bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Brillouin Light Spectroscopy and Anisotropic Elasticity
Authors: Wang Zuyuan , Fytas George 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Understanding the elastic properties of polymer‐based materials is essential for many applications (e.g., biofibers, coatings, interfacial fillers, organics semiconductors). Often those materials are anisotropic, posing a challenge for characterizing their direction‐dependent elasticity. As an optical technique, Brillouin light spectroscopy (BLS) allows determination of the complete elastic tensor of materials in a noncontact, nondestructive manner. The elastic properties of many polymer‐based materials have been investigated by BLS in the past five decades. In this review, we present the working principles of BLS and a few recent applications of BLS to the determination of the complete elasticity of polymer‐based, nanostructured, anisotropic materials. Considering its unique power in elasticity characterization, we expect BLS to find more applications in the future, particularly in the research fields of materials science, biomedical science, biomechanics, and nanotechnology.
Thermal and Mechanical Analysis of

N
‐Vinyl

Pyrrolidone and

N
‐Vinyl

Caprolactam‐Based Polymers
Authors: Johnson Valencia S. , McMullen Roger L. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The techniques and methods used to measure thermal and mechanical properties are interrelated and routinely used to investigate the material properties of polymers. This chapter provides an overview of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and delve into their application to study polymers based on vinyl pyrrolidone and vinyl caprolactam. DSC is an extremely useful tool for investigating the behavior of blends of PVP, with other polymers providing insight into their interactions and miscibility. TGA is a thermal technique that is used to monitor changes in polymer structure as a function of temperature. The chapter provides an introduction to TGA followed by its application and use to characterize VP‐based polymers. DMA is essential to study the mechanical properties of polymers. DMA is also known as dynamic thermomechanical analysis, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, forced oscillatory measurements, or dynamic rheology.
Pyrrolidone Chemistry in Skin Care, Transdermal Delivery, and Wound Care
Authors: McMullen Roger L. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
This chapter introduces pyrrolidone chemistry as it relates to applications for skin. It begins with poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and its derivatives in skin care, and focuses on transdermal delivery of pharmaceutical ingredients and applications in wound care. Rheology modifiers are extremely important in personal care products and provide a product with a chassis that has a characteristic rheological profile. The chapter describes the application of small molecules (non‐polymeric) based on pyrrolidone chemistry in transdermal delivery and personal care. The transdermal patch is the most basic transdermal delivery system. The use of PVP in wound care mostly involves wound healing applications and antiseptics. PVP plays an extremely important role in nanotechnology. Both pyrrolidone carboxylic acid and sodium pyrrolidone carboxylate are used in many different types of skin care products, including lotions, creams, oils, cleansing formulas, sun care preparations, and makeup.
Factors influencing emergency medicine residency choice: Diversity, community, and recruitment red flags
Authors: Weygandt Paul L. , Smylie Laura , Ordonez Edgardo , Jordan Jaime , Chung Arlene S. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundEmergency medicine (EM) applicants consider many factors when selecting residency programs. Prior studies have demonstrated that applicants consider geography as well as modifiable/nonmodifiable program factors. Less attention, however, has been paid to underrepresented groups. Additionally, the prevalence and characteristics of “red flags,” or factors that may lead an applicant to lower a program's rank or not rank it at all, remain unknown in EM. Our objective was to describe the factors that influence current EM‐bound medical students’ residency selection focusing on underrepresented applicants and red flags encountered during the recruitment process.MethodsWe conducted a mixed‐methods survey study of EM‐bound graduates from U.S. medical schools in the 2020 application cycle. Quantitative analysis included descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency, 95% confidence intervals (CIs), nonparametric tests for ordinal data, and logistic regression. For the qualitative portion of the study, two independent reviewers performed a thematic analysis of the red flag free‐text responses. Discrepancies were addressed via consensus with third‐party oversight.ResultsOur survey response rate was 49%, and most applicants considered both geographic and program factors. Underrepresented applicants prioritized program diversity, program commitment to the underserved, neighborhood/community, and patient population. Of all respondents, 71% reported red flags. Women had a significantly higher odds of encountering red flags (odds ratio = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.25 to 2.18). Red flags included seven key themes: violations of regulatory standards, program characteristics, interview day experience, program culture, interpersonal interactions, lack of fit, and quality of life; subthemes included lack of diversity and racism.ConclusionsModifiable/nonmodifiable program factors and geography continue to influence EM‐bound applicants’ residency choices. Underrepresented applicants place a higher value on diversity, community, and patients served. Residency programs should consider modifiable factors and self‐assess for red flags to successfully recruit the next generation of EM physicians.
