bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The optimization of pepsin processing time to balance the mechanical and biological properties of xenogeneic bone
Authors: Lei Ting , Qian Hu , Nan Jiangyu , Hu Yihe , Lei Pengfei 
Published: July 2021

AbstractXenogeneic bone showed great prospects to treat large bone defects due to its bionic composition and structure, but the immunogenicity limited its wide applications. Previously, we developed a pepsin treating method to eliminate the immunogenicity of xenogeneic bone. In this study, we further investigated the effect of pepsin processing time on the biological and mechanical properties. The results indicated that increased pepsin treating time impaired the mechanical properties of xenogeneic bone. And MC3T3‐E1 cells showed enhanced adhesion ability, as well as increased production of alkaline phosphatase and calcium nodulus production on the xenogeneic bone processed by pepsin for 24 hr (P24), as compared with xenogeneic bone processed by pepsin for 30 hr (P30) and 36 hr (P36). In addition, we found no significant inflammatory responses after implanting different xenogeneic bone into the intermuscular site of rats. These results suggested that xenogeneic bone processed by pepsin for 24 hr may be a preferable choice when using the xenogeneic bone as biomaterials for further researches.
Role of atomicity in the oxygen reduction reaction activity of platinum sub nanometer clusters: A global optimization study
Authors: Nair Akhil S. , Anoop Anakuthil , Ahuja Rajeev , Pathak Biswarup 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMetal nanoclusters are an important class of materials for catalytic applications. Sub nanometer clusters are relatively less explored for their catalytic activity on account of undercoordinated surface structure. Taking this into account, we studied platinum‐based sub nanometer clusters for their catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). A comprehensive analysis with global optimization is carried out for structural prediction of the platinum clusters. The energetic and electronic properties of interactions of clusters with reaction intermediates are investigated. The role of structural sensitivity in the dynamics of clusters is unraveled, and unique intermediate specific interactions are identified. ORR energetics is examined, and exceptional activity for sub nanometer clusters are observed. An inverse size versus activity relationship is identified, challenging the conventional trends followed by larger nanoclusters. The principal role of atomicity in governing the catalytic activity of nanoclusters is illustrated. The structural norms governing the sub nanometer cluster activity are shown to be markedly different from larger nanoclusters.
Removal of toxic cadmium using a binary site ion‐exchange material derived from waste printed circuit boards
Authors: Xu Meng , Alyasi Haya , Ning Chao , Hui Chi‐Wai , Mackey Hamish , McKay Gordon 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDAdsorption has been widely applied in wastewater treatment for heavy metal removal. Due to the high cost of adsorbent materials, various types of materials including agricultural, industrial wastes and naturally abundant materials have emerged as low‐cost adsorbents in recent years. However, enhancement processes need to be developed to improve the adsorption capability of the raw materials. It is still a challenge to find an economic material with high adsorption capacity. This paper demonstrates a strategy to activate a recycled waste material using a simple activating process, while significantly improving the adsorption capacity of cadmium from wastewater.RESULTSThe raw material feedstock is the non‐metallic aluminosilicate material obtained from the recycling of waste printed circuit boards (PCBs). By a simple thermal alkali activation process using potassium hydroxide as activation agent, the product material shows a strong capability of cadmium removal from effluent containing a high adsorption capacity of 2.12 mmol g−1. Initial metal concentration, dosage and pH effect on the adsorption isotherm and kinetics have been investigated. The experimental results include full characterization tests on this waste PCB‐derived adsorbent, and the in situ measurement of cadmium, calcium and potassium ions, since all are involved in the exchange sorption mechanism.CONCLUSIONBy combining kinetic modelling analysis and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the novel adsorption mechanism has been explained and quantified as a dual ion‐exchange mechanism with the millimoles of cadmium exchanged mass balancing with the millimoles of calcium and 0.5 mmol potassium going into solution. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
FECO fringes for investigating the effect of grafting process on the dispersion properties of polyamaide‐6 fibers
Authors: Sokkar Taha Z. N. , El‐Bakary Mohammed A. , Sewidan Muhamed A. , Hamza Ahmed A. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPolyamide‐6 fiber was modified by grafting it with poly(methyl methacrylate) PMMA polymer. The grafting process is widely used in industry to introduce new properties and overcome some obstacles, for instance, in storing energy applications. Multiple‐beam interference techniques are very precise techniques to characterize the different properties of polymeric fibers. Fringes of equal chromatic order FECO technique was used to study the effect of grafting process on the dispersion properties of polyamides fibers. A mechanical drawing device was attached to the FECO system to evaluate the mechanical deformation impact on the samples and on their dispersion properties. The dispersion properties were evaluated by measuring their refractive indices, Cauchy's constants, average excitation energy, dispersion energy, lattice energy, interband oscillator wavelength, static dielectric constant, and Abbe's dispersion number. The results show that grafting polyamide‐6 with PMMA produced a new material with a different structure and different dispersion properties. Microinterferograms, graphs and tables were given for illustrations.
