bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low Mg content on Ti-Nb-Sn alloy when in contact with eBMMSCs promotes improvement of its biological functions
Authors: da Silva Dias Carolina , Rossi Mariana Correa , Apolonio Emanuel V. P. , dos Santos Rosa Gustavo , Pfeifer João Pedro Hübbe , Hussni Carlos Alberto , Watanabe Marcos Jun , Alves Ana Liz Garcia 
Published: December 2021

AbstractMagnesium is a metal used in the composition of titanium alloys and imparts porosity. Due to its osteoconductive, biocompatible and biodegradable characteristics, its application in the development of biomedical materials has become attractive. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of magnesium present in porous Ti-Nb-Sn alloys, which have a low elastic modulus in adhesive, osteogenic properties and the amount of reactive intracellular oxygen species released in mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow equine bone (eBMMSCs). Mechanical properties of the alloy, such as hardness, compressive strength and elastic modulus, were analyzed, as well as surface morphological characteristics through scanning electron microscopy. The evaluation of magnesium ion release was performed by atomic force spectroscopy. The biological characteristics of the alloy, when in contact with the alloy surface and with the culture medium conditioned with the alloy, were studied by SEM and optical microscopy. Confirmation of osteogenic differentiation by alizarin red and detection of ROS using a Muse® Oxidative Stress Kit based on dihydroetide (DHE). The alloy showed an elastic modulus close to cortical bone values. The hardness was close to commercial Ti grade 2, and the compressive strength was greater than the value of cortical bone. The eBMMSCs adhered to the surface of the alloy during the experimental time. Osteogenic differentiation was observed with the treatment of eBMMMSCs with conditioned medium. The eBMMSCs treated with conditioned medium decreased ROS production, indicating a possible antioxidant defense potential of magnesium release.
Metformin-loaded β-TCP/CTS/SBA-15 composite scaffolds promote alveolar bone regeneration in a rat model of periodontitis
Authors: Xu Wanghan , Tan Wei , Li Chan , Wu Keke , Zeng Xinyi , Xiao Liwei 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPeriodontitis is a progressive infectious inflammatory disease, which leads to alveolar bone resorption and loss of periodontal attachment. It is imperative for us to develop a therapeutic scaffold to repair the alveolar bone defect of periodontitis. In this study, we designed a new composite scaffold loading metformin (MET) by using the freeze-drying method, which was composed of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), chitosan (CTS) and the mesoporous silica (SBA-15). The scaffolds were expected to combine the excellent biocompatibility of CTS, the good bioactivity of β-TCP, and the anti-inflammatory properties of MET. The MET-loaded β-TCP/CTS/SBA-15 scaffolds showed improved cell adhesion, appropriate porosity and good biocompatibility in vitro. This MET composite scaffold was implanted in the alveolar bone defects area of rats with periodontitis. After 12 weeks, Micro-CT and histological analysis were performed to evaluate different degrees of healing and mineralization. Results showed that the MET-loaded β-TCP/CTS/SBA-15 scaffolds promoted alveolar bone regeneration in a rat model of periodontitis. To our knowledge, this is the first report that MET-loaded β-TCP/CTS/SBA-15 scaffolds have a positive effect on alveolar bone regeneration in periodontitis. Our findings might provide a new and promising strategy for repairing alveolar bone defects under the condition of periodontitis.
In vitro and in vivo anticancer effect of pH-responsive paclitaxel-loaded niosomes
Authors: Barani Mahmood , Hajinezhad Mohammad Reza , Sargazi Saman , Rahdar Abbas , Shahraki Sheida , Lohrasbi-Nejad Azadeh , Baino Francesco 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIn this study, paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded pH-responsive niosomes modified with ergosterol were developed. This new formulation was characterized in terms of size, morphology, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and in vitro release at pH 5.2 and 7.4. The in vitro efficacy of free PTX and niosome/PTX was assessed using MCF7, Hela, and HUVEC cell lines. In order to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of niosomal PTX in rats as compared to free PTX, the animals were intraperitoneally administered with 2.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg niosomal PTX for two weeks. Results showed that the pH-responsive niosomes had a nanometric size, spherical morphology, 77% EE, and pH-responsive release in pH 5.2 and 7.4. Compared with free PTX, we found markedly lower IC50s when cancer cells were treated for 48 h with niosomal PTX, which also showed high efficacy against human cancers derived from cervix and breast tumors. Moreover, niosomal PTX induced evident morphological changes in these cell lines. In vivo administration of free PTX at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg significantly increased serum biochemical parameters and liver lipid peroxidation in rats compared to the control rats. The situation was different when niosomal PTX was administered to the rats: the 5 mg/kg dosage of niosomal PTX significantly increased serum biochemical parameters, but the group treated with the 2.5 mg/kg dose of niosomal PTX showed fewer toxic effects than the group treated with free PTX at the same dosage. Overall, our results provide proof of concept for encapsulating PTX in niosomal formulation to enhance its therapeutic efficacy.
Investigation on tribological behaviors of biodegradable pure Zn and Zn-X (Li, Cu, Ge) binary alloys
Authors: Li Huafang , Huang Jinyan , Zhang Peng , Zhang Qi 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAs a potential biodegradable implant material, zinc (Zn) alloys have attracted increasing attention due to their good biocompatibility and moderate degradation rate. Zn and its alloys are expected to become candidate materials for medical devices. The metals implanted in the human body will inevitably undergo friction in the human body before it is completely degraded. Friction and wear are essential factors which may cause medical devices’ service failure. However, there are still few studies on the friction and wear properties of biodegradable Zn-based alloys in the human body, and most studies just focus on the mechanical properties, degradation properties and biocompatibility of the alloys. Thus, it is crucial to study the friction and wear properties of Zn and its alloys. In the present work, we investigated the tribological properties of biodegradable pure Zn and Zn-X (Li, Cu, Ge) alloys. Our study found that under simulated body fluid and dry friction conditions, the addition of alloying elements Li and Cu can improve the friction properties of Zn. Among the four metals, Zn-0.5Li alloy has the lowest friction coefficient and the best wear resistance. Hank’s solution has lubricating and corrosive effects. That is to say, when the alloy is rubbed in Hank’s solution, it can not only be protected by the lubrication of the solution, but also tribocorrosion will occur as well.
Changes in Subjective Well-Being Over Time: Economic and Social Resources do Matter
Authors: Moro-Egido A. l. , Navarro M. , Sánchez A. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis article analyzes the main determinants of changes in subjective well-being over time in Germany distinguishing between long-term and short-term changes. Our findings for the long term indicate that social capital and values and cultural dimensions have the greatest capacity to predict changes in subjective well-being. Likewise, the correlation between economic resources and subjective well-being is weaker due to the small increase registered in household income and because people compare their income with those who are better off and feel envy. In the short term, economic resources have the highest capacity to predict both improvements (ups) and declines (downs) in subjective well-being. Finally, we also suggest that, whenever information is available, personality traits should be taken into account in the analysis of changes in subjective well-being over time in order to achieve more reliable estimates.
The $$\gamma$$ function in quantum theory II. Mathematical challenges and paradoxa
Authors: Mihálka Zs. É. , Nooijen M. , Margócsy Á. , Szabados Á. , Surján P. R. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWhile the square root of Dirac’s $$\delta$$
δ
is not defined in any standard mathematical formalism, postulating its existence with some further assumptions defines a generalized function called $$\gamma (x)$$

