Hushpulian Dmitry M. , Tishkov Vladimir I. , Andreu Rafael , Gorton Lo , Mazzei Franco , Favero Gabriele , Bollella Paolo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHerein, we present a novel electrode platform for H2O2 detection based on the immobilization of recombinant Tobacco Peroxidase (r‐TOP) onto graphite electrodes (G) modified with p‐phenylenediamine (p‐PD) diazonium cation grafted multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The employment of both p‐phenylenediamine moieties and covalent cross‐linking by using glutaraldehyde allowed us to enhance the sensitivity, stability, and selectivity toward H2O2 detection, as well as preventing enzyme inactivation due to the electro‐Fenton reaction. This reaction continuously produces hydroxyl radicals, whose high and unselective reactivity is likely to reduce drastically the operating life of the biosensor. The protection against the electro‐Fenton reaction is mainly ascribed to a beneficial enzyme immobilization leading to a correct orientation achieved through cross‐linking the enzyme in combination with interaction between the uncoupled ‐NH2 groups (mainly uncharged at pH 7, considering a pKa of 4.6) available on the electrode surface and the enzyme. In particular, the electrode based on the r‐TOP/p‐PD/MWCNTs/G platform showed a lower limit of detection of 1.8 μM H2O2, an extended linear range between 6 and 900 μM H2O2, as well as a significant increase in sensitivity (63.1±0.1 μA mM−1 cm−2) compared with previous work based on TOP. Finally, the r‐TOP/p‐PD/MWCNTs/G electrode was tested in several H2O2 spiked food samples as a screening analytical method for the detection of H2O2.
Untersuchung verbesserter Methoden zur Vermeidung von Entrainment in Rektifikationskolonnen
Authors: Merkel Florian Stephan , Michelsen Britt 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDer unerwünschte Mitriss von Tropfen (Entrainment) in nachfolgende Apparate‐ und/oder Prozessbereiche stellt ein wesentliches Hemmnis für die Gestaltung und den Betrieb von energieeffizienten Gas‐ bzw. Dampf/flüssig‐Trennprozessen, wie Rektifikation, Ab‐ und Desorption oder Verdampfung, dar. Ausgelöst durch Durchsatz‐, Druck‐ und Temperaturschwankungen kommt es des Öfteren zu Betriebszuständen, die zu Tropfenbildung und ‐mitriss führen. Dies resultiert in erheblichen energetischen und wirtschaftlichen Verlusten. Im Rahmen des Verbundprojekts TERESA wurden daher neue Ansätze untersucht, um Entrainment am Beispiel des Rektifikationsprozesses zu reduzieren.
Study of the ultrastructure of Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus mutans incubated with salivary antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Blancas Blanca , Lanzagorta María de Lourdes , Jiménez‐Garcia Luis Felipe , Lara Reyna , Molinari José Luis , Fernández Ana María 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectivesEnterococcus faecalis has been associated with root canal infections, while Streptococcus mutans has a central role in the etiology of dental caries. One of the main reasons of endodontic failure has been associated to the presence of E. faecalis and the formation of biofilms. S. mutans inhabits the oral cavity, specifically the dental plaque, which is a multispecies biofilm formed on the hard surfaces of the tooth. The biofilm formation is the main factor determining the pathogenicity of numerous bacteria. Natural antimicrobial peptides in the saliva protect against pathogenic bacteria and biofilms. The aim of this study was to assess the ultrastructural damage induced by salivary peptides in bacteria involved in biofilms has not been previously studied.Material and methodsEnterococcus faecalis and S. mutans incubated with cystatin C, chromogranin A, or histatin 5 were morphologically analyzed and counted. The ultrastructural damage was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).ResultsA decrease in bacterial numbers was observed after incubation with cystatin C, chromogranin A, or histatin 5, compared to the control group (P <  0.001). Ultrastructural damage in E. faecalis and S. mutans incubated with salivary peptides was found in the cell wall, plasma membrane with a decreased distance between the bilayers, a granular pattern in the cytoplasm, and pyknotic nucleoids.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that salivary peptides exert antibacterial activity and induce morphological damage on E. faecalis and S. mutans. Knowledge on the ultrastructural damage inflicted by salivary antimicrobial peptides on two important bacteria causing dental caries and root canal infections could aid the design of new therapeutic approaches to facilitate the elimination of these bacteria.
Practical demonstration of a RRAM memory fuse
Authors: Serb Alexander , Khiat Ali , Prodromakis Themis 
Published: May 2021

SummarySince its inception, the resistive random access memory (RRAM) fuse has been a good example of how small numbers of RRAM devices can be combined to obtain useful behaviors unachievable by individual devices. In this work, we link the RRAM fuse concept with that of the complementary resistive switch (CRS), exploit that link to experimentally demonstrate a practical RRAM fuse using TiOx‐based RRAM cells, and explain its basic operational principles. The fuse is stimulated by trains of identical pulses where successive pulse trains feature opposite polarities. In response, we observe a gradual (analogue) drop in resistive state followed by a gradual recovery phase regardless of input stimulus polarity, echoing traditional, binary CRS behavior. This analogue switching property opens the possibility of operating the RRAM fuse as a single‐component step change detector. Moreover, we discover that the characteristics of the individual RRAM devices used to demonstrate the RRAM fuse concept in this work allow our fuse to be operated in a regime where one of the two constituent devices can be switched largely independently from the other. This property, not present in the traditional CRS, indicates that the inherently analogue RRAM fuse architecture may support additional operational flexibility through, for example, allowing finer control over its resistive state.
Indoor exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: A comparison of stir bar sorptive extraction and pump sampling
Authors: Becker Roland , Heyn Lisa , Jung Christian 
Published: May 2021

AbstractStir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) was compared with standardized pump sampling regarding the prospects to assess airborne levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in indoor environments. A historic railway water tower, which will be preserved as a technical monument for museum purposes, was sampled with both approaches because the built‐in insulation material was suspected to release PAHs to the indoor air. The 16 PAHs on the US EPA list were quantified using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection in filters from pump sampling after solvent extraction and on SBSE devices after thermal desorption. SBSE was seen to sample detectable PAH masses with excellent repeatability and a congener pattern largely similar to that observed with pump sampling. Congener patterns were however significantly different from that in the PAH source because release from the insulation material is largely triggered by the respective congener vapor pressures. Absolute masses in the ng range sampled by SBSE corresponded to airborne concentrations in the ng L−1 range determined by pump sampling. Principle differences between SBSE and pump sampling as well as prospects of SBSE as cost‐effective and versatile complement of pump sampling are discussed.