Poultry manureshed management: Opportunities and challenges for a vertically integrated industry
Authors: Bryant Ray B. , Endale Dinku M. , Spiegal Sheri A. , Flynn K. Colton , Meinen Robert J. , Cavigelli Michel A. , Kleinman Peter J. A. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractManureshed management seeks to address systemic imbalances in nutrient distributions at scales beyond the farmgate and potentially across county and state boundaries. The U.S. poultry industry, which includes broilers, layers, pullets, and turkeys, has many characteristics that are compatible with achieving a vision of manureshed management, including a history of engaging in local and regional programs to better distribute manure resources. Despite widespread vertical integration that supports large‐scale strategic decision making and dry manures that favor off‐farm transport, there are still many challenges to poultry manureshed management that require engaging stakeholders other than just the poultry industry. Analysis of county‐level nutrient budgets highlights the industry's “mega‐manureshed,” extending from the Mid‐Atlantic, across the southeast, and into northwest Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The analysis also identifies areas with legacy nutrient build‐up that are still present today. Implementing manureshed management in the U.S. poultry industry requires comprehensive consideration of manure treatment technologies, alternative uses such as bioenergy production, market development for treated manure products, transport of manure nutrients from source to sink areas, and manure brokering programs that promote manure nutrient distribution. Fortunately, past and present evolution and innovation within the industry places it as a likely leader of the manureshed vision.
Short‐Term Repeatability of in Vivo Cardiac Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Tensor Imaging in Healthy Human Volunteers
Authors: Zhang Xiu‐Shi , Liu En‐Hui , Wang Xin‐Yu , Zhou Xin‐Xiang , Zhang Hong‐Xia , Zhu Yue‐Min , Sang Xi‐Qiao , Kuai Zi‐Xiang 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundIntravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) tensor imaging is a promising technique for diagnosis and monitoring of cardiovascular diseases. Knowledge about measurement repeatability, however, remains limited.PurposeTo evaluate short‐term repeatability of IVIM tensor imaging in normal in vivo human hearts.Study TypeProspective.PopulationTen healthy subjects without history of heart diseases.Field Strength/SequenceBalanced steady‐state free‐precession cine sequence and single‐shot spin‐echo echo planar IVIM tensor imaging sequence (9 b‐values, 0–400 seconds/mm2 and six diffusion‐encoding directions) at 3.0 T.AssessmentSubjects were scanned twice with an interval of 15 minutes, leaving the scanner between studies. The signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) was evaluated in anterior, lateral, septal, and inferior segments of the left ventricle wall. Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), mean fraction (MF), and helix angle (HA) in the four segments were independently measured by five radiologists.Statistical TestsIVIM tensor indexes were compared between observers using a one‐way analysis of variance or between scans using a paired t‐test (normal data) or a Wilcoxon rank‐sum test (non‐normal data). Interobserver agreement and test–retest repeatability were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), within‐subject coefficient of variation (WCV), and Bland–Altman limits of agreements.ResultsSNR of inferior segment was significantly lower than the other three segments, and inferior segment was therefore excluded from repeatability analysis. Interobserver repeatability was excellent for all IVIM tensor indexes (ICC: 0.886–0.972; WCV: 0.62%–4.22%). Test–retest repeatability was excellent for MD of the self‐diffusion tensor (D) and MF of the perfusion fraction tensor (fp) (ICC: 0.803–0.888; WCV: 1.42%–9.51%) and moderate for FA and MD of the pseudo‐diffusion tensor (D*) (ICC: 0.487–0.532; WCV: 6.98%–10.89%). FA of D and fp and HA of D presented good test–retest repeatability (ICC: 0.732–0.788; WCV: 3.28%–8.71%).Data ConclusionThe D and fp indexes exhibited satisfactory repeatability, but further efforts were needed to improve repeatability of D* indexes.Level of Evidence2Technical EfficacyStage 1
