bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Facile preparation of immobilized naringinase on polyethylenimine/dopamine‐coated hydrothermal carbon spheres with high performance
Authors: Zheng Xinyu , Li Qian , Tian Jing , Zhan Honglei , Yu Chan , Wang Shujing , Sun Xitong , Sun Xiyan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDMussel‐inspired surface chemistry is recognized as a simple, efficient, and mild surface modification method, and has become a research hotspot in many fields. Hydrothermal carbon is a bio‐based material that is referred to as environmentally friendly renewable resource. In this study, the polyethylenimine (PEI)/dopamine (DA) was coated on the surface of hydrothermal carbon spheres using the co‐deposition method, making it possible to immobilize naringinase with high activity and operation stability. Subsequently, the optimal modification and immobilization conditions as well as enzyme properties were investigated.RESULTSThe naringinase activity reached up to 461.14 U g–1 carrier, which was much higher than those of the previous works. Besides, the residual naringinase activity still kept 76.44% of the initial enzyme activity after one month of storage, and maintained 62.01% of the initial enzyme activity after eight reuse cycles.CONCLUSIONTherefore, the strategy of the immobilized enzyme on PEI/DA coated hydrothermal carbon could be recognized as a promising and universal enzyme immobilization method with the advantages of high relative enzyme activity, high enzyme loading rate, high enzyme activity recovery rate, good operational stability, and facile and environmental friendly preparation route. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Investigation and comparison of biological effects of regioselectively synthesized thiazole derivatives
Authors: Moghaddam‐manesh Mohammadreza , Beyzaei Hamid , Heidari Majd Mostafa , Hosseinzadegan Sara , Ghazvini Kiarash 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this study, anticancer, antibacterial (against hospital‐isolated antibiotic‐resistant Escherichia coli strains), antifungal, and antioxidant effects of synthesized heterocyclic compounds 5 and 7 containing thiazole core were examined. Cytotoxicity testing was utilized against MCF‐7 breast cancer cells via MTT cell viability assay. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were checked out according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines, and antioxidant properties were evaluated through scavenging 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. Results showed the viability of breast cancer cell lines was reliant on concentration of heterocycles and time of incubation. Synthetic compounds exhibited excellent antibacterial and antifungal properties base on their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values as well as high antioxidant activities according to their IC50 values. Higher anticancer and antibacterial properties were observed with compound 7; on the contrary, thiazole 5 had better antioxidant effects. They can be introduced as potent antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer agents.
Antibacterial activities of hexadecanoic acid methyl ester and green‐synthesized silver nanoparticles against multidrug‐resistant bacteria
Authors: Shaaban Mohamed T. , Ghaly Mohamed F. , Fahmi Sara M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAntibacterial drug resistance is considered one of the biggest threats to human health worldwide, and the overuse of antibiotics accelerates this problem. Multidrug‐resistant (MDR) bacteria are becoming harder to treat as the antibiotics used to treat them become less effective. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate novel methods to control MDR bacteria. In this study, 40 bacterial isolates were collected from diabetic patients. The sensitivity of 40 bacterial isolates to seven antibiotics was evaluated. Four bacterial isolates were resistant to all antibiotic groups. The MDR pathogenic bacteria were selected and identified morphologically and biochemically and confirmed by VITEK® 2 system as follows: Staphylococcus aureus W35, Pseudomonas aeruginosa D31, Klebsiella pneumoniae DF30, and K. pneumoniae B40. Identification of the most resistant P. aeruginosa D31 was confirmed by the sequencing of a 16S ribosomal RNA gene with an accession number (MW241596). The inhibitory activity of eight types of native grown plant extracts against MDR bacteria was studied. Clove alcoholic extract (CAE) showed the highest inhibitory activity against MDR bacteria. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of partially purified CAE at 0.9 Rf detected by thin‐layer chromatography showed an active compound named hexadecenoic acid methyl ester with the highest antimicrobial effect against clinical pathogenic bacteria. The formation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by CAE was studied. Evaluation of AgNPs was investigated by X‐ray diffraction, UV–Vis, and transmission electron microscopy. The antibacterial effect of AgNPs after 2, 4, and 6 days in light and dark conditions was evaluated. Finally, the AgNPs synthesized using CAE possess good inhibition activity against the tested pathogenic bacteria. As a result, the bactericidal components listed above were promising in reducing MDR bacteria and can be used for treatments of bacterial infection and in the development of safe products with a natural base.