γ
(
x
)

which permits a quasi-classical treatment of simple systems like the H atom or the 1D harmonic oscillator for which accurate quantum mechanical energies were previously reported. The so-defined $$\gamma (x)$$

γ
(
x
)

is neither a traditional function nor a distribution, and it remains to be seen that any consistent mathematical approaches can be set up to deal with it rigorously. A straightforward use of $$\gamma (x)$$

γ
(
x
)

generates several paradoxical situations which are collected here. The help of the scientific community is sought to resolve these paradoxa.
Polaron Models with Regular Interactions at Strong Coupling
Authors: Myśliwy Krzysztof , Seiringer Robert 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWe study a class of polaron-type Hamiltonians with sufficiently regular form factor in the interaction term. We investigate the strong-coupling limit of the model, and prove suitable bounds on the ground state energy as a function of the total momentum of the system. These bounds agree with the semiclassical approximation to leading order. The latter corresponds here to the situation when the particle undergoes harmonic motion in a potential well whose frequency is determined by the corresponding Pekar functional. We show that for all such models the effective mass diverges in the strong coupling limit, in all spatial dimensions. Moreover, for the case when the phonon dispersion relation grows at least linearly with momentum, the bounds result in an asymptotic formula for the effective mass quotient, a quantity generalizing the usual notion of the effective mass. This asymptotic form agrees with the semiclassical Landau–Pekar formula and can be regarded as the first rigorous confirmation, in a slightly weaker sense than usually considered, of the validity of the semiclassical formula for the effective mass.
Interpreting Intercepted Communication: A Sui Generis Translational Activity
Authors: Capus Nadja , Havelka Ivana 
Published: December 2021