Analysis of MR Signs to Distinguish Between ARCO Stages 2 and 3A in Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head
Authors: Shi Shan , Luo Ping , Sun Li , Zhao Yanping , Yang Xuedong , Xie Limin , Yu Tong , Wang Zhenchang 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundMRI is the most effective diagnostic tool of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), especially for early diagnosis, but its detection of subchondral or cortical fractures is less accurate than CT. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately stage ONFH in the peri‐collapse period by MRI.PurposeTo improve the accuracy of MR for distinguishing between Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) stages 2 and 3A in ONFH.Study TypeRetrospective.SubjectsOne hundred and fifty five cases of ARCO stage 2/3A of ONFH underwent MR examinations, M/F = 72/83. CT was used as reference standard for collapse, which was decided by an orthopedist and a radiologist in consultation.Field Strength/Sequence3 T/axial and coronal T1‐weighted Turbo Spin Echo (T1W TSE) sequence, axial T2‐weighted fat‐saturated (T2W FS) TSE sequence, and coronal proton density‐weighted imaging (PDWI)‐FS‐Dixon fat/water image.AssessmentFive potential MR signs (the maximum width of the necrotic‐viable interface, bone marrow edema (BME), irregular articular surface of the femoral head, T2 heterogeneous high signal, and the absence of a necrotic‐viable interface with the morphology of closed loop) were evaluated blindly by five radiologists independently and the total scores of different combinations of MR signs were calculated.Statistical TestsMann–Whitney U test and Chi‐square test were used to evaluate age, gender, and MR signs differences between the two groups. ROC curve was used to access the distinguishing value of MR signs. The consistency of the five radiologists was analyzed by intraclass correlation coefficient.ResultsThe area under the curve of the combined MR signs 2 for distinguishing between ARCO stages 2 and 3A was the greatest (0.967), sensitivity and specificity were 100.00% and 88.71% respectively, and greater than 1 was the threshold.Data ConclusionCombined MR signs 2 has great values in distinguishing between ARCO stages 2 and 3A in ONFH, thus helping clinical therapy.Level of Evidence4Technical EfficacyStage 2
Nitric oxide is induced and required for efficient Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus lytic replication
Authors: Herrera‐Ortíz Antonia , Meng Wen , Gao Shou‐Jiang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractKaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is an oncogenic virus associated with several human malignancies. KSHV lytic replication promotes the spread of infection and progression of KSHV‐associated malignancies; however, the mechanism regulating KSHV lytic replication remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) in KSHV lytic replication. In the TREx BCBL1‐RTA KSHV lytic replication cell system, induction of KSHV lytic replication increased intracellular and extracellular NO. Chemical inhibition of NO production resulted in a lower level of KSHV lytic replication as shown by a reduced level of infectious virions, and decreased levels of viral lytic transcripts and proteins. In a second KSHV lytic replication system of iSLK‐RGB‐BAC16 cells, we confirmed that KSHV lytic replication increased NO production. Chemical inhibition of NO production resulted in reduced numbers of cells expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein and blue fluorescent protein, two reporters that closely track the expression of KSHV early and late genes, respectively. Consistent with these results, inhibition of NO production resulted in reduced levels of infectious virions, and viral lytic transcripts and proteins. Importantly, exogenous addition of a NO donor was sufficient to enhance the full KSHV lytic replication program. These results demonstrate that NO is required for efficient KSHV lytic replication, and NO plays a crucial role in the KSHV life cycle and KSHV‐induced malignancies.