Root growth, architecture, and ion uptake of alfalfa and triticale irrigated with brackish groundwater and reverse osmosis concentrate
Authors: Kankarla Vanaja , Shukla Manoj K. , Picchioni Geno A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSoil salinity is a major environmental constraint for agricultural production, especially in arid and semiarid regions of the world. Salts in irrigation water and soil can potentially harm plant root growth. To date, more research has been devoted to aboveground biomass production. This study is aimed at determining the impacts of irrigating with brackish groundwater (BGW) and reverse osmosis (RO) concentrate on the root and shoot biomass, root/shoot ratio (R:S), and root system architecture (RSA) of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus). Two replicated experiments were conducted in the Fabian Garcia Science Center (FGSC) greenhouse from 7 Oct. 2017 to 7 Jan. 2018 in Las Cruces, NM, USA. After 90 d, roots were scanned using a WinRHIZO image analysis system and the data were analyzed. In both the species, RO and BGW + NaCl increased root Na+ and Cl– concentrations. Triticale behaved more like a root Na‐retaining species than alfalfa but with an associated decrease in total root biomass. Irrigation with BGW in alfalfa increased root length and the number of forks and crossings, whereas RO irrigation increased root length density (RLD). Unlike alfalfa, triticale root architectural parameters were largely unaffected by salinity. However, RO and BGW + NaCl waters promoted significantly (p ≤ .05) higher shoot biomass in triticale than the control and BGW alone. Our findings recommend BGW for alfalfa irrigation, and triticale as a potential future forage crop for dry and saline conditions.
Comparison of plant feedstocks and methods to recover leaf proteins from wet fractionation of alfalfa for potential use in aquaculture, poultry, and livestock feeds
Authors: Coburn Jessica , Wells M. Scott , Sheaffer Craig C. , Ruan Roger , Samac Deborah A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAlternative plant‐based protein sources are needed for supplementing or replacing fishmeal in formulated animal feeds. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), a perennial legume, is grown worldwide as a high‐protein forage crop used primarily for dairy and beef cattle feeds. However, its utility as a protein source for feeding other farmed animals has great potential. Wet fractionation can provide several products that increase the value of the crop. The amount of alfalfa protein concentrate (APC) recovered from a fresh press filtrate was measured from several feedstocks: herbage of a nonlodging biomass‐type alfalfa, genetically modified reduced‐lignin alfalfa, and conventional alfalfa as well as from leaves of the biomass type fractionated at harvest. Additionally, five methods for APC recovery were compared. Approximately 854 kg of APC, 7,109 kg of press residue suitable as low quality animal feed, and 4.5 Tg of dry hay could be produced annually from a hectare of biomass‐type alfalfa. The amounts of APC recovered from a reduced‐lignin alfalfa and a conventional cultivar were similar. Acid‐based precipitation methods resulted in the largest recovery of APC, whereas heating produced the highest concentration of protein in the concentrate and highest concentration of methionine, lysine, and threonine. The percentage of fatty acids and sugars in the concentrate varied significantly by precipitation method. All methods resulted in low amounts of fiber in the concentrate. Our results indicate that a nonlodging biomass‐type alfalfa can produce high yields of APC and co‐products with fewer harvests than a conventional cultivar, which reduces costs and promotes crop productivity.