AbstractLegal wiretapping has gained importance in law enforcement along with the development of information and communication technology. Understanding the language of intercepted persons is essential for the success of a police investigation. Hence, intercept interpreters, as we suggest calling them in this article, are hired. Little is known about this specific work at the interface between language and law. With this article, we desire to contribute to closing this gap by focussing particularly on the translational activity. Our study identifies a fragmented field of research due to the difficulty in accessing workers in this specific field who interpret in a highly confidential phase of criminal investigations. The findings, which are drawn from scarce studies and our empirical data derived from an online questionnaire for a pilot study in Switzerland, demonstrate the wide range of the performed activity intercept interpreting. This article is the first to present translational activity from the perspective of intercept interpreters. The activity differs in many ways from interpretation in court hearings or police interviews. Hence, we suggest categorising interlingual intercept interpretation as a translational activity sui generis and—since previous research has not done justice to the ethical and deontological questions that intercept interpretation raises—advocate for further transdisciplinary research in this field of translation.
The effect of cytokinins on shoot proliferation, biochemical changes and genetic stability of Rhododendron ‘Kazimierz Odnowiciel’ in the in vitro cultures
Authors: Nowakowska Karolina , Pińkowska Anna , Siedlecka Ewa , Pacholczak Andrzej 
Published: December 2021

AbstractShoot proliferation is a very important micropropagation phase, decisive for economic efficiency of this method for a given taxon. To obtain a high multiplication ratio and a good quality of microshoots a detailed propagation protocol must be developed for particular species or even cultivars.Rhododendron‘Kazimierz Odnowiciel’ is a relatively new cultivar distinguished by large, beautiful flowers and high frost resistance so there is a need to develop an efficient method of its propagation to satisfy a growing demand for this plant. The aim of the experiment was to evaluate effects of cytokinins: meta-Topolin (mT), zeatin (ZEA), 6-benzyladenine (BA), thidiazuron (TDZ), 2-isopentenyladenine (2iP), or the combination of 2iP+ZEA on proliferation of shoots inR.‘Kazimierz Odnowiciel’ cultured on Anderson’s medium (AN). Biochemical changes in plant material affected by cytokinins during this phase of micropropagation were determined and occurrence of genetical changes was followed using ISSR markers. TDZ, ZEA or the combination of ZEA+2iP resulted in 100% explant regeneration. On the medium with TDZ or ZEA over two new shootsperexplant were produced but the highest proliferation was attained on the medium containing ZEA+2iP – over three shootsperexplant. Microshoots developed in this treatment had also the highest contents of chlorophyll, carotenoids and soluble sugars as well as the highest catalase activity. Microshoots formed on the medium with zeatin showed the lowest polymorphism (below 4%) relative to a stock plant.
Environmental footprint of regular and intensive inpatient care in a large US hospital
Authors: Prasad Purnima Aishwarya , Joshi Dhruvi , Lighter Jennifer , Agins Jenna , Allen Robin , Collins Michael , Pena Foohel , Velletri Joan , Thiel Cassandra 
Published: December 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Environmental sustainability is a growing concern to healthcare providers, given the health impacts of climate change and air pollution, and the sizable footprint of healthcare delivery itself. Though many studies have focused on environmental footprints of operating rooms, few have quantified emissions from inpatient stays. This study quantifies solid waste and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) per bed-day in a regular inpatient (low intensity) and intensive care unit (high intensity).

Methods
This study uses hybrid environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify average emissions associated with resource use in an acute inpatient unit with 49 beds and 14,427 hospitalization days and an intensive care unit (ICU) with 12 beds and 2536 hospitalization days. The units are located in a single tertiary, private hospital in Brooklyn, NY, USA.

Results and discussion
An acute care unit generates 5.5 kg of solid waste and 45 kg CO2-e per hospitalization day. The ICU generates 7.1 kg of solid waste and 138 kg CO2-e per bed day. Most emissions originate from purchase of consumable goods, building energy consumption, purchase of capital equipment, food services, and staff travel.