The enamels of the first (soft‐paste) European blue‐and‐white porcelains: Rouen, Saint‐Cloud and Paris factories: Complementarity of Raman and X‐ray fluorescence analyses with mobile instruments to identify the cobalt ore
Authors: Colomban Philippe , Gironda Michele , Edwards Howell G. M. , Mesqui Viviane 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe first porcelains made in Europe during the 17th century and the very beginning of the 18th century, that is, before the discovery of kaolin in Saxony (Germany), are rare and technical analyses very limited. In contrast with Meissen Böttger porcelain based on kaolin, these porcelains are made with sand and chymie, like Ottoman fritware. A selection of the blue‐and‐white artefacts belonging to the French national collection is analysed on‐site with mobile portable X‐ray fluorescence (pXRF) and Raman set‐ups: two were assigned to the Poterat Factory at Rouen, three to the Saint‐Cloud Factory and two to the Pavie Factory (Paris). Three types of enamels are identified, lead‐rich (as expected) but also two different lead‐alkaline‐earth alkali enamels, one artefact being covered both with lead‐rich and lead‐poor enamel. The polymerization index deduced from the relative intensity of SiO4 bending and stretching bands indicates different temperatures of firing. Tin is detected in most of the enamels by X‐ray fluorescence (XRF), but cassiterite opacification is only observed for the Pavie Factory artefacts. Arsenic is detected in the blue areas due to the use of European cobalt ores. Comparison of trace and minor elements as well as the type of enamel used suggest that the pot assigned to the Rouen Factory fits much better with a production from the Saint‐Cloud Factory. The two porcelains assigned to the Pavie Factory exhibit similar XRF and Raman signatures that support the attribution based on visual criteria. Combination of the mobile noninvasive XRF and Raman instruments may allow the reliable classification of artefacts on‐site. Raman scattering is very efficient to detect (on‐site) As‐based minor phases.
Robust Ion‐Selective Membrane for Redox Flow Batteries Based on Ultralow Sulfonation Degree Poly(Ether Sulfone)
Authors: Guo Dingyu , Zhou Xinjie , Zhang Zhuhan , Wang Feiran , Jiang Fengjing 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLow‐cost and high‐performance ion‐conducting membranes are of urgent need for the large‐scale launch of vanadium redox flow batteries. In this work, sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) (SPES) with extremely low sulfonation degree of 5% is utilized to prepare ion‐selective membranes, which possess significantly enhanced chemical stability as compared with the high sulfonation degree SPES. High ion‐selectivity of the membrane is achieved via a novel solvent‐controlled swelling method invented by the group, with which the proton conductivity and vanadium permeability of the membrane can be precisely adjusted at molecular level. The influence of sulfonation degree on the chemical stability of SPES is revealed. The characteristics of the membrane, including water uptake, proton conductivity, VO2+ permeability, and tensile strength are comprehensively studied. At 100 mA cm–2, the energy efficiency of the vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) cell equipped with the low sulfonation degree SPES membrane reaches 81.1% and shows excellent cycling stability over 150 charge–discharge cycles.