A proposal for a novel approach to reduce burdens of care for people with dementia: A hypothesis
Authors: Varshney Smita U. , Varshney Upkar , McCall William V. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractCognitive impairment of dementia patients affects their ability to communicate and cooperate with care. Dementia patients need a specialized communication to increase their cooperation during daily care and a scale to measure cooperation with care. To improve communication, we created and applied a digital communication platform (DCP) in an observational study. To measure cooperation with care, we created and tested psychometric properties of the Cooperation with Care Scale‐Revised (CWCS‐R) in an institutional review board–approved 6‐week prospective study. DCP intervention was associated with decreased agitation and use of psychotropic medications for nursing home (NH) dementia patients. CWCS‐R is both a reliable and valid tool to measure cooperation with care in NH dementia patients. Innovations in communication with dementia patients and a scale to measure cooperation with care could reduce burdens of care and improve quality of life for patients, their family members, and staff. It may potentially help decrease cost of dementia care.
Development of catechol‐functionalized chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposite films incorporated with dual network coated layered clay for active packaging applications
Authors: Lei Yongzhen , Mao Long , Zhu Heping , Yao Jin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn order to solve the problems of traditional plastic packaging materials like poor degradability and insufficient active packaging function, this study successfully designs and synthesizes tannic acid (TA)‐titanium (Ti) dual network coated hydrotalcite‐like layered clay (LDHs@TA‐Ti) and catechol grafted chitosan (C‐CS) based on the principle of mussel bionics. And a novel idea is first put forward to fabricate LDHs@TA‐Ti/C‐CS/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite films by solution casting method. The result of infrared and thermal analysis indicate that strong interfacial interaction is formed in the nanocomposites, which leads to the limitation of molecular chain movement and the increase of glass transition temperature. Although the addition of LDHs@TA‐Ti significantly increases the crystallization temperature, the crystallinity does not change significantly. The water resistance, UV barrier, tensile strength and antibacterial properties of the final nanocomposite films are improved significantly, and all the films show good transparency in the visible range. Especially when the addition amount of LDHs@TA‐Ti reaches 1 wt%, compared with C‐CS/PVA composite film, the UV (at 300 nm) barrier property and tensile strength are increased by 36.3% and 45.1% respectively. Therefore, LDHs@TA‐Ti/C‐CS/PVA nanocomposite films show great potential as environmentally friendly active packaging films or coatings in extending the shelf life of food products.
Water‐soluble AIE‐active Fluorescent Organic Nanoparticles: Design, Preparation and Application for Specific Detection of Cyanide in Water and Food Samples
Authors: Hou Min , Liu Yi‐chen , Zhou Wei , Zhang Jing‐dong , Yu Fan‐dong , Zhang Yuan , Liu Guang‐jian , Xing Guo‐wen 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA dilactosyl‐dicyanovinyl‐functionalized tetraphenylethene (TPELC) was designed, synthesized and used for ratiometric sensing of cyanide. TPELC was comprised of three moieties (tetraphenylethylene, dicyanovinyl group and lactose unit) in one molecule, making TPELC water‐soluble and aggregation‐induced emission (AIE)‐active and selectively reactive to cyanide. Compared with other reported fluorescent probes containing dicyanovinyl group, TPELC is the first AIE luminogen to be assembled as fluorescent organic nanoparticles (FONs) for sensing of cyanide in water without the use of surfactant or the help of organic solvents based on the nucleophilic addition reaction. The detection mechanism was verified by liquid chromatograph mass spectrometry experiments and by protonation of cyanide to reduce the nucleophilicity of cyanide. In addition, TPELC was used for detection of the cyanide content of food samples and test strips were developed to simplify the detection procedure.
Synthesis and Pyrolysis of Fullerenol‐stabilized Pt Nanocolloids as a unique Approach to Pt‐doped Carbon
Authors: Cabello Mark Kristan Espejo , Uetake Yuta , Yao Yu , Kuwabata Susumu , Sakurai Hidehiro 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAn aqueous colloidal dispersion of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) stabilized by fullerenol C60(OH)12 (Pt:C60(OH)12) was successfully synthesized via liquid‐phase chemical reduction. The subsequent pyrolysis of Pt:C60(OH)12 at different temperatures was conducted to afford Pt‐doped carbon with different chemical compositions (Pt:C60n). X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and Infrared (IR) absorption spectroscopy and thermogravimetric measurements revealed that the thus‐prepared nanocomposite consists of Pt NPs and high valent Pt‐C60(OH)12 complex. One distinct feature of C60(OH)12 matrix as catalyst support is the suppression of size growth of Pt NPs during the pyrolysis up to 300 °C. Electrochemical experiments using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) were performed to find that Pt:C60300 (pyrolyzed at 300 °C) exhibited higher activity than others, that was attributed to the π‐extended feature of the as‐obtained carbon.