Conclusions
The ICU generates more solid waste and GHGs per bed day than the acute care unit. With resource use and emission data, sustainability strategies can be effectively targeted and tested. Medical device and supply manufacturers should also aim to minimize direct solid waste generation.
Variable and constraint reduction techniques for the temporal bin packing problem with fire-ups
Authors: Martinovic John , Strasdat Nico , Valério de Carvalho José , Furini Fabio 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe aim of this letter is to design and computationally test several improvements for the compact integer linear programming (ILP) formulations of the temporal bin packing problem with fire-ups (TBPP-FU). This problem is a challenging generalization of the classical bin packing problem in which the items, interpreted as jobs of given weight, are active only during an associated time window. The TBPP-FU objective function asks for the minimization of the weighted sum of the number of bins, viewed as servers of given capacity, to execute all the jobs and the total number of fire-ups. The fire-ups count the number of times the servers are activated due to the presence of assigned active jobs. Our contributions are effective procedures to reduce the number of variables and constraints of the ILP formulations proposed in the literature as well as the introduction of new valid inequalities. By extensive computational tests we show that substantial improvements can be achieved and several instances from the literature can be solved to proven optimality for the first time.
Epigenetic modification associated with climate regulates betulin biosynthesis in birch
Authors: Wang Jiang , Chen Bowei , Ali Shahid , Zhang Tianxu , Wang Yu , Zhang He , Wang Lishan , Zhang Yonglan , Xie Linan , Jiang Tingbo , Yin Jing , Sederoff Heike W. , Zinta Gaurav , Sederoff Ronald R. , Li Yuhua , Zhang Qingzhu 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe Betula genus contains pentacyclic triterpenoid betulin known for its environmental adaptation and medicinal properties. However, the mechanisms underlying betulin biosynthesis responding to climate change remain unclear. In this study, the role of epigenetic modification (DNA methylation) in betulin biosynthesis was examined and how climatic factors influence it. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing was performed for greenhouse-grown Chinese white birch (Betula platyphylla Sukaczev) treated with DNA methylation inhibitor zebularine (ZEB) and a natural birch population in Northeast China. ZEB treatment significantly affected the CHH methylation level of transposable elements and betulin content in a hormesis dose-dependent manner. The methylation and expression of bHLH9, a key transcriptional factor controlling betulin biosynthesis, were also consistently affected by ZEB treatment as a hormetic dose–response. In the natural population, there was a positive correlation between promoter methylation of bHLH9 and summer precipitation, while winter temperature was negatively correlated. Thus climate-dependent methylation of bHLH9 regulates the expression of downstream genes involved in betulin biosynthesis. This study highlights the role of environmental signals to induce epigenetic changes that result in betulin production, possibly helping to develop resilient plants to combat ongoing climate change and enhance secondary metabolite production.
The coupled effect of light and temperature on dormancy release and germination of Pinus koraiensis seeds
Authors: Zhang Min , Zhu Jiaojun 
Published: December 2021

AbstractElucidating the regulatory mechanisms of environmental factors on seed dormancy and germination will provide guidance for tree regeneration. Toward understanding the coupled effect of light and temperature on dormancy release and germination of Pinus koraiensis seeds, we set up three light conditions (L200: 200 μmol m−2 s−1, L20: 20 μmol m−2 s−1, L0: 0 μ m−2 s−1) and four storage temperatures [T-5: − 5 °C (50 days), T5: − 5 °C (50 days) + 5 °C (50 days), T25: − 5 °C(50 days) + 5 °C (50 days) + 25 °C (50 days), T15: − 5 °C (50 days) + 5 °C (50 days) + 25 °C (50 days) + 15 °C (50 days)] using imbibed seeds, then quantified phytohormones gibberellic acid (GA3) and abscisic acid (ABA) during the stratification. Germination percentage (GP), mean germination time (TM), and germination value (GV) under 25/15 °C temperature and the three light conditions were then determined. Phytohormone levels and germination performances were significantly affected by light and temperature. No consistent trend was found between the phytohormone levels and GP caused by light levels. Under the three light conditions, ABA concentrations in the embryo and endosperm decreased as storage temperature shifted from T-5 to T25 and increased from T25 to T15; GA3 decreased in nearly all four storage temperatures. GP reached 40–60% in T25 storage without light irradiance. In the three light conditions, GP and GV were higher at T5 and T25 than at T-5 and T15; so T5 and T25 are considered as optimum storage temperatures for dormancy release and germination. At optimum temperatures, light (L200, L20) significantly increased the GP and GV compared with the dark (L0). At L200 and L20, significant negative correlations between GV and the ABA concentrations and positive correlations between GV and GA/ABA in the seed embryo were found. Temperature played a more important role in primary dormancy release and germination; light was unnecessary for primary dormancy release. Light facilitated seed germination at optimum temperatures. The dormancy release and germination of P. koraiensis seeds were controlled by a decrease in ABA concentrations or an increase in GA/ABA induced by temperature variations.
Process design of a novel combination of peel grinding and deep rolling
Authors: Denkena Berend , Kroedel Alexander , Gartzke Tobias 
Published: December 2021

AbstractGrinding is mostly considered as a finishing operation by which a high surface quality is achieved. An increase in productivity is therefore limited by maintained surface properties such as the roughness or tensile residual stresses. Thus, a roughing operation is inevitable followed by a finishing operation, while both operations are separated, leading to larger cycle times and process costs. In this paper, a novel process combination is investigated in which the roughing is done by grinding and the finishing operation by deep rolling within one tool setup. In this way, both processes are conducted parallel within the primary processing time. The objective of this study is the knowledge of the characteristics of this process combination with regard to the workpiece surface integrity. Therefore, shafts are ground in peel grinding with varying grinding wheel types and process parameters and subsequently machined with deep rolling. The process combination is evaluated with regard to the process forces and the resulting surface properties. In addition, experiments using the process combination were conducted in order to investigate the transferability of the results towards the process combination. By this approach, it was found that the surface roughness was reduced up to 80% by deep rolling showing the potential of the process combination.