Multifunctional Shape‐Stabilized Phase Change Materials with Enhanced Thermal Conductivity and Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Effectiveness for Electronic Devices
Authors: Liang Yanjuan , Tong Yelong , Tao Zechao , Guo Quangui , Hao Baoyi , Liu Zhanjun 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA paraffin‐based shape‐stabilized composite phase change material (CPCM) is fabricated with dramatically enhanced thermal conductivity and excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding capacity. The as‐prepared CPCMs are supported by graphene‐based frameworks with many bubble‐like micropores that are prepared by the addition of polystyrene microspheres into graphene oxide hydrogel as hard templates. These bubble‐like micropores can encapsulate paraffin wax (PW) due to the strong capillary force between the graphene‐based framework and PW and leading to enhanced shape stability of the as‐prepared CPCMs. Moreover, the continuous thermally and electrically conductive network formed by graphene nanoplatelets endows the as‐prepared CPCMs with a high thermal conductivity and an excellent EMI shielding effectiveness. When the ratio of graphene‐based framework is 23.0 wt%, the thermal conductivity and latent heat of CPCM reaches 28.7 W m−1 k−1 and 175.8 J g−1, respectively, and the EMI shielding effectiveness is higher than 45 dB in the frequency of 8.2–12.4 GHz. Their outstanding thermal and EMI shielding performance makes the as‐prepared CPCMs promising candidates for use in thermal management and EMI shielding of electronic devices.
Hypoxia/Temperature/pH Triple Stimuli–Responsive Block Copolymers: Synthesis, Self‐Assembly, and Controlled Drug Release
Authors: Ji Chenming , Deng Yinlu , Yuan Hua , Yuan Weizhong , Song Ye , Li Zhihong 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe amphiphilic block copolymer poly(methacrylic acid‐co‐2‐nitroimidazole acrylate)‐b‐poly(2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (P(MAA‐co‐NIMA)‐b‐PDMAEMA) with the hypoxia/temperature/pH triple responsiveness is synthesized by reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT), hydrolysis, and 3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐1‐ethylcarbodiimide (EDC) reactions, and successfully self‐assembled into micelles. The hypoxia response in vitro is realized, and then the sensitivity of the self‐assembled micelles to the hypoxia condition is studied by controlling the grafting amount of aminated 2‐nitroimidazole. Because 2‐(N,N‐dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) is a typical material sensitive to temperature and pH conditions, the self‐assembled micelles are also responsive to temperature and different acidic/basic conditions. In addition, the cumulative release rate of doxorubicin (DOX) at 42 °C, pH = 6.0, and hypoxic conditions increases significantly, and verifies the synergistic promotion effect of the above stimulations. This intelligent polymer with triple response mechanism improves the controllability and efficiency of drug release, and is expected to be a drug carrier for cancer treatment.
An Effective Strategy to Design a Large Bandgap Conjugated Polymer by Tuning the Molecular Backbone Curvature
Authors: Wang Jiuxing , Zhao Congcong , Zhou Long , Liang Xin , Li Yonghai , Sheng Guanyu , Du Zhonglin , Tang Jianguo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWith the significant progress of low bandgap non‐fullerene acceptors, the development of wide bandgap (WBG) donors possessing ideal complementary absorption is of crucial importance to further enhance the photovoltaic performance of organic solar cells. An ideal strategy to design WBG donors is to down‐shift the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and up‐shift the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). A properly low‐lying HOMO of the donor is favorable to obtaining a high open‐circuit voltage, and a properly high‐lying LUMO of the donor is conductive to efficient exciton dissociation. This work provides a new strategy to enlarge the bandgap of a polymer with simultaneously decreased HOMO and increased LUMO by increasing the polymer backbone curvature. The polymer PIDT‐fDTBT with a large molecular backbone curvature shows a decreased HOMO of −5.38 eV and a prominently increased LUMO of −3.35 eV relative to the linear polymer PIDT‐DTBT (EHOMO = −5.30 eV, ELUMO = −3.55 eV). The optical bandgap of PIDT‐fDTBT is obviously broadened from 1.75 to 2.03 eV. This work demonstrates that increasing the polymer backbone curvature can effectively broaden the bandgap by simultaneously decreasing HOMO and increasing LUMO, which may guide the design of WBG conjugated materials.