Salen‐decorated Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica: From Metal‐assisted Epoxidation to Metal‐free CO2 Insertion
Authors: Haghighat Mahdieh , Leus Karen , Shirini Farhad , Van Der Voort Pascal 
Published: June 2021

AbstractWe clicked a salen ligand onto a thiol‐ethane bridged periodic mesoporous organosilica (Salen‐PMO) using a photo‐initiated thiol‐ene click reaction. This process resulted in a covalently bonded salen ligand on the PMO material. The final BET surface area amounts 511 m2/g and the pore size diameter is approximately 7 nm. The functionalized PMO material showed an excellent carbon dioxide uptake capacity of 1.29 mmol/g at 273 K and 1 bar. More importantly, by coordinating a MoO22+ complex onto the Salen‐PMO material, we obtained a heterogeneous catalyst with a good catalytic performance for the epoxidation of cyclohexene. The catalyst was highly reusable, as no decrease in its activity was observed for at least four runs (99% conversion). Finally, the metal‐free Salen‐PMO showed an exceptional catalytic performance in the cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides. The obtained results clearly demonstrate the versatility of the Salen‐PMO material not only as metal‐free catalyst but also as a support material to anchor metal complexes for specific catalytic applications. With the same catalytic platform, we were able to firstly create epoxides out of alkenes, and subsequently turn these epoxides into cyclic carbonates, consuming CO2.
Dihydroartemisinin alleviates hepatic fibrosis through inducing ferroptosis in hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Zhang Zili , Wang Xian , Wang Zilong , Zhang Zhiyue , Cao Yashi , Wei Zonghui , Shao Jiangjuan , Chen Anping , Zhang Feng , Zheng Shizhong 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTargeting the elimination of activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and blocking excessive deposition of extracellular matrix are recognized as an effective strategy for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis. As a newly discovered programmed cell death mode, the regulatory mechanism of ferroptosis in the clearance of activated HSCs has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we reported that the induction of ferroptosis in activated HSCs was required for dihydroartemisinin (DHA) to alleviate hepatic fibrosis. Treatment with DHA could improve the damage of hepatic fibrosis in vivo and inhibit the activation of HSCs in vitro. Interestingly, DHA treatment could trigger ferroptosis to eliminate activated HSCs characterized by iron overload, lipid ROS accumulation, glutathione depletion, and lipid peroxidation. Specific ferroptosis inhibitors ferrostatin‐1 and liproxstatin‐1 could impair DHA‐induced ferroptosis and also damage DHA‐mediated the inhibition of activated HSCs. Importantly, autophagy activation may be closely related to DHA‐induced ferroptosis. ATG5 siRNA could prevent DHA‐mediated autophagy activation and ferroptosis induction, whereas ATG5 plasmid could promote the effect of DHA on autophagy and ferroptosis. Of note, the upregulation of nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4) may play a critical role in the molecular mechanism. NCOA4 siRNA could impair DHA‐induced ferroptosis, whereas NCOA4 plasmid could enhance the promoting effect of DHA on ferroptosis. Overall, our study revealed the potential mechanism of DHA against hepatic fibrosis and showed that ferroptosis could be a new way to eliminate activated HSCs.