Are colored periodontal probes reliable to classify the gingival phenotype in terms of gingival thickness?
Authors: Bertl Kristina , Al‐Hotheiry Mehdi , Sun David , Olofsson John , Lettner Stefan , Gotfredsen Klaus , Stavropoulos Andreas 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundThis cross‐sectional study assessed the potential of colored periodontal probes (CPP) to classify gingival phenotype in terms of gingival thickness (GT).MethodsBuccal GT in three anterior teeth in each of 50 patients was measured by transgingival sounding and classified by three different methods by eight examiners. Specifically, the diagnostic potential of visual judgment and transparency of a standard periodontal probe (SPP) to discriminate thin and thick gingiva, and of CPP to discriminate thin, medium, thick, or very thick gingiva was assessed.ResultsGT ranged from 0.57 to 2.37 mm. Using CPP resulted in a medium judgment in 87% of the cases, on average, and only between 1‐10 cases/examiner were judged as thick or very thick. Considering 1 mm GT as relevant cut‐off value, all methods showed a high positive predictive value (≥ 0.82) to identify thick cases, but also a high false omission rate (≥ 0.73) indicating that many cases classified as thin were actually thick. Further, 88% of the cases being ≤ 1 mm, were not classified as thin with CPP; this was inferior to SPP, for which, however, still 64% of the cases being ≤ 1 mm thick were wrongly classified. The highest, yet moderate agreement among examiners was achieved by SPP (κ = 0.427), whereas visual judgment and CPP showed only fair (κ = 0.211) and slight agreement (κ = 0.112), respectively.ConclusionUsing CPP resulted in most of the cases in a medium judgment. It seems that CPP cannot distinctly discriminate between “thick” and “very thick” cases and fails to capture the thin high‐risk cases.
Single gingival recession associated with non‐carious cervical lesion treated by partial restoration and coronally advanced flap with or without xenogenous collagen matrix: A randomized clinical trial evaluating the coverage procedures and restorative protocol
Authors: Mathias‐Santamaria Ingrid Fernandes , Silveira Camila Augusto , Rossato Amanda , Sampaio de Melo Mary Anne , Bresciani Eduardo , Santamaria Mauro Pedrine 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundEvaluate the use of collagen matrix (CM) as adjunctive to coronally advanced flap (CAF versus CAF + CM) to treat gingival recession (GR) associated with non‐carious cervical lesion–combined defects (CDs).MethodsSixty‐two patients presenting 62 CDs (RT1 GR and non‐carious cervical lesion (NCCLs) were randomly allocated to either CAF group (n = 31): partial restoration of the NCCL and CAF; or to CAF + CM group (n = 31): partial restoration of the NCCL and CAF associated with CM. Clinical, esthetic, patient‐centered outcomes, and restorative parameters were assessed.ResultsAfter 12 months, CD coverage were 55.2% for CAF and 54.4% for CAF + CM (P = 0.8). Recession reduction were 1.9 ± 0.8 mm for CAF and 2.0 ± 0.7 mm for CAF + CM (P = 0.6). CAF+CM resulted in higher increase in keratinized tissue (KT) width (CAF: 0.3 ± 0.7 mm; CAF + CM: 0.9 ± 0.8 mm; P = 0.004) and KT thickness gain (CAF: 0.1 ± 0.3 mm; CAF + CM: 0.7 ± 0.2 mm; P = 0.001). Both treatments presented low postoperative pain and resulted in esthetics improvements. In addition, no restoration was lost, 27.4% showed a reduction of the superficial polishing, and 8% showed marginal staining, but still clinically acceptable.ConclusionPartial resin composite restoration (with the apical limit up to 1 mm of the estimated CEJ) and CAF alone or combined with CM are suitable for treating CDs. The use of CM provided additional benefits in terms of KT width and thickness gain. (NCT03341598).