Comparing Channel Catfish Populations in the Fragmented Minnesota River
Authors: Sindt Anthony R. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus provide important fisheries in lotic systems throughout much of North America, but few studies have evaluated the influence of dams and habitat fragmentation on their populations. The Minnesota River is an important recreational catfish fishery in Minnesota that is fragmented by Granite Falls Dam, located 395 km upstream from the confluence with the Mississippi River. Granite Falls Dam is a significant barrier to upstream fish passage; consequently, the upstream fish community is less diverse than the downstream community and habitat availability differs between reaches. For this study, hoop-net assessments conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources during 2014–2017 were used to compare Channel Catfish catch rates, size structure, growth, and annual survival between the upstream and downstream reaches. Hoop-net catch rates upstream (mean ± SE = 45.1 ± 5.2 fish/net-night) were significantly greater by an order of magnitude compared to catch rates downstream (3.9 ± 0.4 fish/net-night). Size structure of Channel Catfish also significantly differed between reaches: the percentage of stock-length (≥280-mm) fish that were preferred length or larger (≥610 mm) was 28.4% downstream compared to 5.8% upstream. Annual survival estimates and growth indices were generally similar between reaches, but there was evidence of greater longevity downstream, where the oldest aged fish were 24 years compared to 19 years upstream. This study demonstrates population differences that may be influenced and exacerbated by habitat fragmentation and provides support for considering each population individually when making future management decisions.
The superconvergence gradient recovery method for linear finite element method with polygons
Authors: Ding Shengyong , Shao Guojian , Huang Yaoying , Shi Hougai 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTo identify the superconvergent areas of gradient solutions is a worthwhile part of gradient recovery in finite element method. Compared with triangular and quadrilateral elements, the position determination for the superconvergent gradient of polygonal element is much more difficult because of the non‐polynomial form of interpolation functions. In this article, the gradient superconvergence points in C0 polygonal element is discovered, and its existence is proved theoretically. By dividing the canonical polygonal element into sub‐triangles, a set of provisional triangular elements is generated to replace the existing polygon element. The superconvergent results of gradient solutions are obtained at the centroids of sub‐triangles. Based on that, the gradient recovery method using superconvergent patch recovery (SPR) is developed for general polygonal mesh. Numerical examples for the Poisson equation are solved and the simulated results compare with polynomial preserving recovery (PPR) to demonstrate the accuracy and convergence properties of the proposed method. The extend application of the superconvergence recovery method for adaptive analysis is also presented at the end.
Understanding success in micro‐enterprise development: Dimensions and misconceptions
Authors: Chu Vien , Luke Belinda 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis article examines micro‐enterprise development (MED) programmes of non‐government organisations (NGOs) in two developing countries, Bangladesh and Indonesia, to explore understandings of success from the perspectives NGO managers and beneficiaries. Interviews were conducted with managers from 20 MED NGOs, and individuals and groups of beneficiaries from four of the NGOs. A review of the NGOs' publicly available documents was also undertaken and compared with interview data. The findings reveal NGOs' understandings of success at the organisational‐level‐emphasised organisational development. However, NGOs' interpretations of success at the programme level focused primarily on short‐term outputs rather than long‐term outcomes and impacts, with limited follow‐up by NGOs. Implications include potential misconceptions regarding understandings of success from an internal (NGO) versus external perspective, and the need for long‐term monitoring to understand how sustainable NGOs' programme outcomes actually are.
Performance of 3D printed PCL/PLGA/HA biological bone tissue engineering scaffold
Authors: Ma Zhiyong , Wang Qifan , Xie Wenjia , Ye Wenjie , Zhong Linna , Huge Jile , Wang Ying 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn the repair of bone defects, bone tissue engineering scaffolds made of degradable polymers are considered as potential bone defect graft substitutes. Among them, polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactic acid coglycolic acid (PLGA) are widely used in tissue engineering. PCL has good processability. However, the poor hydrophilicity of PCL leads to a lower cell adhesion rate of pure PCL scaffolds. PLGA has good biological properties. However, the production of acidic substances during the rapid degradation of PLGA will result in low‐local pH, and PLGA has poor toughness. In this study, PCL and PLGA were mixed in different proportions and 20 wt% hydroxyapatite (HA) was added. A PCL/PLGA/HA scaffold with good pore structure was prepared by 3D printing method. The regular grid structure makes the transportation of nutrients more convenient. The PCL component in the scaffold improves the toughness of the scaffold. Due to the mixing of PLGA, the hydrophilicity of the composite scaffold is improved, making the scaffold more conducive to cell adhesion. At the same time, the HA component contained in the composite scaffold provides Ca2+ and PO43− for the scaffold, which promotes the osteogenic differentiation of cells on the composite scaffold. Since the PCL/PLGA/HA composite scaffold prepared by 3D printing has shown good performance in mechanical and cell tests, we believe that the composite scaffold has potential applications in the field of bone tissue engineering.