Osmolyte enhanced aqueous two‐phase system for virus purification
Authors: Joshi Pratik U. , Turpeinen Dylan G. , Schroeder Michael , Jones Bianca , Lyons Audrey , Kriz Seth , Khaksari Maryam , O'Hagan David , Nikam Savita , Heldt Caryn L. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDue to the high variation in viral surface properties, a platform method for virus purification is still lacking. A potential alternative to the high‐cost conventional methods is aqueous two‐phase systems (ATPSs). However, optimizing virus purification in ATPS requires a large experimental design space, and the optimized systems are generally found to operate at high ATPS component concentrations. The high concentrations capitalize on hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions to obtain high viral particle yields. This study investigated using osmolytes as driving force enhancers to reduce the high concentration of ATPS components while maintaining high yields. The partitioning behavior of porcine parvovirus (PPV), a nonenveloped mammalian virus, and human immunodeficiency virus‐like particle (HIV‐VLP), a yeast‐expressed enveloped VLP, were studied in a polyethylene glycol (PEG) 12 kDa‐citrate system. The partitioning of the virus modalities was enhanced by osmoprotectants glycine and betaine, while trimethylamine N‐oxide was ineffective for PPV. The increased partitioning to the PEG‐rich phase pertained only to viruses, resulting in high virus purification. Recoveries were 100% for infectious PPV and 92% for the HIV‐VLP, with high removal of the contaminant proteins and more than 60% DNA removal when glycine was added. The osmolyte‐induced ATPS demonstrated a versatile method for virus purification, irrespective of the expression system.
Reducing phenotypic instabilities of a microbial population during continuous cultivation based on cell switching dynamics
Authors: Nguyen Thai M. , Telek Samuel , Zicler Andrew , Martinez Juan A. , Zacchetti Boris , Kopp Julian , Slouka Christoph , Herwig Christoph , Grünberger Alexander , Delvigne Frank 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPredicting the fate of individual cells among a microbial population (i.e., growth and gene expression) remains a challenge, especially when this population is exposed to very dynamic environmental conditions, such as those encountered during continuous cultivation. Indeed, the dynamic nature of a continuous cultivation process implies the potential diversification of the microbial population resulting in genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity. The present work focused on the induction of the arabinose operon in Escherichia coli as a model system to study this diversification process in continuous cultivations. As a preliminary step, the green fluorescent protein (GFP) level triggered by an arabinose‐inducible ParaBAD promoter was tracked by flow cytometry in chemostat cultivations with glucose‐arabinose co‐feeding. For a wide range of glucose‐arabinose co‐feeding concentrations in the chemostats, the simultaneous occurrence of GFP positive and negative subpopulation was observed. In the second set of experiments, continuous cultivation was performed by adding glucose continuously and arabinose based on the capability of individual cells to switch from low GFP to high GFP expression states, performed with a technology setup called segregostat. In the segregostat cultivation mode, on‐line flow cytometry analysis was used for adjusting the arabinose/glucose transitions based on the phenotypic switching profiles of the microbial population. This strategy allowed finding an appropriate arabinose pulsing frequency, leading to prolonged maintenance of the induction level with a limited increase in the phenotypic diversity for more than 60 generations. The results suggest that the steady forcing of individual cells into a given phenotypic trajectory may not be the best strategy for controlling cell populations. Instead, allowing individual cells to switch periodically around a predefined threshold seems to be a more robust strategy leading to oscillations, but within a predictable cell population behavior range.
Pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and metabolism of neferine in rat by LC–MS/MS and LC–HRMS
Authors: Hu Lin , Wang Yu , Shu Chang , Yu Jingjing , Chen Yueyue , Li Yali , Tao Ran , Yang Huiyuan , Dou Lei 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn this study, a simple and sensitive analytical method based on liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was developed and validated for the determination of neferine in rat plasma. After acetonitrile‐mediated protein precipitation, the samples were separated on an Acquity BEH C18 column (2.1 × 50 mm, 1.7 μm) maintained at 40°C. The mobile phase comprising 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile was delivered at a flow rate of 0.4 ml/min. The mass detection was conducted using multiple reaction monitoring mode with ion transitions at 625.4 > 206.3 and m/z 622.9 > 380.9 for neferine and internal standard, respectively. The assay was demonstrated to be linear over the concentration range of 0.5–1,000 ng/ml, with correlation coefficient >0.999 (r > 0.999). The validated method was further applied to the pharmacokinetic study of neferine in rat plasma. In addition, the metabolism of neferine was investigated using high‐resolution mass spectrometry. A total of six metabolites from rat liver microsomes and plasma were detected and their structures were identified according to their fragment ions. The proposed metabolic pathways of neferine were demethylation, dealkylation, dehydrogenation and glucuronidation.