Substrate quality of drained organic soils—Implications for carbon dioxide fluxes
Authors: Säurich Annelie , Tiemeyer Bärbel , Dettmann Ullrich , Fiedler Sabine , Don Axel 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundPeatlands only cover a minor fraction of the global terrestrial surface, but due to drainage, they are major contributors to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from soils. Previous studies have shown that hydrological conditions, nutrient availability and anthropogenic disturbance play an important role in the mineralisation of organic matter. Furthermore, microbial turnover depends on peat quality, which is determined by its botanical origin and degree of transformation under natural conditions.AimsThe objective of this study was to shed light on the interdependence between mineralisation rates, secondary transformation of peat and chemical composition by examining the differences between bog and fen peat and between strongly degraded topsoil and well‐preserved subsoil.MethodsBog and fen peat from ten different peatlands under grassland use in Germany were analysed for their chemical composition using standard 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and wet chemical extractions for fibre analysis. The radiocarbon age was determined as well. The results were combined with CO2 fluxes from a previous incubation study.ResultsTopsoils had higher shares of proteins and lipids, and lower shares of carbohydrates and aromatics than subsoils. Bog peat subsoils were characterised by higher shares of carbohydrates and lower shares of aromatics than fen peat subsoils. Topsoils were more similar to each other in their chemical composition than the subsoils. Considering all samples, aromatics and phenolics were negatively correlated with CO2 fluxes. Measured CO2 fluxes from topsoils were significantly higher than from subsoils. However, no influences of chemical composition on CO2 fluxes were detected when examining topsoils and subsoils separately. Even though aromatics and phenolics showed positive relationships with radiocarbon age, differences in age alone were unable to explain the higher amounts of these compounds in the subsoil.ConclusionsThe results imply that chemical composition of topsoil peat is not the reason for higher mineralisation rates compared to subsoil peat, but rather a consequence of decomposition and transformation. Thus, peat mineralisation of drained organic soils under agriculture might not slow down over time due to gradually decreasing peat quality but could increase further.
Properties and applications of amphoteric surfactant: A concise review
Authors: Sarkar Ratan , Pal Aniruddha , Rakshit Atanu , Saha Bidyut 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAmphoteric surfactants have long hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain and hydrophilic positive as well as negative charged center connected with each other by a spacer group. Thus, this type of surfactant maintains overall charged neutrality. The properties of amphoteric surfactants depend primarily on the length of the hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain, the number of methylene segments in the spacer, the positive and negative charged groups, and their relative position. The ionic activity of amphoteric surfactants is influenced according to the pH value of the solvent. They display cationic behavior below the isoelectric points and anionic behavior at a higher pH. They take the shape of zwitterions in the area of the isoelectric point. In fact, amphoteric surfactants can be parted into pH‐sensitive and pH‐insensitive surfactants. The pH‐insensitive surfactants stay as zwitterionic form irrespective of the pH of the solution. This surfactant has some unique features because of its precise molecular structure as follows: high water solubility, high surface activities, a wide isoelectric range, low critical micelle concentration (CMC), high foam stability, low toxicity, low irritating, excellent biodegradability, bioactivity, interface change, and so on. Because of these special characteristics, amphoteric surfactants have been immensely interested in many applications in the scientific community, including cosmetics, chromatography, enhanced oil recovery, electrochemistry, nanoscience, polymer chemistry, and waste water treatment. This review aims to study about amphoteric surfactants, which have only one hydrophobic hydrocarbon tail and two oppositely charged hydrophilic headgroups connected with each other by a spacer group and its properties, applications in various academics and industrial fields.
The end‐fire Vivaldi antenna based on spoof surface plasmon polaritons
Authors: Zheng Zichao , Chen Fangjun , Xu Feng 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis letter proposes an end‐fire Vivaldi antenna based on spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). SPP is generated by a periodic corrugated metal–insulator–metal (CMIM) waveguide on which the odd mode of the SPP is propagated and is rarely used in the design of antenna transmission lines. Gradient corrugations and slotlines form the transitional part to achieve momentum matching and impedance matching between the microstrip feed line and plasma waveguide. In addition, one parasitic patch is introduced in flare aperture to improve the performance of the radiation. Both the simulation and measured results are carried out and match well with the theoretical design. This antenna generates end‐fire radiation beams within 4‐9 GHz frequency range (S11 < –10 dB). Measured results show that the realized gain is higher than 8.87 dB and the 3 dB beam width is stable between 31 and 36° over the operation frequency.