Functional outcomes and post‐discharge care sought by patients with COVID‐19 compared to matched controls after completing inpatient acute rehabilitation
Authors: Jain Esha , Harmon Erin Y. , Sonagere Matthew B. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionA subset of patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID‐19) can develop severe illness, resulting in significant functional and cognitive deficits that require acute inpatient rehabilitation. Guidelines following discharge from acute inpatient rehabilitation have not yet been established. This study seeks to establish outcomes of rehabilitation patients with COVID‐19 and characterize their need for long‐term care.ObjectiveTo determine the functional outcomes and utilization of follow‐up medical care for patients with COVID‐19 90 days following discharge from acute inpatient rehabilitation, as compared to rehabilitation impairment and age‐matched controls.DesignProspective, single‐center cohort study.SettingInpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF).PatientsSixty‐four patients recovering from COVID‐19 and 64 age and impairment group category controls were identified to answer survey questions following discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. A total of 36 patients participated in the study (18 patients with COVID‐19 and 18 controls).InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome Measure(s)Functional outcomes at discharge (GG Self‐Care and Mobility Activities items of the IRF‐PAI Version 3.0), hospital readmissions, and follow‐up care sought by patients.ResultsThe COVID‐19 patient group had similar improvements in functional outcomes as compared to controls. Patients with COVID‐19 required fewer 0–90 day readmissions than their matched controls (22.2% vs 61.1%, P < .05), but there were no differences in 0–90 day urgent care/emergency department visits, clinic visits and use of outpatient therapies.ConclusionsPatients with functional deficits as a result of COVID‐19 who require multiple therapy disciplines should be considered for acute inpatient rehabilitation as this study demonstrates their ability to participate in and benefit from IRF level care.
Concurrent diagnosis of anxiety increases postoperative length of stay among patients receiving esophagectomy for esophageal cancer
Authors: Coffey Max R. , Bachman Katelynn C. , Worrell Stephanie G. , Argote‐Greene Luis M. , Linden Philip A. , Towe Christopher W. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractObjectivePsychiatric comorbidities disproportionately affect patients with cancer. While identified risk factors for prolonged length of stay (LOS) after esophagectomy are primarily medical comorbidities, the impact of psychiatric comorbidities on perioperative outcomes is unclear. We hypothesized that psychiatric comorbidities would prolong LOS in patients with esophageal cancer.MethodsThe 2016 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to identify patients with esophageal cancer receiving esophagectomy. Concurrent psychiatric illness was categorized using Clinical Classifications Software Refined for ICD‐10, creating 34 psychiatric diagnosis groups (PDGs). Only PDGs with >1% prevalence in the cohort were included in the analysis. The outcome of interest was hospital LOS. Bivariable testing was performed to determine the association of PDGs and demographic factors on LOS using rank sum test. Multivariable regression analysis was performed using backward selection from bivariable testing (α ≤ 0.05).ResultsWe identified 1,730 patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer in the 2016 NIS. The median LOS was 8 days (IQR 5‐12). In bivariable testing, a concurrent diagnosis of anxiety was the only PDG associated with LOS (9 days (IQR 6‐14) with anxiety diagnosis versus 8 days (IQR 5–12) with no anxiety diagnosis, p = 0.022). Multivariable modeling showed an independent association between anxiety diagnosis and increased LOS (OR 4.82 (1.25–25.23), p = 0.022). Anxiety was not associated with increased hospital cost or in‐hospital mortality.ConclusionsThis analysis demonstrates an independent effect of anxiety prolonging postoperative LOS after esophagectomy in the United States. These findings may influence perioperative care, patient expectations, and resource allocation.